human
His Most Christian Majesty--or rather Louvois for him--wrote me that I might expect a visit from you on your way from Franche-Comté to Paris.
gpt
Indeed! said St. Georges, looking, as he felt, astonished. After which he added:
human
Truly, for a poor lieutenant of horse, such as I am, the king seems much interested in my doings. I marvel much that he should be so.
gpt
Family interest, perhaps? said the bishop, glinting an eye at him from behind the glass which he was again holding up to the light of the guttering candle.
human
Family interest is useful at court.
gpt
Family interest! exclaimed the other, pushing his glass away from him.
human
Monseigneur, it is evident you know nothing of Georges St. Georges, or you would not mention that. Still, how should you know my affairs?
gpt
How, indeed! replied Phélypeaux, though again there was a flash from the eye--
human
he interjected with an upward glance.
gpt
Paris! Paris! But having recovered from this fervent ecstasy, he continued:
human
And if not family interest--I am a believer in family interest myself--what can it be? Unless, of course, you have been selected because of your military promise.
gpt
Nor can it be that either, replied the guest.
human
I have been in garrison at Pontarlier for a year, and as for my service, why I have done nothing to distinguish myself. No more than thousands of his Majesty's troops have done--nay, not half so much.
gpt
How old are you, may I ask?
human
Thirty-three.
gpt
Ah, replied monseigneur,
human
and he leaned back in his chair and muttered to himself, though once he said quite audibly:
gpt
Yes, yes. That would do very well.
human
What would do very well, monseigneur?
gpt
Pardon me, replied the bishop, and St. Georges could not help remarking how much more courtly his manner had become by degrees, so that, while heretofore it was quite in keeping with what he had originally imagined him to be--a servitor--it was now thoroughly suitable to his position--the position of a member of an old French family and of a father of the Church;
human
It is somewhat of a story, and a long one. Hark! surely that is the cathedral clock striking. It is too late to pester you with my affairs.
gpt
Not a jot, exclaimed Phélypeaux--
human
It is, indeed, replied St. Georges,
gpt
Tell me all. I love to hear the history of the young and adventurous, as you are--as you must be. The _chevaux-légers_ encounter adventure even in garrison,
human
I have encountered none, or very few. A few indecisive campaigns against Holland in the year the king gave me my commission--namely, fourteen years ago--then the Peace of Nimeguen, and since then stagnation in various garrisons. Yet they say the time is coming for war. Holland seeks allies everywhere against France; soon a great campaign should occur.
gpt
Without doubt, when his Most Christian Majesty will triumph as he has done before. But why--how--did you obtain your commission? You do not tell me that.
human
No, I had forgotten. Yet 'tis not much to tell. My mother--an English woman--excuse me, Monseigneur l'Évêque, but you have spilt your wine.
gpt
So, indeed, I have, said the bishop, sopping up the wine which his elbow had overturned by a sudden jerk while the other was speaking,
human
Then with a sidelong glance he said:
gpt
So your mother was an English woman. _Ah! mon Dieu, elles sont belles, ces Anglaises_! An English woman. Well, well!
human
Yes, an English woman. Daughter of a Protestant cavalier who left England when the Commonwealth was declared. He had done his best for the king, but with his death he could do no more. So he quitted his country forever.
gpt
Most interesting, exclaimed the bishop,
human
He was of the branch in Auvergne. A humble member, but still of it. I know no more.
gpt
No more?
human
No.
gpt
Humph! Strange! Pardon me, monsieur, I would not ask a delicate question--but--but--did not the family recognise the marriage of Monsieur St. Georges?
human
They did not recognise it for the simple reason that they were never told of it. It did not please my father to divulge the marriage to his family, so they were left in ignorance that it had ever taken place.
gpt
And was Monsieur St. Georges--your father--a soldier like yourself?
human
He was a soldier like myself. And served against Condé.
gpt
Against Condé. Under Turenne, doubtless?
human
Yes. Under Turenne. They were, I have heard, more than commander and subordinate. They were friends.
gpt
A great friendship! exclaimed the bishop.
human
A great friendship! To his influence you doubtless owe your commission, obtained, I think you said, in '74, the year before Turenne's death.
gpt
Doubtless. So my father said. He died in the same year as the marshal.
human
In battle, too, no doubt?