human
My mother, a Protestant cavalier's daughter, was in Holland with her father after the execution of the king. As you know, that country was full of refugees from England. There she met my father, 'Captain St. Georges.' But at that time De Vannes was out of favour with the court; he was allied with the party of the Fronde, also he was a Protestant. And I believe he was 'Captain St. Georges,' I believe he was my mother's husband.
gpt
Always you 'believe,' monsieur. Surely there must be proofs! Your mother, what does she say?
human
She died, went on St. Georges,
gpt
Therefore, exclaimed Boussac,
human
Nothing. I cannot even remember her. Nay, some more years had to pass ere I, growing up, knew that my name was St. Georges. Then, as gradually intelligence dawned, I learned from the man with whom I lived, a Huguenot pastor at Montéreau, that I had no mother, and that my father was a soldier who could rarely find time to come and see me. Nay, was not often in Paris, and then not always able to make even so short a journey as that to Montéreau. Yet, went on St. Georges, meditatively,
gpt
They penetrated further than Paris and Montéreau, interrupted Boussac,
human
And so I said, replied St. Georges;
gpt
But, exclaimed Boussac,
human
Nay; listen, said St. Georges.
gpt
The year 1674 arrived, my twentieth year, when there came one night my commission in the regiment--the Nivernois. You have perhaps never seen one of these documents, Boussac, but you will ere long, I make no doubt, when your own is made out for the Mousquetaires. Therefore, I will tell you of its strange character and wording. It was that the king, at the request of the Duc de Vannes, had been graciously pleased to appoint me to the position of _porte-drapeau_ in the Nivernois under De Mailly-Sebret--a brave man, now dead--and that I was to join it in Holland. I did so, and, from that day to this, have prosecuted many inquiries as to why De Vannes should have procured me that commission. But up to now I have never received positive proof that he was my father--though still I do believe it.
human
But why, why, why? asked Boussac impatiently.
gpt
A man must have some friend who obtains him his presentation to a regiment--even I had our grand seigneur. And I never suspected _him_ of being my father!
human
Doubtless you had no reason to do so. Yet, again, listen. De Vannes was killed in 1675; in the same year--a month before him--died my old friend and protector--the one man who had ever stood in the light of a parent to me. His successor found among his papers and chattels a packet addressed to me, and forwarded it by a sure hand to Holland. When I opened it I found therein a miniature of my mother--though I should not have known it was she had he not informed me of it--and also instructions that I should myself seek out the Duc de Vannes at the first opportunity and boldly ask him who my father was. 'For,' he wrote, 'he can tell you if he will, and he ought in justice to tell you. I would do so only the most solemn promise binds me to keep silence--a promise which, had I never given it, would have stood in the way of my ever being to you all that I have been--of having my life cheered by you, my dear, dear one.' I was preparing to seek the duke out, had obtained leave to do so and to join Turenne in the campaign, when, lo! the news came that both he and De Vannes were killed on the same day.
gpt
And you know no more? asked Boussac, as now the plain was passed, and from the watch towers of Chatillon they could hear the guard being changed. And also, as they rode up to the gate, the challenge of
human
Who comes there?
gpt
Chevau-Léger and
human
Mousquetaire,