I began at the wrong end of my narrative, and it was some time before I had my facts arranged in proper sequence.I could not forget that Madame la Vicomtesse was looking at me fixedly.I reviewed Nick's neglected childhood; painted as well as I might his temperament and character--his generosity and fearlessness, his recklessness and improvidence.His loyalty to those he loved, his detestation of those he hated.I told how, under these conditions, the sins and vagaries of his parents had gone far to wreck his life at the beginning of it.I told how I had found him again with Sevier, how he had come to New Orleans with me the first time, how he had loved Antoinette, and how he had disappeared after the dreadful scene in the garden at Les Iles, how I had not seen him again for five years.Here I hesitated, little knowing how to tell the Vicomtesse of that affair in Louisville.Though I had a sense that I could not keep the truth from so discerning a person, I was startled to find this to be so.
``Yes, yes, I understand,'' she said quickly.``And in the morning he had flown with that most worthy of my relatives, Auguste de St.Gre.''
I looked at her, finding no words to express my astonishment at this perspicacity.
``And now what do you intend to do?'' she asked.
``Find him in New Orleans, if you can, of course.But how?'' She rose quickly, went to the fireplace, and stood for a moment with her back to me.Suddenly she turned.
``It ought not to be difficult, after all.Auguste de St.
Gre is a fool, and he confirms what you say of the expedition.He is, indeed, a pretty person to choose for an intrigue of this kind.And your cousin,--what shall we call him?''
``To say the least, secrecy is not Nick's forte,'' Ianswered, catching her mood.
She was silent awhile.
``It would be a blessing if Monsieur le Baron could hang Auguste privately.As for your cousin, he may be worth saving, after all.I know Monsieur de Carondelet, and he has no patience with conspirators of this sort.I think he would not hesitate to make examples of them.However, we will try to save them.''
``We!'' I repeated unwittingly.
Madame la Vicomtesse looked at me and laughed out right.
``Yes,'' she said, ``you will do some things, I others.
There are the gaming clubs with their ridiculous names, L'Amour, La Mignonne, La Desiree'' (she counted them reflectively on her fingers).``Both of our gentlemen might be tempted into one of these.You will drop into them, Mr.Ritchie.Then there is Madame Bouvet's.''
``Auguste would scarcely go there,'' I objected.
``Ah,'' said Madame la Vicomtesse, ``but Madame Bouvet will know the names of some of Auguste's intimates.
This Bouvet is evidently a good person, perhaps she will do more for you.I understand that she has a weak spot in her heart for Auguste.''
Madame la Vicomtesse turned her back again.Had she heard how Madame Bouvet had begged me to buy the miniature?
``Have you any other suggestions to make?'' she said, putting a foot on the fender.
``They have all been yours, so far,'' I answered.
``And yet you are a man of action, of expedients,'' she murmured, without turning.``Where are your wits, Mr.
Ritchie? Have you any plan?''
``I have been so used to rely on myself, Madame,'' Ireplied.
``That you do not like to have your affairs meddled with by a woman,'' she said, into the fireplace.
``I give you the credit to believe that you are too clever to misunderstand me, Madame,'' I said.``You must know that your help is most welcome.''
At that she swung around and regarded me strangely, mirth lurking in her eyes.She seemed about to retort, and then to conquer the impulse.The effect of this was to make me anything but self-complacent.She sat down in the chair and for a little while she was silent.
``Suppose we do find them,'' she said suddenly.``What shall we do with them?'' She looked up at me questioningly, seriously.``Is it likely that your Mr.Temple will be reconciled with his mother? Is it likely that he is still in love with Antoinette?''
``I think it is likely that he is still in love with Mademoiselle de St.Gre,'' I answered, ``though I have no reason for saying so.''
``You are very honest, Mr.Ritchie.We must look at this problem from all sides.If he is not reconciled with his mother, Antoinette will not receive him.And if he is, we have the question to consider whether he is still worthy of her.The agents of Providence must not be heedless,'' she added with a smile.
``I am sure that Nick would alter his life if it became worth living,'' I said.``I will answer for that much.''
``Then he must be reconciled with his mother,'' she replied with decision.``Mrs.Temple has suffered enough.
And he must be found before he gets sufficiently into the bad graces of the Baron de Carondelet,--these two things are clear.'' She rose.``Come here to-morrow evening at the same time.''
She started quickly for the bedroom door, but something troubled me still.
``Madame--'' I said.
``Yes,'' she answered, turning quickly.
I did not know how to begin.There were many things I wished to say, to know, but she was a woman whose mind seemed to leap the chasms, whose words touched only upon those points which might not be understood.
She regarded me with seeming patience.
``I should think that Mrs.Temple might have recognized you,'' I said, for want of a better opening.
``From the miniature?'' she said.
I flushed furiously, and it seemed to burn me through the lining of my pocket.
``That was my salvation,'' she said.``Mrs.Temple has never seen the miniature.I have heard how you rescued it, Mr.Ritchie,'' she added, with a curious smile.``Monsieur Philippe de St.Gre told me.''
``Then he knew?'' I stammered.
She laughed.
``I have told you that you are a very simple person,''
she said.``Even you are not given to intrigues.I thank you for rescuing me.''
I flushed more hotly than before.
``I never expected to see you,'' I said.
``It must have been a shock,'' she said.
I was dumb.I had my hand in my coat; I fully intended to give her the miniature.It was my plain duty.