The Last Cavalier: Being the Adventures of Count Sainte-Hermine in the Age of Napoleon

XV Charles de Sainte-Hermine [I]

HECTOR DE SAINTE-HERMINE PAUSED for a moment to let Mademoiselle de Sourdis pull herself together. Then he continued: “As you said, a sad story. And it gets worse. For soon after we received the painful news of Leon’s death, my brother Charles disappeared. He did leave me a rather long letter, though, that said in pretty much these words:

“‘You don’t need to know, my dear child, where I am or what I’m doing. As you might suspect, I am striving to carry out what I swore I would do: seek vengeance.

“‘You are now all alone. But you are sixteen years old, and with misfortune as your teacher you will quickly become a man.

“‘You understand what I mean by becoming a man. A true man is like a solid oak tree with its roots in the past and its branches in the future. It can stand up to anything—to heat, cold, wind, rain, storms, weapons, and gold.

“‘Keep both your mind and your body active; become skillful in all kinds of physical activities—there is no lack of money or teachers. While you are in the provinces, spend twelve thousand francs a year on horses, guns, weapons, and lessons in riding and fencing. If you go to Paris, spend double that amount, but always with the same purpose of becoming a man.

“‘Do whatever is necessary always to have at hand ten thousand francs in gold. Be prepared to deliver it to any messenger who comes in Morgan’s name—you will know his signature—and presents you with a letter marked with the sign of a dagger.

“‘Whenever people speak of Morgan, you alone will know that they are really talking about me.

“‘Follow to the letter these instructions, but consider them more as advice than orders. And once a month, at least, reread this letter.

“‘Always be ready to take my place, to avenge me, and to die,’ he charged me, and signed the letter ‘Your brother, Charles.’”

“So, mademoiselle,” Hector continued, “now that you know that Morgan and Charles de Sainte-Hermine are one and the same person, I no longer need to recount for you my brother’s activities. For like all, you know that as the leader of the Companions of Jehu he soon became famous all over France and even in other countries. From Marseille to Nantua, France was his kingdom for more than two years.

“Twice more I received letters from him, marked with the seal and signature to which he had alerted me. Each time he asked for the same amount, and each time I sent it to him.

“The man named Morgan meanwhile became both the terror and the darling of the South of France. The Royalist party deemed the Companions of Jehu to be like knights and avowed their legitimacy. The authorities, on the other hand, tried to sully them by calling them bandits, brigands, and stagecoach robbers, but they were unable to tarnish Jehu’s prestige. All over the South one could openly say he stood with the Companions of Jehu without having anything to fear from the local authorities.

“As long as the Directory lasted, everything went well. The government was already too weak for foreign wars, so domestic war was unthinkable. But then Bonaparte came back from Egypt.

“By chance, in Avignon he witnessed one of the many courageous operations typical of the Companions of Jehu, and he witnessed their code of ethics too. For along with money belonging to the government, they had mistakenly carried off a bag containing two hundred louis that belonged to a wine merchant from Bordeaux. While taking a meal at the common table in an inn, the merchant was complaining about the wrong done to him when in broad daylight my brother strode into the dining room, masked and armed to the teeth. He walked over to the table, offered his excuses, and put down in front of the merchant his two hundred louis.

“Chance had it that General Bonaparte and his aide-de-camp Roland de Montrevel were eating at the same table, so he saw firsthand the kind of men he was dealing with. And he realized that it was not the English but the Companions of Jehu who were providing support to the Chouans. He made the decision to exterminate them and sent Roland south with full authority to do whatever was needed.

“But Roland could not find a single traitor willing to identify the people Roland had sworn to exterminate. Nor did the caves, forests, or mountains betray the lair of the men who themselves refused to betray their king. It was an unexpected event, produced by a woman’s hand, that brought about the downfall of those whom the weapons of entire regiments had been unable to reach.

“You know about the terrible political turmoil that, like an earthquake, is now rocking the city of Avignon. Well, imagine one of those riots in which people pitilessly cut each other’s throats, in which they battle an enemy as long as they have one ounce of breath and even after the enemy has breathed his last. And imagine then how a certain Monsieur de Fargas had been not only killed but burned and eaten by cannibals whose actions far outstripped any primitives in the Pacific isles. His assassins were liberals.

“His two children, though, escaped the carnage and fled. Nature had made a mistake with de Fargas’s son and daughter, for it had given the young man the heart of a girl and the sister the heart that should have been her brother’s. Both of them, Lucien and Diana, with Diana giving her full support to her brother, swore to avenge their father.

“Lucien joined the Companions of Jehu, but during a raid he was captured. Unable to stand up to the torture of sleep deprivation, he revealed the names of his accomplices. To protect him from the vengeance of the Companions of Jehu, his captors moved him from Avignon to a prison in Nantua, but one night a week later, a band of armed men stormed the prison and carried him off to a monastery in Seillon.

“Two nights after that, the corpse of Lucien de Fargas was placed in the town square in front of the Préfecture, just across from the hotel Les Grottes de Ceyzériat, where his sister Diana was living. The body was naked, and the well-known dagger of the Companions of Jehu was planted in his heart. Hanging from the dagger was a piece of paper on which Lucien, in his own hand, had written: ‘I shall die because I failed to keep my sacred oath. The dagger found planted in my chest will prove that I die the victim not of a cowardly assassin but of avenging justice.’

“At daybreak Diana was awakened by a loud noise under her windows. She somehow knew that the noise had something to do with her, and that a new misfortune awaited her. She put on a dressing gown, and without even tying up her hair, which had come loose in her sleep, she opened the window and leaned out over the balcony.

“Scarcely had she glanced down at the street than she let out a scream, jumped back, and, like a madwoman, pale as a ghost, her hair flowing, hurried down to the square and threw herself on the corpse in the middle of the crowd, crying ‘My brother! My brother!’

“Now a stranger had been witness to Lucien’s death. He had been sent by Cadoudal, so he knew all sorts of passwords that would open any door. This is the letter that served as his passport; I copied it because it has something to do with me.

“‘My dear Morgan,’ he read, ‘I’m sure you have not forgotten that at our meeting on Rue des Postes you offered to be my treasurer in case I should pursue war alone without any foreign or domestic help. Our defenders have all been killed, either as they fought or by a firing squad. D’Autichamp went over to the Republic. Only I still stand unswerving in my beliefs, invincible here in my Morbihan.

“‘My army of two or three thousand men is sufficient for my campaign. Although they are not asking for any salary, they must still have food, weapons, and ammunition. Ever since what happened in Quiberon, the English have sent us nothing.

“‘If you provide the money, we shall furnish the blood. That is not to say, God forbid, that if necessary, you too would not be willing to give blood of your own. No, your devotion is far greater than anyone’s, and it makes ours pale in comparison. If we are captured, we shall be shot, whereas if you are taken, you will die on the scaffold. You write that you have large amounts of money. If I can be sure of receiving thirty-five to forty thousand francs a month, that will be sufficient..

“‘I am sending you a mutual friend, Coster de Saint-Victor. His name alone should be enough to make you realize you can trust him completely. I am giving him the little catechism to study so he can find his way to where you now are hiding. Give him the first forty thousand francs if you have them and keep safe the rest, for it is much less to me than it is to you. If you are unable to stay where you are because persecution is too great, come to this part of France to be with me.

“‘Whether near or far, I love you and thank you.

“‘George Caudoudal

“‘General of the Army of Brittany

“‘PS: You apparently have, my dear Morgan, a young brother about nineteen or twenty years old. If you don’t think me unworthy of leading him into his first battles, send him to me. He will be my aide-de-camp.’

“After consulting all the Companions, my brother responded:

“‘My dear general,

“‘We received your good, courageous letter, thanks to your brave messenger. We have approximately one hundred fifty thousand francs in our coffers, and so we are able to do what you request. Our new associate, to whom I am giving the name Alcibiade on my own authority, will leave this evening with the first forty thousand francs. Each month you will receive from the same bank the forty thousand francs you need. In case of death or dispersion, the money will be buried in as many different places as we have multiples of forty thousand francs. Herewith is the list of those who will know where the money is hidden.

“‘Our brother Alcibiade arrived just in time to witness an execution, by the way. He has seen how we punish traitors.

“‘I thank you, my dear general, for your generous offer concerning my younger brother. But my intention is to keep him out of danger until the time comes for him to replace me. My father died on the guillotine, bequeathing his vengeance to my older brother. My older brother died before the firing squad, bequeathing his vengeance to me. I shall likely die, as you say, on the scaffold. But I shall die bequeathing my vengeance to my younger brother. And then it will be his turn to follow the same path we have taken, and he will contribute, as we have, to the triumph of our noble cause. Or he will die as we have died. That is the reason I am required to take it on myself to deprive him of your patronage, though I do ask you to keep him as a friend.

“‘As soon as possible, send us back our dear brother Alcibiade. For us it is a double pleasure to be able to send you our message with a messenger like him.

“‘Morgan’

“As my brother said, Coster de Saint-Victor did indeed witness the punishment. Lucien de Fargas was judged and executed before his eyes. Afterward, at midnight, two horsemen left the Seillon monastery by the same gate. One, Coster de Saint-Victor, was leaving for Brittany to meet Cadoudal, carrying forty thousand francs from Morgan. The other, the Comte de Ribier, with Lucien de Fargas’s body lying across his horse, was on his way to place the traitor’s corpse in the square by the Préfecture.”

Hector paused a moment, then said, “Pardon me, my story seemed so simple at first, only now it seems to have gotten so complicated it’s taking on the shape of a novel. I’m obliged to follow events as they progress, of course, but for fear of describing too many catastrophes I shall try to be as brief as possible.”

“Oh, on the contrary, don’t leave anything out, I beg you,” said Mademoiselle de Sourdis. “I find all the people you are talking about quite fascinating, especially Mademoiselle de Fargas.”

“Well, I was just about to get back to her. For three days after she had religiously attended to the burial of the body, identified as her brother, on the square in Bourg-en-Bresse, a young woman appeared at the Palais de Luxembourg and requested an audience with Citizen Director Barras. He was in a meeting. The valet, noticing that she was young and attractive, showed her into the pink boudoir, where Citizen Barras conducted his more amorous meetings. A quarter of an hour later, the same valet announced Citizen Director Barras.

“Barras entered triumphantly, placed his hat on a table, and walked toward the visitor, saying: ‘You wanted to see me, madame? Here I am!’

“The young woman, lifting her veil to reveal her astounding beauty, stood up as he approached. Barras stopped in amazement. Then he moved quickly forward and tried to take her hand as he gestured that she should sit back down.

“But she, keeping her hands in the folds of her long veil, said, ‘Please excuse me, but I must remain standing as befits a supplicant.’

“‘A supplicant!’ said Barras. ‘Oh, a woman like you does not beg; she gives orders, or at the very least she makes demands.’

“‘Well, that is what I’m also doing. In the name of the earth that gave us both life, in the name of my father, your father’s friend, in the name of outraged humanity, in the name of failed justice, I come to you to demand vengeance.’

“‘Vengeance?’

“‘Vengeance,’ Diana repeated.

“‘Vengeance is a harsh word,’ Barras said, ‘for one so lovely and young.’

“‘Monsieur, I am the daughter of the Comte de Fargas, assassinated by the Republicans in Avignon, and the sister of the Vicomte de Fargas, who has just been killed in Bourg-en-Bresse by the Companions of Jehu.’

“‘Are you sure, madame?’

“She showed him a dagger and a sheet of paper. ‘The dagger is well known in its design,’ she said, ‘even if the dagger explained nothing at all, and the paper will remove any doubts as to the murder and its cause.’

“Barras studied the weapon. ‘And this dagger.…’ he began.

“‘Was planted in my brother’s chest.’

“‘The dagger by itself proves nothing,’ said Barras. ‘It could have been stolen or counterfeited purposely simply to complicate the investigation.’

“‘Yes, but read this paper, written and signed in my brother’s hand.’

“Barras read Lucien’s last words, avouching his failure to keep his oath to the Companions of Jehu. ‘And this is truly your brother’s writing?’ Barras asked.

“‘Yes, it is.’

“‘What do these words mean: “I die the victim not of a cowardly assassin but of avenging justice?”’

“‘That means that when he fell into your agents’ hands and was tortured, my brother broke his oath by naming his accomplices. I’m the one,’ Diana added with a strange laugh, ‘who should have joined the Companions, not my brother.’

“‘How is it possible that a murder like that took place without my knowing anything about it?’

“‘It does not speak well for your police,’ Diana said with a smile.

“‘Well, since you seem to be so well informed, tell us the names of the people who killed your brother. Once we have caught them, their punishment will be swift.’

“‘If I knew their names,’ answered Diana, ‘I would not have to come see you. I’d have planted a knife in them myself.’

“‘Well,’ said Barras, ‘as you look for them, so shall we.’

“‘But should it be I who looks for them?’ Diana asked. ‘Is that my job? Am I the government or the police? Is it my responsibility to keep watch over people? My brother was arrested and put into prison, a prison belonging to the government, which now has to answer to me for my brother. The prison has betrayed its prisoner. So the government owes me an answer. Since you are the head of government, I ask you, I demand, “Give me back my brother!”’

“‘You loved your brother?’

“‘I adored him.’

“‘And you want to avenge him?’

“‘I would trade my life for the lives of his assassins.’

“‘What if I offered you a way, whatever it might be, to discover the murderer? Would you accept?’

“Diana hesitated a moment, then said boldly, ‘Whatever it is, I shall do what’s necessary.’

“‘Well, then,’ said Barras, ‘if you are willing to help us, we shall help you.’

“‘What must I do?’

“‘You are attractive; very attractive, indeed.’

“‘My beauty has nothing to do with it,’ said Diana without lowering her eyes.

“‘On the contrary,’ said Barras, ‘beauty has everything to do with it. In this grand struggle we call life, beauty comes to women not as some heaven-sent gift merely to please the eyes of a lover or husband, but as a potent weapon, a means of attack and defense.’

“‘Tell me more,’ Diana replied.

“‘The Companions of Jehu keep no secrets from Cadoudal. He is their true leader, for essentially they work for him. He knows their every name from top to bottom.’

“‘And so?’ Diana wondered.

“‘So? Nothing could be simpler. Go to Brittany, join Cadoudal, introduce yourself as a victim of your devotion to the Royalist cause, gain his confidence. It will be easy for you, because Cadoudal will not be able to look at you without falling in love. And sooner or later you’ll have all the names of these men, these bandits, whom we have had so much trouble finding. Provide us those names, that is all I ask, and you shall have your revenge, I guarantee. In addition, if through your influence you’re able to get that stubborn rebel to give up his struggle, I don’t need to tell you that the government would set no limits.…’

“Diana raised her hand. ‘Careful, Citizen Director, one more word and you’d be insulting me.’ Then, after a moment’s silence: ‘I’d like to request twenty-four hours to consider,’ she said.

“‘Take your time, madame,’ said Barras. ‘I am always at your orders and shall be waiting.’

“‘Tomorrow at nine p.m., right here,’ said Diana. She then took the dagger from Barras’s hands and picked up her brother’s letter from the table. She slipped them inside her bodice. She said good-bye and left.

“The next evening at the appointed hour Mademoiselle Diana de Fargas was again announced at the palace, and the director hurried back to the pink boudoir.

“‘I’ve come to a decision, monsieur. However, you will understand that I shall need a safe-conduct so that the Republican authorities will know who I am. In the life I shall be leading, it is possible I could be caught bearing arms against the Republic. I know that you send even women and children to the firing squad, for you wage a war of extermination—well, that is between you and God. So while I may be captured, I have no wish, you can be sure, to be shot before enjoying my revenge.’

“‘I had anticipated your request, and so as not to delay your departure, the papers you need I have already had prepared. Here are clear orders from General Hédouville; they transform those whom you fear into your protectors. With this safe-conduct, you can go anywhere in Brittany or the Vendée.’

“‘Very well, monsieur!’ said Diana. ‘Thank you.’

“‘If it’s not too indiscreet, may I ask when you plan to leave?’

“‘This evening. My horses and coach await me outside the palace gates.’

“‘Allow me to ask one somewhat delicate question. It is my duty to ask.’

“‘Go ahead, monsieur.’

“‘Do you have money?’

“‘I have six thousand gold francs in this box, and that’s better than sixty thousand francs’ worth of assignats. As you see, I have my own resources to fund my battles.’

“Barras reached out to shake the lovely traveler’s hand, but she took no notice of his polite gesture. She merely curtsied and withdrew.

“‘What a charming viper,’ said Barras. ‘I would not want to be the one to provide it warmth.’”

XVI Mademoiselle de Fargas

“MADEMOISELLE DE FARGAS and Coster Saint-Victor happened to meet by chance just below the village of La Guerche, about three leagues from where Cadoudal was camped.

“Coster Saint-Victor, one of the most elegant men of the time, a rival of the First Consul Bonaparte for the favors of one of the most beautiful actresses of the day, spotted the lovely woman in the open carriage. When the carriage was forced move more slowly on an upgrade, he was able to draw near easily since he was on horseback.

“At first Diana tried to remain coldly distant with the stranger, but he greeted her so politely, and his speech and compliments were so gentlemanly, that she remained aloof no longer than was appropriate for people who meet while traveling. Then, too, the region was completely new to her, and danger could be waiting anywhere. This traveler apparently knew the country very well, so he could prove to be useful to her, perhaps even telling her where Cadoudal could be found.

“Both of them had assumed a false identity. Coster Saint-Victor had told her that his name was d’Argentan and that he was a government tax officer in Dinan. Diana had introduced herself as Mademoiselle de Rotrou, the postmistress in Vitré. From statement to statement they shared false information, but eventually they both spoke something true. To each other both divulged that they were looking for Cadoudal.

“‘Are you acquainted with him?’ Saint-Victor, or d’Argentan, had asked.

“‘I’ve never set eyes on him,’ Diana answered.

“‘Well, then, mademoiselle, I shall be pleased to offer my services,’ said d’Argentan. ‘Cadoudal is a close friend of mine, and we are getting so near the place where we shall meet him that I can with no risk, I believe, admit that I am not really a government tax agent but rather an officer in Cadoudal’s ranks. If you need a reference to be able to see him, mademoiselle, I shall be doubly pleased that chance—in this case I will say Providence—has placed you on my path.’

“‘Since we are making admissions, I am no more postmistress in Vitré than you are a tax officer in Dinan. I am the last of a well-known Royalist family and I’ve a vow of vengeance to fulfill. I am seeking to serve with him.’

“‘In what capacity?’ d’Argentan asked.