It was a strange way for a groom to behave.
He pushed me ahead of him. I thought I heard a sound in the house. I looked up. There seemed to be a film of dust everywhere. It looked like a house in which no one lived. Then who had dug the hole in the garden?
I was aware of Armand’s heavy breathing, and suddenly a fearful premonition came to me. I had been brought here to die. The grave in the garden was for me. I had been led into a trap and willingly I had stepped into it. What thoughts can pass through the mind in the space of a few seconds! The Comte had sent one of his servants to bring me here. Why? To kill me? To bury me in that grave in the garden . to leave me there . forgotten. Why? He loved me. He had said so. Did he? How could one know? He had the devil in him, how often had I heard that said of him. He wanted Ursule out of the way and he had killed her. He had wanted to marry Gabrielle who had already given him a son.
Then what of me? I was to be the scapegoat. If I disappeared it would be said that it was I who had put that fatal dose in Ursule’s glass.
Nou-Nou would support that theory. The Comte would be free of suspicion. Oh, nonsense, nonsense! But he had sent for me and I was here in this fearful place where every instinct was telling me that I was staring death in the face.
I turned, looking for escape. Then suddenly a door opened. For a moment my eyes would not look. I do not want to see him. I could not bear that my dream world should come tumbling about my ears. If I was going to die I wanted to die in ignorance, refusing to believe that of which so many people had tried to warn me.
Armand was immediately behind me. I lifted my eyes. Standing in the doorway was a figure . strangely familiar. I just had time to recognize the short neck, the hat with the brim, the dark wig before he sprang forward and seized me. There was a blinding flash and I was lying on the floor. There was an excruciating pain somewhere . I was not sure where . for everything was ebbing away, the evil house, the sinister man who had watched me for so long, my frightening speculation, my own consciousness.
When I opened my eyes I was lying in my old bedroom in the Hotel Delibes. There was cramping pain in my arm, which I realized was bandaged. I tried to struggle up but was immediately giddy and sank back on me pillows.
“Lie still,” said a voice.
“It is better so.”
I did not know the voice but it was soothing.
There was a parched feeling in my throat and almost immediately a cup was put to my lips. I drank something that was sweet and soothing.
That’s better,” said the voice.
“Now lie quietly. It might be painful if you move.”
“What happened to me?” I asked.
“Try to sleep,” was the answer; and so listless did I feel that I obeyed.
When I awoke I saw a woman at my bedside.
“Do you feel better?” It was the same voice as before.
“Yes, thanks. How did I get here? “
“The Comte will explain. He said he was to be called when you awoke.”
“He is here, then?” I felt suddenly joyous.
He was at my bedside. He took my free hand and kissed it. Thank God I set Perigot to watch over you. He did a good job. “
“What was it all about?”
“You came near to death, my darling. That villain would have killed you … and we should never have known what happened. He would have shot you through the heart or the head, which was what he planned to do, and then buried you in that godforsaken place. Why did you go?”
“With Armand, you mean? Why shouldn’t I, when he said he was taking me to you?”
oh my God, I wish I could get my hands on him. But I will, I promise you. “
“But Armand has been in your service for,..”
“In Etienne’s service, I believe. To think that a son of mine . What people will do for lands, title, money . If I never have a son at all he’ll get nothing now. “
“Do you mean that Armand took me there to kill me on Etienne’s orders? ”
“It could only be so. Armand has disappeared. When he realized that someone was in the house to foil his attempt he made off with all speed.”
“And this Perigot?”
A good man. He has been watchful of you. “
A nan with a short neck and a dark wig? “
“I don’t know about his wig, but I suppose, now you mention it, he has a short neck.”
“So you sent him to guard me?”
“Naturally I sent someone to guard you. I didn’t like what had happened on that day when you were fired at in the lane. Perigot did his work well. He followed Armand to the house, saw him dig the grave and guessed what was happening. When he saw you leave from Grasseville with him he made sure he was at the house waiting for you when you arrived. Armand was ready to kill you and would have done so if Perigot had not been ready. So the bullet entered your arm instead of your body. Perigot is upset because he did not overpower Armand before the shot was fired, but he was waiting in the house and could only do what he did. If ever we get back to normal, Perigot shall have lands and wealth for what he has done for me.”
“Armand!” I murmured.
“Why Armand?”
“He must work for Etienne. He was always Etienne’s groom. They were more than master and servant. It was Etienne maybe with his mother’s connivance, and this I shall discover -who arranged for your little adventure in the lane, I am sure. At least that put me on the alert. I was determined to take every precaution. I knew that if I could trust anyone I could trust Perigot. I am going to send for him so that you can thank him personally for saving your life.”
He came into the room. He looked different without his tall hat and wig, much younger and the short neck was less noticeable.
He bowed and I said: Thank you for saving my life. “
“Mademoiselle,” he replied, “I regret I did not save you completely. I fear that you became aware of me, which showed that I did not make myself unobtrusive enough.”
“I couldn’t help but be aware of you when you were always there. And how could you have looked after me so expertly if you had not been?”
The Comte said: “We are both grateful to you, Perigot Your service to us will not be forgotten.”
“It is my duty and pleasure to serve you. Monsieur Ie Comte,” he said.
“I trust it will be so for very many years.”
The Comte was deeply moved and I felt all my fears dropping from me. I wondered why I had ever doubted him but of course that was the effect his presence always had on me.
When Perigot had gone toe Comte sat by my bed and we talked. He said what had happened was clear. Etienne had always hoped to be legitimized and made heir to the estate and title. And so he would have been if there had been no legitimate son.
“Of course,” he said, ‘they know of my feelings for you and he began to be afraid. He guessed rightly that I intend to marry you and if you and I had a son-which we fully intend to do, do we not? his hopes would be completely blighted. Therefore you presented the threat. It’s clear, isn’t it? “
Where is Etienne? “
“He was at the chateau looking after estate duties. Armand will have gone to him to tell him of the failure of their plan. I doubt he is at the chateau now, for he will know that I am fully aware of what he has done. He will never dare show his face to me again. It is the end for Etienne. And now there is only one thing to be done. You and I shall marry without delay.”
I cried out in protest. I thought of my conversations with Joel.
Though I had not promised to marry him I had not completely refused him. How could I go straight to another man and marry him? Besides, when I thought of marriage, fears and doubts raised their heads once more. The Comte was horrified at Etienne’s attempt to murder me, but what of the death of Ursule? Had she not died because she stood in the way of what he wanted, just as I had seemed to stand in Etienne’s way?