The Rose of Old St. Louis Read online

  CHAPTER IV

  I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT

  "A rosebud set with little wilful thorns"

  It was too late to beat a retreat. I caught once more a merry twinklein the little doctor's eyes as we followed the dog, who, obedient tohis mistress's voice, had rushed before us into the house. I felt thered blood surging to the roots of my hair, and I knew when I stoppedon the threshold beside my captain to make my grand bow that I lookedmore like an awkward country lout than the fine gentleman I was in thehabit of considering myself.

  I hardly dared raise my eyes, and yet I saw very distinctly that ifMademoiselle Pelagie in ball costume was bewitching, MademoisellePelagie in simple morning dress was an angel. The room was a long, lowone, cool and shady from the sheltering galleries outside, and withmany windows, all open to catch the southern breezes that kept thedimity curtains bellying like white sails. On a low seat beside one ofthe open windows, looking out into cool depths of dusky green, satMademoiselle Pelagie. Her white dress, short of skirt and reachinghardly to the daintiest of ankles, was just low enough in the neck toshow the round, white throat, and just short enough in the sleeve toleave uncovered below the elbow the beautifully molded arm. Across hershoulders was a broad blue ribbon that held the guitar to whose softthrumming I had been listening, and one restraining hand was laid onLeon's head, who sat beside her, erect on his haunches, regarding mewith angry suspicion.

  She rose as we entered, and still holding her guitar with one arm,while the other hand lifted her skirt daintily, she made us thedeepest and most graceful of curtsies. Then she lifted her dark eyesshyly to Captain Clarke and with a ravishing smile bade him welcome inbroken English. To me she vouchsafed not even a glance. I stood bystiff as any martinet while she made soft speeches to the captain inher adorable baby-English, and the captain responded in his mostgallant fashion.

  I grew more rigid and more gauche every minute, and I know not whatwould have become of me if the doctor, who had left the room to lookfor his wife, had not come to my relief. He came in, bringing MadameSaugrain with him, and a sweet and simple little old lady she provedto be. Her cap was almost as flowery as Madame Chouteau's, but she wasas warm and cordial in her manner as the other was stern andforbidding. She greeted my captain first, of course, but she was ascordial to me as to him, and in her motherly way she called me "Myson," which, after my icy reception from another lady, went straightto my heart. I was grateful to her in spite of the fear I felt thatit was my very youthful appearance had called forth the endearingterm.

  We were all comfortably seated, Captain Clarke chatting gaily withMademoiselle Pelagie, I pointedly addressing all my conversation toDr. Saugrain and madame, when Narcisse came in with a tray of coolingdrinks--a mild and pleasant beverage made of raspberry conserves andlime-juice mixed with some spirits and plenty of cold spring water. Iliked it well, and would have taken another glass, for I was thirstyand our ride had been a warm one, and Madame Saugrain urged it uponme, but as I was about to take it I heard a saucy voice saying:

  "'Tis no wonder that you empty not your glass, Captain Clarke; 'tis adrink much more suited to maidens and to young boys than to men."

  My glass was half extended, but I drew it back hastily, and then wasangry with myself, for I heard a mocking laugh that I was sure wasintended for me, and for the life of me I could not refrain fromglancing quickly in mademoiselle's direction. Her eyes met mine withmore of scorn in their dark depths than I could well stand. I gazedsteadily into them for as much as half a second with all the defiancein my glance I knew how to convey, and then I turned again to MadameSaugrain:

  "If you will permit me to change my mind, madame," I said, "I wouldlike another glass of your delicious beverage."

  And then, lifting it to my lips, I added:

  "I drink to the ladies: they add fragrance and beauty to our lives,like the red berries; comfort and strength, like this good ratafia;sweetness, like the sugar; and if sometimes they also add bitternessand acid, like the limes, it is doubtless for our good."

  The gentlemen both touched glasses with me as they drank to my toast,the little doctor preternaturally solemn, and my captain almost asgrave, but for a wicked twinkle in his eye. I knew they thought mytoast a boyish one, and doubtless understood its inspiration, whilethey struggled to preserve their gravity out of courtesy to me.Whether mademoiselle's eyes were more mocking than ever I did notknow, for I looked not in her direction. But madame glowed withgenuine pleasure and declared 'twas a pretty toast, and she thanked mefor her share in it. Whereupon mademoiselle said in the gravest voice:

  "I also, monsieur, thank you for my share in it, for I suppose thelime-juice is mine," and, to my amazement, when, as in duty bound, Iglanced at her, since she spoke directly to me, I saw that her eyeswere downcast, and the richest color had flamed into the warm white ofher cheeks.

  I know not what I might have said or done, so repentant was I at oncefor having caused her annoyance, had not a short, sharp exclamationfrom Dr. Saugrain startled us all:

  "'Tis that skulking Osage again. What does he here, Narcisse?"

  "He bring note, m'seh, for La Petite," answered Narcisse, rolling hiseyes at the unwonted sharpness in his master's tones.

  Dr. Saugrain turned at once to mademoiselle.

  "Pelagie," he said, "what does this mean? Who is sending you notes byRed Jean?"

  Mademoiselle looked up half defiantly, half inclined not to reply tosuch peremptory questioning in the presence of strangers. But onsecond thought she answered quite submissively:

  "It was the young Chevalier Le Moyne who is staying at GabrielCerre's."

  "Now, I like not that," said the doctor, hastily; and then bethinkinghimself, he ordered Narcisse to take away the empty glasses and keepan eye on Red Jean.

  "Don't let him get out of your sight as long as he stays about theplace; he will be stealing the horses if you don't watch him."

  The moment Narcisse had left the room the doctor repeated:

  "I like not that; I begin to think Black Hawk may have had good reasonto warn us against the White Wolf and the Red Dog."

  Then, turning to mademoiselle, he added more gently:

  "I like not to inquire into mademoiselle's little affairs, but this isof the gravest importance. Will you tell us the contents of that note,ma chere?"

  Mademoiselle hesitated, and glanced almost unconsciously at thecaptain and at me. We both sprang to our feet at the same moment, andthe captain spoke:

  "The lad and I will step out on the gallery, where, if you permit, wewill light our pipes."

  But with a quick gesture of dissent, mademoiselle also sprang to herfeet.

  "No, no! mon capitaine, no, no! Meestaire, it is not'ing, not'ing. Iwill say all before you. 'Tis only that the chevalier asks may heescort me to the peek-neek on Chouteau's Pond."

  "Sit down, gentlemen, if you please," said the doctor; "I think itwise for us to hold a council of war. I shall need your advice much,possibly your help. First, I want to say that some weeks ago Ireceived letters from France warning me of a plot to captureMademoiselle Pelagie and carry her back to France. A week ago thismysterious stranger arrived in St. Louis. Gabriel Cerre picked him upin Ste. Genevieve and brought him home with him, and that is about allany one knows of him, except that he claims to be of an old Frenchfamily, who has saved enough from the wreck to permit him to traveland see the world. When he has finished this trip he declares he willreturn and settle on his estates on the Loire which he says have beenreturned to him by Bonaparte. Whether Black Hawk meant him when hebade me beware of the White Wolf I know not. I could get very littleinformation when I spoke to him before leaving Pierre Chouteau's, andI am not sure he had any to give me, yet I think he knows something. Iconfess I have been suspicious of this fellow from the first,arriving, as he did, on the heels of my letter of warning. And nowwhat think you 'tis best to do?"

  I was eager enough to say what I thought best to do, but I knew myplace better than to speak before my elders, and so I w
aited for mycaptain. Mademoiselle was not so modest, or perhaps she thought no onehad a better right than herself to speak on a subject so nearlyconcerning her.

  "I think, sir," she said, lapsing into her native tongue, "you wrongthe Chevalier Le Moyne. I have seen much of him in the week of hisstay at Gabriel Cerre's, and he has been invariably respectful andmost gentleman-like in all his demeanor."

  "'Tis the very fact of his seeing so much of you, my child, that firstroused my suspicions. He is forever hanging round you at dance anddinner; not even Josef Papin gets much chance to come nigh you."

  Mademoiselle flushed slightly at the mention of Josef Papin's name--aname I was beginning, for some reason, to dislike.

  "I should think," she said demurely, "there might be other reasons forthat than suspicious ones"; and then she laughed merrily when Imurmured, "Vraiment!" and touched my heart with my handkerchief. Ithought she was mocking me again.

  "Mademoiselle is quite right," said Captain Clarke, gravely; "thereare doubtless very natural reasons for the chevalier's devotion, yet Ithink it would be well, nevertheless, to act on Dr. Saugrain'ssuspicions. May I inquire whether mademoiselle has accepted thechevalier's offer of escort?"

  We all listened eagerly for the answer.

  "No," said mademoiselle; "I had just received the note when youarrived, and I would not answer it until I had consulted my guardian.He is very stern with me, messieurs," turning to us with a witchingsmile that I could see pleased the good doctor greatly.

  "Then," continued the captain, "it would be a very easy matter, Isuppose, to decline his escort."

  But La Petite pouted.

  "Not so easy, mon capitaine. I have no reason to offer, and it wouldshut me off from accepting a second invitation."

  "I think," said Dr. Saugrain, "it would be better that you should notgo to the picnic. Chouteau's Pond is beyond the stockade, and shut inby the woods; it would be an ideal spot for a surprise and a capture.There are always plenty of rascally Osages to be hired for a trifle tocarry out any such villainy."

  "Not go!" exclaimed mademoiselle, in dismay. "But it is given for me!It is my fete! Josef Papin planned it entirely for me, he said."

  Mademoiselle was now growing rosy red, for, with a child's eagernessto carry her point at all hazards, she had said more than she meantto.

  "Then why did not Josef offer himself as your escort?"

  "He will, probably, later; but," and she tossed her head like thespoiled beauty she was, "it will serve him right, for being so slow,to find that I have accepted another. Besides which," and she shruggedher shoulders with all the airs of a Parisian dame, "you know yourbourgeois etiquette. I cannot accept another: it would be a justcause for a duel au pistolets."

  "C'est vrai," said the doctor, with an answering shrug, and lookingwoefully perplexed.

  "Now, if you will permit me," suggested the captain, "sincemademoiselle is so sure Mr. Papin will ask her later, why can she notplead to the chevalier a previous engagement?"

  But not for a moment would mademoiselle listen to that.

  "And be the laughing-stock of all St. Louis when it gets about, as itsurely will. I refuse the chevalier because I prefer to wait forMonsieur Papin. Monsieur Papin hears of it and invites some one elseto teach me not to be so sure, or," primly, "I have given him undueencouragement."

  "Then," said the doctor, gravely, "I see nothing for it but that youstay away from the picnic and write the chevalier that you havedecided not to go. Unless," he added hastily, seeing the gatheringstorm on Pelagie's brow, "unless--" and then he hesitated, muchembarrassed. "Perhaps our young friend here would like to attend oneof our rural picnics, and would be willing to look after you and giveyou the opportunity of writing to the chevalier that you have aprevious engagement."

  It was now my turn to blush. I had been ardently longing to offer myservices, but not for a moment had I thought of daring. Now it wasthrust upon me.

  "If mademoiselle would be so good," I murmured, bowing low, "I am herobedient servant."

  But mademoiselle was speechless. One moment she turned white, and thenext she turned red, and then white again. When she found her voiceshe said, looking not at all at me, but straight at Dr. Saugrain:

  "I will remain at home, monsieur. I care not to be a burden uponunwilling hands."

  And then rising to her feet, with her head held high, her guitar onone arm, and the other hand still on the mastiff's head, she said:

  "Allons, Leon!" and was sweeping proudly from the room.

  I was in such consternation that probably I would have sat like anybumpkin and let her go, if not that, as she passed me, although herhead was turned from me, it was not quite so much turned but that Icaught a sudden quiver of the little chin, held proudly in air, andsomething bright glistening on the long, dark lashes. I sprang quicklybefore her. There was an angry growl from Leon, who no doubt thought Iintended to serve his mistress the same trick I had served him, but Idid not heed it.

  "Mademoiselle!" I entreated, "I beg you will reconsider. Nothing couldgive me more pride and pleasure. Besides," adopting an argumentativetone, "you know it would be my only chance for attending the picnic,and I have a vast desire to engage in some of your St. Louisfestivities, and to meet some of the young maidens I was deprived ofmeeting last night."

  She was compelled to stop,--I barred her way; but for a few momentsshe showed no signs of relenting. She dashed away the shining dropsfrom her lashes, and quieted Leon with a low "Taise-toi." Butgradually I saw her face change, and then, still holding herselfproudly, and with the air of a queen graciously condescending tobestow a favor upon a suppliant, but also with a smile of radiantsweetness, she spoke, and her voice was like the song of the thrushbeside running waters:

  "Very well, monsieur; if I am not to be considered as putting myselfunder obligations to a stranger, I will go and write the chevalierthat I have a previous engagement."