第575章

A DUEL TO THE DEATH.

Adrienne and Djalma died on the 30th of May.The following scene took place on the 31st, the eve of the day appointed for the last convocation of the heirs of Marius de Rennepont.The reader will no doubt remember the room occupied by M.Hardy, in the "house of retreat," in the Rue de Vaugirard--a gloomy and retired apartment, opening on a dreary little garden, planted with yew-trees, and surrounded by high walls.To reach this chamber, it was necessary to cross two vast rooms, the doors of which, once shut, intercepted all noise and communication from without.

Bearing this in mind, we may go on with our narrative.For the last three or four days, Father d'Aigrigny occupied this apartment.He had not chosen it, but had been induced to accept it, under most plausible pretexts, given him at the instigation of Rodin.It was about noon.

Seated in an arm-chair, by the window opening on the little garden, Father d'Aigrigny held in his hand a newspaper, in which he read as follows, under the head of "Paris:"

"Eleven p.m.--A most horrible and tragical event has just excited the greatest consternation in the quarter of the Rue de Richelieu.A double murder has been committed, on the person of a young man and woman.The girl was killed on the spot, by the stroke of a dagger; hopes are entertained of saving the life of the young man.The crime is attributed to jealousy.The officers of justice are investigating the matter.We shall give full particulars tomorrow."

When he had read these lines, Father d'Aigrigny threw down the paper and remained in deep thought.

"It is incredible," said he, with bitter envy, in allusion to Rodin."He has attained his end.Hardly one of his anticipations has been defeated.

This family is annihilated, by the mere play of the passions, good and evil that he has known how to set in motion.He said it would be so.

Oh! I must confess," added Father d'Aigrigny, with a jealous and hateful smile, "that Rodin is a man of rare dissimulation, patience, energy, obstinacy and intelligence.Who would have told a few months ago, when he wrote under my orders, a discreet and humble socius, that he had already conceived the most audacious ambition, and dared to lift his eyes to the Holy See itself? that, thanks to intrigues and corruption, pursued with wondrous ability, these views were not so unreasonable? Nay, that this infernal ambition would soon be realized, were it not that the secret proceedings of this dangerous man have long been as secretly watched?--Ah!" sneered Father d'Aigrigny, with a smile of irony and triumph, "you wish to be a second Sixtus V., do you? And, not content with this audacious pretension, you mean, if successful, to absorb our Company in the Papacy, even as the Sultan has absorbed the Janissaries.

Ah! You would make us your stepping-stone to power! And you have thought to humiliate and crush me with your insolent disdain! But patience, patience: the day of retribution approaches.I alone am the depository of our General's will.Father Caboccini himself does not know that.The fate of Rodin is in my hands.Oh! it will not be what he expects.In this Rennepont affair (which, I must needs confess, he has managed admirably), he thinks to outwit us all, and to work only for himself.

But to-morrow--"

Father d'Aigrigny was suddenly disturbed in these agreeable reflections.

He heard the door of the next room open, and, as he turned round to see who was coming, the door of the apartment in which he was turned upon its hinges.Father d'Aigrigny started with surprise, and became almost purple.Marshal Simon stood before him.And, behind the marshal, in the shadow of the door, Father d'Aigrigny perceived the cadaverous face of Rodin.The latter cast on him one glance of diabolical delight, and instantly disappeared.The door was again closed, and Father d'Aigrigny and Marshal Simon were left alone together.The father of Rose and Blanche was hardly recognizable.His gray hair had become completely white.His pale, thin face had not been shaved for some days.His hollow eyes were bloodshot and restless, and had in them something wild and haggard.He was wrapped in a large cloak, and his black cravat was tied loosely about his neck.In withdrawing from the apartment, Rodin had (as if by inadvertence) double-locked the door on the outside.When he was alone with the Jesuit, the marshal threw back his cloak from his shoulders, and Father d'Aigrigny could see two naked swords, stuck through a silk handkerchief which served him as a belt.