Back Aa

Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 1: Balsamo, The Magician

Close

<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX. THE PREDICTED VISIT.</h2> Lorenza was not mistaken. A carriage, going through St. Denis gateway, and following the street of the same name, turned into the road leading out to the Bastille. As the clairvoyant had stated, this conveyance enclosed the Cardinal Prince of Rohan, Bishop of Strasburg, whose impatience had caused him to anticipate the hour fixed for his visit to the magician in his cave of mystery. The coachman, who had been inured to obscurity, pitfalls and dangers of some darksome streets by the prelate's love adventures, was not daunted the least when, after leaving the part of the way still populated and lighted, he had to take the black and lonesome Bastille Boulevard. The vehicle stopped at the corner of St. Claude Street, where it hid along the trees twenty paces off. Prince Rohan, in plain dress, glided up the street, and rapped three times on the door, which he easily recognized from the indication the count had afforded. Fritz's steps sounded in the passage, and he opened the door. "Is it here resides Count Fenix?" inquired Rohan. "Yes, my lord, and he is at home." "Say a visitor is here." "Shall I announce his Eminence Cardinal Prince de Rohan?" asked Fritz. The prince stood aghast, looking round him and at himself to see if anything about him in costume or surroundings betrayed his rank. No; he was alone and in civilian dress. "How do you know my name?" he inquired. "My lord told me just now, that he expected your Eminence." "Yes, but to-morrow, or the day after?" "Not so, please your highness—this evening." "Announce me, any way," said the prelate, putting a double-louis gold piece in his hand. Fritz intimated that the visitor should follow him; and he walked briskly to the door of the ante-chamber, which a large chandelier with a dozen tapers illuminated. The visitor followed, surprised and meditative. "There must be some mistake, my friend," he said, pausing at the door, "in which case I do not wish to disturb the count. It is impossible he can expect me, as he could not know I was coming." "As your highness is Cardinal Prince Rohan, you are certainly expected by my lord." Lighting the other candelabra, Fritz bowed and went out. Five minutes elapsed, during which the prelate, the prey to singular emotion, scanned the elegant furniture of the room, and the half-dozen paintings by masters on the tapestried walls. When the door opened, Count Fenix appeared on the threshold. "Good-evening to your highness," he simply said. "I am told that you expected me," observed the visitor, without replying to the welcome. "Expected this evening? impossible!" "I ask your pardon, but I was expecting your highness," returned the host. "I may be doubted, seeing how paltry is my reception, but I have hardly got settled yet, from being but a few days in town. I hope for your eminence's excusing me." "My visit expected? Who could have forewarned you?" "Yourself, my lord. When you called your footman to the carriage door, did you not say to him: 'Drive to St. Claude Street, in the Swamp, by St. Denis Street and the Boulevard?'—words which he repeated to the driver?" "Yes; but how could you see this and hear the words, not being present?" "I was not there, but I saw and heard at this distance, as I am, you must not forget, a wizard." "I had forgotten. By the way, am I to entitle you Baron Balsamo or Count Fenix!" "In my own house I have no title—I am plainly The Master." "Ah, the title in alchemy. So, my master in hermetics, if you expected me, the fire would be lit in the laboratory!" "The fire is always kept burning, my lord. And I will have the honor to show your highness into the place." "I follow you on the condition that you do not personally confront me with the devil. I am dreadfully afraid of his Satanic Majesty Lucifer." "My lord, my familiar friends," replied Balsamo, "never forget how to deal with princes, and they will behave properly." "This encourages me; so, ho! for the laboratory." <hr style="width:65%;"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

1 of 2

2 of 2