The Launching of Roger Brook

Monsieur Breuc.'

The elderly lawyer bowed. 'Your wishes, Mademoiselle, are my commands.'

Madame Marie-Ang6 then turned to him and said: 'Did I not hear that you are but just returned from Paris, Maitre Leger. What news have you brought with you from the capital?'

'The talk is all of His Majesty's appointment of Monsieur de Calonne to be the new Comtroller-General of the Finances,' replied, the man in green, ' 'Tis to be hoped that he will make a better showing than those who have held brief office during these past eighteen months; for public confidence has suffered a sad decline since the dismissal of M. Necker.'

'Who was M. Necker, Monsieur?' inquired Athenais, and Roger looked at her in some surprise; since even he knew that Necker was the great Swiss banker whom Louis XVI had called to his assistance in the hope of straightening out the incredible tangle of debt and dis­order into which the finances of France had fallen.

'He was for five years His Majesty's principal adviser, Mademoiselle,' smiled the lawyer, 'and a man of great ability. Before he was driven from office, getting on for two years ago, he published his Compte Rendu du Roi, which, for the first time in the history of our country, gave to the public a balance sheet showing how the King derives his revenues and how they are expended. 'Twas a sad pity that the Court prevented his continuing his progressive measures.'

Count Lucien frowned. 'I see no reason why the King should render an account to anyone of how he spends his money.'

' 'Tis money obtained from the taxation of the people,' Monsieur le Comte, 'and surely they have some right to know what is done with it.'

'That, I think, is generally accepted now,' put in the Abbe 'But am I not right in believing that M. Necker's Compte Rendu was misleading? Did it not show a credit balance which was later proved to have no real existence?'

Maitre Leger inclined his head. 'Alas, Monsieur I'Abbe', that is so. Our state is far worse than we were led to suppose; yet the publication was a step in the right direction, and the alarming deficit was mainly due to our having taken up arms on behalf of the Americans against the English.'

'That burden, at least, is lifted from us now,' Madame Marie-Ange remarked. ' 'Tis true, is it not, that the final ratification of the peace was signed last month?'

'Yes, Madame. And in Paris there were great rejoicings; particularly on the withdrawal of the English Commissioners from Dunkirk, which formed one of the stipulations of the treaty. It annulled the clause in the treaty of 1763, by which we were compelled to demolish the fortifications of Dunkirk and accept an English Commission there to assure that they were not re-erected. 'Twas a humiliation that the nation was well justified in resenting as long as it continued.'

Athenais was looking bored, and asked suddenly: 'Did you see my father, Monsieur, when you were in Paris?'

'Yes, Mademoiselle. Monseigneur le Marquis was much occupied, as he spends a great part of his time with the Count de Vergennes, His Majesty's Foreign Minister; but he did me the honour to receive me twice, and I am happy to be able to tell you that he is in excellent health.'

'And did you go to Versailles?'

The lawyer smiled. 'I have not the privilege of the entre to the Court, Mademoiselle.'

'Yet you must have news of it; and such news is much more exciting than all this dreary talk of money and of foreign treaties?'

' 'Tis said to be as gay as ever. There are amusements from dinner at one each day until one the next morning. Three plays or operas are put on for their Majesties' entertainment each week and two balls, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with great suppers, and cards for those who prefer the tables. The Queen has just recommenced the weekly masked balls that she gives throughout the winter, and the principal occupation of the courtiers during the other six days is the preparation of the costumes in which they intend to appear. For some time past, both Paris and Versailles have been full of English visitors, and 'tis reported that Her Majesty shows them especial favour.'

'Why should she?' Athenais demanded, 'since but eight months ago we were at war with them!'

The lawyer coughed and replied discreetly: 'The Queen is a law unto herself, Mademoiselle, and 'tis not always her pleasure to align herself with popular prejudice. In this case popular opinion is represented by many of the younger nobility, who served with Monsieur de la Fayette and the Count, your uncle, in the Americas. They found the way of life there much to their liking. They were greatly impressed by the free and easy manners, the sense of equality and the lack of restrictions on personal liberty, that are enjoyed by tile Americans. Who can blame them for desiring reforms which would bring about the same state of affairs in France? On the other hand there are many at Court who are strongly opposed to such reforms, as they feel that change would result in their having to sacrifice their ancient privileges. These last consider that our intervention on behalf of the Americans was a great mistake, since we aided them to defy their King and overthrow all established custom. Quite naturally they regard the English nobility who come to Versailles as the true representatives of law, order, and the countenance of a privileged caste. Therefore, headed by the Queen, they receive them with all friendliness and sympathy.'

'The Queen is right then,' declared Athenais promptly, 'and my uncle wrong. Henceforth I'll take a better view of the English.'

Maitre Leger made no comment, and there was a short silence before he said: 'If Mademoiselle has no further use for my services to-night, may I beg leave to make my adieux?'

She nodded regally to him and, having promised Roger that he would endeavour to see Monsieur Fouche first thing in the morning, he bowed himself out of the room.

When he had gone they talked for a little, until Athenais put up her fan to hide a yawn, then announced her intention of going to bed.

Aldegonde was summoned and ordered to conduct Roger to a suitable chamber in which he could pass the night; and, having kissed the hand of his protectress, he followed the major-domo to a comfortable but plainly furnished room on the third floor of the mansion.

As he undressed he endeavoured to sort out his impressions. He was still badly shaken by the Doctor's death and his own precarious position, yet his thoughts never wandered for long from Athenais de Rochambeau.

She was, he knew, abominably spoilt and self-willed, but he attributed that entirely to her upbringing; and she possessed both courage and self-confidence—qualities which he greatly admired. But, beyond all, she was the most perfect expression of beauty that he had ever seen. The play of emotions on her face, and her every movement, were a joy to watch; and the strange mixture of child and woman that she embodied he found entirely fascinating. No other girl that he had met even remotely resembled her, and he knew now that he had never been in love with Georgina.

As he fell asleep his last thought was of the bright blue eyes and golden hair of Athenais, and he realised that he was already profoundly, desperately in love with her.

Yet neither his anxieties nor his new-found passion disturbed his slumbers, and he slept right on until one of the footmen called him by bringing his breakfast up to him on a tray. Except when ill of child­hood complaints he had never had a meal in bed in his life, so he was considerably surprised at this, and he was not quite sure if he liked the custom; but it did not interfere with his appetite. He would have much preferred a good, meaty English breakfast to eat either upstairs or down, but he had to admit to himself that a petit dejeuner in the house of a French nobleman was not without its attractions. Instead of the simple rolls, butter and jam served at the inns where he had stayed, his tray was loaded with a pot of frothy chocolate, rolls with caraway seeds in them, feather-light brioches, crisp horseshoe croissants, honey, three kinds of confiture and a dish of fresh fruit.

Having tried them all he got up, dressed and went downstairs. A score of servants were sweeping and cleaning in the great apartments, and the yellow drawing-room proving untenable he descended to the hall, since he was anxious now to be on hand and learn Maitre Leger's news the moment the lawyer should arrive.

Aldegonde, appearing on the scene, seemed to regard his presence there with surprised disapproval, and when Roger asked him what time Mademoiselle de Rochambeau would be down he replied stiffly: 'Mademoiselle is rarely visible before ten o'clock.'

Since it was only just after eight, this was small comfort, and Roger found his wait a dreary business as he