Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1924)

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32 Pictures and P/c/\jre$uer JANUARY 1924 Days of servitude follozued. Days filled with suppressed hate and humiliation. separate corners of the room the two men prepared. At the Palace the King was swaying before the entreaties of his mother. " The attitude of the Huguenots is menacing," vowed Catherine. " They arc plotting. They intend to strike soon. I have advices. If you would be king of France at the end of the week, exterminate them. Was I not on the throne before you? Do I not know all the moves in this game?" " But . . ." faltered the king. " And, if I did — who ..." " I have not slept," said Catherine. " All are at their posts. Your men await only final orders. Come, sign the edict." " Very well," said the king, " but it must be every Huguenot or none. If they are to die let there not be one left to reproach me." . The word went forth even as the dance came to an end and the fright of that dread 23rd of August began to tear through the city. At a weak man's word death stalked. A million cries rose out of Paris, blood filled the gutters, and fire perished human limbs to cinders. Outside the Palace the mob searched, like hounds, for the sight of blood; while inside a trembling king and his malignant mother listened, alone with their consciences. The slaughter spread like a rising flood, and it was not very long before it was lapping the walls of the Inn " La Touchette." The duel was at an end. The count's sword had sped flying across the room, and he was falling back with Rupert's at his throat. Suddenly with a laugh the younger man lowered his weapon. " This," said Rupert, " is the happiest moment of my life, for I am able to place you under obligation to me for ever. Take your life and remember a Vricac gave it to you." " Never ! " cried the Count. I demand we finish this affair here and now." " Nay, your anger justifies my gift," said Rupert. " You may live — and owe your life to me always." And then a graver issue took their attention — the baying of the hounds, the cries of the mob as it swept down on the Huguenot headquarters, the Inn " La Touchette." They sprang to the window, and almost as they looked, the Inn was surrounded. " We are lost," cried Margot. And then the Count turned to Rupert with a smile. " If you would save the life of vour betrothed, sire, ask no questions but obey my orders. But unless you obey me implicitly, I cannot answer for the life of Mademoiselle de Yainceoire." " This evening," he said, " you did me the honour to give me back my life, and not to be outdone in generosity I shall give you two for one — your life and the life of your betrothed. However, there is a condition. If you wish to live, you bind yourself by oath to become my servant for a term of five years." Margot was clinging to Rupert, imploring him. " Rupert — please consent for my sake." " Refuse," said the Count, " and I must leave you at the mercy of the rabble." Rupert hesitated but a moment. Slowly he nodded. » " I consent," he said simply. " Now, Monsieur, the house of Vrieac becomes the slave of the house of La Roche. Swear!" Rupert took the oath, swearing furthermore to at all times protect the life and honour of the Count de la Roche, and the lives of those dear to him. Then La Roche appealed to a captain of the guard. " Escort Monsieur de Yrieac and his friend to the arsenal and deliver them into the safe keeping of the governor." And this was done, so that in halfan-hour, Rupert was bidding farewell to Margot as she left the city. " I must remain for my new master, the Count," he said. " But Margot dear, take this ring as a token of my undying love and constancy." On the calling of the truce between the Catholics and the Huguenots, the Count left Paris for his castle in the country, taking his new servant with him. For Rupert days of servitude followed which must have broken a weaker soul. The bitter feud existing between the two houses had become a heritage handed down from generation to generation and was now in the Count's breast a very fine hatred. Noon or night, Rupert knew no peace. He was lower in rank than the lowest serf in the place and was made to know it every day. And by none was he made to know it more than by Yoeland. the sister of the Count de la Roche. Yoeland was the fairest girl that Rupert's eyes had ever looked on, and even in those early days, and despite his treatment at her hands, he could scarce refrain from comparing her with the lady of the city's glitter, the airy Margot. Yet he had given his word and tried to remain faithful. And Yoeland's conduct was none to inspire love. She was a de la Roche and despised him for that he was a Yrieac. At every turn she spurned him, humiliated him, made him to feel that he was lower than the feeders of their hogs. She called him " servant " and dispatched him upon the most trivial errands. He obeyed, for he had taken his oath that he would do so; and yet sometimes he knew a strange thrill at the discovery that he obeyed not ungladly.