Our footsteps clattered over the stone floor. There was no bed in the room, only a few pieces of heavy furniture which I imagined had been used before the rest of the castle had been built.
From this room we passed into several smaller rooms all sparsely furnished, stone walled and stone floored.
“The home of a medieval nobleman,” said the Comte.
“It is small wonder that as time passed we had to build ourselves more elegant living quarters. We were very proud of our castles, I can tell you. In the reign of Francois Premier building flourished. We followed the King, you see. He was a great lover of the arts. He once remarked that men could make a king, but only God could make an artist. He was interested m architecture, so it was fashionable for his friends to be interested too and we vied with each other to build beautiful mansions. We built partly to flaunt our wealth and partly to indulge in secret pursuits. Thus we had hidden rooms, secret passages, and we were determined that none but ourselves should know of them, but perhaps I will show you ours one day. One great lady had her architect’s head cut off so that she could be sure that he never passed on the secret plans of her house.”
“It seems a drastic measure.”
“But you must admit foolproof. Oh dear Cousin, how I enjoy shocking you!”
“I’m afraid I shall have to mar your pleasure by telling you I don’t believe the story.”
“Why should you not? The lord of the castle-and that means his entire estate which is vast is supreme. His actions cannot be questioned by his underlings.”
“Then I hope you do not contemplate using your powers in such a manner.”
“It might depend on how tempted I was.”
“I suppose a great many people lived in the castle,” I said, changing the subject, which I believed was something which was frowned on, as only the Comte decided whether a topic was exhausted.
He raised his eyebrows and I thought he was about to remind me of this but he changed his mind.
“A great many,” he said. There were the squires, as they were called. They were in charge of various household departments. There was the squire of the table, of the chamber, of the wine cellar and i so on. Many of them came from noble families and were being prepared to take the order of chivalry. So it was a large household. Of course the stables were an important part of if the castle. There were no carriages in those days but there? were horses of all kinds draught horses, palfreys and the finest steeds for the use of the lord of the castle. In exchange for the services he received the lord of the castle would educate his squires, and his riches and importance would be judged- by the number of squires he supported. ” ” A custom which no longer exists, though I suppose Etienne and Leon are in some measure the squires of today.”
“You could call them that. They receive the education of’ noblemen and the training that goes to make up breeding.;! And they are here because I owe a debt to their parents. Yes, you could say it is similar. Ah, here is one other chamber which I must show you. The Chambre des Pucelles the Maidens’ chamber. “
I looked into the large room. A spinning-wheel stood in one corner and the walls were hung with tapestry.
“Worked by the maidens,” said the Comte.
“You see it is a light room.
Imagine them all, heads bent over their work, plying their needles.
The maidens were received at the castle too. They must be of good birth and excel at their needle. To excel at the needle was considered necessary to good breeding. And you. Cousin, how are you with the needle? “
“Completely lacking in breeding, I fear. I sew only when necessary.”
“I’m glad of that. Too much bending over embroidery is bad for the eyes and the posture. I can think of many occupations in which a woman can be better employed.”
“What do the tapestries represent?”
“Some war between the French and an enemy… the English I suppose.
It usually was. “
“And the French, I presume, are victorious?”
“Naturally. This was made by Frenchwomen. Countries make their tapestries as they make their history books. It is amazing how the right words-or pictures-can change defeat into victory.”
“I have never been taught to believe that the English were not driven out of France, nor did my mother and I attempt to teach it to others.”
“You are a very wise teacher. Cousin,” I believed he was mocking me but I was enjoying this. I so much liked to listen to his voice, to watch the emotions play across his face, the lift of those finely-drawn brows, the quirk of the lips. I enjoyed showing him that, although he might command the rest of the household, he would not command me. I felt alive, as I rarely had before, and all the time I knew that I was being reckless and that according to everything I had been taught I should be making plans to get away.
The governess would sit with the maidens in their chamber,” he went on.
“I could see you in that role. That golden hair falling loose, perhaps plaited though, and one plait falling over your shoulder. You would look very severe when they made a bad stitch or talked too much and too frivolously but you would have liked their gossip, which would be all about the misdeeds which took place in the castle … i high places, perhaps. You would reprimand them but yo would be hoping they would go on, for you can be deceitful Cousin, I believe.”
Why should you believe that? “
“Because I have discovered it. You are planning to go back you say, when all the time you know you are going to stay You look at me with disapproval, but I wonder how mud you disapprove.”
He had shaken me. Could it be true that I was deceiving myself? Since I had known him I seemed to have become un sure of everything and most of all myself. Every instinct was telling me that I would be wise to get away before I became more involved; and yet . Perhaps he was right. I was deceitful I was telling myself I was planning to leave when ;
knew I wanted to stay.
I said sharply: “It is not for me to approve or disapprove.
“I have a notion that you enjoy my company. You sparkle you bristle, you like to banter … in fact I have the effect you that you have on me, and that is something we should rejoice in… not fight against’ ” Monsieur Ie Comte, you are quite wrong. “
“And you are wrong to deny the truth and call me Monsieur Ie Comte when I have clearly commanded you to call mi Charles.”
“I did not think that was an order I must necessarily obey.
“All orders are for obeying.”
“But I am not one of your squires. I can leave tomorrow There is nothing to hold me here.”
There is your affection for my daughter. That girl is in i sad state.
I did not like that fit of hysteria yesterday. It make me very uneasy.
You can calm my daughter. You can make her see reason. Soon she will have to marry. On that I an determined. I want you to stay with her . until she i safely married. If you will do that, then you could con side leaving us. During that time I will pay sums of money into an account so that you will have enough to start a sehoo . perhaps in Paris where you can teach English. I could send many people to you as Sir John did in England. It will not be long before this marriage takes place. Marguerite has proved that she is ready for marriage. I know you are a very reasonable young woman-This is not much to ask, is it? “
“I should have to see how everything worked out,” I said cautiously.
“I could make no promises.”
“At least you will consider our poor Marguerite.”