Bardelys the Magnificent; being an account of the strange wooing pursued by the Sieur Marcel de Saint-Pol, marquis of Bardelys... by Rafael Sabatini
page 53 of 301 (17%)
page 53 of 301 (17%)
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Yet, remembering that my father and he had been good friends, his
manner left me nonplussed. What cause could he have for this animosity to the son? Could it be merely my position at Court that made me seem in his rebel eyes a natural enemy? "You are acquainted with this Bardelys?" I inquired, by way of drawing him. "I knew his father," he answered gruffly. "An honest, upright gentleman." "And the son," I inquired timidly, "has he none of these virtues?" "I know not what virtues he may have; his vices are known to all the world. He is a libertine, a gambler, a rake, a spendthrift. They say he is one of the King's favourites, and that his monstrous extravagances have earned for him the title of 'Magnificent'." He uttered a short laugh. "A fit servant for such a master as Louis the Just!" "Monsieur le Vicomte," said I, warming in my own defence, "I swear you do him injustice. He is extravagant, but then he is rich; he is a libertine, but then he is young, and he has been reared among libertines; he is a gamester, but punctiliously honourable at play. Believe me, monsieur, I have some acquaintance with Marcel de Bardelys, and his vices are hardly so black as is generally believed; whilst in his favour I think the same may be said that you have just said of his father - he is an honest, upright gentleman." "And that disgraceful affair with the Duchesse de Bourgogne?" |
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