Tom Browning's Schooldays
By
Joel
Chapter SixtySix
I was sure it was the pair sitting talking head to head with cups and plates on the table. There was no doubt for I then saw Dr Duvallier's coach in a by-way with the coachman, Claude, and our Rowley Roberts, standing by it. We had passed some way before I realised the others had not seen Jabez, nor the coach, as Martin had been indicating a new building being erected on the other side of the wide road. Of course, I was the only one who would know of Mr Tuckwell. He had been absent from Charles Street when all the family, including Robin, had gathered for the wedding. I knew Mr Tuckwell was more than a servant though he had appeared as one but had been involved in the incident when my Uncle Digby had been injured in Florence. I also knew he was the father of Nicholas Wright so was more than close to the family. Now he was here and our Jabez was with him!
I could say nothing! I could only share with Robin my sighting of the pair, but that would have to be later. I wondered what Mr Tuckwell's mission was in Paris and I imagined that Jabez was a trusted messenger. However, were they in any danger as our Jabez had not divulged anything to us on the journey here? I had to concede they were safe for they were in full sight of other passers-by. They were dressed quite as most other men also sitting at tables as they were so appeared as two acquaintances enjoying a Sunday morning rendezvous. Could I question Jabez about this later? Would I make his new position difficult if I did so? Perhaps it would be best not to discuss it with Robin, eithe? It was a quandary but I would not dwell on it! I would have to forget about it until our morning was over.
The others were now quite excited as we were reaching La Place de la Concorde where the coachman drew to a halt. Alain was quite blood-thirsty in his telling of the siting of the guillotine here which was used in just two years to sever the heads from well over one thousand victims. Robin very quietly said that number must have included our Duc whose head we were to deliver to a suitable resting-place. Both Alain and Martin looked quite solemn as this.
As we had tarried long enough staring at the tall obelisk in the centre of the square Martin called to the coachman that we should move on.
"What is it like?" Alain asked as we set off again.
There was a silence broken only by the rumble of the wheels over the cobbles. I looked at Robin.
"It is difficult to say except it is a head of a young man preserved in a sealed jar," I said as they listened with rapt attention. "I have seen it three times and Robin once." I did not say he had fainted. "My cousin says he was executed in 1794 during the second year of the Terror. All I know is what was said last night. That is, it was rescued by a friend who escaped to England and was then at St Mark's College. The College has asked that Lancelot finds a resting place for it."
"That was fifty years ago," murmured Alain. "That is the year our father was born."
Robin was curious. "He was born in England?"
"Oh, yes," replied Martin, "He is English through and through. Our grandfather had property in London and I think he was an Alderman. Father has said his mother was born in a village called Highgate and had been a maid in the family house before his father fell in love and married her. He said she was a most beautiful lady but died when he was but fourteen. Grandfather died just two years after and our father was apprenticed then to a merchant." Martin laughed. "He says he was the richest apprentice in London, even more wealthy than his master. His master had many dealings with France and those who had escaped the Terror so that is how he learned French and when he was twenty the merchant took him into partnership."
Alain leaned forward. "He could not claim his inheritance for another year but all had prospered and when Sir Gregory died our father was his chief beneficiary for he had no sons."
Robin was most astute. "That is why you live in such a magnificent house?"
"That is true," Martin affirmed, "Do not say but we are also sure Father lent Uncle Philippe most of the money to renovate the family house in Paris." He smiled. "We love Uncle Philippe but although he is astute in many things he spends more than his income so father says!"
I was rather taken aback with such openness. I knew nothing of my father's wealth nor his dealings and felt if I did I would not discuss or divulge such things with almost strangers. I felt though that the twins trusted us. I wondered then if I might ask how their father knew Uncle Digby Wright but that would wait until another time.
"We shall meet your Uncle Philippe tomorrow. How should we address him?" I asked. I always said 'Ma'am' to the Duchess so would 'Sir' be sufficient with a French Count?
Both the twins laughed. "Just call him 'Uncle' like we do!" said Alain.
As we turned to follow the road down to the Quai des Tuileries so Martin told us of the flight of Louis the Sixteenth and the royal family when the mob stormed the palace. Now, he said, the gardens were most peaceful and the people of Paris enjoyed strolling in them. We then approached a most imposing building which stretched along the riverside though some of it did seem dilapidated. We were told this was the Mus‚e Royal du Louvre, once a fortress but now partly a gallery with many works of art which we must see. The twins were most insistent on that and we would be introduced to the Mona Lisa. Both Robin and I were puzzled at this until I remembered I had seen a portrayal of a painting of that name in one of the books Uncle Digby had given us. It was painted by the Leonardo that Philip Goodhew had mentioned! I think they were impressed when I gave the name of the artist! As we passed we then saw that there was the beginnings of a large island and many old and splendid houses and buildings both above us on the bank but also on the island. The twins were giggling as we came up to one large edifice as that was the H"tel de Ville. We did not get close as we then turned onto a bridge which took us to the front of the cathedral of N"tre Dame. There were numerous people walking as well as being driven in their carriages so Martin said we would not stop as it was a Sunday with many attending Mass but it was another sight to see. I would have to ask about the Romish service.
We were then on the other bank of the river and as we drove so Alain told us about the arch-conspirator Robespierre who had the tables turned on him as the mob tired of his tyranny and he was arrested. He was then freed and sought refuge in the H"tel de Ville but was re-captured and guillotined. "Having done that to the Royal family it happened to him," said Martin, "'The biter bit', our father said."
"The chopper chopped!" riposted Robin which made us all smile but Alain said we had to think of all those innocent people who had been killed. I did not know but the Royal family had a large company of Swiss Guards who Martin said were also slaughtered when the family were arrested.
There was still much to see as we bowled along and then we were almost to the bridge, the Pont de la Concorde, which we had to cross where Alain pointed to the buildings on our left. "We are near where Uncle Philippe lives. This the Faubourg St-Germain and many of the nobility have their houses here." He grinned. "There are grander houses than his but we are proud he has his residence here."
The bridge was near now and the coachman had to wait to join the stream of other carriages. It was once we were off the bridge I realised we would be crossing La Concorde again, but here straight across. Along another straight road we approached a new, white stone building. It was fronted by a number of huge columns and as we skirted it I could see the columns progressed all down the sides as well.
"It is a church built like a Greek temple," said Martin with a grin, "I think the Catholics do not know if they have to bow down to Hercules or Hermes even though the church is called La Madeleine."
"Mary Magdalene," Alain translated. "I know no more."
I was aware that she had devils cast out by Jesus but there was something else.
"Did she not wash Jesus's feet and dry them with her hair?" asked Robin.
"I have heard that read," Martin agreed, "She was at the tomb as well."
There was a question I had to ask. Something I had omitted asking my mother about Grandmama. "Are not these Romish churches?" I enquired, "If so then the French people are Catholic, are they not?" I paused. I did not ask if the boys were Roman Catholic.
Alain had quickly discerned the tenor of my query. "Our mother is Catholic though our father is not. It is difficult when Monsieur the Cur‚ visits. He always asks if we have taken our first communion as we are never in church here. I think my mother is most diplomatic as she says we must attend church when at school." He laughed. "It would be easy here as the Mass is in Latin but our friends have no notion of what it all means."
I assumed he meant the Cordevoir lads. "If they do not understand it what happens?"
The twins both shrugged their shoulders. Martin was most forthright. "We have never been but they have learned parts and we have told them what it means in French. Jean- Claude said the priest was most annoyed when he told him what we had said and he gave them an extra penance. I said it was stupid but then father told us it was like that in England until the Bible was translated into English and the services were also held in English after the time of Henry." I did not say that this happened some years after his time as Uncle Dodd had pointed out when retailing our own terrors both religious and civil.
This chat meant we had passed the church and were now approaching the fork in the road where the right hand road would lead us to the Porte de St Ouen and the Plain Voyagers. We then had only a little distance before we were once again outside Dr Duvallier's house. As we dismounted from the carriage we all thanked the coachman who said he always enjoyed seeing the city. He hoped he might have the opportunity to drive us again.
We were not late for our luncheon. The three doctors were sitting in the shade of a tree and had glasses of a white wine which they were discussing and holding up to the light. I noted at least four bottles on the table near them. We were greeted quite effusively and more glasses were brought out. The elder Dr Duvallier said it was a wine just two years in the barrel and was quite aromatic. He said we should allow the wine to rest on our tongues to appreciate le bouquet. I thought the wine a little sharp on first tasting but after half a glass I was savouring the taste and the scent and listening to the rather fulsome description of its qualities. We were then given a second glass of another white wine. This he said was an older wine and l'arome was stronger. I said it was slightly sweeter than the previous one. Of course, I said it in English and Alain immediately said it in French. 'Il est plus doux'. I felt I must learn much more!
Luncheon was then brought out and placed on the table. It was very simple, just cheeses and more of that fresh bread. A third white wine was poured and I felt I could live most happily with this especially as a pile of honeyed pastries completed the repast. Professor Duvallier then said he always recommended 'on fait la sieste', to take an afternoon nap. Three glasses of wine! Yes! No mention of battledore and shuttlecock!
As the day was hot Robin and I stripped to just shirts and underclouts when we repaired to the bedroom for that sleep. My eyes were closed within minutes of my head touching the pillow. It was not until past five when the servant-boy came and woke Martin who was on the outer edge of the wide bed as the twins had joined us while I slept. His urgent entreaties to him to rouse himself for there was a messenger from his Uncle in Paris woke the rest of us. The twins dressed quickly and followed the boy out of the room. What could Robin and I do except to make sure that our own grapes, as Robin said as he fingered my ballsack, produced as fine a vintage as that Chardonnay, Chablis or the Montrachet which we had sampled. Our tasting was soon accomplished and in good time for we heard the twins bounding up the stairs.
They were full of news. Uncle Philippe would expect to see us on Tuesday afternoon and would entertain us to dinner in the evening and we could stay the night and depart for Clermont on Wednesday as planned. We, of course, also had to find the young married couple and when we descended to the lower floor another messenger had just arrived.
The Professor was all smiles as he questioned the lad. It was one of the stable-boys who had ridden to the medical faculty and the door-keeper there knew exactly where the family lived. He had taken the letter which Professor Duvallier had written to 'Monsieur et Madame Jacques Fontane' in a road just off the rue St Jacques which seemed most appropriate! I did not understand all the stream of French which the excited lad produced when telling Professor Duvallier where exactly l'appartement was. It was up one flight of stairs I gathered and was tr‚s agr‚able which I took to be comfortable and clean. Madame was very surprised but he had a letter in answer which she had written. I could have clouted him for telling us all the other before producing a folded paper from his pocket. The Professor was laughing as he handed it over and continued to question the boy about the location. I unfolded the letter and it was written in a clear hand. I read it out aloud.
'My dear Mr Browning,
I was most surprised to hear you were in St Denis and would be visiting Paris.
Your grandmother must be kin to my husband's grandmother whose maiden
name was Agnes Leferreur. Also as my maiden name was Crossley there is
a second connection there.
I came to Paris five years ago as a companion to an elderly lady who had been
recommended to a Professor here for a cure. Happily this occurred and she
returned to England after a year. I met Jacques Fontane who was studying with
Professor Desmond and we were married two years ago. Our son, George,
was born last year.
I have little news from England so would welcome meeting you and for you
to meet my husband. I understand you have your nephew with you and a
cousin who studied with Professor Duvallier. I would be most pleased to
receive you tomorrow afternoon at three as suggested by Professor Duvallier.
My husband would be in attendance and is looking forward to that occasion.
Please do not reply as I would understand if you and your companions were
not able to visit. However, I await with hope and anticipation,
Yours, most sincerely,
Charlotte Fontane'
Lancelot was most amused. "I told Armand and the Professor all the details this morning while you were out gallivanting and the Professor kindly wrote the letter knowing the door-keeper would know the couple's address."
I was rather flummoxed. There had been no mention of Martin and Alain being with us. They had also listened with obvious amusement.
"You are expected with Dr Lancelot and Robin," Martin said and nudged his brother. "We will take ourselves to look at the Sorbonne and those other buildings around."
As Martin was saying this so the boy was dismissed. Lancelot was ready and slipped a coin into the boy's hand. He and the Professor exchanged some remarks in French and I gathered that the Professor would be in his rooms at the faculty tomorrow; 'as a doctor's work is never done' I translated easily. He would entertain Martin and Alain and show them the old church and the monuments. They said they wished to be no trouble but he said they might want to become physicians themselves after their visit. He had a twinkle in his eye when he said that and I wondered if they might be shown bits and pieces in bottles such as Lancelot had in his cellar. No heads, I hoped!
The Professor said he must go and write his notes on the patients he saw on Friday. When he was out of the room Armand explained he was still very much in demand as an expert in the correction of bent limbs and feet especially in children. Lancelot was nodding as I knew he had recommended a boy in the next village to have a special boot made to straighten his ankle and foot. He immediately told Armand of this particular boy and that his treatment was something he had learned from studying here in Paris. I and the others left them discussing what else might be done. I would learn all the particulars, no doubt, in my studies but not now!
We decided it was still too hot to play at Battledore and Shuttlecock which the twins said was a favourite game of theirs so we also went to look at the huge aviary and the multitude of exotic birds. A young man was there sweeping up the debris on the floor as the birds squawked and flew about. He had two parakeets sitting on his shoulders and said the birds were all very tame. Alain was full of questions and we were told the birds came from all over the world, especially from Africa and some even from South America. We found he had started working in the aviary when he was twelve and he was now twenty so all the birds knew him and he knew each and every one. He held out a hand and two 'ins‚parables' as he called them flew down and perched on his outstretched fingers. Before dinner we asked Armand what type of birds they were and he went to their library and returned with a magnificent copy of a book fully illustrated with prints of colourful birds. These were 'lovebirds' we read and always went in pairs, male and female, and if one died the other almost always did as well. I held Robin's hand. Were we inseparable?
Someone who appeared just as we were called to dinner was Jabez. He and Lancelot immediately fell into quiet conversation and walked away from us until we took our places. There was no opportunity to question him for the twins went through a list of places we could visit before meeting the Fontanes. Armand interrupted and said we should not try to see too much on this visit. The Louvre in the morning and the cathedral of N"tre Dame as soon as we had taken luncheon. He told us of a fine restaurant which was on the island just by the flower market. I thought that would be most appropriate as we needed to take a present to the Fontanes and flowers would be perfect.
I was getting used to having the meat separately from any vegetables served but there was an entr‚e I had not had before. The meat was slightly gamy but quite succulent and I heard it was 'chevreau', a word I did not know. It was only after dinner that I was able to ask the twins. I found it was kid, a young goat, and it was a special dish in our honour. I hoped we might be honoured more!
Again it was impossible to get dear Jabez by himself even before or after dinner. He and the three doctors sat companionably with glasses of dark red wine and each had a most aromatic pipe of tobacco. Our Jabez was sitting as an equal! I did get a wink from the inscrutable one for I stared at him pointedly as he puffed at his pipe. Robin did not seem to be as curious as I was over Jabez and his errands. He and the twins were laughing over some jape they were planning to play on Megson.
There was no doubt that three glasses of that strong red wine made me slightly foxed so I was rather glad when as the sun went down Lancelot pointedly said we should retire as we had a very busy day tomorrow. The other three were in the same state and the twins were laughing about having to share a bed with us and Martin said he hoped Alain would not piss the bed. So, we were giggling over nothing as we stripped and pissed properly before preparing to climb into bed. At least three of us managed to strip but Alain got his belt and the cord of his pantaloons entangled and we all helped him, or hindered him, until stupid with mirth we rolled naked and erect onto the bed. There was no signal between us but four boys helped each other to reduce that stiffness. Not once, but twice, as Martin said 'to make sure we slept soundly'.
We were roused by the boys bringing us our hot water and, amazingly, none of us complained of headache for I knew it was a consequence of over-indulgence especially with red wine. Robin was rubbing his belly and said it was probably the poor young goat which had prevented any such after effect. This set Martin off who then produced the loudest fart and in a moment three more trumpets sounded. Alain rushed behind the curtain where the commode was placed. We hastily opened all the windows as he deposited 'little goat seethed in red wine' as he called it. All I hoped was that the pan under was large enough for our joint efforts. I was very glad of the morning breeze after I had sat last, but certainly not least! The decision was made that as we were visiting the Fontanes today later we would wear light trousers rather than the pantaloons. These we would reserve for our journey down to Clermond.
Jabez had already departed on another errand when we went down for breakfast. Our carriage was ready and waiting and again we had the elderly coachman and the same young lad on the box. As Lancelot was with us we let him give directions. It was to be the Louvre first. Our journey was little different from the day before and I carefully looked as we passed down the Champs Elys‚es but there was no sign of Jabez today. We did make a detour as we went from La Place de la Concorde. We stopped to admire the restoration of the Palais Royal. Lancelot told us of the small cannon in the gardens there which was fired each day at noon if the sun was strong enough to set off the charge by means of a magnifying glass. Robin and I grimaced at this and found that here was where he had learned his trick of doing the same but just with a twist of powder which had frightened us the first time we had witnessed it.
We could now see that parts of the Louvre were still ruinous and this was not only because of the Revolution. The Court had left the palace for Versailles before 1700 and . Lancelot was most eloquent about the depredations which had followed. Rooms had been stripped then let to tenants as dwellings and all had fallen into disrepair and it was not until Bonaparte had rid the place of the last inhabitants that repair and rebuilding could take place. He pointed to the newly completed facade and said that the rooms we would see were most magnificent with all the treasures, sculptures and paintings displayed.
Our carriage deposited us in front of the Cour Carr‚e where we entered. We were guided to see so many things and I found the beauty and workmanship quite overwhelming. Although damaged we all stared with wonderment at the Winged Victory of Samothrace and then at the Venus de Milo. The many sculptured heads, and male bodies especially, caught our attention. I thought of Curly in Uncle Digby's study but here there were more and some in form even more beautiful. We were taken to view the Mona Lisa. It was smaller than I had imagined but those strange eyes captivated us with their stare. I think as we left the galleries after about an hour my senses were almost reeling. I only wished that Philip Goodhew would have been with us but, no doubt, he would visit this treasure house in times to come.
I think we were all rather bemused at all we had seen. Martin was most eloquent about the Egyptian mummies and Alain had stood for some while before a painting of Saint Sebastian which he said made him think deeply of the suffering of that martyr. Robin and I had held hands before a vast painting of the Marriage at Cana which told that Bible story exactly. We each said we must visit again as there was too much to absorb in a single occasion. Lancelot said he had seen more this time for when he was a student much of the place was still empty and he was sure that in years to come there would be even more to feast our eyes upon.
As we came out we heard a church clock chime the half hour. It was now half past noon and we were ready to feast our bellies. The restaurant was most pleasant. It was decorated with swags of coloured silk and each table had spotless napery and a vase of flowers as well as a lantern. I learned another custom for there was a plat du jour as well as a most varied choice of courses. Alain said his father always chose the daily special dish and so we did as well. This was a roast of pintade, which Martin translated as 'guinea fowl'. We English, as the twins christened us, had never heard of such a bird though Lancelot did confess he might have tasted it when a student here but being so poor he had to live on the scraps which fell under the table. Both Robin and I kept straight faces but for a moment or two the twins believed the arrant liar!
Our coachmen were waiting patiently as we came out. Lancelot said we would walk across to the cathedral and handed a pour boire to the elderly man. We saw the young lad rush off as we looked at the first of the flower-market stalls. We decided on a beautiful bouquet of half open flowers as Martin said they would last longer and fill the apartment with their scent. He went back to the coach to deposit the flowers until our return.
Again we found a church which had suffered the depredations of the Revolution. There were many workmen inside and outside so we were constantly harried as we attempted to look around in the vast interior. Lancelot said the Revolutionaries had sacked the interior and changed its dedication from N"tre Dame, Our Lady, to Reason and then it was used as a huge storage place for food and forage. It was cleared of all this just forty years ago when Napoleon had crowned himself though the Pope had travelled from Rome to place the crown on his head. It was then left to fall into rack and ruin again until just three years ago and the restoration was mainly due to the influence of a book written some ten years or so ago by an author named Victor Hugo. People had been stirred to restore the building after reading the story.
The twins were nodding at this. Alain said he knew about this book which was called 'N"tre Dame de Paris' and was about a hunchback who was a bell-ringer in the cathedral. He knew his mother had a copy but he had not read it because he thought it was a love story. Lancelot laughed and said it might have a heroine in it but it was powerful enough to stir people's consciences. He pointedly said to Robin and me that we should read it, especially that I should for the descriptions of the hunchback. It was a medical condition which interested him as it was most often found in children in poor circumstances. My erudite Robin said that kings might also suffer that as Richard the Third was depicted as a hunchback in Mr Shakespeare's play.
I was rather disappointed about the cathedral. I had imagined it to be as fine as either St Paul's or Westminster Abbey but here was dust and decay though much effort was being made to repair and reconstruct it. "It will take many years for it to be restored," Lancelot said as we made our way out.
It was a blessing in some way that we could not spend more time. We had just over half an hour to deposit the twins at the medical faculty and to find the way to the Fontane's apartment. The door keeper was ready for the boys. He had instructions to say the Professor would take them back when he returned to St Denis. This was most fortunate as we could spend time without looking at clocks!
There was no difficulty in finding the address. As soon as the coach approached a young man stepped out from a doorway. This was Monsieur Fontane. It was simple recognition. I looked at Robin who was staring almost open-mouthed. He could have been another brother to Torquil, Terence and me, as well as close kin to Robin.
As we stepped from the coach it was his turn to stare. He then burst into laughter and Robin and I were hugged even before Lancelot could make any introductions. He had quite a command of English which he said was due entirely to his wife's teaching. He led us into a hallway then up a flight of stairs and to a door which opened into an entrance passage then into a quite spacious room which was furnished rather sparsely. Madame Fontane was standing and again there was a smile. I could see my sisters' features; Hatty and Peg were most clearly her kin as well.
I was in a whirl. Luckily I had the bouquet to present and the smile was my mother's! I stammered my piece explaining that Lancelot was my cousin and Robin was my nephew. It was then time to find how I and Robin were kin with those in this household. Charlotte took over. She knew the family connections. My grandmother, Claudine Leferreur Crossley was her Jacques' great-aunt and she was my kin through my grandfather Crossley's brother's family. So we Brownings were kin twice over! There was laughter all over as Lancelot took a sheet of paper and drew a tree of kinship.
I then asked if was there not also a connection with a village called Riom? I did not say about our proposed endeavour. Jacques said that was where his father and mother lived. He was Clement Fontane and was the owner of vineyards. Charlotte smiled. "Jacques and his younger sister are his only children. She is in Paris, too, but we rarely see her. Marie is a dressmaker and is employed by one of the many fashion houses here. She is most conscientious though in her work and, though I say it myself, her work is of the highest quality." She then said the gown she was wearing had been stitched by Marie and we could see it was both elegant and well-made though as a boy I had little knowledge of such things!
There was much to tell about both sides of the family and we chatted until Charlotte rang a small bell on a table and a slip of a girl brought in a pot of coffee and a plate of pastries. We found she was also their young son's nursemaid as Charlotte spent much time translating English medical reports into French. Jacques laughed and said she would be a fine physician with all the knowledge she had from her reading if only the faculty would allow her entry.
Lancelot smiled. "There are many women in villages who are consulted for their knowledge of herbs as remedies and for their skill as midwives. I am sure they do more good than many a trained physician but we do not allow them entry in England to our profession either."
Of course, we had to see young Georges who was fetched by the young girl. He was some sixteen months old and was wide awake. We were scrutinised quite closely and when I went up to him he wanted me to hold him. Of course, I was not used to holding infants so his short gown went up showing off his bare legs. Robin who was about to tickle his bare toes almost let out a screech. The child was startled but gurgled and said something but Robin was pointing.
"He has our mark!" he exclaimed.
I peered down at his thigh. There was no doubt. He had the same birthmark that adorned both Robin and I and my brother Terence!
Jacques was shaking his head slowly. "Moi aussi," he whispered.
It was convenient having two physicians with us for Jacques led us to a bedroom where the three of us, Robin, Jacques and me, lowered our trousers and Lancelot confirmed that we each had that distinctive shape on our inner thigh. There was no doubt we were kin!
Charlotte was laughing heartily when she was told of the inspection. Jacques said he knew his father had the same birthmark and it was said it had been handed down through previous generations. Lancelot was even more intrigued as he already knew of the three on the Browning line. "It has descended to Tom and his brother Terence through their mother and grandmother, no doubt. Torquil does not show it but he has passed it to Robin." He shook his head. "I would want to know all those here in France who show it, too."
Jacques shook his head. "I do not know but you must question my father. He has never told me the names of others."
Young Georges was then taken back to his cot and our conversation turned to the visit to Clermond Ferrand. Lancelot did say the true reason of our journey was to find a proper resting place for the late Duke's head. Both Jacques and Charlotte were transfixed and held each other's hands while Lancelot recounted his story. When he finished Jacques sat with a very pensive look.
"Monsieur, l'histoire est trop triste," he said and then reverted to English, "If it is the last Duc de Clermond then there is no chateau in Clermond but there are ruins of a chateau near Riom which may have been in his family. I remember as a boy being told of a rich family whose fortunes disappeared but I do not know when. You must ask my father and mother."
Time was passing quickly and we had to return to St Denis. We promised to visit again on our return so Jacques quickly wrote a letter to his parents and said he would address it carefully. While he was doing this Charlotte and Lancelot discussed a medical paper on some treatment of consumption which Lancelot made quite clear he did not agree with as it involved bleeding the patient every day. I heard him say any patient with consumption would be hastened to an earlier grave by such a procedure. Charlotte replied that she was of the same opinion but doctors do tend to argue. She said this with such good humour that both she and Lancelot burst into laughter. Jacques looked up from his labours and said he could not agree more and there were some in the faculty who would not speak to other colleagues as they differed too greatly in opinion. Lancelot added he had heard it had led to duels in the past!
Robin and I listened and smiled and finished the pastries.
We made our farewells and said it was a matter of au revoir and not goodbye. We were hugged and bussed by a happy Charlotte and given hearty handshakes by Jacques who said I must return to study here in Paris once I had finished with Cambridge. He had already said he would return to Riom once he was fully qualified as there was a great need of physicians in the countryside.
Our coachman was ready and waiting and we were soon making our way towards the river to find a bridge and our road to the Porte de St Ouen and St Denis. Lancelot was grinning and saying he had never expected to find that evidence of our kinship. He must find out more and write a memoir about it. Robin was most cheeky and said he did not want his leg discussed but he thought his Uncle Terence might display his for an artist to make a record. I said that his brother Philip could no doubt draw it from memory having seen his leg many times.
We arrived back at the Duvallier's some twenty minutes before eight o'clock and all three rushed to our rooms to make use of the commodes. There was a bowl of fresh water so as I waited for Robin to finish his much-needed piss I rinsed my hands and face and combed my rather unruly hair. There would be no time to change our clothing. A servant then escorted us to the garden room where we were acknowledged but all were too busy to hear any tales from us. Martin Johnson and Armand Duvallier were outside under the shade of the trees battling away with a feathered shuttlecock. Lancelot went out to watch them. Just inside the door Alain and Jabez were sitting and playing what looked like draughts. However, we played it at home and at school on a chessboard with eight rows each way. I quickly counted and saw that this one had ten rows on each side. The Professor was sitting by them and was smiling as each in turn were taking prisoners. It was quite a battle and Jabez finished by winning. Alain let out a sigh.
"I made an error," he said and stood. The Professor took his place and shook hands with Jabez before they set out some twenty pieces each and their game commenced.
I and Alain walked away as I wanted to know how the game differed from our English one. After saying I was used to playing with twelve pieces each on a chessboard he nodded.
"That is how we play it at Ashbourne," he said. "In France we call it Jeu de Dames and we use the bigger board with more pieces each. It makes it more exciting as you must watch carefully or you can lose many men in one fell swoop. My error was I did not see I had moved the wrong piece and Mr Bottom was able to jump over three of mine and he lost only one of his after." We were far enough from the players not to disturb them with our chat but we could still observe their moves. The Professor was a skilled player and started to diminish Jabez's pieces quite rapidly then halted. He must have also made an error because after two more moves Jabez was unstoppable. The Professor let out a raucous laugh and clapped his hands. "Vous avez l'oeil exerc‚, monsieur, cela d‚passe tout! Encore une fois?"
Jabez's French must have been sufficient to at least understand the request 'Again?'. They turned the board and the pieces were set out once more. The play was quite rapid and the Professor had the edge in his skill probably through years of practice. However, Jabez hung on and pieces were taken by both until in a final flourish the Professor took Jabez's last five pieces in a single action. There was no more time as a gong sounded. Two sweaty players came in rubbing their faces and bared arms with a towel. No one was changing their clothing for dinner!
It was only after toasts had been drunk to winners and losers that the first course was brought in. Armand had lost not only the game but one of the shuttlecocks was lodged high in a tree where he had hit it too hard. The Professor had Jabez sitting to one side of him and Lancelot to the other and was busily raising his glass, mainly to a most happy-looking Jabez. It was only after the first course was being consumed that Martin piped up to ask if our visit had been successful. The second course was postponed as the details were related first in English and then translated into French. There were more toasts as Robin explained about the birthmarks having to be displayed after I nearly dropped the child. We were not asked to lower our trousers at the dinner table but I knew Robin and I would be inspected by the twins when we went to our bedroom. They obviously hadn't noted those aspects of our anatomy being more interested in, perhaps, more prominent features!
The Professor and his son were discussing something in rapid French over our heads which was obviously puzzling to the twins. Lancelot was smiling. When the pair had finished Lancelot said they thought it was an inherited characteristic just as the Hapsburg chin was seen over generations in that royal family. He said he had made the same comment to us in the past. I said there was also the general family likeness. Jacques Fontane could have been mistaken for an older brother to both Robin and me.
Madame Durand came to the door and the Professor signalled that serving should continue. Robin and I opened our eyes wide as a large tureen was place on the table and strange things were ladled into bowls by a servant. What were these but snails in their shells! There was much laughter as two English boys were initiated into the proper way of dealing with these creatures. We were told not to be afraid. These were not 'lima‡ons' from the garden but 'escargots', Roman snails which were brought in from the vineyards, at least that is how I translated 'escargots des vignes'! We were taught how to extract them from their shells with the thin forks and after our first tentative bites we agreed they were most tasty especially with the garlic sauce they were served in. Of course, Lancelot and the twins had sampled such things before so they took great delight in repeating that old rhyme we had heard many times especially from my brother Terence. He would ask 'And what are little boys made of?' and we would have the giggles and have to repeat 'Snips and snails and puppy dogs' tails' while he held some promised sweetmeat just out of reach until he was satisfied we had said it enough times. Having sampled one ingredient now the rhyme was partially true!
Each of us had a full dozen and plenty of the new bread to mop up the pungent sauce. Another new experience: first, young kid, then guinea fowl and now creatures which Uncle Digby, I thought, had laughingly mentioned. What else might come?
A second entr‚e was thin slices of breast of chicken also with a delectable sauce and alongside on the plate was a neat pile of what looked like some form of grain. Alain said we should not be surprised if we did not have potatoes as in many parts of France they were not grown. He explained this grain was grown on upper lands and was used all over France and even into Spain and northern states of Italy. As it had been prepared in its own particular liquid it complimented the taste of the chicken.
Again a platter of cheeses was presented and I was told the one I had chosen was made from sheep's milk. I was learning to relish new things with every meal! The sweet course was not only a fruit tart but a domed creation which we were told was a covering of bread soaked in fruit juices and inside there was a comp"te of various fruits which had been pressed down before the whole thing had been turned out. This was something to tell Mrs Gray about!
Plans had to be made for the next day. The three doctors would be going to the medical faculty as Lancelot wanted to discuss his device with two of the professors who Professor Duvallier said would be most interested. I had remarked to Robin on our excursion into Paris that it was quite smoky and smelly but the smells seemed to be somewhat different from London. There was, of course, the usual horseshit stink but there was a difference in the smell of tobacco from pipes and the cheroots and cigars which the men in the restaurants were smoking. Lancelot had said it was that the tobacco came from different sources than ours in England. Where from I was not sure but he did mention Russia and Egypt. Anyway, we boys could wander but not get lost! We would be going to the Johnson's Uncle Philippe after our luncheon as he always went for a drive in the morning into the Bois de Boulogne to take the air. The boys were almost giggling when they said this. They told us after dinner that the woods were originally a royal forest but were like much of the area after the Revolution and had become the resort of thieves and bandits and Uncle Philippe's coachman and postillion always had a blunderbuss each at hand.
As the Professor wanted another game of Dames I was again deprived of an opportunity to question Jabez. I did manage to sneer at him and was rewarded by the tip of his tongue being stuck out! I wondered if he would join us in the morning?
I was yawning and the others were looking rather bleary-eyed after such good food and wine so as soon as it was acceptable we nodded at each other and Martin said we should make an early night. I think we were too full and a moiti‚ ivre, slightly tipsy, to do else but strip, piss and creep into bed without nightshirts. The twins had forgotten to ask to see our birthmarks and wanted nothing but their bed! In fact we got rather in a muddle and I ended up with arms round Martin and the other pair, I assume, were entwined likewise.
This was certainly true as I and Martin woke first and we were grinning at each other with arms round each other's shoulders and our pizzles side by side and hard as iron. "Pardon, monsieur, j'ai besoin de pisser, mais..." Here he grimaced. "...j'ai une difficult‚."
"Moi aussi," was the only possible answer to that dilemma. We just giggled and I thought of George's description of Quarterstaffs as our own clashed together as we tried to untangle ourselves. Martin lifted the coverlet slightly as we laid back.
"Deux bons boudins blancs, eh?" he said and patted my arm.
I nudged him and giggled again. I did think I had a fine sausage there and I knew that Robin enjoyed the same dimensions!
He must have been softening as he crept past me and I heard him having a mighty piss. This set off my desires - for a piss - so I now more ready stood and waited until he finished. The good wines of the night before were voided in quantity and I felt most relieved.
Hot water was brought which woke the other pair who giggled and flopped out of bed pizzles rampant! With good chance the serving-boys had departed. We just sneered at the pair who apparently stood side by side and then had to kneel to make certain they did not miss the pot. As both Robin and I were still unclothed this reminded the twins to inspect us for our twin marks. They said they were disappointed not to have met young George to compare but they thought it was a wondrous thing.
Again Jabez was missing when we descended for breakfast. He had gone off for yet another errand but would be delivered to the house of M. Philippe de Roanne later in the afternoon. As we did not know if we might have luncheon before arriving at Uncle Philippe's we each made sure we had what my father always called 'a sustaining repast'. Coaches were ready and waiting. Ours had been loaded with our chests, bags and that important wicker hamper. Our dirtied shirts, underclouts and stockings would be laundered and ready for us on our return as we would be staying again before the journey back to Calais.
We followed at a slower pace as the smaller carriage carrying the two doctors set off and we would go the medical faculty to deposit Lancelot. As we had a whole morning before returning there the Professor had suggested the coachman took us just to see the sights. This was most convenient as I for one did not relish wandering around an unknown city even in the company of three other lads. The twins might be older and more experienced of the French temperaments and ways but I had noted a fair number of unwholesome characters, both men and women, lounging on street corners. When I mentioned this to the twins they did agree and pointed out that the women were there to entice men and the men generally were their protectors but some would be ready to waylay unwary travellers. I had no desire to be enticed or waylaid!
We travelled around for an hour or so and saw many mean streets as in London but also some fine houses. We drove as far as the Palais de Luxembourg which the twins had not seen before. We returned to the medical faculty passing more churches. There was St Sulpice, St Germain des Pres and St Etienne du Mont. I said to the lads it must be a holy city but then thought of the description of a place of wickedness! Perhaps those women. More to discover. Perhaps when older!
When we arrived back at the faculty we were escorted to the Professor's rooms where not only were Armand and Lancelot there but three others. Two were professors and the third was Jacques Fontane. He was smiling broadly as he was to defend his thesis in a fortnight's time and his supervisor had told him that morning he was certain it would be accepted. We wished him well and said we would see him as a fully-qualified doctor when we returned to Paris. The two professors had been listening to Lancelot describing his device and were most interested in seeing a working example once they were being manufactured. Mr Johnson would be asked to make the delivery.
The Professor was ready for luncheon and took us, with Jacques also as a guest, to a small restaurant in the next street which was very popular with all the doctors. It would be as the food was excellent. The cutlets we had had been carefully dissected according to Armand with a grin.
After thanking the Professor and Armand for their hospitality we rejoined our coach for the short journey to Uncle Philippe's house in the rue de Varenne. We drove through most ornate gates to the front of a quite imposing house with a double flight of stone stairs leading to the main door. This was already open and a liveried flunkey led us through the hallway to a room which was all gold and red in its decoration with a number of pictures and tapestries on the walls.
A tall, mustachioed man dressed in what looked like trousers of black silk and a crimson silk shirt stood and smiled. "Well my dears you have arrived. Greetings!" It was only then I recognised a second figure who had been sitting on a chair by his side who also stood. It was Jabez Bottom!
To be continued:
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