The Confusion

"Pontchartrain sent no fewer than three messages here this morning, requesting the latest news," said Eliza, "but I did not know the contrôleur-général had also contacted you, my lady."

"His curiosity on the matter presumably reflects that of the King."

"It does not surprise me that the King should be so keen to know the whereabouts of his Grand Admiral. But would it not be more proper for such inquiries to be routed through the Secretary of State for the Navy?"

The Duchess of Oyo

"No wonder the King is so intent on this, then—for they say that the Duke of Marlborough has landed in force in the South of Ireland."

"Your news is stale. Marlborough has already taken Cork, and Kinsale is expected to fall at any moment. All of this while de Seignelay is too ill to work, and d'Arcachon is off in the south on some confusing adventure of his own."

From out in the courtyard, beyond the rear doors of the chapel, Eliza heard a muffled burst of feminine laughter: the Duchess of Arcachon and her friends. It was curious. A few paces in one direction, the most exalted persons in France were do

"Do not talk about it this way, if you please!" Eliza snapped.

"It was merely an observation."

"When le duc pla

"You sound as though you are defending him."

"I believe it is useful to know the mind of the enemy."

"Does le duc know your mind, mademoiselle?"

"Obviously not. He does not rate me an enemy."

"Who does?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Someone wishes to know your mind, for you are being watched."

"I am well aware of it. Monsieur Rossignol—"

"Ah, yes—the King's Argus—he knows all."

"He has noticed that my name crops up frequently, of late, in letters written by those at Court who style themselves Alchemists."

"Why are the chymists watching you?"

"I believe it has to do with what Monsieur le duc d'Arcachon has been up to in the south," said Eliza. "Assuming that you have been discreet, that is."

Oyo

"I did not know that Father Édouard was an Alchemist as well!"

"Of course. Indeed, my divine cousin perfectly illustrates the point I am making. Can you phant'sy such a man associating with Satanists?"

"I ca

"You aren't."

"What are you then, if I may inquire?"

Oyo

"I am aware that it hurts."

"There are people at Court who suffer from aches of heart and spirit that are every bit as intolerable as a toothache. Those who prey on them, are no different from tooth-pullers. The emblems of the devil are no different from the pliers brandished by tooth-pullers: visual proof that these people are equipped to ply their trade, and satisfy their customers."

"You are so dark! Is there anything you believe in?"

Oyo

"Why not?"

"Because there is a balance of powers in the world, which can only be perceived by continual attention, and can only be preserved by—"

"By the unceasing and subtile machinations of persons such as you," Eliza said; and the look in the green eyes of Oyo

"I am certainly not doing so out of any affection for you! Nor out of sympathy. I don't know, and don't wish to, why you hate him so, but the stories told about him make it easy to guess. If le duc were a great hero of France—a Jean Bart, for example—I should poison you before suffering you to harm him. But as matters stand, Monsieur le duc is a poltroon, absent for months when he is most needed. Wise was le Roi in subordinating him to Monsieur le marquis de Seignelay. But now that de Seignelay is dying, the duc d'Arcachon will try to reassert his former eminence, which shall prove a disaster to the Navy and to France."

"So you see yourself as doing the King's work."

"I see myself as serving the King's ends." Madame la duchesse d'Oyo