The Magician's Wife by Brian Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

always been something he judged as a professional, was tonight enthusiastic and delighted as a boy who has just seen his first play.
    At half-past ten the performance ended, after which the entire audience followed the Emperor and Empress into the grande salle des fêtes . The Emperor then sent for the actors, who, having changed out of their costumes, appeared to a round of applause. Emmeline watched Coquelin talk to the Emperor and saw that he was able to put the Emperor at ease, laughing and chatting with him in a casual way which none of the distinguished guests seemed to have managed in the preceding days. For some reason this comforted her and made her feel more secure than at any time since her arrival in Compiègne. The Emperor was a man, he was human, he wanted to enjoy himself; he who was at the top of the social ladder did not look down on Coquelin who, like her husband, was a person who performed on stage.
    At eleven o’clock refreshments were brought in, the carriages were announced and making a ‘reverence’ to Their Majesties the artists took their leave. The Emperor and Empress then withdrew. The guests from the neighbouring château departed in their carriages leaving the guests free to go to their rooms.
     
    On the following morning her changed mood still held. She felt light-headed, free, no longer intimidated by the grandeurs around her. After déjeuner when the Master of Ceremonies approached, as usual, to ask what they would like to do and Lambert, as usual, said that he would like to sit and read, she, to her surprise, asked if she could visit some sights in the region.
    ‘An excellent idea,’ the Master of Ceremonies said. ‘There is a wonderful castle nearby, the Château de Pierrefonds, a former ruin which the Emperor is renovating. It’s one of his great projects. Well worth a visit.’
    At that moment, Emmeline saw that Colonel Deniau had come up and was standing directly behind Henri. ‘The Château de Pierrefonds, did you say? I very much want to see it. Would you allow me to join you, Madame?’
    ‘Wonderful,’ Henri said, turning to the Colonel. ‘If you go with her it will make me feel less guilty.’
    She noticed at once that the Colonel in his usual complicit way managed to ignore her husband’s remark and, instead, kept looking at her, waiting for her answer.
    ‘I must put on my travelling clothes,’ she told him. ‘But I can be ready in, say, half an hour?’
    ‘A landau and a picnic hamper will be waiting in the main courtyard, whenever you come down,’ the Master of Ceremonies told her.
    She smiled at the Colonel. ‘Will that suit you?’
    ‘Indeed, Madame. À bientôt .’
     
     
     
     
    The forest of Pierrefonds adjoined the royal forest of Compiègne. Sitting side by side in the landau wrapped in furs and rugs, they set out in November mists, down twisting forest roads, dead and dry leaves rustling under the horses’ feet. At first they sat in silence looking around them at vistas of trees and lake, then as the drive continued Deniau made polite conversation about last night’s play and the actors. Suddenly, he said, ‘You seem happier today. I don’t mean because you’re no longer ill. You no longer hate being here. Am I right?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I’m glad. Bringing you to Compiègne was my idea, you know.’
    ‘No, I didn’t know,’ she said. ‘But tell me. Why would you want me here?’
    ‘Because you are part of my plan. I realize it sounds confusing, but when we meet the Emperor on Friday I think it will all become clear. You are very important in this affair. Yes, yes – I made a mistake. I thought you’d be delighted to visit Compiègne. When I saw that wasn’t true, I was alarmed. But now – was it the play last night that made you change your mind? I hope so.’
    What did he mean? ‘Why am I part of your plan?’ she said. ‘Tell me.’
    ‘Not now. But I promise you, I will.’
    Their drive through cold November mists ended at an abrupt