CHAPTER XIV

A Family Tragedy

Some of Ninon’s engagements following upon one another in quick succession were the cause of an unusual disagreement, not to say quarrel, between two rivals in her affections.  A Marshal of France, d’Estrees and the celebrated Abbe Deffiat disputed the right of parentage, the dispute waxing warm because both contended for the honor and could not see any way out of their difficulty, neither consenting to make the slightest concession.  Ninon, however, calmed the tempest by suggesting a way out of the difficulty through the hazard of the dice.  Luck or good fortune for the waif declared in favor of the warrior, who made a better guardian than the Abbe could possibly have done, and brought him greater happiness.

Ninon surrendered all her maternal rights in the child to the worthy Marshal, who became in reality a tender and affectionate father to the waif, cared for him tenderly and raised him up to a good position in life.  He placed him in the marine service, where, as the Chevalier de la Bossiere, he reached the grade of captain of a vessel, and died at an advanced age respected by his brother officers and by all who knew him.  He inherited some of the talents of his mother, particularly music, in which he was remarkably proficient.  His apartments at Toulon, where he was stationed, were crowded with musical instruments and the works of the greatest masters.  All the musicians traveling back and forth between Italy and France made his house their headquarters.  The Chevalier accorded them a generous welcome on all occasions; the only return demanded was an exhibition of their proficiency in instrumental music.

The happiness of this son solaced Ninon for his unfortunate birth, and it would have been happy for her had she never had a second.  But her profound love for the Chevalier de Gersay overcame any scruples that might have arisen in her mind against again yielding to the maternal instinct, and another son came to her, one who was destined to meet a most horrible fate and cause her the most exquisite mental torture.

This de Gersay, who was famous for the temerity of his passion for the queen, Anne of Austria, a fact he announced from the housetops of Paris in his delirium, was as happy as a king over the boy that came to him so unexpectedly, and lavished upon him the most extravagant affection.  He took him to his heart and trained him up in all the accomplishments taught those of the highest rank and most noble blood.  The boy grew up and received the name of Chevalier de Villiers, becoming a credit to his father.