Ill have a boat, if you please, Mr. Freeman, Hornblower said at length. Will you pass the word for my coxswain?
Crowds were already gathering on the quays to stare at the English ships, at the White Ensign and at the Bourbon lilies; it was twenty years since either had been seen there. There was quite a mass of people assembled when Brown laid the boat alongside the quay just below the bridge. Hornblower walked up the steps, eyed by the crowd. They were apathetic and silent, not like any French crowd he had seen or heard before. He caught sight of a man in uniform, a sergeant of douaniers.
I wish to visit the Mayor, he said.
Yes, sir, said the douanier respectfully.
Call a carriage for me, said Hornblower.
There was a little hesitation; the douanier looked about him doubtfully, but soon voices from the crowd began to make suggestions, and it was not long before a rattling hackney coach made its appearance. Hornblower climbed in, and they clattered off. The Mayor received him on the threshold of the Hôtel de Ville, having hastened there to meet him from his desk as soon as he heard of his arrival.
Where is the reception for His Royal Highness?
demanded Hornblower. Why have no salutes been fired? Why are the church bells not ringing?
MonsieurYour Excellency The Mayor knew not quite what Hornblowers uniform and ribbon implied and wanted to be on the safe side. We did not knowwe were not certain
You saw the royal standard, said Hornblower. You knew that His Royal Highness was on his way here from Le Havre.
There had been rumours, yes, said the Mayor reluctantly. But
What the Mayor wanted to say was that he hoped the Duke would arrive not only with overpowering force but also would make an unassuming entrance so that nobody would have to commit themselves too definitely on the Bourbon side according him a welcome. And that was exactly what Hornblower had come to force him to do.
His Royal Highness, said Hornblower, is seriously annoyed. If you wish to regain his favour, and that of His Majesty the King who will follow him, you will make all the amends in your power. A deputationyou, all your councillors, all the notables, the Prefect and the Sub-prefect if they are still here, every person of position, in fact, must be on hand two hours from now to welcome Monseigneur when he lands.
Monsieur
Note will be taken of who is present. And of who is absent, said Hornblower. The church bells can begin to ring immediately.
The Mayor tried to meet Hornblowers eyes. He was still in fear of Bonaparte, still terrified in case some reversal of fortune should leave him at Bonapartes mercy, called to account for his actions in receiving the Bourbon. And, on the other hand, Hornblower knew well enough that if he could persuade the city to offer an open welcome, Rouen would think twice about changing sides again. He was determined upon winning allies for his cause.
Two hours, said Hornblower, will be ample for all preparations to be made, for the deputation to assemble, for the streets to be decorated, for quarters to be prepared for His Royal Highness and his suite.
Monsieur, you do not understand all that this implies, protested the Mayor. It means
It means that you are having to decide whether to enjoy the Kings favour or not, said Hornblower. That is the choice before you.
Hornblower ignored the point that the Mayor was also having to decide whether or not to risk the guillotine at Bonapartes hands.
A wise man, said Hornblower, meaningfully, will not hesitate a moment.
So hesitant was the Mayor that Hornblower began to fear that he would have to use threats. He could threaten dire vengeance tomorrow or the next day when the advancing army should arrive; more effectively, he could threaten to knock the town to pieces immediately with his ships guns, but that was not a threat he wanted to put into execution at all; it would be far from establishing the impression he wished to convey of a people receiving its rulers with acclamation after years of suffering under a tyrant.
Time presses, said Hornblower, looking at his watch.
Very well, said the Mayor, taking the decision which might mean life or death to him. Ill do it. What does Your Excellency suggest?
It took only a matter of minutes to settle the details; Hornblower had learned from Hau much about arranging the public appearances of royalty. Then he took his leave, and drove back again to the quay through the silent crowds, to where the boat lay with Brown growing anxious about him. They had hardly pushed off into the stream when Brown cocked his ear. A church carillon had begun its chimes, and within a minute another had joined in. On the deck of the Porta Coeli the Duke listened to what Hornblower had to tell him. The city was making ready to welcome him.
And when they landed on the quay there was the assembly of notables, as promised; there were the carriages and the horses; there were the white banners in the streets. And there were the apathetic crowds, numbed with disaster. But it meant that Rouen was quiet during their stay there, the reception could at least have an appearance of gaiety, so that Barbara and Hornblower went to bed each night worn out.