Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-10-10

added that the attempt on the kings life was
to be made that evening at the reception on the
occasion7of the eve of the fete OF st. Louis,
when it was usual to present the monarch with
bouuets of flowers. One of these was to con-
tain a poison so subtle, that the king, on smell
ingit would fall as if struck by apopleXv.*
Bellisle looked at Jean. His mien was agita-
ted; he was profoundly moved. His handsome
and honest features were excited, as if by deep
Indignation; the pallor of horror was on his
countenance. But the project Of police. remcm-
boring the pretended revelations Of La Tude
and others, was still not wholly convinced.
"Are you sure" said he to Jean, that you
have heard what you tell me-? Be careful. If
you have done this from a mere motive Of cupi-
dity, and invented a fable, you will pay dearly
for it; the Bastile for life
"Put me to the rack if you like" cried Pre-
vost: sit will not alter my words. | repeat the
king is in danger. l offer my life as security
for nv truth"
Enough; I believe you. We will go toge-
Their to Versailles"
1t was a very short time after, when NJ. de
Bellisle and Jean Provost entered the royal
palace of Versailles by the stairs of the Hil de
BGuf, and arrived secretly at the kings private
apartments. Every precaution was taken to
conceal the presence of the minister of police
from the courtiers, as thus the conspirators
might guess the discovery of their a]trocious
plot.
Louis XIV. received the lieutenant, and had
with hima;long and seer ct interview. In fact
they parted only when, at 8 o'clock, the mo-
march went into the Ha Il of Treaties to receive
the respectful homage of all the foreign am
bassadors, princes, and courtiers, who on this
occasion were all receiced in state. The lieute-
nant Of the police joined Provost, guarded in a
private chamber by two erempts, and sat down
to a hurried meal, in which lie invited the frot-
teur to join him without ceremony.
Meanwhile Louis XIV. had entered the Hall
of Treaties, and seated himself on his throne at
the end of the apartment. Before him was the
magnificent round mosaic table given to Louis
lie Grand by the republic of Venice, and which
was now destined to receive the splendid and rare
bouquets offered on this occasion by the royal
family, the grand officers of the household, and
the members of the diplomatic corps, to the
king. The crowd was gay and gorgeous. Every
variety ofcostume, bright, rich, and resplendent,
shone beneath the blaze of light, which show
ed off the brilliance of the diamonds on the wo-
men. The king, who, despite his ~trivolity, had
great courage, and a fund of good sense, which
with other education, would have made him a
different man, was by no means moved, but
smiled graciously on Madame de Pompadour,
and caressed her favorite spaniel, which sat
upona stool between them, and at their feet.
The ceremony commenced. The king, as
was the custom, took tho bouquets one by
one, thanking every giyer by some sprightly
word. Pretending to play with the spaniel,
and to repress its indiscreet ~caresses, he plac-
ed every bunch of flowers near the animals
nose, and then laid it down On the mosaic ia
BILE. Madame de .Pompardour laughed, but
hid her laughter with her fan.
"If they feel hurt!" said she in a whisper.
at is your spaniel countess" replied the king
calamity.
The foreign ministers had precedence, and
had presented all their bouquets. The men,
bers of the royal family came next, having
precede them. The king took The bouquet from
the hands of the nearest of the blood royal, who
stepped back bowling. He held the flowers to
the ~spaniel's nose; the poor brute shifted 1T,
reeled, and fell dead. Madame de Pompadour
turned pale, and would have shrieked, but the
king had warned her by look.
"Not a word" whispered he; cit is nothing !
Drop the fold of our dress over the poor ami
NAL. 1t has died to make true the saying. "Son
of a king-brother of king-neyer king !"
The ceremony proceeded, Louis XIV. COM
pletely concealing his emotion, while Madame
de P%ompadour smothered her alarm and Gu
riosity. As soon IS all was over, the king retired
to his chamber, and sent for the lieutenant of
police, who at once was struck by his solemn
manner.
aAm I to arrest the guilty, sire :"
"You were correctly informed, Bellisle.-
Last year the dagger Of Damiens; this time a
bunch of flowers; and always from the same
quarter. / cannot, nor ought l to punish. l
order you to. desist from inquiring who saved
me
"Close at hand, SIRE" replied the lieutenant,
who knew we'll whence the the blow came, and
and also that it descended from too exalted a
hand and too near a relative to be noticed.
airing him to me-"
81 am at your orders, sire" and the lieutenant
of police bowed. NJ. Berlin de Bellisle was
far too honest a man to do as most of his
predecessors would have done-used the dis
covery, and kept all the merit to themselves.
81 have brought this man with me, sire"
continued Berlin: abe is in the guard room, all
confused and alarmed at being in a palace in
his rude working dress"
$50 much the better" said the king; lit is at
least an honest costume and an honest occupa-
ton. Bring him in, Monsieur; | will receive
him better than | would a courtier."
Berth went out, and returned leading the
frotteur by the hand. Jean Prevost-bold,
stout fellow though he was-trembled, held
down his head and turned and twisted his
cap in his h~andsyquite W that he was
pulling it all to pieces.
embrace your king" cried Louis XIV. with
a grateful tear in his eye; "that is your first re-
ward" " " eft
"Sire," said Jean, falling on his knees, Il ask
no reward but the feeling ofhaving saved your
majesty" . ,
aCome hither;;" and the king seized him, and
kissed him on both cheeks. @-
aI I'M ,nuuorfhu of such homer" --