, 1860-11-16
An Aereeable Tete-a.Tete.

b IL was Oh tue aitornOOu Ol . BlOOulya Ncb uhyg
in the month Of November, 1887, that traveller,
muffled in an ample riding cloak, and mounted
on strong-limbed Limousen horse, stopped at
the door OF an inn in the village Of Ruel, close
To the Park boundary Of Malmaison, which was
at that period in the possession Of and occupied
BY Cardinal Richelieu. The traVel.stained, weary
appearance Of both horse and rider betokened
that they had come from afar. A felt hat with
out feathers, and pourpoint Of plain black
cloth, unadOrned by either ribbands or lace, in
dicated that the traveller belonged not to the
class Of court rufhers, so renowned in that day
for their dexterity in handling the sword and
dagger. But, from the form Of his moustache,
the sober expression Of his calm penetrating eye,
and the general style of his dress and equipage,
it was to be inferred that he was one Of the class
of active and independant burghers, whose
fathers had been the originators Of the League,
and who, although ct the moment crushed al
most into extinction by the iron gripe Of Richeeu,
were destined subsequently to revive, and figure
for a space in the Saturnalia Of the Fronde, and
then to become extinguished and lost forever in
the overwhelming glory Of Louis the Fourteenth.
Alighting at the entrance Of the inn, the trav-
elers first care was to see that his horse should
be well looked to; his second, that dinner should
be prepared for him forthwith. lie was then
conduit d into one Of the best chambers in the
house, where, a blazing fire Of dried branches Of
the vine having been lighted for him, he took off
his wet garments, spread them out to dry, and,
drawing chair into the ehmney-corner, warmed
himself at his ease. While he was thus en-
ployed, another traveller also on horseback,
pulled up nc the same inn, and inquired whether
dinner could be prepared for him Immediately.
He was answered BY the hostess that 1t would
not be in her power to serve him, as all the pro-
visions that remained in the house had been
bespoken by q traveller who had preceded him,
aud who was at that moment going to place him
sclf at table. ,d H
q Co.. said the last conner, and ask the gen
tleman if he will permit me to share his dinner,
in which case will gladly divide the reckoning
with him."
The hostess lost no time in conveying the mes
sage 10 her inmate in the choicest terms "Tell
the person who sends you" replied the burgher,
politely, "that he will confer favor upon me
by becoming guest at dinner, but that am
not accustomed to allow any one to pay the
reckoning Of a repast to which I invite him" !"
And the new conner, without further preliminary,
having accepted the courtesy as frankly as it
was offered, was introduced into the private
chamber Of the burgheT, where, seated before q
brisk fire, the two travellers did ample honor to
the dinner that was set before them
The nature Of the recontre banshed an cere-
mony from the tefe-d-tete Fepast, which was as
gay as it was possible to be between two persons
who had never before met The several viands
that were served up were al excellent Of their
kind and bottle Of fine old Chambertin, which
was placed upon the table at the dessert ap
pearcd to be tho signal for discarding the COM
monplace geneFaties upon which the conversa-
ton Of the two strangers had hitherto turned,
and established more confidential communica'
ton between them. The one who played the
part Of guest warmed by the generous wine
that sparkled in his glass, could not lorbear CON-
plimsnting his obliging AmPhytrion upon the
excellence Of his entertainment. t--
"You must be well known in this inn, said
be, a in order to be so well servedl"
replied the other, " not at ell, assure
you"
Probably, then, you inhabit the neighbOr
hood, and are in the habit Of oiien passing this
wayi"
II am here for the first time in my life to-
day" answered the burgher. : came from La
Rochelle"
"From La RocholIel" repeated the other, with
GESTURE Of surprise. r
"From La Rochelle l" said the burgher.
sAnd what, may ask, can have brought
you from such distance 7" pursued his interro-
gator.
"Ohl provoking reason enough have
been sent for BY Monseigneur le Cardinal"
"By Monseigneur le Cardnal" exclaimed
the first speaker, with increased astonishment.
Pardon the question I am about to put to you
have you ever boen involved in any unpleas-
ant affair with his Eminenceg' -
Neveri and the explanation ] shall here
with give you, Of the motive for my journey
hither, win be briefly and easily told. Aviolent
satire against the administration and the person
| Of Monseigneur le Cardinal has been recently
circulated at La Rochelle. Il Is said that the
affair Of Urban Grandier and the nuns Of Lou
dun Is introduced into it, as well as notices OF
bad tragedies and worse verses attributed to his
Eminenco, and comments upon a certain gay
damsol named Marion Delorme. In short, am
ignorant Of the exact contents Of the book, as
have never yet laid my eyes upon Il, butitwould
appear that II has fallen into the hands Of tho
Cardinals eOnRdant, Pere Joseph, the Capuchin,
and although have never in my life written
anything that could be published, have been
named to him as the author. You know, that
in the times in which we live, every one has a
secret enemy, and it is evident that mine has
prIl agited this suppositoh In order 70 iljure me-
/ However, have not hesitated to obey his Emil
ncnces Injunction TO appear before him, and ]
have no fear but that shall easily excnlpate
myself from 50 absurd charge
The other stranger listened with the utmost
attention to the foregoing recital, his ccuntenAnce
at each word darkening into thoughtful gloom.
And at what hour" be inquired, "are you to
appear before the Cardinall I" and he pointed in
the direction Of Malinaison."
AT six O'Clock this evening" was the an
swcT 7tlU
" "Sir, prejoned the other, with strong emotion,
and grasping the arm Of his hospitable enter
tainer as he spoke, "give thanks 70 Providence
for the happy chance which has this day laid
me under an obligation to you; for know that 1
TOO, have been summoned at that hour BY Mon
seigneur X Cardinal, and summoned for no less
a reason than-tO eta of your head"
At these words, the burgher Of la Rochelle,