Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-04-15

loves not, neither does the courtier.
A page then approaches, and invites
the constable, in the name Of Queen
Claude, to join her afternoon circle.
Meanwhile, he is charged to conduct the
constable TO an audience with the regent.
mother, who awaits him in her apart.
ments.
The King had been cool and tho prin-
cess silent and reserved; not so the Re-
GENT Louise de Savoie, who advances to
meet the constable with unmistakable
eagerness. Do
"I congratulate you, my cousin, she
says, holding out both her hands to him,
which he receives kneeling, :" on the dig
NE. with which my son has invested you.
| may add, that / was not altogether idle
in the matter.
"Your Aighness will 1 hope, be justi-
fed in the favor you have shown me, !"
replies the constable, coldly.
"Be seated, my cousin" continues
Louise. II have desired to see You
alone that / might fully explain with
what grief l find myself obliged, by the
express order of L4y son, to dispute
with a kinsman / so much esteem as
yourself f"-she pauses a moment, the
coustables bows gravely-" the inherit
ance of my poor consin, your wife,
Madame Suzanne de Bourbon. Suzanne
was dear to me, and you also, constable,
have high place in my regard.
Louise ceases. She looks significantly
at the constable, as if waiting for him
to answer; but he does not reply, and
again bows.
:" / am placed" continues the regent,
the color gathering on her cheek, in a
most painful alternative. The chancel-
lor has insisted on the legality of my
claims-claims on the inheritance of
your late wife, daughter of Pierre, Due
de Bourbon, my cousin. will not trou-
Bile you with details, Ny son urges the
suit, Ny own feelings plead strongly
against proceeding any further in the
matter" She hesitates and stops.
Your Highness is, of course, aware
that the loss of this suit would be abso-
lutely ruin to me2" says Bourbon, look
ing hard at Louise.
II fear it would be most disastrous to
your fortunes. That they are dear to
me, judge-you are by my interest made
Constable of France, second only in
power to my son."
III have already expressed my graft
tude, Madame.
But, constable" continues Louise de
Savoie, speaking with much animation,
"why have you insisted on your claims
why not have trusted to the gratitude
of the king toward brave and jealous
subject? Why not have counted on my
self, who have both power and will, as l
have shown, to protect your
"The generosity of the King and your
highness's favor, which / accept with
gratitude, have nothing to do with the
legal rights Of my late wife s inheritance.
desire not, madame, to be beholden in
such matters even to your highness or
to his majesty"
"Well, constable, well, as you will
you are, know, of proud and noble
nature. Butt have desired earnestly"
and the regent rises and places herself
on another chair nearer the constable,
Ito ascertain from your own lips if this
suit cannot be settled lamiable. There
are many means of accommodating a
lawsuit, duke. Madame Anne, wife of
two kings of France, saved Brittany
from cruel wars in manner worthy of
imitation.
Truly" replies Bourbon, with sigh;
"but / know not what princess of the
blood would enable me to accommodate
your highness's suit in SO agreeable
manner hru
"Haye you not yourself formed some
opinion on the subjectf" asks Louise,
looking at the constable with undisguised
tenderness.
rNo, madame, have not. Since the
hand, of your beautiful daughter, Ma
dame Marguerite, is engaged, l know no
one"
But"-and she hesitates, and again
turns her eyes upon him, which the con-
stable does not observe, as he is adjust
ina the hilt Of the dagger" but-you
forget, Duke, that | am a widow.
Ks she speaks she places her hand
upon that Of the constable, and CAGES
into his face. Bourbon starts violently
and looks up. Louise de Savoie, still
holding his hand, meets his gaze with
an unmistakable expression. She is
forty wears old, bat vain and intriguing.
There is pause. Then the constable
rises and drops the hand which had
rested 50 softly upoH his own. His hand
some face darkens into LOOK OF DIS
gug A flush Of rage sends the blood
s;ngi,ng 10 the cheeks Of Louise.
"Your Highness mistakes me, says
Bourbon. "The respect | owe to his
majesty, the disparity Of orE years my
own feelings, ali render such a union
impossible. Your highness does me
great honor, but l do not at present IN,
tend 10 contract any other alliance. II
his:majesty goes 10 :lsy With me, Why,
will 6ght him, madsme-that is 81:
Enough, answers Louise, IN
hoarse voice, Il understand. The
constable makes a profound obiesance
and retires.
This interview was the FIRST act IN that
long and intricate drama by which the
spite Of mortal woman drove the Due
de Bourbon-the greatest general Of his
age, under whom the arms OF France
never knew defeat-to become traitor
TO his King and 10 France.-Francts
Elliott, IN Appiefon's Journal