, 1874-02-22
A QUEENS ADVENTURE.


crowned BY the ancient town OF Jougne. On the
road between Lone-1es-saulniers and Desancon,
the capital OF the Province Of Fraucho-Comte.
There wore two women IN the vehicle; one, tall,
handsome, and exceedingly elegant. occupied the
seat facing the horses tho other, who eat op-
posite to her. was young person Of sprightly
counteuanco, whose simple Costume and deferen-
tial manner ut once announced her to be either a
waiting maid or dame de compagnie. From
time to time one or the other Of tho two travellers
would thrust her head ont OF the carriage window
to urge on tho position or look back down the
road. apparently to SEQ
WHETHER ASY ONE WE'RE FOLLOWING.
Notwithstanding the ontreaties OF the ladies,
ana his own best endeavors, Mait1e jacques, the
position, failed miserably in his attempts to in
duce his two heavy Flemish horBes to get into =
trot, let alone gallop. The road WAS 30 bad,
the rain so binding, the ruts SO many, the mud
30 deep, that the best the poor beasts could do
in response to their masters oaths and loud
cracks OF tho whip was to give an occasional
jerk forward or stumble. and than resume their
wonted funereal pace.
" Heaven help Us, Suzanne! This dreadful
Journey viii never end We cannot possibly
reach Besancon tonight" observed tho lady who
sat with her face to tho horses. Mon Dieu
how wish We were we'll over it and safe /"
" Madame is too nervous; that gentleman On
horseback no have seen at tho last threo sta
tions, and who has followed uo, has frightened
her. Believe me, AN sure hois no spy; be is too
nice-lookinS for that. I am persuaded he is
only fascinated by madame's charms, and has
not recognized her. Oh, he is no more sans-
culotte than am"
ut matters very little what you think about
him: have my fears, and my reasous for having
Them Put your head out once more, and see i
he be still in sight,"
Suzanne did as sho Was bid, and presently
shutting down the window as quick as she could.
to prevent tho rain from pouring in, gave her
mistress tho reassuring news that not only had
the obnoxious stranger disappeared, but also
tla:
TIE GATES OF JouosE
we're close at hand; ''And, madame, through
break in the clouds I eaw the mountains Of
Switzerland, 30 you see we are approaching the
frontier"
"Ttat is well. We will stop tor supper here
at the Lion dor, aud then hasten on to Dosan-
con this very night said her mStress.
In q few moments more the carriage rumbled
through the narrow ss1eets OF Jougue, and pres-
entity stopped under the porte-cochers Of tho
hotel Of the Golden Lion.
"Wili the ladies' get down ?" eaid the jolly inn
keeper as he stood with the balf-opened car
risgc-door in one hand aud lis cap in the other,
bow1ng with extra ciTllity to his Two new guests,
and delighted at the prospect Of their being do
tanned al night under his roof, for travellers had
become very rare in those troubled times. evil
the ladies get down7 Supper will be ready at
moments notice."
Certainly, We want it at once, and let it be
good, substantial meal, for, can assure you, we
arc rarely hungry" answered the tall lady, -
eho jumped out, and, turning to the position,
inquired il it were possible to reach Besaucon
before midnight.
PERFECTLY IMPOSSIBLE MADAME;
the roads are IN shocalng state. We should
''And that would be intoIera5lo. H.
Ions! Susanne, get down and bring in
With you all tho shnvla, pillows and
nightbass you eau find, for. since ne
m1st sleep here, We may As well mako ourselves
6usanne, loaded with rugs and satchels, fol-
lowed her mistress into the house, aud tho two
travellers, emerging from the sh.de OF the hail,
entered tho briSltiy-iluminatod dining-room.
A Ere cracked cheorily on tho hearth, and the
cred NTH snou-white cloths and shining glass,
looked quite cosy. The ladies', taking OH thelr
wraps, seated themselves by the fire, aud PRES
eutly the landlady drew in front of them table
which she placed two smokiug bowls OF e1-
celeut broth.
Tho bright light OF the fire threw It's cheerful
glare on the connteuance OF tho tall lady, and
showed her to POSSESS auch raro and stately
beauty that the worthy lanllady. on returning to
the kitchen, proclaimed to hor satellites that
sLo never befuTe had seen SO queely parsonage
s. C'e&t u,.e re,7tdt1e rei,ac
(SuE'5 PERFECT QUEES).
III warrant sAe's some dno court na7chioness on
her way over the frontier" Said she "aud,
poor soul! would be the last to prevent her
light"
indeed, tho lady justified these en-
comunls. Her figure was graceful and.
her features regular, her
eyes bright and vivacious- Her hair, in which
still fingered traces Of powder, was drawn high
up over her ample forehead, whilst one heavy
curl hung down on her shoulder. Her complex
ion Was singu1arly brilliant, and, varying con-
stantly the 1east emotion, gave the lie to those
OF her enemies who declared she used paint. The
only defect that could be possibly found with
thus otherwise perfect face was thst the lower
lip, slightly too thick, protruded little beyond
tho upper one, as is frequently observed in por-
traits Of tho eoTerelgns Of
THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA.
Her costume was SIMPLE, consisting OF gray
pettlcoat and lowered chintx oyersklrt. n3.do
in the fashion recently so popular and styled
- Dolly Warden" Her attendant, whom she
called snsanne, Was pretty and unpretondlng
young woman belonging to the viTacious class
Of French se17ing-maids immortalzed By Moliere
and BeaumarchaiH as soutrenes.
The two travellers had scarcely tasted their
6rst spoonful OF soup when the doors OF the
apartment were thrown open, and . foncti3nnalre |
Of the provlRlouary Government, Wearing h1S TIL
colored scarf, entered 6triding up to the table
1t which the TWO ladies' we're seated, he drew
from his pocket d letter, and fixing his eyes !
with avid interest on the tail lady, made ! |
mental comparison between her countenanco
and that of some one described in the document |
he held IN his hand
"a WHAT Is YOUR NAME, C1ToYESSE 7" |
asked he suddenly in 8 tone Of authority.
May l first ask, sir, who it is shall have |
had the honor OF answering when do give my |
aame7" returned the lady, who, although she |
lad become exceedingly pale, retained her SELF |
possession in remarkable manner, for it WAS |
10 joke for woman Of position to fall into the |
lands OF ,5onctionndires in those days.
II an the Mayor OF Jougne." |
"1n that case, II. le MAire,
I AM MADAME DE- pRYSE."
"HaEe you no papers about you-no pass
,ortf" t
Mon Dieu Yee-no that is, Of course I
lave, but in my trunk answered the lady.
We s1e only going to Besancon. This is my
maid Susanne We are two women travelling on
business. l have IN engagement At Besancon
nd really, H. 10 Maire, I had no idea that pass
,orts were necessary when travelling in France"
You said that you had one in your box.
Iery well, Madame de Pryne, ALLOW me to see
his passport"