The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-06-04

ject, my life is at your service, and 1
crave only your gracious pardon"
"Ob, you have it, count grant it
willingly, and only see in your con-
Duct" answered the queen, smiling,
but with all evident meaning, for she
fixed her keen eyes on the kneeling gen.
tleman in q manner that forbade his
answering see, sir, in your conduct
only proof of your desire to serve an
unfortunate woman and fallen
queen"
eft is well," broke in the mayor.
Notwithstanding all appearances to the
contrary, this young man evidently
forms part of your cortege, madame.
He is arrested and shall share your APP
partments. The chamber at the end of
the corridor, sir, is yours. You have,
however, free access to the queen
whenever she desires your presence"
and bowing civilly the good mayor
withdrew for the night.
When the door was closed on the
mayor the count was about to withdraw
also, but the queen prevented his doing
so, entreating him to remain and par
take of supper with her, which was
presently served. During this meal
the queen became exceedingly lively,
and the merry laughter of the impris-
oned sovereign and her new friend be-
ing heard outside in the corridor led
the guards, when changed, to announce
to the public "that her majesty was
singularly fearless woman, for, notwith-
standing the danger she was in, she
laughed like true daughter of Mo-
mus, and was having fine time of it
with the prince"
The sixth and last day Of her cap
tivity at last arrived. The answer from
the national assembly reached Jougne
toward noon, and the queen was at
breakfast with the count and Susanne,
whed the mayor entered her presence,
followed by the whole municipality and
several guards. The good mayor was
flushed with excitement, and in his
hand he held the as yet sealed docu-
ment. Arranging all his colleagues ac-
cording to their various official grades
in semicircle around him, he ad-
dressed the queen, who rose to hear
him, with q stately and majestic air :
"Marie Antoinette of Austria, we have
this morning received the following an
swer from the government of Paris,
and hasten to communicate to you its
contents" Here the worthy magistrate
broke the seals and read: "Citizen
mayo.-Marie Antoinette is still in
Paris, and has never left it. Let Made
moiselle Sainval, actress of the theatre
Francais, pass on to Besancon, where
she has an engagement.
Had the earth opened at his feet, the
more utterly dumbfounded. $50 you
| hox-a ,@1a-ol fx,al Lor Mola
my dear NJ. le Marie, allow me to
remark" answered the quondam queen,
/" that it is you who have played me
trick. Had you but examined my pass
port, as I told you, you would have
found that, although have been queen
of Tyre, Sidonia, Greece, Jerusalem,
Rome, and Mesopotamia, have never,
up to the present time, laid claim to
the throne Of France, even for single
to play part which does not belong to
me for six days and nights in success
sion, and an irksome role it has proved.
Confess, now, that it is not my fault if
you have mistaken the crown and scep-
tire of Melpomene for that of Gaul. But
since am free to proceed to Besancon,
perhaps you Will Oruer my carriage TO
the door, for as soon as I have finished
my breakfast I intend to be off. Bon
jour, messieurs," added she, bowling to
the mortified council as it withdrew.
Suddenly recollecting herself, she cried
out, "Eh, may the count go too?
"To the deuce if he likes" answered
the mayor snappishly as he slammed
the door.
Mademoiselle Sainval turned grace
fully to the count and said, as sweet
smile illuminated her beautiful face,
{" My dear count, when you have done
justice to that omelette, perhaps you
will give me your arm and lead me
down to the coach. Oh, how 1 wish
that poor queen had left Paris while 1
was enacting her part, which I did in
hope that these people, believing the
paste to be real diamond, would have
let the true jewel pass Poor, poor
queen! ANons, Susanne let us co.
Count, you have served me as sover-
eign of France; will you not still con-
tinue to be my squire as tragedy
queen?"
The count bowed low, raised the fair
actress hand to his lips. Then, lean
ing on his arm, and followed by her
faithful maid, Mademoiselle Sainval
swept down the staircase to the car
riage in which the count took his seat
opposite Susanne.