Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-05

mediately to the capital. To this letter
was added private one from the Queen
herself, but so artfully sealed that do
what they could it was impossible for
any one of them to read q single word OF
its contents. Having dismissed the coun-
Gil, the Mayor went once more 10 the
Queen, to inform her of what had been
determined. Being a kind-hearted man,
however, he spared her the knowledge of
the manner in which he proposed to con-
duct her back TO Paris.
Whilst he was conversing with Her
Majesty, a gendarme hurriedly entered
the chamber in a state of great excite
ment: an lie Marie! NJ lie Mairel we
have arrested Polignac or Lamballe!"
"Ah," exclaimed the Queen, sit is that
young man"
What young man." inquired the
Mayor.
"a gentleman who followed our coach,
that is ALL" answered she in some con-
fusion, seeing that she had evidently
committed an imprudence by this last
observation.
''Let him be broughtup here immediate
ly," commanded the Mayor; and in a
few moments a tall and remarkably
handsome young man was dragged into
the apartments by two guards. His
clothes were dripping wet, he had lost his
hat, and his soiled cloak dragged on the
ground behind him.
at is the same" whispered Susanna ;
perhaps he may help u.s."
"Please Godr' murmured the queen.
No sooner was this young gentleman
disengaged from the hands of his captors
than, throwing himself on his knees, he
raised her hand to his lips: "PardOn me,
madame. Had but suspected it was the
Queen of France to whom | presumed to
raise my eyes, would have died rather
than have so far forgotten what was due
to my sovereign, especially in her hour of
trouble. [ am gentleman by birth, the
Count de Maillettes. Unaware of Your
Majesty's true rank, I followed your car
riage, struck by your surprising beauty
and enslaved by its power, hoping
through my persistence to be IA
vOred with one glance Of pity, if
not of love. Now that [ recognize my
error, as Your Majesty's most humble
servant and subject, my life is at your
service, and crave only your gracious
pardon"
ooh, you have it, Count: grant it
willingly, and only see in your conduct, :"
answered the Queen smiling, but with an
evident meaning, for she fixed her keen
eyes on the kneeling gentleman in man
ner that forbade his answering-"I see,
sir, in your conduct only proof of your
desire to serve an unfortunate woman and
fallen Queen
at is WE'LL" broke in the Mayor. "Not-
withstanding all appearances to the con-
trary, this young man evidently forms
part of your cOrtege, madame. He is
arrested, and shall share your apartments.
The chamber at the end of the corridor,
sir, is yours. You have, however, the
right of free access to the Queen whenever
she desires your presence. Mesdames, l
wish you very goodnight! Citoyen, bon
soirr and bowling 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 pres
emily served. During this meal the
Queen became exceedingly lively, and the
merry laughter of the imprisoned SOW
ereign and her new friend being heard
outside in the corridor led the guards
when changed to announce to the public
"that Her Majesty was singularly fear
less woman, for, Notwithstanding the dan
ger she was in, she laughed like true
daughter of Momus, and was having a
fine time of il with the Prince who was
evidently her lover.
1t is unnecessary to tell how the i'm
prisoned Queen passed her time in her
confinement at the Lion dor We are
tr nd hot how,
timacy with the Count became so great
that once the guard at the door, spying
through the keyhole, actually saw him
kiss her before retiring for the night.
The sixth and last day of her
captivity at length arrived. The an
swer from the National Assembly
reached Jougne toward noon, and
Queen was at breakfast with
the Count and Susanna when
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 unsealed document. Arrang-
ing all his colleagues according to their
various official grades in semi-circle
around him, he addressed the Queen, who
rose to hear him, with a stately and ma
iestic air: "Marie Antoinette of Austria,
we have this morning received the follow
ing answer from the Government of Paris,
and hasten to communicate to you its
contents" Here the worthy magistrate
broke the seals and read: "Citizen Mayor
Marie Antoinette is still in Paris, and
has never left it. Let MademOiselle Sain-
val, actress. of the Theater Francois, pass
on without hindrance to BesancOn, where
she has an engagement"
Had the earth opened at his feet the
Mayor of JOugne could not have looked
more utterly dumfounded. $50 you have
played us a trick, have you, Mademoiselle
Sainvai?" cried he furioujly.
"My dear NJ, lie Marie, allow me to re-
mark" answered the quondam queen,
"that it is you who have played me a
trick. Had you but examined my pass
port, as l 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 a single night. You,
however, have forced me to play part
which does not belong to me for six
nights and days in succession, and an irk
some role it has proved. Confess, now,
that it is not my fault if you have mis-
taken the crown and scepter of Melpom-
enc for that of Gaul. But, since | am
f zee to proceed to Besancon, perhaps you
will order my carriage to the door, for as
soon as l have finished my breakfast |
intend to be off. Bon joursmessieursl !"
added she, bowling to the mortified
council as it withdrew. Suddenly recol-
Letting herself, she cried out, "Eh, may