Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-08
LAZUN:

LAZUN:
The Story of a Famous Courtier.
From the Temple Bar.
A ball at the Hotel de Scissors.
Spring had scarcely dawned upon the
outer world, but the world of fashion
rose superior to the tardy rotation of
the seasons, and here summer was at
its meridian tho walls and ceilings
covered with immense masses of foil
age; the long galleries turfed SO as to
resemble the most symmetrical lawns;
the staircases strewn lsvishly with the
roses of Fontenay; the lamps shining
forth from the depths of gigantic
leaves, like immense tropical flowers.
the very centre of Paris
Olympic, countess of Scissors, some
time favorite of the grand monarque,
niece of the late all-po 1erful cardinal,
had imagined this entertainment as a
means OF restoring herself to the good
graces of the king, who lad nc sympa-
thy with sorrowful faces and who loved
dancing very passionately. She had
some right to congratulate herself on
the success of her expedient, when
Louis himself deigned to suggest, in
the graceful language, which was ever
the property of royalty, that, as shep-
herds were won't to celebrate with
dances the return of spring, the ball the
countess was about to give should be
invested with the character of fete
chonapetre, he himself appearing in the
character of Tircis.
"My dear Olympic" he added, softly.
In her delighted ear, SCI will send you
my violins!
Not to be alone In wearing masquer-
ade, his majesty also expressed his
wishes that there should be a quadrille
OF four shepherds with the shepherd
esses chosen from the elite eff the court.
The music was to be composed by
Baptlste, and the steps and figures
marvels of intricacy, ightness, and or
iginalty-Were to be learned and prac-
ticed IN the greatest secrecy.
The evening arrived, and, after open
ing the ball with his cousin Louise of
Orleans, the royal Tircis realizing the
most romantic vision of pastoral beauty
by the grace and suavity of his demea-
nor, retired to the side of the young
queen, ard throwing himself into q
fdutueit, prepared to become specta-
tor of the '.QN0drilLe des bergers. The
violins gave the signal; three cavaliers
dressed as shepherds, advanced, lead
ing their shepherdesses. But where
WIS the fourth |? The duchess of Valen-
tinois, after looking for moment help
lessly round, appeared alone at her
post. ALI eyes were vainly employed in
seeking for the absent shepherd. The
name Of NJ. de Yillequier was repeated
snxiousIy on all Sides The masters of
the ceremonies rushed about the rooms
calling for the lost dancer with the
most lamentable vociferations. The
king himself was seen to frown, and
the general distress was at its height,
when young man, dressed In the or
binary habiliments of the court
emerged from the crowd and seized the
hand of Nine. de Valentines, who gave
him friendly smile, and the quadrille
proceeded.
Mo- only did the unknown execute
with precision the figures which had
been practiced with SO much secrecy,
showing himself thereby perfect mas
ter OF court mysteries, but be added
embroideries; of his own to the compli-
Gated steps which had been combined
by the da~ecteara des ballets himself,
and appeared in grace and agility as
much superior to his companions, whose
efforts were SO serious and studied. as
poetry il to prose. Murmurs of aston
ishment arose on all sides. The assem-
bly,, which had been thrown into such
CONSERVATION at the fear OF a catastro-
phe which appeared inevitable, was
seized with enthusiasm. But who,
then, was this unknown? A dancing
master, suggested one; but that was
negatived by III. de La Rochefoucault.
mo amount of study could ever give
the true nobility of character which
distinguished man well born and
bred, would engage this gentleman
is of the best blood in France.
ellis name for PHYS sake!" implored
dozen melodious voices.
81 know it, said M. de Villeroy.
'sHe is one of the old illustrious family
of, the Caumonts. He lis called La.
zun." -
'sA cousin of the Marechal de Ora.
mont I"
ssAnd Nine. de Valentinois has of
course revealed to him the secret in
structions =s5he ballet-master All.
now the mystery is cleared up"
"What q beautiful figure ?"
Not tall, but SO light and elegant. !"
Tie sane style as the King"
The prettiest leg in the Court"
'And such beautiful fair hair!'
Such were the enconiums passed upon
the young stranger by the spectators of
his marvellous debut; ard when the
king, having summoned him to his side,
was seen leaning gracefully at ease in
the embrasIre of a window, his crook
laid aside, his left hand hidden in the
folds of his pastoral huut de ch0usses,
and upon his lips that rare smile which
was ever SO sure signal of the royal
favor. the murmurs of applause threat
ened TO become almost too pronounced