The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
MISCELLANY.
LAUZUN: THE STORY OF 4 FAMOUS
~ . COURTIER.
from Temnle BAR ,..
From Temple Bari

"A ball at the Hotel Z de Seasons.
Spring had scarcely dawncd 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-the walls and ceilings covered
with immense masses Of foliage; the long
galleries turfed so as to resemble the
most Symmetrical lawns; the staircases
strewn lavishly with the roses of Fonten-
ay; the lamps shining forth from the
depths of gigantic leaves, like immense
tropical flowers. It was summer gar
den-an Eden in the very center of
Paris!
Olympic, Countess Of Scissors, some.
time fnvorite OF the grand monarque,
niece of the late all-powerful cardinal,
had imagined this entertainment as a
means Of restoring herself to the good
graces Of tho king, who had no sympathy
with .sorrowf1l faces and who loved
dancing very passionately. She had
some right to congratulate herself on the
success Of her cxpedient, when Louis him
self deigned to suggest, in the graceful
language which was ever the property of
royalty, that, as shepherds we're wont to
celebrate with dances the return of
spring, the ball the countess was about
to give should be invested with the char.
acter Of a fete champetre, he himself ap-
pearing in the character of Tircis.
"My dear Olympic" he added, softly,
in her delighted ear, 81 will send you my
vio)ins -
Not to be alone in wearing masquerade,
his majesty also expressed mis- wishes
that there should be qladrille of four
shepherds with the shepherdcsscs chosen
from the elite Of the court. The music
was to be composed by BaptiSte, and the
steps and figures marvel, of intricacv,
lightness, and originality-were to be
learned and practiced in the greatest
, secrecy.
The evening arrived, and, after opening
the ball with his cousin Louise ofOrleans,
the royal Tircis realizing the most ro-
mantle visions of pastora. beauty by the
grace and suavity of his demeaner, re-
tired to the side of the young queen, and
throwing himself into fauteuiI, pre-
pared to become aspectator Of the squad
rifle des bergers.' The violins gave the
signal; three cavaliers, dressed as shcp.
herds, advanced, leading their shepherd
esses. But where was the fourth? The
duchess of Valentinois, after looking for a
moment helplessly round, appeared alone
at her post. All eyes were vainly EN-.
ployed in seeking for the absent shepherd.
The name Of NJ. de Villequier was re-
peated anxiously on all sides. The mas
ters Of the ceremonies rushed about the
rooms calling for the lost dancer with the
most lamentable voci(erations. The king
himself was seen to frown, and the gen.
coal distress was at it's height, when a
brung man, dressed in the ordinary hab.
iliments of the court, emerged from the
crowd and seized the hand of Nine. dc
Volentinois, who gave him friendly
smile, and the quadrille proceeded.
Not only did the unknown execute
with precision the figures which had been
practiced with SO much secrecy, showing
himself thereby a perfect master OF
court mysteries, but he added EN-.
broideries of his own to the complicated
steps which had been combined by the
directeur des ballets himself, and appear.
ed in grace and agility as much superior
serious and studied, as poetry is to prose
Murmurs of astonishment arose on all
sides. The assembly, which had been
thrown into such CONSERVATION at the
fear of a catastrophe which appeared in
evitable, was seized with enthusiasm
But who, then, was this unknown? A
dancing master, suggested one; but that
was negatived by NJ. de Rochefoucault.
NO amount of study could ever give
the trnc nobility of character which dis
tinguisbed man we'll born and bred.
would engage this gentleman is of tn
best blood in France.
His name for PHYS sake - imploret
a dozen melodious voices.
III know it," said NJ de Villeroy. III
is one OF the old illustrious family of tn
Caumonts. He is called Lauzun.' >..s-