The sun., 1893-09-10
CHAPTER XVII.
THE JACOBIN MONK.


sHsk
CHAPTER XVII.
x THE JAcoBIN MONK
me aad needed any reminder OF the uncer-
tainty OF court favor. or an instance whence
might learn the lesson OF modesty. and &C
stand In less danger OF presuming on my new
and precarious prosperity, had surely got It
In this episode. and In the demeanor OF the
( company round me- For. on the circle break.
ing up. found myself the centre OF general
\ regard; hut this OF so dubious character
Y --ehe persons VINO would nave been the first to
I compliment me. Fad the King retired earlier.
standing furthest aloof now-that felt myself
IA fhther insuited than honored By It One or
.Wo' indeed' OF the most cautious spirits did
approach me. but with the air OF men pro-
a nlding against danger particularly remote;
tneir haif-hearted speeches served only to fix
tnam In my memory as belonging to class.
(: ssDeclans ,. Al aonorrent 70 me. VINO would run at
once with the mare ana the hounds.
was reIoiced to ind that on one person. and
thae the one whose disposition toward me was
next 20 the Ming 8. OF the nrst Importance.
tnts EPISODE hao produced different impress
slon. for leehnR as MADE LOT the door.
Y. eouon on my arm. turned to find M. de Ram
oouiiiet at my eioow' regarding me with
Eianco OF mlhRieo esteem ana amusement: In
nnes with very different look from that which
: nad been my welcome earlier In the evening
concluded that he was too great man. or
TOO sure oihis favor with the King to be swayed
pythe petty motives which actuated the court
i aeneraiiy. ior ne laid his hand familiarS on
ny ehouider and walked on beside me.
Hen' my irleno. ne SAID you nave dis
!, nRuished yourself hnelyl do not know that
lever remember pretty woman making more
sur In nm evening. But II you are wise you
Z W..i ~, NOT 60 nome alone tonight.
nave my sword. NJ. le Marquis" an
swerea somewhat proudly.
Wniea WIN aVah you ittle against knife
= N the DackF' ne answered dryly. What at
Senaance nave you r
my eQuerry. simon Fleix. Is on tho stairs"
!, dooo' 30 lar. but not enough he replied
as We reached the head OF the staircase. You
hao oetter come nome with me now. and two
OF tnree OF my fellows shall 60 on to your
looging with you. DO you know. my friend"
ne continued looking at me keenly. you are
eilher very clever or very foolish man."
~ Neither the one. l fear. nor the other.
nope. SIR. made answer modestly.
Well. you have done very pertinent
thing.' he replied. for good or evil You have
thrown down your glove to the enemy. You
nave let nim know what ne Is to expect. and
ne is not one. l warn YOU to be despised. But
wnesher you nave been very wise or very fool
isn IN declaring open war remains to be seem
r. A week VIII show answered.
DE turned and looked at me. You take 1t
eoolly." ne cried.
nave been knocking about the world for
torty years MARQUIS. re)oined.
! u. ne muttered something about Rosny having
2 eood eye Ior a man. aud stopped to adjust
MS CLOAK. we were by this time In the street.
making me go hand In hand with him. he re-
Questeo the other gentlemen to draw their
swords; anq the servants being likewise
armed and numbering half score or more.
win pixies ana torches We made mp a very FOB
miaaoie party. ana caused. l think. moro
alarm as we passed through the streets to
nam Dou.liecs logging than we had any reason
70 ieel NOT that we had 1t all to ourselves. for
the attendance at court that evening being
large ana the circle breaking up. as l have do
scrioed. more abruptly than usual. the vicinity
" cue castle was In iermene and the streets
leading from 1t alive with the lights and
laughter OF parties similar to ours
At the door of the Marauis's lodging I.nre.
pared to take leave Of him with many express
sions OF gratitude. but he would have me en-
teI N. anu slt aown WIN MN TO iieht rejection.
whien IL was his'hapl' 70 take oeiore retiring
Two, Two o, his gentlemen n sat- down with
while we made very merry over the scene In
far from popular at court; but being knownto
enjoying besides a great reputation for reetu u
lessness and skill with the sword, he had
played high part for some time. and an ISH at.
Of GSiss number .a ., s foIIoMsr.
"The truth Is" one of the Marquls's gentle
men. who was a little heated with wine. OBJ
served, there is nothing at this momsn.
Wnteh ooiu anu uhserupuious man may not