The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-01
/ GENTLEMAN OF FRANCE.
Being the Memoirs Of CASTOR de
Bonnie, Seur de Marsac.
A ROMANCE.
BY STANLEY j. WEYMAN.
Author Of "Ths House OF the WOLF" &C.
fo,pyioh. 1898. By Stanley J. WeymdnJ
CHAPTER XIV.

Kings resolution diminished BomeWhaI VI
cooler reflection. and stood In particular at a
low ebb as waited an hour later at tho little
north postern OF tho castle. and. covering
within the shelter OF the arch to escape the
wind. debated whether his Maiestv's energy
would sustain him to the point OF action or
whether he might not. In one OF those hts OF
treacherous vacillation which had again and
again marred his plans. send those to keep his
appointment who would give n final account
Of mo. Tho longer considered his character
che more dubious grew. Theloneliness OF my
situation. the darkness the black front, I'M
broken by any glimmer OF light. which the
castle presented on this side. and tho unusual
and gloomy stiffness which lay uron the town.
all contributed to increase my uneasiness. 1t
was with apprehension as well rs relief that
caught the sound OF footsteps on the stone
staircase. and standing a little to one side
saw streak OF light at tho foot OF tho door.
On tho latter being partially opened. voice
eried my pame. advanced with caution and
showed myself A brief conversation ensued
between two or three persons who stood
within and kept out OF my sight: but this
being ended. masked figure which had no
difficulty in Identifying as the King stepped
briskly out
"You are armed ?" he said. pausinG second
opposite me.
DuC D9CR my CLOAK anu eloWou W WV
Hight which streamed from the doorway that
carried pistols In addition to my sword.
"Goodl" he answered. briefly: then let us
TO Do you walk on my right hand. my friend.
II 10 dark night, is 1t not p
very dark SIRE" answered.
He made no answer to this and we started.
proceeding with caution until the narrow
bridge was passed. and then with greater free
dom aud at better pace. The slenderness OF
the attendance at court that evening. and the
cold wind that swept oven the narrowest
streets. and drove roisterers indoors. rem
dored it unlikely that we should be stopped
or molested by any except professional
thieves; and for these I was prepared. The
King showed no inclination to talk: and keep
ing silence myself out OF respect. had time
to calculate the chances. and to consider
whether his Majesty would succeed whore
had failed.
This calculation. which was not inconsistent
with the keenes. watchfuness on my part
whenever we turned corner or passed the
mouth Of IN alley. was brought to an end by
our safe arrival ut the house. Briefly apologize
ing to tho King for the meanness and darkness
Of the staircase. begged leave to precede
him. and rapidly mounted until 1 met Maig-
han. Whispering to him that all was well.
did not wait to hear his answer: but bidding
him to be on tho watch. led the King on with
rs much Difference as was possible under the
circumstances. knocking. the moment we
reached 1t. at the door Of MAIDEN oiselle's
apartment which Ihave elsewhere stated to
consist OF an outer and inner room. The door
was opened by Simon Felix and him prompt
~ sent out Then. standing aside and un-
covering, l begged the King to enter. He did
60 stin wearing his hat and mask: and fol-
lowed and secured tho door. A lamp hanging
from the ceiling diffused an imperfect light
through the room which was smaller but moro
comfortable in appearance than that which
retained overhead. l observed that Fanchette.
whose harsh countenance looked moro forbid
ding than usual. occupied stool which she
had set In somewhat strange fashion against
the inner door; but thought no moro OF this
at tho moment, my attention passing on to
Mademoiselle. who. enveloped in a large out
door cloak. as II she felt the cold. sat crouch
ing over the fire. Her back was turned toward
us, and she was. or pretended to be. still
ignorant Of our presence. With a muttered
word pointed hor out to the King and bow
ing low. approached her with him.
MAIDEN oiselle." l said In low voice.
Mile. dc 10 Wire? I have the honor"
She would not turn and stopped. Evidently
she heard. but she betrayed that she did 50
only by drawing her cloak more closely round
touched her lightly on the shoulder Made
moiselle:" said impatiently. you are not
She shook herself free from my hand with SO
stood look ing foolishly at her. The King
The e'ssPs on 81
selle." he said with some sternness. 81 am not
sSfs. Ssd sss on her Before hs
could add another word she sprang upas II she
n H.
~ we both cried out; 1t was not Mademoi selle
atalll The woman confronting US her u hand
lock OF q Srisht golden hair escaping from the
neSS q ass fH XIX t%S while echoed
NINE; dc Bruhl!" my establishment greater
sssing herself known, she begap, with =
%s but thS King h9 had stsStS
IS = Thing anooEed i Ss' and OF When had
not Essn Is th ZIP he said harshy drawing
saa h' am R!si,
e. an designation h or Is this tran with ds
In ss wolkne
(Which am ito understand Is tbs, case.
Neither; sire" / answered. with as much
ssss wSoas M%s ds bras as much
vUO ono bubplClou db you lHIuTo mo Nv ttt
other. ! am equally in the dark with you. sire
and as little expected to SEQ Madame here
I came. sire" she said proudly. addrossina
herself to the King. out OF no love to n Dc
massage for him might. come. Nor can YOU
prise at seeing me here. SIRE as l ut seeing
can believe that" the King answered
dryly; "Iwould YOU had not seen me-" -
he chooses" she replied. curtesying to thu
Good" he answered. Let 1t be so. and yoy
will oblige the King Of France. But enough
this t Is rot the lady came to SEQ NJ de Marsac
I'm the inner room, sire, ! suppose, said
advancing to Fanchette. with more mlsgivin.i
than my manner eylnced Your mistress II
here" continned sharply to the woman y,
Ay, and will not come out she reIoined
Nonsense i" said. Tell her
You may tell her what YOU please?, sh'
replied: shrpeglng her !sheeulders, and re
fusing TO bulge An inch. she can hear"
But. woman" cried mpatiently, you d.
not understand j must speak with her!
must speak with her ut once on business o
Iav nn t,Iaoa q ba aaia r,baly atm kaan