The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-02
A GENTLEMAN OF FRANCE.
Being the Memoirs Of CASTOR de
Bonnie, Sieur de Marsac.
A ROM ANCE.
by STANLEY j. wEYMAN,
Author OF "The House OF the Wolf" &C.

CHAPTER II.-tCoNrINUED.)

CHAPTER II.-tCoNr1NuED)
| They seemed 30 much diverted by my sur
prise. looking at ono another aud laughing,
| that for n moment thought some chance re-
| eemblance deceived me and that here were my
Jokers over again. Hence stood staring. and
| the King was tho first to speak I'VE have
made no mistake. Du Mornay. have we?" he
| said, casting q laughing glance at me.
NO Sire" Du Norway answered This is
| tho Sieur de Marsac. tho gentleman whom l
| mentioned to you"
| Ihastoned. confused, wondering, and with o
hundred apologies, to pay my respects to the
King. He cut me short however, saying with
an air Of much kindness: "Of Marsac in Brit
| tany, think. sirp"
Tho Same, Sire
"Thon you are Of tho family OF Bonner"
Il am the last survivor of that family, Sire"
answered. respectfully.
1T has played it's part" he rejoined. And
Herewith he took his seat on my stool with an
easy grace that charmed mo- The motto is
'Bonno Fol is it not? And Marsac, II re-
momber rightly. is not far from Renncs on the
Nilaine?"
l answered that It was adding with full
heart that it grieved mo to be compelled to re-
ceivc so great q Prince In so poor a lodging.
We'll. must say" Du Dfornay struck In
looking round him careessly. you have a
queer taste. NJ. de Marsuc. in the arrangement
OF your"
"Mornay" the King cried. sharply interrupt
ing him.
"Sire?"
Your elbow is In tho candle! Beware o: e."
II my heart had been full before, it over
flowed now. Poverty is not SO shameful as the
shifts to which 1t drives us. had been COM
PEELED some days before. in order to make as
good show as possible-since it is the un-
doubted duty OF a gontlem an to hide his naked
ness from impertinent eyes. and especially
from the eyes Of tho candiie. who are wont to
Judge from externals-to remove such of my
furniture and equipage ms remained to that
side of the room which was visible from with
out whom the door open. This left the
further side OF tho room vacant and bare. 10
any one within doors the artince was o: course
apparent, and am bound to say that NJ. du
Mornay's words brought the blood to my brow.
reioiced. however. a moment later that he
had uttered them. for without them I might
never have known. or known early, the
kindness Of heart and singular Quickness Of
apprehension which ever distinguished the
King. my master For 80 in my heart began
to call him from that hour.
The King Of Navarro was at this time 35
years old. his hair brown. his complexion
rudy. his moustache. on one side Mt least. be-
ginning to turn gray. His features. which
nature had cast in q harsh and imperious
mould. were relieved by q constant sparkle
and animation such as have mover seen In
any other man. but In him became ever moro
conspicuous in gloomy and perilous times.
Injured to danger from his earliest youth. he
had come to enjoy it rs others festival.
and to hail its advent with reckless gaiety
which astonished even bravo men. and led
others to think him the least prudent Of
mankind. Yet such was he not: nay he was
the opposite OF this. for never did Marshal Of
France mako more careful dispositions for a
battle-albeit once in it lie bore himself like
any captain o. horse-nor ever did Du Mornay
himself sit down to q conference with a moro
accurate knowledge Of affairs. His prodlg-
ious wit and tho afrabiity OF his manners.
while they endeared him to his servants.
again and again blinded his adversaries.
who. thinking that 80 much brlliance could
arise only from shallow nature. found. when |
1t was too late. that they had been outwitted |
by him whom they contemntuously styled the !
Prince Of Bearn-a man a hundrcdfold more |
astute than themselves and master alike Of |
pen and sword.
Much of this. which all the world now knows. !
learned afterward. At tho moment | could |
think OF little Save tho Kings kindness: to
which he added by insisting that should sit |
dc Marsac," he said. what brings me here.
and why have come to you instead OF send
ing for you? Still more perhaps why have
come to you at night and with such precau-
lions? Twill tell you. But first. that my COM
Ing may not fill you with false hopes. let me
say frankly that though may be able to re-
lieve your present necessities. whether you
fall into the plan ! am going to mention or
not. cannot take you into my service. where's
To- ,ln tn IN,, lad n,,I
Mornay mentioned your name to me- but in
fairness to others I had to answer that I
could do nothing"
confess that this strange exordium dashed
hopes which had already risen to high pitch.
Recovering myself as quickly as possible. how
ever. murmured that the honor OF visit from
the King Of Navarro was sufficient happiness
for me.
Nay. but that honor must take from you"
he replied smiling. though l see that you
would make an excellent courtier. far better
than Du Mornay here, who never in his life
made SO pretty speech. For must lay my
commands on you to keep this visit a secret. N.
dc Marsac. Should but the slightest whisper
of 1t get abroad your usefulness 80 far as am
concerned would BIO gone. and gone for good"
30 remarkable q statement filed mo with
wonder could scarcely disguise. and it was
with difficulty I found words to assure tho
King that his commands should DO obeyed
"Of that I am sure" he answered with the
utmost kindness. Were not sure too from
what l am told Of your gallantry when my
cousin took Brouage that you are a man OF
deeds rather than words. should not be here
with tho proposition am going to lay before
you. 1t is this: i can give you no hope Of pub
lie employment, NJ. do Marsac but can offer
you an adventure-if adventures be to your
taste-as dangerous and as thankless as any
Paladin ever undertook"
AS thankless, Sire?" stammered. doubling
II had heard Alright. Tho expression was 30
strange.
"As thankless" he answered. his keen eyes
to read my soul II am frank with
YOU you SEQ. SIR" no continued. II can sug
gest this adventure-it Is for the good of the
can do no more. The King Of
Nayarre en- not n unear In H. nor can he prOtect