The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-23

Author OF "A Gentleman OF France" My IadJ
Rotha,T &C.
copvrtOAt, ssL BY ne Avthor.
One day, about a fortnight after a quarrel be-
tween the King and the Duchess Of Beaufort,
which arose out Of my refusal TO pay the chris
tening expenses OF her second son on the scale
Of q child of France, was sitting in my lodg-
inss at 81. Germains when Maignan announced
that NJ. de Perrot desired 10 see me-. Knowing
Perrot TO DO one of the most notorious
beggars about tho court, with an insatia-
bic nav Of his own and an endless
train Of nephews and nieces, I was at
hrst for being employed, but, rejecting that In
the crisis in the Kings Affairs which I saw APP
proaching-and which must, II he pursued his
expressed intention Of marrying the Duchess, be
fraught with infinite danger TO the State and
himself-the least help might be of the greatest
moment, babe them admit him; privately de-
terminlng to throw the odium Of any refusal
upon tho overweening influence Of Madame de
eourdis, the Duchess's aunt.
Accordingly I met him with civility, and was
not surprised when. with his second speech, he
brought out the word favor. But I was sur
priscd-for. as | have said, I knew him TO be the
best p~ractised beggar in the world-to note In
his manner some indications ct embarrassment
and nervousness, which. when I did not lmme-
diately assent, increased to u sensible extent.
1T Is q very small thing, NJ. de Rosny, " he
said, breathing hard.
On that hint I declared my willingness TO
servo him. But" I added, Struggling my
shoulders and speaking in n confidential tone,
mo one knows the court better than you do, NJ.
de Perrot. You are in all our secrets, and you
must be aware that at PRESENT. say nothing Of
tho Duchess she Ia n good woman, and devoted
b his MaJesty--but there are others"
II know" he answered. with n flash Of ma
IL NAAN III - NJ n -
s''oc"oo .n"t w not escape me. but thisis
Mime. de Sourdis can desire. either for herself
~ %. o,s.Som '''' '''"er u her''
That aroused my curiosity. Only the week
before Nine. de Sourdis had obtained a hat for
her son and the post of assistant deputy comp
troller Of buildings for her groom of the cham
A.ea ootainIhs nothing less thsn a crown.
no., ~ non.Ion En-, o,,,,s =. harn.s on.p
OF her desires. and In a 1T Of sayety bade M.
VT ia n small thing" ha said viii India
.u,ssd ncrvonsnoss 18Th K,n. hunt. ,o-
morrow"
.Yes." said.
And very commonly he rides back In your
company, NJ. 10 Marquis"
Sometimes" I said :. or with NJ. d'Epernon.
Or II he Is In a mood for scandal, with M. II
Varenne or Vitry."
M, ,v,,h co., - A ....
..a. wv yuu, you Nisn H. anu oe,e 70
contrive IL 30" he persisted. with a cunning look.
/ shrugged my shoulders. .well 2" I said.
xondorin. NOR. ava -. ~. y. r..u,d -.
"onuerihs more ana more "nat ne wouId De AZ.
nave a house on the further side OF Poissy,"
he continued. "And I should take IL "a n favor.
n, A. - 80 "''o'
s,.ue noshy' II you couia 'hduee the King 70
dismount there and take a cup OF wine"
"That IL a very small thing" l said bluntly.
uondorino nrch - b. "a -,
"onu'rihs MUM why NO hao naue 20 great q
parade OF the matter. and still more why he
seemed so III Mt ease. Vet after sucb N nre-
80 -. -.
.uue' any ou' u iriehu OF your tried loyalty
had asked II. l might expect to find Spanish
licorice In the cun"
"Ths, "a on, ~ ,ho ,ro..t, 4, u,n
mat IL OUT OF the question In my case ne
answered with n slight assumption of offence,
which he Immediately dropned nd Won .av
a, - -. .i'pr' wy eas
u rs smah thihg' IL Is the more easily granted,
NJ. de Rosny."
"pu, III. Kino so.. and anna. =. III. ..
rro", : r.,it.a nSnn. No. n' ps
urc 1 replica wariy. VI course, he might
take IL into his head tn descend Mt your hpuae