The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-26

Let lackey take a message, bidding
him TO go to the queens closet, and he
will suspect nothing"
The king assented and bade me go
and give the order. When l returned,
he asked me anxiously If l felt sure
that the man would confess.
"Yes, If you pretend to know all,
SIRE" | answered. He will think that
madame has betrayed him."
Very WELL" Henry said. Then let
us CO."
But l declined to be present; partly
on the ground that If l We're there
the queen might suspect me of inspir-
ing the man, and partly because l
thought that the rogue would enter
tain a more confident hope of pardon,
and be more likely to confess, If he saw
the king alone. | contrived to keep
Sillery also; and Henry giving the
word, as he mounted the steps, that he
should be back presently, the whole
court remained in a state of suspense,
aware that something was in progress
but in doubt what. and unable to de-
eide whether l were again in favor
or now on trial.
Sillery remained talking to me, prin-
ipally on English matters, until the
dinner hour; which came and went,
neglected by all. At length, when the
curiosity of the mass Of couriers, who
did not dare to interrupt US, had been
raised by delay to an almost intolerable
pitch, the king returned, with signs of
disorder i'm his bearing; and, crossing
t,,I 4
me hastily, along with Sillery, into the
grove of white mulberry trees. There
we We're no sooner hidden in part,
| though not completely, then he threw
his arms about me and embraced me
with the warmest depression. "Ah.
my friend" he said, putting me from
him at last, what shall I say to you?'
The queen is satisfied, sire?"
Perfectly; and desires to be COM
mended to you.
He confessed, them"
Henry nodded, with look in his face
that l did not understand. Yes" he
said, fully. 1t was as you thought,
my friend. God have mercy upon him.
l started. What" l said. Has
he
The king nodded, and could not re-
press a shudder Yes" he said: but
| not, thank heaven, until he had left
the closet. He had something about
him"
Sillery began anxiously to clear him
self; but the king, with his usual good
nature, stopped him, and bade US all go
and dine, saying that we must be fam
ished. He ended by directing me to
be back in an hour. since his own appe-
tite was spoiled. And bring with you
all your patience" he added, for / will
show you the surprise which am pre-
pairing for the queen
Alas, | would | could say that all
ended there. But the rancour of which
Nine. de Vernauil had given token in
her interview with me was rather
aggravated than lessened by the fail
ure of her plot and the death of her
tool. 1t proved TO be impenetrable by
all the kindness. (which the king law
ished upon her; Il her the legitima-
ton of the child whic, she soon after
ward bore, nor the ci ,ncy which
the king-against the aaSicc Of his
wisest minister's tended to her
pio'!iei' ho'ei sii'' INa4i'HS W eNpei IL
from her breast. How far she or that
ill-omented family were privy to the ac-
cursed crime which, nine years later
palsied France on the threshold of un-
dreamed-of glories, | will not take on
myself to say; for suspicion Is not
proof. But history, of which my be-
loved master must ever form so great a
part, will lay the blame where it should
rest.