The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-25

| dare tri~k noe s0,'
did not contradict hiIa. tb+ rather a.
we were now close to the keGr,ls, and /
was anxious to allay his excitement, that
| it might not be detected by the keen
eyes that lay in wait for us, and so add
! to the gossip to which his early return
must give rife. hoped that at that hour
he might enter uapercaiVed, by way Of
the kennels and the little staircase: but
in this was disappointed, the beauty Of
the day having tempted number of la
dies, and others who bad not hunted. TO
the terrace by the canal whence, walk
ing up and down, their fans and petit
coats fut. eriug in the sunshine, and
their laughter and chatter filing the air,
| they were able to watch our approach at
! their leisure.
Unfortunately, Henry had no longer
the patience aud self control needful for
such q rencontre. He dismounted with
a dark and paevish air, and, needless Of
the staring, bowling thrOug, strobe up
the st,ps. Two or three, who stood high
in favor, put themselves forward to
catch a smile or q word but he vouch
safed neither. He walked through them
with sour air, and entered the chateau
with precipitation that left all tongues
wagging.
To add to the misfortune, something
i forget wbat-Jetained me moment,
and that cost me dear. Before | could
cross the terrace, Coucini, the Italian,
came up, and, saluting me, said that the
| Queen desired to speak to me
"The Qleen?" said, doubtfully, fore
seeing trouble.
"She is waiting at the gaze of the
farther court" he answered politely, his
keen black eyes reverting, with eager
curiosity, to the door by which the King
had disappeared.
I could not refuse, and went to her.
''The King has returned early, NJ. lie
Due ~ she said
eyes, madame" I answered. "He
had fancy to discuss affairs to day and
we lost the hounds"
Together e.
II had the honor, madame"
"You do not seem to have agreed very
well 2" she said smiling.
Madame" I answered bluntly, "his
Majesty has no more faithful servant;
but we do not always agree"
She raised her hand, and, with a slight
guesture, babe her ladies stand buck,
while her face lost its expression of good
temper, and grew sharp and dark "Was
it about the Condo ~ she said, in low,
grating voice.
"No, madame" answered; sit was
about certain provisions. The Kings ear
had been grossly abused, and his Maj
esty led to believe"
"Faugh I" she cried, with a wave of
contempt, that is an old story am
sick of it, Is she still in Brussels ~
Still, madame"
Then see that she stops there ~ her
Majesty retorted, with meaning look.
And with that she dismissed me, and
went into the chateau | proposed to
rejoin the King; but, to my chagrin,
found, when reached the closet, that
ne had already sent for Varennes, and
was shut up with him. / went back to
my rooms, therefore, and after changing
my hunting suit and transacting some
necessary business, sat down to dinner
with Nicholas, the Kings secretary q
man fond of the table, whom often en-
tertained. He kept me in talk until the
afternoon was well advanced, and We
were still at table when Maignan ap-
peared and told me that the King had
sent for me.
81 will go" / said, rising.
she is with the Queen, your Excel
lency," he continued.
This somewhat surprised me, but
thought nc evil; and, finding one of the
| Queens Italian pages at the door waiting
| to conduct me, followed him across the
the court that lay between my lodgings
and her apartments. Two or three of
the Kings gentlemen were in the ante
room when l arrived, and Varennes, who
was standing by one Of the fire places
toying with a hound, made me face of
dismay; he could not speak, owing to the
company.
Sill this, in a degree, prepared me for
| the scene in the chamber, where ] found
the Queen storming up and down the
room, while the King, still in his hunt
ing dress, sat on low chair by the fire,
apparently drying his boots. Ma
demoiselie Galigai, the Queens waiting
woman, stood in the background; but
more than this | had not time to observe,
| for, before had reached the middle of
the floor, the Queen turned on me. and
began to abuse me with vehemence
which fairly shocked me.
'And you p she cried, 'Ewho speak so
slow, and look so solemn, and all the
time do his dirty work, like the mean
est cook be has ennobled ! 1t is we'll
you are here Enfin, you are found out
you and your provisions Your pro
visions, of which you talked in the
wood -
''Mon Dieu ?" the King groaned; give
me patience !"
HE has given me patience these ten
years, sire - she retorted passionately.
patience to see myself fouted by your
favorites. insulted and displaced, and
set aside But this is too much 1t was
enough that you made yourself the
laughing stock of France once with this
madame will not have it again-no;
though twenty of your counsellors froWn
at me !"
''Your Majesty seems displeased," I
said. but as / am quite in the dark
~
'T.iar !" she cried, giving way to her
fury 'When you were with her this
morning When you saw her When
you stopped to"
'Madamel' the King said sternly, eff
you forget yourself, be good enough to
remember that you are speaking to
fxapflauou fn tra6apa IF