Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-10

man?'
Discerning nothing for it at the mo-
ment save to bow before this storm,
which had arisen so suddenly, and
from q quarter the least expected,
fastened to comply. had not pro-
cecded far with my story, however
which fell short, of course, of explain
ing how the key came to be in Nine.
de Ncrneuirs handS-bcfore | saw that
it won no credence with the queen, but
rather confirmed her in her belief that
the king had given to another what he
had denied to her. And more,
saw that in proportion as the tale
failed to convince her 1t excited the
kings wrath and disappointment. He
several times cut me short with express
sions of the utmost impatiencc, and at
last, when came to lame conclusion
since l could explain nothing OK
cept that the key was gone-he could
restrain himself no longer. In tone
in which he had never addressed me
before, he asked me why had not, on
the instant, communicated the loss to
him; and when l would have defended
myself by adducing the reason | had
given above, overwhelmed me with
abuse and reproaches, which, as they
were uttered in the queens presence.
and would be repeated, knew, to the
ConciniS and Galigais of her suite, who
had no occasion to love me, carried 4
double sting.
Nevertheless, for a time, and until
he Ind soma what wow, bip,co1f ont 7
let Henry proceed. Then, taking adj
vantage of the first pause, interposcd.
Reminding him that he had never had
cause to accuse me Of carelessness be-
fore, recalled the Twenty-Five years
during which | had served him faith
fully, and the enmitics had incurred
for his sake: and having by these means
placed the discussion on more equal
footing, | descended again to particu-
lars, and asked respectfully if / might
know on whose authority Nine. de
Verncuil was said to have the cipher
ION her own!' the queen cried hys-
tcrically. Don't try to deceive me,
for it will be in vain. know she has
it; and if the king did not give it to
her, who did?"
THAT is the question, madame" L
said.
1T is one easily answered." she re-
torted. If you do not know, ask her"
But, perhaps, madame, she will not
answer" ventured.
Then command her to answer in
the kings name!" the queen replied,
her checks burning with fever. "And
if she will not, then has the king no
prisons-no letters smooth enough for
those dainty ankles?"
This was home question, and Henry,
who never showed to less advantage
shan when he stood between two WON
en-, cast sheepish glance at me. Un-
fortunately the queen caught the look,
which was not intended for her; and
on the instant it awolle all her former
suspicious. Surprising that she had
discovered our collision, she flung her
self back with a cry of rage, and, burst
ing into a passion of tears, gave way
to frantic rcproaches, wailing and
throwing herself about with violence
which could not but injure one in her
condition.
The king stared at her for 4 moment in
sheer dismay. Then his chagrin turned
to anger, which, as he dared not vent it
on her, took my direction. He pointed
impctuously to the door. "Bcgonc, sir!'
he said in q passion, and with the ut
most harshncss. You have done mis-
chief enough here. God grant that we
see the end of it! Go-go! he con
tinued, quite beside himself with fury.
Send Galigai here, and do you 20 to
your lodging until you hear from me.'
Overwhelmed and almost stupcficd By
the catastrophe, found my way out,
hardly knew how, and sending in the
woman made my escape from the ante
chamber. But hasten as l might, my
disorder, patent to hundred curious
eyes, betrayed me; and. if it did not
disclose as much as feared or the In
quisitive desired, told more than any
had looked to learn. Within an hour
it was known at Ncmours that his
majesty had dismissed me with high |
words-some said with blow; and |
half q dozen couricrs were on the road |
to Paris with the news.
In my place some might have given
up all for lost; but in addition to q
sense of rcctitude, and the conscious
ness of desert, I had to support me an
intimate knowledge of the kings tenn
per; which, though had never suffered |
from it to this extent before, knew to |
be on occasion Us hot as his anger was
short lived, and his disposition gencr-
GUS. l had hopes, therefore-although |
l saw dull faces enough among my |
suite, and some pale ones-that the |
kings repentance would ovcrtalle his |
anger, and its consequences outstrip
any that might flow from his wrath.
But though l was not altogether at
fault in this, failed to take into &C.
count one thing-I mean Henry's anx-
iety on the queens account, her con-
dition, and his desire to have an heir;
which so affected the issue, that In
stead of fulfilling my expectations the
event left me more respondent than be-
fore. The king wrote indeed. and
within the hour, and his letter
was in form an apology. But it
was so lacking in graciousncss
Al