Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-02
: king, madame" I continued,

not allowing myself to be moved, Ito in
quire how you obtained possession OF MS
| cipher"
She laughed loudly. Good. simple
king" she said, ito ask what he knows
already!'
He does not know. madame an
SWered severely.
"What?' she cried. in affected surprise.
when he gave it to me himself!
He did not, madame
He did, sir' she retorted, firing up.
"Or if he did not, prove it-proVe It, Ana,
by the way" she continued. lowering her
voice again ard reverting to her former
tone of spiteful badinage. how is the dear
| queen? l heard that she was indisposed
all day. SO unfortunate, you know, just
at this time" And her eyes twinkled with
malicious amusement
Madame" I said, may l speak plainly
to your
Il never heard that you could speak
| otherwise" she answered, quickly. Even
his friends never called NJ. de Rosny a
| wit; but only n plain, rough man who
served our royal turn we'll enough IN roush
| times. nut is now growing"
"Madame!
"A trifie exigeant and superfuous."
After that l saw that it was war to the
knife between US; and l asked her in very
plain terms if she were not afraid or me
queens enmity, that she dared thus to
| flaunt the kings favors before her =.
mo more than l am afraid of yours,
she answered. hardly.
But if the king is disappointed IN his
hopes" ,,,o,,. .,.,,, .,
she answered, slowly and smiling: mot L.
Besides, sir-my child was born dead. He
bore that very WELL
Yet, believe me, madame, you run some
risk
I'm keeping what the king has given
me?" she answered, raising her eye
brows.
NO! In keeping what the king has not
given you!" l answered. sternly. whereas,
what do you gain?''
Well" she replied. raising herself in
bed. while her eyes sparkled and her color
rose. 'ff you like, | will tell you This
f there en
which perhaps you call Il pretty ;hingI
gain first of all. Then 1 gain your ruin.
NJ. de Rosny; l plant, sting in that wo-
mans breast and for his majesty, he has
made his bed and may lie on it,
Have care, madame" l cried, burst
ing with indignation at speech so shame
less and disloyal You are playing
dangerous game ] warn you"'
And what game have you played?' she
replied, transported OH sudden with equal
passion. "Who was it tore up the promise
of marriage which the king gave me: Who
was it prevented me being queen of
France? Who was it hurried on the match
with this tradeswolnan. so that the king
found himself welded before he knew it?
w no was n-Dut enough. enough. s'ie
cried interruptinG ncrscif with a gesture
full OF rage. "You' have ruined me. you
and your queen between you. and I will
ruin your!
ION the contrary, madame" l answered,
collecting myself for a last effort and
speaking with all the severity which just
indignation inspired. Il have not ruined
you. But If you do not tell me that which
l am here to Learnt Will!
She laughed out loud. "Oh, YOU simple
toni! she said. And you call yourself a
statesman! Do you not see that if L do
not tell it, you are disgraced yourself and
powerless, and can do me no harm? Tell
it you? When l have you all on the hip
you, the king, the queen! Not for mil
lion crowns, NJ. de Rosny.
And that is your answer, madame?'
said, choking with rage. 1t had been long
since any had dared so to beard me.
Yes" she replied. stoutly, it is! Or.
stay: you shall not go empty handed.' And,
thrusting her arm under the pillow, she