The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-23

the arsenal, handed me an order to at
tend his majesty: an order couched In
the most absolute and peremptory
terms, and lacking all those friendly
expressions which the king never failed
to use when he wrote to me. A missive
SO brief and formal-and SO needless.
for | was on the point of starting-had
not reached me for years: and coming
at this moment when | had no reason
to expect reverse of fortune, it had
all the effect of a thunderbolt in II
clear sky. l stood stunned, the words
which / was debating to my secretary
dying on my lips. For | knew the king
too well, and had experienced his kinG-
ness too lately to attribute the harsh
ness of the order to chance or forget
fulness; and, assured in a moment that
i stood face to face with a grave crisis,
l found myself hard put to it to hide
my feelings from those about me.
Nevertheless, | did 50 with an effort
and, sending for the courier, asked him
with an assumption of carelessness
what was the latest news at court. His
answer, in a measure, Gained my fears
though it could not remove them. He
reported that the queen had been taken
ill-or 50 the rumor went.
Suddenly" l said.
This morning" he answered.
THE king was with herr"
Yes, your eXcellency.'
Had he left her long when he sent
this letter."
1T came from her chamber. your cX-
cellency"
'But-did you understand that her
majesty was in danger" | urged.
AS to that. however, the man could
not say anything; and l was left to
nurse my conjectures during the long
ride to Fontainebleau, where we AZ
rived in the cool of the even
ing, the last stage through the forest
awakening memories of past pleasure
that combated in vain the disorder and
apprehension which held my spirits.
Dismounting in the dusk at the door Of
my apartments. | found fresh sur
prise awaiting me in the shape of N. de
Concini the Italian, who, advancing
to meet me before my foot was out of
the strrup, announced that he came
firm the king, who desired my instant
Knowing Concini to be one of those
whose influence with her majesty had
more than once tempted the king to
the most violent measures against her
from which had with difficulty dis
suaded him-I augured the worst from
the choice of such a messenger: and
wounded alike in my pride and the
affection in which | held the king,
could scarcely find words in which to
ask him if the queen was i'll.
'Indisposed, my lord" he replied,
carelessly. And he began to whistle.
l told him that | would remove my
boots and brush off the dust, and in
five minutes be at his service.
Pardon me-" he said, my orders
are strict. and they are to request You
to attend his majesty Immediately. He
expected YOU an hour ago"
| was thunderstruck at this-at the
message, and at the mans manner;
and for u moment / could scarcely re-
strain my Indignation. Fortunately
the habit of self-control came to my
aid in time, and | reflected that an
alteration with such a person could
only lower my dignity. | contented
myself, therefore, with signifying my
assent by a nod, and followed him
toward the queens apartments.
In the ante-chamber We're several
persons, who. as / passed, saluted me
with an air of shyness and incertitude
which was enough of itself to put me on
my guard. Concini attended me to the
door of the chamber: there he fell back,
and Mile. Galigai, who was in waiting,
announced me. | entered, assuming n
serene cOuntenance, and found the king
and queen together, no other person
being present. The queen was lying at
length on a couch, while Henry, seated
on stool at her feet, seemed to be en-
gagged in soothing and reassuring her.
on my entrance, he broke off and rose
to his feet.
Here he is at last" he said. barely
looking at me. Nov, if you will dear
heart, ask him your questions. | have
had no communication with him, as
you know, for | have been with you
since morning"