The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-06
PART rY.


He smoke loudly; nor he did he look
for an answer. being quite assured by
this time that he was dreaming, or, II
he were not, then that he had become
the victim of the strangest jest yet
played in France. And he was very
surprised. when a voice behind nm
greeted him with the first word he had
heard uttered since he entered the room
For the matter of that the voice was
hardly raised before all the supperN
leaned TO their feet and stood IN an
attitude of respectful attention.
"And what Is the trouble of the Lord
Bishop of Blois?" asked the speaker,
as he advanced to the Abbe's chair.
He was a man slightly above the
medium height, and he wore dress OF
white velvet upon which n lace-work
of the whitest diamonds glittered. The
Able observed that he was somewhat
advanced in years, and that his fea-
lures were clear-cut and singularly
handsome. He was attended, now, by
1.-TWO pages who wore trunk-hose OF
purple and purple slonks above them:
while an officer in tie blue uniform OF
the Corsicnn legion stood at his heels
as though expecting some command.
"Ho, ho," thought he Able as he
watched the stranger. there then is the
rogue who has played this jest upon me.
1 will find word for him at any rate"
And so bespoke aloud.
Sir" said he, "who you may be. do
not wish to know; but IL this be your
house, permit me 10 tell you that j
have been the victim OF a great liberty
The stranger feigned establishments
What" cried he, 'have you not
supped well, 'Seigneur?"
Sir" answered the Able, II be-
seech you that you will not call me
Seigneur. for to such title have no
claim. As for your supper-I would
NOT offer il TO dog"
( "But surely" cried the other, look
ing very much surprised, that Is
turbot which you eat, my friend-and
10 you not hold cup OF the wine OF
Burgvsdy In your hand?"
Monsieur" said the Able, with hun
CRY dignity, whoever has told you
that has lied. There Is nothing but
water here"
"Oh, indeed!" cried tho newcomer,
spray permit me TO put II to my lips,
sSeigneur-you say that Is water-St.
Louis! ] would like 10 have . cellar full
of such water as that"
He TASTED the dranghtas he spoke and
smscked his lips over IL AZ though II
lad been a delicious nectar. The Able,
staggered at the action, was silent for
some moments; but after a pause he
took the cup up in his hands, and did
that which was a rare thing for him TO
ldo--he lost his temper.
"My son." he asked. "you declare that
to be the wine of Burgundy?"
'Most certainly" replied the strnn-
ger. most admirable wine"
"Ther / pray you drink it." ex-
claimed the Abbe-and at the invitation
he threw the contents of his goblet into
the newcomers face.
1t was deserved retort, perhaps; but
the miserable cure. had he foreseen
tLat which Yves 10 follow. would have
lcut OF his right hand rather than al
low his temper to carry him NO far.
Scarce was the thing done when a cry
of horror burst from the company about
the table. Fifty hands were raised as
If TO strike the cowing priest. Threats,
e.5ecrntions. remonstrances were hurled
at him until his head buzzed with the
clamor. The stranger alone appeared
TO be unmoved He wiped his face with
a handkerchief of lace; and then turned
TO the Corsican at his elbow.
"I am sorry" said he. "but I must
ask you 20 arrest Monseigneur. the Bish-
op OF Blois. You will take him TO his
iroona and keep him thereuntil my pleas
fure be known"
"Your majesty Is obeyed," was the
answer.
There was great silence In the place
now; and ID lasted while the Corsican
stepped forward and bade the qualing
priest follow him. As for the Able,
tie was like one petrified.
Great heaven!" he moaned. when
they led him from the room. "it Is the
1sing who speaks. And | have thrown
rny wine in his face. God help me. for
my day has surely come"
All else was forgotten in this: the
visions of the night. his purpose in rid
ing to Paris. even the offenses of little
Corinne gave place 70 the tremendous
fear which his folly had brought upon
him. He saw it all now-mystery no
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