Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-18

nor honor. Come, sir, am l not as good a
king to serve as another?
Your majesty is the greatest prince in
ChriStendom, said |. For such, indeed, all
the world held him.
Yet even the greatest prince in Christen-
dom fears some things said he, smiling.
Surely, nothing, sir
'Why. yes. y womans tongue, a wom-
ans tears. a womans rage, Il womans Jeai-
ousy; / say, Mr.. Dale, Il womans Jeal-
ouSy.
1t was well that my preparations We're
done, they had never been done. l was
staring at Eim now with my hands dropped
to my side.
Il am married" he pursued. That is
little" And he shrugged his shoulders.
Little enough at courts, in all con-
science" Thought !; perhaps my face be-
trayed something of the thought, for King
Louis smiled.
But ara more than husband he pur-
sued. Il am lover. Mr.. Dale"
Not knowing what comment to make on
this | made none. | had heard the talk
about his infatuation, but it was not for me
to mention the lady's name. Nor did the
king name her: he rose and approached me,
looking full in my face.
You are neither Il husband nor lover?
he asked
Neither, sir.
You know Mistress Quinton?'
Yes, sir
lie was close to me now. and he whis-
pered to me, as he had whispered to the
king in the council chamber.
with my favor and such lady for his
wife. Il gentleman might climb high.
1 heard the words and L Could not re-
press start. y. last the puzzle was
pierced, and my pant plain. L knew now
the work | was TO do. the price OF the re-
ward | was TO glin. Had ne said ii d month
before. when l was not yet trained 10 self
control and concealment, king as he was
l would have drawn my sword on him.
Fer coed or evil Discrimination Is soon
/ I 81
my agitation and hid my disgust. King
I.C uis smiled at me, deeming what he had
81 Pgcsted no insult.
Your wedding siaii take place at
Calais he said: and l U wonder now to
think of III bowed and smiled.
BE ready in a quarter of an hour, said
he and left me with a gracious smile.
l stood there whore l was for the best
Tar: of the time still left to me. l saw
why Carford desired the mission on which
1 went, why madame babe ME practice the
closing of my eyes, how my fortune was to
| come from the hand of King Louis. An
Ell glish gentleman ard his wife would
travel back with the king, the king would
give his favor to both. And the lady was
| Barbara QuintOn.
l turned at last and made my final prep
| aration. 1t was simple: loaded my pistol
and hid it about me. and l buCkled on my
sp ord. seeing that it moved easily in the
sheath. I1y fortunes VIII l had to redeem
| the pledge which | had given 10 my lord
| / is daughters honor low knew no safety
hut in my arm and wits. Alas. how slender
| the chance was ard he great the odds,
Then Il sudden fear came upon me. ! had
] liz ed of late III court where honor seemed
dead. and women. no less than men, gave
| everything for wealth or place. / had seen
, rothng Of her; word had come from
her to me. She mad scorred Monmouth. but
might .she not be wCn TO smile upon NJ de
Terrencourt? / drove the thought from me,
| bat it came again and again. shaming me
and yet fastening on rne. She went with NJ
de Perrencourt. Did she go willingly?
With that thought beating in my brain
/ stepped forth to my adventure.