Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-27

VI M. SOiOcIl star 1Ouu0 scarcely q sum-
cient explanation in this Ingenious conjec-
ture: yet the story. thus circulated. was
generally accepted and served its Office OF
satisfying curiosity and bunting question
well enough.
Again (for my curiosity would not be sat-
isfied nor the edge OF my questioning be
tIrned) what had the Duke of Monmouth
to gain from NJ. de Perrencourt? Some.
thing, 1t seemed, or his conduct was most
mysterious. He cared nothing for Mile. de
Querouaille. and I could not suppose that
the mere desire to please his father would
have weighed with him so strongly as to
make him to all appearances the humble
servant CT this French gentleman. The
tting was brought home most forcibly
to my mind on the third evening after NJ.
de Perreacourt's arrival private con-
ference was held and lasted some hours.
Outside the closed doors we all paced to
and fro. hearing nothing save now and
then madames clear voice. raised, as 1t
seemed. in exhortation or persuasion. The
Duke, who was glad enough to escape the
tedium of state affairs, but at the same
tlme vlsibiy annoyed at his exclusion,
sauntered iistlessly up and down. speaking
| to nobody. Perceiving that he did not de-
sire my company, withdrew to a distance,
and, having seated myself in a retired cor
ner. was soon lost in consideration of my
own fortunes. past and to come. The hour
grew late. the gentlemen and ladies' of the
court having Offered and accepted compti-
ments and gallantries till invention and
complaisance alike were exhausted. drop
II.
wine or rest sat on In my corner.
Nothing was to be heard save the OCCASION
al voices of the two musketeers on guard
on the steps leading from the second story
or the keep to the state apartments.
knew that 1 must move soon, for at night
the gate on the stairs was shut. 1t was
another OF the peculiar facts about M. de
Perrencourt that he alone of the gentle
men in waiting had been lodged within
the precincts of the royal quarters occu-
Pying an apartment next to the Duke of
York, who had his sister. madame. for
mis- neighbor on the other side. The pro-
!onged conference was taking place In the
kings cabinet. further along the passage.
suddenly L heard steps on the stairs, the
word OF the night was asked and Mon
mouths voice made answer. "St. Denis -
Tor Just now everything was French, in
! compliment to madame. The steps contin-
ued to ascend. the light in the corridor was
| very dim, but a oment later I perceived
Monmouth and Carford. Carford's arm
was through his grace's, and he seemed to
De endeavoring to restrain him. Mon
| mouth shook him OF with laugh and an
oath.
I'm not going to listen." he cried. why
should listen? Do 1 want to hear the
| king praying to the Virgin?'
silence, for Gods sake, silence, your
grace" implored Carford.
That's what he does. isn't it? He and
the queens chaplain and the -
Pray. sir"
and our good NJ. de Perrencourt. them"
toned the gentleman's name
mad heard more than was meant for my
ears. and what was enough Qf l may use
| distinction drawn by my old friend the
vicaD for my understanding. 1 was in
dc ubt whether to declare my presence or
not. Had Monmouth been alone l would
have shown myself directly, but I did not
wish Carford to be aware that had over
heard SO much. 1 sat still moment longer
| In hesitation; then 1 uttered a loud yawn,
groaned stretched myself, rose to my feet
and gave sudden and very obvious start,
as let my eyes fall on the duke.
why, Simon" he cried, what brings
you here?'
II thought your grace was in the king 8
cabinet" l answered.
But you knew that I left them some
hours since"
Yes. but having lost sight of your grace,
l supposed that you'd returned, and while
waiting for you 1 fell asleep
My explanation abundantly satisfied the
duke; Carford maintained a wary silence
Were after other game than confer
ences tonight" said Monmouth, laughing
again. Go down to the hall and wait
there for me, Simon. My lord and 1 are
going to pay visit to the ladies of mad
anne and the Duchess of York.
saw that he was merry with wine
Carford had been drinking, too. but he
grew only more glum and malicious with
his liquor. Neither their state nor the hour
seemed fitted for the visit the duke spoke
OF, hut 1 was helpless. and with a bow
t.on> NY "cy uOWH the stairs 10 the hall
below, where l sat down on the steps that
led up to one of the loop holes. A great
c1alr, standing by the wall, served to hide
me from observation. For few moments
nothing occurred. Then 1 heard a loud
burst of laughter from above. Feet came
running down the steps into the hall and
a gil in white dress darted across the
Eoor heard her laugh and knew that she
was iaTbara Quinton. An instant later
came Monmouth, hot on her heels, and inn
ploring her In extravagant words not to be
so cruel and heartlesS as to fly from him
But where was Carford? 1 could only sup
pose that my lord had the discretion to
stay behind when the Duke of Monmouth
desired to speak with the lady whom my
lord sought for his wife.
In my humble judgment. a very fire,
large and subtle volume might be composed
On the canons of INSTRUMENTATION
man may listen, when he may not and for
now long he may. to what end, for what
motives, in what causes and on what pro-
Vocat1ons. 1t may be that the divineS, who
as L understand. are greatly adept in the
science of casuistry, have accomplished al
ready the task l indicate. I know not; at
least l have nowhere encountered the re-
suit of their labors But now / sat still be-
| hiEd the great chair and listened without
doubt or hesitation. Yet how long l could
have controlled myself / know not, for his
grace made light of Scruples that night
and set bounds at naught. At first Mis-
tress Barbara was merry with him, fenc-
ing and parrying in confidence that he
WOuio use no rOugnneSS nor an undue
vehemence. But on he went, and presently
a note of alarm sounded in her voice. as
she prayed him to suffer Ter to depart and
return to the duchess, who must have need
| of her.
Nay. l won't let you go. sweet mistress.
Rather. 1 can't let you CO."
Indeed. sir. must CO. she said. Come.
1 will call my Lord Carford to aid me in
perSuading your grace"
He laughed at the suggestion that call
for Carford would hinder him.
He won't come he said. land il he
came he would be my ally, not yours"
She answered now haughtily and colby.
Sir, Lord Carford is a sutton for my
hand 1t is in your grace's knowledge that
he Isl
But he thinks a hand none the worse be-
cause 1 have kissed it!' retorted Mon
| mouth. You don't know how amiable a
husband you're to have. Mistress Barbara"
I was on my feet now, and. peering round
the chair, which hid me from them, could
see her standing against the wall. with