Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-29
CHAPTER TX.
THE MAsTER-G GENERAL

liz nAo1 bft-GENEhAl<.
In the labyrinth of narrow streets
crooked roads and blind alleys behind
the Palais de Justice, where the houses
are SO crowded that they seem TO climb
one over the other in their efforts TO
reach higher and higher in their search
for air, is small street called the Rue
des Deux Mondes. IL had this advan-
tage that ii was wider than most of the
other roads in that part OF Paris, and
opened out abruptly on 10 the river
face, very nearly opposite the upper
portion of the Pont Neuf, then under
course of construction, but not TO be
finished for some years later. At the
corner of the street, and overlooking
the river, the Pont Neuf, the Passenr
aux Naches, with a glimpse OF the
DUAL Malaquais and the mansions OF
the Faubourg st. German was house
Of modern size. kept and owned by a
Maitre Pantin, who was engaged nom
inally in some legal business in the
courts of the city.
IL was this house of Maitre Pantin, ii
viii be remembered, that had been rec
commended to me as a lodging by Palm,
who told me of the owners occupation,
and when demurred on account of nv
religious convictions the Huguenot
pointed out that had TO do things in
Paris which required safe retreat. and
that he could youch for the honesty and
discretion of pantin. admitted that
his arguments were reasonable, and re-
solved TO take advantage of his recon-
mendatiou.
We rode into Paris by the ST. Ger
mains gate, and | was Immediately
struck by the aspect of gloom that the
city wore. Most of the shops were in
deed open, but there appeared to be no
business doing, and, instead OF men
hurrying backward and forward, the
streets were filed with groups OF peo-
pie evidently engaged in discussing
some affair of the utmost moment.
Every third or fourth man wore black
scarf over his right arm, and the bells
of the churches were tolling dismally
for the dead. From st. German des
Pres, from ST. SEVERN, from the airy
spire of Ste Chapelle. they called out
and above them all, drown
ing the distant voices OF St. Germain
st. Jacques de la Boncherie,
St. Antoine and others less known to
fame pealed out the solemn notes of the
bourbon of Notre Dame.
Near the Pre-aux-clercs hundreds of
long-robed students were assembled
and the windows Of many of the great
houses, including the Logis de Nevers.
we're hung with black. 1t was strange
to see Paris, always so bright and gay.
with this solemn air upon it. No notice
was taken of US as we rode on, the
Knots of people merely moving aside to
ct us pass, and answering jacques
''good-day" with a silent incli-
nation of the head or a chill indiffer-
nee.
'Pardieu, monsieur" exclaimed
Jacques, as we turned up the Rue de
a Harpe. hard by the hotel de Cluny.
80 would think the Lin~ h;r-sait
we're dead, these gentry pull such long
aces" Ny servants chance observa-
ion sent sudden shock through me. |
" hat II Henry was dead What IL had |
,ot only one thread OF the plot that was !
Weaving at Anet ? I did not answer !,
Jacques. but observing Capuchin priest |
dvancing in my direction, i refined in |
aud. giving him the dav, asked !
What 1t was that had befsllen the city. 1
lie looked no at me in a slight surprise,
nd then observing my trsvei-stsined ap
'earance replied:
81 see You are a stranger, sir; Tut have
'ou not heard the news Kit should have
one far BY this"
al hkve not, as you see--but what is Il ?
ureiy the kir Is not dead?v
sGod Forbid" be answered, "no-not
be king. but she. who in a few weeks
would have been the queen of Prince"
The duchess de Beaufort"
Exactly"
Il knew that; but you don't mean
0 say that the city is in mourning for
he mistress of the king"
"No, my son-not for the mistress of
be king, as you call her, but for the
pen hand and the generous heart. for
be kindly soul that never turned from
offering or from sorrow-for Mag
allen bountiful. and, let Us hope. Mag
allen reDentant."