The herald., 1898-12-18

The queens face was as stone. Th'
king half closed his eyes, and his lip!
curled into smile as if he enjoyed
the situation; but my uncle, within
whose bluff exterior was a subtle, crue
heart, spoke out harshly:
You hear, mademoiselle! Thanh
the king, and get you gone to make
ready. I am sick of your endless fir.
tations, and there must be an end tt
them-there must be no more talk o1
your frivolities."
Anger brought back my courage, and
half turning away from Tavannes,
said to the queen:
II thank the king, madame, for his
kindness. Perhaps you will add to it
by telling me the name of the gentle
man who intends to honor me by MAX
ing me his wife,"
"Arnidieu! She makes a point"
laughed the king.
"She shall marry stick If I will it,"
said de Tavannes; but madame, the
queen mother, lifted her hand in depre-
cation.
1T is M. de Lorgnac," she said.
de Lorgnac! De Lorgnac!" ]
gasped, hardly believing my ears. "Oh,
madame! 1t is impossible. hate him
What have I done to be forced into
this? Your majesty" and turned to
the king, II will not marry that man."
well, would you prefer de Cler-
month" he asked, with a little laugh;
but de Tavannes burst out:
Sire! This matter admits of no de-
lay. She shall marry de Lorgnac, if
have to drag her to the altar"
Thank you, monsieur 1 said with
courtesy; 'it is kindness itself that
you, the Count de Tavannes, peer and
marshal of France, show to your sis
| ter's child"
He WINGED ait my words; but Cathe-
rine again interposed.
"Mademoiselle! you do not under
stand; and If hurt you now it is your
own fault. Let me tell you that for a
1.-THE Of your follies Maderoiselle de
Torigny was banished from court to a
nunnery. You may not be aware of It,
but the whole world, at least our world
and that is enough for us, is talking OF
your affair with de Clermont, who, as
you well know, is an affianced man. II
| is for the sake of your house, for your
own good name, and because you will
| do the king a great service by obey
ing, that this has been decided on
and you must, do you hear, must do as
we bid you"
She dropped her words out one by
one, cool, passionless, and brutal in
their clearness. My face was hot with
shame and anger, and yet knew that
the ribald tongues that spared not the
kings sister would not spare me. l.
the heiress of Mieux, to be a word
in the court! I to be married out OF
hand like a laundress of the coulisse
1t was too much! 1t was unbearable
And to be bound to de Lorgnac above
all others! Was ever woman wooed
and wed as I?
/ burst into a passion Of angry tears
went so far as to humble myself on
my knees; but Henri only laughed and
slipped out by the secret door, and dc
Tavannes followed him with a rough
oath.
"Say this Is Jest, madame!" ]
sobbed out to the queen. II am pun
ished enough. Say it is jest. 1t must
be so. You do not mean it. It is toe
cruel"
! mo more is happening to you than
what the daughters of France have to
bear sometimes
THAT should make you the more piti.
full, madame, for such as l. Let me
go, madame, to a nunnery-even to that
of Our Lady Of Lespaille-but spare me
this!"
1T is impossible she said, sharply
"See. here ID Madame de Martigny
come, and she will conduct you to your
room. Tush! 1t is nothing after all
girl. And it will be better than a con-
vent and a lost name. Do not make a
soaHap