Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05

dull as nay lord here. James, or do you I'M
derstand what Mr.. Dale would say?"
Monmouth's mood hung in thu balance
| between anger and amusement. 1 had
crossed and thwarted his fancy but it was
not more than a fancy And 1 had crossed
and thwarted NJ. de Perrencourt's also,
that was balm to his wounds. I do not
know that he could have done me harm,
and 1t was as much from pure liking for
him as from any apprehension of his dis
favor that rejoiced when 1 saw his kindly
thoughts triumph and smile come on his
lips.
Plague take the fellow" said he, Il I'M
derstand him. On my life, he's wise"
l bowed low to him. saying: Il thank
your grace for your understanding"
Rochester sighed heavily.
"Tbis is WearisOme," said he. Shall we
walk?'
You and James shall walk" said the
king. Il have yet a word for Mr.. Dale"
As they went he turned to me and said:
Yet will you leave us? 1 could find work
for you hare"
1 did not know what to answer him. He
saw my hesitation.
The basket will not be emptied," said
| he, in a low and cautious voice. 1T will
be emptied neither for N. de Perrencourt
nor the, King of France. You look very
hard at me, Mr.. Dale, but you needn't
search my face so closely. ! will tell You
what you desire to know. I have had my
price, but do not empty my basket" Hav-
ing said this, he sat leaning his head on
| his hands, with his eyes cast up at me
from under his swarthy, bushy brows.
There was a long silence then between
U.S. For myself, do not deny that youth
full ambition again cried to me to take his
offer, while pride told me that even at
Whitehall could guard my honor and all
that was mine l could serve him. Since
he told me his secrets. he must and would
save me. And he had in the end dealt
fairly and kindly with me.
The king struck his right hand on the
nf lie nhair =Il16 n1y-a and
Il sit here" said he. 1T is my work to
sit here My brother has a conscience;
how long will he sit here? James is a fool;
how long would he sit here? They laugh
here 1 will sit till my LIES end, by Gods
grace or the devils help. My gospel is to
sit here"
, l had never before seen him thus moved,
and never had so plain a glimpse of his
heart, nor of the resolve which lay beneath
lis liShtness and frivolity. Whence came
that one answering resolution l know not,
yet do not think that it stood on nothing
better than his Incidence and a hatred for
going again on his travels. There was
more than that in 1t; perhaps he seemed
to himself to hold fort, and considered
all stratagems and devices well justified
against the enemy. / made him no answer,
but continued to look at him. His passion
passed as quickly as it had come, and he
was smiling again, with his ironical smile,
as he said to me:
But my gospel need not be yours Our
paths have crossed. They need not run
side by side. Come, man, 1 have spok en-
to you plainly. Speak plainly to me-" He
paused, and then, leaning forward, said:
perhaps you are of NJ. de FontelIes
| mind? Will you join him in his search:
Abandon it! You had best go to your home
and wait. Heaven may one day send you
| what you desire. Answer me, sir: Are you
of the Frenchmans mind?"
His voS now had the ring of command
IN it. and 1 could not but answer. And
when 1 csme to answer there was but one
thing to say. He had told me the terms
of my service. What was ii to me that he
sat there. il honor and the Kingdoms great
| ness. and all that makes a crown worth
the wearing must go in order to his sitting
there? There rose in me at once an inclina-
ton toward him, and loathing for the
gospel that he preached; the last was
stronger. and, with bow, said:
AYE. sir. am Of M. de Fontelles' mind. I"
He heard me lying back I'm the chair. He
said nothing, but sighed slightly, puckered
/ held out his hand to me, and bent and
kissed It,
Goodbye. Mr. Dale" said he at don't
know how long you'll have to wait, I'm
hale and-sos my brother"
He moved his hand in dismissal. and hav-
| walked away. All observed or seemed to
| observe me; heard whispers that asked
who / was. why the king had talked so
loEg to me and to what service or high
office I was destined. Acquaintances salu-
ted me and stared In wonder at my careless
| acknowledgment and the quick, decisive
| tread that carried me to the door. Now,
having made my choice. was on fire to be
gone; yet once turned my head and saw
the king sitting still In his chair, hts head
| r. sting on his hands and q slight smile on
his lips He saw me look and nodded his