Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-01-19

the rival of the king, and felt my head
very loose upon my neck.
What was | to do? 1t was no easy
matter to decide; but came to the con-
clusion that my best course was to
seek out the all-powerful Sully, tell him
what l knew, and beg the help of that
great man. i did not know him, eX-
cept by repute; but my case was strong
and my cause good. | would delay not
a moment about this on reaching Paris;
but it was Rouvres l had to come to
first, and many league lay for refec-
ton between re and the Louvre.
At last | heard the Lauds chime sol
emnly out into the night, and in few
minutes pulled up the weary beasts be-
fore the gates of Rouvres. Here found
a difficulty | might have anticipated.
The gates were shut and the unpleasant
prospect of dreary wait of some hours
iay before me. This was not to be
borne, and l raised a clamor that
might have awakened the dead. 1t
had the desired effect of rousing the
watch at the gate, a wicket was opened,
the light of a lantern flashed through,
and a gruff voice bade me begone.
"Open," / roared, "open in the kings
name"
"Pardieu. monsieur, the gates are
kept shut in the kings name, and his
majesty does not like his subjects rest
being disturbed" answered another
voice, and from its tone and infection
| guessed it was that of an officer.
in that case, monsieur" ! said, ''let
me in so that we may both go to our
beds, and a thousand apologies for dis
turbing you. My servant is already at
the Grand Cert, and one man cannot
take Rouvres."
Then you are that NJ. de PreaulX of
the Anjoumois, whose Lackey Jacques
Bisson arrived last night-for it is
morning now"
you keep good watch, monsieur, who
else should l be?" l said with an in
ward 'thank heaven" at the accident
that had discovered to me my new
name.
though | heard some one laughing, and
the rays of the light were cast to the
right and to the left of me to see that
was really alone. Finally orders were
given for my admission. The gates
went open with a creaking, and l was
within Rouvres.
As | rode in | stopped to thank the
officer for his courtesy, and the light
being very clear he observed my con
dition, and exclaimed: "Diable! But
| YOU have ridden far, monsieur, and with
a led horse, too"
II ride in the kings name. monsieur"
| | replied, a little coldly, and, thanking
| him once more, was seized with an in
| spiration, and begged the favor of his
| company at dinner at the Grand Cert.
with pleasure, monsieur. Permit
me to introduce myself. | am the
| Chevalier dAubusson, lieutenant of NJ.
de Sancy's company of orGonnance."
| raised my hat in response. His
majesty has no braver sword than NJ.
de Sancy. At 12, then, monsieur,
shall have the pleasure of meeting you
again; good night, or rather good morn
ing!"
"Adieu!" he answered; Il will be
punctual. The Grand CGrf is but a
couple of hundred toises to your right
As / rode up the narrow and ill-payed
street | heard d'Aubusson whistling a
catch as he turned into the gzrdroom,
and congratulated myself on my strata
gem and the luck that had befriended
it. knew enough of court intrigue to
be aware that De Sancy and the mar
shal were at each others throats, and
that | could therefore always get pro
lection here by declaring myself against
| Biron. Then came a short turn to the
right, and NJ. de PreaulX, of the Aniou-
| mOiS, was at the door of the Grand CERT
1t opened to my knock, and Jacques
faithful knave, was in waiting. After
this there followed the usual little delay
and hustle consequent on new arrival
AS | dismounted Jacques whispered
in my ear: "You are NJ. de PreaulX, OF
| Saumur, in the Anjoumois, monsieur
so NJ. d'Aubusson tells me-" | re-
piled in the same tone, and then louder:
But you might have made mess of it,
acques-howevcr, you meant well, and
| owe you five crowns for your good in
tentions. Now call mine host, and tell
him to show me to my rooms, whilst
you see to the horses"
Mine host was already there, in slip
pcred feet with long candle in one
hand and a cup of warmed Romance in
the other. lie led the way with many
bows, and limped after him to a room
which was large and comfortable
enough.
Here is some mulled Romance fol
monsieur lie baron" he said as he hand
ed me the goblet. His lordship, the
count, will observe that the best room
has been kept for him, and later on
will have the pleasure of setting the
finest dinner in France before the most
noble marquis-good night, monsei
gneur-good night and good dreams,
and he tottered off, leaving me to drink
the mulled wine, which was superb
and to sleep the sleep of the utterly
weary.
IT was late when | awoke and found