The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-26

turned to the Duchess, saying with
slight sheer:
4 see nothing to admire in her; but all
your French heads have been turned by
that little Scotch Queenet."
"French heads, Your Majesty, can but
see with French eyes" answered Diana,
and The Queen bit her lip. But now the
folding doors to our right were flung open
by the ushers in violet and gold, and the
King appeared. BY his side was the con
stable, and around and behind him brill
liant group amongst them were De Vielle-
VILE and St. Andre, whilst towering above
the others was the grim figure of the Car
dinal of Lorraine. For a moment they
stood watching the dance, and then came
slowly forward As Henri approached his
seat the dancers stopped and bowed to
him, ana walking up 20 Mary of Scotland,
the King kissed her on the cheek, saying
kindly
my daughter, the roses you carry here
bear the palm from those you have gath
cred in that noHegay. Pardieu" he con-
tinued with a laugh. whilst MaTy's face
grew scarlet with pleasure, lis there no
knight here who can turn rondel to these
roses? What say you, my cousin of the
Kingdom of Folly?"
There was a general laugh, but 1 was
tongue-tied, and could say nothing; but
the constable, with the CROUCH galantry
OF a bear, was ready with a speech.
Il cannot use the pen" he cried, but,
old as l am, | will try in the next war to
write a verse with my sword on Spanish
helmets"
A buzz arose at the words. There may
perhaps have been yelled threat conceal
ed in them l know not; but buzz and MUIR
muir were stilled by voice, nasal dis
cordant and harsh, which rang through
the room.
Il protest, your majesty! I protest in
he pa mo n my m the KING ri
Spain! France and Spain are al peace"
Ii was Chantonnay, the Spanish am
bassador, and tall, sCCnber Tobed and thin
WITH a star of ST. James at his neck, ne
stepped forward from the group behind
the King, and stood facing Montmorenci
sinister smile playing on his iips.
IL was an awkward moment. From I'M
der his bushy white eyebrows the consta-
bic glared back at his advisory, and the
King looked from one 10 another of them,
| annoyance and Vexation stamped upon his
features.
Il protest" the ambassador repeated
again. with his strange, nasal intonation,
his white fingers playing with the star at
his neck
MontmorencPs hand began to finger the
glove he held; the stout old soldier knew
but one answer TO make at such a mo-
ment; when the Medecis spoke in her calm
passionless voice:
for all these frowns to lower-all about a
rose Put aside these dark looks l pray
you, and let us hear the song the King
has commanded-will no one touch a
lute?"
The constable's glove slipped back over
his hand and Chantonnay bowed low 10
the Queen. Still there was no answer to
her request. and there was a strained ST.
lence.
Suddenly Nice-it was that of the
Phoenix-caled out:
lie Brusketr'
The cry was caught up at once with a
clapping of hands, and lie Brusquetl lie
Brusquetr echoed through the hall.
met my Queens eyes She was smiling
with the rest and then the Kings voice
came 60 me:
you are named my cousin"
IT had to be; but as / slipped the broad
yellow ribbon from my shoulders. and
took The lutte in my hands I felt my heart
beat, my fingers tremble, and my voice fail
me- Twice 1 struck the chords; but the
song would not come. and then I met her
eyes again and was strong, and the TESTERS
voice rang out full ard clear; but 1t was
the knights heart that spoke.
Come! Choose me flower from out thy
bower.