The Holly chieftain., 1899-03-03

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. l am the
| Cheyalier d'Aubusson, lieutenant of NJ
de Sancy's company of ordonnance."
| raised my hat in response. His
majesty has no braver sword than Vi.
de Sancy. At IL, then. monsieur, l
shall have the pleasure of meeting you
again; good night, or rather good morn
fhgl"
"Adieu!" he answered; II viii be
punctual. The Grand Cert is but a
couple of hundred toises to your right"
As rode up the narrow and ill-paved
street heard d'Aubusson whistling a
catch us be turned into the guardrooui,
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 short turn to the
right, and VI. de Preaulx, of the Anjou-
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 VI. de Preaulx, of
Saumur, in the Anjoumois. monsieur"
~ Ill
piled in the same tone, and then louder:
''But you might have made 4 mess of it,
Jacgues-however, 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 a long candle in one
hand and cup of warmed Romance in
the other. He led the way with many
bows, and limped after him to room
which was large and comfortable
enough.
Here is some mulled Romance for
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
win 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 of, leaving me to drink
the mulled wine, which was superb,
and to sleep the sleep of the utterly
weary.
1t was late when awoke and found
Jacques in my room attending to my
things. The rest had done my leg good,
although ii was still stiff, and the wear
ing of a long boot painful. AS l fin
ished my toilet asked my man:
Horses ready?"
"They will be by the time monsieur
has dined. l shall put the valises on the
nag we got at Evreaux for you"
Right, Morbleu! hear NJ. d'Aubus-
son below. 1t is very late"
at has just gone the dinner hour"
hurried downstairs, leaving Jacques
to pack, and was only just in time to
receive my guest.
"a hundred pardons, monsieur; but
oversight myself"
lis a sleepy place." he answered;
there is nothing to do but to sleep"
Surely there is something to love-"
mot decent ankle under petit
coat"
AT any rate we can eat. Come. sit
you down. My ride has made me hun
cry as wolf and have far to 60"
The dinner was excellent, the Armag-
nae of the finest vintage, and d'Aubus-
son to all appearances gay, frank
hearted fellow. and we became very
friendly as the wine cup passed.