Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-03-07
THE LITTLE LACKEY.
From the French by Dora Moore.

( I
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~ N the strength of having been
left miraculously at the
chateau Of her ancestors, the
naughty old Marquise ju
Faouet would cry aloud that it was
q disgrace to their order that the no.
bles should fear the sans culottes.
"Those dregs Of humanity" she would
say scornfully, 'were formerly our
slaves; our indulgence has made them
our lackeys. 1t will take more than a
generation to purge them of their se:-
vile instincts. They refuse to obey
BECAUSE we, their natural masters, no
longer know how to command. Ad-
dress them sternly, in a tone that
brooks no reply, and they will con-
tinue to cringe their backs, and their
serfs' blood will flow less quickly"
The boasts and arrogant assertions of
The proud old Marquise alarmed me
for her safety, the more so that Cito-
yen Felicien Ravaud, general admins
L,
at Vannes, was the son of old servants
of the MarQuise. This young man was
born in the chateau, has played about
the kitchens, and supped in the serv-
ants hall until Of an age for schooling.
when Madame du Faouet had placed
him with the Oratorian Fathers at
her own expense. There he had learned
we'll and quickly, and had since made
- his way in the world without seeking
assistance from any one. His parents
dead, the Marquise had never since
seen him; and, doubtless, he troubled
little to testify his gratitude. Never
theless, I imagined that Madame du
Faouet maintained her position and
proclaimed aloud her contempt for
those in power by the influence of the
young Commissaire. Still, I knew
Ravaud's power to be limited; I knew
also that his patience would wear out.
l entreated the Marquise to moderate
her language until better times.
Nonsense" she would exclaim.
"Ravaud would never dare to defy
me. 1t is my manner that imposes
upon the little lackey. When he
thlnks l fear him he will presume
upon it, and shall be lost"
Her imprudence had the result that
had feared. Some unknown enemy
wrote to the Comite de Salut Public.
denouncing Ravaud's clemency and
the old aristocrat's insolence. I re-
celVed secret intelligence that war
rant OF arrest was out against the
Narqu1se, that it had arrived at the
Munlc1palite, and that doubtless when
the news would reach me Rayaud
would have it in hand. l hastened to
the Chateau du Faouet, and, only
vaguely explaining the danger for fear
OF alarming the Marquise, I begged
her to fly without delay, and without
warning her servants.
L will co." she said; "but with nv
gates flung open, with my lackeys, my
baggage, and with all my suite. And
VIII pass before the Municipalite at
full gallop''
Valnly l protested against her folly
was forced at last to tell her that
Ravaud had received a warrant for
her arrest, and that nothing could pre-
vent his putting it into execution. Still
she persisted.
1T is impossible! The little Iackey
would not dare! All, we shall see.''
ana, summoning her SUISSE She
said imperiously:
60 to the Municipa1ite, and tell the
Oommlssaire Ravaud that Madame la
Marquise du Faouet wishes to speak
with him, and authorizes him to come
up to the chateau without delay"
IL was not probable that the general
administrator would condescend to re.
spond to the madly imperious com
1nand OF the old Marquise, whom lie
was ABOUT to arrest and to throw into
piison' and l was endeavoring once
mole TO persuade her to immediate
nisnC When, to my surprise, Felicien
,a'aud made his appearance on the
enieshold Of the drawing room. He
mas handsome, pale young man,
win intelligent eyes. He came for
"afo politely, hat in hand, but with
ot ou' tne slightest sign of servility.
-auame du Faouet remained seated
~ tne armchair close to the chimney
:%nere we the big logs were burning. She
.ooAed a at the Commissaire haughtily
wlthout asking him to be seated
e aa. addressed him in her usual i'm
perious tone: