Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-08-12
CHAPTER II.
BY ORDER OF THE KING.

u 1OU who read this will please
Y remember that | was but a
IL girl and that my powers of re-
sistance were limited. Some
of you perhaps may have gone through
the same ordeal-not in the rough and
ready way that had to make the pas
sage. but through n slower If not less
certain mill, the result being the same
in both cases-to wit. that you have
stood. as l did. at the altar with VOWS
on your lips that you felt in your heart
were false.
4 thought had struck me when was
led back to my room. and that was to
throw myself on the mercy of De
I.orgnac, but means of communication
with him were denied 10 me by the
foresight of my prosecutors. Even my
maid. Mousette. was not allowed 10
see me, and Nine. de Martigny. though
kindness itself in every other way. alb
solutely refused 10 lend herself 10 my
suggestion that she should aid me. II
only to the extent of bearing note
from me- to my future husband, in
which meant to implore him as n
man of honor and q gentleman not to
force this marriage upon me. then
tried Pare. who. by the queens com
mand, had been sent 10 me. He brought
me a cordial with his own hands. and
to him | made my request. notwith.
standing all Nine. de Martigny's pro.
tests. to carry my note TO De Lorgnac.
He listened with that acute attention
peculiar to him and answered:
"Mademoiselle have not yet dis
covered the balsam that will heal a
severed neck You must excuse me-"
When he left, Nine. de Martigny
tried to comfort me in her kindly way
MY dear" she said, "after all il is
not so very terrible. | myself never
saw NJ. de Martigny more than twice
before we were married. and yet have
learned to love him. and we are very
happy. Believe me. love before mar
rage does not always mean happiness
In five years It will become Il friend
ship: that is all. 1t is best 10 start lis !
did so that there will be no awaken
ings. AS for De Lorgnac. rest you as.
sured that monsieur is well aware OF
the state OF your mind toward him.
else he would never have taken the
course he has adopted Be certain.
therefore. that all appeal to him will
be in vain"
felt the force of the last words and
was silent. and then De Clermonts
face came before me very clear ana
distinct. and with a sob broke down
once again and gave way to tears
| will pass over the rest OF the time
until found myself ready for the ccrc'
mony. noting only with surprise that |
was to be married in riding habit, us
If the wedding was to be instantly fol.
lowed by journey unhin.ed though
was. asked the reason for this.
but Nine. de Martigny could only say
that it was the queens order. and |
honestly believe she had no further ex.
planation to offer.
At the door Of the oratory the mar.
,hal met me and led me into the chapel,
which was but dimly lighted and where
my husband that was TO be was already
standing booted and spurred. ready,
like myself, TO take to horse. There
were Il dozen or so of people grouped
around, and one seated figure which u
felt was that of the king. | made a.
half glance toward him, but dared not
look again, for behind Henri's ch9il
was De Clermont, gay and brilliant, III
marked contrast to the somber if state
ly figure of De Lorgnac.
At last the time came when | placed
q hand as cold as stone in that OF my
husband, and the words were spoken
which made us man and wife. Nhen
it was all over and we had turned TO
bow to the king, De Clermont stepped
forward and clasped jeweled collar
around my neck, saying in loud voice,
"In the kings name" and then. aided
by the dim light and with uneXampled
daring. he swiftly snatched away one
of my gloves. which held in my hand,
with a whisper of This for me-"
Henri spoke few jesting words. and
then rising left the chapel abruptly
followed by De Clermont. but ihos'
who remained came round us with con
cratulations that sounded idle and hoi
low to me. 1t was then that | noticed
for the first time that Catherine was
not present, although saw Queen Mar
got and Nine. de Canillac there. The
marshal, however. cut the buzz OF
voices short:
"The horses are ready. De Lorgnac.
and, as arranged. you stait tonight
And now, my good niece, adieu, and
good fortune be with you and your
husband"
With that he bent and, touching my
forehead with his stiff mustache. step
ped back pace and let us pass.
As walked by my husbands side.
dazed and giddy, with hummins III
nv ears. there came back to me witn
n swift and insistent force the words
of the vows which. If had not spoken
I had given q tacit assent to. lhey
were none the less binding OH this ac>
count. Two of them could not keep.
One cannot control ones soul. ana
felt that in this respect my life would
no henceforth living lie. But one
thought might observe. and that was
the oath to obey. yet even In the SNORT
passage leading from the oratory 10
the entrance to the chapel my heart
famed up In rebellion. and with a sud
den movement | withdrew my hand
from my husbands arm and. biting my
Inns till the blood came. forced myself
to keep by his side. He made no effort
to restrain me; spoke never word un'