Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-08-12
CHAPTER l.
DrIORGSAC'S PRICE,
... By.
S. LEVETT YEATS
...COPYRIGHT. 1903. By s. Lev

"
little anterOom before the
queen mothers cabinet. In
front of me was an open door.
The curtains of violet velvet. spangled
with golden lilies, were half drawn,
and beyond extended long. narrow
and gloomy corridor leading into the
main salon of the Hotel de SCISSORS,
from which the sound of music and
occasional laughter came to me. My
sister maids of honor were there. doubt.
less making merry as was their wont
with the cavaliers of the court. and i
longed to be with them instead OF
watching away the hours in the little
PRISON. can call it no less-that led to
the queens closet.
In the corridor were two sentries
standing motionless as statues. They
were in shadow, except where here and
there a struggling CLEAN Of light caught
their armor with dazzling effect. and
NJ. de Lorgnac, the lieutenant of the
guard. paced slowly up and down the
full length of the passage. twisting his
dark mustache and turning abruptly
when he came within few feet OF the
entrance TO the anteroom.
was so dull and wearied that It
would have been something even to
talk to NJ. de Lorgnac. bear though he
was, but he took no more notice of me
than if | were stick or stone. and
vet there were do not know how
many who would have given their ears
for a tete-a-tete with Denise de MieuX.
| ought not 10 have been surprised.
for the lieutenant showed no more ia.
vor TO any one else than he did TO me.
and during the year or more have
been here, enjoying for the first time
In my life the gayeties of the court.
after my days in apron strings at Les
paille, my Uncle de Tavannes' seat,
had not, nor had soul as far as !
knew, seen NJ. de Lorgnac exchange
more than a formal bow and a half
dozen words with any woman. he was
poor as q homeless cat. his patrimony.
as we heard. being but his sword and a
ruined tower somewhere in the Correze.
So, as he had nothing to recommend
him except a tall, straight figure and a
reputation for bravery-qualities that
were shared by hundred others with
more agreeable manners-we left NJ.
rOurs, as we nicknamed him. to him
self, and. to say the truth. he did not
seem discomposed by our neglect.
AS for me. hardly noticed his exist
ence. sometimes barely returning his
bow, but often have ! caught him OBJ
serving me gravely with troubled look
in his gray eyes. and as i'll luck would
have 1t this was ever when | was en-
gagged in some foolish diversion. and
had to feel furious. as | thought he
was playing the spy on me. and press
on to other folly, over which in the sol
itude of my room would stamp my
foot with vexation and sometimes shed
tears OF anger.
This afternoon. when | thought OF
the long hours had TO spend waiting
the queens pleasure. Of the mellow sun
light which | could see through the
glazing Of the dormer window that lit
the room, Of the gayety and brightness
outside, | felt dull and wearied beyond
description. had foolishly neglected
to bring a book or my embroidery. so
that even my fingers had 10 be still. and
in my utter boredom believe should
have actually welcomed the company
of CatheriNes hideous dwarf. MajoSky.
1t had come TO me that perhaps NJ.
de Lorgnac. who had no doubt weary
enough watch in the corridor. might
feel disposed to beguie little Of his
tedium and to amuse me for few min'
utes. and had purposely drawn the
curtains and opened the door or the
anteroom SO that he might see | was
there and alone and that the door OF
the queen mothers cabinet was smut
| then, | confess it. put myself in the
most becoming attitude | could thinR
of, but. as | have said before. he took
not the slightest notice OF me and walk
ed up and down, tramp. tramp. back
ward and forward. as il he were piece
Of clockwork like that which Messer
Cosmo, the Italian. made for monsieur
the kings brother.
began to feel furious at the slight
il was no less. considered that lie
was putting on Inc and wished haa
the tongue and the spirit OF Mile de
Chateauneu, so that could make my
gentleman smart as she did NJ. de Lux
embourg. For q moment or so pulled
ut the silken fringe Of my tourette de-
nez and then made up my mind TO
show n. de Lorgnac that the very sight
of him was unpleasant to me. So !
waited until In his march be came to
yard or 80 from the spot where be reg
ularly turned on his heel and then.
springing up. attempted to draw the
curtains across the door. Somehow or
other they would not move. and De
Lorgnac stepped forward quietly and
pulled them together. AS he did this
our eyes met. aud there was the twin
kle of a smile In his glance. as II he
had seen through my artiices and was
laughing at them. felt my face grow
warm and was grateful that the light
was behind me. but thanked him ici
IL, and with bis usual stiff bow he
turned Of without word.
I came back to my seat my face
crimson and my eyes swimming with
tears and feeling that II there was a
man on earth that hated 1t was the
lieutenant Of the guard
It had a good two hours or SO to run
before my time Of waiting would be
over, and I may take the plunge now
and confess that the heightened period
of attendance to which was subjected
was in a measure punishment for my
having ridden out alone with NJ. de
Clermont. and, owing to an accident
AbOrti0n Prevented