The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-18
CHAPTER X.-Contlnued.
Little Supper of the Regent.


Little Supper of the Regent.
And there came others Madame de
Prize, later to hold such intimate rela
tions with the fortunes Of France in the
selection of a future queen for the boy
king; De Sabran, plain. gracious and
good natured: Parabere of delicately
oval face, OF tiny mouth Of thin high
nose and large expressive eyes, her soft
hair twined with deep flushed rose, and
over her corSage dropping continuous
garland of magnificent flowers. Also Cay
lus the wit Caylus the friend Of Peter
the Great, by duty and by devotion
religieuse, but by thought and training
gay woman Of the Word-all these but
terflies Of the bubble house of Paris came
swimming in as by right upon this eX
otto air.
And all of these, as they advanced into
the room, paused as they met, coming
from the head of the apartment, the i'm
posing figure of their host Philippe Of
Orleans. his powdered wig drawn closely
into half-ba at the nape of the neck,
his full eye shining with merriment and
good nature, his soft, yet not unmanly
figure appearing to good advantage In
his well chosen garments, advances with
certain dignity to meet his guests. He
Is CARRIED in a coat made of watered silk,
its straight collar faced with dark-green
material edged with gold. A green and
gold shoulder knot sets off the gar
ment, which is provided with large opal
buttons set in brilliants, this same adorn-
ment appearing on the hilt of his sword
which he lays aside as he approaches.
From the sides of his wig depend two
carefully arranged locks, busted with q
tan-colored powder. His small clothes, Of
lighter hue than the coat. display fifty
the proportions of his lower limbs. The
high heeled shoes blaze with the glare
of reflected lights as the diamonds change
their angles during the calm advance
down the room.
Welcome. my very dear ladies'" ex-
claimed Philippe advancing to the head
Of the board and at once setting all
at ease. If any there needed such en-
couragement. by the grace and good feel
ing of his air. You do me much honor
ladies' If I be not careful. the fair
Adrienne will become jealous since I
fear you have deserted the pomp Of the
play full early for the table Of Philippe.
Ladies, as you know. I am your devoted
slave. Myself and the Vicomte de Be-
chanel have labored. seriously labored,
Tor your welfare this day. I promise you
something of the results of those pains
taking efforts. which we both
hope will not disappoint YOU
Meantime. that the moments may
not lag, let me recommend, If am
allowed. this new vintage of Al. which Re-
enamel advises me we have never yet
surpassed In all our efforts Nine dc
iencln. let me beg Of you to be seated
close to my arm. Not upon this side,
Mile. Haidee. If you please. for I have
been wheedled into promising that sta
tlon this night to another. Who is it to-
be, my dear Caylus? All, that is my Sc
cret! Presently we shall see Have 7
not promised you an occasion this eve
ming? And did Philippe ever fail In his
endeavors to please? At least, did he
ever cease to strive to please his angels ?
NOW, my children, accept the blessing of
your father Philippe, your friend who
though years may multiply upon him, re-
tains in his heart. none the less for each
and all of you. those sentiments Of pas
sion and Of admiration which constitute
for him his dearest memories. Ladies'
pray you be seated. I pray you tarry not
TOO long before proving the Judgment of
Bechamei in regard to this new vintage of
All"
"Ah. your grace" exclaimed De Tencin
"were 1T not Philippe Of Orleans. we wo-
men might not be apt to sit in peace to-
gether Yet. as We have earlier proved
your hospitality, We may perhaps not
scruple to continue
Philippe smiled bandly The remark
was not i'll fitted to the actual case
Though the regent counted his sweet
hearts by scores. he dismissed the one
with the same air of interest as he well
coined the other. and indeed ended by
retaining all as his friends
Nine. de Tencin in admiration there
can be NO degrees said he. I'm love
there can be no rank
Why then. do you place as your CHIEF
guest this other. this unknown" poutet
Mile Aisse, as she seated herself, turnins
upon her host the radiance Of her large
dark eyes: is this stranger, them Sc
passing fair?"
Not so fair as YOU, my lovely Haidee
that may swear, and safely, since she /!
not yet present. Yet I announce to 70,
that she is tres interessante, my unknown
queen of beauty, my belle savage from
America. But see! Here she comes
'Tis time for her to appear and not kee!
our guests in waiting
There sounded at the back Of the grea
hall the tinkle of little bell of some sof
metal. 1t approached. and with it thu
sweeping stir Of heavy sillzen garb The
door opened, admitting a. still greater
blaze OF light, and there swept into tn,
hail. as though swimming upon the fooc
Of this added brilliance. a figure striking
enough to arouse attention even at tina
time and place, even among the beauties
of the court Of France. There advanced
calm and stately with the gliding ease
of a perfect carriage, the figure Of
woman, slender, with full bright eye
and somber hair-so much might be see1
at a glance. Yet the newcomer lef
somewhat of query in the mind Of woman
kind accustomed to view in detail an,
costume.
The stranger was enveloped in a wild
and undefning garment, a sweeping rob
fit for any duchess of the realm, who's
flowing folds showed a magnificent tissu
Of silver embroidery covered with golde1
flowers. below the plum color and green
The high corsage Of the white robe GOV
cred the bosom fully, and was caught a