The Washington times., 1902-12-21

promptu conclusiee that she was in
the presence Of the prime minister
the goal Of her mission TO Versailles.
She accordingly advanced and somewhat
nervously intercepted the Due de Chois-
eul just as he was turning into the
cabinet passageway.
De ChOiseul had just left the audience
chamber after a distressing scene with
his majesty. 1t had been oecasioned by
the minister informing Louis that the
royal finances were at such a low ebb
that certain improvements then being
made on the Petit Trianon would have to
be discontinued. Louis-always petulant
when his desires were baked or when
he was confronted with crisis Of any
kind-had charged the head OF his cabi-
net with mismanagement and had been
charged in return with ruilous extrava-
gance. This had caused the powerful de
Choiseul TO be ordered from the royal
presence and the court was at present
by tn, ears.
jeanette. standing in the s1n. was not
aware Of the lowering cl,u-is lowering
over the court De ChoiseuL observing
that the young woman wished to address
him, stopped and impatiently SURVEYED
the petitioner. His survey had the ef-
feet Of partly smoothing the frown OF
worry on his brow. He paused and in
quired in a milder tone than the untime-
ly interruption might otherwise have
merited:
"MademOiselle has something to say
TO me?"
Yes; If you please. Monsieur Ie Due.
I am interested in a contract for fur
nishing the garrison on the Island Of
Corsica with provisions. and would pre-
sent a petition TO have the contract ex-
tended.
An! You are very young and pretrT
woman. mademoiseIIe. to be coneerned
in such a business. Are you sure t1at
you come here Of your own accordgs
There was a note Of suspicion in the
query which caused a flush to spread
over the fair face OF his hearer. De
Choiseul was quick to notice her change
Of countenance, and continued in a mora
charitable tone:
'There-there, Pardon my seeming
disrespect. mademoiselIe, but II is some
what out OF the ordinary for such a
young woman as yourself TO be in
volved in commercial affairs. Apropos.
you have not answered my question
With whom are you interested in this
Corsican business"
With a gentleman whom you doubt.
less know or know of-the Comte lean
du Barry"
''P-h-e-wl Sits the wind in that cor
nerc' calculated de Choiseul under bia
breath. but might have known a cum
ming CANISTER like DJ Barry would re-
sort to some such pretty means Of gain
ing his ends" He then continued aloud.
The Comte du Barry is ingenious"
''Yes?"
In fact, the idea does him much
credit The Comte du Barry is certainly
mproving-certainly improving"
''Wnl the Due de Choiseul please ex-
plain?"
Our friend Du Barry exhibits rare
genius and still rarer discrimination in
his choice Of companions in his CONNER
cial ventures. and particularly in ehoos-
ing his emissary on this occasion"
Monsieur Ie Due chooses 10 be com
"Chooses-choossS The Due de Chol-
seuI seems to have but small choice in
the matter. Mademoiseue-er-
"Vaubernier. Pardon me for not tell
ing you sooner"
so you wish the Corsican contract e1-
tended?"
If it please the Due de Choiseul
and is in his power to do So" replied
Jeanette. Something in the latter part
Of her speech-possibly the covert in
timation that it was beyond his power
TO do ss he chose in the matter-nettled
the ~ mister. Neither he nor jeanette
had noticed that the grand levee waa
over. and that Louis the Fifteenth. lean
ing upon the arm Of the Marechal de
Richelieu, was at the moment issuing
from the grand gallery in the van OF
his immediate suite.