Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-09-09
NUMBER 36.

AS for you, monsieur" and Henri turn
ed TO De Clermont, M. de Rosny here
has my commands for you, and your
further presence is excused"
Ny husbands arm was round my
waist once more, but De Clermont
made no movement to go, standing
quietly twisting his short blond mus.
tache.
Monsieur, you have heard his maj.
esty," put in De Rosny.
"Yes. I thought, however, that II.
de Lorgnac might have a word to say
ere went"
THAT will be in another place and
over our crossed swords. NJ. le Mar.
quis." replied my husband. needless OF
my entreating look and gesture and in
as cold and measured a voice as De
Clermonts.
II am at your service, monsieur.
when and wherever you please" And
with this and formal bow to the king
he passed from the room, man under
Gods arm of justice.
What happened | never was able to
find out exactly; but. as far as | could
gather, il was this: AS already men.
toned. La Coquille, Lalande and Pierre
had been released by Navarro on his
coming, and the former, being faint
from his wounds. was resting on a
wooden bench in the courtyard AS De
Clermont passed. the sight Of La Co
guile and the memory of the insult he
had put on him reused the naughty no
BILE, already in white heat with rage.
to madness, and he struck the free
lance once twice, across the face with
a light cane he bore il his hand and
fell himself moment after stabbed TO
the heart. his murderer being cut down
by the men at arms.
At once all was hurry and confusion.
The dying man was borne in as gently
as possible and placed on settle.
There was no leech at hand, and long
before the priest OF Lorgnac came II
was all over. Ne did what we could,
and in the horror Of the fate that had
overtaken this man in his pride OF
strength | forgot the past utterly. I
could only see a terrible suffering for
which there was no relief. We gath.
cred, an awestruck group, around him,
and he spoke no word at first, but sud.
denly called out: Hold me up!
choke"'
Some one-I afterward found it was
De Tremblecourt-raised him slightly
and he spoke again: DE Lorgnac. say
what you have to say now. I'm going"
And Blaise de Lorgnac knelt by the
couch, saying as he did so:
u have no message now. Forget my
words, De Clermont."
Would to God | had died by your
hand" came the answer, "but to 90
like this, struck down like dog. Your
hand, De Lorgnac-yours, Denise-quick
I am going. Forgive"
De Trembecourt laid him softly back
on the cushion, and my tears fell fast
on the cold hand | held in mine. Who
could remember wrongs at such mo-
ment?
The king bent over him and whis.
pered in his ear. | thought ! heard the
word pray" and Il wan smile played
on the lips of the dying man.
100 late! | cannot cringe now. All,
Norreys. | will join you soon. Denise
-pardonw And he was gone.
Late that night when all had gone to
rest | walked on the ramparts Of Lor-
gnac and. leaning against the parapet
looked out into the moonlight. So lost
was | in thought that il was not until
his hand was on my shoulder that
knew my husband had Joined me.
Denise" he said. "the king goes to-
morrow. and-I-do | 90 or stayT
And NJ. lie Chevalier-he is NJ. le
Marechal Due now-got the answer be
wanted.