The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-02
CHAPTER /.
NJ. pE LoRGNAC's PRICE.

net. In 'front.' OF me was an open door
The curtains OF violet velvet. spangled
with golden lilies. We're half drawn, and
beyond extended "a long. narrow and
gloomy corridor leading into the main
salon OF the Hotel de SoissOnS. from
which the sound of music and occasional
laughter came TO me- Ny sister maids
OF honor were there doubtless making
merry as was their won't with the cava-
liers OF the court. and l longed 20 be
with them instead of watching away the
hours In the little prison. can call II no
less-that led 20 the queens closet
In the corridor were two sentries
standing motionless as statues. They
were in shadow, except where here and
there n struggling gleam of light caught
their srmc, 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 nous
tache and turning abruptly when he came
within few feet OF the entrance TO the
ante-room.
was so dull and wearied that IL would
have been something even TO talk TO NJ.
de Lorgnac. bear though he was, but he
took no more notice OF me than II
were a stick or stone, and yet there
were do not know how many who would
have given their ears for a tete-a-tete
with Denise de Nieux
ought not TO have been surprised. for
the lieutenant showed no more favor 10
any one else than he did 90 me. and dur
ing the year or more | have been here.
enjoying for the first time in my life the
Rayites Of the court, after my days In
apron strings at Lespaille, my Uncle de
Tavannes' seat. | had not nor had soul
as far as knew seen NJ. de Lorgnac ex-
changed more than formal bow and a
half dozen words with any woman. He
was poor as n homeless cat. his patrimony
as we heard. being but his sword and
ruined tower somewhere I'm the Correze.
SO. as ne had nothing TO recommend him
except a tall. straight figure and repu-
.ation for bravery-qualities that were
shared by hundred others with more
agreeable manners-we left NJ. POurs. as
we niclSnamei him. to himself, and TO
say the truth nc did not seem discom-
posed by our neglect.
AS for ne. | 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 iii luck would
have II this was ever when / was en-
gagged in some foolish diversion. and /
had 10 feel furious. as l thought he was
playing the spy on me, and press on 10
other folly, over which I'm the solitude OF
my room I would stamp my foot with
vexation and sometimes shed tears OF
anger
This afternoon. when I thought OF the
long hours l had to spend waiting the
queens pleasure, of the mellow sunlight
which / could see through the glazing Of
the dormer window that liz 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 FIN
gers had to be still and I'm my utter
boredom / believe I should have actually
welcomed the company Of GATHERINGS
hideous dwarf Ma josky.
IT had come 10 me that perhaps M. de
Lorgnac. who had no doubt weary
enough watch in the corridor. might feel
disposed 10 beguilc little of his tedium
and TO amuse me for few minutes. and
/ had purposely drawn the curtains and
opened the door of the ante-room so that
ne might see l was there and alone and
that the door OF the queen mothers cabi-
net was shut. | then. | confess H. put
myself I'm the most becoming attitude
could think OF. but. / have said before.
he took not the slightest notice Of me and
walked up and down, tramp. tramp,
backward and forward. as II he We're
piece OF clockworklike that which Mes
ser Cosmo. the Italian. made for mon
sieur. the kings brother,
I began 10 feel furious at the slight
II was no less. | considered-that he was
putting on me and wished had the ton
que and the spirit Of Mile. de Chateau
smart. as she did NJ. de Luxembourg.
For n moment or so pulled at the silken
fringe OF my tourette -denez and then
made up my mind 20 show NJ. de Lorgnac
that the very sight OF him was unpleasant
TO me. So / waited until I'm his march
he came to yard or so from the spot
where he regularly 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. and there was the twinkle OF a
smile I'm his glance as II he had seen
through my artifices and was laughing at
them. felt my face grow warm and was
grateful that the light was behind me.
but thanked him icily, and with HIS us
ual stif bow he turned OF without
word.
came back 70 my seat, my face GRIM
son and my eyes swimming with tears
and feeling that n there was a man on
earth that hated It was the lieutenant
OF the guard.
IL had a good two hours or so 10 run
before my time of waiting would be over.
and j may take the plunge now and con-
fess that the heightened period OF attend
ance 10 which j was subjected was In
measure punishment for my having rid
den out alone with M. de Clermont and.
owing 10 an accident that befell my horse.
] had not been able 10 return until very
late. The illchanoe which followed all
my girlish escapades was not wanting on
this occasion with the result that, where
as ten others might have escaped. / was
observed In what was. after all, but
harmless froiic and my conduct reported
on. and madame, Svho bad weak enough
eye for folies and sometimes sins that
were committed by rule-she loved 20 di-
rect our ill-doings-rated me soundly and
imposed the penance and perhaps the
worse punishment that was to follow on
me.
In the ante-room there was but n
cushioned stool for the lady I'm waiting
and this was placnl close 10 the door so
that one could hear Queen Catherine call
ing. for she never rang for us as did the
Iorrainer for even such ladies' OF the Du-
chesss de Nemours. the mother of
Cuise.
7 pushed the seat closer toward the
door and. hardly thinking what was do
-fng. leaned my head against the wood
work and dropped or into n sort OF
troubled doze How long slept IN this
manner I cannot say. but ] was suddenly
aroused by the distinct mention Of my
name. followed by a laugh from within
che cabinet 7 looked up I'm alright. for