Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-04

to rest at night. Perhaps your grace might
not care for company SO dull as mine"
File! my friend, my very good friend.
replied Philippe. Have you become devot?
Whence this sudden change? Consider: IT'S
no hardship to meet such ladies az Madame
de Sabran. or Madame de PTie-destgner
though 1 fear De Prize Is for the domestic
felicity of the youthful king-nor indeed my
good friend. La Parabere. somewhat pale
and pensive though she groweth. And what
shall l say for Madame de Tencin, the spir-
ituelle. who is to be with us; or Madame de
Caylus, niece Of Maintenon, but the very
opposite Of Maintenon in every possible
way? Moreover. we are promised the at
tendance of Mademoiseile Aisse. She hath
become devout OF late. and thinks it q sin
even to powder her hair, but Aisse deyout Is
none the less Aisse the beautiful"
Surely your grace hath never lacked in
excellent taste. and that is the talk of
Paris" replied Law.
''Oh, well, long training bringeth perfec
ton In due time replied Philippe of Or
leans, composedly, 1t having no Ill effect
with him to call attention to hts numerous
intrigues. TT should hardly be called a
poor privilege, after all. to witness the re-
suits Of that highly cultivated tasta. as 1t
shall be displayed this evening, not to men
tion the privilege you will have OF meeting
one or two other gentlemen; and lastly, of
course. myself IL you be net tired OF such
company"
your grace" replied Law, "you both
honor and Hatter me-"
"why. sir. you speak as II this were a
new experience for you. Now. IN the days"
IT'S true: but Of late years have grown
grave in the cares OF state. as your grace
may know"
And most efficiently" replied the regent
But stay! I have kept until the last my
main attraction. You shall witness there,
/ give you my word. the making public of
the secret Of the fair unknown who Is re-
puted to have been especially kind to
Philippe OF Orleans for these some months
past Join as at the little enterprise. my
friend, and you shall see. promise you,
the most beautiful woman In Paris, crown
ed with the greatest gem of ali the world
The regents diamond, that great gem which
you have made possible for France, shall.
for the first time. and for one evening at
least. adorn the forehead of. the regent 8
queen OF beautyr'
As the gay words of the regent fell upon
his ears. there came into Laws heart q
curious tension, presentiment, feeling
as though some great and curious thing
were about to happen. Yet ever the chal-
lenge of danger was one to draw him for
ward. not to hold him back. II for a mo-
ment he had hesitated, his mind was now
suddenly resolved.
Your grace" said he. your wish is for
me command. and certainly in this Instance
Is peculiarly agreeable"
As thought" replied the regent. Had
you hesitated. / should have called your
attention to the fact that the table of the
Palais Royal Is considered to possess some
what Of character. The Vicomte de Becha-
mel Is at the very zenith OF his genius, and
he daily produces dishes such as all Paris
has not ever dreamed. Moreover, we have
been fortunate In some recent additions of
most excellent win d'Ai 1 make no doubt,
upon the WHOLE we shall find somewhat
with which to occupy ourselves"
Thus 1t came about that. upon that even
ing. there gathered at the entrance of the
Paials Royal, after an evening with Lee