The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-03
CHAPTER II.
nY oRpER or THE KING.

powers OF resistance were limited. Some
OF you perhaps may have gone through
the same ordeal--not in the rough and
ready way that / had TO make the pas
sage. but through slower, II not less
certain mill. the result being the same In
both cases--to wit. that you have stood,
as did at the altar with VOWS on your
lips that you felt in your heart were
false.
A thought had struck me when / was
led back 10 my room, and that was 70
throw myself on the mercy Of De Lorg-
nae but means OF communication with
him were denied TO me by the foresight
OF my prosecutors Even my maid. Mou-
sette, was not allowed TO see me, and
Nine. de Martigny, though kindness 1T
self in every other way. absolutely re-
fused TO lend herself TO my suggestion
that she should aid me- II only To tho
extent of bearing "A note from me To my
future husband. In which | meant 10 i'm
plore him as a man OF honor and gem
tleman not to force this marriage upon
me. l then tried Pare. who. by the
queens command. had been sent TO me.
He brought me cordial with his own
hands and 10 him l made my request
Notwithstanding all Mime. de Martigny's
protests. 20 carry my note TO De Lorgnac
He listened with that acute attention
peculiar to him and answered:
'Mademoiselle. | have not yet discov-
cred the balsam that will heal severed
neck. You must excuse me-"
When he left. Nine de Martingy tried
TO comfort me I'm her kindly way.
my dear" she said. after all II Is
not so very terrible. / myself never saw
NJ. de Martigny more than twice before
we were married, and yet have learned
10 love him. and we are very happy. Be
Aaf. as-rfa AaAa aAf
always mean happiness. In FIVE years
II viii become a friendship that is all.
IL is best to start as L did. SO that there
will be no awakenings As for De Lorg-
nae rest you assured that monsieur is
well aware Of the state Of your mind to-
ward him, else he would never have
taken the course he has adopted. BE
certain, therefore, that all appeal TO him
Will be In vain"
| felt the force of the last words and
was silent, and then De Clermont's face
came before me very clear and distinct.
and with a sob broke down once again
and gave way to tears
i VIII pass over the rest OF the time
until / found myself ready for the cere-
mony, noting only with surprise that
was TO be married In riding habit as
II the wedding was 10 be instantly fol-
lowed by journey. Unhinged though
was. / asked the reason for this, but
Nine. De Martigny could only say that
Il was the queens order, and honestly
believe she had no further explanation to
offer
AT the door OF the oratory the marshal
met me and led me into the chapel which
was but dimly lighted and where my hus-
band that was TO be was already stand
inc booted and spurred. ready, ike my
relf to take to horse. There were n doz-
IN or so of people grouped around. and
one seated figure which / felt was that
OF the king | made a half glance to-
ward him, but dared not look again. for
behind Henris chair was De Clermont,
gay and brilliant In marked contrast to
the sonibre IL stately figure of De Lorg-
nae. ~
At last the time came when placed
a hand as cold as stone in that OF my
husband and the words were spoken
which made us man and wife When IL
was all over and We had turned TO bow
20 the king. De Clermont stepped forward
and clasped a jewelled collar around my
neck. saying In a loud voice. in the
kings name" and then. aided by the
dim light and with unexampled daring,
he swiftly snatched away one OF my
gloves, which held in my hand, with
whisper OF This for me.
Henri spoke few jesting words, and
then rising left the chapel abruptly, fol-
lowed by Dc Clermont. but those who re-
NAMED came round US with congratula-
tions that sounded idle and hollow TO me.
II was then that / noticed for the first
time that Catherine was not present, al
though / saw Queen Margot and Nine.
de Canillac there. The marshal no"
ever. cut the buzz Of voices short:
"The horses are ready. De Lorgnac.
and. as arranged. you start tonight. And
now, my good niece adieu. and good Tor
tune be with YOU and your husband.
with that he bent and, touching my
forehead with his stiff moustache, stepped
back pace and let us pass
AS walked by my husbands side,
sazed and glddys with a humming In my
ears. there came back 20 me with swift
and insistent force the words OF the vows
which. II I had not spoken, | had given
n tacit assent 20. They were none the less
binding on this account Two OF them
could not keep. one cannot control ones
soul. and felt that In this respect my
life would be henceforth living lie.
But one though / might observe, and
that was the oath 20 obey, yet even In the
short passage leading from the ora
tory 10 the entrance 20 the chapel my
heart famed UP in rebellion, and with
tudden movement / withdrew my hand
from my husbands arm and biting my
lips till the blood came, forced myself
90 keep by his side. He made no effort
20 restrain me- SPOKE never ~ Nhfd ui-
til we came 20 the door where the horses
were waiting with half dozen armed ana
mounted men. lie De Lorgnac turned 20
me saying. almost I'm whisper. May I
help you 10 mount7'
I made n movement OF my hand 20
the negative, and be stepped back. hut
The animal was restive. ana at last l
was forced 10 accept his aid AS We
passed out OF the gateway. riding side
by eide, spoke for the first time
May ask where YOU are going 10
take me. NJ de LorgnacG"
lie answered. speaking as before. In
low tones: II thought you knew. You
shouId have been told. We go first 20
the house OF Mime. de Termes."
Like lightning IL came 10 me that the
man was afraid Of me. I cannot say
how I knew a. ! felt II and made up
my mind 20 use my advantage, with "A
vengefui Joy at being ave to igake my
bear dance 10 my tune. ! therefore broke
fn upon his speech.
Enough mousleurl should not have
asked the question. II r. a wife's duty 20
obey without inquiry"
I looked him full IN the face as !
said this coldly. and he touched his horse
with the spur and rode a yard or two IN
front OF me, muttering something indis-