The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-19
CHAPTER vIiI.-continued.
Little Supper Of the Recent.

CHAPTER ViiI.-continued. :.
Little Supper Of the Regent.
His Excellency Monsieur Jean Las, le
controleur- general" came the soft tones
of the attendant near the door. Mon
sieur Guillaume Las, brother OF the
controleur- general."
The eyes of all were turned toward the
door. Every petted belle Of Paris there
assembled shifted bodily in her seat, turn
ing her gaze upon that man whose reputa-
ton was the talk of all the realm Of
France. -
There appeared now the tall, erect and
vigorous form of a man owning a superb
physical beauty. Powerful, yet not too
heavy for ease. his figure retained that
elasticity and grace which had won him
favor In more than one court Of Europe.
He himself might have been king as he
advanced steadily up the brilliantly illu-
minated room. His costume, simply
made, yet of the richest materials of the
time; his wig, highly powdered though of
modest proportions; his every item Of ap-
parel appeared alike Of great simplicity
and barren Of pretentiOusness. AS much
might be said for the garb Of his brother,
who stepped close behind him. figure
less self-contained than that of the man
who now occupied the absorbed attention
of the public mind, even as he now filled
the eager eyes Of those who turned to
greet his entrance.
All, Monsieur Las, Monsieur Las"
exclaimed Philippe Of Orleans, stepping
forward to welcome him and taking the
hand of Law in both his own. ''You are
welcome, you are very welcome indeed.
The soup will be with us presently, and
the wine Of Al is with us now. You and
your brother are with us; so all at last
Is we'll These ladies are, as believe,
all within your acquaintance. You have
been present at the solon Of Madame de
Tencin You know her grace the Duchess
de Falari, recently Madame d'Artague?
Mademoiselle de Caylus you know very
WELL and of course also Mademoiselle
Aisse, la belle Circassienne-But what
Diable! Have you too gone mad? Come
is the sight of my guest too much for you
also, Monsieur L'as?' -:
There was irritation in the tone with
which the regent uttered this protest
yet he continued:
Monsieur Las, it's but a little sur
prise I had planned for you. Mademois.
ellie, my princess Of the Messasebe, let me
present Monsieur Jean Las, King of the
Messasebe, and hence your sovereign
This is my fair unknown, whose face
have promised you should see tonight
this, Monsieur. Las, is my princess the
| one woman l have seen fit to honor this
evening by the wearing of the chief gen
of France .
The regent fumbled for an instant a his
fob. He stepped to the side Of the
faltering figure which stood arrayed ii
all it's savage finery. One movement, ant
upon the dark locks which fell about he1
brow there blazed the unspeakable fires
Of stone whose magniflcence brought
forth explanations Of awe from every per
son present.
"See!' cried Philippe of Orleans
Twas on the advice and by the aid o.
Monsieur Las that I secured the gem
whose like is not known in all the world
IT'S chief Of the crown jewels Of THE
realm of France, this stone, now tt
be known as the regents diamond
And now, as regent of France and mas
ter for day Of her jewels, I place thi
gem upon the brow Of her who for thi
! night is to be your queen of beauty!"
| The Wine of Al had already done par
OF its work. There were frightened eyes
easy gestures and ready compliance as tn
guests arose to quaff, the toast to this ney
| queen.
AS for the queen herself, she stood falter
| ing. her eyes averted her limbs TREMBLING
| John Law, tall, calm, self possessed, dI
| not take his seat but stood with set face
| gazing at the woman who held the plac
of honor at the table Of the regent.
Come! Cone! - cried the latter. testi
~, his wine working in his brain. 'Wh
|
though spellbound? Salute, sir, as T dc
the chief gem Of France, and her who
most fit to wear it!''
John Law stood, as though he had no
| heard him speak. There swept thro,,e
the softly brilliant air, over the flash an
glitter OF the great banquet board, acros
the little group which stood about it.
sudden sense of strange, tense, unfamil
lar situation. There came to all a present
III, 49,
pen. Instinctively the hands paused, eve
as they raised the bright and brimmin
glasses. The eyes of all turned from on
to the other, from the stern-f faced man t
the woman decked in barbaric finery, VIII
now stood trembling, dropping at the hea
| Of the table.
Law for a moment removed his gaz
from the face of the regents guest H
licked lightly at the deep cuff of lac
which hung about his hands. Your grac
Is not far wrong" said he. 81 regret tina
you 90 not have your way in planning fo
me surprise. Yet I must say to vo,
that have already met this lady"
'What?' cried the regent. you hav
met her? Impossible! .Incrediable! How
Monsieur Las? We will admit you wiz
ard enough. and owner of the PHILOSOPHER,
stone-owner of anything you like, ex
cept this secret of mine own. Accordin
to mademoiselle's own words, it woul
have been impossible"
None the less, what have said
true, said John Law, calmly, his voic
even and well-modulated, vibrating q, lit
tie, yet showing no trace Of anger nor {
emotional uncontrol.
But I tell you it could not be-" agai
exclaimed the regent.
mo, it is impossible" broke in tn
young Due de Richelieu. II would swea
that had such beauty ever set foot
Paris before now, the news would so hay
spread that all France had been at her feet.
Law looked at the impudent youth wit
a gaze that seemed to pass through him
seeing him not. Then suddenly this seen
and it's significance, it's ultimate meanfn
seemed to take instant hold upon him. H
could feel rising within his soul a foo
of irresistible emotions. All at once hi
anger, heritage of an .impetuous youtr