The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FALL OF CHoIsEUL.

C!cnncs with gay company and Will
mCre than ordinary ceremony in 17T0
| There had been a heavy fall OF snow OF
I the previous evening, and a white land
scape spread out in every direction from
the vast and gloomy chateau on the brow
of the hill.
Louveciennes-the estate and the i'm
/ posing residence-had been originally
/ purchased by Louis XIV. in 1880. and de-
! seconded with the crown TO his successor
who had presented il to the Comtesse d1
Barry. As yet the miniature palace
! which she afterward caused to be erected
/ by the architect Ledoux was in embryo
/ The window which lighted the main
salon commanded a distant prospect OF
! St. Denis and st. German, with the
/ Seine meandering like a silver thread
/ through the white meadows OF Vesinet.
/ Afar off through the trees could be
caught a vague glimpse OF Paris brood
/ ing under its towers-a fairy city in the
mist
Meanwhile Louis was fulfilling his
promise 10 spend Christmas with the
/ Comtesse by departing for Louveciennes
with a goodly quota or courtiers and
! ladies-in- waiting from Fontainebleau.
where the court was then established.
Sleigh bells were making merry music
along the way. with vehicles OF extra
ordinary shape. brilliantly painted and
ornamented with replicas from Vatican.
Anticipatory 10 their reception the cha
teau had been transformed into palace
OF holly and evergreen and beryI.
Gloomy and fOrbidding as was the ex-
terror OF the chateau. its architectural
frown was only skin deep. II did not ex-
tend beyond the walls. Precious marbles.
touched into seeming life by the chisels
Of Moineau and Lecomte. were surround
ed by ceilings and walls whereon the
Iibortine brush Of Wen had painted a
history OF love. Each lock and door
handle was a miracle in bronze. Many Of
the ceilings were covered with mural
allegories set about with flowers and
birds and cupids-marvels in mosaic and
arabesque. But this fairy scene was
foreshadowed. by a prologue.
Since his public humiliation at the
presentation the Due de Choiseul had
been emboldened by the arrival in
France OF the Dauphiness Marie An
toinette to wage a fercer war than ever
against the favorite Divers rumors
were finding their way about Paris from
day 20 day. each differing in tone ac-
cording 10 the source from which It
came. Charges emanated from the
Choiseul party only to be promptly re-
futed by the ever-vigilant Du Barry. ably
seconded by the MarechaI de Richelieu
and the lord chancellor.
~Fv- b.. To-
lions had resolved itself into a rather
more than diverting game Of see-saw,
with now one party and then the other
being borne aloft to a momentary tri-
umph only to accomplish a humiIiating
fall
But this morning the star Of the favor
tie was rising.
Jeanette herself had risen early in or
der to superintend certain arrangements
for the entertainment Of his majesty and
the other guests whom she anticipated
So extensive was the establishment that
she herself did not know exactly how
many servants were at her beck and
call Many of them she was not aware
even existed. SO it was not surprising
that. on passing through the dining hall.
breakfast were in progress. she was dis
agreeably reminded of the prime minis
ter by the remarkable facial resemblance
of one OF her servants to him.
On making inquiries regarding the at
tendant and being informed that the fell
low was a cook. she ordered a generous
wage advanced to him, and that he be
hidden depart for Paris to enjoy the
holiday
Returning shortly afterward 10 her
boudoir, Madame la COmtesse donned a
becoming morning dress, like those in
which Boucher clothes some Of his Gre
aions. only she had no rouge on. since
his majesty had such an antipathy 10
rouge. She ensconced herself before the
CHEEKY fire glowing on the hearth. and
was taking her morning chocolate when
she heard sleig5 bells approaching the
chateau.
As II was still nearly half an hour be-
fore she could expect his majesty and
the company from FontainebIeau. the
comtesse was at d loss 10 know whom
the early arrivals could be. She was
presently appraised by the butler an
nOuncing de Richelieu and his nephew.
the Due d'Aiguillon-
Monsieur lie Due was an extremely
handsome and graceful nObleman. re-
puteG TO be one of the best swordsmen
in France and the possessor Of mental
powers beyond the ordinary His duties
as governor OF Brittany had kept him
away from court since jeanette had
been there; so that they had never met. I
But she had heard enough Of this ac-
courtier and politician to re-
gard him with interest not unmixed with
curiosity. Although the due had passed
his prime. he was one Of those men who
retain the appearance OF youth we'll into
age.
No wrinkle on his brow betrayed the |
cares Of government. His air and car
ciage were lofty and commanding anS /
his features wore an expression at once
of Intelligence and meIanchoIy-as II he |
knew that he had made many enemies as
well as loyal supporters during his ca
rcer. He combined the suayity OF the |
poet with the nobility Of the lord and |