Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-14

ment, though richly furnished. was in
keeping with the devout character of its
fair mistress. A brush or aspersorium,
used for sprinkling holy water, was lean
an open psalter, with its long hanging
cover and ball at the extremity Of the
forel. Behind two tall candlesticks stood
an altar table which. being unfolded. re-
vealed three compartments, each with a
picture, painted by Andrea del Sarto. the
once honored guest of Francis.
The Princess Louise. cousin of Francis
former queen. Claude, had been reared
with various preceptors who had made her
more or less proficient in the profane let
ters. as they were then called. Latin
Greek. theology and philosophy. The fame
of her beauty had gone abroad: her hand
had been often sought but the obdurate
king had steadfastly refused to sanction
her betrothal until Charles, the emperor.
himself proposed a union between the fair
ward Of the French monarch and one Of
his mobiles. the young Duke of Friedwald.
To this Francis had assented for he cal
culated upon thus drawing to his interests
one of his rivals most chivalrous knights.
while far-seeing Charles believed he could
not only retain the duke, but add to his
own court the lovely and learned ward Of
the king.
And in this comedy of ACKNOWLEDGMENT
the puppets were willing-as puppets must
needs be. Indeed. the duke was seriously
enamored of the princess, whose portrait
he had seen in miniature and had himself
importuned the emperor to intercede with
Francis knowing that the only way to the
ladys hand was through the good Offices
of him who aspired to the mastery Of all
Europe. If not the world.
Charles, unwilling to disobiige one whose
principaltty was the most powerful OF the
Austrian provinces he sought to absorb In
his scheme for the uniflcataon Of all ma
tons. offered no demur to request
fraught with advantage to- himself. Be-
sides cold and ca1cu1atfv1 f41nnRh hQ a
the emperor entertained q certain aftec-
ton for the duke. who on one occasion,
when Charles had been sore beset by the
troops of Eolyman. had extrfcated his royal
leader from the alternatives Of ignomini-
GUS capture or an untimelyt end. Accord
ingly, a formal proposal couched in Ian
guage OF warm friendship to the king. was
dispatched by the emperor. When Francis.
with some misgiving. arising from expert
ence with womankind, laid the matter be-
fore Louise. she. to his surprise, proved
missiveness, and the king, ]tfssing her hand.
generously vowed the wedding festivities
should be worthy of her beauty and fealty.
Was she thinking of that scene now and
the many messages which had subsequent
ly passed between her distant lover and
herself. as the white fingers ceased to tell
the beads? Was she questioning fate and
tho future when the rosary fell from her
beads on the hard floor aroused her from
a reverie? Languidly she rose. crossed the
room toward a low dressing table. when at
the same time one of the several doors OF
the partment opened. admitting the Jest
ress, Jacquefine. whose long, flowing gown
of dark green bore no distinguishing mark
of the motley she had assumed the night
before. The dreamy, almost lethargic gaze
of the princess rested for moment upon
the ardent eyes OF the maid who stood mo-
tionless before her.
THE dukes Jester who arrived last night
awaits your pleasure without" said the
girl.