The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22

| bIdNtAul glance IN ner direction
And the volunteer whom you saved -
she reminded him.
Had been wounded and had fallen
near the mill, % he resumed. I sent one
Of my men to bring him into the build
Ing. and / believe ne was nursed back
to life. But IL was such a trining Incl
dent and happened so long ago that it
had passed completely from my mind
until it was recalled by the youth who
presented me with this curious and
rather valuable token"
With this the due extracted from his
pocket a fac-simile Of the ring which
jeanette was wearing. She examined
it curiously and at some length before
passing it on with her own to de Richie
lieu.
Both arc evidently from the same
jeweler." commented he, after compar-
ing them critically.
Neither bears any mark. Boehmer
could not have made them" she inter
posed.
True" agreed De Richelieu.
Your ring has a story, Monsieur le
/ Due, 20 which mine may inspire the Sc
/ quel." pursued the countess. in low
voice.
Indeed? You alarm me-" replied
I D'AiguilIon. noting the peculiar vibra-
tion in her tone.
! 1T is a very long story she went on.
and will hardly bear telling now Only
/ remember that your ring may prove
more valuable Christmas gift than is
represented either BY the jewels or by
the rare cunning OF the artisan"
"Morbleui You almost persuade me
that it is a taIisman," said D'Aiguillon.
Maybe" ventured the mareehal. with
a laugh .'if you both rubbed your rings
hard enough a miracle might be
wrought"
suppose we try. When do you return
to Brittany. Monsieur lie Duc?"
a week hence"
so socn2''
There is nothing to detain me longer
at court; and an idle man is an OBJ
struction.'
But if you were not idle?"
All
Suppose. on rubbing your ring, the
command of the Light Horse should fall
into your lap?-'
Madame la Comtesse-''
well. is it so surprising"
"OverwheInns me- continued the no.
bleman. completing his sentence.
"WiH you accept the post7"
But Brittany"
can worry along with another-per-
haps a less able governor"
Even the Light Horse does not re-
quire much ability in times Of peace. |
madame" he reminded her.
But the Due de Choiseul Is bent upon
piuDging US into war"
"Bent-yes- But Will he succeed"
asked De RicFeIieu. critically surveying
the back OF his hand.
If he does We shall be going to war
and The Light Horse will be no sine /
cure" she continued.
And il he fails?" suggested the Due. |
There will be the prime ministry to 4
which the Light Horse is but stepping
stone"
De Richelieu and his nephew regarded 4
each other with discreet surprise not 4
unmixed with qualification. Both remain /
ed silent-a silence which was voIubIe /
Only n daring woman could have con- /
ceived such an idea; but was II feasible? i
Was Choiseul indeed doomed? They were
interrupted in their silent colloquy by
the merry jingle OF sleigh bells in the 4
distance foretellicg the arrival OF the
King Madame la Comtesse was forced to
excuse herself-after requesting her
guests TO follow her shortly-and de-
scended TO the vesibule 70 welcome the
gala company from FontainebIeau.
The entrance OF the royal encourage
had the immediate effect of transform
ing the spacious interior into a scene
which was at once impressive and bril-
liant 1t was as though the mural ale
gories related in polyckromes by the
brush of Boucher had suddenly come to
life and were mingling with the piquant
brOnzes Of Lecomte. Only over all was
the mysterious shadow-the strange
spell which only a sovereign presence
may inspire.
Madame Ia Comtesse was awaiting her
guests in the long reception hall at the
extreme end Of which the blazing logs
in an enormous fireplace emitted a hos
pitable warmth. This was further height
ened by the myriad reflections riOtously
dancing along the polished floor.
So warm and inviting indeed was the
interior OF the chateau as contrasted
with the white world without that an
involuntary exclamation OF surprise and
pleasure ran over the company
When all had Invested themselves Of
their furs and outer wraps and began
in the reception hall the
preliminary buzz of conversation was
quieted by the King who had been
somewhat longer than the
others. entering with the DauphIness
Marie Antoinette on his arm.
Marie AntoInette at this time had only
been in France a few months and as
yet she and Madame le Comtesse had
not been officially introduced. She was
hardly more than a girl and yet she
brought with her from Austria. as
heritage from the Empress Maria Their
csc. a reputation for beauty which the
Processes destined to share the thrones
Of the kings Of France have not always
1t was difficult to say whether her
eyes were blue or gray. Only this much I