Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-12

tiers poets testers. philosophers; a goodly
company. such as few monarchs could sum-
mon at their beck and call. Charles eye
lighted: even his austere nature momentari-
ly kindled amid that brilliant spectacle;
Francis palace of pleasure was an intoxi
eating antidote to spleen or hypochondria.
And when the court ladies. in a dazzling
band. appeared in the dance. led by the
Duchesse dEtampes, he openly expressed
his approval.
"Ah. madam he said to the Queen of
Navarro there Is little of the mona stery
about our good brothers court"
DID your majesty expect we should
cloister your" sho answered. with a lively
glance.
Valois.' or the Pearl of the Valois." as
she was sometimes called: then a shad-
ow fell upon him: the futility OF
ambition: the emptiness of pleasure. In
the king, flashed before him; the former all
beauty, all grace, her little feet trampling
down care so lightly. Somberiy he watch
ed her and sighed. Mentally he compared
himself to Francis; they had travelled the
road of life together. discarding their youth
at the same turn Of the highway; yet hsre
was his French brother. interchangeable in
the pursuit Of merriment while his own
soul sang miserere to the tune Of Francis
hddles. Yet. had he overheard the con-
Versation Of the favorite and the king, the
emperor's moodiness would not. perhaps.
nave been unmfxed with stronger feeling.
Sire" the duchess was saying in her
most persuasive manner, while you have
Charies-once your keeper-in your power,
here IN the chateau you will surely punish
blm for the past and avenge yourself? You
VIII make him revoke the treaty of Madrid
nettes?"
II will persuade him If can" replied the
king coldly. but never force him. NV
honor. madam. is dearer to me than my In
tcrests."
The favortte said no more of a cherished
project, knowing Francis temper and his
stubbornness when crossed. She merely
shrugged her white shoulders and watched
him closely. The monarch had not
SCRUBBED once to break his covenant with
duress. by force majeure. were legally
void. while now But the king was COM
posed Of contradictions, or-was her own
influence waning?
She had observed a new expression cross
his countenance when in the retinue Of the
emperor he had noted the daughter of the
constable: such tenderness as she remem-
bered at Bayonne when the king had look
ed upon her. the duchess. for the first time.
When she next spoke her words were the
outcome of this train of thought.
ITO think the jestress. Jacqueline. should
turn out the daughter OF that traitor, the
constable Of Dubrois." she observed. keenly
"A traitor. certainly" said Francis, "but
also a brave man. Perhaps we pressed him
too hard" he added retrospectively. I'VE
were young In years and Ot-tempered."
your majesty remembers the girl-a
dark-browed. bold creature?" remarked the
duchess, smiling amiably.
"Dark-browed, perhaps. madam: but I
observed nothing bold in her demeanOr."
answered the king.
What! a jestress and not boldi girl
who frequented Fools Hall; who ran away
from court with the plaisant! She glanced
at him nischievously, like wilful child.
but before his frown the smile faded; in
voluntarily she clenched her hands.
Madam" he repMed cynioally, II have
always noticed that women are poor Judges
OF their own SEX"
And conducting her to q seat he raised
her Jeweled fingers perfunctorily to his LIPS.
and wheeling abruptly left her.
"Ah!'' thought Triboulet. ominously. who