The Washington times., 1903-02-15

I merouS epigramS he haG fired on with
the royal powder. had given fresh Of
| tense with his satire on the court OF
King Petaud.
AT that moment NORM announced:
| Monsieur lie Marechal de RicheIiou
and Monsieur lie Chancellor Maupeou."
Madame le Comtesse greeted both gen
| tlemen with the graciousness in keeping
/ with her new title. II was returned by
/ them in kind as soon as they had made
their obeisances to the King. Then the
fayorite, giancing toward his majesty
for his approval and noticing his nod OF
| acquiescence. said at once:
Pray be seated. MOnsieurs- We were
just discussing Monsieur De Voltaire."
"Mordi, An inexhaustfble subject
declared De Richelieu. with a wry face.
AS his remark brought a smile 10 the
face of the King, he was encouraged to
continue:
Something about voItaire reminds me
OF Robert le DiabIe."
"Ha," exclaimed Louis. with flashing
eyes. on being thus reminded OF tne
celebrated regicide who had attempted
his life thirty years previously
Outs GDuAluleG lie hlCletleu. Was
a regicide in fact and the other II
fancy"
Can we not find a more agreeable
topic on such 2 fine morning." asked
his majesty. with an iII-concealed show
Of displeasure. Monsieur Ie Due" &c
continued. addressing Rfchelieu, you
will accompany US to Choisy next Mon
day and also messieurs?
We hope to. sire" said the three
courtiers, bowling in unison
Madame la Duchesse de Grammont
and Madame la MarechaIe de Mirepoix."
announced Norm.
Louis directed a despairing glance at
Jeanette as the incorrigibIe sister Of De
ChOiseul entered Her uDwearying ef-
forts to please him were really deserving
OF a better fate than the repugnancc
with which he regarded her.
Jeanette was well aware that It was
due to the presence OF the King. no Iess
than TO the curiosity Of Madame Ia
Duchesse as to the outcome or her morn
ing adventure. that she was now beins
honored with a visit from the naughty
nOblewoman. Still retaining her smiI-
Us ADnAAooAAE- 1AAt - N1NAANrA q NAoAi-lE@N
face TO the visitor. who made her dcvoirs
first 10 the King. and then. with some
hesitancy, or rather reluctance, TO her
self.
Only b. an effort was the smotherins
hOstess-arrayed not only in the gown
she had worn 10 Paris. but In neglige I
robe thrown over it, supplemented BY
the coverlet-abIe TO conceal her inward
amusement at the chagrin Of Madame Ia
Duchesse. occasioned by her own con /
tinued favor with his majesty She re-
turned the greeting with imperturbabIe /
courtesy. but perhaps with less spontan- |
city than was IN her welcome TO The |
Marechale de Mirepoix.
Meanwhile his majesty had been wait /
ing 10 effect an escape. and. as the late I
arrivals were shown TO chairs. one at 1
the foot and the other near the head 4
OF the bed. he advanced and gently sa-
luted the hand that was extended TO him .
from under the coverlet. Scrupulously 4
refraining the while from noticing
Madame Ia Duchesse, he said in a low
voice, but with the remarkably clear
enunciation OF which he was capable
when he wished 70 make himself under
stood:
Madame la Comtesse du Barry also
viii accompany Us TO Choisy on Monday
RicheIieu and the lord chancellor
looked at one another with amusement
The MarechaIe de MirepOix triumphed
in the triumph OF her friend, while the
DuGhesse de Grammout turned pale even
under the powder and rouge on her face.
Only the Due de Duras remained COM
posed. since he had already recovered |
from his surprise.
While establishment held the others.
the First Gentleman OF France was
passing into the antechamber, and Jean
cite was submitting her hand 20 the
and gractously returning the
curtseys OF the Marechale de Mirepoix
and the Duchess de Grammont as they
advanced and bade her adieu. She
waited until the last perUke had van
ished from the apartment before tap
ping the gong, and then. throwing OF
he coverlet, the mapcap woman mirth-
fully greeted the quaking attendant that
entered.