The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-18
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CHAPTER XVIII.
THE FAVORITE is ALARMED.

THE FAvORITE is ALARMED.
Thus it befell that both Robert of Fried
valid and Jacqueline accompanied the En-
peror to the little town, the scene of their
late adventures, and that they who had been
fool and joculatrix rode once more through
the street they had ne'er expected TO see
again. The flags were flying; cannon
doomed; they advanced beneath wreaths of
roses, the way paved with flowers. Standing
at the door of his inn, the landlord dropped
his jaw in amazement as his glance fell
upon the jestress and her companion behind
the great Emperor himself. His surprise,
too. was abruptly voiced by ragged, way
worn person not far distant in the crowd,
whose fingers had been busy about the
pockets of his neighbors; fingers which had
a deft habit of working by themselves. while
his eyes were bent elsewhere and his lips
joined in the general acclaim; fingers which
like antennae seemed to have special in
telligence of their own. Now those long
weapons of abstraction and appropriation
ceased their deft work; he became all eyes.
Good lack! Who may the noble gentleman
behind the Emperor be-" he exclaimed.
Surely tbs the dukes fool"
And ride with the Emperor" said burly
citizen at his elbow. "'Tis thou who art the
fool"
Truly 1 think so," answered the other.
II see; believe; but may not understand
At that moment the dukes gaze in pass
ing CHANGED to rest upon the pinched and
overcurious face of the scamp student; a
CLEAN of recollection shone in the glance.
'Gladius gemmatusv cried the scholar, and
a smile on the mobiles countenance told him
he had heard. Turning the problem in his
mind the vagrant philosopher forgot about
pilfering and the procession itself, when a
soldier touched him roughly on the shoulder.
Are you the scamp student?" said the
trooper.
Now they'll hang me with these spoils in
my pockets thought the scholar. But as
bravely as might be, he replied: 1.-THE for
mer am; the latter I would be-"
Then the Duke of Friedwald sent me to
give you this purse" remarked the man,
suiting the action to the word He bade me
say tits to take the place of a bit of silver
you once did not earn" And the trooper
vanished.
"Well-a-dayr' commented the burly citi-
zen, regarding the gold pieces and the phil
osopher in wonderment of his own. You
may be fool, but you must be an honest
knave''
At the chateau the meeting between the
two monarchs was unreservedly cordial on
both sides. They spoke with satisfaction of
the peace now existing between them and of
other matters social and political. The EN-
peror deplored deeply the untimely demise
of Francis's son, Charles, who had caught
the infection of plague while sleeping at
Abbeville. Later the misalliance of the prin-
cess was cautiously touched upon. That
lady, said Francis gravely. to whom the
gaietieS of the court at the present time
could not fail to be distssteful, had left the
chateau Immediately upon her return. Ever
| of a devout mind, she had repaired to the
convent and announced her intention of de-
voting herself, and her not inconsiderable
fortune, to a higher and more spiritual life.
Charles, who at that period of his lofty es-
tates himself hesitated between the monas-
terry and the court. applauded her resolution
to which the King perfunctorily and but
half-heartedly responded.
| Shortly after, the Emperor, fatigued by
his journey. begged leave to retire to his
| apartments, whittier he went, accompanied
| by his brother of France" and followed by
his attendants. At the door Francis, with
many expressions of good WILL took leave OF
! his royal guest for the time being, and
| turning, encountered the Duke of Fried
valid.
Francis, himself once accustomed to as
sumo the disguise of an archer of the royal
guard the better TO pursue his love follies
among the people, now gazed curiously upon
one who rad befooled the entire court
| You took your departure, my lord" said
the King. quietly, without waiting for the
/ order of your going"
He who enacts the fool, your Majesty
without patent to office must needs have
| good legs replied the young man. ELSE
| will he have his fingers burnt
only his fingers?'' returned the monarch
with SMILE somewhat sardonic.
Truly" thought the other. as Franci:
| strobe away, 1.-The King regrets the fools
escape from Notre Dame and the fagots."
| During the next day Charles called frs,
| for his leech and then for a priest, but
whether the former or the latter, or both
| temporarily asSuaged the restlessness al
| mortal disease, that night he was enabled t.
| be present at the character dances given ir
| his honor by the ladies of the court in the
| great gallery of the chateau.
| At signal from the cornet gitterns, vio
las and pipes began to play, and Francis
and his august guest. accompanied b,
| Marguerite of Navarro, entered the hall
| followed by the dauphin and Catharine d.
| Medici, Dinae de Poitiers, the Duchess
d Etampes; marshal, chancellor and other.
L
| tiers, poets, testers philosophers; a goodly
1 company, such as few monarchs could sum
| mon at their beck and call. Charles's ey,
| lighted even his austere nature momen
| tarily kindled amid that brilliant spectacle
| Franciss palace of pleasure was an intOxi
| eating antidote to spleen hypochondria
| And when the court ladies, in a dazzlins
| band, appeared in the dance, led by tn,
| Duchess d Etampes, he openly expressed hi.
approval
| Navarro, there is little of the monastery
| about our good brothers court"
| did your Majesty expect We SHOULD
cloister you?" she answered. with a livel,
| glance.
| He gazed meditatively upon the Rose O
| Valois," or the Pearl Of Valois," as sh
| was sometimes called; then a shadow fel
| upon him; the futility of ambition; TIL
| emptiness of pleasure. In scanty attire. tn
| Duchesse d Etampes, with the King. flashed
before him; the former. all beauty, all grace
her little feet tramDling down care, so light
| ~ Somberly he watched her, and sighed
| Mentally he compared himself to Francis
| they had travelled the road of life together
dscardlng their youth at the same turn o
| the highway; yet here was his Frencl
| merriment while his own soul sang mise
| had he overheard the conversation of tn
| favorite and the King the Emperor's mood
| ness would not. perhaps. have been un
| mixed with a stronger feeling.
Sire" the duchess was saying in he
| most persuasive manner, while you hav
| Charles-once your keeper-in your power