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


] am advised that she is i'll" replied d,
Richclieu. with al expression Of deer
regret
'IIll i'll! III Three women who enjoy
the best health in France are stricken
simultaneously. What plague Of ill
. ness-what a trinity of Affections. And.
continued his majesty. impatiently
glancing at his watch, lit seems that
the Comtesse du Barry also is i'll. Mes
sieurs and mesdames." he said, raising
his voice so as to be heard by everyone
in the gallery. "as Madame Ia Comtesse
has not arrived. and the hour is past
when we had hoped to welcome her into
our own household, the presentation
viii be postponed" Hardly were the
words uttered when De RicheIieu. at
tracted by a noise in The palace yard,
looked out Of the window and saw an
other carriage entering the gates.
Sire. she has come" he whispered.
Louis, following his glance out Of the
window. gave sigh of relief. In an
other moment the wide doors were
thrown open and the Comtesse du Barry
entered the gallery.
Never had the peerless woman exer-
cised such a fascination over those who
came in contact with her as at this
browning moment Of her triumph. Since
MademoiseIIe de Ia ValIiere had entered
the same gallery during the preceding
reign-and under almost parallel cir
cumstances-it had not held more per
feet vision Of womanly grace nor a more
charming figure than was now the
cynosurc of all eyes
Louis had advanced to the center of
the room and was standing near his
daughters. He made no effort to con-
ceal his admiration but rather en-
couraged himself in doing homage
with his eyes to this woman who was
TO retain his allegiance until the end.
jeanette advanced. conducted by
Madame de Bearn. who. although she
did not betray the slightest Iameness
in walking. was so visibIy agitated on
observing the thUndcr-cloud darkening
the face OF the prime minister that the
rouge dropped from her face in minute
flakes. Between the two women there
was a strange contrast which was not
lost upon his majesty as he received
jeanette from the hand of the elder
woman.
Madame Ia Comtesse. as prescribed bv
etiquette. sank on her knees before the
King Rrrf
On the previous evening he had laugh
ingly threatened TO let her fall at his
feet and remain there without an effort
on his part TO interfere. A wager of a
kiss against a jewel had been laid be-
tween them on his failure or success in
carrying out the program. As he now
assisted her to her feet she whispered:
You have lost"
No. was the royal repIv. II have
simply exchanged one Jewel for an
other- Louis accompanied hts words
by presenting her with a splendid dia-
mond signet-a fac smile of the en-
Diem which she had received from him
on their first meeting in Vaucouleurs.
His majesty now turned toward his
daughters and said:
Madame lie Comtesse du Barrv will
accompany US to Compiegne tomorrow
10 meet the Dauphiness. who will ar
rive at noon All the ladies who have
been presented at court will go. except
those who are ill.,"
While jeanette was paying her re-
spects to the four princesses. the King
mingled more freely with the compapv
Following his initiative the oppressive
ceremony that had marked the occasion
thus far was relieved by the busy hum
or voices that now filled the gallery.
Etiquette forbade Jeanette conversing
With the royal princesses longer than to
pay her respects and receive their well
come in return. She was talking to the
Marechale de Mirepoix. when she became
conscious that she was being closely
watched by handsome man in the uni
form Of an Austrian cuirassier.
Her question addressed to the Mare
chale as to the identity Of the officer
ELECTED the reply that he was doubtless
representative who had been sent by
Queen Maria Thcrese 10 do honor 70
the presentation. But something about
the singular Individual seemed familiar
to Jeanette. Several times she caught
herself glancing in his direction. and
then 1t dawned upon her that Il was
tho same man who had promised TO come
to Versailles for his reward
Hardly had she reached this concIu-
sion when the man approached her. She
was at the moment alone. and Louis
was standing several PAGES away with
his back turned.
Madame la Comtesse remembers
me?' he began.
Yes. But pray speak quickly. What
do you wlsh?'
A portfolio"
For yourself? Impossible
Quite But It IS for another"
Another
who shall come 20 you with a du- !
plicate OF this ring which / beg Of you |
TO wear until We meet again"
jeanette took the ring and saw the !
man vanish in a group of courtiers !
Madame de Bearn had now come up and /
they were Immediately Joined by the /
King.
h. 81