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

each scamstress had contributed 10000
Stitches total OF 226. 1000 at the rate
OF 72O stitches an hour.
A for the magnificent coach-a vis-a-
visits polished surface almost rivaIed
The Gallery OF Mirrors itself Besides the
coat OF arms on the four panels, there
appeared in bronze lettering the war cry
OF the Du Barrys on each side. Also on
the panel OF one door were two doves
billing and cooling, and on the other n
heart. pierced with a dart. the whole
surrounded by bows and arrows, quivers
and torches
Despite the time these extensive pre-
paraticns required, the peerless woman
was completely appareled. and the Wis
avis had been standing before the door
tor a full half hour. when the Comte du
Barry drove up with Madame de Bearn.
While he was explaining the cause OF
their delay the King was leaving his
private apartments at Versailles and was
proceeding 20 the Gallery OF Mirrors. He
was dressed rather more richly than
usual: that is. his lace was finer and
the buckles on his garters and his shoes
alone were worth a million On reach
ing the gallery he saw amid a cloud OF
lace and powder. mingling with the blaze
of diamonds, his four daughters and the
Marechalc dc Mirepoix conversing in
group.
old De Richclieu. standing near a win
dow which commanded view of the pal
ace yard. wore an anxious frovn on his
face. as id the Lord Chancellor Mau-
peou. whom ne was addressing at the
moment his majesty entered. Every now
and then their eyes strayed in the direc-
tion OF the Due dc ChoiseuI and Monsieur
de Roquelau-e, who were standing near
the center of the gallery
Something in the triumphant expires
sion OF the primo minister was disquiet-
ing in the extreme 10 the two courtiers.
DO you suppose De CholseuI has
caused her delay" Richelieu was asking
the chancellor.
Perhaps. unused the other. "A
drowning man will resort to any extreme
to save himself"
1T is a bold game If. indeed. he is
playing It," .- a# rei
"Be sure he has a hand in it, else
why is he smiling?"
Both gentlemen now turned as his
majesty approached, after paying his re-
spects TO his daughter and the Marechale
de Mirepoix.
sire" said Richelieu. I'VE were just
admiring the sunshine. Madame la Com
tesse has chosen royal day for her
presentation" '''
But she has not arrived returned
his majesty with a slight note of petu-
lance in his voice. The hour for the
presentation was set for II. and the
bells were even now Ginning that hour
in the Hall OF Timepieces.
Gould she have met with an acct
dent" he continued.
Hardly. sire" responded Maupeou
1t is very annoying"
Perhaps" interrupted Richelieu. the
Due de Choiseul is better informed than
we are" It was daring speech and one
that brought a flush to the handsome
face Of the monarch.
"ChoiseuI?' he repeated. why think
you our prime minister should be so we'll
informed?"
Il merely sUrmised. He is usually
well informed in regard to things OF
which we ordinary servants Of your
majesty are ignorant" replied De Richie
lieu. deprecatingly.
few PAGES away-and between mis-
majesty and the prime mlnister-the
ChevaIier de Coigni was conversing with
Monsieur de sartines. who had entered
In the wake OF the King.
sartiues now caught the royal eye and
Louis approached him-turning his back
on De Richelieu and Maupeou as he did
so.
~sartines." he asked. have you any
news OF the tardy comtesse?"
None. your majesty She had not ar
rived at Versailles ten minutes ago"
so much the worse said the King,
as he proceeded toward the Due de ChoI-
seuL On gIancing over the company he
noted with some surprise that the Ouch
esse de Grammont was not present.
Your sister does not favor US with
her presence today" remarked the King
to his first minister.
she is i'll. your majesty: but she de-
sired me 10 present her respects TO
you" replied the due.
Il trust her illness was due to natur-
al causes" said Louis. with the hauteur
which he could so well assume at times.
And" he continued, turning 10 the
Prince de Guemenee. we miss the Prin-
cess de Guemenee also. Is she ilI?''
.sr a., carry 10 saw that whom 7 caIIad