The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-11-30
:he flash and glitter Of the great ban-


some unusual thing about to happen.
Instinctively the hands paused, even
as they raised the bright and trimming
glasses. The eyes Of all turned from
one to the other, from the stern-faced
man to the woman decked in barbaric
finery. who now stood trembling,
dropping, at the head of the table.
Law for moment removed his gaze
from the face of the regents guest.
He ficked lightly at the deep cuff of
lace which hung about his hands.
"Your grace is not far wrong" said he.
Il regret that you do not have your
way in planning for me a surprise.
Yet must say to you, that have al
ready met this lady,"
"What?" cried the regent. you
have met her? Impossible! Incredi-
BILE! How, Monsieur Las? We will
admit you wizard enough, and owner
Of the philosophers stone-owner of
anything you like, except this secret
of mine own. According to mademoi-
selle's own words, it would have been
Impossible"
"None the less, what l have said is
true" said John Law, calmly, his voice
even and well-modulated, vibrating a
little, yet showing no trace of anger
nor of emotional uncontrol
But tell you it could not bel" again
exclaimed the regent.
"No, it is impossible" broke in the
young Due de Richelieu. 81 would
| swear that had such beauty ever set
foot in Paris before now, the news
would so have spread that all France
had been at her feet"
Law looked at the impudent youth
with a gaze that seemed to pass
through him, seeing him not. Then
suddenly this scene and it's signifi-
canoe, its ultimate meaning seemed to
take instant hold upon him. He could
feel rising within his soul a flood of
irresistible emotions All at once his
anger, heritage of an impetuous youth,
blazed up hot and furious. He trod
step farther forward, after his fash
| ion advancing close to that which
| threatened him.
''This lady, your grace" said he,
"has been known to me for years.
Mary Connynge, what do you masquer-
aiding here?"
A sudden silence fell, silence
broken at length by the voice of the
regent himself.
Surely, Monsieur Las" said Phil
ippe, surely we must accept your
statements. But Monsieur must re-
member that this is the table of the
regent, that these are the friends of
the regent. We bring no recollections
here which shall cut short the Joy of
any person. Sir, would not repri-
mand you, but must beg that you be
seated and be calm!"
Yet the imperious nature of the
other brooked not even so pointed a
rebuke. AS though he had not heard,
Law stepped yet pace nearer to the
woman, upon whom he now bent the
blaze of his angered eyes, He looked
neither to right nor left, but usually
commanded the woman until in turn
her eyes sought his own.
This woman, your grace" said Law,
at length, was for some time in eff
feet my wife. This l do not offer as
matter of interest. What l would say
to your grace is this-she was also my
slave!"
"Sirrah!" cried the regent.
"Ah, daniel" exclaimed the Due de
Richelieu. And even from the women
about there came little murmurs of ex-
postulation. Indeed there might have
been pity, even in this assemblage, for
the agony now visible upon the brow
of Mary Connynge.
Monsieur, the wine has turned your
head" said the regent, scornfully.
"You boast!'
II boast of nothing" cried Law, saw
agely, his voice now ringing with a
tone none present had ever known 1t
to assume. II say to you again, this
woman was my slave, and that she
will again do as shall choose. Your
grace, she would come and wipe the
dust from my shoes if 1 should COM
mand it! She would kneel at my feet,
and beg of me, if should command it!
Shall prove this, your grace?"
"Oh, assuredly!" replied the regent,
with sarcasm which now seemed his
only relief. "Assuredly, if Monsieur
Las should please. We here in Paris
are quite his humble servants"
Law said nothing He stood with
his biting blue eyes still fixed upon
Mary Connynge, whose own eyes fall
tered, trying their utmost to escape
from his; whose fingers, resting just
lightly on the snowy Hollands of the
table cloth, moved TREMENDOUSLY; whose
limbs appeared ready to sink beneath
her.
Come, then, Mary Connynge!" cried
Law at last, his teeth setting savagely
together. Come, then, traitress and
slave, and kneel before me, as you did
once before!"
Then there ensued a strange and hor-
rible spectacle. A hush as of death
fell upon the group. Mary Connynge.
trembling. hating, yet always advanc-
ing, did indeed as her master had bid
den! She passed from the head of the
table, back of the chair of the regent,
who stood gazing with horror in his
eyes; she passed the chair of Aisse.
near which Law now stood; she paused
in front of him and stood nc tbouo