Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-06-02


of anxiety in his tones.
Let him wait, replied Law, coolly.
II have waited for him.
But my master, they protest they
cIamor
Very we'll Let them do so--but
stay. If it is indeed the regent, may
as well meet him now and say that
which is in my mind. Open the door.
The door swung open and there en-
tered the form of Philippe of Orleans,
preceded by his halberdiers and fol-
lowed close by rush of humanity
which the guards and the Swiss to-
gether had much pains to force back
into the anteroom.
How, now, Monsieur Las, how
now?n fumed the regent, his heavy
face glowing dull red, his prominent
eyes still more protruding, his fore
head bent into heavy frown. s.Yog
deny entrance to our person, who are
next TO the body of his majesty?"
did you have delay?' asked Law,
sweetly. Twas unfortunate"
g Twas execrable."
True. myself find these crowds
execrable =
Nay, execrable to suffer this an
noyance of delay.'
Your grace's pardon. said Law,
coolly You should have made an
appointment a few days in advance"
What! The regent of France need
to arrange a day when he would see a
servant"
Your grace is unfortunate in his
choice of words. replied Law, dandy.
I am not. your servant. / am your
MASTER
The regent sank back into chair,
gasping, his hand clutching at the hilt
of his sword.
Seize himl Seize him! To the bas-
tile with him! The presumerl The
impostor!!a
Yet even the guards hesitated before
the commanding presence of that man
whom all had been so long accustomed
to obey. With hand appraised, Law
gazed at them for one instant, and
then gave them no further attention.
ssYet these words must hasten to
qualify" resumed he. True, | am at
this moment your master, your grace,
but two minutes hence, and for all
time hereafter, / shall no longer be
your master. Your grace was once so
good as to make me head Of certain
financial matters, and to give me con-
troll of them. The fabric of this Mes
sasebe, which you see without, was all
my own. 1t was this which made me
master of Paris, and of every man
within the gates of Paris. So far, very
we'll My plans were honest, and the
growth of France-nay, let us say the
resurrection of France-the new life
of France sh ows how my own plans
were made and how well knew that
which was to happen. made you
rich, your grace. gave you funds to
pay off millions Of your private debts,
| millions to crafty your fancies. |
gave you more millions to pay the
debts of France France and her re-
gent have again taken a position of
honor in the eyes of the world. You
may well call me master of your fate,
| who have been able TO accomplish these
things. So long as you knew your
| master, you did well. Now your grace
has seen fit to change masters. He
would be his own master again. There
cannot be two in control of a concern
like this. Sir, the two minutes have
elapsed. am your humble servant!
The regent still sat staring from his
chair, and speech was yet denied him.
ssThere are your people. There is
your France, said Law, reckoning as
he turned toward the window and
pointing to the crowd without. There
| is your France. Now handle it, my
master! Here are the reins! Now
drive: but see that you be careful how
you drive Come, your grace" said
he, mockingly, over his shoulder.
Come, and see your France!"
There, there, Monsieur Las, l did
you wrong, perhaps said he. But
as to these hasty words. pray recon-
slider them at once. Twill have bad
effect should a breath of this get
afioat. Indeed, twas because Of some
such thing that came to see you this
morning. A most unspeakable, a most
incredible thing hath occurred It
comes to me with certain confirmation
that there have been shares sold upon
the street at $4,000 livres to the ac-
ton, whereas, as you very well know,
Is, 900 should be the lowest price to-
day.
And what Of that, your grace2D said
Law, calmly. is it not what you
planned? Is it not what you had been
expecting?.
How, sirrah! What do you mean?"
why, mean this, your grace, Z said
Law, calmly, that since you have
taken the reins, it is you who must
drive the chariot shall suggest no
plans, shall offer no remedy. But, if
you still lack ability to see how and
why this thing has attained this stu
alton. | will take SO much trouble as
to make it plain