Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1905-12-27
. WILLIAM R. A. Wilson
. .ER HH.-CoNTINuED.
I they made their way to tn


"a .ER WfI.-CoSrrsurp.
they made their way to the
qe OF the Sale, where, between
indows over looking the fosse,
me de Montespan, the reigning
s1te OF the king, held her court.
hd1Srbwded statesman and sol
at and court beauty, knowing
that to gain her influence meant
favor Of the king. She was clad
a gown whose skirt was of silver
ne, embroidered in gold touched
In fiame-color, with coat of Gros de
Ap's also richly embroidered in gold
Her hair was dressed in numberless
U.s. lone on each side of the temples
ing low on her cheeks, tied here
there with black ribbons, to
ich the magnificent pearls, once the
perty of the MARKETABLE de THopi-
were attached. A mantle of gold
TEspagEe partly concealed one dim
pied shoulder. leaving the other with
out cover. Her arms were bare to the
elbow. and encircled above by a gold
Openwork bracelet set with opals,
while gloves OF cream-colored Brussels
lace covered her forearms and hands
Right royal did she appear in all the
refulgence Of her voluptuous beauty:
the envy Of every feminine mind; the
shrine before which each masculine
heart bowed.
The two men. first on the outskirts
of the crowd, gradually worked their
way toward the center of attraction
listening to the conversation OF those
they passed.
Women are rakes by nature and
prudes from necessity" remarked La
Rochefoucauld in low tone and with
significant glance at Madame de
Montespan.
True, most women prefer that VIC
should talk i'll of their virtue rather.
n III Of their wit or their beauty"
replied Fontanelle, the
Of Corneille.
eason," rejoined La
Are not beauty and
to woman as the
Rnd the wine they
alueless to a woman
kss pretty, or to b.
toung?"
at angels beautiful women an
e," sighed Racine, joining the
bo make us enter hell through
paradise"
man is fire, wo.
vi 1t is who comes
remarked the
pc, Sir Able"
devil are
Pison. Or
Montespan was
hspirators talking
1uIIl so low we cannot
Lei us. too, share your
Ienefit by your wisdom"
ve just said" replied La Roche
Vcauld unblushingly. that there
re few women whose charms outlive
FeiT beauty. but that your wit
|adame. the famous wit of the Morte-
ars, would yet charm the world were
Wour unsurpassed beauty to fade and
become but equal TO that of other
women"
Although he was a mOralist la
RochefOucauld was still a courtler
And | had but remarked previous
~ spoke up the young liar Fon
tanelle. that. I'm the words OF Francis
First, Of gracious memory. a royal
court without women IS like year
without spring sITing without
flowers"
The person 70 whom these speeches
were addressed smiled sweetly upon
the speakers. for all fattery. however
gross. was a Heet-smelling incense to
her nostrils
And you Sir Explorer" she said
looking at Ia Sale. who now stood
with TOnti within the inner circle
what does your experience teach you
10 say upon this subject?"
MY experience in New Francs.
Madame, has been mainly among say
ages. The word woman Is always az.
eocisted there With the word mar
rlage'" Then seeing by the frown
upon the beauty's face that he had
committed an indlscretion, he added
but thfre beauty and wit are IN
known quantities. and marriage Is
anonymous with servitude"
That condition f. not confined 10
New France" replied Madame de
Ncntespau. VITA . bitter emphasis