Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-08-03
CHAPTER VIII.-CoNTIyuEp.

CHAPTER VIII.-CoNTINUED.
Slowly they made their way to the
right side of the Sale, where, between
two windows overlooking the fosse,
Madame de Montespan, the reigning
favorite of the king, held her court.
About her crowded statesman and sol =
dier, wit and court beauty, knowing
well that to gain her influence meant
the favor of the king. She was clad
in a gown whose skirt was of silver
tissue, embroidered in gold touched
with flame-color, with coat of Gros de
Tours also richly embroidered in gold.
Her hair was dressed in numberless
curls Zone on each side of the temples
falling low on her cheeks), tied here
and there with black ribbons, 10
which the magnificent pearls, once the
property of the MareChale de fHopi-
tai, were attached. A mantle of gold
d'Espagne partly concealed one dim
pied shoulder, leaving the other with
out cover. Her arms were bare to the
elbow, and encircled above by gold
open-work 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 yoluptuous beauty;
the envy of every feminine mind; the
hrine 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 a low tone and with
a significant glance at Madame de
Montespan.
True, most women prefer that We
should talk i'll of their virtue rather
than i'll of their wit or their beauty"
smiingIy replied Fontanelle, the
young nephew of Corneille.
For good reason" rejoined La
Rochefoucauld Are not beauty and
youth as necessary to a woman as the
air they breathe and the wine they
drink? Is it not valueless to a woman
to be young unless pretty, or to be
pretty unless young?"
What angels beautiful women ap-
pear to be-" sighed Racine, joining the
party, "and what demons they really
the door of paradise"
Say, rather, that man is fire, wo-
man tow, and the devil it is who comes
and blows" gloomily remarked the
Ebbe Guyart.
You will agree with me, Sir Able"
laughed La Rochefoucauld, Saying
that man, woman, and the devil are
the three degrees of comparison Or
perhaps you would put woman last?"
Before the priest could make reply
the voice of Madame de Montespan was
heard calling to them:
What are you conspirators talking
about that you speak so low we cannot
hear you? Let lis, too, share your
Jest, or benefit by your wisdom"
Il have just said" replied La Roche
foucauld unblushingly, "that there
We're Few women whose charms outlive
their beauty, but that your wit,
madame, the famous wit of the Morte-
mars, would yet charm the world were
your unsurpassed beauty to fade and
become but equal to that of other
women"
Although he was a moralist La
Rochefoucauld was still a courtier.
And | had but remarked previous
ly' spoke up the young liar Fon-
tanelle, that, in the words of Francis
First, of gracious memory, "A royal
court without women is like a year
without spring; spring without
flowers"
The person to whom these speeches
were addressed smiled sweetly upon
the speakers, for all fattery however
gross, was sweet-sDelhng incense to
her nostrils.
And you, Sir Explorer" she said.
looking at La Sale who now stood
with Tonti within the inner circle.
what does your experience teach you
to say upon this subject?"
MY experience in New France.
Madame, has been mainly among saw
ages. The word woman is always as
sociated there with the word mar
riage.' Then, seeing by the frown
upon the beautys face that he had
committed an indiscretion, he added,
"but there beauty and wit are un-
known quantities, and marriage is
synonymous with servitude"
"That condition is not confined 20
New France" replied Madame de
Montespan, with a bitter empha sis