Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-09-21
CHAPTER XVI I-CoNTINUED

CHAPTER XVI CONTINUED.
The governor came daily, and strove
with real distress to encourage the
sufferer Madame Bizard appeared fire.
Guently too, telling her of the outside
world and urging her to quick con-
valesCence. But somehow the desire
to recover was lacking in the patient.
1t was as though spring had snapped
within her leaving inertia instead of
energy, and a desire to slumber on in
sweet forgetfulness rather than the
determination TO resume the weary
load Of life again. But her release
was not to be, and as she slowly be-
gan to regain ground she found relief
and her chiefest pleasure in the COM
panionship of the nuns who nursed
her Their life in its seclusion and
usefulness appealed to her heart, and
gradually the fancy for a religious life
became strengthened to a determina-
tion. Her own existence would always
be blank. and could she do better
than to fill out her remaining years in
the service Of God? He had evidently
had a purpose in permitting her to
live, almost against her will.
When she first told Frontenac of her
decision he stormed and swore he
would ship her back to France; then.
as he saw that she remained unshallen
in her resolution, he finally suggested
a compromise to which she agreed.
This was that she was to remain with
the nuns for two years as a donnee or
religious helper who has taken no
VOWS. If, after this novitiate she still
persisted in her purpose, he would
offer no objection to her entering the
sisterhood. He hoped that in so long
period events would alter conditions
in France so that she could be sent
home in safety.
1t was indeed the Comte de Miron
whom Renee had seen as she looked
out of the window Tonti's sword
point IL entering his breast had touched
a rib and. glancing upwards, had
wounded the lung tissue severely,
barely missing the heart The copious
hemOrrhaEe that followed well-nish
strangled him. His faithful cOachman
finding that he still breathed had taken
him to q house on the outskirts of
Paris, called a lcech and summoned
one of the Comte's friends, whose
name he had given him before the
duel for use in any such emergency.
Together they combated the enormous
loss of blood and weakness that fol.
lowed. On convalescing, his friend,
learning of the kings expression of
satisfaction in the supposed death of
the Comte hurried him away to an
estate in Brittany. There they abode
together for many months, riding and
hunting.
AS spring came his faithful conf
dant went to Paris to see if it were safe
for him to come to life again. lie re-
turned in a month with bad news.
One of the COmtes numerous pecula-
tions in the state funds, which he had
committed while secretary to Colbert,
had come to light, rendering it hazard
GUS for him to appear again in Paris or
even remain in France, for if by any
chance he were apprehended it would
mean the loss Of his head. According
ly, they laid their plans and he was
hurried aboard the next ship that
sailed for New France. This happened
TO be the one on which Renee travelled.
Both OF them seeking 10 escape OBJ
seryation seldom left their cabins.
Hence 1t was that each was ignorant
OF the others presence.
Bearing letter to Ouch esneau from
friend. the Comte presented himself
at the palace Immediately upon his ar
rival Staying at the palace he soon
became acquainted with all Of Duchess
neau's friends and agents. II was
there that he met Madame Blzard. who
had come 10 make her regular report
20 the intendaut, OF an she had learned
He had rciraiuel from going about the
city % any great extent, hence had
never seen Renee, and lt was while on
an cITand for Duchesnoal that bo had
caught q glimpse OF Madame Blzard's
face at ME window. and remember
iHs her Invitation 10 raII, had stopped
Wen supplied With money. which he
spent urr'o iy. Ia soon made many
friends s.aIue tHa m9r. ION the
yom4 man haI made u4.a lae auscep-