The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-11-08
CHAPTER TX,

tnfi 4 LII IN.
UT may have been that Mile Nancn,
the faithful conhdante Of Nine.
dc Malnienon. had learned some
thing of this Interview. or II may
llc that Pcre Ia Chalse. with the shrewd-
ncss for which his order Is famous. had
come 10 the conclusion that publicity
was the best means Of holding the king
To bis present Intention. but. whatever
the source. II was known all over the
court next day that the old fayorite
was again In disgrace and that there
was talk OF q marriage between the
King aud the goyerness Of his chill
dren. BY midday there was none In
the court who had not heard the I'd
ings save only Nine. de Montespnn.
who, alarmed at her lovers absence,
had remained IN naughty seclusion IN
her room and knew nothing OF what
had passed.
Louis In his innate seldshness had
been so accustomed to regard every
event entirely from the side OF how II
would affect himself that Il had never
struck him that his long suffering fam
ily. who had always yielded to him
the absolute obedience which he claim
ed as his right. would venture TO oifer
any opposition 10 his new resolution.
He was surprised. therefore, when his
brother demanded private interview
that Afternoon and entered his pres
ence without the complalsant smile and
humble air with which he was wont TO
appear before him.
"Why, monsieur, you seem less gay
than usual today" said the king, win
smile. "Your dress indeed Is bright,
but your brow is clouded. trust that
all is well with madame and with the
Due de Chartres."
''yes. sire, they are WELL but they
are sad, like myself, and from the same
cause"
Indeed, And why|
Have ever failed in my duty as
your younger brother, sirey
"Never. Philippe, never" said the
king, lnying his hand afrectionately up
on the Others shoulder. you have
set mn excellent example to my sub
jects"
"Then why set slight upon meT
"Philippew
"Yes. sire, | say 1t Is A slight. We
are Of royal blood, and our wives are
/ OF royal blood also. Yon married the
Princess OF Spain; married the Prin-
/ cess of Bavaria. II was condescen-
sion. but still did It, My first wife
was the Princess Of England. How
can we admit into a house which has
/ formed such alliances as these q
I woman who is the widow OF hunch-
I back singer, mere lampooner. man
whose name is byword through Eu-
ropcT'
The king had stared in amazement
at his brother, but his anger now over
I came his astonishment,
Upon my wordr' he cried; upon my
word. have said Just now that you
/ have been an excellent brother, but l
/ fear that spoke a little prematurely.
And so you take upon yourself to OBJ
iect to the lady whom ! select as my
4 wfer'
II do, sire" g
And by what rightT e
by the right Of the family honor,
\ sire. which is as much mine as yours.
look upon II as slight upon me and
a slight upon my wife"
your wife. have every respect
/ for Charlotte Elizabeth Of Bavaria, but
how is she superior to one whose
/ grandfather was the dear friend ana
comrade in arms of Henry the Great!
| Enough! will not condescend TO
argue such matter with you! Be-
gone, and do not return to my presence
until you have learned not to interfere
in my affairs"
For all that my wife shall not know
/ herr snarled monsieur.
The king was TO have no quiet that
/ day. II Nine. de Malntenon's friends
had rallied TO her yesterday her enc
mics were active today. Monsieur had
hardly disappeared before there rushed
into the room q youth who bore upon
his rich attire every sign OF having
4 just arrived from dusty journey. He
was pale faced and auburn haired
with features which would have been
Il strIkingly like the kings II II were not
I that his aose had been dishgured In
his youth The kings face had lighted
up at the sight OF him, but II darkened
again as be hurried forward and threw
himself down at his feet
"Oh. sire" he cried, spare us this
glef spare us this humIlIationi ] I'M
plore you to pause before you do what
will bring dishonor upon yourself and
upon usF'
The king started back from him.
"This Is intolerable." he cried. ut
was bad from my brother. but worse
from my son. You are in conspiracy
with him. Louis. Monsieur has told
you TO act this part
The dauphln rose 20 his feet and
looked steadfastly AT his angry father.
II have not seen my uncle" he said.
~ was at Meudon when ! heard this
news - this dreadful news = and I
sprang upon my horse. sire. and gal
loped over 10 implore yon TO think
again before you drag our royal house
so low"
"You talk like fool!' cried bis ia
ther. Il propose 10 marry virtuous
and charming lady of one Of the Oldest
noble families OF France, and you talk
as II were doing something degrad.
Ing and unhcard of."
''Sle is the daughter Of man whose
vices were well known. her brother Is
OF the worst rcpate. she has led the life
OF an adyenturess. il the widow OF
deformed scrihbicr. and she occupies
iaeniai position in the palace
The King had stamped With his fool
upon The carpet more than once during
thss fraak address. but bis anger blnzed
info fury at its conclusion.
, aDo yoa dare" be cried. with nash
ing eyes. ITO calf the charge " my
claisdren Inetllal positloni ! say that
there Il no higher In the Kingdom. &C
i..1t 4. Msss.fioll sir f1i, iusfatt q lid