Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-17


 could a reasonable woman ask for morei
 On the whole, his conscience acquit- ted him. But in this one matter he had been lax. From the first coming of his gentle and forgiving young wife from Spain he had never once permit ted her to be without n rival. Now that she was dead the matter was no better. One favorite had succeeded another, and if De Montespan had held her own 50 long 1t was rather from her audacity than from his affection. But now Father la Chaise and Bossuet were ever reminding him that he had topped the summit of his life and was already upon that downward path which leads to the grave. The time had come for gravity and for calm, neither of which was to be expected in the company of Mme. de Montespan.
 But he had found out where they were to be enjoyed. From the day when De Montespan had introduced the stately and silent widow as gov prness for his children he had found never failing and ever increasing pleas ure In her society. For time he had thought that her piety and her talk of principle might be mere mask, for he was accustomed to hypocrisy all round him. It was surely unlikely that . woman who was still beautiful, with as bright an eye and as graceful 6g- ure as any in his court, could after a life spent in the gayest circles pre- serve the spirit of nun. But on this point he was soon undecelved, for when his own language had become warmer than that of friendship he had been met by an iciness of manner and . brevity of speech which had shown him that there was one woman at least in his dominions who had a higher re- spect for herself than for him. And perhaps 1t was better so. The placid pleasures of friendship were very soothing after the storms of passion. To sit in her room every afternoon, to listen to talk which was not tainted with fiattery and to hear opinions which were not framed to please hts ear were the occupations now of his happiest hours. And then her infu- ence oyer him was all so good!
 And now he knew that the time had come when he must choose between Ter and De Montespan. Their infu- ences were antagonistic. They could not continue together. He stood be- tween virtue and vice, and he must choose.
 Such were the thoughts which ran through the kings head as he bent over the rich crimson cushion which topped his priedieu of carved oak. He knelt in his own inclosure to the right of the altar, with his guards and his immediate household around him, while the court. ladies and cavaliers. filled the chapel. Piety was a fashion now, like dark overcoats and lace cravats. and no courier was so worldly minded as not to have had a touch of grace since the king had taken to religion.
 It was the habit of Louis as he walk ed back from the chapel to receive pe- titions or to listen. to any tales of wrong which his subjects might bring to him. On this particular morning there were but two or three-a Pa risIan who conceived himself injured by the provost of his guild, peasant whose COW had been torn by hunts mans dog and farmer who had had hard usage from his feudal lord. A few questions and then hurried order to his secretary disposed of each case. He was about to resume his way again when an elderly man. clad in the garb of a respectable citizen and with strong. deep lined face which marked him as man of character. darted for ward and threw himself down upon one knee in front of the monarch.
 "What is this?" asked Louis. "who are you, and what is 1t that you wanty
 T am a citizen of Paris. and I have been cruelty wronged."
 "You seem very worthy person. If you have indeed been wronged you shall have redress. What have you to complain off
 Twenty of the Blue dragons of Languedoc are quartered in my house, with Captain Dalbert at their head. They have devoured my food, stolen my property and beaten my servants. yet the magistrates will give me no re- dress" 'On my life. justice seems to be ad- ministered in a strange fashion In our city of Paris.' exclaimed tbe king. And yet there may be . very good reason for It." suggested Pere Ia Chaise. "I would suggest that your majesty should ask this man his name, his business and why 1t was that the dragons were quartercd upon him."
 "You hear the reverend fathers ques- tlon." My name. sire, is Catinat. by trade I am a merchant in cloth. and I am treated in this fashion because I am of | the Reformed church"
 The king shook his head and his brow dsrkened. You have only yourself to thank. then. The remedy is in your hands,"
 And how. sirer
 ~By embracing the only true faith" T am already member of 1t. sire" The king stamped his foot angrlly. T can see that you are a very insolent beretic." said he. There Is but one church in France. and that is my rhurch If xnu are outside that You