The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-03-08
CHAPTER II.-coNrINuEp.

CHAPTER ll.-CONTiNbhR
Il was of good Size, but wore, fan
cied, a gloomy aspect. A great yew
hedge. which seemed TO enclose walk
OF bowling-green, hid the ground floor
of the east wing from view, while
formal. rose garden, stiff even in ne
elect, lay in front of the main building.
The west wing. whose lower roofs fell
gradually away to the woods. probably
contained the stables and granaries.
stood a moment only, but | marked
all. and noted how the road reached
the house and which windows we're
open to attack; then l turned and
fastened back. Fortunately, | met no
one between the house and the village,
and was able TO enter the inn with an
air Of the most complete innocence.
Short as had 5een my absence,
found things altered there. Round the
door loitered and chartered three
strangers-stout, well-armed fellows,
whose bearing suggested a curious
mixture Of smugness and independence.
Half-a-dozen packhorses stood tethered
TO the post in front of the house; and
the landlords manner, from being rude
and churlish only. had grown preplexed
and almost timid One OF the strangers,
soon found, supplied him with wine;
the others were travelling merchants,
who rode in the first ones company
for the sake of safety All were sub
stantial men from Tarbes-solid bur-
gesses; aud was not long in guessing
that my host. fearing what might leak
out before them and particularly that
might refer to the previous nights
disturbance, was on tenterhooks while
they remained.
For a time this did not suggest any
thing to me. But when we had all
taken our seats for supper there came
an addition to the party. The door
opened and the fellow whom | had
seen the night before with Madam de
Cocheforet entered and took a stool by
the fire. felt sure that he was one Of
the servants at the chateau; and in a
flash his presence inspired me with the
most feasible plan for obtaining ad-
mission which I had yet hit upon. I
felt myself growing hot at the thought
lit seemed so full Of promise and OF
danger-and on the instant, without
giving myself time to think too much,
began to carry IL into effect.
called for two or three bottles o,
better wine and, assuming a jovial
air, passed IL round the table, When
we had drunk a few glasses. fell to
talking and, choosing politics, took
the side of the Languedoc party and
the malcontents in so reckless a fash
ion that the innkeeper was beside him
self at my imprudence. The merchants,
who belonged to the class with whom
The cardinal was always most popular,
looked first astonished and then en-
ragged But I was not to be checked.
Hints and souT looks were lost upon
me. grew more outspoken with every
glass / drank to the Rochellois. !
swore It would not be long before they
raised their heads again; and at last,
while the innkeeper and his wife were
engaged in lighting the lamp, passed
round the bottle and called on all for
a toast
I'm give you one to begin" brag-
ged noisily. "a gentleman's toast!
A southern toast Here is confusion
10 the cardinal and health to all who
hate himl"
Mon Dieul" one Of the strangers
cried, sprlnging from his seat in a
rage. 81 am not going to stomach thatl
Is your house a common treason-hole."
ne continued, turning furiously on the
landlord, that you suffer this?"
"Hoity-toityl" | answered, coolly
keeping my seat. What is all this?
Don't you relish my toast, little mani"
''No-nor you!" he retorted holly,
whoever you my bel"
Then VII give you another" /
answered. with a hiccough Per
haps It will be more to your taste.
Here is the Duke Of Orleans. and may
be soon Re king!"