Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-19
CHAPTER VI.

O1AtlGN VI.
 "HE rooms which were inhabited
 by the lady who had already
 taken so marked a position at
 the court of France were as humble as were her fortunes at the lime when they were allotted to her, but with that rare tact and self re- straint which were the leading fea- lures in her remarkable character she had made no change in her living with the increase of her prosperity and 'orbore from provoking envy and jeal- ousy by any display of wealth or of power. In side wing of the palace, far from the central salons and only to be reached by long corridors and Olirs, were the two or three small chambers upon which the eyes, first of he court, then of France and finally of the world. were destined to be turned. In such rooms had the desti- lute widow of the poet NScarron been housed when ahe had S1Ht been brought to corrt by Mme. dc Montespan as the gUTerness of the royal children, and h such rooms she still dwelt now that she had added to her maiden Francoise d'Aubigny the title of Mar auise de Maintenon, with the pension md estate which the kings favor had lWarded her.
 The young guardsman had scarce Ner exchanged word with this pow lrful lady, for 1t was her taste to iso- late herself and to appear with the court only at the hours of devotion. It was therefore with some feelings both ,f nervousness and of curiosity that he followed his guide down the gorgeous corridors, where art and wealth had been strewn with so lavish hand. The lady paused in front of the cham Der door and turned to her companion.
 Madame wishes to speak to you of what occurred this morning." said she. T should advise you to say nothing to madame about your creed, for it Is the ,nly thing upon which her heart can se hard" She raised her finger to em- 9hasize the warning, and, tapping at he door, she pushed 1t open. ''I have brought Captain de Catinat, madame" taid she.
 "Then let the captain step in." The ,oice was firm and yet sweetly mn hcal.
 Obeying the command, De Catinat sound himself in room which was 10 larger and but little better furnish d than that which was allotted to his pwn use. Yet though simple, every hing in the chamber was scrupulously s,eat and clean, betraying the dainty aste of a refined woman. Ths stamp .d leather furniture, the La Savon- iiere carpet, the pictures of sacred sub ects, exquisite from an artists point If view, the plain but tasteful curtains, Ill left an impression half religious md half feminine, but wholly soothing. indeed, the soft light the high white Itatue of the Virgin in a canopied niche, with perfumed red lamp burning be- ore 1t, and the wooden prie-dleu with he red edged prayer book upon the top ,f 1t made the apartment look more ike private chapel than a fair lady's ,oudofr.
 On each side of the empty fireplace vas little green covered armchair, he one for madame and the other re- served for the use of the king. A small hree legged stool between them was leaped with her workbasket and her tapestry. On the chair which was far hest from the door, with her back turned to the light, madame was sit ing as the young officer entered De Jatinat without having time to notice ietails was simply conscious that he vas in the presence of very hand some woman and that her large, pen i've eyes were fixed critically upon Jim and seemed to be reading his thoughts as they had never been read ,efore.
 T think that have already seen nou, sir. Have I notY'
 Yes, madame. I have once or twice lad the honor of attending upon you, hough it may not have been my good iortune to address you"
 "My life is so quiet and retired that fear that much of what is best and xorthiest at the court is unknown to ne. You have served. monsieur?"
 sYes, madame. In the Lowlands, m the Rhine and in Canada"
 "In Canada! An! What nobler am ,iion could woman have than to be | member of that sweet sisterhood which was founded by the holy Marie ie pIncarnation and the sainted Jeanne le Der at Montreal? And loubtless you have had the privilege