The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-08-29
Bu 4. CONAN DOYLE,
Author Of "The Return of Sherlock Holmes

the Increase of her prosperity and
forbore from provoking envy and jeal-
ousy by any display OF wealth or Of
power. IN Il side wing of the palace,
far from the central salons and only
to be resc1ed by long corridors and
stairs. We're the two or three small
chambers UPON which the eyes, first of
The court, then OF France and finally
turned. In such rooms had the desti-
tute widow of the poet Scarron been
housed when she had first been brought
10 court by Nine. de Montespan as the
governesS of the royal children. and
In such rooms she still dwelt now
FRANCHISE d'Aubigny the title of Mar
quise de Maintenon, with the pension
and estate which the kings favor had
awarded her.
The young guardsman had scarce
eyer exchanged word with this pow
erful lady. for it was her taste TO iso-
late herself and to appear with the
court only at the hours OF devotion. 1t
was therefore with some feelings. both
Of 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
Il should advise you to say nothing to
madame about your creed. for it Is the
only thing upon which her heart can
be hard" She raised her finger to EN-
phasize the warning. and. tapping at
the, door. she pushed it open. Il have
brought Captain de Catinat. madame"
said she.
Then let the captain step in The
voice was firm and yet sweetly mu-
steal.
Obeying the command. De Catinat
found himself IN a room which was
no larger and but little better furnish
ed than that which was allotted to his
own use Yet. though simple. every
thing In the chamber was scrupulously
neat and clean. betraying the dainty
taste of refiued woman. The stamp
ed leather furniture. the La Savon-
Mere carpet, the pictures of sacred sub
jects. exquisite from an artists point
of view. the plain but tasteful curtains,
all left an impression half religious
and half feminine but wholly soothing
Indeed. the soft light the high white
statue of the Virgin in canopied niche.
with Il prrfumed red lamp burning be-
fore 1t. and the wooden prie-dieu with
the red edged prayer book upon the to-,
of ii made the apartment look more
like a private chapel than fair laly's
boudoir.
On each side Of the empty fireplace
was a little green covered armchair.
the one. for madame and the other re-
served for the use Of the king. A small
three legged stool between them was
heaped with her work basket and her
tapestry. On the chair which was far
thest from the door. with her back
turned To the light. madame was sit
ting as the young officer entered. De
Catinat. without having time TO notice
details. was simply conscious that he
was IN the presence of very hand
some woman and that her large. pen
sive eyes were fixed critically upon
him and seemed TO be reading his
thoughts us they had never been read
before
Il think flat have already seen
you. sir. Have | not
Yes. madame. | have once or twice
had thu honor of attending upon YOU.
though it may not have been my good
fortune to address you
My lie is - quiet and retired that
| fear that mu-h OF what is best and
worthiest at the court is unknown to
me. You, have. served. monsieur"
eyes, madame. In the LowIands,
on the Rhine and in Canada
In Canada. All. What nobler am
bition could woman have than to be
a member Of that sweet sisterllood
which Was, founded by the holy Marie
de rIucarnation and the sainted
Jeanne lie Ber Mt Montreal: And
doubtless you have had the privilege
also of seeing the holy Bishop f.aval?"
Yes, madame, | have seen Bishop
Laval"
And l trust that the Sulpicians still
hold their own against the Jesuits:"
II have heard. madame. that the
Jesuits are the stronger at Quebec and
The others at Montreal"
And who is your own director. mon
sieur?'
De Catinat felt that the worst had
come upon him. Il have none, ma
dame"