The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-25


france has married subjects Sc,
how every princess of Europe stretche.
out her hand 10 him. The queen OF
France must be of queenly blood. ever
I as tie last was"
/ ..All this may be overcome.
And then there are the reasons oil
/ state If the king marry. it should be
/ TO form a powerful alliance. to CO
ment a friendship with a neighbor m.
ton or TO gain some province which
may be the brides dowry What is
my dowry: 4 widows pension and n
workbox''
Your dowry. my daughter. would
be those gifts of body and of mind
with which hCs,ven has endowed you.
! The king has money enough and the
king has provinces enough. As to the
state. how can the state be better
served than by the assurance that the
king will be saved in future from such
sights as are to be seen in this palace
today
''Oh, if il could be so. But think
father; think of those about him-the
dauphin, monsieur his brother. his
ministers. You know how little this
for them TO sway his mind
The faces of the two ecclesiasties
who had dismissed her other objections
with smile and a wave clouded over
at this.
MY daughter" said the Jesuit grave
ly. that is matter which you may
leave to the church. 1t may be that
we. too. have some power over the
kings mind and that we may lead him
in the right path. even though those
of his own blood would fain have il
otherwise. The future only can show
with whom the power lies. But you?
Love and duty both draw you one way
now, and the church may count upon
you and you upon the church. 1t will
serve you if you in turn will but serve
it,"
What higher wish could I have?
You will be our daughter. our queen.
our champion, and you will heal the
wounds of the suffering church. The
Huguenots must 60. They must be
driven forth. The goats must be di-
vided from the sheep. The king is al
ready in two minds. Louvois is our
friend now. If you are with us, then
all will be WE'LL
are! And think, too of their sufferings
should they be driven FORTH
Their cure lies In their own hands,"
THAT is true. And yet my heart
softens for them"
Pere Ia Chaise and the bishop shook
their heads.
"You would befriend Gods enemies.
then?"
mo, no: not if they are indeed So
Can you doubt it? Is it possible
that your heart still turns toward the
heresy of your YOUTH
mo, father: but it is not In nature to
forget that my father and my grand
father
Nay: they have answered for their
own sins. Is it possible that the church
has been mistaken in you? Do you,
then. refuse the first favor which she
asks Of you? You would accept her
aid, and yet you would. give none in
return
Nine de Maintenon rose with the air
Of one who has made her resolution. |
You are wiser than l." said she, land /
to you have been committed the inter-
ssts Of the church. will do what you /
advise
you promise it?"
II do"
Her two visitors threw up their hands +
ogether. at is a blessed day." they /
.ried, land generations yet unborn will I
earn to deem it So
She sat half stunned by the prospect
which was opening out in front of her.
ambitious she had, as the Jesuit had
urmised, always Determinations for
be power which would enable her to
cave the world better than she found
!. But close at the heels OF her joy
here came a sudden revulsion to
oubt and dependency. Was not all
his fine prospect a mere day dream?a
md how could these men be so sure
hat they held the king in the hollow
their hand? The Jesuit read the
ears which dulled the sparkle Of her
yes, and answered her thoughts.
THE church redeems its pledges
Witty" said he. And you, my
aughter, you must be as prompt when
our own turn comes"
II have promised. father"
"Then it is for US to perform. You
ill remain in your room all evening
Yes, father"
1.-THE king already hesitates. l spoke
18th him this morning, and his mind
as full OF blackness and despair. His
etter self turns in disgust from his
ms. I have to see and speak with
i'm once more, and l go from your
,om to his. And when I have spoken
: will come from his room to yours,
: have studied his heart for twenty
ears In vain" They bowed low to
er. both together, and left her to her
oughts.
An hour passed, and then a second
lie, as she sat in her fauteuil, her
pestry before her. but her hands list
s. upon her lap. waiting for her fate.
er Iife's future was now being set
I'd for her, and she was powerless to
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