The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-11

to attend his majesty Immediately. He
expected you an hour ago"
was thunderstruck at this-at the
message, and at the mans manner
and for a moment I could scarcely re
strain my Indignation. I cOntented
myself, however, with signifying my
assent by a nod, and without more
ado followed him toward the queen S
apartments.
In the ante-chamber were several
persons, who, as I passed, saluted me
with an air of shyness and incertitude
which was enough of itself to put me
on my guard. COncini attended me to
the door of the chamber; there he fell
back. and Mile. GaIigai, who was in
waiting, announced me. I entered, as
Stunning a serene cOuntenanCe, and
found the king and queen together, no
other person being present. The queen
was lying at length on a couch, while
Henry, seated on q stool at her feet.
seemed to be engaged in soothing and
reassuring her. On nv entrance he
broke off and rose to his feet.
Here ne is at last" he said, barely
looking at me. Now, you will, dear
heart. ask him your questions I have
had no communication with him, as
you know, for I have been with you
since morning"
The queen, whose face was flushed
with fever, made a fTetful movement
but did not answer.
do you wish me to ask him?"
Henry said, with admira bic patience.
eff you think it worth while" she
muttered. turning sullenly and eye'ng
me from the middle of her pillows with
disdain and i'll temper.
Il will, then" he answered, and
he turned to me. Monsieur de Rosny."
he said in a formal tone, which. even
without the unaccustOmed monsieur,
cut me 70 the heart. "be good enough
to tell the queen how the key to my
secret cipher, which I intrUsted to you.
has come to be in Nine. de VerneuiT s
possession
I looked at him in the Drofoundest
astonishment, and for a moment re
manned silent, trying to collect my
thoughts under this unexpected blow.
The queen saw my hesitation and
laughed spitefully. Il am afraid, sire -
she said that you have overrated this
oentlemen's ingenuity, though doubt
less. il has been much exercised in your
service"
Henry's face grew red with vexa-
ion. Speak, mani" he cried. How
came she by it?'
Nine. de Verneuil?' I sad.
The queen laughed again. Had you
not better take him out fist. sire. 3"
she said scornfully, land tell him what
to say2"
Fore God, madame" the king cried
passionately. you try me too far.
Have I not told you a hundred times.
and sworn to you, that 7 did not give
Nine. de Verneuil this key?'
IF you did not give her that" the
queen muttered sullenIy, picking at the
slken coverIid which Law on her feet,
''yOd have given her all else. You can
not deny il"
Henry let a gesture Of despair es-
cape him. Are we to go back to
that?" he said. Then turning to me,
Tell her" he said between his teeth,
and tell me- Ventre Saint Gris-are
you dumb, man?"
Discerning nothing for it at the mo-
ment save to bow before this storm
which had arisen so suddenly. and
from a quar- er the least expected. I
FASTENED to comply. I had not pro-
ceeded far with my story, however,
before I saw that it won no credence
with the queen, but rather confirmed
her in her belief that the king had
given to another what he had denied
10 her And more I saw that in pro-
portion as the tale failed to convince
her, it excited the kings wrath and
disappointment. At last. when I came
TO a lame conclusiOn-since I could eX-
plain nothing except that the key was
gone-he could restrain himself no
longer. In q tone in which he had
never addressed me before. he asked
me why I had not. on the instant
communicated the loss 10 him; and
when 7 would have defended myself
by adducing the reason I have given
above. overwhelmed me with abuse
and reproaches, which, as they were
uttered in the queens presence. and
would be repeated. know, to the Con-
Gins and Galigais of her suite, who
had no occasion to love me. carried a
double sting.
Nevertheless for a time and until he
had somewhat worn himself out, I let
Henry proceed. Then, taking advan-
tage Of the first pause, 1 interDOsed.