Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-17

v presence"
 Forbidden the presence! I? You are madw He stepped back with gray face and staring eyes, one shaking hand half raised in protest. #
 T assure you that it is his order"
 eff could have one word with the king"
 'Unfortunately. monsieur. it is i'm possible"
 The angry nobleman stamped his foot and stared at the door as though he had some thoughts of forcing a pas sage. Then, turning on his heel, he hastened away down the corridor with the air of man who has come to Q decision.
 There. now,' grumbled De Catinat to himself. as he pulled his thick dark mustache. The Is of to make some fresh mischief. I'll have his sister here presently, as like asinot, and pleasant little choice between breaking my or ders and making an enemy of her for life. By my faith, here Is lady. as I feared. An. heaven be praised, 1t is friend md not foe. Good morning, Mile. Nanon.'
 Good morning. Captain de Catinat"
 The newcomer was tall, graceful brunette, her fresh face and sparkling black eyes the brighter in contrast with her plain dress.
 "A note from Mime. de Maintenon to the king. You will hand 1t to him, will you noty'
 Certainly. mademolsellc And how ls madame, your mistressf''
 "Oh, her director has been with her all the morning, and his talk is very. very good, but 1t is also very, very sad. We are not very cheerful when NJ. Go iet has been to see us. But I forget monsieur is Huguenot and knows nothing of directors"
 "Oh, but do not trouble about such differences"
 "Ah, If monsieur could talk to Mme. le Maintenon little! She would con- rert him."
 T would rather talk to Mile. Nanon. but if'-
 'Oh!" There was an exclamation, . whisk of dark skirts, and the soubrette disappeared down side passage.
 Along the broad lighted corridor was gliding a very stately and beautiful lady. tall. graceful and exceedingly naughty. The lady was past her first youth, it is true, but the magnificent curves of her queenly figure. the purity of her complexion, the brightness of her deep lashed blue eyes and the clear regularity of her features enabled her still to claim to be the most handsome as well as the most sharp tongued wo- man in the court of France.
 "Ah, it Is Captain de Catinat.' said Mime. de Montespan, with a smile.
 Your humble servant. marquise."
 "I am fortunate in finding a friend here. for there has been some ridicu- lous mistake this morning."
 "I am concerned to hear it."
 Tt was about my brother NJ. de yi- yonne. It Is almost too laughable to mention. but he was actually refused admission to the lever"
 Tt was my misfortune to have to re- fuse him, madame"
 You. Captain de Catinat? And by what rigbtY She had drawn up her superb figure. and her leSse blue eyes were blazing with indignant astonish- ment.
 'sThe kings order. madame"
 "The king, Is 1t likely that the king would cast a public light upon my family. From whom had you this pre- posterous orierT
 Direct from the king through Bon tems."
 "Absurd. Do you think that the king would venture to exclude a Mo-temart through the mouth of a vaIetl Go. tell the king that I am here and would have . word with him
 -ImpossIble. madame. I have been forbidden to carry a message.
 TO carry any messagcT'
 "Any from ycu. madame"
 Come. captain. you improve Ii only needed this insult to make the thing complete. You msy carry . message to the king from any adventures. from any decsyed eovernes--sbe laughed shrilly at her description of her rival but none from Franroise de Morte- mart. Marquise de Montespen--
 -such are my orders. madame It pains me deepiy to be compelled to cary them out
 You may spare your protestationS captain You Eay yet find that ycu have every rezso1 to be deeply pained- For the Last tine. do yoa refuse to car u my ne<szcsT
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