The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-11-01
CHAPTER VII

II
resource With frank smil,
II greeting she advanced with out
ltrptched hand.
This il indeed pleasure" !" said she
but Nine, de Montespan was very
gugry. SO angry that she was eyidentl,
rlaking strong efforts 10 keep herself
within control and TO avoid breaking
INTO furious ou,burst She disre
farded her rivals outstretched hand
aud turned toward the king, who had
been looking al her with darkenins
face.
Il fear that Intrude. sire"
Your entrance. madame. is certainly
somewhat abrupt"
Il must crave pardon II II Is so
Since this lady has been the goyerness
I Of my children have been In the hab.
II OF coming Into her room unan'
I nounced."
AS far as | am concerned, you are
most welcome to do 80, said her rival.
I with perfect composure
/ II confess that had not even thought
I II necessary TO ask your permission.
I madame" the other answered coldly.
Then you shall certainly do SO In
the future, madame said the king
sternly. 1T is my express order to
you ihat every possible respect is to
be snown In every way to this lady"
"Oh, 10 this ladyr' with a wave Of
her hand In her direction. Your maj.
estys commands are Of course our
laws. But must remember that 1t
is this lady, for sometimes one may
get confused as 10 which name II Is
that your majesty has picked out for
honor"
She was superb In her pride and her
fearlessness as she stood, with her
sparkling blue eyes and her heaving
bosom. looking down upon her royal
lover. Angry as he was, his gaze lost
something OF its sternness as II rested
upon her round full throat and the
delicate lines OF her shapely shoulders.
There is nothing to be gained, ma
dame, by being insolent," said he
Truth Is always mistaken for inso-
lence, sire, at the court Of France"
you forget yourself, madame. !
beg that you will leave the room"
Il must first remind your majesty
that was so far honored as to have
an appointment this afternoon. At A
O'Clock ! had your royal promise that
you would come to me. cannot doubt
that your majesty will keep that prom
lse In spite Of the fascinations which
you may find here"
Il should have come, madame. but
the clock, as you may observe, Is half
an hour slow, and the time had passed
before | was aware Of It."
81 beg. sire, that you will not let
that distress you. l am returning to
my chamber, and o'clock will suit
me as well as 4"
II thank you, madame, but ! have
not found this interview so pleasant
that should seek another"
"Then yonr majesty will break your
word"
silence, madame! This is lntoler
able"
1T Is indeed Intolerable" cried the
angry lady. throwing all discretion to
the winds. "Oh, | am not afraid OF
you, sire. have loved you, but | have
never feared you. | leave you here. !
leave you with your conscience and
your-yonr lady confessor. But one
word OF truth you shall hear before ]
go. You have been false to your wife,
and you have been false TO your mis-.
tress, but II Is only now that find that
you can be false also TO your word"
She swept him an indignant courtesy
and glided with head erect out OF the
room.
The king sprang from bis chair as II
he had been stung. Accustomed as he
was TO his gentle little wife and the
even eentler La valllere, such Ian
enagc as this had never before intrud-
cd Itself upon the royal ears And then
his whole soul rose up In anger at her,
nj the woman who had dared to raise
her voice against him. He gave an In
articnlate cry OF rage and rushed to
the door.
Sire" Nine. de Mantenon, who
had watched kcenly the swift play OF
bis emotions over his expressive face,
took two quick steps forward and laid
her hand upon his arm.
IL will go after her"
And why. sirer
TO forbid her the court"
but. sire
'Yon heard her. IL Is Infamous. l
shall GO
But. sire, could you not writer
No. no; shall see her" He pulled
open the door.
"Oh. sire. be firm, then" II was with
an anxious face that she watched him
start on. walking rapidly, with angry
gestures, down the corridor. Then she
turned back and, dropping upon her
knees on the prlc-dleu, bowed her head
In prayer for the king, for herself and
for France.
DE Catinat, the guardsman. had en-.
ployed himself In showing his young
friend from over the water all the won
ders OF the great palace.
DE catlnat had arranged that the
American should remain with his
friend Major de Brissac, as the sime
had come round for his own second
turn Of guard. He had hardly stationed .
himself in the corridor when he was
astonishes 90 see the king, without es-
cou or attendants. walking swiftly /
down the passage. His delicate face
was dishgurcd With anger. and his /
mouth was set grImiy. IKE that OF
man who had taken a momentous res.
Sluiidn
Officer Of the guard" said he short 4
b.
"Yes. sire"
4 Wish your assistance"
Il am al yoar command, sire"
"IS there a subailern hereY
'IIeuteaani De Ia Tremouille is at
TIE side gnard,"
VERY we'll You win place him In
command You win yonrssC 80 10 the
spsnrneni ~ N. de yly0nns. II be IL
BOT there you must go an -sek hsm-
whcsc.~ be Ia, you must Cad him
within tie hour"