The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-10-25

CHAPTER VI.
Bu A. CONAN DOYLE.

taken 80 marked position at
The court Of France were as
hamble as we're her fortunes at the
time when they were allotted 10 Der \
but with tliat rare tact and self re
strain, which were the leading Tea
nlres In her remarkable character she
had made no change In her living WIN |
lie Increase Of her prosperity and
forbore from provoking envy ana )eal.
ousy by any display OF wealth or OF
power. In side wing OF the palace.
far from the central salons and only /
10 be reached by long corridors ana
stairs, were the two or three small
chambers upon which the eyes, hrst Oh
the court, then OF France and hnaliy
NJ the world, were destined TO DE
turned. In such rooms had The dest-
tute widow OF the poet Scarron been
housed when she had first Nen brought
10 court by Mime. de Montespan as the
poyerncss OF the royal children, ana
IN such rooms she stlll dwelt now
that she had added TO her maiden
Frnncolse d'Aubigny the title OF Mar
aulse de Maintenon, with the pension
and estate which the kings favor hao
awarded her.
The young guardsman had scarce
ever exchanged word with this pow
crfuI lady, for II was her taste TO $50
late herself and 10 appear with Tue
court only Ut the hours OF devotion. IL
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 a hand.
The lady paused In front OF the cham'
ber door and turned to her companion.
MADAME wishes TO speak to you OF
what occurred this morning." said she.
II should advise you to say nothing 10
madame about your creed for II Is the
/ only thing upon which her heart can
/ bo hard" She raised her finger to en-
phaslze the warning, and, tapping az
the door, she pushed II open. u nave
brought Captain de Catinat, madame,
/ said she,
nTben let the captain step In" The
voice was firm and yet sweetly mu-
( steal.
Chewing the command, De Catinat
found himself In room which was
no large, and but little better furnish
cd than that which was allotted to his
own use. Yet, though simple, every
thing In the chamber was scrupulously
4 neat and clean, betraylng the dainty
taste OF refined woman. The stamp
ed leather furniture the La Sayon-
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 "A perfumed red lamp burning be-
fore 1t, and the wooden prie-dleu with
the red edged prayer book upon the top
OF II made the apartment look more
like n private chapel than fair lady's
boudoir.
on each side Of the empty fireplace
was n little green covered armchair
the one for madame and the other re-
served for tho use OF the king. Arsmall
three legged stool between them was
heaped with her workbasket and hei
tapestry. On the chair which was far
tliest from the door, with her back
turned TO the light, madame was sit
ting as the young officer entered. Dt
| CatInat without having time to notice
| details, was simply conscious that III
| was IN the preSsnce Of Il very hand
some woman and that her large, pen
slye eyes were fixed critically upoi
him aud seemed to be reading hi
thoughts as they had never been rea,
before.
Il think that ! have already seel
you. sir. Have | notf'
yes, madame. have once or twic
had tho honor Of attending upon you
though II may not have been my goo'
fortune TO address you"
| "My life is 30 quiet and retired tina
l / rear tlut tHuNh VI Nh"t 10 49, 49,
worthiest at the court Is unknown I
| me. You have served, monsieur
"Yes. madame. In the Lowlandi
| on the Rhine and In Canada
/ "In Canadal Ali What nobler an
| bition could woman have than TO b
member OF that sweet slsterhoo
which was founded by the holy Mari
de rIncarnation and the salnte
| Jeanne le Ber at Montrealf An
doubtless you have had the priyileg
also Of seeing the holy Bishop Layall
"Yes, madame, have seen Blsho
Laval"
"And | trust that the Sulpicians ST.
bold their own against the Jesuitsr
Il have heard. madame. that q
Jesuits are the stronger at Quebec mn
the others at Montreal"
eAnd who is your own director, mo-
sieurT
De Catinat felt that the worst hs
come upon him. II have none, IN
dame"
"Ab, II IL too common to dispcn
: with director. and yet know u
4 how could guide my steps In the a
u ficult path which | tread " u we
not for mine. Who is your eonfesst
them
Il have none. am Of the Reform'
church"
The lady gave gesture Of horr'
and 4 sudden hardening showed IT'S
in mouth and eye What. IN 7
court Itself" she cried. "and 10
neIghborhoci of the kings own y
T. sou
aYoa viii dnd. madame" said
caiinat siernly. that meul'ers OF =
faith have not only stood around !
throne OF France but have even sei
ed themselves upon Il"
e..na has for bis own all wise ~
r,oses permitted IL and none shol
lnow Il better than ], whose grands'
~ I,,esiore d'Anblgny. I'D 50 much
siaee a crown upon the bead OF
sreat Henry Bot nenry's eyes W.
oz,cned ere bis end came, and ] pra.
Oh. from my heart ] pray--that yoi
r msy BE- also"
she rose and, throwing herself 90
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