Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-09-01


card must be played now which would
bring the matter 20 a crisis at once.
The bishop OF Meaux was waiting In
the anteroom. and Father Ia ChaIse In
few brief words lex him see the dan
ser OF the situation and the means by
which they should meet H. Together
they sought Nine. de Maintenon in her
room. AZ the two plotters looked upon
her perfect complexion. her regular fea-
lures. 30 calm and Jet 20 full OF refine
nent. and the exquisite grace OF her
figure and bearing they could not but
feel that II hey failed In their ends II
was not FOR want OK having a perfect
tool
She had risen at their entrance, and
her expression showed that she had
read upon their fseee something OF the
anxiety which flied their minds.
You have evil news slse cried
No. 10. my dsushte<.r II was tho
baehop who spoke. But we must be
on our guard against oar enemyes. who
would turn the king away FROM you II
they could
Her face shoDs at the mention OF her
hover. All. you DO not kaow-' she
cried. lie has made 8 VOW. would
trust him IS would trust uryealf.-
But the Jesuh's intellect was arrayod
against the intuition of the woman.
'>our opponents are many and strong"
said he. shaking bis head I'VE must
bring the matter to an end
And how. father
The marriage must Be az once, this
very night II possible"
"Oh. father. you ask too much TIE
king would never consent to such a
proposal
1T Is be that will propose TT
And whyf"
Because we shall force him TO 1t
n only thus that all opposition can be
stopped. When II L. Done the court
will accept n Until X ~ done they
viii resist tt
What would you have me DO, then.
ratherY-
-Resign the king
Resign him- She turned as pale
rs lily.
ut IL the best course, madama-
-Ah. father. I might have done II
last month. lax week, e~en yesterday
morning
Fear not madame. We advise you
FOR the best. co 10 tbe king now. at
oocs. Say TO him thet you have heard
that be has boen subjected 70 much
annoyance upon your account. that YOU
cannot bear TO think that you should
be a cauee % diseenston IN his own
family and that therefore you viii re
beaso him from his promise and WIFI
withdraw youreelf from tho court for
ever"
She cast Hight mantle about her
shoulders.
I follow your advhca- sbo said. 7
believe that you are wsser than I. But
oh, f be should take nos AZ my word
lie VIII not take you az your word
The king had remained alone IN bis
onb4uet- wrapped la somewhat gloomy
thoughts Suddeoly there came a ccn-
De tap at The door. and there was rhe
woman WHO was In bis thoughts stand
lng In The twilight before him. he
sprnag 20 his feet and bend out his
hands with "A smile
Fnncoisei You hsxSf Tben hnv-.
~ sarv wcScusns vSsFrOr. nnu n I1ss
nrst ooe today
-stre. fear that you have been
tSoubled.-
! have Indeed Francolaa-
-but I have a remedy fOr ~
And what r. thatr-
\ roall leayNe tbs court. sire, and you
shah think no moro oC what has passed
bst0E~ecn ~. have brought diecori
wbe~e meant 70 bring peace. Lex me
retire 20 Fl Cyr OF 20 the Abbey OF
Poote~rauh. and yOu viii no Ionger be
caIlcd upon 30 make such sacrifices for
my sake"
TIA king TUNED oeathly palo and
cfutcbcd at Der shawl with a trembling
hand, ~ though be feared that she
was about to put her resolution into
e<rOct that verT instant
no, no. Frnncol>e: you must not
ksa~o me- You must stay with me and
bs my wife he oOuh hardly speak
for agitation aud ia Still Rrasped az
her dress 30 0e<Ain bes
some time must cIapss before our
wedding. slr0- Yet during ali that In
te~vai yVou YIN be expoeed TO these an
nOyAoces How can be happy when
I feel chat have brought upon you so
long a period q discomfort A day
v-ould BE- too hog. sire, for you TO be
unhappy through my faux. n Is a
mteory 20 nse 10 think of X Believe
ma, II would 10 better that should
leave yoo-"
Never! You shall mott Why should
We even wait q day, Franootssef 7 an
ready. You arc ready. Why should ~
not bs noarrted Dowr
AT oncef Oh, sirer-
-WNe shall n ~ my wish n n mr.
owceF. That h my Answer 10 those
who would drive ns Let Il be done
secretly, Francois. VIII send IA a
tusty messenger this pery night for
TIE archbishop OF Paris, ADD swear
chst II al France stand III tia way
be shall make Us man and Vsfo befose
he departs>~