Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-17


 of his own dignity that he could mol realize that under any circumstances 1t might be compromised in the eyes of others. So he sat, the master of France and yet the slave to every puff of wind for a wandering draft had set him shiv' ering and shaking. M. de St. Quentin the noble barber, flung purple dress. ing gown over the royal shoulders and placed long, many curled court wig upon his head, while Bontems drew on his red stockings and laid before him his slippers of embroidered velvet. The monarch thrust his feet into them, tied his dressing gown and passed out to the fireplace, where he settled himself down in his easy chair, holding out his thin, delicate hands toward the blazing logs, while the others stood round in semicircle, waiting for the grand lever which was to follow.
 NJ. de St. Quentin, is this not our shaving morning?" said the king.
 .Yes, sire; all is ready"
 'Then why not proceed? It is three minutes after the accustomed time. To work, sir; and you, Bontems. give word for the grand lever"
 It was obvious that the king was not in very good humor that morning. He darted little quick questioning glances at his brother and at his sons, but whatever complaint or sarcasm may have trembled upon his lips was effectually stifed by De St. Quentin's ministrations. With the nonchalance born of long custom, the official GOV cred the royal chin with soap, drew the razor swiftly round it and sponged over the surface with spirits of wine. A nobleman then helped to draw on the kings black velvet haut-de-chausses, g second assisted in arranging them, while third drew the nightgown over the shoulders and handed the royal shirt, which had been warming before the fire. His diamond bucESF shoes, his gaiters and his scarlet inner vest were successively fastened by noble courtiers. each keenly jealous of his own privilege. and over the vest was placed the blue ribbon with the cross of the Holy Ghost in diamonds, and that of St. Louis tied with red. The black undercoat was drawn on, the crayat of rich lace adjusted, the loose overcoat secured, two handkerchiefs of costly point carried forward upon an enameled saucer and thrust by sepa- rate officials into each side pocket, the silver and ebony cane laid to hand, and the monarch was ready for the labors of the day.
 During the half hour or SO which had been occupied in this manner there had been a constant opening and clos ing of the chamber door, and mutter- ing of names from the captain of the guard to the attendant in charge, and from the attendant In charge to the first gentleman of the chamber. ending always in the admission of some new visitor. Here, close by the king, was the harsh but energetic Louvois. all powerful now since the death of his rival Colbert, discussing a question of military organization with two officers, the one tall and stately soldier, the other strange little figure, undersized and misshapen, but bearing the insig- mia of a marshal of France, and own ing name which was of evil omen over the Dutch frontier, for Luxem- bourg was looked upon already as the successor of Condo, even as his com panion vauban was of Turenne. Be side them a small white haired clerical with kindly face, Pere la Chaise, confessor to the king, was whispering his views upon Jansenism to the portly Bossuet. the eloquent bishop of Meaux. Close to the door Racine, with his hand. some face wreathed in smiles, was chatting with the poet Boileau and the architect Mansard, the three laughing and testing with the freedom which was natural to the favorite servants of the king.
 He becomes harder and harder to amuse," said Racine. T am to be at Mme. de Maintenon's room at to see whether a page or two of the Phe- dre may not work a change. Madame is a wonderful woman. She has brains, she has heart. she has tact-she is ad- 
 And yet she has one gift too many age"
 Pooh! What matter her years when she can carry them like thirty? What an eye, what an arm! And, besides. my friends. he Is not himself . boy any longer"
 Very true, but young man con suits his eye and an older man his ear. Over forty. 1t Is the clever tongue which wins; under 1t, the pretty face"
 "Ah, you rascal! Then you have made up your mind that i've and forty years with tact will hold the field against nine and thirty with beauty. We'll, when your lady has won she will doubtless remember who were the first to pay court to her"
 But think you are wrong, Racine"
 "well, what theni"
 "Then 1t may be . little serious for you"
 And whyT
 "The Marquise de Montespan has a memory"
 Her influence may soon be nothing more. Maintenon Is the cleverest wo- man in France"
 "Pshaw. Racine. you know our dear master well. or you should. for you seem to have been at his elbow since the days of the Fronde. Is he a man, fbynt xou to be amused forever by