The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-25

NoAciaAit ~ LAS new huidot
IL The routine of his life remained
unchanged save that it was the
room of the frail beauty rather than OF
Nine. de Maintenon which attracted
him in the afternoon. And in sym
patty with this sudden relapse into his
old life his coats lost something OF
their somber hue. His walk was brisk
er, and he gave youthful flourish to
his cane as a defiance to those who
had seen in his reformation the first
symptoms of age.
+ And as the king frightened, so all
the great court frightened too. The
salons began to resume their former
splendor and gay coats and glittering
embroidery which had lain in drawers
for years were seen once more in the
halls of the palace. The Montespan
antercom was crowded every morning
with men and women who had some
suit to be urged, while her rivals
chambers were as deserted as they
had been before the king first turned
a gracious look upon her. Faces which
had been long banished from the court
began to reappear in the corridors and
gardens unchecked and unrebuked.
while the black cassock of the Jesuit
and the purple soutane of the bishop
were less frequent colors in the royal
circle.
But the church party was never Sc
riously alarmed at this relapse The
grave eyes of priest or of prelate fol
lowed Louis in his escapade as wary
huntsmen might watch a young deer
which gambols about in the meadow
under the impression that it is master
less when every gap and path is net
ted and it is in truth as much in their
hands as though it were lying bound
before them. They waited, therefore,
and they silently planned how the
prodigal might best be dealt with on
his return.
To this end it was that his confessor.
Pere la Chaise. and Bossuet, the great
bishop of Meaux, waited one morning
upon Mime. de Maintenon in her cham
her. With globe beside her. she was
endeavoring to teach geography to the
lame Due du Maine and the mischie-
vous little Comte de Toulouse, who had
enough OF their fathers disposition to
make them averse to learning and of
their mothers to cause them to hate
any discipline or restraint.
Nine de Maintenon dismissed her
two pupils and received the ecclesi-
astics with the mixture of affection
and respect which was due to those
who were not only personal friends,
but great lights of the Gallican church. |
The last few days had cast a pallor
over her face which spiritualized and
refined the features. but she wore un-
impaired her expression of sweet Sc !
renity.
II see, my dear daughter, that you
have sorrowed," said Bossuet, glancing
at her with a kindly and yet searching
eye.
Il have indeed. your grace. All last +
night l spent in prayer that this trial +
may pass away from u.s."
And yet you have no need for fear,
I assure you. Others
may think that your influence has
ceased, but we, who know the kings
heart, think otherwise. few days
may pass. a few weeks at the most,
and once more 1t will be upon your
rising fortunes that every eve in
France will turn"
The lady's brow clouded, and she
glanced at the prelate as though his
speech were not altogether to her taste.
Il trust that pride does not lead me
,stray." she said But If I can read
my own soul Alright there is no thought
)f myself in the grief which now tears
ny heart. 1t is for the king 1 grieve.
Tor the noble cart. the kindly soul.
which might rise so high and which is
ragged so low"
For all that. my daughter. you are
ambitious. Would you not love to
urn the king toward good?"
II would give my life for it,"
And there is your ambition All.
AN not read your noble soul? Would
7ou not love to see the church reign
,ure and serene over all this realm, to
lee the poor housed, the needy helped.
he wicked turned from their ways and
he king ever the leader In all that is
lob1e and good?"
Her cheeks had flushed, and her eyes
hone as she looked at the gray face
II the Jesuit and saw the picture
which his words had conjured I'D be-
ore her
MY daughter" said Bossuet solemn
y. lit is time for plain speaking. 1t
3 in the interests of the church that
We do it. None hear and none shall
yer hear what passes between us now.
regard US. If you will. as two confess
rs, with whom your secret is invioia-
lie. l call it secret, and yet it is
one to us, for it is our mission to read
be human heart. You love the king"
Your grace-father" She turned in
onfusion from one to the other
There is no shame ia loving, my
aughter. The shame lies only in
ielding TO love. / say again that you
I've the king
"At least / have never told him So"
be faltered.
And will you never"
May heaven wither my tongue frst.
But consider, my daughter Such
I'VE in a soul like yours is heavens
lift and sent for some wise purpose
'-e speak for the interests of the holy
hurch, and those interests demand
lat you should marry the king
Marry the king" The little room
VAN round her. Marry the king
There lies the best hope for the fu-
Ire. We see in you second Jeanne