The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-10-04

word FOR the grand lever"
II was obvious that the king was not
IN a very good humcr that morning.
lie dsrted little quick questioning
glAnccs at his brother aud al bis sons,
but whatever complaint or sarcasm
may have trembled upon his lips was
effectualiy stified by lie 81. Queniins
mlnlstrations. With the nonchalance
born OF long custom, the official Gov
cred the royal chin with soap, drew
the razor swiftly round II and sponged
over the surface with spirits OF wine
A nobleman then helped 10 draw on the
kings black velvet haut.dc-ehausses, a
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 buckied shoes,
his galters and his scarlet inner vest
were successively fastened by noble
courtiers. each keenly jealous OF his
cwn privilege. and over the vest was
placed the blue ribbon with the cross
OF the Holy Ghost IN diamonds, aud
that OF 81. Louis tied with red. The
black undercoat was drawn on, the
crayat OF rich lace adjusted. the loose
oyercoat secured. two handkerchiefs OF
costly point carried forward upon an
ensmeied saucer and thrust by sepa'
rate officials into each side pocket, the
silver and ebony cane laid 10 hand, ANA
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 constant opening and clos
ing OF the chamber door, and a mutier'
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 or his
rival Colbert, discussing a question OF
military organization with two officers,
the one a tall and stately soldier. the
other a strange little figure, understood
and msshapen, but bearing the insig'
MIA of a marshal of France, and own
Ing q name which was OF evil omen
over the Dutch frontier, for Luxem'
bourg was looked upon already as the
| successor OF Conde, even as his com
| panlon Vauban was Of Turenne. he
side them small white haired clerical
with kindly face, Pere la Chaise
confessor to the king, was whispering
his views spon 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 tC
amuse," said Racine. 81 am to be n
Nine. de Maintenon's room at 3 tt
see whether page or two Of the Pho
Dire may not work change. Madame
,s a wonderful woman. She has brains
she has heart, she has tact-she Ii ad
mlrable."
"And yet she has one gift too many
age"
pooh! What matter her years wheI
she can carry them like thirty? Whn
an eve, what an arm! And, besides
M, s-'~"ds he is not himself a DO!
any longer"
"very true but young man con
suits his eye and an older man his ear
Over forty, 1t Is the clever tongu
which wins; under II, the pretty face
"Ab. you rascal. Then you nav
made up your mind that five and fort,
, years with tnct will hold the nell
, against nine und thirty with beauty
Well when your lady has won she VII
!. doubtless remember who wore We mrs
] to pay court to her.
"But think you are wrong, hacihe'
"Well, what thenT :.
"Then 1t may be u little seri"us 10
e you
, "And whyT
> "The Marquise de Montespar has
II memory ,.
= "IIer influence may soon he peshin
:. more Malntenon is the clevfreft We
!, man In France"
. "Pshaw, Racine, you know our nea
: master well, or you should, for 'ou seer
, !, TO have been at his elbow SINCE W "
. DAYS of the Fronde. Is be 'na'
D. ,bink Won. to be amused forever U
y sermonsY No, no; it will be the MOI
~ tespan or, II not she, some Torng'
y beauty" a.,
o my dear Boileau, ! say again I'M
e ber sun is setting. Have you IL
10 hoard the pewsY Her brother NJ.
y ylyonne. has been refused the entree
"From whom had you TT
3 .From De Catnat, the captain OF U
of puard. lie had his orders to oar Y
~ way to him.
re .ua. then the king does indeed ihc'
ne mischief. That is why his brow If
lc cloudy this morning then. by u
* folth II the marquIse has the sp!i
IT with which folk credit her, he may III
lg mat II was easier to win her than
he slight her"
IS "Aye. the Mortemarts are no 70
'r' race TO handle"
81 .rWell heaven send him a safe W
~ out OF t. But who Is ihis eehuehih
ri faoo IL samewhat grlmmer fll