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

humble as were Der fortunes at the |
time when they were allotted to her.
but with that rare tact aud self re
stralnt which were the leading fea-
lures 10 her remarkable character she |
had made no change in hor living with |
the increass OF her prosperity and /
forbOre from provoking envy and jeal- /
ouSy 10y any display OF wealth or OF /
power. In "A side wing OF the palace.
far from the central salons and only |
TO be reached by long corridors and |
stairs, were the two or three small /
chambers upon which the eyes, first of |
the court then OF France and finally
of the world, were destined 10 be |
turned. In such rooms had the destl- |
tute widow OF the poet searron been !
housed when she had first been brought
20 court by Nine. de Montespan as the
governess OF the royal children. and
10 such rooms she stin dwelt now
that she had added 70 her maiden
FRANCHISE d'Aubigny the title OF Mar
Quise De Maintenon. with the pension
and estate which the kings favor had
awarded her.
The young guardsman had scarce
ever exchanged a word with this pow
srful lady. FOR II was her taste 70 $50
late herself and 70 appear with the
court only at the hours OF devotion ItI
wss therefore with some feelings both
OF nervousness aud OF curiosity that be
followed his guide down the gorgeous
corridors, where art and wealth had
been strewn with 30 lavish a hand
The lady paused In front OF the cham
Der door and turned TO her companion
Madame wishes 90 speak 90 you OF
what occurred this morning" said she.
Il should advise you 20 say nothing 20
madame about your creed. for II l. the
only thing upon which her heart can
be hard" She raised her finger to en-
plastic tho warning. and. tapping al
the door, she pushed IL open 81 have
brought Captain de Catinat madame"
said she.
Then let the captain step In The
voice was hrm and yet sweetly mu-
steal
Obeylng the command. De Catlnat
found himself in a room which was
no larger and but little better furnish
cd than that which Was allotted 20 his
own us0- Yet though simple, every.
thing In the chamber was scrupulOusly
neat and clean, betraylpg ttAs Aaiatg
ed heather furniture, the Ia Savon.
niere carpet. the pictures OF sacred sub
3octs. exquisite from an artists point
OF view, the plain but tasteful curtains.
al left an impression half religious
and half feminine, but wholly soothing
Indeed, the soft light, the high white
statue OF the Virgin In n canOpied niche.
with porfumod red lamp burning be-
fore x, and the wooden prie-dleu with
the red edged prayer book upon the to-
or IL made the apartment look more
Ike private chapel than a fair lady's
boudoir.
On each side OF the empty nreplac,s
was little green covered armchair
tie one for madame and the other ~.
served for the Use OF the king. A small
three legged stool between them was
heaped with her workbasket and her
tapestry. On the chair which was far
Chest from the door, with her back
turned 10 the light madame was sit.
ting as the young officer entered. De
Catinat without having time 10 notice
details, was simply conscious that he
was In the presence OF very hand
some woman and that her large, pom
sive eyes were fixed critically upon
him and seemed 70 be reading his
thoughts a. they had never been read
before
Il think that I have already seen
you, sir Have I not?"
Yes. madame. ! have once or twice
had the honor OF attending upon you.
though IL may not have been my good !
fortune 70 address YOU"
MY life Is 80 quiet and retired that
j fear that much OF what IA best and
worthlest AT tho court is unknown 10
me. You have served, mOnsleury"
Yes madame. IA the LOwlands. |
on the Rhine and in Canada"
In Canada! All! What nobIer am
billion could woman have than 10 be
q member OF that sweet sisterhood
which was founded by the holy Marie
de fIncarnation and the sainted |
Jeanne lie Der at Montreal? And |
doubtless you have had the privilege |
also Of seeing the holy Bishop Laval?" |
Yes. madame. l have seen Bishop
Laval"
And trust that the sulpicians sun
hold their own against the JesuitsY'
Il have heard. madame, that the /
Jesuits are tho stronger az Quebec and
the others at Montreal"
And who Is your own director, mon
sieurT'
De Catinat felt that the worst had
come upon him. II have none. ma
dame"
"Ah, 1t is too common 10 dispense
with a director. and yet / know not
how could guide my steps in the dif.
hcult path which ] tread II IL were
not for mine. Who 81 your COMPRESSOR.
thenT'
II have none. / am OF the Reformed
church"
The lady gave a gesture OF horror.
and a sudden hardening showed Itself
In mouth and eye. What, In the
court ITSELF" she cried, land in the
OF the kings own per