Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-08-18

mad"' He stepped back with gray face
and staring eyes. one shaking hand
half raised In protest.
Il assure you that IL Is his order"
III could have one word with the
king"
Unfortunately. monsieur. it is i'm
possible"
The angry nobieman stamped his foot
and stared at the door as though be
had some thoughts OF forcing pas
sage. Then. turning on his heel. he
FASTENED away down the corridor with
the DIR OF a man who has come to a
| decision.
There. now" grumbled De Catlnat
to himself. as he pulled his thick dark
mustache. he is OF 10 make some
fresh mischief. I'll have his sister here
presently, as Ike as not. and n pleasant
little choice between breaking my or
ders and making an enemy OF her for
life. BY my faith. here is lady. as I
feared. All. heaven be praised. il is a
friend and not foe. Good morning.
Mile. Nanon.r
Good morning. Captain &c Catinat."
The newcomer was a tall graceful
brunette. her fresh face aud sparkling
black eyes the brighter In contract with
her plain dress.
"A note from Nine de Maintenon
20 the king You will hand IL 10 him.
viii you uotg"
Certainly. mademolselle And how
Is madame, your mistressg"
"Oh. her director has been with her
| all the morning and his talk is very.
very good. but IL Is also very. very sad.
We are not very cheerful when NJ. Co
Oct has been 70 see Us But I forget
monsieur IL a Huguenot and knows
nothing OF directors"
"Oh. but 7 do not trouble about such
| differences
"Ah, II monsieur could talk 20 Nine.
de Maintenon a little, She would con-
vert him"
Il would rather talk to Mile. Nanon.
hut IT,
oh" There was an exclamation. a
whisk Of dark skirts and the soubrette
disappeared down a side passage.
Along the broad lighted corridor was
gliding a very stately and beautiful
lady, tall graceful and exceedingly
naughty. The lady was past her first
| youth, IL is true, but the magnificent
curves Of her queenly figure. the purity
Of her complexion. the brightn. SIS OF
her deep dashed blue eyes and the clear
| regularity OF her features enabled her
still TO claim 10 be the most handsome
as well as the most sharp tongued wo-
man In the court Of France.
"Ah, il is Captain de Catinatw said
1 Nine. de MOntespan, with smile.
Your humble servant. marQuise"
| Il am fortunate in finding a friend
here, for there has been some ridicu-
lous mistake this morning"
| Il am concerned TO hear IT,"
| 1T was about my brother. NJ. de Vi
| vonne. II is almost too laughable TO
mention. but he was actually refused
admission 10 the lever"
1T was my misfortune 10 have to re-
fuse him, madame"
You, Captain de Catinat? And by
what right?' She had drawn up her
superb figure. and her large blue eyes
were blazing with indignant astonish-
| ment
THE kings order. madame"
THE kingl Is II likely that the king
would cast a public slight upon my
familyi From whom had you this pre-
posterous orderY"
Direct from the king through Bon
TENS"
Absurd! Do you think that the king
! would venture 10 exclude a Mortemart
through the mouth OF a valet? Go. tell
the king that 1 am here and would
have word with him"
Impossible, madame. have been
forbidden 20 carry a message"
To carry any messenger
ANY from you. madame"
Come, captain. you improve. IL only
needed this insult to make the thing
complete. You may carry a message to
the king from any adventures. from
any decayed governess"-she laughed
shrilly at her description OF her rival
but none from FRANCHISE de Morte-
mart. Marquise de Montespan."
such are my orders. madame. IL
pains me deeply to be compelled to
carry them out"
you may spare your protestations,
captain. You may yet fud that you
have every reason to be deeply panied.
For the last time. do you refuse to car
~ my messSgey'
II must. madame"
Then carry u myself
She sprang forward at the door. but
he slipped In front OF her with out
stretched arms.
"For Gods saka. consider vonrnelf