Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-20

He boiced profoundly three times. lush of the hoofs, but now it Is all Hearisome to me-"
 And hawking tooT'
 "Yes; shall hawk no more." But sire, you must have amuse- | ment."
 What is so dull as an amusement which has ceased to amuse? 1 know not how 1t is. When I was but lad, md my mother and I were driven from place to- place. with the Fronde at war with us and Paris in revolt, with our throne and even our lives in dangar, | all life seemed to be so bright, so new md so full of interest. Now that there IS no shadow and that my voice is the irst in France, as Frances is in Eu- rope, all Is dull and lacking in flavor. What use is it to have all pleasure be- lore me when it turns to wormwood when it is tasted" =
 True pleasure, sire. lies rather in the inward life, the serene mind, the easy conscience. And, then. as we grow 'lder is it not natural that our minds mould take graver bent? We might we'll reproach ourselves if 1t were not 10, for if would show that we had not earned the lesson of life"
 Tt may be so, and yet it is sad and weary when nothing amuses. Who is hat knocking?" asked the king.
 Tt is my companion" said madame. What Is 1t. mademoiselle"
 "M. Corneille. to read to the king" aid the young lady, opening the door.
 "Ah, yes, sire; I know how foolish is | woman's tongue, and so I have brought wiser one than mine here to harm you. M. Racine was to have 'ome. but I hear that he has had fall rom his horse. and he sends his friend his place. Shall admit him?'
 "Oh, as you like, madame, as you Ike" said the king llstlessly. At a ign from Mile. Nanon a little peaky lan with a shrewd. petulant fS,e and ong gray hair falling back O's his houlders entered the room. He bowed
  d himself nervously on the very edge the stool, from which the lady had emoyed her worsbasket.
 Shall it be a comedy, or a tragedy. a burlesque pastoraly" Corneille .sked timidly. There is my Pre- ended Astrologer'"
 "Yes. that will do."
 Corneiile commenced to read hls nmedy. while Mime. de Maintenon's shite and delicate fingers picked mong the many colored silks which he was weaving into her tapestry. rom time to time she glanced across. lrst at the clock and then at the king. rho was leaning back. with his lace andkerchief thrown over his face. It sas twenty minutes to 4 now. but she new that she had put 1t back half an lour and that the true time was ten minutes past
 Tut. tut" cried the king suddenly. There is something amiss there. The ecOnd last line has a limp in 1t sure r., It was ore of his foibles to pose Io . critic. and the wise poet would all in with his corrections. however unreasonable thsy might be.
 Your majesty is perfectly right asd Corneille unbIushingiy. T shall uark the passage and see that it is O-rectei.- He picked up his book gain and was about to resume his eldinz whsn the king said:
 ~M CornelIe. I aU oblged to you or what you have read. and regret hat I must now interrupt your com dy. Some other day perhaps I may ave the pleasure of hearing the rest fIf- He smiled i1 the s-zciOus fash sa which zate all Eb0 came within is pe-5o1aI influence fOrSst his faults nd remember him o1Iy as the Inper- o1ztion of dignity and of cOartesy- Ibe roet. with ES book under his m slipped ct. vhiIe kls majesty sd t0 madame
 T see by yOu- csock thzt if is { sciocz- must %
 -Ny clock sire. H half an hour