Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-09-08
CHAPTER y.

ANfA AtA iOolAHs uDthc1 IN
III mind AT the kings disappear
ance. but unwilling TO show
her anxiety 70 the court by appearing
among them or by making any Inquiry
as to what had occurred. While she
thus remained In ignorance OF the sud
den and complete collapse OF her for
tunes. she bad one active and energetic
agent who had lost no incident OF what
had occurred and who watched her IN
terests with as much zeal as II they
were his own And indeed they were
his own. FOR her brother. VI. de Vi
vonne, bad gained everything for which
be yearned-money. lands and prefer
ment-thrOugh his sisters nOtOriety.
BY nature bold. unscrupulous and re-
sourceful. he was not man to lose the
game without playing II out TO the very
end. heenly alert 70 all that passed.
he had from the time that he first
heard the rumor Of the kings intention
haunted the antechamber and drawn
his own conclusions from what ~ had
seen Nothing had escaped him-the
disconsolate faces OF monsieur and OF
the dauphin. the visit OF Pere la Chaise
and Bossuet TO the lSdy's room, her re
turn, the triumph which shone IN her
eyes as she came away from the inter
view. he had seen Boutems hurry OF
and summon the guardsman and his
friend lie had heard them order their
horses 20 be brought out In a couple OF
hours time. and finally from a spy
whom be employed among the servants
be learned that an unwonted busti.
was going forward in Nine. de Main
lemons room. that Nile Nanon was
half Wild with excitement and that two
court milliners had been hastily sum
moned 20 madames apartment. Il
was only. however. when he heard
from the same servant that chamber
was to be prepared for the reception
that night Of the archbishop Of Paris
that he understood how urgent was the
danger.
Nine de Montespan had spent the
evening stretched upon sofa IN the
worst possible humor with every one
around her. There was the sound OF
an opening door and OF O quick step
In her anteroom. Was II the king. OF
at least his messenger with n note
from hlml
But. no; IL was her brother. WIN TN.
haggnrd eyes and drawn face OF man
who is weighed down with his own
evil tidings He turned "a he entered
fastened the door and then. striding
across the room. locked the other one
which led o. her boudoir.
"We are safe from interruption" he
painted. Il have FASTENED here. for
every second may be invaluable. Have
you heard anything from the kingf"
Nothing" she had sprung TO her
feet
coise."
what is ~"
The king Is about TO marry Mime.
de Maiutenon."
The gouvernantei The widow Scor-
ron, II Is lmpossihler'
1T j. certain that ne VIII marry her.
The woman flung out her hands In a
gestur- OF contempt and laughed loud
and bitterly.
''fou are easily frightened. brother
said she. All, you do not know vour
little sister. Perchance II You were
not my brother You might rate NV
powers more highly one day Is nu
ask 10 bring him back"
But you cannot have II The mar
rage Is tonight"
you are mad. Charles"
Il am certain OF H." In n few bro-
ken sentences he shot ont an that 10
had seen and heard She listened with
grim face and hands which closed
ever tighter and tighter as he p-o-
ceeded.
i shall 70 and see him. she cried
sweeping toward the door.
NO, no, FRANCHISE. Believe me. Won
will ruin everything If you do. Strict
orders have been given 10 the guard
10 admit no one 10 the king"
Had only day, Charles. 7 am
sure that / could bring him back 10
me. There has been some other in
uuence here-that meddles0me Jesuit
or the pompous Bossuet. perhaps. Only
one day 10 counteract their wiles.
Charles. II must be stopped: say il
must be stopped, / VIII give anything.
everything, 10 prevent IT,"
What viii you give. my sister,
she looked AT him aghast. What,
You do not wish me to buy youg' she
said
NJ Dut WISH 10 guy OtlcrS.
"Ha! You see chance. Them
zone. ana one only. But time
presses. ! want money"
How muchf"
y cannot have too much-an that
you can spare"
With hands which trembled with ca
gerness she unlocked secret cup
board in tie wall in which she con
cealed her valuables. A blaze OF lew
elry met her brothers ewes as he
peered over her shoulder. At one side
were three drawers. the one over the
other. SIZE drew out the lowest one
1t was full to the brim with glittering
louis d'ors.
Take what you will." she said.
And now your plant Quick
He stuffed the money in handouts in
90 the sidO pockets Of his coat. Coins
slipped between his fingers and tin
kied and wheeled over the floor, but