The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-27

- A3-hk UPON SUN
81 strange chances had befalien
"a bis messengers the king sat in
his cabinet attended only by
Louvois. his minister. There was tap
at the door. and Bontems peepcd in.
The archbishop has arrived. sire
Very well, Bontems. Ask madame
to be so good as to step this way. And
order the witnesses 10 assemble in the
anteroom."
As the valet fastened away Louis
turned to his minister Il wish you
to be one of the witnesses. Louvois."
ITO what. sire?''
ITO my marriage"
The minister started. what. sire,
Already"
'Now. Louvois; within five minutes"
Every good, SIRE
There had meanwhile been busy GO
ings on in the small room where the
red lamp burned in front Of the Virgin.
FRANCHISE de Maintenon stood in the
center little flush OF excitement on
her cheeks and an unwonted light in
her placid gray eyes. She was clad in
dress of shining white brocade. TRIM
med and slashed with silver serge and
fringed at the throat and arms with
costly point lace. There came dis
Greet tap at the door.
1T Is Bontems, madame" said Mile.
Nanon. He says that the king is
ready"
Then we shall not keep him waiting
Come, mademoiselle. and may God
shed his blessing upon what we are
about to do.''
The little party assembled in the
kings anteroom and started from there
to the private chapel. In front walked
the portiy bishop. clad in a green vest
ment, puffed out with the Importance
of the function, his missal in his hand
and his fingers between the pages at
the service de matrimoniis. The king
and Nine. de Maintenon walked side
by side. she quiet and composed, with
gentle bearing and downcast eyes, he
with flush on his dark cheeks and
a nervous, furtive look in his eyes, like
a man who knows that he is in the
midst OF one of the great crises Of his
life. Behind them in solemn silence
followed a little group of chosen wit
nesses. the lean, silent Pere Ia Chaise,
Louvois scowling heavily at the bride.
the Marquis de Charmarante. Bontems
and Mile. Nanon.
The torches shed a strong yellow
light upon this small band as they ad-
vanced slowly through the corridors
and salons which led to the chapel. A
minute later they were before the al
tar, and the words were being read
which should bind them forever to-
gether AS they turned away again,
her new ring blazing upon her finger,
there was buzz of congratulation
around her. The king only said moth
ing, but he looked at her, and she had
no wish that he should say more. She
was still calm and pale, but the blood
in her temples.
But sudden shadow had fallen
across her, and low voice was in
her ear. Remember your promise to !
the church" it whispered. She start |
ed and turned to see the pale, eager |
face of the Jesuit beside her.
Your hand has turned cold, Fran |
coise," said Louis. LET us go. dear
est We have been too long i'm this
dismal church.
Nine. de Montespan had retired to
icSt, easy III Acl dItcI TcgeINInE
the message from her brother She
knew Louis as few others knew him,
and she was well aware Of that OBJ
stinacy in trifies which was one of his
If he had said that
he would be married by the archbish-
op. then the archbishop it must be.
Tonight at least there should be no
She dressed herself with care in tbs
No news had come to her OF
the great event of the previous night
although the court already rang with
i, for her haughtiness and her bitter
tongue had left her without a friend
Dr. intimate. She rose, therefore. In the
best Of spirits.
She was still in her boudoir putting
he last touches to her toilet when her
page announced to her that the king
vas waiting in her salon. Mime. de
could hardly believe in such
yOOd fortune She had racl,,J be- =