Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-02-14
CHAPTER XvI-CoNrINuEp.

The governor came daily, and strove
with real distress to encourage the
sufferer. Madame BLIZZARD appeared fire.
euently too, telling her of the outside
world and urging her to a quick con-
valescence. But somehow the desire
TO recover was lacking in the patient.
1t was as though spring had snapped
within her leaving inertia instead of
energy, and a desire to slumber on In
sweet forgetfulness rather than the
determination to resume the weary
load OF life again. But her release
was not to be, and as she slowly be-
gan TO regain ground she found relief
and her chiefest pleasure in the COM
panionship of the nuns who nursed
her Their life in its seclusion and
usefulness appealed to her heart, and
gradually the fancy for a religious life
became strengthened to a determina-
ton. Her own existence would always
be a blank. and could she do better
than to fill out her remaining years in
the service of God? He had evidently
had a purpose in permitting her to
live, almost against her will.
When she first told Frontenac Of her
decision he stormed and swore ne
would ship her back to France; then
as he saw that she remained mistaken
In her resolution. he finally suggested
a compromise to which she agreed.
This was that she was to remain with
the nuns for two years as a donnee or
religious helper who has taken no
VOWS. If, after this novitiate she still
nprCiCtnd m ha
offer no objection to her entering the
sisterhood. He hoped that in so long
4 period events would alter conditions
in France so that she could be sent
home in safety
Ii was indeed the Comte de Miron
whom Renee had seen as she looked
out OF the window. Tontis sword
point in entering his breast had touched
rib and, glancing upwards, had
wounded the lung tissue severely,
barely missing the heart. The copious
hemorrhage that followed well-nigh
strangled him. His faithful coachman
finding that he still breathed had taken
him TO a house on the outskirts of
Paris, called a leech and summoned
one OF the Comics friends, whose
name he had given him before the
duel for use in any such emergency.
Together they combated the enormous
loss of blood and weakness that fol.
lowed. On convalescing. his friend,
learning of the kings expression of
satisfaction in the supposed death OF
the Comte, hurried him away to an
estate IN Brittany. There they abode
together for many months. riding and
hunting.
AS spring came his faithful conf
eant went to Paris to see II IL were safe
for him to come TO life again. He re-
turned in a month with bad news.
One OF the Comics numerous pecula-
lions in the state funds, which he had
committed while secretary to Colbert
had come to light, rendering II hazard
OILS for him to appear again in Paris or
even remain in France, for If by any
chance he were apprehended Il would
mean the loss Of his head. According
ly, they laid their plans and he was
hurried aboard the next ship that
sailed for New France This happened
20 be the one on which Renee travelled.
Both Of them seeking to escape OBJ
serVation seldom left their cabins.
Hence It was that each was ignorant
Of the others presence.
Bearing a letter TO Ouch esneau from
a friend, the Comte presented himself
At the palace Immediately upon his ar
rival Staying at the palace he soon
became acquainted with all OF Duches-
neau's friends and agents. n was
there that he met Madame Bizard who
had come 10 make her regular report
TO the intendant. Of all she had learned.
He had RETAINED from going about the
city TO any Great extent. hence had
never seen Reree; and Il was while on
an errand for Duchesneau that he had
caught a glimpse OF Madame Bizard's
face at the window, and. remember
fig her invitation TO call. had stopped.
Well supplied with money. which he
spent caTelessly. he soon made many
friends. Seeing the impression the
young man had made upon the suscep-