The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-22

4
the door. she pushed ii open. Il have
brought Captain de Catinat, madame,
| said she.
Then let the captain step in The
voice was firm and yet sweetly mu-
steal.
ODeying the command. De Catinat
found himself in a room which was
no Larger and but little better furnish
ed than that which was allotted to his
own use. Yet. though simple. every
thing in the chamber was scrupulously
neat and clean. betraying the dainty
taste of a refined woman. The stamp
ed leather furniture, the La Sayon-
Mere carpet. the pictures of sacred sub
jects. exquisite from an artists point
of view, the plain but tasteful curtains,
ali left an impression half religious
and half feminine, but wholly soothing.
Indeed, the soft light. the high white
statue of the Virgin in a canopied niche,
with a perfumed red lamp burning be-
fore it. and the wooden prie-dieu with
the red edged prayer book upon the top
of it made the apartment look more
like private chapel than fair lady's
boudoir.
On each side of the empty fireplace
was a little green covered armchair
the one for madame and the other re-
served for the use Of the king A small
three legged stool between them was
heaped with her workbasket and her
tapestry. On the chair which was far
thest from the door. with her back
turned to the light. madame was sit
ting as the young officer entered De
Cafinaf without "a 70
details, was simply conscious that he
was in the presence Of very hand
some woman and that her large, pen
sive eyes were fixed critically upon
him and seemed to be reading his
thoughts as they had never been read
before.
II think that 1 have already seen
you. sir. Have not?''
Yes. madame have once or twice
had the honor Of attending upon you,
though it may not have been my good
fortune to address you"
my life is SO quiet and retired that
I fear that much of what is best and
worthiest at the court is unknown to
me. You have served. MONSIEUR"
"Yes, madame. In the Lowlands,
on the Rhine and in Canada"
I'm Canada! All! What nobler am
bition could woman have than to be
member OF that sweet sisterhood
which was founded by the holy Marie
de Incarnation and the sainted
Jeanne lie Der at Montreal? And
doubtless you have had the privilege
also of seeing the holy Bishop Laval?"
Yes. madame, l have seen Bishop
Laval"
And l trust that the Sulpicians still
hold their own against the Jesuits:"
Il have heard. madame, that the
Jesuits are the stronger at Quebec and
the others at Montreal"
And who is your own director. mon
sieur?"
De Catinat felt that the worst had
come upon him. Il have none. ma
dame"
"Ah, it is too common to dispense
with a director. ana yet | know not
how l could guide my steps in the diff
ficult path which l tread if it were
not for mine. Who is your confessor,
them"
church.
The lady gave gesture of horror,
and a sudden hardening showed itself
in mouth and eye. What, in the
court ITSELF she cried, land in the
neighborhood Of the kings own per-
son.
You will find madame" said De
Catinat sterniy that members Of my
faith have not only stood around the
throne of France. but have even seat
ed themselves upon it,"
God has for his own all wise pur-
poses permitted it, and none should
know it better than l, whose grandsire.
Theodore d Aubigny. did SO much to
place crown upon the head of the
great Henry. But Henry's eyes We're
opened ere his end came and / pray
oh. from my heart l pray-that yours
may be also"
She rose and. throwing herself down
upon the prie-dieu. sunk her face in her
hands for some few minutes A tap
at the door brought the lady back to
this world again. and her devoted at
tendant answered her summons to en-
ter.
THE king is in the Hall of Victories.
madame said she. HE will be here
in five minutes"
Every well. Stand outside and let
me know when he comes. Now, sir"
she continued when they were alone |
once more. you gave note Of mine to
the king this norning:"
Il did, madame"
'And. as understand Nine de |
Montespan was refused admittance to |
the grand lever?"
she was. madame
But she waited for the king in the |
passage and wrung from him n prom |
Use that he would see her today:"
Yes. madame"
II would not have you tell me that |
which it may seem to you breach of |
your duty TO tell. But / am fighting |
now against a terrible foe and for a |
great stake. Tell me, then. at what |
hour was the king to meet the mar. |
Quise in her room?"
"Af4. madame"
Continued Monday