The Washington herald., 1913-01-26
CHAPTER VI (Continued).

pressed on him like hand, was sink
ing back on his knees, when like a
thunderclap came an incident that
struck the actors and spectators OF
this little comedy motionless as peo-
pie of stone
The door swung open and lackey's
voice announced Monsieur de Mau-
peoI."
The vice chancellor of France stood
for moment staring at the extraor-
binary scene before him. He was a
gloomy faced individual, and his great
wig and sober attire did not detract
from the expression on his face.
Why" cried the baroness, who had
met him once al a reception, It's
Monsieur de Maupeou! Pray, Monsieur,
do not think us mad; we are only re-
hearsing a little comedy Do not
move" to the trio on the floor; "Mon-
>ieur de AIaupeou will not mind our
finishing the rehearsal Monsieur de
SartIneS is our stage manager Mon
sieur de Sartines, Madame d'Harlan-
court is shifting her position"
De SartInes turned his back on De
Aiaupeou after having bowed TO him,
and faced the actors.
His glance was quite enough to keep
them as they were. even if their amour
proprc had not urged them to keep up
before De Maupeou the pretense of a
rehearsal.
They smiled
And this play" said De Maupeou,
taking his seat on the faUteuil indicat-
cd by De Richelieu.
'Tis called the Rat. the Cat. and
the Corn. am the miller's wife, and
these are the rat and the cats Monsieur
de SartineS is the stage manager
Monsieur de Richelieu possessed the
manuscript, but he has lost it. SO we
are rehearsing from memory
Madame said De Sartines in a
humble voice. shall we not put of
our little rehearsal till more ia
vorable opportunity"
Why, yes. Monsieur. after the rat
and the cats have said once more their
little piece. Now, attention. Place
your hands together so, and say after
me once again the line:
Nous SonInes rats. chats, fats.
Nous sCmmes rats. chats, fats re-
pcated the actors. with frighttul as
sumption OF gayety.
And we humbly beg your pardon"
went on the instructress.
And We humbly beg your pardon"
Right. Now you may arise. Mon
Sieur de SartineS! =
Yes, Madame.
My carriage And remember that
ynu are coming TO supper with me to-
night in the Rue Coz Heron, at eight
precisely.
De Sartinc>. taken hack by this in
,itation which was also command.
could only bow.
~Ne>. Madame
She turned to Madame dc Stenlis
and the COmtCSSe.
Ladies. YOU will be with me this
evening at eight punctually,
They glanced at De Sartnes, then
they bowed.
And you. TOO. Monsieur, said she,
turning to De Ioyeuse.
He bowed.
Then she turned 10 De Maupeou,
and De Sartines felt sick at heart.
Monsieur de Maupeou, YOU, too, arc
invited. VIII you not make one OF
u.s."
Il shall be charmed. replied De
Naupeou. who scented something
strange in all this.
You will. I hope, My carriage
dc Sartines
De Richclicu himself called for her
carriage. and De Sartines escorted her
TO it.
Madame said he at the carriage
door, Il pray you to think over every
thing in YOUR mind. The play OF the
rat. the cat. and the corn is very anus
ing. What is the charge for the copy
right and the manuscript:
'AIonsieur," she replied that IS the
price of my Jewels. We shall see about
the price of the play after 1t has been
performed.
The carriage drove away, and he re.
turned to the reception room, half
broken with anxiety and feeling as
though he were inclosed by net.
De Joveuse and the two women were
making their adieus to De Richelieu.
"Good-bv. De Sartines, till this cven-
ing said Madame de Stenlis as she
left.
Till this evening" said Madame
d'Harlancourt. :.
Till this evening, dear De Sartines," :"
said De Joyeusc.
Till this evening" replied De Sal
tines. bowing. He read in their faces,
their voices, and their manner the hint
of what they guessed-that De Sar-
tines was to be the first protagonist in
madame's little comedy, and that De
SartineS would have at her hands a
sufficiently lively time; not one of them
would not have given the rags of his
or her reputation to see the minister
of police in the dust, and he knew it.
De Maupeou. who had called 10 see
De Riche1ieu relative, so he said. to the
question of a suit which was pending
at the courts and who had finished
speaking to him on the matter, now
turned to go.
Till this evening, Monsieur dc Sar-
tines"
De Sartines bowed as he left the
room Then when the marecf,al and
the minister found themselves alone,
De Sartines turned savagely on the
due.
What is ttis?"
Ma fol, don't know; but madame
seems to have turned the tables very
completely on youy my dear minister"
"Cordieu! turned the tables upon me!
| should think so. You hev been
robbed"
De Richelieu clapped his hands on
his pocket.
You have been robbed of that
cursed contract She has possession
~ II. che has made a coDv of II che