The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-01-05

patched it by special messenger. I,
had no significance at al; the position
of De Choiseul had not altered whit
since yesterday, but it amused the mis-
chief-loving king to excite hopes doom
ed to destruction, and certainly il
would have amused him to watch the
little comedy that followed.
De Richelieu. having read the note,
turned to Raffe.
"Ohop said Raffe.
"He is not quite overturned, but a
few more days will do it"
well, Monsieur replied Raffc. u
do not see how that affects US who
have declared for quiet life, who
care nothing for portfolios, who would
avoid the struggle against rogues-'
II am asked TO hold myself in readi-
ness" went on the. niarechal. without
regarding the others words. THE
kings mind is made up"
"Of contrarieties."
HE has chosen me as De Choiseul's
successor. Well, grumbler, what dc
you say to that? From all the men
in France / am chosen
ITO follow Monsieur de Choiseul."
"No-to precede him."
well, Monsieur" replied Raffe, ~
congratulate you on the compliment
his majesty has paid you. Your know
ledge of men will. doubtless, stand you
in good stead when that heavy port
folio comes under your arm; and your
knowledge of women, and If ] may
say so. the fascination you still exer-
else over them.
Raffe was De Richelieu's bitter ton.
ic; unpleasant as his raillery and Gym
icism might be, it was at least always
sincere; It helped De Richelieu to di.
gest all the poisoned sugar of thu
court. the falsities and the absurdities
But there was one subject on which
even Raffc, privileged as he was, dared
scarcely to touch. and that was, the
love affairs of his master.
When a man is nearly eighty, hi:
amours form a target that even a blind
man can hit, and Raffe, to do hin; jus
ticc. rarely expended his ammunition
on so easy a mark.
Il have some knowledge of women,
said De Richelieu stiffiy, "and what /:
better than that, though i have somC
influence over them they have nont
over me. II is a power. that-though
cordieul one pays for It by growing
old. Had De Choiseul made a study
OF women as ! have done. he woulc
not now be on the eve of destruction
Listen, Monsieur said Raffe. rails.
ing his hand. rs not that a car
rage"
Faint and far away came the SOUND
of carriage wheels on gravel i
ceased. A carriage rapidly driven hac
turned into the avenue way and drawn
up before the door.
Coming as it did on the message Of
the king, this arrival of some one un
known seemed oninous. De Richie
lieu. sitting sidewise in his chair, lis
tened intently. Notwithstanding hi!
age, his campaigns, his affectation o.
WEAKNESS with the world, the ole
marechal was filled with the burning
ambitions that most men leave behinC
them at forty. To be chief minister OF
state, to match in stature the grea'
Cardinal Richelieu, to complete in di
piomacy the wonderful career that hac
commenced in war, this was the chiet
ambition of the Due de Richelieu al
the present moment
A knock came to the door and the
same servant who had brought the let.
ter from the king entered
Monsieur" said the lackey, "a lady
to see you"
"A lady at this hour? What is hei
name?"
Madame la Baronne Linden, Mon,
sieur."
'Mordieu!" said the marechal. "'Ti.
late for visit of this sort. Show
her in"
Raffe began to move toward the
door.
You are going?"
"Yes, Monsieur, but l leave a piece
of advice behind me- This is wom-
an to beware Of" Even as he spoke
the door reopened, and Madame Lin
den was shown in As she entered
Raffe made his escape.
De Richelieu, who had risen, bowed
to the baroness.
This is an unexpected pleasure,
Madame"
Not to me, Monsieur" replied the
baroness. taking the chair indicated by
him, since / have come from Paris
with the express purpose OF seeing
you"
Il feel honored," replied the courtly
old marechal; deeply honored, charm
ed And to what motive may | attrib-
ute so long journey at such an hour
for Paris is five leagues from my
gates, Madame"
The baroness laughed in almost an
hysterical manner
Five! Why, Monsieur, it seemed
to me fifty, alone, shut mp in the dark
ness of my carriage, with no compan-