The Washington herald., 1913-01-12

folded the document and gently close,
the drawer. All the time she wa
speaking to him in that wonderful
level voice that told nothing of hel
emotions or her triumph.
We'll, Monsieur, my terms are sim
pie. You must promise me solemn,
not to modest me-
Yes, yes, l promise"
Not to touch me-" As she ad
vanced toward the door she was put
ting the document in her pocket.
! Il promise"
On your word?"
On my word"
well, then, Monsieur, | will Open"
/ She opened the door.
Mordieu," cried De Richelieu
half laughing and more than evel
fascinated. What a position for me
had one of the servants Gomez
And what position for me, Mon.
sieurp
She was now flushed, laughing, ex.
! cited; as though her success had cleo.
trifed her mind, of a sudden a new
plan full-born and alluring rose before
her. She had triumphed on behalf oil
Dc Lussac; she had in her hand a
terrible weapon. Another woman
would have contented herself with
that evenings work; not so Madame
Linden. To strike all her enemies
with one blow, to ruin De Sartines
and to humble the d'Harlancourt,
Madame de Stenlis and De Joyeuse
at the same time. that vas her scheme
and she determined that De. Richie
lieu should help her in it.
AT least. Madame you were on
the right side of the door," replied
the marechal, and ma fol. but one
might fancy that loneliness had locked
herself in with you and you had
changed clothes. Would that | had
put my eye to the keyhole!'
How do you mean, Monsieur"
Because, Madame, before you closed
the door on me your beauty burned
my eyes; now it blinds them"
Monsieur" said she. glancing al
the clock, 1T is late, and | have tres
passed greatly on your time You have
paid me hundred compliments, you
have held my hand. encircled nv waist.
allowed yourself nearly all the liberties
which a man of pleasure takes with
woman of his sort. You have treated
me, in short, as you have been accus-
toned to treat the ladies of the court
| am not woman OF that sort. |
do not love you, Monsieur. | love
Monsieur de Lussac; but always be-
fore marriage | hold that woman
is free to give or to sell her favors,
and that it is a matter entirely be-
tween herself, her conscience and her
maker
Il wish to revenge myself upon myl
enemies, and if you will help me. Il
will say TO you, Monsieur de Richie
lieu, when nv revenge is complete,
come to me and ] will pay you for
your assistance with"
With what, Madame:"
My lips"
And what is this assistance that
you require. Madame?"
simple. wish you TO invite me tol
dejcuner at your house in Paris to-
morrow at noon"
"A thousand times. yes"
But wait. wish you TO invite
some guests to meet me-
De Richelieu made a grimacc.
AND the guests:
Are, first of all, Monsieur lie Com
te de Sartines."
De Richelieu laughed.
Certainly, Madame Who else?"
Madame de Stenlis, Madame d'Har-
lancourt, and Monsieur de Joyeuse.'
euse"
De Richelieu pursed his lips.
What you ask is easy enough,
Madame. What else?"
Nothing more"
But, Madame, ! do not see your
point. invite you to dejeuner with
these people; you all come. How
1oes that help you to triumph over
them? They will all be banded
against you. You do not know these
women of the court and what they
ire capable of"
Il do. indeed, Monsieur; but they
ion't know me. Please do as | ask
md leave me only my wit. and | will
ring them all literally to their knees"
De Richelieu rubbed his hands, then
aughed. ''Mordieu," thought he.
this ought to be as good as the
Comedie Franchise Then to the
'aroness: Madame, l will do as I
gu say. But the invitations must be
despatched early Tomorrow morn
ng'
Write them. Monsieur" said she. {
when | am gone, and your servants
an deliver them tomorrow carly; I
Make the invitation urgent, so that
may override any pre-engagement {
heSe people may haye.
Leave that to me, Madame ! shall
lake it little short of command" i