The Washington herald., 1913-02-16

VA7 HILE De Sartincs was getting
w into his carriage at Versailles
and De Maupeou was prepar-
ing to take leave of the king and the
Comtesse du Barry, Madame Linden.
standing in the drawing room of
Number IL Rue Cog Heron, was put
ting the last touch to her prepara-
tions for the evening
This drawing room, which opened
out of the boudoir, was a large
apartment hung with yellow silk cur
tains and tapestry representing the
doings OF Samson The tapestry.
which had belonged to country
house OF Monsieur Gorges, the land
lord, was bit too big for the draw.
ing-room of Number IL Rue Coz
Heron: scene had to be cut ont to
| make it fit, and thc-scenc chosen by
Monsieur Gorges for cxcision. chiefly
on account of its extreme freedom of
treatment, was the scene depicting the
doings of the strong man with Delilah.
or rather, one should say, her doingS
with him.
Everything is packed. Rosinc?'
asked madame as she contemplated the
room with satisfaction.
Everything. Madame
Monsieur Bchrens will be here at
eight with my dresses and hats: the
dresses will remain downstairs ready
to be taken to the carriage. but the
boxes containing the hats must be
brought up here. wish to examine
them. Show Monsieur Behrens up
here when he comes
Yes, Madame"
Mon Dicu" murmurcd the baron
ess. How shall | ever ind room for
all those hat-boxes in the carriagea
They will have TO go inside The
rest OF the luggage can go on top"
Yes. Madame"
That will do. then"
Rosine left the room. and Madame
Linden sat down on a sofa. folded
her hands. and fell into meditation.
Directly De Sartens arrived she would
require him to order the release of
the comte, despatch messenger to
the BaStile and have him brought di-
rectly TO the Rue COG Heron. After
that she would use Monsieur de Sar-
tines as he had used her. and worse:
she would play with him as a cat
plays with mouse: she would bring
him to the edge of that bottomless
pit, De Alaupeou. and let him look
in; then she would let him go-per-
hapS.
She was not sure OF herself vet, or
whether mans ruin or abasemcnt
would please her most. While think
ing these thoughts chilly idea sud
denly crossed her mind.
Was it possible for De Sartines to
order the release OF De Lussacs Had
an order OF release. like an order of
Imprisonment. to be signed by the
king.
II this were so. the harmony of her
plan would be spoiled; she would have
10 wait till the morrow for the
comte's release.
She was considering this point
when the sound of the bell below
made her start. She listened. Steps
sounded on the stairs. and, leaving the
drawing room, she entered the bou.
doir
Scarcely had she done so when the
door of the boudoir opened and she
found herself face to face with Dc
Lussac.
De Lussac. when he left the house
of Jean Jacques Rousseau. found that
the evening was much lighter than he
expected. Rousseau's house with its
narrow dusty windows and atmosphere
of age and gloom, was almost in dark
ness, but the Rue Plastriere was fully
lighted. With few francs, wMcS re
had borrowed from the philosoper,' he
hired passing cabriolet which set
him down at the corner of the Rue
Peysette
He had no fear of compromising the
woman he loved by going to her
house, knowing as he did the weapon
she held against his enemies.
For a second they stood. he at the
door, she in the middle OF the room,
as if doubling each others existence;
the next. she was in his arms.
You are freer
TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT SUNDAY.