The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-02-19
THE TWO MARGuERlTEs.
CONTINUED from page 81

Continued from page b
MY daughter and my niece" said
the count, and both the girls made
deep reverences. But the king no.
ticed only one, the one who thrust
herself on his attention, decked out in
all her borrowed splendOr She.
monopolized him at once, bringing in
to play the whole armory of attrac
.tions which she had practiced from
her childhood on everone within reach,
the down-dropped eyes which showed
the long sweep of her silken eyelash-
es, the coQuettish glance which half
frowned, though he saw only half the
game. Tie did not perceive the ex4
change of dress which woman's eye
would have noticed at once what did
he know about girls clothes but he
saw Marguerite as usual was eclipsed
by her cousin He would have a few
words with Margot on the following
day, but he could not speak now be-
fore the king. 6e@
But though Margot. eXultant, al
ready in imag ination wore the crown
on her head, things were not quite as
they seemed She exerted her power
of pleasing to the utmost; never had
she been more witty, more sparkling.
King Louis listened with courtesy,
that true courtesy Of the heart which
distinguished him.. but though he adj.
mired the sladys beauty she was not
altogether to his taste. Her glance
was too bold, her speech too free. She
was not what the rllmor which had
borught him here on matrimonial
errand had led him to expect. His
eyes travelled round the room and fell
on pale, sweet face; they exchanged
a long look, at little distance. Mar
guerite turned and her heart beat
more quickly. If she had known the
king was like--that she would never
have surrendered her birthright SO
easily -
who is that LADY," asked King
Louis, interrupting Margot in the mid
die of her speech.
The beauty colored and bit her lips
Could anything be more provoking
just. when all was going well?
THAT is my cousin" she answered,
my uncle's daughter"
"She has sweet face" said King
Louis, thoughtfully, and Margot felt
she was losing ground. san
That night Marguerite lay awake to
think of the king and slept to dream
of him. Next morning there was a
hawking party. in which the ladies'
took part. Here again Margot out
shone her cousin; she was bold and
daring rider and Marguerite was tim
i'd, but her timidity appealed to the.
king whose chivalrous instinct was
moved by her fears. Her horse curv-
eted and she uttered an exclamation;
he, laid his hand on her rein.
BE not afraid, lady he said, kind
ly.. HE means nothing. 1t. is only
play"
II am very foolish" said Marguer-
ite, 'sbut know that il he chose to do
anything / could not stop him.
HE will do nothing promised the
king. And in any case I am here to
prevent him."
He remained by her side through
out the morning and she was con-
scious Of a strange elation.. On his,
return ito the castle he took counsel
with his trusted minister.
Il have made up my mind" he said,
ito offer my hand to the counts
niece"
THE counts daughter, sire, would
be more suitable match
Il prefer the looks of her cousin"
The minister was not surprised. AS
far as looks went there certainly was
no comparison, but he thought the
king superior to such considerations.
Even saints had eyes, however He
did not know the mistake into which
the king had fallen. ,z
"A virtuous woman" continued the
king, lis crown to her husband"
Report speaks well Of the Princess
Marguerite represented the minister.
He thought the king was trying to
justify his choice in manner that
was not quite worthy of him. If he
was taken with, Margot's beauty, why
not own it? It was not her virtue.
that attracted him, that was certain
She was neither better nor worse
than others.
y Report Is not always to be depend
ed upon. i mistrust the lady.
81 The minister said no more IL the,
king was bent on the match it was not
for him to oppose 1t. The king and
his host were closeted together for q
s sss>y4.=ss. ~