The Black Wolf's Breed

business which troubled me no little. Had it not been for

s directions came a fawning swarm of tailors, boot-makers, barbers, wig-makers; vendors of silken hose and

and cared naught for the cut of a shoe my Lord of Orleans had made the style, nor did it matter whether my coat was slashed with crimson or braided with golden furbelows. Like some wretch a-quivering of the palsy I heard the learned doctors wrangling over my medicine, which they must needs hold my nose to make me swallow. For all their biases and

o, for the life of him, could not recall one syllable of his speech, nor breathe because of his wig. J

. As well a miller's dusty cap to cover those glorious borrowed curls of thine

. I know this blade, have tested it on many fields, and by

st godly oath, but my mettlesome

I laid my own aside with sore misdoubtings, casting off an old friend to strap on a new. He now added a touch of rouge here and there, a black line to my brows and in the corners of my eyes, stepping back ever and anon to observe the effect. It g

as denominated the "etiquette of the court." Jerome sat himself contented down, and put me through my paces like some farrier showing off a f

peech. What had taken me the better part of a laborious day he accomplished in a short half hour. Coming back unannounced he caught me bowin

ain for the plain Jerome. Arrayed in much the same character of finery which bedecked me, I could give no accurate description of

g to a ball; we can do noth

a wh

in upon Madame M-'s and recite your lessons. It is

an infinite skill to keep my sword from swinging between my legs and throwing me down, I h

bearers and servants coming and going-such a babel of strange oaths-I wished I were safe

out something to-n

is own face, kept me in deadly fear lest my sword trip me. Jerome was gay and talkative

long a face; it is not the funeral of

n or cheek of nearly every one there showed a patch of black sticking-plaster. Poor things! I sorrowed for them, it was so humiliating. Verily, I pitied them all, and speculated on the wonderful compensations of P

immoderately. He was ever a light-headed young spark who gav

. The dancing, the music, the hum of voices ceased, and a thick silence as of direst fear fell upon them all. Then there came a loud crackling and shatter

would have assisted him, for the damsel appeared wofully beset, but the whole throng of mincing lords and screaming ladies, in the rankest ri

the doors I saw the cause. It was a motley and a moving spectacle. For by some mischance a flock of sheep had broken into the ball-room, and frightened

heir charge, my lord and my lady, the Prince of the Blood, and the humblest page who bore his pouncet box. Such a slipping and a sliding across a floor slickened with much wax and polishing, was n

f the ruins, I caught sight of a florid, rotun

ughed a light voice behind me, and a slim finger dir

he better, a young woman of distinguished appearance, rather more plain

er marred the whiteness of her skin. I asked no questions, but regarded more closely this young woman with whom I now drifted naturally into conversation. Her manners were strik

d her finger to the servants who were chasing

in all seriousness, it

l shackles of court which forbid me to speak to those whom I please." A certain def

I want to; there's

her not, and wonde

f sweet simplicity-did Monsieur see it? That big dark place back there, behind the glass partition, was arranged as a meadow, with a stream winding through it, and rocks and trees, and what not. She had a flock of sheep washed clean and white, penned up and in waiting. At a signal from her during the ball, lights were to ha

iselle. I agreed with her, and was inwardly glad the affair turned o

hase, of sword play and of firearms. Odd tastes for a gentlewoman, most of all for one of her exalted rank. Of this latter I

is a st

day in Paris

" and for the second time in a

mandy," I

ve in

most. Then I return to the country." The lady was pensive for a s

a service to

he courtliest speech I could muster. She looked at me long and

nce it is not a proper wish for a lady of birth, yet I hav

ny other motive, I inquired of her

nd led me into a quiet corner where there were seats. I would have thoughtlessly ta

ur will

I st

of it to-morrow. We in the palace see naught of the common people, and I have long dreamed it would be a brave adventure to go unknown among them, to their inns and gathering places

naught of the streets I s

nedly, brushing aside the difficulties I wou

costing me dear? Her eyes fixed full upon me, her voice blended a command which no man dared d

ther than asked. "My apartments are in th

r boots, identical in all respects with my own. Her hat, plume and sword were correct and bravely worn. Her maid, a

out him?" and without any q

me a mask while she affix

red to

upon an errand where we

ris, my lord, and naught is thought of it. Many lords

of resignation

ady asked, one touch of woman'

" but such sayings were fo

d our course, and as she gave no hint of her destination I did not inquire. It was but a brief walk before we came to an arc

will gratify my curiosity. You know I admit my curiosity, sometimes. These men are not alone

nd's. What an infernal fool I had been to be tempted back into this very place of all others. I thought at once it was some cowardly trick of Yvard's. I seized the woman by the arm, for I supposed her then but another decoy; there was no telling h

m a gentleman. Shall I appeal for

tones that I cast her free, and in

t a pillar, and no gamesters sat on the side next the wall. It left but scant space to sit between. There we took our places, and the lady tumbled out a purse well filled with gold pieces, handed some to me and

elessly looking on at the different games. Yet for all their nonchalance there was a well-defined method in their procedure, that

alk. After some consultation they reached a decision. Togethe

t him who called. I could also see a guard suddenly stationed, as if by magic, at each point o

rry; take them," commanded

silly fool to run ag

f them. It was plain, too, that the King's officers, as well as Serigny, had thei

my courage all came back to me. She forgot her

t me; it would be the scandal of all Franc

th the officers, heard a glad little cry from the lady. She calmly gathered up her gold and restored it to her purse, as if the matter were already settled, though

d what would you say? W

you both; I would speak

one could hear, save myself a word or two. The lady spoke to him in a low, quiet tone, and raised her mask a

elle la P

on her lips, "he does not know

ther anxiety. No officer would dare arres

selle do in Bertra

up coldly, "I chose it. Now I would go. Provide an escort f

It is Vauban. It must be no trifling matter to fe

ghten her, perhaps, bu

ho, it appears, was in command of the squad,

Permit these gentlemen to

hen inte

men and escort these, thes

he word, but seemed not pleased to l

ord, it is an honor a marshal of France would

purse to the serg

n, and drink a health to-