The Scourge of God

NT SI FAMEUSE, FUNESTE E

der easily and pleasantly along. Almost reached, yet still a league off, wherefore the young man once more set about collecting his thoughts ere that

his life would not be worth a day's--nay, an hour's--purchase, he had decided that he would be frank and truthful--that was it, frank and truthful--before this wo

eek confirmation of that knowledge from her into whose house, t

consent to

-woul

exceptions, none outside the charmed circle of the royal children, her own creatures, and her own ecclesiastics, were ever able to penetrate to her presence. Nay, had he not even heard it said that those on whom she poured benefits could never even obtain

resolved to see her

n her friend, surely his p

ng himself to a soberly clad man servant, who was standing by the half-open gateway which led int

vitor showed in his face so deep an astonishment at the request, so blank an appearance of surprise, tha

ent. If monsieur has that she will doubtless receive him, or if he bears a message either fr

e to see Madame. I am the nephew of--of--the Princesse de Rochebazon, who died yesterd

it was now. That name, his connection with that great and illustrious family, opened barriers which might

e respectful, since that was impossible, bu

hall be forwarded to Madame. Whether she will receive monsieur it is impossible for me to

was summoned, entered the courtyard of the chateau, or institution, as it was more often termed, of St. Cyr. An institution where the strange woman who

een brought by missionaries as presents to their all-powerful mistress. Then he remembered that among other things peculiar to this woman was her love of warmth and her hatred of fresh air--perhaps the only subject on which she was at variance with Louis. And sitting there in the warm, sickly atmosphere, waiting to know what recept

t he thought might be Madame de Maintenon herself, would have felt sure that it was she had not the newcomer, bowed--nay, courtesied to him--as she dre

in a soft, almost toneless voice, "if he will follow me. Al

rished attendant." Whereon Martin bowed to the other with a grace which she, "attendant" though she might be, re

motioned Martin to follow her, smiling, too, while she spoke. "The Princes

of how Nanon Balbien had taken Scarron's widow to her garret after the death of the bankrupt and poverty-stricken poet; had shared her bed and her daily meal--generally a salted herring and some bread--with the woman now omnipotent in France; had preserved her life thereby and prevented her succumbing to cold and destitution and starvation. Knew, too, that there were those in F

t, of the Figure itself--Martin Ashurst went on, until at last he and his conductor neared a huge ebony door the handle of which was of massive silver and representing an angel's head--a door outside which there stood four ladies in waiting, all dressed

the gentleman. Will you conduct him to Madame?" and she drew b

lady said, her voice so

bigoted papist and a king's wife. Yet Martin remembered only at the moment the words of his dead kinsw

aiting the moment when he should be conducted to her presence. Thought so, yet doubted. For if she knew, if she divined upon what errand he had come, would she, even she, this reputed mask of duplicity, of self-righteous deceit

y-five years of life, waiting for him to be brought to her, f

ed as introduction; the courtly bow of Martin Ashurst m

knew not why, that it should be harsh and bitter--"have been offered up many times since I have heard of her death. Monsieur, I accept as a favour at yo

so gracious, there are other matters on which I shall

irst, you have ridden from Paris. Also it is my hour for the midday r

smal because of the ebony fittings and adornments, was a table with covers for two. Also upon it a silver gong. And, alone to relieve the gloom of

lways present, the former standing behind the mistress's chair and directing the latter by a glance. But at last the déje?ner drew to a conclusion, the meal of few but extremely choice plat

me of the end which Aurore de Rochebazon made. Tell me all--

ke, yet not more calm than that of the

er last words that I have sough

ickly. "Alas! Why do yo

end was not peaceful; of one who wandered--was distraught--or revealed in

n the mind of this, woman, marble alike in look and heart, was any knowledge of what the revealed secret was, or only one such sign. A d

ndered. Was distr

eft behind her proofs--

ha

she and her husband usurped a position which was never theirs. Tha

wh

with God

* *

aris and entered the city by the western g

a theatre to witness a revival of L'écolier de Salamanque, which was the production of the poor decayed creature who had been the first husba

ever find him. Even though he lives yo