The Grey Cloak

parkled and glittered in the light of the flames that rose and fell in the gaping chimney-place. Around this table were seated four

s gouty foot which dozed on a cushion under the table. This astute politician was still a handsome man, but the Fronde and the turbulent nobility had

n no wise diminished its width; but her throat was still firm and white, and her hands, saving their plumpness, were yet t

le looked hungry and politely bored, whi

ngling with the golden curls of the boy, both poring over a hook filled with war-like pictures, the one interested by the martial spirit native to his blood, the other by the desire to please, sat the boy Louis and Madem

ith a long series of defeats, the Comtesse de Soissons, the Abbé de la Rivre, Madame de Brigy, the Duc and Duchesse de Montausier,-all were laughing and exchanging badinage with the Duc de Gramont, who was playing execrably on Mademoise

window-seat from which position she had been staring at the flambeaux below

d the madrigal, Homer and Voiture, and besides, I never p

days when the literary salons of the H?tel de Rambouillet were at zenith, the Duchesse de Montbazon was known to be at once the handsomest and most ignorant woman in France. But none denied that she possessed a natural

nd that his papers fall into worthy hands." The prince glanced covertly toward Mazarin. "But it was all his own fault. T

; and with a perceptible frown she added: "And are you aware that M

rgotten! But it was so long ago, and no one seems to have hear

Monsieur, we women love to hold a surprise in reserve. When we a

one spends five years in Vincennes," with another furtive glance at Mazarin. "B

e fro

uty you still

, or it will be said that

enely-"there had bee

orn on the tips of her fingers

mit

itle w

in-law! It reads like one of Marguerite's tender tales. The daughter is three times younger than the husband who

ful utterance, but what she said

lly. "I grow old? Never. I ha

e me the reci

eady pos

ay, ex

e of books, of refusing to take life seriously, of f

this blundering, unconscious irony

vance, but spend the hour you have; shake the past from the shoulders like a worn-out clo

he smiled, recalling some happy souvenir. Presently

. I do not know him intimately, but I should like to.

me that the Chevalier du Cévennes is the son of the Marquis de Périgny?" For a moment her mind was

ot recall the gay and brilliant

e past should be shaken from the

ome. Courage? He was always fighting; he was a lion. How we youngsters applauded him! He told Richelieu to his face that he would be delighted to have him visit Périgny and dance the

his son h

ontbazon would never look at a clod. ... Monks of Touraine!" he ejac

met face to face. I am in a position to know. Since presentation Gabrielle has not been to

was missing from the H?tel de

ion is impossible. In the first place ... It

and forgetfulness. Mazarin is becoming as strict as those pot-hat Puritans yonder in England. He might possibly overlook a duel in the open; but to enter a man's house by the window ... What more is there to be said? And all this recalls what my father used to say. De Br

and the son of her old flame had never met. A man does not fall in love with a woman after he refuses to look at

approache

te to your Highness." The lacke

was this: "Monsieur le Comte's private papers are missing, taken by his assail

proached Mazarin and whisp

!" cried th

ss," replied the valet.

han ten louis! ... Ladies, an affair of state," and Mazarin rose and limped into the adjoining cabinet. "Bring him into this room," he said

lowing Bernouin. His face wore a puzzled, troubl

me de Montbazon; "handsomer

e astonishment was genuine; "he is brave. What

placid again. So satisfied was she that she did not notice Beau

mised, and the young page who had played Mercury to their intrigue stared him coolly in the face when questioned, and went about his affairs ca

uccess of my mission. His Holiness directed me to giv

e missive and laid it aside. He drummed with his fingers,

n did you arri

lier listlessly ... He had entered Paris with joy in h

rin, lifting a warning finger. "

last night at the Pineapple in Fontainebleau. I repeat to you, I arrived scarce two hours a

that you arriv

hat is telling

particularly relish the Chevalier's hau

ontainebleau, I say so truthfully. Your Eminence will tell me the cause of this peculiar interrogatory. There is an accusation

night. You had an appointment at the H?tel de Brissac. You entered

e, exchanged glances of surprise and disbelief.

; for it can not be possible that the first minister in France would accu

" warned the cardinal. The Chevalier's to

hrew his hat to the floor, drew his sword and tossed it beside the hat, and folding his arms he said, his voice full of sudden wrath-wrath, against the ironical turn of fortune

ot this manner you assume. There were witnesses

. I did not know De Brissac. I hav

aid, was at one time affianced to you." Mazarin was a keen physiognomist; and as he rea

set eyes upon Madame de Brissac, though it is true that at one time

ou wear, he naturally fixes the memory, becomes conspicuo

is rondeau, his triolet, his chant-royal!-Victor, who had put his own breast before his at Lens! The Chevalier regained his composure, he saw his way clearly, and said quietly: "I have not worn my grey cloak since the king's party at Louvre. I can only repeat that I was not in Paris last night. I slept at the Pineapple at Fontaineble

ng something," he said

I

t you slept in Fontainebleau.

ruthfully becaus

e ca

now who wor

tical opinions may have been in the past. It was an encounter under questionable circumstances. The edict reads that whosoever shall be found guilty of killing in

recovered his hat, but h

igneur. I do not know. The cloak may have b

d you lend

r a cloud. Besides, I have been absent thirty days;

u refuse to tell me?" no

s," q

lier. The alternative is your resigna

lier was more than a courtier, he was a soldier. "I refus

ot send you to the Bastille as was my original intention. Your exile shall be in the sum of five years. You are to remain in France. If you rebel and draw your sword against your country, confiscation and death

hment for a man whose only crime i

e Comte," in a kindly tone; "do not be a fool, do not throw away a brilliant career for the sake of a friendshi

having nothin

ers, "conduct Monsieur le Chevalier to his lodgings and remain with him till dawn, when you will show him the road to Orléans. And remember, he must see no one." Then Mazarin wen

musketeers, waking the Chevalier from his

er restored the C

p his hat and thrusting his sword into its scabbard

ret staircase to the court below. The Duc de

the prince; "I have a word to

oldier loved his Beaufort. The two

, "that paper, and my word as a

ot understand

ke impatiently; "it is your liberty

are talking over my head. I do

evalier's face. "Why did yo

six this evening, and straightway I am accused of having killed a man I have seen scarce a half dozen times in my life. And now yo

incred

or me that monseigneur acquits me of all connection with the De Brissac affair,

ue, your

demanded the prince with

minence it is not probable tha

a most uncomfortable hour that night when his Hig

gueville herself in the act of entering it. Mademoiselle w

me to speak to Mademoisell

can see mademoiselle?" said

inence said nothing about Monsieur le Chev

nd the Chevalier hastened to t

me to say that she forbids you further to address her. Her reasons ... Well, she gives none. As fo

hat whatever her indictments are, I am innocent

lance. "You have not yet

selle. Will

do you no good. Forget her, Chevalier. I should." And

evalier, irrelevantly, when

on your hat, Monsieur, or my word for

hat. "Five years ... his

d the little Rochellaises are pretty. My word! the time will pass quickly enough. Come; we w

e heard him say 'Bonum vinu

oes tha

n with the Chevalier, who is a man in all things. Monsieur, wh

. The Candlestick has some fine burgund

he arms and dragged them toward the gate. "Wine rejoices the heart of man: and one forgets. Let Mazarin take away my liberty; praise be to Bacchus, he can not tak

them made off for

wiss, rubbing his gummed eyes, saw the approach of three men, one of whom was leading a handsome Spanish jennet. The three men walked unevenly, now and then laughing uproariously and slapping one anot

urs," said the Swiss envio

said Georges, assumin

nt?" asked the

t of the city," said Georg

," replied

ce. A quarter of a mile away, having reached an elevation, the exile stopped his horse and turned in the saddle. As he strained his bloodshot eyes toward the city, the mask of intoxication fell away from his face, leaving it worn and wretched. The s

ad come and gone, each growing infinitely longer and duller and more hopeless. Of what use were youth and riches without a Paris? Friendship? Was he not, as Mazarin had pointed out, a fool for his pains? It was giving away five years of life and love. A word? No. He straightened in the saddle, and the fumes of wine receded from his brain, leaving a temporary clearness.

e be a summer's rustication. He fumbled at his throat and drew forth a ruby-studded miniature. He kissed it and hid it from sight. By proxy she had turned him aside in con

give him five years in exchange. And where is yesterday?" He had pa

rd Paris, then turned hi