Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

H Under > By FREDE Aulhor a Copyright. 1005. by the 1 CHAPTER II. HOUGII and sharp pointed, a wooden sword was no lnslgnlfleant weapon, wielded by the thews and sinews of a Triboulet. Crouching like un animal, the king's buffoon sprang with headlong fury, uttering hoarse, guttural sounds that awakened misgivings regarding the fate of bis too confident antagonist. "Do not kill him. Triboulet!" cried Marot, alarmed lest the duke's fool should be slain outright. "Remember he has Journeyed from the court of Chai-w v r? "Charles V.!*' came through Trlboulet's half closed teeth. "My master's one great enemy!" "Hush!" muttered. Vlllot. "Our master's enemy Is now his dear frlendl" "Friend r sueered the other, but even as he thrust his sword tingled sharply tn his band and whisked magically out of his grip, described a curve In the air and fell at a far end of the room, t the same time a stinging blow descended smartly on the dwarfs hump. , "Pardon me!" laughed the duke's fool. "Being unused to such exercise my blade fell ' by mistake ou your back." If looks could have killed, Triboulet would have achieved his original purpose, but after a vindictive though fu? tile glance his headv drooped despondently, To have been' thus humiliated before those whom he regarded as his vassals! What Jest could restore him the prestige he had enjoyed, what play of words efface the shame of that public chastisement? Hod he been beaten by the king but thus to suffer at the hand of a foreign fool! And the mon rcu?wouiu ne learn of it?the punishment of the royal Jester? As In a dream he heard the hateful voices of the company. ' " 'Tls not the first time he has been wounded there!" said fearless Calllette, who openly acknowledged his aversion for the king's favorite fool, "But be seated, gentle sir," he added to the stranger, "(ipd "??- ? li?f itiiwy/ "Bsugfi? certfcsr commented the otb- * er ffs he returned his blade to his belt. "And as I see no stool"? "There's the throne!" returned Calllette courteously. "Since you have overcome Triboulet his place is yours." ?A precarious place!" said the newcomer easily, dropping, nevertheless. Into the chair. ^The king is dead I Long live the king!" cried the cardinal's jester. "Long live the king!" they shouted, every fool and zany raising a tankard save the dwarf and the young woman, the former continuing to glare vindictively upon the usurper and the latter to all Intent remaining oblivious of the ceremony of Installation. Poised upon a chair, she Idlv thrust her fingers through the glided bars of the cage that hung from the rafters and gently stroked the head of the now com' plaisant bird. "Poor Jocko! Foor Jocko!" she murmured. "La, la. la!" sang the parrot, responsive to her light caress. "Your majesty's wishes! Your majesty's decree!" exclaimed the monastic wit worm. "Hear, hear!" roared Brusquet "Silence!" commanded Marot. "His majesty speaks." "Toot, toot, toot!" rang out the flourish of a trumpet, a clarion prelude to the flat from the throne. The new king In motley arose, heedless, devil may care, very erect In bis preposterously pointed shoes. "I appoint you. Thony. treasurer of the exchequer, because you are quick at sleight of hand," he began. "Good," laughed Marot. "An he's tnorfe light fingered than bis predecessor, ihe's a master of prestidigitation!" "tfou. Brusquet." went on the new master of Fools' hall, "I reward with the government of Gulenne, for he who governs his own house so HI Is surely fitted for greater tasks of Incompetency." This allusion to the petticoat rule which dominated the luckless Jester at home was received In good part by all save the hapless domestic bondman himself. "Too. Vlllot, are made admiral of the fleet** Vlllot smiled, thinking how Francis had but recently bestowed that office upon the Impoverished husband of pretty Mme. d'Etallle. "Thanks, your majesty," be began, "but if sonic post nearer home"? "You are to sail at once!" "But my wife"? "Will remain at court!" announced the duke's Jester with great decision. Villot made a wry face. The king in motley smiled significantly. "A safe haven, Vlllot! Besides, remember a court without ladles la like a spring without flowers." A movement resembling apprehension swept through the company. The epigram had been Francis'; the court, a flower bed of roses, was In consequence a thorny maze for a Jester to tread. From her chair at the far end Of the room the young woman looked at the newcomer for the first time since his enthronement. Her fingers yet played between the gilded bars; . u*. the posture s*e fca?Jltap*4 set torth the Rose! RIC S. ISHAM, I "The Strollers" ^ (OWEN-MERRILL COMPANY the pliant grace of her figure. Above the otlierti, she glanced at him. her hair very black against the golden cage; her arm, very white, half unsheathed from the great hanging sleeve. "You are overbold." she said, a poculiur smile upon her lips. "Nay, 1 have spoken no treason, mistress," he retorted blithely. "Not by word of mouth, perhaps, but by imputation." lie raised his brows with a gesture of wnutou protest, while the face before him clouued. Her eyes held his; her little teeth just gleamed between the crimson of her lln? 4,I presume you consider Charles the more llttlng monarchV she continued. Was 11 the disdain of her voice? Did she road his passing thoughts? Did she challenge him to utter them? "In truth," the Jester said carelessly. "Charles builds fortresses, not pleasure palaces, and garrisons them with soldiers. not ladles." She half smiled; her glance fell; her hand moved caressingly, the sleeve waving beneath. "Poor Jocko! Poor Jocko!" she murmured. Triboulet's glance beamed with delight. She was casting her spell over his enemy. "Oh," muttered Trlboulet. "If the Jklng could but have heard!" . Ferhaps It was a breath of air. but the tapestry depicting the misadven "b??U U 1/4in hnuvct" turcs of Mooius waved and moved. Triboulet, who noted everything, saw this and suffered an expression of triumph momentarily to rest upon his malignant features. Had his prayer been answered? ,4A spring without flowers," forsooth! Dearly cherished the august gardener his beautiful roses?great red roses, white roses, blossoms yet unopened! Following bis gaze, a significant light appeared in the young woman's eyes, while her arm fell to her side. "Now to see Presumption sue for pardon," she whispered to herself. One by one the company, too, turned in the direction Triboulet was looking. In Dortralture the classical buffoon grinned and gibed at thein from tho tapestry, and even from his high station above the clouds Jupiter, who had ejected the offending fool of the gods, looked less stern and Implacable. An expectnut hush fell upon the assemblage when suddenly Jove and Momus alike were unceremoniously thrust aside, and as the folds fell slowly back, before the many hued curtain stood a man of stately and majestic mien? a roan whose appearance caused deep seated consternation, whose forbidding aspect made the very silence portentous and terrifying. With dress slashed and laced, rich In Jewelry and precious stones, he remained motionless. regarding the motley gathering, while an ominous half smile played about his features. He said nothing, but his reserve was more sinister than language. Capricious, cruel, was Ills face: In bis eyes shone covert enjoyment of the situation. Would he never speak? . With one hand be stroked bis beard; with the other be toyed with the lace on bis doublet. "You were talking, children," he sold finally, "before I came In." "If your majesty," ventured Trlboulet, "has beard all, your majesty will not blame?nsi" Ana ne giancea malevolently toward the duke's Jester, who, upon the king's abrupt entrance, had descended from the platform. Observing the emblazoned arms of Charles V. upon the dress of the culprit, a faint look of surprise swept Francis' face. Did It recstl that fatal day when on the fleld of battle a rival banner had waved ever lllnslvely. ever beyond bis reach? Now it shone before him as though mocking his friendship for his one time powerful enemy, the only man he feared, the emperor who bad overthrown him. The sinister smile of the king gave way to gloomy thoughtfulness. "^ho Is this knave?" he asked a1 length, 'fixedly regarding the erstwhile badge of bis defeat. "A poor fool, sire!" replied the kneel lng man. > "Those arms embroidered on yoti ^ dr**s, what do they mean?" said th< wHS f king shortly. "The arms of my master's master, your majesty!" was the overtoiilldent answer. "Who is your master?" "The Duke of Friedwuld, sire, the betrothed of the Princess Louise." "And your purpose here?" "My in; stcr sent me to the princess. Til miss thee, rogue.' said he. ' 'Tis proof of love to send thee, my merry couip: lion of the wine cup! But go*. Nature !?at]i formed tl.ee to conjuit sadness 1 mi a lady's face.' So 1 sc. out upon u.y perilous Journey, und. fa vored by fortune, am but snXely arrlv ed. 1 was e'en now about to repair to the princess, whom I trust, in my humble way, to amuse." "And tliou sl ait!" said the king significantly. "Oh. your majesty!" with assumed modesty. "That is." added Francis, "if it will amuse her to see you hanged!" "And If it did not amuse her. sire?" spoke up the newcomer, without n tremor In his voice. "What tl cu?" asked the king. "It would be n breach of hospitality to hang me. the servant of the duke who is servant of Charles V.!" he replied boldly. | Francis started. Like a menace shone the arms of the great emperor. Vividly he recalled his own huinlllq- J tion, his long captivity, and mistrusted the power of his subtle, amiable -J friend enemy. Friendship? Sweeter was hatred. But the promptings of wisdom had suggested the policy of peace; the reins of expediency drove him, nutoernt or slave, to the doctrines of loving brotherhood. lie turned - Biuumy eyes upon tlie glowing count? nance of Trlboulet. I "What say you. fool?" "Your majesty." answered the eager dwarf, "could liung him without breach , of hospitality." J I "IIow do you make that good. Tri- 1 boulet?" asked the monarch. | "The duke has given him to the princess. The princess Is n subject of your majesty. The king of France 1 has jurisdiction over the priniess' fool and surely can proceed In so small a matter as hanging him." Francis bent a malignant look upon the young man. Behind the dwarf stood the jestress, now an earnest spectator of the scene. "This newcomer's stay with us promises to be brief, Cailiette." she whispered. "Hark, you witch! He answers," returned the poet. "What can he say?" she retorted, shrugging her shoulders. "He is ulready condemned." __ u a. ? |,o?i icnmv Miireu at you overmuch.'* "Ob." she said insensibly, "it was written ho should hang himself. Now we'll hear how ably Audacity parleys with Fate." "It would be no breach of hospitality, sire, to hang the princess' fool." spoke the condemned man. with no sign of wauiug confidence, "yet it would seem to depreciate the duke's gift. Your majesty should hang the one and spare the other. 'Tis a matter of logic." he went on quickly, "to point out where the duke's gift ends and the princess' fool begins. A gift is a gift until it is received. The princess has not yet received the duke's gift. There- ' foro your majesty cannot hnng me as I the princess* fool, nor would your majesty desire to hnng me us the 1 ( duke's gift." - Imperceptibly the monarch's inien re- laxed, for next to a contest with blades | he liked the quick play of words. . "Answer him, Triboulet," he said. "Your majesty ? your majesty" ? stammered the dwarf nnd paused lu despair, his wits failing klin at the critical Juncture. "Enough!" commanded the king sternly. A sound of suppressed merriment even as he spoke startled the gathering. "Who laughed?" he cried suddenly. "Was it you. mistress?" fns| teulng his eyes upon the young woman. Her head fell lower and lower like some dark flower on a slender stem. From out of the veil of her mazy Lair came n voice, soft with seeming hit| millty. "It might have been Jocko, sire," she snid. "He sometimes laughs like that." 1 The king looked from the woman to the bird, theu from the bird to the woman, n gleam of recollection in his glance. "Humph!" he muttered. "Is this where you serve your mistress! Look to It you serve not yourself 111!" An Instant her eyes flashed upward. "My mistress Is at prayer." she answered. and looked down again as quickly. "And you meanwhile prefer the drollery of these madcaps to the attentions of our courtiers?" said Francis, more gently. "Certcs are you gypsy born?" Her hands clasped tighter, but she answered not. and he turned more sternly to the new king of the motley. "As for you," he continued, "for the present the duke's gift Is spared. But let the princess' fool look to himself. Remember, a guarded tongue insures a ripe old age. and even a throne in Fools' hall is fraught with hazard. ticre, Home or you. nine turn ?inuicuiIng the Bleeping Rabelais?"and throw It into the horse pond. Yet see that he does not drown. Your heads upon it! 'Tis to him France looks for learning." ' lie paused, glancing back nt the 1 kneeling girl. "You, .Mistress Who Seeks to Hide Her Face, teach that parrot not to laugh!" he added grimly. The tapestry waved. Mute the mot' ley throng stared where the king had stood. A light hand touched the arm t of the duke's fdol, and. turning, he be> held the young woman. Her eyes were alight with new Are. - i "In heaven's name," she exclaimed passionately, "let us leave. You have r dor?s mischief enough. Follow me." 3 "NvhSjre'er you will,'' he responded JF I-1- - Ktttt&ntiy. ^ . . CHAPTER IIL @FIE son anil the breeze contended with the mist Intrenched In the stronghold of the valley. From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift moving zephyrs, aud, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside. Soon the conquering light liriehtly illumined a mediaeval castle copimandlng the surrouuding country; tUQ victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements. A great Noriutui structure, somber, austere, it was, however, brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its aucient majesty. "Fill up the moat." Francis had ordered. "'Tls barbaric! What lover would sigh beueath walls thirty feet thick! And the portcullis - away with it! Summon my Italian painters to adorn the walls. We may yet make hnbituble these legacies from the savage, brutal pust." So the mighty walls, once sot in n comparative wilderness, a tangle of thicket and underbrush, uow urose from garden, lawn and park, whero even the deer were no longer shy, and the water, propelled by artificial powtfr, shot upward In jets. Seated nt a window which overlooked this sylvan aspect, modified If not fashioned by man, u young woman with ' seeming conscientiousness told her beads. The apartment, though richly furnished, was in keeping with ttte devout character of its fair mistress. A brush or aspersoriuiu, used for sprinkling holy water, was leaning against the wall. Upon u table lay an open psalter, with its long hanging cover and a ba.I nt the extremity of the forel. Behind two tall candlesticks stood an altar table which, being unfolded, revealed three compartments, each with a picture painted by Andrea del Sarto, the once honored guest of Francis. The I'rin.css Louise, cousin of Franels' former queen, Claude, had been reared with rig.d strictness, although provided with various preceptors who bad made her more or less proficient Itt the profane letters, as they were then called, Latin, Creek, theology and philosophy. The fame of her beauty bad gone abroad; her hand had been >ften sought, but the obdurate king lad steadfastly refused to sanction ler betrothal uutil Charles, the emperor, himself proposed a union be.ween the fair ward of the French _one_of his noh.es. the ated upon thus drawing to Ids inter>sts onfe of his rival's most chivalrous mights,, while farseeing Charles beleved he could uot ouly retain the luke, hut add to his own court the ovely rind loarned ward of the king. And in this comedy of aggrandizement the puppets were willing, as pupjets must needs be. Indeed, the duke was seriously enamored of the princess, whose portrait he had seen In miniature, and hud himself importuned the emperor to Intercede with Francis, kuowing that the only way to the lady's hand was through the good ofB c? of him who aspired to the mastery of all Europe, If not the world. Charles, unwilling to disoblige one whose principality was the most powerful of the Austrian provinces ho sought to absorb in his scheme for the unification of all nations, offered no (lemur 10 a request iraugui wuu advantage to himself. Besides, co'il nud calculating though he was. the emperor entertained a certain aHectiou for the duke, who on one occasion, when Charles had been sore beset by the troops of Solymnn, had extricated his royal leader from the alternative of ignominious capture or an untimely end. Accordingly, a formal proposal, couched In language of warm friendship to the king, was dispatched by the emperor. When Francis, with some misgiving, arising from experience with womankind, laid the matter before Louise, she. to his surprise, proved her devotion and loyalty by her entire submisslveuess, and the king, kissing her hand, generously vowed the wedding festivities should be worthy of her beuuty and fealty. Was she thinking of that scene now and the many messages which had subsequently pnsscd between her distant lover and herself as the white tingers ceased to tell the heads? Was she questioning fate and the future when the rosary fell from her hand and the clinking of the great glass beads on the hard door aroused her from a reverie? Languidly she rose and crossed the room townrd a low dressing table, when nt the same time one of the several doors of the npartment opened, admitting the jestress. Jacqueline, whose long, flowing gown of dark green bare 110 distinguishing mark of the motley she had assumed the night before. The dreamy, utmost lethargic, gaze of the princess rested for a moment upon the ardent eyes of the maid who stood motionless before her. "The duke's Jester who arrived last night uwalts your pleasure without," said the girl. "Bid him enter. Stny! The fillet for my hair. Seems he a merry fellow r "So merry, madam, he mimicked the king last night in Fools' hall, beat Triboulet, appointed knaves in Jest to high oillce8, and had been hanged for his forwardness but that he narrowly saved his neck by n slender device." "What, all that in so short a tiinel" exclaimed the princess. "A most presumptuous rogue!" i "The king, madam, was behind the tapestry and heard It all?his appolnt| ment of Ihony as treasurer, because be.Is apt nt palming money; Brusquet governor of Guienne. since he governi bis own home so ill, and Vlllot, ad ml ral ot the fleet, that he might sal away and leave his pretty wife behlnti him." "I'll warrant me (he story Is knowc to the entire < >urt ere this." laughed the lady. "Won't Mine. d'LItaille be 1b n temi er! And the admiral when he hears of it ?on the high seis! The king was eavesdropping, you say, and yel spared the jester? lie must bear a charmed life." "lie dubbed himself the duke's gift, madam, and boldly claimed privilege under the poor cloak of hospitality." "Surely," murmured the princess, "there will be no lack of entertainment with this knave under the same roof?too much entertainment, 1 fear me. Well, admit the bold fellow." Crossing to the door, the maid pushed It back, and the llgure of the jester passed the threshold, a figure so graceful and well built the lady's eyes, turning toward him with mild Inquiry, lingered with approval; lingered and were upraised to u fair, handsome face, when approval gave way to won Was this the imprudent, hot brained rogue who had swaggered in Fools' hail and made a farce of the affairs of the nation? Ilis countenance seemed that or a courtier rather than a lowborn scapegrace, his bearing in consonance as, approaching the princess, he knelt near the edge of her sweeping crimson garment. Quietly the maid withdrew to a corner of the apartment, where she se .ted herself on a low stool, her lingers idly playing with the delicate carvings of a vase of silver containing water that had been blessed and standing conveniently near the nspersorlum. "You come from the Duke of Frledwald, fool?" said the mistress, recovering from her surprise. "Yes, princess." Louise smiled and looked toward the maid as If to say, "Why, he's a model of decorum!" but the girl continued regarding the ilgures on the vase, seemingly indifferent to the scene before her. "I hear, sirrah, but a poor account of your behavior last night," continued the princess. "You must have a care or 1 shall scud you back to the duke and command him to have you whipped. You have been here but overnight. yet how many enemies have you made? The king, the admiral and, last, but not least, a certain lady. Poor fool! '..You may have saved your neck, but for how long? Fie, what an account must I give of you to your master!" "Ah, madam," he answered quickly, "you show me now tlie folly of It all." "Let me see," she went on more gently, "what we may do, since you will neither forget nor forgive, fortunately, I think she fears to disoblige me. and if 1 let It be known you are an Indispensable part of my household"? She paused thoughtfully. "Besides, she has a little secret she would keep from the king. Yes. the secret will save you!" And Louise smiled knowingly as one who. although most devout, perhaps had missed a few paters or credos in listening to idle worldly gossip. "Madam," he said, raising his head, "you overwhelm me with your goodness." "Oh, I like her not; a most designing creature," returned the lady carelessly. "But you may rise, unmi me mat embroidery," she added when be had obeyed. "How do I know the duke, my betrothed, whom I have never seen, has not sent you to report upon my poor charms? What If you were only his emissary?" "Princess," lie answered. "I am but a fool; no emissary. If I were"? "Well?" She smiled indulgently at the open admiration written so hoi 'iy upon his face, and, encouraged by her glance, he regarded her swiftly, comprehensively?the masses of hair the fillet 111 confined; eyes soft lidded, dreamy as a summer's day: a figure, pagan In generous proportions; a foot, however, petite, Parisian, peeping from beneath a robe, heavy, voluminous, vivid! "If you were?" she suggested, passing a golden thread through the cloth she held. "I would write him the miniature he has of you told but half the truth." "So you have seen tlie miniature? It lies carelessly about. 110 doubt?" Yet her tone was not one of displeasure. "The duke frequently draws it from his breast to look at It." "And so many handsome women in tlie kingdom, too!" laughed the princess. "A tiny, paltry bit of vellum!" Ilcr Hps curled indulgently, as of a person sure of herself. Did uot the fool's glance pay her that tribute to which she was not a stranger? Her lashes, suddenly lifted, met his fully, and drove his look, grown overbold, to cover. The princess smiled. She might 1? 1.^11 ~ hln% Wl'll iifiicvu nit- muni's uuuui uuu, yet was not ill pleased. "Like master, like man!" says the proverb. She continued to survey the graceful figure, well poised head and handsome features of the jester. "Tell me, slrrnh." she continued, "of the duke. Straightforwardly or I'll leave thee to the mercy of mn'km, the admiral's wife! What Is he like?" "A fairly likely man!" " 'Tis what one soys of a man when one can say nothing else. He is not, then, handsome?" "He has never been so considered 1" The princess' ueedle remained suspended. then viciously plunged into the golden Cupid she was embroidering. "The king hath played with me." she murmured, "He represented him as one of the most distinguished appearing knights in the emperor's domains, 1 Is he dark or light?" she went on. "Dark." i "Tall?" i "Rather short." I "His eyes?" said the lady after at - ominous pause. I "Jlrown." ?mi 1 j 4 I "Ills manners?" "Those of n soldier." ! "Ills speech?" I "That of one born to command." i "Command!" returned the princess > Ironically. "Odious word!" ; "You, uiai'-un," quickly answered the ; jester, "he would serve." A moment her glance challenged his, coldly, proudly, and then her features softened. The indolent look crept into i her eyes once more; the tension of her lips relaxed. "Command and serve!" laughed the princess. "A paradox. If not a paragon, It seems! Not handsome, probably ugly! A soldier, full of oaths; a blusterer, strong in bis cups! What a list of qualifications! Well," with a sigh, "what must needs be must be! The emperor plays the rook. Francis moves his pawn, my poor self. The game, beyond the two moves, Is naught to us. Perhaps we shall bo sacrificed, one or both! What of that. If It's a draw, or one o' the players checkmates the other"? "But. princess," cried the fool, "he loves you! Passionately! Devotedly!" "A passing fancy for .. painted semblance!" said the lady, as, rising, sho turned toward tl.e cascmcut, the golden Cupid falling from her lap to the floor. "Nay," he answered swiftly, "he has but to see you, with the suullght lu your hair, as I see you now! The pawn, madam, would become a queen, his queen! What would nint'.er to him the game of Charles or Francis? Let Charles grow greater or Francis smaller. Ills gain would be?you!" She shook Iter bend In soft dissent. "Queen for how long?" she answered gently. "As long as gentle Claude was queen for Francis? As long as saintly Eleanor held undisputed sway?" "As long as Eleanor is queen in the hearts of her people!" he exclaimed passionately. "As long ns France is her bridegroom!" TA?i:i * * jLJcnucrniciy sue uair turned, tlie coll of gold falling over her shoulder. Near her hand, white against the dark caseinent, a hlood rod rose trembled at the entrance of her chamber, and, grasping It lightly. she held it to her face as if its perfume symbolized her thoughts. "Is there so much constancy in the world V" she asked musingly. "Can such singleness of heart exist? Like this (lower, which would bloom and die at my window? A bold flower, though! Day by day lias it been growing nearer. Ilere." she added, breaking it from the stem and holding it to the Jester. "Madam!" he cried. "Take it." she laughed, "and?send it to the duke!" Kneeling, he received It. I- _ ihkc tr, anasnia it to the auKci" "Thou art a fellow of Infinite humor indeed. Equally at home In a lady's boudoir or a fools' drinking bout. Come. Jacqueline. Queen Marguerite awaits our presence. She has a new chapter t read, but whether another installment of her tales or a praj-er for her Mirror of the Sinful Soul I know not. As for you. sir"?with n porting smile?"later we shall walk In the garden. There you may await us." CHAPTER IV. " \at ELI.. Sir Mariner, do you not Vv ^oar to venture so far on a BaEraB dangerous sea?" nsked a ctggMl mocking voice. "A dangerous sea. fair Jacqueline?" he replied, stroking the head of the hound which lay before the bench. "I see nothing save smiling fields and fragrant beds of fiowers." "Oh. I recognize now Monsieur Diplomat. not Sir Mnriuer!" she retorted. Beneath her headdress, resembling In some degree two great butterfly wings, her face looked smaller than Its wont. I,need tiirht. nfler the fashion. tlio cotte-hardle made her waist appear little larger than could he clasped by the hands of n soldier, while a silken shod foot with which she tapped the ground would have nestled neatly In his palm. Was it pique that moved her thus to address the duke's Jester? Since he had arrived Jacqueline had been relegated, as It were, to the corner. She. formerly ever first with the princess, had perforce stood aside on the coming of the foreign fool whose company her mistress strangely seemed to prefer to her own. First had It been talking, walking and jesting, in which last accomplishment lie proved singularly expert, judging from the peals of laughter to , which her mistress occasionally gar# vent. Then It had become riding, , hawking and, worst of all. reading. , Lately Louise, learned, aa lma been set forth, In the profane letters, had dieplayed a marked favor for books of all kinds?"The Tree of Battles," by Bonnet; the "Breviary of Nobles" In verse, the "Llvre des Falts d'Armes et de Chovnlerle," by Christine de Plson? I and In a secluded garden spot, with her | Continued on 6th page.