Part 11 (1/2)
Soon afterwards, the Lorraines appealed secretly to the E for such an opportunity; he forthwith sent Marshal de Crequi at the head of twenty thousand ed, and the Duchy of Bar, which had not
Thethat the Duke had not been at the pains to observe the Treaty of Metz with regard to the surrender of Harsal, and, as a punishnty would be confiscated
A large army then marched upon Peronne; it had been formed at Saint Germain, and was divided into two columns The first went to join the Duc de Crequi, who occupied Lorraine; the other took up its position near Sedan, to keep the Flemish and Dutch in check in case of any atteave themselves up to the Emperor, who, aware of their fine soldierly qualities, bestowed upon both high posts of coreat losses to France and keen anxiety to her King
CHAPTER XXVIII
E of Arda--Political Influence Exercised by the Good Looks of Madain Takes for a Horse--Madame de Montespan Entertains Them in Her Own House--Three Missionaries Reco of Arda sent an eular than that of the Turks This African prince, hearing of the French King's noble character and of his recent conquests, proposed to forht his support against the English and the Dutch, his near neighbours
The King said to me; ”Madame, I believe Ibrahi elobe For Heaven's sake, don't show yourself, or these new envoys will utterly lose their heads, too”
The envoys referred to were notable for their rich, semibarbaric dress, but not one of the a present, in the shape of a tiger, a panther, and two splendid lions To the Queen they gave a sort of pheasant covered with gold and blue feathers, which burst out laughing while looking intensely grave, to the great diversion of every one They also brought to the princess a little blackaer, and of which she, unfortunately, grew very fond--[Later on the writer explains herself more fully--EDITOR'S NOTE]
These Africans also came in cerereeted reatly offended the Queen), and in the na of Arda, they presented e pearls, and two bracelets of priceless value,--splendid Oriental sapphires, the finest in the world
I gave orders forthese, they prostrated the by their attitude, began to ride pick-a-back on one of them, who did not seem offended at this, but carried the child about for a little while
The ceremony of their presentation will, doubtless, have been described in various other books; but I cannot forbearone incident As soon as the curtains of the throne were drawn aside, and they saw the King wearing all his decorations and ablaze with jewels, they put their hands up to their eyes, pretending to be dazzled by the splendour of his presence, and then they flung theround, the better to express their adoration
I invited theny, my favourite country-seat, and there I caused a sumptuous collation to be served to them in accordance with their tastes Plain roast meat they ate with avidity; other dishes seemed to inspire them with distrust,--they looked closely at the else
I do not interfere in affairs of State, but I wanted to know from what source in so remote a country they could have obtained any positive inforh the interpreter, they replied that three travellers--missionaries--had stayed for a couple of ood fathers had told thereat King” These same missionaries had chosen the sort of presents which they were to give in, Abbe of Saint Germain des Pres--Revenues Required, but Not the Cowl--Discussion between the King and the Marquise--Madaument
The wealthy abbey of Saint Ger a revenue of five hundred thousand livres]--was vacant; the King appointed thereto his son, the Coin, and as the Benedictine iven to the instructed the grand al reigns princes ere married and of warlike tastes ”Such abuses,” said the prelate, ”were more than reprehensible; his Majesty is incapable of wishi+ng to renew them As to the Prince's extreme youth, that is in no way prejudicial to you, neur will be suitably represented by his vicar-general until such tiovernorshi+p himself”
”Is it your intention to conde, in amazement
”Madain as he grows up should continue to show pluck and a taste for things military, as by birth he is bound to do, ill relieve hie, while he will have profited thereby up to that time
If, on the contrary, my son should show but inferior mental capacity, and a pusillani the Church folk; he will be far better off there than elsewhere The essential thing for a parent is to study carefully and in good ti for the ruler of an Eht people to do the work in hand”
”Willthis abbey, have to wear the dress of his office?” I asked ”Iin an abbe!”
”Do not feel the slightest repugnance on that score,” added the King