Page:A Nameless Nobleman.djvu/14

Rh following the Mancinis and Martinozzis, all hoping fortune and preferment from Mazarin. Poor, charming, doomed Henrietta of England was the magnet of a bevy of fair aristocrats, whose blonde loveliness contrasted, to their mutual advantage, with the brown beauties of Spain, Italy, and France, and surpassed in refinement that of the Germans who had already appeared at the court of France, heralding, perhaps, the advent of their queer countrywoman, the second Duchess of Orleans. But we return to the two gallants themselves, no mean personages at court, who stood discussing the scene with the gay cynicism of their age.

"In beauty, yes," replied De Chablais, glancing across the gallery at the Marquise de Montespan, who stood surrounded by flatterers, rivals, imitators, enemies, every thing but friends: "she looks as content as the cat who has just lapped up the cream, and is still singing jubilate over the fall of poor dear La Vallière."

"Don't be uncharitable, mon cher," replied De Vannes maliciously. "Madame de Montespan was the friend of the Duchess de la Vallière, and proved it by dragging an earthly crown from between her hands and giving her an heavenly one instead. No doubt Sister Louise de la Miséricorde feels deeply grateful."

"Oh, of course! especially as this devoted friend prevents any danger of a lapse from grace by herself monopolizing the peril formerly shared by both."

"While the widow Scarron meekly offers herself as a