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 The Poison Drama. "La Voisin set out for St. Germain on Sunday, March 5, 1679, accompanied by Romani and Bertrand. She returned on Thursday, March 9, very much put out; she had been unable to approach the king so as to give him the petition. She could have

La Voisin was not able to make a second attempt, for La Reynie's patiently laid toils were gathering around her and her ac complices. Louis was in a quandary; he had permitted the investigation, had sanctioned legal action, but at that time he had no idea

MADAME DE MAINTENON put it on the table placed near the king for that purpose, but the paper was useless un less it were placed in the king's own hands. She said that she would return to St. Germain, and when her husband asked her what the urgency was, she replied : ' I must accom plish my design or perish in the attempt! ' ' What! perish! ' he exclaimed, ' that's a good deal for a piece of paper.'"

that his favorite mistress was involved. The revelations made by the daughter of La Voisin and Le Sage, who were arrested at the same time as La Voisin, were of such a nature that the king summoned Louvois to Versailles and confessed that for the sake of his crown the life of Montespan must be spared. " It would not do," his majesty said, " for Europe to know that I have