Belle-Rose — page 230: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE DARK SIDE OF THE PICTURE, = “~> ‘Il know it, and it is an awkward action you have com- mitted.’’ Suzanne looked at the minister With an ietoiiahed air. - ‘‘Kh, madame,’’ .continued Monsieur de Louvois, ‘‘the best thing you ‘could have done, since you wished, to de- — liver Belle-Rose, was to have left with him.”’ “Tam not yet his wife, monseigneur.’”’ “YT thank you for these scruples, madame; tlLey have — served me more than I hoped for. You will take the place of Belle-Rose. The punishment must follow the crime.’’ ‘But of what crime do you speak, monseigneur, and what crime have I committed, then?’’ exclaimed Suzanne, — indignantly. ‘“‘I know of but one crime in all this, and that one was committed in the Bastile upon the person of an innocent officer. Now this officer is my betrothed, | love him, and why should I not try to save him? Go, . monseigneur, it is evident that you have never loved, and all your power as a minister, great though it is, does not go so far as to prevent a woman from devoting herself !’’ Monsieur de Louvois’ countenance was frightful to see; anger swelled in his heart like a tempest, and he employed all the energy of his will to repress it. ‘And 1 will show you,’’: he exclaimed, with a terrible outburst, ‘‘that my power goes so far as to avenge myself on those who dare brave me. No one has ever done it with impunity, madame. ‘Truly you do not know to whom you speak. What! an officer of fortune, who is not even a gentleman, has rebelled against my authority, has made himself the instrument of a man whom I hate, has thwarted me in my designs, and I shall not punish him! And you who came to solicit. his unmerited pardon—you employ your time in securing his escape, you have tri- umphed and you come to say similar things to my face, But, in truth, it is folly, madame!’’ Monsieur de Louvois had risen and was pacing the ~ room. Suzanne looked at him, silent and resolute. ‘‘And do you believe,’’ resumed the minister, that if Madame de Chateaufort had not placed an insuperable barrier between her and myself, I had not punished her like you, duchess though she is? You have surrendered yourself; woe to you!”’ ‘“You threaten me, monseigneur, and lama woman!”’ said Suzanne, tranquilly. | Monsieur de Louvois bit his lip till the blood came. He sat down before his. table and struck the papers which were lying upon it, EComicbooks (E(e)