Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

194 TWO WOMEN’S HEARTS. “Tdo not know yet whether I can do much,’’ said the duke to the colonel, ‘‘but believe me that I shall do alll can. I will see the Prince de Condé and come to an under- standing with him concerning this affair. The worst is that Monsieur de Louvois hates me. My name is a bad recommendation with the minister. ’’ ‘‘And the king?”’ | “The king is waiting; he has not yet tried me. If I risked only my sword and my rank, I would not hesitate a moment to go to see him; but 1 would expose Beile-Rose to all the resentment of Monsieur de Louvois without having the certainty of being able to guarantee him against it. As yet he is only a prisoner; let us not rush things, for fear he may be treated as acriminal. But, I have told you, count upon me.’’ Madame de Chateaufort lost no time and left during the night for Paris. Passing by Compiégne the next day, she had Madame d’Albergotti’s house pointed out to her and went to it. Madame d’Albergotti quitted her husband to receive her. She seemed fatigued by long vigils and suffer- ing from a secret malady. Genevieve looked at her fora moment, seeking to subdue her emotion. At the name of Madame de Chateaufort, Suzanne had stifled a cry of sur- prise. Both knew each other without ever having spoken to each other. ‘*What do you desire of me, madame?’’ said Suzanne. ‘*‘Madame,’’ replied Genevieve, ‘‘an unfortunate accident has struck a person for whom you profess sentiments of friendship; Belle-Rose has been arrested.’’ Madame d’Albergotti paled at these words. ‘*He has been arrested by order of Monsieur de Louvois and taken to the Bastile,’’ continued Madame de Chateau- fort. Madame d’Albergotti pressed her hand to her heart and tottered. The cold chill of death had seized her. But Madame de Chateaufort was before her, and Suzanne struggled against her emotions. ‘*I do not seek to hide the grief which this news causes me,’’ said she. ‘‘Monsieur Jacques Grinedal was my child- hood friend; but however much I regret his misfortune, what can I do for him?’’ ‘‘He is in prison, death threatens him, and you ask me what you can do for him?’’ exclaimed the duchess. Suzanne looked at Madame de Chateaufort and waited. *‘But you can save him!’’ said Genevieve. GOmIicbDoo S I ,