D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

170 First Sword, then Sceptre. tongue, he said, urbanely enough: “Cups have two han- dles, in order that two men may make a choice——” “Of the contents ?” “Of the handles.” “Propound !” “That Christians should agree. ‘Let Philip and Juan reign over Spain and Portugal, turn by turn!” “Imbecile!”’ burst forth the prince, for once losing self-command at so much straining of his patience and self-respect. Fra Benito crossed himself and rattled his beads like bones in a dance of death; the nobles made similar signs ; even the duchess looked demure, like a maid which had overheard a naughty word. Singularly, a low, smothered laugh was vaguely heard; not Donna Jacinta, surely, if she had overheard the libel; but, plainly, no one in this region laughed at the general Abbo—no, this was some menial, and the sound merely accidentally coinciding. “Yes, my lord,’ went on. the monk, recovering and burning to resent the slur by a bitter retort, “he said that he believed you were true descendant of Queen Joanna re “Of ‘Crazy Jane!’ I thank him, for the knowledge of my line! Fortunately, a little wit will serve a fortunate man!” “Your highness fortunate?” sneered the rash monk, who was rapidly becoming a soldier again. The others seemed to repeat the doubt to themselves. “Certainly, Juan of Braganza is a fortunate prince— has he not a commendable spouse, and faithful ad- herents “ Tihe nobles force a smile, but dubiously. They were a little inattentive. That faint laugh out of the other had puzzled them. They seemed listening to some other sounds, of more meaning, as one guessing an appointed hour ‘wishes the assurance of the clock stroke. “From the excellent opinion which the Holy Father and my Romish friends entertain of me, I see that it will not be his lips to entone the Te Deum for my victories! It will be the cannon’s mouth!” | “Blessed Chains of St. Peter! do you still consider — COMIC IOO San)