D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 325: what you’re looking at

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

rs PILOGU E. When the happy musketeer went into the Royal Arms Hotel, he found his brother kingmaker at a table, writing —unwonted occupation! The latter looked up, lost his frown in a smile, and, see- ing that he had a printed paper in his hand, inquired: “Court news ?—good ?” “Tt is court news—but from the other court—of the Escurial. Never will Spain forgive us for making two bits of it and Portugal, as the Douro River does of Leon! They cease to throw bullets—the court poet is set to throwing paper pellets—but they are steeped in bitter- ness.’ “You might read it—we are cloyed with sweets !”’ “Our neighbor now, our pride to balk, His idol fells of Spanish chalk; How long will last the new one, pray, Molded of Portugal’s dull clay?’ cS “Suppose he tries to overthrow it!” firing up like all new champions. “Oh, it will stand—its feet are of gold—French gold! But what are you doing ’?—writing home to announce your speedy return to Madame du Vallon? Well, it was a fine holiday Cardinal Richelieu gave you, all things counted !”’ “Oh, I have not finished my holiday,’ returned the other, biting the feather end of the quill, embarrassed. “TI am writing to tell her that I have to do the king the com- pliment of going to inspect the lands he gave me! They say it well bolsters a grandee! One of those rogues had it, whom you saved from imprisoning this good king!” "Che count by surprise ?”’ “IT am going to surprise his—my tenants! They say that the figs grow as large as my fist, and the oranges as large as my head—as my head was; I suppose it has ex- panded lately.’ said the grandee, Gomichbooksscom