Prince Eugene | Page 5

force a dire:
J'aime! Et qui l'a fait dire a nos dieux!" [Footnote: "Les Nieces de
Mazarion," par Renee, p. 177.]
"What they would say?" replied the countess; "why, they would listen
approvingly to a rhapsody which time has falsified, and imagine that I

wince to hear it sung. But they would be in error. I thank you for
recalling to my mind the golden vision of the past, wherein a king knelt
at my feet, and Louvois lived upon my smiles. She who can look back
upon conquests such as these, can afford to despise the contrarieties of
the present, while she plumes her victorious wings for future flight,
wherein she shall attain indemnification for the trifling vexations of
to-day."
"I wish you may realize your joyous anticipations," replied Louvois,
with a sneer. "But if you will allow me to draw your horoscope, you
will confess that I am a wiser seer than your dear friend La Voisin."
For one moment the features of the countess contracted painfully, but
she mastered her emotion and was able to reply with a tranquil
smile,--"Do so, your excellency, I am all attention."
"I read in the stars that snares encompass you, Countess de Soissons.
You have enemies, numerous, powerful, and crafty. At their head
stands the queen, who can never forgive you for having opened one of
her letters, and having stolen thence a note addressed to the king, which
accused her of secret machinations with Spain. Then there is poor
Louise de la Valliere, who for your cruel sarcasms shed such oceans of
tears--"
"She is in a convent."
"True, but the scars of your persecutions are upon her heart; and
although she may be a Christian, think you that she has ceased to be a
woman? Third--among the number of those who hate you is the
Marquise de Montespan, to whom the brilliant assemblages at the Hotel
de Soissons are a source of mortification, for she can never forget that,
on more than one occasion, the king has forgotten his rendezvous with
her, to linger at the side of his fascinating hostess. And we must not
overlook the pious De Maintenon, who lives in constant terror lest
some day or other your presence should recall to the king that golden
vision of his youth, whereof Olympia Mancini was the enshrined
divinity. For this reason you are more obnoxious to the ex-governess
than De Montespan herself. The star of the latter favorite is already on

the wane, whereas yours may rise again at the bidding of Memory.
These four women have long-meditated your destruction, and many are
the thorns with which they have strewed your path in life. But, to
compass your ruin, there was wanting ONE strong arm that could
concentrate their scattered missiles, and hurl them in ONE great bomb
at your head. Countess de Soissons, that arm is mine--I, Louvois, the
trusted minister of the king, the friend of De Maintenon, the mightiest
subject in France--I am the man whose arm shall strike on behalf of
your enemies, of whom in me behold the chief! You have thrown me
your gauntlet, and I raise it. I proclaim myself your foe, and since there
must be war between our races, we shall see whether for the future the
Mancinis may not be made to suffer through the Louvois! This is my
horoscope, and now mark well my last words: La Voisin the soothsayer
was arrested last night."
All the self-control which she could gather to meet this sinister
disclosure, could not smother the groan which was upheaved from
Olympia's sinking heart.
Louvois affected not to hear it. He bowed low and prepared to take his
leave. The countess made no effort to detain him; she was too
frightened for circumspection, and she followed his retreating figure
with eyes that were all aflame with hate. Nor did their fiery glow abate
when, having reached the door, Louvois turned and confronted her.
He surveyed her calmly, but his eye returned hate for hate, and so for a
moment they stared at each other, while there passed between the two a
silent challenge, which both felt was to be fought out to the death.
After a pause Louvois spoke. His mouth dilated with a cruel smile,
which, when its mocking light was seen, betokened peril to those who
offended him.
"Madame," said he. "not only has La Voisin been arrested, but her
private papers have been seized." So saying, he bowed again and
disappeared behind the portiere.
CHAPTER II.

THE LABORATORY.
The countess listened to his echoing footsteps until they were no longer
audible, nor did she move until she heard the roll of the carriage which
bore him away.
Gradually the sound of the receding vehicle melted into distance, and a
deep silence ensued.