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Updated: June 18, 2025
"I will remind him of our engagement, now that I am prepared to fulfil mine," answered Laura, And, yielding to an impulse of aversion to Barbesieur, resolved to give him then and there proof unquestionable of her contempt; impelled, too, by an enthusiastic longing to sympathize with one whom all had united to slight, and forgetful of the social restraints which it is always unwise for a woman to overleap, Laura pressed through the crowds that were assembling for the dance, and stepped so proudly by, that all wondered at the solemn earnestness of her mien, more resembling that of a priestess than of a young maiden at her first ball.
"Then you think that Strozzi will not recognize me?" asked Barbesieur de Louvois. "I know it," replied Carlotta. "His memory is a blank from which every image, except that of his wife, has been effaced." "Does he love her still?" "Unhappily he does," sighed Carlotta. "My good girl," said Barbesieur, trying to look amiable, "pray don't be so concise.
When, in spite of my warning, he uplifted his right arm to urge the rabble to a new attack on the palace, I aimed a bullet at his elbow, and it reached its mark. Now, if this man be Monsieur Louvois, and not the knave I hold him to be, let him raise his right arm, and so brand me as a liar." As he heard this challenge, Barbesieur trembled, and his face paled to a deadly whiteness.
The coachman and lackeys of Barbesieur Louvois were trying to force the footmen of the Countess de Soissons to right their overturned coach. Old Philip cried out that the Princes de Carignan took precedence of all manner of Louvois of whatever generation, and that he would not stir.
"Yes," said Strozzi, with a cunning leer. "Yes, I hear. You will help me to seek the poison for Prince Eugene." "Good," replied Barbesieur. "Now, look at me full in the eyes. Look, I tell you!" repeated he, as Strozzi's face began to relapse into imbecility. "I have found the poison." Strozzi uttered a triumphant yell, but Barbesieur silenced him.
And I warn you, Eugene! harm not a hair on his head, for he is the favorite son of the mightiest man in France mighty and vindictive. Kill as many of the rabble as you will; but give positive orders to your men not to touch Barbesieur Louvois." "I ought to command them to fire on no other man, for he is responsible for the acts of every rioter here."
"Which means that you will bring suit against him, and obtain damages," replied she, contemptuously; "for you know that the Prince of Savoy will not condescend to fight a duel with Barbesieur de Louvois." "I would not make myself ridiculous by fighting with such an apology for a man; but I will crush him as I would any other reptile that attempts to injure me.
"It will be useless, then, for you to return." "I cannot deny myself that pleasure," was the reply. Laura constrained herself to soften her tone, and to implore. "Only this one day," said she, in trembling tones. "I need repose quiet " "To weep out the first pangs of widowhood," interrupted Barbesieur, with one of his coarse laughs.
Barbesieur laid the weight of his great hands upon Strozzi's shoulders, and looked steadfastly in his eyes. Raising his voice to the utmost, he shouted: "I will tell you whom she loves, and mark me well, Strozzi. She loves Prince Eugene of Savoy!" "Eugene of Savoy!" shrieked the wretched creature. "Eugene of Savoy! Ah, yes, I remember. I hate him, and he must die!"
And that Barbesieur lives; but lives in the knowledge that, in four years, he must die. His life, then, unto the bitter end, will be one long agony. Eugene, you avenged my wrongs. I have now paid the debt." Eugene sighed heavily. "You have erred, mother. You should have left further vengeance to God. What does it profit me that Barbesieur suffers his sufferings cannot recall my Laura."
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