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Updated: June 13, 2025
To my amazement Count Saxe actually laughed! For my part, the picture conjured up of Francezka tramping wearily through the fields and forests, in the company of cutthroats, her tender feet aching and wounded, put all thoughts of laughter out of my head. I was impatient only to be gone, and Count Saxe saw it. Ten thousand crowns is a great sum of money, I think.
"But," he added, laughing, "I shall renew my acquaintance with fine ladies and gentlemen when I go to Capello this summer to visit Monsieur and Madame Cheverny." I could scarcely believe my ears, and I feared to look toward Francezka. "You are not the only one who will enjoy that privilege," cried Monsieur Voltaire, "for Madame Cheverny has invited me, and Monsieur Cheverny has approved of me."
I knew instantly why Gaston Cheverny waited, in such imminent peril; it was for Francezka Capello, and, incidentally, Madame Riano. It was but a scant five minutes by Count Saxe's watch that he had to wait for them, but it was the longest five minutes I had known for many a day. At last the rumbling of wheels was heard and a large traveling chaise appeared.
I had said farewell to Francezka several times in the last few years from the terrace, when she stood alone and lonely, but with undaunted courage and undying hope. Now that hope and courage were rewarded; she stood with Gaston by her side, the two happiest creatures on earth. That last vision of Francezka in her beauty and happiness haunted me like a ravishing strain of music in a lovely dream.
Monsieur Voltaire did not dance, but overwhelmingly grateful for the ruse by which Francezka had got him to the king's table, could not be too assiduous to her or praise her wit too highly. From that hour she was queen at Chambord. It was after midnight that the ball began. I remained only an hour or two, and then went to my rest, but not in my chamber next Count Saxe's for once.
Supper over, the king led the way to the ballroom, where, from a great orchestra of twenty-four violins, an ocean of music rose and fell like the waves of the sea. Count Saxe walked the minuet de la cour with Francezka. It seemed as if this night was to be her apotheosis, for everything seemed designed to show her off and to give her the first place.
And Monsieur Voltaire how I hoped the king's ministers would see the usefulness of keeping him out of France! And Mademoiselle Lecouvreur how sweet and generous she would be and then came the ever-haunting thought of Francezka Capello. Where was she at this moment?
Francezka seated herself in her old pensive attitude, her cheek upon her hand, and there was a long silence, broken only by the dropping of the embers, and occasionally a faint cry from afar. The hunting party had returned, and the chase was proceeding merrily in the great corridors below. "Babache," she said presently. "One of the chief joys of love is the living over of past delights.
Madame Riano, who had just returned from Rome, sparkled with diamonds like a walking Golconda; but Francezka wore only a few gems, but those exquisite. She looked very weary; the months of gaiety and dissipation she had led were telling on her. Gaston was a noble host, attentive to all, and not forgetting the kind and quality of respect due to each.
To this Count Saxe soon agreed, Francezka pleading with wet eyes and quivering lips, as if for her life. In truth, her disguise was very incomplete; her long hair, her every look and motion betrayed her sex. When Francezka had carried this point her spirits rose.
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