Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 223: what you’re looking at

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

be Pe. hee _, <> ue ee, oe ae riA e - BO Bion eg - < ml) 5S" nt “so 4 es PF a ee ~ ie : ile Uy ee aS | A ee? a , 3, ins ¥ * WHAT WOMAN WISHES, GOD WISHES. 207 in my father’s service has already consented to placea note in Belle-Rose’s possession, providing he is paid for it.”’ **Recommend him, madame, to go to bed. This note will give him a little courage, and his feigned malady will facilitate the obtaining of the order for changing his prison.”’ Suzanne already held a pen in her hand; she promptly wrote some words. We have seen how Belle-Rose received them. The same day Suzanne presented herself at Mon- sieur de Louvois’. Monsieur d’Albergotti’s widow was im- mediately introduced; but at the name of Belle-Rose the minister frowned. ‘‘Itisastrange persistence,’’ said he; ‘‘it seems to me that I have already refused to set him at liberty.’’ ‘Therefore it is not that which I come to solicit from your clemency.’’ ‘*What is it, then?”’ “The order of placing Belle-Rose in a prison in which he can receive the consolation and aid which his state of health call for.”’ ‘*Ah! he is sick, then?”’ “Did not the order to apply the question to him come from you, monseigneur?’’ replied Suzanne. ‘But what powerful interest induces you to work in favor of this prisoner?’’ interrupted Monsieur de Louvois. ‘‘Tam his fiancee,’’ replied Suzanne, who blushed, but did not lower her eyes. Monsieur de Louvois bowed. ‘‘Let your will be done!’’ said he, writing some words upon a printed order, whose blanks alone required filling up. Monsieur de Louvois rang a bell; an usher presented himself, he handed the order to him and arose. ‘‘Belle-Rose will be transportede to the citadel of Cha- lons,’’ said he; ‘‘you will be permitted tosee him. After the crime of which he has rendered himself guilty, it is all that I can do for him, and 1 would not have done it had you not been his betrothed.’’ Déroute had lost no time. The men whom he had asso- ciated with him were only waiting for a signal to act, and following the advice which he had received from Madame d’Albergotti, he held himself in readiness. The next day, at nightfall, the lieutenant of the Bastile entered Belle- Rose’s room and told him that an order of the minister sent him to the citadel of Chalons. **A post-chaise will take you,’’ he said to him. 79 (€(0) micooo