Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 373: what you’re looking at

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

A RAY OF SUNSHINE. 305 to the accomplishment of a duty; he left St. Claire d’Ennery to his right and pushed straight on to Paris. The chaise, preceded by Déroute, entered the court of Monsieur de Louvois’ hotel. Belle-Rose descended from it, and asked an usher to introduce him into the minister’s presence. ‘*His Excellency is engaged with Monsieur de Charny,”’ the usher said to him. ‘Say, then, to His Excellency that it is on the part of His Majesty Louis XIV.,’’ replied Belle-Rose. At this sacred name the usher disappeared and returned soon after. ‘*Whom must I announce?’’ said he. ‘*Captain Belle-Rose.’”’ At this name, Monsieur de Louvois trembled like a lion surprised in his lair. ‘*Captain Belle-Rose!’’ he repeated, covering the officer with his sparkling glance. ‘‘You are very imprudent, monsieur, to come here.”’ **f do not think so, monseigneur,’’ said Belle-Rose, coldly. **Have you lost your memory, and must I recall to you that we have an account to settle together. ’’ **It would be more appropriate, I believe, to speak of the affair which brings me. Have you not been told, monseig- neur, that I come on the part of His Majesty the King?’’ Monsieur de Louvois frowned. **The king is in Holland, monsieur,”’’ replied he. **I come from there, monseigneur, and here are the dis- patches which His Majesty has confided to me.”’ Belle-Rose drew the package from his pocket and handed it to the minister. Monsieur de Louvois, thoroughly aston- ished, took it without reply and opened it. Monsieur de Charny was standing in the embrasure of a window, silent and attentive. On reading the dispatch which announced the passage of the Rhine, the man gave way to the min- ister. Monsieur de Louvois rose with a radiant countenance. **Holland is open!’’ he exclaimed, ‘‘ten cities conquered and the Rhine crossed in a month! The republic must be effaced from the rank of uations.”’ _ “You were at this passage, monsieur,’’ resumed he, ad- dressing himself to Belle-Rose. **Yes, monseigneur.”’ **Emmerich and Retz are ours,”’ “‘Monsieur de Luxembourg has conquered them; the army is marching upon Utrecht.”’ 3