MARIE ANTOINETTE'S TALISMAN. 451
Du Barry flung herself into the chair from
which the count had risen, and burst into a fit
of laughter.
"An excellent reason why no honest man should think of her for himself," she said, wiping away the quick tears of merriment that flashed down her painted cheeks. “ Oh! but you are droll as ever, my friend."
"But the girl is beautiful !"
"So much the more reason that your foster-brother should be desperately in love with her, as he certainly is-that is what brings me here. "
"But I tell you that he will not presume
"My dear friend, he has presumed ; and what is more, the girl loves him!”
"What , after I had condescended to be pleased with her? Du Barry, you have ceased to be discriminating. "
"Come, come, be pacified . She is only one, and Paris has so many ; let the poor fellow have his love unmolested-I ask it of you."
"Now I remember," said the count, "it is weeks since I called ; in fact, I neglected her after the first impression. Of course, it was my own fault, and, as you say, Mirabeau can afford to be magnanimous. Besides, I really think it is the fellow's first love. Nay, do not go off into another fit of laughter-such things do happen. Then again, I remember he asked my forbearance, and I almost promised it . Well, the best thing I can do for him is not to go near the demoiselle that might unsettle things."
" If you would be so good," said the countess, with a droll look of humor in her eyes, " it was a part of the favor I was about to ask. This man is, I believe, poor- he possibly cannot afford to marry."
Mirabeau thought of the little estate, whose income had been so generously given up to his extravagance, and had the grace to hesitate in answering. Was the countess going to suggest that he should relinquish that income ? Had that, indeed, been the truth, she might have found more difficulty than had accompanied his renunciation of the girl ; but she promptly set his mind at rest.
"I take it for granted that he cannot afford to marry," she said, " and in this I want your help. Be my banker; let me leave money enough for their comfortable independence in your hands!"
"In my hands!" exclaimed Mirabeau, laughing. "My dear friend, you should know better. It would melt away while the priest was giving his blessing. If you have any sharp notary who will arrange it so that it may be a trust ; in short, that will insure it to him, and save it from me, I should not mind undertaking the business- I dare say that can be done."
"But it must seem to come from you. They would not touch it else," said Du Barry.
" He will never believe it ; but we can manage that ; it can be done in my father's name. Now, fair dame, as your conscience is at rest, tell me-
"Not yet not yet ! I have another thing to ask. "
"Of the same kind ? I warn you now, do not lead a reckless man too far. Money is a sad temptation, when one needs it so much. "
Du Barry hesitated, the color came and went under her rouge. She had lost all decency years before; but there was something in what she wished to propose that taxed all her ingenuity. At last she spoke out.
" Mirabeau, you are the enemy of royalty."
"Well!"
"You hate the queen."
" And if I do?"
" This cannot be real, there is something personal under it all."
"What makes you think so ?"
"You are the idol of a people you despise!"
"Go on."
" And might be the saviour of France ; should be a close friend to the queen."
Mirabeau laughed again; but there was angry fire in his eyes, and a curve of scorn on his lips.
"How long is it since the Countess Du Barry became the advocate of Marie Antoinette?" he demanded.
"Ever since she was too generous for the persecution of a fallen enemy ; ever since she has been cruelly unfortunate, and most unjustly reviled . Of all the people in France, I have most cause to love the woman for whose overthrow you are toiling."
"Nay, let me tell you a secret. You are a woman of sense, and can comprehend the situation - Marie Antoinette rejects the friendship of Mirabeau.”
"Has it been offered her?"
"Twice, indirectly."
“But the time may come when that friendship will be implored . Then, Mirabeau, be generous, be noble, wheel your great power to the defence of the throne. Earn the queen's gratitude, force her to acknowledge the power of your genius, the grandeur of your magnanimity-promise this, my Mirabeau."
"When Marie Antoinette seeks my aid it will be time enough to promise. "
"But if she does seek it- if she asks your
