Beaujeu (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1905. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIV MEN AND A WOMAN My Lady Sunderland remarked that my Lady Laleham had done better to put off her rout till the Day of Judgment. Ladies and gentlemen would then be more at their ease. For that famous rout was upon the night of the day that saw King James clap seven Bishops in the Tower and his Queen delivered of a son. Wherefore wild looks and rushings to and fro and whisperings, and my Lady Laleham in despair. M. de Beaujeu was at once assailed by ladies and gentlemen who desired to know why monsieur was adorned with bows of white to his breeches. Monsieur blandly explained that a Prince of Wales was born, and he dutifully rejoiced. The ladies and gentlemen looked at each other sideways. "You believe it, then?" said my Lord Manchester. "Corbleu, my lord, I believe in miracles, I. I remind myself of the late Abraham. He was a hundred years when he rejoiced in the little Isaac. One tells me that no Protestants were admitted to the chamber of Her Majesty." (M. de Beaujeu caught Lady Sunderland's eye, and bowed and smiled.) "One talks to me of a warming-pan capacious to bear another woman's babe to Her Majesty's bed. One tells me the butter-woman of Jermyn Street had the honour to have her son born a two hours only before the Queen." (Mr Wharton was heard to snigger.) "One says enfin that the Prince of Wales, he is to be seen, but the butter-woman's boy, he has vanished " So, M. de Beaujeu, creating consternation. "Bien, bien, celasepeut I say. But remind yourselves always of father Abraham and his little Isaac." M. de Beaujeu passed on to publish his gospel. My Lady Sunderland made eyes at him, but Beaujeu, like an honest Huguenot, would have nought to say to a renegade's wife. He vanished with some fair Tory dames. And Mistress Helen d'Abernon, having n...