or Madame de Prie--designer
though I fear De Prie is for the domestic felicity of the youthful
king--nor indeed my good friend, La Parabere, somewhat pale and pensive
though she groweth. And what shall I say for Madame de Tencin, the
_spirituelle_, who is to be with us; or Madame de Caylus, niece of
Maintenon, but the very opposite of Maintenon in every possible way?
Moreover, we are promised the attendance of Mademoiselle Aisse. She hath
become devout of late, and thinks it a sin even to powder her hair, but
Aisse devout is none the less Aisse the beautiful."

"Surely your Grace hath never lacked in excellent taste, and that is the
talk of Paris," replied Law.

"Oh, well, long training bringeth perfection in due time," replied
Philippe of Orleans, composedly, it having no ill effect with him to
call attention to his numerous intrigues. "It should hardly be called a
poor privilege, after all, to witness the results of that highly
cultivated taste, as it shall be displayed this evening, not to mention
the privilege you will have of meeting one or two other gentlemen; and
lastly, of course, myself, if you be not tired of such company."

"Your Grace," replied Law, "you both honor and flatter me."

"Why, sir, you speak as if this were a new experience for you. Now, in
the days--"

"'Tis true; but of late years I have grown grave in the cares of state,
as your Grace may know."

"And most efficiently," replied the regent. "But stay! I have kept until
the last my main attraction. You shall witness there, I give you my
word, the making public of the secret of the fair unknown who is reputed
to have been especially kind to Philippe of Orleans for these some
months past. Join us at the little enterprise, my friend, and you shall
see, I promise you, the most beautiful woman in Paris, crowned with the
greatest gem of all the world. The regent's diamond, that great gem
which you have made possible for France, shall, for the first time, and
for one evening at least, adorn the forehead of the regent's queen of
beauty!"

As the gay words of the regent fell upon his ears, there came into Law's
heart a curious tension, a presentiment, a feeling as though some great
and curious thing were about to happen. Yet ever the challenge of danger
was one to draw him forward, not to hold him back. If for a moment he
had hesitated, his mind was now suddenly resolved.

"Your Grace," said he, "your wish is for me command, and certainly in
th