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Dark souls 19
Katerina clasped her hands once more and felt for the flask in the folds of her dress. Putting a few drops on a handkerchief, she unrolled it and shook it. Then, opening the door inaudibly and quietly creeping up to the bed on which Guillaume was lying, she lowered the handkerchief over his face. Muttering a few words, she glanced around the room. A heavy sigh and even breathing was her answer. After waiting for a while, she again went out into the corridor. A dark silence was her answer. Where have all the servants of the beauty gone, the crowd of people who recently besieged her chambers? Where did all those people who stared at her suffering, as if anticipating her end, go? Silence was her answer. Katerina walked slowly towards the door to Madame Gabrieli's rooms.I don't know what to do, - Madame Dupuis spread her hands. - this is something ... - She squeezed and unclenched her hands. “It’s like an unclean spirit is rushing out.”Don't talk nonsense, - s
Dark souls 20
Katherine was gone for a short time. Returning with her eyes wet by no means from tears, she fell on her knees in front of the table, where the maids were bustling about, and, piously folding her hands, she muttered prayers so that everyone could hear her. Someone, coming to their senses, sent for the priest. Katerina ran a clean handkerchief over the duchess's cheeks and torn lips. Then she rubbed her forehead and, pretending to want to say goodbye to her for the last time, leaned low towards him. The handkerchief disappeared into the folds of her dress. As if by magic, small scissors appeared in her hands. And she imperceptibly cut off a strand of hair from the head of the deceased. Then, just as deftly blocking her manipulations of her grieving body, she tucked the scissors and curl into her sleeve. Then, wiping non-existent tears, she pulled away and turned to those around her, again folding her hands in prayer, showing everyone that she had nothing in them. She again, so tha
Dark souls 21
Eclampsia is a pretty monstrous thing in pregnant women. According to medical research of our time, it occurs more often in women who are pregnant for the first time, due to “stools” or fetal secretions. With which the mother’s body, weakened by pregnancy, simply cannot cope. It usually happens in the first half of pregnancy. In those days when women gave birth almost every year, when royal wives, burdened by the bad heredity of closely related marriages, and even more so, royal mistresses, who were less susceptible to this, it was very strange that not for the first time a pregnant woman in the middle of her pregnancy was subjected to such a monstrous phenomenon. The very timely death of a woman who, contrary to all reason, clung to the crown, and even managed to snatch the promise of the future throne for the king's bastard, a woman, which tied to itself the most windy lover on the throne of that time, in a word, all these coincidences and absurdities left the topic for a co
Dark souls 22
The man in the feathered hat jumped up.Your Eminence!Sit down, Franz. - The interlocutor waved his hand imperiously, pointing to a chair. Franz obeyed in shock, pulling off his hat. - And in the royal family, if you dig, you can find a rotten branch. Or do you think I'm holier than the Pope? - An ironic smile sanctified the fox's face, small sharp teeth, sunken cheeks, black small shiny eyes and a thin hooked nose, rounded down, from which the face acquired an ominous expression.No, but... Rumors about Bishop Orly...The dog barks, the wind wears, - his interlocutor interrupted rudely. Do you know my real last name?Isn't Guillaume Bezet your real name?Not really. Meringue is a small estate in three or four wooden houses and a piece of land where you can plant potatoes. Yes, this is my estate. But I am also the son of Catherine le Mouy, and I am your Marquis's second cousin.Why are you telling me this? Franz asked in surprise.For you to help me. You and I are doing the
Dark souls 23
The secret was revealed when Bertrand took off his shoes from the bishop: on both feet he had only two large and thick toes without nails.And I was right, - Bertrand grinned. - The devil in the cassock. He tossed the robe over the bishop's unconscious body and settled into the chair, cross-legged. After sitting for a while, he got up and walked around the room, looking at her simple decoration. Looking out into the dark corridor, he looked around and entered the unsanctified room. Like the bishop, he did not take a candle with him. After walking from corner to corner for some time, he, having nothing to do, began to tap on the wall. In one place, the wall echoed with a dull sound. This intrigued Bertrand. He began to rummage along the wall and stomp on the floor next to him. Finally, he felt for the spring - the upholstery was slightly worn in this place from frequent use. The wall parted, forming a black opening. At this time, in the next room, Bishop Guillaume, who came
Dark souls 24
How can I serve His Eminence? - The proud landing of the head of the newly-minted general was slightly spoiled by the rustic expression of his face. However, Bertrand de Gault was not deceived by this external simplicity, which misled people who did not know the leader of the English revolution well.What are you, - smiled Bertrand de Go, bowing. - It is his Eminence who is interested in how he can be useful to you. Oliver Cromwell got up from behind a wide dark wood table where he was sorting through papers.Sir, - he said, approaching Bertrand. - Why evasions? He smiled and began filling a long, thin pipe with tobacco. - The cardinal wants to know if General Oliver will go to war for Brittany and La Rochelle? Does it interest him? He blew out a puff of blue smoke.You are perceptive, General, - Bertrand de Go bowed again. - The fact is that now the minister's chair under the cardinal is slightly shaky - the Fronde* demands his resignation. Imagine what could happen in Franc
Dark souls 25
You're playing with fire, Katherine. Are not you afraid?What, Bertrand? I don't do anything reprehensible. I don't cross the road for anyone. I live quietly, I don't disturb anyone.Come on, Katherine. Sorcerers have not been burned in our country for a long time, but they continue to hang poisoners to this day. And as for the fact that you live quietly, then, I heard, the Duke of Orleans ...Poisoners?Didn't Madame de Montespan* come to you for love potions? What more does this lady want? She is the favorite mistress of the most powerful king in Europe.Ah, Bertrand. Madame Montespan does not come to me, but to La Voisin. This fool uses my drugs and ideas and even dares to teach me sometimes. I am her modest student, Jeanne Fouchet, the servant of the Marquis de Fauconnier, who, fearing everything in the world, always comes in the dark and in a mask to learn from the great sorceress the ability to rule over herbs in order to have extra earnings in old age. And as for Madame Montesp
Dark souls 26
When Katerina opened the door, on the threshold she saw a thin girl in a simple maid dress, who was shaking off raindrops.Who are you? Katerina asked, raising the candle to get a better look at the stranger.You may not know me, madam. But once you helped my mother get rid of the father who did not give us life. Now her mother owns a grocery store, her life is prosperous, and she is about to get married. And I serve with Madame Beaupertuis.It's great that you're doing well. But you uttered the name La Voisin and came to me. I don't understand…Madam, this is a very serious matter. You can't talk about him in five minutes at the door. And yes, it's raining outside.Fine. Come in. She let the girl inside, looked around the dark street and closed the door. Then, going forward, she shone the light on the girl who was rising behind her.Cloak you can throw here - She pointed to a simple stool at the door. - And sit down by the fire. I want to hear why you came, not how you sne