SAINT RUTHS CUDGEL.

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imitated. She was walking in a picture gallery of her ances-
tors one day with her niece, a lively, merry person, whom she
obliged to salute and be polite to each portrait, and who in
pleasant revenge persuaded her that one of the said portraits
wore a cap which proved him to be an Italian Prince. She
swallowed this, and had the cap introduced into her arms, de-
spite her family, who are now obliged to keep it, but who
always call it, " My Aunt's cap." On. another occasion, people
" were speaking in her presence of the death of the Chevalier de
Savoie, brother of the Comte de Soissons, and of the famous
Prince Eug&ne, who died very young, very suddenly, very de-
bauched, and full of benefices. The talk became religious.
She listened some time, and then, with a profound look of con-
viction, said: "For my part, I am persuaded that God will
think twice about damning a man of such high birth as that !5>
This caused a burst of laughter, but nothing could make her
change her opinion. Her vanity was cruelty punished. She
used to affect to apologise for having married the Marshal de
la Meilleraye. After his death, being in love with Saint Ruth3
her page, she married him ; but took care not to disclose her
marriage for fear of losing her distinction at Court. Saint Ruth
was a very honourable gentleman, very poor, tall, and well
made, whom everybody knew; extremely ugly—I don't know
whether he became so after his marriage. He was a worthy
man and a good soldier. But he was also a rough customer,
and when his distinguished wife annoyed him he twirled his
cudgel and belaboured her soundly. This went so far that the
Marechale, not being able to stand it any longer, demanded an.
audience of the King, admitted her weakness and her shame,
and implored his protection. The King kindly promised to set
matters to rights. He soundly rated Saint Ruth in his cabinet,
and forbade him to ill-treat the Marechale. But what is bred
in the bone will never get out of the flesh. The Marechal came
to make fresh complaints. The King grew angry in earnest,
and threatened Saint Ruth. This kept him quiet for some time.
But the habit of the stick was too powerful; and he flourished
it again. The Marechale flew as usual to the King, who, seeing