A Night on the Borders of the Black Forest

Pars

He had just said mass in the tiny chapel adjoining his garden; and now the peasants were dispersing towards their various homes, or clustering in

viary which lay open on a stool beside him. His dog lay at his feet, sleeping. His modest array of books filled a couple of shelves behind his chair; the open window looked upon the mountain-country beyond, and admitted a sweet breath from the clustering Provence roses that hung li

e progress of a meagre potage that was "simmering" on the fire. Not a sound was heard in the chamber save the monotonous rattle of the spindle, and the heavy breathing of the dog; save now and then when the priest turned a l

ould keep sil

and long familiarity appears to authorise in old servants, "Monsi

he least, went on mechanically rubbing his

owly raised his head, fixed his eyes vacantly upon her, and resting the butt-end of

n-barrel that will not hold any longer; fetch me the box

ened the breviary in a fresh p

e must be some spell on your musket if it wants mending with the little use you make of it! There is no danger of your ever wanting a new one, I'm certain. Then your powder-it never dimi

kindly, as he again looked up from his breviary. "I do n

pard, the schoolmaster, told me that he met you on the mountains, and that a great hare r

r must have mist

ight till morning, instead of being out in the fresh air, and bringing back a good store of game for ourselves and our neighbours. How shall w

id the priest, smiling; "I will go out thi

do not come back, as you did yesterday, wet to the skin, and

supper of that partridge, my go

ur, it would devour our corn, and cost as much as twenty canaries. If yo

shall never be ruined by a partridge. Besid

ave seen them over and over

this poor little bird, for I value it great

reat spectacles, and began glancing from right to left in eviden

?" said the priest, with muc

ur le Curé. The-

el

, you will be a little vexed, I

speak, J

s nothing in the house for suppe

have you

vanced towards the terrified housekeeper, who fell upon her

under the table, and utte

f back into his chair, and covered his face with his hands. Could one have re

he room. The priest rose precipitately from his chair, for in t

nxiety. "I wish to speak with you in private." And he glanced towards the still-kneeling Jeannette. "You see

rayer when you entered," said André Bernard, telling anothe

altered, and mentally vowed

go, I will hear the rest of y

e and left the room-he had, unfortunately hear

e and important subject. You are renowned in all this district for your piet

a gentleman whose reputation for light morals and free views w

rselves to the service of God, and those never must be broken. Then there are vows rashly uttered in

said the captain. "What of those? Think

hink that the good God in His mercy would desire to chastise eternally an erring creature who had

bit his li

y, "but I cannot agree with you there. Do you forget

that He sent an angel to

a bitter laugh; "but I do not bel

his eyes to the cei

adines drew his chair beside

thing to tell you that I think will cha

st, who was already troubled

u. A wounded traveller has arrived-a traveller whom we believed long si

mured the priest; and for the third t

Curé at your want of penetration. We

ed pale and trembled. He loo

her solemn vow never to marry a second time. I have already procured large sums of money upon the reversion of her estate, when she either dies or adopts a

lusion. Your fears may be without foundation. Madame may not wish to be a

hat time he kept a strict watch upon France. At length he heard of the death of the late Count de Peyrelade: he obtained leave of absence when a decent time had elapsed. Lovi

est was

church, to be swayed by trifles of this kind? No! it is for the sake of religion and heaven, Monsieur le Curé, that you will be firm and faithful to your trust. It is nothing to you if my fortunes fail or prosper

," said the poor

our utmost assistance?"

rmured th

u are a holy man, and

offered hand of the dragoon. At that

d the Abbé, startin

u presents the compliments of Madame la Comtesse, and reques

dy. Go quickly, my dear Abbé, and do not forget that the int

urned to leave the room. "A holy mission! O mo