Samuel Brohl and Company

deliverance, over which he was not master. His daughter had gone to pay a visit in the neighbourh

g himself, he added: "Excellent, or to be regretted, or

urwalden pleased her as much as Saint Moritz; apparently, she was gay, tranquil, perfectly happy. Had her delusion passed away? Had she changed her mind? M. Moriaz did not know; but he surmised that still waters should be mistrusted, and that a young girl's imagination is like an abyss. One thoroughly

uainted with all that has passed, and that

she restrained herself, and setting her little pointed head erect on her thin shoulde

do you approve, do you encourage

as a cloud before her eyes, and in this cloud she beheld all manner of things, both pleasing and displeasing to her; her mouth open, she strove to clear her ideas. She said to herself: "It is an imprudent act; not only that, it cannot be;" but she al

eautiful name. Mme. la Comtesse La

ined M. Moriaz. "Unfortunately, music is n

ents that never deceive me. I was sure that it would be thus. What a handsome couple! Fancy them driving in an open carriage through the park, or entering a proscenium-box at the opera! They will make a sensation. And truly, without

nterrupted M. Moriaz; "it doe

is head badly poised! Ah! I was sure it would end so. Do you wish to prove my discernment? Shall I tell you where your letter comes from that contains such excellent news? The count wrote it; he has

asked M. Moriaz, fanning

rejoined she, in a pedantic tone.

that he was silent concerning one detai

e asked, raising her goose

ould be charmed to receive a son-in-law from your hands, and to give my daughter to a man whose genius and noble sentiments yo

ha

to apprise us that he

er reading it, she remained in a state of deep dejection; a pitiless finger had burst the

age, follow the example I set you, imitate my resignation. Bu

to her," replied Mlle. Moise

ce she has not judged

he greatest consideration must be used in announcin

perating on our patient without causing her suffering. You are so skilful! your

to get away, rather anxious about what had passed, yet fe

oyous, her complexion brilliant, her eyes sparkling, and she carried an armful of heather and fe

my dear Joan?" she said;

Moiseney, "I have sad

to you from Cormeilles

easonable, be strong; su

of God, what i

his trouble! Your father has just r

ly. "And what was there in this letter that is so ter

w that your joys and your sorrows are mine. All the consol

ame of Heaven, explain

to complain; but I have divined all. I can r

eplied Antoinette, whose

ceivable stupidity, or through most criminal calcu

th arms, that she might receive into them Mlle.

standing, her head proudly erect, and she said, in a tone of well-feigned indifferenc

the strangest ideas into his mind; he was persuaded that this would be a death-blow to you; he does not know you at all. Ah! unquestionably, M. Larinski is far from being disagreeable; I do not dispute his having some merit; but I always thought that there was something suspicious about him; his manners we

bliged M. Larinski to tell us everything? Did you expect him to render

seated herself in the embrasure of a window, and open

. Moiseney, who was not aware that Mlle. Moriaz was t

o his room. She hurried out to meet him. He noticed with pleasure that her face was not

ter that you have recei

ed. "I know it by heart. I a

ter that can

l you that I am ready to

to read it wit

take it. But I beg of you do not be

to choose the proper word to exp

me. de Lorcy's eight closely written pa

ce, she has worked hard, and you owe her many thanks for having busied herself so actively in ridding

d between us. Do you really suspect me of having some dark plot with Mme. de

of being too joyous, and of n

at a c

t is an in

our happiness, and Mme. de Lorcy herself-Since M. Lang

ntoinette; "but her prejudice

lieve that Count La

dgment of Mme. de Lorcy. She has deigned to be gracious to the accused. She has admitted that M. Larinski is a perfectly honourable and even a delightful man; but she has discovered, at intervals of sever

have co

ur permission, we shall leave t

ns agreeable to M. Moriaz, wh

ays, that I am not wanting in good sense. When it is proved to me that I have deceived myself, I will make the

good sense, I have faith in your reason:

oured tone: "Always grave and melancholy, my dear Camille! When will you cease your drooping airs? I cannot understand you. I do my be

triste, et la C

upportable to me. I will give up coming to Maisons if I always m

man do you? The lion has lost his claws-what do I say?-he has carried his good-nature to

gone in three days, I return to

l cut hi

all my

e love

but I would take a singular delight in sla

e first to succeed in touching the heart of our dear, hitherto insensible girl; he has broken the charm. She was the Sleeping Beauty; he has awakened her, and, through the favour of Heaven, he cannot marr

and yet I do not wish to

y woman, 'I have lied-I love you.' In short, you will talk to her of your amorous flame; and you may, freely, under these circumstances, exhau

he replied, "but are you very certain t

of the avenue a figure coming towards them clad in a pre

de Lorcy. "M. Moriaz is the most unskilful p

ues of the journey, she had nothing more urgent to do than to order the horses put to her coupe an

ll pardon him. Your poor, your proteges, are clamorous for you. Who do you think asked after you, the other day? Mlle. Galet, whom, according to your orders, I supplied with her quarter's allowance. How you spoil her! I found on her table a bouquet fit for a duchess; she insisted that you had sent it to her from where you were, and I had all the trouble in the world to make her understand that double

d them into her salon, where they talked on indifferent subjects. Antoinette was waiting for M. Langis's departure to broach the subject that she ha

s with Mme. de Lorcy. Suddenly he trembled, as if he had been touched by a torpedo, and, profoundly agitated, almost lost countenance. Was he as much astonished as he seemed? For some time the Sannois Hill had become his favourite promenade, and he never went there without going as far a

head like one who feels himself strong enough to defy all dangers. After greeting Mme. de

said Mme. de Lorcy to him; "I fear it is

have been waiting has not yet arrived; but this delay wil

to return, without

lness more here than elsewhere; it does not require an excess of pride for one to dislike being reduced to the state of an atom. Residing

s M. Langis, seeming to say to him: "Was I not right? Confess that your apprehensions lacked common-sense. Do you hear him? he has only half an hour to spend with her, and he describes the Prater. Are you still thinking of cutting his throat? Please say one polite and civil word to him. It is not he, it is you who are gloomy. Throw off your sin

continued silent; she crumpled between her fingers the guipure lace of her Marie-Antoinette fichu, and, with fixed eye, she seemed to be counting the stitches. Samuel Brohl interrupted himself in the midst of a sentence, and rose suddenly. He turned towards Antoinette; in a hollow voice he begged her to

lear voice, emphasizing her words; "and I hope that, before l

hment, and murmured, "I los

oor, followed by three glances, all three of which spoke, although they did not all say the same thing. The ro

image. He turned, and their eyes met. He paid dearly for this weakness of the will. Apparently the violent restraint that he had exercised over himself for an hour had exhausted his strength. It seemed to him that his heart ceased to

self. Mme. de Lorcy drew her arm around her waist, and hurried her into the next room, thro

ohl, who, fainting and inanimate, bore almost the appearance of death. He examined him an instant, bent over him

titude is irreproachable, and you might well be taken for a dead person. You fell admirably; I swear I never saw at the theatre a

remained in

f my wrists," continued Camille. "Very

ist, summoned all his strength in order to lift h

l my soul the woman that you pretend to love. Does that not suffice? Monsieur, you are a Polish adventurer, and I have as much admiration for your social talen

art. I would be charmed to restore you to your senses. I await your commands. The day, the place, and the weapons, I leave to your choice. And, stay! You can cou

he tried to slip it into the cold, listless,

s you will, M. le Comte; I am

, and taking a paper, he unfolded it. Meanwhi

ing here, Camill

am waiting until this great comed

t, threatening glance, in which he read his condemnation. He tried to find some word of excuse or e

r into Samuel Brohl's face, rubbed his temples with a vivacity that was

," she said to Antoinette;

racted, her lips trembling, she seated he

rough his frame, his limbs relaxed, and at the end of a few instants he reopened his eyes, then his mouth; he

nd, bending over his ears, she said, in a s

ed once more, and he let his head sink between his hands. After a silence of a few moments he said, in a choked voice: "Ah! pardon me, madame. I am ashamed of myse

ette; he looked wildly at her, as

made a gesture of alarm, ro

e Lorcy, and said to her, "We

hat Mme. de Lorcy is a fool, and th

lightly. "Admit, madame," she said, "that if he had a hundred thou

e was enraged to feel that she was both right and wrong. It