The Pomp of the Lavilettes, Complete

Farcinelle's official position she might reap some praise and pence of ambition. Meanwhile, Ferrol became more and more a cherished and important figure in the Manor Casimbault, where the Lavilet

d Nic as he was leavi

I know a thing or so-what's

you know,

ce. Come, now, own up and tell me all about it. I

ue which he used when particularly persuasive. Nic pu

key, he grasped Ferrol's hand with an effusive confidence, and hurried out. Nic Lavilette was now an important perso

sound floors and window-sills. He took out his watch; it was ten minutes to nine. Passing through the little hallway to the store-room, he opened the door. It was dark inside. Striking a match, he saw a candle on the window-sill, and, going to it, he lighted it with a flint and stee

yard, he found it securely fastened. Although

halfway up the wall. Going over, he examined it, and found it to be a broken bayonet-left there by

the window-sill, leaning his head upon it. Presently, as the paroxysm lessened, he thought he heard the click o

eet away from him! It raised itself on its hind legs, its red eyes rolling, and started towards him. He

The huge beast, with a loud s

y for his life. All his instincts were alive. He had little hope o

f there were no light. He came straight towards the bear, then suddenly made a swift movement to the left, trusting to his greater quickness

n the floor or in the bear's face, when he remembered that, in the dark, the bear's sen

d. Its movements became swifter, its vicious teeth and lips were covered with froth, which dripped to the floor, and sometimes spattered Ferrol's clothes as he ran past. No matador ever played with the horns of a mad bull as Ferrol played his deadly game with Michael, the dancing bear. His breath

as certain his time had come; and with that conviction upon him, the terror of the thing and the horrible physical shrinking almost passed away from him. The disease, eating away his life, had diminished that revolt against death which is in t

one busy with all the chances and details of his w

d and ashamed; some with idle hours in the North Tower in Stavely Castle; and one with the day he and his sister left the old castle, never to return, and loo

w the brute tried to smash his leg against a stone wall; how it reared until it almost toppled over and backwards; how it jibbed at a gate, and nearl

against the wall. If he could reach it there might be a chance-chance to strike one blow for

head. He remembered afterwards the odour of the hot, rank body, and the sprawling huge feet and claws. Scrambling to his feet swiftly, he ran to the wall. Fortune was with him. His hand almost instantly clutched the broken bayonet. He whipped out his handkerchief, tore the scarf from his neck, and wound the

tened intently. He knew that it was now but a question of minutes, perhaps seconds. Suddenly it occurred to him that if he could but climb upon the ledge where the b

the roaring rush of the bear upon him. He sprang to one side, striking at the beast as he did so. The ba

ad taken off his coat, and he now swung it out before him in a half-circle, and as it struck the bear it covered h

er for the next assault. Suddenly he felt that every particle of strength had gone out of him. He pulled himself up w

nd attracted him: the opening of the door, an

to roll over with a thud, and he fell to th

beast through the door and out to the hallway into the

clutched in his right hand. Lavilette dropped on his knees beside him and felt his heart. It was beating, but the shi

bedroom in the Manor Casimbault, talking to the Regimental Surg