The Pomp of the Lavilettes, Complete

I've just come from the village. Why didn't you sen

d down at her, over his glasses, benignly, for sh

houlder-worn out-weak-shattered-but good

him on the cheek. The embrace disarranged his glasses and flushed his

him-!" Then suddenly he paused, for the rea

in disturbed medi

gimental Surgeon dropped his mouth and cheeks in his hand reflectively, h

fficulty. "It-it will never be possible. He would not marry her,

again. There were leaden hollows round his eyes, and his hair was matted with perspiration. Yet he was handsome-and helpless. Her eyes filled with tears.

aid to Nic, as if in neces

dow for a moment, lo

c, and tell me

ore-room; had found the doors bolted; had heard the noise of a wild animal inside; had run out, tried a window, at

h," he said. "Fire of a little

ted the handkerchief from the hilt end. "Why did you say he ha

ct much from a man wi

"Go and fetch me a bottle of brandy-I'm going to bathe his h

t you?" he asked rather hesitatin

, hear the nice Nic!" she said. "The

ten to an account of his misdeeds, which were

bed, sat down on a chair beside it, a

rling' to me, nor heard me call you so. Suppose you haven't a dollar, not a cent, in the world, and suppose you'll never earn a dollar or a cent in the world, what difference does that make to me? I could earn it; and I'd give more for a touch of your finger than a thousand dol

er lap, and then clasped

!" she cried in sudden fright and eagerness, as she got up and leaned over him. "You shall not die; you shall live-for a while-oh! yes, for a while yet

nly drew

eeping. And when you wake I'll tell you what I've done, and you'

or her brother ente

ch him till I come. I'll be back in an hour; and then, wh

t water and brandy?" h

she came to Nic's bedroom; she went in, took a pair of pistols from the w

mortgage had been foreclosed, and the place had passed into the hands of Sophie and Magon Farcinelle

e the purpose, and light shone between a sleeve of it and the window-sill. Putting her face close to the window, the girl could

lacerated nose on its paw. Castine was mixing some tar and oil in a pan by the fire,

fur cap; and presently, as he turned round, he began to sing the monotonous meas

f from peril; for the beast was wild from pain, fury and the taste of blood. As soon as they had cleared the farmyard, h

e put more on; then he rubbed it into the wound of the breast. Once the animal made a fierce snap at his shoulder, but he deftly

nding just inside. She had a shawl thrown round her, and one hand was thrust in

t each time she would say nothing to him further than that she wished not to meet or to speak to him at all. He had pleaded with her, had grown angry, and she had left h

n, and all its fierce lust for killing showed again in its wild lunges. Castine turned, with an oath, and thrus

not move. Then he saw her raise another pistol. The wounded bear lunged heavily on its chain-once-twi

ey were man and servant no longer, but two animals fighting for their lives. Castine drew out his knife, as the bear, raised on its hind legs, cr

eath coming, when another pistol shot rang out close to his own head, and his breath suddenly came back. He stagge

he man had saved her life, and now she had saved his; and tog

ivelihood; and the cause of it all, as he in his blind, unnatural way thought, was this girl before him-th

Chris, ma cherie, don't you remember when we used to meet, and was

made a couple of unsteady steps towards her, for he was weak yet. "What's the good-you

words; but she grew angry quickly, and was

remember Shangois's house? Don't you remember t

ld beasts like that"-she pointed to the bear, "than be with

towards h

eph! but you'll stay

. It struck between his eyes with a thud, and he staggered back, blind, bl

again to Ferrol's bedroom. Knocking softly she was admitted by Nic. There was an unnatural brig

r that tried to kill

an she meant. Her v

y dear friend," he added, "killed the bear!" He coughe

up his head and gave him a little drink of brandy. His finge

that's easier,

in brandy and hot water,

e!" he said, in am

feet," Ni

th was in his face. Her eyes half closed, her fingers trembled. He suddenly drew he