Within an Inch of His Life

ries of utterly useless curves, which defy all common sense, and which would undoubtedly be the source of

s lined on both sides with inns and taverns, on market-days full of peasants, who try to rob each other, glass in hand, and lips overflowing with protestations of honesty. On ordinary days even, the road is quite lively; for the walk

d Sauveterre. The former was overcome by fatigue and anxiety, having spent the whole night in discussing the cha

mself, that a man like M. de Boiscoran is not apt to be arrested, unless there are stro

was slacke

sighed the marchioness, "have thoug

asked Manu

all the world to see

er shook his h

that, madame, if you are di

m quite amazed;

ould say you were sure of your son's guilt; and the few who may still doubt will doubt no longer. You must control public opinion from the beginning; for it is absolute in these small

the marchioness: "t

our innermost heart, dry your tears, and show nothing but the most perfect confidence.

straightened her

; and, so far from wishing to find the station deserted, I shall be delighted to see

Boiscoran was a w

kes she smoothed her dress; her features, by a supreme effort of will, resumed their usual serenity; she fo

sir. Can I sh

lgat jumped out lightly; and, offering the

madam. Your courage will not be usel

on at that hour. In a place where gossip lives for three days upon the last new dress from Paris, such an opportunity for a little excitement was not to be neglected. No one thought for a moment of what the poor old lady would probably feel upon being compelled thus to face a

ad terrible consequences. Two men had perished in it; and two others had been so severely wounded as to put their lives in jeopardy. Only the evening before, a sad procession had passed through the streets of Sauveterre. In a cart covered with a cloth, and foll

as loaded with curses; and the people now thought of rec

in the crowd, when she appeared in the

rance. Immediately two parties were formed. "She puts a bold face on it," s

ow well she had done to follow M. Folgat's advice. It gave her additional strength. As she d

mercy of the first foolish notion that enters the head of a magistrate. I heard the news yesterday by tel

d more considerate words. Still he could not hel

said in measured tones, "will perha

e livery consisted in a gold-laced

's carriage is

replied the

Sauveterre, who were quite dumfou

Chandore expects us. I shall, however, be h

s, which the mayor persistently calls upon the municipal council to grade, and which the latter as persistently refuse to improve. The building is quite n

ed to Jacques de Boiscoran. Dionysia was an orphan. She was barely three years old, when within five months, she lost her father, who fell in a duel, and her mother, who had not the strength to survive the man whom she had loved. This was certainly for the child a terrible misfortune; but she was not left uncared for nor unloved. Her grandfather bestowed all his affections upon her; and the two sisters of her mother, the Misses Lavarande, then already

t could be done to engage the affections of the little girl; each one was willing to pay any price for the most trifling caress. At five ye

vanished from his eyes, the scorn from his lips; and both had given way to soft glances and smooth words. He was seen daily trotting through the streets, and going fro

le. Once she was sick: she had the measles. He staid up for twelve night

ladies found means

elf insisted upon it: otherwise the writing-master and the music-m

it, and shrugge

id. "Such weakness is absolutely unheard o

onysia the most disagreeable little person that ever lived. But fortunately she had one of those happy dispositions which cannot

unts Lavarande, and I, we

young girl repay such sweet affect

of her life took place. M. de Chandore one morning met Jacques de Boiscoran, whose uncle had been a friend o

r aunts; and for two years the birds and the flowers were the only confidants of this love of

es remained blin

he hesitate a moment; and in less than a month after that, the Marquis de Bois

eavy blow for Gr

d when he should have found her a good husband. But he talked of it as a distant thing, very much as we speak of dying. M. de Boiscoran brought his true feelings out. He shuddered a

plied that he could give no reply til

very first words he u

happy! But I

conceal a tear which burned in h

thing is

ionysia seemed to be so happy. Jacques had, of course, been allowed to visit the house as a lover; and the very day before the fire at Valpinson, after having long a

ppiness, when she heard, at the same time, of the terrible

n the arms of her aunts, who, like the grandfather, were themselves ut

thus? Is it not eviden

ant to come to an understanding with Jacques's family. Then she had begged to be left alone; and she had spent t

for the marchioness, adding that they must drive back as fast as they could. Then she had gone into the

pidly, and stopping before the house. She

Jacques's