Gerfaut -- Complete

hted during the morning, was slowly dying, and a beautiful autumn sun threw its rays upon the floor through the half-opened windows. Mademoiselle de Coran

r needle moved, and the singular mistakes she made, showed that her mind was far away from the flowers she was workin

person here inquiring for Mon

im not at home?" asked M

e to ride with Ma

this p

an; but I did no

him e

making a movement as if to leave the room; but after a moment's reflection, s

ounced the lackey, as he op

ance at the individual who presented h

ck his shoulders. Tightly buttoned up in his travelling redingote, and balancing with ease a

tress's chair, uttering low growls; at first glance the latter shared, if not the terror, at least the aversion of her dog. Among her numerous antipathies, Mademoiselle

room which was worthy the attention of a connoisseur; but he felt that the moment was not oppo

hout having had the honor of an introduction. I hoped to find here Monsieur de Berge

said Clemence; "Monsieur de Bergenheim probably will return soon.

in her turn, having succeeded in calming Constance's agitation.

er, although I am a few ye

ght, "there is more than a college friendship between you. Are yo

erself could not but graciously greet her nephew's preserver, had he had a mousta

amiability of a mistress of the house who seeks subjects of conversation

s the details of this adventure, in which he ran such great danger

y in an impressive manner. These words were as pleasing to his ears as the req

one arm of his chair, "it was on the twenty-eighth of July, 1830; th

e good and necessary. The only mistake of Charles Tenth was not to have fifty thousand men around Paris to force their acceptance. I am only a woman, Monsieur, but if I h

e told him that republicanism was not acceptable within this castle. Besides, remembering the mission with which he was charged,

of their result. You will certainly admit that our situation to-da

ding that point, Monsieur," said Mademois

my luncheon, and was gazing with an artist's eye upon the dramatic scene spread out before me. Men with bare arms and women panting with excitement were tearing up the pavements or felling trees. An omnibus had just been upset; the rioters added cabriolets, furniture, and casks to it; everything became means of defence. The crashing of the trees as

with gray hair, a fresh, plump face, an honest, placid countenance, and wearing a mouse-colored silk dressing-gown, was seated before a small, round table. The window opened to the floor, and I could see him in this fra

tory interests me very much," s

upon it; he was gazing with curiosity at the revolution of July, while his master was reading his pa

hy of Greuze; 'oh, patriarchal philosophy! in a few minutes perhaps blood will flow in the streets, and

r lost an opportunity to bring one

lumes waving from high caps, red-and-white flags floating from the ends of long lances, and the cavalcade that I saw approachin

both of the

at I had shown before this the mettle there was in me, but I will not conceal from you that at this moment I shared with the crowd the impression which the coming of these gentlemen made. I had only time to jump over the sidewalk and to dart up a staircase

le de Corandeuil, who was no

by, erect in his stirrups and flourishing his sword. Suddenly the report of a gun resounded, the lancer reeled backward, then forward, and finally fell upon his horse's neck; a moment later he t

said Clemence, c

is narration, leaned back in his chair and

glancing to the right and left I saw smoke issuing through the blinds of the

n the mouse-colored silk dressing-gown who amuses himself by

eaned out and gazed with a smiling face in the direction the horse was taking, dragging hi

guard were assassinated by the 'heroes' of your glorious ins

was. I saw a horseman suddenly bound over the first; he wore a tuft of red-and-white feathers in his hat. I saw that it was a staff officer, doubtless carrying some despatch to headquarters. He continued his way, s

dow on the first floor open again. 'Ah! you old rascal!' I exclaimed. The report of a gun drowned my voice; the horse which had just made the leap, fell o

aid Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, who was always very s

ficer. I, and several other young men who were as little disposed as myself to allow a defenceless man to be slaughtered, ran toward him. I recognized Christian as I approached; his right leg was caught under the horse, and he was trying to un

flourish which kept the cannibal

rs tried to release Christian from his horse. During this time the crowd increased around us; the shouts redoubled: 'Down wi

gue would get us out of the scrape. While they were releasing Ch

la li

berte!' repl

Down with the ministers!

ed a thousand

as a sort of bait, intended to

f our disarmed brothers. After a victory there are no enemies. This officer was doing his duty in fulfilling h

wd. 'He is right; the officer was doing his duty. It

y harangue; 'but do not press me so hard, for I really believe that my right arm is broken; only for that, I should as

harte!' roared out a man

d, in a very loud voice, as he glared at him with

rave man," said Mademoiselle de

a second time by the approach of the lancers, who were returning through the boulevard. I led Bergenheim into a cafe; fortunately, his arm was only sprained." Just at

ergenheim, hurrying to her sister's side. The young girl

who wanted to throw me into the river. Do you know where Rousselet is? They sa

Is my husband wounded?" as

ot know; only for him I should have been dro

ice thundering out his commands. Several servants had gone to his assistance: one of them held Titania by the bridle; she was covered with foam and mud, and was trembling, with distended nost

lf against the framework of the window

in the kitchen, advanced majestically, ea

leman this crazy mare has thrown against a tree, and who has received a violent

tion of blood in the frontal region," replied the peasant, calling to his

ou can do this

that I phlebotomized Perdreau last week and Mascarea

sneered the groom, "bot

r Mascareau," observed th

ith the dignity of a man of talent who scor

not suffer in the least. Some water and a napkin are all that I need. I fancy that I resemble an Iroquois Indian who has just been scalped; my pride

exclaimed Mademoiselle de Corandeu

ngth to leave the window. M. de Bergenheim, after hurriedly greeting Marillac, finally yielded to the assurance that a surgeo

dor, since you were to make such a fine entrance upo

as he pressed his hand; "I am

ence and her aunt had

aid Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, while

ncy, Clemence, I bounded in the saddle at each leap, sometimes upon the mare's neck, sometimes upon the crupper; it was terrible! I tried to withdraw my foot from the stirrup as Christian had told me to do; but just then Titania ran against the trunk of a tree, and I rolled over with her. A gentleman, whom I had not seen before, and who, I believe, actually jumped out of the ground, raised me from the saddle, where I was held by something, I do not know what; then that naughty

r as she said these words, and could not restrain

wed it to her sister-in-law. It was a

t it with the practised eye of a person who had made a special stud

she, "and by putting in a new

the evil could be repaired,

andage just off his eyes. His sparkling glance showed that blindness was not what there was in common between him and the charming little god. After the first greetings, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, who was always stri

honor of meeting you before today; allow me then to present you to hi

rfaut as a relative on account of their family alliance of 1569.

aunt, in spite of the respect I have for it, will not add to my gratitude. Only for Monsieur de Gerfa

s waist and kissed her tenderly, while Aline was obliged to

ademoiselle Gobillot's civilities, and establish their headquarters in my house. They can pursue their picturesque

plied the poet, "art ab

kind enough to look over my plans, I ran a great risk of leaving Saint Cyr without a graduating diploma. But seriously, gentlemen, whe

uch," replied the love

met with no response. Clemence, with a gloomy, sombre air fulfilled the duties that politeness imposed upon her as mistress of the house. Her conduct did not change during the rest of the evening, and Gerfaut no longer tried by a single glance to soften the severity she seemed d

d his sister-a little gamester in embryo, like all of her family-completed the party, while Clemence took up her work and listened with an absentminded air to Marillac's conversation. It was in vain for the latter to call art and the Middle Ages to his aid, using the very quinte

imes rather have Reine Gobillot for a sweetheart

tion from Clemence, which, he thought, surpassed anything he could have expected of her c

l stay here in spite of you; you s

none the less expressive, in which a lo

h indifference for your love a

shot in this pre