Gerfaut -- Volume 1

ws had a modern look, but they were made to harmonize with the rest of the house by means of grayish paint. At the foot of this facade was a lawn surrounded by a wall and orange-trees planted in

the winding river until it finally disappeared at the extremity of the valley. It was this picturesque view and a more

ncipal entrance of the chateau. Night was approaching, the countryside, which had been momentarily disturbed by the storm, had resumed its customary serenity. The leaves of the trees, as often

, it was difficult to keep her out of one's thoughts. Her features, which taken separately might seem irregular, were singularly harmonious, and, like a thin veil which tempers a too dazzling light, softened the whole expression. Her light chestnut hair was arranged about the temples in ingenious waves; while her still darker eyebrows gave, at times, an imposing gravity to her face. The same contrast was to be found in the mouth; the short dista

mpletely. Was she a coquette, or simply a fashionable lady, or a devotee? In one word, was she imbued with the most egotistical pride or the most exalted love? One might suppose anything, but know nothing; one remained undecided and thoughtful, but fascinated, the mind plunged into ecstatic contem

tonous ripple of the stream, the singing of the birds in the woods, the long golden reflections under the trees, all seemed to unite in filling the soul with sadness; but neither the murmuring water, the singing birds, nor the sun's splendor was paid any attention to by Madame de Bergenheim; she gave them

nd saw, not two steps from her, the stranger who, during the storm, had vainly tried to attract her attention. There was a moment's silence. The young man stood motionless, trying to catch hi

impulsively, "you whom I ha

eplied, in a low voice, putting

dreamed of this moment for so long! Have I not paid dear enough for it? Two months passed away from y

at this

eme

ieur de Gerfaut," she

ey you? Are you not

soon discovered at some distance a more propitious place for such a conversation as theirs. It was a semicircular recess in one of the thickets in the park. A rustic seat under a large oak seemed to have been placed there expressly for those who came to seek solitude and speak of love. From there, one could see the approach of danger, and, in case of alarm, the wood offered a secure re

ur abiding-place, that you were fleeing from me. Oh! tell me that I was mistaken; or, if it is true that you wished to separate yourself from me, say that this cruel resolve had left your mind, and that you will pardon me for following you! You will pardon

d as a child does who hears the buzzing of a wasp and fears its stin

s is not your road; you shoul

road which they had taken did not lead to the bridge, neither did i

ith 'a supplicating glance, "I have so many things

, will you

and I will then do

herself and made a gesture for M. de Gerfaut to do likewise. The young man did not make he

o favor me with a call. I ought to be proud of this mark of respect from a man so celebrated as you are, although you are rather hiding your light unde

en with the careless, mock

pression an ugly cravat or unblacked boots might produce in the most affecting moments, he did not wish to compromise himself

rmany or Switzerland, and that Bergenheim is

in taking such a step, and whether you have realized how stran

because I wanted to see your beautiful eyes again, to be intoxicated by your sweet voice, because to live away from you is impossible for me; because your presence

if I were foolish enough for that-which I never shall be-to what would it lead? You know perfectly well that it is impossible for you to come to the castle, as you are not acquainted with Monsieur

ee me, unless I am officially received at th

you in her house! I tell you, the whole thing is as perilous a

cognize me in this costume? Do not fear, I shall be prudent! I would liv

genheim smile

to judge its effect, I warn you that it is entirely lost upon me, and that I consider the play itself very ill-timed, improper, and ridiculous. Besides, for a man of talent and a romantic poet

ersies; he owes it to himself out of propriety first, out of prudence afterward. For it is not a question of taking part in a conversation for the simple pleasure

shining eyes, scornful lips, and arms tightly folded under her cashmere shawl, with that haughty gesture familiar to her, the young woman looked as invu

t took away for a moment his presence of mind; he began mechanically to twirl his hat in his hands, exactly as if he had been Pere Rousselet himself. But instead of being hurtful to him, this awkwardness served him better than the eloquence of Rousseau or the coolness of Richelieu. Was it

ontinued her raillery,

f poetry has descended to a tavern. Have you not est

you kno

w in La Mode. Do I not know your coat-of-ar

etters, doubtless read without very much anger, s

ern their pleasure- ground. I must come to some decision. I have two propositions to submit to you: the first is, that you w

," said Clemence, with

she is ill and to take her with you to Plombieres or Baden. The season

e Montanvert, where you met me for the first time, which I shall always remember, if you, yourself, do not make it painful for me to do so. You will obey me, Octave, will you not? Give me this proof of your esteem and

king to profit by the emotion betrayed by Madame de Be

you repulse me I will consult only myself; if you repulse me, Clemence, I warn you that

ou

I

morr

morr

do it, pray?" sa

et, Madame," he

t that it would be beneath her to ask any more questions

permit me to leave you today. You know that I am not well, and it is show

gave place to a mingled feeling of impatience and anger. She drew her foot back with a sudden movement, but unfortunately the foot went one way and the slipper another. A fencing- master, who sees his foil carried ten steps away from him by a back stroke, could not feel more astonishment than that felt by Madame de Bergenheim. Her first movement was to place her foot, so singularly undressed, upon the ground; an instinctive horror of the damp, muddy walk made her dra

ing upright upon one foot, like Cupid in the painting by Gerard; like him, also, she

asoning should exist for the covering of one's feet. In less than a second, Madame de Bergenheim comprehended that in such circumstances prudish airs would fail of their effect. Meanwhile, the agreeable side of her position operated within her; she felt unable to keep up the show of anger that she had wished to assume. The involuntary smile upon her lips smoothed her forehead as a ray of sun dissipates a cloud. Thus, disposed to clemency by reflection or fascination, it was in a very sweet and coaxing voice that she said: "Octave, give

a sharp tone; "I should much prefer to l

s head and smile

icate lungs and of

irely from the sight of the young man, who gazed at it more than she th

e foot; I could hop very well when I wa

e took two little jumps with a grace and sp

ve a

id he; "but I admit that I shall be pleased to wi

ary. Recourse to concessions is often as fatal to women as to kings; but what can one do when every other exit is closed? Obliged by absolute necessity to accept

slipper, since you exact it, and let this end this ridiculous scene. I

one knee on the ground, placed the little slipper upon the other and seemed to await his enemy's pleasure. But

Monsieur; and

thrust it into the slipper. To be a correct historian, we must admit that this time she left it in the hands which softly pressed it longer than was strictly necessary. When Oc

d the chateau. Gerfaut arose from his position no less rapidly and darted into the woods. A rustling of branches which he heard a few steps from him made him unea

crossed the avenue and soon disappeared over t