Gerfaut -- Volume 4

esh air which he gave as an excuse for leaving his guests. In fact, he felt oppressed almost to suffocation by the emotions he had undergone dur

a calm if not indifferent eye; in one word, to regain that control over himself that he had lost several times during the supper. His efforts were not in vain. He contemplated his situation without weakness, exaggeration, or anger, as if it concerned another. Two facts rose foremost before him, one accomplished, the other uncertain. On one side, murder, on the other, adultery. No human power could remedy the first or prevent its co

d as much blood as mud at the bottom of it.

t should attract attention, for, as master of the house, a visit to one of his guests who had fallen dead, or nearly so, at his own table was a positive duty. The attentions lavished upon Marillac by his friend had removed the danger which might have resulted from his imprudent excesses in drinking, and the sort of poisoning with which he had crowned

ing resumed its habitual reserved expression. Th

ping?" aske

ave added, smilingly, "that this will serve as a lesson to you, and that hereafter y

rance of equal good-humor. "If your friend wants to ask an explanatio

vivacity which concealed a certain embarrassment; "we must have terribly scandali

Christian approached the table where Gerfaut was se

see?" said he, as his ey

of copyist. These are some verses which

nd to her. Since the misfortune that befell Constance, she has been terribly an

ied, and handed the sheet to Bergenheim. The latter looked at i

said he, "I will leave yo

rds, and the polite bow which accompanied them, that Gerfaut

letter he had received from Lambernier. The suspicions which a separate examination had aroused were confirmed

eflection, Christian w

m of this consuming as well as intellectual passion, which responded to the yearnings of her heart, the delicacy of her tastes, and the activ

d. The expression of impatience imprinted upon her face gave way to one of fright. She arose with a movement she could not repress, as if she had seen a stranger, and stood leaning against the mantel in

d, Clemence fell back into her chair, and, assuming a languid,

ve not shown your usual consideration to-night. Did you not thin

asked Christian, look

the liberty permitted in the country. From what Justine tells me, things hav

uffering v

ralgia-I only wi

thought of this. You will

first time in his life, he was playing a part upon the marital stage, and he watched with the closest attention the slightest exp

he aversion which she had just shown toward her husband seemed to him positive proof

h you?" she asked, as s

is senses, and he returned to her

very simple cause; i

uble misfortune to her dog and coachman. You will admit

being furious; she thre

read

letter, folded lengthw

deuil

took the letter and r

y eyes to the light of truth, the plots that were hatched daily against all who wore the Corandeuil livery. I supposed that I should not be obliged to put an end to this highly unpleasant matter myself, but that you would undertake this charge. It seems, however, that respect and regard for women do not form part of a gentleman's duties nowadays. I shall therefore be obliged to make up myself for the absen

my adieux, my thanks for

DE CORA

he Baron, when his wife had finished reading the letter; "

d, although she was very angry, she d

the importance of an ambassador who demands his passports. You must go and t

once," said Cl

ain, that I am obliged to go to Epinal with Monsieur de Carrier tomorrow morning, on account of the sale of some wood-land, and that I shall be abse

could not be,"

ust obey the proprieties. You are too young and too pretty a mistress of the house to pass for a chaperon, and A

d and her anger will have passed away. You did not tell me

any attention to this remark, and seating himself in the armchair; "I will wait for you

The casket was upon the shelf; he took it and carefully examined the letters which it contained. The greater part of them resembled in form the one that he possessed; some of them were in envelopes directed to Madame de Bergenheim and bore Gerfaut's crest. There was no doubt about the identit

ks which he had found upon her table, while he mechanically played with a lit

"my aunt saw clearly the logic of the reasons which I ga

n made n

s; at heart she is really kind!-How long is it since you have known English?" she asked, as sh

his efforts, his face had assumed an expression which would have frightened her if she had noticed it,

o my poor cup?" she asked, with surprise mingled with a little of that

the misshapen bro

strung. I will leave you, for I need rest myself. I shall start t

ft, sweet voice, from which, in such circumstan

er of himself; he felt, when offered this hypocritical, almost crimina