Gerfaut -- Volume 4

glance, the curtains of the bed upon which she lay, and thought that she had awakened from an ordinary sleep. Little by little, her thoughts became clearer, and she saw that she was fully dressed,

ow as she recognized her husband. Then she remembered everything, even the slightest details of the scene in the small parl

moment, and then, opening

us, it is nearly three o'clock

She obeyed mechanically; but she had hardly risen when she was obliged

only wish that people should know that I have passed the night in your chamber, for it is possible that my

oman was cut to the very quick. She had expected an explosion of an

ed thus," said she; "do not c

ndress yourself, and go to sleep if it is possible for you to do so. It is not necessary

standing in order to speak to him, but her emotion was so intens

d succeeded to recover her voice. "I am not guilty; at least

ent, and then replied, in a voice whic

ppearances are deceitful; perhaps you will be able to explain to me what took place last evening;

in a weak voice, and w

down a little silver crucifi

s crucifix," said he, pr

her hand, which seemed fast

a second time, while her f

ying a word, then he opened the secret panel and, taking out the casket, placed it upon th

and and to God!" said Bergenheim slowly.

at each breath seemed like suffocation; her head, after rolling about on the back of

gth enough to speak, "you must know that I am not as unworthy as y

But his nature was too unrefined for him to see the degrees which separate weakness from vice, and the intoxication of a loving heart from the depravity of a corrupt character. With the obstinacy of narrow-minded people, he had been looking at the whole thing in its worst light

ght to have fought against this feeling better than I did, but I used up in this struggle all the strength that I had-You can see how pale and changed I h

he has," replied Chri

in him a loy

wringing her hands in despair; "but read these letters, the last on

ighted them at the candle and then threw them into the fireplace. Clemence uttered a cry and dar

d tone, "but you are more loving than prudent. Let me destroy one witness which acc

tand its real meaning and applied it to her lover. "Well, then, kill me too, for I lied when I said that I

ished to break it. Christian raised her and seated her in the chair, in spite of her resistance. She struggle

tense that Bergenhe

d me," he said, "he is

this way, one on each side of the fireplace; he, with his head leaning against the mantel; she, crouched in her chair with her face conceal

ly as if she had received a galvanic shock; her frightened eyes met her husband's. He made an imp

t the blinds was followed by a dry, metallic sound, evide

n a low voice, as he looked at his wi

replied Clemence, her heart

he is there and he has

open th

" said she, with

to pass the night under your window

om the outside when the curtains were drawn, Bergenheim changed the candles to another place. Cle

was quietly obeying, he picked up the purse,

he necessity of telling you that my whole life belongs to you, that I am yours until death; but I hardly dare have the courage to lay at your feet the offering of a destiny already so sad, and which may soon be stained with blood. A fatal necessity sometimes imposes actions which public opinion condemns, but the heart excuses, for it alone understands them. Do not be angry at what you are about to read; never did words like these come out of a more desolate heart. During the whole day a post-chaise will wait for you at the rear of the Montigny plateau; a fire lighted upon the rock which you can see from your room will notify you of its presence. In a short time it can reach the Rhine. A person devoted to you will accompany you to Munich, to the house of one of my relatives, whose character and position will assure you sufficient protection from all tyranny. There, at least, you will be permitted to weep. That is all that I can do for yo

he letter to his wife without saying a

r long pause, as he observed the dazed way in which M

she replied, "I do not

he speak

curled disdainful

ern you; one does

ied Clemence, who gazed at her

o fight?" she added,

ruth. You see, each of us has his part to play. The wife deceives her husband; the husband fights with the lover, and the lover in order to close the

le creature that I am! What have you done? And is he not free to love? I alone am the guilty one, I alone have offended you,

st into sardo

him?" said he, gazing at her intently,

using blood to be shed? If there must be a victim, take me-or, at

even chance that you ma

murmured, shiver

ne; "adultery would be pleasant but for that. I am sure that you think me coarse an

treat

urself with having betrayed me; do not outrage my memory. I am glad now that we have no children, for I should fear for them, and should feel obliged to deprive you of their care as much as l

seat as if every fibre in her body

o the earth!" s

ur first error, you are not made for such adventures. But rest assured, one becomes accustomed to everything. A lov

urmured, falling back almos

r, and, taking her by th

infamous creature if you obey him. He is a man to glory in you; th

pity-I s

eyes and her lips tw

ing of the chateau. Marillac was quietly sleeping the sleep of the just whe

succeeded in half opening his heavy eyes, a

taking him by the arm to gi

himself with the cl

to work?" he added, as he saw that his friend had some papers in his hand. "You kn

id Gerfaut, "I must

aut's accent as he said these words, that the art

on his dressing-gown, "you look as if th

a Fauconnerie. They are used to seeing you go out early in t

rupted the artist, as he began to undress himself; "

heim at nine o'clock!" sai

stood as motionless as a statue. Without wasting any time in unnecessary

ed you; can I count u

is hand with the emotion that the bravest of men feel at the

ill serve you as a guide, according to circumstances. This sealed paper will be deposited by you in the office of the public prosecutor at

know what effect this may have upon Clemence's fate; her aunt, who is very austere, may quarrel with her and deprive her of her rights; her personal fortune is not very large, I believe, and I know nothing about her marriage settlement. Sh

dmit that the thought of inheriting from

that," said Gerfaut, with a half smile; "this legacy belongs to the domain of art

veral agitated tur

Bergenheim's life! If he kills you, I shall never forgive mys

at him, or for an awkward fellow if you tread upon his toes; but on her account-poor angel!-I can not think of it. I need the fullest command of my head and my heart. But it is growing lighter; there is not a moment to lose. Go to the stable; saddle a horse yourself, if there is no

d up his redingote and put on his travelling cap. His countenance showed a state of exaltati

e you that I will serve her faithfully. I will take her wherever she wishes; to China, if she asks it, and in

pistols from the mantel and put them in his pocket, after

" said

Rest easy! I will look after her-and I will publish a complete edition-But what an idea-to acce

leave before the

ut I can not help it-Oh! these women! I adore them, of course; but just now I am like Nero, I wis

way," said Gerfaut, who wa

tter themselves this moment that they

said his friend, as he

and went out. When he reached the end of the

lish proceedings. Remember that it is necessary that one of you should fall, and that

es after he had left, Gerfaut saw him riding out of the