Monsieur de Camors -- Volume 1

some time plu

haracter; he was displeased with himself without well know

and hand, nevertheless knew he was not altogether a despicable match for her. He said to himself that a few years back he might have been duped by her apparent s

strelles, as he was soon to discover, had been in that perfectly frank,

ubtful, thanks to M. de Camors. It often happens that by despising men

brary door. Camors felt a slight palpitation and a se

ed stride, puffed like some sea-monster, and seized Cam

oung gen

, Gen

you doin

am at

threw himself on the sofa where Mademoiselle had be

e repeated, aft

t then,

u not noticed that I have been for

, I have not

the eyes. So agitated, upon my word of honor, that there are moments when I

is dreaming; you have t

always annoying to think of it. But I am too much agitat

ut how can it

bout to hear. You are m

ral, I have

x cousins as near as you, and- the devi

emanded payment eve

e; for he was no braggart, that father of yours; he was a man! Had he not quitted the army, a brilliant career was before him. People talk a great deal of Pelissier, of Canrobert, of MacMahon,

a volunteer. It is useless to weary you with details; we were in retreat; a shower of stones and bullets poured upon us,

sides and fell upon me and on the beast- forty devils! I can see them now! Just here the gorge took a

hat with a dead horse and five live Arabs on top of me, I was not very com

He drew me from under my horse; he fell upon the Arabs. When I was up, I ai

use, when the

your feelings to have seven hundred thousand francs a year, and to be called, af

ount redden

Camors," he

opt you? You refuse to become the

Gene

sh time to ref

; your generous intentions toward me touch me deeply, b

n he rose and took two or three turns up and down the gallery, shuffl

s for the future?"

ppose, and my father's connections and my own will give me a footing in some great financial or industrial enterprise. Once there, I shall succ

the horse-a noble animal. I approve of racing; it improves the breed of horses, and aids in mounting our cav

ured

ill send in my resignation, and recommend to my brave and fait

I am truly grateful. Bu

e sorry to give personally a little lesson to the government, which I trust will profit by it. Yo

going on,

al service; but probably I could have waited until an amendment. I found it at least in the confidence of my brave and faithful constituents. But, my young friend, one tires of everything. The Assemblies at the Luxembourg-I mean the Palace of the Bourbo

elonged to my mother; a small manor, wit

ameures! Certainly-certainly! Well

ne difficulty; I am

vil! An

leven thousand francs a year; and to embark in busines

nce more his military t

himself back

id you. I warn you I shall try other projects. You must not sell your lands if you wish to become a deputy, for the country people-especially those of Des Rameures-will not hear of it. Meantime yo

truth, G

nd-from your father's friend-on any ground you please

al's hand, and pressing it

, sir. I

aving. Staring at the young Count with real ferocity, he suddenly drew him to his breast and embraced him with great f

ople, he had not been happy. You might smile at hi

never had been loved at all. He declared that he had retired from all friendship with women, because of a wrong that he had suffered. At forty years of ag

ne and his betrayer. His wife died shortly after, and he was left more lonely than ever. He was not the man to console himself with venal love; a gross remark made him blush; the corps de ballet inspired him with terror. He did not dare to avow i

he. This message was received with a general murmur, and with some sharp remarks from Madame de la Roche-Jugan, which implied Mademoiselle was not in a position which justified her in h

s. Returning to the drawing-room, these innocent young things thought it very funny to take their husbands' hats, put their feet in them, and,

tter. They remarked also the absence of the General, who was the embodiment of politeness and punctuality. A sense of uneasiness w

teps, like an actor about to address his audience; cast fierce glances on all sides of him, and cleared his

nds, permit me to presen

lon d'A

not colder than was the Genera

, launched out fierce glances. Then his eyes began to wander and roll convulsively in th

feel the lady is so well worthy of you." Then, bowing to Mademoiselle d'Estrelles with a grave grace, he pressed her hand, and turning away, was struck dumb at seeing Madame de la Roche-Jugan

er. She is my daughter-my second child. Sigismund, embrace your sister! You permit it, General? Ah, we never know how much we love the

m a friend and father. After which flattering assurance, Madame de la Roche-Jugan seated herself in a solitary corner, behind a cur

o themselves, without envy, the shower of gold and diamonds about to fall into the lap of their cousin. Messrs. Bacquiere and Van-Cuyp were naturally the first sufferers, and their charming wives made them understand, at int

y beloved Charlotte from the altar to the very threshold of the nuptial chamber; that

pen-hearted. But you are none of these; you are an excellent woman- a heart of gold-a noble soul! My dear friend, you have found the best way to convert me. I have always believed the religion of honor was suffic

mself what was the secret of his aunt's politic cond

ung, and so also was Sigismund. Sigismund could become tender; if necessary, could quietly court the young Marquise until the day when he could marry her, with all her appurtenances, over the mausoleum of the General. It was for this that Madame de

liged to acknowledge that he had unjustly judged Mademoiselle d'Estrelles, and that at the moment of his accusing her of spe

or widow of the General, it was clear that Mademoiselle d'Estrelles had forever escaped him. To seduce the wife of this good old man from whom he accepted such favors, or even to marry her, widowed and rich, after r

omprehend the position in this lig

e and reserved attentions with which he surrounded Mademoiselle d'Estrelles were tinged wit

into the folly of his host with affectionate grace. He spoke to him little of the beauty of his fiancee: mu

ure Camors was summoned

ve a check for three hun

ral

I have informed Mademoiselle d'Estrelles of this little service I render you. She h

informed her that I did not intend taking any receipt for this sum, a

eive in the Marquise, claim all my leisure-all my liberty of action. Consequently, I desire as soon as possible to present you to my generous and faithful constituents, as well for the Corps Legislatif as for the Ge

it would be both folly and ingratitude in me not t

morrow for Paris, you must go to your estate

the Des Rameu

s? The deuce! no; you can not kn

as you will see; and with him lives his niece, a charming woman. I tell you, my boy, you must please them, for De

shall I do to please

1825; he has a horror of Paris and Parisians. Very well, it only needs a little tact to

niece,

o. He adores her, and she manages him complet

sort of wo

able woman. A widow; somewhat a devotee, but

must I take to

lways. It is a thing I can not understand; but as for you, my young comrade, you have little need to be instructed in that matter. You can't f

ures and his niece-

lon, armed with these imperfect instructions; and, fu

reflected that the path of ambition was not one of roses; and that it was hard for him, at the outset of his ent