Monsieur de Camors -- Volume 3

her tears. She opened them at the instant Vaut

she could not comprehend it

u mad,

common to him, and, as he believed, to the poets-"Yes, I am mad with

ly stared in bl

art that will be devoted to you until death-a heart into

tears to penetrate to such a

at once theatrical and awkward, did not seem sublime to the Countess. To her lively imagination it was irresistibly ludicrous. A br

rising a conqueror. Otherwise, like Vaut

s evidently bewildered you. Go and take some rest and we will forg

ose. He w

ever can be an offence. Mine at least would have been sincere; mine w

intention, the countenance of the young woman chan

mean, Monsi

you do not know, I think

ro

mediately to me, Monsieur!" she ex

retary, in a tone of admirable sincerity-"the

u hesitate!

ou and pity you!-that is all

reflected hurriedly on the point at which he had arrived. More sure than ever of success, after a moment he took from his pocket a f

d a moment, then seized it. A single glance recognized the writing

t burning passio

given her to you. For-she is pretty and-but I! I am beau

g, she uttered a deep groan; then she reread the letter and re

etrified-her eyes fixed on vacancy. A world

d the sound of opening and shutting drawers. A moment after she reappeared with

y terrified, ru

ed, throwing him

trembled and obeyed, and she left the boudoir. A moment late

ops. The few pedestrians still on the broad pavement turned to follow with their eyes

rs threw a few words of raillery at her-both were unheeded alike. She traversed the Place de la Concorde with the same convulsive haste, and passed toward the bridge. Arriving on it, the sound of the swollen Seine

ng of the Marquise de Campvallon: Arrived there, the unfortunate child knew not what to do, nor even why she had come. She had some vague d

th her hands, vainly striving to think. It was past midnight. The streets were de

is cape. He turned and stared at the youn

oing here?" he

at him with

ow myself,"

rough all her confusion a nameless refinement and

not stay here," he rej

N

ave some gr

y gr

is you

de Camors," sh

looked b

me where you

ying. The man took a few steps, then stopped and listened to the sound of wheels approaching. The carriage was empty. He st

urprise, from the lips of his wife's maid, the details of the C

recovered her calmness on the road, and as he interrogated he

a little," she said. "I do not

ot hesitate. He murmured a few soft words of reproach and plac

and closely interrogated him. On learning in what street and what precise spot

ry limb. One of her hands was resting outside the coverlet. He rushed

told him they wer

rranged by her and as t

rs became virt

he shadow of the bed-hangings; then walked slowly across the cha

face wore a waxen pallor. His hands, joined behind his back, were clenched; and the ring he wore sparkled with their t

hour he appr

oice. She turned upon him h

iation. Judge me as severely as you wish; but I beg of you to calm yourself-preserve yourself! You spoke to me this morning of your presentiments-of your maternal hopes. Attach yourself to those thoughts, and you will always be mistr

e murmure

to tell you that there are confidences one

d the question with a supplica

fter an instant, "Exce

it

ace and buried i

de an affirmative motion of her head. "You can make y

" she repli

d her that his wife had been seized with a severe nervous attack-the effect of a ch

heir grief. Nevertheless she asked no confidences and received none; but her tenderness to her friend redou

e distress of this poor child wounded him to the heart. The souvenirs of the past rose before him and passed in sad procession. Then the morrow would show him the cru

heart lively feelings of pity; sti

had betrayed him? This question agitated him to an equal degree;

ned by strong assurance and certain revelation. After turning the matter over and over in his own mind, he arrived at

event her writing to him; for to her, as to a

chefs-d'oeuvre' of passionate eloquence, was proud of inspiring them, and could not make up his mind to burn or destroy them. He examined at once the secret drawer where h

cretary. In fact Vautrot, after passing on his part a most wretched night, did not feel his nerves equal in the morning to meeting the reception the Count possi

ondon. He was obliged to decide at once, and to sail that same morning for fear of losing an opportu

d to pay him. He not only sent him all arrears of salary, but a lar

after he had once shaken it off. Seeing him deprived of the only weapon he could use against him, he felt safe. Besides, he h

little less low, after discov