A Dozen Ways Of Love

in a small Swiss town. Had they been poorer or richer there might have been something picturesque about their way of life, but, as i

ds,' Madame Verine would remark, 'for then we could per

stairs. The Russian lady had a name that could not be pronounced; she s

mall loss. I have se

lady. She never said anything about it, except at her prayers, and then

the round moon, and her hair and eyelashes were like sunbeams, or like moonlight when it shines in yellow halo through the curly edges of summer clouds. The good people of this village were a hard-working, hard-headed set of men

y, for many a day; and now she believed in him, and felt sure that he would speak his love aloud and take her home to his parents. To be sure, it was unknown

blue that hangs above the gnarled arms of the still leafless walnut trees. The cottage where Céleste lived was out from the village, among the meadows, and to the most hidden side of it young Ferna

ys a somewhat stiff and formal young

wept-'you have made me love you. I

o dowry, not even a small one. It would be unthrifty for the son of an innkeeper to marry a girl without a s

town, and went into the market

g very close together, with high-peaked roofs and gable windows. The sun shone down, lighting the roofs, throwing eaves and niches into strong shadow, gleaming upon yellow bowls and dishes, upon gay calicoes, upon cheese and sausages, on all bright things displayed on

lady-'what simple, innocent, trust

e a flower,

little about the work she would have to do; it wa

ght to teach her,' c

rie. So Madame Ve

was surprised at the progress she made, especially in writing. Céleste was the more interesting to them because there was ju

Marie, when the brie

'These Swiss peasants, who have so fair a reputation fo

ose one morning to find the breakfast was not cooked, nor the fire lit. In the midst of

letter, it is from monsieur the notary, who liv

lived far off in the Jura, was dead, and had left to Céleste a little fortune of five tho

weeping, 'can it be t

ce monsieur the

ur the notary. Let me just ask him, a

with her apron over her head

. 'The pretty child is distraught, and at

. 'It is true,' she said, with gentle joy, and

ou are twenty-one,' said Madame

leste, modestly casting down her ey

ried. 'To who

othes; I have saved my year's wages. I will put up at the inn. The wife

oked at her, and said behind her hand, 'Such a baby, and so clever!

er maid-servant, no great responsibility is felt when the engagement is broken. Madame

m in the street. The house was a fine one, and the notary, in spite of iron-grey hair and a keen eye, good-looking; but that was no

friend and daughter, took a day's holiday, an

nnkeeper's wife, on being questioned. 'She will ha

ed will not hold out l

l get when she is married. She has shown us the notary's letter. It is cer

saw young Fernand, who was paying his co

ss of some of her money. She had come up to town, she said, to buy her wedding clothes, for which the notary had been so

yes, and said she would also get some things on credit, promising to pay in a month, for it w

e, 'and your husband brings you to town to claim the money, you m

ade them a supper. They lodged in an attic room that Madame Verine rented

ished wood; it shone in the morning light; so did all the polished curves

o the room, agitated, unable to ask permission to enter. He s

, but this was not so, although his ey

notary never wrote letters to her;

me Verine, and then there was

cried the Russian la

the bridegroom ho

ping husband. If you have ever enticed a rosy-faced child to bathe in the sea, and seen it stand half breathless, half terrified, yet trying h

y himself. He was a gentleman of manners; he bowed wit

arn the arts of cunning,' cried the Russian

particular. 'Madam, the tru

her face, the other for her cleverness. He looked at the weeping husband with no admiratio

ought to have mentioned when he was at my office. Happily, the evil can be remedied. It is

red her face. The husband had turned round; he was lo

ied the two matr

o far to advise,

she had the comeliness that youth and health always must have; and more than that, there was the light of a beautiful soul shining through her eyes, for Marie was gentle and submissive, but her mind

ry simply, eagerly, as one who

ong to separate

tary, no doubt just because he w

ve to be thus fooled. I shall be glad t

than pretending to have money! And in any case, it is a wicked law, monsieur, that would grant a divorce when they are married, and-look

le?' said the notary,

ts would say! This poor girl has brought much punishment on

but justice; but it is no affair of mine.' And with that he went o

said Madame Verine. This was true

' said the Russian lady; 'but that is j

ste till her soft face had hard lines about the mouth and her eyes wer

your aid, monsi

ot advi

, to whom else

usy,' said

eir village, hand in hand, both downc

in his dealings with men; for what is the use of being good in a world that can neither comprehend goodness nor admire it? On the whole, the notary was much better satisfied with himself than with human nature around him, although, if he had only known it, he himself had grown to be the

ll, he was not sure but that her appeal was charming. Then he thought of her with admiration. This was not the result of Marie's words-words in themselves are nothing; it is the personality of the speaker that makes them live or

e Verine a second time; he greeted her with all ceremony, and then he sat dow

r to every movement of its inmates. Madame Verine, in a voluminous silk gown, sat all attention, lookin

en. Pardon me, I would not be rude, but I am a business man. I have no delusions left, yet it has occurred to me that a young woman who would

ght he was. Madame Verine thought so too, and with great astonishment

cause he had good manners and she had such a loving heart that she loved him. After a