The Lesser Bourgeoisie

rade had convinced himself, without knowing exactly why, that in each case, this affectation of avoiding him, signified something that was not indifference. To have p

and without asking the porter if the countess was at home, he passed the l

ified her mistress; but, on this occasion, instead of showing him into t

f with the thought that if she meant to dismiss him he would not have been asked to

ut she begged monsieur be so kind as to wait, and to amuse himself with the b

thout opening any of the carved rosewood bookcases, which enclosed a collection of the most elegantly bound volumes he had ever laid his eyes upo

had been provided for him: one book was English, another German, a third Russian; there was even one in

not to lose the page which it seemed to have been some one's intention to mark. It proved to be a volume of the illustrated edition of Monsieur Scribe's works. The engraving which presented itself on the open page to la Peyrade's eyes, was entitled "The Hatred of a Woman"; the principal personage of which is a young wido

clever and adroit. As he stood there, thinking over the significance which this more or less accidental combination might have, la Peyrade read through a number of scenes to see whether in the details as well as the general whole

," said a man's voice, "that you wil

ch is just beginning to get a little

he gentleman. After which the doors wer

rop back at the slightest noise, and to make a quick right-about-face to avoid being caught, "flagrante delicto," in curiosity. An elegant coupe, standing at a little distance, was now driven up to the house, a footman in showy livery hastened to open the door, and a little old man, with a light and jaunty movement, though

owed by the appearance of the maid, who invited him to follow her. The Provencal took care not to

a beside her was a manuscript written on gilt-edged paper, in that large and opulent handwriting which indicates an official communication from some ministerial office or c

madame," said la Pe

become of you? I was beginning to lose all hope of ever seeing you again. Have you come to announce to me some great

disconcerte

must know too well everything that goes on in the Thuillier household not to be aw

g any further interest in an affair which I felt I had meddled with very fooli

dom in the matter that induces you to take flight whene

o be the reason that makes me leave the

ence. For instance, if he has displeased her; if the advice, given to him with

n proselytizing that I am angry with those who are not docil

he matter of my marriage your

eizure of the pamphlet, coming directly after th

a solid basis; the services I have rendered Mademoiselle Brigitte and h

think so?" sa

es it into her head to seriously obtain that bit of red ribbon,

his assertion with a sm

e Colleville that the unexpected opposition she had met with p

zes. You seem not to notice that the seizure argues a strong ill-will against Monsieur Thuillier, and, I may add, against yourself, monsieur, for yo

looked at t

have tried in vain to find any passage in that pamphle

e themselves they were dealing with a seditious publication. But that only proves the strength of

yrade, "do you know

lied the countess,

picion, madame?" said la P

ed Madame de Godollo. "I shall n

emies, Thuillier's an

"do you know how many lines Richelieu requi

eplied la

o hundred pages might afford a-slightly intri

lite of her sex, with as much mind and malice as Richelieu! Adorable magician! it is she who has set in motion the

the countess, "why s

Then, with an assumed air of contrition, he

," replied the countess; "but, afte

would seem to me sweeter and more precious than your indifference. But you do not hate me; why should y

red her eyelids, and the deeper breathing of her bosom

e said. "Is a man of your s

again will I follow any road but the one that she points out to me, never will I march under any banner but hers. I shall wait-for her inspiration, to think; for her will, to will; for her commands, to act. In all things I will be her auxiliary,-more than

e as that of the Provencal, he had slidden from his chair, and now knelt with one knee on the ground beside the coun

weighed the outcome of the words you have just uttered? Have you measured the full extent of your pledge, and its depth? With your hand on your heart and on your conscience, are yo

e more you ought to trust in my sincerity and its tardy expression. What I have said, I think; that which I think aloud to-day I have thought in my soul since the hour when I first had the honor of admi

reless ease with which a Frenchwoman enters upon a solemn engagement. To us, our yes is sacred; our word is a bond. We do and we will nothing by halves. The

y first step will be to break with that ignoble past which for an instant I seemed to

y bad at heart; they humiliated you without knowing that they did so; their world is not yours. Is that their fault? Loosen the tie between you, but do not v

man. We men of Southern blood do not

a charming smile, "I thought it

still a thing that hurts me. Tell me rather, not that you love me, but that the words yo

your moralists has said: 'There are persons who say, that is o

gesture of modesty and grace. La Peyrade, quite beside himsel

her imprisoned fingers; "adieu now, soon to meet ag

e handsome creature a look of tenderness. The countess made him, with her head, a graceful gesture of adieu; then, se

rned and left