Serge Panine -- Complete

nes who wished to keep him near her. He was going to finish his labors. He promised to return in time for the wed

st my partner. And if I do not leave you all my mo

o one could doubt that it was the woman he loved in Micheline and not the heiress. He had been offered a splendid appointment in Savoy as manager of some mines; he would find there at the same time profit and happ

ntive, allowed himself to be adored by Micheline, who was never weary of listening to and looking at him whom she loved. It was a sort of delirium that had taken possession of the young girl. Madame Desvarennes looked on the metamorphosis in her child with amazement. The old Micheline, naturally indolent a

For to her mind the Prince was as regards mental power painfully deficient. No sense, dumb as soon as the conversation took a serious turn, only able to talk dress like a woman, or about horses like a jockey. And it was such a person upon w

n-in-law. Not that he liked the Prince-he was too much on Pierre's side to be well disposed toward Panine; but with his good sense he saw that Madame Desvaren

that great lanky fellow, her eyes fixed on his like a lark fascinated by a look

nterrupted

firmed with ironical gayety. "You cann

Desvarennes

re stupid! She ought to have

aim of his life; and now he was going to work for happiness. It was all pleasure for him. He was not blase; he amused himself like a child, adorning the rooms which were to be occupied by Jeanne. To his mi

tle paradise!" Then the financie

ow what i

lle de Cernay's health. Since the day of their engagement, Jeanne had become more serious and dull. She had grown thin

kips about like a kid. She has two glow-worms under her eyelids! As to Jeanne, that's another affair; she has the matrimonial melancholy, and has the air of a

no longer attached any importance to her sad appearance. Micheline and Serge isolated themselves completely. They fled to the garden as soon

ing, for Serge and Cayrol dined at the Rue Saint-Dominique. The Prince talked in whispers to Micheline, but every now and then he was obliged to speak to Jeanne. These were painful moments to Serge. He was always in dread of some outburst, knowing her ardent and passionate nature. Thus, before

ould belong to the man whom she had determined to marry although she did not love him. She once thought of breaking off the engagement; as she could not belong to the man whom she adored, at least she could belong to herself. But the

affection, would satisfy the poor man, who was willing to accept anything from Jeanne. And she would not have that group of Serge and Micheline before her eyes, always walking round the lawn an

She stood before the fireplace; her hands crossed behind her back like a man. Apparently, she had sought to be alone. Cayrol, Jeanne, and Micheline were in the garden. Serge felt uneasy.

n, I want to talk to you. You know that a young lady like Mademoiselle Desvarennes cannot get married without her engagement being much tal

a start of

bject. Others insinuated that you were not a Prince, that you were not a Pole, but the son of a Russian coachman and a little dressmaker of Les Ternes; that you had l

h, rose up and said,

dam

have been an end of it. Certainly, you are not an angel; but the peccadillos which you have been guilty of are those which one forgives in a son, and which in a son-in-law makes some mothers smile. You are a Prince, you are handsome, and you have been loved. You

great weight. He felt so happy that he resolved to do ever

you with attention and confidence. I am sure tha

stress

dsome friend, but I don't pay myself with

deceive you. I will try to p

ly at these words as a landscape, wrapped in a

been able to think or reason. Everybody is rambling about here. Still, we are commencing a new life, and I think it is as well to

have acted with great delicacy in not imposing yo

e mistress. "Because you know that I depend on my daughter, who will henceforth

Desvarennes's voice trembled slightly. She knew what an impo

s was heavy, and required a strong will. I had it, and the habit is formed. But this strong will, which has served me so well in business will, I am afraid, with you, play me so

without ties-at random; and, believe me, any chain will be light and sweet which holds me to any one or anything. And then," frankly added

arennes, "unfortunately

t married your daughter for her own sake, I believe that I should have married her for yours

, you boaster

ss woman. Add to the admiration I had for your great qualities the affection which your goodness

urage, she touched the topic of greatest interest to her. "If that is the case, you will

e seen that I have not been seeking a dwelling for my wife and myself. If you

ne. It was then only that in that pallor, in that sudden trembling, in that ch

l be happy at not leaving you, and you will be pleased at my not having tak

hank you for it," resumed Madame Desvarennes. "

sacrifice them to you, but

took possession of her as he had done of Micheline, and as he did of every one whom he wished to conquer. His charm was irresistible. He seized on one by th

ble to a son-in-law, therefore I wish you to have a home of your own. I know that an old face like mine frightens young lovers. I will come to you when you invite me. But even when I am shut up in my own apartments I shall be

her hand wi

your daughter wi

her feelings, opened her arms, and Ser

!" cried Madame Desvarennes, showing

said the youn

rennes becam

now you are behaving so well toward me that I am full of remorse. Oh, I see now what

and added, in her clear commandi

flirting, eh? She loves you; she would be jealous, and you would get into hot wat

unhappy I should have to seek misfortu

an to

eline's hand would be only too pleased. I will not give them the pl

speaking of projects which I had formed, I may say that my daughter has had offers

l turn out. Her son-in-law will spend her money and spurn her.' The gossip of disappointed people.

ope it wi

istress, affectionately pressing

and her mother. She saw them hand in hand. She uttered a joyf

" she said, making a g

. "He agrees to live in this house, and that quite gracefully. There, child, this is

esuming

y for your reception. Besides the wedding will be more brilliant in the country. We shall have all the work-people there. We wi

e far better," exclaimed Micheli

said she, and led h

h other, the young girl clinging to him whom she loved, and he looking fondly at her, and with caressing voice tellin