Serge Panine -- Volume 01

for the swiftness of electricity to bring him near Micheline. As soon as he arrived in Paris, he

e more he tried to banish these thoughts, the more forcibly they returned. The t

ssible that Micheline should forget him? All his childhood passed before his mind. He remembered the sweet and artless evidences of affect

d, to cry out, "What's going on? Is all lost to me?" A sort of anxious modesty kept back the words on his lips. He would not admit that he doubted.

great city, was too great a contrast to him. Pierre was overcome by languor; his head seemed too heavy for his body to carry; he mechanically entered a cab which conveyed him to the Hotel du Louvre. Through the windo

ere-Lachaise. He thought that had he died then, Micheline would have wept for him. Then, as in a nightmare, it seemed to him that this hypothesis was realized. He saw the church hung with black, he

e Micheline is abou

ized with brain fever. And this dismal ceremony kept coming before him with the same chants, the same words repeated, and the same faces appearing. The houses seeme

your betrothed is abo

days he had felt the same pain when he had overworked himself in preparing for his examinations at the Polyte

, who showed him to a room on the second floor. Left alone, he sat down. This room, with its commonplace furniture, chilled him. He saw in it a type of his future life: lo

rs were obeyed with poli

ways be thu

cure them for the future. He dressed himself quickly, and removed all the traces of his journey; then, his mind made up, he jumped into a cab, and dro

op the cab and tell his driver to follow her carriage when a sudden thought decided him to go on. It was Micheline he wanted to see. His future destiny depended on her. Madame Desv

y morning, were enjoying the society of their beloved ones. A quick step on the gravel walk attracted their attention. In the sunlight a y

anner of the young girls, a sad smile p

nged that I must

cognized him; worn by hard work, perhaps by anxieties, bronzed-and with his face hidden by a black beard which gave him a manly and energetic appearance. It was certainly he, with a thin red ribbon at his button-hole, which he had not when he went away, and which showed the importance of the works

ce. She went up to Pierre,

, "don't you kis

heline, led away by the example and without quite knowing what she was doing, found herself in Pierre's arms. The situation was becom

lle Desvarennes's; almost a brother to her," thus explaining in on

erre, he simply add

tall, handsome man beside his betrothed was his rival. If looks could kill, the Prince would have fallen down dead. Panine did no

ening, I think, Mademoiselle; I shall hav

ile, and of Pierre with a courteous

er by an avowal, she felt ashamed. Left alone with Pierre she recovered her self- possession, and felt full of pity for the

my mother will be delighted. We were very anxious ab

he post does not leave v

ver I had an

frica that you could not tea

ed in my work, and anxious not to lose the result of so much effort, and I think I have su

" interrupted Jeanne gravely, and glancing intently at Micheli

t is

heart," she replied, lightly

sily as a book," said Pierre, with tremulou

de Cernay tos

changed during your absence;" and noddin

ent with his eyes, then, turn

ell you your secret?

d arrived unexpectedly. And the answers she had prepared had fled. The truth appeared harsh and cold. She understood that the change in her was treachery, of which Pierr

y friend,

an, bitterly. "Was that the name

all hazards she must defend herself. Her mother might come in at any moment. Between Madame Desvarennes and h

away?" she ask

de his head which had

y of you," h

who were already above every one else. We

our heart gu

the support of your p

upport than I had myself

made her feel the unworthiness of her conduct mo

know I was

lready a woman; a being weak, inconstant, and cruel; who cares not

d and without strength; but the young man began to accuse. In a

ard words!"

roach me with having gone away. Did you not know my motive for going? I was betrothed to you; you were rich and I was poor. To remove this inequality I resolved to make a name. I sought one of those perilous scientific missions which brin

all my trouble.' Well, Micheline, the day has come; here I am, returned, and I ask for my reward. Is it what I had a right to expect? While I was running after glory, another, more practical and better advised,

f Pierre had spoken like that before going away, who knows? Micheline's feelings might have been quickened. No doubt she would have loved him. It would have come naturally.

ut I am not the only one to blame. You, too, are at fault. What I have just heard has upset me.

u belong to

o not abuse the authority which being my betrothed g

your love?" cried Pierre, forcibly. "Have I not the right to defend mysel

ts highest pitch of excitement. Micheline knew that

ou, but my heart is another's. Say you insist, and I am ready t

ad there her resolve that she would act loyally, but that at the same time she woul

t you can have forgotten me so soon: I love you so much! Re

ded. Micheline felt victorio

nt. If it had not come to me, I might have been your wife. And I esteemed you so much, that I should have been happy. But now I understand t

cry at this cruel

w you h

d wiped his face with her lace handkerchief. Her white hand was close to the young man's mouth,-and he kissed it eagerly. Then, as if roused by the action, he rose with a changed look in his eyes, and seized the young girl in his arms.

. You see I am not

his forehead as if to chase a

revocable? Y

h pain; enough to be nobod

moment, then, com

said he; "I give you

ad been her betrothed turn pale. She regretted not havin

hat you fo

rgive

still

e to deserve it. I was mistaken. I will courageously atone for my error. Excuse my wea

his lips. He slowly impressed a brotherly kiss, which effaced t

voice was heard in the d

ine tr

said. "She is seeking

usand thanks fro

a clump of lilac-trees in fl

nded the marble steps and entered the drawing-room