Serge Panine -- Volume 03

shutters. A Russian lady, the Countess Woreseff, had it built five years ago, and occupied it one winter. Then, tired of the monotonous noise of the waves beating on the terr

d remained with her. During this long journey, accomplished in most luxurious style, she had behaved like a child astonished at everything, and pleased at the least thing. With her face close to the window she saw through the transparent darkness of a lovely

kiss! Then the idea of a child reminded her of her own mother. She thought of the deep love one must feel for a child. And the image of the mistress, sad and alone, in the large house of the Rue Saint-Dominique, came to her mind. A vague remorse seized her heart.

into raptures. She could not feast her eyes enough on the scene which was before her. The blue sea, the sky without a cloud, the white houses rising on the hill amid the dark foliage, and in the distance the mountaintops covered with snow, and tinged with pink under the brilliant rays of the

rs flocked to their house. All that the colony could reckon of well-known Parisians and foreigners of high repute presented them

arance under the influence of spring. One evening, three people-two gentlemen and a lady-stepped out of a carriage at the vi

" "Monsieu

e? And by wh

hour in exchange for a hundred and thirty-three franc

y dear friend. I have

d Mademoise

erzog at Madame Desvarennes's," said Marechal, bowing t

villa?" asked Savinie

aunt? When did

not le

that y

hat she

to show how difficult it was for him to believe what

ld me that the Pantheon had landed one fine night on the banks of the Paillon, I should not be more astonished. I thought

fre

anifeste

reading it, then all at once she exclaimed 'Cayrol and his wife arrived at Nice two days ago!' Pierre and I were astonished at the tone in which she uttered these words. She was lost in thought for a few moments, then

across the garden, and reached

arning that Monsieur and Madame Cayrol were at Nice with the Princess, Madame Desvarennes mus

the connection which should exist between the arrival

"They are still at dinner," he added, entering the drawing- room, through

eable company," said Herzog, turning toward

, Marechal?" inquired Savinien

annot be very difficult. It is only necessary to wear a dove-colored coat like you, a gardenia in my butt

n," said Suzanne, gayly,

ver touche

have great good luck,

d come up

e asked of Marechal. "We

replied Marechal,

was something in the man which displeased him greatly. Th

and he liked to talk with her. On several occasions, at Madame Desvarennes's, he had been her part

at was said to him. He took Savinien's arm in a familiar manner and asked: "Hav

ky at cards. It is all very well for his wife, my charming cousin

withdrew t

vancing, and, guessing what she was going to say, felt uncomfortable at having

"how is it that you are always s

at difference between your father a

rl shook her

are amiable and eve

an, and the le

and what I meant. But my questions drew his attention to you. He thinks highly of you and would like to see you filling a posi

edit Eur

rcial centres of European commerce. Would you

already asking himself what interest Herzog could

ations into which he has thrown himself, body and soul. I have simple tastes. My father wishes to make a tremendous fortune for me, he says. All he undertakes is for m

he seriousness of her thoughts. Her lovely eyes implored. The young man a

, with emotion. "I owe it solely to your kindness, I know; but I do not belong to myself. I

?" she crie

mus

on you fill

t it at a time when my da

aid the young girl, with t

ned a scholarship. I won all the prizes. Yes, and I had to sell my gilt-edged books from the Lycee Charlemagne in the days of distress. I was eighteen when my benefactress, Mother Marechal, died. I was without help or succor. I tried to get along by myself. After ten years of struggling and privations I felt physical and moral vigor giving way. I looked around me and saw

ung, and although my father is very kind, he has been obliged to neglect me a little. I see around me people who are millionaires or who aspire to be. I am doomed to rece

he modern Argonauts. T

ce," observ

laughing. "You are right. I shal

" said Marechal, gayly. "I don't t

the young girl. "Do not abandon me. Come and talk with me sometimes. Y

e Herzog joined her father, who was gleaning det

remained silen

rmured. "What a pity

ides by a gallery shut in by glass and stocked with greenhouse plants. Lofty archways, half veiled with draperies, led to the gallery. This room had been the favorite one of Countess Woreseff. She had furnished it in Oriental style, with low seats and large di

an element of interest in his unoccupied life. The dandy guessed at some mysterious business and thought it po

rprised I am to see you here," he

to find myself here,"

e slipped my tra

going to do here?"

By-the-bye, what do

es, with

aces, regattas. The first economize their life like misers; the second waste it like prodigals. Then night comes on, and the air grows cold. Those who take care of themselves go home, those who amuse themselves go out. The first put on dressing-gowns; the second put on ball-dresses. Here, the house is quiet, lit up by a night-light;

re is very da

e are a set of jolly fellows, who kill time between the dining- room of the h

" said Marechal, "but pigeon-

interest in

w s

You say to me: 'I bet fifty louis that the bird will fall.' I answer, 'Done.' The gentleman calls out, 'Pull;'

g!" exclaimed Ma

akes the place of 'trente et quarante,' and is better th

ons say to that?" ask

consulted," sa

ces and regattas,"

et on the horses?" i

the b

s applied to all ci

umphs there. It is not very varied either: A hundred louis? Done-Five. I draw. There are

" said Marechal, "when the nights are so splendid and the

rough my aunt's domineering ways! You know now how men of pleasure spend their lives, my friend, and

erie. She was much altered since grief and trouble had come upon her; her face was worn, her temples

ter a separation of two months, during which time she had scarcely written to Micheline. Was the question of money to be resumed? Since the morning Madame had been smil

rge could not help shuddering. Jeanne was calling his attention to Madame Desvarennes; she, too, was observing he

iful. The tone of her complexion had become warmer. Her figure had developed. Serge longed to call

escorting Lady Harton, Serge's beautiful cousin, who had caused Micheline some anxiety on the day of her marriage, but whom she no longer feared; then the Prince and Pri

d Micheline, pointing to the tight-fittin

ith a vigorous shake of the hands. "Ball-room mourning-on

's cavalier?" add

as just kil

in the drawing-room, and the v

ow? It was the sole t

nwall, being completely

belonging to the vil

his brains out u

l!" exclaime

on your countryman's

l's coming to her house to kill himself proved c

blowing out their brains?" inquired Cayrol. "Compel the

in, "when the louis is lost the players

"then at any rate the rope

g to us is very doleful?" said Suzanne Herzog. "Suppose

warmly. "A curtain of orange-trees w

at a dream!" sighed D

zing with you!

t!" sang Suzanne, b

f making himself useful since he could not be agreeable, was

avor of dancing with

r cheeks became pale, and i

you ask y

e sm

or no

dly, and looking at him in

then, n

he arm of Cayrol, who w

n the polished marble. Joyful bursts of laughter rose in the perfumed air that sweet March night. A deep sorrow came over Serge; an intense disgust with all things. The sea sparkled, lit up