Serge Panine -- Volume 03

emed to be wasting away. Madame Desvarennes, deeply troubled, questioned her daughter, who answered, evasively, that she was perfectly well and had nothing to trouble her. The mother called

she thought her daughter was dead; she heard the funeral dirges around her coffin. This strong w

red perhaps, or it might be change of climate, nothing serious. He had quite fallen into his old ways, spending every night at the club, and a part of the

opening upon the Bois. The one who arrived first waited for the other, within the house, whose shutters remained closed t

the same as usual, but Jeanne thought she discovered a coldness which made her feel unc

Company had been launched by Herzog, and promised great results. Still Herzog caused Cayrol considerable anxiety. Although a man of remarkable intelligence, he had a great fail

more practical, was afraid of the new scheme, and when Herzog spoke to him about it, said that things were well

and behind that, the house of Desvarennes, he would never have been able to float the European Credit as it had been. He was too cunning not t

she was serious, natural, and homelike. They liked to see her, although her father was not congenial to their ta

f so much learning for a girl who would have such a large fortune, and who would never know want. Savinien thought it was affectation and most laughable! Madame Desvarennes thought it w

of languor had come over her. For days she never quitted her reclining-chair. She was very affectionate toward

saw him, except at meal hours. Every week she wrote to Pierre, who was buried in his

they longed to go beyond the garden, as the air of the Bois was so sweet and scented with violets. A feeling of br

ths and solitary nooks. Then, after an hour's stroll, they returned briskly, frightened at the sounds of carriages rolling in the distance. They often went out after that, an

opened the carriage-window, and was enjoying the lovely scent from the shrubs. Suddenly a watering-cart stopped the way. Madame Desvarennes looked through the window to see what was the matter, and

. She especially wished to see the woman who was closely veiled. She guessed her to be Jeanne. But the younger woman, terrified, fled like a deer down a side walk. Madame Desvarennes, quite o

ted a moment, then

ndoning her business,

a few minutes

en taking off her bonnet and cloak, she went up to Serge's

ently he was expecting

he rose, w

home," said he, ironically; "

t is ill-chosen," brief

ay when you saw me

lightly. "You come on like a charge of cavalry. The person with w

hen if she was frighte

You are almost notorio

insult to pass without remark,

s this

quired the Prince, quietly. "She i

nes, unable to control her temper any l

woman was Jeanne!" but prudence

turned

strangely, Madame," h

was weak that I forgot myself. When Micheline was

eceive her, I have no longer any consideration for you. To m

She is there. I

that supreme moment,

in her blind love,

her hand to

elation stay you?" asked she, bitterly. "What manner

rst into

ou ask me what manner of man I am? I will tell you. I have not much patience, I hate to have my l

ds. Her rage had abated on her daughter's

like to hear remarks upon it. It is more convenient, in fact! You wish to be master in your own house? In your own house! B

, and he could not utter a sound. By a sign he showed Madame Desvarennes the door. The latter

deal with me in

mness as she felt rage when entering i

ghter had not counterbalanced the bad impression he had of the father, and he warmly advised Cayrol to break off all financial connection with such a man. Cayrol, indeed, had now very little to do with the European Credit. The office was still at his banking house, and the payments for shares were still m

They rose and waited in silence. When the mistress was in a bad humor everybody gave way to her. It was the custom.

pare Prince Pa

up amazed, and did no

; you will give me a statement; that's

esvarennes speak of her son-in- law as s

my son-in-law

silent, still looking at

ering me? Speak before him; I have told you more than a

ced some money to the

nquired Madam

ct amount. I was happy to

he fact. It is thus that his follies have been encouraged by obligi

ith his hands in his pockets

ou ask of me. You will cause a qua

rreling with me?"

me in an embarrassing position! I have just pro

ill not give

he will scarcely for

d on the shoulder of the banker,

n me if I had allowed you t

shadow seemed to pass before his eyes, and

y s

ould have rep

e money he had already lent, and his fears van

ing off his reso

the mistress. "He takes

wrong to forget that I

I want a little deferen

l, remember my

Madame Desvarennes entered her own o

use: Cayrol was the fir

ink of the Prin

l position?"

about that! I mean h

aren

in the days of the Aqua-Toff

rrupted Cayrol, shru

the secretary, "and you

. If we had been in V

would not have been surp

the bottom of the ca

earnest," mutt

n the form of a dagger or poison so easily as in former days. Arsenic and verdigris are sometimes used, but it does not

fun of me," said

t to rid Madame Desvarennes of her son-in-law. If he succeed, ask Madame Desvarennes

ughtful. Marec

etter? I tell you, and remember this: between Madame Desvarennes and the Prince ther

I do? The Princ

im not to do s

came to my office. I should be

Cayrol. But on wh

uld like to know on who

the women! Some day you will be le

t away. Marechal sat down at his d

ured. "If he knew what was taking place he would soon be back, and

ITOR'S B

, they thought the

ish excitement, diss

when they rose

ubles are

's self at the

heme launched when

mes. You will not c

aim, one passion-t

a cross, he grew w