United States or Ukraine ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
At last, several men entered the drawing room; at their head was Monsieur de Camier, whose ruddy face had lost all its color. "Do not be frightened, ladies," said he, in a trembling voice; "do not be frightened. It is only a slight accident, without any danger. Monsieur de Bergenheim was wounded in the hunt," he continued, addressing Mademoiselle de Corandeuil.
Suddenly, barking was heard in the distance, partially drowned by the firing of a gun. A few seconds later, two feeble reports were heard, followed by an imprecation from Monsieur de Camier, whose caps flashed in the pan. The Baron, who had just leaned forward that he might see better through the thicket, raised his hand to warn Octave to hold himself in readiness.
They almost disappeared behind the willows that bordered the river, and one could hear them barking furiously; their barks sounded like rage mingled with terror. "It is some duck that they have scented," observed the prosecutor. "They wouldn't bark like that," said Monsieur de Camier, with the sagacity of a professional hunter; "if it were a wolf, they could not make a greater uproar.
"He is as drunk as a fool," said M. de Camier, loud enough for him to hear. "Old man," said he, "you are the one who is drunk. Besides the word drunk is not civil; if you had said intoxicated I should not have objected." Loud shouts of laughter burst forth from the party.
After a deliberation, presided over by Monsieur de Camier, the 'tragueurs' and the dogs left in silence to surround the thickets where the animal had been found to be hidden. At the same time the hunters turned their steps in the opposite direction in order to take their positions. They soon reached the ditch alongside of which they were to place themselves.
"If your friend wants to ask an explanation of anybody it is of you, for you took some kirsch of 1765 for water." "I really believe that I was the drunker of the two," interrupted Octave, with a vivacity which concealed a certain embarrassment; "we must have terribly scandalized Monsieur de Camier, who has but a poor opinion of Parisian heads and stomachs."
"Play your role better," said he to him; "we are surrounded by spies. De Camier has already made an observation about your preoccupied demeanor." "You are right," said Octave; "and you join example to advice. I admire your coolness, but I despair of equalling it." "You must mingle with my guests and talk with them," Christian replied.
"What the devil ails your dogs?" exclaimed Monsieur de Camier suddenly, as he turned to the Baron, who was riding behind him. "There they are all making for the river." Just at this moment the dogs, who could be seen in the distance, hurried to the water-side, in spite of all that their leader could do to prevent them.
Madame de Bergenheim did not stir; she lay upon the sofa with eyes and ears buried in the cushions, and seemed deaf and blind to all that surrounded her. Mademoiselle de Corandeuil was the only one who preserved her presence of mind. Controlling her emotion, she leaned over the Baron and sought for some sign of life. "Is he dead?" she asked, in a low voice, of Monsieur de Camier.
"Now, notary," said Marillac, from the other end of the table, "defend yourself; one, two, three, ready!" "Monsieur de Camier," replied the hunter whose skill had been questioned, "I do not pretend to have your skill. I never have shot as large game as you did at your last hunt."
Word Of The Day