United States or Vatican City ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Ah, that infamous Talizac! again and again he crosses my path; but if I catch him now, I will stamp upon him like a worm!" "Do you intend to follow the robbers?" "Certainly, I must rescue the girl." "Monsieur Fanfaro," said Montferrand, "do with me what you will, I will help you!"
When the latter beheld Arthur de Montferrand she started, while Irène impulsively pronounced his name. They all entered the cottage, and looked around the room anxiously. The same name was on every lip. Fanfar, where was he? The night after Fanfar had been carried to the hôtel Fongereues, a mysterious note had been sent to Irène, to Francine, and Caillette.
"Oh, I call that a surprise," cried Fougereuse, more freely, and Montferrand hastened to extend his congratulations. "The Countess of Salves and her daughter have signified their intention of being present," continued Madeleine, "and as soon as my son receives his commission, the engagement of the young couple will be announced."
"What poor girl?" asked Fanfar. "Pray explain yourself, Monsieur Aubé." Montferrand had heard that this Fanfar was only a rope-dancer; but his air and manner, his dress, too, proclaimed him to hold a very different position, and he was greatly attracted by his appearance.
"But where am I to sing?" "Here on the next floor." "Hallo! ambassador, are you never coming?" shouted Montferrand from the top of the stairs. Francine started. "They are young men, are they not?" "Yes, but you need not be alarmed they are only a little gay." A hundred francs was a good deal of money. She could buy an easy chair for the poor invalid, and give her a little treat.
Proud, with head erect like an avenger of innocence, Fanfaro stood in the centre of the room and his eyes shot forth rays of contempt. Montferrand hurried toward him and cordially shook him by the hand. "Is she dead is she really dead?" he asked. "I fear so," replied the young man, slowly, "yet I do not like to give up all hope.
While Aubé was worrying about these matters and many more, a carriage drove up to the door of the restaurant, and three gentlemen got out. These were Frederic de Talizac, Fernando de Vellebri, and Arthur de Montferrand, the duelist, all strangely alike in their lack of moral sense and in their cynicism, neither of them hesitating to do anything, however evil, to gratify their passions.
Arthur and the landlord exchanged knowing looks as the inspector strode toward the door. Fanfaro must be in safety by this time. "The house is surrounded," said the inspector, as he went away, "and I think we shall have little to do." Montferrand trembled. Suppose Fanfaro had been captured!
The prince believed that the cardinal sent them thither, but the cardinal did so much by the means of the lord of Caumont, the lord of Montferrand and the captal of Buch, who were his cousins, they shewed so good reasons to the prince, that he was content to hear him speak.
The large hall was filled to the last seat, and the waiters ran here and there with dishes, when an elegant equipage drove up and immediately afterward the stentorian voice of the landlord cried: "Jean, the gentlemen who have ordered room No. 11 have arrived. Conduct them upstairs." The gentlemen were the Vicomte de Talizac, Arthur de Montferrand and Fernando de Velletri.
Word Of The Day