United States or Saint Pierre and Miquelon ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
You know well that we have no longer a King of France, but that all France is only the Trianon of the Austrian. It stands on all our houses, written over all the doors of government buildings, 'De par la reine! The Austrian woman is the Queen of France, and the good-natured king only writes what she dictates to him.
I've heard him speak of both, but which is in him I do not remember." "It is very painful; but, poor fellow, it is not his fault, and we ought to be content." "Indeed, it gives him great originality. Our old families need refreshing now and then." "Ah, yes, I said so to Mrs. Gasgoyne the other day, and she replied that the refreshment might prove intoxicating. Reine was always rude."
He ventured to complain, telling Reine that she did not love him as she ought. "If I did not feel friendly toward you," replied the young girl, laconically, "should I have allowed you to talk to me of marriage?"
They walked on thus in silence, until they came to the open level covered with juniper-bushes, from which solitary place, surrounded by hawthorn hedges, they could trace the narrow defile leading to Vivey, and the faint mist beyond. "Let us stop here," said Reine, seating herself on a flat, mossy stone, "we can talk here without fear of being disturbed."
He perceived a flutter of white skirts behind the copse, and just at the moment he was blessing the lucky chance that had sent some one in that direction, his eyes were gladdened with a sight of the fair visage of Reine. She was accompanied by a little girl of the village, carrying a basket full of primroses and freshly gathered ground ivy.
One thing struck Claudet: the pastures and the woods bore exactly the same aspect, presented the same play of light and shade as on that afternoon of the preceding year, when he had met Reine in the Ronces woods, a few days before the arrival of Julien.
This cruel evidence of his inability to conduct himself properly in the affairs of life exasperated and humiliated him, and at the same time that he felt his self-love most deeply wounded, he was conscious of being more hopelessly enamored of Reine Vincart. Never had she appeared so beautiful as during the indignant movement which had separated her from him.
It also occurred to him, that while he was thus debating and keeping silence, days, weeks, and months were slipping away; that Reine would soon reach her twenty-third year, and that she would be thinking of marriage. It was well known that she had some fortune, and suitors were not lacking.
"Adieu, Reine!" "Adieu!" she murmured, faintly. She stretched out both hands, overcome with pity and remorse. He perceived her emotion, and thinking that she perhaps still loved him a little, and repented having rejected him, threw his arms impetuously around her. He pressed her against his bosom, and imprinted kisses, wet with tears, upon her cheek.
If I understood quite aright, you were going to Vivey." "Yes, Mademoiselle, I had hoped to sleep there tonight." "You have probably come," continued she, "on business connected with the chateau. Is not the heir of Monsieur Odouart expected very shortly?" "I am that heir," replied Julien, coloring. "You are Monsieur de Buxieres?" exclaimed Reine, in astonishment.
Word Of The Day