Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 29, 2025
"Monsieur d'Arminges," said De Guiche, "remain beside this unfortunate man and see that he is removed as gently as possible. The vicomte and myself will go and find a priest." "Go, sir," replied the tutor; "but in Heaven's name do not expose yourself to danger!" "Do not fear. Besides, we are safe for to-day; you know the axiom, 'Non bis in idem." "Courage, sir," said Raoul to the wounded man.
"He used to be the headsman of Bethune." "You knew him? and he is dead?" "Yes." "Well, sir," said D'Arminges, "it is the common lot; even an executioner is not exempted. I had a bad opinion of him the moment I saw his wound, and since he asked for a monk you know that it was his opinion, too, that death would follow." At the mention of the monk, Grimaud became pale.
They had observed for some time before them, on the horizon, a rather thick wood; and when they had arrived at a distance of a hundred steps from it, Monsieur d'Arminges took his usual precautions and sent on in advance the count's two grooms. The servants had just disappeared under the trees, followed by the tutor, and the young men were laughing and talking about a hundred yards off.
"The former executioner of Bethune!" murmured the young monk, shrinking back and showing on his countenance the feeling of repugnance which his penitent inspired. Monsieur d'Arminges, who was at the door, perceived his hesitation. "Sir monk," said he, "whether he is now or has been an executioner, this unfortunate being is none the less a man.
There was therefore nothing for them to do but to follow the prudent advice of Monsieur d'Arminges and beat a retreat. They quickly went downstairs. Monsieur d'Arminges was already mounted. Olivain had ready the horses of the young men, and the lackeys of the Count de Guiche guarded carefully between them the Spanish prisoner, mounted on a pony which had been bought for his use.
"Were you stopped?" eagerly inquired the two youths. "No," replied the servants, "it is even probable that we have not been seen; the shots were fired about a hundred paces in advance of us, in the thickest part of the wood, and we returned to ask your advice." "My advice is this," said Monsieur d'Arminges, "and if needs be, my will, that we beat a retreat.
"Come, come," continued D'Arminges, "to dinner;" for like most men of his age and generation he did not allow sentiment or sensibility to interfere with a repast. "You are right, sir," said Raoul. "Come, Grimaud, order dinner for yourself and when you have rested a little we can talk." "No, sir, no," said Grimaud. "I cannot stop a moment; I must start for Paris again immediately." "What?
Render to him, then, the last service he can by any possibility ask of you, and your work will be all the more meritorious." The monk made no reply, but silently wended his way to the room where the two valets had deposited the dying man on a bed. D'Arminges and Olivain and the two grooms then mounted their horses, and all four started off at a quick trot to rejoin Raoul and his companion.
While Monsieur d'Arminges gave orders for the horses to be made ready for departure, the two young men ascended to the upper windows of the house and saw in the direction of Marsin and of Lens a large body of infantry and cavalry. This time it was not a wandering troop of partisans; it was an entire army.
"But one recovers, sir, as you perceive," replied Raoul, "and we have but had a little bath." "Oh! sir, what gratitude I feel!" exclaimed the man with gray hair. "Ah, there you are, my good D'Arminges; I have given you a great fright, have I not? but it is your own fault. You were my tutor, why did you not teach me to swim?"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking