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Updated: October 13, 2025
Mademoiselle Capello had been forced to engage a dame de compagnie in the person of Madame Chambellan, some relation of Count Bellegarde's, and as near milk and water as he. I surmised that Francezka was not likely to choose for her dame de compagnie one able or desirous to cross her. After an hour or two I was called to attend Count Saxe, and the brothers were left alone.
Count Saxe awaited us at the landing on the island. When Francezka stepped ashore he greeted her as if he had not paid ten thousand crowns out of his military chest for her, so great was the chivalry and gallantry of the man. Nor did he give the smallest indication of the cruel embarrassment it was for a man in his position to have charge of a young and beautiful girl, an heiress of high quality.
For in the gray evening we saw on the mainland a moving mass, like a huge black serpent, unfolding itself from the distant woods and boscage upon the open country. The Russians were upon us. Instantly all was life and movement. Count Saxe did not, even in that moment, forget Francezka, for tapping at her window, he said, when she appeared: "Mademoiselle, here are our friends, the Russians.
She came closer to me, and fixing her eyes on me with tragic intensity, said in the voice of the broken-hearted: "Gaston had forgotten his dog!" It was like Francezka to make a huge mountain of a thing like this. Therefore, I replied gravely: "That is very sad and very bad, but at least, Gaston remembered you. And after all, Madame, you did attach a ridiculous consequence to the dog."
The hunters were attended to first something over a hundred of them and when the chief huntsman winded his silver horn, at the first paling of the stars and flushing of the sky, and the fierce, sharp yelping of the dogs in leash was heard, troops of ladies and gentlemen in hunting dress came down the great staircase into the courtyard. Among them was Francezka. I myself swung her into her saddle.
He, too, had a book in his hand, which he was not reading. He was furtively watching Francezka. Francezka watched the fire. After a time I know not how long Francezka laid her book down softly, went to her open harpsichord, and sitting before it, played with her usual skill. I recognized the air; it was that old, old one of Blondel's, O Richard, O mon roi! Gaston shifted a little in his chair.
He, the most absurd creature alive, who had believed for years that this glorious creature was his for the asking, had come to the château of Capello that May afternoon, and had made Francezka a formal offer of marriage. It had been easy enough to dispose of the poor gentleman. Francezka's temper was naturally warm.
This consumed the entire autumn, winter and spring. At the beginning of summer, this source of hope being exhausted, Francezka reluctantly turned toward Brabant. But on passing through the Taunus country she made a discovery at the very center of the region that had been combed over a dozen times for Gaston Cheverny by the French, the Austrians and Francezka herself.
Even the gods can not recall their gifts," continued Francezka. "My marriage seems to me like a covenant made in a dream. My happiness, however, was very real. Gaston was in the country some days longer," she went on, "and we had three brief meetings.
As Swift, an English writer says, reason goes to cuffs with imagination, and fancy gets astride of judgment. For, distressing as it is to me to say it, I must tell you that Monsieur Gaston Cheverny will never return." Francezka grew a little pale at these words, but rallied after a moment, speaking courteously. "Such is your Grace's opinion.
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