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Updated: July 6, 2025
Paul de Lavardens had marvellous powers of enthusiasm and idealization. His heart sheltered always two or three grandes passions, which lived there in perfect harmony. Paul had been so clever as to discover, in this little town of 15,000 souls, numbers of pretty girls, all made to be adored.
These Gallards are rich and will give you plenty of money." At this moment a cloud of dust appeared on the road, from it emerged a carriage. "Here comes Monsieur de Larnac!" cried Paul, "I know his ponies!" All three hurriedly descended from the terrace and returned to the castle. They arrived there just as M. de Larnac's carriage drove up to the entrance. "Well?" asked Madame de Lavardens.
The old Cure would have dearly liked to keep Jean with him, and his heart was torn at the thought of this separation, but what was for the child's real interest? That was the only question to be considered; the rest was nothing. They summoned Jean. "My child," said Madame de Lavardens to him, "will you come and live with Paul and me for some years? I will take you both to Paris."
His father gave him his first lessons in reading and writing, the priest his first lessons in Latin. Jean was intelligent and industrious. He made so much progress that the two professors particularly the Cure found themselves at the end of a few years rather cast into the shade by their pupil. It was at this moment that the Countess, after the death of her husband, came to settle at Lavardens.
In a word, I am nobody; while you, Count Paul de Lavardens, you are somebody; so fear nothing, your turn will come with the fetes and balls. Then you will be resplendent in all your glory, and I shall return very humbly into my obscurity." "You may laugh at me as much as you like; it is none the less true that during those ten days you will steal a march upon me upon me!" "How upon you?"
He returned to his former life, which had been most irregular. Fifteen years had passed thus, in a long martyrdom, supported by Madame de Lavardens with all the appearance of passive resignation. Nothing ever could distract her from, or cure her of, the love which was destroying her.
"I assure you, Miss Percival, I must go and speak to your sister. She is looking at me. She must be astonished." He crossed the room, Bettina followed him with her eyes. Mrs. Norton had just placed herself at the piano to play a waltz for the young people. Paul de Lavardens approached Miss Percival. "Will you do me the honor, Miss Percival?"
His superiority was evident, unquestionable. Paul became, in a short time, by general consent, the director and organizer of the fetes at Longueval. Bettina had not a moment of hesitation. Jean introduced Paul de Lavardens, and the latter had scarcely concluded the customary little compliment when Miss Percival, leaning toward her sister, whispered in her ear: "The thirty-fifth!"
"Now, Jean, do you want to make me believe that you are not already in love with one of these two women? Is it possible? So much beauty, so much luxury. Luxury to that degree upsets me. Those black ponies with their white rosettes! I dreamed of them last night, and that little-Bettina, is it not?" "Yes, Bettina." "Bettina Countess Bettina de Lavardens!
"Now, Jean, do you want to make me believe that you are not already in love with one of these two women? Is it possible? So much beauty, so much luxury. Luxury to that degree upsets me. Those black ponies with their white rosettes! I dreamed of them last night, and that little- Bettina, is it not?" "Yes, Bettina." "Bettina Countess Bettina de Lavardens!
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