United States or Saint Kitts and Nevis ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
M. des Rameures soon seized his violin; while he tuned it, little Marie seated herself at the piano, and her mother, coming behind her, rested her hand lightly on her shoulder, as if to beat the measure. "The music will be nothing new to you," Camors's host said to him. "It is simply Schubert's Serenade, which we have arranged, or deranged, after our own fancy; of which you shall judge.
Regaining his usual good spirits, which had deserted him for a moment, he tried to draw out the old steward, who was waiting on him. He strove to glean from him some information of the Des Rameures; but the old servant, like every Norman peasant, held it as a tenet of faith that he who gave a plain answer to any question was a dishonored man.
The next evening he passed at the chateau of M. des Rameures; and though his heart was bleeding, he piqued himself on presenting an unclouded brow and an inscrutable smile to Madame de Tecle. He announced the brief absence he intended, and explained the reason. "You will present my best wishes to the General," said M. des Rameures. "I hope he may be happy, but I confess I doubt it devilishly."
Do not breathe it to my Uncle Des Rameures, but Paris is superb! The days here count double our own for thought and life. "My husband took me to Versailles yesterday. I suspect that this, in the eyes of the people here, is rather a ridiculous episode; for I notice the Count did not boast of it.
That is pure truth!" cried M. des Rameures, gayly. "Did you hear that, niece?" "Yes, uncle." "And did you understand it, niece?" "No, uncle." "I do not believe you, my dear! I do not believe you!" The old man laughed heartily. "Do not believe her, Monsieur de Camors; women have the faculty of understanding compliments in every language."
"Yes, General, a little property which belonged to my mother; a small manor, with a little land round it, called Reuilly." "Reuilly! Not two steps from Des Rameures! Certainly certainly! Well, that is one foot in the stirrup." "But then there is one difficulty; I am obliged to sell it." "The devil! And why?"
Camors on entering the house sat down to write the General, to inform him of the opening of his operations, and admonish him to have patience. From that day he turned his attention to following up the two persons who could control his election. His policy as regarded M. des Rameures was as simple as it was clever. It has already been clearly indicated, and further details would be unnecessary.
"Yes, General, a little property which belonged to my mother; a small manor, with a little land round it, called Reuilly." "Reuilly! Not two steps from Des Rameures! Certainly certainly! Well, that is one foot in the stirrup." "But then there is one difficulty; I am obliged to sell it." "The devil! And why?"
After some weeks of almost daily intercourse, M. des Rameures graciously praised his young neighbor as a charming fellow, an excellent musician, an amiable associate; but, regarding him as a possible deputy, he saw some things which might disqualify him. Madame de Tecle feared this, and did not hide it from M. de Camors.
"Mother," she said, "do not be sad. Here we are as formerly both of us in our little nook. We shall be happy." The mother looked at her, took her head and kissed her fervently on the forehead. "You are an angel!" she said. It must be confessed that their uncle, Des Rameures, notwithstanding the tender affection he showed them, was rather in the way.
Word Of The Day