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Updated: June 1, 2025
The reason for this was, of course, that wherever Roxalanne was to be found there, generally, were we both to be found also. Yet had I advantages that must have gone to swell a rancour based as much upon jealousy as any other sentiment, for whilst he was but a daily visitor at Lavedan, I was established there indefinitely. Of the use that I made of that time I find it difficult to speak.
This I will risk, mademoiselle I will do it gladly if you will promise to become my wife when it is done." There was a moan from Roxalanne, then silence; then "Oh, monsieur, you are pitiless! What bargain is this that you offer me?" "A fair one, surely," said that son of hell "a very fair one. The risk of my life against your hand in marriage."
"Roxalanne," I resumed presently, when I was more master of myself, "we have been good friends, you and I, since that night when I climbed for shelter to your chamber, have we not?" "But yes, monsieur," she faltered. "Ten days ago it is. Think of it no more than ten days. And it seems as if I had been months at Lavedan, so well have we become acquainted.
To the tales that with many expurgations I told her of Court life, to the pictures that I drew of Paris, the Luxembourg, the Louvre, the Palais Cardinal, and the courtiers that thronged those historic palaces, she listened avidly and enthralled; and much as Othello won the heart of Desdemona by a recital of the perils he had endured, so it seemed to me was I winning the heart of Roxalanne by telling her of the things that I had seen.
My object was not to brawl, but to administer chastisement, and this object I may claim to have accomplished with a fair degree of success. At last Roxalanne interfered; but only when one blow a little more violent, perhaps, than its precursors resulted in the sudden snapping of the cane and Monsieur de Eustache's utter collapse into a moaning heap.
Then, among the roses at Lavedan, in your dear company, Roxalanne, it seemed that some of the good, some of the sweetness, some of the purity about you were infused anew into my heart. I became young again, and I seemed oddly cleansed. In that hour of my rejuvenation I loved you, Roxalanne." Her face had been raised to mine as I spoke.
If you would know a woman, go to Lavedan, Monsieur le Marquis. If you would have your army of amorous wiles suffer a defeat at last, go employ it against the citadel of Roxalanne de Lavedan's heart. If you would be humbled in your pride, betake yourself to Lavedan." "A challenge!" roared a dozen voices. "A challenge, Bardelys!"
I stretched forward, and caught one of the hands lying idle in her lap. "Roxalanne," I murmured very gently, and my tone, my touch, and the use of her name drove her eyes for refuge behind their lids again. A flush spread upon the ivory pallor of her face, to fade as swiftly, leaving it very white. Her bosom rose and fell in agitation, and the little hand I held trembled in my grasp.
I do love you, monsieur. Oh! this is not a time to consider words. If I am bold and unmaidenly, I I " "Neither bold nor unmaidenly, but oh, the sweetest damsel in all France, my Roxalanne!" I broke in, coming to her aid. "Mine was a leprous, sinful soul, child, when I came into Languedoc.
But to Roxalanne! Had there been no wager, I might have confessed my identity. As it was, I found it impossible to avow the one without the other. For the sweet innocence that invested her gentle, trusting soul must have given pause to any but the most abandoned of men before committing a vileness in connection with her.
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