Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 9, 2025
Wetter engaged in some vehement discussion with Varvilliers, who met him with good-humoured pertinacity. I had dropped out of the talk, and sat listening dreamily to Struboff's music. Suddenly Coralie laid down her knife and turned to me. "Wouldn't it be nice if I were going to be married to you?" she asked. "Charming," said I. "But what of our dear M. Struboff? And what of my Cousin Elsa?"
I was piqued to much curiosity by these wandering ideas; I determined to probe Struboff through the layers. Soon after I took my leave. Coralie pressed me to return the next day, and before I could speak Wetter accepted the invitation for me. There was no very strong repugnance in Struboff's face; I should not have heeded it had it appeared. Wetter prepared to come with me.
The Countess is still handsome." "What of that? So are you." "True, it doesn't matter much," Coralie admitted. "Does your Princess love you?" "Don't you love your husband?" A faint slow smile bent her lips as she glanced at Struboff himself and his locket. "Nobody acts without a motive," said I. "Not even in marrying."
"It's nearly eleven," remonstrated Struboff sourly. "I want to go to bed." "You? You go to bed? You, with your crimes, go to bed? Why, you couldn't sleep! You would cower all night! Go to bed! Oh, my dear Struboff, think better of it. No, no, we'll none of us go to bed. Bed's a hell for men like us. For you above all! Think again, Struboff, think again!"
Wetter sat looking at him with a smile of malicious mockery. "Happy man!" he cried suddenly. "You love only two things in the world, and you've married both." Struboff pulled his whisker meditatively. "Yes, I have done well," he said, and drained his glass. "But hasn't Coralie done well too? Where would she have been but for me?"
A verse of it! I'll stand opposite to you. See, like this; and I'll look at you. Now try!" She was very good-natured with him, and did as he bade her. He took his stand just by her, behind Struboff, and gazed into her face. I could see him; his lips twitched, and his eyes were set on her in an ardour of passion. "Look in my eyes and sing!" he commanded.
There with him, looking on, jesting, scoffing at the parade, there was Nature's place for me, not here playing chief part in, the comedy. What talks and what nights had we had together; how together had we fallen from heaven and ruefully prayed for that trick of falling soft! See, he smiles more broadly! What is it? Struboff has stolen in and dropped heavily into a seat.
His uneasy deference returned, he jumped up with a bow and an air of awkward embarrassment. "Your Majesty is very good. Your Majesty pardons me? I have abused your Majesty's kindness. You understand, I have nobody to speak to." "I understand very well, M. Struboff. I am very sorry. Be kind to her and she will change toward you." He shook his head ponderously.
I'll tell you another thing." He leaned forward, still holding her wrist tightly. "Look at Struboff," he said. "Look well at him." "I am giving myself the pleasure of looking at M. Struboff," said Coralie. "Very well. When you die because you'll grow old, and you'll grow ugly, and at last, after you have become very ugly, you'll die."
"You talk as much about it as she does of your beauty." "I hope madame is well?" I interposed quickly and suavely, for Struboff had grown very red and gave signs of temper. Wetter did not allow him to answer. He sprang to his feet and dragged Struboff up by the arm. "Take his other arm!" he cried to me. "Bring him along. Come, come, we'll all go and see how madame is."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking