Belle-Rose — page 200: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DIPLOMATIC MISSION. 189 But Monsieur Bergame took care not to ory out; frozen _ with terror, he was trembling in his fauteuil. ““Well,’’ said. Belle-Rose; “‘I see you understand me. I well knew that we would end by coming to ah understand- ine. What do you wish? A hundred thousand livres? here they are. What do I want? papers? I take them; we are quits. ’’ ‘‘But, monsieur, it is a ruffianly act,’’ murmured Mon- sieur Bergame, in a voice stifled by fear. ‘“‘Ah! monsieur, you are mistaken. Itisa rostitmeon “Ah! my God! what is the minister going to say?’’ said, in a low tone, Monsieur Bergame, who. followed with terror the movements of Belle-Rose. ‘*Kh! my dear sir, you will tell him that you have wound up the affair with another.”’ While speaking Belle-Rose had burst the locks of the closet, and had taken possession of a package of papers in- closed in a casket. He threw a rapid glance over them; they were letters yellowed by time and lists filled with names, upon which were to be seen the signatures of Mon- sieur de Condé and Monsieur de Botteville. ‘*Done,’’ said Belle-Rose; ‘‘you have the sum, I have the merchandise. Adieu, my good Monsieur Bergame.”’ Saluting the poor man, he went out, taking care to bolt — the door behind him. ‘‘Déroute, to horse!’’ said Belle-Rose, as soon as he was in the garden. The sergeant’s foot was already in the stirrups; they left at headlong speed. Peppe had succeeded in disem- barrassing himself of his bonds, which had not been diffi- cult as soon as he was rid of Déroute’s surveillance. His first care was to run to his master and deliver him. Mon- sieur Bergame, who dreaded above all things the anger of Monsieur de Louvois, at once ordered Peppe to set out in pursuit of the ravisher. He had the money, he would not have been vexed to get back the papers. Peppe, informed of the facts, leaped upon a horse and hastened after the two cavaliers. Peppe was an Italian, and though a child, extremely vindictive. Belle-Rose’s horse and that of the sergeant had made quite a journey that same morning; — they had not rested, while that of Peppe was fresh. Belle- Rose and Déroute had their spurs; Peppe had his hatred. He reached them at the barriers of Paris. The little Italian followed them at a distance and saw them enter the house of Monsieur Mériset. When the door had closed upon them, Peppe ran to a place where he was sure to find some men Eomicbooks Eo