Belle-Rose — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

the question, a courier has arrived from Flanders; I have learned that the same night of Belle-Rose’s departure the young officer had had a conference with Monsieur de Luxembourg; the details of a scene which took place in- the camp at Charleroi apropos of a captain who had in- ‘curred the death penalty, have been related to me; I have learned everything; the soldier has been the general’ s in- ‘strument.’”’ - ‘“May I ask your excellency what you count on doing ?’’ “*Me? nothing.’’ ‘The question, then, becomes useless?’”’ ‘“* Altogether so.’ **And the prisoner can be liberated?’”’ “No. I forget him—that is all.’’ The governor understood the terrible significance of these words, which condemned Belle-Rose to perpetual imprisonment. “It must be known,’’ said the minister, rising, ‘‘that through me everything can be done, that without me nothing can be done.”’ ‘*Permit me to hope, monseigneur, that you wili authorize me to one day resume this conversation. ”’ “So be it; I adjourn you to twenty years. ”’ While these things were transpiring at Paris, Madame d’ Albergotti was lavishing on her husband the most tender caresses; her face had becomeas white as a taper; her hands seemed as transparent as alabaster. When evening came Claudine accompanied her to her room, which adjoined that of the marquis. “My God! you are killing yourself,’’ the poor girl said - to her, as she embraced her. ‘*Leave,’’ answered Suzanne, sadly, *‘it is for me the coming of repose. ”’ One night, the third since the visit of Madame de Chateaufort, Monsieur d’Albergotti called Suzanne. Su- zanne was alr eady at his bedside. ‘You are suffering?’’ said she. “No, Iam finishing with it.”’ Suzanne opened her mouth to speak, but Monsieur d’Al- bergotti stopped her with a gesture. ‘*I have sent for you,’’ he continued, ‘‘to let you receive my farewell. I have always loved you as a father loves his child, you have returned this affection as much as it 97 was in you to do so; you have been honest, pious, and re- signed ; God owes you a recompense. Approach, Suzanne, go that I may bless you.’ Eomicboo “S (Eo)