Belle-Rose — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

950 AN ENGLISH HUSBAND. ‘‘Oh! pardieu! I did not ask so much of him, and I would have been satisfied if he had only remained tranquil. ’’ “That is honest. ’’ ae | “The fact is that my coat is all slashed as a result of it. A coat which I had brought expressly from Paris, and one which has no counterpart at Dover; this calls for ven- geance.’’ ‘““Bless me!’’ said Cornelius, “if he has spoiled your satin, Ihave every reason to believe, from the color of your sword, that you have slightly spoiled his flesh. It. seems, then, that you are quits.’’ ‘‘Haith, monsieur, you do not much esteem satin cut in the most gallant fashion. And then, the gentleman whom monsieur struck,’’ added he, turning in, the direction of Belle-Rose, ‘‘ will certainly recollect the adventure.’’ ‘“‘T am enchanted to have come to your aid,’’ said Belle- Rose, ‘‘but I should much regret to have killed him.” ‘Oh! fear nothing, he is the husband. This sort of Eng-— lishman is very tough. After all,’’ continued Monsieur de Pomereux, “‘the adventure has this good side—it will determine me to pass over to France. Jam cured of Brit- tanic good fortune; here the only way to love is with a dagger in the hand. I shall return to Paris and get married. ’ . ‘Vou?’’ said Cornelius. ‘‘Parbleu! I shall be, upon my word, a marvelous hus- band. It is a marriage which I have contracted a taste for because the lady does not wish it. It is Monsieur de Lou- vois’ way.’ *‘Ah!’’ said Belle-Rose. ‘‘He is a minister who mixes a little in everything. He has had the triumphant idea of giving me for wife a lady whom he has placed in a convent.’’ At these words, Cornelius pricked up his ears. “That is pleasant,’ ’ said he. “Yes, it is a little vengeance of my magnificent cousin. it appears that the lady has for fiance a certain Belle-Rose who has escaped from prison. ’”’ It was Belle-Rose’s turn to tremble. **Belle Rose!’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘You know him?”’ asked the count. Cornelius pressed Belle-Rose’s knee in order to constrain ) him to be silent. “Oh!’’ said he, ‘I have known him in Flanders, when he was sergeant in the regiment of La Ferté. ‘‘Sergeant!’’ repeated ‘Monsieur de Pomereux, with a comic 200ks co + ma 5