Belle-Rose — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

40 THE SKIRMISH. Jacques let fall his glass. Aue Tt is neither you nor I who have made the world what 3 it is, and it is not your fault if your father was not at least a chevalier. A prudent father, in the times in which we live, ought always to be born a count or a baron,”’ ‘‘Monsieur, I go to Paris,’’ exclaimed Jacques, fright- ~ ened. “No Paris! eh! eh! it is an amiable city for rich and ~ handsome young men; but when you have only the hand-~ some part, it is well enough to avoid entering the cabaret. Gentlemen leave it tipsy, poor devils leave it plucked. - Paris is a place where pleasures abound, only they cost — very dear, above all those which cost. nothing. It is true that when one is a handsome fellow, one has an additional chance. My faith, yes! Why the devil did I not think of ~ it? One might please some dowager who. places you then in her affections just between her spaniel and her con- ~ fessor; in the morning you leave her apartment through. the secret door. At the end of a month you are a boarder | at the house in quality of secretary; you have a florid — complexion, a vermilion mouth, and have the whole Bi to repose-yourself. ”’ Jacques made a gesture of disgust. ‘‘No! then there remains to us the hope of becoming an intendant. Good trade! Do you know how to steal, Jacques?’’ | Jacques grew pale and stood up. ‘*Monsieur!’’ said he, in a voice strangled by emotion. Monsieur d’Assonville looked at him without a muscle — of his face trembling. Jacques ran his hands through the long curls of his blonde hair. A deep sigh came from his _ breast, and he sat down again. cea “Pardon me, Monsieur le Comte,’’ he said; “I did not expect this outrage from you who have slept in my father’s arms! You have undoubtedly wished to punish me for having so promptly forgotten the distance which ~ exists between us, but you have done it maliciously, Mon- sieur le Comte. You have no desire to come to my aid, 1 — can well see. I will take counsel, then, of circumstances; but, whatever may come to pass and in whatever situation . I find myself, believe me, never shall I forget that Ihave, * ge judging me, my God up yonder and my father here s¢ elow.’ ; ‘You are an honest and loyal fellow, friend J acques, | and Iam proud to press your hand,’’ replied Monsieur d’Assonville, ‘‘l have wished to prove you, and now that comicboo ks.com_ ‘ Loreen Wn, RPE