Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

A PONIARD THRUST. 267 His uncle followed him. The piercing eye of Déroute: had at once recognized Claudine, and he was not vexed to place himself in com. munication with her. ‘“‘My good lady,’’ said Jerome, ‘‘this is my nephew, an honest fellow, who has had the desire of being presented to a person so full of virtues. If he can serve you in any way use him freely.”’ In spite of the peril of the situation, Claudine bit her lip to keep from laughing at the sight of the impassible figure of the sergeant, who was twisting his hat with one hand and scratching his ear with the other. ‘*T believe that one can count upon you,’’ said she, ‘‘and Lask you to take this crown in order to drink to my health.”’ To take the crown it was necessary to approach Claudine; Déroute did so after Jerome had shoved him forward; but, as he bent over, he said, very low and very quickly: ‘‘Hold yourself ready; it is necessary to make haste.”’ Claudine thanked him with a look and moved rapidly away. She found Suzanne waiting for her at the bend in a walk. ‘*T have seen Déroute,’’ Claudine said to her, in a joyous voice. ‘*And I Monsieur de Charny,’’ replied Suzanne, drawing Claudine under the thick shade of the chestnut trees. ‘*You have seen Monsieur de Charny?’’ repeated Claudine, all of whose gayety disappeared. ‘If Belle-Rose has not delivered me before three days, I am lost,’’ continued Suzanne. ‘‘Monsieur de Louvois is tired of my resistance. I must become a nun or get mar- ried in three days.’’ ‘‘No, no,’’ exclaimed Claudine, who wept as she em- braced Suzanne. The convent bell rang the Angelus, and the two friends separated. An hour after this conversation Cornelius, who prowled unceasingly around the convent, ran against a gentleman who was entering the Rue Vangirard by the Rue Cassette. The shock caused the hats of the two young people to fall. **Eh! morbleu! the man with the cloak!’’ exclaimed one a _ of the two, ‘‘you go very quickly! suffer me to stop you,”’ ___ and he placed his hand upon the guard of his sword. But the blade, half withdrawn, returned to the scabbard, a and the gentleman extended his hand to Cornelius with a a ey 3 burst of laughter. 3 conical ee Rin i I i bo )) Vy tes . wr * r i ° ad 7 DSSS iy Shes eae aa GOMIIGDOCG “i SW Abe ee i. ‘