Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

312 OVER HILLS AND ACROSS VALLEYS. importance; itis a question of a child the care of which has been confided to me.”’ Simon grew pale at these words and looked fixedly at Belle-Rose. ‘“Who sends you’”’ he asked. ‘‘A person who has sole authority over this child, the only one who can effectively protect him,’’ and drawing from his pocket a paper, Belle-Rose handed it to the guard. Simon took the letter and tremblingly opened it. It was from Madame de Chateaufort and prayed the old guard to obey Belle-Rose in everything to whom she transmitted all her rights over the child. “Order, monsieur,’’ said the guard, who found it diffi- cult to speak. ‘*Is he here?’’ asked Belle-Rose. **He is here.’’ **Then I can take him away to-day?’ **You can.”’ ‘*Then he must be ready to leave in some hours.”’’ The old guard hesitated, the words died upon his lips; he made a violent effort over himself and opened his mouth. **In carrying away the child you carry away all the joy and all the hope of this house; I have grown accustomed to love him, and now that I no longer have but a few years to live, I cannot bend myself to the idea of losing him. Shall I see him no more??’’ Belle-Rose took the guard’s hand and pressed it. ‘*You will see him always, if you wish.”’ ‘*What is it necessary for me to do?’’ exclaimed Simon. **T shall take him to the convent of St. Claire d’Ennery.’’ The guard trembled. ‘**To the Abbey of St. Claire!’’ he repeated. ‘‘ Well, I will follow you there, and I will find, with Madame de Ch4teau- fort’s aid, a cottage like this, and every day I shall see Gaston. ”’ ‘*You call him Gaston?’’ exclaimed Belle-Rose, who recollected Monsieur d’Assonville. “It is the duchess who has wished it. A gentleman’s name, in faith, and one which he carries well. Hey! Gaston!’’ continued the guard, opening the cottage door, ‘‘come this way; here is an honest soldier who is going to take you on your first journey.”’ The beautiful child who had served as Belle-Rose’s guide entered. *‘After my first journey, you will do well to take me on my first campaign,’’ said he. comicbooks.com —