Moths by Ouida — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

248 MOTHS. : choose. It is a question dargent ; there is no need for compli ments and consideration.” ‘You will pardon me, monsieur, I will not write with less courtesy than that.” : ‘¢You will write as I choose to dictate.” ‘¢No.” She spoke very quietly, and took up her lace-work. ‘¢You venture to disobey me?” ‘¢T will not disobey any absolute command of yours, but Iwill not insult a great artist because you wish me to do so.” There was a look of resolve and of contempt on her face that was new to him. She had always obeyed his caprices with a passive, mute patience that had made him believe her incapable of having will or judgment of her own. It was as strange to him asif a statue had spoken or a flower had frowned. . He stared at her in surprise that was greater than his annoyance. ‘‘ Pardieu! what has come to you?” he said, fiercely. ‘‘ Take up your pen and write what I have spoken.” ‘© Napoleon, tu t’oublies!’ quoted the Duchesse Jeanne, asshe | came to the rescue with a laugh. ‘‘ My dear prince, pardon me, but your charming wife is altogether in the right. Correze is a eat artist; emperors kneel before him: it will never do to send or him as if he were an organ-grinder—that is, at least, if you want him to come. Besides, Vera and he are old friends; they cannot be expected to deal with each other like entrepreneur and employe, in the sledge-hammer style of persuasion, which seems. to be your idea of beguiling stars to shine for you. Believe me, our wife is right. Correze will never come to Svir at all un- ess——’”’ ‘¢ Unless what?” ‘‘ Unless as her friend, and yours.” - There was a little accent on the first pronoun that cast the meaning of many words. into those few monosyllables. Zouroff watched his wife from under his heavy eyelids. Vere sat still and composed, taking up the various threads of her lace-pillows. She had said what she had thought courage and courtesy required her to say: to the effect of what she had said she was indifferent, and she did not perceive the meaning in the duchess’ words: a pure conscience is often a cause of blind- ness and deafness that are perilous. ‘‘ When I have spoken——’” began her husband, for he had the childishness of the true tyrant in him. nh, Madame de Sonnaz puffed some cigarette-smoke into his face. ‘Oh, Ceesar, when you have spoken, whatthen? You have ne serfs now, even in Russia. Youcan have none of us knouted. You can only bow and yield toa woman’s will, like any other man. Voyons/ Iwill write to Correze. I have known him ever since he first set all Paris sighing as Edgardo, and I will insinuate to him gently that he will find a bouquet on his table each day with a million roubles about the stalks of it; that will be delicate enough, perhaps, to bring him. But do you really. wish for him? Thatis what I deubt.” | : | ga ‘‘ Why should you doubt it?” said the prince, with his somber - eyes still fastened on his wife. » >». comicbooks . ellie | hae 4 ey . wr oak) Si fA ae nL AT ae ‘ pow Ma? ' , s baie : : 6¢ a he ial /® Col