Part 13 (1/2)

At the church door, at the instance of the mayor, they once again shook hands; and then each one, attended by his friends and relatives, made his way to his house, which for three years he had not entered.

Lucien and myself went back to Madame de Franchi's house, where dinner awaited us.

It is not difficult to perceive by the attentions I received that Lucien had read my name over my shoulder when I was signing the paper, and the name was not altogether unknown to him.

In the morning I had announced to Lucien my intention to depart after dinner. I was urgently recalled to Paris by the rehearsals of ”Un Mariage sous Louis XV.,” and notwithstanding the importunities of mother and son, I persisted in adhering to my first determination.

Lucien then asked permission to take advantage of my offer, and to take a letter to his brother; and Madame Franchi made me promise that I would hand this letter myself to her son.

There was really no trouble in the matter, for Louis de Franchi, like a true Parisian as he was, lived at No. 7, Rue du Helder.

I asked permission to see Lucien's room once again, and he himself conducted me thither, explaining everything to me.

”You know,” he said, ”if anything strikes you I hope you will take it, it is yours.”

I unhooked a small poignard hanging in an obscure corner, as if to show that it had no value attached to it; and as I had seen Lucien notice with some curiosity my hunting-belt and its appurtenances, I begged him to accept it, and he had the good taste to take it without being pressed.

At that moment Griffo appeared to tell me that the horse was saddled and the guide waiting.

I put aside the little present I had intended to give to Griffo, which consisted of a hunting-knife and two pistols attached to it, the barrels of which were hidden in the hilt.

I never saw anybody so delighted as he was at this present.

I descended, and found Madame de Franchi at the bottom of the staircase, where she was waiting to bid me good-bye, in the same place where she had bade me welcome. I kissed her hand, feeling great respect for such a simple-minded and yet so dignified a woman.

Lucien accompanied me to the door.

”On any other day,” he said, ”I would saddle my horse, and ride with you beyond the mountain, but to-day I dare not quit Sullacaro for fear that one or other of the newly-made friends might commit some folly.”

”You are quite right,” I said; ”and for my own part, I am very glad to have a.s.sisted at a ceremony so new to Corsica.”

”Yes,” he said, ”you may well congratulate yourself, for you have to-day witnessed a thing which is enough to make our ancestors turn in their graves.”

”I understand--their word was sufficient; they did not need a notary to reconcile them, I suppose?”

”They were never reconciled at all.”

He then shook me by the hand.

”Have you no message for your brother?” I said.

”Yes, certainly, if it will not incommode you to deliver it.”

”Well, then, let us embrace. I can only deliver that which I am able to receive.” [See ”Transcriber's Note.”]

So we embraced each other.

”We shall see you again some day?” I said.