Volume III Part 35 (2/2)
A few days afterwards, rievous illness Four days before her death, perceiving that she was near her end, she willed to consecrate to God that which ift of a valuable jewel and a purse of two hundred louis Tiretta ot hi his idea to try his fortune in India, I gave him a letter of introduction to M d'O----, of Aot him a post as clerk, and shi+pped him aboard one of the company's shi+ps which was bound for Batavia If he had behaved well he ot involved in some conspiracy and had to fly, and afterwards experienced many vicissitudes of fortune
I heard froood circumstances, but unable to realize his property and so return to his native country I do not knohat beca of Nove to the Duc d'Elbeuf's household cahter I was dazzled with her beauty She chose a fine satin, and her pretty face lighted up when she heard her father say he did not think it was too much; but she looked quite piteous when she heard the clerk tell her father that he would have to buy the whole piece, as they could not cut it I felt that Ian exception in her favour I beat a hasty retreat into one out of the house, as I should have saved a good deal of money; but what pleasure should I have also lost! In her despair the charer to take her totears falling down her cheeks and dian, ”you are rich, do you buy the piece and let h for a dress, which will make me happy”
I looked at her father and saore an apologetic air, as if deprecating the boldness of his child
”I like your simplicity,” I said to her, ”and since it will make you happy, you shall have the dress”
She ran up to me, threw her arms roundwith laughter Her kisses put the last stroke to my bewitchment After he had paid for the dress, her father said,
”I aet this little madcap married next Sunday; there will be a supper and a ball, and we shall be delighted if you will honour us with your presence My name is Gilbert I am comptroller of the Duc d'Elbeuf's household”
I proave a skip of joy which made me think her prettier than ever
On Sunday I repaired to the house, but I could neither eat nor drink
The fair Mdlle Gilbert kept me in a kind of enchantment which lasted while I was in company with her friends, for whom I did not care They were all officials in noblehters, who all aped the manners of their betters in the most ridiculous way; nobody knew st thereatest fool Everybody cracked his joke to the bride, she answered everybody, and people laughed at nothing
Her husband, a thin and hted at his wife's keeping everybody ah I was in love with her, I pitied rather than envied hiuessed that he had married for monetary considerations, and I knew pretty hat kind of a head-dress his handsoive her husband, as plain-featured, and seemed not to be aware of his wife's beauty I was seized with the desire of asking her so to sit next to ain for my kindness, and said that the beautiful dress I had supplied had won her many coing to take it off I knohat love is and how impatient it makes one”
”It's very funny that everyone persists in thinking that I ah I saw M Baret for the first tio Before then I was absolutely unconscious of his existence”
”But why are you gettingtill you know hi in a hurry”
”I suppose your husband is a very richto open a shop for silk stockings at the corner of the Rue St Honore and the Rue des Prouveres, and I hope that you will deal with us, as ould serve you with the best”
”I shall certainly do so--nay, I will be your first customer, if I have to wait at the door”
”You are kind! M Baret,” said she to her husband, as standing close by, ”this gentleentleood,” said the husband, ”and I aenuine silk”
Next Tuesday at day-break I began to dance attendance at the corner of the Rue des Prouveres, and waited there till the servant cairl asked s,” was my answer
”Master and mistress are still in bed, so you had better come later on”
”No, I ait here Stop a et o and get you some coffee, but I am not so silly as to leave you in the shop by yourself”
”You are afraid I !”
”Well, one does hear of such things being done, and I don't know you from Adam”