Volume Ii Part 14 (1/2)
”We have been told a very sad story about that cross--that a young man was found dead on that spot, nine or ten years ago, I believe. Is it true, monsieur?”
Honorine would have beaten Agathe with the greatest satisfaction; she began to cough as if she would tear her throat to tatters.
”I too have heard of that occurrence, mademoiselle,” replied their companion in a gloomy tone.
”And the unfortunate man's a.s.sa.s.sins have never been discovered?”
”a.s.sa.s.sins!” exclaimed Paul in a loud voice, raising his head proudly.
”Who told you, mademoiselle, that the person found dead on that spot had been a.s.sa.s.sinated?”
”Oh! mon Dieu! no one, monsieur, no one. I said that, because the people who tell the story----”
”The world almost always judges falsely; it never knows the true inwardness of things; and as it is more disposed to believe evil than good, as soon as a stranger is found dead by the roadside, it says: 'He was murdered!'--You are still very young, mademoiselle! Distrust the judgments of the world; you will often have occasion to realize their injustice.”
”Here is Gournay bridge,” said Honorine; ”will monsieur leave us now?”
”No, madame; unless you bid me to do so, I shall not leave you, trembling as you are, out in the country, at night. I shall escort you to your home.”
Honorine bowed and they walked on. But they were silent, for Agathe dared not speak since their guide had almost lost his temper in answering her last question.
They reached Honorine's house, and Paul bowed to the ladies, saying:
”You are at home now, I believe?”
”Yes, monsieur. I do not know how to thank you----”
”For what, madame, pray? I have simply done my duty.”
”Adieu, Ami; adieu, my good dog!”
The dog and his master took their leave.
”Oh! I could have beaten you!” said Honorine, ”when you questioned that man about the story of the cross!”
”Why so? You heard him answer that the young man who was found there was not murdered.”
”But since he was the one who killed him, could you expect him to admit it?”
”That man an a.s.sa.s.sin! Nonsense! it's impossible. Do you believe it, my dear love?”
”I believe--Mon Dieu! I don't know what to believe; but this much is certain, that I will not walk in that direction again. Let's go to bed; what with the fright, excitement, fatigue and the storm, I am completely exhausted; and you?”
”I? Oh! I regret that we didn't go as far as the cross in the ravine. I would have liked to pray for him who lies there!”
VI
CALUMNY
Several days had pa.s.sed since the memorable evening of the storm.