Part 31 (1/2)

”For shame, Monsieur le Commandeur! you alarm our good Abbe,” said Madame de Peyrelade. ”Come to the fire, Monsieur le Cure; you are trembling from cold.”

”The supper is served,” said the Majordomo for the second time, with an appealing look towards his mistress.

”Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait no longer for Monsieur de Fontane or my brother,” said the Countess, rising. ”The former will doubtless be here before supper is over; and the Baron de Pradines is possibly detained at court, and may not arrive till to-morrow. We will defer supper no longer. Your arm, Monsieur de Florac.”

The supper was laid out in the great hall of the chateau. Wine and jests went round. Even the Countess recovered her spirits, and joined in the gaiety of her guests.

”Remove those two covers,” said she. ”We will tell these gentlemen, if they arrive, that they shall have no supper by way of penance.”

”No, no,” exclaimed the Commander; ”I protest against the sentence! They will be here soon, and deserve pity rather than reproof. Who knows?

Perhaps my cousin and the Baron have agreed to surprise us at the supper-table, and will both be in the midst of us in a few minutes.”

”Both!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the priest, casting a terrified glance at the vacant chairs.

”And why not, Monsieur le Cure? I remember, when I was some twelve years younger, being invited to sup with a party of friends at ten leagues'

distance. It was a pouring night, but there was a pretty girl in question, and so I rode through the rain, and arrived just at the right time, but wet to the skin. These gentlemen would either of them undertake a similar expedition, and I will answer for it they will both be here before supper is over. Come, I bet a hundred crowns! Who will take it? Will you, Monsieur le Cure?”

”I? Heaven forbid!” cried the priest.

”Well, you will not refuse to drink their healths?” said the Commander, as he filled the priest's gla.s.s and his own. ”The health of Messieurs le Baron de Pradines and le Chevalier de Fontane!”

”Thanks cousin, for the honour!” cried a voice from the farther end of the hall. ”When I am a little thawed, I shall be happy to return the compliment!”

And the Chevalier de Fontane, flushed from riding, and radiant with happiness, came hastening up to kiss the hand of his betrothed.

”_Mon dieu_, Monsieur de Fontane, what has happened?” cried the lady beside whom he took his seat; ”your neckcloth and ruffles are covered with blood!”

”A mere trifle, Madame de Rochevert,” laughed the young officer, holding up his hand, round which a handkerchief was bound; ”a tussle with a wolf, who would fain have supped off of your humble servant, instead of suffering him to occupy this chair by your side--_voila tout!_”

”How horrible!” exclaimed several ladies.

Madame de Peyrelade turned pale, and murmured a prayer of thanks to Heaven.

Healths went round again. Everyone drank to the Chevalier, and congratulated him upon his victory. Then the conversation turned upon the Baron de Pradines.

”It is now too late to hope for his arrival,” said Marguerite. ”I trust _he_ has met with no wolves on the road.”

”Let us drink to him,” said the Commander, ”and perhaps, like my cousin Eugene, he may come upon us at the very moment. The health of M. le Baron de Pradines!”

”The health of M. le Baron de Pradines!” cried all the voices.

”I denounce M. l'Abbe of high treason,” exclaimed a lady. ”He never opened his lips, and put down his gla.s.s untasted!”

The Cure was dumb with consternation.

”For shame, M. le Cure!” cried the merry-makers. ”We can have no abstinence to-night. Do penance and drink the health alone.”

”To the health of M. le Baron de Pradines!” said the priest in a hollow voice, and emptied his gla.s.s at a draught.

”Bravo! bravo, M. le Cure!” cried the gentlemen, rattling their gla.s.ses, by way of applause. ”Nothing like the _amende honorable_!”