Volume II Part 29 (1/2)
”Monsieur le Marquis,” she politely said, ”y?” repeated Montferrand, coldly, ”for the box on the ear he got?”
”No, my lord, but because he was so intoxicated as to raise the ire of your son He would not have gone so far if he had been sober As to the affair with the street-singer, it is not so serious as you irets verya rupture between hiirl for the wrong he did her, and I am positive the little one will have her liberty restored to her before ereuse sufficient for you, allantly kissing the ht at our house?” asked Madeleine ”I have a surprise in store for my friends”
”Can one find out in advance the nature of it?” asked Montferrand, while Fougereuse looked anxiously at Madeleine
”Oh, yes; his majesty has condescended to appoint the vicomte a captain in the Life Guards with the decoration of St Louis,” said the marquise proudly
”Oh, I call that a surprise,” cried Fougereuse, ratulations
”The Countess of Salves and her daughter have signified their intention of being present,” continued Madeleine, ”and as soon ascouple will be announced”
”It is only what one ereuse,” said Montferrand politely, as he rose ”Good-by then, until this evening”
The marquis accompanied the old man to the door, then returned to his wife and excitedly asked:
”Madeleine, is all this true?”
Instead of answering, the ed her shoulders and left the room to hunt up her son
”It is all settled,” she said; ”here are the twenty thousand francs you need to silence the girl; and now try to bring honor to your new position”
Madeleine placed a pocket-book on the table and went away Talizac laughed in his sleeve He did not think he could obtain the money so easily
CHAPTER XVII
LOUISON
Toward noon Louison awoke froic sleep in which Rolla's liquid had thrown her, and her first look fell upon the virago, as sitting in a half-drunken condition near theThe young girl unconsciously uttered a cry when she saw the repulsive woman, and this cry aroused Rolla from out of her dreams about well-filled brandy bottles into reality
”Well,
”My head hurts,” replied Louison faintly, and throwing an anxious look about the strange apartment, she tiood people certainly, who have becoht”
Louison was silent and tried to collect her thoughts But it was no use, she had to close her eyes again from exhaustion
”Ah, you are sensible I see; that pleases ht you would staht away: 'The little one is smart, she will not throw her fortune away' What is the use of virtue, anyway? It hardly brings one dry bread, so the sooner you throw it overboard the better it is Oh, you will make your way, never fear Your face is handsoant house and carriage one of these days? The little vicoh shoulder, but one cannot have everything and--”
Louison had listened to Rolla's words with increasing loathing, and when she heard the name of the vicoing up, she uttered a loud cry, and clutching Rolla tightly about the shoulder she exclaio or you shall be sorry for it!”