The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 6 (1/2)
”And his brother was there, too!” he murmured ”Go on, Pierre”
”I knew hi; his hair is turning gray, and he wears a heavy moustache, and was dressed in peasant costume He came to me, and said in a voice that was so like his mother's: 'You are welcome!' I extended my hand, he did not seem to be astonished, and received it cordially I went to the table, and while I ate irl up in his aran to talk to her in a low voice, and the child listened intently I could not hear as said, but presently the child ca to me
”'Monsieur,' she cried, 'will you do me a favor?'
”'Certainly,' I replied
”'Will you drink with papa to the French ar at the same time if Simon took me for a spy The mere idea made me feel ill, and I wanted to tell hilasses
”'To the success of our arms shall be our toast, sir!' he said I answered, as I raised lass to my lips: 'To France!' His eyes flashed with joy These words had evidently conquered his distrust
”'Would it be indiscreet to ask, sir, by what strange chance you are in this wild place?'
”I told him, for I had to lie, that I had lost my way He looked at me a moment
”'You come from Germany, do you not?'
”'Are you a sorcerer?' I exclaimed
”'No--it is plain to see that by the cut and theBut is it true,' he continued rapidly, 'that the allied armies are about to cross the frontier?'
”'Alas! I fear so But you do not know our last disaster, then?'
”'Fortune has betrayed us, but patience--patience!'
”'Do you think that further resistance is possible?' I asked
”'I am a soldier of France!' was his proud reply 'I believe in my banner and my country!' He then asked me many questions, and finally one that made my heart leap to res have accepted positions in these foreign arnorance He passed his hand over his brow, as if to chase away unfortunate doubts, and I changed the conversation
”'These lovely children are yours?' I asked
”'Yes--and this is my wife, Francoise Simon, the best of women, who has consoled me in many sorrows, and this is Jacques, ive me your name now?'
”'One moment--you have not introduced yourself'
”'I am called Si else?'
”'Nothing else If I ever bore another naht in 1791 I ounded and compelled to leave the service' He spoke with so?' I asked He looked at lass of wine, he carried it to his lips with a steady hand
”'I never knew them,' he replied
”We talked for some time, and he told me that after he recovered from his wound he entered the service of a rich farh to lease a small farm for himself, where he carried on his small business as an inn and kept a school, 'for,' he said, 'I had received a good education, and wished to do soht before I went to my room, and I arose as soon as I heard a one out I felt that I ain