The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 7 (2/2)
”But he is locked in his roodalena Raise that curtain; you will find a door which opens on a staircase in the wall; go doenty steps, then stop, pass your hand over the wall until you feel a spring; press it, and it will open You will find a s, and you can hear every word that is spoken--”
”Very good; but your wound--”
”Is not of much consequence; but hasten, for your son's sake”
The Vicomtesse disappeared
This explains the noise that had attracted the attention of the Marquis
An hour later Magdalena returned to her husband ”I know enough,” she said ”Your brother Sie of Leigoutte”
A cruel smile wandered over the lips of the Vicomte
”Ah! the invasion will then take that direction!”
CHAPTER VII
THE VILLAGE
On the 1st of January, 1814, it was known that foreign forces had invaded France It was a terrible surprise when fugitives passed through the villages crying, ”Save yourselves, while there is yet time!”
Mothers wept for their sons, wives for their husbands, sisters for their brothers!
The winter was a severe one The Vosges es in the valleys were alike wrapped in snow
The inn which our readers already know at Leigoutte, presented a most picturesque appearance The snow had been so heavy for several days that the woodcutters had not been up thethey had deterathered before the inn with their long light sledges on their shoulders They see for some one ”Can Simon be sick?”
asked one of these men, finally
”Not he!” answered another ”He is at the school-room with the children, and he never knohen to leave therulass of wine, than wait here all this time”
”Have a little patience, friend; if Simon teaches our children, it is that they may be better off than their fathers, and not like the the mountains!”
”Well said, friend, well said!” called out a full rich voice
Every one turned The door of the school-roo with ar out too hastily on the slippery ice
”Not so quick, children,” he cried ”You can't fly over the snow like lapwings”
A boy of about ten repeated these words to the sht, Jacques,” said Siin early, for you , Master Si off his hat, ”ere just saying that we should like so warm before we started”