Part 65 (2/2)
”Run! If you don't run I will shoot you this minute!”
She ran.
”Faster!”
She ran faster.
”Run!”
”Run!”
”Run, Clemence! Ha, ha, ha!” It was so funny to see her scuttling and tripping and stumbling. ”_Courri! courri, Clemence! c'est pou to' vie!_ ha, ha, ha--”
A pistol-shot rang out close behind Raoul's ear; it was never told who fired it. The negress leaped into the air and fell at full length to the ground, stone dead.
CHAPTER LVIII
DYING WORDS
Drivers of vehicles in the rue Royale turned aside before two slight barriers spanning the way, one at the corner below, the other at that above, the house where the aged high-priest of a doomed civilization lay bleeding to death. The floor of the store below, the pavement of the corridor where stood the idle volante, were covered with straw, and servants came and went by the beckoning of the hand.
”This way,” whispered a guide of the four ladies from the Grandissime mansion. As Honore's mother turned the angle half-way up the m.u.f.fled stair, she saw at the landing above, standing as if about to part, yet in grave council, a man and a woman, the fairest--she noted it even in this moment of extreme distress--she had ever looked upon. He had already set one foot down upon the stair, but at sight of the ascending group drew back and said:
”It is my mother;” then turned to his mother and took her hand; they had been for months estranged, but now they silently kissed.
”He is sleeping,” said Honore. ”Maman, Madame Nancanou.”
The ladies bowed--the one looking very large and splendid, the other very sweet and small. There was a single instant of silence, and Aurora burst into tears.
For a moment Madame Grandissime a.s.sumed a frown that was almost a reminder of her brother's, and then the very pride of the Fusiliers broke down. She uttered an inaudible exclamation, drew the weeper firmly into her bosom, and with streaming eyes and choking voice, but yet with majesty, whispered, laying her hand on Aurora's head:
”Never mind, my child; never mind; never mind.”
And Honore's sister, when she was presently introduced, kissed Aurora and murmured:
”The good G.o.d bless thee! It is He who has brought us together.”
”Who is with him just now?” whispered the two other ladies, while Honore and his mother stood a moment aside in hurried consultation.
”My daughter,” said Aurora, ”and--”
”Agamemnon,” suggested Madame Martinez.
”I believe so,” said Aurora.
Valentine appeared from the direction of the sick-room and beckoned to Honore. Doctor Keene did the same and continued to advance.
”Awake?” asked Honore.
”Yes.”
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