登陆注册
4702300000042

第42章

After five days of most intensely stormy weather, the sea settled down into a dead calm, and the passengers flocked on deck. During the last three days of the storm, Clotelle had been so unwell as to be unable to raise her head. Her pale face and quivering lips and languid appearance made her look as if every pulsation had ceased. Her magnificent large and soft eyes, fringed with lashes as dark as night, gave her an angelic appearance. The unreserved attention of Devenant, even when sea-sick himself, did much to increase the little love that the at first distrustful girl had placed in him. The heart must always have some object on which to centre its affections, and Clotelle having lost all hope of ever again seeing Jerome, it was but natural that she should now transfer her love to one who was so greatly befriending her. At first she respected Devenant for the love he manifested for her, and for his apparent willingness to make any sacrifice for her welfare. True, this was an adventure upon which she had risked her all, and should her heart be foiled in this search for hidden treasures, her affections would be shipwrecked forever. She felt under great obligations to the man who had thus effected her escape, and that noble act alone would entitle him to her love.

Each day became more pleasant as the noble ship sped onward amid the rippled spray. The whistling of the breeze through the rigging was music to the ear, and brought gladness to the heart of every one on board. At last, the long suspense was broken by the appearance of land, at which all hearts leaped for joy. It was a beautiful morning in October. The sun had just risen, and sky and earth were still bathed in his soft, rosy glow, when the Utica hauled into the dock at Bordeaux. The splendid streets, beautiful bridges, glittering equipages, and smiling countenances of the people, gave everything a happy appearance, after a voyage of twenty-nine days on the deep, deep sea.

After getting their baggage cleared from the custom-house and going to a hotel, Devenant made immediate arrangements for the marriage.

Clotelle, on arriving at the church where the ceremony was to take place, was completely overwhelmed at the spectacle. She had never beheld a scene so gorgeous as this. The magnificent dresses of the priests and choristers, the deep and solemn voices, the elevated crucifix, the burning tapers, the splendidly decorated altar, the sweet-smelling incense, made the occasion truly an imposing one. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the loud and solemn peals of the organ's swelling anthem were lost to all in the contemplation of the interesting scene.

The happy couple set out at once for Dunkirk, the residence of the bridegroom's parents. But their stay there was short, for they had scarcely commenced visiting the numerous friends of the husband ere orders came for him to proceed to India to join that portion of the French army then stationed there.

In due course of time they left for India, passing through Paris and Lyons, taking ship at Marseilles. In the metropolis of France, they spent a week, where the husband took delight in introducing his wife to his brother officers in the French army, and where the newly-married couple were introduced to Louis Phillippe, then King of France. In all of these positions, Clotelle sustained herself in a most ladylike manner.

At Lyons, they visited the vast factories and other public works, and all was pleasure with them. The voyage from Marseilles to Calcutta was very pleasant, as the weather was exceedingly fine.

On arriving in India, Captain Devenant and lady were received with honors--the former for his heroic bravery in more than one battle, and the latter for her fascinating beauty and pleasing manners, and the fact that she was connected with one who was a general favorite with all who had his acquaintance. This was indeed a great change for Clotelle. Six months had not elapsed since her exposure in the slave-market of New Orleans. This life is a stage, and we are indeed all actors.

同类推荐
  • 龙虎精微论

    龙虎精微论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 维摩诘所说经注

    维摩诘所说经注

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 观音玄义记

    观音玄义记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 幽梦续影

    幽梦续影

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 四气摄生图

    四气摄生图

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 半妖少女的除魔日记

    半妖少女的除魔日记

    世界可能不会有我想象的那样好,但也不会有你想象得那样坏。尽管冬季的黑夜漫长而寒冷,但是总有一天,冰雪会消融,黎明会到来。这是关于一个傲娇的半妖,和一个温柔的人类的治愈向的故事。
  • 洞玄灵宝诸天世界造化经

    洞玄灵宝诸天世界造化经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 骊宫高-美天子重惜

    骊宫高-美天子重惜

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 左手爱情,右手婚姻

    左手爱情,右手婚姻

    因为前男友的背叛,我算计了付子溪,再次相遇,我笑颜如花:你需不需要一个老婆?他说,顾伽,我不爱你。我笑了:付先生,爱是虚伪物品。不如我们以财为赌,以名为注,从此纠缠一生,不死不休,如何?
  • 娇妻如火:首席慢慢抱

    娇妻如火:首席慢慢抱

    上一辈子,简单一直的都在忍让,听从养父母的话,不认有钱的亲生父母,毁掉了自己的未来。甚至是在结婚之后,把自己的老公和儿子都让给了自己口中所谓的妹妹!最后落了惨死在精神病医院。重活一世!她决定发誓,拿回属于自己的一切!并且发誓绝对不让那些欺负自己的人好过。
  • 近水先得玥

    近水先得玥

    景玥心心念念的cv男神竟然是父母朋友的儿砸,还住在自己家里了!景玥:崽崽,麻麻爱你崽崽·萧暮景:壁咚景玥,俯身吻向景玥我不要麻麻,只要你,你即是全部,惊艳了我的人生。1V1,超甜,新书番外,期待票票!
  • 1美女的临时男友

    1美女的临时男友

    家徒四壁;为了给父亲治病,蔡寒答应战友做霸道美女的临时男友!到了未来“丈人”家,假老丈人和丈母娘一眼便相中蔡寒这个“姑爷”。对于“小舅子”对自己的不温不火,“小姨子”对这个未来“姐夫”热情过了火,三番五次想从姐姐手里把蔡寒据为己有!经历了一连串的事情后,蔡寒终于熬到过完年和尹舒格,二人一同坐火车离开这个特俗的家庭,但在下了火车二人遵守协议承诺,一个往西,一个往东,这时候两个人脑海中同时浮现出两人在一起这段日子所发生的故事情不自禁把身子转过来!……
  • 佛说身毛喜竖经

    佛说身毛喜竖经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 傲娇新妻,前夫,别来无恙

    傲娇新妻,前夫,别来无恙

    重生第一天,偶遇原主初夜。对方竟然是前生亲手了结自己生命的男人。为了扒下他的狼皮,沐紫汐羊入虎口。岂料,再一次把自己搭进去。二叔不要太张狂,三个小魔头来制服。“妈咪,上家法……”
  • 竹马谋婚青梅

    竹马谋婚青梅

    他们因为一起商业新闻相识,却发现两人的关系不仅仅那么简单。曾经引起的舆论逼死了他的父亲的新闻是她所谓?悉心调查,却不想她却住进他的心里。他将她锁在自己怀里,“要报道我的新闻,你需要付出代价!”她拍开在她身上作乱的手,瞪大双眼看着他,“我靠笔吃饭,卖艺不卖身!”他挑唇邪恶一笑,与她更为贴近,“哦?我接受采访,要人不要钱。”她推拒他坚实的胸膛,“如果你再对我动手动脚,我就将你的恶行公布于众。”