登陆注册
5164300000095

第95章

Do you remember a singularly handsome young man, who, during my abode with madame Lagarde, fascinated me till my very senses seemed bewildered by my passion. You know how he betrayed me, and how, through him, I was expelled the house, as well as the termination of this foolish adventure. You are now to pass over seven or eight years, and take your place with me in the drawing-room, in which I stood when I rang to summon a servant to convey a letter to the duc de Villeroi. You may remember what I told you in the last chapter of the person who entered, of his agitation and his blushes, and of his fixing his eyes with deep meaning upon me till he quitted the room-this servant was Noel!

Had I listened to the dictates of prudence, I should, without loss of time, have obtained against him a , which would have freed me from all chance of discovery through his means; but I could not listen to such cool-blooded, though cautious, suggestions. One idea only took possession of my mind--the absurd desire to know what had become of Noel since we separated, and by what accident I now found him wearing my livery in the castle. With this intent I availed myself of the first moment I was secure from interruption, to summon him to my presence.

He threw himself at my feet, imploring of me to pardon his audacity.

"Alas, madam!" said he, "I am more unfortunate than guilty. I saw you walking some time since, and I could obtain no rest or peace till I was fortunate enough to obtain admission to your establishment.

Punish me for my temerity if you will; expel me from the castle, have me confined in a prison, I deserve it all; but, voluntarily, I cannot leave this house; and if you will only permit my stay, Isolemnly vow you shall see nothing in my conduct but the zeal of an attached and respectful servant."I was weak enough to pardon Noel and shortly after to raise him to the rank of , which brought him infinitely too much about me.

Yes, my friend, the woman is, after all attempts to excuse it, blamable for bestowing her affection on one below herself in the scale of society. Nature herself appears to have planted in our bosoms a kind of instinct, which warns us from it, and a prejudice against all those who so degrade themselves. It is different with men; they can confer rank and elevation on the beloved object.

A woman should always have reason to look up to and feel proud of the man to whom she consigns her heart; this species of vanity is mixed with the noblest love, and the woman who can overlook it, acts from passion of the lowest, basest kind. How easy is it to reason! Alas! Why have I not always acted as well as I speak.

I was thus again a second time enthralled by Noel, and much more so, too, than I will now tell you. My faithful Henriette, whose devoted attachment for me kept her ever watchful of my safety and reputation, was thunderstruck at perceiving what I vainly strove to conceal from her; and, as she has since told me, was long in deciding whether to speak to me of the affair, when an unexpected incident arose, which determined her, at every risk of my displeasure, to use her endeavors to put an end to so disgraceful a connexion, which must infallibly have ended in my disgrace.

One night, or rather midnight, all was at rest in the castle, and I was sleeping peacefully in the arms of Noel, when all at once I was awakened by the sudden opening of an outer door, which announced to me the approach of the king, who had merely one more door to open ere he would be in my apartment. Noel, terrified, leaped quickly out of bed, and ran to seek refuge in a small chamber adjoining where Henriette slept. Happily she was yet awake; and, by the light of a night-lamp or recognized Noel, who, with clasped hands, conjured her to take pity upon him.

Henriette saw the danger, and putting out her hand, seized him, and drawing him rapidly towards her, made him lie down beside her. Noel, struck with her goodness, was preparing to offer her the same marks of his gratitude he had shown me of his respect;but repulsing him, she said in a low voice, "Wretch, think not it is on your account I thus expose my reputation; 'tis to save that of my beloved mistress; either conduct yourself with silent respect or you are lost." At this threat Noel 's courage melted away and he lay still as a frightened child. "Listen," said Henriette, "if you do not quit this place to-morrow at break of day, without seeking to see madame again, I will denounce you to the king, who will inflict upon you the most dreadful punishment."Whilst these things were passing in the chamber of Henriette, Idid not feel perfectly at ease on my side, and many were the wise reflections I made upon my folly, as well as the promises I gave never again to expose myself to such imminent danger. Nor did my terrors abate till after the king had quitted me. At the sound of my bell Henriette hastened to my bed-side.

"My good Henriette," said I to her, trembling from head to foot, "what a night of anxiety have I passed, I must indeed confess--""Fear not, my beloved mistress," replied she; "I will watch over your safety, and trust to be enabled fully to provide for it."I durst not then ask for any further explanation of her words, for such was the ascendancy her good and steady conduct had given her over me, that she would certainly have blamed me for my glaring imprudence. I pressed her hand in mute thankfulness; she comprehended my silence and left me to myself.

At the end of some days, seeing nothing of Noel, I ventured to question her as to his fate: she then related to me all you have been told, and added, that the day following this shameful and unfortunate night she had lost no time in apprizing the comte Jean of all that had occurred, who had quickly despatched Noel out of the kingdom, furnishing him with a purse of ten thousand livres to defray his travelling expenses. Such was the fortunate termination of this disgraceful affair; and now, having completed my painful confession, I will change the subject to others doubtless more calculated to interest you than the recital of such lapses.

同类推荐
  • The Tale of Balen

    The Tale of Balen

    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。
  • 玄真子外篇

    玄真子外篇

    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。
  • The Story of a Pioneer

    The Story of a Pioneer

    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。
  • 瘟疫门

    瘟疫门

    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。
  • 崔东洲集

    崔东洲集

    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
  • 城市流水(中国好小说)

    城市流水(中国好小说)

    池莲心参加播音班培训后,为了在城市立足,她辗转于几个男人之间。这其中,或许最初有爱情,却被生活所磨蚀。当然也有她为了达到目的,用自己的身体作为筹码,去交换现实的利益。最后,池莲心虽然在播音主持的业务上精进,但知晓她私生活的观众们却仍对她看不起。而男人们更加对她不再有真心。池莲心看透了一切,最终离职,从这个最初承载自己梦想的电视台离职……
  • 彪悍俏媳山里汉

    彪悍俏媳山里汉

    (包月免费)山沟沟里最穷的萧家花了所有积蓄买了个满脸疮疤、又黑又瘦的哑巴媳妇,被耻笑为十里八乡第一丑媳。丑媳妇还受不住穷,逃跑落入恶人手里,给活活打死了。再次睁眼,当黑瘦的身体拥有杀手的灵魂,治好满脸疮疤,晒黑的皮肤日渐白皙,哑巴居然还会说话了,成了最漂亮的媳妇儿。村里人都说萧家不祥,避之唯恐不及。相公家穷得叮当响不说,家徒四壁,负担那个重啊,好在山里汉子宠妻无度。媳妇儿带领相公赚钱,买田买地,辛勤播种,养儿育女,靠着汗水智慧发家致富。(本书1V1,男女主身心干净)另外,力荐我的完结文《娇妻萌宝超大牌》《杀手弃妃毒逆天》。新书《重生娇妻逆袭了》即将完结,亲们去看看哦。
  • 一生要倾听的100个忠告 一生要坚持的100个准则

    一生要倾听的100个忠告 一生要坚持的100个准则

    一部让人脱胎换骨的处世交际全书,这不仅是一部做人做事、说话办事、经商理财的人生指南,更是一把收获幸福、迈出成功、开启致富之门的黄金钥匙。
  • 乱世商女谋天下

    乱世商女谋天下

    没有超能力,也没有金手指,怎样才能在这个陌生的世界活着,美好的活着。
  • 宠妻无度,总裁老公太生猛

    宠妻无度,总裁老公太生猛

    被同父异母的姐姐抢了未婚夫,苏暖已经是人生败家了……没想到随随便便捡了个男人……颜高,腰细,腿长且不说,关键对她百依百顺!呃~~-______-"就是这个老公的身份有点儿神秘?苏暖躺在沙发上,指着最新的世界财富榜叫:“老公,这个世界首富跟你长得一样!”男人举着锅铲,从厨房伸出头回话:“不,他没你老公会做菜!”
  • 太上洞神五星诸宿日月混常经

    太上洞神五星诸宿日月混常经

    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。
  • 与花交谈

    与花交谈

    进入21世纪,文化市场上出现一个引人注目的现象:许多文学刊物纷纷改头换面,改为专门刊登微型小说或主要刊登微型小说,有的甚至连刊名也子以更改。报亭书摊处可见微型小说的身影。
  • 安洁西公主

    安洁西公主

    身为公主,自然是要锦衣玉食,被人捧在手心里呵护,可是对于安洁西来说,她的公主人生总结起来就是一句话:背了个锅!在银十字团抚养院,她替入侵的圣族背了“盗窃宝物”的黑锅;在日暮古域,她替贵族商人背了“抢劫宝物”的黑锅;在圣族,她又替圣族皇子冯斯伦背了“刺杀”皇室成员的黑锅。到底有没有搞错啊,圣族皇子还活生生的喘着气呢,他们的皇室成员只有他一个啊,难不成他能刺杀他自己不成!安洁西表示:这个锅她不背。冯斯伦在她耳畔轻笑低语:“你偷了我的戒指,这个锅你甩不掉了。”安洁西怒摔戒指:“你到底想怎样?”“嫁给我,我就原谅你。”
  • 除草剂

    除草剂

    汽车驶上大街,我就像一只趴在一片树叶上的蚂蚁。树叶在大海上漂浮,我不知道它要漂向哪里。我真的没想好要去哪儿。到车站时,遇到有人拉客,问明他们是去县里就上车了。我只是要买一瓶除草剂而已。一开始我想的是硫酸。我想硫酸是很适合他们的。我会在某一个早晨或者晚上去找她,在她毫无防备的情况下,把一瓶硫酸泼到她那如花似玉的脸上,让他终生面对一张狰狞而丑陋的脸。可上网一查,买硫酸需要公安局证明。
  • 古埃及与阿拉伯历史纵横谈(世界历史纵横谈)

    古埃及与阿拉伯历史纵横谈(世界历史纵横谈)

    本套书用生动的文字, 再现了世界历史进程的恢弘画卷, 堪称一部贯通整个世界历史的简明百科全书, 串联起全部人类发展的瑰宝, 并以其光辉不朽的价值与流传恒久的魅力, 成就一部好读又好看的世界历史通俗读物, 具有很强的系统性、知识性和可读性, 不仅是广大读者学习世界历史知识的读物, 也是各级图书馆珍藏的版本。