登陆注册
5216200000039

第39章

MARRIAGE BELLS; FUNERAL KNELLS.

Three days of hard work had completed all the arrangements necessary for the marriage of Norbert and Mademoiselle de Puymandour.He had been presented to the lady, and neither had received a favorable impression of the other.At the very first glance each one felt that inevitable repugnance which the lapse of years can never efface.While dreading the anger of her obdurate father, Marie had at one time thought of confiding the secret of her attachment to George de Croisenois to Norbert, for she had the idea that if she told him that her heart was another's, he might withdraw his pretensions to her hand; but several times, when the opportunity occurred, fear restrained her tongue, and she let the propitious moment pass away.

Had she done so, Norbert would at once have eagerly grasped at a pretext for absolving himself from a promise which he had made mentally of obeying in all things a father who now, alas! had no means of enforcing his commands.

Each day he paid his visit to Puymandour as an accepted suitor, bearing a large bouquet with him, which he regularly presented to his betrothed upon his entrance into the drawing-room, which she accepted with a painful flush rising to her cheek.The pair conversed upon indifferent topics, while an aged female connection sat in the room to play propriety.For many hours they would remain thus, the girl bending over her fancy work, and he vainly striving to find topics of conversation, and, consequently, saying hardly anything, in spite of Marie's feeble efforts to assist in the conversation.It was a slight relief when M.de Puymandour proposed a walk; but this was a rare occurrence, for that gentleman usually declared that he never had a moment's leisure.Never had he seemed so gay and busy since the approaching marriage of his daughter had been the theme of every tongue.He took all the preparations for the ceremony into his own hands, for he had determined that everything should be conducted on a scale of unparalleled magnificence.The Chateau was refurnished, and all the carriages repainted and varnished, while the Champdoce and the Puymandour arms were quartered together on their panels.This coat of arms was to be seen everywhere--over the doors, on the walls, and engraved on the silver, and it was believed that M.de Puymandour would have made no objection to their being branded on his breast.

In the midst of all this turmoil and bustle Norbert and Marie grew sadder and sadder as each day passed on.One day M.de Puymandour heard so astounding a piece of intelligence that he hurried into the drawing-room, where he knew that he should find the lovers (as he styled them) together.

"Well, my children," exclaimed he, "you have set such an excellent example, that everybody seems disposed to copy you, and the mayor and the priest will be kept to their work rather tightly this year."His daughter tried to put on an appearance of interest at this speech.

"Yes," continued M.de Puymandour, "I have just heard of a marriage that will come off almost directly after yours has been celebrated, and will make a stir, I can assure you.""And whose is that, pray?"

"You are acquainted, I presume," returned the father, addressing himself to Norbert, "with the son of the Count de Mussidan?""What, the Viscount Octave?"

"The same."

"He lives in Paris, does he not?"

"Yes, generally; but he has been staying at Mussidan, and in the short space of a week has managed to lose his heart here; and to whom do you think? Come, give a guess.""We cannot think who it can be, my dear father," said Marie, "and we are devoured with curiosity.""It is reported that the Viscount de Mussidan has proposed for the hand of Mademoiselle de Laurebourg.""Why," remarked Marie, "it is only three weeks since her brother died!"Norbert flushed scarlet, and then turned a livid white; so great was his agitation at hearing this news, that he nearly dropped the album which he held in his hand.

"I like the Viscount," continued M.de Puymandour, "while Mademoiselle Diana is a charming girl.She is very handsome, and, I believe, has many talents; and she is a good model for you to copy, Marie, as you are so soon to become a duchess."When he got upon his favorite hobby, it was very difficult to check M.

de Puymandour.His daughter, therefore, waited until he had concluded, and then left the room, under the pretext of giving an order to the servants.The Count hardly noticed her absence, as he had still Norbert at his mercy.

"Reverting again to Mademoiselle Diana," said he: "she looks charming in black, for women should look upon a death in the family as a most fortunate occurrence; but I ought not to be praising her to you, who are so well acquainted with her.""I?" exclaimed Norbert.

"Yes, you.I do not suppose that you intend to deny that you have had a little flirtation with her?""I do not understand you."

"Well, /I/ do then, my boy; I heard all about your making love to her.

Why, you are really blushing! What is up now?""I can assure you----"

De Puymandour burst into a loud laugh.

"I have heard a good deal of your little country walks, and all the pretty things that you used to say to each other."In vain did Norbert deny the whole thing, for his intended father-in-law would not believe him; and at last he got so annoyed that he refused to remain and dine with the Count, alleging anxiety for his father as an excuse.He returned home as soon as he possibly could, much agitated by what he had heard; and as he was walking rapidly on, he heard his name called by some one who was running after him:

Norbert turned round, and found himself face to face with Montlouis.

同类推荐
  • THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

    THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

    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。
  • 李文忠公事略

    李文忠公事略

    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 Village Watch-Tower

    The Village Watch-Tower

    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。
  • 盛京疆域考

    盛京疆域考

    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 Muse of the Department

    The Muse of the Department

    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
  • 超级神宠进化系统

    超级神宠进化系统

    【暴爽都市文,无屏蔽章节,放心阅读!】驯养神级宠物,纵横都市无敌。草龟变玄武,野鸡变凤凰,小蛇化神龙,所有神兽,我通通都有!“叮,恭喜宿主,养成超级混沌吞天兽,是否提取?”王凡:“是!”“叮,恭喜宿主,养成九头黄金帝王龙,是否提取?”王凡:“是!”……养宠物,开宗门,玩蛇,不是在装逼,就是在装逼的路上!
  • 矿难之后

    矿难之后

    黑心老板谷雨逃到这个山沟已三天三夜。这似乎又到了半夜时分。他抬头看了看天,天阴沉沉的,有零零星星的雨点在飘落。山野显得阴冷而又恐怖,不知什么野兽的叫声从远处一阵阵传来,令人毛骨悚然。三天前的半夜时分,谷雨和同伴正在深巷里采煤,突然发生巷道塌方,前后几分钟时间,三百米长的煤巷就全部坍塌,百十名矿工全被沙石掩埋。在塌方发生的一刹,有石块砸在谷雨身上,当时他只觉得胳膊一阵生疼,就倒在了地上。后来他挣扎着一边从沙石中往出爬,一边大声呼喊着几个同伴的名字。这时候,巷道再次塌陷,谷雨只觉得眼前一黑,就什么也不知道了……井下发生塌方的时候,二狗在地面上接电线。
  • 有疾不求医:昏君在侧

    有疾不求医:昏君在侧

    生与死,其实全不必在意。举国被灭的那一刻,她存在的意义就只剩下了一个。郁长宁却没料到,在这漫漫长路之上,竟有人愿等着她,携手长安。◆——“哦?立后?”男子不甚在意地把玩着手上的扳指,忽然停了手,道:“小事一桩,便立阿宁为后罢。”这话一出,全场哗然。“求皇上三思!”灰发老者痛心疾首道:“宁携人乃前金遗民,怎可册封为后?这绝不是明君所为啊皇上!”“皇上三思!”朝堂上,求他收回成命的声音此起彼伏,他却勾了唇笑。“非明君所为?丞相怕不是忘了——”晏南鸿顿了顿,接道:“朕乃昏君。”
  • 四面楚歌

    四面楚歌

    本书选取了麦家多年最具代表性的小说作品,包含《黑记》、《四面楚歌》、《陈华南笔记本》、《两个富阳姑娘》等名篇。麦家的小说具有奇异的想象力和独创性,人物内心幽暗神秘,故事传奇曲折,充满悬念,多被改为影视作品。由他编剧的电视剧《暗算》和根据他小说改编的电影《风声》是掀起中国当代谍战影视狂潮的开山之作,影响巨大。
  • Death of a Naturalist

    Death of a Naturalist

    'Between my finger and my thumb/ The squat pen rests; snug as a gun' - from "e;Digging"e;. With its lyrical and descriptive powers, "e;Death of a Naturalist"e; marked the auspicious debut of one of the century's finest poets.
  • 医品妖后:陛下,挺住!

    医品妖后:陛下,挺住!

    一个身怀绝世医术贪财冷漠的小女子,偶然救了一个长相妖冶,外表温暖。实则内有黑心,出手狠辣,灭一城不眨一眼的阎罗。她喜贪财,那他就打下这天下,将天下财富送到她面前。她招桃花,那他便一把火烧尽世间所有桃花。她要报仇,那他就陪着她一起玩。绿茶婊,圣母婊,伪白莲来一个灭一个。她要和离,某妖孽高挑了长眉,睥睨了眸子。放下了御笔,自御座而起,自带了满面寒霜。众人皆喜,这是陛下终于要反抗了?一秒钟后,青鸾宫,凤仪殿。有期期艾艾哭诉声传出。“卿卿,你可不能丢下我和儿子不管啊……”众人皆晕,陛下,您可要挺住啊!!本文宠文+爽文绝对【1V1】欢迎跳坑
  • 另一面

    另一面

    蓝妙芝不再说话,开始拨打田园餐厅的外卖电话,据说那里的鲫鱼豆腐汤做得非常地道。蓝妙芝认识我的时候,我就一直不吃任何由鲫鱼做成的菜肴。因为那天,在去看望静子返程的路上,我们一帮人都又累又饿,便在路边找了个鱼庄,点了份鲫鱼豆腐汤,吃点垫垫肚子。队友们都吃得津津有味,我却觉得那鱼汤土腥味浓重,皱着眉头也无法下咽。但今天,今天的鱼汤或许会是另外一番味道吧?“四大皆空妆”,这个新词语成了扔进顾客心湖里的一块石子,一层层涟漪在“另一面”荡起。我跟蓝妙芝还在吃午饭,就不断有顾客涌进门。她们也不顾自己有没有预约,纷纷要求说,给我们也化个“四大皆空妆”吧!这个妆好,轮廓鲜明,五官又柔和,什么雀斑、皱纹、下垂统统不是问题。
  • 封河日丽

    封河日丽

    封河让洛丽怀孕了,堂堂星娱少当家多了一个私生子为了摆脱洛丽的纠缠,封河将一个渣男的所有特质都演绎到极致终于,洛丽离开了,为了证明封河眼瞎,她一步步的走向了娱乐圈的巅峰,看到光彩照人的洛丽,封河承认自己又瞎又渣又贱……封河:“过去的不算,我们重新开始?”洛丽:“凭什么?”封河:“我叫封河,你叫洛丽,我们在一起就是封(风)河(和)日丽,老天都预示我们要在一起!”洛丽冷笑,要在一起可以,先把你封大少的邪症给根治了!
  • 全职女特助

    全职女特助

    备孕期间渣夫搞事,出门捡漏遇男神怼前夫的小姐姐逆袭之路;But,男神不一定是真男神!
  • 都天魔神

    都天魔神

    叶都天,三下五除二,因父母保护蒙古一族而亡,而被蒙古一族收养,当九星连珠,日月光辉,天空异象,之时,意外的被一颗炸弹炸死,来到异世,一个未知的世界,伴随都天来到这个异世的,还有那块他父母留给他的玉,可是,谁又知道,这块玉里有着与盘古同生的小龙,都天将在小龙进行教导下,将会如何异世成长呢……