登陆注册
5251700000070

第70章 SEQUEL TO A DIVORCE(3)

And so he roamed about the world, tossed to and fro, suffering and hoping he knew not what. He ventured into the greatest dangers, and sought for death just as a man seeks for his mistress, and death passed close to him without touching him, perhaps amused at his grief and misery.

For he was as wretched as a stone-breaker, as one of those poor devils who work and nearly break their backs over the hard flints the whole day long, under the scorching sun or the cold rain; and Marie Anne herself was not happy, for she was pining for the past and remembered their former love.

At last, however, he returned to France, changed, tanned by exposure, sun, and rain, and transformed as if by some witch's philter.

Nobody would have recognized the elegant and effeminate clubman, in this corsair with broad shoulders, a skin the color of tan, with very red lips, who rolled a little in his walk; who seemed to be stifled in his black dress-coat, but who still retained the distinguished manners and bearing of a nobleman of the last century, one of those who, when he was ruined, fitted out a privateer, and fell upon the English wherever he met them, from St. Malo to Calcutta. And wherever he showed himself his friends exclaimed:

"Why! Is that you? I should never have known you again!"He was very nearly starting off again immediately; he even telegraphed orders to Havre to get the steam-yacht ready for sea directly, when he heard that Marie Anne had married again.

He saw her in the distance, at the Theatre Francais one Tuesday, and when he noticed how pretty, how fair, how desirable she was,--looking so melancholy, with all the appearance of an unhappy soul that regrets something,--his determination grew weaker, and he delayed his departure from week to week, and waited, without knowing why, until, at last, worn out with the struggle, watching her wherever she went, more in love with her than he had ever been before, he wrote her long, mad, ardent letters in which his passion overflowed like a stream of lava.

He altered his handwriting, as he remembered her restless brain, and her many whims. He sent her the flowers which he knew she liked best, and told her that she was his life, that he was dying of waiting for her, of longing for her, for her his idol.

At last, very much puzzled and surprised, guessing--who knows?--from the instinctive beating of her heart, and her general emotion, that it must be he this time, he whose soul she had tortured with such cold cruelty, and knowing that she could make amends for the past and bring back their former love, she replied to him, and granted him the meeting that he asked for.

She fell into his arms, and they both sobbed with joy and ecstasy. Their kisses were those which lips give only when they have lost each other and found each other again at last, when they meet and exhaust themselves in each other's looks, thirsting for tenderness, love, and enjoyment.

Last week Count de Baudemont carried off Marie Anne quietly and coolly, just like one resumes possession of one's house on returning from a journey, and drives out the intruders. And when Maitre Garrulier was told of this unheard of scandal, he rubbed his hands--the long, delicate hands of a sensual prelate--and exclaimed:

"That is absolutely logical, and I should like to be in their place."

同类推荐
  • 明伦汇编人事典形影部

    明伦汇编人事典形影部

    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。
  • 春答

    春答

    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。
  • 书目答问

    书目答问

    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。
  • 觚不觚录

    觚不觚录

    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。
  • 律宗新学名句

    律宗新学名句

    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
  • 收将凤纸写相思:李商隐

    收将凤纸写相思:李商隐

    朱丹红编著的《李商隐(收将凤纸写相思)(精)》 讲述了:李商隐,是晚唐*出色的诗人之一,和杜牧 合称“小李杜”,与温庭筠合称为“温李”。由于一 直处于“牛李党争”之中,所以一生郁郁不得志。但 他的诗歌是唐诗里的一朵奇葩,其构思新奇,风格婉 约秾丽,尤其是一些爱情诗和无题诗写得缠绵悱恻, 优美动人,成为几千年来,人们不断咀嚼回味揣测的 名篇,连带着他的人生在后人眼中也显得神秘。《李 商隐(收将凤纸写相思)(精)》即是以小说体的形式, 来写李商隐郁郁悲苦的一生。
  • 乖,摸摸头

    乖,摸摸头

    真实的故事自有万钧之力.《乖,摸摸头》讲述了12个真实的传奇故事,或许会让你看到那些你永远无法去体会的生活 ,见识那些可能你永远都无法结交的人.《乖,摸摸头》一书记录了大冰十余年的江湖游历,以及他和他朋友们的爱与温暖的传奇故事。这些故事与风花雪月无关,与鸡汤小清新无关,有的是无畏的奋斗和孤身的寻找,有的是疯狂的爱情和极致的浪漫……12个故事,12种善意,如点点星光与烛火,给所有心怀希望的人们以温暖和光芒。 请相信,这个世界上真的有人在过着你想要的生活。忽晴忽雨的江湖,祝你有梦为马,随处可栖。
  • 女配也种田

    女配也种田

    运气一向平淡的刘佳宜居然穿越了!种田?发家?致富?好像都不容易……为了一日三餐勤勤恳恳的刘童鞋有一天突然发现……原来这里还有个标准种田文女主啊!--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 青梅竹马

    青梅竹马

    车开了,扬起满天灰尘。但没有人走开。亲人,所有的乡亲,都静静地站在漫天尘埃里,目送着青梅竹马消失在天际。本书是小橘灯纯美小说系列之一。它秉承冰心先生的名篇主题,展现了当代少年的别样风采。
  • 亲情与爱情间

    亲情与爱情间

    本书根据本人真实故事改编。这是一本唯一不是网络小说的书。
  • 佛说善生子经

    佛说善生子经

    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。
  • 八卦悟炼爱

    八卦悟炼爱

    他们,为了保护心中重要之人。他们,为了心中的大义。而最后的他们,却还在寻找心之所向。可如何选择,才能逃过注定。怎样的结局,才能算是完美。最终之时,才发现一切都是一场骗局。这,是他们的故事。
  • 清宫唱晚(完)

    清宫唱晚(完)

    如果穿越是真的,让我回到有你的时代,哪怕只为看你一眼...四爷:“记住……爱新觉罗家的人……是没有心的!”十三爷:“你的,我什么都要……就是不要同情!”十四爷:“连为你撑伞的资格都要剥夺吗?!”九爷:“看来,你低估了自己!”还有八爷,还有太子,还有十八……谁吻了谁的唇;谁牵了谁的手;谁对谁的情至死难休……
  • 给心灵洗个澡(男人篇·女人篇)

    给心灵洗个澡(男人篇·女人篇)

    在任何社会,男人都被认为是坚强和勇敢的象征!在母亲眼里,儿子是最伟岸的男人;在妻子的眼里,丈夫是一座可以依靠的山;在子女们的眼里父亲是大海中的船,载着一家人驶向平安的港湾。女人天生认为自己是需要保护的对象,习惯于在男人的臂膀下小鸟依人般地生活着。正因为活在别人的世界里,女人常常容易受伤。女人可以不是强者,但必须要有自己的世界,因为唯有摆脱依赖的心态,才能豁达地面对一切,从而赋予生命本质的意义。
  • The Scenery of the Lake and the Mountain 湖光山色

    The Scenery of the Lake and the Mountain 湖光山色

    《湖光山色》通过楚暖暖和旷开田从贫穷到富裕的经历讲述了一个关于人类欲望的寓言。小说以曾进城打工的乡村女青年楚暖暖为主人公,讲述了她回到家乡楚王庄之后不断开拓进取、进而带领全村创业的故事。暖暖是一个“公主”式的乡村姑娘,她几乎是楚王庄所有男青年的共同梦想。村主任詹石磴的弟弟詹石梯自认为暖暖非他莫属,但暖暖却以决绝的方式嫁给了贫穷的青年旷开田,并因此与横行乡里的村主任詹石磴结下仇怨。从此,这个见过世面、性格倔强、心气甚高的女性,开始了她漫长艰辛的人生道路……