Page:Ten Years Later 2.djvu/28

18 TEN" YEARS LATER. "A thousand things." "You bear me no ill-will, at least, Louise?" cried Monta- lais, pressing her hand. "And why should I, my dear Aure? replied the girl, in a voice soft as a flute. '^DameV^ resumed Mme. de St. Remy; "if she did bear you a little ill-will, poor girl, she could not be much blamed." "And why should she bear me ill-will, good God?" "It appears to me that she is of as good a family^ and as pretty as you." "Mother! mother!" cried Louise. "Prettier a hundred times, madame — not of a better fam- ily; but that does not tell me why Louise should bear me ill-will." "Do you think it will be very amusing for her to be bur- ied alive at Blois, when you are going to shine at Paris?" "But, madame, it is not I who prevents Louise following me thither; on the contrary, I should certainly be most hajDpy if she came there." "But it appears that Monsieur Malicorne, who is all- powerful at court " "Ah! so much the worse, madame," said Malicorne; "every one for himself in this poor world." "Malicorne! Malicorne!" said Montalais. Then stooping toward the young man: "Occupy Madame de St. Remy, either in disputing with her, or making it up with her; I must speak to Louise.'* And, at the same time, a soft pressure of the hand recom- pensed Malicorne for his future obedience. Malicorne went grumbling toward Mme. de St. Remy, while Montalais said to her friend, throwing one arm around her neck: "What is the matter? Say! Is it true that you would not love me if I were to shine, as your mother says?" "Oh, no!" said the young girl, with difficulty restraining her tears; "on the contrary, I rejoice at your good fortune. "Rejoice! why, one would say you are ready to cry!" "Do people never weep but from envy?" "Oh! yes, I understand; I am going to Paris; and that word Paris recalls to your mind a certain cavalier " "Aure!" "A certain cavalier who formerly lived near Blois, and who now resides at Paris." "In truth, I know not what ails me, but I feel stifled." "Weep, then, weep, as you cannot give me a smile!"