Belle-Rose — page 190: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CITY WON. 179 which caused him to lose half his strength. It was then that the swimmer uttered his first and formidable ery. Monsieur de Villebrais struggled against the current with the energy of despair; his head at times sank under the surface, his mouth filled with water, but when he had enough strength to do so he uttered one of those awful eries which chilled Madame de Chateaufort with affright. A last effort brought him to the old willow undermined by the river, his fingers fastened themselves to a branch like iron bands, and he wished to raise himself up to the trunk; but the branch gave way, acry of horror burst from his blanched lips, and his face disappeared under the waves. When Belle-Rose had assured himself that Monsieur de Villebrais was dead, he called the guard and confided to him the body of the drowned man; then he set out with Madame de Chateaufort and Pierre for the pavilion. At this moment the rapid galloping of three or four horses was heard in the distance; they were Monsieur de Ville- brais’ men, who, seeing themselves deprived of their chief, were regaining their quarters. Madame de Chateaufort found herself a moment after alone with Belle-Rose. The unexpected and terrible death of Monsieur de Villebrais had increased the profound sadness and bitter discourage- ment with which she had felt herself struck. Desolation was in her soul; she had seen Monsieur d’Assonville’s agony; she had just seen the dead body of Monsieur de Villebrais; she saw before her Belle-Rose, pale and mourn- ful, grieving in his heart for his father’s death. She understood that the hour of separation had come, and call- ing to her aid all the strength which was left her, she drew from her pocket a small sealed package. ‘‘Here,’’ said she to Belle-Rose, ‘‘are the papers which settle the annuity of Monsieur d’ Assonville’ s son; when he shall be of an age to choose a career, he can do it likea gentleman. ‘’o these papers I have added a letter which gives to you every right over him.’ ‘‘But you, Genevieve?’’ said Belle-Rose. ze | shall embrace him—it is the only favor which I ask of you.’ Having said this, Madame de Chateaufort arose. All hope was banished from her heart. She approached Belle- Rose and extended her hand. SBelle-Rose, without making any reply, took it between his. | ‘‘So,’’ she resumed, ‘‘I shall be your friend, nothing more, ‘nothing less—an absent friend, of whom you will sometimes think without bitterness?”’ & EOmichoo €5) (E()