Belle-Rose — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

$12 OVER HILLS AND ACROSS VALLEYS. importance; itis a question of a child the care of which has been confided to me.’ Simon grew pale at these words and looked fixedly at Belle-Rose. ‘“Who sends you?’ he asked. A person who has sole authority over this child, the only one who can effectively protect him,’’ and drawing from his pocket a paper, Belle-Rose handed it to the guard. Simon took the letter and tremblingly opened it. It was from Madame de Chateaufort and prayed the old guard to obey Belle-Rose in everything to whom she transmitted all her rights over the child. ‘Order, monsieur,’’ said the guard, who found it diffi- cult to speak. ‘Is he here?’’ asked Belle-Rose. ~ He is here.”’ ‘Then I can take him away to-day?’ ‘You can. ’ ‘“Then he must be ready to leave in some hours.’ The old guard hesitated, the words died upon ite lips; he made.a violent effort over himself and opened his mouth. ‘In carrying away the child you carry away all the joy and all the hope of this house; I have grown accustomed to love him, and now that I no longer have but a few years to live, I cannot bend myself to the idea of losing him. Shall I see him no more?”’ Belle-Rose took the guard’s hand and pressed it. ‘*You will see him always, if you wish.”’ ‘What is it necessary for me to do?’’ exclaimed Simon, ‘‘T shall take him to the convent of St. Claire d’Ennery.”’ The guard trembled. ‘To the Abbey of St. Claire! "he repeated. ‘‘Well, I will follow you there, and I will find, with Madame de Chateau- fort’s aid, a cottage like this, and every day I shall see Gaston. ’ ‘““You call him Gaston?’’ exclaimed Belle-Rose, who ; recollected Monsieur d’Assonville. ‘It is the duchess who has wished it. A gentleman’s name, in faith, and one which he carries well. Hey! Gaston! > continued the suard, opening the cottage door, ‘“come this way; here is an honest soldier who is going to take you on your first journey.’’ The beautiful child who had served as Belle-Rose’s guide entered, “After my first journey, you will do well to take me on — my first campaign,’ said he. Eomicbooks co