Belle-Rose — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

dates did not reply. Monsieur @ Assonville, aston- ‘THE DROPS IN THE CUP. 59 ished, drew near him; a gust of wind which parted the . curtains permitted him to see better the face of his pro- tégé My God! what is the matter with you?”’ he exclaimed. ‘Suzanne is married!’’ replied Jacques. Monsieur d’Assonville took his hand and pressed it. ‘*Poor Belle-Rose! yeu loved her, then. “It must be so. Now, you suffer and you are alone. For six years I have wept.’’ - ee Belle-Rose in his turn pressed the hand of Monsieur d’ Assonville. | ‘““You have a loyal and noble heart, and you ventured to place your life upon a woman’s word,’’ continued the cap- tain. ‘‘Il know how it is. When one takes a mistress at hazard and quits her as one losesa pistole at lansquenet, these things never happen. Only fools love, and we be- - long to those fools. I will not say to you to shake off your suffering as one shakes off the dust of the road, but you are a man and a soldier. Toughen yourself to the evil and wait; if you die from it, you must die standing. ”’ ‘Yes, captain,’’ replied Belle-Rose, in a firm voice, and passing his hands through his long and curly hair, he threw back his head. Monsieur d’Assonville smiled. “You are a brave and courageous fellow. If you so de- sired, twenty women would avenge you on your unfaith- ful sweetheart.’’ Belle-Rose shook his head. “Suit yourself. But take care; you are too sad for them not to attempt to console you; if you avoid them, they will seek you.”’ Monsieur d’Assonville again tookup his walk over the room. Hach time that he passed before Belle-Rose he — looked at him, and at each turn he looked longer than be- fore. Finally he stopped before him. ‘Do you wish to render me a service, Belle-Rose?’’ he . _ gaid to him. ‘‘Tam yours body and soul.’’ “Will you do all I tell you?’’ ‘All. 97 : ete you Promise me to keep silent at the price of your ife?”’ ‘Tl swear it.”’ “Itis well. I am going to prepare your instructions: to- ~ morrow you will leave for Paris,”’ EOmMmiIcboo <s) (ele)