Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

THE DROPS IN THE CUP. 59 Jacques did not reply. Monsieur d’Assonville, aston- 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! you loved her, then. It must be so. Now, you suffer and you are alone. For six years I have wept. ’’ 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. ‘I know how itis. When one takes a mistress at hazard and quits her as one loses a 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 aman 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 took up his walk over the room. Each 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 said to him. **I am yours body and soul.”’ ‘*Will you do all I tell you?”’ ee AT)? oan you promise me to keep silent at the price of your ife?’’ ‘*I swear it.”’ ace ‘It is well. I am going to prepare your instructions: to- morrow you will leave for Paris.”’ =) <a Gi @ | (EL NOOIKS 5