A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

10 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY., to be comforted, “although you seem to think I am. Oh, yes, like all true Gascons, I can pull the long bow upon occasions. But I am telling you now only the simple truth.” “But why go at all?” “What, and eat out my heart here, living over the past greatness of my family! What would one of my ancestors, of whom you are so fond of boasting, have said to that? No! No! Paris for me! Paris which holds my fortune!” “Heaven grant it may!” But old Francois’ face, as sorrowful as that of f Niobe herself, revealed that he had little hope of the realiza- tion of his devoutly expressed wish. ‘“Mordiou, I cannot stay chattering here!” sudden ejaculated the chevalier. “I have many a league to traverse before nightfall. Here, Francois, take this,” and opening a purse which he drew from the bosom of his doublet, he forced into the old man’s palm, in spite of the recipient’s stoutly expressed reluctance, five broad pieces of gold. “ And now, farewell, my faithful old friend! What, would you make me play the woman!” as he noted the tears streaming down the wrinkled cheeks of his trusty servitor. He pressed the good old man to his breast, patting him encouragingly on the back. Then, leaping into the saddle, he started his steed down the avenue at a pace really quite creditable to that woebegone animal. As well as he could through the mist that clouded his sight old Francois watched his young master’s depar- ture, until in a turn of the highway both horse and rider vanished from his vision. But there was neither sorrow nor foreboding in the Gomicbooks (€[@)