A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

46 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. “ Aunt, there is a great commotion on the banks of the river,” began Mademoiselle de Vrissac in some ex- citement. ‘Can it be some new riot that 2 The duchess pressed her hand to her heart. A riot! And Paul abroad! Ah! why must she ever forebode evil when she thinks of her son? Alarmed at her aunt’s pallor, Gabrielle feared that she was ill, and asked if she should not call back Master Pare. “No,” commanded Madame de Bassompierre, laying a detaining hand upon the girl’s shoulder and with an effort recovering her composure. “It is but a momen- tary faintness. It will pass.” Then, seating herself in the armchair she had but recently quitted, she continued ina brighter tone: “Sit down here, on that footstool at my feet, Gabri- elle, and proceed with your story of that adventure which Master Pare interrupted.” “It was already finished,” said Gabrielle, obeying, and resting her golden head against her aunt’s knee. “What did you say was the name of your preserver.” “The Chevalier de Puycadére.”’ “Puycadére! I think I remember that my husband had a companion at arms of that name, a brave soldier I believe, and a Gascon.” “It must have been the chevalier’s father. He saia that he was a Gascon, and—and a Huguenot.” The last word was spoken a little hesitatingly, for Gabrielle was well aware of the duchess’ hostility to the reformed religion. Sure enough, the face of the elder lady darkened ominously, “A Huguenot!” she ejaculated. “ Will those mis- guided creatures never see the error of their ways, and, COMME NCO KS (EC)