A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

$2 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. the impulse to torment him, and at the same time per- haps to teach his Gascon tongue a lesson. Where is the woman yet who, sure of her power, bien entendu, does not take a keen delight in tantalizing the man she loves? “Do you knowI long to see Gascony!” proceeded Mademoiselle de Vrissac, watching out of the corner of her eye the luckless chevalier, who was on pins and needles at her every word. “Gascony which contains your splendid estate. I think of those hundred vassals, whose devotion and fidelity you praised so highly, and who must at this very moment be so sad at your absence.” “Mordiou! They have ample to do,” faltered poor Raoul, scarcely knowing what he was saying. : “Yes, and your horses, your fields, your kennels!” continued his fair tormentor vivaciously. ‘“ How many hounds have you in each?” Raoul was silent. “Well, you don’t answer me? How thoughtful you have become, almost sad! What is the matter, cheva- lier?” “The matter is,” burst out Raoul, unable to contain - himself longer—“the matter is that I have nothing at all.” “What do you mean?’ exclaimed Mademoiselle de Vrissac, in affected surprise. “I mean that if it was upon the rich and powerful suzerain you deigned to smile just now——” “ Then you have no chateau?” ~ <es, but——.” “But?” “It is in ruins.” “And the towers?” “They lie upon the ground.” Comicbooks cc LAA