A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

THE EVE OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW. $7 He hurried along, meeting every now and then little knots of men, who eyed him curiously, but made no offer to molest him. He, on his part, paid no attention to them. His thoughts were too busy with the exciting events of the evening. <A thousand birds were singing in his heart a melody sweeter far than living birds were ever known to sing, a melody of which the refrain was: Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Suddenly, as he turned swiftly the corner of a street, he was roused from his pleasant revery by running plump intoa burly fellow, who with an oath clapped his hand to the hilt of his sword. But as the light from a swinging lantern struck full upon Raoul’s face, he thrust back his half-drawn blade with an exclamation of surprise. “What! Master Raoul! You! Yow in Paris!” Raoul was no less astounded to recognize the florid, honest countenance of one who had been many years in the service of his father. “Mordiou! Is it you, Simon Beppa?” grasping both the man’s hands. “And how prospers it, old com- rade?” “Fairly well, Master Raoul, fairly well. I am land- lord of the Green Dragon, close to the Pont Neuf.” “T’ll give you acall, good Simon. I[’ll warrant you scarcely expected to see me in Paris.” Simon Beppa started, and gave a quick glance about him. Then, seeing that no one was within earshot, he answered, but with evident anxiety: “No, nor desired to; pardon me, Monsieur le Cheva- lier, but what evil wind has blown you hither?” “Evil wind!” echoed Raoul, gayly. “Evil wind! Say rather the softest breeze that ever blew a voyager cComichook (CO)