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The Professor, a novel by Charlotte Bronte |
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CHAPTER XI |
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_ I HAD indeed had a very long talk with the crafty little politician, and on regaining my quarters, I found that dinner was half over. To be late at meals was against a standing rule of the establishment, and had it been one of the Flemish ushers who thus entered after the removal of the soup and the commencement of the first course, M. Pelet would probably have greeted him with a public rebuke, and would certainly have mulcted him both of soup and fish; as it was, that polite though partial gentleman only shook his head, and as I took my place, unrolled my napkin, and said my heretical grace to myself, he civilly despatched a servant to the kitchen, to bring me a plate of "puree aux carottes" (for this was a maigre-day), and before sending away the first course, reserved for me a portion of the stock-fish of which it consisted. Dinner being over, the boys rushed out for their evening play; Kint and Vandam (the two ushers) of course followed them. Poor fellows! if they had not looked so very heavy, so very soulless, so very indifferent to all things in heaven above or in the earth beneath, I could have pitied them greatly for the obligation they were under to trail after those rough lads everywhere and at all times; even as it was, I felt disposed to scout myself as a privileged prig when I turned to ascend to my chamber, sure to find there, if not enjoyment, at least liberty; but this evening (as had often happened before) I was to be still farther distinguished. "Eh bien, mauvais sujet!" said the voice of M. Pelet behind me, "I beg pardon, monsieur," said I, as I followed him to his "That is just what I want to know," rejoined M. Pelet, as he "C'est une grande responsabilite, que la surveillance," observed "Plait-il?" dit M. Pelet. I remarked that I thought Messieurs Vandam and Kint must "Des betes de somme,--des betes de somme," murmured scornfully "Servez-vous mon garcon," said he blandly, when I had put a "Mdlle. wished to speak with me, monsieur." "Indeed! on what subject? if one may ask." "Mademoiselle talked about nothing, monsieur." "A fertile topic! and did she discourse thereon in the "No; like you, monsieur, she asked me to walk into her parlour." "And Madame Reuter--the old duenna--my mother's gossip, was "No, monsieur; I had the honour of being quite alone with "C'est joli--cela," observed M. Pelet, and he smiled and looked "Honi soit qui mal y pense," murmured I, significantly. "Je connais un peu ma petite voisine--voyez-vous." "In that case, monsieur will be able to aid me in finding out "She was sounding your character." "I thought so, monsieur." "Did she find out your weak point?" "What is my weak point?" "Why, the sentimental. Any woman sinking her shaft deep enough, I felt the blood stir about my heart and rise warm to my cheek. "Some women might, monsieur." "Is Mdlle. Reuter of the number? Come, speak frankly, mon fils; "No, monsieur; I should like my wife to be my wife, and not half "She is then a little too old for you?" "No, monsieur, not a day too old if she suited me in other "In what does she not suit you, William? She is personally "Very; her hair and complexion are just what I admire; and her "Bravo! and her face? her features? How do you like them?" "A little harsh, especially her mouth." "Ah, yes! her mouth," said M. Pelet, and he chuckled inwardly. "Rather crafty." "True, but that expression of craft is owing to her eyebrows; I answered that I had not. "You have not seen her looking down then?" said he. "No." "It is a treat, notwithstanding. Observe her when she has some "I will take careful notice the first opportunity," said I. "And then," continued M. Pelet, "the eyelid will flicker, the I smiled, and so did Pelet, and after a few minutes' silence, I "Will she ever marry, do you think?" "Marry! Will birds pair? Of course it is both her intention and "Of her steps? Confound it, no! My heart is not a plank to be "But the soft touch of a patte de velours will do it no harm." "She offers me no patte de velours; she is all form and reserve "That to begin with; let respect be the foundation, affection the "And interest, M. Pelet--interest. Will not mademoiselle "Yes, yes, no doubt; it will be the cement between every stone. "Studies of character? Yes; curious ones, at least, I imagine; "Ah, you affect discretion; but tell me now, were you not a "At first, yes; but I rallied and got through with all due "I don't believe you." "It is true, notwithstanding. At first I thought them angels, "Je les connais!" exclaimed M. Pelet. "Elles sont toujours au "Exactly." "Lovely creatures all of them--heads for artists; what a group I might have laughed at the director's enthusiasm had I believed "Confess, William, do not the mere good looks of Zoraide Reuter The question discomposed me, but I now felt plainly that my "Each of those three beautiful girls will have a handsome I replied by a look and an interrogative "Monsieur?" which He laughed a forced laugh, affirmed that he had only been joking, |