white lies-第59章

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〃It's　false；　Private　Dard；　don't　I　know　our　colonel　better　than　that？　　Would　ever　he　have　let　those　colors　out　of　his　hand；　if　there　had　been　an　ounce　of　life　left　in　him？〃

〃He　died　at　the　foot　of　the　battery；　I　tell　you。〃

〃Then　why　didn't　we　find　him？〃

Here　Jacintha　put　in　a　word　with　the　quiet　subdued　meaning　of　her　class。　　〃I　can't　find　that　anybody　ever　saw　the　colonel　dead。〃

〃They　did　not　find　him；　because　they　did　not　look　for　him；〃　said　Sergeant　La　Croix。

〃God　forgive　you；　sergeant！〃　said　Dard；　with　some　feeling。　　〃Not　look　for　OUR　COLONEL！　　We　turned　over　every　body　that　lay　there；　full　thirty　there　were；and　you　were　one　of　them。〃

〃Only　thirty！　　Why；　we　settled　more　Prussians　than　that；　I'll　swear。〃

〃Oh！　they　carried　off　their　dead。〃

〃Ay！　but　I　don't　see　why　they　should　carry　our　colonel　off。　　His　epaulets　was　all　the　thieves　could　do　any　good　with。　　Stop！　yet　I　do；　Private　Dard；　I　have　a　horrible　suspicion。　　No；　I　have　not；　it　is　a　certainty。　　What！　don't　you　see；　ye　ninny？　　Thunder　and　thousands　of　devils；　here's　a　disgrace。　　Dogs　of　Prussians！　they　have　got　our　colonel；　they　have　taken　him　prisoner。〃

〃O　God　bless　them！〃　cried　Josephine；　〃O　God　bless　the　mouth　that　tells　me　so！　　O　sir；　I　am　his　wife；　his　poor　heart…broken　wife。　　You　would　not　be　so　cruel　as　to　mock　my　despair。　　Say　again　that　he　may　be　alive；　pray；　say　it　again！〃

〃His　wife！　　Private　Dard；　why　didn't　you　tell　me？　　You　tell　me　nothing。　　Yes；　my　pretty　lady；　I'll　say　it　again；　and　I'll　prove　it。　Here　is　an　enemy　in　full　retreat；　would　they　encumber　themselves　with　the　colonel？　　If　he　was　dead；　they'd　have　whipped　off　his　epaulets；　and　left　him　there。　　Alive？　why　not？　　Look　at　me：　I　am　alive；　and　I　was　worse　wounded　than　he　was。　　They　took　me　for　dead；　you　see。　　Courage；　madame！　you　will　see　him　again；　take　an　old　soldier's　word　for　it。　　Dard；　attention！　this　is　the　colonel's　wife。〃

She　gazed　on　the　speaker　like　one　in　a　trance。

Every　eye　and　every　soul　had　been　so　bent　on　Sergeant　La　Croix　that　it　was　only　now　Raynal　was　observed　to　be　missing。　　The　next　minute　he　came　riding　out　of　the　stable…yard；　and　went　full　gallop　down　the　road。

〃Ah！〃　cried　Rose；　with　a　burst　of　hope；　〃he　thinks　so　too；　he　has　hopes。　　He　is　gone　somewhere　for　information。　　Perhaps　to　Paris。〃

Josephine's　excitement　and　alternations　of　hope　and　fear　were　now　alarming。　　Rose　held　her　hand；　and　implored　her　to　try　and　be　calm　till　they　could　see　Raynal。

Just　before　dark　he　came　riding　fiercely　home。　　Josephine　flew　down　the　stairs。　　Raynal　at　sight　of　her　forgot　all　his　caution。　　He　waved　his　cocked　hat　in　the　air。　　She　fell　on　her　knees　and　thanked　God。　　He　gasped　out；

〃Prisonerexchanged　for　two　Prussian　lieutenantssent　homethey　say　he　is　in　France！〃

The　tears　of　joy　gushed　in　streams　from　her。

Some　days　passed　in　hope　and　joy　inexpressible；　but　the　good　doctor　was　uneasy　for　Josephine。　　She　was　always　listening　with　supernatural　keenness　and　starting　from　her　chair；　and　every　fibre　of　her　lovely　person　seemed　to　be　on　the　quiver。

Nor　was　Rose　without　a　serious　misgiving。　　Would　husband　and　wife　ever　meet？　　He　evidently　looked　on　her　as　Madame　Raynal；　and　made　it　a　point　of　honor　to　keep　away　from　Beaurepaire。

They　had　recourse　to　that　ever…soothing　influenceher　child。　Madame　Jouvenel　was　settled　in　the　village；　and　Josephine　visited　her　every　day；　and　came　back　often　with　red　eyes；　but　always　soothed。

One　day　Rose　and　she　went　to　Madame　Jouvenel；　and；　entering　the　house　without　ceremony；　found　the　nurse　out；　and　no　one　watching　the　child。

〃How　careless！〃　said　Rose。

Josephine　stopped　eagerly　to　kiss　him。　　But　instead　of　kissing　him；　she　uttered　a　loud　cry。　　There　was　a　locket　hanging　round　his　neck。

It　was　a　locket　containing　some　of　Josephine's　hair　and　Camille's。　She　had　given　it　him　in　the　happy　days　that　followed　their　marriage。　She　stood　gasping　in　the　middle　of　the　room。　　Madame　Jouvenel　came　running　in　soon　after。　　Josephine；　by　a　wonderful　effort　over　herself；　asked　her　calmly　and　cunningly；

〃Where　is　the　gentleman　who　put　this　locket　round　my　child's　neck？　I　want　to　speak　with　him。〃

Madame　Jouvenel　stammered　and　looked　confused。

〃A　soldieran　officer？come；　tell　me！〃

〃Woman；〃　cried　Rose；　〃why　do　you　hesitate？〃

〃What　am　I　to　do？〃　said　Madame　Jouvenel。　　〃He　made　me　swear　never　to　mention　his　coming　here。　　He　goes　away；　or　hides　whenever　you　come。　And　since　Madame　does　not　love　the　poor　wounded　gentleman；　what　can　he　do　better？〃

〃Not　love　him！〃　cried　Rose：　〃why；　she　is　his　wife；　his　lawful　wedded　wife；　he　is　a　fool　or　a　monster　to　run　away　for　her。　　She　loves　him　as　no　woman　ever　loved　before。　　She　pines　for　him。　　She　dies　for　him。〃

The　door　of　a　little　back　room　opened　at　these　words　of　Rose；　and　there　stood　Camille；　with　his　arm　in　a　sling；　pale　and　astounded；　but　great　joy　and　wonder　working　in　his　face。

Josephine　gave　a　cry　of　love　that　made　the　other　two　women　weep；　and　in　a　moment　they　were　sobbing　for　joy　upon　each　other's　neck。

Away　went　sorrow；　doubt；　despair；　and　all　they　had　suffered。　　That　one　moment　paid　for　all。　　And　in　that　moment　of　joy　and　surprise；　so　great　as　to　be　almost　terrible；　perhaps　it　was　well　for　Josephine　that　Camille；　weakened　by　his　wound；　was　quite　overcome；　and　nearly　fainted。　　She　was　herself　just　going　into　hysterics；　but；　seeing　him　quite　overcome；　she　conquered　them　directly；　and　nursed；　and　soothed；　and　pitied；　and　encouraged　him　instead。

Then　they　sat　hand　in　hand。　　Their　happiness　stopped　their　very　breath。　　They　could　not　speak。　　So　Rose　told　him　all。　　He　never　owned　why　he　had　slipped　away　when　he　saw　them　coming。　　He　forgot　it。　　He　forgot　all　his　hard　thoughts　of　her。　　They　took　him　home　in　the　carriage。　　His　wife　would　not　let　him　out　of　her　sight。　　For　years　and　years　after　this　she　could　hardly　bear　to　let　him　be　an　hour　out　of　her　sight。

The　world　is　wide；　there　may　be　a　man　in　it　who　can　paint　the　sudden　bliss　that　fell　on　these　two　much　suffering　hearts；　but　I　am　not　that　man；　this　is　beyond　me；　it　was　not　only　heaven；　but　heaven　after　hell。

Leave　we　the　indescribable　and　the　unspeakable　for　a　moment；　and　go　to　a　lighter　theme。

The　day　Rose's　character　was　so　unexpectedly　cleared；　Edouard　had　no　opportunity　of　speaking　to　her；　or　a　reconciliation　would　have　taken　place。　　As　it　was；　he　went　home　intensely　happy。　　But　he　did　not　resume　his　visits　to　the　chateau。　　When　he　came　to　think　calmly　over　it；　his　vanity　was　cruelly　mortified。　　She　was　innocent　of　the　greater　offence；　but　how　insolently　she　had　sacrificed　him；　his　love；　and　his　respect；　to　another's　interest。

More　generous　thoughts　prevailed　by　degrees。　　And　one　day　that　her　pale　face；　her　tears；　and　her　remorse　got　the　better　of　his　offended　pride；　he　determined　to　give　her　a　good　lecture　that　should　drown　her　in　penitent　tears；　and　then　end　by　forgiving　her。　　For　one　thing　he　could　not　be　happy　till　he　had　forgiven　her。

She　walked　into　the　room　with　a　calm；　dignified；　stately　air；　and　before　he　could　utter　one　word　of　his　grave　remonstrance；　attacked　him　thus：　〃You　wish　to　speak　to　me；　sir。　　If　it　is　to　apologize　to　me；　I　will　save　your　vanity　the　mortification。　　I　forgive　you。〃

〃YOU　forgive　ME！〃　cried　Edouard　furiously。

〃No　violence；　if　you　please；〃　said　the　lady　with　cold　hauteur。　　〃Let　us　be　friends；　as　Josephine　and　Raynal　are。　　We　cannot　be　anything　more　to　one　another　now。　　You　have　wounded　me　too　deeply　by　your　jealous；　suspicious　nature。〃

Edouard　gasped　for　breath；　and　was　so　far　out…generalled　that　he　accepted　the　place　of　defendant。　　〃Wasn't　I　to　believe　your　own　lips？　　Did　not　Colonel　Raynal　believe　you？〃

〃Oh；　that's　excusable。　　He　did　not　know　me。　　But　you　were　my　lover；　you　ought　to　have　seen　I　was　forced　to　deceive　poor　Raynal。　　How　dare　you　believe　your　eyes；　much　more　your　ears；　against　my　truth；　against　my　honor；　and　then　to　believe　such　nonsense？〃　　Then；　with　a　grand　assumption　of　superior　knowledge；　says　she；　〃You　little　simpleton；　how　could　the　child　be　mine　when　I　wasn't　married　at　all？〃

At　this　reproach；　Edouard　first　stared；　then　grinned。　　〃I　forgot　that；〃　said　he。

〃Yes；　and　you　forgot　the　moon　isn't　made　of　green　cheese。　　However；　if　I　saw　you　very　humble；　and　very　penitent；　I　might；　perhaps；　really　forgive　youin　time。〃

〃No；　forgive　me　at　once。　　I　don't　understand　your　angelical；　diabolical；　incomprehensible　sex：　who　on　earth　can？　forgive　me。〃

〃Oh！　oh！　oh！　oh！〃

Lo！　the　tears　that　could　not　come　at　a　remonstrance　were　flowing　in　a　stream　at　his　generosity。

〃What　is　the　matter　now？〃　said　he　tenderly。　　She　cried　away；　but　at　the　same　time　explained；

〃What　a　fffoolish　you　must　be　not　to　see　that　it　is　I　who　am　without　excuse。　　You　were　my　betrothed。　　It　was　to　you　I　owed　my　duty；　not　my　sister。　　I　am　a　wicked；　unhappy　girl。　　How　you　must　hate　me！〃

〃I　adore　you。　　There；　no　more　forgiving　on　either　side。　　Let　our　only　quarrel　be　who　shall　love　the　other　best。〃

〃Oh；　I　know　how　that　will　be；〃　said　the　observant　toad。　　〃You　will　love　me　best　till　you　have　got　me；　and　then　I　shall　love　you　best；　oh；　ever　so　much。〃

However；　the　prospect　of　loving　best　did　not　seem　disagreeable　to　her；　for　with　this　announcement　she　deposited　her　head　on　his　shoulder；　and　in　that　attitude　took　a　little　walk　with　him　up　and　down　the　Pleasaunce：　sixty　times；　about　eight　miles。

These　two　were　a　happy　pair。　　This　wayward；　but　generous　heart　never　forgot　her　offence；　and　his　forgiveness。　　She　gave　herself　to　him　heart　and　soul；　at　the　altar；　and　well　she　redeemed　her　vow。　　He　rose　high　in　political　life：　and　paid　the　penalty　of　that　sort　of　ambition；　his　heart　was　often　sore。　　But　by　his　own　hearth　sat　comfort　and　ever　ready　sympathy。　　Ay；　and　patient　industry　to　read　blue…books；　and　a　ready　hand　and　brain　to　write　diplomatic　notes　for　him；　off　which　the　mind　glided　as　from　a　ball　of　ice。

In　thirty　years　she　never　once　mentioned　the　servants　to　him。

〃Oh；　let　eternal　honor　crown　her　name！〃

It　was　only　a　little　bit　of　heel　that　Dard　had　left　in　Prussia。　More　fortunate　than　his　predecessor　（Achilles）；　he　got　off　with　a　slight　but　enduring　limp。　　And　so　the　army　lost　him。

He　married　Jacintha；　and　Josephine　set　them　up　in　Bigot's；　（deceased）　auberge。　　Jacintha　shone　as　a　landlady；　and　custom　flowed　in。　　For　all　that；　a　hankering　after　Beaurepaire　was　observable　in　her。　　Her　favorite　stroll　was　into　the　Beaurepaire　kitchen；　and　on　all　fetes　and　grand　occasions　she　was　prominent　in　gay　attire　as　a　retainer　of　the　house。　　The　last　specimen　of　her　homely　sagacity　I　shall　have　the　honor　to　lay　before　you　is　a　critique　upon　her　husband；　which　she　vented　six　years　after　marriage。

〃My　Dard；〃　said　she；　〃is　very　good　as　far　as　he　goes。　　What　he　has　felt　himself；　that　he　can　feel　FOR：　nobody　better。　　You　come　to　him　with　an　empty　belly；　or　a　broken　head；　or　all　bleeding　with　a　cut；　or　black　and　blue；　and　you　shall　find　a　friend。　　But　if　it　is　a　sore　heart；　or　trouble；　and　sorrow；　and　no　hole　in　your　carcass　to　show　for　it；　you　had　better　come　to　ME；　for　you　might　as　well　tell　your　grief　to　a　stone　wall　as　to　my　man。〃


The　baroness　took　her　son　Raynal　to　Paris；　and　there；　with　keen　eye；　selected　him　a　wife。　　She　proved　an　excellent　one。　　It