In that character I had been welcomed by her father. In that
character, then, I must remain, that I might be near her, that I
might woo and win her, and thus - though this, I swear, had now
become a minor consideration with me - make good my boast and win
the wager that must otherwise involve my ruin.
As I lay back with closed eyes and gave myself over to pondering
the situation, I took a pleasure oddly sweet in the prospect of
urging my suit under such circumstances. Chatellerault had given
me a free hand. I was to go about the wooing of Mademoiselle de
Lavedan as I chose. But he had cast it at me in defiance that not
with all my magnificence, not with all my retinue and all my state
to dazzle her, should I succeed in melting the coldest heart in
France.
And now, behold! I had cast from me all these outward
embellishments; I came without pomp, denuded of every emblem of
wealth, of every sign of power; as a poor fugitive gentleman, I
came, hunted, proscribed, and penniless - for Lesperon's estate
would assuredly suffer sequestration. To win her thus would, by
my faith, be an exploit I might take pride in, a worthy achievement
to encompass.
And so I left things as they were, and since I offered no denial
to the identity that was thrust upon me, as Lesperon I continued to
be known to the Vicomte and to his family.
Presently he called the old man to my bedside and I heard them
talking of my condition.
"You think, then, Anatole," he said in the end, "that in three or
four days Monsieur de Lesperon may be able to rise?"
"I am assured of it," replied the old servant.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66