Besides,
he was mysterious and picturesque, and this is alluring to women and to
the humble, if not to all the world. It might be his was the comedian's
fascination, but the flashes of grotesqueness rather pleased the eye than
hurt the taste of Pontiac.
Only in one quarter was there hesitation, added to an anxiety almost
painful; for to doubt Monsieur Valmond would have shocked the sense of
courtesy so dear to Monsieur the Cure, Monsieur Garon, the Little
Chemist, and even Medallion the auctioneer, who had taken into his bluff,
odd nature something of the spirit of those old-fashioned gentlemen.
Monsieur De la Riviere, the young Seigneur, had to be reckoned with
independently.
It was their custom to meet once a week, at the house of one or another,
for a "causerie," as the avocat called it. On the Friday evening of this
particular week, all were seated in the front garden of the Cure's house,
as Valmond came over the hill, going towards the Louis Quinze. His step
was light, his head laid slightly to one side, as if in pleased and
inquiring reverie, and there was a lifting of one corner of the mouth,
suggesting an amused disdain.
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