These are the hazards that kings disdain!_
"I will try to remember the last stanza and the _envoi_ as we go
along," added Victor.
And together they passed down the ravine, two brave hearts assuming a
gaiety which deceived only the Chevalier, who still reclined against
the boulder and was proceeding silently to inspect the golden plush of
an empty bur. Two or three minutes passed; Victor's voice became
indistinct and finally was heard no longer, Madame surveyed the
Chevalier with a lurking scornful smile. This man was going to force
her to love him!
"Monsieur, you seem determined to annoy me. I shall not ask you to
speak again."
"Is it possible that I can still annoy you, Madame?"
Madame crushed a bur with her foot . . . and gasped. She had forgotten
the loose seam in her moccasin. The delicate needles had penetrated
the flesh. This little comedy, however, passed over his head.
"I did not ask you to accompany me to-day."
"So I observed. Nor did I ask to come. That is why I believed in
silence. Besides, I have said all I have to say," quietly. He cast
aside the bur.
"Then your vocabulary consists of a dozen words, such as, 'It is a far
cry from the Louvre to this spot'?"
"I believe I used the word 'galleries.
Pages:
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506