" So saying, he divided the money into two parts, replaced
one in the vase, and pocketed the other.
I was very indignant at the cool impudence with which this was
done, and my patience had well nigh forsaken me: however, I
restrained myself; and I was happy enough that I could so far
conquer myself. My reproaches would not have induced comte Jean
to give me back my money, and would only have roused his violence;
which, when once excited, found vent in language so vehement and
energetic, that I did not desire to hear any more of it than I
could help. At these moments he selected not the politest expressions,
but those which were the strongest: and besides, such was the
ungovernable nature of comte Jean's temper, that once roused, he
would have treated the king himself with as little consideration
as he did me. Still, he never deliberately insulted me, nor did
he compose those insulting verses respecting me, which were printed
as his, in "
." This would
have been an indignity I would quickly have caused him to repent
having offered.
"Well," inquired I, "are you very glad to see your brother in Paris?"
'No, 'pon my soul!" returned he; "but since he is here, we must
do the best we can with him; he was very anxious to see his
sister-in-law and niece. He says the former is ugly as sin, and
the latter almost as handsome as you."
"Very gallant," replied I; "but tell me, comte Jean, does this
elegant compliment proceed from my husband or yourself?"
We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the marechale,
and comte Jean retired.
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