"What has taken possession of my daughter?" demanded Madame de
Bellegarde, sternly. "She has not been into the world these three
years. Does she take such a step at half an hour's notice, and without
consulting me?"
"She consulted me, dear mother, five minutes since," said Valentin,
"and I told her that such a beautiful woman--she is beautiful, you will
see--had no right to bury herself alive."
"You should have referred Claire to her mother, my brother," said M. de
Bellegarde, in French. "This is very strange."
"I refer her to the whole company!" said Valentin. "Here she comes!" And
he went to the open door, met Madame de Cintre on the threshold, took
her by the hand, and led her into the room. She was dressed in white;
but a long blue cloak, which hung almost to her feet, was fastened
across her shoulders by a silver clasp. She had tossed it back, however,
and her long white arms were uncovered. In her dense, fair hair there
glittered a dozen diamonds. She looked serious and, Newman thought,
rather pale; but she glanced round her, and, when she saw him, smiled
and put out her hand. He thought her tremendously handsome. He had a
chance to look at her full in the face, for she stood a moment in the
centre of the room, hesitating, apparently, what she should do, without
meeting his eyes.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214