Chatelaine, one day ... - Max du Veuzit - E-Book

Chatelaine, one day ... E-Book

Max du Veuzit

0,0
2,99 €

-100%
Sammeln Sie Punkte in unserem Gutscheinprogramm und kaufen Sie E-Books und Hörbücher mit bis zu 100% Rabatt.
Mehr erfahren.
Beschreibung

Become a Chatelaine... The craziest dream! When the pretty Colette, a simple office employee, one day learns that she has inherited from a distant relative of the magnificent castle of Grandlieu, in Normandy, she cannot help but whisper: "Here I am chestnut!" All roses, alas, have thorns... The chateau has a co-heir, François. She discovered it when she discovered the castle. François is young, quite handsome, but a little worrying... so enterprising that Colette takes refuge in an inn to think about it in peace. This magnificent castle, it will probably have to be sold? A potential buyer, Pierre Chantenay, also went down to the inn where Colette is staying. He talks to her, the confusion.... His revelations worry the recent chateau. She suspects a plot....

Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:

EPUB
MOBI

Seitenzahl: 219

Bewertungen
0,0
0
0
0
0
0
Mehr Informationen
Mehr Informationen
Legimi prüft nicht, ob Rezensionen von Nutzern stammen, die den betreffenden Titel tatsächlich gekauft oder gelesen/gehört haben. Wir entfernen aber gefälschte Rezensionen.



Chatelaine, one day ...

Pages de titreIIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIXXXIXIIXIIIXIVXVXVIXVIIXVIIIXIXXXXXIXXIIXXIIIXXIVXXVXXVIEpilogueCopyright

Max the Veuzit

Chatelaine, one day ...

Max the Veuzit is the pen name of Alphonsine Zéphirine Vavasseur, born in Petit-Quevilly 29 October 1876 and died in Bois-Colombes 15 April 1952. It is a French language writer, author of numerous romance novels with great success.

I

Pont-Audemer, March 18, 19 ...

miss,

You are requested to kindly go to my study for a case concerning you.

Accept, miss, my highest consideration.

R. Lemasle.

Colette Semnoz stood for a moment staring at the ticket. She read it again, and looked at the envelope. Lina already removed his hat, the dreamy seer asked:

- A problem ?

- I do not know. This is a letter from a lawyer asking me to go see him. He did not say for what reason.

- You know, this notary?

Colette looked at the header of the letter.

- Me Lemasle, in Pont-Audemer. No I do not know him.

- You will not go to Pont-Audemer! Why do not you write it? You have family in Pont-Audemer?

- No. You know my parents were of Annecy and all my family, except my maternal grandmother, born in Epinal. All this is quite far from Pont-Audemer.

- You might be an uncle of America, which has come to end his days in Normandy?

- I think it's much simpler than that; It is certainly a mistake. I hope, too, for I would rather that the letter was not for me. I always feel a sort of apprehension to see the stationery of a lawyer. I have seen so pile on the desk of my poor dad.

Then, as if she wanted to chase a ghost, Colette of his hand a sign which said, "To hell cares," and declared:

- You're not coming to spend the evening with me that we languish us. Sit down, dear, and if you want, listen to the radio while I prepare our dinette.

- I will help you.

- No, no, I beg you.

Nimbly, Colette took off his hat and coat; she put her clothes, then opened the kitchen cupboard that served him.

- It is extraordinary how you managed to arrange the attic.

- This piece is not a garret. He is a former artist's studio. Unfortunately, with the canopy, I have not had warm last winter.

Lina turned the radio button and then approached the huge bay which opened on a glittering night lights, pierced by the mass of illuminated Sacred Heart.

- It's fun to see Paris from that side.

Colette, who was cutting potatoes, stopped:

- What is it so amazing?

- Well ! for me, the Sacred Heart of Paris is the polar star, and from you, I think the North Star changed hemisphere.

- You become poetic; continues, I beg you, Colette quipped. But be less hermetic.

- Do not mock me, you understand what I mean. When I'm at home or in my office, I see the Sacred Heart to the north; it seems on the edge of Paris and I use as a benchmark. But from you, with the Eiffel Tower right, I feel lost, I feel that I'm out of Paris.

- Your demonstration is masterful. Come on, it's time to set the table. Soon, we will dinner.

While Lina contemplated this panorama so new to her that disorient Colette threw a tablecloth on a table and arranged the plates.

There was a long silence between the girls and when, intrigued, Lina turned around, she saw Colette standing near the table, rereading the letter of the notary.

- This letter bothering you?

Colette shrugged.

- It annoys me because it does not give me the reason for the summons. It's absurd. Yes, if this brief letter torments my mind. I do not know what I'll do. It will spoil our evening ...

Lina affectionately put her hand on the arm of her friend.

- Listen to me, Colette. We will quickly dinner and after we will go to the movies. The show will change you the ideas and come back next week. You'll know then what stick you about that letter. We will then, in peace, good evening we had promised.

After a night where the most fantastic nightmares had been cut by long insomnia, Colette decided not to write, but to call in Pont-Audemer.

At the thought that she soon would know the mysterious reason for the letter, concerns dissipated. It was very happily she got ready to go to work. She entered a not far from his office post office. As she only started nine, she had time to call Pont-Audemer, if indeed me Lemasle opened his study before this time.

Colette came and went rather nervously, waiting for communication was established. She repeated: "I must be calm, I must be calm ..."

- Pont-Audemer, 9 cabin!

The girl jumped and, resuming his spirits leapt to the cabin 8. The operator called out and, quite confused, Colette slipped into the cabin which was assigned to him. With trembling nervousness hand, she picked up the headset:

- Hello! Pont-Audemer? ... The Chambers of Lemasle?

- ...

- Could I speak to me Lemasle?

- ...

- Yes, I wait.

Colette heard several clicks and a deep voice asked who she was.

- Miss Colette Semnoz ... No, sir, I'm calling from Paris ... Yes, I have received your letter ... I confess it intrigues me and I would like to know for what reason you me call together ... I understand, sir, but I work and we are not even during holidays ... have a day off to my boss? ... Yes ... It's not impossible, but I must give a reason ... show him your letter? ... it's obvious, but tell me the purpose of your call ... you could maybe make me understand why you are asking me to come ... Very important! ... But I hope, sir ... So you do not want? ... you can not? ... you will get me any day? ... good. .. Except on Thursday afternoon ... And Saturday ... Oh! but I will not wait so ... See you soon, sir.

Colette went so upset that she almost forget to pay for the call.

- Three units? But I did not stay nine minutes to speak.

- You had the fifty communications at eight and he was fifty-nine. You have eight minutes, making three units.

- It's nine least!

Colette paid without discussing longer and she rushed to the exit. All out of breath, she came to his office.

- Colette, the boss hath already requested.

The girl put her bag on the table and, picking up the transition to a block shorthand, knocked on the door of the director's office.

Mr. Fourcaud, writing, do not look up. He simply said:

- It's you, miss Semnoz?

- Yes, sir, I'm sorry, but ...

- Tell me about Angel, have you written?

Colette, who had decided on arrival to request two days off to go to Pont-Audemer, replied that she had not written to Mr. Angel because Mr. Fourcaud had not told him when he could receive .

- Well ! Wednesday morning.

- Do not you have a ceremony that day?

- You are right, the marriage of Chavanay, a friend of my son. Let's Thursday afternoon, I did not Thursday?

The girl looked at the agenda that was on the desk.

- No appointment is not registered for that day.

- So on Thursday to three hours.

Fourcaud resumed studying the file open before him. Colette, standing beside the desk, repeating to herself:

"Sir, I would need two days to see my lawyer ... Sir, would you give me ... no, give me ... Would you be so kind ... no, friendliness? ... Non, it is not OK... "

Mr. Fourcaud, suddenly raised his head. He saw his secretary who moved his lips without speaking and waddled rolling his eyes and making strange signs with his hands.

Astonished, he ventured:

- You had something to ask me?

Suddenly pulled its internal repetition, the girl jumped and she stammered:

- It's about the notary ...

- From notary! What lawyer?

- Excuse me sir. Last night when I got home, I found a letter from a lawyer asking me to come and see "for case against me." It gives me no explanation and ...

- Well ! will see, this notary!

- Of course, sir, but ...

- Want a hour? I grant you.

- That is to say, it would take me two days.

Fourcaud furrowed his thick eyebrows, which gave him a formidable air, although he was the best of men.

- Two days ! he growled. What is this story ?

- I do not think I can make the round trip of Pont-Audemer in the day.

- He lives in Pont-Audemer, your notary? What idea of ​​having a notary in Pont-Audemer!

- I did not choose, sir. I had never even heard of him before he write to me and I know nothing about it. I called him before coming to the office, he would not tell me. I must go and see.

Fourcaud shrugged and took the grumpy tone of a man who is afraid of being cheated, but is not sure.

- Take a day, take eight days as you like, but if you are absent too long, know that I will remember you this on your leave.

Colette thanked and as she remained motionless ...

- What do you want?

- When do I leave, sir?

- Leave immediately, and I hear no more of this story.

The girl mumbled thanks and slipped away quickly, fearing that his boss might change her mind. She had just arrived at his desk when the red light indicating that the manager asked lit. She half opened the door, stuck his head.

- Before you leave, you will do me the letter for Angel.

II

About five o'clock in the afternoon, Colette Semnoz descended in Pont-Audemer station a second-class car. He fell a fine, penetrating rain, within minutes, makes you look like a castaway, but when the Normandy owes its rich pastures.

After being informed of the direction in which it found the Chambers of Lemasle the girl ventured into the old and picturesque streets of the small town. On the square, close to the Gothic church, Colette saw the ritual panonceau notary. She hastened to enter the porch where she could snort with pleasure. After repairing the disorder of her toilet, she entered the study.

The announcement of his name did not cause the movement of surprise she expected. The clerk, whom she spoke and was perhaps silent, merely indicate a chair. No longer care for her, he said the calligraphy work on which he was leaning, pulling the tongue with application.

Colette sat between a peasant imposing mustache and a little old withered with age. She began to contemplate the shelves filled huge books bound in green leather, each wore a vintage. This extraordinary collection - the pride of the notary - dated back until 18 ... Some volumes, much wider than others, marked the boom years. There were even two volumes 19 ... remarkable year by the number of recorded acts.

Suddenly, a double door opened. A whole family came out of the notary's office and the peasant stood up boldly split the group up to me Lemasle, who held out his hand.

Against all odds, the peasant made a quick foray on the other side of the double doors. As for the little old lady, she was called by a clerk hid behind a screen.

- Miss Semnoz.

Colette leapt from his chair. She greeted me quietly Lemasle and emotionally broke the door that the notary holding her wide open, a somewhat theatrical gesture.

- Sit down, miss.

Me Lemasle walked around his desk, sat down carefully pulling the crease in his pants and putting his glasses before watching the girl:

- You are well miss Colette Semnoz?

- Yes sir.

He seemed to think. Finally, a smooth gesture, he picked up the phone.

- Please bring me Letellier folder.

While they waited, Colette stood motionless, sitting on the edge of his chair, all intimidated; Lemasle me, raised his glasses, bathed eyelids with undisguised pleasure.

A clerk brought the requested file. Me Lemasle opened it, flipped and raising an inquisitive glance at the girl, asked:

- Your father's name was indeed John Joseph Louis Semnoz, born in Annecy, July 24, 18 ... and your mother Mary Leontine Gerlaz, also born in Annecy, December 31, 18 ... Your mother died on June 7, 19 ..., and your father 9 March 19 .. your grandfather Jerome Jean-Marie Semnoz had a sister, Armande Lucie-Marie, and a brother, Thomas-Marie-Joseph. Thomas Marie Joseph first married Armande Duquesnay and second wife ...

Overwhelmed by the avalanche of names and the flood of questions that the notary did not require a response, Colette did not try to follow this extraordinary family tree.

His ear distracted curiosity found that the mention of the name of Letellier.

- ... Anthime Ernest Letellier is your third cousin and you inherit his property for an equal share with François Gustave Victor Lesquent direct descendant of Lucie Marie-Armande-Semnoz.

Colette had nothing to say that "ah! "Who do not even reflected his astonishment.

She did not know until now the existence of Anthime Ernest Letellier. She had never heard of Francis Gustave Victor Lesquent and was not very safe to remember the names of two women of great-uncle Thomas.

- You inherit therefore, for an equal share with François Gustave Victor Lesquent, property of Anthime Ernest Letellier repeated Lemasle me.

Colette nodded.

- Anthime Ernest Letellier continued Lemasle me, had acquired a large fortune in the leather industry and about 19 ..., it could rise to twenty million francs, neat figure for the time. Unfortunately, the economic crisis in years 19 .. 19 .. the pretty much ruined. He kept a small tannery that sold two years before his death and retired to his castle of Grandlieus where he was to go out there one year. I had no trouble finding your Lesquent cousin, but it was only after countless searches that Mr. Duvignac, notary in Annecy, gave me your address, previous address, I should say. Finally, I pass on these details, and I am pleased to inform you that if the fortune of Anthime Ernest Letellier is not the one you were to expect,

Colette, this deluge of words and this unexpected were dumbfounded murmured smiling:

- I am chatelaine.

Colette already thought of turrets crowning a hill, which would overhang itself a small village with tiled roofs burnished by time.

Lemasle me smile was tinged with pity.

- I remind you that the castle belongs to you that Mr. Lesquent half. In addition, you will have quite high inheritance tax to pay because Anthime Ernest Letellier was your relative in the third degree. It is therefore possible that you decide to sell the property. In this case, you will remain a tidy sum, perhaps three or four hundred thousand francs.

Colette was quite disappointed to see his castle vanish so suddenly.

- Mr. Lesquent, continued the notary, is eager to sell and charged me a proposal. Want to buy him?

Colette was a veiled smile of sadness.

- When I want the same, I could not do it. I am an orphan, my father died and ruined, not having that classical studies little spurts, I had to be content to live a modest job in an export house. I have no fortune.

- In this case, you will not make difficulties to sell you?

- Certainly not!

- Well ! Miss, it's perfect, I have already received several purchase proposals.

He flipped the folder.

- Yes, a social security fund that seeks a castle in order to install a children's nursing home and special. I will write to one and the other and ask them to clarify their offers.

Me Lemasle closed the file. He rose from his chair to understand his visitor he considered maintenance is complete.

Colette got up and thanked the notary of its welcome. As he was driving to the door, she asked him:

- You do not have photography this castle?

- Unfortunately no. This is a Louis XIII style castle. It is surrounded by a park of two hectares and a half of which is planted with fruit trees. The roof would require some repairs, but the overall condition is good.

Colette took a few steps.

- Where is it situated ?

- Ten kilometers from here, on the banks of the Seine, near the forest of Brittany.

- Thank you, master ... If one day you have the opportunity to pick one photograph, send it to me. I would be very happy to have a souvenir of our castle.

- I will not miss it. Good bye, young lady.

Colette found himself on the main square, deserted and dark. The rain had not stopped falling and, in places, large puddles shimmered in the shadows. In front, the yellow light of a cafe pulled.

The poor lighting, tables with sticky marbles, the large ice tain dive, the blackened ceiling of which hung a paper flies, all that sickened the girl who dreamed of high foliage, grass carpet and windows opening on the prospect of a French park.

She entered it, however, not aim a sip of coffee she had ordered to warm up and, after paying, walked under the fine and persistent rain, to the dark half station that smelled of dust, glue safe and smoke.

III

- You said so: a Louis XIII chateau on the edge of the Seine, with a park and a forest!

Colette, who was preparing tea, corrected:

- Near the forest of Brittany. The forest is not part of the domain.

- And you did not visit?

- No, I would have liked to see a picture ...

The two girls had just finished their dinner in the Colette Semnoz accommodation and during the meal, her friend Colette had held spellbound by telling him in detail his journey in Pont-Audemer.

- Chatelaine, one day ... Lina was laughing.

- The castle will be sold, 'said Colette. I received this morning a letter from me Lemasle who share me the proposals it has received. He advised me to wait because a third lover, a Parisian industrialist, just ask our conditions ... You see, I'm still chatelaine.

- And your cousin?

- What cousin?

- Well ! Lesquent. How is he ?

- I do not know. I have since thought about it and I realized that I had not even asked me Lemasle where he lived, what he did, the age he could have.

- Admit that you have a very special family. You did not know a millionaire cousin and you did not know the existence of this Lesquent.

- I had indeed heard of Aunt Lucy when I was small, but very rarely, and I always thought that was dishonorable mystery attached to it. Besides, I think she was no longer living in France and I did not know she had children. When I have the opportunity to see me Lemasle, I ask him what he knows about my family. I was so moved that I knew what to say and I have not thought about anything.

- And the castle, how is it? It is an old medieval castle, as the song says, with a ghost on every floor ...

- I do not know, I imagine with towers overlooking the Seine, like a Rhenish burg.

Suddenly, the girls noticed that he was one in the morning.

- Well ! stay here, you lie on the couch.

- I can not, Mom would worry.

A veil of melancholy covered his face with Colette.

- Yes, it's true, I did not think ...

Lina, noticing the sadness of her friend, kissed her affectionately.

- Think of your castle ... chatelaine.

- Yes...

- Tell me, Lina made holding hunt worth her friend, so we were a Sunday visit your castle?

- You have a good idea. We would leave on Saturday at noon to Pont-Audemer, we should sleep there at night and the next day we would go to the castle.

- There are better. Easter is in two weeks, we can stay there all Sunday and will return to Paris on Monday evening. You really will be chatelaine an entire day.

Colette clutched the arms of her friend.

- Your idea is wonderful. Tomorrow, I write to me Lemasle to inform him of my visit and ask where I can have the keys. Dear Lina, Easter, I will have the pleasure to make you the honors of my castle.

The two girls bowed ceremoniously and giggled.

A few minutes later, when Lina was gone, Colette, while challenging order his little home, smiling, happy at the thought of this campaign day, of these twenty-four hours of his castle life.

IV

- Miss Semnoz?

Colette had just returned hastily to her to prepare her departure for Pont-Audemer with Lina. She looked quite elegant young man standing at the door.

- It's me, sir. Interested?

- I'm your cousin François Lesquent.

The young man put on the account of astonishment the reservation the girl showed to her. Then as she remained silent and embarrassed, he added:

- I need your address to me Lemasle. He even told me you'd come Sunday Grandlieu.

- Yes, that's right, but I'm sorry to leave you at the door. Would you like to come inside ? I am so surprised to get to know my unknown cousin ...

The young man smiled, then entered no discomfort, with deliberate. Examining room, he approached a photograph to watch.

- It's mom, Colette said.

- She was young.

- Yes, she died soon after my birth.

Lesquent retailed the modest furniture, but very prettily arranged, and a detached tone:

- That's nice, you. You live alone ?

- Yes, since Dad died. I did not know myself remained in the family.

- It's fun, is not it, this legacy of history. Fun for you, because I knew very well Anthime.

Colette smiled and asked:

- Ah! really. What kind of man was this?

- A good living, very fun, loving good food and good wine.

While speaking, he continued his examination. Finally, he looked at his cousin.

- You work ?

The girl gave a seat to the visitor and explained what his job.

They chatted well over an hour. Lesquent returned to the promenade project Grandlieu.

- I'll take you there, my dear cousin. This is an opportunity for us to get better acquainted. I'll pick you up Saturday afternoon, we'll be in the castle that night.

- Thank you very much, but I had not planned to do this trip alone.

The face of Lesquent frowned.

- You are engaged?

- No, I have a great friend and we were having a party to spend the Easter weekend together and visit the castle.

- A friend ! But I maintain my proposal. If my presence does not unwelcome, enjoy every second of my car.

- I would not abuse your kindness.

- By no means. So that's understood, I'll take you both here, say three hours.

Lesquent rose, and as the girl was driving, he said his joy at having met him. Arriving at the door, he said cheerfully:

- You will permit me to kiss you?

He did not wait for the girl should authorize it. He grabbed a little roughly, and kissed her on each cheek.

Colette was not yet recovered from her surprise, he opened the door and, after a last goodbye, undertook the stairs.

The girl waited until he was gone and all dreamy, shut the door.

She had been so far only a vague picture of his cousin, but this in no way resembled Lesquent itself. She did not expect this unceremonious full of bonhomie.

It was difficult to make an accurate judgment on him. She did not like her coquetry rather vulgar and yet he was friendly. The way to enter and examine the furniture and ornaments shocked, but his good-simplicity was joking.

Colette now regretted having accepted the offer from its parent. Not that she dreaded spending a day between Lina and him, but because she feared that the presence of the young man was injurious to pleasant hours she promised to spend with his girlfriend.

Later, she thought:

"Lina, curious, like an owl, will ask me what my cousin, and I do not know to tell him. We talked about everything, it seems, except him. "

Colette lingered in his preparations. She, who for several days, was looking forward to this trip, there was not anymore the same pleasure. She wanted an unexpected prevented him from leaving. Still, she prepared her clothes and a small suitcase with his traveling.

V

Colette looked at his watch.

"Three hours, and Lina is not there yet. "

Lesquent would happen, she thought. Was it not the time that he had to pick them up?

Colette would have preferred Lina arrived before him, asking if really the presence of the young man was not going to interfere. And other obscure reasons invited him to wish that Lina was with her when her cousin arrived.

Colette checked if she had forgotten anything. She closed the gas meter, pulled the cover off the couch, put harmony in the folds of the curtains and, at that moment, heard ringing.

"It's not Lina, what girl! "

Lesquent entered, smiling and pleased with himself.

- Hello my cousin ! Do you know what I was thinking going up? Well ! I was going to say, "Hello, my cousin. "It's terribly province. Since two of us, I'm the Provincial, I find myself somewhat offended. So do not make ways and call me Francis, I'll call you Colette.

- I see no objection.

- Well ! for punishment, we will embrace us.

With his usual brusque manner, he pulled the girl and kissed her with some harshness. Colette noticed that this time the kiss was less expeditious, he pressed her a little harder, that contact with his lips trailed a little more.

"I get an idea, she said, because Lina is not there yet ... I wanted so she arrived first. "

However, she felt somewhat hurt by the cavalier way Francis behaved.

- She is not there, your friend?

- Oh ! it will not be long, she is always on time.

Lesquent made some easy jokes about the accuracy of women and roam around through the small house to finally stop before the opening on the panorama of Paris.

Suddenly there was a knock. With one bound, Colette was at the door. She first saw a small blue paper handed to him by a young man.

It was a tire.

She quickly tore the tape and read:

My dear Colette,