Holy-Wild E-Book

Max du Veuzit

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 334

Beschreibung

"She was thin and fragile, with a fine face that seemed carved in a warm, golden ivory. From all his person emanated a deep sadness... In a flash, Daniel suddenly had the impression that he would give his life to flood this face with joy: She is Anne de La Boissière, nicknamed "Sainte-Sauvage", because she is a fierce fugitive from the world. Her father's death left her without resources. Their castle of La Muette will be sold... The liquidator is none other than Daniel. However, his grandfather was the shepherd, and then became the creditor of the girl's father. Daniel falls in love passionately with "Sainte-Sauvage" who is troubled by so much love and fervour... until the day she discovers which family Daniel comes from. What! Allying with these people! Marrying that boy whose grandfather robbed his father.... Never! Never! Did he really strip her? As soon as she tries to find out, Anne is not at the end of her surprises! Even from his heart....

Leseprobe

Holy-Wild

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Max the Veuzit

Holy-Wild

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

In the great modern room of the hotel Maureuse, rue de la Rochefoucauld, the lunch ended.

In silence, the three guests, fed, slowly ticked their grapes.

Fernand Maureuse, the master of the house, put his stamp suddenly napkin on the table. Speaking to his son, he said:

- Do not go away, Daniel. I need to speak at length with you, before going to my bank.

- Oh ! Dad, I'm sorry! dismayed the young man. You left me this morning, freedom of my day! ... If you had told me you wanted to talk, then I would put myself at your disposal. Now I have taken or accepted appointments. I cannot stay with you without having to cancel a dozen friends!

- So much for the dozen there, my dear! I received the mail ten, a letter from your grandfather you are concerned. I must speak with you at length.

The young man's face froze.

The father of his mother, the old Thomas Rasquin, had always much frightened. He was a greedy and crafty peasant, as dry as it was heart appearance. Fernand Maureuse the yet revered as a great man:

- Just think, he liked to say, he made his fortune, perhaps the biggest of the department, all alone and from scratch. He was fifteen, simple shepherd ... simple shepherd in a field belonging to La Boissiere. Now Colforval, a large Norman area, was his ... ... and twelve farms and fields ... and the woods ... not to count, without aligning the numbers, the number of hectares that they represented.

This speech usually convinced listeners. However, two people remained silent and bowed their heads, while the son was praising his stepfather. It was first Marceline Maureuse, the daughter of Rasquin. His youth was overshadowed by the sordid habits of the old shepherd and when the latter had agreed to pay, there are some thirty years, the hand of his only heir, meagerly endowed moreover, to Maureuse then young employee bank, it considered that marriage as an escape. Then it was Daniel, whose grandfather criticized the education, youth spoiled and lazy because his education up to doctorate in law remained idleness for peasant Noinville.

Between father and son, the contrast was also profound. Fernand Maureuse, fifties, short and stout, gray-haired, sharp-eyed behind spectacles, wore mustache and goatee. No research outfit. The correction of a notary clerk or a department manager; distinction. Many safety in the verb and self-confidence, this security that have those who have made themselves and their fortunes.

Daniel was blond and tall. Perhaps it would have been built a little heavily, so accustomed to all sports, rugby, tennis, omitting neither the horse nor rowing, had given him perfect ease. We could not help, when he had to think: "What a splendid specimen of the human species! "

The father looked at his son with kindness; Yet his tone was hard enough:

- Well ! Daniel, you're displeased. Since when do you think allowed you to show a sense of impatience on the pretext that I interrupt some vague pleasure? ... I do not often put yourself involved, it seems to me!

- You know, my father, my competition is acquired, when you will ask. But it is my grandfather, this time, and I am a little suspicious of projects it may have about me.

- Your grandfather loves you very much.

- But he does not like me, my education, my profession a lawyer, my love of sport. He criticizes everything and claims that you have raised me in cotton.

- This is somewhat true.

The young man gave a slight gesture of annoyance

- I went to school normally and without causing any disappointment.

- But you enjoyed, too, largely of my fortune and your grandfather is that so far you have done nothing useful.

- Only a few months I'm finished with my degree ... My youthful follies, as he says, have you ever given worries ... Finally, what does he want me?

Anxious, he looked for a response from his father; but he did not hurry. Its imperative tone, he finally explained:

- After coffee, I will put you aware of what we expect of you.

What we firmly pronounced, gave rise to an apprehension at Daniel. However, he remained silent.

Ms. Maureuse looked up. In turn, she looked at the two men. Her maternal instinct made him guess the little good will of his son. So many times already, the grandfather had struck the young man.

- My father needs to Daniel? She asked.

- Yes ... I'll explain, threw Maureuse getting up to move to the smoking room where coffee was served.

And, as he felt, resting on him, the questioning eyes and perhaps worried about his wife, he added briefly:

- A happy prospect! Finally, one thing that will please all, if successful.

Daniel's features and his mother relaxed before this insurance. And without even realizing how both were united, in this house where the numbers held up so much space, they looked good and exchanged a smile of mutual trust.

The drinking coffee, Fernand Maureuse rose. A little embarrassed to start, he coughed three times. Then, deciding it into his pocket a yellow envelope from the most banal look and handed it to Daniel.

- Here, read ... You will be aware of what is expected of you.

Daniel had seen the hesitation of his father. He took the letter fingertips, biting his lips, as if the paper was burning. It seemed that nothing good could come of Colforval.

Without haste, he displayed the grid sheet, covered with writing and applied characters whose claws, spiky, well describe the personality of the writer.

"Colforval this April 30 l9 ...

"My dear son,

"I have the pleasure to announce that my new are always excellent. I still thank God and also thanks to the small diet that you know, to have a good start, good eye. If you want to follow in my footsteps, stop eating meat now: kill the excess; remove alcohol and coffee, your purse and you will wear yourself better ... "

Daniel could not help having a shrug. He muttered under his breath, though loud enough for his father to hear him:

- Preliminary were planned. Ah! it hardly changes, the old!

- Why do you want your grandfather exchange? First, I do not allow you to talk to him that way disrespectful ...

- Oh ! this is not disrespect. At most a little annoyance.

- You're an ingrate. He founded what will be your fortune!

- Yeah, yeah, I know. But you too, Dad, you were able to be a great businessman. I prefer your way to his.

- You're wrong ... I was living near major financial. They recognized that I had a gift. They helped me. I became ... My banker means the environment in which I moved, were other than average and the middle of your grandfather. So think at fifteen, he was a shepherd!

- Yes, yes, I know the story. First, he economized farthing by farthing, penny by penny ... He then bought a hovel, a field, etc., etc. And he lent to the right, left. Finally, he went to buy, pay ... and now alone, important, crotchety, still lucid, never leaving his house. It gives me the impression of a spider to his corner, watching prey that bad luck puts within reach! ...

The front of Fernand Maureuse frowned. He rose suddenly after hitting his fist the little table where he was based.

- Daniel, shut up ... You sound like a foreigner would not even have the right to speak. Thomas Rasquin has always been the same honesty. He did not come to wear. Nothing can be criticized. It's a great businessman, a kind!

- Maybe ; but it is not the best for us! ... I admit that I am not very proud of him.

- Your ingratitude is beyond me!

The banker had crossed his arms over his chest. Now he stammered in anger and perhaps apprehensive as:

- So ? So ? How do you judge me, who have also won a fortune?

- My dear father, it is not you ... You win, you win big money, but you also spending ... Your train is luxury ... You put ... we give a share of your profits in circulation ... Mom is the same love ... I am a prodigal son, did you feel me, just now.

He laughed clearly, all his beautiful youth. But man does not cheer up.

- That is cynicism ... You claim that you and your mother, you justify me ... Without you, I'd be wrong ...

- Let us help you justify ... Being rich, in my opinion, creates a lot of homework ... Thou hast accepted. What I grandfather complaint is to deny them is to steal it. He loves money for money and not for the pleasures and burdens it creates, produces ...

The young man put his hands on the shoulders of his father.

- Come on, mouse, does contemplate me, frowning ... I adore you, my dad, and I'm very proud to be your son.

- Ah! these boys today! grumbled the banker, not recovered from his emotion. Finally, rebuke the letter, pursue your reading ... If the beginning caused such friction between us, what will it be the result?

Daniel ran to the end this time the graph paper and then re-read it aloud to his mother:

"What happens to Daniel? Did he start working with you? You should let fly with his own wings. You could require that he live with the affairs of his office. At his age, you had already obtained the hand of Marceline and your beginnings were promising. Moreover, I myself am always known men and I would never give you my daughter, if I had not been sure that you do your way.

"About Daniel, I have a combination that would allow you to judge. You know my neighbor François de La Boissiere died there a few weeks ago. The unfortunate ! I can write that, to the end, I was his Providence. What would have become if Rasquin father, Rasquin man, despised so much, had not always agreed to advance him the money he needed to continue Hobby reveler of his life? Even last fall, and for Christmas he had used an option to be able to figure favorably with hunting and the great festivals of the year end.

"What lightness! Obviously it was not my role to give moral lessons, but to make it, with good collateral, the services expected of me.

"The challenge now is to recover all my receivables from Muette and its dependencies.

"I think this is a nice job for Daniel. It will be better for him to play tennis. If good hunting dog breed, we'll just send him compliments.

"For knowing maneuver, it will be not only easy to make me go full possession of the sums owed to me, but to get the castle and its lands for a pittance.

"La Muette would be a nice summer home for you, my children, and I confess that it would cause me one last joy to see you installed. It would be the crowning of my career, what!

"Send Me So Daniel, from the receipt of my letter. I look forward to see him "good work" hands. Do not let the guys her age biting idleness!

"I hope the three of you healthy.

"Find the best thoughts of your affectionate father.

"Thomas Rasquin. "

Coldly, Daniel put the letter down on the desk.

- Well ! how do you react?

The impassive features, the young man replied:

- I do not have to respond. I obeyed. I leave for Noinville tomorrow if necessary.

- What, you do not argue on your grandfather plan?

- No, it makes sense. My grandfather is the same honesty, is not it? He trusts me. I feel honored ...

- Do not mock, dear!

- I do not mocked. I accept the task entrusted to me.

- After what you said, just now ... I feared ...

- Of course not, my father, it was pure childishness ... and you know that good hunting dog breed. I'll take my arrangements to leave as soon as possible ... tomorrow ... or this evening, if you wish.

Ms. Maureuse, who had been silent so far, fidgeted in his seat.

- It is, perhaps, decide quickly, my Daniel, she intervened. You do not know the ins nor outs of this case ... There you should examine before.

But the banker was not of that opinion.

- Daniel take advice of his grandfather. He then will the notary responsible for liquidating the assets of the Count of La Boissiere. In forty-eight hours he will know all of the problem. What did he need to hear about it before making a decision?

Ms. Maureuse nodded.

- This is dispossessed of their goods direct heirs, she explained thoughtfully. This is a difficult and unpleasant task.

- What? What? protested her husband, already irritated. Daniel studied law. He knows that the law grants all the advantages to creditors who can prove their good faith. We do not ask my son to harm anyone, but simply to go unpaid claims.

The young lawyer was looking at his mother whose sweet face was suffused with melancholy.

He gently put his hand on the shoulder mother.

- Trust me, Manline he said fondly. I promised to defend the widow and the orphan ...

- You also promised to do justice to each, interrupted his father eagerly. In this case, the law requires ...

Without enable it to complete, Daniel laughed.

- It's heard ! I'll just, good and fair. Suffice everyone and my grandfather over the market! ... Come on, do you worry, both, I promise to do the best of each.

- And try the Chateau de la Muette remains acquired.

- Obviously! Daniel was a dreamer. This would be an elegant solution.

Down in the comfortable soft leather chair, the young man pictured Castle Noinville. He knew only the imposing appearance, but his great pace possible to imagine a luxurious interior and harmonious proportions.

Already, Daniel dreamed of lofty halls, huge fireplaces where would dance the huge trunks of flame to brighten the misty late autumn evenings when the stalking would have made heavy limbs and melancholy soul.

While serving, again, a small glass of brandy, the banker looked at his son.

- Well ! Daniel, you already organized a reception at the Muette?

- Why not ?

- So fast at work!

- Yes, yes ... the same, that famous liquidation could have to wait until September. I'd be distracted myself by chasing.

- Who knows if in the fall, do not you will return to Noinville with a group of friends?

- That might be going a little faster than to imagine that, grumbled the elegant young man. For now, I have the beautiful view to bury me at least a month in this damn town.

- Come on, Daniel. Understand that this is also your interest. Your grandfather is the sole creditor of De La Boissiere. It is normal that he is passionate about the liquidation of the case. Do not you deplore, yourself, for each hunting party organized by your friends, not having to Colforval a mansion worthy of the field? La Muette would do wonders.

- Yes Yes ! I understood !

- Well ! I count on you. File out there today, and keep us informed. I'm leaving because Volroy waiting for me at home at three. I just have time to pass before in my office.

They shook hands.

Mr. Maureuse did not return the attitude change wrought in his son.

"Daniel has quickly accepted the thoughts of his grandfather. Maybe the idea of ​​owning the Muette really she seduced? ... Unless he decided to get serious at work ... We'll see! "

As for Daniel, he knew that, anyway, his father would have known from the force. The plan of the old Rasquin was to appear relevant to Mr. Maureuse. The young man had therefore preferred not to discuss and bow immediately; escape, somehow, to preserve its freedom of action and will not be subject to conditions. In this way, the task we entrusted him appeared before him, a block that could attack at will.

*

When his father was gone, Daniel went to his mother and crouched at his feet.

- We will be separated for a few days Manline.

This diminutive that her baby's lips had formed with "mom" and "Marceline," Daniel continued to give it to his mother. He pronounced it with inexpressible tenderness shade, mixed with a sense of manly protection.

She kissed him.

- That's right, buddy. I'll miss you, but it is better that it is you who occupied this matter: you shall put less fiercely.

- Hellbent? He repeated, as if the word had struck. My father and yours would put in they?

- La Muette is a beautiful castle, conveniently located in the midst of good land. Possession would double the value of Colforval and if they could have it for a "pittance", as they say, they would be delighted.

- Of course ... I also, incidentally, agreed it frankly. I glimpsed the castle; it looks good, and we could give them a Merry Christmas in the fall, when hunting. I would be happy as he was to us.

- It is understandable, the mother admitted. A good deal is always nice. And yet ...

- However ?...

- There is sometimes ...

She hesitated. Then, placing his hand lightly on the golden hair of her son, she continued with an insinuating sweetness:

- dust grains slip everywhere. We can dirty his fingers by touching an object of art.

- Ah! said the young man, whose face hardened suddenly.

All eyes on those of his mother, he tried to guess the meaning of what she did not express.

He knew good advice. For everything concerning Noinville, they got along perfectly; all the better she knew the atmosphere of the country and that of his father's house.

- Advise me, Manline. I do not like dirty my fingers and it is almost impalpable dust.

The face bent, so serious and so good, brightened.

- You see them, they will pop you up ...

I know you: it is they that you will realize first.

- May you tell the truth!

A time, it reflects; Then, shaking his head, he added:

- Maybe I would have done better not to accept this task so quickly ... The fact that my grandfather had suggested it should have made me cautious. Finally, what do you think, you, Manline?

She smiles.

- I think my Dani wanted to distinguish himself, to prove he was able to manage a complicated business skein ... to carry out justly. It will heal its interests; but it will not forget either, probably in front of him to find a family to which we owe a lot ... Our fortune has she not been built on that of the same family, including the last representative was light, probably ... inconsistent ... maybe worse! This does not prevent us owe him a servile gratitude debt ... Without defects of François de La Boissiere I have listed would be missing the domain Colforval its finest examples of farms.

Daniel jumped up to cover kisses Mrs. Maureuse front.

- Perfect, perfect ... I see now.

She protested:

- What bluntness ... A little, you were dropped my glasses.

But he did not care and continued to kiss him.

- Oh ! Manline as I love you! As I am proud to be your son ... you, my mother!

He squeezed her hand and fondly quoted the famous phrase of the Jungle Book. Kipling was, indeed, his spiritual food, like many of his generation beings.

- "We are the same blood ... you and me! "

Then he continued:

- Neither grandfather or dad ... who are only businessmen, have never been bothered by this increase in our wealth alongside the ruins of La Boissiere. We, we have suffered. We are told that this is a law, which argues that those who have should be worthy of possessing and they struggle to maintain their rank is ...! But Noinville at Colforval, I'm embarrassed to cross agglomerations with my car ... like I was embarrassed about my luxury too new. It is terrible to see the curtains are raised; terrible to imagine the conversations of good people who only see the results of operations performed by "master Rasquin". It whispers that pursues us, "Ah! those! Clever! They were able to maneuver ... "

She put a hand over her mouth.

- Do not exaggerate, darling; I'm sure your father and grandfather have only honest business. What good, indeed, useless words? ... We agree on how you will fill your mission.

He kissed the hand helpless.

- Manline, Manline! I love you !

- Yes, great fool! And I thank you much!

He said :

- What are the heirs of François de La Boissiere? In front of that do I find myself?

- A girl ... almost a child that his father's death makes helpless.

- An orphan girl !

He shrugged and voice suddenly harder:

- As is smart, he said, for choosing me just to run it ...

They could not push further maintenance. The door had opened and Fernand Maureuse joined them

- So, son, you're still here? I thought your friends were waiting for you.

- I run! I would fly! Goodbye, my mom. Now I'm off. In ten minutes, I'll be gone. I leave you by asking you both, your blessing.

And laughing, he withdrew.

*

Honking energetically Daniel veered in the quiet street of La Rochefoucauld with consummate skill. And, without thinking about anything other than driving his car, he enlisted in the large arteries of the capital.

Though young, he was, in every sense of the word, a man of action.

And the action he undertook the entire absorbed at the same time that he was carrying out.

For now, he was driving - and it was sport - through congestion, traffic stops, crossings for pedestrians.

He had forgotten the dialogues with his father and those with her mother.

He was one with his car, whose organs seemed to be an extension of his own. It was only the intelligence of his Talbot. He saw, he felt through it.

Soon the suburbs appeared to him; then the campaign. But nothing existed for him outside the road and its incidents.

In record time, he reached Colforval.

The remains of his grandfather was not, indeed, a castle, though the natives should give him that name. It was a vast building of a La Boissiere had built about 1836 for one of his managers. The situation was very pleasant. A beautiful avenue of poplars led to this mansion, leaning against a wooded valley bottom, looked westward flight of a cut watercress stream.

Around we have already explained that Thomas and his son had seen slowly crystallize a huge area is land and gradually bought farms.

Thomas used to rub their hands confessing his visitors, with false modesty:

- It's a Harlequin coat that I made up little by little ...

Or :

- Have you admired my work mosaic? Ah! it took me patience!

But now Colforval have been erected in fief.

Ten kilometers away, stood the Muette; turrets do reigned longer than the foliage of the large park, French gardens and three roofs were smoking out there in the valley, amidst some mortgaged plots, alas!

The horn sounded long before the white facade.

Finally, a maid came on the line. She was in clogs, wearing a cap and seemed very bad mood. She grumbled:

- It does not make sense to conduct such a fuss!

Then she shouted:

- Let's go ! Let's go !

When she recognized the visitor, she raised her arms to heaven:

- That is, there God can! It seems virtually Daniel!

Daniel jumped out of his car and went to shake the big hands, red and chapped, the good woman.

- Hello, hello, Valerie!

It was still very suffocated surprise.

- So you Blowin bin?

- But yes ! That's me, my dear!

- Do master Rasquin count on you?

- For that, no, I do not believe! But it will take me, since I'm here!

- I don't know where I am! I ask questions I could answer alone. Master Rasquin not waiting. He would have warned me to dinner, and he went towards the copse monitor coal ... Yes ... It made charcoal and it seems that the colliers have stolen a chicken, the last night ... So he went to see a little what they put in the pot ... But this is not a reason why I leave you there, planted in the "corridor". Come in !

- I follow you, Valerie.

- How's your mother?

- Very well very well ! Thank you.

- Will come she see us soon?

- It's possible.

Valerie suddenly stopped.

- But, in fact, I have to take you to the kitchen, because the salon is closed ... the dining room is closed ... everything is closed and master Rasquin took away the keys.

- Yes, as it happens! Daniel threw.

The maid was unable to understand the irony of the phrase. She protested:

- Oh ! no, sweet Jesus! not coincidentally! Ever the master separates her trousseau. We'll have to tear his hands when he dies ... And we're not there yet, she added philosophically, because it has good foot, good eye.

- Yes, grandfather solid.

He sat at the large pine table and Valerie already put before him the gravy and white bread loaf.

- You drink a good drink of cider, Daniel, it will drive the road dust? If you even want me to fry you two eggs ... I just happen to find.

- No thanks ! I am not very hungry. However, he said, staring at the maid, I am delighted to find myself alone with you ... you'll pipe me ...

- You ... you said she rounded eyes.

- Yes ... give me information ... explain to me ... apart from my grandfather ... tell me frankly.

- And what great God?

- De la Muette, its owners ... all that is said about this great castle.

- The lord is dead, do you know?

- Yes.

- A quick death ... almost sudden! It's talk ... sometimes he committed suicide.

- Oh ! he would have ended his days?

- The gossip, perhaps ... Should people always yapping!.

- There's no smoke without fire. What made them talk about suicide?

- Debt Question ... François de La Boissiere was burnt. All his property was mortgaged ... should have been sell and work ... This is what our farmers ... Still, I do not believe that La Boissiere could finish like that .. . because of religion. He was a believer! And then there was his daughter, that poor little defenseless St. Savage.

- How can you say that it is called?

- Saint Savage.

- Funny name.

- It's not a name ... it is a nickname that the village gave him. Because it is puny, is shy, it is fearful like a lamb ... And then it reddens, it not speak ... No, of course! It is not possible that the father had deserted, leaving the poor girl alone to unravel the complicated affairs that his death does not help at all! ... If only she had a brother or a godfather ... ... someone one to watch over her and protect her; but it is only ... no family ... no friends ... because ... when you have no sub there are more friends who know us.

Daniel had left speaking. When the humble, we want to learn something, you have to listen and do not interrupt. The good woman spoke of plenty, saying she knew, without much thought, but expressing what she was thinking.

When stopped, Daniel had only to ask a new question to put in motion.

- What kind of man was he that Mr. La Boissiere?

- A brave man. Everyone thought he was incapable of causing any harm to its neighbor. But we said unreasonable ... it was light and reveler. It has, as said Mr. led to major life guides. Although blue tickets have gone into the coffers of the Mutual Betting and game rooms.

- A player whispered Daniel, a little contemptuously.

- Yes. A player ! But above all a gentleman bright and ageless. He liked the fiery life, women, parties, beautiful horses. His death would have, perhaps, been less premature, if he had more spared his strength and money.

- He spent a lot?

- Very much.

- And, to fill the gap, he had recourse to loans.

- Your grandfather knows something.

- I see, said the young man, a little pensive.

There was silence for a moment, then Daniel asked again:

- And, of all the fortune left by the grandparents, nothing remains?

- Nothing ! All land is mortgaged ... La Muette will be offered for sale ... Saint Wild will leave the old house of his ancestors.

- To go where ?

- Ah! lady! That nobody knows. She will have to earn a living.

- To work ? Is she able to do work?

The woman raised her arms to heaven.

- She cannot do anything, my fine gentleman ... What would have taught him to do something? Not the old Radegonde, for sure.

- Who is Radegonde?

- The maid who raised Miss Anne.

- And who is Miss Anne? asked he still patiently.

- Saint Savage. Her name is Anne, you understand. Anne de La Boissiere. It's a beautiful name.

- A beautiful name, seriously he agreed.

- Yes. But as said Master Rasquin, a girl with a name like that, but without a penny to her, it's a calamity. She has a mouth and a stomach like the others; but who will fill them when she is hungry?

- The liquidation of its assets will leave him, perhaps, a piece of bread.

- The teacher said no. It seems that if he wished he could put on the door of La Muette, without having the right to "phew".

Daniel lit a cigarette and lip, watching the old woman, he asked:

- He could ... he say?. So why does he not?

- Ah! Madam because there is no hurry ... He wants nothing to do with brutality ... and then it gives the time to see it coming ... the castle pleases. He is counting on you to get it.

- Yes, I know ... for a pittance!

- I already see me cook at La Muette ... True, Daniel, I'm happy you there simmer small dishes, like when you were little.

He did not answer for a few moments, he meditated in silence, lost in thought. Suddenly he looked up Valerie peeled salad.

- And in the country, what they said, this case?

- What you say?

- Yes, the death of the father, debt, sale of the castle ... receivables of my grandfather?

- Ah! Madam! Sure they say that Mr. Rasquin was an old evil ... He knew there do! ... We also complained Holy Wild. She is a child, no one wants to hurt ... She is innocent of all the shenanigans of his father the devil; but still it will pay the piper! ... Unless ...

- Unless ?

- Bah! There are some who think that the master, perhaps, will not let anything totally. He had the land, woods, farms ... it also has the castle ... But of course, those who say it would do no gift to the damsel ... It is his right, to c ' man you to demand his due ... money he lent him must return place, right?

- Yes, that's his right ... legally, his right ...

Again he sank into his thoughts, which, however, did not last long because soon the maid exclaimed:

- Look, here it is, your grandfather! Hide yourself, sir ... in the corner of the stairs.

Father Thomas pushed the door of the vestibule after much shredded the sole of his shoes on the iron scraper.

He saw Valerie getting in the way, hands on hips, watching her immediate surprise.

- What are you doing there, doing nothing? Have you finished your work at the dairy and the backyard?

- I was waiting for you !

- Another time, do not expect resting you, it will be better. Are you, too, you're going to take lazy habits? Do you have caught the modern microbe laziness? I thought you were more resistant to disease fashionable!

Valerie was laughing, little affected by this outburst.

Daniel came out of hiding.

- Ah! for example ! You here ?

- Good night, Grandpa.

- I wrote exactly your father to send you.

- Well ! Here I am !

- What, already?

- You complain?

- No no. But you could have warned me, nothing is ready to receive you. I do not even know how I'll feed you to dinner!

- If there is it that embarrasses you, I can go settle in the "Hostellerie du Grand Cerf" (it was a famous inn of the country by expensive and it was also there by shots being fired there) and I say we send you the bill, said the young man cheerfully.

- No, no, my boy, stay here. We will manage. I'll settle down in the blue room of your mother.

The Rasquin father, long old face hatchet, had white hair, blue eyes behind white eyelashes, thin lips that never discovered a solid and intact teeth.

He was wearing a corduroy suit, like bear hunters. His thin calves will heal is ticking.

He looked for his keys in his pocket.

- Here, follow me. Come too, Valerie, I will open you the closet for linens.

They climbed the old wooden staircase, spacious, severe, meticulously polished as a convent staircase. Daniel brought up the rear swinging his arms length suitcase.

He sniffed the atmosphere of the house and thought:

"God, it may be cooler, this great little place! And to think that here I am installed there for an indefinite time. I feel numb ... and without courage ... It will take me some heroism to persevere in the work that I have drawn. Fortunately, the manias of my grandfather in me exasperating, confirm me in my will! ... Ah! he supposed he delegates, to conduct its sacrosanct business, an unworthy descendant that animates no personal interest, but simply of fairness feelings ... "

The old man turned to him.

- And you know, it is necessary that, before long, you're lord of La Muette, and lord cheaply! Just now, I'll explain everything ... in my office.

- No, grandfather, not today! Dad spoke to me at length of the question, I own good, I think ... Tomorrow I will go to Noinville Donguet me, and then I will deal then ...

- Why procrastinate?

- Not a word. You did not expect me so soon. So let me breathe. Besides, I quickly drove and I got a headache. First he takes me reacquainted with our woods and hills.

- Well, as you like.

And Rasquin father, despising a bit this youth who spoke headache, shrugged. But he was still surprised by the emphatic tone of his little son.

"Is that by chance the kid would have won decisiveness? He speaks like a man, now! This may be good news. "

And they entered all three in the blue room which Daniel hastened to open windows and shutters, to chase the musty and moldy.

II

It was a bright morning, young leaves rustling in the light breezes swirl. The hawthorn, fruit trees were in bloom in the hedges and orchards. The cuckoo sang in the woods.

At the wheel of his car, Daniel mused.

"It's amazing that this country makes me languid. There is not a time to go locked in a dusty notary office. "

Then he smiled at the thought that he had managed to track down his grandfather. Since sunrise, he had played hide and seek, to the delight of Valerie.

"I wanted to take my coffee by the servant, so that nothing could confide in the presence of a third party. It is so suspicious! ... And then I fled. He cried on the steps he wanted to accompany me. I replied that I was driving at breakneck speed and that I accepted to take with me as friends who did not fear accidents. In fact speed, I go at the pace of a funeral procession ... No, this is too ... Let funeral of a wedding procession ... It's better with the decor, and the songs of 'birds. "

Beyond a thicket he discovered a covered slope periwinkles.

" I go down. I have my buttonhole bloom. During the interview with Mr. Donguet, I will look at my flowers. This will encourage me. There is nothing like to take business to say to feel serious irreducibly poet. "

He finally arrived at the notary whose plaques are tarnished garlanded a young wisteria.

He sighed.

"These are the worries that start, he thought tiredly. Finally, consider a circumstance of air. "

I immediately received the Donguet in classical lair to green issues. He was a man of sixty years, fat and pink like a real campaign scrivener. He had a soul of a dilettante. His table was, apparently, the best of the canton.

- Hello young man ! cried the notary petulant. Nice to see you ... Hey! my God, you have become great! My compliments to your good looks ... personable, look, nothing is missing you. You are made to turn the hearts!

- Dear lord, you are too kind, he said, a little embarrassed by these noisy compliments.

And to change the subject, he went straight into the thick of things which led him to Noinville:

- My grandfather has probably made aware ...

- Yes Yes. You come to the case of La Muette ... We want to try you ... Be aware of your gifts ... but it is perfect, this idea! Absolutely perfect ...

He rubbed his hands so full of bonhomie.

- Sit down there ... well ... Oh! it will be neither long nor complicated ... the numbers speak for themselves.

He pulled a folder from a drawer.

- Excuse me, Daniel intervened. Previously, I'd like to know exactly what these claims. It seemed to me that in the country, we commented that case in all ways.

- Do you know a village in France where a groundbreaking ceremony, we will make a hill?

- Of course, we all chatters in rhyme. But since my father, Fernand Maureuse, asked me to take care of this matter with my grandfather, I would like to know how Rasquin Thomas became the main creditor of De La Boissiere. I will not deny that my father would be willing to buy the debt of my grandfather and become owner of the Muette; but he knew he would have exactly the value of this property. the amount of debt and the least onerous terms that we could acquire.

- What you ask me, sir Maureuse is quite tricky. On the one hand, I am the notary of your grandfather, Thomas Rasquin, which has always used me in the purchase of its various properties. On the other hand, François de La Boissiere me several times entrusted the task to sell his land or procure lenders. I have in my house, acts of La Muette property, and my situation between my clients, is quite delicate. I would, without harming one, the other counselor.

- I've always heard, sir Donguet, you were good advice notary and probity. You can find out and even direct my grandfather, without your client, Mademoiselle de La Boissiere, in experiencing the harm. Moreover, my father, charging me to buy the castle, never had the desire to underestimate. It has all the hunting Colforval and it would be happy to enclose an area like La Muette, especially my mother, born Rasquin Marceline, is the sole heir of my grandfather who, himself, is the main creditor of François de La Boissiere.

"If we look, Daniel continued, the circumstances in this view, you will agree that there is no reason why my father does not benefit from the sale of La Muette, to render purchaser. It seems, however, that my grandfather, who put a lot of money in this business, must first find of benefit!

The notary seemed to reflect.

- Well ! examine this issue, he said, suddenly taking a decision.

"First of all, learn that Francois de La Boissiere, when he inherited the Muette to the death of his mother who had been the beneficiary of his life, François de La Boissiere, I say, was a bit younger. He had only one idea in mind: to have fun and live life as he said. He did not count. Life elsewhere, in that time, was easy. He lived well, so it was necessary to use, quite early on borrowing.

"At that time, your grandfather had not yet acquired the fortune that enabled him later to help the lord.

"Borrowings by François de La Boissiere were it to people of the region: some fifty thousand francs by then, twenty-five thousand a will; short; there twenty years, various receivables amounted to only three hundred sixty-five thousand francs!