Love takes up the challenge E-Book

Max du Veuzit

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

Seitenzahl: 242

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

"I want revenge and get married right away, with anyone, but I won't be humiliated by him" is the whimsical decision Chantal Angeville makes to get revenge on her fiancé Lucien, whom she hasn't heard from in a long time. And Chantal Angeville will marry Miche]. Lancey, out of spite, so as not to lose face. She will confess to her husband, on the wedding night, that she does not love him; she acted to take revenge on the one who made him suffer and to have the joy of telling her ex-fiancé about her marriage before hers. Michel will not see in this confession that his suffering, his ordeal, will stop, he will, suffering from poliomyelitis, succeed, by his courage and his will, in overcoming the terrible disease. But love, long flouted, will raise the glove.

Leseprobe

Love takes up the challenge

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Max the Veuzit

Love takes up the challenge

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

Chantal was dimly aware that there was someone in his room and instantly she stood up on her bed

She saw Nadine who advanced in the shadows, bringing breakfast on a tray.

- Is the mail arrived, Nadine?

- Yes, miss, but still no letter this morning for you.

Chantal's hands tightened on the sheet.

The old servant set the tray on the bedside table and a busy air headed toward the window.

As she was pulling double satin curtains, she said:

- A delay does not mean anything, miss. I remember when Mr. had made his trip to America, Madame was worried as you, and yet ...

As Nadine was turning the espagnolette instinctively Chantal burrowed in bed A flood of light came dazzle the girl.

- No letter last week ... she repeated indignantly.

The old nurse was doing his service as a rite. Now she approached the bed, picked up grumbling magazines hanging on the carpet.

- You have already read how late?

- Not very late, midnight, perhaps, but in two hours I could not sleep.

- What a pity ! growled the old. Come on, lift you.

She straightened the pillows, while the girl was pulled out of bed again

- Oh ! I avenge myself, you know.

- It is said that ...

Nadine put the tray on the edge of the bed

- You put too much bread, I tell you every day.

- You have to eat, you will not wither ... because your love does not write you? Look at yourself in a mirror. You think it identifies around the eyes makes you more beautiful?

- Is it my fault if I can not sleep?

- Drink your tea before it cools.

Chantal shook her blonde hair that the sun was gold Glitter.

- I've never liked it, I think, but now I hate him.

- Do not say that, huffed the woman. Do we know why he did not write? Perhaps is it prevented.

- You still believe that London is the world's end. London is only one hour from Paris, my poor old.

Nadine stared the girl looked like she had an idol. Had she not seen born? Despite the fatigue of a sleepless night succeeding six sleepless nights, despite the fatigue, Chantal was still for her the most beautiful girl and the most desirable it imaginable.

"Of course, she thought, Lucien had never seen so neglected in the wake of the silk shirt widely indented on the shadow of his throat, but was it possible that this young girl to neglected face of an ancient purity of black eyes made her so alive: a young wonderful girl named Chantal Angeville? "

With a mechanical gesture, Chantal dipped a slice of bread in the tea.

- Dad went to the factory?

- He is afraid to wake up ... he left quietly.

- Prepare my gray suit.

The old servant would still try to comfort the girl.

- Young people are not reasonable, but everything can still work out.

- Of course, everything can always work out, but seldom as desired. Ah! seamstress or if I was selling flowers, it would be easy ... But I am Chantal Angeville and all seamstresses and all the little flower sellers envy Chantal Angeville.

A sob lifted juvenile chest.

The girl pushed the tray and turning suddenly collapsed, his face in his pillow.

Powerless, the old nurse stepped back to the door. She knew that at this point of the crisis it should not try to console Chantal.

- I do not want your pity, she told him once.

With difficulty, Nadine still looked that hair that shook with sobs and was leaving when Chantal straightened:

- I will not be harmed as long, Nadine! He will see this lout, if I wait his pleasure. I want revenge and get married right away, with anyone, but I will not be humiliated by him.

- Miss Chantal!

- You go prepare my tailor.

The old servant retreated.

Chantal jumped out of bed and went into the bathroom. When she came back fifteen minutes later, wrapped in her robe, his face relaxed in the bath, she approached her psyche and mira.

" The monster ! "She whispered through the tapered tip of his fingers on the circle of her eyes, that identifies which made him perhaps most disturbing face, pathetic, all added to her beauty.

"Lucien, she added, you understand, but a little late, it is not with impunity that one humbles Chantal Angeville. "

She even gave a last look at his face in the mirror and she removed her robe to dress. At that moment, she saw the photo of Lucien asked his secretary. A large photo with games of light and a signed portrait painter of renown.

The first movement of the girl was to remove the image of his presence, but a judgment is imposed on his mind to justify this execution.

"Is what I liked Lucien when I locked her picture in this frame of leather? A little fop, called a neck to thicken and a small thin lip, biting ... How could I love that boy? His gaze is foolish ... "

- You think too much, told him one day his friends. Would not it just stupidity?

With what he had the conceit:

- Miss Chantal Angeville, my bride. My stepfather is industrial, the Angeville lathes, milling Angeville.

To believe that he would marry a machine tool.

She had told him once:

- Listening to you, Lucien, do not we believe that our marriage will be that of a bottle of champagne and a turn?

He laughed, fool.

A disdainful fold marked Chantal's lips.

"What we need is that everyone knows that it is I who have broken. I will say :

"- I thought I loved, I was wrong. Was not it better to break before? I bring him happiness, that poor boy, making him free.

"We will judge me cruel but clever. Now there are only stupidity that does not forgive. "

She took part. Slowly, she removed the photo and put it away in a drawer.

"I'll make him her ring, but I must do quickly, I do not want him ahead of me. "

Later, the girl asked a question to wonder if she was not yet come to his mind for a week she suffered.

"What he went to London? Sell ​​paternal champagne? "

She made a gesture of indifferent disdain.

It noted with pleasure that hurt, the dryness of his heart. The case was closed now for her, her decision.

Already she said: "Who ... who can marry Chantal Angeville, Angeville of machine tools? as Lucien said. Five hectares of plants in Saint-Denis, a thousand workers ... "

Why had it that the name Jacques came to his lips with her perfume first love?

Jacques de Chalençais, a name and a crown of count, if a large fortune ... Jacques, proud and elegant, yes, she had loved him ... And him? Also awkward it in its early exchange of kisses. He closed his right and the other day she had seen in Lacour. There seemed to be very busy with this silly Armelle. Obviously, a blue-blooded conspiracy. Well ! that the wife, Armelle this, with his big nose and his silly smile! ... Getting married? Why are we married? For love, everyone will tell you, but Chantal Angeville does not believe in love, in April morning especially, in eighth day without letter ... But enough thought about that one.

Now, Chantal sat at her dressing table, this is no longer the mirror it questions, it is his soul, his memories too.

"Love ... what madness! A love match like Irene? Three days of drunkenness and three years of tears, and eventually separation.

"Mom would have said:" We get married to have children. "Maybe the others, but me? ... Of the children crying at night, crying on the day, as well as measles, whooping cough, finally, all the trouble, little girl, I knew ... no, maybe later, but now I have no intention of being a mother, even with a nanny who, morning and evening, bring me a clean package kissing.

"Ah! I'm there ! loneliness, old single ... one day be an old maid! That's why we get married, it is not to be is not to be ...

"This is not to be neglected, the one others say:

"- This poor girl, a beautiful girl, despite her fortune, she did not find to get married!

"They would be too happy, Monique, Gisele, the Armelle, all those abandoning their husbands, those who look forward to an adventure or those drowned children.

"No, my dear friends, you will not have that pleasure, because Chantal Angeville marry" threw the girl out loud, as defiantly.

One last look in the mirror, for herself, this time for pleasure. Finally satisfied with her figure, her eyes, the movements of her hair, the arc of her lips Chantal left her room.

It was ten o'clock. His father was certainly still in the office, Jena Avenue. It was close by. Chantal decided to walk there.

The air was still cool, but already the chestnut trees turning green.

"Before their shriveled leaves go at the option of the autumn wind driving on asphalt, thought the girl walking briskly, I'll be married. With anyone, but I will be Mrs. "

*

- I break with Lucien.

This phrase was launched by Chantal in breaking into the office of his father.

- No letter? inquired Mr. Angeville forward.

- I laugh at his letters ... it's an ugly character. I do not want to hear about it.

- Calm down, Chantal. If I wrote in Epernay? I thought about just now.

- At his father? Ah! No, such a cad, and he can tell his set: "Watch her wishes to me: she did write to my father by his. "Moreover, it is a blessing from Heaven that I had forgotten in the race, I have never loved!

- Your words exceed your mind. Remember the night of your engagement.

- Does What it had on the night of my engagement?

- Your joy, my child.

- A girl is too happy to say, "Whew! I will not stay to account. "

- Chantal, what you say is monstrous, it is despite inspires you is ...

- Vexation ! Do not say that word again ... You imagine yourself in the Beautiful time, Dad! Serenades, love, always, and big mustaches Gypsy, coming grind his violin in the ear of his beloved. Think, you still build the machines grandfather exhibited in 1900 between the Big Wheel and Eiffel Tower? No, is not it? Well ! love is like the Big Wheel: he turned and it no longer exists. Now, what you call love has a distant relationship with these fine sentiments which speak novels of your younger days.

With patience, the father replied:

- Let that love no longer exists: your intention is to stay single?

- No, Dad. I get married, but not with Lucien ... it's over.

Mr. Angeville was a fair share of the wrath of her daughter.

In truth, he was not really sorry to break this threat. Lucien had never seemed to him the ideal son. Pretty boy, sure, but a little too ... son to dad, too tried to walk with his father's legs. He, Victor Angeville, he had inherited the "Tours Angeville" but a small workshop, he had a factory instead of a tower model, came out twenty types of machine tools.

And secretly, another reason made him, in the eyes of the industry, an imperfect son Chantal was his only daughter. Chantal married to Lucien pass the champagne and immediately later, when he had closed his eyes and no longer would direct the factory, the "Machine Tools Angeville" would do more to Chantal and her children as a source of dividend.

Since the day he realized that his wife would not give him other children that his daughter, Victor Angeville had been harassed by this idea: a son formed by him and one day become the boss. And, later, grandchildren who might say to an old machine:

"This old trick that you have there, that's my grandfather, Victor Angeville, who had invented speed reducers ..."

Unleashing his impatience, the girl was nervous and had in the office.

Suddenly, someone knocked at the door and a secretary brought the mail.

- There is a communication from Mr. Lancey, she announced.

- Ask it here, I will see later, said Mr. Angeville.

A moment disturbed by this interruption, the father looked when he was in this unexpected conversation with her daughter. It does not give him time to recover.

- What kind of man is this, your Lancey?

Victor Angeville stopped, supporting the eyes of his daughter.

- Lancey ... my engineer?

- I do not think you have here a whole tribe of Lancey?

- He is not here, he is in Saint-Denis. Here, I only have commercial services.

Saint-Denis, the name evoked for Chantal huge halls where rumbled aligned machines with workers in blue overalls looking at her, an amused smile.

- Chantal, what are you dreams?

- I do not think of anything, I ask you a question.

- Lancy fate of Central, a remarkable spirit ... the genius of melancholy ... one of my best employees.

- He is not married ?

- No.

- Engaged?

- I do not know ... I do not think so ...

Industrial stared at his daughter in astonishment.

In an instant, like a kind of cinema amok, he lives with dizzying speed images unfold, Chantal ready to marry anyone, a stranger, and perhaps even ... Lancey?

- Why not ?

Has he spoken, or is she who replies?

- Lancey, why not?

Mr. Angeville was barely recovered from his astonishment that already Chantal was gone. She followed the corridors where two service chiefs hailed the passage and its small glass cage, the operator saw the pass, haughty and proud.

- Who is it ? whispered a little typist, entered the factory recently.

- The boss's daughter ...

A look of envy followed the elegant silhouette.

- She has the vein ... sighed the young employee!.

In his office, Victor Angeville remained motionless, his head in his hands, and the secretary who had seen the girl out the so surprised.

- You do not remember the Mr. Lancey promotion date?

- No, sir, but I can find out.

- Yes, that's it, get me his file.

Now, Chantal went back the avenue Jena. The Arc de Triomphe, close, evil emanated from the morning mist. It seemed that angle more imposing even than viewed from the front.

While walking quietly, the girl spoke of his interview with his father and thinking that it had raised about the young engineer.

In fact, she did not think to ask his father what is the name of his collaborator. He is thirty, maybe. She knows it is great because it recalls a story where he had hit his head while his father had passed without difficulty.

She thought aloud:

"Dad has not jumped, it should not be a monster. "

His family, what does it do? Whatever. He is an engineer of Central, this is still a title which, nowadays, is well worth a coronet or a name on a bottle of extra dry.

Mrs Lancey ... Why not? But he does it want?

Chantal smiled bitterly:

"Of course, do I not" the boss's daughter "? "

II

- Well ! Lancey, where are you?

The young engineer, who was sitting at his drawing table, got up to welcome Mr. Angeville. Was it that the boss was anxious to see run the automatic transmission to get him back in the afternoon at the factory!

Stealth, Victor Angeville examined his engineer and was astonished to find out.

"A handsome face, male, expressive, a strong chin, a nice boy, in short," do as he said, while the other continued:

- ... If my line is too low, the power required ...

He spoke, without explaining that Mr. Angeville the would listen, and it was the first time that this happened. The engineer was too busy with his argument for paying attention and when the door opened again, Chantal's father refrained from looking behind ... not to distract him. He knew very well that his daughter entered and judged preferable Lancey she saw in his better attitude while he warmed by her.

- ... The movement of the axis will require new calculations but, as soon as I set my curves, I'll be able to know ...

Victor Angeville nodded. Suddenly, the young engineer was aware of another presence. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Chantal motionless within three paces, whose eyes were fixed on him.

He immediately stopped his speech and greeted the girl:

- Miss ...

The charm that made him a brilliant man when he spoke profession seemed faint.

- You do not know my daughter? Angeville asked.

- I sometimes glimpse Miss ...

Chantal's father introduced them in the best shape. The young man heard himself called "Lancey, whom I have so often spoken ..."

Industrial and continued:

- At this moment we are developing a new system ...

But the girl seemed only moderately interested in the blueprint that stretched the drawing board.

She looked curiously at the office of the engineer and even went to the window.

- Go on, I do not mind, she said kindly.

After some hesitation, Lancey still gave explanations to his boss, but they were one and the other distracted and the presentation of the young man was soon over.

- We'll see it all tomorrow, made Angeville.

- If you like, sir, but I would rather that you grant me two days, as I said, because it is necessary that I check the moments of inertia.

Of course ... Imagine, Lancey, my daughter would be very interested in a factory tour ... Is not, Chantal?

The girl leafing through a magazine, sitting on the edge of the engineer's office. She looked up.

- Yes, you know I only came for this.

- If you wanted to accompany ...

Lancey appeared to show only low enthusiasm.

- I have great pleasure to visit the plant to miss, but do not you think that Bachet would be more qualified than me? And if you want the study to be completed by the end of the week ...

- A visit of half an hour, an hour maybe, will not delay you much.

Lancey bowed.

Moments later, as the two young men down the stairs offices Chantal pretended to apologize. With some coquetry, she said:

- I'm sorry to bother you in your work.

- Not at all, miss. I am afraid to be a poor guide. I am quite familiar workshops, obviously, but I'm mainly a design engineer. Here we reach the turning shop.

It was a deafening sound and bawled Lancey is to give some explanation.

- The grand tour you see here ...

But the girl was not listening.

"Physically, she thought, worth Lucien ... but it is so different ... This is a worker! It's out of his mechanics that I would see him, try him. "

They then crossed a yard to get to the foundry.

- There are not very long as you're my father?

- Two years.

- And before ?

- Before, I was at Central.

- Your father was an officer, I think?

- Colonel Moroccan riflemen. He was killed in Italy ...

- And ... and your mother?

- I live with my mother ... I regret that this is not the time of casting. It's a shame, you would have seen is very interesting.

On the floor, workers were stuffing sand into molds.

- You play bridge, Mr. Lancey?

- Oh, very badly.

- You dance, then, because, in general, plays bridge when we do not like to dance.

The young man smiled.

- I like dancing, but I have rarely in the occasion. You see this piece of wood, this is the model he used to ...

- I like to dance also. On Saturday, in fact, I have a surprise party, you do me great pleasure if you agree to come.

- Pay attention to the crane.

He pulled her by the arm hastily and Chantal saw a huge mass move to within a meter of her.

- You will come, will not it?

- I'm very confused ...

- There's nothing else to do now?

- If you have not yet visited the adjustment.

- This visit is very tiring and exasperating noise. How can men live eight hours a day in this atmosphere?

Lancey smiled.

- We will see the fit again, she said.

The young man did not insist.

- You will probably find your father?

- Dad ? I will not wait; besides, I have my car. On Saturday ten I count on you. You know where we live?

The young man stammered thanks.

- Ah! I almost forgot to reassure you that we will be among young, Dad will not be there.

She laughed mischievously, the first smile of her that was natural, and she went, always right and distant.

More than one of the young men who formed the staff Angeville have thought with pride and perhaps ambition

"I think I'm turning in my career. "

Michael Lancey, he remained dazed.

Beyond the gate, the car Miss Angeville began the road, and he was still standing in the middle of the court. It was like being caught in a strange vertigo. Finally, realizing how much has his immobility, there on the flooded cement square sun might seem suspect to his colleagues, he decided to enter the building and went up to his office.

"I do not understand, I do not understand! "

Hardly was he touched by what was the truth he dismissed the thought.

No, Miss Angeville could be looking for a husband. Flirtatious? She would not go get her flirtations among his father's staff.

He put these questions to the form, to be more to come back, and suddenly he thought the father Angeville as called together those of the young promotion of plant and even less young .

Mechanically Lancey sat at his desk, in the same way he had intellectually dismantled a mechanism, he analyzed the event.

"This coup mounted by the boss. Miss Chantal did not arrive until after, and only because it was his car, but everything was prepared. The visit was only a pretext, no doubt. Pretext for the invitation ... I am. The Angeville father is too interested in the success of my study there put all its assets. There fortnight, he used an argument: money.

"- Lancey, he told me, if you put me that thing to the point, I will give you a reward that you will like.

"The other week, he played another argument:

"- If our walking speed changes will require that the plant put a car at your disposal. You know how to drive, I think?

"And today is the sentimental card. Oh ! I understand ... There is no spirit of adventure there. The Angeville are not people to turn on the charm by their daughters. No, it just shows me how my services by inviting me one appreciates at a party. It's fun, I might have been less surprised if Victor Angeville told me:

"- You're free tomorrow? Come lunch at home, we can talk more quietly. "

Lancey was quite satisfied with his small and deductions, however, a few words were eerily echoing in his ears:

"Forgot to reassure you. Dad will not be there. "

III

- Mr. Michael Lancey, miss Anne-Marie Verdois

- Mr. Michael Lancey, cousin Teresa Villarnoux ... Guy Pachon, a future master of the bar ... Thierry Dupuis, the fiancé of Thérèse Henry Joburg ... ..

Names that Lancey was trying to remember what was easy enough, but not there in fifteen minutes if Anne-Marie Verdois was the young redhead or brunette in blue dress? All these young people seemed to know, they recalled memories, asking each other the news!

The young engineer felt out of place among these strangers that Chantal had to present it. He exchanged some small talk with Anne-Marie, eagerly curious and wanted to know where this one came out.

In the living room, the sound of a pickup, couples danced. Chantal, very busy, welcomed the latest arrivals buffet while at the butler was busy.

A petulant young person came, disturbing his cackling the mellow atmosphere, muffled, of the early surprise party.

- Lucien has not yet happened? she asked with surprise to the young hostess.

Chantal felt blush as eye shadow.

- No, he's in London.

- For a long time ?

- He does not know exactly ... But now Michou and her fiance, excuse me.

It was for her a relief to see this couple friends to escape the prying questions.

The young person petulant remained forbidden a moment, then she jumped about a boy she knew and went away with him.

- What do you think of Michael Lancey? Chantal asked his cousin, between dances.

- But who is he?

The girl took a mysterious air.

- Give me your opinion first.

Therese looked warily.

- Friendly, she said casually. But who is it ?

- The future director of Dad.

- Ah!

A "ah! "Which showed how little the girl was the future director of Uncle Victor. Then she continued:

- I imagined that he was the rider Anne-Marie. They are not left since the beginning.

- Anne Marie ? No...

Chantal looked around, Michael was still dancing with her friend.

"If would know they? "She mused, suddenly taking a hint.

The young man no longer had this tension mask that made him look so when we saw the engineer at his drawing table or when he did visit the plant. The dancer, she looked at him with ecstasy.

- Anne-Marie monopolizes all newcomers, is looking for a husband, noticed Chantal striving to laugh.

A terrible fear, however, had to seize it.

"This charming Anne-Marie would be able ... Oh! no, my dear, you will not imagine you I hunted for your beautiful eyes. "

The dance ended.

Chantal was found by chance on the way to Michel; Anne-Marie was still at his side!

- Well ! Mr. Lancey, you miss all your homework.

She was smiling by questioning the young man, but this forced smile that immobilized her features.

- Why, miss? he said, surprised.

- You have not invited me to dance.

Despite his effort to appear cheerful, she felt the shock that caused his words. Her friend had a small high the waist and Lancey, abashed, left without saying anything. His position was extremely delicate. Had he really made a mistake by not inviting first Miss Angeville?

- Excuse me, said Anne-Marie, acidly.

- I beg you, do not you see that I tease Mr. Lancey?

The young man thought it was a joke, but his wife was not fooled. Half fig, half grape, she replied:

- I do not want to take Mr. Lancey.

And turning to Michael, she added:

- Right away...

Then, softly, she slipped to Chantal, before leaving:

- But, Lucien?

The girl did not answer and, all smiles, turned to Lancey who had not heard it and thought, mumbling some excuse, invited to dance.

And while they were moving, Chantal said mockingly:

- Beware of Anne-Marie, she's looking for a husband.

- I'm not afraid of marriage! Lancey exclaimed cheerfully.

- Really ?

Chantal felt a twinge of heart.

- Anne-Marie And ...?

She saw him blush and she blushed itself, not of his impertinence and his shamelessness, but fear.

Was it too late? ...

She confiscated Lancey for three dances for the next corner, she begged him to help him through the glasses of champagne.

- It's late, she explained. I sent the servants to bed, we will be quieter.

The party was in full swing. Gradually, the tone of conversation arose, the atmosphere became heated, laughter rang out through the rooms. About two in the morning, the dancers abandoned for a time the sambas and jerks to a parody of quadrille which mingled couples.

- I'm going to get you involved, Mr. Lancey, apologized Chantal, all the confusion. Will you come with me to look for champagne? There is nothing at the buffet.

She led him to the basement and as they descended the stairs, she said, with camaraderie:

- Thank you to accompany me, I do not know what I would have done alone.

They were in the office and, fleetingly, Michel realized the unexpected situation: be here in a kind of domestic intimacy, with the boss's daughter he barely knew, to open cupboards to look for bottles that the butler had to prepare.

- I do not see anything, did Chantal.

- Do not they would in the fridge?

- You are right ; I'm stupid not to have thought ... It is true that I feel dizzy.

She laughed coquettishly.

Their eyes met. A gleam of admiration shone in the eyes of the young man.

The heavy blond curls falling on the shoulders of Chantal, her eyes perhaps a little vague and long eyelashes that sifted them, made the look of the girl even more mysterious. Michel felt a great disturbance. It seemed to him that his chest rose a little more violently and closed his eyes. Never before had he felt the temptation so close. He is recovering fast and positive spirit already trying to sort out his feelings.

His companion had she realized that moment of vertigo? This impenetrable but still smiling, handed him bottles and closed the cooler.