The Shadow of the Guillotine

           

           AssoonashehadgoneoutJulienweptdesperatelyandforalongtime.HegraduallyadmittedtohimselfthatifmadamedeRênalhadbeenatBesançonhewouldhaveconfessedhisweaknesstoher.ThemomentwhenhewasregrettingtheabsenceofthisbelovedwomanheheardMathilde’sstep.

           "Theworstevilofbeinginprison,"hethought"isone’sinabilitytocloseone’sdoor."AllMathildesaidonlyirritatedhim.

           ShetoldhimthatM.deValenodhadhadhisnominationtotheprefectshipinhispocketonthedayofhistrial,andhadconsequentlydaredtodefyM.deFrilairandgivehimselfthepleasureofcondemninghimtodeath.

           "Whydidyourfriendtakeitintohishead,"M.deFrilairjustsaidtome,"toawakenandattackthepettyvanityofthatbourgeoisaristocracy.Whytalkaboutcaste?Hepointedouttothemwhattheyoughttodointheirownpoliticalinterest;thefoolshadnotbeengivingitathoughtandwerequitereadytoweep.Thatcasteinterestintervenedandblindedtheireyestothehorrorofcondemningamantodeath.OnemustadmitthatM.Sorelisveryinexperienced.Ifwedonotsucceedinsavinghimbyapetitionforareprieve,hisdeathwillbeakindofsuicide."

           MathildewascarefulnottotellJulienamatterconcerningwhichshehadnownolongeranydoubts;itwasthattheabbédeFrilairseeingthatJulienwasruined,hadthoughtthatitwouldfurtherhisambitiousprojectstotryandbecomehissuccessor.

           "Goandlistentoamassforme,"hesaidtoMathilde,almostbesidehimselfwithvexationandimpotentrage,andleavemeamomentinpeace.

Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 684 з 702