Pastourel; Or, the Sorcerer of the Mountain

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 Excerpt: ... and features haughty and passionate, half-opened the door, and said, in an anxious tone: 'Well, have his senses returned V 'Not yet, madam, ' replied Rosine. 'Perfectly, ' said D'Auterive, raising his voice, 'and he is very desirous of leaving this place, if he is to leave it, or have the matter ended, if he is to remain.' The lady whom D'Auterive thus addressed, advanced to the bedside, and made a sign to Rosine. The latter left the chamber, and the Duchess de Nevres remained alone with the chevalier. 'Gaston, ' she said, taking a seat in front of him, 'you have basely deceived me.' 'I asked for a confessor a moment since, Leonore, ' said D'Auterive, ' and I do not see that they are disposed to grant me one. I will confess to you, then, and I pray you to repeat my confession to a priest, who will absolve me by posthumous grace, 1 hope.' 'You jest, D'Auterive, but you do wrong; that which I have to say to you is serious--more serious than you think, perhaps.' 'What is there, then, more serious than death, of which I am thinking at this moment, as you see V 'You will not die of your wound, Gaston; the surgeon who dressed it has declared that it is not dangerous.' 'And am I to think this good news that you bring me, Leonore V said D'Auterive, unable to disguise his satisfaction at what he heard. 'The news will prove as you please to have it. That depends upon the answers you give me.' 'And as my answers will be according to your questions, I think you ought to know whether it is good or evil.' 'Gaston, ' resumed the duchess, ' you hold in your hands my honour, my life, and perhaps the honour and the lives of twenty of the most illustrious families of France.' As to your honour, Leonore, I know that it is in my hands; and it would be safe there, but for the exis