I longed to see the
Chalet, and I got here just as SHE was putting out her light. I saw
the dogs rush at you, and I overheard your words, and that is why I
take the liberty of saying we serve in the same regiment--that of
loyal devotion."
"Monsieur," said La Briere, wringing the hunchback's hand, "would you
have the friendliness to tell me if Mademoiselle Modeste ever loved
any one WITH LOVE before she wrote to Canalis?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Butscha in an altered voice; "that thought is an
insult. And even now, who knows if she really loves? does she know
herself? She is enamored of genius, of the soul and intellect of that
seller of verses, that literary quack; but she will study him, we
shall all study him; and I know how to make the man's real character
peep out from under that turtle-shell of fine manners,--we'll soon see
the petty little head of his ambition and his vanity!" cried Butscha,
rubbing his hands. "So, unless mademoiselle is desperately taken with
him--"
"Oh! she was seized with admiration when she saw him, as if he were
something marvellous," exclaimed La Briere, letting the secret of his
jealousy escape him.
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