"Well, dear," said Rose, dryly, "since you admit so much, I must say I couldn't help thinking--while you were doing it--we were letting 'the poor boy' off ridiculously cheap.""At least I did my duty?" suggested Josephine, inquiringly.
"Magnificently; you overawed even me.So now to business, as the gentlemen say.Which of us two takes him?""Takes whom?" inquired Josephine, opening her lovely eyes.
"Edouard," murmured Rose, lowering hers.
Josephine glared on the lovely minx with wonder and comical horror.
"Oh! you shall have him," said Rose, "if you like.You are the eldest, you know.""Fie!"
"Do now; TO OBLIGE ME."
"For shame! Rose.Is this you? talking like that!""Oh! there's no compulsion, dear; I never force young ladies'
inclinations.So you decline him?"
"Of course I decline him."
"Then, oh, you dear, darling Josephine, this is the prettiest present you ever made me," and she kissed her vehemently.
Josephine was frightened now.She held Rose out at arm's length with both hands, and looked earnestly into her, and implored her not to play with fire."Take warning by me."Rose recommended her to keep her pity for Monsieur Riviere, "who had fallen into nice hands," she said.That no doubt might remain on that head, she whispered mysteriously, but with much gravity and conviction, "I am an Imp;" and aimed at Josephine with her forefinger to point the remark.For one second she stood and watched this important statement sink into her sister's mind, then set-to and gambolled elfishly round her as she moved stately and thoughtful across the grass to the chateau.
Two days after this a large tree was blown down in Beaurepaire park, and made quite a gap in the prospect.You never know what a big thing a leafy tree is till it comes down.And this ill wind blew Edouard good; for it laid bare the chateau to his inquiring telescope.He had not gazed above half an hour, when a female figure emerged from the chateau.His heart beat.It was only Jacintha.He saw her look this way and that, and presently Dard appeared, and she sent him with his axe to the fallen tree.Edouard watched him hacking away at it.Presently his heart gave a violent leap; for why? two ladies emerged from the Pleasaunce and walked across the park.They came up to Dard, and stood looking at the tree and Dard hacking it, and Edouard watched them greedily.You know we all love to magnify her we love.And this was a delightful way of doing it.It is "a system of espionage" that prevails under every form of government.How he gazed, and gazed, on his now polar star; studied every turn, every gesture, with eager delight, and tried to gather what she said, or at least the nature of it.
But by and by they left Dard and strolled towards the other end of the park.Then did our astronomer fling down his tube, and come running out in hopes of intercepting them, and seeming to meet them by some strange fortuity.Hope whispered he should be blessed with a smile; perhaps a word even.So another minute and he was running up the road to Beaurepaire.But his good heart was doomed to be diverted to a much humbler object than his idol; as he came near the fallen tree he heard loud cries for help, followed by groans of pain.He bounded over the hedge, and there was Dard hanging over his axe, moaning."What is the matter? what is the matter?" cried Edouard, running to him.
"Oh! oh! cut my foot.Oh!"
Edouard looked, and turned sick, for there was a gash right through Dard's shoe, and the blood welling up through it.But, recovering himself by an effort of the will, he cried out, "Courage, my lad!
don't give in.Thank Heaven there's no artery there.Oh, dear, it is a terrible cut! Let us get you home, that is the first thing.
Can you walk?"
"Lord bless you, no! nor stand neither without help."Edouard flew to the wheelbarrow, and, reversing it, spun a lot of billet out."Ye must not do that," said Dard with all the energy he was capable of in his present condition."Why, that is Jacintha's wood."--"To the devil with Jacintha and her wood too!" cried Edouard, "a man is worth more than a fagot.Come, I shall wheel you home: it is only just across the park."With some difficulty he lifted him into the barrow.Luckily he had his shooting-jacket on with a brandy-flask in it: he administered it with excellent effect.
The ladies, as they walked, saw a man wheeling a barrow across the park, and took no particular notice; but, as Riviere was ****** for the same point they were, though at another angle, presently the barrow came near enough for them to see Dard's head and arms in it.
Rose was the first to notice this."Look! look! if he is not wheeling Dard in the barrow now.""Who?"
"Can you ask? Who provides all our excitement?"Josephine instantly divined there was something amiss."Consider,"said she, "Monsieur Riviere would not wheel Dard all across the park for amusement."Rose assented; and in another minute, by a strange caprice of fate, those Edouard had come to intercept, quickened their pace to intercept him.As soon as he saw their intention he thrilled all over, but did not slacken his pace.He told Dard to take his coat and throw it over his foot, for here were the young ladies coming.
"What for?" said Dard sulkily."No! let them see what they have done with their little odd jobs: this is my last for one while.Isha'n't go on two legs again this year."
The ladies came up with them.
"O monsieur!" said Josephine, "what is the matter?""We have met with a little accident, mademoiselle, that is all.
Dard has hurt his foot; nothing to speak of, but I thought he would be best at home."Rose raised the coat which Riviere, in spite of Dard, had flung over his foot.
"He is bleeding! Dard is bleeding! Oh, my poor Dard.Oh! oh!""Hush, Rose!"
