The White House Part 90

"I have flitted about."

"Are you still in the same shop?"

"I should think not! I have been in thirty since. But I think that I am going to settle down at last; the person with whom I am intimate now is looking for a _fas.h.i.+onable_ little shop for me."

"Fifine!"

"Well?"

"Doesn't your heart say anything to you? does not this meeting cause you a delicious emotion, as it does me?"

"Mon Dieu! no! I am not moved at all!"

"Fifine, I still have a neat little income, and I hope to get back into my old department. As we have met again, what prevents us from renewing a connection that was once so affectionate, from adoring each other as we used?"

"No, thanks! I won't renew anything! You would only have to inherit some more money, and then you'd drop me again!"

"Ah! Fifine! what a rebuke! You cut me to the heart!"

"I am very sorry, but you don't cut me at all!"

"Let us at least make the most of the chance that brings us together; come and dine with me, Fifine."

"No."

"I know a little restaurant where they make excellent rum punches;--you used to be very fond of rum punch, Fifine."

"I still am, but I won't dine with you. Oh! it's of no use for you to a.s.sume your affecting expression! it doesn't touch me in the least now.--It's four o'clock and I must leave you; I am going to join my little milord, who is waiting for me on Place de la Bourse."

As she spoke, Fifine dropped Robineau's arm. He heaved a deep sigh and drew his handkerchief, raising his eyes heavenward in his distress; but that only made Fifine laugh.

"My dear man," she said as she left him, "a woman forgives infidelity, but never ingrat.i.tude!"

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

worthy villager, who know La Roche-Noire=> worthy villager, who knows La Roche-Noire [pg 124]

alive when they took his out=> alive when they took him out [pg 145]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _Bas_.--Which means stockings, as well.

[2] A _rosiere_ is the name given in many villages to the girl who wins the prize for virtue.

[3]

How I love this spot! beside these pure waters, How sweet, in the gloaming, nature to admire!

Born 'neath yon humble roof, he who dwells here Views with indifferent eye these frowning mountains.

But to a heart susceptible to melancholy, This romantic spot is full of poesy!

These steep cliffs, these limpid streams, These winding paths, these swaying reeds, All these excite me, touch me, and this savage scene Speaks to my amazed senses an unfamiliar language.

[4]

All rests in the darkness and Idamore alone From the walls of Benares escapes before dawn.

What is this ancient forest, whither your steps have led me?

But I see a temple, and the luminary of night!

[5]

Where am I? What darkness Shrouds with a ghastly veil the light that shone for us?

These walls are dyed with blood! I see the Furies Shake their torches, avengers of parricides!

The vivid lightning seems to strike me down, h.e.l.l yawns!

[6]

I have the blest promise, That as midnight draws near, Love will noiselessly open to me My mistress's alcove!

[7] _Va te promener!_ Literally, as translated, but as an idiomatic expression it signifies: Go about your business!

[8] The point made in French is lost in English. The verb used--sentir--means either to feel or to smell.

[9]

Thy charms all hearts ensnare, Grace, youth in thee I see; No joy so sweet, so rare, As always loving thee.

[10] In French, _il possede dix langues_!--"he possesses ten tongues,"--which makes the pun more intelligible.