Pot-Bouille (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...Clarisse, it seemed to him that the twenty-five thou, sand francs of furniture was thus melting away, and he answered angrily: "No, I shall not seek her. She must ask my pardon on her knees." "Hark May be that is she, coming now I" said Gueulin, pricking up his ears. In fact some one was certainly in the dining-room, a voice was heard, saying: "Where on earth are they? They must be dead " It was Octave who entered. He was confounded at these open doors and empty rooms. But his astonishment increased still more when he saw in the centre of this huge empty salon these four men, one sitting on the floor, the three others standing, one of them, the magistrate, holding in his hand the slender candle much as if it had been a penitential taper. In a few words he was told the truth. "Impossible " he exclaimed. "Did you hear nothing below?" asked Gueulin. "Not one word. The concierge quietly permitted me to come up. And she has run away Well upon my word, I am not astonished. Her hair and her eyes were so very odd " He asked to hear all the particulars however, and talked for a few minutes before he recalled the sad errand on which he had come. Then suddenly turning to Duverdy, he said: "Your wife sent me for you..Your father-in-law is dying." "Ah indeed," said the magistrate simply. "Monsieur Vabre " murmured Bachelard. "Well I am not astonished. I expected it." "Well it was about time," remarked Gueulin, philosophically. "Well we can go now," added Trublot, as-he rolled another cigarette. Finally the party made up their minds to leave these deserted rooms. Octave said he had a fiacre at the door, and had promised to...