The Refugees of Martinique (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1900. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 211 CHAPTER XXIV. THE CONVERSATION. Tn order to explain the confidence which the Gascon exhibited, we should state that when he heard Mirette call him ' monseigneur' he had taken it for granted, and correctly so as it proved, that I/a Barbe Bleue was upon her guard, and that Monmouth was in safe concealment; and whatever the mulatto girl may have said, Croustillac was convinced, and again correctly so, that Father Griffon had informed Angele that her pretended husband was coming in search of her. This circumstance was sufficiently serious for the priest, acquainted with all the mysteries of Le Morne-au-Diable, to put La Barbe-Bleue on her guard against the new danger with which she was threatened. "When Mirette had asserted that Father Griffon had not seen La Barbe-Bleue, it was because the latter wished it to be believed that the priest had not communicated with the residents at Le Morne-au-Diable. We shall presently explain what cannot but appear very contradictory in Croustillac's conduct, and shall answer this question: --If his wish had been to take an unworthy advantage of the name he had assumed in order to carry off La Barbe-Bleue, why had he, through Father Griffon, put her on her guard against his design? Croustillac, having recommended M. de Chemeraut to remain perfectly silent, advanced upon the tips of his toes until he arrived quite close to the portiere which was half drawn aside, and regarded what was passing in the salon, whence loud bursts of laughter were still heard to peal forth. Hardly had he caught a glimpse of what was going on in the apartment, than he suddenly turned round to where M. de Chemeraut was standing, and with a most disconcerted look, said to him with an indignant air: 'Look, monsieur, and listen see what the advantage ...