The Comedy of Human Life Volume 21 (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. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... me; if he only could stick to workoh, I should be too happy. Why take us on show to my father's mistress, a woman who is ruining him and is the cause of troubles that are killing my heroic mother?" "Mychild, that is not where the cause of your father's ruin lies. It was his singer who ruined him, and then your marriage " replied her cousin. "Bless me why, Madame Marneffe is of the greatest use to him. However, I must tell no tales." "You have a good word for everybody, dear Betty " Hortense was called into the garden by hearing the child cry; Lisbeth was left alone with Wenceslas. "You have an angel for your wife, Wenceslas " said she. "Love her as you ought; never give her cause for grief." "Yes, indeed, I love her so well that I do not tell her all," replied Wenceslas; "but to you, Lisbeth, I may confess the truth.--If I took my wife's diamonds to the Monte-de-Piete, we should be no further forward." "Then borrow of Madame Marneffe," said Lisbeth. "Persuade Hortense, Wenceslas, to let you go there, or else, bless me go there without telling her." "That is what I was thinking of," replied Wenceslas, "when I refused for fear of grieving Hortense." "Listen to me; I care too much for you both not to warn you of your danger. If you go there, hold your heart tight in both hands, for the woman is a witch. All who see her adore her; she is so wicked, so inviting She fascinates men like a masterpiece. Borrow her money, but do not leave your soul in pledge. I should never be happy again if you were false to Hortense--here she is not another word I will settle the...