Madame Sans-Gene (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: ...evening, should try to catch some of these artless colloquialisms--they have no doubt been borrowed from the lower classes. Catherine. (aside to Lefebvre, annoyed and articulating indistinctly) D'ye hear that? Oh Lefebvre. (coining down) Be calm now Caroline. (still falsely amiable) They are seldom heard, I believe, outside of the fish market and such places. Catherine. (trembling somewhat, and with dilated nostrils, comes down, followed by Lefebvre) She'd better stop now, or something's going to drop. Caroline. (still in the same tone) By the way, Duchess, was it not in that neighborhood, Duchess, --perhaps you have not heard this interesting story, ladies, --was it not somewhere near the fish market that on the night of the tenth of August you saved the life of Monsieur de Neip Esrg by hiding him in your bed? (suppressed laughter. Efebvre, irritated, makes a movement, but is checked by his wife) Catherine. That concerns me. I'll settle her (crosses to Caroline, with the greatest calm) Your Majesty means, that I took him in when he was wounded and that I gave him a refuge in my room, in broad daylight. As to the kind of hospitality your Majesty refers to, I leave it (she nods slightly towards Eliza) to ladies of higher rank than mine, who reserve their favors for the strong and healthy. Lefebvre. (aside to Catherine) Bravo Catherine. (aside, fanning herself) Put that in your pipe and smoke it Fouche. (dropping his pinch of snuff back into the box) Too late (goes up l.) Caroline. (aloud) Monsieur de Neipperg knew what he was doing then, the day he took refuge in your Catherine. (coming quietly before her, and interrupting her, with a smile) In my shop. All The Ladies. Shop Catherine. Yes, your Majesty, (all the ladies are standing.