The Whites and the Blues by 1802-1870 Alexandre Dumas Read Free Book Online Page A

after life. It is a waking nightmare, that is all. L* it worth while worrying over it while it lasts, or regretting when it is lost? Faith, no; let us dine. Valeat res ludicra, isn't that so, Charles?"
    And preceding his friends, he led the way into the dining-room, where a sumptuous repast awaited them.
    "But," said Young, seating himself with the others at the table, "what is there in all that to make you get married within the week?"
    "Ah! true, I forgot the best part of the story. When they called me the Monk of Cologne—where I never was a monk—and the canon of Augsburg — where I never was a cannon—they reproached me for my orgies and debauch eries! My orgies! Let me tell you what they were; for

    thirty-four years I drank nothing but water and ate noth ing but carrots; it is no more than fair that I should eat white bread and meat now. My debaucheries! If they think I threw my frock to the devil to live like Saint An thony, they are mistaken. Well, there is one way to end all that, and that is to marry. I shall be as faithful a hus band and as good a father of a family as another, if citizen Saint-Just will give me time."
    "Have you at least selected the fortunate lady who is to have the honor of sharing your couch?" asked Edelmann.
    "Oh!' said Schneider, "so long as there is a woman, the devil himself can look out for her.V
    "To the health of Schneider's future wife!" cried Yout~-; "and since he has left the devil to provide her, may he at least send one who is young, beautiful, and rich.' '
    "Hurrah for Schneider's wife!" said Monnet sadly.
    Just then the door of the dining-room opened, and the old cook appeared on the threshold.
    "There is a citizeness here," she said, "who wishes to speak to Buloge Schneider on urgent business.''
    "Well," said Schneider, "I know nothing more urgent than my dinner. Tell her to return to-morrow.''
    The old woman disappeared, but returned almost imme diately. "She says that to-morrow will be too late."
    "Then why didn't she come sooner?"
    '' Because that was impossible,'' said a soft supplicating voice in the ante-chamber. "Let me see you, I beg, I im plore you!"
    Euloge, with a gesture of impatience, bade the old cook pull the door to and. come close to him. But then, remem bering the freshness and youthfulness of the voice, he said with the smile of a satyr: "Is she young?"
    '' Maybe eighteen,'' replied the old woman.
    "Pretty?"
    "With the devil's own beauty. 11
    The three men began to laugh.
    "You hear, Schneider, the devil's own beauty.

    "Now," said Young, "we need only find out if she is rich, and there is your wife ready to hand. Open the door, old woman, and don't keep her waiting. You ought to know the pretty child if she comes from the devil."
    "Why not from (rod?" asked Charles, in such a sweet voice that the three men started at it.
    "Because our friend Schneider has quarrelled with God, and he stands very high with the devil. I don't know any other reason."
    "And because," said Young, "it is only the devil who gives such prompt answers to prayers."
    "Well," said Schneider, "let her come in."
    The old woman opened the door at once, and on its threshold there appeared the elegant figure of a young girl dressed in a travelling costume, and wrapped in a black satin mantle lined with rose-colored taffeta. She took one step into the room, then stopped at sight of the candles and the four guests, who were gazing at her with an ad miration to which they gave expression in a low murmur, and said: "Citizens, which one of you is the citizen Com missioner of the Kepublic ?"
    "I am, citizeness," replied Schneider, without rising.
    "Citizen," she said, "I have a favor to ask of you on which my life depends." And her glance travelled anx iously from one guest to another.
    "You need not be alarmed by the presence of my friends," said Schneider; "they are true friends, and lovers of beauty. This is my friend Edelmann, who is a musician. ''
    The young girl moved her head slightly as