按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Mme。 d'Aiglemont rose； at the door she turned； but she saw nothing but surprise in her daughter's face。 She went out。 Scarcely had she reached the garden when her strength failed her。 There was a violent pain at her heart； and she sank down on a bench。 As her eyes wandered over the path； she saw fresh marks on the path； a man's footprints were distinctly recognizable。 It was too late； then； beyond a doubt。 Now she began to understand the reason for that order given to Pauline； and with these torturing thoughts came a revelation more hateful than any that had gone before it。 She drew her own inferencesthe son of the Marquis de Vandenesse had destroyed all feeling of respect for her in her daughter's mind。 The physical pain grew worse； by degrees she lost consciousness； and sat like one asleep upon the garden…seat。
The Countess de Saint…Hereen； left to herself； thought that her mother had given her a somewhat shrewd home…thrust； but a kiss and a few attentions that evening would make all right again。
A shrill cry came from the garden。 She leaned carelessly out； as Pauline； not yet departed on her errand； called out for help； holding the Marquise in her arms。
〃Do not frighten my daughter！〃 those were the last words the mother uttered。
Moina saw them carry in a pale and lifeless form that struggled for breath； and arms moving restlessly as in protest or effort to speak； and overcome by the sight； Moina followed in silence； and helped to undress her mother and lay her on her bed。 The burden of her fault was greater than she could bear。 In that supreme hour she learned to know her mothertoo late； she could make no reparation now。 She would have them leave her alone with her mother； and when there was no one else in the room； when she felt that the hand which had always been so tender for her was now grown cold to her touch； she broke out into weeping。 Her tears aroused the Marquise； she could still look at her darling Moina； and at the sound of sobbing； that seemed as if it must rend the delicate； disheveled breast； could smile back at her daughter。 That smile taught the unnatural child that forgiveness is always to be found in the great deep of a mother's heart。
Servants on horseback had been dispatched at once for the physician and surgeon and for Mme。 d'Aiglemont's grandchildren。 Mme。 d'Aiglemont the younger and her little sons arrived with the medical men； a sufficiently impressive； silent； and anxious little group； which the servants of the house came to join。 The young Marquise； hearing no sound； tapped gently at the door。 That signal； doubtless； roused Moina from her grief； for she flung open the doors and stood before them。 No words could have spoken more plainly than that disheveled figure looking out with haggard eyes upon the assembled family。 Before that living picture of Remorse the rest were dumb。 It was easy to see that the Marquise's feet were stretched out stark and stiff with the agony of death； and Moina； leaning against the door…frame； looking into their faces； spoke in a hollow voice：
〃I have lost my mother！〃
PARIS； 1828…1844。
End