The Son of Monte-Cristo

by Jules Lermina

  CHAPTER XIV.

  TWO PLACES, S. V. P.

  In five minutes all the population of Saint Ame was on the Square, forin these Lorraine villages amusements are rare. They were watching theerection of an enormous shed covered with canvas and strange pictures.An enormous handbill with letters that could be read a hundred feet off,bore most astonishing inscriptions. At the top was Iron Jaws, who heldenormous weights with his teeth. The Giantess, who ate raw pigeons, orany other fowl that was most convenient. The wonderful Almanzor (thatwas Robeccal,) a descendant of the Moors of Spain, crushed glass withhis teeth and swallowed swords. Then there was Caillette, therope-dancer, who charmed the world with her voice, as well as with heraerial lightness. And lastly, in letters of the same length as thosewhich Gudel used for himself, came Fanfar's name.

  "FANFAR! FANFAR! FANFAR!

  "STRENGTH, SKILL, DEXTERITY.

  "He knows everything. He can do everything!"

  And finally, there was a representation of a human pyramid, at the topof which was Caillette, all smiles, and a flower in her hand.

  The good peasants were naturally delighted with all this.

  Iron Jaws, with his hands in his pockets, was marching up and down,giving his orders like a general at the head of an army. Suddenly hecalled,

  "Bobichel!"

  Between two pictures, one of which was a lion devouring a crocodile,appeared the clown's head, grinning from ear to ear. He was so utterlygrotesque that the crowd shrieked with laughter.

  Bobichel's name did not appear on the handbill. It had been omitted toleave more room for that of his friend Fanfar, and Gudel had called himto introduce him, so to speak, to the crowd.

  Fanfar and Caillette were alone. He was trying the ropes of the trapeze,while she was giving some finishing touches to the interior decoration.Suddenly, she stopped and looked up at Fanfar, who was swinging from awooden bar. An artist would have been struck with the beauty of hisfigure.

  Caillette watched him breathlessly as he went through his exercises, andas he dropped at last on the floor, so lightly that his feet scarcelyleft their imprint, she threw both arms around his neck.

  "How bad you are!" she cried, "you frighten me half out of my wits."

  "Frighten you, child! Are you not yet accustomed to my exercises, littlesister?"

  Caillette colored, and half turned away.

  "Why do you call me little sister?" she said.

  Fanfar dropped her hands, which he had taken from his neck. A cloudpassed swiftly over his brow.

  "Because we have been brought up together," he answered, slowly. "Youwere not more than six years old when your father took me into hisservice. But does it vex you for me to call you sister?"

  "No, it does not vex me, but I would rather you did not."

  Fanfar understood her, and was disturbed. He had long since seen in thegirl a growing passion for himself. Her innocence and purity wereexquisite, but at the same time she loved Fanfar. He did not love her.He would have given his life for her, but he did not wish to spend itwith her, and at the thought of Caillette as his wife he drew back. Henow disengaged himself gently from her clinging arms.

  "To work!" he said, "it is growing late."

  Caillette took up her needle, as the door opened to admit Gudel. He wasnot alone, two ladies of aristocratic bearing were with him.

  "But, my dear Irene, this is a strange caprice," said the elder of thetwo. "What will the Countess say?"

  "My dear Madame Ursula, it would oblige me if you would cease yourmoans, that is, unless you should prefer to return to the chateaualone!"

  The dear Madame Ursula was a tall, thin woman, wearing blue glasses. Shewas evidently a companion or governess.

  Irene, in her riding-habit, looked about twenty. Her hair was jet black,and curled over a marble white brow. Her hat, Louis XIII. in shape, withcurling plumes, gave a haughty expression to her dainty features. Shelooked as if she might have stepped from out the frame of one of thepictures of Velasquez. Her beauty was striking. Fanfar grasped it,Caillette studied it.

  "Pray tell me," said the young lady to Gudel, "if you have no seatswhere I can avoid contact with the crowd? I am ready to pay any sum youask."

  "Oh! we have but one price, ten sous."

  The governess uttered a small gasp, and the young girl shrugged hershoulders impatiently.

  She drew out a handful of gold pieces from her bag.

  "Take these," she said, "and do the best you can for me."

  Gudel was puzzled and troubled.

  "Fanfar!" he called, "have you time to construct a sort of private boxfor these ladies?"

  Fanfar advanced, and when Caillette saw the admiring gaze he riveted onthe stranger, she clenched her little hands.

  "I don't think I quite understand," he said.

  Irene replied:

  "It is a very simple matter. I desire to be present at your exhibition,and I do not care to mingle with the vulgar herd."

  Fanfar listened to these words very coldly, and then said:

  "What you ask is impossible."

  "I don't know about that," interposed Gudel, quickly. "I think a privatebox could be quickly made with a few boards--"

  "Only I refuse to make it," said Fanfar.

  "You refuse?"

  Irene started. Caillette smiled and blushed.

  "And may I know why?" asked the stranger, with a disdainful smile. "Whydoes----" She hesitated for the name. Fanfar supplied it. "Why doesMonsieur Fanfar refuse to gain a few louis for his master?"

  "Not his master," said Gudel, hastily.

  "Let me speak," interrupted Fanfar. "I will explain to the lady. Ourpublic are bourgeois and common folk who support us, and bring ussuccess. Their hands are large, but they applaud well. They are goodpeople, and I do not wish to humiliate them. To do what you ask wouldwound them deeply."

  Irene listened, with a frown.

  Gudel retreated to the background where he indulged in a silent laugh.

  Fanfar waited, calmly.

  "This is a lesson you read me?" she said, at last.

  "No, Mademoiselle, it is only advice. Make yourself beloved by thesepeasants. I have much to do, and pray that you will excuse me."

  He bowed, and was about to retire.

  "Monsieur Fanfar," said Irene, "you are right, and I thank you."

  Then, turning to Gudel, she asked him with bewitching grace to retaintwo seats for her.

  "Certainly, and the best. Will we not, Fanfar?"

  The young man met Irene's eyes, and started.

  "Will you give these few louis to the poor?" added Irene, "and I willaccept two seats gratefully."