The Works of Charles Lever Volume 1
Charles James Lever
Paperback
(RareBooksClub.com, May 14, 2012)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 Excerpt: ... spot--indignant passion in that heart which despair and sorrow had almost rendered callous. "His majesty was still laughing as he mounted his barb in the court-yard; and the courtiers, like well-bred gentlemen, laughed as became them, with that low, quiet laugh which is the meet chorus of a sovereign's mirth, when suddenly two loud reports, so rapidly following on each other as almost to seem one, startled the glittering cortege, and even made the Arab courser of the king plunge madly in the air. "' Par St. Denis! messieurs,' said Louis, passionately, 'this pleasantry of yours is ill thought of. Who has dared to do this?' "But none spoke. A terrified look around the circle was the only reply to the king's question, when a page rushed forward, his dress spotted and blood-stained, his face pale with horror: '"Your majesty--ah, sire?' said he, kneeling--but sobs choked him, and he could not utter more. "' What is this?--will no one tell?' cried the King, as a frown of dark omen shadowed his angry features. "' Your majesty has lost a brave, an honest, and a faithful follower, sire,' said Monsieur de Coulanges. 'Arnoud de Gency is no more.' "' Why, I saw him this instant,' said the King. 'He asked me some favor for his boy.' '"True, sire,' replied De Coulanges, mournfully; but he checked himself in time, for already the well-known and dreaded expression of passion had mounted to the king's face. "'Dismiss the "chasse" gentlemen,' said he, in a low, thick voice; 'and do you, Monsieur de Verneuil, attend me.' "The cortege was soon scattered; and the Marquis de Verneuil followed the king, with an expression where fear and dread were not to be mistaken. "Monsieur de Verneuil did indeed seem an altered...