Within an Inch of His Life | Page 8

between husband and wife was too
much, and such a match could not turn out well.
All these dark forebodings came to nought. The fact was, that, for miles
and miles around, there was not a happier couple to be found than the
Count and the Countess Claudieuse; and two children, girls, who had
appeared at an interval of four years, seemed to have secured the
happiness of the house forever.
It is true the count retained somewhat of the haughty manners, the
reserve, and the imperious tone, which he had acquired during the time
that he controlled the destinies of certain important colonies. He was,
moreover, naturally so passionate, that the slightest excitement made
him turn purple in his face. But the countess was as gentle and as sweet
as he was violent; and as she never failed to step in between her
husband and the object of his wrath, as both he and she were naturally
just, kind to excess, and generous to all, they were beloved by
everybody. There was only one point on which the count was rather
unmanageable, and that was the game laws. He was passionately fond
of hunting, and watched all the year round with almost painful
restlessness over his preserves, employing a number of keepers, and
prosecuting poachers with such energy, that people said he would
rather miss a hundred napoleons than a single bird.
The count and the countess lived quite retired, and gave their whole
time, he to agricultural pursuits, and she to the education of her
children. They entertained but little, and did not come to Sauveterre
more than four times a year, to visit the Misses Lavarande, or the old
Baron de Chandore. Every summer, towards the end of July, they went
to Royan, where they had a cottage. When the season opened, and the
count went hunting, the countess paid a visit to her relatives in Paris,
with whom she usually stayed a few weeks.
It required a storm like that of 1870 to overthrow so peaceful an
existence. When the old captain heard that the Prussians were on
French soil, he felt all the instincts of the soldier and the Frenchman
awake in his heart. He could not be kept at home, and went to
headquarters. Although a royalist at heart, he did not hesitate a moment
to offer his sword to Gambetta, whom he detested. They made him

colonel of a regiment; and he fought like a lion, from the first day to the
last, when he was thrown down and trod under foot in one of those
fearful routs in which a part of Chanzy's army was utterly destroyed.
When the armistice was signed, he returned to Valpinson; but no one
except his wife ever succeeded in making him say a word about the
campaign. He was asked to become a candidate for the assembly, and
would have certainly been elected; but he refused, saying that he knew
how to fight, but not how to talk.
The commonwealth attorney and the magistrate listened but very
carelessly to these details, with which they were perfectly familiar.
Suddenly M. Galpin asked,--
"Are we not getting near? I look and look; but I see no trace of a fire."
"We are in a deep valley," replied the mayor. "But we are quite near
now, and, at the top of that hill before us, you will see enough."
This hill is well known in the whole province, and is frequently called
the Sauveterre Mountain. It is so steep, and consists of such hard
granite, that the engineers who laid out the great turnpike turned miles
out of their way to avoid it. It overlooks the whole country; and, when
M. Seneschal and his companions had reached the top, they could not
control their excitement.
"Horresco!" murmured the attorney.
The burning house itself was hid by high trees; but columns of fire rose
high above the tops, and illumined the whole region with their sombre
light. The whole country was in a state of excitement. The short, square
tower of Brechy sent the alarm from its big bell; and in the deep shade
on all sides was heard the strange sound of the huge shells which the
people here use for signals, and for the summoning of laborers at
mealtimes. Hurried steps were heard on all the high-roads and by-roads;
and peasants were continuously rushing by, with a bucket in each hand.
"It is too late for help," said M. Galpin.
"Such a fine property!" said the mayor, "and so well managed!" And
regardless of danger, he dashed forward, down the hill; for Valpinson
lies in a deep valley, half a mile from the river. Here all was terror,
disorder, and confusion; and yet there was no lack of hands