Jane by Alexandre Dumas (Illustrated) by Alexandre Dumas

Author:Alexandre Dumas [DUMAS, ALEXANDRE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 29 of 43 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER VII

AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE

WHAT was the affair of such great importance which Captain Montane had to communicate in private to Mynheer August?

History remains silent on this point, and, until further orders, we are compelled to restrict ourselves to conjectures.

All we can say is, that after a quarter of an hour, the door of the dining-room, which had been hermetically sealed in the interval, was flung open violently, and the captain came out purple with rage and tugging at his moustaches, while Mynheer August van Naarvaersen said to him in his gentlest tones and acompanying the words with several bows, —

“The nose, my dear Monsieur Montane, is a great encumbrance. Saperloot! an ell is all right, or even two ells; but two and a half ells, that is too much of a good thing!”

The captain crossed the drawing-room without looking at or saying a word to Madame August, who was playing piquet with Quenzius, or to Jane, who was talking to Elim.

When he reached the steps, however, he was heard to mutter,—”Ah! Monsieur Narvarsan, I will pay you out for this!”

A moment later the sound of two horses’ feet was heard, and the custom-house officer was seen galloping away.

Not understanding the reason for this abrupt departure, Jane and Elim rose and went to find Mynheer August in his study.

Contrary to his custom, Mynheer August appeared greatly disturbed; he was walking rapidly up and down the room. It was easy to see that he was under the influence of some unusual emotion.

But, on seeing his pretty Jane, his face brightened.

He took her by the hand and kissed her.

“You don’t want to leave your father, my child, do you?”

“Why do you ask me that?” said Jane timidly.

“Because, my dear, a sad thought has crossed my mind. I remember that I have seen in the spring the young swallows, scarcely fledged, that had left their nest. They were caught by schoolboys. Daughters, my poor Jane, are like swallows.”

“I don’t know what you mean, father; but I have never wanted to leave you. I don’t want to leave you now—”

Jane hesitated; then, recovering her courage, she added, —

“Promise to grant me what I am going to ask you.”

“All right, dear, I understand; you want some jewellery, a ring, a necklace. Tell me what it is, you know I refuse you nothing.”

“Oh! father, I have so much jewellery already that I want nothing of that sort. But you won’t be angry, father, will you?”

“I shall be angry if you don’t tell me at once what you want. Is it a dancing-master? You shall have M. Saint-Leger, a pupil of Vestris, who can dance a gavotte on the neck of a bottle.”

“You will keep on joking, father, but I want to talk to you seriously.”

“Seriously! You? Bless me! I am curious to know what serious matter you can have got in your head.”

“But in my heart, father—”

Mynheer August looked at Jane.

“Yes, we — I — Elim—” she stammered.

“Ah I yes, the dear Elim, my poor friend!

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