Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 1).djvu/46

 pretended to be busy in pouring out the coffee.

"My forced gaiety was however lost upon him (said Clermont); he grew agitated, so I took my leave, promising to call upon him again in the course of the day; and, at his desire, sent one of the young men of the cottage to the hamlet for his servant, whom he wished, in preference to a stranger, to attend him. As soon as you have breakfasted, my love, I wish you would take a loaf of white bread, which cannot be procured where he is, and a bottle of last year's vintage to the cottage for the young stranger."

No commission could be more pleasing to Madeline than the present one. The moment she rose from table, she tied on her hat, and putting the bread and wine into a small osier basket, proceeded to the cottage, at the door of which its mistress sat netting.