Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/107

Rh boy himself was doubtless doing at school.

When Henry rang at the villa gate it was Blandine who opened the door to him. She thought she beheld a god! All her blood rushed back to her heart. She adored him at first sight, respectfully with no self-interested hope, or ambition for herself, understanding that in living ever in the presence of the young Kehlmark, she would have her full desire, the complete aim of her aspirations. Later, she better understood what had passed within her at this first and decisive meeting. Therefore, her complex impression can only become really definite through the successive phases of this narrative. In short, the pious Blandine was strongly affected by Henry. Into this climax of feeling, towards which her sympathies had long been directed, there was mingled fear, anguish and admiration, perhaps even a little of that secret pity, which we experience in the presence of things rare, ephemeral, and almost incompatible with ordinary life.

"It is Mademoiselle Blandine, doubtless, the little fairy, whom my good grandmamma has praised to me so highly," said the young man, extending his hand to the lady's