Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/109

Rh moment and the season of the year produced an enervating effect, exciting him to fancies and curious imaginations.

Through the open window the young Count hears the sound of organs and accordions coming from a workmen's quarter, across some acres of cultivated gardens, distributed between the dowager's villa and those of her neighbours, and divided from each other by bright green hedges. For several evenings the plaintive strains of brass-bellied instruments calling "all lights out" in an artillery barracks situated away down at the further extremity of the faubourg, had come, wafted along on the warm breeze to Kehlmark's ears, mingled with the music of the lilies that agitated their fragrant-tipped thyrses.

There was also building a-going on in the neighbourhood: the principal construction is on the morrow to receive its roof, and throughout the day the young patrician has heard the silvery music made by the masons as they strike the bricks with their trowels. Several times, feeling disturbed, he has leaned out and has seen the labourers, covered with white dust and wild of aspect, pretty country boys, with trough or hod on shoulder,