Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/173

Rh the deep, long-contained ill-will that the coachman nourished for the little peasant. Kehlmark almost always took Govaertz with him in his drives, and it was Landrillon who drove them. On an excursion which they made to Upperzyde to visit the museum and have another look at the Franz Hals, the young Govaertz shared the apartment of his master, while Landrillon was relegated to the garret under the roof. Worse still, the servant was forced to serve this ragamuffin at table—this ne'er-do-well, formerly the laughing-stock and scapegoat of the Smaragdis labourers, and now swollen with importance, cherished, petted, and become the inseparable companion of Monsieur. To think that this great lord seemed unable to dispense with the company of this wretched young errand-runner, who spoiled his fine paper, expensive canvas, and costly paints!

Had not the varlet dreamed of becoming the husband of Blandine, he would, perhaps, have been even worse disposed towards the cursed shepherd lad. Up to a certain point, the servant was not displeased at the exclusive importance which the young Govaertz was assuming in the life of the Count.