Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/281

Rh in no want of lovers. Hastn't thou heard them a-whinnying after them all day, throughout the countryside? But, at my recommendation, they've agreed to give thee the preference. None of them will obey any other summons until thou hast made up thy mind. And yet, I repeat, there abound this evening along the lanes sturdy and valiant cocks enough, who're panting after these dainty hens, and who'll feast finely on those whom thou may'st disdain. Come then, make up thy mind! To which one goes forth thy fancy as a new-made man? To whom the first-fruits of thy strength?"

The young man divined the sinister banter in the flattering words, the first she had addressed to him during the long months they had quarelled, and instead of replying to his sister, he hoped to wheedle the ten other females, sturdy young wenches of the type of Claudie, girls with full-fleshed throats and well-rounded rumps.

"Very sorry, my pretty girls, but I'm in a hurry; I'll be back immediately; I am waited for at the château."

"At the château!" they all cried out. "At the château. They have no need of thee there to-day." 17