Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/67

Rh "Listen, Burgomaster, we'll talk about it again some other time!" Kehlmark resumed. "It may be possible after all to make something of your wayward boy."

Words, non-committal enough, and pledging him to nothing, but, in speaking them, Henry could scarcely refrain from turning his eyes an instant towards the shepherd-lad, and in this look the latter read, or at least thought he read, a promise something more serious than was contained in the words themselves. The poor youngster felt joy full of hope and of comforting augury. No one had ever looked at him in such a way, or rather, he had never seen so much kindness in a face. But perhaps, the troublesome youth only deceived himself! The Count would have indeed been foolish to take an interest in a fellow so badly recommended by the farmer of "Les Pèlerins." Who would think of embarrassing himself with such savage stock, a weed of such ill-growth?

"If only Claudie doesn't tell him too much ill of me!" mused the little shepherd fellow, alarmed at seeing the Dykgrave carried off and taken aside by the terrible sister. But Kehlmark withdrew in order to give orders to Blandine. The musicians