Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/300

290 disconcert him? I will take another way with him, however."

After the party rose from table, the De Talmonts had a short walk to the place where the carriage was to meet them; and their friends accompanied them. M. de Sartines gave his arm to Madame de Talmont, and Stéphanie clung to Clémence, so that Emile and Ivan were obliged to bring up the rear together, not greatly to the satisfaction of the latter. To the former, however, it was a precious and longed-for opportunity.

"M. de Sartines is a very well-bred sort of man," he explained to Ivan,—"though I, of course, am not fond of Legitimists and believers in 'divine right.' It may be four or five years now since he gave offence, in some way or other, to Savary, the late superintendent of police, and was requested to quit the Empire. He has just come back in the train of Louis Dix-huit, with a great many more who are less wanted.—Peste! the whole city is full of these white cockades; one would think there was snow in May time.—I suppose that by this time you know all the family affairs, M. Posharky, and they have told you that long ago, before he left Paris, M. de Sartines was betrothed to my cousin Clémence."

Ivan's sudden, irrepressible start, and the deadly paleness that overspread his face, gave the keenest gratification to Emile. "But he is so old, he might be her father," he said at last.

"That does not matter in the least," returned the spiteful Emile. "He is an excellent parti—has a good property, settled principles, and all that. Do you not see how devoted Clémence is to that amiable and precocious young lady, Mademoiselle Stéphanie? She will make an admirable step-mother; though I cannot say I envy her the charge."

"But, at the time you say it was arranged, Mademoiselle Clémence must have been only a child."

Emile looked at him keenly. "I fear your wound is sometimes painful, even yet," he said.