Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 3.djvu/190

168 168 THE ETRUSCAN VASE

time I have seen you shed tears, and I thought that you could not weep."

Then she struggled from his embrace, and, snatching the Etruscan vase, broke it into a thou- sand pieces on the floor. It was a valuable and unique work, painted in three colours, and rep- resented the fight between a Lapithe and a Centaur.

For several hours Saint-Clair was the hap- piest and the most ashamed of men.

" Well," said Roquantin to Colonel Beau- jeu, when he met him in the evening at Tortoni's, " is this news true? "

" Too true, my friend," answered the Colonel sadly.

" Tell me, how did it come about? "

"Oh! just as it should. Saint-Clair began by telling me he was in the wrong, but that he wished to draw Themines' fire before begging his pardon. I could do no other than accede. Themines wished to draw lots who should fire first. Saint-Clair insisted that Themines should. Themines fired; and I saw Saint-Clair turn round once and then fell stone dead. I have often remarked, in the case of soldiers when they have been shot, this strange turning round which precedes death."