The Desultory Man: Collection of Ancient and Modern British Novels and Romances. Vol. CXLVII.James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
General
The Desultory Man: Collection of Ancient and Modern British Novels and Romances. Vol. CXLVII.
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Fiction
I know not, in truth, how it has happened, but certain it is, that a
great portion of the inhabitants of Pau have a very strong resemblance
to Henri Quatre. One might indeed say, here, that he was the father of
his people, at least there is a great family likeness. However, the
Bearnais are both fond and proud of him. All the shop-windows are full
of portraits of the warm-hearted monarch and very often is added that
of poor Fleurette, the gardener's daughter. She was the first object
of his love. He was very young, when one of the princes of his family
passing through Bearn, accompanied him to the archery-ground. There
were many of the youths of the neighbourhood shooting for the prize,
which was a bouquet of flowers fastened on the butt; and many a
Bearnaise girl looking on, and hoping that her lover would be the
winner. Amongst others were Fleurette and her father, the old gardener
of the château. She was a lovely, simple, country girl, and the young
prince, scarcely less simple than herself, felt strongly attracted
towards the gardener's daughter. Apparently it was without any design
that he first began to speak to her; but the charm grew upon him:
insensibly his language became more ardent, and then first began that
sort of undefined courtship, which has from thenceforward been called
"Conter Fleurette." He was so occupied it seems, that he did not even
perceive that all the rest had missed the mark, till his cousin
turned, saying to him, "Shoot, Henri; shoot Henri;" and gave him the
bow. His arrow did not miss, and at once lodged in the bouquet, which
was no sooner won than given to Fleurette.
What were the use of telling a long story about an every-day matter?
Henry loved and was loved in return; but Fleurette was a country girl,
and her lover was her prince. It is easy to imagine all the stages of
the business. She commenced by admiring him as her prince; as such,
too, she was flattered and pleased by his attention. She began to
think less of the rank and more of the lover. She forgot the rank
altogether, but he himself became more dear. She loved him not as a
prince but as a man, and yielded as a woman. And then all the golden
dreams of hope and passion came hovering round her. She never fancied
such a thing as broken faith. She never thought that princes could
betray. She never believed that Henri's heart would change. He would
love her, and she would love him, until their lives did end. His glory
would be her pride, and his good be her happiness.
Thus it went on from day to day; every evening he stole away from the
castle to meet her. There was a pleasure in the secrecy, though all
the world knew how matters went; and when any one asked where the
prince was gone, the reply was, "Conter Fleurette."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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