The International Magazine, Volume 4, No. 5, December 1851Various
History
The International Magazine, Volume 4, No. 5, December 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Mademoiselle d'Ermay could not answer these questions; she felt
certain, however, that the man, who had killed M. de Fosseux was
tall, and her impression was confirmed by the fact of the blow having
evidently been struck from above downwards. There were at that time
in Paris two highwaymen, one of whom was called Pierre le Mauvais,
and the other Guillaume le Bossu. These worthies were the theme of
market-places and wine-shops, and as every robbery and murder committed
in the capital was attributed to them, this was of course laid at their
door.
Whilst listening attentively to this examination, and marking the
profound grief of Eugenie--her deathlike paleness and her silent
despair--I could not but pity M. de Fosseux, whom cruel fate had thus
severed at the early age of thirty-two, not only from life, but from so
young and lovely a companion. As Mademoiselle d'Ermay had mentioned
the name of the Comtesse de T----, the officer of police called upon
this lady in order to ascertain the truth of the statement as to her
supper party, and found it to be perfectly correct. The comtesse, as
soon as she heard of the sad event, hastened to assure Mademoiselle
d'Ermay of her sympathy by every demonstration of kindness and
affection, and, determined not to leave her in a house now become one
of mourning, with the corpse of M. de Fosseux for her sole companion,
insisted on taking her instantly to her own. Mademoiselle d'Ermay
consented on one condition, namely, that she should be permitted once
more to look on him who had been the only object she had loved on
earth. I was present at this last scene of this sad drama. Mademoiselle
d'Ermay said nothing, but throwing herself on her knees by the side of
the bed on which they had laid M. de Fosseux, her hands convulsively
clasped together and her head sunk on her breast, she was absorbed for
some minutes in fervent prayer, when, suddenly rising and turning to
Madame de T----, she said, "I am ready, madame." She then immediately
quitted the house in that silence which is the surest sign of profound
affliction, and having seen her safely conveyed to Madame de T---- 's,
I took my leave.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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