The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
By this time they had arrived at an elegantly furnished house, which
they entered, the lady having ascertained that the coast was clear;
and Poulailler had just installed himself, when up drove a
carriage--Monseigneur in person.
The beauty, in a state of distraction, threw herself at the feet of
her spark, and implored him to pass into a back cabinet. Poulailler
obeyed, and had hardly reached his hiding-place, when he beheld,
through the glazed door, Monseigneur, who had gone to his Semele in
all his apostolical magnificence. A large and splendid cross of
diamonds, perfect in water, shot dazzling rays from his breast, where
it was suspended by a chain of cat's-eyes, of great price, set in
gold; the button and loop of his hat blazed with other precious
stones; and his fingers sparkled with rings, whose brilliants were
even greater and more beautiful than those that formed the
constellation of his cross.
It is very seldom that the human heart, however capacious, has room
for two grand passions in activity at the same time. In this instance,
Poulailler no sooner beheld the rich and tempting sight, than he found
that the god of Love was shaking his wings and flying from his bosom,
and that the demon of Cupidity was taking the place of the more
disinterested deity. He rushed from his hiding-place, and presented
himself to the astonished prelate with a poinard in one hand and a
pistol in the other, both of which he held to the sacred breast in the
presence of the distracted lady. The bishop had not learnt to be
careless of life, and had sufficient self-possession in his terror not
to move, lest he should compromise his safety, while Poulailler
proceeded to strip him with a dexterity that practice had rendered
perfect. Diamonds, precious stones, gold, coined and ornamental,
rings, watch, snuff-box, and purse, were transferred from the priest
to the robber with marvellous celerity; then turning to the lady, he
made her open the casket which contained the price of her favors, and
left the house with the plunder and such a laugh as those only revel
in who win.
The lieutenant of police began to take the tremendous success of our
hero to heart, and in his despair at the increasing audacity of the
robber, caused it to be spread amongst his spies, archers, and
sergeants, that he who should bring Poulailler before him should be
rewarded with one hundred pistoles, in addition to a place of two
thousand livres a year.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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