A charming
cottage, in a charming situation, inhabited by two charming
people--so quiet, so retiring, such excellent pay. I supply them
with everything--fowls, eggs, bread, butter, vegetables (not that
they eat much of anything), wine (which they don't drink half
enough of to do them good); in short, I victual the dear little
hermitage, and love the two amiable recluses with all my heart.
Ah! they have had their troubles, poor people, the sister
especially, though they never talk about them. When they first
came to live in our neighborhood--"
"I beg pardon, citoyenne, but if you would only be so kind as to
direct me--"
"Which is three--no, four--no, three years and a half ago--in
short, just after the time when that Satan of a man, Robespierre,
had his head cut off (and serve him right!), I said to my husband
(who was on his last legs then, poor man!) 'She'll die'--meaning
the lady. She didn't though. My fowls, eggs, bread, butter,
vegetables, and wine carried her through--always in combination
with the anxious care of Citizen Maurice. Yes, yes! let us be
tenderly conscientious in giving credit where credit is due; let
us never forget that the citizen Maurice contributed something to
the cure of the interesting invalid, as well as the victuals and
drink from the Piebald Horse. There she is now, the prettiest
little woman in the prettiest little cottage--"
"Where? Will you be so obliging as to tell me where?"
"And in excellent health, except that she is subject now and then
to nervous attacks; having evidently, as I believe, been struck
with some dreadful fright--most likely during that accursed time
of the Terror; for they came from Paris--you don't drink, honest
man! Why don't you drink? Very, very pretty in a pale way; figure
perhaps too thin--let me pour it out for you--but an angel of
gentleness, and attached in such a touching way to the citizen
Maurice--"
"Citizen hostess, will you, or will you not, tell me where they
live?"
"You droll little man, why did you not ask me that before, if you
wanted to know? Finish your wine, and come to the door.
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