The Nabob by Alphonse Daudet
page 46 of 516 (08%)
page 46 of 516 (08%)
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"If it please my mother to come to see me here, I shall be delighted,
certainly. But my determination to quit your house, to have no longer anything in common with you, is irrevocable." "And will you at least say why?" He made a negative sign; he would not say. For once the Irishman felt a genuine impulse of anger. His whole face assumed a cunning, savage expression which would have very much astonished those that only knew the good and loyal Jenkins; but he took good care not to push further an explanation which he feared perhaps as much as he desired it. "Adieu," said he, half turning his head on the threshold. "And never apply to us." "Never," replied his stepson in a firm voice. This time, when the doctor had said to Joey, "Place Vendome," the horse, as though he had understood that they were going to the Nabob's, gave a proud shake to his glittering curb-chains, and the brougham set off at full speed, transforming each axle of its wheels into sunshine. "To come so far to get a reception like that! A celebrity of the time to be treated thus by that Bohemian! One may try indeed to do good!" Jenkins gave vent to his anger in a long monologue of this character, then suddenly rousing himself, exclaimed, "Ah, bah!" and what anxiety there was remaining on his brow quickly vanished on the pavement of the Place Vendome. Noon was striking everywhere in the sunshine. Issued forth from behind its curtain of mist, luxurious Paris, awake and on its feet, |
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