Monsieur, Madame, and Bebe — Volume 02 by Gustave Droz
page 31 of 72 (43%)
page 31 of 72 (43%)
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Traces of decided ill-humor are stamped on his features.
Monsieur--Come, let us go down, the carriage is waiting; it is a quarter past eleven. (Aside.) Another sleepless night. Sharp, coachman; Rue de la Pepiniere, number 224. They reach the street in question. The Rue de la Pepiniere is in a tumult. Policemen are hurriedly making way through the crowd. In the distance, confused cries and a rapidly approaching, rumbling sound are heard. Monsieur thrusts his head out of the window. Monsieur--What is it, Jean? Coachman--A fire, Monsieur; here come the firemen. Monsieur--Go on all the same to number 224. Coachman--We are there, Monsieur; the fire is at number 224. Doorkeeper of the House--(quitting a group of people and approaching the carriage)--You are, I presume, Monsieur, one of the guests of Madame de Lyr? She is terror-stricken; the fire is in her rooms. She can not receive any one. Madame--(excitedly)--It is scandalous. Monsieur--(humming)--Heart-breaking, heartbreaking! (To the coachman.) Home again, quickly; I am all but asleep. (He stretches himself out and turns up his collar.) ( Aside.) After all, I am the better for a well- cooked partridge. |
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