"
Angelique devoured rather than read the letter. She had no sooner
perused it than she tore it up in a paroxysm of fury, scattering its
pieces like snowflakes over the floor, and stamping on them with her
firm foot as if she would tread them into annihilation.
Fanchon was not unaccustomed to exhibitions of feminine wrath; but
she was fairly frightened at the terrible rage that shook Angelique
from head to foot.
"Fanchon! did you read that letter?" demanded she, turning suddenly
upon the trembling maid. The girl saw her mistress's cheeks twitch
with passion, and her hands clench as if she would strike her if she
answered yes.
Shrinking with fear, Fanchon replied faintly, "No, my Lady; I cannot
read."
"And you have allowed no other person to read it?"
"No, my Lady; I was afraid to show the letter to any one; you know I
ought not to have taken it!"
"Was no inquiry made about it?" Angelique laid her hand upon the
girl's shoulder, who trembled from head to foot.
"Yes, my Lady; Dame Tremblay turned the Chateau upside down, looking
for it; but I dared not tell her I had it!"
"I think you speak truth, Fanchon!" replied Angelique, getting
somewhat over her passion; but her bosom still heaved, like the
ocean after a storm.
Pages:
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459