Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... The Ironmaster; Or, Love AND PRIDE. 215 ideas. Although she was awake she seemed a prey to a hind of nightmare; and she came and went muttering confused words, interrupted from time to time by the convulsive grating of her teeth. She suffered like this for hours, obstinately determined not to call for help, and imagining that if she merely so much as opened the door her husband would return in the belief that she was anxious to obtain his pardon. And yet, confident in his loyalty, she had not even turned the key in the lock nor pushed the bolt of the door. She would in truth have been a sorry conquest, a conquest calculated to frighten Philippe, for under the influence of the fever which consumed her she had so greatly changed that she could inspire no other feeling than one of pity. The first glimpse of dawn surprised her still pacing to and fro, trying to quell by dint of motion the swelling pain in her limbs. She dragged herself along, with a pale face and dim eyes, with her temples beating now as if struck with a pair of hammers. Her strength was failing her. She glanced at the sky, which was tinged with the rosy hues of daybreak, and, hoping that the pure morning air might refresh and calm her, she approached the window to open it. But she had not strength enough to turn the handle, and suddenly a cry escaped her, and she fell back fainting on the carpet. At about nine o'clock, when Brigitte approached the door on tiptoe to ascertain if her mistress were still asleep, she heard a melancholy moan. The faithful girl was alarmed, and without hesitating she entered the room. Claire was stretched motionless in the position in which she had fallen. She was speaking incoherently. Her face was red, and her feet were perfect icicles....