登陆注册
15459300000022

第22章 CHAPTER VI(3)

"In God's name, what means all this, Master Pothier?" exclaimed Philibert, as they hastily dismounted and, tying their horses to a tree, entered the broad walk that led to the terrace.

"That concert going on, your Honor?"--Master Pothier shook his head to express disapproval, and smiled to express his inborn sympathy with feasting and good-fellowship--"that, your Honor, is the heel of the hunt, the hanging up of the antlers of the stag by the gay chasseurs who are visiting the Intendant!"

"A hunting party, you mean? To think that men could stand such brutishness, even to please the Intendant!"

"Stand! your Honor. I wager my gown that most of the chasseurs are lying under the table by this time, although by the noise they make it must be allowed there are some burly fellows upon their legs yet, who keep the wine flowing like the cow of Montmorency."

"'Tis horrible! 'tis damnable!" Philibert grew pale with passion and struck his thigh with his palm, as was his wont when very angry.

"Rioting in drunkenness when the Colony demands the cool head, the strong arm, and the true heart of every man among us! Oh, my country! my dear country! what fate is thine to expect when men like these are thy rulers?"

"Your Honor must be a stranger in New France or you would not express such hasty, honest sentiments upon the Intendant's hospitality. It is not the fashion, except among plain-spoken habitans, who always talk downright Norman." Master Pothier looked approvingly at Colonel Philibert, who, listening with indignant ears, scarcely heeded his guide.

"That is a jolly song, your Honor," continued Pothier, waving one hand in cadence to a ditty in praise of wine, which a loud voice was heard singing in the Chateau, accompanied by a rousing chorus which startled the very pigeons on the roof and chimney-stacks. Colonel Philibert recognized the song as one he had heard in the Quartier Latin, during his student life in Paris--he fancied he recognized the voice also:

"'Pour des vins de prix Vendons tous nos livres!

C'est pen d'etre gris, Amis, soyons ivres!

Bon.

La Faridondaine!

Gai.

La Faridonde!'"

A roar of voices and a clash of glasses followed the refrain.

Master Pothier's eyes winked and blinked in sympathy. The old notary stood on tiptoe, with outspread palms, as with ore rotundo he threw in a few notes of his own to fill up the chorus.

Philibert cast upon his guide a look of scorn, biting his lip angrily. "Go," said he, "knock at the door--it needs God's thunder to break in upon that infamous orgie. Say that Colonel Philibert brings orders from His Excellency the Governor to the Chevalier Intendant."

"And be served with a writ of ejectment! Pardon me! Be not angry, sir," pleaded Pothier supplicatingly, "I dare not knock at the door when they are at the devil's mass inside. The valets! I know them all! They would duck me in the brook, or drag me into the hall to make sport for the Philistines. And I am not much of a Samson, your Honor. I could not pull the Chateau down upon their heads--I wish I could!"

Master Pothier's fears did not appear ill-grounded to Philibert as a fresh burst of drunken uproar assailed his ears. "Wait my return," said he, "I will knock on the door myself." He left his guide, ran up the broad stone steps, and knocked loudly upon the door again and again! He tried it at last, and to his surprise found it unlatched; he pushed it open, no servitor appearing to admit him. Colonel Philibert went boldly in. A blaze of light almost dazzled his eyes.

The Chateau was lit up with lamps and candelabra in every part. The bright rays of the sun beat in vain for admittance upon the closed doors and blinded windows, but the splendor of midnight oil pervaded the interior of the stately mansion, making an artificial night that prolonged the wild orgies of the Intendant into the hours of day.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • EXO之霸道总裁说你爱我

    EXO之霸道总裁说你爱我

    相传在s市的名媛圈里最为厉害的就是顾氏姐妹花,而且两姐妹做事雷厉风行,对男人更是不屑一顾,但最后还是被两个总裁给攻了。。。。。。就看伯贤和灿烈,如何收了两个小甜心。
  • 大方等修多罗王经

    大方等修多罗王经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • TFBOYS:放手的季节是青春

    TFBOYS:放手的季节是青春

    没有冬衣的我,站在雪地里!风怎么也吹不走寒冷!加快脚步寒冷依旧追逐不愿离去,听风里的寒冷正叫嚷着诉苦,树木都开始低语议论,世间这般的凄凉与悲伤。青春不永在,但是青春期的记忆永不褪色。我虽已不再年轻,但我依然爱你。
  • 误惹豪门:女人你别想跑

    误惹豪门:女人你别想跑

    她:我不爱你他:我不需要你爱,会暖床就可以她:我不会他:我会她:……这个女人太不听话,怎么办?宠!狠狠地宠!这个女人爱别人,怎么办?啥?她敢?
  • 苍穹帝主

    苍穹帝主

    魂穿而至,少年李锋,携真大富翁系统,启宇内苍穹,帝主之路。万般异变卡片。神魂武者高大上?一张请神符尔。敌人强大?机械娃娃,陷害卡,均穷卡,任君选择。更有怪兽卡,恶魔卡,红卡,飞弹卡。“我不妖孽,我只是走在吊打妖孽的路上。”——李锋。
  • 扑倒冰山

    扑倒冰山

    他,一生放荡不羁,没有把任何人放在眼里,却不料,在不知不觉中,心早已被她填满,容不下一粒沙。
  • 豪门囚禁总裁太霸道

    豪门囚禁总裁太霸道

    他将她的初夜夺走,她对他恨之入骨,却不得不讨好他。他说:“你是我的女人就算我不要,就是毁了,也轮不到别人。”不知不觉中他已将她映入心中。“艾小涵,我只要你,只要你和我在一起,我什么都可以不要,什么都可以放弃
  • 不夜之都

    不夜之都

    夜幕来临时,死亡将走向死亡,永恒也无法维持永恒,一切皆化于无,无亦不复存在。风雪依靠在栏杆之上,望着无面吞噬者桌上的杯盘狼藉,与万虫之母微笑碰杯:“至少,我们还在。虚空洗秽者,麻烦收拾下那边的垃圾。
  • 巅峰小村医

    巅峰小村医

    三流大学毕业的余峰,回到村子后,无意中得到家传医术,习得绝世医术,治病医人,从此走上人生巅峰,美女蜂拥而来。
  • 史上第一坑货法宝

    史上第一坑货法宝

    二十一世纪的一个孤儿加宅男,因为一件坑爹的法宝而降临另一片宇宙。突如其来的穿越,是阴谋?还是必然?不断的恶搞事件,演绎一段铁骨柔情。天地不予人自取,青锋驻立俯傲世。红尘大路三千道,所向披靡狂上狂。万族之中,人族为食!且看猪脚如何逆转乾坤,横推万族!PS:本书偏轻松,属爽文,只要你笑了,那便是我最大的成就。各位闹书荒的书友大大不妨进来看看,火鸟拜谢!!!【本书群是(498832235)可以的话,看书的都加一下,谢谢各位!】