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Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

"The Headsman The Abbaye des Vignerons"

I knew,
therefore, that we were on the same path."
"And yet thou perseveredst?"
"In what, Herr Chatelain? Was I to desert my daughter, because one who had
already proved false to her stood in my way?"
"Thou hast well answered, Balthazar," interrupted Marguerite. "Thou hast
answered as became thee! We are few, and we are all to each other. Thou
wert not to forget our child because it pleased others to despise her."
The Signor Grimaldi bent towards the Valaisan, and whispered near his ear.
"This hath the air of nature." he observed; "and does it not account for
the appearance of the father on the road taken by the murdered man?"
"We do not question the probability or justness of such a motive, Signore;
but revenge may have suddenly mounted to the height of ferocity in some
wrangle: one accustomed to blood yields easily to his passions and his
habits."
The truth of these suggestions was plausible, and the noble Genoese drew
back in cold disappointment. The chatelain consulted with those about him,
and then desired the wife to come forth in order to be confronted with her
husband.


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