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Article THE MASTER'S APRON.—A TALE.† ← Page 5 of 8 →
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The Master's Apron.—A Tale.†
to contend against and to vanquish Napoleon , as the French seemed to hate all Europe ; but they still kept alive their hatred for Englishmen ; for England was in reality the cause of the defeat . The unhappy event at Waterloo had greatly increased the antipathy of the two nations . After this fatal battle , we supported with impatience our misfortune ancl our lot ; at the same time the arrogance of theEnglish , who had acquired all the honour of the memorable dayincreasedalthough it
, , was in reality the Prussians who had conquered us . Mrs . Mathiew took part in the general feeling , and went even farther than others ; her feelings were wounded at the exclamation of her daughter , who found an Englishman handsome . They said no more of Edward ' s mysterious visit . However , eight clays hacl hardly passed before another Englishman entered the shop . He was an elderly gentleman , who , although of a masculine had nevertheless a remarkable expression
grave appearance , of mildness ; he came on foot , and having cast a glance at Miss Julia , he addressed himself to Mrs . Mathiew : — " Is it to Mrs . Mathiew , " said he , " that I have the pleasure of speaking ? " " Yes , sir . " " The widow of the Imperial Guard , Mr . Mathiew , who died at Waterloo ? "
" Yes , sir . " " I am Major Melville , " said he , saluting her ; " I came from London on purpose to see you , and to conclude with you an affair which interests us both . Is that the daughter of Captain Mathiew ? " said he , presenting his ungloved hand to Miss Julia . Julia , whom the appearance of the stranger had inspired with confidence , and who heard her father praisedlaced her delicate little hand in that of the Majorwho
, p , added softly" Well then , my child , you must leave me alone with your mother ; I have to relate to her something which concerns you , but which you cannot hear till after her . "
Mrs . Mathiew showed the Major a pair of steps which led to another room ; he went in first ; Mrs . Mathiew soon followed , leaving Julia in the shop . The Major having taken a seat , he found the room decorated with neatness , which is the luxury of the poor . On the mantle-piece there was neither clock nor mirror . He saw but one solitary portrait , which he immediately recognized for Captain Mathiew , and at the bottom of it was a cross of honour , of which one of the branches was wanting . Mrs . Mathiew looked at the Major without speaking , expecting every moment that he would explain himself . The Major - remained some time silent ; at last , putting his hand on his heart , he
said" Madam , God save the Emperor !" " Ah ! yes , " said the poor widow , with her eyes full of tears , " yes , God will save him !" " Without doubt , " said the Major , " for there is now no one but God that can save him . That is all well , " added he ; " now we understand one another . Listen to me . I told you that I was Major Melville ; I have a comfortable house in Londona leasant country seat in
very , p the county of Sussex , with fifty thousand pounds sterling invested in the India Company stock , and I came to Paris to marry you ! " Mrs . Mathiew was seated alongside of the Major ; in an instant she was at the other side of the room . This man had cried out God save the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Master's Apron.—A Tale.†
to contend against and to vanquish Napoleon , as the French seemed to hate all Europe ; but they still kept alive their hatred for Englishmen ; for England was in reality the cause of the defeat . The unhappy event at Waterloo had greatly increased the antipathy of the two nations . After this fatal battle , we supported with impatience our misfortune ancl our lot ; at the same time the arrogance of theEnglish , who had acquired all the honour of the memorable dayincreasedalthough it
, , was in reality the Prussians who had conquered us . Mrs . Mathiew took part in the general feeling , and went even farther than others ; her feelings were wounded at the exclamation of her daughter , who found an Englishman handsome . They said no more of Edward ' s mysterious visit . However , eight clays hacl hardly passed before another Englishman entered the shop . He was an elderly gentleman , who , although of a masculine had nevertheless a remarkable expression
grave appearance , of mildness ; he came on foot , and having cast a glance at Miss Julia , he addressed himself to Mrs . Mathiew : — " Is it to Mrs . Mathiew , " said he , " that I have the pleasure of speaking ? " " Yes , sir . " " The widow of the Imperial Guard , Mr . Mathiew , who died at Waterloo ? "
" Yes , sir . " " I am Major Melville , " said he , saluting her ; " I came from London on purpose to see you , and to conclude with you an affair which interests us both . Is that the daughter of Captain Mathiew ? " said he , presenting his ungloved hand to Miss Julia . Julia , whom the appearance of the stranger had inspired with confidence , and who heard her father praisedlaced her delicate little hand in that of the Majorwho
, p , added softly" Well then , my child , you must leave me alone with your mother ; I have to relate to her something which concerns you , but which you cannot hear till after her . "
Mrs . Mathiew showed the Major a pair of steps which led to another room ; he went in first ; Mrs . Mathiew soon followed , leaving Julia in the shop . The Major having taken a seat , he found the room decorated with neatness , which is the luxury of the poor . On the mantle-piece there was neither clock nor mirror . He saw but one solitary portrait , which he immediately recognized for Captain Mathiew , and at the bottom of it was a cross of honour , of which one of the branches was wanting . Mrs . Mathiew looked at the Major without speaking , expecting every moment that he would explain himself . The Major - remained some time silent ; at last , putting his hand on his heart , he
said" Madam , God save the Emperor !" " Ah ! yes , " said the poor widow , with her eyes full of tears , " yes , God will save him !" " Without doubt , " said the Major , " for there is now no one but God that can save him . That is all well , " added he ; " now we understand one another . Listen to me . I told you that I was Major Melville ; I have a comfortable house in Londona leasant country seat in
very , p the county of Sussex , with fifty thousand pounds sterling invested in the India Company stock , and I came to Paris to marry you ! " Mrs . Mathiew was seated alongside of the Major ; in an instant she was at the other side of the room . This man had cried out God save the