Oldal 236 [236]
;
LABOULAYVE’S °RALRY BOOK
languishing eyes toward the king, "Sire," said she, "the
gipsy girl at the masked ball, who dared to box your
ears— "
"Was yourself, Pazza?" said charming. "Oh, I forgive
you for that; I well deserved it. How could I doubt you,
who are sincerity itself! But, now I think of it, do you
remember the rash vow that you made on the night of our
marriage? You have kept your promise; it is for me to
keep mine. Pazza, make haste to recover, and return to
the castle from which happiness fled with you.”
‘T have a last favor to ask of Your Majesty,” said Pazza.
" Rachimburg was the witness this morning of a scene for
which I blush, and of which all must remain ignorant. I
commend this faithful servant to your goodness.”’
" Rachimburg, " said the king, "take this purse, and keep
the secret under penalty of your head.”
“That makes the fourth,” whispered Rachimburg to
himself; "my fortune is made."
In a few moments Pazza was asleep. " Do you think that
she will recover?" asked Charming, anxiously, of the
countess.
“Bah!” said the old lady. . "No matter how ill a woman
may be, happiness will bring her back from the brink of the
grave. Kiss the queen, my nephew; it will do her more
good than all the doctors in the world."
Charming stooped and kissed the sleeping Pazza. An
194