Page:Colas breugnon.djvu/132

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
118
COLAS BREUGNON

on an apple-tree just outside of her open window? Not an apple, no, it was a hat belonging to Giffard, the miller!

There is no need to dwell on what followed, though of course every one but ourselves would have thought it killingly funny. I stayed where I was, but Quiriace made one jump, swung himself up the tree, ran along the branch, and leaped in at the window.

In a moment the air was rent with screams, curses, yells, and vituperations, noise of breaking furniture, smashed china and glass, groans, blows, shrieks, and growls, as if a cage full of wild beasts were fighting. As you may imagine, the row soon woke up the entire neighborhood; I did not wait to see the end of it, but made off as fast as I could, half laughing, — for it was funny when you came to think of it, — but with the tears running down my cheeks all the same.

"You are well out of that. Colas my boy," said I to myself, but in my heart I was not so sure of it. I tried to laugh at all the row-de-dow, and mimic the girl, Quiriace, and the miller. " But oh! Belette," cried I, "this will break my heart!"

I didn't really know if I was glad or sorry, but on the whole I came near to regretting my escape; for if I had married her, and she had betrayed me?