I felt as a gambler might feel who had the winnings of others confided to his care; as a drunkard might feel who had been placed in charge of a quantity of the most delicious wines.
"Your mother would tell you that I moved heaven and earth to find the Duc de Sairmeuse.

But he had left the Count d'Artois, and no one knew where he had gone or what had become of him.

Ten years passed before I could make up my mind to inhabit the chateau--yes, ten years--during which I had the furniture dusted each morning as if the master was to return that evening.
"At last I ventured.

I had heard Monsieur d'Escorval declare that the duke had been killed in battle.

I took up my abode here.