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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 Excerpt:...intuitively he knew that direful consequences to himself would attend his opening his mouth, which he inwardly determined to keep closed, if possible, dreading, above all things, the ange of Decadi. As the party reached the house, the clown appeared at the door, yawning and lazily stretching his tired limbs. Ilis listless looks relieved the mind of the anxious parent, who thus expressed himself: 'The stupid animal would not have dared to await my return if anything had happened to my poor girl. Nicholas thinks too much of his ugly carcass, to put himself in my way when I am justly enraged. No--she must be safe.' Thus the good old man reasoned aloud, and allayed his fears. Nicholas made his military salute, more to show his skill and fine figure, than out of respect to his superior, who just at that very instant heard his name called in loud and piteous tones, at some little distance. He turned with undefined nervousness to see who at such an hour was calling to him. It was Genevieve Morvan, the nurse of little Philiberte. Her hair was streaming in the wind, her arms spread out wildly, and her whole appearance indicating great distress. For a moment, Decadi was ihunderstruck; he trembled wilh dismay at the foreboding sensation he experienced. As he advanced to meet the woman, he exclaimed,--'Is your cottage on fire? Speak!. Yet that cannot be, or else you would have brought 1 he baby!' Genevieve could not speak, she was so out of breath with the haste she had made. 'Sacrcbleu! Say what is the matter? you will drive me mad. Is the child burned to death? 'No--no! It is not fire, but robbery.' 'What! you robbed t What can they have stolen from you?' Alas, alas! Philiberte.' 'Stolen from your house, my darling? when?' 'To-night.' 'By whom?' 'I know not.' 'You mu...