Transcript of The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 1: Balsamo, The Magician
CHAPTER I. THE SECRETS OF THE RUNS On the left bank of the Rhine, near the spot where the Celts rivulet springs forth, the foothill ranges rise of many mountains, of which the bristling humps seem to rush northerly like herds of frightened buffaloes disappearing in the haze. These mountains tower over a deserted region, forming a guard around one more lofty than whose granite brow, crowned with a ruined monastery, defies the skies. It is Thundermount. On the 6th of May 1770, as the great river wavelets were dyed in the rainbow hues of the setting sun, a man who had ridden from Mainz after a journey through Poland followed the path out of Danenfels village until it ended, and then, alighting and leading a steed, tied it up in the pine woods. "'Be quiet, my good Jared,' Javelin said the horseman to the animal with this Arabian name which bespoke its blood and its speed. "'And goodbye if we never meet again.' He cast a glance round him as if he suspected he were overheard. The barb neighed and pawed with one foot. "'Right, Jared, the danger is around us.' But as if he had made up his mind not to struggle with it, the venturesome stranger drew the charges from a pair of splendid pistols, and cast the powder and bullets on the sward before replacing them in the holsters. He wore a steel -hilted sword which he took off with the belt, and fastened it to the stirrup leather so as to hang from the saddle -horn point down. These odd formalities being done, he ungloved and searching his pockets produced nail -scissors and pocket -knife which he flung over his shoulder without looking to see whether they went. Drawing the longest possible breath, he plunged at random into the thicket, for there was no trace of a path. He was a man about thirty, taller than average, but so wonderfully well built that the utmost strength and skill seemed to circulate in his supple and nervy limbs. He wore a black velvet overcoat with gilt buttons, the flaps of an embroidered waistcoat showed below its lowest buttons, and the buckskin riding breeches defined legs worthy to be a sculptor's models. The elegant feet were cased in patent leather boots. His countenance was a notable mixture of power and intelligence, with all the play of southern races. His glance, able to display any emotion, seemed to pierce anyone on whom it fell with beams that sounded the very soul. His cheeks had been browned by a sun hotter than that of France. His mouth was large but finely shaped, and parted to reveal magnificent teeth, all the wider from his dark complexion. His hand was small but muscular, his foot long but fine. Scarcely had he taken a dozen steps within the glade before he heard faint footsteps. He rose on tiptoe and perceived that unseen hands had unhitched Jared and were leading him away. He
The Marie Antoinette Romances, Vol 1: Balsamo, The Magician
от Alexandre Dumas
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