Read "The Will to Live (Les Roquevillard)" by Henry Bordeaux online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
HUBERT'S death had completely upset Maurice, breaking at last the pride that separated him from his family. Margaret, on her way home from bearing the sad news to him in prison, walked through the streets seeing nothing, shut up in her grief. At her own door she asked the servant:
"Has Mr. Roquevillard come in yet?"
She was hastening to her father's comfort now as she had gone to Maurice's, with that power of bearing up in moral sorrow which is less exceptional in a woman than in a man, and permitted her to be of comfort instead of breaking down.
"Not yet, Miss Margaret," was the answer.
She was surprised, and began to be a little anxious.
"Not yet?"
And yet she had stayed a long time at the gaol, and evening was coming on. Mr. Roquevillard had gone out only for a short walk. He expected Mr. Hamel and Mr. Battard at five o'clock, to make the last arrangements with them for to-morrow's trial. His prolonged absence under such circumstances was strange.
"But there is a gentleman in the drawing-room who asked to see you," the servant now added.
"To see me?"
"Yes, miss."
"Who is it?"
"He told me his name, but I don't remember it. A doctor."
She was a girl from the country, not yet quite used to her new ways, and unfamiliar with the names and faces of the town's people.
"You ought not to have let him in, Melanie," said Margaret reproachfully. "To-day of all days."
"That's right, miss, I thought so, too. But he would not go away. He brought a message for you."
Margaret went into the drawing-room against her will, keeping on her hat and mourning veil as a hint to the importunate visitor to depart. She found herself face to face with Raymond Bercy.
"Miss Roquevillard," he murmured, as much overcome as she was.
She recoiled from him instinctively, and he espied the movement, and with an entreating voice he tried to make her stay.
"Miss Margaret, forgive me for having come. I learned last night of your sorrow. Then -- -- "
"Mr. Bercy," she said, coming forward.