Old French Fairy Tales. Comtesse de Ségur

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ of the day she said to Bonne-Biche:—

      “Why, madam, do I not see among your flowers the most lovely and charming of all flowers—the fragrant Rose?”

      Bonne-Biche was greatly agitated and said in a trembling voice:—

      “Blondine! Blondine! do not ask for this most perfidious flower, which pierces all who touch it! Never speak to me of the Rose, Blondine. You cannot know what fatal danger this flower contains for you!”

      The expression of Bonne-Biche was so stern and severe that Blondine dared not question her further.

      The day passed away sadly enough. Bonne-Biche was unhappy and Beau-Minon very sad.

      Early in the morning, Blondine ran to her window and the Parrot entered the moment she opened it.

      “Well, my dear Blondine, did you notice the agitation of Bonne-Biche, when you mentioned the Rose? I promised you to point out the means by which you could obtain one of these charming flowers. Listen now to my counsel. You will leave this park and enter the forest. I will accompany you and I will conduct you to a garden where you will find the most beautiful Rose in the world!”

      “But how is it possible for me to leave the park? Beau-Minon always accompanies me in my walks.”

      “Try to get rid of him,” said the Parrot; “but if that is impossible, go in spite of him.”

      “If this Rose is at a distance, will not my absence be perceived?”

      “It is about an hour’s walk. Bonne-Biche has been careful to separate you as far as possible from the Rose in order that you might not find the means to escape from her power.”

      “But why does she wish to hold me captive? She is all-powerful and could surely find pleasures more acceptable than educating an ignorant child.”

      “All this will be explained to you in the future, Blondine, when you will be in the arms of your father. Be firm! After breakfast, in some way get away from Beau-Minon and enter the forest. I will expect you there.”

      Blondine promised, and closed the window, fearing that Bonne-Biche would surprise her.

      After breakfast, according to her usual custom, she entered the garden. Beau-Minon followed her in spite of some rude rebuffs which he received with plaintive mews. Arrived at the alley which led out of the park, Blondine resolved to get rid of Beau-Minon.

      “I wish to be alone,” said she, sternly; “begone, Beau-Minon!”

      Beau-Minon pretended not to understand. Blondine was impatient and enraged. She forgot herself so far as to strike Beau-Minon with her foot. When poor Beau-Minon received this humiliating blow, he uttered a cry of anguish and fled towards the palace. Blondine trembled and was on the point of recalling him, when a false shame arrested her. She walked on rapidly to the gate, opened it not without trembling and entered the forest. The Parrot joined her without delay.

      “Courage, Blondine! in one hour you will have the Rose and will see your father, who weeps for you.”

      At these words, Blondine recovered her resolution which had begun to falter. She walked on in the path indicated by the Parrot, who flew before her from branch to branch. The forest, which had seemed so beautiful and attractive near the park of Bonne-Biche, became wilder and more entangled. Brambles and stones almost filled up the path, the sweet songs of the birds were no longer heard and the flowers had entirely disappeared. Blondine felt oppressed by an inexplicable restlessness. The Parrot pressed her eagerly to advance.

      “Quick, quick, Blondine! time flies! If Bonne-Biche perceives your absence you will never again see your father.”

      Blondine, fatigued, almost breathless, with her arms torn by the briers and her shoes in shreds, now declared that she would go no further when the Parrot exclaimed:—

      “We have arrived, Blondine. Look! that is the enclosure which separates us from the Rose.”

      Blondine saw at a turn in the path a small enclosure, the gate of which was quickly opened by the Parrot. The soil was arid and stony but a magnificent, majestic rose-bush adorned with one Rose, which was more beautiful than all the roses of the world grew in the midst of this sterile spot.

      “Take it, Blondine!” said the parrot; “you deserve it—you have truly earned it!”

      Blondine seized the branch eagerly and in spite of the thorns which pierced her fingers cruelly, she tore it from the bush.

      The Rose was scarcely grasped firmly in her hand, when she heard a burst of mocking laughter. The Flower fell from her grasp, crying:—

      “Thanks, Blondine, for having delivered me from the prison in which Bonne-Biche held me captive. I am your evil genius! Now you belong to me!”

      “Ha! ha!” now exclaimed the Parrot. “Thanks, Blondine! I can now resume my form of magician. You have destroyed your friends for I am their mortal enemy!”

      Saying these cruel words, the Parrot and the Rose disappeared, leaving Blondine alone in the forest.

      REPENTANCE

      Blondine was stupefied! Her conduct now appeared to her in all its horror. She had shown a monstrous ingratitude towards the friends who had been so tenderly devoted to her—who had dedicated seven years to the care of her education. Would these kind friends ever receive her, ever pardon her? What would be her fate, if they should close their doors against her? And then, what did those awful words of the wicked Parrot signify: “You have caused the destruction of your friends”?

      Blondine turned round and wished to retrace her steps to the castle of Bonne-Biche. The briers and thorns tore her arms and face terribly. She continued however to force her way bravely through the thickets and after three hours of most painful walking she came before the castle of Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon.

      Blondine sees the castle of Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon

      Horror seized upon her, when in place of the superb building she saw only an appalling ruin—in place of the magnificent trees and rare flowers which surrounded it, only briers and thorns, nettles and thistles, could be seen. Terrified and most desolate, she tried to force her way in the midst of the ruins, to seek some knowledge of her kind friends. A large Toad issued from a pile of stones, advanced before her, and said:—

      “What are you seeking? Have you not occasioned the death of your friends by the basest ingratitude? Begone! do not insult their memory by your unwelcome presence!”

      “Alas! alas!” cried Blondine, “my poor friends, Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon, why can I not atone by my death for the sufferings I have caused them?” And she fell, sobbing piteously, upon the stones and nettles; her grief and her repentance were so excessive that she did not feel their sharp points in her tender flesh. She wept profusely a long time. At last she arose and looked about her, hoping to find some shelter where she might take refuge. Ruin only stared her in the face!

      “Well,” СКАЧАТЬ