Lanterna Rally

Author: Honoré de Balzac

Publisher: Rarebooksclub.com

Published: 2009-12

Total Pages: 480

ISBN-13: 9781150437113

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. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ...flew to throw her arms round her father's neck, and behaved as if she had seen him only the day before, though in fact he had not called there for more than two years. "Good-morning, father," said Victorin, offering him his hand. "Good-morning, children," said the pompous Crevel. "Madame la Baronne, I throw myself at your feet! Good heavens, how the children grow! they are pushing us off the perch--'Grand-pa, ' they say, 'we want our turn in the sunshine.' Madame la Comtesse, you are as lovely as ever," he went on, addressing Hortense. "Ah, ha! and here is the best of good money: Cousin Betty, the wise virgin. "Why, you are really very comfortable here," said he, after scattering these greetings with a cackle of loud laughter that hardly moved the rubicund muscles of his broad face. He looked at his daughter with some contempt. "My dear Celestine, I will make you a present of all my furniture out of the Rue des Saussayes; it will just do here. Your drawing-room wants furbishing up. Ha! there is that little monkey Wenceslas. Well, and are we very good children, I wonder? You must have pretty manners, you know." "To make up for those who have none," said Lisbeth. "That sarcasm, my dear Lisbeth, has lost its sting. I am going, my dear children, to put an end to the false position in which I have so long been placed; I have come, like a good father, to announce my approaching marriage without any circumlocution." "You have a perfect right to marry," said Victorin. "And for my part, I give you back the promise you made me when you gave me the hand of my dear Celestine" "What promise?" said Crevel. "Not to marry," replied the lawyer. "You will do me the justice to allow that I did not ask you to pledge yourself, that you gave your word quite voluntarily...