TALE III - HELENA; THE PHYSICIAN'S ORPHAN

Summary

“She derives her honesty, and achieves her goodness.”

All's well that ends well.

“Well met!” said the chevalier de Vaumond, to his friend, Gautier Gerard, as the two young men encountered each other in one of the principal streets of Perpignan, on a certain fine summer morning. “And pray whither may you be bound, my good fellow? On some scheme of pleasure, I trust. Do, for once in a way, consent to omit attendance upon that very worthy, but unquestionably prosy Professor of yours, and leave him to lecture to the few steady stolidities, your brother-students, who may be absurd enough to hold it their duty not to play truant, when such a morning as this bids them keep outside of College walls.”

Gerard answered with a smile.

“You will not call it a scheme of pleasure, perhaps, de Vaumond. Your taste has no relish for rural enjoyment. For my part, I long for a pure breeze, a stout walk, the broad expanse of sky, and the open honest face of Nature. I have been studying hard; and had determined to give myself a holiday this morning; and so took my way forth early, resolved not to set foot again within the gates of Perpignan, for many a pleasant hour of freedom, fresh air, and exercise.”