The Broken Cup | Page 6

trod more boldly the path toward the palms.
With these fluctuations of her timid and joyous spirit, between fright
and curiosity, with these to-and-fro trippings between the house and the
palm-trees, she at length nearly approached the sleeper; at the same
time curiosity became more powerful than fear.
"What is he to me? My way leads me directly past him. Whether he
sleeps or wakes, I will go straight on." So thought Manon's daughter.
But she passed not by, but stood looking directly in the face of the
flower-giver, in order to be certain who it was. Besides, he slept as if it
were the first time in a month. And who was it? Now, who else should
it be but the archwicked Colin.
So it was he who had annoyed the gentle maiden, and given her so
much trouble with Monsieur Hautmartin, because he bore a grudge
against her; he had been the one who had teased her with flowers, in
order to torture her curiosity. Wherefore? He hated Marietta. He
behaved himself always most shamefully toward the poor child. He
avoided her when he could; and when he could not, he grieved the
good-natured little one. With all the other maidens of Napoule he was
more chatty, friendly, courteous, than toward Marietta. Consider--he
had never once asked her to dance, and yet she danced bewitchingly.
Now there he lay, surprised, taken in the act. Revenge swelled in
Marietta's bosom. What disgrace could she subject him to? She took the

nosegay, unloosened it, strewed his present over the sleeper in scorn.
But the paper, on which appeared again the sigh, "Dear Marietta!" she
retained, and thrust quickly into her bosom. She wished to preserve this
proof of his handwriting. Marietta was sly. Now she would go away.
But her revenge was not yet satisfied. She could not leave the place
without returning Colin's ill-will.
She took the violet-colored silken ribbon from her hat, and threw it
lightly around the sleeper's arm and around the tree, and with three
knots tied Colin fast. Now when he awoke, how astonished he would
be! How his curiosity would torment him to ascertain who had played
him this trick! He could not possibly know. So much the better; it
served him right. She seemed to regret her work when she had finished
it. Her bosom throbbed impetuously. Indeed, I believe that a little tear
filled her eye, as she compassionately gassed upon the guilty one.
Slowly she retreated to the orange grove by the rocks--she looked
around often--slowly ascended the rocks, looking down among the
palm trees as she ascended. Then she hastened to Mother Manon, who
was calling her.
That very day Colin practised new mischief. What did he? He wished
to shame the poor Marietta publicly. Ah! she never thought that every
one in Napoule knew her violet-colored ribbon! Colin remembered it
but too well. Proudly he bound it around his hat, and exhibited it to the
gaze of all the world as a conquest. And male and female cried out: "He
has received it from Marietta."--And all the maidens said angrily: "The
reprobate!" And all the young men who liked to see Marietta cried out:
"The reprobate!"
"How! Mother Manon?" shrieked the Justice Hautmartin when he came
to her house, and he shrieked so loudly that it reechoed wonderfully
through his nose. "How! do you suffer this? my betrothed presents the
young proprietor Colin with her hat-band! It is high time that we
celebrate our nuptials. When that is over, then I shall have a right to
speak."
"You have a right!" answered Mother Manon, "if things are so, the
marriage must take place forthwith. When that is done, all will go

right."
"But, Mother Manon, Marietta always refuses to give me her consent."
"Prepare the marriage feast."
"But she will not even look kindly at me; and when I seat myself at her
side, the little savage jumps up and runs away."
"Justice, only prepare the marriage feast."
"But if Marietta resists--"
"We will take her by surprise. We will go to Father Jerome on Monday
morning early, and he shall quietly celebrate the marriage. This we can
easily accomplished with him. I am her mother, you the first judicial
person in Napoule. He must obey. Marietta need know nothing about it.
Early on Monday morning I will send her to Father Jerome all alone,
with a message so that she will suspect nothing. Then the priest shall
speak earnestly to her. Half an hour afterward we two will come. Then
swiftly to the altar. And even if Marietta should then say No, what does
it matter? The old priest can hear....
----Two pages missing: 200, 201----
....he shall replace both cup and window-sash with his gold. It will give
a