CHAPTER X.—BROTHERS AND RIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11809, 11 August 1900, Page 5

CHAPTER X.—BROTHERS AND RIVALS.

In Cyrano's room, seated in front of a table near the open window, in the fresh air. and clear ' light' of the morning, Sulpice Castillan was writing. In his finest hand, the scribe was recopying a scene from " Agrippina," the tragedy that occasioned its author, Cyrano, so many quarrels.

Master Castillan was not hajjpy, for he was singing.' Such was this good fellow's nature, when his soul was filled with satisfaction, Castillan enjoyed his good fortune quietly; while, on the other hand, his ill moods betrayed themselves in songs and witticisms. Did he wish to divert his-

thoughts, or set fate at defiance? Had he a problem to solve? It always happened that he never seemed so sad as when he felt happy,' and was never so merry as when he was displeased.

This morning, possibly his pen was bad, possibly a bad dream had disturbed his rest; for the tenth time he was beginning this catch, which had some time or other been evolved from his muster's brain.

No more, no more, shall in Paris be seen

So many gay plumes and moustaches fine; Nor, duellists so many, well-practised and keen, ' , •

As were wont hitherto in our Paris to shine! Ye jealous husbands, take heart of good cheer! "Adieu, swaggering dandies,'' now well may

ye say! For, no more shall be seen'in our Paris, here, So.many fine plumes and moustaches gay!

When he' reached the end of this verse, Sulpice was going to recommence it for the eleventh time, when a maid-servant, round,

stout, and florid, came in, walking with quite a cavalier step. "Susan was her name. She was a brusque Perigordian of about forty, whom Cyrano had taken into his service, at some period of prosperity; and, becoming attached ,to him, she never wanted to leave, notwithstanding that ever since her second month's .service the poet had forgotten to pay her any wages. But then, in a small way, she was almost mistress