Leonard Merrick

“ How little the audience at Le Jardin Extérieur suspected the passion that devoured their grotesque comedian while he cut his capers, and turned love to ridicule! How little they divined the pathos of a situation which condemned him behind the scenes to whisper the most sentimental assurances of devotion when disfigured by a flaming wig and a nose that was daubed vermilion! Truly is it said. "Not half the world knows how the other half lives!" ”

“ Your income? Does it suffice to support her in the style to which she is accustomed? What may your occupation be?"
"I am in Madame's own profession—I, too, am an artiste."
"So much the more congenial! I foresee a joyous union. Come, we go famously! Your line of business—snakes, songs, performing rabbits, what is it?"
"My name is 'Tournicquot,’" responded the comedian with dignity. "All is said!"
"A-ah! Is it so? Now I understand why your voice has been puzzling me! Monsieur Tournicquot, I am enchanted to make your acquaintance. I declare the matter arranges itself! ”

“ Tournicquot leapt backwards in terror. A cold sweat bespangled him, and for some seconds he shook so violently that he was unable to strike a match. At last, when he accomplished it, he beheld an apparently dead man hanging by a rope in the doorway. "Oh, mon Dieu!" gasped Tournicquot. And the thudding of his heart seemed to resound through the deserted house.
Humanity impelled him to rescue the poor wretch if it were still to be done. ”

“ I will confess that I think you are being rash."
"I have considered," replied Tournicquot; "I have considered attentively. There is no alternative, I assure you."
"I should make another attempt to persuade the lady—I swear I should make another attempt. You are not a bad-looking fellow. What is her objection to you?"
"It is not that she objects to me—on the contrary. But she is a woman of high principle, and she has a husband who is devoted to her—she will not break his heart. It is like that." ”

“ It was not here just now."
"It belongs to me," admitted Tournicquot, nervously.
"I see that it belongs to you. Why do you visit an empty house with a coil of rope—hein? I should like to understand that! ... Upon my life, you were here on the same business as myself! Now if this does not pass all forbearance! You come to commit suicide, and yet you have the effrontery to put a stop to mine."
"Well," exclaimed Tourniequot. "I obeyed an impulse of pity! It is true that I came to destroy myself, for I am the most miserable of men ”

“ Roses bloom before my feet, and the little larks are singing in the sky. I dance, I skip! How beautiful, how sublime is friendship—better than riches, than youth, than the love of woman; riches melt, youth flies, woman snores. ”

“ Should she hesitate, I shall demand to sacrifice myself! Rest assured that if she regards you with the favor that you believe, your troubles are at an end—the barrier removes itself, and you join hands. ”

“ However, snakes are more serious."
"Snakes?" ejaculated Tournicquot.
"Naturally! The beasts must live; do they not support us? But 'Everything in its place' is my motto; the motto of my wife— All over the place'! Her serpents have shortened my life, word of honor!—they wander where they will. I never lay my head beside those curl papers without the terror of finding a cobra-de-capello on the pillow. It is not everybody's money! Lucrèce has no objection to them ”

“ Hein? She should not throw the ragoût at him. She should not menace him with snakes." He wept. "My friend, you will admit that it is not gentille to coerce a husband with deadly reptiles?"
Tournicquot had turned very pale. He signed to the waiter for the bill, and when it was discharged, sat regarding his companion with round eyes. ”