Valerie; an autobiography . essedmyself, hastened out of the barracks, and set off for Luneville,which was fifteen miles distant. I had gained about half theway when I was met by a soldier of the regiment who hadonce been our servant. I tried to avoid him, but he i*ecog-nised me. I then begged him not to interfere with me, andtold him that I was running away to my , for that was his name, replied that I was right, andthat he would say nothing about it. But, mademoiselle, continued he, you will be tiredbefore you get to Luneville, and may have a chance of aconveyance if you
Valerie; an autobiography . essedmyself, hastened out of the barracks, and set off for Luneville,which was fifteen miles distant. I had gained about half theway when I was met by a soldier of the regiment who hadonce been our servant. I tried to avoid him, but he i*ecog-nised me. I then begged him not to interfere with me, andtold him that I was running away to my , for that was his name, replied that I was right, andthat he would say nothing about it. But, mademoiselle, continued he, you will be tiredbefore you get to Luneville, and may have a chance of aconveyance if you have money to pay for it. He then slipped a five-franc piece into my hand, and leftme to pursue my way. I continued my journey, and at lastarrived at the farm belonging to my grandfather, which Ihave before mentioned as being about four miles fiom thetown. I was afraid to go direct to Luneville, on accotnit ofmy grandfather, who, I knew, from motives of parsimony,would be unwilling to receive me. I told my history to the 14. VALERIE farmers wife, showing licr my face covered witli bruises andscars, and entreated her to go to my granchiiothers and tellher wliere I was. She ])iit me to bed, and the next morningset off for Luncville^ and acquainted my grandmother withthe circumstances. The old lady immediately ordered herchar-a-baiic and drove out for me. There was proof positiveof my mothers cruelty, and the good old woman shed tearsover me when she had pulled oft the humble blue cottondress which I wore and examined my wounds and we arrived at Luneville, we met with much oppositionfrom my grandfather, but my grandmother was resolute. Since you object to my receiving her in the house, saidshe, at all events you cannot prevent my doing my dutytowards her, and doing as I please with my own money. Ishall therefore send her to school, and ]iay her expenses. As soon as new clothes could be made for me, I was sentto the best peuslon in Luneville. Shortly afterwards my fath
Size: 1410px × 1772px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthormarryatfrederick17921, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890
