The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume III (of 8)

the first time by the delicious intoxication of the

rtner, a tall, vigorous farm servant, whose Christian name was Tiennou, which, by the way, was the only name he had borne from his birth. For he was entered on the register of births with this curt note: F

had just awakened from a profound sleep, she stretched herself lazily, with her bare arms clasped behind her head, and yawned so as to show her white teeth, which glistened like those of a young wolf, and her maiden nudity appeared beneath her unbuttoned bodice with innocent immodesty. He told her that he thought her adorable, so stupidly, that she made fun of him and scourged him with her cruel laughter; and, from that day he spent his life in Margot's shadow. He might have been taken for one of those wild beasts ardent with desire, which ceaselessly utter maddened cries to the sta

until Midsummer Day, for the miller w

ise to the lips like the forgotten refrain of a song. At times they were silent, not knowing what more to say, and not daring to embrace each

stones. Amidst the dull noise of the insects, the nightingales were answering each other from tree to tree, and everything seemed alive with hidden life,

d, in a panting voice. "Do you

the high road, that I have nothing in the world except my two arms, and th

painful gesture, and puttin

? I love you, and I wa

t, Margot Fresquyl for the first ti