The Rain of Blood

"The jeweller, meanwhile, was humming a song as he stood warming his back at the fire La Carconte had kindled to dry the wet garments of her guest; and this done, she next occupied herself in arranging his supper, by spreading a napkin at the end of the table, and placing on it the slender remains of their dinner, to which she added three or four fresh-laid eggs. Caderousse had once more parted with his treasure--the banknotes were replaced in the pocket-book, the gold put back into the bag, and the whole carefully locked in the cupboard. He then began pacing the room with a pensive and gloomy air, glancing from time to time at the jeweller, who stood reeking with the steam from his wet clothes, and merely changing his place on the warm hearth, to enable the whole of his garments to be dried.

"'There,' said La Carconte, as she placed a bottle of wine on the table, 'supper is ready whenever you are.'--'And you?' asked Joannes.--'I don't want any supper,' said Caderousse.--'We dined so very late,' hastily interposed La Carconte.--'Then it seems I am to eat alone,' remarked the jeweller.--'Oh, we shall have the pleasure of waiting upon you,' answered La Carconte, with an eager attention she was not accustomed to manifest even to guests who paid for what they took.

"From time to time Caderousse darted on his wife keen, searching glances, but rapid as the lightning flash. The storm still continued. 'There, there,' said La Carconte; 'do you hear that? upon my word, you did well to come back.'--'Nevertheless,' replied the jeweller, 'if by the time I have finished my supper the tempest has at all abated, I shall make another start.'--'It's the mistral,' said Caderousse, 'and it will be sure to last till to-morrow morning.' He sighed heavily.--'Well,' said the jeweller, as he placed himself at table, 'all I can say is, so much the worse for those who are abroad.'--'Yes,' chimed in La Carconte, 'they will have a wretched night of it.'