CHAPTER IV
BROTHER AND SISTER
Half an hour later the inhabitants of Sainte-Ame crowded about the openplace in front of the Golden Sun. They seldom had an opportunity ofseeing anything like this, for very few travelling shows ever visitedthe small Lorraine village; and with almost childish joy the spectatorsgazed at Bobichel, Fanfaro, and Girdel, who were engaged in erecting thebooth. The work went on briskly. The posts which had been run into theground were covered with many-colored cloths, and a hurriedly arrangedwooden roof protected the interior of the tent from the weather. Fourwooden stairs led to the right of the entrance, where the box-officewas; this latter was made of a primitive wooden table, on which was afaded velvet cover embroidered with golden arabesques and cabalisticsigns. All the outer walls of the booth were covered with yellow bills,upon which could be read that "Signor Firejaws" would lift with histeeth red-hot irons of fabulous weight, swallow burning lead, andperform the most startling acrobatic tricks. Rolla, the Cannon Queen,would catch cannon balls shot from a gun, and do other tricks; at thesame time the bill said she would eat pigeons alive, and with theirfeathers on. Caillette, the "daughter of the air," as she was called,would send the spectators into ecstasies by her performance on the tightrope, and sing songs. Robeckal, the "descendant of the old Moorishkings," would swallow swords, eat glass, shave kegs with his teeth; andFanfaro would perform on the trapeze, give his magic acts, and daze thepublic with his extraordinary productions. A pyramid, formed of all themembers of the troupe, at the top of which Caillette shone with a rosein her hand, stood at the bottom of the bills in red colors, and wasgazed upon by the peasants in open-mouthed wonder. The hammering whichwent on in the interior of the booth sounded to them like music, andthey could hardly await the night, which was to bring them so manymagnificent things.
Girdel walked up and down in a dignified way and the crowd respectfullymade way for him, while the giant, in stentorian tones, gave the ordersto Fanfaro and Bobichel.
Bobichel's name was not on the bills; he was to surprise the public as aclown, and therefore his name was never mentioned. He generally amusedthe spectators in a comical way, and always made them laugh; even now,when he had finished his work, he mingled with the peasants anddelighted them with his jokes.
Fanfaro and Caillette were still engaged constructing the booth. Theyoung man arranged the wooden seats and the giant's daughter hung thecolored curtains, which covered the bare walls, putting here and thereartificial flowers on them. Sometimes Caillette would pause in her work,to look at Fanfaro with her deep blue eyes.
Fanfaro was now done with the seats and began to fasten two trapezes.They hung to a centre log by iron hooks, and were about twelve feet fromthe ground and about as far distant from each other.
Fanfaro lightly swung upon the centre log and hammered in the iron hookswith powerful blows.
The wonderfully fine-shaped body was seen to advantage in this position,and a sculptor would have enthusiastically observed the classicaloutlines of the young man, whose dark tights fitted him like a glove.
Fanfaro's hands and feet were as small as those of a woman, but, asGirdel had said, his muscles and veins were as hard as iron.
The iron hooks were fast now, and the young man swung himself upon aplank; he then glided down one trapeze, and with a quick movementgrasped the other.
Like an arrow the slim body shot through the air, and then Fanfarosprung lightly to the ground, while the trapeze flew back.
At the very moment the young man let go of the trapeze a faint screamwas heard, and Caillette, deadly pale, stood next to Fanfaro.
"How you frightened me, you wicked fellow," said the young girl, drawinga deep breath.
"Were you really frightened, Caillette? I thought you would have gotused to my exercises long ago."
"I ought to be so," pouted Caillette, pressing her hands to herfast-beating heart, "but every time I see you fly, fear seizes hold ofme and I unconsciously cry aloud. Oh, Fanfaro, if an accident shouldhappen to you--I would not survive it."
"Little sister, you are needlessly alarming yourself."
Caillette held down her pretty little head and the hot blood rushed toher velvety cheeks, while her hands nervously clutched each other.
"Caillette, what ails you?" asked Fanfaro.
"Oh--tell me, Fanfaro, why do you always call me 'little sister'?"
"Does the expression displease you, mademoiselle?" laughingly said theyoung man; "is it the word 'little,' or the word 'sister'?"
"I did not say the expression displeased me."
"Should I call you my big sister?"
"Why do you call me sister at all?"
A cloud spread over the young man's face.
"Did we not grow up together like brother and sister?" he asked; "youwere six years old when your father took the deserted boy to his home."
"But you are not my brother," persisted Caillette.
"Perhaps not in the sense commonly associated with the term, but yet Ilove you like a brother. Doesn't this explanation please you?"
"Yes and no. I wished--"
"What would you wish?"
"I had rather not say it," whispered Caillette, and hastily throwing herarms about Fanfaro she kissed him heartily.
Fanfaro did not return the kiss; on the contrary he turned away andworked at the trapeze cord. He divined what was going on in Caillette,as many words hastily spoken had told the young man that the young girlloved him not as the sister loves the brother, but with a morepassionate love. Caillette was still unaware of it, but every day, everyhour could explain her feelings to her, and Fanfaro feared that moment,for he--did not love her.
How was this possible? He could hardly account for it himself. Caillettewas so charming, and yet he could not think of the lovely creature ashis wife; and as an honest man it did not enter his mind to deceive theyoung girl as to his feelings.
"Caillette," he said, now trying to appear cheerful, "we must hurry upwith our preparations, or the performance will begin before we aredone."
Caillette nodded, and taking her artificial flowers again in her hand,she began to separate them. At the same time the door opened andFirejaws appeared in company with two ladies. Fanfaro and Cailletteglanced at the unexpected guests and heard the elderly lady say:
"Irene, what new caprice is it that brings you here, and what will thecountess say if she hears of it?"
"Madame Ursula, spare your curtain lectures," laughed the young lady;"and if you cannot do so, you are free to return to the castle."
"God forbid," exclaimed Madame Ursula in affright.
She was a perfect type of the governess, with long thin features,pointed nose, small lips, gray locks, and spectacles. She wore a hatwhich fell to her neck, and a long colored shawl hung over hershoulders.
The appearance of the young lady compared very favorably with that ofthe duenna. A dark-blue riding costume sat tightly on a magnificentform; a brown velvet hat with a long white feather sat coquettishly onher dark locks; fresh red lips, sparkling black eyes, a classicallyformed nose, and finely curved lips completed her charming appearance.The young lady appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old; aproud smile hovered about her lips and the dark eyes looked curiouslyabout.
Fanfaro and Caillette paused at their work, and now the young girlexclaimed in a clear bell-like voice:
"Monsieur Girdel, would it be possible for me to secure a few places forthis evening, that is, some that are hid from the rest of thespectators?"
"H'm--that would be difficult," said Girdel, looking about.
"Of course I shall pay extra for the seats," continued the young lady.
"We have only one price for the front rows," said Firejaws, simply;"they cost twenty sous and the rear seats ten sous."
The governess sighed sorrowfully; Irene took an elegant purse from herpocket and pressed it in Girdel's hand.
"Take the money," she said, "and do what I say."
"I will try to get you the seats yo
u desire, mademoiselle," he saidpolitely, "but only for the usual price. Fanfaro," he said, turning tothe young man, "can't we possibly fix up a box?"
Fanfaro drew near, and the young lady with open wonder gazed at thebeautiful youth.
"What's the trouble, Papa Girdel?" he said.
Before the giant could speak Irene said:
"I do not ask very much. I would like to look at the performance, butnaturally would not like to sit with the crowd. You know, peasants andsuch common people--"
"H'm!" growled Girdel.
"It is impossible," said Fanfaro, coolly.
"Impossible?" repeated the young lady in amazement.
"But, Fanfaro," interrupted Girdel, "I should think we could do it. Afew boards, a carpet, and the thing is done."
"Perhaps, but I shall not touch a finger to it."
"You refuse?" exclaimed Irene. "Why, if I may ask?"
"Bravo, Fanfaro!" whispered Caillette, softly.
"Will you answer my question, monsieur---- I do not know your name?"said Irene, impatiently.
"I am called Fanfaro," remarked the young man.
"Well then, Monsieur Fanfaro," began Irene, with a mocking laugh, "whydo you refuse to lend your master a helping hand?"
"His master?" replied Girdel, with flaming eyes; "excuse me,mademoiselle, but you have been incorrectly informed."
"Come, Papa Girdel," laughed Fanfaro, "I will tell the young lady myreasons, and I think you will approve of them. The public of 'peasants,'and such 'common people,' who are so repulsive to you, mademoiselle,that you do not desire to touch them with the seam of your dress, admireus and provide us with our sustenance. The hands which applaud us arecoarse, I cannot deny it; but in spite of this, we regard their applausejust as highly as that given to us by people whose hands are incased infine kid gloves. To give you an especial box, mademoiselle, would be aninsult to the peasants, and why should we do such a thing? Am I right ornot?"
While Fanfaro was speaking, Irene looked steadily at his handsome face.The governess muttered something about impertinence. When the young manlooked up, Irene softly said:
"That was a sharp lesson."
"No; I merely told you my opinion."
"Good. Now let me give you my answer; I will come this evening!"
"I thought so," replied Fanfaro simply.