The Alkahest
THE ALKAHEST BY HONORE DE BALZAC Translated By Katharine Prescott Wormeley DEDICATION To Madame Josephine Delannoy nee Doumerc. Madame, may God grant that this, my book, may live longer than I, for then the gratitude which I owe to you, and which I hope will equal your almost maternal kindness to me, would last beyond the limits prescribed for human affection. This sublime privilege of
ALICE. 'Dear Amy, I forgot. Yes, Mr. Rollo.'
STEVE. 'Then, Alice--'
AMY. 'This lady's name, if I am not greatly mistaken, is Mrs. Grey. Is
it not so, mother?'
ALICE. 'Yes, Amy.'
STEVE. 'As you will; but it is most important that I say certain
things to her at once.'
ALICE. 'Oh, Mr. Rollo. What do you think, dear?'
AMY, reflecting, 'If it be clearly understood that this is good-bye, I
consent. Please be as brief as possible.'
Somehow they think that she is moving to the door, but she crosses
only to the other side of the room and sits down with a book. One of
them likes this very much.
STEVE, who is not the one, 'But I want to see her alone.'
AMY, the dearest of little gaolers, 'That, I am afraid, I cannot
permit. It is not that I have not perfect confidence in you, mother,
but you must see I am acting wisely.'
THE ALKAHEST BY HONORE DE BALZAC Translated By Katharine Prescott Wormeley DEDICATION To Madame Josephine Delannoy nee Doumerc. Madame, may God grant that this, my book, may live longer than I, for then the gratitude which I owe to you, and which I hope will equal your almost maternal kindness to me, would last beyond the limits prescribed for human affection. This sublime privilege of