Harvard Classics

The Devil's Pool

When I began, with _The Devil's Pool_, a series of rustic pictures which I proposed to collect under the title of _The Hemp-Beater's Tales_, I had no theory, no purpose to effect a revolution in literature. No one can bring about a revolution by himself alone, and there are re...

Chapters

3. Chapter 3

But chastity is a sacred tradition in certain country districts, far removed from the corrupt animation of large cities, and Maurice's family was noted among all the families of...

4. Chapter 4

"Faith, you're a smart girl," said Germain, "and you can make a fire like a little witch. I feel like a new man, and my courage is coming back to me; for, with my legs wet to th...

5. Chapter 5

"This time I give it up!" said Germain, stamping on the ground. "A spell has been cast on us, that's sure, and we shall not get away from here till daylight. This place must be...

6. Chapter 6

He walked fast, and was soon within a short distance of Ormeaux. Thereupon he felt that he must go and kiss his son and see little Marie once more, although he had lost the hope...

2. Chapter 2

Ah! well, such as he is, incomplete and doomed to never-ending childhood, he is nobler even so than he in whom knowledge has stifled sentiment. Do not place yourselves above him...

8. Chapter 8

But, as they approached the house, they slackened their pace, took counsel together, and became silent. The maidens, shut up in the house, had arranged little cracks at the wind...

1. Chapter 1

When I began, with _The Devil's Pool_, a series of rustic pictures which I proposed to collect under the title of _The Hemp-Beater's Tales_, I had no theory, no purpose to effec...

7. Chapter 7

"Well, yes, mother, I am foolish enough to have become attached to a young girl, and I blame myself for it. I do all I can not to think of her; but whether I am at work or resti...

9. Chapter 9

Little Marie still wore that head dress, and her forehead was so white and so pure that it defied the white of the linen to cast a shadow upon it. Although she had not closed he...