Chatelaine, one day ...

By Max du Veuzit

Become a Chatelaine... The craziest dream!

When the pretty Colette, a simple office employee, one day learns that she has inherited from a distant relative of the magnificent castle of Grandlieu, in Normandy, she cannot help but whisper: "Here I am chestnut!"

All roses, alas, have thorns... The chateau has a co-heir, François. She discovered it when she discovered the castle. François is young, quite handsome, but a little worrying... so enterprising that Colette takes refuge in an inn to think about it in peace. This magnificent castle, it will probably have to be sold?

A potential buyer, Pierre Chantenay, also went down to the inn where Colette is staying. He talks to her, the confusion.... His revelations worry the recent chateau.

She suspects a plot....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Jan 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9782322126361

Book preview

Chatelaine, one day ...

Pages de titre

I

II

III

IV

V

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VII

VIII

IX

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XI

XII

XIII

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XV

XVI

XVII

XVIII

XIX

XX

XXI

XXII

XXIII

XXIV

XXV

XXVI

Epilogue

Copyright

Max the Veuzit

Chatelaine, one day ...

Max the Veuzit is the pen name of Alphonsine Zéphirine Vavasseur, born in Petit-Quevilly 29 October 1876 and died in Bois-Colombes 15 April 1952. It is a French language writer, author of numerous romance novels with great success.

I

Pont-Audemer, March 18, 19 ...

miss,

You are requested to kindly go to my study for a case concerning you.

Accept, miss, my highest consideration.

R. Lemasle.

Colette Semnoz stood for a moment staring at the ticket. She read it again, and looked at the envelope. Lina already removed his hat, the dreamy seer asked:

- A problem ?

- I do not know. This is a letter from a lawyer asking me to go see him. He did not say for what reason.

- You know, this notary?

Colette looked at the header of the letter.

- Me Lemasle, in Pont-Audemer. No I do not know him.

- You will not go to Pont-Audemer! Why do not you write it? You have family in Pont-Audemer?

- No. You know my parents were of Annecy and all my family, except my maternal grandmother, born in Epinal. All this is quite far from Pont-Audemer.

- You might be an uncle of America, which has come to end his days in Normandy?

- I think it's much simpler than that; It is certainly a mistake. I hope, too, for I would rather that the letter was not for me. I always feel a sort of apprehension to see the stationery of a lawyer. I have seen so pile on the desk of my poor dad.

Then, as if she wanted to chase a ghost, Colette of his hand a sign which said, To hell cares, and declared:

- You're not coming to spend the evening with me that we languish us. Sit down, dear, and if you want, listen to the radio while I prepare our dinette.

- I will help you.

- No, no, I beg you.

Nimbly, Colette took off his hat and coat; she put her clothes, then opened the kitchen cupboard that served him.

- It is extraordinary how you managed to arrange the attic.

- This piece is not a garret. He is a former artist's studio. Unfortunately, with the canopy, I have not had warm last winter.

Lina turned the radio button and then approached the huge bay which opened on a glittering night lights, pierced by the mass of illuminated Sacred Heart.

- It's fun to see Paris from that side.

Colette, who was cutting potatoes, stopped:

- What is it so amazing?

- Well ! for me, the Sacred Heart of Paris is the polar star, and from you, I think the North Star changed hemisphere.

- You become poetic; continues, I beg you, Colette quipped. But be less hermetic.

- Do not mock me, you understand what I mean. When I'm at home or in my office, I see the Sacred Heart to the north; it seems on the edge of Paris and I use as a benchmark. But from you, with the Eiffel Tower right, I feel lost, I feel that I'm out of Paris.

- Your demonstration is masterful. Come on, it's time to set the table. Soon, we will dinner.

While Lina contemplated this panorama so new to her that disorient Colette threw a tablecloth on a table and arranged the plates.

There was a long silence between the girls and when, intrigued, Lina turned around, she saw Colette standing near the table, rereading the letter of the notary.

- This letter bothering you?

Colette shrugged.

- It annoys me because it does not give me the reason for the summons. It's absurd. Yes, if this brief letter torments my mind. I do not know what I'll do. It will spoil our evening ...

Lina affectionately put her hand on the arm of her friend.

- Listen to me, Colette. We will quickly dinner and after we will go to the movies. The show will change you the ideas and come back next week. You'll know then what stick you about that letter. We will then, in peace, good evening we had promised.

After a night where the most fantastic nightmares had been cut by long insomnia, Colette decided not to write, but to call in Pont-Audemer.

At the thought that she soon would know the mysterious reason for the letter, concerns dissipated. It was very happily she got ready to go to work. She entered a not far from his office post office. As she only started nine, she had time to call Pont-Audemer, if indeed me Lemasle opened his study before this time.

Colette came and went rather nervously, waiting for communication was established. She repeated: I must be calm, I must be calm ...

- Pont-Audemer, 9 cabin!

The girl jumped and, resuming his spirits leapt to the cabin 8. The operator called out and, quite confused, Colette slipped into the cabin which was assigned to him. With trembling nervousness hand, she picked up the headset:

- Hello! Pont-Audemer? ... The Chambers of Lemasle?

- ...

- Could I speak to me Lemasle?

- ...

- Yes, I wait.

Colette heard several clicks and a deep voice asked who she was.

- Miss Colette Semnoz ... No, sir, I'm calling from Paris ... Yes, I have received your letter ... I confess it intrigues me and I would like to know for what reason you me call together ... I understand, sir, but I work and we are not even during holidays ... have a day off to my boss? ... Yes ... It's not impossible, but I must give a reason ... show him your letter? ... it's obvious, but tell me the purpose of your call ... you could maybe make me understand why you are asking me to come ... Very important! ... But I hope, sir ... So you do not want? ... you can not? ... you will get me any day? ... good. .. Except on Thursday afternoon ... And Saturday ... Oh! but I will not wait so ... See you soon, sir.

Colette went so upset that she almost forget to pay for the call.

- Three units? But I did not stay nine minutes to speak.

- You had the fifty communications at eight and he was fifty-nine. You have eight minutes, making three units.

- It's nine least!

Colette paid without discussing longer and she rushed to the exit. All out of breath, she came to his office.

- Colette, the boss hath already requested.

The girl put her bag on the table and, picking up the transition to a block shorthand, knocked on the door of the director's office.

Mr. Fourcaud, writing, do not look up. He simply said:

- It's you, miss Semnoz?

- Yes, sir, I'm sorry, but ...

- Tell me about Angel, have you written?

Colette, who had decided on arrival to request two days off to go to Pont-Audemer, replied that she had not written to Mr. Angel because Mr. Fourcaud had not told him when he could receive .

- Well ! Wednesday morning.

- Do not you have a ceremony that day?

- You are right, the marriage of Chavanay, a friend of my son. Let's Thursday afternoon, I did not Thursday?

The girl looked at the agenda that was on the desk.

- No appointment is not registered for that day.

- So on Thursday to three hours.

Fourcaud resumed studying the file open before him. Colette, standing beside the desk, repeating to herself:

Sir, I would need two days to see my lawyer ... Sir, would you give me ... no, give me ... Would you be so kind ... no, friendliness? ... Non, it is not OK...

Mr. Fourcaud, suddenly raised his head. He saw his secretary who moved his lips without speaking and waddled rolling his eyes and making strange signs with his hands.

Astonished, he ventured:

- You had something to ask me?

Suddenly pulled its internal repetition, the girl jumped and she stammered:

- It's about the notary ...

- From notary! What lawyer?

- Excuse me sir. Last night when I got home, I found a letter from a lawyer asking me to come and see for case against me. It gives me no explanation and ...

- Well ! will see, this notary!

- Of course, sir, but ...

- Want a hour? I grant you.

- That is to say, it would take me two days.

Fourcaud furrowed his thick eyebrows, which gave him a formidable air, although he was the best of men.

- Two days ! he growled. What is this story ?

- I do not think I can make the round trip of Pont-Audemer in the day.

- He lives in Pont-Audemer, your notary? What idea of ​​having a notary in Pont-Audemer!

- I did not choose, sir. I had never even heard of him before he write to me and I know nothing about it. I called him before coming to the office, he would not tell me. I must go and see.

Fourcaud shrugged and took the grumpy tone of a man who is afraid of being cheated, but is not sure.

- Take a day, take eight days as you like, but if you are absent too long, know that I will remember you this on your leave.

Colette thanked and as she remained motionless ...

- What do you want?

- When do I leave, sir?

- Leave immediately, and I hear no more of this story.

The girl mumbled thanks and slipped away quickly, fearing that his boss might change her mind. She had just arrived at his desk when the red light indicating that the manager asked lit. She half opened the door, stuck his head.

- Before you leave, you will do me the letter for Angel.

II

About five o'clock in the afternoon, Colette Semnoz descended in Pont-Audemer station a second-class car. He fell a fine, penetrating rain, within minutes, makes you look like a castaway, but when the Normandy owes its rich pastures.

After being informed of the direction in which it found the Chambers of Lemasle the girl ventured into the old and picturesque streets of the small town. On the square, close to the Gothic church, Colette saw the ritual panonceau notary. She hastened to enter the porch where she could snort with pleasure. After repairing the disorder of her toilet, she entered the study.

The announcement of his name did not cause the movement of surprise she expected. The clerk, whom she spoke and was perhaps silent, merely indicate a chair. No longer care for her, he said the calligraphy work on which he was leaning, pulling the tongue with application.

Colette sat between a peasant imposing mustache and a little old withered with age. She began to contemplate the shelves filled huge books bound in green leather, each wore a vintage. This extraordinary collection - the pride of the notary - dated back until 18 ... Some volumes, much wider than others, marked the boom years. There were even two volumes 19 ... remarkable year by the number of recorded acts.

Suddenly, a double door opened. A whole family came out of the notary's office and the peasant stood up boldly split the group up to me Lemasle, who held out his hand.

Against all odds, the peasant made a quick foray on the other side of the double doors. As for the little old lady, she was called by a clerk hid behind a screen.

- Miss Semnoz.

Colette leapt from his chair. She greeted me quietly Lemasle and emotionally broke the door that the notary holding her wide open, a somewhat theatrical gesture.

- Sit down, miss.

Me Lemasle walked around his desk, sat down carefully pulling the crease in his pants and putting his glasses before watching the girl:

- You are well miss Colette Semnoz?

- Yes sir.

He seemed to think. Finally, a smooth gesture, he picked up the phone.

- Please bring me Letellier folder.

While they waited, Colette stood motionless, sitting on the edge of his chair, all intimidated; Lemasle me, raised his glasses, bathed eyelids with undisguised pleasure.

A clerk brought the requested file. Me Lemasle opened it, flipped and raising an inquisitive glance at the girl, asked:

- Your father's name was indeed John Joseph Louis Semnoz, born in Annecy, July 24, 18 ... and your mother Mary Leontine Gerlaz, also born in Annecy, December 31, 18 ... Your mother died on June 7, 19 ..., and your father 9 March 19 .. your grandfather Jerome Jean-Marie Semnoz had a sister, Armande Lucie-Marie, and a brother, Thomas-Marie-Joseph. Thomas Marie Joseph first married Armande Duquesnay and second wife ...

Overwhelmed by the avalanche of names and the flood of questions that the notary did not require a response, Colette did not try to follow this extraordinary family tree.

His ear distracted curiosity found that the mention of the name of Letellier.

- ... Anthime Ernest Letellier is your third cousin and you inherit his property for an equal share with François Gustave Victor Lesquent direct descendant of Lucie Marie-Armande-Semnoz.

Colette had nothing to say that ah! Who do not even reflected his astonishment.

She did not know until now the existence of Anthime Ernest Letellier. She had never heard of Francis Gustave Victor Lesquent and was not very safe to remember the names