About This Book
Anonymous tale from 1809. "At Bellesme, in the government of Maine, within a few leagues of the city of Mortagne, resided Claude, the son of Baptiste Boussette, an ancient Vinedresser of that place, who had bred him to the same occupation; and being almost too infirm to continue in so laborious an employment, had resigned to his son its more active duties, whilst himself officiated as occasional assistant to Pierre, the superintendant of the vintage cultivated on the estate of Monsieur Richambeau, Lord of Bellesme. In the same superiority, on the banks of the Huisne, and at a short distance from the cottage of Baptiste, lived Perron Corbeau, the father of Jacqueline, who was not only the best, but also the prettiest girl of the hamlet. From early childhood she had been the favourite companion of Claude; had participated in his juvenile recreations; and at the more advanced period of youth, at which both were now arrived, derived benefit from the instruction bestowed on him by Father Anslem, a venerable Religious of the neighbouring monastery of St. Nicholas. "
