The Lost Estate (29 page)

11
.
the Certificat d’études supérieures… the Ecole Normale:
A law of 1882 set up obligatory primary school education in France, leading to a school-leaving certificate
(Certificat d’études primaires)
. There were also to be secondary schools of the kind at which Monsieur Seurel teaches, known as
Ecoles primaires supérieures
, which would deliver a
Certificat d’études supérieures
. Some of their pupils might go on to study for a teaching qualification at the
Ecoles Normales
(teacher training colleges) that were to be set up in every
département
.

12
.
Brevet simple:
At the time, a school-leaving certificate. But, as we learn from the next paragraph, François is going to study for a further year to obtain the
Brevet supérieur
, which will give him a teaching qualification.

13
.
Cours complémentaire:
At the time, a type of secondary school giving general education. The Cours supérieur, mentioned below, was for those pupils who decided to stay on for further study after completing their years of compulsory education.

14
.
in seventy:
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 ended in a rapid defeat for France, the abdication of the Emperor, Napoleon III, the proclamation of the Third Republic and, in 1871, the uprising of the Paris Commune.

15
.
Presidents Grévy and Carnot:
Jules Grévy (1807–91) was president of France from 1879 to 1887. He was succeeded by Sadi Carnot (1837–94), who remained in office until his death.

16
.
green paper crowns:
Presumably to crown the winners of end-of-year prizes.

17
.
Rousseau’s… George Sand to her son:
Passages from literature
suitable for pupils to write down to dictation. For Rousseau and Courier, see note 8. The passage from Rousseau is a well-known story about a walnut tree from his Confessions, Book I. Courier’s short tale is based on his experiences in southern Italy. George Sand (Aurore Dupin, 1804–76) wrote many letters to her son, Maurice; it is not certain which is the one mentioned here.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Introduction

A Note on the Translation

Dedication

The Lost Estate

PART ONE

I: THE BOARDER

II: AFTER FOUR O’CLOCK

III: ‘I USED TO TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN STANDING AT A BASKET-MAKER’S’

IV: ESCAPE

V: THE CARRIAGE RETURNS

VI: A KNOCK ON THE WINDOW PANE

VII: THE SILK WAISTCOAT

VIII: THE ADVENTURE

IX: A PAUSE

X: THE SHEEPFOLD

XI: THE MYSTERIOUS ESTATE

XII: WELLINGTON’S ROOM

XIII: THE STRANGE FETE

XIV: THE STRANGE FETE (continued)

XV: THE MEETING

XVI: FRANTZ DE GALAIS

XVII: THE STRANGE FETE (end)

PART TWO

I: THE GREAT GAME

II: WE ARE CAUGHT IN AN AMBUSH

III: THE GYPSY COMES TO SCHOOL

IV: WE HEAR ABOUT THE MYSTERIOUS ESTATE

V: THE MAN WITH THE ROPE-SOLED SANDALS

VI: AN ARGUMENT BEHIND THE SCENES

VII: THE GYPSY TAKES OFF HIS BANDAGE

VIII: THE GENDARMES!

IX: IN SEARCH OF THE LOST PATH

X: THE WASHING

XI: BETRAYAL

XII: THREE LETTERS FROM MEAULNES

PART THREE

I: BATHING

II: AT FLORENTIN’S

III: AN APPARITION

IV: THE GREAT NEWS

V: THE OUTING

VI: THE OUTING (end)

VII: THE WEDDING DAY

VIII: FRANTZ CALLS

IX: THE HAPPY PEOPLE

X: ‘FRANTZ’S HOUSE’

XI: CONVERSATION IN THE RAIN

XII: THE BURDEN

XIII: THE MONTHLY COMPOSITION BOOK

XIV: THE SECRET

XV: THE SECRET (continued)

XVI: THE SECRET (end)

EPILOGUE

Notes