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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7752b1c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67461 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67461) diff --git a/old/67461-0.txt b/old/67461-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ab3557a..0000000 --- a/old/67461-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11099 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Sin of Monsieur Antoine, Volume II -(of 2) and Leone Leoni, by George Sand - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Sin of Monsieur Antoine, Volume II (of 2) and Leone Leoni - The Masterpieces of George Sand. Volume 6 - -Author: George Sand - -Translator: George Burnham Ives - -Illustrator: Pierre Vidal - -Release Date: February 21, 2022 [eBook #67461] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Dagny and Laura Natal Rodrigues (Images generously made - available by Hathi Trust Digital Library.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE, -VOLUME II (OF 2) AND LEONE LEONI *** - - -The Masterpieces of George Sand - -Amandine Lucille Aurore Dupin, Baroness -Dudevant, _NOW FOR THE FIRST -TIME COMPLETELY TRANSLATED -INTO ENGLISH THE SIN -OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE, AND LEONE -LEONI BY G. BURNHAM IVES_ - - - - -_VOLUME II_ - - - - -_WITH TWELVE PHOTOGRAVURES AFTER PAINTINGS BY -PIERRE VIDAL_ - - - - -_PRINTED ONLY FOR SUBSCRIBERS BY -GEORGE BARRIE & SON -PHILADELPHIA_ - - - - -CONTENTS -CHAPTER -XXIV. MONSIEUR GALUCHET -XXV. THE EXPLOSION -XXVI. THE SNARE -XXVII. SORROWS AND JOYS OF LOVE -XXVIII. CONSOLATION -XXIX. AN ADVENTURE -XXX. THE IMPROMPTU SUPPER -XXXI. UNCERTAINTY -XXXII. A WEDDING PRESENT -XXXIII. THE STORY OF ONE TOLD BY THE OTHER -XXXIV. RESURRECTION -XXXV. ABSOLUTION -XXXVI. RECONCILIATION -LEONE LEONI -INTRODUCTION -CHAPTER I -CHAPTER II -CHAPTER III -CHAPTER IV -CHAPTER V -CHAPTER VI -CHAPTER VII -CHAPTER VIII -CHAPTER IX -CHAPTER X -CHAPTER XI -CHAPTER XII -CHAPTER XIII -CHAPTER XIV -CHAPTER XV -CHAPTER XVI -CHAPTER XVII -CHAPTER XVIII -CHAPTER XIX -CHAPTER XX -CHAPTER XXI -CHAPTER XXII -CHAPTER XXIII -CHAPTER XXIV - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - -THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE - -LEONE LEONI - -_VOLUME II_ - -EMILE CONFESSES HIS LOVE FOR GILBERTE. - -GILBERTE AND JAPPELOUP ACCOMPANY THE MARQUIS. - -THE RECONCILIATION. - -DON ALEO AND JULIETTE. - -LEONI TAKES JULIETTE TO HIS PALACE. - -THE MEETING ON THE CANAL. - - - - -[Illustration: _EMILE CONFESSES HIS LOVE FOR -GILBERTE._ - -"_My dear Janille," he cried at last, with impetuous emotion, "and you, -noble and generous Antoine, listen to me and learn my secret at last. I -love your daughter._"] - - - - -THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE - -(_Continued_) - - - - -XXIV - -MONSIEUR GALUCHET - - -But, after sleeping twelve hours, Galuchet had only a very confused -remembrance of the events of the preceding day, and, when Monsieur -Cardonnet sent for him, he retained only a vague feeling of resentment -against the carpenter. Moreover, he was little inclined to boast of -having cut such an absurd figure at the outset of his diplomatic career, -and he attributed his late rising and his sluggish manner to a violent -sick-headache. "I did nothing but feel the ground," he replied to his -master's questions. "I was feeling so miserable that I could not watch -very closely. I can only assure you that they have very vulgar manners -in that house, that they live on a footing of equality with peasants, -and that the table is very poorly served." - -"That is no news to me," said Monsieur Cardonnet; "it is impossible that -you can have passed the whole day at Châteaubrun without noticing -something more definite. At what hour did my son arrive, at what time -did he leave?" - -"I can't tell you just what time it was,--their old clock is so far out -of the way!" - -"That's not an answer. How many hours did he stay there? Come, I don't -ask you to be exact to a minute." - -"It must have been five or six hours, monsieur; I was horribly bored. -Monsieur Emile seemed far from glad to see me; and as for the girl, -she's a downright prude. It was fearfully hot on that mountain, and I -couldn't say two words without being interrupted by that peasant." - -"I can imagine it, for you don't say two words in succession this -morning, Galuchet; what peasant do you mean?" - -"That carpenter, Jappeloup, a miserable fellow, an animal who presumes -to be familiar with everybody, and who speaks of monsieur as _Père -Cardonnet_, as if he were speaking of his equal." - -"That doesn't trouble me; but what did my son say to him?" - -"Monsieur Emile laughed at his nonsense and Mademoiselle Gilberte thinks -he is charming." - -"Did you notice any _asides_ between her and my son?" - -"No, monsieur, not exactly. The old woman--who is certainly her mother, -for she calls her _my girl_--hardly ever leaves her, and it can't be -very easy to pay court to her, especially as she is very high and -mighty, and puts on the airs of a princess. That's very becoming in her, -on my word, with the dress she wears and not a sou! If they should offer -her to me, I wouldn't have her!" - -"No matter, Galuchet; you must pay court to her." - -"To laugh at her, when the time comes--I agree to that!" - -"And also to earn a reward, which you will not get unless you bring me a -clearer and more circumstantial report next time; for you are all astray -to-day." - -Galuchet bent his head over his books and fought all day against the -discomfort that follows over-indulgence. - -Emile passed the whole week head over ears in hydrostatics; he indulged -in no other distraction than to seek out Jean Jappeloup in the evening -and chat with him; and, as he always tried to bring the conversation -around to Gilberte, the carpenter finally said to him: - -"Look you, Monsieur Emile, you never get tired of that subject, that's -clear enough. Do you know that Mère Janille thinks you are in love with -her child?" - -"What an idea!" rejoined the young man, confused by this sudden -apostrophe. - -"It's a sensible idea enough. Why shouldn't you be in love with her?" - -"True, why shouldn't I be in love with her?" echoed Emile, more and more -embarrassed. "But can it be that you would speak jestingly of such a -possibility, friend Jean?" - -"I should say that you were the one, my boy, for you answer me as if we -were in jest. Come, why not tell me the truth? out with it or I'll not -talk to you any more." - -"Jean, if I were really in love with a person for whom I have as much -respect as for my own mother, my best friend should know nothing of it." - -"I know very well that I am not your best friend, and yet I should like -to have you tell me." - -"Explain yourself, Jean." - -"Explain yourself, rather; I am waiting." - -"You will wait a long time; for I have no answer to make to such a -question, despite all my esteem and affection for you." - -"If that is so, you will have to say adieu forever one of these days to -the people at Châteaubrun; for _ma mie_ Janille is not the woman to -sleep long when danger is brewing." - -"That word offends me; I do not think that I can be accused of bringing -danger upon a person whose reputation and dignity are as sacred to me as -to her kindred and dearest friends." - -"That sounds very well, but it isn't a straight answer to all my -questions. Do you want me to tell you something?--early last week I went -to Châteaubrun to borrow of Antoine a tool that I needed. I found _ma -mie_ Janille there; she was all alone, expecting you. You didn't come -and she told me all. And now, my boy, if she didn't frown on you Sunday, -and if she allows you to call from time to time to see her girl, you are -indebted to me for it." - -"How so, my good Jean?" - -"Because I have more confidence in you than you have in me. I told _ma -mie_ Janille that if you loved Gilberte you would marry her, and that I -would answer for you on the salvation of my soul." - -"And you were right, Jean," cried Emile, grasping the carpenter's hand; -"you never told a greater truth." - -"Very good! but the question still remains whether you are in love, and -that is what you won't tell me." - -"It is what I can tell you alone, since you question me so closely. Yes, -Jean, I love her, I love her more than my life, and I mean to marry -her." - -"I give my consent," replied Jean in a tone of enthusiastic -satisfaction, "and so far as I am concerned, I join your hands--One -moment! one moment!--provided that Gilberte gives her consent too." - -"And if she should ask your advice, my good Jean, who are her friend and -second father?" - -"I should tell her that she can make no better choice, that you suit me -and that I am willing to be your surety." - -"Good! now my friend, we only have to obtain the consent of the -parents." - -"Oh! I'll answer for Antoine, if I take hold of the affair. He has some -pride, and he will be afraid that your father may hesitate, but I know -what to say to him on that subject." - -"What will you say to him, pray?" - -"Something that you don't know, something that nobody knows but me. I -don't need to speak yet, for the time has not come, and you can't think -of marrying for a year or two." - -"Jean, confide this secret to me as I confided mine to you. I see but -one obstacle to our marriage, my father's obstinacy. I have resolved to -overcome it, but I do not conceal from myself that it is very serious." - -"Well, as you have been so trustful and frank with old Jean, old Jean -will be the same with you. Listen, my boy; before long your father will -be ruined and will have no further excuse for putting on airs with the -Châteaubrun family." - -"If what you say should turn out to be true, I should bless your strange -prophecy, notwithstanding my father's inevitable grief and -disappointment; for I have many reasons for dreading this great wealth." - -"I know it; I know your heart, and I see that you would like to enrich -others before enriching yourself. Everything will turn out as you wish, -I am sure. I have dreamed of it more than ten times." - -"If you have done nothing more than dream, my dear Jean-----" - -"Wait, wait. What is that book you always carry under your arm and that -you seem to be studying?" - -"I have already told you, a scientific treatise on the power and weight -of water and the laws of equilibrium." - -"I remember--you have told me before; but I tell you that your book -lies, or else you have read it wrong; otherwise you would know what I -know." - -"What is that?" - -"That your factory is impossible, and that your father, if he persists -in fighting against a stream that snaps its fingers at him, will lose -his outlay and will discover his folly too late. That is why I have been -so cheerful for some time past. I was depressed and out of temper as -long as I thought that your undertaking might succeed; but I had one -hope that kept coming to my mind again and again, and I determined to -satisfy myself about it. So I walked and worked and used my eyes and -studied. Oh! yes, studied, and I didn't read your books and your maps -and your figuring; I saw and understood everything. Monsieur Emile, I am -only a poor peasant, and your Galuchet would spit on me if he dared; but -I can tell you of one thing that you hardly suspect, and that is that -your father has no idea of what he is doing, that he has taken bad -advice, and that you don't know enough about it to set him right. The -coming winter will carry away your works, and every winter will carry -off whatever there is, until Monsieur Cardonnet has thrown his last -three-franc piece into the water. Remember what I tell you, and don't -try to persuade your father. It would be one more reason for him to -persist in ruining himself, and we don't need that to induce him to do -it; but you will be ruined, my son, and if not altogether here, you will -be somewhere else, for I hold your papa's brain in the hollow of my -hand. It is a powerful brain, I admit, but it is a madman's brain. He is -a man who works himself into a frenzy for his schemes to such an extent -that he considers them infallible, and when a man is built that way he -never succeeds in anything. I thought at first that he had played his -hand out, but now I see that the game is becoming serious, for he is -beginning to rebuild all that the last freshet destroyed. He had had too -good luck until then; still another reason--good luck makes a man -overbearing and presumptuous. That is the history of Napoléon, whom I -saw rise and fall, like a carpenter who climbs to the roof of a house -without looking to see if the foundations are solid. However good a -carpenter he may be--however fine a building he may build--if the wall -totters, good-bye to the whole work!" - -Jean spoke with such conviction, and his black eyes gleamed so bright -beneath his grizzly bushy eyebrows, that Emile could not help being -moved. He begged him to give his reasons for talking as he did, and the -carpenter refused for a long time. At last, conquered by his -persistence, and a little irritated by his doubts, he made an -appointment with him for the following Sunday. - -"You can go to Châteaubrun Saturday or Monday instead," he said, "and -on Sunday we will start at daybreak and go up the stream to certain -places that I will point out to you. Take all your books and all your -instruments if you choose. If they don't confirm me, it's of little -consequence; it will be science that lies. But don't expect to make this -trip on horseback or in a carriage; and if you haven't good legs, don't -expect to make it at all." - -On the following Saturday Emile went to Châteaubrun, beginning, as -usual, with Boisguilbault, as he dared not appear too early at -Gilberte's. - -As he approached the ruins he saw a black speck at the foot of the -mountain, and that speck soon became Constant Galuchet, in a black coat, -black trousers and gloves, black satin cravat and waistcoat. That was -his costume in the country, winter and summer alike; and no matter how -great the heat or the fatigue which he was about to undergo, he never -left the village except in that ceremonious attire. He would have been -afraid of resembling a peasant if, like Emile, he had donned a blouse -and broad-brimmed gray hat. - -If it be true that the bourgeois costume of our generation is the most -depressing, the most inconvenient and the most unbecoming that fashion -ever invented, it is equally true that all its inconveniences and -deformities are most striking in the open country. In the outskirts of -the large cities, one's eyes are less offended, because everything there -is arranged, aligned, planked, built and walled in symmetrically, so -that all the informality and charm of nature are destroyed. We may -sometimes admire the beauty and symmetry of those estates which have -been subjected to all the refinements of civilization; but it is very -hard to imagine oneself loving such a region. The real country is not -there, but in the heart of the fields, neglected and untilled to some -extent, where agriculture has no thought of paltry embellishments and -strict limits, where estates run together and where boundaries are -indicated only by a stone or bush, put in place in full reliance upon -rustic good faith. There the roads, intended only for foot passengers, -equestrians or heavy carts, present innumerable picturesque -irregularities; the hedges, abandoned to their natural vigor, hang in -garlands, from leafy arbors, and deck themselves out with the wild -climbing plants which are carefully removed in more pretentious regions. -Emile remembered that he had walked about within several leagues of -Paris without the pleasure of seeing a nettle, and he felt keenly the -charm of that rural scenery amid which he now found himself. Poverty did -not hide, in shame and degradation, beneath the feet of wealth. On the -contrary it made itself manifest, light-hearted and free, on a soil -which proudly bore its emblems, wild flowers and vagabond plants, the -humble moss and the wood-strawberry, the water-cress on the brink of a -stream with no well-defined bed, and the ivy clinging to a rock that had -obstructed the path for centuries, without attracting the attention of -the police. He loved the branches which overhung the road and were -respected by passers-by; the bog-holes in which the frog croaked softly -as if to warn the traveller,--a more vigilant sentinel than he who -guards a king's palace; the old crumbling walls around the enclosure, -which no one thought of rebuilding, the powerful roots which pushed up -the ground and dug holes at the foot of the venerable trees; all that -lack of art which makes nature ingenuous and which harmonizes so well -with the severe type and grave and simple costume of the peasant. - -But let that parasitic insect, that _monsieur_ with the black coat, -cleanly shaven chin, gloved hands and shambling legs, appear in the -midst of that austere and impressive scene, which carries the -imagination back to the epoch of primitive poesy, and that king of -society becomes simply a ridiculous blotch, an annoying imperfection in -the picture. What business have your funereal garments in this bright -sunlight, where their creases seem to laugh scornfully as at a victim? -Your offensive, misplaced costume inspires more pity than the poor man's -rags; we feel that you are out of place in the fresh air and that your -livery crushes you. - -Never had these reflections presented themselves so vividly to Emile's -mind as when Galuchet appeared before him, hat in hand, climbing the -hill with a painful exertion which caused his coat-tails to flutter in -laughable fashion, and pausing to brush away with his handkerchief the -traces of frequent falls. Emile was strongly inclined to laugh at first; -and then he asked himself angrily why the parasite was buzzing around -the sacred hive. He urged his horse to a gallop, passed Galuchet without -seeming to recognize him, arrived first at Châteaubrun, and announced -the other's coming to Gilberte as an unavoidable calamity. - -"Oh! father," said she, "don't receive that ill-bred, disagreeable man, -I entreat you! let us not spoil our Châteaubrun, our home, our -pleasant, unceremonious life, by the presence of this stranger, who -never can and never will be in sympathy with us." - -"What do you expect me to do with him, for heaven's sake?" said Monsieur -de Châteaubrun, sorely embarrassed. "I invited him to come whenever he -chose; I could not foresee that you, who are usually so long-suffering -and generous, would take such a dislike to a poor devil because of his -bad manners and his unattractive face. For my part I pity such people; I -see that everyone spurns them and that life is a bore to them." - -"Don't believe that," said Emile. "On the contrary they are very well -satisfied and imagine that everybody likes them." - -"In that case, why rob them of a delusion without which they would -probably die of grief? I haven't courage to do it, and I don't believe -that my dear Gilberte would advise me to have it." - -"My too kind-hearted father!" rejoined Gilberte with a sigh; "I wish -that I were as kind-hearted, too; indeed, I believe I am, generally -speaking; but that conceited, self-satisfied creature, who seems to me -to insult me when he looks at me, and who called me by my Christian name -the first day he ever spoke to me!--no, I can't endure him, and I feel -that he has a bad effect on me, because the sight of him makes me -disdainful and sarcastic, contrary to my instincts and my character." - -"It is certain that Monsieur Galuchet will become very familiar with -mademoiselle," said Emile to Monsieur Antoine, "and that you will be -compelled more than once to remind him of the respect he owes her. If it -happens that he forces you to turn him out of the house, you will regret -having received him with too much confidence. Wouldn't it be better to -give him to understand by a somewhat chilly welcome that you have not -forgotten the ungentlemanly way he behaved on his first visit?" - -"The best way that I can think of to arrange matters," said Monsieur de -Châteaubrun, "is for you two to go out in the orchard with Janille; I -will take Galuchet out fishing and you will be rid of him." - -This suggestion was not particularly agreeable to Emile. When he was -under Monsieur de Châteaubrun's eye, he could almost believe that he -was tête-à-tête with Gilberte, whereas Janille was an exceedingly -active and keen-eyed third. Moreover Gilberte thought that it would be -selfish to compel her father to bear alone the burden of such a -visitor.--"No," she said, kissing him, "we will stay here to keep you in -bad temper; for if we turn our backs on you, you will be so sweet and -good-natured that monsieur will believe that he is welcome, once for -all. Oh! I know you, father! you wouldn't be able to refrain from -telling him so and from keeping him at the table, and then he will drink -again! It will be very wise for me to stay here and force him to keep -watch on himself." - -"Oh! I'll look out for that," said Janille, who had listened thus far -without giving her opinion, and who hated Galuchet ever since the day he -had haggled over a ten-sou piece for which she asked him after showing -him the ruins. "I like to have monsieur drink his wine with his friends -and the people he likes; but I don't approve of wasting it on parasites, -and I propose to give Monsieur Galuchet's wine a good baptizing. But you -don't like water, monsieur, and that will make you cut short your stay -at the table." - -"Why, Janille, this is downright tyranny," said Monsieur Antoine. "You -say you are going to put me on a water diet? do you want me to die, -pray?" - -"No, monsieur, your skin will be all the brighter for it, and if yonder -little fellow makes a wry face at it, so much the worse for him." - -Janille kept her word, but Galuchet was too disturbed in mind to notice -it. He felt more and more ill at ease in the presence of Emile, whose -eyes and smile seemed to be always questioning him sternly, and when he -tried to pluck up courage and play the agreeable with Gilberte, he was -so coldly received that he knew not what to do. He had determined to be -very careful in the matter of the Châteaubrun wine, and he was well -pleased when his host, after the first glass, neglected to invite him to -take a second. Monsieur Antoine, when he led the way with the first -bumper, as his duty as host required, stifled a sigh and glanced at -Janille as if to reproach her for the liberality with which she had -measured the admixture of water. Charasson, who was in the old woman's -confidence, roared with laughter, and was sternly reprimanded by his -master, who sentenced him to drink the rest of the harmless beverage -with his supper. - -When Galuchet was convinced that he was intolerable to Gilberte and -Emile, he determined to advance his interests with Monsieur Cardonnet by -venturing upon the proposal of marriage. He led Monsieur Antoine aside, -and, feeling sure of being refused, offered his heart, his hand and his -twenty thousand francs for his daughter. Monsieur Galuchet did not -consider that he risked anything by doubling the fictitious capital of -his marriage-portion. - -This little fortune, in addition to a place which was worth about twelve -hundred francs a year, surprised Monsieur Antoine extremely. It was a -very good match for Gilberte; indeed, she could aspire to nothing better -in the matter of wealth, for it was impossible for the excellent country -gentleman to provide her with any dowry whatever, even if he should -strip himself entirely. No one on earth was ever more unselfish than -that worthy man; he had given proofs enough of it during his life. But -he could not, without some bitterness, reflect that his darling -daughter, failing to meet a man who would love her for her own sake, -would probably be condemned to live single for many years, perhaps -forever! - -"What an unfortunate thing," he said to himself, "that this fellow isn't -more attractive, for he is certainly honest and generous. My daughter -takes his fancy, and he doesn't ask how much money she has. Doubtless he -knows that she has nothing, and means to give her all he possesses. He -is a well-intentioned suitor, whom I must refuse respectfully, -pleasantly and with friendly words." - -And not knowing how to go about it--not daring to expose Gilberte to the -suspicion of being vain of her name or to the resentment of a heart -wounded by her manifest aversion--he could think of no better way than -to avoid giving a definite answer, and to ask for time to reflect and -take counsel. Galuchet also asked leave to come again, not precisely to -pay his court to Gilberte, but to learn his fate; and leave was given -him to do so, although poor Antoine trembled as he gave it. - -He took him to the bank of the stream to fish, although Galuchet had -brought nothing for that purpose and was very desirous to remain at the -château. However, Antoine walked him along the bank of the Creuse, to -show him the best places, and, on the way, he had the weakness and -good-nature to ask his pardon for Jean's teasing and mockery. Galuchet -took it exceedingly well, and attributed all the blame to himself, -saying, however, to put himself in a somewhat better light, that he had -been surprised into drinking too much, and that, if he was not capable -of carrying much wine, it was because he was habitually very abstemious. - -"That's all right," said Antoine. "Janille was afraid that you might be -a little intemperate, but what happened to you proves the contrary." - -They talked for a considerable time, and, as Galuchet obstinately -declined to go, although his host's uneasiness made it plain that he -would have preferred not to take him back to the château, they returned -thither, and Galuchet at once took Janille aside, to confide his -intentions to her, and give Antoine time to inform Gilberte. He reckoned -on the displeasure which the news would cause the latter; for on this -occasion, not being drunk, he plainly detected Emile's air of annoyance -and Gilberte's feelings for the protector she had chosen. - -"This time," he said to himself, "Monsieur Cardonnet will not reproach -me with having wasted my time. My pretty lovers will be furiously angry -with me, and Monsieur Emile will not be able to hold back from picking a -quarrel with me." - -Galuchet was not a coward; and although he did not deem Emile capable of -a duel with fists, he said to himself with much satisfaction that he was -strong enough to hold his own against him. As for a genuine duel, that -would have been less to his liking, because he had had no experience of -duellists' weapons; but he could safely rely upon Monsieur Cardonnet to -preserve him from that danger. - -While he was talking with Janille, Monsieur de Châteaubrun remained in -the orchard with his daughter and Emile, and told them what had taken -place between him and Galuchet, albeit with some oratorical precautions. -"Oh!" said he, "you call him an impertinent fool, but you will regret -your harsh judgment of him; for he is really a very worthy fellow, and I -have proof of that. I can tell this before Emile, who is our friend; and -if Gilberte would look at the matter without prejudice, she might ask -him some questions concerning this young man. Tell me, Emile, on your -heart and conscience, is he an honest man?" - -"Beyond any question," Emile replied. "My father has employed him for -three years and would be very sorry to lose him." - -"Is his character good?" - -"Although he can hardly be said to have proved it here the other day, I -must say that he is very peaceable, and ordinarily quite harmless." - -"He isn't in the habit of getting drunk?" - -"Not so far as I know." - -"Well, then, what have you against him?" - -"If he had not taken the fancy to become our guest, I should consider -him an accomplished man," said Gilberte. - -"Is he so very disagreeable to you?" said Monsieur Antoine, standing -still to look her in the face. - -"Why, no, father," she replied, surprised by the solemnity of his -manner. "Do not take my dislike so seriously. I hate nobody; and if this -young man's company is at all agreeable to you, if he has given you good -reason to esteem him particularly, God forbid that I should deprive you -of any pleasure by a mere caprice! I will make an effort, and perhaps I -shall succeed in sharing the good opinion that my excellent father has -of him." - -"Spoken like a good, sensible girl, and I recognize my Gilberte. Let me -tell you then, little one, that you are the last one who should despise -this young man's character; and that, even though you do not feel -attracted to him, you ought at least to treat him politely and dismiss -him kindly. Come, do you understand me?" - -"Not the least in the world, father." - -"I am afraid that I understand," said Emile, his cheeks flushing -scarlet. - -"Well," continued Monsieur Antoine, "I will suppose that a young man, -quite wealthy compared to us, notices a beautiful, virtuous girl who is -very poor, and that, falling in love at first sight, he lays at her feet -the most honorable proposals you can imagine--should he be dismissed -roughly, turned out of doors with a: 'Monsieur, you are too ugly.'" - -Gilberte blushed as hotly as Emile, and, strive as she would to be -humble, she felt so insulted by Galuchet's proposals that she could make -no reply, while her eyes filled with tears. - -"The miserable fellow has lied shamefully to you," cried Emile, "and you -can safely turn him away with contempt. He has no fortune, and my father -rescued him from absolute destitution. Now, he has only been in his -employ three years, and unless he has suddenly received some mysterious -legacy----" - -"No, Emile, no, he has told no lie; I am not so weak and credulous as -you think. I questioned him and I know that the source of his little -fortune is pure and unquestionable. Your father has promised him twenty -thousand francs, in order to attach him permanently to his service by -affection and gratitude, in case he marries in the province." - -"But," said Emile in a trembling voice, "my father certainly cannot know -that he has presumed to raise his eyes to Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun, -for he would not have encouraged him in such a hope." - -"On the contrary," rejoined Monsieur Antoine, to whom the affair seemed -perfectly natural, "he has confided to your father his liking for -Gilberte, and your father authorized him to use his name in support of -his offer of marriage." - -Gilberte turned deathly pale and looked at Emile, who lowered his eyes, -stupefied, humiliated, and wounded to his heart's core. - - - - -XXV - -THE EXPLOSION - - -"Well, well, what's the matter?" said Janille, joining them under a -rustic arbor near the orchard, where they were sitting, all three; "why -is Gilberte so woebegone, and why do you all keep quiet when I come -near, as if you were plotting some conspiracy?" - -Gilberte threw herself in her nurse's arms and burst into tears. - -"Well, well," continued the good little woman, "here's something else! -My little girl is unhappy and I don't know what the matter is! Will you -speak, Monsieur Antoine?" - -"Has that young man gone?" said Monsieur Antoine, looking about him -uneasily. - -"To be sure he has, for he took leave of me and I went with him as far -as the gate," said Janille. "I had some difficulty in getting rid of -him. He's a little dull about explaining himself. He would have liked to -stay, I saw that well enough; but I gave him to understand that such -affairs couldn't be settled so fast, that I must consult with you, and -that we would write to him if we wanted to see him again for any reason. -But, before I say anything more, what's the matter with my girl? who has -hurt her feelings? Ah! but _ma mie_ Janille is here to protect her and -comfort her." - -"Oh! yes, you will understand me," cried Gilberte, "and you will help me -to repel the insult, for I feel insulted and I need you to help me make -my father understand it. Why, he almost acts as Monsieur Galuchet's -advocate!" - -"Ah! so you already know what is going on, do you? In that case it's a -family affair. I have something to tell, you, too; but all this will -bore Monsieur Emile." - -"I understand you, my dear Mademoiselle Janille," the young man replied, -"and I know that the proprieties, as ordinarily understood, would -require me to withdraw; but I am too deeply interested in what is going -on here to consider myself bound by common customs; you can safely speak -before me, as I know everything now." - -"Very well, monsieur, if you know what is in the wind, and if Monsieur -Antoine has thought best to state his views before you,--which, between -ourselves, was hardly worth while--I will speak as if you were not here. -And in the first place, Gilberte, you mustn't cry; what is it that makes -you feel so bad, my girl? Because a poor fool considers himself worthy -of you? Oh! bless my soul, it isn't the last time that you will have the -pleasure, married or not, of seeing self-sufficient people make -themselves ridiculous; for you must laugh at them, my child, and not be -angry. This fellow thinks that he does you honor and gives you proof of -esteem; receive it as such, and tell him or have somebody else tell him -in all seriousness that you thank him, but that you will have none of -him. I can't see at all why you are so disturbed; do you happen to think -that I am disposed to encourage him? Ah! he might have a hundred -thousand francs, or a hundred million, and I shouldn't think he was the -man for my girl! The villain, with his big eyes and his air of -satisfaction at being in the world--let him look farther! we have no -girl here to give him. Oh! _ma mie_ Janille knows what she is talking -about, she knows that they don't put the thistle beside the rose in the -same bouquet." - -"That is well said, dear Janille!" cried Emile, "and you are worthy to -be called her mother!" - -"What concern is it of yours, pray, monsieur?" retorted Janille, warmed -up and exalted by her own eloquence. "What have you to do with our -little affairs? Do you know anything wrong about this suitor? If you do, -it's of no use to tell us, for we don't need you to help us to get rid -of him." - -"Stop, Janille, don't scold him," said Gilberte, kissing her old friend. -"It does me good to hear it said that that man's proposals are insulting -to me, for it humiliates me to think of them. It makes me cold and sick. -And yet father doesn't understand it! He considers himself honored by -his offer, and will not say anything to keep him out of my sight!" - -"Ha! ha!" laughed Janille, "he is the one who is at fault, as usual--the -bad man! It is he who makes his daughter cry! Look you, monsieur, do you -propose to play the tyrant here, I should like to know? Don't look -forward to that, for _ma mie_ Janille isn't dead and has no desire to -die." - -"That's right," said Monsieur Antoine; "of course I am a despot, an -unnatural father! All right! all right! fall to on me if it relieves -you. After that, perhaps my daughter will be kind enough to tell me what -the matter is, and what I have done that's so criminal." - -"Dear father," said Gilberte, throwing herself into his arms, "let us -stop this melancholy jesting, and do you make haste to dismiss Monsieur -Galuchet forever, so that I can breathe freely again and forget this bad -dream." - -"Ah! there's the rub," said Monsieur Antoine; "the trouble is to know -what I am to write to him, and that is something it will be well to -consult about." - -"Do you know, mother," said Gilberte to Janille, "he doesn't know what -answer to give him? Apparently he wasn't able to say no to him." - -"Well, my child, your father didn't do very wrong," replied Janille, -"for I listened to your fine suitor's offer without getting excited, and -I didn't say yes or no to him. There! there! don't be angry. That's the -right way to do, and then consult calmly. You can't say to the fellow: -'I don't like you;' people don't say that sort of thing. You can't say -to him either: 'We belong to a good family and your name is Galuchet;' -for that would be unkind and mortifying." - -"And it wouldn't be any reason," said Gilberte. "What does nobility -matter to us now? True nobility is in the heart and not in empty titles. -It isn't the name of Galuchet that disgusts me, but the manners and -feelings of the man who bears it." - -"My daughter is right: name, profession and fortune are nothing," said -Monsieur Antoine. "So those are not the means for us to use. Nor can we -blame a man for his physical defects. The best thing for us to say is -that Gilberte doesn't want to marry." - -"Allow me, monsieur, one moment," said Janille. "I don't propose to have -you say that; for if this young man should go about repeating it--as he -wouldn't fail to do--no one else would come forward, and I am not in -favor of my girl turning nun." - -"But we must give some reason," said Monsieur Antoine. "Suppose we say -that she doesn't want to marry yet, and that we think she's too young." - -"Yes, yes, that's it, father! you have hit upon the best reason, and -it's the true one. I do not want to marry yet; I am too young." - -"That is not true!" cried Janille. "You are old enough, and I believe -that before long you will find a good husband whom you like and whom we -all like." - -"Don't think of that, mother," said Gilberte, warmly. "I will take my -oath before God that my father told the truth. I do not want to marry -yet, and I want everybody to know it, so that all suitors may keep away. -Oh dear! if I am to be surrounded by such importunate creatures, you -will take away all the happiness I have in my home, and make my youth -sad and gloomy! and you will make me unhappy to no purpose, for I shall -not change my resolution, and I will die rather than part from you." - -"Who says anything about parting?" rejoined Janille. "The man who loves -you won't want to make you unhappy; and, more than that, you don't know -what you will think when you love someone. Ah! my dear child! then it -will be our turn to weep, perhaps, for it is written that the woman -shall leave her father and mother to follow her husband, and He who said -that knew a woman's heart." - -"Oh! that is a law of obedience, not a law of love," cried Emile. "The -man who truly loves Gilberte will truly love her parents and her friends -as his own, and will no more desire to separate her from them than he -will desire to live apart from them himself." - -At that moment Janille encountered the passionate glances of the two -lovers seeking each other, and all her prudence returned. - -"_Pardieu_, monsieur," she said dryly, "you interfere in matters that -hardly concern you, and it is my opinion that all my ideas would be -better left unsaid before you; but since you persist in hearing them, -and Monsieur Antoine considers it very wise, I will tell you that I -forbid you to repeat or even to believe what my girl just said in a -burst of anger against your Galuchet. For all men are not cut on that -pattern, thank God! and we don't need to have the world condemn her to -remain single, just because she prefers a more agreeable husband. We -will find one for her easily enough, never fear; and don't you imagine -that, because she isn't rich like you, she will go begging." - -"Come, come, Janille!" said Monsieur Antoine, taking Emile's hand, "you -are the one who says things that shouldn't be said. It would seem that -you wanted to wound our young friend. You shake your head too much. I -tell you that he is our best friend next to Jean, who has the right of -priority; and I declare that no one, during the twenty years that, on -account of my poverty, I have been in a way to appreciate disinterested -sentiments, has shown me and inspired in me so much affection as Emile. -That is why I say he will never be an embarrassment in our family -secrets. By his common-sense, his education and the loftiness of his -ideas, he is far ahead of his own age and ours. That is why we could -find no better adviser. I look upon him as Gilberte's brother, and I -will answer for it that, if a suitable husband for her should present -himself, he would enlighten us concerning his character, and would exert -himself to bring about a marriage that would make her happy, and to -prevent one likely to do the contrary. So your sharp words have no -common-sense, Janille. When I took him into my confidence, I knew what I -was about; you treat me altogether too much like a child!" - -"Ah indeed, monsieur! so you choose to pick a quarrel with me in your -turn, do you?" said Janille, with great animation. "Very good! this is -the day for truth-telling, and I will speak, since you drive me to the -wall. I tell you and I tell Monsieur Emile, to his face, that he is much -too young for this rôle of friend of the family, and that this -friendship had better cool down a little, or you will feel the -inconveniences of it. Why, here's an instance of it this very day, and -you will find it out. A young man comes and offers to marry Gilberte: we -won't have him--that's all right and fully understood; but what will -prevent this discarded suitor from believing and saying--if for no other -reason than to be revenged--that it is because of Monsieur Emile and of -the family ambition to make a rich marriage, that we will listen to -nobody else? I don't say that Monsieur Emile is capable of having such -thoughts, I am sure he is not. He knows us well enough to know what sort -of people we are. But fools will believe it and the consequence will be -that we shall be thought fools. What? we turn Monsieur Galuchet away -because our girl is thought to be too young, and Monsieur Cardonnet the -younger will come here every week, as if he were the only one excepted -from the rule! That can never be, Monsieur Antoine! And it's of no use -for you to look at me with your soft eyes, Monsieur Emile, and to kneel -by me and take my hands as if you were going to make me a declaration; I -love you, yes I admit it, and I shall regret you much; but I shall do my -duty all the same, as I am the only one in this house with any head and -foresight and decision! Yes, my boy, you must go, too, for _ma mie_ -Janille isn't in her dotage yet." - -Gilberte had become pale as a lily again and Monsieur Antoine was angry, -probably for the first time in his life. He thought Janille -unreasonable, and, as he dared not rise in revolt, he pulled Sacripant's -ear, who, seeing that he was out of temper, overwhelmed him with -caresses and submitted to be tortured by his unconscious hand. Emile was -on his knees between Janille and Gilberte; his heart overflowed and he -could not keep silent. - -"My dear Janille," he cried at last, with impetuous emotion, "and you, -noble and generous Antoine, listen to me and learn my secret at last. I -love your daughter. I have loved her passionately since the first day -that I saw her, and if she deigns to share my feelings, I ask her in -marriage, not for Monsieur Galuchet, not for any protégé of my father, -not for any of my friends, but for myself, who cannot live away from -her, and who will not rise except with her consent and yours." - -"Come to my heart!" cried Monsieur Antoine, in a transport of joy and -enthusiasm; "for you are a noble fellow and I knew that nothing could be -truer and more loyal than your heart." - -He pressed the slender youth in his arms as if he would have suffocated -him. Janille, deeply moved, put her handkerchief to her eyes; but in an -instant she forced back her tears and said: - -"This is madness, Monsieur Antoine, genuine madness! Keep watch on -yourself and don't let your heart go so fast. Certainly he is a fine -fellow, and if we were rich or if he were poor, we could never make a -better choice; but we must not forget that what he proposes is -impossible, that his family will never consent to it, and that he has -been building a romance in his little brain. If I didn't love you so -much, Emile, I would scold you for inflaming Monsieur Antoine's -imagination so, for it is younger still than yours, and is capable of -taking your dreams seriously. Luckily his daughter is more sensible than -he and I are. She is not at all disturbed by your soft words. She is -grateful to you for them and thanks you for your kind intentions; but -she is perfectly well aware that you don't belong to yourself and can't -dispense with your father's consent; and that, even if you were old -enough to summon him into court to make him consent, she is too well -born to care to enter by force a family that spurned her." - -"That is true," said Monsieur Antoine, as if waking from a dream; "we -are going astray, my poor children; Monsieur Cardonnet will never have -anything to do with us, for we have nothing to offer him but a name -which he would treat as a chimera, which, indeed, we hold too cheap -ourselves, and which throws open no road to fortune. Emile, Emile, let -us say no more about it, for it would become a source of regret. Let us -be friends, friends forever! be my child's brother, her protector and -defender if occasion offers; but let us say nothing about marriage or -love, for, in these times we live in, love is a dream and marriage a -business affair." - -"You do not know me," cried Emile, "if you think that I accept or will -ever accept the laws of society and the scheming of self-interest! I -will not deceive you; I would answer for my mother if she were free, but -my father will not be favorably disposed to this marriage. And yet my -father loves me, and when he has tested the force and endurance of my -will he will realize that his own will cannot carry the day in this -matter. There is one means that he can try to compel me to submit. He -can deprive me for a time of the enjoyments of his wealth. But in that -case how joyfully I will work in order to deserve Gilberte's hand, to -raise myself to her level, to deserve the esteem which is not accorded -to lazy men, but which they merit who have passed through honorable -tests, as you have, Monsieur Antoine. My father will yield some day, I -have no doubt; I can take my oath to it before God and before you, -because I feel within me all the strength of an invincible love. And -when he has come to appreciate the power of a passion like mine, he, who -is so sovereignly wise and intelligent and who loves me more than all -the world, certainly more than ambition and wealth, will open his arms -and his heart unreservedly to my bride. For I know my father well enough -to know that when he yields to the power of destiny, he does it without -a backward look to the past, without base rancor, without cowardly -regret. Therefore believe in my love, O my friends, and rely as I do on -God's help. There is nothing humiliating to you in the prejudices I -shall have to combat, and the love of my mother, who lives only for me -and in me, will make up to Gilberte in secret for my father's temporary -prejudice. Oh! do not doubt it, do not doubt it, I implore you! Faith -can do anything, and if you help me in this fight, I shall be the -luckiest mortal who ever fought for the holiest of all causes, for a -noble love, and for a woman worthy of my whole life's devotion!" - -"Ta! ta! ta!" exclaimed Janille, bewildered by his eloquence; "here he -is talking like a book and trying to excite my girl's brain. Will you be -kind enough to keep quiet, golden tongue? we do not want to listen to -you, and we refuse to believe you. I forbid you, Monsieur Antoine! You -don't realize all the misfortunes this may bring on us, and the least -would be to prevent Gilberte's making a possible, reasonable marriage." - -Poor Antoine no longer knew which way to turn. When Emile spoke, he -glowed with the memory of his youthful years, and remembered that he too -had loved; nothing seemed to be nobler and holier than to defend the -cause of love and to encourage such a noble enterprise. But when Janille -threw water on the fire, he recognized his mentor's wisdom and prudence. -Thus, sometimes he took part with her against Emile, sometimes with -Emile against her. - -"We have had enough of this," said Janille, vexed because she saw no -apparent end to their irresolution; "all this ought not to be discussed -before my child. What would be the result if she were a weak or -frivolous creature? Luckily she does not bite at your fairy tales, and -as she cares very little for your money she will have too keen a sense -of dignity to wait until you're at liberty to dispose of your heart. She -will dispose of hers as she thinks best, and while she continues to give -you her esteem and friendship, she will beg you not to compromise her by -your visits. Come, Gilberte, say a sensible, brave word to put an end to -all this foolish talk!" - -Thus far Gilberte had said nothing. Deeply moved as she was, she gazed -pensively in turn at her father, Janille, and, most frequently of all, -at Emile, whose ardor and tone of conviction stirred her to the depths -of her soul. Suddenly she rose and knelt before her father and her -governess, whose hands she affectionately kissed. - -"It is too late to call upon me for cold prudence, and to remind me of -the exigencies of self-interest," she said; "I love Emile, I love him as -dearly as he loves me, and before it had occurred to me that I could -ever belong to him, I had sworn in my heart never to belong to another. -Receive my confession, my father and mother before God! For two months I -have not been frank with you, and for two weeks I have been hiding from -you a secret that weighs upon my conscience, and that will be the last, -as it is the first in my whole life. I have given my heart to Emile, I -have promised to be his wife on the day that my parents and his consent. -Until then, I have promised to love him bravely and calmly; I promise it -now anew, and I call upon God and you to witness my promise. I have -promised, and I promise again, that if his father's will is inflexible, -we will love each other as brother and sister, although it will be -impossible for me ever to love another, and that I will never give way -to any impulse of madness and despair. Have confidence in me. See--I am -strong, and I am happier than ever, since I have placed Emile between -you two and with you two in my heart. Do not fear complaints or -melancholy or low spirits or sickness from me. Ten years hence I shall -be just as you see me to-day, finding all-powerful consolation in your -love, and in my own a courage proof against every trial." - -"God's mercy!" cried Janille in desperation, "we are all accursed. We -only lacked this. This girl of mine actually loves him and has told him -so, and tells him so again before us! Oh! it was a wretched day for us -that this young man entered our house!" - -Antoine, utterly overwhelmed, could do nothing but burst into tears, -pressing his daughter to his heart. But Emile, inspired by Gilberte's -courage, found so much to say, that he succeeded in taking possession of -that mind, incapable as it was of defending itself. Even Janille herself -was shaken, and they ended by adopting the plan which the lovers -themselves had formed at Crozant, namely, to wait--a plan which did not -decide much to Janille's satisfaction--and not to meet too often--which, -at all events, reassured her to some slight extent as to the danger from -without. - -They left the orchard, and a few moments later Galuchet also left it, -but stealthily, and, without being seen, plunged into the bushes to make -his way, under cover, to the Gargilesse road. - -Emile remained to dinner, for neither Antoine nor Janille had the -courage to shorten a visit which was not to be repeated until the -following week. - -The worthy country gentleman's affectionate and ingenuous heart was -unable to resist the caresses and loving speeches of the two children, -and when Janille's back was turned, he allowed himself to be prevailed -upon to share their hopes and to bless their love. Janille tried to hold -out against them, and her depression was genuine and profound; but no -one can arrange a plan of seduction so cunningly as two lovers who -desire to win over a friend to their cause. They were both so kind, so -attentive, so affectionate, so ingenious in their cajoling flatteries, -and above all, so beautiful, with their eyes and foreheads illumined by -the glow of enthusiasm, that a tiger could not have resisted. Janille -wept, at first with vexation, then with grief, then with affection: and -when the evening came and they went and sat by the stream, in the soft -moonlight, those four, united by invincible affection, formed but a -single group, with arms intertwined and hearts beating in unison. - -Gilberte especially was radiant, her heart was lighter and purer than -the fragrance which exhaled from the plants when the stars rise, and -ascends to them. Intoxicated with bliss as Emile was, he could not -entirely forget the difficulty of the duties he had to perform in order -to reconcile the religion of his love with filial respect. But Gilberte -believed that they could wait forever, and that, so long as she loved, -the miracle would occur of itself and no one would be obliged to act. -When Emile, having ventured to kiss her hand under the eyes of her -parents, had taken his leave, Janille said to her, with a sigh: - -"Well, now you will be in the dumps for a week! I shall see you with -your eyes all red, as they often were before that infernal trip to -Crozant! There will be no more peace or happiness here!" - -"If I am sad, darling mother," said Gilberte, "I give you leave to -prevent his coming again; and if my eyes are red, I will tear them out -so that I can't see him. But what will you say if I am more cheerful and -happier than ever? Don't you feel how calm my heart is? See, put your -hand there, while we can still hear his horse's footsteps as he rides -away! Am I excited? Light the lamp and examine me closely. Am I not -still Gilberte, your daughter, who breathes only for you and my father, -and who can never be bored and listless for an instant with you? Ah! -when I suffered, when I cried, was when I had a secret from you, and -when I was dying to be able to tell it to you. Now that I can speak and -think aloud, I breathe again and I feel nothing but the joy of living -for you and with you. And didn't you see this evening how happy we all -were to be able to love one another without fear or shame? Do you think -that it will ever be different, and that Emile and I would be happy -together if you were not with us always and every minute?" - -"Alas!" thought Janille with a sigh, "we are only at the very beginning -of this fine arrangement!" - - - - -XXVI - -THE SNARE - - -Emile determined to delay no longer to speak seriously to his father, -and to make, not a formal and too hasty avowal of his love, but a sort -of preliminary discourse which would lead little by little to more -decisive explanations. But the carpenter had made an appointment with -him for the following morning, and he thought, justly enough, that if -that man proved what he had asserted, he would have an excellent pretext -for broaching the subject, and for demonstrating to Monsieur Cardonnet -the uncertainty and vanity of his plans for making a fortune. - -Not that Emile placed blind faith in Jean Jappeloup's competence to form -an opinion in such matters; but he knew that the observation of a -natural logician may materially assist scientific investigation, and he -set out before dawn to join his companion at a certain point where they -had agreed to meet. He had informed Monsieur Cardonnet the night before -of his purpose to examine the course of the stream that ran the factory, -but without telling him whom he had chosen for his guide. - -It was a difficult but interesting excursion, and on his return Emile -requested a private interview with his father. He found him with a -tranquil air of triumph, which seemed to him not to be of very good -augury. However, as he deemed it his duty to inform him of what he had -seen, he entered upon the subject without hesitation. - -"You urge me, father," he began, "to espouse your projects and to take -hold of them with the same ardor that you yourself display. I have done -my best, for some time past, to place at your service all the -application of which my brain is capable; I owe it therefore to the -confidence you have placed in me to tell you that we are building on -sand, and that, instead of doubling your fortune, you are rapidly -throwing it into a bottomless pit." - -"What do you mean, Emile?" replied Monsieur Cardonnet with a smile; -"this is a very alarming exordium, and I supposed that science would -have led you to the same result that practice shows--namely, that -nothing is impossible to enlightened determination. It seems that you -have deduced from your meditations a contrary solution. Let us see! you -have made a long trip and doubtless a very thorough examination? I too -explored last year the stream which it is our business to subdue, and I -am certain of success; what do you say to that, boy?" - -"I say that you will fail, father, because it will require an outlay -beyond the means of a private individual, and which is not likely to be -retrieved by proportionate profit." - -With that, Emile, with much lucidity, entered upon explanations which we -will spare the reader, but which tended to prove that the course of the -Gargilesse presented natural obstacles impossible to overcome without an -outlay ten times as great as Monsieur Cardonnet anticipated. It would be -necessary for him to become the owner of a considerable part of the bed -of the stream, in order to divert its course in one place, widen it in -another, and in another, blast out ledges that interfered with the -regularity of its flow; and finally, if he could not do away with the -accumulation and sudden and violent overflow of the water in the upper -reservoirs, he would have to build dikes around the factory a hundred -times more extensive than those already begun, which dikes would then -throw the water back in such quantities as to ruin the surrounding land; -and, in order to do that, he would have to buy half of the commune or -wield an oppressive power, impossible to obtain in France. The works -already constructed by Monsieur Cardonnet were a serious detriment to -the millers thereabout. The water, being arrested in its course for his -use, made their mills _walk backward_, as they said in the province, -producing a contrary current against their wheels, which stopped them -entirely at certain hours. Not without compensating them in another way -and at great expense, had he succeeded hitherto in pacifying these small -manufacturers, pending the time when he would ruin them or ruin himself; -for the compensation offered could be temporary only and was to cease -with the completion of his works. He had bought at a high price, from -one, his services for six months as a carter, from others, the use of -their horses to draw his barges. He had soothed a goodly number with -illusory promises, and the simple-minded people, dazzled by a temporary -profit, had closed their eyes to the future, as always happens with -those whose present circumstances are straitened. - -Emile passed hurriedly over these details, which were of a nature to -irritate Monsieur Cardonnet rather than to convince him; and he strove -to arouse his apprehensions, especially as he was thoroughly convinced, -and certain that he had exaggerated nothing. - -Monsieur Cardonnet listened to the lad with much attention, and, when he -had finished, said to him, passing his hand over his head with a -fatherly, caressing touch, but with a calm smile of conscious power: - -"I am well pleased with you, Emile. I see that you are busy; that you -are working in earnest; and that you are no longer wasting your time -running about from château to château. You have been talking very -clearly, like a conscientious young lawyer who has studied his case -carefully. I thank you for the excellent direction your ideas are -taking; and do you know what affords me the most pleasure? that you -apply yourself to your work as I had hoped that you would as a result of -hard study. Here you are already eager for success; you feel its potent -excitement. You are passing through the inevitable stages of alarm, -doubt, and even momentary discouragement which accompany the development -of every important plan in the genius of the manufacturer. Yes, Emile, -that is what I call conceiving and giving birth. This mystery of the -will is not begotten without pain; it is with the man's brain as with -the woman's womb. But set your mind at rest now, my boy. The danger that -you fancy that you have discovered exists only upon a superficial -examination of things, and you cannot grasp the whole subject in a -simple walk. I passed a week exploring this stream before I laid the -first stone on its banks, and I took counsel of a man more experienced -than you. See, here is a plan of the whole locality, with the levels, -measurements and depths of water. Let us look it over together." - -Emile examined the plan with care and discovered several actual -mistakes. They had considered it impossible that the water should reach -a certain elevation even in extraordinary freshets, and that certain -barriers could hold it in check beyond a certain number of hours. They -had figured on contingencies, and the commonest experience, the -testimony of any witness of what had happened theretofore, would have -sufficed to destroy the theory, if they had been willing to listen to -that evidence. But that was something that Cardonnet's proud and -distrustful nature could not do. He had placed himself at the mercy of -the elements, with his eyes closed, like Napoléon in the Russian -campaign, and in his superb obstinacy he would willingly have -undertaken, like Xerxes, to whip the rebellious Neptune into submission. -His adviser, although a very clever man, had thought of nothing but -encouraging his ambition, or had allowed himself to be swayed and -influenced by that ardent will. - -"Father," said Emile, "this is not simply a matter of hydrographic -calculations, and you will allow me to say that your absolute confidence -in the work of a specialist has led you astray. You laughed at me when, -at the beginning of my general studies, I said to you that all branches -of human knowledge seemed to me to be interrelated, and that one must -needs know almost everything to be infallible on any given point; in a -word, that no special work could dispense with synthesis, and that -before learning the mechanism of a watch it would be well to learn the -mechanism of creation. You laughed at me--you laugh at me still--and you -took me away from the stars to send me back to mills. Very well; if, -with your hydrographer, you had consulted a geologist, a botanist and a -physicist, they would have demonstrated to you something that I feel -safe in asserting after one view of the locality, subject to the -confirmation of more competent judges than myself. It is: that, taking -into consideration the slope of the ridge of the mountain over which -your stream flows, taking into consideration the direction of the winds -that accompany it, taking into consideration the plateaus from which it -takes its source and their relative elevation, which attracts all the -clouds, where indeed all the storms take rise--floods of water must -constantly pour down into this ravine and sweep away unavailing -obstacles; unless, as I have said, it be controlled by works which you -cannot undertake to erect, because the necessary expense exceeds the -resources of any single capitalist. That is what the physicist would -have told you on the authority of atmospheric laws: he would have -appealed to the incessant effects of the lightning upon the rocks which -attract it; the geologist would have appealed to the nature of the soil, -whether loamy, chalky or granitic, which retains, absorbs and discharges -the water in turn. - -"And the botanist," said Monsieur Cardonnet, smiling, "do you forget -him?" - -"He," replied Emile, with an answering smile, "would have noticed on the -steep, barren cliff, where the geologist could not have detected with -absolute assurance the former passage of the water, a few blades of -grass which would not have enlightened his fellow-scientists. 'This -little plant,' he would have said to them, 'did not grow there all -alone; it is not the kind of spot that it loves, and you see what a -melancholy look it has, awaiting the time when the flood that brought it -here shall carry it away again or bring some of its friends for -company.'" - -"Bravo! Emile, nothing could be more ingenious." - -"And nothing more certain, father." - -"Where did you learn all this, pray? Are you hydrographer, mechanician, -astronomer, geologist, physicist and botanist all at once?" - -"No, father; you compelled me to pick up on the wing the elements of -those sciences, which have a common foundation; but there are some -privileged natures in which observation and logic take the place of -learning." - -"You are not modest." - -"I am not speaking of myself, father, but of a peasant, a true genius, -who doesn't know how to read, who doesn't know the names of the fluids, -gases, minerals or plants, but who understands causes and effects, whose -keen eye and infallible memory detect differences and characteristics; -of a man, in short, who, while speaking the language of a child, showed -me all these things and made them clear to me." - -"Who is this unknown genius whom you met on your walk, I pray to know?" - -"A man whom you do not like, father, whom you take for a madman, and -whose name I hardly dare mention to you." - -"Ah! I understand! it is your friend Jappeloup the carpenter, Monsieur -de Boisguilbault's vagabond, the village sorcerer, who cures sprains -with words and puts out fires by cutting a cross on a beam with his -axe." - -Monsieur Cardonnet, who had thus far listened to his son with interest, -albeit without being persuaded, laughed scornfully, and was thenceforth -inclined to treat the subject with sarcasm and contempt. - -"And this is the way madmen come together and agree!" he said. "Really, -my poor Emile, nature made you an unfortunate gift when she gave you a -large supply of intellect and imagination, for she withheld the guiding -spirits, coolness and common-sense. Here you are astray, and because a -miracle-working peasant has posed before you as the hero of a romance, -you devote all your petty knowledge and your ingenious reasoning powers -to attempt to confirm his wonderful decisions! You have put all the -sciences at work, and astronomy, geology, hydrography, physics and even -poor little botany, which hardly expected the honor, come in a body to -sign the patent of infallibility awarded to Master Jappeloup. Write -poetry, Emile, write novels! you are good for nothing else, I am very -much afraid." - -"So you despise experience and observation, father," rejoined Emile, -restraining his anger; "you do not deign even to consider those -commonplace bases of the work of the mind? and yet, you make sport of -most theories. What am I to believe, according to your opinion, if you -will not allow me to consult either theory or practice?" - -"On the contrary, Emile," replied Monsieur Cardonnet, "I respect both -one and the other, but on condition that they inhabit healthy brains; -for their advantages change to poison or smoke, in foolish brains. -Unfortunately, some alleged scientists are of this number, and that is -why I would have liked to preserve you from their chimeras. Who is more -absurdly credulous and more easily deceived than a pedant with -preconceived ideas? I remember an antiquarian who came here last year: -he was in search of Druidical stones, and he saw them everywhere. To -satisfy him I showed him an old stone the peasants had hollowed out by -pounding the grain of which they made their porridge, and I persuaded -him that it was the urn in which the sacrificial priests among the Gauls -shed human blood. He absolutely insisted on carrying it off for the -departmental museum. He took all the granite drinking-troughs for -ancient sarcophagi. And that is how the most absurd errors spread. It -rested entirely with me whether a trough or a mortar should pass for -venerable monuments. And yet that gentleman had passed fifty years of -his life reading and meditating. Look out for yourself, Emile, a day may -come when you will take bladders for lanterns!" - -"I have done my duty," said Emile. "I was bound to urge you to make a -further examination of the spots I have visited, and it seemed to me -that the experience of your recent disaster might suggest the same -advice. But as you answer me with jests I have nothing more to say." - -"Let us see, Emile," said Monsieur Cardonnet after a few moments' -reflection, "what your conclusion is from all this, and what there is at -the bottom of your cheerful predictions. I understand very well that -Master Jean Jappeloup, who has set himself up as an inveterate foe of my -undertaking, and who passes his life declaiming against _Père -Cardonnet_--even in your presence, and you could tell me many things -about him--would like to persuade you to induce me to leave this country -where, it appears, my presence is a thorn in his side. But whither do -you seek to lead me, O my philosopher and scientist? Where do you wish -to found a colony? into what American desert do you propose to carry the -advantages of your socialism and my industrial talent?" - -"We might carry them not so far away," replied Emile, "and if you were -seriously inclined to work at the civilization of savages, you would -find plenty under your hand; but I know only too well, father, that it -is no part of your purpose to return to a subject that has been -exhausted between us. I have forbidden myself to contradict you in that -regard, and I do not think that since I have been here, I have once -departed from the respectful silence you imposed upon me." - -"Come, come, my boy, don't adopt this tone, for your somewhat cunning -reserve is just what annoys me most. Let us drop the discussion of -socialism, I agree to that; we will resume it next year and perhaps we -shall both have made some progress then that will help us to understand -each other better. Let us think of the present. The vacation will not -last forever; what do you wish to do when it ends, for your instruction -and employment?" - -"I aspire to nothing except to remain with you, father." - -"I know it," said Monsieur Cardonnet with a malicious smile; "I know -that you enjoy yourself hugely in this neighborhood; but that doesn't -lead to anything." - -"If it leads me to the frame of mind in which I should be in order to -reach a perfect understanding with my father, I shall not look upon it -as time wasted." - -"That is very prettily said, and you are very kind; but I don't think it -puts us ahead much, unless you are prepared to devote yourself entirely -to my enterprise. Come, shall we write for more experienced advisers and -examine the whole locality again?" - -"I agree with all my heart, and I persist in believing that it is my -duty to urge you to do it." - -"Very good; Emile, I see that you are afraid I shall use up your -fortune, and I am not displeased to see it." - -"You fail to understand the feeling on that subject which I have in the -bottom of my heart," Emile replied with warmth; "and yet," he added, -making an effort to be prudent, "I desire you to interpret what I say in -whatever sense is most agreeable to you." - -"You are a great diplomatist, I must agree; but you shall not escape me. -Come, Emile, you must make up your mind. If, after the renewed and -thorough examination we propose to make, science and observation decide -that Master Jappeloup and you are not infallible, that the factory can -be finished and have a prosperous existence, that my fortune and yours -are planted here, and that they must germinate and fructify here, will -you agree to embrace my projects body and soul, to second me in every -way, with arms and brain, with heart and head? Swear to me that you will -belong to me, that you will have no other thought than that of helping -me to make you rich; place all your faculties at my disposal without -argument; and in return I swear to you that I will give your heart and -your passions all the gratification which it lies in my power to do, and -which the laws of morality do not forbid. I believe that I make myself -clear?" - -"O father!" cried Emile, rising impetuously, "have you weighed your -words?" - -"They are carefully weighed, and I wish you to weigh your reply." - -"I hardly understand you," said Emile, falling back upon his chair. A -cloud of flame had passed before his eyes; he felt as if he were about -to faint. - -"Emile, do you wish to marry?" rejoined Monsieur Cardonnet, eager to -make the most of his emotion. - -"Yes, father, I do," Emile replied, leaning over the table that stood -between them and putting out his hands imploringly. "Oh! do not play -with me now, for you would kill me!" - -"Do you doubt my word?" - -"I cannot, if your word is given seriously." - -"It is the most serious promise I have ever given in my life, as you can -judge for yourself. You have a noble heart and an eminent mind; I know -it and I have proofs of it. But with equal sincerity and equal -certainty, I can tell you that your brain is both too weak and too -active, and that twenty years hence, perhaps--always perhaps, Emile--you -will not be competent to take care of yourself. You will be constantly -attacked by vertigo, you will never act coolly, you will take sides -passionately, for or against men and things, without precaution and -without discernment, without the voice of the indispensable instinct of -self-preservation to appeal to you and warn you from the depths of your -conscience. You have a poetic nature; it would be useless for me to try -to deceive myself in that respect, for everything leads me to the -painful certainty that you need a guide and a master. Bless God, -therefore, who has given you for your guide and master a father, your -best friend. I love you as you are, although you are just the opposite -of what I should have liked, could I have chosen my son. I love you as I -would love my daughter if nature had not made a mistake in your sex; -that is enough to tell you that I love you passionately. So do not -complain of your fate and never let my reproaches humiliate you. In our -present position with regard to each other, which is clearly defined now -to my mind, I will make immense sacrifices to your happiness and your -future; I will overcome my repugnance, which is very great, I confess, -and I will allow you to marry the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman -and his servant. I will satisfy your heart and your passions, as I have -said; but only on the condition that your mind is to belong to me -absolutely thenceforth, and that I am to dispose of you as freely as of -myself." - -"O my God! is it possible!" exclaimed Emile, dazzled and terrified at -the same time; "but what do you intend by this renunciation of self, -father, what meaning do you give to it?" - -"Didn't I just tell you? Don't pretend that you can't understand me. -Look you, Emile, I know the whole of your Châteaubrun romance, and I -could repeat it to you word for word, from your arrival one stormy night -down to the Crozant expedition, and from Crozant down to your -conversation last Saturday in Monsieur Antoine's orchard. I know all the -characters now as well as you do yourself, for I chose to see with my -own eyes, and yesterday, while you were exploring the banks of the -stream, I went to Châteaubrun, on the pretext of supporting Constant -Galuchet's offer of marriage, and I talked a long while with -Mademoiselle Gilberte." - -"With her, father?" - -"Isn't it perfectly natural that I should want to know the young woman -you have chosen without consulting me, and who may perhaps be my -daughter some day?" - -"O father! father!" - -"I found her charming, lovely, modest, humble and proud at once, able to -express herself well, lacking neither deportment, good manners nor -education, and common sense less than all! She refused with much -propriety the suitor I proposed to her. Yes, with gentleness, modesty -and dignity combined. I was very well pleased with her! What struck me -most was her prudence, her reserve, and the perfect control she has over -herself; for I confess that I tried to sting her a little, and even to -offend her, to get a sight at the under side of her character. Her -father was away; but the mother, that sly little old woman whose -son-in-law you aspire to be, was so irritated by my reflections on her -small fortune and the perfect suitability of a marriage with Galuchet, -that she treated me with contempt; she called me _bourgeois_; and as I -persisted, for the express purpose of pushing her to extremities, she -said to me, with her arms akimbo, that her daughter was of too good a -family to marry a manufacturer's servant; and that, if the -manufacturer's son in person should offer himself, they would look at -him twice before accepting such a misalliance. She amused me immensely. -But Gilberte smoothed everything over by her calm and decided manner. I -assure you that she keeps to the letter the promise she gave you, to be -patient, to wait and to suffer everything for love of you." - -"Oh! did you make her suffer terribly?" cried Emile, beside himself. - -"Yes, a little," coolly replied Monsieur Cardonnet, "and I am very glad -I did. Now, I know that she has some character, and I should be very -glad to have such a person about me. Such a woman can be very useful in -a household, and nothing can be worse than to have a wife who is passive -and pig-headed at the same time, who can do nothing but sigh and keep -silent like many women I know. It would be a pleasure to me to dispute -sometimes with my daughter-in-law, and to discover at once that her -views are just, that her will is strong, and that she is well fitted to -give you sound advice. Come, Emile," he added, offering his son his -hand, "you see, I trust, that I am neither blind nor unjust, and that I -wish to make the best of the position in which you have put me." - -"_O mon Dieu_! if you consent to my happiness, father, I will give you a -lease of myself, I will become your man of business, your overseer, your -workman during as many years as you consider me incapable of taking care -of myself. I will submit to all your wishes, and I will work every hour -in the day, never complaining, never resisting your most trivial -orders." - -"And never asking for a salary," laughed Monsieur Cardonnet. "Nonsense, -Emile, that is not what I mean, and that rôle of menial would outrage -nature. No, no, this is no time to throw dust in my eyes, and I am not -the man to make any mistake as to your real intentions. I am not yet so -nearly ruined that I can't afford to hire an overseer, and I do not -think that I could select one less fitted than you to manage workmen. I -want you to be another myself, to help me in the work of planning, to -learn for me, to give me your ideas, subject to my right to combat and -modify them; in a word, to seek out and invent methods of money-making -which I will carry out when they suit me. In this way your constant -studies and your fertile imagination can assist me in multiplying your -fortune by ten. But to obtain this result, Emile, there must be no -working with indifference and absence of interest, as you have been -doing for a fortnight past. I am not deceived by this temporary -submission, concerted with Gilberte, to extort my consent. I require -submission for your whole life. I wish you to be ready to undertake -journeys--with your wife, if you please--to examine the progress of the -manufacturing industry; in a word, I want you to sign, not on paper -before a notary, but on my head and with your heart's blood, and before -God, a contract which will wipe out your whole past of dreams and -chimeras, and which will pledge your convictions, your will, your faith, -your devotion, your religion, your whole future, to the success of my -work." - -"And suppose I do not believe in your work?" said Emile, turning pale. - -"You must believe in it; or, if it is impracticable, let me be the first -to cease to believe in it. But do not think to escape me by that -détour. If we are forced to strike our tent here, I shall pitch it -somewhere else, and I shall not stop until I die. Wherever I may be, -whatever I may do, you must follow me, second me, and sacrifice all your -theories, all your dreams to me." - -"What! even my very thoughts, my belief in the future?" cried Emile in -dismay. "O father! you are trying to dishonor me in my own eyes!" - -"Do you draw back? Ah! you are not even in love, my poor Emile! But let -us stop here. This is enough excitement for your poor head. Take time to -reflect. I don't wish you to reply until I question you again. Consult -the intensity of your passion, and go and consult your mistress. Go to -Châteaubrun, go there every day, every hour in the day; you won't meet -Galuchet there again. Inform Gilberte and her parents of the result of -this conference. Tell them everything. Tell them that I give my consent -to your marriage a year hence on condition that you take now the oath -that I demand. Your mistress must know this just as it is; I insist upon -it; and if you don't tell her, I will take it upon myself to do it; for -I know the way to Châteaubrun now!" - -"I understand, father," said Emile, deeply wounded and distressed; "you -wish her to hate me if I abandon her, or to despise me if I obtain her -at the price of my degradation and apostasy. I thank you for the -alternative you offer me, and I admire the inventive genius of your -paternal affection." - -"Not another word, Emile," replied Monsieur Cardonnet, coldly. "I see -that the socialistic craze still exists, and that love will have some -difficulty in overcoming it. I trust that Gilberte de Châteaubrun will -perform that miracle, so that you may not have to reproach me for -refusing to consent to your happiness." - - - - -XXVII - -SORROWS AND JOYS OF LOVE - - -Emile locked himself in his room and passed two hours there, a prey to -the most violent agitation. The thought of possessing Gilberte without a -struggle, without resistance, without the terrible distress of breaking -his father's heart, which he had hitherto anticipated with dismay and -horror, intoxicated him completely. But suddenly the thought of -degrading himself in his own eyes by an unholy oath plunged him into -bitter despair; and between these alternatives of joy and anguish he -could make up his mind to nothing. Should he dare to go and throw -himself at Gilberte's feet and confess everything to her? He could count -upon her courage and grandeur of soul. But should he fulfill the duties -imposed upon him by his love, if, instead of concealing from her the -terrible sacrifice that he might make without a word, he should compel -her to bear half of his remorse and his suffering? Had he not said to -her a hundred times at Crozant, that, for her and to obtain her hand, he -would submit to anything and would recoil at nothing? But he had not -then foreseen that his father's infernal genius would appeal to the very -force of his love to corrupt and ruin his soul, and he found that he had -received an unforeseen blow which had disarmed and bewildered him. -Twenty times he was on the point of returning to Monsieur Cardonnet, to -ask him to give him his word that he would do nothing, that he would -conceal from the family at Châteaubrun the intentions he had revealed -to him, until he himself had made up his mind what to do. But an -invincible pride held him back. After the contempt his father had -manifested for him, by assuming that he was weak enough to apostatize in -that way, should he exhibit his irresolution to him and lay bare the -depths of his heart, rent by passion as it was? - -But who would be the most unjustly punished victim, Gilberte or he, in -case honor should carry the day over love? He was blameworthy toward -her, for he had destroyed her repose by a fatal passion and had led her -on to share his illusions. What had poor Gilberte, the sweet, -noble-hearted child, done that she should be snatched from her pure and -tranquil existence, and sacrificed at once to the law of inflexible -duty? Was it not too late to take cognizance of the reef against which -he had steered her? Must he not rather allow himself to be dashed to -pieces upon it to save her, and had his conscience the right to recoil -from the supreme sacrifice, when it was irrevocably pledged to Gilberte? - -And then, if Gilberte should refuse to accept so tremendous a sacrifice, -would Emile be any less dishonored in her parents' eyes? Would Monsieur -Antoine, who loved and practised equality by instinct, at the dictates -of his heart, and also as a necessity of his position, understand how -Emile, young as he was, could have made it a religious duty, how an idea -could prevail over a sentiment--a pledged oath? And what would Janille -think of the slightest hesitation on his part, Janille who, in her -humble position, cherished such strange aristocratic prejudices, and -took advantage, in her relations with her masters, of the privileges, -without giving a thought to the universal right, of equality? She would -take him for a miserable fool, or rather she would think that he seized -upon that pretext to break his word, and she would banish him from -Châteaubrun with anger. Who could say that she would not in time work -upon Gilberte's mind so successfully that Gilberte would share her scorn -and indignation? - -Feeling that he lacked strength to face so cruel a test, Emile tried to -write to Gilberte. He began and destroyed twenty letters, and at last, -being utterly unable to solve the problem of his situation, he resolved -to go and open his heart to his old friend Monsieur de Boisguilbault, -and ask his advice. - -Meanwhile, Monsieur Cardonnet, acting with all the energy and freedom of -his cruel inspiration, wrote Gilberte a letter thus conceived: - - -"Mademoiselle, - -"You must have found me very troublesome and far from polite yesterday. -I write to ask your pardon and to confess to a little feint for which -you will forgive me, I am sure, when you know my intentions. - -"My son loves you, mademoiselle, I know, and I also know that you deign -to reciprocate his sentiments. I am happy and proud that it is so, now -that I know you. Does it not seem natural to you that, before forming a -decision of the utmost importance, I desired to see with my own eyes, -and in a certain measure to test the character of the young woman who -has in her hands my son's heart and the future of my family? - -"And so, mademoiselle, I write to-day to apologize at your feet, and to -say to you that one so lovely and amiable as you can dispense with many -things, even with fortune, when it is a question of entering a rich and -honorable family. - -"I ask your permission, therefore, to call upon you once more in order -to lay before your father in due form my petition for your hand, in my -son's behalf, as soon as my son shall have fully authorized me to do so. -This last sentence demands an explanation, and that explanation should -properly find a place in this letter. - -"I make my consent to my son's happiness dependent upon a single -condition, and that condition tends only to make his happiness more -complete and to assure its continuance indefinitely. I demand that he -abandon those eccentric opinions which would impair our good -understanding and would endanger his fortune and consideration in the -future. I am sure that you are too sensible and too intelligent to -understand the socialistic, levelling doctrines, with the aid of which -my dear Emile and his young friends expect to overturn the world in a -short time; that the stock phrases of the brotherhood of mankind, equal -participation in privileges and enjoyments, and many other technical -terms of the young communistic school are absolutely unintelligible to -you. I fancy that Emile has never bored you to death with his -philosophical declamations, and I find it hard to believe that he could -have obtained the happiness of winning your affection by that nonsense. -I have no doubt that he will consent to abstain from it forever and to -renounce his folly. At that price, provided that he gives me the -promise, freely but solemnly, I will consent with all my heart to ratify -the fortunate choice that he has made of a perfect creature like -yourself. Be kind enough, mademoiselle, to convey to monsieur your -father my deep regret at not seeing him, and to inform him of the -contents of this letter. - -"Pray accept the sentiments of esteem and of paternal affection with -which I place my son's cause and my own in your hands." - - "VICTOR CARDONNET." - - -While a servant in gold lace, mounted on a fine horse, carried this -letter to Châteaubrun, Emile, over-burdened with anxious care, betook -himself on foot to the park of Boisguilbault. - -"Well," said the marquis, squeezing his hand hard, "I did not expect you -until next Sunday. I thought that you forgot me yesterday, so this is a -pleasant surprise. I thank you, Emile. The days are very long since you -have been working so faithfully for your father. I can only approve your -submission, although I ask myself with some little alarm if it will not -take you farther along with him and his principles than you think. But -what's the matter, Emile? You are pale, distressed. You haven't had a -fall from your horse, have you?" - -"I came on foot; but I have had a worse fall," replied Emile, "and I -believe that I have come to die here. Listen to me, my friend. I have -come to ask you either for the strength to die or the secret of life. An -insane joy and a ghastly sorrow are fighting together in my poor heart, -in my tortured brain. I have had, ever since I knew you, a secret which -I could not, dared not tell you, but which I cannot keep to myself -to-day. I do not know whether you will understand it, whether there is -within you any chord that will sympathize with my suffering; but I know -that you love me, that you are wise and enlightened, and that you adore -justice. It is impossible that you should not give me salutary advice." - -Thereupon, the young man confided to the old man his whole story, -abstaining carefully from mentioning any name, place, or incident which -could possibly lead him to suspect that he was referring to Gilberte and -her family. He dreaded the effect of the marquis's personal prejudices, -and, desiring that his judgment should not be influenced in any way, he -so expressed himself as to allow him to think that the object of his -love was an entire stranger in the neighborhood and probably lived at -Poitiers or Paris. His reserve in not mentioning his mistress's name did -not fail to strike Monsieur de Boisguilbault as being in the best of -taste. - -When Emile had finished he was greatly surprised not to find his grave -confidant armed with the stoical courage which he had anticipated and -dreaded. The marquis sighed, hung his head, then looked up at the sky: -"The truth is eternal!" he said.--But in another moment he let his head -fall again upon his breast, saying: "And yet I know what love is." - -"You do, my friend?" said Emile; "then you understand me and I rely upon -you to save me." - -"No, Emile; it is impossible for me to keep you from draining the cup of -bitterness. Whichever course you choose, you must drain it to the dregs, -and the only question is, in which direction honor lies, for, as for -happiness, do not reckon on it, you have lost it forever." - -"Ah! I feel it already," said Emile, "and I have passed from a day of -bright sunshine and intoxicating bliss into the shadow of death. But the -profound and irreparable calamity that forces itself upon my mind, -whatever sacrifice I may resolve upon, is this--that my heart has become -as ice toward my father, and that, for several hours past, it has seemed -to me that I no longer love him, that I no longer dread to wound him, -that I no longer feel either respect or esteem for him. O my God, -preserve me from this suffering beyond my strength! Hitherto, as you -know, despite all the pain and terror he has caused me, I still -cherished him and I put forth all the strength of my heart to believe in -him. I felt in the very depths of my being that I was still his son and -his friend, and to-day it seems to me that the bond of blood is broken -forever, and that I am struggling against a strange master, who -oppresses me, who weighs on my heart like an enemy, like a ghost! Ah! I -remember a dream I had the first night I passed in this neighborhood. I -dreamed that my father came and sat on me to suffocate me!--It was -horrible; and now that ghastly vision is being realized; my father has -placed his knees, his elbows, his feet on my breast; he is trying to -tear out my conscience or my heart. He is poking about in my entrails to -see what weak spot will give way to him. Oh! it is a devilish invention, -a murderous project, which leads him astray. Is it possible that love of -gold and worship of success can inspire such thoughts in a father's mind -against his child? If you had seen the smile of triumph with which he -displayed the sudden inspiration of his peculiar generosity! he was not -a protector and adviser, but an adversary who has set a trap and seizes -his foe with a fiendish laugh. 'Choose,' he seemed to say, 'and if you -die, what does it matter? I shall have triumphed.'--O my God! it is -horrible, horrible, to condemn and to hate one's father!" - -And poor Emile, crushed by grief, laid his face on the grass on which he -was lying and watered it with burning tears. - -"Emile," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "you can neither hate your -father nor be false to your mistress. Tell me, do you set much store by -the truth? Can you lie?" - -The marquis had touched the right spot. Emile sprang to his feet -impetuously. - -"No, monsieur, no," he said, "you know that I cannot lie. And of what -use is falsehood to cowards? What happiness, what repose can it assure -them? If I swear to my father that I have changed my religion, that I -believe in ignorance, error, injustice, folly, that I hate God in man, -and that I despise man in myself, will some monstrous miracle take place -in me? shall I be convinced? shall I find myself suddenly transformed -into a placid and supercilious egotist?" - -"Perhaps so, Emile! in evil it is only the first step that costs, and -whoever has deceived other men, reaches the point where he is able to -deceive himself. That has happened often enough to be credible." - -"In that case, falsehood to the winds! for I feel that I am a man and I -cannot transform myself into a brute of my own free will. My father, -with all his craft and all his strength, is blind in this. He believes -what he tries to make me believe, and if he should be urged to make my -belief his own he could not do it. No interest, no passion could force -him to do it, and yet he fancies that he would not despise me on the day -that I debased myself so far as to do a dastardly thing of which he -knows that he is himself incapable! Does he feel that he must despise me -and ruin me in order to confirm himself in his inhuman theories?" - -"Do not accuse him of such perversity; he is the man of his epoch--what -do I say? he is the man of all epochs. Fanaticism does not reason, and -your father is a fanatic; he still burns and tortures heretics, -believing that he is doing honor to the truth. Is the priest who comes -to us at our last hour and says; 'Believe or you will be damned!' much -wiser or more humane? Does not the powerful man who says to the poor -clerk or the unfortunate artist; 'Serve me and I will make your -fortune,' believe that he is doing him a favor, conferring a benefit on -him?" - -"But that is corruption!" cried Emile. - -"Very good!" rejoined the marquis; "by what means is the world governed -to-day, pray tell me? Upon what does the social structure rest? One must -needs be very strong, Emile, to protest against it; for when you do, you -must make up your mind to be sacrificed." - -"Ah! if I were the only victim of my sacrifice," said the young man -sorrowfully; "but _she!_ poor, saint-like creature, must she be -sacrificed too?" - -"Tell me, Emile, if she should advise you to lie, would you still love -her?" - -"I don't know! I think so! Can I imagine a state of things in which I -should not love her, since I love her now?" - -"You really love her, I see. Alas! I too have loved!" - -"Tell me, then, if you would have sacrificed honor?" - -"Perhaps so, if I had been loved." - -"Oh! feeble creatures that we are!" cried Emile. "God help me! shall I -not find a counsellor, a guide, a help in my distress? Will no one give -me strength? Strength, O my God! I implore it on my knees; and never -have I prayed with greater faith and ardor: I beseech Thee, give me -strength!" - -The marquis went to Emile and pressed him to his heart. Tears were -rolling down his cheeks; but he held his peace and did not help him. - -Emile wept a long time on his breast and felt that he loved that man -whom each succeeding test revealed to him as an extremely sensitive -rather than really strong man. He loved him the more for it, but he -grieved that he did not find in him the energetic and powerful adviser -upon whom he had counted in his weakness. He left him at nightfall and -the marquis said nothing more to him than: "Come again to-morrow; I must -know what you decide upon. I shall not sleep until I see you in a calmer -frame of mind." - -Emile took the longest road to return to Gargilesse; he made a détour -by means of which he passed within a short distance of Châteaubrun by -shaded paths which hid him from sight, and when he was quite near the -ruins, he stopped, fairly distracted at the thought of what Gilberte -must have suffered since his father's heartless visit, and not daring to -carry her better news lest he should lose all his courage and virtue. - -He had been standing there several minutes, unable to come to any -decision, when he heard his name called in an undertone, with an accent -that sent a thrill through him; and looking toward a small clump of oaks -at the right hand side of the road, he saw in the shadow a dress gliding -behind the bushes. He darted in that direction, and when he was far -enough among the trees to be in no danger of being seen, Gilberte turned -and called him again. - -"Come, Emile," she said, when he was at her side. "We haven't an instant -to lose. My father is in the field close by. I saw you and recognized -you just as you started down this road, and I left him without saying -anything while he was talking with the mowers. I have a letter to show -you, a letter from Monsieur Cardonnet: but it is too dark for you to -read it, so I will repeat it to you almost word for word. I know it by -heart." - -When she had repeated the substance of the letter, she continued: - -"Now, tell me what this means? I think that I understand it, but I must -know surely from you." - -"O Gilberte!" cried Emile, "I hadn't the courage to come and tell you; -but it was God's will that I should meet you and that my fate should be -decided by you. Tell me, my Gilberte, my first and last love, do you -know why I love you?" - -"Apparently," replied Gilberte, abandoning her hand to him, which he -pressed against his lips, "it was because you divined in me a heart -created to assist you." - -"Very good; and can you tell me, my only love, my only treasure on this -earth, why your heart gave itself to me?" - -"Yes, I can tell you, my dear; because you seemed to me, from the very -first day, noble, generous, simple-hearted, humane, in a single word, -good, which to my mind is the noblest quality a man can have." - -"But there is a passive goodness which in some sort excludes nobility -and generosity of sentiment, a yielding weakness, which may be a -charming characteristic, but which, under difficult circumstances, -compromises with duty and betrays the interests of mankind generally to -spare itself and one or two others a little suffering?" - -"I understand that, but I do not call weakness and fear goodness. To my -mind there is no true goodness without courage, dignity and, above all, -devotion to duty. If I esteem you to the point of saying to you, without -suspicion and without shame, that I love you, Emile, it is because I -know that you are great in heart and mind; it is because you pity the -unfortunate and think only of assisting them, because you despise -nobody, because you suffer when others suffer, because you would gladly -give everything that belongs to you, even your blood, to relieve the -poor and the abandoned. That is what I understood about you as soon as -you talked before me and with me; and that is why I said to myself: This -heart answers mine; these noble thoughts exalt my soul and confirm me in -all that I have thought; I detect in this mind, which impresses me and -charms me, a light which I am compelled to follow and which guides me -toward God himself. That is why, Emile, I felt neither terror nor -remorse in yielding to the inclination to love you. It seemed to me that -I was performing a duty; and I have not changed my opinion after reading -your father's mocking words concerning you." - -"Dear Gilberte, you know my heart and my thought; but your adorable -goodness, your divine affection ascribe to me as a great merit -sentiments which seem to me so natural and so forced upon men by the -instinct God has implanted in them, that I should blush not to have -them. And yet these sentiments, which must appear in the same light to -you, since you yourself entertain them with such innocence and -simplicity, are spurned by many people and derided as dangerous errors. -There are some who hate and despise them because they haven't them. -There are others who, by a strange anomaly, have them to a certain -extent, but cannot tolerate the logical deduction from them and their -inevitable consequences. Heaven help me! I fear that I cannot explain -myself clearly." - -"Yes, yes, I understand you. Janille is good like God himself, and, -through ignorance or prejudice, that perfect friend rejects my ideas of -equality, and tries to convince me that I can love and pity and help the -unfortunate without ceasing to think that they are naturally inferior to -me." - -"Well, my noble-hearted Gilberte, my father has the same prejudices as -Janille, from another point of view. While she believes that birth -creates a claim to power, he is persuaded that skill, strength and -energy create a claim to wealth, and that it is the duty of acquired -wealth to go on adding to itself forever, at any cost, and to pursue its -way into the future, never allowing the weak to be happy and free." - -"Why, that is horrible!" cried Gilberte, ingenuously. - -"It is prejudice, Gilberte, and the terrible power of custom. I cannot -condemn my father; but tell me--when he asks me to swear that I will -espouse his errors, that I will share his passionate ambition and his -arrogant intolerance--ought I to obey him? And if your hand is to be had -only at that price, if I hesitate an instant, if a profound terror takes -possession of me, if I fear that I may become unworthy of you by denying -my belief in the future of mankind, do I not deserve some pity from you, -some encouragement, or some consolation?" - -"_O mon Dieu_!" said Gilberte, clasping her hands, "you do not -understand what is happening to us, Emile! Your father does not wish us -ever to be married, and his conduct is full of cunning and shrewdness. -He knows well enough that you cannot change your heart and brain as one -changes his coat or his horse; and be sure that he would despise you -himself, that he would be in despair if he should obtain what he asks. -No, no, he knows you too well to believe it, Emile, and he has but -little fear of it; but he attains his end all the same. He separates you -from me, he tries to make trouble between us, he puts himself in the -right and you in the wrong. But he will not succeed, Emile; no, I swear -it; your resistance to his demands will increase my affection for you. -Ah! yes, I understand it all; but I am above such a paltry stratagem, -and nothing shall ever part us." - -"O my Gilberte, O my blessed angel!" cried Emile, "tell me what I shall -do; I belong to you absolutely. If you bid me, I will bend my neck under -the yoke; I will commit all manner of iniquities, all manner of crimes -for you." - -"I hope not," rejoined Gilberte, mildly yet proudly, "for I should no -longer love you if you ceased to be yourself, and I will have no husband -whom I cannot respect. Tell your father, Emile, that I will never give -you my hand on such conditions, and that, notwithstanding all the -contempt he may entertain for me in the bottom of his heart, I will wait -until he has opened his eyes to justice and his heart to a more -honorable feeling for us two. I will not be the reward of an act of -treachery." - -"O noble girl!" cried Emile, throwing himself at her knees and ardently -embracing them, "I adore you as my God and bless you as my providence! -But I have not your courage. What is going to become of us?" - -"Alas!" said Gilberte, "we must cease to meet for some time. We must do -it; my father and Janille were present when your father's letter -arrived. My poor father was dumb with joy, and understood nothing of the -conditions at the end. He has expected you all day, and he will continue -to expect you every day until I tell him that you are not coming, and -then, I trust, that I shall be able to justify your conduct and your -absence. But Janille will not excuse you for long; she is already -beginning to be surprised and disturbed and irritated because your -father seems to await your sanction to come and make a formal request -for my hand. If you should tell her now what I insist upon your doing, -she would curse you and banish you from my presence forever." - -"O my God!" cried Emile, "to see you no more! No, that is impossible!" - -"Why, my dear, what change will there be in our relations? Will you -cease to love me because you do not see me for a few weeks, a few -months, perhaps? Are we proposing to bid each other adieu forever? Do -you no longer believe in me? Did we not anticipate obstacles, suffering, -a period of separation?" - -"No, no," said Emile, "I anticipated nothing. I could not believe that -this would happen! I cannot believe it yet!" - -"O my dear Emile! do not be weak when I need all my strength. You have -sworn to overcome your father's opposition, and you will do it. Here is -one of his most tremendous efforts which we have defeated already. He -was very sure beforehand that you would not accept dishonor, and he -thinks that you will be discouraged so easily! He doesn't know you. You -will persist in loving me, and in telling him so, and in proving it to -him every day. Come, the hardest part of it is over, since he knows all, -and, instead of being indignant and grieved, he accepts the battle with -a smile, like a game of cards in which he believes himself the more -skilful. So have courage; I will have plenty of it. Do not forget that -our union is the work of several years of perseverance and faithful -toil. Adieu, Emile, I hear my father's voice coming nearer and I must -fly. Stay here, and do not go on until we are well out of the way." - -"To see you no more!" murmured Emile; "to hear your voice no more, and -still have courage?" - -"If you lack courage, Emile, it will be because you do not love me as -much as I love you, and because our union does not promise happiness -enough to induce you to fight hard and long." - -"Oh! I will have courage!" cried Emile, conquered by the noble-hearted -girl's energy. "I will force myself to suffer and to wait. You will see, -Gilberte, whether the happiness the future promises does not enable me -to endure everything in the present. But can we not meet sometimes, by -chance, as we met to-day, for instance?" - -"Who knows," said Gilberte. "Let us rely on Providence." - -"But one can sometimes assist Providence. Can we not invent some means -of communication, of sending word to each other?--by writing, for -instance?" - -"Yes, but then we must deceive those whom we love!" - -"O Gilberte! what can we do?" - -"I will think about it; let me go." - -"Go without promising me anything at all?" - -"You have my pledge and my heart; are they nothing to you?" - -"Go, then!" said Emile, making a violent effort to unclasp his arms, -which obstinately detained Gilberte's slender form. "I am happy, -Gilberte, even as I let you go! See if I love you, if I believe in you -and in myself!" - -"Believe in God," said Gilberte, "He will protect us." - -And she disappeared among the trees. - -Emile remained a long while on the spot she had just left. He kissed the -grass that her feet had barely touched and the tree she had grazed with -her dress, and after lying a long while in that thicket, the silent -witness of his last joy, he tore himself away with difficulty. Gilberte -ran after her father, who had started to return to the ruins and was -walking fast in front of her. Suddenly he turned and retraced his steps. -"Ah! my dear child, I was coming back to look for you," he said -innocently. - -"That is to say, father, you had forgotten me," replied Gilberte, -forcing herself to smile. - -"No, no, don't say that; Janille would call it absent-mindedness! I was -thinking of you all the time. That letter from Monsieur Cardonnet is -running in my brain. Perhaps Emile is waiting for us at the house--who -knows? Probably he couldn't have come sooner; his father must have -detained him. Let us hurry back; I'll wager that he's there." And the -goodman confidently quickened his pace. - -Janille was in a savage humor. She could not understand Emile's -moderation, and was beginning to be seriously disturbed. Gilberte tried -to divert her thoughts, and during supper was calm and almost cheerful. -But she was no sooner alone in her room than she fell on her knees and -buried her face in the bed, to stifle the sobs which shook her frame. - - - - -XXVIII - -CONSOLATION - - -Gilberte was resigned, albeit in despair. Emile was perhaps less -desperate, because in the bottom of his heart he was not yet resigned. -Every moment his uncertainty returned, and the greater and more worthy -of his love Gilberte appeared to him in the light of their conversation, -the more intensely did that love make its invincible power felt. As he -was entering the village, he turned abruptly and retraced his steps, -trying to fancy that he was going to Châteaubrun; and when he had -walked a few minutes, he sat down on a rock, covered his face with his -hands, and felt weaker, more in love, more human than ever. - -"If Monsieur de Boisguilbault had seen her and heard her," he said to -himself, "he would understand that I cannot hesitate between her and -myself, and that I must have her, even at the price of a falsehood! O my -God! my God! inspire me. It was Thou who didst plant this love in my -heart, and, having given me the strength to conceive it, Thou wouldst -not give me the strength to crush it." - -"Well, Monsieur Emile, what are you doing here?" queried Jean Jappeloup, -whose approach he had not observed, and who had seated himself by his -side. "I was looking for you, for I had fallen into the habit of talking -with you in the evening, and when I don't see you after my day's work, I -miss you. What is the trouble? Have you got a headache, that you hold -your head in your hands as if you were afraid of losing it?" - -"It is too late, my friend," replied Emile; "my head is lost forever." - -"Why, are you so very much in love? Tell us when the wedding is to be." - -"Soon, Jean, whenever we choose!" cried Emile, wild at the thought. "My -father consents, and I am going to marry her. Yes, I am going to marry -her, do you hear? for if I don't, I shall die. Tell me, mustn't I marry -her?" - -"The devil! I should think so! How can you hesitate a minute? I would -never be the one to justify you, if you should throw her over; and upon -my word, my boy, I believe I would force you to marry her even if I had -to fight you." - -"Yes, it's my duty, isn't it?" - -"Damnation! one would say that you doubt it. You have a sort of daft way -of saying that." - -"Yes, I am daft, it is true; but no matter. I know my duty now, and you -confirm me in my best resolution. Let us go to Châteaubrun together!" - -"Are you going there? All right; but let's walk fast, for it is late. -You can tell me on the way how your father, whom I believed to be a -madman, suddenly made up his mind to be sensible." - -"My father is mad, in very truth," said Emile, taking the carpenter's -arm and walking excitedly beside him; "altogether mad! for he gives his -consent on condition that I tell him a lie which he will not believe. -But it is a triumph to him, a genuine delight, to induce me to lie!" - -"Look here," said Jappeloup, "you've not been drinking? No, you never -drink too much! and yet you are crazy. They say that love makes one as -drunk as wine; it must be true, for you say things without rhyme or -reason." - -"My father, who is mad," continued Emile, beside himself with -excitement, "wants to make me mad too, and he is succeeding finely, as -you see! He wants me to tell him that two and two make five, and to take -my oath to it before him. I consent, you see! What harm does it do to -flatter his mania, so long as I marry Gilberte?" - -"I don't like all this business, Emile," said the carpenter. "I don't -understand it, and it annoys me. If you are mad, I don't propose that -Gilberte shall marry you. Let us stop here and try to collect our wits a -little. I have no desire to take you to Châteaubrun, if you are going -to ramble in this way, my son." - -"Jean, I feel very ill," said Emile, sitting down again; "I am dizzy. -Try to understand me, to calm me, to help me to understand myself. You -know that I don't think as my father does. Well, my father insists that -I shall think as he does; that's the whole story! That is impossible; -but so long as I say the same things that he does, what difference does -it make?" - -"Say what? deuce take it!" cried Jean, who had, as we know, very little -patience. - -"Oh! a thousand foolish things," replied Emile, who felt an icy chill, -alternating at intervals with a burning flush. "For instance, that it is -exceedingly fortunate for the poor that there are rich men." - -"That is false!" said Jean, with a shrug. - -"That the more rich and poor there are, the better the world will get -on." - -"I deny it." - -"That the battle between the rich and poor is ordained by God, and that -the rich should go forth to it with the keenest joy." - -"On the contrary, God forbids it!" - -"Lastly, that men of intellect are happier than the poor in intellect, -because such is the order of Providence." - -"Ten thousand devils, he lies!" cried Jean, smiting the rock with his -stick. "Don't repeat any more of that drivel, for I can't listen to it. -The Good Lord himself has said just the opposite of it all, and he came -to the earth, disguised as a carpenter, for nothing else than to prove -it." - -"Much God and the Gospel have to do with it!" rejoined Emile. "This is a -question of Gilberte and me. I shall never persuade my father that he is -wrong. I must say what he does, Jean, and then I shall be free to marry -Gilberte. He will go himself to-morrow and ask her father to give her to -me." - -"Really! Why he must be mad indeed to believe that you will echo his -nonsense in good faith! Ah! yes, I see that his brain is really awry, -Emile, and that is what makes you feel so badly; for I see, also, that -you are sad to the bottom of your heart, my poor boy." - -Emile shed tears, which relieved him, and, recovering his -self-possession, he explained more clearly to the carpenter what had -taken place between his father and himself. - -Jean listened with his eyes on the ground; then, after reflecting for a -long time, he took the young man's hand, saying: - -"Emile, you mustn't tell these lies; they are unworthy of a man. I see -that your father is more crafty than crazy, and that he won't be -satisfied with two or three vague words, such as we sometimes say to -soothe a man who has drunk too much and whom we treat like a child. Your -father, when you have lied to him, or made promises that you can't keep, -won't let you breathe, and if you try to become a man again he will say: -'Remember, that you're nobody now?' He is proud and hard; I know it -well. He won't give you one day a week to think in your own way, and, -more than that, he will make your wife unhappy. I can see it all: he -will make you blush before her, and he will play his cards so well that -she will finally blush for you. To the devil with all lies and words you -don't mean! None of that, Emile; I forbid it." - -"But Gilberte?" - -"Gilberte will say as I do, and so will Antoine and Janille. _Ma mie_ -Janille can say what she pleases. For my part, I don't propose that you -shall lie. There's no Gilberte who could make me lie." - -"Then I must give her up--not see her any more?" - -"That is a misfortune," said Jean, firmly; "but when misfortune is upon -us, we must bear it. Go and see Monsieur de Boisguilbault; he will say -the same as I do, for, according to all you have told me of him, he is a -man who takes a just view of things and whose ideas are good." - -"Well, Jean, I have seen Monsieur de Boisguilbault, and he realizes that -the sacrifice is beyond my strength." - -"Does he know that you love Gilberte? Oho! did you tell him?" - -"He knows that I am in love, but I didn't mention her name." - -"And he advised you to lie?" - -"He gave me no advice at all." - -"For heaven's sake, has he lost his wits too? Come, Emile, you will -listen to me because I am right. I am neither rich nor learned; I don't -know whether that deprives me of the right to eat my fill and sleep in a -bed, but I know well that God never said to me when I prayed to him: -'Get you gone!' and that, when I have asked him what is true or false, -bad or good, he has always told me, without answering: 'Go to school.' -Just reflect a little. There are many of us poor people on earth, and a -small lot of rich men; for, if everybody had a large slice, the earth -would be too small. We are a good deal in the way of one another, and we -can't love one another, try as we will. That is proved by our having to -have police and prisons to keep us on good terms. How could it be -otherwise? I have no idea. You say some very pretty things on that -subject, and when you're on it I could pass days and nights listening to -you, it pleases me so to see how you arrange it all in your head. That -is what makes me love you; but I have never said, my boy, that I had any -hope of seeing it come true. It seems to me to be a long way off, if it -is possible at all, and I, who am accustomed to hard work, ask the good -Lord for nothing more than to leave us as we are, and not allow the rich -and great to make our lot any worse. I know that if everybody was like -you and me and Antoine and Gilberte we should all eat the same soup at -the same table; but I also see that most other people wouldn't care to -hear of such an arrangement, and that it would take too much time and -talk to bring them to it. I am proud myself, and I can get along very -well without people who look down on me; that's my wisdom. I bother my -head very little about politics; I don't understand it; but I don't want -to be eaten, and I detest the people who say: 'Let us devour -everything.' Your father is one of those devourers, and if you were like -him I would split your head open with my axe rather than let you think -of Gilberte. God chose that you should be a good man, and that the truth -should seem to you worth sticking to. Stick to it, therefore, for it is -the only thing the wicked cannot take from this earth. Let your father -say: 'It's this way; it suits me so, and I choose to have it so!' Let -him talk; he is powerful because he is rich, and neither you nor I can -hold him back. But if he is obstinate and angry enough to try to make -you say that it is so, and that God is satisfied to have it so--stop -there! It is contrary to religion to say that God loves evil, and we are -Christians, I believe. Have you been baptized? So have I; and I deny -Satan. At all events my sponsors renounced him for me, and I have -renounced him for others when I have been a sponsor. For that reason we -must take no false oaths, nor blaspheme, nor say that all men are not -equal when they come into the world and do not all deserve happiness, -for that is equivalent to saying that some are condemned to hell before -they are born. I am done, Emile. You won't lie, and you will make your -father abandon that cunning condition!" - -"Ah! my friend, if I could see Gilberte once a week! If I were not -dishonored in her father's eyes and banished from his house, I should -not lose hope or courage." - -"Dishonored in Antoine's eyes? Pray tell me, what do you take him for? -Do you think he would have a renegade and backslider for a son-in-law?" - -"Oh, if he only looked at things as you do, Jean! but he will not -understand my conduct." - -"Antoine didn't invent gunpowder, I agree. He has never been able to get -the square of the hypotenuse into his head, whereas I learned it in a -few minutes, simply by watching a schoolmate do it. But you consider him -much simpler than he is. In the matter of honor and worthy sentiments, -that old fellow knows all that any one ought to know. Pray, do you think -that a man must be very sly and very learned to understand that two and -two make four and not five? For my part, I say that, to know that, one -needn't have read a roomful of big books like old Boisguilbault, and -that every unhappy man on this earth knows very well that his lot is -unjust when he has not deserved it. Very good! hasn't friend Antoine -suffered and endured, I should like to know? Did not the rich turn their -backs on him when he became poor? Is there any one who can say that they -were justified in treating him so--a man who never had a crust of bread -that he didn't give three-quarters and sometimes the whole of it to -others! And if you were not a sensible man, would you ever have been -attracted to him? Would you be in love with his daughter to the point of -wanting to marry her, if you had your father's ideas? No, you wouldn't -have looked at her, or else you'd have seduced her; but you would -reflect that she has no dowry, and you would abandon her like a villain. -Courage, Emile, my boy! Honest men will always esteem you, and I will -answer for Antoine; I will take charge of him. If Janille cries out, I -will cry out too, and we will see whether she or I has the loudest voice -and the best-oiled tongue. As for Gilberte, be sure that she will have a -kindly feeling for you all her life, and that she will think well of you -for your straightforwardness. She will never love any other man, I -promise you! I know her; she's a girl who has only one word. But the -time will come when your father will change his tune. That will be when -he is unhappy in his turn, and I have already prophesied that time would -come." - -"He doesn't believe it." - -"Have you told him what I think about his factory?" - -"I was bound to." - -"You did wrong, but it's done now, and what must be will be. Come, -Emile, let us go back to the village and to bed, for I see that you are -shivering and I feel that you are feverish. Come, my boy, don't let your -blood boil like this, and rely a little on the good Lord! I will go to -Châteaubrun to-morrow morning; I will say what I have to say, and they -will have to listen to me. I will answer for it that you won't have any -falling out with them, at all events, for doing your duty." - -"Good Jean! you do me a deal of good! you give me strength, and I feel -better since you have been talking to me." - -"Because I go straight to the point, you see, and don't embarrass myself -with useless things." - -"And you will go to Châteaubrun to-morrow? to-morrow? although it's a -working day?" - -"To-morrow, to be sure; as I work for nothing, I can begin my day at any -time I please. Whom do you suppose I am going to work for to-morrow? -Let's see you guess, Emile; there's something to divert your thoughts." - -"I can't guess. For Monsieur Antoine?" - -"No, Antoine hasn't much work to be done, poor fellow, and he can do it -alone; but he has a neighbor who has plenty of it, and who doesn't -haggle over the time of his workmen." - -"Who is it? Has Monsieur de Boisguilbault become reconciled to your -features?" - -"Not so far as I know; but he never forbade his farmers giving me work. -He is not the man to try to injure me, and almost nobody outside of his -house knows that he has a grudge against me, if indeed he has; the devil -only knows what's at the bottom of it all! However, as I say, I work for -him without his knowing anything about it; for you know that he inspects -his property once a year at the most. It's a little far from our -village; but, thanks to your father, workmen are so rare that they sent -for me; and I didn't wait to be asked twice, although I had some urgent -work elsewhere. It's a pleasure to me to work for that old fellow! But, -as you can imagine, I will never take any pay. I owe him enough, after -what he has done for me." - -"He won't allow you to work for him for nothing." - -"He must allow it, for he will know nothing of it. Does he know what is -done on his farms? He settles his account at the end of the year, and -pays little heed to details." - -"But suppose the farmers charge him for the days you work, as if they -had paid you?" - -"To do that they must be rascals, and on the contrary they are honest -men. You see, a man is what other men make him. Old Boisguilbault is -never robbed, although nothing in the world would be easier; but as he -neither worries nor pushes any one, no one has any occasion to deceive -him or to take any more than belongs to him. He isn't like your father. -He reckons and disputes and watches every one closely, and consequently -his people steal from him, and always will: that's the kind of business -he will do all his life." - -Jean succeeded in diverting Emile's thoughts, and almost in consoling -him. That upright, bold, decided character had an excellent influence -over him, and he went to bed with a more tranquil mind, after receiving -his promise that he would let him know on the following evening how -Gilberte's people felt toward him. Jean was confident of his ability to -open their eyes concerning his conduct and Monsieur Cardonnet's. Sorrow -makes us weak and trustful, and when our courage fails us, we can find -nothing better to do than place our fate in the hands of an energetic -and resolute person. If he does not solve the embarrassing problems of -our position so easily as he flatters himself that he can do, at all -events the contact with him strengthens and revivifies us; his -confidence insensibly passes into us and makes us capable of assisting -ourselves. - -"This peasant, whom my father despises," thought Emile as he fell -asleep, "this poor, ignorant, simple-hearted man has done me more good -than Monsieur de Boisguilbault did; and when I asked God for an adviser, -a support, a savior, He sent the poorest and humblest of His servants to -mark out my duty in two words. Oh! what force the truth has in the -mouths of those men whose instincts are upright and pure! and how -profitless is all our knowledge compared with that of the heart! Father! -father! more than ever I feel that you are blinded, and the lesson I -have received from this peasant condemns you more than all the rest." - -Although mentally more tranquil, Emile had a sharp attack of fever in -the night. Amid the violent upheavals of the mind, we forget to care for -and preserve the body. We allow ourselves to be exhausted by hunger, -surprised by cold and dampness, when we are reeking with perspiration or -burning with fever. We do not feel the approach of physical disease, and -when it has fastened itself upon us, there is a sort of relief from the -change from mental suffering. At such times we flatter ourselves that we -cannot be unhappy long without dying of it, and there is some comfort in -believing oneself too weak to endure never-ending sorrow. - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault expected his young friend all the following -day, and he became exceedingly anxious at night, when he did not appear. -The marquis had become deeply attached to Emile. While he did not -express himself nearly so strongly as he felt, he could no longer do -without his society. He was immensely grateful to the noble-hearted boy -whom his cold and melancholy nature had never repelled, and who, after -obstinately persisting in reading his heart, had religiously kept the -promise he had made of being a devoted son to him. This dismal old man, -who was reputed to be such a terrible bore, and who, through -discouragement, exaggerated in his own mind his involuntary faults, had -found a friend when he made up his mind that there was nothing left for -him to do but to die alone and unregretted. Emile had almost reconciled -him to life, and sometimes he abandoned himself to a sweet illusion of -paternity, when he saw that young man make himself at home in his house, -share his dismal amusements, arrange his library, turn the leaves of his -books, ride his horses, and sometimes even attend to matters of business -for him, in order to relieve him of a particularly tedious duty; in -short, take his ease under his roof and in his company, as if nature and -the habit of a whole lifetime had neutralized the difference in their -ages and their tastes. - -The old man had continued for a long time to have occasional fits of -distrust, and he had tried to make Emile fit in with his curious -misanthropic theories, but he had not succeeded. After he had passed -three days trying to persuade himself that idleness or curiosity had -brought him this new guest, with the thirst for serious conversation and -philosophical discussion, when he saw that amiable face, expansive and -ingenuous in its fearless expression, appear in his solitude, he felt -that hope appeared with it, and he surprised himself in the very act of -loving, at the risk of being more unhappy than ever when doubt returned. -In a word, after passing his whole life, especially the last twenty -years, in guarding against emotions which he deemed himself incapable of -sharing, he fell under their dominion, and could not endure the thought -of being deprived of them. - -He wandered, in feverish agitation, through all the avenues of his park, -waited at all the gates, sighing with every step, starting at the -slightest sound, and at last, depressed beyond measure by that silence -and that solitude, heart-broken at the thought that Emile was contending -with a sorrow which he could not lighten, he went out into the road and -turned in the direction of Gargilesse, still hoping to see a black horse -coming toward him. - -It very rarely happened that Monsieur de Boisguilbault ventured to make -such a rash sortie from the park, and he could not make up his mind to -follow the beaten roads lest he should fall in with some face with which -he was not familiar. So he walked as the crow flies, through the fields, -without, however, losing sight of the road on which Emile was likely to -be. He walked slowly, at a pace which might have been characterized as -uncertain, but which the prudence and circumspection which marked his -most trivial movements made firmer than it appeared. - -As he approached an arm of the stream which, after leaving his park, -followed a winding course through the valley, he heard an axe, and the -sound of several voices attracted his attention. It was his custom -always to turn away from any sound which indicated the presence of man, -and to make a détour to avoid meeting anybody, but he had something on -his mind which led him at this time to adopt the contrary course. He had -a passion for trees, if we may so express it, and did not allow his -tenants to cut any down unless they were entirely dead. Therefore, the -sound of an axe made him prick up his ears, and he could not resist the -desire to go and see with his own eyes if his orders were disobeyed. - -So he walked resolutely into the field where the men were at work, and -saw, with a feeling of childlike grief, some thirty or more superb -trees, all covered with foliage, lying at full length on the ground, and -already partly cut up. A farmer, assisted by his men, was at work -loading several huge logs on an ox-cart. The axe which was being plied -so energetically, awaking all the echoes of the valley, was in the -diligent hands of Jean Jappeloup! - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault had not exaggerated when he previously told -Emile, in glacial tones, that he was very irascible. That was another of -the anomalous features of his character. At sight of the carpenter, -whose face, or whose name even, always affected him painfully, he turned -pale; then, as he saw him cutting in pieces his fine trees, still young -and perfectly sound, he trembled with anger, flushed scarlet, stammered -some incoherent words, and rushed at him with an impetuosity of which no -one would have deemed him capable who had seen him a moment before, -walking with measured steps, leaning on his stout cane, with its -well-turned head. - - - - -XXIX - -AN ADVENTURE - - -The felling which offended Monsieur de Boisguilbault so deeply had been -done on the bank of the little stream, and the slender poplars, the old -willows and the majestic elms, falling in confusion, had formed a sort -of bridge of verdure over that narrow current. While the oxen were -dragging some of the trees with ropes to the carts that were to haul -them away, the sturdy carpenter, running about on the trunks that -blocked the stream, busied himself cutting away the tangled branches -whose resistance neutralized the efforts of the cattle. Intent upon his -task and zealous in the work of destruction of which his trade reaps the -benefit, he exerted his skill and daring with a sort of frenzy. The -river was deep and swift at that point, and Jean's post was so dangerous -that no one else dared to share it with him. Running with a young man's -lightness of foot and self-possession to the flexible extremities of the -trees that lay across the stream, he turned sometimes to cut the very -branch on which he was balancing himself, and, when a loud cracking told -him that his support was on the point of giving way under his feet, he -would jump nimbly to a branch near by, electrified by the danger and the -amazement of his comrades. His gleaming axe whirled in lightning flashes -around his head, and his resonant voice stimulated the other workmen, -surprised to find how simple was a task which the intelligence and -energy of a single man directed, simplified and performed as by a -miracle. - -If Monsieur de Boisguilbault had not been excited, he would have admired -with the rest, aye, and would have felt a certain respect for the man -who imported the power of genius into the accomplishment of that -commonplace task. But the sight of a noble tree, full of sap and life, -cut down by the axe in the midst of its development, angered him and -tore his heart, as if he had witnessed a murder, and when that tree -belonged to him, he defended it as if it were a member of his family. - -"What are you doing there, you stupid fools!" he cried, brandishing his -cane, and in a high tone which anger made as shrill and ear-piercing as -the note of a fife. "And you, villain!" he shouted to Jean Jappeloup, -"have you taken an oath to wound me and outrage my feelings all the -time?" - -The peasant has a dull ear, especially the Berri peasant. The -ox-drivers, excited by their unaccustomed interest in their work, did -not hear the master's voice, especially as the straining of the ropes, -the groaning of the yokes and the carpenter's powerful shouts, rising -above everything, drowned those shrill tones. The weather was -threatening, the horizon was a mass of dark purple clouds which were -rapidly overspreading the sky. Jean, dripping with perspiration, had -kept everybody at work, swearing that the job must be finished before -the rain, which would swell the stream and might carry away the trees -they had felled. A sort of frenzy had taken possession of him, and -despite the true piety which reigned in his heart, he swore like a -heathen, as if he thought that he could in that way increase his -strength tenfold. The blood hummed in his ears; exclamations of -excitement and satisfaction escaped him at every exploit of his muscular -arm, and mingled with the rumbling of the thunder. Violent gusts of wind -enveloped him in leaves and kept his coarse silvery locks flying about -his forehead. With his pale face, his flashing eyes, his leathern apron, -his tall thin figure, his bare arms brandishing the axe, he had the -aspect of a Cyclops, on the sides of Mount Ætna, gathering wood to keep -alight the fire of his infernal forge. - -While the marquis exhausted his strength in unavailing cries, the -carpenter, having cleared away the last obstacle, darted back to the -round trunk of a young maple, with an address that would have done -credit to a professional acrobat, leaped to the bank, and, seizing the -draught-rope, was reinforcing the tired oxen with his exuberant muscular -strength, when he felt upon his loins, covered with a coarse shirt only, -the sting of Monsieur de Boisguilbault's flexible bamboo. - -The carpenter thought that a branch had swung back against him, as often -happened in such battles with verdure-clad boughs. He uttered a terrible -oath, turned quickly and cut the marquis's cane in two with his axe, -exclaiming: - -"I guess that won't strike another man!" - -He had no sooner pronounced this apostrophe of extermination, than his -eyes, veiled by the excitement of toil, suddenly shone clear, and, by -the glare of a vivid flash of lightning, he saw his benefactor standing -before him, pale as a ghost. The marquis still held in his hand, which -trembled with rage, the stump of his cane and its gold head. The stump -was so short that it was plain that Jean had narrowly missed striking -off the hand that was rashly raised against him. - -"By the five hundred thousand names of the devil, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault!" he cried, throwing away his axe; "if this is your ghost -come here to torment me, I will have a mass said for you; but if it's -yourself, in flesh and blood, speak to me, for I am not patient with -people from the other world." - -"What are you doing here? why are you cutting down my trees, you stupid -beast?" replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault, in no wise tranquillized by -the danger which he had escaped as by a miracle. - -"Excuse me," retorted Jean, in utter amazement, "you don't seem pleased! -So it was you who struck me, was it? You're no baby when you are angry, -and you don't warn a fellow. Look you, don't do it again, for if you -hadn't done me such a great service I would have cut you in two like a -reed before this." - -"Master, master, pardon!" said the farmer, who had hurriedly left his -cattle to place himself between the carpenter and the marquis; "I was -the one who asked Jean to cut down our trees. No one understands it like -him and he does ten men's work all by himself. See if he's wasted his -time! Since noon he has cut down these thirty trees, chopped 'em up as -you see, and helped us haul 'em out of the water. Don't be angry with -him, master! He's a fine workman, and he wouldn't work so well for his -own benefit." - -"But why does he cut down my trees? who gave him leave to cut them -down?" - -"They are trees that the freshet uprooted, master, and they were -beginning to turn yellow; one more freshet and the water would have -carried them off. See if I am wrong!" - -The marquis thereupon calmed down sufficiently to look about him and to -see that the June freshet had partially uprooted the trees. The -disturbed condition of the ground and the exposed roots attested the -truth of what the farmer said. But, unwilling as yet to believe the -testimony of his eyes, he said: - -"Why didn't you await my orders to take them away? haven't I forbidden -you a hundred times to put the axe to a single tree without consulting -me?" - -"Why, master, don't you remember my coming to tell you of this damage -the very day after the freshet? and you said: 'In that case you must -take 'em away and set out more'? This is the best time to set 'em out -and I was hurrying up to make room, especially as these trees are fine -to make long ladders, and I wouldn't have liked to have you lose 'em. If -you'll just walk as far as our farmyard, you'll see a dozen of 'em under -the shed, and to-morrow we will take the rest there." - -"Very well," replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault, ashamed of his -precipitation, "I remember now that I gave you leave to do it. I had -forgotten. I ought to have come sooner and looked at it." - -"_Dame!_ you go out so little, master!" said the honest peasant. "The -other day I met Monsieur Emile, as he was going to see you, and I -pointed out the damage to him and asked him to remind you of it. Did he -forget?" - -"Apparently," replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "but no matter; you had -better go home, for it is dark and the storm is coming." - -"But you'll get wet, master; you must come to the house and wait till -the rain's over." - -"No," said the marquis, "it may last a long while, and I am not so far -from home that I can't return in time." - -"You won't have time, master; here it is beginning now, and it's going -to rain hard!" - -"All right, all right, I thank you, I will take care of myself," said -the marquis. And he turned his back and walked away, while his farmers -and their cattle started for the farm. - -"This won't do an old man like him any good!" said the farmer to his -son, looking after the marquis, who walked more slowly than ever, not -having the support of his cane. - -"If he had been willing to wait," replied the young peasant, "we might -have gone and got his carriage.--Come, Gaillard! Chauvet!" he shouted to -his oxen, "courage, my boys. Gee! steady, boy." - -And the father and the son, thinking no more of aught save guiding their -horned team across the wet fields, disappeared behind the bushes, -followed by all their people, without further anxiety concerning the old -master. Such is the peasant's natural heedlessness. - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault had reached the end of the field across which -he had come and was just about to pass through the hedge, when he turned -and saw Jean Jappeloup, who was sitting on a stump among the felled -trees, like a conqueror meditating sorrowfully on the battlefield. All -of the powerful workman's gayety and ardor had suddenly vanished; he sat -perfectly still, indifferent to the rain which was beginning to mingle -with the sweat of toil on his brow, and he seemed absorbed in profound -melancholy. - -"It is my destiny to insult that man, and not to meet him without -suffering on both sides," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault to himself. And -he hesitated a long while between an ingenuous repentance and a violent -feeling of repugnance. - -He decided to motion to him to join him, but Jean did not seem to see -the motion, although there was still a little daylight. Then he called -him in a voice of which the pitch was no longer raised by anger, but -Jean did not seem to hear him. - -"Well," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault to himself, "you are to blame; -you must punish yourself."--And he walked straight to the carpenter. - -"Why do you stay here?" he said, touching him on the shoulder. - -Jean started, and said in a sharp, irritated tone, as if awakened from a -dream: - -"What! what do you want of me, I pray you? Have you come back to strike -me again? See, here's the rest of your cane! I intended to bring it to -you to-morrow to remind you of what happened to you this evening." - -"I was wrong," faltered Monsieur de Boisguilbault. - -"It's very easy to say 'I was wrong,'" retorted the carpenter; "and with -that, when you are old and rich and a marquis, you think that you have -made everything right." - -"What reparation do you demand of me?" - -"You know very well that I can demand nothing of you. I could break you -in two with a mere tap, and, besides that, I am your debtor. But I shall -bear you a grudge all my life for making gratitude a humiliating and -heavy burden for me to bear. I wouldn't have believed that could ever -happen to me, for my heart is no more ungrateful than any other man's, -and I submitted to the vexation of being unable to thank you. But, mind -you, I had rather go to prison or resume my vagabond life, than put up -with blows. Go away and leave me in peace. I was arguing myself into a -calmer state of mind, and you come and make me angry again. I have to -keep telling myself that you are a little mad to avoid saying something -worse to you." - -"Well, Jean, it is true, I am a little mad," rejoined the marquis sadly, -"and this isn't the first time that I have lost control of my reason -about a trifle. That is why I live alone, why I never go out, and show -myself as little as possible. Am I not punished enough?" - -Jean made no reply; that distressing confession caused his anger to give -place to compassion. - -"Now, tell me what I can do to repair the injury I did you," continued -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, in a trembling voice. - -"Nothing," said the carpenter, "I forgive you." - -"I thank you, Jean. Will you come and work at my house?" - -"What's the use, as I am working for you here? My face disturbs you, and -it depended entirely on yourself to avoid seeing it. I didn't seek you -out. And then, you would want to pay me for my work, and when I work for -your farmers you can't compel me to take their money." - -"But your work is of benefit to me, since its results add to the value -of my property. Jean, I cannot agree to that." - -"Ah! you can't agree to it? I don't care whether you can or not! you -can't prevent me from paying my debt to you in that way; and since you -have beaten me and insulted me, I will pay it, _mordieu_! just to make -you furious. That humiliates you, doesn't it? Very good, that is my -revenge." - -"Take your revenge some other way." - -"How then, pray? Shall I strike you? That wouldn't make us square; I -should still be your debtor, and I prefer not to owe you anything." - -"Very well, pay your debt, if you choose, as you are so proud and -obstinate," said the marquis, losing patience. "You are blind and cruel, -as you don't see how I suffer. You would be sufficiently revenged if you -understood; but you desire a brutal, cruel revenge. You insist upon -reducing yourself to destitution and upon wearing yourself out with -fatigue in order to make me blush and weep all the days of my life." - -"If you take it that way--" said Jean, half-conquered; "no, I am not a -bad man, and I can forgive you for a young man's folly. The devil! your -head is still hot and your hand quick. What did it mean? However, let us -say no more about it; once more, I forgive you." - -"You consent to work for me?" - -"At half price. Let us arrange it that way to settle the question." - -"There is no comparison between my position and yours. There would be -still less between your work and your wages. Be generous; that is the -noblest and most perfect revenge. Come and work for me as you work for -other people; forget that I did you a service which my purse never so -much as discovered, and thus force me to be your debtor, since you will -accept, in satisfaction of an irreparable outrage, the most paltry of -reparations--money." - -"I can't understand a word when you twist it about that way. However, we -will see if we can get along together. But suppose I go to your house -and my face makes you angry? Come, can't you tell what you have had -against me all these years? You surely owe me that. It must be that, -without knowing it, I resemble somebody who has injured you. It can't be -hereabout: for I don't know of anybody except the curé of Cuzion's old -horse that I look anything like." - -"Ask me no questions; it is impossible for me to answer. Admit that I am -subject to these outbreaks of madness, and love me through pity, as I -cannot be loved otherwise." - -"Monsieur de Boisguilbault," said the carpenter warmly, "you mustn't -talk like that; you don't do yourself justice. You have faults, it is -true, crotchets, fits of temper that are a little violent; but you know -well that everybody is obliged to respect you in his heart, because you -are a just man, because you love to do good and have never made any one -about you unhappy; and then you have ideas, which you haven't got from -books simply, ideas that rich men don't often have, and that would make -the world happy if the world chose to think the same as you do. To have -these ideas it isn't enough to be well-educated and sensible, but one -must love everybody in the world and not have a stone in place of a -heart; that is why it is necessary that God should have a hand in it. So -don't talk about loving you through pity; you would have only to put out -your hand to be loved, and you wouldn't have to change much to succeed." - -"What must I do, in your opinion?" - -"The principal thing would be not to try to prevent people who are -inclined to love you from doing so." - -"When did I ever do that?" - -"Many a time, and I don't speak of myself alone, as there are others -whose names you surely do not want me to mention----" - -"Speak of yourself, Jean," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, with painful -eagerness--"or rather--come and take supper and sleep at my house -to-night. I propose that we shall be entirely reconciled from this day, -but on certain conditions, which I will tell you to-night perhaps, and -which have nothing whatever to do with the cause of our quarrel. The -rain is increasing, and these branches no longer shelter us." - -"No, I will not go to your house to-night," said the carpenter, "but I -will go with you to your gate; for yonder's a wicked-looking cloud, and -in a few minutes it won't be pleasant walking. Here, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, take my advice and put this leather apron of mine over -your shoulders. It isn't handsome, but it never touches anything but -wood--my trade is a clean one, that is what I have always liked about -it--and it isn't afraid of the water." - -"On the contrary, I insist on your putting it on your own back; you are -drenched with perspiration, and although you choose to treat me as an -old man, you are no longer young yourself, my friend. Come, no ceremony! -I am warmly clad. Don't take cold on my account; remember that I struck -you to-night." - -"You are as sly as the devil! Well, let us be off! It is true, I am no -longer young, although I don't feel my years much as yet. But do you -know that I am hardly ten years younger than you? Do you remember the -time I built the wooden house in your park--your chalet, as you call it? -Well, it was nineteen years ago last St. Jean's Day that I raised the -frame." - -"Yes, that is true, only nineteen years. It seems longer to me. By the -way, the little house is very well built, and there are very few repairs -to make. Will you look after them?" - -"If there's anything to be done, I don't say no. It's a job that gave me -a lot of trouble in its time. How often I had to look at your devilish -pictures to try to make it look like them!" - -"It is your master-piece and you enjoyed it." - -"Yes, there were days when I enjoyed it too much, it made me sick; but -when you would come and say: 'Jean, that isn't right; you are making a -mistake;' _dame_! how angry you made me!" - -"You lost your temper and almost told me to be off!" - -"And you used to let me talk in those days. I would never have believed -that, after being so patient with me for so many years, you would -suddenly fly out at me without telling me why. By the way, what is there -to be done to the wooden house?" - -"There's a devil of a door that doesn't shut." - -"The wood has warped, I suppose. When shall I come?" - -"To-morrow. That's why you must come and sleep at my house; the -weather's too bad for you to go back to Gargilesse." - -"It is black enough to break one's neck, that's a fact. Look out where -you step, you are almost in the ditch! But if it rained scythe-blades, I -would go home to sleep to-night." - -"Have you important business on hand?" - -"Yes. I want to see young Emile Cardonnet, to whom I have something to -say." - -"Emile! Have you seen him to-day?" - -"No; I started very early to attend to his matters. If you weren't so -peculiar, I would tell you about it, as you know the bulk of his story." - -"I don't think he has any secrets for me. However, if he has confided -something more to you than to me, I have no desire to know it." - -"Never fear, I have no desire to tell it to you, either." - -"And you cannot even give me any news of him? I am anxious about him. I -had hoped to see him to-day; indeed I came away from home to meet him." - -"Ah! in that case I understand how it happens that you, who never leave -your park, have strayed so far. But you are wrong to follow the fields -like that. They are all cut up with brooks that are of no mean size, and -I don't know where we are. Ten million devils! How it comes down! This -is just the kind of night that Emile arrived in this region. I met him -under a big rock where he had gone for shelter, and I had no idea that -when I crept in there I put my hand on a friend, a true manly heart, a -treasure!" - -"You are very much attached to him, aren't you? He has tried very often -to talk to me about you." - -"And you would never let him? I suspected as much. He is a man like you; -no prouder in the depths of his heart and as ready to give his life as -his purse for the unfortunate. But he doesn't lose his temper for -nothing, and when he says a pleasant word to you, you aren't afraid that -he's going to hit you with a club." - -"Oh! I know that he's a much better and very much more amiable man than -I am. If you see him to-night or to-morrow morning, tell me how he is. -Tell him to come and see me, for I am overwhelmed by his sorrow." - -"And so am I; but I have more hope than you and he. However, if I were -rich like you----" - -"What would you do?" - -"I don't know; but money makes everything smooth with people of Père -Cardonnet's cut. Suppose you should set him up in some business and -sacrifice a few hundred thousand francs--you who have three or four -millions and no children! He isn't so rich as he seems to be! Perhaps he -may have more income than you, but his capital is smaller, I fancy." - -"So you would approve of buying his son's liberty?" - -"There are some people who never give anything away, and who sell what -they ought to give away. Why, by the blood of the devil, here we are in -the pond! Stop! stop! that isn't land, it's water. We have gone too far -to the right; but our brains are not fuddled by wine. How are we to get -out of this?" - -"I have no idea; we have been walking a long while, and we ought to be -at Boisguilbault." - -"Wait! wait! I know where I am," said the carpenter. "There's a little -clearing behind us with one big tree--wait for the flash and look -sharp--there it comes! Yes, I know. There's Mère Marlot's house! The -devil! There are sick children there--two have typhoid fever, they say! -Never mind, she's a good woman, and at all events you are sure of being -well received anywhere on your estates." - -"Yes, this woman is a tenant of mine if I am not mistaken." - -"Who doesn't pay you very much or very often, I fancy! Come, give me -your hand." - -"I didn't know that her children were sick," said the marquis as they -entered the yard in front of the hovel. - -"That's natural enough; you seldom go out and never so far as this. But -other people have looked after her. See! there's a horse and wagon that -I know; they may be of use to us." - -"Who is that lady?" said the marquis, looking in at the window. - -"Why, don't you know her?" said the carpenter, with suppressed -excitement. - -"I don't remember that I ever saw her," replied Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, scrutinizing the interior more closely. "Some charitable -person, I presume, who attends to the duties toward the unfortunate -which I neglect." - -"It is the curé of Cuzion's sister," replied Jean Jappeloup. "She's a -kind-hearted soul, a young widow, and very charitable, as you say. Wait -until I give her warning of your arrival, for I know her, and she is a -little timid." - -He hastened into the hovel, whispered a few hurried words to the old -woman and Gilberte, whom, by a sudden inspiration, he had metamorphosed -into a curé's sister, then returned to Monsieur de Boisguilbault and -led him in, saying: - -"Come, monsieur le marquis, come; you won't frighten anybody. The sick -children are better, and there's a brisk little fire to dry your -clothes." - - - - -XXX - -THE IMPROMPTU SUPPER - - -The weather must needs have been very bad, or the marquis have -unconsciously undergone some mysterious influence; for he actually made -up his mind to risk a meeting with an entire stranger. He entered, and -saluting the pretended widow with timid courtesy, drew near the fire, on -which the old woman was hastily tossing fresh branches, deploring the -condition of her old master's clothes. - -"Oh! good people, is it possible; what a state you're in, monsieur le -marquis! Really, I wouldn't 'a' known you if Jean hadn't told me. Warm -yourself, warm yourself, monsieur, for there's a chance of catching your -death at your age." - -And, thinking that she showed great zeal and interest by her sinister -predictions, the good woman, completely bewildered by the arrival of -such a visitor, came near setting fire to her mantelpiece. - -"No, my good woman," said the marquis, "I am very thickly dressed at all -times, and I hardly feel the rain." - -"Oh! I should say you are well dressed!" she replied, intending to pay -him a compliment which she thought well adapted to flatter him, "for you -have money enough to be!" - -"I do not refer to that," said the marquis; "I mean to say that you need -not put yourself out so much or leave your patients for me. I am very -comfortable here, and the life of an old man like me is worth less than -that of your young children. Have they been sick long?" - -"About a fortnight, monsieur. But the worst has passed, thank God!" - -"Why don't you come to see me when you have sickness in the house?" - -"Oh! _nenny_, I should never dare to. I should be afraid of vexing you. -We peasants are so stupid! We can't talk very well and we're afraid to -ask." - -"I ought to come and find out about your troubles," said the marquis -with a sigh; "but I see that more active and less selfish hearts do it -in my place!" - -Gilberte was sitting at the other side of the room. Dumb with fright, -and not daring to lend her countenance to the carpenter's ruse, she -tried to conceal herself behind the coarse serge curtains of the bed in -which the youngest child lay. She would have been glad to say nothing at -all, and, as she prepared a potion, she kept her face turned to the wall -and pulled her little shawl over her shoulders. A scarf of coarse black -lace, tied under her chin, concealed or at all events dimmed the golden -sheen of her hair, which the marquis might have recognized if he had -ever noticed its brilliancy and luxuriance. But Monsieur de -Boisguilbault had met Gilberte only twice, on her father's arm. He had -recognized Monsieur Antoine in the distance and had turned his head -away. When he had been obliged to pass them at close quarters, he had -shut his eyes to avoid seeing the girl's dreaded features. Therefore he -had no idea of her figure, her face or her carriage. - -Jean had lied with so much self-possession and so aptly that the marquis -suspected nothing. The features of Sylvain Charasson, who was lying like -a cat in the ashes, sound asleep, could not be so unfamiliar to him, for -the page of Châteaubrun, a shameless marauder by nature, must have been -caught by him many a time clinging to fruit-laden branches along his -hedges; but he asked so few questions and took such painstaking care to -avoid seeing or knowing anything of what took place outside his park -wall, that he had no idea of the child's name or station in life. - -Having no feeling of distrust, therefore, and being impelled by the -mental and physical agitation he had undergone that evening, to open his -heart more than usual, he ventured to follow the charitable lady's -movements with his eyes, and even to approach her and ask some questions -concerning the invalids. The somewhat shy reserve of this friend of the -poor inspired in him profound respect, and it seemed to him worthy of -all praise and in the best of taste that, instead of boasting of her -good works before him, she seemed disturbed and annoyed to have been -taken by surprise in the exercise of her functions as a sister of -charity. - -Gilberte was so afraid of being recognized that she was afraid to let -her voice be heard--as if it were not as unfamiliar to the marquis as -her face--and waited for the peasant woman to answer his questions. But -Jean, fearing that the old woman would fail to play her part -intelligently and would betray Gilberte's _incognito_ by her -awkwardness, kept constantly in front of her and edged her toward the -fireplace, glaring savagely at her whenever Monsieur de Boisguilbault's -back was turned. Mère Marlot, trembling from head to foot and having no -comprehension of what was taking place in her house, did not know which -way to turn and prayed fervently that the rain might cease and she be -delivered from the presence of these new guests. - -At last, somewhat encouraged by the marquis's soft voice and courteous -manners, Gilberte made bold to answer him; and as he continued to accuse -himself of negligence, she said: - -"I have heard, monsieur, that your health is very delicate and that you -read a great deal. I can understand that you are unable to attend to so -many things as you have on hand. For my part I have nothing better to -do, and I live so near that I deserve no great credit for helping to -take care of the sick in the parish." - -She glanced at the carpenter as she spoke, as if to call his attention -to the fact that she was entering into the spirit of her part at last; -and Jean hastened to add, in order to give more weight to that pious -sentiment: - -"Besides, it is a necessity and a duty of her position. If the curé's -sister didn't look after the poor, who would?" - -"I should be a little reconciled with my conscience," said the marquis, -"if madame would kindly apply to me when it happens that I am ignorant -or oblivious of my duties. What my zeal leaves undone, my good will can -supply; and while madame reserved for herself the noblest and most -difficult task, that of nursing the sick with her own hands, I can -increase with my money the limited resources of the priest's charity. -Allow me to join you in your good deeds, madame, I entreat you, or, if -you do not choose to do me that honor, send all your poor to me. A -simple recommendation from you will make them sacred to me." - - -[Illustration: _GILBERTE AND JAPPELOUP ACCOMPANY -THE MARQUIS TO HIS CHÂTEAU._ - -_The Marquis took the reins, refusing to allow his charming companion to -have the trouble of driving. Jean armed himself with the whip, to -stimulate poor Lanterne's courage with a sturdy arm._] - - -"I know that they do not need that, monsieur le marquis," replied -Gilberte, "and that you assist many more than I can hope to do." - -"You see that is not so, for I have come here entirely by chance, and -you are here for the express purpose of doing good." - -"Oh no! I did not divine that they needed me," replied Gilberte; "this -poor woman came after me; except for that I should probably have known -no more about it than you." - -"You try in vain to decry your deserts in order to diminish my -culpability. They send for you, and they dare not come near me: that -fact alone condemns me and glorifies you." - -"The deuce! my dear Gilberte," said the carpenter, leading the girl -apart, "in my opinion you are performing miracles and you could tame the -old owl if you would only have the courage. _Ah but_! as Janille says, -all goes well, and if you will act and talk like me, I will answer for -it that you will reconcile him with your father." - -"Oh! if I only could! but alas! my father has made me promise, yes, -swear, that I would never try it." - -"And yet he would give all he owns to have you succeed! Look, you, when -he made you promise that, he thought that was impossible which is quite -possible to-day--not to-morrow perhaps, but this evening, now! We must -strike the iron while it's hot, and you can see that there has been a -great change already, as he and I came here together and he talks to me -in such a friendly way." - -"How on earth did that miracle come about?" - -"It was a cane that performed the miracle, on my back; I'll tell you -about it later. Meanwhile you must be very lady-like, a little bold, and -have your wits about you--in a word be like your friend Jean in -everything. Listen, I am going to begin!" - -Thereupon, Jean abruptly left Gilberte and went to the old man. - -"What do you suppose this young lady just whispered in my ear? That she -absolutely insists on taking you home in her carriage. Ah! Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, you can't refuse a lady; she says that the roads are too -badly washed for you to walk, that you are too wet to wait here for your -own carriage, that she has a cabriolet with a good horse, a genuine -curé's mare that doesn't lose her temper or take fright at anything and -goes fast enough when your arm isn't asleep and there's a lash on the -whip. In quarter of an hour you'll be at home, instead of splashing -through the mud and stones for an hour." - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault thanked the lovely widow warmly but would not -accept; but Gilberte herself insisted, with irresistible grace. - -"I implore you, monsieur le marquis," she said, turning upon him her -beautiful eyes, still frightened like those of a half-tamed dove, "do -not pain me by refusing; my carriage is ugly, shabby and muddy, and so -is my horse; but they are both strong. I know how to drive and Jean will -take me home." - -"But it will delay you a long while," said the marquis; "your folks will -be anxious." - -"No," said Jean, "here is monsieur le curé's page, who serves the mass -and rings the bell for him; he's a sure-footed, sharp-eyed rascal, with -no more fear of the water than a frog. He has wooden clogs on his feet a -little stouter than yours, and he will go to Cuzion as straight and fast -as a saw will cut a spruce board. He will tell them not to worry; that -madame's in good company and that old Jean will bring her home. So -that's settled!--Look you, young wide-awake," he said to Charasson, who -yawned as if he would dislocate his jaw and gazed in bewilderment at -Monsieur de Boisguilbault; "just come and let me rouse you a bit in the -fresh air, and start you on your road." - -He dragged, almost carried Sylvain to a short distance from the house, -and there, putting his leather apron over his shoulders, he said to him, -pulling his ears briskly to fix his words in his memory: - -"Run to Châteaubrun and tell Monsieur Antoine that Gilberte is going to -Boisguilbault with me; tell him to keep quiet, that all goes well in -that direction, and that he needn't worry if she passes the night away -from home. Do you hear? do you understand?" - -"I hear well enough, but I don't understand," replied Sylvain. "Will you -let my ears alone, you old villain of a Jean!" - -"I'll make them longer than they are, if you argue; and if you make a -botch of my errand, I'll tear them off to-morrow." - -"I heard you, that's enough; let me go." - -"And if you stop to play on the road, look out!" - -"_Pardié_! it's fine weather to play!" - -"And if you lose my goatskin apron!" - -"I'm no such fool, it won't do me any harm!" - -And the child started off at full speed toward the ruins, picking his -way in the darkness with the instinct of a cat. - -"Now," said Jean leading the old mare and the _barrow_ out from under -the shed, "it's our turn, honest Lanterne. Oh! don't get excited, -Monsieur Sacripant, it's only me! You came with your young mistress, -good; but monsieur le marquis, who doesn't look at people, isn't afraid -to look at dogs, and he may know you. Do me the favor to follow your -friend Charasson. I am sorry to say you must return home on foot."--He -cracked the whip at the poor beast and drove him away in the direction -Charasson had taken.--"Come, monsieur le marquis, I am waiting for you!" -And the marquis, conquered by Gilberte's persistence, mounted the -barrow, where he sat between her and Jappeloup. - -The stars in heaven did not witness this strange association, for heavy -clouds concealed them, and Mère Marlot, the sole witness of this -extraordinary adventure, was not sufficiently clear in her mind to -indulge in any extended comments. The marquis had put his purse in her -hand as he crossed the threshold of her house, and she passed the rest -of the night counting the shining coins it contained and waiting on her -little ones, saying: - -"Dear young lady, she brings us good luck!" - -The marquis took the reins, refusing to allow his charming companion to -have the trouble of driving. Jean armed himself with the whip, to -stimulate poor Lanterne's courage with a sturdy arm. Gilberte, whom -Janille, anticipating the storm, had provided with a large umbrella and -her father's old cloak when she allowed her to depart on her errand of -mercy, gave her attention to sheltering her companions; and as the wind -fought for the cloak with her, she held it over Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's shoulders with one hand, while she exerted all her -strength to hold the umbrella over the old man's head with the other -hand, with filial solicitude. The marquis was so touched by these -affectionate attentions that he lost all his bashfulness and expressed -his gratitude in the warmest terms that his respect would permit. -Gilberte trembled at the thought that this sympathetic feeling might -change to wrath at any moment, and old Jean laughed in his beard, -relying on Providence. - -Although it was only nine o'clock, everybody at the château of -Boisguilbault had retired when our travellers arrived. No one except old -Martin ever paid any attention to the master after sunset, and on this -evening Martin had closed the park after seeing the marquis enter his -chalet, and had no suspicion that he had gone abroad and was travelling -around the country in the rain and thunder, with an old carpenter and a -young woman. - -Jean was not particularly anxious to go into the courtyard with -Gilberte; for, living so near Châteaubrun as they did, it was -impossible that some if not all of the servants should not be familiar -with the lovely girl's face, and the first exclamation would betray her. - -But the rain was still falling, and there was no plausible excuse for -making the marquis or Gilberte alight at the outer gate, especially as -Monsieur de Boisguilbault absolutely insisted that his companions should -come in and wait by the fire until the rain, which was quite cold and -continuous, had ceased. Jean meanwhile was dying with longing to seize -this pretext for prolonging the interview; but Gilberte refused in -dismay to enter the dreadful manor-house of Boisguilbault, and it was -certain that there was great peril in doing it. - -Luckily the marquis's eccentric habits made it impossible for them to -effect an entrance to the château. In vain did they ring the bell again -and again, the wind roared so fiercely that the sound was carried far -away. No servant, male or female, slept in that part of the building, -where a grewsome solitude habitually prevailed; and, as for old Martin, -the only person who ever ventured there, he was too deaf to hear -anything, the bell or the thunder. - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault was extremely mortified by his inability to -show the hospitality which all the circumstances combined to impose upon -him as a duty; and he was very angry with himself for having failed to -anticipate what had happened. His wrath was on the point of breaking out -anew and turning against old Martin, who went to bed with the sun. But -at last, suddenly making up his mind what course to pursue, he said: - -"I see that I must abandon the idea of getting into my own house, for I -shall never make anybody hear unless I send for cannon to take the house -by assault; but if madame is not afraid to visit an anchorite's cell, I -have another lodging, the key of which never leaves me, where we shall -find all that we need to enable us to warm ourselves and rest." - -As he spoke he turned the horse's head toward the park, alighted at the -gate, opened it himself, and led Lanterne in by the bridle, while Jean -squeezed the trembling Gilberte's arm to encourage her to risk the -adventure. "God forgive me!" he muttered, "he is taking us to his wooden -house, where he passes all his nights evoking the devil! Never fear, -Gilberte, I am with you, and this is the day we are going to turn Satan -out-of-doors here!" - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, having closed the gate behind him, bade the -carpenter take the reins and follow him at a foot-pace to a sort of -gardener's shed where Emile often hitched Corbeau when he came late or -expected to stay late; and while Jean busied himself putting poor -Lanterne and Monsieur Antoine's barrow under cover, the marquis offered -Gilberte his arm, saying: "I am distressed to ask you to walk a few -steps on the gravel; but you will not have time to wet your feet, for my -hermitage is right here, behind these rocks." - -Gilberte shuddered from head to foot as she entered the chalet, alone -with that strange old man whom she had always believed to be a little -mad, and who now led the way into the darkness. She was somewhat -relieved when he opened a second door, and she saw the corridor lighted -by a lamp which stood in a niche decorated with flowers. That retreat, -so luxurious and comfortable despite its rustic exterior, pleased her -exceedingly, and in her youthful imagination, enamored of poetic -simplicity, she fancied that she had found the sort of palace of which -she had often dreamed. - -Since Emile had been admitted to the mysterious chalet, notable -improvements had been made there. He had impressed upon the old man that -the stoical habits by which he undertook to protest against his own -wealth were beginning to be too severe for a man of his years; and, -although Monsieur de Boisguilbault was not as yet attacked by any -serious infirmity he admitted that he had suffered much from the cold -there during the winter. Emile had himself brought from the château -carpets, hangings, thick curtains and suitable furniture; he had -frequently lighted a fire in the huge stove for protection against the -dampness on rainy nights, and the marquis had yielded to the pleasant -sensation of being cared for, a sensation entirely mental to him, in -which he saw the proof of a zealous and delicate affection. The young -man had also rearranged and beautified the room in which he and the old -man often took their evening meal. He had made it into a sort of salon, -and Gilberte was delighted to place her little feet, for the first time -in her life, on superb bearskin rugs, and to gaze in admiration at the -beautiful vases of old Sèvres, filled with the rarest flowers, standing -on a marble console. - -The fireplace, filled with very dry pine cones, blazed up as if by -enchantment when the marquis tossed in a piece of burning paper, and the -candles, reflected in a mirror, the oaken frame of which was curiously -carved and twisted, soon filled the room with a brilliant light dazzling -to the eyes of a girl accustomed to the poor little lamp to which -Janille supplied oil with a sparing hand, after the example of the woman -in the Bible. - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, for the first time in his life, exerted -himself with a sort of coquetry to do the honors of his chalet to such a -charming guest. He took an artless pleasure in watching her examine and -admire his flowers, and promised her that on the very next day she -should have all the grafts and all the seeds to replenish the _vicarage -garden_. Resuming momentarily the animation of youth, he ran hither and -thither to find the little curiosities he had brought back from his trip -to Switzerland, and offered them to her with ingenuous joy; and when she -blushingly refused to accept anything, he took the little basket in -which she had taken syrups and sweetmeats to her sick protégés and -filled it with pretty bits of wood-work carved at Fribourg, specimens of -rock-crystal, agates and cornelians set in seals and rings; and lastly -with all the flowers in the vases, of which he made an enormous bouquet -as deftly as he could. - -The touching grace with which Gilberte in her confusion thanked the old -man, her artless questions concerning his travels in Switzerland, of -which Monsieur de Boisguilbault retained most enthusiastic -recollections, expressed in terms that were far from classic, the -interest with which she listened to him, her intelligent comments when -she succeeded in recovering her self-possession, the fascinating tones -of her voice, the distinction of her simple, natural manners, her -absence of coquetry, and the mixture of alarm and enthusiasm in her -bearing and her features, which made her beauty even more impressive -than usual, her glowing cheeks, her eyes moist with emotion and fatigue, -her bosom oppressed by unfamiliar agitation, and her angelic smile which -seemed to implore mercy or protection--all combined to produce such a -profound impression on the marquis and took possession of him so -rapidly, that he suddenly felt that he loved her with all his heart; -with a holy love, be it understood, not the base desire of an old man -for youth and beauty, but the love of a father for the pure and adorable -child. And when the carpenter joined them, himself dazzled and overjoyed -to find himself in such a light, warm room, he thought that he was -dreaming when he heard Monsieur de Boisguilbault say to Gilberte: "Put -your feet to the fire, my dear child; I am terribly afraid you have -caught cold to-night, and if you have I shall never forgive myself so -long as I live!" - -Thereupon, the marquis, impelled by an extraordinary outburst of -expansiveness, turned to the carpenter and held out his hand, saying: - -"Come and sit down by the fire with us. Poor Jean! you were thinly clad -and you are wet to the bone. I am the cause of that too; if you hadn't -insisted on accompanying me, you would have gone to the farmhouse and -you would be there now; you are hungry, too, and you would have had your -supper. How am I to give you anything to eat here? and I am sure that -you are dying of hunger!" - -"Faith, Monsieur de Boisguilbault," said the carpenter, with a smile, -thrusting his clogs into the hot ashes, "I snap my fingers at the rain, -but not at hunger. Your wooden house has become deuced fine since I put -my hand to it; but if there was a piece of bread in one of these -closets, in which I once put shelves, I should think them still -prettier. From noon till night I chopped like a deaf man, and I am -weaker than a rat at this moment." - -"Bless my soul!" cried Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "now I think of it, I -haven't supped either. I had entirely forgotten it, and I am sure that -there is something here, I don't know where. Come, Jean, let us look and -we shall find it." - -"Knock and it shall be opened unto you," said the carpenter, gayly, -shaking the door at the end of the room. - -"Not there, Jean!" said the marquis, hastily; "there's nothing but books -there." - -"Ah! this is the door that doesn't shut tight," said Jean; "you see, I -put my hand right on it. I'll fix it to-morrow; it's simply a matter of -taking a little off the top so that the bolt will slide. Isn't your old -Martin smart enough to fix that? He was always clumsy and awkward, that -fellow!" - -Jean, who was stronger than the two old men at Boisguilbault together, -closed the door without a suspicion of curiosity, and the marquis was -grateful to him for his indifference, having watched him closely and -with evident uneasiness so long as he held the knob in his hand. - -"There is ordinarily a small table here with my supper all served," said -Monsieur de Boisguilbault. "I can't imagine what has become of it, -unless Martin forgot me to-night." - -"Oh! unless you forgot to wind him up the old clock in his brain has not -stopped," said the carpenter, who recalled with pleasure all the details -of the marquis's home-life with which he was once so familiar. "What is -there behind this screen? Aha! this has a very appetizing and -substantial look!" and he folded the screen, revealing a table laden -with a _galantine_, a loaf of bread, a plate of strawberries and a -bottle of Bordeaux. - -"That's a dainty little supper to offer a lady, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault." - -"Oh! if I thought that madame would deign to accept it!" said the -marquis, rolling the table toward Gilberte. - -"Why not!" laughed Jean. "I'll wager that the dear soul thought of other -people before thinking about the care of her own body. Come, if she will -eat just a few strawberries, and you the meat, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, I'll take care of the bread and a glass of black wine." - -"We will eat as all men should eat," replied the marquis, "each -according to his appetite; and the experiment will prove, I am sure, -that the most solid portion, intended for one person only, will be -enough for several. Oh! I beg you, madame, to let me have the pleasure -of waiting on you." - -"I am not at all hungry," said Gilberte, who had been for several days -past too much distressed and excited not to have lost her appetite; "but -to induce you two to eat, I will go through the motions." - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault sat beside her and waited upon her with great -zeal. Jean declared that he was too dirty to sit with them, and, when -the marquis insisted, he confessed that he should be very ill at ease in -such soft, deep chairs. He took a wooden stool, a relic of the former -rustic furniture of the chalet, and, planting himself under the mantel, -where he could dry himself from head to foot, began to eat with great -zest. His portion was amply sufficient, for Gilberte simply nibbled at -the strawberries, and the marquis was a phenomenally small eater. -Moreover, even if he had more appetite than usual, he would gladly have -stinted himself for the man he had struck two hours earlier, and who had -forgiven him so frankly. - -The peasant eats slowly and in silence. To him it is not the -gratification of a capricious and fugitive craving, but a sort of solemn -function; for on a working-day the meal hour is at the same time an hour -of rest and reflection. Jappeloup became very grave, therefore, as he -methodically cut his bread into small pieces and watched the cones -blazing on the hearth. Monsieur de Boisguilbault, having gradually -exhausted all that one can say to a person one does not know, relapsed -into his usual taciturnity, and Gilberte, overdone by several nights of -sleeplessness and weeping, felt an insurmountable drowsiness creep over -her, the effect of the heat from the fire following the cold and -dampness of the storm. She fought against it as long as she could, but -the poor child was little more accustomed than her friend the carpenter -to luxurious arm-chairs, fur rugs and candle-light. As she tried to -smile and to answer the more and more infrequent remarks of the marquis, -she felt as if she were magnetized; her lovely head gradually sank on -the back of the chair, her pretty foot slipped nearer to the fire, and -her strong, regular breathing suddenly betrayed the victory of sleep -over her will-power. - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, seeing that the carpenter was lost in -thought, began to scrutinize Gilberte's features more closely than he -had as yet dared to do, and a sort of shudder passed over him when he -saw, beneath the black lace which had partly fallen from her head, the -luxuriant dazzling masses of golden hair. But he was roused from his -contemplation by the carpenter, who said to him in an undertone: - -"Monsieur de Boisguilbault, I'll bet that you haven't a suspicion of -what I am going to tell you. Look carefully at this pretty little lady, -and then I will tell you who she is." - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault turned pale and gazed at the carpenter with a -dismayed expression. - - - - -XXXI - -UNCERTAINTY - - -"Well, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, have you looked at her enough," -continued the carpenter, with a mischievous, self-satisfied air, "and -cannot you yourself guess what should interest you most in her?" - -The marquis rose and at once fell back in his chair. A ray of light had -passed through his mind at last, and his penetration, so long at fault, -suddenly went farther than Jean desired. He thought that he had guessed, -and he cried in a tone of intense indignation: - -"She shall not stay here an instant longer!" - -Gilberte, awakened with a start and terrified beyond words, saw before -her the marquis's angry face. She thought that she was lost, and -reflecting with despair that, instead of bringing her father and -Monsieur de Boisguilbault together, she would be the cause of -embittering their enmity, she had no other thought than to take all the -blame upon herself and to seek pardon for Monsieur Antoine. Falling on -her knees with the grace of a flower bending before the tempest, she -seized the marquis's trembling hand, and, too agitated to speak, bowed -her lovely head and leaned her pallid brow on the old man's arm. - -"Well, well," said the carpenter, seizing the marquis's other arm and -shaking it violently, "what are you thinking about, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, to frighten this child so? Is your mania taking hold of -you again, and shall I have to lose my temper with you, after all?" - -"Who is she?" rejoined the marquis, trying to push Gilberte away, but -too nervous to be able to do it; "tell me who she is, I insist upon -knowing!" - -"You do know, as I have already told you," said Jean with a shrug; "she -is the sister of a country curé, with no money and no name. Is that why -you speak so roughly to her? Do you want her to know what I know about -you. Try not to let her see you in one of your attacks, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault; you see that your savage airs make her sick with fright! -and it's a devil of a way of entertaining her and doing the honors of -your house! She could hardly expect this after being so polite to you; -and the worst of it is that I can't tell her what the matter is with -you, because I haven't any idea myself." - -"I don't know whether you are making sport of me," said the marquis, -deeply distressed; "but what did you mean just now?" - -"Something that would have given you pleasure, but which I won't tell -you now, as you are out of your head." - -"Speak, Jean; explain yourself; I can't stand this uncertainty." - -"I can't stand it either," said Gilberte, bursting into tears. "I don't -know, Jean, what you have said or tried to say about me; I don't know -what my position is here, but it is unendurable to me. Let us go!" - -"No--no--" said the marquis, beset by irresolution and shame; "it is -still raining, the weather is horrible and I don't want you to go." - -"Well, then, why did you want to turn her out just now?" retorted Jean -with contemptuous tranquillity; "who can understand your whims? For my -part, I give it up, and I am going." - -"I will not stay here without you!" cried Gilberte, rising and running -after the carpenter, as he walked toward the door. - -"Mademoiselle--or madame," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, stopping her -and detaining the carpenter also, "please listen to me, and if you know -nothing of the strange thoughts that assail me at this moment, forgive -an agitation which must seem very absurd to you, but which is very -painful to me, I assure you! I owe you an explanation of it, however. -Jean just gave me to understand that you were not the person that I -supposed--but another person--whom I do not wish to see or to know. _Mon -Dieu_! I don't know how to tell you. Either you understand me too well -or you cannot understand me at all." - -"Ah! I understand you at last," said the crafty carpenter, "and I will -tell madame what you cannot succeed in explaining to her.--Madame Rose," -he continued, turning to Gilberte and resolutely giving her the name of -the curé of Cuzion's sister, "you know Mademoiselle Gilberte de -Châteaubrun, your young neighbor? Well, monsieur le marquis has a great -grudge against her, so it seems; we must believe that she has offended -him shamefully; and just as I was going to tell him something about you -and Emile----" - -"What do you say?" cried the marquis. "Emile?" - -"This doesn't concern you," retorted Jean: "I shall tell you nothing -more, I am speaking to Madame Rose. Yes, Madame Rose, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault detests Mademoiselle Gilberte; he has taken it into his -head that you might be she; that is why he wanted to put you out--by the -window in preference to the door." - -Gilberte felt a mortal distaste for continuing this extraordinary and -audacious mystification; for some minutes past, she had been conscious -of such a warm feeling of sympathy for the marquis, that she reproached -herself for abusing his error and subjecting him to emotions which -seemed to make him suffer as keenly as she herself suffered. She -determined to disabuse him gradually, and to be bolder than her -facetious companion in daring to face the results of Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's wrath. - -"There is at least one enigma for me in what you tell me," she said with -dignified assurance. "I cannot understand how Gilberte de Châteaubrun -can be an object of reprobation on the part of a man so just and so -worthy of respect as Monsieur de Boisguilbault. As I know nothing of her -which can justify such detestation, and as it is important that I should -know what to think about her, I beg monsieur le marquis to tell me all -the evil that he knows of her, so that she may at least have an -opportunity to exculpate herself in the minds of honorable people who -know her." - -"I should have preferred," said the marquis, with a profound sigh, "that -the name of Châteaubrun should not be mentioned before me." - -"Is it a name upon which there is any stain, I pray to know," demanded -Gilberte, with an irresistible outburst of pride. - -"No--no--I never said that," replied the marquis, whose wrath subsided -as quickly as it blazed up. "I accuse nobody, I make no reproach against -anybody. I am on unfriendly terms with the person mentioned; I do not -wish any one to speak of her to me, nor do I speak of her myself--so why -ask me useless questions?" - -"Useless questions!" echoed Gilberte; "you cannot deem them such, -monsieur le marquis. It is very strange that a man like you should be on -bad terms with a mere girl, whom he does not know, whom perhaps he has -never seen. Surely she must have been guilty of some detestable action -or have said some hateful thing about him, and that is what I want to -know, that is what I entreat you to tell me: so that, if Gilberte de -Châteaubrun deserves neither esteem nor confidence, I may avoid the -society of so dangerous a person." - -"That's what I call talking!" cried Jean, clapping his hands. "Say on! I -too should be very glad to know what to think about her; for this -Gilberte has been very good to me; she has given me food and drink when -I was hungry and thirsty; she has spun her wool to make clothes for me -when I was cold. To my eyes she has always been charitable, gentle, -devoted to her parents, and a good girl if ever there was one! Now, if -she has committed some shameful sin, I shall be ashamed to be her -debtor, and I will never owe her anything more." - -"It was your absurd explanation that caused all this useless -discussion," said the marquis to the carpenter. "Where did you pick up -all these foolish ideas that you attribute to me? It is the young -woman's father with whom I am on bad terms, on account of a quarrel of -many years' standing, and not with a child whom I don't know, and -against whom I have nothing to say, absolutely nothing." - -"And whom you would have turned out of your house, nevertheless, if she -had dared to appear here!" said Gilberte, looking closely at the -marquis, whose embarrassment was beginning to encourage her materially. - -"Turned out?--no; I turn no one out," he replied; "I simply should have -considered it a little cruel, a little strange, that she should think of -coming here." - -"Well, she has thought of it many times, none the less," said Gilberte; -"I know it, for I know her thoughts, and I am going to tell you what she -has said to me." - -"What is the use?" said the marquis, turning his head away; "why spend -so much time over an impulsive phrase that escaped me without -reflection? I should be distressed beyond words to cause an unkind -thought against the girl in anybody's mind. I say again, I do not know -her and I can in no way reproach her. The only thing that I desire is -that my words may not be repeated, tortured, exaggerated. Do you hear, -Jean? you take it upon yourself to interpret the exclamations that -escape me, and you do it very badly. I beg you, if you have any -affection for me," added the marquis with a painful effort, "never to -utter my name at Châteaubrun, and not to discuss me in any way. I also -request madame to protect me from any indirect contact, any roundabout -explanation, in a word, from every sort of relation with that family; -and if, to make sure that my repose shall still be respected in that -regard, I must give the lie to what I said without reflection in my -excitement, I am ready to protest against anything which could possibly -impair the reputation and character of Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun in -my mind." - -The marquis spoke with a measured coldness which restored to his manner -all its customary propriety and dignity. Gilberte would have preferred a -fresh outbreak of wrath, which would have led her to expect a reaction -marked by weakness and emotion. She no longer felt the courage to -insist, and understanding, from the sudden frigidity of the marquis's -manner, that she was half divined, and that an unconquerable distrust -had taken possession of him, she felt so ill at ease, that she wished to -go away at once; but Jean was not at all satisfied with the result of -this explanation, and he determined to strike the last blow. - -"Well," he said, "it must be as Monsieur de Boisguilbault pleases. He is -kind and just at the bottom of his heart, Madame Rose; let us go, and -cause him no more pain; but first I would like to have a sort of -understanding between you two. Come, let us open our hearts a little! -You will blush, scold me, perhaps you will cry. But I know what I am -doing, I know that this is an opportunity that may never come again, and -that we must be willing to submit to a little trouble to assist and -comfort those we love. You look at me in surprise! don't you know that -Monsieur de Boisguilbault is our Emile's best friend, that he has his -whole confidence, and that he is perfectly well acquainted with all his -troubles and yours, although he doesn't know that you are the one?--Yes, -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, Madame Rose here is the lady! you understand -me, don't you? So speak to her, encourage her, tell her that Emile has -done right, and she, too, in refusing to yield to Père Cardonnet's -malice. That is what I intended to say to you when you interrupted me -with an outcry about Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun, when God knows if I -was thinking of her!" - -Gilberte became so confused that Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who was -beginning to regard her with mingled interest and uneasiness, was -touched by her plight and strove to reassure her. He took her hand and -said, leading her back to her chair: - -"Don't be embarrassed before me; I am an old man and it is another old -man who betrays your secrets. Undoubtedly he has a very bold and unusual -way of acting; but as his intentions are good and his exceptional -character endears him to the person in whom you and I are more -interested than in anybody else in the world, let us try to overcome our -mutual embarrassment, and, as he says, to make the most of the -opportunity!" - -But Gilberte, confounded by the carpenter's determination, and terrified -to see her heart's secret in the hands of a man who still inspired more -terror than confidence, put both her hands over her face and did not -answer. - -"Well, well!" said the carpenter, whom nothing in the world could deter -in his undertakings, whether it was a matter of overcoming a scruple or -of felling a forest, "here she is all covered with mortification, and I -shall be scolded for my indiscretion! but if Emile was here, he wouldn't -disavow me. He would be very glad to have Monsieur de Boisguilbault see -with his own eyes whether he has placed his affections wisely, and he -will feel more than a little proud to-morrow when Monsieur de -Boisguilbault says to him: 'I have seen her, I know her, and I am not -surprised any longer!'--Isn't it true that you'll say that, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault?" - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault did not reply. He was still gazing at -Gilberte, struggling between a powerful attraction and a horrible -suspicion. He walked several turns up and down the room to overcome a -terrible feeling of oppression, and after many sighs and internal -conflicts, he returned to Gilberte and took both her hands. - -"Whoever you may be," he said, "you have in your hands the destiny of -the noblest boy that I in my old age have ever dared to dream of for my -staff and my consolation. I shall die before long, and I shall leave -this earth without having known an instant's joy, if I do not leave -Emile at peace with himself. Oh! I implore you--you who are destined to -exercise so great an influence, for good or evil, over his whole -future,--retain on the side of truth that heart which is so worthy to be -its sanctuary. You are very young, you do not know yet what a woman's -love is in the life of a man like him! You do not know perhaps that it -depends upon you to make of him a hero or a dastard, a coward or an -apostate. Alas! you probably do not understand the bearing of what I am -saying to you now. No, you are too young; the more I look at you, the -more like a child you seem to me! Poor young thing, without experience -and without strength, you are to determine the future of a noble heart, -to break it or ennoble it. Forgive me for saying this; I am deeply moved -and I cannot find fitting words. I have no desire either to distress you -or to cause you embarrassment; but I am depressed and alarmed, and the -more fully I realize your innocence, the more I feel that Emile no -longer belongs to me." - -"Forgive me, monsieur le marquis," said Gilberte, wiping away her tears, -"I understand you very well, and although I am in truth very young, I am -conscious of my responsibility in God's sight; but I am not in question -now, it is not myself whom I wish to defend and justify, but Emile, that -noble heart whom you seem to doubt. Oh! have no fear! Emile will lie -neither to you, nor his father, nor himself, nor other men. I don't know -if I fully understand the importance of his ideas and the depth of -yours; but I adore the truth. I am no philosopher, I am too ignorant. -But I am pious, I was brought up in the precepts of the Gospel, and I -cannot interpret them in a different sense from that Emile gives to -them. I understand that his father, who also invokes the Gospel, by the -way, when the fancy strikes him, wishes him to be false to the faith of -the Gospel, and if I believed that Emile was capable of consenting, I -should blush for having been so grossly misled as to love a man without -intelligence and conscience; but I am not so unfortunate as that. Emile -will be equal to renouncing me, if need be, rather than renounce his own -manhood; and as for myself, I shall know how to be brave, if at times -his courage seems to waver. But I am not afraid of it; I know that he -suffers, and I suffer too; but I will be worthy of his affection, as he -is worthy of yours, and God will help us to bear everything, for He does -not abandon those who suffer for love of Him and for the glory of His -name!" - -"Well said!" exclaimed the carpenter; "I wish I could talk like that. -But no matter, I think as she does, and the good Lord gives me as much -credit." - -"Yes, you are right," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, impressed by the -depth of conviction revealed by the carpenter's earnest tone; "I did not -know, Jean, that you would be as devoted a friend to Emile as myself and -perhaps a more useful one." - -"I don't say that, Monsieur de Boisguilbault; I know that Emile looks -upon you as his real father, in place of the un-Christian father that -fate gave him; but I am something of a friend to him, and last night I -flatter myself that I cheered him up, as I cheered up some other people -this morning. As for her," he said, pointing to Gilberte, "she didn't -need any cheering up. I didn't expect she would! From the first moment -her mind was made up, and in my opinion it's a fine thing for a girl of -her age to be so strong as that, although you don't seem to think very -much of it." - -The marquis hesitated and continued to pace the floor without speaking; -then he stopped at the window, opened it, returned to Gilberte, and -said: - -"The rain has stopped, and I am afraid your people will be anxious about -you. I--I don't want to keep you any longer to-night, but--but we will -see each other again, and I shall be better prepared to talk with -you,--for I have many things to say to you." - -"No, monsieur le marquis," replied Gilberte, rising, "we shall never -meet again; for in that case I must continue to deceive you and that -would be impossible to me. Chance has thrown us together, and I thought -that I was only fulfilling a bounden duty in offering you some trivial -attentions which my heart bade me offer. Thus far I was not blameworthy, -I leave it to you to judge; for in order to induce you to accept them, -it was necessary to tell a falsehood; and furthermore, my father had -made me swear that I would never annoy you with his grief, with his -repentance for an injury he did you long ago, of which I know nothing, -with his affection for you, which has remained like a painful wound in -the depths of his heart! In my dreams as a child I often formed a plan -of coming and throwing myself at your feet and saying to you: 'My father -suffers, he is unhappy on your account. If he has injured you, accept my -tears, my humiliation, my enthusiasm, my life if you will, in expiation -of his fault; give him your hand and trample me under your feet, and I -will bless you, if you remove from my father's heart the grief that -preys upon him and pursues him even in his sleep.'--Yes, that is the -dream that I used to cherish long ago; but I abandoned it because my -father ordered me to, thinking that I should simply add to your anger; -and I abandon it more completely than ever to-night, seeing the coldness -and aversion which my name inspires in you. So I take my leave without -imploring you in his behalf, distressed by a very painful certainty that -my father is the victim of very great injustice on your part; but I will -put forth all my energies to distract his thoughts and comfort him. And -as for you, monsieur le marquis, I leave you the means of punishing me -for the innocent stratagem to which I gave my assent this evening in -order to save the health and perhaps the life of the man whom my father -once loved so dearly! I leave you my secret, which has been disclosed to -you against my will, but which I no longer blush to know is in your -hands; for it is the secret of a proud heart, and of a love that God has -blessed by inspiring it. Have no fear of seeing me again, monsieur le -marquis; and have no fear that Jean, our imprudent but generous friend, -who has exposed himself to your anger by trying to reconcile us, will -ever annoy you by reminding you of us. I shall find a way to make him -abandon the task. I have been honored by your hospitality this evening, -monsieur le marquis, and you will allow me never to forget it. You will -have no reason to repent of it; for you will not have been the victim of -a lie, and if it will be a consolation to your hatred, you still have an -opportunity to drive Antoine de Châteaubrun's daughter from your -presence with insulting touch." - -"I would like to see him do it!" cried Jean Jappeloup, taking his stand -beside her and putting her arm through his; "I who have done all the -harm and told all the lies against her wish; I, who got it into my head -that she would succeed in putting her hand in yours! You are obstinate, -Monsieur de Boisguilbault; but, by all the devils! you shall not insult -my Gilberte, for if you did, I should remember that I cut your cane in -two to-night!" - -"You talk like a fool, Jean," replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault coldly. -"Mademoiselle," he said to Gilberte, "will you allow me to offer you my -arm to return to your carriage?" - -Gilberte accepted tremblingly; but she felt that the marquis's arm -trembled even more. He assisted her into the carriage without speaking; -then, noticing that it was still quite cold, although the sky was clear, -he said: - -"You have come from a very warm room and you are not dressed warmly -enough; I will go and get something more for you." - -Gilberte thanked him and reminded him that she had her father's cloak. - -"But that is damp; it is worse than nothing," said the marquis. And he -returned to the chalet. - -"The devil take the old fool!" growled Jean, lashing the mare angrily. -"I have had enough of him; I am out of temper with him; I have had no -sort of success, and I long to get out of his den. I'll never put my -feet inside it again; the man's glance gives me a cold in the head. -Let's be off and not wait for him." - -"Nay, we must wait for him, and not make him run after us," said -Gilberte. - -"Bah! do you suppose he cares whether you take cold or not? Indeed, he's -forgotten all about it; you'll see if he comes back. Let us go." - -But when they reached the gate they found that it was locked, that -Monsieur de Boisguilbault had kept the key, and that they must either -wait for him or go back and ask him for it. Jean was cursing loudly when -the marquis suddenly appeared, carrying a package which he placed on -Gilberte's knees, saying: - -"I kept you waiting a little; I had some difficulty in finding what I -wanted. I beg you to keep it for your own use, as well as these little -things which you left with your basket. Don't get down, Jappeloup, I -will open the gate for you. I shall expect you to-morrow, my dear -fellow," he added, when the gate was open. - -And he offered the carpenter his hand, which the latter hesitated to -take, understanding nothing of the inconsequent impulses of so uncertain -and perturbed a mind. - -"Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun," the marquis then said in an almost -inaudible tone of voice, "will you also shake hands with me before we -part?" - -Gilberte leaped lightly to the ground, removed her glove and took the -old man's hand, which trembled terribly. With an impulsive outburst of -respectful compassion she put it to her lips, saying: - -"You will not forgive Antoine; do, at least, forgive Gilberte?" - -A profound groan issued from the old man's breast. He made a movement as -if to put his lips to Gilberte's brow, but recoiled in dismay. Then he -took her head in both hands, squeezed it a moment as if he would crush -it, and, finally, kissed her hair, which he moistened with a tear as -cold as the drop of water that drips from the glacier. Then he suddenly -pushed her away with all his strength and fled, hiding his face in his -handkerchief. Gilberte fancied that she heard a sob die away in the -distance with the sound of his uncertain footsteps on the gravel and the -whispering of the breeze among the aspens. - - - - -XXXII - -A WEDDING PRESENT - - -There was something at once ghastly and heartrending in Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's strange leave-taking, and Gilberte was so affected by it -that she began to weep again herself. - -"Well, what's the matter?" said Jean when they were on the road to -Châteaubrun; "are you going to lose your eyes this evening. You are -about as mad as yonder old man, my Gilberte; for sometimes you are -reasonable and talk pure gold, and then suddenly you are as weak and -whining as a baby. Let me tell you this: Monsieur de Boisguilbault has a -kind heart; but, for all Emile and your father may say, he is a little -crack-brained; that's sure. There's no relying on him, but just the -same, we need never despair of him. It may be that you will never hear -of him again, and it may just as well be that he'll jump on your -father's neck some fine day, if he happens to meet him at the right -moment. It will depend on the moon!" - -"I don't know what to think of him," said Gilberte, "for I really -believe I should go mad if I lived with him. He frightens me horribly, -and yet I have moments of irresistible affection for him. It's the same -feeling that Emile had for him from the beginning. Emile has ended by -loving him and losing his fear of him. So that his kindness of heart -finally carries the day over the caprice of disease." - -"I will tell you more about that later," replied the carpenter, "for I -really must go there again and study him." - -"But you knew him so well years ago! Wasn't he the same then?" - -"Oh! he has grown much worse! He was habitually sad and silent, and -sometimes a little hot-headed. But it didn't last long, and he was -better after it. The same thing is true now; but it seems to me that it -happens once or twice a day where it used to happen once or twice a -year, and that he is at the same time uglier and gentler." - -"How unhappy he seems!" said Gilberte, whose heart ached as she recalled -the sob she heard, which still echoed in her ears. - -Janille and Antoine were awaiting Gilberte's return with feverish -impatience. Charasson's report had stricken them dumb and, thinking that -he was daft, or that he was lying to conceal some accident that had -happened to Gilberte, they had hurried to Mère Marlot's to ease their -minds. Her story reassured them but gave them no light. Janille was -angry with the carpenter and augured no good from this crazy enterprise. -Antoine shared her fears at first, and then, in conformity with his -hopeful nature, abandoned himself to pleasant illusions and built -innumerable castles in Spain. - -"Janille," he said, "our child and our good old Jean can perform -miracles between them. What would you say if you should see -Boisguilbault come home with them?" - -"Ah! that's like your crazy head!" retorted Janille. "You forget that is -impossible, and that the old fox is more capable of wringing our -daughter's neck than of listening to sound arguments. And, then, how can -people who know nothing at all make use of pretexts?" - -"That is just my point. All that Boisguilbault fears is that we have -taken our people into our confidence; for it is wounded pride, quite as -much as betrayed friendship, alas! that makes him so timid and so -unhappy. Poor Boisguilbault! Perhaps our child's innocence and Jean's -loyalty will touch him. May he find it possible to forgive me of what I -can never forget!" - -"How can you complain when you have a treasure like Gilberte? But don't -expect her to tame him. He will no more come to Châteaubrun than -Cardonnet's handsome son will, and our ruins will never see either of -them again." - -"Emile will return with his father's consent or not at all, Janille, I -have promised you; but meanwhile his conduct is worthy of all praise; -Jean proved it to us this morning." - -"That is to say, that you didn't understand anything about it, any more -than I did; but, because you are weak, you pretended to be persuaded! -you never do anything different, and you don't see that by praising that -young man's noble conduct you inflame your daughter's mind. You would do -better to disgust her with him by proving to her that he's mad, or that -he doesn't care for her." - -Their discussion was interrupted by the sound of Lanterne's hoofs, which -produced a familiar cadence as she trotted over the smooth rock. They -ran to meet Gilberte, and when they had almost dragged her into the -pavilion, amid the hurried questions on one side and the broken replies -on the other, the package which the marquis had handed Gilberte and -which she had not thought of opening, caught Janille's eye. - -"What's all this?" she cried, unfolding a superb Indian cashmere, -sky-blue, embroidered with gold thread; "why, it's a cloak fit for a -queen!" - -"Ah! great Heaven!" cried Monsieur Antoine, touching the shawl with a -trembling hand and turning pale as death: "I recognize this." - -"And what is this box?" said Janille, opening a jewel-case which fell -from the shawl. - -"Those are mineral specimens, I believe," replied Gilberte suddenly, -"crystals from Mont-Blanc which he picked up himself." - -"No, no, you are mistaken, these shine much brighter; just look at -them!" - -And Gilberte to her unbounded amazement saw that it was a necklace of -huge diamonds of dazzling brilliancy. - -"_Mon Dieu! mon Dieu!_ I recognize that too," stammered Monsieur de -Châteaubrun, overwhelmed by intense emotion. - -"Hush, monsieur," said Janille, nudging him with her elbow; "you know -diamonds and cashmere shawls when you see them, that's likely enough; -you have been rich enough to have plenty of 'em. Is that any reason why -you should talk so loud and prevent us from looking at them? _Diantre_! -my girl, you didn't waste your time! They may be worth enough to rebuild -our château, and Monsieur de Boisguilbault is no such skinflint as I -thought." - -Gilberte, who had seen very few diamonds in her life, persisted in -believing that the necklace was of rock crystal cut like diamonds; but -Monsieur de Châteaubrun, having examined the stones and the clasp, -replaced them in the box, saying with a sort of pensive melancholy: - -"Those diamonds are worth more than a hundred thousand francs. Monsieur -de Boisguilbault has given you a marriage-portion, my child!" - -"A hundred thousand francs!" cried Janille, "a hundred thousand francs! -Think of what you are saying, monsieur! is it possible?" - -"Those glistening little stones worth so much money!" exclaimed -Jappeloup, in artless amazement entirely free from covetousness; "and -they are kept like that in a little box, and not used for anything?" - -"People wear them," said Janille, putting the necklace around Gilberte's -neck, "and they make a woman look lovely, I should say. Put the shawl -over your shoulders, my girl! Not like that! I have seen ladies wearing -them in Paris; but I am blessed if I can remember how they fixed them." - -"They are very fine, but very uncomfortable," said Gilberte, "and it -seems to me as if I were disguised with this shawl and these jewels. -Come, let us fold the shawl and put the stones in the box, to send back -to Monsieur de Boisguilbault. He must have felt about in the dark and -made a mistake. He meant to give me some trifle and he has given me the -wedding presents he gave his wife." - -"Yes," said the carpenter, "he made a mistake, for sure; for a man -doesn't give his dead wife's things to a stranger. He was so excited, -poor man! You're not the only man whose wits go wool gathering, Monsieur -Antoine." - -"No, he made no mistake," said Monsieur Antoine. "He knows what he is -doing, and Gilberte can keep these presents." - -"Yes, yes, of course," cried Janille. "They are hers, aren't they, -Monsieur Antoine? They all belong to her rightfully--since Monsieur de -Boisguilbault gives them to her!" - -"But it's out of the question, father! I don't want them," said -Gilberte; "what should I do with them? I should cut a ridiculous figure -going out to drive in our barrow in my calico dress, covered with -diamonds and a cashmere shawl!" - -"_Dame_! you would rather make people laugh," said the carpenter; "the -ladies of the province would burst with envy. And then, too, all the -moths would come and flutter about your diamonds, for they plunge like -idiots at everything that shines; in that they are like men. If Monsieur -de Boisguilbault chooses to give you a _dot_, to show that he is -reconciled to Monsieur Antoine, he would do much better to give you one -of his small farms with a half interest in eight oxen." - -"That is all very fine," said Janille, "but with the little shining -stones, we raise money, we make the pavilion larger, we redeem estates, -we obtain an income of two or three thousand francs, and we find a -husband who brings us as much more. Then we are in comfortable -circumstances for the rest of our days and we snap our fingers at -Messieurs Cardonnet, father and son!" - -"True enough," said Monsieur Antoine, "with these your future is -assured, my child. Ah! how nobly Monsieur de Boisguilbault revenges -himself! I knew what I was saying when I stood up for him against you, -Janille! Will you still claim that he's a cruel, unforgiving man?" - -"Nenni, monsieur, nenni! he has a good heart, I agree. Come, tell us how -it all came about, you two." - -They talked until midnight, recalling the most trivial details, -indulging in innumerable conjectures concerning the marquis's conduct -toward Antoine in the future. As it was too late for Jean Jappeloup to -return to his village, he slept in Châteaubrun. Monsieur Antoine fell -asleep to dream of happiness; Janille, of wealth. She had forgotten -Emile and her recent disappointment. "That will all pass by," she said, -"and the hundred thousand francs will remain. We shall have no more to -do with your Galuchets, when we are possessed of a tidy little fortune -in the country." And she ran over in her mind all the young rustics in -the neighborhood who might aspire to Gilberte's hand. - -"If a mere plebeian offers himself," she thought, "he must have at least -two hundred thousand francs' worth of land."--And she placed under her -bolster the key to the cupboard in which she had locked Gilberte's _pot -au lait_. - -Gilberte, yielding to extreme fatigue, fell asleep at last, after -forming a momentous resolution. The next morning she talked a long while -with her father, without Janille's knowledge, then asked the latter to -allow her to carry Monsieur de Boisguilbault's presents to her own room, -so that she could look at them at her leisure. The good woman handed -them to her unsuspectingly, for Gilberte felt obliged on this occasion -to resort to dissimulation with her obstinate governess. Then she wrote -a letter which she showed to her father. - -"What you are doing is all right, my child," he said, with a profound -sigh, "but look out for Janille when she finds it out!" - -"Don't you be afraid, dear father," was the reply; "we won't tell her -that I took you into my confidence, and all her anger will fall on me -alone." - -"Now," said Monsieur Antoine, "we must wait for our friend Jean, for we -can't trust things of such value to a hare-brained chap like Master -Charasson." - -Gilberte awaited the carpenter's return with the more impatience because -she expected to receive news of Emile from him. She had no idea that -Emile was ill. But at the very thought of his mental suffering she was -so beset by anxiety that she could not think of herself; and these days -of separation, which she had thought that she could endure so -courageously, seemed to her so long and so depressing that she asked -herself in dismay how Emile could endure them. She flattered herself -that he would find a way to write to her, although she would not -authorize him to do it; or, at least, that the carpenter would repeat -their conversation to her, to the most unimportant words. - -But the carpenter did not appear, and evening came without bringing any -relief to the girl's painful anxiety. Her secret grief was augmented by -a real annoyance. Monsieur Antoine showed signs of weakening in regard -to the resolution Gilberte had formed--and which he had at first -approved--to refuse Monsieur de Boisguilbault's gifts. He threatened -again and again to consult Janille, without whose advice he had taken no -important step for twenty years, and Gilberte trembled lest her old -nurse's imperative veto should block the proposed restitution. - -Jean did not come on the following day either. Doubtless he was working -for Monsieur de Boisguilbault, and Gilberte was surprised that, being -within so short a distance, he did not divine her longing to talk with -him, were it only for a moment. A vague uneasiness guided her in that -direction. She set out for Mère Marlot's hut, and as usual put in her -basket the modest delicacies which she took from her own dinner for her -invalids. But fearing that Monsieur de Châteaubrun would open his heart -to Janille in her absence and that the governess's seal would be affixed -to the jewel-case, she wrapped it up in the shawl, and placed the whole -at the bottom of her basket, determined not to part with them again -except to despatch them to their destination. - -Living in the country, in more than modest circumstances, Gilberte was -accustomed to go about alone in the neighborhood of her home. Poverty -dispenses with etiquette, and it would seem that the virtue of wealthy -maidens is more fragile or more precious than that of their poorer -sisters, as the former are never allowed to take a step without an -escort. - -Gilberte went about alone on foot with as much security as a young -peasant girl, and she was in reality even less exposed, for she was -known, loved and respected by all whom she was likely to meet. - -She was afraid neither of dogs, nor cows, nor snakes, nor of a loose -colt. Children brought up in the country know how to protect themselves -from those trifling dangers, which a little presence of mind and -coolness are sufficient to avert. So she did not take her rustic page, -nor use the family vehicle, except when the weather was threatening or -she was in a hurry. On this afternoon the sun was still shining in a -clear sky, and she started off with a light foot on the path across the -fields. Mère Marlot's hut was almost equidistant from Châteaubrun and -Boisguilbault. - -The poor woman's children were fairly convalescent, and Gilberte did not -stay long with them. Mère Marlot told her that Monsieur de -Boisguilbault had left her a hundred francs on the day of their meeting -in her hovel, and that Jean Jappeloup was working at the wooden house in -the park. She had seen him pass in the morning, carrying various tools. - -Gilberte thereupon thought that she might hope to meet the carpenter as -he returned to Gargilesse, and she determined to go to wait for him on -the road. But, fearing that she might be seen and recognized loitering -about the park, she borrowed a fustian cape from Mère Marlot, on the -pretext that the air was a little cool and that she felt slightly -indisposed. She put the hood over her fair hair, and, thus enveloped, -walked in a straight line, gliding through the bushes like a fawn, to -the park gate opening on the Gargilesse road. There she hid beneath the -willows on the bank of the stream, not far from the spot where it ran -along the edge of the park. She noticed that the gate was still open, a -proof that Monsieur de Boisguilbault was not yet in the park; for as -soon as he stepped inside all the gates were carefully closed and -locked, and this uncivilized custom of the châtelain was well known -throughout the neighborhood. - -This circumstance emboldened her, and she walked as far as the gate, to -try to see Jean Jappeloup. The roof of the chalet caught her eye; it was -very near. The path was in shadow and deserted. - -Stealing cautiously forward, Gilberte, who was as light as a bird, could -fly in time, and, disguised as she was, need not fear being recognized. -Jean would be there of course, and if she found him alone she would -beckon to him and satisfy her frantic impatience to have news of Emile. - -The chalet was open; there was no one inside; carpenter's tools were -lying about on the floor. Profound silence reigned everywhere. Gilberte -walked forward on tiptoe and placed on the table the package and the -letter she had brought. Then, as she reflected that objects of value -might be too much exposed in a place so ill guarded, she looked about, -placed her hand on a door which seemed to open into a closet, and, -noticing that the lock was removed, said to herself justly enough that -Jean was probably repairing it and would doubtless come and replace it, -and that there was nothing better for her to do than to place her -treasure in the hands of the most faithful of friends. But as she opened -the supposed closet to put the package inside, she found herself on the -threshold of a study, wherein everything was in disorder, facing a large -portrait of a woman. - -Gilberte did not need to look long at the portrait to recognize the -original of a miniature which she had seen in her father's hands and had -always supposed to be that of the _unknown_ mother who had brought her -into the world. If the resemblance had not been most striking, at the -first glance, because of the difference in size of the two portraits, -yet the attitude, the costume, the very blue shawl which Gilberte had in -her hand at that moment, would have convinced her that the miniature had -been made at the same time as the large portrait, or rather that it was -a reduced copy of it. She stifled a cry of surprise, and, as her chaste -imagination refused to grasp the possibility of an adulterous -connection, she persuaded herself that, as the result of a secret -marriage, of the sort we read about in novels, she was perhaps a near -kinswoman, the niece or grand-niece, of Monsieur de Boisguilbault. At -that moment she thought that she heard footsteps on the floor above, -and, terror-stricken, she threw the package on the mantel and fled with -the swiftness of an arrow. - - - - -XXXIII - -THE STORY OF ONE TOLD BY THE OTHER - - -A few moments after Gilberte's flight, Jean returned to replace the lock -of the study, followed by Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who awaited his -departure to order the park to be closed. The carpenter had noticed the -marquis's uneasiness and how closely he watched all his movements while -he was at work at that door; annoyed by his employer's evident distrust -of his curiosity, he raised his head and said with his accustomed -outspokenness: - -"_Pardieu_! Monsieur de Boisguilbault, you are terribly afraid that I -will look at what you have hidden in there! Just remember that I might -have looked at it an hour ago if I had chosen; but I care nothing about -it, and I should prefer to have you say: 'Shut your eyes,' instead of -watching me as you do." - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's expression changed and he frowned. He -glanced into the study and saw that the wind had blown down a piece of -green cloth with which he had covered the portrait awkwardly enough, and -that Jean must have seen it unless he was blind. Thereupon, he formed a -sudden resolution, threw the door wide open, and said with forced -calmness: - -"I am hiding nothing here; you can look, if you choose." - -"Oh! I am not at all curious to see your big books," laughed the -carpenter; "I know nothing about them and I can't understand why it was -necessary to write so many words just to know how to do what's right. -But there's the portrait of your deceased wife! I recognize her, it is -her sure enough. How came you to put it here? in my time it was in the -château." - -"I had it put here so that I could see it all the time," said the -marquis sadly; "and, since it has been here, I have hardly looked at it. -I come into this study as little as I can, and if I dreaded to have you -see it, it was because I dreaded to see it myself. It makes me ill. -Close that door, if you don't need to have it open any longer." - -"And then you are afraid that some one will speak of your sorrow, eh? I -can understand that, and after what you have just said, I'll wager that -you have never got over your wife's death! Well, it's the same way with -me, and you needn't be ashamed of it before me, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault; for old as I am, I tell you something seems to cut my -heart in two when I think that I am alone in the world! And yet I am -naturally of a cheerful disposition and I wasn't always happy in my -home; but what difference does it make? my feelings are stronger than I -am, for I loved that woman! The devil couldn't have prevented me from -loving her." - -"My friend," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, visibly touched, and making -a painful effort to restrain his emotion, "she loved you, so do not -complain too bitterly; and, then, you were a father. What became of your -son? Where is he?" - -"He is underground with my wife, Monsieur de Boisguilbault." - -"I didn't know it. I knew only that you were a widower. Poor Jean! -forgive me for reminding you of your sorrows! Oh! I pity you from the -bottom of my heart! To have a child and lose it!" - -The marquis placed his hand on the carpenter's shoulder as he leaned -over his work, and all his kindness of heart appeared on his face. Jean -dropped his tools and said impulsively, with one knee on the floor: - -"Do you know, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, I have been unhappier than you. -You can't imagine half of what I have suffered!" - -"Tell me about it, if it's a relief to you. I shall understand it." - -"Well, I will tell you, for you are a man of learning and judge things -in this world better than anyone I know, when your mind is calm. I will -tell you something that many people in my village know, but that I have -never been willing to talk about with anybody. My life has been a -strange one, I tell you! I was loved and I wasn't; I had a son and I -wasn't sure that I was his father." - -"What do you say? No! don't say that; you must never tell about such -things!" said the marquis, in sore distress. - -"You are right, while the thing is going on; but at our ages a man can -talk of anything, and you are not like the idiots who can see nothing -but a cause for laughter in the greatest misfortune with which their -neighbor can be afflicted. You are neither sneering nor unkind, and I -want you to tell me whether I behaved badly, whether I acted like a man -or a brute--in short, whether you would have done as I did; for -everybody blamed me more or less at the time, and if I had not had a -strong arm and a sharp tongue at the end of it, everybody would have -laughed in my face. You are to judge! My wife, my poor Nannie, loved one -of my friends, a handsome fellow--yes, and a good fellow--and yet she -loved me too. I don't know how the devil it came about, but I discovered -one fine morning that my son looked more like Pierre than like Jean. -Anybody could see it, monsieur! and there were times when I longed to -beat Nannie, to strangle the child and knock out Pierre's brains. And -then--and then--I said nothing at all. I wept and prayed. Oh! how I -suffered! I beat my wife on the pretext that she didn't keep the house -in order; I pulled the little one's ears on the pretext that he made too -much noise in mine; I picked a quarrel with Pierre over a game of -tenpins, and I nearly broke both his legs with the ball. And then, when -everybody else wept, I wept, too, and looked on myself as a villain. I -brought up the child and I wept for him; I buried my wife and I still -weep for her; I kept the friend and I still love him. And that's how -matters ended with me. What do you say to it?" - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault did not reply. He was pacing the room and -making the floor creak under his feet. - -"You think me a great coward and a great fool, I'll be bound," said the -carpenter, rising; "but, at all events, you see that your troubles are -nothing like mine." - -The marquis dropped into a chair and said nothing. Tears rolled slowly -down his cheeks. - -"Well, well, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, why are you weeping?" continued -Jean, with artless candor. "Are you trying to make me weep too? You -can't do it, I promise you! I shed so many tears of anger and grief in -those days that there wasn't a single one left in my body, I'll be -bound. Come, come! think of your past with patience and offer your -present to God; for there are people more badly treated than you, as you -see. You had for your wife a beautiful woman, virtuous, well educated -and quiet. Perhaps she didn't give you quite so many kisses and caresses -as I received from mine, but, at all events, she didn't deceive you, and -you proved that you had no fears of her by letting her go to Paris -without you whenever she wanted to. You were not jealous, and had no -reason to be; while I had a thousand devils in my brain every hour of -the day and night. I watched, I played the spy, I hid, because I was -jealous; I blushed for it, but I suffered martyrdom; and the more I -watched, the more I was convinced that she was very cunning about -deceiving me. I never was able to take her by surprise. Nannie was -shrewder than I was; and, when I had wasted my time watching her, she -would make a scene because I suspected her. When the child was old -enough to resemble anybody--and I saw that I wasn't the one--what could -you expect? I thought that I should go mad; but I got accustomed to -loving him, petting him, working to support him, trembling when he -bumped his head, seeing him caper round my bench, ride horseback on my -timber and amuse himself dulling my tools. I had only that one! I had -thought he was mine--no others came--and I couldn't get along without a -child, you see. And he loved me so dearly, the little rascal! He was so -bright! and, when I scolded him, he wept as if his heart would break. At -last I set about forgetting my suspicions, and I succeeded so well in -persuading myself that I was his father, that when he was shot in the -war, I longed to shoot myself. He was handsome and brave, a good workman -and as good a soldier, and it wasn't his fault if he wasn't my son! He -would have made my life happy; he would have helped me with my work, and -I shouldn't have had to grow old all alone. I should have had some one -to keep me company, to talk with me in the evening after my day's work, -to take care of me when I am sick, to put me to bed when I am tipsy, to -talk to me about his mother, whom I never dare to mention to anybody, -because everybody except him knew all about my unhappiness. I tell you, -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, you haven't had so much to bear! You didn't -have a contraband heir given you; and if you haven't had the pleasure, -neither have you had the shame!" - -"And I should not have had the courage you had," said the marquis. "Open -that door again, Jean, and let me look at the marchioness's portrait. -You have given me courage. I was insane the day I turned you out of my -house. You would have saved me from becoming weak and mad. I thought -that I was getting rid of an enemy, and I deprived myself of a friend." - -"But why in the devil did you take me for your enemy?" - -"Have you no idea?" replied the marquis, fixing his eyes upon him in a -piercing glance. - -"Not the least," said the carpenter emphatically. - -"On your honor?" added Monsieur de Boisguilbault, wringing his hand -fiercely. - -"On my everlasting salvation!" replied Jean, raising his hand above his -head with dignity. "I hope that you are going to tell me at last." - -The marquis seemed not to hear this direct and sincere appeal. He felt -that Jean told the truth, and he had resumed his seat. Turning his chair -toward the study door, which Jean had opened, he gazed with profound -sadness at his wife's features. - -"I can understand that you continued to love your wife, that you forgave -the innocent child," he said; "but how you could endure and continue to -meet the friend who betrayed you--that is what passes my comprehension!" - -"Ah! Monsieur de Boisguilbault, that was in fact the most difficult -thing of all! especially as it was not my duty, and everybody would have -applauded me if I had broken every bone in his body. But I tell you what -disarmed me: I saw that he was terribly remorseful and really unhappy. -So long as the fever of love had hold of him, he would have walked over -my body to join his mistress. She was as lovely as a rose in May; I -don't know whether you ever saw her, or remember her, but I know that -Nannie was as beautiful in her way as Madame de Boisguilbault. I was mad -over her, and so was he! He would have turned heathen for her, and I -turned idiot. But when the youthful ardor began to die away I saw well -enough that they no longer loved each other and that they were ashamed -of their sin. My wife began to love me again, seeing that I was kind and -generous to her, and as for him, his sin was so heavy on his heart, -that, when we drank together, he always wanted to confess to me; but I -wouldn't have it, and sometimes, when he was drunk, he would kneel at my -feet, yelling: - -"'Kill me, Jean, kill me! I deserve it and I shall be satisfied!' - -"When he was sober, he forgot about that, but he would have let himself -be chopped to pieces for me; and at this moment he's my best friend, -next to Monsieur Antoine. The subject of our suffering no longer exists, -and our friendship has endured. It was on his account that I had my -trouble with the excise people and became a vagabond for a while. Well, -he worked for my customers, so as to keep them for me; he brought me -money, and when I was free again gave my customers back to me; he has -nothing that doesn't belong to me, and as he is younger than I am, I -trust that he will close my eyes. He owes me that much; but after all, -it seems to me that I love him on account of the injury he did me and -the courage it required to forgive him!" - -"Alas! alas!" said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "we are sublime when we -are not afraid of being ridiculous!" - -He closed the study door gently and walked back toward the fireplace, -when his eye fell at last on the package and a letter addressed to him. - - -"MONSIEUR LE MARQUIS: - -"I promised you that you should hear no more of me; but you yourself -compel me to remind you that I exist, and I am going to do it for the -last time. - -"Either you made a mistake in handing me certain objects of great value, -or you intended to bestow alms on me. - -"I should not blush to accept your charity if I were reduced to the -necessity of imploring it; but you are mistaken, monsieur le marquis, if -you think I am in want. - -"Our circumstances are comfortable, considering our necessities and -tastes, which are modest and simple. You are rich and generous; I should -be blameworthy to accept benefactions which you might bestow on so many -others; it would be robbing the poor. - -"The one thing which it would have been very sweet to me to carry away -from your house, and which I would have given all my blood to obtain, is -a word of forgiveness, a friendly word for my father. Ah! monsieur, you -cannot conceive what a child's heart suffers when she sees her father -unjustly accused and knows not how to set him right. You did not furnish -me with the means to do so, for you persisted in keeping silent as to -the cause of your resentment; but how could you fail to understand that, -under the present circumstances, I could not accept your gifts and take -advantage of your kindness! - -"I retain, however, a small cornelian ring which you placed on my finger -when I entered your house under an assumed name. It is an object of -trifling value, you told me, a souvenir of your travels. It is very -precious to me, although it was not as a pledge of reconciliation that -you chose to give it to me: but it will remind me of a very sweet yet -very painful moment, when I felt all my heart go out toward you, with -vain hopes that vanished instantly. I ought to hate you, for you hate a -father whom I adore! I know not how it is I esteem your gifts with no -feeling of wounded pride, and that I renounce your friendship with -profound grief. - -"Accept, monsieur le marquis, the deep respect of - - "GILBERTE DE CHÂTEAUBRUN." - - - - -XXXIV - -RESURRECTION - - -"Was it you who brought this package and letter, Jean?" queried Monsieur -de Boisguilbault. - -"No, monsieur, I brought nothing at all, and I don't know what they -are," replied the carpenter, with the accent of truth. - -"How am I to believe you?" rejoined the marquis, "when you lied to me so -coolly the day before yesterday, when you introduced one person to me -under the name of another?" - -"The day before yesterday I lied, but I wouldn't have sworn to what I -said; to-day, I swear that I saw no one come in and I do not know who -brought those things. But, as you choose to mention what happened the -day before yesterday, let me tell you something that I wouldn't have -dared to speak of otherwise: that the poor child cried all the way home, -thinking of you, and that----" - -"I beg you, Jean, don't talk to me about that young woman or her father! -I promised you that I would mention them when it was necessary, and on -that condition you agreed not to torment me. Wait till I question you." - -"All right! but suppose you keep me waiting too long and I lose -patience?" - -"Perhaps I shall never mention them to you and you will hold your tongue -forever," said the marquis in a tone of very marked ill-humor. - -"The deuce you say!" retorted the carpenter, "that wasn't our -agreement." - -"Off with you!" said Monsieur de Boisguilbault tartly. "Your day's work -is finished, you refuse to take supper here, and no doubt Emile is -waiting for you impatiently. Tell him to have courage and that I will -come and see him soon--to-morrow perhaps." - -"If you treat him as you do me, if you refuse to talk to him or let him -talk about Gilberte, what good do you suppose a visit from you will do -him? That's not the kind of thing that will cure him." - -"Jean, you wear out my patience, you make me ill! Be off, I say!" - -"Oho! the wind has changed," thought the carpenter. "I must wait till -the sun comes out again." - -He put on his jacket and walked across the park. Monsieur de -Boisguilbault accompanied him, to close the gate after him. It was still -light. The marquis noticed on the recently raked gravel the prints of a -woman's tiny foot going to and coming from the chalet. He did not call -the attention of the carpenter, who failed to notice the marks. - -Meanwhile Gilberte had waited longer than she intended. The sun had set -ten minutes before and the time seemed mortally long to her. As the -approach of night and the fear of meeting some one from the château who -might recognize her, increased her uneasiness and impatience, she -ventured to leave the place where she was hiding and go down a little -way toward the stream, so that she would still be near enough to -recognize the carpenter. But she had not taken three steps in the open -when she heard footsteps behind her, and, turning hurriedly, she saw -Constant Galuchet, armed with his fishing-pole, going toward Gargilesse. - -She pulled her hood over her face, but not so quickly that the angler -for gudgeons did not see a lock of golden hair, a blue eye and a rosy -cheek. Moreover, it would have been very difficult for Gilberte to -deceive anyone who was following her so closely. There was nothing of -the peasant in her carriage, and the fustian cape was not long enough to -hide the hem of a light dress and a pretty foot encased in a shapely and -tight-fitting little gaiter. Constant Galuchet's curiosity was keenly -aroused by this meeting. He had too much contempt for the peasant girls -to make love to them on his excursions; but the sight of a young lady in -disguise gave a fillip to his aristocratic curiosity, and a vague, -instinctive feeling that those golden locks so difficult of concealment -were Gilberte's, induced him to follow her and frighten her. - -So he plodded along in her wake, sometimes walking immediately behind -her, sometimes beside her, moderating or quickening his pace to defeat -the little ruses to which she resorted to let him pass her and to fall -behind; stopping when she stopped, leaning toward her as he brushed by, -and darting inquisitive and insolent glances under her hood. - -Gilberte, terrified beyond measure, looked about for some house in which -she could take refuge; and seeing none she kept on in the direction of -Gargilesse, hoping that the carpenter would overtake her and rid her of -her troublesome escort. - -But hearing no footsteps and unable to endure being followed thus, she -stooped as if to look in her basket, to make her tormenter think that -she had forgotten or lost something; then turned back toward the park, -thinking that Galuchet, having no excuse for following her in that -direction, would not have the audacity to do it. - -It was too late; Constant had recognized her and an impulse of base -vindictiveness took possession of him. - -"Oho! my fair villager," he said, darting to her side, "what are you -looking for with so much mystery? Can't I help you to find it? You don't -answer! I understand: you have a nice little assignation hereabout, and -I interfere with it. So much the worse for girls who wander about the -country alone at night! they run the risk of meeting one gallant instead -of another, and the absent are always in the wrong. Come, come, don't -look at me so hard; all cats are gray in the dark, so take my arm. If we -don't find the man you want, we must try to fill his place so that you -won't miss him too much." - -Gilberte, alarmed by this coarse talk, began to run. Being more adroit -and more slender than Galuchet, she plunged in among the trees where -they were thickest, and soon thought herself out of danger; but a sort -of frenzy had taken possession of him when he saw her escape him so -easily. In three bounds, after bumping and scratching himself a little -among the branches, he was by her side once more, opposite the gate of -Boisguilbault park. - -Thereupon he seized her cape, saying: - -"I propose to see if you are worth the trouble of chasing you in this -way! If you are ugly, you have no need to run, my love, for I shall not -run myself into a perspiration for you; but if you are young and pretty, -you'll find yourself in difficulty, my dear!" - -Gilberte struggled bravely, striking Galuchet's face and breast with her -basket; but the battle was too one-sided: at the risk of wounding her -with the buckle of her cape, he fiercely tore off her hood. - -At this moment two men appeared at the park gate, and Gilberte, tearing -herself free with a desperate effort, rushed toward them and sought -protection from the one who was nearest to her. She was received in -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's arms. - -As she was almost fainting with fear and indignation, she hid her face -on the old man's breast, and neither he nor the carpenter had time to -recognize her; but when he saw Galuchet running away, all Jean's rancor -against him awoke, and he rushed after him. - -Monsieur Cardonnet's clerk was short and stout, and Jean, despite his -age, had the advantage in build and activity. Seeing that he was on the -point of being overtaken, Galuchet turned to meet him, relying on his -strength. - -Thereupon a struggle took place between them, and Galuchet, who was a -sturdy fellow, sustained the first attack not unsuccessfully; but Jean -was an athlete, and he soon brought him to the ground on the bank of the -stream. - -"Ah! so you are not content to play the trade of spy!" he said, putting -his knees on his chest and clutching his throat so tight that the poor -devil was forced to relax his hold, "but you needs must insult women, -you miserable cur! I ought to crush such a venomous beast as you are; -but you are such a coward that you would prosecute me for it. Well! you -shan't have that pleasure; you shall leave my hands without a scratch -that you can show; I will content myself with a shave that's just fit -for you." - -Whereupon the carpenter picked up a handful of black mud on the bank of -the stream and rubbed Galuchet's face and shirt and cravat with it; then -he let him go and said, standing in front of him: - -"Just try to touch me, and see if I won't make you eat some of it!" - -Galuchet had had altogether too rough a demonstration of the power of -the carpenter's arm to expose himself to it again. He longed to throw a -stone at his head when he calmly turned his back on him. But it occurred -to him that it might turn out a serious matter, and that he would have -to pay dear for it, if he failed to lay him low at the first blow. - -So he beat a retreat, not without pouring forth insults and threats -against him and the hussy who had claimed his protection; but he dared -not mention Gilberte's name or let it be known that he had recognized -her. He was not perfectly sure that she would not eventually become his -employer's daughter-in-law, for Monsieur Cardonnet had seemed terribly -anxious and irresolute since Emile had been sick. - -Gilberte and the marquis did not witness this scene. The girl was -suffocating with excitement, and, hardly conscious of her surroundings, -allowed herself to be led toward the chalet. Monsieur de Boisguilbault, -sorely embarrassed by the adventure, but resolved to lend his aid like a -loyal gentleman to an insulted female, dared not speak to her or let her -know that he had recognized her. His distrust returned; he wondered if -this scene had not been prearranged to throw the fluttering dove into -his bosom: but when she fell fainting at the door of the chalet, and he -saw her pallor, her glazed eyes and purple lips, he was seized with -affectionate sympathy and with fierce indignation against the man who -was capable of insulting a defenceless woman. Thereupon he said to -himself that the noble girl had incurred that danger in order to prove -to him her pride and disinterestedness. He lifted her, carried her to a -chair, and said as he rubbed her icy hands: - -"Have courage, Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun; be calm, I implore you! you -are safe here and you are welcome." - -"Gilberte!" cried the carpenter, as he entered the room and recognized -Monsieur Antoine's daughter; "my Gilberte! God in heaven! is it -possible? Ah! if I had known this I wouldn't have spared the villain! -but he isn't far away and I must catch him and kill him!" - -Frantic with rage, he was about to go in pursuit of Galuchet, but the -marquis and Gilberte, who had partly recovered consciousness, detained -him. They had some difficulty, for Jean was beside himself. At last the -marquis made him understand that in the interest of Mademoiselle de -Châteaubrun's reputation, he should pursue his vengeance no farther. - -Meanwhile the marquis continued to be exceedingly embarrassed in -Gilberte's presence. She wished to go, he longed, in his heart, to have -her stay, but he could not make up his mind to tell her so, except by -insisting upon the necessity of her taking a little time to rest and -recover from her emotion. But Gilberte was afraid of making her father -and Janille anxious again, and declared that she felt quite strong -enough to go. The marquis offered her his carriage; he offered ether; he -looked for a phial and could not find it; he hovered about her; he tried -to think of something to say to her in reply to her action and her -letter; and although he lacked neither good manners nor ease of manner -when his mind was once made up, he was more awkward and embarrassed than -a young student making his début in society, when he was struggling -with the pitiful irresolution of his character. - -Finally, as Gilberte rose to take her leave with Jean, who was to escort -her to Châteaubrun, he also rose, took his hat and grasped his new cane -with a determined air which made the carpenter smile. - -"You will allow me to accompany you too," he said. "That scoundrel may -be in ambush somewhere, and two champions are better than one." - -"Let him come!" Jean whispered to Gilberte, who was on the point of -declining his offer. - -They left the park, and at first the marquis walked some distance behind -or in front, as if to act as a guard. At last he found himself beside -Gilberte, and, observing that she seemed prostrated and could hardly -walk, he decided to offer her his arm. Little by little he fell into -conversation with her and gradually felt more at ease. He talked at -first on general subjects, then of herself more particularly. He -questioned her concerning her tastes, her occupations, her reading; and -although she was very modest and reserved, he soon discovered that she -was endowed with superior intelligence, and that she had a very solid -foundation of useful knowledge. - -Impressed by this discovery, he sought to ascertain where and how she -had learned so many serious things, and she admitted that she had -derived the larger part of her knowledge from the library at -Boisguilbault. - -"I am proud and delighted to hear it," said the marquis, "and I place -all my books at your disposal. I trust that you will send and ask for -what you want, unless you will consent to trust me to select for you and -to send you a parcel every week. Jean will consent to be our messenger -until Emile can take his place again." - -Gilberte sighed; she could hardly believe, in view of Emile's alarming -silence, that happy time would ever come. - -"Pray lean on my arm," said the marquis; "you seem ill and you are not -willing that I should assist you." - -When they reached the foot of the hill of Châteaubrun, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, who seemed to have forgotten his whereabouts, began to -show signs of excitement, like a restive horse. Suddenly he stopped and -gently withdrew Gilberte's arm from his and placed it in the -carpenter's. - -"I leave you at your door and with a devoted friend," he said. "You have -no further need of me, but I carry away your promise to make use of my -books." - -"If only I could carry you farther with me!" said Gilberte in a -supplicating tone; "I would agree never to open a book in my life, -although it would be a great deprivation to me." - -"Unfortunately it is impossible!" he replied with a sigh; "but time and -chance bring about unexpected meetings. I hope, mademoiselle, that I do -not say adieu to you forever; for that thought would be very painful to -me." - -He bowed and returned to his chalet, where he locked himself in and -passed a portion of the night writing, arranging papers and gazing at -the marchioness's portrait. - -The next day, at noon, Monsieur de Boisguilbault donned his green coat, -cut in the style of the Empire, his lightest wig, doe-skin breeches, -gloves, and half-boots armed with short swan's-neck silver spurs. A -servant, in the full dress livery of an esquire, brought him the finest -horse in his stables, and, mounting himself a beast almost as perfect, -followed him at a slow trot along the Gargilesse road, carrying a small -casket slung over his arm by a strap. - -Great was the surprise of the village folk when they saw the marquis -ride within their walls, erect and stiff on his white horse, like a -teacher of horsemanship of the olden time, in ceremonious costume, with -gold spectacles and a gold-headed hunting-crop, which he carried -somewhat like a taper. It was at least ten years since Monsieur de -Boisguilbault had entered a town or a village. The children followed -him, dazzled by the magnificence of his equipment, the women rushed to -their door-steps, and the men carrying burdens halted in stupefaction in -the middle of the street. - -He rode slowly up the precipitous thoroughfare and down on the other -side to Monsieur Cardonnet's factory, being too good a horseman to -indulge in imprudent antics; and, resuming the trot à la Française as -he rode into the factory yard, he regulated his horse's gait so -perfectly that his hoof-beats sounded like the ticking of a clock in -perfect order. Certainly he still made a gallant appearance, and the -women said: "You see that he is a sorcerer, for he hasn't grown a day -older in the ten years since we last saw him here." - -He asked for Monsieur Emile Cardonnet and found the young man in his -bedroom, sitting on a sofa, with his father at his right and the doctor -at his left. Madame Cardonnet was sitting opposite him, gazing anxiously -into his face. - -Emile was very pale, but his condition was in no wise alarming. He rose -and went to meet Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who, after embracing him -affectionately, bowed low to Madame Cardonnet and with less warmth to -Monsieur Cardonnet. For a few moments there was no talk of aught save -the invalid's health. He had had a sharp attack of fever and had been -bled the night before; he had passed a comfortable night, and in the -morning the fever had entirely disappeared. They were urging him to go -for a drive in the cabriolet, and he was contemplating making a call -upon Monsieur de Boisguilbault when that gentleman entered. - -The marquis had learned all the details of his illness from the -carpenter, who had carefully concealed them from Gilberte. There was no -longer any ground for fear. The doctor observed that his patient needed -a good dinner, and took his leave with the remark that he should come -the next day only to satisfy his conscience. - -Monsieur de Boisguilbault meanwhile kept a close watch on Monsieur -Cardonnet's face. He detected there an expression of triumph rather than -of joy. Doubtless the manufacturer had trembled at the idea of losing -his son, but, that fear being dissipated, the victory was won: Emile -could endure grief. - -For his part Monsieur Cardonnet examined the marquis's strange figure -and considered it supremely ridiculous. His gravity and his moderation -in speaking were the more annoying to him because Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, being in reality more embarrassed than he chose to -appear, simply made commonplace remarks in a most sententious tone. The -manufacturer, after a few moments, bowed to him again and left the room -to return to his business. Thereupon, Madame Cardonnet, divining from -Emile's restlessness that he desired to talk with his old friend in -private, left them together, after urging her son not to talk too much. - -"Well," said Emile when they were alone, "you can bring me the martyr's -crown! I have passed through the ordeal of fire; but God protects those -who call upon him, and I have come out of it with clean hands and with -no apparent burns: a little used up, to be sure, but calm and full of -faith in the future. This morning, in full possession of my reasoning -power and in perfect tranquillity of mind, I told my father what I had -told him in the excitement, perhaps the delirium, of fever. He knows now -that I shall never renounce my opinions, and that no fooling with my -passion can procure him that triumph. He seems quite satisfied; for he -thinks that he has succeeded in disgusting me with a marriage which he -dreaded more than the fervor of my principles. He talked this morning -about distracting my thoughts, sending me abroad, to Italy. I told him -that I did not wish to leave France, nor this neighborhood even, unless -he turned me out of his house. He smiled, and would not contradict me, -because I was bled yesterday; but to-morrow he will talk to me in the -character of the stern friend, the day after to-morrow as the irritated -father, and the next day as the imperious master. Don't be alarmed about -me, my friend; I shall be brave, calm and patient. Whether he condemns -me to exile, or keeps me with him to torture me, I will show him that -love is very strong when it is inspired by enthusiasm for the true, and -sustained by the ideal." - -"Emile," said the marquis, "I know through your friend Jean all that has -taken place between your father and yourself, also the great victory -that your heart has won. My mind was at rest before I came here." - -"I knew, my friend, that you had become reconciled with that -simple-hearted but admirable man. He told me that you were coming to see -me; I was expecting you." - -"Did he tell you nothing more?" said the marquis, gazing intently at -Emile. - -"No, nothing more, I assure you," Emile replied, with the emphasis of -perfect sincerity. - -"He did well to keep his promise," rejoined Monsieur de Boisguilbault; -"you were too much excited by fever to endure fresh emotion. I have -undergone violent emotions myself since we last met, but I am satisfied -with the result, and I will tell you what it is. But not yet, Emile; you -are too pale, and I am not sure enough of myself as yet. Don't come and -see me to-day; I have other places to go to, and perhaps I will see you -again when I return this way to-night. Will you promise me to eat some -dinner and take care of yourself--in a word, to get well?" - -"I promise, my friend. If I only could send word to the woman I love -that, on resuming the free exercise of my life and my faculties, I find -my love more ardent and more absolute than ever in the depths of my -heart." - -"Very well, Emile, write a few lines; not enough to tire you. I will -come again to-night, and, if she doesn't live too far away, I will -undertake to send your letter to her." - -"Alas! my friend, I cannot tell you her name; but if the carpenter would -take charge of it, now that I have recovered my strength and am no -longer watched every moment, I could write." - -"Write then, seal your letter, and do not address it The carpenter is -working for me, and he shall have the letter before night." - -While the young man was writing, Monsieur de Boisguilbault left the room -and asked to speak with Monsieur Cardonnet. He was told that he had just -driven away in his cabriolet. - -"Do you know where I can find him?" asked the marquis, half convinced by -this hurried departure. - -He had not said where he was going, but they thought to Châteaubrun, as -he had taken that road, and as he had been there the week before. - -Upon receiving this reply, Monsieur de Boisguilbault displayed -surprising activity. He returned to Emile's room, took the letter, felt -his pulse, found that he was a little excited, mounted his horse, and -rode out of the village quietly as he had come. But he urged his horse -to a gallop as soon as he was on level ground. - - - - -XXXV - -ABSOLUTION - - -Meanwhile Monsieur Cardonnet had arrived at Châteaubrun, and was in -presence of Gilberte, her father and Janille. - -"Monsieur de Châteaubrun," he said, taking a seat with perfect -self-possession amid those three persons, who were filled with -consternation by a visit which boded fresh unhappiness, "you know -doubtless all that has taken place between my son and myself with regard -to mademoiselle your daughter. My son has had the good taste and the -good sense to choose her for his wife. Mademoiselle, and you, monsieur, -have had the extreme kindness to accept his attentions, without any very -definite knowledge as to whether I approve them." - -At this point Janille made an angry gesture, Gilberte lowered her eyes -and turned pale, and Monsieur Antoine flushed and opened his mouth to -interrupt Monsieur Cardonnet. But he, giving him no time to do so, -continued thus: - -"I did not approve of this union at first, I agree: but I came here, I -saw mademoiselle, and I yielded--on very mild and simple conditions. My -son is ultra-democratic in his notions, and I am a moderate -conservative. I foresaw that his exaggerated opinions would ruin his -intellect and his credit. I demanded that he should abandon them and -return to judicious and decent ideas. I thought that I could easily -obtain that sacrifice. I rejoiced over it in anticipation; I announced -it to you as indubitable in a letter addressed to mademoiselle; but, to -my great surprise, Emile persists in his madness, and sacrifices to it a -love which I believed to be deeper and more devoted. I am forced, -therefore, to tell you that he renounced mademoiselle's hand irrevocably -this morning, and I thought it my duty to inform you immediately, in -order that, being fully aware of his intentions and my own, you should -have no ground for accusing me of irresolution and imprudence. Whether -it seems fitting to you now to authorize his love and to permit his -attentions, is for you to say; I wash my hands of it." - -"Monsieur Cardonnet," said Antoine, who had risen, "I know all this, and -I know, also, that you never lack fine phrases to make sport of us; but -I say that, if you are so well informed, it is because you sent spies -into our house and lackeys to insult us by revolting offers for my -daughter's hand. You have already caused us much distress by your -diplomacy, and we request you, without ceremony, to stop where you are. -We are not simple enough not to understand that you do not propose to -unite your wealth with our poverty at any price. We have not been -deceived by your devious manœuvres, and when you invented the -extraordinary scheme of placing your son between a moral submission, -which is impossible so far as his opinions are concerned, and a marriage -to which you would not have consented, even if he had been willing to -descend to falsehood, we swore that we would have no falsehood and no -dissimulation between him and you and ourselves. Allow me to tell you, -therefore, that we know very well what it befits us to do; that I am -quite as well able to protect my daughter's honor and dignity as you are -to protect your son's wealth, and that I have no occasion for advice or -lessons from anybody in that regard." - -Having spoken thus with a firmness which Monsieur Cardonnet was far from -expecting on the part of the _old sot of Châteaubrun_, Monsieur Antoine -resumed his seat and looked the manufacturer in the eye. Gilberte felt -as if she were dying; but she thought it her duty to support with her -pride the just pride of her father. She too looked Monsieur Cardonnet in -the face, and her glance seemed to confirm all that Monsieur Antoine had -said. - -Janille, unable to contain herself any longer, deemed it her duty to -speak. - -"Never fear, monsieur," she said, "we can get along very well without -your name. We have one which is quite as good; and as for the matter of -money, we had more glory in losing what we had than you in making what -you didn't have." - -"I know, Mademoiselle Janille," retorted Monsieur Cardonnet, with the -artificial calmness of profound contempt, "that you are very proud of -the name Monsieur de Châteaubrun has bestowed on your daughter. For my -own part, I would not have been so proud, and would have closed my eyes -to certain irregularities of birth; but I can imagine that the fortune -of a plebeian, acquired by hard labor, may seem contemptible to a person -born, as you apparently were, in the splendors of idleness. It only -remains for me to wish you all much joy, and to ask mademoiselle's -pardon for having caused her some slight grief. My wrongdoing was -unintentional, but I think that I can atone for it by a bit of sound -advice: remember that young people who venture to make free with the -wishes of their parents are sometimes intoxicated by an ephemeral -caprice rather than inspired by an enduring passion. Emile's conduct -with regard to her proves what I say, I think, and I am a little ashamed -for him." - -"Enough, Monsieur Cardonnet, enough, do you hear?" exclaimed Monsieur -Antoine, really angry for the first time in his life: "I should blush to -have so much wit as you, if I made so unworthy a use of it as to insult -a young girl, and outrage her father in her presence. I trust that you -understand me, and that----" - -"Monsieur Antoine! Mademoiselle Janille!" cried Sylvain Charasson, -rushing into the room; "here's Monsieur de Boisguilbault coming to see -you! as true as the sun's shining! it's Monsieur de Boisguilbault! I saw -his white horse and his yellow spectacles!" - -This unexpected news excited Monsieur de Châteaubrun so that he forgot -all his anger, and overwhelmed by a sort of childish delight mingled -with terror, he went out with faltering step to meet his old friend. - -But as he was about to throw himself into his arms, he was petrified -with dread and, as it were, paralyzed by the marquis's impassive face -and his courteous but sad salute. Trembling and heart-broken, Monsieur -Antoine seized his daughter's arm in a convulsive grasp, uncertain -whether he should push her toward Monsieur de Boisguilbault as a pledge -of reconciliation, or send her away as a crushing proof of his sin. - -Janille, completely bewildered, courtesied again and again to the -marquis, who glanced absent-mindedly in her direction and bowed almost -imperceptibly to her. - -"Monsieur Cardonnet," he said, as he stood in the door of the square -pavilion face to face with the manufacturer, who came out last, "I fancy -that you are going away, and I came here expressly to meet you. You left -your house just as I went to look for you, and I hurried after you. I -beg you therefore to remain a little while, and to be good enough to -give me your attention for a few moments." - -"We will talk somewhere else, monsieur le marquis," replied Cardonnet, -"for I cannot stay here any longer: suppose we go down to the foot of -the mountain?" - -"No, monsieur, no, permit me to insist: what I have to say is of some -importance, and everybody here must hear it. It seems clear to me that I -have not arrived soon enough to prevent some unpleasant explanations; -but you are a man of affairs, Monsieur Cardonnet, and you know that it -is the custom to summon a family council upon matters of serious -importance at which momentous interests are discussed coolly, even when -the participants bring to the council some little passion in the depths -of their hearts. Monsieur le Comte de Châteaubrun, I beg you to detain -Monsieur Cardonnet--it is quite essential. I am old and ill, I may not -have the strength to come here again, to take such a journey. You are -young men compared with me; I ask you therefore to be calm and -considerate and to spare me much fatigue. Will you refuse me?" - -The marquis spoke this time with an ease and grace which made him an -entirely different man from him whom Monsieur Cardonnet had seen an hour -earlier. He was conscious of a feeling of curiosity, not unmixed with a -prudent regard for his own interests. Monsieur de Châteaubrun requested -him to remain, and they all returned to the pavilion, with the exception -of Janille, to whom Monsieur Antoine made a sign, and who took her place -behind the kitchen door to listen. - -Gilberte was uncertain whether she ought to go in or remain outside; but -Monsieur de Boisguilbault offered her his hand with much courtesy, and, -leading her to a chair, sat down near her, at some distance from her -father and Emile's. - -"To proceed in order, and in accordance with the respect due to ladies," -he began, "I will first address myself to Mademoiselle de -Châteaubrun.--Mademoiselle, I made my will last night, and I have come -here to inform you as to its provisions and conditions; but I should be -glad not to be refused this time, and I shall not have the courage to -read you this scrawl unless you will promise not to be angry. You also -laid down certain conditions in a letter which I have here and which -caused me much pain. However, I consider them just, and I understand -your unwillingness to accept the most trivial gift from a man whom you -consider your father's enemy. In order to prevail upon you, therefore, -it is necessary that this hostility should come to an end, and that -monsieur your father should forgive me for whatever wrong I may have -done him.--Monsieur de Châteaubrun," he said, rising with heroic -courage, "you injured me many years ago; I retaliated by withdrawing my -friendship from you without any explanation. We should either have -fought or forgiven each other. We did not fight, but for twenty years we -have been strangers, which is a more serious matter to two men who have -been much attached to each other. I forgive you the wrong you did me, -will you forgive me?" - -"Oh! marquis!" cried Monsieur Antoine, rushing to him and bending his -knee before him, "you never wronged me in any way. You were my best -friend. You were like a father to me, and I insulted you mortally. I -would have offered my bare breast to you if you would have run me -through with your sword, and I would never have raised my hand against -you. You did not choose to take my life, but you punished me much more -cruelly by withdrawing your friendship from me. And now you offer me -your forgiveness. I receive it on my knees, in presence of my friends -and my enemies, since this humiliation is the only reparation I can -offer you. You, Monsieur Cardonnet," he said, rising and eying the -manufacturer from head to foot, "are at liberty to sneer at what you -cannot understand; but I do not offer my bare breast and my arm without -a weapon to everybody, as you will soon know." - -Monsieur Cardonnet also had risen, darting threatening glances at -Monsieur Antoine. The marquis placed himself between them and said to -Antoine: - -"Monsieur le comte, I do not know what has taken place between Monsieur -Cardonnet and you; but you have offered me a reparation which I reject. -I choose to believe that there was wrong on both sides, and I wish to -see you not at my feet but in my arms; but since you consider that you -owe me an act of submission which my age justifies, I require you, -before I embrace you, to be reconciled to Monsieur Cardonnet, and to -take the first step in that direction." - -"Impossible!" cried Antoine, convulsively pressing the marquis's arm, -half in joy, half in anger. "Monsieur has just spoken to my daughter in -a most insulting way." - -"No, that cannot be," said the marquis; "there has been a -misunderstanding. I am acquainted with Monsieur Cardonnet's sentiments; -his character is inconsistent with an act of cowardice. Monsieur -Cardonnet, I am certain that you are as familiar with the point of honor -as any nobleman; and you have just seen two noblemen, who had cruelly -wounded each other, become reconciled before your eyes, without blushing -for their mutual concessions. Be generous, and prove to us that it is -not the name that makes nobility. I bring you words of peace and means -of reconciliation. Permit me to put your hand in Monsieur de -Châteaubrun's. Come; you won't refuse an old man on the verge of the -grave. Mademoiselle Gilberte, come to my aid; say a word to your -father." - -The phrase _means of reconciliation_ had echoed loudly in Monsieur -Cardonnet's ear. His penetrating mind had already guessed a part of the -truth. He thought that he would be obliged to yield, and that it would -be better to carry off the honors of war than to undergo the necessity -of capitulation. - -"My intentions were very different from what Monsieur de Châteaubrun -supposes," he said, "and there has always been in my thoughts so much -respect and esteem for mademoiselle his daughter, that I do not hesitate -to disavow any words of mine that can possibly be interpreted otherwise. -I beg Mademoiselle Gilberte to be convinced of my sincerity, and I offer -her father my hand as a pledge of the oath I take." - -"Enough, monsieur, let us say no more about it!" said Monsieur Antoine, -taking his hand; "let us part without hard feeling. Antoine de -Châteaubrun has never known what it is to lie." - -"That is true," thought Monsieur de Boisguilbault; "if he had been more -cunning, I should have been blind--and happy, like so many others.--I -thank you, Antoine," he said aloud, in a trembling voice. "Now, come and -embrace me!" - -The count's embrace was passionate and enthusiastic; the marquis's calm -and constrained. He was playing a part beyond his strength; he turned -pale, trembled, and was forced to sit down. Antoine sat beside him, his -breast shaken with sobs. Gilberte knelt in front of the marquis and -covered his hands with kisses, weeping with joy and gratitude. - -All this display and emotion disgusted the manufacturer, who looked on -with a cold, supercilious eye, awaiting the _means of reconciliation_. - -At last Monsieur de Boisguilbault drew them from his pocket and read -them in a clear, distinct voice. - -He set forth in a few clear, concise words that he possessed about four -million and a half francs; that he gave, by contract, two millions to -Mademoiselle Gilberte de Châteaubrun, on condition that she married -Monsieur Emile Cardonnet, and two millions to Monsieur Emile Cardonnet, -on condition that he married Mademoiselle Gilberte de Châteaubrun, both -of said gifts to take effect at Monsieur de Boisguilbault's death, but -to be void unless the marriage should be celebrated within six months. -Monsieur de Boisguilbault reserved the usufruct of these four millions -during his own life, but he gave five hundred thousand francs outright -to the future husband and wife, said gift to be effectual on their -wedding-day. The said last-named sum, however, was to be given to -Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun for her own use if she did not marry -Monsieur Emile Cardonnet. - -A feeble cry was heard behind the door; it was Janille, fainting with -joy in Sylvain Charasson's arms. - - - - -XXXVI - -RECONCILIATION - - -Gilberte had no comprehension of what was happening to her; she had no -idea of what a fortune of four millions was, and the thought of such a -burden imposed upon a life so simple and happy as hers would have caused -her more fear than joy; but she realized that her union with Emile had -become a possibility once more, and, being unable to speak, she pressed -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's hand convulsively in her own. Antoine was -completely bewildered to find his daughter so rich. His joy was no -greater than hers, but he saw in the marquis's conduct such an -overwhelming proof of his forgiveness, that he believed that he must be -dreaming and could find nothing to say to him. - -Cardonnet was the only person present who really understood what it was -to have four millions and a half fall into the laps of his future -grandchildren. However, he did not lose his head, but listened -impassively to the reading of the will, and, not choosing to appear to -humble himself before the power of gold, he said coldly: - -"I see that Monsieur de Boisguilbault is determined that the father's -will shall bow before that of the friend; but Mademoiselle de -Châteaubrun's poverty has never seemed to me a serious obstacle to this -marriage. There is another which is much more repugnant to me, namely, -that she is a natural child, and that there is every reason to believe -that her mother--I will not call her by name--occupies an inferior -position in society." - -"You are in error, Monsieur Cardonnet," rejoined Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, firmly. "Mademoiselle Janille's morals have always been -beyond reproach, and, in my opinion, you do wrong to despise a person so -loyal and devoted to the objects of her affection. But the truth demands -that I set you right in this respect. I solemnly assure you, monsieur, -that Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun is of unmixed noble blood, if that -fact will give you any pleasure. I will even say that I knew her mother -intimately, and that she was of as good a family as my own. Now, -Monsieur Cardonnet, have you any other objection to make? Do you think -that Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun's character can possibly inspire -repugnance or suspicion in any one?" - -"Most assuredly not, monsieur le marquis," Cardonnet replied; "and yet I -hesitate still. It seems to me that the paternal authority and dignity -are impaired by such a contract; that my consent seems to be purchased -for a money consideration; and, while I had but one ambition for my son, -to see him acquire wealth by his labor and his talent, I see that you -raise him to the very apex of fortune, with a life of inaction and -idleness before him." - -"I hope that it will not be so," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault. "My -reason for choosing Emile for my heir is that I am confident that he -will not resemble me in any way, and that he will be able to make a -better use of wealth than I have done." - -Cardonnet simply desired an excuse for yielding. He said to himself -that, by refusing, he should alienate his son forever, and that, by -consenting with a good grace, he might recover enough influence over him -to teach him to use his wealth according to his, the father's ideas: -that is to say, he reckoned that, with four millions in hand, he might -some day have forty; and he was convinced that no man, even a saint, can -suddenly find himself the possessor of four millions without taking a -liking to wealth. "He will make a fool of himself at first," he thought, -"and will throw away part of his treasure; and, when he sees that it is -growing less, he will be so frightened that he will try to make up the -deficit; and then, as appetite comes to those who consent to eat, he -will want to multiply it by two, by ten, by a hundred. With my help, he -and I may be the kings of the financial world some day." - -"I have no right," he said at last, "to refuse the fortune offered to my -son. I would do it if I could, because the whole transaction is contrary -to my opinions and my ideas; but the right of property is a sacred law. -As soon as my son receives such a gift, he is a property-holder. I -should rob him by refusing my assent to the conditions laid down. I am -bound, therefore, to hold my peace forever concerning all that offends -my convictions in this extraordinary arrangement; and, since I am -compelled to yield, I desire, at all events, to do it gracefully, -especially as Mademoiselle Gilberte's beauty, intellect and noble -character flatter my egotism by promising happiness to my family." - -"As we are all agreed," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, rising and -making a signal through the window, "I will beg Mademoiselle Gilberte, -who has, like myself, a fondness for flowers, to accept the betrothal -bouquet." - -The marquis's groom entered and put down the little casket he had -brought. Monsieur de Boisguilbault took from it a bouquet of the rarest -and most fragrant flowers; old Martin had spent more than an hour in -arranging it artistically. But, by way of ribbon, the bouquet was tied -with the necklace of diamonds which Gilberte had returned; and, to take -the place of the shawl, which the marquis had not deemed it advisable to -produce again, he had put two rows instead of one in the necklace. - -"Oho! two or three thousand francs in addition to what the contract -calls for!" thought Monsieur Cardonnet, pretending to look at the -diamonds with indifference. - -"Now," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault to Gilberte, "you can refuse me -nothing, as I have done what you wished. I suggest that you and your -father take your carriage--the same barrow that was so useful to me and -that procured me the happiness of your acquaintance. We will go to -Gargilesse. I fancy that Monsieur Cardonnet desires to present his -daughter-in-law to his wife, and, for my part, I am most anxious that my -heiress should win her heart." - -Monsieur Cardonnet welcomed the suggestion eagerly, and they were about -to start when Emile appeared. He had learned that his father had gone to -Châteaubrun; he dreaded some new plot against his happiness and -Gilberte's peace of mind. He had leaped upon his horse, and forgetting -his loss of blood, his fever and his promises to the marquis, he arrived -at the ruins, trembling, breathless, and oppressed by the gloomiest -forebodings. - -"Well, Emile, here is your wife already dressed for the wedding," said -Monsieur Cardonnet, divining the explanation of his imprudence. And he -pointed to Gilberte, covered with flowers and diamonds, on Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's arm. - -Emile, whose nerves were terribly tense and agitated, was like one -thunderstruck amid all the miracles that burst upon him at once. He -tried to speak, staggered and fell fainting in Monsieur Antoine's arms. - -Happiness rarely kills; Emile soon returned to life and bliss. Janille -rubbed his temples with vinegar, Gilberte held his hand in hers, and, -that nothing might be lacking in his joy, his mother, too, was there -when he opened his eyes. Made acquainted very recently, by Emile's -delirium, with his passion for Gilberte, she had made Galuchet tell her -the whole story, and, learning that her husband had gone to -Châteaubrun, and that her son had ridden thither notwithstanding his -condition, and foreseeing some terrible storm, she had driven at full -speed to the ruins, defying for the first time her husband's wrath, and -the bad roads, to which she paid no heed. She fell in love with Gilberte -at the first words they exchanged, and if the young girl felt some alarm -at the thought of entering a family of which Cardonnet was the head, she -was sure that she should find some compensation in his wife's loving -heart and gentle nature. - -"As we are all together," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, with a grace -of which no one would have believed him capable, "we must pass the rest -of the day together and dine somewhere. There are too many of us not to -cause Mademoiselle Janille some embarrassment here, and if we should -return to Gargilesse we might take Monsieur Cardonnet's butler unawares. -If you will all do me the honor to come to Boisguilbault, which, by the -way, is much nearer, we shall find there the materials for dining, I -think. Perhaps Monsieur Cardonnet will take some interest in becoming -acquainted with his children's property, we will draw up their marriage -contract there and appoint a day for the wedding." - -This new evidence of the marquis's complete conversion was received with -great warmth. Janille asked but five minutes to make _mademoiselle's_ -toilet, for she thought that she should be ceremoniously attired for the -occasion, but Gilberte greeted with a hearty kiss what she called a joke -on the part of her fond mother. - - -[Illustration: _THE RECONCILIATION._ - -"_I thank you, Antoine," the marquis said, in a trembling voice. "Now, -come and embrace me!_" - -_The count's embrace was passionate and enthusiastic; the marquis's calm -and constrained._] - - -Meanwhile, the Cardonnet family inspected the ruins, and Monsieur de -Boisguilbault retired with Antoine to the pavilion to rest. No one heard -their conversation. Neither of them ever divulged its subject. Did they -exchange delicate and seemingly impossible explanations? It is hardly -probable. Did they agree never thereafter to make the slightest allusion -to their long feud, and to take up their friendship just where they had -dropped it? It is certain that, from that moment, they talked together -of the past without bitterness, and referred to former years with -pleasure, sometimes blended with emotion and with merriment. But it was -noticeable that these reminiscences never went beyond a certain -date--that of Monsieur de Boisguilbault's marriage--and that the name of -the marchioness was never mentioned between them. It was as if she had -never existed. - -When Gilberte returned, dressed as handsomely as she was able or wished -to be, Emile was overjoyed to see that she had put on the lilac dress, -which one more washing by Janille had made almost pink, and which, owing -to the miracles of her economy and skill, still seemed fresh. She had -braided her long hair, which reached to the ground, and in that superb -_abandon_ reminded her happy lover of the scorching day at Crozant. Of -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's gifts she had retained only the bouquet and -the cornelian ring, which she showed to the marquis with an affectionate -smile. She was coquettish with him, coquettish with the heart, if we may -so express it; and while the deference and consideration which she -manifested toward Monsieur Cardonnet were somewhat forced, she yielded -ingenuously to the inclination to treat the marquis, in her manner and -in her thoughts, as if he were Emile's father. - -As they were about to start, Monsieur de Boisguilbault took Janille's -hand and invited her to drive with him, as courteously as if she had -been Gilberte's mother. He was so far from being offended by hearing -them call each other _mother_ and _my girl_, that that close attachment -had suddenly inspired in him a great esteem and secret gratitude for the -old woman who had submitted to so much slander and vulgar jesting rather -than reveal to anybody on earth, even friend Jappeloup--whom the marquis -had for so long a time believed to be Antoine's confidant and -messenger,--the secret of Gilberte's birth. - -Monsieur Cardonnet could not restrain a disdainful smile at this -invitation. - -"Monsieur Cardonnet," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault in an undertone, -remarking that smile, "you will know and appreciate that woman when you -see how she brings up your grandchildren." - -The park of Boisguilbault was thrown open for the first time in its -history to a party invited by the owner. The chalet too was thrown open, -with the exception of the study, the door of which was securely -fastened, thanks to Jappeloup. - -The imposing melancholy of the château, the curious beauty of the -furniture, the magnificence of the park, and the noticeable air of good -breeding in the service, caused Monsieur Cardonnet some vexation. He had -done his utmost at Gargilesse to exclude parvenu manners from his -household, and amid the ruins of Châteaubrun, where he had felt that he -was a personage of consequence, he had not been very ill at ease. But he -seemed very small indeed amid the mixture of opulence and severe -simplicity that characterized Boisguilbault. He tried, by _liberal_ -reflections, to prevent the marquis from thinking that he was dazzled by -his old-fashioned splendor. Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who did not lack -cunning beneath his awkwardness, and who had waited until that moment to -put before him the most distasteful of his demands, answered him calmly -and coincided with his opinions. Cardonnet expressed great surprise, -for, in common with everybody else, he supposed that the marquis had -retained all the pride of his caste and clung to the absurd principles -of the Restoration. As he could not refrain from expressing his -astonishment, Monsieur de Boisguilbault said to him gently: - -"You do not know me, Monsieur Cardonnet; I am as much opposed to -distinctions and privileges as yourself. I believe that all men are -equal in rights and in worth, when they are honorable and virtuous." - -At that moment, dinner was announced, and, as they were about to take -their places, Master Jean Jappeloup, cleanly shaved and in his Sunday -clothes, came out of the chalet, and playfully pushing Emile aside, took -Gilberte's hand to lead her to the table. - -"It is my right," he said; "you know I promised to be your witness and -your best man, Emile." - -Everybody welcomed the carpenter joyfully, except Monsieur Cardonnet, -who dared not however display less liberality under the circumstances -than the old marquis; so he contented himself with a satirical smile as -he saw him take his place at the family banquet. He submitted to -everything, promising himself that he would change his tone when the -marriage was consummated. - -The dinner, served under the old trees in the park, was magnificent with -flowers and exquisite in respect to the dishes; and old Martin, whom his -master had forewarned early in the morning, surpassed himself in -superintending the service. Sylvain Charasson was admitted to the honor -of working under his orders that day, and he will talk about it all his -life. - -The first moments were rather constrained. But little by little the -faction of the contented and happy triumphed over that of the -discontented,--which consisted of Monsieur Cardonnet alone and he was -half reconciled,--the table became more animated, and at dessert -Monsieur Cardonnet said to Emile, with a smile: "_We marquises_----" - -Shall we speak of the happiness of Emile and Gilberte? Happiness cannot -be described, and even lovers themselves lack words with which to depict -it. When it was night, Monsieur and Madame de Cardonnet took their -leave, graciously authorizing Emile to escort his fiancée to -Châteaubrun, on condition that he should keep his father's cabriolet, -and not ride again that day. Monsieur Antoine, absorbed in a joyful -conversation with his friend Jean, wandered about the park, and Janille, -beginning to tire of playing the lady, satisfied her craving for action -by assisting Martin to put everything in order. Thereupon, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault took Emile's arm and Gilberte's and led them to the cliff -where he had first opened his heart to his young friend. - -"My children," he said to them, "I have made you rich, because it was -necessary to do it in order to overcome the obstacles that separated -you, and because it was the only means of making you happy. My will was -made a long while ago, but last night I rewrote it. My purpose remains -what it was: I believe that Emile knows it and that Gilberte will -respect it. I have determined that, in the future, this great estate -shall be used to found a _commune_, and in my first will I tried to -provide a plan for it, and to lay its foundations. But the plan might -well be defective and the foundations unsubstantial; I do not regret my -work, because I have always felt that it was weak and that I am of all -men on earth the man least capable of planning and carrying out. -Providence came to my aid by sending Emile to me to take my place in -realizing my plans, and I had recently made him my sole trustee and the -executor of my will. But such a disposition of my property would have -made it impossible to obtain Monsieur Cardonnet's consent, and I -destroyed it when I determined that you two should marry. Official -documents have not the value commonly attributed to them, and the law -has never found the means of fettering the conscience. That is why I am -much more tranquil in my mind when I simply tell you what I wish and -receive your promise, than I should be if I bound you by chains so -fragile as those of the provisions of a will. Do not answer, my -children! I know your thoughts, I know your hearts. You have been -subjected to the harshest of all tests, that of abandoning the idea of -being united or of abjuring your opinions; you have come out of it -triumphantly; I rely absolutely upon you and I leave the future in your -hands. It is your intention to put your opinions in practice, Emile, and -I furnish you with the instruments; but that does not mean that you have -the ability as yet. For that you need knowledge of social science, and -that is the result of long-continued labor to which you will apply -yourself with the aid of the forces which your generation, not mine, -will develop more or less successfully, as God wills. It may be that you -will not see my plans come to maturity, my children; perhaps your -children will; but, in bequeathing you my wealth, I bequeath you my -heart and my faith. You will bequeath it to others, if you have to pass -through a phase in the existence of mankind which makes it impracticable -for you to found the establishment advantageously. But Emile once said -something that impressed me. One day when I asked him what he would do -with an estate like mine, he answered: '_I would try_!' Let him try -then, and, after careful reflection, after a careful study of reality, -may he who has always dreamed of the salvation of mankind in the -organization and development of agricultural science, find the means of -transition which will prevent a deplorable break in the chain between -the past and the future! - -"I trust to his intelligence because it has its source in the heart. May -God give you genius, Emile, and may He give it to the men of your time! -for the genius of one man is almost nothing. For my part, I have nothing -more to do but to fall asleep peacefully in my grave. If I am privileged -to live a few days with you two, I shall have begun to live on the eve -of my death. But I shall not have lived in vain, indolent, disheartened -and useless as I have been, if I have found the man who can and will act -in my place. - -"Keep the secret of my opinions and our plans until after your marriage, -and even until after the new and thorough education which Emile must -make it his duty to acquire. I aspire to see you free and powerful, in -order that I may die at peace. And after all, my children, whatever -course you may take, whatever errors you may commit, whatever success -may crown your efforts, I confess that it is impossible for me to be -anxious concerning the future of the world. In vain will the tempest -rage over the generations now born or to be born; in vain will error and -falsehood labor to perpetuate the horrible confusion which certain minds -call to-day, in derision apparently, social order; in vain will -wickedness wage war on earth; eternal truth will have its day at last. -And if my spirit is able to return, a few centuries hence, to visit this -immense heritage and glide beneath the venerable trees that my hand -planted, it will see men free, happy, equal, united, that is to say, -just and wise! These shaded paths where I have walked so often, -oppressed by ennui and sorrow, whither I have fled in horror from the -presence of the men of to-day, will shelter then, like the arched roof -of a divine temple, a numerous family kneeling to pray and bless the -Author of nature and the Father of mankind! This will be the _garden of -the commune_, that is to say, its gynæceum, its festal and banqueting -hall, its theatre and its church; for speak not to me of the cramped -spaces where stone and cement pen up men and thought; nor of your superb -colonnades and magnificent squares, in comparison with this natural -architecture, of which the Supreme Creator bears all the expense! I have -expressed in the trees and flowers, in the brooks, in the cliffs and -fields all the poetry of my thoughts. Do not rob the old planter of his -illusion, if illusion it be. He still believes in the adage that God is -in everything and that Nature is His temple!" - - - - -LEONE LEONI - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -Being at Venice, in very cold weather and under very depressing -circumstances, the carnival roaring and whistling outside with the icy -north wind, I experienced the painful contrast which results from inward -suffering, alone amid the wild excitement of a population of strangers. - -I occupied a vast apartment in the former Nasi palace, now a hotel, -which fronts on the quay, near the Bridge of Sighs. All travellers who -have visited Venice know that hotel, but I doubt if many of them have -ever happened to be there on Mardi Gras, in the heart of the classic -carnival city, in a frame of mind so painfully meditative as mine. - -Striving to escape the spleen by forcing my imagination to labor, I -began at hazard a novel which opened with a description of the locality, -of the festival out-of-doors and of the solemn apartment in which I was -writing. The last book I had read before leaving Paris was _Manon -Lescaut_. I had discussed it, or rather listened to others discussing -it, and I had said to myself that to make Manon Lescaut a man and -Desgrieux a woman would be worth trying, and would present many tragic -opportunities, vice being often very near crime in man, and enthusiasm -closely akin to despair in woman. - -I wrote this book in a week and hardly read it over before sending it to -Paris. It had answered my purpose and expressed my thoughts; I could -have added nothing to it if I had thought it over. And why should a work -of the imagination need to be thought over? What moral could we expect -to deduce from a fiction which everyone knows to be quite possible in -the world of reality? Some people who are very rigid in theory--no one -knows just why--have pronounced it a dangerous book. After the lapse of -twenty years, I look it over, and can detect no such tendency in it. The -Leone Leoni type, although not untrue to life, is exceptional, thank -God! and I do not see that the infatuation he inspires in a weak mind is -rewarded by very enviable joys. However, I have, at the present moment, -a well-fixed opinion concerning the alleged _morals_ of the novel, and I -have expressed elsewhere my deliberate ideas thereon. - - GEORGE SAND. - -Nohant, January, 1853. - - - - -I - - -We were at Venice. The cold and the rain had driven the promenaders and -the masks from the square and the quays. We could hear naught save the -monotonous voice of the Adriatic in the distance, breaking on the -islands, and from time to time the shouts of the watch aboard the -frigate which guards the entrance to Canal Saint-George, and the -answering hail from the custom-house schooner. It was a fine carnival -evening inside the palaces and theatres, but outside, everything was -dismal, and the street-lights were reflected in the streaming pavements, -where the hurried footstep of a belated masker, wrapped in his cloak, -echoed loudly from time to time. - -We were alone in one of the rooms of the old Nasi palace, to-day -transformed into a hotel, the best in Venice. A few candles scattered -about the tables, and the blaze on the hearth only partially lighted the -enormous room, and the flickering of the flame seemed to make the -allegorical divinities painted in fresco on the ceiling move to and fro. -Juliette was indisposed, and had refused to go out. Lying on a sofa and -half-covered by a fur cloak, she seemed to be dozing; and I walked back -and forth noiselessly on the thick carpet, smoking _Serraglio_ -cigarettes. - -We recognize in my country a certain state of the mind which is, I -think, peculiar to Spaniards. It is a sort of serious tranquillity which -does not exclude activity of thought, as among the Teutonic races and in -the cafés of the Orient. Our intellect does not grow dull during the -trances in which we are buried. When we walk to and fro with measured -step for hours at a time, on the same line of mosaics, without swerving -a hair's breadth and puffing away at our cigars--that is the time when -the operation that we may call mental digestion takes place most easily. -Momentous resolutions are formed at such times, and excited passions -calm down and give birth to vigorous acts. A Spaniard is never calmer -than when he is meditating some scheme; it may be sinister or it may be -sublime. As for myself, I was digesting my plan; but there was nothing -heroic or alarming about it. When I had made the circuit of the room -about sixty times and smoked a dozen cigarettes, my mind was made up. I -halted by the sofa, and said to my young companion, regardless of her -sleep: - -"Juliette, will you be my wife?" - -She opened her eyes and looked at me without answering. I thought that -she had not heard me, and I repeated my question. - - -[Illustration: _DON ALEO AND JULIETTE._ - -"_Juliette, will you be my wife?_" - -_She opened her eyes and looked at me without answering. I thought that -she had not heard me, and I repeated my question._] - - -"I heard you very plainly," she replied in an indifferent tone--then -held her peace anew. - -I thought that my question had displeased her, and my anger and grief -were terrible; but, from respect for Spanish gravity, I manifested -neither, but began to pace the floor again. - -At the seventh turn Juliette stopped me, saying: "What is the use?" - -I made three turns more; then I threw away my cigarette, and, drawing a -chair to her side, sat down. - -"Your position in society must distress you?" I said to her. - -"I know," she replied, raising her exquisite face and fixing upon mine -her blue eyes wherein apathy seemed to be always at odds with -melancholy,--"yes, I know, my dear Aleo, that I am branded in society -with an ineffaceable designation, that of kept mistress." - -"We will efface it, Juliette; my name will purify yours." - -"Pride of the grandee!" she rejoined with a sigh. Then, turning suddenly -to me and seizing my hand, which she put to her lips in spite of me, she -added: "Do you really mean that you will marry me, Bustamente? O my God! -my God! what comparisons you force me to make!" - -"What do you mean, my dear child?" I asked her. She did not reply, but -burst into tears. - -These tears, of which I understood the cause only too well, hurt me -terribly. But I concealed the species of frenzy which they aroused in me -and returned to my seat by her side. - -"Poor Juliette!" I said to her; "will that wound bleed forever?" - -"You gave me leave to weep," she replied; "that was the first of our -agreements." - -"Weep, my poor afflicted darling," I said; "then listen and answer me." - -She wiped away her tears and put her hand in mine. - -"Juliette," I said to her, "when you speak of yourself as a kept woman, -you are mad. Of what consequence are the opinions and coarse remarks of -a few fools? You are my friend, my companion, my mistress." - -"Alas! yes," she said, "I am your mistress, Aleo, and it is that -dishonors me; I should have chosen to die rather than to bequeath to a -noble heart like yours the possession of a half extinct heart." - -"We will rekindle the ashes gradually, my Juliette; let me hope that -they still hide a spark which I can find." - -"Yes, yes, I hope so, I wish that it may be so!" she said eagerly. "So I -shall be your wife? But why? Shall I love you better for it? Will you -feel surer of me?" - -"I shall know that you are happier and I shall be happier for that -reason." - -"Happier! you are mistaken; I am as happy with you as possible; how can -the title of Donna Bustamente make me any happier?" - -"It would put you out of reach of the insolent disdain of society." - -"Society!" said Juliette; "you mean your friends. What is society? I -have never known. I have passed through life and made the tour of the -globe, but have never been able to discover what you call society." - -"I know that you have lived hitherto like the enchanted maiden in her -globe of crystal, and yet I have seen you shed bitter tears over the -deplorable position in which you then were. I made an inward vow to -offer you my rank and my name as soon as I should be assured of your -affection." - -"You failed to understand me, Don Aleo, if you thought that shame made -me weep. There was no place in my heart for shame; there were enough -other causes of sorrow to fill it and make it insensible to everything -that came from without. If he had continued to love me, I should have -been happy, though I had been covered with infamy in the eyes of what -you call society." - -It was impossible for me to restrain a shudder of wrath; I rose to pace -the floor. Juliette detained me. "Forgive me," she said in a trembling -voice, "forgive me for the pain I cause you. It is beyond my strength -always to avoid speaking of him." - -"Very well, Juliette," I said, stifling a painful sigh, "pray speak of -him if it is a relief to you! But is it possible that you cannot succeed -in forgetting him, when everything about you tends to direct your -thoughts toward another life, another happiness, another love?" - -"Everything about me!" said Juliette excitedly; "are we not in Venice?" - -She rose and walked to the window; her white silk petticoat fell in -numberless folds about her graceful form. Her chestnut hair escaped from -the long pins of chased gold which only half confined it, and bathed her -back in a flood of perfumed silk. She was so lovely with the faint touch -of color in her cheeks, and her half loving, half bitter smile, that I -forgot what she said and went to her to take her in my arms. But she had -drawn the curtains partly aside, and looking through the glass, as the -moon's moist beams were beginning to break through the clouds, she -cried: "O Venice! how changed thou art! how beautiful thou once wert in -my eyes, and how desolate and deserted thou dost seem to-day!" - -"What do you say, Juliette?" I cried in my turn; "have you been in -Venice before? Why have you never told me?" - -"I saw that you wanted to see this beautiful city, and I knew that a -word would have prevented you from coming here. Why should I have made -you change your plan?" - -"Yes, I would have changed it," I replied, stamping my foot. "Even if we -had been at the very gate of this infernal city, I would have caused the -boat to steer for some shore unstained by that memory; I would have -taken you there, I would have swum with you in my arms, if I had had to -choose between such a journey and this house, where perhaps you will -find at every step a burning trace of his passage! But tell me, -Juliette, where in heaven's name I can take refuge with you from the -past? Mention some city, tell me of some corner of Italy to which that -adventurer has not dragged you in his train?" - -I was pale and trembling with wrath; Juliette turned slowly, gazed -coldly at me, and said, turning her eyes once more to the window: -"Venice, we loved thee in the old days, and to-day I cannot look on thee -without emotion, for he was fond of thee, he constantly invoked thy name -in his travels, he called thee his dear fatherland; for thou wert the -cradle of his noble family, and one of thy palaces still bears the name -that he bears." - -"By death and eternity!" I said to Juliette, lowering my voice, "we -leave this dear fatherland to-morrow!" - -"_You_ may leave Venice and Juliette to-morrow," she replied with frigid -sang-froid; "but, as for me, I take orders from no one, and I shall -leave Venice when I please." - -"I believe that I understand you, mademoiselle," I said indignantly: -"Leoni is in Venice." - -Juliette started as if she had received an electric shock. - -"What do you say? Leoni in Venice?" she cried, in a sort of frenzy, -throwing herself in to my arms; "repeat what you said; repeat his name, -let me at least hear his name once more!" - -She burst into tears, and, suffocated by her sobs, almost lost -consciousness. I carried her to the sofa, and without thinking of -offering her any further assistance, began to pace the edge of the -carpet once more. But my rage subsided as the sea subsides when the -sirocco folds its wings. A bitter grief succeeded my excitement; and I -fell to weeping like a woman. - - - - -II - - -In the midst of this heart-rending agitation, I paused a few steps from -Juliette and looked at her. Her face was turned to the wall, but a -mirror fifteen feet high, which formed the panel, enabled me to see her -face. She was pale as death and her eyes were closed as in sleep; there -was more weariness than pain in the expression of her face, and that -expression accurately portrayed her mental plight: exhaustion and -indifference triumphed over the last ebullition of passion. I hoped. - -I called her name softly and she looked at me with an air of amazement, -as if her memory lost the faculty of retaining facts at the same time -that her heart lost the power to feel anger. - -"What do you want," she said, "and why do you wake me?" - -"Juliette," I replied, "I offended you; forgive me; I wounded your -heart." - -"No," she said, putting one hand to her forehead and offering me the -other, "you wounded my pride only. I beg you, Aleo, remember that I have -nothing, that I live on your gifts, and that the thought of my dependent -state humiliates me. You are kind and generous to me, I know. You lavish -attentions on me, you cover me with jewels, you overwhelm me with your -luxury and your magnificence; but for you I should have died in some -paupers' hospital, or should be confined in a madhouse. I know all that. -But remember, Bustamente, that you have done it all in spite of me, that -you took me in half-dead, and that you succored me when I had not the -slightest desire to be succored; remember that I wanted to die, and that -you passed many nights at my pillow, holding my hands in yours to -prevent me from killing myself; remember that I refused for a long time -your protection and your benefactions, and that, if I accept them -to-day, it is half from weakness and discouragement, half from affection -and gratitude to you, who ask me on your knees not to spurn them. Yours -is the noblest rôle, my friend, I know it well. But am I to blame -because you are kind? Can I be seriously reproached for debasing myself -when, alone and desperate, I confide myself to the noblest heart on -earth?" - -"My beloved," I said, pressing her to my heart, "you reply most -convincingly to the vile insults of the miserable wretches who have -misrepresented you. But why do you say this to me? Do you think that you -need to justify yourself in the eyes of Bustamente for the happiness you -have bestowed upon him--the only happiness he has ever enjoyed in his -life? It is for me to justify myself, if I can, for I am the one who has -done wrong. I know how stubbornly your pride and your despair resisted -me; I am not likely ever to forget it. When I assume a tone of authority -with you, I am a madman whom you must pardon, for my passion for you -disturbs my reason and vanquishes all my strength of mind. Forgive me, -Juliette, and forget a moment of anger. Alas! I am unskilful in winning -love. I have a natural roughness of manner which is unpleasant to you. I -wound you when I am beginning to cure you, and I often destroy in one -hour the work of many days." - -"No, no, let us forget this quarrel," she interposed, kissing me. "For -the little pain you cause me, I cause you a hundred times as much. You -are sometimes imperious; my grief is always cruel. Do not believe, -however, that it is incurable. Your kindness and your love will conquer -it at last. I should have a most ungrateful heart if I did not accept -the hope that you point out to me. We will talk of marriage another -time; perhaps you will induce me to consent to it. However, I confess -that I dread that species of servitude consecrated by all laws and all -prejudices; it is honorable, but it is indissoluble." - -"Still another cruel remark, Juliette! Are you afraid, pray, to belong -to me forever?" - -"No, no, of course not. Do not be distressed, I will do what you wish; -but let us drop the subject for to-day." - -"Very well, but grant me another favor in place of that; consent to -leave Venice to-morrow." - -"With all my heart. What do I care for Venice and all the rest? In -heaven's name, don't believe me when I express regret for the past; it -is irritation or madness that makes me speak so! The past! merciful -heaven! Do you not know how many reasons I have for hating it? See how -it has shattered me! How could I have the strength to grasp it again if -it were given back to me?" - -I kissed Juliette's hand to thank her for the effort she made in -speaking thus, but I was not convinced; she had given me no satisfactory -answer. I resumed my melancholy promenade about the room. - -The sirocco had sprung up and dried the pavement in an instant. The city -had become resonant once more as it ordinarily is, and the thousand -sounds of the festival reached our ears: the hoarse song of the tipsy -gondoliers, the hooting of the masks coming from the cafés and guying -the passers-by, the plash of oars in the canal. The guns of the frigate -bade good-night to the echoes of the lagunes, which made answer like a -discharge of artillery. The Austrian drum mingled its brutal roll, and -the bell of St. Mark's gave forth a doleful sound. - -A ghastly depression seized upon me. The candles, burning low, set fire -to their green paper ruffles and cast a livid light upon the objects in -the room. Everything assumed imaginary forms and made imaginary noises, -to my disturbed senses. Juliette, lying on the sofa and swathed in fur -and silk, seemed to me like a corpse wrapped in its shroud. The songs -and laughter out of doors produced upon me the effect of shrieks of -distress, and every gondola that glided under the marble bridge below my -window suggested the idea of a drowning man struggling with the waves -and death. Finally, I had none but thoughts of despair and death in my -head, and I could not raise the weight which was crushing my breast. - -At last, however, I succeeded in calming myself and reflected somewhat -less wildly. I admitted to myself that Juliette's cure was progressing -very slowly, and that, notwithstanding all the sacrifices in my favor -which gratitude had wrung from her, her heart was almost as sick as at -the very first. This long-continued and bitter regret for a love so -unworthily bestowed seemed inexplicable to me, and I sought the cause in -the powerlessness of my affection. It must be, I thought, that my -character inspires an insurmountable repugnance which she dares not avow -to me. Perhaps the life I lead is unpleasant to her, and yet I have made -my habits conform to hers. Leoni used to take her constantly from city -to city. I have kept her travelling for two years, forming no ties -anywhere, and never delaying for an instant to leave the place where I -detected the faintest sign of ennui on her face. And yet she is -melancholy, that is certain; nothing amuses her, and it is only from -consideration for me that she deigns sometimes to smile. Not one of the -things that ordinarily give pleasure to women has any influence on this -sorrow of hers; it is a rock that nothing can shake, a diamond that -nothing can dim. Poor Juliette! What strength in your weakness! what -desperate resistance in your inertia! - -I had unconsciously raised my voice until I expressed my troubles aloud. -Juliette had raised herself on one arm and was listening to me sadly, -leaning forward on the cushions. - -"Listen to me," I said, walking to her side, "I have just imagined a new -cause for your unhappiness. I have repressed it too much, you have -forced it back into your heart too much, I have dreaded like a coward to -see that sore, the sight of which tears my heart; and you, through -generosity, have concealed it from me. Your wound, thus neglected and -abandoned, has become more inflamed every day, whereas I should have -dressed it and poured balm upon it. I have done wrong, Juliette. You -must show me your sorrow, you must pour it out in my bosom, you must -talk to me about your past sufferings, tell me of your life from moment -to moment, name my enemy to me. Yes, you must. Just now you said -something to me that I shall not forget; you implored me to let you hear -his name at least. Very well! let us pronounce it together, that -accursed name that burns your tongue and your heart. Let us talk of -Leoni." - -Juliette's eyes shone with an involuntary gleam. I felt a terrible pang; -but I conquered my suffering and asked her if she approved my plan. - -"Yes," she said with a serious air, "I believe that you are right. You -see, my breast is often filled with sobs; the fear of distressing you -keeps me from giving them vent, and I pile up treasures of grief in my -bosom. If I dared to display my feelings before you, I believe that I -should suffer less. My sorrow is like a perfume that is kept always -confined in a tightly closed box; open the box and it soon escapes. If I -could talk constantly about Leoni and tell of the most trivial incidents -of our love, I should bring under my eyes at the same moment all the -good and all the harm he did me; whereas your aversion often seems to me -unjust, and in the secret depths of my heart I make excuses for injuries -which, if told by another, would be revolting to me." - -"Very well," said I, "I desire to learn them from your mouth. I have -never known the details of this distressing story; I want you to tell -them to me, to describe your whole life. When I am better acquainted -with your troubles, perhaps I shall be better able to relieve them. Tell -me all, Juliette; tell me by what means this Leoni succeeded in making -you love him so dearly; tell me what charm, what secret he possessed; -for I am weary of seeking in vain the impracticable road to your heart. -Say on, I am listening." - -"Ah! yes, I am glad to do it; it will give me some relief at last. But -let me talk and do not interrupt me by any sign of pain or anger; for I -shall tell things as they happened; I shall tell the good and the bad, -how I have loved and how I have suffered." - -"You must tell everything, and I will listen to everything," I replied. - -I ordered fresh candles to be brought and rekindled the fire. - -Juliette spoke thus: - - - - -III - - -You know that I am the daughter of a rich jeweller of Brussels. My -father was skilful in his trade, but had little cultivation otherwise. -He had raised himself from the position of a common workman to that of -possessor of a handsome fortune which his flourishing business increased -from day to day. Despite his lack of education, he was on terms of -intimacy with the richest families in the province; and my mother, who -was pretty and clever, was well received in the opulent society of the -tradespeople. - -My father was naturally mild and apathetic. Those qualities became more -marked each day, as his wealth and comfort increased. My mother, being -more active and younger, enjoyed unlimited freedom of action, and -joyfully made the most of the advantages of wealth and the pleasures of -society. She was kind-hearted, sincere and full of amiable qualities, -but she was naturally frivolous, and her beauty, which was treated with -marvellous respect by the years as they passed, prolonged her youth at -the expense of my education. She loved me dearly, beyond question, but -without prudence or discernment. Proud of my youthful charms and of the -trivial talents which she had caused me to acquire, she thought of -nothing but taking me about and exhibiting me; she took a delicious but -perilous pride in covering me constantly with new jewels, and in -appearing with me at parties. I recall those days with pain and yet with -pleasure; since then, I have reflected sadly on the futile employment of -my early years, and yet I sigh for those days of careless happiness -which should never have ended or never have begun. I fancy that I can -still see my mother with her plump, graceful figure, her white hands, -her black eyes, her coquettish smile, and withal so kind that you could -see at the first glance that she had never known anxiety or vexation, -and that she was incapable of imposing the slightest restraint upon -others, even with kindly intentions. Ah! yes, I remember her well! I -remember our long mornings devoted to planning and preparing our ball -dresses, our afternoons employed in making our toilets with such -painstaking care that hardly an hour remained to show ourselves on the -promenade. I see my mother, with her satin dresses, her furs, her long -white feathers, and the whole fluffy mass of lace and ribbons. After -finishing her toilet, she would forget herself a moment to look after -me. It was a great deal of a bore to unlace my black satin boots in -order to smooth out a wrinkle on the instep or to try on twenty pairs of -gloves before finding one of a shade sufficiently delicate for her -taste. Those gloves fitted so tight that I often tore them after taking -the greatest pains about putting them on; then I must begin anew, and we -would have heaps of débris in front of us before we had finally -selected those that I was to wear an hour, and then leave to my maid. -However, I had become so accustomed from childhood to regard these -trifling details as the most important occupations of a woman's life, -that I submitted patiently. We would set out at last, and at the -rustling of our silk gowns and the perfume exhaled by our handkerchiefs, -people would turn to look after us. I was accustomed to hearing our -names mentioned as we passed, by all sorts and conditions of men, and to -see them glance curiously at my impassive face. This mixture of coldness -and innocent effrontery constitutes what is called good breeding in a -young woman. As for my mother, she felt a twofold pride in exhibiting -herself and her daughter; I was a reflection, or, to speak more -accurately, a part of herself, of her beauty, of her wealth; her good -taste was displayed in my costume; my face, which resembled hers, -reminded her as well as others of the scarcely impaired freshness of her -early youth; so that, seeing my slender figure walking at her side, she -fancied that she saw herself twice over, pale and delicate as she had -been at fifteen, brilliant and beautiful as she still was. Not for -anything in the world would she have gone out without me; she would have -seemed to herself to be incomplete, half dressed as it were. - -After dinner, the solemn discussion concerning ball dresses, silk -stockings and flowers began anew. My father, who gave his whole -attention to his shop during the day, would have preferred to pass the -evening quietly by his fireside; but he was so easy-going, that he did -not notice the way in which we deserted him. He would fall asleep in his -chair while our hair-dressers were striving to understand my mother's -scientifically devised plans. As we were going away, we would rouse the -worthy man from his slumbers and he would go obligingly and take from -his strong-box magnificent jewels mounted according to his own designs. -He would fasten them himself about our arms and necks and take pleasure -in remarking their effect. These jewels were intended for sale. We often -heard envious women about us crying out at their splendor and whispering -spiteful jests; but my mother consoled herself by saying that the -greatest ladies wore what we had cast off, and that was true. They would -come to my father next day and order jewels like those we had worn. A -few days later he would send the self-same ones; and we did not regret -them, for they were always replaced by others more beautiful. - -Amid such surroundings, I grew up without thought for the present or the -future, without making any effort to form or strengthen my character. I -was naturally gentle and trustful like my mother; I was content to float -along as she did on the current of destiny. I was less vivacious, -however; I felt less keenly the attractions of pleasure and vanity; I -seemed to lack the little strength that she had, the desire and the -faculty of constant diversion. I accepted so easy a lot knowing nothing -of its price, and without comparing it with any other. I had no idea of -passion. I had been brought up as if I were never to know it; my mother -had been brought up in the same way and considered that she was to be -congratulated; for she was incapable of feeling passion and had never -had any occasion to fight against it. My intelligence had been applied -to studies in which the heart had no occasion to exercise control over -itself. I performed brilliantly on the piano, I danced beautifully, I -painted in water-colors with admirable precision and vigor; but there -was within me no spark of that sacred fire which gives life and enables -one to understand life. I loved my parents, but I did not know what it -was to love in any other way than that. I was wonderfully clever in -inditing a letter to one of my young friends; but I had no more idea of -the value of words than of sentiments. I loved my girl friends as a -matter of habit, I was good to them because I was obliging and gentle, -but I did not trouble myself about their characters; I scrutinized -nothing. I made no well-reasoned distinction between them; I was fondest -of the one who came oftenest to see me. - - - - -IV - - -I was the sort of person I have described, and sixteen years old, when -Leoni came to Brussels. The first time I saw him was at the theatre. I -was with my mother in a box near the balcony, where he sat with several -of the richest and most fashionable young men in the city. My mother -called my attention to him. She was constantly lying in wait for a -husband for me, and always looked for him among the men with the finest -figures and the most gorgeous clothes; those two points were everything -in her eyes. Birth and fortune attracted her only as accessories of -things that she considered much more important--dress and manners. A man -of superior mind in a simple coat would have inspired nothing but -contempt in her. Her future son-in-law must have cuffs of a certain -style, an irreproachable cravat, an exquisite figure, a pretty face, -coats made in Paris, and a stock of that meaningless twaddle which makes -a man fascinating in society. - -As for myself, I made no comparison between one man and another. I -blindly entrusted the selection to my parents, and I neither dreaded nor -shrank from marriage. - -My mother considered Leoni fascinating. It is true that his face is -wonderfully beautiful, and that he has the secret of being graceful, -animated and perfectly at ease with his dandified clothes and manners. -But I felt none of those romantic emotions which give to ardent hearts a -foretaste of their destiny. I glanced at him for a moment in obedience -to my mother, and should not have looked at him a second time, had she -not forced me to do so by her constant exclamations and by her manifest -curiosity to know his name. A young man of our acquaintance, whom she -summoned in order to question him, informed her that he was a noble -Venetian, a friend of one of the leading merchants of the city, that he -seemed to have an enormous fortune, and that his name was Leone Leoni. - -My mother was delighted with this information. The merchant who was -Leoni's friend was to give a party the very next day, to which we were -invited. Frivolous and credulous as she was, it was enough for her to -have learned vaguely that Leoni was rich and noble, to induce her to -cast her eyes upon him instantly. She spoke to me about him the same -evening, and urged me to be pretty the next day. I smiled and went to -sleep at precisely the same hour as on other nights, without the -slightest acceleration of my heart beats at the thought of Leoni. I had -become accustomed to listen without emotion to the formation of such -projects. My mother declared that I was so sensible that they were not -called upon to treat me like a child. The poor woman did not realize -that she herself was much more of a child than I. - -She dressed me with so much care and magnificence that I was proclaimed -queen of the ball; but at first the time seemed to have been wasted: -Leoni did not appear, and my mother thought that he had already left -Brussels. Incapable of controlling her impatience, she asked the master -of the house what had become of his Venetian. - -"Ah!" said Monsieur Delpech, "you have noticed my Venetian already, have -you?"--He glanced with a smile at my costume, and understood.--"He's an -attractive youngster," he said, "of noble birth, and very much in -fashion both in Paris and London; but it is my duty to inform you that -he is a terrible gambler, and that the reason that you don't see him -here is that he prefers the cards to the loveliest women." - -"A gambler!" said my mother; "that's very bad." - -"Oh! that depends," rejoined Monsieur Delpech. "When one has the means, -you know!" - -"To be sure!" said my mother; and that remark satisfied her. She worried -no more about Leoni's passion for gambling. - -A few seconds after this brief interview, Leoni appeared in the salon -where we were dancing. I saw Monsieur Delpech whisper to him and glance -at me, and Leoni's eyes wander uncertainly about me, until, guided by -his friend's directions, he discovered me in the crowd and walked nearer -to see me more distinctly. I realized at that moment that my rôle as a -marriageable maiden was somewhat absurd; for there was a touch of irony -in the admiration of his glance, and, for the first time in my life -perhaps, I blushed and had a feeling of shame. - -This shame became a sort of dull pain when I saw that Leoni had returned -to the card room after a few moments. It seemed to me that I was laughed -at and disdained, and I was vexed with my mother on that account. That -had never happened before and she was amazed at the ill-humor I -displayed toward her.--"Well, well," she said to me, with a little -irritation on her side, "I don't know what the matter is with you, but -you are turning homely. Let us go." - -She had already risen when Leoni hurriedly crossed the room and invited -her to waltz; that unhoped-for incident restored all her good-humor; she -laughingly tossed me her fan and disappeared with him in the whirl. - -As she was passionately fond of dancing, we were always accompanied to -balls by an old aunt, my father's older sister, who acted as my chaperon -when I was not invited to dance at the same time as my mother. -Mademoiselle Agathe--that was what we called my aunt--was an old maid of -a cold and even disposition. She had more common-sense than the rest of -the family, but she was not exempt from the tendency to vanity, which is -the reef upon which all parvenus go to pieces. Although she cut a very -melancholy figure at a ball, she never complained of the necessity of -accompanying us; it was an opportunity for her to display in her old age -some very beautiful gowns which she had never had the means to procure -in her youth. She set great store by money therefore; but she was not -equally accessible to all the seductions of society. She had a hatred of -long standing for the nobles, and she never lost an opportunity to decry -them and turn them to ridicule, which she did with much wit. - -Shrewd and penetrating, accustomed to inaction and to keeping close -watch on the actions of other people, she had understood the cause of my -little fit of spleen. My mother's effusive chatter had apprised her of -her views concerning Leoni, and the Venetian's face, amiable and proud -and sneering, all at once, disclosed to her many things that my mother -did not understand. - -"Look, Juliette," she said, leaning toward me, "there's a great nobleman -making sport of us." - -I felt a painful thrill. What my aunt said corresponded with my -forebodings. It was the first time that I had seen contempt for our -bourgeoisie plainly written on a man's face. I had been brought up to -laugh at the contempt which the women hardly concealed from us, and to -look upon it as an indication of envy; but hitherto our beauty had -preserved us from the disdain of the men, and I thought that Leoni was -the most insolent creature that ever lived. I had a horror of him, and -when, after bringing my mother back to her seat, he invited me for the -following contradance, I haughtily declined. His face expressed such -amazement that I understood how confidently he reckoned upon a warm -reception. My pride triumphed and I sat down beside my mother, declaring -that I was tired. Leoni left us, bowing low after the Italian manner, -and bestowing upon me a curious glance in which there was a touch of his -characteristic mockery. - -My mother, amazed at my action, began to fear that I might be capable of -having a will of my own. She talked to me gently, hoping that in a short -time I would consent to dance, and that Leoni would ask me again, but I -persisted in remaining in my seat. An hour or more later we heard -Leoni's name several times amid the confused murmuring of the ball; some -one passing near us said that he had lost six hundred louis. - -"Very fine!" said my aunt dryly; "he will do well to look out for some -nice girl with a handsome dowry." - -"Oh! he doesn't need to do that," somebody else replied, "he is so -rich!" - -"Look," said a third, "there he is dancing; he doesn't look very -anxious." - -Leoni was dancing, in fact, and his features did not display the -slightest concern. He accosted us again, paid my mother some insipid -compliments with the facility of a man in the best society, and then -tried to make me speak by putting questions to me indirectly. I -maintained an obstinate silence and he walked away with an indifferent -air. My mother was in despair and took me home. - -For the first time she scolded me and I sulked. My aunt upheld me and -declared that Leoni was an impertinent fellow and a scoundrel. My -mother, who had never been opposed to such a point, began to weep, and I -did the same. - -By such petty agitations did the coming of Leoni, and the unhappy -destiny that he brought, begin to disturb the profound peace in which I -had always lived. I will not tell you with so much detail what happened -on the following days. I do not remember so well, and the insatiable -passion that I conceived for him always seems to me like a strange dream -which no effort of my reason can reduce to order. This much is certain, -that Leoni was visibly piqued, surprised and disconcerted by my -coldness, and that he began at once to treat me with a respect which -satisfied my wounded pride. I saw him every day at parties or out -walking, and my aversion to him speedily vanished before the -extraordinary civilities and humble attentions with which he overwhelmed -me. In vain did my aunt try to put me on my guard against the arrogance -of which she accused him. I was no longer capable of feeling insulted by -his manners or his words; even his face had lost that suggestion of -sarcasm which had offended me at first. His glance acquired from day to -day an indescribable gentleness and affectionateness. He seemed to think -of nothing but me; he even sacrificed his taste for card-playing, and -passed whole nights dancing with my mother and me or talking with us. He -was soon invited to call at our house. I dreaded his call a little. My -aunt prophesied that he would find in our home a thousand subjects of -ridicule which he would pretend not to notice but which would furnish -him with material for joking with his friends. He came, and, to cap the -climax, my father, who was standing at his shop-door, brought him into -the house that way. That house, which belonged to us, was very handsome, -and my mother had had it decorated with exquisite taste; but my father, -who took no pleasure in anything outside of his business, was unwilling -to transfer to any other building his cases of pearls and diamonds. That -curtain of sparkling jewels behind the glass panels which guarded it was -a magnificent spectacle, and my father said truly enough that there -could be no more splendid decoration for a ground-floor. My mother, who -had had hitherto only transitory flashes of ambition to be allied to the -nobility, had never been humiliated to see her name carved in huge -letters just below the balcony of her bedroom. But when, from that -balcony, she saw Leoni cross the threshold of the fatal shop, she -thought that we were lost and looked anxiously at me. - - - - -V - - -During the few days immediately preceding this, I had had the revelation -of a hitherto unknown pride. I felt it awake within me now, and, -impelled by an irresistible impulse, I determined to watch Leoni's -manner as he talked with my father in his counting-room. He was slow -about coming upstairs, and I rightly inferred that my father had -detained him, to show him, as was his ingenuous custom, the marvels of -his workmanship. I went resolutely down to the shop and entered, -feigning surprise to find Leoni there. My mother had always forbidden me -to enter the shop, her greatest fear being that I should be taken for a -shopgirl. But I sometimes slipped away to go down and kiss my poor -father, who had no greater joy than to receive me there. When I entered -he uttered an exclamation of pleasure and said to Leoni: 'Look, look, -monsieur le baron, what I have shown you amounts to nothing; here is my -loveliest diamond.' Leoni's face betrayed the keenest delight; he smiled -at my father with emotion and at me with passion. Never had such a -glance met mine. I became red as fire. An unfamiliar feeling of joy and -passion brought a tear to the brink of my eyelid as my father kissed me -on the forehead. - -We stood a few seconds without speaking; then Leoni, taking up the -conversation, found a way to say to my father everything that was most -likely to flatter his self-esteem as an artist and tradesman. He seemed -to take extreme pleasure in making him explain the process by which -rough stones were transformed into precious gems, brilliant and -transparent. He said some interesting things on that subject himself, -and, addressing me, gave me some mineralogical information that was -within my reach. I was confounded by the wit and grace with which he -succeeded in exalting and ennobling our condition in our own eyes. He -talked to us about products of the goldsmith's art which he had seen in -his travels, and extolled especially the works of his compatriot -Cellini, whom he placed beside Michael Angelo. In short, he ascribed so -much merit to my father's profession and praised his talent so highly -that I almost wondered whether I was the daughter of a hard-working -mechanic or a genius. - -My father accepted this last hypothesis, and, being charmed with the -Venetian's manners, took him up to my mother. During this visit, Leoni -displayed so much wit and intelligence, and talked upon every subject in -such a superior way that I was fairly fascinated as I listened to him. I -had never conceived the idea of such a man. Those who had been pointed -out to me previously as the most attractive were so insignificant and -vapid beside him that I thought I must be dreaming. I was too ignorant -to appreciate all Leoni's knowledge and eloquence, but I understood him -instinctively. I was dominated by his glance, enthralled by his tales, -surprised and fascinated by every new resource that he developed. - -It is certain that Leoni is a man endowed with extraordinary faculties. -In a few days he succeeded in arousing a general infatuation throughout -the city. He has all the talents, commands all the means of seduction. -If he were present at a concert, after a little urging he would sing or -play upon any instrument with a marked superiority over the professional -musicians. If he consented to pass the evening in the privacy of some -family circle, he would draw lovely pictures in the women's albums. In -an instant he would produce a portrait full of expression, or a vigorous -caricature; he improvised or declaimed in all languages; he knew all the -character dances of Europe, and he danced them all with fascinating -grace; he had seen, remembered, appreciated and understood everything; -he read the whole world like a book that one carries in one's pocket. He -acted admirably in tragedy or comedy; he organized companies of -amateurs; he was himself leader of the orchestra, star performer, -painter, decorator and scene-shifter. He was at the head of all the -sports and all the parties. It could truly be said that pleasure walked -in his footprints, and that, at his approach, everything changed its -aspect and assumed a new face. He was listened to with enthusiasm and -blindly obeyed; people believed in him as a prophet; and if he had -promised to produce spring in midwinter, they would have deemed him -capable of doing it. After he had been in Brussels a month, the -character of the people had actually changed. Pleasure united all -classes, soothed all the tender susceptibilities, brought all ranks to -the same level. It was nothing but riding-parties, fireworks, -theatricals, concerts and masquerades. Leoni was magnificent and -generous; the workmen would have risen in revolt for him. He scattered -favors about with lavish hand, and found money and time for everything. -His caprices were soon adopted by everybody. All the women loved him, -and the men were so subjugated by him that they did not think of being -jealous of him. - -How, amid such infatuation, could I remain insensible to the glory of -being distinguished by the man who made fanatics of a whole province! -Leoni overwhelmed us with attentions and surrounded us with respectful -homage. My mother and I had become the leaders of society in the city. -We walked by his side at all the entertainments; he assisted us to -display the most insane splendor; he designed our dresses and invented -our fancy costumes; for he understood everything and at need would have -made our gowns and our turbans himself. By such means did he take -possession of the affections of the whole family. My aunt was the most -difficult conquest. She held out for a long while and distressed us by -her discouraging remarks.--Leoni was a man of evil habits, she said, a -frantic gambler, who won and lost the fortune of twenty families every -evening; he would devour ours in a single night. But Leoni undertook to -soften her, and succeeded by laying hold of her vanity, that lever which -he worked so vigorously while seeming only to touch it lightly. Soon -there were no obstacles left. My hand was promised him, with a dowry of -half a million. My aunt suggested that we should have more certain -information concerning the fortune and rank of this foreigner. Leoni -smiled and promised to furnish his patents of nobility and his title -deeds within three weeks. He treated the matter of the marriage contract -very lightly, but it was drawn with the utmost liberality toward him and -confidence in him. He seemed hardly to know what I was to bring him. -Monsieur Delpech, and, upon the strength of his assurance, all Leoni's -new friends, declared that he was four times richer than we were, and -that his marriage to me was a love-match. I readily allowed myself to be -persuaded. I had never been deceived, and I never thought of forgers and -blacklegs except as in the rags of poverty and the livery of -degradation. - -A wave of painful emotion almost suffocated Juliette. She paused and -looked at me with a dazed expression. - -"Poor child!" I said, "God should have protected you." - -"Oh!" she rejoined, contracting her ebon eyebrows, "I used two terrible -words; may God forgive me! I have no hatred in my heart, and I do not -accuse Leoni of being a villain; no, no, for I do not blush for having -loved him. He is an unfortunate man whom we should pity. If you knew---- -But I will tell you all." - -"Go on with your story," I said to her; "Leoni is guilty enough; you -have no intention of accusing him more than he deserves." - -Juliette resumed her narrative. - -It is a fact that he loved me, loved me for myself; the sequel proved -that clearly enough. Do not shake your head, Bustamente. Leoni's is a -powerful body, animated by a vast mind; all the virtues and all the -vices, all the passions, holy and guilty alike, find a place in it at -the same time. No one has ever chosen to judge him impartially; he was -quite right in saying that I alone have known him and done him justice. - -The language that he used to me was so novel to my ear that I was -intoxicated by it. Perhaps my absolute ignorance up to that time of -everything bordering on sentiment made that language seem more delicious -and more extraordinary to me than it would have seemed to a more -experienced girl. But I believe--and other women believed with me--that -no man on earth ever felt and expressed love like Leoni. Superior to -other men in evil and in good, he spoke another tongue, he had another -expression, he had also another heart. I have heard an Italian woman say -that a bouquet in Leoni's hand was more fragrant than in another man's, -and it was so with everything. He gave lustre to the simplest things and -rejuvenated the oldest. There was a prestige about him; I was neither -able nor desirous to escape its influence. I began to love him with all -my strength. - -At this period I seemed to grow in my own eyes. Whether it was the work -of God, of Leoni, or of love, a vigorous mind developed and took -possession of my feeble body. Every day I felt a world of new thoughts -come to life within me. A word from Leoni gave birth to more sentiments -than all the frivolous talk I had heard all my life. He observed my -progress and was elated and proud over it. He sought to hasten it and -brought me books. My mother looked at the gilt covers, the vellum and -the pictures. She hardly glanced at the titles of the works which were -destined to play havoc with my head and my heart. They were beautiful -and pure books, almost all stories of women written by women: -_Valérie_, _Eugène de Rothelin_, _Mademoiselle de Clermont_, -_Delphine_. These touching and impassioned narratives, these glimpses of -what was to me an ideal world, elevated my mind, but they devoured it. I -became romantic, the most deplorable character that a woman can have. - - - - -VI - - -Three months had sufficed to bring about this metamorphosis. I was on -the eve of marrying Leoni. Of all the documents he had promised to -furnish, his certificate of birth and his patents of nobility alone had -come to hand. As for the proofs of his wealth, he had written for them -to another lawyer, and they had not arrived. He manifested extreme -irritation and regret at this delay, which caused a further postponement -of our wedding. One morning he came to our house with an air of -desperation. He showed us an unstamped letter, which he had just -received, he said, by a special messenger. This letter informed him that -his man of business was dead, and that his successor, having found his -papers in great disorder, had a difficult task before him to arrange -them, that he asked a further delay of one or two weeks before he could -furnish _his lordship_ with the documents he required. Leoni was frantic -at this mischance; he would die of impatience and disappointment, he -said, before the end of that frightful fortnight. He threw himself down -in a chair and burst into tears. - -No, do not smile, Don Aleo, they were not pretended tears. I gave him my -hand to console him; I felt that it was wet with tears, and, moved by a -thrill of sympathy, I too began to sob. - -My poor mother could not stand it. She ran, weeping, to seek my father -in his shop.--"It is hateful tyranny," she said, bringing him to where -we were. "See those two unhappy children! how can you refuse to make -them happy, when you see what they suffer? Do you want to kill your -daughter out of respect for an absurd formality? Won't those papers -arrive just as surely and be just as satisfactory after they have been -married a week? What are you afraid of? Do you take our dear Leoni for -an impostor? Can't you see that your insisting on having evidence of his -fortune is insulting to him and cruel to Juliette?" - -My father, bewildered by these reproaches, and above all else by my -tears, swore that he had never dreamed of being so exacting, and that he -would do whatever I wished. He kissed me a thousand times and talked to -me as people talk to a child of six when they yield to his whims, to be -rid of his shrieks. My aunt appeared on the scene and talked less -tenderly. She even reproved me in a way that hurt me.--"A virtuous, -well-bred young woman," she said, "ought not to show so much impatience -to belong to a man."--"It's easy to see," said my mother, altogether out -of patience, "that you never had the chance to belong to one."--My -father could not endure any lack of consideration for his sister. He -leaned toward her view, and remarked that our despair was mere -childishness, that a week would soon pass. I was mortally wounded by the -suspicion that I was impatient, and I tried to restrain my tears; but -Leoni's exerted a magical influence over me, and I could not do it. -Thereupon he rose, with moist eyes and glowing cheeks, and with a smile -overflowing with hope and affection, went to my aunt, took her hands in -one of his, my father's in the other, and fell on his knees, beseeching -them not to stand in the way of his happiness any longer. His manner, -his tone, his expression had an irresistible power; moreover, it was the -first time that my aunt had ever seen a man at her feet. Every trace of -resistance was overcome. The banns were published, all the preliminary -formalities were gone through; our marriage was appointed for the -following week, regardless of the arrival of the papers. - -The following day was Mardi Gras. Monsieur Delpech was to give a -magnificent party, and Leoni had asked us to dress in Turkish costumes; -he made a charming sketch in water-color, which our dress-makers copied -almost perfectly. Velvet, embroidered satin and cashmere were not -spared. But the quantity and beauty of our jewels were what assured us -an indisputable triumph over all the other costumes at the ball. Almost -all the contents of my father's shop were made use of; we had nets and -aigrettes of diamonds, bouquets beautifully mounted in stones of all -colors. My waist, and even my shoes, were embroidered with rare pearls; -a rope of pearls, of extraordinary beauty, served me as a girdle and -fell to my knees. We had great pipes and daggers studded with sapphires -and diamonds. My whole costume was worth at least a million. - -Leoni accompanied us, dressed in a superb Turkish costume. He was so -handsome and so majestic in that garb that people stood on benches to -see him pass. My heart beat violently, I was filled to bursting with a -pride that was almost delirium. My own costume was, as you can imagine, -the last thing in my mind. Leoni's beauty, his success, his superiority -to all the others, the sort of worship that was paid him--and it was all -mine, all at my feet! that was enough to intoxicate an older brain than -mine. It was the last day of my splendor! By what a world of misery and -degradation have I paid for those empty triumphs! - -My aunt, dressed as a Jewess, accompanied us, carrying fans and boxes of -perfume. Leoni, who was determined to win her friendship, had designed -her costume so artistically that he had almost given a touch of poetry -to her serious, wrinkled face. She, too, was intoxicated, poor Agathe! -Alas! what does a woman's common-sense amount to? - -We had been there two or three hours. My mother was dancing and my aunt -gossiping with the superannuated females who compose what is called in -France the tapestry of a ball-room. Leoni was seated by my side and -talking to me in an undertone with a passion of which every word kindled -a spark in my blood. Suddenly his voice died on his lips; he became pale -as death, as if he had seen a ghost. I followed the direction of his -terrified glance and saw, a few steps away, a person the sight of whom -was distasteful to myself: it was a young man named Henryet, who had -made me an offer of marriage the year before. Although he was rich and -of an honorable family, my mother had not deemed him worthy of me, and -had dismissed him on the pretext of my extreme youth. But, at the -beginning of the following year, he had renewed his offer with much -persistence, and it had been currently reported in the city that he was -madly in love with me. I had not deigned to take any notice of him, and -my mother, who considered him too simple and too ordinary, had put an -end to his assiduities rather abruptly. He had manifested more grief -than anger, and had started immediately for Paris. Since then my aunt -and my young friends had reproached me somewhat for my indifference with -respect to him. He was, they said, a most excellent young man, -thoroughly educated, and of a noble character. These reproaches had -disgusted me. His unexpected appearance in the midst of the happiness I -was enjoying with Leoni was most unpleasant to me, and had the effect -upon me of a new reproof. I turned my face away and pretended not to -have seen him, but the strange glance he bestowed upon me did not escape -me. Leoni hastily grasped my arm, and asked me to come and take an ice -in the next room; he added that the heat was distressing to him and made -him nervous. I believed him, and thought that Henryet's glance expressed -nothing more than jealousy. We went into the gallery. There were few -people there, and I walked back and forth for some time, leaning on -Leoni's arm. He was agitated and preoccupied. I manifested some -uneasiness thereat, and he answered that it was not worth talking about; -that he simply did not feel perfectly well. - -He was beginning to recover himself when I saw that Henryet had followed -us. I could not help showing my annoyance. - -"Upon my word that man follows us like remorse," I whispered to Leoni. -"Is it really a man? I can almost believe that it is a soul in distress -returned from the other world." - -"What man?" said Leoni, with a start. "What's his name? where is he? -what does he want of us? do you know him?" - -I told him in a few words what had happened, and begged him not to seem -to notice Henryet's absurd actions. But Leoni did not reply; and I felt -his hand, which held mine, become cold as death. A convulsive shudder -passed through his body, and I thought that he was going to faint; but -it was all over in an instant. - -"My nerves are horribly upset," he said. "I believe that I shall have to -go to bed; my head is on fire, and this turban weighs a hundred pounds." - -"_O mon Dieu_!" said I, "if you go now, this night will seem -interminable to me, and the party stupid beyond endurance. Go into some -more retired room and try taking off your turban for a few moments; we -will ask for a few drops of ether to quiet your nerves." - -"Yes, you are right, my dear, good Juliette, my angel. There's a boudoir -at the end of the gallery, where we probably shall be alone; a moment of -rest will cure me." - -As he spoke, he led me hastily in the direction of the boudoir; he -seemed to fly rather than walk. I heard steps coming after us. I turned -and saw Henryet coming nearer and nearer and looking as if he were -pursuing us. I thought that he had gone mad. The terror which Leoni -could not hide put the finishing touch to the confusion of my ideas. A -superstitious fear took possession of me; my blood congealed as in a -nightmare; and it was impossible for me to take another step. At that -moment Henryet overtook us and laid a hand, which seemed to me metallic, -on Leoni's shoulder. Leoni stood still, as if struck by lightning, and -nodded his head affirmatively, as if he had divined a question or an -injunction in that terrifying silence. Thereupon Henryet walked away, -and I felt that I could move my feet once more. I had the strength to -follow Leoni into the boudoir, where I fell on an ottoman, as pale and -terror-stricken as he. - - - - -VII - - -He remained some time thus; then, suddenly collecting his strength, he -threw himself at my feet. - -"Juliette," he said, "I am lost unless you love me to frenzy." - -"O heaven! what does that mean?" I cried wildly, throwing my arms around -his neck. - -"And you do not love me that way!" he continued, in an agony of despair. -"I am lost, am I not?" - -"I love you with all the strength of my heart!" I cried, weeping. "What -must I do to save you?" - -"Ah! you would never consent!" he replied, with a discouraged air. "I am -the most miserable of men; you are the only woman I have ever loved, -Juliette, and when I am on the point of possessing you, my heart, my -life, I lose you forever! I have no choice but to die." - -"_Mon Dieu! mon Dieu_!" I cried; "can't you speak? can't you tell me -what you expect of me?" - -"No, I cannot speak," he replied; "a ghastly secret, a frightful mystery -overhangs my whole life, and I can never disclose it to you. To love me, -to go with me, to comfort me, you would need to be more than a woman, -more than angel, perhaps!" - -"To love you! to go with you!" I repeated. "Shall I not be your wife in -a few days? You have but a word to say; however great my sorrow and that -of my parents, I will follow you to the end of the world, if it is your -will." - -"Is that true, O my Juliette?" he cried in a transport of joy; "you will -go with me? you will leave everything for me? Very well; if you love me -as much as that, I am saved! Let us go, let us go at once!" - -"What! can you think of such a thing, Leoni? Are we married?" said I. - -"We cannot marry," he replied shortly, in a firm voice. - -I was stricken dumb. - -"And if you will not love me, if you will not fly with me," he -continued, "I have but one course to take; that is, to kill myself." - -He said this in such a determined tone that I shuddered from head to -foot. - -"In heaven's name what is happening to us?" I said; "is this a dream? -Who can prevent our marrying, when everything is decided, when you have -my father's word?" - -"A word from the man who is in love with you, and who is determined to -prevent you from being mine." - -"I hate him and despise him!" I cried. "Where is he? I propose to make -him feel the shame of such cowardly persecution and such a detestable -vengeance. But how can he injure you, Leoni? are you not so far above -his attacks that with a word you can pulverize him? Are not your virtue -and your strength as pure and unassailable as gold? O heaven! I -understand; you are ruined! the papers you have been expecting bring -only bad news. Henryet knows it and threatens to tell my parents. His -conduct is infamous; but have no fear, my parents are kind, they adore -me; I will throw myself at their feet, I will threaten to go into a -convent; you can appeal to them again as you did yesterday and you will -persuade them, you may be sure. Am I not rich enough for two? My father -will not choose to condemn me to die of grief; my mother will intercede -for me. We three together shall be stronger than my aunt to argue with -him. Come, don't be distressed, Leoni, this cannot part us, it is -impossible. If my parents should prove to be as sordid as that, then I -would fly with you." - -"Let us fly then at once," said Leoni with an air of profound gloom; -"for they will be inflexible. There is something in addition to my ruin, -something infernal, which I cannot tell you. Are you kind? Are you the -woman I have dreamed of and thought I had found in you? Are you capable -of heroism? Do you understand great things, boundless devotion? Tell me, -Juliette, tell me, are you simply an amiable, pretty woman from whom I -shall part with regret, or are you an angel whom God has sent to me to -save me from despair? Do you feel that there is something noble in -sacrificing yourself for one you love? Does not your heart swell at the -thought of holding in your hands a man's life and destiny and in -consecrating your whole being to him? Ah! if only we could change our -rôles! if I were in your place! With what joy, with what bliss I would -sacrifice to you all my affections, all my duties!" - -"Enough, Leoni!" I replied, "you drive me wild with your words. Mercy, -mercy for my poor mother, for my poor father, for my honor! You wish to -ruin me----" - -"Ah! you think of all those people!" he cried, "and not of me! You weigh -the sorrow of your parents, and you do not deign to put mine in the -balance! You do not love me!" - -I hid my face in my hands, I appealed to God, I listened to Leoni's -sobs; I thought that I was going mad. - -"Very well! you will have it so," I said, "and you have the power; -speak, tell me what you wish, and I must obey you; have you not my mind -and my will at your disposal?" - -"We have very few minutes to lose," replied Leoni. "We must be away from -here in an hour, or your flight will have become impossible. There is a -vulture's eye hovering over us; but if you consent, we will find a way -to outwit him. Do you consent? do you consent?" - -He pressed me frantically in his arms. Cries of agony escaped from his -breast. I answered yes without knowing what I was saying. - -"Well, then, go back at once to the ball-room," he said, "and show no -excitement. If anybody questions you, say that you have been a little -indisposed; but don't let them take you home. Dance if you must. Above -all things, if Henryet speaks to you, don't irritate him; remember that -for another hour my fate is in his hands. An hour hence I will come back -in a domino. I will have this bit of ribbon in my hood. You will -recognize it, won't you? You will go with me, and above all else, you -will be calm, impassive. You must think of all this; do you feel that -you are strong enough?" - -I rose and pressed my hands against my throbbing heart. My throat was on -fire, my cheeks were burning with fever. I was like a drunken man. - -"Come, come," he said to me; with that he pushed me into the ball-room -and disappeared. My mother was looking for me. I could detect her -anxiety in the distance, and to avoid her questions I hurriedly accepted -an invitation to dance. - -I danced, and I have no idea how I kept from falling when the dance was -at an end, I had made such a mighty effort to get through it. When I -returned to my place my mother was already on the floor, waltzing. She -had seen me dancing, so her mind was at rest, and she began to enjoy -herself once more. My aunt, instead of questioning me about my absence, -scolded me. I preferred that, for I was not called upon to answer and to -lie. One of my friends asked me with a terrified air what the matter was -with me and why I had such a distressed expression on my face. I -answered that I had just had a violent fit of coughing.--"You must -rest," she said, "and not dance any more." - -But I had decided to avoid my mother's glance; I was afraid of her -anxiety, her affection and my remorse. I spied her handkerchief, which -she had left on the bench; I picked it up, put it to my face, and, -covering my mouth with it, devoured it with convulsive kisses. My friend -thought that I was coughing again, for I pretended to cough. I did not -know how to pass that fatal hour, barely half of which had dragged away. -My aunt noticed that I was very hoarse and said that she was going to -urge my mother to go home. I was terrified by that threat and instantly -accepted another invitation. When I was in the midst of the dancers, I -noticed that I had accepted an invitation to waltz. Like almost all -girls, I never waltzed; but, when I recognized in the man who already -had his arm about me the sinister face of Henryet, terror prevented my -refusing. He led me away and the rapid movement took away the last -remnant of my reasoning power. I asked myself if all that was taking -place about me were not a vision; if I were not lying in bed with the -fever, rather than whirling about in a waltz, like a mad woman, with a -man whom I held in horror. And then I remembered that Leoni would soon -come for me. I looked at my mother, who seemed to fly through the circle -of dancers, so light of foot and heart was she. I said to myself that it -was impossible, that I could not leave my mother thus. I felt that -Henryet was holding my very tight in his arms and that his eyes were -devouring my face, which was turned toward his. I came very near -shrieking and flying from him. But I remembered Leoni's words: "My fate -is in his hands for another hour." So I resigned myself. We stopped for -a moment. He spoke to me. I did not hear what he said, but answered with -a wild sort of smile. At that moment I felt something brush against my -bare arms and shoulders. I had no need to turn for I recognized the -almost imperceptible breathing of Leoni. I asked to be taken back to my -place. Another moment and Leoni, in a black domino, offered me his hand. -I went with him. We glided through the crowd, we escaped, by some -miracle, the jealous surveillance of Henryet and of my mother's eyes, -for she was looking for me again. The very audacity with which I left -the ball-room in the presence of five hundred witnesses, to fly with -Leoni, prevented my flight from being noticed. We passed through the -throng in the dressing-rooms. Some people who were getting their cloaks -recognized us and were astonished to see me going down the stairs -without my mother, but they also were going away and so would not report -what they had seen in the ball-room. - -When we reached the courtyard, Leoni, dragging me behind him, rushed to -a side gate not used by carriages. We ran a short distance along a dark -street; the door of a post-chaise opened, Leoni lifted me in, wrapped me -in a huge fur cloak, pulled a travelling cap over my head, and in the -twinkling of an eye Monsieur Delpech's brilliantly lighted house, the -street and the city disappeared behind us. - -We travelled twenty-four hours without once leaving the carriage. At -each relay-house, Leoni raised the window a little, put his arm outside, -tossed the postilions four times their pay, hurriedly withdrew his arm -and closed the window. I scarcely thought of complaining of fatigue or -hunger; my teeth were clenched, my nerves tense; I could neither shed a -tear nor say a word. Leoni seemed more disturbed by the fear of being -pursued than by my suffering and grief. - -We halted near a château a short distance from the road. We rang at a -garden gate. A servant opened the gate after we had waited a long while. -It was two o'clock in the morning. When he finally appeared, grumbling, -he put his lantern to Leoni's face; he had no sooner recognized him than -he lost himself in apologies and led us to the house. It seemed deserted -and ill-kept. Nevertheless I was shown to a fairly comfortable chamber. -In a moment a fire was lighted, the bed prepared, and a woman came to -undress me. I had fallen into a sort of idiocy. The heat of the fire -revivified me somewhat, and I discovered that I was in a night-dress, -with my hair unbound, alone with Leoni; but he paid no attention to me; -he was busy packing in a box the magnificent costume, the pearls and -diamonds in which we were both arrayed a moment before. The jewels that -Leoni wore belonged for the most part to my father. My mother, -determined that his costume should not be less gorgeous than ours, had -taken them from the shop and lent them to him without saying anything -about it. When I saw all that wealth packed into a box, I was mortally -ashamed of the species of theft we had committed, and I thanked Leoni -for thinking about returning them to my father. I don't know what answer -he made; he told me that I had four hours to sleep and begged me to make -the best of them, without anxiety or grief. He kissed my bare feet and -left me. I had not the courage to go to bed; I slept in an arm-chair by -the fire. At six o'clock in the morning they came and woke me, brought -me some chocolate and men's clothes. I breakfasted and dressed myself -with resignation. Leoni came for me, and before daybreak we left that -mysterious house, of which I have never known the name or the precise -location or the owner; and the same is true of many other houses, some -handsome and some wretched, which were thrown open to us, in all -countries and at all hours, at the bare mention of Leoni's name. - -As we rode on, Leoni recovered his usual serenity of manner and spoke to -me with all his former affection. Enslaved and bound to him by a blind -passion, I was an instrument whose every chord he played upon at will. -If he was pensive I became melancholy; if he was cheerful, I forgot all -my sorrows and all my remorse to smile at his jests; if he was -passionate, I forgot the weariness of my brain and the exhaustion caused -by weeping; I recovered strength enough to love him and to tell him of -my love. - - - - -VIII - - -We arrived at Geneva, where we remained only long enough to rest. We -soon travelled into the interior of Switzerland and there laid aside all -fear of pursuit and discovery. Ever since our departure, Leoni's only -thought had been to make his way with me to some peaceful rural retreat, -there to live on love and poetry in a never-ending tête à-tête. That -delicious dream was realized. We found in one of the valleys near Lago -Maggiore one of the most picturesque of chalets in a fascinating -situation. At a very small expense we had it arranged conveniently -inside, and we hired it at the beginning of April. We passed there six -months of intoxicating bliss, for which I shall thank God all my life, -although He has made me pay very dear for them. We were absolutely alone -and cut off from all relations with the world. We were served by a young -couple, good-humored, sturdy country people, who added to our -contentment by the spectacle of that which they enjoyed. The woman did -the housework and the cooking, the husband drove to pasture a cow and -two goats, which composed all our live stock, milked and made the -cheese. We rose early, and, when the weather was fine, breakfasted a -short distance from the house, in a pretty orchard, where the trees, -abandoned to the hand of nature, put forth dense branches in every -direction, less rich in fruit than in flowers and foliage. Then we went -out to drive in the valley or climbed some mountain. We gradually -adopted the habit of taking long excursions, and every day discovered -some new spot. Mountainous countries have the peculiar charm that one -can explore them for a long time before one becomes acquainted with all -their beauties and all their secrets. When we went on our longest -excursions, Joanne, our light-hearted major-domo, attended us with a -basket of provisions, and nothing could be more delightful than our -lunches on the grass. Leoni was easily satisfied except as to what he -called the refectory. At last, when we had found a little verdure-clad -shelf half-way down the slope of some deep gorge, sheltered from wind -and sun, with a lovely view, and a brook close at hand sweetened by -aromatic plants, he would himself arrange the repast on a white napkin -spread on the ground. He would send Joanne to pick strawberries and -plunge the wine into the cool water of the stream. He would light a -spirit lamp and cook fresh eggs. By the same process I used to make -excellent coffee after the cold meat and fruit. In this way we had -something of the enjoyments of civilization amid the romantic beauties -of the desert. - -When the weather was bad, as was often the case in the early spring, we -lighted a huge fire to keep the dampness from our little dwelling of -fir; we surrounded ourselves with screens which Leoni sawed out, put -together and painted with his own hand. We drank tea; and while he -smoked a long Turkish pipe I read to him. We called those our Flemish -days; while they were less exciting than the others, they were perhaps -even pleasanter. Leoni had an admirable talent for apportioning the time -so as to make life easy and agreeable. In the morning he would exert his -mind to lay out a scheme for the day and arrange our occupations for the -different hours; and when it was done he would come and submit it to me. -I always found it admirable, and we always adhered strictly to it. In -this way, ennui, which always pursues recluses and even lovers in their -tête-à-têtes, never came near us. Leoni knew all that must be avoided -and all that must be looked after to maintain mental tranquillity and -bodily well-being. He would give me directions in his adroitly -affectionate way; and, being as submissive to him as a slave to his -master, I never opposed a single one of his washes. He said, for -instance, that the exchange of thoughts between two people who love each -other is the sweetest thing imaginable, but that it may become the -greatest curse if it is abused. So he regulated the hours of our -interviews and the places where they were to be held. We worked all day; -I looked after the housekeeping; I prepared dainty dishes for him or -folded his linen with my own hands. He was extremely sensible of such -petty refinements of luxury, and found them doubly precious in our -little hermitage. He, on his side, provided for all our needs and -remedied all the inconveniences of our isolation. He had a little -knowledge of all sorts of trades; he did cabinet work, he put on locks, -he made partitions with wooden frames and painted paper panels, he -prevented chimneys from smoking, he grafted fruit trees, he diverted the -course of a stream, so that we had a supply of cool water near the -house. He was always busy about something useful, and he always did it -well. When these more important duties were performed, he painted in -water-colors, composed lovely landscapes from the sketches we had made -in our albums during our walks. Sometimes he wandered about the valley -alone, making verses, and hurried home to repeat them to me. He often -found me in the stable with my apron full of aromatic herbs of which the -goats were very fond. My two lovely pets ate from my lap. One was pure -white, without a speck: her name was _Snow_; she had a gentle, -melancholy air. The other was yellow like a chamois, with black beard -and legs. She was very young, with a wild, saucy face; we called her -_Doe_. The cow's name was _Daisy_. She was red, with black stripes -running transversely, like a tiger. She would put her head on my -shoulder; and when Leoni found me so, he called me his Virgin at the -Manger. He would toss me his album and dictate his verses, which were -almost always addressed to me. They were hymns of love and happiness -which seemed sublime to me, and which must have been sublime. I would -weep silently as I wrote them down; and when I had finished, "Well," -Leoni would say, "do you think they are pretty bad?" At that I would -raise my tear-stained face to his; he would laugh and kiss me with the -keenest delight. - -Then he would sit down on the sweet-smelling hay and read me poems in -other languages, which he translated with incredible rapidity and -accuracy. Meanwhile I was spinning in the half-light of the stable. One -must be familiar with the exquisite cleanliness of Swiss stables to -understand our choosing ours for our salon. It was traversed by a swift -mountain stream which washed it clean every moment, and which rejoiced -our ears with its gentle plashing. Tame pigeons drank at our feet, and -under the little arch through which the stream entered, saucy sparrows -hopped in to bathe and steal a few wisps of hay. It was the coolest spot -in warm days, when all the windows were open, and the warmest on cold -days, when the smallest cracks were stuffed with straw and furze. Leoni, -when tired of reading, would often fall asleep on the freshly-cut grass, -and I would leave my work to gaze at that beautiful face, which the -serenity of sleep made even nobler than before. - -During these busy days we talked little, although almost always -together; we would exchange an occasional loving word or caress and -encourage each other in our work. But when the evening came, Leoni -became indolent in body and mentally active. Those were the hours when -he was most lovable, and he reserved them for the outpouring of our -affection. Fatigued, but not unpleasantly, by his day's work, he would -lie on the moss at my feet, in a lonely spot near the house, on the -slope of the mountain. From there we would behold the gorgeous sunset, -the melancholy fading away of the daylight, the grave and solemn coming -of the night. We knew the moment when all the stars would rise, and over -which peak each of them would begin to shine. Leoni was thoroughly -familiar with astronomy, but Joanne, too, knew that science of the -shepherds after his manner, and he gave the stars other names, often -more poetic and more expressive than ours. When Leoni had amused himself -sufficiently with his rustic pedantry, he would send him away to play -the _Ranz des Vaches_ on his reed-pipe at the foot of the mountain. The -shrill notes sounded indescribably sweet in the distance. Leoni would -fall into a reverie which resembled a trance; and then, when it was -quite dark, when the silence of the valley was no longer broken by aught -save the plaintive cry of some cliff-dwelling bird, when the fireflies -lighted their lamps in the grass about us and a soft breeze sighed -through the firs over our heads, Leoni would seem to wake suddenly from -a dream, as if to another life. His heart would take fire, his -passionate eloquence would overflow my heart. He would talk to the -skies, the wind, the echoes, to all nature with enthusiastic fervor; he -would take me in his arms and overwhelm me with delirious caresses; then -he would weep with love on my bosom, and, growing calmer, would talk to -me in the sweetest, most intoxicating words. - -Oh! how could I have failed to love that unequalled man, in his good and -in his evil days? How lovable he was then! how beautiful! how becoming -the sunburn was to his manly face, and with what profound respect it -avoided the broad white forehead over the jet-black, eyebrows! How well -he knew how to love and to tell his love! What a genius he had for -arranging life and making it beautiful! How could I have failed to have -blind confidence in him? How could I have failed to accustom myself to -absolute submission to him? All that he did, all that he said, was good -and wise and noble. He was generous, sensitive, refined, heroic; he took -pleasure in relieving the destitution or the infirmities of the poor who -knocked at our door. One day he jumped into a stream, at the risk of his -life, to save a young shepherd; one night he wandered through the -snowdrifts, surrounded by the most awful dangers, to assist some -travellers who had lost their way and whose cries of distress we had -heard. Oh! how, how could I have distrusted Leoni? how could I have -conceived any dread of the future? Do not tell me again that I am -credulous and weak; the most strong-minded of women would have been -subjugated forever by those six months of love. As for myself, I was -absolutely enslaved; and my cruel remorse for having abandoned my -parents, the thought of their grief, grew fainter day by day, and, -finally, vanished almost entirely. Oh! how great was that man's power! - -Juliette paused and fell into a melancholy reverie. A clock in the -distance struck twelve. I suggested that she should rest. "No," said -she, "if you are not tired of listening to me, I prefer to go on. I feel -that I have undertaken a task that will be very painful for my poor -heart, and that when I have finished I shall neither feel nor remember -anything for several days. I prefer to make the most of the strength I -have to-day." - -"Yes, you are right, Juliette," I said. "Tear the steel from your -breast, and you will be better afterward. But tell me, my poor child, -how it was that Henryet's strange conduct at the ball and Leoni's craven -submission at a glance from him did not leave a suspicion, a fear in -your mind?" - -"What could I fear?" replied Juliette. "I knew so little of the affairs -of life and the baseness of society that I utterly failed to understand -that mystery. Leoni had told me that there was a terrible secret. I -imagined a thousand romantic catastrophes. It was the fashion then in -books to introduce characters burdened by the most extraordinary and -improbable maledictions. Plays and novels alike teemed with sons of -headsmen, heroic spies, virtuous murderers and felons. One day I read -_Frederick Styndall_, another day, Cooper's _Spy_ fell into my hands. -Remember that I was a mere child, and that my mind was far behind my -heart in my passion. I fancied that society, being unjust and stupid, -had placed Leoni under its ban for some sublime imprudence, some -involuntary offence, or as the result of some savage prejudice. I will -even admit that my poor girlish brain found an additional attraction in -that impenetrable mystery, and that my woman's heart took fire at the -opportunity of adventuring its entire destiny to repair a noble and -poetic misfortune." - -"Leoni probably detected that romantic tendency and played upon it?" I -said. - -"Yes," she replied, "he did. But if he took so much trouble to deceive -me, it was because he loved me, because he was determined to have my -love at any price." - -We were silent for a moment; then Juliette resumed her narrative. - - - - -IX - - -The winter came at last; we had made our plans to endure all its rigors -rather than abandon our dear retreat. Leoni told me that he had never -been so happy, that I was the only woman he had ever loved, that he was -ready to renounce the world in order to live and die in my arms. His -taste for dissipation, his passion for gambling--all had vanished, -forgotten forever. Oh! how grateful I was to see that man, who shone so -in society and was so flattered and courted, renounce without regret all -the intoxicating joys of a life of excitement and festivities, to shut -himself up with me in a cottage! And be sure, Don Aleo, that Leoni was -not deceiving me at that time. While it is true that he had very strong -reasons for keeping out of sight, it is none the less certain that he -was happy in his retreat, and that he loved me there. Could he have -feigned that perfect serenity during six whole months, unchanged for a -single day? And why should he not have loved me? I was young and fair, I -had left everything for him and I adored him. Understand, I am no longer -under any delusion as to his character; I know everything and I will -tell you the whole truth. His character is very ugly and very beautiful; -very vile and very grand; when one has not the strength to hate the man, -one must needs love him and become his victim. - -But the winter began so fiercely that our residence in the valley became -extremely dangerous. In a few days the snow reached the level of our -chalet; it threatened to bury it and to cause our deaths by starvation. -Leoni insisted on remaining; he wanted to lay in a stock of provisions -and defy the enemy; but Joanne assured him that we should inevitably be -lost if we did not beat a retreat at once; that such a winter had not -been seen for ten years, and that when the thaw came the chalet would be -swept away like a feather by the avalanches, unless Saint Bernard and -Our Lady of the Snow-drifts should save it by a miracle. - -"If I were alone," said Leoni, "I would wait for a miracle and laugh at -the snow-drifts; but I have no courage when you share my dangers. We -will go away to-morrow." - -"We must do it," I said; "but where shall we go? I shall be recognized -and betrayed very soon; I shall be compelled by force to return to my -parents." - -"There are a thousand ways of eluding men and laws," replied Leoni with -a smile; "we can surely find one; don't be alarmed; the whole world is -at our disposal." - -"And where shall we begin?" I asked, forcing myself to smile too. - -"I don't know yet," he replied, "but what does it matter? we shall be -together; where can we be unhappy?" - -"Alas!" said I, "shall we ever be so happy as we have been here?" - -"Do you want to stay here?" - -"No," I replied, "we should be happy no longer; in presence of danger, -we should always be alarmed for each other." - -We made preparations for our departure. Joanne passed the day clearing -the path by which we were to go. During the night I had a strange -experience, upon which I have feared, many times since then, to -meditate. - -In the midst of a sound sleep I suddenly felt very cold and woke up. I -felt for Leoni at my side, but he was not there; his place was cold, and -the bedroom door was ajar, admitting a current of ice-cold air. I waited -a few moments, but, as Leoni did not return, I began to be alarmed, so I -rose and hastily dressed myself. Even then I waited before making up my -mind to go out, reluctant to allow myself to be governed by any mere -childish anxiety. But he did not appear; an invincible terror seized -upon me, and I went out, scantily clad, with the thermometer fifteen -degrees below freezing. I was afraid that Leoni might have gone to -assist some poor creatures who were lost in the snow, as had happened a -few nights before, and I was determined to follow and find him. I called -Joanne and his wife; they were sleeping so soundly that they did not -hear me. Thereupon, almost frantic with dread, I went to the edge of the -little palisaded platform which surrounded the chalet and saw a faint -light twinkling on the snow some distance away. I fancied that I -recognized the lantern that Leoni carried on his relief expeditions. I -ran toward it as rapidly as the snow would allow me, sinking in up to my -knees. I tried to call him, but the cold made my teeth chatter, and the -wind, which blew in my face, intercepted my voice. At last I came near -to the light and could see Leoni distinctly; he was standing on the spot -where I had first seen him, holding a spade. I approached still nearer, -the snow deadening the sound of my footsteps, and finally stood almost -beside him, unseen by him. The light was enclosed in its metal cylinder -and shone through a slit on the opposite side from me, directly upon -him. - -I saw then that he had shovelled away the snow and dug into the earth; -he was up to his knees in a hole he had made. - -This strange occupation, at such an hour and in such severe weather, -gave me an absurd fright. Leoni seemed to be in extraordinary haste. -From time to time he glanced uneasily about; I crouched behind a rock -for I was terrified by the expression of his face. It seemed to me that -he would kill me if he should find me there. All the fanciful, foolish -stories I had read, all the strange conjectures I had made concerning -his secret, recurred to my mind; I believed that he had come there to -dig up a corpse, and I almost fainted. I was somewhat reassured when I -saw him, after digging a little longer, take a box from the hole. He -scrutinized it closely, looked to see if the lock had been forced, then -placed it on the edge of the hole and began to throw back the earth and -snow, taking little pains to conceal the traces of his operation. - -When I saw that he was ready to return to the house with his box, I was -terribly afraid that he would discover my imprudent curiosity, and I -fled as swiftly as I could. I made haste to throw my wet clothes into a -corner and go back to bed, resolved to pretend to be fast asleep when he -returned; but I had plenty of time to recover from my emotion, for it -was more than half an hour before he reappeared. - -I lost myself in conjectures concerning that mysterious box, which must -have been buried on the mountain since our arrival, and was destined to -accompany us, either as a talisman of safety or as an instrument of -death. It seemed to me unlikely that it contained money; for it was of -considerable size and yet Leoni had lifted it with one hand and without -apparent effort. Perhaps it contained papers upon which his very -existence depended. What impressed me most strongly was the idea that I -had seen the box before; but it was impossible for me to remember when -or where. This time its shape and color were engraved on my memory as if -by a sort of fatal necessity. I had it before my eyes all night, and in -my dreams I saw a multitude of strange objects come out of it: sometimes -cards cut into curious shapes, sometimes bloody weapons; sometimes -flowers, feathers and jewels; and sometimes bones, snakes, bits of gold, -iron chains and anklets. - -I was very careful not to question Leoni or to let him suspect my -discovery. He had often said to me that on the day that I discovered his -secret all would be at an end between us; and although he thanked me on -his knees for believing blindly in him, he often gave me to understand -that the slightest curiosity on my part would be distasteful to him. We -started the next morning on mules, and travelled by post from the -nearest town all the way to Venice. - -There we alighted at one of those mysterious houses which Leoni seemed -to have at his disposal in all countries. This one was dark, dilapidated -and hidden away, as it were, in a deserted quarter of the city. He told -me that it belonged to a friend of his who was absent; he begged me to -try to put up with it for a day or two, adding that there were important -reasons why he could not show himself in the city at once, but that, in -twenty-four hours at the latest, I should be provided with suitable -lodgings and should have no reason to complain of life in his native -place. - -We had just breakfasted in a cold, damp room, when a shabbily dressed -man, with a disagreeable face and a sickly complexion, made his -appearance, observing that Leoni had sent for him. - -"Yes, yes, my dear Thaddeus," Leoni replied, hastily leaving the table; -"I am glad to see you; let us go into another room and not bore madame -with business matters." - -An hour later Leoni came and kissed me; he seemed excited, but -satisfied, as if he had won a victory. - -"I must leave you for a few hours," he said; "I am going to have your -new home made ready; we shall sleep there to-morrow night." - - - - -X - - -He was away all day. The next day he went out early. He seemed very -busy; but he was in a more cheerful mood than I had yet seen him. That -gave me courage to endure the tedium of another twelve hours and -dispelled the melancholy impression that cold and silent house produced -upon me. In the afternoon I tried to distract my thoughts by going over -it; it was very old; some remnants of antiquated furniture, tattered -hangings, and several pictures half consumed by rats attracted my -attention; but an object even more interesting to me turned my thoughts -in another direction. - -As I entered the room where Leoni had slept, I saw the famous box on the -floor; it was open and entirely empty. An enormous weight was lifted -from my mind. The unknown dragon confined in that box had taken flight! -the terrible destiny which it had seemed to me to forebode no longer -weighed upon us!--"Well, well," I said to myself with a smile, -"Pandora's box is empty; hope has remained behind for me." - -As I was about to leave the room, I placed my foot on a small bit of -cotton wool which had been left lying on the floor with some crumpled -tissue paper. I felt something hard and stooped mechanically to pick it -up. My fingers felt the same hard substance through the cotton, and on -pulling it apart I found a pin made of several large diamonds, which I -at once recognized as belonging to my father, and which I had worn on -the evening of the last ball, to fasten a scarf on my shoulder. This -incident made such an impression on me that I thought no more of the box -or of Leoni's secret. I was conscious of nothing but a vague feeling of -uneasiness concerning the jewels I had carried with me in my flight, and -to which I had not since given even a thought, supposing that Leoni had -sent them back at once. The possibility that that had not been done was -horrible to me; and as soon as Leoni returned I asked him ingenuously: - -"My dear, you didn't forget to send back my father's diamonds after we -left Brussels, did you?" - -Leoni looked at me with a strange expression. He seemed to be trying to -read in the lowest depths of my soul. - -"Why don't you answer?" I said; "what is there so surprising in my -question?" - -"What the devil does it mean?" he replied calmly. - -"It means that I went into your room to-day, and found this on your -floor. Thereupon I feared that, in the excitement of our flight and the -confusion of our travels, you might have forgotten to send back the -other jewels. For my own part, I hardly reminded you of it; my brain was -in such a whirl." - -As I concluded, I handed him the pin. I spoke so naturally and was so -far from dreaming of suspecting him, that he saw it at once; and, taking -the pin with the utmost calmness, he said: - -"_Parbleu_! I don't know what this means. Where did you find it? Are you -sure that it belonged to your father and was not left behind here by the -people who occupied the house before us?" - -"Oh! yes," said I, "here is an almost imperceptible mark near the -fastening; it's my father's private mark. With a magnifying-glass you -can see his cipher." - -"Very good," he replied; "then the pin must have been left in one of our -trunks, and I suppose I dropped it this morning when shaking some of my -clothes. Luckily it's the only piece of jewelry we brought away by -accident; all the rest was placed in charge of a reliable man and -addressed to Delpech, who must have turned it over to your family. I -don't believe that it is worth while to return this; it would excite -your mother's grief anew for very little money." - -"It is worth at least ten thousand francs," I said. - -"Very well, keep it until you have an opportunity to send it back. By -the way, are you ready? are the trunks locked? There is a gondola at the -door and your house is waiting impatiently for you; supper is already -served." - -Half an hour later we stopped at the door of a magnificent palace. The -stairways were covered with amaranth-colored carpets; the white marble -rails with flowering orange-trees, in midwinter, and with light statues -which seemed to lean over to salute us. The concierge and four servants -came forward to assist us to disembark. Leoni took a candlestick from -one of them and raised it so that I could read on the cornice of the -peristyle, in silver letters on an azure ground: _Palazzo Leoni_. - -"O my love," I cried, "you did not deceive us? You are rich and of noble -birth and I am in your house!" - - -[Illustration: _LEONI TAKES JULIETTE TO HIS -PALACE._ - -_Leoni took a candlestick * * * and raised it so that I could read on -the cornice of the peristyle, in silver letters, on an azure ground_: -Palazzo Leoni. - -"_O my love," I cried, "you did not deceive us? You are rich and of -noble birth, and I am in your house!_"] - - -I went all over the palace with childlike delight. It was one of the -finest in all Venice. The furniture and the hangings, fairly glistening -with newness, had been copied from antique models, so that the paintings -on the ceilings and the old-fashioned architecture harmonized perfectly -with the new accessories. The luxury that we bourgeois and people of the -North affect is so paltry, so vulgar, so slovenly, that I had never -dreamed of such elegance. I walked through the vast galleries as through -an enchanted palace; all the objects about me were of strange shapes, of -unfamiliar aspect; I wondered if I were dreaming, or if I were really -the mistress and queen of all those marvellous things. Moreover, that -feudal magnificence was a fresh source of enchantment to me. I had never -realized the pleasure or the advantage of being noble. In France people -no longer know what it is, in Belgium they have never known. Here in -Italy the few remaining nobles are still proud and fond of display; the -palaces are not demolished, but are allowed to crumble away. Between -those walls laden with trophies and escutcheons, beneath those ceilings -on which the armorial bearings of the family were painted, face to face -with Leoni's ancestors painted by Titian and Veronese, some grave and -stern in their long cloaks, others elegant and gracious in their black -satin doublets, I understood that pride of rank which may be so -attractive and so becoming when it does not adorn a fool. All this -illustrious environment was so suited to Leoni that it would be -impossible for me, even to-day, to think of him as a plebeian. He was -the fitting descendant of those men with black beards and alabaster -hands, of the type that Van Dyck has immortalized. He had their -eagle-like profile, their delicate and refined features, their tall -stature, their eyes, at once mocking and kindly. If those portraits -could have walked they would have walked as he did; if they had spoken, -they would have had his voice. - -"Can it be," I said, throwing my arms about him, "that it was you, my -lord, Signor Leone Leoni, who were in that chalet among the goats and -hens the other day, with a pickaxe over your shoulder and a blouse on -your back? Was it you that lived that life for six months, with a -nameless, witless girl, who has no other merit than her love for you? -And you mean to keep me with you, you will love me always, and tell me -so every morning, as at the chalet? Oh, it is a too exalted and too -happy lot for me; I had not aspired so high, and it terrifies me at the -same time that it intoxicates me." - -"Do not be frightened," he said, with a smile, "be my companion and my -queen forever. Now, come to supper; I have two guests to present to you. -Arrange your hair and make yourself pretty; and when I call you my wife, -don't open your eyes as if you were surprised." - -We found an exquisite supper served on a table sparkling with porcelain, -glass and plate. The two guests were presented to me with due solemnity; -they were Venetians both, with attractive faces and refined manners, -and, although very inferior to Leoni, they resembled him somewhat in -their pronunciation and in the quality of their minds. I asked him in an -undertone if they were kinsmen of his. - -"Yes," he replied aloud, with a laugh, "they are my cousins." - -"Of course," added one of them, who was addressed as the marquis, "we -are all cousins." - -The next day, instead of two guests, there were four or five different -ones at each meal. In less than a week our house was inundated with -intimate friends. These assiduous guests consumed many sweet hours that -I might have passed alone with Leoni, but had to share with them all. -But Leoni, after his long exile, seemed overjoyed to see his friends -once more and to lead a gayer life. I could form no wish opposed to his, -and I was happy to see him enjoying himself. To be sure, the society of -those men was delightful. They were all young and refined, jovial or -intelligent, amiable or entertaining. They had excellent manners, and -most of them were men of talent. Every morning we had music; in the -afternoon we went on the water; after dinner we went to the theatre; -and, on returning home, had supper and cards. I did not enjoy looking on -at this last amusement, in which enormous sums changed hands every -night. Leoni had given me permission to retire after supper, and I never -failed. Little by little the number of our acquaintances increased so -that I was bored and fatigued by them; but I said nothing about it. -Leoni still seemed enchanted by this dissipated life. All the dandies of -all nations who were then in Venice met by appointment at our house to -drink and gamble and sing. The best singers from the theatres came often -to mingle their voices with our instruments and with Leoni's voice, -which was neither less beautiful nor less skilfully managed than theirs. -Despite the fascination of this society, I felt more and more the -longing for repose. To be sure, we still had some pleasant hours -tête-à-tête from time to time. The dandies did not come every day, -but the regular habitués consisted of a dozen or more men who formed -the nucleus of our dinner-parties. Leoni was so fond of them that I -could not help feeling some affection for them. They were the ones who -enlivened the whole table by their superiority in every respect to the -others. Those men were really remarkable, and seemed in some sense -reflections of Leoni. They had that sort of family resemblance, that -conformity of ideas and language which had impressed me the first day. -There was an indefinable air of subtlety and distinction, which was -lacking even in the most distinguished of the others. Their glances were -more penetrating, their replies more prompt, their self-possession more -lordly, their reckless extravagance in better taste. Each one of them -exerted a sort of moral authority over a portion of the new-comers. They -acted as their models and guides, at first in small matters, afterward -in greater ones. Leoni was the soul of the whole body, the superior -chief who was the mentor of that brilliant masculine coterie, in style, -tone, dissipation and extravagance. - -This species of empire pleased him, and I was not surprised at it. I had -seen him reign even more openly at Brussels, and I had shared his pride -and his glory; but our happy life at the chalet had taught me the secret -of purer, more private joys. I regretted that life, and could not -refrain from saying so. - -"And so do I," said he. "I regret those months of pure delight, superior -to all the empty vanities of society; but God did not choose to change -the succession of the seasons for us. There is no eternal happiness any -more than there is perpetual spring. It is a law of nature which we -cannot escape. Be sure that everything is ordered for the best in this -wicked world. The strength of a man's heart is no greater than the -duration of the blessings of life. Let us submit; let us bend our necks. -The flowers droop, wither and are born again every year. The human heart -can renew itself like a flower, when it knows its own strength and does -not bloom to the bursting point. Six months of unalloyed felicity was a -tremendous allowance, my dear; we should have died of too much happiness -if that had continued, or else we should have abused it. Destiny bids us -come down from our ethereal peaks and breathe a less pure atmosphere in -cities. Let us bow to the necessity and believe that it is well for us. -When the fine weather returns again, we will return to our mountains. We -shall be the more eager to find there all the pleasures of which we are -deprived here; we shall better appreciate the value of our peaceful -privacy; and that season of love and delight, which the hardships of the -winter would have spoiled for us, will come again even lovelier than -last year." - -"Oh, yes," said I, embracing him, "we will return to Switzerland! How -good you are to want to do it and to promise me that you will! But tell -me, Leoni, can we not live more simply and more by ourselves here? We -see each other now only through the fumes of punch; we speak to each -other only amid songs and laughter. Why have we so many friends? Are we -not enough for each other?" - -"Why, Juliette," he replied, "angels are children, and you are both. You -do not know that love is the function of the noblest faculties of the -mind, and that we must take care of those faculties as of the apple of -one's eye. You do not know, little girl, what your own heart is. Dear, -sensitive, confiding creature that you are, you believe that it is an -inexhaustible fountain of love; but the sun itself is not eternal. You -do not know that the heart becomes tired like the body, and that it must -be treated with the same care. Trust to me, Juliette; let me keep the -sacred fire alight in your heart. It is my interest to preserve your -love, to prevent you from squandering it too rapidly. All women are like -you; they are in such a hurry to love that they suddenly cease to love, -and do not know why." - -"Bad boy," I said, "are these the things you said to me in the evenings -on the mountain? Did you urge me not to love you too much? did you think -that I was capable of becoming weary of loving you?" - -"No, my angel," Leoni replied, kissing my hands, "nor do I think it now. -But listen to my experience: external things exert upon our most secret -feelings an influence against which the strongest contend in vain. In -our valley, surrounded by pure air, by natural perfumes and melodies, we -might well be and were certain to be all love, all poesy, all -enthusiasm: but remember that, even while we were there, I was sparing -of that enthusiasm, which is so easy to lose, so impossible to find -again when it is lost; remember our rainy days, when I was more or less -harsh with you in forcing you to keep your mind occupied, in order to -save you from reflection and the melancholy which is its inevitable -consequence. Be sure that too frequent examination of oneself and others -is the most dangerous of occupations. We must shake off the selfish -craving which impels us to be forever searching our hearts and the -hearts of those who love us, like a foolish husbandman who exhausts the -soil by dint of calling on it to produce beyond its capacity. We must -know how to be unemotional and frivolous at times; such periods of -distraction are dangerous only to weak and indolent hearts. An ardent -heart ought to seek them in order not to consume itself; it is always -rich enough. A word, a glance, is sufficient to send a thrill through it -in the midst of the eddying whirl which carries it away, and to bring it -back more ardent and more loving to the consciousness of its passion. -Here, you see, we must have excitement and variety; these great palaces -are beautiful, but they are melancholy. The sea moss clings to their -feet, and the limpid water in which they are reflected is often laden -with vapors which fall in tears. This magnificence is severe, and these -marks of nobility which please you are simply a long succession of -epitaphs and tombs which we must decorate with flowers. We must fill -with living beings this echoing mansion, where your footsteps would -frighten you if you were alone; we must throw money from the window to -this populace which has no other bed than the ice-covered parapets of -the bridges, so that the spectacle of its misery may not make us sad -amid our well-being. Allow yourself to be cheered by our laughter and -lulled to sleep by our songs; be good and do not worry; I will undertake -to arrange your life and make it pleasant to you, even if I am unable to -make it intoxicating. Be my wife and my mistress at Venice; you shall be -my angel and my nymph again among the glaciers of Switzerland." - - - - -XI - - -By such speeches he allayed my anxiety and led me, fascinated and -confiding, to the brink of the abyss. I thanked him lovingly for the -trouble he took to persuade me, when he could make me obey with a sign. -We embraced affectionately and returned to the salon where our friends -awaited us to part us. - -However, as the days succeeded one another, Leoni did not take the same -trouble to reconcile me to them. He paid less attention to my growing -discontent, and when I mentioned it to him, he argued with me less -gently. One day indeed he was short with me and bitter; I saw that I -offended him; I determined to complain no more; but I began to suffer -really and to be genuinely unhappy. I waited with resignation until -Leoni snatched a few moments to come to me. To be sure he was so kind -and loving at those times that I deemed myself foolish and cowardly to -have suffered so. My courage and my confidence would revive for a few -days; but those days of encouragement became more and more infrequent. -Leoni, seeing that I was meek and submissive, still treated me with -consideration; but he no longer noticed my melancholy. Ennui devoured -me, Venice became hateful to me; its canals, its gondolas, its sky, -everything about it was distasteful. During the nights of card-playing I -wandered alone on the terrace at the top of the house; I shed bitter -tears; I recalled my home, my heedless youth, my kind, foolish mother, -my poor father, so loving and so good-natured, and even my aunt, with -her petty worries and her long sermons. It seemed to me that I was -really homesick, that I longed to fly, to go home and throw myself at my -parents' feet, to forget Leoni forever. But if a window opened below me, -if Leoni, weary of the game and the heat, came out on the balcony to -breathe the fresh air from the canal, I would lean over the rail to look -at him, and my heart would beat as during the first days of my passion, -when he crossed the threshold of my father's house; if the moon shone -upon him and enabled me to distinguish that noble figure beneath the -rich fancy costume that he always wore in his own palace, I would thrill -with pride and pleasure as on the evening that he led me into that -ball-room from which we went forth never to return; if his melodious -voice, murmuring a measure from some song, rebounded from the resonant -marbles of Venice and rose to my ears, I would feel the tears flowing -down my cheeks, as on those evenings among the mountains when he sang me -a ballad composed for me in the morning. - -A few words which I overheard from the mouth of one of his friends -increased my depression and my disgust to an intolerable degree. Among -Leoni's twelve intimate associates, the Vicomte de Chalm, who called -himself an _émigré_ Frenchman, was the one whose attentions were most -offensive to me. He was the oldest of them all, and perhaps the -cleverest; but underneath his exquisite manners I detected a sort of -cynicism which often revolted me. He was satirical, cold-blooded and -insolent; furthermore, he was a man without morals and without heart; -but I knew nothing of that, and he displeased me, apart from that. One -evening when I was on the balcony, hidden from him by the silk curtains, -I heard him say to the Venetian marquis: "Why, where's Juliette?"--That -mode of speaking of me brought the blood to my cheeks; I kept perfectly -still and listened.--"I don't know," the Venetian replied. "Why, are you -so much in love with her?"--"Not too much," was the reply, "but -enough."--"And Leoni?"--"Leoni will turn her over to me one of these -days."--"What! his own wife?"--"Nonsense, marquis! are you mad?" replied -the viscount; "she is a girl he seduced at Brussels; when he has had -enough of her, and that will be before long, I will gladly take charge -of her. If you want her next after me, marquis, put your name -down."--"Many thanks," replied the marquis; "I know how you deprave -women, and I should be afraid to succeed you." - -I heard no more; I leaned over the balustrade half-dead, and, hiding my -face in my shawl, wept with rage and shame. - -That same night I called Leoni into my room, and demanded satisfaction -for the way I was treated by his friends. He took the insult with a -coolness which dealt my heart a mortal blow.--"You are a little fool," -he said to me; "you don't know what men are; their thoughts are -indiscreet and their words still more so; the rakes are the best of -them. A strong woman should laugh at their airs instead of losing her -temper." - -I fell upon a chair and burst into tears, crying;--"O mother! mother! -how low has your daughter fallen!" - -Leoni exerted himself to soothe me, and succeeded only too quickly. He -knelt at my feet, kissed my hands and my arms, implored me to treat with -scorn a foolish remark and to think of nothing but him and his love. - -"Alas!" said I, "what am I to think when your friends flatter themselves -that they can pick me up as they do your old pipes when you want them no -longer." - -"Juliette," he replied, "wounded pride makes you bitter and unjust. I -have been a libertine, as you know; I have often told you of my youthful -disorders; but I thought that I had purified myself in the air of our -valley. My friends are still living the life that I used to lead; they -know nothing of the six months we passed in Switzerland; they could -never understand them. But ought you to misinterpret and forget them?" - -I begged his pardon, I shed sweeter tears on his brow and his beautiful -hair; I strove to forget the uncomfortable impression I had received. I -flattered myself moreover that he would make his friends understand that -I was not a kept mistress and that they must respect me; but he either -did not choose to do it or did not think of it, for on the next and -following days I saw that Monsieur de Chalm's eyes followed me and -solicited me with revolting insolence. - -I was in despair, but I did not know which way to turn to avoid the -evils into which I had plunged. I was too proud to be happy, and loved -Leoni too dearly to leave him. - -One evening I had gone into the salon to get a book I had left on the -piano. Leoni was surrounded by a select party of his friends; they were -grouped around the tea table at the end of the room, which was dimly -lighted, and did not notice my presence. The viscount seemed to be in -one of his wickedest teasing moods. - -"Baron Leone de Leoni," he said in a dry, mocking voice, "do you know, -my dear fellow, that you are getting in very deep?" - -"What do you mean?" rejoined Leoni, "I have no debts at Venice yet." - -"But you soon will have." - -"I hope so," retorted Leoni with the utmost tranquillity. - -"_Vive Dieu_!" said the viscount, "you are the first of men when it -comes to ruining yourself; half a million in three months! do you know -that's running a very pretty rig?" - -Surprise had nailed me to my place; motionless and holding my breath, I -awaited the end of this strange conversation. - -"Half a million?" echoed the Venetian marquis indifferently. - -"Yes," said Chalm, "Thaddeus the Jew advanced him five hundred thousand -francs at the beginning of the winter." - -"That's doing very well," said the marquis. "Have you paid the rent of -your ancestral palace, Leoni?" - -"_Parbleu_! yes, in advance," said Chalm; "would they have let it to him -otherwise?" - -"What do you expect to do when you have nothing left?" queried another -of Leoni's trusty friends. - -"Run in debt," replied Leoni with imperturbable tranquillity. - -"That's easier than to find Jews who will leave you at peace for three -months," said the viscount. "What will you do when your creditors take -you by the collar." - -"I will take a pretty little boat," replied Leoni with a smile. - -"Good! and go to Trieste?" - -"No, that is too near; to Palermo, I have never been there." - -"But when you arrive anywhere," said the marquis, "you must cut -something of a figure for a few days." - -"Providence will provide for that," said Leoni, "she is the mother of -the audacious." - -"But not of the indolent," said Chalm, "and I know nobody on earth more -indolent than you. What the devil did you do in Switzerland with your -infanta for six months?" - -"Silence on that subject!" retorted Leoni; "I loved her, and I'll throw -my glass at the head of any man who sees anything to laugh at in that." - -"Leoni, you drink too much," observed another of his friends. - -"Perhaps so, but I have said what I have said." - -The viscount didn't take up this species of challenge, and the marquis -made haste to change the conversation. - -"Why, in God's name, aren't you playing?" he asked Leoni. - -"_Ventre-Dieu_! I play every day to oblige you, although I detest -gambling; you will make a fool of me with your cards and your dice, and -your pockets like the cask of the Danaides, and your insatiable hands! -You are nothing but a parcel of fools, the whole of you. When you have -made a hit, instead of taking a rest and enjoying life like true -sybarites, you keep at it until you have spoiled your luck." - -"Luck, luck!" said the marquis, "everyone knows what luck is." - -"Many thanks!" said Leoni, "I no longer care to know; I was too -thoroughly currycombed at Paris. When I think that there is one man, -whom may God in his mercy consign to all the devils----!" - -"Well?" said the viscount. - -"A man," said the marquis, "of whom we must rid ourselves at any cost, -if we wish to enjoy liberty again on this earth. But, patience, there -are two of us against him." - -"Never fear," said Leoni, "I have not so far forgotten the old customs -of the country that I don't know how to clear my path of the man who -stands in my way. Except for my devil of a love-affair, which filled my -brain, I had a fine chance in Brussels." - -"You?" said the marquis; "you never did anything in that line, and you -will never have the courage." - -"Courage?" cried Leoni, half-rising, with flashing eyes. - -"No extravagance," replied the marquis, with that horrifying sang-froid -which they all had. "Let us understand each other. You have courage to -kill a bear or a wild boar, but you have too many sentimental and -philosophical ideas in your head to kill a man." - -"That may be," said Leoni, resuming his seat, "but I am not sure." - -"You don't mean to play at Palermo, then?" said the viscount. - -"To the devil with your gambling! If I could get up a passion for -something--hunting, or a horse, or an olive-skinned Calabrian--I would -go next summer, and shut myself up in the Abruzzi and pass a few more -months forgetting you all." - -"Rekindle your passion for Juliette," said the viscount, with a sneer. - -"I will not rekindle my passion for Juliette," replied Leoni, angrily, -"but I will strike you if you mention her name again." - -"We must make him drink some tea," said the viscount, "he's dead drunk." - -"Come, come, Leoni," cried the marquis, grasping his arm, "you treat us -horribly to-night. What's the matter with you, in God's name? Are we no -longer friends? do you doubt us? Speak." - -"No, I don't doubt you," said Leoni; "you have given me back as much as -I took from you. I know what you are worth; good and bad, I judge you -all, without prejudice or prepossession." - -"Ah! I should like to hear your judgment!" said the viscount, between -his teeth. - -"Come, come! more punch! more punch!" cried the other guests. "There's -no possibility of any more fun unless we drink Chalm and Leoni under the -table. They have reached the stage of nervous spasms; let's put them in -a trance." - -"Yes, my friends, my very dear friends!" cried Leoni, "punch! -friendship! life--a jolly life! The deuce take the cards! they are what -make me ugly. Here's to drunkenness! Here's to the ladies! Here's to -sloth, tobacco, music and money! Here's to the young maids and old -countesses! Here's to the devil! Here's to love! Here's to all that -makes one live! Everything is good when one is well enough constituted -to make the most of it and enjoy it." - -They all rose, shouting a drinking song. I fled; I ran upstairs with the -frenzy of one who thinks herself pursued, and fell in a swoon on my -bedroom floor. - - - - -XII - - -The next morning they found me lying on the floor, as stiff and cold as -a corpse; I had brain fever. I believe that Leoni was attentive to me; -it seemed to me that I saw him frequently at my bedside, but I had only -a vague memory of it. After three days I was out of danger. Then Leoni -came from time to time to inquire for me, and to pass part of the -afternoon with me. He left the palace every evening at six o'clock, and -did not return until next morning. That fact I learned later. - -Of all that I had heard I had clearly understood but one thing, which -was the cause of my despair: it was that Leoni no longer loved me. Until -then I had always refused to believe it, although his conduct should -have made it clear to me. I resolved to contribute no farther to his -ruin, and not to abuse a remnant of compassion and generosity which led -him to continue to show me some consideration. I sent for him as soon as -I felt strong enough to endure the interview, and told him what I had -heard him say about me in the midst of the revel; I kept silence as to -all the rest. I could not see clearly in that confused mass of infamous -things which the remarks of his friends had caused me to suspect; I did -not choose to understand them. Moreover, I was ready to consent to -everything: to desertion, despair and death. - -I told him that I had decided to go away in a week, and that I would -accept nothing from him thenceforth. I had kept my father's pin; by -selling it I could obtain much more than I needed to return to Brussels. - -The courage with which I spoke, and which the fever doubtless assisted, -dealt Leoni an unexpected blow. He said nothing, but paced the floor -excitedly; then he began to sob and cry, and fell, gasping for breath, -on a chair. Dismayed by his apparent condition, I left my reclining -chair in spite of myself, and went to him with an air of solicitude. -Thereupon he seized me in his arms and, pressing me frantically to his -breast, cried: - -"No, no! you shall not leave me; I will never consent to it; if your -pride, perfectly just and legitimate as it is, will not let you yield, I -will lie at your feet, across this doorway, and I will kill myself if -you step over me. No, you shall not go, for I love you passionately; you -are the only woman in the world whom I have ever been able to respect -and admire after possessing her for six months. What I said was -nonsense, and an infamous lie; you do not know, Juliette, oh! you do not -know all my misfortunes! you do not know to what I am condemned by the -society of a coterie of abandoned men, to what I am impelled by a soul -of brass, fire, gold and mud, which I received from heaven and hell in -concert! If you will not love me any longer, then I will live no longer. -What have I not done, what have I not sacrificed, what faculties have I -not debased, to retain my hold upon this execrable life, made execrable -by them! What mocking demon is confined in my brain to make me still -find attraction in this life at times, and shatter the most sacred ties -to plunge into it still deeper? Ah! it is time to have done with it. -Since I was born, I have known but one really beautiful, really pure -time, and that was when I possessed and adored you. That purged me of -all my wickedness, and I should have remained in the chalet under the -snow; I should have died at peace with you, with God and with myself, -whereas here I am ruined in your eyes and my own. Juliette, Juliette! -mercy, pardon! I feel that my heart will break if you abandon me. I am -young still; I want to live, to be happy, and I never shall be, except -with you. Will you punish me with death for a blasphemous word that -escaped my lips when I was intoxicated? Do you believe what I said? can -you believe it? Oh! how I suffer! how I have suffered for a fortnight! I -have secrets which burn my vitals; if only I could tell them to -you!--but you would never be able to listen to the end." - -"I know them," I cried; "and if you loved me, I would care nothing for -all the rest." - -"You know them!" he exclaimed with an air of bewilderment; "you know -them? What do you know?" - -"I know that you are ruined, that this palace is not yours, that you -have squandered an enormous sum in three months; I know that you have -become accustomed to this adventurous life and these dissipated habits. -I do not know how you reconstruct your fortune so quickly or how you -throw it away; I fancy that gambling is your ruin and your resource; I -believe that you have about you a deplorable circle of friends, and that -you are struggling against shockingly bad advice; I believe that you are -on the brink of a precipice, but that you can still avoid it." - -"Well, yes, that is all true," he cried; "you know everything! and you -will forgive me?" - -"If I had not lost your love," I replied, "I should not consider it a -loss to leave this palace, this luxury and this society, all of which -are hateful to me. However poor we may be, we can always live as we -lived in our chalet--there, or somewhere else, if you are tired of -Switzerland. If you still loved me, you would not be ruined; for you -would think neither of gambling nor of intemperance, nor of any of the -passions which you commemorated in an infernal toast; if you loved me, -you would pay what you owe with what you have left, and we would go and -bury ourselves and love each other in some secluded spot where I would -quickly forget what I have learned, where I would never remind you of -it, where I could not suffer because of it--if you loved me!" - -"Oh! I do love you, I do love you!" he cried; "let us go! let us fly, -save me! Be my benefactress, my angel, as you have always been! Come, -and forgive me!" - -He threw himself at my feet and all that the most fervent passion can -dictate, he said to me with so much warmth that I believed it--and I -shall always believe it. Leoni deceived me, degraded me, and loved me at -the same time. - -One day, to evade the keen reproaches that I heaped upon him, he tried -to rehabilitate the passion of gambling. - -"Gambling," he said, with the specious eloquence which had only too much -power over me, "is a passion much more energetic than love. More -fruitful in terrible dramas, it is more intoxicating, more heroic in the -acts which combine to attain its end. I must say it, alas! that while -that end is vile in appearance, the ardor is irresistible, the audacity -is sublime, the sacrifices are blind and unlimited. You must know, -Juliette, that women never inspire such passions. Gold has a power -superior to theirs. In strength, in courage, in devotion, in -perseverance, love, compared with the gambler's stake, is only a feeble -child whose efforts are deserving of pity. How many men have you seen -sacrifice to a mistress that inestimable treasure, that priceless -necessity, that condition of existence without which we feel that -existence is unendurable--_honor_? I have known very few whose devotion -goes beyond the sacrifice of life. Every day the gambler sacrifices his -honor and lives on. The gambler is keen, he is stoical, he takes his -triumph coolly, he takes his downfall coolly; he passes in a few hours -from the lowest ranks of society to the highest; in a few hours more he -goes down again to his starting-point, and all without change of -attitude or expression. In a few hours, without leaving the spot to -which his demon chains him, he incurs all the vicissitudes of life, he -passes through all the phases of fortune which represent the different -social conditions. By turns king and beggar, he climbs the long ladder -at a single stride, always calm, always self-controlled, always -sustained by his sturdy ambition, always spurred on by the intense -thirst that consumes him. What will he be an hour hence? prince or -slave? How will he come forth from that den? stripped naked or bent -beneath the weight of gold? What does it matter? He will return -to-morrow to remake his fortune, to lose it or to triple it. The one -thing impossible for him is repose; he is like the storm bird that -cannot live without raging winds and an angry sea. He is accused of -loving gold! he loves it so little that he throws it away by the -handful. That gift of hell is powerless to benefit him or satisfy his -craving. He is no sooner rich than he is in great haste to be ruined in -order to enjoy that nerve-racking, terrible emotion without which life -is tasteless to him. What is gold in his eyes? Less in itself than -grains of sand in yours. But gold is to him an emblem of the blessings -and the evils which he seeks and defies. Gold is his plaything, his -enemy, his God, his dream, his demon, his mistress, his poesy: it is the -ghost which haunts him, which he attacks, grasps, and then allows to -escape, that he may have the pleasure of renewing the struggle and of -engaging once more in a hand-to-hand conflict with destiny. It is -magnificent, I tell you! It is absurd, to be sure, and should be -condemned, because energy thus employed is of no advantage to society, -because the man who expends his strength for such an end robs his -fellow-men of all the good he might have done, them with less -selfishness; but when you condemn him, do not despise him, ye -narrow-minded creatures who are capable of neither good nor evil; do not -gaze with dismay at the colossus of will-power, struggling thus on a -tempestuous sea for the sole purpose of exerting his strength and -forcing the sea back. His selfishness leads him into the midst of -fatigues and dangers, as yours binds you down to patient, hard-working -occupations. How many men in the whole world can you think of who work -for their country without thinking of themselves? He voluntarily -isolates himself, sets himself apart; he stakes his present, his repose, -his honor. He dooms himself to suffering, to fatigue. Deplore his error -if you will, but do not compare yourself with him, in the pride of your -heart, in order to glorify yourself at his expense. Let his fatal -example serve simply to console you for your own harmless nullity." - -"O heaven!" I replied, "upon what sophistries your heart feeds, or else -how weak my mind must be! What! the gambler is not despicable, you say? -O Leoni, why, having so much strength of mind, have you not employed it -in overcoming yourself in the interest of your fellow-men?" - -"Apparently, because I have misunderstood life," he replied in a bitter, -ironical tone. "Because, instead of appearing on a sumptuously appointed -stage, I appeared in an open-air theatre; because, instead of spending -my time declaiming specious moral apothegms on the stage of society and -playing heroic rôles, I amused myself by performing feats of strength -and risking my life on a tight-rope, in order to give full play to the -strength of my muscles. And even that comparison amounts to nothing: the -tight-rope dancer has his vanity as well as the tragedian or the -philanthropic orator. The gambler has none; he is neither admired nor -applauded nor envied. His triumphs are so short-lived and so hazardous -that it is hardly worth while to speak of them. On the other hand, -society condemns him, the common herd despises him, especially on the -days when he has lost. All his charlatanism consists in showing a bold -front, in falling manfully before a group of selfish creatures who do -not even look at him, they are so engrossed by their own mental -struggles! If in his swift hours of good luck he finds some enjoyment in -gratifying the commonplace vanities of luxury, it is a very brief -tribute that he pays to human weaknesses. Ere long he will go and -sacrifice remorselessly those childish joys of an instant to the -devouring activity of his mind, to that infernal fever which does not -permit him to live for one whole day as other men live. Vanity in him! -Why, he has not the time for it, he has something else to do! Has he not -his heart to torture, his brain to overturn, his blood to drink, his -flesh to torment, his gold to lose, his life to endanger, to -reconstruct, to pull down, to wrench, to tear in pieces, to risk -altogether, to reconquer, bit by bit, to put in his purse, to toss on -the table every moment? Ask the sailor if he can live on shore, the bird -if he can do without his wings, man's heart if it can do without -emotions. The gambler then is not criminal in himself; it is always his -social position that makes him so, his family, whom he ruins or -dishonors. But suppose him to be like me, alone in the world, without -attachments, without kindred near enough in degree to be taken into -account, free, thrown on his own resources, satiated or deceived in -love, as I have so often been, and you will pity his error, you will -regret for his sake that he was born with a sanguine and vain rather -than with a bilious and reserved temperament. How do you argue that the -gambler is in the same category as brigands and filibusters? Ask -governments why they derive a part of their revenues from such a -shameful source? They alone are guilty of offering those terrible -temptations to restlessness, those deplorable resources to despair. But -although love of gambling is not in itself so degrading as the majority -of other passions, it is the most dangerous of all, the keenest, the -most irresistible, and attended by the most wretched consequences. It is -almost impossible for the gambler not to dishonor himself for a few -years. As for myself," he added, with a gloomier manner and in a less -vibrant voice, "after enduring for a long time this life of torture and -convulsions with the chivalrous heroism which was the foundation of my -character, I allowed myself to be corrupted at last; that is to say, my -strength being gradually exhausted by this constant conflict, I lost the -stoical courage with which I had accepted reverses, endured the -privations of ghastly poverty, recommenced the building of my fortune, -sometimes with a single sou, waited, hoped, advanced warily and step by -step, sacrificing a whole month to repair the losses of a single day. -Such was my life for a long while. But at last, weary of suffering, I -began to seek outside of my own will, outside of my virtue,--for it must -be admitted that the gambler has a virtue of his own,--the means of -regaining more quickly what I had lost; I borrowed and from that moment -I was lost myself. At first a man suffers cruelly when he finds himself -in an indelicate position; but eventually he gets used to it, as to -everything else, becomes numb and indifferent. I did as all gamblers and -spendthrifts do; I became dangerous and harmful to my friends. I heaped -upon their heads the evils which I had for a long time bravely borne on -my own. It was very culpable; I risked my own honor, then the honor and -the lives of my nearest and dearest, as I had risked my money. There is -this that is horrible about gambling, that it gives you none of those -lessons which it is impossible to forget. It is always there, beckoning -to you! That inexhaustible pile of gold is always before your eyes. It -follows you about, it coaxes you, it bids you hope, and sometimes it -keeps its promises, restores your courage, re-establishes your credit, -seems to postpone dishonor again; but dishonor is consummated the moment -that honor is voluntarily put in peril." - -Here Leoni hung his head and relapsed into moody silence; the confession -that perhaps he had intended to make to me died on his lips. I saw by -his shame and his depression that it was quite useless to expose the -sophistical arguments of his disordered brain; his conscience had -already undertaken that task. - -"Listen to me," he said, when we were reconciled. "To-morrow I close the -house to all my friends and go to Milan, where I have to collect a -considerable sum that is still due me. While I am gone, take good care -of yourself, get well, arrange all the claims of our creditors, and make -preparations for our departure. In a week, or a fortnight at most, I -will return and pay our debts, take you away, and live with you wherever -you choose, forever." - -I believed all he said; I consented to everything. He went away and the -house was closed. I did not wait until I was entirely well before I set -at work to put everything in order and to inspect the tradesmen's bills. -I hoped that Leoni would write me on arriving at Milan as he had -promised. It was more than a week before I heard from him. He wrote me -at last that he was sure of collecting much more money than he owed, but -that he would be obliged to remain away three weeks instead of two. I -resigned myself to wait. At the end of three weeks another letter -informed me that he was compelled to wait for his money until the end of -the month. I was discouraged. Alone in that vast palace, where, in order -to avoid the insolent attentions of Leoni's boon-companions, I was -obliged to conceal myself, to lower my curtains and sustain a sort of -siege, consumed with anxiety, ill and weak, abandoned to the blackest -thoughts and to all the remorse which the sting of unhappiness arouses, -I was tempted many times to put an end to my miserable life. - -But I was not at the end of my sufferings. - - - - -XIII - - -One morning, when I thought that I was alone in the great salon, where I -sat with an open book on my knees, never thinking of glancing at it, I -heard a noise near me, and throwing off my lethargy, I saw the hateful -face of Vicomte de Chalm. I uttered an exclamation, and was about to -turn him out of doors, when he apologized profusely with an air that was -at once respectful and ironical, and I was at a loss for a reply. He -said that he had forced my door by virtue of the authority contained in -a letter from Leoni, who had specially instructed him to come to inquire -about my health and report to him. I put no faith in this pretext, and -was on the point of telling him so. He gave me no time, however, but -began to talk himself with such impudent self-possession, that it would -have been impossible for me to turn him out unless by calling my -servants. He had resolved to take no hints. - -"I see, madame," he said to me, with a hypocritical air of friendly -interest, "that you are aware of the baron's unfortunate position. Be -assured that my slender resources are at his disposal; unluckily they -amount to very little in the way of satisfying the prodigality of such a -magnificent character. What consoles me is that he is brave, -enterprising and ingenious. He has rebuilt his fortune several times; he -will do it again. But you will have to suffer, madame; you who are so -young and delicate, so worthy of a happier lot! It is on your account -that I am profoundly distressed by Leoni's follies, and by all those he -has still to commit before he obtains what he needs. Poverty is a -horrible thing at your age, and when one has always lived in luxury----" - -I interrupted him abruptly, for I fancied that I could see what he was -coming to with his insulting compassion. I did not yet realize that -creature's baseness. - -Divining my suspicion, he made haste to destroy it. He gave me to -understand, with all the courtesy that his cold and cunning tongue could -command, that he considered himself too old and too poor to offer me his -support, but that an immensely wealthy young English lord, whom he had -introduced to me and who had called on me several times, entrusted to -him the honorable mission of tempting me by magnificent promises. I had -not the strength to reply to that insult. I was so weak and so -prostrated that I began to weep, without speaking. The infamous Chalm -thought that I was wavering, and, in order to hasten my decision, -informed me that Leoni would not return to Venice, that he was fast -bound at the feet of Princess Zagorolo, and that he had given him full -power to conclude this affair with me. - -Indignation at last restored the presence of mind which I needed to -overwhelm that man with contempt and obloquy. But he soon recovered from -his confusion. - -"I see, madame," he said, "that your youth and innocence have been -cruelly abused, and I am incapable of returning hatred for hatred, for -you misunderstand me, and therefore accuse me, whereas I know and esteem -you. I will listen to your reproaches and your insults with all the -stoicism which genuine devotion should have at its command, and then I -will tell you into what an abyss you have fallen and from what depths of -degradation I desire to rescue you." - -He said this with such emphasis and so calmly that my credulous nature -was in a measure subjugated. For an instant I thought that I had, -perhaps, misjudged a sincere friend in the mental disturbance caused by -my misfortunes. Fascinated by the impudent serenity of his features, I -forgot the disgusting words I had heard him use, and I gave him time to -speak. He saw that he must make the most of that moment of hesitation -and weakness, and he made haste to give me information concerning Leoni -that bore the stamp of hateful truth. - -"I admire," he said, "the way in which your easily persuaded and -confiding heart has clung so long to such a character. It is true that -nature has endowed him with irresistible fascinations, and that he is -extraordinarily skilful in concealing his villainy and assuming the -outward appearance of loyalty. All the cities in Europe know him for a -delightful rake. Only a very few persons in Italy know that he is -capable of any villainy to gratify his innumerable whims. To-day you -will see him take Lovelace for his model, to-morrow the shepherd Fido. -As he is something of a poet, he is capable of receiving all sorts of -impressions, of understanding and mimicking all the virtues, of studying -and playing all varieties of rôles. He believes that he really feels -all that he imitates, and sometimes he identifies himself so thoroughly -with the character he has chosen, that he feels its passions and grasps -its grandeur. But, as he is vile and corrupt at bottom, as there is -nothing in him save affectation and caprice, vice suddenly springs to -life in his blood, the tedium of his hypocrisy drives him into habits -directly contrary to those which seemed natural to him. They who have -seen him only in one of his deceptive disguises are amazed and think he -has gone mad; they who know that it is his nature to be true in nothing, -smile and wait quietly for some fresh invention." - -Although this shocking portrait revolted me so that I was almost -suffocated, yet it seemed to me that I saw in it some shafts of blinding -light. I was struck dumb, my nerves contracted. I looked at Chalm with a -terror-stricken expression; he congratulated himself on his success and -continued: - -"This revelation of his character surprises you; if you had had more -experience, my dear lady, you would know that such a character is very -common in the world. To have it to perfection, one must have a very -superior mind; and the reason that many fools do not assume it is that -they are incapable of sustaining it. You will notice that a vain man of -moderate parts will almost always shut himself up in a sort of obstinacy -which he deems peculiar to himself and which consoles him for another's -success. He will admit that he is less brilliant, but will claim that he -is more reliable and more useful. The world is inhabited by none but -intolerable idiots and dangerous madmen. Everything considered, I prefer -the latter; I have prudence enough to protect myself from them and -tolerance enough to be amused by them. It is much better to laugh with a -spiteful buffoon than to yawn with a tiresome virtuous man. That is why -you have seen me living on intimate terms with a man whom I neither like -nor esteem. Moreover I was attracted to this house by your amiable -manners, by your angelic sweetness; I felt a fatherly affection for you. -Young Lord Edwards, who from his window saw that you passed many hours -motionless and pensive on your balcony, confided to me the violent -passion he has conceived for you. I introduced him here, frankly and -earnestly hoping that you would remain no longer in the painful and -humiliating position in which Leoni's desertion left you; I knew that -Lord Edwards had a heart worthy of yours, and that he would make your -life happy and honorable. I have come to-day to renew my efforts and to -avow his love, which you have not chosen to understand." - -I bit my handkerchief in my indignation; but, absorbed by one fixed -idea, I rose and said to him with emphasis: - -"You claim that Leoni has authorized you to make me these infamous -propositions: prove it! yes, monsieur, prove it!" - -And I shook his arm with convulsive force. - -"_Parbleu_! my dear girl," the villain retorted with his hateful -sang-froid, "it's very easy to prove. But how is it that you don't -understand it? Leoni no longer loves you; he has another mistress." - -"Prove it!" I repeated, thoroughly exasperated. - -"In a moment, in a moment," said he. "Leoni is in great need of money, -and there are some women of a certain age whose countenance may be -advantageous." - -"Prove to me all that you say," I cried, "or I turn you out of the house -instantly." - -"Very well," he replied, not at all disconcerted; "but let us make a -bargain: if I have lied to you, I will leave the house and never put my -foot inside it again; but if I told you the truth when I said that Leoni -has authorized me to speak to you about Lord Edwards, you will allow me -to come again this evening with him." - -As he spoke he took from his pocket a letter, on the envelope of which I -recognized Leoni's handwriting. - -"Yes!" I cried, carried away by the irresistible desire to know my fate; -"yes, I promise." - -The marquis slowly unfolded the letter and handed it to me. I read: - - -"MY DEAR VISCOUNT, - -"Although you often cause me fits of anger in which I would gladly -strangle you, I believe that you are really my friend and that your -offers of service are sincere. However, I will not take advantage of -them. I have something better than that, and my affairs are going on -famously once more. The only thing that embarrasses me and frightens me -is Juliette. You are right: the moment that she knows, she will upset my -plans. But what am I to do? I have the most idiotic and invincible -attachment for her. Her despair takes away all my strength. I cannot see -her weep without falling at her feet. You think that she will allow -herself to be corrupted? No, you do not know her; she will never allow -herself to be persuaded by greed. But anger? you say. Yes, that is more -probable. What woman is there who will not do from anger what she would -not do for love? Juliette is proud, I have become perfectly certain of -that lately. If you tell her a little ill of me, if you give her to -understand that I am unfaithful--perhaps!--But, great God! I cannot -think of it without feeling as if my heart were being torn to -pieces.--Try: if she yields, I will despise her and forget her; if she -resists--why, then we will see. Whatever the result of your efforts, I -have either a great calamity to dread or a great heartache to endure." - - -"Now," said the marquis when I had finished reading, "I am going to -fetch Lord Edwards." - -I hid my face in my hands and sat for a long time without moving or -speaking. Then I suddenly hid the hateful letter in my bosom and rang -violently. - -"Let my maid pack a portmanteau in five minutes," I said to the servant, -"and tell Beppo to bring the gondola." - -"What do you mean to do, my dear child?" said the astonished viscount; -"where do you propose to go?" - -"To Lord Edwards, of course," I retorted with a bitter irony of which he -did not understand the meaning. "Go and tell him," I added; "say that -you have earned your pay and that I am flying to him." - -He began to understand that I was frantic with rage and was jeering at -him. He paused, uncertain what to do. I left the salon without another -word, and went to put on my travelling dress. I came down again, -attended by my maid, who carried the portmanteau. As I was stepping into -the gondola, I felt that a trembling hand caught my cloak and held me -back; I turned and saw Chalm, greatly disturbed and alarmed. - -"Where in heaven's name are you going?" he said in an altered voice. - -I was triumphant to have destroyed his sang-froid, the sang-froid of a -villain, at last. - -"I am going to Milan," I said, "and I am going to make you lose the two -or three hundred sequins Lord Edwards has promised you." - -"One moment," shouted the viscount furiously, "give me the letter or you -shall not go." - -"Beppo!" I cried, wild with anger and terror, darting toward the -gondolier, "save me from this ruffian, he is breaking my arm!" - -All Leoni's servants, finding me a mild mistress, were devoted to me. -Beppo, a silent, resolute fellow, seized me about the waist and lifted -me from the stairs. At the same time he pushed against the lowest step -with his foot, and the gondola shot out into the canal just as he -deposited me on the seat with marvellous dexterity and strength. Chalm -was very near being dragged into the water. He disappeared, after giving -me a look which was a vow of everlasting hatred and implacable revenge. - - - - -XIV - - -I reached Milan after travelling night and day without giving myself -time to rest or reflect. I alighted at the inn which Leoni had given me -as his address, and asked for him; they looked at me in amazement. - -"He does not live here," the clerk replied. "He came here when he -arrived and hired a small room where he put his luggage; but he only -comes here in the morning to get his letters and be shaved; then he goes -away." - -"But where are his lodgings?" I asked. - -I saw that the man looked at me with curiosity and uncertainty, and, -whether from a feeling of respect or of compassion, could not make up -his mind to reply. I was discreet enough not to insist, and bade them -take me to the room Leoni had hired. - -"If you know where he can be found at this time of day," I said to the -clerk, "send for him and say that his sister has arrived." - -In about an hour Leoni appeared and held out his arms to embrace me. - -"Wait a moment," I said, drawing back, "if you have deceived me -hitherto, do not add another crime to those you have already committed -against me. Here, look at this letter; did you write it? If somebody has -imitated your handwriting, tell me quickly, for I hope that it is so, -and I am suffocating." - -Leoni glanced at the letter and turned as pale as death. - -"_Mon Dieu_!" I cried, "I hoped that I had been deceived! I came to you, -almost certain of finding that you knew nothing of this infamy. I said -to myself: 'He has done much that is bad, he has deceived me before; -but, in spite of everything, he loves me. If it is true that I am an -annoyance to him and that I stand in his way, he would have told me so -when I felt the courage to leave him, barely a month ago; whereas he -threw himself at my feet and implored me to remain. If he is ambitious -and a schemer, he would not have kept me, for I have no fortune, and my -love is of no advantage to him in any way. Why should he complain of my -importunity now? He has but a word to say to send me away. He knows that -I am proud; he need not fear my prayers or my reproaches. Why should he -wish to degrade me?'" - -I could not continue; a flood of tears choked my voice and arrested my -words. - -"Why should I wish to degrade you?" cried Leoni beside himself with -emotion; "to spare my tattered conscience another cause for remorse! You -cannot understand that, Juliette. It is easy to see that you have never -committed a crime!" - -He paused; I sank into a chair and we faced each other, equally -overcome. - -"Poor angel!" he cried at last, "did you deserve to be the companion and -victim of such a knave as I am? What did you do to God before you were -born, unfortunate child, that he should throw you into the arms of a -villain who is killing you with shame and despair? Poor Juliette! poor -Juliette!" - -And in his turn he shed a torrent of tears. - -"Very well," I said; "I came to hear your justification or my sentence. -You are guilty, I forgive you and I go." - -"Never say that again!" he cried vehemently. "Strike that word out of -our interviews forever. When you intend to leave me, make your escape -adroitly, so that I cannot prevent you; but so long as a drop of blood -is left in my veins, I will not consent to it. You are my wife, you are -my wife, you belong to me and I love you. I can kill you with grief, but -I cannot let you go." - -"I will accept the grief and death," I said, "if you tell me that you -still love me." - -"Yes, I love you, I love you!" he cried, with his usual transports. "I -love no one but you, and I never shall be able to love any other!" - -"Wretch! you lie," I said to him. "You have been paying court to the -Princess Zagarolo." - -"True, but I detest her." - -"What!" I cried, in utter amazement. "Why do you follow her then? What -shameful secrets are hidden beneath all these riddles? Chalm tried to -persuade me that a vile ambition bound you to that woman; that she was -old--that she paid you. Ah! what things you make me say!" - -"Do not believe these calumnies," said Leoni, "the princess is young and -beautiful; I am in love with her." - -"Very well," I said, with a profound sigh, "I would rather have you -unfaithful than dishonored. Love her, love her dearly, for she is rich -and you are poor! If you love her dearly, wealth and poverty will be -mere words between you. I loved you so, and, although I had nothing to -live on but what you gave me, I did not blush on that account; now, I -should debase myself and I should be unendurable to you. So let me go. -Your obstinacy in keeping me here, just to kill me by torture, is both -foolish and cruel." - -"That is true," said Leoni, gloomily. "Go! I am a villain to try to -prevent you." - -He left the room with an air of desperation. I threw myself on my knees, -I prayed to heaven to give me strength, I invoked the memory of my -mother, and I rose to make once more my brief preparations for -departure. - -When my portmanteau was locked, I ordered post-horses for the same -evening, and threw myself on the bed to wait. I was so overdone by -fatigue and so prostrated by despair, that I felt, as I fell asleep, -something resembling the peace of the grave. - -After an hour's sleep, I was aroused by Leoni's passionate kisses. - -"It is of no use for you to think of going away," he said; "it is beyond -my strength. I have sent away your horses and had your trunk unpacked. I -have been out walking alone in the country, and I have done my utmost to -force myself to give you up. I resolved not to bid you adieu. I went to -the princess's and tried to persuade myself that I loved her; I hate her -and I love you. You must stay." - -These constant agitations weakened my mind as well as my body. I began -to lose the faculty of reasoning; evil and good, esteem and contempt -became vague sounds, words which I no longer cared to understand, and -which frightened me as much as if they were interminable columns of -figures which I was told to add. Leoni had thenceforth more than a moral -influence over me; he had a magnetic power which I could not escape. His -glance, his voice, his tears acted on my nerves no less than on my -heart. I was simply a machine turned any way at his pleasure. - -I forgave him. I abandoned myself to his caresses; I promised him -whatever he chose. He told me that the Princess Zagarolo, being a widow, -had thought of marrying him; that the brief and trivial fancy he had had -for her had made her believe in his love; that she had foolishly -compromised herself for him; and that he must either spare her pride and -cut loose from her gradually, or have trouble with the whole family. - -"If it were simply a matter of fighting with all her brothers, cousins -and uncles," he said, "I should worry very little about it; but they -will act as great noblemen, denounce me as a _carbonaro_, and have me -thrown into prison, where I may have to wait ten years before the -authorities will deign to look into my case." - -I listened to all these absurd fables with the credulity of a child. -Leoni had never taken any part in politics, but I was still fond of -persuading myself that all that was problematical in his life was -connected with some great enterprise of that kind. I consented to pass -for his sister in the hotel, to go out seldom, and never with him--in -short, to leave him absolutely at liberty to leave me at any moment at a -nod from the princess. - - - - -XV - - -That life was perfectly frightful, but I endured it. The tortures of -jealousy had been unknown to me hitherto; now they awoke, and I -exhausted them all. I spared Leoni the tedium of combating them; indeed -I had not enough strength left to express them. I resolved to allow -myself to die in silence; I felt sick enough to hope for death. Ennui -consumed me at Milan, even more than at Venice; I suffered more, and had -less distraction. Leoni lived openly with the Princess Zagarolo. He -passed the evening in her box at the play, or at some ball with her. He -made his escape to come to see me for an instant, then returned to sup -with her, and did not come back to the hotel until six o'clock in the -morning. He went to bed utterly exhausted and often in ill-humor. He -rose at noon, taciturn and distraught, and went to drive with his -mistress. I often saw them pass. Leoni when with her had the same -discreetly triumphant air, the same coquettish bearing, the same fond -and happy expression that he once had with me; now I had only his -complaints and a narrative of his vexations. To be sure, I preferred to -have him come to me careworn and disgusted by his slavery, to being -tranquil and indifferent, as sometimes happened. It seemed at those -times that he had forgotten the love he had once had for me and that -which I still had for him. He found it altogether natural to confide to -me the details of his intimacy with another, and did not perceive that -the smile on my face as I listened to him was a mute convulsion of pain. - -One evening, at sunset, I was coming out of the cathedral, where I had -prayed fervently to God to call me back to him and to accept my -sufferings in expiation of my faults. I walked slowly through the -magnificent portal and leaned from time to time against a pillar, for I -was very weak. A slow fever was consuming me. The excitement of prayer -and the atmosphere of the church had bathed me in a cold perspiration. I -resembled a spectre risen from the sepulchral vaults of the edifice to -look once more upon the last rays of the sun. A man who had been -following me for some time, without attracting my attention -particularly, spoke to me, and I turned, without surprise or alarm, with -the apathy of a dying woman. I recognized Henryet. - -Instantly, the memory of my home and my family awoke in me with a -violent throb. I forgot that young man's strange behavior towards me, -the terrible power that he wielded over Leoni, his former love, which I -had welcomed so coldly, and the detestation I had felt for him -afterward. I thought only of my father and mother, and eagerly offering -him my hand, I overwhelmed him with questions. He was in no hurry to -reply, although he seemed touched by my emotion and my eagerness. - -"Are you alone here?" he said to me; "can I talk to you without exposing -you to any danger?" - -"I am alone; no one here knows me or pays any attention to me. Let us -sit down on this stone bench, for I am not well; and, for the love of -heaven, tell me about my parents! It is a whole year since I have heard -their names." - -"Your parents!" said Henryet sadly; "there is one of them who no longer -weeps for you." - -"My father is dead!" I cried, rising. Henryet did not reply. I fell -back, utterly crushed, on the bench, and said under my breath: "My God, -who wilt soon reunite us, bid him forgive me!" - -"Your mother," said Henryet, "was ill a long while. Then she tried to -find relief in society; but she had lost her beauty with much weeping, -and could find no consolation there." - -"My father dead," I said, clasping my nerveless hands, "my mother aged -and heart-broken! What of my aunt?" - -"Your aunt tries to console your mother by proving that you do not -deserve her regrets; but your mother will not listen to her and fades -more and more every day in solitude and weariness. And you, madame?" - -Henryet uttered these last three words in a chilling tone, in which, -however, I could detect compassion beneath the apparent contempt. - -"I, as you see, am dying." - -He took my hand and tears came to his eyes. - -"Poor girl!" he said to me; "it is not my fault. I did all that I could -to keep you from falling over the precipice, but you insisted." - -"Do not speak of that," I said; "it is impossible for me to discuss it -with you. Tell me if my mother tried to find me after my flight?" - -"Your mother sought you, but not earnestly enough. Poor woman! she was -thunderstruck and lost her presence of mind. There is no vigor in the -blood that you inherit." - -"That is true," said I indifferently. "We were all indolent and placid -in my family. Did my mother hope that I would return?" - -"She hoped so, foolishly and childishly. She still expects you and will -expect you till her last breath." - -I began to sob. Henryet let me weep without saying a word. I believe -that he was weeping too. I wiped my eyes to ask him if my mother had -been distressed by my dishonor, if she blushed for me, if she still -dared to mention my name. - -"She has it always on her lips," he replied. "She tells her grief to -everybody; people are a little tired of the story now, and they smile -when your mother begins to sob; or else they avoid her, saying: 'Here -comes Madame Ruyter to tell us about her daughter's abduction again!'" - -I listened to this without anger and said, raising my eyes to his: - -"And do you despise me, Henryet?" - -"I no longer love you or esteem you," he replied; "but I pity you and I -am at your service. My purse is at your disposal. Do you wish to write -to your mother? Would you like me to take you back to her? Speak, and do -not fear to abuse me. I am not acting from affection but from a sense of -duty. You have no idea, Juliette, how much sweeter life becomes to those -who lay down rules for themselves and observe them." - -I made no reply. - -"Do you mean, then, to remain here alone and deserted? How long ago did -_your husband_ leave you?" - -"He has not left me," I replied; "we live together; he objects to my -going away, which I have long been planning to do, but which I no longer -have the strength to think about." - -I relapsed into silence; he gave me his arm as far as our hotel. I did -not know when we arrived there. I fancied that I was leaning on Leoni's -arm and I strove to conceal my sufferings and say nothing of them. - -"Shall I come again to-morrow to learn your intentions?" said Henryet, -as he left me at the door. - -"Yes," I replied, not thinking that he might meet Leoni. - -"At what time?" - -"Whenever you choose," I answered with a dazed air. - -He came the next day a few moments after Leoni had gone out. I had -forgotten that I had given him permission to come, and I exhibited so -much surprise that he was obliged to remind me. Thereupon, there came to -my mind certain words I had overheard between Leoni and his companions, -the meaning of which had hitherto been quite vague in my mind, but which -seemed applicable to Henryet and to imply a threat of assassination. I -shuddered as I reflected upon the danger to which I exposed him. - -"Let us go out," I said in dismay; "you are not safe here." - -He smiled, and his face expressed utter contempt for the danger I -dreaded. - -"Believe me," he said, as I seemed inclined to insist, "the man of whom -you speak would not dare raise his hand against me, as he dares not even -raise his eyes to mine." - -I could not hear Leoni spoken of in that way. Despite all the wrongs he -had done me, despite all his faults, he was still dearer to me than all -the world. I requested Henryet not to refer to him in such terms before -me. - -"Overwhelm me with contempt," I said; "reproach me for being a heartless -girl, utterly without pride; for having abandoned the best parents that -ever lived; and for trampling on all the laws that are imposed upon my -sex; I will take no offence, I will listen to you, weeping, and I will -be none the less grateful to you for the offers of service you made me -yesterday. But let me respect Leoni's name, it is the only treasure -which, in the privacy of my heart, I can still oppose to the malediction -of the world." - -"Respect Leoni's name!" cried Henryet with a bitter laugh. "Poor woman! -However, I will consent if you choose to start for Brussels! Go home and -comfort your mother, return to the path of duty, and I promise to leave -in peace the villain who has ruined you, and whom I could crush like a -wisp of straw." - -"Return to my mother!" I replied. "Oh! yes, my heart bids me do it every -moment in the day; but my pride forbids me to return to Brussels. How -should I be treated by all the women who were jealous of my splendor, -and who rejoice now at my degradation?" - -"I am afraid, Juliette," said he, "that is not your strongest reason. -Your mother has a country house where you can live with her far away -from the hardhearted world. With your fortune you can live anywhere you -please where your disgrace is not known, and where your beauty and your -sweet nature would soon bring you new friends. But confess that you do -not wish to leave Leoni." - -"I do wish to," I replied, weeping, "but I cannot." - -"Unfortunate, most unfortunate of women!" said Henryet sadly; "you are -naturally good and beautiful, but you lack pride. Where noble pride is -lacking, there is nothing to build upon. Poor weak creature! I pity you -from the bottom of my soul, for you have profaned your heart, you have -soiled it by contact with a vile heart, you have bent your neck under a -hand stained with crime, you love a dastard! I ask myself how I could -ever have loved you, but I also ask myself how I could fail to pity you -now." - -"Why, what in the name of heaven has Leoni done," I demanded, terrified -and appalled by his manner and his language, "that you assume the right -to speak of him in this way?" - -"Do you doubt my right, madame? Do you wish me to tell you why Leoni, -who is personally brave,--that is beyond question,--and who is the best -swordsman that I know, has never thought fit to pick a quarrel with me, -who never touched a sword in my life, and who drove him out of Paris -with a word, out of Brussels with a glance?" - -"That is inconceivable," I said, in dire distress. - -"Is it possible that you don't know whose mistress you are?" continued -Henryet earnestly; "has no one ever told you the marvellous adventures -of Chevalier Leoni? have you never blushed for having been his -accomplice and for having fled with a swindler after robbing your -father's shop?" - -I uttered a cry of anguish and hid my face in my hands; then I raised my -head and exclaimed with all my strength: - -"That is false! I never was guilty of such a despicable act! Leoni is no -more capable of it than I am. We had not travelled forty leagues on the -way to Geneva when Leoni stopped in the middle of the night, asked for -a box, and put all the jewels in it to send them back to my father." - -"Are you quite sure that he did that?" inquired Henryet with a -contemptuous laugh. - -"I am sure of it!" I cried; "I saw the box, I saw Leoni put the diamonds -into it." - -"And you are sure that the box didn't accompany you all the rest of your -journey? you are sure that it wasn't unpacked at Venice?" - -These words cast such a dazzling gleam of light into my mind, that I -could not avoid seeing what it disclosed. I suddenly remembered what I -had previously tried in vain to remember: the first occasion on which my -eyes had made the acquaintance of that fatal box. At that moment the -three times that I had seen it were perfectly clear in my mind and -linked themselves together logically to force me to an irresistible -conclusion: the first, the night we passed in the mysterious château, -when I saw Leoni put the diamonds in the box; the second, the last night -at the Swiss chalet, when I saw Leoni mysteriously disinter the treasure -he had entrusted to the earth; the third, the second day of our stay in -Venice, when I had found the empty box and the diamond pin on the floor -with the packing material. The visit of Thaddeus the Jew, and the five -hundred thousand francs which, according to the conversation I had -overheard between Leoni and his friends, had been advanced by him at the -time of our arrival in Venice, coincided perfectly with the memories of -that morning. I wrung my hands, then raised them toward heaven and -cried, speaking to myself: - -"So everything is lost, even my mother's esteem; everything is poisoned, -even the memory of Switzerland! Those six months of love and happiness -were devoted to covering up a theft." - -"And to eluding the pursuit of the police," added Henryet. - -"No! no!" I cried wildly, looking at him as if to question him; "he -loved me! it is certain that he loved me! I cannot think of that time -without being absolutely certain of his love. He was a thief who had -stolen a maid and a jewel-chest, and who loved them both." - -Henryet shrugged his shoulders; I realized that I was wandering; and, -struggling to recover my reason, I insisted upon knowing the explanation -of the incredible power he possessed over Leoni. - -"You want to know that?" he said. He reflected a moment, then continued: -"I will tell you, I can safely tell you; indeed, it is impossible that -you can have lived with him a year without suspecting it. He must have -made dupes enough at Venice under your eyes." - -"Made dupes! he! how so? Oh! be careful what you say, Henryet! he is -burdened with accusations enough already." - -"I believe that you are incapable as yet of being his accomplice, -Juliette; but beware that you do not become so; be careful for your -family's sake. I do not know to what point the impunity of a swindler's -mistress extends." - -"You are killing me with shame, monsieur; your words are cruel; pray -complete your work and break my heart altogether by telling me what -gives you the right of life and death, so to speak, over Leoni? Where -have you known him? what do you know of his past life? I know nothing of -it myself, alas! I have seen so many contradictory things about him that -I no longer know whether he is rich or poor, noble or plebeian; I do not -even know if the name he bears belongs to him." - -"That is the only thing that chance saved him the trouble of stealing," -Henryet replied. "His name is really Leone Leoni, and he belongs to one -of the noblest families of Venice. His father had a small fortune and -occupied the palace in which you recently lived. He had an unbounded -fondness for this only son, whose precocious talents indicated a -superior mental organization. Leoni was educated with care, and, when he -was fifteen years old, travelled over half of Europe with his tutor. In -five years he learned with incredible ease the language, literature and -manners of the countries he visited. His father's death brought him back -to Venice with his tutor. This tutor was Abbé Zanini, whom you must -have seen frequently at your house last winter. I do not know whether -you formed an accurate judgment of him; he is a man of vivid -imagination, of exquisite mental keenness, of immense learning, but -inconceivably immoral and extremely cowardly beneath a hypocritical -exterior of tolerance and sound common-sense. He had naturally depraved -his pupil's conscience, and had replaced a proper understanding of -justice and injustice in his mind by an alleged knowledge of life, which -consisted in committing all the amusing escapades, all the profitable -sins, all the actions, good and evil, which can possibly tempt the human -heart. I knew this Zanini at Paris, and I remember hearing him say that -one must know how to do evil in order to know how to do good, and that -one must be able to find enjoyment in vice in order to be able to find -enjoyment in virtue. This man, who is more prudent, more adroit and more -cold-blooded than Leoni, is much superior to him in knowledge; and -Leoni, carried away by his passions or baulked by his caprices, follows -him at a distance, making innumerable false moves which are certain to -ruin him in society, and which indeed have already ruined him, since he -is at the mercy of a few grasping confederates and a few honest men, -whose generosity he will soon tire out." - -A deathlike chill froze my blood while Henryet was speaking thus. I had -to make an effort to listen to the rest. - - - - -XVI - - -"At the age of twenty," continued Henryet, "Leoni found himself in -possession of a reasonably handsome fortune, and entirely in control of -his own movements. He was in a most advantageous position to do good; -but he found his means inferior to the requirements of his ambition, and -pending the time when he should build up a fortune equal to his desires, -as a result of I know not what insane or culpable schemes, he squandered -his inheritance in two years. His house, which he decorated with the -splendor you have seen, was the rendezvous of all the dissipated youths -and abandoned women of Italy. Many foreigners, connoisseurs in the -matter of fast living, were received there; and thus Leoni, who had -already made the acquaintance, during his travels, of many people of -fashion, formed the most brilliant connections in all countries and made -sure of many invaluable friends. - -"As is everywhere the case, schemers and blacklegs succeeded in -insinuating themselves into this large circle. I saw in Leoni's company -in Paris several faces that aroused my distrust, and whose owners I -suspect to-day of forming with him and the Marquis de ---- an -association of fashionable sharpers. Yielding to their counsels, to -Zanini's lessons, or to his natural inclinations, young Leoni seems to -have soon tried his hand at cheating at cards. This much is certain, -that he became eminently proficient in that art and probably practised -it in all the capitals of Europe without arousing the slightest -suspicion. When he was absolutely ruined, he left Venice and began to -travel again as an adventurer. At this point the thread of his history -escapes me. Zanini, from whom I gleaned a part of what I have told you, -claimed to have lost sight of him from that time and to have learned -only by means of correspondence, frequently interrupted, of Leoni's -innumerable changes of fortune and innumerable intrigues in society. He -apologized for having produced such a pupil by saying that Leoni had -perverted his doctrines; but he excused the pupil by praising the -incredible cleverness, the strength of will and the presence of mind -with which he had challenged fate, endured and conquered adversity. At -last Leoni came to Paris with his faithful friend the Marquis de ----, -whom you know, and it was there that I had an opportunity to see and -judge him. - -"It was Zanini who introduced him to the Princesse de X----, of whose -children he was the tutor. The abbé's superior mental endowments had -given him for several years past a less subordinate position in the -princess's household than that usually occupied by tutors in great -families. He did the honors of the salon, led the conversation, sang -beautifully, and managed the concerts. - -"Leoni, thanks to his wit and his talents, was welcomed with much -warmth, and his company was soon sought with enthusiasm. He acquired in -certain circles in Paris the same authority which you have seen him -exercise over a whole provincial city. He bore himself magnificently, -rarely gambled, and when he did so, always lost immense sums, which the -Marquis de ---- generally won. This marquis was introduced by Zanini -shortly after Leoni's appearance. Although a compatriot of the latter, -he pretended not to know him or rather to be prepossessed against him. -He whispered in everybody's ear that they had been rivals in love at -Venice, and that, although they were both cured of their passion, they -were not cured of their hostility. Thanks to this knavery, no one -suspected them of conducting their industry in concert. They carried it -on during the whole winter without arousing the least suspicion. -Sometimes they both lost heavily, but more frequently they won, and they -lived like princes, each in his own way. One day, a friend of mine, who -had lost a large amount to Leoni, detected an almost imperceptible -signal between him and the marquis. He said nothing, but watched them -both closely for several days. One evening, when we had both bet on the -same side, and lost as usual, he came to me and said: - -"'Look at those two Italians; I strongly suspect and am almost certain -that they cheat in concert. I have to leave Paris on very urgent -business; I leave to you the task of following up my discovery and -warning your friends, if there is occasion to do so. You are a discreet -and prudent man; you will not act, I hope, without being quite sure what -you are doing. In any event, if you have trouble with the fellows, do -not fail to give them my name as the one who first accused them, and -write to me; I will undertake to settle the dispute with one of them.' - -"He gave me his address and left Paris. I watched the two knights of -industry and acquired absolute certainty that my friend had made no -mistake. I discovered the whole secret of their knavery one evening at a -party given by the Princesse de X----. I at once took Zanini by the arm -and led him aside. - -"'Are you very well acquainted,' I asked him, 'with the two Venetians -whom you introduced here?' - -"'Very well,' he answered with much assurance; 'I was the tutor of one -of them and the friend of the other.' - -"'I congratulate you,' said I, 'they are a pair of blacklegs.' - -"I made this assertion with such confidence that he changed countenance -despite his constant habit of dissimulation. I suspected him of having -an interest in their winnings, and I told him that I proposed to unmask -his two countrymen. He was altogether discomposed at that and earnestly -entreated me not to do it. He tried to persuade me that I was mistaken. -I asked him to take me to his room with the marquis. There I explained -myself in a few very plain words, and the marquis, instead of denying -the charge, turned pale and fainted. I do not know whether that scene -was a comedy played by him and the abbé, but they appeared to me in -such distress, the marquis displayed so much shame and remorse, that I -was good-natured enough to allow my determination to be shaken. I -demanded simply that he should leave France instantly with Leoni. The -marquis promised everything; but I proposed to signify my decision to -his accomplice in person, and told him to send for him. He kept us -waiting a long while; at last he arrived, not humble and trembling like -the other, but quivering with rage, and with clenched fists. Perhaps he -expected to intimidate me by his insolence; I informed him that I was -ready to give him all the satisfaction he desired, but that I should -begin by accusing him publicly. At the same time I offered the marquis -satisfaction on the same conditions on my friend's behalf. Leoni's -impudence was disconcerted. His companions convinced him that he was -lost if he resisted. He yielded, not without much remonstrance and bad -temper, and they both left the house without returning to the salon. The -marquis started the next day for Geneva, Leoni for Brussels. - -"I was left alone with Zanini in his room; I told him of my suspicions -of him and of my purpose to denounce him to the princess. As I had no -absolute proofs against him, he was less humble and suppliant than the -marquis; but I saw that he was no less frightened. He exerted all the -resources of his intelligence in appealing to my good nature and my -discretion. I made him confess, however, that he was aware of his -pupil's knavery to a certain point, and I forced him to tell me his -story. In that respect, Zanini lacked prudence; he should have -maintained obstinately that he knew nothing of it; but my stern threats -to unmask the guests he had introduced made him lose his head. I left -him, thoroughly convinced that he was a rascal, as cowardly, but more -circumspect than the other two. I kept the secret in my own interest. I -was afraid that the influence he had acquired over the Princesse de -X---- would be stronger than my honorable character, that he would be -clever enough to persuade her to regard me as an impostor or a fool, and -would make my conduct appear ridiculous. I was sick of the filthy -business. I thought no more about it and left Paris three months later. -You know who was the first person my eyes sought as I entered Delpech's -ball-room. I was still in love with you, and, having reached Brussels -only an hour earlier, I did not know that you were to be married. I -discovered you in the midst of the crowd; I walked toward you and saw -Leoni at your side. I thought that I was dreaming, that I was deceived -by a resemblance. I made inquiries and discovered beyond question that -your fiancé was the knight of industry who had stolen three or four -hundred louis from me. I did not hope to supplant him, indeed I think -that I did not wish to. To succeed such a man in your heart, perhaps to -wipe from your cheeks the marks of his kisses; that was a thought that -killed my love. But I swore that an innocent girl and an honorable -family should not be the dupes of a scoundrel. You know that our -explanation was neither long nor diffuse; but your fatal passion -defeated the effort that I made to save you." - -Henryet paused. I hung my head, I was overwhelmed; it seemed to me that -I could never again look anybody in the face. Henryet continued: - -"Leoni avoided trouble very skilfully by carrying off his fiancée from -before my eyes, that is to say, a million francs in diamonds which she -had upon her person. He concealed you and your jewels, I don't know -where. Amid all the tears shed over his daughter's fate, your father -shed a few for his beautiful gems so beautifully mounted. One day he -artlessly observed in my presence that the thing that grieved him most -in regard to the theft was that the diamonds would be sold for half -their value to some Jew, and that the beautiful settings, with all their -artistic workmanship, would be broken up and melted by the receiver, to -avoid compromising himself. 'It was hardly worth while to do such work!' -he said, weeping; 'it was hardly worth while to have a daughter and love -her so dearly!' - -"It would seem that your father was right, for with the proceeds of his -robbery Leoni found means to cut a swath at Venice for only three -months. The palace of his fathers had been sold and was now to let. He -hired it and replaced his name, so they say, on the cornice of the inner -courtyard, not daring to place it over the main gateway. As he is -actually known to be a swindler by very few people, his house became -once more the rendezvous of many honorable men, who doubtless were -fleeced there by his confederates. But it may be that his fear of being -detected deterred him from joining them, for he was speedily ruined -anew. He contented himself, I presume, with winking at the brigandage -those villains committed in his house; he is at their mercy and would -not dare to get rid of those whom he detests most bitterly. Now he is, -as you know, the Princess Zagarolo's titular lover: that lady, who has -been very beautiful, is now, faded and doomed to die very soon of a -disease of the lungs. It is supposed that she will leave all her -property to Leoni, who pretends to be violently in love with her, and -whom she loves passionately. He is waiting for her to make her will. -Then you will be rich, Juliette. He has probably told you so; have -patience a little longer and you will take the princess's box at the -play, you will drive in her carriages, on which you will simply change -the bearings; you will embrace your lover in the magnificent bed in -which she will have died, you will even wear her gowns and diamonds." - -It may be that the pitiless Henryet said more than this, but I heard no -more; I fell to the ground in terrible convulsions. - - - - -XVII - - -When I came to myself, I was alone with Leoni. I was lying on a sofa. He -was looking at me fondly and anxiously. - -"Dear heart," he said, when he saw that I was recovering the use of my -faculties, "tell me what has happened! Why did I find you in such a -terrible condition? Where are you in pain? What new grief have you had?" - -"None," I replied, and I spoke the truth, for at that moment I -remembered nothing. - -"You are deceiving me, Juliette; some one has distressed you. The -servant who was with you when I came home told me that a man came to see -you this morning, that he remained with you a long while, and that when -he went out he told them to come and look after you. Who was this man, -Juliette?" - -I had never lied in my life; it was impossible for me to reply. I did -not wish to mention Henryet's name. Leoni frowned. - -"A mystery!" he said; "a mystery between us! I would never have believed -you capable of it. But you know no one here! Can it be that----? If it -were he, there is not blood enough in his veins to wash away his -insolence! Tell me the truth, Juliette, has Chalm been here to see you? -Has he persecuted you again with his vile proposals and his calumnies -against me?" - -"Chalm!" I exclaimed. "Is he in Milan?" And I felt a thrill of terror -which must have been reflected on my face, for Leoni saw that I was -ignorant of the viscount's arrival. - -"If it was not he," he said to himself, "who can this caller have been, -who was closeted three hours with my wife and left her in a swoon? The -marquis has been with me all day." - -"O heaven!" I cried, "are all your detestable associates here? In -heaven's name, see that they do not find out where I live and that I do -not see them." - -"But who is the man you do see, and to whom you do not deny admission to -your bedroom?" said Leoni, becoming more and more thoughtful and pale. -"Answer me, Juliette; I insist upon it. Do you hear?" - -I realized how horrible my position was becoming. I clasped my hands, -trembling, and appealed to heaven in silence. - -"You do not answer," said Leoni. "Poor woman! you have little presence -of mind. You have a lover, Juliette! You are not to be blamed for it, as -I have a mistress. I am a fool not to be able to bear it when you are -satisfied with a part of my heart and my bed. But it is certain that I -cannot be so generous." - -He took his hat and put on his gloves with convulsive coldness, took out -his purse, placed it on the mantel, and, without another word to -me--without glancing at me--left the room. I heard him walk away with an -even step and descend the stairs slowly. - -Surprise, dismay and fear had frozen my blood. I thought that I was -going mad; I put my handkerchief in my mouth to stifle my shrieks, and -then, succumbing to fatigue, fell back upon the bed in the stupor of -utter prostration. - -In the middle of the night I heard sounds in the room. I opened my eyes -and saw, without understanding what I saw, Leoni pacing the floor in -intense agitation, and the marquis seated at a table, emptying a bottle -of brandy. I did not stir. I had no thought of trying to find out what -they were doing there; but little by little their words, falling upon my -ears, found their way to my understanding and assumed a meaning. - -"I tell you that I saw him, and I am sure of it," said the marquis. "He -is here." - -"The infernal hound!" replied Leoni, stamping on the floor. "Would to -God the earth would open and rid me of him." - -"Well said!" rejoined the marquis. "That's my idea." "He comes to my -very room to torment that unfortunate woman!" - -"Are you sure, Leoni, that she is not glad to have him come?" - -"Hold your tongue, viper! and don't try to make me suspect that poor -creature. She has nothing left in the world but my esteem." - -"And Monsieur Henryet's love," added the marquis. Leoni clenched his -fists. "We will rid her of that love!" he cried, "and cure the Fleming -of it." - -"The devil! Leoni, don't do anything foolish!" - -"And you, Lorenzo, don't you do anything vile!" - -"You would call that vile, would you? We have very different ideas. You -escort La Zagarolo quietly to the grave, in order to inherit her worldly -goods, and you do not approve of my putting an enemy underground whose -existence paralyzes ours forever! It seems to you very innocent, -notwithstanding the prohibition of the physicians, to hasten by your -generous fondness the end of your dear consumptive's sufferings----" - -"Go to the devil! If that madwoman wants to live fast and die soon, why -should I prevent her? She is attractive enough to command my obedience, -and I am not fond enough of her to resist her." - -"What a ghastly thing!" I muttered in spite of myself, and fell back on -my pillow. - -"Your wife spoke, I think," said the marquis. - -"She is dreaming," Leoni replied; "she has the fever." - -"Are you sure that she isn't listening?" - -"In the first place she would need to have strength to listen. She is -very sick, too, poor Juliette! She doesn't complain; she suffers all by -herself! She has not twenty women to wait on her; she doesn't pay -courtiers to satisfy her sickly fancies; she is dying piously and -chastely, like an expiatory victim, between heaven and me." - -Leoni sat down at the table and burst into tears. - -"This is the effect of brandy," said the marquis, calmly, putting the -glass to his lips. "I warned you; it always takes hold of the nerves." - -"Let me alone, brute beast!" shouted Leoni, giving the table a push -which nearly overturned it on the marquis; "let me weep in peace. You -don't know what love is!" - -"Love!" said the marquis in a theatrical tone, mimicking Leoni; -"remorse! those are very sonorous and dramatic words. When do you send -Juliette to the hospital?" - -"That is right," said Leoni, with a gloomy, despairing air, "talk to me -that way, I prefer it. That suits me, I am capable of anything. To the -hospital! yes. She was so lovely, so dazzlingly beautiful! I came, and -see what I have brought her to! Ah! I could tear out my hair!" - -"Well," said the marquis after a pause, "have we had enough sentiment -for to-day? God! it has been a long attack. Now let us reason a little; -you don't seriously mean to fight with Henryet?" - -"Most seriously," replied Leoni; "you talk seriously enough about -murdering him." - -"That's a very different matter." - -"It is precisely the same thing. He doesn't know how to use any weapon, -and I am very expert with all sorts." - -"Except the stiletto," said the marquis, "or the pistol at point-blank -range; besides, you don't kill anybody but women." - -"I will kill that man at all events," replied Leoni. - -"And you think he will consent to fight with you?" - -"He will; he is brave enough." - -"But he isn't mad. He will begin by having us arrested as a couple of -thieves." - -"He will begin by giving me satisfaction. I will force him to do it, I -will strike him in the theatre." - -"He will return it by calling you forger, blackleg, card-sharper." - -"He will have to prove it. He is not known here, whereas we are fairly -established here on a brilliant footing. I will call him a lunatic and -visionary; and when I have killed him, everybody will think I was -right." - -"You are mad, my dear fellow," replied the marquis; "Henryet is -recommended to the richest merchants in Italy. His family is well known -and bears a high reputation in commercial circles. He himself doubtless -has friends in the city, or at all events acquaintances, with whom his -statements will carry weight. He will fight to-morrow night, let us say. -Very good! during the day he will have had time enough to tell twenty -people that he is going to fight with you because he caught you -cheating, and that you took it ill of him that he should try to prevent -you." - -"Very well! he may say it and people may believe it if they choose, but -I will kill him." - -"La Zagarolo will turn you out-of-doors and destroy her will. All the -nobles will close their doors to you, and the police will request you to -go to play the lover in some other country." - -"Very well! I will go somewhere else. The rest of the world will belong -to me when I am well rid of that man." - -"Yes, and from his blood will sprout a pretty little nursery of -accusers. Instead of Monsieur Henryet, you will have the whole city of -Milan at your heels." - -"O heaven! what shall I do?" said Leoni, in sore perplexity. - -"Make an appointment with him in your wife's name, and cool his blood -with a good hunting-knife. Give me that scrap of paper yonder and I'll -write to him." - -Leoni, paying no heed, opened a window and fell into a reverie, while -the marquis wrote. When he had finished he called him. - -"Listen to this, Leoni," he said, "and see whether I know how to write a -_billet-doux_: - - -"'My friend; I cannot receive you again in my room; Leoni knows all and -threatens me with the most horrible consequences; take me away or I am -lost. Take me to my mother or put me in a convent; do with me as you -please, but rescue me from my present horrible plight. Be in front of -the main door of the cathedral at one o'clock to-morrow morning, and we -will make arrangements for our departure. It will be easy for me to meet -you, as Leoni passes every night at La Zagarolo's. Do not be surprised -by this extraordinary and almost illegible handwriting: Leoni, in a fit -of anger, almost crushed my right hand. - - "'JULIETTE RUYTER.'" - - -"It seems to me that letter is very judiciously expressed," said the -marquis, "and that it will seem plausible enough to the Fleming, -whatever the degree of intimacy between him and your wife. The words -which she fancied that she was saying to him at times in her delirium -make it certain that he offered to take her back to her own country. The -writing is horrible, and whether he is familiar with Juliette's or -not----" - -"Let me see it," said Leoni, leaning over the table with an air of -interest. - -His face wore a horrifying expression of doubt and longing to be -persuaded. I saw no more. My brain was exhausted, my thoughts became -confused. I relapsed into a sort of lethargy. - - - - -XVIII - - -When I came to myself the flickering lamplight fell upon the same -objects. I raised myself cautiously and saw the marquis just where he -was when I lost consciousness. It was still dark. There were still -bottles on the table, as well as a writing-desk and something which I -could not see very plainly, but which resembled a weapon. Leoni was -standing in the middle of the room. I tried to recall their previous -conversation. I hoped that the ghastly fragments of it which recurred to -my memory were merely the dreams of fever, and I had no idea at first -that twenty-four hours had elapsed between that conversation and the one -just beginning. The first words that I understood were these: - -"He must have suspected something for he was armed to the teeth." - -As he spoke, Leoni wiped his bleeding hand with his handkerchief. - -"Bah! yours is nothing but a scratch," said the marquis; "I have a more -severe wound in the leg; and yet I must dance at the ball to-morrow, so -that no one may suspect anything. So stop fussing over your hand, wrap -it up and think of something else." - -"It is impossible for me to think of anything but that blood. It seems -to me that I see a lake of it all about me." - -"Your nerves are too delicate, Leoni; you are good for nothing." - -"_Canaille_!" exclaimed Leoni in a tone of hatred and contempt, "but for -me you would be a dead man; you retreated like a coward, and you would -have been struck from behind. If I had not seen that you were lost, and -if your ruin would not have involved mine, I would never have touched -that man at such an hour and in such a place. But your infernal -obstinacy compelled me to be your accomplice. All that I needed was to -commit a murder, to be worthy of your society." - -"Don't play the modest man," retorted the marquis; "when you saw that he -defended himself, you became a very tiger." - -"Ah! yes, it rejoiced my heart to have him die defending himself; for -after all I killed him fairly." - -"Very fairly; he had postponed the game till the next day, and as you -were in a hurry to be done with it, you killed him on the spot." - -"Whose fault was it, traitor? Why did you throw yourself on him just as -we were separating after we had agreed to meet the next day? Why did you -run when you saw that he was armed, and thus compel me to defend you or -else be denounced by him to-morrow for having conspired with you to lure -him into a trap and murder him? Now I have made myself liable to the -scaffold, and yet I am not a murderer. I fought with equal weapons, -equal chance, equal courage." - -"Yes, he defended himself like a man," said the marquis; "you both -performed prodigies of valor. It was a very fine spectacle to see, truly -Homeric, was that duel with knives. But I am bound to say that for a -Venetian you handle that weapon wretchedly." - -"It is quite true that it isn't the weapon I am in the habit of using, -and by the way I am inclined to think it would be wise to conceal or -destroy this one." - -"That would be the height of folly, my friend! You must keep it; your -servants and friends know that you always carry such a weapon; if you -should dispose of it, that would be an indication of guilt." - -"True, but yours?" - -"Mine is innocent of his blood; my first blows missed, and after that -yours left me no room." - -"Ah! heaven! that is true too. You tried to murder him, and fatality -compelled me to do with my own hands the deed of which I had such a -horror." - -"It pleases you to say that, my dear fellow; however, you went very -willingly to the rendezvous." - -"I had an instinctive foreboding that my evil genius would force me to -do it. After all, it was my destiny and his. We are rid of him at last! -But why in the devil did you empty his pockets?" - -"Precaution and presence of mind on my part. When they find him stripped -of his money and his wallet, they will look for the assassin among the -lowest classes, and will never suspect people in fashionable society. It -will be considered an act of brigandage and not a matter of private -revenge. Don't betray yourself by absurd emotion when you hear the -affair mentioned to-morrow, and we have nothing to fear. Just reach me -the candle so that I can burn these papers; as for honest coin, that -never betrayed anybody." - -"Stop!" said Leoni, seizing a letter which the marquis was about to burn -with the rest. "I saw Juliette's family name." - -"It is a letter to Madame Ruyter," said the marquis. "Let us see:" - - -"'MADAME, - -"'If it is not too late, if you did not start at once on receiving the -letter I wrote yesterday summoning you to your daughter, do not start. -Wait at home for her or come to meet her as far as Strasbourg; I will -send for you when we reach there. I shall be there with Mademoiselle -Ruyter in a few days. She has decided to fly from her seducer's dishonor -and ill treatment. I have just received a note in which she announces -this determination. I am to see her to-night to agree upon the time of -our departure. I will leave all my business in order to make the most of -her present disposition, in which her lover's flatteries may not leave -her forever. The empire that he has over her is still immense. I fear -that her passion for that wretch is eternal, and that her regret for -having left him will make you both shed many tears hereafter. Be -indulgent and kind to her; that is your proper rôle as her mother, and -you can easily play it. For my part, I am rough-mannered, and my -indignation finds expression more readily than my compassion. I wish I -were more persuasive; but I cannot be more lovable, and it is my destiny -not to be loved. - - "'PAUL HENRYET.'" - - -"This proves to you, O my friend!" said the marquis in a mocking tone, -as he held the letter in the flame of the candle, "that your wife is -faithful and that you are the most fortunate of husbands." - -"Poor woman!" said Leoni, "and poor Henryet! He would have made her -happy! He would at least have respected and honored her! In God's name, -what fatality drove her into the arms of a wretched adventurer, drawn to -her by destiny from one end of the world to the other, when she had an -honorable man's heart at her very hand. Blind child! why did you choose -me?" - -"Charming!" said the marquis ironically. "I hope you will write some -verses on this subject. A pretty epitaph for the man you massacred -to-night would be, to my mind, in exceedingly good taste and altogether -new." - -"Yes, I will write one for him," retorted Leoni, "and it will run like -this: - -"'Here lies an honest man who tried to defend human justice against two -scoundrels, and whom divine justice allowed them to murder.'" - -Thereupon, Leoni fell into a sorrowful reverie, during which he -constantly muttered his victim's name: - -"Paul Henryet!" he said. "Twenty-two years old, twenty-four at most. A -cold but handsome face. A rigid, upright character. Hatred of injustice. -The uncompromising pride of honesty, and withal something tender and -melancholy. He loved Juliette, he has always loved her. He fought -against his passion to no purpose. I see by that letter that he loved -her still, and that he would have worshipped her if he could have cured -her. Juliette, Juliette! you might still have been happy with him, and I -have killed him! I have robbed you of the man who might have comforted -you; your only defender is no more, and you remain the victim of a -bandit." - -"Very fine!" said the marquis; "I wish that you might never move your -lips without having a stenographer beside you to preserve all the noble -and affecting things you say. For my part, I am going to bed. -Good-night, my dear fellow; go to bed to your wife, but change your -shirt first; for, deuce take me! you have Henryet's blood on your -frill!" - -The marquis left the room. Leoni, after a moment's irresolution, came to -my bed, raised the curtain and looked at me. He saw that I was only -drowsing under my bedclothes, and that my eyes were open and fixed upon -him. He could not endure my livid face and fixed stare; he fell back -with a cry of horror, and I called him several times in a weak, broken -voice: "Murderer! murderer! murderer!" - -He fell on his knees as if struck by lightning, and dragged himself to -my bed with an imploring air. - -"Go to bed to your wife," I said, repeating the marquis's words in a -sort of delirium; "but change your shirt, for you have Henryet's blood -on your frill!" - -Leoni fell face downward on the floor, uttering inarticulate cries. I -lost my reason altogether, and it seemed to me that I repeated his -cries, imitating with dazed servility the tone of his voice and the -contortions of his body. He thought that I was mad, and, springing to -his feet in terror, came to my side. I thought that he was going to kill -me; I threw myself out of bed, crying: "Mercy! mercy! I won't tell!" and -I fainted just as he seized me, to lift me up and assist me. - - - - -XIX - - -I awoke, still in his arms, and he had never put forth so much -eloquence, so much affection, so many tears, to implore his pardon. He -confessed that he was the lowest of men; but, he said, there was one -thing, and only one, that raised him somewhat in his eyes, and that was -the love he had always had for me, and which none of his vices, none of -his crimes had had the power to stifle. Hitherto he had fought against -the appearances which accused him on all sides. He had struggled against -overwhelming evidence in order to retain my esteem. Thenceforth, being -no longer able to justify himself by falsehood, he took a different -course and assumed a new rôle, in order to move me and conquer me. He -laid aside all artifice--perhaps I should say all sense of shame--and -confessed all the villainy of his life. But amid all that filth he -forced me to distinguish and to understand what there was in his -character that was truly noble, the faculty of loving, the everlasting -vigor of a heart in which the most exhausting weariness, the most -dangerous trials, did not extinguish the sacred flame. - -"My conduct is base," he said to me, "but my heart is still noble. It -still bleeds for its crimes; it has retained, in all the vigor of its -first youth, the sentiment of justice and injustice, horror of the evil -it does, enthusiastic admiration of the good it beholds. Your patience, -your virtues, your angelic kindliness, your pity, as inexhaustible as -God's, can never be displayed in favor of a being who appreciates them -better or admires them more. A man of regular morals and sensitive -conscience would consider them more natural and would appreciate them -less. With such a man you would be simply a virtuous woman; while with a -man like me you are a sublime woman, and the debt of gratitude which is -piling up in my heart is as great as your sacrifices and your -sufferings. Ah! it is something to be loved and to be entitled to a -boundless passion, and from what other man have you so good a right to -claim such a passion as from me? For whom would you subject yourself -again to the tortures and the despair you have undergone? Do you think -there is anything else in life but love? For my part, I do not. And do -you think that it is a simple matter to inspire it and to feel it? -Thousands of men die incomplete, having never known any other love than -that of the beasts. Often a heart capable of loving seeks in vain where -to bestow its love, and comes forth pure of all earthly passions, -perhaps to find a place in heaven. Ah! when God vouchsafes to us on -earth that profound, passionate, ineffable sentiment, we must no longer -desire or hope for paradise, Juliette; for paradise is the blending of -two hearts in a kiss of love. And when we have found it here on earth, -what matters it whether it be in the arms of a saint or of one of the -damned? What matters it whether the man you love be accursed or adored -among men, so long as he returns your love? Is it I whom you love, or is -it this noise that is going on about me? What did you love in me at the -outset? Was it the splendor that encompassed me? If you hate me to-day, -I must needs doubt your past love; I must needs see in you, instead of -that angel, that devoted victim whose blood, shed for me, falls -ceaselessly drop by drop upon my lips, only a poor, weak, credulous -girl, who loved me from vanity and deserted me from selfishness. -Juliette, Juliette, think of what you will do if you leave me! You will -ruin the only friend who knows you, appreciates and respects you, for a -society which despises you now and whose esteem you will never recover. -You have nothing left but me in the whole world, my poor child. You must -either cling to the adventurer's fortunes or die forgotten in a convent. -If you leave me, you are no less insane than cruel; you will have had -all your misery, all your sufferings, and you will not reap their fruit; -for now, if, notwithstanding all that you know, you can still love me -and stay with me, be sure that I will love you with a love of which you -have no conception, and which I never should have dreamed of as possible -if I had married you honestly and lived with you peacefully in the bosom -of your family. Hitherto, despite all you have sacrificed, all you have -suffered, I have not loved you as I feel that I am capable of loving. -You have never yet loved me as I am; you have cherished an attachment -for a false Leoni, in whom you still saw some grandeur and some -fascination. You hoped that he would become some day the man you loved -in the beginning; you did not believe that you had held in your arms a -man who was irrevocably lost. And I said to myself: 'She loves me -conditionally; it is not I whom she loves as yet, but the character I am -acting. When she sees my features under my mask, she will cover her eyes -and fly; she will look with horror on the lover whom now she presses to -her bosom. No, she is not the wife and mistress I had dreamed of, and -for whom my ardent heart is calling with all its strength. Juliette is -still a part of that society whose foe I am; she will be my foe when she -knows me. I cannot confide in her; I cannot pour out upon the bosom of -any living being the most execrable of my sufferings, my shame for what -I am doing every day. I suffer, I am heaping up remorse in my soul. If -only there were a woman capable of loving me without asking me to -change--if I could have a friend who would not be an accuser and a -judge!'--That is what I thought, Juliette. I prayed to heaven for that -friend, but I prayed that it might be you and no other; for you were -already what I loved best on earth before. I realized all that there -still remained for us both to do before loving each other really." - -What could I reply to such speeches? I looked at him with a stupefied -air. I was amazed that I still considered him handsome and lovable; that -I still felt in his presence the same emotion, the same desire for his -caresses, the same gratitude for his love. His degradation left no trace -on his noble brow; and when his great black eyes flashed their flame -upon mine, I was dazzled, intoxicated as always; all his blemishes -disappeared, everything was blotted out, even the stains of Henryet's -blood. I forgot everything else to bind myself to him by blind vows, by -oaths and insane embraces. Then in very truth his love was rekindled or -rather renewed, as he had prophesied. He gradually abandoned the -Princess Zagarolo and passed all the time of my convalescence at my -feet, with the same loving attentions and the delicate tokens of -affection which had made me so happy in Switzerland; I can say, indeed, -that these proofs of affection were even more ardent and caused me more -pride, that was the happiest period of my whole life, and that Leoni was -never dearer to me. I was convinced of the truth of all that he had told -me; nor could I fear that he clung to me from self-interest, as I had -nothing more in the world to give him, and was thenceforth a burden to -him and dependent upon the hazards of his fortunes. However I felt a -sort of pride in not falling short of what he expected from my -generosity, and his gratitude seemed to me greater than my sacrifices. - -One evening he came home in a state of great excitement, and said, -pressing me to his heart again and again: - -"My Juliette, my sister, my wife, my angel, you must be as kind and -indulgent as God himself, you must give me a fresh proof of your -adorable sweetness and your heroism; you must come and live with me at -the Princess Zagarolo's." - -I recoiled, surprised beyond words; and, as I realized that it was no -longer in my power to deny him anything, I turned pale and began to -tremble like a condemned man at the gallows' foot. - -"Listen," he said, "the princess is horribly ill. I have neglected her -on your account; she has grieved so that her disease has become -seriously aggravated and the doctors give her only a month to live. -Since you know everything, I can speak to you about that infernal will. -It is a matter of several millions, and I am in competition with a -family on the alert to take advantage of my mistakes and turn me out at -the decisive moment. The will in my favor is in existence, in proper -form, but a moment's anger may destroy it. We are ruined, we have no -other resource. You will have to go to the hospital and I become a -leader of brigands, if it escapes us." - -"O _mon Dieu_!" I said, "we lived so inexpensively in Switzerland! Why -is wealth a necessity to us? Now that we love each other so well, can we -not live happily without committing any new villainy?" - -He answered by a frown which expressed the disappointment, the annoyance -and the dread which my reproaches caused him. I said nothing more in -that connection, but asked him wherein I was necessary to the success of -his enterprise. - -"Because the princess, in a fit of jealousy not without some foundation, -has demanded to see you and question you. My enemies have taken pains to -inform her that I pass all my mornings with a young and pretty woman who -came to Milan after me. For a long time I succeeded in making her -believe that you were my sister; but, during this month that I have -neglected her altogether, she has conceived doubts, and refuses to -believe in your illness, which I alleged as an excuse for my -neglect.--'If your sister is sick too, and can't do without you,' she -said, 'have her brought to my house; my women and my doctors will take -care of her. You can see her at any time; and if she is really your -sister, I will love her as if she were my sister too.'--I tried in vain -to fight against this strange whim. I told her that you were very poor -and very proud, that nothing in the world would induce you to accept her -hospitality, and that it would, in fact, be exceedingly unseemly and -indelicate for you to come to live in the house of your brother's -mistress. She would listen to no excuse and replied to all my objections -with: 'I see that you are deceiving me; she is not your sister.'--If you -refuse, we are lost. Come, come, come; I implore you, my child, come!" - -I took my hat and shawl without replying. While I was dressing, tears -rolled slowly down my cheeks. As we left my chamber, Leoni wiped them -away with his lips and embraced me again and again, calling me his -benefactress, his guardian angel and his only friend. - -I passed with trembling limbs through the princess's vast apartments. -When I saw the magnificence of the house, I had an indescribable feeling -of oppression at my heart, and I remembered Henryet's harsh words: "When -she is dead, you will be rich, Juliette; you will inherit her splendor, -you will sleep in her bed and you can wear her gowns."--I hung my head -as I passed the servants; it seemed to me that they glared at me with -hatred and envy; and I felt far beneath them. Leoni pressed my arm in -his, feeling my body tremble and my legs give way. - -"Courage! courage!" he whispered to me. - -We reached the bedroom at last. The princess was lying in an invalid's -chair and seemed to be awaiting us impatiently. She was a woman of about -thirty years, very thin, with a yellow face, and magnificently dressed, -although _en déshabillé_. She must have been very beautiful in her -early days, and she still had a charming face. The thinness of her -cheeks exaggerated the size of her eyes, the whites of which, vitrified -by consumption, resembled mother of pearl. Her fine, smooth hair was of -a glistening black and seemed dry and sickly like her whole person. When -she saw me, she uttered a faint exclamation of joy and held out a long, -tapering hand, of a bluish tinge, which I fancy that I can see at this -moment. I understood, by a glance from Leoni, that I was expected to -kiss that hand, and I resigned myself to the necessity. - -Leoni was undoubtedly ill at ease, and yet his self-possession and the -tranquillity of his manners confounded me. He spoke of me to his -mistress as if there were no possibility of her discovering his knavery, -and expressed his affection for her before me, as if it were impossible -for me to feel any grief or anger. The princess seemed to have fits of -distrust from time to time, and I could see, by her glances and her -words, that she was studying me in order to destroy her suspicions or -confirm them. As my natural mildness of disposition made it impossible -for her to hate me, she soon began to have confidence in me; and, -jealous as she was, to the point of frenzy, she thought that it was -impossible for any woman to consent to take the part I was playing. An -adventuress might have done it, but my manners and my face gave the lie -to any such conjecture as to my character. The princess became -passionately fond of me. She would hardly allow me to leave her bedroom, -she overwhelmed me with gifts and caresses. I was a little humiliated by -her generosity and I longed to refuse her gifts; but the fear of -displeasing Leoni made me endure this additional mortification. What I -had to suffer during the first days, and the efforts that I made to bend -my pride to that extent, are beyond belief. However, the suffering -gradually became less keen, and my mental plight became endurable. Leoni -manifested in secret a passionate gratitude and delirious fondness. The -princess, despite her whims, her impatience, and all the torture that -her love for Leoni caused me, became agreeable and almost dear to me. -Her heart was ardent rather than loving, and her nature lavish rather -than generous. But she had an irresistible charm of manner; the wit with -which her language sparkled in the midst of her most intense agony, the -ingeniously kind and caressing words with which she thanked me for my -attentions or begged me to forget her outbreaks of temper, her little -cajoleries, her shrewd observations, the coquetry which attended her to -the grave; in short, everything about her had an originality, a -nobility, a refinement by which I was the more deeply impressed because -I had never seen a woman of her rank at close quarters, and was not -accustomed to the great charm which they owe to their familiarity with -the best society. She possessed that charm to such a degree that I could -not resist it and allowed myself to be swayed by it at her pleasure; she -was so coy and fascinating with Leoni that I imagined that he was really -in love with her, and ended by becoming accustomed to see them kiss, and -to listen to their insipid speeches without being revolted by them. -Indeed, there were days when they were so charming and so witty that I -really enjoyed listening to them; and Leoni found means to say such -sweet things to me that I was happy even in my unspeakable degradation. - -The ill-will which the servants and underlings displayed toward me at -first was speedily allayed, thanks to the pains I took to turn over to -them all the little gifts their mistress gave me. I even enjoyed the -affection and confidence of the nephews and cousins; a very pretty -little niece, whom the princess obstinately refused to see, was smuggled -into her presence by my assistance, and pleased her exceedingly. -Thereupon, I begged her to allow me to give the child a pretty casket -which she had forced upon me that morning; and this display of -generosity led her to give the child a much more valuable present. -Leoni, in whose greed there was nothing paltry or petty, was pleased to -see this bounty bestowed on a poor orphan, and the other relations began -to believe that they had nothing to fear from us, and that our -friendship for the princess was purely noble and disinterested. The -essays at tale-bearing against me ceased entirely, and for two months we -led a very tranquil life. I was astonished to find that I was almost -happy. - - - - -XX - - -The only thing that disturbed me seriously was the constant presence of -the Marquis de ----. He had obtained an introduction to the princess, on -what pretext I have no idea, and amused her by his caustic, ill-natured -chatter. Then he would draw Leoni into another room and have long -interviews with him, from which Leoni always came with a gloomy brow. - -"I hate and despise Lorenzo," he often said to me; "he is the vilest cur -I know; he is capable of anything." - -Thereupon, I would urge him to break with him; but he always replied: - -"It is impossible, Juliette; don't you know that when two rascals have -acted together, they never fall out except to send each other to the -scaffold?" - -These ominous words sounded so strangely in that beautiful palace, amid -the peaceful life we were leading, and almost within hearing of that -gracious and trustful princess, that a shudder ran through my veins when -I heard them. - -Meanwhile, our dear invalid's suffering increased from day to day, and -the moment soon came when she must inevitably give up the struggle. We -saw that she was failing gradually; but she did not lose her presence of -mind for an instant, nor cease her jests and her kind speeches. - -"How sorry I am," she said to Leoni, "that Juliette is your sister! Now -that I am going to the other world, I must renounce you. I can neither -demand nor desire that you remain faithful to me after my death. -Unfortunately, you are certain to make a fool of yourself and throw -yourself at the head of some woman who is unworthy of you. I know nobody -in the world but your sister who is good enough for you; she is an -angel, and no one but you is worthy of her." - -I could not resist this kindly flattery, and my affection for the -princess became warmer and warmer as death slowly took her from us. I -could not believe it possible that she would be taken away with all her -faculties, all her tranquillity, and when we were all so happy together. -I asked myself how we could possibly live without her, and I could not -think of her great gilded armchair standing unoccupied, between Leoni -and myself, without my eyes filling with tears. - -One evening, when I was reading to her while Leoni sat on the carpet -warming her feet in a muff, she received a letter, read it through -hastily, uttered a loud shriek and fainted. While I flew to her -assistance, Leoni picked up the letter and ran his eye over it. Although -the writing was disguised, he recognized the hand of the Vicomte de -Chalm. It was a denunciation of me, with circumstantial details -concerning my family, my abduction, my relations with Leoni; and, with -all the rest, a mass of detestable falsehoods regarding my morals and my -character. - -At the shriek which the princess uttered, Lorenzo, who was always -hovering about us like a bird of evil omen, entered the room, I know not -how; and Leoni, taking him into a corner, showed him the viscount's -letter. When they came back to us, the marquis was very calm, and had a -mocking smile on his lips, as usual; while Leoni, intensely agitated, -seemed to question him with his eyes as if to ask his advice. - -The princess was still unconscious in my arms. The marquis shrugged his -shoulders. - -"Your wife is intolerably stupid," he said, so loud that I overheard -him. "Her presence here now will have the worst possible effect. Send -her away; tell her to go for help. I will take everything on myself." - -"But what will you do?" said Leoni, in great anxiety. - -"Never fear. I have had an expedient all ready for a long while; it's a -paper that I always have about me. But send Juliette away." - -Leoni asked me to call the servants. I obeyed, and laid the princess's -head gently on a cushion. But just as I was passing through the door, -some undefinable magnetic force stopped me and made me turn. I saw the -marquis approach the invalid as if to assist her; but his face seemed so -wicked and Leoni's so pale, that I was afraid to leave the dying woman -alone with them. Heaven knows what vague ideas passed through my brain. -I hastened to the bed and, glancing at Leoni in terror, I said: "Beware! -beware!"--"Of what?" he replied, with an air of amazement. In truth I -did not know myself, and I was ashamed of the species of madness I had -shown. The marquis's ironical air completed my discomfiture. I went out -and returned a moment later with the princess's women and the physician. -He found the princess suffering from a terrible nervous spasm, and said -that we must try to make her swallow a spoonful of her sedative mixture -at once. We tried in vain to force her teeth apart. - -"Let the signora try it," said one of the women, pointing to me; "the -princess won't take anything from anybody else, and never refuses what -she gives her." - -I did try, and the dying woman readily yielded. Through force of habit -she pressed my hand feebly as she returned the spoon to me; then she -violently threw up her arms, raised herself as if she were about to jump -out of bed, and fell back dead on her pillow. - -This sudden death made a terrible impression on me; I fainted and was -carried from the room. I was ill several days, and, when I returned to -life, Leoni informed me that I was thenceforth in my own house; that the -will had been opened and found unassailable in every respect; that we -were the possessors of a handsome fortune and a magnificent palace. - -"I owe it all to you, Juliette," he said, "and, more than that, I owe it -to you that I am able to think without shame or remorse of our friend's -last moments. Your delicacy, your angelic goodness, encompassed them -with attentions and lessened their melancholy. She died in your arms, -that rival whom any other woman than you would have strangled; and you -wept for her as if she were your sister! You are good! too good, too -good! Now enjoy the fruit of your courage; see how happy I am to be rich -and to be able to surround you once more with all the luxury that you -crave." - -"Hush," I replied; "now is the time when I blush and suffer. So long as -that woman was here, and I was sacrificing my love and my pride to her, -I took comfort in the thought that I was really fond of her, and that I -was sacrificing myself for her and for you. Now I see only what was base -and detestable in my situation. How everybody must despise us!" - -"You are greatly mistaken, my dear girl," said Leoni; "everybody bows -down to us and honors us because we are rich." - -But Leoni did not long enjoy his triumph. The heirs-at-law, who came -from Rome furious against us, having learned the details of the -princess's sudden demise, accused us of having hastened it by poison, -and demanded that the body should be exhumed to ascertain the facts. -That was done, and, at the first glance, the traces of a powerful poison -were discovered. - -"We are lost!" said Leoni, rushing into my room. "Ildegonda was -poisoned, and we are accused of having done it. Who could have committed -that abominable crime? We must not ask the question, for it was Satan -with Lorenzo's face. That is how he serves us. He is safe, and we are in -the hands of the law. Do you feel the courage to leap out of the -window?" - -"No," I said; "I am innocent; I fear nothing. If you are guilty, fly." - -"I am not guilty, Juliette," he said, squeezing my arm fiercely. "Do not -accuse me when I do not accuse myself. You know that I am not in the -habit of sparing myself." - -We were arrested and thrown into prison. The prosecution made much -noise, but it was less protracted and its result less serious than -people expected. Our innocence saved us. In face of such a horrible -charge I recovered all the strength due to a pure conscience. My youth -and my air of sincerity won the judges at the very beginning. I was -speedily acquitted. Leoni's honor and life hung in the balance a little -longer. But it was impossible, despite appearances, to find any proof -against him, for he was not guilty. He was horror-stricken by the -crime--his face and his answers said so plainly enough. He came forth -purged of that accusation. All the servants were suspected. The marquis -had disappeared, but he returned secretly the moment that we were -discharged from prison, and presumed to order Leoni to divide the -inheritance with him. He declared that we owed him everything; that, -except for the audacity and prompt execution of his plan, the will would -have been destroyed. Leoni made the most terrific threats, but the -marquis was not frightened. He had the murder of Henryet as a weapon to -hold Leoni in awe, and he had it in his power to ruin him utterly. -Leoni, frantic with rage, resigned himself to the necessity of paying -him a considerable sum. - -We began at once to lead a life of wild dissipation and to display the -most immeasurable magnificence: to ruin himself anew was with Leoni a -matter of six short months. I saw without regret the disappearance of -the wealth which I had acquired with shame and sorrow; but I was -terrified for Leoni's sake at the near approach of poverty. I knew that -he could not endure it, and that to escape from it, he would plunge into -fresh misconduct and fresh dangers. Unfortunately it was impossible to -induce him to practise self-restraint and prudence; he replied with -caresses or jests to my entreaties and warnings. He had fifteen English -horses in his stable, his table was open to the whole city, and he had a -troupe of musicians at his orders. But the principal cause of his ruin -was the enormous sums he was compelled to give his former associates, to -prevent them from swooping down upon him and making his house a den of -thieves. He had induced them to agree not to ply their trade under his -roof; and, to persuade them to leave the salon when his guests began to -play cards, he was obliged to pay them a considerable sum every day. -This intolerable servitude made him long sometimes to fly from the world -and conceal himself with me in some peaceful retreat. But truth compels -me to say that prospect was even more appalling to him; for the -affection he felt for me was not strong enough to fill his whole life. -He was always kind to me, but, as at Venice, he neglected me to drink -his fill of all the pleasures of wealth. He led the most dissolute life -away from home, and kept several mistresses, whom he selected from a -certain fashionable set, to whom he made magnificent presents, and whose -society flattered his insatiable vanity. Base and sordid in the -acquisition of wealth, he was superb in his prodigality. His fickle -character changed with his fortune, and his love for me followed all its -phases. In the agitation and suffering caused by his reverses, having -nobody but me in all the world to pity him and love him, he returned to -me with heartfelt joy; but in his pleasures he forgot me and sought -keener delights elsewhere. I was aware of all his infidelities; whether -from indolence, or indifference, or confidence in my unwearying -forgiveness, he no longer took the trouble to conceal them from me; and -when I reproved him for the indelicacy of such frankness, he reminded me -of my conduct toward the Princess Zagarolo, and asked me if my pity were -already exhausted. Thus the past bound me irrevocably to patience and -grief. The greatest injustice in Leoni's conduct was his apparent belief -that I was ready to submit to all these sacrifices thenceforth, without -pain, and that a woman could ever become accustomed to overcome her -jealousy. - -I received a letter from my mother, who had heard of me at last through -Henryet, and who had fallen dangerously ill just as she was starting to -join me. She implored me to go to take care of her, and promised to -welcome me with gratitude and without reproaches. That letter was a -thousand times too gentle and too kind. I bathed it with my tears; but, -argue with myself as I would, it seemed to me not what it should be; it -was so mild and humble in tone and expression as to be undignified. Must -I say it?--it was not the pardon of a noble and loving mother, alas! but -the appeal of a sick and bored woman. I started at once and found her -dying. She blessed me, pardoned me and died in my arms, requesting me to -see that she was buried in a certain dress of which she had been very -fond. - - - - -XXI - - -So much fatigue of body and mind, so much suffering had almost exhausted -my sensibility. I hardly wept for my mother; I shut myself up in her -room after they had taken her body away, and there I remained, crushed -and despondent, for several months, occupied solely in reviewing the -past in all its phases, and never bethinking myself to wonder what I -should do in the future. My aunt, who had greeted me very coldly at -first, was touched by this mute grief, which her character understood -better than the more demonstrative form of tears. She looked after my -welfare in silence, and saw to it that I did not allow myself to die of -hunger. The melancholy aspect of that house, which I had known so -cheerful and bright, was well adapted to my frame of mind. I saw the old -furniture, which recalled the numberless trivial events of my childhood. -I compared that time, when a scratch on my finger was the most terrible -catastrophe that could disturb the tranquillity of my family, with the -infamous and blood-stained life I had subsequently led. I saw, on the -one hand, my mother at the ball, on the other, the Princess Zagarolo -dying of poison in my arms, perhaps by my hand. The music of the violins -echoed in my dreams amid the shrieks of the murdered Henryet; and, in -the seclusion of the prison, where, during three months of agony, I had -seemed to hear a sentence of death each day, I saw coming toward me, -amid the glare of candles and the perfume of flowers, my own ghost clad -in silver crêpe and covered with jewels. Sometimes, tired out by these -confused and terrifying dreams, I walked to the window, raised the -curtains and looked out upon that city where I had been so happy and so -flattered, and on the trees of that promenade where so much admiration -had followed my every step. But I soon noticed the insulting curiosity -which my pale face aroused. People stopped under my window or stood in -groups talking about me, almost pointing their fingers at me. Then I -would step back, drop the curtains, sit down beside my mother's bed and -remain there until my aunt came with her silent face and noiseless step, -took my arm and led me to the table. Her manner toward me at that crisis -of my life, seemed to me most generous and most appropriate to my -situation. I would not have listened to words of consolation, I could -not have endured reproaches, I should not have put faith in marks of -esteem. Silent affection and unobtrusive compassion made more impression -on me. That dismal face, which moved noiselessly about me like a ghost, -like a reminder of the past, was the only face that neither disturbed -nor terrified me. Sometimes I took her dry hands and held them to my -lips for several minutes, without giving vent to a sigh. She never -replied to that caress, but stood patiently, and did not withdraw her -hands from my kisses; that was much. - -I no longer thought of Leoni except as a ghastly memory which I sought -with all my strength to banish. The thought of returning to him made me -shudder as the sight of an execution would have done. I had not energy -enough remaining to love him or hate him. He did not write to me and I -was hardly aware of it, I had counted so little on his letters. One day -there came one which told me of new disasters. A will of the Princess -Zagarolo had been found, bearing a later date than ours. One of her -servants, in whom she had confidence, had had the will in his custody -ever since the day of its date. She had made it at the time that Leoni -had neglected her to take care of me, and she was doubtful as to our -relationship. Afterward, when she became reconciled to us, she had -intended to destroy it; but, as she was subject to innumerable whims, -she had kept both wills, so that she might at any time decide which she -would leave in force. Leoni knew where his was kept; but the existence -of the other was known only to Vincenzo, the princess's man of -confidence; and he was under instructions to burn it at a sign from her. -She did not anticipate, poor creature, such a sudden and violent death. -Vincenzo, whom Leoni had laden with benefactions, and who was altogether -devoted to him at that time, having moreover no knowledge of the -princess's final intentions, kept the will without saying a word, and -allowed us to produce ours. He might have enriched himself by -threatening us or selling his secret to the heirs-at-law; but he was not -a dishonest man nor a wicked one. He allowed us to enjoy the -inheritance, demanding no higher wages than he had previously received. -But, when I had left Leoni, he became dissatisfied; for Leoni was brutal -with his servants, and I retained them in his service only by my -indulgence. One day Leoni forgot himself so far as to strike the old -man, who at once pulled the will from his pocket and told him that he -was going to take it to the princess's cousins. Threats, entreaties, -offers of money, all were powerless to appease his anger. The marquis -appeared on the scene and attempted to obtain possession of the fatal -paper by force; but Vincenzo, who was a remarkably powerful man for his -years, knocked him down, struck him, threatened to throw Leoni through -the window if he attacked him, and hurried away to publish the document -that avenged him. Leoni was at once dispossessed, and ordered to restore -all that he had expended of the property, that is to say, three fourths -of it. As he was unable to comply, he tried to fly, but in vain. He was -put into prison, and it was from the prison that he wrote to me, not all -the details which I have given you and which I learned afterward, but a -few words in which he depicted the horror of his position. If I did not -go to his aid, he might languish all his life in the most horrible -captivity, for he no longer had the means to procure the comforts with -which we had been able to surround ourselves at the time of our former -confinement. His friends had abandoned him and perhaps were glad to be -rid of him. He was absolutely without resources, in a damp cell, where -he was already very ill with fever. His jewels, even his linen had been -sold; he had almost nothing to protect him from the cold. - -I started at once. As I had never intended to settle definitively in -Brussels, and as naught but the indolence of grief had delayed me there -for half a year, I had converted almost all of my inheritance into cash; -I had often thought of using it to found a hospital for penitent girls, -and to become a nun therein. At other times I had thought of depositing -it in the Bank of France, and purchasing an inalienable annuity for -Leoni, which would keep him from want and villainy forever. I should -have retained for myself only a modest annuity, and have buried myself -alone in the Swiss valley where the memory of my happiness would assist -me to endure the horror of solitude. When I learned the new disaster -that had befallen Leoni, I felt that my love and anxiety for him sprang -into life, more intense than ever. I sent all my fortune to a banking -house at Milan. I reserved only a sufficient amount to double the -pension which my father had bequeathed to my aunt. That amount was -represented, to her great satisfaction, by the house in which we lived -and in which she had passed half of her life. I abandoned it to her and -set out to join Leoni. She did not ask me where I was going; she knew -only too well; she did not try to detain me, she did not thank me, she -simply pressed my hand; but when I turned to look back, I saw rolling -slowly down her wrinkled cheek the first tear I had ever known her to -shed. - - - - -XXII - - -I found Leoni in a horrible condition, haggard, pale as death and almost -mad. It was the first time that want and suffering had really taken hold -of him. Hitherto he had simply seen his wealth vanish little by little, -while seeking and finding means to replenish it. His disasters in that -respect had been great; but card-sharping and chance had never left him -long battling with the privations of poverty. His mental power had -always remained intact, but it was overcome when physical strength -abandoned him. I found him in a state of nervous excitement which -resembled madness. I gave securities for his debt. It was easy for me to -furnish proofs of my responsibility, for I had them upon me. So I -entered his prison only to set him free. His joy was so intense that he -could not endure it, and he had to be carried, unconscious, to a -carriage. - -I took him to Florence and surrounded him with all the comforts I could -procure. When all his debts were paid, I had very little left. I devoted -all my energies to making him forget the sufferings of his prison. His -robust body was soon cured, but his mind remained diseased. The terrors -of darkness and the agony of despair had made a profound impression upon -that active, enterprising man, accustomed to the enjoyments of wealth, -or to the excitement of the adventurer's life. Inaction had shattered -him. He had become subject to childish terrors, to terrible outbreaks of -violence; he could not endure the slightest annoyance; and the most -horrible thing was that he vented his wrath on me for all the annoyances -that I could not spare him. He had lost that will power which enabled -him to face without fear the most precarious prospects for the future. -He was terrified now at the thought of poverty and asked me every day -what resources I should have when my present means were exhausted. I was -appalled myself at the thought of the destitution which was impending. -The time came at last. I began to paint pictures on screens, snuff-boxes -and other small articles of Spa wood. When I had worked ten hours, my -earnings amounted to eight or ten francs. That would have been enough -for my needs; but for Leoni it was utter poverty. He longed for a -hundred impossible things; he complained bitterly, savagely, because he -was not richer. He often reproached me for having paid his debts and for -not having fled with him and with my money too. To calm him, I was -obliged to convince him that it would have been impossible for me to get -him out of prison and commit that piece of rascality. He would stand at -the windows and swear horribly at the rich people driving by in their -carriages. He would point to his shabby clothes and say with an accent -that I cannot possibly imitate: "_Can't_ you help me to obtain a better -coat? _Won't_ you do it?" He finally told me so often that I could -rescue him from his distress, and that it was cruel and selfish of me to -leave him in that condition, that I thought that he was mad and no -longer tried to argue with him on the subject. I held my peace whenever -he recurred to it, and concealed my tears, which served only to irritate -him. He thought that I understood his abominable hints and called my -silence inhuman indifference and stupid obstinacy. Several times he -struck me savagely and would have killed me if some one had not come to -my assistance. It is true that when these paroxysms had passed, he threw -himself at my feet and implored me with tears in his eyes to forgive -him. But I avoided these scenes of reconciliation so far as I could, for -the emotion caused a fresh shock to his nerves and provoked a return of -the outbreaks. At last this irritability ceased and gave place to a sort -of dull, stupid despair which was even more horrible. He would gaze at -me with a gloomy expression, and seemed to nourish a secret aversion for -me and projects of revenge. Sometimes I woke in the middle of the night -and saw him standing by my bed, his face wearing a sinister expression; -at such times I thought that he meant to kill me, and I shrieked with -fear. But he would simply shrug his shoulders and return to his bed with -a stupid laugh. - -In spite of everything I loved him still, not as he was, but because of -what he had been and might become again. There were times when I had -hopes that a blessed revolution was taking place in him, and that he -would come forth from that crisis a new man, cleansed of all his evil -inclinations. He seemed no longer to think of satisfying them, nor did -he express regret or desire for anything whatsoever. I could not imagine -the subject of the long meditations by which he seemed to be absorbed. -Most of the time his eyes were fixed upon me with such a strange -expression that I was afraid of him. I dared not speak to him, but I -asked his forgiveness by imploring glances. Then I would imagine that -his own glance melted and that his breast rose with an imperceptible -sigh; he would turn his head away as if he wished to conceal or stifle -his emotion, and would fall to musing again. At such times I flattered -myself that he was engaged in making salutary reflections concerning the -past, and that he would soon open his heart to tell me that he had -conceived a hatred of vice and a love of virtue. - -My hopes grew fainter when the Marquis de ---- reappeared on the scene. -He never entered my apartments, because he knew the horror I had of him; -but he would pass under the windows and call Leoni, or come to my door -and knock in a peculiar way to let him know that he was there. Then -Leoni would go out with him and remain away a long while. One day I saw -them pass and repass several times; the Vicomte de Chalm was with them. - -"Leoni is lost," I thought, "and I too; some fresh crime will soon be -committed under my eyes." - -That evening Leoni came home late; and, as he left his companions at the -street door, I heard him say these words: - -"But you can tell her that I am mad, absolutely mad; and that otherwise -I would never have consented to it. She must know well enough that want -has driven me mad." - -I dared not ask him for any explanation, and I served his modest supper. -He did not touch it but began to poke the fire nervously; then he asked -me for ether, and, having taken a large dose, went to bed and seemed to -sleep. I worked every evening as long as I could, until I was overcome -by drowsiness and fatigue. That night I went to bed at midnight. I was -hardly in bed when I heard a slight noise, and it seemed to me that -Leoni was dressing to go out. I spoke to him and asked what he was -doing. - -"Nothing," he said, "I was just getting up to come to you; but I don't -like your light, you know that it affects my nerves and gives me -horrible pains in the head; put it out." - -I obeyed. - -"Have you done it?" he said. "Now go to bed again, I am coming to kiss -you; wait a moment." - -This mark of affection, which he had not bestowed upon me for several -weeks, made my poor heart leap with joy and hope. I flattered myself -that the revival of his affection would lead to the recovery of reason -and conscience. I sat on the edge of my bed and awaited him with the -utmost joy. He came and threw himself into my arms, which were wide open -to receive him, and, embracing me passionately, threw me back upon my -bed. But, at that instant, a feeling of distrust, due to the protection -of heaven or the delicacy of my instinct, led me to pass my hand over -the face of the man who was embracing me. Leoni had allowed his beard -and moustaches to grow since he had been ill; I found a smooth, -clean-shaven face. I gave a shriek and pushed him away with all my -force. - -"What is the matter?" said Leoni's voice. - -"Have you shaved your beard," I said. - -"As you see," he replied. - -But I noticed that while his voice was speaking at my ear, another mouth -was clinging to mine. I shook myself free with the strength which wrath -and despair give, and, rushing to the other end of the room, hurriedly -turned up the lamp, which I had lowered but had not put out. I saw Lord -Edwards seated on the edge of the bed, bewildered and disconcerted,--I -believe that he was drunk,--and Leoni coming toward me with a desperate -look in his eyes. - -"Wretch!" I cried. - -"Juliette," he said, with haggard eyes and in a muffled voice, "yield if -you love me. It is a question of rescuing me from this destitution, in -which, as you see, I am eating my heart out. It is a question of life -and reason with me, as you know. My salvation will be the reward of your -devotion; and, as for yourself, you will be rich and happy with a man -who has loved you for a long while, and who considers no price too great -to pay to obtain you. Consent, Juliette," he added under his breath, "or -I will kill you when he has left the room." - -Terror deprived me of all judgment. I jumped through the window at the -risk of killing myself. Some soldiers who were passing picked me up and -carried me into the house unconscious. When I came to myself, Leoni and -his confederates had left the house. They declared that I had jumped -from the window in the delirium of brain fever, while they had gone into -another room to call for help. They had feigned the greatest -consternation. Leoni had remained until the surgeon who attended me -declared that I had broken no bones. Then he had gone out saying that he -would return, but he had not been seen for two days. He did not return, -and I never saw him again. - -Here Juliette finished her narrative and fell back on her couch, -overwhelmed with fatigue and sadness. - -"It was then, my poor child," I said, "that I made your acquaintance. I -was living in the same house. The story of your accident aroused my -interest. Soon I learned that you were young and worthy of a serious -attachment; that Leoni, after treating you with great brutality, had -abandoned you when you were critically ill and in want. I desired to see -you; you were delirious when I approached your bed. O, Juliette, how -lovely you were, with your bare shoulders, your dishevelled hair, your -lips burning with the fire of fever, and your face animated by the -excitement of suffering! How lovely you still seemed to me when, -prostrated by fatigue, you fell back on your pillow, pale and drooping, -like a white rose shedding its leaves in the hot sun of midday! I could -not tear myself away from you. I felt a thrill of irresistible sympathy; -I was impelled by such a deep interest as nobody had ever aroused in me. -I sent for the leading physicians of the city; I procured for you all -the comforts that you lacked. Poor deserted girl! I passed whole nights -by your bedside, I saw your despair, I understood your love. I had never -loved; it seemed to me that no woman was capable of returning the -passion that I was capable of feeling. I sought a heart as fervent as -mine. I distrusted all those that I put to the test, and I soon realized -the prudence of my self-restraint when I saw the coldness and frivolity -of the hearts of those women. Yours seemed to me the only one capable of -understanding me. A woman who could love and suffer as you had done was -the realization of all my dreams. I desired to obtain your affection, -but without much hope of success. What gave me the presumption to try to -console you was my absolute certainty that I loved you sincerely and -generously. All that you said in your delirium taught me to know you -just as well and thoroughly as our subsequent intimacy has done. I knew -that you were a sublime creature from the prayers that you addressed to -God, aloud, in a tone of which no words can describe the heart-rending -purity. You prayed for forgiveness for Leoni, always forgiveness, never -vengeance! You invoked the souls of your parents; you described to them -breathlessly the misfortunes by which you had expiated your flight and -their sorrow. Sometimes you took me for Leoni, and poured out crushing -reproaches upon me; at other times you thought that you were with him in -Switzerland, and you embraced me passionately. It would have been easy -for me then to abuse your error, and the love that was gaining headway -in my breast made your frantic caresses a veritable torture. But I would -have died rather than yield to my desires, and the villainy of Lord -Edwards, of which you talked constantly, seems to me the most degrading -infamy of which a man could be guilty. At last I had the good fortune to -save your life and your reason, my dear Juliette. Since then I have -suffered bitterly, and I have been very happy through you. I am a fool -perhaps not to be content with the friendship and the possession of such -a woman as you, but my love is insatiable. I long to be loved as Leoni -was, and I torment you with that foolish ambition. I have not his -eloquence and his fascinations, but I love you. I have not deceived you; -I will never deceive you. It is time for your heart, so long shattered -by fatigue, to find rest while sleeping on mine. Juliette! Juliette! -when will you love me as you are capable of loving?" - -"Now and forever," she replied. "You saved me, you cured me, and you -love me. I was mad, I see it now, to love such a man. All this that I -have told you has brought before my eyes anew a multitude of vile -things. Now I feel nothing but horror for the past, and I do not mean to -recur to it again. You have done well to let me tell it all to you. I am -calm now, and I feel that I can never again love his memory. You are my -friend; you are my savior, my brother and my lover." - -"Say your husband too, Juliette, I implore you!" - -"My husband, if you will," she said, embracing me with a fondness which -she had never manifested so warmly, and which brought tears of joy and -gratitude to my eyes. - - - - -XXIII - - -I awoke the next day so happy that I thought no more about leaving -Venice. The weather was superb, the sun as mild as in spring. -Fashionably dressed women thronged the quays and laughed at the jests of -the maskers, who, half reclining on the rails of the bridges, teased the -passers-by, and made impertinent and flattering remarks to the ugly and -pretty women respectively. It was Mardi Gras; a sad anniversary for -Juliette. I was anxious to distract her thoughts, so suggested that we -should go out, and she agreed. - -I looked proudly at her as she walked by my side. It is not the custom -to offer one's arm to a lady in Venice, but simply to support her by -grasping her elbow as you go up and down the white marble stairways -which confront you whenever you cross a canal. Juliette was so graceful -and lithe in all her movements that I took a childish delight in feeling -her lean gently on my hand as we crossed the bridges. Everybody turned -to look at her, and the women, who never take pleasure in another -woman's beauty, observed with interest, at all events, the refinement of -her dress and her bearing, which they would have been glad to copy. It -seems to me that I can still see Juliette's costume and her graceful -figure. She wore a gown of violet velvet with an ermine boa and small -muff. Her white satin hat framed her face, which was still pale, but so -exquisitely beautiful that, despite seven or eight years of fatigue and -mental unhappiness, no one thought her more than eighteen. She wore -violet silk stockings, so transparent that one could see through them -the alabaster whiteness of her flesh. When she had passed and her face -could no longer be seen, people followed with their eyes her tiny feet, -so rare in Italy. I was happy to have her thus admired; I told her so, -and she smiled at me with a sweet, affectionate expression. God! how -happy I was! - -A gayly-decorated boat, filled with maskers and musicians, was coming -along the Giudecca canal. I suggested to Juliette that we take a gondola -and row near to it, to see the costumes. She assented. Several parties -followed our example, and we soon found ourselves entangled in a group -of gondolas and skiffs which, with ourselves, accompanied the decorated -vessel and seemed to serve as an escort to it. - - -[Illustration: _THE MEETING ON THE CANAL._ - -_A gayly-decorated boat filled with maskers and musicians was coming -along the Giudecca Canal. I suggested to Juliette that we take a gondola -and row near to it, to see the costumes. She assented._] - - -We heard the gondoliers say that the party of maskers was composed of -the richest and most fashionable young men in Venice. They were, in -truth, dressed with extreme magnificence; their costumes were very rich, -and the boat was decorated with silken sails, streamers of silver gauze -and Oriental rugs of very great beauty. They were dressed like the -ancient Venetians whom Paul Veronese, by a happy anachronism, has -introduced in several devotional pictures, notably in the magnificent -_Nuptials_, which the Republic of Venice presented to Louis XIV., and -which is now in the Musée at Paris. I noticed especially one man near -the rail of the boat, dressed in a long robe of pale green silk, -embroidered with long arabesques in gold and silver. He was standing, -and playing on the guitar; his attitude was so noble, his tall figure so -perfectly formed, that he seemed to have been made expressly to wear -those rich garments. I called Juliette's attention to him; she looked up -at him mechanically, hardly seeing him, and answered: "Yes, yes, -superb!" thinking of something else. - -We continued to follow, and, being crowded by the other boats, touched -the decorated vessel just where this man stood. Juliette was standing by -my side and leaning against the awning of the gondola to avoid being -thrown backward by the shocks we often received. Suddenly this man -leaned toward Juliette as if to see her more distinctly, passed his -guitar to his neighbor, tore off his black mask and turned toward us -again. I saw his face, which was beautiful and noble, if ever human face -was. Juliette did not see him. Thereupon he called her name in an -undertone, and she started as if she had received an electric shock. - -"Juliette!" he repeated in a louder voice. - -"Leoni!" she cried, frantic with joy. - -It is still like a dream to me. A mist passed before my eyes; I lost the -sense of sight for a second, I believe. Juliette rushed forward, -impulsively and with energy. Suddenly I saw her transported as if by -magic to the other boat, into Leoni's arms; their lips met in a -delirious kiss. The blood rushed to my brain, roared in my ears, covered -my eyes with a thicker veil. I do not know what happened. I came to -myself as I was entering the hotel. I was alone; Juliette had gone with -Leoni. - -I flew into a frenzy of passion, and for three hours I raved like an -epileptic. Toward night I received a letter from Juliette, thus -conceived: - - -"Forgive me, forgive me, Bustamente; I love you, I respect you and I -bless you on my knees for your love and your benefactions. Do not hate -me; you know that I do not belong to myself, that an invisible hand -controls my actions and throws me against my will into that man's arms. -O my friend, forgive me and do not seek revenge. I love him, I cannot -live without him. I cannot know that he exists without longing for him, -I cannot see him pass without following him. I am his wife, you see, and -he is my master; it is impossible for me to escape from his passion and -his authority. You saw whether I was able to resist his summons. There -was something like an electric current, a magnet, which lifted me up and -drew me to his heart, and yet I was by your side, I had my hand in -yours. Why did you not hold me back? you had not the power; your hand -opened, your lips were powerless to call me back; you see that it is -beyond our control. There is a hidden will, a magic power, which ordains -and accomplishes these strange things. I cannot break the chain that -binds me to Leoni, it is the fetter that couples galley-slaves, but it -was God's hand that welded it. - -"O my dear Aleo, do not curse me! I am at your feet. I implore you to -let me be happy. If you knew how dearly he loves me still, with what joy -he received me! what caresses, what words, what tears! I am as one -drunk, I seem to be dreaming. I must forget his crime against me: he was -mad. After deserting me, he reached Naples in such a state of mental -alienation that he was confined in an insane asylum. I do not know by -what miracle he was cured and discharged, nor to what lucky chance he -owes it that he is now once more at the very pinnacle of wealth. But he -is handsomer, more brilliant, more passionate than ever. Let me, oh! let -me love him, though I am destined to be happy but a single day and to -die to-morrow. Should not you forgive me for loving him so madly, you -who have an equally blind and misplaced passion for me? - -"Forgive me; I am mad; I know not what I am saying nor what it is that I -ask you. It is not to take me back and forgive me when he has abandoned -me again; oh, no! I have too much pride, never fear. I feel that I no -longer deserve you, that when I rushed into that boat I cut myself -adrift from you forever, that I can never again look you in the face or -touch your hand. Adieu then, Aleo! Yes, I am writing to bid you adieu, -for I cannot part from you without telling you that my heart is already -bleeding, and that it will break some day with regret and repentance. I -tell you, you will be avenged! Calm yourself now, forgive, pity me, pray -for me; be sure that I am no insensible ingrate who does not appreciate -your character and her duty to you. I am only an unhappy creature whom -fatality drives hither and thither, and who has not the power to stop. I -turn my face to you and send you a thousand farewells, a thousand -kisses, a thousand blessings. But the tempest envelopes me and carries -me off. As I perish on the reefs on which it is certain to hurl me, I -will repeat your name and invoke your intercession as an angel of -forgiveness between God and me. - - "JULIETTE." - - -This letter caused a fresh attack of frenzy; then I fell into despair; I -sobbed like a child for several hours; and, succumbing to fatigue, I -fell asleep in my chair, in that vast room where Juliette had told me -her story the night before. I awoke more calm; I lighted the fire and -paced the floor back and forth several times with slow and measured -step. - -As the day was breaking I fell asleep again: my mind was made up; I was -calm. At nine o'clock I went and made inquiries throughout the city, -trying to get information as to certain details which I needed to know -about. Nobody knew by what means Leoni had made his fortune; it was -known simply that he was rich, extravagant and dissipated; all the men -of fashion frequented his house, copied his dress and were his -companions in debauchery. The Marquis de ---- accompanied him everywhere -and shared his opulence; both were in love with a famous courtesan, and, -by virtue of a most extraordinary caprice, that woman refused their -offers. Her resistance had so stimulated Leoni's desire that he had made -her the most extravagant promises, and there was no folly into which she -could not lead him. - -I called at her house and had much trouble in obtaining an audience. I -was admitted at last, and she received me with a haughty air, asking me -what I wanted, in the tone of a person who is in a hurry to dismiss an -importunate caller. - -"I have come to ask a favor at your hands," I said. "You hate Leoni?" - -"Yes, I hate him mortally." - -"May I ask you why?" - -"He seduced a young sister of mine at Friuli, a virtuous, saint-like -child; she died in the hospital. I would like to eat Leoni's heart." - -"Meanwhile, will you assist me to play a cruel practical joke on him?" - -"Yes." - -"Will you write to him and give him an assignation?" - -"Yes, provided that I do not keep it." - -"That is understood. Here is a sketch of the note you must write him:" - - -"I know that you have found your wife again and that you love her. I did -not want you yesterday, you seemed too easy a conquest; to-day it seems -to me that it will be interesting to make you unfaithful; moreover, I am -anxious to know if your frantic desire to possess me makes you capable -of everything, as you boast. I know that you are to give a concert on -the water this evening; I will be in a gondola and will follow you. You -know my gondolier, Cristofano; be near the rail of your boat and leap -into my gondola as soon as you see it. I will keep you an hour, after -which I shall have had enough of you forever, perhaps. I want none of -your presents; I want only this proof of your love. This evening or -never." - - -La Misana thought the note very singular in tone and copied it -laughingly. - -"What will you do with him when you have him in the gondola?" - -"Set him ashore on the bank of the Lido and let him pass a long, cool -night there." - -"I would gladly kiss you to show my gratitude," said the courtesan; "but -I have a lover whom I propose to love all the week. Adieu." - -"You must place your gondolier at my orders," I said. - -"To be sure; he is intelligent, discreet and strong; do with him as you -will." - - - - -XXIV - - -I returned to the hotel and passed the rest of the day reflecting deeply -upon what I was to do. Night came; Cristofano and the gondola were -waiting under my window. I dressed myself like a gondolier; Leoni's boat -appeared, decorated with colored lanterns, which gleamed like gems, from -the top of the masts to the end of every piece of rigging, and sending -up rockets in all directions in the intervals between the bursts of -music. I stood at the stern of the gondola, oar in hand; I rowed -alongside. Leoni was by the rail, in the same costume as on the night -before; Juliette was sitting among the musicians; she too wore a -magnificent costume, but she was downcast and pensive, and seemed not to -be thinking of him. Cristofano removed his hat and raised his lantern to -the level of his face. Leoni recognized him and leaped into the gondola. - -As soon as he was on board, Cristofano informed him that La Misana was -awaiting him in another gondola near the public garden. - -"What's that? why isn't she here?" he asked. - -"_Non so_," replied the gondolier indifferently, and he began to row. I -seconded him vigorously, and in a few moments we had passed the public -garden. We were surrounded by a dense mist. Leoni leaned forward several -times and asked if we were not almost there. We continued to glide -smoothly over the placid surface of the lagoon; the moon, pale and -swathed in mist, whitened the atmosphere without lightening it. We -passed like smugglers the line which cannot ordinarily be passed without -a permit from the police, and did not pause until we reached the sandy -bank of the Lido, far enough away to be in no danger of meeting a living -being. - -"Knaves!" cried our prisoner. "Where the devil have you taken me? Where -are the stairways of the public gardens? Where is La Misana's gondola? -_Ventre-Dieu_! We are on sand! You have gone astray in the mist, clowns -that you are, and you have set me ashore at random----" - -"No, signor," I said in Italian; "be kind enough to take ten steps with -me and you will find the person you seek." - -He followed me; whereupon Cristofano, in accordance with my orders, -instantly rowed away with the gondola, and went to wait for me in the -lagoon on the other side of the island. - -"Will you stop, brigand?" cried Leoni, when we had walked along the -beach for several minutes. "Do you wish me to freeze here? Where is your -mistress? Where are you taking me?" - -"Signor," I rejoined, turning and drawing from under my cape the objects -I had brought, "allow me to light your path." - -With that I produced my dark lantern, opened it, and hung it on one of -the posts on the bank. - -"What the devil are you doing there?" he said; "have I a madman to deal -with? What does this mean?" - -"It means," I said, taking the swords from beneath my cloak, "that you -must fight with me." - -"With you, you cur! I'll beat you as you deserve." - -"One moment," I said, taking him by the collar with an energy which -staggered him a little. "I am not what you think; I am noble as well as -yourself. Moreover, I am an honest man and you are a scoundrel. -Therefore I do you much honor by fighting with you." - -It seemed to me that my adversary trembled and was inclined to run away. -I pressed him more closely. - -"What do you want of me?" he cried. "Damnation! who are you? I don't -know you. Why have you brought me here? Do you mean to murder me? I have -no money about me. Are you a thief?" - -"No," I said, "there is no thief and murderer here but yourself, as you -well know." - -"Are you my enemy?" - -"Yes, I am your enemy." - -"What is your name?" - -"That does not concern you; you will find out if you kill me." - -"And what if I don't choose to kill you?" he cried, shrugging his -shoulders and struggling to appear self-possessed. - -"In that case you will allow me to kill you," I replied, "for I give you -my word that one of us two is destined to remain here to-night." - -"You are a villain," he cried, making frantic efforts to escape. "Help! -help!" - -"That is quite useless," I said; "the noise of the waves drowns your -voice, and you are a long way from human help. Keep quiet, or I will -strangle you. Don't lose your temper, but make the most of the chances -of safety I give you. I propose to kill you, not murder you. You know -what that means. Fight with me, and do not compel me to take advantage -of my superior strength, which must be evident to you." - -As I spoke, I shook him by the shoulders and made him bend like a reed, -although he was a full head taller than I. He realized that he was at my -mercy, and tried to argue with me. - -"But, signor," he said, "if you are not mad, you must have some reason -for fighting with me. What have I done to you?" - -"It does not please me to tell you," I replied, "and you are a coward to -ask for my reasons for revenge, when you should demand satisfaction of -me." - -"What for?" he rejoined. "I never saw you before. It is not light enough -for me to distinguish your features, but I am sure that this is the -first time that I ever heard your voice." - -"Dastard, have you no cause to be revenged on a man who has made sport -of you, who has procured an assignation to be given you in order to play -a joke upon you, and who has brought you here against your will to -insult you? I was told that you were brave. Must I strike you to arouse -your courage?" - -"You are an insolent scoundrel," he said, making an effort to work -himself into a passion. - -"Very good! I demand satisfaction for that remark, and I propose to take -satisfaction at once with this blow." - -I struck him lightly on the cheek. He uttered a roar of rage and fear. - -"Have no fear," I said, holding him with one hand and giving him a sword -with the other. "Defend yourself. I know that you are the first -swordsman in Europe; I am far from being your equal. It is true that I -am calm and you are frightened, which equalizes our chances." - -Giving him no time to reply, I attacked him fiercely. The wretch threw -his sword away and ran. I followed him, overtook him and shook him -furiously. I threatened to throw him into the sea and drown him if he -did not defend himself. When he saw that it was impossible for him to -escape, he took the sword and mustered that desperate courage which love -of life and unavoidable danger give to the most timid. But whether -because the feeble light of the lantern did not allow him to measure his -blows accurately, or because the fright he had experienced had taken -away all his presence of mind, I found this terrible duellist pitifully -weak. I was so determined not to slaughter him that I spared him a long -while. At last he threw himself upon my sword, when trying to feint, and -spitted himself up to the hilt. - -"Justice! justice!" he said as he fell. "I am murdered!" - -"You demand justice and you obtain it," I replied. "You die by my hand -as Henryet died by yours." - -He uttered a dull roar, bit the sand and gave up the ghost. - -I took the two swords and started to find the gondola; but as I crossed -the island I was seized with a thousand unfamiliar emotions. My strength -suddenly failed me; I sat down upon one of those Hebraic tombs, half -covered by the grass, which are ceaselessly beaten by the sharp salt -winds from the Adriatic. The morn was beginning to come forth from the -mist, and the white stones of that vast cemetery stood out against the -dark verdure of the Lido. I reflected upon what I had done, and my -revenge, from which I had anticipated so much joy, appeared to me in a -most distressing light; I felt something like remorse, and yet I had -thought that it was a legitimate and blessed act to purge the earth of -that fiend incarnate and deliver Juliette from him. But I had not -expected to find him a coward. I had hoped to meet a bold swordsman, and -in attacking him I had thought that I was sacrificing my life. I was -disturbed and almost appalled to have taken his life so easily. I did -not find that my hatred was satisfied by vengeance, but I did feel that -it was extinguished by contempt.--"When I found what a coward he was," I -thought, "I should have spared him; I should have forgotten my -resentment against him and my love for a woman capable of preferring -such a man to me." - -Thereupon confused, painful, agitated thoughts rushed into my brain. The -cold, the darkness, the sight of those tombs calmed me at intervals; -they plunged me into a dreamy stupor from which I awoke with a violent -and painful shock when I suddenly remembered my situation, Juliette's -despair, which would burst forth on the morrow, and the aspect of that -corpse lying on the blood-stained sand not far away. - -"Perhaps he is not dead," I thought. - -I had a vague desire to go to see. I would almost have been glad to -restore him to life. The first rays of dawn surprised me in this -irresolute frame of mind, and I reflected that prudence required me to -leave that spot. - -I went and found Cristofano, who was sound asleep in his gondola, and -whom I had much difficulty in waking. The sight of that placid slumber -aroused my envy. Like Macbeth, I had taken leave of it for a long time -to come. - -I returned, gently rocked by the waves which the approach of the sun had -already tipped with pink. I passed quite near the steamboat which runs -from Venice to Trieste. It was its hour for starting; the wheels were -already beating the water into foam, and red sparks flew upward from the -funnel, with columns of black smoke. Several boats brought belated -passengers. A gondola grated against ours and made fast to the packet. A -man and woman left that gondola and ran lightly up the gangway. They -were no sooner on the deck than the steamer started at full speed. The -couple leaned over the rail to watch the wake. I recognized Juliette and -Leoni. I thought that I was dreaming; I passed my hand over my eyes and -called to Cristofano: - -"Is that Baron Leone de Leoni starting for Trieste with a lady?" - -"Yes, signor," he replied. - -I uttered a horrible oath; then recalling the gondolier, I asked him: - -"Who in God's name was the man we took to the Lido last night?" - -"Why, as your Excellency knows," he replied, "it was Marquis Lorenzo -de ----." - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE, -VOLUME II (OF 2) AND LEONE LEONI *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Sin of Monsieur Antoine, Volume II (of 2) and Leone Leoni</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>The Masterpieces of George Sand. Volume 6</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: George Sand</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: George Burnham Ives</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Pierre Vidal</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 21, 2022 [eBook #67461]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Dagny and Laura Natal Rodrigues (Images generously made available by Hathi Trust Digital Library.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE, VOLUME II (OF 2) AND LEONE LEONI ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/antoine02_cover.jpg" width="500" alt="" /> -</div> - - -<h2>The Masterpieces of George Sand,<br /> -Amandine Lucille Aurore Dupin, Baroness<br /> -Dudevant, <i>NOW FOR THE FIRST<br /> -TIME COMPLETELY TRANSLATED<br /> -INTO ENGLISH THE SIN<br /> -OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE, AND <a href="#part2">LEONE<br /> -LEONI</a> BY G. BURNHAM IVES</i></h2> - -<p><br /></p> - -<h4><i>WITH TWELVE PHOTOGRAVURES AFTER PAINTINGS BY<br /> -PIERRE VIDAL</i></h4> - -<p><br /></p> - -<h3><i>VOLUME II</i></h3> - -<p><br /></p> - -<h4><i>PRINTED ONLY FOR SUBSCRIBERS BY<br /> -GEORGE BARRIE & SON<br /> -PHILADELPHIA</i></h4> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4>CONTENTS</h4> -<p class="nind">CHAPTER<br /> -XXIV. <a href="#chap24">MONSIEUR GALUCHET</a><br /> -XXV. <a href="#chap25">THE EXPLOSION</a><br /> -XXVI. <a href="#chap26">THE SNARE</a><br /> -XXVII. <a href="#chap27">SORROWS AND JOYS OF LOVE</a><br /> -XXVIII. <a href="#chap28">CONSOLATION</a><br /> -XXIX. <a href="#chap29">AN ADVENTURE</a><br /> -XXX. <a href="#chap30">THE IMPROMPTU SUPPER</a><br /> -XXXI. <a href="#chap31">UNCERTAINTY</a><br /> -XXXII. <a href="#chap32">A WEDDING PRESENT</a><br /> -XXXIII. <a href="#chap33">THE STORY OF ONE TOLD BY THE OTHER</a><br /> -XXXIV. <a href="#chap34">RESURRECTION</a><br /> -XXXV. <a href="#chap35">ABSOLUTION</a><br /> -XXXVI. <a href="#chap36">RECONCILIATION</a><br /> -<a href="#LEONE_LEONI">LEONE LEONI</a><br /> -<a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#I">I</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#II">II</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#III">III</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#IV">IV</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#V">V</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#VI">VI</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#VII">VII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#VIII">VIII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#IX">IX</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#X">X</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XI">XI</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XII">XII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XIII">XIII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XIV">XIV</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XV">XV</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XVI">XVI</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XVII">XVII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XVIII">XVIII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XIX">XIX</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XX">XX</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XXI">XXI</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XXII">XXII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XXIII">XXIII</a><br /> -CHAPTER <a href="#XXIV">XXIV</a></p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -<br /> -THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE -<br /> -LEONE LEONI<br /> -<i>VOLUME II</i></h4> - -<p class="nind"> -<a href="#figure01">EMILE CONFESSES HIS LOVE FOR GILBERTE.</a><br /> - -<a href="#figure02">GILBERTE AND JAPPELOUP ACCOMPANY THE MARQUIS.</a><br /> - -<a href="#figure03">THE RECONCILIATION.</a><br /> - -<a href="#figure04">DON ALEO AND JULIETTE.</a><br /> - -<a href="#figure05">LEONI TAKES JULIETTE TO HIS PALACE.</a><br /> - -<a href="#figure06">THE MEETING ON THE CANAL.</a></p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a id="figure01"></a> -<br /> -<img src="images/figure01.jpg" width="400" alt="" /> -<p class="center"><i>EMILE CONFESSES HIS LOVE FOR -GILBERTE.</i> -</p> -<p> -"<i>My dear Janille," he cried at last, with impetuous emotion, "and you, -noble and generous Antoine, listen to me and learn my secret at last. I -love your daughter.</i>"</p></div> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - - -<h4>THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE</h4> - -<h5>(<i>Continued</i>)</h5> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap24"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXIV -<br /><br /> -MONSIEUR GALUCHET</h4> - -<p> -But, after sleeping twelve hours, Galuchet had only a very confused -remembrance of the events of the preceding day, and, when Monsieur -Cardonnet sent for him, he retained only a vague feeling of resentment -against the carpenter. Moreover, he was little inclined to boast of -having cut such an absurd figure at the outset of his diplomatic career, -and he attributed his late rising and his sluggish manner to a violent -sick-headache. "I did nothing but feel the ground," he replied to his -master's questions. "I was feeling so miserable that I could not watch -very closely. I can only assure you that they have very vulgar manners -in that house, that they live on a footing of equality with peasants, -and that the table is very poorly served." -</p> - -<p> -"That is no news to me," said Monsieur Cardonnet; "it is impossible that -you can have passed the whole day at Châteaubrun without noticing -something more definite. At what hour did my son arrive, at what time -did he leave?" -</p> - -<p> -"I can't tell you just what time it was,—their old clock is so far -out of the way!" -</p> - -<p> -"That's not an answer. How many hours did he stay there? Come, I don't -ask you to be exact to a minute." -</p> - -<p> -"It must have been five or six hours, monsieur; I was horribly bored. -Monsieur Emile seemed far from glad to see me; and as for the girl, -she's a downright prude. It was fearfully hot on that mountain, and I -couldn't say two words without being interrupted by that peasant." -</p> - -<p> -"I can imagine it, for you don't say two words in succession this -morning, Galuchet; what peasant do you mean?" -</p> - -<p> -"That carpenter, Jappeloup, a miserable fellow, an animal who presumes -to be familiar with everybody, and who speaks of monsieur as <i>Père -Cardonnet</i>, as if he were speaking of his equal." -</p> - -<p> -"That doesn't trouble me; but what did my son say to him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur Emile laughed at his nonsense and Mademoiselle Gilberte thinks -he is charming." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you notice any <i>asides</i> between her and my son?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, monsieur, not exactly. The old woman—who is certainly her -mother, for she calls her <i>my girl</i>—hardly ever leaves her, -and it can't be very easy to pay court to her, especially as she is very -high and mighty, and puts on the airs of a princess. That's very -becoming in her, on my word, with the dress she wears and not a sou! If -they should offer her to me, I wouldn't have her!" -</p> - -<p> -"No matter, Galuchet; you must pay court to her." -</p> - -<p> -"To laugh at her, when the time comes—I agree to that!" -</p> - -<p> -"And also to earn a reward, which you will not get unless you bring me a -clearer and more circumstantial report next time; for you are all astray -to-day." -</p> - -<p> -Galuchet bent his head over his books and fought all day against the -discomfort that follows over-indulgence. -</p> - -<p> -Emile passed the whole week head over ears in hydrostatics; he indulged -in no other distraction than to seek out Jean Jappeloup in the evening -and chat with him; and, as he always tried to bring the conversation -around to Gilberte, the carpenter finally said to him: -</p> - -<p> -"Look you, Monsieur Emile, you never get tired of that subject, that's -clear enough. Do you know that Mère Janille thinks you are in love with -her child?" -</p> - -<p> -"What an idea!" rejoined the young man, confused by this sudden -apostrophe. -</p> - -<p> -"It's a sensible idea enough. Why shouldn't you be in love with her?" -</p> - -<p> -"True, why shouldn't I be in love with her?" echoed Emile, more and more -embarrassed. "But can it be that you would speak jestingly of such a -possibility, friend Jean?" -</p> - -<p> -"I should say that you were the one, my boy, for you answer me as if we -were in jest. Come, why not tell me the truth? out with it or I'll not -talk to you any more." -</p> - -<p> -"Jean, if I were really in love with a person for whom I have as much -respect as for my own mother, my best friend should know nothing of it." -</p> - -<p> -"I know very well that I am not your best friend, and yet I should like -to have you tell me." -</p> - -<p> -"Explain yourself, Jean." -</p> - -<p> -"Explain yourself, rather; I am waiting." -</p> - -<p> -"You will wait a long time; for I have no answer to make to such a -question, despite all my esteem and affection for you." -</p> - -<p> -"If that is so, you will have to say adieu forever one of these days to -the people at Châteaubrun; for <i>ma mie</i> Janille is not the woman to -sleep long when danger is brewing." -</p> - -<p> -"That word offends me; I do not think that I can be accused of bringing -danger upon a person whose reputation and dignity are as sacred to me as -to her kindred and dearest friends." -</p> - -<p> -"That sounds very well, but it isn't a straight answer to all my questions. -Do you want me to tell you something?—early last week I went -to Châteaubrun to borrow of Antoine a tool that I needed. I found <i>ma -mie</i> Janille there; she was all alone, expecting you. You didn't come -and she told me all. And now, my boy, if she didn't frown on you Sunday, -and if she allows you to call from time to time to see her girl, you are -indebted to me for it." -</p> - -<p> -"How so, my good Jean?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I have more confidence in you than you have in me. I told <i>ma -mie</i> Janille that if you loved Gilberte you would marry her, and that I -would answer for you on the salvation of my soul." -</p> - -<p> -"And you were right, Jean," cried Emile, grasping the carpenter's hand; -"you never told a greater truth." -</p> - -<p> -"Very good! but the question still remains whether you are in love, and -that is what you won't tell me." -</p> - -<p> -"It is what I can tell you alone, since you question me so closely. Yes, -Jean, I love her, I love her more than my life, and I mean to marry -her." -</p> - -<p> -"I give my consent," replied Jean in a tone of enthusiastic -satisfaction, "and so far as I am concerned, I join your hands—One -moment! one moment!—provided that Gilberte gives her consent too." -</p> - -<p> -"And if she should ask your advice, my good Jean, who are her friend and -second father?" -</p> - -<p> -"I should tell her that she can make no better choice, that you suit me -and that I am willing to be your surety." -</p> - -<p> -"Good! now my friend, we only have to obtain the consent of the -parents." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I'll answer for Antoine, if I take hold of the affair. He has some -pride, and he will be afraid that your father may hesitate, but I know -what to say to him on that subject." -</p> - -<p> -"What will you say to him, pray?" -</p> - -<p> -"Something that you don't know, something that nobody knows but me. I -don't need to speak yet, for the time has not come, and you can't think -of marrying for a year or two." -</p> - -<p> -"Jean, confide this secret to me as I confided mine to you. I see but -one obstacle to our marriage, my father's obstinacy. I have resolved to -overcome it, but I do not conceal from myself that it is very serious." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, as you have been so trustful and frank with old Jean, old Jean -will be the same with you. Listen, my boy; before long your father will -be ruined and will have no further excuse for putting on airs with the -Châteaubrun family." -</p> - -<p> -"If what you say should turn out to be true, I should bless your strange -prophecy, notwithstanding my father's inevitable grief and -disappointment; for I have many reasons for dreading this great wealth." -</p> - -<p> -"I know it; I know your heart, and I see that you would like to enrich -others before enriching yourself. Everything will turn out as you wish, -I am sure. I have dreamed of it more than ten times." -</p> - -<p> -"If you have done nothing more than dream, my dear Jean——-" -</p> - -<p> -"Wait, wait. What is that book you always carry under your arm and that -you seem to be studying?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have already told you, a scientific treatise on the power and weight -of water and the laws of equilibrium." -</p> - -<p> -"I remember—you have told me before; but I tell you that your book -lies, or else you have read it wrong; otherwise you would know what I -know." -</p> - -<p> -"What is that?" -</p> - -<p> -"That your factory is impossible, and that your father, if he persists -in fighting against a stream that snaps its fingers at him, will lose -his outlay and will discover his folly too late. That is why I have been -so cheerful for some time past. I was depressed and out of temper as -long as I thought that your undertaking might succeed; but I had one -hope that kept coming to my mind again and again, and I determined to -satisfy myself about it. So I walked and worked and used my eyes and -studied. Oh! yes, studied, and I didn't read your books and your maps -and your figuring; I saw and understood everything. Monsieur Emile, I am -only a poor peasant, and your Galuchet would spit on me if he dared; but -I can tell you of one thing that you hardly suspect, and that is that -your father has no idea of what he is doing, that he has taken bad -advice, and that you don't know enough about it to set him right. The -coming winter will carry away your works, and every winter will carry -off whatever there is, until Monsieur Cardonnet has thrown his last -three-franc piece into the water. Remember what I tell you, and don't -try to persuade your father. It would be one more reason for him to -persist in ruining himself, and we don't need that to induce him to do -it; but you will be ruined, my son, and if not altogether here, you will -be somewhere else, for I hold your papa's brain in the hollow of my -hand. It is a powerful brain, I admit, but it is a madman's brain. He is -a man who works himself into a frenzy for his schemes to such an extent -that he considers them infallible, and when a man is built that way he -never succeeds in anything. I thought at first that he had played his -hand out, but now I see that the game is becoming serious, for he is -beginning to rebuild all that the last freshet destroyed. He had had too -good luck until then; still another reason—good luck makes a man -overbearing and presumptuous. That is the history of Napoléon, whom I -saw rise and fall, like a carpenter who climbs to the roof of a house -without looking to see if the foundations are solid. However good a -carpenter he may be—however fine a building he may build—if the -wall totters, good-bye to the whole work!" -</p> - -<p> -Jean spoke with such conviction, and his black eyes gleamed so bright -beneath his grizzly bushy eyebrows, that Emile could not help being -moved. He begged him to give his reasons for talking as he did, and the -carpenter refused for a long time. At last, conquered by his -persistence, and a little irritated by his doubts, he made an -appointment with him for the following Sunday. -</p> - -<p> -"You can go to Châteaubrun Saturday or Monday instead," he said, "and -on Sunday we will start at daybreak and go up the stream to certain -places that I will point out to you. Take all your books and all your -instruments if you choose. If they don't confirm me, it's of little -consequence; it will be science that lies. But don't expect to make this -trip on horseback or in a carriage; and if you haven't good legs, don't -expect to make it at all." -</p> - -<p> -On the following Saturday Emile went to Châteaubrun, beginning, as -usual, with Boisguilbault, as he dared not appear too early at -Gilberte's. -</p> - -<p> -As he approached the ruins he saw a black speck at the foot of the -mountain, and that speck soon became Constant Galuchet, in a black coat, -black trousers and gloves, black satin cravat and waistcoat. That was -his costume in the country, winter and summer alike; and no matter how -great the heat or the fatigue which he was about to undergo, he never -left the village except in that ceremonious attire. He would have been -afraid of resembling a peasant if, like Emile, he had donned a blouse -and broad-brimmed gray hat. -</p> - -<p> -If it be true that the bourgeois costume of our generation is the most -depressing, the most inconvenient and the most unbecoming that fashion -ever invented, it is equally true that all its inconveniences and -deformities are most striking in the open country. In the outskirts of -the large cities, one's eyes are less offended, because everything there -is arranged, aligned, planked, built and walled in symmetrically, so -that all the informality and charm of nature are destroyed. We may -sometimes admire the beauty and symmetry of those estates which have -been subjected to all the refinements of civilization; but it is very -hard to imagine oneself loving such a region. The real country is not -there, but in the heart of the fields, neglected and untilled to some -extent, where agriculture has no thought of paltry embellishments and -strict limits, where estates run together and where boundaries are -indicated only by a stone or bush, put in place in full reliance upon -rustic good faith. There the roads, intended only for foot passengers, -equestrians or heavy carts, present innumerable picturesque -irregularities; the hedges, abandoned to their natural vigor, hang in -garlands, from leafy arbors, and deck themselves out with the wild -climbing plants which are carefully removed in more pretentious regions. -Emile remembered that he had walked about within several leagues of -Paris without the pleasure of seeing a nettle, and he felt keenly the -charm of that rural scenery amid which he now found himself. Poverty did -not hide, in shame and degradation, beneath the feet of wealth. On the -contrary it made itself manifest, light-hearted and free, on a soil -which proudly bore its emblems, wild flowers and vagabond plants, the -humble moss and the wood-strawberry, the water-cress on the brink of a -stream with no well-defined bed, and the ivy clinging to a rock that had -obstructed the path for centuries, without attracting the attention of -the police. He loved the branches which overhung the road and were -respected by passers-by; the bog-holes in which the frog croaked softly -as if to warn the traveller,—a more vigilant sentinel than he who -guards a king's palace; the old crumbling walls around the enclosure, -which no one thought of rebuilding, the powerful roots which pushed up -the ground and dug holes at the foot of the venerable trees; all that -lack of art which makes nature ingenuous and which harmonizes so well -with the severe type and grave and simple costume of the peasant. -</p> - -<p> -But let that parasitic insect, that <i>monsieur</i> with the black coat, -cleanly shaven chin, gloved hands and shambling legs, appear in the -midst of that austere and impressive scene, which carries the -imagination back to the epoch of primitive poesy, and that king of -society becomes simply a ridiculous blotch, an annoying imperfection in -the picture. What business have your funereal garments in this bright -sunlight, where their creases seem to laugh scornfully as at a victim? -Your offensive, misplaced costume inspires more pity than the poor man's -rags; we feel that you are out of place in the fresh air and that your -livery crushes you. -</p> - -<p> -Never had these reflections presented themselves so vividly to Emile's -mind as when Galuchet appeared before him, hat in hand, climbing the -hill with a painful exertion which caused his coat-tails to flutter in -laughable fashion, and pausing to brush away with his handkerchief the -traces of frequent falls. Emile was strongly inclined to laugh at first; -and then he asked himself angrily why the parasite was buzzing around -the sacred hive. He urged his horse to a gallop, passed Galuchet without -seeming to recognize him, arrived first at Châteaubrun, and announced -the other's coming to Gilberte as an unavoidable calamity. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! father," said she, "don't receive that ill-bred, disagreeable man, -I entreat you! let us not spoil our Châteaubrun, our home, our -pleasant, unceremonious life, by the presence of this stranger, who -never can and never will be in sympathy with us." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you expect me to do with him, for heaven's sake?" said Monsieur -de Châteaubrun, sorely embarrassed. "I invited him to come whenever he -chose; I could not foresee that you, who are usually so long-suffering -and generous, would take such a dislike to a poor devil because of his -bad manners and his unattractive face. For my part I pity such people; I -see that everyone spurns them and that life is a bore to them." -</p> - -<p> -"Don't believe that," said Emile. "On the contrary they are very well -satisfied and imagine that everybody likes them." -</p> - -<p> -"In that case, why rob them of a delusion without which they would -probably die of grief? I haven't courage to do it, and I don't believe -that my dear Gilberte would advise me to have it." -</p> - -<p> -"My too kind-hearted father!" rejoined Gilberte with a sigh; "I wish -that I were as kind-hearted, too; indeed, I believe I am, generally -speaking; but that conceited, self-satisfied creature, who seems to me -to insult me when he looks at me, and who called me by my Christian name -the first day he ever spoke to me!—no, I can't endure him, and I feel -that he has a bad effect on me, because the sight of him makes me -disdainful and sarcastic, contrary to my instincts and my character." -</p> - -<p> -"It is certain that Monsieur Galuchet will become very familiar with -mademoiselle," said Emile to Monsieur Antoine, "and that you will be -compelled more than once to remind him of the respect he owes her. If it -happens that he forces you to turn him out of the house, you will regret -having received him with too much confidence. Wouldn't it be better to -give him to understand by a somewhat chilly welcome that you have not -forgotten the ungentlemanly way he behaved on his first visit?" -</p> - -<p> -"The best way that I can think of to arrange matters," said Monsieur de -Châteaubrun, "is for you two to go out in the orchard with Janille; I -will take Galuchet out fishing and you will be rid of him." -</p> - -<p> -This suggestion was not particularly agreeable to Emile. When he was -under Monsieur de Châteaubrun's eye, he could almost believe that he -was tête-à-tête with Gilberte, whereas Janille was an exceedingly -active and keen-eyed third. Moreover Gilberte thought that it would be -selfish to compel her father to bear alone the burden of such a -visitor.—"No," she said, kissing him, "we will stay here to keep you -in bad temper; for if we turn our backs on you, you will be so sweet and -good-natured that monsieur will believe that he is welcome, once for -all. Oh! I know you, father! you wouldn't be able to refrain from -telling him so and from keeping him at the table, and then he will drink -again! It will be very wise for me to stay here and force him to keep -watch on himself." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I'll look out for that," said Janille, who had listened thus far -without giving her opinion, and who hated Galuchet ever since the day he -had haggled over a ten-sou piece for which she asked him after showing -him the ruins. "I like to have monsieur drink his wine with his friends -and the people he likes; but I don't approve of wasting it on parasites, -and I propose to give Monsieur Galuchet's wine a good baptizing. But you -don't like water, monsieur, and that will make you cut short your stay -at the table." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Janille, this is downright tyranny," said Monsieur Antoine. "You -say you are going to put me on a water diet? do you want me to die, -pray?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, monsieur, your skin will be all the brighter for it, and if yonder -little fellow makes a wry face at it, so much the worse for him." -</p> - -<p> -Janille kept her word, but Galuchet was too disturbed in mind to notice -it. He felt more and more ill at ease in the presence of Emile, whose -eyes and smile seemed to be always questioning him sternly, and when he -tried to pluck up courage and play the agreeable with Gilberte, he was -so coldly received that he knew not what to do. He had determined to be -very careful in the matter of the Châteaubrun wine, and he was well -pleased when his host, after the first glass, neglected to invite him to -take a second. Monsieur Antoine, when he led the way with the first -bumper, as his duty as host required, stifled a sigh and glanced at -Janille as if to reproach her for the liberality with which she had -measured the admixture of water. Charasson, who was in the old woman's -confidence, roared with laughter, and was sternly reprimanded by his -master, who sentenced him to drink the rest of the harmless beverage -with his supper. -</p> - -<p> -When Galuchet was convinced that he was intolerable to Gilberte and -Emile, he determined to advance his interests with Monsieur Cardonnet by -venturing upon the proposal of marriage. He led Monsieur Antoine aside, -and, feeling sure of being refused, offered his heart, his hand and his -twenty thousand francs for his daughter. Monsieur Galuchet did not -consider that he risked anything by doubling the fictitious capital of -his marriage-portion. -</p> - -<p> -This little fortune, in addition to a place which was worth about twelve -hundred francs a year, surprised Monsieur Antoine extremely. It was a -very good match for Gilberte; indeed, she could aspire to nothing better -in the matter of wealth, for it was impossible for the excellent country -gentleman to provide her with any dowry whatever, even if he should -strip himself entirely. No one on earth was ever more unselfish than -that worthy man; he had given proofs enough of it during his life. But -he could not, without some bitterness, reflect that his darling -daughter, failing to meet a man who would love her for her own sake, -would probably be condemned to live single for many years, perhaps -forever! -</p> - -<p> -"What an unfortunate thing," he said to himself, "that this fellow isn't -more attractive, for he is certainly honest and generous. My daughter -takes his fancy, and he doesn't ask how much money she has. Doubtless he -knows that she has nothing, and means to give her all he possesses. He -is a well-intentioned suitor, whom I must refuse respectfully, -pleasantly and with friendly words." -</p> - -<p> -And not knowing how to go about it—not daring to expose Gilberte to -the suspicion of being vain of her name or to the resentment of a heart -wounded by her manifest aversion—he could think of no better way than -to avoid giving a definite answer, and to ask for time to reflect and -take counsel. Galuchet also asked leave to come again, not precisely to -pay his court to Gilberte, but to learn his fate; and leave was given -him to do so, although poor Antoine trembled as he gave it. -</p> - -<p> -He took him to the bank of the stream to fish, although Galuchet had -brought nothing for that purpose and was very desirous to remain at the -château. However, Antoine walked him along the bank of the Creuse, to -show him the best places, and, on the way, he had the weakness and -good-nature to ask his pardon for Jean's teasing and mockery. Galuchet -took it exceedingly well, and attributed all the blame to himself, -saying, however, to put himself in a somewhat better light, that he had -been surprised into drinking too much, and that, if he was not capable -of carrying much wine, it was because he was habitually very abstemious. -</p> - -<p> -"That's all right," said Antoine. "Janille was afraid that you might be -a little intemperate, but what happened to you proves the contrary." -</p> - -<p> -They talked for a considerable time, and, as Galuchet obstinately -declined to go, although his host's uneasiness made it plain that he -would have preferred not to take him back to the château, they returned -thither, and Galuchet at once took Janille aside, to confide his -intentions to her, and give Antoine time to inform Gilberte. He reckoned -on the displeasure which the news would cause the latter; for on this -occasion, not being drunk, he plainly detected Emile's air of annoyance -and Gilberte's feelings for the protector she had chosen. -</p> - -<p> -"This time," he said to himself, "Monsieur Cardonnet will not reproach -me with having wasted my time. My pretty lovers will be furiously angry -with me, and Monsieur Emile will not be able to hold back from picking a -quarrel with me." -</p> - -<p> -Galuchet was not a coward; and although he did not deem Emile capable of -a duel with fists, he said to himself with much satisfaction that he was -strong enough to hold his own against him. As for a genuine duel, that -would have been less to his liking, because he had had no experience of -duellists' weapons; but he could safely rely upon Monsieur Cardonnet to -preserve him from that danger. -</p> - -<p> -While he was talking with Janille, Monsieur de Châteaubrun remained in -the orchard with his daughter and Emile, and told them what had taken -place between him and Galuchet, albeit with some oratorical precautions. -"Oh!" said he, "you call him an impertinent fool, but you will regret -your harsh judgment of him; for he is really a very worthy fellow, and I -have proof of that. I can tell this before Emile, who is our friend; and -if Gilberte would look at the matter without prejudice, she might ask -him some questions concerning this young man. Tell me, Emile, on your -heart and conscience, is he an honest man?" -</p> - -<p> -"Beyond any question," Emile replied. "My father has employed him for -three years and would be very sorry to lose him." -</p> - -<p> -"Is his character good?" -</p> - -<p> -"Although he can hardly be said to have proved it here the other day, I -must say that he is very peaceable, and ordinarily quite harmless." -</p> - -<p> -"He isn't in the habit of getting drunk?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not so far as I know." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, what have you against him?" -</p> - -<p> -"If he had not taken the fancy to become our guest, I should consider -him an accomplished man," said Gilberte. -</p> - -<p> -"Is he so very disagreeable to you?" said Monsieur Antoine, standing -still to look her in the face. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, no, father," she replied, surprised by the solemnity of his -manner. "Do not take my dislike so seriously. I hate nobody; and if this -young man's company is at all agreeable to you, if he has given you good -reason to esteem him particularly, God forbid that I should deprive you -of any pleasure by a mere caprice! I will make an effort, and perhaps I -shall succeed in sharing the good opinion that my excellent father has -of him." -</p> - -<p> -"Spoken like a good, sensible girl, and I recognize my Gilberte. Let me -tell you then, little one, that you are the last one who should despise -this young man's character; and that, even though you do not feel -attracted to him, you ought at least to treat him politely and dismiss -him kindly. Come, do you understand me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not the least in the world, father." -</p> - -<p> -"I am afraid that I understand," said Emile, his cheeks flushing -scarlet. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," continued Monsieur Antoine, "I will suppose that a young man, -quite wealthy compared to us, notices a beautiful, virtuous girl who is -very poor, and that, falling in love at first sight, he lays at her feet -the most honorable proposals you can imagine—should he be dismissed -roughly, turned out of doors with a: 'Monsieur, you are too ugly.'" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte blushed as hotly as Emile, and, strive as she would to be -humble, she felt so insulted by Galuchet's proposals that she could make -no reply, while her eyes filled with tears. -</p> - -<p> -"The miserable fellow has lied shamefully to you," cried Emile, "and you -can safely turn him away with contempt. He has no fortune, and my father -rescued him from absolute destitution. Now, he has only been in his -employ three years, and unless he has suddenly received some mysterious -legacy——" -</p> - -<p> -"No, Emile, no, he has told no lie; I am not so weak and credulous as -you think. I questioned him and I know that the source of his little -fortune is pure and unquestionable. Your father has promised him twenty -thousand francs, in order to attach him permanently to his service by -affection and gratitude, in case he marries in the province." -</p> - -<p> -"But," said Emile in a trembling voice, "my father certainly cannot know -that he has presumed to raise his eyes to Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun, -for he would not have encouraged him in such a hope." -</p> - -<p> -"On the contrary," rejoined Monsieur Antoine, to whom the affair seemed -perfectly natural, "he has confided to your father his liking for -Gilberte, and your father authorized him to use his name in support of -his offer of marriage." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte turned deathly pale and looked at Emile, who lowered his eyes, -stupefied, humiliated, and wounded to his heart's core. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap25"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXV -<br /><br /> -THE EXPLOSION</h4> - -<p> -"Well, well, what's the matter?" said Janille, joining them under a -rustic arbor near the orchard, where they were sitting, all three; "why -is Gilberte so woebegone, and why do you all keep quiet when I come -near, as if you were plotting some conspiracy?" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte threw herself in her nurse's arms and burst into tears. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well," continued the good little woman, "here's something else! -My little girl is unhappy and I don't know what the matter is! Will you -speak, Monsieur Antoine?" -</p> - -<p> -"Has that young man gone?" said Monsieur Antoine, looking about him -uneasily. -</p> - -<p> -"To be sure he has, for he took leave of me and I went with him as far -as the gate," said Janille. "I had some difficulty in getting rid of -him. He's a little dull about explaining himself. He would have liked to -stay, I saw that well enough; but I gave him to understand that such -affairs couldn't be settled so fast, that I must consult with you, and -that we would write to him if we wanted to see him again for any reason. -But, before I say anything more, what's the matter with my girl? who has -hurt her feelings? Ah! but <i>ma mie</i> Janille is here to protect her and -comfort her." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! yes, you will understand me," cried Gilberte, "and you will help me -to repel the insult, for I feel insulted and I need you to help me make -my father understand it. Why, he almost acts as Monsieur Galuchet's -advocate!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! so you already know what is going on, do you? In that case it's a -family affair. I have something to tell, you, too; but all this will -bore Monsieur Emile." -</p> - -<p> -"I understand you, my dear Mademoiselle Janille," the young man replied, -"and I know that the proprieties, as ordinarily understood, would -require me to withdraw; but I am too deeply interested in what is going -on here to consider myself bound by common customs; you can safely speak -before me, as I know everything now." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, monsieur, if you know what is in the wind, and if Monsieur -Antoine has thought best to state his views before you,—which, -between ourselves, was hardly worth while—I will speak as if you -were not here. And in the first place, Gilberte, you mustn't cry; what -is it that makes you feel so bad, my girl? Because a poor fool considers -himself worthy of you? Oh! bless my soul, it isn't the last time that -you will have the pleasure, married or not, of seeing self-sufficient -people make themselves ridiculous; for you must laugh at them, my child, -and not be angry. This fellow thinks that he does you honor and gives -you proof of esteem; receive it as such, and tell him or have somebody -else tell him in all seriousness that you thank him, but that you will -have none of him. I can't see at all why you are so disturbed; do you -happen to think that I am disposed to encourage him? Ah! he might have a -hundred thousand francs, or a hundred million, and I shouldn't think he -was the man for my girl! The villain, with his big eyes and his air of -satisfaction at being in the world—let him look farther! we have -no girl here to give him. Oh! <i>ma mie</i> Janille knows what she is -talking about, she knows that they don't put the thistle beside the rose -in the same bouquet." -</p> - -<p> -"That is well said, dear Janille!" cried Emile, "and you are worthy to -be called her mother!" -</p> - -<p> -"What concern is it of yours, pray, monsieur?" retorted Janille, warmed -up and exalted by her own eloquence. "What have you to do with our -little affairs? Do you know anything wrong about this suitor? If you do, -it's of no use to tell us, for we don't need you to help us to get rid -of him." -</p> - -<p> -"Stop, Janille, don't scold him," said Gilberte, kissing her old friend. -"It does me good to hear it said that that man's proposals are insulting -to me, for it humiliates me to think of them. It makes me cold and sick. -And yet father doesn't understand it! He considers himself honored by -his offer, and will not say anything to keep him out of my sight!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ha! ha!" laughed Janille, "he is the one who is at fault, as -usual—the bad man! It is he who makes his daughter cry! Look you, -monsieur, do you propose to play the tyrant here, I should like to know? -Don't look forward to that, for <i>ma mie</i> Janille isn't dead and has -no desire to die." -</p> - -<p> -"That's right," said Monsieur Antoine; "of course I am a despot, an -unnatural father! All right! all right! fall to on me if it relieves -you. After that, perhaps my daughter will be kind enough to tell me what -the matter is, and what I have done that's so criminal." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear father," said Gilberte, throwing herself into his arms, "let us -stop this melancholy jesting, and do you make haste to dismiss Monsieur -Galuchet forever, so that I can breathe freely again and forget this bad -dream." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! there's the rub," said Monsieur Antoine; "the trouble is to know -what I am to write to him, and that is something it will be well to -consult about." -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know, mother," said Gilberte to Janille, "he doesn't know what -answer to give him? Apparently he wasn't able to say no to him." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, my child, your father didn't do very wrong," replied Janille, -"for I listened to your fine suitor's offer without getting excited, and -I didn't say yes or no to him. There! there! don't be angry. That's the -right way to do, and then consult calmly. You can't say to the fellow: -'I don't like you;' people don't say that sort of thing. You can't say -to him either: 'We belong to a good family and your name is Galuchet;' -for that would be unkind and mortifying." -</p> - -<p> -"And it wouldn't be any reason," said Gilberte. "What does nobility -matter to us now? True nobility is in the heart and not in empty titles. -It isn't the name of Galuchet that disgusts me, but the manners and -feelings of the man who bears it." -</p> - -<p> -"My daughter is right: name, profession and fortune are nothing," said -Monsieur Antoine. "So those are not the means for us to use. Nor can we -blame a man for his physical defects. The best thing for us to say is -that Gilberte doesn't want to marry." -</p> - -<p> -"Allow me, monsieur, one moment," said Janille. "I don't propose to have -you say that; for if this young man should go about repeating it—as -he wouldn't fail to do—no one else would come forward, and I am not -in favor of my girl turning nun." -</p> - -<p> -"But we must give some reason," said Monsieur Antoine. "Suppose we say -that she doesn't want to marry yet, and that we think she's too young." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, that's it, father! you have hit upon the best reason, and -it's the true one. I do not want to marry yet; I am too young." -</p> - -<p> -"That is not true!" cried Janille. "You are old enough, and I believe -that before long you will find a good husband whom you like and whom we -all like." -</p> - -<p> -"Don't think of that, mother," said Gilberte, warmly. "I will take my -oath before God that my father told the truth. I do not want to marry -yet, and I want everybody to know it, so that all suitors may keep away. -Oh dear! if I am to be surrounded by such importunate creatures, you -will take away all the happiness I have in my home, and make my youth -sad and gloomy! and you will make me unhappy to no purpose, for I shall -not change my resolution, and I will die rather than part from you." -</p> - -<p> -"Who says anything about parting?" rejoined Janille. "The man who loves -you won't want to make you unhappy; and, more than that, you don't know -what you will think when you love someone. Ah! my dear child! then it -will be our turn to weep, perhaps, for it is written that the woman -shall leave her father and mother to follow her husband, and He who said -that knew a woman's heart." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! that is a law of obedience, not a law of love," cried Emile. "The -man who truly loves Gilberte will truly love her parents and her friends -as his own, and will no more desire to separate her from them than he -will desire to live apart from them himself." -</p> - -<p> -At that moment Janille encountered the passionate glances of the two -lovers seeking each other, and all her prudence returned. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Pardieu</i>, monsieur," she said dryly, "you interfere in matters that -hardly concern you, and it is my opinion that all my ideas would be -better left unsaid before you; but since you persist in hearing them, -and Monsieur Antoine considers it very wise, I will tell you that I -forbid you to repeat or even to believe what my girl just said in a -burst of anger against your Galuchet. For all men are not cut on that -pattern, thank God! and we don't need to have the world condemn her to -remain single, just because she prefers a more agreeable husband. We -will find one for her easily enough, never fear; and don't you imagine -that, because she isn't rich like you, she will go begging." -</p> - -<p> -"Come, come, Janille!" said Monsieur Antoine, taking Emile's hand, "you -are the one who says things that shouldn't be said. It would seem that -you wanted to wound our young friend. You shake your head too much. I -tell you that he is our best friend next to Jean, who has the right of -priority; and I declare that no one, during the twenty years that, on -account of my poverty, I have been in a way to appreciate disinterested -sentiments, has shown me and inspired in me so much affection as Emile. -That is why I say he will never be an embarrassment in our family -secrets. By his common-sense, his education and the loftiness of his -ideas, he is far ahead of his own age and ours. That is why we could -find no better adviser. I look upon him as Gilberte's brother, and I -will answer for it that, if a suitable husband for her should present -himself, he would enlighten us concerning his character, and would exert -himself to bring about a marriage that would make her happy, and to -prevent one likely to do the contrary. So your sharp words have no -common-sense, Janille. When I took him into my confidence, I knew what I -was about; you treat me altogether too much like a child!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah indeed, monsieur! so you choose to pick a quarrel with me in your -turn, do you?" said Janille, with great animation. "Very good! this is -the day for truth-telling, and I will speak, since you drive me to the -wall. I tell you and I tell Monsieur Emile, to his face, that he is much -too young for this rôle of friend of the family, and that this -friendship had better cool down a little, or you will feel the -inconveniences of it. Why, here's an instance of it this very day, and -you will find it out. A young man comes and offers to marry Gilberte: we -won't have him—that's all right and fully understood; but what will -prevent this discarded suitor from believing and saying—if for no -other reason than to be revenged—that it is because of Monsieur Emile -and of the family ambition to make a rich marriage, that we will listen to -nobody else? I don't say that Monsieur Emile is capable of having such -thoughts, I am sure he is not. He knows us well enough to know what sort -of people we are. But fools will believe it and the consequence will be -that we shall be thought fools. What? we turn Monsieur Galuchet away -because our girl is thought to be too young, and Monsieur Cardonnet the -younger will come here every week, as if he were the only one excepted -from the rule! That can never be, Monsieur Antoine! And it's of no use -for you to look at me with your soft eyes, Monsieur Emile, and to kneel -by me and take my hands as if you were going to make me a declaration; I -love you, yes I admit it, and I shall regret you much; but I shall do my -duty all the same, as I am the only one in this house with any head and -foresight and decision! Yes, my boy, you must go, too, for <i>ma mie</i> -Janille isn't in her dotage yet." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte had become pale as a lily again and Monsieur Antoine was angry, -probably for the first time in his life. He thought Janille -unreasonable, and, as he dared not rise in revolt, he pulled Sacripant's -ear, who, seeing that he was out of temper, overwhelmed him with -caresses and submitted to be tortured by his unconscious hand. Emile was -on his knees between Janille and Gilberte; his heart overflowed and he -could not keep silent. -</p> - -<p> -"My dear Janille," he cried at last, with impetuous emotion, "and you, -noble and generous Antoine, listen to me and learn my secret at last. I -love your daughter. I have loved her passionately since the first day -that I saw her, and if she deigns to share my feelings, I ask her in -marriage, not for Monsieur Galuchet, not for any protégé of my father, -not for any of my friends, but for myself, who cannot live away from -her, and who will not rise except with her consent and yours." -</p> - -<p> -"Come to my heart!" cried Monsieur Antoine, in a transport of joy and -enthusiasm; "for you are a noble fellow and I knew that nothing could be -truer and more loyal than your heart." -</p> - -<p> -He pressed the slender youth in his arms as if he would have suffocated -him. Janille, deeply moved, put her handkerchief to her eyes; but in an -instant she forced back her tears and said: -</p> - -<p> -"This is madness, Monsieur Antoine, genuine madness! Keep watch on -yourself and don't let your heart go so fast. Certainly he is a fine -fellow, and if we were rich or if he were poor, we could never make a -better choice; but we must not forget that what he proposes is -impossible, that his family will never consent to it, and that he has -been building a romance in his little brain. If I didn't love you so -much, Emile, I would scold you for inflaming Monsieur Antoine's -imagination so, for it is younger still than yours, and is capable of -taking your dreams seriously. Luckily his daughter is more sensible than -he and I are. She is not at all disturbed by your soft words. She is -grateful to you for them and thanks you for your kind intentions; but -she is perfectly well aware that you don't belong to yourself and can't -dispense with your father's consent; and that, even if you were old -enough to summon him into court to make him consent, she is too well -born to care to enter by force a family that spurned her." -</p> - -<p> -"That is true," said Monsieur Antoine, as if waking from a dream; "we -are going astray, my poor children; Monsieur Cardonnet will never have -anything to do with us, for we have nothing to offer him but a name -which he would treat as a chimera, which, indeed, we hold too cheap -ourselves, and which throws open no road to fortune. Emile, Emile, let -us say no more about it, for it would become a source of regret. Let us -be friends, friends forever! be my child's brother, her protector and -defender if occasion offers; but let us say nothing about marriage or -love, for, in these times we live in, love is a dream and marriage a -business affair." -</p> - -<p> -"You do not know me," cried Emile, "if you think that I accept or will -ever accept the laws of society and the scheming of self-interest! I -will not deceive you; I would answer for my mother if she were free, but -my father will not be favorably disposed to this marriage. And yet my -father loves me, and when he has tested the force and endurance of my -will he will realize that his own will cannot carry the day in this -matter. There is one means that he can try to compel me to submit. He -can deprive me for a time of the enjoyments of his wealth. But in that -case how joyfully I will work in order to deserve Gilberte's hand, to -raise myself to her level, to deserve the esteem which is not accorded -to lazy men, but which they merit who have passed through honorable -tests, as you have, Monsieur Antoine. My father will yield some day, I -have no doubt; I can take my oath to it before God and before you, -because I feel within me all the strength of an invincible love. And -when he has come to appreciate the power of a passion like mine, he, who -is so sovereignly wise and intelligent and who loves me more than all -the world, certainly more than ambition and wealth, will open his arms -and his heart unreservedly to my bride. For I know my father well enough -to know that when he yields to the power of destiny, he does it without -a backward look to the past, without base rancor, without cowardly -regret. Therefore believe in my love, O my friends, and rely as I do on -God's help. There is nothing humiliating to you in the prejudices I -shall have to combat, and the love of my mother, who lives only for me -and in me, will make up to Gilberte in secret for my father's temporary -prejudice. Oh! do not doubt it, do not doubt it, I implore you! Faith -can do anything, and if you help me in this fight, I shall be the -luckiest mortal who ever fought for the holiest of all causes, for a -noble love, and for a woman worthy of my whole life's devotion!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ta! ta! ta!" exclaimed Janille, bewildered by his eloquence; "here he -is talking like a book and trying to excite my girl's brain. Will you be -kind enough to keep quiet, golden tongue? we do not want to listen to -you, and we refuse to believe you. I forbid you, Monsieur Antoine! You -don't realize all the misfortunes this may bring on us, and the least -would be to prevent Gilberte's making a possible, reasonable marriage." -</p> - -<p> -Poor Antoine no longer knew which way to turn. When Emile spoke, he -glowed with the memory of his youthful years, and remembered that he too -had loved; nothing seemed to be nobler and holier than to defend the -cause of love and to encourage such a noble enterprise. But when Janille -threw water on the fire, he recognized his mentor's wisdom and prudence. -Thus, sometimes he took part with her against Emile, sometimes with -Emile against her. -</p> - -<p> -"We have had enough of this," said Janille, vexed because she saw no -apparent end to their irresolution; "all this ought not to be discussed -before my child. What would be the result if she were a weak or -frivolous creature? Luckily she does not bite at your fairy tales, and -as she cares very little for your money she will have too keen a sense -of dignity to wait until you're at liberty to dispose of your heart. She -will dispose of hers as she thinks best, and while she continues to give -you her esteem and friendship, she will beg you not to compromise her by -your visits. Come, Gilberte, say a sensible, brave word to put an end to -all this foolish talk!" -</p> - -<p> -Thus far Gilberte had said nothing. Deeply moved as she was, she gazed -pensively in turn at her father, Janille, and, most frequently of all, -at Emile, whose ardor and tone of conviction stirred her to the depths -of her soul. Suddenly she rose and knelt before her father and her -governess, whose hands she affectionately kissed. -</p> - -<p> -"It is too late to call upon me for cold prudence, and to remind me of -the exigencies of self-interest," she said; "I love Emile, I love him as -dearly as he loves me, and before it had occurred to me that I could -ever belong to him, I had sworn in my heart never to belong to another. -Receive my confession, my father and mother before God! For two months I -have not been frank with you, and for two weeks I have been hiding from -you a secret that weighs upon my conscience, and that will be the last, -as it is the first in my whole life. I have given my heart to Emile, I -have promised to be his wife on the day that my parents and his consent. -Until then, I have promised to love him bravely and calmly; I promise it -now anew, and I call upon God and you to witness my promise. I have -promised, and I promise again, that if his father's will is inflexible, -we will love each other as brother and sister, although it will be -impossible for me ever to love another, and that I will never give way -to any impulse of madness and despair. Have confidence in me. See—I -am strong, and I am happier than ever, since I have placed Emile between -you two and with you two in my heart. Do not fear complaints or -melancholy or low spirits or sickness from me. Ten years hence I shall -be just as you see me to-day, finding all-powerful consolation in your -love, and in my own a courage proof against every trial." -</p> - -<p> -"God's mercy!" cried Janille in desperation, "we are all accursed. We -only lacked this. This girl of mine actually loves him and has told him -so, and tells him so again before us! Oh! it was a wretched day for us -that this young man entered our house!" -</p> - -<p> -Antoine, utterly overwhelmed, could do nothing but burst into tears, -pressing his daughter to his heart. But Emile, inspired by Gilberte's -courage, found so much to say, that he succeeded in taking possession of -that mind, incapable as it was of defending itself. Even Janille herself -was shaken, and they ended by adopting the plan which the lovers themselves -had formed at Crozant, namely, to wait—a plan which did not decide -much to Janille's satisfaction—and not to meet too often—which, -at all events, reassured her to some slight extent as to the danger from -without. -</p> - -<p> -They left the orchard, and a few moments later Galuchet also left it, -but stealthily, and, without being seen, plunged into the bushes to make -his way, under cover, to the Gargilesse road. -</p> - -<p> -Emile remained to dinner, for neither Antoine nor Janille had the -courage to shorten a visit which was not to be repeated until the -following week. -</p> - -<p> -The worthy country gentleman's affectionate and ingenuous heart was -unable to resist the caresses and loving speeches of the two children, -and when Janille's back was turned, he allowed himself to be prevailed -upon to share their hopes and to bless their love. Janille tried to hold -out against them, and her depression was genuine and profound; but no -one can arrange a plan of seduction so cunningly as two lovers who -desire to win over a friend to their cause. They were both so kind, so -attentive, so affectionate, so ingenious in their cajoling flatteries, -and above all, so beautiful, with their eyes and foreheads illumined by -the glow of enthusiasm, that a tiger could not have resisted. Janille -wept, at first with vexation, then with grief, then with affection: and -when the evening came and they went and sat by the stream, in the soft -moonlight, those four, united by invincible affection, formed but a -single group, with arms intertwined and hearts beating in unison. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte especially was radiant, her heart was lighter and purer than -the fragrance which exhaled from the plants when the stars rise, and -ascends to them. Intoxicated with bliss as Emile was, he could not -entirely forget the difficulty of the duties he had to perform in order -to reconcile the religion of his love with filial respect. But Gilberte -believed that they could wait forever, and that, so long as she loved, -the miracle would occur of itself and no one would be obliged to act. -When Emile, having ventured to kiss her hand under the eyes of her -parents, had taken his leave, Janille said to her, with a sigh: -</p> - -<p> -"Well, now you will be in the dumps for a week! I shall see you with -your eyes all red, as they often were before that infernal trip to -Crozant! There will be no more peace or happiness here!" -</p> - -<p> -"If I am sad, darling mother," said Gilberte, "I give you leave to -prevent his coming again; and if my eyes are red, I will tear them out -so that I can't see him. But what will you say if I am more cheerful and -happier than ever? Don't you feel how calm my heart is? See, put your -hand there, while we can still hear his horse's footsteps as he rides -away! Am I excited? Light the lamp and examine me closely. Am I not -still Gilberte, your daughter, who breathes only for you and my father, -and who can never be bored and listless for an instant with you? Ah! -when I suffered, when I cried, was when I had a secret from you, and -when I was dying to be able to tell it to you. Now that I can speak and -think aloud, I breathe again and I feel nothing but the joy of living -for you and with you. And didn't you see this evening how happy we all -were to be able to love one another without fear or shame? Do you think -that it will ever be different, and that Emile and I would be happy -together if you were not with us always and every minute?" -</p> - -<p> -"Alas!" thought Janille with a sigh, "we are only at the very beginning -of this fine arrangement!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap26"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXVI -<br /><br /> -THE SNARE</h4> - -<p> -Emile determined to delay no longer to speak seriously to his father, -and to make, not a formal and too hasty avowal of his love, but a sort -of preliminary discourse which would lead little by little to more -decisive explanations. But the carpenter had made an appointment with -him for the following morning, and he thought, justly enough, that if -that man proved what he had asserted, he would have an excellent pretext -for broaching the subject, and for demonstrating to Monsieur Cardonnet -the uncertainty and vanity of his plans for making a fortune. -</p> - -<p> -Not that Emile placed blind faith in Jean Jappeloup's competence to form -an opinion in such matters; but he knew that the observation of a -natural logician may materially assist scientific investigation, and he -set out before dawn to join his companion at a certain point where they -had agreed to meet. He had informed Monsieur Cardonnet the night before -of his purpose to examine the course of the stream that ran the factory, -but without telling him whom he had chosen for his guide. -</p> - -<p> -It was a difficult but interesting excursion, and on his return Emile -requested a private interview with his father. He found him with a -tranquil air of triumph, which seemed to him not to be of very good -augury. However, as he deemed it his duty to inform him of what he had -seen, he entered upon the subject without hesitation. -</p> - -<p> -"You urge me, father," he began, "to espouse your projects and to take -hold of them with the same ardor that you yourself display. I have done -my best, for some time past, to place at your service all the -application of which my brain is capable; I owe it therefore to the -confidence you have placed in me to tell you that we are building on -sand, and that, instead of doubling your fortune, you are rapidly -throwing it into a bottomless pit." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean, Emile?" replied Monsieur Cardonnet with a smile; -"this is a very alarming exordium, and I supposed that science would -have led you to the same result that practice shows—namely, that -nothing is impossible to enlightened determination. It seems that you -have deduced from your meditations a contrary solution. Let us see! you -have made a long trip and doubtless a very thorough examination? I too -explored last year the stream which it is our business to subdue, and I -am certain of success; what do you say to that, boy?" -</p> - -<p> -"I say that you will fail, father, because it will require an outlay -beyond the means of a private individual, and which is not likely to be -retrieved by proportionate profit." -</p> - -<p> -With that, Emile, with much lucidity, entered upon explanations which we -will spare the reader, but which tended to prove that the course of the -Gargilesse presented natural obstacles impossible to overcome without an -outlay ten times as great as Monsieur Cardonnet anticipated. It would be -necessary for him to become the owner of a considerable part of the bed -of the stream, in order to divert its course in one place, widen it in -another, and in another, blast out ledges that interfered with the -regularity of its flow; and finally, if he could not do away with the -accumulation and sudden and violent overflow of the water in the upper -reservoirs, he would have to build dikes around the factory a hundred -times more extensive than those already begun, which dikes would then -throw the water back in such quantities as to ruin the surrounding land; -and, in order to do that, he would have to buy half of the commune or -wield an oppressive power, impossible to obtain in France. The works -already constructed by Monsieur Cardonnet were a serious detriment to -the millers thereabout. The water, being arrested in its course for his -use, made their mills <i>walk backward</i>, as they said in the province, -producing a contrary current against their wheels, which stopped them -entirely at certain hours. Not without compensating them in another way -and at great expense, had he succeeded hitherto in pacifying these small -manufacturers, pending the time when he would ruin them or ruin himself; -for the compensation offered could be temporary only and was to cease -with the completion of his works. He had bought at a high price, from -one, his services for six months as a carter, from others, the use of -their horses to draw his barges. He had soothed a goodly number with -illusory promises, and the simple-minded people, dazzled by a temporary -profit, had closed their eyes to the future, as always happens with -those whose present circumstances are straitened. -</p> - -<p> -Emile passed hurriedly over these details, which were of a nature to -irritate Monsieur Cardonnet rather than to convince him; and he strove -to arouse his apprehensions, especially as he was thoroughly convinced, -and certain that he had exaggerated nothing. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur Cardonnet listened to the lad with much attention, and, when he -had finished, said to him, passing his hand over his head with a -fatherly, caressing touch, but with a calm smile of conscious power: -</p> - -<p> -"I am well pleased with you, Emile. I see that you are busy; that you -are working in earnest; and that you are no longer wasting your time -running about from château to château. You have been talking very -clearly, like a conscientious young lawyer who has studied his case -carefully. I thank you for the excellent direction your ideas are -taking; and do you know what affords me the most pleasure? that you -apply yourself to your work as I had hoped that you would as a result of -hard study. Here you are already eager for success; you feel its potent -excitement. You are passing through the inevitable stages of alarm, -doubt, and even momentary discouragement which accompany the development -of every important plan in the genius of the manufacturer. Yes, Emile, -that is what I call conceiving and giving birth. This mystery of the -will is not begotten without pain; it is with the man's brain as with -the woman's womb. But set your mind at rest now, my boy. The danger that -you fancy that you have discovered exists only upon a superficial -examination of things, and you cannot grasp the whole subject in a -simple walk. I passed a week exploring this stream before I laid the -first stone on its banks, and I took counsel of a man more experienced -than you. See, here is a plan of the whole locality, with the levels, -measurements and depths of water. Let us look it over together." -</p> - -<p> -Emile examined the plan with care and discovered several actual -mistakes. They had considered it impossible that the water should reach -a certain elevation even in extraordinary freshets, and that certain -barriers could hold it in check beyond a certain number of hours. They -had figured on contingencies, and the commonest experience, the -testimony of any witness of what had happened theretofore, would have -sufficed to destroy the theory, if they had been willing to listen to -that evidence. But that was something that Cardonnet's proud and -distrustful nature could not do. He had placed himself at the mercy of -the elements, with his eyes closed, like Napoléon in the Russian -campaign, and in his superb obstinacy he would willingly have -undertaken, like Xerxes, to whip the rebellious Neptune into submission. -His adviser, although a very clever man, had thought of nothing but -encouraging his ambition, or had allowed himself to be swayed and -influenced by that ardent will. -</p> - -<p> -"Father," said Emile, "this is not simply a matter of hydrographic -calculations, and you will allow me to say that your absolute confidence -in the work of a specialist has led you astray. You laughed at me when, -at the beginning of my general studies, I said to you that all branches -of human knowledge seemed to me to be interrelated, and that one must -needs know almost everything to be infallible on any given point; in a -word, that no special work could dispense with synthesis, and that -before learning the mechanism of a watch it would be well to learn the -mechanism of creation. You laughed at me—you laugh at me -still—and you took me away from the stars to send me back to -mills. Very well; if, with your hydrographer, you had consulted a -geologist, a botanist and a physicist, they would have demonstrated to -you something that I feel safe in asserting after one view of the -locality, subject to the confirmation of more competent judges than -myself. It is: that, taking into consideration the slope of the ridge of -the mountain over which your stream flows, taking into consideration the -direction of the winds that accompany it, taking into consideration the -plateaus from which it takes its source and their relative elevation, -which attracts all the clouds, where indeed all the storms take -rise—floods of water must constantly pour down into this ravine -and sweep away unavailing obstacles; unless, as I have said, it be -controlled by works which you cannot undertake to erect, because the -necessary expense exceeds the resources of any single capitalist. That -is what the physicist would have told you on the authority of -atmospheric laws: he would have appealed to the incessant effects of the -lightning upon the rocks which attract it; the geologist would have -appealed to the nature of the soil, whether loamy, chalky or granitic, -which retains, absorbs and discharges the water in turn. -</p> - -<p> -"And the botanist," said Monsieur Cardonnet, smiling, "do you forget -him?" -</p> - -<p> -"He," replied Emile, with an answering smile, "would have noticed on the -steep, barren cliff, where the geologist could not have detected with -absolute assurance the former passage of the water, a few blades of -grass which would not have enlightened his fellow-scientists. 'This -little plant,' he would have said to them, 'did not grow there all -alone; it is not the kind of spot that it loves, and you see what a -melancholy look it has, awaiting the time when the flood that brought it -here shall carry it away again or bring some of its friends for -company.'" -</p> - -<p> -"Bravo! Emile, nothing could be more ingenious." -</p> - -<p> -"And nothing more certain, father." -</p> - -<p> -"Where did you learn all this, pray? Are you hydrographer, mechanician, -astronomer, geologist, physicist and botanist all at once?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, father; you compelled me to pick up on the wing the elements of -those sciences, which have a common foundation; but there are some -privileged natures in which observation and logic take the place of -learning." -</p> - -<p> -"You are not modest." -</p> - -<p> -"I am not speaking of myself, father, but of a peasant, a true genius, -who doesn't know how to read, who doesn't know the names of the fluids, -gases, minerals or plants, but who understands causes and effects, whose -keen eye and infallible memory detect differences and characteristics; -of a man, in short, who, while speaking the language of a child, showed -me all these things and made them clear to me." -</p> - -<p> -"Who is this unknown genius whom you met on your walk, I pray to know?" -</p> - -<p> -"A man whom you do not like, father, whom you take for a madman, and -whose name I hardly dare mention to you." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! I understand! it is your friend Jappeloup the carpenter, Monsieur -de Boisguilbault's vagabond, the village sorcerer, who cures sprains -with words and puts out fires by cutting a cross on a beam with his -axe." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur Cardonnet, who had thus far listened to his son with interest, -albeit without being persuaded, laughed scornfully, and was thenceforth -inclined to treat the subject with sarcasm and contempt. -</p> - -<p> -"And this is the way madmen come together and agree!" he said. "Really, -my poor Emile, nature made you an unfortunate gift when she gave you a -large supply of intellect and imagination, for she withheld the guiding -spirits, coolness and common-sense. Here you are astray, and because a -miracle-working peasant has posed before you as the hero of a romance, -you devote all your petty knowledge and your ingenious reasoning powers -to attempt to confirm his wonderful decisions! You have put all the -sciences at work, and astronomy, geology, hydrography, physics and even -poor little botany, which hardly expected the honor, come in a body to -sign the patent of infallibility awarded to Master Jappeloup. Write -poetry, Emile, write novels! you are good for nothing else, I am very -much afraid." -</p> - -<p> -"So you despise experience and observation, father," rejoined Emile, -restraining his anger; "you do not deign even to consider those -commonplace bases of the work of the mind? and yet, you make sport of -most theories. What am I to believe, according to your opinion, if you -will not allow me to consult either theory or practice?" -</p> - -<p> -"On the contrary, Emile," replied Monsieur Cardonnet, "I respect both -one and the other, but on condition that they inhabit healthy brains; -for their advantages change to poison or smoke, in foolish brains. -Unfortunately, some alleged scientists are of this number, and that is -why I would have liked to preserve you from their chimeras. Who is more -absurdly credulous and more easily deceived than a pedant with -preconceived ideas? I remember an antiquarian who came here last year: -he was in search of Druidical stones, and he saw them everywhere. To -satisfy him I showed him an old stone the peasants had hollowed out by -pounding the grain of which they made their porridge, and I persuaded -him that it was the urn in which the sacrificial priests among the Gauls -shed human blood. He absolutely insisted on carrying it off for the -departmental museum. He took all the granite drinking-troughs for -ancient sarcophagi. And that is how the most absurd errors spread. It -rested entirely with me whether a trough or a mortar should pass for -venerable monuments. And yet that gentleman had passed fifty years of -his life reading and meditating. Look out for yourself, Emile, a day may -come when you will take bladders for lanterns!" -</p> - -<p> -"I have done my duty," said Emile. "I was bound to urge you to make a -further examination of the spots I have visited, and it seemed to me -that the experience of your recent disaster might suggest the same -advice. But as you answer me with jests I have nothing more to say." -</p> - -<p> -"Let us see, Emile," said Monsieur Cardonnet after a few moments' -reflection, "what your conclusion is from all this, and what there is at -the bottom of your cheerful predictions. I understand very well that -Master Jean Jappeloup, who has set himself up as an inveterate foe of my -undertaking, and who passes his life declaiming against <i>Père -Cardonnet</i>—even in your presence, and you could tell me many -things about him—would like to persuade you to induce me to leave -this country where, it appears, my presence is a thorn in his side. But -whither do you seek to lead me, O my philosopher and scientist? Where do -you wish to found a colony? into what American desert do you propose to -carry the advantages of your socialism and my industrial talent?" -</p> - -<p> -"We might carry them not so far away," replied Emile, "and if you were -seriously inclined to work at the civilization of savages, you would -find plenty under your hand; but I know only too well, father, that it -is no part of your purpose to return to a subject that has been -exhausted between us. I have forbidden myself to contradict you in that -regard, and I do not think that since I have been here, I have once -departed from the respectful silence you imposed upon me." -</p> - -<p> -"Come, come, my boy, don't adopt this tone, for your somewhat cunning -reserve is just what annoys me most. Let us drop the discussion of -socialism, I agree to that; we will resume it next year and perhaps we -shall both have made some progress then that will help us to understand -each other better. Let us think of the present. The vacation will not -last forever; what do you wish to do when it ends, for your instruction -and employment?" -</p> - -<p> -"I aspire to nothing except to remain with you, father." -</p> - -<p> -"I know it," said Monsieur Cardonnet with a malicious smile; "I know -that you enjoy yourself hugely in this neighborhood; but that doesn't -lead to anything." -</p> - -<p> -"If it leads me to the frame of mind in which I should be in order to -reach a perfect understanding with my father, I shall not look upon it -as time wasted." -</p> - -<p> -"That is very prettily said, and you are very kind; but I don't think it -puts us ahead much, unless you are prepared to devote yourself entirely -to my enterprise. Come, shall we write for more experienced advisers and -examine the whole locality again?" -</p> - -<p> -"I agree with all my heart, and I persist in believing that it is my -duty to urge you to do it." -</p> - -<p> -"Very good; Emile, I see that you are afraid I shall use up your -fortune, and I am not displeased to see it." -</p> - -<p> -"You fail to understand the feeling on that subject which I have in the -bottom of my heart," Emile replied with warmth; "and yet," he added, -making an effort to be prudent, "I desire you to interpret what I say in -whatever sense is most agreeable to you." -</p> - -<p> -"You are a great diplomatist, I must agree; but you shall not escape me. -Come, Emile, you must make up your mind. If, after the renewed and -thorough examination we propose to make, science and observation decide -that Master Jappeloup and you are not infallible, that the factory can -be finished and have a prosperous existence, that my fortune and yours -are planted here, and that they must germinate and fructify here, will -you agree to embrace my projects body and soul, to second me in every -way, with arms and brain, with heart and head? Swear to me that you will -belong to me, that you will have no other thought than that of helping -me to make you rich; place all your faculties at my disposal without -argument; and in return I swear to you that I will give your heart and -your passions all the gratification which it lies in my power to do, and -which the laws of morality do not forbid. I believe that I make myself -clear?" -</p> - -<p> -"O father!" cried Emile, rising impetuously, "have you weighed your -words?" -</p> - -<p> -"They are carefully weighed, and I wish you to weigh your reply." -</p> - -<p> -"I hardly understand you," said Emile, falling back upon his chair. A -cloud of flame had passed before his eyes; he felt as if he were about -to faint. -</p> - -<p> -"Emile, do you wish to marry?" rejoined Monsieur Cardonnet, eager to -make the most of his emotion. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, father, I do," Emile replied, leaning over the table that stood -between them and putting out his hands imploringly. "Oh! do not play -with me now, for you would kill me!" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you doubt my word?" -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot, if your word is given seriously." -</p> - -<p> -"It is the most serious promise I have ever given in my life, as you can -judge for yourself. You have a noble heart and an eminent mind; I know -it and I have proofs of it. But with equal sincerity and equal -certainty, I can tell you that your brain is both too weak and too active, -and that twenty years hence, perhaps—always perhaps, Emile—you -will not be competent to take care of yourself. You will be constantly -attacked by vertigo, you will never act coolly, you will take sides -passionately, for or against men and things, without precaution and -without discernment, without the voice of the indispensable instinct of -self-preservation to appeal to you and warn you from the depths of your -conscience. You have a poetic nature; it would be useless for me to try -to deceive myself in that respect, for everything leads me to the -painful certainty that you need a guide and a master. Bless God, -therefore, who has given you for your guide and master a father, your -best friend. I love you as you are, although you are just the opposite -of what I should have liked, could I have chosen my son. I love you as I -would love my daughter if nature had not made a mistake in your sex; -that is enough to tell you that I love you passionately. So do not -complain of your fate and never let my reproaches humiliate you. In our -present position with regard to each other, which is clearly defined now -to my mind, I will make immense sacrifices to your happiness and your -future; I will overcome my repugnance, which is very great, I confess, -and I will allow you to marry the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman -and his servant. I will satisfy your heart and your passions, as I have -said; but only on the condition that your mind is to belong to me -absolutely thenceforth, and that I am to dispose of you as freely as of -myself." -</p> - -<p> -"O my God! is it possible!" exclaimed Emile, dazzled and terrified at -the same time; "but what do you intend by this renunciation of self, -father, what meaning do you give to it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Didn't I just tell you? Don't pretend that you can't understand me. -Look you, Emile, I know the whole of your Châteaubrun romance, and I -could repeat it to you word for word, from your arrival one stormy night -down to the Crozant expedition, and from Crozant down to your -conversation last Saturday in Monsieur Antoine's orchard. I know all the -characters now as well as you do yourself, for I chose to see with my -own eyes, and yesterday, while you were exploring the banks of the -stream, I went to Châteaubrun, on the pretext of supporting Constant -Galuchet's offer of marriage, and I talked a long while with -Mademoiselle Gilberte." -</p> - -<p> -"With her, father?" -</p> - -<p> -"Isn't it perfectly natural that I should want to know the young woman -you have chosen without consulting me, and who may perhaps be my -daughter some day?" -</p> - -<p> -"O father! father!" -</p> - -<p> -"I found her charming, lovely, modest, humble and proud at once, able to -express herself well, lacking neither deportment, good manners nor -education, and common sense less than all! She refused with much -propriety the suitor I proposed to her. Yes, with gentleness, modesty -and dignity combined. I was very well pleased with her! What struck me -most was her prudence, her reserve, and the perfect control she has over -herself; for I confess that I tried to sting her a little, and even to -offend her, to get a sight at the under side of her character. Her -father was away; but the mother, that sly little old woman whose -son-in-law you aspire to be, was so irritated by my reflections on her -small fortune and the perfect suitability of a marriage with Galuchet, -that she treated me with contempt; she called me <i>bourgeois</i>; and as I -persisted, for the express purpose of pushing her to extremities, she -said to me, with her arms akimbo, that her daughter was of too good a -family to marry a manufacturer's servant; and that, if the -manufacturer's son in person should offer himself, they would look at -him twice before accepting such a misalliance. She amused me immensely. -But Gilberte smoothed everything over by her calm and decided manner. I -assure you that she keeps to the letter the promise she gave you, to be -patient, to wait and to suffer everything for love of you." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! did you make her suffer terribly?" cried Emile, beside himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, a little," coolly replied Monsieur Cardonnet, "and I am very glad -I did. Now, I know that she has some character, and I should be very -glad to have such a person about me. Such a woman can be very useful in -a household, and nothing can be worse than to have a wife who is passive -and pig-headed at the same time, who can do nothing but sigh and keep -silent like many women I know. It would be a pleasure to me to dispute -sometimes with my daughter-in-law, and to discover at once that her -views are just, that her will is strong, and that she is well fitted to -give you sound advice. Come, Emile," he added, offering his son his -hand, "you see, I trust, that I am neither blind nor unjust, and that I -wish to make the best of the position in which you have put me." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>O mon Dieu</i>! if you consent to my happiness, father, I will give you -a lease of myself, I will become your man of business, your overseer, your -workman during as many years as you consider me incapable of taking care -of myself. I will submit to all your wishes, and I will work every hour -in the day, never complaining, never resisting your most trivial -orders." -</p> - -<p> -"And never asking for a salary," laughed Monsieur Cardonnet. "Nonsense, -Emile, that is not what I mean, and that rôle of menial would outrage -nature. No, no, this is no time to throw dust in my eyes, and I am not -the man to make any mistake as to your real intentions. I am not yet so -nearly ruined that I can't afford to hire an overseer, and I do not -think that I could select one less fitted than you to manage workmen. I -want you to be another myself, to help me in the work of planning, to -learn for me, to give me your ideas, subject to my right to combat and -modify them; in a word, to seek out and invent methods of money-making -which I will carry out when they suit me. In this way your constant -studies and your fertile imagination can assist me in multiplying your -fortune by ten. But to obtain this result, Emile, there must be no -working with indifference and absence of interest, as you have been -doing for a fortnight past. I am not deceived by this temporary -submission, concerted with Gilberte, to extort my consent. I require -submission for your whole life. I wish you to be ready to undertake -journeys—with your wife, if you please—to examine the progress -of the manufacturing industry; in a word, I want you to sign, not on paper -before a notary, but on my head and with your heart's blood, and before -God, a contract which will wipe out your whole past of dreams and -chimeras, and which will pledge your convictions, your will, your faith, -your devotion, your religion, your whole future, to the success of my -work." -</p> - -<p> -"And suppose I do not believe in your work?" said Emile, turning pale. -</p> - -<p> -"You must believe in it; or, if it is impracticable, let me be the first -to cease to believe in it. But do not think to escape me by that -détour. If we are forced to strike our tent here, I shall pitch it -somewhere else, and I shall not stop until I die. Wherever I may be, -whatever I may do, you must follow me, second me, and sacrifice all your -theories, all your dreams to me." -</p> - -<p> -"What! even my very thoughts, my belief in the future?" cried Emile in -dismay. "O father! you are trying to dishonor me in my own eyes!" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you draw back? Ah! you are not even in love, my poor Emile! But let -us stop here. This is enough excitement for your poor head. Take time to -reflect. I don't wish you to reply until I question you again. Consult -the intensity of your passion, and go and consult your mistress. Go to -Châteaubrun, go there every day, every hour in the day; you won't meet -Galuchet there again. Inform Gilberte and her parents of the result of -this conference. Tell them everything. Tell them that I give my consent -to your marriage a year hence on condition that you take now the oath -that I demand. Your mistress must know this just as it is; I insist upon -it; and if you don't tell her, I will take it upon myself to do it; for -I know the way to Châteaubrun now!" -</p> - -<p> -"I understand, father," said Emile, deeply wounded and distressed; "you -wish her to hate me if I abandon her, or to despise me if I obtain her -at the price of my degradation and apostasy. I thank you for the -alternative you offer me, and I admire the inventive genius of your -paternal affection." -</p> - -<p> -"Not another word, Emile," replied Monsieur Cardonnet, coldly. "I see -that the socialistic craze still exists, and that love will have some -difficulty in overcoming it. I trust that Gilberte de Châteaubrun will -perform that miracle, so that you may not have to reproach me for -refusing to consent to your happiness." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap27"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXVII -<br /><br /> -SORROWS AND JOYS OF LOVE</h4> - -<p> -Emile locked himself in his room and passed two hours there, a prey to -the most violent agitation. The thought of possessing Gilberte without a -struggle, without resistance, without the terrible distress of breaking -his father's heart, which he had hitherto anticipated with dismay and -horror, intoxicated him completely. But suddenly the thought of -degrading himself in his own eyes by an unholy oath plunged him into -bitter despair; and between these alternatives of joy and anguish he -could make up his mind to nothing. Should he dare to go and throw -himself at Gilberte's feet and confess everything to her? He could count -upon her courage and grandeur of soul. But should he fulfill the duties -imposed upon him by his love, if, instead of concealing from her the -terrible sacrifice that he might make without a word, he should compel -her to bear half of his remorse and his suffering? Had he not said to -her a hundred times at Crozant, that, for her and to obtain her hand, he -would submit to anything and would recoil at nothing? But he had not -then foreseen that his father's infernal genius would appeal to the very -force of his love to corrupt and ruin his soul, and he found that he had -received an unforeseen blow which had disarmed and bewildered him. -Twenty times he was on the point of returning to Monsieur Cardonnet, to -ask him to give him his word that he would do nothing, that he would -conceal from the family at Châteaubrun the intentions he had revealed -to him, until he himself had made up his mind what to do. But an -invincible pride held him back. After the contempt his father had -manifested for him, by assuming that he was weak enough to apostatize in -that way, should he exhibit his irresolution to him and lay bare the -depths of his heart, rent by passion as it was? -</p> - -<p> -But who would be the most unjustly punished victim, Gilberte or he, in -case honor should carry the day over love? He was blameworthy toward -her, for he had destroyed her repose by a fatal passion and had led her -on to share his illusions. What had poor Gilberte, the sweet, -noble-hearted child, done that she should be snatched from her pure and -tranquil existence, and sacrificed at once to the law of inflexible -duty? Was it not too late to take cognizance of the reef against which -he had steered her? Must he not rather allow himself to be dashed to -pieces upon it to save her, and had his conscience the right to recoil -from the supreme sacrifice, when it was irrevocably pledged to Gilberte? -</p> - -<p> -And then, if Gilberte should refuse to accept so tremendous a sacrifice, -would Emile be any less dishonored in her parents' eyes? Would Monsieur -Antoine, who loved and practised equality by instinct, at the dictates -of his heart, and also as a necessity of his position, understand how -Emile, young as he was, could have made it a religious duty, how an idea -could prevail over a sentiment—a pledged oath? And what would Janille -think of the slightest hesitation on his part, Janille who, in her -humble position, cherished such strange aristocratic prejudices, and -took advantage, in her relations with her masters, of the privileges, -without giving a thought to the universal right, of equality? She would -take him for a miserable fool, or rather she would think that he seized -upon that pretext to break his word, and she would banish him from -Châteaubrun with anger. Who could say that she would not in time work -upon Gilberte's mind so successfully that Gilberte would share her scorn -and indignation? -</p> - -<p> -Feeling that he lacked strength to face so cruel a test, Emile tried to -write to Gilberte. He began and destroyed twenty letters, and at last, -being utterly unable to solve the problem of his situation, he resolved -to go and open his heart to his old friend Monsieur de Boisguilbault, -and ask his advice. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, Monsieur Cardonnet, acting with all the energy and freedom of -his cruel inspiration, wrote Gilberte a letter thus conceived: -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"Mademoiselle, -</p> - -<p> -"You must have found me very troublesome and far from polite yesterday. -I write to ask your pardon and to confess to a little feint for which -you will forgive me, I am sure, when you know my intentions. -</p> - -<p> -"My son loves you, mademoiselle, I know, and I also know that you deign -to reciprocate his sentiments. I am happy and proud that it is so, now -that I know you. Does it not seem natural to you that, before forming a -decision of the utmost importance, I desired to see with my own eyes, -and in a certain measure to test the character of the young woman who -has in her hands my son's heart and the future of my family? -</p> - -<p> -"And so, mademoiselle, I write to-day to apologize at your feet, and to -say to you that one so lovely and amiable as you can dispense with many -things, even with fortune, when it is a question of entering a rich and -honorable family. -</p> - -<p> -"I ask your permission, therefore, to call upon you once more in order -to lay before your father in due form my petition for your hand, in my -son's behalf, as soon as my son shall have fully authorized me to do so. -This last sentence demands an explanation, and that explanation should -properly find a place in this letter. -</p> - -<p> -"I make my consent to my son's happiness dependent upon a single -condition, and that condition tends only to make his happiness more -complete and to assure its continuance indefinitely. I demand that he -abandon those eccentric opinions which would impair our good -understanding and would endanger his fortune and consideration in the -future. I am sure that you are too sensible and too intelligent to -understand the socialistic, levelling doctrines, with the aid of which -my dear Emile and his young friends expect to overturn the world in a -short time; that the stock phrases of the brotherhood of mankind, equal -participation in privileges and enjoyments, and many other technical -terms of the young communistic school are absolutely unintelligible to -you. I fancy that Emile has never bored you to death with his -philosophical declamations, and I find it hard to believe that he could -have obtained the happiness of winning your affection by that nonsense. -I have no doubt that he will consent to abstain from it forever and to -renounce his folly. At that price, provided that he gives me the -promise, freely but solemnly, I will consent with all my heart to ratify -the fortunate choice that he has made of a perfect creature like -yourself. Be kind enough, mademoiselle, to convey to monsieur your -father my deep regret at not seeing him, and to inform him of the -contents of this letter. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray accept the sentiments of esteem and of paternal affection with -which I place my son's cause and my own in your hands." -</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 60%;">"VICTOR CARDONNET."</p> -</blockquote> - -<p> -While a servant in gold lace, mounted on a fine horse, carried this -letter to Châteaubrun, Emile, over-burdened with anxious care, betook -himself on foot to the park of Boisguilbault. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," said the marquis, squeezing his hand hard, "I did not expect you -until next Sunday. I thought that you forgot me yesterday, so this is a -pleasant surprise. I thank you, Emile. The days are very long since you -have been working so faithfully for your father. I can only approve your -submission, although I ask myself with some little alarm if it will not -take you farther along with him and his principles than you think. But -what's the matter, Emile? You are pale, distressed. You haven't had a -fall from your horse, have you?" -</p> - -<p> -"I came on foot; but I have had a worse fall," replied Emile, "and I -believe that I have come to die here. Listen to me, my friend. I have -come to ask you either for the strength to die or the secret of life. An -insane joy and a ghastly sorrow are fighting together in my poor heart, -in my tortured brain. I have had, ever since I knew you, a secret which -I could not, dared not tell you, but which I cannot keep to myself -to-day. I do not know whether you will understand it, whether there is -within you any chord that will sympathize with my suffering; but I know -that you love me, that you are wise and enlightened, and that you adore -justice. It is impossible that you should not give me salutary advice." -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon, the young man confided to the old man his whole story, -abstaining carefully from mentioning any name, place, or incident which -could possibly lead him to suspect that he was referring to Gilberte and -her family. He dreaded the effect of the marquis's personal prejudices, -and, desiring that his judgment should not be influenced in any way, he -so expressed himself as to allow him to think that the object of his -love was an entire stranger in the neighborhood and probably lived at -Poitiers or Paris. His reserve in not mentioning his mistress's name did -not fail to strike Monsieur de Boisguilbault as being in the best of -taste. -</p> - -<p> -When Emile had finished he was greatly surprised not to find his grave -confidant armed with the stoical courage which he had anticipated and -dreaded. The marquis sighed, hung his head, then looked up at the sky: -"The truth is eternal!" he said.—But in another moment he let his -head fall again upon his breast, saying: "And yet I know what love is." -</p> - -<p> -"You do, my friend?" said Emile; "then you understand me and I rely upon -you to save me." -</p> - -<p> -"No, Emile; it is impossible for me to keep you from draining the cup of -bitterness. Whichever course you choose, you must drain it to the dregs, -and the only question is, in which direction honor lies, for, as for -happiness, do not reckon on it, you have lost it forever." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! I feel it already," said Emile, "and I have passed from a day of -bright sunshine and intoxicating bliss into the shadow of death. But the -profound and irreparable calamity that forces itself upon my mind, whatever -sacrifice I may resolve upon, is this—that my heart has become -as ice toward my father, and that, for several hours past, it has seemed -to me that I no longer love him, that I no longer dread to wound him, -that I no longer feel either respect or esteem for him. O my God, -preserve me from this suffering beyond my strength! Hitherto, as you -know, despite all the pain and terror he has caused me, I still -cherished him and I put forth all the strength of my heart to believe in -him. I felt in the very depths of my being that I was still his son and -his friend, and to-day it seems to me that the bond of blood is broken -forever, and that I am struggling against a strange master, who -oppresses me, who weighs on my heart like an enemy, like a ghost! Ah! I -remember a dream I had the first night I passed in this neighborhood. I -dreamed that my father came and sat on me to suffocate me!—It was -horrible; and now that ghastly vision is being realized; my father has -placed his knees, his elbows, his feet on my breast; he is trying to -tear out my conscience or my heart. He is poking about in my entrails to -see what weak spot will give way to him. Oh! it is a devilish invention, -a murderous project, which leads him astray. Is it possible that love of -gold and worship of success can inspire such thoughts in a father's mind -against his child? If you had seen the smile of triumph with which he -displayed the sudden inspiration of his peculiar generosity! he was not -a protector and adviser, but an adversary who has set a trap and seizes -his foe with a fiendish laugh. 'Choose,' he seemed to say, 'and if you -die, what does it matter? I shall have triumphed.'—O my God! it is -horrible, horrible, to condemn and to hate one's father!" -</p> - -<p> -And poor Emile, crushed by grief, laid his face on the grass on which he -was lying and watered it with burning tears. -</p> - -<p> -"Emile," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "you can neither hate your -father nor be false to your mistress. Tell me, do you set much store by -the truth? Can you lie?" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis had touched the right spot. Emile sprang to his feet -impetuously. -</p> - -<p> -"No, monsieur, no," he said, "you know that I cannot lie. And of what -use is falsehood to cowards? What happiness, what repose can it assure -them? If I swear to my father that I have changed my religion, that I -believe in ignorance, error, injustice, folly, that I hate God in man, -and that I despise man in myself, will some monstrous miracle take place -in me? shall I be convinced? shall I find myself suddenly transformed -into a placid and supercilious egotist?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps so, Emile! in evil it is only the first step that costs, and -whoever has deceived other men, reaches the point where he is able to -deceive himself. That has happened often enough to be credible." -</p> - -<p> -"In that case, falsehood to the winds! for I feel that I am a man and I -cannot transform myself into a brute of my own free will. My father, -with all his craft and all his strength, is blind in this. He believes -what he tries to make me believe, and if he should be urged to make my -belief his own he could not do it. No interest, no passion could force -him to do it, and yet he fancies that he would not despise me on the day -that I debased myself so far as to do a dastardly thing of which he -knows that he is himself incapable! Does he feel that he must despise me -and ruin me in order to confirm himself in his inhuman theories?" -</p> - -<p> -"Do not accuse him of such perversity; he is the man of his -epoch—what do I say? he is the man of all epochs. Fanaticism does -not reason, and your father is a fanatic; he still burns and tortures -heretics, believing that he is doing honor to the truth. Is the priest -who comes to us at our last hour and says; 'Believe or you will be -damned!' much wiser or more humane? Does not the powerful man who says -to the poor clerk or the unfortunate artist; 'Serve me and I will make -your fortune,' believe that he is doing him a favor, conferring a -benefit on him?" -</p> - -<p> -"But that is corruption!" cried Emile. -</p> - -<p> -"Very good!" rejoined the marquis; "by what means is the world governed -to-day, pray tell me? Upon what does the social structure rest? One must -needs be very strong, Emile, to protest against it; for when you do, you -must make up your mind to be sacrificed." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! if I were the only victim of my sacrifice," said the young man -sorrowfully; "but <i>she!</i> poor, saint-like creature, must she be -sacrificed too?" -</p> - -<p> -"Tell me, Emile, if she should advise you to lie, would you still love -her?" -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know! I think so! Can I imagine a state of things in which I -should not love her, since I love her now?" -</p> - -<p> -"You really love her, I see. Alas! I too have loved!" -</p> - -<p> -"Tell me, then, if you would have sacrificed honor?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps so, if I had been loved." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! feeble creatures that we are!" cried Emile. "God help me! shall I -not find a counsellor, a guide, a help in my distress? Will no one give -me strength? Strength, O my God! I implore it on my knees; and never -have I prayed with greater faith and ardor: I beseech Thee, give me -strength!" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis went to Emile and pressed him to his heart. Tears were -rolling down his cheeks; but he held his peace and did not help him. -</p> - -<p> -Emile wept a long time on his breast and felt that he loved that man -whom each succeeding test revealed to him as an extremely sensitive -rather than really strong man. He loved him the more for it, but he -grieved that he did not find in him the energetic and powerful adviser -upon whom he had counted in his weakness. He left him at nightfall and -the marquis said nothing more to him than: "Come again to-morrow; I must -know what you decide upon. I shall not sleep until I see you in a calmer -frame of mind." -</p> - -<p> -Emile took the longest road to return to Gargilesse; he made a détour -by means of which he passed within a short distance of Châteaubrun by -shaded paths which hid him from sight, and when he was quite near the -ruins, he stopped, fairly distracted at the thought of what Gilberte -must have suffered since his father's heartless visit, and not daring to -carry her better news lest he should lose all his courage and virtue. -</p> - -<p> -He had been standing there several minutes, unable to come to any -decision, when he heard his name called in an undertone, with an accent -that sent a thrill through him; and looking toward a small clump of oaks -at the right hand side of the road, he saw in the shadow a dress gliding -behind the bushes. He darted in that direction, and when he was far -enough among the trees to be in no danger of being seen, Gilberte turned -and called him again. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, Emile," she said, when he was at her side. "We haven't an instant -to lose. My father is in the field close by. I saw you and recognized -you just as you started down this road, and I left him without saying -anything while he was talking with the mowers. I have a letter to show -you, a letter from Monsieur Cardonnet: but it is too dark for you to -read it, so I will repeat it to you almost word for word. I know it by -heart." -</p> - -<p> -When she had repeated the substance of the letter, she continued: -</p> - -<p> -"Now, tell me what this means? I think that I understand it, but I must -know surely from you." -</p> - -<p> -"O Gilberte!" cried Emile, "I hadn't the courage to come and tell you; -but it was God's will that I should meet you and that my fate should be -decided by you. Tell me, my Gilberte, my first and last love, do you -know why I love you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Apparently," replied Gilberte, abandoning her hand to him, which he -pressed against his lips, "it was because you divined in me a heart -created to assist you." -</p> - -<p> -"Very good; and can you tell me, my only love, my only treasure on this -earth, why your heart gave itself to me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I can tell you, my dear; because you seemed to me, from the very -first day, noble, generous, simple-hearted, humane, in a single word, -good, which to my mind is the noblest quality a man can have." -</p> - -<p> -"But there is a passive goodness which in some sort excludes nobility -and generosity of sentiment, a yielding weakness, which may be a -charming characteristic, but which, under difficult circumstances, -compromises with duty and betrays the interests of mankind generally to -spare itself and one or two others a little suffering?" -</p> - -<p> -"I understand that, but I do not call weakness and fear goodness. To my -mind there is no true goodness without courage, dignity and, above all, -devotion to duty. If I esteem you to the point of saying to you, without -suspicion and without shame, that I love you, Emile, it is because I -know that you are great in heart and mind; it is because you pity the -unfortunate and think only of assisting them, because you despise -nobody, because you suffer when others suffer, because you would gladly -give everything that belongs to you, even your blood, to relieve the -poor and the abandoned. That is what I understood about you as soon as -you talked before me and with me; and that is why I said to myself: This -heart answers mine; these noble thoughts exalt my soul and confirm me in -all that I have thought; I detect in this mind, which impresses me and -charms me, a light which I am compelled to follow and which guides me -toward God himself. That is why, Emile, I felt neither terror nor -remorse in yielding to the inclination to love you. It seemed to me that -I was performing a duty; and I have not changed my opinion after reading -your father's mocking words concerning you." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear Gilberte, you know my heart and my thought; but your adorable -goodness, your divine affection ascribe to me as a great merit -sentiments which seem to me so natural and so forced upon men by the -instinct God has implanted in them, that I should blush not to have -them. And yet these sentiments, which must appear in the same light to -you, since you yourself entertain them with such innocence and -simplicity, are spurned by many people and derided as dangerous errors. -There are some who hate and despise them because they haven't them. -There are others who, by a strange anomaly, have them to a certain -extent, but cannot tolerate the logical deduction from them and their -inevitable consequences. Heaven help me! I fear that I cannot explain -myself clearly." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, I understand you. Janille is good like God himself, and, -through ignorance or prejudice, that perfect friend rejects my ideas of -equality, and tries to convince me that I can love and pity and help the -unfortunate without ceasing to think that they are naturally inferior to -me." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, my noble-hearted Gilberte, my father has the same prejudices as -Janille, from another point of view. While she believes that birth -creates a claim to power, he is persuaded that skill, strength and -energy create a claim to wealth, and that it is the duty of acquired -wealth to go on adding to itself forever, at any cost, and to pursue its -way into the future, never allowing the weak to be happy and free." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, that is horrible!" cried Gilberte, ingenuously. -</p> - -<p> -"It is prejudice, Gilberte, and the terrible power of custom. I cannot -condemn my father; but tell me—when he asks me to swear that I will -espouse his errors, that I will share his passionate ambition and his -arrogant intolerance—ought I to obey him? And if your hand is to be -had only at that price, if I hesitate an instant, if a profound terror -takes possession of me, if I fear that I may become unworthy of you by -denying my belief in the future of mankind, do I not deserve some pity -from you, some encouragement, or some consolation?" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>O mon Dieu</i>!" said Gilberte, clasping her hands, "you do not -understand what is happening to us, Emile! Your father does not wish us -ever to be married, and his conduct is full of cunning and shrewdness. -He knows well enough that you cannot change your heart and brain as one -changes his coat or his horse; and be sure that he would despise you -himself, that he would be in despair if he should obtain what he asks. -No, no, he knows you too well to believe it, Emile, and he has but -little fear of it; but he attains his end all the same. He separates you -from me, he tries to make trouble between us, he puts himself in the -right and you in the wrong. But he will not succeed, Emile; no, I swear -it; your resistance to his demands will increase my affection for you. -Ah! yes, I understand it all; but I am above such a paltry stratagem, -and nothing shall ever part us." -</p> - -<p> -"O my Gilberte, O my blessed angel!" cried Emile, "tell me what I shall -do; I belong to you absolutely. If you bid me, I will bend my neck under -the yoke; I will commit all manner of iniquities, all manner of crimes -for you." -</p> - -<p> -"I hope not," rejoined Gilberte, mildly yet proudly, "for I should no -longer love you if you ceased to be yourself, and I will have no husband -whom I cannot respect. Tell your father, Emile, that I will never give -you my hand on such conditions, and that, notwithstanding all the -contempt he may entertain for me in the bottom of his heart, I will wait -until he has opened his eyes to justice and his heart to a more -honorable feeling for us two. I will not be the reward of an act of -treachery." -</p> - -<p> -"O noble girl!" cried Emile, throwing himself at her knees and ardently -embracing them, "I adore you as my God and bless you as my providence! -But I have not your courage. What is going to become of us?" -</p> - -<p> -"Alas!" said Gilberte, "we must cease to meet for some time. We must do -it; my father and Janille were present when your father's letter -arrived. My poor father was dumb with joy, and understood nothing of the -conditions at the end. He has expected you all day, and he will continue -to expect you every day until I tell him that you are not coming, and -then, I trust, that I shall be able to justify your conduct and your -absence. But Janille will not excuse you for long; she is already -beginning to be surprised and disturbed and irritated because your -father seems to await your sanction to come and make a formal request -for my hand. If you should tell her now what I insist upon your doing, -she would curse you and banish you from my presence forever." -</p> - -<p> -"O my God!" cried Emile, "to see you no more! No, that is impossible!" -</p> - -<p> -"Why, my dear, what change will there be in our relations? Will you -cease to love me because you do not see me for a few weeks, a few -months, perhaps? Are we proposing to bid each other adieu forever? Do -you no longer believe in me? Did we not anticipate obstacles, suffering, -a period of separation?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no," said Emile, "I anticipated nothing. I could not believe that -this would happen! I cannot believe it yet!" -</p> - -<p> -"O my dear Emile! do not be weak when I need all my strength. You have -sworn to overcome your father's opposition, and you will do it. Here is -one of his most tremendous efforts which we have defeated already. He -was very sure beforehand that you would not accept dishonor, and he -thinks that you will be discouraged so easily! He doesn't know you. You -will persist in loving me, and in telling him so, and in proving it to -him every day. Come, the hardest part of it is over, since he knows all, -and, instead of being indignant and grieved, he accepts the battle with -a smile, like a game of cards in which he believes himself the more -skilful. So have courage; I will have plenty of it. Do not forget that -our union is the work of several years of perseverance and faithful -toil. Adieu, Emile, I hear my father's voice coming nearer and I must -fly. Stay here, and do not go on until we are well out of the way." -</p> - -<p> -"To see you no more!" murmured Emile; "to hear your voice no more, and -still have courage?" -</p> - -<p> -"If you lack courage, Emile, it will be because you do not love me as -much as I love you, and because our union does not promise happiness -enough to induce you to fight hard and long." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I will have courage!" cried Emile, conquered by the noble-hearted -girl's energy. "I will force myself to suffer and to wait. You will see, -Gilberte, whether the happiness the future promises does not enable me -to endure everything in the present. But can we not meet sometimes, by -chance, as we met to-day, for instance?" -</p> - -<p> -"Who knows," said Gilberte. "Let us rely on Providence." -</p> - -<p> -"But one can sometimes assist Providence. Can we not invent some means -of communication, of sending word to each other?—by writing, for -instance?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, but then we must deceive those whom we love!" -</p> - -<p> -"O Gilberte! what can we do?" -</p> - -<p> -"I will think about it; let me go." -</p> - -<p> -"Go without promising me anything at all?" -</p> - -<p> -"You have my pledge and my heart; are they nothing to you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Go, then!" said Emile, making a violent effort to unclasp his arms, -which obstinately detained Gilberte's slender form. "I am happy, -Gilberte, even as I let you go! See if I love you, if I believe in you -and in myself!" -</p> - -<p> -"Believe in God," said Gilberte, "He will protect us." -</p> - -<p> -And she disappeared among the trees. -</p> - -<p> -Emile remained a long while on the spot she had just left. He kissed the -grass that her feet had barely touched and the tree she had grazed with -her dress, and after lying a long while in that thicket, the silent -witness of his last joy, he tore himself away with difficulty. Gilberte -ran after her father, who had started to return to the ruins and was -walking fast in front of her. Suddenly he turned and retraced his steps. -"Ah! my dear child, I was coming back to look for you," he said -innocently. -</p> - -<p> -"That is to say, father, you had forgotten me," replied Gilberte, -forcing herself to smile. -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, don't say that; Janille would call it absent-mindedness! I was -thinking of you all the time. That letter from Monsieur Cardonnet is -running in my brain. Perhaps Emile is waiting for us at the house—who -knows? Probably he couldn't have come sooner; his father must have -detained him. Let us hurry back; I'll wager that he's there." And the -goodman confidently quickened his pace. -</p> - -<p> -Janille was in a savage humor. She could not understand Emile's -moderation, and was beginning to be seriously disturbed. Gilberte tried -to divert her thoughts, and during supper was calm and almost cheerful. -But she was no sooner alone in her room than she fell on her knees and -buried her face in the bed, to stifle the sobs which shook her frame. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap28"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXVIII -<br /><br /> -CONSOLATION</h4> - -<p> -Gilberte was resigned, albeit in despair. Emile was perhaps less -desperate, because in the bottom of his heart he was not yet resigned. -Every moment his uncertainty returned, and the greater and more worthy -of his love Gilberte appeared to him in the light of their conversation, -the more intensely did that love make its invincible power felt. As he -was entering the village, he turned abruptly and retraced his steps, -trying to fancy that he was going to Châteaubrun; and when he had -walked a few minutes, he sat down on a rock, covered his face with his -hands, and felt weaker, more in love, more human than ever. -</p> - -<p> -"If Monsieur de Boisguilbault had seen her and heard her," he said to -himself, "he would understand that I cannot hesitate between her and -myself, and that I must have her, even at the price of a falsehood! O my -God! my God! inspire me. It was Thou who didst plant this love in my -heart, and, having given me the strength to conceive it, Thou wouldst -not give me the strength to crush it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Monsieur Emile, what are you doing here?" queried Jean Jappeloup, -whose approach he had not observed, and who had seated himself by his -side. "I was looking for you, for I had fallen into the habit of talking -with you in the evening, and when I don't see you after my day's work, I -miss you. What is the trouble? Have you got a headache, that you hold -your head in your hands as if you were afraid of losing it?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is too late, my friend," replied Emile; "my head is lost forever." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, are you so very much in love? Tell us when the wedding is to be." -</p> - -<p> -"Soon, Jean, whenever we choose!" cried Emile, wild at the thought. "My -father consents, and I am going to marry her. Yes, I am going to marry -her, do you hear? for if I don't, I shall die. Tell me, mustn't I marry -her?" -</p> - -<p> -"The devil! I should think so! How can you hesitate a minute? I would -never be the one to justify you, if you should throw her over; and upon -my word, my boy, I believe I would force you to marry her even if I had -to fight you." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, it's my duty, isn't it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Damnation! one would say that you doubt it. You have a sort of daft way -of saying that." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I am daft, it is true; but no matter. I know my duty now, and you -confirm me in my best resolution. Let us go to Châteaubrun together!" -</p> - -<p> -"Are you going there? All right; but let's walk fast, for it is late. -You can tell me on the way how your father, whom I believed to be a -madman, suddenly made up his mind to be sensible." -</p> - -<p> -"My father is mad, in very truth," said Emile, taking the carpenter's -arm and walking excitedly beside him; "altogether mad! for he gives his -consent on condition that I tell him a lie which he will not believe. -But it is a triumph to him, a genuine delight, to induce me to lie!" -</p> - -<p> -"Look here," said Jappeloup, "you've not been drinking? No, you never -drink too much! and yet you are crazy. They say that love makes one as -drunk as wine; it must be true, for you say things without rhyme or -reason." -</p> - -<p> -"My father, who is mad," continued Emile, beside himself with -excitement, "wants to make me mad too, and he is succeeding finely, as -you see! He wants me to tell him that two and two make five, and to take -my oath to it before him. I consent, you see! What harm does it do to -flatter his mania, so long as I marry Gilberte?" -</p> - -<p> -"I don't like all this business, Emile," said the carpenter. "I don't -understand it, and it annoys me. If you are mad, I don't propose that -Gilberte shall marry you. Let us stop here and try to collect our wits a -little. I have no desire to take you to Châteaubrun, if you are going -to ramble in this way, my son." -</p> - -<p> -"Jean, I feel very ill," said Emile, sitting down again; "I am dizzy. -Try to understand me, to calm me, to help me to understand myself. You -know that I don't think as my father does. Well, my father insists that -I shall think as he does; that's the whole story! That is impossible; -but so long as I say the same things that he does, what difference does -it make?" -</p> - -<p> -"Say what? deuce take it!" cried Jean, who had, as we know, very little -patience. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! a thousand foolish things," replied Emile, who felt an icy chill, -alternating at intervals with a burning flush. "For instance, that it is -exceedingly fortunate for the poor that there are rich men." -</p> - -<p> -"That is false!" said Jean, with a shrug. -</p> - -<p> -"That the more rich and poor there are, the better the world will get -on." -</p> - -<p> -"I deny it." -</p> - -<p> -"That the battle between the rich and poor is ordained by God, and that -the rich should go forth to it with the keenest joy." -</p> - -<p> -"On the contrary, God forbids it!" -</p> - -<p> -"Lastly, that men of intellect are happier than the poor in intellect, -because such is the order of Providence." -</p> - -<p> -"Ten thousand devils, he lies!" cried Jean, smiting the rock with his -stick. "Don't repeat any more of that drivel, for I can't listen to it. -The Good Lord himself has said just the opposite of it all, and he came -to the earth, disguised as a carpenter, for nothing else than to prove -it." -</p> - -<p> -"Much God and the Gospel have to do with it!" rejoined Emile. "This is a -question of Gilberte and me. I shall never persuade my father that he is -wrong. I must say what he does, Jean, and then I shall be free to marry -Gilberte. He will go himself to-morrow and ask her father to give her to -me." -</p> - -<p> -"Really! Why he must be mad indeed to believe that you will echo his -nonsense in good faith! Ah! yes, I see that his brain is really awry, -Emile, and that is what makes you feel so badly; for I see, also, that -you are sad to the bottom of your heart, my poor boy." -</p> - -<p> -Emile shed tears, which relieved him, and, recovering his -self-possession, he explained more clearly to the carpenter what had -taken place between his father and himself. -</p> - -<p> -Jean listened with his eyes on the ground; then, after reflecting for a -long time, he took the young man's hand, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"Emile, you mustn't tell these lies; they are unworthy of a man. I see -that your father is more crafty than crazy, and that he won't be -satisfied with two or three vague words, such as we sometimes say to -soothe a man who has drunk too much and whom we treat like a child. Your -father, when you have lied to him, or made promises that you can't keep, -won't let you breathe, and if you try to become a man again he will say: -'Remember, that you're nobody now?' He is proud and hard; I know it -well. He won't give you one day a week to think in your own way, and, -more than that, he will make your wife unhappy. I can see it all: he -will make you blush before her, and he will play his cards so well that -she will finally blush for you. To the devil with all lies and words you -don't mean! None of that, Emile; I forbid it." -</p> - -<p> -"But Gilberte?" -</p> - -<p> -"Gilberte will say as I do, and so will Antoine and Janille. <i>Ma mie</i> -Janille can say what she pleases. For my part, I don't propose that you -shall lie. There's no Gilberte who could make me lie." -</p> - -<p> -"Then I must give her up—not see her any more?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is a misfortune," said Jean, firmly; "but when misfortune is upon -us, we must bear it. Go and see Monsieur de Boisguilbault; he will say -the same as I do, for, according to all you have told me of him, he is a -man who takes a just view of things and whose ideas are good." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Jean, I have seen Monsieur de Boisguilbault, and he realizes that -the sacrifice is beyond my strength." -</p> - -<p> -"Does he know that you love Gilberte? Oho! did you tell him?" -</p> - -<p> -"He knows that I am in love, but I didn't mention her name." -</p> - -<p> -"And he advised you to lie?" -</p> - -<p> -"He gave me no advice at all." -</p> - -<p> -"For heaven's sake, has he lost his wits too? Come, Emile, you will -listen to me because I am right. I am neither rich nor learned; I don't -know whether that deprives me of the right to eat my fill and sleep in a -bed, but I know well that God never said to me when I prayed to him: -'Get you gone!' and that, when I have asked him what is true or false, -bad or good, he has always told me, without answering: 'Go to school.' -Just reflect a little. There are many of us poor people on earth, and a -small lot of rich men; for, if everybody had a large slice, the earth -would be too small. We are a good deal in the way of one another, and we -can't love one another, try as we will. That is proved by our having to -have police and prisons to keep us on good terms. How could it be -otherwise? I have no idea. You say some very pretty things on that -subject, and when you're on it I could pass days and nights listening to -you, it pleases me so to see how you arrange it all in your head. That -is what makes me love you; but I have never said, my boy, that I had any -hope of seeing it come true. It seems to me to be a long way off, if it -is possible at all, and I, who am accustomed to hard work, ask the good -Lord for nothing more than to leave us as we are, and not allow the rich -and great to make our lot any worse. I know that if everybody was like -you and me and Antoine and Gilberte we should all eat the same soup at -the same table; but I also see that most other people wouldn't care to -hear of such an arrangement, and that it would take too much time and -talk to bring them to it. I am proud myself, and I can get along very -well without people who look down on me; that's my wisdom. I bother my -head very little about politics; I don't understand it; but I don't want -to be eaten, and I detest the people who say: 'Let us devour -everything.' Your father is one of those devourers, and if you were like -him I would split your head open with my axe rather than let you think -of Gilberte. God chose that you should be a good man, and that the truth -should seem to you worth sticking to. Stick to it, therefore, for it is -the only thing the wicked cannot take from this earth. Let your father -say: 'It's this way; it suits me so, and I choose to have it so!' Let -him talk; he is powerful because he is rich, and neither you nor I can -hold him back. But if he is obstinate and angry enough to try to make -you say that it is so, and that God is satisfied to have it so—stop -there! It is contrary to religion to say that God loves evil, and we are -Christians, I believe. Have you been baptized? So have I; and I deny -Satan. At all events my sponsors renounced him for me, and I have -renounced him for others when I have been a sponsor. For that reason we -must take no false oaths, nor blaspheme, nor say that all men are not -equal when they come into the world and do not all deserve happiness, -for that is equivalent to saying that some are condemned to hell before -they are born. I am done, Emile. You won't lie, and you will make your -father abandon that cunning condition!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! my friend, if I could see Gilberte once a week! If I were not -dishonored in her father's eyes and banished from his house, I should -not lose hope or courage." -</p> - -<p> -"Dishonored in Antoine's eyes? Pray tell me, what do you take him for? -Do you think he would have a renegade and backslider for a son-in-law?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, if he only looked at things as you do, Jean! but he will not -understand my conduct." -</p> - -<p> -"Antoine didn't invent gunpowder, I agree. He has never been able to get -the square of the hypotenuse into his head, whereas I learned it in a -few minutes, simply by watching a schoolmate do it. But you consider him -much simpler than he is. In the matter of honor and worthy sentiments, -that old fellow knows all that any one ought to know. Pray, do you think -that a man must be very sly and very learned to understand that two and -two make four and not five? For my part, I say that, to know that, one -needn't have read a roomful of big books like old Boisguilbault, and -that every unhappy man on this earth knows very well that his lot is -unjust when he has not deserved it. Very good! hasn't friend Antoine -suffered and endured, I should like to know? Did not the rich turn their -backs on him when he became poor? Is there any one who can say that they -were justified in treating him so—a man who never had a crust of -bread that he didn't give three-quarters and sometimes the whole of it to -others! And if you were not a sensible man, would you ever have been -attracted to him? Would you be in love with his daughter to the point of -wanting to marry her, if you had your father's ideas? No, you wouldn't -have looked at her, or else you'd have seduced her; but you would -reflect that she has no dowry, and you would abandon her like a villain. -Courage, Emile, my boy! Honest men will always esteem you, and I will -answer for Antoine; I will take charge of him. If Janille cries out, I -will cry out too, and we will see whether she or I has the loudest voice -and the best-oiled tongue. As for Gilberte, be sure that she will have a -kindly feeling for you all her life, and that she will think well of you -for your straightforwardness. She will never love any other man, I -promise you! I know her; she's a girl who has only one word. But the -time will come when your father will change his tune. That will be when -he is unhappy in his turn, and I have already prophesied that time would -come." -</p> - -<p> -"He doesn't believe it." -</p> - -<p> -"Have you told him what I think about his factory?" -</p> - -<p> -"I was bound to." -</p> - -<p> -"You did wrong, but it's done now, and what must be will be. Come, -Emile, let us go back to the village and to bed, for I see that you are -shivering and I feel that you are feverish. Come, my boy, don't let your -blood boil like this, and rely a little on the good Lord! I will go to -Châteaubrun to-morrow morning; I will say what I have to say, and they -will have to listen to me. I will answer for it that you won't have any -falling out with them, at all events, for doing your duty." -</p> - -<p> -"Good Jean! you do me a deal of good! you give me strength, and I feel -better since you have been talking to me." -</p> - -<p> -"Because I go straight to the point, you see, and don't embarrass myself -with useless things." -</p> - -<p> -"And you will go to Châteaubrun to-morrow? to-morrow? although it's a -working day?" -</p> - -<p> -"To-morrow, to be sure; as I work for nothing, I can begin my day at any -time I please. Whom do you suppose I am going to work for to-morrow? -Let's see you guess, Emile; there's something to divert your thoughts." -</p> - -<p> -"I can't guess. For Monsieur Antoine?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, Antoine hasn't much work to be done, poor fellow, and he can do it -alone; but he has a neighbor who has plenty of it, and who doesn't -haggle over the time of his workmen." -</p> - -<p> -"Who is it? Has Monsieur de Boisguilbault become reconciled to your -features?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not so far as I know; but he never forbade his farmers giving me work. -He is not the man to try to injure me, and almost nobody outside of his -house knows that he has a grudge against me, if indeed he has; the devil -only knows what's at the bottom of it all! However, as I say, I work for -him without his knowing anything about it; for you know that he inspects -his property once a year at the most. It's a little far from our -village; but, thanks to your father, workmen are so rare that they sent -for me; and I didn't wait to be asked twice, although I had some urgent -work elsewhere. It's a pleasure to me to work for that old fellow! But, -as you can imagine, I will never take any pay. I owe him enough, after -what he has done for me." -</p> - -<p> -"He won't allow you to work for him for nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"He must allow it, for he will know nothing of it. Does he know what is -done on his farms? He settles his account at the end of the year, and -pays little heed to details." -</p> - -<p> -"But suppose the farmers charge him for the days you work, as if they -had paid you?" -</p> - -<p> -"To do that they must be rascals, and on the contrary they are honest -men. You see, a man is what other men make him. Old Boisguilbault is -never robbed, although nothing in the world would be easier; but as he -neither worries nor pushes any one, no one has any occasion to deceive -him or to take any more than belongs to him. He isn't like your father. -He reckons and disputes and watches every one closely, and consequently -his people steal from him, and always will: that's the kind of business -he will do all his life." -</p> - -<p> -Jean succeeded in diverting Emile's thoughts, and almost in consoling -him. That upright, bold, decided character had an excellent influence -over him, and he went to bed with a more tranquil mind, after receiving -his promise that he would let him know on the following evening how -Gilberte's people felt toward him. Jean was confident of his ability to -open their eyes concerning his conduct and Monsieur Cardonnet's. Sorrow -makes us weak and trustful, and when our courage fails us, we can find -nothing better to do than place our fate in the hands of an energetic -and resolute person. If he does not solve the embarrassing problems of -our position so easily as he flatters himself that he can do, at all -events the contact with him strengthens and revivifies us; his -confidence insensibly passes into us and makes us capable of assisting -ourselves. -</p> - -<p> -"This peasant, whom my father despises," thought Emile as he fell -asleep, "this poor, ignorant, simple-hearted man has done me more good -than Monsieur de Boisguilbault did; and when I asked God for an adviser, -a support, a savior, He sent the poorest and humblest of His servants to -mark out my duty in two words. Oh! what force the truth has in the -mouths of those men whose instincts are upright and pure! and how -profitless is all our knowledge compared with that of the heart! Father! -father! more than ever I feel that you are blinded, and the lesson I -have received from this peasant condemns you more than all the rest." -</p> - -<p> -Although mentally more tranquil, Emile had a sharp attack of fever in -the night. Amid the violent upheavals of the mind, we forget to care for -and preserve the body. We allow ourselves to be exhausted by hunger, -surprised by cold and dampness, when we are reeking with perspiration or -burning with fever. We do not feel the approach of physical disease, and -when it has fastened itself upon us, there is a sort of relief from the -change from mental suffering. At such times we flatter ourselves that we -cannot be unhappy long without dying of it, and there is some comfort in -believing oneself too weak to endure never-ending sorrow. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault expected his young friend all the following -day, and he became exceedingly anxious at night, when he did not appear. -The marquis had become deeply attached to Emile. While he did not -express himself nearly so strongly as he felt, he could no longer do -without his society. He was immensely grateful to the noble-hearted boy -whom his cold and melancholy nature had never repelled, and who, after -obstinately persisting in reading his heart, had religiously kept the -promise he had made of being a devoted son to him. This dismal old man, -who was reputed to be such a terrible bore, and who, through -discouragement, exaggerated in his own mind his involuntary faults, had -found a friend when he made up his mind that there was nothing left for -him to do but to die alone and unregretted. Emile had almost reconciled -him to life, and sometimes he abandoned himself to a sweet illusion of -paternity, when he saw that young man make himself at home in his house, -share his dismal amusements, arrange his library, turn the leaves of his -books, ride his horses, and sometimes even attend to matters of business -for him, in order to relieve him of a particularly tedious duty; in -short, take his ease under his roof and in his company, as if nature and -the habit of a whole lifetime had neutralized the difference in their -ages and their tastes. -</p> - -<p> -The old man had continued for a long time to have occasional fits of -distrust, and he had tried to make Emile fit in with his curious -misanthropic theories, but he had not succeeded. After he had passed -three days trying to persuade himself that idleness or curiosity had -brought him this new guest, with the thirst for serious conversation and -philosophical discussion, when he saw that amiable face, expansive and -ingenuous in its fearless expression, appear in his solitude, he felt -that hope appeared with it, and he surprised himself in the very act of -loving, at the risk of being more unhappy than ever when doubt returned. -In a word, after passing his whole life, especially the last twenty -years, in guarding against emotions which he deemed himself incapable of -sharing, he fell under their dominion, and could not endure the thought -of being deprived of them. -</p> - -<p> -He wandered, in feverish agitation, through all the avenues of his park, -waited at all the gates, sighing with every step, starting at the -slightest sound, and at last, depressed beyond measure by that silence -and that solitude, heart-broken at the thought that Emile was contending -with a sorrow which he could not lighten, he went out into the road and -turned in the direction of Gargilesse, still hoping to see a black horse -coming toward him. -</p> - -<p> -It very rarely happened that Monsieur de Boisguilbault ventured to make -such a rash sortie from the park, and he could not make up his mind to -follow the beaten roads lest he should fall in with some face with which -he was not familiar. So he walked as the crow flies, through the fields, -without, however, losing sight of the road on which Emile was likely to -be. He walked slowly, at a pace which might have been characterized as -uncertain, but which the prudence and circumspection which marked his -most trivial movements made firmer than it appeared. -</p> - -<p> -As he approached an arm of the stream which, after leaving his park, -followed a winding course through the valley, he heard an axe, and the -sound of several voices attracted his attention. It was his custom -always to turn away from any sound which indicated the presence of man, -and to make a détour to avoid meeting anybody, but he had something on -his mind which led him at this time to adopt the contrary course. He had -a passion for trees, if we may so express it, and did not allow his -tenants to cut any down unless they were entirely dead. Therefore, the -sound of an axe made him prick up his ears, and he could not resist the -desire to go and see with his own eyes if his orders were disobeyed. -</p> - -<p> -So he walked resolutely into the field where the men were at work, and -saw, with a feeling of childlike grief, some thirty or more superb -trees, all covered with foliage, lying at full length on the ground, and -already partly cut up. A farmer, assisted by his men, was at work -loading several huge logs on an ox-cart. The axe which was being plied -so energetically, awaking all the echoes of the valley, was in the -diligent hands of Jean Jappeloup! -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault had not exaggerated when he previously told -Emile, in glacial tones, that he was very irascible. That was another of -the anomalous features of his character. At sight of the carpenter, -whose face, or whose name even, always affected him painfully, he turned -pale; then, as he saw him cutting in pieces his fine trees, still young -and perfectly sound, he trembled with anger, flushed scarlet, stammered -some incoherent words, and rushed at him with an impetuosity of which no -one would have deemed him capable who had seen him a moment before, -walking with measured steps, leaning on his stout cane, with its -well-turned head. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap29"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXIX -<br /><br /> -AN ADVENTURE</h4> - -<p> -The felling which offended Monsieur de Boisguilbault so deeply had been -done on the bank of the little stream, and the slender poplars, the old -willows and the majestic elms, falling in confusion, had formed a sort -of bridge of verdure over that narrow current. While the oxen were -dragging some of the trees with ropes to the carts that were to haul -them away, the sturdy carpenter, running about on the trunks that -blocked the stream, busied himself cutting away the tangled branches -whose resistance neutralized the efforts of the cattle. Intent upon his -task and zealous in the work of destruction of which his trade reaps the -benefit, he exerted his skill and daring with a sort of frenzy. The -river was deep and swift at that point, and Jean's post was so dangerous -that no one else dared to share it with him. Running with a young man's -lightness of foot and self-possession to the flexible extremities of the -trees that lay across the stream, he turned sometimes to cut the very -branch on which he was balancing himself, and, when a loud cracking told -him that his support was on the point of giving way under his feet, he -would jump nimbly to a branch near by, electrified by the danger and the -amazement of his comrades. His gleaming axe whirled in lightning flashes -around his head, and his resonant voice stimulated the other workmen, -surprised to find how simple was a task which the intelligence and -energy of a single man directed, simplified and performed as by a -miracle. -</p> - -<p> -If Monsieur de Boisguilbault had not been excited, he would have admired -with the rest, aye, and would have felt a certain respect for the man -who imported the power of genius into the accomplishment of that -commonplace task. But the sight of a noble tree, full of sap and life, -cut down by the axe in the midst of its development, angered him and -tore his heart, as if he had witnessed a murder, and when that tree -belonged to him, he defended it as if it were a member of his family. -</p> - -<p> -"What are you doing there, you stupid fools!" he cried, brandishing his -cane, and in a high tone which anger made as shrill and ear-piercing as -the note of a fife. "And you, villain!" he shouted to Jean Jappeloup, -"have you taken an oath to wound me and outrage my feelings all the -time?" -</p> - -<p> -The peasant has a dull ear, especially the Berri peasant. The -ox-drivers, excited by their unaccustomed interest in their work, did -not hear the master's voice, especially as the straining of the ropes, -the groaning of the yokes and the carpenter's powerful shouts, rising -above everything, drowned those shrill tones. The weather was -threatening, the horizon was a mass of dark purple clouds which were -rapidly overspreading the sky. Jean, dripping with perspiration, had -kept everybody at work, swearing that the job must be finished before -the rain, which would swell the stream and might carry away the trees -they had felled. A sort of frenzy had taken possession of him, and -despite the true piety which reigned in his heart, he swore like a -heathen, as if he thought that he could in that way increase his -strength tenfold. The blood hummed in his ears; exclamations of -excitement and satisfaction escaped him at every exploit of his muscular -arm, and mingled with the rumbling of the thunder. Violent gusts of wind -enveloped him in leaves and kept his coarse silvery locks flying about -his forehead. With his pale face, his flashing eyes, his leathern apron, -his tall thin figure, his bare arms brandishing the axe, he had the -aspect of a Cyclops, on the sides of Mount Ætna, gathering wood to keep -alight the fire of his infernal forge. -</p> - -<p> -While the marquis exhausted his strength in unavailing cries, the -carpenter, having cleared away the last obstacle, darted back to the -round trunk of a young maple, with an address that would have done -credit to a professional acrobat, leaped to the bank, and, seizing the -draught-rope, was reinforcing the tired oxen with his exuberant muscular -strength, when he felt upon his loins, covered with a coarse shirt only, -the sting of Monsieur de Boisguilbault's flexible bamboo. -</p> - -<p> -The carpenter thought that a branch had swung back against him, as often -happened in such battles with verdure-clad boughs. He uttered a terrible -oath, turned quickly and cut the marquis's cane in two with his axe, -exclaiming: -</p> - -<p> -"I guess that won't strike another man!" -</p> - -<p> -He had no sooner pronounced this apostrophe of extermination, than his -eyes, veiled by the excitement of toil, suddenly shone clear, and, by -the glare of a vivid flash of lightning, he saw his benefactor standing -before him, pale as a ghost. The marquis still held in his hand, which -trembled with rage, the stump of his cane and its gold head. The stump -was so short that it was plain that Jean had narrowly missed striking -off the hand that was rashly raised against him. -</p> - -<p> -"By the five hundred thousand names of the devil, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault!" he cried, throwing away his axe; "if this is your ghost -come here to torment me, I will have a mass said for you; but if it's -yourself, in flesh and blood, speak to me, for I am not patient with -people from the other world." -</p> - -<p> -"What are you doing here? why are you cutting down my trees, you stupid -beast?" replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault, in no wise tranquillized by -the danger which he had escaped as by a miracle. -</p> - -<p> -"Excuse me," retorted Jean, in utter amazement, "you don't seem pleased! -So it was you who struck me, was it? You're no baby when you are angry, -and you don't warn a fellow. Look you, don't do it again, for if you -hadn't done me such a great service I would have cut you in two like a -reed before this." -</p> - -<p> -"Master, master, pardon!" said the farmer, who had hurriedly left his -cattle to place himself between the carpenter and the marquis; "I was -the one who asked Jean to cut down our trees. No one understands it like -him and he does ten men's work all by himself. See if he's wasted his -time! Since noon he has cut down these thirty trees, chopped 'em up as -you see, and helped us haul 'em out of the water. Don't be angry with -him, master! He's a fine workman, and he wouldn't work so well for his -own benefit." -</p> - -<p> -"But why does he cut down my trees? who gave him leave to cut them -down?" -</p> - -<p> -"They are trees that the freshet uprooted, master, and they were -beginning to turn yellow; one more freshet and the water would have -carried them off. See if I am wrong!" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis thereupon calmed down sufficiently to look about him and to -see that the June freshet had partially uprooted the trees. The -disturbed condition of the ground and the exposed roots attested the -truth of what the farmer said. But, unwilling as yet to believe the -testimony of his eyes, he said: -</p> - -<p> -"Why didn't you await my orders to take them away? haven't I forbidden -you a hundred times to put the axe to a single tree without consulting -me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why, master, don't you remember my coming to tell you of this damage -the very day after the freshet? and you said: 'In that case you must -take 'em away and set out more'? This is the best time to set 'em out -and I was hurrying up to make room, especially as these trees are fine -to make long ladders, and I wouldn't have liked to have you lose 'em. If -you'll just walk as far as our farmyard, you'll see a dozen of 'em under -the shed, and to-morrow we will take the rest there." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well," replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault, ashamed of his -precipitation, "I remember now that I gave you leave to do it. I had -forgotten. I ought to have come sooner and looked at it." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Dame!</i> you go out so little, master!" said the honest peasant. "The -other day I met Monsieur Emile, as he was going to see you, and I -pointed out the damage to him and asked him to remind you of it. Did he -forget?" -</p> - -<p> -"Apparently," replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "but no matter; you had -better go home, for it is dark and the storm is coming." -</p> - -<p> -"But you'll get wet, master; you must come to the house and wait till -the rain's over." -</p> - -<p> -"No," said the marquis, "it may last a long while, and I am not so far -from home that I can't return in time." -</p> - -<p> -"You won't have time, master; here it is beginning now, and it's going -to rain hard!" -</p> - -<p> -"All right, all right, I thank you, I will take care of myself," said -the marquis. And he turned his back and walked away, while his farmers -and their cattle started for the farm. -</p> - -<p> -"This won't do an old man like him any good!" said the farmer to his -son, looking after the marquis, who walked more slowly than ever, not -having the support of his cane. -</p> - -<p> -"If he had been willing to wait," replied the young peasant, "we might -have gone and got his carriage.—Come, Gaillard! Chauvet!" he shouted -to his oxen, "courage, my boys. Gee! steady, boy." -</p> - -<p> -And the father and the son, thinking no more of aught save guiding their -horned team across the wet fields, disappeared behind the bushes, -followed by all their people, without further anxiety concerning the old -master. Such is the peasant's natural heedlessness. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault had reached the end of the field across which -he had come and was just about to pass through the hedge, when he turned -and saw Jean Jappeloup, who was sitting on a stump among the felled -trees, like a conqueror meditating sorrowfully on the battlefield. All -of the powerful workman's gayety and ardor had suddenly vanished; he sat -perfectly still, indifferent to the rain which was beginning to mingle -with the sweat of toil on his brow, and he seemed absorbed in profound -melancholy. -</p> - -<p> -"It is my destiny to insult that man, and not to meet him without -suffering on both sides," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault to himself. And -he hesitated a long while between an ingenuous repentance and a violent -feeling of repugnance. -</p> - -<p> -He decided to motion to him to join him, but Jean did not seem to see -the motion, although there was still a little daylight. Then he called -him in a voice of which the pitch was no longer raised by anger, but -Jean did not seem to hear him. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault to himself, "you are to blame; -you must punish yourself."—And he walked straight to the carpenter. -</p> - -<p> -"Why do you stay here?" he said, touching him on the shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -Jean started, and said in a sharp, irritated tone, as if awakened from a -dream: -</p> - -<p> -"What! what do you want of me, I pray you? Have you come back to strike -me again? See, here's the rest of your cane! I intended to bring it to -you to-morrow to remind you of what happened to you this evening." -</p> - -<p> -"I was wrong," faltered Monsieur de Boisguilbault. -</p> - -<p> -"It's very easy to say 'I was wrong,'" retorted the carpenter; "and with -that, when you are old and rich and a marquis, you think that you have -made everything right." -</p> - -<p> -"What reparation do you demand of me?" -</p> - -<p> -"You know very well that I can demand nothing of you. I could break you -in two with a mere tap, and, besides that, I am your debtor. But I shall -bear you a grudge all my life for making gratitude a humiliating and -heavy burden for me to bear. I wouldn't have believed that could ever -happen to me, for my heart is no more ungrateful than any other man's, -and I submitted to the vexation of being unable to thank you. But, mind -you, I had rather go to prison or resume my vagabond life, than put up -with blows. Go away and leave me in peace. I was arguing myself into a -calmer state of mind, and you come and make me angry again. I have to -keep telling myself that you are a little mad to avoid saying something -worse to you." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Jean, it is true, I am a little mad," rejoined the marquis sadly, -"and this isn't the first time that I have lost control of my reason -about a trifle. That is why I live alone, why I never go out, and show -myself as little as possible. Am I not punished enough?" -</p> - -<p> -Jean made no reply; that distressing confession caused his anger to give -place to compassion. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, tell me what I can do to repair the injury I did you," continued -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, in a trembling voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Nothing," said the carpenter, "I forgive you." -</p> - -<p> -"I thank you, Jean. Will you come and work at my house?" -</p> - -<p> -"What's the use, as I am working for you here? My face disturbs you, and -it depended entirely on yourself to avoid seeing it. I didn't seek you -out. And then, you would want to pay me for my work, and when I work for -your farmers you can't compel me to take their money." -</p> - -<p> -"But your work is of benefit to me, since its results add to the value -of my property. Jean, I cannot agree to that." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! you can't agree to it? I don't care whether you can or not! you -can't prevent me from paying my debt to you in that way; and since you -have beaten me and insulted me, I will pay it, <i>mordieu</i>! just to make -you furious. That humiliates you, doesn't it? Very good, that is my -revenge." -</p> - -<p> -"Take your revenge some other way." -</p> - -<p> -"How then, pray? Shall I strike you? That wouldn't make us square; I -should still be your debtor, and I prefer not to owe you anything." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, pay your debt, if you choose, as you are so proud and -obstinate," said the marquis, losing patience. "You are blind and cruel, -as you don't see how I suffer. You would be sufficiently revenged if you -understood; but you desire a brutal, cruel revenge. You insist upon -reducing yourself to destitution and upon wearing yourself out with -fatigue in order to make me blush and weep all the days of my life." -</p> - -<p> -"If you take it that way—" said Jean, half-conquered; "no, I am not a -bad man, and I can forgive you for a young man's folly. The devil! your -head is still hot and your hand quick. What did it mean? However, let us -say no more about it; once more, I forgive you." -</p> - -<p> -"You consent to work for me?" -</p> - -<p> -"At half price. Let us arrange it that way to settle the question." -</p> - -<p> -"There is no comparison between my position and yours. There would be -still less between your work and your wages. Be generous; that is the -noblest and most perfect revenge. Come and work for me as you work for -other people; forget that I did you a service which my purse never so -much as discovered, and thus force me to be your debtor, since you will -accept, in satisfaction of an irreparable outrage, the most paltry of -reparations—money." -</p> - -<p> -"I can't understand a word when you twist it about that way. However, we -will see if we can get along together. But suppose I go to your house -and my face makes you angry? Come, can't you tell what you have had -against me all these years? You surely owe me that. It must be that, -without knowing it, I resemble somebody who has injured you. It can't be -hereabout: for I don't know of anybody except the curé of Cuzion's old -horse that I look anything like." -</p> - -<p> -"Ask me no questions; it is impossible for me to answer. Admit that I am -subject to these outbreaks of madness, and love me through pity, as I -cannot be loved otherwise." -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur de Boisguilbault," said the carpenter warmly, "you mustn't -talk like that; you don't do yourself justice. You have faults, it is -true, crotchets, fits of temper that are a little violent; but you know -well that everybody is obliged to respect you in his heart, because you -are a just man, because you love to do good and have never made any one -about you unhappy; and then you have ideas, which you haven't got from -books simply, ideas that rich men don't often have, and that would make -the world happy if the world chose to think the same as you do. To have -these ideas it isn't enough to be well-educated and sensible, but one -must love everybody in the world and not have a stone in place of a -heart; that is why it is necessary that God should have a hand in it. So -don't talk about loving you through pity; you would have only to put out -your hand to be loved, and you wouldn't have to change much to succeed." -</p> - -<p> -"What must I do, in your opinion?" -</p> - -<p> -"The principal thing would be not to try to prevent people who are -inclined to love you from doing so." -</p> - -<p> -"When did I ever do that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Many a time, and I don't speak of myself alone, as there are others -whose names you surely do not want me to mention——" -</p> - -<p> -"Speak of yourself, Jean," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, with painful -eagerness—"or rather—come and take supper and sleep at my house -to-night. I propose that we shall be entirely reconciled from this day, -but on certain conditions, which I will tell you to-night perhaps, and -which have nothing whatever to do with the cause of our quarrel. The -rain is increasing, and these branches no longer shelter us." -</p> - -<p> -"No, I will not go to your house to-night," said the carpenter, "but I -will go with you to your gate; for yonder's a wicked-looking cloud, and -in a few minutes it won't be pleasant walking. Here, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, take my advice and put this leather apron of mine over -your shoulders. It isn't handsome, but it never touches anything but -wood—my trade is a clean one, that is what I have always liked about -it—and it isn't afraid of the water." -</p> - -<p> -"On the contrary, I insist on your putting it on your own back; you are -drenched with perspiration, and although you choose to treat me as an -old man, you are no longer young yourself, my friend. Come, no ceremony! -I am warmly clad. Don't take cold on my account; remember that I struck -you to-night." -</p> - -<p> -"You are as sly as the devil! Well, let us be off! It is true, I am no -longer young, although I don't feel my years much as yet. But do you -know that I am hardly ten years younger than you? Do you remember the -time I built the wooden house in your park—your chalet, as you call -it? Well, it was nineteen years ago last St. Jean's Day that I raised the -frame." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, that is true, only nineteen years. It seems longer to me. By the -way, the little house is very well built, and there are very few repairs -to make. Will you look after them?" -</p> - -<p> -"If there's anything to be done, I don't say no. It's a job that gave me -a lot of trouble in its time. How often I had to look at your devilish -pictures to try to make it look like them!" -</p> - -<p> -"It is your master-piece and you enjoyed it." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, there were days when I enjoyed it too much, it made me sick; but -when you would come and say: 'Jean, that isn't right; you are making a -mistake;' <i>dame</i>! how angry you made me!" -</p> - -<p> -"You lost your temper and almost told me to be off!" -</p> - -<p> -"And you used to let me talk in those days. I would never have believed -that, after being so patient with me for so many years, you would -suddenly fly out at me without telling me why. By the way, what is there -to be done to the wooden house?" -</p> - -<p> -"There's a devil of a door that doesn't shut." -</p> - -<p> -"The wood has warped, I suppose. When shall I come?" -</p> - -<p> -"To-morrow. That's why you must come and sleep at my house; the -weather's too bad for you to go back to Gargilesse." -</p> - -<p> -"It is black enough to break one's neck, that's a fact. Look out where -you step, you are almost in the ditch! But if it rained scythe-blades, I -would go home to sleep to-night." -</p> - -<p> -"Have you important business on hand?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. I want to see young Emile Cardonnet, to whom I have something to -say." -</p> - -<p> -"Emile! Have you seen him to-day?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; I started very early to attend to his matters. If you weren't so -peculiar, I would tell you about it, as you know the bulk of his story." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't think he has any secrets for me. However, if he has confided -something more to you than to me, I have no desire to know it." -</p> - -<p> -"Never fear, I have no desire to tell it to you, either." -</p> - -<p> -"And you cannot even give me any news of him? I am anxious about him. I -had hoped to see him to-day; indeed I came away from home to meet him." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! in that case I understand how it happens that you, who never leave -your park, have strayed so far. But you are wrong to follow the fields -like that. They are all cut up with brooks that are of no mean size, and -I don't know where we are. Ten million devils! How it comes down! This -is just the kind of night that Emile arrived in this region. I met him -under a big rock where he had gone for shelter, and I had no idea that -when I crept in there I put my hand on a friend, a true manly heart, a -treasure!" -</p> - -<p> -"You are very much attached to him, aren't you? He has tried very often -to talk to me about you." -</p> - -<p> -"And you would never let him? I suspected as much. He is a man like you; -no prouder in the depths of his heart and as ready to give his life as -his purse for the unfortunate. But he doesn't lose his temper for -nothing, and when he says a pleasant word to you, you aren't afraid that -he's going to hit you with a club." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I know that he's a much better and very much more amiable man than -I am. If you see him to-night or to-morrow morning, tell me how he is. -Tell him to come and see me, for I am overwhelmed by his sorrow." -</p> - -<p> -"And so am I; but I have more hope than you and he. However, if I were -rich like you——" -</p> - -<p> -"What would you do?" -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know; but money makes everything smooth with people of Père -Cardonnet's cut. Suppose you should set him up in some business and -sacrifice a few hundred thousand francs—you who have three or four -millions and no children! He isn't so rich as he seems to be! Perhaps he -may have more income than you, but his capital is smaller, I fancy." -</p> - -<p> -"So you would approve of buying his son's liberty?" -</p> - -<p> -"There are some people who never give anything away, and who sell what -they ought to give away. Why, by the blood of the devil, here we are in -the pond! Stop! stop! that isn't land, it's water. We have gone too far -to the right; but our brains are not fuddled by wine. How are we to get -out of this?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have no idea; we have been walking a long while, and we ought to be -at Boisguilbault." -</p> - -<p> -"Wait! wait! I know where I am," said the carpenter. "There's a little -clearing behind us with one big tree—wait for the flash and look -sharp—there it comes! Yes, I know. There's Mère Marlot's house! The -devil! There are sick children there—two have typhoid fever, they -say! Never mind, she's a good woman, and at all events you are sure of -being well received anywhere on your estates." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, this woman is a tenant of mine if I am not mistaken." -</p> - -<p> -"Who doesn't pay you very much or very often, I fancy! Come, give me -your hand." -</p> - -<p> -"I didn't know that her children were sick," said the marquis as they -entered the yard in front of the hovel. -</p> - -<p> -"That's natural enough; you seldom go out and never so far as this. But -other people have looked after her. See! there's a horse and wagon that -I know; they may be of use to us." -</p> - -<p> -"Who is that lady?" said the marquis, looking in at the window. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, don't you know her?" said the carpenter, with suppressed -excitement. -</p> - -<p> -"I don't remember that I ever saw her," replied Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, scrutinizing the interior more closely. "Some charitable -person, I presume, who attends to the duties toward the unfortunate -which I neglect." -</p> - -<p> -"It is the curé of Cuzion's sister," replied Jean Jappeloup. "She's a -kind-hearted soul, a young widow, and very charitable, as you say. Wait -until I give her warning of your arrival, for I know her, and she is a -little timid." -</p> - -<p> -He hastened into the hovel, whispered a few hurried words to the old -woman and Gilberte, whom, by a sudden inspiration, he had metamorphosed -into a curé's sister, then returned to Monsieur de Boisguilbault and -led him in, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"Come, monsieur le marquis, come; you won't frighten anybody. The sick -children are better, and there's a brisk little fire to dry your -clothes." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap30"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXX -<br /><br /> -THE IMPROMPTU SUPPER</h4> - -<p> -The weather must needs have been very bad, or the marquis have -unconsciously undergone some mysterious influence; for he actually made -up his mind to risk a meeting with an entire stranger. He entered, and -saluting the pretended widow with timid courtesy, drew near the fire, on -which the old woman was hastily tossing fresh branches, deploring the -condition of her old master's clothes. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! good people, is it possible; what a state you're in, monsieur le -marquis! Really, I wouldn't 'a' known you if Jean hadn't told me. Warm -yourself, warm yourself, monsieur, for there's a chance of catching your -death at your age." -</p> - -<p> -And, thinking that she showed great zeal and interest by her sinister -predictions, the good woman, completely bewildered by the arrival of -such a visitor, came near setting fire to her mantelpiece. -</p> - -<p> -"No, my good woman," said the marquis, "I am very thickly dressed at all -times, and I hardly feel the rain." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I should say you are well dressed!" she replied, intending to pay -him a compliment which she thought well adapted to flatter him, "for you -have money enough to be!" -</p> - -<p> -"I do not refer to that," said the marquis; "I mean to say that you need -not put yourself out so much or leave your patients for me. I am very -comfortable here, and the life of an old man like me is worth less than -that of your young children. Have they been sick long?" -</p> - -<p> -"About a fortnight, monsieur. But the worst has passed, thank God!" -</p> - -<p> -"Why don't you come to see me when you have sickness in the house?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! <i>nenny</i>, I should never dare to. I should be afraid of vexing -you. We peasants are so stupid! We can't talk very well and we're afraid to -ask." -</p> - -<p> -"I ought to come and find out about your troubles," said the marquis -with a sigh; "but I see that more active and less selfish hearts do it -in my place!" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte was sitting at the other side of the room. Dumb with fright, -and not daring to lend her countenance to the carpenter's ruse, she -tried to conceal herself behind the coarse serge curtains of the bed in -which the youngest child lay. She would have been glad to say nothing at -all, and, as she prepared a potion, she kept her face turned to the wall -and pulled her little shawl over her shoulders. A scarf of coarse black -lace, tied under her chin, concealed or at all events dimmed the golden -sheen of her hair, which the marquis might have recognized if he had -ever noticed its brilliancy and luxuriance. But Monsieur de -Boisguilbault had met Gilberte only twice, on her father's arm. He had -recognized Monsieur Antoine in the distance and had turned his head -away. When he had been obliged to pass them at close quarters, he had -shut his eyes to avoid seeing the girl's dreaded features. Therefore he -had no idea of her figure, her face or her carriage. -</p> - -<p> -Jean had lied with so much self-possession and so aptly that the marquis -suspected nothing. The features of Sylvain Charasson, who was lying like -a cat in the ashes, sound asleep, could not be so unfamiliar to him, for -the page of Châteaubrun, a shameless marauder by nature, must have been -caught by him many a time clinging to fruit-laden branches along his -hedges; but he asked so few questions and took such painstaking care to -avoid seeing or knowing anything of what took place outside his park -wall, that he had no idea of the child's name or station in life. -</p> - -<p> -Having no feeling of distrust, therefore, and being impelled by the -mental and physical agitation he had undergone that evening, to open his -heart more than usual, he ventured to follow the charitable lady's -movements with his eyes, and even to approach her and ask some questions -concerning the invalids. The somewhat shy reserve of this friend of the -poor inspired in him profound respect, and it seemed to him worthy of -all praise and in the best of taste that, instead of boasting of her -good works before him, she seemed disturbed and annoyed to have been -taken by surprise in the exercise of her functions as a sister of -charity. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte was so afraid of being recognized that she was afraid to let -her voice be heard—as if it were not as unfamiliar to the marquis as -her face—and waited for the peasant woman to answer his questions. -But Jean, fearing that the old woman would fail to play her part -intelligently and would betray Gilberte's <i>incognito</i> by her -awkwardness, kept constantly in front of her and edged her toward the -fireplace, glaring savagely at her whenever Monsieur de Boisguilbault's -back was turned. Mère Marlot, trembling from head to foot and having no -comprehension of what was taking place in her house, did not know which -way to turn and prayed fervently that the rain might cease and she be -delivered from the presence of these new guests. -</p> - -<p> -At last, somewhat encouraged by the marquis's soft voice and courteous -manners, Gilberte made bold to answer him; and as he continued to accuse -himself of negligence, she said: -</p> - -<p> -"I have heard, monsieur, that your health is very delicate and that you -read a great deal. I can understand that you are unable to attend to so -many things as you have on hand. For my part I have nothing better to -do, and I live so near that I deserve no great credit for helping to -take care of the sick in the parish." -</p> - -<p> -She glanced at the carpenter as she spoke, as if to call his attention -to the fact that she was entering into the spirit of her part at last; -and Jean hastened to add, in order to give more weight to that pious -sentiment: -</p> - -<p> -"Besides, it is a necessity and a duty of her position. If the curé's -sister didn't look after the poor, who would?" -</p> - -<p> -"I should be a little reconciled with my conscience," said the marquis, -"if madame would kindly apply to me when it happens that I am ignorant -or oblivious of my duties. What my zeal leaves undone, my good will can -supply; and while madame reserved for herself the noblest and most -difficult task, that of nursing the sick with her own hands, I can -increase with my money the limited resources of the priest's charity. -Allow me to join you in your good deeds, madame, I entreat you, or, if -you do not choose to do me that honor, send all your poor to me. A -simple recommendation from you will make them sacred to me." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a id="figure02"></a> -<br /> -<img src="images/figure02.jpg" width="400" alt="" /> -<p class="center"><i>GILBERTE AND JAPPELOUP ACCOMPANY -THE MARQUIS TO HIS CHÂTEAU.</i> -</p> -<p> -<i>The Marquis took the reins, refusing to allow his charming companion to -have the trouble of driving. Jean armed himself with the whip, to -stimulate poor Lanterne's courage with a sturdy arm.</i></p></div> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"I know that they do not need that, monsieur le marquis," replied -Gilberte, "and that you assist many more than I can hope to do." -</p> - -<p> -"You see that is not so, for I have come here entirely by chance, and -you are here for the express purpose of doing good." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh no! I did not divine that they needed me," replied Gilberte; "this -poor woman came after me; except for that I should probably have known -no more about it than you." -</p> - -<p> -"You try in vain to decry your deserts in order to diminish my -culpability. They send for you, and they dare not come near me: that -fact alone condemns me and glorifies you." -</p> - -<p> -"The deuce! my dear Gilberte," said the carpenter, leading the girl -apart, "in my opinion you are performing miracles and you could tame the -old owl if you would only have the courage. <i>Ah but</i>! as Janille says, -all goes well, and if you will act and talk like me, I will answer for -it that you will reconcile him with your father." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! if I only could! but alas! my father has made me promise, yes, -swear, that I would never try it." -</p> - -<p> -"And yet he would give all he owns to have you succeed! Look, you, when -he made you promise that, he thought that was impossible which is quite -possible to-day—not to-morrow perhaps, but this evening, now! We must -strike the iron while it's hot, and you can see that there has been a -great change already, as he and I came here together and he talks to me -in such a friendly way." -</p> - -<p> -"How on earth did that miracle come about?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was a cane that performed the miracle, on my back; I'll tell you -about it later. Meanwhile you must be very lady-like, a little bold, and -have your wits about you—in a word be like your friend Jean in -everything. Listen, I am going to begin!" -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon, Jean abruptly left Gilberte and went to the old man. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you suppose this young lady just whispered in my ear? That she -absolutely insists on taking you home in her carriage. Ah! Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, you can't refuse a lady; she says that the roads are too -badly washed for you to walk, that you are too wet to wait here for your -own carriage, that she has a cabriolet with a good horse, a genuine -curé's mare that doesn't lose her temper or take fright at anything and -goes fast enough when your arm isn't asleep and there's a lash on the -whip. In quarter of an hour you'll be at home, instead of splashing -through the mud and stones for an hour." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault thanked the lovely widow warmly but would not -accept; but Gilberte herself insisted, with irresistible grace. -</p> - -<p> -"I implore you, monsieur le marquis," she said, turning upon him her -beautiful eyes, still frightened like those of a half-tamed dove, "do -not pain me by refusing; my carriage is ugly, shabby and muddy, and so -is my horse; but they are both strong. I know how to drive and Jean will -take me home." -</p> - -<p> -"But it will delay you a long while," said the marquis; "your folks will -be anxious." -</p> - -<p> -"No," said Jean, "here is monsieur le curé's page, who serves the mass -and rings the bell for him; he's a sure-footed, sharp-eyed rascal, with -no more fear of the water than a frog. He has wooden clogs on his feet a -little stouter than yours, and he will go to Cuzion as straight and fast -as a saw will cut a spruce board. He will tell them not to worry; that -madame's in good company and that old Jean will bring her home. So -that's settled!—Look you, young wide-awake," he said to Charasson, -who yawned as if he would dislocate his jaw and gazed in bewilderment at -Monsieur de Boisguilbault; "just come and let me rouse you a bit in the -fresh air, and start you on your road." -</p> - -<p> -He dragged, almost carried Sylvain to a short distance from the house, -and there, putting his leather apron over his shoulders, he said to him, -pulling his ears briskly to fix his words in his memory: -</p> - -<p> -"Run to Châteaubrun and tell Monsieur Antoine that Gilberte is going to -Boisguilbault with me; tell him to keep quiet, that all goes well in -that direction, and that he needn't worry if she passes the night away -from home. Do you hear? do you understand?" -</p> - -<p> -"I hear well enough, but I don't understand," replied Sylvain. "Will you -let my ears alone, you old villain of a Jean!" -</p> - -<p> -"I'll make them longer than they are, if you argue; and if you make a -botch of my errand, I'll tear them off to-morrow." -</p> - -<p> -"I heard you, that's enough; let me go." -</p> - -<p> -"And if you stop to play on the road, look out!" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Pardié</i>! it's fine weather to play!" -</p> - -<p> -"And if you lose my goatskin apron!" -</p> - -<p> -"I'm no such fool, it won't do me any harm!" -</p> - -<p> -And the child started off at full speed toward the ruins, picking his -way in the darkness with the instinct of a cat. -</p> - -<p> -"Now," said Jean leading the old mare and the <i>barrow</i> out from under -the shed, "it's our turn, honest Lanterne. Oh! don't get excited, -Monsieur Sacripant, it's only me! You came with your young mistress, -good; but monsieur le marquis, who doesn't look at people, isn't afraid -to look at dogs, and he may know you. Do me the favor to follow your -friend Charasson. I am sorry to say you must return home on foot."—He -cracked the whip at the poor beast and drove him away in the direction -Charasson had taken.—"Come, monsieur le marquis, I am waiting for -you!" And the marquis, conquered by Gilberte's persistence, mounted the -barrow, where he sat between her and Jappeloup. -</p> - -<p> -The stars in heaven did not witness this strange association, for heavy -clouds concealed them, and Mère Marlot, the sole witness of this -extraordinary adventure, was not sufficiently clear in her mind to -indulge in any extended comments. The marquis had put his purse in her -hand as he crossed the threshold of her house, and she passed the rest -of the night counting the shining coins it contained and waiting on her -little ones, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"Dear young lady, she brings us good luck!" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis took the reins, refusing to allow his charming companion to -have the trouble of driving. Jean armed himself with the whip, to -stimulate poor Lanterne's courage with a sturdy arm. Gilberte, whom -Janille, anticipating the storm, had provided with a large umbrella and -her father's old cloak when she allowed her to depart on her errand of -mercy, gave her attention to sheltering her companions; and as the wind -fought for the cloak with her, she held it over Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's shoulders with one hand, while she exerted all her -strength to hold the umbrella over the old man's head with the other -hand, with filial solicitude. The marquis was so touched by these -affectionate attentions that he lost all his bashfulness and expressed -his gratitude in the warmest terms that his respect would permit. -Gilberte trembled at the thought that this sympathetic feeling might -change to wrath at any moment, and old Jean laughed in his beard, -relying on Providence. -</p> - -<p> -Although it was only nine o'clock, everybody at the château of -Boisguilbault had retired when our travellers arrived. No one except old -Martin ever paid any attention to the master after sunset, and on this -evening Martin had closed the park after seeing the marquis enter his -chalet, and had no suspicion that he had gone abroad and was travelling -around the country in the rain and thunder, with an old carpenter and a -young woman. -</p> - -<p> -Jean was not particularly anxious to go into the courtyard with -Gilberte; for, living so near Châteaubrun as they did, it was -impossible that some if not all of the servants should not be familiar -with the lovely girl's face, and the first exclamation would betray her. -</p> - -<p> -But the rain was still falling, and there was no plausible excuse for -making the marquis or Gilberte alight at the outer gate, especially as -Monsieur de Boisguilbault absolutely insisted that his companions should -come in and wait by the fire until the rain, which was quite cold and -continuous, had ceased. Jean meanwhile was dying with longing to seize -this pretext for prolonging the interview; but Gilberte refused in -dismay to enter the dreadful manor-house of Boisguilbault, and it was -certain that there was great peril in doing it. -</p> - -<p> -Luckily the marquis's eccentric habits made it impossible for them to -effect an entrance to the château. In vain did they ring the bell again -and again, the wind roared so fiercely that the sound was carried far -away. No servant, male or female, slept in that part of the building, -where a grewsome solitude habitually prevailed; and, as for old Martin, -the only person who ever ventured there, he was too deaf to hear -anything, the bell or the thunder. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault was extremely mortified by his inability to -show the hospitality which all the circumstances combined to impose upon -him as a duty; and he was very angry with himself for having failed to -anticipate what had happened. His wrath was on the point of breaking out -anew and turning against old Martin, who went to bed with the sun. But -at last, suddenly making up his mind what course to pursue, he said: -</p> - -<p> -"I see that I must abandon the idea of getting into my own house, for I -shall never make anybody hear unless I send for cannon to take the house -by assault; but if madame is not afraid to visit an anchorite's cell, I -have another lodging, the key of which never leaves me, where we shall -find all that we need to enable us to warm ourselves and rest." -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke he turned the horse's head toward the park, alighted at the -gate, opened it himself, and led Lanterne in by the bridle, while Jean -squeezed the trembling Gilberte's arm to encourage her to risk the -adventure. "God forgive me!" he muttered, "he is taking us to his wooden -house, where he passes all his nights evoking the devil! Never fear, -Gilberte, I am with you, and this is the day we are going to turn Satan -out-of-doors here!" -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, having closed the gate behind him, bade the -carpenter take the reins and follow him at a foot-pace to a sort of -gardener's shed where Emile often hitched Corbeau when he came late or -expected to stay late; and while Jean busied himself putting poor -Lanterne and Monsieur Antoine's barrow under cover, the marquis offered -Gilberte his arm, saying: "I am distressed to ask you to walk a few -steps on the gravel; but you will not have time to wet your feet, for my -hermitage is right here, behind these rocks." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte shuddered from head to foot as she entered the chalet, alone -with that strange old man whom she had always believed to be a little -mad, and who now led the way into the darkness. She was somewhat -relieved when he opened a second door, and she saw the corridor lighted -by a lamp which stood in a niche decorated with flowers. That retreat, -so luxurious and comfortable despite its rustic exterior, pleased her -exceedingly, and in her youthful imagination, enamored of poetic -simplicity, she fancied that she had found the sort of palace of which -she had often dreamed. -</p> - -<p> -Since Emile had been admitted to the mysterious chalet, notable -improvements had been made there. He had impressed upon the old man that -the stoical habits by which he undertook to protest against his own -wealth were beginning to be too severe for a man of his years; and, -although Monsieur de Boisguilbault was not as yet attacked by any -serious infirmity he admitted that he had suffered much from the cold -there during the winter. Emile had himself brought from the château -carpets, hangings, thick curtains and suitable furniture; he had -frequently lighted a fire in the huge stove for protection against the -dampness on rainy nights, and the marquis had yielded to the pleasant -sensation of being cared for, a sensation entirely mental to him, in -which he saw the proof of a zealous and delicate affection. The young -man had also rearranged and beautified the room in which he and the old -man often took their evening meal. He had made it into a sort of salon, -and Gilberte was delighted to place her little feet, for the first time -in her life, on superb bearskin rugs, and to gaze in admiration at the -beautiful vases of old Sèvres, filled with the rarest flowers, standing -on a marble console. -</p> - -<p> -The fireplace, filled with very dry pine cones, blazed up as if by -enchantment when the marquis tossed in a piece of burning paper, and the -candles, reflected in a mirror, the oaken frame of which was curiously -carved and twisted, soon filled the room with a brilliant light dazzling -to the eyes of a girl accustomed to the poor little lamp to which -Janille supplied oil with a sparing hand, after the example of the woman -in the Bible. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, for the first time in his life, exerted -himself with a sort of coquetry to do the honors of his chalet to such a -charming guest. He took an artless pleasure in watching her examine and -admire his flowers, and promised her that on the very next day she -should have all the grafts and all the seeds to replenish the <i>vicarage -garden</i>. Resuming momentarily the animation of youth, he ran hither and -thither to find the little curiosities he had brought back from his trip -to Switzerland, and offered them to her with ingenuous joy; and when she -blushingly refused to accept anything, he took the little basket in -which she had taken syrups and sweetmeats to her sick protégés and -filled it with pretty bits of wood-work carved at Fribourg, specimens of -rock-crystal, agates and cornelians set in seals and rings; and lastly -with all the flowers in the vases, of which he made an enormous bouquet -as deftly as he could. -</p> - -<p> -The touching grace with which Gilberte in her confusion thanked the old -man, her artless questions concerning his travels in Switzerland, of -which Monsieur de Boisguilbault retained most enthusiastic -recollections, expressed in terms that were far from classic, the -interest with which she listened to him, her intelligent comments when -she succeeded in recovering her self-possession, the fascinating tones -of her voice, the distinction of her simple, natural manners, her -absence of coquetry, and the mixture of alarm and enthusiasm in her -bearing and her features, which made her beauty even more impressive -than usual, her glowing cheeks, her eyes moist with emotion and fatigue, -her bosom oppressed by unfamiliar agitation, and her angelic smile which -seemed to implore mercy or protection—all combined to produce such a -profound impression on the marquis and took possession of him so -rapidly, that he suddenly felt that he loved her with all his heart; -with a holy love, be it understood, not the base desire of an old man -for youth and beauty, but the love of a father for the pure and adorable -child. And when the carpenter joined them, himself dazzled and overjoyed -to find himself in such a light, warm room, he thought that he was -dreaming when he heard Monsieur de Boisguilbault say to Gilberte: "Put -your feet to the fire, my dear child; I am terribly afraid you have -caught cold to-night, and if you have I shall never forgive myself so -long as I live!" -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon, the marquis, impelled by an extraordinary outburst of -expansiveness, turned to the carpenter and held out his hand, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"Come and sit down by the fire with us. Poor Jean! you were thinly clad -and you are wet to the bone. I am the cause of that too; if you hadn't -insisted on accompanying me, you would have gone to the farmhouse and -you would be there now; you are hungry, too, and you would have had your -supper. How am I to give you anything to eat here? and I am sure that -you are dying of hunger!" -</p> - -<p> -"Faith, Monsieur de Boisguilbault," said the carpenter, with a smile, -thrusting his clogs into the hot ashes, "I snap my fingers at the rain, -but not at hunger. Your wooden house has become deuced fine since I put -my hand to it; but if there was a piece of bread in one of these -closets, in which I once put shelves, I should think them still -prettier. From noon till night I chopped like a deaf man, and I am -weaker than a rat at this moment." -</p> - -<p> -"Bless my soul!" cried Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "now I think of it, I -haven't supped either. I had entirely forgotten it, and I am sure that -there is something here, I don't know where. Come, Jean, let us look and -we shall find it." -</p> - -<p> -"Knock and it shall be opened unto you," said the carpenter, gayly, -shaking the door at the end of the room. -</p> - -<p> -"Not there, Jean!" said the marquis, hastily; "there's nothing but books -there." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! this is the door that doesn't shut tight," said Jean; "you see, I -put my hand right on it. I'll fix it to-morrow; it's simply a matter of -taking a little off the top so that the bolt will slide. Isn't your old -Martin smart enough to fix that? He was always clumsy and awkward, that -fellow!" -</p> - -<p> -Jean, who was stronger than the two old men at Boisguilbault together, -closed the door without a suspicion of curiosity, and the marquis was -grateful to him for his indifference, having watched him closely and -with evident uneasiness so long as he held the knob in his hand. -</p> - -<p> -"There is ordinarily a small table here with my supper all served," said -Monsieur de Boisguilbault. "I can't imagine what has become of it, -unless Martin forgot me to-night." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! unless you forgot to wind him up the old clock in his brain has not -stopped," said the carpenter, who recalled with pleasure all the details -of the marquis's home-life with which he was once so familiar. "What is -there behind this screen? Aha! this has a very appetizing and -substantial look!" and he folded the screen, revealing a table laden -with a <i>galantine</i>, a loaf of bread, a plate of strawberries and a -bottle of Bordeaux. -</p> - -<p> -"That's a dainty little supper to offer a lady, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! if I thought that madame would deign to accept it!" said the -marquis, rolling the table toward Gilberte. -</p> - -<p> -"Why not!" laughed Jean. "I'll wager that the dear soul thought of other -people before thinking about the care of her own body. Come, if she will -eat just a few strawberries, and you the meat, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, I'll take care of the bread and a glass of black wine." -</p> - -<p> -"We will eat as all men should eat," replied the marquis, "each -according to his appetite; and the experiment will prove, I am sure, -that the most solid portion, intended for one person only, will be -enough for several. Oh! I beg you, madame, to let me have the pleasure -of waiting on you." -</p> - -<p> -"I am not at all hungry," said Gilberte, who had been for several days -past too much distressed and excited not to have lost her appetite; "but -to induce you two to eat, I will go through the motions." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault sat beside her and waited upon her with great -zeal. Jean declared that he was too dirty to sit with them, and, when -the marquis insisted, he confessed that he should be very ill at ease in -such soft, deep chairs. He took a wooden stool, a relic of the former -rustic furniture of the chalet, and, planting himself under the mantel, -where he could dry himself from head to foot, began to eat with great -zest. His portion was amply sufficient, for Gilberte simply nibbled at -the strawberries, and the marquis was a phenomenally small eater. -Moreover, even if he had more appetite than usual, he would gladly have -stinted himself for the man he had struck two hours earlier, and who had -forgiven him so frankly. -</p> - -<p> -The peasant eats slowly and in silence. To him it is not the -gratification of a capricious and fugitive craving, but a sort of solemn -function; for on a working-day the meal hour is at the same time an hour -of rest and reflection. Jappeloup became very grave, therefore, as he -methodically cut his bread into small pieces and watched the cones -blazing on the hearth. Monsieur de Boisguilbault, having gradually -exhausted all that one can say to a person one does not know, relapsed -into his usual taciturnity, and Gilberte, overdone by several nights of -sleeplessness and weeping, felt an insurmountable drowsiness creep over -her, the effect of the heat from the fire following the cold and -dampness of the storm. She fought against it as long as she could, but -the poor child was little more accustomed than her friend the carpenter -to luxurious arm-chairs, fur rugs and candle-light. As she tried to -smile and to answer the more and more infrequent remarks of the marquis, -she felt as if she were magnetized; her lovely head gradually sank on -the back of the chair, her pretty foot slipped nearer to the fire, and -her strong, regular breathing suddenly betrayed the victory of sleep -over her will-power. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault, seeing that the carpenter was lost in -thought, began to scrutinize Gilberte's features more closely than he -had as yet dared to do, and a sort of shudder passed over him when he -saw, beneath the black lace which had partly fallen from her head, the -luxuriant dazzling masses of golden hair. But he was roused from his -contemplation by the carpenter, who said to him in an undertone: -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur de Boisguilbault, I'll bet that you haven't a suspicion of -what I am going to tell you. Look carefully at this pretty little lady, -and then I will tell you who she is." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault turned pale and gazed at the carpenter with a -dismayed expression. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap31"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXXI -<br /><br /> -UNCERTAINTY</h4> - -<p> -"Well, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, have you looked at her enough," -continued the carpenter, with a mischievous, self-satisfied air, "and -cannot you yourself guess what should interest you most in her?" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis rose and at once fell back in his chair. A ray of light had -passed through his mind at last, and his penetration, so long at fault, -suddenly went farther than Jean desired. He thought that he had guessed, -and he cried in a tone of intense indignation: -</p> - -<p> -"She shall not stay here an instant longer!" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte, awakened with a start and terrified beyond words, saw before -her the marquis's angry face. She thought that she was lost, and -reflecting with despair that, instead of bringing her father and -Monsieur de Boisguilbault together, she would be the cause of -embittering their enmity, she had no other thought than to take all the -blame upon herself and to seek pardon for Monsieur Antoine. Falling on -her knees with the grace of a flower bending before the tempest, she -seized the marquis's trembling hand, and, too agitated to speak, bowed -her lovely head and leaned her pallid brow on the old man's arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well," said the carpenter, seizing the marquis's other arm and -shaking it violently, "what are you thinking about, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, to frighten this child so? Is your mania taking hold of -you again, and shall I have to lose my temper with you, after all?" -</p> - -<p> -"Who is she?" rejoined the marquis, trying to push Gilberte away, but -too nervous to be able to do it; "tell me who she is, I insist upon -knowing!" -</p> - -<p> -"You do know, as I have already told you," said Jean with a shrug; "she -is the sister of a country curé, with no money and no name. Is that why -you speak so roughly to her? Do you want her to know what I know about -you. Try not to let her see you in one of your attacks, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault; you see that your savage airs make her sick with fright! -and it's a devil of a way of entertaining her and doing the honors of -your house! She could hardly expect this after being so polite to you; -and the worst of it is that I can't tell her what the matter is with -you, because I haven't any idea myself." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know whether you are making sport of me," said the marquis, -deeply distressed; "but what did you mean just now?" -</p> - -<p> -"Something that would have given you pleasure, but which I won't tell -you now, as you are out of your head." -</p> - -<p> -"Speak, Jean; explain yourself; I can't stand this uncertainty." -</p> - -<p> -"I can't stand it either," said Gilberte, bursting into tears. "I don't -know, Jean, what you have said or tried to say about me; I don't know -what my position is here, but it is unendurable to me. Let us go!" -</p> - -<p> -"No—no—" said the marquis, beset by irresolution and shame; "it -is still raining, the weather is horrible and I don't want you to go." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, why did you want to turn her out just now?" retorted Jean -with contemptuous tranquillity; "who can understand your whims? For my -part, I give it up, and I am going." -</p> - -<p> -"I will not stay here without you!" cried Gilberte, rising and running -after the carpenter, as he walked toward the door. -</p> - -<p> -"Mademoiselle—or madame," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, stopping -her and detaining the carpenter also, "please listen to me, and if you -know nothing of the strange thoughts that assail me at this moment, -forgive an agitation which must seem very absurd to you, but which is -very painful to me, I assure you! I owe you an explanation of it, -however. Jean just gave me to understand that you were not the person -that I supposed—but another person—whom I do not wish to see -or to know. <i>Mon Dieu</i>! I don't know how to tell you. Either you -understand me too well or you cannot understand me at all." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! I understand you at last," said the crafty carpenter, "and I will -tell madame what you cannot succeed in explaining to her.—Madame -Rose," he continued, turning to Gilberte and resolutely giving her the -name of the curé of Cuzion's sister, "you know Mademoiselle Gilberte de -Châteaubrun, your young neighbor? Well, monsieur le marquis has a great -grudge against her, so it seems; we must believe that she has offended -him shamefully; and just as I was going to tell him something about you -and Emile——" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you say?" cried the marquis. "Emile?" -</p> - -<p> -"This doesn't concern you," retorted Jean: "I shall tell you nothing -more, I am speaking to Madame Rose. Yes, Madame Rose, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault detests Mademoiselle Gilberte; he has taken it into his -head that you might be she; that is why he wanted to put you out—by -the window in preference to the door." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte felt a mortal distaste for continuing this extraordinary and -audacious mystification; for some minutes past, she had been conscious -of such a warm feeling of sympathy for the marquis, that she reproached -herself for abusing his error and subjecting him to emotions which -seemed to make him suffer as keenly as she herself suffered. She -determined to disabuse him gradually, and to be bolder than her -facetious companion in daring to face the results of Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's wrath. -</p> - -<p> -"There is at least one enigma for me in what you tell me," she said with -dignified assurance. "I cannot understand how Gilberte de Châteaubrun -can be an object of reprobation on the part of a man so just and so -worthy of respect as Monsieur de Boisguilbault. As I know nothing of her -which can justify such detestation, and as it is important that I should -know what to think about her, I beg monsieur le marquis to tell me all -the evil that he knows of her, so that she may at least have an -opportunity to exculpate herself in the minds of honorable people who -know her." -</p> - -<p> -"I should have preferred," said the marquis, with a profound sigh, "that -the name of Châteaubrun should not be mentioned before me." -</p> - -<p> -"Is it a name upon which there is any stain, I pray to know," demanded -Gilberte, with an irresistible outburst of pride. -</p> - -<p> -"No—no—I never said that," replied the marquis, whose wrath -subsided as quickly as it blazed up. "I accuse nobody, I make no -reproach against anybody. I am on unfriendly terms with the person -mentioned; I do not wish any one to speak of her to me, nor do I speak -of her myself—so why ask me useless questions?" -</p> - -<p> -"Useless questions!" echoed Gilberte; "you cannot deem them such, -monsieur le marquis. It is very strange that a man like you should be on -bad terms with a mere girl, whom he does not know, whom perhaps he has -never seen. Surely she must have been guilty of some detestable action -or have said some hateful thing about him, and that is what I want to -know, that is what I entreat you to tell me: so that, if Gilberte de -Châteaubrun deserves neither esteem nor confidence, I may avoid the -society of so dangerous a person." -</p> - -<p> -"That's what I call talking!" cried Jean, clapping his hands. "Say on! I -too should be very glad to know what to think about her; for this -Gilberte has been very good to me; she has given me food and drink when -I was hungry and thirsty; she has spun her wool to make clothes for me -when I was cold. To my eyes she has always been charitable, gentle, -devoted to her parents, and a good girl if ever there was one! Now, if -she has committed some shameful sin, I shall be ashamed to be her -debtor, and I will never owe her anything more." -</p> - -<p> -"It was your absurd explanation that caused all this useless -discussion," said the marquis to the carpenter. "Where did you pick up -all these foolish ideas that you attribute to me? It is the young -woman's father with whom I am on bad terms, on account of a quarrel of -many years' standing, and not with a child whom I don't know, and -against whom I have nothing to say, absolutely nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"And whom you would have turned out of your house, nevertheless, if she -had dared to appear here!" said Gilberte, looking closely at the -marquis, whose embarrassment was beginning to encourage her materially. -</p> - -<p> -"Turned out?—no; I turn no one out," he replied; "I simply should -have considered it a little cruel, a little strange, that she should think -of coming here." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, she has thought of it many times, none the less," said Gilberte; -"I know it, for I know her thoughts, and I am going to tell you what she -has said to me." -</p> - -<p> -"What is the use?" said the marquis, turning his head away; "why spend -so much time over an impulsive phrase that escaped me without -reflection? I should be distressed beyond words to cause an unkind -thought against the girl in anybody's mind. I say again, I do not know -her and I can in no way reproach her. The only thing that I desire is -that my words may not be repeated, tortured, exaggerated. Do you hear, -Jean? you take it upon yourself to interpret the exclamations that -escape me, and you do it very badly. I beg you, if you have any -affection for me," added the marquis with a painful effort, "never to -utter my name at Châteaubrun, and not to discuss me in any way. I also -request madame to protect me from any indirect contact, any roundabout -explanation, in a word, from every sort of relation with that family; -and if, to make sure that my repose shall still be respected in that -regard, I must give the lie to what I said without reflection in my -excitement, I am ready to protest against anything which could possibly -impair the reputation and character of Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun in -my mind." -</p> - -<p> -The marquis spoke with a measured coldness which restored to his manner -all its customary propriety and dignity. Gilberte would have preferred a -fresh outbreak of wrath, which would have led her to expect a reaction -marked by weakness and emotion. She no longer felt the courage to -insist, and understanding, from the sudden frigidity of the marquis's -manner, that she was half divined, and that an unconquerable distrust -had taken possession of him, she felt so ill at ease, that she wished to -go away at once; but Jean was not at all satisfied with the result of -this explanation, and he determined to strike the last blow. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," he said, "it must be as Monsieur de Boisguilbault pleases. He is -kind and just at the bottom of his heart, Madame Rose; let us go, and -cause him no more pain; but first I would like to have a sort of -understanding between you two. Come, let us open our hearts a little! -You will blush, scold me, perhaps you will cry. But I know what I am -doing, I know that this is an opportunity that may never come again, and -that we must be willing to submit to a little trouble to assist and -comfort those we love. You look at me in surprise! don't you know that -Monsieur de Boisguilbault is our Emile's best friend, that he has his -whole confidence, and that he is perfectly well acquainted with all his -troubles and yours, although he doesn't know that you are the -one?—Yes, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, Madame Rose here is the lady! -you understand me, don't you? So speak to her, encourage her, tell her -that Emile has done right, and she, too, in refusing to yield to Père -Cardonnet's malice. That is what I intended to say to you when you -interrupted me with an outcry about Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun, when -God knows if I was thinking of her!" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte became so confused that Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who was -beginning to regard her with mingled interest and uneasiness, was -touched by her plight and strove to reassure her. He took her hand and -said, leading her back to her chair: -</p> - -<p> -"Don't be embarrassed before me; I am an old man and it is another old -man who betrays your secrets. Undoubtedly he has a very bold and unusual -way of acting; but as his intentions are good and his exceptional -character endears him to the person in whom you and I are more -interested than in anybody else in the world, let us try to overcome our -mutual embarrassment, and, as he says, to make the most of the -opportunity!" -</p> - -<p> -But Gilberte, confounded by the carpenter's determination, and terrified -to see her heart's secret in the hands of a man who still inspired more -terror than confidence, put both her hands over her face and did not -answer. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well!" said the carpenter, whom nothing in the world could deter -in his undertakings, whether it was a matter of overcoming a scruple or -of felling a forest, "here she is all covered with mortification, and I -shall be scolded for my indiscretion! but if Emile was here, he wouldn't -disavow me. He would be very glad to have Monsieur de Boisguilbault see -with his own eyes whether he has placed his affections wisely, and he -will feel more than a little proud to-morrow when Monsieur de -Boisguilbault says to him: 'I have seen her, I know her, and I am not -surprised any longer!'—Isn't it true that you'll say that, Monsieur -de Boisguilbault?" -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault did not reply. He was still gazing at -Gilberte, struggling between a powerful attraction and a horrible -suspicion. He walked several turns up and down the room to overcome a -terrible feeling of oppression, and after many sighs and internal -conflicts, he returned to Gilberte and took both her hands. -</p> - -<p> -"Whoever you may be," he said, "you have in your hands the destiny of -the noblest boy that I in my old age have ever dared to dream of for my -staff and my consolation. I shall die before long, and I shall leave -this earth without having known an instant's joy, if I do not leave -Emile at peace with himself. Oh! I implore you—you who are destined -to exercise so great an influence, for good or evil, over his whole -future,—retain on the side of truth that heart which is so worthy to -be its sanctuary. You are very young, you do not know yet what a woman's -love is in the life of a man like him! You do not know perhaps that it -depends upon you to make of him a hero or a dastard, a coward or an -apostate. Alas! you probably do not understand the bearing of what I am -saying to you now. No, you are too young; the more I look at you, the -more like a child you seem to me! Poor young thing, without experience -and without strength, you are to determine the future of a noble heart, -to break it or ennoble it. Forgive me for saying this; I am deeply moved -and I cannot find fitting words. I have no desire either to distress you -or to cause you embarrassment; but I am depressed and alarmed, and the -more fully I realize your innocence, the more I feel that Emile no -longer belongs to me." -</p> - -<p> -"Forgive me, monsieur le marquis," said Gilberte, wiping away her tears, -"I understand you very well, and although I am in truth very young, I am -conscious of my responsibility in God's sight; but I am not in question -now, it is not myself whom I wish to defend and justify, but Emile, that -noble heart whom you seem to doubt. Oh! have no fear! Emile will lie -neither to you, nor his father, nor himself, nor other men. I don't know -if I fully understand the importance of his ideas and the depth of -yours; but I adore the truth. I am no philosopher, I am too ignorant. -But I am pious, I was brought up in the precepts of the Gospel, and I -cannot interpret them in a different sense from that Emile gives to -them. I understand that his father, who also invokes the Gospel, by the -way, when the fancy strikes him, wishes him to be false to the faith of -the Gospel, and if I believed that Emile was capable of consenting, I -should blush for having been so grossly misled as to love a man without -intelligence and conscience; but I am not so unfortunate as that. Emile -will be equal to renouncing me, if need be, rather than renounce his own -manhood; and as for myself, I shall know how to be brave, if at times -his courage seems to waver. But I am not afraid of it; I know that he -suffers, and I suffer too; but I will be worthy of his affection, as he -is worthy of yours, and God will help us to bear everything, for He does -not abandon those who suffer for love of Him and for the glory of His -name!" -</p> - -<p> -"Well said!" exclaimed the carpenter; "I wish I could talk like that. -But no matter, I think as she does, and the good Lord gives me as much -credit." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you are right," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, impressed by the -depth of conviction revealed by the carpenter's earnest tone; "I did not -know, Jean, that you would be as devoted a friend to Emile as myself and -perhaps a more useful one." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't say that, Monsieur de Boisguilbault; I know that Emile looks -upon you as his real father, in place of the un-Christian father that -fate gave him; but I am something of a friend to him, and last night I -flatter myself that I cheered him up, as I cheered up some other people -this morning. As for her," he said, pointing to Gilberte, "she didn't -need any cheering up. I didn't expect she would! From the first moment -her mind was made up, and in my opinion it's a fine thing for a girl of -her age to be so strong as that, although you don't seem to think very -much of it." -</p> - -<p> -The marquis hesitated and continued to pace the floor without speaking; -then he stopped at the window, opened it, returned to Gilberte, and -said: -</p> - -<p> -"The rain has stopped, and I am afraid your people will be anxious about -you. I—I don't want to keep you any longer to-night, but—but -we will see each other again, and I shall be better prepared to talk with -you,—for I have many things to say to you." -</p> - -<p> -"No, monsieur le marquis," replied Gilberte, rising, "we shall never -meet again; for in that case I must continue to deceive you and that -would be impossible to me. Chance has thrown us together, and I thought -that I was only fulfilling a bounden duty in offering you some trivial -attentions which my heart bade me offer. Thus far I was not blameworthy, -I leave it to you to judge; for in order to induce you to accept them, -it was necessary to tell a falsehood; and furthermore, my father had -made me swear that I would never annoy you with his grief, with his -repentance for an injury he did you long ago, of which I know nothing, -with his affection for you, which has remained like a painful wound in -the depths of his heart! In my dreams as a child I often formed a plan -of coming and throwing myself at your feet and saying to you: 'My father -suffers, he is unhappy on your account. If he has injured you, accept my -tears, my humiliation, my enthusiasm, my life if you will, in expiation -of his fault; give him your hand and trample me under your feet, and I -will bless you, if you remove from my father's heart the grief that -preys upon him and pursues him even in his sleep.'—Yes, that is the -dream that I used to cherish long ago; but I abandoned it because my -father ordered me to, thinking that I should simply add to your anger; -and I abandon it more completely than ever to-night, seeing the coldness -and aversion which my name inspires in you. So I take my leave without -imploring you in his behalf, distressed by a very painful certainty that -my father is the victim of very great injustice on your part; but I will -put forth all my energies to distract his thoughts and comfort him. And -as for you, monsieur le marquis, I leave you the means of punishing me -for the innocent stratagem to which I gave my assent this evening in -order to save the health and perhaps the life of the man whom my father -once loved so dearly! I leave you my secret, which has been disclosed to -you against my will, but which I no longer blush to know is in your -hands; for it is the secret of a proud heart, and of a love that God has -blessed by inspiring it. Have no fear of seeing me again, monsieur le -marquis; and have no fear that Jean, our imprudent but generous friend, -who has exposed himself to your anger by trying to reconcile us, will -ever annoy you by reminding you of us. I shall find a way to make him -abandon the task. I have been honored by your hospitality this evening, -monsieur le marquis, and you will allow me never to forget it. You will -have no reason to repent of it; for you will not have been the victim of -a lie, and if it will be a consolation to your hatred, you still have an -opportunity to drive Antoine de Châteaubrun's daughter from your -presence with insulting touch." -</p> - -<p> -"I would like to see him do it!" cried Jean Jappeloup, taking his stand -beside her and putting her arm through his; "I who have done all the -harm and told all the lies against her wish; I, who got it into my head -that she would succeed in putting her hand in yours! You are obstinate, -Monsieur de Boisguilbault; but, by all the devils! you shall not insult -my Gilberte, for if you did, I should remember that I cut your cane in -two to-night!" -</p> - -<p> -"You talk like a fool, Jean," replied Monsieur de Boisguilbault coldly. -"Mademoiselle," he said to Gilberte, "will you allow me to offer you my -arm to return to your carriage?" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte accepted tremblingly; but she felt that the marquis's arm -trembled even more. He assisted her into the carriage without speaking; -then, noticing that it was still quite cold, although the sky was clear, -he said: -</p> - -<p> -"You have come from a very warm room and you are not dressed warmly -enough; I will go and get something more for you." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte thanked him and reminded him that she had her father's cloak. -</p> - -<p> -"But that is damp; it is worse than nothing," said the marquis. And he -returned to the chalet. -</p> - -<p> -"The devil take the old fool!" growled Jean, lashing the mare angrily. -"I have had enough of him; I am out of temper with him; I have had no -sort of success, and I long to get out of his den. I'll never put my -feet inside it again; the man's glance gives me a cold in the head. -Let's be off and not wait for him." -</p> - -<p> -"Nay, we must wait for him, and not make him run after us," said -Gilberte. -</p> - -<p> -"Bah! do you suppose he cares whether you take cold or not? Indeed, he's -forgotten all about it; you'll see if he comes back. Let us go." -</p> - -<p> -But when they reached the gate they found that it was locked, that -Monsieur de Boisguilbault had kept the key, and that they must either -wait for him or go back and ask him for it. Jean was cursing loudly when -the marquis suddenly appeared, carrying a package which he placed on -Gilberte's knees, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"I kept you waiting a little; I had some difficulty in finding what I -wanted. I beg you to keep it for your own use, as well as these little -things which you left with your basket. Don't get down, Jappeloup, I -will open the gate for you. I shall expect you to-morrow, my dear -fellow," he added, when the gate was open. -</p> - -<p> -And he offered the carpenter his hand, which the latter hesitated to -take, understanding nothing of the inconsequent impulses of so uncertain -and perturbed a mind. -</p> - -<p> -"Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun," the marquis then said in an almost -inaudible tone of voice, "will you also shake hands with me before we -part?" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte leaped lightly to the ground, removed her glove and took the -old man's hand, which trembled terribly. With an impulsive outburst of -respectful compassion she put it to her lips, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"You will not forgive Antoine; do, at least, forgive Gilberte?" -</p> - -<p> -A profound groan issued from the old man's breast. He made a movement as -if to put his lips to Gilberte's brow, but recoiled in dismay. Then he -took her head in both hands, squeezed it a moment as if he would crush -it, and, finally, kissed her hair, which he moistened with a tear as -cold as the drop of water that drips from the glacier. Then he suddenly -pushed her away with all his strength and fled, hiding his face in his -handkerchief. Gilberte fancied that she heard a sob die away in the -distance with the sound of his uncertain footsteps on the gravel and the -whispering of the breeze among the aspens. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap32"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXXII -<br /><br /> -A WEDDING PRESENT</h4> - -<p> -There was something at once ghastly and heartrending in Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's strange leave-taking, and Gilberte was so affected by it -that she began to weep again herself. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, what's the matter?" said Jean when they were on the road to -Châteaubrun; "are you going to lose your eyes this evening. You are -about as mad as yonder old man, my Gilberte; for sometimes you are -reasonable and talk pure gold, and then suddenly you are as weak and -whining as a baby. Let me tell you this: Monsieur de Boisguilbault has a -kind heart; but, for all Emile and your father may say, he is a little -crack-brained; that's sure. There's no relying on him, but just the -same, we need never despair of him. It may be that you will never hear -of him again, and it may just as well be that he'll jump on your -father's neck some fine day, if he happens to meet him at the right -moment. It will depend on the moon!" -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know what to think of him," said Gilberte, "for I really -believe I should go mad if I lived with him. He frightens me horribly, -and yet I have moments of irresistible affection for him. It's the same -feeling that Emile had for him from the beginning. Emile has ended by -loving him and losing his fear of him. So that his kindness of heart -finally carries the day over the caprice of disease." -</p> - -<p> -"I will tell you more about that later," replied the carpenter, "for I -really must go there again and study him." -</p> - -<p> -"But you knew him so well years ago! Wasn't he the same then?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! he has grown much worse! He was habitually sad and silent, and -sometimes a little hot-headed. But it didn't last long, and he was -better after it. The same thing is true now; but it seems to me that it -happens once or twice a day where it used to happen once or twice a -year, and that he is at the same time uglier and gentler." -</p> - -<p> -"How unhappy he seems!" said Gilberte, whose heart ached as she recalled -the sob she heard, which still echoed in her ears. -</p> - -<p> -Janille and Antoine were awaiting Gilberte's return with feverish -impatience. Charasson's report had stricken them dumb and, thinking that -he was daft, or that he was lying to conceal some accident that had -happened to Gilberte, they had hurried to Mère Marlot's to ease their -minds. Her story reassured them but gave them no light. Janille was -angry with the carpenter and augured no good from this crazy enterprise. -Antoine shared her fears at first, and then, in conformity with his -hopeful nature, abandoned himself to pleasant illusions and built -innumerable castles in Spain. -</p> - -<p> -"Janille," he said, "our child and our good old Jean can perform -miracles between them. What would you say if you should see -Boisguilbault come home with them?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! that's like your crazy head!" retorted Janille. "You forget that is -impossible, and that the old fox is more capable of wringing our -daughter's neck than of listening to sound arguments. And, then, how can -people who know nothing at all make use of pretexts?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is just my point. All that Boisguilbault fears is that we have -taken our people into our confidence; for it is wounded pride, quite as -much as betrayed friendship, alas! that makes him so timid and so -unhappy. Poor Boisguilbault! Perhaps our child's innocence and Jean's -loyalty will touch him. May he find it possible to forgive me of what I -can never forget!" -</p> - -<p> -"How can you complain when you have a treasure like Gilberte? But don't -expect her to tame him. He will no more come to Châteaubrun than -Cardonnet's handsome son will, and our ruins will never see either of -them again." -</p> - -<p> -"Emile will return with his father's consent or not at all, Janille, I -have promised you; but meanwhile his conduct is worthy of all praise; -Jean proved it to us this morning." -</p> - -<p> -"That is to say, that you didn't understand anything about it, any more -than I did; but, because you are weak, you pretended to be persuaded! -you never do anything different, and you don't see that by praising that -young man's noble conduct you inflame your daughter's mind. You would do -better to disgust her with him by proving to her that he's mad, or that -he doesn't care for her." -</p> - -<p> -Their discussion was interrupted by the sound of Lanterne's hoofs, which -produced a familiar cadence as she trotted over the smooth rock. They -ran to meet Gilberte, and when they had almost dragged her into the -pavilion, amid the hurried questions on one side and the broken replies -on the other, the package which the marquis had handed Gilberte and -which she had not thought of opening, caught Janille's eye. -</p> - -<p> -"What's all this?" she cried, unfolding a superb Indian cashmere, -sky-blue, embroidered with gold thread; "why, it's a cloak fit for a -queen!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! great Heaven!" cried Monsieur Antoine, touching the shawl with a -trembling hand and turning pale as death: "I recognize this." -</p> - -<p> -"And what is this box?" said Janille, opening a jewel-case which fell -from the shawl. -</p> - -<p> -"Those are mineral specimens, I believe," replied Gilberte suddenly, -"crystals from Mont-Blanc which he picked up himself." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, you are mistaken, these shine much brighter; just look at -them!" -</p> - -<p> -And Gilberte to her unbounded amazement saw that it was a necklace of -huge diamonds of dazzling brilliancy. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Mon Dieu! mon Dieu!</i> I recognize that too," stammered Monsieur de -Châteaubrun, overwhelmed by intense emotion. -</p> - -<p> -"Hush, monsieur," said Janille, nudging him with her elbow; "you know -diamonds and cashmere shawls when you see them, that's likely enough; -you have been rich enough to have plenty of 'em. Is that any reason why -you should talk so loud and prevent us from looking at them? -<i>Diantre</i>! my girl, you didn't waste your time! They may be worth -enough to rebuild our château, and Monsieur de Boisguilbault is no such -skinflint as I thought." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte, who had seen very few diamonds in her life, persisted in -believing that the necklace was of rock crystal cut like diamonds; but -Monsieur de Châteaubrun, having examined the stones and the clasp, -replaced them in the box, saying with a sort of pensive melancholy: -</p> - -<p> -"Those diamonds are worth more than a hundred thousand francs. Monsieur -de Boisguilbault has given you a marriage-portion, my child!" -</p> - -<p> -"A hundred thousand francs!" cried Janille, "a hundred thousand francs! -Think of what you are saying, monsieur! is it possible?" -</p> - -<p> -"Those glistening little stones worth so much money!" exclaimed -Jappeloup, in artless amazement entirely free from covetousness; "and -they are kept like that in a little box, and not used for anything?" -</p> - -<p> -"People wear them," said Janille, putting the necklace around Gilberte's -neck, "and they make a woman look lovely, I should say. Put the shawl -over your shoulders, my girl! Not like that! I have seen ladies wearing -them in Paris; but I am blessed if I can remember how they fixed them." -</p> - -<p> -"They are very fine, but very uncomfortable," said Gilberte, "and it -seems to me as if I were disguised with this shawl and these jewels. -Come, let us fold the shawl and put the stones in the box, to send back -to Monsieur de Boisguilbault. He must have felt about in the dark and -made a mistake. He meant to give me some trifle and he has given me the -wedding presents he gave his wife." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," said the carpenter, "he made a mistake, for sure; for a man -doesn't give his dead wife's things to a stranger. He was so excited, -poor man! You're not the only man whose wits go wool gathering, Monsieur -Antoine." -</p> - -<p> -"No, he made no mistake," said Monsieur Antoine. "He knows what he is -doing, and Gilberte can keep these presents." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, of course," cried Janille. "They are hers, aren't they, -Monsieur Antoine? They all belong to her rightfully—since Monsieur de -Boisguilbault gives them to her!" -</p> - -<p> -"But it's out of the question, father! I don't want them," said -Gilberte; "what should I do with them? I should cut a ridiculous figure -going out to drive in our barrow in my calico dress, covered with -diamonds and a cashmere shawl!" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Dame</i>! you would rather make people laugh," said the carpenter; "the -ladies of the province would burst with envy. And then, too, all the -moths would come and flutter about your diamonds, for they plunge like -idiots at everything that shines; in that they are like men. If Monsieur -de Boisguilbault chooses to give you a <i>dot</i>, to show that he is -reconciled to Monsieur Antoine, he would do much better to give you one -of his small farms with a half interest in eight oxen." -</p> - -<p> -"That is all very fine," said Janille, "but with the little shining -stones, we raise money, we make the pavilion larger, we redeem estates, -we obtain an income of two or three thousand francs, and we find a -husband who brings us as much more. Then we are in comfortable -circumstances for the rest of our days and we snap our fingers at -Messieurs Cardonnet, father and son!" -</p> - -<p> -"True enough," said Monsieur Antoine, "with these your future is -assured, my child. Ah! how nobly Monsieur de Boisguilbault revenges -himself! I knew what I was saying when I stood up for him against you, -Janille! Will you still claim that he's a cruel, unforgiving man?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nenni, monsieur, nenni! he has a good heart, I agree. Come, tell us how -it all came about, you two." -</p> - -<p> -They talked until midnight, recalling the most trivial details, -indulging in innumerable conjectures concerning the marquis's conduct -toward Antoine in the future. As it was too late for Jean Jappeloup to -return to his village, he slept in Châteaubrun. Monsieur Antoine fell -asleep to dream of happiness; Janille, of wealth. She had forgotten -Emile and her recent disappointment. "That will all pass by," she said, -"and the hundred thousand francs will remain. We shall have no more to -do with your Galuchets, when we are possessed of a tidy little fortune -in the country." And she ran over in her mind all the young rustics in -the neighborhood who might aspire to Gilberte's hand. -</p> - -<p> -"If a mere plebeian offers himself," she thought, "he must have at least -two hundred thousand francs' worth of land."—And she placed under her -bolster the key to the cupboard in which she had locked Gilberte's <i>pot -au lait</i>. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte, yielding to extreme fatigue, fell asleep at last, after -forming a momentous resolution. The next morning she talked a long while -with her father, without Janille's knowledge, then asked the latter to -allow her to carry Monsieur de Boisguilbault's presents to her own room, -so that she could look at them at her leisure. The good woman handed -them to her unsuspectingly, for Gilberte felt obliged on this occasion -to resort to dissimulation with her obstinate governess. Then she wrote -a letter which she showed to her father. -</p> - -<p> -"What you are doing is all right, my child," he said, with a profound -sigh, "but look out for Janille when she finds it out!" -</p> - -<p> -"Don't you be afraid, dear father," was the reply; "we won't tell her -that I took you into my confidence, and all her anger will fall on me -alone." -</p> - -<p> -"Now," said Monsieur Antoine, "we must wait for our friend Jean, for we -can't trust things of such value to a hare-brained chap like Master -Charasson." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte awaited the carpenter's return with the more impatience because -she expected to receive news of Emile from him. She had no idea that -Emile was ill. But at the very thought of his mental suffering she was -so beset by anxiety that she could not think of herself; and these days -of separation, which she had thought that she could endure so -courageously, seemed to her so long and so depressing that she asked -herself in dismay how Emile could endure them. She flattered herself -that he would find a way to write to her, although she would not -authorize him to do it; or, at least, that the carpenter would repeat -their conversation to her, to the most unimportant words. -</p> - -<p> -But the carpenter did not appear, and evening came without bringing any -relief to the girl's painful anxiety. Her secret grief was augmented by -a real annoyance. Monsieur Antoine showed signs of weakening in regard -to the resolution Gilberte had formed—and which he had at first -approved—to refuse Monsieur de Boisguilbault's gifts. He threatened -again and again to consult Janille, without whose advice he had taken no -important step for twenty years, and Gilberte trembled lest her old -nurse's imperative veto should block the proposed restitution. -</p> - -<p> -Jean did not come on the following day either. Doubtless he was working -for Monsieur de Boisguilbault, and Gilberte was surprised that, being -within so short a distance, he did not divine her longing to talk with -him, were it only for a moment. A vague uneasiness guided her in that -direction. She set out for Mère Marlot's hut, and as usual put in her -basket the modest delicacies which she took from her own dinner for her -invalids. But fearing that Monsieur de Châteaubrun would open his heart -to Janille in her absence and that the governess's seal would be affixed -to the jewel-case, she wrapped it up in the shawl, and placed the whole -at the bottom of her basket, determined not to part with them again -except to despatch them to their destination. -</p> - -<p> -Living in the country, in more than modest circumstances, Gilberte was -accustomed to go about alone in the neighborhood of her home. Poverty -dispenses with etiquette, and it would seem that the virtue of wealthy -maidens is more fragile or more precious than that of their poorer -sisters, as the former are never allowed to take a step without an -escort. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte went about alone on foot with as much security as a young -peasant girl, and she was in reality even less exposed, for she was -known, loved and respected by all whom she was likely to meet. -</p> - -<p> -She was afraid neither of dogs, nor cows, nor snakes, nor of a loose -colt. Children brought up in the country know how to protect themselves -from those trifling dangers, which a little presence of mind and -coolness are sufficient to avert. So she did not take her rustic page, -nor use the family vehicle, except when the weather was threatening or -she was in a hurry. On this afternoon the sun was still shining in a -clear sky, and she started off with a light foot on the path across the -fields. Mère Marlot's hut was almost equidistant from Châteaubrun and -Boisguilbault. -</p> - -<p> -The poor woman's children were fairly convalescent, and Gilberte did not -stay long with them. Mère Marlot told her that Monsieur de -Boisguilbault had left her a hundred francs on the day of their meeting -in her hovel, and that Jean Jappeloup was working at the wooden house in -the park. She had seen him pass in the morning, carrying various tools. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte thereupon thought that she might hope to meet the carpenter as -he returned to Gargilesse, and she determined to go to wait for him on -the road. But, fearing that she might be seen and recognized loitering -about the park, she borrowed a fustian cape from Mère Marlot, on the -pretext that the air was a little cool and that she felt slightly -indisposed. She put the hood over her fair hair, and, thus enveloped, -walked in a straight line, gliding through the bushes like a fawn, to -the park gate opening on the Gargilesse road. There she hid beneath the -willows on the bank of the stream, not far from the spot where it ran -along the edge of the park. She noticed that the gate was still open, a -proof that Monsieur de Boisguilbault was not yet in the park; for as -soon as he stepped inside all the gates were carefully closed and -locked, and this uncivilized custom of the châtelain was well known -throughout the neighborhood. -</p> - -<p> -This circumstance emboldened her, and she walked as far as the gate, to -try to see Jean Jappeloup. The roof of the chalet caught her eye; it was -very near. The path was in shadow and deserted. -</p> - -<p> -Stealing cautiously forward, Gilberte, who was as light as a bird, could -fly in time, and, disguised as she was, need not fear being recognized. -Jean would be there of course, and if she found him alone she would -beckon to him and satisfy her frantic impatience to have news of Emile. -</p> - -<p> -The chalet was open; there was no one inside; carpenter's tools were -lying about on the floor. Profound silence reigned everywhere. Gilberte -walked forward on tiptoe and placed on the table the package and the -letter she had brought. Then, as she reflected that objects of value -might be too much exposed in a place so ill guarded, she looked about, -placed her hand on a door which seemed to open into a closet, and, -noticing that the lock was removed, said to herself justly enough that -Jean was probably repairing it and would doubtless come and replace it, -and that there was nothing better for her to do than to place her -treasure in the hands of the most faithful of friends. But as she opened -the supposed closet to put the package inside, she found herself on the -threshold of a study, wherein everything was in disorder, facing a large -portrait of a woman. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte did not need to look long at the portrait to recognize the -original of a miniature which she had seen in her father's hands and had -always supposed to be that of the <i>unknown</i> mother who had brought her -into the world. If the resemblance had not been most striking, at the -first glance, because of the difference in size of the two portraits, -yet the attitude, the costume, the very blue shawl which Gilberte had in -her hand at that moment, would have convinced her that the miniature had -been made at the same time as the large portrait, or rather that it was -a reduced copy of it. She stifled a cry of surprise, and, as her chaste -imagination refused to grasp the possibility of an adulterous -connection, she persuaded herself that, as the result of a secret -marriage, of the sort we read about in novels, she was perhaps a near -kinswoman, the niece or grand-niece, of Monsieur de Boisguilbault. At -that moment she thought that she heard footsteps on the floor above, -and, terror-stricken, she threw the package on the mantel and fled with -the swiftness of an arrow. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap33"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXXIII -<br /><br /> -THE STORY OF ONE TOLD BY THE OTHER</h4> - -<p> -A few moments after Gilberte's flight, Jean returned to replace the lock -of the study, followed by Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who awaited his -departure to order the park to be closed. The carpenter had noticed the -marquis's uneasiness and how closely he watched all his movements while -he was at work at that door; annoyed by his employer's evident distrust -of his curiosity, he raised his head and said with his accustomed -outspokenness: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Pardieu</i>! Monsieur de Boisguilbault, you are terribly afraid that I -will look at what you have hidden in there! Just remember that I might -have looked at it an hour ago if I had chosen; but I care nothing about -it, and I should prefer to have you say: 'Shut your eyes,' instead of -watching me as you do." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's expression changed and he frowned. He -glanced into the study and saw that the wind had blown down a piece of -green cloth with which he had covered the portrait awkwardly enough, and -that Jean must have seen it unless he was blind. Thereupon, he formed a -sudden resolution, threw the door wide open, and said with forced -calmness: -</p> - -<p> -"I am hiding nothing here; you can look, if you choose." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I am not at all curious to see your big books," laughed the -carpenter; "I know nothing about them and I can't understand why it was -necessary to write so many words just to know how to do what's right. -But there's the portrait of your deceased wife! I recognize her, it is -her sure enough. How came you to put it here? in my time it was in the -château." -</p> - -<p> -"I had it put here so that I could see it all the time," said the -marquis sadly; "and, since it has been here, I have hardly looked at it. -I come into this study as little as I can, and if I dreaded to have you -see it, it was because I dreaded to see it myself. It makes me ill. -Close that door, if you don't need to have it open any longer." -</p> - -<p> -"And then you are afraid that some one will speak of your sorrow, eh? I -can understand that, and after what you have just said, I'll wager that -you have never got over your wife's death! Well, it's the same way with -me, and you needn't be ashamed of it before me, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault; for old as I am, I tell you something seems to cut my -heart in two when I think that I am alone in the world! And yet I am -naturally of a cheerful disposition and I wasn't always happy in my -home; but what difference does it make? my feelings are stronger than I -am, for I loved that woman! The devil couldn't have prevented me from -loving her." -</p> - -<p> -"My friend," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, visibly touched, and making -a painful effort to restrain his emotion, "she loved you, so do not -complain too bitterly; and, then, you were a father. What became of your -son? Where is he?" -</p> - -<p> -"He is underground with my wife, Monsieur de Boisguilbault." -</p> - -<p> -"I didn't know it. I knew only that you were a widower. Poor Jean! -forgive me for reminding you of your sorrows! Oh! I pity you from the -bottom of my heart! To have a child and lose it!" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis placed his hand on the carpenter's shoulder as he leaned -over his work, and all his kindness of heart appeared on his face. Jean -dropped his tools and said impulsively, with one knee on the floor: -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, I have been unhappier than you. -You can't imagine half of what I have suffered!" -</p> - -<p> -"Tell me about it, if it's a relief to you. I shall understand it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I will tell you, for you are a man of learning and judge things -in this world better than anyone I know, when your mind is calm. I will -tell you something that many people in my village know, but that I have -never been willing to talk about with anybody. My life has been a -strange one, I tell you! I was loved and I wasn't; I had a son and I -wasn't sure that I was his father." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you say? No! don't say that; you must never tell about such -things!" said the marquis, in sore distress. -</p> - -<p> -"You are right, while the thing is going on; but at our ages a man can -talk of anything, and you are not like the idiots who can see nothing -but a cause for laughter in the greatest misfortune with which their -neighbor can be afflicted. You are neither sneering nor unkind, and I -want you to tell me whether I behaved badly, whether I acted like a man -or a brute—in short, whether you would have done as I did; for -everybody blamed me more or less at the time, and if I had not had a -strong arm and a sharp tongue at the end of it, everybody would have -laughed in my face. You are to judge! My wife, my poor Nannie, loved one -of my friends, a handsome fellow—yes, and a good fellow—and -yet she loved me too. I don't know how the devil it came about, but I -discovered one fine morning that my son looked more like Pierre than -like Jean. Anybody could see it, monsieur! and there were times when I -longed to beat Nannie, to strangle the child and knock out Pierre's -brains. And then—and then—I said nothing at all. I wept and -prayed. Oh! how I suffered! I beat my wife on the pretext that she -didn't keep the house in order; I pulled the little one's ears on the -pretext that he made too much noise in mine; I picked a quarrel with -Pierre over a game of tenpins, and I nearly broke both his legs with the -ball. And then, when everybody else wept, I wept, too, and looked on -myself as a villain. I brought up the child and I wept for him; I buried -my wife and I still weep for her; I kept the friend and I still love -him. And that's how matters ended with me. What do you say to it?" -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault did not reply. He was pacing the room and -making the floor creak under his feet. -</p> - -<p> -"You think me a great coward and a great fool, I'll be bound," said the -carpenter, rising; "but, at all events, you see that your troubles are -nothing like mine." -</p> - -<p> -The marquis dropped into a chair and said nothing. Tears rolled slowly -down his cheeks. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, why are you weeping?" continued -Jean, with artless candor. "Are you trying to make me weep too? You -can't do it, I promise you! I shed so many tears of anger and grief in -those days that there wasn't a single one left in my body, I'll be -bound. Come, come! think of your past with patience and offer your -present to God; for there are people more badly treated than you, as you -see. You had for your wife a beautiful woman, virtuous, well educated -and quiet. Perhaps she didn't give you quite so many kisses and caresses -as I received from mine, but, at all events, she didn't deceive you, and -you proved that you had no fears of her by letting her go to Paris -without you whenever she wanted to. You were not jealous, and had no -reason to be; while I had a thousand devils in my brain every hour of -the day and night. I watched, I played the spy, I hid, because I was -jealous; I blushed for it, but I suffered martyrdom; and the more I -watched, the more I was convinced that she was very cunning about -deceiving me. I never was able to take her by surprise. Nannie was -shrewder than I was; and, when I had wasted my time watching her, she -would make a scene because I suspected her. When the child was old -enough to resemble anybody—and I saw that I wasn't the -one—what could you expect? I thought that I should go mad; but I -got accustomed to loving him, petting him, working to support him, -trembling when he bumped his head, seeing him caper round my bench, ride -horseback on my timber and amuse himself dulling my tools. I had only -that one! I had thought he was mine—no others came—and I -couldn't get along without a child, you see. And he loved me so dearly, -the little rascal! He was so bright! and, when I scolded him, he wept as -if his heart would break. At last I set about forgetting my suspicions, -and I succeeded so well in persuading myself that I was his father, that -when he was shot in the war, I longed to shoot myself. He was handsome -and brave, a good workman and as good a soldier, and it wasn't his fault -if he wasn't my son! He would have made my life happy; he would have -helped me with my work, and I shouldn't have had to grow old all alone. -I should have had some one to keep me company, to talk with me in the -evening after my day's work, to take care of me when I am sick, to put -me to bed when I am tipsy, to talk to me about his mother, whom I never -dare to mention to anybody, because everybody except him knew all about -my unhappiness. I tell you, Monsieur de Boisguilbault, you haven't had -so much to bear! You didn't have a contraband heir given you; and if you -haven't had the pleasure, neither have you had the shame!" -</p> - -<p> -"And I should not have had the courage you had," said the marquis. "Open -that door again, Jean, and let me look at the marchioness's portrait. -You have given me courage. I was insane the day I turned you out of my -house. You would have saved me from becoming weak and mad. I thought -that I was getting rid of an enemy, and I deprived myself of a friend." -</p> - -<p> -"But why in the devil did you take me for your enemy?" -</p> - -<p> -"Have you no idea?" replied the marquis, fixing his eyes upon him in a -piercing glance. -</p> - -<p> -"Not the least," said the carpenter emphatically. -</p> - -<p> -"On your honor?" added Monsieur de Boisguilbault, wringing his hand -fiercely. -</p> - -<p> -"On my everlasting salvation!" replied Jean, raising his hand above his -head with dignity. "I hope that you are going to tell me at last." -</p> - -<p> -The marquis seemed not to hear this direct and sincere appeal. He felt -that Jean told the truth, and he had resumed his seat. Turning his chair -toward the study door, which Jean had opened, he gazed with profound -sadness at his wife's features. -</p> - -<p> -"I can understand that you continued to love your wife, that you forgave -the innocent child," he said; "but how you could endure and continue to -meet the friend who betrayed you—that is what passes my -comprehension!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! Monsieur de Boisguilbault, that was in fact the most difficult -thing of all! especially as it was not my duty, and everybody would have -applauded me if I had broken every bone in his body. But I tell you what -disarmed me: I saw that he was terribly remorseful and really unhappy. -So long as the fever of love had hold of him, he would have walked over -my body to join his mistress. She was as lovely as a rose in May; I -don't know whether you ever saw her, or remember her, but I know that -Nannie was as beautiful in her way as Madame de Boisguilbault. I was mad -over her, and so was he! He would have turned heathen for her, and I -turned idiot. But when the youthful ardor began to die away I saw well -enough that they no longer loved each other and that they were ashamed -of their sin. My wife began to love me again, seeing that I was kind and -generous to her, and as for him, his sin was so heavy on his heart, -that, when we drank together, he always wanted to confess to me; but I -wouldn't have it, and sometimes, when he was drunk, he would kneel at my -feet, yelling: -</p> - -<p> -"'Kill me, Jean, kill me! I deserve it and I shall be satisfied!' -</p> - -<p> -"When he was sober, he forgot about that, but he would have let himself -be chopped to pieces for me; and at this moment he's my best friend, -next to Monsieur Antoine. The subject of our suffering no longer exists, -and our friendship has endured. It was on his account that I had my -trouble with the excise people and became a vagabond for a while. Well, -he worked for my customers, so as to keep them for me; he brought me -money, and when I was free again gave my customers back to me; he has -nothing that doesn't belong to me, and as he is younger than I am, I -trust that he will close my eyes. He owes me that much; but after all, -it seems to me that I love him on account of the injury he did me and -the courage it required to forgive him!" -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! alas!" said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, "we are sublime when we -are not afraid of being ridiculous!" -</p> - -<p> -He closed the study door gently and walked back toward the fireplace, -when his eye fell at last on the package and a letter addressed to him. -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"MONSIEUR LE MARQUIS: -</p> - -<p> -"I promised you that you should hear no more of me; but you yourself -compel me to remind you that I exist, and I am going to do it for the -last time. -</p> - -<p> -"Either you made a mistake in handing me certain objects of great value, -or you intended to bestow alms on me. -</p> - -<p> -"I should not blush to accept your charity if I were reduced to the -necessity of imploring it; but you are mistaken, monsieur le marquis, if -you think I am in want. -</p> - -<p> -"Our circumstances are comfortable, considering our necessities and -tastes, which are modest and simple. You are rich and generous; I should -be blameworthy to accept benefactions which you might bestow on so many -others; it would be robbing the poor. -</p> - -<p> -"The one thing which it would have been very sweet to me to carry away -from your house, and which I would have given all my blood to obtain, is -a word of forgiveness, a friendly word for my father. Ah! monsieur, you -cannot conceive what a child's heart suffers when she sees her father -unjustly accused and knows not how to set him right. You did not furnish -me with the means to do so, for you persisted in keeping silent as to -the cause of your resentment; but how could you fail to understand that, -under the present circumstances, I could not accept your gifts and take -advantage of your kindness! -</p> - -<p> -"I retain, however, a small cornelian ring which you placed on my finger -when I entered your house under an assumed name. It is an object of -trifling value, you told me, a souvenir of your travels. It is very -precious to me, although it was not as a pledge of reconciliation that -you chose to give it to me: but it will remind me of a very sweet yet -very painful moment, when I felt all my heart go out toward you, with -vain hopes that vanished instantly. I ought to hate you, for you hate a -father whom I adore! I know not how it is I esteem your gifts with no -feeling of wounded pride, and that I renounce your friendship with -profound grief. -</p> - -<p> -"Accept, monsieur le marquis, the deep respect of -</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 60%;">"GILBERTE DE CHÂTEAUBRUN."</p> -</blockquote> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap34"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXXIV -<br /><br /> -RESURRECTION</h4> - -<p> -"Was it you who brought this package and letter, Jean?" queried Monsieur -de Boisguilbault. -</p> - -<p> -"No, monsieur, I brought nothing at all, and I don't know what they -are," replied the carpenter, with the accent of truth. -</p> - -<p> -"How am I to believe you?" rejoined the marquis, "when you lied to me so -coolly the day before yesterday, when you introduced one person to me -under the name of another?" -</p> - -<p> -"The day before yesterday I lied, but I wouldn't have sworn to what I -said; to-day, I swear that I saw no one come in and I do not know who -brought those things. But, as you choose to mention what happened the -day before yesterday, let me tell you something that I wouldn't have -dared to speak of otherwise: that the poor child cried all the way home, -thinking of you, and that——" -</p> - -<p> -"I beg you, Jean, don't talk to me about that young woman or her father! -I promised you that I would mention them when it was necessary, and on -that condition you agreed not to torment me. Wait till I question you." -</p> - -<p> -"All right! but suppose you keep me waiting too long and I lose -patience?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps I shall never mention them to you and you will hold your tongue -forever," said the marquis in a tone of very marked ill-humor. -</p> - -<p> -"The deuce you say!" retorted the carpenter, "that wasn't our -agreement." -</p> - -<p> -"Off with you!" said Monsieur de Boisguilbault tartly. "Your day's work -is finished, you refuse to take supper here, and no doubt Emile is -waiting for you impatiently. Tell him to have courage and that I will -come and see him soon—to-morrow perhaps." -</p> - -<p> -"If you treat him as you do me, if you refuse to talk to him or let him -talk about Gilberte, what good do you suppose a visit from you will do -him? That's not the kind of thing that will cure him." -</p> - -<p> -"Jean, you wear out my patience, you make me ill! Be off, I say!" -</p> - -<p> -"Oho! the wind has changed," thought the carpenter. "I must wait till -the sun comes out again." -</p> - -<p> -He put on his jacket and walked across the park. Monsieur de -Boisguilbault accompanied him, to close the gate after him. It was still -light. The marquis noticed on the recently raked gravel the prints of a -woman's tiny foot going to and coming from the chalet. He did not call -the attention of the carpenter, who failed to notice the marks. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile Gilberte had waited longer than she intended. The sun had set -ten minutes before and the time seemed mortally long to her. As the -approach of night and the fear of meeting some one from the château who -might recognize her, increased her uneasiness and impatience, she -ventured to leave the place where she was hiding and go down a little -way toward the stream, so that she would still be near enough to -recognize the carpenter. But she had not taken three steps in the open -when she heard footsteps behind her, and, turning hurriedly, she saw -Constant Galuchet, armed with his fishing-pole, going toward Gargilesse. -</p> - -<p> -She pulled her hood over her face, but not so quickly that the angler -for gudgeons did not see a lock of golden hair, a blue eye and a rosy -cheek. Moreover, it would have been very difficult for Gilberte to -deceive anyone who was following her so closely. There was nothing of -the peasant in her carriage, and the fustian cape was not long enough to -hide the hem of a light dress and a pretty foot encased in a shapely and -tight-fitting little gaiter. Constant Galuchet's curiosity was keenly -aroused by this meeting. He had too much contempt for the peasant girls -to make love to them on his excursions; but the sight of a young lady in -disguise gave a fillip to his aristocratic curiosity, and a vague, -instinctive feeling that those golden locks so difficult of concealment -were Gilberte's, induced him to follow her and frighten her. -</p> - -<p> -So he plodded along in her wake, sometimes walking immediately behind -her, sometimes beside her, moderating or quickening his pace to defeat -the little ruses to which she resorted to let him pass her and to fall -behind; stopping when she stopped, leaning toward her as he brushed by, -and darting inquisitive and insolent glances under her hood. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte, terrified beyond measure, looked about for some house in which -she could take refuge; and seeing none she kept on in the direction of -Gargilesse, hoping that the carpenter would overtake her and rid her of -her troublesome escort. -</p> - -<p> -But hearing no footsteps and unable to endure being followed thus, she -stooped as if to look in her basket, to make her tormenter think that -she had forgotten or lost something; then turned back toward the park, -thinking that Galuchet, having no excuse for following her in that -direction, would not have the audacity to do it. -</p> - -<p> -It was too late; Constant had recognized her and an impulse of base -vindictiveness took possession of him. -</p> - -<p> -"Oho! my fair villager," he said, darting to her side, "what are you -looking for with so much mystery? Can't I help you to find it? You don't -answer! I understand: you have a nice little assignation hereabout, and -I interfere with it. So much the worse for girls who wander about the -country alone at night! they run the risk of meeting one gallant instead -of another, and the absent are always in the wrong. Come, come, don't -look at me so hard; all cats are gray in the dark, so take my arm. If we -don't find the man you want, we must try to fill his place so that you -won't miss him too much." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte, alarmed by this coarse talk, began to run. Being more adroit -and more slender than Galuchet, she plunged in among the trees where -they were thickest, and soon thought herself out of danger; but a sort -of frenzy had taken possession of him when he saw her escape him so -easily. In three bounds, after bumping and scratching himself a little -among the branches, he was by her side once more, opposite the gate of -Boisguilbault park. -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon he seized her cape, saying: -</p> - -<p> -"I propose to see if you are worth the trouble of chasing you in this -way! If you are ugly, you have no need to run, my love, for I shall not -run myself into a perspiration for you; but if you are young and pretty, -you'll find yourself in difficulty, my dear!" -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte struggled bravely, striking Galuchet's face and breast with her -basket; but the battle was too one-sided: at the risk of wounding her -with the buckle of her cape, he fiercely tore off her hood. -</p> - -<p> -At this moment two men appeared at the park gate, and Gilberte, tearing -herself free with a desperate effort, rushed toward them and sought -protection from the one who was nearest to her. She was received in -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's arms. -</p> - -<p> -As she was almost fainting with fear and indignation, she hid her face -on the old man's breast, and neither he nor the carpenter had time to -recognize her; but when he saw Galuchet running away, all Jean's rancor -against him awoke, and he rushed after him. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur Cardonnet's clerk was short and stout, and Jean, despite his -age, had the advantage in build and activity. Seeing that he was on the -point of being overtaken, Galuchet turned to meet him, relying on his -strength. -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon a struggle took place between them, and Galuchet, who was a -sturdy fellow, sustained the first attack not unsuccessfully; but Jean -was an athlete, and he soon brought him to the ground on the bank of the -stream. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! so you are not content to play the trade of spy!" he said, putting -his knees on his chest and clutching his throat so tight that the poor -devil was forced to relax his hold, "but you needs must insult women, -you miserable cur! I ought to crush such a venomous beast as you are; -but you are such a coward that you would prosecute me for it. Well! you -shan't have that pleasure; you shall leave my hands without a scratch -that you can show; I will content myself with a shave that's just fit -for you." -</p> - -<p> -Whereupon the carpenter picked up a handful of black mud on the bank of -the stream and rubbed Galuchet's face and shirt and cravat with it; then -he let him go and said, standing in front of him: -</p> - -<p> -"Just try to touch me, and see if I won't make you eat some of it!" -</p> - -<p> -Galuchet had had altogether too rough a demonstration of the power of -the carpenter's arm to expose himself to it again. He longed to throw a -stone at his head when he calmly turned his back on him. But it occurred -to him that it might turn out a serious matter, and that he would have -to pay dear for it, if he failed to lay him low at the first blow. -</p> - -<p> -So he beat a retreat, not without pouring forth insults and threats -against him and the hussy who had claimed his protection; but he dared -not mention Gilberte's name or let it be known that he had recognized -her. He was not perfectly sure that she would not eventually become his -employer's daughter-in-law, for Monsieur Cardonnet had seemed terribly -anxious and irresolute since Emile had been sick. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte and the marquis did not witness this scene. The girl was -suffocating with excitement, and, hardly conscious of her surroundings, -allowed herself to be led toward the chalet. Monsieur de Boisguilbault, -sorely embarrassed by the adventure, but resolved to lend his aid like a -loyal gentleman to an insulted female, dared not speak to her or let her -know that he had recognized her. His distrust returned; he wondered if -this scene had not been prearranged to throw the fluttering dove into -his bosom: but when she fell fainting at the door of the chalet, and he -saw her pallor, her glazed eyes and purple lips, he was seized with -affectionate sympathy and with fierce indignation against the man who -was capable of insulting a defenceless woman. Thereupon he said to -himself that the noble girl had incurred that danger in order to prove -to him her pride and disinterestedness. He lifted her, carried her to a -chair, and said as he rubbed her icy hands: -</p> - -<p> -"Have courage, Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun; be calm, I implore you! you -are safe here and you are welcome." -</p> - -<p> -"Gilberte!" cried the carpenter, as he entered the room and recognized -Monsieur Antoine's daughter; "my Gilberte! God in heaven! is it -possible? Ah! if I had known this I wouldn't have spared the villain! -but he isn't far away and I must catch him and kill him!" -</p> - -<p> -Frantic with rage, he was about to go in pursuit of Galuchet, but the -marquis and Gilberte, who had partly recovered consciousness, detained -him. They had some difficulty, for Jean was beside himself. At last the -marquis made him understand that in the interest of Mademoiselle de -Châteaubrun's reputation, he should pursue his vengeance no farther. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the marquis continued to be exceedingly embarrassed in -Gilberte's presence. She wished to go, he longed, in his heart, to have -her stay, but he could not make up his mind to tell her so, except by -insisting upon the necessity of her taking a little time to rest and -recover from her emotion. But Gilberte was afraid of making her father -and Janille anxious again, and declared that she felt quite strong -enough to go. The marquis offered her his carriage; he offered ether; he -looked for a phial and could not find it; he hovered about her; he tried -to think of something to say to her in reply to her action and her -letter; and although he lacked neither good manners nor ease of manner -when his mind was once made up, he was more awkward and embarrassed than -a young student making his début in society, when he was struggling -with the pitiful irresolution of his character. -</p> - -<p> -Finally, as Gilberte rose to take her leave with Jean, who was to escort -her to Châteaubrun, he also rose, took his hat and grasped his new cane -with a determined air which made the carpenter smile. -</p> - -<p> -"You will allow me to accompany you too," he said. "That scoundrel may -be in ambush somewhere, and two champions are better than one." -</p> - -<p> -"Let him come!" Jean whispered to Gilberte, who was on the point of -declining his offer. -</p> - -<p> -They left the park, and at first the marquis walked some distance behind -or in front, as if to act as a guard. At last he found himself beside -Gilberte, and, observing that she seemed prostrated and could hardly -walk, he decided to offer her his arm. Little by little he fell into -conversation with her and gradually felt more at ease. He talked at -first on general subjects, then of herself more particularly. He -questioned her concerning her tastes, her occupations, her reading; and -although she was very modest and reserved, he soon discovered that she -was endowed with superior intelligence, and that she had a very solid -foundation of useful knowledge. -</p> - -<p> -Impressed by this discovery, he sought to ascertain where and how she -had learned so many serious things, and she admitted that she had -derived the larger part of her knowledge from the library at -Boisguilbault. -</p> - -<p> -"I am proud and delighted to hear it," said the marquis, "and I place -all my books at your disposal. I trust that you will send and ask for -what you want, unless you will consent to trust me to select for you and -to send you a parcel every week. Jean will consent to be our messenger -until Emile can take his place again." -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte sighed; she could hardly believe, in view of Emile's alarming -silence, that happy time would ever come. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray lean on my arm," said the marquis; "you seem ill and you are not -willing that I should assist you." -</p> - -<p> -When they reached the foot of the hill of Châteaubrun, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, who seemed to have forgotten his whereabouts, began to -show signs of excitement, like a restive horse. Suddenly he stopped and -gently withdrew Gilberte's arm from his and placed it in the -carpenter's. -</p> - -<p> -"I leave you at your door and with a devoted friend," he said. "You have -no further need of me, but I carry away your promise to make use of my -books." -</p> - -<p> -"If only I could carry you farther with me!" said Gilberte in a -supplicating tone; "I would agree never to open a book in my life, -although it would be a great deprivation to me." -</p> - -<p> -"Unfortunately it is impossible!" he replied with a sigh; "but time and -chance bring about unexpected meetings. I hope, mademoiselle, that I do -not say adieu to you forever; for that thought would be very painful to -me." -</p> - -<p> -He bowed and returned to his chalet, where he locked himself in and -passed a portion of the night writing, arranging papers and gazing at -the marchioness's portrait. -</p> - -<p> -The next day, at noon, Monsieur de Boisguilbault donned his green coat, -cut in the style of the Empire, his lightest wig, doe-skin breeches, -gloves, and half-boots armed with short swan's-neck silver spurs. A -servant, in the full dress livery of an esquire, brought him the finest -horse in his stables, and, mounting himself a beast almost as perfect, -followed him at a slow trot along the Gargilesse road, carrying a small -casket slung over his arm by a strap. -</p> - -<p> -Great was the surprise of the village folk when they saw the marquis -ride within their walls, erect and stiff on his white horse, like a -teacher of horsemanship of the olden time, in ceremonious costume, with -gold spectacles and a gold-headed hunting-crop, which he carried -somewhat like a taper. It was at least ten years since Monsieur de -Boisguilbault had entered a town or a village. The children followed -him, dazzled by the magnificence of his equipment, the women rushed to -their door-steps, and the men carrying burdens halted in stupefaction in -the middle of the street. -</p> - -<p> -He rode slowly up the precipitous thoroughfare and down on the other -side to Monsieur Cardonnet's factory, being too good a horseman to -indulge in imprudent antics; and, resuming the trot à la Française as -he rode into the factory yard, he regulated his horse's gait so -perfectly that his hoof-beats sounded like the ticking of a clock in -perfect order. Certainly he still made a gallant appearance, and the -women said: "You see that he is a sorcerer, for he hasn't grown a day -older in the ten years since we last saw him here." -</p> - -<p> -He asked for Monsieur Emile Cardonnet and found the young man in his -bedroom, sitting on a sofa, with his father at his right and the doctor -at his left. Madame Cardonnet was sitting opposite him, gazing anxiously -into his face. -</p> - -<p> -Emile was very pale, but his condition was in no wise alarming. He rose -and went to meet Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who, after embracing him -affectionately, bowed low to Madame Cardonnet and with less warmth to -Monsieur Cardonnet. For a few moments there was no talk of aught save -the invalid's health. He had had a sharp attack of fever and had been -bled the night before; he had passed a comfortable night, and in the -morning the fever had entirely disappeared. They were urging him to go -for a drive in the cabriolet, and he was contemplating making a call -upon Monsieur de Boisguilbault when that gentleman entered. -</p> - -<p> -The marquis had learned all the details of his illness from the -carpenter, who had carefully concealed them from Gilberte. There was no -longer any ground for fear. The doctor observed that his patient needed -a good dinner, and took his leave with the remark that he should come -the next day only to satisfy his conscience. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur de Boisguilbault meanwhile kept a close watch on Monsieur -Cardonnet's face. He detected there an expression of triumph rather than -of joy. Doubtless the manufacturer had trembled at the idea of losing -his son, but, that fear being dissipated, the victory was won: Emile -could endure grief. -</p> - -<p> -For his part Monsieur Cardonnet examined the marquis's strange figure -and considered it supremely ridiculous. His gravity and his moderation -in speaking were the more annoying to him because Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, being in reality more embarrassed than he chose to -appear, simply made commonplace remarks in a most sententious tone. The -manufacturer, after a few moments, bowed to him again and left the room -to return to his business. Thereupon, Madame Cardonnet, divining from -Emile's restlessness that he desired to talk with his old friend in -private, left them together, after urging her son not to talk too much. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," said Emile when they were alone, "you can bring me the martyr's -crown! I have passed through the ordeal of fire; but God protects those -who call upon him, and I have come out of it with clean hands and with -no apparent burns: a little used up, to be sure, but calm and full of -faith in the future. This morning, in full possession of my reasoning -power and in perfect tranquillity of mind, I told my father what I had -told him in the excitement, perhaps the delirium, of fever. He knows now -that I shall never renounce my opinions, and that no fooling with my -passion can procure him that triumph. He seems quite satisfied; for he -thinks that he has succeeded in disgusting me with a marriage which he -dreaded more than the fervor of my principles. He talked this morning -about distracting my thoughts, sending me abroad, to Italy. I told him -that I did not wish to leave France, nor this neighborhood even, unless -he turned me out of his house. He smiled, and would not contradict me, -because I was bled yesterday; but to-morrow he will talk to me in the -character of the stern friend, the day after to-morrow as the irritated -father, and the next day as the imperious master. Don't be alarmed about -me, my friend; I shall be brave, calm and patient. Whether he condemns -me to exile, or keeps me with him to torture me, I will show him that -love is very strong when it is inspired by enthusiasm for the true, and -sustained by the ideal." -</p> - -<p> -"Emile," said the marquis, "I know through your friend Jean all that has -taken place between your father and yourself, also the great victory -that your heart has won. My mind was at rest before I came here." -</p> - -<p> -"I knew, my friend, that you had become reconciled with that -simple-hearted but admirable man. He told me that you were coming to see -me; I was expecting you." -</p> - -<p> -"Did he tell you nothing more?" said the marquis, gazing intently at -Emile. -</p> - -<p> -"No, nothing more, I assure you," Emile replied, with the emphasis of -perfect sincerity. -</p> - -<p> -"He did well to keep his promise," rejoined Monsieur de Boisguilbault; -"you were too much excited by fever to endure fresh emotion. I have -undergone violent emotions myself since we last met, but I am satisfied -with the result, and I will tell you what it is. But not yet, Emile; you -are too pale, and I am not sure enough of myself as yet. Don't come and -see me to-day; I have other places to go to, and perhaps I will see you -again when I return this way to-night. Will you promise me to eat some -dinner and take care of yourself—in a word, to get well?" -</p> - -<p> -"I promise, my friend. If I only could send word to the woman I love -that, on resuming the free exercise of my life and my faculties, I find -my love more ardent and more absolute than ever in the depths of my -heart." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, Emile, write a few lines; not enough to tire you. I will -come again to-night, and, if she doesn't live too far away, I will -undertake to send your letter to her." -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! my friend, I cannot tell you her name; but if the carpenter would -take charge of it, now that I have recovered my strength and am no -longer watched every moment, I could write." -</p> - -<p> -"Write then, seal your letter, and do not address it The carpenter is -working for me, and he shall have the letter before night." -</p> - -<p> -While the young man was writing, Monsieur de Boisguilbault left the room -and asked to speak with Monsieur Cardonnet. He was told that he had just -driven away in his cabriolet. -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know where I can find him?" asked the marquis, half convinced by -this hurried departure. -</p> - -<p> -He had not said where he was going, but they thought to Châteaubrun, as -he had taken that road, and as he had been there the week before. -</p> - -<p> -Upon receiving this reply, Monsieur de Boisguilbault displayed -surprising activity. He returned to Emile's room, took the letter, felt -his pulse, found that he was a little excited, mounted his horse, and -rode out of the village quietly as he had come. But he urged his horse -to a gallop as soon as he was on level ground. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap35"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXXV -<br /><br /> -ABSOLUTION</h4> - -<p> -Meanwhile Monsieur Cardonnet had arrived at Châteaubrun, and was in -presence of Gilberte, her father and Janille. -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur de Châteaubrun," he said, taking a seat with perfect -self-possession amid those three persons, who were filled with -consternation by a visit which boded fresh unhappiness, "you know -doubtless all that has taken place between my son and myself with regard -to mademoiselle your daughter. My son has had the good taste and the -good sense to choose her for his wife. Mademoiselle, and you, monsieur, -have had the extreme kindness to accept his attentions, without any very -definite knowledge as to whether I approve them." -</p> - -<p> -At this point Janille made an angry gesture, Gilberte lowered her eyes -and turned pale, and Monsieur Antoine flushed and opened his mouth to -interrupt Monsieur Cardonnet. But he, giving him no time to do so, -continued thus: -</p> - -<p> -"I did not approve of this union at first, I agree: but I came here, I -saw mademoiselle, and I yielded—on very mild and simple conditions. -My son is ultra-democratic in his notions, and I am a moderate -conservative. I foresaw that his exaggerated opinions would ruin his -intellect and his credit. I demanded that he should abandon them and -return to judicious and decent ideas. I thought that I could easily -obtain that sacrifice. I rejoiced over it in anticipation; I announced -it to you as indubitable in a letter addressed to mademoiselle; but, to -my great surprise, Emile persists in his madness, and sacrifices to it a -love which I believed to be deeper and more devoted. I am forced, -therefore, to tell you that he renounced mademoiselle's hand irrevocably -this morning, and I thought it my duty to inform you immediately, in -order that, being fully aware of his intentions and my own, you should -have no ground for accusing me of irresolution and imprudence. Whether -it seems fitting to you now to authorize his love and to permit his -attentions, is for you to say; I wash my hands of it." -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur Cardonnet," said Antoine, who had risen, "I know all this, and -I know, also, that you never lack fine phrases to make sport of us; but -I say that, if you are so well informed, it is because you sent spies -into our house and lackeys to insult us by revolting offers for my -daughter's hand. You have already caused us much distress by your -diplomacy, and we request you, without ceremony, to stop where you are. -We are not simple enough not to understand that you do not propose to -unite your wealth with our poverty at any price. We have not been -deceived by your devious manœuvres, and when you invented the -extraordinary scheme of placing your son between a moral submission, -which is impossible so far as his opinions are concerned, and a marriage -to which you would not have consented, even if he had been willing to -descend to falsehood, we swore that we would have no falsehood and no -dissimulation between him and you and ourselves. Allow me to tell you, -therefore, that we know very well what it befits us to do; that I am -quite as well able to protect my daughter's honor and dignity as you are -to protect your son's wealth, and that I have no occasion for advice or -lessons from anybody in that regard." -</p> - -<p> -Having spoken thus with a firmness which Monsieur Cardonnet was far from -expecting on the part of the <i>old sot of Châteaubrun</i>, Monsieur -Antoine resumed his seat and looked the manufacturer in the eye. -Gilberte felt as if she were dying; but she thought it her duty to -support with her pride the just pride of her father. She too looked -Monsieur Cardonnet in the face, and her glance seemed to confirm all -that Monsieur Antoine had said. -</p> - -<p> -Janille, unable to contain herself any longer, deemed it her duty to -speak. -</p> - -<p> -"Never fear, monsieur," she said, "we can get along very well without -your name. We have one which is quite as good; and as for the matter of -money, we had more glory in losing what we had than you in making what -you didn't have." -</p> - -<p> -"I know, Mademoiselle Janille," retorted Monsieur Cardonnet, with the -artificial calmness of profound contempt, "that you are very proud of -the name Monsieur de Châteaubrun has bestowed on your daughter. For my -own part, I would not have been so proud, and would have closed my eyes -to certain irregularities of birth; but I can imagine that the fortune -of a plebeian, acquired by hard labor, may seem contemptible to a person -born, as you apparently were, in the splendors of idleness. It only -remains for me to wish you all much joy, and to ask mademoiselle's -pardon for having caused her some slight grief. My wrongdoing was -unintentional, but I think that I can atone for it by a bit of sound -advice: remember that young people who venture to make free with the -wishes of their parents are sometimes intoxicated by an ephemeral -caprice rather than inspired by an enduring passion. Emile's conduct -with regard to her proves what I say, I think, and I am a little ashamed -for him." -</p> - -<p> -"Enough, Monsieur Cardonnet, enough, do you hear?" exclaimed Monsieur -Antoine, really angry for the first time in his life: "I should blush to -have so much wit as you, if I made so unworthy a use of it as to insult -a young girl, and outrage her father in her presence. I trust that you -understand me, and that——" -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur Antoine! Mademoiselle Janille!" cried Sylvain Charasson, -rushing into the room; "here's Monsieur de Boisguilbault coming to see -you! as true as the sun's shining! it's Monsieur de Boisguilbault! I saw -his white horse and his yellow spectacles!" -</p> - -<p> -This unexpected news excited Monsieur de Châteaubrun so that he forgot -all his anger, and overwhelmed by a sort of childish delight mingled -with terror, he went out with faltering step to meet his old friend. -</p> - -<p> -But as he was about to throw himself into his arms, he was petrified -with dread and, as it were, paralyzed by the marquis's impassive face -and his courteous but sad salute. Trembling and heart-broken, Monsieur -Antoine seized his daughter's arm in a convulsive grasp, uncertain -whether he should push her toward Monsieur de Boisguilbault as a pledge -of reconciliation, or send her away as a crushing proof of his sin. -</p> - -<p> -Janille, completely bewildered, courtesied again and again to the -marquis, who glanced absent-mindedly in her direction and bowed almost -imperceptibly to her. -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur Cardonnet," he said, as he stood in the door of the square -pavilion face to face with the manufacturer, who came out last, "I fancy -that you are going away, and I came here expressly to meet you. You left -your house just as I went to look for you, and I hurried after you. I -beg you therefore to remain a little while, and to be good enough to -give me your attention for a few moments." -</p> - -<p> -"We will talk somewhere else, monsieur le marquis," replied Cardonnet, -"for I cannot stay here any longer: suppose we go down to the foot of -the mountain?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, monsieur, no, permit me to insist: what I have to say is of some -importance, and everybody here must hear it. It seems clear to me that I -have not arrived soon enough to prevent some unpleasant explanations; -but you are a man of affairs, Monsieur Cardonnet, and you know that it -is the custom to summon a family council upon matters of serious -importance at which momentous interests are discussed coolly, even when -the participants bring to the council some little passion in the depths -of their hearts. Monsieur le Comte de Châteaubrun, I beg you to detain -Monsieur Cardonnet—it is quite essential. I am old and ill, I may not -have the strength to come here again, to take such a journey. You are -young men compared with me; I ask you therefore to be calm and -considerate and to spare me much fatigue. Will you refuse me?" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis spoke this time with an ease and grace which made him an -entirely different man from him whom Monsieur Cardonnet had seen an hour -earlier. He was conscious of a feeling of curiosity, not unmixed with a -prudent regard for his own interests. Monsieur de Châteaubrun requested -him to remain, and they all returned to the pavilion, with the exception -of Janille, to whom Monsieur Antoine made a sign, and who took her place -behind the kitchen door to listen. -</p> - -<p> -Gilberte was uncertain whether she ought to go in or remain outside; but -Monsieur de Boisguilbault offered her his hand with much courtesy, and, -leading her to a chair, sat down near her, at some distance from her -father and Emile's. -</p> - -<p> -"To proceed in order, and in accordance with the respect due to ladies," -he began, "I will first address myself to Mademoiselle de -Châteaubrun.—Mademoiselle, I made my will last night, and I have come -here to inform you as to its provisions and conditions; but I should be -glad not to be refused this time, and I shall not have the courage to -read you this scrawl unless you will promise not to be angry. You also -laid down certain conditions in a letter which I have here and which -caused me much pain. However, I consider them just, and I understand -your unwillingness to accept the most trivial gift from a man whom you -consider your father's enemy. In order to prevail upon you, therefore, -it is necessary that this hostility should come to an end, and that -monsieur your father should forgive me for whatever wrong I may have -done him.—Monsieur de Châteaubrun," he said, rising with heroic -courage, "you injured me many years ago; I retaliated by withdrawing my -friendship from you without any explanation. We should either have -fought or forgiven each other. We did not fight, but for twenty years we -have been strangers, which is a more serious matter to two men who have -been much attached to each other. I forgive you the wrong you did me, -will you forgive me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! marquis!" cried Monsieur Antoine, rushing to him and bending his -knee before him, "you never wronged me in any way. You were my best -friend. You were like a father to me, and I insulted you mortally. I -would have offered my bare breast to you if you would have run me -through with your sword, and I would never have raised my hand against -you. You did not choose to take my life, but you punished me much more -cruelly by withdrawing your friendship from me. And now you offer me -your forgiveness. I receive it on my knees, in presence of my friends -and my enemies, since this humiliation is the only reparation I can -offer you. You, Monsieur Cardonnet," he said, rising and eying the -manufacturer from head to foot, "are at liberty to sneer at what you -cannot understand; but I do not offer my bare breast and my arm without -a weapon to everybody, as you will soon know." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur Cardonnet also had risen, darting threatening glances at -Monsieur Antoine. The marquis placed himself between them and said to -Antoine: -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur le comte, I do not know what has taken place between Monsieur -Cardonnet and you; but you have offered me a reparation which I reject. -I choose to believe that there was wrong on both sides, and I wish to -see you not at my feet but in my arms; but since you consider that you -owe me an act of submission which my age justifies, I require you, -before I embrace you, to be reconciled to Monsieur Cardonnet, and to -take the first step in that direction." -</p> - -<p> -"Impossible!" cried Antoine, convulsively pressing the marquis's arm, -half in joy, half in anger. "Monsieur has just spoken to my daughter in -a most insulting way." -</p> - -<p> -"No, that cannot be," said the marquis; "there has been a -misunderstanding. I am acquainted with Monsieur Cardonnet's sentiments; -his character is inconsistent with an act of cowardice. Monsieur -Cardonnet, I am certain that you are as familiar with the point of honor -as any nobleman; and you have just seen two noblemen, who had cruelly -wounded each other, become reconciled before your eyes, without blushing -for their mutual concessions. Be generous, and prove to us that it is -not the name that makes nobility. I bring you words of peace and means -of reconciliation. Permit me to put your hand in Monsieur de -Châteaubrun's. Come; you won't refuse an old man on the verge of the -grave. Mademoiselle Gilberte, come to my aid; say a word to your -father." -</p> - -<p> -The phrase <i>means of reconciliation</i> had echoed loudly in Monsieur -Cardonnet's ear. His penetrating mind had already guessed a part of the -truth. He thought that he would be obliged to yield, and that it would -be better to carry off the honors of war than to undergo the necessity -of capitulation. -</p> - -<p> -"My intentions were very different from what Monsieur de Châteaubrun -supposes," he said, "and there has always been in my thoughts so much -respect and esteem for mademoiselle his daughter, that I do not hesitate -to disavow any words of mine that can possibly be interpreted otherwise. -I beg Mademoiselle Gilberte to be convinced of my sincerity, and I offer -her father my hand as a pledge of the oath I take." -</p> - -<p> -"Enough, monsieur, let us say no more about it!" said Monsieur Antoine, -taking his hand; "let us part without hard feeling. Antoine de -Châteaubrun has never known what it is to lie." -</p> - -<p> -"That is true," thought Monsieur de Boisguilbault; "if he had been more -cunning, I should have been blind—and happy, like so many -others.—I thank you, Antoine," he said aloud, in a trembling -voice. "Now, come and embrace me!" -</p> - -<p> -The count's embrace was passionate and enthusiastic; the marquis's calm -and constrained. He was playing a part beyond his strength; he turned -pale, trembled, and was forced to sit down. Antoine sat beside him, his -breast shaken with sobs. Gilberte knelt in front of the marquis and -covered his hands with kisses, weeping with joy and gratitude. -</p> - -<p> -All this display and emotion disgusted the manufacturer, who looked on -with a cold, supercilious eye, awaiting the <i>means of reconciliation</i>. -</p> - -<p> -At last Monsieur de Boisguilbault drew them from his pocket and read -them in a clear, distinct voice. -</p> - -<p> -He set forth in a few clear, concise words that he possessed about four -million and a half francs; that he gave, by contract, two millions to -Mademoiselle Gilberte de Châteaubrun, on condition that she married -Monsieur Emile Cardonnet, and two millions to Monsieur Emile Cardonnet, -on condition that he married Mademoiselle Gilberte de Châteaubrun, both -of said gifts to take effect at Monsieur de Boisguilbault's death, but -to be void unless the marriage should be celebrated within six months. -Monsieur de Boisguilbault reserved the usufruct of these four millions -during his own life, but he gave five hundred thousand francs outright -to the future husband and wife, said gift to be effectual on their -wedding-day. The said last-named sum, however, was to be given to -Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun for her own use if she did not marry -Monsieur Emile Cardonnet. -</p> - -<p> -A feeble cry was heard behind the door; it was Janille, fainting with -joy in Sylvain Charasson's arms. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="chap36"></a></h4> - -<h4>XXXVI -<br /><br /> -RECONCILIATION</h4> - -<p> -Gilberte had no comprehension of what was happening to her; she had no -idea of what a fortune of four millions was, and the thought of such a -burden imposed upon a life so simple and happy as hers would have caused -her more fear than joy; but she realized that her union with Emile had -become a possibility once more, and, being unable to speak, she pressed -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's hand convulsively in her own. Antoine was -completely bewildered to find his daughter so rich. His joy was no -greater than hers, but he saw in the marquis's conduct such an -overwhelming proof of his forgiveness, that he believed that he must be -dreaming and could find nothing to say to him. -</p> - -<p> -Cardonnet was the only person present who really understood what it was -to have four millions and a half fall into the laps of his future -grandchildren. However, he did not lose his head, but listened -impassively to the reading of the will, and, not choosing to appear to -humble himself before the power of gold, he said coldly: -</p> - -<p> -"I see that Monsieur de Boisguilbault is determined that the father's -will shall bow before that of the friend; but Mademoiselle de -Châteaubrun's poverty has never seemed to me a serious obstacle to this -marriage. There is another which is much more repugnant to me, namely, -that she is a natural child, and that there is every reason to believe -that her mother—I will not call her by name—occupies an -inferior position in society." -</p> - -<p> -"You are in error, Monsieur Cardonnet," rejoined Monsieur de -Boisguilbault, firmly. "Mademoiselle Janille's morals have always been -beyond reproach, and, in my opinion, you do wrong to despise a person so -loyal and devoted to the objects of her affection. But the truth demands -that I set you right in this respect. I solemnly assure you, monsieur, -that Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun is of unmixed noble blood, if that -fact will give you any pleasure. I will even say that I knew her mother -intimately, and that she was of as good a family as my own. Now, -Monsieur Cardonnet, have you any other objection to make? Do you think -that Mademoiselle de Châteaubrun's character can possibly inspire -repugnance or suspicion in any one?" -</p> - -<p> -"Most assuredly not, monsieur le marquis," Cardonnet replied; "and yet I -hesitate still. It seems to me that the paternal authority and dignity -are impaired by such a contract; that my consent seems to be purchased -for a money consideration; and, while I had but one ambition for my son, -to see him acquire wealth by his labor and his talent, I see that you -raise him to the very apex of fortune, with a life of inaction and -idleness before him." -</p> - -<p> -"I hope that it will not be so," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault. "My -reason for choosing Emile for my heir is that I am confident that he -will not resemble me in any way, and that he will be able to make a -better use of wealth than I have done." -</p> - -<p> -Cardonnet simply desired an excuse for yielding. He said to himself -that, by refusing, he should alienate his son forever, and that, by -consenting with a good grace, he might recover enough influence over him -to teach him to use his wealth according to his, the father's ideas: -that is to say, he reckoned that, with four millions in hand, he might -some day have forty; and he was convinced that no man, even a saint, can -suddenly find himself the possessor of four millions without taking a -liking to wealth. "He will make a fool of himself at first," he thought, -"and will throw away part of his treasure; and, when he sees that it is -growing less, he will be so frightened that he will try to make up the -deficit; and then, as appetite comes to those who consent to eat, he -will want to multiply it by two, by ten, by a hundred. With my help, he -and I may be the kings of the financial world some day." -</p> - -<p> -"I have no right," he said at last, "to refuse the fortune offered to my -son. I would do it if I could, because the whole transaction is contrary -to my opinions and my ideas; but the right of property is a sacred law. -As soon as my son receives such a gift, he is a property-holder. I -should rob him by refusing my assent to the conditions laid down. I am -bound, therefore, to hold my peace forever concerning all that offends -my convictions in this extraordinary arrangement; and, since I am -compelled to yield, I desire, at all events, to do it gracefully, -especially as Mademoiselle Gilberte's beauty, intellect and noble -character flatter my egotism by promising happiness to my family." -</p> - -<p> -"As we are all agreed," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, rising and -making a signal through the window, "I will beg Mademoiselle Gilberte, -who has, like myself, a fondness for flowers, to accept the betrothal -bouquet." -</p> - -<p> -The marquis's groom entered and put down the little casket he had -brought. Monsieur de Boisguilbault took from it a bouquet of the rarest -and most fragrant flowers; old Martin had spent more than an hour in -arranging it artistically. But, by way of ribbon, the bouquet was tied -with the necklace of diamonds which Gilberte had returned; and, to take -the place of the shawl, which the marquis had not deemed it advisable to -produce again, he had put two rows instead of one in the necklace. -</p> - -<p> -"Oho! two or three thousand francs in addition to what the contract -calls for!" thought Monsieur Cardonnet, pretending to look at the -diamonds with indifference. -</p> - -<p> -"Now," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault to Gilberte, "you can refuse me -nothing, as I have done what you wished. I suggest that you and your -father take your carriage—the same barrow that was so useful to me -and that procured me the happiness of your acquaintance. We will go to -Gargilesse. I fancy that Monsieur Cardonnet desires to present his -daughter-in-law to his wife, and, for my part, I am most anxious that my -heiress should win her heart." -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur Cardonnet welcomed the suggestion eagerly, and they were about -to start when Emile appeared. He had learned that his father had gone to -Châteaubrun; he dreaded some new plot against his happiness and -Gilberte's peace of mind. He had leaped upon his horse, and forgetting -his loss of blood, his fever and his promises to the marquis, he arrived -at the ruins, trembling, breathless, and oppressed by the gloomiest -forebodings. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Emile, here is your wife already dressed for the wedding," said -Monsieur Cardonnet, divining the explanation of his imprudence. And he -pointed to Gilberte, covered with flowers and diamonds, on Monsieur de -Boisguilbault's arm. -</p> - -<p> -Emile, whose nerves were terribly tense and agitated, was like one -thunderstruck amid all the miracles that burst upon him at once. He -tried to speak, staggered and fell fainting in Monsieur Antoine's arms. -</p> - -<p> -Happiness rarely kills; Emile soon returned to life and bliss. Janille -rubbed his temples with vinegar, Gilberte held his hand in hers, and, -that nothing might be lacking in his joy, his mother, too, was there -when he opened his eyes. Made acquainted very recently, by Emile's -delirium, with his passion for Gilberte, she had made Galuchet tell her -the whole story, and, learning that her husband had gone to -Châteaubrun, and that her son had ridden thither notwithstanding his -condition, and foreseeing some terrible storm, she had driven at full -speed to the ruins, defying for the first time her husband's wrath, and -the bad roads, to which she paid no heed. She fell in love with Gilberte -at the first words they exchanged, and if the young girl felt some alarm -at the thought of entering a family of which Cardonnet was the head, she -was sure that she should find some compensation in his wife's loving -heart and gentle nature. -</p> - -<p> -"As we are all together," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault, with a grace -of which no one would have believed him capable, "we must pass the rest -of the day together and dine somewhere. There are too many of us not to -cause Mademoiselle Janille some embarrassment here, and if we should -return to Gargilesse we might take Monsieur Cardonnet's butler unawares. -If you will all do me the honor to come to Boisguilbault, which, by the -way, is much nearer, we shall find there the materials for dining, I -think. Perhaps Monsieur Cardonnet will take some interest in becoming -acquainted with his children's property, we will draw up their marriage -contract there and appoint a day for the wedding." -</p> - -<p> -This new evidence of the marquis's complete conversion was received with -great warmth. Janille asked but five minutes to make <i>mademoiselle's</i> -toilet, for she thought that she should be ceremoniously attired for the -occasion, but Gilberte greeted with a hearty kiss what she called a joke -on the part of her fond mother. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a id="figure03"></a> -<br /> -<img src="images/figure03.jpg" width="400" alt="" /> -<p class="center"><i>THE RECONCILIATION.</i></p> -<p> -"<i>I thank you, Antoine," the marquis said, in a trembling voice. "Now, -come and embrace me!</i>" -</p> -<p> -<i>The count's embrace was passionate and enthusiastic; the marquis's calm -and constrained.</i></p></div> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, the Cardonnet family inspected the ruins, and Monsieur de -Boisguilbault retired with Antoine to the pavilion to rest. No one heard -their conversation. Neither of them ever divulged its subject. Did they -exchange delicate and seemingly impossible explanations? It is hardly -probable. Did they agree never thereafter to make the slightest allusion -to their long feud, and to take up their friendship just where they had -dropped it? It is certain that, from that moment, they talked together -of the past without bitterness, and referred to former years with -pleasure, sometimes blended with emotion and with merriment. But it was -noticeable that these reminiscences never went beyond a certain -date—that of Monsieur de Boisguilbault's marriage—and that the -name of the marchioness was never mentioned between them. It was as if she -had never existed. -</p> - -<p> -When Gilberte returned, dressed as handsomely as she was able or wished -to be, Emile was overjoyed to see that she had put on the lilac dress, -which one more washing by Janille had made almost pink, and which, owing -to the miracles of her economy and skill, still seemed fresh. She had -braided her long hair, which reached to the ground, and in that superb -<i>abandon</i> reminded her happy lover of the scorching day at Crozant. Of -Monsieur de Boisguilbault's gifts she had retained only the bouquet and -the cornelian ring, which she showed to the marquis with an affectionate -smile. She was coquettish with him, coquettish with the heart, if we may -so express it; and while the deference and consideration which she -manifested toward Monsieur Cardonnet were somewhat forced, she yielded -ingenuously to the inclination to treat the marquis, in her manner and -in her thoughts, as if he were Emile's father. -</p> - -<p> -As they were about to start, Monsieur de Boisguilbault took Janille's -hand and invited her to drive with him, as courteously as if she had -been Gilberte's mother. He was so far from being offended by hearing -them call each other <i>mother</i> and <i>my girl</i>, that that close -attachment had suddenly inspired in him a great esteem and secret -gratitude for the old woman who had submitted to so much slander and -vulgar jesting rather than reveal to anybody on earth, even friend -Jappeloup—whom the marquis had for so long a time believed to be -Antoine's confidant and messenger,—the secret of Gilberte's birth. -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur Cardonnet could not restrain a disdainful smile at this -invitation. -</p> - -<p> -"Monsieur Cardonnet," said Monsieur de Boisguilbault in an undertone, -remarking that smile, "you will know and appreciate that woman when you -see how she brings up your grandchildren." -</p> - -<p> -The park of Boisguilbault was thrown open for the first time in its -history to a party invited by the owner. The chalet too was thrown open, -with the exception of the study, the door of which was securely -fastened, thanks to Jappeloup. -</p> - -<p> -The imposing melancholy of the château, the curious beauty of the -furniture, the magnificence of the park, and the noticeable air of good -breeding in the service, caused Monsieur Cardonnet some vexation. He had -done his utmost at Gargilesse to exclude parvenu manners from his -household, and amid the ruins of Châteaubrun, where he had felt that he -was a personage of consequence, he had not been very ill at ease. But he -seemed very small indeed amid the mixture of opulence and severe -simplicity that characterized Boisguilbault. He tried, by <i>liberal</i> -reflections, to prevent the marquis from thinking that he was dazzled by -his old-fashioned splendor. Monsieur de Boisguilbault, who did not lack -cunning beneath his awkwardness, and who had waited until that moment to -put before him the most distasteful of his demands, answered him calmly -and coincided with his opinions. Cardonnet expressed great surprise, -for, in common with everybody else, he supposed that the marquis had -retained all the pride of his caste and clung to the absurd principles -of the Restoration. As he could not refrain from expressing his -astonishment, Monsieur de Boisguilbault said to him gently: -</p> - -<p> -"You do not know me, Monsieur Cardonnet; I am as much opposed to -distinctions and privileges as yourself. I believe that all men are -equal in rights and in worth, when they are honorable and virtuous." -</p> - -<p> -At that moment, dinner was announced, and, as they were about to take -their places, Master Jean Jappeloup, cleanly shaved and in his Sunday -clothes, came out of the chalet, and playfully pushing Emile aside, took -Gilberte's hand to lead her to the table. -</p> - -<p> -"It is my right," he said; "you know I promised to be your witness and -your best man, Emile." -</p> - -<p> -Everybody welcomed the carpenter joyfully, except Monsieur Cardonnet, -who dared not however display less liberality under the circumstances -than the old marquis; so he contented himself with a satirical smile as -he saw him take his place at the family banquet. He submitted to -everything, promising himself that he would change his tone when the -marriage was consummated. -</p> - -<p> -The dinner, served under the old trees in the park, was magnificent with -flowers and exquisite in respect to the dishes; and old Martin, whom his -master had forewarned early in the morning, surpassed himself in -superintending the service. Sylvain Charasson was admitted to the honor -of working under his orders that day, and he will talk about it all his -life. -</p> - -<p> -The first moments were rather constrained. But little by little the -faction of the contented and happy triumphed over that of the -discontented,—which consisted of Monsieur Cardonnet alone and he was -half reconciled,—the table became more animated, and at -dessert Monsieur Cardonnet said to Emile, with a smile: "<i>We -marquises</i>——" -</p> - -<p> -Shall we speak of the happiness of Emile and Gilberte? Happiness cannot -be described, and even lovers themselves lack words with which to depict -it. When it was night, Monsieur and Madame de Cardonnet took their -leave, graciously authorizing Emile to escort his fiancée to -Châteaubrun, on condition that he should keep his father's cabriolet, -and not ride again that day. Monsieur Antoine, absorbed in a joyful -conversation with his friend Jean, wandered about the park, and Janille, -beginning to tire of playing the lady, satisfied her craving for action -by assisting Martin to put everything in order. Thereupon, Monsieur de -Boisguilbault took Emile's arm and Gilberte's and led them to the cliff -where he had first opened his heart to his young friend. -</p> - -<p> -"My children," he said to them, "I have made you rich, because it was -necessary to do it in order to overcome the obstacles that separated -you, and because it was the only means of making you happy. My will was -made a long while ago, but last night I rewrote it. My purpose remains -what it was: I believe that Emile knows it and that Gilberte will -respect it. I have determined that, in the future, this great estate -shall be used to found a <i>commune</i>, and in my first will I tried to -provide a plan for it, and to lay its foundations. But the plan might -well be defective and the foundations unsubstantial; I do not regret my -work, because I have always felt that it was weak and that I am of all -men on earth the man least capable of planning and carrying out. -Providence came to my aid by sending Emile to me to take my place in -realizing my plans, and I had recently made him my sole trustee and the -executor of my will. But such a disposition of my property would have -made it impossible to obtain Monsieur Cardonnet's consent, and I -destroyed it when I determined that you two should marry. Official -documents have not the value commonly attributed to them, and the law -has never found the means of fettering the conscience. That is why I am -much more tranquil in my mind when I simply tell you what I wish and -receive your promise, than I should be if I bound you by chains so -fragile as those of the provisions of a will. Do not answer, my -children! I know your thoughts, I know your hearts. You have been -subjected to the harshest of all tests, that of abandoning the idea of -being united or of abjuring your opinions; you have come out of it -triumphantly; I rely absolutely upon you and I leave the future in your -hands. It is your intention to put your opinions in practice, Emile, and -I furnish you with the instruments; but that does not mean that you have -the ability as yet. For that you need knowledge of social science, and -that is the result of long-continued labor to which you will apply -yourself with the aid of the forces which your generation, not mine, -will develop more or less successfully, as God wills. It may be that you -will not see my plans come to maturity, my children; perhaps your -children will; but, in bequeathing you my wealth, I bequeath you my -heart and my faith. You will bequeath it to others, if you have to pass -through a phase in the existence of mankind which makes it impracticable -for you to found the establishment advantageously. But Emile once said -something that impressed me. One day when I asked him what he would do -with an estate like mine, he answered: '<i>I would try</i>!' Let him try -then, and, after careful reflection, after a careful study of reality, -may he who has always dreamed of the salvation of mankind in the -organization and development of agricultural science, find the means of -transition which will prevent a deplorable break in the chain between -the past and the future! -</p> - -<p> -"I trust to his intelligence because it has its source in the heart. May -God give you genius, Emile, and may He give it to the men of your time! -for the genius of one man is almost nothing. For my part, I have nothing -more to do but to fall asleep peacefully in my grave. If I am privileged -to live a few days with you two, I shall have begun to live on the eve -of my death. But I shall not have lived in vain, indolent, disheartened -and useless as I have been, if I have found the man who can and will act -in my place. -</p> - -<p> -"Keep the secret of my opinions and our plans until after your marriage, -and even until after the new and thorough education which Emile must -make it his duty to acquire. I aspire to see you free and powerful, in -order that I may die at peace. And after all, my children, whatever -course you may take, whatever errors you may commit, whatever success -may crown your efforts, I confess that it is impossible for me to be -anxious concerning the future of the world. In vain will the tempest -rage over the generations now born or to be born; in vain will error and -falsehood labor to perpetuate the horrible confusion which certain minds -call to-day, in derision apparently, social order; in vain will -wickedness wage war on earth; eternal truth will have its day at last. -And if my spirit is able to return, a few centuries hence, to visit this -immense heritage and glide beneath the venerable trees that my hand -planted, it will see men free, happy, equal, united, that is to say, -just and wise! These shaded paths where I have walked so often, -oppressed by ennui and sorrow, whither I have fled in horror from the -presence of the men of to-day, will shelter then, like the arched roof -of a divine temple, a numerous family kneeling to pray and bless the -Author of nature and the Father of mankind! This will be the <i>garden of -the commune</i>, that is to say, its gynæceum, its festal and banqueting -hall, its theatre and its church; for speak not to me of the cramped -spaces where stone and cement pen up men and thought; nor of your superb -colonnades and magnificent squares, in comparison with this natural -architecture, of which the Supreme Creator bears all the expense! I have -expressed in the trees and flowers, in the brooks, in the cliffs and -fields all the poetry of my thoughts. Do not rob the old planter of his -illusion, if illusion it be. He still believes in the adage that God is -in everything and that Nature is His temple!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="part2"></a><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="LEONE_LEONI">LEONE LEONI</a></h4> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a></h4> - -<p> -Being at Venice, in very cold weather and under very depressing -circumstances, the carnival roaring and whistling outside with the icy -north wind, I experienced the painful contrast which results from inward -suffering, alone amid the wild excitement of a population of strangers. -</p> - -<p> -I occupied a vast apartment in the former Nasi palace, now a hotel, -which fronts on the quay, near the Bridge of Sighs. All travellers who -have visited Venice know that hotel, but I doubt if many of them have -ever happened to be there on Mardi Gras, in the heart of the classic -carnival city, in a frame of mind so painfully meditative as mine. -</p> - -<p> -Striving to escape the spleen by forcing my imagination to labor, I -began at hazard a novel which opened with a description of the locality, -of the festival out-of-doors and of the solemn apartment in which I was -writing. The last book I had read before leaving Paris was <i>Manon -Lescaut</i>. I had discussed it, or rather listened to others discussing -it, and I had said to myself that to make Manon Lescaut a man and -Desgrieux a woman would be worth trying, and would present many tragic -opportunities, vice being often very near crime in man, and enthusiasm -closely akin to despair in woman. -</p> - -<p> -I wrote this book in a week and hardly read it over before sending it to -Paris. It had answered my purpose and expressed my thoughts; I could -have added nothing to it if I had thought it over. And why should a work -of the imagination need to be thought over? What moral could we expect -to deduce from a fiction which everyone knows to be quite possible in -the world of reality? Some people who are very rigid in theory—no -one knows just why—have pronounced it a dangerous book. After the -lapse of twenty years, I look it over, and can detect no such tendency -in it. The Leone Leoni type, although not untrue to life, is -exceptional, thank God! and I do not see that the infatuation he -inspires in a weak mind is rewarded by very enviable joys. However, I -have, at the present moment, a well-fixed opinion concerning the alleged -<i>morals</i> of the novel, and I have expressed elsewhere my deliberate -ideas thereon. -</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 60%;">GEORGE SAND.</p> - -<p>Nohant, January, 1853.</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="I">I</a></h4> - -<p> -We were at Venice. The cold and the rain had driven the promenaders and -the masks from the square and the quays. We could hear naught save the -monotonous voice of the Adriatic in the distance, breaking on the -islands, and from time to time the shouts of the watch aboard the -frigate which guards the entrance to Canal Saint-George, and the -answering hail from the custom-house schooner. It was a fine carnival -evening inside the palaces and theatres, but outside, everything was -dismal, and the street-lights were reflected in the streaming pavements, -where the hurried footstep of a belated masker, wrapped in his cloak, -echoed loudly from time to time. -</p> - -<p> -We were alone in one of the rooms of the old Nasi palace, to-day -transformed into a hotel, the best in Venice. A few candles scattered -about the tables, and the blaze on the hearth only partially lighted the -enormous room, and the flickering of the flame seemed to make the -allegorical divinities painted in fresco on the ceiling move to and fro. -Juliette was indisposed, and had refused to go out. Lying on a sofa and -half-covered by a fur cloak, she seemed to be dozing; and I walked back -and forth noiselessly on the thick carpet, smoking <i>Serraglio</i> -cigarettes. -</p> - -<p> -We recognize in my country a certain state of the mind which is, I -think, peculiar to Spaniards. It is a sort of serious tranquillity which -does not exclude activity of thought, as among the Teutonic races and in -the cafés of the Orient. Our intellect does not grow dull during the -trances in which we are buried. When we walk to and fro with measured -step for hours at a time, on the same line of mosaics, without swerving -a hair's breadth and puffing away at our cigars—that is the time when -the operation that we may call mental digestion takes place most easily. -Momentous resolutions are formed at such times, and excited passions -calm down and give birth to vigorous acts. A Spaniard is never calmer -than when he is meditating some scheme; it may be sinister or it may be -sublime. As for myself, I was digesting my plan; but there was nothing -heroic or alarming about it. When I had made the circuit of the room -about sixty times and smoked a dozen cigarettes, my mind was made up. I -halted by the sofa, and said to my young companion, regardless of her -sleep: -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette, will you be my wife?" -</p> - -<p> -She opened her eyes and looked at me without answering. I thought that -she had not heard me, and I repeated my question. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a id="figure04"></a> -<br /> -<img src="images/figure04.jpg" width="400" alt="" /> -<p class="center"><i>DON ALEO AND JULIETTE.</i> -</p> -<p> -"<i>Juliette, will you be my wife?</i>" -</p> -<p> -<i>She opened her eyes and looked at me without answering. I thought that -she had not heard me, and I repeated my question.</i></p></div> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"I heard you very plainly," she replied in an indifferent tone—then -held her peace anew. -</p> - -<p> -I thought that my question had displeased her, and my anger and grief -were terrible; but, from respect for Spanish gravity, I manifested -neither, but began to pace the floor again. -</p> - -<p> -At the seventh turn Juliette stopped me, saying: "What is the use?" -</p> - -<p> -I made three turns more; then I threw away my cigarette, and, drawing a -chair to her side, sat down. -</p> - -<p> -"Your position in society must distress you?" I said to her. -</p> - -<p> -"I know," she replied, raising her exquisite face and fixing upon mine -her blue eyes wherein apathy seemed to be always at odds with -melancholy,—"yes, I know, my dear Aleo, that I am branded in society -with an ineffaceable designation, that of kept mistress." -</p> - -<p> -"We will efface it, Juliette; my name will purify yours." -</p> - -<p> -"Pride of the grandee!" she rejoined with a sigh. Then, turning suddenly -to me and seizing my hand, which she put to her lips in spite of me, she -added: "Do you really mean that you will marry me, Bustamente? O my God! -my God! what comparisons you force me to make!" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean, my dear child?" I asked her. She did not reply, but -burst into tears. -</p> - -<p> -These tears, of which I understood the cause only too well, hurt me -terribly. But I concealed the species of frenzy which they aroused in me -and returned to my seat by her side. -</p> - -<p> -"Poor Juliette!" I said to her; "will that wound bleed forever?" -</p> - -<p> -"You gave me leave to weep," she replied; "that was the first of our -agreements." -</p> - -<p> -"Weep, my poor afflicted darling," I said; "then listen and answer me." -</p> - -<p> -She wiped away her tears and put her hand in mine. -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette," I said to her, "when you speak of yourself as a kept woman, -you are mad. Of what consequence are the opinions and coarse remarks of -a few fools? You are my friend, my companion, my mistress." -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! yes," she said, "I am your mistress, Aleo, and it is that -dishonors me; I should have chosen to die rather than to bequeath to a -noble heart like yours the possession of a half extinct heart." -</p> - -<p> -"We will rekindle the ashes gradually, my Juliette; let me hope that -they still hide a spark which I can find." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, I hope so, I wish that it may be so!" she said eagerly. "So I -shall be your wife? But why? Shall I love you better for it? Will you -feel surer of me?" -</p> - -<p> -"I shall know that you are happier and I shall be happier for that -reason." -</p> - -<p> -"Happier! you are mistaken; I am as happy with you as possible; how can -the title of Donna Bustamente make me any happier?" -</p> - -<p> -"It would put you out of reach of the insolent disdain of society." -</p> - -<p> -"Society!" said Juliette; "you mean your friends. What is society? I -have never known. I have passed through life and made the tour of the -globe, but have never been able to discover what you call society." -</p> - -<p> -"I know that you have lived hitherto like the enchanted maiden in her -globe of crystal, and yet I have seen you shed bitter tears over the -deplorable position in which you then were. I made an inward vow to -offer you my rank and my name as soon as I should be assured of your -affection." -</p> - -<p> -"You failed to understand me, Don Aleo, if you thought that shame made -me weep. There was no place in my heart for shame; there were enough -other causes of sorrow to fill it and make it insensible to everything -that came from without. If he had continued to love me, I should have -been happy, though I had been covered with infamy in the eyes of what -you call society." -</p> - -<p> -It was impossible for me to restrain a shudder of wrath; I rose to pace -the floor. Juliette detained me. "Forgive me," she said in a trembling -voice, "forgive me for the pain I cause you. It is beyond my strength -always to avoid speaking of him." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, Juliette," I said, stifling a painful sigh, "pray speak of -him if it is a relief to you! But is it possible that you cannot succeed -in forgetting him, when everything about you tends to direct your -thoughts toward another life, another happiness, another love?" -</p> - -<p> -"Everything about me!" said Juliette excitedly; "are we not in Venice?" -</p> - -<p> -She rose and walked to the window; her white silk petticoat fell in -numberless folds about her graceful form. Her chestnut hair escaped from -the long pins of chased gold which only half confined it, and bathed her -back in a flood of perfumed silk. She was so lovely with the faint touch -of color in her cheeks, and her half loving, half bitter smile, that I -forgot what she said and went to her to take her in my arms. But she had -drawn the curtains partly aside, and looking through the glass, as the -moon's moist beams were beginning to break through the clouds, she -cried: "O Venice! how changed thou art! how beautiful thou once wert in -my eyes, and how desolate and deserted thou dost seem to-day!" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you say, Juliette?" I cried in my turn; "have you been in -Venice before? Why have you never told me?" -</p> - -<p> -"I saw that you wanted to see this beautiful city, and I knew that a -word would have prevented you from coming here. Why should I have made -you change your plan?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I would have changed it," I replied, stamping my foot. "Even if we -had been at the very gate of this infernal city, I would have caused the -boat to steer for some shore unstained by that memory; I would have -taken you there, I would have swum with you in my arms, if I had had to -choose between such a journey and this house, where perhaps you will -find at every step a burning trace of his passage! But tell me, -Juliette, where in heaven's name I can take refuge with you from the -past? Mention some city, tell me of some corner of Italy to which that -adventurer has not dragged you in his train?" -</p> - -<p> -I was pale and trembling with wrath; Juliette turned slowly, gazed -coldly at me, and said, turning her eyes once more to the window: -"Venice, we loved thee in the old days, and to-day I cannot look on thee -without emotion, for he was fond of thee, he constantly invoked thy name -in his travels, he called thee his dear fatherland; for thou wert the -cradle of his noble family, and one of thy palaces still bears the name -that he bears." -</p> - -<p> -"By death and eternity!" I said to Juliette, lowering my voice, "we -leave this dear fatherland to-morrow!" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>You</i> may leave Venice and Juliette to-morrow," she replied with -frigid sang-froid; "but, as for me, I take orders from no one, and I shall -leave Venice when I please." -</p> - -<p> -"I believe that I understand you, mademoiselle," I said indignantly: -"Leoni is in Venice." -</p> - -<p> -Juliette started as if she had received an electric shock. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you say? Leoni in Venice?" she cried, in a sort of frenzy, -throwing herself in to my arms; "repeat what you said; repeat his name, -let me at least hear his name once more!" -</p> - -<p> -She burst into tears, and, suffocated by her sobs, almost lost -consciousness. I carried her to the sofa, and without thinking of -offering her any further assistance, began to pace the edge of the -carpet once more. But my rage subsided as the sea subsides when the -sirocco folds its wings. A bitter grief succeeded my excitement; and I -fell to weeping like a woman. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="II">II</a></h4> - -<p> -In the midst of this heart-rending agitation, I paused a few steps from -Juliette and looked at her. Her face was turned to the wall, but a -mirror fifteen feet high, which formed the panel, enabled me to see her -face. She was pale as death and her eyes were closed as in sleep; there -was more weariness than pain in the expression of her face, and that -expression accurately portrayed her mental plight: exhaustion and -indifference triumphed over the last ebullition of passion. I hoped. -</p> - -<p> -I called her name softly and she looked at me with an air of amazement, -as if her memory lost the faculty of retaining facts at the same time -that her heart lost the power to feel anger. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you want," she said, "and why do you wake me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette," I replied, "I offended you; forgive me; I wounded your -heart." -</p> - -<p> -"No," she said, putting one hand to her forehead and offering me the -other, "you wounded my pride only. I beg you, Aleo, remember that I have -nothing, that I live on your gifts, and that the thought of my dependent -state humiliates me. You are kind and generous to me, I know. You lavish -attentions on me, you cover me with jewels, you overwhelm me with your -luxury and your magnificence; but for you I should have died in some -paupers' hospital, or should be confined in a madhouse. I know all that. -But remember, Bustamente, that you have done it all in spite of me, that -you took me in half-dead, and that you succored me when I had not the -slightest desire to be succored; remember that I wanted to die, and that -you passed many nights at my pillow, holding my hands in yours to -prevent me from killing myself; remember that I refused for a long time -your protection and your benefactions, and that, if I accept them -to-day, it is half from weakness and discouragement, half from affection -and gratitude to you, who ask me on your knees not to spurn them. Yours -is the noblest rôle, my friend, I know it well. But am I to blame -because you are kind? Can I be seriously reproached for debasing myself -when, alone and desperate, I confide myself to the noblest heart on -earth?" -</p> - -<p> -"My beloved," I said, pressing her to my heart, "you reply most -convincingly to the vile insults of the miserable wretches who have -misrepresented you. But why do you say this to me? Do you think that you -need to justify yourself in the eyes of Bustamente for the happiness you -have bestowed upon him—the only happiness he has ever enjoyed in his -life? It is for me to justify myself, if I can, for I am the one who has -done wrong. I know how stubbornly your pride and your despair resisted -me; I am not likely ever to forget it. When I assume a tone of authority -with you, I am a madman whom you must pardon, for my passion for you -disturbs my reason and vanquishes all my strength of mind. Forgive me, -Juliette, and forget a moment of anger. Alas! I am unskilful in winning -love. I have a natural roughness of manner which is unpleasant to you. I -wound you when I am beginning to cure you, and I often destroy in one -hour the work of many days." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, let us forget this quarrel," she interposed, kissing me. "For -the little pain you cause me, I cause you a hundred times as much. You -are sometimes imperious; my grief is always cruel. Do not believe, -however, that it is incurable. Your kindness and your love will conquer -it at last. I should have a most ungrateful heart if I did not accept -the hope that you point out to me. We will talk of marriage another -time; perhaps you will induce me to consent to it. However, I confess -that I dread that species of servitude consecrated by all laws and all -prejudices; it is honorable, but it is indissoluble." -</p> - -<p> -"Still another cruel remark, Juliette! Are you afraid, pray, to belong -to me forever?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, of course not. Do not be distressed, I will do what you wish; -but let us drop the subject for to-day." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, but grant me another favor in place of that; consent to -leave Venice to-morrow." -</p> - -<p> -"With all my heart. What do I care for Venice and all the rest? In -heaven's name, don't believe me when I express regret for the past; it -is irritation or madness that makes me speak so! The past! merciful -heaven! Do you not know how many reasons I have for hating it? See how -it has shattered me! How could I have the strength to grasp it again if -it were given back to me?" -</p> - -<p> -I kissed Juliette's hand to thank her for the effort she made in -speaking thus, but I was not convinced; she had given me no satisfactory -answer. I resumed my melancholy promenade about the room. -</p> - -<p> -The sirocco had sprung up and dried the pavement in an instant. The city -had become resonant once more as it ordinarily is, and the thousand -sounds of the festival reached our ears: the hoarse song of the tipsy -gondoliers, the hooting of the masks coming from the cafés and guying -the passers-by, the plash of oars in the canal. The guns of the frigate -bade good-night to the echoes of the lagunes, which made answer like a -discharge of artillery. The Austrian drum mingled its brutal roll, and -the bell of St. Mark's gave forth a doleful sound. -</p> - -<p> -A ghastly depression seized upon me. The candles, burning low, set fire -to their green paper ruffles and cast a livid light upon the objects in -the room. Everything assumed imaginary forms and made imaginary noises, -to my disturbed senses. Juliette, lying on the sofa and swathed in fur -and silk, seemed to me like a corpse wrapped in its shroud. The songs -and laughter out of doors produced upon me the effect of shrieks of -distress, and every gondola that glided under the marble bridge below my -window suggested the idea of a drowning man struggling with the waves -and death. Finally, I had none but thoughts of despair and death in my -head, and I could not raise the weight which was crushing my breast. -</p> - -<p> -At last, however, I succeeded in calming myself and reflected somewhat -less wildly. I admitted to myself that Juliette's cure was progressing -very slowly, and that, notwithstanding all the sacrifices in my favor -which gratitude had wrung from her, her heart was almost as sick as at -the very first. This long-continued and bitter regret for a love so -unworthily bestowed seemed inexplicable to me, and I sought the cause in -the powerlessness of my affection. It must be, I thought, that my -character inspires an insurmountable repugnance which she dares not avow -to me. Perhaps the life I lead is unpleasant to her, and yet I have made -my habits conform to hers. Leoni used to take her constantly from city -to city. I have kept her travelling for two years, forming no ties -anywhere, and never delaying for an instant to leave the place where I -detected the faintest sign of ennui on her face. And yet she is -melancholy, that is certain; nothing amuses her, and it is only from -consideration for me that she deigns sometimes to smile. Not one of the -things that ordinarily give pleasure to women has any influence on this -sorrow of hers; it is a rock that nothing can shake, a diamond that -nothing can dim. Poor Juliette! What strength in your weakness! what -desperate resistance in your inertia! -</p> - -<p> -I had unconsciously raised my voice until I expressed my troubles aloud. -Juliette had raised herself on one arm and was listening to me sadly, -leaning forward on the cushions. -</p> - -<p> -"Listen to me," I said, walking to her side, "I have just imagined a new -cause for your unhappiness. I have repressed it too much, you have -forced it back into your heart too much, I have dreaded like a coward to -see that sore, the sight of which tears my heart; and you, through -generosity, have concealed it from me. Your wound, thus neglected and -abandoned, has become more inflamed every day, whereas I should have -dressed it and poured balm upon it. I have done wrong, Juliette. You -must show me your sorrow, you must pour it out in my bosom, you must -talk to me about your past sufferings, tell me of your life from moment -to moment, name my enemy to me. Yes, you must. Just now you said -something to me that I shall not forget; you implored me to let you hear -his name at least. Very well! let us pronounce it together, that -accursed name that burns your tongue and your heart. Let us talk of -Leoni." -</p> - -<p> -Juliette's eyes shone with an involuntary gleam. I felt a terrible pang; -but I conquered my suffering and asked her if she approved my plan. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," she said with a serious air, "I believe that you are right. You -see, my breast is often filled with sobs; the fear of distressing you -keeps me from giving them vent, and I pile up treasures of grief in my -bosom. If I dared to display my feelings before you, I believe that I -should suffer less. My sorrow is like a perfume that is kept always -confined in a tightly closed box; open the box and it soon escapes. If I -could talk constantly about Leoni and tell of the most trivial incidents -of our love, I should bring under my eyes at the same moment all the -good and all the harm he did me; whereas your aversion often seems to me -unjust, and in the secret depths of my heart I make excuses for injuries -which, if told by another, would be revolting to me." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well," said I, "I desire to learn them from your mouth. I have -never known the details of this distressing story; I want you to tell -them to me, to describe your whole life. When I am better acquainted -with your troubles, perhaps I shall be better able to relieve them. Tell -me all, Juliette; tell me by what means this Leoni succeeded in making -you love him so dearly; tell me what charm, what secret he possessed; -for I am weary of seeking in vain the impracticable road to your heart. -Say on, I am listening." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! yes, I am glad to do it; it will give me some relief at last. But -let me talk and do not interrupt me by any sign of pain or anger; for I -shall tell things as they happened; I shall tell the good and the bad, -how I have loved and how I have suffered." -</p> - -<p> -"You must tell everything, and I will listen to everything," I replied. -</p> - -<p> -I ordered fresh candles to be brought and rekindled the fire. -</p> - -<p> -Juliette spoke thus: -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="III">III</a></h4> - -<p> -You know that I am the daughter of a rich jeweller of Brussels. My -father was skilful in his trade, but had little cultivation otherwise. -He had raised himself from the position of a common workman to that of -possessor of a handsome fortune which his flourishing business increased -from day to day. Despite his lack of education, he was on terms of -intimacy with the richest families in the province; and my mother, who -was pretty and clever, was well received in the opulent society of the -tradespeople. -</p> - -<p> -My father was naturally mild and apathetic. Those qualities became more -marked each day, as his wealth and comfort increased. My mother, being -more active and younger, enjoyed unlimited freedom of action, and -joyfully made the most of the advantages of wealth and the pleasures of -society. She was kind-hearted, sincere and full of amiable qualities, -but she was naturally frivolous, and her beauty, which was treated with -marvellous respect by the years as they passed, prolonged her youth at -the expense of my education. She loved me dearly, beyond question, but -without prudence or discernment. Proud of my youthful charms and of the -trivial talents which she had caused me to acquire, she thought of -nothing but taking me about and exhibiting me; she took a delicious but -perilous pride in covering me constantly with new jewels, and in -appearing with me at parties. I recall those days with pain and yet with -pleasure; since then, I have reflected sadly on the futile employment of -my early years, and yet I sigh for those days of careless happiness -which should never have ended or never have begun. I fancy that I can -still see my mother with her plump, graceful figure, her white hands, -her black eyes, her coquettish smile, and withal so kind that you could -see at the first glance that she had never known anxiety or vexation, -and that she was incapable of imposing the slightest restraint upon -others, even with kindly intentions. Ah! yes, I remember her well! I -remember our long mornings devoted to planning and preparing our ball -dresses, our afternoons employed in making our toilets with such -painstaking care that hardly an hour remained to show ourselves on the -promenade. I see my mother, with her satin dresses, her furs, her long -white feathers, and the whole fluffy mass of lace and ribbons. After -finishing her toilet, she would forget herself a moment to look after -me. It was a great deal of a bore to unlace my black satin boots in -order to smooth out a wrinkle on the instep or to try on twenty pairs of -gloves before finding one of a shade sufficiently delicate for her -taste. Those gloves fitted so tight that I often tore them after taking -the greatest pains about putting them on; then I must begin anew, and we -would have heaps of débris in front of us before we had finally -selected those that I was to wear an hour, and then leave to my maid. -However, I had become so accustomed from childhood to regard these -trifling details as the most important occupations of a woman's life, -that I submitted patiently. We would set out at last, and at the -rustling of our silk gowns and the perfume exhaled by our handkerchiefs, -people would turn to look after us. I was accustomed to hearing our -names mentioned as we passed, by all sorts and conditions of men, and to -see them glance curiously at my impassive face. This mixture of coldness -and innocent effrontery constitutes what is called good breeding in a -young woman. As for my mother, she felt a twofold pride in exhibiting -herself and her daughter; I was a reflection, or, to speak more -accurately, a part of herself, of her beauty, of her wealth; her good -taste was displayed in my costume; my face, which resembled hers, -reminded her as well as others of the scarcely impaired freshness of her -early youth; so that, seeing my slender figure walking at her side, she -fancied that she saw herself twice over, pale and delicate as she had -been at fifteen, brilliant and beautiful as she still was. Not for -anything in the world would she have gone out without me; she would have -seemed to herself to be incomplete, half dressed as it were. -</p> - -<p> -After dinner, the solemn discussion concerning ball dresses, silk -stockings and flowers began anew. My father, who gave his whole -attention to his shop during the day, would have preferred to pass the -evening quietly by his fireside; but he was so easy-going, that he did -not notice the way in which we deserted him. He would fall asleep in his -chair while our hair-dressers were striving to understand my mother's -scientifically devised plans. As we were going away, we would rouse the -worthy man from his slumbers and he would go obligingly and take from -his strong-box magnificent jewels mounted according to his own designs. -He would fasten them himself about our arms and necks and take pleasure -in remarking their effect. These jewels were intended for sale. We often -heard envious women about us crying out at their splendor and whispering -spiteful jests; but my mother consoled herself by saying that the -greatest ladies wore what we had cast off, and that was true. They would -come to my father next day and order jewels like those we had worn. A -few days later he would send the self-same ones; and we did not regret -them, for they were always replaced by others more beautiful. -</p> - -<p> -Amid such surroundings, I grew up without thought for the present or the -future, without making any effort to form or strengthen my character. I -was naturally gentle and trustful like my mother; I was content to float -along as she did on the current of destiny. I was less vivacious, -however; I felt less keenly the attractions of pleasure and vanity; I -seemed to lack the little strength that she had, the desire and the -faculty of constant diversion. I accepted so easy a lot knowing nothing -of its price, and without comparing it with any other. I had no idea of -passion. I had been brought up as if I were never to know it; my mother -had been brought up in the same way and considered that she was to be -congratulated; for she was incapable of feeling passion and had never -had any occasion to fight against it. My intelligence had been applied -to studies in which the heart had no occasion to exercise control over -itself. I performed brilliantly on the piano, I danced beautifully, I -painted in water-colors with admirable precision and vigor; but there -was within me no spark of that sacred fire which gives life and enables -one to understand life. I loved my parents, but I did not know what it -was to love in any other way than that. I was wonderfully clever in -inditing a letter to one of my young friends; but I had no more idea of -the value of words than of sentiments. I loved my girl friends as a -matter of habit, I was good to them because I was obliging and gentle, -but I did not trouble myself about their characters; I scrutinized -nothing. I made no well-reasoned distinction between them; I was fondest -of the one who came oftenest to see me. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="IV">IV</a></h4> - -<p> -I was the sort of person I have described, and sixteen years old, when -Leoni came to Brussels. The first time I saw him was at the theatre. I -was with my mother in a box near the balcony, where he sat with several -of the richest and most fashionable young men in the city. My mother -called my attention to him. She was constantly lying in wait for a -husband for me, and always looked for him among the men with the finest -figures and the most gorgeous clothes; those two points were everything -in her eyes. Birth and fortune attracted her only as accessories of -things that she considered much more important—dress and manners. A -man of superior mind in a simple coat would have inspired nothing but -contempt in her. Her future son-in-law must have cuffs of a certain -style, an irreproachable cravat, an exquisite figure, a pretty face, -coats made in Paris, and a stock of that meaningless twaddle which makes -a man fascinating in society. -</p> - -<p> -As for myself, I made no comparison between one man and another. I -blindly entrusted the selection to my parents, and I neither dreaded nor -shrank from marriage. -</p> - -<p> -My mother considered Leoni fascinating. It is true that his face is -wonderfully beautiful, and that he has the secret of being graceful, -animated and perfectly at ease with his dandified clothes and manners. -But I felt none of those romantic emotions which give to ardent hearts a -foretaste of their destiny. I glanced at him for a moment in obedience -to my mother, and should not have looked at him a second time, had she -not forced me to do so by her constant exclamations and by her manifest -curiosity to know his name. A young man of our acquaintance, whom she -summoned in order to question him, informed her that he was a noble -Venetian, a friend of one of the leading merchants of the city, that he -seemed to have an enormous fortune, and that his name was Leone Leoni. -</p> - -<p> -My mother was delighted with this information. The merchant who was -Leoni's friend was to give a party the very next day, to which we were -invited. Frivolous and credulous as she was, it was enough for her to -have learned vaguely that Leoni was rich and noble, to induce her to -cast her eyes upon him instantly. She spoke to me about him the same -evening, and urged me to be pretty the next day. I smiled and went to -sleep at precisely the same hour as on other nights, without the -slightest acceleration of my heart beats at the thought of Leoni. I had -become accustomed to listen without emotion to the formation of such -projects. My mother declared that I was so sensible that they were not -called upon to treat me like a child. The poor woman did not realize -that she herself was much more of a child than I. -</p> - -<p> -She dressed me with so much care and magnificence that I was proclaimed -queen of the ball; but at first the time seemed to have been wasted: -Leoni did not appear, and my mother thought that he had already left -Brussels. Incapable of controlling her impatience, she asked the master -of the house what had become of his Venetian. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah!" said Monsieur Delpech, "you have noticed my Venetian already, -have you?"—He glanced with a smile at my costume, and -understood.—"He's an attractive youngster," he said, "of noble -birth, and very much in fashion both in Paris and London; but it is my -duty to inform you that he is a terrible gambler, and that the reason -that you don't see him here is that he prefers the cards to the -loveliest women." -</p> - -<p> -"A gambler!" said my mother; "that's very bad." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! that depends," rejoined Monsieur Delpech. "When one has the means, -you know!" -</p> - -<p> -"To be sure!" said my mother; and that remark satisfied her. She worried -no more about Leoni's passion for gambling. -</p> - -<p> -A few seconds after this brief interview, Leoni appeared in the salon -where we were dancing. I saw Monsieur Delpech whisper to him and glance -at me, and Leoni's eyes wander uncertainly about me, until, guided by -his friend's directions, he discovered me in the crowd and walked nearer -to see me more distinctly. I realized at that moment that my rôle as a -marriageable maiden was somewhat absurd; for there was a touch of irony -in the admiration of his glance, and, for the first time in my life -perhaps, I blushed and had a feeling of shame. -</p> - -<p> -This shame became a sort of dull pain when I saw that Leoni had returned -to the card room after a few moments. It seemed to me that I was laughed -at and disdained, and I was vexed with my mother on that account. That -had never happened before and she was amazed at the ill-humor I -displayed toward her.—"Well, well," she said to me, with a little -irritation on her side, "I don't know what the matter is with you, but -you are turning homely. Let us go." -</p> - -<p> -She had already risen when Leoni hurriedly crossed the room and invited -her to waltz; that unhoped-for incident restored all her good-humor; she -laughingly tossed me her fan and disappeared with him in the whirl. -</p> - -<p> -As she was passionately fond of dancing, we were always accompanied to -balls by an old aunt, my father's older sister, who acted as my chaperon -when I was not invited to dance at the same time as my mother. Mademoiselle -Agathe—that was what we called my aunt—was an old maid of -a cold and even disposition. She had more common-sense than the rest of -the family, but she was not exempt from the tendency to vanity, which is -the reef upon which all parvenus go to pieces. Although she cut a very -melancholy figure at a ball, she never complained of the necessity of -accompanying us; it was an opportunity for her to display in her old age -some very beautiful gowns which she had never had the means to procure -in her youth. She set great store by money therefore; but she was not -equally accessible to all the seductions of society. She had a hatred of -long standing for the nobles, and she never lost an opportunity to decry -them and turn them to ridicule, which she did with much wit. -</p> - -<p> -Shrewd and penetrating, accustomed to inaction and to keeping close -watch on the actions of other people, she had understood the cause of my -little fit of spleen. My mother's effusive chatter had apprised her of -her views concerning Leoni, and the Venetian's face, amiable and proud -and sneering, all at once, disclosed to her many things that my mother -did not understand. -</p> - -<p> -"Look, Juliette," she said, leaning toward me, "there's a great nobleman -making sport of us." -</p> - -<p> -I felt a painful thrill. What my aunt said corresponded with my -forebodings. It was the first time that I had seen contempt for our -bourgeoisie plainly written on a man's face. I had been brought up to -laugh at the contempt which the women hardly concealed from us, and to -look upon it as an indication of envy; but hitherto our beauty had -preserved us from the disdain of the men, and I thought that Leoni was -the most insolent creature that ever lived. I had a horror of him, and -when, after bringing my mother back to her seat, he invited me for the -following contradance, I haughtily declined. His face expressed such -amazement that I understood how confidently he reckoned upon a warm -reception. My pride triumphed and I sat down beside my mother, declaring -that I was tired. Leoni left us, bowing low after the Italian manner, -and bestowing upon me a curious glance in which there was a touch of his -characteristic mockery. -</p> - -<p> -My mother, amazed at my action, began to fear that I might be capable of -having a will of my own. She talked to me gently, hoping that in a short -time I would consent to dance, and that Leoni would ask me again, but I -persisted in remaining in my seat. An hour or more later we heard -Leoni's name several times amid the confused murmuring of the ball; some -one passing near us said that he had lost six hundred louis. -</p> - -<p> -"Very fine!" said my aunt dryly; "he will do well to look out for some -nice girl with a handsome dowry." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! he doesn't need to do that," somebody else replied, "he is so -rich!" -</p> - -<p> -"Look," said a third, "there he is dancing; he doesn't look very -anxious." -</p> - -<p> -Leoni was dancing, in fact, and his features did not display the -slightest concern. He accosted us again, paid my mother some insipid -compliments with the facility of a man in the best society, and then -tried to make me speak by putting questions to me indirectly. I -maintained an obstinate silence and he walked away with an indifferent -air. My mother was in despair and took me home. -</p> - -<p> -For the first time she scolded me and I sulked. My aunt upheld me and -declared that Leoni was an impertinent fellow and a scoundrel. My -mother, who had never been opposed to such a point, began to weep, and I -did the same. -</p> - -<p> -By such petty agitations did the coming of Leoni, and the unhappy -destiny that he brought, begin to disturb the profound peace in which I -had always lived. I will not tell you with so much detail what happened -on the following days. I do not remember so well, and the insatiable -passion that I conceived for him always seems to me like a strange dream -which no effort of my reason can reduce to order. This much is certain, -that Leoni was visibly piqued, surprised and disconcerted by my -coldness, and that he began at once to treat me with a respect which -satisfied my wounded pride. I saw him every day at parties or out -walking, and my aversion to him speedily vanished before the -extraordinary civilities and humble attentions with which he overwhelmed -me. In vain did my aunt try to put me on my guard against the arrogance -of which she accused him. I was no longer capable of feeling insulted by -his manners or his words; even his face had lost that suggestion of -sarcasm which had offended me at first. His glance acquired from day to -day an indescribable gentleness and affectionateness. He seemed to think -of nothing but me; he even sacrificed his taste for card-playing, and -passed whole nights dancing with my mother and me or talking with us. He -was soon invited to call at our house. I dreaded his call a little. My -aunt prophesied that he would find in our home a thousand subjects of -ridicule which he would pretend not to notice but which would furnish -him with material for joking with his friends. He came, and, to cap the -climax, my father, who was standing at his shop-door, brought him into -the house that way. That house, which belonged to us, was very handsome, -and my mother had had it decorated with exquisite taste; but my father, -who took no pleasure in anything outside of his business, was unwilling -to transfer to any other building his cases of pearls and diamonds. That -curtain of sparkling jewels behind the glass panels which guarded it was -a magnificent spectacle, and my father said truly enough that there -could be no more splendid decoration for a ground-floor. My mother, who -had had hitherto only transitory flashes of ambition to be allied to the -nobility, had never been humiliated to see her name carved in huge -letters just below the balcony of her bedroom. But when, from that -balcony, she saw Leoni cross the threshold of the fatal shop, she -thought that we were lost and looked anxiously at me. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="V">V</a></h4> - -<p> -During the few days immediately preceding this, I had had the revelation -of a hitherto unknown pride. I felt it awake within me now, and, -impelled by an irresistible impulse, I determined to watch Leoni's -manner as he talked with my father in his counting-room. He was slow -about coming upstairs, and I rightly inferred that my father had -detained him, to show him, as was his ingenuous custom, the marvels of -his workmanship. I went resolutely down to the shop and entered, -feigning surprise to find Leoni there. My mother had always forbidden me -to enter the shop, her greatest fear being that I should be taken for a -shopgirl. But I sometimes slipped away to go down and kiss my poor -father, who had no greater joy than to receive me there. When I entered -he uttered an exclamation of pleasure and said to Leoni: 'Look, look, -monsieur le baron, what I have shown you amounts to nothing; here is my -loveliest diamond.' Leoni's face betrayed the keenest delight; he smiled -at my father with emotion and at me with passion. Never had such a -glance met mine. I became red as fire. An unfamiliar feeling of joy and -passion brought a tear to the brink of my eyelid as my father kissed me -on the forehead. -</p> - -<p> -We stood a few seconds without speaking; then Leoni, taking up the -conversation, found a way to say to my father everything that was most -likely to flatter his self-esteem as an artist and tradesman. He seemed -to take extreme pleasure in making him explain the process by which -rough stones were transformed into precious gems, brilliant and -transparent. He said some interesting things on that subject himself, -and, addressing me, gave me some mineralogical information that was -within my reach. I was confounded by the wit and grace with which he -succeeded in exalting and ennobling our condition in our own eyes. He -talked to us about products of the goldsmith's art which he had seen in -his travels, and extolled especially the works of his compatriot -Cellini, whom he placed beside Michael Angelo. In short, he ascribed so -much merit to my father's profession and praised his talent so highly -that I almost wondered whether I was the daughter of a hard-working -mechanic or a genius. -</p> - -<p> -My father accepted this last hypothesis, and, being charmed with the -Venetian's manners, took him up to my mother. During this visit, Leoni -displayed so much wit and intelligence, and talked upon every subject in -such a superior way that I was fairly fascinated as I listened to him. I -had never conceived the idea of such a man. Those who had been pointed -out to me previously as the most attractive were so insignificant and -vapid beside him that I thought I must be dreaming. I was too ignorant -to appreciate all Leoni's knowledge and eloquence, but I understood him -instinctively. I was dominated by his glance, enthralled by his tales, -surprised and fascinated by every new resource that he developed. -</p> - -<p> -It is certain that Leoni is a man endowed with extraordinary faculties. -In a few days he succeeded in arousing a general infatuation throughout -the city. He has all the talents, commands all the means of seduction. -If he were present at a concert, after a little urging he would sing or -play upon any instrument with a marked superiority over the professional -musicians. If he consented to pass the evening in the privacy of some -family circle, he would draw lovely pictures in the women's albums. In -an instant he would produce a portrait full of expression, or a vigorous -caricature; he improvised or declaimed in all languages; he knew all the -character dances of Europe, and he danced them all with fascinating -grace; he had seen, remembered, appreciated and understood everything; -he read the whole world like a book that one carries in one's pocket. He -acted admirably in tragedy or comedy; he organized companies of -amateurs; he was himself leader of the orchestra, star performer, -painter, decorator and scene-shifter. He was at the head of all the -sports and all the parties. It could truly be said that pleasure walked -in his footprints, and that, at his approach, everything changed its -aspect and assumed a new face. He was listened to with enthusiasm and -blindly obeyed; people believed in him as a prophet; and if he had -promised to produce spring in midwinter, they would have deemed him -capable of doing it. After he had been in Brussels a month, the -character of the people had actually changed. Pleasure united all -classes, soothed all the tender susceptibilities, brought all ranks to -the same level. It was nothing but riding-parties, fireworks, -theatricals, concerts and masquerades. Leoni was magnificent and -generous; the workmen would have risen in revolt for him. He scattered -favors about with lavish hand, and found money and time for everything. -His caprices were soon adopted by everybody. All the women loved him, -and the men were so subjugated by him that they did not think of being -jealous of him. -</p> - -<p> -How, amid such infatuation, could I remain insensible to the glory of -being distinguished by the man who made fanatics of a whole province! -Leoni overwhelmed us with attentions and surrounded us with respectful -homage. My mother and I had become the leaders of society in the city. -We walked by his side at all the entertainments; he assisted us to -display the most insane splendor; he designed our dresses and invented -our fancy costumes; for he understood everything and at need would have -made our gowns and our turbans himself. By such means did he take -possession of the affections of the whole family. My aunt was the most -difficult conquest. She held out for a long while and distressed us by -her discouraging remarks.—Leoni was a man of evil habits, she said, a -frantic gambler, who won and lost the fortune of twenty families every -evening; he would devour ours in a single night. But Leoni undertook to -soften her, and succeeded by laying hold of her vanity, that lever which -he worked so vigorously while seeming only to touch it lightly. Soon -there were no obstacles left. My hand was promised him, with a dowry of -half a million. My aunt suggested that we should have more certain -information concerning the fortune and rank of this foreigner. Leoni -smiled and promised to furnish his patents of nobility and his title -deeds within three weeks. He treated the matter of the marriage contract -very lightly, but it was drawn with the utmost liberality toward him and -confidence in him. He seemed hardly to know what I was to bring him. -Monsieur Delpech, and, upon the strength of his assurance, all Leoni's -new friends, declared that he was four times richer than we were, and -that his marriage to me was a love-match. I readily allowed myself to be -persuaded. I had never been deceived, and I never thought of forgers and -blacklegs except as in the rags of poverty and the livery of -degradation. -</p> - -<p> -A wave of painful emotion almost suffocated Juliette. She paused and -looked at me with a dazed expression. -</p> - -<p> -"Poor child!" I said, "God should have protected you." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh!" she rejoined, contracting her ebon eyebrows, "I used two terrible -words; may God forgive me! I have no hatred in my heart, and I do not -accuse Leoni of being a villain; no, no, for I do not blush for having -loved him. He is an unfortunate man whom we should pity. If you -knew—— But I will tell you all." -</p> - -<p> -"Go on with your story," I said to her; "Leoni is guilty enough; you -have no intention of accusing him more than he deserves." -</p> - -<p> -Juliette resumed her narrative. -</p> - -<p> -It is a fact that he loved me, loved me for myself; the sequel proved -that clearly enough. Do not shake your head, Bustamente. Leoni's is a -powerful body, animated by a vast mind; all the virtues and all the -vices, all the passions, holy and guilty alike, find a place in it at -the same time. No one has ever chosen to judge him impartially; he was -quite right in saying that I alone have known him and done him justice. -</p> - -<p> -The language that he used to me was so novel to my ear that I was -intoxicated by it. Perhaps my absolute ignorance up to that time of -everything bordering on sentiment made that language seem more delicious -and more extraordinary to me than it would have seemed to a more -experienced girl. But I believe—and other women believed with -me—that no man on earth ever felt and expressed love like Leoni. -Superior to other men in evil and in good, he spoke another tongue, he -had another expression, he had also another heart. I have heard an -Italian woman say that a bouquet in Leoni's hand was more fragrant than -in another man's, and it was so with everything. He gave lustre to the -simplest things and rejuvenated the oldest. There was a prestige about -him; I was neither able nor desirous to escape its influence. I began to -love him with all my strength. -</p> - -<p> -At this period I seemed to grow in my own eyes. Whether it was the work -of God, of Leoni, or of love, a vigorous mind developed and took -possession of my feeble body. Every day I felt a world of new thoughts -come to life within me. A word from Leoni gave birth to more sentiments -than all the frivolous talk I had heard all my life. He observed my -progress and was elated and proud over it. He sought to hasten it and -brought me books. My mother looked at the gilt covers, the vellum and -the pictures. She hardly glanced at the titles of the works which were -destined to play havoc with my head and my heart. They were beautiful -and pure books, almost all stories of women written by women: -<i>Valérie</i>, <i>Eugène de Rothelin</i>, <i>Mademoiselle de Clermont</i>, -<i>Delphine</i>. These touching and impassioned narratives, these glimpses -of what was to me an ideal world, elevated my mind, but they devoured it. -I became romantic, the most deplorable character that a woman can have. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="VI">VI</a></h4> - -<p> -Three months had sufficed to bring about this metamorphosis. I was on -the eve of marrying Leoni. Of all the documents he had promised to -furnish, his certificate of birth and his patents of nobility alone had -come to hand. As for the proofs of his wealth, he had written for them -to another lawyer, and they had not arrived. He manifested extreme -irritation and regret at this delay, which caused a further postponement -of our wedding. One morning he came to our house with an air of -desperation. He showed us an unstamped letter, which he had just -received, he said, by a special messenger. This letter informed him that -his man of business was dead, and that his successor, having found his -papers in great disorder, had a difficult task before him to arrange -them, that he asked a further delay of one or two weeks before he could -furnish <i>his lordship</i> with the documents he required. Leoni was -frantic at this mischance; he would die of impatience and disappointment, -he said, before the end of that frightful fortnight. He threw himself down -in a chair and burst into tears. -</p> - -<p> -No, do not smile, Don Aleo, they were not pretended tears. I gave him my -hand to console him; I felt that it was wet with tears, and, moved by a -thrill of sympathy, I too began to sob. -</p> - -<p> -My poor mother could not stand it. She ran, weeping, to seek my father -in his shop.—"It is hateful tyranny," she said, bringing him to where -we were. "See those two unhappy children! how can you refuse to make -them happy, when you see what they suffer? Do you want to kill your -daughter out of respect for an absurd formality? Won't those papers -arrive just as surely and be just as satisfactory after they have been -married a week? What are you afraid of? Do you take our dear Leoni for -an impostor? Can't you see that your insisting on having evidence of his -fortune is insulting to him and cruel to Juliette?" -</p> - -<p> -My father, bewildered by these reproaches, and above all else by my -tears, swore that he had never dreamed of being so exacting, and that he -would do whatever I wished. He kissed me a thousand times and talked to -me as people talk to a child of six when they yield to his whims, to be -rid of his shrieks. My aunt appeared on the scene and talked less -tenderly. She even reproved me in a way that hurt me.—"A virtuous, -well-bred young woman," she said, "ought not to show so much impatience to -belong to a man."—"It's easy to see," said my mother, altogether out -of patience, "that you never had the chance to belong to one."—My -father could not endure any lack of consideration for his sister. He -leaned toward her view, and remarked that our despair was mere -childishness, that a week would soon pass. I was mortally wounded by the -suspicion that I was impatient, and I tried to restrain my tears; but -Leoni's exerted a magical influence over me, and I could not do it. -Thereupon he rose, with moist eyes and glowing cheeks, and with a smile -overflowing with hope and affection, went to my aunt, took her hands in -one of his, my father's in the other, and fell on his knees, beseeching -them not to stand in the way of his happiness any longer. His manner, -his tone, his expression had an irresistible power; moreover, it was the -first time that my aunt had ever seen a man at her feet. Every trace of -resistance was overcome. The banns were published, all the preliminary -formalities were gone through; our marriage was appointed for the -following week, regardless of the arrival of the papers. -</p> - -<p> -The following day was Mardi Gras. Monsieur Delpech was to give a -magnificent party, and Leoni had asked us to dress in Turkish costumes; -he made a charming sketch in water-color, which our dress-makers copied -almost perfectly. Velvet, embroidered satin and cashmere were not -spared. But the quantity and beauty of our jewels were what assured us -an indisputable triumph over all the other costumes at the ball. Almost -all the contents of my father's shop were made use of; we had nets and -aigrettes of diamonds, bouquets beautifully mounted in stones of all -colors. My waist, and even my shoes, were embroidered with rare pearls; -a rope of pearls, of extraordinary beauty, served me as a girdle and -fell to my knees. We had great pipes and daggers studded with sapphires -and diamonds. My whole costume was worth at least a million. -</p> - -<p> -Leoni accompanied us, dressed in a superb Turkish costume. He was so -handsome and so majestic in that garb that people stood on benches to -see him pass. My heart beat violently, I was filled to bursting with a -pride that was almost delirium. My own costume was, as you can imagine, -the last thing in my mind. Leoni's beauty, his success, his superiority -to all the others, the sort of worship that was paid him—and it was -all mine, all at my feet! that was enough to intoxicate an older brain than -mine. It was the last day of my splendor! By what a world of misery and -degradation have I paid for those empty triumphs! -</p> - -<p> -My aunt, dressed as a Jewess, accompanied us, carrying fans and boxes of -perfume. Leoni, who was determined to win her friendship, had designed -her costume so artistically that he had almost given a touch of poetry -to her serious, wrinkled face. She, too, was intoxicated, poor Agathe! -Alas! what does a woman's common-sense amount to? -</p> - -<p> -We had been there two or three hours. My mother was dancing and my aunt -gossiping with the superannuated females who compose what is called in -France the tapestry of a ball-room. Leoni was seated by my side and -talking to me in an undertone with a passion of which every word kindled -a spark in my blood. Suddenly his voice died on his lips; he became pale -as death, as if he had seen a ghost. I followed the direction of his -terrified glance and saw, a few steps away, a person the sight of whom -was distasteful to myself: it was a young man named Henryet, who had -made me an offer of marriage the year before. Although he was rich and -of an honorable family, my mother had not deemed him worthy of me, and -had dismissed him on the pretext of my extreme youth. But, at the -beginning of the following year, he had renewed his offer with much -persistence, and it had been currently reported in the city that he was -madly in love with me. I had not deigned to take any notice of him, and -my mother, who considered him too simple and too ordinary, had put an -end to his assiduities rather abruptly. He had manifested more grief -than anger, and had started immediately for Paris. Since then my aunt -and my young friends had reproached me somewhat for my indifference with -respect to him. He was, they said, a most excellent young man, -thoroughly educated, and of a noble character. These reproaches had -disgusted me. His unexpected appearance in the midst of the happiness I -was enjoying with Leoni was most unpleasant to me, and had the effect -upon me of a new reproof. I turned my face away and pretended not to -have seen him, but the strange glance he bestowed upon me did not escape -me. Leoni hastily grasped my arm, and asked me to come and take an ice -in the next room; he added that the heat was distressing to him and made -him nervous. I believed him, and thought that Henryet's glance expressed -nothing more than jealousy. We went into the gallery. There were few -people there, and I walked back and forth for some time, leaning on -Leoni's arm. He was agitated and preoccupied. I manifested some -uneasiness thereat, and he answered that it was not worth talking about; -that he simply did not feel perfectly well. -</p> - -<p> -He was beginning to recover himself when I saw that Henryet had followed -us. I could not help showing my annoyance. -</p> - -<p> -"Upon my word that man follows us like remorse," I whispered to Leoni. -"Is it really a man? I can almost believe that it is a soul in distress -returned from the other world." -</p> - -<p> -"What man?" said Leoni, with a start. "What's his name? where is he? -what does he want of us? do you know him?" -</p> - -<p> -I told him in a few words what had happened, and begged him not to seem -to notice Henryet's absurd actions. But Leoni did not reply; and I felt -his hand, which held mine, become cold as death. A convulsive shudder -passed through his body, and I thought that he was going to faint; but -it was all over in an instant. -</p> - -<p> -"My nerves are horribly upset," he said. "I believe that I shall have to -go to bed; my head is on fire, and this turban weighs a hundred pounds." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>O mon Dieu</i>!" said I, "if you go now, this night will seem -interminable to me, and the party stupid beyond endurance. Go into some -more retired room and try taking off your turban for a few moments; we -will ask for a few drops of ether to quiet your nerves." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you are right, my dear, good Juliette, my angel. There's a boudoir -at the end of the gallery, where we probably shall be alone; a moment of -rest will cure me." -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke, he led me hastily in the direction of the boudoir; he -seemed to fly rather than walk. I heard steps coming after us. I turned -and saw Henryet coming nearer and nearer and looking as if he were -pursuing us. I thought that he had gone mad. The terror which Leoni -could not hide put the finishing touch to the confusion of my ideas. A -superstitious fear took possession of me; my blood congealed as in a -nightmare; and it was impossible for me to take another step. At that -moment Henryet overtook us and laid a hand, which seemed to me metallic, -on Leoni's shoulder. Leoni stood still, as if struck by lightning, and -nodded his head affirmatively, as if he had divined a question or an -injunction in that terrifying silence. Thereupon Henryet walked away, -and I felt that I could move my feet once more. I had the strength to -follow Leoni into the boudoir, where I fell on an ottoman, as pale and -terror-stricken as he. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="VII">VII</a></h4> - -<p> -He remained some time thus; then, suddenly collecting his strength, he -threw himself at my feet. -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette," he said, "I am lost unless you love me to frenzy." -</p> - -<p> -"O heaven! what does that mean?" I cried wildly, throwing my arms around -his neck. -</p> - -<p> -"And you do not love me that way!" he continued, in an agony of despair. -"I am lost, am I not?" -</p> - -<p> -"I love you with all the strength of my heart!" I cried, weeping. "What -must I do to save you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! you would never consent!" he replied, with a discouraged air. "I am -the most miserable of men; you are the only woman I have ever loved, -Juliette, and when I am on the point of possessing you, my heart, my -life, I lose you forever! I have no choice but to die." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Mon Dieu! mon Dieu</i>!" I cried; "can't you speak? can't you tell me -what you expect of me?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I cannot speak," he replied; "a ghastly secret, a frightful mystery -overhangs my whole life, and I can never disclose it to you. To love me, -to go with me, to comfort me, you would need to be more than a woman, -more than angel, perhaps!" -</p> - -<p> -"To love you! to go with you!" I repeated. "Shall I not be your wife in -a few days? You have but a word to say; however great my sorrow and that -of my parents, I will follow you to the end of the world, if it is your -will." -</p> - -<p> -"Is that true, O my Juliette?" he cried in a transport of joy; "you will -go with me? you will leave everything for me? Very well; if you love me -as much as that, I am saved! Let us go, let us go at once!" -</p> - -<p> -"What! can you think of such a thing, Leoni? Are we married?" said I. -</p> - -<p> -"We cannot marry," he replied shortly, in a firm voice. -</p> - -<p> -I was stricken dumb. -</p> - -<p> -"And if you will not love me, if you will not fly with me," he -continued, "I have but one course to take; that is, to kill myself." -</p> - -<p> -He said this in such a determined tone that I shuddered from head to -foot. -</p> - -<p> -"In heaven's name what is happening to us?" I said; "is this a dream? -Who can prevent our marrying, when everything is decided, when you have -my father's word?" -</p> - -<p> -"A word from the man who is in love with you, and who is determined to -prevent you from being mine." -</p> - -<p> -"I hate him and despise him!" I cried. "Where is he? I propose to make -him feel the shame of such cowardly persecution and such a detestable -vengeance. But how can he injure you, Leoni? are you not so far above -his attacks that with a word you can pulverize him? Are not your virtue -and your strength as pure and unassailable as gold? O heaven! I -understand; you are ruined! the papers you have been expecting bring -only bad news. Henryet knows it and threatens to tell my parents. His -conduct is infamous; but have no fear, my parents are kind, they adore -me; I will throw myself at their feet, I will threaten to go into a -convent; you can appeal to them again as you did yesterday and you will -persuade them, you may be sure. Am I not rich enough for two? My father -will not choose to condemn me to die of grief; my mother will intercede -for me. We three together shall be stronger than my aunt to argue with -him. Come, don't be distressed, Leoni, this cannot part us, it is -impossible. If my parents should prove to be as sordid as that, then I -would fly with you." -</p> - -<p> -"Let us fly then at once," said Leoni with an air of profound gloom; -"for they will be inflexible. There is something in addition to my ruin, -something infernal, which I cannot tell you. Are you kind? Are you the -woman I have dreamed of and thought I had found in you? Are you capable -of heroism? Do you understand great things, boundless devotion? Tell me, -Juliette, tell me, are you simply an amiable, pretty woman from whom I -shall part with regret, or are you an angel whom God has sent to me to -save me from despair? Do you feel that there is something noble in -sacrificing yourself for one you love? Does not your heart swell at the -thought of holding in your hands a man's life and destiny and in -consecrating your whole being to him? Ah! if only we could change our -rôles! if I were in your place! With what joy, with what bliss I would -sacrifice to you all my affections, all my duties!" -</p> - -<p> -"Enough, Leoni!" I replied, "you drive me wild with your words. Mercy, -mercy for my poor mother, for my poor father, for my honor! You wish to -ruin me——" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! you think of all those people!" he cried, "and not of me! You weigh -the sorrow of your parents, and you do not deign to put mine in the -balance! You do not love me!" -</p> - -<p> -I hid my face in my hands, I appealed to God, I listened to Leoni's -sobs; I thought that I was going mad. -</p> - -<p> -"Very well! you will have it so," I said, "and you have the power; -speak, tell me what you wish, and I must obey you; have you not my mind -and my will at your disposal?" -</p> - -<p> -"We have very few minutes to lose," replied Leoni. "We must be away from -here in an hour, or your flight will have become impossible. There is a -vulture's eye hovering over us; but if you consent, we will find a way -to outwit him. Do you consent? do you consent?" -</p> - -<p> -He pressed me frantically in his arms. Cries of agony escaped from his -breast. I answered yes without knowing what I was saying. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, go back at once to the ball-room," he said, "and show no -excitement. If anybody questions you, say that you have been a little -indisposed; but don't let them take you home. Dance if you must. Above -all things, if Henryet speaks to you, don't irritate him; remember that -for another hour my fate is in his hands. An hour hence I will come back -in a domino. I will have this bit of ribbon in my hood. You will -recognize it, won't you? You will go with me, and above all else, you -will be calm, impassive. You must think of all this; do you feel that -you are strong enough?" -</p> - -<p> -I rose and pressed my hands against my throbbing heart. My throat was on -fire, my cheeks were burning with fever. I was like a drunken man. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, come," he said to me; with that he pushed me into the ball-room -and disappeared. My mother was looking for me. I could detect her -anxiety in the distance, and to avoid her questions I hurriedly accepted -an invitation to dance. -</p> - -<p> -I danced, and I have no idea how I kept from falling when the dance was -at an end, I had made such a mighty effort to get through it. When I -returned to my place my mother was already on the floor, waltzing. She -had seen me dancing, so her mind was at rest, and she began to enjoy -herself once more. My aunt, instead of questioning me about my absence, -scolded me. I preferred that, for I was not called upon to answer and to -lie. One of my friends asked me with a terrified air what the matter was -with me and why I had such a distressed expression on my face. I -answered that I had just had a violent fit of coughing.—"You must -rest," she said, "and not dance any more." -</p> - -<p> -But I had decided to avoid my mother's glance; I was afraid of her -anxiety, her affection and my remorse. I spied her handkerchief, which -she had left on the bench; I picked it up, put it to my face, and, -covering my mouth with it, devoured it with convulsive kisses. My friend -thought that I was coughing again, for I pretended to cough. I did not -know how to pass that fatal hour, barely half of which had dragged away. -My aunt noticed that I was very hoarse and said that she was going to -urge my mother to go home. I was terrified by that threat and instantly -accepted another invitation. When I was in the midst of the dancers, I -noticed that I had accepted an invitation to waltz. Like almost all -girls, I never waltzed; but, when I recognized in the man who already -had his arm about me the sinister face of Henryet, terror prevented my -refusing. He led me away and the rapid movement took away the last -remnant of my reasoning power. I asked myself if all that was taking -place about me were not a vision; if I were not lying in bed with the -fever, rather than whirling about in a waltz, like a mad woman, with a -man whom I held in horror. And then I remembered that Leoni would soon -come for me. I looked at my mother, who seemed to fly through the circle -of dancers, so light of foot and heart was she. I said to myself that it -was impossible, that I could not leave my mother thus. I felt that -Henryet was holding my very tight in his arms and that his eyes were -devouring my face, which was turned toward his. I came very near -shrieking and flying from him. But I remembered Leoni's words: "My fate -is in his hands for another hour." So I resigned myself. We stopped for -a moment. He spoke to me. I did not hear what he said, but answered with -a wild sort of smile. At that moment I felt something brush against my -bare arms and shoulders. I had no need to turn for I recognized the -almost imperceptible breathing of Leoni. I asked to be taken back to my -place. Another moment and Leoni, in a black domino, offered me his hand. -I went with him. We glided through the crowd, we escaped, by some -miracle, the jealous surveillance of Henryet and of my mother's eyes, -for she was looking for me again. The very audacity with which I left -the ball-room in the presence of five hundred witnesses, to fly with -Leoni, prevented my flight from being noticed. We passed through the -throng in the dressing-rooms. Some people who were getting their cloaks -recognized us and were astonished to see me going down the stairs -without my mother, but they also were going away and so would not report -what they had seen in the ball-room. -</p> - -<p> -When we reached the courtyard, Leoni, dragging me behind him, rushed to -a side gate not used by carriages. We ran a short distance along a dark -street; the door of a post-chaise opened, Leoni lifted me in, wrapped me -in a huge fur cloak, pulled a travelling cap over my head, and in the -twinkling of an eye Monsieur Delpech's brilliantly lighted house, the -street and the city disappeared behind us. -</p> - -<p> -We travelled twenty-four hours without once leaving the carriage. At -each relay-house, Leoni raised the window a little, put his arm outside, -tossed the postilions four times their pay, hurriedly withdrew his arm -and closed the window. I scarcely thought of complaining of fatigue or -hunger; my teeth were clenched, my nerves tense; I could neither shed a -tear nor say a word. Leoni seemed more disturbed by the fear of being -pursued than by my suffering and grief. -</p> - -<p> -We halted near a château a short distance from the road. We rang at a -garden gate. A servant opened the gate after we had waited a long while. -It was two o'clock in the morning. When he finally appeared, grumbling, -he put his lantern to Leoni's face; he had no sooner recognized him than -he lost himself in apologies and led us to the house. It seemed deserted -and ill-kept. Nevertheless I was shown to a fairly comfortable chamber. -In a moment a fire was lighted, the bed prepared, and a woman came to -undress me. I had fallen into a sort of idiocy. The heat of the fire -revivified me somewhat, and I discovered that I was in a night-dress, -with my hair unbound, alone with Leoni; but he paid no attention to me; -he was busy packing in a box the magnificent costume, the pearls and -diamonds in which we were both arrayed a moment before. The jewels that -Leoni wore belonged for the most part to my father. My mother, -determined that his costume should not be less gorgeous than ours, had -taken them from the shop and lent them to him without saying anything -about it. When I saw all that wealth packed into a box, I was mortally -ashamed of the species of theft we had committed, and I thanked Leoni -for thinking about returning them to my father. I don't know what answer -he made; he told me that I had four hours to sleep and begged me to make -the best of them, without anxiety or grief. He kissed my bare feet and -left me. I had not the courage to go to bed; I slept in an arm-chair by -the fire. At six o'clock in the morning they came and woke me, brought -me some chocolate and men's clothes. I breakfasted and dressed myself -with resignation. Leoni came for me, and before daybreak we left that -mysterious house, of which I have never known the name or the precise -location or the owner; and the same is true of many other houses, some -handsome and some wretched, which were thrown open to us, in all -countries and at all hours, at the bare mention of Leoni's name. -</p> - -<p> -As we rode on, Leoni recovered his usual serenity of manner and spoke to -me with all his former affection. Enslaved and bound to him by a blind -passion, I was an instrument whose every chord he played upon at will. -If he was pensive I became melancholy; if he was cheerful, I forgot all -my sorrows and all my remorse to smile at his jests; if he was -passionate, I forgot the weariness of my brain and the exhaustion caused -by weeping; I recovered strength enough to love him and to tell him of -my love. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="VIII">VIII</a></h4> - -<p> -We arrived at Geneva, where we remained only long enough to rest. We -soon travelled into the interior of Switzerland and there laid aside all -fear of pursuit and discovery. Ever since our departure, Leoni's only -thought had been to make his way with me to some peaceful rural retreat, -there to live on love and poetry in a never-ending tête à-tête. That -delicious dream was realized. We found in one of the valleys near Lago -Maggiore one of the most picturesque of chalets in a fascinating -situation. At a very small expense we had it arranged conveniently -inside, and we hired it at the beginning of April. We passed there six -months of intoxicating bliss, for which I shall thank God all my life, -although He has made me pay very dear for them. We were absolutely alone -and cut off from all relations with the world. We were served by a young -couple, good-humored, sturdy country people, who added to our -contentment by the spectacle of that which they enjoyed. The woman did -the housework and the cooking, the husband drove to pasture a cow and -two goats, which composed all our live stock, milked and made the -cheese. We rose early, and, when the weather was fine, breakfasted a -short distance from the house, in a pretty orchard, where the trees, -abandoned to the hand of nature, put forth dense branches in every -direction, less rich in fruit than in flowers and foliage. Then we went -out to drive in the valley or climbed some mountain. We gradually -adopted the habit of taking long excursions, and every day discovered -some new spot. Mountainous countries have the peculiar charm that one -can explore them for a long time before one becomes acquainted with all -their beauties and all their secrets. When we went on our longest -excursions, Joanne, our light-hearted major-domo, attended us with a -basket of provisions, and nothing could be more delightful than our -lunches on the grass. Leoni was easily satisfied except as to what he -called the refectory. At last, when we had found a little verdure-clad -shelf half-way down the slope of some deep gorge, sheltered from wind -and sun, with a lovely view, and a brook close at hand sweetened by -aromatic plants, he would himself arrange the repast on a white napkin -spread on the ground. He would send Joanne to pick strawberries and -plunge the wine into the cool water of the stream. He would light a -spirit lamp and cook fresh eggs. By the same process I used to make -excellent coffee after the cold meat and fruit. In this way we had -something of the enjoyments of civilization amid the romantic beauties -of the desert. -</p> - -<p> -When the weather was bad, as was often the case in the early spring, we -lighted a huge fire to keep the dampness from our little dwelling of -fir; we surrounded ourselves with screens which Leoni sawed out, put -together and painted with his own hand. We drank tea; and while he -smoked a long Turkish pipe I read to him. We called those our Flemish -days; while they were less exciting than the others, they were perhaps -even pleasanter. Leoni had an admirable talent for apportioning the time -so as to make life easy and agreeable. In the morning he would exert his -mind to lay out a scheme for the day and arrange our occupations for the -different hours; and when it was done he would come and submit it to me. -I always found it admirable, and we always adhered strictly to it. In -this way, ennui, which always pursues recluses and even lovers in their -tête-à-têtes, never came near us. Leoni knew all that must be avoided -and all that must be looked after to maintain mental tranquillity and -bodily well-being. He would give me directions in his adroitly -affectionate way; and, being as submissive to him as a slave to his -master, I never opposed a single one of his washes. He said, for -instance, that the exchange of thoughts between two people who love each -other is the sweetest thing imaginable, but that it may become the -greatest curse if it is abused. So he regulated the hours of our -interviews and the places where they were to be held. We worked all day; -I looked after the housekeeping; I prepared dainty dishes for him or -folded his linen with my own hands. He was extremely sensible of such -petty refinements of luxury, and found them doubly precious in our -little hermitage. He, on his side, provided for all our needs and -remedied all the inconveniences of our isolation. He had a little -knowledge of all sorts of trades; he did cabinet work, he put on locks, -he made partitions with wooden frames and painted paper panels, he -prevented chimneys from smoking, he grafted fruit trees, he diverted the -course of a stream, so that we had a supply of cool water near the -house. He was always busy about something useful, and he always did it -well. When these more important duties were performed, he painted in -water-colors, composed lovely landscapes from the sketches we had made -in our albums during our walks. Sometimes he wandered about the valley -alone, making verses, and hurried home to repeat them to me. He often -found me in the stable with my apron full of aromatic herbs of which the -goats were very fond. My two lovely pets ate from my lap. One was pure -white, without a speck: her name was <i>Snow</i>; she had a gentle, -melancholy air. The other was yellow like a chamois, with black beard -and legs. She was very young, with a wild, saucy face; we called her -<i>Doe</i>. The cow's name was <i>Daisy</i>. She was red, with black -stripes running transversely, like a tiger. She would put her head on my -shoulder; and when Leoni found me so, he called me his Virgin at the -Manger. He would toss me his album and dictate his verses, which were -almost always addressed to me. They were hymns of love and happiness -which seemed sublime to me, and which must have been sublime. I would -weep silently as I wrote them down; and when I had finished, "Well," -Leoni would say, "do you think they are pretty bad?" At that I would -raise my tear-stained face to his; he would laugh and kiss me with the -keenest delight. -</p> - -<p> -Then he would sit down on the sweet-smelling hay and read me poems in -other languages, which he translated with incredible rapidity and -accuracy. Meanwhile I was spinning in the half-light of the stable. One -must be familiar with the exquisite cleanliness of Swiss stables to -understand our choosing ours for our salon. It was traversed by a swift -mountain stream which washed it clean every moment, and which rejoiced -our ears with its gentle plashing. Tame pigeons drank at our feet, and -under the little arch through which the stream entered, saucy sparrows -hopped in to bathe and steal a few wisps of hay. It was the coolest spot -in warm days, when all the windows were open, and the warmest on cold -days, when the smallest cracks were stuffed with straw and furze. Leoni, -when tired of reading, would often fall asleep on the freshly-cut grass, -and I would leave my work to gaze at that beautiful face, which the -serenity of sleep made even nobler than before. -</p> - -<p> -During these busy days we talked little, although almost always -together; we would exchange an occasional loving word or caress and -encourage each other in our work. But when the evening came, Leoni -became indolent in body and mentally active. Those were the hours when -he was most lovable, and he reserved them for the outpouring of our -affection. Fatigued, but not unpleasantly, by his day's work, he would -lie on the moss at my feet, in a lonely spot near the house, on the -slope of the mountain. From there we would behold the gorgeous sunset, -the melancholy fading away of the daylight, the grave and solemn coming -of the night. We knew the moment when all the stars would rise, and over -which peak each of them would begin to shine. Leoni was thoroughly -familiar with astronomy, but Joanne, too, knew that science of the -shepherds after his manner, and he gave the stars other names, often -more poetic and more expressive than ours. When Leoni had amused himself -sufficiently with his rustic pedantry, he would send him away to play -the <i>Ranz des Vaches</i> on his reed-pipe at the foot of the mountain. -The shrill notes sounded indescribably sweet in the distance. Leoni would -fall into a reverie which resembled a trance; and then, when it was -quite dark, when the silence of the valley was no longer broken by aught -save the plaintive cry of some cliff-dwelling bird, when the fireflies -lighted their lamps in the grass about us and a soft breeze sighed -through the firs over our heads, Leoni would seem to wake suddenly from -a dream, as if to another life. His heart would take fire, his -passionate eloquence would overflow my heart. He would talk to the -skies, the wind, the echoes, to all nature with enthusiastic fervor; he -would take me in his arms and overwhelm me with delirious caresses; then -he would weep with love on my bosom, and, growing calmer, would talk to -me in the sweetest, most intoxicating words. -</p> - -<p> -Oh! how could I have failed to love that unequalled man, in his good and -in his evil days? How lovable he was then! how beautiful! how becoming -the sunburn was to his manly face, and with what profound respect it -avoided the broad white forehead over the jet-black, eyebrows! How well -he knew how to love and to tell his love! What a genius he had for -arranging life and making it beautiful! How could I have failed to have -blind confidence in him? How could I have failed to accustom myself to -absolute submission to him? All that he did, all that he said, was good -and wise and noble. He was generous, sensitive, refined, heroic; he took -pleasure in relieving the destitution or the infirmities of the poor who -knocked at our door. One day he jumped into a stream, at the risk of his -life, to save a young shepherd; one night he wandered through the -snowdrifts, surrounded by the most awful dangers, to assist some -travellers who had lost their way and whose cries of distress we had -heard. Oh! how, how could I have distrusted Leoni? how could I have -conceived any dread of the future? Do not tell me again that I am -credulous and weak; the most strong-minded of women would have been -subjugated forever by those six months of love. As for myself, I was -absolutely enslaved; and my cruel remorse for having abandoned my -parents, the thought of their grief, grew fainter day by day, and, -finally, vanished almost entirely. Oh! how great was that man's power! -</p> - -<p> -Juliette paused and fell into a melancholy reverie. A clock in the -distance struck twelve. I suggested that she should rest. "No," said -she, "if you are not tired of listening to me, I prefer to go on. I feel -that I have undertaken a task that will be very painful for my poor -heart, and that when I have finished I shall neither feel nor remember -anything for several days. I prefer to make the most of the strength I -have to-day." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you are right, Juliette," I said. "Tear the steel from your -breast, and you will be better afterward. But tell me, my poor child, -how it was that Henryet's strange conduct at the ball and Leoni's craven -submission at a glance from him did not leave a suspicion, a fear in -your mind?" -</p> - -<p> -"What could I fear?" replied Juliette. "I knew so little of the affairs -of life and the baseness of society that I utterly failed to understand -that mystery. Leoni had told me that there was a terrible secret. I -imagined a thousand romantic catastrophes. It was the fashion then in -books to introduce characters burdened by the most extraordinary and -improbable maledictions. Plays and novels alike teemed with sons of -headsmen, heroic spies, virtuous murderers and felons. One day I read -<i>Frederick Styndall</i>, another day, Cooper's <i>Spy</i> fell into my -hands. Remember that I was a mere child, and that my mind was far behind my -heart in my passion. I fancied that society, being unjust and stupid, -had placed Leoni under its ban for some sublime imprudence, some -involuntary offence, or as the result of some savage prejudice. I will -even admit that my poor girlish brain found an additional attraction in -that impenetrable mystery, and that my woman's heart took fire at the -opportunity of adventuring its entire destiny to repair a noble and -poetic misfortune." -</p> - -<p> -"Leoni probably detected that romantic tendency and played upon it?" I -said. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," she replied, "he did. But if he took so much trouble to deceive -me, it was because he loved me, because he was determined to have my -love at any price." -</p> - -<p> -We were silent for a moment; then Juliette resumed her narrative. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="IX">IX</a></h4> - -<p> -The winter came at last; we had made our plans to endure all its rigors -rather than abandon our dear retreat. Leoni told me that he had never -been so happy, that I was the only woman he had ever loved, that he was -ready to renounce the world in order to live and die in my arms. His -taste for dissipation, his passion for gambling—all had vanished, -forgotten forever. Oh! how grateful I was to see that man, who shone so -in society and was so flattered and courted, renounce without regret all -the intoxicating joys of a life of excitement and festivities, to shut -himself up with me in a cottage! And be sure, Don Aleo, that Leoni was -not deceiving me at that time. While it is true that he had very strong -reasons for keeping out of sight, it is none the less certain that he -was happy in his retreat, and that he loved me there. Could he have -feigned that perfect serenity during six whole months, unchanged for a -single day? And why should he not have loved me? I was young and fair, I -had left everything for him and I adored him. Understand, I am no longer -under any delusion as to his character; I know everything and I will -tell you the whole truth. His character is very ugly and very beautiful; -very vile and very grand; when one has not the strength to hate the man, -one must needs love him and become his victim. -</p> - -<p> -But the winter began so fiercely that our residence in the valley became -extremely dangerous. In a few days the snow reached the level of our -chalet; it threatened to bury it and to cause our deaths by starvation. -Leoni insisted on remaining; he wanted to lay in a stock of provisions -and defy the enemy; but Joanne assured him that we should inevitably be -lost if we did not beat a retreat at once; that such a winter had not -been seen for ten years, and that when the thaw came the chalet would be -swept away like a feather by the avalanches, unless Saint Bernard and -Our Lady of the Snow-drifts should save it by a miracle. -</p> - -<p> -"If I were alone," said Leoni, "I would wait for a miracle and laugh at -the snow-drifts; but I have no courage when you share my dangers. We -will go away to-morrow." -</p> - -<p> -"We must do it," I said; "but where shall we go? I shall be recognized -and betrayed very soon; I shall be compelled by force to return to my -parents." -</p> - -<p> -"There are a thousand ways of eluding men and laws," replied Leoni with -a smile; "we can surely find one; don't be alarmed; the whole world is -at our disposal." -</p> - -<p> -"And where shall we begin?" I asked, forcing myself to smile too. -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know yet," he replied, "but what does it matter? we shall be -together; where can we be unhappy?" -</p> - -<p> -"Alas!" said I, "shall we ever be so happy as we have been here?" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you want to stay here?" -</p> - -<p> -"No," I replied, "we should be happy no longer; in presence of danger, -we should always be alarmed for each other." -</p> - -<p> -We made preparations for our departure. Joanne passed the day clearing -the path by which we were to go. During the night I had a strange -experience, upon which I have feared, many times since then, to -meditate. -</p> - -<p> -In the midst of a sound sleep I suddenly felt very cold and woke up. I -felt for Leoni at my side, but he was not there; his place was cold, and -the bedroom door was ajar, admitting a current of ice-cold air. I waited -a few moments, but, as Leoni did not return, I began to be alarmed, so I -rose and hastily dressed myself. Even then I waited before making up my -mind to go out, reluctant to allow myself to be governed by any mere -childish anxiety. But he did not appear; an invincible terror seized -upon me, and I went out, scantily clad, with the thermometer fifteen -degrees below freezing. I was afraid that Leoni might have gone to -assist some poor creatures who were lost in the snow, as had happened a -few nights before, and I was determined to follow and find him. I called -Joanne and his wife; they were sleeping so soundly that they did not -hear me. Thereupon, almost frantic with dread, I went to the edge of the -little palisaded platform which surrounded the chalet and saw a faint -light twinkling on the snow some distance away. I fancied that I -recognized the lantern that Leoni carried on his relief expeditions. I -ran toward it as rapidly as the snow would allow me, sinking in up to my -knees. I tried to call him, but the cold made my teeth chatter, and the -wind, which blew in my face, intercepted my voice. At last I came near -to the light and could see Leoni distinctly; he was standing on the spot -where I had first seen him, holding a spade. I approached still nearer, -the snow deadening the sound of my footsteps, and finally stood almost -beside him, unseen by him. The light was enclosed in its metal cylinder -and shone through a slit on the opposite side from me, directly upon -him. -</p> - -<p> -I saw then that he had shovelled away the snow and dug into the earth; -he was up to his knees in a hole he had made. -</p> - -<p> -This strange occupation, at such an hour and in such severe weather, -gave me an absurd fright. Leoni seemed to be in extraordinary haste. -From time to time he glanced uneasily about; I crouched behind a rock -for I was terrified by the expression of his face. It seemed to me that -he would kill me if he should find me there. All the fanciful, foolish -stories I had read, all the strange conjectures I had made concerning -his secret, recurred to my mind; I believed that he had come there to -dig up a corpse, and I almost fainted. I was somewhat reassured when I -saw him, after digging a little longer, take a box from the hole. He -scrutinized it closely, looked to see if the lock had been forced, then -placed it on the edge of the hole and began to throw back the earth and -snow, taking little pains to conceal the traces of his operation. -</p> - -<p> -When I saw that he was ready to return to the house with his box, I was -terribly afraid that he would discover my imprudent curiosity, and I -fled as swiftly as I could. I made haste to throw my wet clothes into a -corner and go back to bed, resolved to pretend to be fast asleep when he -returned; but I had plenty of time to recover from my emotion, for it -was more than half an hour before he reappeared. -</p> - -<p> -I lost myself in conjectures concerning that mysterious box, which must -have been buried on the mountain since our arrival, and was destined to -accompany us, either as a talisman of safety or as an instrument of -death. It seemed to me unlikely that it contained money; for it was of -considerable size and yet Leoni had lifted it with one hand and without -apparent effort. Perhaps it contained papers upon which his very -existence depended. What impressed me most strongly was the idea that I -had seen the box before; but it was impossible for me to remember when -or where. This time its shape and color were engraved on my memory as if -by a sort of fatal necessity. I had it before my eyes all night, and in -my dreams I saw a multitude of strange objects come out of it: sometimes -cards cut into curious shapes, sometimes bloody weapons; sometimes -flowers, feathers and jewels; and sometimes bones, snakes, bits of gold, -iron chains and anklets. -</p> - -<p> -I was very careful not to question Leoni or to let him suspect my -discovery. He had often said to me that on the day that I discovered his -secret all would be at an end between us; and although he thanked me on -his knees for believing blindly in him, he often gave me to understand -that the slightest curiosity on my part would be distasteful to him. We -started the next morning on mules, and travelled by post from the -nearest town all the way to Venice. -</p> - -<p> -There we alighted at one of those mysterious houses which Leoni seemed -to have at his disposal in all countries. This one was dark, dilapidated -and hidden away, as it were, in a deserted quarter of the city. He told -me that it belonged to a friend of his who was absent; he begged me to -try to put up with it for a day or two, adding that there were important -reasons why he could not show himself in the city at once, but that, in -twenty-four hours at the latest, I should be provided with suitable -lodgings and should have no reason to complain of life in his native -place. -</p> - -<p> -We had just breakfasted in a cold, damp room, when a shabbily dressed -man, with a disagreeable face and a sickly complexion, made his -appearance, observing that Leoni had sent for him. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, my dear Thaddeus," Leoni replied, hastily leaving the table; -"I am glad to see you; let us go into another room and not bore madame -with business matters." -</p> - -<p> -An hour later Leoni came and kissed me; he seemed excited, but -satisfied, as if he had won a victory. -</p> - -<p> -"I must leave you for a few hours," he said; "I am going to have your -new home made ready; we shall sleep there to-morrow night." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="X">X</a></h4> - -<p> -He was away all day. The next day he went out early. He seemed very -busy; but he was in a more cheerful mood than I had yet seen him. That -gave me courage to endure the tedium of another twelve hours and -dispelled the melancholy impression that cold and silent house produced -upon me. In the afternoon I tried to distract my thoughts by going over -it; it was very old; some remnants of antiquated furniture, tattered -hangings, and several pictures half consumed by rats attracted my -attention; but an object even more interesting to me turned my thoughts -in another direction. -</p> - -<p> -As I entered the room where Leoni had slept, I saw the famous box on the -floor; it was open and entirely empty. An enormous weight was lifted -from my mind. The unknown dragon confined in that box had taken flight! -the terrible destiny which it had seemed to me to forebode no longer -weighed upon us!—"Well, well," I said to myself with a smile, -"Pandora's box is empty; hope has remained behind for me." -</p> - -<p> -As I was about to leave the room, I placed my foot on a small bit of -cotton wool which had been left lying on the floor with some crumpled -tissue paper. I felt something hard and stooped mechanically to pick it -up. My fingers felt the same hard substance through the cotton, and on -pulling it apart I found a pin made of several large diamonds, which I -at once recognized as belonging to my father, and which I had worn on -the evening of the last ball, to fasten a scarf on my shoulder. This -incident made such an impression on me that I thought no more of the box -or of Leoni's secret. I was conscious of nothing but a vague feeling of -uneasiness concerning the jewels I had carried with me in my flight, and -to which I had not since given even a thought, supposing that Leoni had -sent them back at once. The possibility that that had not been done was -horrible to me; and as soon as Leoni returned I asked him ingenuously: -</p> - -<p> -"My dear, you didn't forget to send back my father's diamonds after we -left Brussels, did you?" -</p> - -<p> -Leoni looked at me with a strange expression. He seemed to be trying to -read in the lowest depths of my soul. -</p> - -<p> -"Why don't you answer?" I said; "what is there so surprising in my -question?" -</p> - -<p> -"What the devil does it mean?" he replied calmly. -</p> - -<p> -"It means that I went into your room to-day, and found this on your -floor. Thereupon I feared that, in the excitement of our flight and the -confusion of our travels, you might have forgotten to send back the -other jewels. For my own part, I hardly reminded you of it; my brain was -in such a whirl." -</p> - -<p> -As I concluded, I handed him the pin. I spoke so naturally and was so -far from dreaming of suspecting him, that he saw it at once; and, taking -the pin with the utmost calmness, he said: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Parbleu</i>! I don't know what this means. Where did you find it? Are -you sure that it belonged to your father and was not left behind here by -the people who occupied the house before us?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! yes," said I, "here is an almost imperceptible mark near the -fastening; it's my father's private mark. With a magnifying-glass you -can see his cipher." -</p> - -<p> -"Very good," he replied; "then the pin must have been left in one of our -trunks, and I suppose I dropped it this morning when shaking some of my -clothes. Luckily it's the only piece of jewelry we brought away by -accident; all the rest was placed in charge of a reliable man and -addressed to Delpech, who must have turned it over to your family. I -don't believe that it is worth while to return this; it would excite -your mother's grief anew for very little money." -</p> - -<p> -"It is worth at least ten thousand francs," I said. -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, keep it until you have an opportunity to send it back. By -the way, are you ready? are the trunks locked? There is a gondola at the -door and your house is waiting impatiently for you; supper is already -served." -</p> - -<p> -Half an hour later we stopped at the door of a magnificent palace. The -stairways were covered with amaranth-colored carpets; the white marble -rails with flowering orange-trees, in midwinter, and with light statues -which seemed to lean over to salute us. The concierge and four servants -came forward to assist us to disembark. Leoni took a candlestick from -one of them and raised it so that I could read on the cornice of the -peristyle, in silver letters on an azure ground: <i>Palazzo Leoni</i>. -</p> - -<p> -"O my love," I cried, "you did not deceive us? You are rich and of noble -birth and I am in your house!" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a id="figure05"></a> -<br /> -<img src="images/figure05.jpg" width="400" alt="" /> -<p class="center"><i>LEONI TAKES JULIETTE TO HIS<br /> -PALACE.</i></p> -<p> -<i>Leoni took a candlestick * * * and raised it so that I could read on -the cornice of the peristyle, in silver letters, on an azure ground</i>: -Palazzo Leoni. -</p> -<p> -"<i>O my love," I cried, "you did not deceive us? You are rich and of -noble birth, and I am in your house!</i>"</p></div> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I went all over the palace with childlike delight. It was one of the -finest in all Venice. The furniture and the hangings, fairly glistening -with newness, had been copied from antique models, so that the paintings -on the ceilings and the old-fashioned architecture harmonized perfectly -with the new accessories. The luxury that we bourgeois and people of the -North affect is so paltry, so vulgar, so slovenly, that I had never -dreamed of such elegance. I walked through the vast galleries as through -an enchanted palace; all the objects about me were of strange shapes, of -unfamiliar aspect; I wondered if I were dreaming, or if I were really -the mistress and queen of all those marvellous things. Moreover, that -feudal magnificence was a fresh source of enchantment to me. I had never -realized the pleasure or the advantage of being noble. In France people -no longer know what it is, in Belgium they have never known. Here in -Italy the few remaining nobles are still proud and fond of display; the -palaces are not demolished, but are allowed to crumble away. Between -those walls laden with trophies and escutcheons, beneath those ceilings -on which the armorial bearings of the family were painted, face to face -with Leoni's ancestors painted by Titian and Veronese, some grave and -stern in their long cloaks, others elegant and gracious in their black -satin doublets, I understood that pride of rank which may be so -attractive and so becoming when it does not adorn a fool. All this -illustrious environment was so suited to Leoni that it would be -impossible for me, even to-day, to think of him as a plebeian. He was -the fitting descendant of those men with black beards and alabaster -hands, of the type that Van Dyck has immortalized. He had their -eagle-like profile, their delicate and refined features, their tall -stature, their eyes, at once mocking and kindly. If those portraits -could have walked they would have walked as he did; if they had spoken, -they would have had his voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Can it be," I said, throwing my arms about him, "that it was you, my -lord, Signor Leone Leoni, who were in that chalet among the goats and -hens the other day, with a pickaxe over your shoulder and a blouse on -your back? Was it you that lived that life for six months, with a -nameless, witless girl, who has no other merit than her love for you? -And you mean to keep me with you, you will love me always, and tell me -so every morning, as at the chalet? Oh, it is a too exalted and too -happy lot for me; I had not aspired so high, and it terrifies me at the -same time that it intoxicates me." -</p> - -<p> -"Do not be frightened," he said, with a smile, "be my companion and my -queen forever. Now, come to supper; I have two guests to present to you. -Arrange your hair and make yourself pretty; and when I call you my wife, -don't open your eyes as if you were surprised." -</p> - -<p> -We found an exquisite supper served on a table sparkling with porcelain, -glass and plate. The two guests were presented to me with due solemnity; -they were Venetians both, with attractive faces and refined manners, -and, although very inferior to Leoni, they resembled him somewhat in -their pronunciation and in the quality of their minds. I asked him in an -undertone if they were kinsmen of his. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," he replied aloud, with a laugh, "they are my cousins." -</p> - -<p> -"Of course," added one of them, who was addressed as the marquis, "we -are all cousins." -</p> - -<p> -The next day, instead of two guests, there were four or five different -ones at each meal. In less than a week our house was inundated with -intimate friends. These assiduous guests consumed many sweet hours that -I might have passed alone with Leoni, but had to share with them all. -But Leoni, after his long exile, seemed overjoyed to see his friends -once more and to lead a gayer life. I could form no wish opposed to his, -and I was happy to see him enjoying himself. To be sure, the society of -those men was delightful. They were all young and refined, jovial or -intelligent, amiable or entertaining. They had excellent manners, and -most of them were men of talent. Every morning we had music; in the -afternoon we went on the water; after dinner we went to the theatre; -and, on returning home, had supper and cards. I did not enjoy looking on -at this last amusement, in which enormous sums changed hands every -night. Leoni had given me permission to retire after supper, and I never -failed. Little by little the number of our acquaintances increased so -that I was bored and fatigued by them; but I said nothing about it. -Leoni still seemed enchanted by this dissipated life. All the dandies of -all nations who were then in Venice met by appointment at our house to -drink and gamble and sing. The best singers from the theatres came often -to mingle their voices with our instruments and with Leoni's voice, -which was neither less beautiful nor less skilfully managed than theirs. -Despite the fascination of this society, I felt more and more the -longing for repose. To be sure, we still had some pleasant hours -tête-à-tête from time to time. The dandies did not come every day, -but the regular habitués consisted of a dozen or more men who formed -the nucleus of our dinner-parties. Leoni was so fond of them that I -could not help feeling some affection for them. They were the ones who -enlivened the whole table by their superiority in every respect to the -others. Those men were really remarkable, and seemed in some sense -reflections of Leoni. They had that sort of family resemblance, that -conformity of ideas and language which had impressed me the first day. -There was an indefinable air of subtlety and distinction, which was -lacking even in the most distinguished of the others. Their glances were -more penetrating, their replies more prompt, their self-possession more -lordly, their reckless extravagance in better taste. Each one of them -exerted a sort of moral authority over a portion of the new-comers. They -acted as their models and guides, at first in small matters, afterward -in greater ones. Leoni was the soul of the whole body, the superior -chief who was the mentor of that brilliant masculine coterie, in style, -tone, dissipation and extravagance. -</p> - -<p> -This species of empire pleased him, and I was not surprised at it. I had -seen him reign even more openly at Brussels, and I had shared his pride -and his glory; but our happy life at the chalet had taught me the secret -of purer, more private joys. I regretted that life, and could not -refrain from saying so. -</p> - -<p> -"And so do I," said he. "I regret those months of pure delight, superior -to all the empty vanities of society; but God did not choose to change -the succession of the seasons for us. There is no eternal happiness any -more than there is perpetual spring. It is a law of nature which we -cannot escape. Be sure that everything is ordered for the best in this -wicked world. The strength of a man's heart is no greater than the -duration of the blessings of life. Let us submit; let us bend our necks. -The flowers droop, wither and are born again every year. The human heart -can renew itself like a flower, when it knows its own strength and does -not bloom to the bursting point. Six months of unalloyed felicity was a -tremendous allowance, my dear; we should have died of too much happiness -if that had continued, or else we should have abused it. Destiny bids us -come down from our ethereal peaks and breathe a less pure atmosphere in -cities. Let us bow to the necessity and believe that it is well for us. -When the fine weather returns again, we will return to our mountains. We -shall be the more eager to find there all the pleasures of which we are -deprived here; we shall better appreciate the value of our peaceful -privacy; and that season of love and delight, which the hardships of the -winter would have spoiled for us, will come again even lovelier than -last year." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, yes," said I, embracing him, "we will return to Switzerland! How -good you are to want to do it and to promise me that you will! But tell -me, Leoni, can we not live more simply and more by ourselves here? We -see each other now only through the fumes of punch; we speak to each -other only amid songs and laughter. Why have we so many friends? Are we -not enough for each other?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Juliette," he replied, "angels are children, and you are both. You -do not know that love is the function of the noblest faculties of the -mind, and that we must take care of those faculties as of the apple of -one's eye. You do not know, little girl, what your own heart is. Dear, -sensitive, confiding creature that you are, you believe that it is an -inexhaustible fountain of love; but the sun itself is not eternal. You -do not know that the heart becomes tired like the body, and that it must -be treated with the same care. Trust to me, Juliette; let me keep the -sacred fire alight in your heart. It is my interest to preserve your -love, to prevent you from squandering it too rapidly. All women are like -you; they are in such a hurry to love that they suddenly cease to love, -and do not know why." -</p> - -<p> -"Bad boy," I said, "are these the things you said to me in the evenings -on the mountain? Did you urge me not to love you too much? did you think -that I was capable of becoming weary of loving you?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, my angel," Leoni replied, kissing my hands, "nor do I think it now. -But listen to my experience: external things exert upon our most secret -feelings an influence against which the strongest contend in vain. In -our valley, surrounded by pure air, by natural perfumes and melodies, we -might well be and were certain to be all love, all poesy, all -enthusiasm: but remember that, even while we were there, I was sparing -of that enthusiasm, which is so easy to lose, so impossible to find -again when it is lost; remember our rainy days, when I was more or less -harsh with you in forcing you to keep your mind occupied, in order to -save you from reflection and the melancholy which is its inevitable -consequence. Be sure that too frequent examination of oneself and others -is the most dangerous of occupations. We must shake off the selfish -craving which impels us to be forever searching our hearts and the -hearts of those who love us, like a foolish husbandman who exhausts the -soil by dint of calling on it to produce beyond its capacity. We must -know how to be unemotional and frivolous at times; such periods of -distraction are dangerous only to weak and indolent hearts. An ardent -heart ought to seek them in order not to consume itself; it is always -rich enough. A word, a glance, is sufficient to send a thrill through it -in the midst of the eddying whirl which carries it away, and to bring it -back more ardent and more loving to the consciousness of its passion. -Here, you see, we must have excitement and variety; these great palaces -are beautiful, but they are melancholy. The sea moss clings to their -feet, and the limpid water in which they are reflected is often laden -with vapors which fall in tears. This magnificence is severe, and these -marks of nobility which please you are simply a long succession of -epitaphs and tombs which we must decorate with flowers. We must fill -with living beings this echoing mansion, where your footsteps would -frighten you if you were alone; we must throw money from the window to -this populace which has no other bed than the ice-covered parapets of -the bridges, so that the spectacle of its misery may not make us sad -amid our well-being. Allow yourself to be cheered by our laughter and -lulled to sleep by our songs; be good and do not worry; I will undertake -to arrange your life and make it pleasant to you, even if I am unable to -make it intoxicating. Be my wife and my mistress at Venice; you shall be -my angel and my nymph again among the glaciers of Switzerland." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XI">XI</a></h4> - -<p> -By such speeches he allayed my anxiety and led me, fascinated and -confiding, to the brink of the abyss. I thanked him lovingly for the -trouble he took to persuade me, when he could make me obey with a sign. -We embraced affectionately and returned to the salon where our friends -awaited us to part us. -</p> - -<p> -However, as the days succeeded one another, Leoni did not take the same -trouble to reconcile me to them. He paid less attention to my growing -discontent, and when I mentioned it to him, he argued with me less -gently. One day indeed he was short with me and bitter; I saw that I -offended him; I determined to complain no more; but I began to suffer -really and to be genuinely unhappy. I waited with resignation until -Leoni snatched a few moments to come to me. To be sure he was so kind -and loving at those times that I deemed myself foolish and cowardly to -have suffered so. My courage and my confidence would revive for a few -days; but those days of encouragement became more and more infrequent. -Leoni, seeing that I was meek and submissive, still treated me with -consideration; but he no longer noticed my melancholy. Ennui devoured -me, Venice became hateful to me; its canals, its gondolas, its sky, -everything about it was distasteful. During the nights of card-playing I -wandered alone on the terrace at the top of the house; I shed bitter -tears; I recalled my home, my heedless youth, my kind, foolish mother, -my poor father, so loving and so good-natured, and even my aunt, with -her petty worries and her long sermons. It seemed to me that I was -really homesick, that I longed to fly, to go home and throw myself at my -parents' feet, to forget Leoni forever. But if a window opened below me, -if Leoni, weary of the game and the heat, came out on the balcony to -breathe the fresh air from the canal, I would lean over the rail to look -at him, and my heart would beat as during the first days of my passion, -when he crossed the threshold of my father's house; if the moon shone -upon him and enabled me to distinguish that noble figure beneath the -rich fancy costume that he always wore in his own palace, I would thrill -with pride and pleasure as on the evening that he led me into that -ball-room from which we went forth never to return; if his melodious -voice, murmuring a measure from some song, rebounded from the resonant -marbles of Venice and rose to my ears, I would feel the tears flowing -down my cheeks, as on those evenings among the mountains when he sang me -a ballad composed for me in the morning. -</p> - -<p> -A few words which I overheard from the mouth of one of his friends -increased my depression and my disgust to an intolerable degree. Among -Leoni's twelve intimate associates, the Vicomte de Chalm, who called -himself an <i>émigré</i> Frenchman, was the one whose attentions were -most offensive to me. He was the oldest of them all, and perhaps the -cleverest; but underneath his exquisite manners I detected a sort of -cynicism which often revolted me. He was satirical, cold-blooded and -insolent; furthermore, he was a man without morals and without heart; -but I knew nothing of that, and he displeased me, apart from that. One -evening when I was on the balcony, hidden from him by the silk -curtains, I heard him say to the Venetian marquis: "Why, where's -Juliette?"—That mode of speaking of me brought the blood to my -cheeks; I kept perfectly still and listened.—"I don't know," the -Venetian replied. "Why, are you so much in love with her?"—"Not -too much," was the reply, "but enough."—"And Leoni?"—"Leoni -will turn her over to me one of these days."—"What! his own -wife?"—"Nonsense, marquis! are you mad?" replied the viscount; -"she is a girl he seduced at Brussels; when he has had enough of her, -and that will be before long, I will gladly take charge of her. If you -want her next after me, marquis, put your name down."—"Many -thanks," replied the marquis; "I know how you deprave women, and I -should be afraid to succeed you." -</p> - -<p> -I heard no more; I leaned over the balustrade half-dead, and, hiding my -face in my shawl, wept with rage and shame. -</p> - -<p> -That same night I called Leoni into my room, and demanded satisfaction -for the way I was treated by his friends. He took the insult with a -coolness which dealt my heart a mortal blow.—"You are a little fool," -he said to me; "you don't know what men are; their thoughts are -indiscreet and their words still more so; the rakes are the best of -them. A strong woman should laugh at their airs instead of losing her -temper." -</p> - -<p> -I fell upon a chair and burst into tears, crying;—"O mother! mother! -how low has your daughter fallen!" -</p> - -<p> -Leoni exerted himself to soothe me, and succeeded only too quickly. He -knelt at my feet, kissed my hands and my arms, implored me to treat with -scorn a foolish remark and to think of nothing but him and his love. -</p> - -<p> -"Alas!" said I, "what am I to think when your friends flatter themselves -that they can pick me up as they do your old pipes when you want them no -longer." -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette," he replied, "wounded pride makes you bitter and unjust. I -have been a libertine, as you know; I have often told you of my youthful -disorders; but I thought that I had purified myself in the air of our -valley. My friends are still living the life that I used to lead; they -know nothing of the six months we passed in Switzerland; they could -never understand them. But ought you to misinterpret and forget them?" -</p> - -<p> -I begged his pardon, I shed sweeter tears on his brow and his beautiful -hair; I strove to forget the uncomfortable impression I had received. I -flattered myself moreover that he would make his friends understand that -I was not a kept mistress and that they must respect me; but he either -did not choose to do it or did not think of it, for on the next and -following days I saw that Monsieur de Chalm's eyes followed me and -solicited me with revolting insolence. -</p> - -<p> -I was in despair, but I did not know which way to turn to avoid the -evils into which I had plunged. I was too proud to be happy, and loved -Leoni too dearly to leave him. -</p> - -<p> -One evening I had gone into the salon to get a book I had left on the -piano. Leoni was surrounded by a select party of his friends; they were -grouped around the tea table at the end of the room, which was dimly -lighted, and did not notice my presence. The viscount seemed to be in -one of his wickedest teasing moods. -</p> - -<p> -"Baron Leone de Leoni," he said in a dry, mocking voice, "do you know, -my dear fellow, that you are getting in very deep?" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean?" rejoined Leoni, "I have no debts at Venice yet." -</p> - -<p> -"But you soon will have." -</p> - -<p> -"I hope so," retorted Leoni with the utmost tranquillity. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Vive Dieu</i>!" said the viscount, "you are the first of men when it -comes to ruining yourself; half a million in three months! do you know -that's running a very pretty rig?" -</p> - -<p> -Surprise had nailed me to my place; motionless and holding my breath, I -awaited the end of this strange conversation. -</p> - -<p> -"Half a million?" echoed the Venetian marquis indifferently. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," said Chalm, "Thaddeus the Jew advanced him five hundred thousand -francs at the beginning of the winter." -</p> - -<p> -"That's doing very well," said the marquis. "Have you paid the rent of -your ancestral palace, Leoni?" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Parbleu</i>! yes, in advance," said Chalm; "would they have let it to -him otherwise?" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you expect to do when you have nothing left?" queried another -of Leoni's trusty friends. -</p> - -<p> -"Run in debt," replied Leoni with imperturbable tranquillity. -</p> - -<p> -"That's easier than to find Jews who will leave you at peace for three -months," said the viscount. "What will you do when your creditors take -you by the collar." -</p> - -<p> -"I will take a pretty little boat," replied Leoni with a smile. -</p> - -<p> -"Good! and go to Trieste?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, that is too near; to Palermo, I have never been there." -</p> - -<p> -"But when you arrive anywhere," said the marquis, "you must cut -something of a figure for a few days." -</p> - -<p> -"Providence will provide for that," said Leoni, "she is the mother of -the audacious." -</p> - -<p> -"But not of the indolent," said Chalm, "and I know nobody on earth more -indolent than you. What the devil did you do in Switzerland with your -infanta for six months?" -</p> - -<p> -"Silence on that subject!" retorted Leoni; "I loved her, and I'll throw -my glass at the head of any man who sees anything to laugh at in that." -</p> - -<p> -"Leoni, you drink too much," observed another of his friends. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps so, but I have said what I have said." -</p> - -<p> -The viscount didn't take up this species of challenge, and the marquis -made haste to change the conversation. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, in God's name, aren't you playing?" he asked Leoni. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Ventre-Dieu</i>! I play every day to oblige you, although I detest -gambling; you will make a fool of me with your cards and your dice, and -your pockets like the cask of the Danaides, and your insatiable hands! -You are nothing but a parcel of fools, the whole of you. When you have -made a hit, instead of taking a rest and enjoying life like true -sybarites, you keep at it until you have spoiled your luck." -</p> - -<p> -"Luck, luck!" said the marquis, "everyone knows what luck is." -</p> - -<p> -"Many thanks!" said Leoni, "I no longer care to know; I was too -thoroughly currycombed at Paris. When I think that there is one man, -whom may God in his mercy consign to all the devils——!" -</p> - -<p> -"Well?" said the viscount. -</p> - -<p> -"A man," said the marquis, "of whom we must rid ourselves at any cost, -if we wish to enjoy liberty again on this earth. But, patience, there -are two of us against him." -</p> - -<p> -"Never fear," said Leoni, "I have not so far forgotten the old customs -of the country that I don't know how to clear my path of the man who -stands in my way. Except for my devil of a love-affair, which filled my -brain, I had a fine chance in Brussels." -</p> - -<p> -"You?" said the marquis; "you never did anything in that line, and you -will never have the courage." -</p> - -<p> -"Courage?" cried Leoni, half-rising, with flashing eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"No extravagance," replied the marquis, with that horrifying sang-froid -which they all had. "Let us understand each other. You have courage to -kill a bear or a wild boar, but you have too many sentimental and -philosophical ideas in your head to kill a man." -</p> - -<p> -"That may be," said Leoni, resuming his seat, "but I am not sure." -</p> - -<p> -"You don't mean to play at Palermo, then?" said the viscount. -</p> - -<p> -"To the devil with your gambling! If I could get up a passion for -something—hunting, or a horse, or an olive-skinned Calabrian—I -would go next summer, and shut myself up in the Abruzzi and pass a few -more months forgetting you all." -</p> - -<p> -"Rekindle your passion for Juliette," said the viscount, with a sneer. -</p> - -<p> -"I will not rekindle my passion for Juliette," replied Leoni, angrily, -"but I will strike you if you mention her name again." -</p> - -<p> -"We must make him drink some tea," said the viscount, "he's dead drunk." -</p> - -<p> -"Come, come, Leoni," cried the marquis, grasping his arm, "you treat us -horribly to-night. What's the matter with you, in God's name? Are we no -longer friends? do you doubt us? Speak." -</p> - -<p> -"No, I don't doubt you," said Leoni; "you have given me back as much as -I took from you. I know what you are worth; good and bad, I judge you -all, without prejudice or prepossession." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! I should like to hear your judgment!" said the viscount, between -his teeth. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, come! more punch! more punch!" cried the other guests. "There's -no possibility of any more fun unless we drink Chalm and Leoni under the -table. They have reached the stage of nervous spasms; let's put them in -a trance." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, my friends, my very dear friends!" cried Leoni, "punch! -friendship! life—a jolly life! The deuce take the cards! they are -what make me ugly. Here's to drunkenness! Here's to the ladies! Here's to -sloth, tobacco, music and money! Here's to the young maids and old -countesses! Here's to the devil! Here's to love! Here's to all that -makes one live! Everything is good when one is well enough constituted -to make the most of it and enjoy it." -</p> - -<p> -They all rose, shouting a drinking song. I fled; I ran upstairs with the -frenzy of one who thinks herself pursued, and fell in a swoon on my -bedroom floor. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XII">XII</a></h4> - -<p> -The next morning they found me lying on the floor, as stiff and cold as -a corpse; I had brain fever. I believe that Leoni was attentive to me; -it seemed to me that I saw him frequently at my bedside, but I had only -a vague memory of it. After three days I was out of danger. Then Leoni -came from time to time to inquire for me, and to pass part of the -afternoon with me. He left the palace every evening at six o'clock, and -did not return until next morning. That fact I learned later. -</p> - -<p> -Of all that I had heard I had clearly understood but one thing, which -was the cause of my despair: it was that Leoni no longer loved me. Until -then I had always refused to believe it, although his conduct should -have made it clear to me. I resolved to contribute no farther to his -ruin, and not to abuse a remnant of compassion and generosity which led -him to continue to show me some consideration. I sent for him as soon as -I felt strong enough to endure the interview, and told him what I had -heard him say about me in the midst of the revel; I kept silence as to -all the rest. I could not see clearly in that confused mass of infamous -things which the remarks of his friends had caused me to suspect; I did -not choose to understand them. Moreover, I was ready to consent to -everything: to desertion, despair and death. -</p> - -<p> -I told him that I had decided to go away in a week, and that I would -accept nothing from him thenceforth. I had kept my father's pin; by -selling it I could obtain much more than I needed to return to Brussels. -</p> - -<p> -The courage with which I spoke, and which the fever doubtless assisted, -dealt Leoni an unexpected blow. He said nothing, but paced the floor -excitedly; then he began to sob and cry, and fell, gasping for breath, -on a chair. Dismayed by his apparent condition, I left my reclining -chair in spite of myself, and went to him with an air of solicitude. -Thereupon he seized me in his arms and, pressing me frantically to his -breast, cried: -</p> - -<p> -"No, no! you shall not leave me; I will never consent to it; if your -pride, perfectly just and legitimate as it is, will not let you yield, I -will lie at your feet, across this doorway, and I will kill myself if -you step over me. No, you shall not go, for I love you passionately; you -are the only woman in the world whom I have ever been able to respect -and admire after possessing her for six months. What I said was -nonsense, and an infamous lie; you do not know, Juliette, oh! you do not -know all my misfortunes! you do not know to what I am condemned by the -society of a coterie of abandoned men, to what I am impelled by a soul -of brass, fire, gold and mud, which I received from heaven and hell in -concert! If you will not love me any longer, then I will live no longer. -What have I not done, what have I not sacrificed, what faculties have I -not debased, to retain my hold upon this execrable life, made execrable -by them! What mocking demon is confined in my brain to make me still -find attraction in this life at times, and shatter the most sacred ties -to plunge into it still deeper? Ah! it is time to have done with it. -Since I was born, I have known but one really beautiful, really pure -time, and that was when I possessed and adored you. That purged me of -all my wickedness, and I should have remained in the chalet under the -snow; I should have died at peace with you, with God and with myself, -whereas here I am ruined in your eyes and my own. Juliette, Juliette! -mercy, pardon! I feel that my heart will break if you abandon me. I am -young still; I want to live, to be happy, and I never shall be, except -with you. Will you punish me with death for a blasphemous word that -escaped my lips when I was intoxicated? Do you believe what I said? can -you believe it? Oh! how I suffer! how I have suffered for a fortnight! I -have secrets which burn my vitals; if only I could tell them to -you!—but you would never be able to listen to the end." -</p> - -<p> -"I know them," I cried; "and if you loved me, I would care nothing for -all the rest." -</p> - -<p> -"You know them!" he exclaimed with an air of bewilderment; "you know -them? What do you know?" -</p> - -<p> -"I know that you are ruined, that this palace is not yours, that you -have squandered an enormous sum in three months; I know that you have -become accustomed to this adventurous life and these dissipated habits. -I do not know how you reconstruct your fortune so quickly or how you -throw it away; I fancy that gambling is your ruin and your resource; I -believe that you have about you a deplorable circle of friends, and that -you are struggling against shockingly bad advice; I believe that you are -on the brink of a precipice, but that you can still avoid it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, yes, that is all true," he cried; "you know everything! and you -will forgive me?" -</p> - -<p> -"If I had not lost your love," I replied, "I should not consider it a -loss to leave this palace, this luxury and this society, all of which -are hateful to me. However poor we may be, we can always live as we -lived in our chalet—there, or somewhere else, if you are tired of -Switzerland. If you still loved me, you would not be ruined; for you -would think neither of gambling nor of intemperance, nor of any of the -passions which you commemorated in an infernal toast; if you loved me, -you would pay what you owe with what you have left, and we would go and -bury ourselves and love each other in some secluded spot where I would -quickly forget what I have learned, where I would never remind you of -it, where I could not suffer because of it—if you loved me!" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! I do love you, I do love you!" he cried; "let us go! let us fly, -save me! Be my benefactress, my angel, as you have always been! Come, -and forgive me!" -</p> - -<p> -He threw himself at my feet and all that the most fervent passion can -dictate, he said to me with so much warmth that I believed it—and I -shall always believe it. Leoni deceived me, degraded me, and loved me at -the same time. -</p> - -<p> -One day, to evade the keen reproaches that I heaped upon him, he tried -to rehabilitate the passion of gambling. -</p> - -<p> -"Gambling," he said, with the specious eloquence which had only too much -power over me, "is a passion much more energetic than love. More -fruitful in terrible dramas, it is more intoxicating, more heroic in the -acts which combine to attain its end. I must say it, alas! that while -that end is vile in appearance, the ardor is irresistible, the audacity -is sublime, the sacrifices are blind and unlimited. You must know, -Juliette, that women never inspire such passions. Gold has a power -superior to theirs. In strength, in courage, in devotion, in -perseverance, love, compared with the gambler's stake, is only a feeble -child whose efforts are deserving of pity. How many men have you seen -sacrifice to a mistress that inestimable treasure, that priceless -necessity, that condition of existence without which we feel that existence -is unendurable—<i>honor</i>? I have known very few whose devotion -goes beyond the sacrifice of life. Every day the gambler sacrifices his -honor and lives on. The gambler is keen, he is stoical, he takes his -triumph coolly, he takes his downfall coolly; he passes in a few hours -from the lowest ranks of society to the highest; in a few hours more he -goes down again to his starting-point, and all without change of -attitude or expression. In a few hours, without leaving the spot to -which his demon chains him, he incurs all the vicissitudes of life, he -passes through all the phases of fortune which represent the different -social conditions. By turns king and beggar, he climbs the long ladder -at a single stride, always calm, always self-controlled, always -sustained by his sturdy ambition, always spurred on by the intense -thirst that consumes him. What will he be an hour hence? prince or -slave? How will he come forth from that den? stripped naked or bent -beneath the weight of gold? What does it matter? He will return -to-morrow to remake his fortune, to lose it or to triple it. The one -thing impossible for him is repose; he is like the storm bird that -cannot live without raging winds and an angry sea. He is accused of -loving gold! he loves it so little that he throws it away by the -handful. That gift of hell is powerless to benefit him or satisfy his -craving. He is no sooner rich than he is in great haste to be ruined in -order to enjoy that nerve-racking, terrible emotion without which life -is tasteless to him. What is gold in his eyes? Less in itself than -grains of sand in yours. But gold is to him an emblem of the blessings -and the evils which he seeks and defies. Gold is his plaything, his -enemy, his God, his dream, his demon, his mistress, his poesy: it is the -ghost which haunts him, which he attacks, grasps, and then allows to -escape, that he may have the pleasure of renewing the struggle and of -engaging once more in a hand-to-hand conflict with destiny. It is -magnificent, I tell you! It is absurd, to be sure, and should be -condemned, because energy thus employed is of no advantage to society, -because the man who expends his strength for such an end robs his -fellow-men of all the good he might have done, them with less -selfishness; but when you condemn him, do not despise him, ye -narrow-minded creatures who are capable of neither good nor evil; do not -gaze with dismay at the colossus of will-power, struggling thus on a -tempestuous sea for the sole purpose of exerting his strength and -forcing the sea back. His selfishness leads him into the midst of -fatigues and dangers, as yours binds you down to patient, hard-working -occupations. How many men in the whole world can you think of who work -for their country without thinking of themselves? He voluntarily -isolates himself, sets himself apart; he stakes his present, his repose, -his honor. He dooms himself to suffering, to fatigue. Deplore his error -if you will, but do not compare yourself with him, in the pride of your -heart, in order to glorify yourself at his expense. Let his fatal -example serve simply to console you for your own harmless nullity." -</p> - -<p> -"O heaven!" I replied, "upon what sophistries your heart feeds, or else -how weak my mind must be! What! the gambler is not despicable, you say? -O Leoni, why, having so much strength of mind, have you not employed it -in overcoming yourself in the interest of your fellow-men?" -</p> - -<p> -"Apparently, because I have misunderstood life," he replied in a bitter, -ironical tone. "Because, instead of appearing on a sumptuously appointed -stage, I appeared in an open-air theatre; because, instead of spending -my time declaiming specious moral apothegms on the stage of society and -playing heroic rôles, I amused myself by performing feats of strength -and risking my life on a tight-rope, in order to give full play to the -strength of my muscles. And even that comparison amounts to nothing: the -tight-rope dancer has his vanity as well as the tragedian or the -philanthropic orator. The gambler has none; he is neither admired nor -applauded nor envied. His triumphs are so short-lived and so hazardous -that it is hardly worth while to speak of them. On the other hand, -society condemns him, the common herd despises him, especially on the -days when he has lost. All his charlatanism consists in showing a bold -front, in falling manfully before a group of selfish creatures who do -not even look at him, they are so engrossed by their own mental -struggles! If in his swift hours of good luck he finds some enjoyment in -gratifying the commonplace vanities of luxury, it is a very brief -tribute that he pays to human weaknesses. Ere long he will go and -sacrifice remorselessly those childish joys of an instant to the -devouring activity of his mind, to that infernal fever which does not -permit him to live for one whole day as other men live. Vanity in him! -Why, he has not the time for it, he has something else to do! Has he not -his heart to torture, his brain to overturn, his blood to drink, his -flesh to torment, his gold to lose, his life to endanger, to -reconstruct, to pull down, to wrench, to tear in pieces, to risk -altogether, to reconquer, bit by bit, to put in his purse, to toss on -the table every moment? Ask the sailor if he can live on shore, the bird -if he can do without his wings, man's heart if it can do without -emotions. The gambler then is not criminal in himself; it is always his -social position that makes him so, his family, whom he ruins or -dishonors. But suppose him to be like me, alone in the world, without -attachments, without kindred near enough in degree to be taken into -account, free, thrown on his own resources, satiated or deceived in -love, as I have so often been, and you will pity his error, you will -regret for his sake that he was born with a sanguine and vain rather -than with a bilious and reserved temperament. How do you argue that the -gambler is in the same category as brigands and filibusters? Ask -governments why they derive a part of their revenues from such a -shameful source? They alone are guilty of offering those terrible -temptations to restlessness, those deplorable resources to despair. But -although love of gambling is not in itself so degrading as the majority -of other passions, it is the most dangerous of all, the keenest, the -most irresistible, and attended by the most wretched consequences. It is -almost impossible for the gambler not to dishonor himself for a few -years. As for myself," he added, with a gloomier manner and in a less -vibrant voice, "after enduring for a long time this life of torture and -convulsions with the chivalrous heroism which was the foundation of my -character, I allowed myself to be corrupted at last; that is to say, my -strength being gradually exhausted by this constant conflict, I lost the -stoical courage with which I had accepted reverses, endured the -privations of ghastly poverty, recommenced the building of my fortune, -sometimes with a single sou, waited, hoped, advanced warily and step by -step, sacrificing a whole month to repair the losses of a single day. -Such was my life for a long while. But at last, weary of suffering, I began -to seek outside of my own will, outside of my virtue,—for it must -be admitted that the gambler has a virtue of his own,—the means of -regaining more quickly what I had lost; I borrowed and from that moment -I was lost myself. At first a man suffers cruelly when he finds himself -in an indelicate position; but eventually he gets used to it, as to -everything else, becomes numb and indifferent. I did as all gamblers and -spendthrifts do; I became dangerous and harmful to my friends. I heaped -upon their heads the evils which I had for a long time bravely borne on -my own. It was very culpable; I risked my own honor, then the honor and -the lives of my nearest and dearest, as I had risked my money. There is -this that is horrible about gambling, that it gives you none of those -lessons which it is impossible to forget. It is always there, beckoning -to you! That inexhaustible pile of gold is always before your eyes. It -follows you about, it coaxes you, it bids you hope, and sometimes it -keeps its promises, restores your courage, re-establishes your credit, -seems to postpone dishonor again; but dishonor is consummated the moment -that honor is voluntarily put in peril." -</p> - -<p> -Here Leoni hung his head and relapsed into moody silence; the confession -that perhaps he had intended to make to me died on his lips. I saw by -his shame and his depression that it was quite useless to expose the -sophistical arguments of his disordered brain; his conscience had -already undertaken that task. -</p> - -<p> -"Listen to me," he said, when we were reconciled. "To-morrow I close the -house to all my friends and go to Milan, where I have to collect a -considerable sum that is still due me. While I am gone, take good care -of yourself, get well, arrange all the claims of our creditors, and make -preparations for our departure. In a week, or a fortnight at most, I -will return and pay our debts, take you away, and live with you wherever -you choose, forever." -</p> - -<p> -I believed all he said; I consented to everything. He went away and the -house was closed. I did not wait until I was entirely well before I set -at work to put everything in order and to inspect the tradesmen's bills. -I hoped that Leoni would write me on arriving at Milan as he had -promised. It was more than a week before I heard from him. He wrote me -at last that he was sure of collecting much more money than he owed, but -that he would be obliged to remain away three weeks instead of two. I -resigned myself to wait. At the end of three weeks another letter -informed me that he was compelled to wait for his money until the end of -the month. I was discouraged. Alone in that vast palace, where, in order -to avoid the insolent attentions of Leoni's boon-companions, I was -obliged to conceal myself, to lower my curtains and sustain a sort of -siege, consumed with anxiety, ill and weak, abandoned to the blackest -thoughts and to all the remorse which the sting of unhappiness arouses, -I was tempted many times to put an end to my miserable life. -</p> - -<p> -But I was not at the end of my sufferings. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XIII">XIII</a></h4> - -<p> -One morning, when I thought that I was alone in the great salon, where I -sat with an open book on my knees, never thinking of glancing at it, I -heard a noise near me, and throwing off my lethargy, I saw the hateful -face of Vicomte de Chalm. I uttered an exclamation, and was about to -turn him out of doors, when he apologized profusely with an air that was -at once respectful and ironical, and I was at a loss for a reply. He -said that he had forced my door by virtue of the authority contained in -a letter from Leoni, who had specially instructed him to come to inquire -about my health and report to him. I put no faith in this pretext, and -was on the point of telling him so. He gave me no time, however, but -began to talk himself with such impudent self-possession, that it would -have been impossible for me to turn him out unless by calling my -servants. He had resolved to take no hints. -</p> - -<p> -"I see, madame," he said to me, with a hypocritical air of friendly -interest, "that you are aware of the baron's unfortunate position. Be -assured that my slender resources are at his disposal; unluckily they -amount to very little in the way of satisfying the prodigality of such a -magnificent character. What consoles me is that he is brave, -enterprising and ingenious. He has rebuilt his fortune several times; he -will do it again. But you will have to suffer, madame; you who are so -young and delicate, so worthy of a happier lot! It is on your account -that I am profoundly distressed by Leoni's follies, and by all those he -has still to commit before he obtains what he needs. Poverty is a -horrible thing at your age, and when one has always lived in -luxury——" -</p> - -<p> -I interrupted him abruptly, for I fancied that I could see what he was -coming to with his insulting compassion. I did not yet realize that -creature's baseness. -</p> - -<p> -Divining my suspicion, he made haste to destroy it. He gave me to -understand, with all the courtesy that his cold and cunning tongue could -command, that he considered himself too old and too poor to offer me his -support, but that an immensely wealthy young English lord, whom he had -introduced to me and who had called on me several times, entrusted to -him the honorable mission of tempting me by magnificent promises. I had -not the strength to reply to that insult. I was so weak and so -prostrated that I began to weep, without speaking. The infamous Chalm -thought that I was wavering, and, in order to hasten my decision, -informed me that Leoni would not return to Venice, that he was fast -bound at the feet of Princess Zagorolo, and that he had given him full -power to conclude this affair with me. -</p> - -<p> -Indignation at last restored the presence of mind which I needed to -overwhelm that man with contempt and obloquy. But he soon recovered from -his confusion. -</p> - -<p> -"I see, madame," he said, "that your youth and innocence have been -cruelly abused, and I am incapable of returning hatred for hatred, for -you misunderstand me, and therefore accuse me, whereas I know and esteem -you. I will listen to your reproaches and your insults with all the -stoicism which genuine devotion should have at its command, and then I -will tell you into what an abyss you have fallen and from what depths of -degradation I desire to rescue you." -</p> - -<p> -He said this with such emphasis and so calmly that my credulous nature -was in a measure subjugated. For an instant I thought that I had, -perhaps, misjudged a sincere friend in the mental disturbance caused by -my misfortunes. Fascinated by the impudent serenity of his features, I -forgot the disgusting words I had heard him use, and I gave him time to -speak. He saw that he must make the most of that moment of hesitation -and weakness, and he made haste to give me information concerning Leoni -that bore the stamp of hateful truth. -</p> - -<p> -"I admire," he said, "the way in which your easily persuaded and -confiding heart has clung so long to such a character. It is true that -nature has endowed him with irresistible fascinations, and that he is -extraordinarily skilful in concealing his villainy and assuming the -outward appearance of loyalty. All the cities in Europe know him for a -delightful rake. Only a very few persons in Italy know that he is -capable of any villainy to gratify his innumerable whims. To-day you -will see him take Lovelace for his model, to-morrow the shepherd Fido. -As he is something of a poet, he is capable of receiving all sorts of -impressions, of understanding and mimicking all the virtues, of studying -and playing all varieties of rôles. He believes that he really feels -all that he imitates, and sometimes he identifies himself so thoroughly -with the character he has chosen, that he feels its passions and grasps -its grandeur. But, as he is vile and corrupt at bottom, as there is -nothing in him save affectation and caprice, vice suddenly springs to -life in his blood, the tedium of his hypocrisy drives him into habits -directly contrary to those which seemed natural to him. They who have -seen him only in one of his deceptive disguises are amazed and think he -has gone mad; they who know that it is his nature to be true in nothing, -smile and wait quietly for some fresh invention." -</p> - -<p> -Although this shocking portrait revolted me so that I was almost -suffocated, yet it seemed to me that I saw in it some shafts of blinding -light. I was struck dumb, my nerves contracted. I looked at Chalm with a -terror-stricken expression; he congratulated himself on his success and -continued: -</p> - -<p> -"This revelation of his character surprises you; if you had had more -experience, my dear lady, you would know that such a character is very -common in the world. To have it to perfection, one must have a very -superior mind; and the reason that many fools do not assume it is that -they are incapable of sustaining it. You will notice that a vain man of -moderate parts will almost always shut himself up in a sort of obstinacy -which he deems peculiar to himself and which consoles him for another's -success. He will admit that he is less brilliant, but will claim that he -is more reliable and more useful. The world is inhabited by none but -intolerable idiots and dangerous madmen. Everything considered, I prefer -the latter; I have prudence enough to protect myself from them and -tolerance enough to be amused by them. It is much better to laugh with a -spiteful buffoon than to yawn with a tiresome virtuous man. That is why -you have seen me living on intimate terms with a man whom I neither like -nor esteem. Moreover I was attracted to this house by your amiable -manners, by your angelic sweetness; I felt a fatherly affection for you. -Young Lord Edwards, who from his window saw that you passed many hours -motionless and pensive on your balcony, confided to me the violent -passion he has conceived for you. I introduced him here, frankly and -earnestly hoping that you would remain no longer in the painful and -humiliating position in which Leoni's desertion left you; I knew that -Lord Edwards had a heart worthy of yours, and that he would make your -life happy and honorable. I have come to-day to renew my efforts and to -avow his love, which you have not chosen to understand." -</p> - -<p> -I bit my handkerchief in my indignation; but, absorbed by one fixed -idea, I rose and said to him with emphasis: -</p> - -<p> -"You claim that Leoni has authorized you to make me these infamous -propositions: prove it! yes, monsieur, prove it!" -</p> - -<p> -And I shook his arm with convulsive force. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Parbleu</i>! my dear girl," the villain retorted with his hateful -sang-froid, "it's very easy to prove. But how is it that you don't -understand it? Leoni no longer loves you; he has another mistress." -</p> - -<p> -"Prove it!" I repeated, thoroughly exasperated. -</p> - -<p> -"In a moment, in a moment," said he. "Leoni is in great need of money, -and there are some women of a certain age whose countenance may be -advantageous." -</p> - -<p> -"Prove to me all that you say," I cried, "or I turn you out of the house -instantly." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well," he replied, not at all disconcerted; "but let us make a -bargain: if I have lied to you, I will leave the house and never put my -foot inside it again; but if I told you the truth when I said that Leoni -has authorized me to speak to you about Lord Edwards, you will allow me -to come again this evening with him." -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke he took from his pocket a letter, on the envelope of which I -recognized Leoni's handwriting. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes!" I cried, carried away by the irresistible desire to know my fate; -"yes, I promise." -</p> - -<p> -The marquis slowly unfolded the letter and handed it to me. I read: -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"MY DEAR VISCOUNT, -</p> - -<p> -"Although you often cause me fits of anger in which I would gladly -strangle you, I believe that you are really my friend and that your -offers of service are sincere. However, I will not take advantage of -them. I have something better than that, and my affairs are going on -famously once more. The only thing that embarrasses me and frightens me -is Juliette. You are right: the moment that she knows, she will upset my -plans. But what am I to do? I have the most idiotic and invincible -attachment for her. Her despair takes away all my strength. I cannot see -her weep without falling at her feet. You think that she will allow -herself to be corrupted? No, you do not know her; she will never allow -herself to be persuaded by greed. But anger? you say. Yes, that is more -probable. What woman is there who will not do from anger what she would -not do for love? Juliette is proud, I have become perfectly certain of -that lately. If you tell her a little ill of me, if you give her to -understand that I am unfaithful—perhaps!—But, great God! I -cannot think of it without feeling as if my heart were being torn to -pieces.—Try: if she yields, I will despise her and forget her; if she -resists—why, then we will see. Whatever the result of your efforts, I -have either a great calamity to dread or a great heartache to endure." -</p></blockquote> - -<p> -"Now," said the marquis when I had finished reading, "I am going to -fetch Lord Edwards." -</p> - -<p> -I hid my face in my hands and sat for a long time without moving or -speaking. Then I suddenly hid the hateful letter in my bosom and rang -violently. -</p> - -<p> -"Let my maid pack a portmanteau in five minutes," I said to the servant, -"and tell Beppo to bring the gondola." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean to do, my dear child?" said the astonished viscount; -"where do you propose to go?" -</p> - -<p> -"To Lord Edwards, of course," I retorted with a bitter irony of which he -did not understand the meaning. "Go and tell him," I added; "say that -you have earned your pay and that I am flying to him." -</p> - -<p> -He began to understand that I was frantic with rage and was jeering at -him. He paused, uncertain what to do. I left the salon without another -word, and went to put on my travelling dress. I came down again, -attended by my maid, who carried the portmanteau. As I was stepping into -the gondola, I felt that a trembling hand caught my cloak and held me -back; I turned and saw Chalm, greatly disturbed and alarmed. -</p> - -<p> -"Where in heaven's name are you going?" he said in an altered voice. -</p> - -<p> -I was triumphant to have destroyed his sang-froid, the sang-froid of a -villain, at last. -</p> - -<p> -"I am going to Milan," I said, "and I am going to make you lose the two -or three hundred sequins Lord Edwards has promised you." -</p> - -<p> -"One moment," shouted the viscount furiously, "give me the letter or you -shall not go." -</p> - -<p> -"Beppo!" I cried, wild with anger and terror, darting toward the -gondolier, "save me from this ruffian, he is breaking my arm!" -</p> - -<p> -All Leoni's servants, finding me a mild mistress, were devoted to me. -Beppo, a silent, resolute fellow, seized me about the waist and lifted -me from the stairs. At the same time he pushed against the lowest step -with his foot, and the gondola shot out into the canal just as he -deposited me on the seat with marvellous dexterity and strength. Chalm -was very near being dragged into the water. He disappeared, after giving -me a look which was a vow of everlasting hatred and implacable revenge. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XIV">XIV</a></h4> - -<p> -I reached Milan after travelling night and day without giving myself -time to rest or reflect. I alighted at the inn which Leoni had given me -as his address, and asked for him; they looked at me in amazement. -</p> - -<p> -"He does not live here," the clerk replied. "He came here when he -arrived and hired a small room where he put his luggage; but he only -comes here in the morning to get his letters and be shaved; then he goes -away." -</p> - -<p> -"But where are his lodgings?" I asked. -</p> - -<p> -I saw that the man looked at me with curiosity and uncertainty, and, -whether from a feeling of respect or of compassion, could not make up -his mind to reply. I was discreet enough not to insist, and bade them -take me to the room Leoni had hired. -</p> - -<p> -"If you know where he can be found at this time of day," I said to the -clerk, "send for him and say that his sister has arrived." -</p> - -<p> -In about an hour Leoni appeared and held out his arms to embrace me. -</p> - -<p> -"Wait a moment," I said, drawing back, "if you have deceived me -hitherto, do not add another crime to those you have already committed -against me. Here, look at this letter; did you write it? If somebody has -imitated your handwriting, tell me quickly, for I hope that it is so, -and I am suffocating." -</p> - -<p> -Leoni glanced at the letter and turned as pale as death. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Mon Dieu</i>!" I cried, "I hoped that I had been deceived! I came to -you, almost certain of finding that you knew nothing of this infamy. I -said to myself: 'He has done much that is bad, he has deceived me before; -but, in spite of everything, he loves me. If it is true that I am an -annoyance to him and that I stand in his way, he would have told me so -when I felt the courage to leave him, barely a month ago; whereas he -threw himself at my feet and implored me to remain. If he is ambitious -and a schemer, he would not have kept me, for I have no fortune, and my -love is of no advantage to him in any way. Why should he complain of my -importunity now? He has but a word to say to send me away. He knows that -I am proud; he need not fear my prayers or my reproaches. Why should he -wish to degrade me?'" -</p> - -<p> -I could not continue; a flood of tears choked my voice and arrested my -words. -</p> - -<p> -"Why should I wish to degrade you?" cried Leoni beside himself with -emotion; "to spare my tattered conscience another cause for remorse! You -cannot understand that, Juliette. It is easy to see that you have never -committed a crime!" -</p> - -<p> -He paused; I sank into a chair and we faced each other, equally -overcome. -</p> - -<p> -"Poor angel!" he cried at last, "did you deserve to be the companion and -victim of such a knave as I am? What did you do to God before you were -born, unfortunate child, that he should throw you into the arms of a -villain who is killing you with shame and despair? Poor Juliette! poor -Juliette!" -</p> - -<p> -And in his turn he shed a torrent of tears. -</p> - -<p> -"Very well," I said; "I came to hear your justification or my sentence. -You are guilty, I forgive you and I go." -</p> - -<p> -"Never say that again!" he cried vehemently. "Strike that word out of -our interviews forever. When you intend to leave me, make your escape -adroitly, so that I cannot prevent you; but so long as a drop of blood -is left in my veins, I will not consent to it. You are my wife, you are -my wife, you belong to me and I love you. I can kill you with grief, but -I cannot let you go." -</p> - -<p> -"I will accept the grief and death," I said, "if you tell me that you -still love me." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I love you, I love you!" he cried, with his usual transports. "I -love no one but you, and I never shall be able to love any other!" -</p> - -<p> -"Wretch! you lie," I said to him. "You have been paying court to the -Princess Zagarolo." -</p> - -<p> -"True, but I detest her." -</p> - -<p> -"What!" I cried, in utter amazement. "Why do you follow her then? What -shameful secrets are hidden beneath all these riddles? Chalm tried to -persuade me that a vile ambition bound you to that woman; that she was -old—that she paid you. Ah! what things you make me say!" -</p> - -<p> -"Do not believe these calumnies," said Leoni, "the princess is young and -beautiful; I am in love with her." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well," I said, with a profound sigh, "I would rather have you -unfaithful than dishonored. Love her, love her dearly, for she is rich -and you are poor! If you love her dearly, wealth and poverty will be -mere words between you. I loved you so, and, although I had nothing to -live on but what you gave me, I did not blush on that account; now, I -should debase myself and I should be unendurable to you. So let me go. -Your obstinacy in keeping me here, just to kill me by torture, is both -foolish and cruel." -</p> - -<p> -"That is true," said Leoni, gloomily. "Go! I am a villain to try to -prevent you." -</p> - -<p> -He left the room with an air of desperation. I threw myself on my knees, -I prayed to heaven to give me strength, I invoked the memory of my -mother, and I rose to make once more my brief preparations for -departure. -</p> - -<p> -When my portmanteau was locked, I ordered post-horses for the same -evening, and threw myself on the bed to wait. I was so overdone by -fatigue and so prostrated by despair, that I felt, as I fell asleep, -something resembling the peace of the grave. -</p> - -<p> -After an hour's sleep, I was aroused by Leoni's passionate kisses. -</p> - -<p> -"It is of no use for you to think of going away," he said; "it is beyond -my strength. I have sent away your horses and had your trunk unpacked. I -have been out walking alone in the country, and I have done my utmost to -force myself to give you up. I resolved not to bid you adieu. I went to -the princess's and tried to persuade myself that I loved her; I hate her -and I love you. You must stay." -</p> - -<p> -These constant agitations weakened my mind as well as my body. I began -to lose the faculty of reasoning; evil and good, esteem and contempt -became vague sounds, words which I no longer cared to understand, and -which frightened me as much as if they were interminable columns of -figures which I was told to add. Leoni had thenceforth more than a moral -influence over me; he had a magnetic power which I could not escape. His -glance, his voice, his tears acted on my nerves no less than on my -heart. I was simply a machine turned any way at his pleasure. -</p> - -<p> -I forgave him. I abandoned myself to his caresses; I promised him -whatever he chose. He told me that the Princess Zagarolo, being a widow, -had thought of marrying him; that the brief and trivial fancy he had had -for her had made her believe in his love; that she had foolishly -compromised herself for him; and that he must either spare her pride and -cut loose from her gradually, or have trouble with the whole family. -</p> - -<p> -"If it were simply a matter of fighting with all her brothers, cousins -and uncles," he said, "I should worry very little about it; but they -will act as great noblemen, denounce me as a <i>carbonaro</i>, and have me -thrown into prison, where I may have to wait ten years before the -authorities will deign to look into my case." -</p> - -<p> -I listened to all these absurd fables with the credulity of a child. -Leoni had never taken any part in politics, but I was still fond of -persuading myself that all that was problematical in his life was -connected with some great enterprise of that kind. I consented to pass -for his sister in the hotel, to go out seldom, and never with him—in -short, to leave him absolutely at liberty to leave me at any moment at a -nod from the princess. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XV">XV</a></h4> - -<p> -That life was perfectly frightful, but I endured it. The tortures of -jealousy had been unknown to me hitherto; now they awoke, and I -exhausted them all. I spared Leoni the tedium of combating them; indeed -I had not enough strength left to express them. I resolved to allow -myself to die in silence; I felt sick enough to hope for death. Ennui -consumed me at Milan, even more than at Venice; I suffered more, and had -less distraction. Leoni lived openly with the Princess Zagarolo. He -passed the evening in her box at the play, or at some ball with her. He -made his escape to come to see me for an instant, then returned to sup -with her, and did not come back to the hotel until six o'clock in the -morning. He went to bed utterly exhausted and often in ill-humor. He -rose at noon, taciturn and distraught, and went to drive with his -mistress. I often saw them pass. Leoni when with her had the same -discreetly triumphant air, the same coquettish bearing, the same fond -and happy expression that he once had with me; now I had only his -complaints and a narrative of his vexations. To be sure, I preferred to -have him come to me careworn and disgusted by his slavery, to being -tranquil and indifferent, as sometimes happened. It seemed at those -times that he had forgotten the love he had once had for me and that -which I still had for him. He found it altogether natural to confide to -me the details of his intimacy with another, and did not perceive that -the smile on my face as I listened to him was a mute convulsion of pain. -</p> - -<p> -One evening, at sunset, I was coming out of the cathedral, where I had -prayed fervently to God to call me back to him and to accept my -sufferings in expiation of my faults. I walked slowly through the -magnificent portal and leaned from time to time against a pillar, for I -was very weak. A slow fever was consuming me. The excitement of prayer -and the atmosphere of the church had bathed me in a cold perspiration. I -resembled a spectre risen from the sepulchral vaults of the edifice to -look once more upon the last rays of the sun. A man who had been -following me for some time, without attracting my attention -particularly, spoke to me, and I turned, without surprise or alarm, with -the apathy of a dying woman. I recognized Henryet. -</p> - -<p> -Instantly, the memory of my home and my family awoke in me with a -violent throb. I forgot that young man's strange behavior towards me, -the terrible power that he wielded over Leoni, his former love, which I -had welcomed so coldly, and the detestation I had felt for him -afterward. I thought only of my father and mother, and eagerly offering -him my hand, I overwhelmed him with questions. He was in no hurry to -reply, although he seemed touched by my emotion and my eagerness. -</p> - -<p> -"Are you alone here?" he said to me; "can I talk to you without exposing -you to any danger?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am alone; no one here knows me or pays any attention to me. Let us -sit down on this stone bench, for I am not well; and, for the love of -heaven, tell me about my parents! It is a whole year since I have heard -their names." -</p> - -<p> -"Your parents!" said Henryet sadly; "there is one of them who no longer -weeps for you." -</p> - -<p> -"My father is dead!" I cried, rising. Henryet did not reply. I fell -back, utterly crushed, on the bench, and said under my breath: "My God, -who wilt soon reunite us, bid him forgive me!" -</p> - -<p> -"Your mother," said Henryet, "was ill a long while. Then she tried to -find relief in society; but she had lost her beauty with much weeping, -and could find no consolation there." -</p> - -<p> -"My father dead," I said, clasping my nerveless hands, "my mother aged -and heart-broken! What of my aunt?" -</p> - -<p> -"Your aunt tries to console your mother by proving that you do not -deserve her regrets; but your mother will not listen to her and fades -more and more every day in solitude and weariness. And you, madame?" -</p> - -<p> -Henryet uttered these last three words in a chilling tone, in which, -however, I could detect compassion beneath the apparent contempt. -</p> - -<p> -"I, as you see, am dying." -</p> - -<p> -He took my hand and tears came to his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Poor girl!" he said to me; "it is not my fault. I did all that I could -to keep you from falling over the precipice, but you insisted." -</p> - -<p> -"Do not speak of that," I said; "it is impossible for me to discuss it -with you. Tell me if my mother tried to find me after my flight?" -</p> - -<p> -"Your mother sought you, but not earnestly enough. Poor woman! she was -thunderstruck and lost her presence of mind. There is no vigor in the -blood that you inherit." -</p> - -<p> -"That is true," said I indifferently. "We were all indolent and placid -in my family. Did my mother hope that I would return?" -</p> - -<p> -"She hoped so, foolishly and childishly. She still expects you and will -expect you till her last breath." -</p> - -<p> -I began to sob. Henryet let me weep without saying a word. I believe -that he was weeping too. I wiped my eyes to ask him if my mother had -been distressed by my dishonor, if she blushed for me, if she still -dared to mention my name. -</p> - -<p> -"She has it always on her lips," he replied. "She tells her grief to -everybody; people are a little tired of the story now, and they smile -when your mother begins to sob; or else they avoid her, saying: 'Here -comes Madame Ruyter to tell us about her daughter's abduction again!'" -</p> - -<p> -I listened to this without anger and said, raising my eyes to his: -</p> - -<p> -"And do you despise me, Henryet?" -</p> - -<p> -"I no longer love you or esteem you," he replied; "but I pity you and I -am at your service. My purse is at your disposal. Do you wish to write -to your mother? Would you like me to take you back to her? Speak, and do -not fear to abuse me. I am not acting from affection but from a sense of -duty. You have no idea, Juliette, how much sweeter life becomes to those -who lay down rules for themselves and observe them." -</p> - -<p> -I made no reply. -</p> - -<p> -"Do you mean, then, to remain here alone and deserted? How long ago did -<i>your husband</i> leave you?" -</p> - -<p> -"He has not left me," I replied; "we live together; he objects to my -going away, which I have long been planning to do, but which I no longer -have the strength to think about." -</p> - -<p> -I relapsed into silence; he gave me his arm as far as our hotel. I did -not know when we arrived there. I fancied that I was leaning on Leoni's -arm and I strove to conceal my sufferings and say nothing of them. -</p> - -<p> -"Shall I come again to-morrow to learn your intentions?" said Henryet, -as he left me at the door. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," I replied, not thinking that he might meet Leoni. -</p> - -<p> -"At what time?" -</p> - -<p> -"Whenever you choose," I answered with a dazed air. -</p> - -<p> -He came the next day a few moments after Leoni had gone out. I had -forgotten that I had given him permission to come, and I exhibited so -much surprise that he was obliged to remind me. Thereupon, there came to -my mind certain words I had overheard between Leoni and his companions, -the meaning of which had hitherto been quite vague in my mind, but which -seemed applicable to Henryet and to imply a threat of assassination. I -shuddered as I reflected upon the danger to which I exposed him. -</p> - -<p> -"Let us go out," I said in dismay; "you are not safe here." -</p> - -<p> -He smiled, and his face expressed utter contempt for the danger I -dreaded. -</p> - -<p> -"Believe me," he said, as I seemed inclined to insist, "the man of whom -you speak would not dare raise his hand against me, as he dares not even -raise his eyes to mine." -</p> - -<p> -I could not hear Leoni spoken of in that way. Despite all the wrongs he -had done me, despite all his faults, he was still dearer to me than all -the world. I requested Henryet not to refer to him in such terms before -me. -</p> - -<p> -"Overwhelm me with contempt," I said; "reproach me for being a heartless -girl, utterly without pride; for having abandoned the best parents that -ever lived; and for trampling on all the laws that are imposed upon my -sex; I will take no offence, I will listen to you, weeping, and I will -be none the less grateful to you for the offers of service you made me -yesterday. But let me respect Leoni's name, it is the only treasure -which, in the privacy of my heart, I can still oppose to the malediction -of the world." -</p> - -<p> -"Respect Leoni's name!" cried Henryet with a bitter laugh. "Poor woman! -However, I will consent if you choose to start for Brussels! Go home and -comfort your mother, return to the path of duty, and I promise to leave -in peace the villain who has ruined you, and whom I could crush like a -wisp of straw." -</p> - -<p> -"Return to my mother!" I replied. "Oh! yes, my heart bids me do it every -moment in the day; but my pride forbids me to return to Brussels. How -should I be treated by all the women who were jealous of my splendor, -and who rejoice now at my degradation?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am afraid, Juliette," said he, "that is not your strongest reason. -Your mother has a country house where you can live with her far away -from the hardhearted world. With your fortune you can live anywhere you -please where your disgrace is not known, and where your beauty and your -sweet nature would soon bring you new friends. But confess that you do -not wish to leave Leoni." -</p> - -<p> -"I do wish to," I replied, weeping, "but I cannot." -</p> - -<p> -"Unfortunate, most unfortunate of women!" said Henryet sadly; "you are -naturally good and beautiful, but you lack pride. Where noble pride is -lacking, there is nothing to build upon. Poor weak creature! I pity you -from the bottom of my soul, for you have profaned your heart, you have -soiled it by contact with a vile heart, you have bent your neck under a -hand stained with crime, you love a dastard! I ask myself how I could -ever have loved you, but I also ask myself how I could fail to pity you -now." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, what in the name of heaven has Leoni done," I demanded, terrified -and appalled by his manner and his language, "that you assume the right -to speak of him in this way?" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you doubt my right, madame? Do you wish me to tell you why Leoni, who -is personally brave,—that is beyond question,—and who is the -best swordsman that I know, has never thought fit to pick a quarrel with -me, who never touched a sword in my life, and who drove him out of Paris -with a word, out of Brussels with a glance?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is inconceivable," I said, in dire distress. -</p> - -<p> -"Is it possible that you don't know whose mistress you are?" continued -Henryet earnestly; "has no one ever told you the marvellous adventures -of Chevalier Leoni? have you never blushed for having been his -accomplice and for having fled with a swindler after robbing your -father's shop?" -</p> - -<p> -I uttered a cry of anguish and hid my face in my hands; then I raised my -head and exclaimed with all my strength: -</p> - -<p> -"That is false! I never was guilty of such a despicable act! Leoni is no -more capable of it than I am. We had not travelled forty leagues on the -way to Geneva when Leoni stopped in the middle of the night, asked for -a box, and put all the jewels in it to send them back to my father." -</p> - -<p> -"Are you quite sure that he did that?" inquired Henryet with a -contemptuous laugh. -</p> - -<p> -"I am sure of it!" I cried; "I saw the box, I saw Leoni put the diamonds -into it." -</p> - -<p> -"And you are sure that the box didn't accompany you all the rest of your -journey? you are sure that it wasn't unpacked at Venice?" -</p> - -<p> -These words cast such a dazzling gleam of light into my mind, that I -could not avoid seeing what it disclosed. I suddenly remembered what I -had previously tried in vain to remember: the first occasion on which my -eyes had made the acquaintance of that fatal box. At that moment the -three times that I had seen it were perfectly clear in my mind and -linked themselves together logically to force me to an irresistible -conclusion: the first, the night we passed in the mysterious château, -when I saw Leoni put the diamonds in the box; the second, the last night -at the Swiss chalet, when I saw Leoni mysteriously disinter the treasure -he had entrusted to the earth; the third, the second day of our stay in -Venice, when I had found the empty box and the diamond pin on the floor -with the packing material. The visit of Thaddeus the Jew, and the five -hundred thousand francs which, according to the conversation I had -overheard between Leoni and his friends, had been advanced by him at the -time of our arrival in Venice, coincided perfectly with the memories of -that morning. I wrung my hands, then raised them toward heaven and -cried, speaking to myself: -</p> - -<p> -"So everything is lost, even my mother's esteem; everything is poisoned, -even the memory of Switzerland! Those six months of love and happiness -were devoted to covering up a theft." -</p> - -<p> -"And to eluding the pursuit of the police," added Henryet. -</p> - -<p> -"No! no!" I cried wildly, looking at him as if to question him; "he -loved me! it is certain that he loved me! I cannot think of that time -without being absolutely certain of his love. He was a thief who had -stolen a maid and a jewel-chest, and who loved them both." -</p> - -<p> -Henryet shrugged his shoulders; I realized that I was wandering; and, -struggling to recover my reason, I insisted upon knowing the explanation -of the incredible power he possessed over Leoni. -</p> - -<p> -"You want to know that?" he said. He reflected a moment, then continued: -"I will tell you, I can safely tell you; indeed, it is impossible that -you can have lived with him a year without suspecting it. He must have -made dupes enough at Venice under your eyes." -</p> - -<p> -"Made dupes! he! how so? Oh! be careful what you say, Henryet! he is -burdened with accusations enough already." -</p> - -<p> -"I believe that you are incapable as yet of being his accomplice, -Juliette; but beware that you do not become so; be careful for your -family's sake. I do not know to what point the impunity of a swindler's -mistress extends." -</p> - -<p> -"You are killing me with shame, monsieur; your words are cruel; pray -complete your work and break my heart altogether by telling me what -gives you the right of life and death, so to speak, over Leoni? Where -have you known him? what do you know of his past life? I know nothing of -it myself, alas! I have seen so many contradictory things about him that -I no longer know whether he is rich or poor, noble or plebeian; I do not -even know if the name he bears belongs to him." -</p> - -<p> -"That is the only thing that chance saved him the trouble of stealing," -Henryet replied. "His name is really Leone Leoni, and he belongs to one -of the noblest families of Venice. His father had a small fortune and -occupied the palace in which you recently lived. He had an unbounded -fondness for this only son, whose precocious talents indicated a -superior mental organization. Leoni was educated with care, and, when he -was fifteen years old, travelled over half of Europe with his tutor. In -five years he learned with incredible ease the language, literature and -manners of the countries he visited. His father's death brought him back -to Venice with his tutor. This tutor was Abbé Zanini, whom you must -have seen frequently at your house last winter. I do not know whether -you formed an accurate judgment of him; he is a man of vivid -imagination, of exquisite mental keenness, of immense learning, but -inconceivably immoral and extremely cowardly beneath a hypocritical -exterior of tolerance and sound common-sense. He had naturally depraved -his pupil's conscience, and had replaced a proper understanding of -justice and injustice in his mind by an alleged knowledge of life, which -consisted in committing all the amusing escapades, all the profitable -sins, all the actions, good and evil, which can possibly tempt the human -heart. I knew this Zanini at Paris, and I remember hearing him say that -one must know how to do evil in order to know how to do good, and that -one must be able to find enjoyment in vice in order to be able to find -enjoyment in virtue. This man, who is more prudent, more adroit and more -cold-blooded than Leoni, is much superior to him in knowledge; and -Leoni, carried away by his passions or baulked by his caprices, follows -him at a distance, making innumerable false moves which are certain to -ruin him in society, and which indeed have already ruined him, since he -is at the mercy of a few grasping confederates and a few honest men, -whose generosity he will soon tire out." -</p> - -<p> -A deathlike chill froze my blood while Henryet was speaking thus. I had -to make an effort to listen to the rest. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XVI">XVI</a></h4> - -<p> -"At the age of twenty," continued Henryet, "Leoni found himself in -possession of a reasonably handsome fortune, and entirely in control of -his own movements. He was in a most advantageous position to do good; -but he found his means inferior to the requirements of his ambition, and -pending the time when he should build up a fortune equal to his desires, -as a result of I know not what insane or culpable schemes, he squandered -his inheritance in two years. His house, which he decorated with the -splendor you have seen, was the rendezvous of all the dissipated youths -and abandoned women of Italy. Many foreigners, connoisseurs in the -matter of fast living, were received there; and thus Leoni, who had -already made the acquaintance, during his travels, of many people of -fashion, formed the most brilliant connections in all countries and made -sure of many invaluable friends. -</p> - -<p> -"As is everywhere the case, schemers and blacklegs succeeded in -insinuating themselves into this large circle. I saw in Leoni's company -in Paris several faces that aroused my distrust, and whose owners I -suspect to-day of forming with him and the Marquis de —— an -association of fashionable sharpers. Yielding to their counsels, to -Zanini's lessons, or to his natural inclinations, young Leoni seems to -have soon tried his hand at cheating at cards. This much is certain, -that he became eminently proficient in that art and probably practised -it in all the capitals of Europe without arousing the slightest -suspicion. When he was absolutely ruined, he left Venice and began to -travel again as an adventurer. At this point the thread of his history -escapes me. Zanini, from whom I gleaned a part of what I have told you, -claimed to have lost sight of him from that time and to have learned -only by means of correspondence, frequently interrupted, of Leoni's -innumerable changes of fortune and innumerable intrigues in society. He -apologized for having produced such a pupil by saying that Leoni had -perverted his doctrines; but he excused the pupil by praising the -incredible cleverness, the strength of will and the presence of mind -with which he had challenged fate, endured and conquered adversity. -At last Leoni came to Paris with his faithful friend the Marquis -de ——, whom you know, and it was there that I had an -opportunity to see and judge him. -</p> - -<p> -"It was Zanini who introduced him to the Princesse de X——, of -whose children he was the tutor. The abbé's superior mental endowments had -given him for several years past a less subordinate position in the -princess's household than that usually occupied by tutors in great -families. He did the honors of the salon, led the conversation, sang -beautifully, and managed the concerts. -</p> - -<p> -"Leoni, thanks to his wit and his talents, was welcomed with much -warmth, and his company was soon sought with enthusiasm. He acquired in -certain circles in Paris the same authority which you have seen him -exercise over a whole provincial city. He bore himself magnificently, -rarely gambled, and when he did so, always lost immense sums, which the -Marquis de —— generally won. This marquis was introduced by -Zanini shortly after Leoni's appearance. Although a compatriot of the -latter, he pretended not to know him or rather to be prepossessed -against him. He whispered in everybody's ear that they had been rivals -in love at Venice, and that, although they were both cured of their -passion, they were not cured of their hostility. Thanks to this knavery, -no one suspected them of conducting their industry in concert. They -carried it on during the whole winter without arousing the least -suspicion. Sometimes they both lost heavily, but more frequently they -won, and they lived like princes, each in his own way. One day, a friend -of mine, who had lost a large amount to Leoni, detected an almost -imperceptible signal between him and the marquis. He said nothing, but -watched them both closely for several days. One evening, when we had -both bet on the same side, and lost as usual, he came to me and said: -</p> - -<p> -"'Look at those two Italians; I strongly suspect and am almost certain -that they cheat in concert. I have to leave Paris on very urgent -business; I leave to you the task of following up my discovery and -warning your friends, if there is occasion to do so. You are a discreet -and prudent man; you will not act, I hope, without being quite sure what -you are doing. In any event, if you have trouble with the fellows, do -not fail to give them my name as the one who first accused them, and -write to me; I will undertake to settle the dispute with one of them.' -</p> - -<p> -"He gave me his address and left Paris. I watched the two knights of -industry and acquired absolute certainty that my friend had made no -mistake. I discovered the whole secret of their knavery one evening at a -party given by the Princesse de X——. I at once took Zanini by -the arm and led him aside. -</p> - -<p> -"'Are you very well acquainted,' I asked him, 'with the two Venetians -whom you introduced here?' -</p> - -<p> -"'Very well,' he answered with much assurance; 'I was the tutor of one -of them and the friend of the other.' -</p> - -<p> -"'I congratulate you,' said I, 'they are a pair of blacklegs.' -</p> - -<p> -"I made this assertion with such confidence that he changed countenance -despite his constant habit of dissimulation. I suspected him of having -an interest in their winnings, and I told him that I proposed to unmask -his two countrymen. He was altogether discomposed at that and earnestly -entreated me not to do it. He tried to persuade me that I was mistaken. -I asked him to take me to his room with the marquis. There I explained -myself in a few very plain words, and the marquis, instead of denying -the charge, turned pale and fainted. I do not know whether that scene -was a comedy played by him and the abbé, but they appeared to me in -such distress, the marquis displayed so much shame and remorse, that I -was good-natured enough to allow my determination to be shaken. I -demanded simply that he should leave France instantly with Leoni. The -marquis promised everything; but I proposed to signify my decision to -his accomplice in person, and told him to send for him. He kept us -waiting a long while; at last he arrived, not humble and trembling like -the other, but quivering with rage, and with clenched fists. Perhaps he -expected to intimidate me by his insolence; I informed him that I was -ready to give him all the satisfaction he desired, but that I should -begin by accusing him publicly. At the same time I offered the marquis -satisfaction on the same conditions on my friend's behalf. Leoni's -impudence was disconcerted. His companions convinced him that he was -lost if he resisted. He yielded, not without much remonstrance and bad -temper, and they both left the house without returning to the salon. The -marquis started the next day for Geneva, Leoni for Brussels. -</p> - -<p> -"I was left alone with Zanini in his room; I told him of my suspicions -of him and of my purpose to denounce him to the princess. As I had no -absolute proofs against him, he was less humble and suppliant than the -marquis; but I saw that he was no less frightened. He exerted all the -resources of his intelligence in appealing to my good nature and my -discretion. I made him confess, however, that he was aware of his -pupil's knavery to a certain point, and I forced him to tell me his -story. In that respect, Zanini lacked prudence; he should have -maintained obstinately that he knew nothing of it; but my stern threats -to unmask the guests he had introduced made him lose his head. I left -him, thoroughly convinced that he was a rascal, as cowardly, but more -circumspect than the other two. I kept the secret in my own interest. I -was afraid that the influence he had acquired over the Princesse de -X—— would be stronger than my honorable character, that he -would be clever enough to persuade her to regard me as an impostor or a -fool, and would make my conduct appear ridiculous. I was sick of the -filthy business. I thought no more about it and left Paris three months -later. You know who was the first person my eyes sought as I entered -Delpech's ball-room. I was still in love with you, and, having reached -Brussels only an hour earlier, I did not know that you were to be -married. I discovered you in the midst of the crowd; I walked toward you -and saw Leoni at your side. I thought that I was dreaming, that I was -deceived by a resemblance. I made inquiries and discovered beyond -question that your fiancé was the knight of industry who had stolen -three or four hundred louis from me. I did not hope to supplant him, -indeed I think that I did not wish to. To succeed such a man in your -heart, perhaps to wipe from your cheeks the marks of his kisses; that -was a thought that killed my love. But I swore that an innocent girl and -an honorable family should not be the dupes of a scoundrel. You know -that our explanation was neither long nor diffuse; but your fatal -passion defeated the effort that I made to save you." -</p> - -<p> -Henryet paused. I hung my head, I was overwhelmed; it seemed to me that -I could never again look anybody in the face. Henryet continued: -</p> - -<p> -"Leoni avoided trouble very skilfully by carrying off his fiancée from -before my eyes, that is to say, a million francs in diamonds which she -had upon her person. He concealed you and your jewels, I don't know -where. Amid all the tears shed over his daughter's fate, your father -shed a few for his beautiful gems so beautifully mounted. One day he -artlessly observed in my presence that the thing that grieved him most -in regard to the theft was that the diamonds would be sold for half -their value to some Jew, and that the beautiful settings, with all their -artistic workmanship, would be broken up and melted by the receiver, to -avoid compromising himself. 'It was hardly worth while to do such work!' -he said, weeping; 'it was hardly worth while to have a daughter and love -her so dearly!' -</p> - -<p> -"It would seem that your father was right, for with the proceeds of his -robbery Leoni found means to cut a swath at Venice for only three -months. The palace of his fathers had been sold and was now to let. He -hired it and replaced his name, so they say, on the cornice of the inner -courtyard, not daring to place it over the main gateway. As he is -actually known to be a swindler by very few people, his house became -once more the rendezvous of many honorable men, who doubtless were -fleeced there by his confederates. But it may be that his fear of being -detected deterred him from joining them, for he was speedily ruined -anew. He contented himself, I presume, with winking at the brigandage -those villains committed in his house; he is at their mercy and would -not dare to get rid of those whom he detests most bitterly. Now he is, -as you know, the Princess Zagarolo's titular lover: that lady, who has -been very beautiful, is now, faded and doomed to die very soon of a -disease of the lungs. It is supposed that she will leave all her -property to Leoni, who pretends to be violently in love with her, and -whom she loves passionately. He is waiting for her to make her will. -Then you will be rich, Juliette. He has probably told you so; have -patience a little longer and you will take the princess's box at the -play, you will drive in her carriages, on which you will simply change -the bearings; you will embrace your lover in the magnificent bed in -which she will have died, you will even wear her gowns and diamonds." -</p> - -<p> -It may be that the pitiless Henryet said more than this, but I heard no -more; I fell to the ground in terrible convulsions. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XVII">XVII</a></h4> - -<p> -When I came to myself, I was alone with Leoni. I was lying on a sofa. He -was looking at me fondly and anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -"Dear heart," he said, when he saw that I was recovering the use of my -faculties, "tell me what has happened! Why did I find you in such a -terrible condition? Where are you in pain? What new grief have you had?" -</p> - -<p> -"None," I replied, and I spoke the truth, for at that moment I -remembered nothing. -</p> - -<p> -"You are deceiving me, Juliette; some one has distressed you. The -servant who was with you when I came home told me that a man came to see -you this morning, that he remained with you a long while, and that when -he went out he told them to come and look after you. Who was this man, -Juliette?" -</p> - -<p> -I had never lied in my life; it was impossible for me to reply. I did -not wish to mention Henryet's name. Leoni frowned. -</p> - -<p> -"A mystery!" he said; "a mystery between us! I would never have believed -you capable of it. But you know no one here! Can it be that——? -If it were he, there is not blood enough in his veins to wash away his -insolence! Tell me the truth, Juliette, has Chalm been here to see you? -Has he persecuted you again with his vile proposals and his calumnies -against me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Chalm!" I exclaimed. "Is he in Milan?" And I felt a thrill of terror -which must have been reflected on my face, for Leoni saw that I was -ignorant of the viscount's arrival. -</p> - -<p> -"If it was not he," he said to himself, "who can this caller have been, -who was closeted three hours with my wife and left her in a swoon? The -marquis has been with me all day." -</p> - -<p> -"O heaven!" I cried, "are all your detestable associates here? In -heaven's name, see that they do not find out where I live and that I do -not see them." -</p> - -<p> -"But who is the man you do see, and to whom you do not deny admission to -your bedroom?" said Leoni, becoming more and more thoughtful and pale. -"Answer me, Juliette; I insist upon it. Do you hear?" -</p> - -<p> -I realized how horrible my position was becoming. I clasped my hands, -trembling, and appealed to heaven in silence. -</p> - -<p> -"You do not answer," said Leoni. "Poor woman! you have little presence -of mind. You have a lover, Juliette! You are not to be blamed for it, as -I have a mistress. I am a fool not to be able to bear it when you are -satisfied with a part of my heart and my bed. But it is certain that I -cannot be so generous." -</p> - -<p> -He took his hat and put on his gloves with convulsive coldness, took out -his purse, placed it on the mantel, and, without another word to -me—without glancing at me—left the room. I heard him walk away -with an even step and descend the stairs slowly. -</p> - -<p> -Surprise, dismay and fear had frozen my blood. I thought that I was -going mad; I put my handkerchief in my mouth to stifle my shrieks, and -then, succumbing to fatigue, fell back upon the bed in the stupor of -utter prostration. -</p> - -<p> -In the middle of the night I heard sounds in the room. I opened my eyes -and saw, without understanding what I saw, Leoni pacing the floor in -intense agitation, and the marquis seated at a table, emptying a bottle -of brandy. I did not stir. I had no thought of trying to find out what -they were doing there; but little by little their words, falling upon my -ears, found their way to my understanding and assumed a meaning. -</p> - -<p> -"I tell you that I saw him, and I am sure of it," said the marquis. "He -is here." -</p> - -<p> -"The infernal hound!" replied Leoni, stamping on the floor. "Would to -God the earth would open and rid me of him." -</p> - -<p> -"Well said!" rejoined the marquis. "That's my idea." "He comes to my -very room to torment that unfortunate woman!" -</p> - -<p> -"Are you sure, Leoni, that she is not glad to have him come?" -</p> - -<p> -"Hold your tongue, viper! and don't try to make me suspect that poor -creature. She has nothing left in the world but my esteem." -</p> - -<p> -"And Monsieur Henryet's love," added the marquis. Leoni clenched his -fists. "We will rid her of that love!" he cried, "and cure the Fleming -of it." -</p> - -<p> -"The devil! Leoni, don't do anything foolish!" -</p> - -<p> -"And you, Lorenzo, don't you do anything vile!" -</p> - -<p> -"You would call that vile, would you? We have very different ideas. -You escort La Zagarolo quietly to the grave, in order to inherit her -worldly goods, and you do not approve of my putting an enemy -underground whose existence paralyzes ours forever! It seems to you -very innocent, notwithstanding the prohibition of the physicians, to -hasten by your generous fondness the end of your dear consumptive's -sufferings——" -</p> - -<p> -"Go to the devil! If that madwoman wants to live fast and die soon, why -should I prevent her? She is attractive enough to command my obedience, -and I am not fond enough of her to resist her." -</p> - -<p> -"What a ghastly thing!" I muttered in spite of myself, and fell back on -my pillow. -</p> - -<p> -"Your wife spoke, I think," said the marquis. -</p> - -<p> -"She is dreaming," Leoni replied; "she has the fever." -</p> - -<p> -"Are you sure that she isn't listening?" -</p> - -<p> -"In the first place she would need to have strength to listen. She is -very sick, too, poor Juliette! She doesn't complain; she suffers all by -herself! She has not twenty women to wait on her; she doesn't pay -courtiers to satisfy her sickly fancies; she is dying piously and -chastely, like an expiatory victim, between heaven and me." -</p> - -<p> -Leoni sat down at the table and burst into tears. -</p> - -<p> -"This is the effect of brandy," said the marquis, calmly, putting the -glass to his lips. "I warned you; it always takes hold of the nerves." -</p> - -<p> -"Let me alone, brute beast!" shouted Leoni, giving the table a push -which nearly overturned it on the marquis; "let me weep in peace. You -don't know what love is!" -</p> - -<p> -"Love!" said the marquis in a theatrical tone, mimicking Leoni; -"remorse! those are very sonorous and dramatic words. When do you send -Juliette to the hospital?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is right," said Leoni, with a gloomy, despairing air, "talk to me -that way, I prefer it. That suits me, I am capable of anything. To the -hospital! yes. She was so lovely, so dazzlingly beautiful! I came, and -see what I have brought her to! Ah! I could tear out my hair!" -</p> - -<p> -"Well," said the marquis after a pause, "have we had enough sentiment -for to-day? God! it has been a long attack. Now let us reason a little; -you don't seriously mean to fight with Henryet?" -</p> - -<p> -"Most seriously," replied Leoni; "you talk seriously enough about -murdering him." -</p> - -<p> -"That's a very different matter." -</p> - -<p> -"It is precisely the same thing. He doesn't know how to use any weapon, -and I am very expert with all sorts." -</p> - -<p> -"Except the stiletto," said the marquis, "or the pistol at point-blank -range; besides, you don't kill anybody but women." -</p> - -<p> -"I will kill that man at all events," replied Leoni. -</p> - -<p> -"And you think he will consent to fight with you?" -</p> - -<p> -"He will; he is brave enough." -</p> - -<p> -"But he isn't mad. He will begin by having us arrested as a couple of -thieves." -</p> - -<p> -"He will begin by giving me satisfaction. I will force him to do it, I -will strike him in the theatre." -</p> - -<p> -"He will return it by calling you forger, blackleg, card-sharper." -</p> - -<p> -"He will have to prove it. He is not known here, whereas we are fairly -established here on a brilliant footing. I will call him a lunatic and -visionary; and when I have killed him, everybody will think I was -right." -</p> - -<p> -"You are mad, my dear fellow," replied the marquis; "Henryet is -recommended to the richest merchants in Italy. His family is well known -and bears a high reputation in commercial circles. He himself doubtless -has friends in the city, or at all events acquaintances, with whom his -statements will carry weight. He will fight to-morrow night, let us say. -Very good! during the day he will have had time enough to tell twenty -people that he is going to fight with you because he caught you -cheating, and that you took it ill of him that he should try to prevent -you." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well! he may say it and people may believe it if they choose, but -I will kill him." -</p> - -<p> -"La Zagarolo will turn you out-of-doors and destroy her will. All the -nobles will close their doors to you, and the police will request you to -go to play the lover in some other country." -</p> - -<p> -"Very well! I will go somewhere else. The rest of the world will belong -to me when I am well rid of that man." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, and from his blood will sprout a pretty little nursery of -accusers. Instead of Monsieur Henryet, you will have the whole city of -Milan at your heels." -</p> - -<p> -"O heaven! what shall I do?" said Leoni, in sore perplexity. -</p> - -<p> -"Make an appointment with him in your wife's name, and cool his blood -with a good hunting-knife. Give me that scrap of paper yonder and I'll -write to him." -</p> - -<p> -Leoni, paying no heed, opened a window and fell into a reverie, while -the marquis wrote. When he had finished he called him. -</p> - -<p> -"Listen to this, Leoni," he said, "and see whether I know how to write a -<i>billet-doux</i>: -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"'My friend; I cannot receive you again in my room; Leoni knows all and -threatens me with the most horrible consequences; take me away or I am -lost. Take me to my mother or put me in a convent; do with me as you -please, but rescue me from my present horrible plight. Be in front of -the main door of the cathedral at one o'clock to-morrow morning, and we -will make arrangements for our departure. It will be easy for me to meet -you, as Leoni passes every night at La Zagarolo's. Do not be surprised -by this extraordinary and almost illegible handwriting: Leoni, in a fit -of anger, almost crushed my right hand. -</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 60%;">"'JULIETTE RUYTER.'"</p> -</blockquote> - -<p> -"It seems to me that letter is very judiciously expressed," said the -marquis, "and that it will seem plausible enough to the Fleming, -whatever the degree of intimacy between him and your wife. The words -which she fancied that she was saying to him at times in her delirium -make it certain that he offered to take her back to her own country. The -writing is horrible, and whether he is familiar with Juliette's or -not——" -</p> - -<p> -"Let me see it," said Leoni, leaning over the table with an air of -interest. -</p> - -<p> -His face wore a horrifying expression of doubt and longing to be -persuaded. I saw no more. My brain was exhausted, my thoughts became -confused. I relapsed into a sort of lethargy. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XVIII">XVIII</a></h4> - -<p> -When I came to myself the flickering lamplight fell upon the same -objects. I raised myself cautiously and saw the marquis just where he -was when I lost consciousness. It was still dark. There were still -bottles on the table, as well as a writing-desk and something which I -could not see very plainly, but which resembled a weapon. Leoni was -standing in the middle of the room. I tried to recall their previous -conversation. I hoped that the ghastly fragments of it which recurred to -my memory were merely the dreams of fever, and I had no idea at first -that twenty-four hours had elapsed between that conversation and the one -just beginning. The first words that I understood were these: -</p> - -<p> -"He must have suspected something for he was armed to the teeth." -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke, Leoni wiped his bleeding hand with his handkerchief. -</p> - -<p> -"Bah! yours is nothing but a scratch," said the marquis; "I have a more -severe wound in the leg; and yet I must dance at the ball to-morrow, so -that no one may suspect anything. So stop fussing over your hand, wrap -it up and think of something else." -</p> - -<p> -"It is impossible for me to think of anything but that blood. It seems -to me that I see a lake of it all about me." -</p> - -<p> -"Your nerves are too delicate, Leoni; you are good for nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Canaille</i>!" exclaimed Leoni in a tone of hatred and contempt, "but -for me you would be a dead man; you retreated like a coward, and you would -have been struck from behind. If I had not seen that you were lost, and -if your ruin would not have involved mine, I would never have touched -that man at such an hour and in such a place. But your infernal -obstinacy compelled me to be your accomplice. All that I needed was to -commit a murder, to be worthy of your society." -</p> - -<p> -"Don't play the modest man," retorted the marquis; "when you saw that he -defended himself, you became a very tiger." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! yes, it rejoiced my heart to have him die defending himself; for -after all I killed him fairly." -</p> - -<p> -"Very fairly; he had postponed the game till the next day, and as you -were in a hurry to be done with it, you killed him on the spot." -</p> - -<p> -"Whose fault was it, traitor? Why did you throw yourself on him just as -we were separating after we had agreed to meet the next day? Why did you -run when you saw that he was armed, and thus compel me to defend you or -else be denounced by him to-morrow for having conspired with you to lure -him into a trap and murder him? Now I have made myself liable to the -scaffold, and yet I am not a murderer. I fought with equal weapons, -equal chance, equal courage." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, he defended himself like a man," said the marquis; "you both -performed prodigies of valor. It was a very fine spectacle to see, truly -Homeric, was that duel with knives. But I am bound to say that for a -Venetian you handle that weapon wretchedly." -</p> - -<p> -"It is quite true that it isn't the weapon I am in the habit of using, -and by the way I am inclined to think it would be wise to conceal or -destroy this one." -</p> - -<p> -"That would be the height of folly, my friend! You must keep it; your -servants and friends know that you always carry such a weapon; if you -should dispose of it, that would be an indication of guilt." -</p> - -<p> -"True, but yours?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mine is innocent of his blood; my first blows missed, and after that -yours left me no room." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! heaven! that is true too. You tried to murder him, and fatality -compelled me to do with my own hands the deed of which I had such a -horror." -</p> - -<p> -"It pleases you to say that, my dear fellow; however, you went very -willingly to the rendezvous." -</p> - -<p> -"I had an instinctive foreboding that my evil genius would force me to -do it. After all, it was my destiny and his. We are rid of him at last! -But why in the devil did you empty his pockets?" -</p> - -<p> -"Precaution and presence of mind on my part. When they find him stripped -of his money and his wallet, they will look for the assassin among the -lowest classes, and will never suspect people in fashionable society. It -will be considered an act of brigandage and not a matter of private -revenge. Don't betray yourself by absurd emotion when you hear the -affair mentioned to-morrow, and we have nothing to fear. Just reach me -the candle so that I can burn these papers; as for honest coin, that -never betrayed anybody." -</p> - -<p> -"Stop!" said Leoni, seizing a letter which the marquis was about to burn -with the rest. "I saw Juliette's family name." -</p> - -<p> -"It is a letter to Madame Ruyter," said the marquis. "Let us see:" -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"'MADAME, -</p> - -<p> -"'If it is not too late, if you did not start at once on receiving the -letter I wrote yesterday summoning you to your daughter, do not start. -Wait at home for her or come to meet her as far as Strasbourg; I will -send for you when we reach there. I shall be there with Mademoiselle -Ruyter in a few days. She has decided to fly from her seducer's dishonor -and ill treatment. I have just received a note in which she announces -this determination. I am to see her to-night to agree upon the time of -our departure. I will leave all my business in order to make the most of -her present disposition, in which her lover's flatteries may not leave -her forever. The empire that he has over her is still immense. I fear -that her passion for that wretch is eternal, and that her regret for -having left him will make you both shed many tears hereafter. Be -indulgent and kind to her; that is your proper rôle as her mother, and -you can easily play it. For my part, I am rough-mannered, and my -indignation finds expression more readily than my compassion. I wish I -were more persuasive; but I cannot be more lovable, and it is my destiny -not to be loved. -</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 60%;">"'PAUL HENRYET.'"</p> -</blockquote> - -<p> -"This proves to you, O my friend!" said the marquis in a mocking tone, -as he held the letter in the flame of the candle, "that your wife is -faithful and that you are the most fortunate of husbands." -</p> - -<p> -"Poor woman!" said Leoni, "and poor Henryet! He would have made her -happy! He would at least have respected and honored her! In God's name, -what fatality drove her into the arms of a wretched adventurer, drawn to -her by destiny from one end of the world to the other, when she had an -honorable man's heart at her very hand. Blind child! why did you choose -me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Charming!" said the marquis ironically. "I hope you will write some -verses on this subject. A pretty epitaph for the man you massacred -to-night would be, to my mind, in exceedingly good taste and altogether -new." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I will write one for him," retorted Leoni, "and it will run like -this: -</p> - -<p> -"'Here lies an honest man who tried to defend human justice against two -scoundrels, and whom divine justice allowed them to murder.'" -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon, Leoni fell into a sorrowful reverie, during which he -constantly muttered his victim's name: -</p> - -<p> -"Paul Henryet!" he said. "Twenty-two years old, twenty-four at most. A -cold but handsome face. A rigid, upright character. Hatred of injustice. -The uncompromising pride of honesty, and withal something tender and -melancholy. He loved Juliette, he has always loved her. He fought -against his passion to no purpose. I see by that letter that he loved -her still, and that he would have worshipped her if he could have cured -her. Juliette, Juliette! you might still have been happy with him, and I -have killed him! I have robbed you of the man who might have comforted -you; your only defender is no more, and you remain the victim of a -bandit." -</p> - -<p> -"Very fine!" said the marquis; "I wish that you might never move your -lips without having a stenographer beside you to preserve all the noble -and affecting things you say. For my part, I am going to bed. -Good-night, my dear fellow; go to bed to your wife, but change your -shirt first; for, deuce take me! you have Henryet's blood on your -frill!" -</p> - -<p> -The marquis left the room. Leoni, after a moment's irresolution, came to -my bed, raised the curtain and looked at me. He saw that I was only -drowsing under my bedclothes, and that my eyes were open and fixed upon -him. He could not endure my livid face and fixed stare; he fell back -with a cry of horror, and I called him several times in a weak, broken -voice: "Murderer! murderer! murderer!" -</p> - -<p> -He fell on his knees as if struck by lightning, and dragged himself to -my bed with an imploring air. -</p> - -<p> -"Go to bed to your wife," I said, repeating the marquis's words in a -sort of delirium; "but change your shirt, for you have Henryet's blood -on your frill!" -</p> - -<p> -Leoni fell face downward on the floor, uttering inarticulate cries. I -lost my reason altogether, and it seemed to me that I repeated his -cries, imitating with dazed servility the tone of his voice and the -contortions of his body. He thought that I was mad, and, springing to -his feet in terror, came to my side. I thought that he was going to kill -me; I threw myself out of bed, crying: "Mercy! mercy! I won't tell!" and -I fainted just as he seized me, to lift me up and assist me. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XIX">XIX</a></h4> - -<p> -I awoke, still in his arms, and he had never put forth so much -eloquence, so much affection, so many tears, to implore his pardon. He -confessed that he was the lowest of men; but, he said, there was one -thing, and only one, that raised him somewhat in his eyes, and that was -the love he had always had for me, and which none of his vices, none of -his crimes had had the power to stifle. Hitherto he had fought against -the appearances which accused him on all sides. He had struggled against -overwhelming evidence in order to retain my esteem. Thenceforth, being -no longer able to justify himself by falsehood, he took a different -course and assumed a new rôle, in order to move me and conquer me. He -laid aside all artifice—perhaps I should say all sense of -shame—and confessed all the villainy of his life. But amid all -that filth he forced me to distinguish and to understand what there was -in his character that was truly noble, the faculty of loving, the -everlasting vigor of a heart in which the most exhausting weariness, the -most dangerous trials, did not extinguish the sacred flame. -</p> - -<p> -"My conduct is base," he said to me, "but my heart is still noble. It -still bleeds for its crimes; it has retained, in all the vigor of its -first youth, the sentiment of justice and injustice, horror of the evil -it does, enthusiastic admiration of the good it beholds. Your patience, -your virtues, your angelic kindliness, your pity, as inexhaustible as -God's, can never be displayed in favor of a being who appreciates them -better or admires them more. A man of regular morals and sensitive -conscience would consider them more natural and would appreciate them -less. With such a man you would be simply a virtuous woman; while with a -man like me you are a sublime woman, and the debt of gratitude which is -piling up in my heart is as great as your sacrifices and your -sufferings. Ah! it is something to be loved and to be entitled to a -boundless passion, and from what other man have you so good a right to -claim such a passion as from me? For whom would you subject yourself -again to the tortures and the despair you have undergone? Do you think -there is anything else in life but love? For my part, I do not. And do -you think that it is a simple matter to inspire it and to feel it? -Thousands of men die incomplete, having never known any other love than -that of the beasts. Often a heart capable of loving seeks in vain where -to bestow its love, and comes forth pure of all earthly passions, -perhaps to find a place in heaven. Ah! when God vouchsafes to us on -earth that profound, passionate, ineffable sentiment, we must no longer -desire or hope for paradise, Juliette; for paradise is the blending of -two hearts in a kiss of love. And when we have found it here on earth, -what matters it whether it be in the arms of a saint or of one of the -damned? What matters it whether the man you love be accursed or adored -among men, so long as he returns your love? Is it I whom you love, or is -it this noise that is going on about me? What did you love in me at the -outset? Was it the splendor that encompassed me? If you hate me to-day, -I must needs doubt your past love; I must needs see in you, instead of -that angel, that devoted victim whose blood, shed for me, falls -ceaselessly drop by drop upon my lips, only a poor, weak, credulous -girl, who loved me from vanity and deserted me from selfishness. -Juliette, Juliette, think of what you will do if you leave me! You will -ruin the only friend who knows you, appreciates and respects you, for a -society which despises you now and whose esteem you will never recover. -You have nothing left but me in the whole world, my poor child. You must -either cling to the adventurer's fortunes or die forgotten in a convent. -If you leave me, you are no less insane than cruel; you will have had -all your misery, all your sufferings, and you will not reap their fruit; -for now, if, notwithstanding all that you know, you can still love me -and stay with me, be sure that I will love you with a love of which you -have no conception, and which I never should have dreamed of as possible -if I had married you honestly and lived with you peacefully in the bosom -of your family. Hitherto, despite all you have sacrificed, all you have -suffered, I have not loved you as I feel that I am capable of loving. -You have never yet loved me as I am; you have cherished an attachment -for a false Leoni, in whom you still saw some grandeur and some -fascination. You hoped that he would become some day the man you loved -in the beginning; you did not believe that you had held in your arms a -man who was irrevocably lost. And I said to myself: 'She loves me -conditionally; it is not I whom she loves as yet, but the character I am -acting. When she sees my features under my mask, she will cover her eyes -and fly; she will look with horror on the lover whom now she presses to -her bosom. No, she is not the wife and mistress I had dreamed of, and -for whom my ardent heart is calling with all its strength. Juliette is -still a part of that society whose foe I am; she will be my foe when she -knows me. I cannot confide in her; I cannot pour out upon the bosom of -any living being the most execrable of my sufferings, my shame for what -I am doing every day. I suffer, I am heaping up remorse in my soul. If -only there were a woman capable of loving me without asking me to -change—if I could have a friend who would not be an accuser and a -judge!'—That is what I thought, Juliette. I prayed to heaven for that -friend, but I prayed that it might be you and no other; for you were -already what I loved best on earth before. I realized all that there -still remained for us both to do before loving each other really." -</p> - -<p> -What could I reply to such speeches? I looked at him with a stupefied -air. I was amazed that I still considered him handsome and lovable; that -I still felt in his presence the same emotion, the same desire for his -caresses, the same gratitude for his love. His degradation left no trace -on his noble brow; and when his great black eyes flashed their flame -upon mine, I was dazzled, intoxicated as always; all his blemishes -disappeared, everything was blotted out, even the stains of Henryet's -blood. I forgot everything else to bind myself to him by blind vows, by -oaths and insane embraces. Then in very truth his love was rekindled or -rather renewed, as he had prophesied. He gradually abandoned the -Princess Zagarolo and passed all the time of my convalescence at my -feet, with the same loving attentions and the delicate tokens of -affection which had made me so happy in Switzerland; I can say, indeed, -that these proofs of affection were even more ardent and caused me more -pride, that was the happiest period of my whole life, and that Leoni was -never dearer to me. I was convinced of the truth of all that he had told -me; nor could I fear that he clung to me from self-interest, as I had -nothing more in the world to give him, and was thenceforth a burden to -him and dependent upon the hazards of his fortunes. However I felt a -sort of pride in not falling short of what he expected from my -generosity, and his gratitude seemed to me greater than my sacrifices. -</p> - -<p> -One evening he came home in a state of great excitement, and said, -pressing me to his heart again and again: -</p> - -<p> -"My Juliette, my sister, my wife, my angel, you must be as kind and -indulgent as God himself, you must give me a fresh proof of your -adorable sweetness and your heroism; you must come and live with me at -the Princess Zagarolo's." -</p> - -<p> -I recoiled, surprised beyond words; and, as I realized that it was no -longer in my power to deny him anything, I turned pale and began to -tremble like a condemned man at the gallows' foot. -</p> - -<p> -"Listen," he said, "the princess is horribly ill. I have neglected her -on your account; she has grieved so that her disease has become -seriously aggravated and the doctors give her only a month to live. -Since you know everything, I can speak to you about that infernal will. -It is a matter of several millions, and I am in competition with a -family on the alert to take advantage of my mistakes and turn me out at -the decisive moment. The will in my favor is in existence, in proper -form, but a moment's anger may destroy it. We are ruined, we have no -other resource. You will have to go to the hospital and I become a -leader of brigands, if it escapes us." -</p> - -<p> -"O <i>mon Dieu</i>!" I said, "we lived so inexpensively in Switzerland! Why -is wealth a necessity to us? Now that we love each other so well, can we -not live happily without committing any new villainy?" -</p> - -<p> -He answered by a frown which expressed the disappointment, the annoyance -and the dread which my reproaches caused him. I said nothing more in -that connection, but asked him wherein I was necessary to the success of -his enterprise. -</p> - -<p> -"Because the princess, in a fit of jealousy not without some foundation, -has demanded to see you and question you. My enemies have taken pains to -inform her that I pass all my mornings with a young and pretty woman who -came to Milan after me. For a long time I succeeded in making her -believe that you were my sister; but, during this month that I have -neglected her altogether, she has conceived doubts, and refuses to -believe in your illness, which I alleged as an excuse for my -neglect.—'If your sister is sick too, and can't do without you,' -she said, 'have her brought to my house; my women and my doctors will -take care of her. You can see her at any time; and if she is really your -sister, I will love her as if she were my sister too.'—I tried in -vain to fight against this strange whim. I told her that you were very -poor and very proud, that nothing in the world would induce you to -accept her hospitality, and that it would, in fact, be exceedingly -unseemly and indelicate for you to come to live in the house of your -brother's mistress. She would listen to no excuse and replied to all my -objections with: 'I see that you are deceiving me; she is not your -sister.'—If you refuse, we are lost. Come, come, come; I implore -you, my child, come!" -</p> - -<p> -I took my hat and shawl without replying. While I was dressing, tears -rolled slowly down my cheeks. As we left my chamber, Leoni wiped them -away with his lips and embraced me again and again, calling me his -benefactress, his guardian angel and his only friend. -</p> - -<p> -I passed with trembling limbs through the princess's vast apartments. -When I saw the magnificence of the house, I had an indescribable feeling -of oppression at my heart, and I remembered Henryet's harsh words: "When -she is dead, you will be rich, Juliette; you will inherit her splendor, -you will sleep in her bed and you can wear her gowns."—I hung my head -as I passed the servants; it seemed to me that they glared at me with -hatred and envy; and I felt far beneath them. Leoni pressed my arm in -his, feeling my body tremble and my legs give way. -</p> - -<p> -"Courage! courage!" he whispered to me. -</p> - -<p> -We reached the bedroom at last. The princess was lying in an invalid's -chair and seemed to be awaiting us impatiently. She was a woman of about -thirty years, very thin, with a yellow face, and magnificently dressed, -although <i>en déshabillé</i>. She must have been very beautiful in her -early days, and she still had a charming face. The thinness of her -cheeks exaggerated the size of her eyes, the whites of which, vitrified -by consumption, resembled mother of pearl. Her fine, smooth hair was of -a glistening black and seemed dry and sickly like her whole person. When -she saw me, she uttered a faint exclamation of joy and held out a long, -tapering hand, of a bluish tinge, which I fancy that I can see at this -moment. I understood, by a glance from Leoni, that I was expected to -kiss that hand, and I resigned myself to the necessity. -</p> - -<p> -Leoni was undoubtedly ill at ease, and yet his self-possession and the -tranquillity of his manners confounded me. He spoke of me to his -mistress as if there were no possibility of her discovering his knavery, -and expressed his affection for her before me, as if it were impossible -for me to feel any grief or anger. The princess seemed to have fits of -distrust from time to time, and I could see, by her glances and her -words, that she was studying me in order to destroy her suspicions or -confirm them. As my natural mildness of disposition made it impossible -for her to hate me, she soon began to have confidence in me; and, -jealous as she was, to the point of frenzy, she thought that it was -impossible for any woman to consent to take the part I was playing. An -adventuress might have done it, but my manners and my face gave the lie -to any such conjecture as to my character. The princess became -passionately fond of me. She would hardly allow me to leave her bedroom, -she overwhelmed me with gifts and caresses. I was a little humiliated by -her generosity and I longed to refuse her gifts; but the fear of -displeasing Leoni made me endure this additional mortification. What I -had to suffer during the first days, and the efforts that I made to bend -my pride to that extent, are beyond belief. However, the suffering -gradually became less keen, and my mental plight became endurable. Leoni -manifested in secret a passionate gratitude and delirious fondness. The -princess, despite her whims, her impatience, and all the torture that -her love for Leoni caused me, became agreeable and almost dear to me. -Her heart was ardent rather than loving, and her nature lavish rather -than generous. But she had an irresistible charm of manner; the wit with -which her language sparkled in the midst of her most intense agony, the -ingeniously kind and caressing words with which she thanked me for my -attentions or begged me to forget her outbreaks of temper, her little -cajoleries, her shrewd observations, the coquetry which attended her to -the grave; in short, everything about her had an originality, a -nobility, a refinement by which I was the more deeply impressed because -I had never seen a woman of her rank at close quarters, and was not -accustomed to the great charm which they owe to their familiarity with -the best society. She possessed that charm to such a degree that I could -not resist it and allowed myself to be swayed by it at her pleasure; she -was so coy and fascinating with Leoni that I imagined that he was really -in love with her, and ended by becoming accustomed to see them kiss, and -to listen to their insipid speeches without being revolted by them. -Indeed, there were days when they were so charming and so witty that I -really enjoyed listening to them; and Leoni found means to say such -sweet things to me that I was happy even in my unspeakable degradation. -</p> - -<p> -The ill-will which the servants and underlings displayed toward me at -first was speedily allayed, thanks to the pains I took to turn over to -them all the little gifts their mistress gave me. I even enjoyed the -affection and confidence of the nephews and cousins; a very pretty -little niece, whom the princess obstinately refused to see, was smuggled -into her presence by my assistance, and pleased her exceedingly. -Thereupon, I begged her to allow me to give the child a pretty casket -which she had forced upon me that morning; and this display of -generosity led her to give the child a much more valuable present. -Leoni, in whose greed there was nothing paltry or petty, was pleased to -see this bounty bestowed on a poor orphan, and the other relations began -to believe that they had nothing to fear from us, and that our -friendship for the princess was purely noble and disinterested. The -essays at tale-bearing against me ceased entirely, and for two months we -led a very tranquil life. I was astonished to find that I was almost -happy. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XX">XX</a></h4> - -<p> -The only thing that disturbed me seriously was the constant presence of -the Marquis de ——. He had obtained an introduction to the -princess, on what pretext I have no idea, and amused her by his caustic, -ill-natured chatter. Then he would draw Leoni into another room and have -long interviews with him, from which Leoni always came with a gloomy -brow. -</p> - -<p> -"I hate and despise Lorenzo," he often said to me; "he is the vilest cur -I know; he is capable of anything." -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon, I would urge him to break with him; but he always replied: -</p> - -<p> -"It is impossible, Juliette; don't you know that when two rascals have -acted together, they never fall out except to send each other to the -scaffold?" -</p> - -<p> -These ominous words sounded so strangely in that beautiful palace, amid -the peaceful life we were leading, and almost within hearing of that -gracious and trustful princess, that a shudder ran through my veins when -I heard them. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, our dear invalid's suffering increased from day to day, and -the moment soon came when she must inevitably give up the struggle. We -saw that she was failing gradually; but she did not lose her presence of -mind for an instant, nor cease her jests and her kind speeches. -</p> - -<p> -"How sorry I am," she said to Leoni, "that Juliette is your sister! Now -that I am going to the other world, I must renounce you. I can neither -demand nor desire that you remain faithful to me after my death. -Unfortunately, you are certain to make a fool of yourself and throw -yourself at the head of some woman who is unworthy of you. I know nobody -in the world but your sister who is good enough for you; she is an -angel, and no one but you is worthy of her." -</p> - -<p> -I could not resist this kindly flattery, and my affection for the -princess became warmer and warmer as death slowly took her from us. I -could not believe it possible that she would be taken away with all her -faculties, all her tranquillity, and when we were all so happy together. -I asked myself how we could possibly live without her, and I could not -think of her great gilded armchair standing unoccupied, between Leoni -and myself, without my eyes filling with tears. -</p> - -<p> -One evening, when I was reading to her while Leoni sat on the carpet -warming her feet in a muff, she received a letter, read it through -hastily, uttered a loud shriek and fainted. While I flew to her -assistance, Leoni picked up the letter and ran his eye over it. Although -the writing was disguised, he recognized the hand of the Vicomte de -Chalm. It was a denunciation of me, with circumstantial details -concerning my family, my abduction, my relations with Leoni; and, with -all the rest, a mass of detestable falsehoods regarding my morals and my -character. -</p> - -<p> -At the shriek which the princess uttered, Lorenzo, who was always -hovering about us like a bird of evil omen, entered the room, I know not -how; and Leoni, taking him into a corner, showed him the viscount's -letter. When they came back to us, the marquis was very calm, and had a -mocking smile on his lips, as usual; while Leoni, intensely agitated, -seemed to question him with his eyes as if to ask his advice. -</p> - -<p> -The princess was still unconscious in my arms. The marquis shrugged his -shoulders. -</p> - -<p> -"Your wife is intolerably stupid," he said, so loud that I overheard -him. "Her presence here now will have the worst possible effect. Send -her away; tell her to go for help. I will take everything on myself." -</p> - -<p> -"But what will you do?" said Leoni, in great anxiety. -</p> - -<p> -"Never fear. I have had an expedient all ready for a long while; it's a -paper that I always have about me. But send Juliette away." -</p> - -<p> -Leoni asked me to call the servants. I obeyed, and laid the princess's -head gently on a cushion. But just as I was passing through the door, -some undefinable magnetic force stopped me and made me turn. I saw the -marquis approach the invalid as if to assist her; but his face seemed so -wicked and Leoni's so pale, that I was afraid to leave the dying woman -alone with them. Heaven knows what vague ideas passed through my brain. -I hastened to the bed and, glancing at Leoni in terror, I said: "Beware! -beware!"—"Of what?" he replied, with an air of amazement. In truth I -did not know myself, and I was ashamed of the species of madness I had -shown. The marquis's ironical air completed my discomfiture. I went out -and returned a moment later with the princess's women and the physician. -He found the princess suffering from a terrible nervous spasm, and said -that we must try to make her swallow a spoonful of her sedative mixture -at once. We tried in vain to force her teeth apart. -</p> - -<p> -"Let the signora try it," said one of the women, pointing to me; "the -princess won't take anything from anybody else, and never refuses what -she gives her." -</p> - -<p> -I did try, and the dying woman readily yielded. Through force of habit -she pressed my hand feebly as she returned the spoon to me; then she -violently threw up her arms, raised herself as if she were about to jump -out of bed, and fell back dead on her pillow. -</p> - -<p> -This sudden death made a terrible impression on me; I fainted and was -carried from the room. I was ill several days, and, when I returned to -life, Leoni informed me that I was thenceforth in my own house; that the -will had been opened and found unassailable in every respect; that we -were the possessors of a handsome fortune and a magnificent palace. -</p> - -<p> -"I owe it all to you, Juliette," he said, "and, more than that, I owe it -to you that I am able to think without shame or remorse of our friend's -last moments. Your delicacy, your angelic goodness, encompassed them -with attentions and lessened their melancholy. She died in your arms, -that rival whom any other woman than you would have strangled; and you -wept for her as if she were your sister! You are good! too good, too -good! Now enjoy the fruit of your courage; see how happy I am to be rich -and to be able to surround you once more with all the luxury that you -crave." -</p> - -<p> -"Hush," I replied; "now is the time when I blush and suffer. So long as -that woman was here, and I was sacrificing my love and my pride to her, -I took comfort in the thought that I was really fond of her, and that I -was sacrificing myself for her and for you. Now I see only what was base -and detestable in my situation. How everybody must despise us!" -</p> - -<p> -"You are greatly mistaken, my dear girl," said Leoni; "everybody bows -down to us and honors us because we are rich." -</p> - -<p> -But Leoni did not long enjoy his triumph. The heirs-at-law, who came -from Rome furious against us, having learned the details of the -princess's sudden demise, accused us of having hastened it by poison, -and demanded that the body should be exhumed to ascertain the facts. -That was done, and, at the first glance, the traces of a powerful poison -were discovered. -</p> - -<p> -"We are lost!" said Leoni, rushing into my room. "Ildegonda was -poisoned, and we are accused of having done it. Who could have committed -that abominable crime? We must not ask the question, for it was Satan -with Lorenzo's face. That is how he serves us. He is safe, and we are in -the hands of the law. Do you feel the courage to leap out of the -window?" -</p> - -<p> -"No," I said; "I am innocent; I fear nothing. If you are guilty, fly." -</p> - -<p> -"I am not guilty, Juliette," he said, squeezing my arm fiercely. "Do not -accuse me when I do not accuse myself. You know that I am not in the -habit of sparing myself." -</p> - -<p> -We were arrested and thrown into prison. The prosecution made much -noise, but it was less protracted and its result less serious than -people expected. Our innocence saved us. In face of such a horrible -charge I recovered all the strength due to a pure conscience. My youth -and my air of sincerity won the judges at the very beginning. I was -speedily acquitted. Leoni's honor and life hung in the balance a little -longer. But it was impossible, despite appearances, to find any proof -against him, for he was not guilty. He was horror-stricken by the -crime—his face and his answers said so plainly enough. He came forth -purged of that accusation. All the servants were suspected. The marquis -had disappeared, but he returned secretly the moment that we were -discharged from prison, and presumed to order Leoni to divide the -inheritance with him. He declared that we owed him everything; that, -except for the audacity and prompt execution of his plan, the will would -have been destroyed. Leoni made the most terrific threats, but the -marquis was not frightened. He had the murder of Henryet as a weapon to -hold Leoni in awe, and he had it in his power to ruin him utterly. -Leoni, frantic with rage, resigned himself to the necessity of paying -him a considerable sum. -</p> - -<p> -We began at once to lead a life of wild dissipation and to display the -most immeasurable magnificence: to ruin himself anew was with Leoni a -matter of six short months. I saw without regret the disappearance of -the wealth which I had acquired with shame and sorrow; but I was -terrified for Leoni's sake at the near approach of poverty. I knew that -he could not endure it, and that to escape from it, he would plunge into -fresh misconduct and fresh dangers. Unfortunately it was impossible to -induce him to practise self-restraint and prudence; he replied with -caresses or jests to my entreaties and warnings. He had fifteen English -horses in his stable, his table was open to the whole city, and he had a -troupe of musicians at his orders. But the principal cause of his ruin -was the enormous sums he was compelled to give his former associates, to -prevent them from swooping down upon him and making his house a den of -thieves. He had induced them to agree not to ply their trade under his -roof; and, to persuade them to leave the salon when his guests began to -play cards, he was obliged to pay them a considerable sum every day. -This intolerable servitude made him long sometimes to fly from the world -and conceal himself with me in some peaceful retreat. But truth compels -me to say that prospect was even more appalling to him; for the -affection he felt for me was not strong enough to fill his whole life. -He was always kind to me, but, as at Venice, he neglected me to drink -his fill of all the pleasures of wealth. He led the most dissolute life -away from home, and kept several mistresses, whom he selected from a -certain fashionable set, to whom he made magnificent presents, and whose -society flattered his insatiable vanity. Base and sordid in the -acquisition of wealth, he was superb in his prodigality. His fickle -character changed with his fortune, and his love for me followed all its -phases. In the agitation and suffering caused by his reverses, having -nobody but me in all the world to pity him and love him, he returned to -me with heartfelt joy; but in his pleasures he forgot me and sought -keener delights elsewhere. I was aware of all his infidelities; whether -from indolence, or indifference, or confidence in my unwearying -forgiveness, he no longer took the trouble to conceal them from me; and -when I reproved him for the indelicacy of such frankness, he reminded me -of my conduct toward the Princess Zagarolo, and asked me if my pity were -already exhausted. Thus the past bound me irrevocably to patience and -grief. The greatest injustice in Leoni's conduct was his apparent belief -that I was ready to submit to all these sacrifices thenceforth, without -pain, and that a woman could ever become accustomed to overcome her -jealousy. -</p> - -<p> -I received a letter from my mother, who had heard of me at last through -Henryet, and who had fallen dangerously ill just as she was starting to -join me. She implored me to go to take care of her, and promised to -welcome me with gratitude and without reproaches. That letter was a -thousand times too gentle and too kind. I bathed it with my tears; but, -argue with myself as I would, it seemed to me not what it should be; it -was so mild and humble in tone and expression as to be undignified. Must -I say it?—it was not the pardon of a noble and loving mother, alas! -but the appeal of a sick and bored woman. I started at once and found her -dying. She blessed me, pardoned me and died in my arms, requesting me to -see that she was buried in a certain dress of which she had been very -fond. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XXI">XXI</a></h4> - -<p> -So much fatigue of body and mind, so much suffering had almost exhausted -my sensibility. I hardly wept for my mother; I shut myself up in her -room after they had taken her body away, and there I remained, crushed -and despondent, for several months, occupied solely in reviewing the -past in all its phases, and never bethinking myself to wonder what I -should do in the future. My aunt, who had greeted me very coldly at -first, was touched by this mute grief, which her character understood -better than the more demonstrative form of tears. She looked after my -welfare in silence, and saw to it that I did not allow myself to die of -hunger. The melancholy aspect of that house, which I had known so -cheerful and bright, was well adapted to my frame of mind. I saw the old -furniture, which recalled the numberless trivial events of my childhood. -I compared that time, when a scratch on my finger was the most terrible -catastrophe that could disturb the tranquillity of my family, with the -infamous and blood-stained life I had subsequently led. I saw, on the -one hand, my mother at the ball, on the other, the Princess Zagarolo -dying of poison in my arms, perhaps by my hand. The music of the violins -echoed in my dreams amid the shrieks of the murdered Henryet; and, in -the seclusion of the prison, where, during three months of agony, I had -seemed to hear a sentence of death each day, I saw coming toward me, -amid the glare of candles and the perfume of flowers, my own ghost clad -in silver crêpe and covered with jewels. Sometimes, tired out by these -confused and terrifying dreams, I walked to the window, raised the -curtains and looked out upon that city where I had been so happy and so -flattered, and on the trees of that promenade where so much admiration -had followed my every step. But I soon noticed the insulting curiosity -which my pale face aroused. People stopped under my window or stood in -groups talking about me, almost pointing their fingers at me. Then I -would step back, drop the curtains, sit down beside my mother's bed and -remain there until my aunt came with her silent face and noiseless step, -took my arm and led me to the table. Her manner toward me at that crisis -of my life, seemed to me most generous and most appropriate to my -situation. I would not have listened to words of consolation, I could -not have endured reproaches, I should not have put faith in marks of -esteem. Silent affection and unobtrusive compassion made more impression -on me. That dismal face, which moved noiselessly about me like a ghost, -like a reminder of the past, was the only face that neither disturbed -nor terrified me. Sometimes I took her dry hands and held them to my -lips for several minutes, without giving vent to a sigh. She never -replied to that caress, but stood patiently, and did not withdraw her -hands from my kisses; that was much. -</p> - -<p> -I no longer thought of Leoni except as a ghastly memory which I sought -with all my strength to banish. The thought of returning to him made me -shudder as the sight of an execution would have done. I had not energy -enough remaining to love him or hate him. He did not write to me and I -was hardly aware of it, I had counted so little on his letters. One day -there came one which told me of new disasters. A will of the Princess -Zagarolo had been found, bearing a later date than ours. One of her -servants, in whom she had confidence, had had the will in his custody -ever since the day of its date. She had made it at the time that Leoni -had neglected her to take care of me, and she was doubtful as to our -relationship. Afterward, when she became reconciled to us, she had -intended to destroy it; but, as she was subject to innumerable whims, -she had kept both wills, so that she might at any time decide which she -would leave in force. Leoni knew where his was kept; but the existence -of the other was known only to Vincenzo, the princess's man of -confidence; and he was under instructions to burn it at a sign from her. -She did not anticipate, poor creature, such a sudden and violent death. -Vincenzo, whom Leoni had laden with benefactions, and who was altogether -devoted to him at that time, having moreover no knowledge of the -princess's final intentions, kept the will without saying a word, and -allowed us to produce ours. He might have enriched himself by -threatening us or selling his secret to the heirs-at-law; but he was not -a dishonest man nor a wicked one. He allowed us to enjoy the -inheritance, demanding no higher wages than he had previously received. -But, when I had left Leoni, he became dissatisfied; for Leoni was brutal -with his servants, and I retained them in his service only by my -indulgence. One day Leoni forgot himself so far as to strike the old -man, who at once pulled the will from his pocket and told him that he -was going to take it to the princess's cousins. Threats, entreaties, -offers of money, all were powerless to appease his anger. The marquis -appeared on the scene and attempted to obtain possession of the fatal -paper by force; but Vincenzo, who was a remarkably powerful man for his -years, knocked him down, struck him, threatened to throw Leoni through -the window if he attacked him, and hurried away to publish the document -that avenged him. Leoni was at once dispossessed, and ordered to restore -all that he had expended of the property, that is to say, three fourths -of it. As he was unable to comply, he tried to fly, but in vain. He was -put into prison, and it was from the prison that he wrote to me, not all -the details which I have given you and which I learned afterward, but a -few words in which he depicted the horror of his position. If I did not -go to his aid, he might languish all his life in the most horrible -captivity, for he no longer had the means to procure the comforts with -which we had been able to surround ourselves at the time of our former -confinement. His friends had abandoned him and perhaps were glad to be -rid of him. He was absolutely without resources, in a damp cell, where -he was already very ill with fever. His jewels, even his linen had been -sold; he had almost nothing to protect him from the cold. -</p> - -<p> -I started at once. As I had never intended to settle definitively in -Brussels, and as naught but the indolence of grief had delayed me there -for half a year, I had converted almost all of my inheritance into cash; -I had often thought of using it to found a hospital for penitent girls, -and to become a nun therein. At other times I had thought of depositing -it in the Bank of France, and purchasing an inalienable annuity for -Leoni, which would keep him from want and villainy forever. I should -have retained for myself only a modest annuity, and have buried myself -alone in the Swiss valley where the memory of my happiness would assist -me to endure the horror of solitude. When I learned the new disaster -that had befallen Leoni, I felt that my love and anxiety for him sprang -into life, more intense than ever. I sent all my fortune to a banking -house at Milan. I reserved only a sufficient amount to double the -pension which my father had bequeathed to my aunt. That amount was -represented, to her great satisfaction, by the house in which we lived -and in which she had passed half of her life. I abandoned it to her and -set out to join Leoni. She did not ask me where I was going; she knew -only too well; she did not try to detain me, she did not thank me, she -simply pressed my hand; but when I turned to look back, I saw rolling -slowly down her wrinkled cheek the first tear I had ever known her to -shed. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XXII">XXII</a></h4> - -<p> -I found Leoni in a horrible condition, haggard, pale as death and almost -mad. It was the first time that want and suffering had really taken hold -of him. Hitherto he had simply seen his wealth vanish little by little, -while seeking and finding means to replenish it. His disasters in that -respect had been great; but card-sharping and chance had never left him -long battling with the privations of poverty. His mental power had -always remained intact, but it was overcome when physical strength -abandoned him. I found him in a state of nervous excitement which -resembled madness. I gave securities for his debt. It was easy for me to -furnish proofs of my responsibility, for I had them upon me. So I -entered his prison only to set him free. His joy was so intense that he -could not endure it, and he had to be carried, unconscious, to a -carriage. -</p> - -<p> -I took him to Florence and surrounded him with all the comforts I could -procure. When all his debts were paid, I had very little left. I devoted -all my energies to making him forget the sufferings of his prison. His -robust body was soon cured, but his mind remained diseased. The terrors -of darkness and the agony of despair had made a profound impression upon -that active, enterprising man, accustomed to the enjoyments of wealth, -or to the excitement of the adventurer's life. Inaction had shattered -him. He had become subject to childish terrors, to terrible outbreaks of -violence; he could not endure the slightest annoyance; and the most -horrible thing was that he vented his wrath on me for all the annoyances -that I could not spare him. He had lost that will power which enabled -him to face without fear the most precarious prospects for the future. -He was terrified now at the thought of poverty and asked me every day -what resources I should have when my present means were exhausted. I was -appalled myself at the thought of the destitution which was impending. -The time came at last. I began to paint pictures on screens, snuff-boxes -and other small articles of Spa wood. When I had worked ten hours, my -earnings amounted to eight or ten francs. That would have been enough -for my needs; but for Leoni it was utter poverty. He longed for a -hundred impossible things; he complained bitterly, savagely, because he -was not richer. He often reproached me for having paid his debts and for -not having fled with him and with my money too. To calm him, I was -obliged to convince him that it would have been impossible for me to get -him out of prison and commit that piece of rascality. He would stand at -the windows and swear horribly at the rich people driving by in their -carriages. He would point to his shabby clothes and say with an accent that -I cannot possibly imitate: "<i>Can't</i> you help me to obtain a better -coat? <i>Won't</i> you do it?" He finally told me so often that I could -rescue him from his distress, and that it was cruel and selfish of me to -leave him in that condition, that I thought that he was mad and no -longer tried to argue with him on the subject. I held my peace whenever -he recurred to it, and concealed my tears, which served only to irritate -him. He thought that I understood his abominable hints and called my -silence inhuman indifference and stupid obstinacy. Several times he -struck me savagely and would have killed me if some one had not come to -my assistance. It is true that when these paroxysms had passed, he threw -himself at my feet and implored me with tears in his eyes to forgive -him. But I avoided these scenes of reconciliation so far as I could, for -the emotion caused a fresh shock to his nerves and provoked a return of -the outbreaks. At last this irritability ceased and gave place to a sort -of dull, stupid despair which was even more horrible. He would gaze at -me with a gloomy expression, and seemed to nourish a secret aversion for -me and projects of revenge. Sometimes I woke in the middle of the night -and saw him standing by my bed, his face wearing a sinister expression; -at such times I thought that he meant to kill me, and I shrieked with -fear. But he would simply shrug his shoulders and return to his bed with -a stupid laugh. -</p> - -<p> -In spite of everything I loved him still, not as he was, but because of -what he had been and might become again. There were times when I had -hopes that a blessed revolution was taking place in him, and that he -would come forth from that crisis a new man, cleansed of all his evil -inclinations. He seemed no longer to think of satisfying them, nor did -he express regret or desire for anything whatsoever. I could not imagine -the subject of the long meditations by which he seemed to be absorbed. -Most of the time his eyes were fixed upon me with such a strange -expression that I was afraid of him. I dared not speak to him, but I -asked his forgiveness by imploring glances. Then I would imagine that -his own glance melted and that his breast rose with an imperceptible -sigh; he would turn his head away as if he wished to conceal or stifle -his emotion, and would fall to musing again. At such times I flattered -myself that he was engaged in making salutary reflections concerning the -past, and that he would soon open his heart to tell me that he had -conceived a hatred of vice and a love of virtue. -</p> - -<p> -My hopes grew fainter when the Marquis de —— reappeared on -the scene. He never entered my apartments, because he knew the horror I -had of him; but he would pass under the windows and call Leoni, or come -to my door and knock in a peculiar way to let him know that he was -there. Then Leoni would go out with him and remain away a long while. -One day I saw them pass and repass several times; the Vicomte de Chalm -was with them. -</p> - -<p> -"Leoni is lost," I thought, "and I too; some fresh crime will soon be -committed under my eyes." -</p> - -<p> -That evening Leoni came home late; and, as he left his companions at the -street door, I heard him say these words: -</p> - -<p> -"But you can tell her that I am mad, absolutely mad; and that otherwise -I would never have consented to it. She must know well enough that want -has driven me mad." -</p> - -<p> -I dared not ask him for any explanation, and I served his modest supper. -He did not touch it but began to poke the fire nervously; then he asked -me for ether, and, having taken a large dose, went to bed and seemed to -sleep. I worked every evening as long as I could, until I was overcome -by drowsiness and fatigue. That night I went to bed at midnight. I was -hardly in bed when I heard a slight noise, and it seemed to me that -Leoni was dressing to go out. I spoke to him and asked what he was -doing. -</p> - -<p> -"Nothing," he said, "I was just getting up to come to you; but I don't -like your light, you know that it affects my nerves and gives me -horrible pains in the head; put it out." -</p> - -<p> -I obeyed. -</p> - -<p> -"Have you done it?" he said. "Now go to bed again, I am coming to kiss -you; wait a moment." -</p> - -<p> -This mark of affection, which he had not bestowed upon me for several -weeks, made my poor heart leap with joy and hope. I flattered myself -that the revival of his affection would lead to the recovery of reason -and conscience. I sat on the edge of my bed and awaited him with the -utmost joy. He came and threw himself into my arms, which were wide open -to receive him, and, embracing me passionately, threw me back upon my -bed. But, at that instant, a feeling of distrust, due to the protection -of heaven or the delicacy of my instinct, led me to pass my hand over -the face of the man who was embracing me. Leoni had allowed his beard -and moustaches to grow since he had been ill; I found a smooth, -clean-shaven face. I gave a shriek and pushed him away with all my -force. -</p> - -<p> -"What is the matter?" said Leoni's voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Have you shaved your beard," I said. -</p> - -<p> -"As you see," he replied. -</p> - -<p> -But I noticed that while his voice was speaking at my ear, another mouth -was clinging to mine. I shook myself free with the strength which wrath -and despair give, and, rushing to the other end of the room, hurriedly -turned up the lamp, which I had lowered but had not put out. I saw Lord -Edwards seated on the edge of the bed, bewildered and disconcerted,—I -believe that he was drunk,—and Leoni coming toward me with a -desperate look in his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Wretch!" I cried. -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette," he said, with haggard eyes and in a muffled voice, "yield if -you love me. It is a question of rescuing me from this destitution, in -which, as you see, I am eating my heart out. It is a question of life -and reason with me, as you know. My salvation will be the reward of your -devotion; and, as for yourself, you will be rich and happy with a man -who has loved you for a long while, and who considers no price too great -to pay to obtain you. Consent, Juliette," he added under his breath, "or -I will kill you when he has left the room." -</p> - -<p> -Terror deprived me of all judgment. I jumped through the window at the -risk of killing myself. Some soldiers who were passing picked me up and -carried me into the house unconscious. When I came to myself, Leoni and -his confederates had left the house. They declared that I had jumped -from the window in the delirium of brain fever, while they had gone into -another room to call for help. They had feigned the greatest -consternation. Leoni had remained until the surgeon who attended me -declared that I had broken no bones. Then he had gone out saying that he -would return, but he had not been seen for two days. He did not return, -and I never saw him again. -</p> - -<p> -Here Juliette finished her narrative and fell back on her couch, -overwhelmed with fatigue and sadness. -</p> - -<p> -"It was then, my poor child," I said, "that I made your acquaintance. I -was living in the same house. The story of your accident aroused my -interest. Soon I learned that you were young and worthy of a serious -attachment; that Leoni, after treating you with great brutality, had -abandoned you when you were critically ill and in want. I desired to see -you; you were delirious when I approached your bed. O, Juliette, how -lovely you were, with your bare shoulders, your dishevelled hair, your -lips burning with the fire of fever, and your face animated by the -excitement of suffering! How lovely you still seemed to me when, -prostrated by fatigue, you fell back on your pillow, pale and drooping, -like a white rose shedding its leaves in the hot sun of midday! I could -not tear myself away from you. I felt a thrill of irresistible sympathy; -I was impelled by such a deep interest as nobody had ever aroused in me. -I sent for the leading physicians of the city; I procured for you all -the comforts that you lacked. Poor deserted girl! I passed whole nights -by your bedside, I saw your despair, I understood your love. I had never -loved; it seemed to me that no woman was capable of returning the -passion that I was capable of feeling. I sought a heart as fervent as -mine. I distrusted all those that I put to the test, and I soon realized -the prudence of my self-restraint when I saw the coldness and frivolity -of the hearts of those women. Yours seemed to me the only one capable of -understanding me. A woman who could love and suffer as you had done was -the realization of all my dreams. I desired to obtain your affection, -but without much hope of success. What gave me the presumption to try to -console you was my absolute certainty that I loved you sincerely and -generously. All that you said in your delirium taught me to know you -just as well and thoroughly as our subsequent intimacy has done. I knew -that you were a sublime creature from the prayers that you addressed to -God, aloud, in a tone of which no words can describe the heart-rending -purity. You prayed for forgiveness for Leoni, always forgiveness, never -vengeance! You invoked the souls of your parents; you described to them -breathlessly the misfortunes by which you had expiated your flight and -their sorrow. Sometimes you took me for Leoni, and poured out crushing -reproaches upon me; at other times you thought that you were with him in -Switzerland, and you embraced me passionately. It would have been easy -for me then to abuse your error, and the love that was gaining headway -in my breast made your frantic caresses a veritable torture. But I would -have died rather than yield to my desires, and the villainy of Lord -Edwards, of which you talked constantly, seems to me the most degrading -infamy of which a man could be guilty. At last I had the good fortune to -save your life and your reason, my dear Juliette. Since then I have -suffered bitterly, and I have been very happy through you. I am a fool -perhaps not to be content with the friendship and the possession of such -a woman as you, but my love is insatiable. I long to be loved as Leoni -was, and I torment you with that foolish ambition. I have not his -eloquence and his fascinations, but I love you. I have not deceived you; -I will never deceive you. It is time for your heart, so long shattered -by fatigue, to find rest while sleeping on mine. Juliette! Juliette! -when will you love me as you are capable of loving?" -</p> - -<p> -"Now and forever," she replied. "You saved me, you cured me, and you -love me. I was mad, I see it now, to love such a man. All this that I -have told you has brought before my eyes anew a multitude of vile -things. Now I feel nothing but horror for the past, and I do not mean to -recur to it again. You have done well to let me tell it all to you. I am -calm now, and I feel that I can never again love his memory. You are my -friend; you are my savior, my brother and my lover." -</p> - -<p> -"Say your husband too, Juliette, I implore you!" -</p> - -<p> -"My husband, if you will," she said, embracing me with a fondness which -she had never manifested so warmly, and which brought tears of joy and -gratitude to my eyes. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XXIII">XXIII</a></h4> - -<p> -I awoke the next day so happy that I thought no more about leaving -Venice. The weather was superb, the sun as mild as in spring. -Fashionably dressed women thronged the quays and laughed at the jests of -the maskers, who, half reclining on the rails of the bridges, teased the -passers-by, and made impertinent and flattering remarks to the ugly and -pretty women respectively. It was Mardi Gras; a sad anniversary for -Juliette. I was anxious to distract her thoughts, so suggested that we -should go out, and she agreed. -</p> - -<p> -I looked proudly at her as she walked by my side. It is not the custom -to offer one's arm to a lady in Venice, but simply to support her by -grasping her elbow as you go up and down the white marble stairways -which confront you whenever you cross a canal. Juliette was so graceful -and lithe in all her movements that I took a childish delight in feeling -her lean gently on my hand as we crossed the bridges. Everybody turned -to look at her, and the women, who never take pleasure in another -woman's beauty, observed with interest, at all events, the refinement of -her dress and her bearing, which they would have been glad to copy. It -seems to me that I can still see Juliette's costume and her graceful -figure. She wore a gown of violet velvet with an ermine boa and small -muff. Her white satin hat framed her face, which was still pale, but so -exquisitely beautiful that, despite seven or eight years of fatigue and -mental unhappiness, no one thought her more than eighteen. She wore -violet silk stockings, so transparent that one could see through them -the alabaster whiteness of her flesh. When she had passed and her face -could no longer be seen, people followed with their eyes her tiny feet, -so rare in Italy. I was happy to have her thus admired; I told her so, -and she smiled at me with a sweet, affectionate expression. God! how -happy I was! -</p> - -<p> -A gayly-decorated boat, filled with maskers and musicians, was coming -along the Giudecca canal. I suggested to Juliette that we take a gondola -and row near to it, to see the costumes. She assented. Several parties -followed our example, and we soon found ourselves entangled in a group -of gondolas and skiffs which, with ourselves, accompanied the decorated -vessel and seemed to serve as an escort to it. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a id="figure06"></a> -<br /> -<img src="images/figure06.jpg" width="400" alt="" /> -<p class="center"><i>THE MEETING ON THE CANAL.</i></p> -<p> -<i>A gayly-decorated boat filled with maskers and musicians was coming -along the Giudecca Canal. I suggested to Juliette that we take a gondola -and row near to it, to see the costumes. She assented.</i></p></div> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -We heard the gondoliers say that the party of maskers was composed of -the richest and most fashionable young men in Venice. They were, in -truth, dressed with extreme magnificence; their costumes were very rich, -and the boat was decorated with silken sails, streamers of silver gauze -and Oriental rugs of very great beauty. They were dressed like the -ancient Venetians whom Paul Veronese, by a happy anachronism, has -introduced in several devotional pictures, notably in the magnificent -<i>Nuptials</i>, which the Republic of Venice presented to Louis XIV., and -which is now in the Musée at Paris. I noticed especially one man near -the rail of the boat, dressed in a long robe of pale green silk, -embroidered with long arabesques in gold and silver. He was standing, -and playing on the guitar; his attitude was so noble, his tall figure so -perfectly formed, that he seemed to have been made expressly to wear -those rich garments. I called Juliette's attention to him; she looked up -at him mechanically, hardly seeing him, and answered: "Yes, yes, -superb!" thinking of something else. -</p> - -<p> -We continued to follow, and, being crowded by the other boats, touched -the decorated vessel just where this man stood. Juliette was standing by -my side and leaning against the awning of the gondola to avoid being -thrown backward by the shocks we often received. Suddenly this man -leaned toward Juliette as if to see her more distinctly, passed his -guitar to his neighbor, tore off his black mask and turned toward us -again. I saw his face, which was beautiful and noble, if ever human face -was. Juliette did not see him. Thereupon he called her name in an -undertone, and she started as if she had received an electric shock. -</p> - -<p> -"Juliette!" he repeated in a louder voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Leoni!" she cried, frantic with joy. -</p> - -<p> -It is still like a dream to me. A mist passed before my eyes; I lost the -sense of sight for a second, I believe. Juliette rushed forward, -impulsively and with energy. Suddenly I saw her transported as if by -magic to the other boat, into Leoni's arms; their lips met in a -delirious kiss. The blood rushed to my brain, roared in my ears, covered -my eyes with a thicker veil. I do not know what happened. I came to -myself as I was entering the hotel. I was alone; Juliette had gone with -Leoni. -</p> - -<p> -I flew into a frenzy of passion, and for three hours I raved like an -epileptic. Toward night I received a letter from Juliette, thus -conceived: -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"Forgive me, forgive me, Bustamente; I love you, I respect you and I -bless you on my knees for your love and your benefactions. Do not hate -me; you know that I do not belong to myself, that an invisible hand -controls my actions and throws me against my will into that man's arms. -O my friend, forgive me and do not seek revenge. I love him, I cannot -live without him. I cannot know that he exists without longing for him, -I cannot see him pass without following him. I am his wife, you see, and -he is my master; it is impossible for me to escape from his passion and -his authority. You saw whether I was able to resist his summons. There -was something like an electric current, a magnet, which lifted me up and -drew me to his heart, and yet I was by your side, I had my hand in -yours. Why did you not hold me back? you had not the power; your hand -opened, your lips were powerless to call me back; you see that it is -beyond our control. There is a hidden will, a magic power, which ordains -and accomplishes these strange things. I cannot break the chain that -binds me to Leoni, it is the fetter that couples galley-slaves, but it -was God's hand that welded it. -</p> - -<p> -"O my dear Aleo, do not curse me! I am at your feet. I implore you to -let me be happy. If you knew how dearly he loves me still, with what joy -he received me! what caresses, what words, what tears! I am as one -drunk, I seem to be dreaming. I must forget his crime against me: he was -mad. After deserting me, he reached Naples in such a state of mental -alienation that he was confined in an insane asylum. I do not know by -what miracle he was cured and discharged, nor to what lucky chance he -owes it that he is now once more at the very pinnacle of wealth. But he -is handsomer, more brilliant, more passionate than ever. Let me, oh! let -me love him, though I am destined to be happy but a single day and to -die to-morrow. Should not you forgive me for loving him so madly, you -who have an equally blind and misplaced passion for me? -</p> - -<p> -"Forgive me; I am mad; I know not what I am saying nor what it is that I -ask you. It is not to take me back and forgive me when he has abandoned -me again; oh, no! I have too much pride, never fear. I feel that I no -longer deserve you, that when I rushed into that boat I cut myself -adrift from you forever, that I can never again look you in the face or -touch your hand. Adieu then, Aleo! Yes, I am writing to bid you adieu, -for I cannot part from you without telling you that my heart is already -bleeding, and that it will break some day with regret and repentance. I -tell you, you will be avenged! Calm yourself now, forgive, pity me, pray -for me; be sure that I am no insensible ingrate who does not appreciate -your character and her duty to you. I am only an unhappy creature whom -fatality drives hither and thither, and who has not the power to stop. I -turn my face to you and send you a thousand farewells, a thousand -kisses, a thousand blessings. But the tempest envelopes me and carries -me off. As I perish on the reefs on which it is certain to hurl me, I -will repeat your name and invoke your intercession as an angel of -forgiveness between God and me. -</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 60%;">"JULIETTE."</p> -</blockquote> - -<p> -This letter caused a fresh attack of frenzy; then I fell into despair; I -sobbed like a child for several hours; and, succumbing to fatigue, I -fell asleep in my chair, in that vast room where Juliette had told me -her story the night before. I awoke more calm; I lighted the fire and -paced the floor back and forth several times with slow and measured -step. -</p> - -<p> -As the day was breaking I fell asleep again: my mind was made up; I was -calm. At nine o'clock I went and made inquiries throughout the city, -trying to get information as to certain details which I needed to know -about. Nobody knew by what means Leoni had made his fortune; it was -known simply that he was rich, extravagant and dissipated; all the men -of fashion frequented his house, copied his dress and were his companions -in debauchery. The Marquis de —— accompanied him everywhere -and shared his opulence; both were in love with a famous courtesan, and, -by virtue of a most extraordinary caprice, that woman refused their -offers. Her resistance had so stimulated Leoni's desire that he had made -her the most extravagant promises, and there was no folly into which she -could not lead him. -</p> - -<p> -I called at her house and had much trouble in obtaining an audience. I -was admitted at last, and she received me with a haughty air, asking me -what I wanted, in the tone of a person who is in a hurry to dismiss an -importunate caller. -</p> - -<p> -"I have come to ask a favor at your hands," I said. "You hate Leoni?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I hate him mortally." -</p> - -<p> -"May I ask you why?" -</p> - -<p> -"He seduced a young sister of mine at Friuli, a virtuous, saint-like -child; she died in the hospital. I would like to eat Leoni's heart." -</p> - -<p> -"Meanwhile, will you assist me to play a cruel practical joke on him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -"Will you write to him and give him an assignation?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, provided that I do not keep it." -</p> - -<p> -"That is understood. Here is a sketch of the note you must write him:" -</p> - -<blockquote><p> -"I know that you have found your wife again and that you love her. I did -not want you yesterday, you seemed too easy a conquest; to-day it seems -to me that it will be interesting to make you unfaithful; moreover, I am -anxious to know if your frantic desire to possess me makes you capable -of everything, as you boast. I know that you are to give a concert on -the water this evening; I will be in a gondola and will follow you. You -know my gondolier, Cristofano; be near the rail of your boat and leap -into my gondola as soon as you see it. I will keep you an hour, after -which I shall have had enough of you forever, perhaps. I want none of -your presents; I want only this proof of your love. This evening or -never."</p></blockquote> - -<p> -La Misana thought the note very singular in tone and copied it -laughingly. -</p> - -<p> -"What will you do with him when you have him in the gondola?" -</p> - -<p> -"Set him ashore on the bank of the Lido and let him pass a long, cool -night there." -</p> - -<p> -"I would gladly kiss you to show my gratitude," said the courtesan; "but -I have a lover whom I propose to love all the week. Adieu." -</p> - -<p> -"You must place your gondolier at my orders," I said. -</p> - -<p> -"To be sure; he is intelligent, discreet and strong; do with him as you -will." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<h4><a id="XXIV">XXIV</a></h4> - -<p> -I returned to the hotel and passed the rest of the day reflecting deeply -upon what I was to do. Night came; Cristofano and the gondola were -waiting under my window. I dressed myself like a gondolier; Leoni's boat -appeared, decorated with colored lanterns, which gleamed like gems, from -the top of the masts to the end of every piece of rigging, and sending -up rockets in all directions in the intervals between the bursts of -music. I stood at the stern of the gondola, oar in hand; I rowed -alongside. Leoni was by the rail, in the same costume as on the night -before; Juliette was sitting among the musicians; she too wore a -magnificent costume, but she was downcast and pensive, and seemed not to -be thinking of him. Cristofano removed his hat and raised his lantern to -the level of his face. Leoni recognized him and leaped into the gondola. -</p> - -<p> -As soon as he was on board, Cristofano informed him that La Misana was -awaiting him in another gondola near the public garden. -</p> - -<p> -"What's that? why isn't she here?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Non so</i>," replied the gondolier indifferently, and he began to row. -I seconded him vigorously, and in a few moments we had passed the public -garden. We were surrounded by a dense mist. Leoni leaned forward several -times and asked if we were not almost there. We continued to glide -smoothly over the placid surface of the lagoon; the moon, pale and -swathed in mist, whitened the atmosphere without lightening it. We -passed like smugglers the line which cannot ordinarily be passed without -a permit from the police, and did not pause until we reached the sandy -bank of the Lido, far enough away to be in no danger of meeting a living -being. -</p> - -<p> -"Knaves!" cried our prisoner. "Where the devil have you taken me? Where -are the stairways of the public gardens? Where is La Misana's gondola? -<i>Ventre-Dieu</i>! We are on sand! You have gone astray in the mist, -clowns that you are, and you have set me ashore at random——" -</p> - -<p> -"No, signor," I said in Italian; "be kind enough to take ten steps with -me and you will find the person you seek." -</p> - -<p> -He followed me; whereupon Cristofano, in accordance with my orders, -instantly rowed away with the gondola, and went to wait for me in the -lagoon on the other side of the island. -</p> - -<p> -"Will you stop, brigand?" cried Leoni, when we had walked along the -beach for several minutes. "Do you wish me to freeze here? Where is your -mistress? Where are you taking me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Signor," I rejoined, turning and drawing from under my cape the objects -I had brought, "allow me to light your path." -</p> - -<p> -With that I produced my dark lantern, opened it, and hung it on one of -the posts on the bank. -</p> - -<p> -"What the devil are you doing there?" he said; "have I a madman to deal -with? What does this mean?" -</p> - -<p> -"It means," I said, taking the swords from beneath my cloak, "that you -must fight with me." -</p> - -<p> -"With you, you cur! I'll beat you as you deserve." -</p> - -<p> -"One moment," I said, taking him by the collar with an energy which -staggered him a little. "I am not what you think; I am noble as well as -yourself. Moreover, I am an honest man and you are a scoundrel. -Therefore I do you much honor by fighting with you." -</p> - -<p> -It seemed to me that my adversary trembled and was inclined to run away. -I pressed him more closely. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you want of me?" he cried. "Damnation! who are you? I don't -know you. Why have you brought me here? Do you mean to murder me? I have -no money about me. Are you a thief?" -</p> - -<p> -"No," I said, "there is no thief and murderer here but yourself, as you -well know." -</p> - -<p> -"Are you my enemy?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I am your enemy." -</p> - -<p> -"What is your name?" -</p> - -<p> -"That does not concern you; you will find out if you kill me." -</p> - -<p> -"And what if I don't choose to kill you?" he cried, shrugging his -shoulders and struggling to appear self-possessed. -</p> - -<p> -"In that case you will allow me to kill you," I replied, "for I give you -my word that one of us two is destined to remain here to-night." -</p> - -<p> -"You are a villain," he cried, making frantic efforts to escape. "Help! -help!" -</p> - -<p> -"That is quite useless," I said; "the noise of the waves drowns your -voice, and you are a long way from human help. Keep quiet, or I will -strangle you. Don't lose your temper, but make the most of the chances -of safety I give you. I propose to kill you, not murder you. You know -what that means. Fight with me, and do not compel me to take advantage -of my superior strength, which must be evident to you." -</p> - -<p> -As I spoke, I shook him by the shoulders and made him bend like a reed, -although he was a full head taller than I. He realized that he was at my -mercy, and tried to argue with me. -</p> - -<p> -"But, signor," he said, "if you are not mad, you must have some reason -for fighting with me. What have I done to you?" -</p> - -<p> -"It does not please me to tell you," I replied, "and you are a coward to -ask for my reasons for revenge, when you should demand satisfaction of -me." -</p> - -<p> -"What for?" he rejoined. "I never saw you before. It is not light enough -for me to distinguish your features, but I am sure that this is the -first time that I ever heard your voice." -</p> - -<p> -"Dastard, have you no cause to be revenged on a man who has made sport -of you, who has procured an assignation to be given you in order to play -a joke upon you, and who has brought you here against your will to -insult you? I was told that you were brave. Must I strike you to arouse -your courage?" -</p> - -<p> -"You are an insolent scoundrel," he said, making an effort to work -himself into a passion. -</p> - -<p> -"Very good! I demand satisfaction for that remark, and I propose to take -satisfaction at once with this blow." -</p> - -<p> -I struck him lightly on the cheek. He uttered a roar of rage and fear. -</p> - -<p> -"Have no fear," I said, holding him with one hand and giving him a sword -with the other. "Defend yourself. I know that you are the first -swordsman in Europe; I am far from being your equal. It is true that I -am calm and you are frightened, which equalizes our chances." -</p> - -<p> -Giving him no time to reply, I attacked him fiercely. The wretch threw -his sword away and ran. I followed him, overtook him and shook him -furiously. I threatened to throw him into the sea and drown him if he -did not defend himself. When he saw that it was impossible for him to -escape, he took the sword and mustered that desperate courage which love -of life and unavoidable danger give to the most timid. But whether -because the feeble light of the lantern did not allow him to measure his -blows accurately, or because the fright he had experienced had taken -away all his presence of mind, I found this terrible duellist pitifully -weak. I was so determined not to slaughter him that I spared him a long -while. At last he threw himself upon my sword, when trying to feint, and -spitted himself up to the hilt. -</p> - -<p> -"Justice! justice!" he said as he fell. "I am murdered!" -</p> - -<p> -"You demand justice and you obtain it," I replied. "You die by my hand -as Henryet died by yours." -</p> - -<p> -He uttered a dull roar, bit the sand and gave up the ghost. -</p> - -<p> -I took the two swords and started to find the gondola; but as I crossed -the island I was seized with a thousand unfamiliar emotions. My strength -suddenly failed me; I sat down upon one of those Hebraic tombs, half -covered by the grass, which are ceaselessly beaten by the sharp salt -winds from the Adriatic. The morn was beginning to come forth from the -mist, and the white stones of that vast cemetery stood out against the -dark verdure of the Lido. I reflected upon what I had done, and my -revenge, from which I had anticipated so much joy, appeared to me in a -most distressing light; I felt something like remorse, and yet I had -thought that it was a legitimate and blessed act to purge the earth of -that fiend incarnate and deliver Juliette from him. But I had not -expected to find him a coward. I had hoped to meet a bold swordsman, and -in attacking him I had thought that I was sacrificing my life. I was -disturbed and almost appalled to have taken his life so easily. I did -not find that my hatred was satisfied by vengeance, but I did feel that -it was extinguished by contempt.—"When I found what a coward he was," -I thought, "I should have spared him; I should have forgotten my -resentment against him and my love for a woman capable of preferring -such a man to me." -</p> - -<p> -Thereupon confused, painful, agitated thoughts rushed into my brain. The -cold, the darkness, the sight of those tombs calmed me at intervals; -they plunged me into a dreamy stupor from which I awoke with a violent -and painful shock when I suddenly remembered my situation, Juliette's -despair, which would burst forth on the morrow, and the aspect of that -corpse lying on the blood-stained sand not far away. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps he is not dead," I thought. -</p> - -<p> -I had a vague desire to go to see. I would almost have been glad to -restore him to life. The first rays of dawn surprised me in this -irresolute frame of mind, and I reflected that prudence required me to -leave that spot. -</p> - -<p> -I went and found Cristofano, who was sound asleep in his gondola, and -whom I had much difficulty in waking. The sight of that placid slumber -aroused my envy. Like Macbeth, I had taken leave of it for a long time -to come. -</p> - -<p> -I returned, gently rocked by the waves which the approach of the sun had -already tipped with pink. I passed quite near the steamboat which runs -from Venice to Trieste. It was its hour for starting; the wheels were -already beating the water into foam, and red sparks flew upward from the -funnel, with columns of black smoke. Several boats brought belated -passengers. A gondola grated against ours and made fast to the packet. A -man and woman left that gondola and ran lightly up the gangway. They -were no sooner on the deck than the steamer started at full speed. The -couple leaned over the rail to watch the wake. I recognized Juliette and -Leoni. I thought that I was dreaming; I passed my hand over my eyes and -called to Cristofano: -</p> - -<p> -"Is that Baron Leone de Leoni starting for Trieste with a lady?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, signor," he replied. -</p> - -<p> -I uttered a horrible oath; then recalling the gondolier, I asked him: -</p> - -<p> -"Who in God's name was the man we took to the Lido last night?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why, as your Excellency knows," he replied, "it was Marquis Lorenzo -de ——." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIN OF MONSIEUR ANTOINE, VOLUME II (OF 2) AND LEONE LEONI ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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