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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1556-0.txt b/1556-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dfbdd7b --- /dev/null +++ b/1556-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5685 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Marriage Contract, by Honore de Balzac + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 + + +Title: The Marriage Contract + +Author: Honore de Balzac + +Translator: Katharine Prescott Wormeley + +Release Date: December, 1998 [Etext #1556] +Posting Date: February 26, 2010 +Last Updated: November 22, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny + + + + + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + +By Honore De Balzac + + + +Translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley + + + + DEDICATION + + To Rossini. + + + + + + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + + + +CHAPTER I. PRO AND CON + + +Monsieur de Manerville, the father, was a worthy Norman gentleman, +well known to the Marechael de Richelieu, who married him to one of the +richest heiresses of Bordeaux in the days when the old duke reigned in +Guienne as governor. The Norman then sold the estate he owned in Bessin, +and became a Gascon, allured by the beauty of the chateau de Lanstrac, +a delightful residence owned by his wife. During the last days of the +reign of Louis XV., he bought the post of major of the Gate Guards, and +lived till 1813, having by great good luck escaped the dangers of the +Revolution in the following manner. + +Toward the close of the year, 1790, he went to Martinque, where his wife +had interests, leaving the management of his property in Gascogne to an +honest man, a notary’s clerk, named Mathias, who was inclined to--or +at any rate did--give into the new ideas. On his return the Comte de +Manerville found his possessions intact and well-managed. This sound +result was the fruit produced by grafting the Gascon on the Norman. + +Madame de Manerville died in 1810. Having learned the importance of +worldly goods through the dissipations of his youth, and, giving them, +like many another old man, a higher place than they really hold in life, +Monsieur de Manerville became increasingly economical, miserly, and +sordid. Without reflecting that the avarice of parents prepares the way +for the prodigalities of children, he allowed almost nothing to his son, +although that son was an only child. + +Paul de Manerville, coming home from the college of Vendome in 1810, +lived under close paternal discipline for three years. The tyranny by +which the old man of seventy oppressed his heir influenced, necessarily, +a heart and a character which were not yet formed. Paul, the son, +without lacking the physical courage which is vital in the air of +Gascony, dared not struggle against his father, and consequently lost +that faculty of resistance which begets moral courage. His thwarted +feelings were driven to the depths of his heart, where they remained +without expression; later, when he felt them to be out of harmony with +the maxims of the world, he could only think rightly and act mistakenly. +He was capable of fighting for a mere word or look, yet he trembled at +the thought of dismissing a servant,--his timidity showing itself in +those contests only which required a persistent will. Capable of doing +great things to fly from persecution, he would never have prevented it +by systematic opposition, nor have faced it with the steady employment +of force of will. Timid in thought, bold in actions, he long preserved +that inward simplicity which makes a man the dupe and the voluntary +victim of things against which certain souls hesitate to revolt, +preferring to endure them rather than complain. He was, in point of +fact, imprisoned by his father’s old mansion, for he had not enough +money to consort with young men; he envied their pleasures while unable +to share them. + +The old gentleman took him every evening, in an old carriage drawn +by ill-harnessed old horses, attended by ill-dressed old servants, to +royalist houses, where he met a society composed of the relics of the +parliamentary nobility and the martial nobility. These two nobilities +coalescing after the Revolution, had now transformed themselves into +a landed aristocracy. Crushed by the vast and swelling fortunes of the +maritime cities, this Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux responded +by lofty disdain to the sumptuous displays of commerce, government +administrations, and the military. Too young to understand social +distinctions and the necessities underlying the apparent assumption +which they create, Paul was bored to death among these ancients, unaware +that the connections of his youth would eventually secure to him that +aristocratic pre-eminence which Frenchmen will forever desire. + +He found some slight compensations for the dulness of these evenings in +certain manual exercises which always delight young men, and which his +father enjoined upon him. The old gentleman considered that to know the +art of fencing and the use of arms, to ride well on horseback, to play +tennis, to acquire good manners,--in short, to possess all the frivolous +accomplishments of the old nobility,--made a young man of the present +day a finished gentleman. Accordingly, Paul took a fencing-lesson every +morning, went to the riding-school, and practised in a pistol-gallery. +The rest of his time was spent in reading novels, for his father would +never have allowed the more abstruse studies now considered necessary to +finish an education. + +So monotonous a life would soon have killed the poor youth if the death +of the old man had not delivered him from this tyranny at the moment +when it was becoming intolerable. Paul found himself in possession of +considerable capital, accumulated by his father’s avarice, together with +landed estates in the best possible condition. But he now held Bordeaux +in horror; neither did he like Lanstrac, where his father had taken him +to spend the summers, employing his whole time from morning till night +in hunting. + +As soon as the estate was fairly settled, the young heir, eager for +enjoyment, bought consols with his capital, left the management of the +landed property to old Mathias, his father’s notary, and spent the next +six years away from Bordeaux. At first he was attached to the French +embassy at Naples; after that he was secretary of legation at Madrid, +and then in London,--making in this way the tour of Europe. + +After seeing the world and life, after losing several illusions, after +dissipating all the loose capital which his father had amassed, there +came a time when, in order to continue his way of life, Paul was forced +to draw upon the territorial revenues which his notary was laying by. At +this critical moment, seized by one of the so-called virtuous impulses, +he determined to leave Paris, return to Bordeaux, regulate his affairs, +lead the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac, improve his property, +marry, and become, in the end, a deputy. + +Paul was a count; nobility was once more of matrimonial value; he could, +and he ought to make a good marriage. While many women desire a title, +many others like to marry a man to whom a knowledge of life is familiar. +Now Paul had acquired, in exchange for the sum of seven hundred thousand +francs squandered in six years, that possession, which cannot be bought +and is practically of more value than gold and silver; a knowledge +which exacts long study, probation, examinations, friends, enemies, +acquaintances, certain manners, elegance of form and demeanor, a +graceful and euphonious name,--a knowledge, moreover, which means +many love-affairs, duels, bets lost on a race-course, disillusions, +deceptions, annoyances, toils, and a vast variety of undigested +pleasures. In short, he had become what is called elegant. But in spite +of his mad extravagance he had never made himself a mere fashionable +man. In the burlesque army of men of the world, the man of fashion holds +the place of a marshal of France, the man of elegance is the equivalent +of a lieutenant-general. Paul enjoyed his lesser reputation, +of elegance, and knew well how to sustain it. His servants were +well-dressed, his equipages were cited, his suppers had a certain vogue; +in short, his bachelor establishment was counted among the seven or +eight whose splendor equalled that of the finest houses in Paris. + +But--he had not caused the wretchedness of any woman; he gambled without +losing; his luck was not notorious; he was far too upright to deceive +or mislead any one, no matter who, even a wanton; never did he leave +his billets-doux lying about, and he possessed no coffer or desk for +love-letters which his friends were at liberty to read while he tied +his cravat or trimmed his beard. Moreover, not willing to dip into his +Guienne property, he had not that bold extravagance which leads to great +strokes and calls attention at any cost to the proceedings of a young +man. Neither did he borrow money, but he had the folly to lend to +friends, who then deserted him and spoke of him no more either for good +or evil. He seemed to have regulated his dissipations methodically. The +secret of his character lay in his father’s tyranny, which had made him, +as it were, a social mongrel. + +So, one morning, he said to a friend named de Marsay, who afterwards +became celebrated:-- + +“My dear fellow, life has a meaning.” + +“You must be twenty-seven years of age before you can find it out,” + replied de Marsay, laughing. + +“Well, I am twenty-seven; and precisely because I am twenty-seven I mean +to live the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac. I’ll transport +my belongings to Bordeaux into my father’s old mansion, and I’ll spend +three months of the year in Paris in this house, which I shall keep.” + +“Will you marry?” + +“I will marry.” + +“I’m your friend, as you know, my old Paul,” said de Marsay, after a +moment’s silence, “and I say to you: settle down into a worthy father +and husband and you’ll be ridiculous for the rest of your days. If you +could be happy and ridiculous, the thing might be thought of; but +you will not be happy. You haven’t a strong enough wrist to drive a +household. I’ll do you justice and say you are a perfect horseman; no +one knows as well as you how to pick up or thrown down the reins, and +make a horse prance, and sit firm to the saddle. But, my dear fellow, +marriage is another thing. I see you now, led along at a slapping +pace by Madame la Comtesse de Manerville, going whither you would not, +oftener at a gallop than a trot, and presently unhorsed!--yes, unhorsed +into a ditch and your legs broken. Listen to me. You still have some +forty-odd thousand francs a year from your property in the Gironde. +Good. Take your horses and servants and furnish your house in Bordeaux; +you can be king of Bordeaux, you can promulgate there the edicts that +we put forth in Paris; you can be the correspondent of our stupidities. +Very good. Play the rake in the provinces; better still, commit follies; +follies may win you celebrity. But--don’t marry. Who marries now-a-days? +Only merchants, for the sake of their capital, or to be two to drag the +cart; only peasants who want to produce children to work for them; only +brokers and notaries who want a wife’s ‘dot’ to pay for their practice; +only miserable kings who are forced to continue their miserable +dynasties. But we are exempt from the pack, and you want to shoulder it! +And why DO you want to marry? You ought to give your best friend +your reasons. In the first place, if you marry an heiress as rich as +yourself, eighty thousand francs a year for two is not the same thing as +forty thousand francs a year for one, because the two are soon three or +four when the children come. You haven’t surely any love for that silly +race of Manerville which would only hamper you? Are you ignorant of what +a father and mother have to be? Marriage, my old Paul, is the silliest +of all the social immolations; our children alone profit by it, and +don’t know its price until their horses are nibbling the flowers on our +grave. Do you regret your father, that old tyrant who made your first +years wretched? How can you be sure that your children will love you? +The very care you take of their education, your precautions for their +happiness, your necessary sternness will lessen their affection. +Children love a weak or a prodigal father, whom they will despise in +after years. You’ll live betwixt fear and contempt. No man is a good +head of a family merely because he wants to be. Look round on all our +friends and name to me one whom you would like to have for a son. We +have known a good many who dishonor their names. Children, my dear Paul, +are the most difficult kind of merchandise to take care of. Yours, you +think, will be angels; well, so be it! Have you ever sounded the gulf +which lies between the lives of a bachelor and a married man? Listen. As +a bachelor you can say to yourself: ‘I shall never exhibit more than +a certain amount of the ridiculous; the public will think of me what +I choose it to think.’ Married, you’ll drop into the infinitude of the +ridiculous! Bachelor, you can make your own happiness; you enjoy some +to-day, you do without it to-morrow; married, you must take it as it +comes; and the day you want it you will have to go without it. Marry, +and you’ll grow a blockhead; you’ll calculate dowries; you’ll talk +morality, public and religious; you’ll think young men immoral and +dangerous; in short, you’ll become a social academician. It’s pitiable! +The old bachelor whose property the heirs are waiting for, who fights +to his last breath with his nurse for a spoonful of drink, is blest in +comparison with a married man. I’m not speaking of all that will +happen to annoy, bore, irritate, coerce, oppose, tyrannize, narcotize, +paralyze, and idiotize a man in marriage, in that struggle of two beings +always in one another’s presence, bound forever, who have coupled each +other under the strange impression that they were suited. No, to tell +you those things would be merely a repetition of Boileau, and we know +him by heart. Still, I’ll forgive your absurd idea if you will promise +me to marry “en grand seigneur”; to entail your property; to have two +legitimate children, to give your wife a house and household absolutely +distinct from yours; to meet her only in society, and never to return +from a journey without sending her a courier to announce it. Two hundred +thousand francs a year will suffice for such a life and your antecedents +will enable you to marry some rich English woman hungry for a title. +That’s an aristocratic life which seems to me thoroughly French; the +only life in which we can retain the respect and friendship of a woman; +the only life which distinguishes a man from the present crowd,--in +short, the only life for which a young man should even think of +resigning his bachelor blessings. Thus established, the Comte de +Manerville may advise his epoch, place himself above the world, and be +nothing less than a minister or an ambassador. Ridicule can never touch +him; he has gained the social advantages of marriage while keeping all +the privileges of a bachelor.” + +“But, my good friend, I am not de Marsay; I am plainly, as you yourself +do me the honor to say, Paul de Manerville, worthy father and husband, +deputy of the Centre, possibly peer of France,--a destiny extremely +commonplace; but I am modest and I resign myself.” + +“Yes, but your wife,” said the pitiless de Marsay, “will she resign +herself?” + +“My wife, my dear fellow, will do as I wish.” + +“Ah! my poor friend, is that where you are? Adieu, Paul. Henceforth, I +refuse to respect you. One word more, however, for I cannot agree coldly +to your abdication. Look and see in what the strength of our position +lies. A bachelor with only six thousand francs a year remaining to him +has at least his reputation for elegance and the memory of success. +Well, even that fantastic shadow has enormous value in it. Life still +offers many chances to the unmarried man. Yes, he can aim at anything. +But marriage, Paul, is the social ‘Thus far shalt thou go and no +farther.’ Once married you can never be anything but what you then +are--unless your wife should deign to care for you.” + +“But,” said Paul, “you are crushing me down with exceptional theories. I +am tired of living for others; of having horses merely to exhibit them; +of doing all things for the sake of what may be said of them; of wasting +my substance to keep fools from crying out: ‘Dear, dear! Paul is still +driving the same carriage. What has he done with his fortune? Does +he squander it? Does he gamble at the Bourse? No, he’s a millionaire. +Madame such a one is mad about him. He sent to England for a harness +which is certainly the handsomest in all Paris. The four-horse +equipages of Messieurs de Marsay and de Manerville were much noticed +at Longchamps; the harness was perfect’--in short, the thousand silly +things with which a crowd of idiots lead us by the nose. Believe me, my +dear Henri, I admire your power, but I don’t envy it. You know how to +judge of life; you think and act as a statesman; you are able to place +yourself above all ordinary laws, received ideas, adopted conventions, +and acknowledged prejudices; in short, you can grasp the profits of +a situation in which I should find nothing but ill-luck. Your cool, +systematic, possibly true deductions are, to the eyes of the masses, +shockingly immoral. I belong to the masses. I must play my game of life +according to the rules of the society in which I am forced to live. +While putting yourself above all human things on peaks of ice, you still +have feelings; but as for me, I should freeze to death. The life of that +great majority, to which I belong in my commonplace way, is made up +of emotions of which I now have need. Often a man coquets with a dozen +women and obtains none. Then, whatever be his strength, his cleverness, +his knowledge of the world, he undergoes convulsions, in which he is +crushed as between two gates. For my part, I like the peaceful chances +and changes of life; I want that wholesome existence in which we find a +woman always at our side.” + +“A trifle indecorous, your marriage!” exclaimed de Marsay. + +Paul was not to be put out of countenance, and continued: “Laugh if you +like; I shall feel myself a happy man when my valet enters my room +in the morning and says: ‘Madame is awaiting monsieur for breakfast’; +happier still at night, when I return to find a heart--” + +“Altogether indecorous, my dear Paul. You are not yet moral enough to +marry.” + +“--a heart in which to confide my interests and my secrets. I wish +to live in such close union with a woman that our affection shall not +depend upon a yes or a no, or be open to the disillusions of love. In +short, I have the necessary courage to become, as you say, a worthy +husband and father. I feel myself fitted for family joys; I wish to put +myself under the conditions prescribed by society; I desire to have a +wife and children.” + +“You remind me of a hive of honey-bees! But go your way, you’ll be a +dupe all your life. Ha, ha! you wish to marry to have a wife! In other +words, you wish to solve satisfactorily to your own profit the most +difficult problem invented by those bourgeois morals which were created +by the French Revolution; and, what is more, you mean to begin your +attempt by a life of retirement. Do you think your wife won’t crave the +life you say you despise? Will _she_ be disgusted with it, as you are? +If you won’t accept the noble conjugality just formulated for your +benefit by your friend de Marsay, listen, at any rate, to his final +advice. Remain a bachelor for the next thirteen years; amuse yourself +like a lost soul; then, at forty, on your first attack of gout, marry a +widow of thirty-six. Then you may possibly be happy. If you now take a +young girl to wife, you’ll die a madman.” + +“Ah ca! tell me why!” cried Paul, somewhat piqued. + +“My dear fellow,” replied de Marsay, “Boileau’s satire against women is +a tissue of poetical commonplaces. Why shouldn’t women have defects? Why +condemn them for having the most obvious thing in human nature? To my +mind, the problem of marriage is not at all at the point where Boileau +puts it. Do you suppose that marriage is the same thing as love, and +that being a man suffices to make a wife love you? Have you gathered +nothing in your boudoir experience but pleasant memories? I tell you +that everything in our bachelor life leads to fatal errors in the +married man unless he is a profound observer of the human heart. In the +happy days of his youth a man, by the caprice of our customs, is always +lucky; he triumphs over women who are all ready to be triumphed over +and who obey their own desires. One thing after another--the obstacles +created by the laws, the sentiments and natural defences of women--all +engender a mutuality of sensations which deceives superficial persons as +to their future relations in marriage, where obstacles no longer exist, +where the wife submits to love instead of permitting it, and frequently +repulses pleasure instead of desiring it. Then, the whole aspect of a +man’s life changes. The bachelor, who is free and without a care, need +never fear repulsion; in marriage, repulsion is almost certain and +irreparable. It may be possible for a lover to make a woman reverse an +unfavorable decision, but such a change, my dear Paul, is the Waterloo +of husbands. Like Napoleon, the husband is thenceforth condemned to +victories which, in spite of their number, do not prevent the first +defeat from crushing him. The woman, so flattered by the perseverance, +so delighted with the ardor of a lover, calls the same things brutality +in a husband. You, who talk of marrying, and who will marry, have you +ever meditated on the Civil Code? I myself have never muddied my feet +in that hovel of commentators, that garret of gossip, called the +Law-school. I have never so much as opened the Code; but I see its +application on the vitals of society. The Code, my dear Paul, makes +woman a ward; it considers her a child, a minor. Now how must we govern +children? By fear. In that one word, Paul, is the curb of the +beast. Now, feel your own pulse! Have you the strength to play the +tyrant,--you, so gentle, so kind a friend, so confiding; you, at whom +I have laughed, but whom I love, and love enough to reveal to you my +science? For this is science. Yes, it proceeds from a science which +the Germans are already calling Anthropology. Ah! if I had not already +solved the mystery of life by pleasure, if I had not a profound +antipathy for those who think instead of act, if I did not despise the +ninnies who are silly enough to believe in the truth of a book, when +the sands of the African deserts are made of the ashes of I know not +how many unknown and pulverized Londons, Romes, Venices, and Parises, I +would write a book on modern marriages made under the influence of the +Christian system, and I’d stick a lantern on that heap of sharp stones +among which lie the votaries of the social ‘multiplicamini.’ But the +question is, Does humanity require even an hour of my time? And besides, +isn’t the more reasonable use of ink that of snaring hearts by writing +love-letters?--Well, shall you bring the Comtesse de Manerville here, +and let us see her?” + +“Perhaps,” said Paul. + +“We shall still be friends,” said de Marsay. + +“If--” replied Paul. + +“Don’t be uneasy; we will treat you politely, as Maison-Rouge treated +the English at Fontenoy.” + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE PINK OF FASHION + + +Though the foregoing conversation affected the Comte de Manerville +somewhat, he made it a point of duty to carry out his intentions, and he +returned to Bordeaux during the winter of the year 1821. + +The expenses he incurred in restoring and furnishing his family mansion +sustained the reputation for elegance which had preceded him. Introduced +through his former connections to the royalist society of Bordeaux, to +which he belonged as much by his personal opinions as by his name and +fortune, he soon obtained a fashionable pre-eminence. His knowledge +of life, his manners, his Parisian acquirements enchanted the Faubourg +Saint-Germain of Bordeaux. An old marquise made use of a term formerly +in vogue at court to express the flowery beauty of the fops and beaux of +the olden time, whose language and demeanor were social laws: she called +him “the pink of fashion.” The liberal clique caught up the word and +used it satirically as a nickname, while the royalist party continued to +employ it in good faith. + +Paul de Manerville acquitted himself gloriously of the obligations +imposed by his flowery title. It happened to him, as to many a mediocre +actor, that the day when the public granted him their full attention he +became, one may almost say, superior. Feeling at his ease, he displayed +the fine qualities which accompanied his defects. His wit had +nothing sharp or bitter in it; his manners were not supercilious; his +intercourse with women expressed the respect they like,--it was neither +too deferential, nor too familiar; his foppery went no farther than a +care for his personal appearance which made him agreeable; he showed +consideration for rank; he allowed young men a certain freedom, to which +his Parisian experience assigned due limits; though skilful with sword +and pistol, he was noted for a feminine gentleness for which others were +grateful. His medium height and plumpness (which had not yet increased +into obesity, an obstacle to personal elegance) did not prevent his +outer man from playing the part of a Bordelais Brummell. A white skin +tinged with the hues of health, handsome hands and feet, blue eyes with +long lashes, black hair, graceful motions, a chest voice which kept to +its middle tones and vibrated in the listener’s heart, harmonized well +with his sobriquet. Paul was indeed that delicate flower which needs +such careful culture, the qualities of which display themselves only in +a moist and suitable soil,--a flower which rough treatment dwarfs, which +the hot sun burns, and a frost lays low. He was one of those men made +to receive happiness, rather than to give it; who have something of the +woman in their nature, wishing to be divined, understood, encouraged; in +short, a man to whom conjugal love ought to come as a providence. + +If such a character creates difficulties in private life, it is gracious +and full of attraction for the world. Consequently, Paul had great +success in the narrow social circle of the provinces, where his mind, +always, so to speak, in half-tints, was better appreciated than in +Paris. + +The arrangement of his house and the restoration of the chateau de +Lanstrac, where he introduced the comfort and luxury of an English +country-house, absorbed the capital saved by the notary during the +preceding six years. Reduced now to his strict income of forty-odd +thousand a year, he thought himself wise and prudent in so regulating +his household as not to exceed it. + +After publicly exhibiting his equipages, entertaining the most +distinguished young men of the place, and giving various hunting parties +on the estate at Lanstrac, Paul saw very plainly that provincial life +would never do without marriage. Too young to employ his time in +miserly occupations, or in trying to interest himself in the speculative +improvements in which provincials sooner or later engage (compelled +thereto by the necessity of establishing their children), he soon felt +the need of that variety of distractions a habit of which becomes +at last the very life of a Parisian. A name to preserve, property to +transmit to heirs, social relations to be created by a household +where the principal families of the neighborhood could assemble, and +a weariness of all irregular connections, were not, however, the +determining reasons of his matrimonial desires. From the time he first +returned to the provinces he had been secretly in love with the queen of +Bordeaux, the great beauty, Mademoiselle Evangelista. + +About the beginning of the century, a rich Spaniard, named Evangelista, +established himself in Bordeaux, where his letters of recommendation, +as well as his large fortune, gave him an entrance to the salons of +the nobility. His wife contributed greatly to maintain him in the good +graces of an aristocracy which may perhaps have adopted him in the first +instance merely to pique the society of the class below them. Madame +Evangelista, who belonged to the Casa-Reale, an illustrious family of +Spain, was a Creole, and, like all women served by slaves, she lived as +a great lady, knew nothing of the value of money, repressed no whims, +even the most expensive, finding them ever satisfied by an adoring +husband who generously concealed from her knowledge the running-gear of +the financial machine. Happy in finding her pleased with Bordeaux, where +his interests obliged him to live, the Spaniard bought a house, set up a +household, received in much style, and gave many proofs of possessing a +fine taste in all things. Thus, from 1800 to 1812, Monsieur and Madame +Evangelista were objects of great interest to the community of Bordeaux. + +The Spaniard died in 1813, leaving his wife a widow at thirty-two years +of age, with an immense fortune and the prettiest little girl in the +world, a child of eleven, who promised to be, and did actually become, +a most accomplished young woman. Clever as Madame Evangelista was, the +Restoration altered her position; the royalist party cleared its ranks +and several of the old families left Bordeaux. Though the head and hand +of her husband were lacking in the direction of her affairs, for which +she had hitherto shown the indifference of a Creole and the inaptitude +of a lackadaisical woman, she was determined to make no change in her +manner of living. At the period when Paul resolved to return to his +native town, Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista was a remarkably beautiful +young girl, and, apparently, the richest match in Bordeaux, where the +steady diminution of her mother’s capital was unknown. In order to +prolong her reign, Madame Evangelista had squandered enormous sums. +Brilliant fetes and the continuation of an almost regal style of living +kept the public in its past belief as to the wealth of the Spanish +family. + +Natalie was now in her nineteenth year, but no proposal of marriage +had as yet reached her mother’s ear. Accustomed to gratify her fancies, +Mademoiselle Evangelista wore cashmeres and jewels, and lived in a style +of luxury which alarmed all speculative suitors in a region and at a +period when sons were as calculating as their parents. The fatal remark, +“None but a prince can afford to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista,” + circulated among the salons and the cliques. Mothers of families, +dowagers who had granddaughters to establish, young girls jealous of +Natalie, whose elegance and tyrannical beauty annoyed them, took pains +to envenom this opinion with treacherous remarks. When they heard a +possible suitor say with ecstatic admiration, as Natalie entered a +ball-room, “Heavens, how beautiful she is!” “Yes,” the mammas would +answer, “but expensive.” If some new-comer thought Mademoiselle +Evangelista bewitching and said to a marriageable man that he couldn’t +do it better, “Who would be bold enough,” some woman would reply, “to +marry a girl whose mother gives her a thousand francs a month for her +toilet,--a girl who has horses and a maid of her own, and wears laces? +Yes, her ‘peignoirs’ are trimmed with mechlin. The price of her washing +would support the household of a clerk. She wears pelerines in the +morning which actually cost six francs to get up.” + +These, and other speeches said occasionally in the form of praise +extinguished the desires that some men might have had to marry the +beautiful Spanish girl. Queen of every ball, accustomed to flattery, +“blasee” with the smiles and the admiration which followed her every +step, Natalie, nevertheless, knew nothing of life. She lived as the +bird which flies, as the flower that blooms, finding every one about her +eager to do her will. She was ignorant of the price of things; she +knew neither the value of money, nor whence it came, how it should be +managed, and how spent. Possibly she thought that every household had +cooks and coachmen, lady’s-maids and footmen, as the fields have hay and +the trees their fruits. To her, beggars and paupers, fallen trees and +waste lands seemed in the same category. Pampered and petted as her +mother’s hope, no fatigue was allowed to spoil her pleasure. Thus she +bounded through life as a courser on his steppe, unbridled and unshod. + +Six month’s after Paul’s arrival the Pink of Fashion and the Queen of +Balls met in presence of the highest society of the town of Bordeaux. +The two flowers looked at each other with apparent coldness, and +mutually thought each other charming. Interested in watching the effects +of the meeting, Madame Evangelista divined in the expression of Paul’s +eyes the feelings within him, and she muttered to herself, “He will be +my son-in-law.” Paul, on the other hand, said to himself, as he looked +at Natalie, “She will be my wife.” + +The wealth of the Evangelistas, proverbial in Bordeaux, had remained in +Paul’s mind as a memory of his childhood. Thus the pecuniary conditions +were known to him from the start, without necessitating those +discussions and inquiries which are as repugnant to a timid mind as to a +proud one. When some persons attempting to say to Paul a few flattering +phrases as to Natalie’s manner, language, and beauty, ending by remarks, +cruelly calculated to deter him, on the lavish extravagance of the +Evangelistas, the Pink of Fashion replied with a disdain that was +well-deserved by such provincial pettiness. This method of receiving +such speeches soon silenced them; for he now set the tone to the ideas +and language as well as to the manners of those about him. He had +imported from his travels a certain development of the Britannic +personality with its icy barriers, also a tone of Byronic pessimism +as to life, together with English plate, boot-polish, ponies, yellow +gloves, cigars, and the habit of galloping. + +It thus happened that Paul escaped the discouragements hitherto +presented to marriageable men by dowagers and young girls. Madame +Evangelista began by asking him to formal dinners on various occasions. +The Pink of Fashion would not, of course, miss festivities to which none +but the most distinguished young men of the town were bidden. In spite +of the coldness that Paul assumed, which deceived neither mother +nor daughter, he was drawn, step by step, into the path of marriage. +Sometimes as he passed in his tilbury, or rode by on his fine English +horse, he heard the young men of his acquaintance say to one another:-- + +“There’s a lucky man. He is rich and handsome, and is to marry, so they +say, Mademoiselle Evangelista. There are some men for whom the world +seems made.” + +When he met the Evangelistas he felt proud of the particular distinction +which mother and daughter imparted to their bows. If Paul had not +secretly, within his heart, fallen in love with Mademoiselle Natalie, +society would certainly have married him to her in spite of himself. +Society, which never causes good, is the accomplice of much evil; then +when it beholds the evil it has hatched maternally, it rejects and +revenges it. Society in Bordeaux, attributing a “dot” of a million to +Mademoiselle Evangelista, bestowed it upon Paul without awaiting the +consent of either party. Their fortunes, so it was said, agreed as well +as their persons. Paul had the same habits of luxury and elegance in +the midst of which Natalie had been brought up. He had just arranged for +himself a house such as no other man in Bordeaux could have offered her. +Accustomed to Parisian expenses and the caprices of Parisian women, he +alone was fitted to meet the pecuniary difficulties which were likely to +follow this marriage with a girl who was as much of a Creole and a great +lady as her mother. Where they themselves, remarked the marriageable +men, would have been ruined, the Comte de Manerville, rich as he was, +could evade disaster. In short, the marriage was made. Persons in +the highest royalist circles said a few engaging words to Paul which +flattered his vanity:-- + +“Every one gives you Mademoiselle Evangelista. If you marry her you will +do well. You could not find, even in Paris, a more delightful girl. She +is beautiful, graceful, elegant, and takes after the Casa-Reales through +her mother. You will make a charming couple; you have the same tastes, +the same desires in life, and you will certainly have the most agreeable +house in Bordeaux. Your wife need only bring her night-cap; all is ready +for her. You are fortunate indeed in such a mother-in-law. A woman of +intelligence, and very adroit, she will be a great help to you in +public life, to which you ought to aspire. Besides, she has sacrificed +everything to her daughter, whom she adores, and Natalie will, no doubt, +prove a good wife, for she loves her mother. You must soon bring the +matter to a conclusion.” + +“That is all very well,” replied Paul, who, in spite of his love, was +desirous of keeping his freedom of action, “but I must be sure that the +conclusion shall be a happy one.” + +He now went frequently to Madame Evangelista’s, partly to occupy his +vacant hours, which were harder for him to employ than for most men. +There alone he breathed the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury to which +he was accustomed. + +At forty years of age, Madame Evangelista was beautiful, with the +beauty of those glorious summer sunsets which crown a cloudless day. Her +spotless reputation had given an endless topic of conversation to the +Bordeaux cliques; the curiosity of the women was all the more lively +because the widow gave signs of the temperament which makes a Spanish +woman and a Creole particularly noted. She had black eyes and hair, the +feet and form of a Spanish woman,--that swaying form the movements of +which have a name in Spain. Her face, still beautiful, was particularly +seductive for its Creole complexion, the vividness of which can be +described only by comparing it to muslin overlying crimson, so equally +is the whiteness suffused with color. Her figure, which was full and +rounded, attracted the eye by a grace which united nonchalance with +vivacity, strength with ease. She attracted and she imposed, she +seduced, but promised nothing. She was tall, which gave her at times +the air and carriage of a queen. Men were taken by her conversation +like birds in a snare; for she had by nature that genius which necessity +bestows on schemes; she advanced from concession to concession, +strengthening herself with what she gained to ask for more, knowing +well how to retreat with rapid steps when concessions were demanded in +return. Though ignorant of facts, she had known the courts of Spain +and Naples, the celebrated men of the two Americas, many illustrious +families of England and the continent, all of which gave her so +extensive an education superficially that it seemed immense. She +received her society with the grace and dignity which are never learned, +but which come to certain naturally fine spirits like a second nature; +assimilating choice things wherever they are met. If her reputation +for virtue was unexplained, it gave at any rate much authority to her +actions, her conversation, and her character. + +Mother and daughter had a true friendship for each other, beyond the +filial and maternal sentiment. They suited one another, and their +perpetual contact had never produced the slightest jar. Consequently +many persons explained Madame Evangelista’s actions by maternal love. +But although Natalie consoled her mother’s persistent widowhood, she may +not have been the only motive for it. Madame Evangelista had been, it +was said, in love with a man who recovered his titles and property +under the Restoration. This man, desirous of marrying her in 1814 had +discreetly severed the connection in 1816. Madame Evangelista, to all +appearance the best-hearted woman in the world, had, in the depths of +her nature, a fearful quality, explainable only by Catherine de Medici’s +device: “Odiate e aspettate”--“Hate and wait.” Accustomed to rule, +having always been obeyed, she was like other royalties, amiable, +gentle, easy and pleasant in ordinary life, but terrible, implacable, +if the pride of the woman, the Spaniard, and the Casa-Reale was touched. +She never forgave. This woman believed in the power of her hatred; she +made an evil fate of it and bade it hover above her enemy. This fatal +power she employed against the man who had jilted her. Events which +seemed to prove the influence of her “jettatura”--the casting of an evil +eye--confirmed her superstitious faith in herself. Though a minister and +peer of France, this man began to ruin himself, and soon came to total +ruin. His property, his personal and public honor were doomed to perish. +At this crisis Madame Evangelista in her brilliant equipage passed her +faithless lover walking on foot in the Champes Elysees, and crushed him +with a look which flamed with triumph. This misadventure, which occupied +her mind for two years, was the original cause of her not remarrying. +Later, her pride had drawn comparisons between the suitors who presented +themselves and the husband who had loved her so sincerely and so well. + +She had thus reached, through mistaken calculations and disappointed +hopes, that period of life when women have no other part to take in life +than that of mother; a part which involves the sacrifice of themselves +to their children, the placing of their interests outside of self upon +another household,--the last refuge of human affections. + +Madame Evangelista divined Paul’s nature intuitively, and hid her own +from his perception. Paul was the very man she desired for a son-in-law, +for the responsible editor of her future power. He belonged, through his +mother, to the family of Maulincour, and the old Baronne de Maulincour, +the friend of the Vidame de Pamiers, was then living in the centre of +the faubourg Saint-Germain. The grandson of the baroness, Auguste de +Maulincour, held a fine position in the army. Paul would therefore be +an excellent introducer for the Evangelistas into Parisian society. The +widow had known something of the Paris of the Empire, she now desired to +shine in the Paris of the Restoration. There alone were the elements of +political fortune, the only business in which women of the world could +decently co-operate. Madame Evangelista, compelled by her husband’s +affairs to reside in Bordeaux, disliked the place. She desired a wider +field, as gamblers rush to higher stakes. For her own personal ends, +therefore, she looked to Paul as a means of destiny, she proposed to +employ the resources of her own talent and knowledge of life to advance +her son-in-law, in order to enjoy through him the delights of power. +Many men are thus made the screens of secret feminine ambitions. Madame +Evangelista had, however, more than one interest, as we shall see, in +laying hold of her daughter’s husband. + +Paul was naturally captivated by this woman, who charmed him all the +more because she seemed to seek no influence over him. In reality she +was using her ascendancy to magnify herself, her daughter, and all her +surroundings in his eyes, for the purpose of ruling from the start the +man in whom she saw a means of gratifying her social longings. Paul, on +the other hand, began to value himself more highly when he felt himself +appreciated by the mother and daughter. He thought himself much cleverer +than he really was when he found his reflections and sayings accepted +and understood by Mademoiselle Natalie--who raised her head and smiled +in response to them--and by the mother, whose flattery always seemed +involuntary. The two women were so kind and friendly to him, he was so +sure of pleasing them, they ruled him so delightfully by holding the +thread of his self-love, that he soon passed all his time at the hotel +Evangelista. + +A year after his return to Bordeaux, Comte Paul, without having declared +himself, was so attentive to Natalie that the world considered him as +courting her. Neither mother nor daughter appeared to be thinking of +marriage. Mademoiselle Evangelista preserved towards Paul the reserve +of a great lady who can make herself charming and converse agreeably +without permitting a single step into intimacy. This reserve, so little +customary among provincials, pleased Paul immensely. Timid men are shy; +sudden proposals alarm them. They retreat from happiness when it comes +with a rush, and accept misfortune if it presents itself mildly with +gentle shadows. Paul therefore committed himself in his own mind all the +more because he saw no effort on Madame Evangelista’s part to bind him. +She fairly seduced him one evening by remarking that to superior women +as well as men there came a period of life when ambition superseded all +the earlier emotions of life. + +“That woman is fitted,” thought Paul, as he left her, “to advance me in +diplomacy before I am even made a deputy.” + +If, in all the circumstances of life a man does not turn over and over +both things and ideas in order to examine them thoroughly under their +different aspects before taking action, that man is weak and incomplete +and in danger of fatal failure. At this moment Paul was an optimist; he +saw everything to advantage, and did not tell himself than an ambitious +mother-in-law might prove a tyrant. So, every evening as he left the +house, he fancied himself a married man, allured his mind with its own +thought, and slipped on the slippers of wedlock cheerfully. In the first +place, he had enjoyed his freedom too long to regret the loss of it; he +was tired of a bachelor’s life, which offered him nothing new; he +now saw only its annoyances; whereas if he thought at times of the +difficulties of marriage, its pleasures, in which lay novelty, came far +more prominently before his mind. + +“Marriage,” he said to himself, “is disagreeable for people without +means, but half its troubles disappear before wealth.” + +Every day some favorable consideration swelled the advantages which he +now saw in this particular alliance. + +“No matter to what position I attain, Natalie will always be on the +level of her part,” thought he, “and that is no small merit in a woman. +How many of the Empire men I’ve seen who suffered horribly through their +wives! It is a great condition of happiness not to feel one’s pride or +one’s vanity wounded by the companion we have chosen. A man can never +be really unhappy with a well-bred wife; she will never make him +ridiculous; such a woman is certain to be useful to him. Natalie will +receive in her own house admirably.” + +So thinking, he taxed his memory as to the most distinguished women of +the faubourg Saint-Germain, in order to convince himself that Natalie +could, if not eclipse them, at any rate stand among them on a footing of +perfect equality. All comparisons were to her advantage, for they rested +on his own imagination, which followed his desires. Paris would have +shown him daily other natures, young girls of other styles of beauty and +charm, and the multiplicity of impressions would have balanced his mind; +whereas in Bordeaux Natalie had no rivals, she was the solitary flower; +moreover, she appeared to him at a moment when Paul was under the +tyranny of an idea to which most men succumb at his age. + +Thus these reasons of propinquity, joined to reasons of self-love and a +real passion which had no means of satisfaction except by marriage, led +Paul on to an irrational love, which he had, however, the good sense to +keep to himself. He even endeavored to study Mademoiselle Evangelista +as a man should who desires not to compromise his future life; for the +words of his friend de Marsay did sometimes rumble in his ears like a +warning. But, in the first place, persons accustomed to luxury have a +certain indifference to it which misleads them. They despise it, they +use it; it is an instrument, and not the object of their existence. Paul +never imagined, as he observed the habits of life of the two ladies, +that they covered a gulf of ruin. Then, though there may exist some +general rules to soften the asperities of marriage, there are none by +which they can be accurately foreseen and evaded. When trouble arises +between two persons who have undertaken to render life agreeable and +easy to each other, it comes from the contact of continual intimacy, +which, of course, does not exist between young people before they marry, +and will never exist so long as our present social laws and customs +prevail in France. All is more or less deception between the two young +persons about to take each other for life,--an innocent and involuntary +deception, it is true. Each endeavors to appear in a favorable light; +both take a tone and attitude conveying a more favorable idea of their +nature than they are able to maintain in after years. Real life, like +the weather, is made up of gray and cloudy days alternating with those +when the sun shines and the fields are gay. Young people, however, +exhibit fine weather and no clouds. Later they attribute to marriage the +evils inherent in life itself; for there is in man a disposition to lay +the blame of his own misery on the persons and things that surround him. + +To discover in the demeanor, or the countenance, or the words, or the +gestures of Mademoiselle Evangelista any indication that revealed the +imperfections of her character, Paul must have possessed not only the +knowledge of Lavater and Gall, but also a science in which there exists +no formula of doctrine,--the individual and personal science of an +observer, which, for its perfection, requires an almost universal +knowledge. Natalie’s face, like that of most young girls, was +impenetrable. The deep, serene peace given by sculptors to the virgin +faces of Justice and Innocence, divinities aloof from all earthly +agitations, is the greatest charm of a young girl, the sign of her +purity. Nothing, as yet, has stirred her; no shattered passion, no hope +betrayed has clouded the placid expression of that pure face. Is that +expression assumed? If so, there is no young girl behind it. + +Natalie, closely held to the heart of her mother, had received, like +other Spanish women, an education that was solely religious, together +with a few instructions from her mother as to the part in life she was +called upon to play. Consequently, the calm, untroubled expression of +her face was natural. And yet it formed a casing in which the woman +was wrapped as the moth in its cocoon. Nevertheless, any man clever at +handling the scalpel of analysis might have detected in Natalie certain +indications of the difficulties her character would present when brought +into contact with conjugal or social life. Her beauty, which was really +marvellous, came from extreme regularity of feature harmonizing with the +proportions of the head and the body. This species of perfection augurs +ill for the mind; and there are few exceptions to the rule. All superior +nature is found to have certain slight imperfections of form which +become irresistible attractions, luminous points from which shine vivid +sentiments, and on which the eye rests gladly. Perfect harmony expresses +usually the coldness of a mixed organization. + +Natalie’s waist was round,--a sign of strength, but also the infallible +indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons whose mind +is neither keen nor broad. Her hands, like those of a Greek statue, +confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an inclination +for illogical domination, of willing for will’s sake only. Her eyebrows +met,--a sign, according to some observers, which indicates jealousy. The +jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation and leads to great things; +that of small minds turns to hatred. The “hate and wait” of her mother +was in her nature, without disguise. Her eyes were black apparently, +though really brown with orange streaks, contrasting with her hair, +of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans, called auburn in England, a +color which often appears in the offspring of persons of jet black hair, +like that of Monsieur and Madame Evangelista. The whiteness and delicacy +of Natalie’s complexion gave to the contrast of color in her eyes and +hair an inexpressible charm; and yet it was a charm that was purely +external; for whenever the lines of a face are lacking in a certain +soft roundness, whatever may be the finish and grace of the details, the +beauty therein expressed is not of the soul. These roses of deceptive +youth will drop their leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years +to see hardness and dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the +beauty of noble qualities. + +Though the outlines of Natalie’s face had something august about them, +her chin was slightly “empate,”--a painter’s expression which will serve +to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would only +become manifest in after life. Her mouth, a trifle drawn in, expressed +a haughty pride in keeping with her hand, her chin, her brows, and her +beautiful figure. And--as a last diagnostic to guide the judgment of a +connoisseur--Natalie’s pure voice, a most seductive voice, had certain +metallic tones. Softly as that brassy ring was managed, and in spite of +the grace with which its sounds ran through the compass of the voice, +that organ revealed the character of the Duke of Alba, from whom the +Casa-Reales were collaterally descended. These indications were those +of violent passions without tenderness, sudden devotions, irreconcilable +dislikes, a mind without intelligence, and the desire to rule natural to +persons who feel themselves inferior to their pretensions. + +These defects, born of temperament and constitution, were buried in +Natalie like ore in a mine, and would only appear under the shocks and +harsh treatment to which all characters are subjected in this world. +Meantime the grace and freshness of her youth, the distinction of her +manners, her sacred ignorance, and the sweetness of a young girl, gave +a delicate glamour to her features which could not fail to mislead an +unthinking or superficial mind. Her mother had early taught her the +trick of agreeable talk which appears to imply superiority, replying +to arguments by clever jests, and attracting by the graceful volubility +beneath which a woman hides the subsoil of her mind, as Nature disguises +her barren strata beneath a wealth of ephemeral vegetation. Natalie had +the charm of children who have never known what it is to suffer. She +charmed by her frankness, and had none of that solemn air which mothers +impose on their daughters by laying down a programme of behavior and +language until the time comes when they marry and are emancipated. She +was gay and natural, like any young girl who knows nothing of marriage, +expects only pleasure from it, replies to all objections with a jest, +foresees no troubles, and thinks she is acquiring the right to have her +own way. + +How could Paul, who loved as men love when desire increases love, +perceive in a girl of this nature whose beauty dazzled him, the woman, +such as she would probably be at thirty, when observers themselves have +been misled by these appearances? Besides, if happiness might prove +difficult to find in a marriage with such a girl, it was not impossible. +Through these embryo defects shone several fine qualities. There is no +good quality which, if properly developed by the hand of an able master, +will not stifle defects, especially in a young girl who loves him. But +to render ductile so intractable a woman, the iron wrist, about which de +Marsay had preached to Paul, was needful. The Parisian dandy was right. +Fear, inspired by love is an infallible instrument by which to manage +the minds of women. Whoso loves, fears; whoso fears is nearer to +affection than to hatred. + +Had Paul the coolness, firmness, and judgment required for this +struggle, which an able husband ought not to let the wife suspect? Did +Natalie love Paul? Like most young girls, Natalie mistook for love the +first emotions of instinct and the pleasure she felt in Paul’s external +appearance; but she knew nothing of the things of marriage nor +the demands of a home. To her, the Comte de Manerville, a rising +diplomatist, to whom the courts of Europe were known, and one of the +most elegant young men in Paris, could not seem, what perhaps he was, +an ordinary man, without moral force, timid, though brave in some ways, +energetic perhaps in adversity, but helpless against the vexations +and annoyances that hinder happiness. Would she, in after years, have +sufficient tact and insight to distinguish Paul’s noble qualities in the +midst of his minor defects? Would she not magnify the latter and forget +the former, after the manner of young wives who know nothing of life? +There comes a time when wives will pardon defects in the husband who +spares her annoyances, considering annoyances in the same category as +misfortunes. What conciliating power, what wise experience would uphold +and enlighten the home of this young pair? Paul and his wife would +doubtless think they loved when they had really not advanced beyond the +endearments and compliments of the honeymoon. Would Paul in that early +period yield to the tyranny of his wife, instead of establishing his +empire? Could Paul say, “No?” All was peril to a man so weak where even +a strong man ran some risks. + +The subject of this Study is not the transition of a bachelor into a +married man,--a picture which, if broadly composed, would not lack the +attraction which the inner struggles of our nature and feelings give to +the commonest situations in life. The events and the ideas which led to +the marriage of Paul with Natalie Evangelista are an introduction to +our real subject, which is to sketch the great comedy that precedes, in +France, all conjugal pairing. This Scene, until now singularly neglected +by our dramatic authors, although it offers novel resources to their +wit, controlled Paul’s future life and was now awaited by Madame +Evangelista with feelings of terror. We mean the discussion which takes +place on the subject of the marriage contract in all families, whether +noble or bourgeois, for human passions are as keenly excited by small +interests as by large ones. These comedies, played before a notary, all +resemble, more or less, the one we shall now relate, the interest of +which will be far less in the pages of this book than in the memories of +married persons. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--FIRST DAY + + +At the beginning of the winter of 1822, Paul de Manerville made a formal +request, through his great-aunt, the Baronne de Maulincour, for the hand +of Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista. Though the baroness never stayed +more than two months in Medoc, she remained on this occasion till the +last of October, in order to assist her nephew through the affair and +play the part of a mother to him. After conveying the first suggestions +to Madame Evangelista the experienced old woman returned to inform Paul +of the results of the overture. + +“My child,” she said, “the affair is won. In talking of property, I +found that Madame Evangelista gives nothing of her own to her daughter. +Mademoiselle Natalie’s dowry is her patrimony. Marry her, my dear boy. +Men who have a name and an estate to transmit, a family to continue, +must, sooner or later, end in marriage. I wish I could see my dear +Auguste taking that course. You can now carry on the marriage without +me; I have nothing to give you but my blessing, and women as old as I +are out of place at a wedding. I leave for Paris to-morrow. When you +present your wife in society I shall be able to see her and assist her +far more to the purpose than now. If you had had no house in Paris I +would gladly have arranged the second floor of mine for you.” + +“Dear aunt,” said Paul, “I thank you heartily. But what do you mean +when you say that the mother gives nothing of her own, and that the +daughter’s dowry is her patrimony?” + +“The mother, my dear boy, is a sly cat, who takes advantage of her +daughter’s beauty to impose conditions and allow you only that which she +cannot prevent you from having; namely, the daughter’s fortune from her +father. We old people know the importance of inquiring closely, What has +he? What has she? I advise you therefore to give particular instructions +to your notary. The marriage contract, my dear child, is the most sacred +of all duties. If your father and your mother had not made their +bed properly you might now be sleeping without sheets. You will have +children, they are the commonest result of marriage, and you must think +of them. Consult Maitre Mathias our old notary.” + +Madame de Maulincour departed, having plunged Paul into a state of +extreme perplexity. His mother-in-law a sly cat! Must he struggle for +his interests in the marriage contract? Was it necessary to defend them? +Who was likely to attack them? + +He followed the advice of his aunt and confided the drawing-up of the +marriage contract to Maitre Mathias. But these threatened discussions +oppressed him, and he went to see Madame Evangelista and announce his +intentions in a state of rather lively agitation. Like all timid men, he +shrank from allowing the distrust his aunt had put into his mind to be +seen; in fact, he considered it insulting. To avoid even a slight jar +with a person so imposing to his mind as his future mother-in-law, he +proceeded to state his intentions with the circumlocution natural to +persons who dare not face a difficulty. + +“Madame,” he said, choosing a moment when Natalie was absent from the +room, “you know, of course, what a family notary is. Mine is a worthy +old man, to whom it would be a sincere grief if he were not entrusted +with the drawing of my marriage contract.” + +“Why, of course!” said Madame Evangelista, interrupting him, “but are +not marriage contracts always made by agreement of the notaries of both +families?” + +The time that Paul took to reply to this question was occupied by Madame +Evangelista in asking herself, “What is he thinking of?” for women +possess in an eminent degree the art of reading thoughts from the play +of countenance. She divined the instigations of the great-aunt in the +embarrassed glance and the agitated tone of voice which betrayed an +inward struggle in Paul’s mind. + +“At last,” she thought to herself, “the fatal day has come; the crisis +begins--how will it end? My notary is Monsieur Solonet,” she said, after +a pause. “Yours, I think you said, is Monsieur Mathias; I will invite +them to dinner to-morrow, and they can come to an understanding then. It +is their business to conciliate our interests without our interference; +just as good cooks are expected to furnish good food without +instructions.” + +“Yes, you are right,” said Paul, letting a faint sigh of relief escape +from him. + +By a singular transposition of parts, Paul, innocent of all wrong-doing, +trembled, while Madame Evangelista, though a prey to the utmost anxiety, +was outwardly calm. + +The widow owed her daughter one-third of the fortune left by Monsieur +Evangelista,--namely, nearly twelve hundred thousand francs,--and she +knew herself unable to pay it, even by taking the whole of her property +to do so. She would therefore be placed at the mercy of a son-in-law. +Though she might be able to control Paul if left to himself, would he, +when enlightened by his notary, agree to release her from rendering her +account as guardian of her daughter’s patrimony? If Paul withdrew +his proposals all Bordeaux would know the reason and Natalie’s future +marriage would be made impossible. This mother, who desired the +happiness of her daughter, this woman, who from infancy had lived +honorably, was aware that on the morrow she must become dishonest. Like +those great warriors who fain would blot from their lives the moment +when they had felt a secret cowardice, she ardently desired to cut this +inevitable day from the record of hers. Most assuredly some hairs on her +head must have whitened during the night, when, face to face with facts, +she bitterly regretted her extravagance as she felt the hard necessities +of the situation. + +Among these necessities was that of confiding the truth to her notary, +for whom she sent in the morning as soon as she rose. She was forced to +reveal to him a secret defaulting she had never been willing to admit +to herself, for she had steadily advanced to the abyss, relying on some +chance accident, which never happened, to relieve her. There rose in her +soul a feeling against Paul, that was neither dislike, nor aversion, +nor anything, as yet, unkind; but HE was the cause of this crisis; the +opposing party in this secret suit; he became, without knowing it, an +innocent enemy she was forced to conquer. What human being did ever yet +love his or her dupe? Compelled to deceive and trick him if she could, +the Spanish woman resolved, like other women, to put her whole force of +character into the struggle, the dishonor of which could be absolved by +victory only. + +In the stillness of the night she excused her conduct to her own mind +by a tissue of arguments in which her pride predominated. Natalie had +shared the benefit of her extravagance. There was not a single base or +ignoble motive in what she had done. She was no accountant, but was that +a crime, a delinquency? A man was only too lucky to obtain a wife like +Natalie without a penny. Such a treasure bestowed upon him might surely +release her from a guardianship account. How many men had bought the +women they loved by greater sacrifices? Why should a man do less for +a wife than for a mistress? Besides, Paul was a nullity, a man of no +force, incapable; she would spend the best resources of her mind upon +him and open to him a fine career; he should owe his future power and +position to her influence; in that way she could pay her debt. He would +indeed be a fool to refuse such a future; and for what? a few paltry +thousands, more or less. He would be infamous if he withdrew for such a +reason. + +“But,” she added, to herself, “if the negotiation does not succeed +at once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for +Natalie by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds +and furniture,--keeping only a small income for myself.” + +When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,--as Richelieu +did at Brouage,--and holds in reserve a vigorous end, the resolution +becomes a lever which strengthens its immediate way. The thought of this +finale in case of failure comforted Madame Evangelista, who fell asleep +with all the more confidence as she remembered her assistance in the +coming duel. + +This was a young man named Solonet, considered the ablest notary in +Bordeaux; now twenty-seven years of age and decorated with the Legion +of honor for having actively contributed to the second return of +the Bourbons. Proud and happy to be received in the home of Madame +Evangelista, less as a notary than as belonging to the royalist society +of Bordeaux, Solonet had conceived for that fine setting sun one of +those passions which women like Madame Evangelista repulse, although +flattered and graciously allowing them to exist upon the surface. +Solonet remained therefore in a self-satisfied condition of hope and +becoming respect. Being sent for, he arrived the next morning with the +promptitude of a slave and was received by the coquettish widow in +her bedroom, where she allowed him to find her in a very becoming +dishabille. + +“Can I,” she said, “count upon your discretion and your entire devotion +in a discussion which will take place in my house this evening? You will +readily understand that it relates to the marriage of my daughter.” + +The young man expended himself in gallant protestations. + +“Now to the point,” she said. + +“I am listening,” he replied, checking his ardor. + +Madame Evangelista then stated her position baldly. + +“My dear lady, that is nothing to be troubled about,” said Maitre +Solonet, assuming a confident air as soon as his client had given him +the exact figures. “The question is how have you conducted yourself +toward Monsieur de Manerville? In this matter questions of manner and +deportment are of greater importance than those of law and finance.” + +Madame Evangelista wrapped herself in dignity. The notary learned to +his satisfaction that until the present moment his client’s relations +to Paul had been distant and reserved, and that partly from native pride +and partly from involuntary shrewdness she had treated the Comte de +Manerville as in some sense her inferior and as though it were an honor +for him to be allowed to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista. She assured +Solonet that neither she nor her daughter could be suspected of any +mercenary interests in the marriage; that they had the right, should +Paul make any financial difficulties, to retreat from the affair to an +illimitable distance; and finally, that she had already acquired over +her future son-in-law a very remarkable ascendancy. + +“If that is so,” said Solonet, “tell me what are the utmost concessions +you are willing to make.” + +“I wish to make as few as possible,” she answered, laughing. + +“A woman’s answer,” cried Solonet. “Madame, are you anxious to marry +Mademoiselle Natalie?” + +“Yes.” + +“And you want a receipt for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand +francs, for which you are responsible on the guardianship account which +the law obliges you to render to your son-in-law?” + +“Yes.” + +“How much do you want to keep back?” + +“Thirty thousand a year, at least.” + +“It is a question of conquer or die, is it?” + +“It is.” + +“Well, then, I must reflect on the necessary means to that end; it +will need all our cleverness to manage our forces. I will give you some +instructions on my arrival this evening; follow them carefully, and I +think I may promise you a successful issue. Is the Comte de Manerville +in love with Mademoiselle Natalie?” he asked as he rose to take leave. + +“He adores her.” + +“That is not enough. Does he desire her to the point of disregarding all +pecuniary difficulties?” + +“Yes.” + +“That’s what I call having a lien upon a daughter’s property,” cried the +notary. “Make her look her best to-night,” he added with a sly glance. + +“She has a most charming dress for the occasion.” + +“The marriage-contract dress is, in my opinion, half the battle,” said +Solonet. + +This last argument seemed so cogent to Madame Evangelista that she +superintended Natalie’s toilet herself, as much perhaps to watch +her daughter as to make her the innocent accomplice of her financial +conspiracy. + +With her hair dressed a la Sevigne and wearing a gown of white tulle +adorned with pink ribbons, Natalie seemed to her mother so beautiful +as to guarantee victory. When the lady’s-maid left the room and Madame +Evangelista was certain that no one could overhear her, she arranged a +few curls on her daughter’s head by way of exordium. + +“Dear child,” she said, in a voice that was firm apparently, “do you +sincerely love the Comte de Manerville?” + +Mother and daughter cast strange looks at each other. + +“Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than +yesterday. Why have you thrown me with him?” + +“If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the +marriage?” + +“I should give it up--and I should not die of grief.” + +“You do not love him, my dear,” said the mother, kissing her daughter’s +forehead. + +“But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?” + +“I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in +love with the husband.” + +“I love him.” + +“And you are right. He is a count; we will make him a peer of France +between us; nevertheless, there are certain difficulties.” + +“Difficulties between persons who love each other? Oh, no. The heart of +the Pink of Fashion is too firmly planted here,” she said, with a pretty +gesture, “to make the very slightest objection. I am sure of that.” + +“But suppose it were otherwise?” persisted Madame Evangelista. + +“He would be profoundly and forever forgotten,” replied Natalie. + +“Good! You are a Casa-Reale. But suppose, though he madly loves you, +suppose certain discussions and difficulties should arise, not of his +own making, but which he must decide in your interests as well as in +mine--hey, Natalie, what then? Without lowering your dignity, perhaps a +little softness in your manner might decide him--a word, a tone, a mere +nothing. Men are so made; they resist a serious argument, but they yield +to a tender look.” + +“I understand! a little touch to make my Favori leap the barrier,” said +Natalie, making the gesture of striking a horse with her whip. + +“My darling! I ask nothing that resembles seduction. You and I have +sentiments of the old Castilian honor which will never permit us to pass +certain limits. Count Paul shall know our situation.” + +“What situation?” + +“You would not understand it. But I tell you now that if after seeing +you in all your glory his look betrays the slightest hesitation,--and I +shall watch him,--on that instant I shall break off the marriage; I will +liquidate my property, leave Bordeaux, and go to Douai, to be near the +Claes. Madame Claes is our relation through the Temnincks. Then I’ll +marry you to a peer of France, and take refuge in a convent myself, that +I may give up to you my whole fortune.” + +“Mother, what am I to do to prevent such misfortunes?” cried Natalie. + +“I have never seen you so beautiful as you are now,” replied her mother. +“Be a little coquettish, and all is well.” + +Madame Evangelista left Natalie to her thoughts, and went to arrange +her own toilet in such a way that would bear comparison with that of her +daughter. If Natalie ought to make herself attractive to Paul she ought, +none the less, to inflame the ardor of her champion Solonet. The mother +and daughter were therefore under arms when Paul arrived, bearing the +bouquet which for the last few months he had daily offered to his +love. All three conversed pleasantly while awaiting the arrival of the +notaries. + +This day brought to Paul the first skirmish of that long and wearisome +warfare called marriage. It is therefore necessary to state the forces +on both sides, the position of the belligerent bodies, and the ground on +which they are about to manoeuvre. + +To maintain a struggle, the importance of which had wholly escaped him, +Paul’s only auxiliary was the old notary, Mathias. Both were about to be +confronted, unaware and defenceless, by a most unexpected circumstance; +to be pressed by an enemy whose strategy was planned, and driven to +decide on a course without having time to reflect upon it. Where is +the man who would not have succumbed, even though assisted by Cujas and +Barthole? How should he look for deceit and treachery where all seemed +compliant and natural? What could old Mathias do alone against Madame +Evangelista, against Solonet, against Natalie, especially when a client +in love goes over to the enemy as soon as the rising conflict threatens +his happiness? Already Paul was damaging his cause by making the +customary lover’s speeches, to which his passion gave excessive value +in the ears of Madame Evangelista, whose object it was to drive him to +commit himself. + +The matrimonial condottieri now about to fight for their clients, +whose personal powers were to be so vitally important in this solemn +encounter, the two notaries, on short, represent individually the old +and the new systems,--old fashioned notarial usage, and the new-fangled +modern procedure. + +Maitre Mathias was a worthy old gentleman sixty-nine years of age, who +took great pride in his forty years’ exercise of the profession. His +huge gouty feet were encased in shoes with silver buckles, making a +ridiculous termination to legs so spindling, with knees so bony, that +when he crossed them they made you think of the emblems on a tombstone. +His puny little thighs, lost in a pair of wide black breeches fastened +with buckles, seemed to bend beneath the weight of a round stomach and +a torso developed, like that of most sedentary persons, into a stout +barrel, always buttoned into a green coat with square tails, which no +man could remember to have ever seen new. His hair, well brushed and +powdered, was tied in a rat’s tail that lay between the collar of his +coat and that of his waistcoat, which was white, with a pattern of +flowers. With his round head, his face the color of a vine-leaf, his +blue eyes, a trumpet nose, a thick-lipped mouth, and a double-chin, the +dear old fellow excited, whenever he appeared among strangers who did +not know him, that satirical laugh which Frenchmen so generously bestow +on the ludicrous creations Dame Nature occasionally allows herself, +which Art delights in exaggerating under the name of caricatures. + +But in Maitre Mathias, mind had triumphed over form; the qualities of +his soul had vanquished the oddities of his body. The inhabitants of +Bordeaux, as a rule, testified a friendly respect and a deference that +was full of esteem for him. The old man’s voice went to their hearts and +sounded there with the eloquence of uprightness. His craft consisted in +going straight to the fact, overturning all subterfuge and evil devices +by plain questionings. His quick perception, his long training in his +profession gave him that divining sense which goes to the depths of +conscience and reads its secret thoughts. Though grave and deliberate in +business, the patriarch could be gay with the gaiety of our ancestors. +He could risk a song after dinner, enjoy all family festivities, +celebrate the birthdays of grandmothers and children, and bury with due +solemnity the Christmas log. He loved to send presents at New Year, +and eggs at Easter; he believed in the duties of a godfather, and never +deserted the customs which colored the life of the olden time. Maitre +Mathias was a noble and venerable relic of the notaries, obscure +great men, who gave no receipt for the millions entrusted to them, but +returned those millions in the sacks they were delivered in, tied with +the same twine; men who fulfilled their trusts to the letter, drew +honest inventories, took fatherly interest in their clients, often +barring the way to extravagance and dissipation,--men to whom families +confided their secrets, and who felt so responsible for any error in +their deeds that they meditated long and carefully over them. Never +during his whole notarial life, had any client found reason to complain +of a bad investment or an ill-placed mortgage. His own fortune, slowly +but honorably acquired, had come to him as the result of a thirty years’ +practice and careful economy. He had established in life fourteen of his +clerks. Religious, and generous in secret, Mathias was found whenever +good was to be done without remuneration. An active member on hospital +and other benevolent committees, he subscribed the largest sums to +relieve all sudden misfortunes and emergencies, as well as to create +certain useful permanent institutions; consequently, neither he nor +his wife kept a carriage. Also his word was felt to be sacred, and his +coffers held as much of the money of others as a bank; and also, we may +add, he went by the name of “Our good Monsieur Mathias,” and when he +died, three thousand persons followed him to his grave. + +Solonet was the style of young notary who comes in humming a tune, +affects light-heartedness, declares that business is better done with +a laugh than seriously. He is the notary captain of the national guard, +who dislikes to be taken for a notary, solicits the cross of the Legion +of honor, keeps his cabriolet, and leaves the verification of his deeds +to his clerks; he is the notary who goes to balls and theatres, buys +pictures and plays at ecarte; he has coffers in which gold is received +on deposit and is later returned in bank-bills,--a notary who follows +his epoch, risks capital in doubtful investments, speculates with all +he can lay his hands on, and expects to retire with an income of thirty +thousand francs after ten years’ practice; in short, the notary whose +cleverness comes of his duplicity, whom many men fear as an accomplice +possessing their secrets, and who sees in his practice a means of +ultimately marrying some blue-stockinged heiress. + +When the slender, fair-haired Solonet, curled, perfumed, and booted like +the leading gentleman at the Vaudeville, and dressed like a dandy whose +most important business is a duel, entered Madame Evangelista’s salon, +preceding his brother notary, whose advance was delayed by a twinge +of the gout, the two men presented to the life one of those famous +caricatures entitled “Former Times and the Present Day,” which had such +eminent success under the Empire. If Madame and Mademoiselle Evangelista +to whom the “good Monsieur Mathias,” was personally unknown, felt, on +first seeing him, a slight inclination to laugh, they were soon touched +by the old-fashioned grace with which he greeted them. The words he used +were full of that amenity which amiable old men convey as much by the +ideas they suggest as by the manner in which they express them. The +younger notary, with his flippant tone, seemed on a lower plane. Mathias +showed his superior knowledge of life by the reserved manner with which +he accosted Paul. Without compromising his white hairs, he showed that +he respected the young man’s nobility, while at the same time he claimed +the honor due to old age, and made it felt that social rights are +natural. Solonet’s bow and greeting, on the contrary, expressed a sense +of perfect equality, which would naturally affront the pretensions of +a man of society and make the notary ridiculous in the eyes of a +real noble. Solonet made a motion, somewhat too familiar, to Madame +Evangelista, inviting her to a private conference in the recess of +a window. For some minutes they talked to each other in a low voice, +giving way now and then to laughter,--no doubt to lessen in the minds of +others the importance of the conversation, in which Solonet was really +communicating to his sovereign lady the plan of battle. + +“But,” he said, as he ended, “will you have the courage to sell your +house?” + +“Undoubtedly,” she replied. + +Madame Evangelista did not choose to tell her notary the motive of this +heroism, which struck him greatly. Solonet’s zeal might have cooled had +he known that his client was really intending to leave Bordeaux. She had +not as yet said anything about that intention to Paul, in order not to +alarm him with the preliminary steps and circumlocutions which must be +taken before he entered on the political life she planned for him. + +After dinner the two plenipotentiaries left the loving pair with +the mother, and betook themselves to an adjoining salon where their +conference was arranged to take place. A dual scene then followed on +this domestic stage: in the chimney-corner of the great salon a scene of +love, in which to all appearances life was smiles and joy; in the other +room, a scene of gravity and gloom, where selfish interests, baldly +proclaimed, openly took the part they play in life under flowery +disguises. + +“My dear master,” said Solonet, “the document can remain under your lock +and key; I know very well what I owe to my old preceptor.” Mathias bowed +gravely. “But,” continued Solonet, unfolding the rough copy of a deed he +had made his clerk draw up, “as we are the oppressed party, I mean the +daughter, I have written the contract--which will save you trouble. We +marry with our rights under the rule of community of interests; with +general donation of our property to each other in case of death without +heirs; if not, donation of one-fourth as life interest, and one-fourth +in fee; the sum placed in community of interests to be one-fourth of the +respective property of each party; the survivor to possess the furniture +without appraisal. It’s all as simple as how d’ye do.” + +“Ta, ta, ta, ta,” said Mathias, “I don’t do business as one sings a +tune. What are your claims?” + +“What are yours?” said Solonet. + +“Our property,” replied Mathias, “is: the estate of Lanstrac, which +brings in a rental of twenty-three thousand francs a year, not counting +the natural products. Item: the farms of Grassol and Guadet, each +worth three thousand six hundred francs a year. Item: the vineyard of +Belle-Rose, yielding in ordinary years sixteen thousand francs; total, +forty-six thousand two hundred francs a year. Item: the patrimonial +mansion at Bordeaux taxed for nine hundred francs. Item: a handsome +house, between court and garden in Paris, rue de la Pepiniere, taxed +for fifteen hundred francs. These pieces of property, the title-deeds of +which I hold, are derived from our father and mother, except the +house in Paris, which we bought ourselves. We must also reckon in +the furniture of the two houses, and that of the chateau of Lanstrac, +estimated at four hundred and fifty thousand francs. There’s the table, +the cloth, and the first course. What do you bring for the second course +and the dessert?” + +“Our rights,” replied Solonet. + +“Specify them, my friend,” said Mathias. “What do you bring us? Where is +the inventory of the property left by Monsieur Evangelista? Show me the +liquidation, the investment of the amount. Where is your capital?--if +there is any capital. Where is your landed property?--if you have any. +In short, let us see your guardianship account, and tell us what you +bring and what your mother will secure to us.” + +“Does Monsieur le Comte de Manerville love Mademoiselle Evangelista?” + +“He wishes to make her his wife if the marriage can be suitably +arranged,” said the old notary. “I am not a child; this matter concerns +our business, and not our feelings.” + +“The marriage will be off unless you show generous feeling; and for this +reason,” continued Solonet. “No inventory was made at the death of our +husband; we are Spaniards, Creoles, and know nothing of French laws. +Besides, we were too deeply grieved at our loss to think at such a time +of the miserable formalities which occupy cold hearts. It is publicly +well known that our late husband adored us, and that we mourned for +him sincerely. If we did have a settlement of accounts with a short +inventory attached, made, as one may say, by common report, you can +thank our surrogate guardian, who obliged us to establish a status and +assign to our daughter a fortune, such as it is, at a time when we were +forced to withdraw from London our English securities, the capital of +which was immense, and re-invest the proceeds in Paris, where interests +were doubled.” + +“Don’t talk nonsense to me. There are various ways of verifying the +property. What was the amount of your legacy tax? Those figures will +enable us to get at the total. Come to the point. Tell us frankly what +you received from the father’s estate and how much remains of it. If we +are very much in love we’ll see then what we can do.” + +“If you are marrying us for our money you can go about your business. We +have claims to more than a million; but all that remains to our mother +is this house and furniture and four hundred odd thousand francs +invested about 1817 in the Five-per-cents, which yield about +forty-thousand francs a year.” + +“Then why do you live in a style that requires one hundred thousand a +year at the least?” cried Mathias, horror-stricken. + +“Our daughter has cost us the eyes out of our head,” replied Solonet. +“Besides, we like to spend money. Your jeremiads, let me tell you, won’t +recover two farthings of the money.” + +“With the fifty thousand francs a year which belong to Mademoiselle +Natalie you could have brought her up handsomely without coming to ruin. +But if you have squandered everything while you were a girl what will it +be when you are a married woman?” + +“Then drop us altogether,” said Solonet. “The handsomest girl in +Bordeaux has a right to spend more than she has, if she likes.” + +“I’ll talk to my client about that,” said the old notary. + +“Very good, old father Cassandra, go and tell your client that we +haven’t a penny,” thought Solonet, who, in the solitude of his study, +had strategically massed his forces, drawn up his propositions, manned +the drawbridge of discussion, and prepared the point at which the +opposing party, thinking the affair a failure, could suddenly be led +into a compromise which would end in the triumph of his client. + +The white dress with its rose-colored ribbons, the Sevigne curls, +Natalie’s tiny foot, her winning glance, her pretty fingers constantly +employed in adjusting curls that needed no adjustment, these girlish +manoeuvres like those of a peacock spreading his tail, had brought Paul +to the point at which his future mother-in-law desired to see him. He +was intoxicated with love, and his eyes, the sure thermometer of the +soul, indicated the degree of passion at which a man commits a thousand +follies. + +“Natalie is so beautiful,” he whispered to the mother, “that I can +conceive the frenzy which leads a man to pay for his happiness by +death.” + +Madame Evangelista replied with a shake of her head:-- + +“Lover’s talk, my dear count. My husband never said such charming things +to me; but he married me without a fortune and for thirteen years he +never caused me one moment’s pain.” + +“Is that a lesson you are giving me?” said Paul, laughing. + +“You know how I love you, my dear son,” she answered, pressing his hand. +“I must indeed love you well to give you my Natalie.” + +“Give me, give me?” said the young girl, waving a screen of Indian +feathers, “what are you whispering about me?” + +“I was telling her,” replied Paul, “how much I love you, since etiquette +forbids me to tell it to you.” + +“Why?” + +“I fear to say too much.” + +“Ah! you know too well how to offer the jewels of flattery. Shall I tell +you my private opinion about you? Well, I think you have more mind than +a lover ought to have. To be the Pink of Fashion and a wit as well,” she +added, dropping her eyes, “is to have too many advantages: a man should +choose between them. I fear too, myself.” + +“And why?” + +“We must not talk in this way. Mamma, do you not think that this +conversation is dangerous inasmuch as the contract is not yet signed?” + +“It soon will be,” said Paul. + +“I should like to know what Achilles and Nestor are saying to each other +in the next room,” said Natalie, nodding toward the door of the little +salon with a childlike expression of curiosity. + +“They are talking of our children and our death and a lot of other such +trifles; they are counting our gold to see if we can keep five horses in +the stables. They are talking also of deeds of gift; but there, I have +forestalled them.” + +“How so?” + +“Have I not given myself wholly to you?” he said, looking straight at +the girl, whose beauty was enhanced by the blush which the pleasure of +this answer brought to her face. + +“Mamma, how can I acknowledge so much generosity.” + +“My dear child, you have a lifetime before you in which to return it. +To make the daily happiness of a home, is to bring a treasure into it. I +had no other fortune when I married.” + +“Do you like Lanstrac?” asked Paul, addressing Natalie. + +“How could I fail to like the place where you were born?” she answered. +“I wish I could see your house.” + +“_Our_ house,” said Paul. “Do you not want to know if I shall understand +your tastes and arrange the house to suit you? Your mother had made a +husband’s task most difficult; you have always been so happy! But where +love is infinite, nothing is impossible.” + +“My dear children,” said Madame Evangelista, “do you feel willing to +stay in Bordeaux after your marriage? If you have the courage to face +the people here who know you and will watch and hamper you, so be it! +But if you feel that desire for a solitude together which can hardly be +expressed, let us go to Paris were the life of a young couple can pass +unnoticed in the stream. There alone you can behave as lovers without +fearing to seem ridiculous.” + +“You are quite right,” said Paul, “but I shall hardly have time to get +my house ready. However, I will write to-night to de Marsay, the friend +on whom I can always count to get things done for me.” + +At the moment when Paul, like all young men accustomed to satisfy +their desires without previous calculation, was inconsiderately binding +himself to the expenses of a stay in Paris, Maitre Mathias entered the +salon and made a sign to his client that he wished to speak to him. + +“What is it, my friend?” asked Paul, following the old man to the recess +of a window. + +“Monsieur le comte,” said the honest lawyer, “there is not a penny of +dowry. My advice is: put off the conference to another day, so that you +may gain time to consider your proper course.” + +“Monsieur Paul,” said Natalie, “I have a word to say in private to you.” + +Though Madame Evangelista’s face was calm, no Jew of the middle ages +ever suffered greater torture in his caldron of boiling oil than she was +enduring in her violet velvet gown. Solonet had pledged the marriage to +her, but she was ignorant of the means and conditions of success. The +anguish of this uncertainty was intolerable. Possibly she owed her +safety to her daughter’s disobedience. Natalie had considered the advice +of her mother and noted her anxiety. When she saw the success of her +own coquetry she was struck to the heart with a variety of contradictory +thoughts. Without blaming her mother, she was half-ashamed of manoeuvres +the object of which was, undoubtedly, some personal game. She was also +seized with a jealous curiosity which is easily conceived. She wanted to +find out if Paul loved her well enough to rise above the obstacles that +her mother foresaw and which she now saw clouding the face of the old +lawyer. These ideas and sentiments prompted her to an action of loyalty +which became her well. But, for all that, the blackest perfidy could not +have been as dangerous as her present innocence. + +“Paul,” she said in a low voice, and she so called him for the first +time, “if any difficulties as to property arise to separate us, remember +that I free you from all engagements, and will allow you to let the +blame of such a rupture rest on me.” + +She put such dignity into this expression of her generosity that Paul +believed in her disinterestedness and in her ignorance of the strange +fact that his notary had just told to him. He pressed the young girl’s +hand and kissed it like a man to whom love is more precious than wealth. +Natalie left the room. + +“Sac-a-papier! Monsieur le comte, you are committing a great folly,” + said the old notary, rejoining his client. + +Paul grew thoughtful. He had expected to unite Natalie’s fortune with +his own and thus obtain for his married life an income of one hundred +thousand francs a year; and however much a man may be in love he cannot +pass without emotion and anxiety from the prospect of a hundred thousand +to the certainty of forty-six thousand a year and the duty of providing +for a woman accustomed to every luxury. + +“My daughter is no longer here,” said Madame Evangelista, advancing +almost regally toward her son-in-law and his notary. “May I be told what +is happening?” + +“Madame,” replied Mathias, alarmed at Paul’s silence, “an obstacle which +I fear will delay us has arisen--” + +At these words, Maitre Solonet issued from the little salon and cut +short the old man’s speech by a remark which restored Paul’s composure. +Overcome by the remembrance of his gallant speeches and his lover-like +behavior, he felt unable to disown them or to change his course. He +longed, for the moment, to fling himself into a gulf; Solonet’s words +relieved him. + +“There is a way,” said the younger notary, with an easy air, “by +which madame can meet the payment which is due to her daughter. Madame +Evangelista possesses forty thousand francs a year from an investment +in the Five-per-cents, the capital of which will soon be at par, if not +above it. We may therefore reckon it at eight hundred thousand francs. +This house and garden are fully worth two hundred thousand. On that +estimate, Madame can convey by the marriage contract the titles of that +property to her daughter, reserving only a life interest in it--for +I conclude that Monsieur le comte could hardly wish to leave his +mother-in-law without means? Though Madame has certainly run through her +fortune, she is still able to make good that of her daughter, or very +nearly so.” + +“Women are most unfortunate in having no knowledge of business,” + said Madame Evangelista. “Have I titles to property? and what are +life-interests?” + +Paul was in a sort of ecstasy as he listened to this proposed +arrangement. The old notary, seeing the trap, and his client with one +foot caught in it, was petrified for a moment, as he said to himself:-- + +“I am certain they are tricking us.” + +“If madame will follow my advice,” said Solonet, “she will secure her +own tranquillity. By sacrificing herself in this way she may be sure +that no minors will ultimately harass her--for we never know who +may live and who may die! Monsieur le comte will then give due +acknowledgment in the marriage contract of having received the sum total +of Mademoiselle Evangelista’s patrimonial inheritance.” + +Mathias could not restrain the indignation which shone in his eyes and +flushed his face. + +“And that sum,” he said, shaking, “is--” + +“One million, one hundred and fifty-six thousand francs according to the +document--” + +“Why don’t you ask Monsieur le comte to make over ‘hic et nunc’ his +whole fortune to his future wife?” said Mathias. “It would be more +honest than what you now propose. I will not allow the ruin of the Comte +de Manerville to take place under my very eyes--” + +He made a step as if to address his client, who was silent throughout +this scene as if dazed by it; but he turned and said, addressing Madame +Evangelista:-- + +“Do not suppose, madame, that I think you a party to these ideas of +my brother notary. I consider you an honest woman and a lady who knows +nothing of business.” + +“Thank you, brother notary,” said Solonet. + +“You know that there can be no offence between you and me,” replied +Mathias. “Madame,” he added, “you ought to know the result of this +proposed arrangement. You are still young and beautiful enough to marry +again--Ah! madame,” said the old man, noting her gesture, “who can +answer for themselves on that point?” + +“I did not suppose, monsieur,” said Madame Evangelista, “that, after +remaining a widow for the seven best years of my life, and refusing the +most brilliant offers for my daughter’s sake, I should be suspected of +such a piece of folly as marrying again at thirty-nine years of age. +If we were not talking business I should regard your suggestion as an +impertinence.” + +“Would it not be more impertinent if I suggested that you could not +marry again?” + +“Can and will are separate terms,” remarked Solonet, gallantly. + +“Well,” resumed Maitre Mathias, “we will say nothing of your marriage. +You may, and we all desire it, live for forty-five years to come. Now, +if you keep for yourself the life-interest in your daughter’s patrimony, +your children are laid on the shelf for the best years of their lives.” + +“What does that mean?” said the widow. “I don’t understand being laid on +a shelf.” + +Solonet, the man of elegance and good taste, began to laugh. + +“I’ll translate it for you,” said Mathias. “If your children are wise +they will think of the future. To think of the future means laying by +half our income, provided we have only two children, to whom we are +bound to give a fine education and a handsome dowry. Your daughter and +son-in-law will, therefore, be reduced to live on twenty thousand francs +a year, though each has spent fifty thousand while still unmarried. But +that is nothing. The law obliges my client to account, hereafter, to his +children for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand francs of their +mother’s patrimony; yet he may not have received them if his wife should +die and madame should survive her, which may very well happen. To sign +such a contract is to fling one’s self into the river, bound hand and +foot. You wish to make your daughter happy, do you not? If she loves her +husband, a fact which notaries never doubt, she will share his troubles. +Madame, I see enough in this scheme to make her die of grief and +anxiety; you are consigning her to poverty. Yes, madame, poverty; to +persons accustomed to the use of one hundred thousand francs a year, +twenty thousand is poverty. Moreover, if Monsieur le comte, out of +love for his wife, were guilty of extravagance, she could ruin him by +exercising her rights when misfortunes overtook him. I plead now for +you, for them, for their children, for every one.” + +“The old fellow makes a lot of smoke with his cannon,” thought Maitre +Solonet, giving his client a look, which meant, “Keep on!” + +“There is one way of combining all interests,” replied Madame +Evangelista, calmly. “I can reserve to myself only the necessary cost of +living in a convent, and my children can have my property at once. I can +renounce the world, if such anticipated death conduces to the welfare of +my daughter.” + +“Madame,” said the old notary, “let us take time to consider and +weigh, deliberately, the course we had best pursue to conciliate all +interests.” + +“Good heavens! monsieur,” cried Madame Evangelista, who saw defeat +in delay, “everything has already been considered and weighed. I was +ignorant of what the process of marriage is in France; I am a Spaniard +and a Creole. I did not know that in order to marry my daughter it was +necessary to reckon up the days which God may still grant me; that my +child would suffer because I live; that I do harm by living, and by +having lived! When my husband married me I had nothing but my name and +my person. My name alone was a fortune to him, which dwarfed his own. +What wealth can equal that of a great name? My dowry was beauty, +virtue, happiness, birth, education. Can money give those treasures? +If Natalie’s father could overhear this conversation, his generous soul +would be wounded forever, and his happiness in paradise destroyed. I +dissipated, foolishly, perhaps, a few of his millions without a quiver +ever coming to his eyelids. Since his death, I have grown economical and +orderly in comparison with the life he encouraged me to lead--Come, let +us break this thing off! Monsieur de Manerville is so disappointed that +I--” + +No descriptive language can express the confusion and shock which the +words, “break off,” introduced into the conversation. It is enough to +say that these four apparently well-bred persons all talked at once. + +“In Spain people marry in the Spanish fashion, or as they please; but +in France they marry according to French law, sensibly, and as best they +can,” said Mathias. + +“Ah, madame,” cried Paul, coming out of his stupefaction, “you mistake +my feelings.” + +“This is not a matter of feeling,” said the old notary, trying to stop +his client from concessions. “We are concerned now with the interests +and welfare of three generations. Have _we_ wasted the missing millions? +We are simply endeavoring to solve difficulties of which we are wholly +guiltless.” + +“Marry us, and don’t haggle,” said Solonet. + +“Haggle! do you call it haggling to defend the interests of father and +mother and children?” said Mathias. + +“Yes,” said Paul, continuing his remarks to Madame Evangelista, “I +deplore the extravagance of my youth, which does not permit me to stop +this discussion, as you deplore your ignorance of business and your +involuntary wastefulness. God is my witness that I am not thinking, at +this moment, of myself. A simple life at Lanstrac does not alarm me; but +how can I ask Mademoiselle Natalie to renounce her tastes, her habits? +Her very existence would be changed.” + +“Where did Evangelista get his millions?” said the widow. + +“Monsieur Evangelista was in business,” replied the old notary; “he +played in the great game of commerce; he despatched ships and made +enormous sums; we are simply a landowner, whose capital is invested, +whose income is fixed.” + +“There is still a way to harmonize all interests,” said Solonet, +uttering this sentence in a high falsetto tone, which silenced the other +three and drew their eyes and their attention upon himself. + +This young man was not unlike a skilful coachman who holds the reins of +four horses, and amuses himself by first exciting his animals and then +subduing them. He had let loose these passions, and then, in turn, he +calmed them, making Paul, whose life and happiness were in the balance, +sweat in his harness, as well as his own client, who could not clearly +see her way through this involved discussion. + +“Madame Evangelista,” he continued, after a slight pause, “can resign +her investment in the Five-per-cents at once, and she can sell this +house. I can get three hundred thousand francs for it by cutting the +land into small lots. Out of that sum she can give you one hundred and +fifty thousand francs. In this way she pays down nine hundred thousand +of her daughter’s patrimony, immediately. That, to be sure, is not all +that she owes her daughter, but where will you find, in France, a better +dowry?” + +“Very good,” said Maitre Mathias; “but what, then, becomes of madame?” + +At this question, which appeared to imply consent, Solonet said, softly, +to himself, “Well done, old fox! I’ve caught you!” + +“Madame,” he replied, aloud, “will keep the hundred and fifty thousand +francs remaining from the sale of the house. This sum, added to the +value of her furniture, can be invested in an annuity which will give +her twenty thousand francs a year. Monsieur le comte can arrange to +provide a residence for her under his roof. Lanstrac is a large house. +You have also a house in Paris,” he went on, addressing himself to Paul. +“Madame can, therefore, live with you wherever you are. A widow with +twenty thousand francs a year, and no household to maintain, is richer +than madame was when she possessed her whole fortune. Madame Evangelista +has only this one daughter; Monsieur le comte is without relations; it +will be many years before your heirs attain their majority; no conflict +of interests is, therefore, to be feared. A mother-in-law and a +son-in-law placed in such relations will form a household of united +interests. Madame Evangelista can make up for the remaining deficit by +paying a certain sum for her support from her annuity, which will ease +your way. We know that madame is too generous and too large-minded to +be willing to be a burden on her children. In this way you can make one +household, united and happy, and be able to spend, in your own right, +one hundred thousand francs a year. Is not that sum sufficient, Monsieur +le comte, to enjoy, in all countries, the luxuries of life, and to +satisfy all your wants and caprices? Believe me, a young couple often +feel the need of a third member of the household; and, I ask you, what +third member could be so desirable as a good mother?” + +“A little paradise!” exclaimed the old notary. + +Shocked to see his client’s joy at this proposal, Mathias sat down on +an ottoman, his head in his hands, plunged in reflections that were +evidently painful. He knew well the involved phraseology in which +notaries and lawyers wrap up, intentionally, malicious schemes, and he +was not the man to be taken in by it. He now began, furtively, to watch +his brother notary and Madame Evangelista as they conversed with +Paul, endeavoring to detect some clew to the deep-laid plot which was +beginning to appear upon the surface. + +“Monsieur,” said Paul to Solonet, “I thank you for the pains you take to +conciliate our interests. This arrangement will solve all difficulties +far more happily than I expected--if,” he added, turning to Madame +Evangelista, “it is agreeable to you, madame; for I could not desire +anything that did not equally please you.” + +“I?” she said; “all that makes the happiness of my children is joy to +me. Do not consider me in any way.” + +“That would not be right,” said Paul, eagerly. “If your future is not +honorably provided for, Natalie and I would suffer more than you would +suffer for yourself.” + +“Don’t be uneasy, Monsieur le comte,” interposed Solonet. + +“Ah!” thought old Mathias, “they’ll make him kiss the rod before they +scourge him.” + +“You may feel quite satisfied,” continued Solonet. “There are so many +enterprises going on in Bordeaux at this moment that investments for +annuities can be negotiated on very advantageous terms. After deducting +from the proceeds of the house and furniture the hundred and fifty +thousand francs we owe you, I think I can guarantee to madame that two +hundred and fifty thousand will remain to her. I take upon myself to +invest that sum in a first mortgage on property worth a million, and +to obtain ten per cent for it,--twenty-five thousand francs a year. +Consequently, we are marrying on nearly equal fortunes. In fact, against +your forty-six thousand francs a year, Mademoiselle Natalie brings you +forty thousand a year in the Five-per-cents, and one hundred and fifty +thousand in a round sum, which gives, in all, forty-seven thousand +francs a year.” + +“That is evident,” said Paul. + +As he ended his speech, Solonet had cast a sidelong glance at his +client, intercepted by Mathias, which meant: “Bring up your reserves.” + +“But,” exclaimed Madame Evangelista, in tones of joy that did not seem +to be feigned, “I can give Natalie my diamonds; they are worth, at +least, a hundred thousand francs.” + +“We can have them appraised,” said the notary. “This will change the +whole face of things. Madame can then keep the proceeds of her house, +all but fifty thousand francs. Nothing will prevent Monsieur le comte +from giving us a receipt in due form, as having received, in full, +Mademoiselle Natalie’s inheritance from her father; this will close, of +course, the guardianship account. If madame, with Spanish generosity, +robs herself in this way to fulfil her obligations, the least that her +children can do is to give her a full receipt.” + +“Nothing could be more just than that,” said Paul. “I am simply +overwhelmed by these generous proposals.” + +“My daughter is another myself,” said Madame Evangelista, softly. + +Maitre Mathias detected a look of joy on her face when she saw that +the difficulties were being removed: that joy, and the previous +forgetfulness of the diamonds, which were now brought forward like fresh +troops, confirmed his suspicions. + +“The scene has been prepared between them as gamblers prepare the cards +to ruin a pigeon,” thought the old notary. “Is this poor boy, whom I +saw born, doomed to be plucked alive by that woman, roasted by his very +love, and devoured by his wife? I, who have nursed these fine estates +for years with such care, am I to see them ruined in a single night? +Three million and a half to be hypothecated for eleven hundred thousand +francs these women will force him to squander!” + +Discovering thus in the soul of the elder woman intentions which, +without involving crime, theft, swindling, or any actually evil or +blameworthy action, nevertheless belonged to all those criminalities in +embryo, Maitre Mathias felt neither sorrow nor generous indignation. +He was not the Misanthrope; he was an old notary, accustomed in his +business to the shrewd calculations of worldly people, to those clever +bits of treachery which do more fatal injury than open murder on +the high-road committed by some poor devil, who is guillotined in +consequence. To the upper classes of society these passages in life, +these diplomatic meetings and discussions are like the necessary +cesspools where the filth of life is thrown. Full of pity for his +client, Mathias cast a foreseeing eye into the future and saw nothing +good. + +“We’ll take the field with the same weapons,” thought he, “and beat +them.” + +At this moment, Paul, Solonet and Madame Evangelista, becoming +embarrassed by the old man’s silence, felt that the approval of that +censor was necessary to carry out the transaction, and all three turned +to him simultaneously. + +“Well, my dear Monsieur Mathias, what do you think of it?” said Paul. + +“This is what I think,” said the conscientious and uncompromising +notary. “You are not rich enough to commit such regal folly. The estate +of Lanstrac, if estimated at three per cent on its rentals, represents, +with its furniture, one million; the farms of Grassol and Guadet and +your vineyard of Belle-Rose are worth another million; your two houses +in Bordeaux and Paris, with their furniture, a third million. Against +those three millions, yielding forty-seven thousand francs a year, +Mademoiselle Natalie brings eight hundred thousand francs in the +Five-per-cents, the diamonds (supposing them to be worth a hundred +thousand francs, which is still problematical) and fifty thousand francs +in money; in all, one million and fifty thousand francs. In presence of +such facts my brother notary tells you boastfully that we are marrying +equal fortunes! He expects us to encumber ourselves with a debt +of eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand francs to our children by +acknowledging the receipt of our wife’s patrimony, when we have actually +received but little more than a doubtful million. You are listening to +such stuff with the rapture of a lover, and you think that old Mathias, +who is not in love, can forget arithmetic, and will not point out the +difference between landed estate, the actual value of which is enormous +and constantly increasing, and the revenues of personal property, the +capital of which is subject to fluctuations and diminishment of income. +I am old enough to have learned that money dwindles and land augments. +You have called me in, Monsieur le comte, to stipulate for your +interests; either let me defend those interests, or dismiss me.” + +“If monsieur is seeking a fortune equal in capital to his own,” said +Solonet, “we certainly cannot give it to him. We do not possess three +millions and a half; nothing can be more evident. While you can boast +of your three overwhelming millions, we can only produce our poor one +million,--a mere nothing in your eyes, though three times the dowry of +an archduchess of Austria. Bonaparte received only two hundred and fifty +thousand francs with Maria-Louisa.” + +“Maria-Louisa was the ruin of Bonaparte,” muttered Mathias. + +Natalie’s mother caught the words. + +“If my sacrifices are worth nothing,” she cried, “I do not choose to +continue such a discussion; I trust to the discretion of Monsieur le +comte, and I renounce the honor of his hand for my daughter.” + +According to the strategy marked out by the younger notary, this battle +of contending interests had now reached the point where victory was +certain for Madame Evangelista. The mother-in-law had opened her heart, +delivered up her property, and was therefore practically released as her +daughter’s guardian. The future husband, under pain of ignoring the laws +of generous propriety and being false to love, ought now to accept these +conditions previously planned, and cleverly led up to by Solonet and +Madame Evangelista. Like the hands of a clock turned by mechanism, Paul +came faithfully up to time. + +“Madame!” he exclaimed, “is it possible you can think of breaking off +the marriage?” + +“Monsieur,” she replied, “to whom am I accountable? To my daughter. When +she is twenty-one years of age she will receive my guardianship account +and release me. She will then possess a million, and can, if she likes, +choose her husband among the sons of the peers of France. She is a +daughter of the Casa-Reale.” + +“Madame is right,” remarked Solonet. “Why should she be more hardly +pushed to-day than she will be fourteen months hence? You ought not to +deprive her of the benefits of her maternity.” + +“Mathias,” cried Paul, in deep distress, “there are two sorts of ruin, +and you are bringing one upon me at this moment.” + +He made a step towards the old notary, no doubt intending to tell +him that the contract must be drawn at once. But Mathias stopped that +disaster with a glance which said, distinctly, “Wait!” He saw the tears +in Paul’s eyes,--tears drawn from an honorable man by the shame of this +discussion as much as by the peremptory speech of Madame Evangelista, +threatening rupture,--and the old man stanched them with a gesture like +that of Archimedes when he cried, “Eureka!” The words “peer of France” + had been to him like a torch in a dark crypt. + +Natalie appeared at this moment, dazzling as the dawn, saying, with +infantine look and manner, “Am I in the way?” + +“Singularly so, my child,” answered her mother, in a bitter tone. + +“Come in, dear Natalie,” said Paul, taking her hand and leading her to a +chair near the fireplace. “All is settled.” + +He felt it impossible to endure the overthrow of their mutual hopes. + +“Yes, all can be settled,” said Mathias, hastily interposing. + +Like a general who, in a moment, upsets the plans skilfully laid and +prepared by the enemy, the old notary, enlightened by that genius which +presides over notaries, saw an idea, capable of saving the future of +Paul and his children, unfolding itself in legal form before his eyes. + +Maitre Solonet, who perceived no other way out of these irreconcilable +difficulties than the resolution with which Paul’s love inspired him, +and to which this conflict of feelings and thwarted interests had +brought him, was extremely surprised at the sudden exclamation of his +brother notary. Curious to know the remedy that Mathias had found in +a state of things which had seemed to him beyond all other relief, he +said, addressing the old man:-- + +“What is it you propose?” + +“Natalie, my dear child, leave us,” said Madame Evangelista. + +“Mademoiselle is not in the way,” replied Mathias, smiling. “I am going +to speak in her interests as well as in those of Monsieur le comte.” + +Silence reigned for a moment, during which time everybody present, +oppressed with anxiety, awaited the allocution of the venerable notary +with unspeakable curiosity. + +“In these days,” continued Maitre Mathias, after a pause, “the +profession of notary has changed from what it was. Political revolutions +now exert an influence over the prospects of families, which never +happened in former times. In those days existences were clearly defined; +so were rank and position--” + +“We are not here for a lecture on political ceremony, but to draw up a +marriage contract,” said Solonet, interrupting the old man, impatiently. + +“I beg you to allow me to speak in my turn as I see fit,” replied the +other. + +Solonet turned away and sat down on the ottoman, saying, in a low voice, +to Madame Evangelista:-- + +“You will now hear what we call in the profession ‘balderdash.’” + +“Notaries are therefore compelled to follow the course of political +events, which are now intimately connected with private interests. Here +is an example: formerly noble families owned fortunes that were never +shaken, but which the laws, promulgated by the Revolution, destroyed, +and the present system tends to reconstruct,” resumed the old notary, +yielding to the loquacity of the “tabellionaris boa-constrictor” + (boa-notary). “Monsieur le comte by his name, his talents, and his +fortune is called upon to sit some day in the elective Chamber. Perhaps +his destiny will take him to the hereditary Chamber, for we know that he +has talent and means enough to fulfil that expectation. Do you not agree +with me, madame?” he added, turning to the widow. + +“You anticipate my dearest hope,” she replied. “Monsieur de Manerville +must be a peer of France, or I shall die of mortification.” + +“Therefore all that leads to that end--” continued Mathias with a +cordial gesture to the astute mother-in-law. + +“--will promote my eager desire,” she replied. + +“Well, then,” said Mathias, “is not this marriage the proper occasion on +which to entail the estate and create the family? Such a course would, +undoubtedly, militate in the mind of the present government in favor of +the nomination of my client whenever a batch of appointments is sent in. +Monsieur le comte can very well afford to devote the estate of +Lanstrac (which is worth a million) to this purpose. I do not ask that +mademoiselle should contribute an equal sum; that would not be just. +But we can surely apply eight hundred thousand of her patrimony to this +object. There are two domains adjoining Lanstrac now to be sold, which +can be purchased for that sum, which will return in rentals four and a +half per cent. The house in Paris should be included in the entail. The +surplus of the two fortunes, if judiciously managed, will amply suffice +for the fortunes of the younger children. If the contracting parties +will agree to this arrangement, Monsieur ought certainly to accept your +guardianship account with its deficiency. I consent to that.” + +“Questa coda non e di questo gatto (That tail doesn’t belong to that +cat),” murmured Madame Evangelista, appealing to Solonet. + +“There’s a snake in the grass somewhere,” answered Solonet, in a low +voice, replying to the Italian proverb with a French one. + +“Why do you make this fuss?” asked Paul, leading Mathias into the +adjoining salon. + +“To save you from being ruined,” replied the old notary, in a whisper. +“You are determined to marry a girl and her mother who have already +squandered two millions in seven years; you are pledging yourself to +a debt of eleven hundred thousand francs to your children, to whom +you will have to account for the fortune you are acknowledging to have +received with their mother. You risk having your own fortune squandered +in five years, and to be left as naked as Saint-John himself, besides +being a debtor to your wife and children for enormous sums. If you are +determined to put your life in that boat, Monsieur le comte, of course +you can do as you choose; but at least let me, your old friend, try to +save the house of Manerville.” + +“How is this scheme going to save it?” asked Paul. + +“Monsieur le comte, you are in love--” + +“Yes.” + +“A lover is about as discreet as a cannon-ball; therefore, I shall not +explain. If you repeated what I should say, your marriage would probably +be broken off. I protect your love by my silence. Have you confidence in +my devotion?” + +“A fine question!” + +“Well, then, believe me when I tell you that Madame Evangelista, her +notary, and her daughter, are tricking us through thick and thin; they +are more than clever. Tudieu! what a sly game!” + +“Not Natalie,” cried Paul. + +“I sha’n’t put my fingers between the bark and the tree,” said the +old man. “You want her, take her! But I wish you were well out of this +marriage, if it could be done without the least wrong-doing on your +part.” + +“Why do you wish it?” + +“Because that girl will spend the mines of Peru. Besides, see how she +rides a horse,--like the groom of a circus; she is half emancipated +already. Such girls make bad wives.” + +Paul pressed the old man’s hand, saying, with a confident air of +self-conceit:-- + +“Don’t be uneasy as to that! But now, at this moment, what am I to do?” + +“Hold firm to my conditions. They will consent, for no one’s apparent +interest is injured. Madame Evangelista is very anxious to marry her +daughter; I see that in her little game--Beware of her!” + +Paul returned to the salon, where he found his future mother-in-law +conversing in a low tone with Solonet. Natalie, kept outside of these +mysterious conferences, was playing with a screen. Embarrassed by her +position, she was thinking to herself: “How odd it is that they tell me +nothing of my own affairs.” + +The younger notary had seized, in the main, the future effect of the new +proposal, based, as it was, on the self-love of both parties, into which +his client had fallen headlong. Now, while Mathias was more than a mere +notary, Solonet was still a young man, and brought into his business +the vanity of youth. It often happens that personal conceit makes a man +forgetful of the interests of his client. In this case, Maitre Solonet, +who would not suffer the widow to think that Nestor had vanquished +Achilles, advised her to conclude the marriage on the terms proposed. +Little he cared for the future working of the marriage contract; to him, +the conditions of victory were: Madame Evangelista released from her +obligations as guardian, her future secured, and Natalie married. + +“Bordeaux shall know that you have ceded eleven hundred thousand francs +to your daughter, and that you still have twenty-five thousand francs +a year left,” whispered Solonet to his client. “For my part, I did not +expect to obtain such a fine result.” + +“But,” she said, “explain to me why the creation of this entail should +have calmed the storm at once.” + +“It relieves their distrust of you and your daughter. An entail is +unchangeable; neither husband nor wife can touch that capital.” + +“Then this arrangement is positively insulting!” + +“No; we call it simply precaution. The old fellow has caught you in a +net. If you refuse to consent to the entail, he can reply: ‘Then your +object is to squander the fortune of my client, who, by the creation +of this entail, is protected from all such injury as securely as if the +marriage took place under the “regime dotal.”’” + +Solonet quieted his own scruples by reflecting: “After all, these +stipulations will take effect only in the future, by which time Madame +Evangelista will be dead and buried.” + +Madame Evangelista contented herself, for the present, with these +explanations, having full confidence in Solonet. She was wholly ignorant +of law; considering her daughter as good as married, she thought she had +gained her end, and was filled with the joy of success. Thus, as +Mathias had shrewdly calculated, neither Solonet nor Madame Evangelista +understood as yet, to its full extent, this scheme which he had based on +reasons that were undeniable. + +“Well, Monsieur Mathias,” said the widow, “all is for the best, is it +not?” + +“Madame, if you and Monsieur le comte consent to this arrangement +you ought to exchange pledges. It is fully understood, I suppose,” he +continued, looking from one to the other, “that the marriage will +only take place on condition of creating an entail upon the estate of +Lanstrac and the house in the rue de la Pepiniere, together with eight +hundred thousand francs in money brought by the future wife, the said +sum to be invested in landed property? Pardon me the repetition, madame; +but a positive and solemn engagement becomes absolutely necessary. +The creation of an entail requires formalities, application to the +chancellor, a royal ordinance, and we ought at once to conclude the +purchase of the new estate in order that the property be included in +the royal ordinance by virtue of which it becomes inalienable. In many +families this would be reduced to writing, but on this occasion I think +a simple consent would suffice. Do you consent?” + +“Yes,” replied Madame Evangelista. + +“Yes,” said Paul. + +“And I?” asked Natalie, laughing. + +“You are a minor, mademoiselle,” replied Solonet; “don’t complain of +that.” + +It was then agreed that Maitre Mathias should draw up the contract, +Maitre Solonet the guardianship account and release, and that both +documents should be signed, as the law requires some days before the +celebration of the marriage. After a few polite salutations the notaries +withdrew. + +“It rains, Mathias; shall I take you home?” said Solonet. “My cabriolet +is here.” + +“My carriage is here too,” said Paul, manifesting an intention to +accompany the old man. + +“I won’t rob you of a moment’s pleasure,” said Mathias. “I accept my +friend Solonet’s offer.” + +“Well,” said Achilles to Nestor, as the cabriolet rolled away, “you have +been truly patriarchal to-night. The fact is, those young people would +certainly have ruined themselves.” + +“I felt anxious about their future,” replied Mathias, keeping silent as +to the real motives of his proposition. + +At this moment the two notaries were like a pair of actors arm in +arm behind the stage on which they have played a scene of hatred and +provocation. + +“But,” said Solonet, thinking of his rights as notary, “isn’t it my +place to buy that land you mentioned? The money is part of our dowry.” + +“How can you put property bought in the name of Mademoiselle Evangelista +into the creation of an entail by the Comte de Manerville?” replied +Mathias. + +“We shall have to ask the chancellor about that,” said Solonet. + +“But I am the notary of the seller as well as of the buyer of that +land,” said Mathias. “Besides, Monsieur de Manerville can buy in his own +name. At the time of payment we can make mention of the fact that the +dowry funds are put into it.” + +“You’ve an answer for everything, old man,” said Solonet, laughing. “You +were really surpassing to-night; you beat us squarely.” + +“For an old fellow who didn’t expect your batteries of grape-shot, I did +pretty well, didn’t I?” + +“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Solonet. + +The odious struggle in which the material welfare of a family had been +so perilously near destruction was to the two notaries nothing more than +a matter of professional polemics. + +“I haven’t been forty years in harness for nothing,” remarked Mathias. +“Look here, Solonet,” he added, “I’m a good fellow; you shall help in +drawing the deeds for the sale of those lands.” + +“Thanks, my dear Mathias. I’ll serve you in return on the very first +occasion.” + +While the two notaries were peacefully returning homeward, with no other +sensations than a little throaty warmth, Paul and Madame Evangelista +were left a prey to the nervous trepidation, the quivering of the flesh +and brain which excitable natures pass through after a scene in which +their interests and their feelings have been violently shaken. In Madame +Evangelista these last mutterings of the storm were overshadowed by a +terrible reflection, a lurid gleam which she wanted, at any cost, to +dispel. + +“Has Maitre Mathias destroyed in a few minutes the work I have been +doing for six months?” she asked herself. “Was he withdrawing Paul from +my influence by filling his mind with suspicion during their secret +conference in the next room?” + +She was standing absorbed in these thoughts before the fireplace, her +elbow resting on the marble mantel-shelf. When the porte-cochere closed +behind the carriage of the two notaries, she turned to her future +son-in-law, impatient to solve her doubts. + +“This has been the most terrible day of my life,” cried Paul, overjoyed +to see all difficulties vanish. “I know no one so downright in speech +as that old Mathias. May God hear him, and make me peer of France! Dear +Natalie, I desire this for your sake more than for my own. You are my +ambition; I live only in you.” + +Hearing this speech uttered in the accents of the heart, and noting, +more especially, the limpid azure of Paul’s eyes, whose glance betrayed +no thought of double meaning, Madame Evangelista’s satisfaction was +complete. She regretted the sharp language with which she had spurred +him, and in the joy of success she resolved to reassure him as to the +future. Calming her countenance, and giving to her eyes that expression +of tender friendship which made her so attractive, she smiled and +answered:-- + +“I can say as much to you. Perhaps, dear Paul, my Spanish nature has +led me farther than my heart desired. Be what you are,--kind as God +himself,--and do not be angry with me for a few hasty words. Shake +hands.” + +Paul was abashed; he fancied himself to blame, and he kissed Madame +Evangelista. + +“Dear Paul,” she said with much emotion, “why could not those two sharks +have settled this matter without dragging us into it, since it was so +easy to settle?” + +“In that case I should not have known how grand and generous you can +be,” replied Paul. + +“Indeed she is, Paul,” cried Natalie, pressing his hand. + +“We have still a few little matters to settle, my dear son,” said Madame +Evangelista. “My daughter and I are above the foolish vanities to which +so many persons cling. Natalie does not need my diamonds, but I am glad +to give them to her.” + +“Ah! my dear mother, do you suppose that I will accept them?” + +“Yes, my child; they are one of the conditions of the contract.” + +“I will not allow it; I will not marry at all,” cried Natalie, +vehemently. “Keep those jewels which my father took such pride in +collecting for you. How could Monsieur Paul exact--” + +“Hush, my dear,” said her mother, whose eyes now filled with tears. “My +ignorance of business compels me to a greater sacrifice than that.” + +“What sacrifice?” + +“I must sell my house in order to pay the money that I owe to you.” + +“What money can you possibly owe to me?” she said; “to me, who owe +you life! If my marriage costs you the slightest sacrifice, I will not +marry.” + +“Child!” + +“Dear Natalie, try to understand that neither I, nor your mother, nor +you yourself, require these sacrifices, but our children.” + +“Suppose I do not marry at all?” + +“Do you not love me?” said Paul, tenderly. + +“Come, come, my silly child; do you imagine that a contract is like a +house of cards which you can blow down at will? Dear little ignoramus, +you don’t know what trouble we have had to found an entail for the +benefit of your eldest son. Don’t cast us back into the discussions from +which we have just escaped.” + +“Why do you wish to ruin my mother?” said Natalie, looking at Paul. + +“Why are you so rich?” he replied, smiling. + +“Don’t quarrel, my children, you are not yet married,” said Madame +Evangelista. “Paul,” she continued, “you are not to give either +corbeille, or jewels, or trousseau. Natalie has everything in profusion. +Lay by the money you would otherwise put into wedding presents. I know +nothing more stupidly bourgeois and commonplace than to spend a hundred +thousand francs on a corbeille, when five thousand a year given to a +young woman saves her much anxiety and lasts her lifetime. Besides, the +money for a corbeille is needed to decorate your house in Paris. We +will return to Lanstrac in the spring; for Solonet is to settle my debts +during the winter.” + +“All is for the best,” cried Paul, at the summit of happiness. + +“So I shall see Paris!” cried Natalie, in a tone that would justly have +alarmed de Marsay. + +“If we decide upon this plan,” said Paul, “I’ll write to de Marsay and +get him to take a box for me at the Bouffons and also at the Italian +opera.” + +“You are very kind; I should never have dared to ask for it,” said +Natalie. “Marriage is a very agreeable institution if it gives husbands +a talent for divining the wishes of their wives.” + +“It is nothing else,” replied Paul. “But see how late it is; I ought to +go.” + +“Why leave so soon to-night?” said Madame Evangelista, employing those +coaxing ways to which men are so sensitive. + +Though all this passed on the best of terms, and according to the laws +of the most exquisite politeness, the effect of the discussion of +these contending interests had, nevertheless, cast between son and +mother-in-law a seed of distrust and enmity which was liable to sprout +under the first heat of anger, or the warmth of a feeling too harshly +bruised. In most families the settlement of “dots” and the deeds of +gift required by a marriage contract give rise to primitive emotions of +hostility, caused by self-love, by the lesion of certain sentiments, by +regret for the sacrifices made, and by the desire to diminish them. When +difficulties arise there is always a victorious side and a vanquished +one. The parents of the future pair try to conclude the matter, which is +purely commercial in their eyes, to their own advantage; and this +leads to the trickery, shrewdness, and deception of such negotiations. +Generally the husband alone is initiated into the secret of these +discussions, and the wife is kept, like Natalie, in ignorance of the +stipulations which make her rich or poor. + +As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness +of his notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury. If +Madame Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united +household would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs +to spend. All his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would be +realized. + +“My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman,” he thought, still +under the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored +to disperse the clouds raised by the discussion. “Mathias is mistaken. +These notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything. The harm +started from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a +clever game.” + +While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during +the evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on +her victory. + +“Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?” said Natalie, following +Madame Evangelista into her bedroom. + +“Yes, love,” replied the mother, “everything went well, according to my +wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing me. +Paul is a most easy-going man. Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we must make +his life prosperous. You will make him happy, and I will be responsible +for his political success. The Spanish ambassador used to be a friend +of mine, and I’ll renew the relation--as I will with the rest of my +old acquaintance. Oh! you’ll see! we shall soon be in the very heart +of Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us. You shall have the +pleasures, my dearest, and I the last occupation of existence,--the game +of ambition! Don’t be alarmed when you see me selling this house. Do you +suppose we shall ever come back to live in Bordeaux? no. Lanstrac? yes. +But we shall spend all our winters in Paris, where our real interests +lie. Well, Natalie, tell me, was it very difficult to do what I asked of +you?” + +“My little mamma! every now and then I felt ashamed.” + +“Solonet advises me to put the proceeds of this house into an annuity,” + said Madame Evangelista, “but I shall do otherwise; I won’t take a penny +of my fortune from you.” + +“I saw you were all very angry,” said Natalie. “How did the tempest calm +down?” + +“By an offer of my diamonds,” replied Madame Evangelista. “Solonet was +right. How ably he conducted the whole affair. Get out my jewel-case, +Natalie. I have never seriously considered what my diamonds are worth. +When I said a hundred thousand francs I talked nonsense. Madame de Gyas +always declared that the necklace and ear-rings your father gave me on +our marriage day were worth at least that sum. My poor husband was so +lavish! Then my family diamond, the one Philip the Second gave to the +Duke of Alba, and which my aunt bequeathed to me, the ‘Discreto,’ was, +I think, appraised in former times at four thousand quadruples,--one of +our Spanish gold coins.” + +Natalie laid out upon her mother’s toilet-table the pearl necklace, +the sets of jewels, the gold bracelets and precious stones of all +description, with that inexpressible sensation enjoyed by certain women +at the sight of such treasures, by which--so commentators on the Talmud +say--the fallen angels seduce the daughters of men, having sought these +flowers of celestial fire in the bowels of the earth. + +“Certainly,” said Madame Evangelista, “though I know nothing about +jewels except how to accept and wear them, I think there must be a great +deal of money in these. Then, if we make but one household, I can +sell my plate, the weight of which, as mere silver, would bring +thirty thousand francs. I remember when we brought it from Lima, the +custom-house officers weighed and appraised it. Solonet is right, I’ll +send to-morrow to Elie Magus. The Jew shall estimate the value of these +things. Perhaps I can avoid sinking any of my fortune in an annuity.” + +“What a beautiful pearl necklace!” said Natalie. + +“He ought to give it to you, if he loves you,” replied her mother; “and +I think he might have all my other jewels reset and let you keep them. +The diamonds are a part of your property in the contract. And now, +good-night, my darling. After the fatigues of this day we both need +rest.” + +The woman of luxury, the Creole, the great lady, incapable of analyzing +the results of a contract which was not yet in force, went to sleep in +the joy of seeing her daughter married to a man who was easy to manage, +who would let them both be mistresses of his home, and whose fortune, +united to theirs, would require no change in their way of living. +Thus having settled her account with her daughter, whose patrimony was +acknowledged in the contract, Madame Evangelista could feel at her ease. + +“How foolish of me to worry as I did,” she thought. “But I wish the +marriage were well over.” + +So Madame Evangelista, Paul, Natalie, and the two notaries were equally +satisfied with the first day’s result. The Te Deum was sung in both +camps,--a dangerous situation; for there comes a moment when the +vanquished side is aware of its mistake. To Madame Evangelista’s mind, +her son-in-law was the vanquished side. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--SECOND DAY + + +The next day Elie Magus (who happened at that time to be in Bordeaux) +obeyed Madame Evangelista’s summons, believing, from general rumor as to +the marriage of Comte Paul with Mademoiselle Natalie, that it concerned +a purchase of jewels for the bride. The Jew was, therefore, astonished +when he learned that, on the contrary, he was sent for to estimate the +value of the mother-in-law’s property. The instinct of his race, as well +as certain insidious questions, made him aware that the value of the +diamonds was included in the marriage-contract. The stones were not to +be sold, and yet he was to estimate them as if some private person +were buying them from a dealer. Jewellers alone know how to distinguish +between the diamonds of Asia and those of Brazil. The stones of Golconda +and Visapur are known by a whiteness and glittering brilliancy which +others have not,--the water of the Brazilian diamonds having a yellow +tinge which reduces their selling value. Madame Evangelista’s necklace +and ear-rings, being composed entirely of Asiatic diamonds, were valued +by Elie Magus at two hundred and fifty thousand francs. As for +the “Discreto,” he pronounced it one of the finest diamonds in the +possession of private persons; it was known to the trade and valued at +one hundred thousand francs. On hearing this estimate, which proved to +her the lavishness of her husband, Madame Evangelista asked the old Jew +whether she should be able to obtain that money immediately. + +“Madame,” replied the Jew, “if you wish to sell I can give you only +seventy-five thousand for the brilliant, and one hundred and sixty +thousand for the necklace and earrings.” + +“Why such reduction?” + +“Madame,” replied Magus, “the finer the diamond, the longer we keep it +unsold. The rarity of such investments is one reason for the high value +set upon precious stones. As the merchant cannot lose the interest of +his money, this additional sum, joined to the rise and fall to which +such merchandise is subject, explains the difference between the price +of purchase and the price of sale. By owning these diamonds you have +lost the interest on three hundred thousand francs for twenty years. +If you wear your jewels ten times a year, it costs you three thousand +francs each evening to put them on. How many beautiful gowns you could +buy with that sum. Those who own diamonds are, therefore, very +foolish; but, luckily for us, women are never willing to understand the +calculation.” + +“I thank you for explaining it to me, and I shall profit by it.” + +“Do you wish to sell?” asked Magus, eagerly. + +“What are the other jewels worth?” + +The Jew examined the gold of the settings, held the pearls to the light, +scrutinized the rubies, the diadems, clasps, bracelets, and chains, and +said, in a mumbling tone:-- + +“A good many Portuguese diamonds from Brazil are among them. They are +not worth more than a hundred thousand to me. But,” he added, “a dealer +would sell them to a customer for one hundred and fifty thousand, at +least.” + +“I shall keep them,” said Madame Evangelista. + +“You are wrong,” replied Elie Magus. “With the income from the sum they +represent you could buy just as fine diamonds in five years, and have +the capital to boot.” + +This singular conference became known, and corroborated certain rumors +excited by the discussion of the contract. The servants of the house, +overhearing high voices, supposed the difficulties greater than they +really were. Their gossip with other valets spread the information, +which from the lower regions rose to the ears of the masters. The +attention of society, and of the town in general, became so fixed on +the marriage of two persons equally rich and well-born, that every one, +great and small, busied themselves about the matter, and in less than a +week the strangest rumors were bruited about. + +“Madame Evangelista sells her house; she must be ruined. She offered her +diamonds to Elie Magus. Nothing is really settled between herself and +the Comte de Manerville. Is it probable that the marriage will ever take +place?” + +To this question some answered yes, and others said no. The two +notaries, when questioned, denied these calumnies, and declared that +the difficulties arose only from the official delay in constituting the +entail. But when public opinion has taken a trend in one direction it +is very difficult to turn it back. Though Paul went every day to Madame +Evangelista’s house, and though the notaries denied these assertions +continually, the whispered calumny went on. Young girls, and their +mothers and aunts, vexed at a marriage they had dreamed of for +themselves or for their families, could not forgive the Spanish ladies +for their happiness, as authors cannot forgive each other for their +success. A few persons revenged themselves for the twenty-years luxury +and grandeur of the family of Evangelista, which had lain heavily on +their self-love. A leading personage at the prefecture declared that +the notaries could have chosen no other language and followed no other +conduct in the case of a rupture. The time actually required for the +establishment of the entail confirmed the suspicions of the Bordeaux +provincials. + +“They will keep the ball going through the winter; then, in the spring, +they will go to some watering-place, and we shall learn before the year +is out that the marriage is off.” + +“And, of course, we shall be given to understand,” said others, “for +the sake of the honor of the two families, that the difficulties did not +come from either side, but the chancellor refused to consent; you may +be sure it will be some quibble about that entail which will cause the +rupture.” + +“Madame Evangelista,” some said, “lived in a style that the mines of +Valencia couldn’t meet. When the time came to melt the bell, and pay the +daughter’s patrimony, nothing would be found to pay it with.” + +The occasion was excellent to add up the spendings of the handsome widow +and prove, categorically, her ruin. Rumors were so rife that bets were +made for and against the marriage. By the laws of worldly jurisprudence +this gossip was not allowed to reach the ears of the parties concerned. +No one was enemy or friend enough to Paul or to Madame Evangelista +to inform either of what was being said. Paul had some business at +Lanstrac, and used the occasion to make a hunting-party for several +of the young men of Bordeaux,--a sort of farewell, as it were, to his +bachelor life. This hunting party was accepted by society as a signal +confirmation of public suspicion. + +When this event occurred, Madame de Gyas, who had a daughter to marry, +thought it high time to sound the matter, and to condole, with joyful +heart, the blow received by the Evangelistas. Natalie and her mother +were somewhat surprised to see the lengthened face of the marquise, and +they asked at once if anything distressing had happened to her. + +“Can it be,” she replied, “that you are ignorant of the rumors that are +circulating? Though I think them false myself, I have come to learn the +truth in order to stop this gossip, at any rate among the circle of my +own friends. To be the dupes or the accomplices of such an error is too +false a position for true friends to occupy.” + +“But what is it? what has happened?” asked mother and daughter. + +Madame de Gyas thereupon allowed herself the happiness of repeating all +the current gossip, not sparing her two friends a single stab. Natalie +and Madame Evangelista looked at each other and laughed, but they fully +understood the meaning of the tale and the motives of their friend. +The Spanish lady took her revenge very much as Celimene took hers on +Arsinoe. + +“My dear, are you ignorant--you who know the provinces so well--can +you be ignorant of what a mother is capable when she has on her hands +a daughter whom she cannot marry for want of ‘dot’ and lovers, want of +beauty, want of mind, and, sometimes, want of everything? Why, a mother +in that position would rob a diligence or commit a murder, or wait for a +man at the corner of a street--she would sacrifice herself twenty times +over, if she was a mother at all. Now, as you and I both know, there are +many such in that situation in Bordeaux, and no doubt they attribute to +us their own thoughts and actions. Naturalists have depicted the habits +and customs of many ferocious animals, but they have forgotten the +mother and daughter in quest of a husband. Such women are hyenas, going +about, as the Psalmist says, seeking whom they may devour, and adding to +the instinct of the brute the intellect of man, and the genius of woman. +I can understand that those little spiders, Mademoiselle de Belor, +Mademoiselle de Trans, and others, after working so long at their webs +without catching a fly, without so much as hearing a buzz, should be +furious; I can even forgive their spiteful speeches. But that you, who +can marry your daughter when you please, you, who are rich and titled, +you who have nothing of the provincial about you, whose daughter is +clever and possesses fine qualities, with beauty and the power to +choose--that you, so distinguished from the rest by your Parisian grace, +should have paid the least heed to this talk does really surprise me. Am +I bound to account to the public for the marriage stipulations which +our notaries think necessary under the political circumstances of my +son-in-law’s future life? Has the mania for public discussion made its +way into families? Ought I to convoke in writing the fathers and mothers +of the province to come here and give their vote on the clauses of our +marriage contract?” + +A torrent of epigram flowed over Bordeaux. Madame Evangelista was +about to leave the city, and could safely scan her friends and enemies, +caricature them and lash them as she pleased, with nothing to fear in +return. Accordingly, she now gave vent to her secret observations and +her latent dislikes as she sought for the reason why this or that person +denied the shining of the sun at mid-day. + +“But, my dear,” said the Marquise de Gyas, “this stay of the count at +Lanstrac, these parties given to young men under such circumstances--” + +“Ah! my dear,” said the great lady, interrupting the marquise, “do you +suppose that we adopt the pettiness of bourgeois customs? Is Count Paul +held in bonds like a man who might seek to get away? Think you we ought +to watch him with a squad of gendarmes lest some provincial conspiracy +should get him away from us?” + +“Be assured, my dearest friend, that it gives me the greatest pleasure +to--” + +Here her words were interrupted by a footman who entered the room to +announce Paul. Like many lovers, Paul thought it charming to ride twelve +miles to spend an hour with Natalie. He had left his friends while +hunting, and came in booted and spurred, and whip in hand. + +“Dear Paul,” said Natalie, “you don’t know what an answer you are giving +to madame.” + +When Paul heard of the gossip that was current in Bordeaux, he laughed +instead of being angry. + +“These worthy people have found out, perhaps, that there will be no +wedding festivities, according to provincial usages, no marriage at +mid-day in the church, and they are furious. Well, my dear mother,” he +added, kissing her hand, “let us pacify them with a ball on the day when +we sign the contract, just as the government flings a fete to the people +in the great square of the Champs-Elysees, and we will give our dear +friends the dolorous pleasure of signing a marriage-contract such as +they have seldom heard of in the provinces.” + +This little incident proved of great importance. Madame Evangelista +invited all Bordeaux to witness the signature of the contract, and +showed her intention of displaying in this last fete a luxury which +should refute the foolish lies of the community. + +The preparations for this event required over a month, and it was called +the fete of the camellias. Immense quantities of that beautiful flower +were massed on the staircase, and in the antechamber and supper-room. +During this month the formalities for constituting the entail were +concluded in Paris; the estates adjoining Lanstrac were purchased, the +banns were published, and all doubts finally dissipated. Friends and +enemies thought only of preparing their toilets for the coming fete. + +The time occupied by these events obscured the difficulties raised by +the first discussion, and swept into oblivion the words and arguments of +that stormy conference. Neither Paul nor his mother-in-law continued to +think of them. Were they not, after all, as Madame Evangelista had said, +the affair of the two notaries? + +But--to whom has it never happened, when life is in its fullest flow, to +be suddenly changed by the voice of memory, raised, perhaps, too late, +reminding us of some important new fact, some threatened danger? On +the morning of the day when the contract was to be signed and the fete +given, one of these flashes of the soul illuminated the mind of Madame +Evangelista during the semi-somnolence of her waking hour. The words +that she herself had uttered at the moment when Mathias acceded to +Solonet’s conditions, “Questa coda non e di questo gatto,” were cried +aloud in her mind by that voice of memory. In spite of her incapacity +for business, Madame Evangelista’s shrewdness told her:-- + +“If so clever a notary as Mathias was pacified, it must have been that +he saw compensation at the cost of _some one_.” + +That some one could not be Paul, as she had blindly hoped. Could it be +that her daughter’s fortune was to pay the costs of war? She resolved to +demand explanations on the tenor of the contract, not reflecting on the +course she would have to take in case she found her interests +seriously compromised. This day had so powerful an influence on Paul de +Manerville’s conjugal life that it is necessary to explain certain of +the external circumstances which accompanied it. + +Madame Evangelista had shrunk from no expense for this dazzling fete. +The court-yard was gravelled and converted into a tent, and filled with +shrubs, although it was winter. The camellias, of which so much had +been said from Angouleme to Dax, were banked on the staircase and in the +vestibules. Wall partitions had disappeared to enlarge the supper-room +and the ball-room where the dancing was to be. Bordeaux, a city famous +for the luxury of colonial fortunes, was on a tiptoe of expectation for +this scene of fairyland. About eight o’clock, as the last discussion +of the contract was taking place within the house, the inquisitive +populace, anxious to see the ladies in full dress getting out of their +carriages, formed in two hedges on either side of the porte-cochere. +Thus the sumptuous atmosphere of a fete acted upon all minds at the +moment when the contract was being signed, illuminating colored lamps +lighted up the shrubs, and the wheels of the arriving guests echoed +from the court-yard. The two notaries had dined with the bridal pair and +their mother. Mathias’s head-clerk, whose business it was to receive the +signatures of the guests during the evening (taking due care that the +contract was not surreptitiously read by the signers), was also present +at the dinner. + +No bridal toilet was ever comparable with that of Natalie, whose beauty, +decked with laces and satin, her hair coquettishly falling in a myriad +of curls about her throat, resembled that of a flower encased in its +foliage. Madame Evangelista, robed in a gown of cherry velvet, a color +judiciously chosen to heighten the brilliancy of her skin and her black +hair and eyes, glowed with the beauty of a woman at forty, and wore her +pearl necklace, clasped with the “Discreto,” a visible contradiction to +the late calumnies. + +To fully explain this scene, it is necessary to say that Paul and +Natalie sat together on a sofa beside the fireplace and paid no +attention to the reading of the documents. Equally childish and equally +happy, regarding life as a cloudless sky, rich, young, and loving, they +chattered to each other in a low voice, sinking into whispers. Arming +his love with the presence of legality, Paul took delight in kissing the +tips of Natalie’s fingers, in lightly touching her snowy shoulders and +the waving curls of her hair, hiding from the eyes of others these +joys of illegal emancipation. Natalie played with a screen of peacock’s +feathers given to her by Paul,--a gift which is to love, according to +superstitious belief in certain countries, as dangerous an omen as the +gift of scissors or other cutting instruments, which recall, no doubt, +the Parces of antiquity. + +Seated beside the two notaries, Madame Evangelista gave her closest +attention to the reading of the documents. After listening to the +guardianship account, most ably written out by Solonet, in which +Natalie’s share of the three million and more francs left by Monsieur +Evangelista was shown to be the much-debated eleven hundred and +fifty-six thousand, Madame Evangelista said to the heedless young +couple:-- + +“Come, listen, listen, my children; this is your marriage contract.” + +The clerk drank a glass of iced-water, Solonet and Mathias blew their +noses, Paul and Natalie looked at the four personages before them, +listened to the preamble, and returned to their chatter. The statement +of the property brought by each party; the general deed of gift in +the event of death without issue; the deed of gift of one-fourth in +life-interest and one-fourth in capital without interest, allowed by +the Code, whatever be the number of the children; the constitution of a +common fund for husband and wife; the settlement of the diamonds on the +wife, the library and horses on the husband, were duly read and passed +without observations. Then followed the constitution of the entail. +When all was read and nothing remained but to sign the contract, Madame +Evangelista demanded to know what would be the ultimate effect of the +entail. + +“An entail, madam,” replied Solonet, “means an inalienable right to +the inheritance of certain property belonging to both husband and wife, +which is settled from generation to generation on the eldest son of +the house, without, however, depriving him of his right to share in the +division of the rest of the property.” + +“What will be the effect of this on my daughter’s rights?” + +Maitre Mathias, incapable of disguising the truth, replied:-- + +“Madame, an entail being an appanage, or portion of property set aside +for this purpose from the fortunes of husband and wife, it follows that +if the wife dies first, leaving several children, one of them a son, +Monsieur de Manerville will owe those children three hundred and +sixty thousand francs only, from which he will deduct his fourth in +life-interest and his fourth in capital. Thus his debt to those +children will be reduced to one hundred and sixty thousand francs, or +thereabouts, exclusive of his savings and profits from the common fund +constituted for husband and wife. If, on the contrary, he dies first, +leaving a male heir, Madame de Manerville has a right to three hundred +and sixty thousand francs only, and to her deeds of gift of such of her +husband’s property as is not included in the entail, to the diamonds now +settled upon her, and to her profits and savings from the common fund.” + +The effect of Maitre Mathias’s astute and far-sighted policy were now +plainly seen. + +“My daughter is ruined,” said Madame Evangelista in a low voice. + +The old and the young notary both overheard the words. + +“Is it ruin,” replied Mathias, speaking gently, “to constitute for her +family an indestructible fortune?” + +The younger notary, seeing the expression of his client’s face, thought +it judicious in him to state the disaster in plain terms. + +“We tried to trick them out of three hundred thousand francs,” he +whispered to the angry woman. “They have actually laid hold of eight +hundred thousand; it is a loss of four hundred thousand from our +interests for the benefit of the children. You must now either break the +marriage off at once, or carry it through,” concluded Solonet. + +It is impossible to describe the moment of silence that followed. Maitre +Mathias waited in triumph the signature of the two persons who had +expected to rob his client. Natalie, not competent to understand that +she had lost half her fortune, and Paul, ignorant that the house of +Manerville had gained it, were laughing and chattering still. Solonet +and Madame Evangelista gazed at each other; the one endeavoring to +conceal his indifference, the other repressing the rush of a crowd of +bitter feelings. + +After suffering in her own mind the struggles of remorse, after blaming +Paul as the cause of her dishonesty, Madame Evangelista had decided to +employ those shameful manoeuvres to cast on him the burden of her own +unfaithful guardianship, considering him her victim. But now, in a +moment, she perceived that where she thought she triumphed she was about +to perish, and her victim was her own daughter. Guilty without profit, +she saw herself the dupe of an honorable old man, whose respect she had +doubtless lost. Her secret conduct must have inspired the stipulation +of old Mathias; and Mathias must have enlightened Paul. Horrible +reflection! Even if he had not yet done so, as soon as that contract was +signed the old wolf would surely warn his client of the dangers he +had run and had now escaped, were it only to receive the praise of his +sagacity. He would put him on his guard against the wily woman who had +lowered herself to this conspiracy; he would destroy the empire she +had conquered over her son-in-law! Feeble natures, once warned, turn +obstinate, and are never won again. At the first discussion of the +contract she had reckoned on Paul’s weakness, and on the impossibility +he would feel of breaking off a marriage so far advanced. But now, she +herself was far more tightly bound. Three months earlier Paul had no +real obstacles to prevent the rupture; now, all Bordeaux knew that the +notaries had smoothed the difficulties; the banns were published; the +wedding was to take place immediately; the friends of both families were +at that moment arriving for the fete, and to witness the contract. How +could she postpone the marriage at this late hour? The cause of the +rupture would surely be made known; Maitre Mathias’s stern honor was +too well known in Bordeaux; his word would be believed in preference to +hers. The scoffers would turn against her and against her daughter. No, +she could not break it off; she must yield! + +These reflections, so cruelly sound, fell upon Madame Evangelista’s +brain like a water-spout and split it. Though she still maintained +the dignity and reserve of a diplomatist, her chin was shaken by that +apoplectic movement which showed the anger of Catherine the Second on +the famous day when, seated on her throne and in presence of her court +(very much in the present circumstances of Madame Evangelista), she was +braved by the King of Sweden. Solonet observed that play of the muscles, +which revealed the birth of a mortal hatred, a lurid storm to which +there was no lightning. At this moment Madame Evangelista vowed to her +son-in-law one of those unquenchable hatreds the seeds of which were +left by the Moors in the atmosphere of Spain. + +“Monsieur,” she said, bending to the ear of her notary, “you called that +stipulation balderdash; it seems to me that nothing could have been more +clear.” + +“Madame, allow me--” + +“Monsieur,” she continued, paying no heed to his interruption, “if you +did not perceive the effect of that entail at the time of our first +conference, it is very extraordinary that it did not occur to you in the +silence of your study. This can hardly be incapacity.” + +The young notary drew his client into the next room, saying to himself, +as he did so:-- + +“I get a three-thousand franc fee for the guardianship account, three +thousand for the contract, six thousand on the sale of the house, +fifteen thousand in all--better not be angry.” + +He closed the door, cast on Madame Evangelista the cool look of a +business man, and said:-- + +“Madame, having, for your sake, passed--as I did--the proper limits +of legal craft, do you seriously intend to reward my devotion by such +language?” + +“But, monsieur--” + +“Madame, I did not, it is true, calculate the effect of the deeds of +gift. But if you do not wish Comte Paul for your son-in-law you are not +obliged to accept him. The contract is not signed. Give your fete, and +postpone the signing. It is far better to brave Bordeaux than sacrifice +yourself.” + +“How can I justify such a course to society, which is already prejudiced +against us by the slow conclusion of the marriage?” + +“By some error committed in Paris; some missing document not sent with +the rest,” replied Solonet. + +“But those purchases of land near Lanstrac?” + +“Monsieur de Manerville will be at no loss to find another bride and +another dowry.” + +“Yes, he’ll lose nothing; but we lose all, all!” + +“You?” replied Solonet; “why, you can easily find another count who will +cost you less money, if a title is the chief object of this marriage.” + +“No, no! we can’t stake our honor in that way. I am caught in a trap, +monsieur. All Bordeaux will ring with this to-morrow. Our solemn words +are pledged--” + +“You wish the happiness of Mademoiselle Natalie.” + +“Above all things.” + +“To be happy in France,” said the notary, “means being mistress of the +home. She can lead that fool of a Manerville by the nose if she chooses; +he is so dull he has actually seen nothing of all this. Even if he now +distrusts you, he will always trust his wife; and his wife is YOU, is +she not? The count’s fate is still within your power if you choose to +play the cards in your hand.” + +“If that were true, monsieur, I know not what I would not do to show my +gratitude,” she said, in a transport of feeling that colored her cheeks. + +“Let us now return to the others, madame,” said Solonet. “Listen +carefully to what I shall say; and then--you shall think me incapable if +you choose.” + +“My dear friend,” said the young notary to Maitre Mathias, “in spite of +your great ability, you have not foreseen either the case of Monsieur +de Manerville dying without children, nor that in which he leaves only +female issue. In either of those cases the entail would pass to the +Manervilles, or, at any rate, give rise to suits on their part. I think, +therefore, it is necessary to stipulate that in the first case the +entailed property shall pass under the general deed of gift between +husband and wife; and in the second case that the entail shall be +declared void. This agreement concerns the wife’s interest.” + +“Both clauses seem to me perfectly just,” said Maitre Mathias. “As +to their ratification, Monsieur le comte can, doubtless, come to an +understanding with the chancellor, if necessary.” + +Solonet took a pen and added this momentous clause on the margin of the +contract. Paul and Natalie paid no attention to the matter; but Madame +Evangelista dropped her eyes while Maitre Mathias read the added +sentence aloud. + +“We will now sign,” said the mother. + +The volume of voice which Madame Evangelista repressed as she uttered +those words betrayed her violent emotion. She was thinking to herself: +“No, my daughter shall not be ruined--but he! My daughter shall have the +name, the title, and the fortune. If she should some day discover that +she does not love him, that she loves another, irresistibly, Paul shall +be driven out of France! My daughter shall be free, and happy, and +rich.” + +If Maitre Mathias understood how to analyze business interests, he +knew little of the analysis of human passions. He accepted Madame +Evangelista’s words as an honorable “amende,” instead of judging them +for what they were, a declaration of war. While Solonet and his clerk +superintended Natalie as she signed the documents,--an operation which +took time,--Mathias took Paul aside and told him the meaning of the +stipulation by which he had saved him from ultimate pain. + +“The whole affair is now ‘en regle.’ I hold the documents. But the +contract contains a rescript for the diamonds; you must ask for them. +Business is business. Diamonds are going up just now, but may go down. +The purchase of those new domains justifies you in turning everything +into money that you can. Therefore, Monsieur le comte, have no false +modesty in this matter. The first payment is due after the formalities +are over. The sum is two hundred thousand francs; put the diamonds into +that. You have the lien on this house, which will be sold at once, and +will pay the rest. If you have the courage to spend only fifty thousand +francs for the next three years, you can save the two hundred thousand +francs you are now obliged to pay. If you plant vineyards on your new +estates, you can get an income of over twenty-five thousand francs upon +them. You may be said, in short, to have made a good marriage.” + +Paul pressed the hand of his old friend very affectionately, a gesture +which did not escape Madame Evangelista, who now came forward to offer +him the pen. Suspicion became certainty to her mind. She was confident +that Paul and Mathias had come to an understanding about her. Rage and +hatred sent the blood surging through her veins to her heart. The worst +had come. + +After verifying that all the documents were duly signed and the initials +of the parties affixed to the bottom of the leaves, Maitre Mathias +looked from Paul to his mother-in-law, and seeing that his client did +not intend to speak of the diamonds, he said:-- + +“I do not suppose there can be any doubt about the transfer of the +diamonds, as you are now one family.” + +“It would be more regular if Madame Evangelista made them over now, +as Monsieur de Manerville has become responsible for the guardianship +funds, and we never know who may live or die,” said Solonet, who thought +he saw in this circumstance fresh cause of anger in the mother-in-law +against the son-in-law. + +“Ah! mother,” cried Paul, “it would be insulting to us all to do +that,--‘Summum jus, summum injuria,’ monsieur,” he said to Solonet. + +“And I,” said Madame Evangelista, led by the hatred now surging in her +heart to see a direct insult to her in the indirect appeal of Maitre +Mathias, “I will tear that contract up if you do not take them.” + +She left the room in one of those furious passions which long for the +power to destroy everything, and which the sense of impotence drives +almost to madness. + +“For Heaven’s sake, take them, Paul,” whispered Natalie in his ear. “My +mother is angry; I shall know why to-night, and I will tell you. We must +pacify her.” + +Calmed by this first outburst, madame kept the necklace and ear-rings, +which she was wearing, and brought the other jewels, valued at one +hundred and fifty thousand francs by Elie Magus. Accustomed to the sight +of family diamonds in all valuations of inheritance, Maitre Mathias and +Solonet examined these jewels in their cases and exclaimed upon their +duty. + +“You will lose nothing, after all, upon the ‘dot,’ Monsieur le comte,” + said Solonet, bringing the color to Paul’s face. + +“Yes,” said Mathias, “these jewels will meet the first payment on the +purchase of the new estate.” + +“And the costs of the contract,” added Solonet. + +Hatred feeds, like love, on little things; the least thing strengthens +it; as one beloved can do no evil, so the person hated can do no good. +Madame Evangelista assigned to hypocrisy the natural embarrassment of +Paul, who was unwilling to take the jewels, and not knowing where to +put the cases, longed to fling them from the window. Madame Evangelista +spurred him with a glance which seemed to say, “Take your property from +here.” + +“Dear Natalie,” said Paul, “put away these jewels; they are yours; I +give them to you.” + +Natalie locked them into the drawer of a console. At this instant the +noise of the carriages in the court-yard and the murmur of voices in the +receptions-rooms became so loud that Natalie and her mother were forced +to appear. The salons were filled in a few moments, and the fete began. + +“Profit by the honeymoon to sell those diamonds,” said the old notary to +Paul as he went away. + +While waiting for the dancing to begin, whispers went round about the +marriage, and doubts were expressed as to the future of the promised +couple. + +“Is it finally arranged?” said one of the leading personages of the town +to Madame Evangelista. + +“We had so many documents to read and sign that I fear we are rather +late,” she replied; “but perhaps we are excusable.” + +“As for me, I heard nothing,” said Natalie, giving her hand to her lover +to open the ball. + +“Both of those young persons are extravagant, and the mother is not of a +kind to check them,” said a dowager. + +“But they have founded an entail, I am told, worth fifty thousand francs +a year.” + +“Pooh!” + +“In that I see the hand of our worthy Monsieur Mathias,” said a +magistrate. “If it is really true, he has done it to save the future of +the family.” + +“Natalie is too handsome not to be horribly coquettish. After a couple +of years of marriage,” said one young woman, “I wouldn’t answer for +Monsieur de Manerville’s happiness in his home.” + +“The Pink of Fashion will then need staking,” said Solonet, laughing. + +“Don’t you think Madame Evangelista looks annoyed?” asked another. + +“But, my dear, I have just been told that all she is able to keep is +twenty-five thousand francs a year, and what is that to her?” + +“Penury!” + +“Yes, she has robbed herself for Natalie. Monsieur de Manerville has +been so exacting--” + +“Extremely exacting,” put in Maitre Solonet. “But before long he will be +peer of France. The Maulincours and the Vidame de Pamiers will use their +influence. He belongs to the faubourg Saint-Germain.” + +“Oh! he is received there, and that is all,” said a lady, who had +tried to obtain him as a son-in-law. “Mademoiselle Evangelista, as +the daughter of a merchant, will certainly not open the doors of the +chapter-house of Cologne to him!” + +“She is grand-niece to the Duke of Casa-Reale.” + +“Through the female line!” + +The topic was presently exhausted. The card-players went to the tables, +the young people danced, the supper was served, and the ball was not +over till morning, when the first gleams of the coming day whitened the +windows. + +Having said adieu to Paul, who was the last to go away, Madame +Evangelista went to her daughter’s room; for her own had been taken by +the architect to enlarge the scene of the fete. Though Natalie and her +mother were overcome with sleep, they said a few words to each other as +soon as they were alone. + +“Tell me, mother dear, what was the matter with you?” + +“My darling, I learned this evening to what lengths a mother’s +tenderness can go. You know nothing of business, and you are ignorant of +the suspicions to which my integrity has been exposed. I have trampled +my pride under foot, for your happiness and my reputation were at +stake.” + +“Are you talking of the diamonds? Poor boy, he wept; he did not want +them; I have them.” + +“Sleep now, my child. We will talk business when we wake--for,” she +added, sighing, “you and I have business now; another person has come +between us.” + +“Ah! my dear mother, Paul will never be an obstacle to our happiness, +yours and mine,” murmured Natalie, as she went to sleep. + +“Poor darling! she little knows that the man has ruined her.” + +Madame Evangelista’s soul was seized at that moment with the first idea +of avarice, a vice to which many become a prey as they grow aged. It +came into her mind to recover in her daughter’s interest the whole +of the property left by her husband. She told herself that her honor +demanded it. Her devotion to Natalie made her, in a moment, as shrewd +and calculating as she had hitherto been careless and wasteful. She +resolved to turn her capital to account, after investing a part of it +in the Funds, which were then selling at eighty francs. A passion often +changes the whole character in a moment; an indiscreet person becomes a +diplomatist, a coward is suddenly brave. Hate made this prodigal woman +a miser. Chance and luck might serve the project of vengeance, still +undefined and confused, which she would now mature in her mind. She fell +asleep, muttering to herself, “To-morrow!” By an unexplained phenomenon, +the effects of which are familiar to all thinkers, her mind, during +sleep, marshalled its ideas, enlightened them, classed them, prepared a +means by which she was to rule Paul’s life, and showed her a plan which +she began to carry out on that very to-morrow. + + + + +CHAPTER V. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--THIRD DAY + + +Though the excitement of the fete had driven from Paul’s mind the +anxious thoughts that now and then assailed it, when he was alone with +himself and in his bed they returned to torment him. + +“It seems to me,” he said to himself, “that without that good Mathias my +mother-in-law would have tricked me. And yet, is that believable? What +interest could lead her to deceive me? Are we not to join fortunes and +live together? Well, well, why should I worry about it? In two days +Natalie will be my wife, our money relations are plainly defined, +nothing can come between us. Vogue la galere--Nevertheless, I’ll be upon +my guard. Suppose Mathias was right? Well, if he was, I’m not obliged to +marry my mother-in-law.” + +In this second battle of the contract Paul’s future had completely +changed in aspect, though he was not aware of it. Of the two persons +whom he was marrying, one, the cleverest, was now his mortal enemy, +and meditated already withdrawing her interests from the common fund. +Incapable of observing the difference that a Creole nature placed +between his mother-in-law and other women, Paul was far from suspecting +her craftiness. The Creole nature is apart from all others; it derives +from Europe by its intellect, from the tropics by the illogical violence +of its passions, from the East by the apathetic indifference with which +it does, or suffers, either good or evil, equally,--a graceful nature +withal, but dangerous, as a child is dangerous if not watched. Like a +child, the Creole woman must have her way immediately; like a child, she +would burn a house to boil an egg. In her soft and easy life she takes +no care upon her mind; but when impassioned, she thinks of all things. +She has something of the perfidy of the Negroes by whom she has been +surrounded from her cradle, but she is also as naive and even, at times, +as artless as they. Like them and like the children, she wishes doggedly +for one thing with a growing intensity of desire, and will brood upon +that idea until she hatches it. A strange assemblage of virtues +and defects! which her Spanish nature had strengthened in Madame +Evangelista, and over which her French experience had cast the glaze of +its politeness. + +This character, slumbering in married happiness for sixteen years, +occupied since then with the trivialities of social life, this nature +to which a first hatred had revealed its strength, awoke now like a +conflagration; at the moment of the woman’s life when she was losing +the dearest object of her affections and needed another element for the +energy that possessed her, this flame burst forth. Natalie could be but +three days more beneath her influence! Madame Evangelista, vanquished +at other points, had one clear day before her, the last of those that +a daughter spends beside her mother. A few words, and the Creole nature +could influence the lives of the two beings about to walk together +through the brambled paths and the dusty high-roads of Parisian society, +for Natalie believed in her mother blindly. What far-reaching power +would the counsel of that Creole nature have on a mind so subservient! +The whole future of these lives might be determined by one single +speech. No code, no human institution can prevent the crime that +kills by words. There lies the weakness of social law; in that is the +difference between the morals of the great world and the morals of the +people: one is frank, the other hypocritical; one employs the knife, +the other the venom of ideas and language; to one death, to the other +impunity. + +The next morning, about mid-day, Madame Evangelista was half seated, +half lying on the edge of her daughter’s bed. During that waking hour +they caressed and played together in happy memory of their loving life; +a life in which no discord had ever troubled either the harmony of +their feelings, the agreement of their ideas, or the mutual choice and +enjoyment of their pleasures. + +“Poor little darling!” said the mother, shedding true tears, “how can I +help being sorrowful when I think that after I have fulfilled your every +wish during your whole life you will belong, to-morrow night, to a man +you must obey?” + +“Oh, my dear mother, as for obeying!--” and Natalie made a little motion +of her head which expressed a graceful rebellion. “You are joking,” she +continued. “My father always gratified your caprices; and why not? he +loved you. And I am loved, too.” + +“Yes, Paul has a certain love for you. But if a married woman is +not careful nothing more rapidly evaporates than conjugal love. The +influence a wife ought to have over her husband depends entirely on how +she begins with him. You need the best advice.” + +“But you will be with us.” + +“Possibly, my child. Last night, while the ball was going on, I +reflected on the dangers of our being together. If my presence were to +do you harm, if the little acts by which you ought slowly, but surely, +to establish your authority as a wife should be attributed to my +influence, your home would become a hell. At the first frown I saw upon +your husband’s brow I, proud as I am, should instantly leave his house. +If I were driven to leave it, better, I think, not to enter it. I should +never forgive your husband if he caused trouble between us. Whereas, +when you have once become the mistress, when your husband is to you what +your father was to me, that danger is no longer to be feared. Though +this wise policy will cost your young and tender heart a pang, your +happiness demands that you become the absolute sovereign of your home.” + +“Then why, mamma, did you say just now I must obey him?” + +“My dear little daughter, in order that a wife may rule, she must always +seem to do what her husband wishes. If you were not told this you might +by some impulsive opposition destroy your future. Paul is a weak young +man; he might allow a friend to rule him; he might even fall under the +dominion of some woman who would make you feel her influence. Prevent +such disasters by making yourself from the very start his ruler. Is it +not better that he be governed by you than by others?” + + +“Yes, certainly,” said Natalie. “I should think only of his happiness.” + +“And it is my privilege, darling, to think only of yours, and to wish +not to leave you at so crucial a moment without a compass in the midst +of the reefs through which you must steer.” + +“But, dearest mother, are we not strong enough, you and I, to stay +together beside him, without having to fear those frowns you seem to +dread. Paul loves you, mamma.” + +“Oh! oh! He fears me more than he loves me. Observe him carefully to-day +when I tell him that I shall let you go to Paris without me, and you +will see on his face, no matter what pains he takes to conceal it, his +inward joy.” + +“Why should he feel so?” + +“Why? Dear child! I am like Saint-Jean Bouche-d’Or. I will tell that to +himself, and before you.” + +“But suppose I marry on condition that you do not leave me?” urged +Natalie. + +“Our separation is necessary,” replied her mother. “Several +considerations have greatly changed my future. I am now poor. You will +lead a brilliant life in Paris, and I could not live with you suitably +without spending the little that remains to me. Whereas, if I go to +Lanstrac, I can take care of your property there and restore my fortune +by economy.” + +“You, mamma! _You_ practise economy!” cried Natalie, laughing. “Don’t +begin to be a grandmother yet. What! do you mean to leave me for such +reasons as those? Dear mother, Paul may seem to you a trifle stupid, but +he is not one atom selfish or grasping.” + +“Ah!” replied Madame Evangelista, in a tone of voice big with +suggestions which made the girl’s heart throb, “those discussions about +the contract have made me distrustful. I have my doubts about him--But +don’t be troubled, dear child,” she added, taking her daughter by the +neck and kissing her. “I will not leave you long alone. Whenever my +return can take place without making difficulty between you, whenever +Paul can rightly judge me, we will begin once more our happy little +life, our evening confidences--” + +“Oh! mother, how can you think of living without your Natalie?” + +“Because, dear angel, I shall live for her. My mother’s heart will be +satisfied in the thought that I contribute, as I ought, to your future +happiness.” + +“But, my dear, adorable mother, must I be alone with Paul, here, now, +all at once? What will become of me? what will happen? what must I do? +what must I not do?” + +“Poor child! do you think that I would utterly abandon you to your first +battle? We will write to each other three times a week like lovers. +We shall thus be close to each other’s hearts incessantly. Nothing +can happen to you that I shall not know, and I can save you from all +misfortune. Besides, it would be too ridiculous if I never went to see +you; it would seem to show dislike or disrespect to your husband; I will +always spend a month or two every year with you in Paris.” + +“Alone, already alone, and with him!” cried Natalie in terror, +interrupting her mother. + +“But you wish to be his wife?” + +“Yes, I wish it. But tell me how I should behave,--you, who did what you +pleased with my father. You know the way; I’ll obey you blindly.” + +Madame Evangelista kissed her daughter’s forehead. She had willed and +awaited this request. + +“Child, my counsels must adept themselves to circumstances. All men +are not alike. The lion and the frog are not more unlike than one man +compared with another,--morally, I mean. Do I know to-day what will +happen to you to-morrow? No; therefore I can only give you general +advice upon the whole tenor of your conduct.” + +“Dear mother, tell me, quick, all that you know yourself.” + +“In the first place, my dear child, the cause of the failure of married +women who desire to keep their husbands’ hearts--and,” she said, making +a parenthesis, “to keep their hearts and rule them is one and the same +thing--Well, the principle cause of conjugal disunion is to be found in +perpetual intercourse, which never existed in the olden time, but which +has been introduced into this country of late years with the mania for +family. Since the Revolution the manners and customs of the bourgeois +have invaded the homes of the aristocracy. This misfortune is due to one +of their writers, Rousseau, an infamous heretic, whose ideas were all +anti-social and who pretended, I don’t know how, to justify the most +senseless things. He declared that all women had the same rights and +the same faculties; that living in a state of society we ought, +nevertheless, to obey nature--as if the wife of a Spanish grandee, as +if you or I had anything in common with the women of the people! Since +then, well-bred women have suckled their children, have educated their +daughters, and stayed in their own homes. Life has become so involved +that happiness is almost impossible,--for a perfect harmony between +natures such as that which has made you and me live as two friends is an +exception. Perpetual contact is as dangerous for parents and children as +it is for husband and wife. There are few souls in which love survives +this fatal omnipresence. Therefore, I say, erect between yourself and +Paul the barriers of society; go to balls and operas; go out in the +morning, dine out in the evenings, pay visits constantly, and grant but +little of your time to your husband. By this means you will always keep +your value to him. When two beings bound together for life have +nothing to live upon but sentiment, its resources are soon exhausted, +indifference, satiety, and disgust succeed. When sentiment has withered +what will become of you? Remember, affection once extinguished can lead +to nothing but indifference or contempt. Be ever young and ever new to +him. He may weary you,--that often happens,--but you must never weary +him. The faculty of being bored without showing it is a condition of +all species of power. You cannot diversify happiness by the cares of +property or the occupations of a family. If you do not make your husband +share your social interests, if you do not keep him amused you will fall +into a dismal apathy. Then begins the SPLEEN of love. But a man will +always love the woman who amuses him and keeps him happy. To give +happiness and to receive it are two lines of feminine conduct which are +separated by a gulf.” + +“Dear mother, I am listening to you, but I don’t understand one word you +say.” + +“If you love Paul to the extent of doing all he asks of you, if you make +your happiness depend on him, all is over with your future life; you +will never be mistress of your home, and the best precepts in the world +will do you no good.” + +“That is plainer; but I see the rule without knowing how to apply it,” + said Natalie, laughing. “I have the theory; the practice will come.” + +“My poor Ninie,” replied the mother, who dropped an honest tear at the +thought of her daughter’s marriage, “things will happen to teach it to +you--And,” she continued, after a pause, during which the mother and +daughter held each other closely embraced in the truest sympathy, +“remember this, my Natalie: we all have our destiny as women, just as +men have their vocation as men. A woman is born to be a woman of the +world and a charming hostess, as a man is born to be a general or a +poet. Your vocation is to please. Your education has formed you for +society. In these days women should be educated for the salon as they +once were for the gynoecium. You were not born to be the mother of a +family or the steward of a household. If you have children, I hope +they will not come to spoil your figure on the morrow of your marriage; +nothing is so bourgeois as to have a child at once. If you have them +two or three years after your marriage, well and good; governesses and +tutors will bring them up. YOU are to be the lady, the great lady, who +represents the luxury and the pleasure of the house. But remember +one thing--let your superiority be visible in those things only which +flatter a man’s self-love; hide the superiority you must also acquire +over him in great things.” + +“But you frighten me, mamma,” cried Natalie. “How can I remember +all these precepts? How shall I ever manage, I, such a child, and so +heedless, to reflect and calculate before I act?” + +“But, my dear little girl, I am telling you to-day that which you must +surely learn later, buying your experience by fatal faults and errors +of conduct which will cause you bitter regrets and embarrass your whole +life.” + +“But how must I begin?” asked Natalie, artlessly. + +“Instinct will guide you,” replied her mother. “At this moment Paul +desires you more than he loves you; for love born of desires is a hope; +the love that succeeds their satisfaction is the reality. There, my +dear, is the question; there lies your power. What woman is not loved +before marriage? Be so on the morrow and you shall remain so always. +Paul is a weak man who is easily trained to habit. If he yields to you +once he will yield always. A woman ardently desired can ask all things; +do not commit the folly of many women who do not see the importance of +the first hours of their sway,--that of wasting your power on trifles, +on silly things with no result. Use the empire your husband’s first +emotions give you to accustom him to obedience. And when you make him +yield, choose that it be on some unreasonable point, so as to test the +measure of your power by the measure of his concession. What victory +would there be in making him agree to a reasonable thing? Would that +be obeying you? We must always, as the Castilian proverb says, take +the bull by the horns; when a bull has once seen the inutility of his +defence and of his strength he is beaten. When your husband does a +foolish thing for you, you can govern him.” + +“Why so?” + +“Because, my child, marriage lasts a lifetime, and a husband is not a +man like other men. Therefore, never commit the folly of giving yourself +into his power in everything. Keep up a constant reserve in your speech +and in your actions. You may even be cold to him without danger, for you +can modify coldness at will. Besides, nothing is more easy to maintain +than our dignity. The words, ‘It is not becoming in your wife to do thus +and so,’ is a great talisman. The life of a woman lies in the words, ‘I +will not.’ They are the final argument. Feminine power is in them, +and therefore they should only be used on real occasions. But they +constitute a means of governing far beyond that of argument or +discussion. I, my dear child, reigned over your father by his faith in +me. If your husband believes in you, you can do all things with him. To +inspire that belief you must make him think that you understand him. Do +not suppose that that is an easy thing to do. A woman can always make a +man think that he is loved, but to make him admit that he is understood +is far more difficult. I am bound to tell you all now, my child, for +to-morrow life with its complications, life with two wills which +_must_ be made one, begins for you. Bear in mind, at all moments, that +difficulty. The only means of harmonizing your two wills is to arrange +from the first that there shall be but one; and that will must be yours. +Many persons declare that a wife creates her own unhappiness by changing +sides in this way; but, my dear, she can only become the mistress +by controlling events instead of bearing them; and that advantage +compensates for any difficulty.” + +Natalie kissed her mother’s hands with tears of gratitude. Like all +women in whom mental emotion is never warmed by physical emotion, she +suddenly comprehended the bearings of this feminine policy; but, like +a spoiled child that never admits the force of reason and returns +obstinately to its one desire, she came back to the charge with one of +those personal arguments which the logic of a child suggests:-- + +“Dear mamma,” she said, “it is only a few days since you were talking +of Paul’s advancement, and saying that you alone could promote it; why, +then, do you suddenly turn round and abandon us to ourselves?” + +“I did not then know the extent of my obligations nor the amount of my +debts,” replied the mother, who would not suffer her real motive to be +seen. “Besides, a year or two hence I can take up that matter again. +Come, let us dress; Paul will be here soon. Be as sweet and caressing +as you were,--you know?--that night when we first discussed this fatal +contract; for to-day we must save the last fragments of our fortune, and +I must win for you a thing to which I am superstitiously attached.” + +“What is it?” + +“The ‘Discreto.’” + +Paul arrived about four o’clock. Though he endeavored to meet his +mother-in-law with a gracious look upon his face, Madame Evangelista saw +traces of the clouds which the counsels of the night and the reflections +of the morning had brought there. + +“Mathias has told him!” she thought, resolving to defeat the old +notary’s action. “My dear son,” she said, “you left your diamonds in the +drawer of the console, and I frankly confess that I would rather not see +again the things that threatened to bring a cloud between us. Besides, +as Monsieur Mathias said, they ought to be sold at once to meet the +first payment on the estates you have purchased.” + +“They are not mine,” he said. “I have given them to Natalie, and when +you see them upon her you will forget the pain they caused you.” + +Madame Evangelista took his hand and pressed it cordially, with a tear +of emotion. + +“Listen to me, my dear children,” she said, looking from Paul to +Natalie; “since you really feel thus, I have a proposition to make to +both of you. I find myself obliged to sell my pearl necklace and my +earrings. Yes, Paul, it is necessary; I do not choose to put a penny of +my fortune into an annuity; I know what I owe to you. Well, I admit +a weakness; to sell the ‘Discreto’ seems to me a disaster. To sell a +diamond which bears the name of Philip the Second and once adorned his +royal hand, an historic stone which the Duke of Alba touched for ten +years in the hilt of his sword--no, no, I cannot! Elie Magus estimates +my necklace and ear-rings at a hundred and some odd thousand francs +without the clasps. Will you exchange the other jewels I made over to +you for these? you will gain by the transaction, but what of that? I am +not selfish. Instead of those mere fancy jewels, Paul, your wife will +have fine diamonds which she can really enjoy. Isn’t it better that I +should sell those ornaments which will surely go out of fashion, and +that you should keep in the family these priceless stones?” + +“But, my dear mother, consider yourself,” said Paul. + +“I,” replied Madame Evangelista, “I want such things no longer. Yes, +Paul, I am going to be your bailiff at Lanstrac. It would be folly in +me to go to Paris at the moment when I ought to be here to liquidate +my property and settle my affairs. I shall grow miserly for my +grandchildren.” + +“Dear mother,” said Paul, much moved, “ought I to accept this exchange +without paying you the difference?” + +“Good heavens! are you not, both of you, my dearest interests? Do +you suppose I shall not find happiness in thinking, as I sit in my +chimney-corner, ‘Natalie is dazzling to-night at the Duchesse de Berry’s +ball’? When she sees my diamond at her throat and my ear-rings in +her ears she will have one of those little enjoyments of vanity which +contribute so much to a woman’s happiness and make her so gay and +fascinating. Nothing saddens a woman more than to have her vanity +repressed; I have never seen an ill-dressed woman who was amiable or +good-humored.” + +“Heavens! what was Mathias thinking about?” thought Paul. “Well, then, +mamma,” he said, in a low voice, “I accept.” + +“But I am confounded!” said Natalie. + +At this moment Solonet arrived to announce the good news that he had +found among the speculators of Bordeaux two contractors who were much +attracted by the house, the gardens of which could be covered with +dwellings. + +“They offer two hundred and fifty thousand francs,” he said; “but if you +consent to the sale, I can make them give you three hundred thousand. +There are three acres of land in the garden.” + +“My husband paid two hundred thousand for the place, therefore I +consent,” she replied. “But you must reserve the furniture and the +mirrors.” + +“Ah!” said Solonet, “you are beginning to understand business.” + +“Alas! I must,” she said, sighing. + +“I am told that a great many persons are coming to your midnight +service,” said Solonet, perceiving that his presence was inopportune, +and preparing to go. + +Madame Evangelista accompanied him to the door of the last salon, and +there she said, in a low voice:-- + +“I now have personal property to the amount of two hundred and fifty +thousand francs; if I can get two hundred thousand for my share of the +house it will make a handsome capital, which I shall want to invest to +the very best advantage. I count on you for that. I shall probably live +at Lanstrac.” + +The young notary kissed his client’s hand with a gesture of gratitude; +for the widow’s tone of voice made Solonet fancy that this alliance, +really made from self-interest only, might extend a little farther. + +“You can count on me,” he replied. “I can find you investments in +merchandise on which you will risk nothing and make very considerable +profits.” + +“Adieu until to-morrow,” she said; “you are to be our witness, you know, +with Monsieur le Marquis de Gyas.” + +“My dear mother,” said Paul, when she returned to them, “why do you +refuse to come to Paris? Natalie is provoked with me, as if I were the +cause of your decision.” + +“I have thought it all over, my children, and I am sure that I should +hamper you. You would feel obliged to make me a third in all you did, +and young people have ideas of their own which I might, unintentionally, +thwart. Go to Paris. I do not wish to exercise over the Comtesse de +Manerville the gentle authority I have held over Natalie. I desire to +leave her wholly to you. Don’t you see, Paul, that there are habits and +ways between us which must be broken up? My influence ought to yield to +yours. I want you to love me, and to believe that I have your interests +more at heart than you think for. Young husbands are, sooner or later, +jealous for the love of a wife for her mother. Perhaps they are right. +When you are thoroughly united, when love has blended your two souls +into one, then, my dear son, you will not fear an opposing influence if +I live in your house. I know the world, and men, and things; I have seen +the peace of many a home destroyed by the blind love of mothers who +made themselves in the end as intolerable to their daughters as to +their sons-in-law. The affection of old people is often exacting and +querulous. Perhaps I could not efface myself as I should. I have the +weakness to think myself still handsome; I have flatterers who declare +that I am still agreeable; I should have, I fear, certain pretensions +which might interfere with your lives. Let me, therefore, make one more +sacrifice for your happiness. I have given you my fortune, and now I +desire to resign to you my last vanities as a woman. Your notary Mathias +is getting old. He cannot look after your estates as I will. I will be +your bailiff; I will create for myself those natural occupations which +are the pleasures of old age. Later, if necessary, I will come to you +in Paris, and second you in your projects of ambition. Come, Paul, be +frank; my proposal suits you, does it not?” + +Paul would not admit it, but he was at heart delighted to get his +liberty. The suspicions which Mathias had put into his mind respecting +his mother-in-law were, however, dissipated by this conversation, which +Madame Evangelista carried on still longer in the same tone. + +“My mother was right,” thought Natalie, who had watched Paul’s +countenance. “He _is_ glad to know that I am separated from her--why?” + +That “why” was the first note of a rising distrust; did it prove the +power of those maternal instructions? + +There are certain characters which on the faith of a single proof +believe in friendship. To persons thus constituted the north wind drives +away the clouds as rapidly as the south wind brings them; they stop at +effects and never hark back to causes. Paul had one of those essentially +confiding natures, without ill-feelings, but also without foresight. His +weakness proceeded far more from his kindness, his belief in goodness, +than from actual debility of soul. + +Natalie was sad and thoughtful, for she knew not what to do without +her mother. Paul, with that self-confident conceit which comes of love, +smiled to himself at her sadness, thinking how soon the pleasures +of marriage and the excitements of Paris would drive it away. Madame +Evangelista saw this confidence with much satisfaction. She had already +taken two great steps. Her daughter possessed the diamonds which had +cost Paul two hundred thousand francs; and she had gained her point of +leaving these two children to themselves with no other guide than their +illogical love. Her revenge was thus preparing, unknown to her daughter, +who would, sooner or later, become its accomplice. Did Natalie love +Paul? That was a question still undecided, the answer to which might +modify her projects, for she loved her daughter too sincerely not to +respect her happiness. Paul’s future, therefore, still depended on +himself. If he could make his wife love him, he was saved. + +The next day, at midnight, after an evening spent together, with the +addition of the four witnesses, to whom Madame Evangelista gave the +formal dinner which follows the legal marriage, the bridal pair, +accompanied by their friends, heard mass by torchlight, in presence of +a crowd of inquisitive persons. A marriage celebrated at night always +suggests to the mind an unpleasant omen. Light is the symbol of life and +pleasure, the forecasts of which are lacking to a midnight wedding. Ask +the intrepid soul why it shivers; why the chill of those black arches +enervates it; why the sound of steps startles it; why it notices the cry +of bats and the hoot of owls. Though there is absolutely no reason to +tremble, all present do tremble, and the darkness, emblem of death, +saddens them. Natalie, parted from her mother, wept. The girl was now a +prey to those doubts which grasp the heart as it enters a new career in +which, despite all assurances of happiness, a thousand pitfalls await +the steps of a young wife. She was cold and wanted a mantle. The air and +manner of Madame Evangelista and that of the bridal pair excited some +comment among the elegant crowd which surrounded the altar. + +“Solonet tells me that the bride and bridegroom leave for Paris +to-morrow morning, all alone.” + +“Madame Evangelista was to live with them, I thought.” + +“Count Paul has got rid of her already.” + +“What a mistake!” said the Marquise de Gyas. “To shut the door on the +mother of his wife is to open it to a lover. Doesn’t he know what a +mother is?” + +“He has been very hard on Madame Evangelista; the poor woman has had to +sell her house and her diamonds, and is going to live at Lanstrac.” + +“Natalie looks very sad.” + +“Would you like to be made to take a journey the day after your +marriage?” + +“It is very awkward.” + +“I am glad I came here to-night,” said a lady. “I am now convinced of +the necessity of the pomps of marriage and of wedding fetes; a scene +like this is very bare and sad. If I may say what I think,” she added, +in a whisper to her neighbor, “this marriage seems to me indecent.” + +Madame Evangelista took Natalie in her carriage and accompanied her, +alone, to Paul’s house. + +“Well, mother, it is done!” + +“Remember, my dear child, my last advice, and you will be a happy woman. +Be his wife, and not his mistress.” + +When Natalie had retired, the mother played the little comedy of +flinging herself with tears into the arms of her son-in-law. It was the +only provincial thing that Madame Evangelista allowed herself, but she +had her reasons for it. Amid tears and speeches, apparently half +wild and despairing, she obtained of Paul those concessions which all +husbands make. + +The next day she put the married pair into their carriage, and +accompanied them to the ferry, by which the road to Paris crosses the +Gironde. With a look and a word Natalie enabled her mother to see that +if Paul had won the trick in the game of the contract, her revenge +was beginning. Natalie was already reducing her husband to perfect +obedience. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. CONCLUSION + + +Five years later, on an afternoon in the month of November, Comte Paul +de Manerville, wrapped in a cloak, was entering, with a bowed head and +a mysterious manner, the house of his old friend Monsieur Mathias at +Bordeaux. + +Too old to continue in business, the worthy notary had sold his practice +and was ending his days peacefully in a quiet house to which he had +retired. An urgent affair had obliged him to be absent at the moment of +his guest’s arrival, but his housekeeper, warned of Paul’s coming, took +him to the room of the late Madame Mathias, who had been dead a year. +Fatigued by a rapid journey, Paul slept till evening. When the old man +reached home he went up to his client’s room, and watched him sleeping, +as a mother watches her child. Josette, the old housekeeper, followed +her master and stood before the bed, her hands on her hips. + +“It is a year to-day, Josette, since I received my dear wife’s last +sigh; I little knew then that I should stand here again to see the count +half dead.” + +“Poor man! he moans in his sleep,” said Josette. + +“Sac a papier!” cried the old notary, an innocent oath which was a +sign with him of the despair on a man of business before insurmountable +difficulties. “At any rate,” he thought, “I have saved the title to the +Lanstrac estate for him, and that of Ausac, Saint-Froult, and his house, +though the usufruct has gone.” Mathias counted his fingers. “Five years! +Just five years this month, since his old aunt, now dead, that excellent +Madame de Maulincour, asked for the hand of that little crocodile of a +woman, who has finally ruined him--as I expected.” + +And the gouty old gentleman, leaning on his cane, went to walk in the +little garden till his guest should awake. At nine o’clock supper +was served, for Mathias took supper. The old man was not a little +astonished, when Paul joined him, to see that his old client’s brow was +calm and his face serene, though noticeably changed. If at the age of +thirty-three the Comte de Manerville seemed to be a man of forty, that +change in his appearance was due solely to mental shocks; physically, he +was well. He clasped the old man’s hand affectionately, and forced him +not to rise, saying:-- + +“Dear, kind Maitre Mathias, you, too, have had your troubles.” + +“Mine were natural troubles, Monsieur le comte; but yours--” + +“We will talk of that presently, while we sup.” + +“If I had not a son in the magistracy, and a daughter married,” said the +good old man, “you would have found in old Mathias, believe me, Monsieur +le comte, something better than mere hospitality. Why have you come to +Bordeaux at the very moment when posters are on all the walls of the +seizure of your farms at Grassol and Guadet, the vineyard of Belle-Rose +and the family mansion? I cannot tell you the grief I feel at the sight +of those placards,--I, who for forty years nursed that property as if it +belonged to me; I, who bought it for your mother when I was only third +clerk to Monsieur Chesnau, my predecessor, and wrote the deeds myself +in my best round hand; I, who have those titles now in my successor’s +office; I, who have known you since you were so high”; and the old man +stopped to put his hand near the ground. “Ah! a man must have been a +notary for forty-one years and a half to know the sort of grief I feel +to see my name exposed before the face of Israel in those announcements +of the seizure and sale of the property. When I pass through the streets +and see men reading these horrible yellow posters, I am ashamed, as if +my own honor and ruin were concerned. Some fools will stand there and +read them aloud expressly to draw other fools about them--and what +imbecile remarks they make! As if a man were not master of his own +property! Your father ran through two fortunes before he made the one +he left you; and you wouldn’t be a Manerville if you didn’t do likewise. +Besides, seizures of real estate have a whole section of the Code to +themselves; they are expected and provided for; you are in a position +recognized by the law.--If I were not an old man with white hair, I +would thrash those fools I hear reading aloud in the streets such an +abomination as this,” added the worthy notary, taking up a paper; “‘At +the request of Dame Natalie Evangelista, wife of Paul-Francois-Joseph, +Comte de Manerville, separated from him as to worldly goods and chattels +by the Lower court of the department of the Seine--’” + +“Yes, and now separated in body,” said Paul. + +“Ah!” exclaimed the old man. + +“Oh! against my wife’s will,” added the count, hastily. “I was forced to +deceive her; she did not know that I was leaving her.” + +“You have left her?” + +“My passage is taken; I sail for Calcutta on the ‘Belle-Amelie.’” + +“Two day’s hence!” cried the notary. “Then, Monsieur le comte, we shall +never meet again.” + +“You are only seventy-three, my dear Mathias, and you have the gout, the +brevet of old age. When I return I shall find you still afoot. Your +good head and heart will be as sound as ever, and you will help me +to reconstruct what is now a shaken edifice. I intend to make a noble +fortune in seven years. I shall be only forty on my return. All is still +possible at that age.” + +“You?” said Mathias, with a gesture of amazement,--you, Monsieur le +comte, to undertake commerce! How can you even think of it?” + +“I am no longer Monsieur le comte, dear Mathias. My passage is taken +under the name of Camille, one of my mother’s baptismal names. I have +acquirements which will enable me to make my fortune otherwise than in +business. Commerce, at any rate, will be only my final chance. I start +with a sum in hand sufficient for the redemption of my future on a large +scale.” + +“Where is that money?” + +“A friend is to send it to me.” + +The old man dropped his fork as he heard the word “friend,” not in +surprise, not scoffingly, but in grief; his look and manner expressed +the pain he felt in finding Paul under the influence of a deceitful +illusion; his practised eye fathomed a gulf where the count saw nothing +but solid ground. + +“I have been fifty years in the notariat,” he said, “and I never yet +knew a ruined man whose friend would lend him money.” + +“You don’t know de Marsay. I am certain that he has sold out some of his +investments already, and to-morrow you will receive from him a bill of +exchange for one hundred and fifty thousand francs.” + +“I hope I may. If that be so, cannot your friend settle your +difficulties here? You could live quietly at Lanstrac for five or six +years on your wife’s income, and so recover yourself.” + +“No assignment or economy on my part could pay off fifteen hundred +thousand francs of debt, in which my wife is involved to the amount of +five hundred and fifty thousand.” + +“You cannot mean to say that in four years you have incurred a million +and a half of debt?” + +“Nothing is more certain, Mathias. Did I not give those diamonds to my +wife? Did I not spend the hundred and fifty thousand I received from the +sale of Madame Evangelista’s house, in the arrangement of my house in +Paris? Was I not forced to use other money for the first payments on +that property demanded by the marriage contract? I was even forced to +sell out Natalie’s forty thousand a year in the Funds to complete the +purchase of Auzac and Saint-Froult. We sold at eighty-seven, therefore I +became in debt for over two hundred thousand francs within a month after +my marriage. That left us only sixty-seven thousand francs a year; but +we spent fully three times as much every year. Add all that up, together +with rates of interest to usurers, and you will soon find a million.” + +“Br-r-r!” exclaimed the old notary. “Go on. What next?” + +“Well, I wanted, in the first place, to complete for my wife that set +of jewels of which she had the pearl necklace clasped by the family +diamond, the ‘Discreto,’ and her mother’s ear-rings. I paid a hundred +thousand francs for a coronet of diamond wheat-ears. There’s eleven +hundred thousand. And now I find I owe the fortune of my wife, which +amounts to three hundred and sixty-six thousand francs of her ‘dot.’” + +“But,” said Mathias, “if Madame la comtesse had given up her diamonds +and you had pledged your income you could have pacified your creditors +and have paid them off in time.” + +“When a man is down, Mathias, when his property is covered with +mortgages, when his wife’s claims take precedence of his creditors’, and +when that man has notes out for a hundred thousand francs which he must +pay (and I hope I can do so out of the increased value of my property +here), what you propose is not possible.” + +“This is dreadful!” cried Mathias; “would you sell Belle-Rose with the +vintage of 1825 still in the cellars?” + +“I cannot help myself.” + +“Belle-Rose is worth six hundred thousand francs.” + +“Natalie will buy it in; I have advised her to do so.” + +“I might push the price to seven hundred thousand, and the farms are +worth a hundred thousand each.” + +“Then if the house in Bordeaux can be sold for two hundred thousand--” + +“Solonet will give more than that; he wants it. He is retiring with +a handsome property made by gambling on the Funds. He has sold his +practice for three hundred thousand francs, and marries a mulatto woman. +God knows how she got her money, but they say it amounts to millions. A +notary gambling in stocks! a notary marrying a black woman! What an age! +It is said that he speculates for your mother-in-law with her funds.” + +“She has greatly improved Lanstrac and taken great pains with its +cultivation. She has amply repaid me for the use of it.” + +“I shouldn’t have thought her capable of that.” + +“She is so kind and so devoted; she has always paid Natalie’s debts +during the three months she spent with us every year in Paris.” + +“She could well afford to do so, for she gets her living out of +Lanstrac,” said Mathias. “She! grown economical! what a miracle! I am +told she has just bought the domain of Grainrouge between Lanstrac and +Grassol; so that if the Lanstrac avenue were extended to the high-road, +you would drive four and a half miles through your own property to reach +the house. She paid one hundred thousand francs down for Grainrouge.” + +“She is as handsome as ever,” said Paul; “country life preserves her +freshness; I don’t mean to go to Lanstrac and bid her good-bye; her +heart would bleed for me too much.” + +“You would go in vain; she is now in Paris. She probably arrived there +as you left.” + +“No doubt she had heard of the sale of my property and came to help me. +I have no complaint to make of life, Mathias. I am truly loved,--as much +as any man ever could be here below; beloved by two women who outdo each +other in devotion; they are even jealous of each other; the daughter +blames the mother for loving me too much, and the mother reproaches the +daughter for what she calls her dissipations. I may say that this +great affection has been my ruin. How could I fail to satisfy even +the slightest caprice of a loving wife? Impossible to restrain myself! +Neither could I accept any sacrifice on her part. We might certainly, as +you say, live at Lanstrac, save my income, and part with her diamonds, +but I would rather go to India and work for a fortune than tear +my Natalie from the life she enjoys. So it was I who proposed the +separation as to property. Women are angels who ought not to be mixed up +in the sordid interests of life.” + +Old Mathias listened in doubt and amazement. + +“You have no children, I think,” he said. + +“Fortunately, none,” replied Paul. + +“That is not my idea of marriage,” remarked the old notary, naively. “A +wife ought, in my opinion, to share the good and evil fortunes of her +husband. I have heard that young married people who love like lovers, do +not want children? Is pleasure the only object of marriage? I say that +object should be the joys of family. Moreover, in this case--I am afraid +you will think me too much of notary--your marriage contract made it +incumbent upon you to have a son. Yes, monsieur le comte, you ought to +have had at once a male heir to consolidate that entail. Why not? +Madame Evangelista was strong and healthy; she had nothing to fear in +maternity. You will tell me, perhaps, that these are the old-fashioned +notions of our ancestors. But in those noble families, Monsieur le +comte, the legitimate wife thought it her duty to bear children and +bring them up nobly; as the Duchesse de Sully, the wife of the great +Sully, said, a wife is not an instrument of pleasure, but the honor and +virtue of her household.” + +“You don’t know women, my good Mathias,” said Paul. “In order to be +happy we must love them as they want to be loved. Isn’t there something +brutal in at once depriving a wife of her charms, and spoiling her +beauty before she has begun to enjoy it?” + +“If you had had children your wife would not have dissipated your +fortune; she would have stayed at home and looked after them.” + +“If you were right, dear friend,” said Paul, frowning, “I should +be still more unhappy than I am. Do not aggravate my sufferings by +preaching to me after my fall. Let me go, without the pang of looking +backward to my mistakes.” + +The next day Mathias received a bill of exchange for one hundred and +fifty thousand francs from de Marsay. + +“You see,” said Paul, “he does not write a word to me. He begins by +obliging me. Henri’s nature is the most imperfectly perfect, the most +illegally beautiful that I know. If you knew with what superiority that +man, still young, can rise above sentiments, above self-interests, and +judge them, you would be astonished, as I am, to find how much heart he +has.” + +Mathias tried to battle with Paul’s determination, but he found it +irrevocable, and it was justified by so many cogent reasons that the old +man finally ceased his endeavors to retain his client. + +It is seldom that vessels sail promptly at the time appointed, but on +this occasion, by a fateful circumstance for Paul, the wind was fair and +the “Belle-Amelie” sailed on the morrow, as expected. The quay was lined +with relations, and friends, and idle persons. Among them were several +who had formerly known Manerville. His disaster, posted on the walls of +the town, made him as celebrated as he was in the days of his wealth and +fashion. Curiosity was aroused; every one had their word to say about +him. Old Mathias accompanied his client to the quay, and his sufferings +were sore as he caught a few words of those remarks:-- + +“Who could recognize in that man you see over there, near old Mathias, +the dandy who was called the Pink of Fashion five years ago, and made, +as they say, ‘fair weather and foul’ in Bordeaux.” + +“What! that stout, short man in the alpaca overcoat, who looks like a +groom,--is that Comte Paul de Manerville?” + +“Yes, my dear, the same who married Mademoiselle Evangelista. Here he +is, ruined, without a penny to his name, going out to India to look for +luck.” + +“But how did he ruin himself? he was very rich.” + +“Oh! Paris, women, play, luxury, gambling at the Bourse--” + +“Besides,” said another, “Manerville always was a poor creature; no +mind, soft as papier-mache, he’d let anybody shear the wool from his +back; incapable of anything, no matter what. He was born to be ruined.” + +Paul wrung the hand of the old man and went on board. Mathias stood upon +the pier, looking at his client, who leaned against the shrouds, defying +the crowed before him with a glance of contempt. At the moment when +the sailors began to weigh anchor, Paul noticed that Mathias was making +signals to him with his handkerchief. The old housekeeper had hurried +to her master, who seemed to be excited by some sudden event. Paul asked +the captain to wait a moment, and send a boat to the pier, which was +done. Too feeble himself to go aboard, Mathias gave two letters to a +sailor in the boat. + +“My friend,” he said, “this packet” (showing one of the two letters) “is +important; it has just arrived by a courier from Paris in thirty-five +hours. State this to Monsieur le comte; don’t neglect to do so; it may +change his plans.” + +“Would he come ashore?” + +“Possibly, my friend,” said the notary, imprudently. + +The sailor is, in all lands, a being of a race apart, holding all +land-folk in contempt. This one happened to be a bas-Breton, who saw but +one thing in Maitre Mathias’s request. + +“Come ashore, indeed!” he thought, as he rowed. “Make the captain lose a +passenger! If one listened to those walruses we’d have nothing to do but +embark and disembark ‘em. He’s afraid that son of his will catch cold.” + +The sailor gave Paul the letter and said not a word of the message. +Recognizing the handwriting of his wife and de Marsay, Paul supposed +that he knew what they both would urge upon him. Anxious not to be +influenced by offers which he believed their devotion to his welfare +would inspire, he put the letters in his pocket unread, with apparent +indifference. + +Absorbed in the sad thoughts which assail the strongest man under such +circumstances, Paul gave way to his grief as he waved his hand to +his old friend, and bade farewell to France, watching the steeples of +Bordeaux as they fled out of sight. He seated himself on a coil of rope. +Night overtook him still lost in thought. With the semi-darkness of the +dying day came doubts; he cast an anxious eye into the future. Sounding +it, and finding there uncertainty and danger, he asked his soul if +courage would fail him. A vague dread seized his mind as he thought of +Natalie left wholly to herself; he repented the step he had taken; he +regretted Paris and his life there. Suddenly sea-sickness overcame him. +Every one knows the effect of that disorder. The most horrible of its +sufferings devoid of danger is a complete dissolution of the will. +An inexplicable distress relaxes to their very centre the cords of +vitality; the soul no longer performs its functions; the sufferer +becomes indifferent to everything; the mother forgets her child, the +lover his mistress, the strongest man lies prone, like an inert mass. +Paul was carried to his cabin, where he stayed three days, lying on his +back, gorged with grog by the sailors, or vomiting; thinking of nothing, +and sleeping much. Then he revived into a species of convalescence, and +returned by degrees to his ordinary condition. The first morning after +he felt better he went on deck and passed the poop, breathing in the +salt breezes of another atmosphere. Putting his hands into his pockets +he felt the letters. At once he opened them, beginning with that of his +wife. + +In order that the letter of the Comtesse de Manerville be fully +understood, it is necessary to give the one which Paul had written to +her on the day that he left Paris. + + From Paul de Manerville to his wife: + + My beloved,--When you read this letter I shall be far away from + you; perhaps already on the vessel which is to take me to India, + where I am going to repair my shattered fortune. + + I have not found courage to tell you of my departure. I have + deceived you; but it was best to do so. You would only have been + uselessly distressed; you would have wished to sacrifice your + fortune, and that I could not have suffered. Dear Natalie, feel no + remorse; I have no regrets. When I return with millions I shall + imitate your father and lay them at your feet, as he laid his at + the feet of your mother, saying to you: “All I have is yours.” + + I love you madly, Natalie; I say this without fear that the + avowal will lead you to strain a power which none but weak men + fear; yours has been boundless from the day I knew you first. My + love is the only accomplice in my disaster. I have felt, as my + ruin progressed, the delirious joys of a gambler; as the money + diminished, so my enjoyment grew. Each fragment of my fortune + turned into some little pleasure for you gave me untold happiness. + I could have wished that you had more caprices that I might + gratify them all. I knew I was marching to a precipice, but I went + on crowned with joys of which a common heart knows nothing. I have + acted like those lovers who take refuge in a cottage on the shores + of some lake for a year or two, resolved to kill themselves at + last; dying thus in all the glory of their illusions and their + love. I have always thought such persons infinitely sensible. + + You have known nothing of my pleasures or my sacrifices. The + greatest joy of all was to hide from the one beloved the cost of + her desires. I can reveal these secrets to you now, for when you + hold this paper, heavy with love, I shall be far away. Though I + lose the treasures of your gratitude, I do not suffer that + contraction of the heart which would disable me if I spoke to you + of these matters. Besides, my own beloved, is there not a tender + calculation in thus revealing to you the history of the past? Does + it not extend our love into the future?--But we need no such + supports! We love each other with a love to which proof is + needless,--a love which takes no note of time or distance, but + lives of itself alone. + + Ah! Natalie, I have just looked at you asleep, trustful, restful + as a little child, your hand stretched toward me. I left a tear + upon the pillow which has known our precious joys. I leave you + without fear, on the faith of that attitude; I go to win the + future of our love by bringing home to you a fortune large enough + to gratify your every taste, and let no shadow of anxiety disturb + our joys. Neither you nor I can do without enjoyments in the life + we live. To me belongs the task of providing the necessary + fortune. I am a man; and I have courage. + + Perhaps you might seek to follow me. For that reason I conceal + from you the name of the vessel, the port from which I sail, and + the day of sailing. After I am gone, when too late to follow me, a + friend will tell you all. + + Natalie! my affection is boundless. I love you as a mother loves + her child, as a lover loves his mistress, with absolute + unselfishness. To me the toil, to you the pleasures; to me all + sufferings, to you all happiness. Amuse yourself; continue your + habits of luxury; go to theatres and operas, enjoy society and + balls; I leave you free for all things. Dear angel, when you + return to this nest where for five years we have tasted the fruits + which love has ripened think of your friend; think for a moment of + me, and rest upon my heart. + + That is all I ask of you. For myself, dear eternal thought of + mine! whether under burning skies, toiling for both of us, I face + obstacles to vanquish, or whether, weary with the struggle, I rest + my mind on hopes of a return, I shall think of you alone; of you + who are my life,--my blessed life! Yes, I shall live in you. I + shall tell myself daily that you have no troubles, no cares; that + you are happy. As in our natural lives of day and night, of + sleeping and waking, I shall have sunny days in Paris, and nights + of toil in India,--a painful dream, a joyful reality; and I shall + live so utterly in that reality that my actual life will pass as a + dream. I shall have memories! I shall recall, line by line, + strophe by strophe, our glorious five years’ poem. I shall + remember the days of your pleasure in some new dress or some + adornment which made you to my eyes a fresh delight. Yes, dear + angel, I go like a man vowed to some great emprize, the guerdon of + which, if success attend him, is the recovery of his beautiful + mistress. Oh! my precious love, my Natalie, keep me as a religion + in your heart. Be the child that I have just seen asleep! If you + betray my confidence, my blind confidence, you need not fear my + anger--be sure of that; I should die silently. But a wife does not + deceive the man who leaves her free--for woman is never base. She + tricks a tyrant; but an easy treachery, which would kill its + victim, she will not commit--No, no! I will not think of it. + Forgive this cry, this single cry, so natural to the heart of man! + + Dear love, you will see de Marsay; he is now the lessee of our + house, and he will leave you in possession of it. This nominal + lease was necessary to avoid a useless loss. Our creditors, + ignorant that their payment is a question of time only, would + otherwise have seized the furniture and the temporary possession + of the house. Be kind to de Marsay; I have the most entire + confidence in his capacity and his loyalty. Take him as your + defender and adviser, make him your slave. However occupied, he + will always find time to be devoted to you. I have placed the + liquidation of my affairs and the payment of the debts in his + hands. If he should advance some sum of which he should later feel + in need I rely on you to pay it back. Remember, however, that I do + not leave you to de Marsay, but _to yourself_; I do not seek to + impose him upon you. + + Alas! I have but an hour more to stay beside you; I cannot spend + that hour in writing business--I count your breaths; I try to + guess your thoughts in the slight motions of your sleep. I would I + could infuse my blood into your veins that you might be a part of + me, my thought your thought, and your heart mine--A murmur has + just escaped your lips as though it were a soft reply. Be calm and + beautiful forever as you are now! Ah! would that I possessed that + fabulous fairy power which, with a wand, could make you sleep + while I am absent, until, returning, I should wake you with a + kiss. + + How much I must love you, how much energy of soul I must possess, + to leave you as I see you now! Adieu, my cherished one. Your poor + Pink of Fashion is blown away by stormy winds, but--the wings of + his good luck shall waft him back to you. No, my Ninie, I am not + bidding you farewell, for I shall never leave you. Are you not the + soul of my actions? Is not the hope of returning with happiness + indestructible for YOU the end and aim of my endeavor? Does it not + lead my every step? You will be with me everywhere. Ah! it will + not be the sun of India, but the fire of your eyes that lights my + way. Therefore be happy--as happy as a woman can be without her + lover. I would the last kiss that I take from those dear lips were + not a passive one; but, my Ninie, my adored one, I will not wake + you. When you wake, you will find a tear upon your forehead--make + it a talisman! Think, think of him who may, perhaps, die for you, + far from you; think less of the husband than of the lover who + confides you to God. + + + From the Comtesse de Manerville to her husband: + + Dear, beloved one,--Your letter has plunged me into affliction. + Had you the right to take this course, which must affect us + equally, without consulting me? Are you free? Do you not belong to + me? If you must go, why should I not follow you? You show me, + Paul, that I am not indispensable to you. What have I done, to be + deprived of my rights? Surely I count for something in this ruin. + My luxuries have weighed somewhat in the scale. You make me curse + the happy, careless life we have led for the last five years. To + know that you are banished from France for years is enough to kill + me. How soon can a fortune be made in India? Will you ever return? + + I was right when I refused, with instinctive obstinacy, that + separation as to property which my mother and you were so + determined to carry out. What did I tell you then? Did I not warn + you that it was casting a reflection upon you, and would ruin your + credit? It was not until you were really angry that I gave way. + + My dear Paul, never have you been so noble in my eyes as you are + at this moment. To despair of nothing, to start courageously to + seek a fortune! Only your character, your strength of mind could + do it. I sit at your feet. A man who avows his weakness with your + good faith, who rebuilds his fortune from the same motive that + made him wreck it, for love’s sake, for the sake of an + irresistible passion, oh, Paul, that man is sublime! Therefore, + fear nothing; go on, through all obstacles, not doubting your + Natalie--for that would be doubting yourself. Poor darling, you + mean to live in me? And I shall ever be in you. I shall not be + here; I shall be wherever you are, wherever you go. + + Though your letter has caused me the keenest pain, it has also + filled me with joy--you have made me know those two extremes! + Seeing how you love me, I have been proud to learn that my love is + truly felt. Sometimes I have thought that I loved you more than + you loved me. Now, I admit myself vanquished, you have added the + delightful superiority--of loving--to all the others with which + you are blest. That precious letter in which your soul reveals + itself will lie upon my heart during all your absence; for my + soul, too, is in it; that letter is my glory. + + I shall go to live at Lanstrac with my mother. I die to the world; + I will economize my income and pay your debts to their last + farthing. From this day forth, Paul, I am another woman. I bid + farewell forever to society; I will have no pleasures that you + cannot share. Besides, Paul, I ought to leave Paris and live in + retirement. Dear friend, you will soon have a noble reason to make + your fortune. If your courage needed a spur you would find it in + this. Cannot you guess? We shall have a child. Your cherished + desires are granted. I feared to give you one of those false hopes + which hurt so much--have we not had grief enough already on that + score? I was determined not to be mistaken in this good news. + To-day I feel certain, and it makes me happy to shed this joy upon + your sorrows. + + This morning, fearing nothing and thinking you still at home, I + went to the Assumption; all things smiled upon me; how could I + foresee misfortune? As I left the church I met my mother; she had + heard of your distress, and came, by post, with all her savings, + thirty thousand francs, hoping to help you. Ah! what a heart is + hers, Paul! I felt joyful, and hurried home to tell you this good + news, and to breakfast with you in the greenhouse, where I ordered + just the dainties that you like. Well, Augustine brought me your + letter,--a letter from you, when we had slept together! A cold + fear seized me; it was like a dream! I read your letter! I read it + weeping, and my mother shared my tears. I was half-dead. Such + love, such courage, such happiness, such misery! The richest + fortunes of the heart, and the momentary ruin of all interests! To + lose you at a moment when my admiration of your greatness thrilled + me! what woman could have resisted such a tempest of emotion? To + know you far away when your hand upon my heart would have stilled + its throbbings; to feel that YOU were not here to give me that + look so precious to me, to rejoice in our new hopes; that I was + not with you to soften your sorrows by those caresses which made + your Natalie so dear to you! I wished to start, to follow you, to + fly to you. But my mother told me you had taken passage in a ship + which leaves Bordeaux to-morrow, that I could not reach you except + by post, and, moreover, that it was madness in my present state to + risk our future by attempting to follow you. I could not bear such + violent emotions; I was taken ill, and am writing to you now in + bed. + + My mother is doing all she can to stop certain calumnies which + seem to have got about on your disaster. The Vandenesses, Charles + and Felix, have earnestly defended you; but your friend de Marsay + treats the affair satirically. He laughs at your accusers instead + of replying to them. I do not like his way of lightly brushing + aside such serious attacks. Are you not deceived in him? However, + I will obey you; I will make him my friend. Do not be anxious, my + adored one, on the points that concern your honor; is it not mine + as well? My diamonds shall be pledged; we intend, mamma and I, to + employ our utmost resources in the payment of your debts; and we + shall try to buy back your vineyard at Belle-Rose. My mother, who + understands business like a lawyer, blames you very much for not + having told her of your embarrassments. She would not have bought + --thinking to please you--the Grainrouge domain, and then she + could have lent you that money as well as the thirty thousand + francs she brought with her. She is in despair at your decision; + she fears the climate of India for your health. She entreats you + to be sober, and not to let yourself be trapped by women--That + made me laugh; I am as sure of you as I am of myself. You will + return to me rich and faithful. I alone know your feminine + delicacy, and the secret sentiments which make you a human flower + worthy of the gardens of heaven. The Bordeaux people were right + when they gave you your floral nickname. + + But alas! who will take care of my delicate flower? My heart is + rent with dreadful ideas. I, his wife, Natalie, I am here, and + perhaps he suffers far away from me! And not to share your pains, + your vexations, your dangers! In whom will you confide? how will + you live without that ear into which you have hitherto poured all? + Dear, sensitive plant, swept away by this storm, will you be able + to survive in another soil than your native land? + + It seems to me that I have been alone for centuries. I have wept + sorely. To be the cause of your ruin! What a text for the thoughts + of a loving woman! You treated me like a child to whom we give all + it asks, or like a courtesan, allowed by some thoughtless youth to + squander his fortune. Ah! such indulgence was, in truth, an + insult. Did you think I could not live without fine dresses, balls + and operas and social triumphs? Am I so frivolous a woman? Do you + think me incapable of serious thought, of ministering to your + fortune as I have to your pleasures? If you were not so far away, + and so unhappy, I would blame you for that impertinence. Why lower + your wife in that way? Good heavens! what induced me to go into + society at all?--to flatter your vanity; I adorned myself for you, + as you well know. If I did wrong, I am punished, cruelly; your + absence is a harsh expiation of our mutual life. + + Perhaps my happiness was too complete; it had to be paid by some + great trial--and here it is. There is nothing now for me but + solitude. Yes, I shall live at Lanstrac, the place your father + laid out, the house you yourself refurnished so luxuriously. There + I shall live, with my mother and my child, and await you,--sending + you daily, night and morning, the prayers of all. Remember that + our love is a talisman against all evil. I have no more doubt of + you than you can have of me. What comfort can I put into this + letter,--I so desolate, so broken, with the lonely years before + me, like a desert to cross. But no! I am not utterly unhappy; the + desert will be brightened by our son,--yes, it must be a _son_, + must it not? + + And now, adieu, my own beloved; our love and prayers will follow + you. The tears you see upon this paper will tell you much that I + cannot write. I kiss you on this little square of paper, see! + below. Take those kisses from + + Your Natalie. + + +--------+ + | | + | | + | | + +--------+ + + +This letter threw Paul into a reverie caused as much by memories of the +past as by these fresh assurances of love. The happier a man is, the +more he trembles. In souls which are exclusively tender--and exclusive +tenderness carries with it a certain amount of weakness--jealousy and +uneasiness exist in direct proportion to the amount of the happiness and +its extent. Strong souls are neither jealous nor fearful; jealousy is +doubt, fear is meanness. Unlimited belief is the principal attribute +of a great man. If he is deceived (for strength as well as weakness may +make a man a dupe) his contempt will serve him as an axe with which to +cut through all. This greatness, however, is the exception. Which of us +has not known what it is to be abandoned by the spirit which sustains +our frail machine, and to hearken to that mysterious Voice denying +all? Paul, his mind going over the past, and caught here and there by +irrefutable facts, believed and doubted all. Lost in thought, a prey +to an awful and involuntary incredulity, which was combated by the +instincts of his own pure love and his faith in Natalie, he read and +re-read that wordy letter, unable to decide the question which it raised +either for or against his wife. Love is sometimes as great and true when +smothered in words as it is in brief, strong sentences. + +To understand the situation into which Paul de Manerville was about to +enter we must think of him as he was at this moment, floating upon the +ocean as he floated upon his past, looking back upon the years of his +life as he looked at the limitless water and cloudless sky about him, +and ending his reverie by returning, through tumults of doubt, to faith, +the pure, unalloyed and perfect faith of the Christian and the lover, +which enforced the voice of his faithful heart. + +It is necessary to give here his own letter to de Marsay written on +leaving Paris, to which his friend replied in the letter he received +through old Mathias from the dock:-- + + From Comte Paul de Manerville to Monsieur le Marquis Henri de + Marsay: + + Henri,--I have to say to you one of the most vital words a man can + say to his friend:--I am ruined. When you read this I shall be on + the point of sailing from Bordeaux to Calcutta on the brig + “Belle-Amelie.” + + You will find in the hands of your notary a deed which only needs + your signature to be legal. In it, I lease my house to you for six + years at a nominal rent. Send a duplicate of that deed to my wife. + I am forced to take this precaution that Natalie may continue to + live in her own home without fear of being driven out by + creditors. + + I also convey to you by deed the income of my share of the + entailed property for four years; the whole amounting to one + hundred and fifty thousand francs, which sum I beg you to lend me + and to send in a bill of exchange on some house in Bordeaux to my + notary, Maitre Mathias. My wife will give you her signature to + this paper as an endorsement of your claim to my income. If the + revenues of the entail do not pay this loan as quickly as I now + expect, you and I will settle on my return. The sum I ask for is + absolutely necessary to enable me to seek my fortune in India; and + if I know you, I shall receive it in Bordeaux the night before I + sail. + + I have acted as you would have acted in my place. I held firm to + the last moment, letting no one suspect my ruin. Before the news + of the seizure of my property at Bordeaux reached Paris, I had + attempted, with one hundred thousand francs which I obtained on + notes, to recover myself by play. Some lucky stroke might still + have saved me. I lost. + + How have I ruined myself? By my own will, Henri. From the first + month of my married life I saw that I could not keep up the style + in which I started. I knew the result; but I chose to shut my + eyes; I could not say to my wife, “We must leave Paris and live at + Lanstrac.” I have ruined myself for her as men ruin themselves for + a mistress, but I knew it all along. Between ourselves, I am + neither a fool nor a weak man. A fool does not let himself be + ruled with his eyes open by a passion; and a man who starts for + India to reconstruct his fortune, instead of blowing out his + brains, is not weak. + + I shall return rich, or I shall never return at all. Only, my dear + friend, as I want wealth solely for _her_, as I must be absent six + years at least, and as I will not risk being duped in any way, I + confide to you my wife. I know no better guardian. Being + childless, a lover might be dangerous to her. Henri! I love her + madly, basely, without proper pride. I would forgive her, I think, + an infidelity, not because I am certain of avenging it, but + because I would kill myself to leave her free and happy--since I + could not make her happiness myself. But what have I to fear? + Natalie feels for me that friendship which is independent of love, + but which preserves love. I have treated her like a petted child. + I took such delight in my sacrifices, one led so naturally to + another, that she can never be false; she would be a monster if + she were. Love begets love. + + Alas! shall I tell you all, my dear Henri? I have just written her + a letter in which I let her think that I go with heart of hope and + brow serene; that neither jealousy, nor doubt, nor fear is in my + soul,--a letter, in short, such as a son might write to his + mother, aware that he is going to his death. Good God! de Marsay, + as I wrote it hell was in my soul! I am the most wretched man on + earth. Yes, yes, to you the cries, to you the grinding of my + teeth! I avow myself to you a despairing lover; I would rather + live these six years sweeping the streets beneath her windows than + return a millionaire at the end of them--if I could choose. I + suffer agony; I shall pass from pain to pain until I hear from you + that you will take the trust which you alone can fulfil or + accomplish. + + Oh! my dear de Marsay, this woman is indispensable to my life; she + is my sun, my atmosphere. Take her under your shield and buckler, + keep her faithful to me, even if she wills it not. Yes, I could be + satisfied with a half-happiness. Be her guardian, her chaperon, + for I could have no distrust of you. Prove to her that in + betraying me she would do a low and vulgar thing, and be no better + than the common run of women; tell her that faithfulness will + prove her lofty spirit. + + She probably has fortune enough to continue her life of luxury and + ease. But if she lacks a pleasure, if she has caprices which she + cannot satisfy, be her banker, and do not fear, I _will_ return with + wealth. + + But, after all, these fears are in vain! Natalie is an angel of + purity and virtue. When Felix de Vandenesse fell deeply in love + with her and began to show her certain attentions, I had only to + let her see the danger, and she instantly thanked me so + affectionately that I was moved to tears. She said that her + dignity and reputation demanded that she should not close her + doors abruptly to any man, but that she knew well how to dismiss + him. She did, in fact, receive him so coldly that the affair all + ended for the best. We have never had any other subject of dispute + --if, indeed, a friendly talk could be called a dispute--in all + our married life. + + And now, my dear Henri, I bid you farewell in the spirit of a man. + Misfortune has come. No matter what the cause, it is here. I strip + to meet it. Poverty and Natalie are two irreconcilable terms. The + balance may be close between my assets and my liabilities, but no + one shall have cause to complain of me. But, should any unforeseen + event occur to imperil my honor, I count on you. + + Send letters under cover to the Governor of India at Calcutta. I + have friendly relations with his family, and some one there will + care for all letters that come to me from Europe. Dear friend, I + hope to find you the same de Marsay on my return,--the man who + scoffs at everything and yet is receptive of the feelings of + others when they accord with the grandeur he is conscious of in + himself. You stay in Paris, friend; but when you read these words, + I shall be crying out, “To Carthage!” + + + The Marquis Henri de Marsay to Comte Paul de Manerville: + + So, so, Monsieur le comte, you have made a wreck of it! Monsieur + l’ambassadeur has gone to the bottom! Are these the fine things + that you were doing? + + Why, Paul, why have you kept away from me? If you had said a + single word, my poor old fellow, I would have made your position + plain to you. Your wife has refused me her endorsement. May that + one word unseal your eyes! But, if that does not suffice, learn + that your notes have been protested at the instigation of a Sieur + Lecuyer, formerly head-clerk to Maitre Solonet, a notary in + Bordeaux. That usurer in embryo (who came from Gascony for + jobbery) is the proxy of your very honorable mother-in-law, who is + the actual holder of your notes for one hundred thousand francs, + on which I am told that worthy woman doled out to you only seventy + thousand. Compared with Madame Evangelista, papa Gobseck is + flannel, velvet, vanilla cream, a sleeping draught. Your vineyard + of Belle-Rose is to fall into the clutches of your wife, to whom + her mother pays the difference between the price it goes for at + the auction sale and the amount of her dower claim upon it. Madame + Evangelista will also have the farms at Guadet and Grassol, and + the mortgages on your house in Bordeaux already belong to her, in + the names of straw men provided by Solonet. + + Thus these two excellent women will make for themselves a united + income of one hundred and twenty thousand francs a year out of + your misfortunes and forced sale of property, added to the revenue + of some thirty-odd thousand on the Grand-livre which these cats + already possess. + + The endorsement of your wife was not needed; for this morning the + said Sieur Lecuyer came to offer me a return of the sum I had lent + you in exchange for a legal transfer of my rights. The vintage of + 1825 which your mother-in-law keeps in the cellars at Lanstrac + will suffice to pay me. + + These two women have calculated, evidently, that you are now upon + the ocean; but I send this letter by courier, so that you may have + time to follow the advice I now give you. + + I made Lecuyer talk. I disentangled from his lies, his language, + and his reticence, the threads I lacked to bring to light the + whole plot of the domestic conspiracy hatched against you. This + evening, at the Spanish embassy, I shall offer my admiring + compliments to your mother-in-law and your wife. I shall pay + court to Madame Evangelista; I intend to desert you basely, and + say sly things to your discredit,--nothing openly, or that + Mascarille in petticoats would detect my purpose. How did you make + her such an enemy? That is what I want to know. If you had had the + wit to be in love with that woman before you married her daughter, + you would to-day be peer of France, Duc de Manerville, and, + possibly, ambassador to Madrid. + + If you had come to me at the time of your marriage, I would have + helped you to analyze and know the women to whom you were binding + yourself; out of our mutual observations safety might have been + yours. But, instead of that, these women judged me, became afraid + of me, and separated us. If you had not stupidly given in to them + and turned me the cold shoulder, they would never have been able + to ruin you. Your wife brought on the coldness between us, + instigated by her mother, to whom she wrote two letters a week,--a + fact to which you paid no attention. I recognized my Paul when I + heard that detail. + + Within a month I shall be so intimate with your mother-in-law that + I shall hear from her the reasons of the hispano-italiano hatred + which she feels for you,--for you, one of the best and kindest men + on earth! Did she hate you before her daughter fell in love with + Felix de Vandenesse; that’s a question in my mind. If I had not + taken a fancy to go to the East with Montriveau, Ronquerolles, and + a few other good fellows of your acquaintance, I should have been + in a position to tell you something about that affair, which was + beginning just as I left Paris. I saw the first gleams even then + of your misfortune. But what gentleman is base enough to open such + a subject unless appealed to? Who shall dare to injure a woman, or + break that illusive mirror in which his friend delights in gazing + at the fairy scenes of a happy marriage? Illusions are the riches + of the heart. + + Your wife, dear friend, is, I believe I may say, in the fullest + application of the word, a fashionable woman. She thinks of + nothing but her social success, her dress, her pleasures; she goes + to opera and theatre and balls; she rises late and drives to the + Bois, dines out, or gives a dinner-party. Such a life seems to me + for women very much what war is for men; the public sees only the + victors; it forgets the dead. Many delicate women perish in this + conflict; those who come out of it have iron constitutions, + consequently no heart, but good stomachs. There lies the reason of + the cold insensibility of social life. Fine souls keep themselves + reserved, weak and tender natures succumb; the rest are + cobblestones which hold the social organ in its place, water-worn + and rounded by the tide, but never worn-out. Your wife has + maintained that life with ease; she looks made for it; she is + always fresh and beautiful. To my mind the deduction is plain, + --she has never loved you; and you have loved her like a madman. + + To strike out love from that siliceous nature a man of iron was + needed. After standing, but without enduring, the shock of Lady + Dudley, Felix was the fitting mate to Natalie. There is no great + merit in divining that to you she was indifferent. In love with + her yourself, you have been incapable of perceiving the cold + nature of a young woman whom you have fashioned and trained for a + man like Vandenesse. The coldness of your wife, if you perceived + it, you set down, with the stupid jurisprudence of married people, + to the honor of her reserve and her innocence. Like all husbands, + you thought you could keep her virtuous in a society where women + whisper from ear to ear that which men are afraid to say. + + No, your wife has liked the social benefits she derived from + marriage, but the private burdens of it she found rather heavy. + Those burdens, that tax was--you! Seeing nothing of all this, you + have gone on digging your abysses (to use the hackneyed words of + rhetoric) and covering them with flowers. You have mildly obeyed + the law which rules the ruck of men; from which I desired to + protect you. Dear fellow! only one thing was wanting to make you + as dull as the bourgeois deceived by his wife, who is all + astonishment or wrath, and that is that you should talk to me of + your sacrifices, your love for Natalie, and chant that psalm: + “Ungrateful would she be if she betrayed me; I have done this, I + have done that, and more will I do; I will go to the ends of the + earth, to the Indies for her sake. I--I--” etc. My dear Paul, have + you never lived in Paris, have you never had the honor of + belonging by ties of friendship to Henri de Marsay, that you + should be so ignorant of the commonest things, the primitive + principles that move the feminine mechanism, the a-b-c of their + hearts? Then hear me:-- + + Suppose you exterminate yourself, suppose you go to Saint-Pelagie + for a woman’s debts, suppose you kill a score of men, desert a + dozen women, serve like Laban, cross the deserts, skirt the + galleys, cover yourself with glory, cover yourself with shame, + refuse, like Nelson, to fight a battle until you have kissed the + shoulder of Lady Hamilton, dash yourself, like Bonaparte, upon the + bridge at Arcola, go mad like Roland, risk your life to dance five + minutes with a woman--my dear fellow, what have all those things + to do with _love_? If love were won by samples such as those + mankind would be too happy. A spurt of prowess at the moment of + desire would give a man the woman that he wanted. But love, _love_, + my good Paul, is a faith like that in the Immaculate conception of + the Holy Virgin; it comes, or it does not come. Will the mines of + Potosi, or the shedding of our blood, or the making of our fame + serve to waken an involuntary, an inexplicable sentiment? Young + men like you, who expect to be loved as the balance of your + account, are nothing else than usurers. Our legitimate wives owe + us virtue and children, but they don’t owe us love. + + Love, my dear Paul, is the sense of pleasure given and received, + and the certainty of giving and receiving it; love is a desire + incessantly moving and growing, incessantly satisfied and + insatiable. The day when Vandenesse stirred the cord of a desire + in your wife’s heart which you had left untouched, all your + self-satisfied affection, your gifts, your deeds, your money, ceased + to be even memories; one emotion of love in your wife’s heart has + cast out the treasures of your own passion, which are now nothing + better than old iron. Felix has the virtues and the beauties in + her eyes, and the simple moral is that blinded by your own love + you never made her love you. + + Your mother-in-law is on the side of the lover against the + husband,--secretly or not; she may have closed her eyes, or she + may have opened them; I know not what she has done--but one thing + is certain, she is for her daughter, and against you. During the + fifteen years that I have observed society, I have never yet seen + a mother who, under such circumstances, abandons her daughter. + This indulgence seems to be an inheritance transmitted in the + female line. What man can blame it? Some copyist of the Civil + code, perhaps, who sees formulas only in the place of feelings. + + As for your present position, the dissipation into which the life + of a fashionable woman cast you, and your own easy nature, + possibly your vanity, have opened the way for your wife and her + mother to get rid of you by this ruin so skilfully contrived. From + all of which you will conclude, my good friend, that the mission + you entrusted to me, and which I would all the more faithfully + fulfil because it amused me, is, necessarily, null and void. The + evil you wish me to prevent is accomplished,--“consummatum est.” + + Forgive me, dear friend, if I write to you, as you say, a la de + Marsay on subjects which must seem to you very serious. Far be it + from me to dance upon the grave of a friend, like heirs upon that + of a progenitor. But you have written to me that you mean to act + the part of a man, and I believe you; I therefore treat you as a + man of the world, and not as a lover. For you, this blow ought to + be like the brand on the shoulder of a galley-slave, which flings + him forever into a life of systematic opposition to society. You + are now freed of one evil; marriage possessed you; it now behooves + you to turn round and possess marriage. + + Paul, I am your friend in the fullest acceptation of the word. If + you had a brain in an iron skull, if you had the energy which has + come to you too late, I would have proved my friendship by telling + you things that would have made you walk upon humanity as upon a + carpet. But when I did talk to you guardedly of Parisian + civilization, when I told you in the disguise of fiction some of + the actual adventures of my youth, you regarded them as mere + romance and would not see their bearing. When I told you that + history of a lawyer at the galleys branded for forgery, who + committed the crime to give his wife, adored like yours, an income + of thirty thousand francs, and whom his wife denounced that she + might be rid of him and free to love another man, you exclaimed, + and other fools who were supping with us exclaimed against me. + Well, my dear Paul, you were that lawyer, less the galleys. + + Your friends here are not sparing you. The sister of the two + Vandenesses, the Marquise de Listomere and all her set, in which, + by the bye, that little Rastignac has enrolled himself,--the scamp + will make his way!--Madame d’Aiglemont and her salon, the + Lenoncourts, the Comtesse Ferraud, Madame d’Espard, the Nucingens, + the Spanish ambassador, in short, all the cliques in society are + flinging mud upon you. You are a bad man, a gambler, a dissipated + fellow who has squandered his property. After paying your debts a + great many times, your wife, an angel of virtue, has just redeemed + your notes for one hundred thousand francs, although her property + was separate from yours. Luckily, you had done the best you could + do by disappearing. If you had stayed here you would have made her + bed in the straw; the poor woman would have been the victim of her + conjugal devotion! + + When a man attains to power, my dear Paul, he has all the virtues + of an epitaph; let him fall into poverty, and he has more sins + than the Prodigal Son; society at the present moment gives you the + vices of a Don Juan. You gambled at the Bourse, you had licentious + tastes which cost you fabulous sums of money to gratify; you paid + enormous interests to money-lenders. The two Vandenesses have told + everywhere how Gigonnet gave you for six thousand francs an ivory + frigate, and made your valet buy it back for three hundred in + order to sell it to you again. The incident did really happen to + Maxime de Trailles about nine years ago; but it fits your present + circumstances so well that Maxime has forever lost the command of + his frigate. + + In short, I can’t tell you one-half that is said; you have + supplied a whole encyclopaedia of gossip which the women have an + interest in swelling. Your wife is having an immense success. Last + evening at the opera Madame Firmiani began to repeat to me some of + the things that are being said. “Don’t talk of that,” I replied. + “You know nothing of the real truth, you people. Paul has robbed + the Bank, cheated the Treasury, murdered Ezzelin and three Medoras + in the rue Saint-Denis, and I think, between ourselves, that he is + a member of the Dix-Mille. His associate is the famous Jacques + Collin, on whom the police have been unable to lay a hand since he + escaped from the galleys. Paul gave him a room in his house; you + see he is capable of anything; in fact, the two have gone off to + India together to rob the Great Mogul.” Madame Firmiani, like the + distinguished woman that she is, saw that she ought not to convert + her beautiful lips into a mouthpiece for false denunciation. + + Many persons, when they hear of these tragi-comedies of life, + refuse to believe them. They take the side of human nature and + fine sentiments; they declare that these things do not exist. But + Talleyrand said a fine thing, my dear fellow: “All things happen.” + Truly, things happen under our very noses which are more amazing + than this domestic plot of yours; but society has an interest in + denying them, and in declaring itself calumniated. Often these + dramas are played so naturally and with such a varnish of good + taste that even I have to rub the lens of my opera-glass to see to + the bottom of them. But, I repeat to you, when a man is a friend + of mine, when we have received together the baptism of champagne + and have knelt together before the altar of the Venus Commodus, + when the crooked fingers of play have given us their benediction, + if that man finds himself in a false position I’d ruin a score of + families to do him justice. + + You must be aware from all this that I love you. Have I ever in my + life written a letter as long as this? No. Therefore, read with + attention what I still have to say. + + Alas! Paul, I shall be forced to take to writing, for I am taking + to politics. I am going into public life. I intend to have, within + five years, the portfolio of a ministry or some embassy. There + comes an age when the only mistress a man can serve is his + country. I enter the ranks of those who intend to upset not only + the ministry, but the whole present system of government. In + short, I swim in the waters of a certain prince who is lame of the + foot only,--a man whom I regard as a statesman of genius whose + name will go down to posterity; a prince as complete in his way as + a great artist may be in his. + + Several of us, Ronquerolles, Montriveau, the Grandlieus, La + Roche-Hugon, Serisy, Feraud, and Granville, have allied ourselves + against the “parti-pretre,” as the party-ninny represented by the + “Constitutionnel” has ingeniously said. We intend to overturn the + Navarreins, Lenoncourts, Vandenesses, and the Grand Almonry. In + order to succeed we shall even ally ourselves with Lafayette, the + Orleanists, and the Left,--people whom we can throttle on the + morrow of victory, for no government in the world is possible with + their principles. We are capable of anything for the good of the + country--and our own. + + Personal questions as to the King’s person are mere sentimental + folly in these days; they must be cleared away. From that point of + view, the English with their sort of Doge, are more advanced than + we are. Politics have nothing to do with that, my dear fellow. + Politics consist in giving the nation an impetus by creating an + oligarchy embodying a fixed theory of government, and able to + direct public affairs along a straight path, instead of allowing + the country to be pulled in a thousand different directions, which + is what has been happening for the last forty years in our + beautiful France--at once so intelligent and so sottish, so wise + and so foolish; it needs a system, indeed, much more than men. + What are individuals in this great question? If the end is a great + one, if the country may live happy and free from trouble, what do + the masses care for the profits of our stewardship, our fortune, + privileges, and pleasures? + + I am now standing firm on my feet. I have at the present moment a + hundred and fifty thousand francs a year in the Three per Cents, + and a reserve of two hundred thousand francs to repair damages. + Even this does not seem to me very much ballast in the pocket of a + man starting left foot foremost to scale the heights of power. + + A fortunate accident settled the question of my setting out on + this career, which did not particularly smile on me, for you know + my predilection for the life of the East. After thirty-five years + of slumber, my highly-respected mother woke up to the recollection + that she had a son who might do her honor. Often when a vine-stock + is eradicated, some years after shoots come up to the surface of + the ground; well, my dear boy, my mother had almost torn me up by + the roots from her heart, and I sprouted again in her head. At the + age of fifty-eight, she thinks herself old enough to think no more + of any men but her son. At this juncture she has met in some + hot-water cauldron, at I know not what baths, a delightful old maid + --English, with two hundred and forty thousand francs a year; and, + like a good mother, she has inspired her with an audacious + ambition to become my wife. A maid of six-and-thirty, my word! + Brought up in the strictest puritanical principles, a steady + sitting hen, who maintains that unfaithful wives should be + publicly burnt. ‘Where will you find wood enough?’ I asked her. I + could have sent her to the devil, for two hundred and forty + thousand francs a year are no equivalent for liberty, nor a fair + price for my physical and moral worth and my prospects. But she is + the sole heiress of a gouty old fellow, some London brewer, who + within a calculable time will leave her a fortune equal at least + to what the sweet creature has already. Added to these advantages, + she has a red nose, the eyes of a dead goat, a waist that makes + one fear lest she should break into three pieces if she falls + down, and the coloring of a badly painted doll. But--she is + delightfully economical; but--she will adore her husband, do what + he will; but--she has the English gift; she will manage my house, + my stables, my servants, my estates better than any steward. She + has all the dignity of virtue; she holds herself as erect as a + confidante on the stage of the Francais; nothing will persuade me + that she has not been impaled and the shaft broken off in her + body. Miss Stevens is, however, fair enough to be not too + unpleasing if I must positively marry her. But--and this to me is + truly pathetic--she has the hands of a woman as immaculate as the + sacred ark; they are so red that I have not yet hit on any way to + whiten them that will not be too costly, and I have no idea how to + fine down her fingers, which are like sausages. Yes; she evidently + belongs to the brew-house by her hands, and to the aristocracy by + her money; but she is apt to affect the great lady a little too + much, as rich English women do who want to be mistaken for them, + and she displays her lobster’s claws too freely. + + She has, however, as little intelligence as I could wish in a + woman. If there were a stupider one to be found, I would set out + to seek her. This girl, whose name is Dinah, will never criticise + me; she will never contradict me; I shall be her Upper Chamber, + her Lords and Commons. In short, Paul, she is indefeasible + evidence of the English genius; she is a product of English + mechanics brought to their highest pitch of perfection; she was + undoubtedly made at Manchester, between the manufactory of Perry’s + pens and the workshops for steam-engines. It eats, it drinks, it + walks, it may have children, take good care of them, and bring + them up admirably, and it apes a woman so well that you would + believe it real. + + When my mother introduced us, she had set up the machine so + cleverly, had so carefully fitted the pegs, and oiled the wheels + so thoroughly, that nothing jarred; then, when she saw I did not + make a very wry face, she set the springs in motion, and the woman + spoke. Finally, my mother uttered the decisive words, “Miss Dinah + Stevens spends no more than thirty thousand francs a year, and has + been traveling for seven years in order to economize.”--So there + is another image, and that one is silver. + + Matters are so far advanced that the banns are to be published. We + have got as far as “My dear love.” Miss makes eyes at me that + might floor a porter. The settlements are prepared. My fortune is + not inquired into; Miss Stevens devotes a portion of hers to + creating an entail in landed estate, bearing an income of two + hundred and forty thousand francs, and to the purchase of a house, + likewise entailed. The settlement credited to me is of a million + francs. She has nothing to complain of. I leave her uncle’s money + untouched. + + The worthy brewer, who has helped to found the entail, was near + bursting with joy when he heard that his niece was to be a + marquise. He would be capable of doing something handsome for my + eldest boy. + + I shall sell out of the funds as soon as they are up to eighty, + and invest in land. Thus, in two years I may look to get six + hundred thousand francs a year out of real estate. So, you see, + Paul, I do not give my friends advice that I am not ready to act + upon. + + If you had but listened to me, you would have an English wife, + some Nabob’s daughter, who would leave you the freedom of a + bachelor and the independence necessary for playing the whist of + ambition. I would concede my future wife to you if you were not + married already. But that cannot be helped, and I am not the man + to bid you chew the cud of the past. + + All this preamble was needful to explain to you that for the + future my position in life will be such as a man needs if he wants + to play the great game of pitch-and-toss. I cannot do without you, + my friend. Now, then, my dear Paul, instead of setting sail for + India you would do a much wiser thing to navigate with me the + waters of the Seine. Believe me, Paris is still the place where + fortune, abundant fortune, can be won. Potosi is in the rue + Vivienne, the rue de la Paix, the Place Vendome, the rue de + Rivoli. In all other places and countries material works and + labors, marches and counter-marches, and sweatings of the brow are + necessary to the building up of fortune; but in Paris _thought_ + suffices. Here, every man even mentally mediocre, can see a mine + of wealth as he puts on his slippers, or picks his teeth after + dinner, in his down-sitting and his up-rising. Find me another + place on the globe where a good round stupid idea brings in more + money, or is sooner understood than it is here. + + If I reach the top of the ladder, as I shall, am I the man to + refuse you a helping hand, an influence, a signature? We shall + want, we young roues, a faithful friend on whom to count, if only + to compromise him and make him a scape-goat, or send him to die + like a common soldier to save his general. Government is + impossible without a man of honor at one’s side, in whom to + confide and with whom we can do and say everything. + + Here is what I propose. Let the “Belle-Amelie” sail without you; + come back here like a thunderbolt; I’ll arrange a duel for you + with Vandenesse in which you shall have the first shot, and you + can wing him like a pigeon. In France the husband who shoots his + rival becomes at once respectable and respected. No one ever + cavils at him again. Fear, my dear fellow, is a valuable social + element, a means of success for those who lower their eyes before + the gaze of no man living. I who care as little to live as to + drink a glass of milk, and who have never felt the emotion of + fear, I have remarked the strange effects produced by that + sentiment upon our modern manners. Some men tremble to lose the + enjoyments to which they are attached, others dread to leave a + woman. The old adventurous habits of other days when life was + flung away like a garment exist no longer. The bravery of a great + many men is nothing more than a clever calculation on the fear of + their adversary. The Poles are the only men in Europe who fight + for the pleasure of fighting; they cultivate the art for the art’s + sake, and not for speculation. + + Now hear me: kill Vandenesse, and your wife trembles, your + mother-in-law trembles, the public trembles, and you recover your + position, you prove your grand passion for your wife, you subdue + society, you subdue your wife, you become a hero. Such is France. + As for your embarrassments, I hold a hundred thousand francs for + you; you can pay your principal debts, and sell what property you + have left with a power of redemption, for you will soon obtain an + office which will enable you by degrees to pay off your creditors. + Then, as for your wife, once enlightened as to her character you + can rule her. When you loved her you had no power to manage her; + not loving her, you will have an unconquerable force. I will + undertake, myself, to make your mother-in-law as supple as a + glove; for you must recover the use of the hundred and fifty + thousand francs a year those two women have squeezed out of you. + + Therefore, I say, renounce this expatriation which seems to me no + better than a pan of charcoal or a pistol to your head. To go away + is to justify all calumnies. The gambler who leaves the table to + get his money loses it when he returns; we must have our gold in + our pockets. Let us now, you and I, be two gamblers on the green + baize of politics; between us loans are in order. Therefore take + post-horses, come back instantly, and renew the game. You’ll win + it with Henri de Marsay for your partner, for Henri de Marsay + knows how to will, and how to strike. + + See how we stand politically. My father is in the British + ministry; we shall have close relations with Spain through the + Evangelistas, for, as soon as your mother-in-law and I have + measured claws she will find there is nothing to gain by fighting + the devil. Montriveau is our lieutenant-general; he will certainly + be minister of war before long, and his eloquence will give him + great ascendancy in the Chamber. Ronquerolles will be minister of + State and privy-councillor; Martial de la Roche-Hugon is minister + to Germany and peer of France; Serisy leads the Council of State, + to which he is indispensable; Granville holds the magistracy, to + which his sons belong; the Grandlieus stand well at court; Ferraud + is the soul of the Gondreville coterie,--low intriguers who are + always on the surface of things, I’m sure I don’t know why. Thus + supported, what have we to fear? The money question is a mere + nothing when this great wheel of fortune rolls for us. What is a + woman?--you are not a schoolboy. What is life, my dear fellow, if + you let a woman be the whole of it? A boat you can’t command, + without a rudder, but not without a magnet, and tossed by every + wind that blows. Pah! + + The great secret of social alchemy, my dear Paul, is to get the + most we can out of each age of life through which we pass; to have + and to hold the buds of our spring, the flowers of our summer, the + fruits of our autumn. We amused ourselves once, a few good fellows + and I, for a dozen or more years, like mousquetaires, black, red, + and gray; we denied ourselves nothing, not even an occasional + filibustering here and there. Now we are going to shake down the + plums which age and experience have ripened. Be one of us; you + shall have your share in the _pudding_ we are going to cook. + + Come; you will find a friend all yours in the skin of + + H. de Marsay. + + +As Paul de Manerville ended the reading of this letter, which fell like +the blows of a pickaxe on the edifice of his hopes, his illusions, and +his love, the vessel which bore him from France was beyond the Azores. +In the midst of this utter devastation a cold and impotent anger laid +hold of him. + +“What had I done to them?” he said to himself. + +That is the question of fools, of feeble beings, who, seeing nothing, +can nothing foresee. Then he cried aloud: “Henri! Henri!” to his loyal +friend. Many a man would have gone mad; Paul went to bed and slept that +heavy sleep which follows immense disasters,--the sleep that seized +Napoleon after Waterloo. + + + + +ADDENDUM + +The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. + + Casa-Real, Duc de + The Quest of the Absolute + + Claes, Josephine de Temninck, Madame + The Quest of the Absolute + + Magus, Elie + The Vendetta + A Bachelor’s Establishment + Pierre Grassou + Cousin Pons + + Manerville, Paul Francois-Joseph, Comte de + The Thirteen + The Ball at Sceaux + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + + Manerville, Comtesse Paul de + The Lily of the Valley + A Daughter of Eve + + Marsay, Henri de + The Thirteen + The Unconscious Humorists + Another Study of Woman + The Lily of the Valley + Father Goriot + Jealousies of a Country Town + Ursule Mirouet + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Letters of Two Brides + The Ball at Sceaux + Modeste Mignon + The Secrets of a Princess + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + Maulincour, Baronne de + The Thirteen + + Stevens, Dinah + Cousin Pons + + Vandenesse, Comte Felix de + The Lily of the Valley + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Cesar Birotteau + Letters of Two Brides + A Start in Life + The Secrets of a Princess + Another Study of Woman + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Marriage Contract, by Honore de Balzac + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + +***** This file should be named 1556-0.txt or 1556-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/5/1556/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions 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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Marriage Contract + +Author: Honore de Balzac + +Translator: Katharine Prescott Wormeley + +Release Date: February 26, 2010 [EBook #1556] +Last Updated: April 3, 2013 +Last Updated: November 22, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Honore De Balzac + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DEDICATION<br /><br /> To Rossini.<br /> + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT</b> </a> + </h3> + <h3> + </h3> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + PRO AND CON + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE PINK OF FASHION + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT—FIRST DAY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT—SECOND DAY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT—THIRD DAY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + CONCLUSION + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> ADDENDUM </a> + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. PRO AND CON + </h2> + <p> + Monsieur de Manerville, the father, was a worthy Norman gentleman, well + known to the Marechael de Richelieu, who married him to one of the richest + heiresses of Bordeaux in the days when the old duke reigned in Guienne as + governor. The Norman then sold the estate he owned in Bessin, and became a + Gascon, allured by the beauty of the chateau de Lanstrac, a delightful + residence owned by his wife. During the last days of the reign of Louis + XV., he bought the post of major of the Gate Guards, and lived till 1813, + having by great good luck escaped the dangers of the Revolution in the + following manner. + </p> + <p> + Toward the close of the year, 1790, he went to Martinque, where his wife + had interests, leaving the management of his property in Gascogne to an + honest man, a notary’s clerk, named Mathias, who was inclined to—or + at any rate did—give into the new ideas. On his return the Comte de + Manerville found his possessions intact and well-managed. This sound + result was the fruit produced by grafting the Gascon on the Norman. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Manerville died in 1810. Having learned the importance of + worldly goods through the dissipations of his youth, and, giving them, + like many another old man, a higher place than they really hold in life, + Monsieur de Manerville became increasingly economical, miserly, and + sordid. Without reflecting that the avarice of parents prepares the way + for the prodigalities of children, he allowed almost nothing to his son, + although that son was an only child. + </p> + <p> + Paul de Manerville, coming home from the college of Vendome in 1810, lived + under close paternal discipline for three years. The tyranny by which the + old man of seventy oppressed his heir influenced, necessarily, a heart and + a character which were not yet formed. Paul, the son, without lacking the + physical courage which is vital in the air of Gascony, dared not struggle + against his father, and consequently lost that faculty of resistance which + begets moral courage. His thwarted feelings were driven to the depths of + his heart, where they remained without expression; later, when he felt + them to be out of harmony with the maxims of the world, he could only + think rightly and act mistakenly. He was capable of fighting for a mere + word or look, yet he trembled at the thought of dismissing a servant,—his + timidity showing itself in those contests only which required a persistent + will. Capable of doing great things to fly from persecution, he would + never have prevented it by systematic opposition, nor have faced it with + the steady employment of force of will. Timid in thought, bold in actions, + he long preserved that inward simplicity which makes a man the dupe and + the voluntary victim of things against which certain souls hesitate to + revolt, preferring to endure them rather than complain. He was, in point + of fact, imprisoned by his father’s old mansion, for he had not enough + money to consort with young men; he envied their pleasures while unable to + share them. + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman took him every evening, in an old carriage drawn by + ill-harnessed old horses, attended by ill-dressed old servants, to + royalist houses, where he met a society composed of the relics of the + parliamentary nobility and the martial nobility. These two nobilities + coalescing after the Revolution, had now transformed themselves into a + landed aristocracy. Crushed by the vast and swelling fortunes of the + maritime cities, this Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux responded by + lofty disdain to the sumptuous displays of commerce, government + administrations, and the military. Too young to understand social + distinctions and the necessities underlying the apparent assumption which + they create, Paul was bored to death among these ancients, unaware that + the connections of his youth would eventually secure to him that + aristocratic pre-eminence which Frenchmen will forever desire. + </p> + <p> + He found some slight compensations for the dulness of these evenings in + certain manual exercises which always delight young men, and which his + father enjoined upon him. The old gentleman considered that to know the + art of fencing and the use of arms, to ride well on horseback, to play + tennis, to acquire good manners,—in short, to possess all the + frivolous accomplishments of the old nobility,—made a young man of + the present day a finished gentleman. Accordingly, Paul took a + fencing-lesson every morning, went to the riding-school, and practised in + a pistol-gallery. The rest of his time was spent in reading novels, for + his father would never have allowed the more abstruse studies now + considered necessary to finish an education. + </p> + <p> + So monotonous a life would soon have killed the poor youth if the death of + the old man had not delivered him from this tyranny at the moment when it + was becoming intolerable. Paul found himself in possession of considerable + capital, accumulated by his father’s avarice, together with landed estates + in the best possible condition. But he now held Bordeaux in horror; + neither did he like Lanstrac, where his father had taken him to spend the + summers, employing his whole time from morning till night in hunting. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the estate was fairly settled, the young heir, eager for + enjoyment, bought consols with his capital, left the management of the + landed property to old Mathias, his father’s notary, and spent the next + six years away from Bordeaux. At first he was attached to the French + embassy at Naples; after that he was secretary of legation at Madrid, and + then in London,—making in this way the tour of Europe. + </p> + <p> + After seeing the world and life, after losing several illusions, after + dissipating all the loose capital which his father had amassed, there came + a time when, in order to continue his way of life, Paul was forced to draw + upon the territorial revenues which his notary was laying by. At this + critical moment, seized by one of the so-called virtuous impulses, he + determined to leave Paris, return to Bordeaux, regulate his affairs, lead + the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac, improve his property, marry, + and become, in the end, a deputy. + </p> + <p> + Paul was a count; nobility was once more of matrimonial value; he could, + and he ought to make a good marriage. While many women desire a title, + many others like to marry a man to whom a knowledge of life is familiar. + Now Paul had acquired, in exchange for the sum of seven hundred thousand + francs squandered in six years, that possession, which cannot be bought + and is practically of more value than gold and silver; a knowledge which + exacts long study, probation, examinations, friends, enemies, + acquaintances, certain manners, elegance of form and demeanor, a graceful + and euphonious name,—a knowledge, moreover, which means many + love-affairs, duels, bets lost on a race-course, disillusions, deceptions, + annoyances, toils, and a vast variety of undigested pleasures. In short, + he had become what is called elegant. But in spite of his mad extravagance + he had never made himself a mere fashionable man. In the burlesque army of + men of the world, the man of fashion holds the place of a marshal of + France, the man of elegance is the equivalent of a lieutenant-general. + Paul enjoyed his lesser reputation, of elegance, and knew well how to + sustain it. His servants were well-dressed, his equipages were cited, his + suppers had a certain vogue; in short, his bachelor establishment was + counted among the seven or eight whose splendor equalled that of the + finest houses in Paris. + </p> + <p> + But—he had not caused the wretchedness of any woman; he gambled + without losing; his luck was not notorious; he was far too upright to + deceive or mislead any one, no matter who, even a wanton; never did he + leave his billets-doux lying about, and he possessed no coffer or desk for + love-letters which his friends were at liberty to read while he tied his + cravat or trimmed his beard. Moreover, not willing to dip into his Guienne + property, he had not that bold extravagance which leads to great strokes + and calls attention at any cost to the proceedings of a young man. Neither + did he borrow money, but he had the folly to lend to friends, who then + deserted him and spoke of him no more either for good or evil. He seemed + to have regulated his dissipations methodically. The secret of his + character lay in his father’s tyranny, which had made him, as it were, a + social mongrel. + </p> + <p> + So, one morning, he said to a friend named de Marsay, who afterwards + became celebrated:— + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, life has a meaning.” + </p> + <p> + “You must be twenty-seven years of age before you can find it out,” + replied de Marsay, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am twenty-seven; and precisely because I am twenty-seven I mean + to live the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac. I’ll transport my + belongings to Bordeaux into my father’s old mansion, and I’ll spend three + months of the year in Paris in this house, which I shall keep.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you marry?” + </p> + <p> + “I will marry.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m your friend, as you know, my old Paul,” said de Marsay, after a + moment’s silence, “and I say to you: settle down into a worthy father and + husband and you’ll be ridiculous for the rest of your days. If you could + be happy and ridiculous, the thing might be thought of; but you will not + be happy. You haven’t a strong enough wrist to drive a household. I’ll do + you justice and say you are a perfect horseman; no one knows as well as + you how to pick up or thrown down the reins, and make a horse prance, and + sit firm to the saddle. But, my dear fellow, marriage is another thing. I + see you now, led along at a slapping pace by Madame la Comtesse de + Manerville, going whither you would not, oftener at a gallop than a trot, + and presently unhorsed!—yes, unhorsed into a ditch and your legs + broken. Listen to me. You still have some forty-odd thousand francs a year + from your property in the Gironde. Good. Take your horses and servants and + furnish your house in Bordeaux; you can be king of Bordeaux, you can + promulgate there the edicts that we put forth in Paris; you can be the + correspondent of our stupidities. Very good. Play the rake in the + provinces; better still, commit follies; follies may win you celebrity. + But—don’t marry. Who marries now-a-days? Only merchants, for the + sake of their capital, or to be two to drag the cart; only peasants who + want to produce children to work for them; only brokers and notaries who + want a wife’s ‘dot’ to pay for their practice; only miserable kings who + are forced to continue their miserable dynasties. But we are exempt from + the pack, and you want to shoulder it! And why DO you want to marry? You + ought to give your best friend your reasons. In the first place, if you + marry an heiress as rich as yourself, eighty thousand francs a year for + two is not the same thing as forty thousand francs a year for one, because + the two are soon three or four when the children come. You haven’t surely + any love for that silly race of Manerville which would only hamper you? + Are you ignorant of what a father and mother have to be? Marriage, my old + Paul, is the silliest of all the social immolations; our children alone + profit by it, and don’t know its price until their horses are nibbling the + flowers on our grave. Do you regret your father, that old tyrant who made + your first years wretched? How can you be sure that your children will + love you? The very care you take of their education, your precautions for + their happiness, your necessary sternness will lessen their affection. + Children love a weak or a prodigal father, whom they will despise in after + years. You’ll live betwixt fear and contempt. No man is a good head of a + family merely because he wants to be. Look round on all our friends and + name to me one whom you would like to have for a son. We have known a good + many who dishonor their names. Children, my dear Paul, are the most + difficult kind of merchandise to take care of. Yours, you think, will be + angels; well, so be it! Have you ever sounded the gulf which lies between + the lives of a bachelor and a married man? Listen. As a bachelor you can + say to yourself: ‘I shall never exhibit more than a certain amount of the + ridiculous; the public will think of me what I choose it to think.’ + Married, you’ll drop into the infinitude of the ridiculous! Bachelor, you + can make your own happiness; you enjoy some to-day, you do without it + to-morrow; married, you must take it as it comes; and the day you want it + you will have to go without it. Marry, and you’ll grow a blockhead; you’ll + calculate dowries; you’ll talk morality, public and religious; you’ll + think young men immoral and dangerous; in short, you’ll become a social + academician. It’s pitiable! The old bachelor whose property the heirs are + waiting for, who fights to his last breath with his nurse for a spoonful + of drink, is blest in comparison with a married man. I’m not speaking of + all that will happen to annoy, bore, irritate, coerce, oppose, tyrannize, + narcotize, paralyze, and idiotize a man in marriage, in that struggle of + two beings always in one another’s presence, bound forever, who have + coupled each other under the strange impression that they were suited. No, + to tell you those things would be merely a repetition of Boileau, and we + know him by heart. Still, I’ll forgive your absurd idea if you will + promise me to marry “en grand seigneur”; to entail your property; to have + two legitimate children, to give your wife a house and household + absolutely distinct from yours; to meet her only in society, and never to + return from a journey without sending her a courier to announce it. Two + hundred thousand francs a year will suffice for such a life and your + antecedents will enable you to marry some rich English woman hungry for a + title. That’s an aristocratic life which seems to me thoroughly French; + the only life in which we can retain the respect and friendship of a + woman; the only life which distinguishes a man from the present crowd,—in + short, the only life for which a young man should even think of resigning + his bachelor blessings. Thus established, the Comte de Manerville may + advise his epoch, place himself above the world, and be nothing less than + a minister or an ambassador. Ridicule can never touch him; he has gained + the social advantages of marriage while keeping all the privileges of a + bachelor.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my good friend, I am not de Marsay; I am plainly, as you yourself do + me the honor to say, Paul de Manerville, worthy father and husband, deputy + of the Centre, possibly peer of France,—a destiny extremely + commonplace; but I am modest and I resign myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but your wife,” said the pitiless de Marsay, “will she resign + herself?” + </p> + <p> + “My wife, my dear fellow, will do as I wish.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my poor friend, is that where you are? Adieu, Paul. Henceforth, I + refuse to respect you. One word more, however, for I cannot agree coldly + to your abdication. Look and see in what the strength of our position + lies. A bachelor with only six thousand francs a year remaining to him has + at least his reputation for elegance and the memory of success. Well, even + that fantastic shadow has enormous value in it. Life still offers many + chances to the unmarried man. Yes, he can aim at anything. But marriage, + Paul, is the social ‘Thus far shalt thou go and no farther.’ Once married + you can never be anything but what you then are—unless your wife + should deign to care for you.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Paul, “you are crushing me down with exceptional theories. I + am tired of living for others; of having horses merely to exhibit them; of + doing all things for the sake of what may be said of them; of wasting my + substance to keep fools from crying out: ‘Dear, dear! Paul is still + driving the same carriage. What has he done with his fortune? Does he + squander it? Does he gamble at the Bourse? No, he’s a millionaire. Madame + such a one is mad about him. He sent to England for a harness which is + certainly the handsomest in all Paris. The four-horse equipages of + Messieurs de Marsay and de Manerville were much noticed at Longchamps; the + harness was perfect’—in short, the thousand silly things with which + a crowd of idiots lead us by the nose. Believe me, my dear Henri, I admire + your power, but I don’t envy it. You know how to judge of life; you think + and act as a statesman; you are able to place yourself above all ordinary + laws, received ideas, adopted conventions, and acknowledged prejudices; in + short, you can grasp the profits of a situation in which I should find + nothing but ill-luck. Your cool, systematic, possibly true deductions are, + to the eyes of the masses, shockingly immoral. I belong to the masses. I + must play my game of life according to the rules of the society in which I + am forced to live. While putting yourself above all human things on peaks + of ice, you still have feelings; but as for me, I should freeze to death. + The life of that great majority, to which I belong in my commonplace way, + is made up of emotions of which I now have need. Often a man coquets with + a dozen women and obtains none. Then, whatever be his strength, his + cleverness, his knowledge of the world, he undergoes convulsions, in which + he is crushed as between two gates. For my part, I like the peaceful + chances and changes of life; I want that wholesome existence in which we + find a woman always at our side.” + </p> + <p> + “A trifle indecorous, your marriage!” exclaimed de Marsay. + </p> + <p> + Paul was not to be put out of countenance, and continued: “Laugh if you + like; I shall feel myself a happy man when my valet enters my room in the + morning and says: ‘Madame is awaiting monsieur for breakfast’; happier + still at night, when I return to find a heart—” + </p> + <p> + “Altogether indecorous, my dear Paul. You are not yet moral enough to + marry.” + </p> + <p> + “—a heart in which to confide my interests and my secrets. I wish to + live in such close union with a woman that our affection shall not depend + upon a yes or a no, or be open to the disillusions of love. In short, I + have the necessary courage to become, as you say, a worthy husband and + father. I feel myself fitted for family joys; I wish to put myself under + the conditions prescribed by society; I desire to have a wife and + children.” + </p> + <p> + “You remind me of a hive of honey-bees! But go your way, you’ll be a dupe + all your life. Ha, ha! you wish to marry to have a wife! In other words, + you wish to solve satisfactorily to your own profit the most difficult + problem invented by those bourgeois morals which were created by the + French Revolution; and, what is more, you mean to begin your attempt by a + life of retirement. Do you think your wife won’t crave the life you say + you despise? Will <i>she</i> be disgusted with it, as you are? If you + won’t accept the noble conjugality just formulated for your benefit by + your friend de Marsay, listen, at any rate, to his final advice. Remain a + bachelor for the next thirteen years; amuse yourself like a lost soul; + then, at forty, on your first attack of gout, marry a widow of thirty-six. + Then you may possibly be happy. If you now take a young girl to wife, + you’ll die a madman.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah ca! tell me why!” cried Paul, somewhat piqued. + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” replied de Marsay, “Boileau’s satire against women is a + tissue of poetical commonplaces. Why shouldn’t women have defects? Why + condemn them for having the most obvious thing in human nature? To my + mind, the problem of marriage is not at all at the point where Boileau + puts it. Do you suppose that marriage is the same thing as love, and that + being a man suffices to make a wife love you? Have you gathered nothing in + your boudoir experience but pleasant memories? I tell you that everything + in our bachelor life leads to fatal errors in the married man unless he is + a profound observer of the human heart. In the happy days of his youth a + man, by the caprice of our customs, is always lucky; he triumphs over + women who are all ready to be triumphed over and who obey their own + desires. One thing after another—the obstacles created by the laws, + the sentiments and natural defences of women—all engender a + mutuality of sensations which deceives superficial persons as to their + future relations in marriage, where obstacles no longer exist, where the + wife submits to love instead of permitting it, and frequently repulses + pleasure instead of desiring it. Then, the whole aspect of a man’s life + changes. The bachelor, who is free and without a care, need never fear + repulsion; in marriage, repulsion is almost certain and irreparable. It + may be possible for a lover to make a woman reverse an unfavorable + decision, but such a change, my dear Paul, is the Waterloo of husbands. + Like Napoleon, the husband is thenceforth condemned to victories which, in + spite of their number, do not prevent the first defeat from crushing him. + The woman, so flattered by the perseverance, so delighted with the ardor + of a lover, calls the same things brutality in a husband. You, who talk of + marrying, and who will marry, have you ever meditated on the Civil Code? I + myself have never muddied my feet in that hovel of commentators, that + garret of gossip, called the Law-school. I have never so much as opened + the Code; but I see its application on the vitals of society. The Code, my + dear Paul, makes woman a ward; it considers her a child, a minor. Now how + must we govern children? By fear. In that one word, Paul, is the curb of + the beast. Now, feel your own pulse! Have you the strength to play the + tyrant,—you, so gentle, so kind a friend, so confiding; you, at whom + I have laughed, but whom I love, and love enough to reveal to you my + science? For this is science. Yes, it proceeds from a science which the + Germans are already calling Anthropology. Ah! if I had not already solved + the mystery of life by pleasure, if I had not a profound antipathy for + those who think instead of act, if I did not despise the ninnies who are + silly enough to believe in the truth of a book, when the sands of the + African deserts are made of the ashes of I know not how many unknown and + pulverized Londons, Romes, Venices, and Parises, I would write a book on + modern marriages made under the influence of the Christian system, and I’d + stick a lantern on that heap of sharp stones among which lie the votaries + of the social ‘multiplicamini.’ But the question is, Does humanity require + even an hour of my time? And besides, isn’t the more reasonable use of ink + that of snaring hearts by writing love-letters?—Well, shall you + bring the Comtesse de Manerville here, and let us see her?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “We shall still be friends,” said de Marsay. + </p> + <p> + “If—” replied Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be uneasy; we will treat you politely, as Maison-Rouge treated the + English at Fontenoy.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE PINK OF FASHION + </h2> + <p> + Though the foregoing conversation affected the Comte de Manerville + somewhat, he made it a point of duty to carry out his intentions, and he + returned to Bordeaux during the winter of the year 1821. + </p> + <p> + The expenses he incurred in restoring and furnishing his family mansion + sustained the reputation for elegance which had preceded him. Introduced + through his former connections to the royalist society of Bordeaux, to + which he belonged as much by his personal opinions as by his name and + fortune, he soon obtained a fashionable pre-eminence. His knowledge of + life, his manners, his Parisian acquirements enchanted the Faubourg + Saint-Germain of Bordeaux. An old marquise made use of a term formerly in + vogue at court to express the flowery beauty of the fops and beaux of the + olden time, whose language and demeanor were social laws: she called him + “the pink of fashion.” The liberal clique caught up the word and used it + satirically as a nickname, while the royalist party continued to employ it + in good faith. + </p> + <p> + Paul de Manerville acquitted himself gloriously of the obligations imposed + by his flowery title. It happened to him, as to many a mediocre actor, + that the day when the public granted him their full attention he became, + one may almost say, superior. Feeling at his ease, he displayed the fine + qualities which accompanied his defects. His wit had nothing sharp or + bitter in it; his manners were not supercilious; his intercourse with + women expressed the respect they like,—it was neither too + deferential, nor too familiar; his foppery went no farther than a care for + his personal appearance which made him agreeable; he showed consideration + for rank; he allowed young men a certain freedom, to which his Parisian + experience assigned due limits; though skilful with sword and pistol, he + was noted for a feminine gentleness for which others were grateful. His + medium height and plumpness (which had not yet increased into obesity, an + obstacle to personal elegance) did not prevent his outer man from playing + the part of a Bordelais Brummell. A white skin tinged with the hues of + health, handsome hands and feet, blue eyes with long lashes, black hair, + graceful motions, a chest voice which kept to its middle tones and + vibrated in the listener’s heart, harmonized well with his sobriquet. Paul + was indeed that delicate flower which needs such careful culture, the + qualities of which display themselves only in a moist and suitable soil,—a + flower which rough treatment dwarfs, which the hot sun burns, and a frost + lays low. He was one of those men made to receive happiness, rather than + to give it; who have something of the woman in their nature, wishing to be + divined, understood, encouraged; in short, a man to whom conjugal love + ought to come as a providence. + </p> + <p> + If such a character creates difficulties in private life, it is gracious + and full of attraction for the world. Consequently, Paul had great success + in the narrow social circle of the provinces, where his mind, always, so + to speak, in half-tints, was better appreciated than in Paris. + </p> + <p> + The arrangement of his house and the restoration of the chateau de + Lanstrac, where he introduced the comfort and luxury of an English + country-house, absorbed the capital saved by the notary during the + preceding six years. Reduced now to his strict income of forty-odd + thousand a year, he thought himself wise and prudent in so regulating his + household as not to exceed it. + </p> + <p> + After publicly exhibiting his equipages, entertaining the most + distinguished young men of the place, and giving various hunting parties + on the estate at Lanstrac, Paul saw very plainly that provincial life + would never do without marriage. Too young to employ his time in miserly + occupations, or in trying to interest himself in the speculative + improvements in which provincials sooner or later engage (compelled + thereto by the necessity of establishing their children), he soon felt the + need of that variety of distractions a habit of which becomes at last the + very life of a Parisian. A name to preserve, property to transmit to + heirs, social relations to be created by a household where the principal + families of the neighborhood could assemble, and a weariness of all + irregular connections, were not, however, the determining reasons of his + matrimonial desires. From the time he first returned to the provinces he + had been secretly in love with the queen of Bordeaux, the great beauty, + Mademoiselle Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + About the beginning of the century, a rich Spaniard, named Evangelista, + established himself in Bordeaux, where his letters of recommendation, as + well as his large fortune, gave him an entrance to the salons of the + nobility. His wife contributed greatly to maintain him in the good graces + of an aristocracy which may perhaps have adopted him in the first instance + merely to pique the society of the class below them. Madame Evangelista, + who belonged to the Casa-Reale, an illustrious family of Spain, was a + Creole, and, like all women served by slaves, she lived as a great lady, + knew nothing of the value of money, repressed no whims, even the most + expensive, finding them ever satisfied by an adoring husband who + generously concealed from her knowledge the running-gear of the financial + machine. Happy in finding her pleased with Bordeaux, where his interests + obliged him to live, the Spaniard bought a house, set up a household, + received in much style, and gave many proofs of possessing a fine taste in + all things. Thus, from 1800 to 1812, Monsieur and Madame Evangelista were + objects of great interest to the community of Bordeaux. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniard died in 1813, leaving his wife a widow at thirty-two years of + age, with an immense fortune and the prettiest little girl in the world, a + child of eleven, who promised to be, and did actually become, a most + accomplished young woman. Clever as Madame Evangelista was, the + Restoration altered her position; the royalist party cleared its ranks and + several of the old families left Bordeaux. Though the head and hand of her + husband were lacking in the direction of her affairs, for which she had + hitherto shown the indifference of a Creole and the inaptitude of a + lackadaisical woman, she was determined to make no change in her manner of + living. At the period when Paul resolved to return to his native town, + Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista was a remarkably beautiful young girl, + and, apparently, the richest match in Bordeaux, where the steady + diminution of her mother’s capital was unknown. In order to prolong her + reign, Madame Evangelista had squandered enormous sums. Brilliant fetes + and the continuation of an almost regal style of living kept the public in + its past belief as to the wealth of the Spanish family. + </p> + <p> + Natalie was now in her nineteenth year, but no proposal of marriage had as + yet reached her mother’s ear. Accustomed to gratify her fancies, + Mademoiselle Evangelista wore cashmeres and jewels, and lived in a style + of luxury which alarmed all speculative suitors in a region and at a + period when sons were as calculating as their parents. The fatal remark, + “None but a prince can afford to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista,” + circulated among the salons and the cliques. Mothers of families, dowagers + who had granddaughters to establish, young girls jealous of Natalie, whose + elegance and tyrannical beauty annoyed them, took pains to envenom this + opinion with treacherous remarks. When they heard a possible suitor say + with ecstatic admiration, as Natalie entered a ball-room, “Heavens, how + beautiful she is!” “Yes,” the mammas would answer, “but expensive.” If + some new-comer thought Mademoiselle Evangelista bewitching and said to a + marriageable man that he couldn’t do it better, “Who would be bold + enough,” some woman would reply, “to marry a girl whose mother gives her a + thousand francs a month for her toilet,—a girl who has horses and a + maid of her own, and wears laces? Yes, her ‘peignoirs’ are trimmed with + mechlin. The price of her washing would support the household of a clerk. + She wears pelerines in the morning which actually cost six francs to get + up.” + </p> + <p> + These, and other speeches said occasionally in the form of praise + extinguished the desires that some men might have had to marry the + beautiful Spanish girl. Queen of every ball, accustomed to flattery, + “blasee” with the smiles and the admiration which followed her every step, + Natalie, nevertheless, knew nothing of life. She lived as the bird which + flies, as the flower that blooms, finding every one about her eager to do + her will. She was ignorant of the price of things; she knew neither the + value of money, nor whence it came, how it should be managed, and how + spent. Possibly she thought that every household had cooks and coachmen, + lady’s-maids and footmen, as the fields have hay and the trees their + fruits. To her, beggars and paupers, fallen trees and waste lands seemed + in the same category. Pampered and petted as her mother’s hope, no fatigue + was allowed to spoil her pleasure. Thus she bounded through life as a + courser on his steppe, unbridled and unshod. + </p> + <p> + Six month’s after Paul’s arrival the Pink of Fashion and the Queen of + Balls met in presence of the highest society of the town of Bordeaux. The + two flowers looked at each other with apparent coldness, and mutually + thought each other charming. Interested in watching the effects of the + meeting, Madame Evangelista divined in the expression of Paul’s eyes the + feelings within him, and she muttered to herself, “He will be my + son-in-law.” Paul, on the other hand, said to himself, as he looked at + Natalie, “She will be my wife.” + </p> + <p> + The wealth of the Evangelistas, proverbial in Bordeaux, had remained in + Paul’s mind as a memory of his childhood. Thus the pecuniary conditions + were known to him from the start, without necessitating those discussions + and inquiries which are as repugnant to a timid mind as to a proud one. + When some persons attempting to say to Paul a few flattering phrases as to + Natalie’s manner, language, and beauty, ending by remarks, cruelly + calculated to deter him, on the lavish extravagance of the Evangelistas, + the Pink of Fashion replied with a disdain that was well-deserved by such + provincial pettiness. This method of receiving such speeches soon silenced + them; for he now set the tone to the ideas and language as well as to the + manners of those about him. He had imported from his travels a certain + development of the Britannic personality with its icy barriers, also a + tone of Byronic pessimism as to life, together with English plate, + boot-polish, ponies, yellow gloves, cigars, and the habit of galloping. + </p> + <p> + It thus happened that Paul escaped the discouragements hitherto presented + to marriageable men by dowagers and young girls. Madame Evangelista began + by asking him to formal dinners on various occasions. The Pink of Fashion + would not, of course, miss festivities to which none but the most + distinguished young men of the town were bidden. In spite of the coldness + that Paul assumed, which deceived neither mother nor daughter, he was + drawn, step by step, into the path of marriage. Sometimes as he passed in + his tilbury, or rode by on his fine English horse, he heard the young men + of his acquaintance say to one another:— + </p> + <p> + “There’s a lucky man. He is rich and handsome, and is to marry, so they + say, Mademoiselle Evangelista. There are some men for whom the world seems + made.” + </p> + <p> + When he met the Evangelistas he felt proud of the particular distinction + which mother and daughter imparted to their bows. If Paul had not + secretly, within his heart, fallen in love with Mademoiselle Natalie, + society would certainly have married him to her in spite of himself. + Society, which never causes good, is the accomplice of much evil; then + when it beholds the evil it has hatched maternally, it rejects and + revenges it. Society in Bordeaux, attributing a “dot” of a million to + Mademoiselle Evangelista, bestowed it upon Paul without awaiting the + consent of either party. Their fortunes, so it was said, agreed as well as + their persons. Paul had the same habits of luxury and elegance in the + midst of which Natalie had been brought up. He had just arranged for + himself a house such as no other man in Bordeaux could have offered her. + Accustomed to Parisian expenses and the caprices of Parisian women, he + alone was fitted to meet the pecuniary difficulties which were likely to + follow this marriage with a girl who was as much of a Creole and a great + lady as her mother. Where they themselves, remarked the marriageable men, + would have been ruined, the Comte de Manerville, rich as he was, could + evade disaster. In short, the marriage was made. Persons in the highest + royalist circles said a few engaging words to Paul which flattered his + vanity:— + </p> + <p> + “Every one gives you Mademoiselle Evangelista. If you marry her you will + do well. You could not find, even in Paris, a more delightful girl. She is + beautiful, graceful, elegant, and takes after the Casa-Reales through her + mother. You will make a charming couple; you have the same tastes, the + same desires in life, and you will certainly have the most agreeable house + in Bordeaux. Your wife need only bring her night-cap; all is ready for + her. You are fortunate indeed in such a mother-in-law. A woman of + intelligence, and very adroit, she will be a great help to you in public + life, to which you ought to aspire. Besides, she has sacrificed everything + to her daughter, whom she adores, and Natalie will, no doubt, prove a good + wife, for she loves her mother. You must soon bring the matter to a + conclusion.” + </p> + <p> + “That is all very well,” replied Paul, who, in spite of his love, was + desirous of keeping his freedom of action, “but I must be sure that the + conclusion shall be a happy one.” + </p> + <p> + He now went frequently to Madame Evangelista’s, partly to occupy his + vacant hours, which were harder for him to employ than for most men. There + alone he breathed the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury to which he was + accustomed. + </p> + <p> + At forty years of age, Madame Evangelista was beautiful, with the beauty + of those glorious summer sunsets which crown a cloudless day. Her spotless + reputation had given an endless topic of conversation to the Bordeaux + cliques; the curiosity of the women was all the more lively because the + widow gave signs of the temperament which makes a Spanish woman and a + Creole particularly noted. She had black eyes and hair, the feet and form + of a Spanish woman,—that swaying form the movements of which have a + name in Spain. Her face, still beautiful, was particularly seductive for + its Creole complexion, the vividness of which can be described only by + comparing it to muslin overlying crimson, so equally is the whiteness + suffused with color. Her figure, which was full and rounded, attracted the + eye by a grace which united nonchalance with vivacity, strength with ease. + She attracted and she imposed, she seduced, but promised nothing. She was + tall, which gave her at times the air and carriage of a queen. Men were + taken by her conversation like birds in a snare; for she had by nature + that genius which necessity bestows on schemes; she advanced from + concession to concession, strengthening herself with what she gained to + ask for more, knowing well how to retreat with rapid steps when + concessions were demanded in return. Though ignorant of facts, she had + known the courts of Spain and Naples, the celebrated men of the two + Americas, many illustrious families of England and the continent, all of + which gave her so extensive an education superficially that it seemed + immense. She received her society with the grace and dignity which are + never learned, but which come to certain naturally fine spirits like a + second nature; assimilating choice things wherever they are met. If her + reputation for virtue was unexplained, it gave at any rate much authority + to her actions, her conversation, and her character. + </p> + <p> + Mother and daughter had a true friendship for each other, beyond the + filial and maternal sentiment. They suited one another, and their + perpetual contact had never produced the slightest jar. Consequently many + persons explained Madame Evangelista’s actions by maternal love. But + although Natalie consoled her mother’s persistent widowhood, she may not + have been the only motive for it. Madame Evangelista had been, it was + said, in love with a man who recovered his titles and property under the + Restoration. This man, desirous of marrying her in 1814 had discreetly + severed the connection in 1816. Madame Evangelista, to all appearance the + best-hearted woman in the world, had, in the depths of her nature, a + fearful quality, explainable only by Catherine de Medici’s device: “Odiate + e aspettate”—“Hate and wait.” Accustomed to rule, having always been + obeyed, she was like other royalties, amiable, gentle, easy and pleasant + in ordinary life, but terrible, implacable, if the pride of the woman, the + Spaniard, and the Casa-Reale was touched. She never forgave. This woman + believed in the power of her hatred; she made an evil fate of it and bade + it hover above her enemy. This fatal power she employed against the man + who had jilted her. Events which seemed to prove the influence of her + “jettatura”—the casting of an evil eye—confirmed her + superstitious faith in herself. Though a minister and peer of France, this + man began to ruin himself, and soon came to total ruin. His property, his + personal and public honor were doomed to perish. At this crisis Madame + Evangelista in her brilliant equipage passed her faithless lover walking + on foot in the Champes Elysees, and crushed him with a look which flamed + with triumph. This misadventure, which occupied her mind for two years, + was the original cause of her not remarrying. Later, her pride had drawn + comparisons between the suitors who presented themselves and the husband + who had loved her so sincerely and so well. + </p> + <p> + She had thus reached, through mistaken calculations and disappointed + hopes, that period of life when women have no other part to take in life + than that of mother; a part which involves the sacrifice of themselves to + their children, the placing of their interests outside of self upon + another household,—the last refuge of human affections. + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista divined Paul’s nature intuitively, and hid her own from + his perception. Paul was the very man she desired for a son-in-law, for + the responsible editor of her future power. He belonged, through his + mother, to the family of Maulincour, and the old Baronne de Maulincour, + the friend of the Vidame de Pamiers, was then living in the centre of the + faubourg Saint-Germain. The grandson of the baroness, Auguste de + Maulincour, held a fine position in the army. Paul would therefore be an + excellent introducer for the Evangelistas into Parisian society. The widow + had known something of the Paris of the Empire, she now desired to shine + in the Paris of the Restoration. There alone were the elements of + political fortune, the only business in which women of the world could + decently co-operate. Madame Evangelista, compelled by her husband’s + affairs to reside in Bordeaux, disliked the place. She desired a wider + field, as gamblers rush to higher stakes. For her own personal ends, + therefore, she looked to Paul as a means of destiny, she proposed to + employ the resources of her own talent and knowledge of life to advance + her son-in-law, in order to enjoy through him the delights of power. Many + men are thus made the screens of secret feminine ambitions. Madame + Evangelista had, however, more than one interest, as we shall see, in + laying hold of her daughter’s husband. + </p> + <p> + Paul was naturally captivated by this woman, who charmed him all the more + because she seemed to seek no influence over him. In reality she was using + her ascendancy to magnify herself, her daughter, and all her surroundings + in his eyes, for the purpose of ruling from the start the man in whom she + saw a means of gratifying her social longings. Paul, on the other hand, + began to value himself more highly when he felt himself appreciated by the + mother and daughter. He thought himself much cleverer than he really was + when he found his reflections and sayings accepted and understood by + Mademoiselle Natalie—who raised her head and smiled in response to + them—and by the mother, whose flattery always seemed involuntary. + The two women were so kind and friendly to him, he was so sure of pleasing + them, they ruled him so delightfully by holding the thread of his + self-love, that he soon passed all his time at the hotel Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + A year after his return to Bordeaux, Comte Paul, without having declared + himself, was so attentive to Natalie that the world considered him as + courting her. Neither mother nor daughter appeared to be thinking of + marriage. Mademoiselle Evangelista preserved towards Paul the reserve of a + great lady who can make herself charming and converse agreeably without + permitting a single step into intimacy. This reserve, so little customary + among provincials, pleased Paul immensely. Timid men are shy; sudden + proposals alarm them. They retreat from happiness when it comes with a + rush, and accept misfortune if it presents itself mildly with gentle + shadows. Paul therefore committed himself in his own mind all the more + because he saw no effort on Madame Evangelista’s part to bind him. She + fairly seduced him one evening by remarking that to superior women as well + as men there came a period of life when ambition superseded all the + earlier emotions of life. + </p> + <p> + “That woman is fitted,” thought Paul, as he left her, “to advance me in + diplomacy before I am even made a deputy.” + </p> + <p> + If, in all the circumstances of life a man does not turn over and over + both things and ideas in order to examine them thoroughly under their + different aspects before taking action, that man is weak and incomplete + and in danger of fatal failure. At this moment Paul was an optimist; he + saw everything to advantage, and did not tell himself than an ambitious + mother-in-law might prove a tyrant. So, every evening as he left the + house, he fancied himself a married man, allured his mind with its own + thought, and slipped on the slippers of wedlock cheerfully. In the first + place, he had enjoyed his freedom too long to regret the loss of it; he + was tired of a bachelor’s life, which offered him nothing new; he now saw + only its annoyances; whereas if he thought at times of the difficulties of + marriage, its pleasures, in which lay novelty, came far more prominently + before his mind. + </p> + <p> + “Marriage,” he said to himself, “is disagreeable for people without means, + but half its troubles disappear before wealth.” + </p> + <p> + Every day some favorable consideration swelled the advantages which he now + saw in this particular alliance. + </p> + <p> + “No matter to what position I attain, Natalie will always be on the level + of her part,” thought he, “and that is no small merit in a woman. How many + of the Empire men I’ve seen who suffered horribly through their wives! It + is a great condition of happiness not to feel one’s pride or one’s vanity + wounded by the companion we have chosen. A man can never be really unhappy + with a well-bred wife; she will never make him ridiculous; such a woman is + certain to be useful to him. Natalie will receive in her own house + admirably.” + </p> + <p> + So thinking, he taxed his memory as to the most distinguished women of the + faubourg Saint-Germain, in order to convince himself that Natalie could, + if not eclipse them, at any rate stand among them on a footing of perfect + equality. All comparisons were to her advantage, for they rested on his + own imagination, which followed his desires. Paris would have shown him + daily other natures, young girls of other styles of beauty and charm, and + the multiplicity of impressions would have balanced his mind; whereas in + Bordeaux Natalie had no rivals, she was the solitary flower; moreover, she + appeared to him at a moment when Paul was under the tyranny of an idea to + which most men succumb at his age. + </p> + <p> + Thus these reasons of propinquity, joined to reasons of self-love and a + real passion which had no means of satisfaction except by marriage, led + Paul on to an irrational love, which he had, however, the good sense to + keep to himself. He even endeavored to study Mademoiselle Evangelista as a + man should who desires not to compromise his future life; for the words of + his friend de Marsay did sometimes rumble in his ears like a warning. But, + in the first place, persons accustomed to luxury have a certain + indifference to it which misleads them. They despise it, they use it; it + is an instrument, and not the object of their existence. Paul never + imagined, as he observed the habits of life of the two ladies, that they + covered a gulf of ruin. Then, though there may exist some general rules to + soften the asperities of marriage, there are none by which they can be + accurately foreseen and evaded. When trouble arises between two persons + who have undertaken to render life agreeable and easy to each other, it + comes from the contact of continual intimacy, which, of course, does not + exist between young people before they marry, and will never exist so long + as our present social laws and customs prevail in France. All is more or + less deception between the two young persons about to take each other for + life,—an innocent and involuntary deception, it is true. Each + endeavors to appear in a favorable light; both take a tone and attitude + conveying a more favorable idea of their nature than they are able to + maintain in after years. Real life, like the weather, is made up of gray + and cloudy days alternating with those when the sun shines and the fields + are gay. Young people, however, exhibit fine weather and no clouds. Later + they attribute to marriage the evils inherent in life itself; for there is + in man a disposition to lay the blame of his own misery on the persons and + things that surround him. + </p> + <p> + To discover in the demeanor, or the countenance, or the words, or the + gestures of Mademoiselle Evangelista any indication that revealed the + imperfections of her character, Paul must have possessed not only the + knowledge of Lavater and Gall, but also a science in which there exists no + formula of doctrine,—the individual and personal science of an + observer, which, for its perfection, requires an almost universal + knowledge. Natalie’s face, like that of most young girls, was + impenetrable. The deep, serene peace given by sculptors to the virgin + faces of Justice and Innocence, divinities aloof from all earthly + agitations, is the greatest charm of a young girl, the sign of her purity. + Nothing, as yet, has stirred her; no shattered passion, no hope betrayed + has clouded the placid expression of that pure face. Is that expression + assumed? If so, there is no young girl behind it. + </p> + <p> + Natalie, closely held to the heart of her mother, had received, like other + Spanish women, an education that was solely religious, together with a few + instructions from her mother as to the part in life she was called upon to + play. Consequently, the calm, untroubled expression of her face was + natural. And yet it formed a casing in which the woman was wrapped as the + moth in its cocoon. Nevertheless, any man clever at handling the scalpel + of analysis might have detected in Natalie certain indications of the + difficulties her character would present when brought into contact with + conjugal or social life. Her beauty, which was really marvellous, came + from extreme regularity of feature harmonizing with the proportions of the + head and the body. This species of perfection augurs ill for the mind; and + there are few exceptions to the rule. All superior nature is found to have + certain slight imperfections of form which become irresistible + attractions, luminous points from which shine vivid sentiments, and on + which the eye rests gladly. Perfect harmony expresses usually the coldness + of a mixed organization. + </p> + <p> + Natalie’s waist was round,—a sign of strength, but also the + infallible indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons whose + mind is neither keen nor broad. Her hands, like those of a Greek statue, + confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an inclination + for illogical domination, of willing for will’s sake only. Her eyebrows + met,—a sign, according to some observers, which indicates jealousy. + The jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation and leads to great + things; that of small minds turns to hatred. The “hate and wait” of her + mother was in her nature, without disguise. Her eyes were black + apparently, though really brown with orange streaks, contrasting with her + hair, of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans, called auburn in England, + a color which often appears in the offspring of persons of jet black hair, + like that of Monsieur and Madame Evangelista. The whiteness and delicacy + of Natalie’s complexion gave to the contrast of color in her eyes and hair + an inexpressible charm; and yet it was a charm that was purely external; + for whenever the lines of a face are lacking in a certain soft roundness, + whatever may be the finish and grace of the details, the beauty therein + expressed is not of the soul. These roses of deceptive youth will drop + their leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years to see hardness and + dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the beauty of noble + qualities. + </p> + <p> + Though the outlines of Natalie’s face had something august about them, her + chin was slightly “empate,”—a painter’s expression which will serve + to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would only + become manifest in after life. Her mouth, a trifle drawn in, expressed a + haughty pride in keeping with her hand, her chin, her brows, and her + beautiful figure. And—as a last diagnostic to guide the judgment of + a connoisseur—Natalie’s pure voice, a most seductive voice, had + certain metallic tones. Softly as that brassy ring was managed, and in + spite of the grace with which its sounds ran through the compass of the + voice, that organ revealed the character of the Duke of Alba, from whom + the Casa-Reales were collaterally descended. These indications were those + of violent passions without tenderness, sudden devotions, irreconcilable + dislikes, a mind without intelligence, and the desire to rule natural to + persons who feel themselves inferior to their pretensions. + </p> + <p> + These defects, born of temperament and constitution, were buried in + Natalie like ore in a mine, and would only appear under the shocks and + harsh treatment to which all characters are subjected in this world. + Meantime the grace and freshness of her youth, the distinction of her + manners, her sacred ignorance, and the sweetness of a young girl, gave a + delicate glamour to her features which could not fail to mislead an + unthinking or superficial mind. Her mother had early taught her the trick + of agreeable talk which appears to imply superiority, replying to + arguments by clever jests, and attracting by the graceful volubility + beneath which a woman hides the subsoil of her mind, as Nature disguises + her barren strata beneath a wealth of ephemeral vegetation. Natalie had + the charm of children who have never known what it is to suffer. She + charmed by her frankness, and had none of that solemn air which mothers + impose on their daughters by laying down a programme of behavior and + language until the time comes when they marry and are emancipated. She was + gay and natural, like any young girl who knows nothing of marriage, + expects only pleasure from it, replies to all objections with a jest, + foresees no troubles, and thinks she is acquiring the right to have her + own way. + </p> + <p> + How could Paul, who loved as men love when desire increases love, perceive + in a girl of this nature whose beauty dazzled him, the woman, such as she + would probably be at thirty, when observers themselves have been misled by + these appearances? Besides, if happiness might prove difficult to find in + a marriage with such a girl, it was not impossible. Through these embryo + defects shone several fine qualities. There is no good quality which, if + properly developed by the hand of an able master, will not stifle defects, + especially in a young girl who loves him. But to render ductile so + intractable a woman, the iron wrist, about which de Marsay had preached to + Paul, was needful. The Parisian dandy was right. Fear, inspired by love is + an infallible instrument by which to manage the minds of women. Whoso + loves, fears; whoso fears is nearer to affection than to hatred. + </p> + <p> + Had Paul the coolness, firmness, and judgment required for this struggle, + which an able husband ought not to let the wife suspect? Did Natalie love + Paul? Like most young girls, Natalie mistook for love the first emotions + of instinct and the pleasure she felt in Paul’s external appearance; but + she knew nothing of the things of marriage nor the demands of a home. To + her, the Comte de Manerville, a rising diplomatist, to whom the courts of + Europe were known, and one of the most elegant young men in Paris, could + not seem, what perhaps he was, an ordinary man, without moral force, + timid, though brave in some ways, energetic perhaps in adversity, but + helpless against the vexations and annoyances that hinder happiness. Would + she, in after years, have sufficient tact and insight to distinguish + Paul’s noble qualities in the midst of his minor defects? Would she not + magnify the latter and forget the former, after the manner of young wives + who know nothing of life? There comes a time when wives will pardon + defects in the husband who spares her annoyances, considering annoyances + in the same category as misfortunes. What conciliating power, what wise + experience would uphold and enlighten the home of this young pair? Paul + and his wife would doubtless think they loved when they had really not + advanced beyond the endearments and compliments of the honeymoon. Would + Paul in that early period yield to the tyranny of his wife, instead of + establishing his empire? Could Paul say, “No?” All was peril to a man so + weak where even a strong man ran some risks. + </p> + <p> + The subject of this Study is not the transition of a bachelor into a + married man,—a picture which, if broadly composed, would not lack + the attraction which the inner struggles of our nature and feelings give + to the commonest situations in life. The events and the ideas which led to + the marriage of Paul with Natalie Evangelista are an introduction to our + real subject, which is to sketch the great comedy that precedes, in + France, all conjugal pairing. This Scene, until now singularly neglected + by our dramatic authors, although it offers novel resources to their wit, + controlled Paul’s future life and was now awaited by Madame Evangelista + with feelings of terror. We mean the discussion which takes place on the + subject of the marriage contract in all families, whether noble or + bourgeois, for human passions are as keenly excited by small interests as + by large ones. These comedies, played before a notary, all resemble, more + or less, the one we shall now relate, the interest of which will be far + less in the pages of this book than in the memories of married persons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT—FIRST DAY + </h2> + <p> + At the beginning of the winter of 1822, Paul de Manerville made a formal + request, through his great-aunt, the Baronne de Maulincour, for the hand + of Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista. Though the baroness never stayed more + than two months in Medoc, she remained on this occasion till the last of + October, in order to assist her nephew through the affair and play the + part of a mother to him. After conveying the first suggestions to Madame + Evangelista the experienced old woman returned to inform Paul of the + results of the overture. + </p> + <p> + “My child,” she said, “the affair is won. In talking of property, I found + that Madame Evangelista gives nothing of her own to her daughter. + Mademoiselle Natalie’s dowry is her patrimony. Marry her, my dear boy. Men + who have a name and an estate to transmit, a family to continue, must, + sooner or later, end in marriage. I wish I could see my dear Auguste + taking that course. You can now carry on the marriage without me; I have + nothing to give you but my blessing, and women as old as I are out of + place at a wedding. I leave for Paris to-morrow. When you present your + wife in society I shall be able to see her and assist her far more to the + purpose than now. If you had had no house in Paris I would gladly have + arranged the second floor of mine for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear aunt,” said Paul, “I thank you heartily. But what do you mean when + you say that the mother gives nothing of her own, and that the daughter’s + dowry is her patrimony?” + </p> + <p> + “The mother, my dear boy, is a sly cat, who takes advantage of her + daughter’s beauty to impose conditions and allow you only that which she + cannot prevent you from having; namely, the daughter’s fortune from her + father. We old people know the importance of inquiring closely, What has + he? What has she? I advise you therefore to give particular instructions + to your notary. The marriage contract, my dear child, is the most sacred + of all duties. If your father and your mother had not made their bed + properly you might now be sleeping without sheets. You will have children, + they are the commonest result of marriage, and you must think of them. + Consult Maitre Mathias our old notary.” + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maulincour departed, having plunged Paul into a state of extreme + perplexity. His mother-in-law a sly cat! Must he struggle for his + interests in the marriage contract? Was it necessary to defend them? Who + was likely to attack them? + </p> + <p> + He followed the advice of his aunt and confided the drawing-up of the + marriage contract to Maitre Mathias. But these threatened discussions + oppressed him, and he went to see Madame Evangelista and announce his + intentions in a state of rather lively agitation. Like all timid men, he + shrank from allowing the distrust his aunt had put into his mind to be + seen; in fact, he considered it insulting. To avoid even a slight jar with + a person so imposing to his mind as his future mother-in-law, he proceeded + to state his intentions with the circumlocution natural to persons who + dare not face a difficulty. + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” he said, choosing a moment when Natalie was absent from the + room, “you know, of course, what a family notary is. Mine is a worthy old + man, to whom it would be a sincere grief if he were not entrusted with the + drawing of my marriage contract.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, of course!” said Madame Evangelista, interrupting him, “but are not + marriage contracts always made by agreement of the notaries of both + families?” + </p> + <p> + The time that Paul took to reply to this question was occupied by Madame + Evangelista in asking herself, “What is he thinking of?” for women possess + in an eminent degree the art of reading thoughts from the play of + countenance. She divined the instigations of the great-aunt in the + embarrassed glance and the agitated tone of voice which betrayed an inward + struggle in Paul’s mind. + </p> + <p> + “At last,” she thought to herself, “the fatal day has come; the crisis + begins—how will it end? My notary is Monsieur Solonet,” she said, + after a pause. “Yours, I think you said, is Monsieur Mathias; I will + invite them to dinner to-morrow, and they can come to an understanding + then. It is their business to conciliate our interests without our + interference; just as good cooks are expected to furnish good food without + instructions.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you are right,” said Paul, letting a faint sigh of relief escape + from him. + </p> + <p> + By a singular transposition of parts, Paul, innocent of all wrong-doing, + trembled, while Madame Evangelista, though a prey to the utmost anxiety, + was outwardly calm. + </p> + <p> + The widow owed her daughter one-third of the fortune left by Monsieur + Evangelista,—namely, nearly twelve hundred thousand francs,—and + she knew herself unable to pay it, even by taking the whole of her + property to do so. She would therefore be placed at the mercy of a + son-in-law. Though she might be able to control Paul if left to himself, + would he, when enlightened by his notary, agree to release her from + rendering her account as guardian of her daughter’s patrimony? If Paul + withdrew his proposals all Bordeaux would know the reason and Natalie’s + future marriage would be made impossible. This mother, who desired the + happiness of her daughter, this woman, who from infancy had lived + honorably, was aware that on the morrow she must become dishonest. Like + those great warriors who fain would blot from their lives the moment when + they had felt a secret cowardice, she ardently desired to cut this + inevitable day from the record of hers. Most assuredly some hairs on her + head must have whitened during the night, when, face to face with facts, + she bitterly regretted her extravagance as she felt the hard necessities + of the situation. + </p> + <p> + Among these necessities was that of confiding the truth to her notary, for + whom she sent in the morning as soon as she rose. She was forced to reveal + to him a secret defaulting she had never been willing to admit to herself, + for she had steadily advanced to the abyss, relying on some chance + accident, which never happened, to relieve her. There rose in her soul a + feeling against Paul, that was neither dislike, nor aversion, nor + anything, as yet, unkind; but HE was the cause of this crisis; the + opposing party in this secret suit; he became, without knowing it, an + innocent enemy she was forced to conquer. What human being did ever yet + love his or her dupe? Compelled to deceive and trick him if she could, the + Spanish woman resolved, like other women, to put her whole force of + character into the struggle, the dishonor of which could be absolved by + victory only. + </p> + <p> + In the stillness of the night she excused her conduct to her own mind by a + tissue of arguments in which her pride predominated. Natalie had shared + the benefit of her extravagance. There was not a single base or ignoble + motive in what she had done. She was no accountant, but was that a crime, + a delinquency? A man was only too lucky to obtain a wife like Natalie + without a penny. Such a treasure bestowed upon him might surely release + her from a guardianship account. How many men had bought the women they + loved by greater sacrifices? Why should a man do less for a wife than for + a mistress? Besides, Paul was a nullity, a man of no force, incapable; she + would spend the best resources of her mind upon him and open to him a fine + career; he should owe his future power and position to her influence; in + that way she could pay her debt. He would indeed be a fool to refuse such + a future; and for what? a few paltry thousands, more or less. He would be + infamous if he withdrew for such a reason. + </p> + <p> + “But,” she added, to herself, “if the negotiation does not succeed at + once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for Natalie + by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds and + furniture,—keeping only a small income for myself.” + </p> + <p> + When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,—as Richelieu + did at Brouage,—and holds in reserve a vigorous end, the resolution + becomes a lever which strengthens its immediate way. The thought of this + finale in case of failure comforted Madame Evangelista, who fell asleep + with all the more confidence as she remembered her assistance in the + coming duel. + </p> + <p> + This was a young man named Solonet, considered the ablest notary in + Bordeaux; now twenty-seven years of age and decorated with the Legion of + honor for having actively contributed to the second return of the + Bourbons. Proud and happy to be received in the home of Madame + Evangelista, less as a notary than as belonging to the royalist society of + Bordeaux, Solonet had conceived for that fine setting sun one of those + passions which women like Madame Evangelista repulse, although flattered + and graciously allowing them to exist upon the surface. Solonet remained + therefore in a self-satisfied condition of hope and becoming respect. + Being sent for, he arrived the next morning with the promptitude of a + slave and was received by the coquettish widow in her bedroom, where she + allowed him to find her in a very becoming dishabille. + </p> + <p> + “Can I,” she said, “count upon your discretion and your entire devotion in + a discussion which will take place in my house this evening? You will + readily understand that it relates to the marriage of my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + The young man expended himself in gallant protestations. + </p> + <p> + “Now to the point,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I am listening,” he replied, checking his ardor. + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista then stated her position baldly. + </p> + <p> + “My dear lady, that is nothing to be troubled about,” said Maitre Solonet, + assuming a confident air as soon as his client had given him the exact + figures. “The question is how have you conducted yourself toward Monsieur + de Manerville? In this matter questions of manner and deportment are of + greater importance than those of law and finance.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista wrapped herself in dignity. The notary learned to his + satisfaction that until the present moment his client’s relations to Paul + had been distant and reserved, and that partly from native pride and + partly from involuntary shrewdness she had treated the Comte de Manerville + as in some sense her inferior and as though it were an honor for him to be + allowed to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista. She assured Solonet that + neither she nor her daughter could be suspected of any mercenary interests + in the marriage; that they had the right, should Paul make any financial + difficulties, to retreat from the affair to an illimitable distance; and + finally, that she had already acquired over her future son-in-law a very + remarkable ascendancy. + </p> + <p> + “If that is so,” said Solonet, “tell me what are the utmost concessions + you are willing to make.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to make as few as possible,” she answered, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “A woman’s answer,” cried Solonet. “Madame, are you anxious to marry + Mademoiselle Natalie?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And you want a receipt for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand + francs, for which you are responsible on the guardianship account which + the law obliges you to render to your son-in-law?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “How much do you want to keep back?” + </p> + <p> + “Thirty thousand a year, at least.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a question of conquer or die, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “It is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I must reflect on the necessary means to that end; it will + need all our cleverness to manage our forces. I will give you some + instructions on my arrival this evening; follow them carefully, and I + think I may promise you a successful issue. Is the Comte de Manerville in + love with Mademoiselle Natalie?” he asked as he rose to take leave. + </p> + <p> + “He adores her.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not enough. Does he desire her to the point of disregarding all + pecuniary difficulties?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s what I call having a lien upon a daughter’s property,” cried the + notary. “Make her look her best to-night,” he added with a sly glance. + </p> + <p> + “She has a most charming dress for the occasion.” + </p> + <p> + “The marriage-contract dress is, in my opinion, half the battle,” said + Solonet. + </p> + <p> + This last argument seemed so cogent to Madame Evangelista that she + superintended Natalie’s toilet herself, as much perhaps to watch her + daughter as to make her the innocent accomplice of her financial + conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + With her hair dressed a la Sevigne and wearing a gown of white tulle + adorned with pink ribbons, Natalie seemed to her mother so beautiful as to + guarantee victory. When the lady’s-maid left the room and Madame + Evangelista was certain that no one could overhear her, she arranged a few + curls on her daughter’s head by way of exordium. + </p> + <p> + “Dear child,” she said, in a voice that was firm apparently, “do you + sincerely love the Comte de Manerville?” + </p> + <p> + Mother and daughter cast strange looks at each other. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than + yesterday. Why have you thrown me with him?” + </p> + <p> + “If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the + marriage?” + </p> + <p> + “I should give it up—and I should not die of grief.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not love him, my dear,” said the mother, kissing her daughter’s + forehead. + </p> + <p> + “But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?” + </p> + <p> + “I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in love + with the husband.” + </p> + <p> + “I love him.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are right. He is a count; we will make him a peer of France + between us; nevertheless, there are certain difficulties.” + </p> + <p> + “Difficulties between persons who love each other? Oh, no. The heart of + the Pink of Fashion is too firmly planted here,” she said, with a pretty + gesture, “to make the very slightest objection. I am sure of that.” + </p> + <p> + “But suppose it were otherwise?” persisted Madame Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + “He would be profoundly and forever forgotten,” replied Natalie. + </p> + <p> + “Good! You are a Casa-Reale. But suppose, though he madly loves you, + suppose certain discussions and difficulties should arise, not of his own + making, but which he must decide in your interests as well as in mine—hey, + Natalie, what then? Without lowering your dignity, perhaps a little + softness in your manner might decide him—a word, a tone, a mere + nothing. Men are so made; they resist a serious argument, but they yield + to a tender look.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand! a little touch to make my Favori leap the barrier,” said + Natalie, making the gesture of striking a horse with her whip. + </p> + <p> + “My darling! I ask nothing that resembles seduction. You and I have + sentiments of the old Castilian honor which will never permit us to pass + certain limits. Count Paul shall know our situation.” + </p> + <p> + “What situation?” + </p> + <p> + “You would not understand it. But I tell you now that if after seeing you + in all your glory his look betrays the slightest hesitation,—and I + shall watch him,—on that instant I shall break off the marriage; I + will liquidate my property, leave Bordeaux, and go to Douai, to be near + the Claes. Madame Claes is our relation through the Temnincks. Then I’ll + marry you to a peer of France, and take refuge in a convent myself, that I + may give up to you my whole fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother, what am I to do to prevent such misfortunes?” cried Natalie. + </p> + <p> + “I have never seen you so beautiful as you are now,” replied her mother. + “Be a little coquettish, and all is well.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista left Natalie to her thoughts, and went to arrange her + own toilet in such a way that would bear comparison with that of her + daughter. If Natalie ought to make herself attractive to Paul she ought, + none the less, to inflame the ardor of her champion Solonet. The mother + and daughter were therefore under arms when Paul arrived, bearing the + bouquet which for the last few months he had daily offered to his love. + All three conversed pleasantly while awaiting the arrival of the notaries. + </p> + <p> + This day brought to Paul the first skirmish of that long and wearisome + warfare called marriage. It is therefore necessary to state the forces on + both sides, the position of the belligerent bodies, and the ground on + which they are about to manoeuvre. + </p> + <p> + To maintain a struggle, the importance of which had wholly escaped him, + Paul’s only auxiliary was the old notary, Mathias. Both were about to be + confronted, unaware and defenceless, by a most unexpected circumstance; to + be pressed by an enemy whose strategy was planned, and driven to decide on + a course without having time to reflect upon it. Where is the man who + would not have succumbed, even though assisted by Cujas and Barthole? How + should he look for deceit and treachery where all seemed compliant and + natural? What could old Mathias do alone against Madame Evangelista, + against Solonet, against Natalie, especially when a client in love goes + over to the enemy as soon as the rising conflict threatens his happiness? + Already Paul was damaging his cause by making the customary lover’s + speeches, to which his passion gave excessive value in the ears of Madame + Evangelista, whose object it was to drive him to commit himself. + </p> + <p> + The matrimonial condottieri now about to fight for their clients, whose + personal powers were to be so vitally important in this solemn encounter, + the two notaries, on short, represent individually the old and the new + systems,—old fashioned notarial usage, and the new-fangled modern + procedure. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Mathias was a worthy old gentleman sixty-nine years of age, who + took great pride in his forty years’ exercise of the profession. His huge + gouty feet were encased in shoes with silver buckles, making a ridiculous + termination to legs so spindling, with knees so bony, that when he crossed + them they made you think of the emblems on a tombstone. His puny little + thighs, lost in a pair of wide black breeches fastened with buckles, + seemed to bend beneath the weight of a round stomach and a torso + developed, like that of most sedentary persons, into a stout barrel, + always buttoned into a green coat with square tails, which no man could + remember to have ever seen new. His hair, well brushed and powdered, was + tied in a rat’s tail that lay between the collar of his coat and that of + his waistcoat, which was white, with a pattern of flowers. With his round + head, his face the color of a vine-leaf, his blue eyes, a trumpet nose, a + thick-lipped mouth, and a double-chin, the dear old fellow excited, + whenever he appeared among strangers who did not know him, that satirical + laugh which Frenchmen so generously bestow on the ludicrous creations Dame + Nature occasionally allows herself, which Art delights in exaggerating + under the name of caricatures. + </p> + <p> + But in Maitre Mathias, mind had triumphed over form; the qualities of his + soul had vanquished the oddities of his body. The inhabitants of Bordeaux, + as a rule, testified a friendly respect and a deference that was full of + esteem for him. The old man’s voice went to their hearts and sounded there + with the eloquence of uprightness. His craft consisted in going straight + to the fact, overturning all subterfuge and evil devices by plain + questionings. His quick perception, his long training in his profession + gave him that divining sense which goes to the depths of conscience and + reads its secret thoughts. Though grave and deliberate in business, the + patriarch could be gay with the gaiety of our ancestors. He could risk a + song after dinner, enjoy all family festivities, celebrate the birthdays + of grandmothers and children, and bury with due solemnity the Christmas + log. He loved to send presents at New Year, and eggs at Easter; he + believed in the duties of a godfather, and never deserted the customs + which colored the life of the olden time. Maitre Mathias was a noble and + venerable relic of the notaries, obscure great men, who gave no receipt + for the millions entrusted to them, but returned those millions in the + sacks they were delivered in, tied with the same twine; men who fulfilled + their trusts to the letter, drew honest inventories, took fatherly + interest in their clients, often barring the way to extravagance and + dissipation,—men to whom families confided their secrets, and who + felt so responsible for any error in their deeds that they meditated long + and carefully over them. Never during his whole notarial life, had any + client found reason to complain of a bad investment or an ill-placed + mortgage. His own fortune, slowly but honorably acquired, had come to him + as the result of a thirty years’ practice and careful economy. He had + established in life fourteen of his clerks. Religious, and generous in + secret, Mathias was found whenever good was to be done without + remuneration. An active member on hospital and other benevolent + committees, he subscribed the largest sums to relieve all sudden + misfortunes and emergencies, as well as to create certain useful permanent + institutions; consequently, neither he nor his wife kept a carriage. Also + his word was felt to be sacred, and his coffers held as much of the money + of others as a bank; and also, we may add, he went by the name of “Our + good Monsieur Mathias,” and when he died, three thousand persons followed + him to his grave. + </p> + <p> + Solonet was the style of young notary who comes in humming a tune, affects + light-heartedness, declares that business is better done with a laugh than + seriously. He is the notary captain of the national guard, who dislikes to + be taken for a notary, solicits the cross of the Legion of honor, keeps + his cabriolet, and leaves the verification of his deeds to his clerks; he + is the notary who goes to balls and theatres, buys pictures and plays at + ecarte; he has coffers in which gold is received on deposit and is later + returned in bank-bills,—a notary who follows his epoch, risks + capital in doubtful investments, speculates with all he can lay his hands + on, and expects to retire with an income of thirty thousand francs after + ten years’ practice; in short, the notary whose cleverness comes of his + duplicity, whom many men fear as an accomplice possessing their secrets, + and who sees in his practice a means of ultimately marrying some + blue-stockinged heiress. + </p> + <p> + When the slender, fair-haired Solonet, curled, perfumed, and booted like + the leading gentleman at the Vaudeville, and dressed like a dandy whose + most important business is a duel, entered Madame Evangelista’s salon, + preceding his brother notary, whose advance was delayed by a twinge of the + gout, the two men presented to the life one of those famous caricatures + entitled “Former Times and the Present Day,” which had such eminent + success under the Empire. If Madame and Mademoiselle Evangelista to whom + the “good Monsieur Mathias,” was personally unknown, felt, on first seeing + him, a slight inclination to laugh, they were soon touched by the + old-fashioned grace with which he greeted them. The words he used were + full of that amenity which amiable old men convey as much by the ideas + they suggest as by the manner in which they express them. The younger + notary, with his flippant tone, seemed on a lower plane. Mathias showed + his superior knowledge of life by the reserved manner with which he + accosted Paul. Without compromising his white hairs, he showed that he + respected the young man’s nobility, while at the same time he claimed the + honor due to old age, and made it felt that social rights are natural. + Solonet’s bow and greeting, on the contrary, expressed a sense of perfect + equality, which would naturally affront the pretensions of a man of + society and make the notary ridiculous in the eyes of a real noble. + Solonet made a motion, somewhat too familiar, to Madame Evangelista, + inviting her to a private conference in the recess of a window. For some + minutes they talked to each other in a low voice, giving way now and then + to laughter,—no doubt to lessen in the minds of others the + importance of the conversation, in which Solonet was really communicating + to his sovereign lady the plan of battle. + </p> + <p> + “But,” he said, as he ended, “will you have the courage to sell your + house?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista did not choose to tell her notary the motive of this + heroism, which struck him greatly. Solonet’s zeal might have cooled had he + known that his client was really intending to leave Bordeaux. She had not + as yet said anything about that intention to Paul, in order not to alarm + him with the preliminary steps and circumlocutions which must be taken + before he entered on the political life she planned for him. + </p> + <p> + After dinner the two plenipotentiaries left the loving pair with the + mother, and betook themselves to an adjoining salon where their conference + was arranged to take place. A dual scene then followed on this domestic + stage: in the chimney-corner of the great salon a scene of love, in which + to all appearances life was smiles and joy; in the other room, a scene of + gravity and gloom, where selfish interests, baldly proclaimed, openly took + the part they play in life under flowery disguises. + </p> + <p> + “My dear master,” said Solonet, “the document can remain under your lock + and key; I know very well what I owe to my old preceptor.” Mathias bowed + gravely. “But,” continued Solonet, unfolding the rough copy of a deed he + had made his clerk draw up, “as we are the oppressed party, I mean the + daughter, I have written the contract—which will save you trouble. + We marry with our rights under the rule of community of interests; with + general donation of our property to each other in case of death without + heirs; if not, donation of one-fourth as life interest, and one-fourth in + fee; the sum placed in community of interests to be one-fourth of the + respective property of each party; the survivor to possess the furniture + without appraisal. It’s all as simple as how d’ye do.” + </p> + <p> + “Ta, ta, ta, ta,” said Mathias, “I don’t do business as one sings a tune. + What are your claims?” + </p> + <p> + “What are yours?” said Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “Our property,” replied Mathias, “is: the estate of Lanstrac, which brings + in a rental of twenty-three thousand francs a year, not counting the + natural products. Item: the farms of Grassol and Guadet, each worth three + thousand six hundred francs a year. Item: the vineyard of Belle-Rose, + yielding in ordinary years sixteen thousand francs; total, forty-six + thousand two hundred francs a year. Item: the patrimonial mansion at + Bordeaux taxed for nine hundred francs. Item: a handsome house, between + court and garden in Paris, rue de la Pepiniere, taxed for fifteen hundred + francs. These pieces of property, the title-deeds of which I hold, are + derived from our father and mother, except the house in Paris, which we + bought ourselves. We must also reckon in the furniture of the two houses, + and that of the chateau of Lanstrac, estimated at four hundred and fifty + thousand francs. There’s the table, the cloth, and the first course. What + do you bring for the second course and the dessert?” + </p> + <p> + “Our rights,” replied Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “Specify them, my friend,” said Mathias. “What do you bring us? Where is + the inventory of the property left by Monsieur Evangelista? Show me the + liquidation, the investment of the amount. Where is your capital?—if + there is any capital. Where is your landed property?—if you have + any. In short, let us see your guardianship account, and tell us what you + bring and what your mother will secure to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Does Monsieur le Comte de Manerville love Mademoiselle Evangelista?” + </p> + <p> + “He wishes to make her his wife if the marriage can be suitably arranged,” + said the old notary. “I am not a child; this matter concerns our business, + and not our feelings.” + </p> + <p> + “The marriage will be off unless you show generous feeling; and for this + reason,” continued Solonet. “No inventory was made at the death of our + husband; we are Spaniards, Creoles, and know nothing of French laws. + Besides, we were too deeply grieved at our loss to think at such a time of + the miserable formalities which occupy cold hearts. It is publicly well + known that our late husband adored us, and that we mourned for him + sincerely. If we did have a settlement of accounts with a short inventory + attached, made, as one may say, by common report, you can thank our + surrogate guardian, who obliged us to establish a status and assign to our + daughter a fortune, such as it is, at a time when we were forced to + withdraw from London our English securities, the capital of which was + immense, and re-invest the proceeds in Paris, where interests were + doubled.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t talk nonsense to me. There are various ways of verifying the + property. What was the amount of your legacy tax? Those figures will + enable us to get at the total. Come to the point. Tell us frankly what you + received from the father’s estate and how much remains of it. If we are + very much in love we’ll see then what we can do.” + </p> + <p> + “If you are marrying us for our money you can go about your business. We + have claims to more than a million; but all that remains to our mother is + this house and furniture and four hundred odd thousand francs invested + about 1817 in the Five-per-cents, which yield about forty-thousand francs + a year.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why do you live in a style that requires one hundred thousand a year + at the least?” cried Mathias, horror-stricken. + </p> + <p> + “Our daughter has cost us the eyes out of our head,” replied Solonet. + “Besides, we like to spend money. Your jeremiads, let me tell you, won’t + recover two farthings of the money.” + </p> + <p> + “With the fifty thousand francs a year which belong to Mademoiselle + Natalie you could have brought her up handsomely without coming to ruin. + But if you have squandered everything while you were a girl what will it + be when you are a married woman?” + </p> + <p> + “Then drop us altogether,” said Solonet. “The handsomest girl in Bordeaux + has a right to spend more than she has, if she likes.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll talk to my client about that,” said the old notary. + </p> + <p> + “Very good, old father Cassandra, go and tell your client that we haven’t + a penny,” thought Solonet, who, in the solitude of his study, had + strategically massed his forces, drawn up his propositions, manned the + drawbridge of discussion, and prepared the point at which the opposing + party, thinking the affair a failure, could suddenly be led into a + compromise which would end in the triumph of his client. + </p> + <p> + The white dress with its rose-colored ribbons, the Sevigne curls, + Natalie’s tiny foot, her winning glance, her pretty fingers constantly + employed in adjusting curls that needed no adjustment, these girlish + manoeuvres like those of a peacock spreading his tail, had brought Paul to + the point at which his future mother-in-law desired to see him. He was + intoxicated with love, and his eyes, the sure thermometer of the soul, + indicated the degree of passion at which a man commits a thousand follies. + </p> + <p> + “Natalie is so beautiful,” he whispered to the mother, “that I can + conceive the frenzy which leads a man to pay for his happiness by death.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista replied with a shake of her head:— + </p> + <p> + “Lover’s talk, my dear count. My husband never said such charming things + to me; but he married me without a fortune and for thirteen years he never + caused me one moment’s pain.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that a lesson you are giving me?” said Paul, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “You know how I love you, my dear son,” she answered, pressing his hand. + “I must indeed love you well to give you my Natalie.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me, give me?” said the young girl, waving a screen of Indian + feathers, “what are you whispering about me?” + </p> + <p> + “I was telling her,” replied Paul, “how much I love you, since etiquette + forbids me to tell it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “I fear to say too much.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you know too well how to offer the jewels of flattery. Shall I tell + you my private opinion about you? Well, I think you have more mind than a + lover ought to have. To be the Pink of Fashion and a wit as well,” she + added, dropping her eyes, “is to have too many advantages: a man should + choose between them. I fear too, myself.” + </p> + <p> + “And why?” + </p> + <p> + “We must not talk in this way. Mamma, do you not think that this + conversation is dangerous inasmuch as the contract is not yet signed?” + </p> + <p> + “It soon will be,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to know what Achilles and Nestor are saying to each other + in the next room,” said Natalie, nodding toward the door of the little + salon with a childlike expression of curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “They are talking of our children and our death and a lot of other such + trifles; they are counting our gold to see if we can keep five horses in + the stables. They are talking also of deeds of gift; but there, I have + forestalled them.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” + </p> + <p> + “Have I not given myself wholly to you?” he said, looking straight at the + girl, whose beauty was enhanced by the blush which the pleasure of this + answer brought to her face. + </p> + <p> + “Mamma, how can I acknowledge so much generosity.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear child, you have a lifetime before you in which to return it. To + make the daily happiness of a home, is to bring a treasure into it. I had + no other fortune when I married.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you like Lanstrac?” asked Paul, addressing Natalie. + </p> + <p> + “How could I fail to like the place where you were born?” she answered. “I + wish I could see your house.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Our</i> house,” said Paul. “Do you not want to know if I shall + understand your tastes and arrange the house to suit you? Your mother had + made a husband’s task most difficult; you have always been so happy! But + where love is infinite, nothing is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear children,” said Madame Evangelista, “do you feel willing to stay + in Bordeaux after your marriage? If you have the courage to face the + people here who know you and will watch and hamper you, so be it! But if + you feel that desire for a solitude together which can hardly be + expressed, let us go to Paris were the life of a young couple can pass + unnoticed in the stream. There alone you can behave as lovers without + fearing to seem ridiculous.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right,” said Paul, “but I shall hardly have time to get my + house ready. However, I will write to-night to de Marsay, the friend on + whom I can always count to get things done for me.” + </p> + <p> + At the moment when Paul, like all young men accustomed to satisfy their + desires without previous calculation, was inconsiderately binding himself + to the expenses of a stay in Paris, Maitre Mathias entered the salon and + made a sign to his client that he wished to speak to him. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, my friend?” asked Paul, following the old man to the recess + of a window. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte,” said the honest lawyer, “there is not a penny of + dowry. My advice is: put off the conference to another day, so that you + may gain time to consider your proper course.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Paul,” said Natalie, “I have a word to say in private to you.” + </p> + <p> + Though Madame Evangelista’s face was calm, no Jew of the middle ages ever + suffered greater torture in his caldron of boiling oil than she was + enduring in her violet velvet gown. Solonet had pledged the marriage to + her, but she was ignorant of the means and conditions of success. The + anguish of this uncertainty was intolerable. Possibly she owed her safety + to her daughter’s disobedience. Natalie had considered the advice of her + mother and noted her anxiety. When she saw the success of her own coquetry + she was struck to the heart with a variety of contradictory thoughts. + Without blaming her mother, she was half-ashamed of manoeuvres the object + of which was, undoubtedly, some personal game. She was also seized with a + jealous curiosity which is easily conceived. She wanted to find out if + Paul loved her well enough to rise above the obstacles that her mother + foresaw and which she now saw clouding the face of the old lawyer. These + ideas and sentiments prompted her to an action of loyalty which became her + well. But, for all that, the blackest perfidy could not have been as + dangerous as her present innocence. + </p> + <p> + “Paul,” she said in a low voice, and she so called him for the first time, + “if any difficulties as to property arise to separate us, remember that I + free you from all engagements, and will allow you to let the blame of such + a rupture rest on me.” + </p> + <p> + She put such dignity into this expression of her generosity that Paul + believed in her disinterestedness and in her ignorance of the strange fact + that his notary had just told to him. He pressed the young girl’s hand and + kissed it like a man to whom love is more precious than wealth. Natalie + left the room. + </p> + <p> + “Sac-a-papier! Monsieur le comte, you are committing a great folly,” said + the old notary, rejoining his client. + </p> + <p> + Paul grew thoughtful. He had expected to unite Natalie’s fortune with his + own and thus obtain for his married life an income of one hundred thousand + francs a year; and however much a man may be in love he cannot pass + without emotion and anxiety from the prospect of a hundred thousand to the + certainty of forty-six thousand a year and the duty of providing for a + woman accustomed to every luxury. + </p> + <p> + “My daughter is no longer here,” said Madame Evangelista, advancing almost + regally toward her son-in-law and his notary. “May I be told what is + happening?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” replied Mathias, alarmed at Paul’s silence, “an obstacle which I + fear will delay us has arisen—” + </p> + <p> + At these words, Maitre Solonet issued from the little salon and cut short + the old man’s speech by a remark which restored Paul’s composure. Overcome + by the remembrance of his gallant speeches and his lover-like behavior, he + felt unable to disown them or to change his course. He longed, for the + moment, to fling himself into a gulf; Solonet’s words relieved him. + </p> + <p> + “There is a way,” said the younger notary, with an easy air, “by which + madame can meet the payment which is due to her daughter. Madame + Evangelista possesses forty thousand francs a year from an investment in + the Five-per-cents, the capital of which will soon be at par, if not above + it. We may therefore reckon it at eight hundred thousand francs. This + house and garden are fully worth two hundred thousand. On that estimate, + Madame can convey by the marriage contract the titles of that property to + her daughter, reserving only a life interest in it—for I conclude + that Monsieur le comte could hardly wish to leave his mother-in-law + without means? Though Madame has certainly run through her fortune, she is + still able to make good that of her daughter, or very nearly so.” + </p> + <p> + “Women are most unfortunate in having no knowledge of business,” said + Madame Evangelista. “Have I titles to property? and what are + life-interests?” + </p> + <p> + Paul was in a sort of ecstasy as he listened to this proposed arrangement. + The old notary, seeing the trap, and his client with one foot caught in + it, was petrified for a moment, as he said to himself:— + </p> + <p> + “I am certain they are tricking us.” + </p> + <p> + “If madame will follow my advice,” said Solonet, “she will secure her own + tranquillity. By sacrificing herself in this way she may be sure that no + minors will ultimately harass her—for we never know who may live and + who may die! Monsieur le comte will then give due acknowledgment in the + marriage contract of having received the sum total of Mademoiselle + Evangelista’s patrimonial inheritance.” + </p> + <p> + Mathias could not restrain the indignation which shone in his eyes and + flushed his face. + </p> + <p> + “And that sum,” he said, shaking, “is—” + </p> + <p> + “One million, one hundred and fifty-six thousand francs according to the + document—” + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t you ask Monsieur le comte to make over ‘hic et nunc’ his whole + fortune to his future wife?” said Mathias. “It would be more honest than + what you now propose. I will not allow the ruin of the Comte de Manerville + to take place under my very eyes—” + </p> + <p> + He made a step as if to address his client, who was silent throughout this + scene as if dazed by it; but he turned and said, addressing Madame + Evangelista:— + </p> + <p> + “Do not suppose, madame, that I think you a party to these ideas of my + brother notary. I consider you an honest woman and a lady who knows + nothing of business.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, brother notary,” said Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “You know that there can be no offence between you and me,” replied + Mathias. “Madame,” he added, “you ought to know the result of this + proposed arrangement. You are still young and beautiful enough to marry + again—Ah! madame,” said the old man, noting her gesture, “who can + answer for themselves on that point?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not suppose, monsieur,” said Madame Evangelista, “that, after + remaining a widow for the seven best years of my life, and refusing the + most brilliant offers for my daughter’s sake, I should be suspected of + such a piece of folly as marrying again at thirty-nine years of age. If we + were not talking business I should regard your suggestion as an + impertinence.” + </p> + <p> + “Would it not be more impertinent if I suggested that you could not marry + again?” + </p> + <p> + “Can and will are separate terms,” remarked Solonet, gallantly. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” resumed Maitre Mathias, “we will say nothing of your marriage. You + may, and we all desire it, live for forty-five years to come. Now, if you + keep for yourself the life-interest in your daughter’s patrimony, your + children are laid on the shelf for the best years of their lives.” + </p> + <p> + “What does that mean?” said the widow. “I don’t understand being laid on a + shelf.” + </p> + <p> + Solonet, the man of elegance and good taste, began to laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll translate it for you,” said Mathias. “If your children are wise they + will think of the future. To think of the future means laying by half our + income, provided we have only two children, to whom we are bound to give a + fine education and a handsome dowry. Your daughter and son-in-law will, + therefore, be reduced to live on twenty thousand francs a year, though + each has spent fifty thousand while still unmarried. But that is nothing. + The law obliges my client to account, hereafter, to his children for the + eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand francs of their mother’s patrimony; + yet he may not have received them if his wife should die and madame should + survive her, which may very well happen. To sign such a contract is to + fling one’s self into the river, bound hand and foot. You wish to make + your daughter happy, do you not? If she loves her husband, a fact which + notaries never doubt, she will share his troubles. Madame, I see enough in + this scheme to make her die of grief and anxiety; you are consigning her + to poverty. Yes, madame, poverty; to persons accustomed to the use of one + hundred thousand francs a year, twenty thousand is poverty. Moreover, if + Monsieur le comte, out of love for his wife, were guilty of extravagance, + she could ruin him by exercising her rights when misfortunes overtook him. + I plead now for you, for them, for their children, for every one.” + </p> + <p> + “The old fellow makes a lot of smoke with his cannon,” thought Maitre + Solonet, giving his client a look, which meant, “Keep on!” + </p> + <p> + “There is one way of combining all interests,” replied Madame Evangelista, + calmly. “I can reserve to myself only the necessary cost of living in a + convent, and my children can have my property at once. I can renounce the + world, if such anticipated death conduces to the welfare of my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” said the old notary, “let us take time to consider and weigh, + deliberately, the course we had best pursue to conciliate all interests.” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens! monsieur,” cried Madame Evangelista, who saw defeat in + delay, “everything has already been considered and weighed. I was ignorant + of what the process of marriage is in France; I am a Spaniard and a + Creole. I did not know that in order to marry my daughter it was necessary + to reckon up the days which God may still grant me; that my child would + suffer because I live; that I do harm by living, and by having lived! When + my husband married me I had nothing but my name and my person. My name + alone was a fortune to him, which dwarfed his own. What wealth can equal + that of a great name? My dowry was beauty, virtue, happiness, birth, + education. Can money give those treasures? If Natalie’s father could + overhear this conversation, his generous soul would be wounded forever, + and his happiness in paradise destroyed. I dissipated, foolishly, perhaps, + a few of his millions without a quiver ever coming to his eyelids. Since + his death, I have grown economical and orderly in comparison with the life + he encouraged me to lead—Come, let us break this thing off! Monsieur + de Manerville is so disappointed that I—” + </p> + <p> + No descriptive language can express the confusion and shock which the + words, “break off,” introduced into the conversation. It is enough to say + that these four apparently well-bred persons all talked at once. + </p> + <p> + “In Spain people marry in the Spanish fashion, or as they please; but in + France they marry according to French law, sensibly, and as best they + can,” said Mathias. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, madame,” cried Paul, coming out of his stupefaction, “you mistake my + feelings.” + </p> + <p> + “This is not a matter of feeling,” said the old notary, trying to stop his + client from concessions. “We are concerned now with the interests and + welfare of three generations. Have <i>we</i> wasted the missing millions? + We are simply endeavoring to solve difficulties of which we are wholly + guiltless.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry us, and don’t haggle,” said Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “Haggle! do you call it haggling to defend the interests of father and + mother and children?” said Mathias. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Paul, continuing his remarks to Madame Evangelista, “I deplore + the extravagance of my youth, which does not permit me to stop this + discussion, as you deplore your ignorance of business and your involuntary + wastefulness. God is my witness that I am not thinking, at this moment, of + myself. A simple life at Lanstrac does not alarm me; but how can I ask + Mademoiselle Natalie to renounce her tastes, her habits? Her very + existence would be changed.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did Evangelista get his millions?” said the widow. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Evangelista was in business,” replied the old notary; “he played + in the great game of commerce; he despatched ships and made enormous sums; + we are simply a landowner, whose capital is invested, whose income is + fixed.” + </p> + <p> + “There is still a way to harmonize all interests,” said Solonet, uttering + this sentence in a high falsetto tone, which silenced the other three and + drew their eyes and their attention upon himself. + </p> + <p> + This young man was not unlike a skilful coachman who holds the reins of + four horses, and amuses himself by first exciting his animals and then + subduing them. He had let loose these passions, and then, in turn, he + calmed them, making Paul, whose life and happiness were in the balance, + sweat in his harness, as well as his own client, who could not clearly see + her way through this involved discussion. + </p> + <p> + “Madame Evangelista,” he continued, after a slight pause, “can resign her + investment in the Five-per-cents at once, and she can sell this house. I + can get three hundred thousand francs for it by cutting the land into + small lots. Out of that sum she can give you one hundred and fifty + thousand francs. In this way she pays down nine hundred thousand of her + daughter’s patrimony, immediately. That, to be sure, is not all that she + owes her daughter, but where will you find, in France, a better dowry?” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” said Maitre Mathias; “but what, then, becomes of madame?” + </p> + <p> + At this question, which appeared to imply consent, Solonet said, softly, + to himself, “Well done, old fox! I’ve caught you!” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” he replied, aloud, “will keep the hundred and fifty thousand + francs remaining from the sale of the house. This sum, added to the value + of her furniture, can be invested in an annuity which will give her twenty + thousand francs a year. Monsieur le comte can arrange to provide a + residence for her under his roof. Lanstrac is a large house. You have also + a house in Paris,” he went on, addressing himself to Paul. “Madame can, + therefore, live with you wherever you are. A widow with twenty thousand + francs a year, and no household to maintain, is richer than madame was + when she possessed her whole fortune. Madame Evangelista has only this one + daughter; Monsieur le comte is without relations; it will be many years + before your heirs attain their majority; no conflict of interests is, + therefore, to be feared. A mother-in-law and a son-in-law placed in such + relations will form a household of united interests. Madame Evangelista + can make up for the remaining deficit by paying a certain sum for her + support from her annuity, which will ease your way. We know that madame is + too generous and too large-minded to be willing to be a burden on her + children. In this way you can make one household, united and happy, and be + able to spend, in your own right, one hundred thousand francs a year. Is + not that sum sufficient, Monsieur le comte, to enjoy, in all countries, + the luxuries of life, and to satisfy all your wants and caprices? Believe + me, a young couple often feel the need of a third member of the household; + and, I ask you, what third member could be so desirable as a good mother?” + </p> + <p> + “A little paradise!” exclaimed the old notary. + </p> + <p> + Shocked to see his client’s joy at this proposal, Mathias sat down on an + ottoman, his head in his hands, plunged in reflections that were evidently + painful. He knew well the involved phraseology in which notaries and + lawyers wrap up, intentionally, malicious schemes, and he was not the man + to be taken in by it. He now began, furtively, to watch his brother notary + and Madame Evangelista as they conversed with Paul, endeavoring to detect + some clew to the deep-laid plot which was beginning to appear upon the + surface. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur,” said Paul to Solonet, “I thank you for the pains you take to + conciliate our interests. This arrangement will solve all difficulties far + more happily than I expected—if,” he added, turning to Madame + Evangelista, “it is agreeable to you, madame; for I could not desire + anything that did not equally please you.” + </p> + <p> + “I?” she said; “all that makes the happiness of my children is joy to me. + Do not consider me in any way.” + </p> + <p> + “That would not be right,” said Paul, eagerly. “If your future is not + honorably provided for, Natalie and I would suffer more than you would + suffer for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be uneasy, Monsieur le comte,” interposed Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” thought old Mathias, “they’ll make him kiss the rod before they + scourge him.” + </p> + <p> + “You may feel quite satisfied,” continued Solonet. “There are so many + enterprises going on in Bordeaux at this moment that investments for + annuities can be negotiated on very advantageous terms. After deducting + from the proceeds of the house and furniture the hundred and fifty + thousand francs we owe you, I think I can guarantee to madame that two + hundred and fifty thousand will remain to her. I take upon myself to + invest that sum in a first mortgage on property worth a million, and to + obtain ten per cent for it,—twenty-five thousand francs a year. + Consequently, we are marrying on nearly equal fortunes. In fact, against + your forty-six thousand francs a year, Mademoiselle Natalie brings you + forty thousand a year in the Five-per-cents, and one hundred and fifty + thousand in a round sum, which gives, in all, forty-seven thousand francs + a year.” + </p> + <p> + “That is evident,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + As he ended his speech, Solonet had cast a sidelong glance at his client, + intercepted by Mathias, which meant: “Bring up your reserves.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” exclaimed Madame Evangelista, in tones of joy that did not seem to + be feigned, “I can give Natalie my diamonds; they are worth, at least, a + hundred thousand francs.” + </p> + <p> + “We can have them appraised,” said the notary. “This will change the whole + face of things. Madame can then keep the proceeds of her house, all but + fifty thousand francs. Nothing will prevent Monsieur le comte from giving + us a receipt in due form, as having received, in full, Mademoiselle + Natalie’s inheritance from her father; this will close, of course, the + guardianship account. If madame, with Spanish generosity, robs herself in + this way to fulfil her obligations, the least that her children can do is + to give her a full receipt.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing could be more just than that,” said Paul. “I am simply + overwhelmed by these generous proposals.” + </p> + <p> + “My daughter is another myself,” said Madame Evangelista, softly. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Mathias detected a look of joy on her face when she saw that the + difficulties were being removed: that joy, and the previous forgetfulness + of the diamonds, which were now brought forward like fresh troops, + confirmed his suspicions. + </p> + <p> + “The scene has been prepared between them as gamblers prepare the cards to + ruin a pigeon,” thought the old notary. “Is this poor boy, whom I saw + born, doomed to be plucked alive by that woman, roasted by his very love, + and devoured by his wife? I, who have nursed these fine estates for years + with such care, am I to see them ruined in a single night? Three million + and a half to be hypothecated for eleven hundred thousand francs these + women will force him to squander!” + </p> + <p> + Discovering thus in the soul of the elder woman intentions which, without + involving crime, theft, swindling, or any actually evil or blameworthy + action, nevertheless belonged to all those criminalities in embryo, Maitre + Mathias felt neither sorrow nor generous indignation. He was not the + Misanthrope; he was an old notary, accustomed in his business to the + shrewd calculations of worldly people, to those clever bits of treachery + which do more fatal injury than open murder on the high-road committed by + some poor devil, who is guillotined in consequence. To the upper classes + of society these passages in life, these diplomatic meetings and + discussions are like the necessary cesspools where the filth of life is + thrown. Full of pity for his client, Mathias cast a foreseeing eye into + the future and saw nothing good. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll take the field with the same weapons,” thought he, “and beat them.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment, Paul, Solonet and Madame Evangelista, becoming embarrassed + by the old man’s silence, felt that the approval of that censor was + necessary to carry out the transaction, and all three turned to him + simultaneously. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear Monsieur Mathias, what do you think of it?” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “This is what I think,” said the conscientious and uncompromising notary. + “You are not rich enough to commit such regal folly. The estate of + Lanstrac, if estimated at three per cent on its rentals, represents, with + its furniture, one million; the farms of Grassol and Guadet and your + vineyard of Belle-Rose are worth another million; your two houses in + Bordeaux and Paris, with their furniture, a third million. Against those + three millions, yielding forty-seven thousand francs a year, Mademoiselle + Natalie brings eight hundred thousand francs in the Five-per-cents, the + diamonds (supposing them to be worth a hundred thousand francs, which is + still problematical) and fifty thousand francs in money; in all, one + million and fifty thousand francs. In presence of such facts my brother + notary tells you boastfully that we are marrying equal fortunes! He + expects us to encumber ourselves with a debt of eleven hundred and + fifty-six thousand francs to our children by acknowledging the receipt of + our wife’s patrimony, when we have actually received but little more than + a doubtful million. You are listening to such stuff with the rapture of a + lover, and you think that old Mathias, who is not in love, can forget + arithmetic, and will not point out the difference between landed estate, + the actual value of which is enormous and constantly increasing, and the + revenues of personal property, the capital of which is subject to + fluctuations and diminishment of income. I am old enough to have learned + that money dwindles and land augments. You have called me in, Monsieur le + comte, to stipulate for your interests; either let me defend those + interests, or dismiss me.” + </p> + <p> + “If monsieur is seeking a fortune equal in capital to his own,” said + Solonet, “we certainly cannot give it to him. We do not possess three + millions and a half; nothing can be more evident. While you can boast of + your three overwhelming millions, we can only produce our poor one + million,—a mere nothing in your eyes, though three times the dowry + of an archduchess of Austria. Bonaparte received only two hundred and + fifty thousand francs with Maria-Louisa.” + </p> + <p> + “Maria-Louisa was the ruin of Bonaparte,” muttered Mathias. + </p> + <p> + Natalie’s mother caught the words. + </p> + <p> + “If my sacrifices are worth nothing,” she cried, “I do not choose to + continue such a discussion; I trust to the discretion of Monsieur le + comte, and I renounce the honor of his hand for my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + According to the strategy marked out by the younger notary, this battle of + contending interests had now reached the point where victory was certain + for Madame Evangelista. The mother-in-law had opened her heart, delivered + up her property, and was therefore practically released as her daughter’s + guardian. The future husband, under pain of ignoring the laws of generous + propriety and being false to love, ought now to accept these conditions + previously planned, and cleverly led up to by Solonet and Madame + Evangelista. Like the hands of a clock turned by mechanism, Paul came + faithfully up to time. + </p> + <p> + “Madame!” he exclaimed, “is it possible you can think of breaking off the + marriage?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur,” she replied, “to whom am I accountable? To my daughter. When + she is twenty-one years of age she will receive my guardianship account + and release me. She will then possess a million, and can, if she likes, + choose her husband among the sons of the peers of France. She is a + daughter of the Casa-Reale.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame is right,” remarked Solonet. “Why should she be more hardly pushed + to-day than she will be fourteen months hence? You ought not to deprive + her of the benefits of her maternity.” + </p> + <p> + “Mathias,” cried Paul, in deep distress, “there are two sorts of ruin, and + you are bringing one upon me at this moment.” + </p> + <p> + He made a step towards the old notary, no doubt intending to tell him that + the contract must be drawn at once. But Mathias stopped that disaster with + a glance which said, distinctly, “Wait!” He saw the tears in Paul’s eyes,—tears + drawn from an honorable man by the shame of this discussion as much as by + the peremptory speech of Madame Evangelista, threatening rupture,—and + the old man stanched them with a gesture like that of Archimedes when he + cried, “Eureka!” The words “peer of France” had been to him like a torch + in a dark crypt. + </p> + <p> + Natalie appeared at this moment, dazzling as the dawn, saying, with + infantine look and manner, “Am I in the way?” + </p> + <p> + “Singularly so, my child,” answered her mother, in a bitter tone. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, dear Natalie,” said Paul, taking her hand and leading her to a + chair near the fireplace. “All is settled.” + </p> + <p> + He felt it impossible to endure the overthrow of their mutual hopes. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, all can be settled,” said Mathias, hastily interposing. + </p> + <p> + Like a general who, in a moment, upsets the plans skilfully laid and + prepared by the enemy, the old notary, enlightened by that genius which + presides over notaries, saw an idea, capable of saving the future of Paul + and his children, unfolding itself in legal form before his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Solonet, who perceived no other way out of these irreconcilable + difficulties than the resolution with which Paul’s love inspired him, and + to which this conflict of feelings and thwarted interests had brought him, + was extremely surprised at the sudden exclamation of his brother notary. + Curious to know the remedy that Mathias had found in a state of things + which had seemed to him beyond all other relief, he said, addressing the + old man:— + </p> + <p> + “What is it you propose?” + </p> + <p> + “Natalie, my dear child, leave us,” said Madame Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + “Mademoiselle is not in the way,” replied Mathias, smiling. “I am going to + speak in her interests as well as in those of Monsieur le comte.” + </p> + <p> + Silence reigned for a moment, during which time everybody present, + oppressed with anxiety, awaited the allocution of the venerable notary + with unspeakable curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “In these days,” continued Maitre Mathias, after a pause, “the profession + of notary has changed from what it was. Political revolutions now exert an + influence over the prospects of families, which never happened in former + times. In those days existences were clearly defined; so were rank and + position—” + </p> + <p> + “We are not here for a lecture on political ceremony, but to draw up a + marriage contract,” said Solonet, interrupting the old man, impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “I beg you to allow me to speak in my turn as I see fit,” replied the + other. + </p> + <p> + Solonet turned away and sat down on the ottoman, saying, in a low voice, + to Madame Evangelista:— + </p> + <p> + “You will now hear what we call in the profession ‘balderdash.’” + </p> + <p> + “Notaries are therefore compelled to follow the course of political + events, which are now intimately connected with private interests. Here is + an example: formerly noble families owned fortunes that were never shaken, + but which the laws, promulgated by the Revolution, destroyed, and the + present system tends to reconstruct,” resumed the old notary, yielding to + the loquacity of the “tabellionaris boa-constrictor” (boa-notary). + “Monsieur le comte by his name, his talents, and his fortune is called + upon to sit some day in the elective Chamber. Perhaps his destiny will + take him to the hereditary Chamber, for we know that he has talent and + means enough to fulfil that expectation. Do you not agree with me, + madame?” he added, turning to the widow. + </p> + <p> + “You anticipate my dearest hope,” she replied. “Monsieur de Manerville + must be a peer of France, or I shall die of mortification.” + </p> + <p> + “Therefore all that leads to that end—” continued Mathias with a + cordial gesture to the astute mother-in-law. + </p> + <p> + “—will promote my eager desire,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said Mathias, “is not this marriage the proper occasion on + which to entail the estate and create the family? Such a course would, + undoubtedly, militate in the mind of the present government in favor of + the nomination of my client whenever a batch of appointments is sent in. + Monsieur le comte can very well afford to devote the estate of Lanstrac + (which is worth a million) to this purpose. I do not ask that mademoiselle + should contribute an equal sum; that would not be just. But we can surely + apply eight hundred thousand of her patrimony to this object. There are + two domains adjoining Lanstrac now to be sold, which can be purchased for + that sum, which will return in rentals four and a half per cent. The house + in Paris should be included in the entail. The surplus of the two + fortunes, if judiciously managed, will amply suffice for the fortunes of + the younger children. If the contracting parties will agree to this + arrangement, Monsieur ought certainly to accept your guardianship account + with its deficiency. I consent to that.” + </p> + <p> + “Questa coda non e di questo gatto (That tail doesn’t belong to that + cat),” murmured Madame Evangelista, appealing to Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a snake in the grass somewhere,” answered Solonet, in a low + voice, replying to the Italian proverb with a French one. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you make this fuss?” asked Paul, leading Mathias into the + adjoining salon. + </p> + <p> + “To save you from being ruined,” replied the old notary, in a whisper. + “You are determined to marry a girl and her mother who have already + squandered two millions in seven years; you are pledging yourself to a + debt of eleven hundred thousand francs to your children, to whom you will + have to account for the fortune you are acknowledging to have received + with their mother. You risk having your own fortune squandered in five + years, and to be left as naked as Saint-John himself, besides being a + debtor to your wife and children for enormous sums. If you are determined + to put your life in that boat, Monsieur le comte, of course you can do as + you choose; but at least let me, your old friend, try to save the house of + Manerville.” + </p> + <p> + “How is this scheme going to save it?” asked Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte, you are in love—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “A lover is about as discreet as a cannon-ball; therefore, I shall not + explain. If you repeated what I should say, your marriage would probably + be broken off. I protect your love by my silence. Have you confidence in + my devotion?” + </p> + <p> + “A fine question!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, believe me when I tell you that Madame Evangelista, her + notary, and her daughter, are tricking us through thick and thin; they are + more than clever. Tudieu! what a sly game!” + </p> + <p> + “Not Natalie,” cried Paul. + </p> + <p> + “I sha’n’t put my fingers between the bark and the tree,” said the old + man. “You want her, take her! But I wish you were well out of this + marriage, if it could be done without the least wrong-doing on your part.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you wish it?” + </p> + <p> + “Because that girl will spend the mines of Peru. Besides, see how she + rides a horse,—like the groom of a circus; she is half emancipated + already. Such girls make bad wives.” + </p> + <p> + Paul pressed the old man’s hand, saying, with a confident air of + self-conceit:— + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be uneasy as to that! But now, at this moment, what am I to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Hold firm to my conditions. They will consent, for no one’s apparent + interest is injured. Madame Evangelista is very anxious to marry her + daughter; I see that in her little game—Beware of her!” + </p> + <p> + Paul returned to the salon, where he found his future mother-in-law + conversing in a low tone with Solonet. Natalie, kept outside of these + mysterious conferences, was playing with a screen. Embarrassed by her + position, she was thinking to herself: “How odd it is that they tell me + nothing of my own affairs.” + </p> + <p> + The younger notary had seized, in the main, the future effect of the new + proposal, based, as it was, on the self-love of both parties, into which + his client had fallen headlong. Now, while Mathias was more than a mere + notary, Solonet was still a young man, and brought into his business the + vanity of youth. It often happens that personal conceit makes a man + forgetful of the interests of his client. In this case, Maitre Solonet, + who would not suffer the widow to think that Nestor had vanquished + Achilles, advised her to conclude the marriage on the terms proposed. + Little he cared for the future working of the marriage contract; to him, + the conditions of victory were: Madame Evangelista released from her + obligations as guardian, her future secured, and Natalie married. + </p> + <p> + “Bordeaux shall know that you have ceded eleven hundred thousand francs to + your daughter, and that you still have twenty-five thousand francs a year + left,” whispered Solonet to his client. “For my part, I did not expect to + obtain such a fine result.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” she said, “explain to me why the creation of this entail should + have calmed the storm at once.” + </p> + <p> + “It relieves their distrust of you and your daughter. An entail is + unchangeable; neither husband nor wife can touch that capital.” + </p> + <p> + “Then this arrangement is positively insulting!” + </p> + <p> + “No; we call it simply precaution. The old fellow has caught you in a net. + If you refuse to consent to the entail, he can reply: ‘Then your object is + to squander the fortune of my client, who, by the creation of this entail, + is protected from all such injury as securely as if the marriage took + place under the “regime dotal.”’” + </p> + <p> + Solonet quieted his own scruples by reflecting: “After all, these + stipulations will take effect only in the future, by which time Madame + Evangelista will be dead and buried.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista contented herself, for the present, with these + explanations, having full confidence in Solonet. She was wholly ignorant + of law; considering her daughter as good as married, she thought she had + gained her end, and was filled with the joy of success. Thus, as Mathias + had shrewdly calculated, neither Solonet nor Madame Evangelista understood + as yet, to its full extent, this scheme which he had based on reasons that + were undeniable. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Monsieur Mathias,” said the widow, “all is for the best, is it + not?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, if you and Monsieur le comte consent to this arrangement you + ought to exchange pledges. It is fully understood, I suppose,” he + continued, looking from one to the other, “that the marriage will only + take place on condition of creating an entail upon the estate of Lanstrac + and the house in the rue de la Pepiniere, together with eight hundred + thousand francs in money brought by the future wife, the said sum to be + invested in landed property? Pardon me the repetition, madame; but a + positive and solemn engagement becomes absolutely necessary. The creation + of an entail requires formalities, application to the chancellor, a royal + ordinance, and we ought at once to conclude the purchase of the new estate + in order that the property be included in the royal ordinance by virtue of + which it becomes inalienable. In many families this would be reduced to + writing, but on this occasion I think a simple consent would suffice. Do + you consent?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Madame Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “And I?” asked Natalie, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “You are a minor, mademoiselle,” replied Solonet; “don’t complain of + that.” + </p> + <p> + It was then agreed that Maitre Mathias should draw up the contract, Maitre + Solonet the guardianship account and release, and that both documents + should be signed, as the law requires some days before the celebration of + the marriage. After a few polite salutations the notaries withdrew. + </p> + <p> + “It rains, Mathias; shall I take you home?” said Solonet. “My cabriolet is + here.” + </p> + <p> + “My carriage is here too,” said Paul, manifesting an intention to + accompany the old man. + </p> + <p> + “I won’t rob you of a moment’s pleasure,” said Mathias. “I accept my + friend Solonet’s offer.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Achilles to Nestor, as the cabriolet rolled away, “you have + been truly patriarchal to-night. The fact is, those young people would + certainly have ruined themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “I felt anxious about their future,” replied Mathias, keeping silent as to + the real motives of his proposition. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the two notaries were like a pair of actors arm in arm + behind the stage on which they have played a scene of hatred and + provocation. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Solonet, thinking of his rights as notary, “isn’t it my place + to buy that land you mentioned? The money is part of our dowry.” + </p> + <p> + “How can you put property bought in the name of Mademoiselle Evangelista + into the creation of an entail by the Comte de Manerville?” replied + Mathias. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to ask the chancellor about that,” said Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “But I am the notary of the seller as well as of the buyer of that land,” + said Mathias. “Besides, Monsieur de Manerville can buy in his own name. At + the time of payment we can make mention of the fact that the dowry funds + are put into it.” + </p> + <p> + “You’ve an answer for everything, old man,” said Solonet, laughing. “You + were really surpassing to-night; you beat us squarely.” + </p> + <p> + “For an old fellow who didn’t expect your batteries of grape-shot, I did + pretty well, didn’t I?” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Solonet. + </p> + <p> + The odious struggle in which the material welfare of a family had been so + perilously near destruction was to the two notaries nothing more than a + matter of professional polemics. + </p> + <p> + “I haven’t been forty years in harness for nothing,” remarked Mathias. + “Look here, Solonet,” he added, “I’m a good fellow; you shall help in + drawing the deeds for the sale of those lands.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, my dear Mathias. I’ll serve you in return on the very first + occasion.” + </p> + <p> + While the two notaries were peacefully returning homeward, with no other + sensations than a little throaty warmth, Paul and Madame Evangelista were + left a prey to the nervous trepidation, the quivering of the flesh and + brain which excitable natures pass through after a scene in which their + interests and their feelings have been violently shaken. In Madame + Evangelista these last mutterings of the storm were overshadowed by a + terrible reflection, a lurid gleam which she wanted, at any cost, to + dispel. + </p> + <p> + “Has Maitre Mathias destroyed in a few minutes the work I have been doing + for six months?” she asked herself. “Was he withdrawing Paul from my + influence by filling his mind with suspicion during their secret + conference in the next room?” + </p> + <p> + She was standing absorbed in these thoughts before the fireplace, her + elbow resting on the marble mantel-shelf. When the porte-cochere closed + behind the carriage of the two notaries, she turned to her future + son-in-law, impatient to solve her doubts. + </p> + <p> + “This has been the most terrible day of my life,” cried Paul, overjoyed to + see all difficulties vanish. “I know no one so downright in speech as that + old Mathias. May God hear him, and make me peer of France! Dear Natalie, I + desire this for your sake more than for my own. You are my ambition; I + live only in you.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing this speech uttered in the accents of the heart, and noting, more + especially, the limpid azure of Paul’s eyes, whose glance betrayed no + thought of double meaning, Madame Evangelista’s satisfaction was complete. + She regretted the sharp language with which she had spurred him, and in + the joy of success she resolved to reassure him as to the future. Calming + her countenance, and giving to her eyes that expression of tender + friendship which made her so attractive, she smiled and answered:— + </p> + <p> + “I can say as much to you. Perhaps, dear Paul, my Spanish nature has led + me farther than my heart desired. Be what you are,—kind as God + himself,—and do not be angry with me for a few hasty words. Shake + hands.” + </p> + <p> + Paul was abashed; he fancied himself to blame, and he kissed Madame + Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Paul,” she said with much emotion, “why could not those two sharks + have settled this matter without dragging us into it, since it was so easy + to settle?” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I should not have known how grand and generous you can be,” + replied Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed she is, Paul,” cried Natalie, pressing his hand. + </p> + <p> + “We have still a few little matters to settle, my dear son,” said Madame + Evangelista. “My daughter and I are above the foolish vanities to which so + many persons cling. Natalie does not need my diamonds, but I am glad to + give them to her.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my dear mother, do you suppose that I will accept them?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my child; they are one of the conditions of the contract.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not allow it; I will not marry at all,” cried Natalie, vehemently. + “Keep those jewels which my father took such pride in collecting for you. + How could Monsieur Paul exact—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, my dear,” said her mother, whose eyes now filled with tears. “My + ignorance of business compels me to a greater sacrifice than that.” + </p> + <p> + “What sacrifice?” + </p> + <p> + “I must sell my house in order to pay the money that I owe to you.” + </p> + <p> + “What money can you possibly owe to me?” she said; “to me, who owe you + life! If my marriage costs you the slightest sacrifice, I will not marry.” + </p> + <p> + “Child!” + </p> + <p> + “Dear Natalie, try to understand that neither I, nor your mother, nor you + yourself, require these sacrifices, but our children.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose I do not marry at all?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not love me?” said Paul, tenderly. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, my silly child; do you imagine that a contract is like a + house of cards which you can blow down at will? Dear little ignoramus, you + don’t know what trouble we have had to found an entail for the benefit of + your eldest son. Don’t cast us back into the discussions from which we + have just escaped.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you wish to ruin my mother?” said Natalie, looking at Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Why are you so rich?” he replied, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t quarrel, my children, you are not yet married,” said Madame + Evangelista. “Paul,” she continued, “you are not to give either corbeille, + or jewels, or trousseau. Natalie has everything in profusion. Lay by the + money you would otherwise put into wedding presents. I know nothing more + stupidly bourgeois and commonplace than to spend a hundred thousand francs + on a corbeille, when five thousand a year given to a young woman saves her + much anxiety and lasts her lifetime. Besides, the money for a corbeille is + needed to decorate your house in Paris. We will return to Lanstrac in the + spring; for Solonet is to settle my debts during the winter.” + </p> + <p> + “All is for the best,” cried Paul, at the summit of happiness. + </p> + <p> + “So I shall see Paris!” cried Natalie, in a tone that would justly have + alarmed de Marsay. + </p> + <p> + “If we decide upon this plan,” said Paul, “I’ll write to de Marsay and get + him to take a box for me at the Bouffons and also at the Italian opera.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind; I should never have dared to ask for it,” said + Natalie. “Marriage is a very agreeable institution if it gives husbands a + talent for divining the wishes of their wives.” + </p> + <p> + “It is nothing else,” replied Paul. “But see how late it is; I ought to + go.” + </p> + <p> + “Why leave so soon to-night?” said Madame Evangelista, employing those + coaxing ways to which men are so sensitive. + </p> + <p> + Though all this passed on the best of terms, and according to the laws of + the most exquisite politeness, the effect of the discussion of these + contending interests had, nevertheless, cast between son and mother-in-law + a seed of distrust and enmity which was liable to sprout under the first + heat of anger, or the warmth of a feeling too harshly bruised. In most + families the settlement of “dots” and the deeds of gift required by a + marriage contract give rise to primitive emotions of hostility, caused by + self-love, by the lesion of certain sentiments, by regret for the + sacrifices made, and by the desire to diminish them. When difficulties + arise there is always a victorious side and a vanquished one. The parents + of the future pair try to conclude the matter, which is purely commercial + in their eyes, to their own advantage; and this leads to the trickery, + shrewdness, and deception of such negotiations. Generally the husband + alone is initiated into the secret of these discussions, and the wife is + kept, like Natalie, in ignorance of the stipulations which make her rich + or poor. + </p> + <p> + As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness of his + notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury. If Madame + Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united household + would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs to spend. All + his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would be realized. + </p> + <p> + “My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman,” he thought, still under + the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored to + disperse the clouds raised by the discussion. “Mathias is mistaken. These + notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything. The harm started + from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a clever game.” + </p> + <p> + While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during the + evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on her + victory. + </p> + <p> + “Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?” said Natalie, following Madame + Evangelista into her bedroom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, love,” replied the mother, “everything went well, according to my + wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing me. + Paul is a most easy-going man. Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we must make + his life prosperous. You will make him happy, and I will be responsible + for his political success. The Spanish ambassador used to be a friend of + mine, and I’ll renew the relation—as I will with the rest of my old + acquaintance. Oh! you’ll see! we shall soon be in the very heart of + Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us. You shall have the pleasures, + my dearest, and I the last occupation of existence,—the game of + ambition! Don’t be alarmed when you see me selling this house. Do you + suppose we shall ever come back to live in Bordeaux? no. Lanstrac? yes. + But we shall spend all our winters in Paris, where our real interests lie. + Well, Natalie, tell me, was it very difficult to do what I asked of you?” + </p> + <p> + “My little mamma! every now and then I felt ashamed.” + </p> + <p> + “Solonet advises me to put the proceeds of this house into an annuity,” + said Madame Evangelista, “but I shall do otherwise; I won’t take a penny + of my fortune from you.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw you were all very angry,” said Natalie. “How did the tempest calm + down?” + </p> + <p> + “By an offer of my diamonds,” replied Madame Evangelista. “Solonet was + right. How ably he conducted the whole affair. Get out my jewel-case, + Natalie. I have never seriously considered what my diamonds are worth. + When I said a hundred thousand francs I talked nonsense. Madame de Gyas + always declared that the necklace and ear-rings your father gave me on our + marriage day were worth at least that sum. My poor husband was so lavish! + Then my family diamond, the one Philip the Second gave to the Duke of + Alba, and which my aunt bequeathed to me, the ‘Discreto,’ was, I think, + appraised in former times at four thousand quadruples,—one of our + Spanish gold coins.” + </p> + <p> + Natalie laid out upon her mother’s toilet-table the pearl necklace, the + sets of jewels, the gold bracelets and precious stones of all description, + with that inexpressible sensation enjoyed by certain women at the sight of + such treasures, by which—so commentators on the Talmud say—the + fallen angels seduce the daughters of men, having sought these flowers of + celestial fire in the bowels of the earth. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Madame Evangelista, “though I know nothing about jewels + except how to accept and wear them, I think there must be a great deal of + money in these. Then, if we make but one household, I can sell my plate, + the weight of which, as mere silver, would bring thirty thousand francs. I + remember when we brought it from Lima, the custom-house officers weighed + and appraised it. Solonet is right, I’ll send to-morrow to Elie Magus. The + Jew shall estimate the value of these things. Perhaps I can avoid sinking + any of my fortune in an annuity.” + </p> + <p> + “What a beautiful pearl necklace!” said Natalie. + </p> + <p> + “He ought to give it to you, if he loves you,” replied her mother; “and I + think he might have all my other jewels reset and let you keep them. The + diamonds are a part of your property in the contract. And now, good-night, + my darling. After the fatigues of this day we both need rest.” + </p> + <p> + The woman of luxury, the Creole, the great lady, incapable of analyzing + the results of a contract which was not yet in force, went to sleep in the + joy of seeing her daughter married to a man who was easy to manage, who + would let them both be mistresses of his home, and whose fortune, united + to theirs, would require no change in their way of living. Thus having + settled her account with her daughter, whose patrimony was acknowledged in + the contract, Madame Evangelista could feel at her ease. + </p> + <p> + “How foolish of me to worry as I did,” she thought. “But I wish the + marriage were well over.” + </p> + <p> + So Madame Evangelista, Paul, Natalie, and the two notaries were equally + satisfied with the first day’s result. The Te Deum was sung in both camps,—a + dangerous situation; for there comes a moment when the vanquished side is + aware of its mistake. To Madame Evangelista’s mind, her son-in-law was the + vanquished side. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT—SECOND DAY + </h2> + <p> + The next day Elie Magus (who happened at that time to be in Bordeaux) + obeyed Madame Evangelista’s summons, believing, from general rumor as to + the marriage of Comte Paul with Mademoiselle Natalie, that it concerned a + purchase of jewels for the bride. The Jew was, therefore, astonished when + he learned that, on the contrary, he was sent for to estimate the value of + the mother-in-law’s property. The instinct of his race, as well as certain + insidious questions, made him aware that the value of the diamonds was + included in the marriage-contract. The stones were not to be sold, and yet + he was to estimate them as if some private person were buying them from a + dealer. Jewellers alone know how to distinguish between the diamonds of + Asia and those of Brazil. The stones of Golconda and Visapur are known by + a whiteness and glittering brilliancy which others have not,—the + water of the Brazilian diamonds having a yellow tinge which reduces their + selling value. Madame Evangelista’s necklace and ear-rings, being composed + entirely of Asiatic diamonds, were valued by Elie Magus at two hundred and + fifty thousand francs. As for the “Discreto,” he pronounced it one of the + finest diamonds in the possession of private persons; it was known to the + trade and valued at one hundred thousand francs. On hearing this estimate, + which proved to her the lavishness of her husband, Madame Evangelista + asked the old Jew whether she should be able to obtain that money + immediately. + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” replied the Jew, “if you wish to sell I can give you only + seventy-five thousand for the brilliant, and one hundred and sixty + thousand for the necklace and earrings.” + </p> + <p> + “Why such reduction?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” replied Magus, “the finer the diamond, the longer we keep it + unsold. The rarity of such investments is one reason for the high value + set upon precious stones. As the merchant cannot lose the interest of his + money, this additional sum, joined to the rise and fall to which such + merchandise is subject, explains the difference between the price of + purchase and the price of sale. By owning these diamonds you have lost the + interest on three hundred thousand francs for twenty years. If you wear + your jewels ten times a year, it costs you three thousand francs each + evening to put them on. How many beautiful gowns you could buy with that + sum. Those who own diamonds are, therefore, very foolish; but, luckily for + us, women are never willing to understand the calculation.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you for explaining it to me, and I shall profit by it.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you wish to sell?” asked Magus, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “What are the other jewels worth?” + </p> + <p> + The Jew examined the gold of the settings, held the pearls to the light, + scrutinized the rubies, the diadems, clasps, bracelets, and chains, and + said, in a mumbling tone:— + </p> + <p> + “A good many Portuguese diamonds from Brazil are among them. They are not + worth more than a hundred thousand to me. But,” he added, “a dealer would + sell them to a customer for one hundred and fifty thousand, at least.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall keep them,” said Madame Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong,” replied Elie Magus. “With the income from the sum they + represent you could buy just as fine diamonds in five years, and have the + capital to boot.” + </p> + <p> + This singular conference became known, and corroborated certain rumors + excited by the discussion of the contract. The servants of the house, + overhearing high voices, supposed the difficulties greater than they + really were. Their gossip with other valets spread the information, which + from the lower regions rose to the ears of the masters. The attention of + society, and of the town in general, became so fixed on the marriage of + two persons equally rich and well-born, that every one, great and small, + busied themselves about the matter, and in less than a week the strangest + rumors were bruited about. + </p> + <p> + “Madame Evangelista sells her house; she must be ruined. She offered her + diamonds to Elie Magus. Nothing is really settled between herself and the + Comte de Manerville. Is it probable that the marriage will ever take + place?” + </p> + <p> + To this question some answered yes, and others said no. The two notaries, + when questioned, denied these calumnies, and declared that the + difficulties arose only from the official delay in constituting the + entail. But when public opinion has taken a trend in one direction it is + very difficult to turn it back. Though Paul went every day to Madame + Evangelista’s house, and though the notaries denied these assertions + continually, the whispered calumny went on. Young girls, and their mothers + and aunts, vexed at a marriage they had dreamed of for themselves or for + their families, could not forgive the Spanish ladies for their happiness, + as authors cannot forgive each other for their success. A few persons + revenged themselves for the twenty-years luxury and grandeur of the family + of Evangelista, which had lain heavily on their self-love. A leading + personage at the prefecture declared that the notaries could have chosen + no other language and followed no other conduct in the case of a rupture. + The time actually required for the establishment of the entail confirmed + the suspicions of the Bordeaux provincials. + </p> + <p> + “They will keep the ball going through the winter; then, in the spring, + they will go to some watering-place, and we shall learn before the year is + out that the marriage is off.” + </p> + <p> + “And, of course, we shall be given to understand,” said others, “for the + sake of the honor of the two families, that the difficulties did not come + from either side, but the chancellor refused to consent; you may be sure + it will be some quibble about that entail which will cause the rupture.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame Evangelista,” some said, “lived in a style that the mines of + Valencia couldn’t meet. When the time came to melt the bell, and pay the + daughter’s patrimony, nothing would be found to pay it with.” + </p> + <p> + The occasion was excellent to add up the spendings of the handsome widow + and prove, categorically, her ruin. Rumors were so rife that bets were + made for and against the marriage. By the laws of worldly jurisprudence + this gossip was not allowed to reach the ears of the parties concerned. No + one was enemy or friend enough to Paul or to Madame Evangelista to inform + either of what was being said. Paul had some business at Lanstrac, and + used the occasion to make a hunting-party for several of the young men of + Bordeaux,—a sort of farewell, as it were, to his bachelor life. This + hunting party was accepted by society as a signal confirmation of public + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + When this event occurred, Madame de Gyas, who had a daughter to marry, + thought it high time to sound the matter, and to condole, with joyful + heart, the blow received by the Evangelistas. Natalie and her mother were + somewhat surprised to see the lengthened face of the marquise, and they + asked at once if anything distressing had happened to her. + </p> + <p> + “Can it be,” she replied, “that you are ignorant of the rumors that are + circulating? Though I think them false myself, I have come to learn the + truth in order to stop this gossip, at any rate among the circle of my own + friends. To be the dupes or the accomplices of such an error is too false + a position for true friends to occupy.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is it? what has happened?” asked mother and daughter. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Gyas thereupon allowed herself the happiness of repeating all + the current gossip, not sparing her two friends a single stab. Natalie and + Madame Evangelista looked at each other and laughed, but they fully + understood the meaning of the tale and the motives of their friend. The + Spanish lady took her revenge very much as Celimene took hers on Arsinoe. + </p> + <p> + “My dear, are you ignorant—you who know the provinces so well—can + you be ignorant of what a mother is capable when she has on her hands a + daughter whom she cannot marry for want of ‘dot’ and lovers, want of + beauty, want of mind, and, sometimes, want of everything? Why, a mother in + that position would rob a diligence or commit a murder, or wait for a man + at the corner of a street—she would sacrifice herself twenty times + over, if she was a mother at all. Now, as you and I both know, there are + many such in that situation in Bordeaux, and no doubt they attribute to us + their own thoughts and actions. Naturalists have depicted the habits and + customs of many ferocious animals, but they have forgotten the mother and + daughter in quest of a husband. Such women are hyenas, going about, as the + Psalmist says, seeking whom they may devour, and adding to the instinct of + the brute the intellect of man, and the genius of woman. I can understand + that those little spiders, Mademoiselle de Belor, Mademoiselle de Trans, + and others, after working so long at their webs without catching a fly, + without so much as hearing a buzz, should be furious; I can even forgive + their spiteful speeches. But that you, who can marry your daughter when + you please, you, who are rich and titled, you who have nothing of the + provincial about you, whose daughter is clever and possesses fine + qualities, with beauty and the power to choose—that you, so + distinguished from the rest by your Parisian grace, should have paid the + least heed to this talk does really surprise me. Am I bound to account to + the public for the marriage stipulations which our notaries think + necessary under the political circumstances of my son-in-law’s future + life? Has the mania for public discussion made its way into families? + Ought I to convoke in writing the fathers and mothers of the province to + come here and give their vote on the clauses of our marriage contract?” + </p> + <p> + A torrent of epigram flowed over Bordeaux. Madame Evangelista was about to + leave the city, and could safely scan her friends and enemies, caricature + them and lash them as she pleased, with nothing to fear in return. + Accordingly, she now gave vent to her secret observations and her latent + dislikes as she sought for the reason why this or that person denied the + shining of the sun at mid-day. + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear,” said the Marquise de Gyas, “this stay of the count at + Lanstrac, these parties given to young men under such circumstances—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my dear,” said the great lady, interrupting the marquise, “do you + suppose that we adopt the pettiness of bourgeois customs? Is Count Paul + held in bonds like a man who might seek to get away? Think you we ought to + watch him with a squad of gendarmes lest some provincial conspiracy should + get him away from us?” + </p> + <p> + “Be assured, my dearest friend, that it gives me the greatest pleasure to—” + </p> + <p> + Here her words were interrupted by a footman who entered the room to + announce Paul. Like many lovers, Paul thought it charming to ride twelve + miles to spend an hour with Natalie. He had left his friends while + hunting, and came in booted and spurred, and whip in hand. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Paul,” said Natalie, “you don’t know what an answer you are giving + to madame.” + </p> + <p> + When Paul heard of the gossip that was current in Bordeaux, he laughed + instead of being angry. + </p> + <p> + “These worthy people have found out, perhaps, that there will be no + wedding festivities, according to provincial usages, no marriage at + mid-day in the church, and they are furious. Well, my dear mother,” he + added, kissing her hand, “let us pacify them with a ball on the day when + we sign the contract, just as the government flings a fete to the people + in the great square of the Champs-Elysees, and we will give our dear + friends the dolorous pleasure of signing a marriage-contract such as they + have seldom heard of in the provinces.” + </p> + <p> + This little incident proved of great importance. Madame Evangelista + invited all Bordeaux to witness the signature of the contract, and showed + her intention of displaying in this last fete a luxury which should refute + the foolish lies of the community. + </p> + <p> + The preparations for this event required over a month, and it was called + the fete of the camellias. Immense quantities of that beautiful flower + were massed on the staircase, and in the antechamber and supper-room. + During this month the formalities for constituting the entail were + concluded in Paris; the estates adjoining Lanstrac were purchased, the + banns were published, and all doubts finally dissipated. Friends and + enemies thought only of preparing their toilets for the coming fete. + </p> + <p> + The time occupied by these events obscured the difficulties raised by the + first discussion, and swept into oblivion the words and arguments of that + stormy conference. Neither Paul nor his mother-in-law continued to think + of them. Were they not, after all, as Madame Evangelista had said, the + affair of the two notaries? + </p> + <p> + But—to whom has it never happened, when life is in its fullest flow, + to be suddenly changed by the voice of memory, raised, perhaps, too late, + reminding us of some important new fact, some threatened danger? On the + morning of the day when the contract was to be signed and the fete given, + one of these flashes of the soul illuminated the mind of Madame + Evangelista during the semi-somnolence of her waking hour. The words that + she herself had uttered at the moment when Mathias acceded to Solonet’s + conditions, “Questa coda non e di questo gatto,” were cried aloud in her + mind by that voice of memory. In spite of her incapacity for business, + Madame Evangelista’s shrewdness told her:— + </p> + <p> + “If so clever a notary as Mathias was pacified, it must have been that he + saw compensation at the cost of <i>some one</i>.” + </p> + <p> + That some one could not be Paul, as she had blindly hoped. Could it be + that her daughter’s fortune was to pay the costs of war? She resolved to + demand explanations on the tenor of the contract, not reflecting on the + course she would have to take in case she found her interests seriously + compromised. This day had so powerful an influence on Paul de Manerville’s + conjugal life that it is necessary to explain certain of the external + circumstances which accompanied it. + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista had shrunk from no expense for this dazzling fete. The + court-yard was gravelled and converted into a tent, and filled with + shrubs, although it was winter. The camellias, of which so much had been + said from Angouleme to Dax, were banked on the staircase and in the + vestibules. Wall partitions had disappeared to enlarge the supper-room and + the ball-room where the dancing was to be. Bordeaux, a city famous for the + luxury of colonial fortunes, was on a tiptoe of expectation for this scene + of fairyland. About eight o’clock, as the last discussion of the contract + was taking place within the house, the inquisitive populace, anxious to + see the ladies in full dress getting out of their carriages, formed in two + hedges on either side of the porte-cochere. Thus the sumptuous atmosphere + of a fete acted upon all minds at the moment when the contract was being + signed, illuminating colored lamps lighted up the shrubs, and the wheels + of the arriving guests echoed from the court-yard. The two notaries had + dined with the bridal pair and their mother. Mathias’s head-clerk, whose + business it was to receive the signatures of the guests during the evening + (taking due care that the contract was not surreptitiously read by the + signers), was also present at the dinner. + </p> + <p> + No bridal toilet was ever comparable with that of Natalie, whose beauty, + decked with laces and satin, her hair coquettishly falling in a myriad of + curls about her throat, resembled that of a flower encased in its foliage. + Madame Evangelista, robed in a gown of cherry velvet, a color judiciously + chosen to heighten the brilliancy of her skin and her black hair and eyes, + glowed with the beauty of a woman at forty, and wore her pearl necklace, + clasped with the “Discreto,” a visible contradiction to the late + calumnies. + </p> + <p> + To fully explain this scene, it is necessary to say that Paul and Natalie + sat together on a sofa beside the fireplace and paid no attention to the + reading of the documents. Equally childish and equally happy, regarding + life as a cloudless sky, rich, young, and loving, they chattered to each + other in a low voice, sinking into whispers. Arming his love with the + presence of legality, Paul took delight in kissing the tips of Natalie’s + fingers, in lightly touching her snowy shoulders and the waving curls of + her hair, hiding from the eyes of others these joys of illegal + emancipation. Natalie played with a screen of peacock’s feathers given to + her by Paul,—a gift which is to love, according to superstitious + belief in certain countries, as dangerous an omen as the gift of scissors + or other cutting instruments, which recall, no doubt, the Parces of + antiquity. + </p> + <p> + Seated beside the two notaries, Madame Evangelista gave her closest + attention to the reading of the documents. After listening to the + guardianship account, most ably written out by Solonet, in which Natalie’s + share of the three million and more francs left by Monsieur Evangelista + was shown to be the much-debated eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand, + Madame Evangelista said to the heedless young couple:— + </p> + <p> + “Come, listen, listen, my children; this is your marriage contract.” + </p> + <p> + The clerk drank a glass of iced-water, Solonet and Mathias blew their + noses, Paul and Natalie looked at the four personages before them, + listened to the preamble, and returned to their chatter. The statement of + the property brought by each party; the general deed of gift in the event + of death without issue; the deed of gift of one-fourth in life-interest + and one-fourth in capital without interest, allowed by the Code, whatever + be the number of the children; the constitution of a common fund for + husband and wife; the settlement of the diamonds on the wife, the library + and horses on the husband, were duly read and passed without observations. + Then followed the constitution of the entail. When all was read and + nothing remained but to sign the contract, Madame Evangelista demanded to + know what would be the ultimate effect of the entail. + </p> + <p> + “An entail, madam,” replied Solonet, “means an inalienable right to the + inheritance of certain property belonging to both husband and wife, which + is settled from generation to generation on the eldest son of the house, + without, however, depriving him of his right to share in the division of + the rest of the property.” + </p> + <p> + “What will be the effect of this on my daughter’s rights?” + </p> + <p> + Maitre Mathias, incapable of disguising the truth, replied:— + </p> + <p> + “Madame, an entail being an appanage, or portion of property set aside for + this purpose from the fortunes of husband and wife, it follows that if the + wife dies first, leaving several children, one of them a son, Monsieur de + Manerville will owe those children three hundred and sixty thousand francs + only, from which he will deduct his fourth in life-interest and his fourth + in capital. Thus his debt to those children will be reduced to one hundred + and sixty thousand francs, or thereabouts, exclusive of his savings and + profits from the common fund constituted for husband and wife. If, on the + contrary, he dies first, leaving a male heir, Madame de Manerville has a + right to three hundred and sixty thousand francs only, and to her deeds of + gift of such of her husband’s property as is not included in the entail, + to the diamonds now settled upon her, and to her profits and savings from + the common fund.” + </p> + <p> + The effect of Maitre Mathias’s astute and far-sighted policy were now + plainly seen. + </p> + <p> + “My daughter is ruined,” said Madame Evangelista in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + The old and the young notary both overheard the words. + </p> + <p> + “Is it ruin,” replied Mathias, speaking gently, “to constitute for her + family an indestructible fortune?” + </p> + <p> + The younger notary, seeing the expression of his client’s face, thought it + judicious in him to state the disaster in plain terms. + </p> + <p> + “We tried to trick them out of three hundred thousand francs,” he + whispered to the angry woman. “They have actually laid hold of eight + hundred thousand; it is a loss of four hundred thousand from our interests + for the benefit of the children. You must now either break the marriage + off at once, or carry it through,” concluded Solonet. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to describe the moment of silence that followed. Maitre + Mathias waited in triumph the signature of the two persons who had + expected to rob his client. Natalie, not competent to understand that she + had lost half her fortune, and Paul, ignorant that the house of Manerville + had gained it, were laughing and chattering still. Solonet and Madame + Evangelista gazed at each other; the one endeavoring to conceal his + indifference, the other repressing the rush of a crowd of bitter feelings. + </p> + <p> + After suffering in her own mind the struggles of remorse, after blaming + Paul as the cause of her dishonesty, Madame Evangelista had decided to + employ those shameful manoeuvres to cast on him the burden of her own + unfaithful guardianship, considering him her victim. But now, in a moment, + she perceived that where she thought she triumphed she was about to + perish, and her victim was her own daughter. Guilty without profit, she + saw herself the dupe of an honorable old man, whose respect she had + doubtless lost. Her secret conduct must have inspired the stipulation of + old Mathias; and Mathias must have enlightened Paul. Horrible reflection! + Even if he had not yet done so, as soon as that contract was signed the + old wolf would surely warn his client of the dangers he had run and had + now escaped, were it only to receive the praise of his sagacity. He would + put him on his guard against the wily woman who had lowered herself to + this conspiracy; he would destroy the empire she had conquered over her + son-in-law! Feeble natures, once warned, turn obstinate, and are never won + again. At the first discussion of the contract she had reckoned on Paul’s + weakness, and on the impossibility he would feel of breaking off a + marriage so far advanced. But now, she herself was far more tightly bound. + Three months earlier Paul had no real obstacles to prevent the rupture; + now, all Bordeaux knew that the notaries had smoothed the difficulties; + the banns were published; the wedding was to take place immediately; the + friends of both families were at that moment arriving for the fete, and to + witness the contract. How could she postpone the marriage at this late + hour? The cause of the rupture would surely be made known; Maitre + Mathias’s stern honor was too well known in Bordeaux; his word would be + believed in preference to hers. The scoffers would turn against her and + against her daughter. No, she could not break it off; she must yield! + </p> + <p> + These reflections, so cruelly sound, fell upon Madame Evangelista’s brain + like a water-spout and split it. Though she still maintained the dignity + and reserve of a diplomatist, her chin was shaken by that apoplectic + movement which showed the anger of Catherine the Second on the famous day + when, seated on her throne and in presence of her court (very much in the + present circumstances of Madame Evangelista), she was braved by the King + of Sweden. Solonet observed that play of the muscles, which revealed the + birth of a mortal hatred, a lurid storm to which there was no lightning. + At this moment Madame Evangelista vowed to her son-in-law one of those + unquenchable hatreds the seeds of which were left by the Moors in the + atmosphere of Spain. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur,” she said, bending to the ear of her notary, “you called that + stipulation balderdash; it seems to me that nothing could have been more + clear.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, allow me—” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur,” she continued, paying no heed to his interruption, “if you did + not perceive the effect of that entail at the time of our first + conference, it is very extraordinary that it did not occur to you in the + silence of your study. This can hardly be incapacity.” + </p> + <p> + The young notary drew his client into the next room, saying to himself, as + he did so:— + </p> + <p> + “I get a three-thousand franc fee for the guardianship account, three + thousand for the contract, six thousand on the sale of the house, fifteen + thousand in all—better not be angry.” + </p> + <p> + He closed the door, cast on Madame Evangelista the cool look of a business + man, and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Madame, having, for your sake, passed—as I did—the proper + limits of legal craft, do you seriously intend to reward my devotion by + such language?” + </p> + <p> + “But, monsieur—” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I did not, it is true, calculate the effect of the deeds of gift. + But if you do not wish Comte Paul for your son-in-law you are not obliged + to accept him. The contract is not signed. Give your fete, and postpone + the signing. It is far better to brave Bordeaux than sacrifice yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I justify such a course to society, which is already prejudiced + against us by the slow conclusion of the marriage?” + </p> + <p> + “By some error committed in Paris; some missing document not sent with the + rest,” replied Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “But those purchases of land near Lanstrac?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur de Manerville will be at no loss to find another bride and + another dowry.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he’ll lose nothing; but we lose all, all!” + </p> + <p> + “You?” replied Solonet; “why, you can easily find another count who will + cost you less money, if a title is the chief object of this marriage.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no! we can’t stake our honor in that way. I am caught in a trap, + monsieur. All Bordeaux will ring with this to-morrow. Our solemn words are + pledged—” + </p> + <p> + “You wish the happiness of Mademoiselle Natalie.” + </p> + <p> + “Above all things.” + </p> + <p> + “To be happy in France,” said the notary, “means being mistress of the + home. She can lead that fool of a Manerville by the nose if she chooses; + he is so dull he has actually seen nothing of all this. Even if he now + distrusts you, he will always trust his wife; and his wife is YOU, is she + not? The count’s fate is still within your power if you choose to play the + cards in your hand.” + </p> + <p> + “If that were true, monsieur, I know not what I would not do to show my + gratitude,” she said, in a transport of feeling that colored her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “Let us now return to the others, madame,” said Solonet. “Listen carefully + to what I shall say; and then—you shall think me incapable if you + choose.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend,” said the young notary to Maitre Mathias, “in spite of + your great ability, you have not foreseen either the case of Monsieur de + Manerville dying without children, nor that in which he leaves only female + issue. In either of those cases the entail would pass to the Manervilles, + or, at any rate, give rise to suits on their part. I think, therefore, it + is necessary to stipulate that in the first case the entailed property + shall pass under the general deed of gift between husband and wife; and in + the second case that the entail shall be declared void. This agreement + concerns the wife’s interest.” + </p> + <p> + “Both clauses seem to me perfectly just,” said Maitre Mathias. “As to + their ratification, Monsieur le comte can, doubtless, come to an + understanding with the chancellor, if necessary.” + </p> + <p> + Solonet took a pen and added this momentous clause on the margin of the + contract. Paul and Natalie paid no attention to the matter; but Madame + Evangelista dropped her eyes while Maitre Mathias read the added sentence + aloud. + </p> + <p> + “We will now sign,” said the mother. + </p> + <p> + The volume of voice which Madame Evangelista repressed as she uttered + those words betrayed her violent emotion. She was thinking to herself: + “No, my daughter shall not be ruined—but he! My daughter shall have + the name, the title, and the fortune. If she should some day discover that + she does not love him, that she loves another, irresistibly, Paul shall be + driven out of France! My daughter shall be free, and happy, and rich.” + </p> + <p> + If Maitre Mathias understood how to analyze business interests, he knew + little of the analysis of human passions. He accepted Madame Evangelista’s + words as an honorable “amende,” instead of judging them for what they + were, a declaration of war. While Solonet and his clerk superintended + Natalie as she signed the documents,—an operation which took time,—Mathias + took Paul aside and told him the meaning of the stipulation by which he + had saved him from ultimate pain. + </p> + <p> + “The whole affair is now ‘en regle.’ I hold the documents. But the + contract contains a rescript for the diamonds; you must ask for them. + Business is business. Diamonds are going up just now, but may go down. The + purchase of those new domains justifies you in turning everything into + money that you can. Therefore, Monsieur le comte, have no false modesty in + this matter. The first payment is due after the formalities are over. The + sum is two hundred thousand francs; put the diamonds into that. You have + the lien on this house, which will be sold at once, and will pay the rest. + If you have the courage to spend only fifty thousand francs for the next + three years, you can save the two hundred thousand francs you are now + obliged to pay. If you plant vineyards on your new estates, you can get an + income of over twenty-five thousand francs upon them. You may be said, in + short, to have made a good marriage.” + </p> + <p> + Paul pressed the hand of his old friend very affectionately, a gesture + which did not escape Madame Evangelista, who now came forward to offer him + the pen. Suspicion became certainty to her mind. She was confident that + Paul and Mathias had come to an understanding about her. Rage and hatred + sent the blood surging through her veins to her heart. The worst had come. + </p> + <p> + After verifying that all the documents were duly signed and the initials + of the parties affixed to the bottom of the leaves, Maitre Mathias looked + from Paul to his mother-in-law, and seeing that his client did not intend + to speak of the diamonds, he said:— + </p> + <p> + “I do not suppose there can be any doubt about the transfer of the + diamonds, as you are now one family.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be more regular if Madame Evangelista made them over now, as + Monsieur de Manerville has become responsible for the guardianship funds, + and we never know who may live or die,” said Solonet, who thought he saw + in this circumstance fresh cause of anger in the mother-in-law against the + son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! mother,” cried Paul, “it would be insulting to us all to do that,—‘Summum + jus, summum injuria,’ monsieur,” he said to Solonet. + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said Madame Evangelista, led by the hatred now surging in her + heart to see a direct insult to her in the indirect appeal of Maitre + Mathias, “I will tear that contract up if you do not take them.” + </p> + <p> + She left the room in one of those furious passions which long for the + power to destroy everything, and which the sense of impotence drives + almost to madness. + </p> + <p> + “For Heaven’s sake, take them, Paul,” whispered Natalie in his ear. “My + mother is angry; I shall know why to-night, and I will tell you. We must + pacify her.” + </p> + <p> + Calmed by this first outburst, madame kept the necklace and ear-rings, + which she was wearing, and brought the other jewels, valued at one hundred + and fifty thousand francs by Elie Magus. Accustomed to the sight of family + diamonds in all valuations of inheritance, Maitre Mathias and Solonet + examined these jewels in their cases and exclaimed upon their duty. + </p> + <p> + “You will lose nothing, after all, upon the ‘dot,’ Monsieur le comte,” + said Solonet, bringing the color to Paul’s face. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Mathias, “these jewels will meet the first payment on the + purchase of the new estate.” + </p> + <p> + “And the costs of the contract,” added Solonet. + </p> + <p> + Hatred feeds, like love, on little things; the least thing strengthens it; + as one beloved can do no evil, so the person hated can do no good. Madame + Evangelista assigned to hypocrisy the natural embarrassment of Paul, who + was unwilling to take the jewels, and not knowing where to put the cases, + longed to fling them from the window. Madame Evangelista spurred him with + a glance which seemed to say, “Take your property from here.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear Natalie,” said Paul, “put away these jewels; they are yours; I give + them to you.” + </p> + <p> + Natalie locked them into the drawer of a console. At this instant the + noise of the carriages in the court-yard and the murmur of voices in the + receptions-rooms became so loud that Natalie and her mother were forced to + appear. The salons were filled in a few moments, and the fete began. + </p> + <p> + “Profit by the honeymoon to sell those diamonds,” said the old notary to + Paul as he went away. + </p> + <p> + While waiting for the dancing to begin, whispers went round about the + marriage, and doubts were expressed as to the future of the promised + couple. + </p> + <p> + “Is it finally arranged?” said one of the leading personages of the town + to Madame Evangelista. + </p> + <p> + “We had so many documents to read and sign that I fear we are rather + late,” she replied; “but perhaps we are excusable.” + </p> + <p> + “As for me, I heard nothing,” said Natalie, giving her hand to her lover + to open the ball. + </p> + <p> + “Both of those young persons are extravagant, and the mother is not of a + kind to check them,” said a dowager. + </p> + <p> + “But they have founded an entail, I am told, worth fifty thousand francs a + year.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” + </p> + <p> + “In that I see the hand of our worthy Monsieur Mathias,” said a + magistrate. “If it is really true, he has done it to save the future of + the family.” + </p> + <p> + “Natalie is too handsome not to be horribly coquettish. After a couple of + years of marriage,” said one young woman, “I wouldn’t answer for Monsieur + de Manerville’s happiness in his home.” + </p> + <p> + “The Pink of Fashion will then need staking,” said Solonet, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you think Madame Evangelista looks annoyed?” asked another. + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear, I have just been told that all she is able to keep is + twenty-five thousand francs a year, and what is that to her?” + </p> + <p> + “Penury!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she has robbed herself for Natalie. Monsieur de Manerville has been + so exacting—” + </p> + <p> + “Extremely exacting,” put in Maitre Solonet. “But before long he will be + peer of France. The Maulincours and the Vidame de Pamiers will use their + influence. He belongs to the faubourg Saint-Germain.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! he is received there, and that is all,” said a lady, who had tried to + obtain him as a son-in-law. “Mademoiselle Evangelista, as the daughter of + a merchant, will certainly not open the doors of the chapter-house of + Cologne to him!” + </p> + <p> + “She is grand-niece to the Duke of Casa-Reale.” + </p> + <p> + “Through the female line!” + </p> + <p> + The topic was presently exhausted. The card-players went to the tables, + the young people danced, the supper was served, and the ball was not over + till morning, when the first gleams of the coming day whitened the + windows. + </p> + <p> + Having said adieu to Paul, who was the last to go away, Madame Evangelista + went to her daughter’s room; for her own had been taken by the architect + to enlarge the scene of the fete. Though Natalie and her mother were + overcome with sleep, they said a few words to each other as soon as they + were alone. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, mother dear, what was the matter with you?” + </p> + <p> + “My darling, I learned this evening to what lengths a mother’s tenderness + can go. You know nothing of business, and you are ignorant of the + suspicions to which my integrity has been exposed. I have trampled my + pride under foot, for your happiness and my reputation were at stake.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you talking of the diamonds? Poor boy, he wept; he did not want them; + I have them.” + </p> + <p> + “Sleep now, my child. We will talk business when we wake—for,” she + added, sighing, “you and I have business now; another person has come + between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my dear mother, Paul will never be an obstacle to our happiness, + yours and mine,” murmured Natalie, as she went to sleep. + </p> + <p> + “Poor darling! she little knows that the man has ruined her.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista’s soul was seized at that moment with the first idea of + avarice, a vice to which many become a prey as they grow aged. It came + into her mind to recover in her daughter’s interest the whole of the + property left by her husband. She told herself that her honor demanded it. + Her devotion to Natalie made her, in a moment, as shrewd and calculating + as she had hitherto been careless and wasteful. She resolved to turn her + capital to account, after investing a part of it in the Funds, which were + then selling at eighty francs. A passion often changes the whole character + in a moment; an indiscreet person becomes a diplomatist, a coward is + suddenly brave. Hate made this prodigal woman a miser. Chance and luck + might serve the project of vengeance, still undefined and confused, which + she would now mature in her mind. She fell asleep, muttering to herself, + “To-morrow!” By an unexplained phenomenon, the effects of which are + familiar to all thinkers, her mind, during sleep, marshalled its ideas, + enlightened them, classed them, prepared a means by which she was to rule + Paul’s life, and showed her a plan which she began to carry out on that + very to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT—THIRD DAY + </h2> + <p> + Though the excitement of the fete had driven from Paul’s mind the anxious + thoughts that now and then assailed it, when he was alone with himself and + in his bed they returned to torment him. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me,” he said to himself, “that without that good Mathias my + mother-in-law would have tricked me. And yet, is that believable? What + interest could lead her to deceive me? Are we not to join fortunes and + live together? Well, well, why should I worry about it? In two days + Natalie will be my wife, our money relations are plainly defined, nothing + can come between us. Vogue la galere—Nevertheless, I’ll be upon my + guard. Suppose Mathias was right? Well, if he was, I’m not obliged to + marry my mother-in-law.” + </p> + <p> + In this second battle of the contract Paul’s future had completely changed + in aspect, though he was not aware of it. Of the two persons whom he was + marrying, one, the cleverest, was now his mortal enemy, and meditated + already withdrawing her interests from the common fund. Incapable of + observing the difference that a Creole nature placed between his + mother-in-law and other women, Paul was far from suspecting her + craftiness. The Creole nature is apart from all others; it derives from + Europe by its intellect, from the tropics by the illogical violence of its + passions, from the East by the apathetic indifference with which it does, + or suffers, either good or evil, equally,—a graceful nature withal, + but dangerous, as a child is dangerous if not watched. Like a child, the + Creole woman must have her way immediately; like a child, she would burn a + house to boil an egg. In her soft and easy life she takes no care upon her + mind; but when impassioned, she thinks of all things. She has something of + the perfidy of the Negroes by whom she has been surrounded from her + cradle, but she is also as naive and even, at times, as artless as they. + Like them and like the children, she wishes doggedly for one thing with a + growing intensity of desire, and will brood upon that idea until she + hatches it. A strange assemblage of virtues and defects! which her Spanish + nature had strengthened in Madame Evangelista, and over which her French + experience had cast the glaze of its politeness. + </p> + <p> + This character, slumbering in married happiness for sixteen years, + occupied since then with the trivialities of social life, this nature to + which a first hatred had revealed its strength, awoke now like a + conflagration; at the moment of the woman’s life when she was losing the + dearest object of her affections and needed another element for the energy + that possessed her, this flame burst forth. Natalie could be but three + days more beneath her influence! Madame Evangelista, vanquished at other + points, had one clear day before her, the last of those that a daughter + spends beside her mother. A few words, and the Creole nature could + influence the lives of the two beings about to walk together through the + brambled paths and the dusty high-roads of Parisian society, for Natalie + believed in her mother blindly. What far-reaching power would the counsel + of that Creole nature have on a mind so subservient! The whole future of + these lives might be determined by one single speech. No code, no human + institution can prevent the crime that kills by words. There lies the + weakness of social law; in that is the difference between the morals of + the great world and the morals of the people: one is frank, the other + hypocritical; one employs the knife, the other the venom of ideas and + language; to one death, to the other impunity. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, about mid-day, Madame Evangelista was half seated, half + lying on the edge of her daughter’s bed. During that waking hour they + caressed and played together in happy memory of their loving life; a life + in which no discord had ever troubled either the harmony of their + feelings, the agreement of their ideas, or the mutual choice and enjoyment + of their pleasures. + </p> + <p> + “Poor little darling!” said the mother, shedding true tears, “how can I + help being sorrowful when I think that after I have fulfilled your every + wish during your whole life you will belong, to-morrow night, to a man you + must obey?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear mother, as for obeying!—” and Natalie made a little + motion of her head which expressed a graceful rebellion. “You are joking,” + she continued. “My father always gratified your caprices; and why not? he + loved you. And I am loved, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Paul has a certain love for you. But if a married woman is not + careful nothing more rapidly evaporates than conjugal love. The influence + a wife ought to have over her husband depends entirely on how she begins + with him. You need the best advice.” + </p> + <p> + “But you will be with us.” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly, my child. Last night, while the ball was going on, I reflected + on the dangers of our being together. If my presence were to do you harm, + if the little acts by which you ought slowly, but surely, to establish + your authority as a wife should be attributed to my influence, your home + would become a hell. At the first frown I saw upon your husband’s brow I, + proud as I am, should instantly leave his house. If I were driven to leave + it, better, I think, not to enter it. I should never forgive your husband + if he caused trouble between us. Whereas, when you have once become the + mistress, when your husband is to you what your father was to me, that + danger is no longer to be feared. Though this wise policy will cost your + young and tender heart a pang, your happiness demands that you become the + absolute sovereign of your home.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why, mamma, did you say just now I must obey him?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear little daughter, in order that a wife may rule, she must always + seem to do what her husband wishes. If you were not told this you might by + some impulsive opposition destroy your future. Paul is a weak young man; + he might allow a friend to rule him; he might even fall under the dominion + of some woman who would make you feel her influence. Prevent such + disasters by making yourself from the very start his ruler. Is it not + better that he be governed by you than by others?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, certainly,” said Natalie. “I should think only of his happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “And it is my privilege, darling, to think only of yours, and to wish not + to leave you at so crucial a moment without a compass in the midst of the + reefs through which you must steer.” + </p> + <p> + “But, dearest mother, are we not strong enough, you and I, to stay + together beside him, without having to fear those frowns you seem to + dread. Paul loves you, mamma.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! oh! He fears me more than he loves me. Observe him carefully to-day + when I tell him that I shall let you go to Paris without me, and you will + see on his face, no matter what pains he takes to conceal it, his inward + joy.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should he feel so?” + </p> + <p> + “Why? Dear child! I am like Saint-Jean Bouche-d’Or. I will tell that to + himself, and before you.” + </p> + <p> + “But suppose I marry on condition that you do not leave me?” urged + Natalie. + </p> + <p> + “Our separation is necessary,” replied her mother. “Several considerations + have greatly changed my future. I am now poor. You will lead a brilliant + life in Paris, and I could not live with you suitably without spending the + little that remains to me. Whereas, if I go to Lanstrac, I can take care + of your property there and restore my fortune by economy.” + </p> + <p> + “You, mamma! <i>You</i> practise economy!” cried Natalie, laughing. “Don’t + begin to be a grandmother yet. What! do you mean to leave me for such + reasons as those? Dear mother, Paul may seem to you a trifle stupid, but + he is not one atom selfish or grasping.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” replied Madame Evangelista, in a tone of voice big with suggestions + which made the girl’s heart throb, “those discussions about the contract + have made me distrustful. I have my doubts about him—But don’t be + troubled, dear child,” she added, taking her daughter by the neck and + kissing her. “I will not leave you long alone. Whenever my return can take + place without making difficulty between you, whenever Paul can rightly + judge me, we will begin once more our happy little life, our evening + confidences—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! mother, how can you think of living without your Natalie?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, dear angel, I shall live for her. My mother’s heart will be + satisfied in the thought that I contribute, as I ought, to your future + happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear, adorable mother, must I be alone with Paul, here, now, all + at once? What will become of me? what will happen? what must I do? what + must I not do?” + </p> + <p> + “Poor child! do you think that I would utterly abandon you to your first + battle? We will write to each other three times a week like lovers. We + shall thus be close to each other’s hearts incessantly. Nothing can happen + to you that I shall not know, and I can save you from all misfortune. + Besides, it would be too ridiculous if I never went to see you; it would + seem to show dislike or disrespect to your husband; I will always spend a + month or two every year with you in Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “Alone, already alone, and with him!” cried Natalie in terror, + interrupting her mother. + </p> + <p> + “But you wish to be his wife?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I wish it. But tell me how I should behave,—you, who did what + you pleased with my father. You know the way; I’ll obey you blindly.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista kissed her daughter’s forehead. She had willed and + awaited this request. + </p> + <p> + “Child, my counsels must adept themselves to circumstances. All men are + not alike. The lion and the frog are not more unlike than one man compared + with another,—morally, I mean. Do I know to-day what will happen to + you to-morrow? No; therefore I can only give you general advice upon the + whole tenor of your conduct.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear mother, tell me, quick, all that you know yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, my dear child, the cause of the failure of married + women who desire to keep their husbands’ hearts—and,” she said, + making a parenthesis, “to keep their hearts and rule them is one and the + same thing—Well, the principle cause of conjugal disunion is to be + found in perpetual intercourse, which never existed in the olden time, but + which has been introduced into this country of late years with the mania + for family. Since the Revolution the manners and customs of the bourgeois + have invaded the homes of the aristocracy. This misfortune is due to one + of their writers, Rousseau, an infamous heretic, whose ideas were all + anti-social and who pretended, I don’t know how, to justify the most + senseless things. He declared that all women had the same rights and the + same faculties; that living in a state of society we ought, nevertheless, + to obey nature—as if the wife of a Spanish grandee, as if you or I + had anything in common with the women of the people! Since then, well-bred + women have suckled their children, have educated their daughters, and + stayed in their own homes. Life has become so involved that happiness is + almost impossible,—for a perfect harmony between natures such as + that which has made you and me live as two friends is an exception. + Perpetual contact is as dangerous for parents and children as it is for + husband and wife. There are few souls in which love survives this fatal + omnipresence. Therefore, I say, erect between yourself and Paul the + barriers of society; go to balls and operas; go out in the morning, dine + out in the evenings, pay visits constantly, and grant but little of your + time to your husband. By this means you will always keep your value to + him. When two beings bound together for life have nothing to live upon but + sentiment, its resources are soon exhausted, indifference, satiety, and + disgust succeed. When sentiment has withered what will become of you? + Remember, affection once extinguished can lead to nothing but indifference + or contempt. Be ever young and ever new to him. He may weary you,—that + often happens,—but you must never weary him. The faculty of being + bored without showing it is a condition of all species of power. You + cannot diversify happiness by the cares of property or the occupations of + a family. If you do not make your husband share your social interests, if + you do not keep him amused you will fall into a dismal apathy. Then begins + the SPLEEN of love. But a man will always love the woman who amuses him + and keeps him happy. To give happiness and to receive it are two lines of + feminine conduct which are separated by a gulf.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear mother, I am listening to you, but I don’t understand one word you + say.” + </p> + <p> + “If you love Paul to the extent of doing all he asks of you, if you make + your happiness depend on him, all is over with your future life; you will + never be mistress of your home, and the best precepts in the world will do + you no good.” + </p> + <p> + “That is plainer; but I see the rule without knowing how to apply it,” + said Natalie, laughing. “I have the theory; the practice will come.” + </p> + <p> + “My poor Ninie,” replied the mother, who dropped an honest tear at the + thought of her daughter’s marriage, “things will happen to teach it to you—And,” + she continued, after a pause, during which the mother and daughter held + each other closely embraced in the truest sympathy, “remember this, my + Natalie: we all have our destiny as women, just as men have their vocation + as men. A woman is born to be a woman of the world and a charming hostess, + as a man is born to be a general or a poet. Your vocation is to please. + Your education has formed you for society. In these days women should be + educated for the salon as they once were for the gynoecium. You were not + born to be the mother of a family or the steward of a household. If you + have children, I hope they will not come to spoil your figure on the + morrow of your marriage; nothing is so bourgeois as to have a child at + once. If you have them two or three years after your marriage, well and + good; governesses and tutors will bring them up. YOU are to be the lady, + the great lady, who represents the luxury and the pleasure of the house. + But remember one thing—let your superiority be visible in those + things only which flatter a man’s self-love; hide the superiority you must + also acquire over him in great things.” + </p> + <p> + “But you frighten me, mamma,” cried Natalie. “How can I remember all these + precepts? How shall I ever manage, I, such a child, and so heedless, to + reflect and calculate before I act?” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear little girl, I am telling you to-day that which you must + surely learn later, buying your experience by fatal faults and errors of + conduct which will cause you bitter regrets and embarrass your whole + life.” + </p> + <p> + “But how must I begin?” asked Natalie, artlessly. + </p> + <p> + “Instinct will guide you,” replied her mother. “At this moment Paul + desires you more than he loves you; for love born of desires is a hope; + the love that succeeds their satisfaction is the reality. There, my dear, + is the question; there lies your power. What woman is not loved before + marriage? Be so on the morrow and you shall remain so always. Paul is a + weak man who is easily trained to habit. If he yields to you once he will + yield always. A woman ardently desired can ask all things; do not commit + the folly of many women who do not see the importance of the first hours + of their sway,—that of wasting your power on trifles, on silly + things with no result. Use the empire your husband’s first emotions give + you to accustom him to obedience. And when you make him yield, choose that + it be on some unreasonable point, so as to test the measure of your power + by the measure of his concession. What victory would there be in making + him agree to a reasonable thing? Would that be obeying you? We must + always, as the Castilian proverb says, take the bull by the horns; when a + bull has once seen the inutility of his defence and of his strength he is + beaten. When your husband does a foolish thing for you, you can govern + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Why so?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, my child, marriage lasts a lifetime, and a husband is not a man + like other men. Therefore, never commit the folly of giving yourself into + his power in everything. Keep up a constant reserve in your speech and in + your actions. You may even be cold to him without danger, for you can + modify coldness at will. Besides, nothing is more easy to maintain than + our dignity. The words, ‘It is not becoming in your wife to do thus and + so,’ is a great talisman. The life of a woman lies in the words, ‘I will + not.’ They are the final argument. Feminine power is in them, and + therefore they should only be used on real occasions. But they constitute + a means of governing far beyond that of argument or discussion. I, my dear + child, reigned over your father by his faith in me. If your husband + believes in you, you can do all things with him. To inspire that belief + you must make him think that you understand him. Do not suppose that that + is an easy thing to do. A woman can always make a man think that he is + loved, but to make him admit that he is understood is far more difficult. + I am bound to tell you all now, my child, for to-morrow life with its + complications, life with two wills which <i>must</i> be made one, begins + for you. Bear in mind, at all moments, that difficulty. The only means of + harmonizing your two wills is to arrange from the first that there shall + be but one; and that will must be yours. Many persons declare that a wife + creates her own unhappiness by changing sides in this way; but, my dear, + she can only become the mistress by controlling events instead of bearing + them; and that advantage compensates for any difficulty.” + </p> + <p> + Natalie kissed her mother’s hands with tears of gratitude. Like all women + in whom mental emotion is never warmed by physical emotion, she suddenly + comprehended the bearings of this feminine policy; but, like a spoiled + child that never admits the force of reason and returns obstinately to its + one desire, she came back to the charge with one of those personal + arguments which the logic of a child suggests:— + </p> + <p> + “Dear mamma,” she said, “it is only a few days since you were talking of + Paul’s advancement, and saying that you alone could promote it; why, then, + do you suddenly turn round and abandon us to ourselves?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not then know the extent of my obligations nor the amount of my + debts,” replied the mother, who would not suffer her real motive to be + seen. “Besides, a year or two hence I can take up that matter again. Come, + let us dress; Paul will be here soon. Be as sweet and caressing as you + were,—you know?—that night when we first discussed this fatal + contract; for to-day we must save the last fragments of our fortune, and I + must win for you a thing to which I am superstitiously attached.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “The ‘Discreto.’” + </p> + <p> + Paul arrived about four o’clock. Though he endeavored to meet his + mother-in-law with a gracious look upon his face, Madame Evangelista saw + traces of the clouds which the counsels of the night and the reflections + of the morning had brought there. + </p> + <p> + “Mathias has told him!” she thought, resolving to defeat the old notary’s + action. “My dear son,” she said, “you left your diamonds in the drawer of + the console, and I frankly confess that I would rather not see again the + things that threatened to bring a cloud between us. Besides, as Monsieur + Mathias said, they ought to be sold at once to meet the first payment on + the estates you have purchased.” + </p> + <p> + “They are not mine,” he said. “I have given them to Natalie, and when you + see them upon her you will forget the pain they caused you.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista took his hand and pressed it cordially, with a tear of + emotion. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, my dear children,” she said, looking from Paul to Natalie; + “since you really feel thus, I have a proposition to make to both of you. + I find myself obliged to sell my pearl necklace and my earrings. Yes, + Paul, it is necessary; I do not choose to put a penny of my fortune into + an annuity; I know what I owe to you. Well, I admit a weakness; to sell + the ‘Discreto’ seems to me a disaster. To sell a diamond which bears the + name of Philip the Second and once adorned his royal hand, an historic + stone which the Duke of Alba touched for ten years in the hilt of his + sword—no, no, I cannot! Elie Magus estimates my necklace and + ear-rings at a hundred and some odd thousand francs without the clasps. + Will you exchange the other jewels I made over to you for these? you will + gain by the transaction, but what of that? I am not selfish. Instead of + those mere fancy jewels, Paul, your wife will have fine diamonds which she + can really enjoy. Isn’t it better that I should sell those ornaments which + will surely go out of fashion, and that you should keep in the family + these priceless stones?” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear mother, consider yourself,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “I,” replied Madame Evangelista, “I want such things no longer. Yes, Paul, + I am going to be your bailiff at Lanstrac. It would be folly in me to go + to Paris at the moment when I ought to be here to liquidate my property + and settle my affairs. I shall grow miserly for my grandchildren.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear mother,” said Paul, much moved, “ought I to accept this exchange + without paying you the difference?” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens! are you not, both of you, my dearest interests? Do you + suppose I shall not find happiness in thinking, as I sit in my + chimney-corner, ‘Natalie is dazzling to-night at the Duchesse de Berry’s + ball’? When she sees my diamond at her throat and my ear-rings in her ears + she will have one of those little enjoyments of vanity which contribute so + much to a woman’s happiness and make her so gay and fascinating. Nothing + saddens a woman more than to have her vanity repressed; I have never seen + an ill-dressed woman who was amiable or good-humored.” + </p> + <p> + “Heavens! what was Mathias thinking about?” thought Paul. “Well, then, + mamma,” he said, in a low voice, “I accept.” + </p> + <p> + “But I am confounded!” said Natalie. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Solonet arrived to announce the good news that he had found + among the speculators of Bordeaux two contractors who were much attracted + by the house, the gardens of which could be covered with dwellings. + </p> + <p> + “They offer two hundred and fifty thousand francs,” he said; “but if you + consent to the sale, I can make them give you three hundred thousand. + There are three acres of land in the garden.” + </p> + <p> + “My husband paid two hundred thousand for the place, therefore I consent,” + she replied. “But you must reserve the furniture and the mirrors.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Solonet, “you are beginning to understand business.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! I must,” she said, sighing. + </p> + <p> + “I am told that a great many persons are coming to your midnight service,” + said Solonet, perceiving that his presence was inopportune, and preparing + to go. + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista accompanied him to the door of the last salon, and + there she said, in a low voice:— + </p> + <p> + “I now have personal property to the amount of two hundred and fifty + thousand francs; if I can get two hundred thousand for my share of the + house it will make a handsome capital, which I shall want to invest to the + very best advantage. I count on you for that. I shall probably live at + Lanstrac.” + </p> + <p> + The young notary kissed his client’s hand with a gesture of gratitude; for + the widow’s tone of voice made Solonet fancy that this alliance, really + made from self-interest only, might extend a little farther. + </p> + <p> + “You can count on me,” he replied. “I can find you investments in + merchandise on which you will risk nothing and make very considerable + profits.” + </p> + <p> + “Adieu until to-morrow,” she said; “you are to be our witness, you know, + with Monsieur le Marquis de Gyas.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear mother,” said Paul, when she returned to them, “why do you refuse + to come to Paris? Natalie is provoked with me, as if I were the cause of + your decision.” + </p> + <p> + “I have thought it all over, my children, and I am sure that I should + hamper you. You would feel obliged to make me a third in all you did, and + young people have ideas of their own which I might, unintentionally, + thwart. Go to Paris. I do not wish to exercise over the Comtesse de + Manerville the gentle authority I have held over Natalie. I desire to + leave her wholly to you. Don’t you see, Paul, that there are habits and + ways between us which must be broken up? My influence ought to yield to + yours. I want you to love me, and to believe that I have your interests + more at heart than you think for. Young husbands are, sooner or later, + jealous for the love of a wife for her mother. Perhaps they are right. + When you are thoroughly united, when love has blended your two souls into + one, then, my dear son, you will not fear an opposing influence if I live + in your house. I know the world, and men, and things; I have seen the + peace of many a home destroyed by the blind love of mothers who made + themselves in the end as intolerable to their daughters as to their + sons-in-law. The affection of old people is often exacting and querulous. + Perhaps I could not efface myself as I should. I have the weakness to + think myself still handsome; I have flatterers who declare that I am still + agreeable; I should have, I fear, certain pretensions which might + interfere with your lives. Let me, therefore, make one more sacrifice for + your happiness. I have given you my fortune, and now I desire to resign to + you my last vanities as a woman. Your notary Mathias is getting old. He + cannot look after your estates as I will. I will be your bailiff; I will + create for myself those natural occupations which are the pleasures of old + age. Later, if necessary, I will come to you in Paris, and second you in + your projects of ambition. Come, Paul, be frank; my proposal suits you, + does it not?” + </p> + <p> + Paul would not admit it, but he was at heart delighted to get his liberty. + The suspicions which Mathias had put into his mind respecting his + mother-in-law were, however, dissipated by this conversation, which Madame + Evangelista carried on still longer in the same tone. + </p> + <p> + “My mother was right,” thought Natalie, who had watched Paul’s + countenance. “He <i>is</i> glad to know that I am separated from her—why?” + </p> + <p> + That “why” was the first note of a rising distrust; did it prove the power + of those maternal instructions? + </p> + <p> + There are certain characters which on the faith of a single proof believe + in friendship. To persons thus constituted the north wind drives away the + clouds as rapidly as the south wind brings them; they stop at effects and + never hark back to causes. Paul had one of those essentially confiding + natures, without ill-feelings, but also without foresight. His weakness + proceeded far more from his kindness, his belief in goodness, than from + actual debility of soul. + </p> + <p> + Natalie was sad and thoughtful, for she knew not what to do without her + mother. Paul, with that self-confident conceit which comes of love, smiled + to himself at her sadness, thinking how soon the pleasures of marriage and + the excitements of Paris would drive it away. Madame Evangelista saw this + confidence with much satisfaction. She had already taken two great steps. + Her daughter possessed the diamonds which had cost Paul two hundred + thousand francs; and she had gained her point of leaving these two + children to themselves with no other guide than their illogical love. Her + revenge was thus preparing, unknown to her daughter, who would, sooner or + later, become its accomplice. Did Natalie love Paul? That was a question + still undecided, the answer to which might modify her projects, for she + loved her daughter too sincerely not to respect her happiness. Paul’s + future, therefore, still depended on himself. If he could make his wife + love him, he was saved. + </p> + <p> + The next day, at midnight, after an evening spent together, with the + addition of the four witnesses, to whom Madame Evangelista gave the formal + dinner which follows the legal marriage, the bridal pair, accompanied by + their friends, heard mass by torchlight, in presence of a crowd of + inquisitive persons. A marriage celebrated at night always suggests to the + mind an unpleasant omen. Light is the symbol of life and pleasure, the + forecasts of which are lacking to a midnight wedding. Ask the intrepid + soul why it shivers; why the chill of those black arches enervates it; why + the sound of steps startles it; why it notices the cry of bats and the + hoot of owls. Though there is absolutely no reason to tremble, all present + do tremble, and the darkness, emblem of death, saddens them. Natalie, + parted from her mother, wept. The girl was now a prey to those doubts + which grasp the heart as it enters a new career in which, despite all + assurances of happiness, a thousand pitfalls await the steps of a young + wife. She was cold and wanted a mantle. The air and manner of Madame + Evangelista and that of the bridal pair excited some comment among the + elegant crowd which surrounded the altar. + </p> + <p> + “Solonet tells me that the bride and bridegroom leave for Paris to-morrow + morning, all alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame Evangelista was to live with them, I thought.” + </p> + <p> + “Count Paul has got rid of her already.” + </p> + <p> + “What a mistake!” said the Marquise de Gyas. “To shut the door on the + mother of his wife is to open it to a lover. Doesn’t he know what a mother + is?” + </p> + <p> + “He has been very hard on Madame Evangelista; the poor woman has had to + sell her house and her diamonds, and is going to live at Lanstrac.” + </p> + <p> + “Natalie looks very sad.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you like to be made to take a journey the day after your marriage?” + </p> + <p> + “It is very awkward.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad I came here to-night,” said a lady. “I am now convinced of the + necessity of the pomps of marriage and of wedding fetes; a scene like this + is very bare and sad. If I may say what I think,” she added, in a whisper + to her neighbor, “this marriage seems to me indecent.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Evangelista took Natalie in her carriage and accompanied her, + alone, to Paul’s house. + </p> + <p> + “Well, mother, it is done!” + </p> + <p> + “Remember, my dear child, my last advice, and you will be a happy woman. + Be his wife, and not his mistress.” + </p> + <p> + When Natalie had retired, the mother played the little comedy of flinging + herself with tears into the arms of her son-in-law. It was the only + provincial thing that Madame Evangelista allowed herself, but she had her + reasons for it. Amid tears and speeches, apparently half wild and + despairing, she obtained of Paul those concessions which all husbands + make. + </p> + <p> + The next day she put the married pair into their carriage, and accompanied + them to the ferry, by which the road to Paris crosses the Gironde. With a + look and a word Natalie enabled her mother to see that if Paul had won the + trick in the game of the contract, her revenge was beginning. Natalie was + already reducing her husband to perfect obedience. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + Five years later, on an afternoon in the month of November, Comte Paul de + Manerville, wrapped in a cloak, was entering, with a bowed head and a + mysterious manner, the house of his old friend Monsieur Mathias at + Bordeaux. + </p> + <p> + Too old to continue in business, the worthy notary had sold his practice + and was ending his days peacefully in a quiet house to which he had + retired. An urgent affair had obliged him to be absent at the moment of + his guest’s arrival, but his housekeeper, warned of Paul’s coming, took + him to the room of the late Madame Mathias, who had been dead a year. + Fatigued by a rapid journey, Paul slept till evening. When the old man + reached home he went up to his client’s room, and watched him sleeping, as + a mother watches her child. Josette, the old housekeeper, followed her + master and stood before the bed, her hands on her hips. + </p> + <p> + “It is a year to-day, Josette, since I received my dear wife’s last sigh; + I little knew then that I should stand here again to see the count half + dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor man! he moans in his sleep,” said Josette. + </p> + <p> + “Sac a papier!” cried the old notary, an innocent oath which was a sign + with him of the despair on a man of business before insurmountable + difficulties. “At any rate,” he thought, “I have saved the title to the + Lanstrac estate for him, and that of Ausac, Saint-Froult, and his house, + though the usufruct has gone.” Mathias counted his fingers. “Five years! + Just five years this month, since his old aunt, now dead, that excellent + Madame de Maulincour, asked for the hand of that little crocodile of a + woman, who has finally ruined him—as I expected.” + </p> + <p> + And the gouty old gentleman, leaning on his cane, went to walk in the + little garden till his guest should awake. At nine o’clock supper was + served, for Mathias took supper. The old man was not a little astonished, + when Paul joined him, to see that his old client’s brow was calm and his + face serene, though noticeably changed. If at the age of thirty-three the + Comte de Manerville seemed to be a man of forty, that change in his + appearance was due solely to mental shocks; physically, he was well. He + clasped the old man’s hand affectionately, and forced him not to rise, + saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Dear, kind Maitre Mathias, you, too, have had your troubles.” + </p> + <p> + “Mine were natural troubles, Monsieur le comte; but yours—” + </p> + <p> + “We will talk of that presently, while we sup.” + </p> + <p> + “If I had not a son in the magistracy, and a daughter married,” said the + good old man, “you would have found in old Mathias, believe me, Monsieur + le comte, something better than mere hospitality. Why have you come to + Bordeaux at the very moment when posters are on all the walls of the + seizure of your farms at Grassol and Guadet, the vineyard of Belle-Rose + and the family mansion? I cannot tell you the grief I feel at the sight of + those placards,—I, who for forty years nursed that property as if it + belonged to me; I, who bought it for your mother when I was only third + clerk to Monsieur Chesnau, my predecessor, and wrote the deeds myself in + my best round hand; I, who have those titles now in my successor’s office; + I, who have known you since you were so high”; and the old man stopped to + put his hand near the ground. “Ah! a man must have been a notary for + forty-one years and a half to know the sort of grief I feel to see my name + exposed before the face of Israel in those announcements of the seizure + and sale of the property. When I pass through the streets and see men + reading these horrible yellow posters, I am ashamed, as if my own honor + and ruin were concerned. Some fools will stand there and read them aloud + expressly to draw other fools about them—and what imbecile remarks + they make! As if a man were not master of his own property! Your father + ran through two fortunes before he made the one he left you; and you + wouldn’t be a Manerville if you didn’t do likewise. Besides, seizures of + real estate have a whole section of the Code to themselves; they are + expected and provided for; you are in a position recognized by the law.—If + I were not an old man with white hair, I would thrash those fools I hear + reading aloud in the streets such an abomination as this,” added the + worthy notary, taking up a paper; “‘At the request of Dame Natalie + Evangelista, wife of Paul-Francois-Joseph, Comte de Manerville, separated + from him as to worldly goods and chattels by the Lower court of the + department of the Seine—‘” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and now separated in body,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” exclaimed the old man. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! against my wife’s will,” added the count, hastily. “I was forced to + deceive her; she did not know that I was leaving her.” + </p> + <p> + “You have left her?” + </p> + <p> + “My passage is taken; I sail for Calcutta on the ‘Belle-Amelie.’” + </p> + <p> + “Two day’s hence!” cried the notary. “Then, Monsieur le comte, we shall + never meet again.” + </p> + <p> + “You are only seventy-three, my dear Mathias, and you have the gout, the + brevet of old age. When I return I shall find you still afoot. Your good + head and heart will be as sound as ever, and you will help me to + reconstruct what is now a shaken edifice. I intend to make a noble fortune + in seven years. I shall be only forty on my return. All is still possible + at that age.” + </p> + <p> + “You?” said Mathias, with a gesture of amazement,—you, Monsieur le + comte, to undertake commerce! How can you even think of it?” + </p> + <p> + “I am no longer Monsieur le comte, dear Mathias. My passage is taken under + the name of Camille, one of my mother’s baptismal names. I have + acquirements which will enable me to make my fortune otherwise than in + business. Commerce, at any rate, will be only my final chance. I start + with a sum in hand sufficient for the redemption of my future on a large + scale.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is that money?” + </p> + <p> + “A friend is to send it to me.” + </p> + <p> + The old man dropped his fork as he heard the word “friend,” not in + surprise, not scoffingly, but in grief; his look and manner expressed the + pain he felt in finding Paul under the influence of a deceitful illusion; + his practised eye fathomed a gulf where the count saw nothing but solid + ground. + </p> + <p> + “I have been fifty years in the notariat,” he said, “and I never yet knew + a ruined man whose friend would lend him money.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t know de Marsay. I am certain that he has sold out some of his + investments already, and to-morrow you will receive from him a bill of + exchange for one hundred and fifty thousand francs.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope I may. If that be so, cannot your friend settle your difficulties + here? You could live quietly at Lanstrac for five or six years on your + wife’s income, and so recover yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “No assignment or economy on my part could pay off fifteen hundred + thousand francs of debt, in which my wife is involved to the amount of + five hundred and fifty thousand.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot mean to say that in four years you have incurred a million and + a half of debt?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing is more certain, Mathias. Did I not give those diamonds to my + wife? Did I not spend the hundred and fifty thousand I received from the + sale of Madame Evangelista’s house, in the arrangement of my house in + Paris? Was I not forced to use other money for the first payments on that + property demanded by the marriage contract? I was even forced to sell out + Natalie’s forty thousand a year in the Funds to complete the purchase of + Auzac and Saint-Froult. We sold at eighty-seven, therefore I became in + debt for over two hundred thousand francs within a month after my + marriage. That left us only sixty-seven thousand francs a year; but we + spent fully three times as much every year. Add all that up, together with + rates of interest to usurers, and you will soon find a million.” + </p> + <p> + “Br-r-r!” exclaimed the old notary. “Go on. What next?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I wanted, in the first place, to complete for my wife that set of + jewels of which she had the pearl necklace clasped by the family diamond, + the ‘Discreto,’ and her mother’s ear-rings. I paid a hundred thousand + francs for a coronet of diamond wheat-ears. There’s eleven hundred + thousand. And now I find I owe the fortune of my wife, which amounts to + three hundred and sixty-six thousand francs of her ‘dot.’” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Mathias, “if Madame la comtesse had given up her diamonds and + you had pledged your income you could have pacified your creditors and + have paid them off in time.” + </p> + <p> + “When a man is down, Mathias, when his property is covered with mortgages, + when his wife’s claims take precedence of his creditors’, and when that + man has notes out for a hundred thousand francs which he must pay (and I + hope I can do so out of the increased value of my property here), what you + propose is not possible.” + </p> + <p> + “This is dreadful!” cried Mathias; “would you sell Belle-Rose with the + vintage of 1825 still in the cellars?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot help myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Belle-Rose is worth six hundred thousand francs.” + </p> + <p> + “Natalie will buy it in; I have advised her to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “I might push the price to seven hundred thousand, and the farms are worth + a hundred thousand each.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if the house in Bordeaux can be sold for two hundred thousand—” + </p> + <p> + “Solonet will give more than that; he wants it. He is retiring with a + handsome property made by gambling on the Funds. He has sold his practice + for three hundred thousand francs, and marries a mulatto woman. God knows + how she got her money, but they say it amounts to millions. A notary + gambling in stocks! a notary marrying a black woman! What an age! It is + said that he speculates for your mother-in-law with her funds.” + </p> + <p> + “She has greatly improved Lanstrac and taken great pains with its + cultivation. She has amply repaid me for the use of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t have thought her capable of that.” + </p> + <p> + “She is so kind and so devoted; she has always paid Natalie’s debts during + the three months she spent with us every year in Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “She could well afford to do so, for she gets her living out of Lanstrac,” + said Mathias. “She! grown economical! what a miracle! I am told she has + just bought the domain of Grainrouge between Lanstrac and Grassol; so that + if the Lanstrac avenue were extended to the high-road, you would drive + four and a half miles through your own property to reach the house. She + paid one hundred thousand francs down for Grainrouge.” + </p> + <p> + “She is as handsome as ever,” said Paul; “country life preserves her + freshness; I don’t mean to go to Lanstrac and bid her good-bye; her heart + would bleed for me too much.” + </p> + <p> + “You would go in vain; she is now in Paris. She probably arrived there as + you left.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt she had heard of the sale of my property and came to help me. I + have no complaint to make of life, Mathias. I am truly loved,—as + much as any man ever could be here below; beloved by two women who outdo + each other in devotion; they are even jealous of each other; the daughter + blames the mother for loving me too much, and the mother reproaches the + daughter for what she calls her dissipations. I may say that this great + affection has been my ruin. How could I fail to satisfy even the slightest + caprice of a loving wife? Impossible to restrain myself! Neither could I + accept any sacrifice on her part. We might certainly, as you say, live at + Lanstrac, save my income, and part with her diamonds, but I would rather + go to India and work for a fortune than tear my Natalie from the life she + enjoys. So it was I who proposed the separation as to property. Women are + angels who ought not to be mixed up in the sordid interests of life.” + </p> + <p> + Old Mathias listened in doubt and amazement. + </p> + <p> + “You have no children, I think,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Fortunately, none,” replied Paul. + </p> + <p> + “That is not my idea of marriage,” remarked the old notary, naively. “A + wife ought, in my opinion, to share the good and evil fortunes of her + husband. I have heard that young married people who love like lovers, do + not want children? Is pleasure the only object of marriage? I say that + object should be the joys of family. Moreover, in this case—I am + afraid you will think me too much of notary—your marriage contract + made it incumbent upon you to have a son. Yes, monsieur le comte, you + ought to have had at once a male heir to consolidate that entail. Why not? + Madame Evangelista was strong and healthy; she had nothing to fear in + maternity. You will tell me, perhaps, that these are the old-fashioned + notions of our ancestors. But in those noble families, Monsieur le comte, + the legitimate wife thought it her duty to bear children and bring them up + nobly; as the Duchesse de Sully, the wife of the great Sully, said, a wife + is not an instrument of pleasure, but the honor and virtue of her + household.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t know women, my good Mathias,” said Paul. “In order to be happy + we must love them as they want to be loved. Isn’t there something brutal + in at once depriving a wife of her charms, and spoiling her beauty before + she has begun to enjoy it?” + </p> + <p> + “If you had had children your wife would not have dissipated your fortune; + she would have stayed at home and looked after them.” + </p> + <p> + “If you were right, dear friend,” said Paul, frowning, “I should be still + more unhappy than I am. Do not aggravate my sufferings by preaching to me + after my fall. Let me go, without the pang of looking backward to my + mistakes.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Mathias received a bill of exchange for one hundred and fifty + thousand francs from de Marsay. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” said Paul, “he does not write a word to me. He begins by + obliging me. Henri’s nature is the most imperfectly perfect, the most + illegally beautiful that I know. If you knew with what superiority that + man, still young, can rise above sentiments, above self-interests, and + judge them, you would be astonished, as I am, to find how much heart he + has.” + </p> + <p> + Mathias tried to battle with Paul’s determination, but he found it + irrevocable, and it was justified by so many cogent reasons that the old + man finally ceased his endeavors to retain his client. + </p> + <p> + It is seldom that vessels sail promptly at the time appointed, but on this + occasion, by a fateful circumstance for Paul, the wind was fair and the + “Belle-Amelie” sailed on the morrow, as expected. The quay was lined with + relations, and friends, and idle persons. Among them were several who had + formerly known Manerville. His disaster, posted on the walls of the town, + made him as celebrated as he was in the days of his wealth and fashion. + Curiosity was aroused; every one had their word to say about him. Old + Mathias accompanied his client to the quay, and his sufferings were sore + as he caught a few words of those remarks:— + </p> + <p> + “Who could recognize in that man you see over there, near old Mathias, the + dandy who was called the Pink of Fashion five years ago, and made, as they + say, ‘fair weather and foul’ in Bordeaux.” + </p> + <p> + “What! that stout, short man in the alpaca overcoat, who looks like a + groom,—is that Comte Paul de Manerville?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my dear, the same who married Mademoiselle Evangelista. Here he is, + ruined, without a penny to his name, going out to India to look for luck.” + </p> + <p> + “But how did he ruin himself? he was very rich.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Paris, women, play, luxury, gambling at the Bourse—” + </p> + <p> + “Besides,” said another, “Manerville always was a poor creature; no mind, + soft as papier-mache, he’d let anybody shear the wool from his back; + incapable of anything, no matter what. He was born to be ruined.” + </p> + <p> + Paul wrung the hand of the old man and went on board. Mathias stood upon + the pier, looking at his client, who leaned against the shrouds, defying + the crowed before him with a glance of contempt. At the moment when the + sailors began to weigh anchor, Paul noticed that Mathias was making + signals to him with his handkerchief. The old housekeeper had hurried to + her master, who seemed to be excited by some sudden event. Paul asked the + captain to wait a moment, and send a boat to the pier, which was done. Too + feeble himself to go aboard, Mathias gave two letters to a sailor in the + boat. + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” he said, “this packet” (showing one of the two letters) “is + important; it has just arrived by a courier from Paris in thirty-five + hours. State this to Monsieur le comte; don’t neglect to do so; it may + change his plans.” + </p> + <p> + “Would he come ashore?” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly, my friend,” said the notary, imprudently. + </p> + <p> + The sailor is, in all lands, a being of a race apart, holding all + land-folk in contempt. This one happened to be a bas-Breton, who saw but + one thing in Maitre Mathias’s request. + </p> + <p> + “Come ashore, indeed!” he thought, as he rowed. “Make the captain lose a + passenger! If one listened to those walruses we’d have nothing to do but + embark and disembark ‘em. He’s afraid that son of his will catch cold.” + </p> + <p> + The sailor gave Paul the letter and said not a word of the message. + Recognizing the handwriting of his wife and de Marsay, Paul supposed that + he knew what they both would urge upon him. Anxious not to be influenced + by offers which he believed their devotion to his welfare would inspire, + he put the letters in his pocket unread, with apparent indifference. + </p> + <p> + Absorbed in the sad thoughts which assail the strongest man under such + circumstances, Paul gave way to his grief as he waved his hand to his old + friend, and bade farewell to France, watching the steeples of Bordeaux as + they fled out of sight. He seated himself on a coil of rope. Night + overtook him still lost in thought. With the semi-darkness of the dying + day came doubts; he cast an anxious eye into the future. Sounding it, and + finding there uncertainty and danger, he asked his soul if courage would + fail him. A vague dread seized his mind as he thought of Natalie left + wholly to herself; he repented the step he had taken; he regretted Paris + and his life there. Suddenly sea-sickness overcame him. Every one knows + the effect of that disorder. The most horrible of its sufferings devoid of + danger is a complete dissolution of the will. An inexplicable distress + relaxes to their very centre the cords of vitality; the soul no longer + performs its functions; the sufferer becomes indifferent to everything; + the mother forgets her child, the lover his mistress, the strongest man + lies prone, like an inert mass. Paul was carried to his cabin, where he + stayed three days, lying on his back, gorged with grog by the sailors, or + vomiting; thinking of nothing, and sleeping much. Then he revived into a + species of convalescence, and returned by degrees to his ordinary + condition. The first morning after he felt better he went on deck and + passed the poop, breathing in the salt breezes of another atmosphere. + Putting his hands into his pockets he felt the letters. At once he opened + them, beginning with that of his wife. + </p> + <p> + In order that the letter of the Comtesse de Manerville be fully + understood, it is necessary to give the one which Paul had written to her + on the day that he left Paris. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From Paul de Manerville to his wife: + + My beloved,—When you read this letter I shall be far away from + you; perhaps already on the vessel which is to take me to India, + where I am going to repair my shattered fortune. + + I have not found courage to tell you of my departure. I have + deceived you; but it was best to do so. You would only have been + uselessly distressed; you would have wished to sacrifice your + fortune, and that I could not have suffered. Dear Natalie, feel no + remorse; I have no regrets. When I return with millions I shall + imitate your father and lay them at your feet, as he laid his at + the feet of your mother, saying to you: “All I have is yours.” + + I love you madly, Natalie; I say this without fear that the + avowal will lead you to strain a power which none but weak men + fear; yours has been boundless from the day I knew you first. My + love is the only accomplice in my disaster. I have felt, as my + ruin progressed, the delirious joys of a gambler; as the money + diminished, so my enjoyment grew. Each fragment of my fortune + turned into some little pleasure for you gave me untold happiness. + I could have wished that you had more caprices that I might + gratify them all. I knew I was marching to a precipice, but I went + on crowned with joys of which a common heart knows nothing. I have + acted like those lovers who take refuge in a cottage on the shores + of some lake for a year or two, resolved to kill themselves at + last; dying thus in all the glory of their illusions and their + love. I have always thought such persons infinitely sensible. + + You have known nothing of my pleasures or my sacrifices. The + greatest joy of all was to hide from the one beloved the cost of + her desires. I can reveal these secrets to you now, for when you + hold this paper, heavy with love, I shall be far away. Though I + lose the treasures of your gratitude, I do not suffer that + contraction of the heart which would disable me if I spoke to you + of these matters. Besides, my own beloved, is there not a tender + calculation in thus revealing to you the history of the past? Does + it not extend our love into the future?—But we need no such + supports! We love each other with a love to which proof is + needless,—a love which takes no note of time or distance, but + lives of itself alone. + + Ah! Natalie, I have just looked at you asleep, trustful, restful + as a little child, your hand stretched toward me. I left a tear + upon the pillow which has known our precious joys. I leave you + without fear, on the faith of that attitude; I go to win the + future of our love by bringing home to you a fortune large enough + to gratify your every taste, and let no shadow of anxiety disturb + our joys. Neither you nor I can do without enjoyments in the life + we live. To me belongs the task of providing the necessary + fortune. I am a man; and I have courage. + + Perhaps you might seek to follow me. For that reason I conceal + from you the name of the vessel, the port from which I sail, and + the day of sailing. After I am gone, when too late to follow me, a + friend will tell you all. + + Natalie! my affection is boundless. I love you as a mother loves + her child, as a lover loves his mistress, with absolute + unselfishness. To me the toil, to you the pleasures; to me all + sufferings, to you all happiness. Amuse yourself; continue your + habits of luxury; go to theatres and operas, enjoy society and + balls; I leave you free for all things. Dear angel, when you + return to this nest where for five years we have tasted the fruits + which love has ripened think of your friend; think for a moment of + me, and rest upon my heart. + + That is all I ask of you. For myself, dear eternal thought of + mine! whether under burning skies, toiling for both of us, I face + obstacles to vanquish, or whether, weary with the struggle, I rest + my mind on hopes of a return, I shall think of you alone; of you + who are my life,—my blessed life! Yes, I shall live in you. I + shall tell myself daily that you have no troubles, no cares; that + you are happy. As in our natural lives of day and night, of + sleeping and waking, I shall have sunny days in Paris, and nights + of toil in India,—a painful dream, a joyful reality; and I shall + live so utterly in that reality that my actual life will pass as a + dream. I shall have memories! I shall recall, line by line, + strophe by strophe, our glorious five years’ poem. I shall + remember the days of your pleasure in some new dress or some + adornment which made you to my eyes a fresh delight. Yes, dear + angel, I go like a man vowed to some great emprize, the guerdon of + which, if success attend him, is the recovery of his beautiful + mistress. Oh! my precious love, my Natalie, keep me as a religion + in your heart. Be the child that I have just seen asleep! If you + betray my confidence, my blind confidence, you need not fear my + anger—be sure of that; I should die silently. But a wife does not + deceive the man who leaves her free—for woman is never base. She + tricks a tyrant; but an easy treachery, which would kill its + victim, she will not commit—No, no! I will not think of it. + Forgive this cry, this single cry, so natural to the heart of man! + + Dear love, you will see de Marsay; he is now the lessee of our + house, and he will leave you in possession of it. This nominal + lease was necessary to avoid a useless loss. Our creditors, + ignorant that their payment is a question of time only, would + otherwise have seized the furniture and the temporary possession + of the house. Be kind to de Marsay; I have the most entire + confidence in his capacity and his loyalty. Take him as your + defender and adviser, make him your slave. However occupied, he + will always find time to be devoted to you. I have placed the + liquidation of my affairs and the payment of the debts in his + hands. If he should advance some sum of which he should later feel + in need I rely on you to pay it back. Remember, however, that I do + not leave you to de Marsay, but <i>to yourself</i>; I do not seek to + impose him upon you. + + Alas! I have but an hour more to stay beside you; I cannot spend + that hour in writing business—I count your breaths; I try to + guess your thoughts in the slight motions of your sleep. I would I + could infuse my blood into your veins that you might be a part of + me, my thought your thought, and your heart mine—A murmur has + just escaped your lips as though it were a soft reply. Be calm and + beautiful forever as you are now! Ah! would that I possessed that + fabulous fairy power which, with a wand, could make you sleep + while I am absent, until, returning, I should wake you with a + kiss. + + How much I must love you, how much energy of soul I must possess, + to leave you as I see you now! Adieu, my cherished one. Your poor + Pink of Fashion is blown away by stormy winds, but—the wings of + his good luck shall waft him back to you. No, my Ninie, I am not + bidding you farewell, for I shall never leave you. Are you not the + soul of my actions? Is not the hope of returning with happiness + indestructible for YOU the end and aim of my endeavor? Does it not + lead my every step? You will be with me everywhere. Ah! it will + not be the sun of India, but the fire of your eyes that lights my + way. Therefore be happy—as happy as a woman can be without her + lover. I would the last kiss that I take from those dear lips were + not a passive one; but, my Ninie, my adored one, I will not wake + you. When you wake, you will find a tear upon your forehead—make + it a talisman! Think, think of him who may, perhaps, die for you, + far from you; think less of the husband than of the lover who + confides you to God. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From the Comtesse de Manerville to her husband: + + Dear, beloved one,—Your letter has plunged me into affliction. + Had you the right to take this course, which must affect us + equally, without consulting me? Are you free? Do you not belong to + me? If you must go, why should I not follow you? You show me, + Paul, that I am not indispensable to you. What have I done, to be + deprived of my rights? Surely I count for something in this ruin. + My luxuries have weighed somewhat in the scale. You make me curse + the happy, careless life we have led for the last five years. To + know that you are banished from France for years is enough to kill + me. How soon can a fortune be made in India? Will you ever return? + + I was right when I refused, with instinctive obstinacy, that + separation as to property which my mother and you were so + determined to carry out. What did I tell you then? Did I not warn + you that it was casting a reflection upon you, and would ruin your + credit? It was not until you were really angry that I gave way. + + My dear Paul, never have you been so noble in my eyes as you are + at this moment. To despair of nothing, to start courageously to + seek a fortune! Only your character, your strength of mind could + do it. I sit at your feet. A man who avows his weakness with your + good faith, who rebuilds his fortune from the same motive that + made him wreck it, for love’s sake, for the sake of an + irresistible passion, oh, Paul, that man is sublime! Therefore, + fear nothing; go on, through all obstacles, not doubting your + Natalie—for that would be doubting yourself. Poor darling, you + mean to live in me? And I shall ever be in you. I shall not be + here; I shall be wherever you are, wherever you go. + + Though your letter has caused me the keenest pain, it has also + filled me with joy—you have made me know those two extremes! + Seeing how you love me, I have been proud to learn that my love is + truly felt. Sometimes I have thought that I loved you more than + you loved me. Now, I admit myself vanquished, you have added the + delightful superiority—of loving—to all the others with which + you are blest. That precious letter in which your soul reveals + itself will lie upon my heart during all your absence; for my + soul, too, is in it; that letter is my glory. + + I shall go to live at Lanstrac with my mother. I die to the world; + I will economize my income and pay your debts to their last + farthing. From this day forth, Paul, I am another woman. I bid + farewell forever to society; I will have no pleasures that you + cannot share. Besides, Paul, I ought to leave Paris and live in + retirement. Dear friend, you will soon have a noble reason to make + your fortune. If your courage needed a spur you would find it in + this. Cannot you guess? We shall have a child. Your cherished + desires are granted. I feared to give you one of those false hopes + which hurt so much—have we not had grief enough already on that + score? I was determined not to be mistaken in this good news. + To-day I feel certain, and it makes me happy to shed this joy upon + your sorrows. + + This morning, fearing nothing and thinking you still at home, I + went to the Assumption; all things smiled upon me; how could I + foresee misfortune? As I left the church I met my mother; she had + heard of your distress, and came, by post, with all her savings, + thirty thousand francs, hoping to help you. Ah! what a heart is + hers, Paul! I felt joyful, and hurried home to tell you this good + news, and to breakfast with you in the greenhouse, where I ordered + just the dainties that you like. Well, Augustine brought me your + letter,—a letter from you, when we had slept together! A cold + fear seized me; it was like a dream! I read your letter! I read it + weeping, and my mother shared my tears. I was half-dead. Such + love, such courage, such happiness, such misery! The richest + fortunes of the heart, and the momentary ruin of all interests! To + lose you at a moment when my admiration of your greatness thrilled + me! what woman could have resisted such a tempest of emotion? To + know you far away when your hand upon my heart would have stilled + its throbbings; to feel that YOU were not here to give me that + look so precious to me, to rejoice in our new hopes; that I was + not with you to soften your sorrows by those caresses which made + your Natalie so dear to you! I wished to start, to follow you, to + fly to you. But my mother told me you had taken passage in a ship + which leaves Bordeaux to-morrow, that I could not reach you except + by post, and, moreover, that it was madness in my present state to + risk our future by attempting to follow you. I could not bear such + violent emotions; I was taken ill, and am writing to you now in + bed. + + My mother is doing all she can to stop certain calumnies which + seem to have got about on your disaster. The Vandenesses, Charles + and Felix, have earnestly defended you; but your friend de Marsay + treats the affair satirically. He laughs at your accusers instead + of replying to them. I do not like his way of lightly brushing + aside such serious attacks. Are you not deceived in him? However, + I will obey you; I will make him my friend. Do not be anxious, my + adored one, on the points that concern your honor; is it not mine + as well? My diamonds shall be pledged; we intend, mamma and I, to + employ our utmost resources in the payment of your debts; and we + shall try to buy back your vineyard at Belle-Rose. My mother, who + understands business like a lawyer, blames you very much for not + having told her of your embarrassments. She would not have bought + —thinking to please you—the Grainrouge domain, and then she + could have lent you that money as well as the thirty thousand + francs she brought with her. She is in despair at your decision; + she fears the climate of India for your health. She entreats you + to be sober, and not to let yourself be trapped by women—That + made me laugh; I am as sure of you as I am of myself. You will + return to me rich and faithful. I alone know your feminine + delicacy, and the secret sentiments which make you a human flower + worthy of the gardens of heaven. The Bordeaux people were right + when they gave you your floral nickname. + + But alas! who will take care of my delicate flower? My heart is + rent with dreadful ideas. I, his wife, Natalie, I am here, and + perhaps he suffers far away from me! And not to share your pains, + your vexations, your dangers! In whom will you confide? how will + you live without that ear into which you have hitherto poured all? + Dear, sensitive plant, swept away by this storm, will you be able + to survive in another soil than your native land? + + It seems to me that I have been alone for centuries. I have wept + sorely. To be the cause of your ruin! What a text for the thoughts + of a loving woman! You treated me like a child to whom we give all + it asks, or like a courtesan, allowed by some thoughtless youth to + squander his fortune. Ah! such indulgence was, in truth, an + insult. Did you think I could not live without fine dresses, balls + and operas and social triumphs? Am I so frivolous a woman? Do you + think me incapable of serious thought, of ministering to your + fortune as I have to your pleasures? If you were not so far away, + and so unhappy, I would blame you for that impertinence. Why lower + your wife in that way? Good heavens! what induced me to go into + society at all?—to flatter your vanity; I adorned myself for you, + as you well know. If I did wrong, I am punished, cruelly; your + absence is a harsh expiation of our mutual life. + + Perhaps my happiness was too complete; it had to be paid by some + great trial—and here it is. There is nothing now for me but + solitude. Yes, I shall live at Lanstrac, the place your father + laid out, the house you yourself refurnished so luxuriously. There + I shall live, with my mother and my child, and await you,—sending + you daily, night and morning, the prayers of all. Remember that + our love is a talisman against all evil. I have no more doubt of + you than you can have of me. What comfort can I put into this + letter,—I so desolate, so broken, with the lonely years before + me, like a desert to cross. But no! I am not utterly unhappy; the + desert will be brightened by our son,—yes, it must be a <i>son</i>, + must it not? + + And now, adieu, my own beloved; our love and prayers will follow + you. The tears you see upon this paper will tell you much that I + cannot write. I kiss you on this little square of paper, see! + below. Take those kisses from + + Your Natalie. + + +————+ + | | + | | + | | + +————+ +</pre> + <p> + This letter threw Paul into a reverie caused as much by memories of the + past as by these fresh assurances of love. The happier a man is, the more + he trembles. In souls which are exclusively tender—and exclusive + tenderness carries with it a certain amount of weakness—jealousy and + uneasiness exist in direct proportion to the amount of the happiness and + its extent. Strong souls are neither jealous nor fearful; jealousy is + doubt, fear is meanness. Unlimited belief is the principal attribute of a + great man. If he is deceived (for strength as well as weakness may make a + man a dupe) his contempt will serve him as an axe with which to cut + through all. This greatness, however, is the exception. Which of us has + not known what it is to be abandoned by the spirit which sustains our + frail machine, and to hearken to that mysterious Voice denying all? Paul, + his mind going over the past, and caught here and there by irrefutable + facts, believed and doubted all. Lost in thought, a prey to an awful and + involuntary incredulity, which was combated by the instincts of his own + pure love and his faith in Natalie, he read and re-read that wordy letter, + unable to decide the question which it raised either for or against his + wife. Love is sometimes as great and true when smothered in words as it is + in brief, strong sentences. + </p> + <p> + To understand the situation into which Paul de Manerville was about to + enter we must think of him as he was at this moment, floating upon the + ocean as he floated upon his past, looking back upon the years of his life + as he looked at the limitless water and cloudless sky about him, and + ending his reverie by returning, through tumults of doubt, to faith, the + pure, unalloyed and perfect faith of the Christian and the lover, which + enforced the voice of his faithful heart. + </p> + <p> + It is necessary to give here his own letter to de Marsay written on + leaving Paris, to which his friend replied in the letter he received + through old Mathias from the dock:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From Comte Paul de Manerville to Monsieur le Marquis Henri de + Marsay: + + Henri,—I have to say to you one of the most vital words a man can + say to his friend:—I am ruined. When you read this I shall be on + the point of sailing from Bordeaux to Calcutta on the brig + “Belle-Amelie.” + + You will find in the hands of your notary a deed which only needs + your signature to be legal. In it, I lease my house to you for six + years at a nominal rent. Send a duplicate of that deed to my wife. + I am forced to take this precaution that Natalie may continue to + live in her own home without fear of being driven out by + creditors. + + I also convey to you by deed the income of my share of the + entailed property for four years; the whole amounting to one + hundred and fifty thousand francs, which sum I beg you to lend me + and to send in a bill of exchange on some house in Bordeaux to my + notary, Maitre Mathias. My wife will give you her signature to + this paper as an endorsement of your claim to my income. If the + revenues of the entail do not pay this loan as quickly as I now + expect, you and I will settle on my return. The sum I ask for is + absolutely necessary to enable me to seek my fortune in India; and + if I know you, I shall receive it in Bordeaux the night before I + sail. + + I have acted as you would have acted in my place. I held firm to + the last moment, letting no one suspect my ruin. Before the news + of the seizure of my property at Bordeaux reached Paris, I had + attempted, with one hundred thousand francs which I obtained on + notes, to recover myself by play. Some lucky stroke might still + have saved me. I lost. + + How have I ruined myself? By my own will, Henri. From the first + month of my married life I saw that I could not keep up the style + in which I started. I knew the result; but I chose to shut my + eyes; I could not say to my wife, “We must leave Paris and live at + Lanstrac.” I have ruined myself for her as men ruin themselves for + a mistress, but I knew it all along. Between ourselves, I am + neither a fool nor a weak man. A fool does not let himself be + ruled with his eyes open by a passion; and a man who starts for + India to reconstruct his fortune, instead of blowing out his + brains, is not weak. + + I shall return rich, or I shall never return at all. Only, my dear + friend, as I want wealth solely for <i>her</i>, as I must be absent six + years at least, and as I will not risk being duped in any way, I + confide to you my wife. I know no better guardian. Being + childless, a lover might be dangerous to her. Henri! I love her + madly, basely, without proper pride. I would forgive her, I think, + an infidelity, not because I am certain of avenging it, but + because I would kill myself to leave her free and happy—since I + could not make her happiness myself. But what have I to fear? + Natalie feels for me that friendship which is independent of love, + but which preserves love. I have treated her like a petted child. + I took such delight in my sacrifices, one led so naturally to + another, that she can never be false; she would be a monster if + she were. Love begets love. + + Alas! shall I tell you all, my dear Henri? I have just written her + a letter in which I let her think that I go with heart of hope and + brow serene; that neither jealousy, nor doubt, nor fear is in my + soul,—a letter, in short, such as a son might write to his + mother, aware that he is going to his death. Good God! de Marsay, + as I wrote it hell was in my soul! I am the most wretched man on + earth. Yes, yes, to you the cries, to you the grinding of my + teeth! I avow myself to you a despairing lover; I would rather + live these six years sweeping the streets beneath her windows than + return a millionaire at the end of them—if I could choose. I + suffer agony; I shall pass from pain to pain until I hear from you + that you will take the trust which you alone can fulfil or + accomplish. + + Oh! my dear de Marsay, this woman is indispensable to my life; she + is my sun, my atmosphere. Take her under your shield and buckler, + keep her faithful to me, even if she wills it not. Yes, I could be + satisfied with a half-happiness. Be her guardian, her chaperon, + for I could have no distrust of you. Prove to her that in + betraying me she would do a low and vulgar thing, and be no better + than the common run of women; tell her that faithfulness will + prove her lofty spirit. + + She probably has fortune enough to continue her life of luxury and + ease. But if she lacks a pleasure, if she has caprices which she + cannot satisfy, be her banker, and do not fear, I <i>will</i> return with + wealth. + + But, after all, these fears are in vain! Natalie is an angel of + purity and virtue. When Felix de Vandenesse fell deeply in love + with her and began to show her certain attentions, I had only to + let her see the danger, and she instantly thanked me so + affectionately that I was moved to tears. She said that her + dignity and reputation demanded that she should not close her + doors abruptly to any man, but that she knew well how to dismiss + him. She did, in fact, receive him so coldly that the affair all + ended for the best. We have never had any other subject of dispute + —if, indeed, a friendly talk could be called a dispute—in all + our married life. + + And now, my dear Henri, I bid you farewell in the spirit of a man. + Misfortune has come. No matter what the cause, it is here. I strip + to meet it. Poverty and Natalie are two irreconcilable terms. The + balance may be close between my assets and my liabilities, but no + one shall have cause to complain of me. But, should any unforeseen + event occur to imperil my honor, I count on you. + + Send letters under cover to the Governor of India at Calcutta. I + have friendly relations with his family, and some one there will + care for all letters that come to me from Europe. Dear friend, I + hope to find you the same de Marsay on my return,—the man who + scoffs at everything and yet is receptive of the feelings of + others when they accord with the grandeur he is conscious of in + himself. You stay in Paris, friend; but when you read these words, + I shall be crying out, “To Carthage!” + </pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Marquis Henri de Marsay to Comte Paul de Manerville: + + So, so, Monsieur le comte, you have made a wreck of it! Monsieur + l’ambassadeur has gone to the bottom! Are these the fine things + that you were doing? + + Why, Paul, why have you kept away from me? If you had said a + single word, my poor old fellow, I would have made your position + plain to you. Your wife has refused me her endorsement. May that + one word unseal your eyes! But, if that does not suffice, learn + that your notes have been protested at the instigation of a Sieur + Lecuyer, formerly head-clerk to Maitre Solonet, a notary in + Bordeaux. That usurer in embryo (who came from Gascony for + jobbery) is the proxy of your very honorable mother-in-law, who is + the actual holder of your notes for one hundred thousand francs, + on which I am told that worthy woman doled out to you only seventy + thousand. Compared with Madame Evangelista, papa Gobseck is + flannel, velvet, vanilla cream, a sleeping draught. Your vineyard + of Belle-Rose is to fall into the clutches of your wife, to whom + her mother pays the difference between the price it goes for at + the auction sale and the amount of her dower claim upon it. Madame + Evangelista will also have the farms at Guadet and Grassol, and + the mortgages on your house in Bordeaux already belong to her, in + the names of straw men provided by Solonet. + + Thus these two excellent women will make for themselves a united + income of one hundred and twenty thousand francs a year out of + your misfortunes and forced sale of property, added to the revenue + of some thirty-odd thousand on the Grand-livre which these cats + already possess. + + The endorsement of your wife was not needed; for this morning the + said Sieur Lecuyer came to offer me a return of the sum I had lent + you in exchange for a legal transfer of my rights. The vintage of + 1825 which your mother-in-law keeps in the cellars at Lanstrac + will suffice to pay me. + + These two women have calculated, evidently, that you are now upon + the ocean; but I send this letter by courier, so that you may have + time to follow the advice I now give you. + + I made Lecuyer talk. I disentangled from his lies, his language, + and his reticence, the threads I lacked to bring to light the + whole plot of the domestic conspiracy hatched against you. This + evening, at the Spanish embassy, I shall offer my admiring + compliments to your mother-in-law and your wife. I shall pay + court to Madame Evangelista; I intend to desert you basely, and + say sly things to your discredit,—nothing openly, or that + Mascarille in petticoats would detect my purpose. How did you make + her such an enemy? That is what I want to know. If you had had the + wit to be in love with that woman before you married her daughter, + you would to-day be peer of France, Duc de Manerville, and, + possibly, ambassador to Madrid. + + If you had come to me at the time of your marriage, I would have + helped you to analyze and know the women to whom you were binding + yourself; out of our mutual observations safety might have been + yours. But, instead of that, these women judged me, became afraid + of me, and separated us. If you had not stupidly given in to them + and turned me the cold shoulder, they would never have been able + to ruin you. Your wife brought on the coldness between us, + instigated by her mother, to whom she wrote two letters a week,—a + fact to which you paid no attention. I recognized my Paul when I + heard that detail. + + Within a month I shall be so intimate with your mother-in-law that + I shall hear from her the reasons of the hispano-italiano hatred + which she feels for you,—for you, one of the best and kindest men + on earth! Did she hate you before her daughter fell in love with + Felix de Vandenesse; that’s a question in my mind. If I had not + taken a fancy to go to the East with Montriveau, Ronquerolles, and + a few other good fellows of your acquaintance, I should have been + in a position to tell you something about that affair, which was + beginning just as I left Paris. I saw the first gleams even then + of your misfortune. But what gentleman is base enough to open such + a subject unless appealed to? Who shall dare to injure a woman, or + break that illusive mirror in which his friend delights in gazing + at the fairy scenes of a happy marriage? Illusions are the riches + of the heart. + + Your wife, dear friend, is, I believe I may say, in the fullest + application of the word, a fashionable woman. She thinks of + nothing but her social success, her dress, her pleasures; she goes + to opera and theatre and balls; she rises late and drives to the + Bois, dines out, or gives a dinner-party. Such a life seems to me + for women very much what war is for men; the public sees only the + victors; it forgets the dead. Many delicate women perish in this + conflict; those who come out of it have iron constitutions, + consequently no heart, but good stomachs. There lies the reason of + the cold insensibility of social life. Fine souls keep themselves + reserved, weak and tender natures succumb; the rest are + cobblestones which hold the social organ in its place, water-worn + and rounded by the tide, but never worn-out. Your wife has + maintained that life with ease; she looks made for it; she is + always fresh and beautiful. To my mind the deduction is plain, + —she has never loved you; and you have loved her like a madman. + + To strike out love from that siliceous nature a man of iron was + needed. After standing, but without enduring, the shock of Lady + Dudley, Felix was the fitting mate to Natalie. There is no great + merit in divining that to you she was indifferent. In love with + her yourself, you have been incapable of perceiving the cold + nature of a young woman whom you have fashioned and trained for a + man like Vandenesse. The coldness of your wife, if you perceived + it, you set down, with the stupid jurisprudence of married people, + to the honor of her reserve and her innocence. Like all husbands, + you thought you could keep her virtuous in a society where women + whisper from ear to ear that which men are afraid to say. + + No, your wife has liked the social benefits she derived from + marriage, but the private burdens of it she found rather heavy. + Those burdens, that tax was—you! Seeing nothing of all this, you + have gone on digging your abysses (to use the hackneyed words of + rhetoric) and covering them with flowers. You have mildly obeyed + the law which rules the ruck of men; from which I desired to + protect you. Dear fellow! only one thing was wanting to make you + as dull as the bourgeois deceived by his wife, who is all + astonishment or wrath, and that is that you should talk to me of + your sacrifices, your love for Natalie, and chant that psalm: + “Ungrateful would she be if she betrayed me; I have done this, I + have done that, and more will I do; I will go to the ends of the + earth, to the Indies for her sake. I—I—” etc. My dear Paul, have + you never lived in Paris, have you never had the honor of + belonging by ties of friendship to Henri de Marsay, that you + should be so ignorant of the commonest things, the primitive + principles that move the feminine mechanism, the a-b-c of their + hearts? Then hear me:— + + Suppose you exterminate yourself, suppose you go to Saint-Pelagie + for a woman’s debts, suppose you kill a score of men, desert a + dozen women, serve like Laban, cross the deserts, skirt the + galleys, cover yourself with glory, cover yourself with shame, + refuse, like Nelson, to fight a battle until you have kissed the + shoulder of Lady Hamilton, dash yourself, like Bonaparte, upon the + bridge at Arcola, go mad like Roland, risk your life to dance five + minutes with a woman—my dear fellow, what have all those things + to do with <i>love</i>? If love were won by samples such as those + mankind would be too happy. A spurt of prowess at the moment of + desire would give a man the woman that he wanted. But love, <i>love</i>, + my good Paul, is a faith like that in the Immaculate conception of + the Holy Virgin; it comes, or it does not come. Will the mines of + Potosi, or the shedding of our blood, or the making of our fame + serve to waken an involuntary, an inexplicable sentiment? Young + men like you, who expect to be loved as the balance of your + account, are nothing else than usurers. Our legitimate wives owe + us virtue and children, but they don’t owe us love. + + Love, my dear Paul, is the sense of pleasure given and received, + and the certainty of giving and receiving it; love is a desire + incessantly moving and growing, incessantly satisfied and + insatiable. The day when Vandenesse stirred the cord of a desire + in your wife’s heart which you had left untouched, all your + self-satisfied affection, your gifts, your deeds, your money, ceased + to be even memories; one emotion of love in your wife’s heart has + cast out the treasures of your own passion, which are now nothing + better than old iron. Felix has the virtues and the beauties in + her eyes, and the simple moral is that blinded by your own love + you never made her love you. + + Your mother-in-law is on the side of the lover against the + husband,—secretly or not; she may have closed her eyes, or she + may have opened them; I know not what she has done—but one thing + is certain, she is for her daughter, and against you. During the + fifteen years that I have observed society, I have never yet seen + a mother who, under such circumstances, abandons her daughter. + This indulgence seems to be an inheritance transmitted in the + female line. What man can blame it? Some copyist of the Civil + code, perhaps, who sees formulas only in the place of feelings. + + As for your present position, the dissipation into which the life + of a fashionable woman cast you, and your own easy nature, + possibly your vanity, have opened the way for your wife and her + mother to get rid of you by this ruin so skilfully contrived. From + all of which you will conclude, my good friend, that the mission + you entrusted to me, and which I would all the more faithfully + fulfil because it amused me, is, necessarily, null and void. The + evil you wish me to prevent is accomplished,—“consummatum est.” + + Forgive me, dear friend, if I write to you, as you say, a la de + Marsay on subjects which must seem to you very serious. Far be it + from me to dance upon the grave of a friend, like heirs upon that + of a progenitor. But you have written to me that you mean to act + the part of a man, and I believe you; I therefore treat you as a + man of the world, and not as a lover. For you, this blow ought to + be like the brand on the shoulder of a galley-slave, which flings + him forever into a life of systematic opposition to society. You + are now freed of one evil; marriage possessed you; it now behooves + you to turn round and possess marriage. + + Paul, I am your friend in the fullest acceptation of the word. If + you had a brain in an iron skull, if you had the energy which has + come to you too late, I would have proved my friendship by telling + you things that would have made you walk upon humanity as upon a + carpet. But when I did talk to you guardedly of Parisian + civilization, when I told you in the disguise of fiction some of + the actual adventures of my youth, you regarded them as mere + romance and would not see their bearing. When I told you that + history of a lawyer at the galleys branded for forgery, who + committed the crime to give his wife, adored like yours, an income + of thirty thousand francs, and whom his wife denounced that she + might be rid of him and free to love another man, you exclaimed, + and other fools who were supping with us exclaimed against me. + Well, my dear Paul, you were that lawyer, less the galleys. + + Your friends here are not sparing you. The sister of the two + Vandenesses, the Marquise de Listomere and all her set, in which, + by the bye, that little Rastignac has enrolled himself,—the scamp + will make his way!—Madame d’Aiglemont and her salon, the + Lenoncourts, the Comtesse Ferraud, Madame d’Espard, the Nucingens, + the Spanish ambassador, in short, all the cliques in society are + flinging mud upon you. You are a bad man, a gambler, a dissipated + fellow who has squandered his property. After paying your debts a + great many times, your wife, an angel of virtue, has just redeemed + your notes for one hundred thousand francs, although her property + was separate from yours. Luckily, you had done the best you could + do by disappearing. If you had stayed here you would have made her + bed in the straw; the poor woman would have been the victim of her + conjugal devotion! + + When a man attains to power, my dear Paul, he has all the virtues + of an epitaph; let him fall into poverty, and he has more sins + than the Prodigal Son; society at the present moment gives you the + vices of a Don Juan. You gambled at the Bourse, you had licentious + tastes which cost you fabulous sums of money to gratify; you paid + enormous interests to money-lenders. The two Vandenesses have told + everywhere how Gigonnet gave you for six thousand francs an ivory + frigate, and made your valet buy it back for three hundred in + order to sell it to you again. The incident did really happen to + Maxime de Trailles about nine years ago; but it fits your present + circumstances so well that Maxime has forever lost the command of + his frigate. + + In short, I can’t tell you one-half that is said; you have + supplied a whole encyclopaedia of gossip which the women have an + interest in swelling. Your wife is having an immense success. Last + evening at the opera Madame Firmiani began to repeat to me some of + the things that are being said. “Don’t talk of that,” I replied. + “You know nothing of the real truth, you people. Paul has robbed + the Bank, cheated the Treasury, murdered Ezzelin and three Medoras + in the rue Saint-Denis, and I think, between ourselves, that he is + a member of the Dix-Mille. His associate is the famous Jacques + Collin, on whom the police have been unable to lay a hand since he + escaped from the galleys. Paul gave him a room in his house; you + see he is capable of anything; in fact, the two have gone off to + India together to rob the Great Mogul.” Madame Firmiani, like the + distinguished woman that she is, saw that she ought not to convert + her beautiful lips into a mouthpiece for false denunciation. + + Many persons, when they hear of these tragi-comedies of life, + refuse to believe them. They take the side of human nature and + fine sentiments; they declare that these things do not exist. But + Talleyrand said a fine thing, my dear fellow: “All things happen.” + Truly, things happen under our very noses which are more amazing + than this domestic plot of yours; but society has an interest in + denying them, and in declaring itself calumniated. Often these + dramas are played so naturally and with such a varnish of good + taste that even I have to rub the lens of my opera-glass to see to + the bottom of them. But, I repeat to you, when a man is a friend + of mine, when we have received together the baptism of champagne + and have knelt together before the altar of the Venus Commodus, + when the crooked fingers of play have given us their benediction, + if that man finds himself in a false position I’d ruin a score of + families to do him justice. + + You must be aware from all this that I love you. Have I ever in my + life written a letter as long as this? No. Therefore, read with + attention what I still have to say. + + Alas! Paul, I shall be forced to take to writing, for I am taking + to politics. I am going into public life. I intend to have, within + five years, the portfolio of a ministry or some embassy. There + comes an age when the only mistress a man can serve is his + country. I enter the ranks of those who intend to upset not only + the ministry, but the whole present system of government. In + short, I swim in the waters of a certain prince who is lame of the + foot only,—a man whom I regard as a statesman of genius whose + name will go down to posterity; a prince as complete in his way as + a great artist may be in his. + + Several of us, Ronquerolles, Montriveau, the Grandlieus, La + Roche-Hugon, Serisy, Feraud, and Granville, have allied ourselves + against the “parti-pretre,” as the party-ninny represented by the + “Constitutionnel” has ingeniously said. We intend to overturn the + Navarreins, Lenoncourts, Vandenesses, and the Grand Almonry. In + order to succeed we shall even ally ourselves with Lafayette, the + Orleanists, and the Left,—people whom we can throttle on the + morrow of victory, for no government in the world is possible with + their principles. We are capable of anything for the good of the + country—and our own. + + Personal questions as to the King’s person are mere sentimental + folly in these days; they must be cleared away. From that point of + view, the English with their sort of Doge, are more advanced than + we are. Politics have nothing to do with that, my dear fellow. + Politics consist in giving the nation an impetus by creating an + oligarchy embodying a fixed theory of government, and able to + direct public affairs along a straight path, instead of allowing + the country to be pulled in a thousand different directions, which + is what has been happening for the last forty years in our + beautiful France—at once so intelligent and so sottish, so wise + and so foolish; it needs a system, indeed, much more than men. + What are individuals in this great question? If the end is a great + one, if the country may live happy and free from trouble, what do + the masses care for the profits of our stewardship, our fortune, + privileges, and pleasures? + + I am now standing firm on my feet. I have at the present moment a + hundred and fifty thousand francs a year in the Three per Cents, + and a reserve of two hundred thousand francs to repair damages. + Even this does not seem to me very much ballast in the pocket of a + man starting left foot foremost to scale the heights of power. + + A fortunate accident settled the question of my setting out on + this career, which did not particularly smile on me, for you know + my predilection for the life of the East. After thirty-five years + of slumber, my highly-respected mother woke up to the recollection + that she had a son who might do her honor. Often when a vine-stock + is eradicated, some years after shoots come up to the surface of + the ground; well, my dear boy, my mother had almost torn me up by + the roots from her heart, and I sprouted again in her head. At the + age of fifty-eight, she thinks herself old enough to think no more + of any men but her son. At this juncture she has met in some + hot-water cauldron, at I know not what baths, a delightful old maid + —English, with two hundred and forty thousand francs a year; and, + like a good mother, she has inspired her with an audacious + ambition to become my wife. A maid of six-and-thirty, my word! + Brought up in the strictest puritanical principles, a steady + sitting hen, who maintains that unfaithful wives should be + publicly burnt. ‘Where will you find wood enough?’ I asked her. I + could have sent her to the devil, for two hundred and forty + thousand francs a year are no equivalent for liberty, nor a fair + price for my physical and moral worth and my prospects. But she is + the sole heiress of a gouty old fellow, some London brewer, who + within a calculable time will leave her a fortune equal at least + to what the sweet creature has already. Added to these advantages, + she has a red nose, the eyes of a dead goat, a waist that makes + one fear lest she should break into three pieces if she falls + down, and the coloring of a badly painted doll. But—she is + delightfully economical; but—she will adore her husband, do what + he will; but—she has the English gift; she will manage my house, + my stables, my servants, my estates better than any steward. She + has all the dignity of virtue; she holds herself as erect as a + confidante on the stage of the Francais; nothing will persuade me + that she has not been impaled and the shaft broken off in her + body. Miss Stevens is, however, fair enough to be not too + unpleasing if I must positively marry her. But—and this to me is + truly pathetic—she has the hands of a woman as immaculate as the + sacred ark; they are so red that I have not yet hit on any way to + whiten them that will not be too costly, and I have no idea how to + fine down her fingers, which are like sausages. Yes; she evidently + belongs to the brew-house by her hands, and to the aristocracy by + her money; but she is apt to affect the great lady a little too + much, as rich English women do who want to be mistaken for them, + and she displays her lobster’s claws too freely. + + She has, however, as little intelligence as I could wish in a + woman. If there were a stupider one to be found, I would set out + to seek her. This girl, whose name is Dinah, will never criticise + me; she will never contradict me; I shall be her Upper Chamber, + her Lords and Commons. In short, Paul, she is indefeasible + evidence of the English genius; she is a product of English + mechanics brought to their highest pitch of perfection; she was + undoubtedly made at Manchester, between the manufactory of Perry’s + pens and the workshops for steam-engines. It eats, it drinks, it + walks, it may have children, take good care of them, and bring + them up admirably, and it apes a woman so well that you would + believe it real. + + When my mother introduced us, she had set up the machine so + cleverly, had so carefully fitted the pegs, and oiled the wheels + so thoroughly, that nothing jarred; then, when she saw I did not + make a very wry face, she set the springs in motion, and the woman + spoke. Finally, my mother uttered the decisive words, “Miss Dinah + Stevens spends no more than thirty thousand francs a year, and has + been traveling for seven years in order to economize.”—So there + is another image, and that one is silver. + + Matters are so far advanced that the banns are to be published. We + have got as far as “My dear love.” Miss makes eyes at me that + might floor a porter. The settlements are prepared. My fortune is + not inquired into; Miss Stevens devotes a portion of hers to + creating an entail in landed estate, bearing an income of two + hundred and forty thousand francs, and to the purchase of a house, + likewise entailed. The settlement credited to me is of a million + francs. She has nothing to complain of. I leave her uncle’s money + untouched. + + The worthy brewer, who has helped to found the entail, was near + bursting with joy when he heard that his niece was to be a + marquise. He would be capable of doing something handsome for my + eldest boy. + + I shall sell out of the funds as soon as they are up to eighty, + and invest in land. Thus, in two years I may look to get six + hundred thousand francs a year out of real estate. So, you see, + Paul, I do not give my friends advice that I am not ready to act + upon. + + If you had but listened to me, you would have an English wife, + some Nabob’s daughter, who would leave you the freedom of a + bachelor and the independence necessary for playing the whist of + ambition. I would concede my future wife to you if you were not + married already. But that cannot be helped, and I am not the man + to bid you chew the cud of the past. + + All this preamble was needful to explain to you that for the + future my position in life will be such as a man needs if he wants + to play the great game of pitch-and-toss. I cannot do without you, + my friend. Now, then, my dear Paul, instead of setting sail for + India you would do a much wiser thing to navigate with me the + waters of the Seine. Believe me, Paris is still the place where + fortune, abundant fortune, can be won. Potosi is in the rue + Vivienne, the rue de la Paix, the Place Vendome, the rue de + Rivoli. In all other places and countries material works and + labors, marches and counter-marches, and sweatings of the brow are + necessary to the building up of fortune; but in Paris <i>thought</i> + suffices. Here, every man even mentally mediocre, can see a mine + of wealth as he puts on his slippers, or picks his teeth after + dinner, in his down-sitting and his up-rising. Find me another + place on the globe where a good round stupid idea brings in more + money, or is sooner understood than it is here. + + If I reach the top of the ladder, as I shall, am I the man to + refuse you a helping hand, an influence, a signature? We shall + want, we young roues, a faithful friend on whom to count, if only + to compromise him and make him a scape-goat, or send him to die + like a common soldier to save his general. Government is + impossible without a man of honor at one’s side, in whom to + confide and with whom we can do and say everything. + + Here is what I propose. Let the “Belle-Amelie” sail without you; + come back here like a thunderbolt; I’ll arrange a duel for you + with Vandenesse in which you shall have the first shot, and you + can wing him like a pigeon. In France the husband who shoots his + rival becomes at once respectable and respected. No one ever + cavils at him again. Fear, my dear fellow, is a valuable social + element, a means of success for those who lower their eyes before + the gaze of no man living. I who care as little to live as to + drink a glass of milk, and who have never felt the emotion of + fear, I have remarked the strange effects produced by that + sentiment upon our modern manners. Some men tremble to lose the + enjoyments to which they are attached, others dread to leave a + woman. The old adventurous habits of other days when life was + flung away like a garment exist no longer. The bravery of a great + many men is nothing more than a clever calculation on the fear of + their adversary. The Poles are the only men in Europe who fight + for the pleasure of fighting; they cultivate the art for the art’s + sake, and not for speculation. + + Now hear me: kill Vandenesse, and your wife trembles, your + mother-in-law trembles, the public trembles, and you recover your + position, you prove your grand passion for your wife, you subdue + society, you subdue your wife, you become a hero. Such is France. + As for your embarrassments, I hold a hundred thousand francs for + you; you can pay your principal debts, and sell what property you + have left with a power of redemption, for you will soon obtain an + office which will enable you by degrees to pay off your creditors. + Then, as for your wife, once enlightened as to her character you + can rule her. When you loved her you had no power to manage her; + not loving her, you will have an unconquerable force. I will + undertake, myself, to make your mother-in-law as supple as a + glove; for you must recover the use of the hundred and fifty + thousand francs a year those two women have squeezed out of you. + + Therefore, I say, renounce this expatriation which seems to me no + better than a pan of charcoal or a pistol to your head. To go away + is to justify all calumnies. The gambler who leaves the table to + get his money loses it when he returns; we must have our gold in + our pockets. Let us now, you and I, be two gamblers on the green + baize of politics; between us loans are in order. Therefore take + post-horses, come back instantly, and renew the game. You’ll win + it with Henri de Marsay for your partner, for Henri de Marsay + knows how to will, and how to strike. + + See how we stand politically. My father is in the British + ministry; we shall have close relations with Spain through the + Evangelistas, for, as soon as your mother-in-law and I have + measured claws she will find there is nothing to gain by fighting + the devil. Montriveau is our lieutenant-general; he will certainly + be minister of war before long, and his eloquence will give him + great ascendancy in the Chamber. Ronquerolles will be minister of + State and privy-councillor; Martial de la Roche-Hugon is minister + to Germany and peer of France; Serisy leads the Council of State, + to which he is indispensable; Granville holds the magistracy, to + which his sons belong; the Grandlieus stand well at court; Ferraud + is the soul of the Gondreville coterie,—low intriguers who are + always on the surface of things, I’m sure I don’t know why. Thus + supported, what have we to fear? The money question is a mere + nothing when this great wheel of fortune rolls for us. What is a + woman?—you are not a schoolboy. What is life, my dear fellow, if + you let a woman be the whole of it? A boat you can’t command, + without a rudder, but not without a magnet, and tossed by every + wind that blows. Pah! + + The great secret of social alchemy, my dear Paul, is to get the + most we can out of each age of life through which we pass; to have + and to hold the buds of our spring, the flowers of our summer, the + fruits of our autumn. We amused ourselves once, a few good fellows + and I, for a dozen or more years, like mousquetaires, black, red, + and gray; we denied ourselves nothing, not even an occasional + filibustering here and there. Now we are going to shake down the + plums which age and experience have ripened. Be one of us; you + shall have your share in the <i>pudding</i> we are going to cook. + + Come; you will find a friend all yours in the skin of + + H. de Marsay. +</pre> + <p> + As Paul de Manerville ended the reading of this letter, which fell like + the blows of a pickaxe on the edifice of his hopes, his illusions, and his + love, the vessel which bore him from France was beyond the Azores. In the + midst of this utter devastation a cold and impotent anger laid hold of + him. + </p> + <p> + “What had I done to them?” he said to himself. + </p> + <p> + That is the question of fools, of feeble beings, who, seeing nothing, can + nothing foresee. Then he cried aloud: “Henri! Henri!” to his loyal friend. + Many a man would have gone mad; Paul went to bed and slept that heavy + sleep which follows immense disasters,—the sleep that seized + Napoleon after Waterloo. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDENDUM + </h2> + <h3> + The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Casa-Real, Duc de + The Quest of the Absolute + + Claes, Josephine de Temninck, Madame + The Quest of the Absolute + + Magus, Elie + The Vendetta + A Bachelor’s Establishment + Pierre Grassou + Cousin Pons + + Manerville, Paul Francois-Joseph, Comte de + The Thirteen + The Ball at Sceaux + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + + Manerville, Comtesse Paul de + The Lily of the Valley + A Daughter of Eve + + Marsay, Henri de + The Thirteen + The Unconscious Humorists + Another Study of Woman + The Lily of the Valley + Father Goriot + Jealousies of a Country Town + Ursule Mirouet + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Letters of Two Brides + The Ball at Sceaux + Modeste Mignon + The Secrets of a Princess + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + Maulincour, Baronne de + The Thirteen + + Stevens, Dinah + Cousin Pons + + Vandenesse, Comte Felix de + The Lily of the Valley + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Cesar Birotteau + Letters of Two Brides + A Start in Life + The Secrets of a Princess + Another Study of Woman + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Marriage Contract, by Honore de Balzac + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + +***** This file should be named 1556-h.htm or 1556-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/5/1556/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions 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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Marriage Contract + +Author: Honore de Balzac + +Translator: Katharine Prescott Wormeley + +Release Date: December, 1998 [Etext #1556] +Posting Date: February 26, 2010 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny + + + + + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + +By Honore De Balzac + + + +Translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley + + + + DEDICATION + + To Rossini. + + + + + + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + + + +CHAPTER I. PRO AND CON + + +Monsieur de Manerville, the father, was a worthy Norman gentleman, +well known to the Marechael de Richelieu, who married him to one of the +richest heiresses of Bordeaux in the days when the old duke reigned in +Guienne as governor. The Norman then sold the estate he owned in Bessin, +and became a Gascon, allured by the beauty of the chateau de Lanstrac, +a delightful residence owned by his wife. During the last days of the +reign of Louis XV., he bought the post of major of the Gate Guards, and +lived till 1813, having by great good luck escaped the dangers of the +Revolution in the following manner. + +Toward the close of the year, 1790, he went to Martinque, where his wife +had interests, leaving the management of his property in Gascogne to an +honest man, a notary's clerk, named Mathias, who was inclined to--or +at any rate did--give into the new ideas. On his return the Comte de +Manerville found his possessions intact and well-managed. This sound +result was the fruit produced by grafting the Gascon on the Norman. + +Madame de Manerville died in 1810. Having learned the importance of +worldly goods through the dissipations of his youth, and, giving them, +like many another old man, a higher place than they really hold in life, +Monsieur de Manerville became increasingly economical, miserly, and +sordid. Without reflecting that the avarice of parents prepares the way +for the prodigalities of children, he allowed almost nothing to his son, +although that son was an only child. + +Paul de Manerville, coming home from the college of Vendome in 1810, +lived under close paternal discipline for three years. The tyranny by +which the old man of seventy oppressed his heir influenced, necessarily, +a heart and a character which were not yet formed. Paul, the son, +without lacking the physical courage which is vital in the air of +Gascony, dared not struggle against his father, and consequently lost +that faculty of resistance which begets moral courage. His thwarted +feelings were driven to the depths of his heart, where they remained +without expression; later, when he felt them to be out of harmony with +the maxims of the world, he could only think rightly and act mistakenly. +He was capable of fighting for a mere word or look, yet he trembled at +the thought of dismissing a servant,--his timidity showing itself in +those contests only which required a persistent will. Capable of doing +great things to fly from persecution, he would never have prevented it +by systematic opposition, nor have faced it with the steady employment +of force of will. Timid in thought, bold in actions, he long preserved +that inward simplicity which makes a man the dupe and the voluntary +victim of things against which certain souls hesitate to revolt, +preferring to endure them rather than complain. He was, in point of +fact, imprisoned by his father's old mansion, for he had not enough +money to consort with young men; he envied their pleasures while unable +to share them. + +The old gentleman took him every evening, in an old carriage drawn +by ill-harnessed old horses, attended by ill-dressed old servants, to +royalist houses, where he met a society composed of the relics of the +parliamentary nobility and the martial nobility. These two nobilities +coalescing after the Revolution, had now transformed themselves into +a landed aristocracy. Crushed by the vast and swelling fortunes of the +maritime cities, this Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux responded +by lofty disdain to the sumptuous displays of commerce, government +administrations, and the military. Too young to understand social +distinctions and the necessities underlying the apparent assumption +which they create, Paul was bored to death among these ancients, unaware +that the connections of his youth would eventually secure to him that +aristocratic pre-eminence which Frenchmen will forever desire. + +He found some slight compensations for the dulness of these evenings in +certain manual exercises which always delight young men, and which his +father enjoined upon him. The old gentleman considered that to know the +art of fencing and the use of arms, to ride well on horseback, to play +tennis, to acquire good manners,--in short, to possess all the frivolous +accomplishments of the old nobility,--made a young man of the present +day a finished gentleman. Accordingly, Paul took a fencing-lesson every +morning, went to the riding-school, and practised in a pistol-gallery. +The rest of his time was spent in reading novels, for his father would +never have allowed the more abstruse studies now considered necessary to +finish an education. + +So monotonous a life would soon have killed the poor youth if the death +of the old man had not delivered him from this tyranny at the moment +when it was becoming intolerable. Paul found himself in possession of +considerable capital, accumulated by his father's avarice, together with +landed estates in the best possible condition. But he now held Bordeaux +in horror; neither did he like Lanstrac, where his father had taken him +to spend the summers, employing his whole time from morning till night +in hunting. + +As soon as the estate was fairly settled, the young heir, eager for +enjoyment, bought consols with his capital, left the management of the +landed property to old Mathias, his father's notary, and spent the next +six years away from Bordeaux. At first he was attached to the French +embassy at Naples; after that he was secretary of legation at Madrid, +and then in London,--making in this way the tour of Europe. + +After seeing the world and life, after losing several illusions, after +dissipating all the loose capital which his father had amassed, there +came a time when, in order to continue his way of life, Paul was forced +to draw upon the territorial revenues which his notary was laying by. At +this critical moment, seized by one of the so-called virtuous impulses, +he determined to leave Paris, return to Bordeaux, regulate his affairs, +lead the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac, improve his property, +marry, and become, in the end, a deputy. + +Paul was a count; nobility was once more of matrimonial value; he could, +and he ought to make a good marriage. While many women desire a title, +many others like to marry a man to whom a knowledge of life is familiar. +Now Paul had acquired, in exchange for the sum of seven hundred thousand +francs squandered in six years, that possession, which cannot be bought +and is practically of more value than gold and silver; a knowledge +which exacts long study, probation, examinations, friends, enemies, +acquaintances, certain manners, elegance of form and demeanor, a +graceful and euphonious name,--a knowledge, moreover, which means +many love-affairs, duels, bets lost on a race-course, disillusions, +deceptions, annoyances, toils, and a vast variety of undigested +pleasures. In short, he had become what is called elegant. But in spite +of his mad extravagance he had never made himself a mere fashionable +man. In the burlesque army of men of the world, the man of fashion holds +the place of a marshal of France, the man of elegance is the equivalent +of a lieutenant-general. Paul enjoyed his lesser reputation, +of elegance, and knew well how to sustain it. His servants were +well-dressed, his equipages were cited, his suppers had a certain vogue; +in short, his bachelor establishment was counted among the seven or +eight whose splendor equalled that of the finest houses in Paris. + +But--he had not caused the wretchedness of any woman; he gambled without +losing; his luck was not notorious; he was far too upright to deceive +or mislead any one, no matter who, even a wanton; never did he leave +his billets-doux lying about, and he possessed no coffer or desk for +love-letters which his friends were at liberty to read while he tied +his cravat or trimmed his beard. Moreover, not willing to dip into his +Guienne property, he had not that bold extravagance which leads to great +strokes and calls attention at any cost to the proceedings of a young +man. Neither did he borrow money, but he had the folly to lend to +friends, who then deserted him and spoke of him no more either for good +or evil. He seemed to have regulated his dissipations methodically. The +secret of his character lay in his father's tyranny, which had made him, +as it were, a social mongrel. + +So, one morning, he said to a friend named de Marsay, who afterwards +became celebrated:-- + +"My dear fellow, life has a meaning." + +"You must be twenty-seven years of age before you can find it out," +replied de Marsay, laughing. + +"Well, I am twenty-seven; and precisely because I am twenty-seven I mean +to live the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac. I'll transport +my belongings to Bordeaux into my father's old mansion, and I'll spend +three months of the year in Paris in this house, which I shall keep." + +"Will you marry?" + +"I will marry." + +"I'm your friend, as you know, my old Paul," said de Marsay, after a +moment's silence, "and I say to you: settle down into a worthy father +and husband and you'll be ridiculous for the rest of your days. If you +could be happy and ridiculous, the thing might be thought of; but +you will not be happy. You haven't a strong enough wrist to drive a +household. I'll do you justice and say you are a perfect horseman; no +one knows as well as you how to pick up or thrown down the reins, and +make a horse prance, and sit firm to the saddle. But, my dear fellow, +marriage is another thing. I see you now, led along at a slapping +pace by Madame la Comtesse de Manerville, going whither you would not, +oftener at a gallop than a trot, and presently unhorsed!--yes, unhorsed +into a ditch and your legs broken. Listen to me. You still have some +forty-odd thousand francs a year from your property in the Gironde. +Good. Take your horses and servants and furnish your house in Bordeaux; +you can be king of Bordeaux, you can promulgate there the edicts that +we put forth in Paris; you can be the correspondent of our stupidities. +Very good. Play the rake in the provinces; better still, commit follies; +follies may win you celebrity. But--don't marry. Who marries now-a-days? +Only merchants, for the sake of their capital, or to be two to drag the +cart; only peasants who want to produce children to work for them; only +brokers and notaries who want a wife's 'dot' to pay for their practice; +only miserable kings who are forced to continue their miserable +dynasties. But we are exempt from the pack, and you want to shoulder it! +And why DO you want to marry? You ought to give your best friend +your reasons. In the first place, if you marry an heiress as rich as +yourself, eighty thousand francs a year for two is not the same thing as +forty thousand francs a year for one, because the two are soon three or +four when the children come. You haven't surely any love for that silly +race of Manerville which would only hamper you? Are you ignorant of what +a father and mother have to be? Marriage, my old Paul, is the silliest +of all the social immolations; our children alone profit by it, and +don't know its price until their horses are nibbling the flowers on our +grave. Do you regret your father, that old tyrant who made your first +years wretched? How can you be sure that your children will love you? +The very care you take of their education, your precautions for their +happiness, your necessary sternness will lessen their affection. +Children love a weak or a prodigal father, whom they will despise in +after years. You'll live betwixt fear and contempt. No man is a good +head of a family merely because he wants to be. Look round on all our +friends and name to me one whom you would like to have for a son. We +have known a good many who dishonor their names. Children, my dear Paul, +are the most difficult kind of merchandise to take care of. Yours, you +think, will be angels; well, so be it! Have you ever sounded the gulf +which lies between the lives of a bachelor and a married man? Listen. As +a bachelor you can say to yourself: 'I shall never exhibit more than +a certain amount of the ridiculous; the public will think of me what +I choose it to think.' Married, you'll drop into the infinitude of the +ridiculous! Bachelor, you can make your own happiness; you enjoy some +to-day, you do without it to-morrow; married, you must take it as it +comes; and the day you want it you will have to go without it. Marry, +and you'll grow a blockhead; you'll calculate dowries; you'll talk +morality, public and religious; you'll think young men immoral and +dangerous; in short, you'll become a social academician. It's pitiable! +The old bachelor whose property the heirs are waiting for, who fights +to his last breath with his nurse for a spoonful of drink, is blest in +comparison with a married man. I'm not speaking of all that will +happen to annoy, bore, irritate, coerce, oppose, tyrannize, narcotize, +paralyze, and idiotize a man in marriage, in that struggle of two beings +always in one another's presence, bound forever, who have coupled each +other under the strange impression that they were suited. No, to tell +you those things would be merely a repetition of Boileau, and we know +him by heart. Still, I'll forgive your absurd idea if you will promise +me to marry "en grand seigneur"; to entail your property; to have two +legitimate children, to give your wife a house and household absolutely +distinct from yours; to meet her only in society, and never to return +from a journey without sending her a courier to announce it. Two hundred +thousand francs a year will suffice for such a life and your antecedents +will enable you to marry some rich English woman hungry for a title. +That's an aristocratic life which seems to me thoroughly French; the +only life in which we can retain the respect and friendship of a woman; +the only life which distinguishes a man from the present crowd,--in +short, the only life for which a young man should even think of +resigning his bachelor blessings. Thus established, the Comte de +Manerville may advise his epoch, place himself above the world, and be +nothing less than a minister or an ambassador. Ridicule can never touch +him; he has gained the social advantages of marriage while keeping all +the privileges of a bachelor." + +"But, my good friend, I am not de Marsay; I am plainly, as you yourself +do me the honor to say, Paul de Manerville, worthy father and husband, +deputy of the Centre, possibly peer of France,--a destiny extremely +commonplace; but I am modest and I resign myself." + +"Yes, but your wife," said the pitiless de Marsay, "will she resign +herself?" + +"My wife, my dear fellow, will do as I wish." + +"Ah! my poor friend, is that where you are? Adieu, Paul. Henceforth, I +refuse to respect you. One word more, however, for I cannot agree coldly +to your abdication. Look and see in what the strength of our position +lies. A bachelor with only six thousand francs a year remaining to him +has at least his reputation for elegance and the memory of success. +Well, even that fantastic shadow has enormous value in it. Life still +offers many chances to the unmarried man. Yes, he can aim at anything. +But marriage, Paul, is the social 'Thus far shalt thou go and no +farther.' Once married you can never be anything but what you then +are--unless your wife should deign to care for you." + +"But," said Paul, "you are crushing me down with exceptional theories. I +am tired of living for others; of having horses merely to exhibit them; +of doing all things for the sake of what may be said of them; of wasting +my substance to keep fools from crying out: 'Dear, dear! Paul is still +driving the same carriage. What has he done with his fortune? Does +he squander it? Does he gamble at the Bourse? No, he's a millionaire. +Madame such a one is mad about him. He sent to England for a harness +which is certainly the handsomest in all Paris. The four-horse +equipages of Messieurs de Marsay and de Manerville were much noticed +at Longchamps; the harness was perfect'--in short, the thousand silly +things with which a crowd of idiots lead us by the nose. Believe me, my +dear Henri, I admire your power, but I don't envy it. You know how to +judge of life; you think and act as a statesman; you are able to place +yourself above all ordinary laws, received ideas, adopted conventions, +and acknowledged prejudices; in short, you can grasp the profits of +a situation in which I should find nothing but ill-luck. Your cool, +systematic, possibly true deductions are, to the eyes of the masses, +shockingly immoral. I belong to the masses. I must play my game of life +according to the rules of the society in which I am forced to live. +While putting yourself above all human things on peaks of ice, you still +have feelings; but as for me, I should freeze to death. The life of that +great majority, to which I belong in my commonplace way, is made up +of emotions of which I now have need. Often a man coquets with a dozen +women and obtains none. Then, whatever be his strength, his cleverness, +his knowledge of the world, he undergoes convulsions, in which he is +crushed as between two gates. For my part, I like the peaceful chances +and changes of life; I want that wholesome existence in which we find a +woman always at our side." + +"A trifle indecorous, your marriage!" exclaimed de Marsay. + +Paul was not to be put out of countenance, and continued: "Laugh if you +like; I shall feel myself a happy man when my valet enters my room +in the morning and says: 'Madame is awaiting monsieur for breakfast'; +happier still at night, when I return to find a heart--" + +"Altogether indecorous, my dear Paul. You are not yet moral enough to +marry." + +"--a heart in which to confide my interests and my secrets. I wish +to live in such close union with a woman that our affection shall not +depend upon a yes or a no, or be open to the disillusions of love. In +short, I have the necessary courage to become, as you say, a worthy +husband and father. I feel myself fitted for family joys; I wish to put +myself under the conditions prescribed by society; I desire to have a +wife and children." + +"You remind me of a hive of honey-bees! But go your way, you'll be a +dupe all your life. Ha, ha! you wish to marry to have a wife! In other +words, you wish to solve satisfactorily to your own profit the most +difficult problem invented by those bourgeois morals which were created +by the French Revolution; and, what is more, you mean to begin your +attempt by a life of retirement. Do you think your wife won't crave the +life you say you despise? Will _she_ be disgusted with it, as you are? +If you won't accept the noble conjugality just formulated for your +benefit by your friend de Marsay, listen, at any rate, to his final +advice. Remain a bachelor for the next thirteen years; amuse yourself +like a lost soul; then, at forty, on your first attack of gout, marry a +widow of thirty-six. Then you may possibly be happy. If you now take a +young girl to wife, you'll die a madman." + +"Ah ca! tell me why!" cried Paul, somewhat piqued. + +"My dear fellow," replied de Marsay, "Boileau's satire against women is +a tissue of poetical commonplaces. Why shouldn't women have defects? Why +condemn them for having the most obvious thing in human nature? To my +mind, the problem of marriage is not at all at the point where Boileau +puts it. Do you suppose that marriage is the same thing as love, and +that being a man suffices to make a wife love you? Have you gathered +nothing in your boudoir experience but pleasant memories? I tell you +that everything in our bachelor life leads to fatal errors in the +married man unless he is a profound observer of the human heart. In the +happy days of his youth a man, by the caprice of our customs, is always +lucky; he triumphs over women who are all ready to be triumphed over +and who obey their own desires. One thing after another--the obstacles +created by the laws, the sentiments and natural defences of women--all +engender a mutuality of sensations which deceives superficial persons as +to their future relations in marriage, where obstacles no longer exist, +where the wife submits to love instead of permitting it, and frequently +repulses pleasure instead of desiring it. Then, the whole aspect of a +man's life changes. The bachelor, who is free and without a care, need +never fear repulsion; in marriage, repulsion is almost certain and +irreparable. It may be possible for a lover to make a woman reverse an +unfavorable decision, but such a change, my dear Paul, is the Waterloo +of husbands. Like Napoleon, the husband is thenceforth condemned to +victories which, in spite of their number, do not prevent the first +defeat from crushing him. The woman, so flattered by the perseverance, +so delighted with the ardor of a lover, calls the same things brutality +in a husband. You, who talk of marrying, and who will marry, have you +ever meditated on the Civil Code? I myself have never muddied my feet +in that hovel of commentators, that garret of gossip, called the +Law-school. I have never so much as opened the Code; but I see its +application on the vitals of society. The Code, my dear Paul, makes +woman a ward; it considers her a child, a minor. Now how must we govern +children? By fear. In that one word, Paul, is the curb of the +beast. Now, feel your own pulse! Have you the strength to play the +tyrant,--you, so gentle, so kind a friend, so confiding; you, at whom +I have laughed, but whom I love, and love enough to reveal to you my +science? For this is science. Yes, it proceeds from a science which +the Germans are already calling Anthropology. Ah! if I had not already +solved the mystery of life by pleasure, if I had not a profound +antipathy for those who think instead of act, if I did not despise the +ninnies who are silly enough to believe in the truth of a book, when +the sands of the African deserts are made of the ashes of I know not +how many unknown and pulverized Londons, Romes, Venices, and Parises, I +would write a book on modern marriages made under the influence of the +Christian system, and I'd stick a lantern on that heap of sharp stones +among which lie the votaries of the social 'multiplicamini.' But the +question is, Does humanity require even an hour of my time? And besides, +isn't the more reasonable use of ink that of snaring hearts by writing +love-letters?--Well, shall you bring the Comtesse de Manerville here, +and let us see her?" + +"Perhaps," said Paul. + +"We shall still be friends," said de Marsay. + +"If--" replied Paul. + +"Don't be uneasy; we will treat you politely, as Maison-Rouge treated +the English at Fontenoy." + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE PINK OF FASHION + + +Though the foregoing conversation affected the Comte de Manerville +somewhat, he made it a point of duty to carry out his intentions, and he +returned to Bordeaux during the winter of the year 1821. + +The expenses he incurred in restoring and furnishing his family mansion +sustained the reputation for elegance which had preceded him. Introduced +through his former connections to the royalist society of Bordeaux, to +which he belonged as much by his personal opinions as by his name and +fortune, he soon obtained a fashionable pre-eminence. His knowledge +of life, his manners, his Parisian acquirements enchanted the Faubourg +Saint-Germain of Bordeaux. An old marquise made use of a term formerly +in vogue at court to express the flowery beauty of the fops and beaux of +the olden time, whose language and demeanor were social laws: she called +him "the pink of fashion." The liberal clique caught up the word and +used it satirically as a nickname, while the royalist party continued to +employ it in good faith. + +Paul de Manerville acquitted himself gloriously of the obligations +imposed by his flowery title. It happened to him, as to many a mediocre +actor, that the day when the public granted him their full attention he +became, one may almost say, superior. Feeling at his ease, he displayed +the fine qualities which accompanied his defects. His wit had +nothing sharp or bitter in it; his manners were not supercilious; his +intercourse with women expressed the respect they like,--it was neither +too deferential, nor too familiar; his foppery went no farther than a +care for his personal appearance which made him agreeable; he showed +consideration for rank; he allowed young men a certain freedom, to which +his Parisian experience assigned due limits; though skilful with sword +and pistol, he was noted for a feminine gentleness for which others were +grateful. His medium height and plumpness (which had not yet increased +into obesity, an obstacle to personal elegance) did not prevent his +outer man from playing the part of a Bordelais Brummell. A white skin +tinged with the hues of health, handsome hands and feet, blue eyes with +long lashes, black hair, graceful motions, a chest voice which kept to +its middle tones and vibrated in the listener's heart, harmonized well +with his sobriquet. Paul was indeed that delicate flower which needs +such careful culture, the qualities of which display themselves only in +a moist and suitable soil,--a flower which rough treatment dwarfs, which +the hot sun burns, and a frost lays low. He was one of those men made +to receive happiness, rather than to give it; who have something of the +woman in their nature, wishing to be divined, understood, encouraged; in +short, a man to whom conjugal love ought to come as a providence. + +If such a character creates difficulties in private life, it is gracious +and full of attraction for the world. Consequently, Paul had great +success in the narrow social circle of the provinces, where his mind, +always, so to speak, in half-tints, was better appreciated than in +Paris. + +The arrangement of his house and the restoration of the chateau de +Lanstrac, where he introduced the comfort and luxury of an English +country-house, absorbed the capital saved by the notary during the +preceding six years. Reduced now to his strict income of forty-odd +thousand a year, he thought himself wise and prudent in so regulating +his household as not to exceed it. + +After publicly exhibiting his equipages, entertaining the most +distinguished young men of the place, and giving various hunting parties +on the estate at Lanstrac, Paul saw very plainly that provincial life +would never do without marriage. Too young to employ his time in +miserly occupations, or in trying to interest himself in the speculative +improvements in which provincials sooner or later engage (compelled +thereto by the necessity of establishing their children), he soon felt +the need of that variety of distractions a habit of which becomes +at last the very life of a Parisian. A name to preserve, property to +transmit to heirs, social relations to be created by a household +where the principal families of the neighborhood could assemble, and +a weariness of all irregular connections, were not, however, the +determining reasons of his matrimonial desires. From the time he first +returned to the provinces he had been secretly in love with the queen of +Bordeaux, the great beauty, Mademoiselle Evangelista. + +About the beginning of the century, a rich Spaniard, named Evangelista, +established himself in Bordeaux, where his letters of recommendation, +as well as his large fortune, gave him an entrance to the salons of +the nobility. His wife contributed greatly to maintain him in the good +graces of an aristocracy which may perhaps have adopted him in the first +instance merely to pique the society of the class below them. Madame +Evangelista, who belonged to the Casa-Reale, an illustrious family of +Spain, was a Creole, and, like all women served by slaves, she lived as +a great lady, knew nothing of the value of money, repressed no whims, +even the most expensive, finding them ever satisfied by an adoring +husband who generously concealed from her knowledge the running-gear of +the financial machine. Happy in finding her pleased with Bordeaux, where +his interests obliged him to live, the Spaniard bought a house, set up a +household, received in much style, and gave many proofs of possessing a +fine taste in all things. Thus, from 1800 to 1812, Monsieur and Madame +Evangelista were objects of great interest to the community of Bordeaux. + +The Spaniard died in 1813, leaving his wife a widow at thirty-two years +of age, with an immense fortune and the prettiest little girl in the +world, a child of eleven, who promised to be, and did actually become, +a most accomplished young woman. Clever as Madame Evangelista was, the +Restoration altered her position; the royalist party cleared its ranks +and several of the old families left Bordeaux. Though the head and hand +of her husband were lacking in the direction of her affairs, for which +she had hitherto shown the indifference of a Creole and the inaptitude +of a lackadaisical woman, she was determined to make no change in her +manner of living. At the period when Paul resolved to return to his +native town, Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista was a remarkably beautiful +young girl, and, apparently, the richest match in Bordeaux, where the +steady diminution of her mother's capital was unknown. In order to +prolong her reign, Madame Evangelista had squandered enormous sums. +Brilliant fetes and the continuation of an almost regal style of living +kept the public in its past belief as to the wealth of the Spanish +family. + +Natalie was now in her nineteenth year, but no proposal of marriage +had as yet reached her mother's ear. Accustomed to gratify her fancies, +Mademoiselle Evangelista wore cashmeres and jewels, and lived in a style +of luxury which alarmed all speculative suitors in a region and at a +period when sons were as calculating as their parents. The fatal remark, +"None but a prince can afford to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista," +circulated among the salons and the cliques. Mothers of families, +dowagers who had granddaughters to establish, young girls jealous of +Natalie, whose elegance and tyrannical beauty annoyed them, took pains +to envenom this opinion with treacherous remarks. When they heard a +possible suitor say with ecstatic admiration, as Natalie entered a +ball-room, "Heavens, how beautiful she is!" "Yes," the mammas would +answer, "but expensive." If some new-comer thought Mademoiselle +Evangelista bewitching and said to a marriageable man that he couldn't +do it better, "Who would be bold enough," some woman would reply, "to +marry a girl whose mother gives her a thousand francs a month for her +toilet,--a girl who has horses and a maid of her own, and wears laces? +Yes, her 'peignoirs' are trimmed with mechlin. The price of her washing +would support the household of a clerk. She wears pelerines in the +morning which actually cost six francs to get up." + +These, and other speeches said occasionally in the form of praise +extinguished the desires that some men might have had to marry the +beautiful Spanish girl. Queen of every ball, accustomed to flattery, +"blasee" with the smiles and the admiration which followed her every +step, Natalie, nevertheless, knew nothing of life. She lived as the +bird which flies, as the flower that blooms, finding every one about her +eager to do her will. She was ignorant of the price of things; she +knew neither the value of money, nor whence it came, how it should be +managed, and how spent. Possibly she thought that every household had +cooks and coachmen, lady's-maids and footmen, as the fields have hay and +the trees their fruits. To her, beggars and paupers, fallen trees and +waste lands seemed in the same category. Pampered and petted as her +mother's hope, no fatigue was allowed to spoil her pleasure. Thus she +bounded through life as a courser on his steppe, unbridled and unshod. + +Six month's after Paul's arrival the Pink of Fashion and the Queen of +Balls met in presence of the highest society of the town of Bordeaux. +The two flowers looked at each other with apparent coldness, and +mutually thought each other charming. Interested in watching the effects +of the meeting, Madame Evangelista divined in the expression of Paul's +eyes the feelings within him, and she muttered to herself, "He will be +my son-in-law." Paul, on the other hand, said to himself, as he looked +at Natalie, "She will be my wife." + +The wealth of the Evangelistas, proverbial in Bordeaux, had remained in +Paul's mind as a memory of his childhood. Thus the pecuniary conditions +were known to him from the start, without necessitating those +discussions and inquiries which are as repugnant to a timid mind as to a +proud one. When some persons attempting to say to Paul a few flattering +phrases as to Natalie's manner, language, and beauty, ending by remarks, +cruelly calculated to deter him, on the lavish extravagance of the +Evangelistas, the Pink of Fashion replied with a disdain that was +well-deserved by such provincial pettiness. This method of receiving +such speeches soon silenced them; for he now set the tone to the ideas +and language as well as to the manners of those about him. He had +imported from his travels a certain development of the Britannic +personality with its icy barriers, also a tone of Byronic pessimism +as to life, together with English plate, boot-polish, ponies, yellow +gloves, cigars, and the habit of galloping. + +It thus happened that Paul escaped the discouragements hitherto +presented to marriageable men by dowagers and young girls. Madame +Evangelista began by asking him to formal dinners on various occasions. +The Pink of Fashion would not, of course, miss festivities to which none +but the most distinguished young men of the town were bidden. In spite +of the coldness that Paul assumed, which deceived neither mother +nor daughter, he was drawn, step by step, into the path of marriage. +Sometimes as he passed in his tilbury, or rode by on his fine English +horse, he heard the young men of his acquaintance say to one another:-- + +"There's a lucky man. He is rich and handsome, and is to marry, so they +say, Mademoiselle Evangelista. There are some men for whom the world +seems made." + +When he met the Evangelistas he felt proud of the particular distinction +which mother and daughter imparted to their bows. If Paul had not +secretly, within his heart, fallen in love with Mademoiselle Natalie, +society would certainly have married him to her in spite of himself. +Society, which never causes good, is the accomplice of much evil; then +when it beholds the evil it has hatched maternally, it rejects and +revenges it. Society in Bordeaux, attributing a "dot" of a million to +Mademoiselle Evangelista, bestowed it upon Paul without awaiting the +consent of either party. Their fortunes, so it was said, agreed as well +as their persons. Paul had the same habits of luxury and elegance in +the midst of which Natalie had been brought up. He had just arranged for +himself a house such as no other man in Bordeaux could have offered her. +Accustomed to Parisian expenses and the caprices of Parisian women, he +alone was fitted to meet the pecuniary difficulties which were likely to +follow this marriage with a girl who was as much of a Creole and a great +lady as her mother. Where they themselves, remarked the marriageable +men, would have been ruined, the Comte de Manerville, rich as he was, +could evade disaster. In short, the marriage was made. Persons in +the highest royalist circles said a few engaging words to Paul which +flattered his vanity:-- + +"Every one gives you Mademoiselle Evangelista. If you marry her you will +do well. You could not find, even in Paris, a more delightful girl. She +is beautiful, graceful, elegant, and takes after the Casa-Reales through +her mother. You will make a charming couple; you have the same tastes, +the same desires in life, and you will certainly have the most agreeable +house in Bordeaux. Your wife need only bring her night-cap; all is ready +for her. You are fortunate indeed in such a mother-in-law. A woman of +intelligence, and very adroit, she will be a great help to you in +public life, to which you ought to aspire. Besides, she has sacrificed +everything to her daughter, whom she adores, and Natalie will, no doubt, +prove a good wife, for she loves her mother. You must soon bring the +matter to a conclusion." + +"That is all very well," replied Paul, who, in spite of his love, was +desirous of keeping his freedom of action, "but I must be sure that the +conclusion shall be a happy one." + +He now went frequently to Madame Evangelista's, partly to occupy his +vacant hours, which were harder for him to employ than for most men. +There alone he breathed the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury to which +he was accustomed. + +At forty years of age, Madame Evangelista was beautiful, with the +beauty of those glorious summer sunsets which crown a cloudless day. Her +spotless reputation had given an endless topic of conversation to the +Bordeaux cliques; the curiosity of the women was all the more lively +because the widow gave signs of the temperament which makes a Spanish +woman and a Creole particularly noted. She had black eyes and hair, the +feet and form of a Spanish woman,--that swaying form the movements of +which have a name in Spain. Her face, still beautiful, was particularly +seductive for its Creole complexion, the vividness of which can be +described only by comparing it to muslin overlying crimson, so equally +is the whiteness suffused with color. Her figure, which was full and +rounded, attracted the eye by a grace which united nonchalance with +vivacity, strength with ease. She attracted and she imposed, she +seduced, but promised nothing. She was tall, which gave her at times +the air and carriage of a queen. Men were taken by her conversation +like birds in a snare; for she had by nature that genius which necessity +bestows on schemes; she advanced from concession to concession, +strengthening herself with what she gained to ask for more, knowing +well how to retreat with rapid steps when concessions were demanded in +return. Though ignorant of facts, she had known the courts of Spain +and Naples, the celebrated men of the two Americas, many illustrious +families of England and the continent, all of which gave her so +extensive an education superficially that it seemed immense. She +received her society with the grace and dignity which are never learned, +but which come to certain naturally fine spirits like a second nature; +assimilating choice things wherever they are met. If her reputation +for virtue was unexplained, it gave at any rate much authority to her +actions, her conversation, and her character. + +Mother and daughter had a true friendship for each other, beyond the +filial and maternal sentiment. They suited one another, and their +perpetual contact had never produced the slightest jar. Consequently +many persons explained Madame Evangelista's actions by maternal love. +But although Natalie consoled her mother's persistent widowhood, she may +not have been the only motive for it. Madame Evangelista had been, it +was said, in love with a man who recovered his titles and property +under the Restoration. This man, desirous of marrying her in 1814 had +discreetly severed the connection in 1816. Madame Evangelista, to all +appearance the best-hearted woman in the world, had, in the depths of +her nature, a fearful quality, explainable only by Catherine de Medici's +device: "Odiate e aspettate"--"Hate and wait." Accustomed to rule, +having always been obeyed, she was like other royalties, amiable, +gentle, easy and pleasant in ordinary life, but terrible, implacable, +if the pride of the woman, the Spaniard, and the Casa-Reale was touched. +She never forgave. This woman believed in the power of her hatred; she +made an evil fate of it and bade it hover above her enemy. This fatal +power she employed against the man who had jilted her. Events which +seemed to prove the influence of her "jettatura"--the casting of an evil +eye--confirmed her superstitious faith in herself. Though a minister and +peer of France, this man began to ruin himself, and soon came to total +ruin. His property, his personal and public honor were doomed to perish. +At this crisis Madame Evangelista in her brilliant equipage passed her +faithless lover walking on foot in the Champes Elysees, and crushed him +with a look which flamed with triumph. This misadventure, which occupied +her mind for two years, was the original cause of her not remarrying. +Later, her pride had drawn comparisons between the suitors who presented +themselves and the husband who had loved her so sincerely and so well. + +She had thus reached, through mistaken calculations and disappointed +hopes, that period of life when women have no other part to take in life +than that of mother; a part which involves the sacrifice of themselves +to their children, the placing of their interests outside of self upon +another household,--the last refuge of human affections. + +Madame Evangelista divined Paul's nature intuitively, and hid her own +from his perception. Paul was the very man she desired for a son-in-law, +for the responsible editor of her future power. He belonged, through his +mother, to the family of Maulincour, and the old Baronne de Maulincour, +the friend of the Vidame de Pamiers, was then living in the centre of +the faubourg Saint-Germain. The grandson of the baroness, Auguste de +Maulincour, held a fine position in the army. Paul would therefore be +an excellent introducer for the Evangelistas into Parisian society. The +widow had known something of the Paris of the Empire, she now desired to +shine in the Paris of the Restoration. There alone were the elements of +political fortune, the only business in which women of the world could +decently co-operate. Madame Evangelista, compelled by her husband's +affairs to reside in Bordeaux, disliked the place. She desired a wider +field, as gamblers rush to higher stakes. For her own personal ends, +therefore, she looked to Paul as a means of destiny, she proposed to +employ the resources of her own talent and knowledge of life to advance +her son-in-law, in order to enjoy through him the delights of power. +Many men are thus made the screens of secret feminine ambitions. Madame +Evangelista had, however, more than one interest, as we shall see, in +laying hold of her daughter's husband. + +Paul was naturally captivated by this woman, who charmed him all the +more because she seemed to seek no influence over him. In reality she +was using her ascendancy to magnify herself, her daughter, and all her +surroundings in his eyes, for the purpose of ruling from the start the +man in whom she saw a means of gratifying her social longings. Paul, on +the other hand, began to value himself more highly when he felt himself +appreciated by the mother and daughter. He thought himself much cleverer +than he really was when he found his reflections and sayings accepted +and understood by Mademoiselle Natalie--who raised her head and smiled +in response to them--and by the mother, whose flattery always seemed +involuntary. The two women were so kind and friendly to him, he was so +sure of pleasing them, they ruled him so delightfully by holding the +thread of his self-love, that he soon passed all his time at the hotel +Evangelista. + +A year after his return to Bordeaux, Comte Paul, without having declared +himself, was so attentive to Natalie that the world considered him as +courting her. Neither mother nor daughter appeared to be thinking of +marriage. Mademoiselle Evangelista preserved towards Paul the reserve +of a great lady who can make herself charming and converse agreeably +without permitting a single step into intimacy. This reserve, so little +customary among provincials, pleased Paul immensely. Timid men are shy; +sudden proposals alarm them. They retreat from happiness when it comes +with a rush, and accept misfortune if it presents itself mildly with +gentle shadows. Paul therefore committed himself in his own mind all the +more because he saw no effort on Madame Evangelista's part to bind him. +She fairly seduced him one evening by remarking that to superior women +as well as men there came a period of life when ambition superseded all +the earlier emotions of life. + +"That woman is fitted," thought Paul, as he left her, "to advance me in +diplomacy before I am even made a deputy." + +If, in all the circumstances of life a man does not turn over and over +both things and ideas in order to examine them thoroughly under their +different aspects before taking action, that man is weak and incomplete +and in danger of fatal failure. At this moment Paul was an optimist; he +saw everything to advantage, and did not tell himself than an ambitious +mother-in-law might prove a tyrant. So, every evening as he left the +house, he fancied himself a married man, allured his mind with its own +thought, and slipped on the slippers of wedlock cheerfully. In the first +place, he had enjoyed his freedom too long to regret the loss of it; he +was tired of a bachelor's life, which offered him nothing new; he +now saw only its annoyances; whereas if he thought at times of the +difficulties of marriage, its pleasures, in which lay novelty, came far +more prominently before his mind. + +"Marriage," he said to himself, "is disagreeable for people without +means, but half its troubles disappear before wealth." + +Every day some favorable consideration swelled the advantages which he +now saw in this particular alliance. + +"No matter to what position I attain, Natalie will always be on the +level of her part," thought he, "and that is no small merit in a woman. +How many of the Empire men I've seen who suffered horribly through their +wives! It is a great condition of happiness not to feel one's pride or +one's vanity wounded by the companion we have chosen. A man can never +be really unhappy with a well-bred wife; she will never make him +ridiculous; such a woman is certain to be useful to him. Natalie will +receive in her own house admirably." + +So thinking, he taxed his memory as to the most distinguished women of +the faubourg Saint-Germain, in order to convince himself that Natalie +could, if not eclipse them, at any rate stand among them on a footing of +perfect equality. All comparisons were to her advantage, for they rested +on his own imagination, which followed his desires. Paris would have +shown him daily other natures, young girls of other styles of beauty and +charm, and the multiplicity of impressions would have balanced his mind; +whereas in Bordeaux Natalie had no rivals, she was the solitary flower; +moreover, she appeared to him at a moment when Paul was under the +tyranny of an idea to which most men succumb at his age. + +Thus these reasons of propinquity, joined to reasons of self-love and a +real passion which had no means of satisfaction except by marriage, led +Paul on to an irrational love, which he had, however, the good sense to +keep to himself. He even endeavored to study Mademoiselle Evangelista +as a man should who desires not to compromise his future life; for the +words of his friend de Marsay did sometimes rumble in his ears like a +warning. But, in the first place, persons accustomed to luxury have a +certain indifference to it which misleads them. They despise it, they +use it; it is an instrument, and not the object of their existence. Paul +never imagined, as he observed the habits of life of the two ladies, +that they covered a gulf of ruin. Then, though there may exist some +general rules to soften the asperities of marriage, there are none by +which they can be accurately foreseen and evaded. When trouble arises +between two persons who have undertaken to render life agreeable and +easy to each other, it comes from the contact of continual intimacy, +which, of course, does not exist between young people before they marry, +and will never exist so long as our present social laws and customs +prevail in France. All is more or less deception between the two young +persons about to take each other for life,--an innocent and involuntary +deception, it is true. Each endeavors to appear in a favorable light; +both take a tone and attitude conveying a more favorable idea of their +nature than they are able to maintain in after years. Real life, like +the weather, is made up of gray and cloudy days alternating with those +when the sun shines and the fields are gay. Young people, however, +exhibit fine weather and no clouds. Later they attribute to marriage the +evils inherent in life itself; for there is in man a disposition to lay +the blame of his own misery on the persons and things that surround him. + +To discover in the demeanor, or the countenance, or the words, or the +gestures of Mademoiselle Evangelista any indication that revealed the +imperfections of her character, Paul must have possessed not only the +knowledge of Lavater and Gall, but also a science in which there exists +no formula of doctrine,--the individual and personal science of an +observer, which, for its perfection, requires an almost universal +knowledge. Natalie's face, like that of most young girls, was +impenetrable. The deep, serene peace given by sculptors to the virgin +faces of Justice and Innocence, divinities aloof from all earthly +agitations, is the greatest charm of a young girl, the sign of her +purity. Nothing, as yet, has stirred her; no shattered passion, no hope +betrayed has clouded the placid expression of that pure face. Is that +expression assumed? If so, there is no young girl behind it. + +Natalie, closely held to the heart of her mother, had received, like +other Spanish women, an education that was solely religious, together +with a few instructions from her mother as to the part in life she was +called upon to play. Consequently, the calm, untroubled expression of +her face was natural. And yet it formed a casing in which the woman +was wrapped as the moth in its cocoon. Nevertheless, any man clever at +handling the scalpel of analysis might have detected in Natalie certain +indications of the difficulties her character would present when brought +into contact with conjugal or social life. Her beauty, which was really +marvellous, came from extreme regularity of feature harmonizing with the +proportions of the head and the body. This species of perfection augurs +ill for the mind; and there are few exceptions to the rule. All superior +nature is found to have certain slight imperfections of form which +become irresistible attractions, luminous points from which shine vivid +sentiments, and on which the eye rests gladly. Perfect harmony expresses +usually the coldness of a mixed organization. + +Natalie's waist was round,--a sign of strength, but also the infallible +indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons whose mind +is neither keen nor broad. Her hands, like those of a Greek statue, +confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an inclination +for illogical domination, of willing for will's sake only. Her eyebrows +met,--a sign, according to some observers, which indicates jealousy. The +jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation and leads to great things; +that of small minds turns to hatred. The "hate and wait" of her mother +was in her nature, without disguise. Her eyes were black apparently, +though really brown with orange streaks, contrasting with her hair, +of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans, called auburn in England, a +color which often appears in the offspring of persons of jet black hair, +like that of Monsieur and Madame Evangelista. The whiteness and delicacy +of Natalie's complexion gave to the contrast of color in her eyes and +hair an inexpressible charm; and yet it was a charm that was purely +external; for whenever the lines of a face are lacking in a certain +soft roundness, whatever may be the finish and grace of the details, the +beauty therein expressed is not of the soul. These roses of deceptive +youth will drop their leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years +to see hardness and dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the +beauty of noble qualities. + +Though the outlines of Natalie's face had something august about them, +her chin was slightly "empate,"--a painter's expression which will serve +to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would only +become manifest in after life. Her mouth, a trifle drawn in, expressed +a haughty pride in keeping with her hand, her chin, her brows, and her +beautiful figure. And--as a last diagnostic to guide the judgment of a +connoisseur--Natalie's pure voice, a most seductive voice, had certain +metallic tones. Softly as that brassy ring was managed, and in spite of +the grace with which its sounds ran through the compass of the voice, +that organ revealed the character of the Duke of Alba, from whom the +Casa-Reales were collaterally descended. These indications were those +of violent passions without tenderness, sudden devotions, irreconcilable +dislikes, a mind without intelligence, and the desire to rule natural to +persons who feel themselves inferior to their pretensions. + +These defects, born of temperament and constitution, were buried in +Natalie like ore in a mine, and would only appear under the shocks and +harsh treatment to which all characters are subjected in this world. +Meantime the grace and freshness of her youth, the distinction of her +manners, her sacred ignorance, and the sweetness of a young girl, gave +a delicate glamour to her features which could not fail to mislead an +unthinking or superficial mind. Her mother had early taught her the +trick of agreeable talk which appears to imply superiority, replying +to arguments by clever jests, and attracting by the graceful volubility +beneath which a woman hides the subsoil of her mind, as Nature disguises +her barren strata beneath a wealth of ephemeral vegetation. Natalie had +the charm of children who have never known what it is to suffer. She +charmed by her frankness, and had none of that solemn air which mothers +impose on their daughters by laying down a programme of behavior and +language until the time comes when they marry and are emancipated. She +was gay and natural, like any young girl who knows nothing of marriage, +expects only pleasure from it, replies to all objections with a jest, +foresees no troubles, and thinks she is acquiring the right to have her +own way. + +How could Paul, who loved as men love when desire increases love, +perceive in a girl of this nature whose beauty dazzled him, the woman, +such as she would probably be at thirty, when observers themselves have +been misled by these appearances? Besides, if happiness might prove +difficult to find in a marriage with such a girl, it was not impossible. +Through these embryo defects shone several fine qualities. There is no +good quality which, if properly developed by the hand of an able master, +will not stifle defects, especially in a young girl who loves him. But +to render ductile so intractable a woman, the iron wrist, about which de +Marsay had preached to Paul, was needful. The Parisian dandy was right. +Fear, inspired by love is an infallible instrument by which to manage +the minds of women. Whoso loves, fears; whoso fears is nearer to +affection than to hatred. + +Had Paul the coolness, firmness, and judgment required for this +struggle, which an able husband ought not to let the wife suspect? Did +Natalie love Paul? Like most young girls, Natalie mistook for love the +first emotions of instinct and the pleasure she felt in Paul's external +appearance; but she knew nothing of the things of marriage nor +the demands of a home. To her, the Comte de Manerville, a rising +diplomatist, to whom the courts of Europe were known, and one of the +most elegant young men in Paris, could not seem, what perhaps he was, +an ordinary man, without moral force, timid, though brave in some ways, +energetic perhaps in adversity, but helpless against the vexations +and annoyances that hinder happiness. Would she, in after years, have +sufficient tact and insight to distinguish Paul's noble qualities in the +midst of his minor defects? Would she not magnify the latter and forget +the former, after the manner of young wives who know nothing of life? +There comes a time when wives will pardon defects in the husband who +spares her annoyances, considering annoyances in the same category as +misfortunes. What conciliating power, what wise experience would uphold +and enlighten the home of this young pair? Paul and his wife would +doubtless think they loved when they had really not advanced beyond the +endearments and compliments of the honeymoon. Would Paul in that early +period yield to the tyranny of his wife, instead of establishing his +empire? Could Paul say, "No?" All was peril to a man so weak where even +a strong man ran some risks. + +The subject of this Study is not the transition of a bachelor into a +married man,--a picture which, if broadly composed, would not lack the +attraction which the inner struggles of our nature and feelings give to +the commonest situations in life. The events and the ideas which led to +the marriage of Paul with Natalie Evangelista are an introduction to +our real subject, which is to sketch the great comedy that precedes, in +France, all conjugal pairing. This Scene, until now singularly neglected +by our dramatic authors, although it offers novel resources to their +wit, controlled Paul's future life and was now awaited by Madame +Evangelista with feelings of terror. We mean the discussion which takes +place on the subject of the marriage contract in all families, whether +noble or bourgeois, for human passions are as keenly excited by small +interests as by large ones. These comedies, played before a notary, all +resemble, more or less, the one we shall now relate, the interest of +which will be far less in the pages of this book than in the memories of +married persons. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--FIRST DAY + + +At the beginning of the winter of 1822, Paul de Manerville made a formal +request, through his great-aunt, the Baronne de Maulincour, for the hand +of Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista. Though the baroness never stayed +more than two months in Medoc, she remained on this occasion till the +last of October, in order to assist her nephew through the affair and +play the part of a mother to him. After conveying the first suggestions +to Madame Evangelista the experienced old woman returned to inform Paul +of the results of the overture. + +"My child," she said, "the affair is won. In talking of property, I +found that Madame Evangelista gives nothing of her own to her daughter. +Mademoiselle Natalie's dowry is her patrimony. Marry her, my dear boy. +Men who have a name and an estate to transmit, a family to continue, +must, sooner or later, end in marriage. I wish I could see my dear +Auguste taking that course. You can now carry on the marriage without +me; I have nothing to give you but my blessing, and women as old as I +are out of place at a wedding. I leave for Paris to-morrow. When you +present your wife in society I shall be able to see her and assist her +far more to the purpose than now. If you had had no house in Paris I +would gladly have arranged the second floor of mine for you." + +"Dear aunt," said Paul, "I thank you heartily. But what do you mean +when you say that the mother gives nothing of her own, and that the +daughter's dowry is her patrimony?" + +"The mother, my dear boy, is a sly cat, who takes advantage of her +daughter's beauty to impose conditions and allow you only that which she +cannot prevent you from having; namely, the daughter's fortune from her +father. We old people know the importance of inquiring closely, What has +he? What has she? I advise you therefore to give particular instructions +to your notary. The marriage contract, my dear child, is the most sacred +of all duties. If your father and your mother had not made their +bed properly you might now be sleeping without sheets. You will have +children, they are the commonest result of marriage, and you must think +of them. Consult Maitre Mathias our old notary." + +Madame de Maulincour departed, having plunged Paul into a state of +extreme perplexity. His mother-in-law a sly cat! Must he struggle for +his interests in the marriage contract? Was it necessary to defend them? +Who was likely to attack them? + +He followed the advice of his aunt and confided the drawing-up of the +marriage contract to Maitre Mathias. But these threatened discussions +oppressed him, and he went to see Madame Evangelista and announce his +intentions in a state of rather lively agitation. Like all timid men, he +shrank from allowing the distrust his aunt had put into his mind to be +seen; in fact, he considered it insulting. To avoid even a slight jar +with a person so imposing to his mind as his future mother-in-law, he +proceeded to state his intentions with the circumlocution natural to +persons who dare not face a difficulty. + +"Madame," he said, choosing a moment when Natalie was absent from the +room, "you know, of course, what a family notary is. Mine is a worthy +old man, to whom it would be a sincere grief if he were not entrusted +with the drawing of my marriage contract." + +"Why, of course!" said Madame Evangelista, interrupting him, "but are +not marriage contracts always made by agreement of the notaries of both +families?" + +The time that Paul took to reply to this question was occupied by Madame +Evangelista in asking herself, "What is he thinking of?" for women +possess in an eminent degree the art of reading thoughts from the play +of countenance. She divined the instigations of the great-aunt in the +embarrassed glance and the agitated tone of voice which betrayed an +inward struggle in Paul's mind. + +"At last," she thought to herself, "the fatal day has come; the crisis +begins--how will it end? My notary is Monsieur Solonet," she said, after +a pause. "Yours, I think you said, is Monsieur Mathias; I will invite +them to dinner to-morrow, and they can come to an understanding then. It +is their business to conciliate our interests without our interference; +just as good cooks are expected to furnish good food without +instructions." + +"Yes, you are right," said Paul, letting a faint sigh of relief escape +from him. + +By a singular transposition of parts, Paul, innocent of all wrong-doing, +trembled, while Madame Evangelista, though a prey to the utmost anxiety, +was outwardly calm. + +The widow owed her daughter one-third of the fortune left by Monsieur +Evangelista,--namely, nearly twelve hundred thousand francs,--and she +knew herself unable to pay it, even by taking the whole of her property +to do so. She would therefore be placed at the mercy of a son-in-law. +Though she might be able to control Paul if left to himself, would he, +when enlightened by his notary, agree to release her from rendering her +account as guardian of her daughter's patrimony? If Paul withdrew +his proposals all Bordeaux would know the reason and Natalie's future +marriage would be made impossible. This mother, who desired the +happiness of her daughter, this woman, who from infancy had lived +honorably, was aware that on the morrow she must become dishonest. Like +those great warriors who fain would blot from their lives the moment +when they had felt a secret cowardice, she ardently desired to cut this +inevitable day from the record of hers. Most assuredly some hairs on her +head must have whitened during the night, when, face to face with facts, +she bitterly regretted her extravagance as she felt the hard necessities +of the situation. + +Among these necessities was that of confiding the truth to her notary, +for whom she sent in the morning as soon as she rose. She was forced to +reveal to him a secret defaulting she had never been willing to admit +to herself, for she had steadily advanced to the abyss, relying on some +chance accident, which never happened, to relieve her. There rose in her +soul a feeling against Paul, that was neither dislike, nor aversion, +nor anything, as yet, unkind; but HE was the cause of this crisis; the +opposing party in this secret suit; he became, without knowing it, an +innocent enemy she was forced to conquer. What human being did ever yet +love his or her dupe? Compelled to deceive and trick him if she could, +the Spanish woman resolved, like other women, to put her whole force of +character into the struggle, the dishonor of which could be absolved by +victory only. + +In the stillness of the night she excused her conduct to her own mind +by a tissue of arguments in which her pride predominated. Natalie had +shared the benefit of her extravagance. There was not a single base or +ignoble motive in what she had done. She was no accountant, but was that +a crime, a delinquency? A man was only too lucky to obtain a wife like +Natalie without a penny. Such a treasure bestowed upon him might surely +release her from a guardianship account. How many men had bought the +women they loved by greater sacrifices? Why should a man do less for +a wife than for a mistress? Besides, Paul was a nullity, a man of no +force, incapable; she would spend the best resources of her mind upon +him and open to him a fine career; he should owe his future power and +position to her influence; in that way she could pay her debt. He would +indeed be a fool to refuse such a future; and for what? a few paltry +thousands, more or less. He would be infamous if he withdrew for such a +reason. + +"But," she added, to herself, "if the negotiation does not succeed +at once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for +Natalie by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds +and furniture,--keeping only a small income for myself." + +When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,--as Richelieu +did at Brouage,--and holds in reserve a vigorous end, the resolution +becomes a lever which strengthens its immediate way. The thought of this +finale in case of failure comforted Madame Evangelista, who fell asleep +with all the more confidence as she remembered her assistance in the +coming duel. + +This was a young man named Solonet, considered the ablest notary in +Bordeaux; now twenty-seven years of age and decorated with the Legion +of honor for having actively contributed to the second return of +the Bourbons. Proud and happy to be received in the home of Madame +Evangelista, less as a notary than as belonging to the royalist society +of Bordeaux, Solonet had conceived for that fine setting sun one of +those passions which women like Madame Evangelista repulse, although +flattered and graciously allowing them to exist upon the surface. +Solonet remained therefore in a self-satisfied condition of hope and +becoming respect. Being sent for, he arrived the next morning with the +promptitude of a slave and was received by the coquettish widow in +her bedroom, where she allowed him to find her in a very becoming +dishabille. + +"Can I," she said, "count upon your discretion and your entire devotion +in a discussion which will take place in my house this evening? You will +readily understand that it relates to the marriage of my daughter." + +The young man expended himself in gallant protestations. + +"Now to the point," she said. + +"I am listening," he replied, checking his ardor. + +Madame Evangelista then stated her position baldly. + +"My dear lady, that is nothing to be troubled about," said Maitre +Solonet, assuming a confident air as soon as his client had given him +the exact figures. "The question is how have you conducted yourself +toward Monsieur de Manerville? In this matter questions of manner and +deportment are of greater importance than those of law and finance." + +Madame Evangelista wrapped herself in dignity. The notary learned to +his satisfaction that until the present moment his client's relations +to Paul had been distant and reserved, and that partly from native pride +and partly from involuntary shrewdness she had treated the Comte de +Manerville as in some sense her inferior and as though it were an honor +for him to be allowed to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista. She assured +Solonet that neither she nor her daughter could be suspected of any +mercenary interests in the marriage; that they had the right, should +Paul make any financial difficulties, to retreat from the affair to an +illimitable distance; and finally, that she had already acquired over +her future son-in-law a very remarkable ascendancy. + +"If that is so," said Solonet, "tell me what are the utmost concessions +you are willing to make." + +"I wish to make as few as possible," she answered, laughing. + +"A woman's answer," cried Solonet. "Madame, are you anxious to marry +Mademoiselle Natalie?" + +"Yes." + +"And you want a receipt for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand +francs, for which you are responsible on the guardianship account which +the law obliges you to render to your son-in-law?" + +"Yes." + +"How much do you want to keep back?" + +"Thirty thousand a year, at least." + +"It is a question of conquer or die, is it?" + +"It is." + +"Well, then, I must reflect on the necessary means to that end; it +will need all our cleverness to manage our forces. I will give you some +instructions on my arrival this evening; follow them carefully, and I +think I may promise you a successful issue. Is the Comte de Manerville +in love with Mademoiselle Natalie?" he asked as he rose to take leave. + +"He adores her." + +"That is not enough. Does he desire her to the point of disregarding all +pecuniary difficulties?" + +"Yes." + +"That's what I call having a lien upon a daughter's property," cried the +notary. "Make her look her best to-night," he added with a sly glance. + +"She has a most charming dress for the occasion." + +"The marriage-contract dress is, in my opinion, half the battle," said +Solonet. + +This last argument seemed so cogent to Madame Evangelista that she +superintended Natalie's toilet herself, as much perhaps to watch +her daughter as to make her the innocent accomplice of her financial +conspiracy. + +With her hair dressed a la Sevigne and wearing a gown of white tulle +adorned with pink ribbons, Natalie seemed to her mother so beautiful +as to guarantee victory. When the lady's-maid left the room and Madame +Evangelista was certain that no one could overhear her, she arranged a +few curls on her daughter's head by way of exordium. + +"Dear child," she said, in a voice that was firm apparently, "do you +sincerely love the Comte de Manerville?" + +Mother and daughter cast strange looks at each other. + +"Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than +yesterday. Why have you thrown me with him?" + +"If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the +marriage?" + +"I should give it up--and I should not die of grief." + +"You do not love him, my dear," said the mother, kissing her daughter's +forehead. + +"But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?" + +"I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in +love with the husband." + +"I love him." + +"And you are right. He is a count; we will make him a peer of France +between us; nevertheless, there are certain difficulties." + +"Difficulties between persons who love each other? Oh, no. The heart of +the Pink of Fashion is too firmly planted here," she said, with a pretty +gesture, "to make the very slightest objection. I am sure of that." + +"But suppose it were otherwise?" persisted Madame Evangelista. + +"He would be profoundly and forever forgotten," replied Natalie. + +"Good! You are a Casa-Reale. But suppose, though he madly loves you, +suppose certain discussions and difficulties should arise, not of his +own making, but which he must decide in your interests as well as in +mine--hey, Natalie, what then? Without lowering your dignity, perhaps a +little softness in your manner might decide him--a word, a tone, a mere +nothing. Men are so made; they resist a serious argument, but they yield +to a tender look." + +"I understand! a little touch to make my Favori leap the barrier," said +Natalie, making the gesture of striking a horse with her whip. + +"My darling! I ask nothing that resembles seduction. You and I have +sentiments of the old Castilian honor which will never permit us to pass +certain limits. Count Paul shall know our situation." + +"What situation?" + +"You would not understand it. But I tell you now that if after seeing +you in all your glory his look betrays the slightest hesitation,--and I +shall watch him,--on that instant I shall break off the marriage; I will +liquidate my property, leave Bordeaux, and go to Douai, to be near the +Claes. Madame Claes is our relation through the Temnincks. Then I'll +marry you to a peer of France, and take refuge in a convent myself, that +I may give up to you my whole fortune." + +"Mother, what am I to do to prevent such misfortunes?" cried Natalie. + +"I have never seen you so beautiful as you are now," replied her mother. +"Be a little coquettish, and all is well." + +Madame Evangelista left Natalie to her thoughts, and went to arrange +her own toilet in such a way that would bear comparison with that of her +daughter. If Natalie ought to make herself attractive to Paul she ought, +none the less, to inflame the ardor of her champion Solonet. The mother +and daughter were therefore under arms when Paul arrived, bearing the +bouquet which for the last few months he had daily offered to his +love. All three conversed pleasantly while awaiting the arrival of the +notaries. + +This day brought to Paul the first skirmish of that long and wearisome +warfare called marriage. It is therefore necessary to state the forces +on both sides, the position of the belligerent bodies, and the ground on +which they are about to manoeuvre. + +To maintain a struggle, the importance of which had wholly escaped him, +Paul's only auxiliary was the old notary, Mathias. Both were about to be +confronted, unaware and defenceless, by a most unexpected circumstance; +to be pressed by an enemy whose strategy was planned, and driven to +decide on a course without having time to reflect upon it. Where is +the man who would not have succumbed, even though assisted by Cujas and +Barthole? How should he look for deceit and treachery where all seemed +compliant and natural? What could old Mathias do alone against Madame +Evangelista, against Solonet, against Natalie, especially when a client +in love goes over to the enemy as soon as the rising conflict threatens +his happiness? Already Paul was damaging his cause by making the +customary lover's speeches, to which his passion gave excessive value +in the ears of Madame Evangelista, whose object it was to drive him to +commit himself. + +The matrimonial condottieri now about to fight for their clients, +whose personal powers were to be so vitally important in this solemn +encounter, the two notaries, on short, represent individually the old +and the new systems,--old fashioned notarial usage, and the new-fangled +modern procedure. + +Maitre Mathias was a worthy old gentleman sixty-nine years of age, who +took great pride in his forty years' exercise of the profession. His +huge gouty feet were encased in shoes with silver buckles, making a +ridiculous termination to legs so spindling, with knees so bony, that +when he crossed them they made you think of the emblems on a tombstone. +His puny little thighs, lost in a pair of wide black breeches fastened +with buckles, seemed to bend beneath the weight of a round stomach and +a torso developed, like that of most sedentary persons, into a stout +barrel, always buttoned into a green coat with square tails, which no +man could remember to have ever seen new. His hair, well brushed and +powdered, was tied in a rat's tail that lay between the collar of his +coat and that of his waistcoat, which was white, with a pattern of +flowers. With his round head, his face the color of a vine-leaf, his +blue eyes, a trumpet nose, a thick-lipped mouth, and a double-chin, the +dear old fellow excited, whenever he appeared among strangers who did +not know him, that satirical laugh which Frenchmen so generously bestow +on the ludicrous creations Dame Nature occasionally allows herself, +which Art delights in exaggerating under the name of caricatures. + +But in Maitre Mathias, mind had triumphed over form; the qualities of +his soul had vanquished the oddities of his body. The inhabitants of +Bordeaux, as a rule, testified a friendly respect and a deference that +was full of esteem for him. The old man's voice went to their hearts and +sounded there with the eloquence of uprightness. His craft consisted in +going straight to the fact, overturning all subterfuge and evil devices +by plain questionings. His quick perception, his long training in his +profession gave him that divining sense which goes to the depths of +conscience and reads its secret thoughts. Though grave and deliberate in +business, the patriarch could be gay with the gaiety of our ancestors. +He could risk a song after dinner, enjoy all family festivities, +celebrate the birthdays of grandmothers and children, and bury with due +solemnity the Christmas log. He loved to send presents at New Year, +and eggs at Easter; he believed in the duties of a godfather, and never +deserted the customs which colored the life of the olden time. Maitre +Mathias was a noble and venerable relic of the notaries, obscure +great men, who gave no receipt for the millions entrusted to them, but +returned those millions in the sacks they were delivered in, tied with +the same twine; men who fulfilled their trusts to the letter, drew +honest inventories, took fatherly interest in their clients, often +barring the way to extravagance and dissipation,--men to whom families +confided their secrets, and who felt so responsible for any error in +their deeds that they meditated long and carefully over them. Never +during his whole notarial life, had any client found reason to complain +of a bad investment or an ill-placed mortgage. His own fortune, slowly +but honorably acquired, had come to him as the result of a thirty years' +practice and careful economy. He had established in life fourteen of his +clerks. Religious, and generous in secret, Mathias was found whenever +good was to be done without remuneration. An active member on hospital +and other benevolent committees, he subscribed the largest sums to +relieve all sudden misfortunes and emergencies, as well as to create +certain useful permanent institutions; consequently, neither he nor +his wife kept a carriage. Also his word was felt to be sacred, and his +coffers held as much of the money of others as a bank; and also, we may +add, he went by the name of "Our good Monsieur Mathias," and when he +died, three thousand persons followed him to his grave. + +Solonet was the style of young notary who comes in humming a tune, +affects light-heartedness, declares that business is better done with +a laugh than seriously. He is the notary captain of the national guard, +who dislikes to be taken for a notary, solicits the cross of the Legion +of honor, keeps his cabriolet, and leaves the verification of his deeds +to his clerks; he is the notary who goes to balls and theatres, buys +pictures and plays at ecarte; he has coffers in which gold is received +on deposit and is later returned in bank-bills,--a notary who follows +his epoch, risks capital in doubtful investments, speculates with all +he can lay his hands on, and expects to retire with an income of thirty +thousand francs after ten years' practice; in short, the notary whose +cleverness comes of his duplicity, whom many men fear as an accomplice +possessing their secrets, and who sees in his practice a means of +ultimately marrying some blue-stockinged heiress. + +When the slender, fair-haired Solonet, curled, perfumed, and booted like +the leading gentleman at the Vaudeville, and dressed like a dandy whose +most important business is a duel, entered Madame Evangelista's salon, +preceding his brother notary, whose advance was delayed by a twinge +of the gout, the two men presented to the life one of those famous +caricatures entitled "Former Times and the Present Day," which had such +eminent success under the Empire. If Madame and Mademoiselle Evangelista +to whom the "good Monsieur Mathias," was personally unknown, felt, on +first seeing him, a slight inclination to laugh, they were soon touched +by the old-fashioned grace with which he greeted them. The words he used +were full of that amenity which amiable old men convey as much by the +ideas they suggest as by the manner in which they express them. The +younger notary, with his flippant tone, seemed on a lower plane. Mathias +showed his superior knowledge of life by the reserved manner with which +he accosted Paul. Without compromising his white hairs, he showed that +he respected the young man's nobility, while at the same time he claimed +the honor due to old age, and made it felt that social rights are +natural. Solonet's bow and greeting, on the contrary, expressed a sense +of perfect equality, which would naturally affront the pretensions of +a man of society and make the notary ridiculous in the eyes of a +real noble. Solonet made a motion, somewhat too familiar, to Madame +Evangelista, inviting her to a private conference in the recess of +a window. For some minutes they talked to each other in a low voice, +giving way now and then to laughter,--no doubt to lessen in the minds of +others the importance of the conversation, in which Solonet was really +communicating to his sovereign lady the plan of battle. + +"But," he said, as he ended, "will you have the courage to sell your +house?" + +"Undoubtedly," she replied. + +Madame Evangelista did not choose to tell her notary the motive of this +heroism, which struck him greatly. Solonet's zeal might have cooled had +he known that his client was really intending to leave Bordeaux. She had +not as yet said anything about that intention to Paul, in order not to +alarm him with the preliminary steps and circumlocutions which must be +taken before he entered on the political life she planned for him. + +After dinner the two plenipotentiaries left the loving pair with +the mother, and betook themselves to an adjoining salon where their +conference was arranged to take place. A dual scene then followed on +this domestic stage: in the chimney-corner of the great salon a scene of +love, in which to all appearances life was smiles and joy; in the other +room, a scene of gravity and gloom, where selfish interests, baldly +proclaimed, openly took the part they play in life under flowery +disguises. + +"My dear master," said Solonet, "the document can remain under your lock +and key; I know very well what I owe to my old preceptor." Mathias bowed +gravely. "But," continued Solonet, unfolding the rough copy of a deed he +had made his clerk draw up, "as we are the oppressed party, I mean the +daughter, I have written the contract--which will save you trouble. We +marry with our rights under the rule of community of interests; with +general donation of our property to each other in case of death without +heirs; if not, donation of one-fourth as life interest, and one-fourth +in fee; the sum placed in community of interests to be one-fourth of the +respective property of each party; the survivor to possess the furniture +without appraisal. It's all as simple as how d'ye do." + +"Ta, ta, ta, ta," said Mathias, "I don't do business as one sings a +tune. What are your claims?" + +"What are yours?" said Solonet. + +"Our property," replied Mathias, "is: the estate of Lanstrac, which +brings in a rental of twenty-three thousand francs a year, not counting +the natural products. Item: the farms of Grassol and Guadet, each +worth three thousand six hundred francs a year. Item: the vineyard of +Belle-Rose, yielding in ordinary years sixteen thousand francs; total, +forty-six thousand two hundred francs a year. Item: the patrimonial +mansion at Bordeaux taxed for nine hundred francs. Item: a handsome +house, between court and garden in Paris, rue de la Pepiniere, taxed +for fifteen hundred francs. These pieces of property, the title-deeds of +which I hold, are derived from our father and mother, except the +house in Paris, which we bought ourselves. We must also reckon in +the furniture of the two houses, and that of the chateau of Lanstrac, +estimated at four hundred and fifty thousand francs. There's the table, +the cloth, and the first course. What do you bring for the second course +and the dessert?" + +"Our rights," replied Solonet. + +"Specify them, my friend," said Mathias. "What do you bring us? Where is +the inventory of the property left by Monsieur Evangelista? Show me the +liquidation, the investment of the amount. Where is your capital?--if +there is any capital. Where is your landed property?--if you have any. +In short, let us see your guardianship account, and tell us what you +bring and what your mother will secure to us." + +"Does Monsieur le Comte de Manerville love Mademoiselle Evangelista?" + +"He wishes to make her his wife if the marriage can be suitably +arranged," said the old notary. "I am not a child; this matter concerns +our business, and not our feelings." + +"The marriage will be off unless you show generous feeling; and for this +reason," continued Solonet. "No inventory was made at the death of our +husband; we are Spaniards, Creoles, and know nothing of French laws. +Besides, we were too deeply grieved at our loss to think at such a time +of the miserable formalities which occupy cold hearts. It is publicly +well known that our late husband adored us, and that we mourned for +him sincerely. If we did have a settlement of accounts with a short +inventory attached, made, as one may say, by common report, you can +thank our surrogate guardian, who obliged us to establish a status and +assign to our daughter a fortune, such as it is, at a time when we were +forced to withdraw from London our English securities, the capital of +which was immense, and re-invest the proceeds in Paris, where interests +were doubled." + +"Don't talk nonsense to me. There are various ways of verifying the +property. What was the amount of your legacy tax? Those figures will +enable us to get at the total. Come to the point. Tell us frankly what +you received from the father's estate and how much remains of it. If we +are very much in love we'll see then what we can do." + +"If you are marrying us for our money you can go about your business. We +have claims to more than a million; but all that remains to our mother +is this house and furniture and four hundred odd thousand francs +invested about 1817 in the Five-per-cents, which yield about +forty-thousand francs a year." + +"Then why do you live in a style that requires one hundred thousand a +year at the least?" cried Mathias, horror-stricken. + +"Our daughter has cost us the eyes out of our head," replied Solonet. +"Besides, we like to spend money. Your jeremiads, let me tell you, won't +recover two farthings of the money." + +"With the fifty thousand francs a year which belong to Mademoiselle +Natalie you could have brought her up handsomely without coming to ruin. +But if you have squandered everything while you were a girl what will it +be when you are a married woman?" + +"Then drop us altogether," said Solonet. "The handsomest girl in +Bordeaux has a right to spend more than she has, if she likes." + +"I'll talk to my client about that," said the old notary. + +"Very good, old father Cassandra, go and tell your client that we +haven't a penny," thought Solonet, who, in the solitude of his study, +had strategically massed his forces, drawn up his propositions, manned +the drawbridge of discussion, and prepared the point at which the +opposing party, thinking the affair a failure, could suddenly be led +into a compromise which would end in the triumph of his client. + +The white dress with its rose-colored ribbons, the Sevigne curls, +Natalie's tiny foot, her winning glance, her pretty fingers constantly +employed in adjusting curls that needed no adjustment, these girlish +manoeuvres like those of a peacock spreading his tail, had brought Paul +to the point at which his future mother-in-law desired to see him. He +was intoxicated with love, and his eyes, the sure thermometer of the +soul, indicated the degree of passion at which a man commits a thousand +follies. + +"Natalie is so beautiful," he whispered to the mother, "that I can +conceive the frenzy which leads a man to pay for his happiness by +death." + +Madame Evangelista replied with a shake of her head:-- + +"Lover's talk, my dear count. My husband never said such charming things +to me; but he married me without a fortune and for thirteen years he +never caused me one moment's pain." + +"Is that a lesson you are giving me?" said Paul, laughing. + +"You know how I love you, my dear son," she answered, pressing his hand. +"I must indeed love you well to give you my Natalie." + +"Give me, give me?" said the young girl, waving a screen of Indian +feathers, "what are you whispering about me?" + +"I was telling her," replied Paul, "how much I love you, since etiquette +forbids me to tell it to you." + +"Why?" + +"I fear to say too much." + +"Ah! you know too well how to offer the jewels of flattery. Shall I tell +you my private opinion about you? Well, I think you have more mind than +a lover ought to have. To be the Pink of Fashion and a wit as well," she +added, dropping her eyes, "is to have too many advantages: a man should +choose between them. I fear too, myself." + +"And why?" + +"We must not talk in this way. Mamma, do you not think that this +conversation is dangerous inasmuch as the contract is not yet signed?" + +"It soon will be," said Paul. + +"I should like to know what Achilles and Nestor are saying to each other +in the next room," said Natalie, nodding toward the door of the little +salon with a childlike expression of curiosity. + +"They are talking of our children and our death and a lot of other such +trifles; they are counting our gold to see if we can keep five horses in +the stables. They are talking also of deeds of gift; but there, I have +forestalled them." + +"How so?" + +"Have I not given myself wholly to you?" he said, looking straight at +the girl, whose beauty was enhanced by the blush which the pleasure of +this answer brought to her face. + +"Mamma, how can I acknowledge so much generosity." + +"My dear child, you have a lifetime before you in which to return it. +To make the daily happiness of a home, is to bring a treasure into it. I +had no other fortune when I married." + +"Do you like Lanstrac?" asked Paul, addressing Natalie. + +"How could I fail to like the place where you were born?" she answered. +"I wish I could see your house." + +"_Our_ house," said Paul. "Do you not want to know if I shall understand +your tastes and arrange the house to suit you? Your mother had made a +husband's task most difficult; you have always been so happy! But where +love is infinite, nothing is impossible." + +"My dear children," said Madame Evangelista, "do you feel willing to +stay in Bordeaux after your marriage? If you have the courage to face +the people here who know you and will watch and hamper you, so be it! +But if you feel that desire for a solitude together which can hardly be +expressed, let us go to Paris were the life of a young couple can pass +unnoticed in the stream. There alone you can behave as lovers without +fearing to seem ridiculous." + +"You are quite right," said Paul, "but I shall hardly have time to get +my house ready. However, I will write to-night to de Marsay, the friend +on whom I can always count to get things done for me." + +At the moment when Paul, like all young men accustomed to satisfy +their desires without previous calculation, was inconsiderately binding +himself to the expenses of a stay in Paris, Maitre Mathias entered the +salon and made a sign to his client that he wished to speak to him. + +"What is it, my friend?" asked Paul, following the old man to the recess +of a window. + +"Monsieur le comte," said the honest lawyer, "there is not a penny of +dowry. My advice is: put off the conference to another day, so that you +may gain time to consider your proper course." + +"Monsieur Paul," said Natalie, "I have a word to say in private to you." + +Though Madame Evangelista's face was calm, no Jew of the middle ages +ever suffered greater torture in his caldron of boiling oil than she was +enduring in her violet velvet gown. Solonet had pledged the marriage to +her, but she was ignorant of the means and conditions of success. The +anguish of this uncertainty was intolerable. Possibly she owed her +safety to her daughter's disobedience. Natalie had considered the advice +of her mother and noted her anxiety. When she saw the success of her +own coquetry she was struck to the heart with a variety of contradictory +thoughts. Without blaming her mother, she was half-ashamed of manoeuvres +the object of which was, undoubtedly, some personal game. She was also +seized with a jealous curiosity which is easily conceived. She wanted to +find out if Paul loved her well enough to rise above the obstacles that +her mother foresaw and which she now saw clouding the face of the old +lawyer. These ideas and sentiments prompted her to an action of loyalty +which became her well. But, for all that, the blackest perfidy could not +have been as dangerous as her present innocence. + +"Paul," she said in a low voice, and she so called him for the first +time, "if any difficulties as to property arise to separate us, remember +that I free you from all engagements, and will allow you to let the +blame of such a rupture rest on me." + +She put such dignity into this expression of her generosity that Paul +believed in her disinterestedness and in her ignorance of the strange +fact that his notary had just told to him. He pressed the young girl's +hand and kissed it like a man to whom love is more precious than wealth. +Natalie left the room. + +"Sac-a-papier! Monsieur le comte, you are committing a great folly," +said the old notary, rejoining his client. + +Paul grew thoughtful. He had expected to unite Natalie's fortune with +his own and thus obtain for his married life an income of one hundred +thousand francs a year; and however much a man may be in love he cannot +pass without emotion and anxiety from the prospect of a hundred thousand +to the certainty of forty-six thousand a year and the duty of providing +for a woman accustomed to every luxury. + +"My daughter is no longer here," said Madame Evangelista, advancing +almost regally toward her son-in-law and his notary. "May I be told what +is happening?" + +"Madame," replied Mathias, alarmed at Paul's silence, "an obstacle which +I fear will delay us has arisen--" + +At these words, Maitre Solonet issued from the little salon and cut +short the old man's speech by a remark which restored Paul's composure. +Overcome by the remembrance of his gallant speeches and his lover-like +behavior, he felt unable to disown them or to change his course. He +longed, for the moment, to fling himself into a gulf; Solonet's words +relieved him. + +"There is a way," said the younger notary, with an easy air, "by +which madame can meet the payment which is due to her daughter. Madame +Evangelista possesses forty thousand francs a year from an investment +in the Five-per-cents, the capital of which will soon be at par, if not +above it. We may therefore reckon it at eight hundred thousand francs. +This house and garden are fully worth two hundred thousand. On that +estimate, Madame can convey by the marriage contract the titles of that +property to her daughter, reserving only a life interest in it--for +I conclude that Monsieur le comte could hardly wish to leave his +mother-in-law without means? Though Madame has certainly run through her +fortune, she is still able to make good that of her daughter, or very +nearly so." + +"Women are most unfortunate in having no knowledge of business," +said Madame Evangelista. "Have I titles to property? and what are +life-interests?" + +Paul was in a sort of ecstasy as he listened to this proposed +arrangement. The old notary, seeing the trap, and his client with one +foot caught in it, was petrified for a moment, as he said to himself:-- + +"I am certain they are tricking us." + +"If madame will follow my advice," said Solonet, "she will secure her +own tranquillity. By sacrificing herself in this way she may be sure +that no minors will ultimately harass her--for we never know who +may live and who may die! Monsieur le comte will then give due +acknowledgment in the marriage contract of having received the sum total +of Mademoiselle Evangelista's patrimonial inheritance." + +Mathias could not restrain the indignation which shone in his eyes and +flushed his face. + +"And that sum," he said, shaking, "is--" + +"One million, one hundred and fifty-six thousand francs according to the +document--" + +"Why don't you ask Monsieur le comte to make over 'hic et nunc' his +whole fortune to his future wife?" said Mathias. "It would be more +honest than what you now propose. I will not allow the ruin of the Comte +de Manerville to take place under my very eyes--" + +He made a step as if to address his client, who was silent throughout +this scene as if dazed by it; but he turned and said, addressing Madame +Evangelista:-- + +"Do not suppose, madame, that I think you a party to these ideas of +my brother notary. I consider you an honest woman and a lady who knows +nothing of business." + +"Thank you, brother notary," said Solonet. + +"You know that there can be no offence between you and me," replied +Mathias. "Madame," he added, "you ought to know the result of this +proposed arrangement. You are still young and beautiful enough to marry +again--Ah! madame," said the old man, noting her gesture, "who can +answer for themselves on that point?" + +"I did not suppose, monsieur," said Madame Evangelista, "that, after +remaining a widow for the seven best years of my life, and refusing the +most brilliant offers for my daughter's sake, I should be suspected of +such a piece of folly as marrying again at thirty-nine years of age. +If we were not talking business I should regard your suggestion as an +impertinence." + +"Would it not be more impertinent if I suggested that you could not +marry again?" + +"Can and will are separate terms," remarked Solonet, gallantly. + +"Well," resumed Maitre Mathias, "we will say nothing of your marriage. +You may, and we all desire it, live for forty-five years to come. Now, +if you keep for yourself the life-interest in your daughter's patrimony, +your children are laid on the shelf for the best years of their lives." + +"What does that mean?" said the widow. "I don't understand being laid on +a shelf." + +Solonet, the man of elegance and good taste, began to laugh. + +"I'll translate it for you," said Mathias. "If your children are wise +they will think of the future. To think of the future means laying by +half our income, provided we have only two children, to whom we are +bound to give a fine education and a handsome dowry. Your daughter and +son-in-law will, therefore, be reduced to live on twenty thousand francs +a year, though each has spent fifty thousand while still unmarried. But +that is nothing. The law obliges my client to account, hereafter, to his +children for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand francs of their +mother's patrimony; yet he may not have received them if his wife should +die and madame should survive her, which may very well happen. To sign +such a contract is to fling one's self into the river, bound hand and +foot. You wish to make your daughter happy, do you not? If she loves her +husband, a fact which notaries never doubt, she will share his troubles. +Madame, I see enough in this scheme to make her die of grief and +anxiety; you are consigning her to poverty. Yes, madame, poverty; to +persons accustomed to the use of one hundred thousand francs a year, +twenty thousand is poverty. Moreover, if Monsieur le comte, out of +love for his wife, were guilty of extravagance, she could ruin him by +exercising her rights when misfortunes overtook him. I plead now for +you, for them, for their children, for every one." + +"The old fellow makes a lot of smoke with his cannon," thought Maitre +Solonet, giving his client a look, which meant, "Keep on!" + +"There is one way of combining all interests," replied Madame +Evangelista, calmly. "I can reserve to myself only the necessary cost of +living in a convent, and my children can have my property at once. I can +renounce the world, if such anticipated death conduces to the welfare of +my daughter." + +"Madame," said the old notary, "let us take time to consider and +weigh, deliberately, the course we had best pursue to conciliate all +interests." + +"Good heavens! monsieur," cried Madame Evangelista, who saw defeat +in delay, "everything has already been considered and weighed. I was +ignorant of what the process of marriage is in France; I am a Spaniard +and a Creole. I did not know that in order to marry my daughter it was +necessary to reckon up the days which God may still grant me; that my +child would suffer because I live; that I do harm by living, and by +having lived! When my husband married me I had nothing but my name and +my person. My name alone was a fortune to him, which dwarfed his own. +What wealth can equal that of a great name? My dowry was beauty, +virtue, happiness, birth, education. Can money give those treasures? +If Natalie's father could overhear this conversation, his generous soul +would be wounded forever, and his happiness in paradise destroyed. I +dissipated, foolishly, perhaps, a few of his millions without a quiver +ever coming to his eyelids. Since his death, I have grown economical and +orderly in comparison with the life he encouraged me to lead--Come, let +us break this thing off! Monsieur de Manerville is so disappointed that +I--" + +No descriptive language can express the confusion and shock which the +words, "break off," introduced into the conversation. It is enough to +say that these four apparently well-bred persons all talked at once. + +"In Spain people marry in the Spanish fashion, or as they please; but +in France they marry according to French law, sensibly, and as best they +can," said Mathias. + +"Ah, madame," cried Paul, coming out of his stupefaction, "you mistake +my feelings." + +"This is not a matter of feeling," said the old notary, trying to stop +his client from concessions. "We are concerned now with the interests +and welfare of three generations. Have _we_ wasted the missing millions? +We are simply endeavoring to solve difficulties of which we are wholly +guiltless." + +"Marry us, and don't haggle," said Solonet. + +"Haggle! do you call it haggling to defend the interests of father and +mother and children?" said Mathias. + +"Yes," said Paul, continuing his remarks to Madame Evangelista, "I +deplore the extravagance of my youth, which does not permit me to stop +this discussion, as you deplore your ignorance of business and your +involuntary wastefulness. God is my witness that I am not thinking, at +this moment, of myself. A simple life at Lanstrac does not alarm me; but +how can I ask Mademoiselle Natalie to renounce her tastes, her habits? +Her very existence would be changed." + +"Where did Evangelista get his millions?" said the widow. + +"Monsieur Evangelista was in business," replied the old notary; "he +played in the great game of commerce; he despatched ships and made +enormous sums; we are simply a landowner, whose capital is invested, +whose income is fixed." + +"There is still a way to harmonize all interests," said Solonet, +uttering this sentence in a high falsetto tone, which silenced the other +three and drew their eyes and their attention upon himself. + +This young man was not unlike a skilful coachman who holds the reins of +four horses, and amuses himself by first exciting his animals and then +subduing them. He had let loose these passions, and then, in turn, he +calmed them, making Paul, whose life and happiness were in the balance, +sweat in his harness, as well as his own client, who could not clearly +see her way through this involved discussion. + +"Madame Evangelista," he continued, after a slight pause, "can resign +her investment in the Five-per-cents at once, and she can sell this +house. I can get three hundred thousand francs for it by cutting the +land into small lots. Out of that sum she can give you one hundred and +fifty thousand francs. In this way she pays down nine hundred thousand +of her daughter's patrimony, immediately. That, to be sure, is not all +that she owes her daughter, but where will you find, in France, a better +dowry?" + +"Very good," said Maitre Mathias; "but what, then, becomes of madame?" + +At this question, which appeared to imply consent, Solonet said, softly, +to himself, "Well done, old fox! I've caught you!" + +"Madame," he replied, aloud, "will keep the hundred and fifty thousand +francs remaining from the sale of the house. This sum, added to the +value of her furniture, can be invested in an annuity which will give +her twenty thousand francs a year. Monsieur le comte can arrange to +provide a residence for her under his roof. Lanstrac is a large house. +You have also a house in Paris," he went on, addressing himself to Paul. +"Madame can, therefore, live with you wherever you are. A widow with +twenty thousand francs a year, and no household to maintain, is richer +than madame was when she possessed her whole fortune. Madame Evangelista +has only this one daughter; Monsieur le comte is without relations; it +will be many years before your heirs attain their majority; no conflict +of interests is, therefore, to be feared. A mother-in-law and a +son-in-law placed in such relations will form a household of united +interests. Madame Evangelista can make up for the remaining deficit by +paying a certain sum for her support from her annuity, which will ease +your way. We know that madame is too generous and too large-minded to +be willing to be a burden on her children. In this way you can make one +household, united and happy, and be able to spend, in your own right, +one hundred thousand francs a year. Is not that sum sufficient, Monsieur +le comte, to enjoy, in all countries, the luxuries of life, and to +satisfy all your wants and caprices? Believe me, a young couple often +feel the need of a third member of the household; and, I ask you, what +third member could be so desirable as a good mother?" + +"A little paradise!" exclaimed the old notary. + +Shocked to see his client's joy at this proposal, Mathias sat down on +an ottoman, his head in his hands, plunged in reflections that were +evidently painful. He knew well the involved phraseology in which +notaries and lawyers wrap up, intentionally, malicious schemes, and he +was not the man to be taken in by it. He now began, furtively, to watch +his brother notary and Madame Evangelista as they conversed with +Paul, endeavoring to detect some clew to the deep-laid plot which was +beginning to appear upon the surface. + +"Monsieur," said Paul to Solonet, "I thank you for the pains you take to +conciliate our interests. This arrangement will solve all difficulties +far more happily than I expected--if," he added, turning to Madame +Evangelista, "it is agreeable to you, madame; for I could not desire +anything that did not equally please you." + +"I?" she said; "all that makes the happiness of my children is joy to +me. Do not consider me in any way." + +"That would not be right," said Paul, eagerly. "If your future is not +honorably provided for, Natalie and I would suffer more than you would +suffer for yourself." + +"Don't be uneasy, Monsieur le comte," interposed Solonet. + +"Ah!" thought old Mathias, "they'll make him kiss the rod before they +scourge him." + +"You may feel quite satisfied," continued Solonet. "There are so many +enterprises going on in Bordeaux at this moment that investments for +annuities can be negotiated on very advantageous terms. After deducting +from the proceeds of the house and furniture the hundred and fifty +thousand francs we owe you, I think I can guarantee to madame that two +hundred and fifty thousand will remain to her. I take upon myself to +invest that sum in a first mortgage on property worth a million, and +to obtain ten per cent for it,--twenty-five thousand francs a year. +Consequently, we are marrying on nearly equal fortunes. In fact, against +your forty-six thousand francs a year, Mademoiselle Natalie brings you +forty thousand a year in the Five-per-cents, and one hundred and fifty +thousand in a round sum, which gives, in all, forty-seven thousand +francs a year." + +"That is evident," said Paul. + +As he ended his speech, Solonet had cast a sidelong glance at his +client, intercepted by Mathias, which meant: "Bring up your reserves." + +"But," exclaimed Madame Evangelista, in tones of joy that did not seem +to be feigned, "I can give Natalie my diamonds; they are worth, at +least, a hundred thousand francs." + +"We can have them appraised," said the notary. "This will change the +whole face of things. Madame can then keep the proceeds of her house, +all but fifty thousand francs. Nothing will prevent Monsieur le comte +from giving us a receipt in due form, as having received, in full, +Mademoiselle Natalie's inheritance from her father; this will close, of +course, the guardianship account. If madame, with Spanish generosity, +robs herself in this way to fulfil her obligations, the least that her +children can do is to give her a full receipt." + +"Nothing could be more just than that," said Paul. "I am simply +overwhelmed by these generous proposals." + +"My daughter is another myself," said Madame Evangelista, softly. + +Maitre Mathias detected a look of joy on her face when she saw that +the difficulties were being removed: that joy, and the previous +forgetfulness of the diamonds, which were now brought forward like fresh +troops, confirmed his suspicions. + +"The scene has been prepared between them as gamblers prepare the cards +to ruin a pigeon," thought the old notary. "Is this poor boy, whom I +saw born, doomed to be plucked alive by that woman, roasted by his very +love, and devoured by his wife? I, who have nursed these fine estates +for years with such care, am I to see them ruined in a single night? +Three million and a half to be hypothecated for eleven hundred thousand +francs these women will force him to squander!" + +Discovering thus in the soul of the elder woman intentions which, +without involving crime, theft, swindling, or any actually evil or +blameworthy action, nevertheless belonged to all those criminalities in +embryo, Maitre Mathias felt neither sorrow nor generous indignation. +He was not the Misanthrope; he was an old notary, accustomed in his +business to the shrewd calculations of worldly people, to those clever +bits of treachery which do more fatal injury than open murder on +the high-road committed by some poor devil, who is guillotined in +consequence. To the upper classes of society these passages in life, +these diplomatic meetings and discussions are like the necessary +cesspools where the filth of life is thrown. Full of pity for his +client, Mathias cast a foreseeing eye into the future and saw nothing +good. + +"We'll take the field with the same weapons," thought he, "and beat +them." + +At this moment, Paul, Solonet and Madame Evangelista, becoming +embarrassed by the old man's silence, felt that the approval of that +censor was necessary to carry out the transaction, and all three turned +to him simultaneously. + +"Well, my dear Monsieur Mathias, what do you think of it?" said Paul. + +"This is what I think," said the conscientious and uncompromising +notary. "You are not rich enough to commit such regal folly. The estate +of Lanstrac, if estimated at three per cent on its rentals, represents, +with its furniture, one million; the farms of Grassol and Guadet and +your vineyard of Belle-Rose are worth another million; your two houses +in Bordeaux and Paris, with their furniture, a third million. Against +those three millions, yielding forty-seven thousand francs a year, +Mademoiselle Natalie brings eight hundred thousand francs in the +Five-per-cents, the diamonds (supposing them to be worth a hundred +thousand francs, which is still problematical) and fifty thousand francs +in money; in all, one million and fifty thousand francs. In presence of +such facts my brother notary tells you boastfully that we are marrying +equal fortunes! He expects us to encumber ourselves with a debt +of eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand francs to our children by +acknowledging the receipt of our wife's patrimony, when we have actually +received but little more than a doubtful million. You are listening to +such stuff with the rapture of a lover, and you think that old Mathias, +who is not in love, can forget arithmetic, and will not point out the +difference between landed estate, the actual value of which is enormous +and constantly increasing, and the revenues of personal property, the +capital of which is subject to fluctuations and diminishment of income. +I am old enough to have learned that money dwindles and land augments. +You have called me in, Monsieur le comte, to stipulate for your +interests; either let me defend those interests, or dismiss me." + +"If monsieur is seeking a fortune equal in capital to his own," said +Solonet, "we certainly cannot give it to him. We do not possess three +millions and a half; nothing can be more evident. While you can boast +of your three overwhelming millions, we can only produce our poor one +million,--a mere nothing in your eyes, though three times the dowry of +an archduchess of Austria. Bonaparte received only two hundred and fifty +thousand francs with Maria-Louisa." + +"Maria-Louisa was the ruin of Bonaparte," muttered Mathias. + +Natalie's mother caught the words. + +"If my sacrifices are worth nothing," she cried, "I do not choose to +continue such a discussion; I trust to the discretion of Monsieur le +comte, and I renounce the honor of his hand for my daughter." + +According to the strategy marked out by the younger notary, this battle +of contending interests had now reached the point where victory was +certain for Madame Evangelista. The mother-in-law had opened her heart, +delivered up her property, and was therefore practically released as her +daughter's guardian. The future husband, under pain of ignoring the laws +of generous propriety and being false to love, ought now to accept these +conditions previously planned, and cleverly led up to by Solonet and +Madame Evangelista. Like the hands of a clock turned by mechanism, Paul +came faithfully up to time. + +"Madame!" he exclaimed, "is it possible you can think of breaking off +the marriage?" + +"Monsieur," she replied, "to whom am I accountable? To my daughter. When +she is twenty-one years of age she will receive my guardianship account +and release me. She will then possess a million, and can, if she likes, +choose her husband among the sons of the peers of France. She is a +daughter of the Casa-Reale." + +"Madame is right," remarked Solonet. "Why should she be more hardly +pushed to-day than she will be fourteen months hence? You ought not to +deprive her of the benefits of her maternity." + +"Mathias," cried Paul, in deep distress, "there are two sorts of ruin, +and you are bringing one upon me at this moment." + +He made a step towards the old notary, no doubt intending to tell +him that the contract must be drawn at once. But Mathias stopped that +disaster with a glance which said, distinctly, "Wait!" He saw the tears +in Paul's eyes,--tears drawn from an honorable man by the shame of this +discussion as much as by the peremptory speech of Madame Evangelista, +threatening rupture,--and the old man stanched them with a gesture like +that of Archimedes when he cried, "Eureka!" The words "peer of France" +had been to him like a torch in a dark crypt. + +Natalie appeared at this moment, dazzling as the dawn, saying, with +infantine look and manner, "Am I in the way?" + +"Singularly so, my child," answered her mother, in a bitter tone. + +"Come in, dear Natalie," said Paul, taking her hand and leading her to a +chair near the fireplace. "All is settled." + +He felt it impossible to endure the overthrow of their mutual hopes. + +"Yes, all can be settled," said Mathias, hastily interposing. + +Like a general who, in a moment, upsets the plans skilfully laid and +prepared by the enemy, the old notary, enlightened by that genius which +presides over notaries, saw an idea, capable of saving the future of +Paul and his children, unfolding itself in legal form before his eyes. + +Maitre Solonet, who perceived no other way out of these irreconcilable +difficulties than the resolution with which Paul's love inspired him, +and to which this conflict of feelings and thwarted interests had +brought him, was extremely surprised at the sudden exclamation of his +brother notary. Curious to know the remedy that Mathias had found in +a state of things which had seemed to him beyond all other relief, he +said, addressing the old man:-- + +"What is it you propose?" + +"Natalie, my dear child, leave us," said Madame Evangelista. + +"Mademoiselle is not in the way," replied Mathias, smiling. "I am going +to speak in her interests as well as in those of Monsieur le comte." + +Silence reigned for a moment, during which time everybody present, +oppressed with anxiety, awaited the allocution of the venerable notary +with unspeakable curiosity. + +"In these days," continued Maitre Mathias, after a pause, "the +profession of notary has changed from what it was. Political revolutions +now exert an influence over the prospects of families, which never +happened in former times. In those days existences were clearly defined; +so were rank and position--" + +"We are not here for a lecture on political ceremony, but to draw up a +marriage contract," said Solonet, interrupting the old man, impatiently. + +"I beg you to allow me to speak in my turn as I see fit," replied the +other. + +Solonet turned away and sat down on the ottoman, saying, in a low voice, +to Madame Evangelista:-- + +"You will now hear what we call in the profession 'balderdash.'" + +"Notaries are therefore compelled to follow the course of political +events, which are now intimately connected with private interests. Here +is an example: formerly noble families owned fortunes that were never +shaken, but which the laws, promulgated by the Revolution, destroyed, +and the present system tends to reconstruct," resumed the old notary, +yielding to the loquacity of the "tabellionaris boa-constrictor" +(boa-notary). "Monsieur le comte by his name, his talents, and his +fortune is called upon to sit some day in the elective Chamber. Perhaps +his destiny will take him to the hereditary Chamber, for we know that he +has talent and means enough to fulfil that expectation. Do you not agree +with me, madame?" he added, turning to the widow. + +"You anticipate my dearest hope," she replied. "Monsieur de Manerville +must be a peer of France, or I shall die of mortification." + +"Therefore all that leads to that end--" continued Mathias with a +cordial gesture to the astute mother-in-law. + +"--will promote my eager desire," she replied. + +"Well, then," said Mathias, "is not this marriage the proper occasion on +which to entail the estate and create the family? Such a course would, +undoubtedly, militate in the mind of the present government in favor of +the nomination of my client whenever a batch of appointments is sent in. +Monsieur le comte can very well afford to devote the estate of +Lanstrac (which is worth a million) to this purpose. I do not ask that +mademoiselle should contribute an equal sum; that would not be just. +But we can surely apply eight hundred thousand of her patrimony to this +object. There are two domains adjoining Lanstrac now to be sold, which +can be purchased for that sum, which will return in rentals four and a +half per cent. The house in Paris should be included in the entail. The +surplus of the two fortunes, if judiciously managed, will amply suffice +for the fortunes of the younger children. If the contracting parties +will agree to this arrangement, Monsieur ought certainly to accept your +guardianship account with its deficiency. I consent to that." + +"Questa coda non e di questo gatto (That tail doesn't belong to that +cat)," murmured Madame Evangelista, appealing to Solonet. + +"There's a snake in the grass somewhere," answered Solonet, in a low +voice, replying to the Italian proverb with a French one. + +"Why do you make this fuss?" asked Paul, leading Mathias into the +adjoining salon. + +"To save you from being ruined," replied the old notary, in a whisper. +"You are determined to marry a girl and her mother who have already +squandered two millions in seven years; you are pledging yourself to +a debt of eleven hundred thousand francs to your children, to whom +you will have to account for the fortune you are acknowledging to have +received with their mother. You risk having your own fortune squandered +in five years, and to be left as naked as Saint-John himself, besides +being a debtor to your wife and children for enormous sums. If you are +determined to put your life in that boat, Monsieur le comte, of course +you can do as you choose; but at least let me, your old friend, try to +save the house of Manerville." + +"How is this scheme going to save it?" asked Paul. + +"Monsieur le comte, you are in love--" + +"Yes." + +"A lover is about as discreet as a cannon-ball; therefore, I shall not +explain. If you repeated what I should say, your marriage would probably +be broken off. I protect your love by my silence. Have you confidence in +my devotion?" + +"A fine question!" + +"Well, then, believe me when I tell you that Madame Evangelista, her +notary, and her daughter, are tricking us through thick and thin; they +are more than clever. Tudieu! what a sly game!" + +"Not Natalie," cried Paul. + +"I sha'n't put my fingers between the bark and the tree," said the +old man. "You want her, take her! But I wish you were well out of this +marriage, if it could be done without the least wrong-doing on your +part." + +"Why do you wish it?" + +"Because that girl will spend the mines of Peru. Besides, see how she +rides a horse,--like the groom of a circus; she is half emancipated +already. Such girls make bad wives." + +Paul pressed the old man's hand, saying, with a confident air of +self-conceit:-- + +"Don't be uneasy as to that! But now, at this moment, what am I to do?" + +"Hold firm to my conditions. They will consent, for no one's apparent +interest is injured. Madame Evangelista is very anxious to marry her +daughter; I see that in her little game--Beware of her!" + +Paul returned to the salon, where he found his future mother-in-law +conversing in a low tone with Solonet. Natalie, kept outside of these +mysterious conferences, was playing with a screen. Embarrassed by her +position, she was thinking to herself: "How odd it is that they tell me +nothing of my own affairs." + +The younger notary had seized, in the main, the future effect of the new +proposal, based, as it was, on the self-love of both parties, into which +his client had fallen headlong. Now, while Mathias was more than a mere +notary, Solonet was still a young man, and brought into his business +the vanity of youth. It often happens that personal conceit makes a man +forgetful of the interests of his client. In this case, Maitre Solonet, +who would not suffer the widow to think that Nestor had vanquished +Achilles, advised her to conclude the marriage on the terms proposed. +Little he cared for the future working of the marriage contract; to him, +the conditions of victory were: Madame Evangelista released from her +obligations as guardian, her future secured, and Natalie married. + +"Bordeaux shall know that you have ceded eleven hundred thousand francs +to your daughter, and that you still have twenty-five thousand francs +a year left," whispered Solonet to his client. "For my part, I did not +expect to obtain such a fine result." + +"But," she said, "explain to me why the creation of this entail should +have calmed the storm at once." + +"It relieves their distrust of you and your daughter. An entail is +unchangeable; neither husband nor wife can touch that capital." + +"Then this arrangement is positively insulting!" + +"No; we call it simply precaution. The old fellow has caught you in a +net. If you refuse to consent to the entail, he can reply: 'Then your +object is to squander the fortune of my client, who, by the creation +of this entail, is protected from all such injury as securely as if the +marriage took place under the "regime dotal."'" + +Solonet quieted his own scruples by reflecting: "After all, these +stipulations will take effect only in the future, by which time Madame +Evangelista will be dead and buried." + +Madame Evangelista contented herself, for the present, with these +explanations, having full confidence in Solonet. She was wholly ignorant +of law; considering her daughter as good as married, she thought she had +gained her end, and was filled with the joy of success. Thus, as +Mathias had shrewdly calculated, neither Solonet nor Madame Evangelista +understood as yet, to its full extent, this scheme which he had based on +reasons that were undeniable. + +"Well, Monsieur Mathias," said the widow, "all is for the best, is it +not?" + +"Madame, if you and Monsieur le comte consent to this arrangement +you ought to exchange pledges. It is fully understood, I suppose," he +continued, looking from one to the other, "that the marriage will +only take place on condition of creating an entail upon the estate of +Lanstrac and the house in the rue de la Pepiniere, together with eight +hundred thousand francs in money brought by the future wife, the said +sum to be invested in landed property? Pardon me the repetition, madame; +but a positive and solemn engagement becomes absolutely necessary. +The creation of an entail requires formalities, application to the +chancellor, a royal ordinance, and we ought at once to conclude the +purchase of the new estate in order that the property be included in +the royal ordinance by virtue of which it becomes inalienable. In many +families this would be reduced to writing, but on this occasion I think +a simple consent would suffice. Do you consent?" + +"Yes," replied Madame Evangelista. + +"Yes," said Paul. + +"And I?" asked Natalie, laughing. + +"You are a minor, mademoiselle," replied Solonet; "don't complain of +that." + +It was then agreed that Maitre Mathias should draw up the contract, +Maitre Solonet the guardianship account and release, and that both +documents should be signed, as the law requires some days before the +celebration of the marriage. After a few polite salutations the notaries +withdrew. + +"It rains, Mathias; shall I take you home?" said Solonet. "My cabriolet +is here." + +"My carriage is here too," said Paul, manifesting an intention to +accompany the old man. + +"I won't rob you of a moment's pleasure," said Mathias. "I accept my +friend Solonet's offer." + +"Well," said Achilles to Nestor, as the cabriolet rolled away, "you have +been truly patriarchal to-night. The fact is, those young people would +certainly have ruined themselves." + +"I felt anxious about their future," replied Mathias, keeping silent as +to the real motives of his proposition. + +At this moment the two notaries were like a pair of actors arm in +arm behind the stage on which they have played a scene of hatred and +provocation. + +"But," said Solonet, thinking of his rights as notary, "isn't it my +place to buy that land you mentioned? The money is part of our dowry." + +"How can you put property bought in the name of Mademoiselle Evangelista +into the creation of an entail by the Comte de Manerville?" replied +Mathias. + +"We shall have to ask the chancellor about that," said Solonet. + +"But I am the notary of the seller as well as of the buyer of that +land," said Mathias. "Besides, Monsieur de Manerville can buy in his own +name. At the time of payment we can make mention of the fact that the +dowry funds are put into it." + +"You've an answer for everything, old man," said Solonet, laughing. "You +were really surpassing to-night; you beat us squarely." + +"For an old fellow who didn't expect your batteries of grape-shot, I did +pretty well, didn't I?" + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Solonet. + +The odious struggle in which the material welfare of a family had been +so perilously near destruction was to the two notaries nothing more than +a matter of professional polemics. + +"I haven't been forty years in harness for nothing," remarked Mathias. +"Look here, Solonet," he added, "I'm a good fellow; you shall help in +drawing the deeds for the sale of those lands." + +"Thanks, my dear Mathias. I'll serve you in return on the very first +occasion." + +While the two notaries were peacefully returning homeward, with no other +sensations than a little throaty warmth, Paul and Madame Evangelista +were left a prey to the nervous trepidation, the quivering of the flesh +and brain which excitable natures pass through after a scene in which +their interests and their feelings have been violently shaken. In Madame +Evangelista these last mutterings of the storm were overshadowed by a +terrible reflection, a lurid gleam which she wanted, at any cost, to +dispel. + +"Has Maitre Mathias destroyed in a few minutes the work I have been +doing for six months?" she asked herself. "Was he withdrawing Paul from +my influence by filling his mind with suspicion during their secret +conference in the next room?" + +She was standing absorbed in these thoughts before the fireplace, her +elbow resting on the marble mantel-shelf. When the porte-cochere closed +behind the carriage of the two notaries, she turned to her future +son-in-law, impatient to solve her doubts. + +"This has been the most terrible day of my life," cried Paul, overjoyed +to see all difficulties vanish. "I know no one so downright in speech +as that old Mathias. May God hear him, and make me peer of France! Dear +Natalie, I desire this for your sake more than for my own. You are my +ambition; I live only in you." + +Hearing this speech uttered in the accents of the heart, and noting, +more especially, the limpid azure of Paul's eyes, whose glance betrayed +no thought of double meaning, Madame Evangelista's satisfaction was +complete. She regretted the sharp language with which she had spurred +him, and in the joy of success she resolved to reassure him as to the +future. Calming her countenance, and giving to her eyes that expression +of tender friendship which made her so attractive, she smiled and +answered:-- + +"I can say as much to you. Perhaps, dear Paul, my Spanish nature has +led me farther than my heart desired. Be what you are,--kind as God +himself,--and do not be angry with me for a few hasty words. Shake +hands." + +Paul was abashed; he fancied himself to blame, and he kissed Madame +Evangelista. + +"Dear Paul," she said with much emotion, "why could not those two sharks +have settled this matter without dragging us into it, since it was so +easy to settle?" + +"In that case I should not have known how grand and generous you can +be," replied Paul. + +"Indeed she is, Paul," cried Natalie, pressing his hand. + +"We have still a few little matters to settle, my dear son," said Madame +Evangelista. "My daughter and I are above the foolish vanities to which +so many persons cling. Natalie does not need my diamonds, but I am glad +to give them to her." + +"Ah! my dear mother, do you suppose that I will accept them?" + +"Yes, my child; they are one of the conditions of the contract." + +"I will not allow it; I will not marry at all," cried Natalie, +vehemently. "Keep those jewels which my father took such pride in +collecting for you. How could Monsieur Paul exact--" + +"Hush, my dear," said her mother, whose eyes now filled with tears. "My +ignorance of business compels me to a greater sacrifice than that." + +"What sacrifice?" + +"I must sell my house in order to pay the money that I owe to you." + +"What money can you possibly owe to me?" she said; "to me, who owe +you life! If my marriage costs you the slightest sacrifice, I will not +marry." + +"Child!" + +"Dear Natalie, try to understand that neither I, nor your mother, nor +you yourself, require these sacrifices, but our children." + +"Suppose I do not marry at all?" + +"Do you not love me?" said Paul, tenderly. + +"Come, come, my silly child; do you imagine that a contract is like a +house of cards which you can blow down at will? Dear little ignoramus, +you don't know what trouble we have had to found an entail for the +benefit of your eldest son. Don't cast us back into the discussions from +which we have just escaped." + +"Why do you wish to ruin my mother?" said Natalie, looking at Paul. + +"Why are you so rich?" he replied, smiling. + +"Don't quarrel, my children, you are not yet married," said Madame +Evangelista. "Paul," she continued, "you are not to give either +corbeille, or jewels, or trousseau. Natalie has everything in profusion. +Lay by the money you would otherwise put into wedding presents. I know +nothing more stupidly bourgeois and commonplace than to spend a hundred +thousand francs on a corbeille, when five thousand a year given to a +young woman saves her much anxiety and lasts her lifetime. Besides, the +money for a corbeille is needed to decorate your house in Paris. We +will return to Lanstrac in the spring; for Solonet is to settle my debts +during the winter." + +"All is for the best," cried Paul, at the summit of happiness. + +"So I shall see Paris!" cried Natalie, in a tone that would justly have +alarmed de Marsay. + +"If we decide upon this plan," said Paul, "I'll write to de Marsay and +get him to take a box for me at the Bouffons and also at the Italian +opera." + +"You are very kind; I should never have dared to ask for it," said +Natalie. "Marriage is a very agreeable institution if it gives husbands +a talent for divining the wishes of their wives." + +"It is nothing else," replied Paul. "But see how late it is; I ought to +go." + +"Why leave so soon to-night?" said Madame Evangelista, employing those +coaxing ways to which men are so sensitive. + +Though all this passed on the best of terms, and according to the laws +of the most exquisite politeness, the effect of the discussion of +these contending interests had, nevertheless, cast between son and +mother-in-law a seed of distrust and enmity which was liable to sprout +under the first heat of anger, or the warmth of a feeling too harshly +bruised. In most families the settlement of "dots" and the deeds of +gift required by a marriage contract give rise to primitive emotions of +hostility, caused by self-love, by the lesion of certain sentiments, by +regret for the sacrifices made, and by the desire to diminish them. When +difficulties arise there is always a victorious side and a vanquished +one. The parents of the future pair try to conclude the matter, which is +purely commercial in their eyes, to their own advantage; and this +leads to the trickery, shrewdness, and deception of such negotiations. +Generally the husband alone is initiated into the secret of these +discussions, and the wife is kept, like Natalie, in ignorance of the +stipulations which make her rich or poor. + +As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness +of his notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury. If +Madame Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united +household would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs +to spend. All his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would be +realized. + +"My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman," he thought, still +under the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored +to disperse the clouds raised by the discussion. "Mathias is mistaken. +These notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything. The harm +started from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a +clever game." + +While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during +the evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on +her victory. + +"Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?" said Natalie, following +Madame Evangelista into her bedroom. + +"Yes, love," replied the mother, "everything went well, according to my +wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing me. +Paul is a most easy-going man. Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we must make +his life prosperous. You will make him happy, and I will be responsible +for his political success. The Spanish ambassador used to be a friend +of mine, and I'll renew the relation--as I will with the rest of my +old acquaintance. Oh! you'll see! we shall soon be in the very heart +of Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us. You shall have the +pleasures, my dearest, and I the last occupation of existence,--the game +of ambition! Don't be alarmed when you see me selling this house. Do you +suppose we shall ever come back to live in Bordeaux? no. Lanstrac? yes. +But we shall spend all our winters in Paris, where our real interests +lie. Well, Natalie, tell me, was it very difficult to do what I asked of +you?" + +"My little mamma! every now and then I felt ashamed." + +"Solonet advises me to put the proceeds of this house into an annuity," +said Madame Evangelista, "but I shall do otherwise; I won't take a penny +of my fortune from you." + +"I saw you were all very angry," said Natalie. "How did the tempest calm +down?" + +"By an offer of my diamonds," replied Madame Evangelista. "Solonet was +right. How ably he conducted the whole affair. Get out my jewel-case, +Natalie. I have never seriously considered what my diamonds are worth. +When I said a hundred thousand francs I talked nonsense. Madame de Gyas +always declared that the necklace and ear-rings your father gave me on +our marriage day were worth at least that sum. My poor husband was so +lavish! Then my family diamond, the one Philip the Second gave to the +Duke of Alba, and which my aunt bequeathed to me, the 'Discreto,' was, +I think, appraised in former times at four thousand quadruples,--one of +our Spanish gold coins." + +Natalie laid out upon her mother's toilet-table the pearl necklace, +the sets of jewels, the gold bracelets and precious stones of all +description, with that inexpressible sensation enjoyed by certain women +at the sight of such treasures, by which--so commentators on the Talmud +say--the fallen angels seduce the daughters of men, having sought these +flowers of celestial fire in the bowels of the earth. + +"Certainly," said Madame Evangelista, "though I know nothing about +jewels except how to accept and wear them, I think there must be a great +deal of money in these. Then, if we make but one household, I can +sell my plate, the weight of which, as mere silver, would bring +thirty thousand francs. I remember when we brought it from Lima, the +custom-house officers weighed and appraised it. Solonet is right, I'll +send to-morrow to Elie Magus. The Jew shall estimate the value of these +things. Perhaps I can avoid sinking any of my fortune in an annuity." + +"What a beautiful pearl necklace!" said Natalie. + +"He ought to give it to you, if he loves you," replied her mother; "and +I think he might have all my other jewels reset and let you keep them. +The diamonds are a part of your property in the contract. And now, +good-night, my darling. After the fatigues of this day we both need +rest." + +The woman of luxury, the Creole, the great lady, incapable of analyzing +the results of a contract which was not yet in force, went to sleep in +the joy of seeing her daughter married to a man who was easy to manage, +who would let them both be mistresses of his home, and whose fortune, +united to theirs, would require no change in their way of living. +Thus having settled her account with her daughter, whose patrimony was +acknowledged in the contract, Madame Evangelista could feel at her ease. + +"How foolish of me to worry as I did," she thought. "But I wish the +marriage were well over." + +So Madame Evangelista, Paul, Natalie, and the two notaries were equally +satisfied with the first day's result. The Te Deum was sung in both +camps,--a dangerous situation; for there comes a moment when the +vanquished side is aware of its mistake. To Madame Evangelista's mind, +her son-in-law was the vanquished side. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--SECOND DAY + + +The next day Elie Magus (who happened at that time to be in Bordeaux) +obeyed Madame Evangelista's summons, believing, from general rumor as to +the marriage of Comte Paul with Mademoiselle Natalie, that it concerned +a purchase of jewels for the bride. The Jew was, therefore, astonished +when he learned that, on the contrary, he was sent for to estimate the +value of the mother-in-law's property. The instinct of his race, as well +as certain insidious questions, made him aware that the value of the +diamonds was included in the marriage-contract. The stones were not to +be sold, and yet he was to estimate them as if some private person +were buying them from a dealer. Jewellers alone know how to distinguish +between the diamonds of Asia and those of Brazil. The stones of Golconda +and Visapur are known by a whiteness and glittering brilliancy which +others have not,--the water of the Brazilian diamonds having a yellow +tinge which reduces their selling value. Madame Evangelista's necklace +and ear-rings, being composed entirely of Asiatic diamonds, were valued +by Elie Magus at two hundred and fifty thousand francs. As for +the "Discreto," he pronounced it one of the finest diamonds in the +possession of private persons; it was known to the trade and valued at +one hundred thousand francs. On hearing this estimate, which proved to +her the lavishness of her husband, Madame Evangelista asked the old Jew +whether she should be able to obtain that money immediately. + +"Madame," replied the Jew, "if you wish to sell I can give you only +seventy-five thousand for the brilliant, and one hundred and sixty +thousand for the necklace and earrings." + +"Why such reduction?" + +"Madame," replied Magus, "the finer the diamond, the longer we keep it +unsold. The rarity of such investments is one reason for the high value +set upon precious stones. As the merchant cannot lose the interest of +his money, this additional sum, joined to the rise and fall to which +such merchandise is subject, explains the difference between the price +of purchase and the price of sale. By owning these diamonds you have +lost the interest on three hundred thousand francs for twenty years. +If you wear your jewels ten times a year, it costs you three thousand +francs each evening to put them on. How many beautiful gowns you could +buy with that sum. Those who own diamonds are, therefore, very +foolish; but, luckily for us, women are never willing to understand the +calculation." + +"I thank you for explaining it to me, and I shall profit by it." + +"Do you wish to sell?" asked Magus, eagerly. + +"What are the other jewels worth?" + +The Jew examined the gold of the settings, held the pearls to the light, +scrutinized the rubies, the diadems, clasps, bracelets, and chains, and +said, in a mumbling tone:-- + +"A good many Portuguese diamonds from Brazil are among them. They are +not worth more than a hundred thousand to me. But," he added, "a dealer +would sell them to a customer for one hundred and fifty thousand, at +least." + +"I shall keep them," said Madame Evangelista. + +"You are wrong," replied Elie Magus. "With the income from the sum they +represent you could buy just as fine diamonds in five years, and have +the capital to boot." + +This singular conference became known, and corroborated certain rumors +excited by the discussion of the contract. The servants of the house, +overhearing high voices, supposed the difficulties greater than they +really were. Their gossip with other valets spread the information, +which from the lower regions rose to the ears of the masters. The +attention of society, and of the town in general, became so fixed on +the marriage of two persons equally rich and well-born, that every one, +great and small, busied themselves about the matter, and in less than a +week the strangest rumors were bruited about. + +"Madame Evangelista sells her house; she must be ruined. She offered her +diamonds to Elie Magus. Nothing is really settled between herself and +the Comte de Manerville. Is it probable that the marriage will ever take +place?" + +To this question some answered yes, and others said no. The two +notaries, when questioned, denied these calumnies, and declared that +the difficulties arose only from the official delay in constituting the +entail. But when public opinion has taken a trend in one direction it +is very difficult to turn it back. Though Paul went every day to Madame +Evangelista's house, and though the notaries denied these assertions +continually, the whispered calumny went on. Young girls, and their +mothers and aunts, vexed at a marriage they had dreamed of for +themselves or for their families, could not forgive the Spanish ladies +for their happiness, as authors cannot forgive each other for their +success. A few persons revenged themselves for the twenty-years luxury +and grandeur of the family of Evangelista, which had lain heavily on +their self-love. A leading personage at the prefecture declared that +the notaries could have chosen no other language and followed no other +conduct in the case of a rupture. The time actually required for the +establishment of the entail confirmed the suspicions of the Bordeaux +provincials. + +"They will keep the ball going through the winter; then, in the spring, +they will go to some watering-place, and we shall learn before the year +is out that the marriage is off." + +"And, of course, we shall be given to understand," said others, "for +the sake of the honor of the two families, that the difficulties did not +come from either side, but the chancellor refused to consent; you may +be sure it will be some quibble about that entail which will cause the +rupture." + +"Madame Evangelista," some said, "lived in a style that the mines of +Valencia couldn't meet. When the time came to melt the bell, and pay the +daughter's patrimony, nothing would be found to pay it with." + +The occasion was excellent to add up the spendings of the handsome widow +and prove, categorically, her ruin. Rumors were so rife that bets were +made for and against the marriage. By the laws of worldly jurisprudence +this gossip was not allowed to reach the ears of the parties concerned. +No one was enemy or friend enough to Paul or to Madame Evangelista +to inform either of what was being said. Paul had some business at +Lanstrac, and used the occasion to make a hunting-party for several +of the young men of Bordeaux,--a sort of farewell, as it were, to his +bachelor life. This hunting party was accepted by society as a signal +confirmation of public suspicion. + +When this event occurred, Madame de Gyas, who had a daughter to marry, +thought it high time to sound the matter, and to condole, with joyful +heart, the blow received by the Evangelistas. Natalie and her mother +were somewhat surprised to see the lengthened face of the marquise, and +they asked at once if anything distressing had happened to her. + +"Can it be," she replied, "that you are ignorant of the rumors that are +circulating? Though I think them false myself, I have come to learn the +truth in order to stop this gossip, at any rate among the circle of my +own friends. To be the dupes or the accomplices of such an error is too +false a position for true friends to occupy." + +"But what is it? what has happened?" asked mother and daughter. + +Madame de Gyas thereupon allowed herself the happiness of repeating all +the current gossip, not sparing her two friends a single stab. Natalie +and Madame Evangelista looked at each other and laughed, but they fully +understood the meaning of the tale and the motives of their friend. +The Spanish lady took her revenge very much as Celimene took hers on +Arsinoe. + +"My dear, are you ignorant--you who know the provinces so well--can +you be ignorant of what a mother is capable when she has on her hands +a daughter whom she cannot marry for want of 'dot' and lovers, want of +beauty, want of mind, and, sometimes, want of everything? Why, a mother +in that position would rob a diligence or commit a murder, or wait for a +man at the corner of a street--she would sacrifice herself twenty times +over, if she was a mother at all. Now, as you and I both know, there are +many such in that situation in Bordeaux, and no doubt they attribute to +us their own thoughts and actions. Naturalists have depicted the habits +and customs of many ferocious animals, but they have forgotten the +mother and daughter in quest of a husband. Such women are hyenas, going +about, as the Psalmist says, seeking whom they may devour, and adding to +the instinct of the brute the intellect of man, and the genius of woman. +I can understand that those little spiders, Mademoiselle de Belor, +Mademoiselle de Trans, and others, after working so long at their webs +without catching a fly, without so much as hearing a buzz, should be +furious; I can even forgive their spiteful speeches. But that you, who +can marry your daughter when you please, you, who are rich and titled, +you who have nothing of the provincial about you, whose daughter is +clever and possesses fine qualities, with beauty and the power to +choose--that you, so distinguished from the rest by your Parisian grace, +should have paid the least heed to this talk does really surprise me. Am +I bound to account to the public for the marriage stipulations which +our notaries think necessary under the political circumstances of my +son-in-law's future life? Has the mania for public discussion made its +way into families? Ought I to convoke in writing the fathers and mothers +of the province to come here and give their vote on the clauses of our +marriage contract?" + +A torrent of epigram flowed over Bordeaux. Madame Evangelista was +about to leave the city, and could safely scan her friends and enemies, +caricature them and lash them as she pleased, with nothing to fear in +return. Accordingly, she now gave vent to her secret observations and +her latent dislikes as she sought for the reason why this or that person +denied the shining of the sun at mid-day. + +"But, my dear," said the Marquise de Gyas, "this stay of the count at +Lanstrac, these parties given to young men under such circumstances--" + +"Ah! my dear," said the great lady, interrupting the marquise, "do you +suppose that we adopt the pettiness of bourgeois customs? Is Count Paul +held in bonds like a man who might seek to get away? Think you we ought +to watch him with a squad of gendarmes lest some provincial conspiracy +should get him away from us?" + +"Be assured, my dearest friend, that it gives me the greatest pleasure +to--" + +Here her words were interrupted by a footman who entered the room to +announce Paul. Like many lovers, Paul thought it charming to ride twelve +miles to spend an hour with Natalie. He had left his friends while +hunting, and came in booted and spurred, and whip in hand. + +"Dear Paul," said Natalie, "you don't know what an answer you are giving +to madame." + +When Paul heard of the gossip that was current in Bordeaux, he laughed +instead of being angry. + +"These worthy people have found out, perhaps, that there will be no +wedding festivities, according to provincial usages, no marriage at +mid-day in the church, and they are furious. Well, my dear mother," he +added, kissing her hand, "let us pacify them with a ball on the day when +we sign the contract, just as the government flings a fete to the people +in the great square of the Champs-Elysees, and we will give our dear +friends the dolorous pleasure of signing a marriage-contract such as +they have seldom heard of in the provinces." + +This little incident proved of great importance. Madame Evangelista +invited all Bordeaux to witness the signature of the contract, and +showed her intention of displaying in this last fete a luxury which +should refute the foolish lies of the community. + +The preparations for this event required over a month, and it was called +the fete of the camellias. Immense quantities of that beautiful flower +were massed on the staircase, and in the antechamber and supper-room. +During this month the formalities for constituting the entail were +concluded in Paris; the estates adjoining Lanstrac were purchased, the +banns were published, and all doubts finally dissipated. Friends and +enemies thought only of preparing their toilets for the coming fete. + +The time occupied by these events obscured the difficulties raised by +the first discussion, and swept into oblivion the words and arguments of +that stormy conference. Neither Paul nor his mother-in-law continued to +think of them. Were they not, after all, as Madame Evangelista had said, +the affair of the two notaries? + +But--to whom has it never happened, when life is in its fullest flow, to +be suddenly changed by the voice of memory, raised, perhaps, too late, +reminding us of some important new fact, some threatened danger? On +the morning of the day when the contract was to be signed and the fete +given, one of these flashes of the soul illuminated the mind of Madame +Evangelista during the semi-somnolence of her waking hour. The words +that she herself had uttered at the moment when Mathias acceded to +Solonet's conditions, "Questa coda non e di questo gatto," were cried +aloud in her mind by that voice of memory. In spite of her incapacity +for business, Madame Evangelista's shrewdness told her:-- + +"If so clever a notary as Mathias was pacified, it must have been that +he saw compensation at the cost of _some one_." + +That some one could not be Paul, as she had blindly hoped. Could it be +that her daughter's fortune was to pay the costs of war? She resolved to +demand explanations on the tenor of the contract, not reflecting on the +course she would have to take in case she found her interests +seriously compromised. This day had so powerful an influence on Paul de +Manerville's conjugal life that it is necessary to explain certain of +the external circumstances which accompanied it. + +Madame Evangelista had shrunk from no expense for this dazzling fete. +The court-yard was gravelled and converted into a tent, and filled with +shrubs, although it was winter. The camellias, of which so much had +been said from Angouleme to Dax, were banked on the staircase and in the +vestibules. Wall partitions had disappeared to enlarge the supper-room +and the ball-room where the dancing was to be. Bordeaux, a city famous +for the luxury of colonial fortunes, was on a tiptoe of expectation for +this scene of fairyland. About eight o'clock, as the last discussion +of the contract was taking place within the house, the inquisitive +populace, anxious to see the ladies in full dress getting out of their +carriages, formed in two hedges on either side of the porte-cochere. +Thus the sumptuous atmosphere of a fete acted upon all minds at the +moment when the contract was being signed, illuminating colored lamps +lighted up the shrubs, and the wheels of the arriving guests echoed +from the court-yard. The two notaries had dined with the bridal pair and +their mother. Mathias's head-clerk, whose business it was to receive the +signatures of the guests during the evening (taking due care that the +contract was not surreptitiously read by the signers), was also present +at the dinner. + +No bridal toilet was ever comparable with that of Natalie, whose beauty, +decked with laces and satin, her hair coquettishly falling in a myriad +of curls about her throat, resembled that of a flower encased in its +foliage. Madame Evangelista, robed in a gown of cherry velvet, a color +judiciously chosen to heighten the brilliancy of her skin and her black +hair and eyes, glowed with the beauty of a woman at forty, and wore her +pearl necklace, clasped with the "Discreto," a visible contradiction to +the late calumnies. + +To fully explain this scene, it is necessary to say that Paul and +Natalie sat together on a sofa beside the fireplace and paid no +attention to the reading of the documents. Equally childish and equally +happy, regarding life as a cloudless sky, rich, young, and loving, they +chattered to each other in a low voice, sinking into whispers. Arming +his love with the presence of legality, Paul took delight in kissing the +tips of Natalie's fingers, in lightly touching her snowy shoulders and +the waving curls of her hair, hiding from the eyes of others these +joys of illegal emancipation. Natalie played with a screen of peacock's +feathers given to her by Paul,--a gift which is to love, according to +superstitious belief in certain countries, as dangerous an omen as the +gift of scissors or other cutting instruments, which recall, no doubt, +the Parces of antiquity. + +Seated beside the two notaries, Madame Evangelista gave her closest +attention to the reading of the documents. After listening to the +guardianship account, most ably written out by Solonet, in which +Natalie's share of the three million and more francs left by Monsieur +Evangelista was shown to be the much-debated eleven hundred and +fifty-six thousand, Madame Evangelista said to the heedless young +couple:-- + +"Come, listen, listen, my children; this is your marriage contract." + +The clerk drank a glass of iced-water, Solonet and Mathias blew their +noses, Paul and Natalie looked at the four personages before them, +listened to the preamble, and returned to their chatter. The statement +of the property brought by each party; the general deed of gift in +the event of death without issue; the deed of gift of one-fourth in +life-interest and one-fourth in capital without interest, allowed by +the Code, whatever be the number of the children; the constitution of a +common fund for husband and wife; the settlement of the diamonds on the +wife, the library and horses on the husband, were duly read and passed +without observations. Then followed the constitution of the entail. +When all was read and nothing remained but to sign the contract, Madame +Evangelista demanded to know what would be the ultimate effect of the +entail. + +"An entail, madam," replied Solonet, "means an inalienable right to +the inheritance of certain property belonging to both husband and wife, +which is settled from generation to generation on the eldest son of +the house, without, however, depriving him of his right to share in the +division of the rest of the property." + +"What will be the effect of this on my daughter's rights?" + +Maitre Mathias, incapable of disguising the truth, replied:-- + +"Madame, an entail being an appanage, or portion of property set aside +for this purpose from the fortunes of husband and wife, it follows that +if the wife dies first, leaving several children, one of them a son, +Monsieur de Manerville will owe those children three hundred and +sixty thousand francs only, from which he will deduct his fourth in +life-interest and his fourth in capital. Thus his debt to those +children will be reduced to one hundred and sixty thousand francs, or +thereabouts, exclusive of his savings and profits from the common fund +constituted for husband and wife. If, on the contrary, he dies first, +leaving a male heir, Madame de Manerville has a right to three hundred +and sixty thousand francs only, and to her deeds of gift of such of her +husband's property as is not included in the entail, to the diamonds now +settled upon her, and to her profits and savings from the common fund." + +The effect of Maitre Mathias's astute and far-sighted policy were now +plainly seen. + +"My daughter is ruined," said Madame Evangelista in a low voice. + +The old and the young notary both overheard the words. + +"Is it ruin," replied Mathias, speaking gently, "to constitute for her +family an indestructible fortune?" + +The younger notary, seeing the expression of his client's face, thought +it judicious in him to state the disaster in plain terms. + +"We tried to trick them out of three hundred thousand francs," he +whispered to the angry woman. "They have actually laid hold of eight +hundred thousand; it is a loss of four hundred thousand from our +interests for the benefit of the children. You must now either break the +marriage off at once, or carry it through," concluded Solonet. + +It is impossible to describe the moment of silence that followed. Maitre +Mathias waited in triumph the signature of the two persons who had +expected to rob his client. Natalie, not competent to understand that +she had lost half her fortune, and Paul, ignorant that the house of +Manerville had gained it, were laughing and chattering still. Solonet +and Madame Evangelista gazed at each other; the one endeavoring to +conceal his indifference, the other repressing the rush of a crowd of +bitter feelings. + +After suffering in her own mind the struggles of remorse, after blaming +Paul as the cause of her dishonesty, Madame Evangelista had decided to +employ those shameful manoeuvres to cast on him the burden of her own +unfaithful guardianship, considering him her victim. But now, in a +moment, she perceived that where she thought she triumphed she was about +to perish, and her victim was her own daughter. Guilty without profit, +she saw herself the dupe of an honorable old man, whose respect she had +doubtless lost. Her secret conduct must have inspired the stipulation +of old Mathias; and Mathias must have enlightened Paul. Horrible +reflection! Even if he had not yet done so, as soon as that contract was +signed the old wolf would surely warn his client of the dangers he +had run and had now escaped, were it only to receive the praise of his +sagacity. He would put him on his guard against the wily woman who had +lowered herself to this conspiracy; he would destroy the empire she +had conquered over her son-in-law! Feeble natures, once warned, turn +obstinate, and are never won again. At the first discussion of the +contract she had reckoned on Paul's weakness, and on the impossibility +he would feel of breaking off a marriage so far advanced. But now, she +herself was far more tightly bound. Three months earlier Paul had no +real obstacles to prevent the rupture; now, all Bordeaux knew that the +notaries had smoothed the difficulties; the banns were published; the +wedding was to take place immediately; the friends of both families were +at that moment arriving for the fete, and to witness the contract. How +could she postpone the marriage at this late hour? The cause of the +rupture would surely be made known; Maitre Mathias's stern honor was +too well known in Bordeaux; his word would be believed in preference to +hers. The scoffers would turn against her and against her daughter. No, +she could not break it off; she must yield! + +These reflections, so cruelly sound, fell upon Madame Evangelista's +brain like a water-spout and split it. Though she still maintained +the dignity and reserve of a diplomatist, her chin was shaken by that +apoplectic movement which showed the anger of Catherine the Second on +the famous day when, seated on her throne and in presence of her court +(very much in the present circumstances of Madame Evangelista), she was +braved by the King of Sweden. Solonet observed that play of the muscles, +which revealed the birth of a mortal hatred, a lurid storm to which +there was no lightning. At this moment Madame Evangelista vowed to her +son-in-law one of those unquenchable hatreds the seeds of which were +left by the Moors in the atmosphere of Spain. + +"Monsieur," she said, bending to the ear of her notary, "you called that +stipulation balderdash; it seems to me that nothing could have been more +clear." + +"Madame, allow me--" + +"Monsieur," she continued, paying no heed to his interruption, "if you +did not perceive the effect of that entail at the time of our first +conference, it is very extraordinary that it did not occur to you in the +silence of your study. This can hardly be incapacity." + +The young notary drew his client into the next room, saying to himself, +as he did so:-- + +"I get a three-thousand franc fee for the guardianship account, three +thousand for the contract, six thousand on the sale of the house, +fifteen thousand in all--better not be angry." + +He closed the door, cast on Madame Evangelista the cool look of a +business man, and said:-- + +"Madame, having, for your sake, passed--as I did--the proper limits +of legal craft, do you seriously intend to reward my devotion by such +language?" + +"But, monsieur--" + +"Madame, I did not, it is true, calculate the effect of the deeds of +gift. But if you do not wish Comte Paul for your son-in-law you are not +obliged to accept him. The contract is not signed. Give your fete, and +postpone the signing. It is far better to brave Bordeaux than sacrifice +yourself." + +"How can I justify such a course to society, which is already prejudiced +against us by the slow conclusion of the marriage?" + +"By some error committed in Paris; some missing document not sent with +the rest," replied Solonet. + +"But those purchases of land near Lanstrac?" + +"Monsieur de Manerville will be at no loss to find another bride and +another dowry." + +"Yes, he'll lose nothing; but we lose all, all!" + +"You?" replied Solonet; "why, you can easily find another count who will +cost you less money, if a title is the chief object of this marriage." + +"No, no! we can't stake our honor in that way. I am caught in a trap, +monsieur. All Bordeaux will ring with this to-morrow. Our solemn words +are pledged--" + +"You wish the happiness of Mademoiselle Natalie." + +"Above all things." + +"To be happy in France," said the notary, "means being mistress of the +home. She can lead that fool of a Manerville by the nose if she chooses; +he is so dull he has actually seen nothing of all this. Even if he now +distrusts you, he will always trust his wife; and his wife is YOU, is +she not? The count's fate is still within your power if you choose to +play the cards in your hand." + +"If that were true, monsieur, I know not what I would not do to show my +gratitude," she said, in a transport of feeling that colored her cheeks. + +"Let us now return to the others, madame," said Solonet. "Listen +carefully to what I shall say; and then--you shall think me incapable if +you choose." + +"My dear friend," said the young notary to Maitre Mathias, "in spite of +your great ability, you have not foreseen either the case of Monsieur +de Manerville dying without children, nor that in which he leaves only +female issue. In either of those cases the entail would pass to the +Manervilles, or, at any rate, give rise to suits on their part. I think, +therefore, it is necessary to stipulate that in the first case the +entailed property shall pass under the general deed of gift between +husband and wife; and in the second case that the entail shall be +declared void. This agreement concerns the wife's interest." + +"Both clauses seem to me perfectly just," said Maitre Mathias. "As +to their ratification, Monsieur le comte can, doubtless, come to an +understanding with the chancellor, if necessary." + +Solonet took a pen and added this momentous clause on the margin of the +contract. Paul and Natalie paid no attention to the matter; but Madame +Evangelista dropped her eyes while Maitre Mathias read the added +sentence aloud. + +"We will now sign," said the mother. + +The volume of voice which Madame Evangelista repressed as she uttered +those words betrayed her violent emotion. She was thinking to herself: +"No, my daughter shall not be ruined--but he! My daughter shall have the +name, the title, and the fortune. If she should some day discover that +she does not love him, that she loves another, irresistibly, Paul shall +be driven out of France! My daughter shall be free, and happy, and +rich." + +If Maitre Mathias understood how to analyze business interests, he +knew little of the analysis of human passions. He accepted Madame +Evangelista's words as an honorable "amende," instead of judging them +for what they were, a declaration of war. While Solonet and his clerk +superintended Natalie as she signed the documents,--an operation which +took time,--Mathias took Paul aside and told him the meaning of the +stipulation by which he had saved him from ultimate pain. + +"The whole affair is now 'en regle.' I hold the documents. But the +contract contains a rescript for the diamonds; you must ask for them. +Business is business. Diamonds are going up just now, but may go down. +The purchase of those new domains justifies you in turning everything +into money that you can. Therefore, Monsieur le comte, have no false +modesty in this matter. The first payment is due after the formalities +are over. The sum is two hundred thousand francs; put the diamonds into +that. You have the lien on this house, which will be sold at once, and +will pay the rest. If you have the courage to spend only fifty thousand +francs for the next three years, you can save the two hundred thousand +francs you are now obliged to pay. If you plant vineyards on your new +estates, you can get an income of over twenty-five thousand francs upon +them. You may be said, in short, to have made a good marriage." + +Paul pressed the hand of his old friend very affectionately, a gesture +which did not escape Madame Evangelista, who now came forward to offer +him the pen. Suspicion became certainty to her mind. She was confident +that Paul and Mathias had come to an understanding about her. Rage and +hatred sent the blood surging through her veins to her heart. The worst +had come. + +After verifying that all the documents were duly signed and the initials +of the parties affixed to the bottom of the leaves, Maitre Mathias +looked from Paul to his mother-in-law, and seeing that his client did +not intend to speak of the diamonds, he said:-- + +"I do not suppose there can be any doubt about the transfer of the +diamonds, as you are now one family." + +"It would be more regular if Madame Evangelista made them over now, +as Monsieur de Manerville has become responsible for the guardianship +funds, and we never know who may live or die," said Solonet, who thought +he saw in this circumstance fresh cause of anger in the mother-in-law +against the son-in-law. + +"Ah! mother," cried Paul, "it would be insulting to us all to do +that,--'Summum jus, summum injuria,' monsieur," he said to Solonet. + +"And I," said Madame Evangelista, led by the hatred now surging in her +heart to see a direct insult to her in the indirect appeal of Maitre +Mathias, "I will tear that contract up if you do not take them." + +She left the room in one of those furious passions which long for the +power to destroy everything, and which the sense of impotence drives +almost to madness. + +"For Heaven's sake, take them, Paul," whispered Natalie in his ear. "My +mother is angry; I shall know why to-night, and I will tell you. We must +pacify her." + +Calmed by this first outburst, madame kept the necklace and ear-rings, +which she was wearing, and brought the other jewels, valued at one +hundred and fifty thousand francs by Elie Magus. Accustomed to the sight +of family diamonds in all valuations of inheritance, Maitre Mathias and +Solonet examined these jewels in their cases and exclaimed upon their +duty. + +"You will lose nothing, after all, upon the 'dot,' Monsieur le comte," +said Solonet, bringing the color to Paul's face. + +"Yes," said Mathias, "these jewels will meet the first payment on the +purchase of the new estate." + +"And the costs of the contract," added Solonet. + +Hatred feeds, like love, on little things; the least thing strengthens +it; as one beloved can do no evil, so the person hated can do no good. +Madame Evangelista assigned to hypocrisy the natural embarrassment of +Paul, who was unwilling to take the jewels, and not knowing where to +put the cases, longed to fling them from the window. Madame Evangelista +spurred him with a glance which seemed to say, "Take your property from +here." + +"Dear Natalie," said Paul, "put away these jewels; they are yours; I +give them to you." + +Natalie locked them into the drawer of a console. At this instant the +noise of the carriages in the court-yard and the murmur of voices in the +receptions-rooms became so loud that Natalie and her mother were forced +to appear. The salons were filled in a few moments, and the fete began. + +"Profit by the honeymoon to sell those diamonds," said the old notary to +Paul as he went away. + +While waiting for the dancing to begin, whispers went round about the +marriage, and doubts were expressed as to the future of the promised +couple. + +"Is it finally arranged?" said one of the leading personages of the town +to Madame Evangelista. + +"We had so many documents to read and sign that I fear we are rather +late," she replied; "but perhaps we are excusable." + +"As for me, I heard nothing," said Natalie, giving her hand to her lover +to open the ball. + +"Both of those young persons are extravagant, and the mother is not of a +kind to check them," said a dowager. + +"But they have founded an entail, I am told, worth fifty thousand francs +a year." + +"Pooh!" + +"In that I see the hand of our worthy Monsieur Mathias," said a +magistrate. "If it is really true, he has done it to save the future of +the family." + +"Natalie is too handsome not to be horribly coquettish. After a couple +of years of marriage," said one young woman, "I wouldn't answer for +Monsieur de Manerville's happiness in his home." + +"The Pink of Fashion will then need staking," said Solonet, laughing. + +"Don't you think Madame Evangelista looks annoyed?" asked another. + +"But, my dear, I have just been told that all she is able to keep is +twenty-five thousand francs a year, and what is that to her?" + +"Penury!" + +"Yes, she has robbed herself for Natalie. Monsieur de Manerville has +been so exacting--" + +"Extremely exacting," put in Maitre Solonet. "But before long he will be +peer of France. The Maulincours and the Vidame de Pamiers will use their +influence. He belongs to the faubourg Saint-Germain." + +"Oh! he is received there, and that is all," said a lady, who had +tried to obtain him as a son-in-law. "Mademoiselle Evangelista, as +the daughter of a merchant, will certainly not open the doors of the +chapter-house of Cologne to him!" + +"She is grand-niece to the Duke of Casa-Reale." + +"Through the female line!" + +The topic was presently exhausted. The card-players went to the tables, +the young people danced, the supper was served, and the ball was not +over till morning, when the first gleams of the coming day whitened the +windows. + +Having said adieu to Paul, who was the last to go away, Madame +Evangelista went to her daughter's room; for her own had been taken by +the architect to enlarge the scene of the fete. Though Natalie and her +mother were overcome with sleep, they said a few words to each other as +soon as they were alone. + +"Tell me, mother dear, what was the matter with you?" + +"My darling, I learned this evening to what lengths a mother's +tenderness can go. You know nothing of business, and you are ignorant of +the suspicions to which my integrity has been exposed. I have trampled +my pride under foot, for your happiness and my reputation were at +stake." + +"Are you talking of the diamonds? Poor boy, he wept; he did not want +them; I have them." + +"Sleep now, my child. We will talk business when we wake--for," she +added, sighing, "you and I have business now; another person has come +between us." + +"Ah! my dear mother, Paul will never be an obstacle to our happiness, +yours and mine," murmured Natalie, as she went to sleep. + +"Poor darling! she little knows that the man has ruined her." + +Madame Evangelista's soul was seized at that moment with the first idea +of avarice, a vice to which many become a prey as they grow aged. It +came into her mind to recover in her daughter's interest the whole +of the property left by her husband. She told herself that her honor +demanded it. Her devotion to Natalie made her, in a moment, as shrewd +and calculating as she had hitherto been careless and wasteful. She +resolved to turn her capital to account, after investing a part of it +in the Funds, which were then selling at eighty francs. A passion often +changes the whole character in a moment; an indiscreet person becomes a +diplomatist, a coward is suddenly brave. Hate made this prodigal woman +a miser. Chance and luck might serve the project of vengeance, still +undefined and confused, which she would now mature in her mind. She fell +asleep, muttering to herself, "To-morrow!" By an unexplained phenomenon, +the effects of which are familiar to all thinkers, her mind, during +sleep, marshalled its ideas, enlightened them, classed them, prepared a +means by which she was to rule Paul's life, and showed her a plan which +she began to carry out on that very to-morrow. + + + + +CHAPTER V. THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--THIRD DAY + + +Though the excitement of the fete had driven from Paul's mind the +anxious thoughts that now and then assailed it, when he was alone with +himself and in his bed they returned to torment him. + +"It seems to me," he said to himself, "that without that good Mathias my +mother-in-law would have tricked me. And yet, is that believable? What +interest could lead her to deceive me? Are we not to join fortunes and +live together? Well, well, why should I worry about it? In two days +Natalie will be my wife, our money relations are plainly defined, +nothing can come between us. Vogue la galere--Nevertheless, I'll be upon +my guard. Suppose Mathias was right? Well, if he was, I'm not obliged to +marry my mother-in-law." + +In this second battle of the contract Paul's future had completely +changed in aspect, though he was not aware of it. Of the two persons +whom he was marrying, one, the cleverest, was now his mortal enemy, +and meditated already withdrawing her interests from the common fund. +Incapable of observing the difference that a Creole nature placed +between his mother-in-law and other women, Paul was far from suspecting +her craftiness. The Creole nature is apart from all others; it derives +from Europe by its intellect, from the tropics by the illogical violence +of its passions, from the East by the apathetic indifference with which +it does, or suffers, either good or evil, equally,--a graceful nature +withal, but dangerous, as a child is dangerous if not watched. Like a +child, the Creole woman must have her way immediately; like a child, she +would burn a house to boil an egg. In her soft and easy life she takes +no care upon her mind; but when impassioned, she thinks of all things. +She has something of the perfidy of the Negroes by whom she has been +surrounded from her cradle, but she is also as naive and even, at times, +as artless as they. Like them and like the children, she wishes doggedly +for one thing with a growing intensity of desire, and will brood upon +that idea until she hatches it. A strange assemblage of virtues +and defects! which her Spanish nature had strengthened in Madame +Evangelista, and over which her French experience had cast the glaze of +its politeness. + +This character, slumbering in married happiness for sixteen years, +occupied since then with the trivialities of social life, this nature +to which a first hatred had revealed its strength, awoke now like a +conflagration; at the moment of the woman's life when she was losing +the dearest object of her affections and needed another element for the +energy that possessed her, this flame burst forth. Natalie could be but +three days more beneath her influence! Madame Evangelista, vanquished +at other points, had one clear day before her, the last of those that +a daughter spends beside her mother. A few words, and the Creole nature +could influence the lives of the two beings about to walk together +through the brambled paths and the dusty high-roads of Parisian society, +for Natalie believed in her mother blindly. What far-reaching power +would the counsel of that Creole nature have on a mind so subservient! +The whole future of these lives might be determined by one single +speech. No code, no human institution can prevent the crime that +kills by words. There lies the weakness of social law; in that is the +difference between the morals of the great world and the morals of the +people: one is frank, the other hypocritical; one employs the knife, +the other the venom of ideas and language; to one death, to the other +impunity. + +The next morning, about mid-day, Madame Evangelista was half seated, +half lying on the edge of her daughter's bed. During that waking hour +they caressed and played together in happy memory of their loving life; +a life in which no discord had ever troubled either the harmony of +their feelings, the agreement of their ideas, or the mutual choice and +enjoyment of their pleasures. + +"Poor little darling!" said the mother, shedding true tears, "how can I +help being sorrowful when I think that after I have fulfilled your every +wish during your whole life you will belong, to-morrow night, to a man +you must obey?" + +"Oh, my dear mother, as for obeying!--" and Natalie made a little motion +of her head which expressed a graceful rebellion. "You are joking," she +continued. "My father always gratified your caprices; and why not? he +loved you. And I am loved, too." + +"Yes, Paul has a certain love for you. But if a married woman is +not careful nothing more rapidly evaporates than conjugal love. The +influence a wife ought to have over her husband depends entirely on how +she begins with him. You need the best advice." + +"But you will be with us." + +"Possibly, my child. Last night, while the ball was going on, I +reflected on the dangers of our being together. If my presence were to +do you harm, if the little acts by which you ought slowly, but surely, +to establish your authority as a wife should be attributed to my +influence, your home would become a hell. At the first frown I saw upon +your husband's brow I, proud as I am, should instantly leave his house. +If I were driven to leave it, better, I think, not to enter it. I should +never forgive your husband if he caused trouble between us. Whereas, +when you have once become the mistress, when your husband is to you what +your father was to me, that danger is no longer to be feared. Though +this wise policy will cost your young and tender heart a pang, your +happiness demands that you become the absolute sovereign of your home." + +"Then why, mamma, did you say just now I must obey him?" + +"My dear little daughter, in order that a wife may rule, she must always +seem to do what her husband wishes. If you were not told this you might +by some impulsive opposition destroy your future. Paul is a weak young +man; he might allow a friend to rule him; he might even fall under the +dominion of some woman who would make you feel her influence. Prevent +such disasters by making yourself from the very start his ruler. Is it +not better that he be governed by you than by others?" + + +"Yes, certainly," said Natalie. "I should think only of his happiness." + +"And it is my privilege, darling, to think only of yours, and to wish +not to leave you at so crucial a moment without a compass in the midst +of the reefs through which you must steer." + +"But, dearest mother, are we not strong enough, you and I, to stay +together beside him, without having to fear those frowns you seem to +dread. Paul loves you, mamma." + +"Oh! oh! He fears me more than he loves me. Observe him carefully to-day +when I tell him that I shall let you go to Paris without me, and you +will see on his face, no matter what pains he takes to conceal it, his +inward joy." + +"Why should he feel so?" + +"Why? Dear child! I am like Saint-Jean Bouche-d'Or. I will tell that to +himself, and before you." + +"But suppose I marry on condition that you do not leave me?" urged +Natalie. + +"Our separation is necessary," replied her mother. "Several +considerations have greatly changed my future. I am now poor. You will +lead a brilliant life in Paris, and I could not live with you suitably +without spending the little that remains to me. Whereas, if I go to +Lanstrac, I can take care of your property there and restore my fortune +by economy." + +"You, mamma! _You_ practise economy!" cried Natalie, laughing. "Don't +begin to be a grandmother yet. What! do you mean to leave me for such +reasons as those? Dear mother, Paul may seem to you a trifle stupid, but +he is not one atom selfish or grasping." + +"Ah!" replied Madame Evangelista, in a tone of voice big with +suggestions which made the girl's heart throb, "those discussions about +the contract have made me distrustful. I have my doubts about him--But +don't be troubled, dear child," she added, taking her daughter by the +neck and kissing her. "I will not leave you long alone. Whenever my +return can take place without making difficulty between you, whenever +Paul can rightly judge me, we will begin once more our happy little +life, our evening confidences--" + +"Oh! mother, how can you think of living without your Natalie?" + +"Because, dear angel, I shall live for her. My mother's heart will be +satisfied in the thought that I contribute, as I ought, to your future +happiness." + +"But, my dear, adorable mother, must I be alone with Paul, here, now, +all at once? What will become of me? what will happen? what must I do? +what must I not do?" + +"Poor child! do you think that I would utterly abandon you to your first +battle? We will write to each other three times a week like lovers. +We shall thus be close to each other's hearts incessantly. Nothing +can happen to you that I shall not know, and I can save you from all +misfortune. Besides, it would be too ridiculous if I never went to see +you; it would seem to show dislike or disrespect to your husband; I will +always spend a month or two every year with you in Paris." + +"Alone, already alone, and with him!" cried Natalie in terror, +interrupting her mother. + +"But you wish to be his wife?" + +"Yes, I wish it. But tell me how I should behave,--you, who did what you +pleased with my father. You know the way; I'll obey you blindly." + +Madame Evangelista kissed her daughter's forehead. She had willed and +awaited this request. + +"Child, my counsels must adept themselves to circumstances. All men +are not alike. The lion and the frog are not more unlike than one man +compared with another,--morally, I mean. Do I know to-day what will +happen to you to-morrow? No; therefore I can only give you general +advice upon the whole tenor of your conduct." + +"Dear mother, tell me, quick, all that you know yourself." + +"In the first place, my dear child, the cause of the failure of married +women who desire to keep their husbands' hearts--and," she said, making +a parenthesis, "to keep their hearts and rule them is one and the same +thing--Well, the principle cause of conjugal disunion is to be found in +perpetual intercourse, which never existed in the olden time, but which +has been introduced into this country of late years with the mania for +family. Since the Revolution the manners and customs of the bourgeois +have invaded the homes of the aristocracy. This misfortune is due to one +of their writers, Rousseau, an infamous heretic, whose ideas were all +anti-social and who pretended, I don't know how, to justify the most +senseless things. He declared that all women had the same rights and +the same faculties; that living in a state of society we ought, +nevertheless, to obey nature--as if the wife of a Spanish grandee, as +if you or I had anything in common with the women of the people! Since +then, well-bred women have suckled their children, have educated their +daughters, and stayed in their own homes. Life has become so involved +that happiness is almost impossible,--for a perfect harmony between +natures such as that which has made you and me live as two friends is an +exception. Perpetual contact is as dangerous for parents and children as +it is for husband and wife. There are few souls in which love survives +this fatal omnipresence. Therefore, I say, erect between yourself and +Paul the barriers of society; go to balls and operas; go out in the +morning, dine out in the evenings, pay visits constantly, and grant but +little of your time to your husband. By this means you will always keep +your value to him. When two beings bound together for life have +nothing to live upon but sentiment, its resources are soon exhausted, +indifference, satiety, and disgust succeed. When sentiment has withered +what will become of you? Remember, affection once extinguished can lead +to nothing but indifference or contempt. Be ever young and ever new to +him. He may weary you,--that often happens,--but you must never weary +him. The faculty of being bored without showing it is a condition of +all species of power. You cannot diversify happiness by the cares of +property or the occupations of a family. If you do not make your husband +share your social interests, if you do not keep him amused you will fall +into a dismal apathy. Then begins the SPLEEN of love. But a man will +always love the woman who amuses him and keeps him happy. To give +happiness and to receive it are two lines of feminine conduct which are +separated by a gulf." + +"Dear mother, I am listening to you, but I don't understand one word you +say." + +"If you love Paul to the extent of doing all he asks of you, if you make +your happiness depend on him, all is over with your future life; you +will never be mistress of your home, and the best precepts in the world +will do you no good." + +"That is plainer; but I see the rule without knowing how to apply it," +said Natalie, laughing. "I have the theory; the practice will come." + +"My poor Ninie," replied the mother, who dropped an honest tear at the +thought of her daughter's marriage, "things will happen to teach it to +you--And," she continued, after a pause, during which the mother and +daughter held each other closely embraced in the truest sympathy, +"remember this, my Natalie: we all have our destiny as women, just as +men have their vocation as men. A woman is born to be a woman of the +world and a charming hostess, as a man is born to be a general or a +poet. Your vocation is to please. Your education has formed you for +society. In these days women should be educated for the salon as they +once were for the gynoecium. You were not born to be the mother of a +family or the steward of a household. If you have children, I hope +they will not come to spoil your figure on the morrow of your marriage; +nothing is so bourgeois as to have a child at once. If you have them +two or three years after your marriage, well and good; governesses and +tutors will bring them up. YOU are to be the lady, the great lady, who +represents the luxury and the pleasure of the house. But remember +one thing--let your superiority be visible in those things only which +flatter a man's self-love; hide the superiority you must also acquire +over him in great things." + +"But you frighten me, mamma," cried Natalie. "How can I remember +all these precepts? How shall I ever manage, I, such a child, and so +heedless, to reflect and calculate before I act?" + +"But, my dear little girl, I am telling you to-day that which you must +surely learn later, buying your experience by fatal faults and errors +of conduct which will cause you bitter regrets and embarrass your whole +life." + +"But how must I begin?" asked Natalie, artlessly. + +"Instinct will guide you," replied her mother. "At this moment Paul +desires you more than he loves you; for love born of desires is a hope; +the love that succeeds their satisfaction is the reality. There, my +dear, is the question; there lies your power. What woman is not loved +before marriage? Be so on the morrow and you shall remain so always. +Paul is a weak man who is easily trained to habit. If he yields to you +once he will yield always. A woman ardently desired can ask all things; +do not commit the folly of many women who do not see the importance of +the first hours of their sway,--that of wasting your power on trifles, +on silly things with no result. Use the empire your husband's first +emotions give you to accustom him to obedience. And when you make him +yield, choose that it be on some unreasonable point, so as to test the +measure of your power by the measure of his concession. What victory +would there be in making him agree to a reasonable thing? Would that +be obeying you? We must always, as the Castilian proverb says, take +the bull by the horns; when a bull has once seen the inutility of his +defence and of his strength he is beaten. When your husband does a +foolish thing for you, you can govern him." + +"Why so?" + +"Because, my child, marriage lasts a lifetime, and a husband is not a +man like other men. Therefore, never commit the folly of giving yourself +into his power in everything. Keep up a constant reserve in your speech +and in your actions. You may even be cold to him without danger, for you +can modify coldness at will. Besides, nothing is more easy to maintain +than our dignity. The words, 'It is not becoming in your wife to do thus +and so,' is a great talisman. The life of a woman lies in the words, 'I +will not.' They are the final argument. Feminine power is in them, +and therefore they should only be used on real occasions. But they +constitute a means of governing far beyond that of argument or +discussion. I, my dear child, reigned over your father by his faith in +me. If your husband believes in you, you can do all things with him. To +inspire that belief you must make him think that you understand him. Do +not suppose that that is an easy thing to do. A woman can always make a +man think that he is loved, but to make him admit that he is understood +is far more difficult. I am bound to tell you all now, my child, for +to-morrow life with its complications, life with two wills which +_must_ be made one, begins for you. Bear in mind, at all moments, that +difficulty. The only means of harmonizing your two wills is to arrange +from the first that there shall be but one; and that will must be yours. +Many persons declare that a wife creates her own unhappiness by changing +sides in this way; but, my dear, she can only become the mistress +by controlling events instead of bearing them; and that advantage +compensates for any difficulty." + +Natalie kissed her mother's hands with tears of gratitude. Like all +women in whom mental emotion is never warmed by physical emotion, she +suddenly comprehended the bearings of this feminine policy; but, like +a spoiled child that never admits the force of reason and returns +obstinately to its one desire, she came back to the charge with one of +those personal arguments which the logic of a child suggests:-- + +"Dear mamma," she said, "it is only a few days since you were talking +of Paul's advancement, and saying that you alone could promote it; why, +then, do you suddenly turn round and abandon us to ourselves?" + +"I did not then know the extent of my obligations nor the amount of my +debts," replied the mother, who would not suffer her real motive to be +seen. "Besides, a year or two hence I can take up that matter again. +Come, let us dress; Paul will be here soon. Be as sweet and caressing +as you were,--you know?--that night when we first discussed this fatal +contract; for to-day we must save the last fragments of our fortune, and +I must win for you a thing to which I am superstitiously attached." + +"What is it?" + +"The 'Discreto.'" + +Paul arrived about four o'clock. Though he endeavored to meet his +mother-in-law with a gracious look upon his face, Madame Evangelista saw +traces of the clouds which the counsels of the night and the reflections +of the morning had brought there. + +"Mathias has told him!" she thought, resolving to defeat the old +notary's action. "My dear son," she said, "you left your diamonds in the +drawer of the console, and I frankly confess that I would rather not see +again the things that threatened to bring a cloud between us. Besides, +as Monsieur Mathias said, they ought to be sold at once to meet the +first payment on the estates you have purchased." + +"They are not mine," he said. "I have given them to Natalie, and when +you see them upon her you will forget the pain they caused you." + +Madame Evangelista took his hand and pressed it cordially, with a tear +of emotion. + +"Listen to me, my dear children," she said, looking from Paul to +Natalie; "since you really feel thus, I have a proposition to make to +both of you. I find myself obliged to sell my pearl necklace and my +earrings. Yes, Paul, it is necessary; I do not choose to put a penny of +my fortune into an annuity; I know what I owe to you. Well, I admit +a weakness; to sell the 'Discreto' seems to me a disaster. To sell a +diamond which bears the name of Philip the Second and once adorned his +royal hand, an historic stone which the Duke of Alba touched for ten +years in the hilt of his sword--no, no, I cannot! Elie Magus estimates +my necklace and ear-rings at a hundred and some odd thousand francs +without the clasps. Will you exchange the other jewels I made over to +you for these? you will gain by the transaction, but what of that? I am +not selfish. Instead of those mere fancy jewels, Paul, your wife will +have fine diamonds which she can really enjoy. Isn't it better that I +should sell those ornaments which will surely go out of fashion, and +that you should keep in the family these priceless stones?" + +"But, my dear mother, consider yourself," said Paul. + +"I," replied Madame Evangelista, "I want such things no longer. Yes, +Paul, I am going to be your bailiff at Lanstrac. It would be folly in +me to go to Paris at the moment when I ought to be here to liquidate +my property and settle my affairs. I shall grow miserly for my +grandchildren." + +"Dear mother," said Paul, much moved, "ought I to accept this exchange +without paying you the difference?" + +"Good heavens! are you not, both of you, my dearest interests? Do +you suppose I shall not find happiness in thinking, as I sit in my +chimney-corner, 'Natalie is dazzling to-night at the Duchesse de Berry's +ball'? When she sees my diamond at her throat and my ear-rings in +her ears she will have one of those little enjoyments of vanity which +contribute so much to a woman's happiness and make her so gay and +fascinating. Nothing saddens a woman more than to have her vanity +repressed; I have never seen an ill-dressed woman who was amiable or +good-humored." + +"Heavens! what was Mathias thinking about?" thought Paul. "Well, then, +mamma," he said, in a low voice, "I accept." + +"But I am confounded!" said Natalie. + +At this moment Solonet arrived to announce the good news that he had +found among the speculators of Bordeaux two contractors who were much +attracted by the house, the gardens of which could be covered with +dwellings. + +"They offer two hundred and fifty thousand francs," he said; "but if you +consent to the sale, I can make them give you three hundred thousand. +There are three acres of land in the garden." + +"My husband paid two hundred thousand for the place, therefore I +consent," she replied. "But you must reserve the furniture and the +mirrors." + +"Ah!" said Solonet, "you are beginning to understand business." + +"Alas! I must," she said, sighing. + +"I am told that a great many persons are coming to your midnight +service," said Solonet, perceiving that his presence was inopportune, +and preparing to go. + +Madame Evangelista accompanied him to the door of the last salon, and +there she said, in a low voice:-- + +"I now have personal property to the amount of two hundred and fifty +thousand francs; if I can get two hundred thousand for my share of the +house it will make a handsome capital, which I shall want to invest to +the very best advantage. I count on you for that. I shall probably live +at Lanstrac." + +The young notary kissed his client's hand with a gesture of gratitude; +for the widow's tone of voice made Solonet fancy that this alliance, +really made from self-interest only, might extend a little farther. + +"You can count on me," he replied. "I can find you investments in +merchandise on which you will risk nothing and make very considerable +profits." + +"Adieu until to-morrow," she said; "you are to be our witness, you know, +with Monsieur le Marquis de Gyas." + +"My dear mother," said Paul, when she returned to them, "why do you +refuse to come to Paris? Natalie is provoked with me, as if I were the +cause of your decision." + +"I have thought it all over, my children, and I am sure that I should +hamper you. You would feel obliged to make me a third in all you did, +and young people have ideas of their own which I might, unintentionally, +thwart. Go to Paris. I do not wish to exercise over the Comtesse de +Manerville the gentle authority I have held over Natalie. I desire to +leave her wholly to you. Don't you see, Paul, that there are habits and +ways between us which must be broken up? My influence ought to yield to +yours. I want you to love me, and to believe that I have your interests +more at heart than you think for. Young husbands are, sooner or later, +jealous for the love of a wife for her mother. Perhaps they are right. +When you are thoroughly united, when love has blended your two souls +into one, then, my dear son, you will not fear an opposing influence if +I live in your house. I know the world, and men, and things; I have seen +the peace of many a home destroyed by the blind love of mothers who +made themselves in the end as intolerable to their daughters as to +their sons-in-law. The affection of old people is often exacting and +querulous. Perhaps I could not efface myself as I should. I have the +weakness to think myself still handsome; I have flatterers who declare +that I am still agreeable; I should have, I fear, certain pretensions +which might interfere with your lives. Let me, therefore, make one more +sacrifice for your happiness. I have given you my fortune, and now I +desire to resign to you my last vanities as a woman. Your notary Mathias +is getting old. He cannot look after your estates as I will. I will be +your bailiff; I will create for myself those natural occupations which +are the pleasures of old age. Later, if necessary, I will come to you +in Paris, and second you in your projects of ambition. Come, Paul, be +frank; my proposal suits you, does it not?" + +Paul would not admit it, but he was at heart delighted to get his +liberty. The suspicions which Mathias had put into his mind respecting +his mother-in-law were, however, dissipated by this conversation, which +Madame Evangelista carried on still longer in the same tone. + +"My mother was right," thought Natalie, who had watched Paul's +countenance. "He _is_ glad to know that I am separated from her--why?" + +That "why" was the first note of a rising distrust; did it prove the +power of those maternal instructions? + +There are certain characters which on the faith of a single proof +believe in friendship. To persons thus constituted the north wind drives +away the clouds as rapidly as the south wind brings them; they stop at +effects and never hark back to causes. Paul had one of those essentially +confiding natures, without ill-feelings, but also without foresight. His +weakness proceeded far more from his kindness, his belief in goodness, +than from actual debility of soul. + +Natalie was sad and thoughtful, for she knew not what to do without +her mother. Paul, with that self-confident conceit which comes of love, +smiled to himself at her sadness, thinking how soon the pleasures +of marriage and the excitements of Paris would drive it away. Madame +Evangelista saw this confidence with much satisfaction. She had already +taken two great steps. Her daughter possessed the diamonds which had +cost Paul two hundred thousand francs; and she had gained her point of +leaving these two children to themselves with no other guide than their +illogical love. Her revenge was thus preparing, unknown to her daughter, +who would, sooner or later, become its accomplice. Did Natalie love +Paul? That was a question still undecided, the answer to which might +modify her projects, for she loved her daughter too sincerely not to +respect her happiness. Paul's future, therefore, still depended on +himself. If he could make his wife love him, he was saved. + +The next day, at midnight, after an evening spent together, with the +addition of the four witnesses, to whom Madame Evangelista gave the +formal dinner which follows the legal marriage, the bridal pair, +accompanied by their friends, heard mass by torchlight, in presence of +a crowd of inquisitive persons. A marriage celebrated at night always +suggests to the mind an unpleasant omen. Light is the symbol of life and +pleasure, the forecasts of which are lacking to a midnight wedding. Ask +the intrepid soul why it shivers; why the chill of those black arches +enervates it; why the sound of steps startles it; why it notices the cry +of bats and the hoot of owls. Though there is absolutely no reason to +tremble, all present do tremble, and the darkness, emblem of death, +saddens them. Natalie, parted from her mother, wept. The girl was now a +prey to those doubts which grasp the heart as it enters a new career in +which, despite all assurances of happiness, a thousand pitfalls await +the steps of a young wife. She was cold and wanted a mantle. The air and +manner of Madame Evangelista and that of the bridal pair excited some +comment among the elegant crowd which surrounded the altar. + +"Solonet tells me that the bride and bridegroom leave for Paris +to-morrow morning, all alone." + +"Madame Evangelista was to live with them, I thought." + +"Count Paul has got rid of her already." + +"What a mistake!" said the Marquise de Gyas. "To shut the door on the +mother of his wife is to open it to a lover. Doesn't he know what a +mother is?" + +"He has been very hard on Madame Evangelista; the poor woman has had to +sell her house and her diamonds, and is going to live at Lanstrac." + +"Natalie looks very sad." + +"Would you like to be made to take a journey the day after your +marriage?" + +"It is very awkward." + +"I am glad I came here to-night," said a lady. "I am now convinced of +the necessity of the pomps of marriage and of wedding fetes; a scene +like this is very bare and sad. If I may say what I think," she added, +in a whisper to her neighbor, "this marriage seems to me indecent." + +Madame Evangelista took Natalie in her carriage and accompanied her, +alone, to Paul's house. + +"Well, mother, it is done!" + +"Remember, my dear child, my last advice, and you will be a happy woman. +Be his wife, and not his mistress." + +When Natalie had retired, the mother played the little comedy of +flinging herself with tears into the arms of her son-in-law. It was the +only provincial thing that Madame Evangelista allowed herself, but she +had her reasons for it. Amid tears and speeches, apparently half +wild and despairing, she obtained of Paul those concessions which all +husbands make. + +The next day she put the married pair into their carriage, and +accompanied them to the ferry, by which the road to Paris crosses the +Gironde. With a look and a word Natalie enabled her mother to see that +if Paul had won the trick in the game of the contract, her revenge +was beginning. Natalie was already reducing her husband to perfect +obedience. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. CONCLUSION + + +Five years later, on an afternoon in the month of November, Comte Paul +de Manerville, wrapped in a cloak, was entering, with a bowed head and +a mysterious manner, the house of his old friend Monsieur Mathias at +Bordeaux. + +Too old to continue in business, the worthy notary had sold his practice +and was ending his days peacefully in a quiet house to which he had +retired. An urgent affair had obliged him to be absent at the moment of +his guest's arrival, but his housekeeper, warned of Paul's coming, took +him to the room of the late Madame Mathias, who had been dead a year. +Fatigued by a rapid journey, Paul slept till evening. When the old man +reached home he went up to his client's room, and watched him sleeping, +as a mother watches her child. Josette, the old housekeeper, followed +her master and stood before the bed, her hands on her hips. + +"It is a year to-day, Josette, since I received my dear wife's last +sigh; I little knew then that I should stand here again to see the count +half dead." + +"Poor man! he moans in his sleep," said Josette. + +"Sac a papier!" cried the old notary, an innocent oath which was a +sign with him of the despair on a man of business before insurmountable +difficulties. "At any rate," he thought, "I have saved the title to the +Lanstrac estate for him, and that of Ausac, Saint-Froult, and his house, +though the usufruct has gone." Mathias counted his fingers. "Five years! +Just five years this month, since his old aunt, now dead, that excellent +Madame de Maulincour, asked for the hand of that little crocodile of a +woman, who has finally ruined him--as I expected." + +And the gouty old gentleman, leaning on his cane, went to walk in the +little garden till his guest should awake. At nine o'clock supper +was served, for Mathias took supper. The old man was not a little +astonished, when Paul joined him, to see that his old client's brow was +calm and his face serene, though noticeably changed. If at the age of +thirty-three the Comte de Manerville seemed to be a man of forty, that +change in his appearance was due solely to mental shocks; physically, he +was well. He clasped the old man's hand affectionately, and forced him +not to rise, saying:-- + +"Dear, kind Maitre Mathias, you, too, have had your troubles." + +"Mine were natural troubles, Monsieur le comte; but yours--" + +"We will talk of that presently, while we sup." + +"If I had not a son in the magistracy, and a daughter married," said the +good old man, "you would have found in old Mathias, believe me, Monsieur +le comte, something better than mere hospitality. Why have you come to +Bordeaux at the very moment when posters are on all the walls of the +seizure of your farms at Grassol and Guadet, the vineyard of Belle-Rose +and the family mansion? I cannot tell you the grief I feel at the sight +of those placards,--I, who for forty years nursed that property as if it +belonged to me; I, who bought it for your mother when I was only third +clerk to Monsieur Chesnau, my predecessor, and wrote the deeds myself +in my best round hand; I, who have those titles now in my successor's +office; I, who have known you since you were so high"; and the old man +stopped to put his hand near the ground. "Ah! a man must have been a +notary for forty-one years and a half to know the sort of grief I feel +to see my name exposed before the face of Israel in those announcements +of the seizure and sale of the property. When I pass through the streets +and see men reading these horrible yellow posters, I am ashamed, as if +my own honor and ruin were concerned. Some fools will stand there and +read them aloud expressly to draw other fools about them--and what +imbecile remarks they make! As if a man were not master of his own +property! Your father ran through two fortunes before he made the one +he left you; and you wouldn't be a Manerville if you didn't do likewise. +Besides, seizures of real estate have a whole section of the Code to +themselves; they are expected and provided for; you are in a position +recognized by the law.--If I were not an old man with white hair, I +would thrash those fools I hear reading aloud in the streets such an +abomination as this," added the worthy notary, taking up a paper; "'At +the request of Dame Natalie Evangelista, wife of Paul-Francois-Joseph, +Comte de Manerville, separated from him as to worldly goods and chattels +by the Lower court of the department of the Seine--'" + +"Yes, and now separated in body," said Paul. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the old man. + +"Oh! against my wife's will," added the count, hastily. "I was forced to +deceive her; she did not know that I was leaving her." + +"You have left her?" + +"My passage is taken; I sail for Calcutta on the 'Belle-Amelie.'" + +"Two day's hence!" cried the notary. "Then, Monsieur le comte, we shall +never meet again." + +"You are only seventy-three, my dear Mathias, and you have the gout, the +brevet of old age. When I return I shall find you still afoot. Your +good head and heart will be as sound as ever, and you will help me +to reconstruct what is now a shaken edifice. I intend to make a noble +fortune in seven years. I shall be only forty on my return. All is still +possible at that age." + +"You?" said Mathias, with a gesture of amazement,--you, Monsieur le +comte, to undertake commerce! How can you even think of it?" + +"I am no longer Monsieur le comte, dear Mathias. My passage is taken +under the name of Camille, one of my mother's baptismal names. I have +acquirements which will enable me to make my fortune otherwise than in +business. Commerce, at any rate, will be only my final chance. I start +with a sum in hand sufficient for the redemption of my future on a large +scale." + +"Where is that money?" + +"A friend is to send it to me." + +The old man dropped his fork as he heard the word "friend," not in +surprise, not scoffingly, but in grief; his look and manner expressed +the pain he felt in finding Paul under the influence of a deceitful +illusion; his practised eye fathomed a gulf where the count saw nothing +but solid ground. + +"I have been fifty years in the notariat," he said, "and I never yet +knew a ruined man whose friend would lend him money." + +"You don't know de Marsay. I am certain that he has sold out some of his +investments already, and to-morrow you will receive from him a bill of +exchange for one hundred and fifty thousand francs." + +"I hope I may. If that be so, cannot your friend settle your +difficulties here? You could live quietly at Lanstrac for five or six +years on your wife's income, and so recover yourself." + +"No assignment or economy on my part could pay off fifteen hundred +thousand francs of debt, in which my wife is involved to the amount of +five hundred and fifty thousand." + +"You cannot mean to say that in four years you have incurred a million +and a half of debt?" + +"Nothing is more certain, Mathias. Did I not give those diamonds to my +wife? Did I not spend the hundred and fifty thousand I received from the +sale of Madame Evangelista's house, in the arrangement of my house in +Paris? Was I not forced to use other money for the first payments on +that property demanded by the marriage contract? I was even forced to +sell out Natalie's forty thousand a year in the Funds to complete the +purchase of Auzac and Saint-Froult. We sold at eighty-seven, therefore I +became in debt for over two hundred thousand francs within a month after +my marriage. That left us only sixty-seven thousand francs a year; but +we spent fully three times as much every year. Add all that up, together +with rates of interest to usurers, and you will soon find a million." + +"Br-r-r!" exclaimed the old notary. "Go on. What next?" + +"Well, I wanted, in the first place, to complete for my wife that set +of jewels of which she had the pearl necklace clasped by the family +diamond, the 'Discreto,' and her mother's ear-rings. I paid a hundred +thousand francs for a coronet of diamond wheat-ears. There's eleven +hundred thousand. And now I find I owe the fortune of my wife, which +amounts to three hundred and sixty-six thousand francs of her 'dot.'" + +"But," said Mathias, "if Madame la comtesse had given up her diamonds +and you had pledged your income you could have pacified your creditors +and have paid them off in time." + +"When a man is down, Mathias, when his property is covered with +mortgages, when his wife's claims take precedence of his creditors', and +when that man has notes out for a hundred thousand francs which he must +pay (and I hope I can do so out of the increased value of my property +here), what you propose is not possible." + +"This is dreadful!" cried Mathias; "would you sell Belle-Rose with the +vintage of 1825 still in the cellars?" + +"I cannot help myself." + +"Belle-Rose is worth six hundred thousand francs." + +"Natalie will buy it in; I have advised her to do so." + +"I might push the price to seven hundred thousand, and the farms are +worth a hundred thousand each." + +"Then if the house in Bordeaux can be sold for two hundred thousand--" + +"Solonet will give more than that; he wants it. He is retiring with +a handsome property made by gambling on the Funds. He has sold his +practice for three hundred thousand francs, and marries a mulatto woman. +God knows how she got her money, but they say it amounts to millions. A +notary gambling in stocks! a notary marrying a black woman! What an age! +It is said that he speculates for your mother-in-law with her funds." + +"She has greatly improved Lanstrac and taken great pains with its +cultivation. She has amply repaid me for the use of it." + +"I shouldn't have thought her capable of that." + +"She is so kind and so devoted; she has always paid Natalie's debts +during the three months she spent with us every year in Paris." + +"She could well afford to do so, for she gets her living out of +Lanstrac," said Mathias. "She! grown economical! what a miracle! I am +told she has just bought the domain of Grainrouge between Lanstrac and +Grassol; so that if the Lanstrac avenue were extended to the high-road, +you would drive four and a half miles through your own property to reach +the house. She paid one hundred thousand francs down for Grainrouge." + +"She is as handsome as ever," said Paul; "country life preserves her +freshness; I don't mean to go to Lanstrac and bid her good-bye; her +heart would bleed for me too much." + +"You would go in vain; she is now in Paris. She probably arrived there +as you left." + +"No doubt she had heard of the sale of my property and came to help me. +I have no complaint to make of life, Mathias. I am truly loved,--as much +as any man ever could be here below; beloved by two women who outdo each +other in devotion; they are even jealous of each other; the daughter +blames the mother for loving me too much, and the mother reproaches the +daughter for what she calls her dissipations. I may say that this +great affection has been my ruin. How could I fail to satisfy even +the slightest caprice of a loving wife? Impossible to restrain myself! +Neither could I accept any sacrifice on her part. We might certainly, as +you say, live at Lanstrac, save my income, and part with her diamonds, +but I would rather go to India and work for a fortune than tear +my Natalie from the life she enjoys. So it was I who proposed the +separation as to property. Women are angels who ought not to be mixed up +in the sordid interests of life." + +Old Mathias listened in doubt and amazement. + +"You have no children, I think," he said. + +"Fortunately, none," replied Paul. + +"That is not my idea of marriage," remarked the old notary, naively. "A +wife ought, in my opinion, to share the good and evil fortunes of her +husband. I have heard that young married people who love like lovers, do +not want children? Is pleasure the only object of marriage? I say that +object should be the joys of family. Moreover, in this case--I am afraid +you will think me too much of notary--your marriage contract made it +incumbent upon you to have a son. Yes, monsieur le comte, you ought to +have had at once a male heir to consolidate that entail. Why not? +Madame Evangelista was strong and healthy; she had nothing to fear in +maternity. You will tell me, perhaps, that these are the old-fashioned +notions of our ancestors. But in those noble families, Monsieur le +comte, the legitimate wife thought it her duty to bear children and +bring them up nobly; as the Duchesse de Sully, the wife of the great +Sully, said, a wife is not an instrument of pleasure, but the honor and +virtue of her household." + +"You don't know women, my good Mathias," said Paul. "In order to be +happy we must love them as they want to be loved. Isn't there something +brutal in at once depriving a wife of her charms, and spoiling her +beauty before she has begun to enjoy it?" + +"If you had had children your wife would not have dissipated your +fortune; she would have stayed at home and looked after them." + +"If you were right, dear friend," said Paul, frowning, "I should +be still more unhappy than I am. Do not aggravate my sufferings by +preaching to me after my fall. Let me go, without the pang of looking +backward to my mistakes." + +The next day Mathias received a bill of exchange for one hundred and +fifty thousand francs from de Marsay. + +"You see," said Paul, "he does not write a word to me. He begins by +obliging me. Henri's nature is the most imperfectly perfect, the most +illegally beautiful that I know. If you knew with what superiority that +man, still young, can rise above sentiments, above self-interests, and +judge them, you would be astonished, as I am, to find how much heart he +has." + +Mathias tried to battle with Paul's determination, but he found it +irrevocable, and it was justified by so many cogent reasons that the old +man finally ceased his endeavors to retain his client. + +It is seldom that vessels sail promptly at the time appointed, but on +this occasion, by a fateful circumstance for Paul, the wind was fair and +the "Belle-Amelie" sailed on the morrow, as expected. The quay was lined +with relations, and friends, and idle persons. Among them were several +who had formerly known Manerville. His disaster, posted on the walls of +the town, made him as celebrated as he was in the days of his wealth and +fashion. Curiosity was aroused; every one had their word to say about +him. Old Mathias accompanied his client to the quay, and his sufferings +were sore as he caught a few words of those remarks:-- + +"Who could recognize in that man you see over there, near old Mathias, +the dandy who was called the Pink of Fashion five years ago, and made, +as they say, 'fair weather and foul' in Bordeaux." + +"What! that stout, short man in the alpaca overcoat, who looks like a +groom,--is that Comte Paul de Manerville?" + +"Yes, my dear, the same who married Mademoiselle Evangelista. Here he +is, ruined, without a penny to his name, going out to India to look for +luck." + +"But how did he ruin himself? he was very rich." + +"Oh! Paris, women, play, luxury, gambling at the Bourse--" + +"Besides," said another, "Manerville always was a poor creature; no +mind, soft as papier-mache, he'd let anybody shear the wool from his +back; incapable of anything, no matter what. He was born to be ruined." + +Paul wrung the hand of the old man and went on board. Mathias stood upon +the pier, looking at his client, who leaned against the shrouds, defying +the crowed before him with a glance of contempt. At the moment when +the sailors began to weigh anchor, Paul noticed that Mathias was making +signals to him with his handkerchief. The old housekeeper had hurried +to her master, who seemed to be excited by some sudden event. Paul asked +the captain to wait a moment, and send a boat to the pier, which was +done. Too feeble himself to go aboard, Mathias gave two letters to a +sailor in the boat. + +"My friend," he said, "this packet" (showing one of the two letters) "is +important; it has just arrived by a courier from Paris in thirty-five +hours. State this to Monsieur le comte; don't neglect to do so; it may +change his plans." + +"Would he come ashore?" + +"Possibly, my friend," said the notary, imprudently. + +The sailor is, in all lands, a being of a race apart, holding all +land-folk in contempt. This one happened to be a bas-Breton, who saw but +one thing in Maitre Mathias's request. + +"Come ashore, indeed!" he thought, as he rowed. "Make the captain lose a +passenger! If one listened to those walruses we'd have nothing to do but +embark and disembark 'em. He's afraid that son of his will catch cold." + +The sailor gave Paul the letter and said not a word of the message. +Recognizing the handwriting of his wife and de Marsay, Paul supposed +that he knew what they both would urge upon him. Anxious not to be +influenced by offers which he believed their devotion to his welfare +would inspire, he put the letters in his pocket unread, with apparent +indifference. + +Absorbed in the sad thoughts which assail the strongest man under such +circumstances, Paul gave way to his grief as he waved his hand to +his old friend, and bade farewell to France, watching the steeples of +Bordeaux as they fled out of sight. He seated himself on a coil of rope. +Night overtook him still lost in thought. With the semi-darkness of the +dying day came doubts; he cast an anxious eye into the future. Sounding +it, and finding there uncertainty and danger, he asked his soul if +courage would fail him. A vague dread seized his mind as he thought of +Natalie left wholly to herself; he repented the step he had taken; he +regretted Paris and his life there. Suddenly sea-sickness overcame him. +Every one knows the effect of that disorder. The most horrible of its +sufferings devoid of danger is a complete dissolution of the will. +An inexplicable distress relaxes to their very centre the cords of +vitality; the soul no longer performs its functions; the sufferer +becomes indifferent to everything; the mother forgets her child, the +lover his mistress, the strongest man lies prone, like an inert mass. +Paul was carried to his cabin, where he stayed three days, lying on his +back, gorged with grog by the sailors, or vomiting; thinking of nothing, +and sleeping much. Then he revived into a species of convalescence, and +returned by degrees to his ordinary condition. The first morning after +he felt better he went on deck and passed the poop, breathing in the +salt breezes of another atmosphere. Putting his hands into his pockets +he felt the letters. At once he opened them, beginning with that of his +wife. + +In order that the letter of the Comtesse de Manerville be fully +understood, it is necessary to give the one which Paul had written to +her on the day that he left Paris. + + From Paul de Manerville to his wife: + + My beloved,--When you read this letter I shall be far away from + you; perhaps already on the vessel which is to take me to India, + where I am going to repair my shattered fortune. + + I have not found courage to tell you of my departure. I have + deceived you; but it was best to do so. You would only have been + uselessly distressed; you would have wished to sacrifice your + fortune, and that I could not have suffered. Dear Natalie, feel no + remorse; I have no regrets. When I return with millions I shall + imitate your father and lay them at your feet, as he laid his at + the feet of your mother, saying to you: "All I have is yours." + + I love you madly, Natalie; I say this without fear that the + avowal will lead you to strain a power which none but weak men + fear; yours has been boundless from the day I knew you first. My + love is the only accomplice in my disaster. I have felt, as my + ruin progressed, the delirious joys of a gambler; as the money + diminished, so my enjoyment grew. Each fragment of my fortune + turned into some little pleasure for you gave me untold happiness. + I could have wished that you had more caprices that I might + gratify them all. I knew I was marching to a precipice, but I went + on crowned with joys of which a common heart knows nothing. I have + acted like those lovers who take refuge in a cottage on the shores + of some lake for a year or two, resolved to kill themselves at + last; dying thus in all the glory of their illusions and their + love. I have always thought such persons infinitely sensible. + + You have known nothing of my pleasures or my sacrifices. The + greatest joy of all was to hide from the one beloved the cost of + her desires. I can reveal these secrets to you now, for when you + hold this paper, heavy with love, I shall be far away. Though I + lose the treasures of your gratitude, I do not suffer that + contraction of the heart which would disable me if I spoke to you + of these matters. Besides, my own beloved, is there not a tender + calculation in thus revealing to you the history of the past? Does + it not extend our love into the future?--But we need no such + supports! We love each other with a love to which proof is + needless,--a love which takes no note of time or distance, but + lives of itself alone. + + Ah! Natalie, I have just looked at you asleep, trustful, restful + as a little child, your hand stretched toward me. I left a tear + upon the pillow which has known our precious joys. I leave you + without fear, on the faith of that attitude; I go to win the + future of our love by bringing home to you a fortune large enough + to gratify your every taste, and let no shadow of anxiety disturb + our joys. Neither you nor I can do without enjoyments in the life + we live. To me belongs the task of providing the necessary + fortune. I am a man; and I have courage. + + Perhaps you might seek to follow me. For that reason I conceal + from you the name of the vessel, the port from which I sail, and + the day of sailing. After I am gone, when too late to follow me, a + friend will tell you all. + + Natalie! my affection is boundless. I love you as a mother loves + her child, as a lover loves his mistress, with absolute + unselfishness. To me the toil, to you the pleasures; to me all + sufferings, to you all happiness. Amuse yourself; continue your + habits of luxury; go to theatres and operas, enjoy society and + balls; I leave you free for all things. Dear angel, when you + return to this nest where for five years we have tasted the fruits + which love has ripened think of your friend; think for a moment of + me, and rest upon my heart. + + That is all I ask of you. For myself, dear eternal thought of + mine! whether under burning skies, toiling for both of us, I face + obstacles to vanquish, or whether, weary with the struggle, I rest + my mind on hopes of a return, I shall think of you alone; of you + who are my life,--my blessed life! Yes, I shall live in you. I + shall tell myself daily that you have no troubles, no cares; that + you are happy. As in our natural lives of day and night, of + sleeping and waking, I shall have sunny days in Paris, and nights + of toil in India,--a painful dream, a joyful reality; and I shall + live so utterly in that reality that my actual life will pass as a + dream. I shall have memories! I shall recall, line by line, + strophe by strophe, our glorious five years' poem. I shall + remember the days of your pleasure in some new dress or some + adornment which made you to my eyes a fresh delight. Yes, dear + angel, I go like a man vowed to some great emprize, the guerdon of + which, if success attend him, is the recovery of his beautiful + mistress. Oh! my precious love, my Natalie, keep me as a religion + in your heart. Be the child that I have just seen asleep! If you + betray my confidence, my blind confidence, you need not fear my + anger--be sure of that; I should die silently. But a wife does not + deceive the man who leaves her free--for woman is never base. She + tricks a tyrant; but an easy treachery, which would kill its + victim, she will not commit--No, no! I will not think of it. + Forgive this cry, this single cry, so natural to the heart of man! + + Dear love, you will see de Marsay; he is now the lessee of our + house, and he will leave you in possession of it. This nominal + lease was necessary to avoid a useless loss. Our creditors, + ignorant that their payment is a question of time only, would + otherwise have seized the furniture and the temporary possession + of the house. Be kind to de Marsay; I have the most entire + confidence in his capacity and his loyalty. Take him as your + defender and adviser, make him your slave. However occupied, he + will always find time to be devoted to you. I have placed the + liquidation of my affairs and the payment of the debts in his + hands. If he should advance some sum of which he should later feel + in need I rely on you to pay it back. Remember, however, that I do + not leave you to de Marsay, but _to yourself_; I do not seek to + impose him upon you. + + Alas! I have but an hour more to stay beside you; I cannot spend + that hour in writing business--I count your breaths; I try to + guess your thoughts in the slight motions of your sleep. I would I + could infuse my blood into your veins that you might be a part of + me, my thought your thought, and your heart mine--A murmur has + just escaped your lips as though it were a soft reply. Be calm and + beautiful forever as you are now! Ah! would that I possessed that + fabulous fairy power which, with a wand, could make you sleep + while I am absent, until, returning, I should wake you with a + kiss. + + How much I must love you, how much energy of soul I must possess, + to leave you as I see you now! Adieu, my cherished one. Your poor + Pink of Fashion is blown away by stormy winds, but--the wings of + his good luck shall waft him back to you. No, my Ninie, I am not + bidding you farewell, for I shall never leave you. Are you not the + soul of my actions? Is not the hope of returning with happiness + indestructible for YOU the end and aim of my endeavor? Does it not + lead my every step? You will be with me everywhere. Ah! it will + not be the sun of India, but the fire of your eyes that lights my + way. Therefore be happy--as happy as a woman can be without her + lover. I would the last kiss that I take from those dear lips were + not a passive one; but, my Ninie, my adored one, I will not wake + you. When you wake, you will find a tear upon your forehead--make + it a talisman! Think, think of him who may, perhaps, die for you, + far from you; think less of the husband than of the lover who + confides you to God. + + + From the Comtesse de Manerville to her husband: + + Dear, beloved one,--Your letter has plunged me into affliction. + Had you the right to take this course, which must affect us + equally, without consulting me? Are you free? Do you not belong to + me? If you must go, why should I not follow you? You show me, + Paul, that I am not indispensable to you. What have I done, to be + deprived of my rights? Surely I count for something in this ruin. + My luxuries have weighed somewhat in the scale. You make me curse + the happy, careless life we have led for the last five years. To + know that you are banished from France for years is enough to kill + me. How soon can a fortune be made in India? Will you ever return? + + I was right when I refused, with instinctive obstinacy, that + separation as to property which my mother and you were so + determined to carry out. What did I tell you then? Did I not warn + you that it was casting a reflection upon you, and would ruin your + credit? It was not until you were really angry that I gave way. + + My dear Paul, never have you been so noble in my eyes as you are + at this moment. To despair of nothing, to start courageously to + seek a fortune! Only your character, your strength of mind could + do it. I sit at your feet. A man who avows his weakness with your + good faith, who rebuilds his fortune from the same motive that + made him wreck it, for love's sake, for the sake of an + irresistible passion, oh, Paul, that man is sublime! Therefore, + fear nothing; go on, through all obstacles, not doubting your + Natalie--for that would be doubting yourself. Poor darling, you + mean to live in me? And I shall ever be in you. I shall not be + here; I shall be wherever you are, wherever you go. + + Though your letter has caused me the keenest pain, it has also + filled me with joy--you have made me know those two extremes! + Seeing how you love me, I have been proud to learn that my love is + truly felt. Sometimes I have thought that I loved you more than + you loved me. Now, I admit myself vanquished, you have added the + delightful superiority--of loving--to all the others with which + you are blest. That precious letter in which your soul reveals + itself will lie upon my heart during all your absence; for my + soul, too, is in it; that letter is my glory. + + I shall go to live at Lanstrac with my mother. I die to the world; + I will economize my income and pay your debts to their last + farthing. From this day forth, Paul, I am another woman. I bid + farewell forever to society; I will have no pleasures that you + cannot share. Besides, Paul, I ought to leave Paris and live in + retirement. Dear friend, you will soon have a noble reason to make + your fortune. If your courage needed a spur you would find it in + this. Cannot you guess? We shall have a child. Your cherished + desires are granted. I feared to give you one of those false hopes + which hurt so much--have we not had grief enough already on that + score? I was determined not to be mistaken in this good news. + To-day I feel certain, and it makes me happy to shed this joy upon + your sorrows. + + This morning, fearing nothing and thinking you still at home, I + went to the Assumption; all things smiled upon me; how could I + foresee misfortune? As I left the church I met my mother; she had + heard of your distress, and came, by post, with all her savings, + thirty thousand francs, hoping to help you. Ah! what a heart is + hers, Paul! I felt joyful, and hurried home to tell you this good + news, and to breakfast with you in the greenhouse, where I ordered + just the dainties that you like. Well, Augustine brought me your + letter,--a letter from you, when we had slept together! A cold + fear seized me; it was like a dream! I read your letter! I read it + weeping, and my mother shared my tears. I was half-dead. Such + love, such courage, such happiness, such misery! The richest + fortunes of the heart, and the momentary ruin of all interests! To + lose you at a moment when my admiration of your greatness thrilled + me! what woman could have resisted such a tempest of emotion? To + know you far away when your hand upon my heart would have stilled + its throbbings; to feel that YOU were not here to give me that + look so precious to me, to rejoice in our new hopes; that I was + not with you to soften your sorrows by those caresses which made + your Natalie so dear to you! I wished to start, to follow you, to + fly to you. But my mother told me you had taken passage in a ship + which leaves Bordeaux to-morrow, that I could not reach you except + by post, and, moreover, that it was madness in my present state to + risk our future by attempting to follow you. I could not bear such + violent emotions; I was taken ill, and am writing to you now in + bed. + + My mother is doing all she can to stop certain calumnies which + seem to have got about on your disaster. The Vandenesses, Charles + and Felix, have earnestly defended you; but your friend de Marsay + treats the affair satirically. He laughs at your accusers instead + of replying to them. I do not like his way of lightly brushing + aside such serious attacks. Are you not deceived in him? However, + I will obey you; I will make him my friend. Do not be anxious, my + adored one, on the points that concern your honor; is it not mine + as well? My diamonds shall be pledged; we intend, mamma and I, to + employ our utmost resources in the payment of your debts; and we + shall try to buy back your vineyard at Belle-Rose. My mother, who + understands business like a lawyer, blames you very much for not + having told her of your embarrassments. She would not have bought + --thinking to please you--the Grainrouge domain, and then she + could have lent you that money as well as the thirty thousand + francs she brought with her. She is in despair at your decision; + she fears the climate of India for your health. She entreats you + to be sober, and not to let yourself be trapped by women--That + made me laugh; I am as sure of you as I am of myself. You will + return to me rich and faithful. I alone know your feminine + delicacy, and the secret sentiments which make you a human flower + worthy of the gardens of heaven. The Bordeaux people were right + when they gave you your floral nickname. + + But alas! who will take care of my delicate flower? My heart is + rent with dreadful ideas. I, his wife, Natalie, I am here, and + perhaps he suffers far away from me! And not to share your pains, + your vexations, your dangers! In whom will you confide? how will + you live without that ear into which you have hitherto poured all? + Dear, sensitive plant, swept away by this storm, will you be able + to survive in another soil than your native land? + + It seems to me that I have been alone for centuries. I have wept + sorely. To be the cause of your ruin! What a text for the thoughts + of a loving woman! You treated me like a child to whom we give all + it asks, or like a courtesan, allowed by some thoughtless youth to + squander his fortune. Ah! such indulgence was, in truth, an + insult. Did you think I could not live without fine dresses, balls + and operas and social triumphs? Am I so frivolous a woman? Do you + think me incapable of serious thought, of ministering to your + fortune as I have to your pleasures? If you were not so far away, + and so unhappy, I would blame you for that impertinence. Why lower + your wife in that way? Good heavens! what induced me to go into + society at all?--to flatter your vanity; I adorned myself for you, + as you well know. If I did wrong, I am punished, cruelly; your + absence is a harsh expiation of our mutual life. + + Perhaps my happiness was too complete; it had to be paid by some + great trial--and here it is. There is nothing now for me but + solitude. Yes, I shall live at Lanstrac, the place your father + laid out, the house you yourself refurnished so luxuriously. There + I shall live, with my mother and my child, and await you,--sending + you daily, night and morning, the prayers of all. Remember that + our love is a talisman against all evil. I have no more doubt of + you than you can have of me. What comfort can I put into this + letter,--I so desolate, so broken, with the lonely years before + me, like a desert to cross. But no! I am not utterly unhappy; the + desert will be brightened by our son,--yes, it must be a _son_, + must it not? + + And now, adieu, my own beloved; our love and prayers will follow + you. The tears you see upon this paper will tell you much that I + cannot write. I kiss you on this little square of paper, see! + below. Take those kisses from + + Your Natalie. + + +--------+ + | | + | | + | | + +--------+ + + +This letter threw Paul into a reverie caused as much by memories of the +past as by these fresh assurances of love. The happier a man is, the +more he trembles. In souls which are exclusively tender--and exclusive +tenderness carries with it a certain amount of weakness--jealousy and +uneasiness exist in direct proportion to the amount of the happiness and +its extent. Strong souls are neither jealous nor fearful; jealousy is +doubt, fear is meanness. Unlimited belief is the principal attribute +of a great man. If he is deceived (for strength as well as weakness may +make a man a dupe) his contempt will serve him as an axe with which to +cut through all. This greatness, however, is the exception. Which of us +has not known what it is to be abandoned by the spirit which sustains +our frail machine, and to hearken to that mysterious Voice denying +all? Paul, his mind going over the past, and caught here and there by +irrefutable facts, believed and doubted all. Lost in thought, a prey +to an awful and involuntary incredulity, which was combated by the +instincts of his own pure love and his faith in Natalie, he read and +re-read that wordy letter, unable to decide the question which it raised +either for or against his wife. Love is sometimes as great and true when +smothered in words as it is in brief, strong sentences. + +To understand the situation into which Paul de Manerville was about to +enter we must think of him as he was at this moment, floating upon the +ocean as he floated upon his past, looking back upon the years of his +life as he looked at the limitless water and cloudless sky about him, +and ending his reverie by returning, through tumults of doubt, to faith, +the pure, unalloyed and perfect faith of the Christian and the lover, +which enforced the voice of his faithful heart. + +It is necessary to give here his own letter to de Marsay written on +leaving Paris, to which his friend replied in the letter he received +through old Mathias from the dock:-- + + From Comte Paul de Manerville to Monsieur le Marquis Henri de + Marsay: + + Henri,--I have to say to you one of the most vital words a man can + say to his friend:--I am ruined. When you read this I shall be on + the point of sailing from Bordeaux to Calcutta on the brig + "Belle-Amelie." + + You will find in the hands of your notary a deed which only needs + your signature to be legal. In it, I lease my house to you for six + years at a nominal rent. Send a duplicate of that deed to my wife. + I am forced to take this precaution that Natalie may continue to + live in her own home without fear of being driven out by + creditors. + + I also convey to you by deed the income of my share of the + entailed property for four years; the whole amounting to one + hundred and fifty thousand francs, which sum I beg you to lend me + and to send in a bill of exchange on some house in Bordeaux to my + notary, Maitre Mathias. My wife will give you her signature to + this paper as an endorsement of your claim to my income. If the + revenues of the entail do not pay this loan as quickly as I now + expect, you and I will settle on my return. The sum I ask for is + absolutely necessary to enable me to seek my fortune in India; and + if I know you, I shall receive it in Bordeaux the night before I + sail. + + I have acted as you would have acted in my place. I held firm to + the last moment, letting no one suspect my ruin. Before the news + of the seizure of my property at Bordeaux reached Paris, I had + attempted, with one hundred thousand francs which I obtained on + notes, to recover myself by play. Some lucky stroke might still + have saved me. I lost. + + How have I ruined myself? By my own will, Henri. From the first + month of my married life I saw that I could not keep up the style + in which I started. I knew the result; but I chose to shut my + eyes; I could not say to my wife, "We must leave Paris and live at + Lanstrac." I have ruined myself for her as men ruin themselves for + a mistress, but I knew it all along. Between ourselves, I am + neither a fool nor a weak man. A fool does not let himself be + ruled with his eyes open by a passion; and a man who starts for + India to reconstruct his fortune, instead of blowing out his + brains, is not weak. + + I shall return rich, or I shall never return at all. Only, my dear + friend, as I want wealth solely for _her_, as I must be absent six + years at least, and as I will not risk being duped in any way, I + confide to you my wife. I know no better guardian. Being + childless, a lover might be dangerous to her. Henri! I love her + madly, basely, without proper pride. I would forgive her, I think, + an infidelity, not because I am certain of avenging it, but + because I would kill myself to leave her free and happy--since I + could not make her happiness myself. But what have I to fear? + Natalie feels for me that friendship which is independent of love, + but which preserves love. I have treated her like a petted child. + I took such delight in my sacrifices, one led so naturally to + another, that she can never be false; she would be a monster if + she were. Love begets love. + + Alas! shall I tell you all, my dear Henri? I have just written her + a letter in which I let her think that I go with heart of hope and + brow serene; that neither jealousy, nor doubt, nor fear is in my + soul,--a letter, in short, such as a son might write to his + mother, aware that he is going to his death. Good God! de Marsay, + as I wrote it hell was in my soul! I am the most wretched man on + earth. Yes, yes, to you the cries, to you the grinding of my + teeth! I avow myself to you a despairing lover; I would rather + live these six years sweeping the streets beneath her windows than + return a millionaire at the end of them--if I could choose. I + suffer agony; I shall pass from pain to pain until I hear from you + that you will take the trust which you alone can fulfil or + accomplish. + + Oh! my dear de Marsay, this woman is indispensable to my life; she + is my sun, my atmosphere. Take her under your shield and buckler, + keep her faithful to me, even if she wills it not. Yes, I could be + satisfied with a half-happiness. Be her guardian, her chaperon, + for I could have no distrust of you. Prove to her that in + betraying me she would do a low and vulgar thing, and be no better + than the common run of women; tell her that faithfulness will + prove her lofty spirit. + + She probably has fortune enough to continue her life of luxury and + ease. But if she lacks a pleasure, if she has caprices which she + cannot satisfy, be her banker, and do not fear, I _will_ return with + wealth. + + But, after all, these fears are in vain! Natalie is an angel of + purity and virtue. When Felix de Vandenesse fell deeply in love + with her and began to show her certain attentions, I had only to + let her see the danger, and she instantly thanked me so + affectionately that I was moved to tears. She said that her + dignity and reputation demanded that she should not close her + doors abruptly to any man, but that she knew well how to dismiss + him. She did, in fact, receive him so coldly that the affair all + ended for the best. We have never had any other subject of dispute + --if, indeed, a friendly talk could be called a dispute--in all + our married life. + + And now, my dear Henri, I bid you farewell in the spirit of a man. + Misfortune has come. No matter what the cause, it is here. I strip + to meet it. Poverty and Natalie are two irreconcilable terms. The + balance may be close between my assets and my liabilities, but no + one shall have cause to complain of me. But, should any unforeseen + event occur to imperil my honor, I count on you. + + Send letters under cover to the Governor of India at Calcutta. I + have friendly relations with his family, and some one there will + care for all letters that come to me from Europe. Dear friend, I + hope to find you the same de Marsay on my return,--the man who + scoffs at everything and yet is receptive of the feelings of + others when they accord with the grandeur he is conscious of in + himself. You stay in Paris, friend; but when you read these words, + I shall be crying out, "To Carthage!" + + + The Marquis Henri de Marsay to Comte Paul de Manerville: + + So, so, Monsieur le comte, you have made a wreck of it! Monsieur + l'ambassadeur has gone to the bottom! Are these the fine things + that you were doing? + + Why, Paul, why have you kept away from me? If you had said a + single word, my poor old fellow, I would have made your position + plain to you. Your wife has refused me her endorsement. May that + one word unseal your eyes! But, if that does not suffice, learn + that your notes have been protested at the instigation of a Sieur + Lecuyer, formerly head-clerk to Maitre Solonet, a notary in + Bordeaux. That usurer in embryo (who came from Gascony for + jobbery) is the proxy of your very honorable mother-in-law, who is + the actual holder of your notes for one hundred thousand francs, + on which I am told that worthy woman doled out to you only seventy + thousand. Compared with Madame Evangelista, papa Gobseck is + flannel, velvet, vanilla cream, a sleeping draught. Your vineyard + of Belle-Rose is to fall into the clutches of your wife, to whom + her mother pays the difference between the price it goes for at + the auction sale and the amount of her dower claim upon it. Madame + Evangelista will also have the farms at Guadet and Grassol, and + the mortgages on your house in Bordeaux already belong to her, in + the names of straw men provided by Solonet. + + Thus these two excellent women will make for themselves a united + income of one hundred and twenty thousand francs a year out of + your misfortunes and forced sale of property, added to the revenue + of some thirty-odd thousand on the Grand-livre which these cats + already possess. + + The endorsement of your wife was not needed; for this morning the + said Sieur Lecuyer came to offer me a return of the sum I had lent + you in exchange for a legal transfer of my rights. The vintage of + 1825 which your mother-in-law keeps in the cellars at Lanstrac + will suffice to pay me. + + These two women have calculated, evidently, that you are now upon + the ocean; but I send this letter by courier, so that you may have + time to follow the advice I now give you. + + I made Lecuyer talk. I disentangled from his lies, his language, + and his reticence, the threads I lacked to bring to light the + whole plot of the domestic conspiracy hatched against you. This + evening, at the Spanish embassy, I shall offer my admiring + compliments to your mother-in-law and your wife. I shall pay + court to Madame Evangelista; I intend to desert you basely, and + say sly things to your discredit,--nothing openly, or that + Mascarille in petticoats would detect my purpose. How did you make + her such an enemy? That is what I want to know. If you had had the + wit to be in love with that woman before you married her daughter, + you would to-day be peer of France, Duc de Manerville, and, + possibly, ambassador to Madrid. + + If you had come to me at the time of your marriage, I would have + helped you to analyze and know the women to whom you were binding + yourself; out of our mutual observations safety might have been + yours. But, instead of that, these women judged me, became afraid + of me, and separated us. If you had not stupidly given in to them + and turned me the cold shoulder, they would never have been able + to ruin you. Your wife brought on the coldness between us, + instigated by her mother, to whom she wrote two letters a week,--a + fact to which you paid no attention. I recognized my Paul when I + heard that detail. + + Within a month I shall be so intimate with your mother-in-law that + I shall hear from her the reasons of the hispano-italiano hatred + which she feels for you,--for you, one of the best and kindest men + on earth! Did she hate you before her daughter fell in love with + Felix de Vandenesse; that's a question in my mind. If I had not + taken a fancy to go to the East with Montriveau, Ronquerolles, and + a few other good fellows of your acquaintance, I should have been + in a position to tell you something about that affair, which was + beginning just as I left Paris. I saw the first gleams even then + of your misfortune. But what gentleman is base enough to open such + a subject unless appealed to? Who shall dare to injure a woman, or + break that illusive mirror in which his friend delights in gazing + at the fairy scenes of a happy marriage? Illusions are the riches + of the heart. + + Your wife, dear friend, is, I believe I may say, in the fullest + application of the word, a fashionable woman. She thinks of + nothing but her social success, her dress, her pleasures; she goes + to opera and theatre and balls; she rises late and drives to the + Bois, dines out, or gives a dinner-party. Such a life seems to me + for women very much what war is for men; the public sees only the + victors; it forgets the dead. Many delicate women perish in this + conflict; those who come out of it have iron constitutions, + consequently no heart, but good stomachs. There lies the reason of + the cold insensibility of social life. Fine souls keep themselves + reserved, weak and tender natures succumb; the rest are + cobblestones which hold the social organ in its place, water-worn + and rounded by the tide, but never worn-out. Your wife has + maintained that life with ease; she looks made for it; she is + always fresh and beautiful. To my mind the deduction is plain, + --she has never loved you; and you have loved her like a madman. + + To strike out love from that siliceous nature a man of iron was + needed. After standing, but without enduring, the shock of Lady + Dudley, Felix was the fitting mate to Natalie. There is no great + merit in divining that to you she was indifferent. In love with + her yourself, you have been incapable of perceiving the cold + nature of a young woman whom you have fashioned and trained for a + man like Vandenesse. The coldness of your wife, if you perceived + it, you set down, with the stupid jurisprudence of married people, + to the honor of her reserve and her innocence. Like all husbands, + you thought you could keep her virtuous in a society where women + whisper from ear to ear that which men are afraid to say. + + No, your wife has liked the social benefits she derived from + marriage, but the private burdens of it she found rather heavy. + Those burdens, that tax was--you! Seeing nothing of all this, you + have gone on digging your abysses (to use the hackneyed words of + rhetoric) and covering them with flowers. You have mildly obeyed + the law which rules the ruck of men; from which I desired to + protect you. Dear fellow! only one thing was wanting to make you + as dull as the bourgeois deceived by his wife, who is all + astonishment or wrath, and that is that you should talk to me of + your sacrifices, your love for Natalie, and chant that psalm: + "Ungrateful would she be if she betrayed me; I have done this, I + have done that, and more will I do; I will go to the ends of the + earth, to the Indies for her sake. I--I--" etc. My dear Paul, have + you never lived in Paris, have you never had the honor of + belonging by ties of friendship to Henri de Marsay, that you + should be so ignorant of the commonest things, the primitive + principles that move the feminine mechanism, the a-b-c of their + hearts? Then hear me:-- + + Suppose you exterminate yourself, suppose you go to Saint-Pelagie + for a woman's debts, suppose you kill a score of men, desert a + dozen women, serve like Laban, cross the deserts, skirt the + galleys, cover yourself with glory, cover yourself with shame, + refuse, like Nelson, to fight a battle until you have kissed the + shoulder of Lady Hamilton, dash yourself, like Bonaparte, upon the + bridge at Arcola, go mad like Roland, risk your life to dance five + minutes with a woman--my dear fellow, what have all those things + to do with _love_? If love were won by samples such as those + mankind would be too happy. A spurt of prowess at the moment of + desire would give a man the woman that he wanted. But love, _love_, + my good Paul, is a faith like that in the Immaculate conception of + the Holy Virgin; it comes, or it does not come. Will the mines of + Potosi, or the shedding of our blood, or the making of our fame + serve to waken an involuntary, an inexplicable sentiment? Young + men like you, who expect to be loved as the balance of your + account, are nothing else than usurers. Our legitimate wives owe + us virtue and children, but they don't owe us love. + + Love, my dear Paul, is the sense of pleasure given and received, + and the certainty of giving and receiving it; love is a desire + incessantly moving and growing, incessantly satisfied and + insatiable. The day when Vandenesse stirred the cord of a desire + in your wife's heart which you had left untouched, all your + self-satisfied affection, your gifts, your deeds, your money, ceased + to be even memories; one emotion of love in your wife's heart has + cast out the treasures of your own passion, which are now nothing + better than old iron. Felix has the virtues and the beauties in + her eyes, and the simple moral is that blinded by your own love + you never made her love you. + + Your mother-in-law is on the side of the lover against the + husband,--secretly or not; she may have closed her eyes, or she + may have opened them; I know not what she has done--but one thing + is certain, she is for her daughter, and against you. During the + fifteen years that I have observed society, I have never yet seen + a mother who, under such circumstances, abandons her daughter. + This indulgence seems to be an inheritance transmitted in the + female line. What man can blame it? Some copyist of the Civil + code, perhaps, who sees formulas only in the place of feelings. + + As for your present position, the dissipation into which the life + of a fashionable woman cast you, and your own easy nature, + possibly your vanity, have opened the way for your wife and her + mother to get rid of you by this ruin so skilfully contrived. From + all of which you will conclude, my good friend, that the mission + you entrusted to me, and which I would all the more faithfully + fulfil because it amused me, is, necessarily, null and void. The + evil you wish me to prevent is accomplished,--"consummatum est." + + Forgive me, dear friend, if I write to you, as you say, a la de + Marsay on subjects which must seem to you very serious. Far be it + from me to dance upon the grave of a friend, like heirs upon that + of a progenitor. But you have written to me that you mean to act + the part of a man, and I believe you; I therefore treat you as a + man of the world, and not as a lover. For you, this blow ought to + be like the brand on the shoulder of a galley-slave, which flings + him forever into a life of systematic opposition to society. You + are now freed of one evil; marriage possessed you; it now behooves + you to turn round and possess marriage. + + Paul, I am your friend in the fullest acceptation of the word. If + you had a brain in an iron skull, if you had the energy which has + come to you too late, I would have proved my friendship by telling + you things that would have made you walk upon humanity as upon a + carpet. But when I did talk to you guardedly of Parisian + civilization, when I told you in the disguise of fiction some of + the actual adventures of my youth, you regarded them as mere + romance and would not see their bearing. When I told you that + history of a lawyer at the galleys branded for forgery, who + committed the crime to give his wife, adored like yours, an income + of thirty thousand francs, and whom his wife denounced that she + might be rid of him and free to love another man, you exclaimed, + and other fools who were supping with us exclaimed against me. + Well, my dear Paul, you were that lawyer, less the galleys. + + Your friends here are not sparing you. The sister of the two + Vandenesses, the Marquise de Listomere and all her set, in which, + by the bye, that little Rastignac has enrolled himself,--the scamp + will make his way!--Madame d'Aiglemont and her salon, the + Lenoncourts, the Comtesse Ferraud, Madame d'Espard, the Nucingens, + the Spanish ambassador, in short, all the cliques in society are + flinging mud upon you. You are a bad man, a gambler, a dissipated + fellow who has squandered his property. After paying your debts a + great many times, your wife, an angel of virtue, has just redeemed + your notes for one hundred thousand francs, although her property + was separate from yours. Luckily, you had done the best you could + do by disappearing. If you had stayed here you would have made her + bed in the straw; the poor woman would have been the victim of her + conjugal devotion! + + When a man attains to power, my dear Paul, he has all the virtues + of an epitaph; let him fall into poverty, and he has more sins + than the Prodigal Son; society at the present moment gives you the + vices of a Don Juan. You gambled at the Bourse, you had licentious + tastes which cost you fabulous sums of money to gratify; you paid + enormous interests to money-lenders. The two Vandenesses have told + everywhere how Gigonnet gave you for six thousand francs an ivory + frigate, and made your valet buy it back for three hundred in + order to sell it to you again. The incident did really happen to + Maxime de Trailles about nine years ago; but it fits your present + circumstances so well that Maxime has forever lost the command of + his frigate. + + In short, I can't tell you one-half that is said; you have + supplied a whole encyclopaedia of gossip which the women have an + interest in swelling. Your wife is having an immense success. Last + evening at the opera Madame Firmiani began to repeat to me some of + the things that are being said. "Don't talk of that," I replied. + "You know nothing of the real truth, you people. Paul has robbed + the Bank, cheated the Treasury, murdered Ezzelin and three Medoras + in the rue Saint-Denis, and I think, between ourselves, that he is + a member of the Dix-Mille. His associate is the famous Jacques + Collin, on whom the police have been unable to lay a hand since he + escaped from the galleys. Paul gave him a room in his house; you + see he is capable of anything; in fact, the two have gone off to + India together to rob the Great Mogul." Madame Firmiani, like the + distinguished woman that she is, saw that she ought not to convert + her beautiful lips into a mouthpiece for false denunciation. + + Many persons, when they hear of these tragi-comedies of life, + refuse to believe them. They take the side of human nature and + fine sentiments; they declare that these things do not exist. But + Talleyrand said a fine thing, my dear fellow: "All things happen." + Truly, things happen under our very noses which are more amazing + than this domestic plot of yours; but society has an interest in + denying them, and in declaring itself calumniated. Often these + dramas are played so naturally and with such a varnish of good + taste that even I have to rub the lens of my opera-glass to see to + the bottom of them. But, I repeat to you, when a man is a friend + of mine, when we have received together the baptism of champagne + and have knelt together before the altar of the Venus Commodus, + when the crooked fingers of play have given us their benediction, + if that man finds himself in a false position I'd ruin a score of + families to do him justice. + + You must be aware from all this that I love you. Have I ever in my + life written a letter as long as this? No. Therefore, read with + attention what I still have to say. + + Alas! Paul, I shall be forced to take to writing, for I am taking + to politics. I am going into public life. I intend to have, within + five years, the portfolio of a ministry or some embassy. There + comes an age when the only mistress a man can serve is his + country. I enter the ranks of those who intend to upset not only + the ministry, but the whole present system of government. In + short, I swim in the waters of a certain prince who is lame of the + foot only,--a man whom I regard as a statesman of genius whose + name will go down to posterity; a prince as complete in his way as + a great artist may be in his. + + Several of us, Ronquerolles, Montriveau, the Grandlieus, La + Roche-Hugon, Serisy, Feraud, and Granville, have allied ourselves + against the "parti-pretre," as the party-ninny represented by the + "Constitutionnel" has ingeniously said. We intend to overturn the + Navarreins, Lenoncourts, Vandenesses, and the Grand Almonry. In + order to succeed we shall even ally ourselves with Lafayette, the + Orleanists, and the Left,--people whom we can throttle on the + morrow of victory, for no government in the world is possible with + their principles. We are capable of anything for the good of the + country--and our own. + + Personal questions as to the King's person are mere sentimental + folly in these days; they must be cleared away. From that point of + view, the English with their sort of Doge, are more advanced than + we are. Politics have nothing to do with that, my dear fellow. + Politics consist in giving the nation an impetus by creating an + oligarchy embodying a fixed theory of government, and able to + direct public affairs along a straight path, instead of allowing + the country to be pulled in a thousand different directions, which + is what has been happening for the last forty years in our + beautiful France--at once so intelligent and so sottish, so wise + and so foolish; it needs a system, indeed, much more than men. + What are individuals in this great question? If the end is a great + one, if the country may live happy and free from trouble, what do + the masses care for the profits of our stewardship, our fortune, + privileges, and pleasures? + + I am now standing firm on my feet. I have at the present moment a + hundred and fifty thousand francs a year in the Three per Cents, + and a reserve of two hundred thousand francs to repair damages. + Even this does not seem to me very much ballast in the pocket of a + man starting left foot foremost to scale the heights of power. + + A fortunate accident settled the question of my setting out on + this career, which did not particularly smile on me, for you know + my predilection for the life of the East. After thirty-five years + of slumber, my highly-respected mother woke up to the recollection + that she had a son who might do her honor. Often when a vine-stock + is eradicated, some years after shoots come up to the surface of + the ground; well, my dear boy, my mother had almost torn me up by + the roots from her heart, and I sprouted again in her head. At the + age of fifty-eight, she thinks herself old enough to think no more + of any men but her son. At this juncture she has met in some + hot-water cauldron, at I know not what baths, a delightful old maid + --English, with two hundred and forty thousand francs a year; and, + like a good mother, she has inspired her with an audacious + ambition to become my wife. A maid of six-and-thirty, my word! + Brought up in the strictest puritanical principles, a steady + sitting hen, who maintains that unfaithful wives should be + publicly burnt. 'Where will you find wood enough?' I asked her. I + could have sent her to the devil, for two hundred and forty + thousand francs a year are no equivalent for liberty, nor a fair + price for my physical and moral worth and my prospects. But she is + the sole heiress of a gouty old fellow, some London brewer, who + within a calculable time will leave her a fortune equal at least + to what the sweet creature has already. Added to these advantages, + she has a red nose, the eyes of a dead goat, a waist that makes + one fear lest she should break into three pieces if she falls + down, and the coloring of a badly painted doll. But--she is + delightfully economical; but--she will adore her husband, do what + he will; but--she has the English gift; she will manage my house, + my stables, my servants, my estates better than any steward. She + has all the dignity of virtue; she holds herself as erect as a + confidante on the stage of the Francais; nothing will persuade me + that she has not been impaled and the shaft broken off in her + body. Miss Stevens is, however, fair enough to be not too + unpleasing if I must positively marry her. But--and this to me is + truly pathetic--she has the hands of a woman as immaculate as the + sacred ark; they are so red that I have not yet hit on any way to + whiten them that will not be too costly, and I have no idea how to + fine down her fingers, which are like sausages. Yes; she evidently + belongs to the brew-house by her hands, and to the aristocracy by + her money; but she is apt to affect the great lady a little too + much, as rich English women do who want to be mistaken for them, + and she displays her lobster's claws too freely. + + She has, however, as little intelligence as I could wish in a + woman. If there were a stupider one to be found, I would set out + to seek her. This girl, whose name is Dinah, will never criticise + me; she will never contradict me; I shall be her Upper Chamber, + her Lords and Commons. In short, Paul, she is indefeasible + evidence of the English genius; she is a product of English + mechanics brought to their highest pitch of perfection; she was + undoubtedly made at Manchester, between the manufactory of Perry's + pens and the workshops for steam-engines. It eats, it drinks, it + walks, it may have children, take good care of them, and bring + them up admirably, and it apes a woman so well that you would + believe it real. + + When my mother introduced us, she had set up the machine so + cleverly, had so carefully fitted the pegs, and oiled the wheels + so thoroughly, that nothing jarred; then, when she saw I did not + make a very wry face, she set the springs in motion, and the woman + spoke. Finally, my mother uttered the decisive words, "Miss Dinah + Stevens spends no more than thirty thousand francs a year, and has + been traveling for seven years in order to economize."--So there + is another image, and that one is silver. + + Matters are so far advanced that the banns are to be published. We + have got as far as "My dear love." Miss makes eyes at me that + might floor a porter. The settlements are prepared. My fortune is + not inquired into; Miss Stevens devotes a portion of hers to + creating an entail in landed estate, bearing an income of two + hundred and forty thousand francs, and to the purchase of a house, + likewise entailed. The settlement credited to me is of a million + francs. She has nothing to complain of. I leave her uncle's money + untouched. + + The worthy brewer, who has helped to found the entail, was near + bursting with joy when he heard that his niece was to be a + marquise. He would be capable of doing something handsome for my + eldest boy. + + I shall sell out of the funds as soon as they are up to eighty, + and invest in land. Thus, in two years I may look to get six + hundred thousand francs a year out of real estate. So, you see, + Paul, I do not give my friends advice that I am not ready to act + upon. + + If you had but listened to me, you would have an English wife, + some Nabob's daughter, who would leave you the freedom of a + bachelor and the independence necessary for playing the whist of + ambition. I would concede my future wife to you if you were not + married already. But that cannot be helped, and I am not the man + to bid you chew the cud of the past. + + All this preamble was needful to explain to you that for the + future my position in life will be such as a man needs if he wants + to play the great game of pitch-and-toss. I cannot do without you, + my friend. Now, then, my dear Paul, instead of setting sail for + India you would do a much wiser thing to navigate with me the + waters of the Seine. Believe me, Paris is still the place where + fortune, abundant fortune, can be won. Potosi is in the rue + Vivienne, the rue de la Paix, the Place Vendome, the rue de + Rivoli. In all other places and countries material works and + labors, marches and counter-marches, and sweatings of the brow are + necessary to the building up of fortune; but in Paris _thought_ + suffices. Here, every man even mentally mediocre, can see a mine + of wealth as he puts on his slippers, or picks his teeth after + dinner, in his down-sitting and his up-rising. Find me another + place on the globe where a good round stupid idea brings in more + money, or is sooner understood than it is here. + + If I reach the top of the ladder, as I shall, am I the man to + refuse you a helping hand, an influence, a signature? We shall + want, we young roues, a faithful friend on whom to count, if only + to compromise him and make him a scape-goat, or send him to die + like a common soldier to save his general. Government is + impossible without a man of honor at one's side, in whom to + confide and with whom we can do and say everything. + + Here is what I propose. Let the "Belle-Amelie" sail without you; + come back here like a thunderbolt; I'll arrange a duel for you + with Vandenesse in which you shall have the first shot, and you + can wing him like a pigeon. In France the husband who shoots his + rival becomes at once respectable and respected. No one ever + cavils at him again. Fear, my dear fellow, is a valuable social + element, a means of success for those who lower their eyes before + the gaze of no man living. I who care as little to live as to + drink a glass of milk, and who have never felt the emotion of + fear, I have remarked the strange effects produced by that + sentiment upon our modern manners. Some men tremble to lose the + enjoyments to which they are attached, others dread to leave a + woman. The old adventurous habits of other days when life was + flung away like a garment exist no longer. The bravery of a great + many men is nothing more than a clever calculation on the fear of + their adversary. The Poles are the only men in Europe who fight + for the pleasure of fighting; they cultivate the art for the art's + sake, and not for speculation. + + Now hear me: kill Vandenesse, and your wife trembles, your + mother-in-law trembles, the public trembles, and you recover your + position, you prove your grand passion for your wife, you subdue + society, you subdue your wife, you become a hero. Such is France. + As for your embarrassments, I hold a hundred thousand francs for + you; you can pay your principal debts, and sell what property you + have left with a power of redemption, for you will soon obtain an + office which will enable you by degrees to pay off your creditors. + Then, as for your wife, once enlightened as to her character you + can rule her. When you loved her you had no power to manage her; + not loving her, you will have an unconquerable force. I will + undertake, myself, to make your mother-in-law as supple as a + glove; for you must recover the use of the hundred and fifty + thousand francs a year those two women have squeezed out of you. + + Therefore, I say, renounce this expatriation which seems to me no + better than a pan of charcoal or a pistol to your head. To go away + is to justify all calumnies. The gambler who leaves the table to + get his money loses it when he returns; we must have our gold in + our pockets. Let us now, you and I, be two gamblers on the green + baize of politics; between us loans are in order. Therefore take + post-horses, come back instantly, and renew the game. You'll win + it with Henri de Marsay for your partner, for Henri de Marsay + knows how to will, and how to strike. + + See how we stand politically. My father is in the British + ministry; we shall have close relations with Spain through the + Evangelistas, for, as soon as your mother-in-law and I have + measured claws she will find there is nothing to gain by fighting + the devil. Montriveau is our lieutenant-general; he will certainly + be minister of war before long, and his eloquence will give him + great ascendancy in the Chamber. Ronquerolles will be minister of + State and privy-councillor; Martial de la Roche-Hugon is minister + to Germany and peer of France; Serisy leads the Council of State, + to which he is indispensable; Granville holds the magistracy, to + which his sons belong; the Grandlieus stand well at court; Ferraud + is the soul of the Gondreville coterie,--low intriguers who are + always on the surface of things, I'm sure I don't know why. Thus + supported, what have we to fear? The money question is a mere + nothing when this great wheel of fortune rolls for us. What is a + woman?--you are not a schoolboy. What is life, my dear fellow, if + you let a woman be the whole of it? A boat you can't command, + without a rudder, but not without a magnet, and tossed by every + wind that blows. Pah! + + The great secret of social alchemy, my dear Paul, is to get the + most we can out of each age of life through which we pass; to have + and to hold the buds of our spring, the flowers of our summer, the + fruits of our autumn. We amused ourselves once, a few good fellows + and I, for a dozen or more years, like mousquetaires, black, red, + and gray; we denied ourselves nothing, not even an occasional + filibustering here and there. Now we are going to shake down the + plums which age and experience have ripened. Be one of us; you + shall have your share in the _pudding_ we are going to cook. + + Come; you will find a friend all yours in the skin of + + H. de Marsay. + + +As Paul de Manerville ended the reading of this letter, which fell like +the blows of a pickaxe on the edifice of his hopes, his illusions, and +his love, the vessel which bore him from France was beyond the Azores. +In the midst of this utter devastation a cold and impotent anger laid +hold of him. + +"What had I done to them?" he said to himself. + +That is the question of fools, of feeble beings, who, seeing nothing, +can nothing foresee. Then he cried aloud: "Henri! Henri!" to his loyal +friend. Many a man would have gone mad; Paul went to bed and slept that +heavy sleep which follows immense disasters,--the sleep that seized +Napoleon after Waterloo. + + + + +ADDENDUM + +The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. + + Casa-Real, Duc de + The Quest of the Absolute + + Claes, Josephine de Temninck, Madame + The Quest of the Absolute + + Magus, Elie + The Vendetta + A Bachelor's Establishment + Pierre Grassou + Cousin Pons + + Manerville, Paul Francois-Joseph, Comte de + The Thirteen + The Ball at Sceaux + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + + Manerville, Comtesse Paul de + The Lily of the Valley + A Daughter of Eve + + Marsay, Henri de + The Thirteen + The Unconscious Humorists + Another Study of Woman + The Lily of the Valley + Father Goriot + Jealousies of a Country Town + Ursule Mirouet + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Letters of Two Brides + The Ball at Sceaux + Modeste Mignon + The Secrets of a Princess + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + Maulincour, Baronne de + The Thirteen + + Stevens, Dinah + Cousin Pons + + Vandenesse, Comte Felix de + The Lily of the Valley + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Cesar Birotteau + Letters of Two Brides + A Start in Life + The Secrets of a Princess + Another Study of Woman + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Marriage Contract, by Honore de Balzac + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + +***** This file should be named 1556.txt or 1556.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/5/1556/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions 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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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..1a87547 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #1556 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1556) diff --git a/old/20050312-1556.txt b/old/20050312-1556.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8227dc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/20050312-1556.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5765 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Marriage Contract, by Honore de Balzac + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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.net + + +Title: The Marriage Contract + +Author: Honore de Balzac + +Release Date: March 12, 2005 [EBook #1556] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny + + + + + + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + BY + + HONORE DE BALZAC + + + + Translated by + Katharine Prescott Wormeley + + + + DEDICATION + + To Rossini. + + + + + + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + + + CHAPTER I + + PRO AND CON + +Monsieur de Manerville, the father, was a worthy Norman gentleman, +well known to the Marechael de Richelieu, who married him to one of +the richest heiresses of Bordeaux in the days when the old duke +reigned in Guienne as governor. The Norman then sold the estate he +owned in Bessin, and became a Gascon, allured by the beauty of the +chateau de Lanstrac, a delightful residence owned by his wife. During +the last days of the reign of Louis XV., he bought the post of major +of the Gate Guards, and lived till 1813, having by great good luck +escaped the dangers of the Revolution in the following manner. + +Toward the close of the year, 1790, he went to Martinque, where his +wife had interests, leaving the management of his property in Gascogne +to an honest man, a notary's clerk, named Mathias, who was inclined to +--or at any rate did--give into the new ideas. On his return the Comte +de Manerville found his possessions intact and well-managed. This +sound result was the fruit produced by grafting the Gascon on the +Norman. + +Madame de Manerville died in 1810. Having learned the importance of +worldly goods through the dissipations of his youth, and, giving them, +like many another old man, a higher place than they really hold in +life, Monsieur de Manerville became increasingly economical, miserly, +and sordid. Without reflecting that the avarice of parents prepares +the way for the prodigalities of children, he allowed almost nothing +to his son, although that son was an only child. + +Paul de Manerville, coming home from the college of Vendome in 1810, +lived under close paternal discipline for three years. The tyranny by +which the old man of seventy oppressed his heir influenced, +necessarily, a heart and a character which were not yet formed. Paul, +the son, without lacking the physical courage which is vital in the +air of Gascony, dared not struggle against his father, and +consequently lost that faculty of resistance which begets moral +courage. His thwarted feelings were driven to the depths of his heart, +where they remained without expression; later, when he felt them to be +out of harmony with the maxims of the world, he could only think +rightly and act mistakenly. He was capable of fighting for a mere word +or look, yet he trembled at the thought of dismissing a servant,--his +timidity showing itself in those contests only which required a +persistent will. Capable of doing great things to fly from +persecution, he would never have prevented it by systematic +opposition, nor have faced it with the steady employment of force of +will. Timid in thought, bold in actions, he long preserved that inward +simplicity which makes a man the dupe and the voluntary victim of +things against which certain souls hesitate to revolt, preferring to +endure them rather than complain. He was, in point of fact, imprisoned +by his father's old mansion, for he had not enough money to consort +with young men; he envied their pleasures while unable to share them. + +The old gentleman took him every evening, in an old carriage drawn by +ill-harnessed old horses, attended by ill-dressed old servants, to +royalist houses, where he met a society composed of the relics of the +parliamentary nobility and the martial nobility. These two nobilities +coalescing after the Revolution, had now transformed themselves into a +landed aristocracy. Crushed by the vast and swelling fortunes of the +maritime cities, this Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux responded by +lofty disdain to the sumptuous displays of commerce, government +administrations, and the military. Too young to understand social +distinctions and the necessities underlying the apparent assumption +which they create, Paul was bored to death among these ancients, +unaware that the connections of his youth would eventually secure to +him that aristocratic pre-eminence which Frenchmen will forever +desire. + +He found some slight compensations for the dulness of these evenings +in certain manual exercises which always delight young men, and which +his father enjoined upon him. The old gentleman considered that to +know the art of fencing and the use of arms, to ride well on +horseback, to play tennis, to acquire good manners,--in short, to +possess all the frivolous accomplishments of the old nobility,--made a +young man of the present day a finished gentleman. Accordingly, Paul +took a fencing-lesson every morning, went to the riding-school, and +practised in a pistol-gallery. The rest of his time was spent in +reading novels, for his father would never have allowed the more +abstruse studies now considered necessary to finish an education. + +So monotonous a life would soon have killed the poor youth if the +death of the old man had not delivered him from this tyranny at the +moment when it was becoming intolerable. Paul found himself in +possession of considerable capital, accumulated by his father's +avarice, together with landed estates in the best possible condition. +But he now held Bordeaux in horror; neither did he like Lanstrac, +where his father had taken him to spend the summers, employing his +whole time from morning till night in hunting. + +As soon as the estate was fairly settled, the young heir, eager for +enjoyment, bought consols with his capital, left the management of the +landed property to old Mathias, his father's notary, and spent the +next six years away from Bordeaux. At first he was attached to the +French embassy at Naples; after that he was secretary of legation at +Madrid, and then in London,--making in this way the tour of Europe. + +After seeing the world and life, after losing several illusions, after +dissipating all the loose capital which his father had amassed, there +came a time when, in order to continue his way of life, Paul was +forced to draw upon the territorial revenues which his notary was +laying by. At this critical moment, seized by one of the so-called +virtuous impulses, he determined to leave Paris, return to Bordeaux, +regulate his affairs, lead the life of a country gentleman at +Lanstrac, improve his property, marry, and become, in the end, a +deputy. + +Paul was a count; nobility was once more of matrimonial value; he +could, and he ought to make a good marriage. While many women desire a +title, many others like to marry a man to whom a knowledge of life is +familiar. Now Paul had acquired, in exchange for the sum of seven +hundred thousand francs squandered in six years, that possession, +which cannot be bought and is practically of more value than gold and +silver; a knowledge which exacts long study, probation, examinations, +friends, enemies, acquaintances, certain manners, elegance of form and +demeanor, a graceful and euphonious name,--a knowledge, moreover, +which means many love-affairs, duels, bets lost on a race-course, +disillusions, deceptions, annoyances, toils, and a vast variety of +undigested pleasures. In short, he had become what is called elegant. +But in spite of his mad extravagance he had never made himself a mere +fashionable man. In the burlesque army of men of the world, the man of +fashion holds the place of a marshal of France, the man of elegance is +the equivalent of a lieutenant-general. Paul enjoyed his lesser +reputation, of elegance, and knew well how to sustain it. His servants +were well-dressed, his equipages were cited, his suppers had a certain +vogue; in short, his bachelor establishment was counted among the +seven or eight whose splendor equalled that of the finest houses in +Paris. + +But--he had not caused the wretchedness of any woman; he gambled +without losing; his luck was not notorious; he was far too upright to +deceive or mislead any one, no matter who, even a wanton; never did he +leave his billets-doux lying about, and he possessed no coffer or desk +for love-letters which his friends were at liberty to read while he +tied his cravat or trimmed his beard. Moreover, not willing to dip +into his Guienne property, he had not that bold extravagance which +leads to great strokes and calls attention at any cost to the +proceedings of a young man. Neither did he borrow money, but he had +the folly to lend to friends, who then deserted him and spoke of him +no more either for good or evil. He seemed to have regulated his +dissipations methodically. The secret of his character lay in his +father's tyranny, which had made him, as it were, a social mongrel. + +So, one morning, he said to a friend named de Marsay, who afterwards +became celebrated:-- + +"My dear fellow, life has a meaning." + +"You must be twenty-seven years of age before you can find it out," +replied de Marsay, laughing. + +"Well, I am twenty-seven; and precisely because I am twenty-seven I +mean to live the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac. I'll +transport my belongings to Bordeaux into my father's old mansion, and +I'll spend three months of the year in Paris in this house, which I +shall keep." + +"Will you marry?" + +"I will marry." + +"I'm your friend, as you know, my old Paul," said de Marsay, after a +moment's silence, "and I say to you: settle down into a worthy father +and husband and you'll be ridiculous for the rest of your days. If you +could be happy and ridiculous, the thing might be thought of; but you +will not be happy. You haven't a strong enough wrist to drive a +household. I'll do you justice and say you are a perfect horseman; no +one knows as well as you how to pick up or thrown down the reins, and +make a horse prance, and sit firm to the saddle. But, my dear fellow, +marriage is another thing. I see you now, led along at a slapping pace +by Madame la Comtesse de Manerville, going whither you would not, +oftener at a gallop than a trot, and presently unhorsed!--yes, +unhorsed into a ditch and your legs broken. Listen to me. You still +have some forty-odd thousand francs a year from your property in the +Gironde. Good. Take your horses and servants and furnish your house in +Bordeaux; you can be king of Bordeaux, you can promulgate there the +edicts that we put forth in Paris; you can be the correspondent of our +stupidities. Very good. Play the rake in the provinces; better still, +commit follies; follies may win you celebrity. But--don't marry. Who +marries now-a-days? Only merchants, for the sake of their capital, or +to be two to drag the cart; only peasants who want to produce children +to work for them; only brokers and notaries who want a wife's 'dot' to +pay for their practice; only miserable kings who are forced to +continue their miserable dynasties. But we are exempt from the pack, +and you want to shoulder it! And why DO you want to marry? You ought +to give your best friend your reasons. In the first place, if you +marry an heiress as rich as yourself, eighty thousand francs a year +for two is not the same thing as forty thousand francs a year for one, +because the two are soon three or four when the children come. You +haven't surely any love for that silly race of Manerville which would +only hamper you? Are you ignorant of what a father and mother have to +be? Marriage, my old Paul, is the silliest of all the social +immolations; our children alone profit by it, and don't know its price +until their horses are nibbling the flowers on our grave. Do you +regret your father, that old tyrant who made your first years +wretched? How can you be sure that your children will love you? The +very care you take of their education, your precautions for their +happiness, your necessary sternness will lessen their affection. +Children love a weak or a prodigal father, whom they will despise in +after years. You'll live betwixt fear and contempt. No man is a good +head of a family merely because he wants to be. Look round on all our +friends and name to me one whom you would like to have for a son. We +have known a good many who dishonor their names. Children, my dear +Paul, are the most difficult kind of merchandise to take care of. +Yours, you think, will be angels; well, so be it! Have you ever +sounded the gulf which lies between the lives of a bachelor and a +married man? Listen. As a bachelor you can say to yourself: 'I shall +never exhibit more than a certain amount of the ridiculous; the public +will think of me what I choose it to think.' Married, you'll drop into +the infinitude of the ridiculous! Bachelor, you can make your own +happiness; you enjoy some to-day, you do without it to-morrow; +married, you must take it as it comes; and the day you want it you +will have to go without it. Marry, and you'll grow a blockhead; you'll +calculate dowries; you'll talk morality, public and religious; you'll +think young men immoral and dangerous; in short, you'll become a +social academician. It's pitiable! The old bachelor whose property the +heirs are waiting for, who fights to his last breath with his nurse +for a spoonful of drink, is blest in comparison with a married man. +I'm not speaking of all that will happen to annoy, bore, irritate, +coerce, oppose, tyrannize, narcotize, paralyze, and idiotize a man in +marriage, in that struggle of two beings always in one another's +presence, bound forever, who have coupled each other under the strange +impression that they were suited. No, to tell you those things would +be merely a repetition of Boileau, and we know him by heart. Still, +I'll forgive your absurd idea if you will promise me to marry "en +grand seigneur"; to entail your property; to have two legitimate +children, to give your wife a house and household absolutely distinct +from yours; to meet her only in society, and never to return from a +journey without sending her a courier to announce it. Two hundred +thousand francs a year will suffice for such a life and your +antecedents will enable you to marry some rich English woman hungry +for a title. That's an aristocratic life which seems to me thoroughly +French; the only life in which we can retain the respect and +friendship of a woman; the only life which distinguishes a man from +the present crowd,--in short, the only life for which a young man +should even think of resigning his bachelor blessings. Thus +established, the Comte de Manerville may advise his epoch, place +himself above the world, and be nothing less than a minister or an +ambassador. Ridicule can never touch him; he has gained the social +advantages of marriage while keeping all the privileges of a +bachelor." + +"But, my good friend, I am not de Marsay; I am plainly, as you +yourself do me the honor to say, Paul de Manerville, worthy father and +husband, deputy of the Centre, possibly peer of France,--a destiny +extremely commonplace; but I am modest and I resign myself." + +"Yes, but your wife," said the pitiless de Marsay, "will she resign +herself?" + +"My wife, my dear fellow, will do as I wish." + +"Ah! my poor friend, is that where you are? Adieu, Paul. Henceforth, I +refuse to respect you. One word more, however, for I cannot agree +coldly to your abdication. Look and see in what the strength of our +position lies. A bachelor with only six thousand francs a year +remaining to him has at least his reputation for elegance and the +memory of success. Well, even that fantastic shadow has enormous value +in it. Life still offers many chances to the unmarried man. Yes, he +can aim at anything. But marriage, Paul, is the social 'Thus far shalt +thou go and no farther.' Once married you can never be anything but +what you then are--unless your wife should deign to care for you." + +"But," said Paul, "you are crushing me down with exceptional theories. +I am tired of living for others; of having horses merely to exhibit +them; of doing all things for the sake of what may be said of them; of +wasting my substance to keep fools from crying out: 'Dear, dear! Paul +is still driving the same carriage. What has he done with his fortune? +Does he squander it? Does he gamble at the Bourse? No, he's a +millionaire. Madame such a one is mad about him. He sent to England +for a harness which is certainly the handsomest in all Paris. The +four-horse equipages of Messieurs de Marsay and de Manerville were +much noticed at Longchamps; the harness was perfect'--in short, the +thousand silly things with which a crowd of idiots lead us by the +nose. Believe me, my dear Henri, I admire your power, but I don't envy +it. You know how to judge of life; you think and act as a statesman; +you are able to place yourself above all ordinary laws, received +ideas, adopted conventions, and acknowledged prejudices; in short, you +can grasp the profits of a situation in which I should find nothing +but ill-luck. Your cool, systematic, possibly true deductions are, to +the eyes of the masses, shockingly immoral. I belong to the masses. I +must play my game of life according to the rules of the society in +which I am forced to live. While putting yourself above all human +things on peaks of ice, you still have feelings; but as for me, I +should freeze to death. The life of that great majority, to which I +belong in my commonplace way, is made up of emotions of which I now +have need. Often a man coquets with a dozen women and obtains none. +Then, whatever be his strength, his cleverness, his knowledge of the +world, he undergoes convulsions, in which he is crushed as between two +gates. For my part, I like the peaceful chances and changes of life; I +want that wholesome existence in which we find a woman always at our +side." + +"A trifle indecorous, your marriage!" exclaimed de Marsay. + +Paul was not to be put out of countenance, and continued: "Laugh if +you like; I shall feel myself a happy man when my valet enters my room +in the morning and says: 'Madame is awaiting monsieur for breakfast'; +happier still at night, when I return to find a heart--" + +"Altogether indecorous, my dear Paul. You are not yet moral enough to +marry." + +"--a heart in which to confide my interests and my secrets. I wish to +live in such close union with a woman that our affection shall not +depend upon a yes or a no, or be open to the disillusions of love. In +short, I have the necessary courage to become, as you say, a worthy +husband and father. I feel myself fitted for family joys; I wish to +put myself under the conditions prescribed by society; I desire to +have a wife and children." + +"You remind me of a hive of honey-bees! But go your way, you'll be a +dupe all your life. Ha, ha! you wish to marry to have a wife! In other +words, you wish to solve satisfactorily to your own profit the most +difficult problem invented by those bourgeois morals which were +created by the French Revolution; and, what is more, you mean to begin +your attempt by a life of retirement. Do you think your wife won't +crave the life you say you despise? Will _she_ be disgusted with it, as +you are? If you won't accept the noble conjugality just formulated for +your benefit by your friend de Marsay, listen, at any rate, to his +final advice. Remain a bachelor for the next thirteen years; amuse +yourself like a lost soul; then, at forty, on your first attack of +gout, marry a widow of thirty-six. Then you may possibly be happy. If +you now take a young girl to wife, you'll die a madman." + +"Ah ca! tell me why!" cried Paul, somewhat piqued. + +"My dear fellow," replied de Marsay, "Boileau's satire against women +is a tissue of poetical commonplaces. Why shouldn't women have +defects? Why condemn them for having the most obvious thing in human +nature? To my mind, the problem of marriage is not at all at the point +where Boileau puts it. Do you suppose that marriage is the same thing +as love, and that being a man suffices to make a wife love you? Have +you gathered nothing in your boudoir experience but pleasant memories? +I tell you that everything in our bachelor life leads to fatal errors +in the married man unless he is a profound observer of the human +heart. In the happy days of his youth a man, by the caprice of our +customs, is always lucky; he triumphs over women who are all ready to +be triumphed over and who obey their own desires. One thing after +another--the obstacles created by the laws, the sentiments and natural +defences of women--all engender a mutuality of sensations which +deceives superficial persons as to their future relations in marriage, +where obstacles no longer exist, where the wife submits to love +instead of permitting it, and frequently repulses pleasure instead of +desiring it. Then, the whole aspect of a man's life changes. The +bachelor, who is free and without a care, need never fear repulsion; +in marriage, repulsion is almost certain and irreparable. It may be +possible for a lover to make a woman reverse an unfavorable decision, +but such a change, my dear Paul, is the Waterloo of husbands. Like +Napoleon, the husband is thenceforth condemned to victories which, in +spite of their number, do not prevent the first defeat from crushing +him. The woman, so flattered by the perseverance, so delighted with +the ardor of a lover, calls the same things brutality in a husband. +You, who talk of marrying, and who will marry, have you ever meditated +on the Civil Code? I myself have never muddied my feet in that hovel +of commentators, that garret of gossip, called the Law-school. I have +never so much as opened the Code; but I see its application on the +vitals of society. The Code, my dear Paul, makes woman a ward; it +considers her a child, a minor. Now how must we govern children? By +fear. In that one word, Paul, is the curb of the beast. Now, feel your +own pulse! Have you the strength to play the tyrant,--you, so gentle, +so kind a friend, so confiding; you, at whom I have laughed, but whom +I love, and love enough to reveal to you my science? For this is +science. Yes, it proceeds from a science which the Germans are already +calling Anthropology. Ah! if I had not already solved the mystery of +life by pleasure, if I had not a profound antipathy for those who +think instead of act, if I did not despise the ninnies who are silly +enough to believe in the truth of a book, when the sands of the +African deserts are made of the ashes of I know not how many unknown +and pulverized Londons, Romes, Venices, and Parises, I would write a +book on modern marriages made under the influence of the Christian +system, and I'd stick a lantern on that heap of sharp stones among +which lie the votaries of the social 'multiplicamini.' But the +question is, Does humanity require even an hour of my time? And +besides, isn't the more reasonable use of ink that of snaring hearts +by writing love-letters?--Well, shall you bring the Comtesse de +Manerville here, and let us see her?" + +"Perhaps," said Paul. + +"We shall still be friends," said de Marsay. + +"If--" replied Paul. + +"Don't be uneasy; we will treat you politely, as Maison-Rouge treated +the English at Fontenoy." + + + + CHAPTER II + + THE PINK OF FASHION + +Though the foregoing conversation affected the Comte de Manerville +somewhat, he made it a point of duty to carry out his intentions, and +he returned to Bordeaux during the winter of the year 1821. + +The expenses he incurred in restoring and furnishing his family +mansion sustained the reputation for elegance which had preceded him. +Introduced through his former connections to the royalist society of +Bordeaux, to which he belonged as much by his personal opinions as by +his name and fortune, he soon obtained a fashionable pre-eminence. His +knowledge of life, his manners, his Parisian acquirements enchanted +the Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux. An old marquise made use of a +term formerly in vogue at court to express the flowery beauty of the +fops and beaux of the olden time, whose language and demeanor were +social laws: she called him "the pink of fashion." The liberal clique +caught up the word and used it satirically as a nickname, while the +royalist party continued to employ it in good faith. + +Paul de Manerville acquitted himself gloriously of the obligations +imposed by his flowery title. It happened to him, as to many a +mediocre actor, that the day when the public granted him their full +attention he became, one may almost say, superior. Feeling at his +ease, he displayed the fine qualities which accompanied his defects. +His wit had nothing sharp or bitter in it; his manners were not +supercilious; his intercourse with women expressed the respect they +like,--it was neither too deferential, nor too familiar; his foppery +went no farther than a care for his personal appearance which made him +agreeable; he showed consideration for rank; he allowed young men a +certain freedom, to which his Parisian experience assigned due limits; +though skilful with sword and pistol, he was noted for a feminine +gentleness for which others were grateful. His medium height and +plumpness (which had not yet increased into obesity, an obstacle to +personal elegance) did not prevent his outer man from playing the part +of a Bordelais Brummell. A white skin tinged with the hues of health, +handsome hands and feet, blue eyes with long lashes, black hair, +graceful motions, a chest voice which kept to its middle tones and +vibrated in the listener's heart, harmonized well with his sobriquet. +Paul was indeed that delicate flower which needs such careful culture, +the qualities of which display themselves only in a moist and suitable +soil,--a flower which rough treatment dwarfs, which the hot sun burns, +and a frost lays low. He was one of those men made to receive +happiness, rather than to give it; who have something of the woman in +their nature, wishing to be divined, understood, encouraged; in short, +a man to whom conjugal love ought to come as a providence. + +If such a character creates difficulties in private life, it is +gracious and full of attraction for the world. Consequently, Paul had +great success in the narrow social circle of the provinces, where his +mind, always, so to speak, in half-tints, was better appreciated than +in Paris. + +The arrangement of his house and the restoration of the chateau de +Lanstrac, where he introduced the comfort and luxury of an English +country-house, absorbed the capital saved by the notary during the +preceding six years. Reduced now to his strict income of forty-odd +thousand a year, he thought himself wise and prudent in so regulating +his household as not to exceed it. + +After publicly exhibiting his equipages, entertaining the most +distinguished young men of the place, and giving various hunting +parties on the estate at Lanstrac, Paul saw very plainly that +provincial life would never do without marriage. Too young to employ +his time in miserly occupations, or in trying to interest himself in +the speculative improvements in which provincials sooner or later +engage (compelled thereto by the necessity of establishing their +children), he soon felt the need of that variety of distractions a +habit of which becomes at last the very life of a Parisian. A name to +preserve, property to transmit to heirs, social relations to be +created by a household where the principal families of the +neighborhood could assemble, and a weariness of all irregular +connections, were not, however, the determining reasons of his +matrimonial desires. From the time he first returned to the provinces +he had been secretly in love with the queen of Bordeaux, the great +beauty, Mademoiselle Evangelista. + +About the beginning of the century, a rich Spaniard, named +Evangelista, established himself in Bordeaux, where his letters of +recommendation, as well as his large fortune, gave him an entrance to +the salons of the nobility. His wife contributed greatly to maintain +him in the good graces of an aristocracy which may perhaps have +adopted him in the first instance merely to pique the society of the +class below them. Madame Evangelista, who belonged to the Casa-Reale, +an illustrious family of Spain, was a Creole, and, like all women +served by slaves, she lived as a great lady, knew nothing of the value +of money, repressed no whims, even the most expensive, finding them +ever satisfied by an adoring husband who generously concealed from her +knowledge the running-gear of the financial machine. Happy in finding +her pleased with Bordeaux, where his interests obliged him to live, +the Spaniard bought a house, set up a household, received in much +style, and gave many proofs of possessing a fine taste in all things. +Thus, from 1800 to 1812, Monsieur and Madame Evangelista were objects +of great interest to the community of Bordeaux. + +The Spaniard died in 1813, leaving his wife a widow at thirty-two +years of age, with an immense fortune and the prettiest little girl in +the world, a child of eleven, who promised to be, and did actually +become, a most accomplished young woman. Clever as Madame Evangelista +was, the Restoration altered her position; the royalist party cleared +its ranks and several of the old families left Bordeaux. Though the +head and hand of her husband were lacking in the direction of her +affairs, for which she had hitherto shown the indifference of a Creole +and the inaptitude of a lackadaisical woman, she was determined to +make no change in her manner of living. At the period when Paul +resolved to return to his native town, Mademoiselle Natalie +Evangelista was a remarkably beautiful young girl, and, apparently, +the richest match in Bordeaux, where the steady diminution of her +mother's capital was unknown. In order to prolong her reign, Madame +Evangelista had squandered enormous sums. Brilliant fetes and the +continuation of an almost regal style of living kept the public in its +past belief as to the wealth of the Spanish family. + +Natalie was now in her nineteenth year, but no proposal of marriage +had as yet reached her mother's ear. Accustomed to gratify her +fancies, Mademoiselle Evangelista wore cashmeres and jewels, and lived +in a style of luxury which alarmed all speculative suitors in a region +and at a period when sons were as calculating as their parents. The +fatal remark, "None but a prince can afford to marry Mademoiselle +Evangelista," circulated among the salons and the cliques. Mothers of +families, dowagers who had granddaughters to establish, young girls +jealous of Natalie, whose elegance and tyrannical beauty annoyed them, +took pains to envenom this opinion with treacherous remarks. When they +heard a possible suitor say with ecstatic admiration, as Natalie +entered a ball-room, "Heavens, how beautiful she is!" "Yes," the +mammas would answer, "but expensive." If some new-comer thought +Mademoiselle Evangelista bewitching and said to a marriageable man +that he couldn't do it better, "Who would be bold enough," some woman +would reply, "to marry a girl whose mother gives her a thousand francs +a month for her toilet,--a girl who has horses and a maid of her own, +and wears laces? Yes, her 'peignoirs' are trimmed with mechlin. The +price of her washing would support the household of a clerk. She wears +pelerines in the morning which actually cost six francs to get up." + +These, and other speeches said occasionally in the form of praise +extinguished the desires that some men might have had to marry the +beautiful Spanish girl. Queen of every ball, accustomed to flattery, +"blasee" with the smiles and the admiration which followed her every +step, Natalie, nevertheless, knew nothing of life. She lived as the +bird which flies, as the flower that blooms, finding every one about +her eager to do her will. She was ignorant of the price of things; she +knew neither the value of money, nor whence it came, how it should be +managed, and how spent. Possibly she thought that every household had +cooks and coachmen, lady's-maids and footmen, as the fields have hay +and the trees their fruits. To her, beggars and paupers, fallen trees +and waste lands seemed in the same category. Pampered and petted as +her mother's hope, no fatigue was allowed to spoil her pleasure. Thus +she bounded through life as a courser on his steppe, unbridled and +unshod. + +Six month's after Paul's arrival the Pink of Fashion and the Queen of +Balls met in presence of the highest society of the town of Bordeaux. +The two flowers looked at each other with apparent coldness, and +mutually thought each other charming. Interested in watching the +effects of the meeting, Madame Evangelista divined in the expression +of Paul's eyes the feelings within him, and she muttered to herself, +"He will be my son-in-law." Paul, on the other hand, said to himself, +as he looked at Natalie, "She will be my wife." + +The wealth of the Evangelistas, proverbial in Bordeaux, had remained +in Paul's mind as a memory of his childhood. Thus the pecuniary +conditions were known to him from the start, without necessitating +those discussions and inquiries which are as repugnant to a timid mind +as to a proud one. When some persons attempting to say to Paul a few +flattering phrases as to Natalie's manner, language, and beauty, +ending by remarks, cruelly calculated to deter him, on the lavish +extravagance of the Evangelistas, the Pink of Fashion replied with a +disdain that was well-deserved by such provincial pettiness. This +method of receiving such speeches soon silenced them; for he now set +the tone to the ideas and language as well as to the manners of those +about him. He had imported from his travels a certain development of +the Britannic personality with its icy barriers, also a tone of +Byronic pessimism as to life, together with English plate, +boot-polish, ponies, yellow gloves, cigars, and the habit of galloping. + +It thus happened that Paul escaped the discouragements hitherto +presented to marriageable men by dowagers and young girls. Madame +Evangelista began by asking him to formal dinners on various +occasions. The Pink of Fashion would not, of course, miss festivities +to which none but the most distinguished young men of the town were +bidden. In spite of the coldness that Paul assumed, which deceived +neither mother nor daughter, he was drawn, step by step, into the path +of marriage. Sometimes as he passed in his tilbury, or rode by on his +fine English horse, he heard the young men of his acquaintance say to +one another:-- + +"There's a lucky man. He is rich and handsome, and is to marry, so +they say, Mademoiselle Evangelista. There are some men for whom the +world seems made." + +When he met the Evangelistas he felt proud of the particular +distinction which mother and daughter imparted to their bows. If Paul +had not secretly, within his heart, fallen in love with Mademoiselle +Natalie, society would certainly have married him to her in spite of +himself. Society, which never causes good, is the accomplice of much +evil; then when it beholds the evil it has hatched maternally, it +rejects and revenges it. Society in Bordeaux, attributing a "dot" of a +million to Mademoiselle Evangelista, bestowed it upon Paul without +awaiting the consent of either party. Their fortunes, so it was said, +agreed as well as their persons. Paul had the same habits of luxury +and elegance in the midst of which Natalie had been brought up. He had +just arranged for himself a house such as no other man in Bordeaux +could have offered her. Accustomed to Parisian expenses and the +caprices of Parisian women, he alone was fitted to meet the pecuniary +difficulties which were likely to follow this marriage with a girl who +was as much of a Creole and a great lady as her mother. Where they +themselves, remarked the marriageable men, would have been ruined, the +Comte de Manerville, rich as he was, could evade disaster. In short, +the marriage was made. Persons in the highest royalist circles said a +few engaging words to Paul which flattered his vanity:-- + +"Every one gives you Mademoiselle Evangelista. If you marry her you +will do well. You could not find, even in Paris, a more delightful +girl. She is beautiful, graceful, elegant, and takes after the +Casa-Reales through her mother. You will make a charming couple; you +have the same tastes, the same desires in life, and you will certainly +have the most agreeable house in Bordeaux. Your wife need only bring +her night-cap; all is ready for her. You are fortunate indeed in such +a mother-in-law. A woman of intelligence, and very adroit, she will be +a great help to you in public life, to which you ought to aspire. +Besides, she has sacrificed everything to her daughter, whom she +adores, and Natalie will, no doubt, prove a good wife, for she loves +her mother. You must soon bring the matter to a conclusion." + +"That is all very well," replied Paul, who, in spite of his love, was +desirous of keeping his freedom of action, "but I must be sure that +the conclusion shall be a happy one." + +He now went frequently to Madame Evangelista's, partly to occupy his +vacant hours, which were harder for him to employ than for most men. +There alone he breathed the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury to which +he was accustomed. + +At forty years of age, Madame Evangelista was beautiful, with the +beauty of those glorious summer sunsets which crown a cloudless day. +Her spotless reputation had given an endless topic of conversation to +the Bordeaux cliques; the curiosity of the women was all the more +lively because the widow gave signs of the temperament which makes a +Spanish woman and a Creole particularly noted. She had black eyes and +hair, the feet and form of a Spanish woman,--that swaying form the +movements of which have a name in Spain. Her face, still beautiful, +was particularly seductive for its Creole complexion, the vividness of +which can be described only by comparing it to muslin overlying +crimson, so equally is the whiteness suffused with color. Her figure, +which was full and rounded, attracted the eye by a grace which united +nonchalance with vivacity, strength with ease. She attracted and she +imposed, she seduced, but promised nothing. She was tall, which gave +her at times the air and carriage of a queen. Men were taken by her +conversation like birds in a snare; for she had by nature that genius +which necessity bestows on schemes; she advanced from concession to +concession, strengthening herself with what she gained to ask for +more, knowing well how to retreat with rapid steps when concessions +were demanded in return. Though ignorant of facts, she had known the +courts of Spain and Naples, the celebrated men of the two Americas, +many illustrious families of England and the continent, all of which +gave her so extensive an education superficially that it seemed +immense. She received her society with the grace and dignity which are +never learned, but which come to certain naturally fine spirits like a +second nature; assimilating choice things wherever they are met. If +her reputation for virtue was unexplained, it gave at any rate much +authority to her actions, her conversation, and her character. + +Mother and daughter had a true friendship for each other, beyond the +filial and maternal sentiment. They suited one another, and their +perpetual contact had never produced the slightest jar. Consequently +many persons explained Madame Evangelista's actions by maternal love. +But although Natalie consoled her mother's persistent widowhood, she +may not have been the only motive for it. Madame Evangelista had been, +it was said, in love with a man who recovered his titles and property +under the Restoration. This man, desirous of marrying her in 1814 had +discreetly severed the connection in 1816. Madame Evangelista, to all +appearance the best-hearted woman in the world, had, in the depths of +her nature, a fearful quality, explainable only by Catherine de +Medici's device: "Odiate e aspettate"--"Hate and wait." Accustomed to +rule, having always been obeyed, she was like other royalties, +amiable, gentle, easy and pleasant in ordinary life, but terrible, +implacable, if the pride of the woman, the Spaniard, and the +Casa-Reale was touched. She never forgave. This woman believed in the +power of her hatred; she made an evil fate of it and bade it hover +above her enemy. This fatal power she employed against the man who had +jilted her. Events which seemed to prove the influence of her +"jettatura"--the casting of an evil eye--confirmed her superstitious +faith in herself. Though a minister and peer of France, this man began +to ruin himself, and soon came to total ruin. His property, his +personal and public honor were doomed to perish. At this crisis Madame +Evangelista in her brilliant equipage passed her faithless lover +walking on foot in the Champes Elysees, and crushed him with a look +which flamed with triumph. This misadventure, which occupied her mind +for two years, was the original cause of her not remarrying. Later, +her pride had drawn comparisons between the suitors who presented +themselves and the husband who had loved her so sincerely and so well. + +She had thus reached, through mistaken calculations and disappointed +hopes, that period of life when women have no other part to take in +life than that of mother; a part which involves the sacrifice of +themselves to their children, the placing of their interests outside +of self upon another household,--the last refuge of human affections. + +Madame Evangelista divined Paul's nature intuitively, and hid her +own from his perception. Paul was the very man she desired for a +son-in-law, for the responsible editor of her future power. He +belonged, through his mother, to the family of Maulincour, and the old +Baronne de Maulincour, the friend of the Vidame de Pamiers, was then +living in the centre of the faubourg Saint-Germain. The grandson of the +baroness, Auguste de Maulincour, held a fine position in the army. +Paul would therefore be an excellent introducer for the Evangelistas +into Parisian society. The widow had known something of the Paris of +the Empire, she now desired to shine in the Paris of the Restoration. +There alone were the elements of political fortune, the only business +in which women of the world could decently co-operate. Madame +Evangelista, compelled by her husband's affairs to reside in Bordeaux, +disliked the place. She desired a wider field, as gamblers rush to +higher stakes. For her own personal ends, therefore, she looked to +Paul as a means of destiny, she proposed to employ the resources of +her own talent and knowledge of life to advance her son-in-law, in +order to enjoy through him the delights of power. Many men are thus +made the screens of secret feminine ambitions. Madame Evangelista had, +however, more than one interest, as we shall see, in laying hold of +her daughter's husband. + +Paul was naturally captivated by this woman, who charmed him all the +more because she seemed to seek no influence over him. In reality she +was using her ascendancy to magnify herself, her daughter, and all her +surroundings in his eyes, for the purpose of ruling from the start the +man in whom she saw a means of gratifying her social longings. Paul, +on the other hand, began to value himself more highly when he felt +himself appreciated by the mother and daughter. He thought himself +much cleverer than he really was when he found his reflections and +sayings accepted and understood by Mademoiselle Natalie--who raised +her head and smiled in response to them--and by the mother, whose +flattery always seemed involuntary. The two women were so kind and +friendly to him, he was so sure of pleasing them, they ruled him so +delightfully by holding the thread of his self-love, that he soon +passed all his time at the hotel Evangelista. + +A year after his return to Bordeaux, Comte Paul, without having +declared himself, was so attentive to Natalie that the world +considered him as courting her. Neither mother nor daughter appeared +to be thinking of marriage. Mademoiselle Evangelista preserved towards +Paul the reserve of a great lady who can make herself charming and +converse agreeably without permitting a single step into intimacy. +This reserve, so little customary among provincials, pleased Paul +immensely. Timid men are shy; sudden proposals alarm them. They +retreat from happiness when it comes with a rush, and accept +misfortune if it presents itself mildly with gentle shadows. Paul +therefore committed himself in his own mind all the more because he +saw no effort on Madame Evangelista's part to bind him. She fairly +seduced him one evening by remarking that to superior women as well as +men there came a period of life when ambition superseded all the +earlier emotions of life. + +"That woman is fitted," thought Paul, as he left her, "to advance me +in diplomacy before I am even made a deputy." + +If, in all the circumstances of life a man does not turn over and over +both things and ideas in order to examine them thoroughly under their +different aspects before taking action, that man is weak and +incomplete and in danger of fatal failure. At this moment Paul was an +optimist; he saw everything to advantage, and did not tell himself +than an ambitious mother-in-law might prove a tyrant. So, every +evening as he left the house, he fancied himself a married man, +allured his mind with its own thought, and slipped on the slippers of +wedlock cheerfully. In the first place, he had enjoyed his freedom too +long to regret the loss of it; he was tired of a bachelor's life, +which offered him nothing new; he now saw only its annoyances; whereas +if he thought at times of the difficulties of marriage, its pleasures, +in which lay novelty, came far more prominently before his mind. + +"Marriage," he said to himself, "is disagreeable for people without +means, but half its troubles disappear before wealth." + +Every day some favorable consideration swelled the advantages which he +now saw in this particular alliance. + +"No matter to what position I attain, Natalie will always be on the +level of her part," thought he, "and that is no small merit in a +woman. How many of the Empire men I've seen who suffered horribly +through their wives! It is a great condition of happiness not to feel +one's pride or one's vanity wounded by the companion we have chosen. A +man can never be really unhappy with a well-bred wife; she will never +make him ridiculous; such a woman is certain to be useful to him. +Natalie will receive in her own house admirably." + +So thinking, he taxed his memory as to the most distinguished women of +the faubourg Saint-Germain, in order to convince himself that Natalie +could, if not eclipse them, at any rate stand among them on a footing +of perfect equality. All comparisons were to her advantage, for they +rested on his own imagination, which followed his desires. Paris would +have shown him daily other natures, young girls of other styles of +beauty and charm, and the multiplicity of impressions would have +balanced his mind; whereas in Bordeaux Natalie had no rivals, she was +the solitary flower; moreover, she appeared to him at a moment when +Paul was under the tyranny of an idea to which most men succumb at his +age. + +Thus these reasons of propinquity, joined to reasons of self-love and +a real passion which had no means of satisfaction except by marriage, +led Paul on to an irrational love, which he had, however, the good +sense to keep to himself. He even endeavored to study Mademoiselle +Evangelista as a man should who desires not to compromise his future +life; for the words of his friend de Marsay did sometimes rumble in +his ears like a warning. But, in the first place, persons accustomed +to luxury have a certain indifference to it which misleads them. They +despise it, they use it; it is an instrument, and not the object of +their existence. Paul never imagined, as he observed the habits of +life of the two ladies, that they covered a gulf of ruin. Then, though +there may exist some general rules to soften the asperities of +marriage, there are none by which they can be accurately foreseen and +evaded. When trouble arises between two persons who have undertaken to +render life agreeable and easy to each other, it comes from the +contact of continual intimacy, which, of course, does not exist +between young people before they marry, and will never exist so long +as our present social laws and customs prevail in France. All is more +or less deception between the two young persons about to take each +other for life,--an innocent and involuntary deception, it is true. +Each endeavors to appear in a favorable light; both take a tone and +attitude conveying a more favorable idea of their nature than they are +able to maintain in after years. Real life, like the weather, is made +up of gray and cloudy days alternating with those when the sun shines +and the fields are gay. Young people, however, exhibit fine weather +and no clouds. Later they attribute to marriage the evils inherent in +life itself; for there is in man a disposition to lay the blame of his +own misery on the persons and things that surround him. + +To discover in the demeanor, or the countenance, or the words, or the +gestures of Mademoiselle Evangelista any indication that revealed the +imperfections of her character, Paul must have possessed not only the +knowledge of Lavater and Gall, but also a science in which there +exists no formula of doctrine,--the individual and personal science of +an observer, which, for its perfection, requires an almost universal +knowledge. Natalie's face, like that of most young girls, was +impenetrable. The deep, serene peace given by sculptors to the virgin +faces of Justice and Innocence, divinities aloof from all earthly +agitations, is the greatest charm of a young girl, the sign of her +purity. Nothing, as yet, has stirred her; no shattered passion, no +hope betrayed has clouded the placid expression of that pure face. Is +that expression assumed? If so, there is no young girl behind it. + +Natalie, closely held to the heart of her mother, had received, like +other Spanish women, an education that was solely religious, together +with a few instructions from her mother as to the part in life she was +called upon to play. Consequently, the calm, untroubled expression of +her face was natural. And yet it formed a casing in which the woman +was wrapped as the moth in its cocoon. Nevertheless, any man clever at +handling the scalpel of analysis might have detected in Natalie +certain indications of the difficulties her character would present +when brought into contact with conjugal or social life. Her beauty, +which was really marvellous, came from extreme regularity of feature +harmonizing with the proportions of the head and the body. This +species of perfection augurs ill for the mind; and there are few +exceptions to the rule. All superior nature is found to have certain +slight imperfections of form which become irresistible attractions, +luminous points from which shine vivid sentiments, and on which the +eye rests gladly. Perfect harmony expresses usually the coldness of a +mixed organization. + +Natalie's waist was round,--a sign of strength, but also the +infallible indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons +whose mind is neither keen nor broad. Her hands, like those of a Greek +statue, confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an +inclination for illogical domination, of willing for will's sake only. +Her eyebrows met,--a sign, according to some observers, which +indicates jealousy. The jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation +and leads to great things; that of small minds turns to hatred. The +"hate and wait" of her mother was in her nature, without disguise. Her +eyes were black apparently, though really brown with orange streaks, +contrasting with her hair, of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans, +called auburn in England, a color which often appears in the offspring +of persons of jet black hair, like that of Monsieur and Madame +Evangelista. The whiteness and delicacy of Natalie's complexion gave +to the contrast of color in her eyes and hair an inexpressible charm; +and yet it was a charm that was purely external; for whenever the +lines of a face are lacking in a certain soft roundness, whatever may +be the finish and grace of the details, the beauty therein expressed +is not of the soul. These roses of deceptive youth will drop their +leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years to see hardness and +dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the beauty of noble +qualities. + +Though the outlines of Natalie's face had something august about them, +her chin was slightly "empate,"--a painter's expression which will +serve to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would +only become manifest in after life. Her mouth, a trifle drawn in, +expressed a haughty pride in keeping with her hand, her chin, her +brows, and her beautiful figure. And--as a last diagnostic to guide +the judgment of a connoisseur--Natalie's pure voice, a most seductive +voice, had certain metallic tones. Softly as that brassy ring was +managed, and in spite of the grace with which its sounds ran through +the compass of the voice, that organ revealed the character of the +Duke of Alba, from whom the Casa-Reales were collaterally descended. +These indications were those of violent passions without tenderness, +sudden devotions, irreconcilable dislikes, a mind without +intelligence, and the desire to rule natural to persons who feel +themselves inferior to their pretensions. + +These defects, born of temperament and constitution, were buried in +Natalie like ore in a mine, and would only appear under the shocks and +harsh treatment to which all characters are subjected in this world. +Meantime the grace and freshness of her youth, the distinction of her +manners, her sacred ignorance, and the sweetness of a young girl, gave +a delicate glamour to her features which could not fail to mislead an +unthinking or superficial mind. Her mother had early taught her the +trick of agreeable talk which appears to imply superiority, replying +to arguments by clever jests, and attracting by the graceful +volubility beneath which a woman hides the subsoil of her mind, as +Nature disguises her barren strata beneath a wealth of ephemeral +vegetation. Natalie had the charm of children who have never known +what it is to suffer. She charmed by her frankness, and had none of +that solemn air which mothers impose on their daughters by laying down +a programme of behavior and language until the time comes when they +marry and are emancipated. She was gay and natural, like any young +girl who knows nothing of marriage, expects only pleasure from it, +replies to all objections with a jest, foresees no troubles, and +thinks she is acquiring the right to have her own way. + +How could Paul, who loved as men love when desire increases love, +perceive in a girl of this nature whose beauty dazzled him, the woman, +such as she would probably be at thirty, when observers themselves +have been misled by these appearances? Besides, if happiness might +prove difficult to find in a marriage with such a girl, it was not +impossible. Through these embryo defects shone several fine qualities. +There is no good quality which, if properly developed by the hand of +an able master, will not stifle defects, especially in a young girl +who loves him. But to render ductile so intractable a woman, the iron +wrist, about which de Marsay had preached to Paul, was needful. The +Parisian dandy was right. Fear, inspired by love is an infallible +instrument by which to manage the minds of women. Whoso loves, fears; +whoso fears is nearer to affection than to hatred. + +Had Paul the coolness, firmness, and judgment required for this +struggle, which an able husband ought not to let the wife suspect? Did +Natalie love Paul? Like most young girls, Natalie mistook for love the +first emotions of instinct and the pleasure she felt in Paul's +external appearance; but she knew nothing of the things of marriage +nor the demands of a home. To her, the Comte de Manerville, a rising +diplomatist, to whom the courts of Europe were known, and one of the +most elegant young men in Paris, could not seem, what perhaps he was, +an ordinary man, without moral force, timid, though brave in some +ways, energetic perhaps in adversity, but helpless against the +vexations and annoyances that hinder happiness. Would she, in after +years, have sufficient tact and insight to distinguish Paul's noble +qualities in the midst of his minor defects? Would she not magnify the +latter and forget the former, after the manner of young wives who know +nothing of life? There comes a time when wives will pardon defects in +the husband who spares her annoyances, considering annoyances in the +same category as misfortunes. What conciliating power, what wise +experience would uphold and enlighten the home of this young pair? +Paul and his wife would doubtless think they loved when they had +really not advanced beyond the endearments and compliments of the +honeymoon. Would Paul in that early period yield to the tyranny of his +wife, instead of establishing his empire? Could Paul say, "No?" All +was peril to a man so weak where even a strong man ran some risks. + +The subject of this Study is not the transition of a bachelor into a +married man,--a picture which, if broadly composed, would not lack the +attraction which the inner struggles of our nature and feelings give +to the commonest situations in life. The events and the ideas which +led to the marriage of Paul with Natalie Evangelista are an +introduction to our real subject, which is to sketch the great comedy +that precedes, in France, all conjugal pairing. This Scene, until now +singularly neglected by our dramatic authors, although it offers novel +resources to their wit, controlled Paul's future life and was now +awaited by Madame Evangelista with feelings of terror. We mean the +discussion which takes place on the subject of the marriage contract +in all families, whether noble or bourgeois, for human passions are as +keenly excited by small interests as by large ones. These comedies, +played before a notary, all resemble, more or less, the one we shall +now relate, the interest of which will be far less in the pages of +this book than in the memories of married persons. + + + + CHAPTER III + + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--FIRST DAY + +At the beginning of the winter of 1822, Paul de Manerville made a +formal request, through his great-aunt, the Baronne de Maulincour, for +the hand of Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista. Though the baroness +never stayed more than two months in Medoc, she remained on this +occasion till the last of October, in order to assist her nephew +through the affair and play the part of a mother to him. After +conveying the first suggestions to Madame Evangelista the experienced +old woman returned to inform Paul of the results of the overture. + +"My child," she said, "the affair is won. In talking of property, I +found that Madame Evangelista gives nothing of her own to her +daughter. Mademoiselle Natalie's dowry is her patrimony. Marry her, my +dear boy. Men who have a name and an estate to transmit, a family to +continue, must, sooner or later, end in marriage. I wish I could see +my dear Auguste taking that course. You can now carry on the marriage +without me; I have nothing to give you but my blessing, and women as +old as I are out of place at a wedding. I leave for Paris to-morrow. +When you present your wife in society I shall be able to see her and +assist her far more to the purpose than now. If you had had no house +in Paris I would gladly have arranged the second floor of mine for +you." + +"Dear aunt," said Paul, "I thank you heartily. But what do you mean +when you say that the mother gives nothing of her own, and that the +daughter's dowry is her patrimony?" + +"The mother, my dear boy, is a sly cat, who takes advantage of her +daughter's beauty to impose conditions and allow you only that which +she cannot prevent you from having; namely, the daughter's fortune +from her father. We old people know the importance of inquiring +closely, What has he? What has she? I advise you therefore to give +particular instructions to your notary. The marriage contract, my dear +child, is the most sacred of all duties. If your father and your +mother had not made their bed properly you might now be sleeping +without sheets. You will have children, they are the commonest result +of marriage, and you must think of them. Consult Maitre Mathias our +old notary." + +Madame de Maulincour departed, having plunged Paul into a state of +extreme perplexity. His mother-in-law a sly cat! Must he struggle for +his interests in the marriage contract? Was it necessary to defend +them? Who was likely to attack them? + +He followed the advice of his aunt and confided the drawing-up of the +marriage contract to Maitre Mathias. But these threatened discussions +oppressed him, and he went to see Madame Evangelista and announce his +intentions in a state of rather lively agitation. Like all timid men, +he shrank from allowing the distrust his aunt had put into his mind to +be seen; in fact, he considered it insulting. To avoid even a slight +jar with a person so imposing to his mind as his future mother-in-law, +he proceeded to state his intentions with the circumlocution natural +to persons who dare not face a difficulty. + +"Madame," he said, choosing a moment when Natalie was absent from the +room, "you know, of course, what a family notary is. Mine is a worthy +old man, to whom it would be a sincere grief if he were not entrusted +with the drawing of my marriage contract." + +"Why, of course!" said Madame Evangelista, interrupting him, "but are +not marriage contracts always made by agreement of the notaries of +both families?" + +The time that Paul took to reply to this question was occupied by +Madame Evangelista in asking herself, "What is he thinking of?" for +women possess in an eminent degree the art of reading thoughts from +the play of countenance. She divined the instigations of the +great-aunt in the embarrassed glance and the agitated tone of voice +which betrayed an inward struggle in Paul's mind. + +"At last," she thought to herself, "the fatal day has come; the crisis +begins--how will it end? My notary is Monsieur Solonet," she said, +after a pause. "Yours, I think you said, is Monsieur Mathias; I will +invite them to dinner to-morrow, and they can come to an understanding +then. It is their business to conciliate our interests without our +interference; just as good cooks are expected to furnish good food +without instructions." + +"Yes, you are right," said Paul, letting a faint sigh of relief escape +from him. + +By a singular transposition of parts, Paul, innocent of all +wrong-doing, trembled, while Madame Evangelista, though a prey to +the utmost anxiety, was outwardly calm. + +The widow owed her daughter one-third of the fortune left by Monsieur +Evangelista,--namely, nearly twelve hundred thousand francs,--and she +knew herself unable to pay it, even by taking the whole of her +property to do so. She would therefore be placed at the mercy of a +son-in-law. Though she might be able to control Paul if left to +himself, would he, when enlightened by his notary, agree to release +her from rendering her account as guardian of her daughter's +patrimony? If Paul withdrew his proposals all Bordeaux would know the +reason and Natalie's future marriage would be made impossible. This +mother, who desired the happiness of her daughter, this woman, who +from infancy had lived honorably, was aware that on the morrow she +must become dishonest. Like those great warriors who fain would blot +from their lives the moment when they had felt a secret cowardice, she +ardently desired to cut this inevitable day from the record of hers. +Most assuredly some hairs on her head must have whitened during the +night, when, face to face with facts, she bitterly regretted her +extravagance as she felt the hard necessities of the situation. + +Among these necessities was that of confiding the truth to her notary, +for whom she sent in the morning as soon as she rose. She was forced +to reveal to him a secret defaulting she had never been willing to +admit to herself, for she had steadily advanced to the abyss, relying +on some chance accident, which never happened, to relieve her. There +rose in her soul a feeling against Paul, that was neither dislike, nor +aversion, nor anything, as yet, unkind; but HE was the cause of this +crisis; the opposing party in this secret suit; he became, without +knowing it, an innocent enemy she was forced to conquer. What human +being did ever yet love his or her dupe? Compelled to deceive and +trick him if she could, the Spanish woman resolved, like other women, +to put her whole force of character into the struggle, the dishonor of +which could be absolved by victory only. + +In the stillness of the night she excused her conduct to her own mind +by a tissue of arguments in which her pride predominated. Natalie had +shared the benefit of her extravagance. There was not a single base or +ignoble motive in what she had done. She was no accountant, but was +that a crime, a delinquency? A man was only too lucky to obtain a wife +like Natalie without a penny. Such a treasure bestowed upon him might +surely release her from a guardianship account. How many men had +bought the women they loved by greater sacrifices? Why should a man do +less for a wife than for a mistress? Besides, Paul was a nullity, a +man of no force, incapable; she would spend the best resources of her +mind upon him and open to him a fine career; he should owe his future +power and position to her influence; in that way she could pay her +debt. He would indeed be a fool to refuse such a future; and for what? +a few paltry thousands, more or less. He would be infamous if he +withdrew for such a reason. + +"But," she added, to herself, "if the negotiation does not succeed at +once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for +Natalie by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds +and furniture,--keeping only a small income for myself." + +When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,--as Richelieu +did at Brouage,--and holds in reserve a vigorous end, the resolution +becomes a lever which strengthens its immediate way. The thought of +this finale in case of failure comforted Madame Evangelista, who fell +asleep with all the more confidence as she remembered her assistance +in the coming duel. + +This was a young man named Solonet, considered the ablest notary in +Bordeaux; now twenty-seven years of age and decorated with the Legion +of honor for having actively contributed to the second return of the +Bourbons. Proud and happy to be received in the home of Madame +Evangelista, less as a notary than as belonging to the royalist +society of Bordeaux, Solonet had conceived for that fine setting sun +one of those passions which women like Madame Evangelista repulse, +although flattered and graciously allowing them to exist upon the +surface. Solonet remained therefore in a self-satisfied condition of +hope and becoming respect. Being sent for, he arrived the next morning +with the promptitude of a slave and was received by the coquettish +widow in her bedroom, where she allowed him to find her in a very +becoming dishabille. + +"Can I," she said, "count upon your discretion and your entire +devotion in a discussion which will take place in my house this +evening? You will readily understand that it relates to the marriage +of my daughter." + +The young man expended himself in gallant protestations. + +"Now to the point," she said. + +"I am listening," he replied, checking his ardor. + +Madame Evangelista then stated her position baldly. + +"My dear lady, that is nothing to be troubled about," said Maitre +Solonet, assuming a confident air as soon as his client had given him +the exact figures. "The question is how have you conducted yourself +toward Monsieur de Manerville? In this matter questions of manner and +deportment are of greater importance than those of law and finance." + +Madame Evangelista wrapped herself in dignity. The notary learned to +his satisfaction that until the present moment his client's relations +to Paul had been distant and reserved, and that partly from native +pride and partly from involuntary shrewdness she had treated the Comte +de Manerville as in some sense her inferior and as though it were an +honor for him to be allowed to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista. She +assured Solonet that neither she nor her daughter could be suspected +of any mercenary interests in the marriage; that they had the right, +should Paul make any financial difficulties, to retreat from the +affair to an illimitable distance; and finally, that she had already +acquired over her future son-in-law a very remarkable ascendancy. + +"If that is so," said Solonet, "tell me what are the utmost +concessions you are willing to make." + +"I wish to make as few as possible," she answered, laughing. + +"A woman's answer," cried Solonet. "Madame, are you anxious to marry +Mademoiselle Natalie?" + +"Yes." + +"And you want a receipt for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand +francs, for which you are responsible on the guardianship account +which the law obliges you to render to your son-in-law?" + +"Yes." + +"How much do you want to keep back?" + +"Thirty thousand a year, at least." + +"It is a question of conquer or die, is it?" + +"It is." + +"Well, then, I must reflect on the necessary means to that end; it +will need all our cleverness to manage our forces. I will give you +some instructions on my arrival this evening; follow them carefully, +and I think I may promise you a successful issue. Is the Comte de +Manerville in love with Mademoiselle Natalie?" he asked as he rose to +take leave. + +"He adores her." + +"That is not enough. Does he desire her to the point of disregarding +all pecuniary difficulties?" + +"Yes." + +"That's what I call having a lien upon a daughter's property," cried +the notary. "Make her look her best to-night," he added with a sly +glance. + +"She has a most charming dress for the occasion." + +"The marriage-contract dress is, in my opinion, half the battle," said +Solonet. + +This last argument seemed so cogent to Madame Evangelista that she +superintended Natalie's toilet herself, as much perhaps to watch her +daughter as to make her the innocent accomplice of her financial +conspiracy. + +With her hair dressed a la Sevigne and wearing a gown of white tulle +adorned with pink ribbons, Natalie seemed to her mother so beautiful +as to guarantee victory. When the lady's-maid left the room and Madame +Evangelista was certain that no one could overhear her, she arranged a +few curls on her daughter's head by way of exordium. + +"Dear child," she said, in a voice that was firm apparently, "do you +sincerely love the Comte de Manerville?" + +Mother and daughter cast strange looks at each other. + +"Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than +yesterday> Why have you thrown me with him?" + +"If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the +marriage?" + +"I should give it up--and I should not die of grief." + +"You do not love him, my dear," said the mother, kissing her +daughter's forehead. + +"But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?" + +"I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in +love with the husband." + +"I love him." + +"And you are right. He is a count; we will make him a peer of France +between us; nevertheless, there are certain difficulties." + +"Difficulties between persons who love each other? Oh, no. The heart +of the Pink of Fashion is too firmly planted here," she said, with a +pretty gesture, "to make the very slightest objection. I am sure of +that." + +"But suppose it were otherwise?" persisted Madame Evangelista. + +"He would be profoundly and forever forgotten," replied Natalie. + +"Good! You are a Casa-Reale. But suppose, though he madly loves you, +suppose certain discussions and difficulties should arise, not of his +own making, but which he must decide in your interests as well as in +mine--hey, Natalie, what then? Without lowering your dignity, perhaps +a little softness in your manner might decide him--a word, a tone, a +mere nothing. Men are so made; they resist a serious argument, but +they yield to a tender look." + +"I understand! a little touch to make my Favori leap the barrier," +said Natalie, making the gesture of striking a horse with her whip. + +"My darling! I ask nothing that resembles seduction. You and I have +sentiments of the old Castilian honor which will never permit us to +pass certain limits. Count Paul shall know our situation." + +"What situation?" + +"You would not understand it. But I tell you now that if after seeing +you in all your glory his look betrays the slightest hesitation,--and +I shall watch him,--on that instant I shall break off the marriage; I +will liquidate my property, leave Bordeaux, and go to Douai, to be +near the Claes. Madame Claes is our relation through the Temnincks. +Then I'll marry you to a peer of France, and take refuge in a convent +myself, that I may give up to you my whole fortune." + +"Mother, what am I to do to prevent such misfortunes?" cried Natalie. + +"I have never seen you so beautiful as you are now," replied her +mother. "Be a little coquettish, and all is well." + +Madame Evangelista left Natalie to her thoughts, and went to arrange +her own toilet in such a way that would bear comparison with that of +her daughter. If Natalie ought to make herself attractive to Paul she +ought, none the less, to inflame the ardor of her champion Solonet. +The mother and daughter were therefore under arms when Paul arrived, +bearing the bouquet which for the last few months he had daily offered +to his love. All three conversed pleasantly while awaiting the arrival +of the notaries. + +This day brought to Paul the first skirmish of that long and wearisome +warfare called marriage. It is therefore necessary to state the forces +on both sides, the position of the belligerent bodies, and the ground +on which they are about to manoeuvre. + +To maintain a struggle, the importance of which had wholly escaped +him, Paul's only auxiliary was the old notary, Mathias. Both were +about to be confronted, unaware and defenceless, by a most unexpected +circumstance; to be pressed by an enemy whose strategy was planned, +and driven to decide on a course without having time to reflect upon +it. Where is the man who would not have succumbed, even though +assisted by Cujas and Barthole? How should he look for deceit and +treachery where all seemed compliant and natural? What could old +Mathias do alone against Madame Evangelista, against Solonet, against +Natalie, especially when a client in love goes over to the enemy as +soon as the rising conflict threatens his happiness? Already Paul was +damaging his cause by making the customary lover's speeches, to which +his passion gave excessive value in the ears of Madame Evangelista, +whose object it was to drive him to commit himself. + +The matrimonial condottieri now about to fight for their clients, +whose personal powers were to be so vitally important in this solemn +encounter, the two notaries, on short, represent individually the +old and the new systems,--old fashioned notarial usage, and the +new-fangled modern procedure. + +Maitre Mathias was a worthy old gentleman sixty-nine years of age, who +took great pride in his forty years' exercise of the profession. His +huge gouty feet were encased in shoes with silver buckles, making a +ridiculous termination to legs so spindling, with knees so bony, that +when he crossed them they made you think of the emblems on a +tombstone. His puny little thighs, lost in a pair of wide black +breeches fastened with buckles, seemed to bend beneath the weight of a +round stomach and a torso developed, like that of most sedentary +persons, into a stout barrel, always buttoned into a green coat with +square tails, which no man could remember to have ever seen new. His +hair, well brushed and powdered, was tied in a rat's tail that lay +between the collar of his coat and that of his waistcoat, which was +white, with a pattern of flowers. With his round head, his face the +color of a vine-leaf, his blue eyes, a trumpet nose, a thick-lipped +mouth, and a double-chin, the dear old fellow excited, whenever he +appeared among strangers who did not know him, that satirical laugh +which Frenchmen so generously bestow on the ludicrous creations Dame +Nature occasionally allows herself, which Art delights in exaggerating +under the name of caricatures. + +But in Maitre Mathias, mind had triumphed over form; the qualities of +his soul had vanquished the oddities of his body. The inhabitants of +Bordeaux, as a rule, testified a friendly respect and a deference that +was full of esteem for him. The old man's voice went to their hearts +and sounded there with the eloquence of uprightness. His craft +consisted in going straight to the fact, overturning all subterfuge +and evil devices by plain questionings. His quick perception, his long +training in his profession gave him that divining sense which goes to +the depths of conscience and reads its secret thoughts. Though grave +and deliberate in business, the patriarch could be gay with the gaiety +of our ancestors. He could risk a song after dinner, enjoy all family +festivities, celebrate the birthdays of grandmothers and children, and +bury with due solemnity the Christmas log. He loved to send presents +at New Year, and eggs at Easter; he believed in the duties of a +godfather, and never deserted the customs which colored the life of +the olden time. Maitre Mathias was a noble and venerable relic of the +notaries, obscure great men, who gave no receipt for the millions +entrusted to them, but returned those millions in the sacks they were +delivered in, tied with the same twine; men who fulfilled their trusts +to the letter, drew honest inventories, took fatherly interest in +their clients, often barring the way to extravagance and dissipation, +--men to whom families confided their secrets, and who felt so +responsible for any error in their deeds that they meditated long and +carefully over them. Never during his whole notarial life, had any +client found reason to complain of a bad investment or an ill-placed +mortgage. His own fortune, slowly but honorably acquired, had come to +him as the result of a thirty years' practice and careful economy. He +had established in life fourteen of his clerks. Religious, and +generous in secret, Mathias was found whenever good was to be done +without remuneration. An active member on hospital and other +benevolent committees, he subscribed the largest sums to relieve all +sudden misfortunes and emergencies, as well as to create certain +useful permanent institutions; consequently, neither he nor his wife +kept a carriage. Also his word was felt to be sacred, and his coffers +held as much of the money of others as a bank; and also, we may add, +he went by the name of "Our good Monsieur Mathias," and when he died, +three thousand persons followed him to his grave. + +Solonet was the style of young notary who comes in humming a tune, +affects light-heartedness, declares that business is better done with +a laugh than seriously. He is the notary captain of the national +guard, who dislikes to be taken for a notary, solicits the cross of +the Legion of honor, keeps his cabriolet, and leaves the verification +of his deeds to his clerks; he is the notary who goes to balls and +theatres, buys pictures and plays at ecarte; he has coffers in which +gold is received on deposit and is later returned in bank-bills,--a +notary who follows his epoch, risks capital in doubtful investments, +speculates with all he can lay his hands on, and expects to retire +with an income of thirty thousand francs after ten years' practice; in +short, the notary whose cleverness comes of his duplicity, whom many +men fear as an accomplice possessing their secrets, and who sees in +his practice a means of ultimately marrying some blue-stockinged +heiress. + +When the slender, fair-haired Solonet, curled, perfumed, and booted +like the leading gentleman at the Vaudeville, and dressed like a dandy +whose most important business is a duel, entered Madame Evangelista's +salon, preceding his brother notary, whose advance was delayed by a +twinge of the gout, the two men presented to the life one of those +famous caricatures entitled "Former Times and the Present Day," which +had such eminent success under the Empire. If Madame and Mademoiselle +Evangelista to whom the "good Monsieur Mathias," was personally +unknown, felt, on first seeing him, a slight inclination to laugh, +they were soon touched by the old-fashioned grace with which he +greeted them. The words he used were full of that amenity which +amiable old men convey as much by the ideas they suggest as by the +manner in which they express them. The younger notary, with his +flippant tone, seemed on a lower plane. Mathias showed his superior +knowledge of life by the reserved manner with which he accosted Paul. +Without compromising his white hairs, he showed that he respected the +young man's nobility, while at the same time he claimed the honor due +to old age, and made it felt that social rights are natural. Solonet's +bow and greeting, on the contrary, expressed a sense of perfect +equality, which would naturally affront the pretensions of a man of +society and make the notary ridiculous in the eyes of a real noble. +Solonet made a motion, somewhat too familiar, to Madame Evangelista, +inviting her to a private conference in the recess of a window. For +some minutes they talked to each other in a low voice, giving way now +and then to laughter,--no doubt to lessen in the minds of others the +importance of the conversation, in which Solonet was really +communicating to his sovereign lady the plan of battle. + +"But," he said, as he ended, "will you have the courage to sell your +house?" + +"Undoubtedly," she replied. + +Madame Evangelista did not choose to tell her notary the motive of +this heroism, which struck him greatly. Solonet's zeal might have +cooled had he known that his client was really intending to leave +Bordeaux. She had not as yet said anything about that intention to +Paul, in order not to alarm him with the preliminary steps and +circumlocutions which must be taken before he entered on the political +life she planned for him. + +After dinner the two plenipotentiaries left the loving pair with the +mother, and betook themselves to an adjoining salon where their +conference was arranged to take place. A dual scene then followed on +this domestic stage: in the chimney-corner of the great salon a scene +of love, in which to all appearances life was smiles and joy; in the +other room, a scene of gravity and gloom, where selfish interests, +baldly proclaimed, openly took the part they play in life under +flowery disguises. + +"My dear master," said Solonet, "the document can remain under your +lock and key; I know very well what I owe to my old preceptor." +Mathias bowed gravely. "But," continued Solonet, unfolding the rough +copy of a deed he had made his clerk draw up, "as we are the oppressed +party, I mean the daughter, I have written the contract--which will +save you trouble. We marry with our rights under the rule of community +of interests; with general donation of our property to each other in +case of death without heirs; if not, donation of one-fourth as life +interest, and one-fourth in fee; the sum placed in community of +interests to be one-fourth of the respective property of each party; +the survivor to possess the furniture without appraisal. It's all as +simple as how d'ye do." + +"Ta, ta, ta, ta," said Mathias, "I don't do business as one sings a +tune. What are your claims?" + +"What are yours?" said Solonet. + +"Our property," replied Mathias, "is: the estate of Lanstrac, which +brings in a rental of twenty-three thousand francs a year, not +counting the natural products. Item: the farms of Grassol and Guadet, +each worth three thousand six hundred francs a year. Item: the +vineyard of Belle-Rose, yielding in ordinary years sixteen thousand +francs; total, forty-six thousand two hundred francs a year. Item: the +patrimonial mansion at Bordeaux taxed for nine hundred francs. Item: a +handsome house, between court and garden in Paris, rue de la +Pepiniere, taxed for fifteen hundred francs. These pieces of property, +the title-deeds of which I hold, are derived from our father and +mother, except the house in Paris, which we bought ourselves. We must +also reckon in the furniture of the two houses, and that of the +chateau of Lanstrac, estimated at four hundred and fifty thousand +francs. There's the table, the cloth, and the first course. What do +you bring for the second course and the dessert?" + +"Our rights," replied Solonet. + +"Specify them, my friend," said Mathias. "What do you bring us? Where +is the inventory of the property left by Monsieur Evangelista? Show me +the liquidation, the investment of the amount. Where is your capital? +--if there is any capital. Where is your landed property?--if you have +any. In short, let us see your guardianship account, and tell us what +you bring and what your mother will secure to us." + +"Does Monsieur le Comte de Manerville love Mademoiselle Evangelista?" + +"He wishes to make her his wife if the marriage can be suitably +arranged," said the old notary. "I am not a child; this matter +concerns our business, and not our feelings." + +"The marriage will be off unless you show generous feeling; and for +this reason," continued Solonet. "No inventory was made at the death +of our husband; we are Spaniards, Creoles, and know nothing of French +laws. Besides, we were too deeply grieved at our loss to think at such +a time of the miserable formalities which occupy cold hearts. It is +publicly well known that our late husband adored us, and that we +mourned for him sincerely. If we did have a settlement of accounts +with a short inventory attached, made, as one may say, by common +report, you can thank our surrogate guardian, who obliged us to +establish a status and assign to our daughter a fortune, such as it +is, at a time when we were forced to withdraw from London our English +securities, the capital of which was immense, and re-invest the +proceeds in Paris, where interests were doubled." + +"Don't talk nonsense to me. There are various ways of verifying the +property. What was the amount of your legacy tax? Those figures will +enable us to get at the total. Come to the point. Tell us frankly what +you received from the father's estate and how much remains of it. If +we are very much in love we'll see then what we can do." + +"If you are marrying us for our money you can go about your business. +We have claims to more than a million; but all that remains to our +mother is this house and furniture and four hundred odd thousand +francs invested about 1817 in the Five-per-cents, which yield about +forty-thousand francs a year." + +"Then why do you live in a style that requires one hundred thousand a +year at the least?" cried Mathias, horror-stricken. + +"Our daughter has cost us the eyes out of our head," replied Solonet. +"Besides, we like to spend money. Your jeremiads, let me tell you, +won't recover two farthings of the money." + +"With the fifty thousand francs a year which belong to Mademoiselle +Natalie you could have brought her up handsomely without coming to +ruin. But if you have squandered everything while you were a girl what +will it be when you are a married woman?" + +"Then drop us altogether," said Solonet. "The handsomest girl in +Bordeaux has a right to spend more than she has, if she likes." + +"I'll talk to my client about that," said the old notary. + +"Very good, old father Cassandra, go and tell your client that we +haven't a penny," thought Solonet, who, in the solitude of his study, +had strategically massed his forces, drawn up his propositions, manned +the drawbridge of discussion, and prepared the point at which the +opposing party, thinking the affair a failure, could suddenly be led +into a compromise which would end in the triumph of his client. + +The white dress with its rose-colored ribbons, the Sevigne curls, +Natalie's tiny foot, her winning glance, her pretty fingers constantly +employed in adjusting curls that needed no adjustment, these girlish +manoeuvres like those of a peacock spreading his tail, had brought +Paul to the point at which his future mother-in-law desired to see +him. He was intoxicated with love, and his eyes, the sure thermometer +of the soul, indicated the degree of passion at which a man commits a +thousand follies. + +"Natalie is so beautiful," he whispered to the mother, "that I can +conceive the frenzy which leads a man to pay for his happiness by +death." + +Madame Evangelista replied with a shake of her head:-- + +"Lover's talk, my dear count. My husband never said such charming +things to me; but he married me without a fortune and for thirteen +years he never caused me one moment's pain." + +"Is that a lesson you are giving me?" said Paul, laughing. + +"You know how I love you, my dear son," she answered, pressing his +hand. "I must indeed love you well to give you my Natalie." + +"Give me, give me?" said the young girl, waving a screen of Indian +feathers, "what are you whispering about me?" + +"I was telling her," replied Paul, "how much I love you, since +etiquette forbids me to tell it to you." + +"Why?" + +"I fear to say too much." + +"Ah! you know too well how to offer the jewels of flattery. Shall I +tell you my private opinion about you? Well, I think you have more +mind than a lover ought to have. To be the Pink of Fashion and a wit +as well," she added, dropping her eyes, "is to have too many +advantages: a man should choose between them. I fear too, myself." + +"And why?" + +"We must not talk in this way. Mamma, do you not think that this +conversation is dangerous inasmuch as the contract is not yet signed?" + +"It soon will be," said Paul. + +"I should like to know what Achilles and Nestor are saying to each +other in the next room," said Natalie, nodding toward the door of the +little salon with a childlike expression of curiosity. + +"They are talking of our children and our death and a lot of other +such trifles; they are counting our gold to see if we can keep five +horses in the stables. They are talking also of deeds of gift; but +there, I have forestalled them." + +"How so?" + +"Have I not given myself wholly to you?" he said, looking straight at +the girl, whose beauty was enhanced by the blush which the pleasure of +this answer brought to her face. + +"Mamma, how can I acknowledge so much generosity." + +"My dear child, you have a lifetime before you in which to return it. +To make the daily happiness of a home, is to bring a treasure into it. +I had no other fortune when I married." + +"Do you like Lanstrac?" asked Paul, addressing Natalie. + +"How could I fail to like the place where you were born?" she +answered. "I wish I could see your house." + +"_Our_ house," said Paul. "Do you not want to know if I shall understand +your tastes and arrange the house to suit you? Your mother had made a +husband's task most difficult; you have always been so happy! But +where love is infinite, nothing is impossible." + +"My dear children," said Madame Evangelista, "do you feel willing to +stay in Bordeaux after your marriage? If you have the courage to face +the people here who know you and will watch and hamper you, so be it! +But if you feel that desire for a solitude together which can hardly +be expressed, let us go to Paris were the life of a young couple can +pass unnoticed in the stream. There alone you can behave as lovers +without fearing to seem ridiculous." + +"You are quite right," said Paul, "but I shall hardly have time to get +my house ready. However, I will write to-night to de Marsay, the +friend on whom I can always count to get things done for me." + +At the moment when Paul, like all young men accustomed to satisfy +their desires without previous calculation, was inconsiderately +binding himself to the expenses of a stay in Paris, Maitre Mathias +entered the salon and made a sign to his client that he wished to +speak to him. + +"What is it, my friend?" asked Paul, following the old man to the +recess of a window. + +"Monsieur le comte," said the honest lawyer, "there is not a penny of +dowry. My advice is: put off the conference to another day, so that +you may gain time to consider your proper course." + +"Monsieur Paul," said Natalie, "I have a word to say in private to +you." + +Though Madame Evangelista's face was calm, no Jew of the middle ages +ever suffered greater torture in his caldron of boiling oil than she +was enduring in her violet velvet gown. Solonet had pledged the +marriage to her, but she was ignorant of the means and conditions of +success. The anguish of this uncertainty was intolerable. Possibly she +owed her safety to her daughter's disobedience. Natalie had considered +the advice of her mother and noted her anxiety. When she saw the +success of her own coquetry she was struck to the heart with a variety +of contradictory thoughts. Without blaming her mother, she was +half-ashamed of manoeuvres the object of which was, undoubtedly, some +personal game. She was also seized with a jealous curiosity which is +easily conceived. She wanted to find out if Paul loved her well enough +to rise above the obstacles that her mother foresaw and which she now +saw clouding the face of the old lawyer. These ideas and sentiments +prompted her to an action of loyalty which became her well. But, for +all that, the blackest perfidy could not have been as dangerous as her +present innocence. + +"Paul," she said in a low voice, and she so called him for the first +time, "if any difficulties as to property arise to separate us, +remember that I free you from all engagements, and will allow you to +let the blame of such a rupture rest on me." + +She put such dignity into this expression of her generosity that Paul +believed in her disinterestedness and in her ignorance of the strange +fact that his notary had just told to him. He pressed the young girl's +hand and kissed it like a man to whom love is more precious than +wealth. Natalie left the room. + +"Sac-a-papier! Monsieur le comte, you are committing a great folly," +said the old notary, rejoining his client. + +Paul grew thoughtful. He had expected to unite Natalie's fortune with +his own and thus obtain for his married life an income of one hundred +thousand francs a year; and however much a man may be in love he +cannot pass without emotion and anxiety from the prospect of a hundred +thousand to the certainty of forty-six thousand a year and the duty of +providing for a woman accustomed to every luxury. + +"My daughter is no longer here," said Madame Evangelista, advancing +almost regally toward her son-in-law and his notary. "May I be told +what is happening?" + +"Madame," replied Mathias, alarmed at Paul's silence, "an obstacle +which I fear will delay us has arisen--" + +At these words, Maitre Solonet issued from the little salon and cut +short the old man's speech by a remark which restored Paul's +composure. Overcome by the remembrance of his gallant speeches and his +lover-like behavior, he felt unable to disown them or to change his +course. He longed, for the moment, to fling himself into a gulf; +Solonet's words relieved him. + +"There is a way," said the younger notary, with an easy air, "by which +madame can meet the payment which is due to her daughter. Madame +Evangelista possesses forty thousand francs a year from an investment +in the Five-per-cents, the capital of which will soon be at par, if +not above it. We may therefore reckon it at eight hundred thousand +francs. This house and garden are fully worth two hundred thousand. On +that estimate, Madame can convey by the marriage contract the titles +of that property to her daughter, reserving only a life interest in it +--for I conclude that Monsieur le comte could hardly wish to leave his +mother-in-law without means? Though Madame has certainly run through +her fortune, she is still able to make good that of her daughter, or +very nearly so." + +"Women are most unfortunate in having no knowledge of business," +said Madame Evangelista. "Have I titles to property? and what are +life-interests?" + +Paul was in a sort of ecstasy as he listened to this proposed +arrangement. The old notary, seeing the trap, and his client with one +foot caught in it, was petrified for a moment, as he said to +himself:-- + +"I am certain they are tricking us." + +"If madame will follow my advice," said Solonet, "she will secure her +own tranquillity. By sacrificing herself in this way she may be sure +that no minors will ultimately harass her--for we never know who may +live and who may die! Monsieur le comte will then give due +acknowledgment in the marriage contract of having received the sum +total of Mademoiselle Evangelista's patrimonial inheritance." + +Mathias could not restrain the indignation which shone in his eyes and +flushed his face. + +"And that sum," he said, shaking, "is--" + +"One million, one hundred and fifty-six thousand francs according to +the document--" + +"Why don't you ask Monsieur le comte to make over 'hic et nunc' his +whole fortune to his future wife?" said Mathias. "It would be more +honest than what you now propose. I will not allow the ruin of the +Comte de Manerville to take place under my very eyes--" + +He made a step as if to address his client, who was silent throughout +this scene as if dazed by it; but he turned and said, addressing +Madame Evangelista:-- + +"Do not suppose, madame, that I think you a party to these ideas of my +brother notary. I consider you an honest woman and a lady who knows +nothing of business." + +"Thank you, brother notary," said Solonet. + +"You know that there can be no offence between you and me," replied +Mathias. "Madame," he added, "you ought to know the result of this +proposed arrangement. You are still young and beautiful enough to +marry again--Ah! madame," said the old man, noting her gesture, "who +can answer for themselves on that point?" + +"I did not suppose, monsieur," said Madame Evangelista, "that, after +remaining a widow for the seven best years of my life, and refusing +the most brilliant offers for my daughter's sake, I should be +suspected of such a piece of folly as marrying again at thirty-nine +years of age. If we were not talking business I should regard your +suggestion as an impertinence." + +"Would it not be more impertinent if I suggested that you could not +marry again?" + +"Can and will are separate terms," remarked Solonet, gallantly. + +"Well," resumed Maitre Mathias, "we will say nothing of your marriage. +You may, and we all desire it, live for forty-five years to come. Now, +if you keep for yourself the life-interest in your daughter's +patrimony, your children are laid on the shelf for the best years of +their lives." + +"What does that mean?" said the widow. "I don't understand being laid +on a shelf." + +Solonet, the man of elegance and good taste, began to laugh. + +"I'll translate it for you," said Mathias. "If your children are wise +they will think of the future. To think of the future means laying by +half our income, provided we have only two children, to whom we are +bound to give a fine education and a handsome dowry. Your daughter and +son-in-law will, therefore, be reduced to live on twenty thousand +francs a year, though each has spent fifty thousand while still +unmarried. But that is nothing. The law obliges my client to account, +hereafter, to his children for the eleven hundred and fifty-six +thousand francs of their mother's patrimony; yet he may not have +received them if his wife should die and madame should survive her, +which may very well happen. To sign such a contract is to fling one's +self into the river, bound hand and foot. You wish to make your +daughter happy, do you not? If she loves her husband, a fact which +notaries never doubt, she will share his troubles. Madame, I see +enough in this scheme to make her die of grief and anxiety; you are +consigning her to poverty. Yes, madame, poverty; to persons accustomed +to the use of one hundred thousand francs a year, twenty thousand is +poverty. Moreover, if Monsieur le comte, out of love for his wife, +were guilty of extravagance, she could ruin him by exercising her +rights when misfortunes overtook him. I plead now for you, for them, +for their children, for every one." + +"The old fellow makes a lot of smoke with his cannon," thought Maitre +Solonet, giving his client a look, which meant, "Keep on!" + +"There is one way of combining all interests," replied Madame +Evangelista, calmly. "I can reserve to myself only the necessary cost +of living in a convent, and my children can have my property at once. +I can renounce the world, if such anticipated death conduces to the +welfare of my daughter." + +"Madame," said the old notary, "let us take time to consider and +weigh, deliberately, the course we had best pursue to conciliate all +interests." + +"Good heavens! monsieur," cried Madame Evangelista, who saw defeat in +delay, "everything has already been considered and weighed. I was +ignorant of what the process of marriage is in France; I am a Spaniard +and a Creole. I did not know that in order to marry my daughter it was +necessary to reckon up the days which God may still grant me; that my +child would suffer because I live; that I do harm by living, and by +having lived! When my husband married me I had nothing but my name and +my person. My name alone was a fortune to him, which dwarfed his own. +What wealth can equal that of a great name? My dowry was beauty, +virtue, happiness, birth, education. Can money give those treasures? +If Natalie's father could overhear this conversation, his generous +soul would be wounded forever, and his happiness in paradise +destroyed. I dissipated, foolishly, perhaps, a few of his millions +without a quiver ever coming to his eyelids. Since his death, I have +grown economical and orderly in comparison with the life he encouraged +me to lead--Come, let us break this thing off! Monsieur de Manerville +is so disappointed that I--" + +No descriptive language can express the confusion and shock which the +words, "break off," introduced into the conversation. It is enough to +say that these four apparently well-bred persons all talked at once. + +"In Spain people marry in the Spanish fashion, or as they please; but +in France they marry according to French law, sensibly, and as best +they can," said Mathias. + +"Ah, madame," cried Paul, coming out of his stupefaction, "you mistake +my feelings." + +"This is not a matter of feeling," said the old notary, trying to stop +his client from concessions. "We are concerned now with the interests +and welfare of three generations. Have _we_ wasted the missing millions? +We are simply endeavoring to solve difficulties of which we are wholly +guiltless." + +"Marry us, and don't haggle," said Solonet. + +"Haggle! do you call it haggling to defend the interests of father and +mother and children?" said Mathias. + +"Yes," said Paul, continuing his remarks to Madame Evangelista, "I +deplore the extravagance of my youth, which does not permit me to stop +this discussion, as you deplore your ignorance of business and your +involuntary wastefulness. God is my witness that I am not thinking, at +this moment, of myself. A simple life at Lanstrac does not alarm me; +but how can I ask Mademoiselle Natalie to renounce her tastes, her +habits? Her very existence would be changed." + +"Where did Evangelista get his millions?" said the widow. + +"Monsieur Evangelista was in business," replied the old notary; "he +played in the great game of commerce; he despatched ships and made +enormous sums; we are simply a landowner, whose capital is invested, +whose income is fixed." + +"There is still a way to harmonize all interests," said Solonet, +uttering this sentence in a high falsetto tone, which silenced the +other three and drew their eyes and their attention upon himself. + +This young man was not unlike a skilful coachman who holds the reins +of four horses, and amuses himself by first exciting his animals and +then subduing them. He had let loose these passions, and then, in +turn, he calmed them, making Paul, whose life and happiness were in +the balance, sweat in his harness, as well as his own client, who +could not clearly see her way through this involved discussion. + +"Madame Evangelista," he continued, after a slight pause, "can resign +her investment in the Five-per-cents at once, and she can sell this +house. I can get three hundred thousand francs for it by cutting the +land into small lots. Out of that sum she can give you one hundred and +fifty thousand francs. In this way she pays down nine hundred thousand +of her daughter's patrimony, immediately. That, to be sure, is not all +that she owes her daughter, but where will you find, in France, a +better dowry?" + +"Very good," said Maitre Mathias; "but what, then, becomes of madame?" + +At this question, which appeared to imply consent, Solonet said, +softly, to himself, "Well done, old fox! I've caught you!" + +"Madame," he replied, aloud, "will keep the hundred and fifty thousand +francs remaining from the sale of the house. This sum, added to the +value of her furniture, can be invested in an annuity which will give +her twenty thousand francs a year. Monsieur le comte can arrange to +provide a residence for her under his roof. Lanstrac is a large house. +You have also a house in Paris," he went on, addressing himself to +Paul. "Madame can, therefore, live with you wherever you are. A widow +with twenty thousand francs a year, and no household to maintain, is +richer than madame was when she possessed her whole fortune. Madame +Evangelista has only this one daughter; Monsieur le comte is without +relations; it will be many years before your heirs attain their +majority; no conflict of interests is, therefore, to be feared. A +mother-in-law and a son-in-law placed in such relations will form a +household of united interests. Madame Evangelista can make up for the +remaining deficit by paying a certain sum for her support from her +annuity, which will ease your way. We know that madame is too generous +and too large-minded to be willing to be a burden on her children. In +this way you can make one household, united and happy, and be able to +spend, in your own right, one hundred thousand francs a year. Is not +that sum sufficient, Monsieur le comte, to enjoy, in all countries, +the luxuries of life, and to satisfy all your wants and caprices? +Believe me, a young couple often feel the need of a third member of +the household; and, I ask you, what third member could be so desirable +as a good mother?" + +"A little paradise!" exclaimed the old notary. + +Shocked to see his client's joy at this proposal, Mathias sat down on +an ottoman, his head in his hands, plunged in reflections that were +evidently painful. He knew well the involved phraseology in which +notaries and lawyers wrap up, intentionally, malicious schemes, and he +was not the man to be taken in by it. He now began, furtively, to +watch his brother notary and Madame Evangelista as they conversed with +Paul, endeavoring to detect some clew to the deep-laid plot which was +beginning to appear upon the surface. + +"Monsieur," said Paul to Solonet, "I thank you for the pains you take +to conciliate our interests. This arrangement will solve all +difficulties far more happily than I expected--if," he added, turning +to Madame Evangelista, "it is agreeable to you, madame; for I could +not desire anything that did not equally please you." + +"I?" she said; "all that makes the happiness of my children is joy to +me. Do not consider me in any way." + +"That would not be right," said Paul, eagerly. "If your future is not +honorably provided for, Natalie and I would suffer more than you would +suffer for yourself." + +"Don't be uneasy, Monsieur le comte," interposed Solonet. + +"Ah!" thought old Mathias, "they'll make him kiss the rod before they +scourge him." + +"You may feel quite satisfied," continued Solonet. "There are so many +enterprises going on in Bordeaux at this moment that investments for +annuities can be negotiated on very advantageous terms. After +deducting from the proceeds of the house and furniture the hundred and +fifty thousand francs we owe you, I think I can guarantee to madame +that two hundred and fifty thousand will remain to her. I take upon +myself to invest that sum in a first mortgage on property worth a +million, and to obtain ten per cent for it,--twenty-five thousand +francs a year. Consequently, we are marrying on nearly equal fortunes. +In fact, against your forty-six thousand francs a year, Mademoiselle +Natalie brings you forty thousand a year in the Five-per-cents, and +one hundred and fifty thousand in a round sum, which gives, in all, +forty-seven thousand francs a year." + +"That is evident," said Paul. + +As he ended his speech, Solonet had cast a sidelong glance at his +client, intercepted by Mathias, which meant: "Bring up your reserves." + +"But," exclaimed Madame Evangelista, in tones of joy that did not seem +to be feigned, "I can give Natalie my diamonds; they are worth, at +least, a hundred thousand francs." + +"We can have them appraised," said the notary. "This will change the +whole face of things. Madame can then keep the proceeds of her house, +all but fifty thousand francs. Nothing will prevent Monsieur le comte +from giving us a receipt in due form, as having received, in full, +Mademoiselle Natalie's inheritance from her father; this will close, +of course, the guardianship account. If madame, with Spanish +generosity, robs herself in this way to fulfil her obligations, the +least that her children can do is to give her a full receipt." + +"Nothing could be more just than that," said Paul. "I am simply +overwhelmed by these generous proposals." + +"My daughter is another myself," said Madame Evangelista, softly. + +Maitre Mathias detected a look of joy on her face when she saw that +the difficulties were being removed: that joy, and the previous +forgetfulness of the diamonds, which were now brought forward like +fresh troops, confirmed his suspicions. + +"The scene has been prepared between them as gamblers prepare the +cards to ruin a pigeon," thought the old notary. "Is this poor boy, +whom I saw born, doomed to be plucked alive by that woman, roasted by +his very love, and devoured by his wife? I, who have nursed these fine +estates for years with such care, am I to see them ruined in a single +night? Three million and a half to be hypothecated for eleven hundred +thousand francs these women will force him to squander!" + +Discovering thus in the soul of the elder woman intentions which, +without involving crime, theft, swindling, or any actually evil or +blameworthy action, nevertheless belonged to all those criminalities +in embryo, Maitre Mathias felt neither sorrow nor generous +indignation. He was not the Misanthrope; he was an old notary, +accustomed in his business to the shrewd calculations of worldly +people, to those clever bits of treachery which do more fatal injury +than open murder on the high-road committed by some poor devil, who is +guillotined in consequence. To the upper classes of society these +passages in life, these diplomatic meetings and discussions are like +the necessary cesspools where the filth of life is thrown. Full of +pity for his client, Mathias cast a foreseeing eye into the future and +saw nothing good. + +"We'll take the field with the same weapons," thought he, "and beat +them." + +At this moment, Paul, Solonet and Madame Evangelista, becoming +embarrassed by the old man's silence, felt that the approval of that +censor was necessary to carry out the transaction, and all three +turned to him simultaneously. + +"Well, my dear Monsieur Mathias, what do you think of it?" said Paul. + +"This is what I think," said the conscientious and uncompromising +notary. "You are not rich enough to commit such regal folly. The +estate of Lanstrac, if estimated at three per cent on its rentals, +represents, with its furniture, one million; the farms of Grassol and +Guadet and your vineyard of Belle-Rose are worth another million; your +two houses in Bordeaux and Paris, with their furniture, a third +million. Against those three millions, yielding forty-seven thousand +francs a year, Mademoiselle Natalie brings eight hundred thousand +francs in the Five-per-cents, the diamonds (supposing them to be worth +a hundred thousand francs, which is still problematical) and fifty +thousand francs in money; in all, one million and fifty thousand +francs. In presence of such facts my brother notary tells you +boastfully that we are marrying equal fortunes! He expects us to +encumber ourselves with a debt of eleven hundred and fifty-six +thousand francs to our children by acknowledging the receipt of our +wife's patrimony, when we have actually received but little more than +a doubtful million. You are listening to such stuff with the rapture +of a lover, and you think that old Mathias, who is not in love, can +forget arithmetic, and will not point out the difference between +landed estate, the actual value of which is enormous and constantly +increasing, and the revenues of personal property, the capital of +which is subject to fluctuations and diminishment of income. I am old +enough to have learned that money dwindles and land augments. You have +called me in, Monsieur le comte, to stipulate for your interests; +either let me defend those interests, or dismiss me." + +"If monsieur is seeking a fortune equal in capital to his own," said +Solonet, "we certainly cannot give it to him. We do not possess three +millions and a half; nothing can be more evident. While you can boast +of your three overwhelming millions, we can only produce our poor one +million,--a mere nothing in your eyes, though three times the dowry of +an archduchess of Austria. Bonaparte received only two hundred and +fifty thousand francs with Maria-Louisa." + +"Maria-Louisa was the ruin of Bonaparte," muttered Mathias. + +Natalie's mother caught the words. + +"If my sacrifices are worth nothing," she cried, "I do not choose to +continue such a discussion; I trust to the discretion of Monsieur le +comte, and I renounce the honor of his hand for my daughter." + +According to the strategy marked out by the younger notary, this +battle of contending interests had now reached the point where victory +was certain for Madame Evangelista. The mother-in-law had opened her +heart, delivered up her property, and was therefore practically +released as her daughter's guardian. The future husband, under pain of +ignoring the laws of generous propriety and being false to love, ought +now to accept these conditions previously planned, and cleverly led up +to by Solonet and Madame Evangelista. Like the hands of a clock turned +by mechanism, Paul came faithfully up to time. + +"Madame!" he exclaimed, "is it possible you can think of breaking off +the marriage?" + +"Monsieur," she replied, "to whom am I accountable? To my daughter. +When she is twenty-one years of age she will receive my guardianship +account and release me. She will then possess a million, and can, if +she likes, choose her husband among the sons of the peers of France. +She is a daughter of the Casa-Reale." + +"Madame is right," remarked Solonet. "Why should she be more hardly +pushed to-day than she will be fourteen months hence? You ought not to +deprive her of the benefits of her maternity." + +"Mathias," cried Paul, in deep distress, "there are two sorts of ruin, +and you are bringing one upon me at this moment." + +He made a step towards the old notary, no doubt intending to tell him +that the contract must be drawn at once. But Mathias stopped that +disaster with a glance which said, distinctly, "Wait!" He saw the +tears in Paul's eyes,--tears drawn from an honorable man by the shame +of this discussion as much as by the peremptory speech of Madame +Evangelista, threatening rupture,--and the old man stanched them with +a gesture like that of Archimedes when he cried, "Eureka!" The words +"peer of France" had been to him like a torch in a dark crypt. + +Natalie appeared at this moment, dazzling as the dawn, saying, with +infantine look and manner, "Am I in the way?" + +"Singularly so, my child," answered her mother, in a bitter tone. + +"Come in, dear Natalie," said Paul, taking her hand and leading her to +a chair near the fireplace. "All is settled." + +He felt it impossible to endure the overthrow of their mutual hopes. + +"Yes, all can be settled," said Mathias, hastily interposing. + +Like a general who, in a moment, upsets the plans skilfully laid and +prepared by the enemy, the old notary, enlightened by that genius +which presides over notaries, saw an idea, capable of saving the +future of Paul and his children, unfolding itself in legal form before +his eyes. + +Maitre Solonet, who perceived no other way out of these irreconcilable +difficulties than the resolution with which Paul's love inspired him, +and to which this conflict of feelings and thwarted interests had +brought him, was extremely surprised at the sudden exclamation of his +brother notary. Curious to know the remedy that Mathias had found in a +state of things which had seemed to him beyond all other relief, he +said, addressing the old man:-- + +"What is it you propose?" + +"Natalie, my dear child, leave us," said Madame Evangelista. + +"Mademoiselle is not in the way," replied Mathias, smiling. "I am +going to speak in her interests as well as in those of Monsieur le +comte." + +Silence reigned for a moment, during which time everybody present, +oppressed with anxiety, awaited the allocution of the venerable notary +with unspeakable curiosity. + +"In these days," continued Maitre Mathias, after a pause, "the +profession of notary has changed from what it was. Political +revolutions now exert an influence over the prospects of families, +which never happened in former times. In those days existences were +clearly defined; so were rank and position--" + +"We are not here for a lecture on political ceremony, but to draw up a +marriage contract," said Solonet, interrupting the old man, +impatiently. + +"I beg you to allow me to speak in my turn as I see fit," replied the +other. + +Solonet turned away and sat down on the ottoman, saying, in a low +voice, to Madame Evangelista:-- + +"You will now hear what we call in the profession 'balderdash.'" + +"Notaries are therefore compelled to follow the course of political +events, which are now intimately connected with private interests. +Here is an example: formerly noble families owned fortunes that were +never shaken, but which the laws, promulgated by the Revolution, +destroyed, and the present system tends to reconstruct," resumed +the old notary, yielding to the loquacity of the "tabellionaris +boa-constrictor" (boa-notary). "Monsieur le comte by his name, his +talents, and his fortune is called upon to sit some day in the +elective Chamber. Perhaps his destiny will take him to the hereditary +Chamber, for we know that he has talent and means enough to fulfil +that expectation. Do you not agree with me, madame?" he added, turning +to the widow. + +"You anticipate my dearest hope," she replied. "Monsieur de Manerville +must be a peer of France, or I shall die of mortification." + +"Therefore all that leads to that end--" continued Mathias with a +cordial gesture to the astute mother-in-law. + +"--will promote my eager desire," she replied. + +"Well, then," said Mathias, "is not this marriage the proper occasion +on which to entail the estate and create the family? Such a course +would, undoubtedly, militate in the mind of the present government in +favor of the nomination of my client whenever a batch of appointments +is sent in. Monsieur le comte can very well afford to devote the +estate of Lanstrac (which is worth a million) to this purpose. I do +not ask that mademoiselle should contribute an equal sum; that would +not be just. But we can surely apply eight hundred thousand of her +patrimony to this object. There are two domains adjoining Lanstrac now +to be sold, which can be purchased for that sum, which will return in +rentals four and a half per cent. The house in Paris should be +included in the entail. The surplus of the two fortunes, if +judiciously managed, will amply suffice for the fortunes of the +younger children. If the contracting parties will agree to this +arrangement, Monsieur ought certainly to accept your guardianship +account with its deficiency. I consent to that." + +"Questa coda non e di questo gatto (That tail doesn't belong to that +cat)," murmured Madame Evangelista, appealing to Solonet. + +"There's a snake in the grass somewhere," answered Solonet, in a low +voice, replying to the Italian proverb with a French one. + +"Why do you make this fuss?" asked Paul, leading Mathias into the +adjoining salon. + +"To save you from being ruined," replied the old notary, in a whisper. +"You are determined to marry a girl and her mother who have already +squandered two millions in seven years; you are pledging yourself to a +debt of eleven hundred thousand francs to your children, to whom you +will have to account for the fortune you are acknowledging to have +received with their mother. You risk having your own fortune +squandered in five years, and to be left as naked as Saint-John +himself, besides being a debtor to your wife and children for enormous +sums. If you are determined to put your life in that boat, Monsieur le +comte, of course you can do as you choose; but at least let me, your +old friend, try to save the house of Manerville." + +"How is this scheme going to save it?" asked Paul. + +"Monsieur le comte, you are in love--" + +"Yes." + +"A lover is about as discreet as a cannon-ball; therefore, I shall not +explain. If you repeated what I should say, your marriage would +probably be broken off. I protect your love by my silence. Have you +confidence in my devotion?" + +"A fine question!" + +"Well, then, believe me when I tell you that Madame Evangelista, her +notary, and her daughter, are tricking us through thick and thin; they +are more than clever. Tudieu! what a sly game!" + +"Not Natalie," cried Paul. + +"I sha'n't put my fingers between the bark and the tree," said the old +man. "You want her, take her! But I wish you were well out of this +marriage, if it could be done without the least wrong-doing on your +part." + +"Why do you wish it?" + +"Because that girl will spend the mines of Peru. Besides, see how she +rides a horse,--like the groom of a circus; she is half emancipated +already. Such girls make bad wives." + +Paul pressed the old man's hand, saying, with a confident air of +self-conceit:-- + +"Don't be uneasy as to that! But now, at this moment, what am I to +do?" + +"Hold firm to my conditions. They will consent, for no one's apparent +interest is injured. Madame Evangelista is very anxious to marry her +daughter; I see that in her little game--Beware of her!" + +Paul returned to the salon, where he found his future mother-in-law +conversing in a low tone with Solonet. Natalie, kept outside of these +mysterious conferences, was playing with a screen. Embarrassed by her +position, she was thinking to herself: "How odd it is that they tell +me nothing of my own affairs." + +The younger notary had seized, in the main, the future effect of the +new proposal, based, as it was, on the self-love of both parties, into +which his client had fallen headlong. Now, while Mathias was more than +a mere notary, Solonet was still a young man, and brought into his +business the vanity of youth. It often happens that personal conceit +makes a man forgetful of the interests of his client. In this case, +Maitre Solonet, who would not suffer the widow to think that Nestor +had vanquished Achilles, advised her to conclude the marriage on the +terms proposed. Little he cared for the future working of the marriage +contract; to him, the conditions of victory were: Madame Evangelista +released from her obligations as guardian, her future secured, and +Natalie married. + +"Bordeaux shall know that you have ceded eleven hundred thousand +francs to your daughter, and that you still have twenty-five thousand +francs a year left," whispered Solonet to his client. "For my part, I +did not expect to obtain such a fine result." + +"But," she said, "explain to me why the creation of this entail should +have calmed the storm at once." + +"It relieves their distrust of you and your daughter. An entail is +unchangeable; neither husband nor wife can touch that capital." + +"Then this arrangement is positively insulting!" + +"No; we call it simply precaution. The old fellow has caught you in a +net. If you refuse to consent to the entail, he can reply: 'Then your +object is to squander the fortune of my client, who, by the creation +of this entail, is protected from all such injury as securely as if +the marriage took place under the "regime dotal."'" + +Solonet quieted his own scruples by reflecting: "After all, these +stipulations will take effect only in the future, by which time Madame +Evangelista will be dead and buried." + +Madame Evangelista contented herself, for the present, with these +explanations, having full confidence in Solonet. She was wholly +ignorant of law; considering her daughter as good as married, she +thought she had gained her end, and was filled with the joy of +success. Thus, as Mathias had shrewdly calculated, neither Solonet nor +Madame Evangelista understood as yet, to its full extent, this scheme +which he had based on reasons that were undeniable. + +"Well, Monsieur Mathias," said the widow, "all is for the best, is it +not?" + +"Madame, if you and Monsieur le comte consent to this arrangement you +ought to exchange pledges. It is fully understood, I suppose," he +continued, looking from one to the other, "that the marriage will only +take place on condition of creating an entail upon the estate of +Lanstrac and the house in the rue de la Pepiniere, together with eight +hundred thousand francs in money brought by the future wife, the said +sum to be invested in landed property? Pardon me the repetition, +madame; but a positive and solemn engagement becomes absolutely +necessary. The creation of an entail requires formalities, application +to the chancellor, a royal ordinance, and we ought at once to conclude +the purchase of the new estate in order that the property be included +in the royal ordinance by virtue of which it becomes inalienable. In +many families this would be reduced to writing, but on this occasion I +think a simple consent would suffice. Do you consent?" + +"Yes," replied Madame Evangelista. + +"Yes," said Paul. + +"And I?" asked Natalie, laughing. + +"You are a minor, mademoiselle," replied Solonet; "don't complain of +that." + +It was then agreed that Maitre Mathias should draw up the contract, +Maitre Solonet the guardianship account and release, and that both +documents should be signed, as the law requires some days before the +celebration of the marriage. After a few polite salutations the +notaries withdrew. + +"It rains, Mathias; shall I take you home?" said Solonet. "My +cabriolet is here." + +"My carriage is here too," said Paul, manifesting an intention to +accompany the old man. + +"I won't rob you of a moment's pleasure," said Mathias. "I accept my +friend Solonet's offer." + +"Well," said Achilles to Nestor, as the cabriolet rolled away, "you +have been truly patriarchal to-night. The fact is, those young people +would certainly have ruined themselves." + +"I felt anxious about their future," replied Mathias, keeping silent +as to the real motives of his proposition. + +At this moment the two notaries were like a pair of actors arm in arm +behind the stage on which they have played a scene of hatred and +provocation. + +"But," said Solonet, thinking of his rights as notary, "isn't it my +place to buy that land you mentioned? The money is part of our dowry." + +"How can you put property bought in the name of Mademoiselle +Evangelista into the creation of an entail by the Comte de +Manerville?" replied Mathias. + +"We shall have to ask the chancellor about that," said Solonet. + +"But I am the notary of the seller as well as of the buyer of that +land," said Mathias. "Besides, Monsieur de Manerville can buy in his +own name. At the time of payment we can make mention of the fact that +the dowry funds are put into it." + +"You've an answer for everything, old man," said Solonet, laughing. +"You were really surpassing to-night; you beat us squarely." + +"For an old fellow who didn't expect your batteries of grape-shot, I +did pretty well, didn't I?" + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Solonet. + +The odious struggle in which the material welfare of a family had been +so perilously near destruction was to the two notaries nothing more +than a matter of professional polemics. + +"I haven't been forty years in harness for nothing," remarked Mathias. +"Look here, Solonet," he added, "I'm a good fellow; you shall help in +drawing the deeds for the sale of those lands." + +"Thanks, my dear Mathias. I'll serve you in return on the very first +occasion." + +While the two notaries were peacefully returning homeward, with no +other sensations than a little throaty warmth, Paul and Madame +Evangelista were left a prey to the nervous trepidation, the quivering +of the flesh and brain which excitable natures pass through after a +scene in which their interests and their feelings have been violently +shaken. In Madame Evangelista these last mutterings of the storm were +overshadowed by a terrible reflection, a lurid gleam which she wanted, +at any cost, to dispel. + +"Has Maitre Mathias destroyed in a few minutes the work I have been +doing for six months?" she asked herself. "Was he withdrawing Paul +from my influence by filling his mind with suspicion during their +secret conference in the next room?" + +She was standing absorbed in these thoughts before the fireplace, her +elbow resting on the marble mantel-shelf. When the porte-cochere +closed behind the carriage of the two notaries, she turned to her +future son-in-law, impatient to solve her doubts. + +"This has been the most terrible day of my life," cried Paul, +overjoyed to see all difficulties vanish. "I know no one so downright +in speech as that old Mathias. May God hear him, and make me peer of +France! Dear Natalie, I desire this for your sake more than for my +own. You are my ambition; I live only in you." + +Hearing this speech uttered in the accents of the heart, and noting, +more especially, the limpid azure of Paul's eyes, whose glance +betrayed no thought of double meaning, Madame Evangelista's +satisfaction was complete. She regretted the sharp language with which +she had spurred him, and in the joy of success she resolved to +reassure him as to the future. Calming her countenance, and giving to +her eyes that expression of tender friendship which made her so +attractive, she smiled and answered:-- + +"I can say as much to you. Perhaps, dear Paul, my Spanish nature has +led me farther than my heart desired. Be what you are,--kind as God +himself,--and do not be angry with me for a few hasty words. Shake +hands." + +Paul was abashed; he fancied himself to blame, and he kissed Madame +Evangelista. + +"Dear Paul," she said with much emotion, "why could not those two +sharks have settled this matter without dragging us into it, since it +was so easy to settle?" + +"In that case I should not have known how grand and generous you can +be," replied Paul. + +"Indeed she is, Paul," cried Natalie, pressing his hand. + +"We have still a few little matters to settle, my dear son," said +Madame Evangelista. "My daughter and I are above the foolish vanities +to which so many persons cling. Natalie does not need my diamonds, but +I am glad to give them to her." + +"Ah! my dear mother, do you suppose that I will accept them?" + +"Yes, my child; they are one of the conditions of the contract." + +"I will not allow it; I will not marry at all," cried Natalie, +vehemently. "Keep those jewels which my father took such pride in +collecting for you. How could Monsieur Paul exact--" + +"Hush, my dear," said her mother, whose eyes now filled with tears. +"My ignorance of business compels me to a greater sacrifice than +that." + +"What sacrifice?" + +"I must sell my house in order to pay the money that I owe to you." + +"What money can you possibly owe to me?" she said; "to me, who owe you +life! If my marriage costs you the slightest sacrifice, I will not +marry." + +"Child!" + +"Dear Natalie, try to understand that neither I, nor your mother, nor +you yourself, require these sacrifices, but our children." + +"Suppose I do not marry at all?" + +"Do you not love me?" said Paul, tenderly. + +"Come, come, my silly child; do you imagine that a contract is like a +house of cards which you can blow down at will? Dear little ignoramus, +you don't know what trouble we have had to found an entail for the +benefit of your eldest son. Don't cast us back into the discussions +from which we have just escaped." + +"Why do you wish to ruin my mother?" said Natalie, looking at Paul. + +"Why are you so rich?" he replied, smiling. + +"Don't quarrel, my children, you are not yet married," said Madame +Evangelista. "Paul," she continued, "you are not to give either +corbeille, or jewels, or trousseau. Natalie has everything in +profusion. Lay by the money you would otherwise put into wedding +presents. I know nothing more stupidly bourgeois and commonplace than +to spend a hundred thousand francs on a corbeille, when five thousand +a year given to a young woman saves her much anxiety and lasts her +lifetime. Besides, the money for a corbeille is needed to decorate +your house in Paris. We will return to Lanstrac in the spring; for +Solonet is to settle my debts during the winter." + +"All is for the best," cried Paul, at the summit of happiness. + +"So I shall see Paris!" cried Natalie, in a tone that would justly +have alarmed de Marsay. + +"If we decide upon this plan," said Paul, "I'll write to de Marsay and +get him to take a box for me at the Bouffons and also at the Italian +opera." + +"You are very kind; I should never have dared to ask for it," said +Natalie. "Marriage is a very agreeable institution if it gives +husbands a talent for divining the wishes of their wives." + +"It is nothing else," replied Paul. "But see how late it is; I ought +to go." + +"Why leave so soon to-night?" said Madame Evangelista, employing those +coaxing ways to which men are so sensitive. + +Though all this passed on the best of terms, and according to the laws +of the most exquisite politeness, the effect of the discussion of +these contending interests had, nevertheless, cast between son and +mother-in-law a seed of distrust and enmity which was liable to sprout +under the first heat of anger, or the warmth of a feeling too harshly +bruised. In most families the settlement of "dots" and the deeds of +gift required by a marriage contract give rise to primitive emotions +of hostility, caused by self-love, by the lesion of certain +sentiments, by regret for the sacrifices made, and by the desire to +diminish them. When difficulties arise there is always a victorious +side and a vanquished one. The parents of the future pair try to +conclude the matter, which is purely commercial in their eyes, to +their own advantage; and this leads to the trickery, shrewdness, and +deception of such negotiations. Generally the husband alone is +initiated into the secret of these discussions, and the wife is kept, +like Natalie, in ignorance of the stipulations which make her rich or +poor. + +As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness of +his notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury. If +Madame Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united +household would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs +to spend. All his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would +be realized. + +"My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman," he thought, still +under the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored +to disperse the clouds raised by the discussion. "Mathias is mistaken. +These notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything. The harm +started from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a +clever game." + +While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during +the evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on +her victory. + +"Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?" said Natalie, following +Madame Evangelista into her bedroom. + +"Yes, love," replied the mother, "everything went well, according to +my wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing +me. Paul is a most easy-going man. Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we +must make his life prosperous. You will make him happy, and I will be +responsible for his political success. The Spanish ambassador used to +be a friend of mine, and I'll renew the relation--as I will with the +rest of my old acquaintance. Oh! you'll see! we shall soon be in the +very heart of Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us. You shall +have the pleasures, my dearest, and I the last occupation of +existence,--the game of ambition! Don't be alarmed when you see me +selling this house. Do you suppose we shall ever come back to live in +Bordeaux? no. Lanstrac? yes. But we shall spend all our winters in +Paris, where our real interests lie. Well, Natalie, tell me, was it +very difficult to do what I asked of you?" + +"My little mamma! every now and then I felt ashamed." + +"Solonet advises me to put the proceeds of this house into an +annuity," said Madame Evangelista, "but I shall do otherwise; I won't +take a penny of my fortune from you." + +"I saw you were all very angry," said Natalie. "How did the tempest +calm down?" + +"By an offer of my diamonds," replied Madame Evangelista. "Solonet was +right. How ably he conducted the whole affair. Get out my jewel-case, +Natalie. I have never seriously considered what my diamonds are worth. +When I said a hundred thousand francs I talked nonsense. Madame de +Gyas always declared that the necklace and ear-rings your father gave +me on our marriage day were worth at least that sum. My poor husband +was so lavish! Then my family diamond, the one Philip the Second gave +to the Duke of Alba, and which my aunt bequeathed to me, the +'Discreto,' was, I think, appraised in former times at four thousand +quadruples,--one of our Spanish gold coins." + +Natalie laid out upon her mother's toilet-table the pearl necklace, +the sets of jewels, the gold bracelets and precious stones of all +description, with that inexpressible sensation enjoyed by certain +women at the sight of such treasures, by which--so commentators on the +Talmud say--the fallen angels seduce the daughters of men, having +sought these flowers of celestial fire in the bowels of the earth. + +"Certainly," said Madame Evangelista, "though I know nothing about +jewels except how to accept and wear them, I think there must be a +great deal of money in these. Then, if we make but one household, I +can sell my plate, the weight of which, as mere silver, would bring +thirty thousand francs. I remember when we brought it from Lima, the +custom-house officers weighed and appraised it. Solonet is right, I'll +send to-morrow to Elie Magus. The Jew shall estimate the value of +these things. Perhaps I can avoid sinking any of my fortune in an +annuity." + +"What a beautiful pearl necklace!" said Natalie. + +"He ought to give it to you, if he loves you," replied her mother; +"and I think he might have all my other jewels reset and let you keep +them. The diamonds are a part of your property in the contract. And +now, good-night, my darling. After the fatigues of this day we both +need rest." + +The woman of luxury, the Creole, the great lady, incapable of +analyzing the results of a contract which was not yet in force, went +to sleep in the joy of seeing her daughter married to a man who was +easy to manage, who would let them both be mistresses of his home, and +whose fortune, united to theirs, would require no change in their way +of living. Thus having settled her account with her daughter, whose +patrimony was acknowledged in the contract, Madame Evangelista could +feel at her ease. + +"How foolish of me to worry as I did," she thought. "But I wish the +marriage were well over." + +So Madame Evangelista, Paul, Natalie, and the two notaries were +equally satisfied with the first day's result. The Te Deum was sung in +both camps,--a dangerous situation; for there comes a moment when the +vanquished side is aware of its mistake. To Madame Evangelista's mind, +her son-in-law was the vanquished side. + + + + CHAPTER IV + + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--SECOND DAY + +The next day Elie Magus (who happened at that time to be in Bordeaux) +obeyed Madame Evangelista's summons, believing, from general rumor as +to the marriage of Comte Paul with Mademoiselle Natalie, that it +concerned a purchase of jewels for the bride. The Jew was, therefore, +astonished when he learned that, on the contrary, he was sent for to +estimate the value of the mother-in-law's property. The instinct of +his race, as well as certain insidious questions, made him aware that +the value of the diamonds was included in the marriage-contract. The +stones were not to be sold, and yet he was to estimate them as if some +private person were buying them from a dealer. Jewellers alone know +how to distinguish between the diamonds of Asia and those of Brazil. +The stones of Golconda and Visapur are known by a whiteness and +glittering brilliancy which others have not,--the water of the +Brazilian diamonds having a yellow tinge which reduces their selling +value. Madame Evangelista's necklace and ear-rings, being composed +entirely of Asiatic diamonds, were valued by Elie Magus at two hundred +and fifty thousand francs. As for the "Discreto," he pronounced it one +of the finest diamonds in the possession of private persons; it was +known to the trade and valued at one hundred thousand francs. On +hearing this estimate, which proved to her the lavishness of her +husband, Madame Evangelista asked the old Jew whether she should be +able to obtain that money immediately. + +"Madame," replied the Jew, "if you wish to sell I can give you only +seventy-five thousand for the brilliant, and one hundred and sixty +thousand for the necklace and earrings." + +"Why such reduction?" + +"Madame," replied Magus, "the finer the diamond, the longer we keep it +unsold. The rarity of such investments is one reason for the high +value set upon precious stones. As the merchant cannot lose the +interest of his money, this additional sum, joined to the rise and +fall to which such merchandise is subject, explains the difference +between the price of purchase and the price of sale. By owning these +diamonds you have lost the interest on three hundred thousand francs +for twenty years. If you wear your jewels ten times a year, it costs +you three thousand francs each evening to put them on. How many +beautiful gowns you could buy with that sum. Those who own diamonds +are, therefore, very foolish; but, luckily for us, women are never +willing to understand the calculation." + +"I thank you for explaining it to me, and I shall profit by it." + +"Do you wish to sell?" asked Magus, eagerly. + +"What are the other jewels worth?" + +The Jew examined the gold of the settings, held the pearls to the +light, scrutinized the rubies, the diadems, clasps, bracelets, and +chains, and said, in a mumbling tone:-- + +"A good many Portuguese diamonds from Brazil are among them. They are +not worth more than a hundred thousand to me. But," he added, "a +dealer would sell them to a customer for one hundred and fifty +thousand, at least." + +"I shall keep them," said Madame Evangelista. + +"You are wrong," replied Elie Magus. "With the income from the sum +they represent you could buy just as fine diamonds in five years, and +have the capital to boot." + +This singular conference became known, and corroborated certain rumors +excited by the discussion of the contract. The servants of the house, +overhearing high voices, supposed the difficulties greater than they +really were. Their gossip with other valets spread the information, +which from the lower regions rose to the ears of the masters. The +attention of society, and of the town in general, became so fixed on +the marriage of two persons equally rich and well-born, that every +one, great and small, busied themselves about the matter, and in less +than a week the strangest rumors were bruited about. + +"Madame Evangelista sells her house; she must be ruined. She offered +her diamonds to Elie Magus. Nothing is really settled between herself +and the Comte de Manerville. Is it probable that the marriage will +ever take place?" + +To this question some answered yes, and others said no. The two +notaries, when questioned, denied these calumnies, and declared that +the difficulties arose only from the official delay in constituting +the entail. But when public opinion has taken a trend in one direction +it is very difficult to turn it back. Though Paul went every day to +Madame Evangelista's house, and though the notaries denied these +assertions continually, the whispered calumny went on. Young girls, +and their mothers and aunts, vexed at a marriage they had dreamed of +for themselves or for their families, could not forgive the Spanish +ladies for their happiness, as authors cannot forgive each other for +their success. A few persons revenged themselves for the twenty-years +luxury and grandeur of the family of Evangelista, which had lain +heavily on their self-love. A leading personage at the prefecture +declared that the notaries could have chosen no other language and +followed no other conduct in the case of a rupture. The time actually +required for the establishment of the entail confirmed the suspicions +of the Bordeaux provincials. + +"They will keep the ball going through the winter; then, in the +spring, they will go to some watering-place, and we shall learn before +the year is out that the marriage is off." + +"And, of course, we shall be given to understand," said others, "for +the sake of the honor of the two families, that the difficulties did +not come from either side, but the chancellor refused to consent; you +may be sure it will be some quibble about that entail which will cause +the rupture." + +"Madame Evangelista," some said, "lived in a style that the mines of +Valencia couldn't meet. When the time came to melt the bell, and pay +the daughter's patrimony, nothing would be found to pay it with." + +The occasion was excellent to add up the spendings of the handsome +widow and prove, categorically, her ruin. Rumors were so rife that +bets were made for and against the marriage. By the laws of worldly +jurisprudence this gossip was not allowed to reach the ears of the +parties concerned. No one was enemy or friend enough to Paul or to +Madame Evangelista to inform either of what was being said. Paul +had some business at Lanstrac, and used the occasion to make a +hunting-party for several of the young men of Bordeaux,--a sort of +farewell, as it were, to his bachelor life. This hunting party was +accepted by society as a signal confirmation of public suspicion. + +When this event occurred, Madame de Gyas, who had a daughter to marry, +thought it high time to sound the matter, and to condole, with joyful +heart, the blow received by the Evangelistas. Natalie and her mother +were somewhat surprised to see the lengthened face of the marquise, +and they asked at once if anything distressing had happened to her. + +"Can it be," she replied, "that you are ignorant of the rumors that +are circulating? Though I think them false myself, I have come to +learn the truth in order to stop this gossip, at any rate among the +circle of my own friends. To be the dupes or the accomplices of such +an error is too false a position for true friends to occupy." + +"But what is it? what has happened?" asked mother and daughter. + +Madame de Gyas thereupon allowed herself the happiness of repeating +all the current gossip, not sparing her two friends a single stab. +Natalie and Madame Evangelista looked at each other and laughed, but +they fully understood the meaning of the tale and the motives of their +friend. The Spanish lady took her revenge very much as Celimene took +hers on Arsinoe. + +"My dear, are you ignorant--you who know the provinces so well--can +you be ignorant of what a mother is capable when she has on her hands +a daughter whom she cannot marry for want of 'dot' and lovers, want of +beauty, want of mind, and, sometimes, want of everything? Why, a +mother in that position would rob a diligence or commit a murder, or +wait for a man at the corner of a street--she would sacrifice herself +twenty times over, if she was a mother at all. Now, as you and I both +know, there are many such in that situation in Bordeaux, and no doubt +they attribute to us their own thoughts and actions. Naturalists have +depicted the habits and customs of many ferocious animals, but they +have forgotten the mother and daughter in quest of a husband. Such +women are hyenas, going about, as the Psalmist says, seeking whom they +may devour, and adding to the instinct of the brute the intellect of +man, and the genius of woman. I can understand that those little +spiders, Mademoiselle de Belor, Mademoiselle de Trans, and others, +after working so long at their webs without catching a fly, without so +much as hearing a buzz, should be furious; I can even forgive their +spiteful speeches. But that you, who can marry your daughter when you +please, you, who are rich and titled, you who have nothing of the +provincial about you, whose daughter is clever and possesses fine +qualities, with beauty and the power to choose--that you, so +distinguished from the rest by your Parisian grace, should have paid +the least heed to this talk does really surprise me. Am I bound to +account to the public for the marriage stipulations which our notaries +think necessary under the political circumstances of my son-in-law's +future life? Has the mania for public discussion made its way into +families? Ought I to convoke in writing the fathers and mothers of the +province to come here and give their vote on the clauses of our +marriage contract?" + +A torrent of epigram flowed over Bordeaux. Madame Evangelista was +about to leave the city, and could safely scan her friends and +enemies, caricature them and lash them as she pleased, with nothing to +fear in return. Accordingly, she now gave vent to her secret +observations and her latent dislikes as she sought for the reason why +this or that person denied the shining of the sun at mid-day. + +"But, my dear," said the Marquise de Gyas, "this stay of the count at +Lanstrac, these parties given to young men under such circumstances--" + +"Ah! my dear," said the great lady, interrupting the marquise, "do you +suppose that we adopt the pettiness of bourgeois customs? Is Count +Paul held in bonds like a man who might seek to get away? Think you we +ought to watch him with a squad of gendarmes lest some provincial +conspiracy should get him away from us?" + +"Be assured, my dearest friend, that it gives me the greatest pleasure +to--" + +Here her words were interrupted by a footman who entered the room to +announce Paul. Like many lovers, Paul thought it charming to ride +twelve miles to spend an hour with Natalie. He had left his friends +while hunting, and came in booted and spurred, and whip in hand. + +"Dear Paul," said Natalie, "you don't know what an answer you are +giving to madame." + +When Paul heard of the gossip that was current in Bordeaux, he laughed +instead of being angry. + +"These worthy people have found out, perhaps, that there will be no +wedding festivities, according to provincial usages, no marriage at +mid-day in the church, and they are furious. Well, my dear mother," he +added, kissing her hand, "let us pacify them with a ball on the day +when we sign the contract, just as the government flings a fete to the +people in the great square of the Champs-Elysees, and we will give our +dear friends the dolorous pleasure of signing a marriage-contract such +as they have seldom heard of in the provinces." + +This little incident proved of great importance. Madame Evangelista +invited all Bordeaux to witness the signature of the contract, and +showed her intention of displaying in this last fete a luxury which +should refute the foolish lies of the community. + +The preparations for this event required over a month, and it was +called the fete of the camellias. Immense quantities of that beautiful +flower were massed on the staircase, and in the antechamber and +supper-room. During this month the formalities for constituting the +entail were concluded in Paris; the estates adjoining Lanstrac were +purchased, the banns were published, and all doubts finally +dissipated. Friends and enemies thought only of preparing their +toilets for the coming fete. + +The time occupied by these events obscured the difficulties raised by +the first discussion, and swept into oblivion the words and arguments +of that stormy conference. Neither Paul nor his mother-in-law +continued to think of them. Were they not, after all, as Madame +Evangelista had said, the affair of the two notaries? + +But--to whom has it never happened, when life is in its fullest flow, +to be suddenly changed by the voice of memory, raised, perhaps, too +late, reminding us of some important new fact, some threatened danger? +On the morning of the day when the contract was to be signed and the +fete given, one of these flashes of the soul illuminated the mind of +Madame Evangelista during the semi-somnolence of her waking hour. The +words that she herself had uttered at the moment when Mathias acceded +to Solonet's conditions, "Questa coda non e di questo gatto," were +cried aloud in her mind by that voice of memory. In spite of her +incapacity for business, Madame Evangelista's shrewdness told her:-- + +"If so clever a notary as Mathias was pacified, it must have been that +he saw compensation at the cost of _some one_." + +That some one could not be Paul, as she had blindly hoped. Could it be +that her daughter's fortune was to pay the costs of war? She resolved +to demand explanations on the tenor of the contract, not reflecting on +the course she would have to take in case she found her interests +seriously compromised. This day had so powerful an influence on Paul +de Manerville's conjugal life that it is necessary to explain certain +of the external circumstances which accompanied it. + +Madame Evangelista had shrunk from no expense for this dazzling fete. +The court-yard was gravelled and converted into a tent, and filled +with shrubs, although it was winter. The camellias, of which so much +had been said from Angouleme to Dax, were banked on the staircase and +in the vestibules. Wall partitions had disappeared to enlarge the +supper-room and the ball-room where the dancing was to be. Bordeaux, a +city famous for the luxury of colonial fortunes, was on a tiptoe of +expectation for this scene of fairyland. About eight o'clock, as the +last discussion of the contract was taking place within the house, the +inquisitive populace, anxious to see the ladies in full dress getting +out of their carriages, formed in two hedges on either side of the +porte-cochere. Thus the sumptuous atmosphere of a fete acted upon all +minds at the moment when the contract was being signed, illuminating +colored lamps lighted up the shrubs, and the wheels of the arriving +guests echoed from the court-yard. The two notaries had dined with the +bridal pair and their mother. Mathias's head-clerk, whose business it +was to receive the signatures of the guests during the evening (taking +due care that the contract was not surreptitiously read by the +signers), was also present at the dinner. + +No bridal toilet was ever comparable with that of Natalie, whose +beauty, decked with laces and satin, her hair coquettishly falling in +a myriad of curls about her throat, resembled that of a flower encased +in its foliage. Madame Evangelista, robed in a gown of cherry velvet, +a color judiciously chosen to heighten the brilliancy of her skin and +her black hair and eyes, glowed with the beauty of a woman at forty, +and wore her pearl necklace, clasped with the "Discreto," a visible +contradiction to the late calumnies. + +To fully explain this scene, it is necessary to say that Paul and +Natalie sat together on a sofa beside the fireplace and paid no +attention to the reading of the documents. Equally childish and +equally happy, regarding life as a cloudless sky, rich, young, and +loving, they chattered to each other in a low voice, sinking into +whispers. Arming his love with the presence of legality, Paul took +delight in kissing the tips of Natalie's fingers, in lightly touching +her snowy shoulders and the waving curls of her hair, hiding from the +eyes of others these joys of illegal emancipation. Natalie played with +a screen of peacock's feathers given to her by Paul,--a gift which is +to love, according to superstitious belief in certain countries, as +dangerous an omen as the gift of scissors or other cutting +instruments, which recall, no doubt, the Parces of antiquity. + +Seated beside the two notaries, Madame Evangelista gave her closest +attention to the reading of the documents. After listening to the +guardianship account, most ably written out by Solonet, in which +Natalie's share of the three million and more francs left by Monsieur +Evangelista was shown to be the much-debated eleven hundred and +fifty-six thousand, Madame Evangelista said to the heedless young +couple:-- + +"Come, listen, listen, my children; this is your marriage contract." + +The clerk drank a glass of iced-water, Solonet and Mathias blew their +noses, Paul and Natalie looked at the four personages before them, +listened to the preamble, and returned to their chatter. The statement +of the property brought by each party; the general deed of gift in +the event of death without issue; the deed of gift of one-fourth in +life-interest and one-fourth in capital without interest, allowed by +the Code, whatever be the number of the children; the constitution of +a common fund for husband and wife; the settlement of the diamonds on +the wife, the library and horses on the husband, were duly read and +passed without observations. Then followed the constitution of the +entail. When all was read and nothing remained but to sign the +contract, Madame Evangelista demanded to know what would be the +ultimate effect of the entail. + +"An entail, madam," replied Solonet, "means an inalienable right to +the inheritance of certain property belonging to both husband and +wife, which is settled from generation to generation on the eldest son +of the house, without, however, depriving him of his right to share in +the division of the rest of the property." + +"What will be the effect of this on my daughter's rights?" + +Maitre Mathias, incapable of disguising the truth, replied:-- + +"Madame, an entail being an appanage, or portion of property set aside +for this purpose from the fortunes of husband and wife, it follows +that if the wife dies first, leaving several children, one of them a +son, Monsieur de Manerville will owe those children three hundred and +sixty thousand francs only, from which he will deduct his fourth in +life-interest and his fourth in capital. Thus his debt to those +children will be reduced to one hundred and sixty thousand francs, or +thereabouts, exclusive of his savings and profits from the common fund +constituted for husband and wife. If, on the contrary, he dies first, +leaving a male heir, Madame de Manerville has a right to three hundred +and sixty thousand francs only, and to her deeds of gift of such of +her husband's property as is not included in the entail, to the +diamonds now settled upon her, and to her profits and savings from the +common fund." + +The effect of Maitre Mathias's astute and far-sighted policy were now +plainly seen. + +"My daughter is ruined," said Madame Evangelista in a low voice. + +The old and the young notary both overheard the words. + +"Is it ruin," replied Mathias, speaking gently, "to constitute for her +family an indestructible fortune?" + +The younger notary, seeing the expression of his client's face, +thought it judicious in him to state the disaster in plain terms. + +"We tried to trick them out of three hundred thousand francs," he +whispered to the angry woman. "They have actually laid hold of eight +hundred thousand; it is a loss of four hundred thousand from our +interests for the benefit of the children. You must now either break +the marriage off at once, or carry it through," concluded Solonet. + +It is impossible to describe the moment of silence that followed. +Maitre Mathias waited in triumph the signature of the two persons who +had expected to rob his client. Natalie, not competent to understand +that she had lost half her fortune, and Paul, ignorant that the house +of Manerville had gained it, were laughing and chattering still. +Solonet and Madame Evangelista gazed at each other; the one +endeavoring to conceal his indifference, the other repressing the rush +of a crowd of bitter feelings. + +After suffering in her own mind the struggles of remorse, after +blaming Paul as the cause of her dishonesty, Madame Evangelista had +decided to employ those shameful manoeuvres to cast on him the burden +of her own unfaithful guardianship, considering him her victim. But +now, in a moment, she perceived that where she thought she triumphed +she was about to perish, and her victim was her own daughter. Guilty +without profit, she saw herself the dupe of an honorable old man, +whose respect she had doubtless lost. Her secret conduct must have +inspired the stipulation of old Mathias; and Mathias must have +enlightened Paul. Horrible reflection! Even if he had not yet done so, +as soon as that contract was signed the old wolf would surely warn his +client of the dangers he had run and had now escaped, were it only to +receive the praise of his sagacity. He would put him on his guard +against the wily woman who had lowered herself to this conspiracy; he +would destroy the empire she had conquered over her son-in-law! Feeble +natures, once warned, turn obstinate, and are never won again. At the +first discussion of the contract she had reckoned on Paul's weakness, +and on the impossibility he would feel of breaking off a marriage so +far advanced. But now, she herself was far more tightly bound. Three +months earlier Paul had no real obstacles to prevent the rupture; now, +all Bordeaux knew that the notaries had smoothed the difficulties; the +banns were published; the wedding was to take place immediately; the +friends of both families were at that moment arriving for the fete, +and to witness the contract. How could she postpone the marriage at +this late hour? The cause of the rupture would surely be made known; +Maitre Mathias's stern honor was too well known in Bordeaux; his word +would be believed in preference to hers. The scoffers would turn +against her and against her daughter. No, she could not break it off; +she must yield! + +These reflections, so cruelly sound, fell upon Madame Evangelista's +brain like a water-spout and split it. Though she still maintained the +dignity and reserve of a diplomatist, her chin was shaken by that +apoplectic movement which showed the anger of Catherine the Second on +the famous day when, seated on her throne and in presence of her court +(very much in the present circumstances of Madame Evangelista), she +was braved by the King of Sweden. Solonet observed that play of the +muscles, which revealed the birth of a mortal hatred, a lurid storm to +which there was no lightning. At this moment Madame Evangelista vowed +to her son-in-law one of those unquenchable hatreds the seeds of which +were left by the Moors in the atmosphere of Spain. + +"Monsieur," she said, bending to the ear of her notary, "you called +that stipulation balderdash; it seems to me that nothing could have +been more clear." + +"Madame, allow me--" + +"Monsieur," she continued, paying no heed to his interruption, "if you +did not perceive the effect of that entail at the time of our first +conference, it is very extraordinary that it did not occur to you in +the silence of your study. This can hardly be incapacity." + +The young notary drew his client into the next room, saying to +himself, as he did so:-- + +"I get a three-thousand franc fee for the guardianship account, three +thousand for the contract, six thousand on the sale of the house, +fifteen thousand in all--better not be angry." + +He closed the door, cast on Madame Evangelista the cool look of a +business man, and said:-- + +"Madame, having, for your sake, passed--as I did--the proper limits of +legal craft, do you seriously intend to reward my devotion by such +language?" + +"But, monsieur--" + +"Madame, I did not, it is true, calculate the effect of the deeds of +gift. But if you do not wish Comte Paul for your son-in-law you are +not obliged to accept him. The contract is not signed. Give your fete, +and postpone the signing. It is far better to brave Bordeaux than +sacrifice yourself." + +"How can I justify such a course to society, which is already +prejudiced against us by the slow conclusion of the marriage?" + +"By some error committed in Paris; some missing document not sent with +the rest," replied Solonet. + +"But those purchases of land near Lanstrac?" + +"Monsieur de Manerville will be at no loss to find another bride and +another dowry." + +"Yes, he'll lose nothing; but we lose all, all!" + +"You?" replied Solonet; "why, you can easily find another count who +will cost you less money, if a title is the chief object of this +marriage." + +"No, no! we can't stake our honor in that way. I am caught in a trap, +monsieur. All Bordeaux will ring with this to-morrow. Our solemn words +are pledged--" + +"You wish the happiness of Mademoiselle Natalie." + +"Above all things." + +"To be happy in France," said the notary, "means being mistress of the +home. She can lead that fool of a Manerville by the nose if she +chooses; he is so dull he has actually seen nothing of all this. Even +if he now distrusts you, he will always trust his wife; and his wife +is YOU, is she not? The count's fate is still within your power if you +choose to play the cards in your hand." + +"If that were true, monsieur, I know not what I would not do to show +my gratitude," she said, in a transport of feeling that colored her +cheeks. + +"Let us now return to the others, madame," said Solonet. "Listen +carefully to what I shall say; and then--you shall think me incapable +if you choose." + +"My dear friend," said the young notary to Maitre Mathias, "in spite +of your great ability, you have not foreseen either the case of +Monsieur de Manerville dying without children, nor that in which he +leaves only female issue. In either of those cases the entail would +pass to the Manervilles, or, at any rate, give rise to suits on their +part. I think, therefore, it is necessary to stipulate that in the +first case the entailed property shall pass under the general deed of +gift between husband and wife; and in the second case that the entail +shall be declared void. This agreement concerns the wife's interest." + +"Both clauses seem to me perfectly just," said Maitre Mathias. "As to +their ratification, Monsieur le comte can, doubtless, come to an +understanding with the chancellor, if necessary." + +Solonet took a pen and added this momentous clause on the margin of +the contract. Paul and Natalie paid no attention to the matter; but +Madame Evangelista dropped her eyes while Maitre Mathias read the +added sentence aloud. + +"We will now sign," said the mother. + +The volume of voice which Madame Evangelista repressed as she uttered +those words betrayed her violent emotion. She was thinking to herself: +"No, my daughter shall not be ruined--but he! My daughter shall have +the name, the title, and the fortune. If she should some day discover +that she does not love him, that she loves another, irresistibly, Paul +shall be driven out of France! My daughter shall be free, and happy, +and rich." + +If Maitre Mathias understood how to analyze business interests, he +knew little of the analysis of human passions. He accepted Madame +Evangelista's words as an honorable "amende," instead of judging them +for what they were, a declaration of war. While Solonet and his clerk +superintended Natalie as she signed the documents,--an operation which +took time,--Mathias took Paul aside and told him the meaning of the +stipulation by which he had saved him from ultimate pain. + +"The whole affair is now 'en regle.' I hold the documents. But the +contract contains a rescript for the diamonds; you must ask for them. +Business is business. Diamonds are going up just now, but may go down. +The purchase of those new domains justifies you in turning everything +into money that you can. Therefore, Monsieur le comte, have no false +modesty in this matter. The first payment is due after the formalities +are over. The sum is two hundred thousand francs; put the diamonds +into that. You have the lien on this house, which will be sold at +once, and will pay the rest. If you have the courage to spend only +fifty thousand francs for the next three years, you can save the two +hundred thousand francs you are now obliged to pay. If you plant +vineyards on your new estates, you can get an income of over +twenty-five thousand francs upon them. You may be said, in short, +to have made a good marriage." + +Paul pressed the hand of his old friend very affectionately, a gesture +which did not escape Madame Evangelista, who now came forward to offer +him the pen. Suspicion became certainty to her mind. She was confident +that Paul and Mathias had come to an understanding about her. Rage and +hatred sent the blood surging through her veins to her heart. The +worst had come. + +After verifying that all the documents were duly signed and the +initials of the parties affixed to the bottom of the leaves, Maitre +Mathias looked from Paul to his mother-in-law, and seeing that his +client did not intend to speak of the diamonds, he said:-- + +"I do not suppose there can be any doubt about the transfer of the +diamonds, as you are now one family." + +"It would be more regular if Madame Evangelista made them over now, as +Monsieur de Manerville has become responsible for the guardianship +funds, and we never know who may live or die," said Solonet, who +thought he saw in this circumstance fresh cause of anger in the +mother-in-law against the son-in-law. + +"Ah! mother," cried Paul, "it would be insulting to us all to do that, +--'Summum jus, summum injuria,' monsieur," he said to Solonet. + +"And I," said Madame Evangelista, led by the hatred now surging in her +heart to see a direct insult to her in the indirect appeal of Maitre +Mathias, "I will tear that contract up if you do not take them." + +She left the room in one of those furious passions which long for the +power to destroy everything, and which the sense of impotence drives +almost to madness. + +"For Heaven's sake, take them, Paul," whispered Natalie in his ear. +"My mother is angry; I shall know why to-night, and I will tell you. +We must pacify her." + +Calmed by this first outburst, madame kept the necklace and ear-rings, +which she was wearing, and brought the other jewels, valued at one +hundred and fifty thousand francs by Elie Magus. Accustomed to the +sight of family diamonds in all valuations of inheritance, Maitre +Mathias and Solonet examined these jewels in their cases and exclaimed +upon their duty. + +"You will lose nothing, after all, upon the 'dot,' Monsieur le comte," +said Solonet, bringing the color to Paul's face. + +"Yes," said Mathias, "these jewels will meet the first payment on the +purchase of the new estate." + +"And the costs of the contract," added Solonet. + +Hatred feeds, like love, on little things; the least thing strengthens +it; as one beloved can do no evil, so the person hated can do no good. +Madame Evangelista assigned to hypocrisy the natural embarrassment of +Paul, who was unwilling to take the jewels, and not knowing where to +put the cases, longed to fling them from the window. Madame +Evangelista spurred him with a glance which seemed to say, "Take your +property from here." + +"Dear Natalie," said Paul, "put away these jewels; they are yours; I +give them to you." + +Natalie locked them into the drawer of a console. At this instant the +noise of the carriages in the court-yard and the murmur of voices in +the receptions-rooms became so loud that Natalie and her mother were +forced to appear. The salons were filled in a few moments, and the +fete began. + +"Profit by the honeymoon to sell those diamonds," said the old notary +to Paul as he went away. + +While waiting for the dancing to begin, whispers went round about the +marriage, and doubts were expressed as to the future of the promised +couple. + +"Is it finally arranged?" said one of the leading personages of the +town to Madame Evangelista. + +"We had so many documents to read and sign that I fear we are rather +late," she replied; "but perhaps we are excusable." + +"As for me, I heard nothing," said Natalie, giving her hand to her +lover to open the ball. + +"Both of those young persons are extravagant, and the mother is not of +a kind to check them," said a dowager. + +"But they have founded an entail, I am told, worth fifty thousand +francs a year." + +"Pooh!" + +"In that I see the hand of our worthy Monsieur Mathias," said a +magistrate. "If it is really true, he has done it to save the future +of the family." + +"Natalie is too handsome not to be horribly coquettish. After a couple +of years of marriage," said one young woman, "I wouldn't answer for +Monsieur de Manerville's happiness in his home." + +"The Pink of Fashion will then need staking," said Solonet, laughing. + +"Don't you think Madame Evangelista looks annoyed?" asked another. + +"But, my dear, I have just been told that all she is able to keep is +twenty-five thousand francs a year, and what is that to her?" + +"Penury!" + +"Yes, she has robbed herself for Natalie. Monsieur de Manerville has +been so exacting--" + +"Extremely exacting," put in Maitre Solonet. "But before long he will +be peer of France. The Maulincours and the Vidame de Pamiers will use +their influence. He belongs to the faubourg Saint-Germain." + +"Oh! he is received there, and that is all," said a lady, who had +tried to obtain him as a son-in-law. "Mademoiselle Evangelista, as the +daughter of a merchant, will certainly not open the doors of the +chapter-house of Cologne to him!" + +"She is grand-niece to the Duke of Casa-Reale." + +"Through the female line!" + +The topic was presently exhausted. The card-players went to the +tables, the young people danced, the supper was served, and the ball +was not over till morning, when the first gleams of the coming day +whitened the windows. + +Having said adieu to Paul, who was the last to go away, Madame +Evangelista went to her daughter's room; for her own had been taken by +the architect to enlarge the scene of the fete. Though Natalie and her +mother were overcome with sleep, they said a few words to each other +as soon as they were alone. + +"Tell me, mother dear, what was the matter with you?" + +"My darling, I learned this evening to what lengths a mother's +tenderness can go. You know nothing of business, and you are ignorant +of the suspicions to which my integrity has been exposed. I have +trampled my pride under foot, for your happiness and my reputation +were at stake." + +"Are you talking of the diamonds? Poor boy, he wept; he did not want +them; I have them." + +"Sleep now, my child. We will talk business when we wake--for," she +added, sighing, "you and I have business now; another person has come +between us." + +"Ah! my dear mother, Paul will never be an obstacle to our happiness, +yours and mine," murmured Natalie, as she went to sleep. + +"Poor darling! she little knows that the man has ruined her." + +Madame Evangelista's soul was seized at that moment with the first +idea of avarice, a vice to which many become a prey as they grow aged. +It came into her mind to recover in her daughter's interest the whole +of the property left by her husband. She told herself that her honor +demanded it. Her devotion to Natalie made her, in a moment, as shrewd +and calculating as she had hitherto been careless and wasteful. She +resolved to turn her capital to account, after investing a part of it +in the Funds, which were then selling at eighty francs. A passion +often changes the whole character in a moment; an indiscreet person +becomes a diplomatist, a coward is suddenly brave. Hate made this +prodigal woman a miser. Chance and luck might serve the project of +vengeance, still undefined and confused, which she would now mature in +her mind. She fell asleep, muttering to herself, "To-morrow!" By an +unexplained phenomenon, the effects of which are familiar to all +thinkers, her mind, during sleep, marshalled its ideas, enlightened +them, classed them, prepared a means by which she was to rule Paul's +life, and showed her a plan which she began to carry out on that very +to-morrow. + + + + CHAPTER V + + THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--THIRD DAY + +Though the excitement of the fete had driven from Paul's mind the +anxious thoughts that now and then assailed it, when he was alone with +himself and in his bed they returned to torment him. + +"It seems to me," he said to himself, "that without that good Mathias +my mother-in-law would have tricked me. And yet, is that believable? +What interest could lead her to deceive me? Are we not to join +fortunes and live together? Well, well, why should I worry about it? +In two days Natalie will be my wife, our money relations are plainly +defined, nothing can come between us. Vogue la galere--Nevertheless, +I'll be upon my guard. Suppose Mathias was right? Well, if he was, I'm +not obliged to marry my mother-in-law." + +In this second battle of the contract Paul's future had completely +changed in aspect, though he was not aware of it. Of the two persons +whom he was marrying, one, the cleverest, was now his mortal enemy, +and meditated already withdrawing her interests from the common fund. +Incapable of observing the difference that a Creole nature placed +between his mother-in-law and other women, Paul was far from +suspecting her craftiness. The Creole nature is apart from all others; +it derives from Europe by its intellect, from the tropics by the +illogical violence of its passions, from the East by the apathetic +indifference with which it does, or suffers, either good or evil, +equally,--a graceful nature withal, but dangerous, as a child is +dangerous if not watched. Like a child, the Creole woman must have her +way immediately; like a child, she would burn a house to boil an egg. +In her soft and easy life she takes no care upon her mind; but when +impassioned, she thinks of all things. She has something of the +perfidy of the Negroes by whom she has been surrounded from her +cradle, but she is also as naive and even, at times, as artless as +they. Like them and like the children, she wishes doggedly for one +thing with a growing intensity of desire, and will brood upon that +idea until she hatches it. A strange assemblage of virtues and +defects! which her Spanish nature had strengthened in Madame +Evangelista, and over which her French experience had cast the glaze +of its politeness. + +This character, slumbering in married happiness for sixteen years, +occupied since then with the trivialities of social life, this nature +to which a first hatred had revealed its strength, awoke now like a +conflagration; at the moment of the woman's life when she was losing +the dearest object of her affections and needed another element for +the energy that possessed her, this flame burst forth. Natalie could +be but three days more beneath her influence! Madame Evangelista, +vanquished at other points, had one clear day before her, the last of +those that a daughter spends beside her mother. A few words, and the +Creole nature could influence the lives of the two beings about to +walk together through the brambled paths and the dusty high-roads of +Parisian society, for Natalie believed in her mother blindly. What +far-reaching power would the counsel of that Creole nature have on a +mind so subservient! The whole future of these lives might be +determined by one single speech. No code, no human institution can +prevent the crime that kills by words. There lies the weakness of +social law; in that is the difference between the morals of the great +world and the morals of the people: one is frank, the other +hypocritical; one employs the knife, the other the venom of ideas and +language; to one death, to the other impunity. + +The next morning, about mid-day, Madame Evangelista was half seated, +half lying on the edge of her daughter's bed. During that waking hour +they caressed and played together in happy memory of their loving +life; a life in which no discord had ever troubled either the harmony +of their feelings, the agreement of their ideas, or the mutual choice +and enjoyment of their pleasures. + +"Poor little darling!" said the mother, shedding true tears, "how can +I help being sorrowful when I think that after I have fulfilled your +every wish during your whole life you will belong, to-morrow night, to +a man you must obey?" + +"Oh, my dear mother, as for obeying!--" and Natalie made a little +motion of her head which expressed a graceful rebellion. "You are +joking," she continued. "My father always gratified your caprices; and +why not? he loved you. And I am loved, too." + +"Yes, Paul has a certain love for you. But if a married woman is not +careful nothing more rapidly evaporates than conjugal love. The +influence a wife ought to have over her husband depends entirely on +how she begins with him. You need the best advice." + +"But you will be with us." + +"Possibly, my child. Last night, while the ball was going on, I +reflected on the dangers of our being together. If my presence were to +do you harm, if the little acts by which you ought slowly, but surely, +to establish your authority as a wife should be attributed to my +influence, your home would become a hell. At the first frown I saw +upon your husband's brow I, proud as I am, should instantly leave his +house. If I were driven to leave it, better, I think, not to enter it. +I should never forgive your husband if he caused trouble between us. +Whereas, when you have once become the mistress, when your husband is +to you what your father was to me, that danger is no longer to be +feared. Though this wise policy will cost your young and tender heart +a pang, your happiness demands that you become the absolute sovereign +of your home." + +"Then why, mamma, did you say just now I must obey him?" + +"My dear little daughter, in order that a wife may rule, she must +always seem to do what her husband wishes. If you were not told this +you might by some impulsive opposition destroy your future. Paul is a +weak young man; he might allow a friend to rule him; he might even +fall under the dominion of some woman who would make you feel her +influence. Prevent such disasters by making yourself from the very +start his ruler. Is it not better that he be governed by you than by +others?" + + +"Yes, certainly," said Natalie. "I should think only of his +happiness." + +"And it is my privilege, darling, to think only of yours, and to wish +not to leave you at so crucial a moment without a compass in the midst +of the reefs through which you must steer." + +"But, dearest mother, are we not strong enough, you and I, to stay +together beside him, without having to fear those frowns you seem to +dread. Paul loves you, mamma." + +"Oh! oh! He fears me more than he loves me. Observe him carefully +to-day when I tell him that I shall let you go to Paris without me, +and you will see on his face, no matter what pains he takes to conceal +it, his inward joy." + +"Why should he feel so?" + +"Why? Dear child! I am like Saint-Jean Bouche-d'Or. I will tell that +to himself, and before you." + +"But suppose I marry on condition that you do not leave me?" urged +Natalie. + +"Our separation is necessary," replied her mother. "Several +considerations have greatly changed my future. I am now poor. You will +lead a brilliant life in Paris, and I could not live with you suitably +without spending the little that remains to me. Whereas, if I go to +Lanstrac, I can take care of your property there and restore my +fortune by economy." + +"You, mamma! _You_ practise economy!" cried Natalie, laughing. "Don't +begin to be a grandmother yet. What! do you mean to leave me for such +reasons as those? Dear mother, Paul may seem to you a trifle stupid, +but he is not one atom selfish or grasping." + +"Ah!" replied Madame Evangelista, in a tone of voice big with +suggestions which made the girl's heart throb, "those discussions +about the contract have made me distrustful. I have my doubts about +him--But don't be troubled, dear child," she added, taking her +daughter by the neck and kissing her. "I will not leave you long +alone. Whenever my return can take place without making difficulty +between you, whenever Paul can rightly judge me, we will begin once +more our happy little life, our evening confidences--" + +"Oh! mother, how can you think of living without your Natalie?" + +"Because, dear angel, I shall live for her. My mother's heart will be +satisfied in the thought that I contribute, as I ought, to your future +happiness." + +"But, my dear, adorable mother, must I be alone with Paul, here, now, +all at once? What will become of me? what will happen? what must I do? +what must I not do?" + +"Poor child! do you think that I would utterly abandon you to your +first battle? We will write to each other three times a week like +lovers. We shall thus be close to each other's hearts incessantly. +Nothing can happen to you that I shall not know, and I can save you +from all misfortune. Besides, it would be too ridiculous if I never +went to see you; it would seem to show dislike or disrespect to your +husband; I will always spend a month or two every year with you in +Paris." + +"Alone, already alone, and with him!" cried Natalie in terror, +interrupting her mother. + +"But you wish to be his wife?" + +"Yes, I wish it. But tell me how I should behave,--you, who did what +you pleased with my father. You know the way; I'll obey you blindly." + +Madame Evangelista kissed her daughter's forehead. She had willed and +awaited this request. + +"Child, my counsels must adept themselves to circumstances. All men +are not alike. The lion and the frog are not more unlike than one man +compared with another,--morally, I mean. Do I know to-day what will +happen to you to-morrow? No; therefore I can only give you general +advice upon the whole tenor of your conduct." + +"Dear mother, tell me, quick, all that you know yourself." + +"In the first place, my dear child, the cause of the failure of +married women who desire to keep their husbands' hearts--and," she +said, making a parenthesis, "to keep their hearts and rule them is one +and the same thing--Well, the principle cause of conjugal disunion is +to be found in perpetual intercourse, which never existed in the olden +time, but which has been introduced into this country of late years +with the mania for family. Since the Revolution the manners and +customs of the bourgeois have invaded the homes of the aristocracy. +This misfortune is due to one of their writers, Rousseau, an infamous +heretic, whose ideas were all anti-social and who pretended, I don't +know how, to justify the most senseless things. He declared that all +women had the same rights and the same faculties; that living in a +state of society we ought, nevertheless, to obey nature--as if the +wife of a Spanish grandee, as if you or I had anything in common with +the women of the people! Since then, well-bred women have suckled +their children, have educated their daughters, and stayed in their own +homes. Life has become so involved that happiness is almost +impossible,--for a perfect harmony between natures such as that which +has made you and me live as two friends is an exception. Perpetual +contact is as dangerous for parents and children as it is for husband +and wife. There are few souls in which love survives this fatal +omnipresence. Therefore, I say, erect between yourself and Paul the +barriers of society; go to balls and operas; go out in the morning, +dine out in the evenings, pay visits constantly, and grant but little +of your time to your husband. By this means you will always keep your +value to him. When two beings bound together for life have nothing to +live upon but sentiment, its resources are soon exhausted, +indifference, satiety, and disgust succeed. When sentiment has +withered what will become of you? Remember, affection once +extinguished can lead to nothing but indifference or contempt. Be ever +young and ever new to him. He may weary you,--that often happens,--but +you must never weary him. The faculty of being bored without showing +it is a condition of all species of power. You cannot diversify +happiness by the cares of property or the occupations of a family. If +you do not make your husband share your social interests, if you do +not keep him amused you will fall into a dismal apathy. Then begins +the SPLEEN of love. But a man will always love the woman who amuses +him and keeps him happy. To give happiness and to receive it are two +lines of feminine conduct which are separated by a gulf." + +"Dear mother, I am listening to you, but I don't understand one word +you say." + +"If you love Paul to the extent of doing all he asks of you, if you +make your happiness depend on him, all is over with your future life; +you will never be mistress of your home, and the best precepts in the +world will do you no good." + +"That is plainer; but I see the rule without knowing how to apply it," +said Natalie, laughing. "I have the theory; the practice will come." + +"My poor Ninie," replied the mother, who dropped an honest tear at the +thought of her daughter's marriage, "things will happen to teach it to +you--And," she continued, after a pause, during which the mother and +daughter held each other closely embraced in the truest sympathy, +"remember this, my Natalie: we all have our destiny as women, just as +men have their vocation as men. A woman is born to be a woman of the +world and a charming hostess, as a man is born to be a general or a +poet. Your vocation is to please. Your education has formed you for +society. In these days women should be educated for the salon as they +once were for the gynoecium. You were not born to be the mother of a +family or the steward of a household. If you have children, I hope +they will not come to spoil your figure on the morrow of your +marriage; nothing is so bourgeois as to have a child at once. If you +have them two or three years after your marriage, well and good; +governesses and tutors will bring them up. YOU are to be the lady, the +great lady, who represents the luxury and the pleasure of the house. +But remember one thing--let your superiority be visible in those +things only which flatter a man's self-love; hide the superiority you +must also acquire over him in great things." + +"But you frighten me, mamma," cried Natalie. "How can I remember all +these precepts? How shall I ever manage, I, such a child, and so +heedless, to reflect and calculate before I act?" + +"But, my dear little girl, I am telling you to-day that which you must +surely learn later, buying your experience by fatal faults and errors +of conduct which will cause you bitter regrets and embarrass your +whole life." + +"But how must I begin?" asked Natalie, artlessly. + +"Instinct will guide you," replied her mother. "At this moment Paul +desires you more than he loves you; for love born of desires is a +hope; the love that succeeds their satisfaction is the reality. There, +my dear, is the question; there lies your power. What woman is not +loved before marriage? Be so on the morrow and you shall remain so +always. Paul is a weak man who is easily trained to habit. If he +yields to you once he will yield always. A woman ardently desired can +ask all things; do not commit the folly of many women who do not see +the importance of the first hours of their sway,--that of wasting your +power on trifles, on silly things with no result. Use the empire your +husband's first emotions give you to accustom him to obedience. And +when you make him yield, choose that it be on some unreasonable point, +so as to test the measure of your power by the measure of his +concession. What victory would there be in making him agree to a +reasonable thing? Would that be obeying you? We must always, as the +Castilian proverb says, take the bull by the horns; when a bull has +once seen the inutility of his defence and of his strength he is +beaten. When your husband does a foolish thing for you, you can govern +him." + +"Why so?" + +"Because, my child, marriage lasts a lifetime, and a husband is not a +man like other men. Therefore, never commit the folly of giving +yourself into his power in everything. Keep up a constant reserve in +your speech and in your actions. You may even be cold to him without +danger, for you can modify coldness at will. Besides, nothing is more +easy to maintain than our dignity. The words, 'It is not becoming in +your wife to do thus and so,' is a great talisman. The life of a woman +lies in the words, 'I will not.' They are the final argument. Feminine +power is in them, and therefore they should only be used on real +occasions. But they constitute a means of governing far beyond that of +argument or discussion. I, my dear child, reigned over your father by +his faith in me. If your husband believes in you, you can do all +things with him. To inspire that belief you must make him think that +you understand him. Do not suppose that that is an easy thing to do. A +woman can always make a man think that he is loved, but to make him +admit that he is understood is far more difficult. I am bound to tell +you all now, my child, for to-morrow life with its complications, life +with two wills which _must_ be made one, begins for you. Bear in mind, +at all moments, that difficulty. The only means of harmonizing your +two wills is to arrange from the first that there shall be but one; +and that will must be yours. Many persons declare that a wife creates +her own unhappiness by changing sides in this way; but, my dear, she +can only become the mistress by controlling events instead of bearing +them; and that advantage compensates for any difficulty." + +Natalie kissed her mother's hands with tears of gratitude. Like all +women in whom mental emotion is never warmed by physical emotion, she +suddenly comprehended the bearings of this feminine policy; but, like +a spoiled child that never admits the force of reason and returns +obstinately to its one desire, she came back to the charge with one of +those personal arguments which the logic of a child suggests:-- + +"Dear mamma," she said, "it is only a few days since you were talking +of Paul's advancement, and saying that you alone could promote it; +why, then, do you suddenly turn round and abandon us to ourselves?" + +"I did not then know the extent of my obligations nor the amount of my +debts," replied the mother, who would not suffer her real motive to be +seen. "Besides, a year or two hence I can take up that matter again. +Come, let us dress; Paul will be here soon. Be as sweet and caressing +as you were,--you know?--that night when we first discussed this fatal +contract; for to-day we must save the last fragments of our fortune, +and I must win for you a thing to which I am superstitiously attached." + +"What is it?" + +"The 'Discreto.'" + +Paul arrived about four o'clock. Though he endeavored to meet his +mother-in-law with a gracious look upon his face, Madame Evangelista +saw traces of the clouds which the counsels of the night and the +reflections of the morning had brought there. + +"Mathias has told him!" she thought, resolving to defeat the old +notary's action. "My dear son," she said, "you left your diamonds in +the drawer of the console, and I frankly confess that I would rather +not see again the things that threatened to bring a cloud between us. +Besides, as Monsieur Mathias said, they ought to be sold at once to +meet the first payment on the estates you have purchased." + +"They are not mine," he said. "I have given them to Natalie, and when +you see them upon her you will forget the pain they caused you." + +Madame Evangelista took his hand and pressed it cordially, with a tear +of emotion. + +"Listen to me, my dear children," she said, looking from Paul to +Natalie; "since you really feel thus, I have a proposition to make to +both of you. I find myself obliged to sell my pearl necklace and my +earrings. Yes, Paul, it is necessary; I do not choose to put a penny +of my fortune into an annuity; I know what I owe to you. Well, I admit +a weakness; to sell the 'Discreto' seems to me a disaster. To sell a +diamond which bears the name of Philip the Second and once adorned his +royal hand, an historic stone which the Duke of Alba touched for ten +years in the hilt of his sword--no, no, I cannot! Elie Magus estimates +my necklace and ear-rings at a hundred and some odd thousand francs +without the clasps. Will you exchange the other jewels I made over to +you for these? you will gain by the transaction, but what of that? I +am not selfish. Instead of those mere fancy jewels, Paul, your wife +will have fine diamonds which she can really enjoy. Isn't it better +that I should sell those ornaments which will surely go out of +fashion, and that you should keep in the family these priceless +stones?" + +"But, my dear mother, consider yourself," said Paul. + +"I," replied Madame Evangelista, "I want such things no longer. Yes, +Paul, I am going to be your bailiff at Lanstrac. It would be folly in +me to go to Paris at the moment when I ought to be here to liquidate +my property and settle my affairs. I shall grow miserly for my +grandchildren." + +"Dear mother," said Paul, much moved, "ought I to accept this exchange +without paying you the difference?" + +"Good heavens! are you not, both of you, my dearest interests? Do you +suppose I shall not find happiness in thinking, as I sit in my +chimney-corner, 'Natalie is dazzling to-night at the Duchesse de +Berry's ball'? When she sees my diamond at her throat and my ear-rings +in her ears she will have one of those little enjoyments of vanity +which contribute so much to a woman's happiness and make her so gay +and fascinating. Nothing saddens a woman more than to have her vanity +repressed; I have never seen an ill-dressed woman who was amiable or +good-humored." + +"Heavens! what was Mathias thinking about?" thought Paul. "Well, then, +mamma," he said, in a low voice, "I accept." + +"But I am confounded!" said Natalie. + +At this moment Solonet arrived to announce the good news that he had +found among the speculators of Bordeaux two contractors who were much +attracted by the house, the gardens of which could be covered with +dwellings. + +"They offer two hundred and fifty thousand francs," he said; "but if +you consent to the sale, I can make them give you three hundred +thousand. There are three acres of land in the garden." + +"My husband paid two hundred thousand for the place, therefore I +consent," she replied. "But you must reserve the furniture and the +mirrors." + +"Ah!" said Solonet, "you are beginning to understand business." + +"Alas! I must," she said, sighing. + +"I am told that a great many persons are coming to your midnight +service," said Solonet, perceiving that his presence was inopportune, +and preparing to go. + +Madame Evangelista accompanied him to the door of the last salon, and +there she said, in a low voice:-- + +"I now have personal property to the amount of two hundred and fifty +thousand francs; if I can get two hundred thousand for my share of the +house it will make a handsome capital, which I shall want to invest to +the very best advantage. I count on you for that. I shall probably +live at Lanstrac." + +The young notary kissed his client's hand with a gesture of gratitude; +for the widow's tone of voice made Solonet fancy that this alliance, +really made from self-interest only, might extend a little farther. + +"You can count on me," he replied. "I can find you investments in +merchandise on which you will risk nothing and make very considerable +profits." + +"Adieu until to-morrow," she said; "you are to be our witness, you +know, with Monsieur le Marquis de Gyas." + +"My dear mother," said Paul, when she returned to them, "why do you +refuse to come to Paris? Natalie is provoked with me, as if I were the +cause of your decision." + +"I have thought it all over, my children, and I am sure that I should +hamper you. You would feel obliged to make me a third in all you did, +and young people have ideas of their own which I might, +unintentionally, thwart. Go to Paris. I do not wish to exercise over +the Comtesse de Manerville the gentle authority I have held over +Natalie. I desire to leave her wholly to you. Don't you see, Paul, +that there are habits and ways between us which must be broken up? My +influence ought to yield to yours. I want you to love me, and to +believe that I have your interests more at heart than you think for. +Young husbands are, sooner or later, jealous for the love of a wife +for her mother. Perhaps they are right. When you are thoroughly +united, when love has blended your two souls into one, then, my dear +son, you will not fear an opposing influence if I live in your house. +I know the world, and men, and things; I have seen the peace of many a +home destroyed by the blind love of mothers who made themselves in the +end as intolerable to their daughters as to their sons-in-law. The +affection of old people is often exacting and querulous. Perhaps I +could not efface myself as I should. I have the weakness to think +myself still handsome; I have flatterers who declare that I am still +agreeable; I should have, I fear, certain pretensions which might +interfere with your lives. Let me, therefore, make one more sacrifice +for your happiness. I have given you my fortune, and now I desire to +resign to you my last vanities as a woman. Your notary Mathias is +getting old. He cannot look after your estates as I will. I will be +your bailiff; I will create for myself those natural occupations which +are the pleasures of old age. Later, if necessary, I will come to you +in Paris, and second you in your projects of ambition. Come, Paul, be +frank; my proposal suits you, does it not?" + +Paul would not admit it, but he was at heart delighted to get his +liberty. The suspicions which Mathias had put into his mind respecting +his mother-in-law were, however, dissipated by this conversation, +which Madame Evangelista carried on still longer in the same tone. + +"My mother was right," thought Natalie, who had watched Paul's +countenance. "He _is_ glad to know that I am separated from her--why?" + +That "why" was the first note of a rising distrust; did it prove the +power of those maternal instructions? + +There are certain characters which on the faith of a single proof +believe in friendship. To persons thus constituted the north wind +drives away the clouds as rapidly as the south wind brings them; they +stop at effects and never hark back to causes. Paul had one of those +essentially confiding natures, without ill-feelings, but also without +foresight. His weakness proceeded far more from his kindness, his +belief in goodness, than from actual debility of soul. + +Natalie was sad and thoughtful, for she knew not what to do without +her mother. Paul, with that self-confident conceit which comes of +love, smiled to himself at her sadness, thinking how soon the +pleasures of marriage and the excitements of Paris would drive it +away. Madame Evangelista saw this confidence with much satisfaction. +She had already taken two great steps. Her daughter possessed the +diamonds which had cost Paul two hundred thousand francs; and she had +gained her point of leaving these two children to themselves with no +other guide than their illogical love. Her revenge was thus preparing, +unknown to her daughter, who would, sooner or later, become its +accomplice. Did Natalie love Paul? That was a question still +undecided, the answer to which might modify her projects, for she +loved her daughter too sincerely not to respect her happiness. Paul's +future, therefore, still depended on himself. If he could make his +wife love him, he was saved. + +The next day, at midnight, after an evening spent together, with the +addition of the four witnesses, to whom Madame Evangelista gave the +formal dinner which follows the legal marriage, the bridal pair, +accompanied by their friends, heard mass by torchlight, in presence of +a crowd of inquisitive persons. A marriage celebrated at night always +suggests to the mind an unpleasant omen. Light is the symbol of life +and pleasure, the forecasts of which are lacking to a midnight +wedding. Ask the intrepid soul why it shivers; why the chill of those +black arches enervates it; why the sound of steps startles it; why it +notices the cry of bats and the hoot of owls. Though there is +absolutely no reason to tremble, all present do tremble, and the +darkness, emblem of death, saddens them. Natalie, parted from her +mother, wept. The girl was now a prey to those doubts which grasp the +heart as it enters a new career in which, despite all assurances of +happiness, a thousand pitfalls await the steps of a young wife. She +was cold and wanted a mantle. The air and manner of Madame Evangelista +and that of the bridal pair excited some comment among the elegant +crowd which surrounded the altar. + +"Solonet tells me that the bride and bridegroom leave for Paris +to-morrow morning, all alone." + +"Madame Evangelista was to live with them, I thought." + +"Count Paul has got rid of her already." + +"What a mistake!" said the Marquise de Gyas. "To shut the door on the +mother of his wife is to open it to a lover. Doesn't he know what a +mother is?" + +"He has been very hard on Madame Evangelista; the poor woman has had +to sell her house and her diamonds, and is going to live at Lanstrac." + +"Natalie looks very sad." + +"Would you like to be made to take a journey the day after your +marriage?" + +"It is very awkward." + +"I am glad I came here to-night," said a lady. "I am now convinced of +the necessity of the pomps of marriage and of wedding fetes; a scene +like this is very bare and sad. If I may say what I think," she added, +in a whisper to her neighbor, "this marriage seems to me indecent." + +Madame Evangelista took Natalie in her carriage and accompanied her, +alone, to Paul's house. + +"Well, mother, it is done!" + +"Remember, my dear child, my last advice, and you will be a happy +woman. Be his wife, and not his mistress." + +When Natalie had retired, the mother played the little comedy of +flinging herself with tears into the arms of her son-in-law. It was +the only provincial thing that Madame Evangelista allowed herself, but +she had her reasons for it. Amid tears and speeches, apparently half +wild and despairing, she obtained of Paul those concessions which all +husbands make. + +The next day she put the married pair into their carriage, and +accompanied them to the ferry, by which the road to Paris crosses the +Gironde. With a look and a word Natalie enabled her mother to see that +if Paul had won the trick in the game of the contract, her revenge was +beginning. Natalie was already reducing her husband to perfect +obedience. + + + + CHAPTER VI + + CONCLUSION + +Five years later, on an afternoon in the month of November, Comte Paul +de Manerville, wrapped in a cloak, was entering, with a bowed head and +a mysterious manner, the house of his old friend Monsieur Mathias at +Bordeaux. + +Too old to continue in business, the worthy notary had sold his +practice and was ending his days peacefully in a quiet house to which +he had retired. An urgent affair had obliged him to be absent at the +moment of his guest's arrival, but his housekeeper, warned of Paul's +coming, took him to the room of the late Madame Mathias, who had been +dead a year. Fatigued by a rapid journey, Paul slept till evening. +When the old man reached home he went up to his client's room, and +watched him sleeping, as a mother watches her child. Josette, the old +housekeeper, followed her master and stood before the bed, her hands +on her hips. + +"It is a year to-day, Josette, since I received my dear wife's last +sigh; I little knew then that I should stand here again to see the +count half dead." + +"Poor man! he moans in his sleep," said Josette. + +"Sac a papier!" cried the old notary, an innocent oath which was a +sign with him of the despair on a man of business before +insurmountable difficulties. "At any rate," he thought, "I have +saved the title to the Lanstrac estate for him, and that of Ausac, +Saint-Froult, and his house, though the usufruct has gone." Mathias +counted his fingers. "Five years! Just five years this month, since +his old aunt, now dead, that excellent Madame de Maulincour, asked +for the hand of that little crocodile of a woman, who has finally +ruined him--as I expected." + +And the gouty old gentleman, leaning on his cane, went to walk in the +little garden till his guest should awake. At nine o'clock supper was +served, for Mathias took supper. The old man was not a little +astonished, when Paul joined him, to see that his old client's brow +was calm and his face serene, though noticeably changed. If at the age +of thirty-three the Comte de Manerville seemed to be a man of forty, +that change in his appearance was due solely to mental shocks; +physically, he was well. He clasped the old man's hand affectionately, +and forced him not to rise, saying:-- + +"Dear, kind Maitre Mathias, you, too, have had your troubles." + +"Mine were natural troubles, Monsieur le comte; but yours--" + +"We will talk of that presently, while we sup." + +"If I had not a son in the magistracy, and a daughter married," said +the good old man, "you would have found in old Mathias, believe me, +Monsieur le comte, something better than mere hospitality. Why have +you come to Bordeaux at the very moment when posters are on all the +walls of the seizure of your farms at Grassol and Guadet, the vineyard +of Belle-Rose and the family mansion? I cannot tell you the grief I +feel at the sight of those placards,--I, who for forty years nursed +that property as if it belonged to me; I, who bought it for your +mother when I was only third clerk to Monsieur Chesnau, my +predecessor, and wrote the deeds myself in my best round hand; I, who +have those titles now in my successor's office; I, who have known you +since you were so high"; and the old man stopped to put his hand near +the ground. "Ah! a man must have been a notary for forty-one years and +a half to know the sort of grief I feel to see my name exposed before +the face of Israel in those announcements of the seizure and sale of +the property. When I pass through the streets and see men reading +these horrible yellow posters, I am ashamed, as if my own honor and +ruin were concerned. Some fools will stand there and read them aloud +expressly to draw other fools about them--and what imbecile remarks +they make! As if a man were not master of his own property! Your +father ran through two fortunes before he made the one he left you; +and you wouldn't be a Manerville if you didn't do likewise. Besides, +seizures of real estate have a whole section of the Code to +themselves; they are expected and provided for; you are in a position +recognized by the law.--If I were not an old man with white hair, I +would thrash those fools I hear reading aloud in the streets such an +abomination as this," added the worthy notary, taking up a paper; "'At +the request of Dame Natalie Evangelista, wife of Paul-Francois-Joseph, +Comte de Manerville, separated from him as to worldly goods and +chattels by the Lower court of the department of the Seine--'" + +"Yes, and now separated in body," said Paul. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the old man. + +"Oh! against my wife's will," added the count, hastily. "I was forced +to deceive her; she did not know that I was leaving her." + +"You have left her?" + +"My passage is taken; I sail for Calcutta on the 'Belle-Amelie.'" + +"Two day's hence!" cried the notary. "Then, Monsieur le comte, we +shall never meet again." + +"You are only seventy-three, my dear Mathias, and you have the gout, +the brevet of old age. When I return I shall find you still afoot. +Your good head and heart will be as sound as ever, and you will help +me to reconstruct what is now a shaken edifice. I intend to make a +noble fortune in seven years. I shall be only forty on my return. All +is still possible at that age." + +"You?" said Mathias, with a gesture of amazement,--you, Monsieur le +comte, to undertake commerce! How can you even think of it?" + +"I am no longer Monsieur le comte, dear Mathias. My passage is taken +under the name of Camille, one of my mother's baptismal names. I have +acquirements which will enable me to make my fortune otherwise than in +business. Commerce, at any rate, will be only my final chance. I start +with a sum in hand sufficient for the redemption of my future on a +large scale." + +"Where is that money?" + +"A friend is to send it to me." + +The old man dropped his fork as he heard the word "friend," not in +surprise, not scoffingly, but in grief; his look and manner expressed +the pain he felt in finding Paul under the influence of a deceitful +illusion; his practised eye fathomed a gulf where the count saw +nothing but solid ground. + +"I have been fifty years in the notariat," he said, "and I never yet +knew a ruined man whose friend would lend him money." + +"You don't know de Marsay. I am certain that he has sold out some of +his investments already, and to-morrow you will receive from him a +bill of exchange for one hundred and fifty thousand francs." + +"I hope I may. If that be so, cannot your friend settle your +difficulties here? You could live quietly at Lanstrac for five or six +years on your wife's income, and so recover yourself." + +"No assignment or economy on my part could pay off fifteen hundred +thousand francs of debt, in which my wife is involved to the amount of +five hundred and fifty thousand." + +"You cannot mean to say that in four years you have incurred a million +and a half of debt?" + +"Nothing is more certain, Mathias. Did I not give those diamonds to my +wife? Did I not spend the hundred and fifty thousand I received from +the sale of Madame Evangelista's house, in the arrangement of my house +in Paris? Was I not forced to use other money for the first payments +on that property demanded by the marriage contract? I was even forced +to sell out Natalie's forty thousand a year in the Funds to complete +the purchase of Auzac and Saint-Froult. We sold at eighty-seven, +therefore I became in debt for over two hundred thousand francs within +a month after my marriage. That left us only sixty-seven thousand +francs a year; but we spent fully three times as much every year. Add +all that up, together with rates of interest to usurers, and you will +soon find a million." + +"Br-r-r!" exclaimed the old notary. "Go on. What next?" + +"Well, I wanted, in the first place, to complete for my wife that set +of jewels of which she had the pearl necklace clasped by the family +diamond, the 'Discreto,' and her mother's ear-rings. I paid a hundred +thousand francs for a coronet of diamond wheat-ears. There's eleven +hundred thousand. And now I find I owe the fortune of my wife, which +amounts to three hundred and sixty-six thousand francs of her 'dot.'" + +"But," said Mathias, "if Madame la comtesse had given up her diamonds +and you had pledged your income you could have pacified your creditors +and have paid them off in time." + +"When a man is down, Mathias, when his property is covered with +mortgages, when his wife's claims take precedence of his creditors', +and when that man has notes out for a hundred thousand francs which he +must pay (and I hope I can do so out of the increased value of my +property here), what you propose is not possible." + +"This is dreadful!" cried Mathias; "would you sell Belle-Rose with the +vintage of 1825 still in the cellars?" + +"I cannot help myself." + +"Belle-Rose is worth six hundred thousand francs." + +"Natalie will buy it in; I have advised her to do so." + +"I might push the price to seven hundred thousand, and the farms are +worth a hundred thousand each." + +"Then if the house in Bordeaux can be sold for two hundred thousand--" + +"Solonet will give more than that; he wants it. He is retiring with a +handsome property made by gambling on the Funds. He has sold his +practice for three hundred thousand francs, and marries a mulatto +woman. God knows how she got her money, but they say it amounts to +millions. A notary gambling in stocks! a notary marrying a black +woman! What an age! It is said that he speculates for your +mother-in-law with her funds." + +"She has greatly improved Lanstrac and taken great pains with its +cultivation. She has amply repaid me for the use of it." + +"I shouldn't have thought her capable of that." + +"She is so kind and so devoted; she has always paid Natalie's debts +during the three months she spent with us every year in Paris." + +"She could well afford to do so, for she gets her living out of +Lanstrac," said Mathias. "She! grown economical! what a miracle! I am +told she has just bought the domain of Grainrouge between Lanstrac +and Grassol; so that if the Lanstrac avenue were extended to the +high-road, you would drive four and a half miles through your own +property to reach the house. She paid one hundred thousand francs +down for Grainrouge." + +"She is as handsome as ever," said Paul; "country life preserves her +freshness; I don't mean to go to Lanstrac and bid her good-bye; her +heart would bleed for me too much." + +"You would go in vain; she is now in Paris. She probably arrived there +as you left." + +"No doubt she had heard of the sale of my property and came to help +me. I have no complaint to make of life, Mathias. I am truly loved, +--as much as any man ever could be here below; beloved by two women +who outdo each other in devotion; they are even jealous of each other; +the daughter blames the mother for loving me too much, and the mother +reproaches the daughter for what she calls her dissipations. I may say +that this great affection has been my ruin. How could I fail to +satisfy even the slightest caprice of a loving wife? Impossible to +restrain myself! Neither could I accept any sacrifice on her part. We +might certainly, as you say, live at Lanstrac, save my income, and +part with her diamonds, but I would rather go to India and work for a +fortune than tear my Natalie from the life she enjoys. So it was I who +proposed the separation as to property. Women are angels who ought not +to be mixed up in the sordid interests of life." + +Old Mathias listened in doubt and amazement. + +"You have no children, I think," he said. + +"Fortunately, none," replied Paul. + +"That is not my idea of marriage," remarked the old notary, naively. +"A wife ought, in my opinion, to share the good and evil fortunes of +her husband. I have heard that young married people who love like +lovers, do not want children? Is pleasure the only object of marriage? +I say that object should be the joys of family. Moreover, in this case +--I am afraid you will think me too much of notary--your marriage +contract made it incumbent upon you to have a son. Yes, monsieur le +comte, you ought to have had at once a male heir to consolidate that +entail. Why not? Madame Evangelista was strong and healthy; she had +nothing to fear in maternity. You will tell me, perhaps, that these +are the old-fashioned notions of our ancestors. But in those noble +families, Monsieur le comte, the legitimate wife thought it her duty +to bear children and bring them up nobly; as the Duchesse de Sully, +the wife of the great Sully, said, a wife is not an instrument of +pleasure, but the honor and virtue of her household." + +"You don't know women, my good Mathias," said Paul. "In order to be +happy we must love them as they want to be loved. Isn't there +something brutal in at once depriving a wife of her charms, and +spoiling her beauty before she has begun to enjoy it?" + +"If you had had children your wife would not have dissipated your +fortune; she would have stayed at home and looked after them." + +"If you were right, dear friend," said Paul, frowning, "I should be +still more unhappy than I am. Do not aggravate my sufferings by +preaching to me after my fall. Let me go, without the pang of looking +backward to my mistakes." + +The next day Mathias received a bill of exchange for one hundred and +fifty thousand francs from de Marsay. + +"You see," said Paul, "he does not write a word to me. He begins by +obliging me. Henri's nature is the most imperfectly perfect, the most +illegally beautiful that I know. If you knew with what superiority +that man, still young, can rise above sentiments, above self-interests, +and judge them, you would be astonished, as I am, to find how much +heart he has." + +Mathias tried to battle with Paul's determination, but he found it +irrevocable, and it was justified by so many cogent reasons that the +old man finally ceased his endeavors to retain his client. + +It is seldom that vessels sail promptly at the time appointed, but on +this occasion, by a fateful circumstance for Paul, the wind was fair +and the "Belle-Amelie" sailed on the morrow, as expected. The quay was +lined with relations, and friends, and idle persons. Among them were +several who had formerly known Manerville. His disaster, posted on the +walls of the town, made him as celebrated as he was in the days of his +wealth and fashion. Curiosity was aroused; every one had their word to +say about him. Old Mathias accompanied his client to the quay, and his +sufferings were sore as he caught a few words of those remarks:-- + +"Who could recognize in that man you see over there, near old Mathias, +the dandy who was called the Pink of Fashion five years ago, and made, +as they say, 'fair weather and foul' in Bordeaux." + +"What! that stout, short man in the alpaca overcoat, who looks like a +groom,--is that Comte Paul de Manerville?" + +"Yes, my dear, the same who married Mademoiselle Evangelista. Here he +is, ruined, without a penny to his name, going out to India to look +for luck." + +"But how did he ruin himself? he was very rich." + +"Oh! Paris, women, play, luxury, gambling at the Bourse--" + +"Besides," said another, "Manerville always was a poor creature; no +mind, soft as papier-mache, he'd let anybody shear the wool from his +back; incapable of anything, no matter what. He was born to be +ruined." + +Paul wrung the hand of the old man and went on board. Mathias stood +upon the pier, looking at his client, who leaned against the shrouds, +defying the crowed before him with a glance of contempt. At the moment +when the sailors began to weigh anchor, Paul noticed that Mathias was +making signals to him with his handkerchief. The old housekeeper had +hurried to her master, who seemed to be excited by some sudden event. +Paul asked the captain to wait a moment, and send a boat to the pier, +which was done. Too feeble himself to go aboard, Mathias gave two +letters to a sailor in the boat. + +"My friend," he said, "this packet" (showing one of the two letters) +"is important; it has just arrived by a courier from Paris in +thirty-five hours. State this to Monsieur le comte; don't neglect to +do so; it may change his plans." + +"Would he come ashore?" + +"Possibly, my friend," said the notary, imprudently. + +The sailor is, in all lands, a being of a race apart, holding all +land-folk in contempt. This one happened to be a bas-Breton, who saw +but one thing in Maitre Mathias's request. + +"Come ashore, indeed!" he thought, as he rowed. "Make the captain lose +a passenger! If one listened to those walruses we'd have nothing to do +but embark and disembark 'em. He's afraid that son of his will catch +cold." + +The sailor gave Paul the letter and said not a word of the message. +Recognizing the handwriting of his wife and de Marsay, Paul supposed +that he knew what they both would urge upon him. Anxious not to be +influenced by offers which he believed their devotion to his welfare +would inspire, he put the letters in his pocket unread, with apparent +indifference. + +Absorbed in the sad thoughts which assail the strongest man under such +circumstances, Paul gave way to his grief as he waved his hand to his +old friend, and bade farewell to France, watching the steeples of +Bordeaux as they fled out of sight. He seated himself on a coil of +rope. Night overtook him still lost in thought. With the semi-darkness +of the dying day came doubts; he cast an anxious eye into the future. +Sounding it, and finding there uncertainty and danger, he asked his +soul if courage would fail him. A vague dread seized his mind as he +thought of Natalie left wholly to herself; he repented the step he had +taken; he regretted Paris and his life there. Suddenly sea-sickness +overcame him. Every one knows the effect of that disorder. The most +horrible of its sufferings devoid of danger is a complete dissolution +of the will. An inexplicable distress relaxes to their very centre the +cords of vitality; the soul no longer performs its functions; the +sufferer becomes indifferent to everything; the mother forgets her +child, the lover his mistress, the strongest man lies prone, like an +inert mass. Paul was carried to his cabin, where he stayed three days, +lying on his back, gorged with grog by the sailors, or vomiting; +thinking of nothing, and sleeping much. Then he revived into a species +of convalescence, and returned by degrees to his ordinary condition. +The first morning after he felt better he went on deck and passed the +poop, breathing in the salt breezes of another atmosphere. Putting his +hands into his pockets he felt the letters. At once he opened them, +beginning with that of his wife. + +In order that the letter of the Comtesse de Manerville be fully +understood, it is necessary to give the one which Paul had written to +her on the day that he left Paris. + + From Paul de Manerville to his wife: + + My beloved,--When you read this letter I shall be far away from + you; perhaps already on the vessel which is to take me to India, + where I am going to repair my shattered fortune. + + I have not found courage to tell you of my departure. I have + deceived you; but it was best to do so. You would only have been + uselessly distressed; you would have wished to sacrifice your + fortune, and that I could not have suffered. Dear Natalie, feel no + remorse; I have no regrets. When I return with millions I shall + imitate your father and lay them at your feet, as he laid his at + the feet of your mother, saying to you: "All I have is yours." + + I love you madly, Natalie; I say this without fear that the + avowal will lead you to strain a power which none but weak men + fear; yours has been boundless from the day I knew you first. My + love is the only accomplice in my disaster. I have felt, as my + ruin progressed, the delirious joys of a gambler; as the money + diminished, so my enjoyment grew. Each fragment of my fortune + turned into some little pleasure for you gave me untold happiness. + I could have wished that you had more caprices that I might + gratify them all. I knew I was marching to a precipice, but I went + on crowned with joys of which a common heart knows nothing. I have + acted like those lovers who take refuge in a cottage on the shores + of some lake for a year or two, resolved to kill themselves at + last; dying thus in all the glory of their illusions and their + love. I have always thought such persons infinitely sensible. + + You have known nothing of my pleasures or my sacrifices. The + greatest joy of all was to hide from the one beloved the cost of + her desires. I can reveal these secrets to you now, for when you + hold this paper, heavy with love, I shall be far away. Though I + lose the treasures of your gratitude, I do not suffer that + contraction of the heart which would disable me if I spoke to you + of these matters. Besides, my own beloved, is there not a tender + calculation in thus revealing to you the history of the past? Does + it not extend our love into the future?--But we need no such + supports! We love each other with a love to which proof is + needless,--a love which takes no note of time or distance, but + lives of itself alone. + + Ah! Natalie, I have just looked at you asleep, trustful, restful + as a little child, your hand stretched toward me. I left a tear + upon the pillow which has known our precious joys. I leave you + without fear, on the faith of that attitude; I go to win the + future of our love by bringing home to you a fortune large enough + to gratify your every taste, and let no shadow of anxiety disturb + our joys. Neither you nor I can do without enjoyments in the life + we live. To me belongs the task of providing the necessary + fortune. I am a man; and I have courage. + + Perhaps you might seek to follow me. For that reason I conceal + from you the name of the vessel, the port from which I sail, and + the day of sailing. After I am gone, when too late to follow me, a + friend will tell you all. + + Natalie! my affection is boundless. I love you as a mother loves + her child, as a lover loves his mistress, with absolute + unselfishness. To me the toil, to you the pleasures; to me all + sufferings, to you all happiness. Amuse yourself; continue your + habits of luxury; go to theatres and operas, enjoy society and + balls; I leave you free for all things. Dear angel, when you + return to this nest where for five years we have tasted the fruits + which love has ripened think of your friend; think for a moment of + me, and rest upon my heart. + + That is all I ask of you. For myself, dear eternal thought of + mine! whether under burning skies, toiling for both of us, I face + obstacles to vanquish, or whether, weary with the struggle, I rest + my mind on hopes of a return, I shall think of you alone; of you + who are my life,--my blessed life! Yes, I shall live in you. I + shall tell myself daily that you have no troubles, no cares; that + you are happy. As in our natural lives of day and night, of + sleeping and waking, I shall have sunny days in Paris, and nights + of toil in India,--a painful dream, a joyful reality; and I shall + live so utterly in that reality that my actual life will pass as a + dream. I shall have memories! I shall recall, line by line, + strophe by strophe, our glorious five years' poem. I shall + remember the days of your pleasure in some new dress or some + adornment which made you to my eyes a fresh delight. Yes, dear + angel, I go like a man vowed to some great emprize, the guerdon of + which, if success attend him, is the recovery of his beautiful + mistress. Oh! my precious love, my Natalie, keep me as a religion + in your heart. Be the child that I have just seen asleep! If you + betray my confidence, my blind confidence, you need not fear my + anger--be sure of that; I should die silently. But a wife does not + deceive the man who leaves her free--for woman is never base. She + tricks a tyrant; but an easy treachery, which would kill its + victim, she will not commit--No, no! I will not think of it. + Forgive this cry, this single cry, so natural to the heart of man! + + Dear love, you will see de Marsay; he is now the lessee of our + house, and he will leave you in possession of it. This nominal + lease was necessary to avoid a useless loss. Our creditors, + ignorant that their payment is a question of time only, would + otherwise have seized the furniture and the temporary possession + of the house. Be kind to de Marsay; I have the most entire + confidence in his capacity and his loyalty. Take him as your + defender and adviser, make him your slave. However occupied, he + will always find time to be devoted to you. I have placed the + liquidation of my affairs and the payment of the debts in his + hands. If he should advance some sum of which he should later feel + in need I rely on you to pay it back. Remember, however, that I do + not leave you to de Marsay, but _to yourself_; I do not seek to + impose him upon you. + + Alas! I have but an hour more to stay beside you; I cannot spend + that hour in writing business--I count your breaths; I try to + guess your thoughts in the slight motions of your sleep. I would I + could infuse my blood into your veins that you might be a part of + me, my thought your thought, and your heart mine--A murmur has + just escaped your lips as though it were a soft reply. Be calm and + beautiful forever as you are now! Ah! would that I possessed that + fabulous fairy power which, with a wand, could make you sleep + while I am absent, until, returning, I should wake you with a + kiss. + + How much I must love you, how much energy of soul I must possess, + to leave you as I see you now! Adieu, my cherished one. Your poor + Pink of Fashion is blown away by stormy winds, but--the wings of + his good luck shall waft him back to you. No, my Ninie, I am not + bidding you farewell, for I shall never leave you. Are you not the + soul of my actions? Is not the hope of returning with happiness + indestructible for YOU the end and aim of my endeavor? Does it not + lead my every step? You will be with me everywhere. Ah! it will + not be the sun of India, but the fire of your eyes that lights my + way. Therefore be happy--as happy as a woman can be without her + lover. I would the last kiss that I take from those dear lips were + not a passive one; but, my Ninie, my adored one, I will not wake + you. When you wake, you will find a tear upon your forehead--make + it a talisman! Think, think of him who may, perhaps, die for you, + far from you; think less of the husband than of the lover who + confides you to God. + + + From the Comtesse de Manerville to her husband: + + Dear, beloved one,--Your letter has plunged me into affliction. + Had you the right to take this course, which must affect us + equally, without consulting me? Are you free? Do you not belong to + me? If you must go, why should I not follow you? You show me, + Paul, that I am not indispensable to you. What have I done, to be + deprived of my rights? Surely I count for something in this ruin. + My luxuries have weighed somewhat in the scale. You make me curse + the happy, careless life we have led for the last five years. To + know that you are banished from France for years is enough to kill + me. How soon can a fortune be made in India? Will you ever return? + + I was right when I refused, with instinctive obstinacy, that + separation as to property which my mother and you were so + determined to carry out. What did I tell you then? Did I not warn + you that it was casting a reflection upon you, and would ruin your + credit? It was not until you were really angry that I gave way. + + My dear Paul, never have you been so noble in my eyes as you are + at this moment. To despair of nothing, to start courageously to + seek a fortune! Only your character, your strength of mind could + do it. I sit at your feet. A man who avows his weakness with your + good faith, who rebuilds his fortune from the same motive that + made him wreck it, for love's sake, for the sake of an + irresistible passion, oh, Paul, that man is sublime! Therefore, + fear nothing; go on, through all obstacles, not doubting your + Natalie--for that would be doubting yourself. Poor darling, you + mean to live in me? And I shall ever be in you. I shall not be + here; I shall be wherever you are, wherever you go. + + Though your letter has caused me the keenest pain, it has also + filled me with joy--you have made me know those two extremes! + Seeing how you love me, I have been proud to learn that my love is + truly felt. Sometimes I have thought that I loved you more than + you loved me. Now, I admit myself vanquished, you have added the + delightful superiority--of loving--to all the others with which + you are blest. That precious letter in which your soul reveals + itself will lie upon my heart during all your absence; for my + soul, too, is in it; that letter is my glory. + + I shall go to live at Lanstrac with my mother. I die to the world; + I will economize my income and pay your debts to their last + farthing. From this day forth, Paul, I am another woman. I bid + farewell forever to society; I will have no pleasures that you + cannot share. Besides, Paul, I ought to leave Paris and live in + retirement. Dear friend, you will soon have a noble reason to make + your fortune. If your courage needed a spur you would find it in + this. Cannot you guess? We shall have a child. Your cherished + desires are granted. I feared to give you one of those false hopes + which hurt so much--have we not had grief enough already on that + score? I was determined not to be mistaken in this good news. + To-day I feel certain, and it makes me happy to shed this joy upon + your sorrows. + + This morning, fearing nothing and thinking you still at home, I + went to the Assumption; all things smiled upon me; how could I + foresee misfortune? As I left the church I met my mother; she had + heard of your distress, and came, by post, with all her savings, + thirty thousand francs, hoping to help you. Ah! what a heart is + hers, Paul! I felt joyful, and hurried home to tell you this good + news, and to breakfast with you in the greenhouse, where I ordered + just the dainties that you like. Well, Augustine brought me your + letter,--a letter from you, when we had slept together! A cold + fear seized me; it was like a dream! I read your letter! I read it + weeping, and my mother shared my tears. I was half-dead. Such + love, such courage, such happiness, such misery! The richest + fortunes of the heart, and the momentary ruin of all interests! To + lose you at a moment when my admiration of your greatness thrilled + me! what woman could have resisted such a tempest of emotion? To + know you far away when your hand upon my heart would have stilled + its throbbings; to feel that YOU were not here to give me that + look so precious to me, to rejoice in our new hopes; that I was + not with you to soften your sorrows by those caresses which made + your Natalie so dear to you! I wished to start, to follow you, to + fly to you. But my mother told me you had taken passage in a ship + which leaves Bordeaux to-morrow, that I could not reach you except + by post, and, moreover, that it was madness in my present state to + risk our future by attempting to follow you. I could not bear such + violent emotions; I was taken ill, and am writing to you now in + bed. + + My mother is doing all she can to stop certain calumnies which + seem to have got about on your disaster. The Vandenesses, Charles + and Felix, have earnestly defended you; but your friend de Marsay + treats the affair satirically. He laughs at your accusers instead + of replying to them. I do not like his way of lightly brushing + aside such serious attacks. Are you not deceived in him? However, + I will obey you; I will make him my friend. Do not be anxious, my + adored one, on the points that concern your honor; is it not mine + as well? My diamonds shall be pledged; we intend, mamma and I, to + employ our utmost resources in the payment of your debts; and we + shall try to buy back your vineyard at Belle-Rose. My mother, who + understands business like a lawyer, blames you very much for not + having told her of your embarrassments. She would not have bought + --thinking to please you--the Grainrouge domain, and then she + could have lent you that money as well as the thirty thousand + francs she brought with her. She is in despair at your decision; + she fears the climate of India for your health. She entreats you + to be sober, and not to let yourself be trapped by women--That + made me laugh; I am as sure of you as I am of myself. You will + return to me rich and faithful. I alone know your feminine + delicacy, and the secret sentiments which make you a human flower + worthy of the gardens of heaven. The Bordeaux people were right + when they gave you your floral nickname. + + But alas! who will take care of my delicate flower? My heart is + rent with dreadful ideas. I, his wife, Natalie, I am here, and + perhaps he suffers far away from me! And not to share your pains, + your vexations, your dangers! In whom will you confide? how will + you live without that ear into which you have hitherto poured all? + Dear, sensitive plant, swept away by this storm, will you be able + to survive in another soil than your native land? + + It seems to me that I have been alone for centuries. I have wept + sorely. To be the cause of your ruin! What a text for the thoughts + of a loving woman! You treated me like a child to whom we give all + it asks, or like a courtesan, allowed by some thoughtless youth to + squander his fortune. Ah! such indulgence was, in truth, an + insult. Did you think I could not live without fine dresses, balls + and operas and social triumphs? Am I so frivolous a woman? Do you + think me incapable of serious thought, of ministering to your + fortune as I have to your pleasures? If you were not so far away, + and so unhappy, I would blame you for that impertinence. Why lower + your wife in that way? Good heavens! what induced me to go into + society at all?--to flatter your vanity; I adorned myself for you, + as you well know. If I did wrong, I am punished, cruelly; your + absence is a harsh expiation of our mutual life. + + Perhaps my happiness was too complete; it had to be paid by some + great trial--and here it is. There is nothing now for me but + solitude. Yes, I shall live at Lanstrac, the place your father + laid out, the house you yourself refurnished so luxuriously. There + I shall live, with my mother and my child, and await you,--sending + you daily, night and morning, the prayers of all. Remember that + our love is a talisman against all evil. I have no more doubt of + you than you can have of me. What comfort can I put into this + letter,--I so desolate, so broken, with the lonely years before + me, like a desert to cross. But no! I am not utterly unhappy; the + desert will be brightened by our son,--yes, it must be a _son_, + must it not? + + And now, adieu, my own beloved; our love and prayers will follow + you. The tears you see upon this paper will tell you much that I + cannot write. I kiss you on this little square of paper, see! + below. Take those kisses from + +Your Natalie. + + +--------+ + | | + | | + | | + +--------+ + + +This letter threw Paul into a reverie caused as much by memories of +the past as by these fresh assurances of love. The happier a man is, +the more he trembles. In souls which are exclusively tender--and +exclusive tenderness carries with it a certain amount of weakness +--jealousy and uneasiness exist in direct proportion to the amount of +the happiness and its extent. Strong souls are neither jealous nor +fearful; jealousy is doubt, fear is meanness. Unlimited belief is the +principal attribute of a great man. If he is deceived (for strength as +well as weakness may make a man a dupe) his contempt will serve him as +an axe with which to cut through all. This greatness, however, is the +exception. Which of us has not known what it is to be abandoned by the +spirit which sustains our frail machine, and to hearken to that +mysterious Voice denying all? Paul, his mind going over the past, and +caught here and there by irrefutable facts, believed and doubted all. +Lost in thought, a prey to an awful and involuntary incredulity, which +was combated by the instincts of his own pure love and his faith in +Natalie, he read and re-read that wordy letter, unable to decide the +question which it raised either for or against his wife. Love is +sometimes as great and true when smothered in words as it is in brief, +strong sentences. + +To understand the situation into which Paul de Manerville was about to +enter we must think of him as he was at this moment, floating upon the +ocean as he floated upon his past, looking back upon the years of his +life as he looked at the limitless water and cloudless sky about him, +and ending his reverie by returning, through tumults of doubt, to +faith, the pure, unalloyed and perfect faith of the Christian and the +lover, which enforced the voice of his faithful heart. + +It is necessary to give here his own letter to de Marsay written on +leaving Paris, to which his friend replied in the letter he received +through old Mathias from the dock:-- + + From Comte Paul de Manerville to Monsieur le Marquis Henri de + Marsay: + + Henri,--I have to say to you one of the most vital words a man can + say to his friend:--I am ruined. When you read this I shall be on + the point of sailing from Bordeaux to Calcutta on the brig + "Belle-Amelie." + + You will find in the hands of your notary a deed which only needs + your signature to be legal. In it, I lease my house to you for six + years at a nominal rent. Send a duplicate of that deed to my wife. + I am forced to take this precaution that Natalie may continue to + live in her own home without fear of being driven out by + creditors. + + I also convey to you by deed the income of my share of the + entailed property for four years; the whole amounting to one + hundred and fifty thousand francs, which sum I beg you to lend me + and to send in a bill of exchange on some house in Bordeaux to my + notary, Maitre Mathias. My wife will give you her signature to + this paper as an endorsement of your claim to my income. If the + revenues of the entail do not pay this loan as quickly as I now + expect, you and I will settle on my return. The sum I ask for is + absolutely necessary to enable me to seek my fortune in India; and + if I know you, I shall receive it in Bordeaux the night before I + sail. + + I have acted as you would have acted in my place. I held firm to + the last moment, letting no one suspect my ruin. Before the news + of the seizure of my property at Bordeaux reached Paris, I had + attempted, with one hundred thousand francs which I obtained on + notes, to recover myself by play. Some lucky stroke might still + have saved me. I lost. + + How have I ruined myself? By my own will, Henri. From the first + month of my married life I saw that I could not keep up the style + in which I started. I knew the result; but I chose to shut my + eyes; I could not say to my wife, "We must leave Paris and live at + Lanstrac." I have ruined myself for her as men ruin themselves for + a mistress, but I knew it all along. Between ourselves, I am + neither a fool nor a weak man. A fool does not let himself be + ruled with his eyes open by a passion; and a man who starts for + India to reconstruct his fortune, instead of blowing out his + brains, is not weak. + + I shall return rich, or I shall never return at all. Only, my dear + friend, as I want wealth solely for _her_, as I must be absent six + years at least, and as I will not risk being duped in any way, I + confide to you my wife. I know no better guardian. Being + childless, a lover might be dangerous to her. Henri! I love her + madly, basely, without proper pride. I would forgive her, I think, + an infidelity, not because I am certain of avenging it, but + because I would kill myself to leave her free and happy--since I + could not make her happiness myself. But what have I to fear? + Natalie feels for me that friendship which is independent of love, + but which preserves love. I have treated her like a petted child. + I took such delight in my sacrifices, one led so naturally to + another, that she can never be false; she would be a monster if + she were. Love begets love. + + Alas! shall I tell you all, my dear Henri? I have just written her + a letter in which I let her think that I go with heart of hope and + brow serene; that neither jealousy, nor doubt, nor fear is in my + soul,--a letter, in short, such as a son might write to his + mother, aware that he is going to his death. Good God! de Marsay, + as I wrote it hell was in my soul! I am the most wretched man on + earth. Yes, yes, to you the cries, to you the grinding of my + teeth! I avow myself to you a despairing lover; I would rather + live these six years sweeping the streets beneath her windows than + return a millionaire at the end of them--if I could choose. I + suffer agony; I shall pass from pain to pain until I hear from you + that you will take the trust which you alone can fulfil or + accomplish. + + Oh! my dear de Marsay, this woman is indispensable to my life; she + is my sun, my atmosphere. Take her under your shield and buckler, + keep her faithful to me, even if she wills it not. Yes, I could be + satisfied with a half-happiness. Be her guardian, her chaperon, + for I could have no distrust of you. Prove to her that in + betraying me she would do a low and vulgar thing, and be no better + than the common run of women; tell her that faithfulness will + prove her lofty spirit. + + She probably has fortune enough to continue her life of luxury and + ease. But if she lacks a pleasure, if she has caprices which she + cannot satisfy, be her banker, and do not fear, I _will_ return with + wealth. + + But, after all, these fears are in vain! Natalie is an angel of + purity and virtue. When Felix de Vandenesse fell deeply in love + with her and began to show her certain attentions, I had only to + let her see the danger, and she instantly thanked me so + affectionately that I was moved to tears. She said that her + dignity and reputation demanded that she should not close her + doors abruptly to any man, but that she knew well how to dismiss + him. She did, in fact, receive him so coldly that the affair all + ended for the best. We have never had any other subject of dispute + --if, indeed, a friendly talk could be called a dispute--in all + our married life. + + And now, my dear Henri, I bid you farewell in the spirit of a man. + Misfortune has come. No matter what the cause, it is here. I strip + to meet it. Poverty and Natalie are two irreconcilable terms. The + balance may be close between my assets and my liabilities, but no + one shall have cause to complain of me. But, should any unforeseen + event occur to imperil my honor, I count on you. + + Send letters under cover to the Governor of India at Calcutta. I + have friendly relations with his family, and some one there will + care for all letters that come to me from Europe. Dear friend, I + hope to find you the same de Marsay on my return,--the man who + scoffs at everything and yet is receptive of the feelings of + others when they accord with the grandeur he is conscious of in + himself. You stay in Paris, friend; but when you read these words, + I shall be crying out, "To Carthage!" + + + The Marquis Henri de Marsay to Comte Paul de Manerville: + + So, so, Monsieur le comte, you have made a wreck of it! Monsieur + l'ambassadeur has gone to the bottom! Are these the fine things + that you were doing? + + Why, Paul, why have you kept away from me? If you had said a + single word, my poor old fellow, I would have made your position + plain to you. Your wife has refused me her endorsement. May that + one word unseal your eyes! But, if that does not suffice, learn + that your notes have been protested at the instigation of a Sieur + Lecuyer, formerly head-clerk to Maitre Solonet, a notary in + Bordeaux. That usurer in embryo (who came from Gascony for + jobbery) is the proxy of your very honorable mother-in-law, who is + the actual holder of your notes for one hundred thousand francs, + on which I am told that worthy woman doled out to you only seventy + thousand. Compared with Madame Evangelista, papa Gobseck is + flannel, velvet, vanilla cream, a sleeping draught. Your vineyard + of Belle-Rose is to fall into the clutches of your wife, to whom + her mother pays the difference between the price it goes for at + the auction sale and the amount of her dower claim upon it. Madame + Evangelista will also have the farms at Guadet and Grassol, and + the mortgages on your house in Bordeaux already belong to her, in + the names of straw men provided by Solonet. + + Thus these two excellent women will make for themselves a united + income of one hundred and twenty thousand francs a year out of + your misfortunes and forced sale of property, added to the revenue + of some thirty-odd thousand on the Grand-livre which these cats + already possess. + + The endorsement of your wife was not needed; for this morning the + said Sieur Lecuyer came to offer me a return of the sum I had lent + you in exchange for a legal transfer of my rights. The vintage of + 1825 which your mother-in-law keeps in the cellars at Lanstrac + will suffice to pay me. + + These two women have calculated, evidently, that you are now upon + the ocean; but I send this letter by courier, so that you may have + time to follow the advice I now give you. + + I made Lecuyer talk. I disentangled from his lies, his language, + and his reticence, the threads I lacked to bring to light the + whole plot of the domestic conspiracy hatched against you. This + evening, at the Spanish embassy, I shall offer my admiring + compliments to your mother-in-law and your wife. I shall pay + court to Madame Evangelista; I intend to desert you basely, and + say sly things to your discredit,--nothing openly, or that + Mascarille in petticoats would detect my purpose. How did you make + her such an enemy? That is what I want to know. If you had had the + wit to be in love with that woman before you married her daughter, + you would to-day be peer of France, Duc de Manerville, and, + possibly, ambassador to Madrid. + + If you had come to me at the time of your marriage, I would have + helped you to analyze and know the women to whom you were binding + yourself; out of our mutual observations safety might have been + yours. But, instead of that, these women judged me, became afraid + of me, and separated us. If you had not stupidly given in to them + and turned me the cold shoulder, they would never have been able + to ruin you. Your wife brought on the coldness between us, + instigated by her mother, to whom she wrote two letters a week,--a + fact to which you paid no attention. I recognized my Paul when I + heard that detail. + + Within a month I shall be so intimate with your mother-in-law that + I shall hear from her the reasons of the hispano-italiano hatred + which she feels for you,--for you, one of the best and kindest men + on earth! Did she hate you before her daughter fell in love with + Felix de Vandenesse; that's a question in my mind. If I had not + taken a fancy to go to the East with Montriveau, Ronquerolles, and + a few other good fellows of your acquaintance, I should have been + in a position to tell you something about that affair, which was + beginning just as I left Paris. I saw the first gleams even then + of your misfortune. But what gentleman is base enough to open such + a subject unless appealed to? Who shall dare to injure a woman, or + break that illusive mirror in which his friend delights in gazing + at the fairy scenes of a happy marriage? Illusions are the riches + of the heart. + + Your wife, dear friend, is, I believe I may say, in the fullest + application of the word, a fashionable woman. She thinks of + nothing but her social success, her dress, her pleasures; she goes + to opera and theatre and balls; she rises late and drives to the + Bois, dines out, or gives a dinner-party. Such a life seems to me + for women very much what war is for men; the public sees only the + victors; it forgets the dead. Many delicate women perish in this + conflict; those who come out of it have iron constitutions, + consequently no heart, but good stomachs. There lies the reason of + the cold insensibility of social life. Fine souls keep themselves + reserved, weak and tender natures succumb; the rest are + cobblestones which hold the social organ in its place, water-worn + and rounded by the tide, but never worn-out. Your wife has + maintained that life with ease; she looks made for it; she is + always fresh and beautiful. To my mind the deduction is plain, + --she has never loved you; and you have loved her like a madman. + + To strike out love from that siliceous nature a man of iron was + needed. After standing, but without enduring, the shock of Lady + Dudley, Felix was the fitting mate to Natalie. There is no great + merit in divining that to you she was indifferent. In love with + her yourself, you have been incapable of perceiving the cold + nature of a young woman whom you have fashioned and trained for a + man like Vandenesse. The coldness of your wife, if you perceived + it, you set down, with the stupid jurisprudence of married people, + to the honor of her reserve and her innocence. Like all husbands, + you thought you could keep her virtuous in a society where women + whisper from ear to ear that which men are afraid to say. + + No, your wife has liked the social benefits she derived from + marriage, but the private burdens of it she found rather heavy. + Those burdens, that tax was--you! Seeing nothing of all this, you + have gone on digging your abysses (to use the hackneyed words of + rhetoric) and covering them with flowers. You have mildly obeyed + the law which rules the ruck of men; from which I desired to + protect you. Dear fellow! only one thing was wanting to make you + as dull as the bourgeois deceived by his wife, who is all + astonishment or wrath, and that is that you should talk to me of + your sacrifices, your love for Natalie, and chant that psalm: + "Ungrateful would she be if she betrayed me; I have done this, I + have done that, and more will I do; I will go to the ends of the + earth, to the Indies for her sake. I--I--" etc. My dear Paul, have + you never lived in Paris, have you never had the honor of + belonging by ties of friendship to Henri de Marsay, that you + should be so ignorant of the commonest things, the primitive + principles that move the feminine mechanism, the a-b-c of their + hearts? Then hear me:-- + + Suppose you exterminate yourself, suppose you go to Saint-Pelagie + for a woman's debts, suppose you kill a score of men, desert a + dozen women, serve like Laban, cross the deserts, skirt the + galleys, cover yourself with glory, cover yourself with shame, + refuse, like Nelson, to fight a battle until you have kissed the + shoulder of Lady Hamilton, dash yourself, like Bonaparte, upon the + bridge at Arcola, go mad like Roland, risk your life to dance five + minutes with a woman--my dear fellow, what have all those things + to do with _love_? If love were won by samples such as those + mankind would be too happy. A spurt of prowess at the moment of + desire would give a man the woman that he wanted. But love, _love_, + my good Paul, is a faith like that in the Immaculate conception of + the Holy Virgin; it comes, or it does not come. Will the mines of + Potosi, or the shedding of our blood, or the making of our fame + serve to waken an involuntary, an inexplicable sentiment? Young + men like you, who expect to be loved as the balance of your + account, are nothing else than usurers. Our legitimate wives owe + us virtue and children, but they don't owe us love. + + Love, my dear Paul, is the sense of pleasure given and received, + and the certainty of giving and receiving it; love is a desire + incessantly moving and growing, incessantly satisfied and + insatiable. The day when Vandenesse stirred the cord of a desire + in your wife's heart which you had left untouched, all your + self-satisfied affection, your gifts, your deeds, your money, ceased + to be even memories; one emotion of love in your wife's heart has + cast out the treasures of your own passion, which are now nothing + better than old iron. Felix has the virtues and the beauties in + her eyes, and the simple moral is that blinded by your own love + you never made her love you. + + Your mother-in-law is on the side of the lover against the + husband,--secretly or not; she may have closed her eyes, or she + may have opened them; I know not what she has done--but one thing + is certain, she is for her daughter, and against you. During the + fifteen years that I have observed society, I have never yet seen + a mother who, under such circumstances, abandons her daughter. + This indulgence seems to be an inheritance transmitted in the + female line. What man can blame it? Some copyist of the Civil + code, perhaps, who sees formulas only in the place of feelings. + + As for your present position, the dissipation into which the life + of a fashionable woman cast you, and your own easy nature, + possibly your vanity, have opened the way for your wife and her + mother to get rid of you by this ruin so skilfully contrived. From + all of which you will conclude, my good friend, that the mission + you entrusted to me, and which I would all the more faithfully + fulfil because it amused me, is, necessarily, null and void. The + evil you wish me to prevent is accomplished,--"consummatum est." + + Forgive me, dear friend, if I write to you, as you say, a la de + Marsay on subjects which must seem to you very serious. Far be it + from me to dance upon the grave of a friend, like heirs upon that + of a progenitor. But you have written to me that you mean to act + the part of a man, and I believe you; I therefore treat you as a + man of the world, and not as a lover. For you, this blow ought to + be like the brand on the shoulder of a galley-slave, which flings + him forever into a life of systematic opposition to society. You + are now freed of one evil; marriage possessed you; it now behooves + you to turn round and possess marriage. + + Paul, I am your friend in the fullest acceptation of the word. If + you had a brain in an iron skull, if you had the energy which has + come to you too late, I would have proved my friendship by telling + you things that would have made you walk upon humanity as upon a + carpet. But when I did talk to you guardedly of Parisian + civilization, when I told you in the disguise of fiction some of + the actual adventures of my youth, you regarded them as mere + romance and would not see their bearing. When I told you that + history of a lawyer at the galleys branded for forgery, who + committed the crime to give his wife, adored like yours, an income + of thirty thousand francs, and whom his wife denounced that she + might be rid of him and free to love another man, you exclaimed, + and other fools who were supping with us exclaimed against me. + Well, my dear Paul, you were that lawyer, less the galleys. + + Your friends here are not sparing you. The sister of the two + Vandenesses, the Marquise de Listomere and all her set, in which, + by the bye, that little Rastignac has enrolled himself,--the scamp + will make his way!--Madame d'Aiglemont and her salon, the + Lenoncourts, the Comtesse Ferraud, Madame d'Espard, the Nucingens, + the Spanish ambassador, in short, all the cliques in society are + flinging mud upon you. You are a bad man, a gambler, a dissipated + fellow who has squandered his property. After paying your debts a + great many times, your wife, an angel of virtue, has just redeemed + your notes for one hundred thousand francs, although her property + was separate from yours. Luckily, you had done the best you could + do by disappearing. If you had stayed here you would have made her + bed in the straw; the poor woman would have been the victim of her + conjugal devotion! + + When a man attains to power, my dear Paul, he has all the virtues + of an epitaph; let him fall into poverty, and he has more sins + than the Prodigal Son; society at the present moment gives you the + vices of a Don Juan. You gambled at the Bourse, you had licentious + tastes which cost you fabulous sums of money to gratify; you paid + enormous interests to money-lenders. The two Vandenesses have told + everywhere how Gigonnet gave you for six thousand francs an ivory + frigate, and made your valet buy it back for three hundred in + order to sell it to you again. The incident did really happen to + Maxime de Trailles about nine years ago; but it fits your present + circumstances so well that Maxime has forever lost the command of + his frigate. + + In short, I can't tell you one-half that is said; you have + supplied a whole encyclopaedia of gossip which the women have an + interest in swelling. Your wife is having an immense success. Last + evening at the opera Madame Firmiani began to repeat to me some of + the things that are being said. "Don't talk of that," I replied. + "You know nothing of the real truth, you people. Paul has robbed + the Bank, cheated the Treasury, murdered Ezzelin and three Medoras + in the rue Saint-Denis, and I think, between ourselves, that he is + a member of the Dix-Mille. His associate is the famous Jacques + Collin, on whom the police have been unable to lay a hand since he + escaped from the galleys. Paul gave him a room in his house; you + see he is capable of anything; in fact, the two have gone off to + India together to rob the Great Mogul." Madame Firmiani, like the + distinguished woman that she is, saw that she ought not to convert + her beautiful lips into a mouthpiece for false denunciation. + + Many persons, when they hear of these tragi-comedies of life, + refuse to believe them. They take the side of human nature and + fine sentiments; they declare that these things do not exist. But + Talleyrand said a fine thing, my dear fellow: "All things happen." + Truly, things happen under our very noses which are more amazing + than this domestic plot of yours; but society has an interest in + denying them, and in declaring itself calumniated. Often these + dramas are played so naturally and with such a varnish of good + taste that even I have to rub the lens of my opera-glass to see to + the bottom of them. But, I repeat to you, when a man is a friend + of mine, when we have received together the baptism of champagne + and have knelt together before the altar of the Venus Commodus, + when the crooked fingers of play have given us their benediction, + if that man finds himself in a false position I'd ruin a score of + families to do him justice. + + You must be aware from all this that I love you. Have I ever in my + life written a letter as long as this? No. Therefore, read with + attention what I still have to say. + + Alas! Paul, I shall be forced to take to writing, for I am taking + to politics. I am going into public life. I intend to have, within + five years, the portfolio of a ministry or some embassy. There + comes an age when the only mistress a man can serve is his + country. I enter the ranks of those who intend to upset not only + the ministry, but the whole present system of government. In + short, I swim in the waters of a certain prince who is lame of the + foot only,--a man whom I regard as a statesman of genius whose + name will go down to posterity; a prince as complete in his way as + a great artist may be in his. + + Several of us, Ronquerolles, Montriveau, the Grandlieus, La + Roche-Hugon, Serisy, Feraud, and Granville, have allied ourselves + against the "parti-pretre," as the party-ninny represented by the + "Constitutionnel" has ingeniously said. We intend to overturn the + Navarreins, Lenoncourts, Vandenesses, and the Grand Almonry. In + order to succeed we shall even ally ourselves with Lafayette, the + Orleanists, and the Left,--people whom we can throttle on the + morrow of victory, for no government in the world is possible with + their principles. We are capable of anything for the good of the + country--and our own. + + Personal questions as to the King's person are mere sentimental + folly in these days; they must be cleared away. From that point of + view, the English with their sort of Doge, are more advanced than + we are. Politics have nothing to do with that, my dear fellow. + Politics consist in giving the nation an impetus by creating an + oligarchy embodying a fixed theory of government, and able to + direct public affairs along a straight path, instead of allowing + the country to be pulled in a thousand different directions, which + is what has been happening for the last forty years in our + beautiful France--at once so intelligent and so sottish, so wise + and so foolish; it needs a system, indeed, much more than men. + What are individuals in this great question? If the end is a great + one, if the country may live happy and free from trouble, what do + the masses care for the profits of our stewardship, our fortune, + privileges, and pleasures? + + I am now standing firm on my feet. I have at the present moment a + hundred and fifty thousand francs a year in the Three per Cents, + and a reserve of two hundred thousand francs to repair damages. + Even this does not seem to me very much ballast in the pocket of a + man starting left foot foremost to scale the heights of power. + + A fortunate accident settled the question of my setting out on + this career, which did not particularly smile on me, for you know + my predilection for the life of the East. After thirty-five years + of slumber, my highly-respected mother woke up to the recollection + that she had a son who might do her honor. Often when a vine-stock + is eradicated, some years after shoots come up to the surface of + the ground; well, my dear boy, my mother had almost torn me up by + the roots from her heart, and I sprouted again in her head. At the + age of fifty-eight, she thinks herself old enough to think no more + of any men but her son. At this juncture she has met in some + hot-water cauldron, at I know not what baths, a delightful old maid + --English, with two hundred and forty thousand francs a year; and, + like a good mother, she has inspired her with an audacious + ambition to become my wife. A maid of six-and-thirty, my word! + Brought up in the strictest puritanical principles, a steady + sitting hen, who maintains that unfaithful wives should be + publicly burnt. 'Where will you find wood enough?' I asked her. I + could have sent her to the devil, for two hundred and forty + thousand francs a year are no equivalent for liberty, nor a fair + price for my physical and moral worth and my prospects. But she is + the sole heiress of a gouty old fellow, some London brewer, who + within a calculable time will leave her a fortune equal at least + to what the sweet creature has already. Added to these advantages, + she has a red nose, the eyes of a dead goat, a waist that makes + one fear lest she should break into three pieces if she falls + down, and the coloring of a badly painted doll. But--she is + delightfully economical; but--she will adore her husband, do what + he will; but--she has the English gift; she will manage my house, + my stables, my servants, my estates better than any steward. She + has all the dignity of virtue; she holds herself as erect as a + confidante on the stage of the Francais; nothing will persuade me + that she has not been impaled and the shaft broken off in her + body. Miss Stevens is, however, fair enough to be not too + unpleasing if I must positively marry her. But--and this to me is + truly pathetic--she has the hands of a woman as immaculate as the + sacred ark; they are so red that I have not yet hit on any way to + whiten them that will not be too costly, and I have no idea how to + fine down her fingers, which are like sausages. Yes; she evidently + belongs to the brew-house by her hands, and to the aristocracy by + her money; but she is apt to affect the great lady a little too + much, as rich English women do who want to be mistaken for them, + and she displays her lobster's claws too freely. + + She has, however, as little intelligence as I could wish in a + woman. If there were a stupider one to be found, I would set out + to seek her. This girl, whose name is Dinah, will never criticise + me; she will never contradict me; I shall be her Upper Chamber, + her Lords and Commons. In short, Paul, she is indefeasible + evidence of the English genius; she is a product of English + mechanics brought to their highest pitch of perfection; she was + undoubtedly made at Manchester, between the manufactory of Perry's + pens and the workshops for steam-engines. It eats, it drinks, it + walks, it may have children, take good care of them, and bring + them up admirably, and it apes a woman so well that you would + believe it real. + + When my mother introduced us, she had set up the machine so + cleverly, had so carefully fitted the pegs, and oiled the wheels + so thoroughly, that nothing jarred; then, when she saw I did not + make a very wry face, she set the springs in motion, and the woman + spoke. Finally, my mother uttered the decisive words, "Miss Dinah + Stevens spends no more than thirty thousand francs a year, and has + been traveling for seven years in order to economize."--So there + is another image, and that one is silver. + + Matters are so far advanced that the banns are to be published. We + have got as far as "My dear love." Miss makes eyes at me that + might floor a porter. The settlements are prepared. My fortune is + not inquired into; Miss Stevens devotes a portion of hers to + creating an entail in landed estate, bearing an income of two + hundred and forty thousand francs, and to the purchase of a house, + likewise entailed. The settlement credited to me is of a million + francs. She has nothing to complain of. I leave her uncle's money + untouched. + + The worthy brewer, who has helped to found the entail, was near + bursting with joy when he heard that his niece was to be a + marquise. He would be capable of doing something handsome for my + eldest boy. + + I shall sell out of the funds as soon as they are up to eighty, + and invest in land. Thus, in two years I may look to get six + hundred thousand francs a year out of real estate. So, you see, + Paul, I do not give my friends advice that I am not ready to act + upon. + + If you had but listened to me, you would have an English wife, + some Nabob's daughter, who would leave you the freedom of a + bachelor and the independence necessary for playing the whist of + ambition. I would concede my future wife to you if you were not + married already. But that cannot be helped, and I am not the man + to bid you chew the cud of the past. + + All this preamble was needful to explain to you that for the + future my position in life will be such as a man needs if he wants + to play the great game of pitch-and-toss. I cannot do without you, + my friend. Now, then, my dear Paul, instead of setting sail for + India you would do a much wiser thing to navigate with me the + waters of the Seine. Believe me, Paris is still the place where + fortune, abundant fortune, can be won. Potosi is in the rue + Vivienne, the rue de la Paix, the Place Vendome, the rue de + Rivoli. In all other places and countries material works and + labors, marches and counter-marches, and sweatings of the brow are + necessary to the building up of fortune; but in Paris _thought_ + suffices. Here, every man even mentally mediocre, can see a mine + of wealth as he puts on his slippers, or picks his teeth after + dinner, in his down-sitting and his up-rising. Find me another + place on the globe where a good round stupid idea brings in more + money, or is sooner understood than it is here. + + If I reach the top of the ladder, as I shall, am I the man to + refuse you a helping hand, an influence, a signature? We shall + want, we young roues, a faithful friend on whom to count, if only + to compromise him and make him a scape-goat, or send him to die + like a common soldier to save his general. Government is + impossible without a man of honor at one's side, in whom to + confide and with whom we can do and say everything. + + Here is what I propose. Let the "Belle-Amelie" sail without you; + come back here like a thunderbolt; I'll arrange a duel for you + with Vandenesse in which you shall have the first shot, and you + can wing him like a pigeon. In France the husband who shoots his + rival becomes at once respectable and respected. No one ever + cavils at him again. Fear, my dear fellow, is a valuable social + element, a means of success for those who lower their eyes before + the gaze of no man living. I who care as little to live as to + drink a glass of milk, and who have never felt the emotion of + fear, I have remarked the strange effects produced by that + sentiment upon our modern manners. Some men tremble to lose the + enjoyments to which they are attached, others dread to leave a + woman. The old adventurous habits of other days when life was + flung away like a garment exist no longer. The bravery of a great + many men is nothing more than a clever calculation on the fear of + their adversary. The Poles are the only men in Europe who fight + for the pleasure of fighting; they cultivate the art for the art's + sake, and not for speculation. + + Now hear me: kill Vandenesse, and your wife trembles, your + mother-in-law trembles, the public trembles, and you recover your + position, you prove your grand passion for your wife, you subdue + society, you subdue your wife, you become a hero. Such is France. + As for your embarrassments, I hold a hundred thousand francs for + you; you can pay your principal debts, and sell what property you + have left with a power of redemption, for you will soon obtain an + office which will enable you by degrees to pay off your creditors. + Then, as for your wife, once enlightened as to her character you + can rule her. When you loved her you had no power to manage her; + not loving her, you will have an unconquerable force. I will + undertake, myself, to make your mother-in-law as supple as a + glove; for you must recover the use of the hundred and fifty + thousand francs a year those two women have squeezed out of you. + + Therefore, I say, renounce this expatriation which seems to me no + better than a pan of charcoal or a pistol to your head. To go away + is to justify all calumnies. The gambler who leaves the table to + get his money loses it when he returns; we must have our gold in + our pockets. Let us now, you and I, be two gamblers on the green + baize of politics; between us loans are in order. Therefore take + post-horses, come back instantly, and renew the game. You'll win + it with Henri de Marsay for your partner, for Henri de Marsay + knows how to will, and how to strike. + + See how we stand politically. My father is in the British + ministry; we shall have close relations with Spain through the + Evangelistas, for, as soon as your mother-in-law and I have + measured claws she will find there is nothing to gain by fighting + the devil. Montriveau is our lieutenant-general; he will certainly + be minister of war before long, and his eloquence will give him + great ascendancy in the Chamber. Ronquerolles will be minister of + State and privy-councillor; Martial de la Roche-Hugon is minister + to Germany and peer of France; Serisy leads the Council of State, + to which he is indispensable; Granville holds the magistracy, to + which his sons belong; the Grandlieus stand well at court; Ferraud + is the soul of the Gondreville coterie,--low intriguers who are + always on the surface of things, I'm sure I don't know why. Thus + supported, what have we to fear? The money question is a mere + nothing when this great wheel of fortune rolls for us. What is a + woman?--you are not a schoolboy. What is life, my dear fellow, if + you let a woman be the whole of it? A boat you can't command, + without a rudder, but not without a magnet, and tossed by every + wind that blows. Pah! + + The great secret of social alchemy, my dear Paul, is to get the + most we can out of each age of life through which we pass; to have + and to hold the buds of our spring, the flowers of our summer, the + fruits of our autumn. We amused ourselves once, a few good fellows + and I, for a dozen or more years, like mousquetaires, black, red, + and gray; we denied ourselves nothing, not even an occasional + filibustering here and there. Now we are going to shake down the + plums which age and experience have ripened. Be one of us; you + shall have your share in the _pudding_ we are going to cook. + + Come; you will find a friend all yours in the skin of + +H. de Marsay. + + +As Paul de Manerville ended the reading of this letter, which fell +like the blows of a pickaxe on the edifice of his hopes, his +illusions, and his love, the vessel which bore him from France was +beyond the Azores. In the midst of this utter devastation a cold and +impotent anger laid hold of him. + +"What had I done to them?" he said to himself. + +That is the question of fools, of feeble beings, who, seeing nothing, +can nothing foresee. Then he cried aloud: "Henri! Henri!" to his loyal +friend. Many a man would have gone mad; Paul went to bed and slept +that heavy sleep which follows immense disasters,--the sleep that +seized Napoleon after Waterloo. + + + + +ADDENDUM + +The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. + +Casa-Real, Duc de + The Quest of the Absolute + +Claes, Josephine de Temninck, Madame + The Quest of the Absolute + +Magus, Elie + The Vendetta + A Bachelor's Establishment + Pierre Grassou + Cousin Pons + +Manerville, Paul Francois-Joseph, Comte de + The Thirteen + The Ball at Sceaux + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + +Manerville, Comtesse Paul de + The Lily of the Valley + A Daughter of Eve + +Marsay, Henri de + The Thirteen + The Unconscious Humorists + Another Study of Woman + The Lily of the Valley + Father Goriot + Jealousies of a Country Town + Ursule Mirouet + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Letters of Two Brides + The Ball at Sceaux + Modeste Mignon + The Secrets of a Princess + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + +Maulincour, Baronne de + The Thirteen + +Stevens, Dinah + Cousin Pons + +Vandenesse, Comte Felix de + The Lily of the Valley + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Cesar Birotteau + Letters of Two Brides + A Start in Life + The Secrets of a Princess + Another Study of Woman + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Marriage Contract, by Honore de Balzac + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT *** + +***** This file should be named 1556.txt or 1556.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/1/5/5/1556/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions 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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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +Etext prepared by John Bickers, jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz +and Dagny, dagnyj@hotmail.com + + + + + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + +by HONORE DE BALZAC + + + +Translated By +Katharine Prescott Wormeley + + + +DEDICATION + +To Rossini. + + + + + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT + + + +CHAPTER I + +PRO AND CON + +Monsieur de Manerville, the father, was a worthy Norman gentleman, +well known to the Marechael de Richelieu, who married him to one of +the richest heiresses of Bordeaux in the days when the old duke +reigned in Guienne as governor. The Norman then sold the estate he +owned in Bessin, and became a Gascon, allured by the beauty of the +chateau de Lanstrac, a delightful residence owned by his wife. During +the last days of the reign of Louis XV., he bought the post of major +of the Gate Guards, and lived till 1813, having by great good luck +escaped the dangers of the Revolution in the following manner. + +Toward the close of the year, 1790, he went to Martinque, where his +wife had interests, leaving the management of his property in Gascogne +to an honest man, a notary's clerk, named Mathias, who was inclined to +--or at any rate did--give into the new ideas. On his return the Comte +de Manerville found his possessions intact and well-managed. This +sound result was the fruit produced by grafting the Gascon on the +Norman. + +Madame de Manerville died in 1810. Having learned the importance of +worldly goods through the dissipations of his youth, and, giving them, +like many another old man, a higher place than they really hold in +life, Monsieur de Manerville became increasingly economical, miserly, +and sordid. Without reflecting that the avarice of parents prepares +the way for the prodigalities of children, he allowed almost nothing +to his son, although that son was an only child. + +Paul de Manerville, coming home from the college of Vendome in 1810, +lived under close paternal discipline for three years. The tyranny by +which the old man of seventy oppressed his heir influenced, +necessarily, a heart and a character which were not yet formed. Paul, +the son, without lacking the physical courage which is vital in the +air of Gascony, dared not struggle against his father, and +consequently lost that faculty of resistance which begets moral +courage. His thwarted feelings were driven to the depths of his heart, +where they remained without expression; later, when he felt them to be +out of harmony with the maxims of the world, he could only think +rightly and act mistakenly. He was capable of fighting for a mere word +or look, yet he trembled at the thought of dismissing a servant,--his +timidity showing itself in those contests only which required a +persistent will. Capable of doing great things to fly from +persecution, he would never have prevented it by systematic +opposition, nor have faced it with the steady employment of force of +will. Timid in thought, bold in actions, he long preserved that inward +simplicity which makes a man the dupe and the voluntary victim of +things against which certain souls hesitate to revolt, preferring to +endure them rather than complain. He was, in point of fact, imprisoned +by his father's old mansion, for he had not enough money to consort +with young men; he envied their pleasures while unable to share them. + +The old gentleman took him every evening, in an old carriage drawn by +ill-harnessed old horses, attended by ill-dressed old servants, to +royalist houses, where he met a society composed of the relics of the +parliamentary nobility and the martial nobility. These two nobilities +coalescing after the Revolution, had now transformed themselves into a +landed aristocracy. Crushed by the vast and swelling fortunes of the +maritime cities, this Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux responded by +lofty disdain to the sumptuous displays of commerce, government +administrations, and the military. Too young to understand social +distinctions and the necessities underlying the apparent assumption +which they create, Paul was bored to death among these ancients, +unaware that the connections of his youth would eventually secure to +him that aristocratic pre-eminence which Frenchmen will forever +desire. + +He found some slight compensations for the dulness of these evenings +in certain manual exercises which always delight young men, and which +his father enjoined upon him. The old gentleman considered that to +know the art of fencing and the use of arms, to ride well on +horseback, to play tennis, to acquire good manners,--in short, to +possess all the frivolous accomplishments of the old nobility,--made a +young man of the present day a finished gentleman. Accordingly, Paul +took a fencing-lesson every morning, went to the riding-school, and +practised in a pistol-gallery. The rest of his time was spent in +reading novels, for his father would never have allowed the more +abstruse studies now considered necessary to finish an education. + +So monotonous a life would soon have killed the poor youth if the +death of the old man had not delivered him from this tyranny at the +moment when it was becoming intolerable. Paul found himself in +possession of considerable capital, accumulated by his father's +avarice, together with landed estates in the best possible condition. +But he now held Bordeaux in horror; neither did he like Lanstrac, +where his father had taken him to spend the summers, employing his +whole time from morning till night in hunting. + +As soon as the estate was fairly settled, the young heir, eager for +enjoyment, bought consols with his capital, left the management of the +landed property to old Mathias, his father's notary, and spent the +next six years away from Bordeaux. At first he was attached to the +French embassy at Naples; after that he was secretary of legation at +Madrid, and then in London,--making in this way the tour of Europe. + +After seeing the world and life, after losing several illusions, after +dissipating all the loose capital which his father had amassed, there +came a time when, in order to continue his way of life, Paul was +forced to draw upon the territorial revenues which his notary was +laying by. At this critical moment, seized by one of the so-called +virtuous impulses, he determined to leave Paris, return to Bordeaux, +regulate his affairs, lead the life of a country gentleman at +Lanstrac, improve his property, marry, and become, in the end, a +deputy. + +Paul was a count; nobility was once more of matrimonial value; he +could, and he ought to make a good marriage. While many women desire a +title, many others like to marry a man to whom a knowledge of life is +familiar. Now Paul had acquired, in exchange for the sum of seven +hundred thousand francs squandered in six years, that possession, +which cannot be bought and is practically of more value than gold and +silver; a knowledge which exacts long study, probation, examinations, +friends, enemies, acquaintances, certain manners, elegance of form and +demeanor, a graceful and euphonious name,--a knowledge, moreover, +which means many love-affairs, duels, bets lost on a race-course, +disillusions, deceptions, annoyances, toils, and a vast variety of +undigested pleasures. In short, he had become what is called elegant. +But in spite of his mad extravagance he had never made himself a mere +fashionable man. In the burlesque army of men of the world, the man of +fashion holds the place of a marshal of France, the man of elegance is +the equivalent of a lieutenant-general. Paul enjoyed his lesser +reputation, of elegance, and knew well how to sustain it. His servants +were well-dressed, his equipages were cited, his suppers had a certain +vogue; in short, his bachelor establishment was counted among the +seven or eight whose splendor equalled that of the finest houses in +Paris. + +But--he had not caused the wretchedness of any woman; he gambled +without losing; his luck was not notorious; he was far too upright to +deceive or mislead any one, no matter who, even a wanton; never did he +leave his billets-doux lying about, and he possessed no coffer or desk +for love-letters which his friends were at liberty to read while he +tied his cravat or trimmed his beard. Moreover, not willing to dip +into his Guienne property, he had not that bold extravagance which +leads to great strokes and calls attention at any cost to the +proceedings of a young man. Neither did he borrow money, but he had +the folly to lend to friends, who then deserted him and spoke of him +no more either for good or evil. He seemed to have regulated his +dissipations methodically. The secret of his character lay in his +father's tyranny, which had made him, as it were, a social mongrel. + +So, one morning, he said to a friend named de Marsay, who afterwards +became celebrated:-- + +"My dear fellow, life has a meaning." + +"You must be twenty-seven years of age before you can find it out," +replied de Marsay, laughing. + +"Well, I am twenty-seven; and precisely because I am twenty-seven I +mean to live the life of a country gentleman at Lanstrac. I'll +transport my belongings to Bordeaux into my father's old mansion, and +I'll spend three months of the year in Paris in this house, which I +shall keep." + +"Will you marry?" + +"I will marry." + +"I'm your friend, as you know, my old Paul," said de Marsay, after a +moment's silence, "and I say to you: settle down into a worthy father +and husband and you'll be ridiculous for the rest of your days. If you +could be happy and ridiculous, the thing might be thought of; but you +will not be happy. You haven't a strong enough wrist to drive a +household. I'll do you justice and say you are a perfect horseman; no +one knows as well as you how to pick up or thrown down the reins, and +make a horse prance, and sit firm to the saddle. But, my dear fellow, +marriage is another thing. I see you now, led along at a slapping pace +by Madame la Comtesse de Manerville, going whither you would not, +oftener at a gallop than a trot, and presently unhorsed!--yes, +unhorsed into a ditch and your legs broken. Listen to me. You still +have some forty-odd thousand francs a year from your property in the +Gironde. Good. Take your horses and servants and furnish your house in +Bordeaux; you can be king of Bordeaux, you can promulgate there the +edicts that we put forth in Paris; you can be the correspondent of our +stupidities. Very good. Play the rake in the provinces; better still, +commit follies; follies may win you celebrity. But--don't marry. Who +marries now-a-days? Only merchants, for the sake of their capital, or +to be two to drag the cart; only peasants who want to produce children +to work for them; only brokers and notaries who want a wife's 'dot' to +pay for their practice; only miserable kings who are forced to +continue their miserable dynasties. But we are exempt from the pack, +and you want to shoulder it! And why DO you want to marry? You ought +to give your best friend your reasons. In the first place, if you +marry an heiress as rich as yourself, eighty thousand francs a year +for two is not the same thing as forty thousand francs a year for one, +because the two are soon three or four when the children come. You +haven't surely any love for that silly race of Manerville which would +only hamper you? Are you ignorant of what a father and mother have to +be? Marriage, my old Paul, is the silliest of all the social +immolations; our children alone profit by it, and don't know its price +until their horses are nibbling the flowers on our grave. Do you +regret your father, that old tyrant who made your first years +wretched? How can you be sure that your children will love you? The +very care you take of their education, your precautions for their +happiness, your necessary sternness will lessen their affection. +Children love a weak or a prodigal father, whom they will despise in +after years. You'll live betwixt fear and contempt. No man is a good +head of a family merely because he wants to be. Look round on all our +friends and name to me one whom you would like to have for a son. We +have known a good many who dishonor their names. Children, my dear +Paul, are the most difficult kind of merchandise to take care of. +Yours, you think, will be angels; well, so be it! Have you ever +sounded the gulf which lies between the lives of a bachelor and a +married man? Listen. As a bachelor you can say to yourself: 'I shall +never exhibit more than a certain amount of the ridiculous; the public +will think of me what I choose it to think.' Married, you'll drop into +the infinitude of the ridiculous! Bachelor, you can make your own +happiness; you enjoy some to-day, you do without it to-morrow; +married, you must take it as it comes; and the day you want it you +will have to go without it. Marry, and you'll grow a blockhead; you'll +calculate dowries; you'll talk morality, public and religious; you'll +think young men immoral and dangerous; in short, you'll become a +social academician. It's pitiable! The old bachelor whose property the +heirs are waiting for, who fights to his last breath with his nurse +for a spoonful of drink, is blest in comparison with a married man. +I'm not speaking of all that will happen to annoy, bore, irritate, +coerce, oppose, tyrannize, narcotize, paralyze, and idiotize a man in +marriage, in that struggle of two beings always in one another's +presence, bound forever, who have coupled each other under the strange +impression that they were suited. No, to tell you those things would +be merely a repetition of Boileau, and we know him by heart. Still, +I'll forgive your absurd idea if you will promise me to marry "en +grand seigneur"; to entail your property; to have two legitimate +children, to give your wife a house and household absolutely distinct +from yours; to meet her only in society, and never to return from a +journey without sending her a courier to announce it. Two hundred +thousand francs a year will suffice for such a life and your +antecedents will enable you to marry some rich English woman hungry +for a title. That's an aristocratic life which seems to me thoroughly +French; the only life in which we can retain the respect and +friendship of a woman; the only life which distinguishes a man from +the present crowd,--in short, the only life for which a young man +should even think of resigning his bachelor blessings. Thus +established, the Comte de Manerville may advise his epoch, place +himself above the world, and be nothing less than a minister or an +ambassador. Ridicule can never touch him; he has gained the social +advantages of marriage while keeping all the privileges of a +bachelor." + +"But, my good friend, I am not de Marsay; I am plainly, as you +yourself do me the honor to say, Paul de Manerville, worthy father and +husband, deputy of the Centre, possibly peer of France,--a destiny +extremely commonplace; but I am modest and I resign myself." + +"Yes, but your wife," said the pitiless de Marsay, "will she resign +herself?" + +"My wife, my dear fellow, will do as I wish." + +"Ah! my poor friend, is that where you are? Adieu, Paul. Henceforth, I +refuse to respect you. One word more, however, for I cannot agree +coldly to your abdication. Look and see in what the strength of our +position lies. A bachelor with only six thousand francs a year +remaining to him has at least his reputation for elegance and the +memory of success. Well, even that fantastic shadow has enormous value +in it. Life still offers many chances to the unmarried man. Yes, he +can aim at anything. But marriage, Paul, is the social 'Thus far shalt +thou go and no farther.' Once married you can never be anything but +what you then are--unless your wife should deign to care for you." + +"But," said Paul, "you are crushing me down with exceptional theories. +I am tired of living for others; of having horses merely to exhibit +them; of doing all things for the sake of what may be said of them; of +wasting my substance to keep fools from crying out: 'Dear, dear! Paul +is still driving the same carriage. What has he done with his fortune? +Does he squander it? Does he gamble at the Bourse? No, he's a +millionaire. Madame such a one is mad about him. He sent to England +for a harness which is certainly the handsomest in all Paris. The +four-horse equipages of Messieurs de Marsay and de Manerville were +much noticed at Longchamps; the harness was perfect'--in short, the +thousand silly things with which a crowd of idiots lead us by the +nose. Believe me, my dear Henri, I admire your power, but I don't envy +it. You know how to judge of life; you think and act as a statesman; +you are able to place yourself above all ordinary laws, received +ideas, adopted conventions, and acknowledged prejudices; in short, you +can grasp the profits of a situation in which I should find nothing +but ill-luck. Your cool, systematic, possibly true deductions are, to +the eyes of the masses, shockingly immoral. I belong to the masses. I +must play my game of life according to the rules of the society in +which I am forced to live. While putting yourself above all human +things on peaks of ice, you still have feelings; but as for me, I +should freeze to death. The life of that great majority, to which I +belong in my commonplace way, is made up of emotions of which I now +have need. Often a man coquets with a dozen women and obtains none. +Then, whatever be his strength, his cleverness, his knowledge of the +world, he undergoes convulsions, in which he is crushed as between two +gates. For my part, I like the peaceful chances and changes of life; I +want that wholesome existence in which we find a woman always at our +side." + +"A trifle indecorous, your marriage!" exclaimed de Marsay. + +Paul was not to be put out of countenance, and continued: "Laugh if +you like; I shall feel myself a happy man when my valet enters my room +in the morning and says: 'Madame is awaiting monsieur for breakfast'; +happier still at night, when I return to find a heart--" + +"Altogether indecorous, my dear Paul. You are not yet moral enough to +marry." + +"--a heart in which to confide my interests and my secrets. I wish to +live in such close union with a woman that our affection shall not +depend upon a yes or a no, or be open to the disillusions of love. In +short, I have the necessary courage to become, as you say, a worthy +husband and father. I feel myself fitted for family joys; I wish to +put myself under the conditions prescribed by society; I desire to +have a wife and children." + +"You remind me of a hive of honey-bees! But go your way, you'll be a +dupe all your life. Ha, ha! you wish to marry to have a wife! In other +words, you wish to solve satisfactorily to your own profit the most +difficult problem invented by those bourgeois morals which were +created by the French Revolution; and, what is more, you mean to begin +your attempt by a life of retirement. Do you think your wife won't +crave the life you say you despise? Will SHE be disgusted with it, as +you are? If you won't accept the noble conjugality just formulated for +your benefit by your friend de Marsay, listen, at any rate, to his +final advice. Remain a bachelor for the next thirteen years; amuse +yourself like a lost soul; then, at forty, on your first attack of +gout, marry a widow of thirty-six. Then you may possibly be happy. If +you now take a young girl to wife, you'll die a madman." + +"Ah ca! tell me why!" cried Paul, somewhat piqued. + +"My dear fellow," replied de Marsay, "Boileau's satire against women +is a tissue of poetical commonplaces. Why shouldn't women have +defects? Why condemn them for having the most obvious thing in human +nature? To my mind, the problem of marriage is not at all at the point +where Boileau puts it. Do you suppose that marriage is the same thing +as love, and that being a man suffices to make a wife love you? Have +you gathered nothing in your boudoir experience but pleasant memories? +I tell you that everything in our bachelor life leads to fatal errors +in the married man unless he is a profound observer of the human +heart. In the happy days of his youth a man, by the caprice of our +customs, is always lucky; he triumphs over women who are all ready to +be triumphed over and who obey their own desires. One thing after +another--the obstacles created by the laws, the sentiments and natural +defences of women--all engender a mutuality of sensations which +deceives superficial persons as to their future relations in marriage, +where obstacles no longer exist, where the wife submits to love +instead of permitting it, and frequently repulses pleasure instead of +desiring it. Then, the whole aspect of a man's life changes. The +bachelor, who is free and without a care, need never fear repulsion; +in marriage, repulsion is almost certain and irreparable. It may be +possible for a lover to make a woman reverse an unfavorable decision, +but such a change, my dear Paul, is the Waterloo of husbands. Like +Napoleon, the husband is thenceforth condemned to victories which, in +spite of their number, do not prevent the first defeat from crushing +him. The woman, so flattered by the perseverance, so delighted with +the ardor of a lover, calls the same things brutality in a husband. +You, who talk of marrying, and who will marry, have you ever meditated +on the Civil Code? I myself have never muddied my feet in that hovel +of commentators, that garret of gossip, called the Law-school. I have +never so much as opened the Code; but I see its application on the +vitals of society. The Code, my dear Paul, makes woman a ward; it +considers her a child, a minor. Now how must we govern children? By +fear. In that one word, Paul, is the curb of the beast. Now, feel your +own pulse! Have you the strength to play the tyrant,--you, so gentle, +so kind a friend, so confiding; you, at whom I have laughed, but whom +I love, and love enough to reveal to you my science? For this is +science. Yes, it proceeds from a science which the Germans are already +calling Anthropology. Ah! if I had not already solved the mystery of +life by pleasure, if I had not a profound antipathy for those who +think instead of act, if I did not despise the ninnies who are silly +enough to believe in the truth of a book, when the sands of the +African deserts are made of the ashes of I know not how many unknown +and pulverized Londons, Romes, Venices, and Parises, I would write a +book on modern marriages made under the influence of the Christian +system, and I'd stick a lantern on that heap of sharp stones among +which lie the votaries of the social 'multiplicamini.' But the +question is, Does humanity require even an hour of my time? And +besides, isn't the more reasonable use of ink that of snaring hearts +by writing love-letters?--Well, shall you bring the Comtesse de +Manerville here, and let us see her?" + +"Perhaps," said Paul. + +"We shall still be friends," said de Marsay. + +"If--" replied Paul. + +"Don't be uneasy; we will treat you politely, as Maison-Rouge treated +the English at Fontenoy." + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PINK OF FASHION + +Though the foregoing conversation affected the Comte de Manerville +somewhat, he made it a point of duty to carry out his intentions, and +he returned to Bordeaux during the winter of the year 1821. + +The expenses he incurred in restoring and furnishing his family +mansion sustained the reputation for elegance which had preceded him. +Introduced through his former connections to the royalist society of +Bordeaux, to which he belonged as much by his personal opinions as by +his name and fortune, he soon obtained a fashionable pre-eminence. His +knowledge of life, his manners, his Parisian acquirements enchanted +the Faubourg Saint-Germain of Bordeaux. An old marquise made use of a +term formerly in vogue at court to express the flowery beauty of the +fops and beaux of the olden time, whose language and demeanor were +social laws: she called him "the pink of fashion." The liberal clique +caught up the word and used it satirically as a nickname, while the +royalist party continued to employ it in good faith. + +Paul de Manerville acquitted himself gloriously of the obligations +imposed by his flowery title. It happened to him, as to many a +mediocre actor, that the day when the public granted him their full +attention he became, one may almost say, superior. Feeling at his +ease, he displayed the fine qualities which accompanied his defects. +His wit had nothing sharp or bitter in it; his manners were not +supercilious; his intercourse with women expressed the respect they +like,--it was neither too deferential, nor too familiar; his foppery +went no farther than a care for his personal appearance which made him +agreeable; he showed consideration for rank; he allowed young men a +certain freedom, to which his Parisian experience assigned due limits; +though skilful with sword and pistol, he was noted for a feminine +gentleness for which others were grateful. His medium height and +plumpness (which had not yet increased into obesity, an obstacle to +personal elegance) did not prevent his outer man from playing the part +of a Bordelais Brummell. A white skin tinged with the hues of health, +handsome hands and feet, blue eyes with long lashes, black hair, +graceful motions, a chest voice which kept to its middle tones and +vibrated in the listener's heart, harmonized well with his sobriquet. +Paul was indeed that delicate flower which needs such careful culture, +the qualities of which display themselves only in a moist and suitable +soil,--a flower which rough treatment dwarfs, which the hot sun burns, +and a frost lays low. He was one of those men made to receive +happiness, rather than to give it; who have something of the woman in +their nature, wishing to be divined, understood, encouraged; in short, +a man to whom conjugal love ought to come as a providence. + +If such a character creates difficulties in private life, it is +gracious and full of attraction for the world. Consequently, Paul had +great success in the narrow social circle of the provinces, where his +mind, always, so to speak, in half-tints, was better appreciated than +in Paris. + +The arrangement of his house and the restoration of the chateau de +Lanstrac, where he introduced the comfort and luxury of an English +country-house, absorbed the capital saved by the notary during the +preceding six years. Reduced now to his strict income of forty-odd +thousand a year, he thought himself wise and prudent in so regulating +his household as not to exceed it. + +After publicly exhibiting his equipages, entertaining the most +distinguished young men of the place, and giving various hunting +parties on the estate at Lanstrac, Paul saw very plainly that +provincial life would never do without marriage. Too young to employ +his time in miserly occupations, or in trying to interest himself in +the speculative improvements in which provincials sooner or later +engage (compelled thereto by the necessity of establishing their +children), he soon felt the need of that variety of distractions a +habit of which becomes at last the very life of a Parisian. A name to +preserve, property to transmit to heirs, social relations to be +created by a household where the principal families of the +neighborhood could assemble, and a weariness of all irregular +connections, were not, however, the determining reasons of his +matrimonial desires. From the time he first returned to the provinces +he had been secretly in love with the queen of Bordeaux, the great +beauty, Mademoiselle Evangelista. + +About the beginning of the century, a rich Spaniard, named +Evangelista, established himself in Bordeaux, where his letters of +recommendation, as well as his large fortune, gave him an entrance to +the salons of the nobility. His wife contributed greatly to maintain +him in the good graces of an aristocracy which may perhaps have +adopted him in the first instance merely to pique the society of the +class below them. Madame Evangelista, who belonged to the Casa-Reale, +an illustrious family of Spain, was a Creole, and, like all women +served by slaves, she lived as a great lady, knew nothing of the value +of money, repressed no whims, even the most expensive, finding them +ever satisfied by an adoring husband who generously concealed from her +knowledge the running-gear of the financial machine. Happy in finding +her pleased with Bordeaux, where his interests obliged him to live, +the Spaniard bought a house, set up a household, received in much +style, and gave many proofs of possessing a fine taste in all things. +Thus, from 1800 to 1812, Monsieur and Madame Evangelista were objects +of great interest to the community of Bordeaux. + +The Spaniard died in 1813, leaving his wife a widow at thirty-two +years of age, with an immense fortune and the prettiest little girl in +the world, a child of eleven, who promised to be, and did actually +become, a most accomplished young woman. Clever as Madame Evangelista +was, the Restoration altered her position; the royalist party cleared +its ranks and several of the old families left Bordeaux. Though the +head and hand of her husband were lacking in the direction of her +affairs, for which she had hitherto shown the indifference of a Creole +and the inaptitude of a lackadaisical woman, she was determined to +make no change in her manner of living. At the period when Paul +resolved to return to his native town, Mademoiselle Natalie +Evangelista was a remarkably beautiful young girl, and, apparently, +the richest match in Bordeaux, where the steady diminution of her +mother's capital was unknown. In order to prolong her reign, Madame +Evangelista had squandered enormous sums. Brilliant fetes and the +continuation of an almost regal style of living kept the public in its +past belief as to the wealth of the Spanish family. + +Natalie was now in her nineteenth year, but no proposal of marriage +had as yet reached her mother's ear. Accustomed to gratify her +fancies, Mademoiselle Evangelista wore cashmeres and jewels, and lived +in a style of luxury which alarmed all speculative suitors in a region +and at a period when sons were as calculating as their parents. The +fatal remark, "None but a prince can afford to marry Mademoiselle +Evangelista," circulated among the salons and the cliques. Mothers of +families, dowagers who had granddaughters to establish, young girls +jealous of Natalie, whose elegance and tyrannical beauty annoyed them, +took pains to envenom this opinion with treacherous remarks. When they +heard a possible suitor say with ecstatic admiration, as Natalie +entered a ball-room, "Heavens, how beautiful she is!" "Yes," the +mammas would answer, "but expensive." If some new-comer thought +Mademoiselle Evangelista bewitching and said to a marriageable man +that he couldn't do it better, "Who would be bold enough," some woman +would reply, "to marry a girl whose mother gives her a thousand francs +a month for her toilet,--a girl who has horses and a maid of her own, +and wears laces? Yes, her 'peignoirs' are trimmed with mechlin. The +price of her washing would support the household of a clerk. She wears +pelerines in the morning which actually cost six francs to get up." + +These, and other speeches said occasionally in the form of praise +extinguished the desires that some men might have had to marry the +beautiful Spanish girl. Queen of every ball, accustomed to flattery, +"blasee" with the smiles and the admiration which followed her every +step, Natalie, nevertheless, knew nothing of life. She lived as the +bird which flies, as the flower that blooms, finding every one about +her eager to do her will. She was ignorant of the price of things; she +knew neither the value of money, nor whence it came, how it should be +managed, and how spent. Possibly she thought that every household had +cooks and coachmen, lady's-maids and footmen, as the fields have hay +and the trees their fruits. To her, beggars and paupers, fallen trees +and waste lands seemed in the same category. Pampered and petted as +her mother's hope, no fatigue was allowed to spoil her pleasure. Thus +she bounded through life as a courser on his steppe, unbridled and +unshod. + +Six month's after Paul's arrival the Pink of Fashion and the Queen of +Balls met in presence of the highest society of the town of Bordeaux. +The two flowers looked at each other with apparent coldness, and +mutually thought each other charming. Interested in watching the +effects of the meeting, Madame Evangelista divined in the expression +of Paul's eyes the feelings within him, and she muttered to herself, +"He will be my son-in-law." Paul, on the other hand, said to himself, +as he looked at Natalie, "She will be my wife." + +The wealth of the Evangelistas, proverbial in Bordeaux, had remained +in Paul's mind as a memory of his childhood. Thus the pecuniary +conditions were known to him from the start, without necessitating +those discussions and inquiries which are as repugnant to a timid mind +as to a proud one. When some persons attempting to say to Paul a few +flattering phrases as to Natalie's manner, language, and beauty, +ending by remarks, cruelly calculated to deter him, on the lavish +extravagance of the Evangelistas, the Pink of Fashion replied with a +disdain that was well-deserved by such provincial pettiness. This +method of receiving such speeches soon silenced them; for he now set +the tone to the ideas and language as well as to the manners of those +about him. He had imported from his travels a certain development of +the Britannic personality with its icy barriers, also a tone of +Byronic pessimism as to life, together with English plate, boot- +polish, ponies, yellow gloves, cigars, and the habit of galloping. + +It thus happened that Paul escaped the discouragements hitherto +presented to marriageable men by dowagers and young girls. Madame +Evangelista began by asking him to formal dinners on various +occasions. The Pink of Fashion would not, of course, miss festivities +to which none but the most distinguished young men of the town were +bidden. In spite of the coldness that Paul assumed, which deceived +neither mother nor daughter, he was drawn, step by step, into the path +of marriage. Sometimes as he passed in his tilbury, or rode by on his +fine English horse, he heard the young men of his acquaintance say to +one another:-- + +"There's a lucky man. He is rich and handsome, and is to marry, so +they say, Mademoiselle Evangelista. There are some men for whom the +world seems made." + +When he met the Evangelistas he felt proud of the particular +distinction which mother and daughter imparted to their bows. If Paul +had not secretly, within his heart, fallen in love with Mademoiselle +Natalie, society would certainly have married him to her in spite of +himself. Society, which never causes good, is the accomplice of much +evil; then when it beholds the evil it has hatched maternally, it +rejects and revenges it. Society in Bordeaux, attributing a "dot" of a +million to Mademoiselle Evangelista, bestowed it upon Paul without +awaiting the consent of either party. Their fortunes, so it was said, +agreed as well as their persons. Paul had the same habits of luxury +and elegance in the midst of which Natalie had been brought up. He had +just arranged for himself a house such as no other man in Bordeaux +could have offered her. Accustomed to Parisian expenses and the +caprices of Parisian women, he alone was fitted to meet the pecuniary +difficulties which were likely to follow this marriage with a girl who +was as much of a Creole and a great lady as her mother. Where they +themselves, remarked the marriageable men, would have been ruined, the +Comte de Manerville, rich as he was, could evade disaster. In short, +the marriage was made. Persons in the highest royalist circles said a +few engaging words to Paul which flattered his vanity:-- + +"Every one gives you Mademoiselle Evangelista. If you marry her you +will do well. You could not find, even in Paris, a more delightful +girl. She is beautiful, graceful, elegant, and takes after the Casa- +Reales through her mother. You will make a charming couple; you have +the same tastes, the same desires in life, and you will certainly have +the most agreeable house in Bordeaux. Your wife need only bring her +night-cap; all is ready for her. You are fortunate indeed in such a +mother-in-law. A woman of intelligence, and very adroit, she will be a +great help to you in public life, to which you ought to aspire. +Besides, she has sacrificed everything to her daughter, whom she +adores, and Natalie will, no doubt, prove a good wife, for she loves +her mother. You must soon bring the matter to a conclusion." + +"That is all very well," replied Paul, who, in spite of his love, was +desirous of keeping his freedom of action, "but I must be sure that +the conclusion shall be a happy one." + +He now went frequently to Madame Evangelista's, partly to occupy his +vacant hours, which were harder for him to employ than for most men. +There alone he breathed the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury to which +he was accustomed. + +At forty years of age, Madame Evangelista was beautiful, with the +beauty of those glorious summer sunsets which crown a cloudless day. +Her spotless reputation had given an endless topic of conversation to +the Bordeaux cliques; the curiosity of the women was all the more +lively because the widow gave signs of the temperament which makes a +Spanish woman and a Creole particularly noted. She had black eyes and +hair, the feet and form of a Spanish woman,--that swaying form the +movements of which have a name in Spain. Her face, still beautiful, +was particularly seductive for its Creole complexion, the vividness of +which can be described only by comparing it to muslin overlying +crimson, so equally is the whiteness suffused with color. Her figure, +which was full and rounded, attracted the eye by a grace which united +nonchalance with vivacity, strength with ease. She attracted and she +imposed, she seduced, but promised nothing. She was tall, which gave +her at times the air and carriage of a queen. Men were taken by her +conversation like birds in a snare; for she had by nature that genius +which necessity bestows on schemes; she advanced from concession to +concession, strengthening herself with what she gained to ask for +more, knowing well how to retreat with rapid steps when concessions +were demanded in return. Though ignorant of facts, she had known the +courts of Spain and Naples, the celebrated men of the two Americas, +many illustrious families of England and the continent, all of which +gave her so extensive an education superficially that it seemed +immense. She received her society with the grace and dignity which are +never learned, but which come to certain naturally fine spirits like a +second nature; assimilating choice things wherever they are met. If +her reputation for virtue was unexplained, it gave at any rate much +authority to her actions, her conversation, and her character. + +Mother and daughter had a true friendship for each other, beyond the +filial and maternal sentiment. They suited one another, and their +perpetual contact had never produced the slightest jar. Consequently +many persons explained Madame Evangelista's actions by maternal love. +But although Natalie consoled her mother's persistent widowhood, she +may not have been the only motive for it. Madame Evangelista had been, +it was said, in love with a man who recovered his titles and property +under the Restoration. This man, desirous of marrying her in 1814 had +discreetly severed the connection in 1816. Madame Evangelista, to all +appearance the best-hearted woman in the world, had, in the depths of +her nature, a fearful quality, explainable only by Catherine de +Medici's device: "Odiate e aspettate"--"Hate and wait." Accustomed to +rule, having always been obeyed, she was like other royalties, +amiable, gentle, easy and pleasant in ordinary life, but terrible, +implacable, if the pride of the woman, the Spaniard, and the Casa- +Reale was touched. She never forgave. This woman believed in the power +of her hatred; she made an evil fate of it and bade it hover above her +enemy. This fatal power she employed against the man who had jilted +her. Events which seemed to prove the influence of her "jettatura"-- +the casting of an evil eye--confirmed her superstitious faith in +herself. Though a minister and peer of France, this man began to ruin +himself, and soon came to total ruin. His property, his personal and +public honor were doomed to perish. At this crisis Madame Evangelista +in her brilliant equipage passed her faithless lover walking on foot +in the Champes Elysees, and crushed him with a look which flamed with +triumph. This misadventure, which occupied her mind for two years, was +the original cause of her not remarrying. Later, her pride had drawn +comparisons between the suitors who presented themselves and the +husband who had loved her so sincerely and so well. + +She had thus reached, through mistaken calculations and disappointed +hopes, that period of life when women have no other part to take in +life than that of mother; a part which involves the sacrifice of +themselves to their children, the placing of their interests outside +of self upon another household,--the last refuge of human affections. + +Madame Evangelista divined Paul's nature intuitively, and hid her own +from his perception. Paul was the very man she desired for a son-in- +law, for the responsible editor of her future power. He belonged, +through his mother, to the family of Maulincour, and the old Baronne +de Maulincour, the friend of the Vidame de Pamiers, was then living in +the centre of the faubourg Saint-Germain. The grandson of the +baroness, Auguste de Maulincour, held a fine position in the army. +Paul would therefore be an excellent introducer for the Evangelistas +into Parisian society. The widow had known something of the Paris of +the Empire, she now desired to shine in the Paris of the Restoration. +There alone were the elements of political fortune, the only business +in which women of the world could decently co-operate. Madame +Evangelista, compelled by her husband's affairs to reside in Bordeaux, +disliked the place. She desired a wider field, as gamblers rush to +higher stakes. For her own personal ends, therefore, she looked to +Paul as a means of destiny, she proposed to employ the resources of +her own talent and knowledge of life to advance her son-in-law, in +order to enjoy through him the delights of power. Many men are thus +made the screens of secret feminine ambitions. Madame Evangelista had, +however, more than one interest, as we shall see, in laying hold of +her daughter's husband. + +Paul was naturally captivated by this woman, who charmed him all the +more because she seemed to seek no influence over him. In reality she +was using her ascendancy to magnify herself, her daughter, and all her +surroundings in his eyes, for the purpose of ruling from the start the +man in whom she saw a means of gratifying her social longings. Paul, +on the other hand, began to value himself more highly when he felt +himself appreciated by the mother and daughter. He thought himself +much cleverer than he really was when he found his reflections and +sayings accepted and understood by Mademoiselle Natalie--who raised +her head and smiled in response to them--and by the mother, whose +flattery always seemed involuntary. The two women were so kind and +friendly to him, he was so sure of pleasing them, they ruled him so +delightfully by holding the thread of his self-love, that he soon +passed all his time at the hotel Evangelista. + +A year after his return to Bordeaux, Comte Paul, without having +declared himself, was so attentive to Natalie that the world +considered him as courting her. Neither mother nor daughter appeared +to be thinking of marriage. Mademoiselle Evangelista preserved towards +Paul the reserve of a great lady who can make herself charming and +converse agreeably without permitting a single step into intimacy. +This reserve, so little customary among provincials, pleased Paul +immensely. Timid men are shy; sudden proposals alarm them. They +retreat from happiness when it comes with a rush, and accept +misfortune if it presents itself mildly with gentle shadows. Paul +therefore committed himself in his own mind all the more because he +saw no effort on Madame Evangelista's part to bind him. She fairly +seduced him one evening by remarking that to superior women as well as +men there came a period of life when ambition superseded all the +earlier emotions of life. + +"That woman is fitted," thought Paul, as he left her, "to advance me +in diplomacy before I am even made a deputy." + +If, in all the circumstances of life a man does not turn over and over +both things and ideas in order to examine them thoroughly under their +different aspects before taking action, that man is weak and +incomplete and in danger of fatal failure. At this moment Paul was an +optimist; he saw everything to advantage, and did not tell himself +than an ambitious mother-in-law might prove a tyrant. So, every +evening as he left the house, he fancied himself a married man, +allured his mind with its own thought, and slipped on the slippers of +wedlock cheerfully. In the first place, he had enjoyed his freedom too +long to regret the loss of it; he was tired of a bachelor's life, +which offered him nothing new; he now saw only its annoyances; whereas +if he thought at times of the difficulties of marriage, its pleasures, +in which lay novelty, came far more prominently before his mind. + +"Marriage," he said to himself, "is disagreeable for people without +means, but half its troubles disappear before wealth." + +Every day some favorable consideration swelled the advantages which he +now saw in this particular alliance. + +"No matter to what position I attain, Natalie will always be on the +level of her part," thought he, "and that is no small merit in a +woman. How many of the Empire men I've seen who suffered horribly +through their wives! It is a great condition of happiness not to feel +one's pride or one's vanity wounded by the companion we have chosen. A +man can never be really unhappy with a well-bred wife; she will never +make him ridiculous; such a woman is certain to be useful to him. +Natalie will receive in her own house admirably." + +So thinking, he taxed his memory as to the most distinguished women of +the faubourg Saint-Germain, in order to convince himself that Natalie +could, if not eclipse them, at any rate stand among them on a footing +of perfect equality. All comparisons were to her advantage, for they +rested on his own imagination, which followed his desires. Paris would +have shown him daily other natures, young girls of other styles of +beauty and charm, and the multiplicity of impressions would have +balanced his mind; whereas in Bordeaux Natalie had no rivals, she was +the solitary flower; moreover, she appeared to him at a moment when +Paul was under the tyranny of an idea to which most men succumb at his +age. + +Thus these reasons of propinquity, joined to reasons of self-love and +a real passion which had no means of satisfaction except by marriage, +led Paul on to an irrational love, which he had, however, the good +sense to keep to himself. He even endeavored to study Mademoiselle +Evangelista as a man should who desires not to compromise his future +life; for the words of his friend de Marsay did sometimes rumble in +his ears like a warning. But, in the first place, persons accustomed +to luxury have a certain indifference to it which misleads them. They +despise it, they use it; it is an instrument, and not the object of +their existence. Paul never imagined, as he observed the habits of +life of the two ladies, that they covered a gulf of ruin. Then, though +there may exist some general rules to soften the asperities of +marriage, there are none by which they can be accurately foreseen and +evaded. When trouble arises between two persons who have undertaken to +render life agreeable and easy to each other, it comes from the +contact of continual intimacy, which, of course, does not exist +between young people before they marry, and will never exist so long +as our present social laws and customs prevail in France. All is more +or less deception between the two young persons about to take each +other for life,--an innocent and involuntary deception, it is true. +Each endeavors to appear in a favorable light; both take a tone and +attitude conveying a more favorable idea of their nature than they are +able to maintain in after years. Real life, like the weather, is made +up of gray and cloudy days alternating with those when the sun shines +and the fields are gay. Young people, however, exhibit fine weather +and no clouds. Later they attribute to marriage the evils inherent in +life itself; for there is in man a disposition to lay the blame of his +own misery on the persons and things that surround him. + +To discover in the demeanor, or the countenance, or the words, or the +gestures of Mademoiselle Evangelista any indication that revealed the +imperfections of her character, Paul must have possessed not only the +knowledge of Lavater and Gall, but also a science in which there +exists no formula of doctrine,--the individual and personal science of +an observer, which, for its perfection, requires an almost universal +knowledge. Natalie's face, like that of most young girls, was +impenetrable. The deep, serene peace given by sculptors to the virgin +faces of Justice and Innocence, divinities aloof from all earthly +agitations, is the greatest charm of a young girl, the sign of her +purity. Nothing, as yet, has stirred her; no shattered passion, no +hope betrayed has clouded the placid expression of that pure face. Is +that expression assumed? If so, there is no young girl behind it. + +Natalie, closely held to the heart of her mother, had received, like +other Spanish women, an education that was solely religious, together +with a few instructions from her mother as to the part in life she was +called upon to play. Consequently, the calm, untroubled expression of +her face was natural. And yet it formed a casing in which the woman +was wrapped as the moth in its cocoon. Nevertheless, any man clever at +handling the scalpel of analysis might have detected in Natalie +certain indications of the difficulties her character would present +when brought into contact with conjugal or social life. Her beauty, +which was really marvellous, came from extreme regularity of feature +harmonizing with the proportions of the head and the body. This +species of perfection augurs ill for the mind; and there are few +exceptions to the rule. All superior nature is found to have certain +slight imperfections of form which become irresistible attractions, +luminous points from which shine vivid sentiments, and on which the +eye rests gladly. Perfect harmony expresses usually the coldness of a +mixed organization. + +Natalie's waist was round,--a sign of strength, but also the +infallible indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons +whose mind is neither keen nor broad. Her hands, like those of a Greek +statue, confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an +inclination for illogical domination, of willing for will's sake only. +Her eyebrows met,--a sign, according to some observers, which +indicates jealousy. The jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation +and leads to great things; that of small minds turns to hatred. The +"hate and wait" of her mother was in her nature, without disguise. Her +eyes were black apparently, though really brown with orange streaks, +contrasting with her hair, of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans, +called auburn in England, a color which often appears in the offspring +of persons of jet black hair, like that of Monsieur and Madame +Evangelista. The whiteness and delicacy of Natalie's complexion gave +to the contrast of color in her eyes and hair an inexpressible charm; +and yet it was a charm that was purely external; for whenever the +lines of a face are lacking in a certain soft roundness, whatever may +be the finish and grace of the details, the beauty therein expressed +is not of the soul. These roses of deceptive youth will drop their +leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years to see hardness and +dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the beauty of noble +qualities. + +Though the outlines of Natalie's face had something august about them, +her chin was slightly "empate,"--a painter's expression which will +serve to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would +only become manifest in after life. Her mouth, a trifle drawn in, +expressed a haughty pride in keeping with her hand, her chin, her +brows, and her beautiful figure. And--as a last diagnostic to guide +the judgment of a connoisseur--Natalie's pure voice, a most seductive +voice, had certain metallic tones. Softly as that brassy ring was +managed, and in spite of the grace with which its sounds ran through +the compass of the voice, that organ revealed the character of the +Duke of Alba, from whom the Casa-Reales were collaterally descended. +These indications were those of violent passions without tenderness, +sudden devotions, irreconcilable dislikes, a mind without +intelligence, and the desire to rule natural to persons who feel +themselves inferior to their pretensions. + +These defects, born of temperament and constitution, were buried in +Natalie like ore in a mine, and would only appear under the shocks and +harsh treatment to which all characters are subjected in this world. +Meantime the grace and freshness of her youth, the distinction of her +manners, her sacred ignorance, and the sweetness of a young girl, gave +a delicate glamour to her features which could not fail to mislead an +unthinking or superficial mind. Her mother had early taught her the +trick of agreeable talk which appears to imply superiority, replying +to arguments by clever jests, and attracting by the graceful +volubility beneath which a woman hides the subsoil of her mind, as +Nature disguises her barren strata beneath a wealth of ephemeral +vegetation. Natalie had the charm of children who have never known +what it is to suffer. She charmed by her frankness, and had none of +that solemn air which mothers impose on their daughters by laying down +a programme of behavior and language until the time comes when they +marry and are emancipated. She was gay and natural, like any young +girl who knows nothing of marriage, expects only pleasure from it, +replies to all objections with a jest, foresees no troubles, and +thinks she is acquiring the right to have her own way. + +How could Paul, who loved as men love when desire increases love, +perceive in a girl of this nature whose beauty dazzled him, the woman, +such as she would probably be at thirty, when observers themselves +have been misled by these appearances? Besides, if happiness might +prove difficult to find in a marriage with such a girl, it was not +impossible. Through these embryo defects shone several fine qualities. +There is no good quality which, if properly developed by the hand of +an able master, will not stifle defects, especially in a young girl +who loves him. But to render ductile so intractable a woman, the iron +wrist, about which de Marsay had preached to Paul, was needful. The +Parisian dandy was right. Fear, inspired by love is an infallible +instrument by which to manage the minds of women. Whoso loves, fears; +whoso fears is nearer to affection than to hatred. + +Had Paul the coolness, firmness, and judgment required for this +struggle, which an able husband ought not to let the wife suspect? Did +Natalie love Paul? Like most young girls, Natalie mistook for love the +first emotions of instinct and the pleasure she felt in Paul's +external appearance; but she knew nothing of the things of marriage +nor the demands of a home. To her, the Comte de Manerville, a rising +diplomatist, to whom the courts of Europe were known, and one of the +most elegant young men in Paris, could not seem, what perhaps he was, +an ordinary man, without moral force, timid, though brave in some +ways, energetic perhaps in adversity, but helpless against the +vexations and annoyances that hinder happiness. Would she, in after +years, have sufficient tact and insight to distinguish Paul's noble +qualities in the midst of his minor defects? Would she not magnify the +latter and forget the former, after the manner of young wives who know +nothing of life? There comes a time when wives will pardon defects in +the husband who spares her annoyances, considering annoyances in the +same category as misfortunes. What conciliating power, what wise +experience would uphold and enlighten the home of this young pair? +Paul and his wife would doubtless think they loved when they had +really not advanced beyond the endearments and compliments of the +honeymoon. Would Paul in that early period yield to the tyranny of his +wife, instead of establishing his empire? Could Paul say, "No?" All +was peril to a man so weak where even a strong man ran some risks. + +The subject of this Study is not the transition of a bachelor into a +married man,--a picture which, if broadly composed, would not lack the +attraction which the inner struggles of our nature and feelings give +to the commonest situations in life. The events and the ideas which +led to the marriage of Paul with Natalie Evangelista are an +introduction to our real subject, which is to sketch the great comedy +that precedes, in France, all conjugal pairing. This Scene, until now +singularly neglected by our dramatic authors, although it offers novel +resources to their wit, controlled Paul's future life and was now +awaited by Madame Evangelista with feelings of terror. We mean the +discussion which takes place on the subject of the marriage contract +in all families, whether noble or bourgeois, for human passions are as +keenly excited by small interests as by large ones. These comedies, +played before a notary, all resemble, more or less, the one we shall +now relate, the interest of which will be far less in the pages of +this book than in the memories of married persons. + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--FIRST DAY + +At the beginning of the winter of 1822, Paul de Manerville made a +formal request, through his great-aunt, the Baronne de Maulincour, for +the hand of Mademoiselle Natalie Evangelista. Though the baroness +never stayed more than two months in Medoc, she remained on this +occasion till the last of October, in order to assist her nephew +through the affair and play the part of a mother to him. After +conveying the first suggestions to Madame Evangelista the experienced +old woman returned to inform Paul of the results of the overture. + +"My child," she said, "the affair is won. In talking of property, I +found that Madame Evangelista gives nothing of her own to her +daughter. Mademoiselle Natalie's dowry is her patrimony. Marry her, my +dear boy. Men who have a name and an estate to transmit, a family to +continue, must, sooner or later, end in marriage. I wish I could see +my dear Auguste taking that course. You can now carry on the marriage +without me; I have nothing to give you but my blessing, and women as +old as I are out of place at a wedding. I leave for Paris to-morrow. +When you present your wife in society I shall be able to see her and +assist her far more to the purpose than now. If you had had no house +in Paris I would gladly have arranged the second floor of mine for +you." + +"Dear aunt," said Paul, "I thank you heartily. But what do you mean +when you say that the mother gives nothing of her own, and that the +daughter's dowry is her patrimony?" + +"The mother, my dear boy, is a sly cat, who takes advantage of her +daughter's beauty to impose conditions and allow you only that which +she cannot prevent you from having; namely, the daughter's fortune +from her father. We old people know the importance of inquiring +closely, What has he? What has she? I advise you therefore to give +particular instructions to your notary. The marriage contract, my dear +child, is the most sacred of all duties. If your father and your +mother had not made their bed properly you might now be sleeping +without sheets. You will have children, they are the commonest result +of marriage, and you must think of them. Consult Maitre Mathias our +old notary." + +Madame de Maulincour departed, having plunged Paul into a state of +extreme perplexity. His mother-in-law a sly cat! Must he struggle for +his interests in the marriage contract? Was it necessary to defend +them? Who was likely to attack them? + +He followed the advice of his aunt and confided the drawing-up of the +marriage contract to Maitre Mathias. But these threatened discussions +oppressed him, and he went to see Madame Evangelista and announce his +intentions in a state of rather lively agitation. Like all timid men, +he shrank from allowing the distrust his aunt had put into his mind to +be seen; in fact, he considered it insulting. To avoid even a slight +jar with a person so imposing to his mind as his future mother-in-law, +he proceeded to state his intentions with the circumlocution natural +to persons who dare not face a difficulty. + +"Madame," he said, choosing a moment when Natalie was absent from the +room, "you know, of course, what a family notary is. Mine is a worthy +old man, to whom it would be a sincere grief if he were not entrusted +with the drawing of my marriage contract." + +"Why, of course!" said Madame Evangelista, interrupting him, "but are +not marriage contracts always made by agreement of the notaries of +both families?" + +The time that Paul took to reply to this question was occupied by +Madame Evangelista in asking herself, "What is he thinking of?" for +women possess in an eminent degree the art of reading thoughts from +the play of countenance. She divined the instigations of the great- +aunt in the embarrassed glance and the agitated tone of voice which +betrayed an inward struggle in Paul's mind. + +"At last," she thought to herself, "the fatal day has come; the crisis +begins--how will it end? My notary is Monsieur Solonet," she said, +after a pause. "Yours, I think you said, is Monsieur Mathias; I will +invite them to dinner to-morrow, and they can come to an understanding +then. It is their business to conciliate our interests without our +interference; just as good cooks are expected to furnish good food +without instructions." + +"Yes, you are right," said Paul, letting a faint sigh of relief escape +from him. + +By a singular transposition of parts, Paul, innocent of all wrong- +doing, trembled, while Madame Evangelista, though a prey to the utmost +anxiety, was outwardly calm. + +The widow owed her daughter one-third of the fortune left by Monsieur +Evangelista,--namely, nearly twelve hundred thousand francs,--and she +knew herself unable to pay it, even by taking the whole of her +property to do so. She would therefore be placed at the mercy of a +son-in-law. Though she might be able to control Paul if left to +himself, would he, when enlightened by his notary, agree to release +her from rendering her account as guardian of her daughter's +patrimony? If Paul withdrew his proposals all Bordeaux would know the +reason and Natalie's future marriage would be made impossible. This +mother, who desired the happiness of her daughter, this woman, who +from infancy had lived honorably, was aware that on the morrow she +must become dishonest. Like those great warriors who fain would blot +from their lives the moment when they had felt a secret cowardice, she +ardently desired to cut this inevitable day from the record of hers. +Most assuredly some hairs on her head must have whitened during the +night, when, face to face with facts, she bitterly regretted her +extravagance as she felt the hard necessities of the situation. + +Among these necessities was that of confiding the truth to her notary, +for whom she sent in the morning as soon as she rose. She was forced +to reveal to him a secret defaulting she had never been willing to +admit to herself, for she had steadily advanced to the abyss, relying +on some chance accident, which never happened, to relieve her. There +rose in her soul a feeling against Paul, that was neither dislike, nor +aversion, nor anything, as yet, unkind; but HE was the cause of this +crisis; the opposing party in this secret suit; he became, without +knowing it, an innocent enemy she was forced to conquer. What human +being did ever yet love his or her dupe? Compelled to deceive and +trick him if she could, the Spanish woman resolved, like other women, +to put her whole force of character into the struggle, the dishonor of +which could be absolved by victory only. + +In the stillness of the night she excused her conduct to her own mind +by a tissue of arguments in which her pride predominated. Natalie had +shared the benefit of her extravagance. There was not a single base or +ignoble motive in what she had done. She was no accountant, but was +that a crime, a delinquency? A man was only too lucky to obtain a wife +like Natalie without a penny. Such a treasure bestowed upon him might +surely release her from a guardianship account. How many men had +bought the women they loved by greater sacrifices? Why should a man do +less for a wife than for a mistress? Besides, Paul was a nullity, a +man of no force, incapable; she would spend the best resources of her +mind upon him and open to him a fine career; he should owe his future +power and position to her influence; in that way she could pay her +debt. He would indeed be a fool to refuse such a future; and for what? +a few paltry thousands, more or less. He would be infamous if he +withdrew for such a reason. + +"But," she added, to herself, "if the negotiation does not succeed at +once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for +Natalie by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds +and furniture,--keeping only a small income for myself." + +When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,--as Richelieu +did at Brouage,--and holds in reserve a vigorous end, the resolution +becomes a lever which strengthens its immediate way. The thought of +this finale in case of failure comforted Madame Evangelista, who fell +asleep with all the more confidence as she remembered her assistance +in the coming duel. + +This was a young man named Solonet, considered the ablest notary in +Bordeaux; now twenty-seven years of age and decorated with the Legion +of honor for having actively contributed to the second return of the +Bourbons. Proud and happy to be received in the home of Madame +Evangelista, less as a notary than as belonging to the royalist +society of Bordeaux, Solonet had conceived for that fine setting sun +one of those passions which women like Madame Evangelista repulse, +although flattered and graciously allowing them to exist upon the +surface. Solonet remained therefore in a self-satisfied condition of +hope and becoming respect. Being sent for, he arrived the next morning +with the promptitude of a slave and was received by the coquettish +widow in her bedroom, where she allowed him to find her in a very +becoming dishabille. + +"Can I," she said, "count upon your discretion and your entire +devotion in a discussion which will take place in my house this +evening? You will readily understand that it relates to the marriage +of my daughter." + +The young man expended himself in gallant protestations. + +"Now to the point," she said. + +"I am listening," he replied, checking his ardor. + +Madame Evangelista then stated her position baldly. + +"My dear lady, that is nothing to be troubled about," said Maitre +Solonet, assuming a confident air as soon as his client had given him +the exact figures. "The question is how have you conducted yourself +toward Monsieur de Manerville? In this matter questions of manner and +deportment are of greater importance than those of law and finance." + +Madame Evangelista wrapped herself in dignity. The notary learned to +his satisfaction that until the present moment his client's relations +to Paul had been distant and reserved, and that partly from native +pride and partly from involuntary shrewdness she had treated the Comte +de Manerville as in some sense her inferior and as though it were an +honor for him to be allowed to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista. She +assured Solonet that neither she nor her daughter could be suspected +of any mercenary interests in the marriage; that they had the right, +should Paul make any financial difficulties, to retreat from the +affair to an illimitable distance; and finally, that she had already +acquired over her future son-in-law a very remarkable ascendancy. + +"If that is so," said Solonet, "tell me what are the utmost +concessions you are willing to make." + +"I wish to make as few as possible," she answered, laughing. + +"A woman's answer," cried Solonet. "Madame, are you anxious to marry +Mademoiselle Natalie?" + +"Yes." + +"And you want a receipt for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand +francs, for which you are responsible on the guardianship account +which the law obliges you to render to your son-in-law?" + +"Yes." + +"How much do you want to keep back?" + +"Thirty thousand a year, at least." + +"It is a question of conquer or die, is it?" + +"It is." + +"Well, then, I must reflect on the necessary means to that end; it +will need all our cleverness to manage our forces. I will give you +some instructions on my arrival this evening; follow them carefully, +and I think I may promise you a successful issue. Is the Comte de +Manerville in love with Mademoiselle Natalie?" he asked as he rose to +take leave. + +"He adores her." + +"That is not enough. Does he desire her to the point of disregarding +all pecuniary difficulties?" + +"Yes." + +"That's what I call having a lien upon a daughter's property," cried +the notary. "Make her look her best to-night," he added with a sly +glance. + +"She has a most charming dress for the occasion." + +"The marriage-contract dress is, in my opinion, half the battle," said +Solonet. + +This last argument seemed so cogent to Madame Evangelista that she +superintended Natalie's toilet herself, as much perhaps to watch her +daughter as to make her the innocent accomplice of her financial +conspiracy. + +With her hair dressed a la Sevigne and wearing a gown of white tulle +adorned with pink ribbons, Natalie seemed to her mother so beautiful +as to guarantee victory. When the lady's-maid left the room and Madame +Evangelista was certain that no one could overhear her, she arranged a +few curls on her daughter's head by way of exordium. + +"Dear child," she said, in a voice that was firm apparently, "do you +sincerely love the Comte de Manerville?" + +Mother and daughter cast strange looks at each other. + +"Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than +yesterday> Why have you thrown me with him?" + +"If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the +marriage?" + +"I should give it up--and I should not die of grief." + +"You do not love him, my dear," said the mother, kissing her +daughter's forehead. + +"But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?" + +"I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in +love with the husband." + +"I love him." + +"And you are right. He is a count; we will make him a peer of France +between us; nevertheless, there are certain difficulties." + +"Difficulties between persons who love each other? Oh, no. The heart +of the Pink of Fashion is too firmly planted here," she said, with a +pretty gesture, "to make the very slightest objection. I am sure of +that." + +"But suppose it were otherwise?" persisted Madame Evangelista. + +"He would be profoundly and forever forgotten," replied Natalie. + +"Good! You are a Casa-Reale. But suppose, though he madly loves you, +suppose certain discussions and difficulties should arise, not of his +own making, but which he must decide in your interests as well as in +mine--hey, Natalie, what then? Without lowering your dignity, perhaps +a little softness in your manner might decide him--a word, a tone, a +mere nothing. Men are so made; they resist a serious argument, but +they yield to a tender look." + +"I understand! a little touch to make my Favori leap the barrier," +said Natalie, making the gesture of striking a horse with her whip. + +"My darling! I ask nothing that resembles seduction. You and I have +sentiments of the old Castilian honor which will never permit us to +pass certain limits. Count Paul shall know our situation." + +"What situation?" + +"You would not understand it. But I tell you now that if after seeing +you in all your glory his look betrays the slightest hesitation,--and +I shall watch him,--on that instant I shall break off the marriage; I +will liquidate my property, leave Bordeaux, and go to Douai, to be +near the Claes. Madame Claes is our relation through the Temnincks. +Then I'll marry you to a peer of France, and take refuge in a convent +myself, that I may give up to you my whole fortune." + +"Mother, what am I to do to prevent such misfortunes?" cried Natalie. + +"I have never seen you so beautiful as you are now," replied her +mother. "Be a little coquettish, and all is well." + +Madame Evangelista left Natalie to her thoughts, and went to arrange +her own toilet in such a way that would bear comparison with that of +her daughter. If Natalie ought to make herself attractive to Paul she +ought, none the less, to inflame the ardor of her champion Solonet. +The mother and daughter were therefore under arms when Paul arrived, +bearing the bouquet which for the last few months he had daily offered +to his love. All three conversed pleasantly while awaiting the arrival +of the notaries. + +This day brought to Paul the first skirmish of that long and wearisome +warfare called marriage. It is therefore necessary to state the forces +on both sides, the position of the belligerent bodies, and the ground +on which they are about to manoeuvre. + +To maintain a struggle, the importance of which had wholly escaped +him, Paul's only auxiliary was the old notary, Mathias. Both were +about to be confronted, unaware and defenceless, by a most unexpected +circumstance; to be pressed by an enemy whose strategy was planned, +and driven to decide on a course without having time to reflect upon +it. Where is the man who would not have succumbed, even though +assisted by Cujas and Barthole? How should he look for deceit and +treachery where all seemed compliant and natural? What could old +Mathias do alone against Madame Evangelista, against Solonet, against +Natalie, especially when a client in love goes over to the enemy as +soon as the rising conflict threatens his happiness? Already Paul was +damaging his cause by making the customary lover's speeches, to which +his passion gave excessive value in the ears of Madame Evangelista, +whose object it was to drive him to commit himself. + +The matrimonial condottieri now about to fight for their clients, +whose personal powers were to be so vitally important in this solemn +encounter, the two notaries, on short, represent individually the old +and the new systems,--old fashioned notarial usage, and the new- +fangled modern procedure. + +Maitre Mathias was a worthy old gentleman sixty-nine years of age, who +took great pride in his forty years' exercise of the profession. His +huge gouty feet were encased in shoes with silver buckles, making a +ridiculous termination to legs so spindling, with knees so bony, that +when he crossed them they made you think of the emblems on a +tombstone. His puny little thighs, lost in a pair of wide black +breeches fastened with buckles, seemed to bend beneath the weight of a +round stomach and a torso developed, like that of most sedentary +persons, into a stout barrel, always buttoned into a green coat with +square tails, which no man could remember to have ever seen new. His +hair, well brushed and powdered, was tied in a rat's tail that lay +between the collar of his coat and that of his waistcoat, which was +white, with a pattern of flowers. With his round head, his face the +color of a vine-leaf, his blue eyes, a trumpet nose, a thick-lipped +mouth, and a double-chin, the dear old fellow excited, whenever he +appeared among strangers who did not know him, that satirical laugh +which Frenchmen so generously bestow on the ludicrous creations Dame +Nature occasionally allows herself, which Art delights in exaggerating +under the name of caricatures. + +But in Maitre Mathias, mind had triumphed over form; the qualities of +his soul had vanquished the oddities of his body. The inhabitants of +Bordeaux, as a rule, testified a friendly respect and a deference that +was full of esteem for him. The old man's voice went to their hearts +and sounded there with the eloquence of uprightness. His craft +consisted in going straight to the fact, overturning all subterfuge +and evil devices by plain questionings. His quick perception, his long +training in his profession gave him that divining sense which goes to +the depths of conscience and reads its secret thoughts. Though grave +and deliberate in business, the patriarch could be gay with the gaiety +of our ancestors. He could risk a song after dinner, enjoy all family +festivities, celebrate the birthdays of grandmothers and children, and +bury with due solemnity the Christmas log. He loved to send presents +at New Year, and eggs at Easter; he believed in the duties of a +godfather, and never deserted the customs which colored the life of +the olden time. Maitre Mathias was a noble and venerable relic of the +notaries, obscure great men, who gave no receipt for the millions +entrusted to them, but returned those millions in the sacks they were +delivered in, tied with the same twine; men who fulfilled their trusts +to the letter, drew honest inventories, took fatherly interest in +their clients, often barring the way to extravagance and dissipation, +--men to whom families confided their secrets, and who felt so +responsible for any error in their deeds that they meditated long and +carefully over them. Never during his whole notarial life, had any +client found reason to complain of a bad investment or an ill-placed +mortgage. His own fortune, slowly but honorably acquired, had come to +him as the result of a thirty years' practice and careful economy. He +had established in life fourteen of his clerks. Religious, and +generous in secret, Mathias was found whenever good was to be done +without remuneration. An active member on hospital and other +benevolent committees, he subscribed the largest sums to relieve all +sudden misfortunes and emergencies, as well as to create certain +useful permanent institutions; consequently, neither he nor his wife +kept a carriage. Also his word was felt to be sacred, and his coffers +held as much of the money of others as a bank; and also, we may add, +he went by the name of "Our good Monsieur Mathias," and when he died, +three thousand persons followed him to his grave. + +Solonet was the style of young notary who comes in humming a tune, +affects light-heartedness, declares that business is better done with +a laugh than seriously. He is the notary captain of the national +guard, who dislikes to be taken for a notary, solicits the cross of +the Legion of honor, keeps his cabriolet, and leaves the verification +of his deeds to his clerks; he is the notary who goes to balls and +theatres, buys pictures and plays at ecarte; he has coffers in which +gold is received on deposit and is later returned in bank-bills,--a +notary who follows his epoch, risks capital in doubtful investments, +speculates with all he can lay his hands on, and expects to retire +with an income of thirty thousand francs after ten years' practice; in +short, the notary whose cleverness comes of his duplicity, whom many +men fear as an accomplice possessing their secrets, and who sees in +his practice a means of ultimately marrying some blue-stockinged +heiress. + +When the slender, fair-haired Solonet, curled, perfumed, and booted +like the leading gentleman at the Vaudeville, and dressed like a dandy +whose most important business is a duel, entered Madame Evangelista's +salon, preceding his brother notary, whose advance was delayed by a +twinge of the gout, the two men presented to the life one of those +famous caricatures entitled "Former Times and the Present Day," which +had such eminent success under the Empire. If Madame and Mademoiselle +Evangelista to whom the "good Monsieur Mathias," was personally +unknown, felt, on first seeing him, a slight inclination to laugh, +they were soon touched by the old-fashioned grace with which he +greeted them. The words he used were full of that amenity which +amiable old men convey as much by the ideas they suggest as by the +manner in which they express them. The younger notary, with his +flippant tone, seemed on a lower plane. Mathias showed his superior +knowledge of life by the reserved manner with which he accosted Paul. +Without compromising his white hairs, he showed that he respected the +young man's nobility, while at the same time he claimed the honor due +to old age, and made it felt that social rights are natural. Solonet's +bow and greeting, on the contrary, expressed a sense of perfect +equality, which would naturally affront the pretensions of a man of +society and make the notary ridiculous in the eyes of a real noble. +Solonet made a motion, somewhat too familiar, to Madame Evangelista, +inviting her to a private conference in the recess of a window. For +some minutes they talked to each other in a low voice, giving way now +and then to laughter,--no doubt to lessen in the minds of others the +importance of the conversation, in which Solonet was really +communicating to his sovereign lady the plan of battle. + +"But," he said, as he ended, "will you have the courage to sell your +house?" + +"Undoubtedly," she replied. + +Madame Evangelista did not choose to tell her notary the motive of +this heroism, which struck him greatly. Solonet's zeal might have +cooled had he known that his client was really intending to leave +Bordeaux. She had not as yet said anything about that intention to +Paul, in order not to alarm him with the preliminary steps and +circumlocutions which must be taken before he entered on the political +life she planned for him. + +After dinner the two plenipotentiaries left the loving pair with the +mother, and betook themselves to an adjoining salon where their +conference was arranged to take place. A dual scene then followed on +this domestic stage: in the chimney-corner of the great salon a scene +of love, in which to all appearances life was smiles and joy; in the +other room, a scene of gravity and gloom, where selfish interests, +baldly proclaimed, openly took the part they play in life under +flowery disguises. + +"My dear master," said Solonet, "the document can remain under your +lock and key; I know very well what I owe to my old preceptor." +Mathias bowed gravely. "But," continued Solonet, unfolding the rough +copy of a deed he had made his clerk draw up, "as we are the oppressed +party, I mean the daughter, I have written the contract--which will +save you trouble. We marry with our rights under the rule of community +of interests; with general donation of our property to each other in +case of death without heirs; if not, donation of one-fourth as life +interest, and one-fourth in fee; the sum placed in community of +interests to be one-fourth of the respective property of each party; +the survivor to possess the furniture without appraisal. It's all as +simple as how d'ye do." + +"Ta, ta, ta, ta," said Mathias, "I don't do business as one sings a +tune. What are your claims?" + +"What are yours?" said Solonet. + +"Our property," replied Mathias, "is: the estate of Lanstrac, which +brings in a rental of twenty-three thousand francs a year, not +counting the natural products. Item: the farms of Grassol and Guadet, +each worth three thousand six hundred francs a year. Item: the +vineyard of Belle-Rose, yielding in ordinary years sixteen thousand +francs; total, forty-six thousand two hundred francs a year. Item: the +patrimonial mansion at Bordeaux taxed for nine hundred francs. Item: a +handsome house, between court and garden in Paris, rue de la +Pepiniere, taxed for fifteen hundred francs. These pieces of property, +the title-deeds of which I hold, are derived from our father and +mother, except the house in Paris, which we bought ourselves. We must +also reckon in the furniture of the two houses, and that of the +chateau of Lanstrac, estimated at four hundred and fifty thousand +francs. There's the table, the cloth, and the first course. What do +you bring for the second course and the dessert?" + +"Our rights," replied Solonet. + +"Specify them, my friend," said Mathias. "What do you bring us? Where +is the inventory of the property left by Monsieur Evangelista? Show me +the liquidation, the investment of the amount. Where is your capital? +--if there is any capital. Where is your landed property?--if you have +any. In short, let us see your guardianship account, and tell us what +you bring and what your mother will secure to us." + +"Does Monsieur le Comte de Manerville love Mademoiselle Evangelista?" + +"He wishes to make her his wife if the marriage can be suitably +arranged," said the old notary. "I am not a child; this matter +concerns our business, and not our feelings." + +"The marriage will be off unless you show generous feeling; and for +this reason," continued Solonet. "No inventory was made at the death +of our husband; we are Spaniards, Creoles, and know nothing of French +laws. Besides, we were too deeply grieved at our loss to think at such +a time of the miserable formalities which occupy cold hearts. It is +publicly well known that our late husband adored us, and that we +mourned for him sincerely. If we did have a settlement of accounts +with a short inventory attached, made, as one may say, by common +report, you can thank our surrogate guardian, who obliged us to +establish a status and assign to our daughter a fortune, such as it +is, at a time when we were forced to withdraw from London our English +securities, the capital of which was immense, and re-invest the +proceeds in Paris, where interests were doubled." + +"Don't talk nonsense to me. There are various ways of verifying the +property. What was the amount of your legacy tax? Those figures will +enable us to get at the total. Come to the point. Tell us frankly what +you received from the father's estate and how much remains of it. If +we are very much in love we'll see then what we can do." + +"If you are marrying us for our money you can go about your business. +We have claims to more than a million; but all that remains to our +mother is this house and furniture and four hundred odd thousand +francs invested about 1817 in the Five-per-cents, which yield about +forty-thousand francs a year." + +"Then why do you live in a style that requires one hundred thousand a +year at the least?" cried Mathias, horror-stricken. + +"Our daughter has cost us the eyes out of our head," replied Solonet. +"Besides, we like to spend money. Your jeremiads, let me tell you, +won't recover two farthings of the money." + +"With the fifty thousand francs a year which belong to Mademoiselle +Natalie you could have brought her up handsomely without coming to +ruin. But if you have squandered everything while you were a girl what +will it be when you are a married woman?" + +"Then drop us altogether," said Solonet. "The handsomest girl in +Bordeaux has a right to spend more than she has, if she likes." + +"I'll talk to my client about that," said the old notary. + +"Very good, old father Cassandra, go and tell your client that we +haven't a penny," thought Solonet, who, in the solitude of his study, +had strategically massed his forces, drawn up his propositions, manned +the drawbridge of discussion, and prepared the point at which the +opposing party, thinking the affair a failure, could suddenly be led +into a compromise which would end in the triumph of his client. + +The white dress with its rose-colored ribbons, the Sevigne curls, +Natalie's tiny foot, her winning glance, her pretty fingers constantly +employed in adjusting curls that needed no adjustment, these girlish +manoeuvres like those of a peacock spreading his tail, had brought +Paul to the point at which his future mother-in-law desired to see +him. He was intoxicated with love, and his eyes, the sure thermometer +of the soul, indicated the degree of passion at which a man commits a +thousand follies. + +"Natalie is so beautiful," he whispered to the mother, "that I can +conceive the frenzy which leads a man to pay for his happiness by +death." + +Madame Evangelista replied with a shake of her head:-- + +"Lover's talk, my dear count. My husband never said such charming +things to me; but he married me without a fortune and for thirteen +years he never caused me one moment's pain." + +"Is that a lesson you are giving me?" said Paul, laughing. + +"You know how I love you, my dear son," she answered, pressing his +hand. "I must indeed love you well to give you my Natalie." + +"Give me, give me?" said the young girl, waving a screen of Indian +feathers, "what are you whispering about me?" + +"I was telling her," replied Paul, "how much I love you, since +etiquette forbids me to tell it to you." + +"Why?" + +"I fear to say too much." + +"Ah! you know too well how to offer the jewels of flattery. Shall I +tell you my private opinion about you? Well, I think you have more +mind than a lover ought to have. To be the Pink of Fashion and a wit +as well," she added, dropping her eyes, "is to have too many +advantages: a man should choose between them. I fear too, myself." + +"And why?" + +"We must not talk in this way. Mamma, do you not think that this +conversation is dangerous inasmuch as the contract is not yet signed?" + +"It soon will be," said Paul. + +"I should like to know what Achilles and Nestor are saying to each +other in the next room," said Natalie, nodding toward the door of the +little salon with a childlike expression of curiosity. + +"They are talking of our children and our death and a lot of other +such trifles; they are counting our gold to see if we can keep five +horses in the stables. They are talking also of deeds of gift; but +there, I have forestalled them." + +"How so?" + +"Have I not given myself wholly to you?" he said, looking straight at +the girl, whose beauty was enhanced by the blush which the pleasure of +this answer brought to her face. + +"Mamma, how can I acknowledge so much generosity." + +"My dear child, you have a lifetime before you in which to return it. +To make the daily happiness of a home, is to bring a treasure into it. +I had no other fortune when I married." + +"Do you like Lanstrac?" asked Paul, addressing Natalie. + +"How could I fail to like the place where you were born?" she +answered. "I wish I could see your house." + +"OUR house," said Paul. "Do you not want to know if I shall understand +your tastes and arrange the house to suit you? Your mother had made a +husband's task most difficult; you have always been so happy! But +where love is infinite, nothing is impossible." + +"My dear children," said Madame Evangelista, "do you feel willing to +stay in Bordeaux after your marriage? If you have the courage to face +the people here who know you and will watch and hamper you, so be it! +But if you feel that desire for a solitude together which can hardly +be expressed, let us go to Paris were the life of a young couple can +pass unnoticed in the stream. There alone you can behave as lovers +without fearing to seem ridiculous." + +"You are quite right," said Paul, "but I shall hardly have time to get +my house ready. However, I will write to-night to de Marsay, the +friend on whom I can always count to get things done for me." + +At the moment when Paul, like all young men accustomed to satisfy +their desires without previous calculation, was inconsiderately +binding himself to the expenses of a stay in Paris, Maitre Mathias +entered the salon and made a sign to his client that he wished to +speak to him. + +"What is it, my friend?" asked Paul, following the old man to the +recess of a window. + +"Monsieur le comte," said the honest lawyer, "there is not a penny of +dowry. My advice is: put off the conference to another day, so that +you may gain time to consider your proper course." + +"Monsieur Paul," said Natalie, "I have a word to say in private to +you." + +Though Madame Evangelista's face was calm, no Jew of the middle ages +ever suffered greater torture in his caldron of boiling oil than she +was enduring in her violet velvet gown. Solonet had pledged the +marriage to her, but she was ignorant of the means and conditions of +success. The anguish of this uncertainty was intolerable. Possibly she +owed her safety to her daughter's disobedience. Natalie had considered +the advice of her mother and noted her anxiety. When she saw the +success of her own coquetry she was struck to the heart with a variety +of contradictory thoughts. Without blaming her mother, she was half- +ashamed of manoeuvres the object of which was, undoubtedly, some +personal game. She was also seized with a jealous curiosity which is +easily conceived. She wanted to find out if Paul loved her well enough +to rise above the obstacles that her mother foresaw and which she now +saw clouding the face of the old lawyer. These ideas and sentiments +prompted her to an action of loyalty which became her well. But, for +all that, the blackest perfidy could not have been as dangerous as her +present innocence. + +"Paul," she said in a low voice, and she so called him for the first +time, "if any difficulties as to property arise to separate us, +remember that I free you from all engagements, and will allow you to +let the blame of such a rupture rest on me." + +She put such dignity into this expression of her generosity that Paul +believed in her disinterestedness and in her ignorance of the strange +fact that his notary had just told to him. He pressed the young girl's +hand and kissed it like a man to whom love is more precious than +wealth. Natalie left the room. + +"Sac-a-papier! Monsieur le comte, you are committing a great folly," +said the old notary, rejoining his client. + +Paul grew thoughtful. He had expected to unite Natalie's fortune with +his own and thus obtain for his married life an income of one hundred +thousand francs a year; and however much a man may be in love he +cannot pass without emotion and anxiety from the prospect of a hundred +thousand to the certainty of forty-six thousand a year and the duty of +providing for a woman accustomed to every luxury. + +"My daughter is no longer here," said Madame Evangelista, advancing +almost regally toward her son-in-law and his notary. "May I be told +what is happening?" + +"Madame," replied Mathias, alarmed at Paul's silence, "an obstacle +which I fear will delay us has arisen--" + +At these words, Maitre Solonet issued from the little salon and cut +short the old man's speech by a remark which restored Paul's +composure. Overcome by the remembrance of his gallant speeches and his +lover-like behavior, he felt unable to disown them or to change his +course. He longed, for the moment, to fling himself into a gulf; +Solonet's words relieved him. + +"There is a way," said the younger notary, with an easy air, "by which +madame can meet the payment which is due to her daughter. Madame +Evangelista possesses forty thousand francs a year from an investment +in the Five-per-cents, the capital of which will soon be at par, if +not above it. We may therefore reckon it at eight hundred thousand +francs. This house and garden are fully worth two hundred thousand. On +that estimate, Madame can convey by the marriage contract the titles +of that property to her daughter, reserving only a life interest in it +--for I conclude that Monsieur le comte could hardly wish to leave his +mother-in-law without means? Though Madame has certainly run through +her fortune, she is still able to make good that of her daughter, or +very nearly so." + +"Women are most unfortunate in having no knowledge of business," said +Madame Evangelista. "Have I titles to property? and what are life- +interests?" + +Paul was in a sort of ecstasy as he listened to this proposed +arrangement. The old notary, seeing the trap, and his client with one +foot caught in it, was petrified for a moment, as he said to +himself:-- + +"I am certain they are tricking us." + +"If madame will follow my advice," said Solonet, "she will secure her +own tranquillity. By sacrificing herself in this way she may be sure +that no minors will ultimately harass her--for we never know who may +live and who may die! Monsieur le comte will then give due +acknowledgment in the marriage contract of having received the sum +total of Mademoiselle Evangelista's patrimonial inheritance." + +Mathias could not restrain the indignation which shone in his eyes and +flushed his face. + +"And that sum," he said, shaking, "is--" + +"One million, one hundred and fifty-six thousand francs according to +the document--" + +"Why don't you ask Monsieur le comte to make over 'hic et nunc' his +whole fortune to his future wife?" said Mathias. "It would be more +honest than what you now propose. I will not allow the ruin of the +Comte de Manerville to take place under my very eyes--" + +He made a step as if to address his client, who was silent throughout +this scene as if dazed by it; but he turned and said, addressing +Madame Evangelista:-- + +"Do not suppose, madame, that I think you a party to these ideas of my +brother notary. I consider you an honest woman and a lady who knows +nothing of business." + +"Thank you, brother notary," said Solonet. + +"You know that there can be no offence between you and me," replied +Mathias. "Madame," he added, "you ought to know the result of this +proposed arrangement. You are still young and beautiful enough to +marry again--Ah! madame," said the old man, noting her gesture, "who +can answer for themselves on that point?" + +"I did not suppose, monsieur," said Madame Evangelista, "that, after +remaining a widow for the seven best years of my life, and refusing +the most brilliant offers for my daughter's sake, I should be +suspected of such a piece of folly as marrying again at thirty-nine +years of age. If we were not talking business I should regard your +suggestion as an impertinence." + +"Would it not be more impertinent if I suggested that you could not +marry again?" + +"Can and will are separate terms," remarked Solonet, gallantly. + +"Well," resumed Maitre Mathias, "we will say nothing of your marriage. +You may, and we all desire it, live for forty-five years to come. Now, +if you keep for yourself the life-interest in your daughter's +patrimony, your children are laid on the shelf for the best years of +their lives." + +"What does that mean?" said the widow. "I don't understand being laid +on a shelf." + +Solonet, the man of elegance and good taste, began to laugh. + +"I'll translate it for you," said Mathias. "If your children are wise +they will think of the future. To think of the future means laying by +half our income, provided we have only two children, to whom we are +bound to give a fine education and a handsome dowry. Your daughter and +son-in-law will, therefore, be reduced to live on twenty thousand +francs a year, though each has spent fifty thousand while still +unmarried. But that is nothing. The law obliges my client to account, +hereafter, to his children for the eleven hundred and fifty-six +thousand francs of their mother's patrimony; yet he may not have +received them if his wife should die and madame should survive her, +which may very well happen. To sign such a contract is to fling one's +self into the river, bound hand and foot. You wish to make your +daughter happy, do you not? If she loves her husband, a fact which +notaries never doubt, she will share his troubles. Madame, I see +enough in this scheme to make her die of grief and anxiety; you are +consigning her to poverty. Yes, madame, poverty; to persons accustomed +to the use of one hundred thousand francs a year, twenty thousand is +poverty. Moreover, if Monsieur le comte, out of love for his wife, +were guilty of extravagance, she could ruin him by exercising her +rights when misfortunes overtook him. I plead now for you, for them, +for their children, for every one." + +"The old fellow makes a lot of smoke with his cannon," thought Maitre +Solonet, giving his client a look, which meant, "Keep on!" + +"There is one way of combining all interests," replied Madame +Evangelista, calmly. "I can reserve to myself only the necessary cost +of living in a convent, and my children can have my property at once. +I can renounce the world, if such anticipated death conduces to the +welfare of my daughter." + +"Madame," said the old notary, "let us take time to consider and +weigh, deliberately, the course we had best pursue to conciliate all +interests." + +"Good heavens! monsieur," cried Madame Evangelista, who saw defeat in +delay, "everything has already been considered and weighed. I was +ignorant of what the process of marriage is in France; I am a Spaniard +and a Creole. I did not know that in order to marry my daughter it was +necessary to reckon up the days which God may still grant me; that my +child would suffer because I live; that I do harm by living, and by +having lived! When my husband married me I had nothing but my name and +my person. My name alone was a fortune to him, which dwarfed his own. +What wealth can equal that of a great name? My dowry was beauty, +virtue, happiness, birth, education. Can money give those treasures? +If Natalie's father could overhear this conversation, his generous +soul would be wounded forever, and his happiness in paradise +destroyed. I dissipated, foolishly, perhaps, a few of his millions +without a quiver ever coming to his eyelids. Since his death, I have +grown economical and orderly in comparison with the life he encouraged +me to lead--Come, let us break this thing off! Monsieur de Manerville +is so disappointed that I--" + +No descriptive language can express the confusion and shock which the +words, "break off," introduced into the conversation. It is enough to +say that these four apparently well-bred persons all talked at once. + +"In Spain people marry in the Spanish fashion, or as they please; but +in France they marry according to French law, sensibly, and as best +they can," said Mathias. + +"Ah, madame," cried Paul, coming out of his stupefaction, "you mistake +my feelings." + +"This is not a matter of feeling," said the old notary, trying to stop +his client from concessions. "We are concerned now with the interests +and welfare of three generations. Have WE wasted the missing millions? +We are simply endeavoring to solve difficulties of which we are wholly +guiltless." + +"Marry us, and don't haggle," said Solonet. + +"Haggle! do you call it haggling to defend the interests of father and +mother and children?" said Mathias. + +"Yes," said Paul, continuing his remarks to Madame Evangelista, "I +deplore the extravagance of my youth, which does not permit me to stop +this discussion, as you deplore your ignorance of business and your +involuntary wastefulness. God is my witness that I am not thinking, at +this moment, of myself. A simple life at Lanstrac does not alarm me; +but how can I ask Mademoiselle Natalie to renounce her tastes, her +habits? Her very existence would be changed." + +"Where did Evangelista get his millions?" said the widow. + +"Monsieur Evangelista was in business," replied the old notary; "he +played in the great game of commerce; he despatched ships and made +enormous sums; we are simply a landowner, whose capital is invested, +whose income is fixed." + +"There is still a way to harmonize all interests," said Solonet, +uttering this sentence in a high falsetto tone, which silenced the +other three and drew their eyes and their attention upon himself. + +This young man was not unlike a skilful coachman who holds the reins +of four horses, and amuses himself by first exciting his animals and +then subduing them. He had let loose these passions, and then, in +turn, he calmed them, making Paul, whose life and happiness were in +the balance, sweat in his harness, as well as his own client, who +could not clearly see her way through this involved discussion. + +"Madame Evangelista," he continued, after a slight pause, "can resign +her investment in the Five-per-cents at once, and she can sell this +house. I can get three hundred thousand francs for it by cutting the +land into small lots. Out of that sum she can give you one hundred and +fifty thousand francs. In this way she pays down nine hundred thousand +of her daughter's patrimony, immediately. That, to be sure, is not all +that she owes her daughter, but where will you find, in France, a +better dowry?" + +"Very good," said Maitre Mathias; "but what, then, becomes of madame?" + +At this question, which appeared to imply consent, Solonet said, +softly, to himself, "Well done, old fox! I've caught you!" + +"Madame," he replied, aloud, "will keep the hundred and fifty thousand +francs remaining from the sale of the house. This sum, added to the +value of her furniture, can be invested in an annuity which will give +her twenty thousand francs a year. Monsieur le comte can arrange to +provide a residence for her under his roof. Lanstrac is a large house. +You have also a house in Paris," he went on, addressing himself to +Paul. "Madame can, therefore, live with you wherever you are. A widow +with twenty thousand francs a year, and no household to maintain, is +richer than madame was when she possessed her whole fortune. Madame +Evangelista has only this one daughter; Monsieur le comte is without +relations; it will be many years before your heirs attain their +majority; no conflict of interests is, therefore, to be feared. A +mother-in-law and a son-in-law placed in such relations will form a +household of united interests. Madame Evangelista can make up for the +remaining deficit by paying a certain sum for her support from her +annuity, which will ease your way. We know that madame is too generous +and too large-minded to be willing to be a burden on her children. In +this way you can make one household, united and happy, and be able to +spend, in your own right, one hundred thousand francs a year. Is not +that sum sufficient, Monsieur le comte, to enjoy, in all countries, +the luxuries of life, and to satisfy all your wants and caprices? +Believe me, a young couple often feel the need of a third member of +the household; and, I ask you, what third member could be so desirable +as a good mother?" + +"A little paradise!" exclaimed the old notary. + +Shocked to see his client's joy at this proposal, Mathias sat down on +an ottoman, his head in his hands, plunged in reflections that were +evidently painful. He knew well the involved phraseology in which +notaries and lawyers wrap up, intentionally, malicious schemes, and he +was not the man to be taken in by it. He now began, furtively, to +watch his brother notary and Madame Evangelista as they conversed with +Paul, endeavoring to detect some clew to the deep-laid plot which was +beginning to appear upon the surface. + +"Monsieur," said Paul to Solonet, "I thank you for the pains you take +to conciliate our interests. This arrangement will solve all +difficulties far more happily than I expected--if," he added, turning +to Madame Evangelista, "it is agreeable to you, madame; for I could +not desire anything that did not equally please you." + +"I?" she said; "all that makes the happiness of my children is joy to +me. Do not consider me in any way." + +"That would not be right," said Paul, eagerly. "If your future is not +honorably provided for, Natalie and I would suffer more than you would +suffer for yourself." + +"Don't be uneasy, Monsieur le comte," interposed Solonet. + +"Ah!" thought old Mathias, "they'll make him kiss the rod before they +scourge him." + +"You may feel quite satisfied," continued Solonet. "There are so many +enterprises going on in Bordeaux at this moment that investments for +annuities can be negotiated on very advantageous terms. After +deducting from the proceeds of the house and furniture the hundred and +fifty thousand francs we owe you, I think I can guarantee to madame +that two hundred and fifty thousand will remain to her. I take upon +myself to invest that sum in a first mortgage on property worth a +million, and to obtain ten per cent for it,--twenty-five thousand +francs a year. Consequently, we are marrying on nearly equal fortunes. +In fact, against your forty-six thousand francs a year, Mademoiselle +Natalie brings you forty thousand a year in the Five-per-cents, and +one hundred and fifty thousand in a round sum, which gives, in all, +forty-seven thousand francs a year." + +"That is evident," said Paul. + +As he ended his speech, Solonet had cast a sidelong glance at his +client, intercepted by Mathias, which meant: "Bring up your reserves." + +"But," exclaimed Madame Evangelista, in tones of joy that did not seem +to be feigned, "I can give Natalie my diamonds; they are worth, at +least, a hundred thousand francs." + +"We can have them appraised," said the notary. "This will change the +whole face of things. Madame can then keep the proceeds of her house, +all but fifty thousand francs. Nothing will prevent Monsieur le comte +from giving us a receipt in due form, as having received, in full, +Mademoiselle Natalie's inheritance from her father; this will close, +of course, the guardianship account. If madame, with Spanish +generosity, robs herself in this way to fulfil her obligations, the +least that her children can do is to give her a full receipt." + +"Nothing could be more just than that," said Paul. "I am simply +overwhelmed by these generous proposals." + +"My daughter is another myself," said Madame Evangelista, softly. + +Maitre Mathias detected a look of joy on her face when she saw that +the difficulties were being removed: that joy, and the previous +forgetfulness of the diamonds, which were now brought forward like +fresh troops, confirmed his suspicions. + +"The scene has been prepared between them as gamblers prepare the +cards to ruin a pigeon," thought the old notary. "Is this poor boy, +whom I saw born, doomed to be plucked alive by that woman, roasted by +his very love, and devoured by his wife? I, who have nursed these fine +estates for years with such care, am I to see them ruined in a single +night? Three million and a half to be hypothecated for eleven hundred +thousand francs these women will force him to squander!" + +Discovering thus in the soul of the elder woman intentions which, +without involving crime, theft, swindling, or any actually evil or +blameworthy action, nevertheless belonged to all those criminalities +in embryo, Maitre Mathias felt neither sorrow nor generous +indignation. He was not the Misanthrope; he was an old notary, +accustomed in his business to the shrewd calculations of worldly +people, to those clever bits of treachery which do more fatal injury +than open murder on the high-road committed by some poor devil, who is +guillotined in consequence. To the upper classes of society these +passages in life, these diplomatic meetings and discussions are like +the necessary cesspools where the filth of life is thrown. Full of +pity for his client, Mathias cast a foreseeing eye into the future and +saw nothing good. + +"We'll take the field with the same weapons," thought he, "and beat +them." + +At this moment, Paul, Solonet and Madame Evangelista, becoming +embarrassed by the old man's silence, felt that the approval of that +censor was necessary to carry out the transaction, and all three +turned to him simultaneously. + +"Well, my dear Monsieur Mathias, what do you think of it?" said Paul. + +"This is what I think," said the conscientious and uncompromising +notary. "You are not rich enough to commit such regal folly. The +estate of Lanstrac, if estimated at three per cent on its rentals, +represents, with its furniture, one million.; the farms of Grassol and +Guadet and your vineyard of Belle-Rose are worth another million; your +two houses in Bordeaux and Paris, with their furniture, a third +million. Against those three millions, yielding forty-seven thousand +francs a year, Mademoiselle Natalie brings eight hundred thousand +francs in the Five-per-cents, the diamonds (supposing them to be worth +a hundred thousand francs, which is still problematical) and fifty +thousand francs in money; in all, one million and fifty thousand +francs. In presence of such facts my brother notary tells you +boastfully that we are marrying equal fortunes! He expects us to +encumber ourselves with a debt of eleven hundred and fifty-six +thousand francs to our children by acknowledging the receipt of our +wife's patrimony, when we have actually received but little more than +a doubtful million. You are listening to such stuff with the rapture +of a lover, and you think that old Mathias, who is not in love, can +forget arithmetic, and will not point out the difference between +landed estate, the actual value of which is enormous and constantly +increasing, and the revenues of personal property, the capital of +which is subject to fluctuations and diminishment of income. I am old +enough to have learned that money dwindles and land augments. You have +called me in, Monsieur le comte, to stipulate for your interests; +either let me defend those interests, or dismiss me." + +"If monsieur is seeking a fortune equal in capital to his own," said +Solonet, "we certainly cannot give it to him. We do not possess three +millions and a half; nothing can be more evident. While you can boast +of your three overwhelming millions, we can only produce our poor one +million,--a mere nothing in your eyes, though three times the dowry of +an archduchess of Austria. Bonaparte received only two hundred and +fifty thousand francs with Maria-Louisa." + +"Maria-Louisa was the ruin of Bonaparte," muttered Mathias. + +Natalie's mother caught the words. + +"If my sacrifices are worth nothing," she cried, "I do not choose to +continue such a discussion; I trust to the discretion of Monsieur le +comte, and I renounce the honor of his hand for my daughter." + +According to the strategy marked out by the younger notary, this +battle of contending interests had now reached the point where victory +was certain for Madame Evangelista. The mother-in-law had opened her +heart, delivered up her property, and was therefore practically +released as her daughter's guardian. The future husband, under pain of +ignoring the laws of generous propriety and being false to love, ought +now to accept these conditions previously planned, and cleverly led up +to by Solonet and Madame Evangelista. Like the hands of a clock turned +by mechanism, Paul came faithfully up to time. + +"Madame!" he exclaimed, "is it possible you can think of breaking off +the marriage?" + +"Monsieur," she replied, "to whom am I accountable? To my daughter. +When she is twenty-one years of age she will receive my guardianship +account and release me. She will then possess a million, and can, if +she likes, choose her husband among the sons of the peers of France. +She is a daughter of the Casa-Reale." + +"Madame is right," remarked Solonet. "Why should she be more hardly +pushed to-day than she will be fourteen months hence? You ought not to +deprive her of the benefits of her maternity." + +"Mathias," cried Paul, in deep distress, "there are two sorts of ruin, +and you are bringing one upon me at this moment." + +He made a step towards the old notary, no doubt intending to tell him +that the contract must be drawn at once. But Mathias stopped that +disaster with a glance which said, distinctly, "Wait!" He saw the +tears in Paul's eyes,--tears drawn from an honorable man by the shame +of this discussion as much as by the peremptory speech of Madame +Evangelista, threatening rupture,--and the old man stanched them with +a gesture like that of Archimedes when he cried, "Eureka!" The words +"peer of France" had been to him like a torch in a dark crypt. + +Natalie appeared at this moment, dazzling as the dawn, saying, with +infantine look and manner, "Am I in the way?" + +"Singularly so, my child," answered her mother, in a bitter tone. + +"Come in, dear Natalie," said Paul, taking her hand and leading her to +a chair near the fireplace. "All is settled." + +He felt it impossible to endure the overthrow of their mutual hopes. + +"Yes, all can be settled," said Mathias, hastily interposing. + +Like a general who, in a moment, upsets the plans skilfully laid and +prepared by the enemy, the old notary, enlightened by that genius +which presides over notaries, saw an idea, capable of saving the +future of Paul and his children, unfolding itself in legal form before +his eyes. + +Maitre Solonet, who perceived no other way out of these irreconcilable +difficulties than the resolution with which Paul's love inspired him, +and to which this conflict of feelings and thwarted interests had +brought him, was extremely surprised at the sudden exclamation of his +brother notary. Curious to know the remedy that Mathias had found in a +state of things which had seemed to him beyond all other relief, he +said, addressing the old man:-- + +"What is it you propose?" + +"Natalie, my dear child, leave us," said Madame Evangelista. + +"Mademoiselle is not in the way," replied Mathias, smiling. "I am +going to speak in her interests as well as in those of Monsieur le +comte." + +Silence reigned for a moment, during which time everybody present, +oppressed with anxiety, awaited the allocution of the venerable notary +with unspeakable curiosity. + +"In these days," continued Maitre Mathias, after a pause, "the +profession of notary has changed from what it was. Political +revolutions now exert an influence over the prospects of families, +which never happened in former times. In those days existences were +clearly defined; so were rank and position--" + +"We are not here for a lecture on political ceremony, but to draw up a +marriage contract," said Solonet, interrupting the old man, +impatiently. + +"I beg you to allow me to speak in my turn as I see fit," replied the +other. + +Solonet turned away and sat down on the ottoman, saying, in a low +voice, to Madame Evangelista:-- + +"You will now hear what we call in the profession 'balderdash.'" + +"Notaries are therefore compelled to follow the course of political +events, which are now intimately connected with private interests. +Here is an example: formerly noble families owned fortunes that were +never shaken, but which the laws, promulgated by the Revolution, +destroyed, and the present system tends to reconstruct," resumed the +old notary, yielding to the loquacity of the "tabellionaris boa- +constrictor" (boa-notary). "Monsieur le comte by his name, his +talents, and his fortune is called upon to sit some day in the +elective Chamber. Perhaps his destiny will take him to the hereditary +Chamber, for we know that he has talent and means enough to fulfil +that expectation. Do you not agree with me, madame?" he added, turning +to the widow. + +"You anticipate my dearest hope," she replied. "Monsieur de Manerville +must be a peer of France, or I shall die of mortification." + +"Therefore all that leads to that end--" continued Mathias with a +cordial gesture to the astute mother-in-law. + +"--will promote my eager desire," she replied. + +"Well, then," said Mathias, "is not this marriage the proper occasion +on which to entail the estate and create the family? Such a course +would, undoubtedly, militate in the mind of the present government in +favor of the nomination of my client whenever a batch of appointments +is sent in. Monsieur le comte can very well afford to devote the +estate of Lanstrac (which is worth a million) to this purpose. I do +not ask that mademoiselle should contribute an equal sum; that would +not be just. But we can surely apply eight hundred thousand of her +patrimony to this object. There are two domains adjoining Lanstrac now +to be sold, which can be purchased for that sum, which will return in +rentals four and a half per cent. The house in Paris should be +included in the entail. The surplus of the two fortunes, if +judiciously managed, will amply suffice for the fortunes of the +younger children. If the contracting parties will agree to this +arrangement, Monsieur ought certainly to accept your guardianship +account with its deficiency. I consent to that." + +"Questa coda non e di questo gatto (That tail doesn't belong to that +cat)," murmured Madame Evangelista, appealing to Solonet. + +"There's a snake in the grass somewhere," answered Solonet, in a low +voice, replying to the Italian proverb with a French one. + +"Why do you make this fuss?" asked Paul, leading Mathias into the +adjoining salon. + +"To save you from being ruined," replied the old notary, in a whisper. +"You are determined to marry a girl and her mother who have already +squandered two millions in seven years; you are pledging yourself to a +debt of eleven hundred thousand francs to your children, to whom you +will have to account for the fortune you are acknowledging to have +received with their mother. You risk having your own fortune +squandered in five years, and to be left as naked as Saint-John +himself, besides being a debtor to your wife and children for enormous +sums. If you are determined to put your life in that boat, Monsieur le +comte, of course you can do as you choose; but at least let me, your +old friend, try to save the house of Manerville." + +"How is this scheme going to save it?" asked Paul. + +"Monsieur le comte, you are in love--" + +"Yes." + +"A lover is about as discreet as a cannon-ball; therefore, I shall not +explain. If you repeated what I should say, your marriage would +probably be broken off. I protect your love by my silence. Have you +confidence in my devotion?" + +"A fine question!" + +"Well, then, believe me when I tell you that Madame Evangelista, her +notary, and her daughter, are tricking us through thick and thin; they +are more than clever. Tudieu! what a sly game!" + +"Not Natalie," cried Paul. + +"I sha'n't put my fingers between the bark and the tree," said the old +man. "You want her, take her! But I wish you were well out of this +marriage, if it could be done without the least wrong-doing on your +part." + +"Why do you wish it?" + +"Because that girl will spend the mines of Peru. Besides, see how she +rides a horse,--like the groom of a circus; she is half emancipated +already. Such girls make bad wives." + +Paul pressed the old man's hand, saying, with a confident air of self- +conceit:-- + +"Don't be uneasy as to that! But now, at this moment, what am I to +do?" + +"Hold firm to my conditions. They will consent, for no one's apparent +interest is injured. Madame Evangelista is very anxious to marry her +daughter; I see that in her little game--Beware of her!" + +Paul returned to the salon, where he found his future mother-in-law +conversing in a low tone with Solonet. Natalie, kept outside of these +mysterious conferences, was playing with a screen. Embarrassed by her +position, she was thinking to herself: "How odd it is that they tell +me nothing of my own affairs." + +The younger notary had seized, in the main, the future effect of the +new proposal, based, as it was, on the self-love of both parties, into +which his client had fallen headlong. Now, while Mathias was more than +a mere notary, Solonet was still a young man, and brought into his +business the vanity of youth. It often happens that personal conceit +makes a man forgetful of the interests of his client. In this case, +Maitre Solonet, who would not suffer the widow to think that Nestor +had vanquished Achilles, advised her to conclude the marriage on the +terms proposed. Little he cared for the future working of the marriage +contract; to him, the conditions of victory were: Madame Evangelista +released from her obligations as guardian, her future secured, and +Natalie married. + +"Bordeaux shall know that you have ceded eleven hundred thousand +francs to your daughter, and that you still have twenty-five thousand +francs a year left," whispered Solonet to his client. "For my part, I +did not expect to obtain such a fine result." + +"But," she said, "explain to me why the creation of this entail should +have calmed the storm at once." + +"It relieves their distrust of you and your daughter. An entail is +unchangeable; neither husband nor wife can touch that capital." + +"Then this arrangement is positively insulting!" + +"No; we call it simply precaution. The old fellow has caught you in a +net. If you refuse to consent to the entail, he can reply: 'Then your +object is to squander the fortune of my client, who, by the creation +of this entail, is protected from all such injury as securely as if +the marriage took place under the "regime dotal."'" + +Solonet quieted his own scruples by reflecting: "After all, these +stipulations will take effect only in the future, by which time Madame +Evangelista will be dead and buried." + +Madame Evangelista contented herself, for the present, with these +explanations, having full confidence in Solonet. She was wholly +ignorant of law; considering her daughter as good as married, she +thought she had gained her end, and was filled with the joy of +success. Thus, as Mathias had shrewdly calculated, neither Solonet nor +Madame Evangelista understood as yet, to its full extent, this scheme +which he had based on reasons that were undeniable. + +"Well, Monsieur Mathias," said the widow, "all is for the best, is it +not?" + +"Madame, if you and Monsieur le comte consent to this arrangement you +ought to exchange pledges. It is fully understood, I suppose," he +continued, looking from one to the other, "that the marriage will only +take place on condition of creating an entail upon the estate of +Lanstrac and the house in the rue de la Pepiniere, together with eight +hundred thousand francs in money brought by the future wife, the said +sum to be invested in landed property? Pardon me the repetition, +madame; but a positive and solemn engagement becomes absolutely +necessary. The creation of an entail requires formalities, application +to the chancellor, a royal ordinance, and we ought at once to conclude +the purchase of the new estate in order that the property be included +in the royal ordinance by virtue of which it becomes inalienable. In +many families this would be reduced to writing, but on this occasion I +think a simple consent would suffice. Do you consent?" + +"Yes," replied Madame Evangelista. + +"Yes," said Paul. + +"And I?" asked Natalie, laughing. + +"You are a minor, mademoiselle," replied Solonet; "don't complain of +that." + +It was then agreed that Maitre Mathias should draw up the contract, +Maitre Solonet the guardianship account and release, and that both +documents should be signed, as the law requires some days before the +celebration of the marriage. After a few polite salutations the +notaries withdrew. + +"It rains, Mathias; shall I take you home?" said Solonet. "My +cabriolet is here." + +"My carriage is here too," said Paul, manifesting an intention to +accompany the old man. + +"I won't rob you of a moment's pleasure," said Mathias. "I accept my +friend Solonet's offer." + +"Well," said Achilles to Nestor, as the cabriolet rolled away, "you +have been truly patriarchal to-night. The fact is, those young people +would certainly have ruined themselves." + +"I felt anxious about their future," replied Mathias, keeping silent +as to the real motives of his proposition. + +At this moment the two notaries were like a pair of actors arm in arm +behind the stage on which they have played a scene of hatred and +provocation. + +"But," said Solonet, thinking of his rights as notary, "isn't it my +place to buy that land you mentioned? The money is part of our dowry." + +"How can you put property bought in the name of Mademoiselle +Evangelista into the creation of an entail by the Comte de +Manerville?" replied Mathias. + +"We shall have to ask the chancellor about that," said Solonet. + +"But I am the notary of the seller as well as of the buyer of that +land," said Mathias. "Besides, Monsieur de Manerville can buy in his +own name. At the time of payment we can make mention of the fact that +the dowry funds are put into it." + +"You've an answer for everything, old man," said Solonet, laughing. +"You were really surpassing to-night; you beat us squarely." + +"For an old fellow who didn't expect your batteries of grape-shot, I +did pretty well, didn't I?" + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Solonet. + +The odious struggle in which the material welfare of a family had been +so perilously near destruction was to the two notaries nothing more +than a matter of professional polemics. + +"I haven't been forty years in harness for nothing," remarked Mathias. +"Look here, Solonet," he added, "I'm a good fellow; you shall help in +drawing the deeds for the sale of those lands." + +"Thanks, my dear Mathias. I'll serve you in return on the very first +occasion." + +While the two notaries were peacefully returning homeward, with no +other sensations than a little throaty warmth, Paul and Madame +Evangelista were left a prey to the nervous trepidation, the quivering +of the flesh and brain which excitable natures pass through after a +scene in which their interests and their feelings have been violently +shaken. In Madame Evangelista these last mutterings of the storm were +overshadowed by a terrible reflection, a lurid gleam which she wanted, +at any cost, to dispel. + +"Has Maitre Mathias destroyed in a few minutes the work I have been +doing for six months?" she asked herself. "Was he withdrawing Paul +from my influence by filling his mind with suspicion during their +secret conference in the next room?" + +She was standing absorbed in these thoughts before the fireplace, her +elbow resting on the marble mantel-shelf. When the porte-cochere +closed behind the carriage of the two notaries, she turned to her +future son-in-law, impatient to solve her doubts. + +"This has been the most terrible day of my life," cried Paul, +overjoyed to see all difficulties vanish. "I know no one so downright +in speech as that old Mathias. May God hear him, and make me peer of +France! Dear Natalie, I desire this for your sake more than for my +own. You are my ambition; I live only in you." + +Hearing this speech uttered in the accents of the heart, and noting, +more especially, the limpid azure of Paul's eyes, whose glance +betrayed no thought of double meaning, Madame Evangelista's +satisfaction was complete. She regretted the sharp language with which +she had spurred him, and in the joy of success she resolved to +reassure him as to the future. Calming her countenance, and giving to +her eyes that expression of tender friendship which made her so +attractive, she smiled and answered:-- + +"I can say as much to you. Perhaps, dear Paul, my Spanish nature has +led me farther than my heart desired. Be what you are,--kind as God +himself,--and do not be angry with me for a few hasty words. Shake +hands." + +Paul was abashed; he fancied himself to blame, and he kissed Madame +Evangelista. + +"Dear Paul," she said with much emotion, "why could not those two +sharks have settled this matter without dragging us into it, since it +was so easy to settle?" + +"In that case I should not have known how grand and generous you can +be," replied Paul. + +"Indeed she is, Paul," cried Natalie, pressing his hand. + +"We have still a few little matters to settle, my dear son," said +Madame Evangelista. "My daughter and I are above the foolish vanities +to which so many persons cling. Natalie does not need my diamonds, but +I am glad to give them to her." + +"Ah! my dear mother, do you suppose that I will accept them?" + +"Yes, my child; they are one of the conditions of the contract." + +"I will not allow it; I will not marry at all," cried Natalie, +vehemently. "Keep those jewels which my father took such pride in +collecting for you. How could Monsieur Paul exact--" + +"Hush, my dear," said her mother, whose eyes now filled with tears. +"My ignorance of business compels me to a greater sacrifice than +that." + +"What sacrifice?" + +"I must sell my house in order to pay the money that I owe to you." + +"What money can you possibly owe to me?" she said; "to me, who owe you +life! If my marriage costs you the slightest sacrifice, I will not +marry." + +"Child!" + +"Dear Natalie, try to understand that neither I, nor your mother, nor +you yourself, require these sacrifices, but our children." + +"Suppose I do not marry at all?" + +"Do you not love me?" said Paul, tenderly. + +"Come, come, my silly child; do you imagine that a contract is like a +house of cards which you can blow down at will? Dear little ignoramus, +you don't know what trouble we have had to found an entail for the +benefit of your eldest son. Don't cast us back into the discussions +from which we have just escaped." + +"Why do you wish to ruin my mother?" said Natalie, looking at Paul. + +"Why are you so rich?" he replied, smiling. + +"Don't quarrel, my children, you are not yet married," said Madame +Evangelista. "Paul," she continued, "you are not to give either +corbeille, or jewels, or trousseau. Natalie has everything in +profusion. Lay by the money you would otherwise put into wedding +presents. I know nothing more stupidly bourgeois and commonplace than +to spend a hundred thousand francs on a corbeille, when five thousand +a year given to a young woman saves her much anxiety and lasts her +lifetime. Besides, the money for a corbeille is needed to decorate +your house in Paris. We will return to Lanstrac in the spring; for +Solonet is to settle my debts during the winter." + +"All is for the best," cried Paul, at the summit of happiness. + +"So I shall see Paris!" cried Natalie, in a tone that would justly +have alarmed de Marsay. + +"If we decide upon this plan," said Paul, "I'll write to de Marsay and +get him to take a box for me at the Bouffons and also at the Italian +opera." + +"You are very kind; I should never have dared to ask for it," said +Natalie. "Marriage is a very agreeable institution if it gives +husbands a talent for divining the wishes of their wives." + +"It is nothing else," replied Paul. "But see how late it is; I ought +to go." + +"Why leave so soon to-night?" said Madame Evangelista, employing those +coaxing ways to which men are so sensitive. + +Though all this passed on the best of terms, and according to the laws +of the most exquisite politeness, the effect of the discussion of +these contending interests had, nevertheless, cast between son and +mother-in-law a seed of distrust and enmity which was liable to sprout +under the first heat of anger, or the warmth of a feeling too harshly +bruised. In most families the settlement of "dots" and the deeds of +gift required by a marriage contract give rise to primitive emotions +of hostility, caused by self-love, by the lesion of certain +sentiments, by regret for the sacrifices made, and by the desire to +diminish them. When difficulties arise there is always a victorious +side and a vanquished one. The parents of the future pair try to +conclude the matter, which is purely commercial in their eyes, to +their own advantage; and this leads to the trickery, shrewdness, and +deception of such negotiations. Generally the husband alone is +initiated into the secret of these discussions, and the wife is kept, +like Natalie, in ignorance of the stipulations which make her rich or +poor. + +As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness of +his notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury. If +Madame Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united +household would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs +to spend. All his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would +be realized. + +"My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman," he thought, still +under the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored +to disperse the clouds raised by the discussion. "Mathias is mistaken. +These notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything. The harm +started from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a +clever game." + +While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during +the evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on +her victory. + +"Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?" said Natalie, following +Madame Evangelista into her bedroom. + +"Yes, love," replied the mother, "everything went well, according to +my wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing +me. Paul is a most easy-going man. Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we +must make his life prosperous. You will make him happy, and I will be +responsible for his political success. The Spanish ambassador used to +be a friend of mine, and I'll renew the relation--as I will with the +rest of my old acquaintance. Oh! you'll see! we shall soon be in the +very heart of Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us. You shall +have the pleasures, my dearest, and I the last occupation of +existence,--the game of ambition! Don't be alarmed when you see me +selling this house. Do you suppose we shall ever come back to live in +Bordeaux? no. Lanstrac? yes. But we shall spend all our winters in +Paris, where our real interests lie. Well, Natalie, tell me, was it +very difficult to do what I asked of you?" + +"My little mamma! every now and then I felt ashamed." + +"Solonet advises me to put the proceeds of this house into an +annuity," said Madame Evangelista, "but I shall do otherwise; I won't +take a penny of my fortune from you." + +"I saw you were all very angry," said Natalie. "How did the tempest +calm down?" + +"By an offer of my diamonds," replied Madame Evangelista. "Solonet was +right. How ably he conducted the whole affair. Get out my jewel-case, +Natalie. I have never seriously considered what my diamonds are worth. +When I said a hundred thousand francs I talked nonsense. Madame de +Gyas always declared that the necklace and ear-rings your father gave +me on our marriage day were worth at least that sum. My poor husband +was so lavish! Then my family diamond, the one Philip the Second gave +to the Duke of Alba, and which my aunt bequeathed to me, the +'Discreto,' was, I think, appraised in former times at four thousand +quadruples,--one of our Spanish gold coins." + +Natalie laid out upon her mother's toilet-table the pearl necklace, +the sets of jewels, the gold bracelets and precious stones of all +description, with that inexpressible sensation enjoyed by certain +women at the sight of such treasures, by which--so commentators on the +Talmud say--the fallen angels seduce the daughters of men, having +sought these flowers of celestial fire in the bowels of the earth. + +"Certainly," said Madame Evangelista, "though I know nothing about +jewels except how to accept and wear them, I think there must be a +great deal of money in these. Then, if we make but one household, I +can sell my plate, the weight of which, as mere silver, would bring +thirty thousand francs. I remember when we brought it from Lima, the +custom-house officers weighed and appraised it. Solonet is right, I'll +send to-morrow to Elie Magus. The Jew shall estimate the value of +these things. Perhaps I can avoid sinking any of my fortune in an +annuity." + +"What a beautiful pearl necklace!" said Natalie. + +"He ought to give it to you, if he loves you," replied her mother; +"and I think he might have all my other jewels reset and let you keep +them. The diamonds are a part of your property in the contract. And +now, good-night, my darling. After the fatigues of this day we both +need rest." + +The woman of luxury, the Creole, the great lady, incapable of +analyzing the results of a contract which was not yet in force, went +to sleep in the joy of seeing her daughter married to a man who was +easy to manage, who would let them both be mistresses of his home, and +whose fortune, united to theirs, would require no change in their way +of living. Thus having settled her account with her daughter, whose +patrimony was acknowledged in the contract, Madame Evangelista could +feel at her ease. + +"How foolish of me to worry as I did," she thought. "But I wish the +marriage were well over." + +So Madame Evangelista, Paul, Natalie, and the two notaries were +equally satisfied with the first day's result. The Te Deum was sung in +both camps,--a dangerous situation; for there comes a moment when the +vanquished side is aware of its mistake. To Madame Evangelista's mind, +her son-in-law was the vanquished side. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--SECOND DAY + +The next day Elie Magus (who happened at that time to be in Bordeaux) +obeyed Madame Evangelista's summons, believing, from general rumor as +to the marriage of Comte Paul with Mademoiselle Natalie, that it +concerned a purchase of jewels for the bride. The Jew was, therefore, +astonished when he learned that, on the contrary, he was sent for to +estimate the value of the mother-in-law's property. The instinct of +his race, as well as certain insidious questions, made him aware that +the value of the diamonds was included in the marriage-contract. The +stones were not to be sold, and yet he was to estimate them as if some +private person were buying them from a dealer. Jewellers alone know +how to distinguish between the diamonds of Asia and those of Brazil. +The stones of Golconda and Visapur are known by a whiteness and +glittering brilliancy which others have not,--the water of the +Brazilian diamonds having a yellow tinge which reduces their selling +value. Madame Evangelista's necklace and ear-rings, being composed +entirely of Asiatic diamonds, were valued by Elie Magus at two hundred +and fifty thousand francs. As for the "Discreto," he pronounced it one +of the finest diamonds in the possession of private persons; it was +known to the trade and valued at one hundred thousand francs. On +hearing this estimate, which proved to her the lavishness of her +husband, Madame Evangelista asked the old Jew whether she should be +able to obtain that money immediately. + +"Madame," replied the Jew, "if you wish to sell I can give you only +seventy-five thousand for the brilliant, and one hundred and sixty +thousand for the necklace and earrings." + +"Why such reduction?" + +"Madame," replied Magus, "the finer the diamond, the longer we keep it +unsold. The rarity of such investments is one reason for the high +value set upon precious stones. As the merchant cannot lose the +interest of his money, this additional sum, joined to the rise and +fall to which such merchandise is subject, explains the difference +between the price of purchase and the price of sale. By owning these +diamonds you have lost the interest on three hundred thousand francs +for twenty years. If you wear your jewels ten times a year, it costs +you three thousand francs each evening to put them on. How many +beautiful gowns you could buy with that sum. Those who own diamonds +are, therefore, very foolish; but, luckily for us, women are never +willing to understand the calculation." + +"I thank you for explaining it to me, and I shall profit by it." + +"Do you wish to sell?" asked Magus, eagerly. + +"What are the other jewels worth?" + +The Jew examined the gold of the settings, held the pearls to the +light, scrutinized the rubies, the diadems, clasps, bracelets, and +chains, and said, in a mumbling tone:-- + +"A good many Portuguese diamonds from Brazil are among them. They are +not worth more than a hundred thousand to me. But," he added, "a +dealer would sell them to a customer for one hundred and fifty +thousand, at least." + +"I shall keep them," said Madame Evangelista. + +"You are wrong," replied Elie Magus. "With the income from the sum +they represent you could buy just as fine diamonds in five years, and +have the capital to boot." + +This singular conference became known, and corroborated certain rumors +excited by the discussion of the contract. The servants of the house, +overhearing high voices, supposed the difficulties greater than they +really were. Their gossip with other valets spread the information, +which from the lower regions rose to the ears of the masters. The +attention of society, and of the town in general, became so fixed on +the marriage of two persons equally rich and well-born, that every +one, great and small, busied themselves about the matter, and in less +than a week the strangest rumors were bruited about. + +"Madame Evangelista sells her house; she must be ruined. She offered +her diamonds to Elie Magus. Nothing is really settled between herself +and the Comte de Manerville. Is it probable that the marriage will +ever take place?" + +To this question some answered yes, and others said no. The two +notaries, when questioned, denied these calumnies, and declared that +the difficulties arose only from the official delay in constituting +the entail. But when public opinion has taken a trend in one direction +it is very difficult to turn it back. Though Paul went every day to +Madame Evangelista's house, and though the notaries denied these +assertions continually, the whispered calumny went on. Young girls, +and their mothers and aunts, vexed at a marriage they had dreamed of +for themselves or for their families, could not forgive the Spanish +ladies for their happiness, as authors cannot forgive each other for +their success. A few persons revenged themselves for the twenty-years +luxury and grandeur of the family of Evangelista, which had lain +heavily on their self-love. A leading personage at the prefecture +declared that the notaries could have chosen no other language and +followed no other conduct in the case of a rupture. The time actually +required for the establishment of the entail confirmed the suspicions +of the Bordeaux provincials. + +"They will keep the ball going through the winter; then, in the +spring, they will go to some watering-place, and we shall learn before +the year is out that the marriage is off." + +"And, of course, we shall be given to understand," said others, "for +the sake of the honor of the two families, that the difficulties did +not come from either side, but the chancellor refused to consent; you +may be sure it will be some quibble about that entail which will cause +the rupture." + +"Madame Evangelista," some said, "lived in a style that the mines of +Valencia couldn't meet. When the time came to melt the bell, and pay +the daughter's patrimony, nothing would be found to pay it with." + +The occasion was excellent to add up the spendings of the handsome +widow and prove, categorically, her ruin. Rumors were so rife that +bets were made for and against the marriage. By the laws of worldly +jurisprudence this gossip was not allowed to reach the ears of the +parties concerned. No one was enemy or friend enough to Paul or to +Madame Evangelista to inform either of what was being said. Paul had +some business at Lanstrac, and used the occasion to make a hunting- +party for several of the young men of Bordeaux,--a sort of farewell, +as it were, to his bachelor life. This hunting party was accepted by +society as a signal confirmation of public suspicion. + +When this event occurred, Madame de Gyas, who had a daughter to marry, +thought it high time to sound the matter, and to condole, with joyful +heart, the blow received by the Evangelistas. Natalie and her mother +were somewhat surprised to see the lengthened face of the marquise, +and they asked at once if anything distressing had happened to her. + +"Can it be," she replied, "that you are ignorant of the rumors that +are circulating? Though I think them false myself, I have come to +learn the truth in order to stop this gossip, at any rate among the +circle of my own friends. To be the dupes or the accomplices of such +an error is too false a position for true friends to occupy." + +"But what is it? what has happened?" asked mother and daughter. + +Madame de Gyas thereupon allowed herself the happiness of repeating +all the current gossip, not sparing her two friends a single stab. +Natalie and Madame Evangelista looked at each other and laughed, but +they fully understood the meaning of the tale and the motives of their +friend. The Spanish lady took her revenge very much as Celimene took +hers on Arsinoe. + +"My dear, are you ignorant--you who know the provinces so well--can +you be ignorant of what a mother is capable when she has on her hands +a daughter whom she cannot marry for want of 'dot' and lovers, want of +beauty, want of mind, and, sometimes, want of everything? Why, a +mother in that position would rob a diligence or commit a murder, or +wait for a man at the corner of a street--she would sacrifice herself +twenty times over, if she was a mother at all. Now, as you and I both +know, there are many such in that situation in Bordeaux, and no doubt +they attribute to us their own thoughts and actions. Naturalists have +depicted the habits and customs of many ferocious animals, but they +have forgotten the mother and daughter in quest of a husband. Such +women are hyenas, going about, as the Psalmist says, seeking whom they +may devour, and adding to the instinct of the brute the intellect of +man, and the genius of woman. I can understand that those little +spiders, Mademoiselle de Belor, Mademoiselle de Trans, and others, +after working so long at their webs without catching a fly, without so +much as hearing a buzz, should be furious; I can even forgive their +spiteful speeches. But that you, who can marry your daughter when you +please, you, who are rich and titled, you who have nothing of the +provincial about you, whose daughter is clever and possesses fine +qualities, with beauty and the power to choose--that you, so +distinguished from the rest by your Parisian grace, should have paid +the least heed to this talk does really surprise me. Am I bound to +account to the public for the marriage stipulations which our notaries +think necessary under the political circumstances of my son-in-law's +future life? Has the mania for public discussion made its way into +families? Ought I to convoke in writing the fathers and mothers of the +province to come here and give their vote on the clauses of our +marriage contract?" + +A torrent of epigram flowed over Bordeaux. Madame Evangelista was +about to leave the city, and could safely scan her friends and +enemies, caricature them and lash them as she pleased, with nothing to +fear in return. Accordingly, she now gave vent to her secret +observations and her latent dislikes as she sought for the reason why +this or that person denied the shining of the sun at mid-day. + +"But, my dear," said the Marquise de Gyas, "this stay of the count at +Lanstrac, these parties given to young men under such circumstances--" + +"Ah! my dear," said the great lady, interrupting the marquise, "do you +suppose that we adopt the pettiness of bourgeois customs? Is Count +Paul held in bonds like a man who might seek to get away? Think you we +ought to watch him with a squad of gendarmes lest some provincial +conspiracy should get him away from us?" + +"Be assured, my dearest friend, that it gives me the greatest pleasure +to--" + +Here her words were interrupted by a footman who entered the room to +announce Paul. Like many lovers, Paul thought it charming to ride +twelve miles to spend an hour with Natalie. He had left his friends +while hunting, and came in booted and spurred, and whip in hand. + +"Dear Paul," said Natalie, "you don't know what an answer you are +giving to madame." + +When Paul heard of the gossip that was current in Bordeaux, he laughed +instead of being angry. + +"These worthy people have found out, perhaps, that there will be no +wedding festivities, according to provincial usages, no marriage at +mid-day in the church, and they are furious. Well, my dear mother," he +added, kissing her hand, "let us pacify them with a ball on the day +when we sign the contract, just as the government flings a fete to the +people in the great square of the Champs-Elysees, and we will give our +dear friends the dolorous pleasure of signing a marriage-contract such +as they have seldom heard of in the provinces." + +This little incident proved of great importance. Madame Evangelista +invited all Bordeaux to witness the signature of the contract, and +showed her intention of displaying in this last fete a luxury which +should refute the foolish lies of the community. + +The preparations for this event required over a month, and it was +called the fete of the camellias. Immense quantities of that beautiful +flower were massed on the staircase, and in the antechamber and +supper-room. During this month the formalities for constituting the +entail were concluded in Paris; the estates adjoining Lanstrac were +purchased, the banns were published, and all doubts finally +dissipated. Friends and enemies thought only of preparing their +toilets for the coming fete. + +The time occupied by these events obscured the difficulties raised by +the first discussion, and swept into oblivion the words and arguments +of that stormy conference. Neither Paul nor his mother-in-law +continued to think of them. Were they not, after all, as Madame +Evangelista had said, the affair of the two notaries? + +But--to whom has it never happened, when life is in its fullest flow, +to be suddenly changed by the voice of memory, raised, perhaps, too +late, reminding us of some important new fact, some threatened danger? +On the morning of the day when the contract was to be signed and the +fete given, one of these flashes of the soul illuminated the mind of +Madame Evangelista during the semi-somnolence of her waking hour. The +words that she herself had uttered at the moment when Mathias acceded +to Solonet's conditions, "Questa coda non e di questo gatto," were +cried aloud in her mind by that voice of memory. In spite of her +incapacity for business, Madame Evangelista's shrewdness told her:-- + +"If so clever a notary as Mathias was pacified, it must have been that +he saw compensation at the cost of SOME ONE." + +That some one could not be Paul, as she had blindly hoped. Could it be +that her daughter's fortune was to pay the costs of war? She resolved +to demand explanations on the tenor of the contract, not reflecting on +the course she would have to take in case she found her interests +seriously compromised. This day had so powerful an influence on Paul +de Manerville's conjugal life that it is necessary to explain certain +of the external circumstances which accompanied it. + +Madame Evangelista had shrunk from no expense for this dazzling fete. +The court-yard was gravelled and converted into a tent, and filled +with shrubs, although it was winter. The camellias, of which so much +had been said from Angouleme to Dax, were banked on the staircase and +in the vestibules. Wall partitions had disappeared to enlarge the +supper-room and the ball-room where the dancing was to be. Bordeaux, a +city famous for the luxury of colonial fortunes, was on a tiptoe of +expectation for this scene of fairyland. About eight o'clock, as the +last discussion of the contract was taking place within the house, the +inquisitive populace, anxious to see the ladies in full dress getting +out of their carriages, formed in two hedges on either side of the +porte-cochere. Thus the sumptuous atmosphere of a fete acted upon all +minds at the moment when the contract was being signed, illuminating +colored lamps lighted up the shrubs, and the wheels of the arriving +guests echoed from the court-yard. The two notaries had dined with the +bridal pair and their mother. Mathias's head-clerk, whose business it +was to receive the signatures of the guests during the evening (taking +due care that the contract was not surreptitiously read by the +signers), was also present at the dinner. + +No bridal toilet was ever comparable with that of Natalie, whose +beauty, decked with laces and satin, her hair coquettishly falling in +a myriad of curls about her throat, resembled that of a flower encased +in its foliage. Madame Evangelista, robed in a gown of cherry velvet, +a color judiciously chosen to heighten the brilliancy of her skin and +her black hair and eyes, glowed with the beauty of a woman at forty, +and wore her pearl necklace, clasped with the "Discreto," a visible +contradiction to the late calumnies. + +To fully explain this scene, it is necessary to say that Paul and +Natalie sat together on a sofa beside the fireplace and paid no +attention to the reading of the documents. Equally childish and +equally happy, regarding life as a cloudless sky, rich, young, and +loving, they chattered to each other in a low voice, sinking into +whispers. Arming his love with the presence of legality, Paul took +delight in kissing the tips of Natalie's fingers, in lightly touching +her snowy shoulders and the waving curls of her hair, hiding from the +eyes of others these joys of illegal emancipation. Natalie played with +a screen of peacock's feathers given to her by Paul,--a gift which is +to love, according to superstitious belief in certain countries, as +dangerous an omen as the gift of scissors or other cutting +instruments, which recall, no doubt, the Parces of antiquity. + +Seated beside the two notaries, Madame Evangelista gave her closest +attention to the reading of the documents. After listening to the +guardianship account, most ably written out by Solonet, in which +Natalie's share of the three million and more francs left by Monsieur +Evangelista was shown to be the much-debated eleven hundred and fifty- +six thousand, Madame Evangelista said to the heedless young couple:-- + +"Come, listen, listen, my children; this is your marriage contract." + +The clerk drank a glass of iced-water, Solonet and Mathias blew their +noses, Paul and Natalie looked at the four personages before them, +listened to the preamble, and returned to their chatter. The statement +of the property brought by each party; the general deed of gift in the +event of death without issue; the deed of gift of one-fourth in life- +interest and one-fourth in capital without interest, allowed by the +Code, whatever be the number of the children; the constitution of a +common fund for husband and wife; the settlement of the diamonds on +the wife, the library and horses on the husband, were duly read and +passed without observations. Then followed the constitution of the +entail. When all was read and nothing remained but to sign the +contract, Madame Evangelista demanded to know what would be the +ultimate effect of the entail. + +"An entail, madam," replied Solonet, "means an inalienable right to +the inheritance of certain property belonging to both husband and +wife, which is settled from generation to generation on the eldest son +of the house, without, however, depriving him of his right to share in +the division of the rest of the property." + +"What will be the effect of this on my daughter's rights?" + +Maitre Mathias, incapable of disguising the truth, replied:-- + +"Madame, an entail being an appanage, or portion of property set aside +for this purpose from the fortunes of husband and wife, it follows +that if the wife dies first, leaving several children, one of them a +son, Monsieur de Manerville will owe those children three hundred and +sixty thousand francs only, from which he will deduct his fourth in +life-interest and his fourth in capital. Thus his debt to those +children will be reduced to one hundred and sixty thousand francs, or +thereabouts, exclusive of his savings and profits from the common fund +constituted for husband and wife. If, on the contrary, he dies first, +leaving a male heir, Madame de Manerville has a right to three hundred +and sixty thousand francs only, and to her deeds of gift of such of +her husband's property as is not included in the entail, to the +diamonds now settled upon her, and to her profits and savings from the +common fund." + +The effect of Maitre Mathias's astute and far-sighted policy were now +plainly seen. + +"My daughter is ruined," said Madame Evangelista in a low voice. + +The old and the young notary both overheard the words. + +"Is it ruin," replied Mathias, speaking gently, "to constitute for her +family an indestructible fortune?" + +The younger notary, seeing the expression of his client's face, +thought it judicious in him to state the disaster in plain terms. + +"We tried to trick them out of three hundred thousand francs," he +whispered to the angry woman. "They have actually laid hold of eight +hundred thousand; it is a loss of four hundred thousand from our +interests for the benefit of the children. You must now either break +the marriage off at once, or carry it through," concluded Solonet. + +It is impossible to describe the moment of silence that followed. +Maitre Mathias waited in triumph the signature of the two persons who +had expected to rob his client. Natalie, not competent to understand +that she had lost half her fortune, and Paul, ignorant that the house +of Manerville had gained it, were laughing and chattering still. +Solonet and Madame Evangelista gazed at each other; the one +endeavoring to conceal his indifference, the other repressing the rush +of a crowd of bitter feelings. + +After suffering in her own mind the struggles of remorse, after +blaming Paul as the cause of her dishonesty, Madame Evangelista had +decided to employ those shameful manoeuvres to cast on him the burden +of her own unfaithful guardianship, considering him her victim. But +now, in a moment, she perceived that where she thought she triumphed +she was about to perish, and her victim was her own daughter. Guilty +without profit, she saw herself the dupe of an honorable old man, +whose respect she had doubtless lost. Her secret conduct must have +inspired the stipulation of old Mathias; and Mathias must have +enlightened Paul. Horrible reflection! Even if he had not yet done so, +as soon as that contract was signed the old wolf would surely warn his +client of the dangers he had run and had now escaped, were it only to +receive the praise of his sagacity. He would put him on his guard +against the wily woman who had lowered herself to this conspiracy; he +would destroy the empire she had conquered over her son-in-law! Feeble +natures, once warned, turn obstinate, and are never won again. At the +first discussion of the contract she had reckoned on Paul's weakness, +and on the impossibility he would feel of breaking off a marriage so +far advanced. But now, she herself was far more tightly bound. Three +months earlier Paul had no real obstacles to prevent the rupture; now, +all Bordeaux knew that the notaries had smoothed the difficulties; the +banns were published; the wedding was to take place immediately; the +friends of both families were at that moment arriving for the fete, +and to witness the contract. How could she postpone the marriage at +this late hour? The cause of the rupture would surely be made known; +Maitre Mathias's stern honor was too well known in Bordeaux; his word +would be believed in preference to hers. The scoffers would turn +against her and against her daughter. No, she could not break it off; +she must yield! + +These reflections, so cruelly sound, fell upon Madame Evangelista's +brain like a water-spout and split it. Though she still maintained the +dignity and reserve of a diplomatist, her chin was shaken by that +apoplectic movement which showed the anger of Catherine the Second on +the famous day when, seated on her throne and in presence of her court +(very much in the present circumstances of Madame Evangelista), she +was braved by the King of Sweden. Solonet observed that play of the +muscles, which revealed the birth of a mortal hatred, a lurid storm to +which there was no lightning. At this moment Madame Evangelista vowed +to her son-in-law one of those unquenchable hatreds the seeds of which +were left by the Moors in the atmosphere of Spain. + +"Monsieur," she said, bending to the ear of her notary, "you called +that stipulation balderdash; it seems to me that nothing could have +been more clear." + +"Madame, allow me--" + +"Monsieur," she continued, paying no heed to his interruption, "if you +did not perceive the effect of that entail at the time of our first +conference, it is very extraordinary that it did not occur to you in +the silence of your study. This can hardly be incapacity." + +The young notary drew his client into the next room, saying to +himself, as he did so:-- + +"I get a three-thousand franc fee for the guardianship account, three +thousand for the contract, six thousand on the sale of the house, +fifteen thousand in all--better not be angry." + +He closed the door, cast on Madame Evangelista the cool look of a +business man, and said:-- + +"Madame, having, for your sake, passed--as I did--the proper limits of +legal craft, do you seriously intend to reward my devotion by such +language?" + +"But, monsieur--" + +"Madame, I did not, it is true, calculate the effect of the deeds of +gift. But if you do not wish Comte Paul for your son-in-law you are +not obliged to accept him. The contract is not signed. Give your fete, +and postpone the signing. It is far better to brave Bordeaux than +sacrifice yourself." + +"How can I justify such a course to society, which is already +prejudiced against us by the slow conclusion of the marriage?" + +"By some error committed in Paris; some missing document not sent with +the rest," replied Solonet. + +"But those purchases of land near Lanstrac?" + +"Monsieur de Manerville will be at no loss to find another bride and +another dowry." + +"Yes, he'll lose nothing; but we lose all, all!" + +"You?" replied Solonet; "why, you can easily find another count who +will cost you less money, if a title is the chief object of this +marriage." + +"No, no! we can't stake our honor in that way. I am caught in a trap, +monsieur. All Bordeaux will ring with this to-morrow. Our solemn words +are pledged--" + +"You wish the happiness of Mademoiselle Natalie." + +"Above all things." + +"To be happy in France," said the notary, "means being mistress of the +home. She can lead that fool of a Manerville by the nose if she +chooses; he is so dull he has actually seen nothing of all this. Even +if he now distrusts you, he will always trust his wife; and his wife +is YOU, is she not? The count's fate is still within your power if you +choose to play the cards in your hand." + +"If that were true, monsieur, I know not what I would not do to show +my gratitude," she said, in a transport of feeling that colored her +cheeks. + +"Let us now return to the others, madame," said Solonet. "Listen +carefully to what I shall say; and then--you shall think me incapable +if you choose." + +"My dear friend," said the young notary to Maitre Mathias, "in spite +of your great ability, you have not foreseen either the case of +Monsieur de Manerville dying without children, nor that in which he +leaves only female issue. In either of those cases the entail would +pass to the Manervilles, or, at any rate, give rise to suits on their +part. I think, therefore, it is necessary to stipulate that in the +first case the entailed property shall pass under the general deed of +gift between husband and wife; and in the second case that the entail +shall be declared void. This agreement concerns the wife's interest." + +"Both clauses seem to me perfectly just," said Maitre Mathias. "As to +their ratification, Monsieur le comte can, doubtless, come to an +understanding with the chancellor, if necessary." + +Solonet took a pen and added this momentous clause on the margin of +the contract. Paul and Natalie paid no attention to the matter; but +Madame Evangelista dropped her eyes while Maitre Mathias read the +added sentence aloud. + +"We will now sign," said the mother. + +The volume of voice which Madame Evangelista repressed as she uttered +those words betrayed her violent emotion. She was thinking to herself: +"No, my daughter shall not be ruined--but he! My daughter shall have +the name, the title, and the fortune. If she should some day discover +that she does not love him, that she loves another, irresistibly, Paul +shall be driven out of France! My daughter shall be free, and happy, +and rich." + +If Maitre Mathias understood how to analyze business interests, he +knew little of the analysis of human passions. He accepted Madame +Evangelista's words as an honorable "amende," instead of judging them +for what they were, a declaration of war. While Solonet and his clerk +superintended Natalie as she signed the documents,--an operation which +took time,--Mathias took Paul aside and told him the meaning of the +stipulation by which he had saved him from ultimate pain. + +"The whole affair is now 'en regle.' I hold the documents. But the +contract contains a rescript for the diamonds; you must ask for them. +Business is business. Diamonds are going up just now, but may go down. +The purchase of those new domains justifies you in turning everything +into money that you can. Therefore, Monsieur le comte, have no false +modesty in this matter. The first payment is due after the formalities +are over. The sum is two hundred thousand francs; put the diamonds +into that. You have the lien on this house, which will be sold at +once, and will pay the rest. If you have the courage to spend only +fifty thousand francs for the next three years, you can save the two +hundred thousand francs you are now obliged to pay. If you plant +vineyards on your new estates, you can get an income of over twenty- +five thousand francs upon them. You may be said, in short, to have +made a good marriage." + +Paul pressed the hand of his old friend very affectionately, a gesture +which did not escape Madame Evangelista, who now came forward to offer +him the pen. Suspicion became certainty to her mind. She was confident +that Paul and Mathias had come to an understanding about her. Rage and +hatred sent the blood surging through her veins to her heart. The +worst had come. + +After verifying that all the documents were duly signed and the +initials of the parties affixed to the bottom of the leaves, Maitre +Mathias looked from Paul to his mother-in-law, and seeing that his +client did not intend to speak of the diamonds, he said:-- + +"I do not suppose there can be any doubt about the transfer of the +diamonds, as you are now one family." + +"It would be more regular if Madame Evangelista made them over now, as +Monsieur de Manerville has become responsible for the guardianship +funds, and we never know who may live or die," said Solonet, who +thought he saw in this circumstance fresh cause of anger in the +mother-in-law against the son-in-law. + +"Ah! mother," cried Paul, "it would be insulting to us all to do that, +--'Summum jus, summum injuria,' monsieur," he said to Solonet. + +"And I," said Madame Evangelista, led by the hatred now surging in her +heart to see a direct insult to her in the indirect appeal of Maitre +Mathias, "I will tear that contract up if you do not take them." + +She left the room in one of those furious passions which long for the +power to destroy everything, and which the sense of impotence drives +almost to madness. + +"For Heaven's sake, take them, Paul," whispered Natalie in his ear. +"My mother is angry; I shall know why to-night, and I will tell you. +We must pacify her." + +Calmed by this first outburst, madame kept the necklace and ear-rings, +which she was wearing, and brought the other jewels, valued at one +hundred and fifty thousand francs by Elie Magus. Accustomed to the +sight of family diamonds in all valuations of inheritance, Maitre +Mathias and Solonet examined these jewels in their cases and exclaimed +upon their duty. + +"You will lose nothing, after all, upon the 'dot,' Monsieur le comte," +said Solonet, bringing the color to Paul's face. + +"Yes," said Mathias, "these jewels will meet the first payment on the +purchase of the new estate." + +"And the costs of the contract," added Solonet. + +Hatred feeds, like love, on little things; the least thing strengthens +it; as one beloved can do no evil, so the person hated can do no good. +Madame Evangelista assigned to hypocrisy the natural embarrassment of +Paul, who was unwilling to take the jewels, and not knowing where to +put the cases, longed to fling them from the window. Madame +Evangelista spurred him with a glance which seemed to say, "Take your +property from here." + +"Dear Natalie," said Paul, "put away these jewels; they are yours; I +give them to you." + +Natalie locked them into the drawer of a console. At this instant the +noise of the carriages in the court-yard and the murmur of voices in +the receptions-rooms became so loud that Natalie and her mother were +forced to appear. The salons were filled in a few moments, and the +fete began. + +"Profit by the honeymoon to sell those diamonds," said the old notary +to Paul as he went away. + +While waiting for the dancing to begin, whispers went round about the +marriage, and doubts were expressed as to the future of the promised +couple. + +"Is it finally arranged?" said one of the leading personages of the +town to Madame Evangelista. + +"We had so many documents to read and sign that I fear we are rather +late," she replied; "but perhaps we are excusable." + +"As for me, I heard nothing," said Natalie, giving her hand to her +lover to open the ball. + +"Both of those young persons are extravagant, and the mother is not of +a kind to check them," said a dowager. + +"But they have founded an entail, I am told, worth fifty thousand +francs a year." + +"Pooh!" + +"In that I see the hand of our worthy Monsieur Mathias," said a +magistrate. "If it is really true, he has done it to save the future +of the family." + +"Natalie is too handsome not to be horribly coquettish. After a couple +of years of marriage," said one young woman, "I wouldn't answer for +Monsieur de Manerville's happiness in his home." + +"The Pink of Fashion will then need staking," said Solonet, laughing. + +"Don't you think Madame Evangelista looks annoyed?" asked another. + +"But, my dear, I have just been told that all she is able to keep is +twenty-five thousand francs a year, and what is that to her?" + +"Penury!" + +"Yes, she has robbed herself for Natalie. Monsieur de Manerville has +been so exacting--" + +"Extremely exacting," put in Maitre Solonet. "But before long he will +be peer of France. The Maulincours and the Vidame de Pamiers will use +their influence. He belongs to the faubourg Saint-Germain." + +"Oh! he is received there, and that is all," said a lady, who had +tried to obtain him as a son-in-law. "Mademoiselle Evangelista, as the +daughter of a merchant, will certainly not open the doors of the +chapter-house of Cologne to him!" + +"She is grand-niece to the Duke of Casa-Reale." + +"Through the female line!" + +The topic was presently exhausted. The card-players went to the +tables, the young people danced, the supper was served, and the ball +was not over till morning, when the first gleams of the coming day +whitened the windows. + +Having said adieu to Paul, who was the last to go away, Madame +Evangelista went to her daughter's room; for her own had been taken by +the architect to enlarge the scene of the fete. Though Natalie and her +mother were overcome with sleep, they said a few words to each other +as soon as they were alone. + +"Tell me, mother dear, what was the matter with you?" + +"My darling, I learned this evening to what lengths a mother's +tenderness can go. You know nothing of business, and you are ignorant +of the suspicions to which my integrity has been exposed. I have +trampled my pride under foot, for your happiness and my reputation +were at stake." + +"Are you talking of the diamonds? Poor boy, he wept; he did not want +them; I have them." + +"Sleep now, my child. We will talk business when we wake--for," she +added, sighing, "you and I have business now; another person has come +between us." + +"Ah! my dear mother, Paul will never be an obstacle to our happiness, +yours and mine," murmured Natalie, as she went to sleep. + +"Poor darling! she little knows that the man has ruined her." + +Madame Evangelista's soul was seized at that moment with the first +idea of avarice, a vice to which many become a prey as they grow aged. +It came into her mind to recover in her daughter's interest the whole +of the property left by her husband. She told herself that her honor +demanded it. Her devotion to Natalie made her, in a moment, as shrewd +and calculating as she had hitherto been careless and wasteful. She +resolved to turn her capital to account, after investing a part of it +in the Funds, which were then selling at eighty francs. A passion +often changes the whole character in a moment; an indiscreet person +becomes a diplomatist, a coward is suddenly brave. Hate made this +prodigal woman a miser. Chance and luck might serve the project of +vengeance, still undefined and confused, which she would now mature in +her mind. She fell asleep, muttering to herself, "To-morrow!" By an +unexplained phenomenon, the effects of which are familiar to all +thinkers, her mind, during sleep, marshalled its ideas, enlightened +them, classed them, prepared a means by which she was to rule Paul's +life, and showed her a plan which she began to carry out on that very +to-morrow. + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT--THIRD DAY + +Though the excitement of the fete had driven from Paul's mind the +anxious thoughts that now and then assailed it, when he was alone with +himself and in his bed they returned to torment him. + +"It seems to me," he said to himself, "that without that good Mathias +my mother-in-law would have tricked me. And yet, is that believable? +What interest could lead her to deceive me? Are we not to join +fortunes and live together? Well, well, why should I worry about it? +In two days Natalie will be my wife, our money relations are plainly +defined, nothing can come between us. Vogue la galere--Nevertheless, +I'll be upon my guard. Suppose Mathias was right? Well, if he was, I'm +not obliged to marry my mother-in-law." + +In this second battle of the contract Paul's future had completely +changed in aspect, though he was not aware of it. Of the two persons +whom he was marrying, one, the cleverest, was now his mortal enemy, +and meditated already withdrawing her interests from the common fund. +Incapable of observing the difference that a Creole nature placed +between his mother-in-law and other women, Paul was far from +suspecting her craftiness. The Creole nature is apart from all others; +it derives from Europe by its intellect, from the tropics by the +illogical violence of its passions, from the East by the apathetic +indifference with which it does, or suffers, either good or evil, +equally,--a graceful nature withal, but dangerous, as a child is +dangerous if not watched. Like a child, the Creole woman must have her +way immediately; like a child, she would burn a house to boil an egg. +In her soft and easy life she takes no care upon her mind; but when +impassioned, she thinks of all things. She has something of the +perfidy of the Negroes by whom she has been surrounded from her +cradle, but she is also as naive and even, at times, as artless as +they. Like them and like the children, she wishes doggedly for one +thing with a growing intensity of desire, and will brood upon that +idea until she hatches it. A strange assemblage of virtues and +defects! which her Spanish nature had strengthened in Madame +Evangelista, and over which her French experience had cast the glaze +of its politeness. + +This character, slumbering in married happiness for sixteen years, +occupied since then with the trivialities of social life, this nature +to which a first hatred had revealed its strength, awoke now like a +conflagration; at the moment of the woman's life when she was losing +the dearest object of her affections and needed another element for +the energy that possessed her, this flame burst forth. Natalie could +be but three days more beneath her influence! Madame Evangelista, +vanquished at other points, had one clear day before her, the last of +those that a daughter spends beside her mother. A few words, and the +Creole nature could influence the lives of the two beings about to +walk together through the brambled paths and the dusty high-roads of +Parisian society, for Natalie believed in her mother blindly. What +far-reaching power would the counsel of that Creole nature have on a +mind so subservient! The whole future of these lives might be +determined by one single speech. No code, no human institution can +prevent the crime that kills by words. There lies the weakness of +social law; in that is the difference between the morals of the great +world and the morals of the people: one is frank, the other +hypocritical; one employs the knife, the other the venom of ideas and +language; to one death, to the other impunity. + +The next morning, about mid-day, Madame Evangelista was half seated, +half lying on the edge of her daughter's bed. During that waking hour +they caressed and played together in happy memory of their loving +life; a life in which no discord had ever troubled either the harmony +of their feelings, the agreement of their ideas, or the mutual choice +and enjoyment of their pleasures. + +"Poor little darling!" said the mother, shedding true tears, "how can +I help being sorrowful when I think that after I have fulfilled your +every wish during your whole life you will belong, to-morrow night, to +a man you must obey?" + +"Oh, my dear mother, as for obeying!--" and Natalie made a little +motion of her head which expressed a graceful rebellion. "You are +joking," she continued. "My father always gratified your caprices; and +why not? he loved you. And I am loved, too." + +"Yes, Paul has a certain love for you. But if a married woman is not +careful nothing more rapidly evaporates than conjugal love. The +influence a wife ought to have over her husband depends entirely on +how she begins with him. You need the best advice." + +"But you will be with us." + +"Possibly, my child. Last night, while the ball was going on, I +reflected on the dangers of our being together. If my presence were to +do you harm, if the little acts by which you ought slowly, but surely, +to establish your authority as a wife should be attributed to my +influence, your home would become a hell. At the first frown I saw +upon your husband's brow I, proud as I am, should instantly leave his +house. If I were driven to leave it, better, I think, not to enter it. +I should never forgive your husband if he caused trouble between us. +Whereas, when you have once become the mistress, when your husband is +to you what your father was to me, that danger is no longer to be +feared. Though this wise policy will cost your young and tender heart +a pang, your happiness demands that you become the absolute sovereign +of your home." + +"Then why, mamma, did you say just now I must obey him?" + +"My dear little daughter, in order that a wife may rule, she must +always seem to do what her husband wishes. If you were not told this +you might by some impulsive opposition destroy your future. Paul is a +weak young man; he might allow a friend to rule him; he might even +fall under the dominion of some woman who would make you feel her +influence. Prevent such disasters by making yourself from the very +start his ruler. Is it not better that he be governed by you than by +others?" + + +"Yes, certainly," said Natalie. "I should think only of his +happiness." + +"And it is my privilege, darling, to think only of yours, and to wish +not to leave you at so crucial a moment without a compass in the midst +of the reefs through which you must steer." + +"But, dearest mother, are we not strong enough, you and I, to stay +together beside him, without having to fear those frowns you seem to +dread. Paul loves you, mamma." + +"Oh! oh! He fears me more than he loves me. Observe him carefully +to-day when I tell him that I shall let you go to Paris without me, +and you will see on his face, no matter what pains he takes to conceal +it, his inward joy." + +"Why should he feel so?" + +"Why? Dear child! I am like Saint-Jean Bouche-d'Or. I will tell that +to himself, and before you." + +"But suppose I marry on condition that you do not leave me?" urged +Natalie. + +"Our separation is necessary," replied her mother. "Several +considerations have greatly changed my future. I am now poor. You will +lead a brilliant life in Paris, and I could not live with you suitably +without spending the little that remains to me. Whereas, if I go to +Lanstrac, I can take care of your property there and restore my +fortune by economy." + +"You, mamma! YOU practise economy!" cried Natalie, laughing. "Don't +begin to be a grandmother yet. What! do you mean to leave me for such +reasons as those? Dear mother, Paul may seem to you a trifle stupid, +but he is not one atom selfish or grasping." + +"Ah!" replied Madame Evangelista, in a tone of voice big with +suggestions which made the girl's heart throb, "those discussions +about the contract have made me distrustful. I have my doubts about +him--But don't be troubled, dear child," she added, taking her +daughter by the neck and kissing her. "I will not leave you long +alone. Whenever my return can take place without making difficulty +between you, whenever Paul can rightly judge me, we will begin once +more our happy little life, our evening confidences--" + +"Oh! mother, how can you think of living without your Natalie?" + +"Because, dear angel, I shall live for her. My mother's heart will be +satisfied in the thought that I contribute, as I ought, to your future +happiness." + +"But, my dear, adorable mother, must I be alone with Paul, here, now, +all at once? What will become of me? what will happen? what must I do? +what must I not do?" + +"Poor child! do you think that I would utterly abandon you to your +first battle? We will write to each other three times a week like +lovers. We shall thus be close to each other's hearts incessantly. +Nothing can happen to you that I shall not know, and I can save you +from all misfortune. Besides, it would be too ridiculous if I never +went to see you; it would seem to show dislike or disrespect to your +husband; I will always spend a month or two every year with you in +Paris." + +"Alone, already alone, and with him!" cried Natalie in terror, +interrupting her mother. + +"But you wish to be his wife?" + +"Yes, I wish it. But tell me how I should behave,--you, who did what +you pleased with my father. You know the way; I'll obey you blindly." + +Madame Evangelista kissed her daughter's forehead. She had willed and +awaited this request. + +"Child, my counsels must adept themselves to circumstances. All men +are not alike. The lion and the frog are not more unlike than one man +compared with another,--morally, I mean. Do I know to-day what will +happen to you to-morrow? No; therefore I can only give you general +advice upon the whole tenor of your conduct." + +"Dear mother, tell me, quick, all that you know yourself." + +"In the first place, my dear child, the cause of the failure of +married women who desire to keep their husbands' hearts--and," she +said, making a parenthesis, "to keep their hearts and rule them is one +and the same thing--Well, the principle cause of conjugal disunion is +to be found in perpetual intercourse, which never existed in the olden +time, but which has been introduced into this country of late years +with the mania for family. Since the Revolution the manners and +customs of the bourgeois have invaded the homes of the aristocracy. +This misfortune is due to one of their writers, Rousseau, an infamous +heretic, whose ideas were all anti-social and who pretended, I don't +know how, to justify the most senseless things. He declared that all +women had the same rights and the same faculties; that living in a +state of society we ought, nevertheless, to obey nature--as if the +wife of a Spanish grandee, as if you or I had anything in common with +the women of the people! Since then, well-bred women have suckled +their children, have educated their daughters, and stayed in their own +homes. Life has become so involved that happiness is almost +impossible,--for a perfect harmony between natures such as that which +has made you and me live as two friends is an exception. Perpetual +contact is as dangerous for parents and children as it is for husband +and wife. There are few souls in which love survives this fatal +omnipresence. Therefore, I say, erect between yourself and Paul the +barriers of society; go to balls and operas; go out in the morning, +dine out in the evenings, pay visits constantly, and grant but little +of your time to your husband. By this means you will always keep your +value to him. When two beings bound together for life have nothing to +live upon but sentiment, its resources are soon exhausted, +indifference, satiety, and disgust succeed. When sentiment has +withered what will become of you? Remember, affection once +extinguished can lead to nothing but indifference or contempt. Be ever +young and ever new to him. He may weary you,--that often happens,--but +you must never weary him. The faculty of being bored without showing +it is a condition of all species of power. You cannot diversify +happiness by the cares of property or the occupations of a family. If +you do not make your husband share your social interests, if you do +not keep him amused you will fall into a dismal apathy. Then begins +the SPLEEN of love. But a man will always love the woman who amuses +him and keeps him happy. To give happiness and to receive it are two +lines of feminine conduct which are separated by a gulf." + +"Dear mother, I am listening to you, but I don't understand one word +you say." + +"If you love Paul to the extent of doing all he asks of you, if you +make your happiness depend on him, all is over with your future life; +you will never be mistress of your home, and the best precepts in the +world will do you no good." + +"That is plainer; but I see the rule without knowing how to apply it," +said Natalie, laughing. "I have the theory; the practice will come." + +"My poor Ninie," replied the mother, who dropped an honest tear at the +thought of her daughter's marriage, "things will happen to teach it to +you--And," she continued, after a pause, during which the mother and +daughter held each other closely embraced in the truest sympathy, +"remember this, my Natalie: we all have our destiny as women, just as +men have their vocation as men. A woman is born to be a woman of the +world and a charming hostess, as a man is born to be a general or a +poet. Your vocation is to please. Your education has formed you for +society. In these days women should be educated for the salon as they +once were for the gynoecium. You were not born to be the mother of a +family or the steward of a household. If you have children, I hope +they will not come to spoil your figure on the morrow of your +marriage; nothing is so bourgeois as to have a child at once. If you +have them two or three years after your marriage, well and good; +governesses and tutors will bring them up. YOU are to be the lady, the +great lady, who represents the luxury and the pleasure of the house. +But remember one thing--let your superiority be visible in those +things only which flatter a man's self-love; hide the superiority you +must also acquire over him in great things." + +"But you frighten me, mamma," cried Natalie. "How can I remember all +these precepts? How shall I ever manage, I, such a child, and so +heedless, to reflect and calculate before I act?" + +"But, my dear little girl, I am telling you to-day that which you must +surely learn later, buying your experience by fatal faults and errors +of conduct which will cause you bitter regrets and embarrass your +whole life." + +"But how must I begin?" asked Natalie, artlessly. + +"Instinct will guide you," replied her mother. "At this moment Paul +desires you more than he loves you; for love born of desires is a +hope; the love that succeeds their satisfaction is the reality. There, +my dear, is the question; there lies your power. What woman is not +loved before marriage? Be so on the morrow and you shall remain so +always. Paul is a weak man who is easily trained to habit. If he +yields to you once he will yield always. A woman ardently desired can +ask all things; do not commit the folly of many women who do not see +the importance of the first hours of their sway,--that of wasting your +power on trifles, on silly things with no result. Use the empire your +husband's first emotions give you to accustom him to obedience. And +when you make him yield, choose that it be on some unreasonable point, +so as to test the measure of your power by the measure of his +concession. What victory would there be in making him agree to a +reasonable thing? Would that be obeying you? We must always, as the +Castilian proverb says, take the bull by the horns; when a bull has +once seen the inutility of his defence and of his strength he is +beaten. When your husband does a foolish thing for you, you can govern +him." + +"Why so?" + +"Because, my child, marriage lasts a lifetime, and a husband is not a +man like other men. Therefore, never commit the folly of giving +yourself into his power in everything. Keep up a constant reserve in +your speech and in your actions. You may even be cold to him without +danger, for you can modify coldness at will. Besides, nothing is more +easy to maintain than our dignity. The words, 'It is not becoming in +your wife to do thus and so,' is a great talisman. The life of a woman +lies in the words, 'I will not.' They are the final argument. Feminine +power is in them, and therefore they should only be used on real +occasions. But they constitute a means of governing far beyond that of +argument or discussion. I, my dear child, reigned over your father by +his faith in me. If your husband believes in you, you can do all +things with him. To inspire that belief you must make him think that +you understand him. Do not suppose that that is an easy thing to do. A +woman can always make a man think that he is loved, but to make him +admit that he is understood is far more difficult. I am bound to tell +you all now, my child, for to-morrow life with its complications, life +with two wills which MUST be made one, begins for you. Bear in mind, +at all moments, that difficulty. The only means of harmonizing your +two wills is to arrange from the first that there shall be but one; +and that will must be yours. Many persons declare that a wife creates +her own unhappiness by changing sides in this way; but, my dear, she +can only become the mistress by controlling events instead of bearing +them; and that advantage compensates for any difficulty." + +Natalie kissed her mother's hands with tears of gratitude. Like all +women in whom mental emotion is never warmed by physical emotion, she +suddenly comprehended the bearings of this feminine policy; but, like +a spoiled child that never admits the force of reason and returns +obstinately to its one desire, she came back to the charge with one of +those personal arguments which the logic of a child suggests:-- + +"Dear mamma," she said, "it is only a few days since you were talking +of Paul's advancement, and saying that you alone could promote it; +why, then, do you suddenly turn round and abandon us to ourselves?" + +"I did not then know the extent of my obligations nor the amount of my +debts," replied the mother, who would not suffer her real motive to be +seen. "Besides, a year or two hence I can take up that matter again. +Come, let us dress; Paul will be here soon. Be as sweet and caressing +as you were,--you know?--that night when we first discussed this fatal +contract; for to-day we must save the last fragments of our fortune, +and I must win for you a thing to which I am superstitiously attached." + +"What is it?" + +"The 'Discreto.'" + +Paul arrived about four o'clock. Though he endeavored to meet his +mother-in-law with a gracious look upon his face, Madame Evangelista +saw traces of the clouds which the counsels of the night and the +reflections of the morning had brought there. + +"Mathias has told him!" she thought, resolving to defeat the old +notary's action. "My dear son," she said, "you left your diamonds in +the drawer of the console, and I frankly confess that I would rather +not see again the things that threatened to bring a cloud between us. +Besides, as Monsieur Mathias said, they ought to be sold at once to +meet the first payment on the estates you have purchased." + +"They are not mine," he said. "I have given them to Natalie, and when +you see them upon her you will forget the pain they caused you." + +Madame Evangelista took his hand and pressed it cordially, with a tear +of emotion. + +"Listen to me, my dear children," she said, looking from Paul to +Natalie; "since you really feel thus, I have a proposition to make to +both of you. I find myself obliged to sell my pearl necklace and my +earrings. Yes, Paul, it is necessary; I do not choose to put a penny +of my fortune into an annuity; I know what I owe to you. Well, I admit +a weakness; to sell the 'Discreto' seems to me a disaster. To sell a +diamond which bears the name of Philip the Second and once adorned his +royal hand, an historic stone which the Duke of Alba touched for ten +years in the hilt of his sword--no, no, I cannot! Elie Magus estimates +my necklace and ear-rings at a hundred and some odd thousand francs +without the clasps. Will you exchange the other jewels I made over to +you for these? you will gain by the transaction, but what of that? I +am not selfish. Instead of those mere fancy jewels, Paul, your wife +will have fine diamonds which she can really enjoy. Isn't it better +that I should sell those ornaments which will surely go out of +fashion, and that you should keep in the family these priceless +stones?" + +"But, my dear mother, consider yourself," said Paul. + +"I," replied Madame Evangelista, "I want such things no longer. Yes, +Paul, I am going to be your bailiff at Lanstrac. It would be folly in +me to go to Paris at the moment when I ought to be here to liquidate +my property and settle my affairs. I shall grow miserly for my +grandchildren." + +"Dear mother," said Paul, much moved, "ought I to accept this exchange +without paying you the difference?" + +"Good heavens! are you not, both of you, my dearest interests? Do you +suppose I shall not find happiness in thinking, as I sit in my +chimney-corner, 'Natalie is dazzling to-night at the Duchesse de +Berry's ball'? When she sees my diamond at her throat and my ear-rings +in her ears she will have one of those little enjoyments of vanity +which contribute so much to a woman's happiness and make her so gay +and fascinating. Nothing saddens a woman more than to have her vanity +repressed; I have never seen an ill-dressed woman who was amiable or +good-humored." + +"Heavens! what was Mathias thinking about?" thought Paul. "Well, then, +mamma," he said, in a low voice, "I accept." + +"But I am confounded!" said Natalie. + +At this moment Solonet arrived to announce the good news that he had +found among the speculators of Bordeaux two contractors who were much +attracted by the house, the gardens of which could be covered with +dwellings. + +"They offer two hundred and fifty thousand francs," he said; "but if +you consent to the sale, I can make them give you three hundred +thousand. There are three acres of land in the garden." + +"My husband paid two hundred thousand for the place, therefore I +consent," she replied. "But you must reserve the furniture and the +mirrors." + +"Ah!" said Solonet, "you are beginning to understand business." + +"Alas! I must," she said, sighing. + +"I am told that a great many persons are coming to your midnight +service," said Solonet, perceiving that his presence was inopportune, +and preparing to go. + +Madame Evangelista accompanied him to the door of the last salon, and +there she said, in a low voice:-- + +"I now have personal property to the amount of two hundred and fifty +thousand francs; if I can get two hundred thousand for my share of the +house it will make a handsome capital, which I shall want to invest to +the very best advantage. I count on you for that. I shall probably +live at Lanstrac." + +The young notary kissed his client's hand with a gesture of gratitude; +for the widow's tone of voice made Solonet fancy that this alliance, +really made from self-interest only, might extend a little farther. + +"You can count on me," he replied. "I can find you investments in +merchandise on which you will risk nothing and make very considerable +profits." + +"Adieu until to-morrow," she said; "you are to be our witness, you +know, with Monsieur le Marquis de Gyas." + +"My dear mother," said Paul, when she returned to them, "why do you +refuse to come to Paris? Natalie is provoked with me, as if I were the +cause of your decision." + +"I have thought it all over, my children, and I am sure that I should +hamper you. You would feel obliged to make me a third in all you did, +and young people have ideas of their own which I might, +unintentionally, thwart. Go to Paris. I do not wish to exercise over +the Comtesse de Manerville the gentle authority I have held over +Natalie. I desire to leave her wholly to you. Don't you see, Paul, +that there are habits and ways between us which must be broken up? My +influence ought to yield to yours. I want you to love me, and to +believe that I have your interests more at heart than you think for. +Young husbands are, sooner or later, jealous for the love of a wife +for her mother. Perhaps they are right. When you are thoroughly +united, when love has blended your two souls into one, then, my dear +son, you will not fear an opposing influence if I live in your house. +I know the world, and men, and things; I have seen the peace of many a +home destroyed by the blind love of mothers who made themselves in the +end as intolerable to their daughters as to their sons-in-law. The +affection of old people is often exacting and querulous. Perhaps I +could not efface myself as I should. I have the weakness to think +myself still handsome; I have flatterers who declare that I am still +agreeable; I should have, I fear, certain pretensions which might +interfere with your lives. Let me, therefore, make one more sacrifice +for your happiness. I have given you my fortune, and now I desire to +resign to you my last vanities as a woman. Your notary Mathias is +getting old. He cannot look after your estates as I will. I will be +your bailiff; I will create for myself those natural occupations which +are the pleasures of old age. Later, if necessary, I will come to you +in Paris, and second you in your projects of ambition. Come, Paul, be +frank; my proposal suits you, does it not?" + +Paul would not admit it, but he was at heart delighted to get his +liberty. The suspicions which Mathias had put into his mind respecting +his mother-in-law were, however, dissipated by this conversation, +which Madame Evangelista carried on still longer in the same tone. + +"My mother was right," thought Natalie, who had watched Paul's +countenance. "He IS glad to know that I am separated from her--why?" + +That "why" was the first note of a rising distrust; did it prove the +power of those maternal instructions? + +There are certain characters which on the faith of a single proof +believe in friendship. To persons thus constituted the north wind +drives away the clouds as rapidly as the south wind brings them; they +stop at effects and never hark back to causes. Paul had one of those +essentially confiding natures, without ill-feelings, but also without +foresight. His weakness proceeded far more from his kindness, his +belief in goodness, than from actual debility of soul. + +Natalie was sad and thoughtful, for she knew not what to do without +her mother. Paul, with that self-confident conceit which comes of +love, smiled to himself at her sadness, thinking how soon the +pleasures of marriage and the excitements of Paris would drive it +away. Madame Evangelista saw this confidence with much satisfaction. +She had already taken two great steps. Her daughter possessed the +diamonds which had cost Paul two hundred thousand francs; and she had +gained her point of leaving these two children to themselves with no +other guide than their illogical love. Her revenge was thus preparing, +unknown to her daughter, who would, sooner or later, become its +accomplice. Did Natalie love Paul? That was a question still +undecided, the answer to which might modify her projects, for she +loved her daughter too sincerely not to respect her happiness. Paul's +future, therefore, still depended on himself. If he could make his +wife love him, he was saved. + +The next day, at midnight, after an evening spent together, with the +addition of the four witnesses, to whom Madame Evangelista gave the +formal dinner which follows the legal marriage, the bridal pair, +accompanied by their friends, heard mass by torchlight, in presence of +a crowd of inquisitive persons. A marriage celebrated at night always +suggests to the mind an unpleasant omen. Light is the symbol of life +and pleasure, the forecasts of which are lacking to a midnight +wedding. Ask the intrepid soul why it shivers; why the chill of those +black arches enervates it; why the sound of steps startles it; why it +notices the cry of bats and the hoot of owls. Though there is +absolutely no reason to tremble, all present do tremble, and the +darkness, emblem of death, saddens them. Natalie, parted from her +mother, wept. The girl was now a prey to those doubts which grasp the +heart as it enters a new career in which, despite all assurances of +happiness, a thousand pitfalls await the steps of a young wife. She +was cold and wanted a mantle. The air and manner of Madame Evangelista +and that of the bridal pair excited some comment among the elegant +crowd which surrounded the altar. + +"Solonet tells me that the bride and bridegroom leave for Paris +to-morrow morning, all alone." + +"Madame Evangelista was to live with them, I thought." + +"Count Paul has got rid of her already." + +"What a mistake!" said the Marquise de Gyas. "To shut the door on the +mother of his wife is to open it to a lover. Doesn't he know what a +mother is?" + +"He has been very hard on Madame Evangelista; the poor woman has had +to sell her house and her diamonds, and is going to live at Lanstrac." + +"Natalie looks very sad." + +"Would you like to be made to take a journey the day after your +marriage?" + +"It is very awkward." + +"I am glad I came here to-night," said a lady. "I am now convinced of +the necessity of the pomps of marriage and of wedding fetes; a scene +like this is very bare and sad. If I may say what I think," she added, +in a whisper to her neighbor, "this marriage seems to me indecent." + +Madame Evangelista took Natalie in her carriage and accompanied her, +alone, to Paul's house. + +"Well, mother, it is done!" + +"Remember, my dear child, my last advice, and you will be a happy +woman. Be his wife, and not his mistress." + +When Natalie had retired, the mother played the little comedy of +flinging herself with tears into the arms of her son-in-law. It was +the only provincial thing that Madame Evangelista allowed herself, but +she had her reasons for it. Amid tears and speeches, apparently half +wild and despairing, she obtained of Paul those concessions which all +husbands make. + +The next day she put the married pair into their carriage, and +accompanied them to the ferry, by which the road to Paris crosses the +Gironde. With a look and a word Natalie enabled her mother to see that +if Paul had won the trick in the game of the contract, her revenge was +beginning. Natalie was already reducing her husband to perfect +obedience. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +CONCLUSION + +Five years later, on an afternoon in the month of November, Comte Paul +de Manerville, wrapped in a cloak, was entering, with a bowed head and +a mysterious manner, the house of his old friend Monsieur Mathias at +Bordeaux. + +Too old to continue in business, the worthy notary had sold his +practice and was ending his days peacefully in a quiet house to which +he had retired. An urgent affair had obliged him to be absent at the +moment of his guest's arrival, but his housekeeper, warned of Paul's +coming, took him to the room of the late Madame Mathias, who had been +dead a year. Fatigued by a rapid journey, Paul slept till evening. +When the old man reached home he went up to his client's room, and +watched him sleeping, as a mother watches her child. Josette, the old +housekeeper, followed her master and stood before the bed, her hands +on her hips. + +"It is a year to-day, Josette, since I received my dear wife's last +sigh; I little knew then that I should stand here again to see the +count half dead." + +"Poor man! he moans in his sleep," said Josette. + +"Sac a papier!" cried the old notary, an innocent oath which was a +sign with him of the despair on a man of business before +insurmountable difficulties. "At any rate," he thought, "I have saved +the title to the Lanstrac estate for him, and that of Ausac, Saint- +Froult, and his house, though the usufruct has gone." Mathias counted +his fingers. "Five years! Just five years this month, since his old +aunt, now dead, that excellent Madame de Maulincour, asked for the +hand of that little crocodile of a woman, who has finally ruined him-- +as I expected." + +And the gouty old gentleman, leaning on his cane, went to walk in the +little garden till his guest should awake. At nine o'clock supper was +served, for Mathias took supper. The old man was not a little +astonished, when Paul joined him, to see that his old client's brow +was calm and his face serene, though noticeably changed. If at the age +of thirty-three the Comte de Manerville seemed to be a man of forty, +that change in his appearance was due solely to mental shocks; +physically, he was well. He clasped the old man's hand affectionately, +and forced him not to rise, saying:-- + +"Dear, kind Maitre Mathias, you, too, have had your troubles." + +"Mine were natural troubles, Monsieur le comte; but yours--" + +"We will talk of that presently, while we sup." + +"If I had not a son in the magistracy, and a daughter married," said +the good old man, "you would have found in old Mathias, believe me, +Monsieur le comte, something better than mere hospitality. Why have +you come to Bordeaux at the very moment when posters are on all the +walls of the seizure of your farms at Grassol and Guadet, the vineyard +of Belle-Rose and the family mansion? I cannot tell you the grief I +feel at the sight of those placards,--I, who for forty years nursed +that property as if it belonged to me; I, who bought it for your +mother when I was only third clerk to Monsieur Chesnau, my +predecessor, and wrote the deeds myself in my best round hand; I, who +have those titles now in my successor's office; I, who have known you +since you were so high"; and the old man stopped to put his hand near +the ground. "Ah! a man must have been a notary for forty-one years and +a half to know the sort of grief I feel to see my name exposed before +the face of Israel in those announcements of the seizure and sale of +the property. When I pass through the streets and see men reading +these horrible yellow posters, I am ashamed, as if my own honor and +ruin were concerned. Some fools will stand there and read them aloud +expressly to draw other fools about them--and what imbecile remarks +they make! As if a man were not master of his own property! Your +father ran through two fortunes before he made the one he left you; +and you wouldn't be a Manerville if you didn't do likewise. Besides, +seizures of real estate have a whole section of the Code to +themselves; they are expected and provided for; you are in a position +recognized by the law.--If I were not an old man with white hair, I +would thrash those fools I hear reading aloud in the streets such an +abomination as this," added the worthy notary, taking up a paper; "'At +the request of Dame Natalie Evangelista, wife of Paul-Francois-Joseph, +Comte de Manerville, separated from him as to worldly goods and +chattels by the Lower court of the department of the Seine--'" + +"Yes, and now separated in body," said Paul. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the old man. + +"Oh! against my wife's will," added the count, hastily. "I was forced +to deceive her; she did not know that I was leaving her." + +"You have left her?" + +"My passage is taken; I sail for Calcutta on the 'Belle-Amelie.'" + +"Two day's hence!" cried the notary. "Then, Monsieur le comte, we +shall never meet again." + +"You are only seventy-three, my dear Mathias, and you have the gout, +the brevet of old age. When I return I shall find you still afoot. +Your good head and heart will be as sound as ever, and you will help +me to reconstruct what is now a shaken edifice. I intend to make a +noble fortune in seven years. I shall be only forty on my return. All +is still possible at that age." + +"You?" said Mathias, with a gesture of amazement,--you, Monsieur le +comte, to undertake commerce! How can you even think of it?" + +"I am no longer Monsieur le comte, dear Mathias. My passage is taken +under the name of Camille, one of my mother's baptismal names. I have +acquirements which will enable me to make my fortune otherwise than in +business. Commerce, at any rate, will be only my final chance. I start +with a sum in hand sufficient for the redemption of my future on a +large scale." + +"Where is that money?" + +"A friend is to send it to me." + +The old man dropped his fork as he heard the word "friend," not in +surprise, not scoffingly, but in grief; his look and manner expressed +the pain he felt in finding Paul under the influence of a deceitful +illusion; his practised eye fathomed a gulf where the count saw +nothing but solid ground. + +"I have been fifty years in the notariat," he said, "and I never yet +knew a ruined man whose friend would lend him money." + +"You don't know de Marsay. I am certain that he has sold out some of +his investments already, and to-morrow you will receive from him a +bill of exchange for one hundred and fifty thousand francs." + +"I hope I may. If that be so, cannot your friend settle your +difficulties here? You could live quietly at Lanstrac for five or six +years on your wife's income, and so recover yourself." + +"No assignment or economy on my part could pay off fifteen hundred +thousand francs of debt, in which my wife is involved to the amount of +five hundred and fifty thousand." + +"You cannot mean to say that in four years you have incurred a million +and a half of debt?" + +"Nothing is more certain, Mathias. Did I not give those diamonds to my +wife? Did I not spend the hundred and fifty thousand I received from +the sale of Madame Evangelista's house, in the arrangement of my house +in Paris? Was I not forced to use other money for the first payments +on that property demanded by the marriage contract? I was even forced +to sell out Natalie's forty thousand a year in the Funds to complete +the purchase of Auzac and Saint-Froult. We sold at eighty-seven, +therefore I became in debt for over two hundred thousand francs within +a month after my marriage. That left us only sixty-seven thousand +francs a year; but we spent fully three times as much every year. Add +all that up, together with rates of interest to usurers, and you will +soon find a million." + +"Br-r-r!" exclaimed the old notary. "Go on. What next?" + +"Well, I wanted, in the first place, to complete for my wife that set +of jewels of which she had the pearl necklace clasped by the family +diamond, the 'Discreto,' and her mother's ear-rings. I paid a hundred +thousand francs for a coronet of diamond wheat-ears. There's eleven +hundred thousand. And now I find I owe the fortune of my wife, which +amounts to three hundred and sixty-six thousand francs of her 'dot.'" + +"But," said Mathias, "if Madame la comtesse had given up her diamonds +and you had pledged your income you could have pacified your creditors +and have paid them off in time." + +"When a man is down, Mathias, when his property is covered with +mortgages, when his wife's claims take precedence of his creditors', +and when that man has notes out for a hundred thousand francs which he +must pay (and I hope I can do so out of the increased value of my +property here), what you propose is not possible." + +"This is dreadful!" cried Mathias; "would you sell Belle-Rose with the +vintage of 1825 still in the cellars?" + +"I cannot help myself." + +"Belle-Rose is worth six hundred thousand francs." + +"Natalie will buy it in; I have advised her to do so." + +"I might push the price to seven hundred thousand, and the farms are +worth a hundred thousand each." + +"Then if the house in Bordeaux can be sold for two hundred thousand--" + +"Solonet will give more than that; he wants it. He is retiring with a +handsome property made by gambling on the Funds. He has sold his +practice for three hundred thousand francs, and marries a mulatto +woman. God knows how she got her money, but they say it amounts to +millions. A notary gambling in stocks! a notary marrying a black +woman! What an age! It is said that he speculates for your mother-in- +law with her funds." + +"She has greatly improved Lanstrac and taken great pains with its +cultivation. She has amply repaid me for the use of it." + +"I shouldn't have thought her capable of that." + +"She is so kind and so devoted; she has always paid Natalie's debts +during the three months she spent with us every year in Paris." + +"She could well afford to do so, for she gets her living out of +Lanstrac," said Mathias. "She! grown economical! what a miracle! I am +told she has just bought the domain of Grainrouge between Lanstrac and +Grassol; so that if the Lanstrac avenue were extended to the high- +road, you would drive four and a half miles through your own property +to reach the house. She paid one hundred thousand francs down for +Grainrouge." + +"She is as handsome as ever," said Paul; "country life preserves her +freshness; I don't mean to go to Lanstrac and bid her good-bye; her +heart would bleed for me too much." + +"You would go in vain; she is now in Paris. She probably arrived there +as you left." + +"No doubt she had heard of the sale of my property and came to help +me. I have no complaint to make of life, Mathias. I am truly loved,-- +as much as any man ever could be here below; beloved by two women who +outdo each other in devotion; they are even jealous of each other; the +daughter blames the mother for loving me too much, and the mother +reproaches the daughter for what she calls her dissipations. I may say +that this great affection has been my ruin. How could I fail to +satisfy even the slightest caprice of a loving wife? Impossible to +restrain myself! Neither could I accept any sacrifice on her part. We +might certainly, as you say, live at Lanstrac, save my income, and +part with her diamonds, but I would rather go to India and work for a +fortune than tear my Natalie from the life she enjoys. So it was I who +proposed the separation as to property. Women are angels who ought not +to be mixed up in the sordid interests of life." + +Old Mathias listened in doubt and amazement. + +"You have no children, I think," he said. + +"Fortunately, none," replied Paul. + +"That is not my idea of marriage," remarked the old notary, naively. +"A wife ought, in my opinion, to share the good and evil fortunes of +her husband. I have heard that young married people who love like +lovers, do not want children? Is pleasure the only object of marriage? +I say that object should be the joys of family. Moreover, in this case +--I am afraid you will think me too much of notary--your marriage +contract made it incumbent upon you to have a son. Yes, monsieur le +comte, you ought to have had at once a male heir to consolidate that +entail. Why not? Madame Evangelista was strong and healthy; she had +nothing to fear in maternity. You will tell me, perhaps, that these +are the old-fashioned notions of our ancestors. But in those noble +families, Monsieur le comte, the legitimate wife thought it her duty +to bear children and bring them up nobly; as the Duchesse de Sully, +the wife of the great Sully, said, a wife is not an instrument of +pleasure, but the honor and virtue of her household." + +"You don't know women, my good Mathias," said Paul. "In order to be +happy we must love them as they want to be loved. Isn't there +something brutal in at once depriving a wife of her charms, and +spoiling her beauty before she has begun to enjoy it?" + +"If you had had children your wife would not have dissipated your +fortune; she would have stayed at home and looked after them." + +"If you were right, dear friend," said Paul, frowning, "I should be +still more unhappy than I am. Do not aggravate my sufferings by +preaching to me after my fall. Let me go, without the pang of looking +backward to my mistakes." + +The next day Mathias received a bill of exchange for one hundred and +fifty thousand francs from de Marsay. + +"You see," said Paul, "he does not write a word to me. He begins by +obliging me. Henri's nature is the most imperfectly perfect, the most +illegally beautiful that I know. If you knew with what superiority +that man, still young, can rise above sentiments, above self- +interests, and judge them, you would be astonished, as I am, to find +how much heart he has." + +Mathias tried to battle with Paul's determination, but he found it +irrevocable, and it was justified by so many cogent reasons that the +old man finally ceased his endeavors to retain his client. + +It is seldom that vessels sail promptly at the time appointed, but on +this occasion, by a fateful circumstance for Paul, the wind was fair +and the "Belle-Amelie" sailed on the morrow, as expected. The quay was +lined with relations, and friends, and idle persons. Among them were +several who had formerly known Manerville. His disaster, posted on the +walls of the town, made him as celebrated as he was in the days of his +wealth and fashion. Curiosity was aroused; every one had their word to +say about him. Old Mathias accompanied his client to the quay, and his +sufferings were sore as he caught a few words of those remarks:-- + +"Who could recognize in that man you see over there, near old Mathias, +the dandy who was called the Pink of Fashion five years ago, and made, +as they say, 'fair weather and foul' in Bordeaux." + +"What! that stout, short man in the alpaca overcoat, who looks like a +groom,--is that Comte Paul de Manerville?" + +"Yes, my dear, the same who married Mademoiselle Evangelista. Here he +is, ruined, without a penny to his name, going out to India to look +for luck." + +"But how did he ruin himself? he was very rich." + +"Oh! Paris, women, play, luxury, gambling at the Bourse--" + +"Besides," said another, "Manerville always was a poor creature; no +mind, soft as papier-mache, he'd let anybody shear the wool from his +back; incapable of anything, no matter what. He was born to be +ruined." + +Paul wrung the hand of the old man and went on board. Mathias stood +upon the pier, looking at his client, who leaned against the shrouds, +defying the crowed before him with a glance of contempt. At the moment +when the sailors began to weigh anchor, Paul noticed that Mathias was +making signals to him with his handkerchief. The old housekeeper had +hurried to her master, who seemed to be excited by some sudden event. +Paul asked the captain to wait a moment, and send a boat to the pier, +which was done. Too feeble himself to go aboard, Mathias gave two +letters to a sailor in the boat. + +"My friend," he said, "this packet" (showing one of the two letters) +"is important; it has just arrived by a courier from Paris in thirty- +five hours. State this to Monsieur le comte; don't neglect to do so; +it may change his plans." + +"Would he come ashore?" + +"Possibly, my friend," said the notary, imprudently. + +The sailor is, in all lands, a being of a race apart, holding all +land-folk in contempt. This one happened to be a bas-Breton, who saw +but one thing in Maitre Mathias's request. + +"Come ashore, indeed!" he thought, as he rowed. "Make the captain lose +a passenger! If one listened to those walruses we'd have nothing to do +but embark and disembark 'em. He's afraid that son of his will catch +cold." + +The sailor gave Paul the letter and said not a word of the message. +Recognizing the handwriting of his wife and de Marsay, Paul supposed +that he knew what they both would urge upon him. Anxious not to be +influenced by offers which he believed their devotion to his welfare +would inspire, he put the letters in his pocket unread, with apparent +indifference. + +Absorbed in the sad thoughts which assail the strongest man under such +circumstances, Paul gave way to his grief as he waved his hand to his +old friend, and bade farewell to France, watching the steeples of +Bordeaux as they fled out of sight. He seated himself on a coil of +rope. Night overtook him still lost in thought. With the semi-darkness +of the dying day came doubts; he cast an anxious eye into the future. +Sounding it, and finding there uncertainty and danger, he asked his +soul if courage would fail him. A vague dread seized his mind as he +thought of Natalie left wholly to herself; he repented the step he had +taken; he regretted Paris and his life there. Suddenly sea-sickness +overcame him. Every one knows the effect of that disorder. The most +horrible of its sufferings devoid of danger is a complete dissolution +of the will. An inexplicable distress relaxes to their very centre the +cords of vitality; the soul no longer performs its functions; the +sufferer becomes indifferent to everything; the mother forgets her +child, the lover his mistress, the strongest man lies prone, like an +inert mass. Paul was carried to his cabin, where he stayed three days, +lying on his back, gorged with grog by the sailors, or vomiting; +thinking of nothing, and sleeping much. Then he revived into a species +of convalescence, and returned by degrees to his ordinary condition. +The first morning after he felt better he went on deck and passed the +poop, breathing in the salt breezes of another atmosphere. Putting his +hands into his pockets he felt the letters. At once he opened them, +beginning with that of his wife. + +In order that the letter of the Comtesse de Manerville be fully +understood, it is necessary to give the one which Paul had written to +her on the day that he left Paris. + + From Paul de Manerville to his wife: + + My beloved,--When you read this letter I shall be far away from + you; perhaps already on the vessel which is to take me to India, + where I am going to repair my shattered fortune. + + I have not found courage to tell you of my departure. I have + deceived you; but it was best to do so. You would only have been + uselessly distressed; you would have wished to sacrifice your + fortune, and that I could not have suffered. Dear Natalie, feel no + remorse; I have no regrets. When I return with millions I shall + imitate your father and lay them at your feet, as he laid his at + the feet of your mother, saying to you: "All I have is yours." + + I love you madly, Natalie; I say this without fear that the + avowal will lead you to strain a power which none but weak men + fear; yours has been boundless from the day I knew you first. My + love is the only accomplice in my disaster. I have felt, as my + ruin progressed, the delirious joys of a gambler; as the money + diminished, so my enjoyment grew. Each fragment of my fortune + turned into some little pleasure for you gave me untold happiness. + I could have wished that you had more caprices that I might + gratify them all. I knew I was marching to a precipice, but I went + on crowned with joys of which a common heart knows nothing. I have + acted like those lovers who take refuge in a cottage on the shores + of some lake for a year or two, resolved to kill themselves at + last; dying thus in all the glory of their illusions and their + love. I have always thought such persons infinitely sensible. + + You have known nothing of my pleasures or my sacrifices. The + greatest joy of all was to hide from the one beloved the cost of + her desires. I can reveal these secrets to you now, for when you + hold this paper, heavy with love, I shall be far away. Though I + lose the treasures of your gratitude, I do not suffer that + contraction of the heart which would disable me if I spoke to you + of these matters. Besides, my own beloved, is there not a tender + calculation in thus revealing to you the history of the past? Does + it not extend our love into the future?--But we need no such + supports! We love each other with a love to which proof is + needless,--a love which takes no note of time or distance, but + lives of itself alone. + + Ah! Natalie, I have just looked at you asleep, trustful, restful + as a little child, your hand stretched toward me. I left a tear + upon the pillow which has known our precious joys. I leave you + without fear, on the faith of that attitude; I go to win the + future of our love by bringing home to you a fortune large enough + to gratify your every taste, and let no shadow of anxiety disturb + our joys. Neither you nor I can do without enjoyments in the life + we live. To me belongs the task of providing the necessary + fortune. I am a man; and I have courage. + + Perhaps you might seek to follow me. For that reason I conceal + from you the name of the vessel, the port from which I sail, and + the day of sailing. After I am gone, when too late to follow me, a + friend will tell you all. + + Natalie! my affection is boundless. I love you as a mother loves + her child, as a lover loves his mistress, with absolute + unselfishness. To me the toil, to you the pleasures; to me all + sufferings, to you all happiness. Amuse yourself; continue your + habits of luxury; go to theatres and operas, enjoy society and + balls; I leave you free for all things. Dear angel, when you + return to this nest where for five years we have tasted the fruits + which love has ripened think of your friend; think for a moment of + me, and rest upon my heart. + + That is all I ask of you. For myself, dear eternal thought of + mine! whether under burning skies, toiling for both of us, I face + obstacles to vanquish, or whether, weary with the struggle, I rest + my mind on hopes of a return, I shall think of you alone; of you + who are my life,--my blessed life! Yes, I shall live in you. I + shall tell myself daily that you have no troubles, no cares; that + you are happy. As in our natural lives of day and night, of + sleeping and waking, I shall have sunny days in Paris, and nights + of toil in India,--a painful dream, a joyful reality; and I shall + live so utterly in that reality that my actual life will pass as a + dream. I shall have memories! I shall recall, line by line, + strophe by strophe, our glorious five years' poem. I shall + remember the days of your pleasure in some new dress or some + adornment which made you to my eyes a fresh delight. Yes, dear + angel, I go like a man vowed to some great emprize, the guerdon of + which, if success attend him, is the recovery of his beautiful + mistress. Oh! my precious love, my Natalie, keep me as a religion + in your heart. Be the child that I have just seen asleep! If you + betray my confidence, my blind confidence, you need not fear my + anger--be sure of that; I should die silently. But a wife does not + deceive the man who leaves her free--for woman is never base. She + tricks a tyrant; but an easy treachery, which would kill its + victim, she will not commit--No, no! I will not think of it. + Forgive this cry, this single cry, so natural to the heart of man! + + Dear love, you will see de Marsay; he is now the lessee of our + house, and he will leave you in possession of it. This nominal + lease was necessary to avoid a useless loss. Our creditors, + ignorant that their payment is a question of time only, would + otherwise have seized the furniture and the temporary possession + of the house. Be kind to de Marsay; I have the most entire + confidence in his capacity and his loyalty. Take him as your + defender and adviser, make him your slave. However occupied, he + will always find time to be devoted to you. I have placed the + liquidation of my affairs and the payment of the debts in his + hands. If he should advance some sum of which he should later feel + in need I rely on you to pay it back. Remember, however, that I do + not leave you to de Marsay, but TO YOURSELF; I do not seek to + impose him upon you. + + Alas! I have but an hour more to stay beside you; I cannot spend + that hour in writing business--I count your breaths; I try to + guess your thoughts in the slight motions of your sleep. I would I + could infuse my blood into your veins that you might be a part of + me, my thought your thought, and your heart mine--A murmur has + just escaped your lips as though it were a soft reply. Be calm and + beautiful forever as you are now! Ah! would that I possessed that + fabulous fairy power which, with a wand, could make you sleep + while I am absent, until, returning, I should wake you with a + kiss. + + How much I must love you, how much energy of soul I must possess, + to leave you as I see you now! Adieu, my cherished one. Your poor + Pink of Fashion is blown away by stormy winds, but--the wings of + his good luck shall waft him back to you. No, my Ninie, I am not + bidding you farewell, for I shall never leave you. Are you not the + soul of my actions? Is not the hope of returning with happiness + indestructible for YOU the end and aim of my endeavor? Does it not + lead my every step? You will be with me everywhere. Ah! it will + not be the sun of India, but the fire of your eyes that lights my + way. Therefore be happy--as happy as a woman can be without her + lover. I would the last kiss that I take from those dear lips were + not a passive one; but, my Ninie, my adored one, I will not wake + you. When you wake, you will find a tear upon your forehead--make + it a talisman! Think, think of him who may, perhaps, die for you, + far from you; think less of the husband than of the lover who + confides you to God. + + + From the Comtesse de Manerville to her husband: + + Dear, beloved one,--Your letter has plunged me into affliction. + Had you the right to take this course, which must affect us + equally, without consulting me? Are you free? Do you not belong to + me? If you must go, why should I not follow you? You show me, + Paul, that I am not indispensable to you. What have I done, to be + deprived of my rights? Surely I count for something in this ruin. + My luxuries have weighed somewhat in the scale. You make me curse + the happy, careless life we have led for the last five years. To + know that you are banished from France for years is enough to kill + me. How soon can a fortune be made in India? Will you ever return? + + I was right when I refused, with instinctive obstinacy, that + separation as to property which my mother and you were so + determined to carry out. What did I tell you then? Did I not warn + you that it was casting a reflection upon you, and would ruin your + credit? It was not until you were really angry that I gave way. + + My dear Paul, never have you been so noble in my eyes as you are + at this moment. To despair of nothing, to start courageously to + seek a fortune! Only your character, your strength of mind could + do it. I sit at your feet. A man who avows his weakness with your + good faith, who rebuilds his fortune from the same motive that + made him wreck it, for love's sake, for the sake of an + irresistible passion, oh, Paul, that man is sublime! Therefore, + fear nothing; go on, through all obstacles, not doubting your + Natalie--for that would be doubting yourself. Poor darling, you + mean to live in me? And I shall ever be in you. I shall not be + here; I shall be wherever you are, wherever you go. + + Though your letter has caused me the keenest pain, it has also + filled me with joy--you have made me know those two extremes! + Seeing how you love me, I have been proud to learn that my love is + truly felt. Sometimes I have thought that I loved you more than + you loved me. Now, I admit myself vanquished, you have added the + delightful superiority--of loving--to all the others with which + you are blest. That precious letter in which your soul reveals + itself will lie upon my heart during all your absence; for my + soul, too, is in it; that letter is my glory. + + I shall go to live at Lanstrac with my mother. I die to the world; + I will economize my income and pay your debts to their last + farthing. From this day forth, Paul, I am another woman. I bid + farewell forever to society; I will have no pleasures that you + cannot share. Besides, Paul, I ought to leave Paris and live in + retirement. Dear friend, you will soon have a noble reason to make + your fortune. If your courage needed a spur you would find it in + this. Cannot you guess? We shall have a child. Your cherished + desires are granted. I feared to give you one of those false hopes + which hurt so much--have we not had grief enough already on that + score? I was determined not to be mistaken in this good news. + To-day I feel certain, and it makes me happy to shed this joy upon + your sorrows. + + This morning, fearing nothing and thinking you still at home, I + went to the Assumption; all things smiled upon me; how could I + foresee misfortune? As I left the church I met my mother; she had + heard of your distress, and came, by post, with all her savings, + thirty thousand francs, hoping to help you. Ah! what a heart is + hers, Paul! I felt joyful, and hurried home to tell you this good + news, and to breakfast with you in the greenhouse, where I ordered + just the dainties that you like. Well, Augustine brought me your + letter,--a letter from you, when we had slept together! A cold + fear seized me; it was like a dream! I read your letter! I read it + weeping, and my mother shared my tears. I was half-dead. Such + love, such courage, such happiness, such misery! The richest + fortunes of the heart, and the momentary ruin of all interests! To + lose you at a moment when my admiration of your greatness thrilled + me! what woman could have resisted such a tempest of emotion? To + know you far away when your hand upon my heart would have stilled + its throbbings; to feel that YOU were not here to give me that + look so precious to me, to rejoice in our new hopes; that I was + not with you to soften your sorrows by those caresses which made + your Natalie so dear to you! I wished to start, to follow you, to + fly to you. But my mother told me you had taken passage in a ship + which leaves Bordeaux to-morrow, that I could not reach you except + by post, and, moreover, that it was madness in my present state to + risk our future by attempting to follow you. I could not bear such + violent emotions; I was taken ill, and am writing to you now in + bed. + + My mother is doing all she can to stop certain calumnies which + seem to have got about on your disaster. The Vandenesses, Charles + and Felix, have earnestly defended you; but your friend de Marsay + treats the affair satirically. He laughs at your accusers instead + of replying to them. I do not like his way of lightly brushing + aside such serious attacks. Are you not deceived in him? However, + I will obey you; I will make him my friend. Do not be anxious, my + adored one, on the points that concern your honor; is it not mine + as well? My diamonds shall be pledged; we intend, mamma and I, to + employ our utmost resources in the payment of your debts; and we + shall try to buy back your vineyard at Belle-Rose. My mother, who + understands business like a lawyer, blames you very much for not + having told her of your embarrassments. She would not have bought + --thinking to please you--the Grainrouge domain, and then she + could have lent you that money as well as the thirty thousand + francs she brought with her. She is in despair at your decision; + she fears the climate of India for your health. She entreats you + to be sober, and not to let yourself be trapped by women--That + made me laugh; I am as sure of you as I am of myself. You will + return to me rich and faithful. I alone know your feminine + delicacy, and the secret sentiments which make you a human flower + worthy of the gardens of heaven. The Bordeaux people were right + when they gave you your floral nickname. + + But alas! who will take care of my delicate flower? My heart is + rent with dreadful ideas. I, his wife, Natalie, I am here, and + perhaps he suffers far away from me! And not to share your pains, + your vexations, your dangers! In whom will you confide? how will + you live without that ear into which you have hitherto poured all? + Dear, sensitive plant, swept away by this storm, will you be able + to survive in another soil than your native land? + + It seems to me that I have been alone for centuries. I have wept + sorely. To be the cause of your ruin! What a text for the thoughts + of a loving woman! You treated me like a child to whom we give all + it asks, or like a courtesan, allowed by some thoughtless youth to + squander his fortune. Ah! such indulgence was, in truth, an + insult. Did you think I could not live without fine dresses, balls + and operas and social triumphs? Am I so frivolous a woman? Do you + think me incapable of serious thought, of ministering to your + fortune as I have to your pleasures? If you were not so far away, + and so unhappy, I would blame you for that impertinence. Why lower + your wife in that way? Good heavens! what induced me to go into + society at all?--to flatter your vanity; I adorned myself for you, + as you well know. If I did wrong, I am punished, cruelly; your + absence is a harsh expiation of our mutual life. + + Perhaps my happiness was too complete; it had to be paid by some + great trial--and here it is. There is nothing now for me but + solitude. Yes, I shall live at Lanstrac, the place your father + laid out, the house you yourself refurnished so luxuriously. There + I shall live, with my mother and my child, and await you,--sending + you daily, night and morning, the prayers of all. Remember that + our love is a talisman against all evil. I have no more doubt of + you than you can have of me. What comfort can I put into this + letter,--I so desolate, so broken, with the lonely years before + me, like a desert to cross. But no! I am not utterly unhappy; the + desert will be brightened by our son,--yes, it must be a SON, must + it not? + + And now, adieu, my own beloved; our love and prayers will follow + you. The tears you see upon this paper will tell you much that I + cannot write. I kiss you on this little square of paper, see! + below. Take those kisses from + +Your Natalie. + + +--------+ + | | + | | + | | + +--------+ + + +This letter threw Paul into a reverie caused as much by memories of +the past as by these fresh assurances of love. The happier a man is, +the more he trembles. In souls which are exclusively tender--and +exclusive tenderness carries with it a certain amount of weakness-- +jealousy and uneasiness exist in direct proportion to the amount of +the happiness and its extent. Strong souls are neither jealous nor +fearful; jealousy is doubt, fear is meanness. Unlimited belief is the +principal attribute of a great man. If he is deceived (for strength as +well as weakness may make a man a dupe) his contempt will serve him as +an axe with which to cut through all. This greatness, however, is the +exception. Which of us has not known what it is to be abandoned by the +spirit which sustains our frail machine, and to hearken to that +mysterious Voice denying all? Paul, his mind going over the past, and +caught here and there by irrefutable facts, believed and doubted all. +Lost in thought, a prey to an awful and involuntary incredulity, which +was combated by the instincts of his own pure love and his faith in +Natalie, he read and re-read that wordy letter, unable to decide the +question which it raised either for or against his wife. Love is +sometimes as great and true when smothered in words as it is in brief, +strong sentences. + +To understand the situation into which Paul de Manerville was about to +enter we must think of him as he was at this moment, floating upon the +ocean as he floated upon his past, looking back upon the years of his +life as he looked at the limitless water and cloudless sky about him, +and ending his reverie by returning, through tumults of doubt, to +faith, the pure, unalloyed and perfect faith of the Christian and the +lover, which enforced the voice of his faithful heart. + +It is necessary to give here his own letter to de Marsay written on +leaving Paris, to which his friend replied in the letter he received +through old Mathias from the dock:-- + + From Comte Paul de Manerville to Monsieur le Marquis Henri de + Marsay: + + Henri,--I have to say to you one of the most vital words a man can + say to his friend:--I am ruined. When you read this I shall be on + the point of sailing from Bordeaux to Calcutta on the brig "Belle- + Amelie." + + You will find in the hands of your notary a deed which only needs + your signature to be legal. In it, I lease my house to you for six + years at a nominal rent. Send a duplicate of that deed to my wife. + I am forced to take this precaution that Natalie may continue to + live in her own home without fear of being driven out by + creditors. + + I also convey to you by deed the income of my share of the + entailed property for four years; the whole amounting to one + hundred and fifty thousand francs, which sum I beg you to lend me + and to send in a bill of exchange on some house in Bordeaux to my + notary, Maitre Mathias. My wife will give you her signature to + this paper as an endorsement of your claim to my income. If the + revenues of the entail do not pay this loan as quickly as I now + expect, you and I will settle on my return. The sum I ask for is + absolutely necessary to enable me to seek my fortune in India; and + if I know you, I shall receive it in Bordeaux the night before I + sail. + + I have acted as you would have acted in my place. I held firm to + the last moment, letting no one suspect my ruin. Before the news + of the seizure of my property at Bordeaux reached Paris, I had + attempted, with one hundred thousand francs which I obtained on + notes, to recover myself by play. Some lucky stroke might still + have saved me. I lost. + + How have I ruined myself? By my own will, Henri. From the first + month of my married life I saw that I could not keep up the style + in which I started. I knew the result; but I chose to shut my + eyes; I could not say to my wife, "We must leave Paris and live at + Lanstrac." I have ruined myself for her as men ruin themselves for + a mistress, but I knew it all along. Between ourselves, I am + neither a fool nor a weak man. A fool does not let himself be + ruled with his eyes open by a passion; and a man who starts for + India to reconstruct his fortune, instead of blowing out his + brains, is not weak. + + I shall return rich, or I shall never return at all. Only, my dear + friend, as I want wealth solely for HER, as I must be absent six + years at least, and as I will not risk being duped in any way, I + confide to you my wife. I know no better guardian. Being + childless, a lover might be dangerous to her. Henri! I love her + madly, basely, without proper pride. I would forgive her, I think, + an infidelity, not because I am certain of avenging it, but + because I would kill myself to leave her free and happy--since I + could not make her happiness myself. But what have I to fear? + Natalie feels for me that friendship which is independent of love, + but which preserves love. I have treated her like a petted child. + I took such delight in my sacrifices, one led so naturally to + another, that she can never be false; she would be a monster if + she were. Love begets love. + + Alas! shall I tell you all, my dear Henri? I have just written her + a letter in which I let her think that I go with heart of hope and + brow serene; that neither jealousy, nor doubt, nor fear is in my + soul,--a letter, in short, such as a son might write to his + mother, aware that he is going to his death. Good God! de Marsay, + as I wrote it hell was in my soul! I am the most wretched man on + earth. Yes, yes, to you the cries, to you the grinding of my + teeth! I avow myself to you a despairing lover; I would rather + live these six years sweeping the streets beneath her windows than + return a millionaire at the end of them--if I could choose. I + suffer agony; I shall pass from pain to pain until I hear from you + that you will take the trust which you alone can fulfil or + accomplish. + + Oh! my dear de Marsay, this woman is indispensable to my life; she + is my sun, my atmosphere. Take her under your shield and buckler, + keep her faithful to me, even if she wills it not. Yes, I could be + satisfied with a half-happiness. Be her guardian, her chaperon, + for I could have no distrust of you. Prove to her that in + betraying me she would do a low and vulgar thing, and be no better + than the common run of women; tell her that faithfulness will + prove her lofty spirit. + + She probably has fortune enough to continue her life of luxury and + ease. But if she lacks a pleasure, if she has caprices which she + cannot satisfy, be her banker, and do not fear, I WILL return with + wealth. + + But, after all, these fears are in vain! Natalie is an angel of + purity and virtue. When Felix de Vandenesse fell deeply in love + with her and began to show her certain attentions, I had only to + let her see the danger, and she instantly thanked me so + affectionately that I was moved to tears. She said that her + dignity and reputation demanded that she should not close her + doors abruptly to any man, but that she knew well how to dismiss + him. She did, in fact, receive him so coldly that the affair all + ended for the best. We have never had any other subject of dispute + --if, indeed, a friendly talk could be called a dispute--in all + our married life. + + And now, my dear Henri, I bid you farewell in the spirit of a man. + Misfortune has come. No matter what the cause, it is here. I strip + to meet it. Poverty and Natalie are two irreconcilable terms. The + balance may be close between my assets and my liabilities, but no + one shall have cause to complain of me. But, should any unforeseen + event occur to imperil my honor, I count on you. + + Send letters under cover to the Governor of India at Calcutta. I + have friendly relations with his family, and some one there will + care for all letters that come to me from Europe. Dear friend, I + hope to find you the same de Marsay on my return,--the man who + scoffs at everything and yet is receptive of the feelings of + others when they accord with the grandeur he is conscious of in + himself. You stay in Paris, friend; but when you read these words, + I shall be crying out, "To Carthage!" + + + The Marquis Henri de Marsay to Comte Paul de Manerville: + + So, so, Monsieur le comte, you have made a wreck of it! Monsieur + l'ambassadeur has gone to the bottom! Are these the fine things + that you were doing? + + Why, Paul, why have you kept away from me? If you had said a + single word, my poor old fellow, I would have made your position + plain to you. Your wife has refused me her endorsement. May that + one word unseal your eyes! But, if that does not suffice, learn + that your notes have been protested at the instigation of a Sieur + Lecuyer, formerly head-clerk to Maitre Solonet, a notary in + Bordeaux. That usurer in embryo (who came from Gascony for + jobbery) is the proxy of your very honorable mother-in-law, who is + the actual holder of your notes for one hundred thousand francs, + on which I am told that worthy woman doled out to you only seventy + thousand. Compared with Madame Evangelista, papa Gobseck is + flannel, velvet, vanilla cream, a sleeping draught. Your vineyard + of Belle-Rose is to fall into the clutches of your wife, to whom + her mother pays the difference between the price it goes for at + the auction sale and the amount of her dower claim upon it. Madame + Evangelista will also have the farms at Guadet and Grassol, and + the mortgages on your house in Bordeaux already belong to her, in + the names of straw men provided by Solonet. + + Thus these two excellent women will make for themselves a united + income of one hundred and twenty thousand francs a year out of + your misfortunes and forced sale of property, added to the revenue + of some thirty-odd thousand on the Grand-livre which these cats + already possess. + + The endorsement of your wife was not needed; for this morning the + said Sieur Lecuyer came to offer me a return of the sum I had lent + you in exchange for a legal transfer of my rights. The vintage of + 1825 which your mother-in-law keeps in the cellars at Lanstrac + will suffice to pay me. + + These two women have calculated, evidently, that you are now upon + the ocean; but I send this letter by courier, so that you may have + time to follow the advice I now give you. + + I made Lecuyer talk. I disentangled from his lies, his language, + and his reticence, the threads I lacked to bring to light the + whole plot of the domestic conspiracy hatched against you. This + evening, at the Spanish embassy, I shall offer my admiring + compliments to your mother-in-law and your wife. I shall pay + court to Madame Evangelista; I intend to desert you basely, and + say sly things to your discredit,--nothing openly, or that + Mascarille in petticoats would detect my purpose. How did you make + her such an enemy? That is what I want to know. If you had had the + wit to be in love with that woman before you married her daughter, + you would to-day be peer of France, Duc de Manerville, and, + possibly, ambassador to Madrid. + + If you had come to me at the time of your marriage, I would have + helped you to analyze and know the women to whom you were binding + yourself; out of our mutual observations safety might have been + yours. But, instead of that, these women judged me, became afraid + of me, and separated us. If you had not stupidly given in to them + and turned me the cold shoulder, they would never have been able + to ruin you. Your wife brought on the coldness between us, + instigated by her mother, to whom she wrote two letters a week,--a + fact to which you paid no attention. I recognized my Paul when I + heard that detail. + + Within a month I shall be so intimate with your mother-in-law that + I shall hear from her the reasons of the hispano-italiano hatred + which she feels for you,--for you, one of the best and kindest men + on earth! Did she hate you before her daughter fell in love with + Felix de Vandenesse; that's a question in my mind. If I had not + taken a fancy to go to the East with Montriveau, Ronquerolles, and + a few other good fellows of your acquaintance, I should have been + in a position to tell you something about that affair, which was + beginning just as I left Paris. I saw the first gleams even then + of your misfortune. But what gentleman is base enough to open such + a subject unless appealed to? Who shall dare to injure a woman, or + break that illusive mirror in which his friend delights in gazing + at the fairy scenes of a happy marriage? Illusions are the riches + of the heart. + + Your wife, dear friend, is, I believe I may say, in the fullest + application of the word, a fashionable woman. She thinks of + nothing but her social success, her dress, her pleasures; she goes + to opera and theatre and balls; she rises late and drives to the + Bois, dines out, or gives a dinner-party. Such a life seems to me + for women very much what war is for men; the public sees only the + victors; it forgets the dead. Many delicate women perish in this + conflict; those who come out of it have iron constitutions, + consequently no heart, but good stomachs. There lies the reason of + the cold insensibility of social life. Fine souls keep themselves + reserved, weak and tender natures succumb; the rest are + cobblestones which hold the social organ in its place, water-worn + and rounded by the tide, but never worn-out. Your wife has + maintained that life with ease; she looks made for it; she is + always fresh and beautiful. To my mind the deduction is plain,-- + she has never loved you; and you have loved her like a madman. + + To strike out love from that siliceous nature a man of iron was + needed. After standing, but without enduring, the shock of Lady + Dudley, Felix was the fitting mate to Natalie. There is no great + merit in divining that to you she was indifferent. In love with + her yourself, you have been incapable of perceiving the cold + nature of a young woman whom you have fashioned and trained for a + man like Vandenesse. The coldness of your wife, if you perceived + it, you set down, with the stupid jurisprudence of married people, + to the honor of her reserve and her innocence. Like all husbands, + you thought you could keep her virtuous in a society where women + whisper from ear to ear that which men are afraid to say. + + No, your wife has liked the social benefits she derived from + marriage, but the private burdens of it she found rather heavy. + Those burdens, that tax was--you! Seeing nothing of all this, you + have gone on digging your abysses (to use the hackneyed words of + rhetoric) and covering them with flowers. You have mildly obeyed + the law which rules the ruck of men; from which I desired to + protect you. Dear fellow! only one thing was wanting to make you + as dull as the bourgeois deceived by his wife, who is all + astonishment or wrath, and that is that you should talk to me of + your sacrifices, your love for Natalie, and chant that psalm: + "Ungrateful would she be if she betrayed me; I have done this, I + have done that, and more will I do; I will go to the ends of the + earth, to the Indies for her sake. I--I--" etc. My dear Paul, have + you never lived in Paris, have you never had the honor of + belonging by ties of friendship to Henri de Marsay, that you + should be so ignorant of the commonest things, the primitive + principles that move the feminine mechanism, the a-b-c of their + hearts? Then hear me:-- + + Suppose you exterminate yourself, suppose you go to Saint-Pelagie + for a woman's debts, suppose you kill a score of men, desert a + dozen women, serve like Laban, cross the deserts, skirt the + galleys, cover yourself with glory, cover yourself with shame, + refuse, like Nelson, to fight a battle until you have kissed the + shoulder of Lady Hamilton, dash yourself, like Bonaparte, upon the + bridge at Arcola, go mad like Roland, risk your life to dance five + minutes with a woman--my dear fellow, what have all those things + to do with LOVE? If love were won by samples such as those mankind + would be too happy. A spurt of prowess at the moment of desire + would give a man the woman that he wanted. But love, LOVE, my good + Paul, is a faith like that in the Immaculate conception of the + Holy Virgin; it comes, or it does not come. Will the mines of + Potosi, or the shedding of our blood, or the making of our fame + serve to waken an involuntary, an inexplicable sentiment? Young + men like you, who expect to be loved as the balance of your + account, are nothing else than usurers. Our legitimate wives owe + us virtue and children, but they don't owe us love. + + Love, my dear Paul, is the sense of pleasure given and received, + and the certainty of giving and receiving it; love is a desire + incessantly moving and growing, incessantly satisfied and + insatiable. The day when Vandenesse stirred the cord of a desire + in your wife's heart which you had left untouched, all your self- + satisfied affection, your gifts, your deeds, your money, ceased to + be even memories; one emotion of love in your wife's heart has + cast out the treasures of your own passion, which are now nothing + better than old iron. Felix has the virtues and the beauties in + her eyes, and the simple moral is that blinded by your own love + you never made her love you. + + Your mother-in-law is on the side of the lover against the + husband,--secretly or not; she may have closed her eyes, or she + may have opened them; I know not what she has done--but one thing + is certain, she is for her daughter, and against you. During the + fifteen years that I have observed society, I have never yet seen + a mother who, under such circumstances, abandons her daughter. + This indulgence seems to be an inheritance transmitted in the + female line. What man can blame it? Some copyist of the Civil + code, perhaps, who sees formulas only in the place of feelings. + + As for your present position, the dissipation into which the life + of a fashionable woman cast you, and your own easy nature, + possibly your vanity, have opened the way for your wife and her + mother to get rid of you by this ruin so skilfully contrived. From + all of which you will conclude, my good friend, that the mission + you entrusted to me, and which I would all the more faithfully + fulfil because it amused me, is, necessarily, null and void. The + evil you wish me to prevent is accomplished,--"consummatum est." + + Forgive me, dear friend, if I write to you, as you say, a la de + Marsay on subjects which must seem to you very serious. Far be it + from me to dance upon the grave of a friend, like heirs upon that + of a progenitor. But you have written to me that you mean to act + the part of a man, and I believe you; I therefore treat you as a + man of the world, and not as a lover. For you, this blow ought to + be like the brand on the shoulder of a galley-slave, which flings + him forever into a life of systematic opposition to society. You + are now freed of one evil; marriage possessed you; it now behooves + you to turn round and possess marriage. + + Paul, I am your friend in the fullest acceptation of the word. If + you had a brain in an iron skull, if you had the energy which has + come to you too late, I would have proved my friendship by telling + you things that would have made you walk upon humanity as upon a + carpet. But when I did talk to you guardedly of Parisian + civilization, when I told you in the disguise of fiction some of + the actual adventures of my youth, you regarded them as mere + romance and would not see their bearing. When I told you that + history of a lawyer at the galleys branded for forgery, who + committed the crime to give his wife, adored like yours, an income + of thirty thousand francs, and whom his wife denounced that she + might be rid of him and free to love another man, you exclaimed, + and other fools who were supping with us exclaimed against me. + Well, my dear Paul, you were that lawyer, less the galleys. + + Your friends here are not sparing you. The sister of the two + Vandenesses, the Marquise de Listomere and all her set, in which, + by the bye, that little Rastignac has enrolled himself,--the scamp + will make his way!--Madame d'Aiglemont and her salon, the + Lenoncourts, the Comtesse Ferraud, Madame d'Espard, the Nucingens, + the Spanish ambassador, in short, all the cliques in society are + flinging mud upon you. You are a bad man, a gambler, a dissipated + fellow who has squandered his property. After paying your debts a + great many times, your wife, an angel of virtue, has just redeemed + your notes for one hundred thousand francs, although her property + was separate from yours. Luckily, you had done the best you could + do by disappearing. If you had stayed here you would have made her + bed in the straw; the poor woman would have been the victim of her + conjugal devotion! + + When a man attains to power, my dear Paul, he has all the virtues + of an epitaph; let him fall into poverty, and he has more sins + than the Prodigal Son; society at the present moment gives you the + vices of a Don Juan. You gambled at the Bourse, you had licentious + tastes which cost you fabulous sums of money to gratify; you paid + enormous interests to money-lenders. The two Vandenesses have told + everywhere how Gigonnet gave you for six thousand francs an ivory + frigate, and made your valet buy it back for three hundred in + order to sell it to you again. The incident did really happen to + Maxime de Trailles about nine years ago; but it fits your present + circumstances so well that Maxime has forever lost the command of + his frigate. + + In short, I can't tell you one-half that is said; you have + supplied a whole encyclopaedia of gossip which the women have an + interest in swelling. Your wife is having an immense success. Last + evening at the opera Madame Firmiani began to repeat to me some of + the things that are being said. "Don't talk of that," I replied. + "You know nothing of the real truth, you people. Paul has robbed + the Bank, cheated the Treasury, murdered Ezzelin and three Medoras + in the rue Saint-Denis, and I think, between ourselves, that he is + a member of the Dix-Mille. His associate is the famous Jacques + Collin, on whom the police have been unable to lay a hand since he + escaped from the galleys. Paul gave him a room in his house; you + see he is capable of anything; in fact, the two have gone off to + India together to rob the Great Mogul." Madame Firmiani, like the + distinguished woman that she is, saw that she ought not to convert + her beautiful lips into a mouthpiece for false denunciation. + + Many persons, when they hear of these tragi-comedies of life, + refuse to believe them. They take the side of human nature and + fine sentiments; they declare that these things do not exist. But + Talleyrand said a fine thing, my dear fellow: "All things happen." + Truly, things happen under our very noses which are more amazing + than this domestic plot of yours; but society has an interest in + denying them, and in declaring itself calumniated. Often these + dramas are played so naturally and with such a varnish of good + taste that even I have to rub the lens of my opera-glass to see to + the bottom of them. But, I repeat to you, when a man is a friend + of mine, when we have received together the baptism of champagne + and have knelt together before the altar of the Venus Commodus, + when the crooked fingers of play have given us their benediction, + if that man finds himself in a false position I'd ruin a score of + families to do him justice. + + You must be aware from all this that I love you. Have I ever in my + life written a letter as long as this? No. Therefore, read with + attention what I still have to say. + + Alas! Paul, I shall be forced to take to writing, for I am taking + to politics. I am going into public life. I intend to have, within + five years, the portfolio of a ministry or some embassy. There + comes an age when the only mistress a man can serve is his + country. I enter the ranks of those who intend to upset not only + the ministry, but the whole present system of government. In + short, I swim in the waters of a certain prince who is lame of the + foot only,--a man whom I regard as a statesman of genius whose + name will go down to posterity; a prince as complete in his way as + a great artist may be in his. + + Several of us, Ronquerolles, Montriveau, the Grandlieus, La Roche- + Hugon, Serisy, Feraud, and Granville, have allied ourselves + against the "parti-pretre," as the party-ninny represented by the + "Constitutionnel" has ingeniously said. We intend to overturn the + Navarreins, Lenoncourts, Vandenesses, and the Grand Almonry. In + order to succeed we shall even ally ourselves with Lafayette, the + Orleanists, and the Left,--people whom we can throttle on the + morrow of victory, for no government in the world is possible with + their principles. We are capable of anything for the good of the + country--and our own. + + Personal questions as to the King's person are mere sentimental + folly in these days; they must be cleared away. From that point of + view, the English with their sort of Doge, are more advanced than + we are. Politics have nothing to do with that, my dear fellow. + Politics consist in giving the nation an impetus by creating an + oligarchy embodying a fixed theory of government, and able to + direct public affairs along a straight path, instead of allowing + the country to be pulled in a thousand different directions, which + is what has been happening for the last forty years in our + beautiful France--at once so intelligent and so sottish, so wise + and so foolish; it needs a system, indeed, much more than men. + What are individuals in this great question? If the end is a great + one, if the country may live happy and free from trouble, what do + the masses care for the profits of our stewardship, our fortune, + privileges, and pleasures? + + I am now standing firm on my feet. I have at the present moment a + hundred and fifty thousand francs a year in the Three per Cents, + and a reserve of two hundred thousand francs to repair damages. + Even this does not seem to me very much ballast in the pocket of a + man starting left foot foremost to scale the heights of power. + + A fortunate accident settled the question of my setting out on + this career, which did not particularly smile on me, for you know + my predilection for the life of the East. After thirty-five years + of slumber, my highly-respected mother woke up to the recollection + that she had a son who might do her honor. Often when a vine-stock + is eradicated, some years after shoots come up to the surface of + the ground; well, my dear boy, my mother had almost torn me up by + the roots from her heart, and I sprouted again in her head. At the + age of fifty-eight, she thinks herself old enough to think no more + of any men but her son. At this juncture she has met in some hot- + water cauldron, at I know not what baths, a delightful old maid-- + English, with two hundred and forty thousand francs a year; and, + like a good mother, she has inspired her with an audacious + ambition to become my wife. A maid of six-and-thirty, my word! + Brought up in the strictest puritanical principles, a steady + sitting hen, who maintains that unfaithful wives should be + publicly burnt. 'Where will you find wood enough?' I asked her. I + could have sent her to the devil, for two hundred and forty + thousand francs a year are no equivalent for liberty, nor a fair + price for my physical and moral worth and my prospects. But she is + the sole heiress of a gouty old fellow, some London brewer, who + within a calculable time will leave her a fortune equal at least + to what the sweet creature has already. Added to these advantages, + she has a red nose, the eyes of a dead goat, a waist that makes + one fear lest she should break into three pieces if she falls + down, and the coloring of a badly painted doll. But--she is + delightfully economical; but--she will adore her husband, do what + he will; but--she has the English gift; she will manage my house, + my stables, my servants, my estates better than any steward. She + has all the dignity of virtue; she holds herself as erect as a + confidante on the stage of the Francais; nothing will persuade me + that she has not been impaled and the shaft broken off in her + body. Miss Stevens is, however, fair enough to be not too + unpleasing if I must positively marry her. But--and this to me is + truly pathetic--she has the hands of a woman as immaculate as the + sacred ark; they are so red that I have not yet hit on any way to + whiten them that will not be too costly, and I have no idea how to + fine down her fingers, which are like sausages. Yes; she evidently + belongs to the brew-house by her hands, and to the aristocracy by + her money; but she is apt to affect the great lady a little too + much, as rich English women do who want to be mistaken for them, + and she displays her lobster's claws too freely. + + She has, however, as little intelligence as I could wish in a + woman. If there were a stupider one to be found, I would set out + to seek her. This girl, whose name is Dinah, will never criticise + me; she will never contradict me; I shall be her Upper Chamber, + her Lords and Commons. In short, Paul, she is indefeasible + evidence of the English genius; she is a product of English + mechanics brought to their highest pitch of perfection; she was + undoubtedly made at Manchester, between the manufactory of Perry's + pens and the workshops for steam-engines. It eats, it drinks, it + walks, it may have children, take good care of them, and bring + them up admirably, and it apes a woman so well that you would + believe it real. + + When my mother introduced us, she had set up the machine so + cleverly, had so carefully fitted the pegs, and oiled the wheels + so thoroughly, that nothing jarred; then, when she saw I did not + make a very wry face, she set the springs in motion, and the woman + spoke. Finally, my mother uttered the decisive words, "Miss Dinah + Stevens spends no more than thirty thousand francs a year, and has + been traveling for seven years in order to economize."--So there + is another image, and that one is silver. + + Matters are so far advanced that the banns are to be published. We + have got as far as "My dear love." Miss makes eyes at me that + might floor a porter. The settlements are prepared. My fortune is + not inquired into; Miss Stevens devotes a portion of hers to + creating an entail in landed estate, bearing an income of two + hundred and forty thousand francs, and to the purchase of a house, + likewise entailed. The settlement credited to me is of a million + francs. She has nothing to complain of. I leave her uncle's money + untouched. + + The worthy brewer, who has helped to found the entail, was near + bursting with joy when he heard that his niece was to be a + marquise. He would be capable of doing something handsome for my + eldest boy. + + I shall sell out of the funds as soon as they are up to eighty, + and invest in land. Thus, in two years I may look to get six + hundred thousand francs a year out of real estate. So, you see, + Paul, I do not give my friends advice that I am not ready to act + upon. + + If you had but listened to me, you would have an English wife, + some Nabob's daughter, who would leave you the freedom of a + bachelor and the independence necessary for playing the whist of + ambition. I would concede my future wife to you if you were not + married already. But that cannot be helped, and I am not the man + to bid you chew the cud of the past. + + All this preamble was needful to explain to you that for the + future my position in life will be such as a man needs if he wants + to play the great game of pitch-and-toss. I cannot do without you, + my friend. Now, then, my dear Paul, instead of setting sail for + India you would do a much wiser thing to navigate with me the + waters of the Seine. Believe me, Paris is still the place where + fortune, abundant fortune, can be won. Potosi is in the rue + Vivienne, the rue de la Paix, the Place Vendome, the rue de + Rivoli. In all other places and countries material works and + labors, marches and counter-marches, and sweatings of the brow are + necessary to the building up of fortune; but in Paris THOUGHT + suffices. Here, every man even mentally mediocre, can see a mine + of wealth as he puts on his slippers, or picks his teeth after + dinner, in his down-sitting and his up-rising. Find me another + place on the globe where a good round stupid idea brings in more + money, or is sooner understood than it is here. + + If I reach the top of the ladder, as I shall, am I the man to + refuse you a helping hand, an influence, a signature? We shall + want, we young roues, a faithful friend on whom to count, if only + to compromise him and make him a scape-goat, or send him to die + like a common soldier to save his general. Government is + impossible without a man of honor at one's side, in whom to + confide and with whom we can do and say everything. + + Here is what I propose. Let the "Belle-Amelie" sail without you; + come back here like a thunderbolt; I'll arrange a duel for you + with Vandenesse in which you shall have the first shot, and you + can wing him like a pigeon. In France the husband who shoots his + rival becomes at once respectable and respected. No one ever + cavils at him again. Fear, my dear fellow, is a valuable social + element, a means of success for those who lower their eyes before + the gaze of no man living. I who care as little to live as to + drink a glass of milk, and who have never felt the emotion of + fear, I have remarked the strange effects produced by that + sentiment upon our modern manners. Some men tremble to lose the + enjoyments to which they are attached, others dread to leave a + woman. The old adventurous habits of other days when life was + flung away like a garment exist no longer. The bravery of a great + many men is nothing more than a clever calculation on the fear of + their adversary. The Poles are the only men in Europe who fight + for the pleasure of fighting; they cultivate the art for the art's + sake, and not for speculation. + + Now hear me: kill Vandenesse, and your wife trembles, your mother- + in-law trembles, the public trembles, and you recover your + position, you prove your grand passion for your wife, you subdue + society, you subdue your wife, you become a hero. Such is France. + As for your embarrassments, I hold a hundred thousand francs for + you; you can pay your principal debts, and sell what property you + have left with a power of redemption, for you will soon obtain an + office which will enable you by degrees to pay off your creditors. + Then, as for your wife, once enlightened as to her character you + can rule her. When you loved her you had no power to manage her; + not loving her, you will have an unconquerable force. I will + undertake, myself, to make your mother-in-law as supple as a + glove; for you must recover the use of the hundred and fifty + thousand francs a year those two women have squeezed out of you. + + Therefore, I say, renounce this expatriation which seems to me no + better than a pan of charcoal or a pistol to your head. To go away + is to justify all calumnies. The gambler who leaves the table to + get his money loses it when he returns; we must have our gold in + our pockets. Let us now, you and I, be two gamblers on the green + baize of politics; between us loans are in order. Therefore take + post-horses, come back instantly, and renew the game. You'll win + it with Henri de Marsay for your partner, for Henri de Marsay + knows how to will, and how to strike. + + See how we stand politically. My father is in the British + ministry; we shall have close relations with Spain through the + Evangelistas, for, as soon as your mother-in-law and I have + measured claws she will find there is nothing to gain by fighting + the devil. Montriveau is our lieutenant-general; he will certainly + be minister of war before long, and his eloquence will give him + great ascendancy in the Chamber. Ronquerolles will be minister of + State and privy-councillor; Martial de la Roche-Hugon is minister + to Germany and peer of France; Serisy leads the Council of State, + to which he is indispensable; Granville holds the magistracy, to + which his sons belong; the Grandlieus stand well at court; Ferraud + is the soul of the Gondreville coterie,--low intriguers who are + always on the surface of things, I'm sure I don't know why. Thus + supported, what have we to fear? The money question is a mere + nothing when this great wheel of fortune rolls for us. What is a + woman?--you are not a schoolboy. What is life, my dear fellow, if + you let a woman be the whole of it? A boat you can't command, + without a rudder, but not without a magnet, and tossed by every + wind that blows. Pah! + + The great secret of social alchemy, my dear Paul, is to get the + most we can out of each age of life through which we pass; to have + and to hold the buds of our spring, the flowers of our summer, the + fruits of our autumn. We amused ourselves once, a few good fellows + and I, for a dozen or more years, like mousquetaires, black, red, + and gray; we denied ourselves nothing, not even an occasional + filibustering here and there. Now we are going to shake down the + plums which age and experience have ripened. Be one of us; you + shall have your share in the PUDDING we are going to cook. + + Come; you will find a friend all yours in the skin of + +H. de Marsay. + + +As Paul de Manerville ended the reading of this letter, which fell +like the blows of a pickaxe on the edifice of his hopes, his +illusions, and his love, the vessel which bore him from France was +beyond the Azores. In the midst of this utter devastation a cold and +impotent anger laid hold of him. + +"What had I done to them?" he said to himself. + +That is the question of fools, of feeble beings, who, seeing nothing, +can nothing foresee. Then he cried aloud: "Henri! Henri!" to his loyal +friend. Many a man would have gone mad; Paul went to bed and slept +that heavy sleep which follows immense disasters,--the sleep that +seized Napoleon after Waterloo. + + + + +ADDENDUM + +The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. + +Casa-Real, Duc de + The Quest of the Absolute + +Claes, Josephine de Temninck, Madame + The Quest of the Absolute + +Magus, Elie + The Vendetta + A Bachelor's Establishment + Pierre Grassou + Cousin Pons + +Manerville, Paul Francois-Joseph, Comte de + The Thirteen + The Ball at Sceaux + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + +Manerville, Comtesse Paul de + The Lily of the Valley + A Daughter of Eve + +Marsay, Henri de + The Thirteen + The Unconscious Humorists + Another Study of Woman + The Lily of the Valley + Father Goriot + Jealousies of a Country Town + Ursule Mirouet + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Letters of Two Brides + The Ball at Sceaux + Modeste Mignon + The Secrets of a Princess + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + +Maulincour, Baronne de + The Thirteen + +Stevens, Dinah + Cousin Pons + +Vandenesse, Comte Felix de + The Lily of the Valley + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Cesar Birotteau + Letters of Two Brides + A Start in Life + The Secrets of a Princess + Another Study of Woman + The Gondreville Mystery + A Daughter of Eve + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg Etext of The Marriage Contract + diff --git a/old/mrgct10.zip b/old/mrgct10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..441be50 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/mrgct10.zip |