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diff --git a/old/25411-h.htm.2021-01-25 b/old/25411-h.htm.2021-01-25 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6055141 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/25411-h.htm.2021-01-25 @@ -0,0 +1,1426 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Seven Wives of Bluebeard by Anatole France + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Seven Wives Of Bluebeard, by Anatole France + +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 Seven Wives Of Bluebeard + 1920 + +Author: Anatole France + +Editor: James Lewis May And Bernard Miall + +Translator: D. B. Stewart + +Release Date: May 9, 2008 [EBook #25411] +Last Updated: October 5, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVEN WIVES OF BLUEBEARD *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%"> + <img alt="titlepage (116K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SEVEN WIVES OF BLUEBEARD + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Anatole France + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Edited By James Lewis May And Bernard Miall + </h3> + <h3> + Translted by D.B. Stewart + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h5> + John Lane Company MCMXX + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>THE SEVEN WIVES OF BLUEBEARD</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE SEVEN WIVES OF BLUEBEARD + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%"> + <img alt="014 (123K)" src="images/014.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + THE strangest, the most varied, the most erroneous opinions have been + expressed with regard to the famous individual commonly known as + Bluebeard. None, perhaps, was less tenable than that which made of this + gentleman a personification of the Sun. For this is what a certain school + of comparative mythology set itself to do, some forty years ago. It + informed the world that the seven wives of Bluebeard were the Dawns, and + that his two brothers-in-law were the morning and the evening Twilight, + identifying them with the Dioscuri, who delivered Helena when she was rapt + away by Theseus. We must remind those readers who may feel tempted to + believe this that in 1817 a learned librarian of Agen, Jean-Baptiste + Pérés, demonstrated, in a highly plausible manner, that Napoleon had never + existed, and that the story of this supposed great captain was nothing but + a solar myth. Despite the most ingenious diversions of the wits, we cannot + possibly doubt that Bluebeard and Napoleon did both actually exist. + </p> + <p> + An hypothesis no better founded is that which Consists in identifying + Bluebeard with the Marshal de Rais, who was strangled by the arm of the + Law above the bridges of Nantes on 26th of October, 1440. Without + inquiring, with M. Salomon Reinach, whether the Marshal committed the + crimes for which he was condemned, or whether his wealth, coveted by a + greedy prince, did not in some degree contribute to his undoing, there is + nothing in his life that resembles what we find in Bluebeard's; this alone + is enough to prevent our confusing them or merging the two individuals + into one. + </p> + <p> + Charles Perrault, who, about 1660, had the merit of composing the first + biography of this <i>seigneur</i>, justly remarkable for having married + seven wives, made him an accomplished villain, and the most perfect model + of cruelty that ever trod the earth. But it is permissible to doubt, if + not his sincerity, at least the correctness of his information. He may, + perhaps, have been prejudiced against his hero. He would not have been the + first example of a poet or historian who liked to darken the colours of + his pictures. If we have what seems a flattering portrait of Titus, it + would seem, on the other hand, that Tacitus has painted Tiberius much + blacker than the reality. Macbeth, whom legend and Shakespeare accuse of + crimes, was in reality a just and a wise king. He never treacherously + murdered the old king, Duncan. Duncan, while yet young, was defeated in a + great battle, and was found dead on the morrow at a spot called the + Armourer's Shop. He had slain several of the kinsfolk of Gruchno, the wife + of Macbeth. The latter made Scotland prosperous; he encouraged trade, and + was regarded as the defender of the middle classes, the true King of the + townsmen. The nobles of the clans never forgave him for defeating Duncan, + nor for protecting the artisans. They destroyed him, and dishonoured his + memory. Once he was dead the good King Macbeth was known only by the + statements of his enemies. The genius of Shakespeare imposed these lies + upon the human consciousness. I had long suspected that Bluebeard was the + victim of a similar fatality. All the circumstances of his life, as I + found them related, were far from satisfying my mind, and from gratifying + that craving for logic and lucidity by which I am incessantly consumed. On + reflection, I perceived that they involved insurmountable difficulties. + There was so great a desire to make me believe in the man's cruelty that + it could not fail to make me doubt it. + </p> + <p> + These presentiments did not mislead me. My intuitions, which had their + origin in a certain knowledge of human nature, were soon to be changed + into certainty, based upon irrefutable proofs. + </p> + <p> + In the house of a stone-cutter in St. Jean-des-Bois, I found several + papers relating to Bluebeard; amongst others his defence, and an anonymous + complaint against his murderers, which was not proceeded with, for what + reasons I know not. These papers confirmed me in the belief that he was + good and unfortunate, and that his memory has been overwhelmed by unworthy + slanders. From that time forth, I regarded it as my duty to write his true + history, without permitting myself any illusion as to the success of such + an undertaking. I am well aware that this attempt at rehabilitation is + destined to fall into silence and oblivion. How can the cold, naked Truth + fight against the glittering enchantments of Falsehood? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%"> + <img alt="018 (133K)" src="images/018.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + SOMEWHERE about 1650 there lived on his estate, between Compiègne and + Pierrefonds, a wealthy noble, by name Bernard de Montragoux, whose + ancestors had held the most important posts in the kingdom. But he dwelt + far from the Court, in that peaceful obscurity which then veiled all save + that on which the king bestowed his glance. His castle of Guillettes + abounded in valuable furniture, gold and silver ware, tapestry and + embroideries, which he kept in coffers; not that he hid his treasures for + fear of damaging them by use; he was, on the contrary, generous and + magnificent. But in those days, in the country, the nobles willingly led a + very simple life, feeding their people at their own table, and dancing on + Sundays with the girls of the village. + </p> + <p> + On certain occasions, however, they gave splendid entertainments, which + contrasted with the dullness of everyday life. So it was necessary that + they should hold a good deal of handsome furniture and beautiful + tapestries in reserve. This was the case with Monsieur de Montragoux. + </p> + <p> + His castle, built in the Gothic period, had all its rudeness. From without + it looked wild and gloomy enough, with the stumps of its great towers, + which had been thrown down at the time of the monarchy's troubles, in the + reign of the late King Louis. Within it offered a much pleasanter + prospect. The rooms were decorated in the Italian taste, as was the great + gallery on the ground floor, loaded with embossed decorations in high + relief, pictures and gilding. + </p> + <p> + At one end of this gallery there was a closet usually known as "the little + cabinet." This is the only name by which Charles Perrault refers to it. It + is as well to note that it was also called the "Cabinet of the Unfortunate + Princesses," because a Florentine painter had portrayed on the walls the + tragic stories of Dirce, daughter of the Sun, bound by the sons of Antiope + to the horns of a bull, Niobe weeping on Mount Sipylus for her children, + pierced by the divine arrows, and Procris inviting to her bosom the + javelin of Cephalus. These figures had a look of life about them, and the + porphyry tiles with which the floor was covered seemed dyed in the blood + of these unhappy women. One of the doors of the Cabinet gave upon the + moat, which had no water in it. + </p> + <p> + The stables formed a sumptuous building, situated at some distance from + the castle. They contained stalls for sixty horses, and coach-houses for + twelve gilded coaches. But what made Guillettes so bewitching a residence + were the woods and canals surrounding it, in which one could devote + oneself to the pleasures of angling and the chase. + </p> + <p> + Many of the dwellers in that country-side knew Monsieur de Montragoux only + by the name of Bluebeard, for this was the only name that the common + people gave him. And in truth his beard was blue, but it was blue only + because it was black, and it was because it was so black that it was blue. + Monsieur de Montragoux must not be imagined as having the monstrous aspect + of the threefold Typhon whom one sees in Athens, laughing in his triple + indigo-blue beard. We shall get much nearer the reality by comparing the + <i>seigneur</i> of Guillettes to those actors or priests whose freshly + shaven cheeks have a bluish gloss. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de Montragouz did not wear a pointed beard like his grandfather + at the Court of King Henry II; nor did he wear it like a fan, as did his + great-grandfather who was killed at the battle of Marignan. Like Monsieur + de Turenne, he had only a slight moustache, and a chin-tuft; his cheeks + had a bluish look; but whatever may have been said of him, this good + gentleman was by no means disfigured thereby, nor did he inspire any fear + on that account. He only looked the more virile, and if it made him look a + little fierce, it had not the effect of making the women dislike him. + Bernard de Montragoux was a very fine man, tall, broad across the + shoulders, moderately stout, and well favoured; albeit of a rustic habit, + smacking of the woods rather than of drawing-rooms and assemblies. Still, + it is true that he did not please the ladies as much as he should have + pleased them, built as he was, and wealthy. Shyness was the reason; + shyness, not his beard. Women exercised an invincible attraction for him, + and at the same time inspired him with an insuperable fear. He feared them + as much as he loved them. This was the origin and initial cause of all his + misfortunes. Seeing a lady for the first time, he would have died rather + than speak to her, and however much attracted he may have been, he stood + before her in gloomy silence. His feelings revealed themselves only + through his eyes, which he rolled in a terrible manner. This timidity + exposed him to every kind of misfortune, and, above all, it prevented his + forming a becoming connection with modest and reserved women; and betrayed + him, defenceless, to the attempts of the most impudent and audacious. This + was his life's misfortune. + </p> + <p> + Left an orphan from his early youth, and having rejected, owing to this + sort of bashfulness and fear, which he was unable to overcome, the very + advantageous and honourable alliances which had presented themselves, he + married a Mademoiselle Colette Passage, who had recently settled down in + that part of the country, after amassing a little money by making a bear + dance through the towns and villages of the kingdom. He loved her with all + his soul. And to do her justice, there was something pleasing about her, + though she was what she was a fine woman with an ample bosom, and a + complexion that was still sufficiently fresh, although a little sunburnt + by the open air. Great were her joy and surprise on first becoming a lady + of quality. Her heart, which was not bad, was touched by the kindness of a + husband in such a high position, and with such a stout, powerful body, who + was to her the most obedient of servants and devoted of lovers. But after + a few months she grew weary because she could no longer go to and fro on + the face of the earth. In the midst of wealth, overwhelmed with love and + care, she could find no greater pleasure than that of going to see the + companion of her wandering life, in the cellar where he languished with a + chain round his neck and a ring through his nose, and kissing him on the + eyes and weeping. Seeing her full of care, Monsieur de Montragouz himself + became careworn, and this only added to his companion's melancholy. The + consideration and forethought which he lavished on her turned the poor + woman's head. One morning, when he awoke, Monsieur de Montragoux found + Colette no longer at his side. In vain he searched for her throughout the + castle. + </p> + <p> + The door of the Cabinet of the Unfortunate Princesses was open. It was + through this door that she had gone to reach the open country with her + bear. The sorrow of Bluebeard was painful to behold. In spite of the + innumerable messengers sent forth in search of her, no news was ever + received of Colette Passage. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de Montragoux was still mourning her when he happened to dance, + at the fair of Guillettes, with Jeanne de La Cloche, daughter of the + Police Lieutenant of Compiègne, who inspired him with love. He asked her + in marriage, and obtained her forthwith. She loved wine, and drank it to + excess. So much did this taste increase that after a few months she looked + like a leather bottle with a round red face atop of it. The worst of it + was that this leather bottle would run mad, incessantly rolling about the + reception-rooms and the staircases, crying, swearing, and hiccoughing; + vomiting wine and insults at everything that got in her way. Monsieur de + Montragoux was dazed with disgust and horror. But he quite suddenly + recovered his courage, and set himself, with as much firmness as patience, + to cure his wife of so disgusting a vice, Prayers, remonstrances, + supplications, and threats: he employed every possible means. All was + useless. He forbade her wine from his cellar: she got it from outside, and + was more abominably drunk than ever. + </p> + <p> + To deprive her of her taste for a beverage that she loved too well, he put + valerian in the bottles. She thought he was trying to poison her, sprang + upon him, and drove three inches of kitchen knife into his belly. He + expected to die of it, but he did not abandon his habitual kindness. + </p> + <p> + "She is more to be pitied than blamed," he said. + </p> + <p> + One day, when he had forgotten to close the door of the Cabinet of the + Unfortunate Princesses, Jeanne de La Cloche entered by it, quite out of + her mind, as usual, and seeing the figures on the walls in postures of + affliction, ready to give up the ghost, she mistook them for living women, + and fled terror-stricken into the country, screaming murder. Hearing + Bluebeard calling her and running after her, she threw herself, mad with + terror, into a pond, and was there drowned. It is difficult to believe, + yet certain, that her husband, so compassionate was his soul, was much + afflicted by her death. + </p> + <p> + Six weeks after the accident he quietly married Gigonne, the daughter of + his steward, Traignel. She wore wooden shoes, and smelt of onions. She was + a fine-looking girl enough, except that she squinted with one eye, and + limped with one foot. As soon as she was married, this goose-girl, bitten + by foolish ambition, dreamed of nothing but further greatness and + splendour. She was not satisfied that her brocade dresses were rich + enough, her pearl necklaces beautiful enough, her rubies big enough, her + coaches sufficiently gilded, her lakes, woods, and lands sufficiently + vast. Bluebeard, who had never had any leaning toward ambition, trembled + at the haughty humour of his spouse. Unaware, in his straightforward + simplicity, whether the mistake lay in thinking magnificently like his + wife, or modestly as he himself did, he accused himself of a mediocrity of + mind which was thwarting the noble desires of his consort, and, full of + uncertainty, he would sometimes exhort her to taste with moderation the + good things of this world, while at others he roused himself to pursue + fortune along the verge of precipitous heights. He was prudent, but + conjugal affection bore him beyond the reach of prudence. Gigonne thought + of nothing but cutting a figure in the world, being received at Court, and + becoming the King's mistress. Unable to gain her point, she pined away + with vexation, contracting a jaundice, of which she died. Bluebeard, full + of lamentation, built her a magnificent tomb. + </p> + <p> + This worthy <i>seigneur</i> overwhelmed by constant domestic adversity, + would not perhaps have chosen another wife: but he was himself chosen for + a husband by Mademoiselle Blanche de Gibeaumex, the daughter of a cavalry + officer, who had but one ear; he used to relate that he had lost the other + in the King's service. She was full of intelligence, which she employed in + deceiving her husband. She betrayed him with every man of quality in the + neighbourhood. She was so dexterous that she deceived him in his own + castle, almost under his very eyes, without his perceiving it. Poor + Bluebeard assuredly suspected something, but he could not say what. + Unfortunately for her, while she gave her whole mind to tricking her + husband, she was not sufficiently careful in deceiving her lovers; by + which I mean that she betrayed them, one for another. One day she was + surprised in the Cabinet of the Unfortunate Princesses, in the company of + a gentleman whom she loved, by a gentleman whom she had loved, and the + latter, in a transport of jealousy, ran her through with his sword. A few + hours later the unfortunate lady was there found dead by one of the castle + servants, and the fear inspired by the room increased. + </p> + <p> + Poor Bluebeard, learning at one blow of his ample dishonour, and the + tragic death of his wife, did not console himself for the latter + misfortune by any consideration of the former. He had loved Blanche de + Gibeaumez with a strange ardour, more dearly than he had loved Jeanne de + La Cloche, Gigonne Traignel, or even Colette Passage. On learning that she + had consistently betrayed him, and that now she would never betray him + again, he experienced a grief and a mental perturbation which, far from + being appeased, daily increased in violence. So intolerable were his + sufferings that he contracted a malady which caused his life to be + despaired of. + </p> + <p> + The physicians, having employed various medicines without effect, advised + him that the only remedy proper to his complaint was to take a young wife. + He then thought of his young cousin, Angèle de La Garandine, whom he + believed would be willingly bestowed upon him, as she had no property. + What encouraged him to take her to wife was the fact that she was reputed + to be simple and ignorant of the world. Having been deceived by a woman of + intelligence, he felt more comfortable with a fool. He married + Mademoiselle de La Garandine, and quickly perceived the falsity of his + calculations. Angèle was kind, Angèle was good, and Angèle loved him; she + had not, in herself, any leanings toward evil, but the least astute person + could quickly lead her astray at any moment. It was enough to tell her: + "Do this for fear of bogies; comes in here or the were-wolf will eat you;" + or "Shut your eyes, and take this drop of medicine," and the innocent girl + would straightway do so, at the will of the rascals who wanted of her that + which it was very natural to want of her, for she was pretty. Monsieur de + Montragouz, injured and betrayed by this innocent girl, as much as and + more than he had been by Blanche de Gibeaumex, had the additional pain of + knowing it, for Angèle was too candid to conceal anything from him. She + used to tell him: "Sir, some one told me this; some one did that to me; + some one took so and so away from me; I saw that; I felt so and so." And + by her ingenuousness she caused her lord to suffer torments beyond + imagination. He endured them like a Stoic. Still he finally had to tell + the simple creature that she was a goose, and to box her ears. This, for + him, was the beginning of a reputation for cruelty, which was not fated to + be diminished. A mendicant monk, who was passing Gulllettes while Monsieur + de Montragouz was out shooting woodcock, found Madame Angèle sewing a + doll's petticoat. This worthy friar, discovering that she was as foolish + as she was beautiful, took her away on his donkey, having persuaded her + that the Angel Gabriel was waiting in a wood, to give her a pair of pearl + garters. It is believed that she must have been eaten by a wolf, for she + was never seen again. + </p> + <p> + After such a disastrous experience, how was it that Bluebeard could make + up his mind to contract yet another union? It would be impossible to + understand it, were we not well aware of the power which a fine pair of + eyes exerts over a generous heart. + </p> + <p> + The honest gentleman met, at a neighbouring château which he was in the + habit of frequenting, a young orphan of quality, by name Alix de + Pontalcin, who, having been robbed of all her property by a greedy + trustee, thought only of entering a convent. Officious friends intervened + to alter her determination and persuade her to accept the hand of Monsieur + de Montragoux. Her beauty was perfect. Bluebeard, who was promising + himself the enjoyment of an infinite happiness in her arms, was once more + deluded in his hopes, and this time experienced a disappointment, which, + owing to his disposition, was bound to make an even greater impression + upon him than all the afflictions which he had suffered in his previous + marriages. Alix de Pontalcin obstinately refused to give actuality to the + union to which she had nevertheless consented. + </p> + <p> + In vain did Monsieur de Montragoux press her to become his wife; she + resisted prayers, tears, and objurgations, she refused her husband's + lightest caresses, and rushed off to shut herself into the Cabinet of the + Unfortunate Princesses, where she remained, alone and intractable, for + whole nights at a time. + </p> + <p> + The cause of a resistance so contrary to laws both human and divine was + never known; it was attributed to Monsieur de Montragoux's blue beard, but + our previous remarks on the subject of his beard render such a supposition + far from probable. In any case, it is a difficult subject to discuss. The + unhappy husband underwent the cruellest sufferings. In order to forget + them, he hunted with desperation, exhausting horses, hounds, and huntsmen. + But when he returned home, foundered and overtired, the mere sight of + Mademoiselle de Pontalcin was enough to revive his energies and his + torments. Finally, unable to endure the situation any longer, he applied + to Rome for the annulment of a marriage which was nothing better than a + trap; and in consideration of a handsome present to the Holy Father he + obtained it in accordance with canon law. If Monsieur de Montragoux + discarded Mademoiselle de Pontalcin with all the marks of respect due to a + woman, and without breaking his cane across her back, it was because he + had a valiant soul, a great heart, and was master of himself as well as of + Guillettes. But he swore that, for the future, no female should enter his + apartments. Happy had he been if he had held to his oath to the end! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%"> + <img alt="031 (133K)" src="images/031.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + SOME years had elapsed since Monsieur de Montragoux had rid himself of his + sixth wife, and only a confused recollection remained in the country-side + of the domestic calamities which had fallen upon this worthy <i>seigneur's</i> + house. Nobody knew what had become of his wives, and hair-raising tales + were told in the village at night; some believed them, others did not. + About this time, a widow, past the prime of life, Dame Sidonie de + Lespoisse, came to settle with her children in the manor of La + Motte-Giron, about two leagues, as the crow flies, from the castle of + Guillettes. Whence she came, or who her husband had been, not a soul knew. + Some believed, because they had heard it said, that he had held certain + posts in Savoy or Spain; others said that he had died in the Indies; many + had the idea that the widow was possessed of immense estates, while others + doubted it strongly. However, she lived in a notable style, and invited + all the nobility of the country-side to La Motte-Giron. She had two + daughters, of whom the elder, Anne, on the verge of becoming an old maid, + was a very astute person: Jeanne, the younger, ripe for marriage, + concealed a precocious knowledge of the world under an appearance of + simplicity. The Dame de Lespoisse had also two sons, of twenty and + twenty-two years of age; very fine well-made young fellows, of whom one + was a Dragoon, and the other a Musketeer. I may add, having seen his + commission, that he was a Black Musketeer. When on foot, this was not + apparent, for the Black Musketeers were distinguished from the Grey not by + the colour of their uniform, but by the hides of their horses. All alike + wore blue surcoats laced with gold. As for the Dragoons, they were to be + recognized by a kind of fur bonnet, of which the tail fell gallantly over + the ear. The Dragoons had the reputation of being scamps, a scapegrace + crowd, witness the song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Mama, here the dragoons come, + Let us haste away." + </pre> + <p> + But you might have searched in vain through His Majesty's two regiments of + Dragoons for a bigger rake, a more accomplished sponger, or a viler rogue + than Cosme de Lespoisset. Compared with him, his brother was an honest + lad. Drunkard and gambler, Pierre de Lespoisse pleased the ladies, and won + at cards; these were the only ways of gaining a living known to him. + </p> + <p> + Their mother, Dame de Lespoisse, was making a splash at Motte-Giron only + in order to catch gulls. As a matter of fact, she had not a penny, and + owed for everything, even to her false teeth. Her clothes and furniture, + her coach, her horses, and her servants had all been lent by Parisian + moneylenders, who threatened to withdraw them all if she did not presently + marry one of her daughters to some rich nobleman, and the respectable + Sidonie was expecting to find herself at any moment naked in an empty + house. In a hurry to find a son-in-law, she had at once cast her eye upon + Monsieur de Montragoux, whom she summed up as being simple-minded, easy to + deceive, extremely mild, and quick to fall in love under his rude and + bashful exterior. Her two daughters entered into her plans, and every time + they met him, riddled poor Bluebeard with glances which pierced him to the + depths of his heart. He soon fell a victim to the potent charms of the two + Demoiselles de Lespoisse. Forgetting his oath, he thought of nothing but + marrying one of them, finding them equally beautiful. After some delay, + caused less by hesitation than timidity, he went to Motte-Giron in great + state, and made his petition to the Dame de Lespoisse, leaving to her the + choice of which daughter she would give him. Madame Sidonie obligingly + replied that she held him in high esteem, and that she authorized him to + pay his court to whichever of the ladies he should prefer. + </p> + <p> + "Learn to please, monsieur," she said. "I shall be the first to applaud + your success." + </p> + <p> + In order to make their better acquaintance, Bluebeard invited Anne and + Jeanne de Lespoisse, with their mother, brothers, and a multitude of + ladies and gentlemen to pass a fortnight at the castle of Guillettes. + There was a succession of walking, hunting, and fishing parties, dances + and festivities, dinners and entertainments of every sort. A young <i>seigneur</i>, + the Chevalier de Merlus, whom the ladies Lespoisse had brought with them, + organized the beats. Bluebeard had the best packs of hounds and the + largest turnout in the countryside. The ladies rivalled the ardour of the + gentlemen in hunting the deer. They did not always hunt the animal down, + but the hunters and their ladies wandered away in couples, found one + another, and again wandered off into the woods. For choice, the Chevalier + de la Merlus would lose himself with Jeanne de Lespoisse, and both would + return to the castle at night, full of their adventures, and pleased with + their day's sport. + </p> + <p> + After a few days' observation, the good <i>seigneur</i> of Montragoux felt + a decided preference for Jeanne, the younger sister, rather than the + elder, as she was fresher, which is not saying that she was less + experienced. He allowed his preference to appear; there was no reason why + he should conceal it, for it was a befitting preference; moreover, he was + a plain dealer. He paid court to the young lady as best he could, speaking + little, for want of practice; but he gazed at her, rolling his rolling + eyes, and emitting from the depths of his bowels sighs which might have + overthrown an oak tree. Sometimes he would burst out laughing, whereupon + the crockery trembled, and the windows rattled. Alone of all the party, he + failed to remark the assiduous attentions of the Chevalier de la Merlus to + Madame de Lespoisse's younger daughter, or if he did remark them he saw no + harm in them. His experience of women was not sufficient to make him + suspicious, and he trusted when he loved. My grandmother used to say that + in life experience is worthless, and that one remains the same as when one + begins. I believe she was right, and the true story that I am now + unfolding is not of a nature to prove her wrong. + </p> + <p> + Bluebeard displayed an unusual magnificence in these festivities. When + night arrived the lawns before the castle were lit by a thousand torches, + and tables served by men-servants and maids dressed as fauns and dryads + groaned under all the tastiest things which the country-side and the + forest produced. Musicians provided a continual succession of beautiful + symphonies. Towards the end of the meal the schoolmaster and + schoolmistress, followed by the boys and girls of the village, appeared + before the guests, and read a complimentary address to the <i>seigneur</i> + of Montragoux and his friends. An astrologer in a pointed cap approached + the ladies, and foretold their future love-affairs from the lines of their + hands, Bluebeard ordered drink to be given for all his vassals, and he + himself distributed bread and meat to the poor families. + </p> + <p> + At ten o'clock, for fear of the evening dew, the company retired to the + apartments, lit by a multitude of candles, and there tables were prepared + for every sort of game: lansquenet, billiards, reversi, bagatelle, + pigeon-holes, turnstile, porch, beast, hoca, brelan, draughts, backgammon, + dice, basset, and calbas. Bluebeard was uniformly unfortunate in these + various games, at which he lost large sums every night. He could console + himself for his continuous run of bad luck by watching the three Lespoisse + ladies win a great deal of money. Jeanne, the younger, who often backed + the game of the Chevalier de la Merlus, heaped up mountains of gold. + Madame de Lespoisse's two sons also did very well at reversi and basset; + their luck was invariably best at the more hazardous games. The play went + on until late into the night. No one slept during these marvellous + festivities, and as the earliest biographer of Bluebeard has said: "They + spent the whole night in playing tricks on one another." These hours were + the most delightful of the whole twenty-four; for then, under cover of + jesting, and taking advantage of the darkness, those who felt drawn toward + one another would hide together in the depths of some alcove. The + Chevelier de la Merlus would disguise himself at one time as a devil, at + another as a ghost or a were-wolf in order to frighten the sleepers, but + he always ended by slipping into the room of Mademoiselle Jeanne de + Lespoisse. The good <i>seigneur</i> of Montragoux was not overlooked in + these games. The two sons of Madame de Lespoisse put irritant powder in + his bed, and burnt in his room substances which emitted a disgusting + smell. Or they would arrange a jug of water over his door so that the + worthy <i>seigneur</i> could not open the door without the whole of the + water being upset upon his head. In short, they played on him all sorts of + practical jokes, to the diversion of the whole company, and Bluebeard bore + them with his natural good humour. + </p> + <p> + He made his request, to which Madame de Lespoisse acceded, although, as + she said, it wrung her heart to think of giving her girls in marriage. + </p> + <p> + The marriage was celebrated at Motte-Giron with extraordinary + magnificence. The Demoiselle Jeanne, amazingly beautiful, was dressed + entirely in <i>point de France</i>, her head covered with a thousand + ringlets. Her sister Anne wore a dress of green velvet, embroidered with + gold. Their mother's dress was of golden tissue, trimmed with black + chenille, with a <i>parure</i> of pearls and diamonds. Monsieur de + Montragoux wore all his great diamonds on a suit of black velvet; he made + a very fine appearance; his expression of timidity and innocence + contrasting strongly with his blue chin and his massive build. The bride's + brothers were of course handsomely arrayed, but the Chevalier de la + Merlus, in a suit of rose velvet trimmed with pearls, shone with + unparalleled splendour. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after the ceremony, the Jews who had hired out to the bride's + family and her lover all these fine clothes and rich jewels resumed + possession of them and posted back to Paris with them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%"> + <img alt="039 (122K)" src="images/039.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + FOR a month Monsieur de Montragoux was the happiest of men. He adored his + wife, and regarded her as an angel of purity. She was something quite + different, but far shrewder men than poor Bluebeard might have been + deceived as he was, for she was a person of great cunning and astuteness, + and allowed herself submissively to be ruled by her mother, who was the + cleverest jade in the whole kingdom of France. She established herself at + Guillettes with her eldest daughter Anne, her two sons, Pierre and Cosme, + and the Chevalier de la Merlus, who kept as close to Madame de Montragoux + as if he had been her shadow. Her good husband was a little annoyed at + this; he would have liked to keep his wife always to himself, but he did + not take exception to the affection which she felt for this young + gentleman, as she had told him that he was her foster-brother. + </p> + <p> + Charles Perrault relates that a month after having contracted this union, + Bluebeard was compelled to make a journey of six weeks' duration on some + important business. He does not seem to be aware of the reasons for this + journey, and it has been suspected that it was an artifice, which the + jealous husband resorted to, according to custom, in order to surprise his + wife. The truth is quite otherwise. Monsieur de Montragouz went to Le + Perche to receive the heritage of his cousin of Outarde, who had been + killed gloriously by a cannon-ball at the battle of the Dunes, while + casting dice upon a drum. + </p> + <p> + Before leaving, Monsieur de Montragoux begged his wife to indulge in every + possible distraction during his absence. + </p> + <p> + "Invite all your friends, madame," he said, "go riding with them, amuse + yourselves, and have a pleasant time." + </p> + <p> + He handed over to her all the keys of the house, thus indicating that in + his absence she was the sole and sovereign mistress of all the <i>seigneurie</i> + of Guillettes. + </p> + <p> + "This," he said, "is the key of the two great wardrobes; this of the gold + and silver not in daily use; this of the strong-boxes which contain my + gold and silver; this of the caskets where my jewels are kept; and this is + a pass-key into all the rooms. As for this little key, it is that of the + Cabinet, at the end of the Gallery, on the ground floor; open everything, + and go where you will." + </p> + <p> + Charles Perrault claims that Monsieur de Montragoux added: + </p> + <p> + "But as for the little Cabinet, I forbid you to enter that; and I forbid + you so expressly that if you do enter it, I cannot say to what lengths my + anger will not go." + </p> + <p> + The historian of Bluebeard in placing these words on record, has fallen + into the error of adopting, without, verification, the version concocted + after the event by the ladies Lespoisse. Monsieur de Montragoux expressed + himself very differently. When he handed to his wife the key of the little + Cabinet, which was none other than the Cabinet of the Unfortunate + Princesses, to which we have already frequently alluded, he expressed the + desire that his beloved Jeanne should not enter that part of the house + which he regarded as fatal to his domestic happiness. It was through this + room, indeed, that his first wife, and the best of all of them, had fled, + when she ran away with her bear; here Blanche de Gibeaumex had repeatedly + betrayed him with various gentlemen; and lastly, the porphyry pavement was + stained by the blood of a beloved criminal. Was not this enough to make + Monsieur de Montragoux connect the idea of this room with cruel memories + and fateful forebodings? + </p> + <p> + The words which he addressed to Jeanne de Lespoisse convey the desires and + impressions which were troubling his mind. They were actually as follows: + </p> + <p> + "For you, madame, nothing of mine is hidden, and I should feel that I was + doing you an injury did I fail to hand over to you all the keys of a + dwelling which belongs to you. You may therefore enter this little + cabinet, as you may enter all the other rooms of the house; but if you + will take my advice you will do nothing of the kind, to oblige me, and in + consideration of the painful ideas which, for me, are connected with this + room, and the forebodings of evil which these ideas, despite myself, call + up into my mind. I should be inconsolable were any mischance to befall + you, or were I to bring misfortune upon you. You will, madame, forgive + these fears, which are happily unfounded, as being only the outcome of my + anxious affection and my watchful love." + </p> + <p> + With these words the good <i>seigneur</i> embraced his wife and posted off + to Le Perche. + </p> + <p> + "The friends and neighbours," says Charles Perrault, "did not wait to be + asked to visit the young bride; so full were they of impatience to see all + the wealth of her house. They proceeded at once to inspect all the rooms, + cabinets, and wardrobes, each of which was richer and more beautiful than + the last; and there was no end to their envy and their praises of their + friend's good fortune." + </p> + <p> + All the historians who have dealt with this subject have added that Madame + de Montsagoux took no pleasure in the sight of all these riches, by reason + of her impatience to open the little Cabinet. This is perfectly correct, + and as Perrault has said: "So urgent was her curiosity that, without + considering that it was unmannerly to leave her guests, she went down to + it by a little secret staircase, and in such a hurry that two or three + times she thought she would break her neck." The fact is beyond question. + But what no one has told us is that the reason why she was so anxious to + reach this apartment was that the Chevalier de la Merlus was awaiting her + there. + </p> + <p> + Since she had come to make her home in the castle of Guillettes she had + met this young gentleman in the Cabinet every day, and oftener twice a day + than once, without wearying of an intercourse so unseemly in a young + married woman. It is Impossible to hesitate, as to the nature of the ties + connecting Jeanne with the Chevalier: they were anything but respectable, + anything but chaste, Alas, had Madame de Montragoux merely betrayed her + husband's honour, she would no doubt have incurred the blame of posterity; + but the most austere of moralists might have found excuses for her. He + might allege, in favour of so young a woman, the laxity of the morals of + the period; the examples of the city and the Court; the too certain + effects of a bad training, and the advice of an immoral mother, for Madame + Sidonie de Lespoisse countenanced her daughter's intrigues. The wise might + have forgiven her a fault too amiable to merit their severity; her errors + would have seemed too common to be crimes, and the world would simply have + considered that she was behaving like other people. But Jeanne de + Lespoisse, not content with betraying her husband's honour, did not + hesitate to attempt his life. + </p> + <p> + It was in the little Cabinet, otherwise known as the Cabinet of the + Unfortunate Princesses, that Jeanne de Lespoisse, Dame de Montragoux, in + concert with the Chevalier de la Merlus, plotted the death of a kind and + faithful husband. She declared later that, on entering the room, she saw + hanging there the bodies of six murdered women, whose congealed blood + covered the tiles, and that recognizing in these unhappy women the first + six wives of Bluebeard, she foresaw the fate which awaited herself. She + must, in this case, have mistaken the paintings on the walls for mutilated + corpses, and her hallucinations must be compared with those of Lady + Macbeth. But it is extremely probable that Jeanne imagined this horrible + sight in order to relate it afterwards, justifying her husband's murderers + by slandering their victim. + </p> + <p> + The death of Monsieur de Montragouz was determined upon. Certain letters + which lie before me compel the belief that Madame Sidonie Lespoisse had + her part in the plot. As for her elder daughter, she may be described as + the soul of the conspiracy. Anne de Lespoisse was the wickedest of the + whole family. She was a stranger to sensual weakness, remaining chaste in + the midst of the profligacy of the house; it was not a case of refusing + pleasures which she thought unworthy of her; the truth was that she took + pleasure only in cruelty. She engaged her two brothers, Cosme and Pierre, + in the enterprise by promising them the command of a regiment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%"> + <img alt="046 (135K)" src="images/046.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + IT now rests with us to trace, with the aid of authentic documents, and + reliable evidence, the most atrocious, treacherous, and cowardly domestic + crime of which the record has come down to us. The murder whose + circumstances we are about to relate can only be compared to that + committed on the night of the 9th March, 1449, on the person of Guillaume + de Flavy, by his wife Blanche d'Overbreuc, a young and slender woman, the + bastard d'Orbandas, and the barber Jean Bocquillon. + </p> + <p> + They stifled Guillaume with a pillow, battered him pitilessly with a club, + and bled him at the throat like a calf. Blanche d'Overbreuc proved that + her husband had determined to have her drowned, while Jeanne de Lespoisse + betrayed a loving husband to a gang of unspeakable scoundrels. We will + record the facts with all possible restraint. Bluebeard returned rather + earlier than expected. This it was gave rise to the quite mistaken idea + that, a prey to the blackest jealousy, he was wishful to surprise his + wife. Full of joy and confidence, if he thought of giving her a surprise + it was an agreeable one. His kindness and tenderness, and his joyous, + peaceable air would have softened the most savage hearts. The Chevalier de + la Merlus, and the whole execrable brood of Lespoisse saw therein nothing + but an additional facility for taking his life, and possessing themselves + of his wealth, still further increased by his new inheritance. + </p> + <p> + His young wife met him with a smiling face, allowing herself to be + embraced and led to the conjugal chamber, where she did everything to + please the good man. The following morning she returned him the bunch of + keys which had been confided to her care. But there was missing that of + the Cabinet of the Unfortunate Princesses, commonly called the little + Cabinet. Bluebeard gently demanded its delivery, and after putting him off + for a time on various pretexts Jeanne returned it to him. + </p> + <p> + There now arises a question which cannot be solved without leaving the + limited domain of history to enter the indeterminate regions of + philosophy. + </p> + <p> + Charles Perrault specifically states that the key of the little Cabinet + was a fairy key, that is to say, it was magical, enchanted, endowed with + properties contrary to the laws of nature, at all events, as we conceive + them. We have no proof to the contrary. This is a fitting moment to recall + the precept of my illustrious master, Monsieur du Clos des Lunes, a member + of the Institute: "When the supernatural makes its appearance, it must not + be rejected by the historian." I shall therefore content myself with + recalling as regards this key, the unanimous opinion of all the old + biographers of Bluebeard; they all affirm that it was a fairy key. This is + a point of great importance. Moreover, this key is not the only object + created by human industry which has proved to be endowed with marvellous + properties. Tradition abounds with examples of enchanted swords. Arthur's + was a magic sword. And so was that of Joan of Arc, on the undeniable + authority of Jean Chartier; and the proof afforded by that illustrious + chronicler is that when the blade was broken the two pieces refused to be + welded together again despite all the efforts of the most competent + armourers. Victor Hugo speaks in one of his poems of those "magic + stairways still obscured below." Many authors even admit that there are + men-magicians who can turn themselves into wolves. We shall not undertake + to combat such a firm and constant belief, and we shall not pretend to + decide whether the key of the little Cabinet was or was not enchanted, for + our reserve does not imply that we are in any uncertainty, and therein + resides its merit. But where we find ourselves in our proper domain, or to + be more precise within our own jurisdiction, where we once more become + judges of facts, and writers of circumstances, is where we read that the + key was flecked with blood. The authority of the texts does not so far + impress us as to compel us to believe this. It was not flecked with blood. + Blood had flowed in the little cabinet, but at a time already remote. + Whether the key had been washed or whether it had dried, it was impossible + that it should be so stained, and what, in her agitation, the criminal + wife mistook for a blood-stain on the iron, was the reflection of the sky + still empurpled by the roses of dawn. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de Montragoux, on seeing the key, perceived none the less that + his wife had entered the little cabinet. He noticed that it now appeared + cleaner and brighter than when he had given it to her, and was of opinion + that this polish could only come from use. + </p> + <p> + This produced a painful impression upon him, and he said to his wife, with + a mournful smile: + </p> + <p> + "My darling, you have been into the little cabinet. May there result no + grievous outcome for either of us! From that room emanates a malign + influence from which I would have protected you. If you, in your turn + should become subjected to it, I should never get over it. Forgive me; + when we love we are superstitious." + </p> + <p> + On these words, although Bluebeard cannot have frightened her, for his + words and demeanour expressed only love and melancholy, the young lady of + Montragoux began shrieking at the top of her voice: "Help! Help! he's + killing me!" This was the signal agreed upon. On hearing it, the Chevalier + de la Merlus and the two sons of Madame de Lespoisse were to have thrown + themselves upon Bluebeard and run him through with their swords. + </p> + <p> + But the Chevalier, whom Jeanne had hidden in a cupboard in the room, + appeared alone. Monsieur de Montragoux, seeing him leap forth sword in + hand, placed himself on guard. Jeanne fled terror-stricken, and met her + sister Anne in the gallery. She was not, as has been related, on a tower; + for all the towers had been thrown down by order of Cardinal Richelieu. + Anne was striving to put heart into her two brothers, who, pale and + quaking, dared not risk so great a stake. Jeanne hastily implored them: + "Quick, quick, brothers, save my lover!" Pierre and Cosme then rushed at + Bluebeard. They found him, having disarmed the Chevalier de la Merlus, + holding him down with his knee; they treacherously ran their swords + through his body from behind, and continued to strike at him long after he + had breathed his last. + </p> + <p> + Bluebeard had no heirs. His wife remained mistress of his property. She + used a part of it to provide a dowry for her sister Anne, another part to + buy captains' commissions for her two brothers, and the rest to marry the + Chevalier de la Merlus, who became a very respectable man as soon as he + was wealthy. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Seven Wives Of Bluebeard, by Anatole France + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVEN WIVES OF BLUEBEARD *** + +***** This file should be named 25411-h.htm or 25411-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/4/1/25411/ + +Produced by 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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