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D.W.] + + + + + +ZIBELINE + +By PHILIPPE DE MASSA + + + +BOOK 2. + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE INDUSTRIAL ORPHAN ASYLUM + +When the prefectoral axe of the Baron Haussmann hewed its way through the +Faubourg St. Germain in order to create the boulevard to which this +aristocratic centre has given its flame, the appropriation of private +property for public purposes caused to disappear numerous ancient +dwellings bearing armorial devices, torn down in the interest of the +public good, to the equalizing level of a line of tramways. In the midst +of this sacrilegious upheaval, the Hotel de Montgeron, one of the largest +in the Rue St. Dominique, had the good fortune to be hardly touched by +the surveyor's line; in exchange for a few yards sliced obliquely from +the garden, it received a generous addition of air and light on that side +of the mansion which formerly had been shut in. + +The Duke lived there in considerable state. His electors, faithful in +all things, had made of their deputy a senator who sat in the Luxembourg, +in virtue of the Republican Constitution, as he would have sat as a peer +of France had the legitimate monarchy followed its course. He was a +great lord in the true meaning of the word: gracious to the humble, +affable among his equals, inclined, among the throng of new families, to +take the part of the disinherited against that of the usurpers. + +In Mademoiselle de Prerolles he had found a companion animated with the +same sentiments, and the charitable organization, meeting again at the +Duchess's residence, on the day following the revival of 'Adrienne +Lecouvreuer', to appoint officers for the Industrial Orphan Asylum, could +not have chosen a president more worthy or more devoted. + +Besides such austere patronesses as Madame Desvanneaux and her daughter, +the organization included several persons belonging to the world of +fashion, such as Madame de Lisieux and Madame de Nointel, whose influence +was the more effective because their circle of acquaintance was more +extensive. The gay world often fraternizes willingly with those who are +interested in philanthropic works. + +The founders of the Industrial Orphan Asylum intended that the +institution should harbor, bring up, and instruct as great a number as +possible of the children of infirm or deceased laborers. + +The secretary, M. Andre Desvanneaux, churchwarden of Ste.-Clotilde, as +was his father before him, and in addition a Roman count, had just +finished his address, concluding by making the following double +statement: First, the necessity for combining all available-funds for the +purchase of the land required, and for the building of the asylum itself; +second, to determine whether the institution could be maintained by the +annual resources of the organization. + +"I should like to observe," said the Duchesse de Montgeron, "that the +first of these two questions is the only order of the day. Not counting +the purchase of the land, the architect's plan calls for an estimate of +five hundred thousand francs in round numbers." + +"And we have on hand--" said the Comtesse de Lisieux. + +"One hundred and sixty-odd thousand francs from the first subscriptions," +said M. Desvanneaux. "It has been decided that the work shall not begin +until we have disposed of half of the sum total. Therefore, the +difference we have to make up at present is about one hundred and forty +thousand francs. In order to realize this sum, the committee of action +proposes to organize at the Palais de l'Industrie a grand kermess, with +the assistance of the principal artists from the theatres of Paris, +including that of Mademoiselle Gontier, of the Comedie Francaise," added +the secretary, with a sly smile on observing the expression of General de +Prerolles. + +"Good!" Henri promptly rejoined. "That will permit Monsieur Desvanneaux +to combine very agreeably the discharge of his official duties with the +making of pleasant acquaintances!" + +"The object of my action in this matter is above all suspicion," remarked +the churchwarden, with great dignity, while his wife darted toward him a +furious glance. + +"You? Come, come!" continued the General, who took a mischievous +delight in making trouble for the worthy Desvanneaux. "Every one knows +quite well that you have by no means renounced Satan, his pomps--" + +"And his good works!" added Madame de Nointel, with a burst of laughter +somewhat out of place in this formal gathering for the discussion of +charitable works. + +"We are getting outside of the question," said the Duchess, striking her +bell. "Moreover, is not the assistance of these ladies necessary?" + +"Indispensable," the secretary replied. "Their assistance will greatly +increase the receipts." + +"What sum shall we decide upon as the price of admission?" asked Madame +de Lisieux. + +"Twenty francs," said Desvanneaux. "We have a thousand tickets printed +already, and, if the ladies present wish to solicit subscriptions, each +has before her the wherewithal to inscribe appropriate notes of appeal." + +"To be drawn upon at sight," said the Comtesse de Lisieux, taking a pen. +"A tax on vanity, I should call it." + +She wrote rapidly, and then read aloud: + + "MY DEAR BARON: + + "Your proverbial generosity justifies my new appeal. You will + accept, I am sure, the ten tickets which I enclose, when you know + that your confreres, the Messieurs Axenstein, have taken double that + number." + +"And here," said the Vicomtesse de Nointel, "is a tax on gallantry." And +she read aloud: + + "MY DEAR PRINCE: + + "You have done me the honor to write to me that you love me. I + suppose I ought to show your note to my husband, who is an expert + swordsman; but I prefer to return to you your autograph letter for + the price of these fifteen tickets. Go--and sin again, should your + heart prompt you!" + +"But that is a species of blackmail, Madame!" cried Madame Desvanneaux. + +"The end justifies the means," replied the Vicomtesse gayly. "Besides, I +am accountable only to the Duc de Montgeron. What is his opinion?" + +"I call it a very clever stroke," said the Duke. + +"You hear, Madame! Only, of course, not every lady has a collection of +similar little notes!" said the Vicomtesse de Nointel. + +The entrance of M. Durand, treasurer of the society, interrupted the +progress of this correspondence. + +"Do not trouble yourselves so much, Mesdames," said the notary. "The +practical solution of the matter I am about to lay before you, if Madame +the president will permit me to speak." + +"I should think so!" said the Duchess. "Speak, by all means!" + +"A charitable person has offered to assume all the expenses of the +affair," said the notary, "on condition that carte blanche is granted to +her in the matter of the site. In case her offer is accepted, she will +make over to the society, within three months, the title to the real +estate, in regular order." + +"Do you guarantee the solvency of this person?" demanded M. Desvanneaux, +who saw the project of the kermess falling to the ground. + +"It is one of my rich clients; but I have orders not to reveal her name +unless her offer is accepted." + +The unanimity with which all hands were raised did not even give time to +put the question. + +"Her name?" demanded the Duchess. + +"Here it is," replied the notary, handing her a visiting card. + +"'Valentine de Vermont,'" she read aloud. + +"Zibeline?" cried Madame de Nointel. "Bravo! I offer her the assurance +of my esteem!" + +"And I also," added Madame de Lisieux. + +"I can not offer mine," said Madame Desvanneaux, dryly. "A young woman +who is received nowhere!" + +"So generous an act should open all doors to her, beginning with mine," +said the Duchesse de Montgeron. "I beg that you will tell her so from +me, Monsieur Durand." + +"At once, Madame. She is waiting below in her carriage." + +"Why did you not say so before? I must beg her myself to join us here," +said the master of the house, leaving the room in haste. + +"See how any one can purchase admission to our world in these days!" +whispered Madame Desvanneaux in her daughter's ear. + +"Heavens! yes, dear mother! The only question is whether one is able to +pay the price." + +We must render justice to the two titled patronesses by saying that the +immediate admission of Mademoiselle de Vermont to their circle seemed to +them the least they could do, and that they greeted her appearance, as +she entered on the arm of the Duke, with a sympathetic murmur which put +the final stroke to the exasperation of the two malicious dames. + +"You are very welcome here, Mademoiselle," said the Duchess, advancing to +greet her guest. "I am delighted to express to you, in behalf of all +these ladies, the profound gratitude with which your generous aid +inspires them!" + +"It is more than I deserve, Madame la Duchesse!" said Valentine. "The +important work in which they have taken the initiative is so interesting +that each of us should contribute to it according to his means. I am +alone in Paris, without relatives or friends, and these ladies have +furnished me the means to cure my idleness; so it is I, rather, who am +indebted to them." + +Whether this speech were studied or not, it was pronounced to be in very +good taste, and the stranger's conquest of the assemblage was more and +more assured. + +"Since you wish to join us," resumed the Duchess, "allow me to present to +you these gentlemen: Monsieur Desvanneaux, our zealous general +secretary--" + +"I have already had the pleasure of seeing Monsieur at my house," said +Valentine, "also Madame Desvanneaux; and although I was unable to accede +to their wishes, I retain, nevertheless, the pleasantest recollections of +their visit." + +"Good hit!" whispered Madame de Nointel to her neighbor. + +"The Marquis de Prerolles, my brother," the Duchess continued. + +"The smiles of Fortune must be sweet, Mademoiselle," said the General, +bowing low. + +"Not so sweet as those of Glory, General," Zibeline replied, with a +pretty air of deference. + +"She possesses a decidedly ready wit," said Madame de Lisieux in a +confidential aside. + +"Now, ladies," added the president, "I believe that the best thing we can +do is to leave everything in the hands of Mademoiselle and our treasurer. +The examination of the annual resources will be the object of the next +meeting. For to-day, the meeting is adjourned." + +Then, as Mademoiselle de Vermont was about to mingle with the other +ladies, the Duchess detained her an instant, inquiring: + +"Have you any engagement for this evening, Mademoiselle?" + +"None, Madame." + +"Will you do us the honor to join us in my box at the opera?" + +"But--I have no one to accompany me," said Zibeline. "I dismissed my +cousin De Sainte-Foy, thinking that I should have no further need of his +escort to-day." + +"That does not matter at all," the Duchess replied. "We will stop for +you on our way." + +"I should not like to trouble you so much, Madame. If you will allow me, +I will stop at your door at whatever hour will be agreeable to you, and +my carriage shall follow yours." + +"Very well. At nine o'clock, if you please. They sing Le Prophete +tonight, and we shall arrive just in time for the ballet." + +"The 'Skaters' Ballet,'" said the General. + +This remark recalled to Mademoiselle her triumph of the evening before. +"Do you bear a grudge against me?" she said, with a smile. + +"Less and less of one," the General replied. + +"Then, let us make a compact of peace," said Zibeline, holding out her +hand in the English fashion. + +With these words she left the room on the arm of the Duke, who claimed +the honor of escorting her to her carriage. + +"Shall you go to the opera also?" asked the Duchess of her brother. + +"Yes, but later. I shall dine in town." + +"Then-au-revoir--this evening!" + +"This evening!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A WOMAN'S INSTINCT + +The General had been more favorably impressed with Zibeline's appearance +than he cared to show. The generous action of this beautiful girl, her +frankness, her ease of manner, her cleverness in repartee, were likely to +attract the attention of a man of his character. He reproached himself +already for having allowed himself to be influenced by the rancorous +hostility of the Desvanneaux, and, as always happens with just natures, +the sudden change of his mind was the more favorable as his first opinion +had been unjust. + +Such was the theme of his reflections on the route from the Hotel de +Montgeron to that of Eugenic Gontie's, with whom he was engaged to dine +with some of her friends, invited to celebrate her success of the evening +before. + +On entering her dining-room Eugenie took the arm of Lenaieff, placed +Henri de Prerolles on her left and Samoreau opposite her--in his +character of senior member, so that no one could mistake his transitory +function with that of an accredited master of the house. + +The four other guests were distinguished writers or artists, including +the painter Edmond Delorme, and, like him, all were intimate friends of +the mistress of the house. + +Naturally the conversation turned upon the representation of Adrienne, +and on the applause of the fashionable audience, usually rather +undemonstrative. + +"Never have I received so many flowers as were given to me last night," +said Eugenic, displaying an enormous beribboned basket which ornamented +the table. "But that which particularly flattered me," she added, "was +the spontaneous tribute from that pretty foreigner who sought me in the +greenroom expressly to offer me her bouquet." + +"The young lady in the proscenium box, I will wager," said Lenaieff. + +"Precisely. I know that they call her Zibeline, but I did not catch her +real name." + +"It is Mademoiselle de Vermont," said Edmond Delorme. "She is, in my +opinion, the most dashing of all the Amazons in the Bois de Boulogne. +The Chevalier de Sainte-Foy brought her to visit my studio last autumn, +and I am making a life-size portrait of her on her famous horse, Seaman, +the winner of the great steeplechase at Liverpool, in 1882." + +"What were you pencilling on the back of your menu while you were +talking?" asked the actress, curiously. + +"The profile of General de Prerolles," the painter replied. "I think +that his mare Aida would make a capital companion picture for Seaman, and +that he himself would be an appropriate figure to adorn a canvas hung on +the line opposite her at the next Salon!" + +"Pardon me, dear master!" interrupted the General. "Spare me, I pray, +the honor of figuring in this equestrian contradance. I have not the +means to bequeath to posterity that your fair model possesses--" + +"Is she, then, as rich as they say?" inquired one of the guests. + +"I can answer for that," said the Baron de Samoreau. "She has a letter +of credit upon me from my correspondent in New York. Last night, during +an entr'acte, she gave me an order to hold a million francs at her +disposal before the end of the week." + +"I know the reason why," added Henri. + +"But," Lenaieff exclaimed, "you told me that you did not know her!" + +"I have made her acquaintance since then." + +"Ah! Where?" Eugenie inquired, with interest. + +"At my sister's house, during the meeting of a charitable society." + +"Had it anything to do with the society for which Monsieur Desvanneaux +asked me to appear in a kermess?" + +"Well, yes. In fact, he has gone so far as to announce that he is +assured of your cooperation." + +"I could not refuse him," said Eugenie. "Under the mantle of charity, +the holy man paid court to me!" + +"I knew well enough that he had not yet laid down his arms forever," said +the General. + +"Oh, he is not the only one. His son-in-law also honored me with an +attack." + +"What, Monsieur de Thomery? Well, that is a good joke!" + +"But what is funnier yet," continued the actress, "is the fact that the +first-named gentleman was on his knees, just about to make me a +declaration, apparently, when the second was announced! Immediately the +father-in-law jumped to his feet, entreating me not to allow them to +meet. I was compelled to open for him the door leading to the servants' +stairway--" + +"And what did you do with the other man?" asked Lenaieff, laughing +loudly. + +"I rid myself of him in the same way. At a sign from me, my maid +announced the name of the father-in-law, and the alarmed son-in-law +escaped by the same road! Oh, but I know them! They will come back!" + +"Under some other pretext, however," said the General. "Because +Mademoiselle de Vermont's million francs have destroyed their amorous +designs." + +"So now we see Zibeline fairly launched," remarked the banker. "Since +the Duchesse de Montgeron has taken her up, all the naughty tales that +have been fabricated about her will go to pieces like a house of cards." + +"That is very probable," the General concluded, "for she has made a +complete conquest of my sister." + +At these words a slight cloud passed over the actress's face. The +imagination of a jealous mistress sees rivals everywhere; especially that +of an actress. + +After dinner, while her other guests went into the smoking-room, Eugenic +made a sign to her lover to remain with her, and seated herself beside +him. + +"I wish to ask you a question, Henri," said she. + +"What is it?" + +"Do you still love me?" + +"What reason have you to doubt it?" + +"None that warrants me in reproaching you for anything. But so many +things separate us! Your career, to which you owe everything! Your +social standing, so different from mine! Oh, I know that you are +sincere, and that if you ever have a scruple regarding our liaison, you +will not be able to hide it from me. It is this possibility of which I +think." + +"You are quite wrong, I assure you. Did I hide myself last night in +order to prove openly my admiration for you? Did I appear to disclaim +the allusions which you emphasized in seeming to address me in the course +of your role?" + +"No, that is true. Shall I make a confession? When I am on the stage, +I fear nothing, because there the points of comparison are all in my +favor, since you can say to yourself: 'This woman on whom all eyes are +fixed, whose voice penetrates to the depths of the soul--this woman, +beautiful, applauded, courted, belongs to me--wholly to me,' and your +masculine vanity is pleasantly flattered. But later, Henri! When the +rouge is effaced from my lips, when the powder is removed from my cheeks +--perhaps revealing some premature line caused by study and late hours-- +if, after that, you return to your own circle, and there encounter some +fresh young girl, graceful and blooming, the object, in her turn, of the +fickle admiration of the multitude, forgetful already of her who just now +charmed them--tell me, Henri! do you not, as do the others, covet that +beautiful exotic flower, and must not the poor comedienne weep for her +lost prestige?" + +"It is Mademoiselle de Vermont, then, who inspires you with this +apprehension," said the General, smiling. + +"Well, yes, it is she!" + +"What childishness! Lenaieff will tell you that I have never even looked +at her." + +"Last night, perhaps--but to-day?" + +"We exchanged no more than a dozen words." + +"But the more I think of her visit to the greenroom, the more +inexplicable it appears to me." + +"You need not be surprised at that: she does nothing that any one else +does." + +"These things are not done to displease you." + +"I may agree as to that; but what conclusion do you draw?" + +"That she is trying to turn your head." + +"My head! You jest! I might be her father." + +"That is not always a reason--" + +Nevertheless, Henri's exclamation had been so frank that Eugenie felt +somewhat reassured. + +"Are you going so soon?" she said, seeing him take his hat. + +"I promised my sister to join her at the opera. Besides, this is your +reception night, and I leave you to your duties as hostess. To-morrow, +at the usual hour-and we will talk of something else, shall we not?" + +"Ah, dearest, that is all I ask!" said Eugenie. + +He attempted to kiss her hand, but she held up her lips. He pressed his +own upon them in a long kiss, and left her. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DEFIANCE OF MRS. GRUNDY + +For more than fifty years the first proscenium box on the ground floor, +to the left, at the Opera, had belonged exclusively to ten members of the +jockey Club, in the name of the oldest member of which the box is taken. +When a place becomes vacant through any cause, the nine remaining +subscribers vote on the admission of a new candidate for the vacant +chair; it is a sort of academy within the national Academy of Music. + +When this plan was originated, that particular corner was called "the +infernal box," but the name has fallen into desuetude since the +dedication of the fine monument of M. Gamier. Nevertheless, as it is +counted a high privilege to be numbered among these select subscribers, +changes are rare among them; besides, the members are not, as a rule, men +in their first youth. They have seen, within those walls, the blooming +and the renewal of several generations of pretty women; and the number of +singers and dancers to whom they have paid court in the coulisses is +still greater. + +From their post of observation nothing that occurs either before or +behind the curtain escapes their analysis--an analysis undoubtedly +benevolent on the part of men who have seen much of life, and who accord +willingly, to their younger fellow-members, a little of that indulgence +of which they stand in need themselves. + +An event so unexpected as the enthronement of Zibeline in one of the two +large boxes between the columns, in company with the Duchesse de +Montgeron, Madame de Lisieux, and Madame de Nointel, did not escape their +observation and comment. + +"The Duchess is never thoughtless in her choice of associates," said one +of the ten. "There must be some very powerful motive to induce her to +shield with her patronage a foreigner who sets so completely at defiance +anything that people may say about her." + +"Nonsense! What is it, after all, that they say about this young woman?" +demanded the senior member of the party. "That she rides alone on +horseback. If she were to ride with a groom, some one would be sure to +say that he was her lover. They say that she drives out without any +female chaperon beside her in the carriage. Well, if she had one, they +would probably find some other malicious thing to say. Paris has become +like a little country town in its gossip." + +"And all this," added a third member, "because she is as lovely as a +dream, and because she drives the handsomest turnout in the Bois. If she +were ugly, and contented herself with a hired carriage, she would be +absolved without confession!" + +"Where the deuce does Christian charity come in, in all this gossip?" +said Henri de Prerolles to himself, who had just entered the box and +overheard the last remarks. "Will you grant me your hospitality until +the beginning of the next act, gentlemen?" he said aloud. "My sister's +box is full of guests and transient visitors; she can not admit even me!" + +The General was a great favorite with the members of the club. One of +them rose to offer him his place. + +"I shall stay only a moment, to escape a cloud of questioners in the +foyer. Every one that stops me asks--" + +"About the new recruit in the Duchess's box, eh?" said a member. "We, +too, wish to inquire about her; we are all leagued together." + +"Thank you, no," said the General. + +"But if it is a secret--" + +"There is no secret about it," the General replied; and in a few words he +explained the enigma. + +"Why, then," exclaimed the senior member, "she is indeed the fowl that +lays the golden eggs! What a lucky bird will be the one that mates with +her!" + +The rising curtain sent the spectators back to their places. The augurs +of the Duchess's box reinstalled themselves before it where they could +examine at their ease through their lorgnettes the fair stranger of whom +so much had been said; and, mounting to the next floor, the General was +at last able to find room among his sister's guests. + +"You can see for yourself that our young friend is altogether charming," +whispered Madame de Nointel, behind the shelter of her fan, and +indicating Zibeline. + +"If you pronounce her so, Madame, she can receive no higher praise," said +Henri. + +"Say at once that you think me exasperating," laughed the lady. + +"Was it not you that first called her Zibeline?" Henri inquired. + +"Yes, but she calls herself Valentine--which rhymes, after all. Not +richly enough for her, I know, but her means allow her to do without the +supporting consonant. See how beautiful she is to-night!" + +In fact, twenty-four hours had sufficed to change the lonely stranger of +the day before into the heroine of this evening, and the satisfaction +that shone in her face tempered the somewhat haughty and disdainful +expression that had hitherto characterized her. + +"You have not yet said 'good-evening' to Mademoiselle de Vermont, Henri," +said the Duchess to her brother, and he changed his place in order to act +upon her hint. + +"Ah, is it you, General?" said Zibeline, affecting not to have seen him +until that moment. "It seems that music interests you less than comedy." + +"What has made you form that opinion, Mademoiselle?" + +"The fact that you arrive much later at the opera than at the Comedie +Francaise." + +"Have you, then, kept watch upon my movements?" + +"Only a passing observation of signs--quite allowable in warfare!" + +"But I thought we had made a compact of peace." + +"True enough, we did make it, but suppose it were only an armistice?" + +"You are ready, then, to resume hostilities?" said Henri. + +"Now that I have Madame la Duchesse, your sister, for an ally, I fear no +enemies." + +"Not even if I should call for aid upon the camp of Desvanneaux?" + +"Alceste leagued with Tartufe? That idea never occurred to Moliere," +said Zibeline, mischievously. + +"Take care!" said the Duchess, interrupting this skirmishing, "you will +fall over into the orchestra! It is growing late, and if Mademoiselle de +Vermont does not wish to remain to see the final conflagration, we might +go now, before the crowd begins to leave." + +"I await your orders, Madame la Duchesse," said Zibeline, rising. + +The other ladies followed her example, receiving their cloaks from the +hands of their cavaliers, and the occupants of the box made their exit in +the following order: Zibeline, on the arm of the Duke; the Comtesse de +Lisieux, leaning upon M. de Nointel; Madame de Nointel with the General; +the Duchess bringing up the procession with M. de Lisieux. + +As soon as they reached the outer lobby their footmen ran to find their +carriages, and that of the Duc de Montgeron advanced first. + +"I beg, Madame, that you will not trouble yourself to wait here until my +carriage comes," said Mademoiselle de Vermont to the Duchess, who +hesitated to leave her guest alone. + +"Since you wish it, I will leave you, then," said the Duchess, "and we +thank you for giving us your society this evening. My brother will +accompany you to your carriage." + +When Zibeline's vehicle drove up to the entrance in its turn, the General +conducted his charge to the door of a marvellously equipped brougham, to +which was harnessed a carriage-horse of powerful frame, well suited to +the kind of vehicle he drew. + +A thaw had begun, not yet transforming the gutters into yellow torrents +rushing toward the openings of the sewer, but covering the streets with +thick, black mud, over which the wheels rolled noiselessly. + +"Your carriage is late, is it not?" said Zibeline, after the General had +handed her into the brougham. + +"My carriage?" said the General. "Behold it!" + +He pointed to a passing fiacre, at the same time hailing the driver. + +"Don't call him. I will take you home myself," said Zibeline, as if such +a suggestion were the most natural thing in the world. + +"You know that in France it is not the custom," said the General. + +"What! Do you bother yourself with such things at your age?" + +"If my age seems to you a sufficient guaranty, that is different. +I accept your invitation." + +"To the Hotel de Montgeron," said Zibeline to her footman. + +"I never shall forget your sister's kindness to me," she continued, as +the carriage rolled away. "She fulfils my idea of the great lady better +than any other woman I have seen." + +"You may be proud of her friendship," said Henri. "When once she likes a +person, it is forever. I am like her in that respect. Only I am rather +slow in forming friendships." + +"And so am I." + +"That is obvious, else you would have been married ere this." + +"No doubt--to some one like young Desvanneaux, perhaps. You are very +flattering! If you think that I would sacrifice my independence for a +man like that--" + +"But surely you do not intend to remain unmarried." + +"Perhaps I shall--if I do not meet my ideal." + +"All women say that, but they usually change their minds in the end." + +"Mine is one and indivisible. If I do not give all I give nothing." + +"And shall you wait patiently until your ideal presents himself?" + +"On the contrary, I am always looking for him." + +"Did you come to Europe for that purpose?" + +"For that and for nothing else." + +"And suppose, should you find your ideal, that he himself raises +obstacles?" + +"I shall try to smooth them away." + +"Do you believe, then, that the power of money is irresistible?" + +"Far from it! A great fortune is only a trust which Providence has +placed in our hands, in order that we may repair, in its name, the +injustices of fate. But I have another string to my bow." + +"What is it?" + +"The force of my will." + +"You have plenty of that! But suppose, by some impossible chance, your +ideal resists you even then?" + +"Then I know what will remain for me to do." + +"You will resort to the pistol?" + +"Not for him, but for myself," she replied, in a tone so resolute as to +exclude any suggestion of bravado. + +Zibeline's horse, which was a rapid trotter, now stopped before the Hotel +de Montgeron, arriving just in advance of the Duchess's carriage, for +which the Swiss was watching at the threshold of the open Porte cochere. +He drew himself up; the brougham entered the gate at a swift pace, +described a circle, and halted under the marquee at the main entrance. +The General sprang lightly to the ground. + +"I thank you, Mademoiselle," bowing, hat in hand, to his charming +conductor. + +"Call me Valentine, please," she responded, with her usual ease of +manner. + +"Even in the character of a stage father, that would be rather too +familiar," said the Marquis. + +"Not so much so as to call me Zibeline," said Mademoiselle de Vermont, +laughing. + +"Ha! ha! You know your sobriquet, then?" + +"I have known it a long time! Good-night, General! We shall meet +again." + +Then, addressing her footman, she said in English: "Home!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +FRATERNAL ADVICE + +Like all residences where the owners receive much company, the Hotel de +Montgeron had a double porte-cochere. Just as the Swiss opened the outer +gate to allow the departure of Mademoiselle de Vermont, the two carriages +crossed each other on the threshold. In fact, Henri had had hardly time +to cross the courtyard to mount to his own apartments before his brother- +in-law and his sister stopped him at the foot of the steps. He rejoined +them to say good-night. + +"Won't you come and take a cup of tea with us in the little salon?" they +asked. + +"Willingly," was his response. He followed them, and all three seated +themselves beside a table which was already laid, and upon which the +boiling water sang in the kettle. + +"Leave us," said the Duchess to the butler. "I will serve tea myself. +Did Mademoiselle de Vermont bring you home?" she asked, when the servant +had retired. + +"Well," said Henri, "in proposing to do so she mentioned my discreet age, +which appeared to her to make the thing all right! If I had declined her +invitation, I should have seemed to pose as a compromising person! That +is the reason why I accepted." + +"You did quite right. What do you really think of her?" + +"She is very different from what I had fancied her: I find her frank, +intellectual, full of originality. I have only one fault to mention: she +is too rich." + +"Well, surely, you do not expect her to ruin herself to please you." + +"I should think not! Besides, what would be the object?" + +"To permit you to fall in love with her." + +"Oh, that is what you are thinking of, is it?" + +"Certainly, for, if need be, perhaps you would make a sacrifice to your +feelings." + +"In what way?" + +"In the toleration of a few remaining millions which she might retain, so +that when you marry her neither of you will be reduced to absolute +beggary!" + +"Marry her!--I?" cried the General, astonished. + +"What is there to prevent your doing so?" + +"The past, my dear sister. To speculate upon my title and my rank in +order to make a wealthy marriage? To quit my nomad's tent for a fixed +residence other than that where the Prerolles have succeeded one another +from generation to generation? Never! Of all our ancient prejudices, +that is the only one I cherish. Besides, I am free at present to serve +my country under any form of government which it may please her to adopt. +But, with his hereditary estates lost, through his own fault, shall he +who has nothing left to him but his name form a mere branch of another +family? He has no right to do so." + +This declaration was categorical. Madame de Montgeron bent her head; her +jesting vein was quenched in a moment. + +After a moment of silence the Duke spoke. + +"There are scruples that one does not discuss," he said. "But, on the +other hand, if I do not deceive myself, there are others which can be +adjusted to suit circumstances." + +"What circumstances?" said the General. + +"The subject is rather delicate--especially to mention before you, my +dear Jeanne." + +"I was just about to propose that I should retire," said the Duchess. +"Good-night, Henri!" And she bent to kiss him. + +"You are not vexed?" said her brother, embracing her tenderly. + +"What an idea! Good-night!" + +"Am I always to be considered as occupying the stool of repentance?" +Henri inquired, as soon as his sister had left the room. + +"Yes, but you will not be offended if I interrogate you a little, after +the manner of a judge?" said the Duke. + +"Quite the contrary. Go on; I will listen." + +"Had you not just now expressed yourself very distinctly in disfavor of +any project of marriage because of perfectly unimpeachable principles, +I should not permit myself to make any allusion to your private life. +Every man is his own master in his choice of liaisons, and on that head +is answerable only to his own conscience. In these days, moreover, art +is on a level with birth, and talent with military glory. You see that I +am quite modern in my ideas! However--" + +"Ah, there is a reserve?" + +"Without liability. Mademoiselle Gontier is surrounded by great luxury. +She maintains an expensive house and keeps an open table. Her annual +salary and her income can not possibly cover these expenses. Whence does +she obtain further resources?" + +"From the investments made for her by the Baron de Samoreau." + +"Without her having to pay a commission of any kind? A most remarkable +case of disinterestedness!" + +"I never have sought to examine the matter particularly," said Henri. + +"And is that the way you keep yourself informed? A future general-in- +chief!" + +"I was not aware that I am in an enemy's country." + +"No, but you are in a conquered country, which is still more dangerous. +Oh, no one will attack you face to face at the point of the sword. But +behind your back, in the shadow, you have already massed against you +various rejected swains, the Desvanneaux of the coulisses, jealous of a +preference which wounds their own vanity, and the more ready to throw +discredit--were they able--upon a man of your valor, because they are +better armed against him with the logic of facts." + +"What logic, in heaven's name?" + +"That which emanates from the following dilemma: Either Danae is obliged +to hide from Jupiter--or, rather, from Maecenas--her intimacy with you-- +and you are only a lover who simply loves her--or else Maecenas is an +epicurean who has no objection to share his fortune philosophically; so +that ostensibly you sit at the feast without paying the cost--which is +worse yet." + +"Does any one dare to say that of me?" cried the General, springing from +his chair. + +"They are beginning to say it," the Duke replied, his eyes fixed on his +brother-in-law, who paced to and fro, gnawing his moustache. "I ask your +pardon for throwing such a bucket of ice-water on you, but with men of +your constitution--" + +"Pleurisy is not mortal," Henri interrupted briefly. "I know. Don't +worry about me." + +"I knew you would understand," said the Duke, going toward the door of +his own apartments. "That is the reason why I have not spared you a +thorough ducking!" + +"I thank you," said the General, as he was about to leave the room. +"I will talk to you about this tomorrow. The night brings counsel." + +Wrapped in thought, he made his way to the little suite of apartments +between the ground floor and the first story which he occupied, and which +had a separate door opening on the Rue de Bellechase. + +At the foot of the stairs, in a coach-house which had been transformed +into a chamber, slept the orderlies beneath the apartment of their chief. +This apartment, composed of four rooms, was of the utmost simplicity, +harmonizing with the poverty of its occupant, who made it a point of +honor not to attempt to disguise his situation. + +The ante-chamber formed a military bureau for the General and his chief +orderly. + +The salon, hung with draperies to simulate a tent, had no other +decoration than some trophies of Arabian arms, souvenirs of raids upon +rebellious tribes. + +More primitive still was the bedroom, furnished with a simple canteen +bed, as if it were put up in a temporary camp, soon to be abandoned. + +The only room which suggested nothing of the anchorite was the dressing- +room, furnished with all the comforts and conveniences necessary to an +elegant and fastidious man of the world. + +But his real luxury, which, by habit and by reason of his rank, the +General had always maintained, was found among his horses, as he devoted +to them all the available funds that could be spared from his salary. +Hence the four box-stalls placed at his disposal in the stables of his +brother-in-law were occupied by four animals of remarkably pure blood, +whose pedigrees were inscribed in the French stud-book. Neither years, +nor the hard service which their master had seen, had deteriorated any of +his ability as a dashing horseman. His sober and active life having even +enabled him to preserve a comparatively slender figure, he would have +joined victoriously in the races, except that his height made his weight +too heavy for that amusement. + +Entering his own domain, still overwhelmed, with the shock of the +revelations and the gossip of which he never had dreamed, he felt himself +wounded to the quick in all those sentiments upon which his 'amour +propre' had been most sensitive. + +The more he pondered proudly over his pecuniary misfortunes, the more +grave the situation appeared to him, and the more imperious the necessity +of a rupture. + +When it had been a question of dismissing Fanny Dorville, an actress of +humble standing, his parting gift, a diamond worth twenty-five thousand +francs, had seemed to him a sufficient indemnity to cancel all accounts. + +But now, in the presence of an artiste of merit, who had given herself +without calculation and who loved him for himself alone, how, without +wounding her heart and her dignity, could he break violently a chain so +light yesterday, so heavy to-day? + +To indulge in tergiversation, to invent some subterfuge to cover his +retreat--he did not feel himself capable of such a course; moreover, his +manoeuvre would be quickly suspected by a clever woman whom nothing +escaped. + +To ask to be sent back to Africa, just at the time when his intelligent +and practical instruction in the latest grand manoeuvres had drawn all +eyes upon him, would compromise, by an untimely retirement, the +advantages of this new office, the object of his ambition. + +For the first time this nobleman, always prompt and radical in his +decisions, found himself hesitating; and, such is the power of human +egotism even in generous natures, he felt almost incensed against +Eugenie, the involuntary cause of his hesitation. + +After weighing everything carefully in his mind, he finally said to +himself that an open confession, sincere and unrestricted, would be the +best solution of the difficulty; and just as the first light of day came +to dissipate the shadow that overcast his mind, when his orderly entered +to open the blinds in his chamber, he formed a fixed resolution as to his +course. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE LADY BOUNTIFUL + +Valentine de Vermont was not yet twenty-two years old. + +Her birth had cost the life of her mother, and, brought up by an active +and enterprising man, her education had been directed by plain common- +sense, rather masculine, perhaps, but without injury to her personal +attractions, nor to those of her delicate and lofty spirit. + +Her father, who was endowed with a veritable genius for commercial +action, had monopolized more than the fur-trade of Alaska and of Hudson's +Bay. From year to year he had extended the field of his operations: in +Central America, dealing in grains and salt meats; in Europe in wines and +brandy; commodities always bought at the right time, in enormous +quantities, and, without pausing in transshipment from one country to +another, carried in vessels belonging to him and sailing under the +English flag. + +Without giving her any unnecessary instruction as to the management of +his affairs, he wished his daughter to possess sufficient knowledge of +them to handle herself the wealth that she would receive as a dowry and +at his death; and he decided that she should not contract a marriage +except under the law of the separation of goods, according to the custom +generally adopted in the United States. + +An attack of paralysis having condemned him to his armchair, he +consecrated the remainder of his days to settling all his enterprises, +and when he died, about two years before the arrival of Valentine in +Paris, that young lady found herself in the possession of more than one +hundred and twenty million francs, nearly all invested in English, +American, and French State bonds. + +At the expiration of her period of mourning, the wealthy heiress could +then live in London, New York, or Paris, at her pleasure; but the French +blood that ran in her veins prevented her from hesitating a moment, and +she chose the last named of the three cities for her abode. + +Being passionately fond of saddle and driving-horses, she did not stop in +England without taking the necessary time to acquire everything of the +best for the fitting-up of a stable, and after a time she established +herself temporarily in a sumptuous apartment in the Place de l'Etoile, +furnished with a taste worthy of the most thorough Parisian. + +On the evening after her appearance at the Opera, just as she left her +breakfast-table, M. Durand presented himself at her dwelling with the +architect's plan for the building of the orphan asylum, and declared +himself ready to take her orders regarding the plan, as well as on the +subject of the gift of money to the Society. + +"I have resolved," said Zibeline, "to transform into an asylum, following +a certain plan, the model farm belonging to the estate that I have +recently purchased through you. If I required carte blanche in choosing +the site, it was because I desire that Monsieur Desvanneaux shall have +nothing to do with the matter until the day when I shall put the +committee in possession of the building and its premises, which I have +engaged to furnish, free of all expense to the Society. I shall employ +my own architect to execute the work, and I shall ask you to indemnify, +for me, the architect who has drawn up this first plan, which will remain +as the minimum expense incurred on my part. But I wish to be the only +person to superintend the arrangements, and to be free to introduce, +without control, such improvements as I may judge suitable. Should the +committee demand a guaranty, I have on deposit with Monsieur de Samoreau +a million francs which I intend to use in carrying out these operations. +Half of that sum may be consigned to the hands of some one they may wish +to choose; the other half will serve to pay the laborers in proportion to +their work. In order to insure even greater regularity, have the +kindness to draw up, to cover the interval that will elapse before I make +my final definite donation, a provisionary document, setting forth the +engagement that I have undertaken to carry out." + +"Here it is," said the notary; "I have already prepared it." + +Having examined the document carefully, to assure herself that all +statements contained therein were according to her intentions, Zibeline +took her pen and wrote at the foot of the page: "Read and approved," and +signed the paper. + +"Mademoiselle appears to be well accustomed to business habits," observed +M. Durand, with a smile. + +"That is because I have been trained to them since childhood," she +replied. "My plan is to place this document myself in the hands of +Madame la Duchesse de Montgeron." + +"You can do so this very afternoon, if you wish. Thursday is her +reception day," said the notary, rising with a bow, preparatory to taking +his leave. + +"I shall take good care not to fail to call," earnestly replied the fair +Lady Bountiful. + +She telephoned immediately to her head-groom, ordering ham to bring +around her brougham at three o'clock. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A MODERN TARTUFE + +At the same hour that the elegant carriage of Zibeline was conducting her +to the Hotel de Montgeron, M. Desvanneaux descended from a modest fiacre +at the gate of the hotel occupied by Eugenie Gontier. + +The first impulse of the actress--who was engaged in studying a new role +in her library--was not to receive her importunate visitor; but a sudden +idea changed her determination, and she gave the order to admit him. + +"This is the first time that I have had the high favor of being admitted +to this sanctuary," said the churchwarden, kissing with ardor the hand +that the actress extended to him. + +"Don't let us have so great a display of pious manifestations," she said, +withdrawing her hand from this act of humility, which was rather too +prolonged. "Sit down and be sensible," she added. + +"Can one be sensible when he finds himself at your feet, dear +Mademoiselle? At the feet of the idol who is so appropriately enthroned +among so many artistic objects!" replied the honey-tongued Prudhomme, +adjusting his eyeglasses. "The bust of General de Prerolles, no doubt?" +he added, inquiringly, scrutinizing a marble statuette placed on the high +mantelpiece. + +"You are wrong, Monsieur Desvanneaux; it is that of Moliere!" + +"I beg your pardon!--I am standing so far below it! I, too, have on my +bureau a bust of our great Poquelin, but Madame Desvanneaux thinks that +this author's style is somewhat too pornographic, and has ordered me to +replace his profane image by the more edifying one of our charitable +patron, Saint Vincent de Paul." + +"Is it to tell me of your family jars that you honor me with this visit?" +said Eugenie. + +"No, indeed! It was rather to escape from them, dear Mademoiselle! But +alas! my visit has also another object: to release you from the promise +you were so kind as to make me regarding the matter of our kermess; a +project now unfortunately rendered futile by that Zibeline!" + +"Otherwise called 'Mademoiselle de Vermont.'" + +"I prefer to call her Zibeline--that name is better suited to a +courtesan." + +"You are very severe toward her!" + +"I can not endure hypocrites!" naively replied the worthy man. + +"She appeared to me to be very beautiful, however," continued Eugenie +Gontier, in order to keep up the conversation on the woman who she felt +instinctively was her rival. + +"Beautiful! Not so beautiful as you," rejoined M. Desvanneaux, +gallantly. "She is a very ambitious person, who throws her money at our +heads, the better to humiliate us." + +"But, since it is all in the interest of the Orphan Asylum--" + +"Say, rather, in her own interest, to put herself on a pedestal because +of her generosity! Oh, she has succeeded at the first stroke! Already, +at the Hotel de Montgeron they swear by her; and if this sort of thing +goes on, I shall very soon be regarded only as a pariah!" + +"Poor Monsieur Desvanneaux!" + +"You pity me, dear Mademoiselle? I thank you! The role of consoler is +truly worthy of your large heart, and if you do not forbid me to hope--" +said this modern Tartufe, approaching Eugenie little by little. + +"Take care!" said she; "suppose the General should be hidden under that +table, like Orgon!" + +"The General!" exclaimed Desvanneaux; "he is too much occupied +elsewhere!" + +"Occupied with whom?" + +"With Zibeline, probably. He never left her side all the evening, last +night at the Opera." + +"Pardon me! He was here until after ten o'clock." + +"Yes, but afterward--when the opera was over?" + +"Well, what happened when the opera was over?" Eugenie inquired, forcing +herself to hide her emotion. + +"They went away together! I saw them--I was watching them from behind a +column. What a scandal!" + +"And your conclusion on all this, Monsieur Desvanneaux?" + +"It is that the General is deceiving you, dear Mademoiselle." + +"With that young girl?" + +"A bold hussy, I tell you! A Messalina! Ah, I pity you sincerely in my +turn! And should a devoted consoler, a discreet avenger, be able to make +you forget this outrage to your charms, behold me at your feet, devoting +to you my prayers, awaiting only a word from you to become the most +fortunate among the elect--" + +A loud knock at the outer door spared Mademoiselle Gontier the trouble of +repelling her ridiculous adorer, who promptly scrambled to his feet at +the sound. + +"A visitor!" he murmured, turning pale. "Decidedly, I have no luck--" + +"Monsieur le Marquis de Prerolles is in the drawing-room," a domestic +announced. + +"Beg him to wait," said Eugenie, reassured by this visit, which was +earlier than the usual hour. "You see that you are badly informed, +Monsieur Desvanneaux," she added. + +"For heaven's sake, spare me this embarrassing meeting!" said the +informer, whose complexion had become livid. + +"I understand. You fear a challenge?" + +"Oh, no, not that! My religious principles would forbid me to fight a +duel. But the General would not fail to rally me before my wife +regarding my presence here, and Madame Desvanneaux would be pitiless." + +"Own, however, that you richly deserve a lesson, Lovelace that you are! +But I will take pity on you," said Eugenie, opening a door at the end of +the room. "The servants' stairway is at the end of that corridor. You +know the way!" she added, laughing. + +"I am beginning to know it, dear Mademoiselle!" said the pitiful +beguiler, slipping through the doorway on tiptoe. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +BROKEN TIES + +After picking up a chair which, in his alarm, the fugitive had overturned +in his flight, Mademoiselle Gontier herself opened the door leading to +the drawing-room. + +"Come in, Henri!" said she, lifting the portiere. + +"Do I disturb you?" the General inquired, entering the library. + +"Never! You know that well! But how gravely you asked the question!" + +"For the reason that I wish to speak to you about serious matters, my +dear Eugenie." + +The image of Zibeline passed before the eyes of the actress. That which +Desvanneaux had revealed, in accusing the girl of debauchery, now +appeared plausible to her, if considered in another way. + +"You are about to marry!" she exclaimed. + +They were the same words pronounced by Fanny Dorville in similar +circumstances. + +"Never! You know that well enough!" he replied, in his turn. + +"Speak, then!" said she, sinking upon a chair and motioning him to a +seat before her. + +He obeyed, and sitting so far forward upon his chair that his knees +touched her skirt, he took both her hands in his own, and said gently: + +"You know how much I love you, and how much I esteem you. You know, too, +the story of my life: my past follies, and also the honorable career I +have run in order to atone for them morally, for in a material sense they +are irreparable--according to my ideas, at least. This career has been +fortunate. I have reached the highest rank that a soldier can attain to- +day. But my rapid promotion, however justifiable it may be, has none the +less awakened jealousy. The nature of my services being above all +possibility of suspicion, calumny has sought another quarter at which to +strike, and at this moment it is my delicacy which is impugned." + +"Your delicacy, Henri! What do you mean?" asked Eugenie, in an altered +voice. + +"Our friendship is well known. You are rich, and I have only my pay: the +antithesis is flagrant! The gossips comment upon it, and exploit the +fact against me." + +"Against you!" cried Eugenie, indignantly. + +"Against me--yes. I have proof of it. A man in private life would be +justified in ignoring such gossip, but for a man in my profession +ambiguity has no place, nor has compromise. Himself a severe judge of +the conduct of others, he must not afford them a single instance whereby +they can accuse him of not following his own precepts." + +And, as his companion remained silent and startled before an explanation +so unexpected, he added: + +"You say nothing, my love. You must divine the depth of my chagrin at +the prospect of a necessary separation, and you are sufficiently +charitable not to remind me that I ought to have made these tardy +reflections before I yielded to a fascination which made me close my eyes +to facts." + +"I reproach you with nothing, Henri," said Eugenie in a trembling voice. +"I myself yielded to the same enchantment, and in abandoning myself to +it, I did not foresee that some day it might be prejudicial to your +honor. A singular moral law is that of the world!" she pursued, growing +more excited. "Let General de Prerolles be the lover of Madame de +Lisieux or of Madame de Nointel; let him sit every day at their tables-- +if there be only a husband whose hand he may clasp in greeting, no one +will call this hospitable liaison a crime! But let him feel anything +more than a passing fancy for Eugenie Gontier, who violates no conjugal +vow in loving him, but whose love he is not rich enough to buy--even were +that love for sale--oh, then, everyone must point at him the finger of +scorn! As for myself, it seems that it was useless for me to resist so +many would-be lovers in order to open my door more freely to the man of +my choice--an action which no one holds against me, however, because I am +only an actress, and the public classes us in a separate category, so +that they may more readily offer up to us the incense with which they +smother us! Be it so! There are also in my profession disinterested +hearts which may serve as examples--and I pretend to the very highest +rank as an actress in every role I assume, even in this city. Take back +your liberty, Henri!" + +"I have most unwillingly offended you," said he, sadly. + +"You? Ah, no! I know that you are loyal and sincere, and I could not +harbor resentment against you after your avowal. You would have lacked +self-confidence had you acted otherwise. But," she continued, "have you +indeed told me all?" + +"All!" he replied, without hesitation. + +"Will you give me your word of honor that no other woman stands between +you and me?" + +"I swear it to you!" + +"I thank you! You are incapable of lying. Whatever happens, you never +will have a better friend than I, for your just pride is still more dear +to me than my own. If you cease to come to the theatre, and appear no +more at my receptions, that will be sufficient to insure the silence of +gossip concerning us. Go without remorse, Henri! But come back to see +me sometimes--quietly, without the knowledge of the envious--will you +not?" + +"Do you doubt it?" he responded, folding her tenderly in his arms. + +"Yes and no! But if this is our supreme farewell, do not tell me so!" + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Ambiguity has no place, nor has compromise +But if this is our supreme farewell, do not tell me so! +Chain so light yesterday, so heavy to-day +Every man is his own master in his choice of liaisons +If I do not give all I give nothing +Indulgence of which they stand in need themselves +Ostensibly you sit at the feast without paying the cost +Paris has become like a little country town in its gossip +The night brings counsel +You are in a conquered country, which is still more dangerous + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Zibeline, v2 +by Phillipe de Massa + diff --git a/3932.zip b/3932.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d660dab --- /dev/null +++ b/3932.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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