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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/3934-0.txt b/3934-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..73fa9d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/3934-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5290 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Zibeline, Complete, by Phillipe de Massa + +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: Zibeline, Complete + +Author: Phillipe de Massa + +Release Date: October 5, 2006 [EBook #3934] +Last Updated: August 23, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZIBELINE, COMPLETE *** + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +ZIBELINE + +By Philippe De Massa + +Translated By D. Knowlton Ranous + + + + +ALEXANDRE-PHILIPPE-REGNIER DE MASSA + +MARQUIS DE MASSA, soldier, composer, and French dramatist, was born in +Paris, December 5, 1831. He selected the military career and received a +commission in the cavalry after leaving the school of St. Cyr. He served +in the Imperial Guards, took part in the Italian and Franco-German Wars +and was promoted Chief of Squadron, Fifth Regiment, Chasseurs a Cheval, +September 10, 1871. Having tendered his resignation from active service, +he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the territorial army February +3, 1880. He has been decorated with the Legion of Honor. + +The Marquis de Massa is known as a composer of music and as a dramatic +author and novelist. At the Opera Comique there was represented in +1861 Royal-Cravate, written by him. Fragments of two operas by him were +performed at the Paris Conservatory of Music in 1865, and in 1868. The +list of his principal plays follows: ‘Le Service en campagne, comedy +(1882); La Cicatrice, comedy (1885); Au Mont Ida, Fronsac a La Bastille, +and La Coeur de Paris, all in 1887; La Czarine and Brouille depuis +Magenta (1888), and La Bonne Aventure--all comedies--1889. Together with +Petipa he also wrote a ballet Le Roi d’Yvetot (1866); music by Charles +Labarre. He further wrote Zibeline, a most brilliant romance (1892) with +an Introduction by Jules Claretie; crowned by the Academie Francaise. +This odd and dainty little story has a heroine of striking originality, +in character and exploits. Her real name is Valentine de Vermont, and +she is the daughter of a fabulously wealthy French-American dealer in +furs, and when, after his death, she goes to Paris to spend her colossal +fortune, and to make restitution to the man from whom her father won +at play the large sum that became the foundation of his wealth, certain +lively Parisian ladies, envying her her rich furs, gave her the name of +Zibeline, that of a very rare, almost extinct, wild animal. Zibeline’s +American unconventionality, her audacity, her wealth, and generosity, +set all Paris by the ears. There are fascinating glimpses into the +drawing-rooms of the most exclusive Parisian society, and also into +the historic greenroom of the Comedie Francaise, on a brilliant “first +night.” The man to whom she makes graceful restitution of his fortune +is a hero of the Franco-Mexican and Franco-Prussian wars, and when she +gives him back his property, she throws her heart in with the gift. The +story is an interesting study of a brilliant and unconventional American +girl as seen by the eyes of a clever Frenchman. + +Later came ‘La Revue quand meme, comedy, (1894); Souvenirs et +Impressions (1897); La Revue retrospective, comedy (1899); and Sonnets’ +the same year. + + PAUL HERVIEU + de l’Academe Francaise. + + + + +LETTER FROM JULES CLARETIE TO THE AUTHOR + +MY DEAR FRIEND: + +I have often declared that I never would write prefaces! But how can +one resist a fine fellow who brings one an attractive manuscript, signed +with a name popular among all his friends, who asks of one, in the most +engaging way, an opinion on the same--then a word, a simple word of +introduction, like a signal to saddle? + +I have read your Zibeline, my dear friend, and this romance--your +first--has given me a very keen pleasure. You told me once that you felt +a certain timidity in publishing it. Reassure yourself immediately. A +man can not be regarded as a novice when he has known, as you have, +all the Parisian literary world so long; or rather, perhaps, I may more +accurately say, he is always a novice when he tastes for the first time +the intoxication of printer’s ink. + +You have the quickest of wits and the least possible affectation of +gravity, and you have made as well known in Mexico as in Paris your +couplets on the end of the Mexican conflict with France. ‘Tout Mexico y +passera!’ Where are they, the ‘tol-de-rols’ of autumn? + +Yesterday I found, in a volume of dramatic criticism by that terrible +and charming Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly, an appreciation of one of your +comedies which bears a title very appropriate to yourself: ‘Honor.’ +“And this play does him honor,” said Barbey d’Aurevilly, “because it is +charming, light, and supple, written in flowing verse, the correctness +of which does not rob it of its grace.” + +That which the critic said of your comedy I will say of your romance. +It is a pretty fairy-story-all about Parisian fairies, for a great many +fairies live in Paris! In fact, more are to be found there than anywhere +else! There are good fairies and bad fairies among them. Your own +particular fairy is good and she is charming. I am tempted to ask +whether you have drawn your characters from life. That is a question +which was frequently put to me recently, after I had published +‘L’Americaine.’ The public longs to possess keys to our books. It is not +sufficient for them that a romance is interesting; it must possess also +a spice of scandal. + +Portraits? You have not drawn any--neither in the drawing-rooms where +Zibeline scintillates, nor in the foyer of the Comedie Francaise, +where for so long a time you have felt yourself at home. Your women are +visions and not studies from life--and I do not believe that you will +object to my saying this. + +You should not dislike the “romantic romance,” which every one in these +days advises us to write--as if that style did not begin as far back +as the birth of romance itself: as if the Princess of Cleves had not +written, and as if Balzac himself, the great realist, had not invented, +the finest “romantic romances” that can be found--for example, the +amorous adventure of General de Montriveau and the Duchesse de Langlais! + +Apropos, in your charming story there is a General who pleases me very +much. How was it that you did not take, after the fashion of Paul de +Molenes, a dashing cavalry officer for your hero?--you, for whom the +literary cavalier has all the attractions of a gentleman and a soldier? + +Nothing could be more piquant, alert, chivalrous--in short, worthy of +a Frenchman--than the departure of your hero for the war after that +dramatic card-party, which was also a battle--and what a battle!--where, +at the end of the conflict, he left his all upon the green cloth. That +is an attractive sketch of the amiable comedienne, who wishes for fair +weather and a smooth sea for the soldier lover who is going so far away. +It seems to me that I have actually known that pretty girl at some time +or another! That chapter is full of the perfume of pearl powder and +iris! It is only a story, of course, but it is a magnificent story, +which will please many readers. + +The public will ask you to write others, be sure of that; and you will +do well, my dear friend, for your own sake and for ours, to follow the +precept of Denis Diderot: “My friends, write stories; while one writes +them he amuses himself, and the story of life goes on, and that is less +gay than the stories we can tell.” + +I do not know precisely whether these last words, which are slightly +pessimistic, are those of the good Diderot himself. But they are +those of a Parisian of 1892, who has been able to forget his cares and +annoyances in reading the story that you have told so charmingly. + +With much affection to you, and wishing good luck to Zibeline, I am + +Your friend, JULES CLARETIE + de l’Academie Francaise. +APRIL 26, 1892. + + + + +ZIBELINE + + + + +BOOK 1. + + + + +CHAPTER I. LES FRERES-PROVENCAUX. + +In the days of the Second Empire, the Restaurant des Freres-Provencaux +still enjoyed a wide renown to which its fifty years of existence had +contributed more than a little to heighten its fame. + +This celebrated establishment was situated near the Beaujolais Gallery +of the Palais-Royal, close to the narrow street leading to the Rue +Vivienne, and it had been the rendezvous of epicures, either residents +of Paris or birds of passage, since the day it was opened. + +On the ground floor was the general dining-room, the gathering-place for +honest folk from the provinces or from other lands; the next floor had +been divided into a succession of private rooms, comfortably furnished, +where, screened behind thick curtains, dined somewhat “irregular” + patrons: lovers who were in either the dawn, the zenith, or the decline +of their often ephemeral fancies. On the top floor, spacious salons, +richly decorated, were used for large and elaborate receptions of +various kinds. + +At times the members of certain social clubs gave in these rooms +subscription balls of anacreontic tendencies, the feminine element +of which was recruited among the popular gay favorites of the period. +Occasionally, also, young fellows about town, of different social rank, +but brought together by a pursuit of amusement in common, met here on +neutral ground, where, after a certain hour, the supper-table was turned +into a gaming-table, enlivened by the clinking of glasses and the rattle +of the croupier’s rake, and where to the excitement of good cheer was +added that of high play, with its alternations of unexpected gains and +disastrous losses. + +It was at a reunion of this kind, on the last evening in the month +of May, 1862, that the salons on the top floor were brilliantly +illuminated. A table had been laid for twenty persons, who were to join +in a banquet in honor of the winner of the great military steeplechase +at La Marche, which had taken place a few days before. The victorious +gentleman-rider was, strange to say, an officer of infantry--an +unprecedented thing in the annals of this sport. + +Heir to a seigneurial estate, which had been elevated to a marquisate in +the reign of Louis XII, son of a father who had the strictest notions as +to the preservation of pure blood, Henri de Prerolles, early initiated +into the practice of the breaking and training of horses, was at +eighteen as bold and dashing a rider as he was accomplished in other +physical exercises; and although, three years later, at his debut at St. +Cyr, he expressed no preference for entering the cavalry service, for +which his early training and rare aptitude fitted him, it was because, +in the long line of his ancestors--which included a marshal of France +and a goodly number of lieutenants-general--all, without exception, from +Ravenna to Fontenoy, had won renown as commanders of infantry. + +At the outbreak of the French Revolution, Henri’s grandfather, who had +distinguished himself in the American War for Independence, left +his native land only when he was in the last extremity. As soon as +circumstances permitted, he reentered France with his son, upon whom +Napoleon conferred a brevet rank, which the recipient accepted of his +free will. He began his military experience in Spain, returned safe and +well from the retreat from Russia, and fought valiantly at Bautzen and +at Dresden. The Restoration--by which time he had become chief of his +battalion--could not fail to advance his career; and the line was about +to have another lieutenant-general added to its roll, when the events of +1830 decided Field-Marshal the Marquis de Prerolles to sheathe his +sword forever, and to withdraw to his own estate, near the forest of +l’Ile-d’Adam, where hunting and efforts toward the improvement of the +equine race occupied his latter years. + +He died in 1860, a widower, leaving two children: Jeanne, recently +married to the Duc de Montgeron, and his son Henri, then a pupil in +a military school, who found himself, on reaching his majority, in +possession of the chateau and domains of Prerolles, the value of which +was from fifteen to eighteen hundred thousand francs. + +Having been made sub-lieutenant by promotion on the first day of +October, 1861, the young Marquis, already the head of his house and a +military leader, asked and obtained the favor of being incorporated with +a battalion of chasseurs garrisoned at Vincennes. + +Exact in the performance of his military duties, and at the same time +ardent in the pursuit of pleasure, he was able, thanks to his robust +health, to conciliate the exigencies of the one with the fatigues of the +other. + +Unfortunately, Henri was fond of gaming, and his natural impetuosity, +which showed itself by an emulation of high standards in his military +duties, degenerated into recklessness before the baccarat-table. At the +end of eighteen months, play, and an expensive liaison with an actress, +had absorbed half his fortune, and his paternal inheritance had been +mortgaged as well. The actress was a favorite in certain circles and had +been very much courted; and this other form of rivalry, springing +from the glitter of the footlights, added so much the more fuel to the +prodigalities of the inflammable young officer. + +Affairs were in this situation when, immediately after Henri’s triumph +at the race-track, a bettor on the opposite side paid one of his wagers +by offering to the victor a grand dinner at the Freres-Provencaux. + + + + +CHAPTER II. BIRDS OF PREY + +The hero of the night was seated at the middle of one side of the table, +in the place of honor. For his ‘vis-a-vis’ he had his lively friend +Fanny Dorville, star of the Palais Royal, while at his right sat Heloise +Virot, the “first old woman,” or duenna, of the same theatre, whose well +known jests and eccentricities added their own piquancy to gay life in +Paris. The two artists, being compelled to appear in the after-piece at +their theatre that evening, had come to the dinner made up and in full +stage costume, ready to appear behind the footlights at the summons of +the call-boy. + +The other guests were young men accustomed to the surroundings of the +weighing-stand and the betting-room, at a time when betting had not yet +become a practice of the masses; and most of them felt highly honored +to rub elbows with a nobleman of ancient lineage, as was Henri de +Prerolles. + +Among these persons was Andre Desvanneaux, whose father, a churchwarden +at Ste.-Clotilde, had attained a certain social prestige by his good +works, and Paul Landry, in his licentiate in a large banking house in +Paris. The last named was the son of a ship-owner at Havre, and his +character was ambitious and calculating. He cherished, under a +quiet demeanor, a strong hope of being able to supply, by the rapid +acquisition of a fortune, the deficiencies of his inferior birth, from +which his secret vanity suffered severely. Being an expert in all games +of chance, he had already accumulated, while waiting for some brilliant +coup, enough to lead a life of comparative elegance, thus giving a +certain satisfaction to his instincts. He and Henri de Prerolles never +yet had played cards together, but the occasion was sure to come some +day, and Paul Landry had desired it a long time. + +The company, a little silent at first, was becoming somewhat more +animated, when a head-waiter, correct, and full of a sense of his own +importance, entered the salon, holding out before him with both hands +a large tray covered with slender glasses filled with a beverage called +“the cardinal’s drink,” composed of champagne, Bordeaux, and slices of +pineapple. The method of blending these materials was a professional +secret of the Freres-Provencaux. + +Instantly the guests were on their feet, and Heloise, who had been +served first, proposed that they should drink the health of the Marquis, +but, prompted by one of her facetious impulses, instead of lifting the +glass to her own lips, she presented it to those of the waiter, and, +raising her arm, compelled him to swallow the contents. Encouraged +by laughter and applause, she presented to him a second glass, then a +third; and the unhappy man drank obediently, not being able to push away +the glasses without endangering the safety of the tray he carried. + +Fanny Dorville interceded in vain for the victim; the inexorable duenna +had already seized a fourth glass, and the final catastrophe would have +been infallibly brought about, had not providence intervened in the +person of the call-boy, who, thrusting his head through the half-open +doorway, cried, shrilly: + +“Ladies, they are about to begin!” + +The two actresses hastened away, escorted by Andre Desvanneaux, a modern +Tartufe, who, though married, was seen everywhere, as much at home +behind the scenes as in church. + +Coffee and liqueurs were then served in a salon adjoining the large +dining-room, which gave the effect of a private club-room to this part +of the restaurant. + +Cigars were lighted, and conversation soon turned on feminine charms and +the performances of various horses, particularly those of Franc-Comtois, +the winner of the military steeplechase. This animal was one of the +products of the Prerolles stud, and was ordinary enough on flat ground, +but a jumper of the first rank. + +At last the clock struck the half hour after eleven, and some of the +guests had already manifested their intention to depart, when Paul +Landry, who had been rather silent until then, said, carelessly: + +“You expect to sleep to-night in Paris, no doubt, Monsieur de +Prerolles?” + +“Oh, no,” Henri replied, “I am on duty this week, and am obliged to +return to Vincennes early in the morning. So I shall stay here until it +is time for me to go.” + +“In that case, might we not have a game of cards?” proposed Captain +Constantin Lenaieff, military attache to the suite of the Russian +ambassador. + +“As you please,” said Henri. + +This proposal decided every one to remain. The company returned to the +large dining-room, which, in the mean time, had been again transformed +into a gaming-hall, with the usual accessories: a frame for the +tally-sheet, a metal bowl to hold rejected playing-cards set in one end +of the table, and, placed at intervals around it, were tablets on which +the punter registered the amount of the stakes. + +On reentering this apartment, Henri de Prerolles approached a sort +of counter, and, drawing from his pocket thirty thousand francs in +bank-notes, he exchanged them for their value in mother-of-pearl +“chips” of different sizes, representing sums from one to five, ten, +twenty-five, or a hundred louis. Paul Landry took twenty-five thousand +francs’ worth; Constantin Unaieff, fifteen thousand; the others, less +fortunate or more prudent, took smaller sums; and about midnight the +game began. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE GAME + +It began quietly enough, the two principal players waiting, before +making any bold strokes, to see how the luck should run. The first +victory was in favor of Henri, who, at the end of a hand dealt by +Constantin Lenaieff, had won about three hundred Louis. Just at this +moment the two women returned, accompanied by Desvanneaux. + +“I had some difficulty in persuading our charming friends to return,” + said he; “Mademoiselle Dorville was determined that some one should +escort her to her own house.” + +“You, perhaps, Desvanneaux,” said Henri, twisting up the ends of his +moustache. + +“Not at all,” said Fanny; “I wished Heloise to go with me. I have +noticed that when I am here you always lose. I fear I have the evil +eye.” + +“Say, rather, that you have no stomach,” said Heloise. “Had you made +your debut, as I made mine, with Frederic Lemaitre in ‘Thirty Years in +the Life of an Actor’” + +“It certainly would not rejuvenate her,” said Henri, finishing the +sentence. + +“Marquis, you are very impertinent,” said the duenna, laughing. “As a +penalty, you must lend me five louis.” + +“With the greatest pleasure.” + +“Thank you!” + +And, as a new hand was about to be dealt, Heloise seated herself at one +of the tables. This time Paul Landry put fifteen thousand francs in the +bank. + +“Will you do me the favor to cut the cards?” he asked of Fanny, who +stood behind Henri’s chair. + +“What! in spite of my evil eye, Monsieur?” + +“I do not fear that, Mademoiselle. Your eyes have always been too +beautiful for one of them to change now.” + +Stale as was this compliment, it had the desired effect, and the young +woman thrust vertically into the midst of the pack the cards he held out +to her. + +“Play, messieurs,” said the banker. + +“Messieurs and Madame,” corrected Heloise, placing her five chips before +her, while Henri, at the other table, staked the six thousand francs +which he had just won. + +“Don’t put up more than there is in the bank,” objected Paul Landry, +throwing a keen glance at the stakes. Having assured himself that on the +opposing side to this large sum there were hardly thirty louis, he dealt +the cards. + +“Eight!” said he, laying down his card. + +“Nine!” said Heloise. + +“Baccarat!” said Henri, throwing two court-cards into the basket. + +The rake rattled on the losing table, but after the small stakes of +the winners had been paid, the greater part of the six thousand francs +passed into the hands of the banker. + +Five times in succession, at the first deal, the same thing happened; +and at the sixth round Heloise won six hundred francs, and Henri found +himself with no more counters. + +“This is the proper moment to retire!” said the duenna, rising from the +table. “Are you coming, Fanny?” + +“I beg you, let us go now,” murmured Mademoiselle Dorville in the ear of +her lover. + +Her voice was caressing and full of tender promise. The young man +hesitated an instant. But to desert the game at his first loss seemed to +him an act unworthy of his reputation, and, as between love and pride, +the latter finally prevailed. + +“I have only an hour or two more to wait. Can not you go home by +yourself?” he replied to Fanny’s appeal, while Heloise exchanged her +counters for tinkling coin, forgetting, no doubt, to reimburse her +creditor, who, in fact, gave no thought to the matter. + +Henri accompanied the two women to a coach at the door, which had +been engaged by the thoughtful and obliging Desvanneaux; and, pressing +tenderly the hand of his mistress, he murmured: + +“Till to-morrow!” + +“To-morrow!” she echoed, her heart oppressed with sad forebodings. + +Desvanneaux, whose wife was very jealous of him, made all haste to +regain his conjugal abode. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE RESULT + +Meanwhile, Paul Landry had begun badly, and had had some ill turns of +luck; nevertheless, feeling that his fortune was about to change, he +raised the stakes. + +“Does any one take him up?” asked Constantin Lenaeiff. + +“I do,” said De Prerolles, who had returned to the table. + +And, seizing a pencil that lay on the card-table, he signed four cheques +of twenty-five thousand francs each. Unfortunately for him, the next +hand was disastrous. The stakes were increased, and the bank was broken +several times, when Paul Landry, profiting by a heavy gain, doubled and +redoubled the preceding stakes, and beheld mounting before him a pile of +cheques and counters. + +But, as often happens in such circumstances, his opponent, Henri de +Prerolles, persisted in his vain battle against ill-luck, until at three +o’clock in the morning, controlling his shaken nerves and throwing down +his cards, without any apparent anger, he said: + +“Will you tell me, gentlemen, how much I owe you?” + +After all accounts had been reckoned, he saw that he had lost two +hundred and ninety thousand francs, of which two hundred and sixty +thousand in cheques belonged to Paul Landry, and the thirty thousand +francs’ balance to the bank. + +“Monsieur de Prerolles,” said Paul Landry, hypocritically, “I am ashamed +to win such a sum from you. If you wish to seek your revenge at some +other game, I am entirely at your service.” + +The Marquis looked at the clock, calculated that he had still half an +hour to spare, and, not more for the purpose of “playing to the gallery” + than in the hope of reducing the enormous sum of his indebtedness, he +replied: + +“Will it be agreeable to you to play six hands of bezique?” + +“Certainly, Monsieur. How much a point?” + +“Ten francs, if that is not too much.” + +“Not at all! I was about to propose that amount myself.” + +A quick movement of curiosity ran through the assembly, and a circle was +formed around the two opponents in this exciting match. + +Every one knows that bezique is played with four packs of cards, and +that the number of points may be continued indefinitely. The essential +thing is to win at least one thousand points at the end of each hand; +unless a player does this he is said to “pass the Rubicon,” becoming +twice a loser--that is, the victor adds to his own score the points lost +by his adversary. Good play, therefore, consists largely in avoiding +the “Rubicon” and in remaining master of the game to the last trick, +in order to force one’s adversary over the “Rubicon,” if he stands in +danger of it. The first two hands were lost by Landry, who, having each +time approached the “Rubicon,” succeeded in avoiding it only by the +greatest skill and prudence. Immediately his opponent, still believing +that good luck must return to him, began to neglect the smaller points +in order to make telling strokes, but he became stranded at the very +port of success, as it were; so that, deducting the amount of his first +winning, he found at the end of the fifth hand that he had lost six +thousand points. Notwithstanding his wonderful self-control, it was +not without difficulty that the young officer preserved a calm demeanor +under the severe blows dealt him by Fortune. Paul Landry, always +master of himself, lowered his eyes that their expression of greedy +and merciless joy should not be seen. The nearer the game drew to its +conclusion, the closer pressed the circle of spectators, and in the +midst of a profound silence the last hand began. Favored from the +beginning with the luckiest cards, followed by the most fortunate +returns, Paul Landry scored successively “forty, bezique,” five hundred +and fifteen hundred. He lacked two cards to make the highest point +possible, but Henri, by their absence from his own hand, could measure +the peril that menaced him. So, surveying the number of cards that +remained in stock, he guarded carefully three aces of trumps which might +help him to avert disaster. But, playing the only ace that would allow +him to score again, Paul Landry announced coldly, laying on the table +four queens of spades and four knaves of diamonds: + +“Four thousand five hundred!” This was the final stroke. The last hand +had wiped out, by eight thousand points, the possessions of Landry’s +adversary. The former losses of the unfortunate Marquis were now +augmented by one hundred and forty thousand francs. Henri became very +pale, but, summoning all his pride to meet the glances of the curious, +he arose, rang a bell, and called for a pen and a sheet of stamped +paper. Then, turning to Paul Landry, he said, calmly “Monsieur, I owe +you four hundred thousand francs. Debts of honor are payable within +twenty-four hours, but in order to realize this sum, I shall require +more time. How long a delay will you grant me?” + +“As long as you wish, Monsieur.” + +“I thank you. I ask a month.” + +A waiter appeared, bringing the pen and paper. + +“Oh, your word will be sufficient for me,” said Landry. + +“Pardon me!” said the Marquis. “One never knows what may happen. I +insist that you shall accept a formal acknowledgment of the debt.” + +And he wrote: + +“I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I owe to Monsieur Paul Landry the +sum of four hundred thousand francs, which I promise to pay in thirty +days, counting from this date.” + +He dated, signed, and folded the paper, and handed it to Paul Landry. +Then, glancing at the clock, whose hands pointed to a quarter before +four, he said: + +“Permit me to take leave of you, gentlemen. I have barely time to reach +Vincennes before roll-call.” + +He lighted a cigar, saluted the astonished assembly with perfect +coolness, slowly descended the stairs, and jumped into his carriage, the +chasseur of the restaurant holding open the door for him. + +“To Vincennes!” he cried to the coachman; “and drive like the devil!” + + + + +CHAPTER V. A DESPERATE RESOLUTION + +The chimneys and roofs of the tall houses along the boulevards stood out +sharp and clear in the light of the rising sun. Here and there squads +of street-cleaners appeared, and belated hucksters urged their horses +toward the markets; but except for these, the streets were deserted, and +the little coupe that carried Caesar and his misfortunes rolled rapidly +toward the Barriere du Trone. + +With all the coach-windows lowered, in order to admit the fresh morning +air, the energetic nobleman, buffeted by ill-luck, suddenly raised his +head and steadily looked in the face the consequences of his defeat. +He, too, could say that all was lost save honor; and already, from the +depths of his virile soul, sprang the only resolution that seemed to him +worthy of himself. + +When he entered his own rooms in order to dress, his mind was made up; +and although, during the military exercises that morning, his commands +were more abrupt than usual, no one would have suspected that his mind +was preoccupied by any unusual trouble. + +He decided to call upon his superior officer that afternoon to request +from him authorization to seek an exchange for Africa. Then he went +quietly to breakfast at the pension of the officers of his own rank, +who, observing his calm demeanor, in contrast to their own, knew that +he must be unaware of the important news just published in the morning +journals. General de Lorencez, after an unsuccessful attack upon the +walls of Puebla, had been compelled to retreat toward Orizaba, and to +intrench there while waiting for reenforcements. + +This military event awakened the liveliest discussions, and in the +midst of the repast a quartermaster entered to announce the reply to the +report, first presenting his open register to the senior lieutenant. + +“Ah! By Jove, fellows! what luck!” cried that officer, joyously. + +“What is it?” demanded the others in chorus. + +“Listen to this!” And he read aloud: “‘General Order: An expedition +corps, composed of two divisions of infantry, under the command of +General Forey, is in process of forming, in order to be sent to Mexico +on urgent business. The brigade of the advance guard will be composed of +the First Regiment of Zouaves and the Eighteenth Battalion of infantry. +As soon as these companies shall be prepared for war, this battalion +will proceed by the shortest route to Toulon; thence they will embark +aboard the Imperial on the twenty-sixth day of June next.’” + +Arousing cheer drowned the end of the reading of this bulletin, the +tenor of which gave to Henri’s aspirations an immediate and more +advantageous prospect immediate, because, as his company was the first +to march, he was assured of not remaining longer at the garrison; more +advantageous, because the dangers of a foreign expedition opened a much +larger field for his chances of promotion. + +Consequently, less than a month remained to him in which to settle his +indebtedness. After the reading of the bulletin, he asked one of his +brother officers to take his place until evening, caught the first train +to town, and, alighting at the Bastille, went directly to the Hotel +de Montgeron, where he had temporary quarters whenever he chose to use +them. + +“Is the Duke at home?” he inquired of the Swiss. + +Receiving an affirmative reply, he crossed the courtyard, and was soon +announced to his brother-in-law, the noble proprietor of La Sarthe, +deputy of the Legitimist opposition to the Corps Legislatif of the +Empire. + +The Duc de Montgeron listened in silence to his relative’s explanation +of his situation. When the recital was finished, without uttering a +syllable he opened a drawer, drew out a legal paper, and handed it to +Henri, saying: + +“This is my marriage contract. Read it, and you will see that I have +had, from the head of my family, three hundred and fifteen thousand +livres income. I do not say this to you in order to contrast my riches +with your ruin, but only to prove to you that I was perfectly well able +to marry your sister even had she possessed no dot. That dot yields +seven hundred and fifteen thousand francs’ income, at three per cent. +We were married under the law of community of goods, which greatly +simplifies matters when husband and wife have, as have Jeanne and +myself, but one heart and one way of looking at things. To consult her +would be, perhaps, to injure her. To-morrow I will sell the necessary +stock, and ere the end of the week Monsieur Durand, your notary and +ours, shall hold at your disposal the amount of the sum you lost last +night.” + +The blood rose to the cheeks of the young officer. + +“I--I” he stammered, pressing convulsively the hands of his +brother-in-law. “Shall I let you pay the ransom for my madness and +folly? Shall I a second time despoil my sister, already robbed by me of +one half her rightful share? I should die of shame! Or, rather--wait a +moment! Let us reverse our situations for an instant, and if you will +swear to me that, were you in my place, you would accept--Ah, you see! +You hesitate as much now as you hesitated little a moment ago in your +simple and cordial burst of generosity: Consequently, I refuse!” + +“What do you mean to do, then?” + +“To sell Prerolles immediately-to-day, if possible. This determination +troubles you because of the grief it will cause Jeanne. It will grieve +me, too. And the courage to tell this to her is the only effort to which +my strength is unequal. Only you can tell it in such a way as to soften +the blow--” + +“I will try to do it,” said the Duke. + +“I thank you! As to the personal belongings and the family portraits, +their place is at Montgeron, is it not?” + +“That is understood. Now, one word more, Henri.” + +“Speak!” + +“Have you not another embarrassment to settle?” + +“I have indeed, and the sooner the better. Unhappily--” + +“You have not enough money,” finished the Duke. “I have received this +morning twenty-five thousand francs’ rent from my farms. Will you allow +me to lend them to you?” + +“To be repaid from the price of the sale? Very willingly, this time.” + +And he placed in an envelope the notes handed him by his brother-in-law. + +“This is the last will and testament of love,” said the Marquis, as he +departed, to give the necessary instructions to his notary. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE FAREWELL + +His debts were easily reckoned. He owed eight hundred thousand francs to +the Credit Foncier; four hundred thousand to Paul Landry; more than +one hundred thousand to various jewellers and shopkeepers; twenty-five +thousand to the Duc de Montgeron. It was necessary to sell the chateau +and the property at one million four hundred thousand francs, and the +posters advertising the sale must be displayed without delay. + +Then he must say farewell to Fanny Dorville. Nothing should disturb a +sensible mind; the man who, with so much resolution, deprives himself +of his patrimonial estates should not meet less bravely the separation +imposed by necessity. + +As soon as Henri appeared in Fanny’s boudoir, she divined that her +presentiments of the previous night had not deceived her. + +“You have lost heavily?” she asked. + +“Very heavily,” he replied, kissing her brow. + +“And it was my fault!” she cried. “I brought you bad luck, and that +wretch of a Landry knew well what he was about when he made me cut the +cards that brought you misfortune!” + +“No, no, my dear-listen! The only one in fault was I, who allowed +myself, through false pride, to be persuaded that I should not seem to +fear him.” + +“Fear him--a professional gambler, who lives one knows not how! +Nonsense! It is as if one should fight a duel with a fencing-master.” + +“What do you wish, my dear? The evil is done--and it is so great--” + +“That you have not the means to pay the sum? Oh, but wait a moment.” + +And taking up a casket containing a superb collar of pearls, she said: + +“This is worth fourteen thousand francs. You may well take them from me, +since it was you that gave them to me.” + +No doubt, she had read De Musset, and this action was perhaps a +refection of that of Marion, but the movement was sincere. Something +of the stern pride of this other Rolla was stirred; a sob swelled his +bosom, and two tears--those tears that rise to a soldier’s eyes in the +presence of nobility and goodness--fell from his eyes upon the hair of +the poor girl. + +“I have not come to that yet,” he said, after a short silence. “But we +must part--” + +“You are about to marry?” she cried. + +“Oh, no!” + +“Ah, so much the better!” + +In a few words he told her of his approaching departure, and said that +he must devote all his remaining time to the details of the mobilization +of troops. + +“So--it is all over!” said Fanny, sadly. “But fear nothing! I have +courage, and even if I have the evil eye at play, I know of something +that brings success in war. Will you accept a little fetich from me?” + +“Yes, but you persist in trying to give me something,” he said, placing +on a table the sealed envelope he had brought. + +“How good you are!” she murmured. “Now promise me one thing: let us dine +together once more. Not at the Provencaux, however. Oh, heavens! no! At +the Cafe Anglais--where we dined before the play the first time we--” + +The entrance of Heloise cut short the allusion to a memory of autumn. + +“Ah, it is you,” said Fanny nervously. “You come apropos.” + +“Is there a row in the family?” inquired Heloise. + +“As if there could be!” + +“What is it, then?” + +“You see Henri, do you not?” + +“Well, yes, I do, certainly. What then?” + +“Then look at him long and well, for you will not see him again in many +a day. He is going to Mexico!” + +“To exploit a mine?” + +“Yes, Heloise,” the officer replied, “a mine that will make the walls of +Puebla totter.” + +“In that case, good luck, my General!” said the duenna, presenting arms +with her umbrella. + +Fanny could not repress a smile in spite of her tears. Her lover seized +this moment to withdraw from her arms and reach the stairs. + +“And now, Marquis de Prerolles, go forth to battle!” cried the old +actress to him over the banisters, with the air of an artist who knows +her proper cue. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE VOW + +Notwithstanding the desire expressed by his mistress, Henri firmly +decided not to repeat that farewell scene. + +The matter that concerned him most was the wish not to depart without +having freed himself wholly from his debt to Paul Landry. Fortunately, +because of a kindly interest, as well as on account of the guaranty of +the Duc de Montgeron, a rich friend consented to advance the sum; so +that, one week before the day appointed for payment, the losing +player was able to withdraw his signature from the hands of his greedy +creditor. + +Relieved from this anxiety, Henri had asked, the night before the day +set for departure, for leave of absence for several hours, in order +to visit for the last time a spot very dear to him, upon whose walls +placards now hung, announcing the sale of the property to take place on +the following morning. + +No one received warning of this visit in extremis save the steward, +who awaited his master before the gates of the chateau, the doors and +windows of which had been flung wide open. + +At the appointed hour the visitor appeared at the end of the avenue, +advancing with a firm step between two hedges bordered with poplars, +behind which several brood-mares, standing knee-deep in the rich grass, +suckled their foal. + +The threshold of the gate crossed, master and man skirted the lawn, +traversed the garden, laid out in the French fashion, and, side by side, +without exchanging a word, mounted the steps of the mansion. Entering +the main hall, the Marquis, whose heart was full of memories of his +childhood, stopped a long time to regard alternately the two suites of +apartments that joined the vestibule to the two opposite wings. Making +a sign to his companion not to follow him, Henri then entered the vast +gallery, wherein hung long rows of the portraits of his ancestors; and +there, baring his head before that of the Marshal of France whose name +he bore, he vowed simply, without excitement, and in a low tone, either +to vanquish the enemy or to add, after the manner of his forbears, a +glorious page to his family’s history. + +The object of his pilgrimage having thus been accomplished, the Marquis +ordered the steward to see that all the portraits were sent to the +Chateau de Montgeron; then, after pressing his hand in farewell, he +returned to the station by the road whence he had come, avoiding the +village in order to escape the curious eyes of the peasantry. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. IN SEARCH OF GLORY + +The next morning the 18th battalion of ‘chasseurs’, in dress uniform, +with knapsacks on their backs and fully armed, awaited in the Gare de +Lyon the moment to board the train destined to transport them to the +coast. + +At a trumpet-call this movement was executed in silence, and in perfect +order; and only after all the men were installed did the functionaries +who kept the crowd in order take their own places in the carriages, +leaving a throng of relatives and friends jostling one another upon the +quay. + +Fanny Dorville and her friend the duenna tried in vain to reach the +compartment wherein Henri had his place, already in marching order; +the presence of the Duc and the Duchesse de Montgeron prevented the two +women from approaching him. Nevertheless, at the moment when the train +began to move slowly out of the station, an employee found the means to +slip into the hands of the Marquis a small packet containing the little +fetich which his mistress had kept for him. It was a medallion of the +Holy Virgin, which had been blessed at Notre-Dame des-Victoires, and it +was attached to a long gold chain. + +Thirty-six hours later, on the evening of the 26th of June, the +battalion embarked aboard the Imperial, which, with steam up, was due to +leave the Toulon roadstead at daybreak. At the moment of getting under +weigh, the officer in charge of the luggage, who was the last to leave +the shore, brought several despatches aboard the ship, and handed to +Lieutenant de Prerolles a telegram, which had been received the evening +before at the quay. + +The Marquis opened it and read: “Chateau and lands sold for 1,450,000 +francs. Everything paid, 1600 francs remain disposable.” + +“That is to say,” thought the officer, sadly, “I have my pay and barely +three thousand francs’ income!” + +Leaning both elbows upon the taffrail, he gazed long at the shores +of France, which appeared to fly toward the horizon; then, brusquely +turning his eyes to the quarters filled with the strong figures and +manly faces of the young foot-soldiers of the 18th battalion, he said +to himself that among such men, under whatever skies or at whatever +distance, one found his country--glancing aloft where floated above his +head the folds of his flag. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE + +Twenty-three years after the events already recorded, on a cold +afternoon in February, the Bois de Boulogne appeared to be draped in a +Siberian mantle rarely seen at that season. A deep and clinging covering +of snow hid the ground, and the prolonged freezing of the lakes gave +absolute guaranty of their solidity. + +A red sun, drowned in mist, threw a mild radiance over the landscape, +and many pedestrians stamped their feet around the borders of the lake +belonging to the Skaters’ Club, and watched the hosts of pretty women +descending from their carriages, delighted at the opportunity afforded +them, by this return of winter, to engage in their favorite exercise. + +Received on her arrival by one of the attendants posted at the entrance, +each of the fair skaters entered in turn a small building reserved for +ladies, whence she soon came forth in full skating array, ready to risk +herself on the ice, either alone or guided by the hand of some expert +cavalier. + +Here and there, around the enclosure, large garden-seats, shaped like +sentry-boxes, were reserved for the mothers and sisters of the members +of the club, so that they could observe, from a comfortable shelter, the +evolutions of those in whom they were interested. + +Within two of these nooks, side by side, sat the Duchesse de Montgeron, +president, and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, vice-president of the Charity +Orphan Asylum; the latter had come to look on at the first essay on the +ice of her daughter, Madame de Thomery; the former, to judge the skill +of her brother, General the Marquis de Prerolles, past-master in all +exercises of strength and skill. + +At forty-five years of age, the young General had preserved the same +grace and slenderness that had distinguished him when he had first +donned the elegant tunic of an officer of chasseuys. His hair, cut +rather short, had become slightly gray on his temples, but his jaunty +moustache and well-trimmed beard were as yet innocent of a single silver +thread. The same energy shone in his eyes, the same sonority rang in his +voice, which had become slightly more brusque and authoritative from his +long-continued habit of command. + +In a small round hat, with his hands in the pockets of an outing-jacket, +matching his knickerbockers in color, he strolled to and fro near his +sister, now encouraging Madame de Thomery, hesitating on the arm of her +instructor, now describing scientific flourishes on the ice, in rivalry +against the crosses dashed off by Madame de Lisieux and Madame de +Nointel--two other patronesses of the orphanage--the most renowned among +all the fashionable skaters. This sort of tourney naturally attracted +all eyes, and the idlers along the outer walks had climbed upon the +paling in order to gain a better view of the evolutions, when suddenly a +spectacle of another kind called their attention to the entrance-gate in +their rear. + +Passing through the Porte Dauphine, and driven by a young woman +enveloped in furs, advanced swiftly, over the crisp snow, a light +American sleigh, to which was harnessed a magnificent trotter, whose +head and shoulders emerged, as from an aureole, through that flexible, +circular ornament which the Russians call the ‘douga’. + +Having passed the last turn of the path, the driver slackened her grasp, +and the horse stopped short before the entrance. His owner, throwing the +reins to a groom perched up behind, sprang lightly to the ground amid a +crowd of curious observers, whose interest was greatly enhanced by the +sight of the odd-looking vehicle. + +The late-comer presented her card of invitation to the proper +functionary, and went across the enclosure toward the ladies’ salon. + +“Ah! there is Zibeline!” cried Madame Desvanneaux, with an affected air. +“Do you know her?” she inquired of the Duchesse de Montgeron. + +“Not yet,” the Duchess replied. “She did not arrive in Paris until the +end of spring, just at the time I was leaving town for the seashore. But +I know that she says her real name is Mademoiselle de Vermont, and that +she was born in Louisiana, of an old French family that emigrated to the +North, and recently became rich in the fur trade-from which circumstance +Madame de Nointel has wittily named her ‘Zibeline.’ I know also that +she is an orphan, that she has an enormous fortune, and has successively +refused, I believe, all pretenders who have thus far aspired to her +hand.” + +“Yes--gamblers, and fortune-hunters, in whose eyes her millions excuse +all her eccentricities.” + +“Do I understand that she has been presented to you?” asked the Duchess, +surprised. + +“Well, yes-by the old Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, one of her so-called +cousins--rather distant, I fancy! But the independent airs of this young +lady, and her absolute lack of any respectable chaperon, have decided me +to break off any relations that might throw discredit on our patriarchal +house,” Madame Desvanneaux replied volubly, as ready to cross herself as +if she had been speaking of the devil! + +The Duchess could not repress a smile, knowing perfectly that her +interlocutor had been among the first to demand for her son the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont! + +During this dialogue, the subject of it had had time to cast aside her +fur cloak, to fasten upon her slender, arched feet, clad in dainty, +laced boots, a pair of steel skates, with tangent blades, and without +either grooves or straps, and to dart out upon this miniature sheet of +water with the agility of a person accustomed to skating on the great +lakes of America. + +She was a brunette, with crisply waving hair, a small head, well-set, +and deep yet brilliant eyes beneath arched and slightly meeting brows. +Her complexion was pale, and her little aquiline nose showed thin, +dilating nostrils. Her rosy lips, whose corners drooped slightly, +revealed dazzling teeth, and her whole physiognomy expressed an air of +haughty disdain, somewhat softened by her natural elegance. + +Her cloth costume, which displayed to advantage her slender waist and +graceful bust, was of simple but elegant cut, and was adorned with +superb trimmings of black fox, which matched her toque and a little +satin-lined muff, which from time to time she raised to her cheek to +ward off the biting wind. + +Perhaps her skirt was a shade too short, revealing in its undulations a +trifle too much of the dainty hose; but the revelation was so shapely it +would have been a pity to conceal it! + +“Very bad form!” murmured Madame Desvanneaux. + +“But one can not come to a place like this in a skirt with a train,” was +the more charitable thought of the Duchess. + +Meantime the aforesaid tournament went on in the centre of the sheet of +ice, and Zibeline, without mingling with the other skaters, contented +herself with skirting the borders of the lake, rapidly designing a chain +of pierced hearts on the smooth surface, an appropriate symbol of her +own superiority. + +Annoyed to see himself eclipsed by a stranger, the General threw a +challenging glance in her direction, and, striking out vigorously in a +straight line, he sped swiftly toward the other end of the lake. + +Stung to the quick by his glance, Mademoiselle de Vermont darted after +him, passed him halfway along the course, and, wheeling around with +a wide, outward curve, her body swaying low, she allowed him to pass +before her, maintaining an attitude which her antagonist might interpret +as a salute, courteous or ironic, as he chose. + +By this time the crowd was gradually diminishing. The daylight was +waning, and a continued sound of closing gates announced the retreat of +the gay world toward Paris. + +Zibeline alone, taking advantage of the free field, lingered a few +moments to execute some evolutions in the deepening twilight, looking +like the heroines in the old ballads, half-visible, through the mists, \ +to the vivid imagination of the Scottish bards. + +Henri de Prerolles had entered his sister’s carriage, in company with +Madame Desvanneaux and Madame Thomery, and during the drive home, these +two gentle dames--for the daughter was worthy of the mother--did not +fail to sneer at the fair stranger, dilating particularly upon the +impropriety of the challenging salute she had given to the General, with +whom she was unacquainted. + +“But my brother could hardly request his seconds to call upon her for +that!” laughingly said the Duchess who, it seemed, had decided to defend +the accused one in all attacks made upon her. + +“Look! Here she comes! She is passing us again. One would think she was +deliberately trying to do it!” exclaimed Madame Desvanneaux, just before +their carriage reached the Arc de Triomphe. + +Zibeline’s sleigh, which had glided swiftly, and without hindrance, +along the unfrequented track used chiefly by equestrians, had indeed +overtaken the Duchess’s carriage. Turning abruptly to the left, it +entered the open gateway belonging to one of the corner houses of the +Rond-Point de l’Etoile. + +“Decidedly, the young lady is very fond of posing,” said the General, +with a shrug, and, settling himself in his corner, he turned his +thoughts elsewhere. + +Having deposited her two friends at their own door, the Duchess ordered +the coachman to take her home, and at the foot of the steps she said to +her brother: + +“Will you dine with us to-night?” + +“No, not to-night,” he replied, “but we shall meet at the theatre.” + +And, crossing the court, he entered his little bachelor apartment, which +he had occupied from time to time since the days when he was only a +sub-lieutenant. + + + + +CHAPTER X. GENERAL DE PREROLLES + +The sub-lieutenant had kept his word, and the progress of his career +deserves detailed mention. + +He was a lieutenant at the taking of Puebla, where he was first to +mount in the assault of the Convent of Guadalupita. Captain of the Third +Zouaves after the siege of Oajaca, he had exercised, during the rest +of the expedition, command over a mounted company, whose duty was to +maintain communications between the various columns, continuing, at the +same time, their operations in the Michoacan. + +This confidential mission, requiring as much power to take the +initiative as it demanded a cool head, gave the Marquis opportunity to +execute, with rapidity and decision, several master-strokes, which, +in the following circumstances, won for him the cross of the Legion of +Honor. + +The most audacious of the guerrillas who had devastated this fertile +country was a chief called Regulas. He pillaged the farms, stopped +railway trains, boldly demanding ransom from captives from the municipal +governments of large towns. He was continually, active, and always +inaccessible. + +Warned by his scouts that the followers of this villain menaced the town +of Pazcuaro, Captain de Prerolles prepared himself eagerly to meet them. +He overtook them in a night march, and fell upon them unexpectedly, just +as they were holding up the diligence from Morelia to Guadalajara. +His plans had been so well laid that not a man escaped. What was the +surprise of the French officer to find, among the travellers, delivered +by himself from certain death, Paul Landry, the principal cause of his +ruin, who the chances of war now laid under obligations to him! + +“This is my revenge,” said the Captain, simply, to Landry, attempting to +avoid his thanks, and returning to him intact his luggage, of which the +chinacos had not had time to divide the contents. + +Reconciled in Algiers with his regiment, Henri de Prerolles did not +again quit the province of Constantine except to serve in the army of +the Rhine, as chief of battalion in the line, until the promotions which +followed the declaration of war in 1870. Officer of the Legion of Honor +for his gallantry at Gravelotte and at St. Privat, and assigned for his +ability to the employ of the chief of corps, he had just been called +upon to assume command of his former battalion of chasseurs, when the +disastrous surrender of Metz left him a prisoner of war in the hands of +the Germans. + +Profoundly affected by this disaster, but learning that the conflict +still continued, he refused to avail himself of the offer of comparative +freedom in the city, provided he would give his parole not to attempt +to escape. He was therefore conducted to a distant fortress near the +Russian frontier, and handed over to the captain of the landwehr, who +received instructions to keep a strict guard over him. + +This officer belonged to the engineering corps, and directed, at the +same time, the work of repairs within the citadel, in charge of a +civilian contractor. + +Taking into consideration the rank of his prisoner, the captain +permitted the Marquis to have with him his orderly, an Alsatian, who +twice a day brought from the inn his chief’s repasts. This functionary +had permission also, from ten o’clock in the morning until sunset, to +promenade in the court under the eye of the sentinel on guard at the +entrance. At five o’clock in the evening, the officer of the landwehr +politely shut up his guest in his prison, double-locked the door, put +the key in his pocket, and appeared no more until the next morning. + +The middle of November had arrived; heavy snows had already fallen, and +the prisoner amused himself by constructing fortifications of snow--a +work which his amiable jailer followed with a professional interest, +giving him advice regarding modifications proper to introduce in the +defense of certain places, himself putting a finger in the pie in +support of his demonstration. + +This sort of amusement was followed so industriously that in a few days +a kind of rampart was erected in front of the casemate of the fortress, +behind which, by stooping a little, a man of ordinary height could +easily creep along unseen by the sentinel. + +While pursuing his work of modelling in snow, the Marquis de Prerolles +had taken care to observe the goings and comings of the civilian +contractor, who, wearing a tall hat and attired in a black redingote, +departed regularly every day at half-past four, carrying a large +portfolio under his arm. To procure such a costume and similar +accessories for himself was easy, since the Marquis’s orderly spoke the +language of the country; and to introduce them into the prison, hidden +in a basket of provisions, was not difficult to accomplish. + +To execute all this required only four trips to and fro. At the end +of forty-eight hours, the necessary aids to escape were in the proper +place, hidden under the snow behind the bastion. More than this, the +clever Alsatian had slipped a topographical map of the surrounding +country between two of the plates in the basket. According to the scale, +the frontier was distant only about five leagues, across open +country, sparsely settled with occasional farms which would serve as +resting-places. + +By that time, the plan of escape was drawn up. Upon the day fixed for +his flight, the Marquis assumed his disguise, rolled up his own uniform +to look like a man asleep in his bed, lying after the fashion of a +sleeping soldier; and pleading a slight illness as an excuse for not +dining that evening, and, not without emotion, curled himself up behind +the snowy intrenchment which his jailer himself had helped to fashion. +That worthy man, only too glad to be able to rejoin his ‘liebe frau’ +a little earlier than usual, peeped through the half-open door of the +prisoner’s room and threw a glance at the little cot-bed. + +“Good-night, Commander!” said the honest fellow, in a gentle voice. + +Then he double-locked the door, according to custom, and disappeared +whistling a national air. A quarter of an hour later the contractor left +the place, and as soon as the functionary who had seen him depart was +relieved by another, the prisoner left his hiding-place, crossed the +drawbridge in his turn, simulating the gait of his twin, and, without +any hindrance, rejoined his orderly at the place agreed upon. The trick +was played! + +A matter of twenty kilometres was a mere trifle for infantry troopers. +They walked as lightly as gymnasts, under a clear sky, through the +fields, guided by the lights in the farmhouses, and at nine o’clock, +having passed the frontier, they stumbled upon a post of Cossacks +ambuscaded behind a hedge! + +Unfortunately, at that time the Franco-Russian alliance was still in +embryo, and an agreement between the two neighboring States interdicted +all passage to Frenchmen escaping from the hands of their conquerors. +The two deserters were therefore conducted to the major of the nearest +garrison, who alone had the right to question them. + +As soon as they were in his presence, Henri could not restrain a +start of surprise, for he recognized Constantin Lenaieff, one of his +adversaries on the fatal night of the Freres-Provencaux. + +“Who are you?” demanded the Major, brusquely. + +“A dealer in Belgian cattle, purveyor to the German intendant,” hazarded +the prisoner, who had his reply all prepared. + +“You--nonsense! You are a French officer; that is plain enough to be +seen, in spite of your disguise.” + +The Major advanced a step in order to examine the prisoner more closely. + +“Good heavens!” he muttered, “I can not be mistaken--” + +He made a sign to his soldiers to retire, then, turning to Henri, he +said: + +“You are the Marquis de Prerolles!” and he extended his hand cordially +to the former companion of his pleasures. + +In a few words Henri explained to him the situation. + +“My fate is in your hands,” he concluded. “Decide it!” + +“You are too good a player at this game not to win it,” Lenaieff +replied, “and I am not a Paul Landry, to dispute it with you. Here is a +letter of safe-conduct made out in due form; write upon it any name you +choose. As for myself, I regard you absolutely as a Belgian citizen, and +I shall make no report of this occurrence. Only, let me warn you, as a +matter of prudence, you would do well not to linger in this territory, +and if you need money--” + +“I thank you!” replied the nobleman, quickly, declining with his +customary proud courtesy. “But I never shall forget the service you have +rendered me!” + +A few moments later, the two travellers drove away in a carriage toward +the nearest railway, in order to reenter France by way of Vienna and +Turin. + +They passed the Austrian and Italian frontiers without difficulty; but +at the station at Modena a too-zealous detective of the French police, +struck with the Alsatian accent of the orderly, immediately decided +that they were two Prussian spies, and refused to allow them to proceed, +since they could show him no passports. + +“Passports!” cried Henri de Prerolles, accompanying his exclamation with +the most Parisian oath that ever had reverberated from the Rue Laffitte +to the Madeleine. + +“Here is my passport!” he added, drawing from his pocket his officer’s +cross, which he had taken good care not to allow to become a souvenir +in the hands of his jailer. “And if that does not satisfy you, give me a +pen.” + +Suiting the action to the word, he seized a pen and wrote out the +following telegram: + + “DEPUTY OF WAR, TOURS: + + “Escaped from prisons of the enemy, I demand admittance to France, + and official duties suitable to my rank, that I may cooperate in the + national defence. + + “DE PREROLLES, Commandant.” + +He handed the paper to the police agent, saying: “Do me the favor to +forward this despatch with the utmost expedition.” + +As soon as the agent had glanced at the message, he swept a profound +salute. “Pass on, Commandant,” said he, in a tone of great respect. + +Promoted to a higher rank, and appointed commander of a regiment of +foot, the Lieutenant-Colonel de Prerolles rejoined the army of Chanzy, +which, having known him a long time, assigned to him the duties of a +brigadier-general, and instructed him to cover his retreat from the +Loire on the Sarthe. + +In the ensuing series of daily combats, the auxiliary General performed +all that his chief expected of him, from Orleans to the battle of Maus, +where, in the thick of the fight, a shell struck him in the breast. It +is necessary to say that on the evening before he had noticed that the +little medallion which had been given to him by Fanny Dorville, worn +from its chain by friction, had disappeared from his neck. Scoffing +comrades smiled at the coincidence; the more credulous looked grave. + +The wound was serious, for, transported to the Chateau de Montgeron, +a few leagues distant, the Marquis was compelled to remain there six +months before he was in fit condition to rejoin his command. Toward the +end of his convalescence, in June, 1871, the brother and sister resolved +to make a pious pilgrimage to the cradle of their ancestors. + +Exactly nine years had elapsed since the castle and lands had been sold +at auction and fallen into the possession of a company of speculators, +who had divided it and resold it to various purchasers. Only the farm of +Valpendant, with a house of ancient and vast construction, built in +the time of Philippe-Auguste, remained to an old tenant, with his +dependencies and his primitive methods of agriculture. + +Leaving the train at the Beaumont tunnel, the two travellers made their +way along a road which crosses the high plateau that separates the +forest of Carnelle from the forest of the Ile-d’Adam, whence one can +discern the steeple of Prerolles rising above the banks of the Oise. + +From this culminating point they beheld the chateau transformed into +a factory, the park cut up into countryseats, the fields turned into +market-gardens! With profound sadness the brother and the sister met +each other’s glance, and their eyes filled with tears, as if they stood +before a tomb on All Souls’ Day. + +“No expiation is possible,” said Henri to Jeanne, pressing her hand +convulsively. “I must go--I must move on forever and ever, like the +Wandering Jew.” + +Thanks to the influence of the Duke of Montgeron, whose faithful +constituents had sent him to the National Assembly, his brother-in-law +had been transferred to a regiment of zouaves, of which he became +colonel in 1875, whereupon he decided to remain in Africa during the +rest of his life. + +But Tunis and Tonquin opened new horizons to him. Landing as a +brigadier-general at Haiphong, he was about to assume, at Bac-Ninh, his +third star, when the Minister of War, examining the brilliant record +of this officer who, since 1862, never had ceased his service to his +country, called him to take command of one of the infantry divisions +of the army of Paris, a place which he had occupied only a few months +before the events related in the preceding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. EUGENIE GONTIER + +Few salons in Paris have so imposing an air as the foyer of the +dramatic artists of the Comedie Francaise, a rectangular room of fine +proportions, whose walls are adorned with portraits of great actors, +representing the principal illustrations of the plays that have been +the glory of the house Mademoiselle Duclos, by Largilliere; Fleury, by +Gerard; Moliere crowned, by Mignard; Baron, by De Troy, and many others. + +At the left of the entrance, separated by a large, high mirror which +faced the fireplace, two other canvases, signed by Geffroy, represent +the foyer itself, in costumes of the classic repertoire, the greater +part of the eminent modern ‘societaires’, colleagues and contemporaries +of the great painter. + +Between the windows, two pedestals, surmounted by busts of Mademoiselle +Clairon and Mademoiselle Dangeville, stood, one on each side of the +great regulator--made by Robin, clockmaker to the king--which dominated +the bust of Moliere--after Houdon--seeming to keep guard over all this +gathering of artistic glory. + +Opposite this group, hanging above a large table of finely chiselled +iron, were two precious autographs under glass: a brevet of pension, +dated 1682, signed Louis and countersigned Colbert; an act of notary, +dated 1670, bearing the signature of Moliere, the master of the house. + +Disposed about the room were sofas, armchairs, and tete-a-tete seats in +oak, covered with stamped green velvet. + +Here, at the first representations of new plays, or at important +revivals of old ones, flocked literary notables and the regular +frequenters of the theatre, eager to compliment the performers; here, +those favored strangers who have the proper introduction, and who +wish to see the place at close range, are graciously conducted by the +administrator-general or by the officer for the week. + +Here it was that the Marquis de Prerolles appeared in the evening after +his experience at the skating-pond. He had dressed, and had dined in +great haste at a restaurant near the theatre. + +The posters announced a revival of ‘Adrienne Lecouvreur’, with +Mademoiselle Gontier in the principal role, in which she was to appear +for the first time. + +Eugenie Gontier was, it was said, the natural daughter of a great +foreign lord, who had bequeathed to her a certain amount of money. +Therefore, she had chosen the theatrical life less from necessity than +from inclination. + +She was distinguished in presence, a great favorite with the public, +and had a wide circle of friends, among whom a rich banker, the Baron +de Samoreau, greatly devoted to her, had made for her investments +sufficiently profitable to enable her to occupy a mansion of her own, +and to open a salon which became a favorite rendezvous with many persons +distinguished in artistic, financial, and even political circles. +Talent being the guaranty of good companionship, this salon became +much frequented, and General de Prerolles had become one of its most +assiduous visitors. + +The first act had begun. Although the charming artist was not to appear +until the second act, she had already descended from her dressing-room, +and, finding herself alone in the greenroom, was putting a final touch +to her coiffure before the mirror when the General entered. + +He kissed her hand gallantly, and both seated themselves in a retired +corner between the fireplace and the window. + +“I thank you for coming so early,” said Eugenie. “I wished very much +to see you to-night, in order to draw from your eyes a little of your +courage before I must face the footlights in a role so difficult and so +superb.” + +“The fire of the footlights is not that of the enemy--above all, for +you, who are so sure of winning the battle.” + +“Alas! does one ever know? Although at the last rehearsal Monsieur +Legouve assured me that all was perfect, look up there at that portrait +of Rachel, and judge for yourself whether I have not reason to tremble +at my audacity in attempting this role after such a predecessor.” + +“But you yourself caused this play to be revived,” said Henri. + +“I did it because of you,” Eugenie replied. + +“Of me?” + +“Yes. Am I not your Adrienne, and is not Maurice de Saxe as intrepid as +you, and as prodigal as you have been? Was he not dispossessed of his +duchy of Courlande, as you were of your--” + +A gesture from Henri prevented her from finishing the sentence. + +“Pardon me!” said she. “I had forgotten how painful to you is any +reference to that matter. We will speak only of your present renown, and +of the current of mutual sympathy that attracts each of us toward the +other. For myself, that attraction began on the fourteenth of last July. +You had just arrived at Paris, and a morning journal, in mentioning +the troops, and the names of the generals who appeared at the review, +related, apropos of your military exploits, many exciting details of +your escape during the war. Do you recall the applause that greeted you +when you marched past the tribunes? I saw you then for the first time, +but I should have known you among a thousand! The next day--” + +“The next day,” Henri interrupted, “it was my turn to applaud you. I had +been deprived a long time of the pleasures of the theatre, of which I +am very fond, and I began by going to the Comedie Francaise, where +you played, that night, the role of Helene in ‘Mademoiselle de la +Seigliere.’ Do you remember?” + +“Do I remember! I recognized you instantly, sitting in the third row in +the orchestra.” + +“I had never seen you until then,” Henri continued, “but that +sympathetic current was soon established, from the moment you appeared +until the end of the second piece. As it is my opinion that any officer +is sufficiently a gentleman to have the right to love a girl of noble +birth, I fell readily under the spell in which she whom you represented +echoed my own sentiments. Bernard Stamply also had just returned from +captivity, and the more enamored of you he became the more I pleased +myself with fancying my own personality an incarnation of his, with less +presumption than would be necessary for me to imagine myself the hero of +which you spoke a moment ago. After the play, a friend brought me here, +presented me to you--” + +“And the sympathetic current did the rest!” added Eugenie Gontier, +looking at him tenderly. “Since then you have consecrated to me a part +of whatever time is at your disposal, and I assure you that I never have +been so happy, nor have felt so flattered, in my life.” + +“Second act!” came the voice of the call-boy from the corridor. + +“Will you return here after the fourth act?” said the actress, rising. +“I shall wish to know how you find me in the great scene, and whether +there is another princess de Bouillon among the audience--beware of +her!” + +“You know very well that there is not.” + +“Not yet, perhaps, but military men are so inconstant! By and by, +Maurice!” she murmured, with a smile. + +“By and by, Adrienne!” Henri replied, kissing her hand. + +He accompanied her to the steps that led to the stage, and, lounging +along the passage that ends at the head of the grand stairway, he +entered the theatre and hastened to his usual seat in the third row of +the orchestra. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. RIVAL BEAUTIES + +It was Tuesday, the subscription night; the auditorium was as much the +more brilliant as the play was more interesting than on other nights. +In one of the proscenium boxes sat the Duchesse de Montgeron with the +Comtesse de Lisieux; in another the Vicomtesse de Nointel and Madame +Thomery. In the first box on the left Madame Desvanneaux was to be +seen, with her husband and her son, the youthful and recently rejected +pretender to the hand of Mademoiselle de Vermont. + +Among the subscription seats in the orchestra sat the Baron de Samoreau, +the notary Durand, treasurer of the Industrial Orphan Asylum; the +aide-de-camp of General Lenaieff, beside his friend the Marquis de +Prerolles. One large box, the first proscenium loge on the right, was +still unoccupied when the curtain rose on the second act. + +The liaison of Eugenie Gontier with the Marquis de Prerolles was not a +mystery; from the moment of her entrance upon the scene, it was evident +that she “played to him,” to use a phrase in theatrical parlance. Thus, +after the recital of the combat undertaken in behalf of Adrienne by her +defender--a recital which she concluded in paraphrasing these two lines: + + ‘Paraissez, Navarrois, Maures et Castilians, + Et tout ce que l’Espagne a produit de vaillants,’ + +many opera-glasses were directed toward the spectator to whom the +actress appeared to address herself, when suddenly a new object of +interest changed the circuit of observation. The door of the large, +right-hand box opened, and Zibeline appeared, accompanied by the +Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, an elderly gallant, carefully dressed and +wearing many decorations, and whose respectable tale of years could +give no occasion for malicious comment on his appearance in the role of +‘cavalier servente’. Having assisted his companion to remove her mantle, +he profited by the instant of time she took to settle her slightly +ruffled plumage before the mirror, to lay upon the railing of the box +her bouquet and her lorgnette. Then he took up a position behind the +chair she would occupy, ready to assist her when she might deign to sit +down. His whole manner suggested a chamberlain of the ancient court in +the service of a princess. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont disliked bright colors, and wore on this +occasion a robe of black velvet, of which the ‘decolletee’ bodice set +off the whiteness of her shoulders and her neck, the latter ornamented +with a simple band of cherry-colored velvet, without jewels, as was +suitable for a young girl. Long suede gloves, buttoned to the elbow, +outlined her well-modelled arms, of which the upper part emerged, +without sleeves, from lace ruffles gathered in the form of epaulets. + +The men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise, and had +the eyes of Madame Desvanneaux been able to throw deadly projectiles, +her powerful lorgnette would have become an instrument of death for the +object of her resentment. + +“This morning,” said the irreconcilable matron, “she showed us her +ankles; this evening she allows us to see the remainder.” + +“I should have been very well pleased, however--” murmured young +Desvanneaux, with regret. + +“If you had married her, Victor,” said his mother, “I should have taken +full charge of her wardrobe, and should have made some decided changes, +I assure you.” + +Perfectly indifferent to the general curiosity, Zibeline in her turn +calmly reviewed the audience. After exploring the boxes with her +opera-glass, she lowered it to examine the orchestra stalls, and, +perceiving the Marquis, she fixed her gaze upon him. Undoubtedly she +knew the reason for the particular attention which he paid to the stage, +because, until the end of the act, her glance was divided alternately +between the General and the actress. + +As the curtain fell on this act the spectators turned their backs to the +footlights, and Lenaieff, indicating Zibeline to his friend, said in his +slightly Slavonic accent: + +“Who is that pretty woman, my dear Henri?” + +“One of Jules Verne’s personages, a product of the land of furs.” + +“Do you know her?” + +“Not at all. I have a prejudice against girls that are too rich. Why do +you ask?” + +“Because it seems to me that she looks at you very attentively.” + +“Indeed! I had not noticed it.” + +In saying this, the General--exaggerated! He had been perfectly well +aware of the gaze of Mademoiselle de Vermont, but whether he still +cherished a slight resentment against the lady, or whether her +appearance really displeased him, he cut the conversation short and went +to pay his respects to the occupants of several boxes. + +Evidently Zibeline knew few persons in society, for no visitor appeared +in her box. However, after the next act she made a sign to M. Durand. +That gentleman rejoined the Baron de Samoreau in the corridor and took +him to meet Zibeline, and a sort of council appeared to be going on in +the rear of her box. + +“What the deuce can she be talking about to them?” said Desvanneaux to +his wife. + +“A new offer of marriage, probably. They say she declares she will marry +no one of lower rank than a prince, in order to complete our chagrin! +Perhaps they have succeeded in finding one for her!” + +The instructions that Mademoiselle de Vermont gave to the two men must +have been easy to execute, for neither the notary nor the banker seemed +to raise the least objection. The conversation was finished, and both +gentlemen saluted her, preparing to take leave, when she said to M. +Durand: + +“You understand that the meeting is for tomorrow?” + +“At five o’clock,” he replied. + +“Very well. I will stop for you at your door at a quarter of an hour +before that time.” + +The fourth act had begun, that scene in which Adrienne accomplishes her +generous sacrifice in furnishing herself the ransom which must deliver +her unfaithful lover. The rapt attention that Zibeline paid to this +scene, and the slight movements of her head, showed her approval of +this disinterested act. Very touching in her invocation to her “old +Corneille,” Mademoiselle Gontier was superb at the moment when the +comedienne, knowing at last who is her rival, quotes from Racine that +passage in ‘Phedre’ which she throws, so to speak, in the face of the +patrician woman: + + .... Je sais ses perfidies, + OEnone! et ne suis point de ces femmes hardies + Qui, goutant dans la crime une honteuse paix, + Ont su se faire un front qui ne rougit jamais. + +From the place she was to obliged to take in the arrangement of the +scene, the apostrophe and the gestures of the actress appeared to be +unconsciously directed toward Mademoiselle de Vermont, who could not +restrain a startled movement. + +“Look! One would think that Zibeline took that allusion for herself,” + said Madame Desvanneaux, whom nothing escaped. + +On reentering the greenroom, after two well-deserved recalls, Eugenie +Gontier was soon surrounded by a throng of admirers who had come to +congratulate her upon her success. + +“Were you pleased, Henri?” she said in a low tone to the General. + +“Enthusiastically!” he replied. + +“Ah, then I can die happy!” she said, laughingly. + +As she traversed the ranks of her admirers to go to change her costume +for the last act, she found herself face to face with Zibeline, who, +having quickly recovered from her emotion, was advancing on the arm of +the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. + +“My dear child,” said the old nobleman to the actress, “I bring to you +Mademoiselle de Vermont, who wishes to say to you herself--” + +“That Mademoiselle must be very tired of listening to our praises,” + interrupted Zibeline. “But if the tribute of a foreigner can prove to +her that her prestige is universal, I beg that she will accept these +flowers which I dared not throw to her from my box.” + +“Really, Mademoiselle, you embarrass me!” Eugenie replied, somewhat +surprised. + +“Oh, you need not fear to take them--they are not poisoned!” added +Zibeline, smiling. + +And, after a gracious inclination of her head, to which the actress +responded with a deep courtesy, Zibeline took again the arm of her +escort in order to seek her carriage, without waiting for the end of the +play. + +Three-quarters of an hour later, as, the audience was leaving the +theatre, M. Desvanneaux recounted to whoever chose to listen that +Mademoiselle de Vermont had passed the whole of the last ‘entr’acte’ in +the greenroom corridor, in a friendly chat with Eugenie Gontier. + + + + +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!” + + + + +BOOK 3. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. ZIBELINE RECEIVES + +The Duchesse de Montgeron had no children, and her most tender +affections were concentrated upon her husband and her brother. The +scruples which caused the latter to forswear matrimony grieved her +deeply, for, knowing the inflexibility of his character, she was sure +that no one in the world could make him alter his decision. + +Thus, on one side the title of the Duc de Montgeron was destined to pass +to a collateral branch of the family; and on the other, the title of +Marquis de Prerolles would become extinct with the General. + +But, although she now considered it impossible to realize the project +which she had momentarily cherished, she continued to show the same +kindness to Mademoiselle de Vermont. She would have regarded any other +course as unworthy of her, since she had made the first advances; +moreover, the young girl’s nature was so engaging that no one who +approached her could resist her charm. + +Very reserved or absolutely frank, according to the degree of confidence +with which she was treated, Valentine had sufficient intuition to avoid +a lack of tact. + +She was, in feminine guise, like ‘L’Ingenu’ of Voltaire, struck, as was +Huron, with all that was illogical in our social code; but she did not +make, after his fashion, a too literal application of its rules, and +knew where to draw the line, if she found herself on the point of making +some hazardous remark, declaring frankly: “I was about to say something +foolish!” which lent originality to her playful conversation. + +After receiving from Valentine’s hands the contract signed in presence +of the notary, for the benefit of the Orphan Asylum, the president of +the society did not fail to give a dinner in honor of the new patroness. + +As she was a foreigner she was placed in the seat of honor at the table, +to the great displeasure of Madame Desvanneaux, who was invited to take +the second place, in spite of her title of vice-president. + +“It is because of her millions that she was placed before me,” she said +in an undertone to her husband, as soon as the guests had returned +to the drawing-room. And, giving orders that her carriage should be +summoned immediately, she left the house without speaking to any one, +and with the air of a peeress of England outraged in her rights of +precedence! + +This was, for the hostile pair, a new cause of grievance against +Zibeline. When she, in her turn, gave at her home a similar dinner, a +fortnight later, she received from them, in reply to her invitation, +which was couched in the most courteous terms, a simple visiting card, +with the following refusal: “The Comte and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, +not being in the habit of accepting invitations during Lent, feel +constrained to decline that of Mademoiselle de Vermont.” + +The dinner was only the more gay and cordial. + +Valentine’s household was conducted on a footing more elegant than +sumptuous. + +The livery was simple, but the appearance of her people was +irreproachable. The butler and the house servants wore the ordinary +dress-coat and trousers; the powdered footmen wore short brown coats, +ornamented, after the English fashion, with metal buttons and a false +waistcoat; the breeches were of black velveteen, held above the knee by +a band of gold braid, with embroidered ends, which fell over black silk +stockings. At the end of the ante-chamber where this numerous personnel +was grouped, opened a long gallery, ornamented with old tapestries +representing mythological subjects in lively and well-preserved +coloring. This room, which was intended to serve as a ballroom at need, +was next to two large drawing-rooms. The walls of one were covered with +a rich material, on which hung costly paintings; the furniture and the +ceiling of the other were of oak, finely carved, relieved with touches +of gold in light and artistic design. + +Everywhere was revealed an evident desire to avoid an effect of +heaviness and ostentation, and this was especially noticeable in the +dining-room, where the pure tone of the panels and the moulding +doubled the intensity of the light thrown upon them. Upon the table +the illumination of the apartment was aided by two large candelabra of +beautifully chiselled silver, filled with candles, the light of which +filtered through a forest of diaphanous little white shades. + +The square table was a veritable parterre of flowers, and was laid for +twelve guests, three on each side. + +The young mistress of the house was seated on one side, between the Duc +de Montgeron and the Marquis de Prerolles. Facing her sat the +Duchesse de Montgeron, between General Lenaieff and the Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy.--Laterally, on one hand appeared Madame de Lisieux, between +M. de Nointel and the painter Edmond Delorme; on the other, Madame de +Nointel, between M. de Lisieux and the Baron de Samoreau. + +Never, during the six weeks that Valentine had had friendly relations +with the Duchess, had she appeared so self-possessed, or among +surroundings so well fitted to display her attractions of mind and of +person. She was a little on the defensive on finding herself in this new +and unexpected society, but she felt, this evening, that she was in the +midst of a sympathetic and admiring circle, and did the honors of her +own house with perfect ease, finding agreeable words and showing a +delicate forethought for each guest, and above all displaying toward +her protectress a charming deference, by which the Duchess felt herself +particularly touched. + +“What a pity!” she said to herself, glancing alternately at Zibeline +and at her brother, between whom a tone of frank comradeship had been +established, free from any coquetry on her side or from gallantry on +his. + +The more clearly Henri divined the thoughts of his sister, the more he +affected to remain insensible to the natural seductions of his neighbor, +to whom Lenaieff, on the contrary, addressed continually, in his soft +and caressing voice, compliments upon compliments and madrigals upon +madrigals! + +“Take care, my dear Constantin!” said Henri to him, bluntly. “You will +make Mademoiselle de Vermont quite impossible. If you go on thus, she +will take herself seriously as a divinity!” + +“Fortunately,” rejoined Zibeline, “you are there, General, to remind +me that I am only a mortal, as Philippe’s freedman reminded his master +every morning.” + +“You can not complain! I serve you as a confederate, to allow you +to display your erudition,” retorted the General, continuing his +persiflage. + +But he, too, was only a man, wavering and changeable, to use Montaigne’s +expression, for his eyes, contradicting the brusqueness of his speech, +rested long, and not without envy, on this beautiful and tempting fruit +which his fate forbade him to gather. The more he admired her freshness, +and the more he inhaled her sweetness, the more the image of Eugenie +Gontier was gradually effaced from his memory, like one of those +tableaux on the stage, which gauze curtains, descending from the flies, +seem to absorb without removing, gradually obliterating the pictures as +they fall, one after another. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. A DASHING AMAZON + +On leaving the table, the fair “Amphitryonne” proposed that the +gentlemen should use her private office as a smoking-room, and the +ladies followed them thither, pretending that the odor of tobacco would +not annoy them in the least, but in reality to inspect this new room. + +Edmond Delorme had finished his work that very morning, and the enormous +canvas, with its life-size subject, had already been hung, lighted from +above and below by electric bulbs, the battery for which was cleverly +hidden behind a piece of furniture. + +The portrait, bearing a striking resemblance to the original, was indeed +that of “the most dashing of all the Amazons on the Bois,” to quote +the words of the artist, who was a better painter of portraits than of +animals, but who, in this case, could not separate the rider from her +steed. + +Seaman, a Hungarian bay, by Xenophon and Lena Rivers, was drawn in +profile, very erect on his slender, nervous legs. He appeared, on the +side nearest the observer, to be pawing the ground impatiently with his +hoof, a movement which seemed to be facilitated by his rider, who, drawn +in a three-quarters view and extending her hand, allowed the reins to +fall over the shoulders of her pure-blooded mount. + +“What do you think of it?” Zibeline inquired of General de Prerolles. + +“I think you have the air of the commander of a division of cavalry, +awaiting the moment to sound the charge.” + +“I shall guard her well,” said Zibeline, “for she would be sure to be +put to rout by your bayonets.” + +“Not by mine!” gallantly exclaimed Lenaieff. “I should immediately lower +my arms before her!” + +“You!--perhaps! But between General de Prerolles and myself the +declaration of war is without quarter. Is it not, General?” said +Valentine, laughing. + +“It is the only declaration that fate permits me to make to you, +Mademoiselle,” Henri replied, rather dryly, laying emphasis on the +double sense of his words. + +This rejoinder, which nothing in the playful attack had justified, +irritated the Duchess, but Valentine appeared to pay no attention to it, +and at ten o’clock, when a gypsy band began to play in the long gallery, +she arose. + +“Although we are a very small party,” she said, “would you not like to +indulge in a waltz, Mesdames? The gentlemen can not complain of being +crowded here,” she added, with a smile. + +M. de Lisieux and M. de Nointel, as well as Edmond Delorme, hastened to +throw away their cigarettes, and all made their way to the long gallery. +The Baron de Samoreau and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy remained alone +together. + +The Duchess took the occasion to speak quietly to her brother. + +“I assure you that you are too hard with her,” she said. “There is +no need to excuse yourself for not marrying. No one dreams of such a +thing--she no more than any one else. But she seems to have a sentiment +of friendship toward you, and I am sure that your harshness wounds her.” + +A more experienced woman than Madame de Montgeron, who had known only +a peaceful and legitimate love, would have quickly divined that beneath +her brother’s brusque manner lurked a budding but hopeless passion, +whence sprang his intermittent revolt against the object that had +inspired it. + +This revolt was not only against Zibeline’s fortune; it included her +all-pervading charm, which penetrated his soul. He was vexed at his +sister for having brought them together; he was angry with himself +that he had allowed his mind to be turned so quickly from his former +prejudices; and, however indifferent he forced himself to appear, he +was irritated against Lenaieff because of the attentions which that +gentleman showered upon Zibeline, upon whom he revenged himself by +assuming the aggressive attitude for which the Duchess had reproached +him. + +In a still worse humor after the sisterly remonstrance to which he had +just been compelled to listen, he seated himself near the entrance of +the gallery, where the gypsy band was playing one of their alluring +waltzes, of a cadence so different from the regular and monotonous +measure of French dance music. + +The three couples who were to compose this impromptu ball, yielded +quickly to the spell of this irresistible accompaniment. + +“Suppose Monsieur Desvanneaux should hear that we danced on the eve of +Palm Sunday?” laughingly pro-tested Madame de Lisieux. + +“He would report it at Rome,” said Madame de Nointel. + +And, without further regard to the compromising of their souls, each of +the two young women took for a partner the husband of the other. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont had granted the eager request of Lenaieff that +she would waltz with him, an occupation in which the Russian officer +acquitted himself with the same respectful correctness that had formerly +obtained for him the high favor of some grand duchess at the balls in +the palace of Gatchina. + +He was older and stouter than his brother-in-arms, Henri de Prerolles, +and a wound he had received at Plevna slightly impeded his movements, +so that he was unable to display the same activity in the dance as the +other waltzers, and contented himself with moving a ‘trois temps’, in an +evolution less in harmony with the brilliancy of the music. + +Henri, on the contrary, who had been a familiar friend of the Austrian +ambassador at the time when the Princess de Metternich maintained a sort +of open ballroom for her intimates, had learned, in a good school, all +the boldness and elegance of the Viennese style of dancing. + +But he sat immovable, as did also Edmond Delorme, because of the lack of +partners; and, not wishing to take the second place after Lenaieff, his +rival, he would not for the world abandon his role of spectator, unless +some one forced him to it. + +“Suppose we have a cotillon figure, in order to change partners?” said +Valentine suddenly, during a pause, after she had thanked her partner. + +And, to set the example, she took, from a basket of flowers, a rosebud, +which she offered to Henri. + +“Will you take a turn with me?” she said, with the air of the mistress +of the house, who shows equal courtesy to all her guests. + +“A deux temps?” he asked, fastening the rosebud in his buttonhole. + +“Yes, I prefer that,” she replied. + +He passed his arm around her waist, and they swept out upon the polished +floor, he erect and gallant, she light and supple as a gazelle, her +chin almost resting upon her left hand, which lay upon her partner’s +shoulder, her other hand clasped in his. + +At times her long train swirled in a misty spiral around her, when they +whirled about in some corner; then it spread out behind her like a great +fan when they swept in a wide curve from one end of the gallery to the +other. + +During the feverish flight which drew these two together, their breasts +touched, the bosom of the enchantress leaned against the broad chest +of the vigorous soldier, her soft hair caressed his cheek, he inhaled a +subtle Perfume, and a sudden intoxication overflowed his heart, which he +had tried to make as stern and immobile as his face. + +“How well you waltz!” murmured Zibeline, in his ear. + +“I am taking my revenge for my defeat on the ice,” he replied, clasping +her a little closer, in order to facilitate their movements. + +“The prisoners you take must find it very difficult to escape from your +hands,” she said, with a touch of malice. + +“Does that mean that already you wish to reclaim your liberty?” + +“Not yet--unless you are fatigued.” + +“Fatigued! I should like to go thus to the end of the world!” + +“And I, too,” said Zibeline, simply. + +By common consent the other waltzers had stopped, as much for the +purpose of observing these two as for giving them more space, while the +wearied musicians scraped away as if it were a contest who should move +the faster, themselves or the audacious couple. + +“What a pity!” again said the Duchess to her husband, whose +sole response was a shrug of his shoulders as he glanced at his +brother-in-law. + +At the end of his strength, and with a streaming brow, the gypsy leader +lowered his bow, and the music ceased. + +Henri de Prerolles, resuming his sang-froid, drew the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont through his arm, and escorted her to her place +among the other ladies. + +“Bravo, General!” said Madame de Lisieux. “You have won your decoration, +I see,” she added, indicating the rosebud which adorned his buttonhole. + +“What shall we call this new order, ladies?” asked Madame de Nointel of +the circle. + +“The order of the Zibeline,” Valentine replied, with a frank burst of +laughter. + +“What?--do you know--” stammered the author of the nickname, blushing up +to her ears. + +“Do not disturb yourself, Madame! The zibeline is a little animal which +is becoming more and more rare. They never have been found at all in my +country, which I regret,” said Mademoiselle de Vermont graciously. + +The hour was late, and the Duchess arose to depart. The Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy, exercising his function as a sort of chamberlain, went to +summon the domestics. Meanwhile Valentine spoke confidentially to Henri. + +“General,” said she, “I wish to ask a favor of you.” + +“I am at your orders, Mademoiselle.” + +“I am delighted with the success of this little dinner,” Valentine +continued, “and I wish to give another after Easter. My great desire is +to have Mademoiselle Gontier--with whom I should like to become better +acquainted--recite poetry to us after dinner. Would you have the +kindness to tell her of my desire?” + +“I!” exclaimed the General, amazed at such a request. + +“Yes, certainly. If you ask her, she will come all the more willingly.” + +“You forget that I am not in the diplomatic service, Mademoiselle.” + +“My request annoys you? Well, we will say no more about it,” said +Zibeline. “I will charge Monsieur de Samoreau with the negotiations.” + +They rejoined the Duchess, Zibeline accompanying her to the vestibule, +always evincing toward her the same pretty air of deference. + +The drive home was silent. The Duke and the Duchess had agreed not to +pronounce the name of Mademoiselle de Vermont before Henri, who racked +his brain without being able to guess what strange motive prompted the +young girl to wish to enter into closer relations with the actress. + +A letter from Eugenie was awaiting him. He read: + + “Two weeks have elapsed since you have been to see me. I do not ask + whether you love me still, but I do ask you, in case you love + another, to tell me so frankly. + + “ARIADNE.” + +“So I am summoned to the confessional, and am expected to accuse myself +of that which I dare not avow even to my own heart! Never!” said Henri, +crushing the note in his hand. “Besides, unless I deceive myself, +Ariadne has not been slow in seeking a consoling divinity! Samoreau is +at hand, it appears. He played the part of Plutus before; now he will +assume that of Bacchus,” thought the recreant lover, in order to smother +his feeling of remorse. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING + +The life of General de Prerolles was uniformly regulated. He arose at +dawn, and worked until the arrival of his courier; then he mounted his +horse, attired in morning military costume. + +After his ride, he visited the quartermaster-general of his division, +received the report of his chief of staff, and gave necessary orders. +It was at this place, and never at the General’s own dwelling, that +the captains or subaltern officers presented themselves when they had +occasion to speak to him. + +At midday he returned to breakfast at the Hotel de Montgeron where, +morning and evening, his plate was laid; and soon after this meal he +retired to his own quarters to work with his orderly, whose duty it +was to report to him regarding the numerous guns and pieces of heavy +ordnance which make the object of much going and coming in military +life. + +After signing the usual number of documents, the General would mount +another of his horses, and at this hour would appear in civilian attire +for an afternoon canter. After this second ride he would pass an hour at +his club, but without ever touching a card, no matter what game was in +progress. + +He dined at different places, but oftenest with his sister, where by +this time a studied silence was preserved on the subject of Zibeline. +This, however, did not prevent him from thinking of her more and more. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont had not been seen again in the Bois de Boulogne +since the night of her dinner, although Henri had sought in vain to meet +her in the mornings in the bridle-path, and afternoons in the Avenue des +Acacias. + +He decided that probably she did not wish to ride during Holy Week; but +when several days had passed after Easter, and still she was not seen +amusing herself in her usual fashion, he said to himself that perhaps it +would be the proper thing to make what is called “a dinner-call.” + +There are some women whose fascination is so overwhelming as to cause +the sanest of lovers to commit themselves, whence comes the slightly +vulgar expression, “He has lost his bearings.” Henri began to feel that +he was in this state when he presented himself at Zibeline’s home. A +domestic informed him that Mademoiselle had been absent a week, but was +expected home that evening. He left his card, regretting that he had not +waited twenty-four hours more. + +It was now the middle of April, the time when the military governor +of Paris is accustomed to pass in review the troops stationed on the +territory under his command, and this review was to take place the next +morning. + +The order for the mobilizing of his own division having been received +and transmitted, Henri’s evening was his own, and he resolved to pass it +with Lenaieff, feeling certain that his colleague at least would speak +to him of Zibeline. + +The aide-de-camp general lived at the Hotel Continental, much frequented +by Russians of distinction. Henri found his friend just dressing for +dinner, and well disposed to accept his proposition. + +As they descended the stairs, they passed an imposing elderly man, with +white moustache and imperial, still very erect in his long redingote +with military buttons--a perfect type of the German officer who gets +himself up to look like the late Emperor William I. This officer and +the French general stopped on the stairs, each eyeing the other without +deciding whether he ought to salute or not, as often happens with people +who think they recognize some one, but without being able to recall +where or in what circumstances they have met before. + +It was Henri whose memory was first revived. + +“Captain, you are my prisoner!” he said, gayly, seizing the stranger by +the collar. + +“What! The Commandant de Prerolles!” cried the elderly man, in +a reproachful tone, from which fifteen years had not removed the +bitterness. + +“I know who he is!” said Lenaieff. “Monsieur is your former jailer of +the frontier fortress!” + +The officer of the landwehr attempted to withdraw from the hand that +held him. + +“Oh, I don’t intend to let you escape! You are coming to dine with +us, and we will sign a treaty of peace over the dessert,” said Henri, +clasping the officer’s hand affectionately. + +His tone was so cordial that the stranger allowed himself to be +persuaded. A quarter of an hour later all three were seated at a table +in the Cafe Anglais. + +“I present to you General Lenaieff,” said Henri to his guest. “You +should be more incensed against him than against me, for, if he had done +his duty, you would probably have had me imprisoned again.” + +“Not imprisoned--shot!” the Captain replied, with conviction. + +“In that case I regret my complicity still less,” said Lenaieff, “for +otherwise I should have lost an excellent friend, and, had Prerolles +been shot, he never could have made me acquainted with the delicious +Mademoiselle de Vermont!” + +“Ah! So that is what you are thinking of?” Henri said to himself. + +“I do not know the young lady of whom you speak,” the German +interrupted; “but I know that, for having allowed the Commandant to +escape, I was condemned to take his place in the prison, and was shut +up there for six months, in solitary confinement, without even seeing my +wife!” + +“Poor Captain! How is the lady?” Henry inquired. + +“Very well, I thank you.” + +“Will you permit us to drink her health?” + +“Certainly, Monsieur.” + +“Hock! hoch!” said Henri, lifting his glass. + +“Hock! hoch!” responded the ex-jailer, drinking with his former +prisoner. + +This delicate toast began to appease the bitterness of the good man; +while the memories of his escape, offering a diversion to Henri’s mind, +put him in sympathetic humor with the stranger. + +“‘Ah! There are mountains that we never climb but once,’” he said. “We +three, meeting in Paris, can prove the truth of that proverb.” + +“Not only in Paris,” said Lenaieff. “If you were in Saint Petersburg, +Henri, you might, any evening, see your old flame, Fanny Dorville.” + +“Does she keep a table d’hote?” + +“No, indeed, my boy. She plays duenna at the Theatre Michel, as that +fat Heloise used to do at the Palais-Royal. She must have died long ago, +that funny old girl!” + +“Not at all. She is still living, and is a pensioner of the Association +of Dramatic Artists! But, pardon me, our conversation can hardly be +amusing to our guest.” + +“No one can keep a Frenchman and a Russian from talking about women! The +habit is stronger than themselves!” said the old officer, with a hearty +laugh. + +“Well, and you, Captain,” said Lenaieff: “Have you not also trodden the +primrose path in your time?” + +“Gentlemen, I never have loved any other woman than my own wife,” + replied the honest German, laying his large hand upon his heart, as if +he were taking an oath. “That astonishes you Parisians, eh?” he added +benevolently. + +“Quite the contrary! It assures us peace of mind!” said Lenaieff. “To +your health, Captain!” + +“And yours, Messieurs!” + +And their glasses clinked a second time. + +“Apropos,” said Lenaieff to Henri, “the military governor has asked me +to accompany him to-morrow to the review at Vincennes. I shall then have +the pleasure of seeing you at the head of your division.” + +“Teufel!” exclaimed the German officer; “it appears that the Commandant +de Prerolles has lost no time since we took leave of each other.” + +“Thanks to you, Monsieur! Had you not allowed me to withdraw from your +society, I should certainly not have reached my present rank! To your +health, Captain!” + +“To yours, General!” + +Succeeding bumpers finally dissipated entirely the resentment of the +former jailer, and when they parted probably never to meet again--he and +his prisoner had become the best friends in the world. + +“Meine besten complimente der Frau Hauptmannin!” said Henri to him, in +leaving him on the boulevard. + +“Lieber Gott! I shall take good care not to own to her that I dined with +you.” + +“And why, pray?” + +“Because there is one thing for which she never will forgive you.” + +“What is that?” + +“The fact that you were the cause of her living alone for six months!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. THE MILITARY REVIEW + +The different troops, assembled for review, were massed on the +parade-ground at Vincennes, facing the tribunes. + +In the centre, the artillery brigade, surrounded by two divisions of +infantry, was drawn up in two straight columns, connected by regiments; +each division of infantry, in double columns, was connected by brigades. + +These six columns were separated by spaces varying from twenty to +twenty-five metres. + +In the background, the cavalry division was lined up in columns; behind +that was its artillery, in the same order of formation. + +At a given signal, the troops advanced five hundred metres, and, as soon +as they halted, drums, clarinets and trumpets beat and sounded from all +parts of the field, saluting the arrival of the military governor of +Paris. + +This functionary, followed by his staff, in the midst of which group +glittered the brilliant Russian uniform of the aide-decamp General +Leniaeff, rode slowly past the front and the flanks of the massed body, +the troops facing to the left or the right as he passed. + +This inspection finished, he took up his stand before the pillars at the +entrance, and the march past began by battalions en masse, in the midst +of the acclamations of numerous spectators who had come to witness this +imposing display, well calculated to stir patriotic pride. + +The enthusiasm increased; the Prerolles division marched past after its +artillery, and, as always, the martial and distinguished profile of its +general produced its usual effect on the public. + +He rode Aida, his favorite mare, an Irish sorrel of powerful frame, with +solid limbs, whose horizontal crupper and long tail indicated her race; +she was one of those animals that are calm and lively at the same time, +capable of going anywhere and of passing through all sorts of trials. + +After its parade, the infantry, whose part in the affair was finished, +retraced their steps and took up a position on the other side of the +field of manoeuvres, facing the north, and in front of rising ground, in +preparation for the discharge of musketry. + +During this time the artillery brigade, re-formed in battle array on +the parade-ground, detached six batteries, which advanced at a trot +to within one hundred and fifty metres of the tribunes, where they +discharged a volley. The long pieces were run rapidly to right and +left, unmasking the cavalry, which, after a similar volley from its +own batteries, appeared behind them in battle order, and executed a +galloping march, its third line held in reserve. + +A few moments later all the troops rejoined the infantry on the ground +set apart for rest and for the purpose of partaking of a cold repast, +consisting of potted meats, with which each man was furnished. + +Nothing more picturesque could be imagined than this temporary camp, +with its stacked arms, knapsacks lying on the ground, holes dug in the +ground in which to kindle fires, and the clattering of cans. On the +other side of the field the artillerymen and cavalrymen ate, holding +their reins under their arms, while their officers stood around some +temporary table, served by canteen men of the united divisions. Tiny +columns of blue smoke rose where coffee was making, and everywhere were +the swift movement and sprightly good-fellowship in which the soldier +feels himself in his natural element. + +The curious spectators crowded themselves in front of the banner, while +in the centre of the square the military governor of Paris, and the +other officers, talked with some privileged persons who had been able to +present themselves among them. + +Descending from his mount a little apart from the group, and plunged in +thought, the former sub-lieutenant of ‘chasseurs a pied’ gazed at the +old fortress, the sight of which recalled so many sad memories. + +Vincennes had been his first garrison, and its proximity to Paris had +been disastrous for him. There he had entered one morning, stripped of +his fortune! + +And what a series of disasters had followed! But for his heavy losses +upon that fatal night, he would not have been compelled to sell +Prerolles, the income of which, during his long absence, would have +sufficed to lessen the tax on the land, transmissible, had events turned +out otherwise, to some heir to his name. If only fate had not made Paul +Landry cross his path! + +“Good morning, General!” came the sound of a fresh, gay voice behind, +which sent a thrill through him. + +He turned and saw Zibeline, who had just stopped a few steps distant +from him, sitting in her carriage, to which was harnessed a pretty pair +of cobs, prancing and champing their bits. + +“Ah, it is you, Mademoiselle!” he said, carrying his hand to the visor +of his kepi, fastened under his chin. + +“I found your card last night,” said Zibeline, “and I have come here +this morning to return your call!” + +Then, leaning back in her driving-seat in order to reveal Edmond Delorme +installed beside her, she added: + +“I have brought also my painter-in-ordinary. We have watched the review +together, and he is as enthusiastic as I over the picturesque effect +of this improvised bivouac. See! He is so much occupied with his sketch +that I can not get a word out of him.” + +It was Aida, whose bridle was held by a dragoon, that served as a model +for the artist’s pencil. + +“Will you permit me?” he said to Henri. + +“It appears decidedly, that my mare has caught your eye,” replied the +General, approaching the carriage and resting his spurred foot on its +step. + +“She has superb lines,” said the painter, without interrupting his +drawing. + +“Well, I am curious to know whether she could beat Seaman,” said +Zibeline. “Are you willing to run a race with me, General?” + +“As you please--some morning when you return to the Bois.” + +“You noticed my absence, then?” + +“I assure you that I did,” Henri replied, earnestly. + +Then, fearing that he had said too much, he added: + +“I, and many others!” + +“Good! You were almost making a pretty speech to me, but, as usual, the +disavowal was not slow in coming. Fortunately, here comes your friend +Lenaieff, who is hastening to make amends to me.” + +“What good fortune to meet you here, Mademoiselle!” cried Constantin, +who, having perceived Valentine from a distance, had taken an abrupt +leave of his general-in-chief. + +“I know that you have called to see me several times,” said she, “but I +was in the country.” + +“So early in the month of April?” + +“Oh! not to live there. Monsieur de Perolles knows that I have promised +to build our Orphan Asylum at a certain distance from Paris, and hardly +three weeks remain to me before I must hand over the property. If I am +not ready on the day appointed, Monsieur Desvanneaux will be sure to +seize my furniture, and I could not invite you any more to dinner, +Messieurs! A propos, General, Monsieur de Samoreau has failed in his +negotiations. Mademoiselle Gontier refuses to come to recite at my next +soiree!” + +“What necessity is there for you to make her acquaintance?” demanded +Henri. + +“Ah, that is my secret!” + +During this conversation a hired fiacre, well appointed, had stopped +beside the road, and Eugenie Gontier descended from it, inquiring of +an officer belonging to the grounds where she could find General de +Prerolles. When the officer had pointed out the General to her, she +started to walk toward him; but, on seeing her former lover leaning +familiarly against the door of Zibeline’s carriage, she immediately +retraced her steps and quickly reentered her own. + +“There is no longer any doubt about it!” said Mademoiselle de Vermont, +who had been observing Eugenie’s movements. “Mademoiselle Gontier has +made a fixed resolution to avoid meeting me.” + +“That is because she is jealous of you!” said Lenaieff naively. + +“Jealous? And why?” said Zibeline, blushing. + +Visibly embarrassed, Henri drew out his watch in order to avert his +countenance. + +“Midday!” he cried. “This is the hour for the return of the troops to +their barracks. You would do well not to delay in starting for home, +Mademoiselle. The roads will be very crowded, and your horses will not +be able to trot. I beg your pardon for taking away your model, my dear +Delorme, but I really must be off.” + +“It is all the same to me; I have finished my sketch,” said the painter, +closing his portfolio. + +At this moment, as the military governor passed near them, on his way to +the crossway of the Pyramid, Henri made a movement as if to rejoin him. + +“Do not disturb yourself, General de Prerolles,” said the military +governor. “The compliments which I have made you on the fine appearance +of your troops are probably not so agreeable to you as those to which +you are listening at present!” + +And saluting Mademoiselle de Vermont courteously, he went his way. + +“Now you are free, Henri. Suppose we accompany Mademoiselle back to +Paris?” suggested Lenaieff, seeming to read his friend’s mind. + +“What an honor for me!” Valentine exclaimed. + +The General made a sign to his orderly, who approached to receive his +instructions. + +“Tell the brigadier-generals that I am about to depart. I need no more +escort than two cavalrymen for General Lenaieff and myself. Now I am +ready, Mademoiselle,” Henri continued, turning toward Valentine. “If you +will be guided by me, we should do well to reach the fortifications by +way of the Lake of Saint-Mande.” + +She made a little sound with her tongue, and the two cobs set off in +the direction indicated, the crowds they passed stopping to admire their +high action, and asking one another who was that pretty woman who was +escorted by two generals, the one French, the other a foreigner. + +“I must look like a treaty of peace in a Franco-Russian alliance!” said +Zibeline, gayly. + +The sun shone brightly, the new leaves were quivering on the trees, the +breeze bore to the ear the echo of the military bands. + +Animated by the sound, the two cobs went ahead at a great pace, but they +were kept well in hand by their mistress, who was dressed this morning +in a simple navy-blue costume, with a small, oval, felt hat, ornamented +with two white wings, set on in a manner that made the wearer resemble a +valkyrie. Her whip, an unnecessary accessory, lay across the seat at her +right, on which side of the carriage Henri rode. + +The General’s eyes missed none of the graceful movements of the young +girl. And his reflections regarding her, recently interrupted, returned +in full force, augmenting still more his regret at the inexorable fate +that separated him from her. “What a pity!” he thought in his turn, +repeating unconsciously the phrase so often uttered by his sister. + +Arrived at the Place du Trene, Valentine stopped her horses a moment, +and addressed her two cavaliers: + +“I thank you for your escort, gentlemen. But however high may be your +rank, I really can not go through Paris looking like a prisoner between +two gendarmes! So good-by! I shall see you this evening perhaps, but +good-by for the present.” + +They gave her a military salute, and the carriage disappeared in the +Faubourg St. Antoine, while the two horsemen followed the line of the +quays along the Boulevard Diderot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. THE CHALLENGE + +That person who, in springtime, between ten o’clock and midday, never +has walked beside the bridle-path in the Bois de Boulogne, under +the deep shade of the trees, can form no idea of the large number of +equestrians that for many years have been devoted to riding along that +delightful and picturesque road. + +To see and to be seen constitutes the principal raison d’etre of this +exercise, where the riders traverse the same path going and coming, a +man thus being able to meet more than once the fair one whom he seeks, +or a lady to encounter several times a cavalier who interests her. + +On this more and more frequented road, the masculine element displayed +different costumes, according to the age and tastes of each rider. The +young men appeared in careless array: leggins, short coats, and small +caps. The older men, faithful to early traditions, wore long trousers, +buttoned-up redingotes, and tall hats, like those worn by their fathers, +as shown in the pictures by Alfred de Dreux. + +For the feminine element the dress is uniform. It consists of a +riding-habit of black or dark blue, with bodice and skirt smoothly +molded to the form by one of the two celebrated habit-makers, Youss or +Creed. The personal presence alone varied, according to the degree of +perfection of the model. + +A cylindrical hat, a little straight or turned-over collar, a cravat +tied in a sailor’s knot, a gardenia in the buttonhole, long trousers and +varnished boots completed the dress of these modern Amazons, who, having +nothing in common with the female warriors of ancient times, are not +deprived, as were those unfortunates, of any of their feminine charms. + +The military element is represented by officers of all grades from +generals to sub-lieutenants, in morning coats, with breeches and high +boots, forbidden under the Second Empire, but the rule at present. + +At the top of the Pre-Catelan, the path is crossed by the Bagatelle road +to the lakes, a point of intersection situated near a glade where the +ladies were fond of stopping their carriages to chat with those passing +on horseback. A spectator might have fancied himself at the meet of a +hunting-party, lacking the whippers-in and the dogs. + +A few days after the review at Vincennes, on a bright morning in May, +a file of victorias and pony-chaises were strung out along this sylvan +glade, and many persons had alighted from them. Announcing their arrival +by trumpet-blasts, two or three vehicles of the Coaching Club, headed +by that of the Duc de Mont had discharged a number of pretty passengers, +whose presence soon caused the halt of many gay cavaliers. + +Several groups were formed, commenting on the news of the day, the +scandal of the day before, the fete announced for the next day. + +More serious than the others, the group surrounding Madame de Montgeron +strolled along under the trees in the side paths which, in their +windings, often came alongside of the bridle-path. + +“What has become of Mademoiselle de Vermont, Duchess?” inquired Madame +de Lisieux, who had been surprised not to find Zibeline riding with +their party. + +“She is in the country, surrounded by masons, occupied in the building +of our Orphan Asylum. The time she required before making over the +property to us expires in two weeks.” + +“It is certainly very singular that we do not know where we are to go +for the ceremonies of inauguration,” said Madame Desvanneaux, in her +usual vinegary tones. + +“I feel at liberty to tell you that the place is not far away, and the +journey thence will not fatigue you,” said the president, with the air +of one who has long known what she has not wished to reveal heretofore. + +“The question of fatigue should not discourage us when it is a matter of +doing good,” said M. Desvanneaux. “Only, in the opinion of the founders +of the Orphan Asylum, it should be situated in the city of Paris +itself.” + +“The donor thought that open fields and fresh air would be better for +the children.” + +“Land outside of Paris costs very much less, of course; that is probably +the real reason,” said M. Desvanneaux. + +“Poor Zibeline! you are well hated!” Madame de Nointel could not help +saying. + +“We neither like nor dislike her, Madame. We regard her as indifferently +as we do that,” the churchwarden replied, striking down a branch with +the end of his stick, with the superb air of a Tarquin. + +Still gesticulating, he continued: + +“The dust that she throws in the eyes of others does not blind us, that +is all!” + +The metaphor was not exactly happy, for at that instant the unlucky man +received full in his face a broadside of gravel thrown by the hoofs of a +horse which had been frightened by the flourishing stick, and which had +responded to the menace by a violent kick. + +This steed was none other than Seaman, ridden by Mademoiselle de +Vermont. She had recognized the Duchess and turned her horse back in +order to offer her excuses for his misconduct, the effects of which +Madame Desvanneaux tried to efface by brushing off the gravel with the +corner of her handkerchief. + +“What has happened?” asked General de Prerolles, who at that moment +cantered up, mounted on Aida. + +“Oh, nothing except that Mademoiselle has just missed killing my husband +with that wicked animal of hers!” cried the Maegera, in a fury. + +“Mademoiselle might turn the accusation against him,” Madame de Nointel +said, with some malice. “It was he who frightened her horse.” + +The fiery animal, with distended veins and quivering nostrils, snorted +violently, cavorted sidewise, and tried to run. Zibeline needed all her +firmness of grasp to force him, without allowing herself to be thrown, +to stand still on the spot whence had come the movement that had alarmed +him. + +“Your horse needs exercise,” said Henri to the equestrienne. “You ought +to give him an opportunity to do something besides the formal trot +around this path.” + +“I should be able to do so, if ever we could have our match,” said +Zibeline. “Will you try it now?” + +“Come on!” + +She nodded, gave him her hand an instant, and they set off, side by +side, followed by Zibeline’s groom, no less well mounted than she, and +wearing turned-over boots, bordered with a band of fawn-colored leather, +according to the fashion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. THE AMAZON HAS A FALL + +They were a well-matched pair: he, the perfect type of the elegant and +always youthful soldier; she, the most dashing of all the Amazons in the +Bois, to quote the words of Edmond Delorme. + +Everyone was familiar with the personal appearance of both riders, and +recognized them, but until now Mademoiselle de Vermont had always ridden +alone, and now to see her accompanied by the gallant General, whose +embroidered kepi glittered in the sunlight, was a new spectacle for the +gallery. + +The people looked at them all the more because Seaman was still +prancing, but without unseating his mistress, who held him at any gait +or any degree of swiftness that pleased her. + +“What a good seat you have!” said Henri. + +“That is the first real compliment you ever have paid me. I shall +appropriate it immediately, before you have time to retract it,” + Zibeline replied. + +At the circle of Melezes, Henri proposed to turn to the right, in order +to reach Longchamp. + +“A flat race! You are joking!” Zibeline cried, turning to the left, +toward the road of La Vierge, + +“You don’t intend that we shall run a steeplechase, I hope.” + +“On the contrary, that is exactly my intention! You are not afraid to +try it, are you?” + +“Not on my own account, but on yours.” + +“You know very well that I never am daunted by any obstacle.” + +“Figuratively, yes; but in riding a horse it is another matter.” + +“All the more reason why I should not be daunted now,” Zibeline +insisted. + +When they arrived at the public square of the Cascades, in front of the +Auteuil hippodrome, she paused a moment between the two lakes, uncertain +which course to take. + +It was Thursday, the day of the races. The vast ground, enclosed on all +sides by a fence, had been cleared, since early morning, of the boards +covering the paths reserved for pedestrians on days when there was no +racing; but it was only eleven o’clock, and the place was not yet open +to the paying public. Several workmen, in white blouses, went along the +track, placing litters beside the obstacles where falls occurred most +frequently. + +“Do you think the gatekeeper will allow us to enter at this hour?” + Zibeline asked. + +“I hope not!” Henri replied. + +“Well, then, I shall enter without his permission! You are free to +declare me the winner. I shall be left to make a walkover, I see!” And +setting off at a gallop along the bridle-path, which was obstructed a +little farther on by the fence itself, she struck her horse resolutely, +and with one audacious bound sprang over the entrance gate. She was now +on the steeplechase track. + +“You are mad!” cried the General, who, as much concerned for her safety +as for his own pride, urged on his mare, and, clearing the fence, landed +beside Zibeline on the other side. + +“All right!” she cried, in English, dropping her whip, as the starter +drops the flag at the beginning of a race. + +The die was cast. Henri bent over Aida’s neck, leaning his hands upon +her withers in an attitude with which experience had made him familiar, +and followed the Amazon, determined to win at all hazards. + +Zibeline’s groom, an Englishman, formerly a professional jockey, had +already jumped the fence, in spite of the cries of the guard, who ran +to prevent him, and coolly galloped after his mistress, keeping at his +usual distance. + +The first two hedges, which were insignificant obstacles for such +horses, were crossed without effort. + +“Not the brook, I beg of you!” cried Henri, seeing that, instead of +running past the grand-stand, Zibeline apparently intended to attempt +this dangerous feat. + +“Come on! Seaman would never forgive me if I balk at it!” she cried, +riding fearlessly down the slope. + +The good horse gathered up his four feet on the brink, took one vigorous +leap, appearing for a second to hover over the water; then he fell +lightly on the other side of the stream, with a seesaw movement, to +which the intrepid Amazon accommodated herself by leaning far back. The +rebound threw her forward a little, but she straightened herself quickly +and went on. + +The General, who had slackened his pace that he might not interfere +with her leap, gave vent to a sigh of relief. He pressed Aida’s flanks +firmly, and the big Irish mare jumped after her competitor, with the +majestic dignity of her race. + +Reassured by the ‘savoir-faire’ of his companion, the former winner of +the military steeplechase felt revive within himself all his ardor for +the conflict, and he hastened to make up the distance he had lost. + +The two horses, now on the west side of the racetrack, were almost +neck-and-neck, and it would have been difficult to prognosticate which +had the better chance of victory. Zibeline’s light weight gave Seaman +the advantage, but Aida gained a little ground every time she leaped an +obstacle; so that, after passing the hurdles and the third hedge, the +champions arrived simultaneously at the summit of the hill, from which +point the track extends in a straight line, parallel with the Allee des +Fortifications. + +Feeling himself urged on still harder, the English horse began to lay +back his ears and pull so violently on the rein that his rider had all +she could do to hold him, and lacked sufficient strength to direct his +course. Seeing Zibeline’s danger, Henri hastened to slacken his horse’s +pace, but it was too late: the almost perpendicular declivity of the +other side of the hill added fresh impetus to the ungovernable rush of +Seaman, who suddenly became wild and reckless. + +The situation was all the more critical for the reason that the next +obstacle was a brook, only two metres wide, but of which the passage was +obstructed on the farther side of the track by heavy beams, laid one +on top of another, solidly riveted and measuring one metre and ten +millimetres from the base to the summit. The excited horse charged +obliquely toward this obstruction with all his might. Paying no more +attention to the pressure upon his bit, he rose in the air, but as he +had not given himself sufficient time to take plenty of room for the +leap, his hoofs struck violently against the top beam, the force of +resistance of which threw him over on one side; his hindquarters turned +in the air, and he fell in a heap on the other side of the obstacle, +sending up a great splash of water as he went into the brook. + +Had Zibeline been crushed by the weight of the horse in this terrible +fall, or, not having been able to free herself from him, had she been +drowned under him? Henri uttered a hoarse cry, struck his spurs into the +sides of his mare, crossed the brook breathlessly, stopping on the other +side as soon as he could control his horse’s pace; then, rushing back, +he leaped to the ground to save the poor girl, if there was still time +to do so. + +Zibeline lay inanimate on the grass, her face lying against the earth. +By a lucky chance, the horse had fallen on his right side, so that his +rider’s limbs and skirt had not been caught. Unhorsed by the violence +of the shock, Zibeline had gone over the animal’s head and fallen on the +other side of the brook. Her Amazon hat, so glossy when she had set out, +was now crushed, and her gloves were torn and soiled with mud; which +indicated that she had fallen on her head and her hands. + +Henri knelt beside her, passed his arm around her inert and charming +body, and drew her tenderly toward him. Her eyes were half-open and +dull, her lips pale; her nose, the nostrils of which were usually well +dilated, had a pinched look; and a deadly pallor covered that face which +only a moment before had been so rosy and smiling. + +These signs were the forerunners of death, which the officer had +recognized so many times on the battlefield. But those stricken ones had +at least been men, devoting themselves to the risks of warfare; while +in the presence of this young girl lying before him, looking upon this +victim of a reckless audacity to which he felt he had lent himself too +readily, the whole responsibility for the accident seemed to him to rest +upon his own shoulders, and a poignant remorse tore his heart. + +He removed her cravat, unhooked her bodice, laid his ear against her +breast, from which an oppressed breathing still arose. + +Two laborers hurried to open the gate and soon arrived at the spot +with a litter, guided by the groom, whose horse had refused to jump +the brook, and who since then had followed the race on foot outside the +track. While the General placed Zibeline on the litter, the groom took +Aida by the bridle, and the sad procession made its way slowly toward +the enclosure surrounding the weighing-stand. + +As for Seaman, half submerged in the stream, and with an incurable +fracture of the leg, nothing was left to do for the poor animal but to +kill him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. AN UNCONSCIOUS AVOWAL + +Walking slowly, step by step, beside her whose power had so quickly +and so wholly subjugated him, watching over her removal with more than +paternal solicitude, Henri de Prerolles, sustained by a ray of hope, +drew a memorandum-book from his pocket, wrote upon a slip of paper a +name and an address, and, giving it to the groom, ordered him to go +ahead of the litter and telephone to the most celebrated surgeon in +Paris, requesting him to go as quickly as possible to the domicile +of Mademoiselle de Vermont, and, meantime, to send with the greatest +despatch one of the eight-spring carriages from the stables. + +It was noon by the dial on the grand-stand when the litter was finally +deposited in a safe place. The surgeon could hardly arrive in less than +two hours; therefore, the General realized that he must rely upon his +own experience in rendering the first necessary aid. + +He lifted Valentine’s hand, unbuttoned the glove, laid his finger on her +pulse, and counted the pulsations, which were weak, slow, and irregular. + +While the wife of the gate-keeper kept a bottle of salts at the nostrils +of the injured girl, Henri soaked a handkerchief in tincture of arnica +and sponged her temples with it; then, pouring some drops of the liquid +into a glass of water, he tried in vain to make her swallow a mouthful. +Her teeth, clenched by the contraction of muscles, refused to allow it +to pass into her throat. At the end of half an hour, the inhalation +of the salts began to produce a little effect; the breath came more +regularly, but that was the only symptom which announced that the swoon +might soon terminate. The landau with the high springs arrived. The +General ordered the top laid back, and helped to lift and place upon the +cushions on the back seat the thin mattress on which Zibeline lay; then +he took his place on the front seat, made the men draw the carriage-top +back into its proper position, and the equipage rolled smoothly, +and without a jar, to its destination. On the way they met the first +carriages that had arrived at the Auteuil hippodrome, the occupants of +which little suspected what an exciting dramatic incident had occurred +just before the races. Zibeline’s servants, by whom she was adored, +awaited their mistress at the threshold, and for her maids it was an +affair of some minutes to undress her and lay her in her own bed. During +this delay, the surgeon, who had hastened to answer the call, found +Henri nervously walking about from one drawing-room to the other; and, +having received information as to the details of the fall, he soon +entered the bedchamber. While awaiting the sentence of life or of death +which must soon be pronounced, he who considered himself the chief cause +of this tragic event continued to pace to and fro in the gallery--that +gallery where, under the intoxication of a waltz, the demon of +temptation had so quickly demolished all his resolutions of resistance. +A half-hour--an age!--elapsed before the skilled practitioner +reappeared. “There is no fracture,” he said, “but the cerebral shock +has been such that I can not as yet answer for the consequences. If the +powerful reactive medicine which I have just given should bring her back +to her senses soon, her mental faculties will suffer no harm. If not, +there is everything to fear. I will return in three hours,” he added. +Without giving a thought to the conventionalities, Henri entered the +bedchamber, to the great astonishment of the maids, and, installing +himself at the head of the bed, he decided not to leave that spot until +Valentine had regained her senses, should she ever regain them. An +hour passed thus, while Henri kept the same attitude, erect, attentive, +motionless, with stray scraps of his childhood’s prayers running through +his brain. Suddenly the heavy eyelids of the wounded girl were lifted; +the dulness of the eyes disappeared; her body made an involuntary +attempt to change its position; the nostrils dilated; the lips quivered +in an effort to speak. Youth and life had triumphed over death. With +painful slowness, she tried to raise her hand to her head, the seat of +her pain, where, though half paralyzed, thought was beginning to return. +Her eyes wandered to and fro in the shadowy room, seeking to recognize +the surroundings. A ray of light, filtering through the window-curtains, +showed her the anxious face bending tenderly over her. “Henri!” she +murmured, in a soft, plaintive voice. That name, pronounced thus, the +first word uttered after her long swoon, revealed her secret. Never had +a more complete yet modest avowal been more simply expressed; was it not +natural that he should be present at her reentrance into life, since +she loved him? With women, the sentiment of love responds to the most +diverse objects. The ordinary young girl of Zibeline’s age, either +before or after her sojourn in a convent, considers that a man of thirty +has arrived at middle age, and that a man of forty is absolutely old. +Should she accept a man of either of these ages, she does it because a +fortune, a title, or high social rank silences her other tastes, and +her ambition does the rest. But, with an exceptional woman, like +Mademoiselle de Vermont, brought up in view of wide horizons, in the +midst of plains cleared by bold pioneers, among whom the most valorous +governed the others, a man like General de Prerolles realized her ideal +all the more, because both their natures presented the same striking +characteristics: carelessness of danger, and frankness carried to +its extremest limit. Therefore, this declaration--to use the common +expression--entirely free from artifice or affectation, charmed Henri +for one reason, yet, on the other hand, redoubled his perplexity. How +could he conciliate his scruples of conscience with the aspirations +of his heart? The problem seemed then as insoluble as when it had been +presented the first time. But Valentine was saved. For the moment that +was the essential point, the only one in question. The involuntary +revelation of her secret had brought the color to her cheeks, the light +to her eyes, a smile to her lips, in spite of the leaden band that +seemed still pressing upon her head. “How you have frightened me!” said +Henri, in a low voice, seating himself on the side of the bed and +taking her hand. “Is that true?” she asked, softly pressing his fingers. +“Hush!” he said, making a movement to enjoin silence. She obeyed, and +they remained a few moments thus. Nevertheless, he reflected that +the account of the accident would soon be spread everywhere, that +Valentine’s new friends would hear about it as soon as they arrived at +the race-track that day, and that he could no longer prolong his stay +beside her. + +“Are you leaving me so soon?” Valentine murmured, when he said that he +must go. + +“I am going to tell my sister and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy of your +mishap.” + +“Very well,” she replied, as if already she had no other desire than to +follow his wishes. + +He gave the necessary orders, and again took his place beside the bed, +awaiting the second visit of the doctor, whose arrival was simultaneous +with that of the Duchess. + +This time the verdict was altogether favorable, with no mention of +the possibility of any aggravating circumstances. An inevitable +feverishness, and a great lassitude, which must be met with absolute +repose for several days, would be the only consequences of this +dangerous prank. + +The proprieties resumed their normal sway, and it was no longer possible +for Henri to remain beside the charming invalid. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. DISTRACTION + +The Duchesse de Montgeron, who had passed the rest of the day with +Mademoiselle de Vermont, did not return to her own dwelling until eight +o’clock that evening, bearing the most reassuring news. + +Longing for fresh air and exercise, Henri went out after dinner, walked +through the Champs-Elysees, and traversed the crossing at l’Etoile, in +order to approach the spot where Zibeline lay ill. + +If one can imagine the feelings of a man of forty-five, who is loved for +himself, under the most flattering and unexpected conditions, one can +comprehend the object of this nocturnal walk and the long pause that +Henri made beneath the windows of Zibeline’s apartment. A small garden, +protected by a light fence, was the only obstacle that separated them. +But how much more insuperable was the barrier which his own principles +had raised between this adorable girl and himself. + +Had he not told his sister, confided to Eugenie Gontier, and reiterated +to any one that would listen to him, the scruples which forbade him ever +to think of marriage? To change this decision, in asking for the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont, would-in appearance, at least--sacrifice to the +allurement of wealth the proud poverty which he had long borne so nobly. + +But the demon of temptation was then, as always, lurking in the shadow, +the sole witness of this duel to the death between prejudice and love. + +When he returned to his rooms he found another note from his former +mistress: + + “You have just had a terrible experience, my dear friend. Nothing + that affects you can be indifferent to me. I beg you to believe, + notwithstanding the grief which our separation causes me, in all the + prayers that I offer for your happiness. + + “ARIADNE.” + +“My happiness? My torture, rather!” he said, the classic name of Ariadne +suggesting the idea that the pseudonym of Tantalus might well be applied +to himself. + +But he had long kept a rule to write as little as possible, and +was guarded in making reply to any letter, especially to such a +communication as this. + +When he left the house the next morning, on his way to attend to +military duties, he learned that his sister had gone away early on an +excursion to one of the suburbs, and that she would not return until +evening. As the Duchess was the only person who had been initiated into +the mystery surrounding Zibeline on the subject of the building of the +Orphan Asylum, it was evident that she had gone to take her place in the +directing of the work. + +In the afternoon Henri called to inquire for the invalid, and was +received by the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. She had had a quiet night; a +little fever had appeared toward morning, and, above all, an extreme +weakness, requiring absolute quiet and freedom from any excitement. On +an open register in the reception-room were inscribed the names of all +those persons who had called to express their interest in Mademoiselle +de Vermont: Constantin Lenaieff, the Lisieux, the Nointels, Edmond +Delorme, the Baron de Samoreau, and others. Only the Desvanneaux had +shown no sign of life. Their Christian charity did not extend so far as +that. + +Henri added his name to the list, and for several days he returned each +morning to inscribe it anew, feeling certain that, as soon as Valentine +was able to be placed half-reclining on a couch, she would give orders +that he should be admitted to her presence. But nothing of the kind +occurred. + +On the evening of the fifth day after the accident, the Duchess informed +her brother that their young friend had been taken to the country, where +it was thought a complete cure would sooner be effected. + +This hasty departure, made without any preliminary message, caused Henri +to feel the liveliest disappointment. + +Had he deceived himself, then? Was it, after all, only by chance +that she had so tenderly pronounced his name, and had that familiar +appellative only been drawn from her involuntarily because of her +surprise at beholding his unexpected presence at her bedside? + +Regarding the matter from this point of view, the whole romance that he +had constructed on a fragile foundation had really never existed save in +his own imagination! + +At this thought his self-esteem suffered cruelly. He felt a natural +impulse to spring into a carriage and drive to the dwelling of +Eugenie Gontier, and there to seek forgetfulness. But he felt that his +bitterness would make itself known even there, and that such a course +would be another affront to the dignity of a woman of heart, whose +loyalty to himself he never had questioned. + +Try to disguise it as he would, his sombre mood made itself apparent, +especially to his brother-in-law, who had no difficulty in guessing the +cause, without allowing Henri to suspect that he divined it. + +The date for the formal transfer of the Orphan Asylum to the committee +had been fixed for the fifteenth day of May. + +On the evening of the fourteenth, at the hour when the General was +signing the usual military documents in his bureau, a domestic presented +to him a letter which, he said, had just been brought in great haste by +a messenger on horseback: + +The superscription, “To Monsieur the General the Marquis de Prerolles,” + was inscribed in a long, English hand, elegant and regular. The orderly +gave the letter to his chief, who dismissed him with a gesture before +breaking the seal. The seal represented, without escutcheon or crown, a +small, wild animal, with a pointed muzzle, projecting teeth, and shaggy +body, under which was a word Henri expected to find: Zibeline! + +The letter ran thus: + + “MY DEAR GENERAL: + + “An officer, like yourself, whose business it is to see that his + orders are obeyed, will understand that I have not dared, even in + your favor, to infringe on those imposed upon me by the doctor. + But those orders have been withdrawn! If you have nothing better to + do, come to-morrow, with your sister, to inspect our asylum, before + Monsieur Desvanneaux takes possession of it! + + “Your military eye will be able to judge immediately whether + anything is lacking in the quarters. Yours affectionately, + + “VALENTINE DE VERMONT. + + “P.S.--Poor Seaman is dead! I beg you to carry this sad news to his + friend Aida. V.” + +If a woman’s real self is revealed in her epistolary style, finesse, +good-humor, and sprightliness were characterised in this note. +Zibeline’s finesse had divined Henri’s self-deception; her good-humor +sought to dissipate it; and her sprightliness was evidenced by her +allusions to M. Desvanneaux and the loss of her horse. + +When they found themselves reunited at the dinner-hour, the Duchess said +simply to her brother: + +“You must have received an invitation to-day from Mademoiselle de +Vermont. Will you accompany us tomorrow?” + +“Yes, certainly. But where? How? At what hour?” + +“We must leave here at one o’clock. Don’t disturb yourself about any +other detail--we shall look after everything.” + +“Good! I accept.” + +As he was not so curious as the Desvanneaux, it mattered little to him +to what place they took him, so long as he should find Zibeline at the +end of the journey. + +At the appointed hour the brother and sister drove to the Gare du Nord. +The Duke, a director of the road, who had been obliged to attend a +convocation of the Council until noon, had preceded them. He was waiting +for them beside the turnstile at the station, having already procured +their tickets and reserved a carriage in one of the omnibus trains from +Paris to Treport which make stops at various suburban stations. + +“Will it be a very long journey?” Henri asked, on taking his place in +the carriage. + +“Barely three-quarters of an hour,” said the Duke, as the train started +on its way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. THE VOW REDEEMED + +The third road, constructed between the two lines which met at Creil, +passing, the one by way of Chantilly, the other, by Pontoise, was not +in existence in 1871, when, after the war, Jeanne and Henri de Prerolles +went to visit the spot, already unrecognizable, where they had passed +their childhood. L’Ile-d’Adam was at that time the nearest station; to +day it is Presles, on the intermediate line, which they now took. + +“This is our station,” said Madame de Montgeron, when the train stopped +at Montsoult. They descended from the carriage, and found on the +platform two footmen, who conducted them to a large char-a-banc, to +which were harnessed four dark bay Percherons, whose bridles were held +by postilions in Zibeline’s livery, as correct in their appearance as +those belonging to the imperial stables, when the sojourn of the court +was at Compiegne or at Fontainebleau. + +“Where are we going now, Jeanne?” asked Henri, whose heart seemed to him +to contract at the sight of Maffliers, which he knew so well. + +“A short distance from here,” his sister replied. + +The horses set off, and, amid the sound of bells and the cracking of +whips, the carriage reached the national road from Paris to Beauvais, +which, from Montsoult, passes around the railway by a rapid descent, +from the summit of which is visible, on the right, the Chateau of +Franconville; on the left, the village of Nerville perched on its crest. + +One of the footmen on the rear seat held the reins, and a quarter of +an hour later the carriage stopped just before arriving at the foot of +Valpendant. + +Valpendant had formerly been a feudal manor within the confines of +Ile-de-France, built midway upon a hill, as its name indicated. On the +side toward the plain was a moat, and the castle itself commanded the +view of a valley, through which ran the little stream called Le Roi, +which flows into the river Oise near the hamlet of Mours. Acquired +in the fifteenth century by the lords of Prerolles, it had become an +agricultural territory worked for their profit, first by forced labor, +and later by farmers. + +Even recently, the courtyard, filled with squawking fowls and domestic +animals of all kinds, and the sheds crowded with agricultural implements +piled up in disorder, presented a scene of confusion frequent among +cultivators, and significant of the alienation of old domains from their +former owners. + +“We have arrived!” said the Duchess, alighting first. + +“What, is it here?” Henri exclaimed, his heart beating more quickly. + +“Your old farm was for sale just at the time that Mademoiselle de +Vermont was seeking an appropriate site for the Orphan Asylum. This spot +appeared to her to combine all the desirable conditions, and she has +wrought the transformation you are about to behold. It might as well be +this place as another,” the Duchess added. “In my opinion, it is a sort +of consolation offered to us by fate.” + +“Be it so!” said Henri, in a tone of less conviction. + +He followed his sister along the footpath of a bluff, which as children +they had often climbed; while the carriage made a long detour in order +to reach the main entrance to the grounds. + +The footpath, winding along near the railway embankment, ended at +a bridge, where Zibeline awaited the three visitors. A significant +pressure of her hand showed Henri how little cause he had had for his +apprehensions. + +They entered. Seen from the main entrance, the metamorphosis of the +place was complete. + +The old tower that had served as a barn alone remained the same; it was +somewhat isolated from the other building, and had been repaired in +the style of its period, making a comfortable dwelling for the future +director of the Asylum. Mademoiselle de Vermont occupied it temporarily. + +On each side of the grounds, standing parallel, rose two fine buildings: +on the ground floor of each were all the customary rooms and accessories +found on model farms; on the upper floors were dormitories arranged +to receive a large number of children of both sexes. There were +schoolrooms, sewing-rooms, a chapel-in short, nothing was lacking to +assist in the children’s intellectual and manual education. + +“You have done things royally,” said the Duke to the happy donor, when, +having finished the inspection of the premises, they returned to the +directors’ room, indicated by a plate upon its door. + +As for Henri, silent and absorbed, he hesitated between the dread of +facing a new emotion and the desire to go once more to gaze upon the +tower of Prerolles, hardly more than two kilometres distant. + +“What is the matter with you, General?” Zibeline asked, observing that +he did not appear to take pleasure in the surprise she had prepared. + +“I lived here many years a long time ago,” he replied. “I am thinking +of all that it recalls to me; and, if you would not consider it +discourteous on my part, I should like to leave you for a little time to +make a pilgrimage on foot around the neighborhood.” + +“Would you like to have me take you myself? I have a little English cart +which can run about anywhere,” said Zibeline. + +The proposition was tempting. The sweetness of a tete-a-tete might +diminish the bitterness of recollections. He accepted. + +She ordered the cart brought around, and they climbed into the small +vehicle, which was drawn by a strong pony, driven by Zibeline herself. + +“Which way?” she asked, when they had passed through the gates. + +“To the right,” he said, pointing to a rough, half-paved slope, an +abandoned part of what had been in former days the highway, which now +joins the new road at the Beaumont tunnel. + +Passing this point, and leaving on their left the state road +of l’Ile-d’Adam, they drove through a narrow cross-cut, between +embankments, by which one mounts directly to the high, plateau that +overlooks the town of Presles. + +The hill was steep, and the pony was out of breath. They were compelled +to stop to allow him to rest. + +“It is not necessary to go any farther,” said Henri to his companion. “I +need only to take a few steps in order to see what interests me.” + +“I will wait for you here,” she replied, alighting after him. “Don’t +be afraid to leave me alone. The horse will not move; he is used to +stopping.” + +He left her gathering daisies, and walked resolutely to the panoramic +point of view, where a strange and unexpected sight met his eyes! + +All that had once been so dear to him had regained its former aspect. +The kitchen-gardens had given place to the rich pastures, where yearling +colts frisked gayly. The factory had disappeared, and the chateau had +been restored to its original appearance. The walls enclosing the park +had been rebuilt, and even several cleared places indicated the sites of +cottages that had been pulled down. + +Henri de Prerolles could hardly believe his eyes! Was he the sport of a +dream or of one of those mirages which rise before men who travel across +the sandy African deserts? The latitude and the position of the sun +forbade this interpretation. But whence came it, then? What fairy had +turned a magic ring in order to work this miracle? + +A crackling of dry twigs under a light tread made him turn, and he +beheld Zibeline, who had come up behind him. + +The fairy was there, pale and trembling, like a criminal awaiting +arrest. + +“Is it you who have done this?” Henri exclaimed, with a sob which no +human strength could have controlled. + +“It is I!” she murmured, lowering her eyes. “I did it in the hope that +some day you would take back that which rightfully belongs to you.” + +“Rightfully, you say? By what act?” + +“An act of restitution.” + +“You never have done me any injury, and nothing authorizes me to accept +such a gift from Mademoiselle de Vermont.” + +“Vermont was the family name of my mother. When my father married +her, he obtained leave to add it to his own. I am the daughter of Paul +Landry.” + +“You!” + +“Yes. The daughter of Paul Landry, whose fortune had no other origin +than the large sum of which he despoiled you.” + +Henri made a gesture of denial. + +“Pardon me!” Zibeline continued. “He was doubly your debtor, since this +sum had been increased tenfold when you rescued him from the Mexicans +who were about to shoot him. ‘This is my revenge!’ you said to him, +without waiting to hear a word from him. Your ruin was the remorse +of his whole life. I knew it only when he lay upon his deathbed. +Otherwise--” + +She paused, then raised her head higher to finish her words. + +“Never mind!” she went on. “That which he dared not do while living, I +set myself to do after his death. When I came to Paris to inquire what +had become of the Marquis de Prerolles, your glorious career answered +for you; but even before I knew you I had become the possessor of these +divided estates, which, reunited by me, must be restored to your hands. +You are proud, Henri,” she added, with animation, “but I am none less +proud than you. Judge, then, what I have suffered in realizing our +situation: I, overwhelmed with riches, you, reduced to your officer’s +pay. Is that a satisfaction to your pride? Very well! But to my own, it +is the original stain, which only a restitution, nobly accepted by you, +ever can efface!” + +She paused, looking at him supplicatingly, her hands clasped. As he +remained silent, she understood that he still hesitated, and continued: + +“To plead my cause, to vanquish your resistance, as I am trying now to +triumph over it, could be attempted with any chance of success only by +a dear and tender friend; that is the reason why I sought to establish +relations with--” + +“With Eugenie Gontier?” + +“But she would not consent to it--all the worse for her! For, since +then, you and I have come to know each other well. Your prejudices have +been overcome one by one. I have observed it well. I am a woman, and +even your harshness has not changed my feelings, nor prevented me from +believing that, in spite of yourself, you were beginning to love me. +Have I been deceiving myself?--tell me!” + +“You know that you have not, since, as I look at you and listen to you, +I know not which I admire more-your beauty or the treasures of your +heart!” + +“Then come!” + +“Whither?” + +“To Prerolles, where all is ready to receive you.” + +“Well, since this is a tale from the Arabian Nights, let us follow it to +the end! I will go!” said Henri. + +Browsing beside the road, the pony, left to himself, had advanced toward +them, step by step, whinnying to his mistress. Valentine and Henri +remounted the cart; which soon drew up before the gates of the chateau, +where, awaiting them, reinstated in his former office, stood the old +steward, bent and white with years. + +The borders of the broad driveway were of a rich, deep green. +Rose-bushes in full bloom adorned the smooth lawns. The birds trilled a +welcome in jumping from branch to branch, and across the facade of the +chateau the open windows announced to the surrounding peasantry the +return of the prodigal master. + +At the top of the flight of steps Valentine stepped back to allow Henri +to pass before her; then, changing her mind, she advanced again. + +“No, you are at home,” she said. “It is I that must enter first!” + +He followed her docilely, caring no longer to yield to any other will +than hers. + +Within the chateau, thanks to the complicity of the Duchess, the +furnishings resembled as closely as possible those of former days. The +good fairy had completed successfully two great works: the restoration +of the chateau and the building of the asylum. The inhabitants of the +one would be so much the better able to foresee the needs of the other. + +Having explored one of the wings, they returned to the central hall. +Mademoiselle de Vermont made a sign to the steward to remain there, and +beckoned to Henri to accompany her to the historic gallery. After they +had entered it, she closed the door. The family portraits had been +rehung in their former places, in chronological order, and, in its +proper place, figured that of the General of Division the Marquis de +Prerolles, in full uniform, mounted on Aida, the portrait being the work +of Edmond Delorme. + +At this sight, touched to the depths of his heart, Henri knelt before +Valentine, and carried her hand to his lips. + +“I adore you!” he said, without attempting to hide the tears of +gratitude that fell upon those generous hands. + +“Do you, indeed?” Zibeline murmured. + +“You shall see!” he replied, rising. “Come, in your turn.” + +He led her before the portrait of the ancestral marshal of France, and +said: + +“Twenty-three years ago I vowed before that portrait either to vanquish +the enemy or to regain with honor all that I had lost at play. I have +kept my word. Will you be my wife?” + +“Ah, you know my heart is yours!” Zibeline whispered, hiding her face +upon his shoulder. + +The door at the end of the gallery opened; the Duc and the Duchesse de +Montgeron appeared. Henri took Zibeline’s hand and approached them. + +“The Marquise de Prerolles!” he said, presenting her to his sister and +her husband. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. THE MARQUISE DE PREROLLES + +The next day a special train landed the fair patronesses at the station +of Presles, whence Zibeline’s carriages conducted them to Valpendant. + +The deed of gift was signed before M. Durand and his colleague, a notary +of Pontoise. + +This formality fulfilled, M. Desvanneaux, whose own role, for a moment +overshadowed, appeared to him to renew its importance, took the floor +and said: + +“It remains to us, Mesdames, to assure the support of the Orphan Asylum +by means of an annual income.” + +“The Marquis and the Marquise de Prerolles assume this responsibility,” + said the ministerial officer, treasurer of the Asylum. “This mutual +engagement will form the object of a special clause in the drawing up of +their contract.” + +In this way was the news of the approaching marriage between Valentine +and Henri announced to the Society. + +“The little intriguer!” murmured the churchwarden, nudging the elbow of +his Maegera. + +The General, who noted the effect which this announcement had produced +upon the peevish pair, divined the malicious words upon the hypocritical +lips. He drew the husband aside, and put one hand upon his shoulder. + +“Desvanneaux,” he said, “you have known me twenty-five years, and you +know that I am a man of my word. If ever a malevolent word from you +regarding my wife should come to my ears, I shall elongate yours to such +a degree that those of King Midas will be entirely eclipsed! Remember +that!” + +The ceremony took place six weeks later, in the church of St. +Honore-d’Eylau, which was not large enough to hold the numerous public +and the brilliant corps of officers that assisted. + +The witnesses for the bridegroom were the military governor of Paris and +the Duc de Montgeron. Those of the bride were the aide-de-camp General +Lenaieff, in full uniform, wearing an astrachan cap and a white cloak +with the Russian eagle fastened in the fur; and the Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy. + +On the evening before, a last letter from his former mistress had come +to the General: + + “I have heard all the details of your romance, my dear Henri. Its + conclusion is according to all dramatic rules, and I congratulate + you without reserve. + + “If, on the eve of contracting this happy union, an examination of + your conscience should suggest to you some remorse for having + abandoned me so abruptly, let me say that no shadow, not even the + lightest, must cloud the serenity of this joyous day: I am about to + leave the stage forever, to become the wife of the Baron de + Samoreau! + + “Always affectionately yours, + + “EUGENIE GONTIER.” + + + ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: + + All that was illogical in our social code + 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 + Life goes on, and that is less gay than the stories + Men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise + Only a man, wavering and changeable + 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 + Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that + There are mountains that we never climb but once + You are in a conquered country, which is still more dangerous + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zibeline, Complete, by Phillipe de Massa + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZIBELINE, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 3934-0.txt or 3934-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/3934/ + +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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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/3934-0.zip b/3934-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1cae934 --- /dev/null +++ b/3934-0.zip diff --git a/3934-h.zip b/3934-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..401731c --- /dev/null +++ b/3934-h.zip diff --git a/3934-h/3934-h.htm b/3934-h/3934-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..07a1632 --- /dev/null +++ b/3934-h/3934-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6593 @@ +<?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> + Zibeline, by Philippe de Massa + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; 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; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Zibeline, Complete, by Phillipe de Massa + +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: Zibeline, Complete + +Author: Phillipe de Massa + +Release Date: October 5, 2006 [EBook #3934] +Last Updated: August 23, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZIBELINE, COMPLETE *** + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + ZIBELINE + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Philippe De Massa + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated By D. Knowlton Ranous + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> ALEXANDRE-PHILIPPE-REGNIER DE MASSA </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> LETTER FROM JULES CLARETIE TO THE AUTHOR </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <b>ZIBELINE</b> </a><br /><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0004"> <b>BOOK 1.</b> </a> <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a>LES FRERES-PROVENCAUX <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a>BIRDS OF PREY <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a>THE GAME <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a>THE RESULT <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a>A DESPERATE RESOLUTION <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a>THE FAREWELL <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a>THE VOW <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a>IN SEARCH OF GLORY <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a>THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a>GENERAL DE PREROLLES <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a>EUGENIE GONTIER <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a>RIVAL BEAUTIES <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0017"> <b>BOOK 2.</b> </a> <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a>THE INDUSTRIAL ORPHAN ASYLUM + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a>A WOMAN’S INSTINCT + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a>DEFIANCE OF MRS. + GRUNDY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a>FRATERNAL + ADVICE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a>THE LADY + BOUNTIFUL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a>A + MODERN TARTUFE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a>BROKEN + TIES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> <b>BOOK 3.</b> </a> <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a>ZIBELINE RECEIVES <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a>A DASHING AMAZON <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a>THE MILITARY REVIEW <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a>THE CHALLENGE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a>THE AMAZON HAS A FALL <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a>AN UNCONSCIOUS AVOWAL <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a>DISTRACTION <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. </a>THE VOW REDEEMED + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. </a>THE MARQUISE DE + PREROLLES <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + ALEXANDRE-PHILIPPE-REGNIER DE MASSA + </h2> + <p> + MARQUIS DE MASSA, soldier, composer, and French dramatist, was born in + Paris, December 5, 1831. He selected the military career and received a + commission in the cavalry after leaving the school of St. Cyr. He served + in the Imperial Guards, took part in the Italian and Franco-German Wars + and was promoted Chief of Squadron, Fifth Regiment, Chasseurs a Cheval, + September 10, 1871. Having tendered his resignation from active service, + he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the territorial army February 3, + 1880. He has been decorated with the Legion of Honor. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis de Massa is known as a composer of music and as a dramatic + author and novelist. At the Opera Comique there was represented in 1861 + Royal-Cravate, written by him. Fragments of two operas by him were + performed at the Paris Conservatory of Music in 1865, and in 1868. The + list of his principal plays follows: ‘Le Service en campagne, comedy + (1882); La Cicatrice, comedy (1885); Au Mont Ida, Fronsac a La Bastille, + and La Coeur de Paris, all in 1887; La Czarine and Brouille depuis Magenta + (1888), and La Bonne Aventure—all comedies—1889. Together with + Petipa he also wrote a ballet Le Roi d’Yvetot (1866); music by Charles + Labarre. He further wrote Zibeline, a most brilliant romance (1892) with + an Introduction by Jules Claretie; crowned by the Academie Francaise. This + odd and dainty little story has a heroine of striking originality, in + character and exploits. Her real name is Valentine de Vermont, and she is + the daughter of a fabulously wealthy French-American dealer in furs, and + when, after his death, she goes to Paris to spend her colossal fortune, + and to make restitution to the man from whom her father won at play the + large sum that became the foundation of his wealth, certain lively + Parisian ladies, envying her her rich furs, gave her the name of Zibeline, + that of a very rare, almost extinct, wild animal. Zibeline’s American + unconventionality, her audacity, her wealth, and generosity, set all Paris + by the ears. There are fascinating glimpses into the drawing-rooms of the + most exclusive Parisian society, and also into the historic greenroom of + the Comedie Francaise, on a brilliant “first night.” The man to whom she + makes graceful restitution of his fortune is a hero of the Franco-Mexican + and Franco-Prussian wars, and when she gives him back his property, she + throws her heart in with the gift. The story is an interesting study of a + brilliant and unconventional American girl as seen by the eyes of a clever + Frenchman. + </p> + <p> + Later came ‘La Revue quand meme, comedy, (1894); Souvenirs et Impressions + (1897); La Revue retrospective, comedy (1899); and Sonnets’ the same year. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PAUL HERVIEU + de l’Academe Francaise. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + LETTER FROM JULES CLARETIE TO THE AUTHOR + </h2> + <h3> + MY DEAR FRIEND: + </h3> + <p> + I have often declared that I never would write prefaces! But how can one + resist a fine fellow who brings one an attractive manuscript, signed with + a name popular among all his friends, who asks of one, in the most + engaging way, an opinion on the same—then a word, a simple word of + introduction, like a signal to saddle? + </p> + <p> + I have read your Zibeline, my dear friend, and this romance—your + first—has given me a very keen pleasure. You told me once that you + felt a certain timidity in publishing it. Reassure yourself immediately. A + man can not be regarded as a novice when he has known, as you have, all + the Parisian literary world so long; or rather, perhaps, I may more + accurately say, he is always a novice when he tastes for the first time + the intoxication of printer’s ink. + </p> + <p> + You have the quickest of wits and the least possible affectation of + gravity, and you have made as well known in Mexico as in Paris your + couplets on the end of the Mexican conflict with France. ‘Tout Mexico y + passera!’ Where are they, the ‘tol-de-rols’ of autumn? + </p> + <p> + Yesterday I found, in a volume of dramatic criticism by that terrible and + charming Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly, an appreciation of one of your comedies + which bears a title very appropriate to yourself: ‘Honor.’ “And this play + does him honor,” said Barbey d’Aurevilly, “because it is charming, light, + and supple, written in flowing verse, the correctness of which does not + rob it of its grace.” + </p> + <p> + That which the critic said of your comedy I will say of your romance. It + is a pretty fairy-story-all about Parisian fairies, for a great many + fairies live in Paris! In fact, more are to be found there than anywhere + else! There are good fairies and bad fairies among them. Your own + particular fairy is good and she is charming. I am tempted to ask whether + you have drawn your characters from life. That is a question which was + frequently put to me recently, after I had published ‘L’Americaine.’ The + public longs to possess keys to our books. It is not sufficient for them + that a romance is interesting; it must possess also a spice of scandal. + </p> + <p> + Portraits? You have not drawn any—neither in the drawing-rooms where + Zibeline scintillates, nor in the foyer of the Comedie Francaise, where + for so long a time you have felt yourself at home. Your women are visions + and not studies from life—and I do not believe that you will object + to my saying this. + </p> + <p> + You should not dislike the “romantic romance,” which every one in these + days advises us to write—as if that style did not begin as far back + as the birth of romance itself: as if the Princess of Cleves had not + written, and as if Balzac himself, the great realist, had not invented, + the finest “romantic romances” that can be found—for example, the + amorous adventure of General de Montriveau and the Duchesse de Langlais! + </p> + <p> + Apropos, in your charming story there is a General who pleases me very + much. How was it that you did not take, after the fashion of Paul de + Molenes, a dashing cavalry officer for your hero?—you, for whom the + literary cavalier has all the attractions of a gentleman and a soldier? + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more piquant, alert, chivalrous—in short, worthy of + a Frenchman—than the departure of your hero for the war after that + dramatic card-party, which was also a battle—and what a battle!—where, + at the end of the conflict, he left his all upon the green cloth. That is + an attractive sketch of the amiable comedienne, who wishes for fair + weather and a smooth sea for the soldier lover who is going so far away. + It seems to me that I have actually known that pretty girl at some time or + another! That chapter is full of the perfume of pearl powder and iris! It + is only a story, of course, but it is a magnificent story, which will + please many readers. + </p> + <p> + The public will ask you to write others, be sure of that; and you will do + well, my dear friend, for your own sake and for ours, to follow the + precept of Denis Diderot: “My friends, write stories; while one writes + them he amuses himself, and the story of life goes on, and that is less + gay than the stories we can tell.” + </p> + <p> + I do not know precisely whether these last words, which are slightly + pessimistic, are those of the good Diderot himself. But they are those of + a Parisian of 1892, who has been able to forget his cares and annoyances + in reading the story that you have told so charmingly. + </p> + <p> + With much affection to you, and wishing good luck to Zibeline, I am + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Your friend, JULES CLARETIE + de l’Academie Francaise. +APRIL 26, 1892. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + ZIBELINE + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK 1. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. LES FRERES-PROVENCAUX. + </h2> + <p> + In the days of the Second Empire, the Restaurant des Freres-Provencaux + still enjoyed a wide renown to which its fifty years of existence had + contributed more than a little to heighten its fame. + </p> + <p> + This celebrated establishment was situated near the Beaujolais Gallery of + the Palais-Royal, close to the narrow street leading to the Rue Vivienne, + and it had been the rendezvous of epicures, either residents of Paris or + birds of passage, since the day it was opened. + </p> + <p> + On the ground floor was the general dining-room, the gathering-place for + honest folk from the provinces or from other lands; the next floor had + been divided into a succession of private rooms, comfortably furnished, + where, screened behind thick curtains, dined somewhat “irregular” patrons: + lovers who were in either the dawn, the zenith, or the decline of their + often ephemeral fancies. On the top floor, spacious salons, richly + decorated, were used for large and elaborate receptions of various kinds. + </p> + <p> + At times the members of certain social clubs gave in these rooms + subscription balls of anacreontic tendencies, the feminine element of + which was recruited among the popular gay favorites of the period. + Occasionally, also, young fellows about town, of different social rank, + but brought together by a pursuit of amusement in common, met here on + neutral ground, where, after a certain hour, the supper-table was turned + into a gaming-table, enlivened by the clinking of glasses and the rattle + of the croupier’s rake, and where to the excitement of good cheer was + added that of high play, with its alternations of unexpected gains and + disastrous losses. + </p> + <p> + It was at a reunion of this kind, on the last evening in the month of May, + 1862, that the salons on the top floor were brilliantly illuminated. A + table had been laid for twenty persons, who were to join in a banquet in + honor of the winner of the great military steeplechase at La Marche, which + had taken place a few days before. The victorious gentleman-rider was, + strange to say, an officer of infantry—an unprecedented thing in the + annals of this sport. + </p> + <p> + Heir to a seigneurial estate, which had been elevated to a marquisate in + the reign of Louis XII, son of a father who had the strictest notions as + to the preservation of pure blood, Henri de Prerolles, early initiated + into the practice of the breaking and training of horses, was at eighteen + as bold and dashing a rider as he was accomplished in other physical + exercises; and although, three years later, at his debut at St. Cyr, he + expressed no preference for entering the cavalry service, for which his + early training and rare aptitude fitted him, it was because, in the long + line of his ancestors—which included a marshal of France and a + goodly number of lieutenants-general—all, without exception, from + Ravenna to Fontenoy, had won renown as commanders of infantry. + </p> + <p> + At the outbreak of the French Revolution, Henri’s grandfather, who had + distinguished himself in the American War for Independence, left his + native land only when he was in the last extremity. As soon as + circumstances permitted, he reentered France with his son, upon whom + Napoleon conferred a brevet rank, which the recipient accepted of his free + will. He began his military experience in Spain, returned safe and well + from the retreat from Russia, and fought valiantly at Bautzen and at + Dresden. The Restoration—by which time he had become chief of his + battalion—could not fail to advance his career; and the line was + about to have another lieutenant-general added to its roll, when the + events of 1830 decided Field-Marshal the Marquis de Prerolles to sheathe + his sword forever, and to withdraw to his own estate, near the forest of + l’Ile-d’Adam, where hunting and efforts toward the improvement of the + equine race occupied his latter years. + </p> + <p> + He died in 1860, a widower, leaving two children: Jeanne, recently married + to the Duc de Montgeron, and his son Henri, then a pupil in a military + school, who found himself, on reaching his majority, in possession of the + chateau and domains of Prerolles, the value of which was from fifteen to + eighteen hundred thousand francs. + </p> + <p> + Having been made sub-lieutenant by promotion on the first day of October, + 1861, the young Marquis, already the head of his house and a military + leader, asked and obtained the favor of being incorporated with a + battalion of chasseurs garrisoned at Vincennes. + </p> + <p> + Exact in the performance of his military duties, and at the same time + ardent in the pursuit of pleasure, he was able, thanks to his robust + health, to conciliate the exigencies of the one with the fatigues of the + other. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, Henri was fond of gaming, and his natural impetuosity, + which showed itself by an emulation of high standards in his military + duties, degenerated into recklessness before the baccarat-table. At the + end of eighteen months, play, and an expensive liaison with an actress, + had absorbed half his fortune, and his paternal inheritance had been + mortgaged as well. The actress was a favorite in certain circles and had + been very much courted; and this other form of rivalry, springing from the + glitter of the footlights, added so much the more fuel to the + prodigalities of the inflammable young officer. + </p> + <p> + Affairs were in this situation when, immediately after Henri’s triumph at + the race-track, a bettor on the opposite side paid one of his wagers by + offering to the victor a grand dinner at the Freres-Provencaux. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. BIRDS OF PREY + </h2> + <p> + The hero of the night was seated at the middle of one side of the table, + in the place of honor. For his ‘vis-a-vis’ he had his lively friend Fanny + Dorville, star of the Palais Royal, while at his right sat Heloise Virot, + the “first old woman,” or duenna, of the same theatre, whose well known + jests and eccentricities added their own piquancy to gay life in Paris. + The two artists, being compelled to appear in the after-piece at their + theatre that evening, had come to the dinner made up and in full stage + costume, ready to appear behind the footlights at the summons of the + call-boy. + </p> + <p> + The other guests were young men accustomed to the surroundings of the + weighing-stand and the betting-room, at a time when betting had not yet + become a practice of the masses; and most of them felt highly honored to + rub elbows with a nobleman of ancient lineage, as was Henri de Prerolles. + </p> + <p> + Among these persons was Andre Desvanneaux, whose father, a churchwarden at + Ste.-Clotilde, had attained a certain social prestige by his good works, + and Paul Landry, in his licentiate in a large banking house in Paris. The + last named was the son of a ship-owner at Havre, and his character was + ambitious and calculating. He cherished, under a quiet demeanor, a strong + hope of being able to supply, by the rapid acquisition of a fortune, the + deficiencies of his inferior birth, from which his secret vanity suffered + severely. Being an expert in all games of chance, he had already + accumulated, while waiting for some brilliant coup, enough to lead a life + of comparative elegance, thus giving a certain satisfaction to his + instincts. He and Henri de Prerolles never yet had played cards together, + but the occasion was sure to come some day, and Paul Landry had desired it + a long time. + </p> + <p> + The company, a little silent at first, was becoming somewhat more + animated, when a head-waiter, correct, and full of a sense of his own + importance, entered the salon, holding out before him with both hands a + large tray covered with slender glasses filled with a beverage called “the + cardinal’s drink,” composed of champagne, Bordeaux, and slices of + pineapple. The method of blending these materials was a professional + secret of the Freres-Provencaux. + </p> + <p> + Instantly the guests were on their feet, and Heloise, who had been served + first, proposed that they should drink the health of the Marquis, but, + prompted by one of her facetious impulses, instead of lifting the glass to + her own lips, she presented it to those of the waiter, and, raising her + arm, compelled him to swallow the contents. Encouraged by laughter and + applause, she presented to him a second glass, then a third; and the + unhappy man drank obediently, not being able to push away the glasses + without endangering the safety of the tray he carried. + </p> + <p> + Fanny Dorville interceded in vain for the victim; the inexorable duenna + had already seized a fourth glass, and the final catastrophe would have + been infallibly brought about, had not providence intervened in the person + of the call-boy, who, thrusting his head through the half-open doorway, + cried, shrilly: + </p> + <p> + “Ladies, they are about to begin!” + </p> + <p> + The two actresses hastened away, escorted by Andre Desvanneaux, a modern + Tartufe, who, though married, was seen everywhere, as much at home behind + the scenes as in church. + </p> + <p> + Coffee and liqueurs were then served in a salon adjoining the large + dining-room, which gave the effect of a private club-room to this part of + the restaurant. + </p> + <p> + Cigars were lighted, and conversation soon turned on feminine charms and + the performances of various horses, particularly those of Franc-Comtois, + the winner of the military steeplechase. This animal was one of the + products of the Prerolles stud, and was ordinary enough on flat ground, + but a jumper of the first rank. + </p> + <p> + At last the clock struck the half hour after eleven, and some of the + guests had already manifested their intention to depart, when Paul Landry, + who had been rather silent until then, said, carelessly: + </p> + <p> + “You expect to sleep to-night in Paris, no doubt, Monsieur de Prerolles?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” Henri replied, “I am on duty this week, and am obliged to return + to Vincennes early in the morning. So I shall stay here until it is time + for me to go.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, might we not have a game of cards?” proposed Captain + Constantin Lenaieff, military attache to the suite of the Russian + ambassador. + </p> + <p> + “As you please,” said Henri. + </p> + <p> + This proposal decided every one to remain. The company returned to the + large dining-room, which, in the mean time, had been again transformed + into a gaming-hall, with the usual accessories: a frame for the + tally-sheet, a metal bowl to hold rejected playing-cards set in one end of + the table, and, placed at intervals around it, were tablets on which the + punter registered the amount of the stakes. + </p> + <p> + On reentering this apartment, Henri de Prerolles approached a sort of + counter, and, drawing from his pocket thirty thousand francs in + bank-notes, he exchanged them for their value in mother-of-pearl “chips” + of different sizes, representing sums from one to five, ten, twenty-five, + or a hundred louis. Paul Landry took twenty-five thousand francs’ worth; + Constantin Unaieff, fifteen thousand; the others, less fortunate or more + prudent, took smaller sums; and about midnight the game began. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE GAME + </h2> + <p> + It began quietly enough, the two principal players waiting, before making + any bold strokes, to see how the luck should run. The first victory was in + favor of Henri, who, at the end of a hand dealt by Constantin Lenaieff, + had won about three hundred Louis. Just at this moment the two women + returned, accompanied by Desvanneaux. + </p> + <p> + “I had some difficulty in persuading our charming friends to return,” said + he; “Mademoiselle Dorville was determined that some one should escort her + to her own house.” + </p> + <p> + “You, perhaps, Desvanneaux,” said Henri, twisting up the ends of his + moustache. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” said Fanny; “I wished Heloise to go with me. I have noticed + that when I am here you always lose. I fear I have the evil eye.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, rather, that you have no stomach,” said Heloise. “Had you made your + debut, as I made mine, with Frederic Lemaitre in ‘Thirty Years in the Life + of an Actor’” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly would not rejuvenate her,” said Henri, finishing the + sentence. + </p> + <p> + “Marquis, you are very impertinent,” said the duenna, laughing. “As a + penalty, you must lend me five louis.” + </p> + <p> + “With the greatest pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you!” + </p> + <p> + And, as a new hand was about to be dealt, Heloise seated herself at one of + the tables. This time Paul Landry put fifteen thousand francs in the bank. + </p> + <p> + “Will you do me the favor to cut the cards?” he asked of Fanny, who stood + behind Henri’s chair. + </p> + <p> + “What! in spite of my evil eye, Monsieur?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not fear that, Mademoiselle. Your eyes have always been too + beautiful for one of them to change now.” + </p> + <p> + Stale as was this compliment, it had the desired effect, and the young + woman thrust vertically into the midst of the pack the cards he held out + to her. + </p> + <p> + “Play, messieurs,” said the banker. + </p> + <p> + “Messieurs and Madame,” corrected Heloise, placing her five chips before + her, while Henri, at the other table, staked the six thousand francs which + he had just won. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t put up more than there is in the bank,” objected Paul Landry, + throwing a keen glance at the stakes. Having assured himself that on the + opposing side to this large sum there were hardly thirty louis, he dealt + the cards. + </p> + <p> + “Eight!” said he, laying down his card. + </p> + <p> + “Nine!” said Heloise. + </p> + <p> + “Baccarat!” said Henri, throwing two court-cards into the basket. + </p> + <p> + The rake rattled on the losing table, but after the small stakes of the + winners had been paid, the greater part of the six thousand francs passed + into the hands of the banker. + </p> + <p> + Five times in succession, at the first deal, the same thing happened; and + at the sixth round Heloise won six hundred francs, and Henri found himself + with no more counters. + </p> + <p> + “This is the proper moment to retire!” said the duenna, rising from the + table. “Are you coming, Fanny?” + </p> + <p> + “I beg you, let us go now,” murmured Mademoiselle Dorville in the ear of + her lover. + </p> + <p> + Her voice was caressing and full of tender promise. The young man + hesitated an instant. But to desert the game at his first loss seemed to + him an act unworthy of his reputation, and, as between love and pride, the + latter finally prevailed. + </p> + <p> + “I have only an hour or two more to wait. Can not you go home by + yourself?” he replied to Fanny’s appeal, while Heloise exchanged her + counters for tinkling coin, forgetting, no doubt, to reimburse her + creditor, who, in fact, gave no thought to the matter. + </p> + <p> + Henri accompanied the two women to a coach at the door, which had been + engaged by the thoughtful and obliging Desvanneaux; and, pressing tenderly + the hand of his mistress, he murmured: + </p> + <p> + “Till to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow!” she echoed, her heart oppressed with sad forebodings. + </p> + <p> + Desvanneaux, whose wife was very jealous of him, made all haste to regain + his conjugal abode. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE RESULT + </h2> + <p> + Meanwhile, Paul Landry had begun badly, and had had some ill turns of + luck; nevertheless, feeling that his fortune was about to change, he + raised the stakes. + </p> + <p> + “Does any one take him up?” asked Constantin Lenaeiff. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said De Prerolles, who had returned to the table. + </p> + <p> + And, seizing a pencil that lay on the card-table, he signed four cheques + of twenty-five thousand francs each. Unfortunately for him, the next hand + was disastrous. The stakes were increased, and the bank was broken several + times, when Paul Landry, profiting by a heavy gain, doubled and redoubled + the preceding stakes, and beheld mounting before him a pile of cheques and + counters. + </p> + <p> + But, as often happens in such circumstances, his opponent, Henri de + Prerolles, persisted in his vain battle against ill-luck, until at three + o’clock in the morning, controlling his shaken nerves and throwing down + his cards, without any apparent anger, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Will you tell me, gentlemen, how much I owe you?” + </p> + <p> + After all accounts had been reckoned, he saw that he had lost two hundred + and ninety thousand francs, of which two hundred and sixty thousand in + cheques belonged to Paul Landry, and the thirty thousand francs’ balance + to the bank. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur de Prerolles,” said Paul Landry, hypocritically, “I am ashamed + to win such a sum from you. If you wish to seek your revenge at some other + game, I am entirely at your service.” + </p> + <p> + The Marquis looked at the clock, calculated that he had still half an hour + to spare, and, not more for the purpose of “playing to the gallery” than + in the hope of reducing the enormous sum of his indebtedness, he replied: + </p> + <p> + “Will it be agreeable to you to play six hands of bezique?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Monsieur. How much a point?” + </p> + <p> + “Ten francs, if that is not too much.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all! I was about to propose that amount myself.” + </p> + <p> + A quick movement of curiosity ran through the assembly, and a circle was + formed around the two opponents in this exciting match. + </p> + <p> + Every one knows that bezique is played with four packs of cards, and that + the number of points may be continued indefinitely. The essential thing is + to win at least one thousand points at the end of each hand; unless a + player does this he is said to “pass the Rubicon,” becoming twice a loser—that + is, the victor adds to his own score the points lost by his adversary. + Good play, therefore, consists largely in avoiding the “Rubicon” and in + remaining master of the game to the last trick, in order to force one’s + adversary over the “Rubicon,” if he stands in danger of it. The first two + hands were lost by Landry, who, having each time approached the “Rubicon,” + succeeded in avoiding it only by the greatest skill and prudence. + Immediately his opponent, still believing that good luck must return to + him, began to neglect the smaller points in order to make telling strokes, + but he became stranded at the very port of success, as it were; so that, + deducting the amount of his first winning, he found at the end of the + fifth hand that he had lost six thousand points. Notwithstanding his + wonderful self-control, it was not without difficulty that the young + officer preserved a calm demeanor under the severe blows dealt him by + Fortune. Paul Landry, always master of himself, lowered his eyes that + their expression of greedy and merciless joy should not be seen. The + nearer the game drew to its conclusion, the closer pressed the circle of + spectators, and in the midst of a profound silence the last hand began. + Favored from the beginning with the luckiest cards, followed by the most + fortunate returns, Paul Landry scored successively “forty, bezique,” five + hundred and fifteen hundred. He lacked two cards to make the highest point + possible, but Henri, by their absence from his own hand, could measure the + peril that menaced him. So, surveying the number of cards that remained in + stock, he guarded carefully three aces of trumps which might help him to + avert disaster. But, playing the only ace that would allow him to score + again, Paul Landry announced coldly, laying on the table four queens of + spades and four knaves of diamonds: + </p> + <p> + “Four thousand five hundred!” This was the final stroke. The last hand had + wiped out, by eight thousand points, the possessions of Landry’s + adversary. The former losses of the unfortunate Marquis were now augmented + by one hundred and forty thousand francs. Henri became very pale, but, + summoning all his pride to meet the glances of the curious, he arose, rang + a bell, and called for a pen and a sheet of stamped paper. Then, turning + to Paul Landry, he said, calmly “Monsieur, I owe you four hundred thousand + francs. Debts of honor are payable within twenty-four hours, but in order + to realize this sum, I shall require more time. How long a delay will you + grant me?” + </p> + <p> + “As long as you wish, Monsieur.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you. I ask a month.” + </p> + <p> + A waiter appeared, bringing the pen and paper. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, your word will be sufficient for me,” said Landry. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me!” said the Marquis. “One never knows what may happen. I insist + that you shall accept a formal acknowledgment of the debt.” + </p> + <p> + And he wrote: + </p> + <p> + “I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I owe to Monsieur Paul Landry the + sum of four hundred thousand francs, which I promise to pay in thirty + days, counting from this date.” + </p> + <p> + He dated, signed, and folded the paper, and handed it to Paul Landry. + Then, glancing at the clock, whose hands pointed to a quarter before four, + he said: + </p> + <p> + “Permit me to take leave of you, gentlemen. I have barely time to reach + Vincennes before roll-call.” + </p> + <p> + He lighted a cigar, saluted the astonished assembly with perfect coolness, + slowly descended the stairs, and jumped into his carriage, the chasseur of + the restaurant holding open the door for him. + </p> + <p> + “To Vincennes!” he cried to the coachman; “and drive like the devil!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. A DESPERATE RESOLUTION + </h2> + <p> + The chimneys and roofs of the tall houses along the boulevards stood out + sharp and clear in the light of the rising sun. Here and there squads of + street-cleaners appeared, and belated hucksters urged their horses toward + the markets; but except for these, the streets were deserted, and the + little coupe that carried Caesar and his misfortunes rolled rapidly toward + the Barriere du Trone. + </p> + <p> + With all the coach-windows lowered, in order to admit the fresh morning + air, the energetic nobleman, buffeted by ill-luck, suddenly raised his + head and steadily looked in the face the consequences of his defeat. He, + too, could say that all was lost save honor; and already, from the depths + of his virile soul, sprang the only resolution that seemed to him worthy + of himself. + </p> + <p> + When he entered his own rooms in order to dress, his mind was made up; and + although, during the military exercises that morning, his commands were + more abrupt than usual, no one would have suspected that his mind was + preoccupied by any unusual trouble. + </p> + <p> + He decided to call upon his superior officer that afternoon to request + from him authorization to seek an exchange for Africa. Then he went + quietly to breakfast at the pension of the officers of his own rank, who, + observing his calm demeanor, in contrast to their own, knew that he must + be unaware of the important news just published in the morning journals. + General de Lorencez, after an unsuccessful attack upon the walls of + Puebla, had been compelled to retreat toward Orizaba, and to intrench + there while waiting for reenforcements. + </p> + <p> + This military event awakened the liveliest discussions, and in the midst + of the repast a quartermaster entered to announce the reply to the report, + first presenting his open register to the senior lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! By Jove, fellows! what luck!” cried that officer, joyously. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” demanded the others in chorus. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to this!” And he read aloud: “‘General Order: An expedition corps, + composed of two divisions of infantry, under the command of General Forey, + is in process of forming, in order to be sent to Mexico on urgent + business. The brigade of the advance guard will be composed of the First + Regiment of Zouaves and the Eighteenth Battalion of infantry. As soon as + these companies shall be prepared for war, this battalion will proceed by + the shortest route to Toulon; thence they will embark aboard the Imperial + on the twenty-sixth day of June next.’” + </p> + <p> + Arousing cheer drowned the end of the reading of this bulletin, the tenor + of which gave to Henri’s aspirations an immediate and more advantageous + prospect immediate, because, as his company was the first to march, he was + assured of not remaining longer at the garrison; more advantageous, + because the dangers of a foreign expedition opened a much larger field for + his chances of promotion. + </p> + <p> + Consequently, less than a month remained to him in which to settle his + indebtedness. After the reading of the bulletin, he asked one of his + brother officers to take his place until evening, caught the first train + to town, and, alighting at the Bastille, went directly to the Hotel de + Montgeron, where he had temporary quarters whenever he chose to use them. + </p> + <p> + “Is the Duke at home?” he inquired of the Swiss. + </p> + <p> + Receiving an affirmative reply, he crossed the courtyard, and was soon + announced to his brother-in-law, the noble proprietor of La Sarthe, deputy + of the Legitimist opposition to the Corps Legislatif of the Empire. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Montgeron listened in silence to his relative’s explanation of + his situation. When the recital was finished, without uttering a syllable + he opened a drawer, drew out a legal paper, and handed it to Henri, + saying: + </p> + <p> + “This is my marriage contract. Read it, and you will see that I have had, + from the head of my family, three hundred and fifteen thousand livres + income. I do not say this to you in order to contrast my riches with your + ruin, but only to prove to you that I was perfectly well able to marry + your sister even had she possessed no dot. That dot yields seven hundred + and fifteen thousand francs’ income, at three per cent. We were married + under the law of community of goods, which greatly simplifies matters when + husband and wife have, as have Jeanne and myself, but one heart and one + way of looking at things. To consult her would be, perhaps, to injure her. + To-morrow I will sell the necessary stock, and ere the end of the week + Monsieur Durand, your notary and ours, shall hold at your disposal the + amount of the sum you lost last night.” + </p> + <p> + The blood rose to the cheeks of the young officer. + </p> + <p> + “I—I” he stammered, pressing convulsively the hands of his + brother-in-law. “Shall I let you pay the ransom for my madness and folly? + Shall I a second time despoil my sister, already robbed by me of one half + her rightful share? I should die of shame! Or, rather—wait a moment! + Let us reverse our situations for an instant, and if you will swear to me + that, were you in my place, you would accept—Ah, you see! You + hesitate as much now as you hesitated little a moment ago in your simple + and cordial burst of generosity: Consequently, I refuse!” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean to do, then?” + </p> + <p> + “To sell Prerolles immediately-to-day, if possible. This determination + troubles you because of the grief it will cause Jeanne. It will grieve me, + too. And the courage to tell this to her is the only effort to which my + strength is unequal. Only you can tell it in such a way as to soften the + blow—” + </p> + <p> + “I will try to do it,” said the Duke. + </p> + <p> + “I thank you! As to the personal belongings and the family portraits, + their place is at Montgeron, is it not?” + </p> + <p> + “That is understood. Now, one word more, Henri.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak!” + </p> + <p> + “Have you not another embarrassment to settle?” + </p> + <p> + “I have indeed, and the sooner the better. Unhappily—” + </p> + <p> + “You have not enough money,” finished the Duke. “I have received this + morning twenty-five thousand francs’ rent from my farms. Will you allow me + to lend them to you?” + </p> + <p> + “To be repaid from the price of the sale? Very willingly, this time.” + </p> + <p> + And he placed in an envelope the notes handed him by his brother-in-law. + </p> + <p> + “This is the last will and testament of love,” said the Marquis, as he + departed, to give the necessary instructions to his notary. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE FAREWELL + </h2> + <p> + His debts were easily reckoned. He owed eight hundred thousand francs to + the Credit Foncier; four hundred thousand to Paul Landry; more than one + hundred thousand to various jewellers and shopkeepers; twenty-five + thousand to the Duc de Montgeron. It was necessary to sell the chateau and + the property at one million four hundred thousand francs, and the posters + advertising the sale must be displayed without delay. + </p> + <p> + Then he must say farewell to Fanny Dorville. Nothing should disturb a + sensible mind; the man who, with so much resolution, deprives himself of + his patrimonial estates should not meet less bravely the separation + imposed by necessity. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Henri appeared in Fanny’s boudoir, she divined that her + presentiments of the previous night had not deceived her. + </p> + <p> + “You have lost heavily?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Very heavily,” he replied, kissing her brow. + </p> + <p> + “And it was my fault!” she cried. “I brought you bad luck, and that wretch + of a Landry knew well what he was about when he made me cut the cards that + brought you misfortune!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my dear-listen! The only one in fault was I, who allowed myself, + through false pride, to be persuaded that I should not seem to fear him.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear him—a professional gambler, who lives one knows not how! + Nonsense! It is as if one should fight a duel with a fencing-master.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you wish, my dear? The evil is done—and it is so great—” + </p> + <p> + “That you have not the means to pay the sum? Oh, but wait a moment.” + </p> + <p> + And taking up a casket containing a superb collar of pearls, she said: + </p> + <p> + “This is worth fourteen thousand francs. You may well take them from me, + since it was you that gave them to me.” + </p> + <p> + No doubt, she had read De Musset, and this action was perhaps a refection + of that of Marion, but the movement was sincere. Something of the stern + pride of this other Rolla was stirred; a sob swelled his bosom, and two + tears—those tears that rise to a soldier’s eyes in the presence of + nobility and goodness—fell from his eyes upon the hair of the poor + girl. + </p> + <p> + “I have not come to that yet,” he said, after a short silence. “But we + must part—” + </p> + <p> + “You are about to marry?” she cried. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, so much the better!” + </p> + <p> + In a few words he told her of his approaching departure, and said that he + must devote all his remaining time to the details of the mobilization of + troops. + </p> + <p> + “So—it is all over!” said Fanny, sadly. “But fear nothing! I have + courage, and even if I have the evil eye at play, I know of something that + brings success in war. Will you accept a little fetich from me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you persist in trying to give me something,” he said, placing on + a table the sealed envelope he had brought. + </p> + <p> + “How good you are!” she murmured. “Now promise me one thing: let us dine + together once more. Not at the Provencaux, however. Oh, heavens! no! At + the Cafe Anglais—where we dined before the play the first time we—” + </p> + <p> + The entrance of Heloise cut short the allusion to a memory of autumn. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it is you,” said Fanny nervously. “You come apropos.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there a row in the family?” inquired Heloise. + </p> + <p> + “As if there could be!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “You see Henri, do you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, I do, certainly. What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then look at him long and well, for you will not see him again in many a + day. He is going to Mexico!” + </p> + <p> + “To exploit a mine?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Heloise,” the officer replied, “a mine that will make the walls of + Puebla totter.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, good luck, my General!” said the duenna, presenting arms + with her umbrella. + </p> + <p> + Fanny could not repress a smile in spite of her tears. Her lover seized + this moment to withdraw from her arms and reach the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Marquis de Prerolles, go forth to battle!” cried the old actress + to him over the banisters, with the air of an artist who knows her proper + cue. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE VOW + </h2> + <p> + Notwithstanding the desire expressed by his mistress, Henri firmly decided + not to repeat that farewell scene. + </p> + <p> + The matter that concerned him most was the wish not to depart without + having freed himself wholly from his debt to Paul Landry. Fortunately, + because of a kindly interest, as well as on account of the guaranty of the + Duc de Montgeron, a rich friend consented to advance the sum; so that, one + week before the day appointed for payment, the losing player was able to + withdraw his signature from the hands of his greedy creditor. + </p> + <p> + Relieved from this anxiety, Henri had asked, the night before the day set + for departure, for leave of absence for several hours, in order to visit + for the last time a spot very dear to him, upon whose walls placards now + hung, announcing the sale of the property to take place on the following + morning. + </p> + <p> + No one received warning of this visit in extremis save the steward, who + awaited his master before the gates of the chateau, the doors and windows + of which had been flung wide open. + </p> + <p> + At the appointed hour the visitor appeared at the end of the avenue, + advancing with a firm step between two hedges bordered with poplars, + behind which several brood-mares, standing knee-deep in the rich grass, + suckled their foal. + </p> + <p> + The threshold of the gate crossed, master and man skirted the lawn, + traversed the garden, laid out in the French fashion, and, side by side, + without exchanging a word, mounted the steps of the mansion. Entering the + main hall, the Marquis, whose heart was full of memories of his childhood, + stopped a long time to regard alternately the two suites of apartments + that joined the vestibule to the two opposite wings. Making a sign to his + companion not to follow him, Henri then entered the vast gallery, wherein + hung long rows of the portraits of his ancestors; and there, baring his + head before that of the Marshal of France whose name he bore, he vowed + simply, without excitement, and in a low tone, either to vanquish the + enemy or to add, after the manner of his forbears, a glorious page to his + family’s history. + </p> + <p> + The object of his pilgrimage having thus been accomplished, the Marquis + ordered the steward to see that all the portraits were sent to the Chateau + de Montgeron; then, after pressing his hand in farewell, he returned to + the station by the road whence he had come, avoiding the village in order + to escape the curious eyes of the peasantry. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. IN SEARCH OF GLORY + </h2> + <p> + The next morning the 18th battalion of ‘chasseurs’, in dress uniform, with + knapsacks on their backs and fully armed, awaited in the Gare de Lyon the + moment to board the train destined to transport them to the coast. + </p> + <p> + At a trumpet-call this movement was executed in silence, and in perfect + order; and only after all the men were installed did the functionaries who + kept the crowd in order take their own places in the carriages, leaving a + throng of relatives and friends jostling one another upon the quay. + </p> + <p> + Fanny Dorville and her friend the duenna tried in vain to reach the + compartment wherein Henri had his place, already in marching order; the + presence of the Duc and the Duchesse de Montgeron prevented the two women + from approaching him. Nevertheless, at the moment when the train began to + move slowly out of the station, an employee found the means to slip into + the hands of the Marquis a small packet containing the little fetich which + his mistress had kept for him. It was a medallion of the Holy Virgin, + which had been blessed at Notre-Dame des-Victoires, and it was attached to + a long gold chain. + </p> + <p> + Thirty-six hours later, on the evening of the 26th of June, the battalion + embarked aboard the Imperial, which, with steam up, was due to leave the + Toulon roadstead at daybreak. At the moment of getting under weigh, the + officer in charge of the luggage, who was the last to leave the shore, + brought several despatches aboard the ship, and handed to Lieutenant de + Prerolles a telegram, which had been received the evening before at the + quay. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis opened it and read: “Chateau and lands sold for 1,450,000 + francs. Everything paid, 1600 francs remain disposable.” + </p> + <p> + “That is to say,” thought the officer, sadly, “I have my pay and barely + three thousand francs’ income!” + </p> + <p> + Leaning both elbows upon the taffrail, he gazed long at the shores of + France, which appeared to fly toward the horizon; then, brusquely turning + his eyes to the quarters filled with the strong figures and manly faces of + the young foot-soldiers of the 18th battalion, he said to himself that + among such men, under whatever skies or at whatever distance, one found + his country—glancing aloft where floated above his head the folds of + his flag. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE + </h2> + <p> + Twenty-three years after the events already recorded, on a cold afternoon + in February, the Bois de Boulogne appeared to be draped in a Siberian + mantle rarely seen at that season. A deep and clinging covering of snow + hid the ground, and the prolonged freezing of the lakes gave absolute + guaranty of their solidity. + </p> + <p> + A red sun, drowned in mist, threw a mild radiance over the landscape, and + many pedestrians stamped their feet around the borders of the lake + belonging to the Skaters’ Club, and watched the hosts of pretty women + descending from their carriages, delighted at the opportunity afforded + them, by this return of winter, to engage in their favorite exercise. + </p> + <p> + Received on her arrival by one of the attendants posted at the entrance, + each of the fair skaters entered in turn a small building reserved for + ladies, whence she soon came forth in full skating array, ready to risk + herself on the ice, either alone or guided by the hand of some expert + cavalier. + </p> + <p> + Here and there, around the enclosure, large garden-seats, shaped like + sentry-boxes, were reserved for the mothers and sisters of the members of + the club, so that they could observe, from a comfortable shelter, the + evolutions of those in whom they were interested. + </p> + <p> + Within two of these nooks, side by side, sat the Duchesse de Montgeron, + president, and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, vice-president of the Charity + Orphan Asylum; the latter had come to look on at the first essay on the + ice of her daughter, Madame de Thomery; the former, to judge the skill of + her brother, General the Marquis de Prerolles, past-master in all + exercises of strength and skill. + </p> + <p> + At forty-five years of age, the young General had preserved the same grace + and slenderness that had distinguished him when he had first donned the + elegant tunic of an officer of chasseuys. His hair, cut rather short, had + become slightly gray on his temples, but his jaunty moustache and + well-trimmed beard were as yet innocent of a single silver thread. The + same energy shone in his eyes, the same sonority rang in his voice, which + had become slightly more brusque and authoritative from his long-continued + habit of command. + </p> + <p> + In a small round hat, with his hands in the pockets of an outing-jacket, + matching his knickerbockers in color, he strolled to and fro near his + sister, now encouraging Madame de Thomery, hesitating on the arm of her + instructor, now describing scientific flourishes on the ice, in rivalry + against the crosses dashed off by Madame de Lisieux and Madame de Nointel—two + other patronesses of the orphanage—the most renowned among all the + fashionable skaters. This sort of tourney naturally attracted all eyes, + and the idlers along the outer walks had climbed upon the paling in order + to gain a better view of the evolutions, when suddenly a spectacle of + another kind called their attention to the entrance-gate in their rear. + </p> + <p> + Passing through the Porte Dauphine, and driven by a young woman enveloped + in furs, advanced swiftly, over the crisp snow, a light American sleigh, + to which was harnessed a magnificent trotter, whose head and shoulders + emerged, as from an aureole, through that flexible, circular ornament + which the Russians call the ‘douga’. + </p> + <p> + Having passed the last turn of the path, the driver slackened her grasp, + and the horse stopped short before the entrance. His owner, throwing the + reins to a groom perched up behind, sprang lightly to the ground amid a + crowd of curious observers, whose interest was greatly enhanced by the + sight of the odd-looking vehicle. + </p> + <p> + The late-comer presented her card of invitation to the proper functionary, + and went across the enclosure toward the ladies’ salon. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! there is Zibeline!” cried Madame Desvanneaux, with an affected air. + “Do you know her?” she inquired of the Duchesse de Montgeron. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” the Duchess replied. “She did not arrive in Paris until the end + of spring, just at the time I was leaving town for the seashore. But I + know that she says her real name is Mademoiselle de Vermont, and that she + was born in Louisiana, of an old French family that emigrated to the + North, and recently became rich in the fur trade-from which circumstance + Madame de Nointel has wittily named her ‘Zibeline.’ I know also that she + is an orphan, that she has an enormous fortune, and has successively + refused, I believe, all pretenders who have thus far aspired to her hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—gamblers, and fortune-hunters, in whose eyes her millions + excuse all her eccentricities.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I understand that she has been presented to you?” asked the Duchess, + surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes-by the old Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, one of her so-called + cousins—rather distant, I fancy! But the independent airs of this + young lady, and her absolute lack of any respectable chaperon, have + decided me to break off any relations that might throw discredit on our + patriarchal house,” Madame Desvanneaux replied volubly, as ready to cross + herself as if she had been speaking of the devil! + </p> + <p> + The Duchess could not repress a smile, knowing perfectly that her + interlocutor had been among the first to demand for her son the hand of + Mademoiselle de Vermont! + </p> + <p> + During this dialogue, the subject of it had had time to cast aside her fur + cloak, to fasten upon her slender, arched feet, clad in dainty, laced + boots, a pair of steel skates, with tangent blades, and without either + grooves or straps, and to dart out upon this miniature sheet of water with + the agility of a person accustomed to skating on the great lakes of + America. + </p> + <p> + She was a brunette, with crisply waving hair, a small head, well-set, and + deep yet brilliant eyes beneath arched and slightly meeting brows. Her + complexion was pale, and her little aquiline nose showed thin, dilating + nostrils. Her rosy lips, whose corners drooped slightly, revealed dazzling + teeth, and her whole physiognomy expressed an air of haughty disdain, + somewhat softened by her natural elegance. + </p> + <p> + Her cloth costume, which displayed to advantage her slender waist and + graceful bust, was of simple but elegant cut, and was adorned with superb + trimmings of black fox, which matched her toque and a little satin-lined + muff, which from time to time she raised to her cheek to ward off the + biting wind. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps her skirt was a shade too short, revealing in its undulations a + trifle too much of the dainty hose; but the revelation was so shapely it + would have been a pity to conceal it! + </p> + <p> + “Very bad form!” murmured Madame Desvanneaux. + </p> + <p> + “But one can not come to a place like this in a skirt with a train,” was + the more charitable thought of the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the aforesaid tournament went on in the centre of the sheet of + ice, and Zibeline, without mingling with the other skaters, contented + herself with skirting the borders of the lake, rapidly designing a chain + of pierced hearts on the smooth surface, an appropriate symbol of her own + superiority. + </p> + <p> + Annoyed to see himself eclipsed by a stranger, the General threw a + challenging glance in her direction, and, striking out vigorously in a + straight line, he sped swiftly toward the other end of the lake. + </p> + <p> + Stung to the quick by his glance, Mademoiselle de Vermont darted after + him, passed him halfway along the course, and, wheeling around with a + wide, outward curve, her body swaying low, she allowed him to pass before + her, maintaining an attitude which her antagonist might interpret as a + salute, courteous or ironic, as he chose. + </p> + <p> + By this time the crowd was gradually diminishing. The daylight was waning, + and a continued sound of closing gates announced the retreat of the gay + world toward Paris. + </p> + <p> + Zibeline alone, taking advantage of the free field, lingered a few moments + to execute some evolutions in the deepening twilight, looking like the + heroines in the old ballads, half-visible, through the mists, \ to the + vivid imagination of the Scottish bards. + </p> + <p> + Henri de Prerolles had entered his sister’s carriage, in company with + Madame Desvanneaux and Madame Thomery, and during the drive home, these + two gentle dames—for the daughter was worthy of the mother—did + not fail to sneer at the fair stranger, dilating particularly upon the + impropriety of the challenging salute she had given to the General, with + whom she was unacquainted. + </p> + <p> + “But my brother could hardly request his seconds to call upon her for + that!” laughingly said the Duchess who, it seemed, had decided to defend + the accused one in all attacks made upon her. + </p> + <p> + “Look! Here she comes! She is passing us again. One would think she was + deliberately trying to do it!” exclaimed Madame Desvanneaux, just before + their carriage reached the Arc de Triomphe. + </p> + <p> + Zibeline’s sleigh, which had glided swiftly, and without hindrance, along + the unfrequented track used chiefly by equestrians, had indeed overtaken + the Duchess’s carriage. Turning abruptly to the left, it entered the open + gateway belonging to one of the corner houses of the Rond-Point de + l’Etoile. + </p> + <p> + “Decidedly, the young lady is very fond of posing,” said the General, with + a shrug, and, settling himself in his corner, he turned his thoughts + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + Having deposited her two friends at their own door, the Duchess ordered + the coachman to take her home, and at the foot of the steps she said to + her brother: + </p> + <p> + “Will you dine with us to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not to-night,” he replied, “but we shall meet at the theatre.” + </p> + <p> + And, crossing the court, he entered his little bachelor apartment, which + he had occupied from time to time since the days when he was only a + sub-lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. GENERAL DE PREROLLES + </h2> + <p> + The sub-lieutenant had kept his word, and the progress of his career + deserves detailed mention. + </p> + <p> + He was a lieutenant at the taking of Puebla, where he was first to mount + in the assault of the Convent of Guadalupita. Captain of the Third Zouaves + after the siege of Oajaca, he had exercised, during the rest of the + expedition, command over a mounted company, whose duty was to maintain + communications between the various columns, continuing, at the same time, + their operations in the Michoacan. + </p> + <p> + This confidential mission, requiring as much power to take the initiative + as it demanded a cool head, gave the Marquis opportunity to execute, with + rapidity and decision, several master-strokes, which, in the following + circumstances, won for him the cross of the Legion of Honor. + </p> + <p> + The most audacious of the guerrillas who had devastated this fertile + country was a chief called Regulas. He pillaged the farms, stopped railway + trains, boldly demanding ransom from captives from the municipal + governments of large towns. He was continually, active, and always + inaccessible. + </p> + <p> + Warned by his scouts that the followers of this villain menaced the town + of Pazcuaro, Captain de Prerolles prepared himself eagerly to meet them. + He overtook them in a night march, and fell upon them unexpectedly, just + as they were holding up the diligence from Morelia to Guadalajara. His + plans had been so well laid that not a man escaped. What was the surprise + of the French officer to find, among the travellers, delivered by himself + from certain death, Paul Landry, the principal cause of his ruin, who the + chances of war now laid under obligations to him! + </p> + <p> + “This is my revenge,” said the Captain, simply, to Landry, attempting to + avoid his thanks, and returning to him intact his luggage, of which the + chinacos had not had time to divide the contents. + </p> + <p> + Reconciled in Algiers with his regiment, Henri de Prerolles did not again + quit the province of Constantine except to serve in the army of the Rhine, + as chief of battalion in the line, until the promotions which followed the + declaration of war in 1870. Officer of the Legion of Honor for his + gallantry at Gravelotte and at St. Privat, and assigned for his ability to + the employ of the chief of corps, he had just been called upon to assume + command of his former battalion of chasseurs, when the disastrous + surrender of Metz left him a prisoner of war in the hands of the Germans. + </p> + <p> + Profoundly affected by this disaster, but learning that the conflict still + continued, he refused to avail himself of the offer of comparative freedom + in the city, provided he would give his parole not to attempt to escape. + He was therefore conducted to a distant fortress near the Russian + frontier, and handed over to the captain of the landwehr, who received + instructions to keep a strict guard over him. + </p> + <p> + This officer belonged to the engineering corps, and directed, at the same + time, the work of repairs within the citadel, in charge of a civilian + contractor. + </p> + <p> + Taking into consideration the rank of his prisoner, the captain permitted + the Marquis to have with him his orderly, an Alsatian, who twice a day + brought from the inn his chief’s repasts. This functionary had permission + also, from ten o’clock in the morning until sunset, to promenade in the + court under the eye of the sentinel on guard at the entrance. At five + o’clock in the evening, the officer of the landwehr politely shut up his + guest in his prison, double-locked the door, put the key in his pocket, + and appeared no more until the next morning. + </p> + <p> + The middle of November had arrived; heavy snows had already fallen, and + the prisoner amused himself by constructing fortifications of snow—a + work which his amiable jailer followed with a professional interest, + giving him advice regarding modifications proper to introduce in the + defense of certain places, himself putting a finger in the pie in support + of his demonstration. + </p> + <p> + This sort of amusement was followed so industriously that in a few days a + kind of rampart was erected in front of the casemate of the fortress, + behind which, by stooping a little, a man of ordinary height could easily + creep along unseen by the sentinel. + </p> + <p> + While pursuing his work of modelling in snow, the Marquis de Prerolles had + taken care to observe the goings and comings of the civilian contractor, + who, wearing a tall hat and attired in a black redingote, departed + regularly every day at half-past four, carrying a large portfolio under + his arm. To procure such a costume and similar accessories for himself was + easy, since the Marquis’s orderly spoke the language of the country; and + to introduce them into the prison, hidden in a basket of provisions, was + not difficult to accomplish. + </p> + <p> + To execute all this required only four trips to and fro. At the end of + forty-eight hours, the necessary aids to escape were in the proper place, + hidden under the snow behind the bastion. More than this, the clever + Alsatian had slipped a topographical map of the surrounding country + between two of the plates in the basket. According to the scale, the + frontier was distant only about five leagues, across open country, + sparsely settled with occasional farms which would serve as + resting-places. + </p> + <p> + By that time, the plan of escape was drawn up. Upon the day fixed for his + flight, the Marquis assumed his disguise, rolled up his own uniform to + look like a man asleep in his bed, lying after the fashion of a sleeping + soldier; and pleading a slight illness as an excuse for not dining that + evening, and, not without emotion, curled himself up behind the snowy + intrenchment which his jailer himself had helped to fashion. That worthy + man, only too glad to be able to rejoin his ‘liebe frau’ a little earlier + than usual, peeped through the half-open door of the prisoner’s room and + threw a glance at the little cot-bed. + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, Commander!” said the honest fellow, in a gentle voice. + </p> + <p> + Then he double-locked the door, according to custom, and disappeared + whistling a national air. A quarter of an hour later the contractor left + the place, and as soon as the functionary who had seen him depart was + relieved by another, the prisoner left his hiding-place, crossed the + drawbridge in his turn, simulating the gait of his twin, and, without any + hindrance, rejoined his orderly at the place agreed upon. The trick was + played! + </p> + <p> + A matter of twenty kilometres was a mere trifle for infantry troopers. + They walked as lightly as gymnasts, under a clear sky, through the fields, + guided by the lights in the farmhouses, and at nine o’clock, having passed + the frontier, they stumbled upon a post of Cossacks ambuscaded behind a + hedge! + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, at that time the Franco-Russian alliance was still in + embryo, and an agreement between the two neighboring States interdicted + all passage to Frenchmen escaping from the hands of their conquerors. The + two deserters were therefore conducted to the major of the nearest + garrison, who alone had the right to question them. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were in his presence, Henri could not restrain a start of + surprise, for he recognized Constantin Lenaieff, one of his adversaries on + the fatal night of the Freres-Provencaux. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” demanded the Major, brusquely. + </p> + <p> + “A dealer in Belgian cattle, purveyor to the German intendant,” hazarded + the prisoner, who had his reply all prepared. + </p> + <p> + “You—nonsense! You are a French officer; that is plain enough to be + seen, in spite of your disguise.” + </p> + <p> + The Major advanced a step in order to examine the prisoner more closely. + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens!” he muttered, “I can not be mistaken—” + </p> + <p> + He made a sign to his soldiers to retire, then, turning to Henri, he said: + </p> + <p> + “You are the Marquis de Prerolles!” and he extended his hand cordially to + the former companion of his pleasures. + </p> + <p> + In a few words Henri explained to him the situation. + </p> + <p> + “My fate is in your hands,” he concluded. “Decide it!” + </p> + <p> + “You are too good a player at this game not to win it,” Lenaieff replied, + “and I am not a Paul Landry, to dispute it with you. Here is a letter of + safe-conduct made out in due form; write upon it any name you choose. As + for myself, I regard you absolutely as a Belgian citizen, and I shall make + no report of this occurrence. Only, let me warn you, as a matter of + prudence, you would do well not to linger in this territory, and if you + need money—” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you!” replied the nobleman, quickly, declining with his customary + proud courtesy. “But I never shall forget the service you have rendered + me!” + </p> + <p> + A few moments later, the two travellers drove away in a carriage toward + the nearest railway, in order to reenter France by way of Vienna and + Turin. + </p> + <p> + They passed the Austrian and Italian frontiers without difficulty; but at + the station at Modena a too-zealous detective of the French police, struck + with the Alsatian accent of the orderly, immediately decided that they + were two Prussian spies, and refused to allow them to proceed, since they + could show him no passports. + </p> + <p> + “Passports!” cried Henri de Prerolles, accompanying his exclamation with + the most Parisian oath that ever had reverberated from the Rue Laffitte to + the Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “Here is my passport!” he added, drawing from his pocket his officer’s + cross, which he had taken good care not to allow to become a souvenir in + the hands of his jailer. “And if that does not satisfy you, give me a + pen.” + </p> + <p> + Suiting the action to the word, he seized a pen and wrote out the + following telegram: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “DEPUTY OF WAR, TOURS: + + “Escaped from prisons of the enemy, I demand admittance to France, + and official duties suitable to my rank, that I may cooperate in the + national defence. + + “DE PREROLLES, Commandant.” + </pre> + <p> + He handed the paper to the police agent, saying: “Do me the favor to + forward this despatch with the utmost expedition.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as the agent had glanced at the message, he swept a profound + salute. “Pass on, Commandant,” said he, in a tone of great respect. + </p> + <p> + Promoted to a higher rank, and appointed commander of a regiment of foot, + the Lieutenant-Colonel de Prerolles rejoined the army of Chanzy, which, + having known him a long time, assigned to him the duties of a + brigadier-general, and instructed him to cover his retreat from the Loire + on the Sarthe. + </p> + <p> + In the ensuing series of daily combats, the auxiliary General performed + all that his chief expected of him, from Orleans to the battle of Maus, + where, in the thick of the fight, a shell struck him in the breast. It is + necessary to say that on the evening before he had noticed that the little + medallion which had been given to him by Fanny Dorville, worn from its + chain by friction, had disappeared from his neck. Scoffing comrades smiled + at the coincidence; the more credulous looked grave. + </p> + <p> + The wound was serious, for, transported to the Chateau de Montgeron, a few + leagues distant, the Marquis was compelled to remain there six months + before he was in fit condition to rejoin his command. Toward the end of + his convalescence, in June, 1871, the brother and sister resolved to make + a pious pilgrimage to the cradle of their ancestors. + </p> + <p> + Exactly nine years had elapsed since the castle and lands had been sold at + auction and fallen into the possession of a company of speculators, who + had divided it and resold it to various purchasers. Only the farm of + Valpendant, with a house of ancient and vast construction, built in the + time of Philippe-Auguste, remained to an old tenant, with his dependencies + and his primitive methods of agriculture. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the train at the Beaumont tunnel, the two travellers made their + way along a road which crosses the high plateau that separates the forest + of Carnelle from the forest of the Ile-d’Adam, whence one can discern the + steeple of Prerolles rising above the banks of the Oise. + </p> + <p> + From this culminating point they beheld the chateau transformed into a + factory, the park cut up into countryseats, the fields turned into + market-gardens! With profound sadness the brother and the sister met each + other’s glance, and their eyes filled with tears, as if they stood before + a tomb on All Souls’ Day. + </p> + <p> + “No expiation is possible,” said Henri to Jeanne, pressing her hand + convulsively. “I must go—I must move on forever and ever, like the + Wandering Jew.” + </p> + <p> + Thanks to the influence of the Duke of Montgeron, whose faithful + constituents had sent him to the National Assembly, his brother-in-law had + been transferred to a regiment of zouaves, of which he became colonel in + 1875, whereupon he decided to remain in Africa during the rest of his + life. + </p> + <p> + But Tunis and Tonquin opened new horizons to him. Landing as a + brigadier-general at Haiphong, he was about to assume, at Bac-Ninh, his + third star, when the Minister of War, examining the brilliant record of + this officer who, since 1862, never had ceased his service to his country, + called him to take command of one of the infantry divisions of the army of + Paris, a place which he had occupied only a few months before the events + related in the preceding chapter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. EUGENIE GONTIER + </h2> + <p> + Few salons in Paris have so imposing an air as the foyer of the dramatic + artists of the Comedie Francaise, a rectangular room of fine proportions, + whose walls are adorned with portraits of great actors, representing the + principal illustrations of the plays that have been the glory of the house + Mademoiselle Duclos, by Largilliere; Fleury, by Gerard; Moliere crowned, + by Mignard; Baron, by De Troy, and many others. + </p> + <p> + At the left of the entrance, separated by a large, high mirror which faced + the fireplace, two other canvases, signed by Geffroy, represent the foyer + itself, in costumes of the classic repertoire, the greater part of the + eminent modern ‘societaires’, colleagues and contemporaries of the great + painter. + </p> + <p> + Between the windows, two pedestals, surmounted by busts of Mademoiselle + Clairon and Mademoiselle Dangeville, stood, one on each side of the great + regulator—made by Robin, clockmaker to the king—which + dominated the bust of Moliere—after Houdon—seeming to keep + guard over all this gathering of artistic glory. + </p> + <p> + Opposite this group, hanging above a large table of finely chiselled iron, + were two precious autographs under glass: a brevet of pension, dated 1682, + signed Louis and countersigned Colbert; an act of notary, dated 1670, + bearing the signature of Moliere, the master of the house. + </p> + <p> + Disposed about the room were sofas, armchairs, and tete-a-tete seats in + oak, covered with stamped green velvet. + </p> + <p> + Here, at the first representations of new plays, or at important revivals + of old ones, flocked literary notables and the regular frequenters of the + theatre, eager to compliment the performers; here, those favored strangers + who have the proper introduction, and who wish to see the place at close + range, are graciously conducted by the administrator-general or by the + officer for the week. + </p> + <p> + Here it was that the Marquis de Prerolles appeared in the evening after + his experience at the skating-pond. He had dressed, and had dined in great + haste at a restaurant near the theatre. + </p> + <p> + The posters announced a revival of ‘Adrienne Lecouvreur’, with + Mademoiselle Gontier in the principal role, in which she was to appear for + the first time. + </p> + <p> + Eugenie Gontier was, it was said, the natural daughter of a great foreign + lord, who had bequeathed to her a certain amount of money. Therefore, she + had chosen the theatrical life less from necessity than from inclination. + </p> + <p> + She was distinguished in presence, a great favorite with the public, and + had a wide circle of friends, among whom a rich banker, the Baron de + Samoreau, greatly devoted to her, had made for her investments + sufficiently profitable to enable her to occupy a mansion of her own, and + to open a salon which became a favorite rendezvous with many persons + distinguished in artistic, financial, and even political circles. Talent + being the guaranty of good companionship, this salon became much + frequented, and General de Prerolles had become one of its most assiduous + visitors. + </p> + <p> + The first act had begun. Although the charming artist was not to appear + until the second act, she had already descended from her dressing-room, + and, finding herself alone in the greenroom, was putting a final touch to + her coiffure before the mirror when the General entered. + </p> + <p> + He kissed her hand gallantly, and both seated themselves in a retired + corner between the fireplace and the window. + </p> + <p> + “I thank you for coming so early,” said Eugenie. “I wished very much to + see you to-night, in order to draw from your eyes a little of your courage + before I must face the footlights in a role so difficult and so superb.” + </p> + <p> + “The fire of the footlights is not that of the enemy—above all, for + you, who are so sure of winning the battle.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! does one ever know? Although at the last rehearsal Monsieur Legouve + assured me that all was perfect, look up there at that portrait of Rachel, + and judge for yourself whether I have not reason to tremble at my audacity + in attempting this role after such a predecessor.” + </p> + <p> + “But you yourself caused this play to be revived,” said Henri. + </p> + <p> + “I did it because of you,” Eugenie replied. + </p> + <p> + “Of me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Am I not your Adrienne, and is not Maurice de Saxe as intrepid as + you, and as prodigal as you have been? Was he not dispossessed of his + duchy of Courlande, as you were of your—” + </p> + <p> + A gesture from Henri prevented her from finishing the sentence. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me!” said she. “I had forgotten how painful to you is any + reference to that matter. We will speak only of your present renown, and + of the current of mutual sympathy that attracts each of us toward the + other. For myself, that attraction began on the fourteenth of last July. + You had just arrived at Paris, and a morning journal, in mentioning the + troops, and the names of the generals who appeared at the review, related, + apropos of your military exploits, many exciting details of your escape + during the war. Do you recall the applause that greeted you when you + marched past the tribunes? I saw you then for the first time, but I should + have known you among a thousand! The next day—” + </p> + <p> + “The next day,” Henri interrupted, “it was my turn to applaud you. I had + been deprived a long time of the pleasures of the theatre, of which I am + very fond, and I began by going to the Comedie Francaise, where you + played, that night, the role of Helene in ‘Mademoiselle de la Seigliere.’ + Do you remember?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I remember! I recognized you instantly, sitting in the third row in + the orchestra.” + </p> + <p> + “I had never seen you until then,” Henri continued, “but that sympathetic + current was soon established, from the moment you appeared until the end + of the second piece. As it is my opinion that any officer is sufficiently + a gentleman to have the right to love a girl of noble birth, I fell + readily under the spell in which she whom you represented echoed my own + sentiments. Bernard Stamply also had just returned from captivity, and the + more enamored of you he became the more I pleased myself with fancying my + own personality an incarnation of his, with less presumption than would be + necessary for me to imagine myself the hero of which you spoke a moment + ago. After the play, a friend brought me here, presented me to you—” + </p> + <p> + “And the sympathetic current did the rest!” added Eugenie Gontier, looking + at him tenderly. “Since then you have consecrated to me a part of whatever + time is at your disposal, and I assure you that I never have been so + happy, nor have felt so flattered, in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “Second act!” came the voice of the call-boy from the corridor. + </p> + <p> + “Will you return here after the fourth act?” said the actress, rising. “I + shall wish to know how you find me in the great scene, and whether there + is another princess de Bouillon among the audience—beware of her!” + </p> + <p> + “You know very well that there is not.” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, perhaps, but military men are so inconstant! By and by, + Maurice!” she murmured, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “By and by, Adrienne!” Henri replied, kissing her hand. + </p> + <p> + He accompanied her to the steps that led to the stage, and, lounging along + the passage that ends at the head of the grand stairway, he entered the + theatre and hastened to his usual seat in the third row of the orchestra. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. RIVAL BEAUTIES + </h2> + <p> + It was Tuesday, the subscription night; the auditorium was as much the + more brilliant as the play was more interesting than on other nights. In + one of the proscenium boxes sat the Duchesse de Montgeron with the + Comtesse de Lisieux; in another the Vicomtesse de Nointel and Madame + Thomery. In the first box on the left Madame Desvanneaux was to be seen, + with her husband and her son, the youthful and recently rejected pretender + to the hand of Mademoiselle de Vermont. + </p> + <p> + Among the subscription seats in the orchestra sat the Baron de Samoreau, + the notary Durand, treasurer of the Industrial Orphan Asylum; the + aide-de-camp of General Lenaieff, beside his friend the Marquis de + Prerolles. One large box, the first proscenium loge on the right, was + still unoccupied when the curtain rose on the second act. + </p> + <p> + The liaison of Eugenie Gontier with the Marquis de Prerolles was not a + mystery; from the moment of her entrance upon the scene, it was evident + that she “played to him,” to use a phrase in theatrical parlance. Thus, + after the recital of the combat undertaken in behalf of Adrienne by her + defender—a recital which she concluded in paraphrasing these two + lines: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Paraissez, Navarrois, Maures et Castilians, + Et tout ce que l’Espagne a produit de vaillants,’ +</pre> + <p> + many opera-glasses were directed toward the spectator to whom the actress + appeared to address herself, when suddenly a new object of interest + changed the circuit of observation. The door of the large, right-hand box + opened, and Zibeline appeared, accompanied by the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, + an elderly gallant, carefully dressed and wearing many decorations, and + whose respectable tale of years could give no occasion for malicious + comment on his appearance in the role of ‘cavalier servente’. Having + assisted his companion to remove her mantle, he profited by the instant of + time she took to settle her slightly ruffled plumage before the mirror, to + lay upon the railing of the box her bouquet and her lorgnette. Then he + took up a position behind the chair she would occupy, ready to assist her + when she might deign to sit down. His whole manner suggested a chamberlain + of the ancient court in the service of a princess. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Vermont disliked bright colors, and wore on this occasion + a robe of black velvet, of which the ‘decolletee’ bodice set off the + whiteness of her shoulders and her neck, the latter ornamented with a + simple band of cherry-colored velvet, without jewels, as was suitable for + a young girl. Long suede gloves, buttoned to the elbow, outlined her + well-modelled arms, of which the upper part emerged, without sleeves, from + lace ruffles gathered in the form of epaulets. + </p> + <p> + The men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise, and had the + eyes of Madame Desvanneaux been able to throw deadly projectiles, her + powerful lorgnette would have become an instrument of death for the object + of her resentment. + </p> + <p> + “This morning,” said the irreconcilable matron, “she showed us her ankles; + this evening she allows us to see the remainder.” + </p> + <p> + “I should have been very well pleased, however—” murmured young + Desvanneaux, with regret. + </p> + <p> + “If you had married her, Victor,” said his mother, “I should have taken + full charge of her wardrobe, and should have made some decided changes, I + assure you.” + </p> + <p> + Perfectly indifferent to the general curiosity, Zibeline in her turn + calmly reviewed the audience. After exploring the boxes with her + opera-glass, she lowered it to examine the orchestra stalls, and, + perceiving the Marquis, she fixed her gaze upon him. Undoubtedly she knew + the reason for the particular attention which he paid to the stage, + because, until the end of the act, her glance was divided alternately + between the General and the actress. + </p> + <p> + As the curtain fell on this act the spectators turned their backs to the + footlights, and Lenaieff, indicating Zibeline to his friend, said in his + slightly Slavonic accent: + </p> + <p> + “Who is that pretty woman, my dear Henri?” + </p> + <p> + “One of Jules Verne’s personages, a product of the land of furs.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know her?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. I have a prejudice against girls that are too rich. Why do + you ask?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it seems to me that she looks at you very attentively.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! I had not noticed it.” + </p> + <p> + In saying this, the General—exaggerated! He had been perfectly well + aware of the gaze of Mademoiselle de Vermont, but whether he still + cherished a slight resentment against the lady, or whether her appearance + really displeased him, he cut the conversation short and went to pay his + respects to the occupants of several boxes. + </p> + <p> + Evidently Zibeline knew few persons in society, for no visitor appeared in + her box. However, after the next act she made a sign to M. Durand. That + gentleman rejoined the Baron de Samoreau in the corridor and took him to + meet Zibeline, and a sort of council appeared to be going on in the rear + of her box. + </p> + <p> + “What the deuce can she be talking about to them?” said Desvanneaux to his + wife. + </p> + <p> + “A new offer of marriage, probably. They say she declares she will marry + no one of lower rank than a prince, in order to complete our chagrin! + Perhaps they have succeeded in finding one for her!” + </p> + <p> + The instructions that Mademoiselle de Vermont gave to the two men must + have been easy to execute, for neither the notary nor the banker seemed to + raise the least objection. The conversation was finished, and both + gentlemen saluted her, preparing to take leave, when she said to M. + Durand: + </p> + <p> + “You understand that the meeting is for tomorrow?” + </p> + <p> + “At five o’clock,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “Very well. I will stop for you at your door at a quarter of an hour + before that time.” + </p> + <p> + The fourth act had begun, that scene in which Adrienne accomplishes her + generous sacrifice in furnishing herself the ransom which must deliver her + unfaithful lover. The rapt attention that Zibeline paid to this scene, and + the slight movements of her head, showed her approval of this + disinterested act. Very touching in her invocation to her “old Corneille,” + Mademoiselle Gontier was superb at the moment when the comedienne, knowing + at last who is her rival, quotes from Racine that passage in ‘Phedre’ + which she throws, so to speak, in the face of the patrician woman: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + .... Je sais ses perfidies, + OEnone! et ne suis point de ces femmes hardies + Qui, goutant dans la crime une honteuse paix, + Ont su se faire un front qui ne rougit jamais. +</pre> + <p> + From the place she was to obliged to take in the arrangement of the scene, + the apostrophe and the gestures of the actress appeared to be + unconsciously directed toward Mademoiselle de Vermont, who could not + restrain a startled movement. + </p> + <p> + “Look! One would think that Zibeline took that allusion for herself,” said + Madame Desvanneaux, whom nothing escaped. + </p> + <p> + On reentering the greenroom, after two well-deserved recalls, Eugenie + Gontier was soon surrounded by a throng of admirers who had come to + congratulate her upon her success. + </p> + <p> + “Were you pleased, Henri?” she said in a low tone to the General. + </p> + <p> + “Enthusiastically!” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, then I can die happy!” she said, laughingly. + </p> + <p> + As she traversed the ranks of her admirers to go to change her costume for + the last act, she found herself face to face with Zibeline, who, having + quickly recovered from her emotion, was advancing on the arm of the + Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. + </p> + <p> + “My dear child,” said the old nobleman to the actress, “I bring to you + Mademoiselle de Vermont, who wishes to say to you herself—” + </p> + <p> + “That Mademoiselle must be very tired of listening to our praises,” + interrupted Zibeline. “But if the tribute of a foreigner can prove to her + that her prestige is universal, I beg that she will accept these flowers + which I dared not throw to her from my box.” + </p> + <p> + “Really, Mademoiselle, you embarrass me!” Eugenie replied, somewhat + surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you need not fear to take them—they are not poisoned!” added + Zibeline, smiling. + </p> + <p> + And, after a gracious inclination of her head, to which the actress + responded with a deep courtesy, Zibeline took again the arm of her escort + in order to seek her carriage, without waiting for the end of the play. + </p> + <p> + Three-quarters of an hour later, as, the audience was leaving the theatre, + M. Desvanneaux recounted to whoever chose to listen that Mademoiselle de + Vermont had passed the whole of the last ‘entr’acte’ in the greenroom + corridor, in a friendly chat with Eugenie Gontier. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK 2. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. THE INDUSTRIAL ORPHAN ASYLUM + </h2> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “And we have on hand—” said the Comtesse de Lisieux. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “We are getting outside of the question,” said the Duchess, striking her + bell. “Moreover, is not the assistance of these ladies necessary?” + </p> + <p> + “Indispensable,” the secretary replied. “Their assistance will greatly + increase the receipts.” + </p> + <p> + “What sum shall we decide upon as the price of admission?” asked Madame de + Lisieux. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “To be drawn upon at sight,” said the Comtesse de Lisieux, taking a pen. + “A tax on vanity, I should call it.” + </p> + <p> + She wrote rapidly, and then read aloud: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “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.” + </pre> + <p> + “And here,” said the Vicomtesse de Nointel, “is a tax on gallantry.” And + she read aloud: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “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!” + </pre> + <p> + “But that is a species of blackmail, Madame!” cried Madame Desvanneaux. + </p> + <p> + “The end justifies the means,” replied the Vicomtesse gayly. “Besides, I + am accountable only to the Duc de Montgeron. What is his opinion?” + </p> + <p> + “I call it a very clever stroke,” said the Duke. + </p> + <p> + “You hear, Madame! Only, of course, not every lady has a collection of + similar little notes!” said the Vicomtesse de Nointel. + </p> + <p> + The entrance of M. Durand, treasurer of the society, interrupted the + progress of this correspondence. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think so!” said the Duchess. “Speak, by all means!” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you guarantee the solvency of this person?” demanded M. Desvanneaux, + who saw the project of the kermess falling to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “It is one of my rich clients; but I have orders not to reveal her name + unless her offer is accepted.” + </p> + <p> + The unanimity with which all hands were raised did not even give time to + put the question. + </p> + <p> + “Her name?” demanded the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is,” replied the notary, handing her a visiting card. + </p> + <p> + “‘Valentine de Vermont,’” she read aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Zibeline?” cried Madame de Nointel. “Bravo! I offer her the assurance of + my esteem!” + </p> + <p> + “And I also,” added Madame de Lisieux. + </p> + <p> + “I can not offer mine,” said Madame Desvanneaux, dryly. “A young woman who + is received nowhere!” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “At once, Madame. She is waiting below in her carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “See how any one can purchase admission to our world in these days!” + whispered Madame Desvanneaux in her daughter’s ear. + </p> + <p> + “Heavens! yes, dear mother! The only question is whether one is able to + pay the price.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “Since you wish to join us,” resumed the Duchess, “allow me to present to + you these gentlemen: Monsieur Desvanneaux, our zealous general secretary—” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Good hit!” whispered Madame de Nointel to her neighbor. + </p> + <p> + “The Marquis de Prerolles, my brother,” the Duchess continued. + </p> + <p> + “The smiles of Fortune must be sweet, Mademoiselle,” said the General, + bowing low. + </p> + <p> + “Not so sweet as those of Glory, General,” Zibeline replied, with a pretty + air of deference. + </p> + <p> + “She possesses a decidedly ready wit,” said Madame de Lisieux in a + confidential aside. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as Mademoiselle de Vermont was about to mingle with the other + ladies, the Duchess detained her an instant, inquiring: + </p> + <p> + “Have you any engagement for this evening, Mademoiselle?” + </p> + <p> + “None, Madame.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you do us the honor to join us in my box at the opera?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “That does not matter at all,” the Duchess replied. “We will stop for you + on our way.” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. At nine o’clock, if you please. They sing Le Prophete tonight, + and we shall arrive just in time for the ballet.” + </p> + <p> + “The ‘Skaters’ Ballet,’” said the General. + </p> + <p> + This remark recalled to Mademoiselle her triumph of the evening before. + “Do you bear a grudge against me?” she said, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Less and less of one,” the General replied. + </p> + <p> + “Then, let us make a compact of peace,” said Zibeline, holding out her + hand in the English fashion. + </p> + <p> + With these words she left the room on the arm of the Duke, who claimed the + honor of escorting her to her carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Shall you go to the opera also?” asked the Duchess of her brother. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but later. I shall dine in town.” + </p> + <p> + “Then-au-revoir—this evening!” + </p> + <p> + “This evening!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. A WOMAN’S INSTINCT + </h2> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + Naturally the conversation turned upon the representation of Adrienne, and + on the applause of the fashionable audience, usually rather + undemonstrative. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “The young lady in the proscenium box, I will wager,” said Lenaieff. + </p> + <p> + “Precisely. I know that they call her Zibeline, but I did not catch her + real name.” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “What were you pencilling on the back of your menu while you were + talking?” asked the actress, curiously. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + “Is she, then, as rich as they say?” inquired one of the guests. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “I know the reason why,” added Henri. + </p> + <p> + “But,” Lenaieff exclaimed, “you told me that you did not know her!” + </p> + <p> + “I have made her acquaintance since then.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Where?” Eugenie inquired, with interest. + </p> + <p> + “At my sister’s house, during the meeting of a charitable society.” + </p> + <p> + “Had it anything to do with the society for which Monsieur Desvanneaux + asked me to appear in a kermess?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes. In fact, he has gone so far as to announce that he is assured + of your cooperation.” + </p> + <p> + “I could not refuse him,” said Eugenie. “Under the mantle of charity, the + holy man paid court to me!” + </p> + <p> + “I knew well enough that he had not yet laid down his arms forever,” said + the General. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he is not the only one. His son-in-law also honored me with an + attack.” + </p> + <p> + “What, Monsieur de Thomery? Well, that is a good joke!” + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + “And what did you do with the other man?” asked Lenaieff, laughing loudly. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “Under some other pretext, however,” said the General. “Because + Mademoiselle de Vermont’s million francs have destroyed their amorous + designs.” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very probable,” the General concluded, “for she has made a + complete conquest of my sister.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to ask you a question, Henri,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you still love me?” + </p> + <p> + “What reason have you to doubt it?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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?” + </p> + <p> + “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?” + </p> + <p> + “It is Mademoiselle de Vermont, then, who inspires you with this + apprehension,” said the General, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, it is she!” + </p> + <p> + “What childishness! Lenaieff will tell you that I have never even looked + at her.” + </p> + <p> + “Last night, perhaps—but to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “We exchanged no more than a dozen words.” + </p> + <p> + “But the more I think of her visit to the greenroom, the more inexplicable + it appears to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not be surprised at that: she does nothing that any one else + does.” + </p> + <p> + “These things are not done to displease you.” + </p> + <p> + “I may agree as to that; but what conclusion do you draw?” + </p> + <p> + “That she is trying to turn your head.” + </p> + <p> + “My head! You jest! I might be her father.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not always a reason—” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Henri’s exclamation had been so frank that Eugenie felt + somewhat reassured. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going so soon?” she said, seeing him take his hat. + </p> + <p> + “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?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, dearest, that is all I ask!” said Eugenie. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. DEFIANCE OF MRS. GRUNDY + </h2> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + The General was a great favorite with the members of the club. One of them + rose to offer him his place. + </p> + <p> + “I shall stay only a moment, to escape a cloud of questioners in the + foyer. Every one that stops me asks—” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, no,” said the General. + </p> + <p> + “But if it is a secret—” + </p> + <p> + “There is no secret about it,” the General replied; and in a few words he + explained the enigma. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “If you pronounce her so, Madame, she can receive no higher praise,” said + Henri. + </p> + <p> + “Say at once that you think me exasperating,” laughed the lady. + </p> + <p> + “Was it not you that first called her Zibeline?” Henri inquired. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “What has made you form that opinion, Mademoiselle?” + </p> + <p> + “The fact that you arrive much later at the opera than at the Comedie + Francaise.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you, then, kept watch upon my movements?” + </p> + <p> + “Only a passing observation of signs—quite allowable in warfare!” + </p> + <p> + “But I thought we had made a compact of peace.” + </p> + <p> + “True enough, we did make it, but suppose it were only an armistice?” + </p> + <p> + “You are ready, then, to resume hostilities?” said Henri. + </p> + <p> + “Now that I have Madame la Duchesse, your sister, for an ally, I fear no + enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “Not even if I should call for aid upon the camp of Desvanneaux?” + </p> + <p> + “Alceste leagued with Tartufe? That idea never occurred to Moliere,” said + Zibeline, mischievously. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “I await your orders, Madame la Duchesse,” said Zibeline, rising. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they reached the outer lobby their footmen ran to find their + carriages, and that of the Duc de Montgeron advanced first. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “Your carriage is late, is it not?” said Zibeline, after the General had + handed her into the brougham. + </p> + <p> + “My carriage?” said the General. “Behold it!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed to a passing fiacre, at the same time hailing the driver. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “You know that in France it is not the custom,” said the General. + </p> + <p> + “What! Do you bother yourself with such things at your age?” + </p> + <p> + “If my age seems to you a sufficient guaranty, that is different. I accept + your invitation.” + </p> + <p> + “To the Hotel de Montgeron,” said Zibeline to her footman. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “And so am I.” + </p> + <p> + “That is obvious, else you would have been married ere this.” + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + “But surely you do not intend to remain unmarried.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I shall—if I do not meet my ideal.” + </p> + <p> + “All women say that, but they usually change their minds in the end.” + </p> + <p> + “Mine is one and indivisible. If I do not give all I give nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “And shall you wait patiently until your ideal presents himself?” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, I am always looking for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you come to Europe for that purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “For that and for nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + “And suppose, should you find your ideal, that he himself raises + obstacles?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall try to smooth them away.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you believe, then, that the power of money is irresistible?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “The force of my will.” + </p> + <p> + “You have plenty of that! But suppose, by some impossible chance, your + ideal resists you even then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I know what will remain for me to do.” + </p> + <p> + “You will resort to the pistol?” + </p> + <p> + “Not for him, but for myself,” she replied, in a tone so resolute as to + exclude any suggestion of bravado. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, Mademoiselle,” bowing, hat in hand, to his charming + conductor. + </p> + <p> + “Call me Valentine, please,” she responded, with her usual ease of manner. + </p> + <p> + “Even in the character of a stage father, that would be rather too + familiar,” said the Marquis. + </p> + <p> + “Not so much so as to call me Zibeline,” said Mademoiselle de Vermont, + laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ha! You know your sobriquet, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I have known it a long time! Good-night, General! We shall meet again.” + </p> + <p> + Then, addressing her footman, she said in English: “Home!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. FRATERNAL ADVICE + </h2> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “Won’t you come and take a cup of tea with us in the little salon?” they + asked. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “You did quite right. What do you really think of her?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, surely, you do not expect her to ruin herself to please you.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think not! Besides, what would be the object?” + </p> + <p> + “To permit you to fall in love with her.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is what you are thinking of, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, for, if need be, perhaps you would make a sacrifice to your + feelings.” + </p> + <p> + “In what way?” + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “Marry her!—I?” cried the General, astonished. + </p> + <p> + “What is there to prevent your doing so?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + This declaration was categorical. Madame de Montgeron bent her head; her + jesting vein was quenched in a moment. + </p> + <p> + After a moment of silence the Duke spoke. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “What circumstances?” said the General. + </p> + <p> + “The subject is rather delicate—especially to mention before you, my + dear Jeanne.” + </p> + <p> + “I was just about to propose that I should retire,” said the Duchess. + “Good-night, Henri!” And she bent to kiss him. + </p> + <p> + “You are not vexed?” said her brother, embracing her tenderly. + </p> + <p> + “What an idea! Good-night!” + </p> + <p> + “Am I always to be considered as occupying the stool of repentance?” Henri + inquired, as soon as his sister had left the room. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you will not be offended if I interrogate you a little, after + the manner of a judge?” said the Duke. + </p> + <p> + “Quite the contrary. Go on; I will listen.” + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, there is a reserve?” + </p> + <p> + “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?” + </p> + <p> + “From the investments made for her by the Baron de Samoreau.” + </p> + <p> + “Without her having to pay a commission of any kind? A most remarkable + case of disinterestedness!” + </p> + <p> + “I never have sought to examine the matter particularly,” said Henri. + </p> + <p> + “And is that the way you keep yourself informed? A future + general-in-chief!” + </p> + <p> + “I was not aware that I am in an enemy’s country.” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “What logic, in heaven’s name?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Does any one dare to say that of me?” cried the General, springing from + his chair. + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + “Pleurisy is not mortal,” Henri interrupted briefly. “I know. Don’t worry + about me.” + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + The ante-chamber formed a military bureau for the General and his chief + orderly. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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? + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. THE LADY BOUNTIFUL + </h2> + <h3> + Valentine de Vermont was not yet twenty-two years old. + </h3> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Here it is,” said the notary; “I have already prepared it.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “Mademoiselle appears to be well accustomed to business habits,” observed + M. Durand, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “I shall take good care not to fail to call,” earnestly replied the fair + Lady Bountiful. + </p> + <p> + She telephoned immediately to her head-groom, ordering ham to bring around + her brougham at three o’clock. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. A MODERN TARTUFE + </h2> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong, Monsieur Desvanneaux; it is that of Moliere!” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it to tell me of your family jars that you honor me with this visit?” + said Eugenie. + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “Otherwise called ‘Mademoiselle de Vermont.’” + </p> + <p> + “I prefer to call her Zibeline—that name is better suited to a + courtesan.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very severe toward her!” + </p> + <p> + “I can not endure hypocrites!” naively replied the worthy man. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “But, since it is all in the interest of the Orphan Asylum—” + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “Poor Monsieur Desvanneaux!” + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “Take care!” said she; “suppose the General should be hidden under that + table, like Orgon!” + </p> + <p> + “The General!” exclaimed Desvanneaux; “he is too much occupied elsewhere!” + </p> + <p> + “Occupied with whom?” + </p> + <p> + “With Zibeline, probably. He never left her side all the evening, last + night at the Opera.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me! He was here until after ten o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but afterward—when the opera was over?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what happened when the opera was over?” Eugenie inquired, forcing + herself to hide her emotion. + </p> + <p> + “They went away together! I saw them—I was watching them from behind + a column. What a scandal!” + </p> + <p> + “And your conclusion on all this, Monsieur Desvanneaux?” + </p> + <p> + “It is that the General is deceiving you, dear Mademoiselle.” + </p> + <p> + “With that young girl?” + </p> + <p> + “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—” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “A visitor!” he murmured, turning pale. “Decidedly, I have no luck—” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le Marquis de Prerolles is in the drawing-room,” a domestic + announced. + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “For heaven’s sake, spare me this embarrassing meeting!” said the + informer, whose complexion had become livid. + </p> + <p> + “I understand. You fear a challenge?” + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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. + </p> + <p> + “I am beginning to know it, dear Mademoiselle!” said the pitiful beguiler, + slipping through the doorway on tiptoe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. BROKEN TIES + </h2> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, Henri!” said she, lifting the portiere. + </p> + <p> + “Do I disturb you?” the General inquired, entering the library. + </p> + <p> + “Never! You know that well! But how gravely you asked the question!” + </p> + <p> + “For the reason that I wish to speak to you about serious matters, my dear + Eugenie.” + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + “You are about to marry!” she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + They were the same words pronounced by Fanny Dorville in similar + circumstances. + </p> + <p> + “Never! You know that well enough!” he replied, in his turn. + </p> + <p> + “Speak, then!” said she, sinking upon a chair and motioning him to a seat + before her. + </p> + <p> + 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: + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Your delicacy, Henri! What do you mean?” asked Eugenie, in an altered + voice. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “Against you!” cried Eugenie, indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + And, as his companion remained silent and startled before an explanation + so unexpected, he added: + </p> + <p> + “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.” + </p> + <p> + “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!” + </p> + <p> + “I have most unwillingly offended you,” said he, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “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?” + </p> + <p> + “All!” he replied, without hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Will you give me your word of honor that no other woman stands between + you and me?” + </p> + <p> + “I swear it to you!” + </p> + <p> + “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?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you doubt it?” he responded, folding her tenderly in his arms. + </p> + <p> + “Yes and no! But if this is our supreme farewell, do not tell me so!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK 3. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. ZIBELINE RECEIVES + </h2> + <p> + The Duchesse de Montgeron had no children, and her most tender affections + were concentrated upon her husband and her brother. The scruples which + caused the latter to forswear matrimony grieved her deeply, for, knowing + the inflexibility of his character, she was sure that no one in the world + could make him alter his decision. + </p> + <p> + Thus, on one side the title of the Duc de Montgeron was destined to pass + to a collateral branch of the family; and on the other, the title of + Marquis de Prerolles would become extinct with the General. + </p> + <p> + But, although she now considered it impossible to realize the project + which she had momentarily cherished, she continued to show the same + kindness to Mademoiselle de Vermont. She would have regarded any other + course as unworthy of her, since she had made the first advances; + moreover, the young girl’s nature was so engaging that no one who + approached her could resist her charm. + </p> + <p> + Very reserved or absolutely frank, according to the degree of confidence + with which she was treated, Valentine had sufficient intuition to avoid a + lack of tact. + </p> + <p> + She was, in feminine guise, like ‘L’Ingenu’ of Voltaire, struck, as was + Huron, with all that was illogical in our social code; but she did not + make, after his fashion, a too literal application of its rules, and knew + where to draw the line, if she found herself on the point of making some + hazardous remark, declaring frankly: “I was about to say something + foolish!” which lent originality to her playful conversation. + </p> + <p> + After receiving from Valentine’s hands the contract signed in presence of + the notary, for the benefit of the Orphan Asylum, the president of the + society did not fail to give a dinner in honor of the new patroness. + </p> + <p> + As she was a foreigner she was placed in the seat of honor at the table, + to the great displeasure of Madame Desvanneaux, who was invited to take + the second place, in spite of her title of vice-president. + </p> + <p> + “It is because of her millions that she was placed before me,” she said in + an undertone to her husband, as soon as the guests had returned to the + drawing-room. And, giving orders that her carriage should be summoned + immediately, she left the house without speaking to any one, and with the + air of a peeress of England outraged in her rights of precedence! + </p> + <p> + This was, for the hostile pair, a new cause of grievance against Zibeline. + When she, in her turn, gave at her home a similar dinner, a fortnight + later, she received from them, in reply to her invitation, which was + couched in the most courteous terms, a simple visiting card, with the + following refusal: “The Comte and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, not being in + the habit of accepting invitations during Lent, feel constrained to + decline that of Mademoiselle de Vermont.” + </p> + <p> + The dinner was only the more gay and cordial. + </p> + <p> + Valentine’s household was conducted on a footing more elegant than + sumptuous. + </p> + <p> + The livery was simple, but the appearance of her people was + irreproachable. The butler and the house servants wore the ordinary + dress-coat and trousers; the powdered footmen wore short brown coats, + ornamented, after the English fashion, with metal buttons and a false + waistcoat; the breeches were of black velveteen, held above the knee by a + band of gold braid, with embroidered ends, which fell over black silk + stockings. At the end of the ante-chamber where this numerous personnel + was grouped, opened a long gallery, ornamented with old tapestries + representing mythological subjects in lively and well-preserved coloring. + This room, which was intended to serve as a ballroom at need, was next to + two large drawing-rooms. The walls of one were covered with a rich + material, on which hung costly paintings; the furniture and the ceiling of + the other were of oak, finely carved, relieved with touches of gold in + light and artistic design. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere was revealed an evident desire to avoid an effect of heaviness + and ostentation, and this was especially noticeable in the dining-room, + where the pure tone of the panels and the moulding doubled the intensity + of the light thrown upon them. Upon the table the illumination of the + apartment was aided by two large candelabra of beautifully chiselled + silver, filled with candles, the light of which filtered through a forest + of diaphanous little white shades. + </p> + <p> + The square table was a veritable parterre of flowers, and was laid for + twelve guests, three on each side. + </p> + <p> + The young mistress of the house was seated on one side, between the Duc de + Montgeron and the Marquis de Prerolles. Facing her sat the Duchesse de + Montgeron, between General Lenaieff and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy.—Laterally, + on one hand appeared Madame de Lisieux, between M. de Nointel and the + painter Edmond Delorme; on the other, Madame de Nointel, between M. de + Lisieux and the Baron de Samoreau. + </p> + <p> + Never, during the six weeks that Valentine had had friendly relations with + the Duchess, had she appeared so self-possessed, or among surroundings so + well fitted to display her attractions of mind and of person. She was a + little on the defensive on finding herself in this new and unexpected + society, but she felt, this evening, that she was in the midst of a + sympathetic and admiring circle, and did the honors of her own house with + perfect ease, finding agreeable words and showing a delicate forethought + for each guest, and above all displaying toward her protectress a charming + deference, by which the Duchess felt herself particularly touched. + </p> + <p> + “What a pity!” she said to herself, glancing alternately at Zibeline and + at her brother, between whom a tone of frank comradeship had been + established, free from any coquetry on her side or from gallantry on his. + </p> + <p> + The more clearly Henri divined the thoughts of his sister, the more he + affected to remain insensible to the natural seductions of his neighbor, + to whom Lenaieff, on the contrary, addressed continually, in his soft and + caressing voice, compliments upon compliments and madrigals upon + madrigals! + </p> + <p> + “Take care, my dear Constantin!” said Henri to him, bluntly. “You will + make Mademoiselle de Vermont quite impossible. If you go on thus, she will + take herself seriously as a divinity!” + </p> + <p> + “Fortunately,” rejoined Zibeline, “you are there, General, to remind me + that I am only a mortal, as Philippe’s freedman reminded his master every + morning.” + </p> + <p> + “You can not complain! I serve you as a confederate, to allow you to + display your erudition,” retorted the General, continuing his persiflage. + </p> + <p> + But he, too, was only a man, wavering and changeable, to use Montaigne’s + expression, for his eyes, contradicting the brusqueness of his speech, + rested long, and not without envy, on this beautiful and tempting fruit + which his fate forbade him to gather. The more he admired her freshness, + and the more he inhaled her sweetness, the more the image of Eugenie + Gontier was gradually effaced from his memory, like one of those tableaux + on the stage, which gauze curtains, descending from the flies, seem to + absorb without removing, gradually obliterating the pictures as they fall, + one after another. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. A DASHING AMAZON + </h2> + <p> + On leaving the table, the fair “Amphitryonne” proposed that the gentlemen + should use her private office as a smoking-room, and the ladies followed + them thither, pretending that the odor of tobacco would not annoy them in + the least, but in reality to inspect this new room. + </p> + <p> + Edmond Delorme had finished his work that very morning, and the enormous + canvas, with its life-size subject, had already been hung, lighted from + above and below by electric bulbs, the battery for which was cleverly + hidden behind a piece of furniture. + </p> + <p> + The portrait, bearing a striking resemblance to the original, was indeed + that of “the most dashing of all the Amazons on the Bois,” to quote the + words of the artist, who was a better painter of portraits than of + animals, but who, in this case, could not separate the rider from her + steed. + </p> + <p> + Seaman, a Hungarian bay, by Xenophon and Lena Rivers, was drawn in + profile, very erect on his slender, nervous legs. He appeared, on the side + nearest the observer, to be pawing the ground impatiently with his hoof, a + movement which seemed to be facilitated by his rider, who, drawn in a + three-quarters view and extending her hand, allowed the reins to fall over + the shoulders of her pure-blooded mount. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of it?” Zibeline inquired of General de Prerolles. + </p> + <p> + “I think you have the air of the commander of a division of cavalry, + awaiting the moment to sound the charge.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall guard her well,” said Zibeline, “for she would be sure to be put + to rout by your bayonets.” + </p> + <p> + “Not by mine!” gallantly exclaimed Lenaieff. “I should immediately lower + my arms before her!” + </p> + <p> + “You!—perhaps! But between General de Prerolles and myself the + declaration of war is without quarter. Is it not, General?” said + Valentine, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “It is the only declaration that fate permits me to make to you, + Mademoiselle,” Henri replied, rather dryly, laying emphasis on the double + sense of his words. + </p> + <p> + This rejoinder, which nothing in the playful attack had justified, + irritated the Duchess, but Valentine appeared to pay no attention to it, + and at ten o’clock, when a gypsy band began to play in the long gallery, + she arose. + </p> + <p> + “Although we are a very small party,” she said, “would you not like to + indulge in a waltz, Mesdames? The gentlemen can not complain of being + crowded here,” she added, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + M. de Lisieux and M. de Nointel, as well as Edmond Delorme, hastened to + throw away their cigarettes, and all made their way to the long gallery. + The Baron de Samoreau and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy remained alone + together. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess took the occasion to speak quietly to her brother. + </p> + <p> + “I assure you that you are too hard with her,” she said. “There is no need + to excuse yourself for not marrying. No one dreams of such a thing—she + no more than any one else. But she seems to have a sentiment of friendship + toward you, and I am sure that your harshness wounds her.” + </p> + <p> + A more experienced woman than Madame de Montgeron, who had known only a + peaceful and legitimate love, would have quickly divined that beneath her + brother’s brusque manner lurked a budding but hopeless passion, whence + sprang his intermittent revolt against the object that had inspired it. + </p> + <p> + This revolt was not only against Zibeline’s fortune; it included her + all-pervading charm, which penetrated his soul. He was vexed at his sister + for having brought them together; he was angry with himself that he had + allowed his mind to be turned so quickly from his former prejudices; and, + however indifferent he forced himself to appear, he was irritated against + Lenaieff because of the attentions which that gentleman showered upon + Zibeline, upon whom he revenged himself by assuming the aggressive + attitude for which the Duchess had reproached him. + </p> + <p> + In a still worse humor after the sisterly remonstrance to which he had + just been compelled to listen, he seated himself near the entrance of the + gallery, where the gypsy band was playing one of their alluring waltzes, + of a cadence so different from the regular and monotonous measure of + French dance music. + </p> + <p> + The three couples who were to compose this impromptu ball, yielded quickly + to the spell of this irresistible accompaniment. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose Monsieur Desvanneaux should hear that we danced on the eve of + Palm Sunday?” laughingly pro-tested Madame de Lisieux. + </p> + <p> + “He would report it at Rome,” said Madame de Nointel. + </p> + <p> + And, without further regard to the compromising of their souls, each of + the two young women took for a partner the husband of the other. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Vermont had granted the eager request of Lenaieff that she + would waltz with him, an occupation in which the Russian officer acquitted + himself with the same respectful correctness that had formerly obtained + for him the high favor of some grand duchess at the balls in the palace of + Gatchina. + </p> + <p> + He was older and stouter than his brother-in-arms, Henri de Prerolles, and + a wound he had received at Plevna slightly impeded his movements, so that + he was unable to display the same activity in the dance as the other + waltzers, and contented himself with moving a ‘trois temps’, in an + evolution less in harmony with the brilliancy of the music. + </p> + <p> + Henri, on the contrary, who had been a familiar friend of the Austrian + ambassador at the time when the Princess de Metternich maintained a sort + of open ballroom for her intimates, had learned, in a good school, all the + boldness and elegance of the Viennese style of dancing. + </p> + <p> + But he sat immovable, as did also Edmond Delorme, because of the lack of + partners; and, not wishing to take the second place after Lenaieff, his + rival, he would not for the world abandon his role of spectator, unless + some one forced him to it. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we have a cotillon figure, in order to change partners?” said + Valentine suddenly, during a pause, after she had thanked her partner. + </p> + <p> + And, to set the example, she took, from a basket of flowers, a rosebud, + which she offered to Henri. + </p> + <p> + “Will you take a turn with me?” she said, with the air of the mistress of + the house, who shows equal courtesy to all her guests. + </p> + <p> + “A deux temps?” he asked, fastening the rosebud in his buttonhole. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I prefer that,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + He passed his arm around her waist, and they swept out upon the polished + floor, he erect and gallant, she light and supple as a gazelle, her chin + almost resting upon her left hand, which lay upon her partner’s shoulder, + her other hand clasped in his. + </p> + <p> + At times her long train swirled in a misty spiral around her, when they + whirled about in some corner; then it spread out behind her like a great + fan when they swept in a wide curve from one end of the gallery to the + other. + </p> + <p> + During the feverish flight which drew these two together, their breasts + touched, the bosom of the enchantress leaned against the broad chest of + the vigorous soldier, her soft hair caressed his cheek, he inhaled a + subtle Perfume, and a sudden intoxication overflowed his heart, which he + had tried to make as stern and immobile as his face. + </p> + <p> + “How well you waltz!” murmured Zibeline, in his ear. + </p> + <p> + “I am taking my revenge for my defeat on the ice,” he replied, clasping + her a little closer, in order to facilitate their movements. + </p> + <p> + “The prisoners you take must find it very difficult to escape from your + hands,” she said, with a touch of malice. + </p> + <p> + “Does that mean that already you wish to reclaim your liberty?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet—unless you are fatigued.” + </p> + <p> + “Fatigued! I should like to go thus to the end of the world!” + </p> + <p> + “And I, too,” said Zibeline, simply. + </p> + <p> + By common consent the other waltzers had stopped, as much for the purpose + of observing these two as for giving them more space, while the wearied + musicians scraped away as if it were a contest who should move the faster, + themselves or the audacious couple. + </p> + <p> + “What a pity!” again said the Duchess to her husband, whose sole response + was a shrug of his shoulders as he glanced at his brother-in-law. + </p> + <p> + At the end of his strength, and with a streaming brow, the gypsy leader + lowered his bow, and the music ceased. + </p> + <p> + Henri de Prerolles, resuming his sang-froid, drew the hand of Mademoiselle + de Vermont through his arm, and escorted her to her place among the other + ladies. + </p> + <p> + “Bravo, General!” said Madame de Lisieux. “You have won your decoration, I + see,” she added, indicating the rosebud which adorned his buttonhole. + </p> + <p> + “What shall we call this new order, ladies?” asked Madame de Nointel of + the circle. + </p> + <p> + “The order of the Zibeline,” Valentine replied, with a frank burst of + laughter. + </p> + <p> + “What?—do you know—” stammered the author of the nickname, + blushing up to her ears. + </p> + <p> + “Do not disturb yourself, Madame! The zibeline is a little animal which is + becoming more and more rare. They never have been found at all in my + country, which I regret,” said Mademoiselle de Vermont graciously. + </p> + <p> + The hour was late, and the Duchess arose to depart. The Chevalier de + Sainte-Foy, exercising his function as a sort of chamberlain, went to + summon the domestics. Meanwhile Valentine spoke confidentially to Henri. + </p> + <p> + “General,” said she, “I wish to ask a favor of you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am at your orders, Mademoiselle.” + </p> + <p> + “I am delighted with the success of this little dinner,” Valentine + continued, “and I wish to give another after Easter. My great desire is to + have Mademoiselle Gontier—with whom I should like to become better + acquainted—recite poetry to us after dinner. Would you have the + kindness to tell her of my desire?” + </p> + <p> + “I!” exclaimed the General, amazed at such a request. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, certainly. If you ask her, she will come all the more willingly.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget that I am not in the diplomatic service, Mademoiselle.” + </p> + <p> + “My request annoys you? Well, we will say no more about it,” said + Zibeline. “I will charge Monsieur de Samoreau with the negotiations.” + </p> + <p> + They rejoined the Duchess, Zibeline accompanying her to the vestibule, + always evincing toward her the same pretty air of deference. + </p> + <p> + The drive home was silent. The Duke and the Duchess had agreed not to + pronounce the name of Mademoiselle de Vermont before Henri, who racked his + brain without being able to guess what strange motive prompted the young + girl to wish to enter into closer relations with the actress. + </p> + <p> + A letter from Eugenie was awaiting him. He read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Two weeks have elapsed since you have been to see me. I do not ask + whether you love me still, but I do ask you, in case you love + another, to tell me so frankly. + + “ARIADNE.” + </pre> + <p> + “So I am summoned to the confessional, and am expected to accuse myself of + that which I dare not avow even to my own heart! Never!” said Henri, + crushing the note in his hand. “Besides, unless I deceive myself, Ariadne + has not been slow in seeking a consoling divinity! Samoreau is at hand, it + appears. He played the part of Plutus before; now he will assume that of + Bacchus,” thought the recreant lover, in order to smother his feeling of + remorse. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING + </h2> + <p> + The life of General de Prerolles was uniformly regulated. He arose at + dawn, and worked until the arrival of his courier; then he mounted his + horse, attired in morning military costume. + </p> + <p> + After his ride, he visited the quartermaster-general of his division, + received the report of his chief of staff, and gave necessary orders. It + was at this place, and never at the General’s own dwelling, that the + captains or subaltern officers presented themselves when they had occasion + to speak to him. + </p> + <p> + At midday he returned to breakfast at the Hotel de Montgeron where, + morning and evening, his plate was laid; and soon after this meal he + retired to his own quarters to work with his orderly, whose duty it was to + report to him regarding the numerous guns and pieces of heavy ordnance + which make the object of much going and coming in military life. + </p> + <p> + After signing the usual number of documents, the General would mount + another of his horses, and at this hour would appear in civilian attire + for an afternoon canter. After this second ride he would pass an hour at + his club, but without ever touching a card, no matter what game was in + progress. + </p> + <p> + He dined at different places, but oftenest with his sister, where by this + time a studied silence was preserved on the subject of Zibeline. This, + however, did not prevent him from thinking of her more and more. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Vermont had not been seen again in the Bois de Boulogne + since the night of her dinner, although Henri had sought in vain to meet + her in the mornings in the bridle-path, and afternoons in the Avenue des + Acacias. + </p> + <p> + He decided that probably she did not wish to ride during Holy Week; but + when several days had passed after Easter, and still she was not seen + amusing herself in her usual fashion, he said to himself that perhaps it + would be the proper thing to make what is called “a dinner-call.” + </p> + <p> + There are some women whose fascination is so overwhelming as to cause the + sanest of lovers to commit themselves, whence comes the slightly vulgar + expression, “He has lost his bearings.” Henri began to feel that he was in + this state when he presented himself at Zibeline’s home. A domestic + informed him that Mademoiselle had been absent a week, but was expected + home that evening. He left his card, regretting that he had not waited + twenty-four hours more. + </p> + <p> + It was now the middle of April, the time when the military governor of + Paris is accustomed to pass in review the troops stationed on the + territory under his command, and this review was to take place the next + morning. + </p> + <p> + The order for the mobilizing of his own division having been received and + transmitted, Henri’s evening was his own, and he resolved to pass it with + Lenaieff, feeling certain that his colleague at least would speak to him + of Zibeline. + </p> + <p> + The aide-de-camp general lived at the Hotel Continental, much frequented + by Russians of distinction. Henri found his friend just dressing for + dinner, and well disposed to accept his proposition. + </p> + <p> + As they descended the stairs, they passed an imposing elderly man, with + white moustache and imperial, still very erect in his long redingote with + military buttons—a perfect type of the German officer who gets + himself up to look like the late Emperor William I. This officer and the + French general stopped on the stairs, each eyeing the other without + deciding whether he ought to salute or not, as often happens with people + who think they recognize some one, but without being able to recall where + or in what circumstances they have met before. + </p> + <p> + It was Henri whose memory was first revived. + </p> + <p> + “Captain, you are my prisoner!” he said, gayly, seizing the stranger by + the collar. + </p> + <p> + “What! The Commandant de Prerolles!” cried the elderly man, in a + reproachful tone, from which fifteen years had not removed the bitterness. + </p> + <p> + “I know who he is!” said Lenaieff. “Monsieur is your former jailer of the + frontier fortress!” + </p> + <p> + The officer of the landwehr attempted to withdraw from the hand that held + him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t intend to let you escape! You are coming to dine with us, and + we will sign a treaty of peace over the dessert,” said Henri, clasping the + officer’s hand affectionately. + </p> + <p> + His tone was so cordial that the stranger allowed himself to be persuaded. + A quarter of an hour later all three were seated at a table in the Cafe + Anglais. + </p> + <p> + “I present to you General Lenaieff,” said Henri to his guest. “You should + be more incensed against him than against me, for, if he had done his + duty, you would probably have had me imprisoned again.” + </p> + <p> + “Not imprisoned—shot!” the Captain replied, with conviction. + </p> + <p> + “In that case I regret my complicity still less,” said Lenaieff, “for + otherwise I should have lost an excellent friend, and, had Prerolles been + shot, he never could have made me acquainted with the delicious + Mademoiselle de Vermont!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! So that is what you are thinking of?” Henri said to himself. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know the young lady of whom you speak,” the German interrupted; + “but I know that, for having allowed the Commandant to escape, I was + condemned to take his place in the prison, and was shut up there for six + months, in solitary confinement, without even seeing my wife!” + </p> + <p> + “Poor Captain! How is the lady?” Henry inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, I thank you.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you permit us to drink her health?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Monsieur.” + </p> + <p> + “Hock! hoch!” said Henri, lifting his glass. + </p> + <p> + “Hock! hoch!” responded the ex-jailer, drinking with his former prisoner. + </p> + <p> + This delicate toast began to appease the bitterness of the good man; while + the memories of his escape, offering a diversion to Henri’s mind, put him + in sympathetic humor with the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “‘Ah! There are mountains that we never climb but once,’” he said. “We + three, meeting in Paris, can prove the truth of that proverb.” + </p> + <p> + “Not only in Paris,” said Lenaieff. “If you were in Saint Petersburg, + Henri, you might, any evening, see your old flame, Fanny Dorville.” + </p> + <p> + “Does she keep a table d’hote?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed, my boy. She plays duenna at the Theatre Michel, as that fat + Heloise used to do at the Palais-Royal. She must have died long ago, that + funny old girl!” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. She is still living, and is a pensioner of the Association of + Dramatic Artists! But, pardon me, our conversation can hardly be amusing + to our guest.” + </p> + <p> + “No one can keep a Frenchman and a Russian from talking about women! The + habit is stronger than themselves!” said the old officer, with a hearty + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Well, and you, Captain,” said Lenaieff: “Have you not also trodden the + primrose path in your time?” + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, I never have loved any other woman than my own wife,” replied + the honest German, laying his large hand upon his heart, as if he were + taking an oath. “That astonishes you Parisians, eh?” he added + benevolently. + </p> + <p> + “Quite the contrary! It assures us peace of mind!” said Lenaieff. “To your + health, Captain!” + </p> + <p> + “And yours, Messieurs!” + </p> + <p> + And their glasses clinked a second time. + </p> + <p> + “Apropos,” said Lenaieff to Henri, “the military governor has asked me to + accompany him to-morrow to the review at Vincennes. I shall then have the + pleasure of seeing you at the head of your division.” + </p> + <p> + “Teufel!” exclaimed the German officer; “it appears that the Commandant de + Prerolles has lost no time since we took leave of each other.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to you, Monsieur! Had you not allowed me to withdraw from your + society, I should certainly not have reached my present rank! To your + health, Captain!” + </p> + <p> + “To yours, General!” + </p> + <p> + Succeeding bumpers finally dissipated entirely the resentment of the + former jailer, and when they parted probably never to meet again—he + and his prisoner had become the best friends in the world. + </p> + <p> + “Meine besten complimente der Frau Hauptmannin!” said Henri to him, in + leaving him on the boulevard. + </p> + <p> + “Lieber Gott! I shall take good care not to own to her that I dined with + you.” + </p> + <p> + “And why, pray?” + </p> + <p> + “Because there is one thing for which she never will forgive you.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” + </p> + <p> + “The fact that you were the cause of her living alone for six months!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. THE MILITARY REVIEW + </h2> + <p> + The different troops, assembled for review, were massed on the + parade-ground at Vincennes, facing the tribunes. + </p> + <p> + In the centre, the artillery brigade, surrounded by two divisions of + infantry, was drawn up in two straight columns, connected by regiments; + each division of infantry, in double columns, was connected by brigades. + </p> + <p> + These six columns were separated by spaces varying from twenty to + twenty-five metres. + </p> + <p> + In the background, the cavalry division was lined up in columns; behind + that was its artillery, in the same order of formation. + </p> + <p> + At a given signal, the troops advanced five hundred metres, and, as soon + as they halted, drums, clarinets and trumpets beat and sounded from all + parts of the field, saluting the arrival of the military governor of + Paris. + </p> + <p> + This functionary, followed by his staff, in the midst of which group + glittered the brilliant Russian uniform of the aide-decamp General + Leniaeff, rode slowly past the front and the flanks of the massed body, + the troops facing to the left or the right as he passed. + </p> + <p> + This inspection finished, he took up his stand before the pillars at the + entrance, and the march past began by battalions en masse, in the midst of + the acclamations of numerous spectators who had come to witness this + imposing display, well calculated to stir patriotic pride. + </p> + <p> + The enthusiasm increased; the Prerolles division marched past after its + artillery, and, as always, the martial and distinguished profile of its + general produced its usual effect on the public. + </p> + <p> + He rode Aida, his favorite mare, an Irish sorrel of powerful frame, with + solid limbs, whose horizontal crupper and long tail indicated her race; + she was one of those animals that are calm and lively at the same time, + capable of going anywhere and of passing through all sorts of trials. + </p> + <p> + After its parade, the infantry, whose part in the affair was finished, + retraced their steps and took up a position on the other side of the field + of manoeuvres, facing the north, and in front of rising ground, in + preparation for the discharge of musketry. + </p> + <p> + During this time the artillery brigade, re-formed in battle array on the + parade-ground, detached six batteries, which advanced at a trot to within + one hundred and fifty metres of the tribunes, where they discharged a + volley. The long pieces were run rapidly to right and left, unmasking the + cavalry, which, after a similar volley from its own batteries, appeared + behind them in battle order, and executed a galloping march, its third + line held in reserve. + </p> + <p> + A few moments later all the troops rejoined the infantry on the ground set + apart for rest and for the purpose of partaking of a cold repast, + consisting of potted meats, with which each man was furnished. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more picturesque could be imagined than this temporary camp, with + its stacked arms, knapsacks lying on the ground, holes dug in the ground + in which to kindle fires, and the clattering of cans. On the other side of + the field the artillerymen and cavalrymen ate, holding their reins under + their arms, while their officers stood around some temporary table, served + by canteen men of the united divisions. Tiny columns of blue smoke rose + where coffee was making, and everywhere were the swift movement and + sprightly good-fellowship in which the soldier feels himself in his + natural element. + </p> + <p> + The curious spectators crowded themselves in front of the banner, while in + the centre of the square the military governor of Paris, and the other + officers, talked with some privileged persons who had been able to present + themselves among them. + </p> + <p> + Descending from his mount a little apart from the group, and plunged in + thought, the former sub-lieutenant of ‘chasseurs a pied’ gazed at the old + fortress, the sight of which recalled so many sad memories. + </p> + <p> + Vincennes had been his first garrison, and its proximity to Paris had been + disastrous for him. There he had entered one morning, stripped of his + fortune! + </p> + <p> + And what a series of disasters had followed! But for his heavy losses upon + that fatal night, he would not have been compelled to sell Prerolles, the + income of which, during his long absence, would have sufficed to lessen + the tax on the land, transmissible, had events turned out otherwise, to + some heir to his name. If only fate had not made Paul Landry cross his + path! + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, General!” came the sound of a fresh, gay voice behind, + which sent a thrill through him. + </p> + <p> + He turned and saw Zibeline, who had just stopped a few steps distant from + him, sitting in her carriage, to which was harnessed a pretty pair of + cobs, prancing and champing their bits. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it is you, Mademoiselle!” he said, carrying his hand to the visor of + his kepi, fastened under his chin. + </p> + <p> + “I found your card last night,” said Zibeline, “and I have come here this + morning to return your call!” + </p> + <p> + Then, leaning back in her driving-seat in order to reveal Edmond Delorme + installed beside her, she added: + </p> + <p> + “I have brought also my painter-in-ordinary. We have watched the review + together, and he is as enthusiastic as I over the picturesque effect of + this improvised bivouac. See! He is so much occupied with his sketch that + I can not get a word out of him.” + </p> + <p> + It was Aida, whose bridle was held by a dragoon, that served as a model + for the artist’s pencil. + </p> + <p> + “Will you permit me?” he said to Henri. + </p> + <p> + “It appears decidedly, that my mare has caught your eye,” replied the + General, approaching the carriage and resting his spurred foot on its + step. + </p> + <p> + “She has superb lines,” said the painter, without interrupting his + drawing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am curious to know whether she could beat Seaman,” said Zibeline. + “Are you willing to run a race with me, General?” + </p> + <p> + “As you please—some morning when you return to the Bois.” + </p> + <p> + “You noticed my absence, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I assure you that I did,” Henri replied, earnestly. + </p> + <p> + Then, fearing that he had said too much, he added: + </p> + <p> + “I, and many others!” + </p> + <p> + “Good! You were almost making a pretty speech to me, but, as usual, the + disavowal was not slow in coming. Fortunately, here comes your friend + Lenaieff, who is hastening to make amends to me.” + </p> + <p> + “What good fortune to meet you here, Mademoiselle!” cried Constantin, who, + having perceived Valentine from a distance, had taken an abrupt leave of + his general-in-chief. + </p> + <p> + “I know that you have called to see me several times,” said she, “but I + was in the country.” + </p> + <p> + “So early in the month of April?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! not to live there. Monsieur de Perolles knows that I have promised to + build our Orphan Asylum at a certain distance from Paris, and hardly three + weeks remain to me before I must hand over the property. If I am not ready + on the day appointed, Monsieur Desvanneaux will be sure to seize my + furniture, and I could not invite you any more to dinner, Messieurs! A + propos, General, Monsieur de Samoreau has failed in his negotiations. + Mademoiselle Gontier refuses to come to recite at my next soiree!” + </p> + <p> + “What necessity is there for you to make her acquaintance?” demanded + Henri. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that is my secret!” + </p> + <p> + During this conversation a hired fiacre, well appointed, had stopped + beside the road, and Eugenie Gontier descended from it, inquiring of an + officer belonging to the grounds where she could find General de + Prerolles. When the officer had pointed out the General to her, she + started to walk toward him; but, on seeing her former lover leaning + familiarly against the door of Zibeline’s carriage, she immediately + retraced her steps and quickly reentered her own. + </p> + <p> + “There is no longer any doubt about it!” said Mademoiselle de Vermont, who + had been observing Eugenie’s movements. “Mademoiselle Gontier has made a + fixed resolution to avoid meeting me.” + </p> + <p> + “That is because she is jealous of you!” said Lenaieff naively. + </p> + <p> + “Jealous? And why?” said Zibeline, blushing. + </p> + <p> + Visibly embarrassed, Henri drew out his watch in order to avert his + countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Midday!” he cried. “This is the hour for the return of the troops to + their barracks. You would do well not to delay in starting for home, + Mademoiselle. The roads will be very crowded, and your horses will not be + able to trot. I beg your pardon for taking away your model, my dear + Delorme, but I really must be off.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all the same to me; I have finished my sketch,” said the painter, + closing his portfolio. + </p> + <p> + At this moment, as the military governor passed near them, on his way to + the crossway of the Pyramid, Henri made a movement as if to rejoin him. + </p> + <p> + “Do not disturb yourself, General de Prerolles,” said the military + governor. “The compliments which I have made you on the fine appearance of + your troops are probably not so agreeable to you as those to which you are + listening at present!” + </p> + <p> + And saluting Mademoiselle de Vermont courteously, he went his way. + </p> + <p> + “Now you are free, Henri. Suppose we accompany Mademoiselle back to + Paris?” suggested Lenaieff, seeming to read his friend’s mind. + </p> + <p> + “What an honor for me!” Valentine exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + The General made a sign to his orderly, who approached to receive his + instructions. + </p> + <p> + “Tell the brigadier-generals that I am about to depart. I need no more + escort than two cavalrymen for General Lenaieff and myself. Now I am + ready, Mademoiselle,” Henri continued, turning toward Valentine. “If you + will be guided by me, we should do well to reach the fortifications by way + of the Lake of Saint-Mande.” + </p> + <p> + She made a little sound with her tongue, and the two cobs set off in the + direction indicated, the crowds they passed stopping to admire their high + action, and asking one another who was that pretty woman who was escorted + by two generals, the one French, the other a foreigner. + </p> + <p> + “I must look like a treaty of peace in a Franco-Russian alliance!” said + Zibeline, gayly. + </p> + <p> + The sun shone brightly, the new leaves were quivering on the trees, the + breeze bore to the ear the echo of the military bands. + </p> + <p> + Animated by the sound, the two cobs went ahead at a great pace, but they + were kept well in hand by their mistress, who was dressed this morning in + a simple navy-blue costume, with a small, oval, felt hat, ornamented with + two white wings, set on in a manner that made the wearer resemble a + valkyrie. Her whip, an unnecessary accessory, lay across the seat at her + right, on which side of the carriage Henri rode. + </p> + <p> + The General’s eyes missed none of the graceful movements of the young + girl. And his reflections regarding her, recently interrupted, returned in + full force, augmenting still more his regret at the inexorable fate that + separated him from her. “What a pity!” he thought in his turn, repeating + unconsciously the phrase so often uttered by his sister. + </p> + <p> + Arrived at the Place du Trene, Valentine stopped her horses a moment, and + addressed her two cavaliers: + </p> + <p> + “I thank you for your escort, gentlemen. But however high may be your + rank, I really can not go through Paris looking like a prisoner between + two gendarmes! So good-by! I shall see you this evening perhaps, but + good-by for the present.” + </p> + <p> + They gave her a military salute, and the carriage disappeared in the + Faubourg St. Antoine, while the two horsemen followed the line of the + quays along the Boulevard Diderot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. THE CHALLENGE + </h2> + <p> + That person who, in springtime, between ten o’clock and midday, never has + walked beside the bridle-path in the Bois de Boulogne, under the deep + shade of the trees, can form no idea of the large number of equestrians + that for many years have been devoted to riding along that delightful and + picturesque road. + </p> + <p> + To see and to be seen constitutes the principal raison d’etre of this + exercise, where the riders traverse the same path going and coming, a man + thus being able to meet more than once the fair one whom he seeks, or a + lady to encounter several times a cavalier who interests her. + </p> + <p> + On this more and more frequented road, the masculine element displayed + different costumes, according to the age and tastes of each rider. The + young men appeared in careless array: leggins, short coats, and small + caps. The older men, faithful to early traditions, wore long trousers, + buttoned-up redingotes, and tall hats, like those worn by their fathers, + as shown in the pictures by Alfred de Dreux. + </p> + <p> + For the feminine element the dress is uniform. It consists of a + riding-habit of black or dark blue, with bodice and skirt smoothly molded + to the form by one of the two celebrated habit-makers, Youss or Creed. The + personal presence alone varied, according to the degree of perfection of + the model. + </p> + <p> + A cylindrical hat, a little straight or turned-over collar, a cravat tied + in a sailor’s knot, a gardenia in the buttonhole, long trousers and + varnished boots completed the dress of these modern Amazons, who, having + nothing in common with the female warriors of ancient times, are not + deprived, as were those unfortunates, of any of their feminine charms. + </p> + <p> + The military element is represented by officers of all grades from + generals to sub-lieutenants, in morning coats, with breeches and high + boots, forbidden under the Second Empire, but the rule at present. + </p> + <p> + At the top of the Pre-Catelan, the path is crossed by the Bagatelle road + to the lakes, a point of intersection situated near a glade where the + ladies were fond of stopping their carriages to chat with those passing on + horseback. A spectator might have fancied himself at the meet of a + hunting-party, lacking the whippers-in and the dogs. + </p> + <p> + A few days after the review at Vincennes, on a bright morning in May, a + file of victorias and pony-chaises were strung out along this sylvan + glade, and many persons had alighted from them. Announcing their arrival + by trumpet-blasts, two or three vehicles of the Coaching Club, headed by + that of the Duc de Mont had discharged a number of pretty passengers, + whose presence soon caused the halt of many gay cavaliers. + </p> + <p> + Several groups were formed, commenting on the news of the day, the scandal + of the day before, the fete announced for the next day. + </p> + <p> + More serious than the others, the group surrounding Madame de Montgeron + strolled along under the trees in the side paths which, in their windings, + often came alongside of the bridle-path. + </p> + <p> + “What has become of Mademoiselle de Vermont, Duchess?” inquired Madame de + Lisieux, who had been surprised not to find Zibeline riding with their + party. + </p> + <p> + “She is in the country, surrounded by masons, occupied in the building of + our Orphan Asylum. The time she required before making over the property + to us expires in two weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “It is certainly very singular that we do not know where we are to go for + the ceremonies of inauguration,” said Madame Desvanneaux, in her usual + vinegary tones. + </p> + <p> + “I feel at liberty to tell you that the place is not far away, and the + journey thence will not fatigue you,” said the president, with the air of + one who has long known what she has not wished to reveal heretofore. + </p> + <p> + “The question of fatigue should not discourage us when it is a matter of + doing good,” said M. Desvanneaux. “Only, in the opinion of the founders of + the Orphan Asylum, it should be situated in the city of Paris itself.” + </p> + <p> + “The donor thought that open fields and fresh air would be better for the + children.” + </p> + <p> + “Land outside of Paris costs very much less, of course; that is probably + the real reason,” said M. Desvanneaux. + </p> + <p> + “Poor Zibeline! you are well hated!” Madame de Nointel could not help + saying. + </p> + <p> + “We neither like nor dislike her, Madame. We regard her as indifferently + as we do that,” the churchwarden replied, striking down a branch with the + end of his stick, with the superb air of a Tarquin. + </p> + <p> + Still gesticulating, he continued: + </p> + <p> + “The dust that she throws in the eyes of others does not blind us, that is + all!” + </p> + <p> + The metaphor was not exactly happy, for at that instant the unlucky man + received full in his face a broadside of gravel thrown by the hoofs of a + horse which had been frightened by the flourishing stick, and which had + responded to the menace by a violent kick. + </p> + <p> + This steed was none other than Seaman, ridden by Mademoiselle de Vermont. + She had recognized the Duchess and turned her horse back in order to offer + her excuses for his misconduct, the effects of which Madame Desvanneaux + tried to efface by brushing off the gravel with the corner of her + handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened?” asked General de Prerolles, who at that moment + cantered up, mounted on Aida. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nothing except that Mademoiselle has just missed killing my husband + with that wicked animal of hers!” cried the Maegera, in a fury. + </p> + <p> + “Mademoiselle might turn the accusation against him,” Madame de Nointel + said, with some malice. “It was he who frightened her horse.” + </p> + <p> + The fiery animal, with distended veins and quivering nostrils, snorted + violently, cavorted sidewise, and tried to run. Zibeline needed all her + firmness of grasp to force him, without allowing herself to be thrown, to + stand still on the spot whence had come the movement that had alarmed him. + </p> + <p> + “Your horse needs exercise,” said Henri to the equestrienne. “You ought to + give him an opportunity to do something besides the formal trot around + this path.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be able to do so, if ever we could have our match,” said + Zibeline. “Will you try it now?” + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” + </p> + <p> + She nodded, gave him her hand an instant, and they set off, side by side, + followed by Zibeline’s groom, no less well mounted than she, and wearing + turned-over boots, bordered with a band of fawn-colored leather, according + to the fashion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. THE AMAZON HAS A FALL + </h2> + <p> + They were a well-matched pair: he, the perfect type of the elegant and + always youthful soldier; she, the most dashing of all the Amazons in the + Bois, to quote the words of Edmond Delorme. + </p> + <p> + Everyone was familiar with the personal appearance of both riders, and + recognized them, but until now Mademoiselle de Vermont had always ridden + alone, and now to see her accompanied by the gallant General, whose + embroidered kepi glittered in the sunlight, was a new spectacle for the + gallery. + </p> + <p> + The people looked at them all the more because Seaman was still prancing, + but without unseating his mistress, who held him at any gait or any degree + of swiftness that pleased her. + </p> + <p> + “What a good seat you have!” said Henri. + </p> + <p> + “That is the first real compliment you ever have paid me. I shall + appropriate it immediately, before you have time to retract it,” Zibeline + replied. + </p> + <p> + At the circle of Melezes, Henri proposed to turn to the right, in order to + reach Longchamp. + </p> + <p> + “A flat race! You are joking!” Zibeline cried, turning to the left, toward + the road of La Vierge, + </p> + <p> + “You don’t intend that we shall run a steeplechase, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, that is exactly my intention! You are not afraid to try + it, are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not on my own account, but on yours.” + </p> + <p> + “You know very well that I never am daunted by any obstacle.” + </p> + <p> + “Figuratively, yes; but in riding a horse it is another matter.” + </p> + <p> + “All the more reason why I should not be daunted now,” Zibeline insisted. + </p> + <p> + When they arrived at the public square of the Cascades, in front of the + Auteuil hippodrome, she paused a moment between the two lakes, uncertain + which course to take. + </p> + <p> + It was Thursday, the day of the races. The vast ground, enclosed on all + sides by a fence, had been cleared, since early morning, of the boards + covering the paths reserved for pedestrians on days when there was no + racing; but it was only eleven o’clock, and the place was not yet open to + the paying public. Several workmen, in white blouses, went along the + track, placing litters beside the obstacles where falls occurred most + frequently. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think the gatekeeper will allow us to enter at this hour?” + Zibeline asked. + </p> + <p> + “I hope not!” Henri replied. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I shall enter without his permission! You are free to declare + me the winner. I shall be left to make a walkover, I see!” And setting off + at a gallop along the bridle-path, which was obstructed a little farther + on by the fence itself, she struck her horse resolutely, and with one + audacious bound sprang over the entrance gate. She was now on the + steeplechase track. + </p> + <p> + “You are mad!” cried the General, who, as much concerned for her safety as + for his own pride, urged on his mare, and, clearing the fence, landed + beside Zibeline on the other side. + </p> + <p> + “All right!” she cried, in English, dropping her whip, as the starter + drops the flag at the beginning of a race. + </p> + <p> + The die was cast. Henri bent over Aida’s neck, leaning his hands upon her + withers in an attitude with which experience had made him familiar, and + followed the Amazon, determined to win at all hazards. + </p> + <p> + Zibeline’s groom, an Englishman, formerly a professional jockey, had + already jumped the fence, in spite of the cries of the guard, who ran to + prevent him, and coolly galloped after his mistress, keeping at his usual + distance. + </p> + <p> + The first two hedges, which were insignificant obstacles for such horses, + were crossed without effort. + </p> + <p> + “Not the brook, I beg of you!” cried Henri, seeing that, instead of + running past the grand-stand, Zibeline apparently intended to attempt this + dangerous feat. + </p> + <p> + “Come on! Seaman would never forgive me if I balk at it!” she cried, + riding fearlessly down the slope. + </p> + <p> + The good horse gathered up his four feet on the brink, took one vigorous + leap, appearing for a second to hover over the water; then he fell lightly + on the other side of the stream, with a seesaw movement, to which the + intrepid Amazon accommodated herself by leaning far back. The rebound + threw her forward a little, but she straightened herself quickly and went + on. + </p> + <p> + The General, who had slackened his pace that he might not interfere with + her leap, gave vent to a sigh of relief. He pressed Aida’s flanks firmly, + and the big Irish mare jumped after her competitor, with the majestic + dignity of her race. + </p> + <p> + Reassured by the ‘savoir-faire’ of his companion, the former winner of the + military steeplechase felt revive within himself all his ardor for the + conflict, and he hastened to make up the distance he had lost. + </p> + <p> + The two horses, now on the west side of the racetrack, were almost + neck-and-neck, and it would have been difficult to prognosticate which had + the better chance of victory. Zibeline’s light weight gave Seaman the + advantage, but Aida gained a little ground every time she leaped an + obstacle; so that, after passing the hurdles and the third hedge, the + champions arrived simultaneously at the summit of the hill, from which + point the track extends in a straight line, parallel with the Allee des + Fortifications. + </p> + <p> + Feeling himself urged on still harder, the English horse began to lay back + his ears and pull so violently on the rein that his rider had all she + could do to hold him, and lacked sufficient strength to direct his course. + Seeing Zibeline’s danger, Henri hastened to slacken his horse’s pace, but + it was too late: the almost perpendicular declivity of the other side of + the hill added fresh impetus to the ungovernable rush of Seaman, who + suddenly became wild and reckless. + </p> + <p> + The situation was all the more critical for the reason that the next + obstacle was a brook, only two metres wide, but of which the passage was + obstructed on the farther side of the track by heavy beams, laid one on + top of another, solidly riveted and measuring one metre and ten + millimetres from the base to the summit. The excited horse charged + obliquely toward this obstruction with all his might. Paying no more + attention to the pressure upon his bit, he rose in the air, but as he had + not given himself sufficient time to take plenty of room for the leap, his + hoofs struck violently against the top beam, the force of resistance of + which threw him over on one side; his hindquarters turned in the air, and + he fell in a heap on the other side of the obstacle, sending up a great + splash of water as he went into the brook. + </p> + <p> + Had Zibeline been crushed by the weight of the horse in this terrible + fall, or, not having been able to free herself from him, had she been + drowned under him? Henri uttered a hoarse cry, struck his spurs into the + sides of his mare, crossed the brook breathlessly, stopping on the other + side as soon as he could control his horse’s pace; then, rushing back, he + leaped to the ground to save the poor girl, if there was still time to do + so. + </p> + <p> + Zibeline lay inanimate on the grass, her face lying against the earth. By + a lucky chance, the horse had fallen on his right side, so that his + rider’s limbs and skirt had not been caught. Unhorsed by the violence of + the shock, Zibeline had gone over the animal’s head and fallen on the + other side of the brook. Her Amazon hat, so glossy when she had set out, + was now crushed, and her gloves were torn and soiled with mud; which + indicated that she had fallen on her head and her hands. + </p> + <p> + Henri knelt beside her, passed his arm around her inert and charming body, + and drew her tenderly toward him. Her eyes were half-open and dull, her + lips pale; her nose, the nostrils of which were usually well dilated, had + a pinched look; and a deadly pallor covered that face which only a moment + before had been so rosy and smiling. + </p> + <p> + These signs were the forerunners of death, which the officer had + recognized so many times on the battlefield. But those stricken ones had + at least been men, devoting themselves to the risks of warfare; while in + the presence of this young girl lying before him, looking upon this victim + of a reckless audacity to which he felt he had lent himself too readily, + the whole responsibility for the accident seemed to him to rest upon his + own shoulders, and a poignant remorse tore his heart. + </p> + <p> + He removed her cravat, unhooked her bodice, laid his ear against her + breast, from which an oppressed breathing still arose. + </p> + <p> + Two laborers hurried to open the gate and soon arrived at the spot with a + litter, guided by the groom, whose horse had refused to jump the brook, + and who since then had followed the race on foot outside the track. While + the General placed Zibeline on the litter, the groom took Aida by the + bridle, and the sad procession made its way slowly toward the enclosure + surrounding the weighing-stand. + </p> + <p> + As for Seaman, half submerged in the stream, and with an incurable + fracture of the leg, nothing was left to do for the poor animal but to + kill him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. AN UNCONSCIOUS AVOWAL + </h2> + <p> + Walking slowly, step by step, beside her whose power had so quickly and so + wholly subjugated him, watching over her removal with more than paternal + solicitude, Henri de Prerolles, sustained by a ray of hope, drew a + memorandum-book from his pocket, wrote upon a slip of paper a name and an + address, and, giving it to the groom, ordered him to go ahead of the + litter and telephone to the most celebrated surgeon in Paris, requesting + him to go as quickly as possible to the domicile of Mademoiselle de + Vermont, and, meantime, to send with the greatest despatch one of the + eight-spring carriages from the stables. + </p> + <p> + It was noon by the dial on the grand-stand when the litter was finally + deposited in a safe place. The surgeon could hardly arrive in less than + two hours; therefore, the General realized that he must rely upon his own + experience in rendering the first necessary aid. + </p> + <p> + He lifted Valentine’s hand, unbuttoned the glove, laid his finger on her + pulse, and counted the pulsations, which were weak, slow, and irregular. + </p> + <p> + While the wife of the gate-keeper kept a bottle of salts at the nostrils + of the injured girl, Henri soaked a handkerchief in tincture of arnica and + sponged her temples with it; then, pouring some drops of the liquid into a + glass of water, he tried in vain to make her swallow a mouthful. Her + teeth, clenched by the contraction of muscles, refused to allow it to pass + into her throat. At the end of half an hour, the inhalation of the salts + began to produce a little effect; the breath came more regularly, but that + was the only symptom which announced that the swoon might soon terminate. + The landau with the high springs arrived. The General ordered the top laid + back, and helped to lift and place upon the cushions on the back seat the + thin mattress on which Zibeline lay; then he took his place on the front + seat, made the men draw the carriage-top back into its proper position, + and the equipage rolled smoothly, and without a jar, to its destination. + On the way they met the first carriages that had arrived at the Auteuil + hippodrome, the occupants of which little suspected what an exciting + dramatic incident had occurred just before the races. Zibeline’s servants, + by whom she was adored, awaited their mistress at the threshold, and for + her maids it was an affair of some minutes to undress her and lay her in + her own bed. During this delay, the surgeon, who had hastened to answer + the call, found Henri nervously walking about from one drawing-room to the + other; and, having received information as to the details of the fall, he + soon entered the bedchamber. While awaiting the sentence of life or of + death which must soon be pronounced, he who considered himself the chief + cause of this tragic event continued to pace to and fro in the gallery—that + gallery where, under the intoxication of a waltz, the demon of temptation + had so quickly demolished all his resolutions of resistance. A half-hour—an + age!—elapsed before the skilled practitioner reappeared. “There is + no fracture,” he said, “but the cerebral shock has been such that I can + not as yet answer for the consequences. If the powerful reactive medicine + which I have just given should bring her back to her senses soon, her + mental faculties will suffer no harm. If not, there is everything to fear. + I will return in three hours,” he added. Without giving a thought to the + conventionalities, Henri entered the bedchamber, to the great astonishment + of the maids, and, installing himself at the head of the bed, he decided + not to leave that spot until Valentine had regained her senses, should she + ever regain them. An hour passed thus, while Henri kept the same attitude, + erect, attentive, motionless, with stray scraps of his childhood’s prayers + running through his brain. Suddenly the heavy eyelids of the wounded girl + were lifted; the dulness of the eyes disappeared; her body made an + involuntary attempt to change its position; the nostrils dilated; the lips + quivered in an effort to speak. Youth and life had triumphed over death. + With painful slowness, she tried to raise her hand to her head, the seat + of her pain, where, though half paralyzed, thought was beginning to + return. Her eyes wandered to and fro in the shadowy room, seeking to + recognize the surroundings. A ray of light, filtering through the + window-curtains, showed her the anxious face bending tenderly over her. + “Henri!” she murmured, in a soft, plaintive voice. That name, pronounced + thus, the first word uttered after her long swoon, revealed her secret. + Never had a more complete yet modest avowal been more simply expressed; + was it not natural that he should be present at her reentrance into life, + since she loved him? With women, the sentiment of love responds to the + most diverse objects. The ordinary young girl of Zibeline’s age, either + before or after her sojourn in a convent, considers that a man of thirty + has arrived at middle age, and that a man of forty is absolutely old. + Should she accept a man of either of these ages, she does it because a + fortune, a title, or high social rank silences her other tastes, and her + ambition does the rest. But, with an exceptional woman, like Mademoiselle + de Vermont, brought up in view of wide horizons, in the midst of plains + cleared by bold pioneers, among whom the most valorous governed the + others, a man like General de Prerolles realized her ideal all the more, + because both their natures presented the same striking characteristics: + carelessness of danger, and frankness carried to its extremest limit. + Therefore, this declaration—to use the common expression—entirely + free from artifice or affectation, charmed Henri for one reason, yet, on + the other hand, redoubled his perplexity. How could he conciliate his + scruples of conscience with the aspirations of his heart? The problem + seemed then as insoluble as when it had been presented the first time. But + Valentine was saved. For the moment that was the essential point, the only + one in question. The involuntary revelation of her secret had brought the + color to her cheeks, the light to her eyes, a smile to her lips, in spite + of the leaden band that seemed still pressing upon her head. “How you have + frightened me!” said Henri, in a low voice, seating himself on the side of + the bed and taking her hand. “Is that true?” she asked, softly pressing + his fingers. “Hush!” he said, making a movement to enjoin silence. She + obeyed, and they remained a few moments thus. Nevertheless, he reflected + that the account of the accident would soon be spread everywhere, that + Valentine’s new friends would hear about it as soon as they arrived at the + race-track that day, and that he could no longer prolong his stay beside + her. + </p> + <p> + “Are you leaving me so soon?” Valentine murmured, when he said that he + must go. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to tell my sister and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy of your + mishap.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” she replied, as if already she had no other desire than to + follow his wishes. + </p> + <p> + He gave the necessary orders, and again took his place beside the bed, + awaiting the second visit of the doctor, whose arrival was simultaneous + with that of the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + This time the verdict was altogether favorable, with no mention of the + possibility of any aggravating circumstances. An inevitable feverishness, + and a great lassitude, which must be met with absolute repose for several + days, would be the only consequences of this dangerous prank. + </p> + <p> + The proprieties resumed their normal sway, and it was no longer possible + for Henri to remain beside the charming invalid. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. DISTRACTION + </h2> + <p> + The Duchesse de Montgeron, who had passed the rest of the day with + Mademoiselle de Vermont, did not return to her own dwelling until eight + o’clock that evening, bearing the most reassuring news. + </p> + <p> + Longing for fresh air and exercise, Henri went out after dinner, walked + through the Champs-Elysees, and traversed the crossing at l’Etoile, in + order to approach the spot where Zibeline lay ill. + </p> + <p> + If one can imagine the feelings of a man of forty-five, who is loved for + himself, under the most flattering and unexpected conditions, one can + comprehend the object of this nocturnal walk and the long pause that Henri + made beneath the windows of Zibeline’s apartment. A small garden, + protected by a light fence, was the only obstacle that separated them. But + how much more insuperable was the barrier which his own principles had + raised between this adorable girl and himself. + </p> + <p> + Had he not told his sister, confided to Eugenie Gontier, and reiterated to + any one that would listen to him, the scruples which forbade him ever to + think of marriage? To change this decision, in asking for the hand of + Mademoiselle de Vermont, would-in appearance, at least—sacrifice to + the allurement of wealth the proud poverty which he had long borne so + nobly. + </p> + <p> + But the demon of temptation was then, as always, lurking in the shadow, + the sole witness of this duel to the death between prejudice and love. + </p> + <p> + When he returned to his rooms he found another note from his former + mistress: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “You have just had a terrible experience, my dear friend. Nothing + that affects you can be indifferent to me. I beg you to believe, + notwithstanding the grief which our separation causes me, in all the + prayers that I offer for your happiness. + + “ARIADNE.” + </pre> + <p> + “My happiness? My torture, rather!” he said, the classic name of Ariadne + suggesting the idea that the pseudonym of Tantalus might well be applied + to himself. + </p> + <p> + But he had long kept a rule to write as little as possible, and was + guarded in making reply to any letter, especially to such a communication + as this. + </p> + <p> + When he left the house the next morning, on his way to attend to military + duties, he learned that his sister had gone away early on an excursion to + one of the suburbs, and that she would not return until evening. As the + Duchess was the only person who had been initiated into the mystery + surrounding Zibeline on the subject of the building of the Orphan Asylum, + it was evident that she had gone to take her place in the directing of the + work. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon Henri called to inquire for the invalid, and was received + by the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. She had had a quiet night; a little fever + had appeared toward morning, and, above all, an extreme weakness, + requiring absolute quiet and freedom from any excitement. On an open + register in the reception-room were inscribed the names of all those + persons who had called to express their interest in Mademoiselle de + Vermont: Constantin Lenaieff, the Lisieux, the Nointels, Edmond Delorme, + the Baron de Samoreau, and others. Only the Desvanneaux had shown no sign + of life. Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that. + </p> + <p> + Henri added his name to the list, and for several days he returned each + morning to inscribe it anew, feeling certain that, as soon as Valentine + was able to be placed half-reclining on a couch, she would give orders + that he should be admitted to her presence. But nothing of the kind + occurred. + </p> + <p> + On the evening of the fifth day after the accident, the Duchess informed + her brother that their young friend had been taken to the country, where + it was thought a complete cure would sooner be effected. + </p> + <p> + This hasty departure, made without any preliminary message, caused Henri + to feel the liveliest disappointment. + </p> + <p> + Had he deceived himself, then? Was it, after all, only by chance that she + had so tenderly pronounced his name, and had that familiar appellative + only been drawn from her involuntarily because of her surprise at + beholding his unexpected presence at her bedside? + </p> + <p> + Regarding the matter from this point of view, the whole romance that he + had constructed on a fragile foundation had really never existed save in + his own imagination! + </p> + <p> + At this thought his self-esteem suffered cruelly. He felt a natural + impulse to spring into a carriage and drive to the dwelling of Eugenie + Gontier, and there to seek forgetfulness. But he felt that his bitterness + would make itself known even there, and that such a course would be + another affront to the dignity of a woman of heart, whose loyalty to + himself he never had questioned. + </p> + <p> + Try to disguise it as he would, his sombre mood made itself apparent, + especially to his brother-in-law, who had no difficulty in guessing the + cause, without allowing Henri to suspect that he divined it. + </p> + <p> + The date for the formal transfer of the Orphan Asylum to the committee had + been fixed for the fifteenth day of May. + </p> + <p> + On the evening of the fourteenth, at the hour when the General was signing + the usual military documents in his bureau, a domestic presented to him a + letter which, he said, had just been brought in great haste by a messenger + on horseback: + </p> + <p> + The superscription, “To Monsieur the General the Marquis de Prerolles,” + was inscribed in a long, English hand, elegant and regular. The orderly + gave the letter to his chief, who dismissed him with a gesture before + breaking the seal. The seal represented, without escutcheon or crown, a + small, wild animal, with a pointed muzzle, projecting teeth, and shaggy + body, under which was a word Henri expected to find: Zibeline! + </p> + <p> + The letter ran thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “MY DEAR GENERAL: + + “An officer, like yourself, whose business it is to see that his + orders are obeyed, will understand that I have not dared, even in + your favor, to infringe on those imposed upon me by the doctor. + But those orders have been withdrawn! If you have nothing better to + do, come to-morrow, with your sister, to inspect our asylum, before + Monsieur Desvanneaux takes possession of it! + + “Your military eye will be able to judge immediately whether + anything is lacking in the quarters. Yours affectionately, + + “VALENTINE DE VERMONT. + + “P.S.—Poor Seaman is dead! I beg you to carry this sad news to his + friend Aida. V.” + </pre> + <p> + If a woman’s real self is revealed in her epistolary style, finesse, + good-humor, and sprightliness were characterised in this note. Zibeline’s + finesse had divined Henri’s self-deception; her good-humor sought to + dissipate it; and her sprightliness was evidenced by her allusions to M. + Desvanneaux and the loss of her horse. + </p> + <p> + When they found themselves reunited at the dinner-hour, the Duchess said + simply to her brother: + </p> + <p> + “You must have received an invitation to-day from Mademoiselle de Vermont. + Will you accompany us tomorrow?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, certainly. But where? How? At what hour?” + </p> + <p> + “We must leave here at one o’clock. Don’t disturb yourself about any other + detail—we shall look after everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Good! I accept.” + </p> + <p> + As he was not so curious as the Desvanneaux, it mattered little to him to + what place they took him, so long as he should find Zibeline at the end of + the journey. + </p> + <p> + At the appointed hour the brother and sister drove to the Gare du Nord. + The Duke, a director of the road, who had been obliged to attend a + convocation of the Council until noon, had preceded them. He was waiting + for them beside the turnstile at the station, having already procured + their tickets and reserved a carriage in one of the omnibus trains from + Paris to Treport which make stops at various suburban stations. + </p> + <p> + “Will it be a very long journey?” Henri asked, on taking his place in the + carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Barely three-quarters of an hour,” said the Duke, as the train started on + its way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. THE VOW REDEEMED + </h2> + <p> + The third road, constructed between the two lines which met at Creil, + passing, the one by way of Chantilly, the other, by Pontoise, was not in + existence in 1871, when, after the war, Jeanne and Henri de Prerolles went + to visit the spot, already unrecognizable, where they had passed their + childhood. L’Ile-d’Adam was at that time the nearest station; to day it is + Presles, on the intermediate line, which they now took. + </p> + <p> + “This is our station,” said Madame de Montgeron, when the train stopped at + Montsoult. They descended from the carriage, and found on the platform two + footmen, who conducted them to a large char-a-banc, to which were + harnessed four dark bay Percherons, whose bridles were held by postilions + in Zibeline’s livery, as correct in their appearance as those belonging to + the imperial stables, when the sojourn of the court was at Compiegne or at + Fontainebleau. + </p> + <p> + “Where are we going now, Jeanne?” asked Henri, whose heart seemed to him + to contract at the sight of Maffliers, which he knew so well. + </p> + <p> + “A short distance from here,” his sister replied. + </p> + <p> + The horses set off, and, amid the sound of bells and the cracking of + whips, the carriage reached the national road from Paris to Beauvais, + which, from Montsoult, passes around the railway by a rapid descent, from + the summit of which is visible, on the right, the Chateau of Franconville; + on the left, the village of Nerville perched on its crest. + </p> + <p> + One of the footmen on the rear seat held the reins, and a quarter of an + hour later the carriage stopped just before arriving at the foot of + Valpendant. + </p> + <p> + Valpendant had formerly been a feudal manor within the confines of + Ile-de-France, built midway upon a hill, as its name indicated. On the + side toward the plain was a moat, and the castle itself commanded the view + of a valley, through which ran the little stream called Le Roi, which + flows into the river Oise near the hamlet of Mours. Acquired in the + fifteenth century by the lords of Prerolles, it had become an agricultural + territory worked for their profit, first by forced labor, and later by + farmers. + </p> + <p> + Even recently, the courtyard, filled with squawking fowls and domestic + animals of all kinds, and the sheds crowded with agricultural implements + piled up in disorder, presented a scene of confusion frequent among + cultivators, and significant of the alienation of old domains from their + former owners. + </p> + <p> + “We have arrived!” said the Duchess, alighting first. + </p> + <p> + “What, is it here?” Henri exclaimed, his heart beating more quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Your old farm was for sale just at the time that Mademoiselle de Vermont + was seeking an appropriate site for the Orphan Asylum. This spot appeared + to her to combine all the desirable conditions, and she has wrought the + transformation you are about to behold. It might as well be this place as + another,” the Duchess added. “In my opinion, it is a sort of consolation + offered to us by fate.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so!” said Henri, in a tone of less conviction. + </p> + <p> + He followed his sister along the footpath of a bluff, which as children + they had often climbed; while the carriage made a long detour in order to + reach the main entrance to the grounds. + </p> + <p> + The footpath, winding along near the railway embankment, ended at a + bridge, where Zibeline awaited the three visitors. A significant pressure + of her hand showed Henri how little cause he had had for his + apprehensions. + </p> + <p> + They entered. Seen from the main entrance, the metamorphosis of the place + was complete. + </p> + <p> + The old tower that had served as a barn alone remained the same; it was + somewhat isolated from the other building, and had been repaired in the + style of its period, making a comfortable dwelling for the future director + of the Asylum. Mademoiselle de Vermont occupied it temporarily. + </p> + <p> + On each side of the grounds, standing parallel, rose two fine buildings: + on the ground floor of each were all the customary rooms and accessories + found on model farms; on the upper floors were dormitories arranged to + receive a large number of children of both sexes. There were schoolrooms, + sewing-rooms, a chapel-in short, nothing was lacking to assist in the + children’s intellectual and manual education. + </p> + <p> + “You have done things royally,” said the Duke to the happy donor, when, + having finished the inspection of the premises, they returned to the + directors’ room, indicated by a plate upon its door. + </p> + <p> + As for Henri, silent and absorbed, he hesitated between the dread of + facing a new emotion and the desire to go once more to gaze upon the tower + of Prerolles, hardly more than two kilometres distant. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter with you, General?” Zibeline asked, observing that he + did not appear to take pleasure in the surprise she had prepared. + </p> + <p> + “I lived here many years a long time ago,” he replied. “I am thinking of + all that it recalls to me; and, if you would not consider it discourteous + on my part, I should like to leave you for a little time to make a + pilgrimage on foot around the neighborhood.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you like to have me take you myself? I have a little English cart + which can run about anywhere,” said Zibeline. + </p> + <p> + The proposition was tempting. The sweetness of a tete-a-tete might + diminish the bitterness of recollections. He accepted. + </p> + <p> + She ordered the cart brought around, and they climbed into the small + vehicle, which was drawn by a strong pony, driven by Zibeline herself. + </p> + <p> + “Which way?” she asked, when they had passed through the gates. + </p> + <p> + “To the right,” he said, pointing to a rough, half-paved slope, an + abandoned part of what had been in former days the highway, which now + joins the new road at the Beaumont tunnel. + </p> + <p> + Passing this point, and leaving on their left the state road of + l’Ile-d’Adam, they drove through a narrow cross-cut, between embankments, + by which one mounts directly to the high, plateau that overlooks the town + of Presles. + </p> + <p> + The hill was steep, and the pony was out of breath. They were compelled to + stop to allow him to rest. + </p> + <p> + “It is not necessary to go any farther,” said Henri to his companion. “I + need only to take a few steps in order to see what interests me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will wait for you here,” she replied, alighting after him. “Don’t be + afraid to leave me alone. The horse will not move; he is used to + stopping.” + </p> + <p> + He left her gathering daisies, and walked resolutely to the panoramic + point of view, where a strange and unexpected sight met his eyes! + </p> + <p> + All that had once been so dear to him had regained its former aspect. The + kitchen-gardens had given place to the rich pastures, where yearling colts + frisked gayly. The factory had disappeared, and the chateau had been + restored to its original appearance. The walls enclosing the park had been + rebuilt, and even several cleared places indicated the sites of cottages + that had been pulled down. + </p> + <p> + Henri de Prerolles could hardly believe his eyes! Was he the sport of a + dream or of one of those mirages which rise before men who travel across + the sandy African deserts? The latitude and the position of the sun + forbade this interpretation. But whence came it, then? What fairy had + turned a magic ring in order to work this miracle? + </p> + <p> + A crackling of dry twigs under a light tread made him turn, and he beheld + Zibeline, who had come up behind him. + </p> + <p> + The fairy was there, pale and trembling, like a criminal awaiting arrest. + </p> + <p> + “Is it you who have done this?” Henri exclaimed, with a sob which no human + strength could have controlled. + </p> + <p> + “It is I!” she murmured, lowering her eyes. “I did it in the hope that + some day you would take back that which rightfully belongs to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Rightfully, you say? By what act?” + </p> + <p> + “An act of restitution.” + </p> + <p> + “You never have done me any injury, and nothing authorizes me to accept + such a gift from Mademoiselle de Vermont.” + </p> + <p> + “Vermont was the family name of my mother. When my father married her, he + obtained leave to add it to his own. I am the daughter of Paul Landry.” + </p> + <p> + “You!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. The daughter of Paul Landry, whose fortune had no other origin than + the large sum of which he despoiled you.” + </p> + <p> + Henri made a gesture of denial. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me!” Zibeline continued. “He was doubly your debtor, since this + sum had been increased tenfold when you rescued him from the Mexicans who + were about to shoot him. ‘This is my revenge!’ you said to him, without + waiting to hear a word from him. Your ruin was the remorse of his whole + life. I knew it only when he lay upon his deathbed. Otherwise—” + </p> + <p> + She paused, then raised her head higher to finish her words. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind!” she went on. “That which he dared not do while living, I set + myself to do after his death. When I came to Paris to inquire what had + become of the Marquis de Prerolles, your glorious career answered for you; + but even before I knew you I had become the possessor of these divided + estates, which, reunited by me, must be restored to your hands. You are + proud, Henri,” she added, with animation, “but I am none less proud than + you. Judge, then, what I have suffered in realizing our situation: I, + overwhelmed with riches, you, reduced to your officer’s pay. Is that a + satisfaction to your pride? Very well! But to my own, it is the original + stain, which only a restitution, nobly accepted by you, ever can efface!” + </p> + <p> + She paused, looking at him supplicatingly, her hands clasped. As he + remained silent, she understood that he still hesitated, and continued: + </p> + <p> + “To plead my cause, to vanquish your resistance, as I am trying now to + triumph over it, could be attempted with any chance of success only by a + dear and tender friend; that is the reason why I sought to establish + relations with—” + </p> + <p> + “With Eugenie Gontier?” + </p> + <p> + “But she would not consent to it—all the worse for her! For, since + then, you and I have come to know each other well. Your prejudices have + been overcome one by one. I have observed it well. I am a woman, and even + your harshness has not changed my feelings, nor prevented me from + believing that, in spite of yourself, you were beginning to love me. Have + I been deceiving myself?—tell me!” + </p> + <p> + “You know that you have not, since, as I look at you and listen to you, I + know not which I admire more-your beauty or the treasures of your heart!” + </p> + <p> + “Then come!” + </p> + <p> + “Whither?” + </p> + <p> + “To Prerolles, where all is ready to receive you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, since this is a tale from the Arabian Nights, let us follow it to + the end! I will go!” said Henri. + </p> + <p> + Browsing beside the road, the pony, left to himself, had advanced toward + them, step by step, whinnying to his mistress. Valentine and Henri + remounted the cart; which soon drew up before the gates of the chateau, + where, awaiting them, reinstated in his former office, stood the old + steward, bent and white with years. + </p> + <p> + The borders of the broad driveway were of a rich, deep green. Rose-bushes + in full bloom adorned the smooth lawns. The birds trilled a welcome in + jumping from branch to branch, and across the facade of the chateau the + open windows announced to the surrounding peasantry the return of the + prodigal master. + </p> + <p> + At the top of the flight of steps Valentine stepped back to allow Henri to + pass before her; then, changing her mind, she advanced again. + </p> + <p> + “No, you are at home,” she said. “It is I that must enter first!” + </p> + <p> + He followed her docilely, caring no longer to yield to any other will than + hers. + </p> + <p> + Within the chateau, thanks to the complicity of the Duchess, the + furnishings resembled as closely as possible those of former days. The + good fairy had completed successfully two great works: the restoration of + the chateau and the building of the asylum. The inhabitants of the one + would be so much the better able to foresee the needs of the other. + </p> + <p> + Having explored one of the wings, they returned to the central hall. + Mademoiselle de Vermont made a sign to the steward to remain there, and + beckoned to Henri to accompany her to the historic gallery. After they had + entered it, she closed the door. The family portraits had been rehung in + their former places, in chronological order, and, in its proper place, + figured that of the General of Division the Marquis de Prerolles, in full + uniform, mounted on Aida, the portrait being the work of Edmond Delorme. + </p> + <p> + At this sight, touched to the depths of his heart, Henri knelt before + Valentine, and carried her hand to his lips. + </p> + <p> + “I adore you!” he said, without attempting to hide the tears of gratitude + that fell upon those generous hands. + </p> + <p> + “Do you, indeed?” Zibeline murmured. + </p> + <p> + “You shall see!” he replied, rising. “Come, in your turn.” + </p> + <p> + He led her before the portrait of the ancestral marshal of France, and + said: + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-three years ago I vowed before that portrait either to vanquish + the enemy or to regain with honor all that I had lost at play. I have kept + my word. Will you be my wife?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you know my heart is yours!” Zibeline whispered, hiding her face upon + his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + The door at the end of the gallery opened; the Duc and the Duchesse de + Montgeron appeared. Henri took Zibeline’s hand and approached them. + </p> + <p> + “The Marquise de Prerolles!” he said, presenting her to his sister and her + husband. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. THE MARQUISE DE PREROLLES + </h2> + <p> + The next day a special train landed the fair patronesses at the station of + Presles, whence Zibeline’s carriages conducted them to Valpendant. + </p> + <p> + The deed of gift was signed before M. Durand and his colleague, a notary + of Pontoise. + </p> + <p> + This formality fulfilled, M. Desvanneaux, whose own role, for a moment + overshadowed, appeared to him to renew its importance, took the floor and + said: + </p> + <p> + “It remains to us, Mesdames, to assure the support of the Orphan Asylum by + means of an annual income.” + </p> + <p> + “The Marquis and the Marquise de Prerolles assume this responsibility,” + said the ministerial officer, treasurer of the Asylum. “This mutual + engagement will form the object of a special clause in the drawing up of + their contract.” + </p> + <p> + In this way was the news of the approaching marriage between Valentine and + Henri announced to the Society. + </p> + <p> + “The little intriguer!” murmured the churchwarden, nudging the elbow of + his Maegera. + </p> + <p> + The General, who noted the effect which this announcement had produced + upon the peevish pair, divined the malicious words upon the hypocritical + lips. He drew the husband aside, and put one hand upon his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Desvanneaux,” he said, “you have known me twenty-five years, and you know + that I am a man of my word. If ever a malevolent word from you regarding + my wife should come to my ears, I shall elongate yours to such a degree + that those of King Midas will be entirely eclipsed! Remember that!” + </p> + <p> + The ceremony took place six weeks later, in the church of St. + Honore-d’Eylau, which was not large enough to hold the numerous public and + the brilliant corps of officers that assisted. + </p> + <p> + The witnesses for the bridegroom were the military governor of Paris and + the Duc de Montgeron. Those of the bride were the aide-de-camp General + Lenaieff, in full uniform, wearing an astrachan cap and a white cloak with + the Russian eagle fastened in the fur; and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. + </p> + <p> + On the evening before, a last letter from his former mistress had come to + the General: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “I have heard all the details of your romance, my dear Henri. Its + conclusion is according to all dramatic rules, and I congratulate + you without reserve. + + “If, on the eve of contracting this happy union, an examination of + your conscience should suggest to you some remorse for having + abandoned me so abruptly, let me say that no shadow, not even the + lightest, must cloud the serenity of this joyous day: I am about to + leave the stage forever, to become the wife of the Baron de + Samoreau! + + “Always affectionately yours, + + “EUGENIE GONTIER.” + </pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: + + All that was illogical in our social code + 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 + Life goes on, and that is less gay than the stories + Men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise + Only a man, wavering and changeable + 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 + Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that + There are mountains that we never climb but once + You are in a conquered country, which is still more dangerous +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zibeline, Complete, by Phillipe de Massa + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZIBELINE, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 3934-h.htm or 3934-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/3934/ + +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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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: Zibeline, Complete + +Author: Phillipe de Massa + +Last Updated: March 2, 2009 +Release Date: October 5, 2006 [EBook #3934] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZIBELINE, COMPLETE *** + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +ZIBELINE + +By Philippe De Massa + +Translated By D. Knowlton Ranous + + + + +ALEXANDRE-PHILIPPE-REGNIER DE MASSA + +MARQUIS DE MASSA, soldier, composer, and French dramatist, was born in +Paris, December 5, 1831. He selected the military career and received a +commission in the cavalry after leaving the school of St. Cyr. He served +in the Imperial Guards, took part in the Italian and Franco-German Wars +and was promoted Chief of Squadron, Fifth Regiment, Chasseurs a Cheval, +September 10, 1871. Having tendered his resignation from active service, +he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the territorial army February +3, 1880. He has been decorated with the Legion of Honor. + +The Marquis de Massa is known as a composer of music and as a dramatic +author and novelist. At the Opera Comique there was represented in +1861 Royal-Cravate, written by him. Fragments of two operas by him were +performed at the Paris Conservatory of Music in 1865, and in 1868. The +list of his principal plays follows: 'Le Service en campagne, comedy +(1882); La Cicatrice, comedy (1885); Au Mont Ida, Fronsac a La Bastille, +and La Coeur de Paris, all in 1887; La Czarine and Brouille depuis +Magenta (1888), and La Bonne Aventure--all comedies--1889. Together with +Petipa he also wrote a ballet Le Roi d'Yvetot (1866); music by Charles +Labarre. He further wrote Zibeline, a most brilliant romance (1892) with +an Introduction by Jules Claretie; crowned by the Academie Francaise. +This odd and dainty little story has a heroine of striking originality, +in character and exploits. Her real name is Valentine de Vermont, and +she is the daughter of a fabulously wealthy French-American dealer in +furs, and when, after his death, she goes to Paris to spend her colossal +fortune, and to make restitution to the man from whom her father won +at play the large sum that became the foundation of his wealth, certain +lively Parisian ladies, envying her her rich furs, gave her the name of +Zibeline, that of a very rare, almost extinct, wild animal. Zibeline's +American unconventionality, her audacity, her wealth, and generosity, +set all Paris by the ears. There are fascinating glimpses into the +drawing-rooms of the most exclusive Parisian society, and also into +the historic greenroom of the Comedie Francaise, on a brilliant "first +night." The man to whom she makes graceful restitution of his fortune +is a hero of the Franco-Mexican and Franco-Prussian wars, and when she +gives him back his property, she throws her heart in with the gift. The +story is an interesting study of a brilliant and unconventional American +girl as seen by the eyes of a clever Frenchman. + +Later came 'La Revue quand meme, comedy, (1894); Souvenirs et +Impressions (1897); La Revue retrospective, comedy (1899); and Sonnets' +the same year. + + PAUL HERVIEU + de l'Academe Francaise. + + + + +LETTER FROM JULES CLARETIE TO THE AUTHOR + +MY DEAR FRIEND: + +I have often declared that I never would write prefaces! But how can +one resist a fine fellow who brings one an attractive manuscript, signed +with a name popular among all his friends, who asks of one, in the most +engaging way, an opinion on the same--then a word, a simple word of +introduction, like a signal to saddle? + +I have read your Zibeline, my dear friend, and this romance--your +first--has given me a very keen pleasure. You told me once that you felt +a certain timidity in publishing it. Reassure yourself immediately. A +man can not be regarded as a novice when he has known, as you have, +all the Parisian literary world so long; or rather, perhaps, I may more +accurately say, he is always a novice when he tastes for the first time +the intoxication of printer's ink. + +You have the quickest of wits and the least possible affectation of +gravity, and you have made as well known in Mexico as in Paris your +couplets on the end of the Mexican conflict with France. 'Tout Mexico y +passera!' Where are they, the 'tol-de-rols' of autumn? + +Yesterday I found, in a volume of dramatic criticism by that terrible +and charming Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly, an appreciation of one of your +comedies which bears a title very appropriate to yourself: 'Honor.' +"And this play does him honor," said Barbey d'Aurevilly, "because it is +charming, light, and supple, written in flowing verse, the correctness +of which does not rob it of its grace." + +That which the critic said of your comedy I will say of your romance. +It is a pretty fairy-story-all about Parisian fairies, for a great many +fairies live in Paris! In fact, more are to be found there than anywhere +else! There are good fairies and bad fairies among them. Your own +particular fairy is good and she is charming. I am tempted to ask +whether you have drawn your characters from life. That is a question +which was frequently put to me recently, after I had published +'L'Americaine.' The public longs to possess keys to our books. It is not +sufficient for them that a romance is interesting; it must possess also +a spice of scandal. + +Portraits? You have not drawn any--neither in the drawing-rooms where +Zibeline scintillates, nor in the foyer of the Comedie Francaise, +where for so long a time you have felt yourself at home. Your women are +visions and not studies from life--and I do not believe that you will +object to my saying this. + +You should not dislike the "romantic romance," which every one in these +days advises us to write--as if that style did not begin as far back +as the birth of romance itself: as if the Princess of Cleves had not +written, and as if Balzac himself, the great realist, had not invented, +the finest "romantic romances" that can be found--for example, the +amorous adventure of General de Montriveau and the Duchesse de Langlais! + +Apropos, in your charming story there is a General who pleases me very +much. How was it that you did not take, after the fashion of Paul de +Molenes, a dashing cavalry officer for your hero?--you, for whom the +literary cavalier has all the attractions of a gentleman and a soldier? + +Nothing could be more piquant, alert, chivalrous--in short, worthy of +a Frenchman--than the departure of your hero for the war after that +dramatic card-party, which was also a battle--and what a battle!--where, +at the end of the conflict, he left his all upon the green cloth. That +is an attractive sketch of the amiable comedienne, who wishes for fair +weather and a smooth sea for the soldier lover who is going so far away. +It seems to me that I have actually known that pretty girl at some time +or another! That chapter is full of the perfume of pearl powder and +iris! It is only a story, of course, but it is a magnificent story, +which will please many readers. + +The public will ask you to write others, be sure of that; and you will +do well, my dear friend, for your own sake and for ours, to follow the +precept of Denis Diderot: "My friends, write stories; while one writes +them he amuses himself, and the story of life goes on, and that is less +gay than the stories we can tell." + +I do not know precisely whether these last words, which are slightly +pessimistic, are those of the good Diderot himself. But they are +those of a Parisian of 1892, who has been able to forget his cares and +annoyances in reading the story that you have told so charmingly. + +With much affection to you, and wishing good luck to Zibeline, I am + +Your friend, JULES CLARETIE + de l'Academie Francaise. +APRIL 26, 1892. + + + + +ZIBELINE + + + + +BOOK 1. + + + + +CHAPTER I. LES FRERES-PROVENCAUX. + +In the days of the Second Empire, the Restaurant des Freres-Provencaux +still enjoyed a wide renown to which its fifty years of existence had +contributed more than a little to heighten its fame. + +This celebrated establishment was situated near the Beaujolais Gallery +of the Palais-Royal, close to the narrow street leading to the Rue +Vivienne, and it had been the rendezvous of epicures, either residents +of Paris or birds of passage, since the day it was opened. + +On the ground floor was the general dining-room, the gathering-place for +honest folk from the provinces or from other lands; the next floor had +been divided into a succession of private rooms, comfortably furnished, +where, screened behind thick curtains, dined somewhat "irregular" +patrons: lovers who were in either the dawn, the zenith, or the decline +of their often ephemeral fancies. On the top floor, spacious salons, +richly decorated, were used for large and elaborate receptions of +various kinds. + +At times the members of certain social clubs gave in these rooms +subscription balls of anacreontic tendencies, the feminine element +of which was recruited among the popular gay favorites of the period. +Occasionally, also, young fellows about town, of different social rank, +but brought together by a pursuit of amusement in common, met here on +neutral ground, where, after a certain hour, the supper-table was turned +into a gaming-table, enlivened by the clinking of glasses and the rattle +of the croupier's rake, and where to the excitement of good cheer was +added that of high play, with its alternations of unexpected gains and +disastrous losses. + +It was at a reunion of this kind, on the last evening in the month +of May, 1862, that the salons on the top floor were brilliantly +illuminated. A table had been laid for twenty persons, who were to join +in a banquet in honor of the winner of the great military steeplechase +at La Marche, which had taken place a few days before. The victorious +gentleman-rider was, strange to say, an officer of infantry--an +unprecedented thing in the annals of this sport. + +Heir to a seigneurial estate, which had been elevated to a marquisate in +the reign of Louis XII, son of a father who had the strictest notions as +to the preservation of pure blood, Henri de Prerolles, early initiated +into the practice of the breaking and training of horses, was at +eighteen as bold and dashing a rider as he was accomplished in other +physical exercises; and although, three years later, at his debut at St. +Cyr, he expressed no preference for entering the cavalry service, for +which his early training and rare aptitude fitted him, it was because, +in the long line of his ancestors--which included a marshal of France +and a goodly number of lieutenants-general--all, without exception, from +Ravenna to Fontenoy, had won renown as commanders of infantry. + +At the outbreak of the French Revolution, Henri's grandfather, who had +distinguished himself in the American War for Independence, left +his native land only when he was in the last extremity. As soon as +circumstances permitted, he reentered France with his son, upon whom +Napoleon conferred a brevet rank, which the recipient accepted of his +free will. He began his military experience in Spain, returned safe and +well from the retreat from Russia, and fought valiantly at Bautzen and +at Dresden. The Restoration--by which time he had become chief of his +battalion--could not fail to advance his career; and the line was about +to have another lieutenant-general added to its roll, when the events of +1830 decided Field-Marshal the Marquis de Prerolles to sheathe his +sword forever, and to withdraw to his own estate, near the forest of +l'Ile-d'Adam, where hunting and efforts toward the improvement of the +equine race occupied his latter years. + +He died in 1860, a widower, leaving two children: Jeanne, recently +married to the Duc de Montgeron, and his son Henri, then a pupil in +a military school, who found himself, on reaching his majority, in +possession of the chateau and domains of Prerolles, the value of which +was from fifteen to eighteen hundred thousand francs. + +Having been made sub-lieutenant by promotion on the first day of +October, 1861, the young Marquis, already the head of his house and a +military leader, asked and obtained the favor of being incorporated with +a battalion of chasseurs garrisoned at Vincennes. + +Exact in the performance of his military duties, and at the same time +ardent in the pursuit of pleasure, he was able, thanks to his robust +health, to conciliate the exigencies of the one with the fatigues of the +other. + +Unfortunately, Henri was fond of gaming, and his natural impetuosity, +which showed itself by an emulation of high standards in his military +duties, degenerated into recklessness before the baccarat-table. At the +end of eighteen months, play, and an expensive liaison with an actress, +had absorbed half his fortune, and his paternal inheritance had been +mortgaged as well. The actress was a favorite in certain circles and had +been very much courted; and this other form of rivalry, springing +from the glitter of the footlights, added so much the more fuel to the +prodigalities of the inflammable young officer. + +Affairs were in this situation when, immediately after Henri's triumph +at the race-track, a bettor on the opposite side paid one of his wagers +by offering to the victor a grand dinner at the Freres-Provencaux. + + + + +CHAPTER II. BIRDS OF PREY + +The hero of the night was seated at the middle of one side of the table, +in the place of honor. For his 'vis-a-vis' he had his lively friend +Fanny Dorville, star of the Palais Royal, while at his right sat Heloise +Virot, the "first old woman," or duenna, of the same theatre, whose well +known jests and eccentricities added their own piquancy to gay life in +Paris. The two artists, being compelled to appear in the after-piece at +their theatre that evening, had come to the dinner made up and in full +stage costume, ready to appear behind the footlights at the summons of +the call-boy. + +The other guests were young men accustomed to the surroundings of the +weighing-stand and the betting-room, at a time when betting had not yet +become a practice of the masses; and most of them felt highly honored +to rub elbows with a nobleman of ancient lineage, as was Henri de +Prerolles. + +Among these persons was Andre Desvanneaux, whose father, a churchwarden +at Ste.-Clotilde, had attained a certain social prestige by his good +works, and Paul Landry, in his licentiate in a large banking house in +Paris. The last named was the son of a ship-owner at Havre, and his +character was ambitious and calculating. He cherished, under a +quiet demeanor, a strong hope of being able to supply, by the rapid +acquisition of a fortune, the deficiencies of his inferior birth, from +which his secret vanity suffered severely. Being an expert in all games +of chance, he had already accumulated, while waiting for some brilliant +coup, enough to lead a life of comparative elegance, thus giving a +certain satisfaction to his instincts. He and Henri de Prerolles never +yet had played cards together, but the occasion was sure to come some +day, and Paul Landry had desired it a long time. + +The company, a little silent at first, was becoming somewhat more +animated, when a head-waiter, correct, and full of a sense of his own +importance, entered the salon, holding out before him with both hands +a large tray covered with slender glasses filled with a beverage called +"the cardinal's drink," composed of champagne, Bordeaux, and slices of +pineapple. The method of blending these materials was a professional +secret of the Freres-Provencaux. + +Instantly the guests were on their feet, and Heloise, who had been +served first, proposed that they should drink the health of the Marquis, +but, prompted by one of her facetious impulses, instead of lifting the +glass to her own lips, she presented it to those of the waiter, and, +raising her arm, compelled him to swallow the contents. Encouraged +by laughter and applause, she presented to him a second glass, then a +third; and the unhappy man drank obediently, not being able to push away +the glasses without endangering the safety of the tray he carried. + +Fanny Dorville interceded in vain for the victim; the inexorable duenna +had already seized a fourth glass, and the final catastrophe would have +been infallibly brought about, had not providence intervened in the +person of the call-boy, who, thrusting his head through the half-open +doorway, cried, shrilly: + +"Ladies, they are about to begin!" + +The two actresses hastened away, escorted by Andre Desvanneaux, a modern +Tartufe, who, though married, was seen everywhere, as much at home +behind the scenes as in church. + +Coffee and liqueurs were then served in a salon adjoining the large +dining-room, which gave the effect of a private club-room to this part +of the restaurant. + +Cigars were lighted, and conversation soon turned on feminine charms and +the performances of various horses, particularly those of Franc-Comtois, +the winner of the military steeplechase. This animal was one of the +products of the Prerolles stud, and was ordinary enough on flat ground, +but a jumper of the first rank. + +At last the clock struck the half hour after eleven, and some of the +guests had already manifested their intention to depart, when Paul +Landry, who had been rather silent until then, said, carelessly: + +"You expect to sleep to-night in Paris, no doubt, Monsieur de +Prerolles?" + +"Oh, no," Henri replied, "I am on duty this week, and am obliged to +return to Vincennes early in the morning. So I shall stay here until it +is time for me to go." + +"In that case, might we not have a game of cards?" proposed Captain +Constantin Lenaieff, military attache to the suite of the Russian +ambassador. + +"As you please," said Henri. + +This proposal decided every one to remain. The company returned to the +large dining-room, which, in the mean time, had been again transformed +into a gaming-hall, with the usual accessories: a frame for the +tally-sheet, a metal bowl to hold rejected playing-cards set in one end +of the table, and, placed at intervals around it, were tablets on which +the punter registered the amount of the stakes. + +On reentering this apartment, Henri de Prerolles approached a sort +of counter, and, drawing from his pocket thirty thousand francs in +bank-notes, he exchanged them for their value in mother-of-pearl +"chips" of different sizes, representing sums from one to five, ten, +twenty-five, or a hundred louis. Paul Landry took twenty-five thousand +francs' worth; Constantin Unaieff, fifteen thousand; the others, less +fortunate or more prudent, took smaller sums; and about midnight the +game began. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE GAME + +It began quietly enough, the two principal players waiting, before +making any bold strokes, to see how the luck should run. The first +victory was in favor of Henri, who, at the end of a hand dealt by +Constantin Lenaieff, had won about three hundred Louis. Just at this +moment the two women returned, accompanied by Desvanneaux. + +"I had some difficulty in persuading our charming friends to return," +said he; "Mademoiselle Dorville was determined that some one should +escort her to her own house." + +"You, perhaps, Desvanneaux," said Henri, twisting up the ends of his +moustache. + +"Not at all," said Fanny; "I wished Heloise to go with me. I have +noticed that when I am here you always lose. I fear I have the evil +eye." + +"Say, rather, that you have no stomach," said Heloise. "Had you made +your debut, as I made mine, with Frederic Lemaitre in 'Thirty Years in +the Life of an Actor'" + +"It certainly would not rejuvenate her," said Henri, finishing the +sentence. + +"Marquis, you are very impertinent," said the duenna, laughing. "As a +penalty, you must lend me five louis." + +"With the greatest pleasure." + +"Thank you!" + +And, as a new hand was about to be dealt, Heloise seated herself at one +of the tables. This time Paul Landry put fifteen thousand francs in the +bank. + +"Will you do me the favor to cut the cards?" he asked of Fanny, who +stood behind Henri's chair. + +"What! in spite of my evil eye, Monsieur?" + +"I do not fear that, Mademoiselle. Your eyes have always been too +beautiful for one of them to change now." + +Stale as was this compliment, it had the desired effect, and the young +woman thrust vertically into the midst of the pack the cards he held out +to her. + +"Play, messieurs," said the banker. + +"Messieurs and Madame," corrected Heloise, placing her five chips before +her, while Henri, at the other table, staked the six thousand francs +which he had just won. + +"Don't put up more than there is in the bank," objected Paul Landry, +throwing a keen glance at the stakes. Having assured himself that on the +opposing side to this large sum there were hardly thirty louis, he dealt +the cards. + +"Eight!" said he, laying down his card. + +"Nine!" said Heloise. + +"Baccarat!" said Henri, throwing two court-cards into the basket. + +The rake rattled on the losing table, but after the small stakes of +the winners had been paid, the greater part of the six thousand francs +passed into the hands of the banker. + +Five times in succession, at the first deal, the same thing happened; +and at the sixth round Heloise won six hundred francs, and Henri found +himself with no more counters. + +"This is the proper moment to retire!" said the duenna, rising from the +table. "Are you coming, Fanny?" + +"I beg you, let us go now," murmured Mademoiselle Dorville in the ear of +her lover. + +Her voice was caressing and full of tender promise. The young man +hesitated an instant. But to desert the game at his first loss seemed to +him an act unworthy of his reputation, and, as between love and pride, +the latter finally prevailed. + +"I have only an hour or two more to wait. Can not you go home by +yourself?" he replied to Fanny's appeal, while Heloise exchanged her +counters for tinkling coin, forgetting, no doubt, to reimburse her +creditor, who, in fact, gave no thought to the matter. + +Henri accompanied the two women to a coach at the door, which had +been engaged by the thoughtful and obliging Desvanneaux; and, pressing +tenderly the hand of his mistress, he murmured: + +"Till to-morrow!" + +"To-morrow!" she echoed, her heart oppressed with sad forebodings. + +Desvanneaux, whose wife was very jealous of him, made all haste to +regain his conjugal abode. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE RESULT + +Meanwhile, Paul Landry had begun badly, and had had some ill turns of +luck; nevertheless, feeling that his fortune was about to change, he +raised the stakes. + +"Does any one take him up?" asked Constantin Lenaeiff. + +"I do," said De Prerolles, who had returned to the table. + +And, seizing a pencil that lay on the card-table, he signed four cheques +of twenty-five thousand francs each. Unfortunately for him, the next +hand was disastrous. The stakes were increased, and the bank was broken +several times, when Paul Landry, profiting by a heavy gain, doubled and +redoubled the preceding stakes, and beheld mounting before him a pile of +cheques and counters. + +But, as often happens in such circumstances, his opponent, Henri de +Prerolles, persisted in his vain battle against ill-luck, until at three +o'clock in the morning, controlling his shaken nerves and throwing down +his cards, without any apparent anger, he said: + +"Will you tell me, gentlemen, how much I owe you?" + +After all accounts had been reckoned, he saw that he had lost two +hundred and ninety thousand francs, of which two hundred and sixty +thousand in cheques belonged to Paul Landry, and the thirty thousand +francs' balance to the bank. + +"Monsieur de Prerolles," said Paul Landry, hypocritically, "I am ashamed +to win such a sum from you. If you wish to seek your revenge at some +other game, I am entirely at your service." + +The Marquis looked at the clock, calculated that he had still half an +hour to spare, and, not more for the purpose of "playing to the gallery" +than in the hope of reducing the enormous sum of his indebtedness, he +replied: + +"Will it be agreeable to you to play six hands of bezique?" + +"Certainly, Monsieur. How much a point?" + +"Ten francs, if that is not too much." + +"Not at all! I was about to propose that amount myself." + +A quick movement of curiosity ran through the assembly, and a circle was +formed around the two opponents in this exciting match. + +Every one knows that bezique is played with four packs of cards, and +that the number of points may be continued indefinitely. The essential +thing is to win at least one thousand points at the end of each hand; +unless a player does this he is said to "pass the Rubicon," becoming +twice a loser--that is, the victor adds to his own score the points lost +by his adversary. Good play, therefore, consists largely in avoiding +the "Rubicon" and in remaining master of the game to the last trick, +in order to force one's adversary over the "Rubicon," if he stands in +danger of it. The first two hands were lost by Landry, who, having each +time approached the "Rubicon," succeeded in avoiding it only by the +greatest skill and prudence. Immediately his opponent, still believing +that good luck must return to him, began to neglect the smaller points +in order to make telling strokes, but he became stranded at the very +port of success, as it were; so that, deducting the amount of his first +winning, he found at the end of the fifth hand that he had lost six +thousand points. Notwithstanding his wonderful self-control, it was +not without difficulty that the young officer preserved a calm demeanor +under the severe blows dealt him by Fortune. Paul Landry, always +master of himself, lowered his eyes that their expression of greedy +and merciless joy should not be seen. The nearer the game drew to its +conclusion, the closer pressed the circle of spectators, and in the +midst of a profound silence the last hand began. Favored from the +beginning with the luckiest cards, followed by the most fortunate +returns, Paul Landry scored successively "forty, bezique," five hundred +and fifteen hundred. He lacked two cards to make the highest point +possible, but Henri, by their absence from his own hand, could measure +the peril that menaced him. So, surveying the number of cards that +remained in stock, he guarded carefully three aces of trumps which might +help him to avert disaster. But, playing the only ace that would allow +him to score again, Paul Landry announced coldly, laying on the table +four queens of spades and four knaves of diamonds: + +"Four thousand five hundred!" This was the final stroke. The last hand +had wiped out, by eight thousand points, the possessions of Landry's +adversary. The former losses of the unfortunate Marquis were now +augmented by one hundred and forty thousand francs. Henri became very +pale, but, summoning all his pride to meet the glances of the curious, +he arose, rang a bell, and called for a pen and a sheet of stamped +paper. Then, turning to Paul Landry, he said, calmly "Monsieur, I owe +you four hundred thousand francs. Debts of honor are payable within +twenty-four hours, but in order to realize this sum, I shall require +more time. How long a delay will you grant me?" + +"As long as you wish, Monsieur." + +"I thank you. I ask a month." + +A waiter appeared, bringing the pen and paper. + +"Oh, your word will be sufficient for me," said Landry. + +"Pardon me!" said the Marquis. "One never knows what may happen. I +insist that you shall accept a formal acknowledgment of the debt." + +And he wrote: + +"I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I owe to Monsieur Paul Landry the +sum of four hundred thousand francs, which I promise to pay in thirty +days, counting from this date." + +He dated, signed, and folded the paper, and handed it to Paul Landry. +Then, glancing at the clock, whose hands pointed to a quarter before +four, he said: + +"Permit me to take leave of you, gentlemen. I have barely time to reach +Vincennes before roll-call." + +He lighted a cigar, saluted the astonished assembly with perfect +coolness, slowly descended the stairs, and jumped into his carriage, the +chasseur of the restaurant holding open the door for him. + +"To Vincennes!" he cried to the coachman; "and drive like the devil!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. A DESPERATE RESOLUTION + +The chimneys and roofs of the tall houses along the boulevards stood out +sharp and clear in the light of the rising sun. Here and there squads +of street-cleaners appeared, and belated hucksters urged their horses +toward the markets; but except for these, the streets were deserted, and +the little coupe that carried Caesar and his misfortunes rolled rapidly +toward the Barriere du Trone. + +With all the coach-windows lowered, in order to admit the fresh morning +air, the energetic nobleman, buffeted by ill-luck, suddenly raised his +head and steadily looked in the face the consequences of his defeat. +He, too, could say that all was lost save honor; and already, from the +depths of his virile soul, sprang the only resolution that seemed to him +worthy of himself. + +When he entered his own rooms in order to dress, his mind was made up; +and although, during the military exercises that morning, his commands +were more abrupt than usual, no one would have suspected that his mind +was preoccupied by any unusual trouble. + +He decided to call upon his superior officer that afternoon to request +from him authorization to seek an exchange for Africa. Then he went +quietly to breakfast at the pension of the officers of his own rank, +who, observing his calm demeanor, in contrast to their own, knew that +he must be unaware of the important news just published in the morning +journals. General de Lorencez, after an unsuccessful attack upon the +walls of Puebla, had been compelled to retreat toward Orizaba, and to +intrench there while waiting for reenforcements. + +This military event awakened the liveliest discussions, and in the +midst of the repast a quartermaster entered to announce the reply to the +report, first presenting his open register to the senior lieutenant. + +"Ah! By Jove, fellows! what luck!" cried that officer, joyously. + +"What is it?" demanded the others in chorus. + +"Listen to this!" And he read aloud: "'General Order: An expedition +corps, composed of two divisions of infantry, under the command of +General Forey, is in process of forming, in order to be sent to Mexico +on urgent business. The brigade of the advance guard will be composed of +the First Regiment of Zouaves and the Eighteenth Battalion of infantry. +As soon as these companies shall be prepared for war, this battalion +will proceed by the shortest route to Toulon; thence they will embark +aboard the Imperial on the twenty-sixth day of June next.'" + +Arousing cheer drowned the end of the reading of this bulletin, the +tenor of which gave to Henri's aspirations an immediate and more +advantageous prospect immediate, because, as his company was the first +to march, he was assured of not remaining longer at the garrison; more +advantageous, because the dangers of a foreign expedition opened a much +larger field for his chances of promotion. + +Consequently, less than a month remained to him in which to settle his +indebtedness. After the reading of the bulletin, he asked one of his +brother officers to take his place until evening, caught the first train +to town, and, alighting at the Bastille, went directly to the Hotel +de Montgeron, where he had temporary quarters whenever he chose to use +them. + +"Is the Duke at home?" he inquired of the Swiss. + +Receiving an affirmative reply, he crossed the courtyard, and was soon +announced to his brother-in-law, the noble proprietor of La Sarthe, +deputy of the Legitimist opposition to the Corps Legislatif of the +Empire. + +The Duc de Montgeron listened in silence to his relative's explanation +of his situation. When the recital was finished, without uttering a +syllable he opened a drawer, drew out a legal paper, and handed it to +Henri, saying: + +"This is my marriage contract. Read it, and you will see that I have +had, from the head of my family, three hundred and fifteen thousand +livres income. I do not say this to you in order to contrast my riches +with your ruin, but only to prove to you that I was perfectly well able +to marry your sister even had she possessed no dot. That dot yields +seven hundred and fifteen thousand francs' income, at three per cent. +We were married under the law of community of goods, which greatly +simplifies matters when husband and wife have, as have Jeanne and +myself, but one heart and one way of looking at things. To consult her +would be, perhaps, to injure her. To-morrow I will sell the necessary +stock, and ere the end of the week Monsieur Durand, your notary and +ours, shall hold at your disposal the amount of the sum you lost last +night." + +The blood rose to the cheeks of the young officer. + +"I--I" he stammered, pressing convulsively the hands of his +brother-in-law. "Shall I let you pay the ransom for my madness and +folly? Shall I a second time despoil my sister, already robbed by me of +one half her rightful share? I should die of shame! Or, rather--wait a +moment! Let us reverse our situations for an instant, and if you will +swear to me that, were you in my place, you would accept--Ah, you see! +You hesitate as much now as you hesitated little a moment ago in your +simple and cordial burst of generosity: Consequently, I refuse!" + +"What do you mean to do, then?" + +"To sell Prerolles immediately-to-day, if possible. This determination +troubles you because of the grief it will cause Jeanne. It will grieve +me, too. And the courage to tell this to her is the only effort to which +my strength is unequal. Only you can tell it in such a way as to soften +the blow--" + +"I will try to do it," said the Duke. + +"I thank you! As to the personal belongings and the family portraits, +their place is at Montgeron, is it not?" + +"That is understood. Now, one word more, Henri." + +"Speak!" + +"Have you not another embarrassment to settle?" + +"I have indeed, and the sooner the better. Unhappily--" + +"You have not enough money," finished the Duke. "I have received this +morning twenty-five thousand francs' rent from my farms. Will you allow +me to lend them to you?" + +"To be repaid from the price of the sale? Very willingly, this time." + +And he placed in an envelope the notes handed him by his brother-in-law. + +"This is the last will and testament of love," said the Marquis, as he +departed, to give the necessary instructions to his notary. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE FAREWELL + +His debts were easily reckoned. He owed eight hundred thousand francs to +the Credit Foncier; four hundred thousand to Paul Landry; more than +one hundred thousand to various jewellers and shopkeepers; twenty-five +thousand to the Duc de Montgeron. It was necessary to sell the chateau +and the property at one million four hundred thousand francs, and the +posters advertising the sale must be displayed without delay. + +Then he must say farewell to Fanny Dorville. Nothing should disturb a +sensible mind; the man who, with so much resolution, deprives himself +of his patrimonial estates should not meet less bravely the separation +imposed by necessity. + +As soon as Henri appeared in Fanny's boudoir, she divined that her +presentiments of the previous night had not deceived her. + +"You have lost heavily?" she asked. + +"Very heavily," he replied, kissing her brow. + +"And it was my fault!" she cried. "I brought you bad luck, and that +wretch of a Landry knew well what he was about when he made me cut the +cards that brought you misfortune!" + +"No, no, my dear-listen! The only one in fault was I, who allowed +myself, through false pride, to be persuaded that I should not seem to +fear him." + +"Fear him--a professional gambler, who lives one knows not how! +Nonsense! It is as if one should fight a duel with a fencing-master." + +"What do you wish, my dear? The evil is done--and it is so great--" + +"That you have not the means to pay the sum? Oh, but wait a moment." + +And taking up a casket containing a superb collar of pearls, she said: + +"This is worth fourteen thousand francs. You may well take them from me, +since it was you that gave them to me." + +No doubt, she had read De Musset, and this action was perhaps a +refection of that of Marion, but the movement was sincere. Something +of the stern pride of this other Rolla was stirred; a sob swelled his +bosom, and two tears--those tears that rise to a soldier's eyes in the +presence of nobility and goodness--fell from his eyes upon the hair of +the poor girl. + +"I have not come to that yet," he said, after a short silence. "But we +must part--" + +"You are about to marry?" she cried. + +"Oh, no!" + +"Ah, so much the better!" + +In a few words he told her of his approaching departure, and said that +he must devote all his remaining time to the details of the mobilization +of troops. + +"So--it is all over!" said Fanny, sadly. "But fear nothing! I have +courage, and even if I have the evil eye at play, I know of something +that brings success in war. Will you accept a little fetich from me?" + +"Yes, but you persist in trying to give me something," he said, placing +on a table the sealed envelope he had brought. + +"How good you are!" she murmured. "Now promise me one thing: let us dine +together once more. Not at the Provencaux, however. Oh, heavens! no! At +the Cafe Anglais--where we dined before the play the first time we--" + +The entrance of Heloise cut short the allusion to a memory of autumn. + +"Ah, it is you," said Fanny nervously. "You come apropos." + +"Is there a row in the family?" inquired Heloise. + +"As if there could be!" + +"What is it, then?" + +"You see Henri, do you not?" + +"Well, yes, I do, certainly. What then?" + +"Then look at him long and well, for you will not see him again in many +a day. He is going to Mexico!" + +"To exploit a mine?" + +"Yes, Heloise," the officer replied, "a mine that will make the walls of +Puebla totter." + +"In that case, good luck, my General!" said the duenna, presenting arms +with her umbrella. + +Fanny could not repress a smile in spite of her tears. Her lover seized +this moment to withdraw from her arms and reach the stairs. + +"And now, Marquis de Prerolles, go forth to battle!" cried the old +actress to him over the banisters, with the air of an artist who knows +her proper cue. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE VOW + +Notwithstanding the desire expressed by his mistress, Henri firmly +decided not to repeat that farewell scene. + +The matter that concerned him most was the wish not to depart without +having freed himself wholly from his debt to Paul Landry. Fortunately, +because of a kindly interest, as well as on account of the guaranty of +the Duc de Montgeron, a rich friend consented to advance the sum; so +that, one week before the day appointed for payment, the losing +player was able to withdraw his signature from the hands of his greedy +creditor. + +Relieved from this anxiety, Henri had asked, the night before the day +set for departure, for leave of absence for several hours, in order +to visit for the last time a spot very dear to him, upon whose walls +placards now hung, announcing the sale of the property to take place on +the following morning. + +No one received warning of this visit in extremis save the steward, +who awaited his master before the gates of the chateau, the doors and +windows of which had been flung wide open. + +At the appointed hour the visitor appeared at the end of the avenue, +advancing with a firm step between two hedges bordered with poplars, +behind which several brood-mares, standing knee-deep in the rich grass, +suckled their foal. + +The threshold of the gate crossed, master and man skirted the lawn, +traversed the garden, laid out in the French fashion, and, side by side, +without exchanging a word, mounted the steps of the mansion. Entering +the main hall, the Marquis, whose heart was full of memories of his +childhood, stopped a long time to regard alternately the two suites of +apartments that joined the vestibule to the two opposite wings. Making +a sign to his companion not to follow him, Henri then entered the vast +gallery, wherein hung long rows of the portraits of his ancestors; and +there, baring his head before that of the Marshal of France whose name +he bore, he vowed simply, without excitement, and in a low tone, either +to vanquish the enemy or to add, after the manner of his forbears, a +glorious page to his family's history. + +The object of his pilgrimage having thus been accomplished, the Marquis +ordered the steward to see that all the portraits were sent to the +Chateau de Montgeron; then, after pressing his hand in farewell, he +returned to the station by the road whence he had come, avoiding the +village in order to escape the curious eyes of the peasantry. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. IN SEARCH OF GLORY + +The next morning the 18th battalion of 'chasseurs', in dress uniform, +with knapsacks on their backs and fully armed, awaited in the Gare de +Lyon the moment to board the train destined to transport them to the +coast. + +At a trumpet-call this movement was executed in silence, and in perfect +order; and only after all the men were installed did the functionaries +who kept the crowd in order take their own places in the carriages, +leaving a throng of relatives and friends jostling one another upon the +quay. + +Fanny Dorville and her friend the duenna tried in vain to reach the +compartment wherein Henri had his place, already in marching order; +the presence of the Duc and the Duchesse de Montgeron prevented the two +women from approaching him. Nevertheless, at the moment when the train +began to move slowly out of the station, an employee found the means to +slip into the hands of the Marquis a small packet containing the little +fetich which his mistress had kept for him. It was a medallion of the +Holy Virgin, which had been blessed at Notre-Dame des-Victoires, and it +was attached to a long gold chain. + +Thirty-six hours later, on the evening of the 26th of June, the +battalion embarked aboard the Imperial, which, with steam up, was due to +leave the Toulon roadstead at daybreak. At the moment of getting under +weigh, the officer in charge of the luggage, who was the last to leave +the shore, brought several despatches aboard the ship, and handed to +Lieutenant de Prerolles a telegram, which had been received the evening +before at the quay. + +The Marquis opened it and read: "Chateau and lands sold for 1,450,000 +francs. Everything paid, 1600 francs remain disposable." + +"That is to say," thought the officer, sadly, "I have my pay and barely +three thousand francs' income!" + +Leaning both elbows upon the taffrail, he gazed long at the shores +of France, which appeared to fly toward the horizon; then, brusquely +turning his eyes to the quarters filled with the strong figures and +manly faces of the young foot-soldiers of the 18th battalion, he said +to himself that among such men, under whatever skies or at whatever +distance, one found his country--glancing aloft where floated above his +head the folds of his flag. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE + +Twenty-three years after the events already recorded, on a cold +afternoon in February, the Bois de Boulogne appeared to be draped in a +Siberian mantle rarely seen at that season. A deep and clinging covering +of snow hid the ground, and the prolonged freezing of the lakes gave +absolute guaranty of their solidity. + +A red sun, drowned in mist, threw a mild radiance over the landscape, +and many pedestrians stamped their feet around the borders of the lake +belonging to the Skaters' Club, and watched the hosts of pretty women +descending from their carriages, delighted at the opportunity afforded +them, by this return of winter, to engage in their favorite exercise. + +Received on her arrival by one of the attendants posted at the entrance, +each of the fair skaters entered in turn a small building reserved for +ladies, whence she soon came forth in full skating array, ready to risk +herself on the ice, either alone or guided by the hand of some expert +cavalier. + +Here and there, around the enclosure, large garden-seats, shaped like +sentry-boxes, were reserved for the mothers and sisters of the members +of the club, so that they could observe, from a comfortable shelter, the +evolutions of those in whom they were interested. + +Within two of these nooks, side by side, sat the Duchesse de Montgeron, +president, and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, vice-president of the Charity +Orphan Asylum; the latter had come to look on at the first essay on the +ice of her daughter, Madame de Thomery; the former, to judge the skill +of her brother, General the Marquis de Prerolles, past-master in all +exercises of strength and skill. + +At forty-five years of age, the young General had preserved the same +grace and slenderness that had distinguished him when he had first +donned the elegant tunic of an officer of chasseuys. His hair, cut +rather short, had become slightly gray on his temples, but his jaunty +moustache and well-trimmed beard were as yet innocent of a single silver +thread. The same energy shone in his eyes, the same sonority rang in his +voice, which had become slightly more brusque and authoritative from his +long-continued habit of command. + +In a small round hat, with his hands in the pockets of an outing-jacket, +matching his knickerbockers in color, he strolled to and fro near his +sister, now encouraging Madame de Thomery, hesitating on the arm of her +instructor, now describing scientific flourishes on the ice, in rivalry +against the crosses dashed off by Madame de Lisieux and Madame de +Nointel--two other patronesses of the orphanage--the most renowned among +all the fashionable skaters. This sort of tourney naturally attracted +all eyes, and the idlers along the outer walks had climbed upon the +paling in order to gain a better view of the evolutions, when suddenly a +spectacle of another kind called their attention to the entrance-gate in +their rear. + +Passing through the Porte Dauphine, and driven by a young woman +enveloped in furs, advanced swiftly, over the crisp snow, a light +American sleigh, to which was harnessed a magnificent trotter, whose +head and shoulders emerged, as from an aureole, through that flexible, +circular ornament which the Russians call the 'douga'. + +Having passed the last turn of the path, the driver slackened her grasp, +and the horse stopped short before the entrance. His owner, throwing the +reins to a groom perched up behind, sprang lightly to the ground amid a +crowd of curious observers, whose interest was greatly enhanced by the +sight of the odd-looking vehicle. + +The late-comer presented her card of invitation to the proper +functionary, and went across the enclosure toward the ladies' salon. + +"Ah! there is Zibeline!" cried Madame Desvanneaux, with an affected air. +"Do you know her?" she inquired of the Duchesse de Montgeron. + +"Not yet," the Duchess replied. "She did not arrive in Paris until the +end of spring, just at the time I was leaving town for the seashore. But +I know that she says her real name is Mademoiselle de Vermont, and that +she was born in Louisiana, of an old French family that emigrated to the +North, and recently became rich in the fur trade-from which circumstance +Madame de Nointel has wittily named her 'Zibeline.' I know also that +she is an orphan, that she has an enormous fortune, and has successively +refused, I believe, all pretenders who have thus far aspired to her +hand." + +"Yes--gamblers, and fortune-hunters, in whose eyes her millions excuse +all her eccentricities." + +"Do I understand that she has been presented to you?" asked the Duchess, +surprised. + +"Well, yes-by the old Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, one of her so-called +cousins--rather distant, I fancy! But the independent airs of this young +lady, and her absolute lack of any respectable chaperon, have decided me +to break off any relations that might throw discredit on our patriarchal +house," Madame Desvanneaux replied volubly, as ready to cross herself as +if she had been speaking of the devil! + +The Duchess could not repress a smile, knowing perfectly that her +interlocutor had been among the first to demand for her son the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont! + +During this dialogue, the subject of it had had time to cast aside her +fur cloak, to fasten upon her slender, arched feet, clad in dainty, +laced boots, a pair of steel skates, with tangent blades, and without +either grooves or straps, and to dart out upon this miniature sheet of +water with the agility of a person accustomed to skating on the great +lakes of America. + +She was a brunette, with crisply waving hair, a small head, well-set, +and deep yet brilliant eyes beneath arched and slightly meeting brows. +Her complexion was pale, and her little aquiline nose showed thin, +dilating nostrils. Her rosy lips, whose corners drooped slightly, +revealed dazzling teeth, and her whole physiognomy expressed an air of +haughty disdain, somewhat softened by her natural elegance. + +Her cloth costume, which displayed to advantage her slender waist and +graceful bust, was of simple but elegant cut, and was adorned with +superb trimmings of black fox, which matched her toque and a little +satin-lined muff, which from time to time she raised to her cheek to +ward off the biting wind. + +Perhaps her skirt was a shade too short, revealing in its undulations a +trifle too much of the dainty hose; but the revelation was so shapely it +would have been a pity to conceal it! + +"Very bad form!" murmured Madame Desvanneaux. + +"But one can not come to a place like this in a skirt with a train," was +the more charitable thought of the Duchess. + +Meantime the aforesaid tournament went on in the centre of the sheet of +ice, and Zibeline, without mingling with the other skaters, contented +herself with skirting the borders of the lake, rapidly designing a chain +of pierced hearts on the smooth surface, an appropriate symbol of her +own superiority. + +Annoyed to see himself eclipsed by a stranger, the General threw a +challenging glance in her direction, and, striking out vigorously in a +straight line, he sped swiftly toward the other end of the lake. + +Stung to the quick by his glance, Mademoiselle de Vermont darted after +him, passed him halfway along the course, and, wheeling around with +a wide, outward curve, her body swaying low, she allowed him to pass +before her, maintaining an attitude which her antagonist might interpret +as a salute, courteous or ironic, as he chose. + +By this time the crowd was gradually diminishing. The daylight was +waning, and a continued sound of closing gates announced the retreat of +the gay world toward Paris. + +Zibeline alone, taking advantage of the free field, lingered a few +moments to execute some evolutions in the deepening twilight, looking +like the heroines in the old ballads, half-visible, through the mists, \ +to the vivid imagination of the Scottish bards. + +Henri de Prerolles had entered his sister's carriage, in company with +Madame Desvanneaux and Madame Thomery, and during the drive home, these +two gentle dames--for the daughter was worthy of the mother--did not +fail to sneer at the fair stranger, dilating particularly upon the +impropriety of the challenging salute she had given to the General, with +whom she was unacquainted. + +"But my brother could hardly request his seconds to call upon her for +that!" laughingly said the Duchess who, it seemed, had decided to defend +the accused one in all attacks made upon her. + +"Look! Here she comes! She is passing us again. One would think she was +deliberately trying to do it!" exclaimed Madame Desvanneaux, just before +their carriage reached the Arc de Triomphe. + +Zibeline's sleigh, which had glided swiftly, and without hindrance, +along the unfrequented track used chiefly by equestrians, had indeed +overtaken the Duchess's carriage. Turning abruptly to the left, it +entered the open gateway belonging to one of the corner houses of the +Rond-Point de l'Etoile. + +"Decidedly, the young lady is very fond of posing," said the General, +with a shrug, and, settling himself in his corner, he turned his +thoughts elsewhere. + +Having deposited her two friends at their own door, the Duchess ordered +the coachman to take her home, and at the foot of the steps she said to +her brother: + +"Will you dine with us to-night?" + +"No, not to-night," he replied, "but we shall meet at the theatre." + +And, crossing the court, he entered his little bachelor apartment, which +he had occupied from time to time since the days when he was only a +sub-lieutenant. + + + + +CHAPTER X. GENERAL DE PREROLLES + +The sub-lieutenant had kept his word, and the progress of his career +deserves detailed mention. + +He was a lieutenant at the taking of Puebla, where he was first to +mount in the assault of the Convent of Guadalupita. Captain of the Third +Zouaves after the siege of Oajaca, he had exercised, during the rest +of the expedition, command over a mounted company, whose duty was to +maintain communications between the various columns, continuing, at the +same time, their operations in the Michoacan. + +This confidential mission, requiring as much power to take the +initiative as it demanded a cool head, gave the Marquis opportunity to +execute, with rapidity and decision, several master-strokes, which, +in the following circumstances, won for him the cross of the Legion of +Honor. + +The most audacious of the guerrillas who had devastated this fertile +country was a chief called Regulas. He pillaged the farms, stopped +railway trains, boldly demanding ransom from captives from the municipal +governments of large towns. He was continually, active, and always +inaccessible. + +Warned by his scouts that the followers of this villain menaced the town +of Pazcuaro, Captain de Prerolles prepared himself eagerly to meet them. +He overtook them in a night march, and fell upon them unexpectedly, just +as they were holding up the diligence from Morelia to Guadalajara. +His plans had been so well laid that not a man escaped. What was the +surprise of the French officer to find, among the travellers, delivered +by himself from certain death, Paul Landry, the principal cause of his +ruin, who the chances of war now laid under obligations to him! + +"This is my revenge," said the Captain, simply, to Landry, attempting to +avoid his thanks, and returning to him intact his luggage, of which the +chinacos had not had time to divide the contents. + +Reconciled in Algiers with his regiment, Henri de Prerolles did not +again quit the province of Constantine except to serve in the army of +the Rhine, as chief of battalion in the line, until the promotions which +followed the declaration of war in 1870. Officer of the Legion of Honor +for his gallantry at Gravelotte and at St. Privat, and assigned for his +ability to the employ of the chief of corps, he had just been called +upon to assume command of his former battalion of chasseurs, when the +disastrous surrender of Metz left him a prisoner of war in the hands of +the Germans. + +Profoundly affected by this disaster, but learning that the conflict +still continued, he refused to avail himself of the offer of comparative +freedom in the city, provided he would give his parole not to attempt +to escape. He was therefore conducted to a distant fortress near the +Russian frontier, and handed over to the captain of the landwehr, who +received instructions to keep a strict guard over him. + +This officer belonged to the engineering corps, and directed, at the +same time, the work of repairs within the citadel, in charge of a +civilian contractor. + +Taking into consideration the rank of his prisoner, the captain +permitted the Marquis to have with him his orderly, an Alsatian, who +twice a day brought from the inn his chief's repasts. This functionary +had permission also, from ten o'clock in the morning until sunset, to +promenade in the court under the eye of the sentinel on guard at the +entrance. At five o'clock in the evening, the officer of the landwehr +politely shut up his guest in his prison, double-locked the door, put +the key in his pocket, and appeared no more until the next morning. + +The middle of November had arrived; heavy snows had already fallen, and +the prisoner amused himself by constructing fortifications of snow--a +work which his amiable jailer followed with a professional interest, +giving him advice regarding modifications proper to introduce in the +defense of certain places, himself putting a finger in the pie in +support of his demonstration. + +This sort of amusement was followed so industriously that in a few days +a kind of rampart was erected in front of the casemate of the fortress, +behind which, by stooping a little, a man of ordinary height could +easily creep along unseen by the sentinel. + +While pursuing his work of modelling in snow, the Marquis de Prerolles +had taken care to observe the goings and comings of the civilian +contractor, who, wearing a tall hat and attired in a black redingote, +departed regularly every day at half-past four, carrying a large +portfolio under his arm. To procure such a costume and similar +accessories for himself was easy, since the Marquis's orderly spoke the +language of the country; and to introduce them into the prison, hidden +in a basket of provisions, was not difficult to accomplish. + +To execute all this required only four trips to and fro. At the end +of forty-eight hours, the necessary aids to escape were in the proper +place, hidden under the snow behind the bastion. More than this, the +clever Alsatian had slipped a topographical map of the surrounding +country between two of the plates in the basket. According to the scale, +the frontier was distant only about five leagues, across open +country, sparsely settled with occasional farms which would serve as +resting-places. + +By that time, the plan of escape was drawn up. Upon the day fixed for +his flight, the Marquis assumed his disguise, rolled up his own uniform +to look like a man asleep in his bed, lying after the fashion of a +sleeping soldier; and pleading a slight illness as an excuse for not +dining that evening, and, not without emotion, curled himself up behind +the snowy intrenchment which his jailer himself had helped to fashion. +That worthy man, only too glad to be able to rejoin his 'liebe frau' +a little earlier than usual, peeped through the half-open door of the +prisoner's room and threw a glance at the little cot-bed. + +"Good-night, Commander!" said the honest fellow, in a gentle voice. + +Then he double-locked the door, according to custom, and disappeared +whistling a national air. A quarter of an hour later the contractor left +the place, and as soon as the functionary who had seen him depart was +relieved by another, the prisoner left his hiding-place, crossed the +drawbridge in his turn, simulating the gait of his twin, and, without +any hindrance, rejoined his orderly at the place agreed upon. The trick +was played! + +A matter of twenty kilometres was a mere trifle for infantry troopers. +They walked as lightly as gymnasts, under a clear sky, through the +fields, guided by the lights in the farmhouses, and at nine o'clock, +having passed the frontier, they stumbled upon a post of Cossacks +ambuscaded behind a hedge! + +Unfortunately, at that time the Franco-Russian alliance was still in +embryo, and an agreement between the two neighboring States interdicted +all passage to Frenchmen escaping from the hands of their conquerors. +The two deserters were therefore conducted to the major of the nearest +garrison, who alone had the right to question them. + +As soon as they were in his presence, Henri could not restrain a +start of surprise, for he recognized Constantin Lenaieff, one of his +adversaries on the fatal night of the Freres-Provencaux. + +"Who are you?" demanded the Major, brusquely. + +"A dealer in Belgian cattle, purveyor to the German intendant," hazarded +the prisoner, who had his reply all prepared. + +"You--nonsense! You are a French officer; that is plain enough to be +seen, in spite of your disguise." + +The Major advanced a step in order to examine the prisoner more closely. + +"Good heavens!" he muttered, "I can not be mistaken--" + +He made a sign to his soldiers to retire, then, turning to Henri, he +said: + +"You are the Marquis de Prerolles!" and he extended his hand cordially +to the former companion of his pleasures. + +In a few words Henri explained to him the situation. + +"My fate is in your hands," he concluded. "Decide it!" + +"You are too good a player at this game not to win it," Lenaieff +replied, "and I am not a Paul Landry, to dispute it with you. Here is a +letter of safe-conduct made out in due form; write upon it any name you +choose. As for myself, I regard you absolutely as a Belgian citizen, and +I shall make no report of this occurrence. Only, let me warn you, as a +matter of prudence, you would do well not to linger in this territory, +and if you need money--" + +"I thank you!" replied the nobleman, quickly, declining with his +customary proud courtesy. "But I never shall forget the service you have +rendered me!" + +A few moments later, the two travellers drove away in a carriage toward +the nearest railway, in order to reenter France by way of Vienna and +Turin. + +They passed the Austrian and Italian frontiers without difficulty; but +at the station at Modena a too-zealous detective of the French police, +struck with the Alsatian accent of the orderly, immediately decided +that they were two Prussian spies, and refused to allow them to proceed, +since they could show him no passports. + +"Passports!" cried Henri de Prerolles, accompanying his exclamation with +the most Parisian oath that ever had reverberated from the Rue Laffitte +to the Madeleine. + +"Here is my passport!" he added, drawing from his pocket his officer's +cross, which he had taken good care not to allow to become a souvenir +in the hands of his jailer. "And if that does not satisfy you, give me a +pen." + +Suiting the action to the word, he seized a pen and wrote out the +following telegram: + + "DEPUTY OF WAR, TOURS: + + "Escaped from prisons of the enemy, I demand admittance to France, + and official duties suitable to my rank, that I may cooperate in the + national defence. + + "DE PREROLLES, Commandant." + +He handed the paper to the police agent, saying: "Do me the favor to +forward this despatch with the utmost expedition." + +As soon as the agent had glanced at the message, he swept a profound +salute. "Pass on, Commandant," said he, in a tone of great respect. + +Promoted to a higher rank, and appointed commander of a regiment of +foot, the Lieutenant-Colonel de Prerolles rejoined the army of Chanzy, +which, having known him a long time, assigned to him the duties of a +brigadier-general, and instructed him to cover his retreat from the +Loire on the Sarthe. + +In the ensuing series of daily combats, the auxiliary General performed +all that his chief expected of him, from Orleans to the battle of Maus, +where, in the thick of the fight, a shell struck him in the breast. It +is necessary to say that on the evening before he had noticed that the +little medallion which had been given to him by Fanny Dorville, worn +from its chain by friction, had disappeared from his neck. Scoffing +comrades smiled at the coincidence; the more credulous looked grave. + +The wound was serious, for, transported to the Chateau de Montgeron, +a few leagues distant, the Marquis was compelled to remain there six +months before he was in fit condition to rejoin his command. Toward the +end of his convalescence, in June, 1871, the brother and sister resolved +to make a pious pilgrimage to the cradle of their ancestors. + +Exactly nine years had elapsed since the castle and lands had been sold +at auction and fallen into the possession of a company of speculators, +who had divided it and resold it to various purchasers. Only the farm of +Valpendant, with a house of ancient and vast construction, built in +the time of Philippe-Auguste, remained to an old tenant, with his +dependencies and his primitive methods of agriculture. + +Leaving the train at the Beaumont tunnel, the two travellers made their +way along a road which crosses the high plateau that separates the +forest of Carnelle from the forest of the Ile-d'Adam, whence one can +discern the steeple of Prerolles rising above the banks of the Oise. + +From this culminating point they beheld the chateau transformed into +a factory, the park cut up into countryseats, the fields turned into +market-gardens! With profound sadness the brother and the sister met +each other's glance, and their eyes filled with tears, as if they stood +before a tomb on All Souls' Day. + +"No expiation is possible," said Henri to Jeanne, pressing her hand +convulsively. "I must go--I must move on forever and ever, like the +Wandering Jew." + +Thanks to the influence of the Duke of Montgeron, whose faithful +constituents had sent him to the National Assembly, his brother-in-law +had been transferred to a regiment of zouaves, of which he became +colonel in 1875, whereupon he decided to remain in Africa during the +rest of his life. + +But Tunis and Tonquin opened new horizons to him. Landing as a +brigadier-general at Haiphong, he was about to assume, at Bac-Ninh, his +third star, when the Minister of War, examining the brilliant record +of this officer who, since 1862, never had ceased his service to his +country, called him to take command of one of the infantry divisions +of the army of Paris, a place which he had occupied only a few months +before the events related in the preceding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. EUGENIE GONTIER + +Few salons in Paris have so imposing an air as the foyer of the +dramatic artists of the Comedie Francaise, a rectangular room of fine +proportions, whose walls are adorned with portraits of great actors, +representing the principal illustrations of the plays that have been +the glory of the house Mademoiselle Duclos, by Largilliere; Fleury, by +Gerard; Moliere crowned, by Mignard; Baron, by De Troy, and many others. + +At the left of the entrance, separated by a large, high mirror which +faced the fireplace, two other canvases, signed by Geffroy, represent +the foyer itself, in costumes of the classic repertoire, the greater +part of the eminent modern 'societaires', colleagues and contemporaries +of the great painter. + +Between the windows, two pedestals, surmounted by busts of Mademoiselle +Clairon and Mademoiselle Dangeville, stood, one on each side of the +great regulator--made by Robin, clockmaker to the king--which dominated +the bust of Moliere--after Houdon--seeming to keep guard over all this +gathering of artistic glory. + +Opposite this group, hanging above a large table of finely chiselled +iron, were two precious autographs under glass: a brevet of pension, +dated 1682, signed Louis and countersigned Colbert; an act of notary, +dated 1670, bearing the signature of Moliere, the master of the house. + +Disposed about the room were sofas, armchairs, and tete-a-tete seats in +oak, covered with stamped green velvet. + +Here, at the first representations of new plays, or at important +revivals of old ones, flocked literary notables and the regular +frequenters of the theatre, eager to compliment the performers; here, +those favored strangers who have the proper introduction, and who +wish to see the place at close range, are graciously conducted by the +administrator-general or by the officer for the week. + +Here it was that the Marquis de Prerolles appeared in the evening after +his experience at the skating-pond. He had dressed, and had dined in +great haste at a restaurant near the theatre. + +The posters announced a revival of 'Adrienne Lecouvreur', with +Mademoiselle Gontier in the principal role, in which she was to appear +for the first time. + +Eugenie Gontier was, it was said, the natural daughter of a great +foreign lord, who had bequeathed to her a certain amount of money. +Therefore, she had chosen the theatrical life less from necessity than +from inclination. + +She was distinguished in presence, a great favorite with the public, +and had a wide circle of friends, among whom a rich banker, the Baron +de Samoreau, greatly devoted to her, had made for her investments +sufficiently profitable to enable her to occupy a mansion of her own, +and to open a salon which became a favorite rendezvous with many persons +distinguished in artistic, financial, and even political circles. +Talent being the guaranty of good companionship, this salon became +much frequented, and General de Prerolles had become one of its most +assiduous visitors. + +The first act had begun. Although the charming artist was not to appear +until the second act, she had already descended from her dressing-room, +and, finding herself alone in the greenroom, was putting a final touch +to her coiffure before the mirror when the General entered. + +He kissed her hand gallantly, and both seated themselves in a retired +corner between the fireplace and the window. + +"I thank you for coming so early," said Eugenie. "I wished very much +to see you to-night, in order to draw from your eyes a little of your +courage before I must face the footlights in a role so difficult and so +superb." + +"The fire of the footlights is not that of the enemy--above all, for +you, who are so sure of winning the battle." + +"Alas! does one ever know? Although at the last rehearsal Monsieur +Legouve assured me that all was perfect, look up there at that portrait +of Rachel, and judge for yourself whether I have not reason to tremble +at my audacity in attempting this role after such a predecessor." + +"But you yourself caused this play to be revived," said Henri. + +"I did it because of you," Eugenie replied. + +"Of me?" + +"Yes. Am I not your Adrienne, and is not Maurice de Saxe as intrepid as +you, and as prodigal as you have been? Was he not dispossessed of his +duchy of Courlande, as you were of your--" + +A gesture from Henri prevented her from finishing the sentence. + +"Pardon me!" said she. "I had forgotten how painful to you is any +reference to that matter. We will speak only of your present renown, and +of the current of mutual sympathy that attracts each of us toward the +other. For myself, that attraction began on the fourteenth of last July. +You had just arrived at Paris, and a morning journal, in mentioning +the troops, and the names of the generals who appeared at the review, +related, apropos of your military exploits, many exciting details of +your escape during the war. Do you recall the applause that greeted you +when you marched past the tribunes? I saw you then for the first time, +but I should have known you among a thousand! The next day--" + +"The next day," Henri interrupted, "it was my turn to applaud you. I had +been deprived a long time of the pleasures of the theatre, of which I +am very fond, and I began by going to the Comedie Francaise, where +you played, that night, the role of Helene in 'Mademoiselle de la +Seigliere.' Do you remember?" + +"Do I remember! I recognized you instantly, sitting in the third row in +the orchestra." + +"I had never seen you until then," Henri continued, "but that +sympathetic current was soon established, from the moment you appeared +until the end of the second piece. As it is my opinion that any officer +is sufficiently a gentleman to have the right to love a girl of noble +birth, I fell readily under the spell in which she whom you represented +echoed my own sentiments. Bernard Stamply also had just returned from +captivity, and the more enamored of you he became the more I pleased +myself with fancying my own personality an incarnation of his, with less +presumption than would be necessary for me to imagine myself the hero of +which you spoke a moment ago. After the play, a friend brought me here, +presented me to you--" + +"And the sympathetic current did the rest!" added Eugenie Gontier, +looking at him tenderly. "Since then you have consecrated to me a part +of whatever time is at your disposal, and I assure you that I never have +been so happy, nor have felt so flattered, in my life." + +"Second act!" came the voice of the call-boy from the corridor. + +"Will you return here after the fourth act?" said the actress, rising. +"I shall wish to know how you find me in the great scene, and whether +there is another princess de Bouillon among the audience--beware of +her!" + +"You know very well that there is not." + +"Not yet, perhaps, but military men are so inconstant! By and by, +Maurice!" she murmured, with a smile. + +"By and by, Adrienne!" Henri replied, kissing her hand. + +He accompanied her to the steps that led to the stage, and, lounging +along the passage that ends at the head of the grand stairway, he +entered the theatre and hastened to his usual seat in the third row of +the orchestra. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. RIVAL BEAUTIES + +It was Tuesday, the subscription night; the auditorium was as much the +more brilliant as the play was more interesting than on other nights. +In one of the proscenium boxes sat the Duchesse de Montgeron with the +Comtesse de Lisieux; in another the Vicomtesse de Nointel and Madame +Thomery. In the first box on the left Madame Desvanneaux was to be +seen, with her husband and her son, the youthful and recently rejected +pretender to the hand of Mademoiselle de Vermont. + +Among the subscription seats in the orchestra sat the Baron de Samoreau, +the notary Durand, treasurer of the Industrial Orphan Asylum; the +aide-de-camp of General Lenaieff, beside his friend the Marquis de +Prerolles. One large box, the first proscenium loge on the right, was +still unoccupied when the curtain rose on the second act. + +The liaison of Eugenie Gontier with the Marquis de Prerolles was not a +mystery; from the moment of her entrance upon the scene, it was evident +that she "played to him," to use a phrase in theatrical parlance. Thus, +after the recital of the combat undertaken in behalf of Adrienne by her +defender--a recital which she concluded in paraphrasing these two lines: + + 'Paraissez, Navarrois, Maures et Castilians, + Et tout ce que l'Espagne a produit de vaillants,' + +many opera-glasses were directed toward the spectator to whom the +actress appeared to address herself, when suddenly a new object of +interest changed the circuit of observation. The door of the large, +right-hand box opened, and Zibeline appeared, accompanied by the +Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, an elderly gallant, carefully dressed and +wearing many decorations, and whose respectable tale of years could +give no occasion for malicious comment on his appearance in the role of +'cavalier servente'. Having assisted his companion to remove her mantle, +he profited by the instant of time she took to settle her slightly +ruffled plumage before the mirror, to lay upon the railing of the box +her bouquet and her lorgnette. Then he took up a position behind the +chair she would occupy, ready to assist her when she might deign to sit +down. His whole manner suggested a chamberlain of the ancient court in +the service of a princess. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont disliked bright colors, and wore on this +occasion a robe of black velvet, of which the 'decolletee' bodice set +off the whiteness of her shoulders and her neck, the latter ornamented +with a simple band of cherry-colored velvet, without jewels, as was +suitable for a young girl. Long suede gloves, buttoned to the elbow, +outlined her well-modelled arms, of which the upper part emerged, +without sleeves, from lace ruffles gathered in the form of epaulets. + +The men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise, and had +the eyes of Madame Desvanneaux been able to throw deadly projectiles, +her powerful lorgnette would have become an instrument of death for the +object of her resentment. + +"This morning," said the irreconcilable matron, "she showed us her +ankles; this evening she allows us to see the remainder." + +"I should have been very well pleased, however--" murmured young +Desvanneaux, with regret. + +"If you had married her, Victor," said his mother, "I should have taken +full charge of her wardrobe, and should have made some decided changes, +I assure you." + +Perfectly indifferent to the general curiosity, Zibeline in her turn +calmly reviewed the audience. After exploring the boxes with her +opera-glass, she lowered it to examine the orchestra stalls, and, +perceiving the Marquis, she fixed her gaze upon him. Undoubtedly she +knew the reason for the particular attention which he paid to the stage, +because, until the end of the act, her glance was divided alternately +between the General and the actress. + +As the curtain fell on this act the spectators turned their backs to the +footlights, and Lenaieff, indicating Zibeline to his friend, said in his +slightly Slavonic accent: + +"Who is that pretty woman, my dear Henri?" + +"One of Jules Verne's personages, a product of the land of furs." + +"Do you know her?" + +"Not at all. I have a prejudice against girls that are too rich. Why do +you ask?" + +"Because it seems to me that she looks at you very attentively." + +"Indeed! I had not noticed it." + +In saying this, the General--exaggerated! He had been perfectly well +aware of the gaze of Mademoiselle de Vermont, but whether he still +cherished a slight resentment against the lady, or whether her +appearance really displeased him, he cut the conversation short and went +to pay his respects to the occupants of several boxes. + +Evidently Zibeline knew few persons in society, for no visitor appeared +in her box. However, after the next act she made a sign to M. Durand. +That gentleman rejoined the Baron de Samoreau in the corridor and took +him to meet Zibeline, and a sort of council appeared to be going on in +the rear of her box. + +"What the deuce can she be talking about to them?" said Desvanneaux to +his wife. + +"A new offer of marriage, probably. They say she declares she will marry +no one of lower rank than a prince, in order to complete our chagrin! +Perhaps they have succeeded in finding one for her!" + +The instructions that Mademoiselle de Vermont gave to the two men must +have been easy to execute, for neither the notary nor the banker seemed +to raise the least objection. The conversation was finished, and both +gentlemen saluted her, preparing to take leave, when she said to M. +Durand: + +"You understand that the meeting is for tomorrow?" + +"At five o'clock," he replied. + +"Very well. I will stop for you at your door at a quarter of an hour +before that time." + +The fourth act had begun, that scene in which Adrienne accomplishes her +generous sacrifice in furnishing herself the ransom which must deliver +her unfaithful lover. The rapt attention that Zibeline paid to this +scene, and the slight movements of her head, showed her approval of +this disinterested act. Very touching in her invocation to her "old +Corneille," Mademoiselle Gontier was superb at the moment when the +comedienne, knowing at last who is her rival, quotes from Racine that +passage in 'Phedre' which she throws, so to speak, in the face of the +patrician woman: + + .... Je sais ses perfidies, + OEnone! et ne suis point de ces femmes hardies + Qui, goutant dans la crime une honteuse paix, + Ont su se faire un front qui ne rougit jamais. + +From the place she was to obliged to take in the arrangement of the +scene, the apostrophe and the gestures of the actress appeared to be +unconsciously directed toward Mademoiselle de Vermont, who could not +restrain a startled movement. + +"Look! One would think that Zibeline took that allusion for herself," +said Madame Desvanneaux, whom nothing escaped. + +On reentering the greenroom, after two well-deserved recalls, Eugenie +Gontier was soon surrounded by a throng of admirers who had come to +congratulate her upon her success. + +"Were you pleased, Henri?" she said in a low tone to the General. + +"Enthusiastically!" he replied. + +"Ah, then I can die happy!" she said, laughingly. + +As she traversed the ranks of her admirers to go to change her costume +for the last act, she found herself face to face with Zibeline, who, +having quickly recovered from her emotion, was advancing on the arm of +the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. + +"My dear child," said the old nobleman to the actress, "I bring to you +Mademoiselle de Vermont, who wishes to say to you herself--" + +"That Mademoiselle must be very tired of listening to our praises," +interrupted Zibeline. "But if the tribute of a foreigner can prove to +her that her prestige is universal, I beg that she will accept these +flowers which I dared not throw to her from my box." + +"Really, Mademoiselle, you embarrass me!" Eugenie replied, somewhat +surprised. + +"Oh, you need not fear to take them--they are not poisoned!" added +Zibeline, smiling. + +And, after a gracious inclination of her head, to which the actress +responded with a deep courtesy, Zibeline took again the arm of her +escort in order to seek her carriage, without waiting for the end of the +play. + +Three-quarters of an hour later, as, the audience was leaving the +theatre, M. Desvanneaux recounted to whoever chose to listen that +Mademoiselle de Vermont had passed the whole of the last 'entr'acte' in +the greenroom corridor, in a friendly chat with Eugenie Gontier. + + + + +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!" + + + + +BOOK 3. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. ZIBELINE RECEIVES + +The Duchesse de Montgeron had no children, and her most tender +affections were concentrated upon her husband and her brother. The +scruples which caused the latter to forswear matrimony grieved her +deeply, for, knowing the inflexibility of his character, she was sure +that no one in the world could make him alter his decision. + +Thus, on one side the title of the Duc de Montgeron was destined to pass +to a collateral branch of the family; and on the other, the title of +Marquis de Prerolles would become extinct with the General. + +But, although she now considered it impossible to realize the project +which she had momentarily cherished, she continued to show the same +kindness to Mademoiselle de Vermont. She would have regarded any other +course as unworthy of her, since she had made the first advances; +moreover, the young girl's nature was so engaging that no one who +approached her could resist her charm. + +Very reserved or absolutely frank, according to the degree of confidence +with which she was treated, Valentine had sufficient intuition to avoid +a lack of tact. + +She was, in feminine guise, like 'L'Ingenu' of Voltaire, struck, as was +Huron, with all that was illogical in our social code; but she did not +make, after his fashion, a too literal application of its rules, and +knew where to draw the line, if she found herself on the point of making +some hazardous remark, declaring frankly: "I was about to say something +foolish!" which lent originality to her playful conversation. + +After receiving from Valentine's hands the contract signed in presence +of the notary, for the benefit of the Orphan Asylum, the president of +the society did not fail to give a dinner in honor of the new patroness. + +As she was a foreigner she was placed in the seat of honor at the table, +to the great displeasure of Madame Desvanneaux, who was invited to take +the second place, in spite of her title of vice-president. + +"It is because of her millions that she was placed before me," she said +in an undertone to her husband, as soon as the guests had returned +to the drawing-room. And, giving orders that her carriage should be +summoned immediately, she left the house without speaking to any one, +and with the air of a peeress of England outraged in her rights of +precedence! + +This was, for the hostile pair, a new cause of grievance against +Zibeline. When she, in her turn, gave at her home a similar dinner, a +fortnight later, she received from them, in reply to her invitation, +which was couched in the most courteous terms, a simple visiting card, +with the following refusal: "The Comte and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, +not being in the habit of accepting invitations during Lent, feel +constrained to decline that of Mademoiselle de Vermont." + +The dinner was only the more gay and cordial. + +Valentine's household was conducted on a footing more elegant than +sumptuous. + +The livery was simple, but the appearance of her people was +irreproachable. The butler and the house servants wore the ordinary +dress-coat and trousers; the powdered footmen wore short brown coats, +ornamented, after the English fashion, with metal buttons and a false +waistcoat; the breeches were of black velveteen, held above the knee by +a band of gold braid, with embroidered ends, which fell over black silk +stockings. At the end of the ante-chamber where this numerous personnel +was grouped, opened a long gallery, ornamented with old tapestries +representing mythological subjects in lively and well-preserved +coloring. This room, which was intended to serve as a ballroom at need, +was next to two large drawing-rooms. The walls of one were covered with +a rich material, on which hung costly paintings; the furniture and the +ceiling of the other were of oak, finely carved, relieved with touches +of gold in light and artistic design. + +Everywhere was revealed an evident desire to avoid an effect of +heaviness and ostentation, and this was especially noticeable in the +dining-room, where the pure tone of the panels and the moulding +doubled the intensity of the light thrown upon them. Upon the table +the illumination of the apartment was aided by two large candelabra of +beautifully chiselled silver, filled with candles, the light of which +filtered through a forest of diaphanous little white shades. + +The square table was a veritable parterre of flowers, and was laid for +twelve guests, three on each side. + +The young mistress of the house was seated on one side, between the Duc +de Montgeron and the Marquis de Prerolles. Facing her sat the +Duchesse de Montgeron, between General Lenaieff and the Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy.--Laterally, on one hand appeared Madame de Lisieux, between +M. de Nointel and the painter Edmond Delorme; on the other, Madame de +Nointel, between M. de Lisieux and the Baron de Samoreau. + +Never, during the six weeks that Valentine had had friendly relations +with the Duchess, had she appeared so self-possessed, or among +surroundings so well fitted to display her attractions of mind and of +person. She was a little on the defensive on finding herself in this new +and unexpected society, but she felt, this evening, that she was in the +midst of a sympathetic and admiring circle, and did the honors of her +own house with perfect ease, finding agreeable words and showing a +delicate forethought for each guest, and above all displaying toward +her protectress a charming deference, by which the Duchess felt herself +particularly touched. + +"What a pity!" she said to herself, glancing alternately at Zibeline +and at her brother, between whom a tone of frank comradeship had been +established, free from any coquetry on her side or from gallantry on +his. + +The more clearly Henri divined the thoughts of his sister, the more he +affected to remain insensible to the natural seductions of his neighbor, +to whom Lenaieff, on the contrary, addressed continually, in his soft +and caressing voice, compliments upon compliments and madrigals upon +madrigals! + +"Take care, my dear Constantin!" said Henri to him, bluntly. "You will +make Mademoiselle de Vermont quite impossible. If you go on thus, she +will take herself seriously as a divinity!" + +"Fortunately," rejoined Zibeline, "you are there, General, to remind +me that I am only a mortal, as Philippe's freedman reminded his master +every morning." + +"You can not complain! I serve you as a confederate, to allow you +to display your erudition," retorted the General, continuing his +persiflage. + +But he, too, was only a man, wavering and changeable, to use Montaigne's +expression, for his eyes, contradicting the brusqueness of his speech, +rested long, and not without envy, on this beautiful and tempting fruit +which his fate forbade him to gather. The more he admired her freshness, +and the more he inhaled her sweetness, the more the image of Eugenie +Gontier was gradually effaced from his memory, like one of those +tableaux on the stage, which gauze curtains, descending from the flies, +seem to absorb without removing, gradually obliterating the pictures as +they fall, one after another. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. A DASHING AMAZON + +On leaving the table, the fair "Amphitryonne" proposed that the +gentlemen should use her private office as a smoking-room, and the +ladies followed them thither, pretending that the odor of tobacco would +not annoy them in the least, but in reality to inspect this new room. + +Edmond Delorme had finished his work that very morning, and the enormous +canvas, with its life-size subject, had already been hung, lighted from +above and below by electric bulbs, the battery for which was cleverly +hidden behind a piece of furniture. + +The portrait, bearing a striking resemblance to the original, was indeed +that of "the most dashing of all the Amazons on the Bois," to quote +the words of the artist, who was a better painter of portraits than of +animals, but who, in this case, could not separate the rider from her +steed. + +Seaman, a Hungarian bay, by Xenophon and Lena Rivers, was drawn in +profile, very erect on his slender, nervous legs. He appeared, on the +side nearest the observer, to be pawing the ground impatiently with his +hoof, a movement which seemed to be facilitated by his rider, who, drawn +in a three-quarters view and extending her hand, allowed the reins to +fall over the shoulders of her pure-blooded mount. + +"What do you think of it?" Zibeline inquired of General de Prerolles. + +"I think you have the air of the commander of a division of cavalry, +awaiting the moment to sound the charge." + +"I shall guard her well," said Zibeline, "for she would be sure to be +put to rout by your bayonets." + +"Not by mine!" gallantly exclaimed Lenaieff. "I should immediately lower +my arms before her!" + +"You!--perhaps! But between General de Prerolles and myself the +declaration of war is without quarter. Is it not, General?" said +Valentine, laughing. + +"It is the only declaration that fate permits me to make to you, +Mademoiselle," Henri replied, rather dryly, laying emphasis on the +double sense of his words. + +This rejoinder, which nothing in the playful attack had justified, +irritated the Duchess, but Valentine appeared to pay no attention to it, +and at ten o'clock, when a gypsy band began to play in the long gallery, +she arose. + +"Although we are a very small party," she said, "would you not like to +indulge in a waltz, Mesdames? The gentlemen can not complain of being +crowded here," she added, with a smile. + +M. de Lisieux and M. de Nointel, as well as Edmond Delorme, hastened to +throw away their cigarettes, and all made their way to the long gallery. +The Baron de Samoreau and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy remained alone +together. + +The Duchess took the occasion to speak quietly to her brother. + +"I assure you that you are too hard with her," she said. "There is +no need to excuse yourself for not marrying. No one dreams of such a +thing--she no more than any one else. But she seems to have a sentiment +of friendship toward you, and I am sure that your harshness wounds her." + +A more experienced woman than Madame de Montgeron, who had known only +a peaceful and legitimate love, would have quickly divined that beneath +her brother's brusque manner lurked a budding but hopeless passion, +whence sprang his intermittent revolt against the object that had +inspired it. + +This revolt was not only against Zibeline's fortune; it included her +all-pervading charm, which penetrated his soul. He was vexed at his +sister for having brought them together; he was angry with himself +that he had allowed his mind to be turned so quickly from his former +prejudices; and, however indifferent he forced himself to appear, he +was irritated against Lenaieff because of the attentions which that +gentleman showered upon Zibeline, upon whom he revenged himself by +assuming the aggressive attitude for which the Duchess had reproached +him. + +In a still worse humor after the sisterly remonstrance to which he had +just been compelled to listen, he seated himself near the entrance of +the gallery, where the gypsy band was playing one of their alluring +waltzes, of a cadence so different from the regular and monotonous +measure of French dance music. + +The three couples who were to compose this impromptu ball, yielded +quickly to the spell of this irresistible accompaniment. + +"Suppose Monsieur Desvanneaux should hear that we danced on the eve of +Palm Sunday?" laughingly pro-tested Madame de Lisieux. + +"He would report it at Rome," said Madame de Nointel. + +And, without further regard to the compromising of their souls, each of +the two young women took for a partner the husband of the other. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont had granted the eager request of Lenaieff that +she would waltz with him, an occupation in which the Russian officer +acquitted himself with the same respectful correctness that had formerly +obtained for him the high favor of some grand duchess at the balls in +the palace of Gatchina. + +He was older and stouter than his brother-in-arms, Henri de Prerolles, +and a wound he had received at Plevna slightly impeded his movements, +so that he was unable to display the same activity in the dance as the +other waltzers, and contented himself with moving a 'trois temps', in an +evolution less in harmony with the brilliancy of the music. + +Henri, on the contrary, who had been a familiar friend of the Austrian +ambassador at the time when the Princess de Metternich maintained a sort +of open ballroom for her intimates, had learned, in a good school, all +the boldness and elegance of the Viennese style of dancing. + +But he sat immovable, as did also Edmond Delorme, because of the lack of +partners; and, not wishing to take the second place after Lenaieff, his +rival, he would not for the world abandon his role of spectator, unless +some one forced him to it. + +"Suppose we have a cotillon figure, in order to change partners?" said +Valentine suddenly, during a pause, after she had thanked her partner. + +And, to set the example, she took, from a basket of flowers, a rosebud, +which she offered to Henri. + +"Will you take a turn with me?" she said, with the air of the mistress +of the house, who shows equal courtesy to all her guests. + +"A deux temps?" he asked, fastening the rosebud in his buttonhole. + +"Yes, I prefer that," she replied. + +He passed his arm around her waist, and they swept out upon the polished +floor, he erect and gallant, she light and supple as a gazelle, her +chin almost resting upon her left hand, which lay upon her partner's +shoulder, her other hand clasped in his. + +At times her long train swirled in a misty spiral around her, when they +whirled about in some corner; then it spread out behind her like a great +fan when they swept in a wide curve from one end of the gallery to the +other. + +During the feverish flight which drew these two together, their breasts +touched, the bosom of the enchantress leaned against the broad chest +of the vigorous soldier, her soft hair caressed his cheek, he inhaled a +subtle Perfume, and a sudden intoxication overflowed his heart, which he +had tried to make as stern and immobile as his face. + +"How well you waltz!" murmured Zibeline, in his ear. + +"I am taking my revenge for my defeat on the ice," he replied, clasping +her a little closer, in order to facilitate their movements. + +"The prisoners you take must find it very difficult to escape from your +hands," she said, with a touch of malice. + +"Does that mean that already you wish to reclaim your liberty?" + +"Not yet--unless you are fatigued." + +"Fatigued! I should like to go thus to the end of the world!" + +"And I, too," said Zibeline, simply. + +By common consent the other waltzers had stopped, as much for the +purpose of observing these two as for giving them more space, while the +wearied musicians scraped away as if it were a contest who should move +the faster, themselves or the audacious couple. + +"What a pity!" again said the Duchess to her husband, whose +sole response was a shrug of his shoulders as he glanced at his +brother-in-law. + +At the end of his strength, and with a streaming brow, the gypsy leader +lowered his bow, and the music ceased. + +Henri de Prerolles, resuming his sang-froid, drew the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont through his arm, and escorted her to her place +among the other ladies. + +"Bravo, General!" said Madame de Lisieux. "You have won your decoration, +I see," she added, indicating the rosebud which adorned his buttonhole. + +"What shall we call this new order, ladies?" asked Madame de Nointel of +the circle. + +"The order of the Zibeline," Valentine replied, with a frank burst of +laughter. + +"What?--do you know--" stammered the author of the nickname, blushing up +to her ears. + +"Do not disturb yourself, Madame! The zibeline is a little animal which +is becoming more and more rare. They never have been found at all in my +country, which I regret," said Mademoiselle de Vermont graciously. + +The hour was late, and the Duchess arose to depart. The Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy, exercising his function as a sort of chamberlain, went to +summon the domestics. Meanwhile Valentine spoke confidentially to Henri. + +"General," said she, "I wish to ask a favor of you." + +"I am at your orders, Mademoiselle." + +"I am delighted with the success of this little dinner," Valentine +continued, "and I wish to give another after Easter. My great desire is +to have Mademoiselle Gontier--with whom I should like to become better +acquainted--recite poetry to us after dinner. Would you have the +kindness to tell her of my desire?" + +"I!" exclaimed the General, amazed at such a request. + +"Yes, certainly. If you ask her, she will come all the more willingly." + +"You forget that I am not in the diplomatic service, Mademoiselle." + +"My request annoys you? Well, we will say no more about it," said +Zibeline. "I will charge Monsieur de Samoreau with the negotiations." + +They rejoined the Duchess, Zibeline accompanying her to the vestibule, +always evincing toward her the same pretty air of deference. + +The drive home was silent. The Duke and the Duchess had agreed not to +pronounce the name of Mademoiselle de Vermont before Henri, who racked +his brain without being able to guess what strange motive prompted the +young girl to wish to enter into closer relations with the actress. + +A letter from Eugenie was awaiting him. He read: + + "Two weeks have elapsed since you have been to see me. I do not ask + whether you love me still, but I do ask you, in case you love + another, to tell me so frankly. + + "ARIADNE." + +"So I am summoned to the confessional, and am expected to accuse myself +of that which I dare not avow even to my own heart! Never!" said Henri, +crushing the note in his hand. "Besides, unless I deceive myself, +Ariadne has not been slow in seeking a consoling divinity! Samoreau is +at hand, it appears. He played the part of Plutus before; now he will +assume that of Bacchus," thought the recreant lover, in order to smother +his feeling of remorse. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING + +The life of General de Prerolles was uniformly regulated. He arose at +dawn, and worked until the arrival of his courier; then he mounted his +horse, attired in morning military costume. + +After his ride, he visited the quartermaster-general of his division, +received the report of his chief of staff, and gave necessary orders. +It was at this place, and never at the General's own dwelling, that +the captains or subaltern officers presented themselves when they had +occasion to speak to him. + +At midday he returned to breakfast at the Hotel de Montgeron where, +morning and evening, his plate was laid; and soon after this meal he +retired to his own quarters to work with his orderly, whose duty it +was to report to him regarding the numerous guns and pieces of heavy +ordnance which make the object of much going and coming in military +life. + +After signing the usual number of documents, the General would mount +another of his horses, and at this hour would appear in civilian attire +for an afternoon canter. After this second ride he would pass an hour at +his club, but without ever touching a card, no matter what game was in +progress. + +He dined at different places, but oftenest with his sister, where by +this time a studied silence was preserved on the subject of Zibeline. +This, however, did not prevent him from thinking of her more and more. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont had not been seen again in the Bois de Boulogne +since the night of her dinner, although Henri had sought in vain to meet +her in the mornings in the bridle-path, and afternoons in the Avenue des +Acacias. + +He decided that probably she did not wish to ride during Holy Week; but +when several days had passed after Easter, and still she was not seen +amusing herself in her usual fashion, he said to himself that perhaps it +would be the proper thing to make what is called "a dinner-call." + +There are some women whose fascination is so overwhelming as to cause +the sanest of lovers to commit themselves, whence comes the slightly +vulgar expression, "He has lost his bearings." Henri began to feel that +he was in this state when he presented himself at Zibeline's home. A +domestic informed him that Mademoiselle had been absent a week, but was +expected home that evening. He left his card, regretting that he had not +waited twenty-four hours more. + +It was now the middle of April, the time when the military governor +of Paris is accustomed to pass in review the troops stationed on the +territory under his command, and this review was to take place the next +morning. + +The order for the mobilizing of his own division having been received +and transmitted, Henri's evening was his own, and he resolved to pass it +with Lenaieff, feeling certain that his colleague at least would speak +to him of Zibeline. + +The aide-de-camp general lived at the Hotel Continental, much frequented +by Russians of distinction. Henri found his friend just dressing for +dinner, and well disposed to accept his proposition. + +As they descended the stairs, they passed an imposing elderly man, with +white moustache and imperial, still very erect in his long redingote +with military buttons--a perfect type of the German officer who gets +himself up to look like the late Emperor William I. This officer and +the French general stopped on the stairs, each eyeing the other without +deciding whether he ought to salute or not, as often happens with people +who think they recognize some one, but without being able to recall +where or in what circumstances they have met before. + +It was Henri whose memory was first revived. + +"Captain, you are my prisoner!" he said, gayly, seizing the stranger by +the collar. + +"What! The Commandant de Prerolles!" cried the elderly man, in +a reproachful tone, from which fifteen years had not removed the +bitterness. + +"I know who he is!" said Lenaieff. "Monsieur is your former jailer of +the frontier fortress!" + +The officer of the landwehr attempted to withdraw from the hand that +held him. + +"Oh, I don't intend to let you escape! You are coming to dine with +us, and we will sign a treaty of peace over the dessert," said Henri, +clasping the officer's hand affectionately. + +His tone was so cordial that the stranger allowed himself to be +persuaded. A quarter of an hour later all three were seated at a table +in the Cafe Anglais. + +"I present to you General Lenaieff," said Henri to his guest. "You +should be more incensed against him than against me, for, if he had done +his duty, you would probably have had me imprisoned again." + +"Not imprisoned--shot!" the Captain replied, with conviction. + +"In that case I regret my complicity still less," said Lenaieff, "for +otherwise I should have lost an excellent friend, and, had Prerolles +been shot, he never could have made me acquainted with the delicious +Mademoiselle de Vermont!" + +"Ah! So that is what you are thinking of?" Henri said to himself. + +"I do not know the young lady of whom you speak," the German +interrupted; "but I know that, for having allowed the Commandant to +escape, I was condemned to take his place in the prison, and was shut +up there for six months, in solitary confinement, without even seeing my +wife!" + +"Poor Captain! How is the lady?" Henry inquired. + +"Very well, I thank you." + +"Will you permit us to drink her health?" + +"Certainly, Monsieur." + +"Hock! hoch!" said Henri, lifting his glass. + +"Hock! hoch!" responded the ex-jailer, drinking with his former +prisoner. + +This delicate toast began to appease the bitterness of the good man; +while the memories of his escape, offering a diversion to Henri's mind, +put him in sympathetic humor with the stranger. + +"'Ah! There are mountains that we never climb but once,'" he said. "We +three, meeting in Paris, can prove the truth of that proverb." + +"Not only in Paris," said Lenaieff. "If you were in Saint Petersburg, +Henri, you might, any evening, see your old flame, Fanny Dorville." + +"Does she keep a table d'hote?" + +"No, indeed, my boy. She plays duenna at the Theatre Michel, as that +fat Heloise used to do at the Palais-Royal. She must have died long ago, +that funny old girl!" + +"Not at all. She is still living, and is a pensioner of the Association +of Dramatic Artists! But, pardon me, our conversation can hardly be +amusing to our guest." + +"No one can keep a Frenchman and a Russian from talking about women! The +habit is stronger than themselves!" said the old officer, with a hearty +laugh. + +"Well, and you, Captain," said Lenaieff: "Have you not also trodden the +primrose path in your time?" + +"Gentlemen, I never have loved any other woman than my own wife," +replied the honest German, laying his large hand upon his heart, as if +he were taking an oath. "That astonishes you Parisians, eh?" he added +benevolently. + +"Quite the contrary! It assures us peace of mind!" said Lenaieff. "To +your health, Captain!" + +"And yours, Messieurs!" + +And their glasses clinked a second time. + +"Apropos," said Lenaieff to Henri, "the military governor has asked me +to accompany him to-morrow to the review at Vincennes. I shall then have +the pleasure of seeing you at the head of your division." + +"Teufel!" exclaimed the German officer; "it appears that the Commandant +de Prerolles has lost no time since we took leave of each other." + +"Thanks to you, Monsieur! Had you not allowed me to withdraw from your +society, I should certainly not have reached my present rank! To your +health, Captain!" + +"To yours, General!" + +Succeeding bumpers finally dissipated entirely the resentment of the +former jailer, and when they parted probably never to meet again--he and +his prisoner had become the best friends in the world. + +"Meine besten complimente der Frau Hauptmannin!" said Henri to him, in +leaving him on the boulevard. + +"Lieber Gott! I shall take good care not to own to her that I dined with +you." + +"And why, pray?" + +"Because there is one thing for which she never will forgive you." + +"What is that?" + +"The fact that you were the cause of her living alone for six months!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. THE MILITARY REVIEW + +The different troops, assembled for review, were massed on the +parade-ground at Vincennes, facing the tribunes. + +In the centre, the artillery brigade, surrounded by two divisions of +infantry, was drawn up in two straight columns, connected by regiments; +each division of infantry, in double columns, was connected by brigades. + +These six columns were separated by spaces varying from twenty to +twenty-five metres. + +In the background, the cavalry division was lined up in columns; behind +that was its artillery, in the same order of formation. + +At a given signal, the troops advanced five hundred metres, and, as soon +as they halted, drums, clarinets and trumpets beat and sounded from all +parts of the field, saluting the arrival of the military governor of +Paris. + +This functionary, followed by his staff, in the midst of which group +glittered the brilliant Russian uniform of the aide-decamp General +Leniaeff, rode slowly past the front and the flanks of the massed body, +the troops facing to the left or the right as he passed. + +This inspection finished, he took up his stand before the pillars at the +entrance, and the march past began by battalions en masse, in the midst +of the acclamations of numerous spectators who had come to witness this +imposing display, well calculated to stir patriotic pride. + +The enthusiasm increased; the Prerolles division marched past after its +artillery, and, as always, the martial and distinguished profile of its +general produced its usual effect on the public. + +He rode Aida, his favorite mare, an Irish sorrel of powerful frame, with +solid limbs, whose horizontal crupper and long tail indicated her race; +she was one of those animals that are calm and lively at the same time, +capable of going anywhere and of passing through all sorts of trials. + +After its parade, the infantry, whose part in the affair was finished, +retraced their steps and took up a position on the other side of the +field of manoeuvres, facing the north, and in front of rising ground, in +preparation for the discharge of musketry. + +During this time the artillery brigade, re-formed in battle array on +the parade-ground, detached six batteries, which advanced at a trot +to within one hundred and fifty metres of the tribunes, where they +discharged a volley. The long pieces were run rapidly to right and +left, unmasking the cavalry, which, after a similar volley from its +own batteries, appeared behind them in battle order, and executed a +galloping march, its third line held in reserve. + +A few moments later all the troops rejoined the infantry on the ground +set apart for rest and for the purpose of partaking of a cold repast, +consisting of potted meats, with which each man was furnished. + +Nothing more picturesque could be imagined than this temporary camp, +with its stacked arms, knapsacks lying on the ground, holes dug in the +ground in which to kindle fires, and the clattering of cans. On the +other side of the field the artillerymen and cavalrymen ate, holding +their reins under their arms, while their officers stood around some +temporary table, served by canteen men of the united divisions. Tiny +columns of blue smoke rose where coffee was making, and everywhere were +the swift movement and sprightly good-fellowship in which the soldier +feels himself in his natural element. + +The curious spectators crowded themselves in front of the banner, while +in the centre of the square the military governor of Paris, and the +other officers, talked with some privileged persons who had been able to +present themselves among them. + +Descending from his mount a little apart from the group, and plunged in +thought, the former sub-lieutenant of 'chasseurs a pied' gazed at the +old fortress, the sight of which recalled so many sad memories. + +Vincennes had been his first garrison, and its proximity to Paris had +been disastrous for him. There he had entered one morning, stripped of +his fortune! + +And what a series of disasters had followed! But for his heavy losses +upon that fatal night, he would not have been compelled to sell +Prerolles, the income of which, during his long absence, would have +sufficed to lessen the tax on the land, transmissible, had events turned +out otherwise, to some heir to his name. If only fate had not made Paul +Landry cross his path! + +"Good morning, General!" came the sound of a fresh, gay voice behind, +which sent a thrill through him. + +He turned and saw Zibeline, who had just stopped a few steps distant +from him, sitting in her carriage, to which was harnessed a pretty pair +of cobs, prancing and champing their bits. + +"Ah, it is you, Mademoiselle!" he said, carrying his hand to the visor +of his kepi, fastened under his chin. + +"I found your card last night," said Zibeline, "and I have come here +this morning to return your call!" + +Then, leaning back in her driving-seat in order to reveal Edmond Delorme +installed beside her, she added: + +"I have brought also my painter-in-ordinary. We have watched the review +together, and he is as enthusiastic as I over the picturesque effect +of this improvised bivouac. See! He is so much occupied with his sketch +that I can not get a word out of him." + +It was Aida, whose bridle was held by a dragoon, that served as a model +for the artist's pencil. + +"Will you permit me?" he said to Henri. + +"It appears decidedly, that my mare has caught your eye," replied the +General, approaching the carriage and resting his spurred foot on its +step. + +"She has superb lines," said the painter, without interrupting his +drawing. + +"Well, I am curious to know whether she could beat Seaman," said +Zibeline. "Are you willing to run a race with me, General?" + +"As you please--some morning when you return to the Bois." + +"You noticed my absence, then?" + +"I assure you that I did," Henri replied, earnestly. + +Then, fearing that he had said too much, he added: + +"I, and many others!" + +"Good! You were almost making a pretty speech to me, but, as usual, the +disavowal was not slow in coming. Fortunately, here comes your friend +Lenaieff, who is hastening to make amends to me." + +"What good fortune to meet you here, Mademoiselle!" cried Constantin, +who, having perceived Valentine from a distance, had taken an abrupt +leave of his general-in-chief. + +"I know that you have called to see me several times," said she, "but I +was in the country." + +"So early in the month of April?" + +"Oh! not to live there. Monsieur de Perolles knows that I have promised +to build our Orphan Asylum at a certain distance from Paris, and hardly +three weeks remain to me before I must hand over the property. If I am +not ready on the day appointed, Monsieur Desvanneaux will be sure to +seize my furniture, and I could not invite you any more to dinner, +Messieurs! A propos, General, Monsieur de Samoreau has failed in his +negotiations. Mademoiselle Gontier refuses to come to recite at my next +soiree!" + +"What necessity is there for you to make her acquaintance?" demanded +Henri. + +"Ah, that is my secret!" + +During this conversation a hired fiacre, well appointed, had stopped +beside the road, and Eugenie Gontier descended from it, inquiring of +an officer belonging to the grounds where she could find General de +Prerolles. When the officer had pointed out the General to her, she +started to walk toward him; but, on seeing her former lover leaning +familiarly against the door of Zibeline's carriage, she immediately +retraced her steps and quickly reentered her own. + +"There is no longer any doubt about it!" said Mademoiselle de Vermont, +who had been observing Eugenie's movements. "Mademoiselle Gontier has +made a fixed resolution to avoid meeting me." + +"That is because she is jealous of you!" said Lenaieff naively. + +"Jealous? And why?" said Zibeline, blushing. + +Visibly embarrassed, Henri drew out his watch in order to avert his +countenance. + +"Midday!" he cried. "This is the hour for the return of the troops to +their barracks. You would do well not to delay in starting for home, +Mademoiselle. The roads will be very crowded, and your horses will not +be able to trot. I beg your pardon for taking away your model, my dear +Delorme, but I really must be off." + +"It is all the same to me; I have finished my sketch," said the painter, +closing his portfolio. + +At this moment, as the military governor passed near them, on his way to +the crossway of the Pyramid, Henri made a movement as if to rejoin him. + +"Do not disturb yourself, General de Prerolles," said the military +governor. "The compliments which I have made you on the fine appearance +of your troops are probably not so agreeable to you as those to which +you are listening at present!" + +And saluting Mademoiselle de Vermont courteously, he went his way. + +"Now you are free, Henri. Suppose we accompany Mademoiselle back to +Paris?" suggested Lenaieff, seeming to read his friend's mind. + +"What an honor for me!" Valentine exclaimed. + +The General made a sign to his orderly, who approached to receive his +instructions. + +"Tell the brigadier-generals that I am about to depart. I need no more +escort than two cavalrymen for General Lenaieff and myself. Now I am +ready, Mademoiselle," Henri continued, turning toward Valentine. "If you +will be guided by me, we should do well to reach the fortifications by +way of the Lake of Saint-Mande." + +She made a little sound with her tongue, and the two cobs set off in +the direction indicated, the crowds they passed stopping to admire their +high action, and asking one another who was that pretty woman who was +escorted by two generals, the one French, the other a foreigner. + +"I must look like a treaty of peace in a Franco-Russian alliance!" said +Zibeline, gayly. + +The sun shone brightly, the new leaves were quivering on the trees, the +breeze bore to the ear the echo of the military bands. + +Animated by the sound, the two cobs went ahead at a great pace, but they +were kept well in hand by their mistress, who was dressed this morning +in a simple navy-blue costume, with a small, oval, felt hat, ornamented +with two white wings, set on in a manner that made the wearer resemble a +valkyrie. Her whip, an unnecessary accessory, lay across the seat at her +right, on which side of the carriage Henri rode. + +The General's eyes missed none of the graceful movements of the young +girl. And his reflections regarding her, recently interrupted, returned +in full force, augmenting still more his regret at the inexorable fate +that separated him from her. "What a pity!" he thought in his turn, +repeating unconsciously the phrase so often uttered by his sister. + +Arrived at the Place du Trene, Valentine stopped her horses a moment, +and addressed her two cavaliers: + +"I thank you for your escort, gentlemen. But however high may be your +rank, I really can not go through Paris looking like a prisoner between +two gendarmes! So good-by! I shall see you this evening perhaps, but +good-by for the present." + +They gave her a military salute, and the carriage disappeared in the +Faubourg St. Antoine, while the two horsemen followed the line of the +quays along the Boulevard Diderot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. THE CHALLENGE + +That person who, in springtime, between ten o'clock and midday, never +has walked beside the bridle-path in the Bois de Boulogne, under +the deep shade of the trees, can form no idea of the large number of +equestrians that for many years have been devoted to riding along that +delightful and picturesque road. + +To see and to be seen constitutes the principal raison d'etre of this +exercise, where the riders traverse the same path going and coming, a +man thus being able to meet more than once the fair one whom he seeks, +or a lady to encounter several times a cavalier who interests her. + +On this more and more frequented road, the masculine element displayed +different costumes, according to the age and tastes of each rider. The +young men appeared in careless array: leggins, short coats, and small +caps. The older men, faithful to early traditions, wore long trousers, +buttoned-up redingotes, and tall hats, like those worn by their fathers, +as shown in the pictures by Alfred de Dreux. + +For the feminine element the dress is uniform. It consists of a +riding-habit of black or dark blue, with bodice and skirt smoothly +molded to the form by one of the two celebrated habit-makers, Youss or +Creed. The personal presence alone varied, according to the degree of +perfection of the model. + +A cylindrical hat, a little straight or turned-over collar, a cravat +tied in a sailor's knot, a gardenia in the buttonhole, long trousers and +varnished boots completed the dress of these modern Amazons, who, having +nothing in common with the female warriors of ancient times, are not +deprived, as were those unfortunates, of any of their feminine charms. + +The military element is represented by officers of all grades from +generals to sub-lieutenants, in morning coats, with breeches and high +boots, forbidden under the Second Empire, but the rule at present. + +At the top of the Pre-Catelan, the path is crossed by the Bagatelle road +to the lakes, a point of intersection situated near a glade where the +ladies were fond of stopping their carriages to chat with those passing +on horseback. A spectator might have fancied himself at the meet of a +hunting-party, lacking the whippers-in and the dogs. + +A few days after the review at Vincennes, on a bright morning in May, +a file of victorias and pony-chaises were strung out along this sylvan +glade, and many persons had alighted from them. Announcing their arrival +by trumpet-blasts, two or three vehicles of the Coaching Club, headed +by that of the Duc de Mont had discharged a number of pretty passengers, +whose presence soon caused the halt of many gay cavaliers. + +Several groups were formed, commenting on the news of the day, the +scandal of the day before, the fete announced for the next day. + +More serious than the others, the group surrounding Madame de Montgeron +strolled along under the trees in the side paths which, in their +windings, often came alongside of the bridle-path. + +"What has become of Mademoiselle de Vermont, Duchess?" inquired Madame +de Lisieux, who had been surprised not to find Zibeline riding with +their party. + +"She is in the country, surrounded by masons, occupied in the building +of our Orphan Asylum. The time she required before making over the +property to us expires in two weeks." + +"It is certainly very singular that we do not know where we are to go +for the ceremonies of inauguration," said Madame Desvanneaux, in her +usual vinegary tones. + +"I feel at liberty to tell you that the place is not far away, and the +journey thence will not fatigue you," said the president, with the air +of one who has long known what she has not wished to reveal heretofore. + +"The question of fatigue should not discourage us when it is a matter of +doing good," said M. Desvanneaux. "Only, in the opinion of the founders +of the Orphan Asylum, it should be situated in the city of Paris +itself." + +"The donor thought that open fields and fresh air would be better for +the children." + +"Land outside of Paris costs very much less, of course; that is probably +the real reason," said M. Desvanneaux. + +"Poor Zibeline! you are well hated!" Madame de Nointel could not help +saying. + +"We neither like nor dislike her, Madame. We regard her as indifferently +as we do that," the churchwarden replied, striking down a branch with +the end of his stick, with the superb air of a Tarquin. + +Still gesticulating, he continued: + +"The dust that she throws in the eyes of others does not blind us, that +is all!" + +The metaphor was not exactly happy, for at that instant the unlucky man +received full in his face a broadside of gravel thrown by the hoofs of a +horse which had been frightened by the flourishing stick, and which had +responded to the menace by a violent kick. + +This steed was none other than Seaman, ridden by Mademoiselle de +Vermont. She had recognized the Duchess and turned her horse back in +order to offer her excuses for his misconduct, the effects of which +Madame Desvanneaux tried to efface by brushing off the gravel with the +corner of her handkerchief. + +"What has happened?" asked General de Prerolles, who at that moment +cantered up, mounted on Aida. + +"Oh, nothing except that Mademoiselle has just missed killing my husband +with that wicked animal of hers!" cried the Maegera, in a fury. + +"Mademoiselle might turn the accusation against him," Madame de Nointel +said, with some malice. "It was he who frightened her horse." + +The fiery animal, with distended veins and quivering nostrils, snorted +violently, cavorted sidewise, and tried to run. Zibeline needed all her +firmness of grasp to force him, without allowing herself to be thrown, +to stand still on the spot whence had come the movement that had alarmed +him. + +"Your horse needs exercise," said Henri to the equestrienne. "You ought +to give him an opportunity to do something besides the formal trot +around this path." + +"I should be able to do so, if ever we could have our match," said +Zibeline. "Will you try it now?" + +"Come on!" + +She nodded, gave him her hand an instant, and they set off, side by +side, followed by Zibeline's groom, no less well mounted than she, and +wearing turned-over boots, bordered with a band of fawn-colored leather, +according to the fashion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. THE AMAZON HAS A FALL + +They were a well-matched pair: he, the perfect type of the elegant and +always youthful soldier; she, the most dashing of all the Amazons in the +Bois, to quote the words of Edmond Delorme. + +Everyone was familiar with the personal appearance of both riders, and +recognized them, but until now Mademoiselle de Vermont had always ridden +alone, and now to see her accompanied by the gallant General, whose +embroidered kepi glittered in the sunlight, was a new spectacle for the +gallery. + +The people looked at them all the more because Seaman was still +prancing, but without unseating his mistress, who held him at any gait +or any degree of swiftness that pleased her. + +"What a good seat you have!" said Henri. + +"That is the first real compliment you ever have paid me. I shall +appropriate it immediately, before you have time to retract it," +Zibeline replied. + +At the circle of Melezes, Henri proposed to turn to the right, in order +to reach Longchamp. + +"A flat race! You are joking!" Zibeline cried, turning to the left, +toward the road of La Vierge, + +"You don't intend that we shall run a steeplechase, I hope." + +"On the contrary, that is exactly my intention! You are not afraid to +try it, are you?" + +"Not on my own account, but on yours." + +"You know very well that I never am daunted by any obstacle." + +"Figuratively, yes; but in riding a horse it is another matter." + +"All the more reason why I should not be daunted now," Zibeline +insisted. + +When they arrived at the public square of the Cascades, in front of the +Auteuil hippodrome, she paused a moment between the two lakes, uncertain +which course to take. + +It was Thursday, the day of the races. The vast ground, enclosed on all +sides by a fence, had been cleared, since early morning, of the boards +covering the paths reserved for pedestrians on days when there was no +racing; but it was only eleven o'clock, and the place was not yet open +to the paying public. Several workmen, in white blouses, went along the +track, placing litters beside the obstacles where falls occurred most +frequently. + +"Do you think the gatekeeper will allow us to enter at this hour?" +Zibeline asked. + +"I hope not!" Henri replied. + +"Well, then, I shall enter without his permission! You are free to +declare me the winner. I shall be left to make a walkover, I see!" And +setting off at a gallop along the bridle-path, which was obstructed a +little farther on by the fence itself, she struck her horse resolutely, +and with one audacious bound sprang over the entrance gate. She was now +on the steeplechase track. + +"You are mad!" cried the General, who, as much concerned for her safety +as for his own pride, urged on his mare, and, clearing the fence, landed +beside Zibeline on the other side. + +"All right!" she cried, in English, dropping her whip, as the starter +drops the flag at the beginning of a race. + +The die was cast. Henri bent over Aida's neck, leaning his hands upon +her withers in an attitude with which experience had made him familiar, +and followed the Amazon, determined to win at all hazards. + +Zibeline's groom, an Englishman, formerly a professional jockey, had +already jumped the fence, in spite of the cries of the guard, who ran +to prevent him, and coolly galloped after his mistress, keeping at his +usual distance. + +The first two hedges, which were insignificant obstacles for such +horses, were crossed without effort. + +"Not the brook, I beg of you!" cried Henri, seeing that, instead of +running past the grand-stand, Zibeline apparently intended to attempt +this dangerous feat. + +"Come on! Seaman would never forgive me if I balk at it!" she cried, +riding fearlessly down the slope. + +The good horse gathered up his four feet on the brink, took one vigorous +leap, appearing for a second to hover over the water; then he fell +lightly on the other side of the stream, with a seesaw movement, to +which the intrepid Amazon accommodated herself by leaning far back. The +rebound threw her forward a little, but she straightened herself quickly +and went on. + +The General, who had slackened his pace that he might not interfere +with her leap, gave vent to a sigh of relief. He pressed Aida's flanks +firmly, and the big Irish mare jumped after her competitor, with the +majestic dignity of her race. + +Reassured by the 'savoir-faire' of his companion, the former winner of +the military steeplechase felt revive within himself all his ardor for +the conflict, and he hastened to make up the distance he had lost. + +The two horses, now on the west side of the racetrack, were almost +neck-and-neck, and it would have been difficult to prognosticate which +had the better chance of victory. Zibeline's light weight gave Seaman +the advantage, but Aida gained a little ground every time she leaped an +obstacle; so that, after passing the hurdles and the third hedge, the +champions arrived simultaneously at the summit of the hill, from which +point the track extends in a straight line, parallel with the Allee des +Fortifications. + +Feeling himself urged on still harder, the English horse began to lay +back his ears and pull so violently on the rein that his rider had all +she could do to hold him, and lacked sufficient strength to direct his +course. Seeing Zibeline's danger, Henri hastened to slacken his horse's +pace, but it was too late: the almost perpendicular declivity of the +other side of the hill added fresh impetus to the ungovernable rush of +Seaman, who suddenly became wild and reckless. + +The situation was all the more critical for the reason that the next +obstacle was a brook, only two metres wide, but of which the passage was +obstructed on the farther side of the track by heavy beams, laid one +on top of another, solidly riveted and measuring one metre and ten +millimetres from the base to the summit. The excited horse charged +obliquely toward this obstruction with all his might. Paying no more +attention to the pressure upon his bit, he rose in the air, but as he +had not given himself sufficient time to take plenty of room for the +leap, his hoofs struck violently against the top beam, the force of +resistance of which threw him over on one side; his hindquarters turned +in the air, and he fell in a heap on the other side of the obstacle, +sending up a great splash of water as he went into the brook. + +Had Zibeline been crushed by the weight of the horse in this terrible +fall, or, not having been able to free herself from him, had she been +drowned under him? Henri uttered a hoarse cry, struck his spurs into the +sides of his mare, crossed the brook breathlessly, stopping on the other +side as soon as he could control his horse's pace; then, rushing back, +he leaped to the ground to save the poor girl, if there was still time +to do so. + +Zibeline lay inanimate on the grass, her face lying against the earth. +By a lucky chance, the horse had fallen on his right side, so that his +rider's limbs and skirt had not been caught. Unhorsed by the violence +of the shock, Zibeline had gone over the animal's head and fallen on the +other side of the brook. Her Amazon hat, so glossy when she had set out, +was now crushed, and her gloves were torn and soiled with mud; which +indicated that she had fallen on her head and her hands. + +Henri knelt beside her, passed his arm around her inert and charming +body, and drew her tenderly toward him. Her eyes were half-open and +dull, her lips pale; her nose, the nostrils of which were usually well +dilated, had a pinched look; and a deadly pallor covered that face which +only a moment before had been so rosy and smiling. + +These signs were the forerunners of death, which the officer had +recognized so many times on the battlefield. But those stricken ones had +at least been men, devoting themselves to the risks of warfare; while +in the presence of this young girl lying before him, looking upon this +victim of a reckless audacity to which he felt he had lent himself too +readily, the whole responsibility for the accident seemed to him to rest +upon his own shoulders, and a poignant remorse tore his heart. + +He removed her cravat, unhooked her bodice, laid his ear against her +breast, from which an oppressed breathing still arose. + +Two laborers hurried to open the gate and soon arrived at the spot +with a litter, guided by the groom, whose horse had refused to jump +the brook, and who since then had followed the race on foot outside the +track. While the General placed Zibeline on the litter, the groom took +Aida by the bridle, and the sad procession made its way slowly toward +the enclosure surrounding the weighing-stand. + +As for Seaman, half submerged in the stream, and with an incurable +fracture of the leg, nothing was left to do for the poor animal but to +kill him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. AN UNCONSCIOUS AVOWAL + +Walking slowly, step by step, beside her whose power had so quickly +and so wholly subjugated him, watching over her removal with more than +paternal solicitude, Henri de Prerolles, sustained by a ray of hope, +drew a memorandum-book from his pocket, wrote upon a slip of paper a +name and an address, and, giving it to the groom, ordered him to go +ahead of the litter and telephone to the most celebrated surgeon in +Paris, requesting him to go as quickly as possible to the domicile +of Mademoiselle de Vermont, and, meantime, to send with the greatest +despatch one of the eight-spring carriages from the stables. + +It was noon by the dial on the grand-stand when the litter was finally +deposited in a safe place. The surgeon could hardly arrive in less than +two hours; therefore, the General realized that he must rely upon his +own experience in rendering the first necessary aid. + +He lifted Valentine's hand, unbuttoned the glove, laid his finger on her +pulse, and counted the pulsations, which were weak, slow, and irregular. + +While the wife of the gate-keeper kept a bottle of salts at the nostrils +of the injured girl, Henri soaked a handkerchief in tincture of arnica +and sponged her temples with it; then, pouring some drops of the liquid +into a glass of water, he tried in vain to make her swallow a mouthful. +Her teeth, clenched by the contraction of muscles, refused to allow it +to pass into her throat. At the end of half an hour, the inhalation +of the salts began to produce a little effect; the breath came more +regularly, but that was the only symptom which announced that the swoon +might soon terminate. The landau with the high springs arrived. The +General ordered the top laid back, and helped to lift and place upon the +cushions on the back seat the thin mattress on which Zibeline lay; then +he took his place on the front seat, made the men draw the carriage-top +back into its proper position, and the equipage rolled smoothly, +and without a jar, to its destination. On the way they met the first +carriages that had arrived at the Auteuil hippodrome, the occupants of +which little suspected what an exciting dramatic incident had occurred +just before the races. Zibeline's servants, by whom she was adored, +awaited their mistress at the threshold, and for her maids it was an +affair of some minutes to undress her and lay her in her own bed. During +this delay, the surgeon, who had hastened to answer the call, found +Henri nervously walking about from one drawing-room to the other; and, +having received information as to the details of the fall, he soon +entered the bedchamber. While awaiting the sentence of life or of death +which must soon be pronounced, he who considered himself the chief cause +of this tragic event continued to pace to and fro in the gallery--that +gallery where, under the intoxication of a waltz, the demon of +temptation had so quickly demolished all his resolutions of resistance. +A half-hour--an age!--elapsed before the skilled practitioner +reappeared. "There is no fracture," he said, "but the cerebral shock +has been such that I can not as yet answer for the consequences. If the +powerful reactive medicine which I have just given should bring her back +to her senses soon, her mental faculties will suffer no harm. If not, +there is everything to fear. I will return in three hours," he added. +Without giving a thought to the conventionalities, Henri entered the +bedchamber, to the great astonishment of the maids, and, installing +himself at the head of the bed, he decided not to leave that spot until +Valentine had regained her senses, should she ever regain them. An +hour passed thus, while Henri kept the same attitude, erect, attentive, +motionless, with stray scraps of his childhood's prayers running through +his brain. Suddenly the heavy eyelids of the wounded girl were lifted; +the dulness of the eyes disappeared; her body made an involuntary +attempt to change its position; the nostrils dilated; the lips quivered +in an effort to speak. Youth and life had triumphed over death. With +painful slowness, she tried to raise her hand to her head, the seat of +her pain, where, though half paralyzed, thought was beginning to return. +Her eyes wandered to and fro in the shadowy room, seeking to recognize +the surroundings. A ray of light, filtering through the window-curtains, +showed her the anxious face bending tenderly over her. "Henri!" she +murmured, in a soft, plaintive voice. That name, pronounced thus, the +first word uttered after her long swoon, revealed her secret. Never had +a more complete yet modest avowal been more simply expressed; was it not +natural that he should be present at her reentrance into life, since +she loved him? With women, the sentiment of love responds to the most +diverse objects. The ordinary young girl of Zibeline's age, either +before or after her sojourn in a convent, considers that a man of thirty +has arrived at middle age, and that a man of forty is absolutely old. +Should she accept a man of either of these ages, she does it because a +fortune, a title, or high social rank silences her other tastes, and +her ambition does the rest. But, with an exceptional woman, like +Mademoiselle de Vermont, brought up in view of wide horizons, in the +midst of plains cleared by bold pioneers, among whom the most valorous +governed the others, a man like General de Prerolles realized her ideal +all the more, because both their natures presented the same striking +characteristics: carelessness of danger, and frankness carried to +its extremest limit. Therefore, this declaration--to use the common +expression--entirely free from artifice or affectation, charmed Henri +for one reason, yet, on the other hand, redoubled his perplexity. How +could he conciliate his scruples of conscience with the aspirations +of his heart? The problem seemed then as insoluble as when it had been +presented the first time. But Valentine was saved. For the moment that +was the essential point, the only one in question. The involuntary +revelation of her secret had brought the color to her cheeks, the light +to her eyes, a smile to her lips, in spite of the leaden band that +seemed still pressing upon her head. "How you have frightened me!" said +Henri, in a low voice, seating himself on the side of the bed and +taking her hand. "Is that true?" she asked, softly pressing his fingers. +"Hush!" he said, making a movement to enjoin silence. She obeyed, and +they remained a few moments thus. Nevertheless, he reflected that +the account of the accident would soon be spread everywhere, that +Valentine's new friends would hear about it as soon as they arrived at +the race-track that day, and that he could no longer prolong his stay +beside her. + +"Are you leaving me so soon?" Valentine murmured, when he said that he +must go. + +"I am going to tell my sister and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy of your +mishap." + +"Very well," she replied, as if already she had no other desire than to +follow his wishes. + +He gave the necessary orders, and again took his place beside the bed, +awaiting the second visit of the doctor, whose arrival was simultaneous +with that of the Duchess. + +This time the verdict was altogether favorable, with no mention of +the possibility of any aggravating circumstances. An inevitable +feverishness, and a great lassitude, which must be met with absolute +repose for several days, would be the only consequences of this +dangerous prank. + +The proprieties resumed their normal sway, and it was no longer possible +for Henri to remain beside the charming invalid. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. DISTRACTION + +The Duchesse de Montgeron, who had passed the rest of the day with +Mademoiselle de Vermont, did not return to her own dwelling until eight +o'clock that evening, bearing the most reassuring news. + +Longing for fresh air and exercise, Henri went out after dinner, walked +through the Champs-Elysees, and traversed the crossing at l'Etoile, in +order to approach the spot where Zibeline lay ill. + +If one can imagine the feelings of a man of forty-five, who is loved for +himself, under the most flattering and unexpected conditions, one can +comprehend the object of this nocturnal walk and the long pause that +Henri made beneath the windows of Zibeline's apartment. A small garden, +protected by a light fence, was the only obstacle that separated them. +But how much more insuperable was the barrier which his own principles +had raised between this adorable girl and himself. + +Had he not told his sister, confided to Eugenie Gontier, and reiterated +to any one that would listen to him, the scruples which forbade him ever +to think of marriage? To change this decision, in asking for the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont, would-in appearance, at least--sacrifice to the +allurement of wealth the proud poverty which he had long borne so nobly. + +But the demon of temptation was then, as always, lurking in the shadow, +the sole witness of this duel to the death between prejudice and love. + +When he returned to his rooms he found another note from his former +mistress: + + "You have just had a terrible experience, my dear friend. Nothing + that affects you can be indifferent to me. I beg you to believe, + notwithstanding the grief which our separation causes me, in all the + prayers that I offer for your happiness. + + "ARIADNE." + +"My happiness? My torture, rather!" he said, the classic name of Ariadne +suggesting the idea that the pseudonym of Tantalus might well be applied +to himself. + +But he had long kept a rule to write as little as possible, and +was guarded in making reply to any letter, especially to such a +communication as this. + +When he left the house the next morning, on his way to attend to +military duties, he learned that his sister had gone away early on an +excursion to one of the suburbs, and that she would not return until +evening. As the Duchess was the only person who had been initiated into +the mystery surrounding Zibeline on the subject of the building of the +Orphan Asylum, it was evident that she had gone to take her place in the +directing of the work. + +In the afternoon Henri called to inquire for the invalid, and was +received by the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. She had had a quiet night; a +little fever had appeared toward morning, and, above all, an extreme +weakness, requiring absolute quiet and freedom from any excitement. On +an open register in the reception-room were inscribed the names of all +those persons who had called to express their interest in Mademoiselle +de Vermont: Constantin Lenaieff, the Lisieux, the Nointels, Edmond +Delorme, the Baron de Samoreau, and others. Only the Desvanneaux had +shown no sign of life. Their Christian charity did not extend so far as +that. + +Henri added his name to the list, and for several days he returned each +morning to inscribe it anew, feeling certain that, as soon as Valentine +was able to be placed half-reclining on a couch, she would give orders +that he should be admitted to her presence. But nothing of the kind +occurred. + +On the evening of the fifth day after the accident, the Duchess informed +her brother that their young friend had been taken to the country, where +it was thought a complete cure would sooner be effected. + +This hasty departure, made without any preliminary message, caused Henri +to feel the liveliest disappointment. + +Had he deceived himself, then? Was it, after all, only by chance +that she had so tenderly pronounced his name, and had that familiar +appellative only been drawn from her involuntarily because of her +surprise at beholding his unexpected presence at her bedside? + +Regarding the matter from this point of view, the whole romance that he +had constructed on a fragile foundation had really never existed save in +his own imagination! + +At this thought his self-esteem suffered cruelly. He felt a natural +impulse to spring into a carriage and drive to the dwelling of +Eugenie Gontier, and there to seek forgetfulness. But he felt that his +bitterness would make itself known even there, and that such a course +would be another affront to the dignity of a woman of heart, whose +loyalty to himself he never had questioned. + +Try to disguise it as he would, his sombre mood made itself apparent, +especially to his brother-in-law, who had no difficulty in guessing the +cause, without allowing Henri to suspect that he divined it. + +The date for the formal transfer of the Orphan Asylum to the committee +had been fixed for the fifteenth day of May. + +On the evening of the fourteenth, at the hour when the General was +signing the usual military documents in his bureau, a domestic presented +to him a letter which, he said, had just been brought in great haste by +a messenger on horseback: + +The superscription, "To Monsieur the General the Marquis de Prerolles," +was inscribed in a long, English hand, elegant and regular. The orderly +gave the letter to his chief, who dismissed him with a gesture before +breaking the seal. The seal represented, without escutcheon or crown, a +small, wild animal, with a pointed muzzle, projecting teeth, and shaggy +body, under which was a word Henri expected to find: Zibeline! + +The letter ran thus: + + "MY DEAR GENERAL: + + "An officer, like yourself, whose business it is to see that his + orders are obeyed, will understand that I have not dared, even in + your favor, to infringe on those imposed upon me by the doctor. + But those orders have been withdrawn! If you have nothing better to + do, come to-morrow, with your sister, to inspect our asylum, before + Monsieur Desvanneaux takes possession of it! + + "Your military eye will be able to judge immediately whether + anything is lacking in the quarters. Yours affectionately, + + "VALENTINE DE VERMONT. + + "P.S.--Poor Seaman is dead! I beg you to carry this sad news to his + friend Aida. V." + +If a woman's real self is revealed in her epistolary style, finesse, +good-humor, and sprightliness were characterised in this note. +Zibeline's finesse had divined Henri's self-deception; her good-humor +sought to dissipate it; and her sprightliness was evidenced by her +allusions to M. Desvanneaux and the loss of her horse. + +When they found themselves reunited at the dinner-hour, the Duchess said +simply to her brother: + +"You must have received an invitation to-day from Mademoiselle de +Vermont. Will you accompany us tomorrow?" + +"Yes, certainly. But where? How? At what hour?" + +"We must leave here at one o'clock. Don't disturb yourself about any +other detail--we shall look after everything." + +"Good! I accept." + +As he was not so curious as the Desvanneaux, it mattered little to him +to what place they took him, so long as he should find Zibeline at the +end of the journey. + +At the appointed hour the brother and sister drove to the Gare du Nord. +The Duke, a director of the road, who had been obliged to attend a +convocation of the Council until noon, had preceded them. He was waiting +for them beside the turnstile at the station, having already procured +their tickets and reserved a carriage in one of the omnibus trains from +Paris to Treport which make stops at various suburban stations. + +"Will it be a very long journey?" Henri asked, on taking his place in +the carriage. + +"Barely three-quarters of an hour," said the Duke, as the train started +on its way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. THE VOW REDEEMED + +The third road, constructed between the two lines which met at Creil, +passing, the one by way of Chantilly, the other, by Pontoise, was not +in existence in 1871, when, after the war, Jeanne and Henri de Prerolles +went to visit the spot, already unrecognizable, where they had passed +their childhood. L'Ile-d'Adam was at that time the nearest station; to +day it is Presles, on the intermediate line, which they now took. + +"This is our station," said Madame de Montgeron, when the train stopped +at Montsoult. They descended from the carriage, and found on the +platform two footmen, who conducted them to a large char-a-banc, to +which were harnessed four dark bay Percherons, whose bridles were held +by postilions in Zibeline's livery, as correct in their appearance as +those belonging to the imperial stables, when the sojourn of the court +was at Compiegne or at Fontainebleau. + +"Where are we going now, Jeanne?" asked Henri, whose heart seemed to him +to contract at the sight of Maffliers, which he knew so well. + +"A short distance from here," his sister replied. + +The horses set off, and, amid the sound of bells and the cracking of +whips, the carriage reached the national road from Paris to Beauvais, +which, from Montsoult, passes around the railway by a rapid descent, +from the summit of which is visible, on the right, the Chateau of +Franconville; on the left, the village of Nerville perched on its crest. + +One of the footmen on the rear seat held the reins, and a quarter of +an hour later the carriage stopped just before arriving at the foot of +Valpendant. + +Valpendant had formerly been a feudal manor within the confines of +Ile-de-France, built midway upon a hill, as its name indicated. On the +side toward the plain was a moat, and the castle itself commanded the +view of a valley, through which ran the little stream called Le Roi, +which flows into the river Oise near the hamlet of Mours. Acquired +in the fifteenth century by the lords of Prerolles, it had become an +agricultural territory worked for their profit, first by forced labor, +and later by farmers. + +Even recently, the courtyard, filled with squawking fowls and domestic +animals of all kinds, and the sheds crowded with agricultural implements +piled up in disorder, presented a scene of confusion frequent among +cultivators, and significant of the alienation of old domains from their +former owners. + +"We have arrived!" said the Duchess, alighting first. + +"What, is it here?" Henri exclaimed, his heart beating more quickly. + +"Your old farm was for sale just at the time that Mademoiselle de +Vermont was seeking an appropriate site for the Orphan Asylum. This spot +appeared to her to combine all the desirable conditions, and she has +wrought the transformation you are about to behold. It might as well be +this place as another," the Duchess added. "In my opinion, it is a sort +of consolation offered to us by fate." + +"Be it so!" said Henri, in a tone of less conviction. + +He followed his sister along the footpath of a bluff, which as children +they had often climbed; while the carriage made a long detour in order +to reach the main entrance to the grounds. + +The footpath, winding along near the railway embankment, ended at +a bridge, where Zibeline awaited the three visitors. A significant +pressure of her hand showed Henri how little cause he had had for his +apprehensions. + +They entered. Seen from the main entrance, the metamorphosis of the +place was complete. + +The old tower that had served as a barn alone remained the same; it was +somewhat isolated from the other building, and had been repaired in +the style of its period, making a comfortable dwelling for the future +director of the Asylum. Mademoiselle de Vermont occupied it temporarily. + +On each side of the grounds, standing parallel, rose two fine buildings: +on the ground floor of each were all the customary rooms and accessories +found on model farms; on the upper floors were dormitories arranged +to receive a large number of children of both sexes. There were +schoolrooms, sewing-rooms, a chapel-in short, nothing was lacking to +assist in the children's intellectual and manual education. + +"You have done things royally," said the Duke to the happy donor, when, +having finished the inspection of the premises, they returned to the +directors' room, indicated by a plate upon its door. + +As for Henri, silent and absorbed, he hesitated between the dread of +facing a new emotion and the desire to go once more to gaze upon the +tower of Prerolles, hardly more than two kilometres distant. + +"What is the matter with you, General?" Zibeline asked, observing that +he did not appear to take pleasure in the surprise she had prepared. + +"I lived here many years a long time ago," he replied. "I am thinking +of all that it recalls to me; and, if you would not consider it +discourteous on my part, I should like to leave you for a little time to +make a pilgrimage on foot around the neighborhood." + +"Would you like to have me take you myself? I have a little English cart +which can run about anywhere," said Zibeline. + +The proposition was tempting. The sweetness of a tete-a-tete might +diminish the bitterness of recollections. He accepted. + +She ordered the cart brought around, and they climbed into the small +vehicle, which was drawn by a strong pony, driven by Zibeline herself. + +"Which way?" she asked, when they had passed through the gates. + +"To the right," he said, pointing to a rough, half-paved slope, an +abandoned part of what had been in former days the highway, which now +joins the new road at the Beaumont tunnel. + +Passing this point, and leaving on their left the state road +of l'Ile-d'Adam, they drove through a narrow cross-cut, between +embankments, by which one mounts directly to the high, plateau that +overlooks the town of Presles. + +The hill was steep, and the pony was out of breath. They were compelled +to stop to allow him to rest. + +"It is not necessary to go any farther," said Henri to his companion. "I +need only to take a few steps in order to see what interests me." + +"I will wait for you here," she replied, alighting after him. "Don't +be afraid to leave me alone. The horse will not move; he is used to +stopping." + +He left her gathering daisies, and walked resolutely to the panoramic +point of view, where a strange and unexpected sight met his eyes! + +All that had once been so dear to him had regained its former aspect. +The kitchen-gardens had given place to the rich pastures, where yearling +colts frisked gayly. The factory had disappeared, and the chateau had +been restored to its original appearance. The walls enclosing the park +had been rebuilt, and even several cleared places indicated the sites of +cottages that had been pulled down. + +Henri de Prerolles could hardly believe his eyes! Was he the sport of a +dream or of one of those mirages which rise before men who travel across +the sandy African deserts? The latitude and the position of the sun +forbade this interpretation. But whence came it, then? What fairy had +turned a magic ring in order to work this miracle? + +A crackling of dry twigs under a light tread made him turn, and he +beheld Zibeline, who had come up behind him. + +The fairy was there, pale and trembling, like a criminal awaiting +arrest. + +"Is it you who have done this?" Henri exclaimed, with a sob which no +human strength could have controlled. + +"It is I!" she murmured, lowering her eyes. "I did it in the hope that +some day you would take back that which rightfully belongs to you." + +"Rightfully, you say? By what act?" + +"An act of restitution." + +"You never have done me any injury, and nothing authorizes me to accept +such a gift from Mademoiselle de Vermont." + +"Vermont was the family name of my mother. When my father married +her, he obtained leave to add it to his own. I am the daughter of Paul +Landry." + +"You!" + +"Yes. The daughter of Paul Landry, whose fortune had no other origin +than the large sum of which he despoiled you." + +Henri made a gesture of denial. + +"Pardon me!" Zibeline continued. "He was doubly your debtor, since this +sum had been increased tenfold when you rescued him from the Mexicans +who were about to shoot him. 'This is my revenge!' you said to him, +without waiting to hear a word from him. Your ruin was the remorse +of his whole life. I knew it only when he lay upon his deathbed. +Otherwise--" + +She paused, then raised her head higher to finish her words. + +"Never mind!" she went on. "That which he dared not do while living, I +set myself to do after his death. When I came to Paris to inquire what +had become of the Marquis de Prerolles, your glorious career answered +for you; but even before I knew you I had become the possessor of these +divided estates, which, reunited by me, must be restored to your hands. +You are proud, Henri," she added, with animation, "but I am none less +proud than you. Judge, then, what I have suffered in realizing our +situation: I, overwhelmed with riches, you, reduced to your officer's +pay. Is that a satisfaction to your pride? Very well! But to my own, it +is the original stain, which only a restitution, nobly accepted by you, +ever can efface!" + +She paused, looking at him supplicatingly, her hands clasped. As he +remained silent, she understood that he still hesitated, and continued: + +"To plead my cause, to vanquish your resistance, as I am trying now to +triumph over it, could be attempted with any chance of success only by +a dear and tender friend; that is the reason why I sought to establish +relations with--" + +"With Eugenie Gontier?" + +"But she would not consent to it--all the worse for her! For, since +then, you and I have come to know each other well. Your prejudices have +been overcome one by one. I have observed it well. I am a woman, and +even your harshness has not changed my feelings, nor prevented me from +believing that, in spite of yourself, you were beginning to love me. +Have I been deceiving myself?--tell me!" + +"You know that you have not, since, as I look at you and listen to you, +I know not which I admire more-your beauty or the treasures of your +heart!" + +"Then come!" + +"Whither?" + +"To Prerolles, where all is ready to receive you." + +"Well, since this is a tale from the Arabian Nights, let us follow it to +the end! I will go!" said Henri. + +Browsing beside the road, the pony, left to himself, had advanced toward +them, step by step, whinnying to his mistress. Valentine and Henri +remounted the cart; which soon drew up before the gates of the chateau, +where, awaiting them, reinstated in his former office, stood the old +steward, bent and white with years. + +The borders of the broad driveway were of a rich, deep green. +Rose-bushes in full bloom adorned the smooth lawns. The birds trilled a +welcome in jumping from branch to branch, and across the facade of the +chateau the open windows announced to the surrounding peasantry the +return of the prodigal master. + +At the top of the flight of steps Valentine stepped back to allow Henri +to pass before her; then, changing her mind, she advanced again. + +"No, you are at home," she said. "It is I that must enter first!" + +He followed her docilely, caring no longer to yield to any other will +than hers. + +Within the chateau, thanks to the complicity of the Duchess, the +furnishings resembled as closely as possible those of former days. The +good fairy had completed successfully two great works: the restoration +of the chateau and the building of the asylum. The inhabitants of the +one would be so much the better able to foresee the needs of the other. + +Having explored one of the wings, they returned to the central hall. +Mademoiselle de Vermont made a sign to the steward to remain there, and +beckoned to Henri to accompany her to the historic gallery. After they +had entered it, she closed the door. The family portraits had been +rehung in their former places, in chronological order, and, in its +proper place, figured that of the General of Division the Marquis de +Prerolles, in full uniform, mounted on Aida, the portrait being the work +of Edmond Delorme. + +At this sight, touched to the depths of his heart, Henri knelt before +Valentine, and carried her hand to his lips. + +"I adore you!" he said, without attempting to hide the tears of +gratitude that fell upon those generous hands. + +"Do you, indeed?" Zibeline murmured. + +"You shall see!" he replied, rising. "Come, in your turn." + +He led her before the portrait of the ancestral marshal of France, and +said: + +"Twenty-three years ago I vowed before that portrait either to vanquish +the enemy or to regain with honor all that I had lost at play. I have +kept my word. Will you be my wife?" + +"Ah, you know my heart is yours!" Zibeline whispered, hiding her face +upon his shoulder. + +The door at the end of the gallery opened; the Duc and the Duchesse de +Montgeron appeared. Henri took Zibeline's hand and approached them. + +"The Marquise de Prerolles!" he said, presenting her to his sister and +her husband. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. THE MARQUISE DE PREROLLES + +The next day a special train landed the fair patronesses at the station +of Presles, whence Zibeline's carriages conducted them to Valpendant. + +The deed of gift was signed before M. Durand and his colleague, a notary +of Pontoise. + +This formality fulfilled, M. Desvanneaux, whose own role, for a moment +overshadowed, appeared to him to renew its importance, took the floor +and said: + +"It remains to us, Mesdames, to assure the support of the Orphan Asylum +by means of an annual income." + +"The Marquis and the Marquise de Prerolles assume this responsibility," +said the ministerial officer, treasurer of the Asylum. "This mutual +engagement will form the object of a special clause in the drawing up of +their contract." + +In this way was the news of the approaching marriage between Valentine +and Henri announced to the Society. + +"The little intriguer!" murmured the churchwarden, nudging the elbow of +his Maegera. + +The General, who noted the effect which this announcement had produced +upon the peevish pair, divined the malicious words upon the hypocritical +lips. He drew the husband aside, and put one hand upon his shoulder. + +"Desvanneaux," he said, "you have known me twenty-five years, and you +know that I am a man of my word. If ever a malevolent word from you +regarding my wife should come to my ears, I shall elongate yours to such +a degree that those of King Midas will be entirely eclipsed! Remember +that!" + +The ceremony took place six weeks later, in the church of St. +Honore-d'Eylau, which was not large enough to hold the numerous public +and the brilliant corps of officers that assisted. + +The witnesses for the bridegroom were the military governor of Paris and +the Duc de Montgeron. Those of the bride were the aide-de-camp General +Lenaieff, in full uniform, wearing an astrachan cap and a white cloak +with the Russian eagle fastened in the fur; and the Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy. + +On the evening before, a last letter from his former mistress had come +to the General: + + "I have heard all the details of your romance, my dear Henri. Its + conclusion is according to all dramatic rules, and I congratulate + you without reserve. + + "If, on the eve of contracting this happy union, an examination of + your conscience should suggest to you some remorse for having + abandoned me so abruptly, let me say that no shadow, not even the + lightest, must cloud the serenity of this joyous day: I am about to + leave the stage forever, to become the wife of the Baron de + Samoreau! + + "Always affectionately yours, + + "EUGENIE GONTIER." + + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + All that was illogical in our social code + 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 + Life goes on, and that is less gay than the stories + Men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise + Only a man, wavering and changeable + 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 + Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that + There are mountains that we never climb but once + You are in a conquered country, which is still more dangerous + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zibeline, Complete, by Phillipe de Massa + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZIBELINE, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 3934.txt or 3934.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/3934/ + +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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Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.07/27/01*END* + + + + + +This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + + + + + +[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the +file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an +entire meal of them. D.W.] + + + + + +ZIBELINE + +By PHILIPPE DE MASSA + + +Translated by D. KNOWLTON RANOUS + + + + +ALEXANDRE-PHILIPPE-REGNIER DE MASSA + +MARQUIS DE MASSA, soldier, composer, and French dramatist, was born in +Paris, December 5, 1831. He selected the military career and received a +commission in the cavalry after leaving the school of St. Cyr. He served +in the Imperial Guards, took part in the Italian and Franco-German Wars +and was promoted Chief of Squadron, Fifth Regiment, Chasseurs a Cheval, +September 10, 1871. Having tendered his resignation from active service, +he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the territorial army February 3, +1880. He has been decorated with the Legion of Honor. + +The Marquis de Massa is known as a composer of music and as a dramatic +author and novelist. At the Opera Comique there was represented in 1861 +Royal-Cravate, written by him. Fragments of two operas by him were +performed at the Paris Conservatory of Music in 1865, and in 1868. The +list of his principal plays follows: 'Le Service en campagne, comedy +(1882); La Cicatrice, comedy (1885); Au Mont Ida, Fronsac a La Bastille, +and La Coeur de Paris, all in 1887; La Czarine and Brouille depuis +Magenta (1888), and La Bonne Aventure--all comedies--1889. Together with +Petipa he also wrote a ballet Le Roi d'Yvetot (1866); music by Charles +Labarre. He further wrote Zibeline, a most brilliant romance (1892) with +an Introduction by Jules Claretie; crowned by the Academie Francaise. +This odd and dainty little story has a heroine of striking originality, +in character and exploits. Her real name is Valentine de Vermont, and +she is the daughter of a fabulously wealthy French-American dealer in +furs, and when, after his death, she goes to Paris to spend her colossal +fortune, and to make restitution to the man from whom her father won at +play the large sum that became the foundation of his wealth, certain +lively Parisian ladies, envying her her rich furs, gave her the name of +Zibeline, that of a very rare, almost extinct, wild animal. Zibeline's +American unconventionality, her audacity, her wealth, and generosity, set +all Paris by the ears. There are fascinating glimpses into the drawing- +rooms of the most exclusive Parisian society, and also into the historic +greenroom of the Comedie Francaise, on a brilliant "first night." The man +to whom she makes graceful restitution of his fortune is a hero of the +Franco-Mexican and Franco-Prussian wars, and when she gives him back his +property, she throws her heart in with the gift. The story is an +interesting study of a brilliant and unconventional American girl as seen +by the eyes of a clever Frenchman. + +Later came 'La Revue quand meme, comedy, (1894); Souvenirs et Impressions +(1897); La Revue retrospective, comedy (1899); and Sonnets' the same +year. + + PAUL HERVIEU + de l'Academe Francaise. + + + + +LETTER FROM JULES CLARETIE TO THE AUTHOR + +MY DEAR FRIEND: + +I have often declared that I never would write prefaces! But how can one +resist a fine fellow who brings one an attractive manuscript, signed with +a name popular among all his friends, who asks of one, in the most +engaging way, an opinion on the same--then a word, a simple word of +introduction, like a signal to saddle? + +I have read your Zibeline, my dear friend, and this romance--your first-- +has given me a very keen pleasure. You told me once that you felt a +certain timidity in publishing it. Reassure yourself immediately. A man +can not be regarded as a novice when he has known, as you have, all the +Parisian literary world so long; or rather, perhaps, I may more +accurately say, he is always a novice when he tastes for the first time +the intoxication of printer's ink. + +You have the quickest of wits and the least possible affectation of +gravity, and you have made as well known in Mexico as in Paris your +couplets on the end of the Mexican conflict with France. 'Tout Mexico y +passera!' Where are they, the 'tol-de-rols' of autumn? + +Yesterday I found, in a volume of dramatic criticism by that terrible and +charming Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly, an appreciation of one of your +comedies which bears a title very appropriate to yourself: 'Honor.' +"And this play does him honor," said Barbey d'Aurevilly, "because it is +charming, light, and supple, written in flowing verse, the correctness of +which does not rob it of its grace." + +That which the critic said of your comedy I will say of your romance. +It is a pretty fairy-story-all about Parisian fairies, for a great many +fairies live in Paris! In fact, more are to be found there than anywhere +else! There are good fairies and bad fairies among them. Your own +particular fairy is good and she is charming. I am tempted to ask +whether you have drawn your characters from life. That is a question +which was frequently put to me recently, after I had published +'L'Americaine.' The public longs to possess keys to our books. It is +not sufficient for them that a romance is interesting; it must possess +also a spice of scandal. + +Portraits? You have not drawn any--neither in the drawing-rooms where +Zibeline scintillates, nor in the foyer of the Comedie Francaise, where +for so long a time you have felt yourself at home. Your women are +visions and not studies from life--and I do not believe that you will +object to my saying this. + +You should not dislike the "romantic romance," which every one in these +days advises us to write--as if that style did not begin as far back as +the birth of romance itself: as if the Princess of Cleves had not +written, and as if Balzac himself, the great realist, had not invented, +the finest "romantic romances" that can be found--for example, the +amorous adventure of General de Montriveau and the Duchesse de Langlais! + +Apropos, in your charming story there is a General who pleases me very +much. How was it that you did not take, after the fashion of Paul de +Molenes, a dashing cavalry officer for your hero?--you, for whom the +literary cavalier has all the attractions of a gentleman and a soldier? + +Nothing could be more piquant, alert, chivalrous--in short, worthy of a +Frenchman--than the departure of your hero for the war after that +dramatic card-party, which was also a battle--and what a battle!--where, +at the end of the conflict, he left his all upon the green cloth. That +is an attractive sketch of the amiable comedienne, who wishes for fair +weather and a smooth sea for the soldier lover who is going so far away. +It seems to me that I have actually known that pretty girl at some time +or another! That chapter is full of the perfume of pearl powder and +iris! It is only a story, of course, but it is a magnificent story, +which will please many readers. + +The public will ask you to write others, be sure of that; and you will do +well, my dear friend, for your own sake and for ours, to follow the +precept of Denis Diderot: "My friends, write stories; while one writes +them he amuses himself, and the story of life goes on, and that is less +gay than the stories we can tell." + +I do not know precisely whether these last words, which are slightly +pessimistic, are those of the good Diderot himself. But they are those +of a Parisian of 1892, who has been able to forget his cares and +annoyances in reading the story that you have told so charmingly. + +With much affection to you, and wishing good luck to Zibeline, I am + +Your friend, + JULES CLARETIE + de l'Academie Francaise. + +APRIL 26, 1892. + + + + + +ZIBELINE + +BOOK 1 + + +CHAPTER I + +LES FRERES-PROVENCAUX + +In the days of the Second Empire, the Restaurant des Freres-Provencaux +still enjoyed a wide renown to which its fifty years of existence had +contributed more than a little to heighten its fame. + +This celebrated establishment was situated near the Beaujolais Gallery of +the Palais-Royal, close to the narrow street leading to the Rue Vivienne, +and it had been the rendezvous of epicures, either residents of Paris or +birds of passage, since the day it was opened. + +On the ground floor was the general dining-room, the gathering-place for +honest folk from the provinces or from other lands; the next floor had +been divided into a succession of private rooms, comfortably furnished, +where, screened behind thick curtains, dined somewhat "irregular" +patrons: lovers who were in either the dawn, the zenith, or the decline +of their often ephemeral fancies. On the top floor, spacious salons, +richly decorated, were used for large and elaborate receptions of various +kinds. + +At times the members of certain social clubs gave in these rooms +subscription balls of anacreontic tendencies, the feminine element of +which was recruited among the popular gay favorites of the period. +Occasionally, also, young fellows about town, of different social rank, +but brought together by a pursuit of amusement in common, met here on +neutral ground, where, after a certain hour, the supper-table was turned +into a gaming-table, enlivened by the clinking of glasses and the rattle +of the croupier's rake, and where to the excitement of good cheer was +added that of high play, with its alternations of unexpected gains and +disastrous losses. + +It was at a reunion of this kind, on the last evening in the month of +May, 1862, that the salons on the top floor were brilliantly illuminated. +A table had been laid for twenty persons, who were to join in a banquet +in honor of the winner of the great military steeplechase at La Marche, +which had taken place a few days before. The victorious gentleman-rider +was, strange to say, an officer of infantry--an unprecedented thing in +the annals of this sport. + +Heir to a seigneurial estate, which had been elevated to a marquisate in +the reign of Louis XII, son of a father who had the strictest notions as +to the preservation of pure blood, Henri de Prerolles, early initiated +into the practice of the breaking and training of horses, was at eighteen +as bold and dashing a rider as he was accomplished in other physical +exercises; and although, three years later, at his debut at St. Cyr, he +expressed no preference for entering the cavalry service, for which his +early training and rare aptitude fitted him, it was because, in the long +line of his ancestors--which included a marshal of France and a goodly +number of lieutenants-general--all, without exception, from Ravenna to +Fontenoy, had won renown as commanders of infantry. + +At the outbreak of the French Revolution, Henri's grandfather, who had +distinguished himself in the American War for Independence, left his +native land only when he was in the last extremity. As soon as +circumstances permitted, he reentered France with his son, upon whom +Napoleon conferred a brevet rank, which the recipient accepted of his +free will. He began his military experience in Spain, returned safe and +well from the retreat from Russia, and fought valiantly at Bautzen and at +Dresden. The Restoration--by which time he had become chief of his +battalion--could not fail to advance his career; and the line was about +to have another lieutenant-general added to its roll, when the events of +1830 decided Field-Marshal the Marquis de Prerolles to sheathe his sword +forever, and to withdraw to his own estate, near the forest of l'Ile- +d'Adam, where hunting and efforts toward the improvement of the equine +race occupied his latter years. + +He died in 1860, a widower, leaving two children: Jeanne, recently +married to the Duc de Montgeron, and his son Henri, then a pupil in a +military school, who found himself, on reaching his majority, in +possession of the chateau and domains of Prerolles, the value of which +was from fifteen to eighteen hundred thousand francs. + +Having been made sub-lieutenant by promotion on the first day of October, +1861, the young Marquis, already the head of his house and a military +leader, asked and obtained the favor of being incorporated with a +battalion of chasseurs garrisoned at Vincennes. + +Exact in the performance of his military duties, and at the same time +ardent in the pursuit of pleasure, he was able, thanks to his robust +health, to conciliate the exigencies of the one with the fatigues of the +other. + +Unfortunately, Henri was fond of gaming, and his natural impetuosity, +which showed itself by an emulation of high standards in his military +duties, degenerated into recklessness before the baccarat-table. At the +end of eighteen months, play, and an expensive liaison with an actress, +had absorbed half his fortune, and his paternal inheritance had been +mortgaged as well. The actress was a favorite in certain circles and had +been very much courted; and this other form of rivalry, springing from +the glitter of the footlights, added so much the more fuel to the +prodigalities of the inflammable young officer. + +Affairs were in this situation when, immediately after Henri's triumph at +the race-track, a bettor on the opposite side paid one of his wagers by +offering to the victor a grand dinner at the Freres-Provencaux. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +BIRDS OF PREY + +The hero of the night was seated at the middle of one side of the table, +in the place of honor. For his 'vis-a-vis' he had his lively friend +Fanny Dorville, star of the Palais Royal, while at his right sat Heloise +Virot, the "first old woman," or duenna, of the same theatre, whose well +known jests and eccentricities added their own piquancy to gay life in +Paris. The two artists, being compelled to appear in the after-piece at +their theatre that evening, had come to the dinner made up and in full +stage costume, ready to appear behind the footlights at the summons of +the call-boy. + +The other guests were young men accustomed to the surroundings of the +weighing-stand and the betting-room, at a time when betting had not yet +become a practice of the masses; and most of them felt highly honored to +rub elbows with a nobleman of ancient lineage, as was Henri de Prerolles. + +Among these persons was Andre Desvanneaux, whose father, a churchwarden +at Ste.-Clotilde, had attained a certain social prestige by his good +works, and Paul Landry, in his licentiate in a large banking house in +Paris. The last named was the son of a ship-owner at Havre, and his +character was ambitious and calculating. He cherished, under a quiet +demeanor, a strong hope of being able to supply, by the rapid acquisition +of a fortune, the deficiencies of his inferior birth, from which his +secret vanity suffered severely. Being an expert in all games of chance, +he had already accumulated, while waiting for some brilliant coup, +enough to lead a life of comparative elegance, thus giving a certain +satisfaction to his instincts. He and Henri de Prerolles never yet had +played cards together, but the occasion was sure to come some day, and +Paul Landry had desired it a long time. + +The company, a little silent at first, was becoming somewhat more +animated, when a head-waiter, correct, and full of a sense of his own +importance, entered the salon, holding out before him with both hands a +large tray covered with slender glasses filled with a beverage called +"the cardinal's drink," composed of champagne, Bordeaux, and slices of +pineapple. The method of blending these materials was a professional +secret of the Freres-Provencaux. + +Instantly the guests were on their feet, and Heloise, who had been served +first, proposed that they should drink the health of the Marquis, but, +prompted by one of her facetious impulses, instead of lifting the glass +to her own lips, she presented it to those of the waiter, and, raising +her arm, compelled him to swallow the contents. Encouraged by laughter +and applause, she presented to him a second glass, then a third; and the +unhappy man drank obediently, not being able to push away the glasses +without endangering the safety of the tray he carried. + +Fanny Dorville interceded in vain for the victim; the inexorable duenna +had already seized a fourth glass, and the final catastrophe would have +been infallibly brought about, had not providence intervened in the +person of the call-boy, who, thrusting his head through the half-open +doorway, cried, shrilly: + +"Ladies, they are about to begin!" + +The two actresses hastened away, escorted by Andre Desvanneaux, a modern +Tartufe, who, though married, was seen everywhere, as much at home behind +the scenes as in church. + +Coffee and liqueurs were then served in a salon adjoining the large +dining-room, which gave the effect of a private club-room to this part of +the restaurant. + +Cigars were lighted, and conversation soon turned on feminine charms and +the performances of various horses, particularly those of Franc-Comtois, +the winner of the military steeplechase. This animal was one of the +products of the Prerolles stud, and was ordinary enough on flat ground, +but a jumper of the first rank. + +At last the clock struck the half hour after eleven, and some of the +guests had already manifested their intention to depart, when Paul +Landry, who had been rather silent until then, said, carelessly: + +"You expect to sleep to-night in Paris, no doubt, Monsieur de Prerolles?" + +"Oh, no," Henri replied, "I am on duty this week, and am obliged to +return to Vincennes early in the morning. So I shall stay here until it +is time for me to go." + +"In that case, might we not have a game of cards?" proposed Captain +Constantin Lenaieff, military attache to the suite of the Russian +ambassador. + +"As you please," said Henri. + +This proposal decided every one to remain. The company returned to the +large dining-room, which, in the mean time, had been again transformed +into a gaming-hall, with the usual accessories: a frame for the tally- +sheet, a metal bowl to hold rejected playing-cards set in one end of the +table, and, placed at intervals around it, were tablets on which the +punter registered the amount of the stakes. + +On reentering this apartment, Henri de Prerolles approached a sort of +counter, and, drawing from his pocket thirty thousand francs in bank- +notes, he exchanged them for their value in mother-of-pearl "chips" of +different sizes, representing sums from one to five, ten, twenty-five, or +a hundred louis. Paul Landry took twenty-five thousand francs' worth; +Constantin Unaieff, fifteen thousand; the others, less fortunate or more +prudent, took smaller sums; and about midnight the game began. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE GAME + +It began quietly enough, the two principal players waiting, before making +any bold strokes, to see how the luck should run. The first victory was +in favor of Henri, who, at the end of a hand dealt by Constantin +Lenaieff, had won about three hundred Louis. Just at this moment the two +women returned, accompanied by Desvanneaux. + +"I had some difficulty in persuading our charming friends to return," +said he; "Mademoiselle Dorville was determined that some one should +escort her to her own house." + +"You, perhaps, Desvanneaux," said Henri, twisting up the ends of his +moustache. + +"Not at all," said Fanny; "I wished Heloise to go with me. I have +noticed that when I am here you always lose. I fear I have the evil +eye." + +"Say, rather, that you have no stomach," said Heloise. "Had you made +your debut, as I made mine, with Frederic Lemaitre in 'Thirty Years in +the Life of an Actor'" + +"It certainly would not rejuvenate her," said Henri, finishing the +sentence. + +"Marquis, you are very impertinent," said the duenna, laughing. "As a +penalty, you must lend me five louis." + +"With the greatest pleasure." + +"Thank you!" + +And, as a new hand was about to be dealt, Heloise seated herself at one +of the tables. This time Paul Landry put fifteen thousand francs in the +bank. + +"Will you do me the favor to cut the cards?" he asked of Fanny, who +stood behind Henri's chair. + +"What! in spite of my evil eye, Monsieur?" + +"I do not fear that, Mademoiselle. Your eyes have always been too +beautiful for one of them to change now." + +Stale as was this compliment, it had the desired effect, and the young +woman thrust vertically into the midst of the pack the cards he held out +to her. + +"Play, messieurs," said the banker. + +"Messieurs and Madame," corrected Heloise, placing her five chips before +her, while Henri, at the other table, staked the six thousand francs +which he had just won. + +"Don't put up more than there is in the bank," objected Paul Landry, +throwing a keen glance at the stakes. Having assured himself that on the +opposing side to this large sum there were hardly thirty louis, he dealt +the cards. + +"Eight!" said he, laying down his card. + +"Nine!" said Heloise. + +"Baccarat!" said Henri, throwing two court-cards into the basket. + +The rake rattled on the losing table, but after the small stakes of the +winners had been paid, the greater part of the six thousand francs passed +into the hands of the banker. + +Five times in succession, at the first deal, the same thing happened; and +at the sixth round Heloise won six hundred francs, and Henri found +himself with no more counters. + +"This is the proper moment to retire!" said the duenna, rising from the +table. "Are you coming, Fanny?" + +"I beg you, let us go now," murmured Mademoiselle Dorville in the ear of +her lover. + +Her voice was caressing and full of tender promise. The young man +hesitated an instant. But to desert the game at his first loss seemed to +him an act unworthy of his reputation, and, as between love and pride, +the latter finally prevailed. + +"I have only an hour or two more to wait. Can not you go home by +yourself?" he replied to Fanny's appeal, while Heloise exchanged her +counters for tinkling coin, forgetting, no doubt, to reimburse her +creditor, who, in fact, gave no thought to the matter. + +Henri accompanied the two women to a coach at the door, which had been +engaged by the thoughtful and obliging Desvanneaux; and, pressing +tenderly the hand of his mistress, he murmured: + +"Till to-morrow!" + +"To-morrow!" she echoed, her heart oppressed with sad forebodings. + +Desvanneaux, whose wife was very jealous of him, made all haste to regain +his conjugal abode. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE RESULT + +Meanwhile, Paul Landry had begun badly, and had had some ill turns of +luck; nevertheless, feeling that his fortune was about to change, he +raised the stakes. + +"Does any one take him up?" asked Constantin Lenaeiff. + +"I do," said De Prerolles, who had returned to the table. + +And, seizing a pencil that lay on the card-table, he signed four cheques +of twenty-five thousand francs each. Unfortunately for him, the next +hand was disastrous. The stakes were increased, and the bank was broken +several times, when Paul Landry, profiting by a heavy gain, doubled and +redoubled the preceding stakes, and beheld mounting before him a pile of +cheques and counters. + +But, as often happens in such circumstances, his opponent, Henri de +Prerolles, persisted in his vain battle against ill-luck, until at three +o'clock in the morning, controlling his shaken nerves and throwing down +his cards, without any apparent anger, he said: + +"Will you tell me, gentlemen, how much I owe you?" + +After all accounts had been reckoned, he saw that he had lost two hundred +and ninety thousand francs, of which two hundred and sixty thousand in +cheques belonged to Paul Landry, and the thirty thousand francs' balance +to the bank. + +"Monsieur de Prerolles," said Paul Landry, hypocritically, "I am ashamed +to win such a sum from you. If you wish to seek your revenge at some +other game, I am entirely at your service." + +The Marquis looked at the clock, calculated that he had still half an +hour to spare, and, not more for the purpose of "playing to the gallery" +than in the hope of reducing the enormous sum of his indebtedness, he +replied: + +"Will it be agreeable to you to play six hands of bezique?" + +"Certainly, Monsieur. How much a point?" + +"Ten francs, if that is not too much." + +"Not at all! I was about to propose that amount myself." + +A quick movement of curiosity ran through the assembly, and a circle was +formed around the two opponents in this exciting match. + +Every one knows that bezique is played with four packs of cards, and that +the number of points may be continued indefinitely. The essential thing +is to win at least one thousand points at the end of each hand; unless a +player does this he is said to "pass the Rubicon," becoming twice a +loser--that is, the victor adds to his own score the points lost by his +adversary. Good play, therefore, consists largely in avoiding the +"Rubicon" and in remaining master of the game to the last trick, in order +to force one's adversary over the "Rubicon," if he stands in danger of +it. The first two hands were lost by Landry, who, having each time +approached the "Rubicon," succeeded in avoiding it only by the greatest +skill and prudence. Immediately his opponent, still believing that good +luck must return to him, began to neglect the smaller points in order to +make telling strokes, but he became stranded at the very port of success, +as it were; so that, deducting the amount of his first winning, he found +at the end of the fifth hand that he had lost six thousand points. +Notwithstanding his wonderful self-control, it was not without difficulty +that the young officer preserved a calm demeanor under the severe blows +dealt him by Fortune. Paul Landry, always master of himself, lowered his +eyes that their expression of greedy and merciless joy should not be +seen. The nearer the game drew to its conclusion, the closer pressed the +circle of spectators, and in the midst of a profound silence the last +hand began. Favored from the beginning with the luckiest cards, followed +by the most fortunate returns, Paul Landry scored successively "forty, +bezique," five hundred and fifteen hundred. He lacked two cards to make +the highest point possible, but Henri, by their absence from his own +hand, could measure the peril that menaced him. So, surveying the number +of cards that remained in stock, he guarded carefully three aces of +trumps which might help him to avert disaster. But, playing the only ace +that would allow him to score again, Paul Landry announced coldly, laying +on the table four queens of spades and four knaves of diamonds: + +"Four thousand five hundred!" This was the final stroke. The last hand +had wiped out, by eight thousand points, the possessions of Landry's +adversary. The former losses of the unfortunate Marquis were now +augmented by one hundred and forty thousand francs. Henri became very +pale, but, summoning all his pride to meet the glances of the curious, +he arose, rang a bell, and called for a pen and a sheet of stamped paper. +Then, turning to Paul Landry, he said, calmly "Monsieur, I owe you four +hundred thousand francs. Debts of honor are payable within twenty-four +hours, but in order to realize this sum, I shall require more time. +How long a delay will you grant me?" + +"As long as you wish, Monsieur." + +"I thank you. I ask a month." + +A waiter appeared, bringing the pen and paper. + +"Oh, your word will be sufficient for me," said Landry. + +"Pardon me!" said the Marquis. "One never knows what may happen. I +insist that you shall accept a formal acknowledgment of the debt." + +And he wrote: + +"I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I owe to Monsieur Paul Landry the +sum of four hundred thousand francs, which I promise to pay in thirty +days, counting from this date." + +He dated, signed, and folded the paper, and handed it to Paul Landry. +Then, glancing at the clock, whose hands pointed to a quarter before +four, he said: + +"Permit me to take leave of you, gentlemen. I have barely time to reach +Vincennes before roll-call." + +He lighted a cigar, saluted the astonished assembly with perfect +coolness, slowly descended the stairs, and jumped into his carriage, the +chasseur of the restaurant holding open the door for him. + +"To Vincennes!" he cried to the coachman; "and drive like the devil!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A DESPERATE RESOLUTION + +The chimneys and roofs of the tall houses along the boulevards stood out +sharp and clear in the light of the rising sun. Here and there squads of +street-cleaners appeared, and belated hucksters urged their horses toward +the markets; but except for these, the streets were deserted, and the +little coupe that carried Caesar and his misfortunes rolled rapidly +toward the Barriere du Trone. + +With all the coach-windows lowered, in order to admit the fresh morning +air, the energetic nobleman, buffeted by ill-luck, suddenly raised his +head and steadily looked in the face the consequences of his defeat. +He, too, could say that all was lost save honor; and already, from the +depths of his virile soul, sprang the only resolution that seemed to him +worthy of himself. + +When he entered his own rooms in order to dress, his mind was made up; +and although, during the military exercises that morning, his commands +were more abrupt than usual, no one would have suspected that his mind +was preoccupied by any unusual trouble. + +He decided to call upon his superior officer that afternoon to request +from him authorization to seek an exchange for Africa. Then he went +quietly to breakfast at the pension of the officers of his own rank, who, +observing his calm demeanor, in contrast to their own, knew that he must +be unaware of the important news just published in the morning journals. +General de Lorencez, after an unsuccessful attack upon the walls of +Puebla, had been compelled to retreat toward Orizaba, and to intrench +there while waiting for reenforcements. + +This military event awakened the liveliest discussions, and in the midst +of the repast a quartermaster entered to announce the reply to the +report, first presenting his open register to the senior lieutenant. + +"Ah! By Jove, fellows! what luck!" cried that officer, joyously. + +"What is it?" demanded the others in chorus. + +"Listen to this!" And he read aloud: "'General Order: An expedition +corps, composed of two divisions of infantry, under the command of +General Forey, is in process of forming, in order to be sent to Mexico on +urgent business. The brigade of the advance guard will be composed of +the First Regiment of Zouaves and the Eighteenth Battalion of infantry. +As soon as these companies shall be prepared for war, this battalion will +proceed by the shortest route to Toulon; thence they will embark aboard +the Imperial on the twenty-sixth day of June next.'" + +Arousing cheer drowned the end of the reading of this bulletin, the tenor +of which gave to Henri's aspiraitions an immediate and more advantageous +prospect immediate, because, as his company was the first to march, he +was assured of not remaining longer at the garrison; more advantageous, +because the dangers of a foreign expedition opened a much larger field +for his chances of promotion. + +Consequently, less than a month remained to him in which to settle his +indebtedness. After the reading of the bulletin, he asked one of his +brother officers to take his place until evening, caught the first train +to town, and, alighting at the Bastille, went directly to the Hotel de +Montgeron, where he had temporary quarters whenever he chose to use them. + +"Is the Duke at home?" he inquired of the Swiss. + +Receiving an affirmative reply, he crossed the courtyard, and was soon +announced to his brother-in-law, the noble proprietor of La Sarthe, +deputy of the Legitimist opposition to the Corps Legislatif of the +Empire. + +The Duc de Montgeron listened in silence to his relative's explanation +of his situation. When the recital was finished, without uttering a +syllable he opened a drawer, drew out a legal paper, and handed it to +Henri, saying: + +"This is my marriage contract. Read it, and you will see that I have +had, from the head of my family, three hundred and fifteen thousand +livres income. I do not say this to you in order to contrast my riches +with your ruin, but only to prove to you that I was perfectly well able +to marry your sister even had she possessed no dot. That dot yields +seven hundred and fifteen thousand francs' income, at three per cent. +We were married under the law of community of goods, which greatly +simplifies matters when husband and wife have, as have Jeanne and myself, +but one heart and one way of looking at things. To consult her would be, +perhaps, to injure her. To-morrow I will sell the necessary stock, and +ere the end of the week Monsieur Durand, your notary and ours, shall hold +at your disposal the amount of the sum you lost last night." + +The blood rose to the cheeks of the young officer. + +"I--I" he stammered, pressing convulsively the hands of his brother-in- +law. "Shall I let you pay the ransom for my madness and folly? Shall I +a second time despoil my sister, already robbed by me of one half her +rightful share? I should die of shame! Or, rather--wait a moment! +Let us reverse our situations for an instant, and if you will swear to me +that, were you in my place, you would accept--Ah, you see! You hesitate +as much now as you hesitated little a moment ago in your simple and +cordial burst of generosity: Consequently, I refuse!" + +"What do you mean to do, then?" + +"To sell Prerolles immediately-to-day, if possible. This determination +troubles you because of the grief it will cause Jeanne. It will grieve +me, too. And the courage to tell this to her is the only effort to which +my strength is unequal. Only you can tell it in such a way as to soften +the blow--" + +"I will try to do it," said the Duke. + +"I thank you! As to the personal belongings and the family portraits, +their place is at Montgeron, is it not?" + +"That is understood. Now, one word more, Henri." + +"Speak!" + +"Have you not another embarrassment to settle?" + +"I have indeed, and the sooner the better. Unhappily--" + +"You have not enough money," finished the Duke. "I have received this +morning twenty-five thousand francs' rent from my farms. Will you allow +me to lend them to you?" + +"To be repaid from the price of the sale? Very willingly, this time." + +And he placed in an envelope the notes handed him by his brother-in-law. + +"This is the last will and testament of love," said the Marquis, as he +departed, to give the necessary instructions to his notary. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE FAREWELL + +His debts were easily reckoned. He owed eight hundred thousand francs to +the Credit Foncier; four hundred thousand to Paul Landry; more than one +hundred thousand to various jewellers and shopkeepers; twenty-five +thousand to the Duc de Montgeron. It was necessary to sell the chateau +and the property at one million four hundred thousand francs, and the +posters advertising the sale must be displayed without delay. + +Then he must say farewell to Fanny Dorville. Nothing should disturb a +sensible mind; the man who, with so much resolution, deprives himself of +his patrimonial estates should not meet less bravely the separation +imposed by necessity. + +As soon as Henri appeared in Fanny's boudoir, she divined that her +presentiments of the previous night had not deceived her. + +"You have lost heavily?" she asked. + +"Very heavily," he replied, kissing her brow. + +"And it was my fault!" she cried. "I brought you bad luck, and that +wretch of a Landry knew well what he was about when he made me cut the +cards that brought you misfortune!" + +"No, no, my dear-listen! The only one in fault was I, who allowed +myself, through false pride, to be persuaded that I should not seem to +fear him." + +"Fear him--a professional gambler, who lives one knows not how! +Nonsense! It is as if one should fight a duel with a fencing-master." + +"What do you wish, my dear? The evil is done--and it is so great--" + +"That you have not the means to pay the sum? Oh, but wait a moment." + +And taking up a casket containing a superb collar of pearls, she said: + +"This is worth fourteen thousand francs. You may well take them from me, +since it was you that gave them to me." + +No doubt, she had read De Musset, and this action was perhaps a refection +of that of Marion, but the movement was sincere. Something of the stern +pride of this other Rolla was stirred; a sob swelled his bosom, and two +tears--those tears that rise to a soldier's eyes in the presence of +nobility and goodness--fell from his eyes upon the hair of the poor girl. + +"I have not come to that yet," he said, after a short silence. "But we +must part--" + +"You are about to marry?" she cried. + +"Oh, no!" + +"Ah, so much the better!" + +In a few words he told her of his approaching departure, and said that he +must devote all his remaining time to the details of the mobilization of +troops. + +"So--it is all over!" said Fanny, sadly. "But fear nothing! I have +courage, and even if I have the evil eye at play, I know of something +that brings success in war. Will you accept a little fetich from me?" + +"Yes, but you persist in trying to give me something," he said, placing +on a table the sealed envelope he had brought. + +"How good you are!" she murmured. "Now promise me one thing: let us +dine together once more. Not at the Provencaux, however. Oh, heavens! +no! At the Cafe Anglais--where we dined before the play the first time +we--" + +The entrance of Heloise cut short the allusion to a memory of autumn. + +"Ah, it is you," said Fanny nervously. "You come apropos." + +"Is there a row in the family?" inquired Heloise. + +"As if there could be!" + +"What is it, then?" + +"You see Henri, do you not?" + +"Well, yes, I do, certainly. What then?" + +"Then look at him long and well, for you will not see him again in many +a day. He is going to Mexico!" + +"To exploit a mine?" + +"Yes, Heloise," the officer replied, "a mine that will make the walls of +Puebla totter." + +"In that case, good luck, my General!" said the duenna, presenting arms +with her umbrella. + +Fanny could not repress a smile in spite of her tears. Her lover seized +this moment to withdraw from her arms and reach the stairs. + +"And now, Marquis de Prerolles, go forth to battle!" cried the old +actress to him over the banisters, with the air of an artist who knows +her proper cue. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE VOW + +Notwithstanding the desire expressed by his mistress, Henri firmly +decided not to repeat that farewell scene. + +The matter that concerned him most was the wish not to depart without +having freed himself wholly from his debt to Paul Landry. Fortunately, +because of a kindly interest, as well as on account of the guaranty of +the Duc de Montgeron, a rich friend consented to advance the sum; so +that, one week before the day appointed for payment, the losing player +was able to withdraw his signature from the hands of his greedy creditor. + +Relieved from this anxiety, Henri had asked, the night before the day set +for departure, for leave of absence for several hours, in order to visit +for the last time a spot very dear to him, upon whose walls placards now +hung, announcing the sale of the property to take place on the following +morning. + +No one received warning of this visit in extremis save the steward, who +awaited his master before the gates of the chateau, the doors and windows +of which had been flung wide open. + +At the appointed hour the visitor appeared at the end of the avenue, +advancing with a firm step between two hedges bordered with poplars, +behind which several brood-mares, standing knee-deep in the rich grass, +suckled their foal. + +The threshold of the gate crossed, master and man skirted the lawn, +traversed the garden, laid out in the French fashion, and, side by side, +without exchanging a word, mounted the steps of the mansion. Entering +the main hall, the Marquis, whose heart was full of memories of his +childhood, stopped a long time to regard alternately the two suites of +apartments that joined the vestibule to the two opposite wings. Making a +sign to his companion not to follow him, Henri then entered the vast +gallery, wherein hung long rows of the portraits of his ancestors; and +there, baring his head before that of the Marshal of France whose name he +bore, he vowed simply, without excitement, and in a low tone, either to +vanquish the enemy or to add, after the manner of his forbears, a +glorious page to his family's history. + +The object of his pilgrimage having thus been accomplished, the Marquis +ordered the steward to see that all the portraits were sent to the +Chateau de Montgeron; then, after pressing his hand in farewell, he +returned to the station by the road whence he had come, avoiding the +village in order to escape the curious eyes of the peasantry. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +IN SEARCH OF GLORY + +The next morning the 18th battalion of 'chasseurs', in dress uniform, +with knapsacks on their backs and fully armed, awaited in the Gare de +Lyon the moment to board the train destined to transport them to the +coast. + +At a trumpet-call this movement was executed in silence, and in perfect +order; and only after all the men were installed did the functionaries +who kept the crowd in order take their own places in the carriages, +leaving a throng of relatives and friends jostling one another upon the +quay. + +Fanny Dorville and her friend the duenna tried in vain to reach the +compartment wherein Henri had his place, already in marching order; the +presence of the Duc and the Duchesse de Montgeron prevented the two women +from approaching him. Nevertheless, at the moment when the train began +to move slowly out of the station, an employee found the means to slip +into the hands of the Marquis a small packet containing the little fetich +which his mistress had kept for him. It was a medallion of the Holy +Virgin, which had been blessed at Notre-Dame des-Victoires, and it was +attached to a long gold chain. + +Thirty-six hours later, on the evening of the 26th of June, the battalion +embarked aboard the Imperial, which, with steam up, was due to leave the +Toulon roadstead at daybreak. At the moment of getting under weigh, the +officer in charge of the luggage, who was the last to leave the shore, +brought several despatches aboard the ship, and handed to Lieutenant de +Prerolles a telegram, which had been received the evening before at the +quay. + +The Marquis opened it and read: "Chateau and lands sold for 1,450,000 +francs. Everything paid, 1600 francs remain disposable." + +"That is to say," thought the officer, sadly, "I have my pay and barely +three thousand francs' income!" + +Leaning both elbows upon the taffrail, he gazed long at the shores of +France, which appeared to fly toward the horizon; then, brusquely turning +his eyes to the quarters filled with the strong figures and manly faces +of the young foot-soldiers of the 18th battalion, he said to himself that +among such men, under whatever skies or at whatever distance, one found +his country--glancing aloft where floated above his head the folds of his +flag. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Twenty-three years after the events already recorded, on a cold afternoon +in February, the Bois de Boulogne appeared to be draped in a Siberian +mantle rarely seen at that season. A deep and clinging covering of snow +hid the ground, and the prolonged freezing of the lakes gave absolute +guaranty of their solidity. + +A red sun, drowned in mist, threw a mild radiance over the landscape, +and many pedestrians stamped their feet around the borders of the lake +belonging to the Skaters' Club, and watched the hosts of pretty women +descending from their carriages, delighted at the opportunity afforded +them, by this return of winter, to engage in their favorite exercise. + +Received on her arrival by one of the attendants posted at the entrance, +each of the fair skaters entered in turn a small building reserved for +ladies, whence she soon came forth in full skating array, ready to risk +herself on the ice, either alone or guided by the hand of some expert +cavalier. + +Here and there, around the enclosure, large garden-seats, shaped like +sentry-boxes, were reserved for the mothers and sisters of the members of +the club, so that they could observe, from a comfortable shelter, the +evolutions of those in whom they were interested. + +Within two of these nooks, side by side, sat the Duchesse de Montgeron, +president, and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, vice-president of the Charity +Orphan Asylum; the latter had come to look on at the first essay on the +ice of her daughter, Madame de Thomery; the former, to judge the skill of +her brother, General the Marquis de Prerolles, past-master in all +exercises of strength and skill. + +At forty-five years of age, the young General had preserved the same +grace and slenderness that had distinguished him when he had first donned +the elegant tunic of an officer of chasseuys. His hair, cut rather +short, had become slightly gray on his temples, but his jaunty moustache +and well-trimmed beard were as yet innocent of a single silver thread. +The same energy shone in his eyes, the same sonority rang in his voice, +which had become slightly more brusque and authoritative from his long- +continued habit of command. + +In a small round hat, with his hands in the pockets of an outing-jacket, +matching his knickerbockers in color, he strolled to and fro near his +sister, now encouraging Madame de Thomery, hesitating on the arm of her +instructor, now describing scientific flourishes on the ice, in rivalry +against the crosses dashed off by Madame de Lisieux and Madame de +Nointel--two other patronesses of the orphanage--the most renowned among +all the fashionable skaters. This sort of tourney naturally attracted +all eyes, and the idlers along the outer walks had climbed upon the +paling in order to gain a better view of the evolutions, when suddenly a +spectacle of another kind called their attention to the entrance-gate in +their rear. + +Passing through the Porte Dauphine, and driven by a young woman enveloped +in furs, advanced swiftly, over the crisp snow, a light American sleigh, +to which was harnessed a magnificent trotter, whose head and shoulders +emerged, as from an aureole, through that flexible, circular ornament +which the Russians call the 'douga'. + +Having passed the last turn of the path, the driver slackened her grasp, +and the horse stopped short before the entrance. His owner, throwing the +reins to a groom perched up behind, sprang lightly to the ground amid a +crowd of curious observers, whose interest was greatly enhanced by the +sight of the odd-looking vehicle. + +The late-comer presented her card of invitation to the proper +functionary, and went across the enclosure toward the ladies' salon. + +"Ah! there is Zibeline!" cried Madame Desvanneaux, with an affected air. +"Do you know her?" she inquired of the Duchesse de Montgeron. + +"Not yet," the Duchess replied. "She did not arrive in Paris until the +end of spring, just at the time I was leaving town for the seashore. But +I know that she says her real name is Mademoiselle de Vermont, and that +she was born in Louisiana, of an old French family that emigrated to the +North, and recently became rich in the fur trade-from which circumstance +Madame de Nointel has wittily named her 'Zibeline.' I know also that she +is an orphan, that she has an enormous fortune, and has successively +refused, I believe, all pretenders who have thus far aspired to her +hand." + +"Yes--gamblers, and fortune-hunters, in whose eyes her millions excuse +all her eccentricities." + +"Do I understand that she has been presented to you?" asked the Duchess, +surprised. + +"Well, yes-by the old Chevalier de Sainte-Foy, one of her so-called +cousins--rather distant, I fancy! But the independent airs of this young +lady, and her absolute lack of any respectable chaperon, have decided me +to break off any relations that might throw discredit on our patriarchal +house," Madame Desvanneaux replied volubly, as ready to cross herself as +if she had been speaking of the devil! + +The Duchess could not repress a smile, knowing perfectly that her +interlocutor had been among the first to demand for her son the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont! + +During this dialogue, the subject of it had had time to cast aside her +fur cloak, to fasten upon her slender, arched feet, clad in dainty, laced +boots, a pair of steel skates, with tangent blades, and without either +grooves or straps, and to dart out upon this miniature sheet of water +with the agility of a person accustomed to skating on the great lakes of +America. + +She was a brunette, with crisply waving hair, a small head, well-set, and +deep yet brilliant eyes beneath arched and slightly meeting brows. Her +complexion was pale, and her little aquiline nose showed thin, dilating +nostrils. Her rosy lips, whose corners drooped slightly, revealed +dazzling teeth, and her whole physiognomy expressed an air of haughty +disdain, somewhat softened by her natural elegance. + +Her cloth costume, which displayed to advantage her slender waist and +graceful bust, was of simple but elegant cut, and was adorned with superb +trimmings of black fox, which matched her toque and a little satin-lined +muff, which from time to time she raised to her cheek to ward off the +biting wind. + +Perhaps her skirt was a shade too short, revealing in its undulations a +trifle too much of the dainty hose; but the revelation was so shapely it +would have been a pity to conceal it! + +"Very bad form!" murmured Madame Desvanneaux. + +"But one can not come to a place like this in a skirt with a train," was +the more charitable thought of the Duchess. + +Meantime the aforesaid tournament went on in the centre of the sheet of +ice, and Zibeline, without mingling with the other skaters, contented +herself with skirting the borders of the lake, rapidly designing a chain +of pierced hearts on the smooth surface, an appropriate symbol of her own +superiority. + +Annoyed to see himself eclipsed by a stranger, the General threw a +challenging glance in her direction, and, striking out vigorously in a +straight line, he sped swiftly toward the other end of the lake. + +Stung to the quick by his glance, Mademoiselle de Vermont darted after +him, passed him halfway along the course, and, wheeling around with a +wide, outward curve, her body swaying low, she allowed him to pass before +her, maintaining an attitude which her antagonist might interpret as a +salute, courteous or ironic, as he chose. + +By this time the crowd was gradually diminishing. The daylight was +waning, and a continued sound of closing gates announced the retreat of +the gay world toward Paris. + +Zibeline alone, taking advantage of the free field, lingered a few +moments to execute some evolutions in the deepening twilight, looking +like the heroines in the old ballads, half-visible, through the mists, \ +to the vivid imagination of the Scottish bards. + +Henri de Prerolles had entered his sister's carriage, in company with +Madame Desvanneaux and Madame Thomery, and during the drive home, these +two gentle dames--for the daughter was worthy of the mother--did not fail +to sneer at the fair stranger, dilating particularly upon the impropriety +of the challenging salute she had given to the General, with whom she was +unacquainted. + +"But my brother could hardly request his seconds to call upon her for +that!" laughingly said the Duchess who, it seemed, had decided to defend +the accused one in all attacks made upon her. + +"Look! Here she comes! She is passing us again. One would think she +was deliberately trying to do it!" exclaimed Madame Desvanneaux, just +before their carriage reached the Arc de Triomphe. + +Zibeline's sleigh, which had glided swiftly, and without hindrance, along +the unfrequented track used chiefly by equestrians, had indeed overtaken +the Duchess's carriage. Turning abruptly to the left, it entered the +open gateway belonging to one of the corner houses of the Rond-Point de +l'Etoile. + +"Decidedly, the young lady is very fond of posing," said the General, +with a shrug, and, settling himself in his corner, he turned his thoughts +elsewhere. + +Having deposited her two friends at their own door, the Duchess ordered +the coachman to take her home, and at the foot of the steps she said to +her brother: + +"Will you dine with us to-night?" + +"No, not to-night," he replied, "but we shall meet at the theatre." + +And, crossing the court, he entered his little bachelor apartment, which +he had occupied from time to time since the days when he was only a sub- +lieutenant. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +GENERAL DE PREROLLES + +The sub-lieutenant had kept his word, and the progress of his career +deserves detailed mention. + +He was a lieutenant at the taking of Puebla, where he was first to mount +in the assault of the Convent of Guadalupita. Captain of the Third +Zouaves after the siege of Oajaca, he had exercised, during the rest of +the expedition, command over a mounted company, whose duty was to +maintain communications between the various columns, continuing, at the +same time, their operations in the Michoacan. + +This confidential mission, requiring as much power to take the initiative +as it demanded a cool head, gave the Marquis opportunity to execute, with +rapidity and decision, several master-strokes, which, in the following +circumstances, won for him the cross of the Legion of Honor. + +The most audacious of the guerrillas who had devastated this fertile +country was a chief called Regulas. He pillaged the farms, stopped +railway trains, boldly demanding ransom from captives from the municipal +governments of large towns. He was continually, active, and always +inaccessible. + +Warned by his scouts that the followers of this villain menaced the town +of Pazcuaro, Captain de Prerolles prepared himself eagerly to meet them. +He overtook them in a night march, and fell upon them unexpectedly, just +as they were holding up the diligence from Morelia to Guadalajara. His +plans had been so well laid that not a man escaped. What was the +surprise of the French officer to find, among the travellers, delivered +by himself from certain death, Paul Landry, the principal cause of his +ruin, who the chances of war now laid under obligations to him! + +"This is my revenge," said the Captain, simply, to Landry, attempting to +avoid his thanks, and returning to him intact his luggage, of which the +chinacos had not had time to divide the contents. + +Reconciled in Algiers with his regiment, Henri de Prerolles did not again +quit the province of Constantine except to serve in the army of the +Rhine, as chief of battalion in the line, until the promotions which +followed the declaration of war in 1870. Officer of the Legion of Honor +for his gallantry at Gravelotte and at St. Privat, and assigned for his +ability to the employ of the chief of corps, he had just been called upon +to assume command of his former battalion of chasseurs, when the +disastrous surrender of Metz left him a prisoner of war in the hands of +the Germans. + +Profoundly affected by this disaster, but learning that the conflict +still continued, he refused to avail himself of the offer of comparative +freedom in the city, provided he would give his parole not to attempt to +escape. He was therefore conducted to a distant fortress near the +Russian frontier, and handed over to the captain of the landwehr, who +received instructions to keep a strict guard over him. + +This officer belonged to the engineering corps, and directed, at the same +time, the work of repairs within the citadel, in charge of a civilian +contractor. + +Taking into consideration the rank of his prisoner, the captain permitted +the Marquis to have with him his orderly, an Alsatian, who twice a day +brought from the inn his chief's repasts. This functionary had +permission also, from ten o'clock in the morning until sunset, to +promenade in the court under the eye of the sentinel on guard at the +entrance. At five o'clock in the evening, the officer of the landwehr +politely shut up his guest in his prison, double-locked the door, put the +key in his pocket, and appeared no more until the next morning. + +The middle of November had arrived; heavy snows had already fallen, and +the prisoner amused himself by constructing fortifications of snow-- +a work which his amiable jailer followed with a professional interest, +giving him advice regarding modifications proper to introduce in the +defense of certain places, himself putting a finger in the pie in support +of his demonstration. + +This sort of amusement was followed so industriously that in a few days +a kind of rampart was erected in front of the casemate of the fortress, +behind which, by stooping a little, a man of ordinary height could easily +creep along unseen by the sentinel. + +While pursuing his work of modelling in snow, the Marquis de Prerolles +had taken care to observe the goings and comings of the civilian +contractor, who, wearing a tall hat and attired in a black redingote, +departed regularly every day at half-past four, carrying a large +portfolio under his arm. To procure such a costume and similar +accessories for himself was easy, since the Marquis's orderly spoke the +language of the country; and to introduce them into the prison, hidden in +a basket of provisions, was not difficult to accomplish. + +To execute all this required only four trips to and fro. At the end of +forty-eight hours, the necessary aids to escape were in the proper place, +hidden under the snow behind the bastion. More than this, the clever +Alsatian had slipped a topographical map of the surrounding country +between two of the plates in the basket. According to the scale, the +frontier was distant only about five leagues, across open country, +sparsely settled with occasional farms which would serve as resting- +places. + +By that time, the plan of escape was drawn up. Upon the day fixed for his +flight, the Marquis assumed his disguise, rolled up his own uniform to +look like a man asleep in his bed, lying after the fashion of a sleeping +soldier; and pleading a slight illness as an excuse for not dining that +evening, and, not without emotion, curled himself up behind the snowy +intrenchment which his jailer himself had helped to fashion. That worthy +man, only too glad to be able to rejoin his 'liebe frau' a little earlier +than usual, peeped through the half-open door of the prisoner's room and +threw a glance at the little cot-bed. + +"Good-night, Commander!" said the honest fellow, in a gentle voice. + +Then he double-locked the door, according to custom, and disappeared +whistling a national air. A quarter of an hour later the contractor left +the place, and as soon as the functionary who had seen him depart was +relieved by another, the prisoner left his hiding-place, crossed the +drawbridge in his turn, simulating the gait of his twin, and, without any +hindrance, rejoined his orderly at the place agreed upon. The trick was +played! + +A matter of twenty kilometres was a mere trifle for infantry troopers. +They walked as lightly as gymnasts, under a clear sky, through the +fields, guided by the lights in the farmhouses, and at nine o'clock, +having passed the frontier, they stumbled upon a post of Cossacks +ambuscaded behind a hedge! + +Unfortunately, at that time the Franco-Russian alliance was still in +embryo, and an agreement between the two neighboring States interdicted +all passage to Frenchmen escaping from the hands of their conquerors. +The two deserters were therefore conducted to the major of the nearest +garrison, who alone had the right to question them. + +As soon as they were in his presence, Henri could not restrain a start of +surprise, for he recognized Constantin Lenaieff, one of his adversaries +on the fatal night of the Freres-Provencaux. + +"Who are you?" demanded the Major, brusquely. + +"A dealer in Belgian cattle, purveyor to the German intendant," hazarded +the prisoner, who had his reply all prepared. + +"You--nonsense! You are a French officer; that is plain enough to be +seen, in spite of your disguise." + +The Major advanced a step in order to examine the prisoner more closely. + +"Good heavens!" he muttered, "I can not be mistaken--" + +He made a sign to his soldiers to retire, then, turning to Henri, he +said: + +"You are the Marquis de Prerolles!" and he extended his hand cordially to +the former companion of his pleasures. + +In a few words Henri explained to him the situation. + +"My fate is in your hands," he concluded. "Decide it!" + +"You are too good a player at this game not to win it," Lenaieff replied, +"and I am not a Paul Landry, to dispute it with you. Here is a letter of +safe-conduct made out in due form; write upon it any name you choose. +As for myself, I regard you absolutely as a Belgian citizen, and I shall +make no report of this occurrence. Only, let me warn you, as a matter of +prudence, you would do well not to linger in this territory, and if you +need money--" + +"I thank you!" replied the nobleman, quickly, declining with his +customary proud courtesy. "But I never shall forget the service you have +rendered me!" + +A few moments later, the two travellers drove away in a carriage toward +the nearest railway, in order to reenter France by way of Vienna and +Turin. + +They passed the Austrian and Italian frontiers without difficulty; but at +the station at Modena a too-zealous detective of the French police, +struck with the Alsatian accent of the orderly, immediately decided that +they were two Prussian spies, and refused to allow them to proceed, since +they could show him no passports. + +"Passports!" cried Henri de Prerolles, accompanying his exclamation with +the most Parisian oath that ever had reverberated from the Rue Laffitte +to the Madeleine. + +"Here is my passport!" he added, drawing from his pocket his officer's +cross, which he had taken good care not to allow to become a souvenir in +the hands of his jailer. "And if that does not satisfy you, give me a +pen." + +Suiting the action to the word, he seized a pen and wrote out the +following telegram: + + "DEPUTY OF WAR, TOURS: + + "Escaped from prisons of the enemy, I demand admittance to France, + and official duties suitable to my rank, that I may cooperate in the + national defence. + "DE PREROLLES, Commandant." + +He handed the paper to the police agent, saying: "Do me the favor to +forward this despatch with the utmost expedition." + +As soon as the agent had glanced at the message, he swept a profound +salute. "Pass on, Commandant," said he, in a tone of great respect. + +Promoted to a higher rank, and appointed commander of a regiment of foot, +the Lieutenant-Colonel de Prerolles rejoined the army of Chanzy, which, +having known him a long time, assigned to him the duties of a brigadier- +general, and instructed him to cover his retreat from the Loire on the +Sarthe. + +In the ensuing series of daily combats, the auxiliary General performed +all that his chief expected of him, from Orleans to the battle of Maus, +where, in the thick of the fight, a shell struck him in the breast. It +is necessary to say that on the evening before he had noticed that the +little medallion which had been given to him by Fanny Dorville, worn from +its chain by friction, had disappeared from his neck. Scoffing comrades +smiled at the coincidence; the more credulous looked grave. + +The wound was serious, for, transported to the Chateau de Montgeron, a +few leagues distant, the Marquis was compelled to remain there six months +before he was in fit condition to rejoin his command. Toward the end of +his convalescence, in June, 1871, the brother and sister resolved to make +a pious pilgrimage to the cradle of their ancestors. + +Exactly nine years had elapsed since the castle and lands had been sold +at auction and fallen into the possession of a company of speculators, +who had divided it and resold it to various purchasers. Only the farm of +Valpendant, with a house of ancient and vast construction, built in the +time of Philippe-Auguste, remained to an old tenant, with his +dependencies and his primitive methods of agriculture. + +Leaving the train at the Beaumont tunnel, the two travellers made their +way along a road which crosses the high plateau that separates the forest +of Carnelle from the forest of the Ile-d'Adam, whence one can discern the +steeple of Prerolles rising above the banks of the Oise. + +From this culminating point they beheld the chateau transformed into a +factory, the park cut up into countryseats, the fields turned into +market-gardens! With profound sadness the brother and the sister met +each other's glance, and their eyes filled with tears, as if they stood +before a tomb on All Souls' Day. + +"No expiation is possible," said Henri to Jeanne, pressing her hand +convulsively. "I must go--I must move on forever and ever, like the +Wandering Jew." + +Thanks to the influence of the Duke of Montgeron, whose faithful +constituents had sent him to the National Assembly, his brother-in-law +had been transferred to a regiment of zouaves, of which he became colonel +in 1875, whereupon he decided to remain in Africa during the rest of his +life. + +But Tunis and Tonquin opened new horizons to him. Landing as a +brigadier-general at Haiphong, he was about to assume, at Bac-Ninh, his +third star, when the Minister of War, examining the brilliant record of +this officer who, since 1862, never had ceased his service to his +country, called him to take command of one of the infantry divisions of +the army of Paris, a place which he had occupied only a few months before +the events related in the preceding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +EUGENIE GONTIER + +Few salons in Paris have so imposing an air as the foyer of the dramatic +artists of the Comedie Francaise, a rectangular room of fine proportions, +whose walls are adorned with portraits of great actors, representing the +principal illustrations of the plays that have been the glory of the +house Mademoiselle Duclos, by Largilliere; Fleury, by Gerard; Moliere +crowned, by Mignard; Baron, by De Troy, and many others. + +At the left of the entrance, separated by a large, high mirror which +faced the fireplace, two other canvases, signed by Geffroy, represent the +foyer itself, in costumes of the classic repertoire, the greater part of +the eminent modern 'societaires', colleagues and contemporaries of the +great painter. + +Between the windows, two pedestals, surmounted by busts of Mademoiselle +Clairon and Mademoiselle Dangeville, stood, one on each side of the great +regulator--made by Robin, clockmaker to the king--which dominated the +bust of Moliere--after Houdon--seeming to keep guard over all this +gathering of artistic glory. + +Opposite this group, hanging above a large table of finely chiselled +iron, were two precious autographs under glass: a brevet of pension, +dated 1682, signed Louis and countersigned Colbert; an act of notary, +dated 1670, bearing the signature of Moliere, the master of the house. + +Disposed about the room were sofas, armchairs, and tete-a-tete seats in +oak, covered with stamped green velvet. + +Here, at the first representations of new plays, or at important revivals +of old ones, flocked literary notables and the regular frequenters of the +theatre, eager to compliment the performers; here, those favored +strangers who have the proper introduction, and who wish to see the place +at close range, are graciously conducted by the administrator-general or +by the officer for the week. + +Here it was that the Marquis de Prerolles appeared in the evening after +his experience at the skating-pond. He had dressed, and had dined in +great haste at a restaurant near the theatre. + +The posters announced a revival of 'Adrienne Lecouvreur', with +Mademoiselle Gontier in the principal role, in which she was to appear +for the first time. + +Eugenie Gontier was, it was said, the natural daughter of a great foreign +lord, who had bequeathed to her a certain amount of money. Therefore, +she had chosen the theatrical life less from necessity than from +inclination. + +She was distinguished in presence, a great favorite with the public, +and had a wide circle of friends, among whom a rich banker, the Baron +de Samoreau, greatly devoted to her, had made for her investments +sufficiently profitable to enable her to occupy a mansion of her own, +and to open a salon which became a favorite rendezvous with many persons +distinguished in artistic, financial, and even political circles. Talent +being the guaranty of good companionship, this salon became much +frequented, and General de Prerolles had become one of its most assiduous +visitors. + +The first act had begun. Although the charming artist was not to appear +until the second act, she had already descended from her dressing-room, +and, finding herself alone in the greenroom, was putting a final touch to +her coiffure before the mirror when the General entered. + +He kissed her hand gallantly, and both seated themselves in a retired +corner between the fireplace and the window. + +"I thank you for coming so early," said Eugenie. "I wished very much to +see you to-night, in order to draw from your eyes a little of your +courage before I must face the footlights in a role so difficult and so +superb." + +"The fire of the footlights is not that of the enemy--above all, for you, +who are so sure of winning the battle." + +"Alas! does one ever know? Although at the last rehearsal Monsieur +Legouve assured me that all was perfect, look up there at that portrait +of Rachel, and judge for yourself whether I have not reason to tremble at +my audacity in attempting this role after such a predecessor." + +"But you yourself caused this play to be revived," said Henri. + +"I did it because of you," Eugenie replied. + +"Of me?" + +"Yes. Am I not your Adrienne, and is not Maurice de Saxe as intrepid as +you, and as prodigal as you have been? Was he not dispossessed of his +duchy of Courlande, as you were of your--" + +A gesture from Henri prevented her from finishing the sentence. + +"Pardon me!" said she. "I had forgotten how painful to you is any +reference to that matter. We will speak only of your present renown, +and of the current of mutual sympathy that attracts each of us toward the +other. For myself, that attraction began on the fourteenth of last July. +You had just arrived at Paris, and a morning journal, in mentioning the +troops, and the names of the generals who appeared at the review, +related, apropos of your military exploits, many exciting details of your +escape during the war. Do you recall the applause that greeted you when +you marched past the tribunes? I saw you then for the first time, but I +should have known you among a thousand! The next day--" + +"The next day," Henri interrupted, "it was my turn to applaud you. I had +been deprived a long time of the pleasures of the theatre, of which I am +very fond, and I began by going to the Comedie Francaise, where you +played, that night, the role of Helene in 'Mademoiselle de la Seigliere.' +Do you remember?" + +"Do I remember! I recognized you instantly, sitting in the third row in +the orchestra." + +"I had never seen you until then," Henri continued, "but that sympathetic +current was soon established, from the moment you appeared until the end +of the second piece. As it is my opinion that any officer is +sufficiently a gentleman to have the right to love a girl of noble birth, +I fell readily under the spell in which she whom you represented echoed +my own sentiments. Bernard Stamply also had just returned from +captivity, and the more enamored of you he became the more I pleased +myself with fancying my own personality an incarnation of his, with less +presumption than would be necessary for me to imagine myself the hero of +which you spoke a moment ago. After the play, a friend brought me here, +presented me to you--" + +"And the sympathetic current did the rest!" added Eugenie Gontier, +looking at him tenderly. "Since then you have consecrated to me a part +of whatever time is at your disposal, and I assure you that I never have +been so happy, nor have felt so flattered, in my life." + +"Second act!" came the voice of the call-boy from the corridor. + +"Will you return here after the fourth act?" said the actress, rising. +"I shall wish to know how you find me in the great scene, and whether +there is another princess de Bouillon among the audience--beware of her!" + +"You know very well that there is not." + +"Not yet, perhaps, but military men are so inconstant! By and by, +Maurice!" she murmured, with a smile. + +"By and by, Adrienne!" Henri replied, kissing her hand. + +He accompanied her to the steps that led to the stage, and, lounging +along the passage that ends at the head of the grand stairway, he entered +the theatre and hastened to his usual seat in the third row of the +orchestra. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +RIVAL BEAUTIES + +It was Tuesday, the subscription night; the auditorium was as much the +more brilliant as the play was more interesting than on other nights. +In one of the proscenium boxes sat the Duchesse de Montgeron with the +Comtesse de Lisieux; in another the Vicomtesse de Nointel and Madame +Thomery. In the first box on the left Madame Desvanneaux was to be seen, +with her husband and her son, the youthful and recently rejected +pretender to the hand of Mademoiselle de Vermont. + +Among the subscription seats in the orchestra sat the Baron de Samoreau, +the notary Durand, treasurer of the Industrial Orphan Asylum; the aide- +de-camp of General Lenaieff, beside his friend the Marquis de Prerolles. +One large box, the first proscenium loge on the right, was still +unoccupied when the curtain rose on the second act. + +The liaison of Eugenie Gontier with the Marquis de Prerolles was not a +mystery; from the moment of her entrance upon the scene, it was evident +that she "played to him," to use a phrase in theatrical parlance. Thus, +after the recital of the combat undertaken in behalf of Adrienne by her +defender--a recital which she concluded in paraphrasing these two lines: + + 'Paraissez, Navarrois, Maures et Castilians, + Et tout ce que l'Espagne a produit de vaillants,' + +many opera-glasses were directed toward the spectator to whom the actress +appeared to address herself, when suddenly a new object of interest +changed the circuit of observation. The door of the large, right-hand +box opened, and Zibeline appeared, accompanied by the Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy, an elderly gallant, carefully dressed and wearing many +decorations, and whose respectable tale of years could give no occasion +for malicious comment on his appearance in the role of 'cavalier +servente'. Having assisted his companion to remove her mantle, +he profited by the instant of time she took to settle her slightly +ruffled plumage before the mirror, to lay upon the railing of the box her +bouquet and her lorgnette. Then he took up a position behind the chair +she would occupy, ready to assist her when she might deign to sit down. +His whole manner suggested a chamberlain of the ancient court in the +service of a princess. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont disliked bright colors, and wore on this occasion +a robe of black velvet, of which the 'decolletee' bodice set off the +whiteness of her shoulders and her neck, the latter ornamented with a +simple band of cherry-colored velvet, without jewels, as was suitable for +a young girl. Long suede gloves, buttoned to the elbow, outlined her +well-modelled arms, of which the upper part emerged, without sleeves, +from lace ruffles gathered in the form of epaulets. + +The men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise, and had +the eyes of Madame Desvanneaux been able to throw deadly projectiles, +her powerful lorgnette would have become an instrument of death for the +object of her resentment. + +"This morning," said the irreconcilable matron, "she showed us her +ankles; this evening she allows us to see the remainder." + +"I should have been very well pleased, however--" murmured young +Desvanneaux, with regret. + +"If you had married her, Victor," said his mother, "I should have taken +full charge of her wardrobe, and should have made some decided changes, +I assure you." + +Perfectly indifferent to the general curiosity, Zibeline in her turn +calmly reviewed the audience. After exploring the boxes with her opera- +glass, she lowered it to examine the orchestra stalls, and, perceiving +the Marquis, she fixed her gaze upon him. Undoubtedly she knew the +reason for the particular attention which he paid to the stage, because, +until the end of the act, her glance was divided alternately between the +General and the actress. + +As the curtain fell on this act the spectators turned their backs to the +footlights, and Lenaieff, indicating Zibeline to his friend, said in his +slightly Slavonic accent: + +"Who is that pretty woman, my dear Henri?" + +"One of Jules Verne's personages, a product of the land of furs." + +"Do you know her?" + +"Not at all. I have a prejudice against girls that are too rich. Why do +you ask?" + +"Because it seems to me that she looks at you very attentively." + +"Indeed! I had not noticed it." + +In saying this, the General--exaggerated! He had been perfectly well +aware of the gaze of Mademoiselle de Vermont, but whether he still +cherished a slight resentment against the lady, or whether her appearance +really displeased him, he cut the conversation short and went to pay his +respects to the occupants of several boxes. + +Evidently Zibeline knew few persons in society, for no visitor appeared +in her box. However, after the next act she made a sign to M. Durand. +That gentleman rejoined the Baron de Samoreau in the corridor and took +him to meet Zibeline, and a sort of council appeared to be going on in +the rear of her box. + +"What the deuce can she be talking about to them?" said Desvanneaux to +his wife. + +"A new offer of marriage, probably. They say she declares she will marry +no one of lower rank than a prince, in order to complete our chagrin! +Perhaps they have succeeded in finding one for her!" + +The instructions that Mademoiselle de Vermont gave to the two men must +have been easy to execute, for neither the notary nor the banker seemed +to raise the least objection. The conversation was finished, and both +gentlemen saluted her, preparing to take leave, when she said to +M. Durand: + +"You understand that the meeting is for tomorrow?" + +"At five o'clock," he replied. + +"Very well. I will stop for you at your door at a quarter of an hour +before that time." + +The fourth act had begun, that scene in which Adrienne accomplishes her +generous sacrifice in furnishing herself the ransom which must deliver +her unfaithful lover. The rapt attention that Zibeline paid to this +scene, and the slight movements of her head, showed her approval of this +disinterested act. Very touching in her invocation to her "old +Corneille," Mademoiselle Gontier was superb at the moment when the +comedienne, knowing at last who is her rival, quotes from Racine that +passage in 'Phedre' which she throws, so to speak, in the face of the +patrician woman: + + . . . . Je sais ses perfidies, + OEnone! et ne suis point de ces femmes hardies + Qui, goutant dans la crime une honteuse paix, + Ont su se faire un front qui ne rougit jamais. + +From the place she was to obliged to take in the arrangement of the +scene, the apostrophe and the gestures of the actress appeared to be +unconsciously directed toward Mademoiselle de Vermont, who could not +restrain a startled movement. + +"Look! One would think that Zibeline took that allusion for herself," +said Madame Desvanneaux, whom nothing escaped. + +On reentering the greenroom, after two well-deserved recalls, Eugenie +Gontier was soon surrounded by a throng of admirers who had come to +congratulate her upon her success. + +"Were you pleased, Henri?" she said in a low tone to the General. + +"Enthusiastically!" he replied. + +"Ah, then I can die happy!" she said, laughingly. + +As she traversed the ranks of her admirers to go to change her costume +for the last act, she found herself face to face with Zibeline, who, +having quickly recovered from her emotion, was advancing on the arm of +the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. + +"My dear child," said the old nobleman to the actress, "I bring to you +Mademoiselle de Vermont, who wishes to say to you herself--" + +"That Mademoiselle must be very tired of listening to our praises," +interrupted Zibeline. "But if the tribute of a foreigner can prove to +her that her prestige is universal, I beg that she will accept these +flowers which I dared not throw to her from my box." + +"Really, Mademoiselle, you embarrass me!" Eugenie replied, somewhat +surprised. + +"Oh, you need not fear to take them--they are not poisoned!" added +Zibeline, smiling. + +And, after a gracious inclination of her head, to which the actress +responded with a deep courtesy, Zibeline took again the arm of her escort +in order to seek her carriage, without waiting for the end of the play. + +Three-quarters of an hour later, as, the audience was leaving the +theatre, M. Desvanneaux recounted to whoever chose to listen that +Mademoiselle de Vermont had passed the whole of the last 'entr'acte' +in the greenroom corridor, in a friendly chat with Eugenie Gontier. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Life goes on, and that is less gay than the stories +Men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Zibeline, v1 +by Phillipe de Masa + + + + + + +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 Masa + + + + + + +ZIBELINE + +By PHILIPPE DE MASSA + + + +BOOK 3. + + +CHAPTER XX + +ZIBELINE RECEIVES + +The Duchesse de Montgeron had no children, and her most tender affections +were concentrated upon her husband and her brother. The scruples which +caused the latter to forswear matrimony grieved her deeply, for, knowing +the inflexibility of his character, she was sure that no one in the world +could make him alter his decision. + +Thus, on one side the title of the Duc de Montgeron was destined to pass +to a collateral branch of the family; and on the other, the title of +Marquis de Prerolles would become extinct with the General. + +But, although she now considered it impossible to realize the project +which she had momentarily cherished, she continued to show the same +kindness to Mademoiselle de Vermont. She would have regarded any other +course as unworthy of her, since she had made the first advances; +moreover, the young girl's nature was so engaging that no one who +approached her could resist her charm. + +Very reserved or absolutely frank, according to the degree of confidence +with which she was treated, Valentine had sufficient intuition to avoid a +lack of tact. + +She was, in feminine guise, like 'L'Ingenu' of Voltaire, struck, as was +Huron, with all that was illogical in our social code; but she did not +make, after his fashion, a too literal application of its rules, and knew +where to draw the line, if she found herself on the point of making some +hazardous remark, declaring frankly: "I was about to say something +foolish!" which lent originality to her playful conversation. + +After receiving from Valentine's hands the contract signed in presence of +the notary, for the benefit of the Orphan Asylum, the president of the +society did not fail to give a dinner in honor of the new patroness. + +As she was a foreigner she was placed in the seat of honor at the table, +to the great displeasure of Madame Desvanneaux, who was invited to take +the second place, in spite of her title of vice-president. + +"It is because of her millions that she was placed before me," she said +in an undertone to her husband, as soon as the guests had returned to the +drawing-room. And, giving orders that her carriage should be summoned +immediately, she left the house without speaking to any one, and with the +air of a peeress of England outraged in her rights of precedence! + +This was, for the hostile pair, a new cause of grievance against +Zibeline. When she, in her turn, gave at her home a similar dinner, +a fortnight later, she received from them, in reply to her invitation, +which was couched in the most courteous terms, a simple visiting card, +with the following refusal: "The Comte and the Comtesse Desvanneaux, not +being in the habit of accepting invitations during Lent, feel constrained +to decline that of Mademoiselle de Vermont." + +The dinner was only the more gay and cordial. + +Valentine's household was conducted on a footing more elegant than +sumptuous. + +The livery was simple, but the appearance of her people was +irreproachable. The butler and the house servants wore the ordinary +dress-coat and trousers; the powdered footmen wore short brown coats, +ornamented, after the English fashion, with metal buttons and a false +waistcoat; the breeches were of black velveteen, held above the knee by a +band of gold braid, with embroidered ends, which fell over black silk +stockings. At the end of the ante-chamber where this numerous personnel +was grouped, opened a long gallery, ornamented with old tapestries +representing mythological subjects in lively and well-preserved coloring. +This room, which was intended to serve as a ballroom at need, was next to +two large drawing-rooms. The walls of one were covered with a rich +material, on which hung costly paintings; the furniture and the ceiling +of the other were of oak, finely carved, relieved with touches of gold in +light and artistic design. + +Everywhere was revealed an evident desire to avoid an effect of heaviness +and ostentation, and this was especially noticeable in the dining-room, +where the pure tone of the panels and the moulding doubled the intensity +of the light thrown upon them. Upon the table the illumination of the +apartment was aided by two large candelabra of beautifully chiselled +silver, filled with candles, the light of which filtered through a forest +of diaphanous little white shades. + +The square table was a veritable parterre of flowers, and was laid for +twelve guests, three on each side. + +The young mistress of the house was seated on one side, between the Duc +de Montgeron and the Marquis de Prerolles. Facing her sat the Duchesse +de Montgeron, between General Lenaieff and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. +--Laterally, on one hand appeared Madame de Lisieux, between M. de +Nointel and the painter Edmond Delorme; on the other, Madame de Nointel, +between M. de Lisieux and the Baron de Samoreau. + +Never, during the six weeks that Valentine had had friendly relations +with the Duchess, had she appeared so self-possessed, or among +surroundings so well fitted to display her attractions of mind and of +person. She was a little on the defensive on finding herself in this new +and unexpected society, but she felt, this evening, that she was in the +midst of a sympathetic and admiring circle, and did the honors of her own +house with perfect ease, finding agreeable words and showing a delicate +forethought for each guest, and above all displaying toward her +protectress a charming deference, by which the Duchess felt herself +particularly touched. + +"What a pity!" she said to herself, glancing alternately at Zibeline and +at her brother, between whom a tone of frank comradeship had been +established, free from any coquetry on her side or from gallantry on his. + +The more clearly Henri divined the thoughts of his sister, the more he +affected to remain insensible to the natural seductions of his neighbor, +to whom Lenaieff, on the contrary, addressed continually, in his soft and +caressing voice, compliments upon compliments and madrigals upon +madrigals! + +"Take care, my dear Constantin!" said Henri to him, bluntly. "You will +make Mademoiselle de Vermont quite impossible. If you go on thus, she +will take herself seriously as a divinity!" + +"Fortunately," rejoined Zibeline, "you are there, General, to remind me +that I am only a mortal, as Philippe's freedman reminded his master every +morning." + +"You can not complain! I serve you as a confederate, to allow you to +display your erudition," retorted the General, continuing his persiflage. + +But he, too, was only a man, wavering and changeable, to use Montaigne's +expression, for his eyes, contradicting the brusqueness of his speech, +rested long, and not without envy, on this beautiful and tempting fruit +which his fate forbade him to gather. The more he admired her freshness, +and the more he inhaled her sweetness, the more the image of Eugenie +Gontier was gradually effaced from his memory, like one of those tableaux +on the stage, which gauze curtains, descending from the flies, seem to +absorb without removing, gradually obliterating the pictures as they +fall, one after another. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A DASHING AMAZON + +On leaving the table, the fair "Amphitryonne" proposed that the gentlemen +should use her private office as a smoking-room, and the ladies followed +them thither, pretending that the odor of tobacco would not annoy them in +the least, but in reality to inspect this new room. + +Edmond Delorme had finished his work that very morning, and the enormous +canvas, with its life-size subject, had already been hung, lighted from +above and below by electric bulbs, the battery for which was cleverly +hidden behind a piece of furniture. + +The portrait, bearing a striking resemblance to the original, was indeed +that of "the most dashing of all the Amazons on the Bois," to quote the +words of the artist, who was a better painter of portraits than of +animals, but who, in this case, could not separate the rider from her +steed. + +Seaman, a Hungarian bay, by Xenophon and Lena Rivers, was drawn in +profile, very erect on his slender, nervous legs. He appeared, on the +side nearest the observer, to be pawing the ground impatiently with his +hoof, a movement which seemed to be facilitated by his rider, who, drawn +in a three-quarters view and extending her hand, allowed the reins to +fall over the shoulders of her pure-blooded mount. + +"What do you think of it?" Zibeline inquired of General de Prerolles. + +"I think you have the air of the commander of a division of cavalry, +awaiting the moment to sound the charge." + +"I shall guard her well," said Zibeline, "for she would be sure to be put +to rout by your bayonets." + +"Not by mine!" gallantly exclaimed Lenaieff. "I should immediately +lower my arms before her!" + +"You!--perhaps! But between General de Prerolles and myself the +declaration of war is without quarter. Is it not, General?" said +Valentine, laughing. + +"It is the only declaration that fate permits me to make to you, +Mademoiselle," Henri replied, rather dryly, laying emphasis on the double +sense of his words. + +This rejoinder, which nothing in the playful attack had justified, +irritated the Duchess, but Valentine appeared to pay no attention to it, +and at ten o'clock, when a gypsy band began to play in the long gallery, +she arose. + +"Although we are a very small party," she said, "would you not like to +indulge in a waltz, Mesdames? The gentlemen can not complain of being +crowded here," she added, with a smile. + +M. de Lisieux and M. de Nointel, as well as Edmond Delorme, hastened to +throw away their cigarettes, and all made their way to the long gallery. +The Baron de Samoreau and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy remained alone +together. + +The Duchess took the occasion to speak quietly to her brother. + +"I assure you that you are too hard with her," she said. "There is no +need to excuse yourself for not marrying. No one dreams of such a thing +--she no more than any one else. But she seems to have a sentiment of +friendship toward you, and I am sure that your harshness wounds her." + +A more experienced woman than Madame de Montgeron, who had known only a +peaceful and legitimate love, would have quickly divined that beneath her +brother's brusque manner lurked a budding but hopeless passion, whence +sprang his intermittent revolt against the object that had inspired it. + +This revolt was not only against Zibeline's fortune; it included her all- +pervading charm, which penetrated his soul. He was vexed at his sister +for having brought them together; he was angry with himself that he had +allowed his mind to be turned so quickly from his former prejudices; and, +however indifferent he forced himself to appear, he was irritated against +Lenaieff because of the attentions which that gentleman showered upon +Zibeline, upon whom he revenged himself by assuming the aggressive +attitude for which the Duchess had reproached him. + +In a still worse humor after the sisterly remonstrance to which he had +just been compelled to listen, he seated himself near the entrance of the +gallery, where the gypsy band was playing one of their alluring waltzes, +of a cadence so different from the regular and monotonous measure of +French dance music. + +The three couples who were to compose this impromptu ball, yielded +quickly to the spell of this irresistible accompaniment. + +"Suppose Monsieur Desvanneaux should hear that we danced on the eve of +Palm Sunday?" laughingly pro-tested Madame de Lisieux. + +"He would report it at Rome," said Madame de Nointel. + +And, without further regard to the compromising of their souls, each of +the two young women took for a partner the husband of the other. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont had granted the eager request of Lenaieff that +she would waltz with him, an occupation in which the Russian officer +acquitted himself with the same respectful correctness that had formerly +obtained for him the high favor of some grand duchess at the balls in the +palace of Gatchina. + +He was older and stouter than his brother-in-arms, Henri de Prerolles, +and a wound he had received at Plevna slightly impeded his movements, so +that he was unable to display the same activity in the dance as the other +waltzers, and contented himself with moving a 'trois temps', in an +evolution less in harmony with the brilliancy of the music. + +Henri, on the contrary, who had been a familiar friend of the Austrian +ambassador at the time when the Princess de Metternich maintained a sort +of open ballroom for her intimates, had learned, in a good school, all +the boldness and elegance of the Viennese style of dancing. + +But he sat immovable, as did also Edmond Delorme, because of the lack of +partners; and, not wishing to take the second place after Lenaieff, his +rival, he would not for the world abandon his role of spectator, unless +some one forced him to it. + +"Suppose we have a cotillon figure, in order to change partners?" said +Valentine suddenly, during a pause, after she had thanked her partner. + +And, to set the example, she took, from a basket of flowers, a rosebud, +which she offered to Henri. + +"Will you take a turn with me?" she said, with the air of the mistress +of the house, who shows equal courtesy to all her guests. + +"A deux temps?" he asked, fastening the rosebud in his buttonhole. + +"Yes, I prefer that," she replied. + +He passed his arm around her waist, and they swept out upon the polished +floor, he erect and gallant, she light and supple as a gazelle, her chin +almost resting upon her left hand, which lay upon her partner's shoulder, +her other hand clasped in his. + +At times her long train swirled in a misty spiral around her, when they +whirled about in some corner; then it spread out behind her like a great +fan when they swept in a wide curve from one end of the gallery to the +other. + +During the feverish flight which drew these two together, their breasts +touched, the bosom of the enchantress leaned against the broad chest of +the vigorous soldier, her soft hair caressed his cheek, he inhaled a +subtle Perfume, and a sudden intoxication overflowed his heart, which he +had tried to make as stern and immobile as his face. + +"How well you waltz!" murmured Zibeline, in his ear. + +"I am taking my revenge for my defeat on the ice," he replied, clasping +her a little closer, in order to facilitate their movements. + +"The prisoners you take must find it very difficult to escape from your +hands," she said, with a touch of malice. + +"Does that mean that already you wish to reclaim your liberty?" + +"Not yet--unless you are fatigued." + +"Fatigued! I should like to go thus to the end of the world!" + +"And I, too," said Zibeline, simply. + +By common consent the other waltzers had stopped, as much for the purpose +of observing these two as for giving them more space, while the wearied +musicians scraped away as if it were a contest who should move the +faster, themselves or the audacious couple. + +"What a pity!" again said the Duchess to her husband, whose sole +response was a shrug of his shoulders as he glanced at his brother-in- +law. + +At the end of his strength, and with a streaming brow, the gypsy leader +lowered his bow, and the music ceased. + +Henri de Prerolles, resuming his sang-froid, drew the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont through his arm, and escorted her to her place +among the other ladies. + +"Bravo, General!" said Madame de Lisieux. "You have won your +decoration, I see," she added, indicating the rosebud which adorned his +buttonhole. + +"What shall we call this new order, ladies?" asked Madame de Nointel of +the circle. + +"The order of the Zibeline," Valentine replied, with a frank burst of +laughter. + +"What?--do you know--" stammered the author of the nickname, blushing up +to her ears. + +"Do not disturb yourself, Madame! The zibeline is a little animal which +is becoming more and more rare. They never have been found at all in my +country, which I regret," said Mademoiselle de Vermont graciously. + +The hour was late, and the Duchess arose to depart. The Chevalier de +Sainte-Foy, exercising his function as a sort of chamberlain, went to +summon the domestics. Meanwhile Valentine spoke confidentially to Henri. + +"General," said she, "I wish to ask a favor of you." + +"I am at your orders, Mademoiselle." + +"I am delighted with the success of this little dinner," Valentine +continued, "and I wish to give another after Easter. My great desire is +to have Mademoiselle Gontier--with whom I should like to become better +acquainted--recite poetry to us after dinner. Would you have the +kindness to tell her of my desire?" + +"I!" exclaimed the General, amazed at such a request. + +"Yes, certainly. If you ask her, she will come all the more willingly." + +"You forget that I am not in the diplomatic service, Mademoiselle." + +"My request annoys you? Well, we will say no more about it," said +Zibeline. "I will charge Monsieur de Samoreau with the negotiations." + +They rejoined the Duchess, Zibeline accompanying her to the vestibule, +always evincing toward her the same pretty air of deference. + +The drive home was silent. The Duke and the Duchess had agreed not to +pronounce the name of Mademoiselle de Vermont before Henri, who racked +his brain without being able to guess what strange motive prompted the +young girl to wish to enter into closer relations with the actress. + +A letter from Eugenie was awaiting him. He read: + + "Two weeks have elapsed since you have been to see me. I do not ask + whether you love me still, but I do ask you, in case you love + another, to tell me so frankly. + + "ARIADNE." + +"So I am summoned to the confessional, and am expected to accuse myself +of that which I dare not avow even to my own heart! Never!" said Henri, +crushing the note in his hand. "Besides, unless I deceive myself, +Ariadne has not been slow in seeking a consoling divinity! Samoreau is +at hand, it appears. He played the part of Plutus before; now he will +assume that of Bacchus," thought the recreant lover, in order to smother +his feeling of remorse. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +AN UNEXPECTED MEETING + +The life of General de Prerolles was uniformly regulated. He arose at +dawn, and worked until the arrival of his courier; then he mounted his +horse, attired in morning military costume. + +After his ride, he visited the quartermaster-general of his division, +received the report of his chief of staff, and gave necessary orders. +It was at this place, and never at the General's own dwelling, that the +captains or subaltern officers presented themselves when they had +occasion to speak to him. + +At midday he returned to breakfast at the Hotel de Montgeron where, +morning and evening, his plate was laid; and soon after this meal he +retired to his own quarters to work with his orderly, whose duty it was +to report to him regarding the numerous guns and pieces of heavy ordnance +which make the object of much going and coming in military life. + +After signing the usual number of documents, the General would mount +another of his horses, and at this hour would appear in civilian attire +for an afternoon canter. After this second ride he would pass an hour +at his club, but without ever touching a card, no matter what game was +in progress. + +He dined at different places, but oftenest with his sister, where by this +time a studied silence was preserved on the subject of Zibeline. This, +however, did not prevent him from thinking of her more and more. + +Mademoiselle de Vermont had not been seen again in the Bois de Boulogne +since the night of her dinner, although Henri had sought in vain to meet +her in the mornings in the bridle-path, and afternoons in the Avenue des +Acacias. + +He decided that probably she did not wish to ride during Holy Week; but +when several days had passed after Easter, and still she was not seen +amusing herself in her usual fashion, he said to himself that perhaps it +would be the proper thing to make what is called "a dinner-call." + +There are some women whose fascination is so overwhelming as to cause the +sanest of lovers to commit themselves, whence comes the slightly vulgar +expression, "He has lost his bearings." Henri began to feel that he was +in this state when he presented himself at Zibeline's home. A domestic +informed him that Mademoiselle had been absent a week, but was expected +home that evening. He left his card, regretting that he had not waited +twenty-four hours more. + +It was now the middle of April, the time when the military governor of +Paris is accustomed to pass in review the troops stationed on the +territory under his command, and this review was to take place the next +morning. + +The order for the mobilizing of his own division having been received and +transmitted, Henri's evening was his own, and he resolved to pass it with +Lenaieff, feeling certain that his colleague at least would speak to him +of Zibeline. + +The aide-de-camp general lived at the Hotel Continental, much frequented +by Russians of distinction. Henri found his friend just dressing for +dinner, and well disposed to accept his proposition. + +As they descended the stairs, they passed an imposing elderly man, with +white moustache and imperial, still very erect in his long redingote with +military buttons--a perfect type of the German officer who gets himself +up to look like the late Emperor William I. This officer and the French +general stopped on the stairs, each eyeing the other without deciding +whether he ought to salute or not, as often happens with people who think +they recognize some one, but without being able to recall where or in +what circumstances they have met before. + +It was Henri whose memory was first revived. + +"Captain, you are my prisoner!" he said, gayly, seizing the stranger by +the collar. + +"What! The Commandant de Prerolles!" cried the elderly man, in a +reproachful tone, from which fifteen years had not removed the +bitterness. + +"I know who he is!" said Lenaieff. "Monsieur is your former jailer of +the frontier fortress!" + +The officer of the landwehr attempted to withdraw from the hand that held +him. + +"Oh, I don't intend to let you escape! You are coming to dine with us, +and we will sign a treaty of peace over the dessert," said Henri, +clasping the officer's hand affectionately. + +His tone was so cordial that the stranger allowed himself to be +persuaded. A quarter of an hour later all three were seated at a table +in the Cafe Anglais. + +"I present to you General Lenaieff," said Henri to his guest. "You +should be more incensed against him than against me, for, if he had done +his duty, you would probably have had me imprisoned again." + +"Not imprisoned--shot!" the Captain replied, with conviction. + +"In that case I regret my complicity still less," said Lenaieff, "for +otherwise I should have lost an excellent friend, and, had Prerolles been +shot, he never could have made me acquainted with the delicious +Mademoiselle de Vermont!" + +"Ah! So that is what you are thinking of?" Henri said to himself. + +"I do not know the young lady of whom you speak," the German interrupted; +"but I know that, for having allowed the Commandant to escape, I was +condemned to take his place in the prison, and was shut up there for six +months, in solitary confinement, without even seeing my wife!" + +"Poor Captain! How is the lady?" Henry inquired. + +"Very well, I thank you." + +"Will you permit us to drink her health?" + +"Certainly, Monsieur." + +"Hock! hoch!" said Henri, lifting his glass. + +"Hock! hoch!" responded the ex-jailer, drinking with his former +prisoner. + +This delicate toast began to appease the bitterness of the good man; +while the memories of his escape, offering a diversion to Henri's mind, +put him in sympathetic humor with the stranger. + +"'Ah! There are mountains that we never climb but once,'" he said. "We +three, meeting in Paris, can prove the truth of that proverb." + +"Not only in Paris," said Lenaieff. "If you were in Saint Petersburg, +Henri, you might, any evening, see your old flame, Fanny Dorville." + +"Does she keep a table d'hote?" + +"No, indeed, my boy. She plays duenna at the Theatre Michel, as that fat +Heloise used to do at the Palais-Royal. She must have died long ago, +that funny old girl!" + +"Not at all. She is still living, and is a pensioner of the Association +of Dramatic Artists! But, pardon me, our conversation can hardly be +amusing to our guest." + +"No one can keep a Frenchman and a Russian from talking about women! The +habit is stronger than themselves!" said the old officer, with a hearty +laugh. + +"Well, and you, Captain," said Lenaieff: "Have you not also trodden the +primrose path in your time?" + +"Gentlemen, I never have loved any other woman than my own wife," replied +the honest German, laying his large hand upon his heart, as if he were +taking an oath. "That astonishes you Parisians, eh?" he added +benevolently. + +"Quite the contrary! It assures us peace of mind!" said Lenaieff. "To +your health, Captain!" + +"And yours, Messieurs!" + +And their glasses clinked a second time. + +"Apropos," said Lenaieff to Henri, "the military governor has asked me to +accompany him to-morrow to the review at Vincennes. I shall then have +the pleasure of seeing you at the head of your division." + +"Teufel!" exclaimed the German officer; "it appears that the Commandant +de Prerolles has lost no time since we took leave of each other." + +"Thanks to you, Monsieur! Had you not allowed me to withdraw from your +society, I should certainly not have reached my present rank! To your +health, Captain!" + +"To yours, General!" + +Succeeding bumpers finally dissipated entirely the resentment of the +former jailer, and when they parted probably never to meet again--he and +his prisoner had become the best friends in the world. + +"Meine besten complimente der Frau Hauptmannin!" said Henri to him, in +leaving him on the boulevard. + +"Lieber Gott! I shall take good care not to own to her that I dined with +you." + +"And why, pray?" + +"Because there is one thing for which she never will forgive you." + +"What is that?" + +"The fact that you were the cause of her living alone for six months!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE MILITARY REVIEW + +The different troops, assembled for review, were massed on the parade- +ground at Vincennes, facing the tribunes. + +In the centre, the artillery brigade, surrounded by two divisions of +infantry, was drawn up in two straight columns, connected by regiments; +each division of infantry, in double columns, was connected by brigades. + +These six columns were separated by spaces varying from twenty to twenty- +five metres. + +In the background, the cavalry division was lined up in columns; behind +that was its artillery, in the same order of formation. + +At a given signal, the troops advanced five hundred metres, and, as soon +as they halted, drums, clarinets and trumpets beat and sounded from all +parts of the field, saluting the arrival of the military governor of +Paris. + +This functionary, followed by his staff, in the midst of which group +glittered the brilliant Russian uniform of the aide-decamp General +Leniaeff, rode slowly past the front and the flanks of the massed body, +the troops facing to the left or the right as he passed. + +This inspection finished, he took up his stand before the pillars at the +entrance, and the march past began by battalions en masse, in the midst +of the acclamations of numerous spectators who had come to witness this +imposing display, well calculated to stir patriotic pride. + +The enthusiasm increased; the Prerolles division marched past after its +artillery, and, as always, the martial and distinguished profile of its +general produced its usual effect on the public. + +He rode Aida, his favorite mare, an Irish sorrel of powerful frame, with +solid limbs, whose horizontal crupper and long tail indicated her race; +she was one of those animals that are calm and lively at the same time, +capable of going anywhere and of passing through all sorts of trials. + +After its parade, the infantry, whose part in the affair was finished, +retraced their steps and took up a position on the other side of the +field of manoeuvres, facing the north, and in front of rising ground, in +preparation for the discharge of musketry. + +During this time the artillery brigade, re-formed in battle array on the +parade-ground, detached six batteries, which advanced at a trot to within +one hundred and fifty metres of the tribunes, where they discharged a +volley. The long pieces were run rapidly to right and left, unmasking +the cavalry, which, after a similar volley from its own batteries, +appeared behind them in battle order, and executed a galloping march, its +third line held in reserve. + +A few moments later all the troops rejoined the infantry on the ground +set apart for rest and for the purpose of partaking of a cold repast, +consisting of potted meats, with which each man was furnished. + +Nothing more picturesque could be imagined than this temporary camp, with +its stacked arms, knapsacks lying on the ground, holes dug in the ground +in which to kindle fires, and the clattering of cans. On the other side +of the field the artillerymen and cavalrymen ate, holding their reins +under their arms, while their officers stood around some temporary table, +served by canteen men of the united divisions. Tiny columns of blue +smoke rose where coffee was making, and everywhere were the swift +movement and sprightly good-fellowship in which the soldier feels himself +in his natural element. + +The curious spectators crowded themselves in front of the banner, while +in the centre of the square the military governor of Paris, and the other +officers, talked with some privileged persons who had been able to +present themselves among them. + +Descending from his mount a little apart from the group, and plunged in +thought, the former sub-lieutenant of 'chasseurs a pied' gazed at the old +fortress, the sight of which recalled so many sad memories. + +Vincennes had been his first garrison, and its proximity to Paris had +been disastrous for him. There he had entered one morning, stripped of +his fortune! + +And what a series of disasters had followed! But for his heavy losses +upon that fatal night, he would not have been compelled to sell +Prerolles, the income of which, during his long absence, would have +sufficed to lessen the tax on the land, transmissible, had events turned +out otherwise, to some heir to his name. If only fate had not made Paul +Landry cross his path! + +"Good morning, General!" came the sound of a fresh, gay voice behind, +which sent a thrill through him. + +He turned and saw Zibeline, who had just stopped a few steps distant from +him, sitting in her carriage, to which was harnessed a pretty pair of +cobs, prancing and champing their bits. + +"Ah, it is you, Mademoiselle!" he said, carrying his hand to the visor +of his kepi, fastened under his chin. + +"I found your card last night," said Zibeline, "and I have come here this +morning to return your call!" + +Then, leaning back in her driving-seat in order to reveal Edmond Delorme +installed beside her, she added: + +"I have brought also my painter-in-ordinary. We have watched the review +together, and he is as enthusiastic as I over the picturesque effect of +this improvised bivouac. See! He is so much occupied with his sketch +that I can not get a word out of him." + +It was Aida, whose bridle was held by a dragoon, that served as a model +for the artist's pencil. + +"Will you permit me?" he said to Henri. + +"It appears decidedly, that my mare has caught your eye," replied the +General, approaching the carriage and resting his spurred foot on its +step. + +"She has superb lines," said the painter, without interrupting his +drawing. + +"Well, I am curious to know whether she could beat Seaman," said +Zibeline. "Are you willing to run a race with me, General?" + +"As you please--some morning when you return to the Bois." + +"You noticed my absence, then?" + +"I assure you that I did," Henri replied, earnestly. + +Then, fearing that he had said too much, he added: + +"I, and many others!" + +"Good! You were almost making a pretty speech to me, but, as usual, the +disavowal was not slow in coming. Fortunately, here comes your friend +Lenaieff, who is hastening to make amends to me." + +"What good fortune to meet you here, Mademoiselle!" cried Constantin, +who, having perceived Valentine from a distance, had taken an abrupt +leave of his general-in-chief. + +"I know that you have called to see me several times," said she, "but I +was in the country." + +"So early in the month of April?" + +"Oh! not to live there. Monsieur de Perolles knows that I have promised +to build our Orphan Asylum at a certain distance from Paris, and hardly +three weeks remain to me before I must hand over the property. If I am +not ready on the day appointed, Monsieur Desvanneaux will be sure to +seize my furniture, and I could not invite you any more to dinner, +Messieurs! A propos, General, Monsieur de Samoreau has failed in his +negotiations. Mademoiselle Gontier refuses to come to recite at my next +soiree!" + +"What necessity is there for you to make her acquaintance?" demanded +Henri. + +"Ah, that is my secret!" + +During this conversation a hired fiacre, well appointed, had stopped +beside the road, and Eugenie Gontier descended from it, inquiring of an +officer belonging to the grounds where she could find General de +Prerolles. When the officer had pointed out the General to her, she +started to walk toward him; but, on seeing her former lover leaning +familiarly against the door of Zibeline's carriage, she immediately +retraced her steps and quickly reentered her own. + +"There is no longer any doubt about it!" said Mademoiselle de Vermont, +who had been observing Eugenie's movements. "Mademoiselle Gontier has +made a fixed resolution to avoid meeting me." + +"That is because she is jealous of you!" said Lenaieff naively. + +"Jealous? And why?" said Zibeline, blushing. + +Visibly embarrassed, Henri drew out his watch in order to avert his +countenance. + +"Midday!" he cried. "This is the hour for the return of the troops to +their barracks. You would do well not to delay in starting for home, +Mademoiselle. The roads will be very crowded, and your horses will not +be able to trot. I beg your pardon for taking away your model, my dear +Delorme, but I really must be off." + +"It is all the same to me; I have finished my sketch," said the painter, +closing his portfolio. + +At this moment, as the military governor passed near them, on his way to +the crossway of the Pyramid, Henri made a movement as if to rejoin him. + +"Do not disturb yourself, General de Prerolles," said the military +governor. "The compliments which I have made you on the fine appearance +of your troops are probably not so agreeable to you as those to which you +are listening at present!" + +And saluting Mademoiselle de Vermont courteously, he went his way. + +"Now you are free, Henri. Suppose we accompany Mademoiselle back to +Paris?" suggested Lenaieff, seeming to read his friend's mind. + +"What an honor for me!" Valentine exclaimed. + +The General made a sign to his orderly, who approached to receive his +instructions. + +"Tell the brigadier-generals that I am about to depart. I need no more +escort than two cavalrymen for General Lenaieff and myself. Now I am +ready, Mademoiselle," Henri continued, turning toward Valentine. "If you +will be guided by me, we should do well to reach the fortifications by +way of the Lake of Saint-Mande." + +She made a little sound with her tongue, and the two cobs set off in the +direction indicated, the crowds they passed stopping to admire their high +action, and asking one another who was that pretty woman who was escorted +by two generals, the one French, the other a foreigner. + +"I must look like a treaty of peace in a Franco-Russian alliance!" said +Zibeline, gayly. + +The sun shone brightly, the new leaves were quivering on the trees, the +breeze bore to the ear the echo of the military bands. + +Animated by the sound, the two cobs went ahead at a great pace, but they +were kept well in hand by their mistress, who was dressed this morning in +a simple navy-blue costume, with a small, oval, felt hat, ornamented with +two white wings, set on in a manner that made the wearer resemble a +valkyrie. Her whip, an unnecessary accessory, lay across the seat at her +right, on which side of the carriage Henri rode. + +The General's eyes missed none of the graceful movements of the young +girl. And his reflections regarding her, recently interrupted, returned +in full force, augmenting still more his regret at the inexorable fate +that separated him from her. "What a pity!" he thought in his turn, +repeating unconsciously the phrase so often uttered by his sister. + +Arrived at the Place du Tr&ne, Valentine stopped her horses a moment, and +addressed her two cavaliers: + +"I thank you for your escort, gentlemen. But however high may be your +rank, I really can not go through Paris looking like a prisoner between +two gendarmes! So good-by! I shall see you this evening perhaps, but +good-by for the present." + +They gave her a military salute, and the carriage disappeared in the +Faubourg St. Antoine, while the two horsemen followed the line of the +quays along the Boulevard Diderot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE CHALLENGE + +That person who, in springtime, between ten o'clock and midday, never has +walked beside the bridle-path in the Bois de Boulogne, under the deep +shade of the trees, can form no idea of the large number of equestrians +that for many years have been devoted to riding along that delightful and +picturesque road. + +To see and to be seen constitutes the principal raison d'etre of this +exercise, where the riders traverse the same path going and coming, a man +thus being able to meet more than once the fair one whom he seeks, or a +lady to encounter several times a cavalier who interests her. + +On this more and more frequented road, the masculine element displayed +different costumes, according to the age and tastes of each rider. The +young men appeared in careless array: leggins, short coats, and small +caps. The older men, faithful to early traditions, wore long trousers, +buttoned-up redingotes, and tall hats, like those worn by their fathers, +as shown in the pictures by Alfred de Dreux. + +For the feminine element the dress is uniform. It consists of a riding- +habit of black or dark blue, with bodice and skirt smoothly molded to the +form by one of the two celebrated habit-makers, Youss or Creed. The +personal presence alone varied, according to the degree of perfection of +the model. + +A cylindrical hat, a little straight or turned-over collar, a cravat tied +in a sailor's knot, a gardenia in the buttonhole, long trousers and +varnished boots completed the dress of these modern Amazons, who, having +nothing in common with the female warriors of ancient times, are not +deprived, as were those unfortunates, of any of their feminine charms. + +The military element is represented by officers of all grades from +generals to sub-lieutenants, in morning coats, with breeches and high +boots, forbidden under the Second Empire, but the rule at present. + +At the top of the Pre-Catelan, the path is crossed by the Bagatelle road +to the lakes, a point of intersection situated near a glade where the +ladies were fond of stopping their carriages to chat with those passing +on horseback. A spectator might have fancied himself at the meet of a +hunting-party, lacking the whippers-in and the dogs. + +A few days after the review at Vincennes, on a bright morning in May, +a file of victorias and pony-chaises were strung out along this sylvan +glade, and many persons had alighted from them. Announcing their arrival +by trumpet-blasts, two or three vehicles of the Coaching Club, headed by +that of the Duc de Mont had discharged a number of pretty passengers, +whose presence soon caused the halt of many gay cavaliers. + +Several groups were formed, commenting on the news of the day, the +scandal of the day before, the fete announced for the next day. + +More serious than the others, the group surrounding Madame de Montgeron +strolled along under the trees in the side paths which, in their +windings, often came alongside of the bridle-path. + +"What has become of Mademoiselle de Vermont, Duchess?" inquired Madame +de Lisieux, who had been surprised not to find Zibeline riding with their +party. + +"She is in the country, surrounded by masons, occupied in the building of +our Orphan Asylum. The time she required before making over the property +to us expires in two weeks." + +"It is certainly very singular that we do not know where we are to go for +the ceremonies of inauguration," said Madame Desvanneaux, in her usual +vinegary tones. + +"I feel at liberty to tell you that the place is not far away, and the +journey thence will not fatigue you," said the president, with the air of +one who has long known what she has not wished to reveal heretofore. + +"The question of fatigue should not discourage us when it is a matter of +doing good," said M. Desvanneaux. "Only, in the opinion of the founders +of the Orphan Asylum, it should be situated in the city of Paris itself." + +"The donor thought that open fields and fresh air would be better for the +children." + +"Land outside of Paris costs very much less, of course; that is probably +the real reason," said M. Desvanneaux. + +"Poor Zibeline! you are well hated!" Madame de Nointel could not help +saying. + +"We neither like nor dislike her, Madame. We regard her as indifferently +as we do that," the churchwarden replied, striking down a branch with the +end of his stick, with the superb air of a Tarquin. + +Still gesticulating, he continued: + +"The dust that she throws in the eyes of others does not blind us, that +is all!" + +The metaphor was not exactly happy, for at that instant the unlucky man +received full in his face a broadside of gravel thrown by the hoofs of a +horse which had been frightened by the flourishing stick, and which had +responded to the menace by a violent kick. + +This steed was none other than Seaman, ridden by Mademoiselle de Vermont. +She had recognized the Duchess and turned her horse back in order to +offer her excuses for his misconduct, the effects of which Madame +Desvanneaux tried to efface by brushing off the gravel with the corner of +her handkerchief. + +"What has happened?" asked General de Prerolles, who at that moment +cantered up, mounted on Aida. + +"Oh, nothing except that Mademoiselle has just missed killing my husband +with that wicked animal of hers!" cried the Maegera, in a fury. + +"Mademoiselle might turn the accusation against him," Madame de Nointel +said, with some malice. "It was he who frightened her horse." + +The fiery animal, with distended veins and quivering nostrils, snorted +violently, cavorted sidewise, and tried to run. Zibeline needed all her +firmness of grasp to force him, without allowing herself to be thrown, to +stand still on the spot whence had come the movement that had alarmed +him. + +"Your horse needs exercise," said Henri to the equestrienne. "You ought +to give him an opportunity to do something besides the formal trot around +this path." + +"I should be able to do so, if ever we could have our match," said +Zibeline. "Will you try it now?" + +"Come on!" + +She nodded, gave him her hand an instant, and they set off, side by side, +followed by Zibeline's groom, no less well mounted than she, and wearing +turned-over boots, bordered with a band of fawn-colored leather, +according to the fashion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE AMAZON HAS A FALL + +They were a well-matched pair: he, the perfect type of the elegant and +always youthful soldier; she, the most dashing of all the Amazons in the +Bois, to quote the words of Edmond Delorme. + +Everyone was familiar with the personal appearance of both riders, and +recognized them, but until now Mademoiselle de Vermont had always ridden +alone, and now to see her accompanied by the gallant General, whose +embroidered kepi glittered in the sunlight, was a new spectacle for the +gallery. + +The people looked at them all the more because Seaman was still prancing, +but without unseating his mistress, who held him at any gait or any +degree of swiftness that pleased her. + +"What a good seat you have!" said Henri. + +"That is the first real compliment you ever have paid me. I shall +appropriate it immediately, before you have time to retract it," Zibeline +replied. + +At the circle of Melezes, Henri proposed to turn to the right, in order +to reach Longchamp. + +"A flat race! You are joking!" Zibeline cried, turning to the left, +toward the road of La Vierge, + +"You don't intend that we shall run a steeplechase, I hope." + +"On the contrary, that is exactly my intention! You are not afraid to +try it, are you?" + +"Not on my own account, but on yours." + +"You know very well that I never am daunted by any obstacle." + +"Figuratively, yes; but in riding a horse it is another matter." + +"All the more reason why I should not be daunted now," Zibeline insisted. + +When they arrived at the public square of the Cascades, in front of the +Auteuil hippodrome, she paused a moment between the two lakes, uncertain +which course to take. + +It was Thursday, the day of the races. The vast ground, enclosed on all +sides by a fence, had been cleared, since early morning, of the boards +covering the paths reserved for pedestrians on days when there was no +racing; but it was only eleven o'clock, and the place was not yet open to +the paying public. Several workmen, in white blouses, went along the +track, placing litters beside the obstacles where falls occurred most +frequently. + +"Do you think the gatekeeper will allow us to enter at this hour?" +Zibeline asked. + +"I hope not!" Henri replied. + +"Well, then, I shall enter without his permission! You are free to +declare me the winner. I shall be left to make a walkover, I see!" +And setting off at a gallop along the bridle-path, which was obstructed a +little farther on by the fence itself, she struck her horse resolutely, +and with one audacious bound sprang over the entrance gate. She was now +on the steeplechase track. + +"You are mad!" cried the General, who, as much concerned for her safety +as for his own pride, urged on his mare, and, clearing the fence, landed +beside Zibeline on the other side. + +"All right!" she cried, in English, dropping her whip, as the starter +drops the flag at the beginning of a race. + +The die was cast. Henri bent over Aida's neck, leaning his hands upon +her withers in an attitude with which experience had made him familiar, +and followed the Amazon, determined to win at all hazards. + +Zibeline's groom, an Englishman, formerly a professional jockey, had +already jumped the fence, in spite of the cries of the guard, who ran to +prevent him, and coolly galloped after his mistress, keeping at his usual +distance. + +The first two hedges, which were insignificant obstacles for such horses, +were crossed without effort. + +"Not the brook, I beg of you!" cried Henri, seeing that, instead of +running past the grand-stand, Zibeline apparently intended to attempt +this dangerous feat. + +"Come on! Seaman would never forgive me if I balk at it!" she cried, +riding fearlessly down the slope, + +The good horse gathered up his four feet on the brink, took one vigorous +leap, appearing for a second to hover over the water; then he fell +lightly on the other side of the stream, with a seesaw movement, to which +the intrepid Amazon accommodated herself by leaning far back. The +rebound threw her forward a little, but she straightened herself quickly +and went on. + +The General, who had slackened his pace that he might not interfere with +her leap, gave vent to a sigh of relief. He pressed Aida's flanks +firmly, and the big Irish mare jumped after her competitor, with the +majestic dignity of her race. + +Reassured by the 'savoir-faire' of his companion, the former winner of +the military steeplechase felt revive within himself all his ardor for +the conflict, and he hastened to make up the distance he had lost. + +The two horses, now on the west side of the racetrack, were almost neck- +and-neck, and it would have been difficult to prognosticate which had the +better chance of victory. Zibeline's light weight gave Seaman the +advantage, but Aida gained a little ground every time she leaped an +obstacle; so that, after passing the hurdles and the third hedge, the +champions arrived simultaneously at the summit of the hill, from which +point the track extends in a straight line, parallel with the Allee des +Fortifications. + +Feeling himself urged on still harder, the English horse began to lay +back his ears and pull so violently on the rein that his rider had all +she could do to hold him, and lacked sufficient strength to direct his +course. Seeing Zibeline's danger, Henri hastened to slacken his horse's +pace, but it was too late: the almost perpendicular declivity of the +other side of the hill added fresh impetus to the ungovernable rush of +Seaman, who suddenly became wild and reckless. + +The situation was all the more critical for the reason that the next +obstacle was a brook, only two metres wide, but of which the passage was +obstructed on the farther side of the track by heavy beams, laid one on +top of another, solidly riveted and measuring one metre and ten +millimetres from the base to the summit. The excited horse charged +obliquely toward this obstruction with all his might. Paying no more +attention to the pressure upon his bit, he rose in the air, but as he had +not given himself sufficient time to take plenty of room for the leap, +his hoofs struck violently against the top beam, the force of resistance +of which threw him over on one side; his hindquarters turned in the air, +and he fell in a heap on the other side of the obstacle, sending up a +great splash of water as he went into the brook. + +Had Zibeline been crushed by the weight of the horse in this terrible +fall, or, not having been able to free herself from him, had she been +drowned under him? Henri uttered a hoarse cry, struck his spurs into the +sides of his mare, crossed the brook breathlessly, stopping on the other +side as soon as he could control his horse's pace; then, rushing back, he +leaped to the ground to save the poor girl, if there was still time to do +so. + +Zibeline lay inanimate on the grass, her face lying against the earth. +By a lucky chance, the horse had fallen on his right side, so that his +rider's limbs and skirt had not been caught. Unhorsed by the violence of +the shock, Zibeline had gone over the animal's head and fallen on the +other side of the brook. Her Amazon hat, so glossy when she had set out, +was now crushed, and her gloves were torn and soiled with mud; which +indicated that she had fallen on her head and her hands. + +Henri knelt beside her, passed his arm around her inert and charming +body, and drew her tenderly toward him. Her eyes were half-open and +dull, her lips pale; her nose, the nostrils of which were usually well +dilated, had a pinched look; and a deadly pallor covered that face which +only a moment before had been so rosy and smiling. + +These signs were the forerunners of death, which the officer had +recognized so many times on the battlefield. But those stricken ones had +at least been men, devoting themselves to the risks of warfare; while in +the presence of this young girl lying before him, looking upon this +victim of a reckless audacity to which he felt he had lent himself too +readily, the whole responsibility for the accident seemed to him to rest +upon his own shoulders, and a poignant remorse tore his heart. + +He removed her cravat, unhooked her bodice, laid his ear against her +breast, from which an oppressed breathing still arose. + +Two laborers hurried to open the gate and soon arrived at the spot with a +litter, guided by the groom, whose horse had refused to jump the brook, +and who since then had followed the race on foot outside the track. +While the General placed Zibeline on the litter, the groom took Aida by +the bridle, and the sad procession made its way slowly toward the +enclosure surrounding the weighing-stand. + +As for Seaman, half submerged in the stream, and with an incurable +fracture of the leg, nothing was left to do for the poor animal but to +kill him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +AN UNCONSCIOUS AVOWAL + +Walking slowly, step by step, beside her whose power had so quickly and +so wholly subjugated him, watching over her removal with more than +paternal solicitude, Henri de Prerolles, sustained by a ray of hope, +drew a memorandum-book from his pocket, wrote upon a slip of paper a name +and an address, and, giving it to the groom, ordered him to go ahead of +the litter and telephone to the most celebrated surgeon in Paris, +requesting him to go as quickly as possible to the domicile of +Mademoiselle de Vermont, and, meantime, to send with the greatest +despatch one of the eight-spring carriages from the stables. + +It was noon by the dial on the grand-stand when the litter was finally +deposited in a safe place. The surgeon could hardly arrive in less than +two hours; therefore, the General realized that he must rely upon his own +experience in rendering the first necessary aid. + +He lifted Valentine's hand, unbuttoned the glove, laid his finger on her +pulse, and counted the pulsations, which were weak, slow, and irregular. + +While the wife of the gate-keeper kept a bottle of salts at the nostrils +of the injured girl, Henri soaked a handkerchief in tincture of arnica +and sponged her temples with it; then, pouring some drops of the liquid +into a glass of water, he tried in vain to make her swallow a mouthful. +Her teeth, clenched by the contraction of muscles, refused to allow it to +pass into her throat. At the end of half an hour, the inhalation of the +salts began to produce a little effect; the breath came more regularly, +but that was the only symptom which announced that the swoon might soon +terminate. The landau with the high springs arrived. The General ordered +the top laid back, and helped to lift and place upon the cushions on the +back seat the thin mattress on which Zibeline lay; then he took his place +on the front seat, made the men draw the carriage-top back into its +proper position, and the equipage rolled smoothly, and without a jar, to +its destination. On the way they met the first carriages that had arrived +at the Auteuil hippodrome, the occupants of which little suspected what +an exciting dramatic incident had occurred just before the races. +Zibeline's servants, by whom she was adored, awaited their mistress at +the threshold, and for her maids it was an affair of some minutes to +undress her and lay her in her own bed. During this delay, the surgeon, +who had hastened to answer the call, found Henri nervously walking about +from one drawing-room to the other; and, having received information as +to the details of the fall, he soon entered the bedchamber. While +awaiting the sentence of life or of death which must soon be pronounced, +he who considered himself the chief cause of this tragic event continued +to pace to and fro in the gallery--that gallery where, under the +intoxication of a waltz, the demon of temptation had so quickly +demolished all his resolutions of resistance. A half-hour--an age!-- +elapsed before the skilled practitioner reappeared. "There is no +fracture," he said, "but the cerebral shock has been such that I can not +as yet answer for the consequences. If the powerful reactive medicine +which I have just given should bring her back to her senses soon, her +mental faculties will suffer no harm. If not, there is everything to +fear. I will return in three hours," he added. Without giving a thought +to the conventionalities, Henri entered the bedchamber, to the great +astonishment of the maids, and, installing himself at the head of the +bed, he decided not to leave that spot until Valentine had regained her +senses, should she ever regain them. An hour passed thus, while Henri +kept the same attitude, erect, attentive, motionless, with stray scraps +of his childhood's prayers running through his brain. Suddenly the heavy +eyelids of the wounded girl were lifted; the dulness of the eyes +disappeared; her body made an involuntary attempt to change its position; +the nostrils dilated; the lips quivered in an effort to speak. Youth and +life had triumphed over death. With painful slowness, she tried to raise +her hand to her head, the seat of her pain, where, though half paralyzed, +thought was beginning to return. Her eyes wandered to and fro in the +shadowy room, seeking to recognize the surroundings. A ray of light, +filtering through the window-curtains, showed her the anxious face +bending tenderly over her. "Henri!" she murmured, in a soft, plaintive +voice. That name, pronounced thus, the first word uttered after her long +swoon, revealed her secret. Never had a more complete yet modest avowal +been more simply expressed; was it not natural that he should be present +at her reentrance into life, since she loved him? With women, the +sentiment of love responds to the most diverse objects. The ordinary +young girl of Zibeline's age, either before or after her sojourn in a +convent, considers that a man of thirty has arrived at middle age, and +that a man of forty is absolutely old. Should she accept a man of either +of these ages, she does it because a fortune, a title, or high social +rank silences her other tastes, and her ambition does the rest. But, with +an exceptional woman, like Mademoiselle de Vermont, brought up in view of +wide horizons, in the midst of plains cleared by bold pioneers, among +whom the most valorous governed the others, a man like General de +Prerolles realized her ideal all the more, because both their natures +presented the same striking characteristics: carelessness of danger, and +frankness carried to its extremest limit. Therefore, this declaration-- +to use the common expression--entirely free from artifice or affectation, +charmed Henri for one reason, yet, on the other hand, redoubled his +perplexity. How could he conciliate his scruples of conscience with the +aspirations of his heart? The problem seemed then as insoluble as when +it had been presented the first time. But Valentine was saved. For the +moment that was the essential point, the only one in question. The +involuntary revelation of her secret had brought the color to her cheeks, +the light to her eyes, a smile to her lips, in spite of the leaden band +that seemed still pressing upon her head. "How you have frightened me!" +said Henri, in a low voice, seating himself on the side of the bed and +taking her hand. "Is that true?" she asked, softly pressing his fingers. +"Hush!" he said, making a movement to enjoin silence. She obeyed, and +they remained a few moments thus. Nevertheless, he reflected that the +account of the accident would soon be spread everywhere, that Valentine's +new friends would hear about it as soon as they arrived at the race-track +that day, and that he could no longer prolong his stay beside her. + +"Are you leaving me so soon?" Valentine murmured, when he said that he +must go. + +"I am going to tell my sister and the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy of your +mishap." + +"Very well," she replied, as if already she had no other desire than to +follow his wishes. + +He gave the necessary orders, and again took his place beside the bed, +awaiting the second visit of the doctor, whose arrival was simultaneous +with that of the Duchess. + +This time the verdict was altogether favorable, with no mention of the +possibility of any aggravating circumstances. An inevitable +feverishness, and a great lassitude, which must be met with absolute +repose for several days, would be the only consequences of this dangerous +prank. + +The proprieties resumed their normal sway, and it was no longer possible +for Henri to remain beside the charming invalid. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +DISTRACTION + +The Duchesse de Montgeron, who had passed the rest of the day with +Mademoiselle de Vermont, did not return to her own dwelling until eight +o'clock that evening, bearing the most reassuring news. + +Longing for fresh air and exercise, Henri went out after dinner, walked +through the Champs-Elysees, and traversed the crossing at l'Etoile, in +order to approach the spot where Zibeline lay ill. + +If one can imagine the feelings of a man of forty-five, who is loved for +himself, under the most flattering and unexpected conditions, one can +comprehend the object of this nocturnal walk and the long pause that +Henri made beneath the windows of Zibeline's apartment. A small garden, +protected by a light fence, was the only obstacle that separated them. +But how much more insuperable was the barrier which his own principles +had raised between this adorable girl and himself. + +Had he not told his sister, confided to Eugenie Gontier, and reiterated +to any one that would listen to him, the scruples which forbade him ever +to think of marriage? To change this decision, in asking for the hand of +Mademoiselle de Vermont, would-in appearance, at least--sacrifice to the +allurement of wealth the proud poverty which he had long borne so nobly. + +But the demon of temptation was then, as always, lurking in the shadow, +the sole witness of this duel to the death between prejudice and love. + +When he returned to his rooms he found another note from his former +mistress: + + "You have just had a terrible experience, my dear friend. Nothing + that affects you can be indifferent to me. I beg you to believe, + notwithstanding the grief which our separation causes me, in all the + prayers that I offer for your happiness. + + "ARIADNE." + +"My happiness? My torture, rather!" he said, the classic name of +Ariadne suggesting the idea that the pseudonym of Tantalus might well be +applied to himself. + +But he had long kept a rule to write as little as possible, and was +guarded in making reply to any letter, especially to such a communication +as this. + +When he left the house the next morning, on his way to attend to military +duties, he learned that his sister had gone away early on an excursion to +one of the suburbs, and that she would not return until evening. As the +Duchess was the only person who had been initiated into the mystery +surrounding Zibeline on the subject of the building of the Orphan Asylum, +it was evident that she had gone to take her place in the directing of +the work. + +In the afternoon Henri called to inquire for the invalid, and was +received by the Chevalier de Sainte-Foy. She had had a quiet night; +a little fever had appeared toward morning, and, above all, an extreme +weakness, requiring absolute quiet and freedom from any excitement. +On an open register in the reception-room were inscribed the names of all +those persons who had called to express their interest in Mademoiselle de +Vermont: Constantin Lenaieff, the Lisieux, the Nointels, Edmond Delorme, +the Baron de Samoreau, and others. Only the Desvanneaux had shown no +sign of life. Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that. + +Henri added his name to the list, and for several days he returned each +morning to inscribe it anew, feeling certain that, as soon as Valentine +was able to be placed half-reclining on a couch, she would give orders +that he should be admitted to her presence. But nothing of the kind +occurred. + +On the evening of the fifth day after the accident, the Duchess informed +her brother that their young friend had been taken to the country, where +it was thought a complete cure would sooner be effected. + +This hasty departure, made without any preliminary message, caused Henri +to feel the liveliest disappointment. + +Had he deceived himself, then? Was it, after all, only by chance that +she had so tenderly pronounced his name, and had that familiar +appellative only been drawn from her involuntarily because of her +surprise at beholding his unexpected presence at her bedside? + +Regarding the matter from this point of view, the whole romance that he +had constructed on a fragile foundation had really never existed save in +his own imagination! + +At this thought his self-esteem suffered cruelly. He felt a natural +impulse to spring into a carriage and drive to the dwelling of Eugenie +Gontier, and there to seek forgetfulness. But he felt that his +bitterness would make itself known even there, and that such a course +would be another affront to the dignity of a woman of heart, whose +loyalty to himself he never had questioned. + +Try to disguise it as he would, his sombre mood made itself apparent, +especially to his brother-in-law, who had no difficulty in guessing the +cause, without allowing Henri to suspect that he divined it. + +The date for the formal transfer of the Orphan Asylum to the committee +had been fixed for the fifteenth day of May. + +On the evening of the fourteenth, at the hour when the General was +signing the usual military documents in his bureau, a domestic presented +to him a letter which, he said, had just been brought in great haste by a +messenger on horseback: + +The superscription, "To Monsieur the General the Marquis de Prerolles," +was inscribed in a long, English hand, elegant and regular. The orderly +gave the letter to his chief, who dismissed him with a gesture before +breaking the seal. The seal represented, without escutcheon or crown, a +small, wild animal, with a pointed muzzle, projecting teeth, and shaggy +body, under which was a word Henri expected to find: Zibeline! + +The letter ran thus: + + "MY DEAR GENERAL: + + "An officer, like yourself, whose business it is to see that his + orders are obeyed, will understand that I have not dared, even in + your favor, to infringe on those imposed upon me by the doctor. + But those orders have been withdrawn! If you have nothing better to + do, come to-morrow, with your sister, to inspect our asylum, before + Monsieur Desvanneaux takes possession of it! + + "Your military eye will be able to judge immediately whether + anything is lacking in the quarters. Yours affectionately, + + "VALENTINE DE VERMONT. + + "P.S.--Poor Seaman is dead! I beg you to carry this sad news to his + friend Aida. V." + + +If a woman's real self is revealed in her epistolary style, finesse, +good-humor, and sprightliness were characterised in this note. +Zibeline's finesse had divined Henri's self-deception; her good-humor +sought to dissipate it; and her sprightliness was evidenced by her +allusions to M. Desvanneaux and the loss of her horse. + +When they found themselves reunited at the dinner-hour, the Duchess said +simply to her brother: + +"You must have received an invitation to-day from Mademoiselle de +Vermont. Will you accompany us tomorrow?" + +"Yes, certainly. But where? How? At what hour?" + +"We must leave here at one o'clock. Don't disturb yourself about any +other detail--we shall look after everything." + +"Good! I accept." + +As he was not so curious as the Desvanneaux, it mattered little to him to +what place they took him, so long as he should find Zibeline at the end +of the journey. + +At the appointed hour the brother and sister drove to the Gare du Nord. +The Duke, a director of the road, who had been obliged to attend a +convocation of the Council until noon, had preceded them. He was waiting +for them beside the turnstile at the station, having already procured +their tickets and reserved a carriage in one of the omnibus trains from +Paris to Treport which make stops at various suburban stations. + +"Will it be a very long journey?" Henri asked, on taking his place in +the carriage. + +"Barely three-quarters of an hour," said the Duke, as the train started +on its way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE VOW REDEEMED + +The third road, constructed between the two lines which met at Creil, +passing, the one by way of Chantilly, the other, by Pontoise, was not in +existence in 1871, when, after the war, Jeanne and Henri de Prerolles +went to visit the spot, already unrecognizable, where they had passed +their childhood. L'Ile-d'Adam was at that time the nearest station; to +day it is Presles, on the intermediate line, which they now took. + +"This is our station," said Madame de Montgeron, when the train stopped +at Montsoult. They descended from the carriage, and found on the +platform two footmen, who conducted them to a large char-a-banc, to which +were harnessed four dark bay Percherons, whose bridles were held by +postilions in Zibeline's livery, as correct in their appearance as those +belonging to the imperial stables, when the sojourn of the court was at +Compiegne or at Fontainebleau. + +"Where are we going now, Jeanne?" asked Henri, whose heart seemed to him +to contract at the sight of Maffliers, which he knew so well. + +"A short distance from here," his sister replied. + +The horses set off, and, amid the sound of bells and the cracking of +whips, the carriage reached the national road from Paris to Beauvais, +which, from Montsoult, passes around the railway by a rapid descent, from +the summit of which is visible, on the right, the Chateau of +Franconville; on the left, the village of Nerville perched on its crest. + +One of the footmen on the rear seat held the reins, and a quarter of an +hour later the carriage stopped just before arriving at the foot of +Valpendant. + +Valpendant had formerly been a feudal manor within the confines of Ile- +de-France, built midway upon a hill, as its name indicated. On the side +toward the plain was a moat, and the castle itself commanded the view of +a valley, through which ran the little stream called Le Roi, which flows +into the river Oise near the hamlet of Mours. Acquired in the fifteenth +century by the lords of Prerolles, it had become an agricultural +territory worked for their profit, first by forced labor, and later by +farmers. + +Even recently, the courtyard, filled with squawking fowls and domestic +animals of all kinds, and the sheds crowded with agricultural implements +piled up in disorder, presented a scene of confusion frequent among +cultivators, and significant of the alienation of old domains from their +former owners. + +"We have arrived!" said the Duchess, alighting first. + +"What, is it here?" Henri exclaimed, his heart beating more quickly. + +"Your old farm was for sale just at the time that Mademoiselle de Vermont +was seeking an appropriate site for the Orphan Asylum. This spot +appeared to her to combine all the desirable conditions, and she has +wrought the transformation you are about to behold. It might as well be +this place as another," the Duchess added. "In my opinion, it is a sort +of consolation offered to us by fate." + +"Be it so!" said Henri, in a tone of less conviction. + +He followed his sister along the footpath of a bluff, which as children +they had often climbed; while the carriage made a long detour in order to +reach the main entrance to the grounds. + +The footpath, winding along near the railway embankment, ended at a +bridge, where Zibeline awaited the three visitors. A significant +pressure of her hand showed Henri how little cause he had had for his +apprehensions. + +They entered. Seen from the main entrance, the metamorphosis of the +place was complete. + +The old tower that had served as a barn alone remained the same; it was +somewhat isolated from the other building, and had been repaired in the +style of its period, making a comfortable dwelling for the future +director of the Asylum. Mademoiselle de Vermont occupied it temporarily. + +On each side of the grounds, standing parallel, rose two fine buildings: +on the ground floor of each were all the customary rooms and accessories +found on model farms; on the upper floors were dormitories arranged to +receive a large number of children of both sexes. There were +schoolrooms, sewing-rooms, a chapel-in short, nothing was lacking to +assist in the children's intellectual and manual education. + +"You have done things royally," said the Duke to the happy donor, when, +having finished the inspection of the premises, they returned to the +directors' room, indicated by a plate upon its door. + +As for Henri, silent and absorbed, he hesitated between the dread of +facing a new emotion and the desire to go once more to gaze upon the +tower of Prerolles, hardly more than two kilometres distant. + +"What is the matter with you, General?" Zibeline asked, observing that +he did not appear to take pleasure in the surprise she had prepared. + +"I lived here many years a long time ago," he replied. "I am thinking of +all that it recalls to me; and, if you would not consider it discourteous +on my part, I should like to leave you for a little time to make a +pilgrimage on foot around the neighborhood." + +"Would you like to have me take you myself? I have a little English cart +which can run about anywhere," said Zibeline. + +The proposition was tempting. The sweetness of a tete-a-tete might +diminish the bitterness of recollections. He accepted. + +She ordered the cart brought around, and they climbed into the small +vehicle, which was drawn by a strong pony, driven by Zibeline herself. + +"Which way?" she asked, when they had passed through the gates. + +"To the right," he said, pointing to a rough, half-paved slope, an +abandoned part of what had been in former days the highway, which now +joins the new road at the Beaumont tunnel. + +Passing this point, and leaving on their left the state road of l'Ile- +d'Adam, they drove through a narrow cross-cut, between embankments, by +which one mounts directly to the high, plateau that overlooks the town of +Presles. + +The hill was steep, and the pony was out of breath. They were compelled +to stop to allow him to rest. + +"It is not necessary to go any farther," said Henri to his companion. "I +need only to take a few steps in order to see what interests me." + +"I will wait for you here," she replied, alighting after him. "Don't be +afraid to leave me alone. The horse will not move; he is used to +stopping." + +He left her gathering daisies, and walked resolutely to the panoramic +point of view, where a strange and unexpected sight met his eyes! + +All that had once been so dear to him had regained its former aspect. +The kitchen-gardens had given place to the rich pastures, where yearling +colts frisked gayly. The factory had disappeared, and the chateau had +been restored to its original appearance. The walls enclosing the park +had been rebuilt, and even several cleared places indicated the sites of +cottages that had been pulled down. + +Henri de Prerolles could hardly believe his eyes! Was he the sport of a +dream or of one of those mirages which rise before men who travel across +the sandy African deserts? The latitude and the position of the sun +forbade this interpretation. But whence came it, then? What fairy had +turned a magic ring in order to work this miracle? + +A crackling of dry twigs under a light tread made him turn, and he beheld +Zibeline, who had come up behind him. + +The fairy was there, pale and trembling, like a criminal awaiting arrest. + +"Is it you who have done this?" Henri exclaimed, with a sob which no +human strength could have controlled. + +"It is I!" she murmured, lowering her eyes. "I did it in the hope that +some day you would take back that which rightfully belongs to you." + +"Rightfully, you say? By what act?" + +"An act of restitution." + +"You never have done me any injury, and nothing authorizes me to accept +such a gift from Mademoiselle de Vermont." + +"Vermont was the family name of my mother. When my father married her, +he obtained leave to add it to his own. I am the daughter of Paul +Landry." + +"You!" + +"Yes. The daughter of Paul Landry, whose fortune had no other origin +than the large sum of which he despoiled you." + +Henri made a gesture of denial. + +"Pardon me!" Zibeline continued. "He was doubly your debtor, since this +sum had been increased tenfold when you rescued him from the Mexicans who +were about to shoot him. 'This is my revenge!' you said to him, without +waiting to hear a word from him. Your ruin was the remorse of his whole +life. I knew it only when he lay upon his deathbed. Otherwise--" + +She paused, then raised her head higher to finish her words. + +"Never mind!" she went on. "That which he dared not do while living, I +set myself to do after his death. When I came to Paris to inquire what +had become of the Marquis de Prerolles, your glorious career answered for +you; but even before I knew you I had become the possessor of these +divided estates, which, reunited by me, must be restored to your hands. +You are proud, Henri," she added, with animation, "but I am none less +proud than you. Judge, then, what I have suffered in realizing our +situation: I, overwhelmed with riches, you, reduced to your officer's +pay. Is that a satisfaction to your pride? Very well! But to my own, +it is the original stain, which only a restitution, nobly accepted by +you, ever can efface!" + +She paused, looking at him supplicatingly, her hands clasped. As he +remained silent, she understood that he still hesitated, and continued: + +"To plead my cause, to vanquish your resistance, as I am trying now to +triumph over it, could be attempted with any chance of success only by a +dear and tender friend; that is the reason why I sought to establish +relations with--" + +"With Eugenie Gontier?" + +"But she would not consent to it--all the worse for her! For, since +then, you and I have come to know each other well. Your prejudices have +been overcome one by one. I have observed it well. I am a woman, and +even your harshness has not changed my feelings, nor prevented me from +believing that, in spite of yourself, you were beginning to love me. +Have I been deceiving myself?--tell me!" + +"You know that you have not, since, as I look at you and listen to you, +I know not which I admire more-your beauty or the treasures of your +heart!" + +"Then come!" + +"Whither?" + +"To Prerolles, where all is ready to receive you." + +"Well, since this is a tale from the Arabian Nights, let us follow it to +the end! I will go!" said Henri. + +Browsing beside the road, the pony, left to himself, had advanced toward +them, step by step, whinnying to his mistress. Valentine and Henri +remounted the cart; which soon drew up before the gates of the chateau, +where, awaiting them, reinstated in his former office, stood the old +steward, bent and white with years. + +The borders of the broad driveway were of a rich, deep green. Rose- +bushes in full bloom adorned the smooth lawns. The birds trilled a +welcome in jumping from branch to branch, and across the facade of the +chateau the open windows announced to the surrounding peasantry the +return of the prodigal master. + +At the top of the flight of steps Valentine stepped back to allow Henri +to pass before her; then, changing her mind, she advanced again. + +"No, you are at home," she said. "It is I that must enter first!" + +He followed her docilely, caring no longer to yield to any other will +than hers. + +Within the chateau, thanks to the complicity of the Duchess, the +furnishings resembled as closely as possible those of former days. The +good fairy had completed successfully two great works: the restoration of +the chateau and the building of the asylum. The inhabitants of the one +would be so much the better able to foresee the needs of the other. + +Having explored one of the wings, they returned to the central hall. +Mademoiselle de Vermont made a sign to the steward to remain there, and +beckoned to Henri to accompany her to the historic gallery. After they +had entered it, she closed the door. The family portraits had been +rehung in their former places, in chronological order, and, in its proper +place, figured that of the General of Division the Marquis de Prerolles, +in full uniform, mounted on Aida, the portrait being the work of Edmond +Delorme. + +At this sight, touched to the depths of his heart, Henri knelt before +Valentine, and carried her hand to his lips. + +"I adore you!" he said, without attempting to hide the tears of +gratitude that fell upon those generous hands. + +"Do you, indeed?" Zibeline murmured. + +"You shall see!" he replied, rising. "Come, in your turn." + +He led her before the portrait of the ancestral marshal of France, and +said: + +"Twenty-three years ago I vowed before that portrait either to vanquish +the enemy or to regain with honor all that I had lost at play. I have +kept my word. Will you be my wife?" + +"Ah, you know my heart is yours!" Zibeline whispered, hiding her face +upon his shoulder. + +The door at the end of the gallery opened; the Duc and the Duchesse de +Montgeron appeared. Henri took Zibeline's hand and approached them. + +"The Marquise de Prerolles!" he said, presenting her to his sister and +her husband. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE MARQUISE DE PREROLLES + +The next day a special train landed the fair patronesses at the station +of Presles, whence Zibeline's carriages conducted them to Valpendant. + +The deed of gift was signed before M. Durand and his colleague, a notary +of Pontoise. + +This formality fulfilled, M. Desvanneaux, whose own role, for a moment +overshadowed, appeared to him to renew its importance, took the floor and +said: + +"It remains to us, Mesdames, to assure the support of the Orphan Asylum +by means of an annual income." + +"The Marquis and the Marquise de Prerolles assume this responsibility," +said the ministerial officer, treasurer of the Asylum. "This mutual +engagement will form the object of a special clause in the drawing up of +their contract." + +In this way was the news of the approaching marriage between Valentine +and Henri announced to the Society. + +"The little intriguer!" murmured the churchwarden, nudging the elbow of +his Maegera. + +The General, who noted the effect which this announcement had produced +upon the peevish pair, divined the malicious words upon the hypocritical +lips. He drew the husband aside, and put one hand upon his shoulder. + +"Desvanneaux," he said, "you have known me twenty-five years, and you +know that I am a man of my word. If ever a malevolent word from you +regarding my wife should come to my ears, I shall elongate yours to such +a degree that those of King Midas will be entirely eclipsed! Remember +that!" + +The ceremony took place six weeks later, in the church of St. Honore- +d'Eylau, which was not large enough to hold the numerous public and the +brilliant corps of officers that assisted. + +The witnesses for the bridegroom were the military governor of Paris and +the Duc de Montgeron. Those of the bride were the aide-de-camp General +Lenaieff, in full uniform, wearing an astrachan cap and a white cloak +with the Russian eagle fastened in the fur; and the Chevalier de Sainte- +Foy. + +On the evening before, a last letter from his former mistress had come to +the General: + + "I have heard all the details of your romance, my dear Henri. Its + conclusion is according to all dramatic rules, and I congratulate + you without reserve. + + "If, on the eve of contracting this happy union, an examination of + your conscience should suggest to you some remorse for having + abandoned me so abruptly, let me say that no shadow, not even the + lightest, must cloud the serenity of this joyous day: I am about to + leave the stage forever, to become the wife of the Baron de + Samoreau! + Always affectionately yours, + "EUGENIE GONTIER." + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +All that was illogical in our social code +Only a man, wavering and changeable +Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that +There are mountains that we never climb but once + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Zibeline, v3 +by Phillipe de Massa + + + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS FOR THE ENTIRE ZIBELINE: + +All that was illogical in our social code +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 +Life goes on, and that is less gay than the stories +Men admired her; the women sought some point to criticise +Only a man, wavering and changeable +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 +Their Christian charity did not extend so far as that +There are mountains that we never climb but once +You are in a conquered country, which is still more dangerous + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Zibeline, entire +by Phillipe de Massa + diff --git a/old/im21b10.zip b/old/im21b10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f65003a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/im21b10.zip |