Fromont and Risler — Volume 4 by Daudet, Alphonse, 1840-1897

8/14/2019 Fromont and Risler Volume 4 by Daudet, Alphonse, 1840-1897

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FROMONTANDRISLER

ByALPHONSEDAUDET

BOOK4.

CHAPTERXXI

THEDAYOFRECKONING

ThegreatclockofSaint-Gervaisstruckoneinthemorning.Itwassocoldthatthefinesnow,flyingthroughtheair,hardenedasitfell,coveringthepavementswithaslippery,whiteblanket.

Risler,wrappedinhiscloak,washasteninghomefromthebrewerythroughthedesertedstreetsoftheMarais.Hehadbeencelebrating,incompanywithhistwofaithfulborrowers,ChebeandDelobelle,hisfirstmomentofleisure,theendofthatalmostendlessperiodofseclusionduringwhichhehadbeensuperintendingthemanufactureofhispress,withallthesearchings,thejoys,andthedisappointmentsoftheinventor.Ithadbeenlong,verylong.Atthelastmomenthehaddiscoveredadefect.

Thecranedidnotworkwell;andhehadhadtorevisehisplansanddrawings.Atlast,onthatveryday,thenewmachinehadbeentried.Everythinghadsucceededtohisheart'sdesire.Theworthymanwastriumphant.Itseemedtohimthathehadpaidadebt,bygivingthehouseofFromontthebenefitofanewmachine,whichwouldlessenthelabor,shortenthehoursoftheworkmen,andatthesametimedoubletheprofitsandthereputationofthefactory.Heindulgedinbeautifuldreamsasheploddedalong.Hisfootstepsrangoutproudly,emphasizedbytheresoluteandhappytrendofhisthoughts.


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Quickeninghispace,hereachedthecornerofRuedesVieilles-Haudriettes.Alonglineofcarriageswasstandinginfrontofthefactory,andthelightoftheirlanternsinthestreet,theshadowsofthedriversseekingshelterfromthesnowinthecornersandanglesthatthoseoldbuildingshaveretaineddespitethestraighteningofthesidewalks,gaveananimatedaspecttothatdeserted,silentquarter.

"Yes,yes!tobesure,"thoughtthehonestfellow,"wehaveaballatourhouse."HerememberedthatSidoniewasgivingagrandmusicalanddancingparty,whichshehadexcusedhimfromattending,bytheway,knowingthathewasverybusy.

Shadowspassedandrepassedbehindtheflutteringveilofthecurtains;theorchestraseemedtofollowthemovementsofthosestealthyapparitionswiththerisingandfallingofitsmufflednotes.Theguestsweredancing.Rislerlethiseyesrestforamomentonthatphantasmagoriaoftheball,andfanciedthatherecognizedSidonie'sshadowinasmallroomadjoiningthesalon.

Shewasstandingerectinhermagnificentcostume,intheattitudeofaprettywomanbeforehermirror.Ashortershadowbehindher,MadameDobsondoubtless,wasrepairingsomeaccidenttothecostume,retieingtheknotofaribbontiedaboutherneck,itslongendsfloatingdowntotheflouncesofthetrain.Itwasallveryindistinct,butthewoman's

gracefulfigurewasrecognizableinthosefaintlytracedoutlines,andRislertarriedlongadmiringher.

Thecontrastonthefirstfloorwasmoststriking.Therewasnolightvisible,withtheexceptionofalittlelampshiningthroughthelilachangingsofthebedroom.Rislernoticedthatcircumstance,andasthelittlegirlhadbeenailingafewdaysbefore,hefeltanxiousabouther,rememberingMadameGeorges'sstrangeagitationwhenshepassedhimsohurriedlyintheafternoon;andheretracedhisstepsasfarasPereAchille'slodgetoinquire.

Thelodgewasfull.Coachmenwerewarmingthemselvesaroundthestove,chattingandlaughingamidthesmokefromtheirpipes.WhenRisler

appearedtherewasprofoundsilence,acunning,inquisitive,significantsilence.Theyhadevidentlybeenspeakingofhim.

"IstheFromontchildstillsick?"heasked.

"No,notthechild,Monsieur."

"MonsieurGeorgessick?"

"Yes,hewastakenwhenhecamehometo-night.Iwentrightofftogetthedoctor.Hesaidthatitwouldn'tamounttoanything--thatallMonsieurneededwasrest."

AsRislerclosedthedoorPereAchilleadded,underhisbreath,withthehalf-fearful,half-audaciousinsolenceofaninferior,whowouldliketobelistenedtoandyetnotdistinctlyheard:

"Ah!'dame',they'renotmakingsuchashowonthefirstfloorastheyareonthesecond."

Thisiswhathadhappened.

Fromontjeune,onreturninghomeduringtheevening,hadfoundhiswife


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withsuchachanged,heartbrokenface,thatheatoncedivinedacatastrophe.Buthehadbecomesoaccustomedinthepasttwoyearstosinwithimpunitythatitdidnotforonemomentoccurtohimthathiswifecouldhavebeeninformedofhisconduct.Claire,forherpart,toavoidhumiliatinghim,wasgenerousenoughtospeakonlyofSavigny.

"Grandpaparefused,"shesaid.

Themiserablemanturnedfrightfullypale.

"Iamlost--Iamlost!"hemutteredtwoorthreetimesinthewildaccentsoffever;andhissleeplessnights,alastterriblescenewhichhehadhadwithSidonie,tryingtoinducehernottogivethispartyontheeveofhisdownfall,M.Gardinois'refusal,allthesemaddeningthingswhichfollowedsocloselyononeanother'sheelsandhadagitatedhimterribly,culminatedinagenuinenervousattack.Clairetookpityonhim,puthimtobed,andestablishedherselfbyhisside;buthervoicehadlostthataffectionateintonationwhichsoothesandpersuades.Therewasinhergestures,inthewayinwhichshearrangedthepillowunderthepatient'sheadandpreparedaquietingdraught,astrangeindifference,listlessness.

"ButIhaveruinedyou!"Georgessaidfromtimetotime,asiftorouseherfromthatapathywhichmadehimuncomfortable.Sherepliedwitha

proud,disdainfulgesture.Ah!ifhehaddoneonlythattoher!

Atlast,however,hisnervesbecamecalmer,thefeversubsided,andhefellasleep.

Sheremainedtoattendtohiswants.

"Itismyduty,"shesaidtoherself.

Herduty.Shehadreachedthatpointwiththemanwhomshehadadoredsoblindly,withthehopeofalongandhappylifetogether.

AtthatmomenttheballinSidonie'sapartmentsbegantobecomevery

animated.Theceilingtrembledrhythmically,forMadamehadhadallthecarpetsremovedfromhersalonsforthegreatercomfortofthedancers.Sometimes,too,thesoundofvoicesreachedClaire'searsinwaves,andfrequenttumultuousapplause,fromwhichonecoulddivinethegreatnumberoftheguests,thecrowdedconditionoftherooms.

Clairewaslostinthought.Shedidnotwastetimeinregrets,infruitlesslamentations.Sheknewthatlifewasinflexibleandthatalltheargumentsintheworldwillnotarrestthecruellogicofitsinevitableprogress.Shedidnotaskherselfhowthatmanhadsucceededindeceivinghersolong--howhecouldhavesacrificedthehonorandhappinessofhisfamilyforamerecaprice.Thatwasthefact,andallherreflectionscouldnotwipeitout,couldnotrepairtheirreparable.

Thesubjectthatengrossedherthoughtswasthefuture.Anewexistencewasunfoldingbeforehereyes,dark,cruel,fullofprivationandtoil;and,strangelyenough,theprospectofruin,insteadofterrifyingher,restoredallhercourage.Theideaofthechangeofabodemadenecessarybytheeconomytheywouldbeobligedtopractise,ofworkmadecompulsoryforGeorgesandperhapsforherself,infusedanindefinableenergyintothedistressingcalmnessofherdespair.Whataheavyburdenofsoulsshewouldhavewithherthreechildren:hermother,herchild,andherhusband!Thefeelingofresponsibilitypreventedhergivingwaytoomuchtohermisfortune,tothewreckofherlove;andinproportionasshe


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forgotherselfinthethoughtoftheweakcreaturesshehadtoprotectsherealizedmorefullythemeaningoftheword"sacrifice,"sovagueoncarelesslips,soseriouswhenitbecomesaruleoflife.

Suchwerethepoorwoman'sthoughtsduringthatsadvigil,avigilofarmsandtears,whileshewaspreparingherforcesforthegreatbattle.SuchwasthescenelightedbythemodestlittlelampwhichRislerhadseenfrombelow,likeastarfallenfromtheradiantchandeliersoftheballroom.

ReassuredbyPereAchille'sreply,thehonestfellowthoughtofgoinguptohisbedroom,avoidingthefestivitiesandtheguests,forwhomhecaredlittle.

Onsuchoccasionsheusedasmallservants'staircasecommunicatingwiththecounting-room.Sohewalkedthroughthemany-windowedworkshops,whichthemoon,reflectedbythesnow,madeaslightasatnoonday.Hebreathedtheatmosphereofthedayoftoil,ahot,stiflingatmosphere,heavywiththeodorofboiledtalcandvarnish.Thepapersspreadoutonthedryersformedlong,rustlingpaths.Onallsidestoolswerelyingabout,andblouseshanginghereandtherereadyforthemorrow.Rislerneverwalkedthroughtheshopswithoutafeelingofpleasure.

SuddenlyhespiedalightinPlanus'soffice,attheendofthatlong

lineofdesertedrooms.Theoldcashierwasstillatwork,atoneo'clockinthemorning!Thatwasreallymostextraordinary.

Risler'sfirstimpulsewastoretracehissteps.Infact,sincehisunaccountablefalling-outwithSigismond,sincethecashierhadadoptedthatattitudeofcoldsilencetowardhim,hehadavoidedmeetinghim.Hiswoundedfriendshiphadalwaysledhimtoshunanexplanation;hehadasortofprideinnotaskingPlanuswhyheborehimill-will.But,onthatevening,Rislerfeltsostronglytheneedofcordialsympathy,ofpouringouthishearttosomeone,andthenitwassuchanexcellentopportunityforatete-a-tetewithhisformerfriend,thathedidnottrytoavoidhimbutboldlyenteredthecounting-room.

Thecashierwassittingthere,motionless,amongheapsofpapersandgreatbooks,whichhehadbeenturningover,someofwhichhadfallentothefloor.Atthesoundofhisemployer'sfootstepshedidnotevenlifthiseyes.HehadrecognizedRisler'sstep.Thelatter,somewhatabashed,hesitatedamoment;then,impelledbyoneofthosesecretspringswhichwehavewithinusandwhichguideus,despiteourselves,inthepathofourdestiny,hewalkedstraighttothecashier'sgrating.

"Sigismond,"hesaidinagravevoice.

Theoldmanraisedhisheadanddisplayedashrunkenfacedownwhichtwogreattearswererolling,thefirstperhapsthatthatanimatecolumnoffigureshadevershedinhislife.

"Youareweeping,oldman?Whattroublesyou?"

AndhonestRisler,deeplytouched,heldouthishandtohisfriend,whohastilywithdrewhis.Thatmovementofrepulsionwassoinstinctive,sobrutal,thatallRisler'semotionchangedtoindignation.

Hedrewhimselfupwithsterndignity.

"Iofferyoumyhand,SigismondPlanus!"hesaid.


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"AndIrefusetotakeit,"saidPlanus,rising.

Therewasaterriblepause,duringwhichtheyheardthemuffledmusicoftheorchestraupstairsandthenoiseoftheball,thedull,wearingnoiseoffloorsshakenbytherhythmicmovementofthedance.

"Whydoyourefusetotakemyhand?"demandedRislersimply,whilethegratinguponwhichheleanedtrembledwithametallicquiver.

Sigismondwasfacinghim,withbothhandsonhisdesk,asiftoemphasizeanddrivehomewhathewasabouttosayinreply.

"Why?Becauseyouhaveruinedthehouse;becauseinafewhoursamessengerfromtheBankwillcomeandstandwhereyouare,tocollectahundredthousandfrancs;andbecause,thankstoyou,Ihaven'tasouinthecash-box--that'sthereasonwhy!"

Rislerwasstupefied.

"Ihaveruinedthehouse--I?"

"Worsethanthat,Monsieur.Youhaveallowedittoberuinedbyyourwife,andyouhavearrangedwithhertobenefitbyourruinandyour

dishonor.Oh!Icanseeyourgamewellenough.ThemoneyyourwifehaswormedoutofthewretchedFromont,thehouseatAsnieres,thediamondsandalltherestisinvestedinhername,ofcourse,outofreachofdisaster;andofcourseyoucanretirefrombusinessnow."

"Oh--oh!"exclaimedRislerinafaintvoice,arestrainedvoicerather,thatwasinsufficientforthemultitudeofthoughtsitstrovetoexpress;andashestammeredhelplesslyhedrewthegratingtowardhimwithsuchforcethathebrokeoffapieceofit.Thenhestaggered,felltothefloor,andlaytheremotionless,speechless,retainingonly,inwhatlittlelifewasstillleftinhim,thefirmdeterminationnottodieuntilhehadjustifiedhimself.Thatdeterminationmusthavebeenverypowerful;forwhilehistemplesthrobbedmadly,hammeredbytheblood

thatturnedhisfacepurple,whilehisearswereringingandhisglazedeyesseemedalreadyturnedtowardtheterribleunknown,theunhappymanmutteredtohimselfinathickvoice,likethevoiceofashipwreckedmanspeakingwithhismouthfullofwaterinahowlinggale:"Imustlive!Imustlive!"

Whenherecoveredconsciousness,hewassittingonthecushionedbenchonwhichtheworkmensathuddledtogetheronpay-day,hiscloakonthefloor,hiscravatuntied,hisshirtopenattheneck,cutbySigismond'sknife.Luckilyforhim,hehadcuthishandswhenhetorethegratingapart;thebloodhadflowedfreely,andthataccidentwasenoughtoavertanattackofapoplexy.Onopeninghiseyes,hesawoneithersideoldSigismondandMadameGeorges,whomthecashierhadsummonedinhis

distress.AssoonasRislercouldspeak,hesaidtoherinachokingvoice:

"Isthistrue,MadameChorche--isthistruethathejusttoldme?"

Shehadnotthecouragetodeceivehim,sosheturnedhereyesaway.

"So,"continuedthepoorfellow,"sothehouseisruined,andI--"

"No,Risler,myfriend.No,notyou."


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"Mywife,wasitnot?Oh!itishorrible!ThisishowIhavepaidmydebtofgratitudetoyou.Butyou,MadameChorche,youcouldnothavebelievedthatIwasapartytothisinfamy?"

"No,myfriend,no;becalm.Iknowthatyouarethemosthonorablemanonearth."

Helookedatheramoment,withtremblinglipsandclaspedhands,fortherewassomethingchild-likeinallthemanifestationsofthatartlessnature.

"Oh!MadameChorche,MadameChorche,"hemurmured."WhenIthinkthatIamtheonewhohasruinedyou."

Intheterribleblowwhichoverwhelmedhim,andbywhichhisheart,overflowingwithloveforSidonie,wasmostdeeplywounded,herefusedtoseeanythingbutthefinancialdisastertothehouseofFromont,causedbyhisblinddevotiontohiswife.Suddenlyhestooderect.

"Come,"hesaid,"letusnotgivewaytoemotion.Wemustseeaboutsettlingouraccounts."

MadameFromontwasfrightened.

"Risler,Risler--whereareyougoing?"

ShethoughtthathewasgoinguptoGeorges'room.

Rislerunderstoodherandsmiledinsuperbdisdain.

"Neverfear,Madame.MonsieurGeorgescansleepinpeace.Ihavesomethingmoreurgenttodothanavengemyhonorasahusband.Waitformehere.Iwillcomeback."

Hedartedtowardthenarrowstaircase;andClaire,relyinguponhisword,remainedwithPlanusduringoneofthosesuprememomentsofuncertainty

whichseeminterminablebecauseofalltheconjectureswithwhichtheyarethronged.

Afewmomentslaterthesoundofhurriedsteps,therustlingofsilkfilledthedarkandnarrowstaircase.Sidonieappearedfirst,inballcostume,gorgeouslyarrayedandsopalethatthejewelsthatglistenedeverywhereonherdead-whitefleshseemedmorealivethanshe,asiftheywerescatteredoverthecoldmarbleofastatue.Thebreathlessnessduetodancing,thetremblingofintenseexcitementandherrapiddescent,causedhertoshakefromheadtofoot,andherfloatingribbons,herruffles,herflowers,herrichandfashionableattiredroopedtragicallyabouther.Rislerfollowedher,ladenwithjewel-cases,caskets,andpapers.Uponreachinghisapartmentshehadpounceduponhiswife's

desk,seizedeverythingvaluablethatitcontained,jewels,certificates,title-deedsofthehouseatAsnieres;then,standinginthedoorway,hehadshoutedintotheballroom:

"MadameRisler!"

Shehadrunquicklytohim,andthatbriefscenehadinnowisedisturbedtheguests,thenattheheightoftheevening'senjoyment.Whenshesawherhusbandstandinginfrontofthedesk,thedrawersbrokenopenandoverturnedonthecarpetwiththemultitudeoftriflestheycontained,


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sherealizedthatsomethingterriblewastakingplace.

"Comeatonce,"saidRisler;"Iknowall."

Shetriedtoassumeaninnocent,dignifiedattitude;butheseizedherbythearmwithsuchforcethatFrantz'swordscametohermind:"Itwillkillhimperhaps,buthewillkillyoufirst."Asshewasafraidofdeath,sheallowedherselftobeledawaywithoutresistance,andhadnoteventhestrengthtolie.

"Wherearewegoing?"sheasked,inalowvoice.

Rislerdidnotanswer.Shehadonlytimetothrowoverhershoulders,withthecareforherselfthatneverfailedher,alighttulleveil,andhedraggedher,pushedher,rather,downthestairsleadingtothecounting-room,whichhedescendedatthesametime,hisstepscloseuponhers,fearingthathispreywouldescape.

"There!"hesaid,asheenteredtheroom."Wehavestolen,wemakerestitution.Look,Planus,youcanraisemoneywithallthisstuff."Andheplacedonthecashier'sdeskallthefashionableplunderwithwhichhisarmswerefilled--femininetrinkets,trivialaidstocoquetry,stampedpapers.

Thenheturnedtohiswife:

"Takeoffyourjewels!Come,bequick."

Shecompliedslowly,openedreluctantlytheclaspsofbraceletsandbuckles,andaboveallthesuperbfasteningofherdiamondnecklaceonwhichtheinitialofhername-agleamingS-resembledasleepingserpent,imprisonedinacircleofgold.Risler,thinkingthatshewastooslow,ruthlesslybroke,thefragilefastenings.Luxuryshriekedbeneathhisfingers,asifitwerebeingwhipped.

"Nowitismyturn,"hesaid;"Itoomustgiveupeverything.Hereismyportfolio.WhatelsehaveI?WhatelsehaveI?"

Hesearchedhispocketsfeverishly.

"Ah!mywatch.Withthechainitwillbringfour-thousandfrancs.Myrings,mywedding-ring.Everythinggoesintothecash-box,everything.Wehaveahundredthousandfrancstopaythismorning.Assoonasitisdaylightwemustgotowork,selloutandpayourdebts.IknowsomeonewhowantsthehouseatAsnieres.Thatcanbesettledatonce."

Healonespokeandacted.SigismondandMadameGeorgeswatchedhimwithoutspeaking.AsforSidonie,sheseemedunconscious,lifeless.Thecoldairblowingfromthegardenthroughthelittledoor,whichwasopenedatthetimeofRisler'sswoon,madehershiver,andshe

mechanicallydrewthefoldsofherscarfaroundhershoulders,hereyesfixedonvacancy,herthoughtswandering.Didshenotheartheviolinsofherball,whichreachedtheirearsintheintervalsofsilence,likeburstsofsavageirony,withtheheavythudofthedancersshakingthefloors?Anironhand,fallinguponher,arousedherabruptlyfromhertorpor.Rislerhadtakenherbythearm,and,leadingherbeforehispartner'swife,hesaid:

"Downonyourknees!"


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MadameFromontdrewback,remonstrating:

"No,no,Risler,notthat."

"Itmustbe,"saidtheimplacableRisler."Restitution,reparation!Downonyourkneesthen,wretchedwoman!"AndwithirresistibleforcehethrewSidonieatClaire'sfeet;then,stillholdingherarm;

"Youwillrepeatafterme,wordforword,whatIsay:Madame--"

Sidonie,halfdeadwithfear,repeatedfaintly:"Madame--"

"Awholelifetimeofhumilityandsubmission--"

"Awholelifetimeofhumil--No,Icannot!"sheexclaimed,springingtoherfeetwiththeagilityofadeer;and,wrestingherselffromRisler'sgrasp,throughthatopendoorwhichhadtemptedherfromthebeginningofthishorriblescene,luringheroutintothedarknessofthenighttothelibertyobtainablebyflight,sherushedfromthehouse,bravingthefallingsnowandthewindthatstungherbareshoulders.

"Stopher,stopher!--Risler,Planus,Iimploreyou!Inpity'snamedonotlethergointhisway,"criedClaire.

Planussteppedtowardthedoor.

Rislerdetainedhim.

"Iforbidyoutostir!Iaskyourpardon,Madame,butwehavemoreimportantmattersthanthistoconsider.MadameRislerconcernsusnolonger.WehavetosavethehonorofthehouseofFromont,whichaloneisatstake,whichalonefillsmythoughtsatthismoment."

Sigismondputouthishand.

"Youareanobleman,Risler.Forgivemeforhavingsuspectedyou."

Rislerpretendednottohearhim.

"Ahundredthousandfrancstopay,yousay?Howmuchisthereleftinthestrong-box?"

Hesatbravelydownbehindthegratin,lookingoverthebooksofaccount,thecertificatesofstockinthefunds,openingthejewel-cases,estimatingwithPlanus,whosefatherhadbeenajeweller,thevalueofallthosediamonds,whichhehadoncesoadmiredonhiswife,havingnosuspicionoftheirrealvalue.

MeanwhileClaire,tremblingfromheadtofoot,lookedoutthroughthewindowatthelittlegarden,whitewithsnow,whereSidonie'sfootsteps

werealreadyeffacedbythefast-fallingflakes,asiftobearwitnessthatthatprecipitatedeparturewaswithouthopeofreturn.

Up-stairstheywerestilldancing.Themistressofthehousewassupposedtobebusywiththepreparationsforsupper,whileshewasflying,bare-headed,forcingbacksobsandshrieksofrage.

Wherewasshegoing?Shehadstartedofflikeamadwoman,runningacrossthegardenandthecourtyardofthefactory,andunderthedarkarches,wherethecruel,freezingwindblewineddyingcircles.Pere


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Achilledidnotrecognizeher;hehadseensomanyshadowswrappedinwhitepasshislodgethatnight.

Theyoungwoman'sfirstthoughtwastojointhetenorCazaboni,whomatthelastshehadnotdaredtoinvitetoherball;buthelivedatMontmartre,andthatwasveryfarawayforhertogo,inthatgarb;andthen,wouldhebeathome?Herparentswouldtakeherin,doubtless;butshecouldalreadyhearMadameChebe'slamentationsandthelittleman'ssermonunderthreeheads.ThereuponshethoughtofDelobelle,heroldDelobelle.Inthedownfallofallhersplendorssherememberedthemanwhohadfirstinitiatedherintofashionablelife,whohadgivenherlessonsindancinganddeportmentwhenshewasalittlegirl,laughedatherprettyways,andtaughthertolookuponherselfasbeautifulbeforeanyonehadevertoldherthatshewasso.Somethingtoldherthatthatfallenstarwouldtakeherpartagainstallothers.Sheenteredoneofthecarriagesstandingatthegateandorderedthedrivertotakehertotheactor'slodgingsontheBoulevardBeaumarchais.

ForsometimepastMammaDelobellehadbeenmakingstrawhatsforexport-adismaltradeifevertherewasone,whichbroughtinbarelytwofrancsfiftyfortwelvehours'work.

AndDelobellecontinuedtogrowfatinthesamedegreethathis"saintedwife"grewthin.Attheverymomentwhensomeoneknockedhurriedlyat

hisdoorhehadjustdiscoveredafragrantsoup'aufromage',whichhadbeenkepthotintheashesonthehearth.Theactor,whohadbeenwitnessingatBeaumarchaissomedark-browedmelodramadrenchedwithgoreeventotheillustratedheadlinesofitsposter,wasstartledbythatknockatsuchanadvancedhour.

"Whoisthere?"heaskedinsomealarm.

"ItisI,Sidonie.Openthedoorquickly."

Sheenteredtheroom,shiveringallover,and,throwingasideherwrap,wentclosetothestovewherethefirewasalmostextinct.Shebegantotalkatonce,topouroutthewraththathadbeenstiflingherforan

hour,andwhileshewasdescribingthesceneinthefactory,loweringhervoicebecauseofMadameDelobelle,whowasasleepcloseby,themagnificenceofhercostumeinthatpoor,bare,fifthfloor,thedazzlingwhitenessofherdisorderedfineryamidtheheapsofcoarsehatsandthewispsofstrawstrewnabouttheroom,allcombinedtoproducetheeffectofaveritabledrama,ofoneofthoseterribleupheavalsoflifewhenrank,feelings,fortunesaresuddenlyjumbledtogether.

"Oh!Inevershallreturnhome.Itisallover.Free--Iamfree!"

"Butwhocouldhavebetrayedyoutoyourhusband?"askedtheactor.

"ItwasFrantz!IamsureitwasFrantz.Hewouldn'thavebelievedit

fromanybodyelse.OnlylasteveningalettercamefromEgypt.Oh!howhetreatedmebeforethatwoman!Toforcemetokneel!ButI'llberevenged.LuckilyItooksomethingtorevengemyselfwithbeforeIcameaway."

Andthesmileofformerdaysplayedaboutthecornersofherpalelips.

Theoldstrollingplayerlistenedtoitallwithdeepinterest.NotwithstandinghiscompassionforthatpoordevilofaRisler,andforSidonieherself,forthatmatter,whoseemedtohim,intheatrical


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parlance,"abeautifulculprit,"hecouldnothelpviewingtheaffairfromapurelyscenicstandpoint,andfinallycriedout,carriedawaybyhishobby:

"Whatafirst-classsituationforafifthact!"

Shedidnotbearhim.Absorbedbysomeevilthought,whichmadehersmileinanticipation,shestretchedouttothefireherdaintyshoes,saturatedwithsnow,andheropenworkstockings.

"Well,whatdoyouproposetodonow?"Delobelleaskedafterapause.

"Stayheretilldaylightandgetalittlerest.ThenIwillsee."

"Ihavenobedtoofferyou,mypoorgirl.MammaDelobellehasgonetobed."

"Don'tyouworryaboutme,mydearDelobelle.I'llsleepinthatarmchair.Iwon'tbeinyourway,Itellyou!"

Theactorheavedasigh.

"Ah!yes,thatarmchair.ItwasourpoorZizi's.Shesatupmanyanightinit,whenworkwaspressing.Ah,me!thosewholeavethisworld

aremuchthehappiest."

Hehadalwaysathandsuchselfish,comfortingmaxims.Hehadnosoonerutteredthatonethanhediscoveredwithdismaythathissoupwouldsoonbestone-cold.Sidonienoticedhismovement.

"Why,youwerejusteatingyoursupper,weren'tyou?Praygoon."

"'Dame'!yes,whatwouldyouhave?It'spartofthetrade,ofthehardexistencewefellowshave.Foryousee,mygirl,Istandfirm.Ihaven'tgivenup.Ineverwillgiveup."

WhatstillremainedofDesiree'ssoulinthatwretchedhouseholdinwhich

shehadlivedtwentyyearsmusthaveshudderedatthatterribledeclaration.Heneverwouldgiveup!

"Nomatterwhatpeoplemaysay,"continuedDelobelle,"it'sthenoblestprofessionintheworld.Youarefree;youdependuponnobody.Devotedtotheserviceofgloryandthepublic!Ah!IknowwhatIwoulddoinyourplace.Asifyouwereborntolivewithallthosebourgeois--thedevil!Whatyouneedistheartisticlife,thefeverofsuccess,theunexpected,intenseemotion."

Ashespokehetookhisseat,tuckedhisnapkininhisneck,andhelpedhimselftoagreatplatefulofsoup.

"Tosaynothingofthefactthatyourtriumphsasaprettywomanwouldinnowiseinterferewithyourtriumphasanactress.Bytheway,doyouknow,youmusttakeafewlessonsinelocution.Withyourvoice,yourintelligence,yourcharms,youwouldhaveamagnificentprospect."

Thenheaddedabruptly,asiftoinitiateherintothejoysofthedramaticart:

"Butitoccurstomethatperhapsyouhavenotsupped!Excitementmakesonehungry;sitthere,andtakethissoup.Iamsurethatyouhaven't


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eatensoup'aufromage'foralongwhile."

Heturnedtheclosettopsy-turvytofindheraspoonandanapkin;andshetookherseatoppositehim,assistinghimandlaughingalittleatthedifficultiesattendingherentertainment.Shewaslesspalealready,andtherewasaprettysparkleinhereyes,composedofthetearsofamomentbeforeandthepresentgayety.

Thestrollingactress!Allherhappinessinlifewaslostforever:honor,family,wealth.Shewasdrivenfromherhouse,stripped,dishonored.Shehadundergoneallpossiblehumiliationsanddisasters.ThatdidnotpreventhersuppingwithawonderfulappetiteandjoyouslyholdingherownunderDelobelle'sjocoseremarksconcerninghervocationandherfuturetriumphs.Shefeltlight-heartedandhappy,fairlyembarkedforthelandofBohemia,hertruecountry.Whatmorewouldhappentoher?Ofhowmanyupsanddownswashernew,unforeseen,andwhimsicalexistencetoconsist?ShethoughtaboutthatasshefellasleepinDesiree'sgreateasy-chair;butshethoughtofherrevenge,too--hercherishedrevengewhichsheheldinherhand,allreadyforuse,andsounerring,sofierce!

CHAPTERXXII

THENEWEMYLOYEEOFTHEHOUSEOFFROMONT

ItwasbroaddaylightwhenFromontJeuneawoke.Allnightlong,betweenthedramathatwasbeingenactedbelowhimandthefestivityinjoyousprogressabove,hesleptwithclenchedfists,thedeepsleepofcompleteprostrationlikethatofacondemnedmanontheeveofhisexecutionorofadefeatedGeneralonthenightfollowinghisdisaster;asleepfromwhichonewouldwishnevertoawake,andinwhich,intheabsenceofallsensation,onehasaforetasteofdeath.

Thebrightlightstreamingthroughhiscurtains,mademoredazzlingby

thedeepsnowwithwhichthegardenandthesurroundingroofswerecovered,recalledhimtotheconsciousnessofthingsastheywere.Hefeltashockthroughouthiswholebeing,and,evenbeforehismindbegantowork,thatvagueimpressionofmelancholywhichmisfortunes,momentarilyforgotten,leaveintheirplace.Allthefamiliarnoisesofthefactory,thedullthrobbingofthemachinery,wereinfullactivity.Sotheworldstillexisted!andbyslowdegreestheideaofhisownresponsibilityawokeinhim.

"To-dayistheday,"hesaidtohimself,withaninvoluntarymovementtowardthedarksideoftheroom,asifhelongedtoburyhimselfanewinhislongsleep.

Thefactorybellrang,thenotherbellsintheneighborhood,thentheAngelus.

"Noon!Already!HowIhaveslept!"

Hefeltsomelittleremorseandagreatsenseofreliefatthethoughtthatthedramaofsettling-dayhadpassedoffwithouthim.Whathadtheydonedownstairs?Whydidtheynotcallhim?

Herose,drewthecurtainsaside,andsawRislerandSigismondtalking


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togetherinthegarden.Anditwassolongsincetheyhadspokentoeachother!Whatinheaven'snamehadhappened?WhenhewasreadytogodownhefoundClaireatthedoorofhisroom.

"Youmustnotgoout,"shesaid.

"Whynot?"

"Stayhere.Iwillexplainittoyou."

"Butwhat'sthematter?DidanyonecomefromtheBank?"

"Yes,theycame--thenotesarepaid."

"Paid?"

"Rislerobtainedthemoney.HehasbeenrushingaboutwithPlanussinceearlymorning.Itseemsthathiswifehadsuperbjewels.Thediamondnecklacealonebroughttwentythousandfrancs.HehasalsosoldtheirhouseatAsniereswithallitcontained;butastimewasrequiredtorecordthedeed,Planusandhissisteradvancedthemoney."

Sheturnedawayfromhimasshespoke.He,onhisside,hunghisheadtoavoidherglance.

"Rislerisanhonorableman,"shecontinued,"andwhenhelearnedfromwhomhiswifereceivedallhermagnificentthings--"

"What!"exclaimedGeorgesindismay."Heknows?"

"All,"Clairereplied,loweringhervoice.

Thewretchedmanturnedpale,stammeredfeebly:

"Why,then--you?"

"Oh!IknewitallbeforeRisler.Remember,thatwhenIcamehomelast

night,ItoldyouIhadheardverycruelthingsdownatSavigny,andthatIwouldhavegiventenyearsofmylifenottohavetakenthatjourney."

"Claire!"

Movedbyamightyoutburstofaffection,hesteppedtowardhiswife;butherfacewassocold,sosad,soresolute,herdespairwassoplainlywritteninthesternindifferenceofherwholebearing,thathedarednottakeherinhisarmsashelongedtodo,butsimplymurmuredunderhisbreath:

"Forgive!--forgive!"

"Youmustthinkmestrangelycalm,"saidthebravewoman;"butIshedallmytearsyesterday.YoumayhavethoughtthatIwasweepingoverourruin;youweremistaken.Whileoneisyoungandstrongasweare,suchcowardlyconductisnotpermissible.Wearearmedagainstwantandcanfightitfacetoface.No,Iwasweepingforourdepartedhappiness,foryou,forthemadnessthatledyoutothrowawayyouronly,yourtruefriend."

Shewaslovely,lovelierthanSidoniehadeverbeen,asshespokethus,envelopedbyapurelightwhichseemedtofalluponherfromagreat


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height,liketheradianceofafathomless,cloudlesssky;whereastheother'sirregularfeatureshadalwaysseemedtoowetheirbrilliancy,theirsaucy,insolentcharmtothefalseglamourofthefootlightsinsomecheaptheatre.ThetouchofstatuesqueimmobilityformerlynoticeableinClaire'sfacewasvivifiedbyanxiety,bydoubt,byallthetortureofpassion;andlikethosegoldingotswhichhavetheirfullvalueonlywhentheMinthasplaceditsstampuponthem,thosebeautifulfeaturesstampedwiththeeffigyofsorrowhadacquiredsincetheprecedingdayanineffaceableexpressionwhichperfectedtheirbeauty.

Georgesgazedatherinadmiration.Sheseemedtohimmorealive,morewomanly,andworthyofadorationbecauseoftheirseparationandalltheobstaclesthathenowknewtostandbetweenthem.Remorse,despair,shameenteredhisheartsimultaneouslywiththisnewlove,andhewouldhavefallenonhiskneesbeforeher.

"No,no,donotkneel,"saidClaire;"ifyouknewofwhatyouremindme,ifyouknewwhatalyingface,distortedwithhatred,Isawatmyfeetlastnight!"

"Ah!butIamnotlying,"repliedGeorgeswithashudder."Claire,Iimploreyou,inthenameofourchild--"

Atthatmomentsomeoneknockedatthedoor.

"Rise,Ibegofyou!Youseethatlifehasclaimsuponus,"shesaidinalowvoiceandwithabittersmile;thensheaskedwhatwaswanted.

MonsieurRislerhadsentforMonsieurtocomedowntotheoffice.

"Verywell,"shesaid;"saythathewillcome."

Georgesapproachedthedoor,butshestoppedhim.

"No,letmego.Hemustnotseeyouyet."

"But--"

"Iwishyoutostayhere.Youhavenoideaoftheindignationandwrathofthatpoorman,whomyouhavedeceived.Ifyouhadseenhimlastnight,crushinghiswife'swrists!"

Asshesaiditshelookedhiminthefacewithacuriositymostcrueltoherself;butGeorgesdidnotwince,andrepliedsimply:

"Mylifebelongstohim."

"Itbelongstome,too;andIdonotwishyoutogodown.Therehasbeenscandalenoughinmyfather'shouse.Rememberthatthewholefactoryisawareofwhatisgoingon.Everyoneiswatchingus,spyinguponus.

Itrequiredalltheauthorityoftheforementokeepthemenbusyto-day,tocompelthemtokeeptheirinquisitivelooksontheirwork."

"ButIshallseemtobehiding."

"Andsupposeitwereso!Thatisjustlikeaman.Theydonotrecoilfromtheworstcrimes:betrayingawife,betrayingafriend;butthethoughtthattheymaybeaccusedofbeingafraidtouchesthemmorekeenlythananything.Moreover,listentowhatIsay.Sidoniehasgone;shehasgoneforever;andifyouleavethishouseIshallthinkthatyouhave


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gonetojoinher."

"Verywell,Iwillstay,"saidGeorges."Iwilldowhateveryouwish."

ClairedescendedintoPlanus'office.

ToseeRislerstridingtoandfro,withhishandsbehindhisback,ascalmasusual,noonewouldeverhavesuspectedallthathadtakenplaceinhislifesincethenightbefore.AsforSigismond,hewasfairlybeaming,forhesawnothinginitallbeyondthefactthatthenoteshadbeenpaidatmaturityandthatthehonorofthefirmwassafe.

WhenMadameFromontappeared,Rislersmiledsadlyandshookhishead.

"Ithoughtthatyouwouldprefertocomedowninhisplace;butyouarenottheonewithwhomIhavetodeal.ItisabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldseeGeorgesandtalkwithhim.Wehavepaidthenotesthatfellduethismorning;thecrisishaspassed;butwemustcometoanunderstandingaboutmanymatters."

"Risler,myfriend,Ibegyoutowaitalittlelonger."

"Why,MadameChorche,there'snotaminutetolose.Oh!IsuspectthatyoufearImaygivewaytoanoutbreakofanger.Havenofear--lethim

havenofear.YouknowwhatItoldyou,thatthehonorofthehouseofFromontistobeassuredbeforemyown.Ihaveendangereditbymyfault.Firstofall,ImustrepairtheevilIhavedoneorallowedtobedone."

"Yourconducttowardusisworthyofalladmiration,mygoodRisler;Iknowitwell."

"Oh!Madame,ifyoucouldseehim!he'sasaint,"saidpoorSigismond,who,notdaringtospeaktohisfriend,wasdeterminedatalleventstoexpresshisremorse.

"Butaren'tyouafraid?"continuedClaire."Humanendurancehasits

limits.Itmaybethatinpresenceofthemanwhohasinjuredyouso--"

Rislertookherhands,gazedintohereyeswithgraveadmiration,andsaid:

"Youdearcreature,whospeakofnothingbuttheinjurydonetome!DoyounotknowthatIhatehimasbitterlyforhisfalsenesstoyou?Butnothingofthatsorthasanyexistenceformeatthismoment.Youseeinmesimplyabusinessmanwhowishestohaveanunderstandingwithhispartnerforthegoodofthefirm.Solethimcomedownwithouttheslightestfear,andifyoudreadanyoutbreakonmypart,stayherewithus.Ishallneedonlytolookatmyoldmaster'sdaughtertoberemindedofmypromiseandmyduty."

"Itrustyou,myfriend,"saidClaire;andshewentuptobringherhusband.

Thefirstminuteoftheinterviewwasterrible.Georgeswasdeeplymoved,humiliated,paleasdeath.Hewouldhavepreferredahundredtimesovertobelookingintothebarrelofthatman'spistolattwentypaces,awaitinghisfire,insteadofappearingbeforehimasanunpunishedculpritandbeingcompelledtoconfinehisfeelingswithinthecommonplacelimitsofabusinessconversation.


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Rislerpretendednottolookathim,andcontinuedtopacethefloorashetalked:

"Ourhouseispassingthroughaterriblecrisis.Wehaveavertedthedisasterforto-day;butthisisnotthelastofourobligations.Thatcursedinventionhaskeptmymindawayfromthebusinessforalongwhile.Luckily,Iamfreenow,andabletoattendtoit.Butyoumustgiveyourattentiontoitaswell.Theworkmenandclerkshavefollowedtheexampleoftheiremployerstosomeextent.Indeed,theyhavebecomeextremelynegligentandindifferent.Thismorning,forthefirsttimeinayear,theybeganworkatthepropertime.Iexpectthatyouwillmakeityourbusinesstochangeallthat.Asforme,Ishallworkatmydrawingsagain.Ourpatternsareold-fashioned.Wemusthavenewonesforthenewmachines.Ihavegreatconfidenceinourpresses.Theexperimentshavesucceededbeyondmyhopes.Weunquestionablyhaveinthemameansofbuildingupourbusiness.Ididn'ttellyousoonerbecauseIwishedtosurpriseyou;butwehavenomoresurprisesforeachother,havewe,Georges?"

TherewassuchastingingnoteofironyinhisvoicethatClaireshuddered,fearinganoutbreak;buthecontinued,inhisnaturaltone.

"Yes,IthinkIcanpromisethatinsixmonthstheRislerPresswill

begintoshowmagnificentresults.Butthosesixmonthswillbeveryhardtolivethrough.Wemustlimitourselves,cutdownourexpenses,saveineverywaythatwecan.Wehavefivedraughtsmennow;hereafterwewillhavebuttwo.Iwillundertaketomaketheabsenceoftheothersofnoconsequencebyworkingatnightmyself.Furthermore,beginningwiththismonth,Iabandonmyinterestinthefirm.IwilltakemysalaryasforemanasItookitbefore,andnothingmore."

Fromontattemptedtospeak,butagesturefromhiswiferestrainedhim,andRislercontinued:

"Iamnolongeryourpartner,Georges.IamoncemoretheclerkthatInevershouldhaveceasedtobe.Fromthisdayourpartnershiparticles

arecancelled.Iinsistuponit,youunderstand;Iinsistuponit.WewillremaininthatrelationtoeachotheruntilthehouseisoutofdifficultyandIcan--ButwhatIshalldothenconcernsmealone.ThisiswhatIwantedtosaytoyou,Georges.Youmustgiveyourattentiontothefactorydiligently;youmustshowyourself,makeitfeltthatyouaremasternow,andIbelievetherewillturnouttobe,amongallourmisfortunes,somethatcanberetrieved."

Duringthesilencethatfollowed,theyheardthesoundofwheelsinthegarden,andtwogreatfurniturevansstoppedatthedoor.

"Ibegyourpardon,"saidRisler,"butImustleaveyouamoment.Thosearethevansfromthepublicauctionrooms;theyhavecometotakeaway

myfurniturefromupstairs."

"What!youaregoingtosellyourfurnituretoo?"askedMadameFromont.

"Certainly--tothelastpiece.Iamsimplygivingitbacktothefirm.Itbelongstoit."

"Butthatisimpossible,"saidGeorges."Icannotallowthat."

Rislerturneduponhimindignantly.


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"What'sthat?Whatisitthatyoucan'tallow?"

Clairecheckedhimwithanimploringgesture.

"True--true!"hemuttered;andhehurriedfromtheroomtoescapethesuddentemptationtogiveventtoallthatwasinhisheart.

Thesecondfloorwasdeserted.Theservants,whohadbeenpaidanddismissedinthemorning,hadabandonedtheapartmentstothedisorderofthedayfollowingaball;andtheyworetheaspectpeculiartoplaceswhereadramahasbeenenacted,andwhichareleftinsuspense,asitwere,betweentheeventsthathavehappenedandthosethatarestilltohappen.Theopendoors,therugslyinginheapsinthecorners,thesalversladenwithglasses,thepreparationsforthesupper,thetablestillsetanduntouched,thedustfromthedancingonallthefurniture,itsodormingledwiththefumesofpunch,ofwitheredflowers,ofrice-powder--allthesedetailsattractedRisler'snoticeasheentered.

Inthedisorderedsalonthepianowasopen,thebacchanalfrom'OrpheeauxEnfers'onthemusic-shelf,andthegaudyhangingssurroundingthatsceneofdesolation,thechairsoverturned,asifinfear,remindedoneofthesaloonofawreckedpacket-boat,ofoneofthoseghostlynightsofwatchingwhenoneissuddenlyinformed,inthemidstofafeteatsea,

thattheshiphassprungaleak,thatsheistakinginwaterineverypart.

Themenbegantoremovethefurniture.Rislerwatchedthematworkwithanindifferentair,asifhewereinastranger'shouse.Thatmagnificencewhichhadoncemadehimsohappyandproudinspiredinhimnowaninsurmountabledisgust.But,whenheenteredhiswife'sbedroom,hewasconsciousofavagueemotion.

Itwasalargeroom,hungwithbluesatinunderwhitelace.Averitablecocotte'snest.Thereweretornandrumpledtulleruffleslyingabout,bows,andartificialflowers.Thewaxcandlesaroundthemirrorhadburneddowntotheendandcrackedthecandlesticks;andthebed,with

itslaceflouncesandvalances,itsgreatcurtainsraisedanddrawnback,untouchedinthegeneralconfusion,seemedlikethebedofacorpse,astatebedonwhichnoonewouldeversleepagain.

Risler'sfirstfeelinguponenteringtheroomwasoneofmadindignation,alongingtofalluponthethingsbeforehim,totearandrendandshattereverything.Nothing,yousee,resemblesawomansomuchasherbedroom.Evenwhensheisabsent,herimagestillsmilesinthemirrorsthathavereflectedit.Alittlesomethingofher,ofherfavoriteperfume,remainsineverythingshehastouched.Herattitudesarereproducedinthecushionsofhercouch,andonecanfollowhergoingsandcomingsbetweenthemirrorandthetoilettetableinthepatternofthecarpet.Theonethingaboveallothersinthatroomthatrecalled

Sidoniewasan'etagere'coveredwithchildishtoys,petty,trivialknickknacks,microscopicfans,dolls'tea-sets,gildedshoes,littleshepherdsandshepherdessesfacingoneanother,exchangingcold,gleaming,porcelainglances.That'etagere'wasSidonie'sverysoul,andherthoughts,alwayscommonplace,petty,vain,andempty,resembledthosegewgaws.Yes,inverytruth,ifRisler,whileheheldherinhisgrasplastnight,hadinhisfrenzybrokenthatfragilelittlehead,awholeworldof'etagere'ornamentswouldhavecomefromitinplaceofabrain.

Thepoormanwasthinkingsadlyofallthesethingsamidtheringingof


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hammersandtheheavyfootstepsofthefurniture-movers,whenheheardaninterloping,authoritativestepbehindhim,andMonsieurChebeappeared,littleMonsieurChebe,flushedandbreathless,withflamesdartingfromhiseyes.Heassumed,asalways,averyhightonewithhisson-in-law.

"Whatdoesthismean?WhatisthisIhear?Ah!soyou'removing,areyou?"

"Iamnotmoving,MonsieurChebe--Iamsellingout."

Thelittlemangavealeaplikeascaldedfish.

"Youaresellingout?Whatareyouselling,pray?"

"Iamsellingeverything,"saidRislerinahollowvoice,withoutevenlookingathim.

"Come,come,son-in-law,bereasonable.GodknowsIdon'tsaythatSidonie'sconduct--But,formypart,Iknownothingaboutit.Ineverwantedtoknowanything.OnlyImustremindyouofyourdignity.Peoplewashtheirdirtylineninprivate,deucetakeit!Theydon'tmakespectaclesofthemselvesasyou'vebeendoingeversincemorning.Justseeeverybodyattheworkshopwindows;andontheporch,too!Why,you'rethetalkofthequarter,mydearfellow."

"Somuchthebetter.Thedishonorwaspublic,thereparationmustbepublic,too."

Thisapparentcoolness,thisindifferencetoallhisobservations,exasperatedMonsieurChebe.Hesuddenlychangedhistactics,andadopted,inaddressinghisson-in-law,theserious,peremptorytonewhichoneuseswithchildrenorlunatics.

"Well,Isaythatyouhaven'tanyrighttotakeanythingawayfromhere.Iremonstrateformally,withallmystrengthasaman,withallmyauthorityasafather.DoyousupposeIamgoingtoletyoudrivemychildintothestreet.No,indeed!Oh!no,indeed!Enoughofsuch

nonsenseasthat!Nothingmoreshallgooutoftheserooms."

AndMonsieurChebe,havingclosedthedoor,plantedhimselfinfrontofitwithaheroicgesture.Deucetakeit!hisowninterestwasatstakeinthematter.Thefactwasthatwhenhischildwasonceinthegutterherangreatriskofnothavingafeatherbedtosleeponhimself.Hewassuperbinthatattitudeofanindignantfather,buthedidnotkeepitlong.Twohands,twovises,seizedhiswrists,andhefoundhimselfinthemiddleoftheroom,leavingthedoorwayclearfortheworkmen.

"Chebe,myboy,justlisten,"saidRisler,leaningoverhim."Iamattheendofmyforbearance.SincethismorningIhavebeenmakingsuperhumaneffortstorestrainmyself,butitwouldtakeverylittlenow

tomakemyangerburstallbonds,andwoetothemanonwhomitfalls!Iamquitecapableofkillingsomeone.Come!Beoffatonce!--"

Therewassuchanintonationinhisson-in-law'svoice,andthewaythatson-in-lawshookhimashespokewassoeloquent,thatMonsieurChebewasfullyconvinced.Heevenstammeredanapology.CertainlyRislerhadgoodreasonforactingashehad.Allhonorablepeoplewouldbeonhisside.Andhebackedtowardthedoorashespoke.Whenhereachedit,heinquiredtimidlyifMadameChebe'slittleallowancewouldbecontinued.


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"Yes,"wasRisler'sreply,"butnevergobeyondit,formypositionhereisnotwhatitwas.Iamnolongerapartnerinthehouse."

MonsieurChebestaredathiminamazement,andassumedtheidioticexpressionwhichledmanypeopletobelievethattheaccidentthathadhappenedtohim--exactlylikethatoftheDucd'Orleans,youknow--wasnotafableofhisowninvention;buthedarednotmaketheslightestobservation.Surelysomeonehadchangedhisson-in-law.WasthisreallyRisler,thistiger-cat,whobristledupattheslightestwordandtalkedofnothinglessthankillingpeople?

Hetooktohisheels,recoveredhisself-possessionatthefootofthestairs,andwalkedacrossthecourtyardwiththeairofaconqueror.

Whenalltheroomswereclearedandempty,Rislerwalkedthroughthemforthelasttime,thentookthekeyandwentdowntoPlanus'sofficetohandittoMadameGeorges.

"Youcanlettheapartment,"hesaid,"itwillbesomuchaddedtotheincomeofthefactory."

"Butyou,myfriend?"

"Oh!Idon'tneedmuch.Anironbedupundertheeaves.That'sallaclerkneeds.For,Irepeat,Iamnothingbutaclerkfromthistimeon.Ausefulclerk,bytheway,faithfulandcourageous,ofwhomyouwillhavenooccasiontocomplain,Ipromiseyou."

Georges,whowasgoingoverthebookswithPlanus,wassoaffectedathearingthepoorfellowtalkinthatstrainthathelefthisseatprecipitately.Hewassuffocatedbyhissobs.Claire,too,wasdeeplymoved;shewenttothenewclerkofthehouseofFromontandsaidtohim:

"Risler,Ithankyouinmyfather'sname."

AtthatmomentPereAchilleappearedwiththemail.

Rislertookthepileofletters,openedthemtranquillyonebyone,andpassedthemovertoSigismond.

"Here'sanorderforLyon.Whywasn'titansweredatSaint-Etienne?"

Heplungedwithallhisenergyintothesedetails,andhebroughttothemakeenintelligence,duetotheconstantstrainingofthemindtowardpeaceandforgetfulness.

Suddenly,amongthosehugeenvelopes,stampedwiththenamesofbusinesshouses,thepaperofwhichandthemanneroffoldingsuggestedtheofficeandhastydespatch,hediscoveredonesmallerone,carefullysealed,and

hiddensocunninglybetweentheothersthatatfirsthedidnotnoticeit.Herecognizedinstantlythatlong,fine,firmwriting,--ToMonsieurRisler--Personal.ItwasSidonie'swriting!Whenhesawithefeltthesamesensationhehadfeltinthebedroomupstairs.

Allhislove,allthehotwrathofthebetrayedhusbandpouredbackintohisheartwiththefranticforcethatmakesassassins.Whatwasshewritingtohim?Whatliehadsheinventednow?Hewasabouttoopentheletter;thenhepaused.Herealizedthat,ifheshouldreadthat,itwouldbealloverwithhiscourage;soheleanedovertotheoldcashier,


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andsaidinanundertone:

"Sigismond,oldfriend,willyoudomeafavor?"

"Ishouldthinkso!"saidtheworthymanenthusiastically.Hewassodelightedtohearhisfriendspeaktohiminthekindlyvoiceoftheolddays.

"Here'salettersomeonehaswrittenmewhichIdon'twishtoreadnow.Iamsureitwouldinterferewithmythinkingandliving.Youmustkeepitforme,andthiswithit."

Hetookfromhispocketalittlepackagecarefullytied,andhandedittohimthroughthegrating.

"ThatisallIhaveleftofthepast,allIhaveleftofthatwoman.Ihavedeterminednottoseeher,noranythingthatremindsmeofher,untilmytaskhereisconcluded,andconcludedsatisfactorily,--Ineedallmyintelligence,youunderstand.YouwillpaytheChebes'allowance.Ifsheherselfshouldaskforanything,youwillgiveherwhatsheneeds.Butyouwillnevermentionmyname.AndyouwillkeepthispackagesafeformeuntilIaskyouforit."

Sigismondlockedtheletterandthepackageinasecretdrawerofhis

deskwithothervaluablepapers.Rislerreturnedatoncetohiscorrespondence;butallthetimehehadbeforehiseyestheslenderEnglishletterstracedbyalittlehandwhichhehadsooftenandsoardentlypressedtohisheart.

CHAPTERXXIII

CAFECHANTANT

Whatarare,whataconscientiousclerkdidthatnewemployeofthehouse

ofFromontprovehimself!

Everydayhislampwasthefirsttoappearat,andthelasttodisappearfrom,thewindowsofthefactory.Alittleroomhadbeenarrangedforhimundertheeaves,exactlyliketheonehehadformerlyoccupiedwithFrantz,averitableTrappist'scell,furnishedwithanironcotandawhitewoodentable,thatstoodunderhisbrother'sportrait.Heledthesamebusy,regular,quietlifeasinthoseolddays.

Heworkedconstantly,andhadhismealsbroughtfromthesamelittlecreamery.But,alas!thedisappearanceforeverofyouthandhopedeprivedthosememoriesofalltheircharm.LuckilyhestillhadFrantzandMadame"Chorche,"theonlytwohumanbeingsofwhomhecouldthink

withoutafeelingofsadness.Madame"Chorche"wasalwaysathand,alwaystryingtoministertohiscomfort,toconsolehim;andFrantzwrotetohimoften,withoutmentioningSidonie,bytheway.RislersupposedthatsomeonehadtoldFrantzofthedisasterthathadbefallenhim,andhetooavoidedallallusiontothesubjectinhisletters."Oh!whenIcansendforhimtocomehome!"Thatwashisdream,hissoleambition:torestorethefactoryandrecallhisbrother.

Meanwhilethedayssucceededoneanother,alwaysthesametohimintherestlessactivityofbusinessandtheheartrendinglonelinessofhis


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grief.Everymorninghewalkedthroughtheworkshops,wheretheprofoundrespectheinspiredandhisstern,silentcountenancehadreestablishedtheorderlyconditionsthathadbeentemporarilydisturbed.Inthebeginningtherehadbeenmuchgossip,andvariousexplanationsofSidonie'sdeparturehadbeenmade.Somesaidthatshehadelopedwithalover,othersthatRislerhadturnedherout.Theonefactthatupsetallconjectureswastheattitudeofthetwopartnerstowardeachother,apparentlyasunconstrainedasbefore.Sometimes,however,whentheyweretalkingtogetherintheoffice,withnooneby,Rislerwouldsuddenlystartconvulsively,asavisionofthecrimepassedbeforehiseyes.

Thenhewouldfeelamadlongingtospringuponthevillain,seizehimbythethroat,stranglehimwithoutmercy;butthethoughtofMadame"Chorche"wasalwaystheretorestrainhim.Shouldhebelesscourageous,lessmasterofhimselfthanthatyoungwife?NeitherClaire,norFromont,noranybodyelsesuspectedwhatwasinhismind.Theycouldbarelydetectaseverity,aninflexibilityinhisconduct,whichwerenothabitualwithhim.Rislerawedtheworkmennow;andthoseofthemuponwhomhiswhitehair,blanchedinonenight,hisdrawn,prematurelyoldfeaturesdidnotimposerespect,quailedbeforehisstrangeglance-aglancefromeyesofabluish-blacklikethecolorofagun-barrel.Whereashehadalwaysbeenverykindandaffablewiththeworkmen,hehadbecomepitilesslysevereinregardtotheslightestinfractionofthe

rules.Itseemedasifheweretakingvengeanceuponhimselfforsomeindulgenceinthepast,blind,culpableindulgence,forwhichheblamedhimself.

Surelyhewasamarvellousemploye,wasthisnewofficerinthehouseofFromont.

Thankstohim,thefactorybell,notwithstandingthequaveringofitsold,crackedvoice,hadverysoonresumeditsauthority;andthemanwhoguidedthewholeestablishmentdeniedhimselftheslightestrecreation.Soberasanapprentice,heleftthree-fourthsofhissalarywithPlanusfortheChebes'allowance,butheneveraskedanyquestionsaboutthem.Punctuallyonthelastdayofthemonththelittlemanappearedto

collecthislittleincome,stiffandformalinhisdealingswithSigismond,asbecameanannuitantonduty.MadameChebehadtriedtoobtainaninterviewwithherson-in-law,whomshepitiedandloved;butthemereappearanceofherpalm-leafshawlonthestepsputSidonie'shusbandtoflight.

Intruth,thecouragewithwhichhearmedhimselfwasmoreapparentthanreal.Thememoryofhiswifeneverlefthim.Whathadbecomeofher?Whatwasshedoing?HewasalmostangrywithPlanusfornevermentioningher.Thatletter,aboveallthings,thatletterwhichhehadhadthecouragenottoopen,disturbedhim.Hethoughtofitcontinually.Ah!hadhedared,howhewouldhavelikedtoaskSigismondforit!

Onedaythetemptationwastoostrong.Hewasaloneintheoffice.Theoldcashierhadgoneouttoluncheon,leavingthekeyinhisdrawer,amostextraordinarything.Rislercouldnotresist.Heopenedthedrawer,movedthepapers,andsearchedforhisletter.Itwasnotthere.Sigismondmusthaveputitawayevenmorecarefully,perhapswithaforebodingofwhatactuallyhappened.InhisheartRislerwasnotsorryforhisdisappointment;forhewellknewthat,hadhefoundtheletter,itwouldhavebeentheendoftheresignedandbusylifewhichheimposeduponhimselfwithsomuchdifficulty.


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Throughtheweekitwasallverywell.Lifewasendurable,absorbedbytheinnumerabledutiesofthefactory,andsofatiguingthat,whennightcame,Rislerfellonhisbedlikealifelessmass.ButSundaywaslongandsad.Thesilenceofthedesertedyardsandworkshopsopenedafarwiderfieldtohisthoughts.Hetriedtobusyhimself,buthemissedtheencouragementoftheothers'work.Healonewasbusyinthatgreat,emptyfactorywhoseverybreathwasarrested.Thelockeddoors,theclosedblinds,thehoarsevoiceofPereAchilleplayingwithhisdoginthedesertedcourtyard,allspokeofsolitude.Andthewholeneighborhoodalsoproducedthesameeffect.Inthestreets,whichseemedwiderbecauseoftheiremptiness,andwherethepassers-bywerefewandsilent,thebellsringingforvespershadamelancholysound,andsometimesanechoofthedinofParis,rumblingwheels,abelatedhand-organ,theclickofatoy-peddler'sclappers,brokethesilence,asiftomakeitevenmorenoticeable.

Rislerwouldtrytoinventnewcombinationsofflowersandleaves,and,whilehehandledhispencil,histhoughts,notfindingsufficientfoodthere,wouldescapehim,wouldflybacktohispasthappiness,tohishopelessmisfortunes,wouldsuffermartyrdom,andthen,onreturning,wouldaskthepoorsomnambulist,stillseatedathistable:"Whathaveyoudoneinmyabsence?"Alas!hehaddonenothing.

Oh!thelong,heartbreaking,cruelSundays!Considerthat,mingledwith

alltheseperplexitiesinhismind,wasthesuperstitiousreverenceofthecommonpeopleforholydays,forthetwenty-fourhoursofrest,whereinonerecoversstrengthandcourage.Ifhehadgoneout,thesightofaworkingmanwithhiswifeandchildwouldhavemadehimweep,buthismonasticseclusiongavehimotherformsofsuffering,thedespairofrecluses,theirterribleoutbreaksofrebellionwhenthegodtowhomtheyhaveconsecratedthemselvesdoesnotrespondtotheirsacrifices.Now,Risler'sgodwaswork,andashenolongerfoundcomfortorserenitytherein,henolongerbelievedinit,butcursedit.

Ofteninthosehoursofmentalstrugglethedoorofthedraughting-roomwouldopengentlyandClaireFromontwouldappear.Thepoorman'slonelinessthroughoutthoselongSundayafternoonsfilledherwith

compassion,andshewouldcomewithherlittlegirltokeephimcompany,knowingbyexperiencehowcontagiousisthesweetjoyousnessofchildren.Thelittleone,whocouldnowwalkalone,wouldslipfromhermother'sarmstoruntoherfriend.Rislerwouldhearthelittle,hurryingsteps.Hewouldfeelthelightbreathbehindhim,andinstantlyhewouldbeconsciousofasoothing,rejuvenatinginfluence.Shewouldthrowherplumplittlearmsaroundhisneckwithaffectionatewarmth,withherartless,causelesslaugh,andakissfromthatlittlemouthwhichneverhadlied.ClaireFromont,standinginthedoorway,wouldsmileasshelookedatthem.

"Risler,myfriend,"shewouldsay,"youmustcomedownintothegardenawhile,--youworktoohard.Youwillbeill."

"No,no,Madame,--onthecontrary,workiswhatsavesme.Itkeepsmefromthinking."

Then,afteralongpause,shewouldcontinue:

"Come,mydearRisler,youmusttrytoforget."

Rislerwouldshakehishead.


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"Forget?Isthatpossible?Therearesomethingsbeyondone'sstrength.Amanmayforgive,butheneverforgets."

Thechildalmostalwayssucceededindragginghimdowntothegarden.Hemustplayball,orinthesand,withher;butherplayfellow'sawkwardnessandlackofenthusiasmsoonimpressedthelittlegirl.Thenshewouldbecomeverysedate,contentingherselfwithwalkinggravelybetweenthehedgesofbox,withherhandinherfriend's.AfteramomentRislerwouldentirelyforgetthatshewasthere;but,althoughhedidnotrealizeit,thewarmthofthatlittlehandinhishadamagnetic,softeningeffectuponhisdiseasedmind.

Amanmayforgive,butheneverforgets!

PoorClaireherselfknewsomethingaboutit;forshehadneverforgotten,notwithstandinghergreatcourageandtheconceptionshehadformedofherduty.Toher,astoRisler;hersurroundingswereaconstantreminderofhersufferings.Theobjectsamidwhichshelivedpitilesslyreopenedthewoundthatwasreadytoclose.Thestaircase,thegarden,thecourtyard,allthosedumbwitnessesofherhusband'ssin,assumedoncertaindaysanimplacableexpression.Eventhecarefulprecautionherhusbandtooktospareherpainfulreminders,thewayinwhichhecalledattentiontothefactthathenolongerwentoutintheevening,andtookpainstotellherwherehehadbeenduringtheday,servedonlytoremind

herthemoreforciblyofhiswrong-doing.Sometimesshelongedtoaskhimtoforbear,--tosaytohim:"Donotprotesttoomuch."Faithwasshatteredwithinher,andthehorribleagonyofthepriestwhodoubts,andseeksatthesametimetoremainfaithfultohisvows,betrayeditselfinherbittersmile,hercold,uncomplaininggentleness.

Georgeswaswofullyunhappy.Helovedhiswifenow.Thenobilityofhercharacterhadconqueredhim.Therewasadmirationinhislove,and--whynotsayit?--Claire'ssorrowfilledtheplaceofthecoquetrywhichwascontrarytohernature,thelackofwhichhadalwaysbeenadefectinherhusband'seyes.Hewasoneofthatstrangetypeofmenwholovetomakeconquests.Sidonie,capriciousandcoldasshewas,respondedtothatwhimofhisheart.Afterpartingfromherwithatenderfarewell,he

foundherindifferentandforgetfulthenextday,andthatcontinualneedofwooingherbacktohimtooktheplaceofgenuinepassion.Serenityinloveboredhimasavoyagewithoutstormsweariesasailor.Onthisoccasionhehadbeenverynearshipwreckwithhiswife,andthedangerhadnotpassedevenyet.HeknewthatClairewasalienatedfromhimanddevotedentirelytothechild,theonlylinkbetweenthemthenceforth.Theirseparationmadeherseemlovelier,moredesirable,andheexercisedallhispowersoffascinationtorecaptureher.Heknewhowhardataskitwouldbe,andthathehadnoordinary,frivolousnaturetodealwith.Buthedidnotdespair.Sometimesavaguegleaminthedepthsofthemildandapparentlyimpassiveglancewithwhichshewatchedhisefforts,badehimhope.

AsforSidonie,henolongerthoughtofher.Letnoonebeastonishedatthatabruptmentalrupture.Thosetwosuperficialbeingshadnothingtoattachthemsecurelytoeachother.Georgeswasincapableofreceivinglastingimpressionsunlesstheywerecontinuallyrenewed;Sidonie,forherpart,hadnopowertoinspireanynobleordurablesentiment.Itwasoneofthoseintriguesbetweenacocotteandacoxcomb,compoundedofvanityandofwoundedself-love,whichinspireneitherdevotionnorconstancy,buttragicadventures,duels,suicideswhicharerarelyfatal,andwhichendinaradicalcure.Perhaps,hadheseenheragain,hemighthavehadarelapseofhisdisease;buttheimpetusofflighthad


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carriedSidonieawaysoswiftlyandsofarthatherreturnwasimpossible.Atallevents,itwasareliefforhimtobeabletolivewithoutlying;andthenewlifehewasleading,alifeofhardworkandself-denial,withthegoalofsuccessinthedistance,wasnotdistastefultohim.Luckily;forthecourageanddeterminationofbothpartnerswerenonetoomuchtoputthehouseonitsfeetoncemore.

ThepoorhouseofFromonthadsprungleaksonallsides.SoPerePlanusstillhadwretchednights,hauntedbythenightmareofnotesmaturingandtheominousvisionofthelittleblueman.But,bystricteconomy,theyalwayssucceededinpaying.

SoonfourRislerPressesweredefinitivelysetupandusedintheworkofthefactory.Peoplebegantotakeadeepinterestinthemandinthewall-papertrade.Lyons,Caen,Rixbeim,thegreatcentresoftheindustry,weremuchdisturbedconcerningthatmarvellous"rotaryanddodecagonal"machine.OnefinedaytheProchassonsappeared,andofferedthreehundredthousandfrancssimplyforaninterestinthepatentrights.

"Whatshallwedo?"FromontJeuneaskedRislerAine.

Thelattershruggedhisshouldersindifferently.

"Decideforyourself.Itdoesn'tconcernme.Iamonlyanemploye."

Thewords,spokencoldly,withoutanger,fellheavilyuponFromont'sbewilderedjoy,andremindedhimofthegravityofasituationwhichhewasalwaysonthepointofforgetting.

ButwhenhewasalonewithhisdearMadame"Chorche,"RisleradvisedhernottoaccepttheProchassons'offer.

"Wait,--don'tbeinahurry.Lateryouwillhaveabetteroffer."

Hespokeonlyoftheminthataffairinwhichhisownsharewassoglorious.Shefeltthathewaspreparingtocuthimselfadriftfrom

theirfuture.

Meanwhileorderscamepouringinandaccumulatedontheirhands.Thequalityofthepaper,thereducedpricebecauseoftheimprovedmethodsofmanufacture,madecompetitionimpossible.TherewasnodoubtthatacolossalfortunewasinstoreforthehouseofFromont.Thefactoryhadresumeditsformerflourishingaspectanditsloud,business-likehum.Intenselyalivewereallthegreatbuildingsandthehundredsofworkmenwhofilledthem.PerePlanusneverraisedhisnosefromhisdesk;onecouldseehimfromthelittlegarden,leaningoverhisgreatledgers,jottingdowninmagnificentlymoldedfigurestheprofitsoftheRislerpress.

Rislerstillworkedasbefore,withoutchangeorrest.Thereturnofprosperitybroughtnoalterationinhissecludedhabits,andfromthehighestwindowonthetopmostfloorofthehousehelistenedtotheceaselessroarofhismachines.Hewasnolessgloomy,nolesssilent.Oneday,however,itbecameknownatthefactorythatthepress,aspecimenofwhichhadbeensenttothegreatExpositionatManchester,hadreceivedthegoldmedal,wherebyitssuccesswasdefinitelyestablished.MadameGeorgescalledRislerintothegardenattheluncheonhour,wishingtobethefirsttotellhimthegoodnews.


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Forthemomentaproudsmilerelaxedhisprematurelyold,gloomyfeatures.Hisinventor'svanity,hisprideinhisrenown,aboveall,theideaofrepairingthusmagnificentlythewrongdonetothefamilybyhiswife,gavehimamomentoftruehappiness.HepressedClaire'shandsandmurmured,asintheolddays:

"Iamveryhappy!Iamveryhappy!"

Butwhatadifferenceintone!Hesaiditwithoutenthusiasm,hopelessly,withthesatisfactionofataskaccomplished,andnothingmore.

Thebellrangfortheworkmentoreturn,andRislerwentcalmlyupstairstoresumehisworkasonotherdays.

Inamomenthecamedownagain.Inspiteofall,thatnewshadexcitedhimmorethanhecaredtoshow.Hewanderedaboutthegarden,prowledaroundthecounting-room,smilingsadlyatPerePlanusthroughthewindow.

"Whatailshim?"theoldcashierwondered."Whatdoeshewantofme?"

Atlast,whennightcameanditwastimetoclosetheoffice,Rislersummonedcouragetogoandspeaktohim.

"Planus,myoldfriend,Ishouldlike--"

Hehesitatedamoment.

"Ishouldlikeyoutogivemethe--letter,youknow,thelittleletterandthepackage."

Sigismondstaredathiminamazement.Inhisinnocence,hehadimaginedthatRislerneverthoughtofSidonie,thathehadentirelyforgottenher.

"What--youwant--?"

"Ah!Ihavewellearnedit;Icanthinkofmyselfalittlenow.Ihavethoughtenoughofothers."

"Youareright,"saidPlanus."Well,thisiswhatwe'lldo.TheletterandpackageareatmyhouseatMontrouge.Ifyouchoose,wewillgoanddinetogetheratthePalais-Royal,asinthegoodoldtimes.Iwillstandtreat.We'llwateryourmedalwithabottleofwine;somethingchoice!Thenwe'llgotothehousetogether.Youcangetyourtrinkets,andifit'stoolateforyoutogohome,MademoisellePlanus,mysister,shallmakeupabedforyou,andyoushallpassthenightwithus.Weareverycomfortablethere--it'sinthecountry.To-morrowmorningatseveno'clockwe'llcomebacktothefactorybythefirstomnibus.Come,oldfellow,givemethispleasure.Ifyoudon't,Ishallthinkyoustill

bearyouroldSigismondagrudge."

Risleraccepted.Hecaredlittleaboutcelebratingtheawardofhismedal,buthedesiredtogainafewhoursbeforeopeningthelittleletterhehadatlastearnedtherighttoread.

Hemustdress.Thatwasquiteaseriousmatter,forhehadlivedinaworkman'sjacketduringthepastsixmonths.Andwhataneventinthefactory!MadameFromontwasinformedatonce.


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"Madame,Madame!MonsieurRislerisgoingout!"

Clairelookedathimfromherwindow,andthattallform,bowedbysorrow,leaningonSigismond'sarm,arousedinheraprofound,unusualemotionwhichsherememberedeverafter.

InthestreetpeoplebowedtoRislerwithgreatinterest.Eventheirgreetingswarmedhisheart.Hewassomuchinneedofkindness!Butthenoiseofvehiclesmadehimalittledizzy.

"Myheadisspinning,"hesaidtoPlanus:

"Leanhardonme,oldfellow-don'tbeafraid."

AndhonestPlanusdrewhimselfup,escortinghisfriendwiththeartless,unconventionalprideofapeasantoftheSouthbearingalofthisvillagesaint.

AtlasttheyarrivedatthePalais-Royal.

Thegardenwasfullofpeople.Theyhadcometohearthemusic,andweretryingtofindseatsamidcloudsofdustandthescrapingofchairs.Thetwofriendshurriedintotherestauranttoavoidallthatturmoil.Theyestablishedthemselvesinoneofthelargesalonsonthe

firstfloor,whencetheycouldseethegreentrees,thepromenaders,andthewaterspurtingfromthefountainbetweenthetwomelancholyflower-gardens.ToSigismonditwastheidealofluxury,thatrestaurant,withgildingeverywhere,aroundthemirrors,inthechandelierandevenonthefiguredwallpaper.Thewhitenapkin,theroll,themenuofatabled'hotedinnerfilledhissoulwithjoy."Wearecomfortablehere,aren'twe?"hesaidtoRisler.

Andheexclaimedateachofthecoursesofthatbanquetattwofrancsfifty,andinsistedonfillinghisfriend'splate.

"Eatthat--it'sgood."

Theother,notwithstandinghisdesiretodohonortothefete,seemedpreoccupiedandgazedout-of-doors.

"Doyouremember,Sigismond?"hesaid,afterapause.

Theoldcashier,engrossedinhismemoriesoflongago,ofRisler'sfirstemploymentatthefactory,replied:

"IshouldthinkIdoremember--listen!ThefirsttimewedinedtogetheratthePalais-RoyalwasinFebruary,'forty-six,theyearweputintheplanches-platesatthefactory."

Rislershookhishead.

"Oh!no--Imeanthreeyearsago.Itwasinthatroomjustoppositethatwedinedonthatmemorableevening."

AndhepointedtothegreatwindowsofthesalonofCafeVefour,gleamingintheraysofthesettingsunlikethechandeliersataweddingfeast.

"Ah!yes,true,"murmuredSigismond,abashed.Whatanunluckyideaofhistobringhisfriendtoaplacethatrecalledsuchpainfulthings!


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Risler,notwishingtocastagloomupontheirbanquet,abruptlyraisedhisglass.

"Come!here'syourhealth,myoldcomrade."

Hetriedtochangethesubject.Butamomentlaterhehimselfledtheconversationbacktoitagain,andaskedSigismond,inanundertone,asifhewereashamed:

"Haveyouseenher?"

"Yourwife?No,never."

"Shehasn'twrittenagain?"

"No--neveragain."

"Butyoumusthaveheardofher.Whathasshebeendoingthesesixmonths?Doesshelivewithherparents?"

"No."

Rislerturnedpale.

HehopedthatSidoniewouldhavereturnedtohermother,thatshewouldhaveworked,ashehadworked,toforgetandatone.Hehadoftenthoughtthathewouldarrangehislifeaccordingtowhatheshouldlearnofherwhenheshouldhavetherighttospeakofher;andinoneofthosefar-offvisionsofthefuture,whichhavethevaguenessofadream,hesometimesfanciedhimselflivinginexilewiththeChebesinanunknownland,wherenothingwouldremindhimofhispastshame.Itwasnotadefiniteplan,tobesure;butthethoughtlivedinthedepthsofhismindlikeahope,causedbytheneedthatallhumancreaturesfeeloffindingtheirlosthappiness.

"IssheinParis?"heasked,afterafewmoments'reflection.

"No.Shewentawaythreemonthsago.Nooneknowswhereshehasgone."

SigismonddidnotaddthatshehadgonewithherCazaboni,whosenameshenowbore,thattheyweremakingthecircuitoftheprovincialcitiestogether,thathermotherwasindespair,neversawher,andheardofheronlythroughDelobelle.Sigismonddidnotdeemithisdutytomentionallthat,andafterhislastwordsheheldhispeace.

Risler,forhispart,daredasknofurtherquestions.

Whiletheysatthere,facingeachother,bothembarrassedbythelongsilence,themilitarybandbegantoplayunderthetreesinthegarden.TheyplayedoneofthoseItalianoperaticovertureswhichseemtohave

beenwrittenexpresslyforpublicopen-airresorts;theswiftly-flowingnotes,astheyriseintotheair,blendwiththecalloftheswallowsandthesilveryplashofthefountain.Theblaringbrassbringsoutinboldreliefthemildwarmthoftheclosinghoursofthosesummerdays,solongandenervatinginParis;itseemsasifonecouldhearnothingelse.Thedistantrumblingofwheels,thecriesofchildrenplaying,thefootstepsofthepromenadersarewaftedawayinthoseresonant,gushing,refreshingwavesofmelody,asusefultothepeopleofParisasthedailywateringoftheirstreets.Onallsidesthefadedflowers,thetreeswhitewithdust,thefacesmadepaleandwanbytheheat,allthesorrows,allthe


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miseriesofagreatcity,sittingdreamily,withbowedhead,onthebenchesinthegarden,feelitscomforting,refreshinginfluence.Theairisstirred,renewedbythosestrainsthattraverseit,fillingitwithharmony.

PoorRislerfeltasifthetensionuponallhisnerveswererelaxed.

"Alittlemusicdoesonegood,"hesaid,withglisteningeyes."Myheartisheavy,oldfellow,"headded,inalowertone;"ifyouknew--"

Theysatwithoutspeaking,theirelbowsrestingonthewindow-sill,whiletheircoffeewasserved.

Thenthemusicceased,thegardenbecamedeserted.Thelightthathadloiteredinthecornerscreptupwardtotheroofs,castitslastraysuponthehighestwindowpanes,followedbythebirds,theswallows,whichsalutedthecloseofdaywithafarewellchirpfromthegutterwheretheywerehuddledtogether.

"Now,whereshallwego?"saidPlanus,astheylefttherestaurant.

"Whereveryouwish."

OnthefirstfloorofabuildingontheRueMontpensier,closeathand,

wasacafechantant,wheremanypeopleentered.

"Supposewegoin,"saidPlanus,desirousofbanishinghisfriend'smelancholyatanycost,"thebeerisexcellent."

Rislerassentedtothesuggestion;hehadnottastedbeerforsixmonths.

Itwasaformerrestauranttransformedintoaconcert-hall.Therewerethreelargerooms,separatedbygildedpillars,thepartitionshavingbeenremoved;thedecorationwasintheMoorishstyle,brightred,paleblue,withlittlecrescentsandturbansforornament.

Althoughitwasstillearly,theplacewasfull;andevenbeforeentering

onehadafeelingofsuffocation,simplyfromseeingthecrowdsofpeoplesittingaroundthetables,andatthefartherend,half-hiddenbytherowsofpillars,agroupofwhite-robedwomenonaraisedplatform,intheheatandglareofthegas.

Ourtwofriendshadmuchdifficultyinfindingseats,andhadtobecontentwithaplacebehindapillarwhencetheycouldseeonlyhalfoftheplatform,thenoccupiedbyasuperbpersoninblackcoatandyellowgloves,curledandwaxedandoiled,whowassinginginavibratingvoice

Mesbeauxlionsauxcrinsdores,Dusangdestroupeauxalteres,Haltela!--Jefaissentinello!

[MyproudlionswithgoldenmanesWhothirstforthebloodofmyflocks,Standback!--Iamonguard!]

Theaudience--smalltradesmenofthequarterwiththeirwivesanddaughters-seemedhighlyenthusiastic:especiallythewomen.Herepresentedsoperfectlytheidealoftheshopkeeperimagination,thatmagnificentshepherdofthedesert,whoaddressedlionswithsuchanairofauthorityandtendedhisflocksinfulleveningdress.Andso,


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despitetheirbourgeoisbearing,theirmodestcostumesandtheirexpressionlessshop-girlsmiles,allthosewomen,madeuptheirlittlemouthstobecaughtbythehookofsentiment,andcastlanguishingglancesuponthesinger.Itwastrulycomicaltoseethatglanceattheplatformsuddenlychangeandbecomecontemptuousandfierceasitfelluponthehusband,thepoorhusbandtranquillydrinkingaglassofbeeroppositehiswife:"Youwouldneverbecapableofdoingsentrydutyintheveryteethoflions,andinablackcoattoo,andwithyellowgloves!"

Andthehusband'seyeseemedtoreply:

"Ah!'dame',yes,he'squiteadashingbuck,thatfellow."

Beingdecidedlyindifferenttoheroismofthatstamp,RislerandSigismondweredrinkingtheirbeerwithoutpayingmuchattentiontothemusic,when,attheendofthesong,amidtheapplauseandcriesanduproarthatfollowedit,PerePlanusutteredanexclamation:

"Why,thatisodd;onewouldsay--butno,I'mnotmistaken.Itishe,it'sDelobelle!"

Itwas,infact,theillustriousactor,whomhehaddiscoveredinthefrontrowneartheplatform.Hisgrayheadwasturnedpartlyawayfrom

them.Hewasleaningcarelesslyagainstapillar,hatinhand,inhisgrandmake-upasleadingman:dazzlinglywhitelinen,haircurledwiththetongs,blackcoatwithacamelliainthebuttonhole,liketheribbonofanorder.Heglancedatthecrowdfromtimetotimewithapatronizingair:buthiseyesweremostfrequentlyturnedtowardtheplatform,withencouraginglittlegesturesandsmilesandpretendedapplause,addressedtosomeonewhomPerePlanuscouldnotseefromhisseat.

TherewasnothingveryextraordinaryinthepresenceoftheillustriousDelobelleatacafeconcert,ashespentallhiseveningsawayfromhome;andyettheoldcashierfeltvaguelydisturbed,especiallywhenhediscoveredinthesamerowabluecapeandapairofsteelyeyes.Itwas

MadameDobson,thesentimentalsinging-teacher.Theconjunctionofthosetwofacesamidthepipe-smokeandtheconfusionofthecrowd,produceduponSigismondtheeffectoftwoghostsevokedbyabaddream.Hewasafraidforhisfriend,withoutknowingexactlywhy;andsuddenlyitoccurredtohimtotakehimaway.

"Letusgo,Risler.Theheathereisenoughtokillone."

Justastheyrose--forRislerwasnomoredesiroustostaythantogo--theorchestra,consistingofapianoandseveralviolins,beganapeculiarrefrain.Therewasaflutterofcuriositythroughouttheroom,andcriesof"Hush!hush!sitdown!"

Theywereobligedtoresumetheirseats.Risler,too,wasbeginningtobedisturbed.

"Iknowthattune,"hesaidtohimself."WherehaveIheardit?"

AthunderofapplauseandanexclamationfromPlanusmadehimraisehiseyes.

"Come,come,letusgo,"saidthecashier,tryingtoleadhimaway.


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Butitwastoolate.

Rislerhadalreadyseenhiswifecomeforwardtothefrontofthestageandcurtseytotheaudiencewithaballet-dancer'ssmile.

Sheworeawhitegown,asonthenightoftheball;butherwholecostumewasmuchlessrichandshockinglyimmodest.

Thedresswasbarelycaughttogetherattheshoulders;herhairfloatedinablondmistlowoverhereyes,andaroundherneckwasanecklaceofpearlstoolargetobereal,alternatedwithbitsoftinsel.Delobellewasright:theBohemianlifewasbettersuitedtoher.Herbeautyhadgainedanindefinablyrecklessexpression,whichwasitsmostcharacteristicfeature,andmadeheraperfecttypeofthewomanwhohasescapedfromallrestraint,placedherselfatthemercyofeveryaccident,andisdescendingstagebystagetothelowestdepthsoftheParisianhell,fromwhichnothingispowerfulenoughtoliftherandrestorehertothepureairandthelight.

Andhowperfectlyateasesheseemedinherstrollinglife!Withwhatself-possessionshewalkedtothefrontofthestage!Ah!couldshehaveseenthedesperate,terribleglancefixeduponherdownthereinthehall,concealedbehindapillar,hersmilewouldhavelostthatequivocalplacidity,hervoicewouldhavesoughtinvainthosewheedling,

languoroustonesinwhichshewarbledtheonlysongMadameDobsonhadeverbeenabletoteachher:

Pauv'pititMamz'elleZizi,C'estl'amou,l'amouquitourneLateteali.

Rislerhadrisen,inspiteofPlanus'sefforts."Sitdown!sitdown!"thepeopleshouted.Thewretchedmanheardnothing.Hewasstaringathiswife.

C'estl'amou,l'amouquitourneLateteali,

Sidonierepeatedaffectedly.

Foramomenthewonderedwhetherheshouldnotleapontheplatformandkillher.Redflamesshotbeforehiseyes,andhewasblindedwithfrenzy.

Then,suddenly,shameanddisgustseizeduponhimandherushedfromthehall,overturningchairsandtables,pursuedbytheterrorandimprecationsofallthosescandalizedbourgeois.

CHAPTERXXIV

SIDONIE'SVENGEANCE

NeverhadSigismondPlanusreturnedhomesolatewithoutgivinghissisterwarning,duringthetwentyyearsandmorethathehadlivedatMontrouge.ConsequentlyMademoisellePlanuswasgreatlyworried.Livingincommunityofideasandofeverythingelsewithherbrother,havingbutonemindforherselfandforhim,theoldmaidhadfeltforseveral


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monthsthereboundofallthecashier'sanxietyandindignation;andtheeffectwasstillnoticeableinhertendencytotrembleandbecomeagitatedonslightprovocation.AttheslightesttardinessonSigismond'spart,shewouldthink:

"Ah!monDieu!Ifonlynothinghashappenedatthefactory!"

Thatisthereasonwhyontheeveninginquestion,whenthehensandchickenswereallasleepontheirperches,andthedinnerhadbeenremoveduntouched,MademoisellePlanuswassittinginthelittleground-floorliving-room,waiting,ingreatagitation.

Atlast,abouteleveno'clock,someonerang.Atimid,melancholyring,innowiseresemblingSigismond'svigorouspull.

"Isityou,MonsieurPlanus?"queriedtheoldladyfrombehindthedoor.

Itwashe;buthewasnotalone.Atall,bentoldmanaccompaniedhim,and,astheyentered,badehergood-eveninginaslow,hesitatingvoice.NottillthendidMademoisellePlanusrecognizeRislerAine,whomshehadnotseensincethedaysoftheNewYear'scalls,thatistosay,sometimebeforethedramasatthefactory.Shecouldhardlyrestrainanexclamationofpity;butthegravetaciturnityofthetwomentoldherthatshemustbesilent.

"MademoisellePlanus,mysister,youwillputcleansheetsonmybed.OurfriendRislerdoesusthehonortopassthenightwithus."

Thesisterhastenedawaytopreparethebedroomwithanalmostaffectionatezeal;for,asweknow,beside"MonsieurPlanus,mybrother,"Rislerwastheonlymanexceptedfromthegeneralreprobationinwhichsheenvelopedthewholemalesex.

Uponleavingthecafeconcert,Sidonie'shusbandhadhadamomentoffranticexcitement.HeleanedonPlanus'sarm,everynerveinhisbodystrainedtotheutmost.AtthatmomenthehadnothoughtofgoingtoMontrougetogettheletterandthepackage.

"Leaveme--goaway,"hesaidtoSigismond."Imustbealone."

Buttheotherknewbetterthantoabandonhimthustohisdespair.UnnoticedbyRisler,heledhimawayfromthefactory,andashisaffectionateheartsuggestedtotheoldcashierwhathehadbestsaytohisfriend,hetalkedtohimallthetimeofFrantz,hislittleFrantzwhomhelovedsodearly.

"Thatwasgenuineaffection,genuineandtrustworthy.Notreacherytofearwithsuchheartsasthat!"

Whiletheytalkedtheyleftbehindthemthenoisystreetsofthecentre

ofParis.Theywalkedalongthequays,skirtedtheJardindesPlantes,plungedintoFaubourgSaint-Marceau.Rislerfollowedwheretheotherled.Sigismond'swordsdidhimsomuchgood!

InduetimetheycametotheBievre,borderedatthatpointwithtannerieswhosetalldrying-houseswithopensideswereoutlinedinblueagainstthesky;andthentheill-definedplainsofMontsouris,vasttractsoflandscorchedandstrippedofvegetationbythefierybreaththatParisexhalesarounditsdailytoil,likeamonstrousdragon,whosebreathofflameandsmokesuffersnovegetationwithinitsrange.


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FromMontsouristothefortificationsofMontrougeisbutastep.Whentheyhadreachedthatpoint,Planushadnogreatdifficultyintakinghisfriendhomewithhim.Hethought,andjustly,thathistranquilfireside,thespectacleofaplacid,fraternal,devotedaffection,wouldgivethewretchedman'sheartasortofforetasteofthehappinessthatwasinstoreforhimwithhisbrotherFrantz.And,intruth,thecharmofthelittlehouseholdbegantoworkassoonastheyarrived.

"Yes,yes,youareright,oldfellow,"saidRisler,pacingtheflooroftheliving-room,"Imustn'tthinkofthatwomananymore.She'slikeadeadwomantomenow.Ihaven

Fromont and Risler — Volume 4 by Daudet, Alphonse, 1840-1897

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Transcript of Fromont and Risler — Volume 4 by Daudet, Alphonse, 1840-1897