"Certainly," thought she, "before G.o.d, M. de Tregars is my betrothed husband; and yet we have never exchanged a word. Were we to meet in society, we should be compelled to meet as strangers: if he pa.s.ses by me in the street, he has no right to bow to me. I know not where he is, what becomes of him, nor what he is doing."
And in fact she had not seen him again: he had given no sign of life, so faithfully did he conform to her expressed wish. And perhaps secretly, and without acknowledging it to herself, had she wished him less scrupulous. Perhaps she would not have been very angry to see him sometimes gliding along at her pa.s.sage under the old Arcades of the Rue des Vosges.
But, whilst suffering from this separation, she conceived for the character of Marius the highest esteem; for she felt sure that he must suffer as much and more than she from the restraint which he imposed upon himself.
Thus he was ever present to her thoughts. She never tired of turning over in her mind all he had said of his past life: she tried to remember his words, and the very tone of his voice.
And by living constantly thus with the memory of Marius de Tregars, she made herself familiar with him, deceived to that extent, by the illusion of absence, that she actually persuaded herself that she knew him better and better every day.
Already nearly a month had elapsed, when one afternoon, as she arrived on the Place Royal; she recognized him, standing near that same bench where they had so strangely exchanged their pledges.
He saw her coming too: she knew it by his looks. But, when she had arrived within a few steps of him, he walked off rapidly, leaving on the bench a folded newspaper.
Mme. Favoral wished to call him back and return it; but Mlle. Gilberte persuaded her not to.
"Never mind, mother," said she, "it isn"t worth while; and, besides, the gentleman is too far now."
But while getting out her embroidery, with that dexterity which never fails even the most naive girls, she slipped the newspaper in her work-basket.
Was she not certain that it had been left there for her?
As soon as she had returned home, she locked herself up in her own room, and, after searching for some time through the columns, she read at last: "One of the richest and most intelligent manufacturers in Paris, M. Marcolet, has just purchased in Grenelle the vast grounds belonging to the Lacoche estate. He proposes to build upon them a manufacture of chemical products, the management of which is to be placed in the hands of M. de T-.
"Although still quite young, M. de T-- is already well known in connection with his remarkable studies on electricity. He was, perhaps, on the eve of solving the much controverted problem of electricity as a motive-power, when his father"s ruin compelled him to suspend his labors. He now seeks to earn by his personal industry the means of prosecuting his costly experiments.
"He is not the first to tread this path. Is it not to the invention of the machine bearing his name, that the engineer Giffard owes the fortune which enables him to continue to seek the means of steering balloons? Why should not M. de T-, who has as much skill and energy, have as much luck?"
"Ah! he does not forget me," thought Mlle. Gilberte, moved to tears by this article, which, after all, was but a mere puff, written by Marcolet himself, without the knowledge of M. de Tregars.
She was still under that impression, thinking that Marius was already at work, when her father announced to her that he had discovered a husband, and enjoined her to find him to her liking, as he, the master, thought it proper that she should.
Hence the energy of her refusal.
But hence also, the imprudent vivacity which had enlightened Mme. Favoral, and which made her say: "You hide something from me, Gilberte?"
Never had the young girl been so cruelly embarra.s.sed as she was at this moment by this sudden and unforeseen perspicacity.
Would she confide to her mother?
She felt, indeed, no repugnance to do so, certain as she was, in advance, of the inexhaustible indulgence of the poor woman; and, besides, she would have been delighted to have some one at last with whom she could speak of Marius.
But she knew that her father was not the man to give up a project conceived by himself. She knew that he would return to the charge obstinately, without peace, and without truce. Now, as she was determined to resist with a no less implacable obstinacy, she foresaw terrible struggles, all sorts of violence and persecutions.
Informed of the truth, would Mme. Favoral have strength enough to resist these daily storms? Would not a time come, when, called upon by her husband to explain the refusals of her daughter, threatened, terrified, she would confess all?
At one glance Mlle. Gilberte estimated the danger; and, drawing from necessity an audacity which was very foreign to her nature: "You are mistaken, dear mother," said she, "I have concealed nothing from you."
Not quite convinced, Mme. Favoral shook her head.
"Then," said she, "you will yield."
"Never!"
"Then there must be some reason you do not tell me."
"None, except that I do not wish to leave you. Have you ever thought what would be your existence if I were no longer here? Have you ever asked yourself what would become of you, between my father, whose despotism will grow heavier with age, and my brother?"
Always prompt to defend her son: "Maxence is not bad," she interrupted: "he will know how to compensate me for the sorrows he has inflicted upon me."
The young girl made a gesture of doubt: "I wish it, dear mother," said she, "with all my heart; but I dare not hope for it. His repentance to-night was great and sincere; but will he remember it to-morrow? Besides, don"t you know that father has fully resolved to separate himself from Maxence? Think of yourself alone here with father."
Mme. Favoral shuddered at the mere idea.
"I would not suffer very long," she murmured. Mlle. Gilberte kissed her.
"It is because I wish you to live to be happy that I refuse to marry," she exclaimed. "Must you not have your share of happiness in this world? Let me manage. Who knows what compensations the future may have in store for you? Besides, this person whom father has selected for me does not suit me. A stock-jobber, who would think of nothing but money,-who would examine my house-accounts as papa does yours, or else who would load me with cashmeres and diamonds, like Mme. de Thaller, to make of me a sign for his shop? No, no! I want no such man. So, mother dear, be brave, take sides boldly with your daughter, and we shall soon be rid of this would-be husband."
"Your father will bring him to you: he said he would."
"Well, he is a man of courage, if he returns three times."
At this moment the parlor-door opened suddenly.
"What are you plotting here again?" cried the irritated voice of the master. "And you, Mme. Favoral, why don"t you go to bed?"
The poor slave obeyed, without saying a word. And, whilst making her way to her room: "There is trouble ahead," thought Mlle. Gilberte. "But bash! If I do have to suffer some, it won"t be great harm, after all. Surely Marius does not complain, though he gives up for me his dearest hopes, becomes the salaried employe of M. Marcolet, and thinks of nothing but making money,-he so proud and so disinterested!"
Mlle. Gilberte"s antic.i.p.ations were but too soon realized. When M. Favoral made his appearance the next morning, he had the sombre brow and contracted lips of a man who has spent the night ruminating a plan from which he does not mean to swerve.
Instead of going to his office, as usual, without saying a word to any one, he called his wife and children to the parlor; and, after having carefully bolted all the doors, he turned to Maxence.
"I want you," he commenced, "to give me a list of your creditors. See that you forget none; and let it be ready as soon as possible."
But Maxence was no longer the same man. After the terrible and well-deserved reproaches of his sister, a salutary revolution had taken place in him. During the preceding night, he had reflected over his conduct for the past four years; and he had been dismayed and terrified. His impression was like that of the drunkard, who, having become sober, remembers the ridiculous or degrading acts which he has committed under the influence of alcohol, and, confused and humiliated, swears never more to drink.
Thus Maxence had sworn to himself to change his mode of life, promising that it would be no drunkard"s oath, either. And his att.i.tude and his looks showed the pride of great resolutions.
Instead of lowering his eyes before the irritated glance of M. Favoral, and stammering excuses and vague promises: "It is useless, father," he replied, "to give you the list you ask for. I am old enough to bear the responsibility of my acts. I shall repair my follies: what I owe, I shall pay. This very day I shall see my creditors, and make arrangements with them."
"Very well, Maxence," exclaimed Mme. Favoral, delighted.
But there was no pacifying the cashier of the Mutual Credit.
"Those are fine-sounding words," he said with a sneer; "but I doubt if the tailors and the shirt-makers will take them in payment. That"s why I want that list."
"Still-"
"It"s I who shall pay. I do not mean to have another such scene as that of yesterday in my office. It must not be said that my son is a sharper and a cheat at the very moment when I find for my daughter a most unhoped-for match."
And, turning to Mlle. Gilberte: "For I suppose you have got over your foolish ideas," he uttered.
The young girl shook her head.
"My ideas are the same as they were last night."
"Ah, ah!"
"And so, father, I beg of you, do not insist. Why wrangle and quarrel? You must know me well enough to know, that, whatever may happen, I shall never yield."
Indeed, M. Favoral was well aware of his daughter"s firmness; for he had already been compelled on several occasions, as he expressed it himself, "to strike his flag" before her. But he could not believe that she would resist when he took certain means of enforcing his will.
"I have pledged my word," he said.
"But I have not pledged mine, father."
He was becoming excited: his cheeks were flushed; and his little eyes sparkled.
"And suppose I were to tell you," he resumed, doing at least to his daughter the honor of controlling his anger: "suppose I were to tell you that I would derive from this marriage immense, positive, and immediate advantages?"
"Oh!" she interrupted with a look of disgust, "oh, for mercy"s sake!"
"Suppose I were to tell you that I have a powerful interest in it; that it is indispensable to the success of vast combinations?"
Mlle. Gilberte looked straight at him.
"I would answer you," she exclaimed, "that it does not suit me to be made use of as an earnest to your combinations. Ah! it"s an operation, is it? an enterprise, a big speculation? and you throw in your daughter in the bargain as a bonus. Well, no! You can tell your partner that the thing has fallen through."
M. Favoral"s anger was growing with each word.
"I"ll see if I can"t make you yield," he said.
"You may crush me, perhaps. Make me yield, never!"
"Well, we shall see. You will see-Maxence and you-whether there are no means by which a father can compel his rebellious children to submit to his authority."
And, feeling that he was no longer master of himself, he left, swearing loud enough to shake the plaster from the stair-walls.
Maxence shook with indignation.
"Never," he uttered, "never until now, had I understood the infamy of my conduct. With a father such as ours, Gilberte, I should be your protector. And now I am debarred even of the right to interfere. But never mind, I have the will; and all will soon be repaired."
Left alone, a few moments after, Mlle. Gilberte was congratulating herself upon her firmness.
"I am sure," she thought, "Marius would approve, if he knew."
She had not long to wait for her reward. The bell rang: it was her old professor, the Signor Gismondo Pulei, who came to give her his daily lesson.
The liveliest joy beamed upon his face, more shriveled than an apple at Easter; and the most magnificent antic.i.p.ations sparkled in his eyes.
"I knew it, signora!" he exclaimed from the threshold: "I knew that angels bring good luck. As every thing succeeds to you, so must every thing succeed to those who come near you."
She could not help smiling at the appropriateness of the compliment.
"Something fortunate has happened to you, dear master?" she asked.
"That is to say, I am on the high-road to fortune and glory," he replied. "My fame is extending; pupils dispute the privilege of my lesson."
Mlle. Gilberte knew too well the thoroughly Italian exaggeration of the worthy maestro to be surprised.
"This morning," he went on, "visited by inspiration, I had risen early, and I was working with marvelous facility, when there was a knock at my door. I do not remember such an occurrence since the blessed day when your worthy father called for me. Surprised, I nevertheless said, "Come in;" when there appeared a tall and robust young man, proud and intelligent-looking."
The young girl started.
"Marius!" cried a voice within her.
"This young man," continued the old Italian, "had heard me spoken of, and came to apply for lessons. I questioned him; and from the first words I discovered that his education had been frightfully neglected, that he was ignorant of the most vulgar notions of the divine art, and that he scarcely knew the difference between a sharp and a quaver. It was really the A, B, C, which he wished me to teach him. Laborious task, ungrateful labor! But he manifested so much shame at his ignorance, and so much desire to be instructed, that I felt moved in his favor. Then his countenance was most winning, his voice of a superior tone; and finally he offered me sixty francs a month. In short, he is now my pupil."
As well as she could, Mlle. Gilberte was hiding her blushes behind a music-book.
"We remained over two hours talking," said the good and simple maestro, "and I believe that he has excellent dispositions. Unfortunately, he can only take two lessons a week. Although a n.o.bleman, he works; and, when he took off his glove to hand me a month in advance, I noticed that one of his hands was blackened, as if burnt by some acid. But never mind, signora, sixty francs, together with what your father gives me, it"s a fortune. The end of my career will be spared the privations of its beginning. This young man will help making me known. The morning has been dark; but the sunset will be glorious."
The young girl could no longer have any doubts: M. de Tregars had found the means of hearing from her, and letting her hear from him.
The impression she felt contributed no little to give her the patience to endure the obstinate persecution of her father, who, twice a day, never failed to repeat to her: "Get ready to properly receive my protege on Sat.u.r.day. I have not invited him to dinner: he will only spend the evening with us."
And he mistook for a disposition to yield the cold tone in which she answered: "I beg you to believe that this introduction is wholly unnecessary."
Thus, the famous day having come, he told his usual Sat.u.r.day guests, M. and Mme. Desclavettes, M. Chapelain, and old man Desormeaux: "Eh, eh! I guess you are going to see a future son-in-law!"
At nine o"clock, just as they had pa.s.sed into the parlor, the sound of carriage-wheels startled the Rue St. Gilles.
"There he is!" exclaimed the cashier of the Mutual Credit.
And, throwing open a window: "Come, Gilberte," he added, "come and see his carriage and horses."
She never stirred; but M. Desclavettes and M. Chapelain ran. It was night, unfortunately; and of the whole equipage nothing was visible but the two lanterns that shone like stars. Almost at the same time the parlor-door flew open; and the servant, who had been properly trained in advance, announced: "Monsieur Costeclar."
Leaning toward Mme. Favoral, who was seated by her side on the sofa, "A nice-looking man, isn"t he? a really nice-looking man," whispered Mme. Desclavettes.
And indeed he really thought so himself. Gesture, att.i.tude, smile, every thing in M. Costeclar, betrayed the satisfaction of self, and the a.s.surance of a man accustomed to success. His head, which was very small, had but little hair left; but it was artistically drawn towards the temples, parted in the middle, and cut short around the forehead. His leaden complexion, his pale lips, and his dull eye, did not certainly betray a very rich blood; he had a great long nose, sharp and curved like a sickle; and his beard, of undecided color, trimmed in the Victor Emmanuel style, did the greatest honor to the barber who cultivated it. Even when seen for the first time, one might fancy that he recognized him, so exactly was he like three or four hundred others who are seen daily in the neighborhood of the Cafe Riche, who are met everywhere where people run who pretend to amuse themselves,-at the bourse or in the bois; at the first representations, where they are just enough hidden to be perfectly well seen at the back of boxes filled with young ladies with astonishing chignons; at the races; in carriages, where they drink champagne to the health of the winner.
He had on this occasion hoisted his best looks, and the full dress de rigueur-dress-coat with wide sleeves, shirt cut low in the neck, and open vest, fastened below the waist by a single b.u.t.ton.
"Quite the man of the world," again remarked Mme. Desclavettes.
M. Favoral rushed toward him; and the latter, hastening, met him half way, and, taking both his hands into his-"I cannot tell you, dear friend," he commenced, "how deeply I feel the honor you do me in receiving me in the midst of your charming family and your respectable friends."
And he bowed all around during this speech, which he delivered in the condescending tone of a lord visiting his inferiors.