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第67章

modeste mignon-第67章

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apartments in the chateau decorated with the same taste。



〃This is what I call a proper country…house;〃 said Modeste。



〃The Comte de La Bastie must build you one like it;〃 replied her

father。



〃Here; monsieur;〃 said Modeste; giving the bit of paper to Ernest;

〃carry it to our friend and put him out of his misery。〃



The word OUR friend struck the young man's heart。 He looked at Modeste

to see if there was anything real in the community of interests which

she seemed to admit; and she; understanding perfectly what his look

meant; added; 〃Come; go at once; your friend is waiting。〃



La Briere colored excessively; and left the room in a state of doubt

and anxiety less endurable than despair。 The path that approaches

happiness is; to the true lover; like the narrow way which Catholic

poetry has called the entrance to Paradise;expressing thus a dark

and gloomy passage; echoing with the last cries of earthly anguish。



An hour later this illustrious company were all assembled in the

salon; some were playing whist; others conversing; the women had their

embroideries in hand; and all were waiting the announcement of dinner。

The Prince de Cadignan was drawing Monsieur Mignon out upon China; and

his campaigns under the empire; and making him talk about the

Portendueres; the L'Estorades; and the Maucombes; Provencal families;

he blamed him for not seeking service; and assured him that nothing

would be easier than to restore him to his rank as colonel of the

Guard。



〃A man of your birth and your fortune ought not to belong to the

present Opposition;〃 said the prince; smiling。



This society of distinguished persons not only pleased Modeste; but it

enabled her to acquire; during her stay; a perfection of manners which

without this revelation she would have lacked all her life。 Show a

clock to an embryo mechanic; and you reveal to him the whole

mechanism; he thus develops the germs of his faculty which lie dormant

within him。 In like manner Modeste had the instinct to appropriate the

distinctive qualities of Madame de Maufrigneuse and Madame de

Chaulieu。 For her; the sight of these women was an education; whereas

a bourgeois would merely have ridiculed their ways or made them absurd

by clumsy imitation。 A well…born; well…educated; and right…minded

young woman like Modeste fell naturally into connection with these

people; and saw at once the differences that separate the aristocratic

world from the bourgeois world; the provinces from the faubourg Saint…

Germain; she caught the almost imperceptible shadings; in short; she

perceived the grace of the 〃grande dame〃 without doubting that she

could herself acquire it。 She noticed also that her father and La

Briere appeared infinitely better in this Olympus than Canalis。 The

great poet; abdicating his real and incontestable power; that of the

mind; became nothing more than a courtier seeking a ministry;

intriguing for an order; and forced to please the whole galaxy。 Ernest

de La Briere; without ambitions; was able to be himself; while

Melchior became; to use a vulgar expression; a mere toady; and courted

the Prince de Loudon; the Duc de Rhetore; the Vicomte de Serizy; or

the Duc de Maufrigneuse; like a man not free to assert himself; as did

Colonel Mignon; who was justly proud of his campaigns; and of the

confidence of the Emperor Napoleon。 Modeste took note of the strained

efforts of the man of real talent; seeking some witticism that should

raise a laugh; some clever speech; some compliment with which to

flatter these grand personages; whom it was his interest to please。 In

a word; to Modeste's eyes the peacock plucked out his tail…feathers。



Toward the middle of the evening the young girl sat down with the

grand equerry in a corner of the salon。 She led him there purposely to

end a suit which she could no longer encourage if she wished to retain

her self…respect。



〃Monsieur le duc; if you really knew me;〃 she said; 〃you would

understand how deeply I am touched by your attentions。 It is because

of the profound respect I feel for your character; and the friendship

which a soul like yours inspires in mine; that I cannot endure to

wound your self…love。 Before your arrival in Havre I loved sincerely;

deeply; and forever; one who is worthy of being loved; and my

affection for whom is still a secret; but I wish you to knowand in

saying this I am more sincere than most young girlsthat had I not

already formed this voluntary attachment; you would have been my

choice; for I recognize your noble and beautiful qualities。 A few

words which your aunt and sister have said to me as to your intentions

lead me to make this frank avowal。 If you think it desirable; a letter

from my mother shall recall me; on pretence of her illness; to…morrow

morning before the hunt begins。 Without your consent I do not choose

to be present at a fete which I owe to your kindness; and where; if my

secret should escape me; you might feel hurt and defrauded。 You will

ask me why I have come here at all。 I could not withstand the

invitation。 Be generous enough not to reproach me for what was almost

a necessary curiosity。 But this is not the chief; not the most

delicate thing I have to say to you。 You have firm friends in my

father and myself;more so than perhaps you realize; and as my

fortune was the first cause that brought you to me; I wish to saybut

without intending to use it as a sedative to calm the grief which

gallantry requires you to testifythat my father has thought over the

affair of the marshes; his friend Dumay thinks your project feasible;

and they have already taken steps to form a company。 Gobenheim; Dumay;

and my father have subscribed fifteen hundred thousand francs; and

undertake to get the rest from capitalists; who will feel it in their

interest to take up the matter。 If I have not the honor of becoming

the Duchesse d'Herouville; I have almost the certainty of enabling you

to choose her; free from all trammels in your choice; and in a higher

sphere than mine。 Oh! let me finish;〃 she cried; at a gesture from the

duke。



〃Judging by my nephew's emotion;〃 whispered Mademoiselle d'Herouville

to her niece; 〃it is easy to see you have a sister。〃



〃Monsieur le duc; all this was settled in my mind the day of our first

ride; when I heard you deplore your situation。 This is what I have

wished to say to you。 That day determined my future life。 Though you

did not make the conquest of a woman; you have at least gained

faithful friends at Ingouvilleif you will deign to accord us that

title。〃



This little discourse; which Modeste had carefully thought over; was

said with so much charm of soul that the tears came to the grand

equerry's eyes; he seized her hand and kissed it。



〃Stay during the hunt;〃 he said; 〃my want of merit has accustomed me

to these refusals; but while accepting your friendship and that of the

colonel; you must let me satisfy myself by the judgment of competent

scientific men; that the draining of those marshes will be no risk to

the company you speak of; before I agree to the generous offer of your

friends。 You are a noble girl; and though my heart aches to think I

can only be your friend; I will glory in that title; and prove it to

you at all times and in all seasons。〃



〃In that case; Monsieur le duc; let us keep our secret。 My choice will

not be known; at least I think not; until after my mother's complete

recovery。 I should like our first blessing to come from her eyes。〃







CHAPTER XXIX



CONCLUSION



〃Ladies;〃 said the Prince de Cadignan; as the guests were about to

separate for the night; 〃I know that several of you propose to follow

the hounds with us to…morrow; and it becomes my duty to tell you that

if you will be Dianas you must rise; like Diana; with the dawn。 The

meet is for half…past eight o'clock。 I have in the course of my life

seen many women display greater courage than men; but for a few


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