modeste mignon-第8章
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should no more allow a young man whom he does not know to enter his
home than he should leave books and papers lying about which he has
not read。 A young girl's innocence is like milk; which a small matter
turns sour;a clap of thunder; an evil odor; a hot day; a mere
breath。
When Charles Mignon read his daughter's letter of farewell he
instantly despatched Madame Dumay to Paris。 The family gave out that a
journey to another climate had suddenly been advised for Caroline by
their physician; and the physician himself sustained the excuse;
though unable to prevent some gossip in the society of Havre。 〃Such a
vigorous young girl! with the complexion of a Spaniard; and that black
hair!she consumptive!〃 〃Yes; they say she committed some
imprudence。〃 〃Ah; ah!〃 cried a Vilquin。 〃I am told she came back
bathed in perspiration after riding on horseback; and drank iced
water; at least; that is what Dr。 Troussenard says。〃
By the time Madame Dumay returned to Havre the catastrophe of the
failure had taken place; and society paid no further attention to the
absence of Bettina or the return of the cashier's wife。 At the
beginning of 1827 the newspapers rang with the trial of Charles
d'Estourny; who was found guilty of cheating at cards。 The young
corsair escaped into foreign parts without taking thought of
Mademoiselle Mignon; who was of little value to him since the failure
of the bank。 Bettina heard of his infamous desertion and of her
father's ruin almost at the same time。 She returned home struck by
death; and wasted away in a short time at the Chalet。 Her death at
least protected her reputation。 The illness that Monsieur Mignon
alleged to be the cause of her absence; and the doctor's order which
sent her to Nice were now generally believed。 Up to the last moment
the mother hoped to save her daughter's life。 Bettina was her darling
and Modeste was the father's。 There was something touching in the two
preferences。 Bettina was the image of Charles; just as Modeste was the
reproduction of her mother。 Both parents continued their love for each
other in their children。 Bettina; a daughter of Provence; inherited
from her father the beautiful hair; black as a raven's wing; which
distinguishes the women of the South; the brown eye; almond…shaped and
brilliant as a star; the olive tint; the velvet skin as of some golden
fruit; the arched instep; and the Spanish waist from which the short
basque skirt fell crisply。 Both mother and father were proud of the
charming contrast between the sisters。 〃A devil and an angel!〃 they
said to each other; laughing; little thinking it prophetic。
After weeping for a month in the solitude of her chamber; where she
admitted no one; the mother came forth at last with injured eyes。
Before losing her sight altogether she persisted; against the wishes
of her friends; in visiting her daughter's grave; on which she riveted
her gaze in contemplation。 That image remained vivid in the darkness
which now fell upon her; just as the red spectrum of an object shines
in our eyes when we close them in full daylight。 This terrible and
double misfortune made Dumay; not less devoted; but more anxious about
Modeste; now the only daughter of the father who was unaware of his
loss。 Madame Dumay; idolizing Modeste; like other women deprived of
their children; cast her motherliness about the girl;yet without
disregarding the commands of her husband; who distrusted female
intimacies。 Those commands were brief。 〃If any man; of any age; or any
rank;〃 Dumay said; 〃speaks to Modeste; ogles her; makes love to her;
he is a dead man。 I'll blow his brains out and give myself to the
authorities; my death may save her。 If you don't wish to see my head
cut off; do you take my place in watching her when I am obliged to go
out。〃
For the last three years Dumay had examined his pistols every night。
He seemed to have put half the burden of his oath upon the Pyrenean
hounds; two animals of uncommon sagacity。 One slept inside the Chalet;
the other was stationed in a kennel which he never left; and where he
never barked; but terrible would have been the moment had the pair
made their teeth meet in some unknown adventurer。
We can now imagine the sort of life led by mother and daughter at the
Chalet。 Monsieur and Madame Latournelle; often accompanied by
Gobenheim; came to call and play whist with Dumay nearly every
evening。 The conversation turned on the gossip of Havre and the petty
events of provincial life。 The little company separated between nine
and ten o'clock。 Modeste put her mother to bed; and together they said
their prayers; kept up each other's courage; and talked of the dear
absent one; the husband and father。 After kissing her mother for good…
night; the girl went to her own room about ten o'clock。 The next
morning she prepared her mother for the day with the same care; the
same prayers; the same prattle。 To her praise be it said that from the
day when the terrible infirmity deprived her mother of a sense;
Modeste had been like a servant to her; displaying at all times the
same solicitude; never wearying of the duty; never thinking it
monotonous。 Such constant devotion; combined with a tenderness rare
among young girls; was thoroughly appreciated by those who witnessed
it。 To the Latournelle family; and to Monsieur and Madame Dumay;
Modeste was; in soul; the pearl of price。
On sunny days; between breakfast and dinner; Madame Mignon and Madame
Dumay took a little walk toward the sea。 Modeste accompanied them; for
two arms were needed to support the blind mother。 About a month before
the scene to which this explanation is a parenthesis; Madame Mignon
had taken counsel with her friends; Madame Latournelle; the notary;
and Dumay; while Madame Dumay carried Modeste in another direction for
a longer walk。
〃Listen to what I have to say;〃 said the blind woman。 〃My daughter is
in love。 I feel it; I see it。 A singular change has taken place within
her; and I do not see how it is that none of you have perceived it。〃
〃In the name of all that's honorable〃 cried the lieutenant。
〃Don't interrupt me; Dumay。 For the last two months Modeste has taken
as much care of her personal appearance as if she expected to meet a
lover。 She has grown extremely fastidious about her shoes; she wants
to set off her pretty feet; she scolds Madame Gobet; the shoemaker。 It
is the same thing with her milliner。 Some days my poor darling is
absorbed in thought; evidently expectant; as if waiting for some one。
Her voice has curt tones when she answers a question; as though she
were interrupted in the current of her thoughts and secret
expectations。 Then; if this awaited lover has come〃
〃Good heavens!〃
〃Sit down; Dumay;〃 said the blind woman。 〃Well; then Modeste is gay。
Oh! she is not gay to your sight; you cannot catch these gradations;
they are too delicate for eyes that see only the outside of nature。
Her gaiety is betrayed to me by the tones of her voice; by certain
accents which I alone can catch and understand。 Modeste then; instead
of sitting still and thoughtful; gives vent to a wild; inward activity
by impulsive movements;in short; she is happy。 There is a grace; a
charm in the very ideas she utters。 Ah; my friends; I know happiness
as well as I know sorrow; I know its signs。 By the kiss my Modeste
gives me I can guess what is passing within her。 I know whether she
has received what she was looking for; or whether she is uneasy or
expectant。 There are many gradations in a kiss; even in that of an
innocent young girl; and Modeste is innocence itself; but hers is the
innocence of knowledge; not of ignorance。 I may be blind; but my
tenderness is all…seeing; and I charge you to watch over my daughter。〃
Dumay; now actually ferocious; the notary; in the character of a man
bound to ferret out a mystery; Madame Latournelle; the deceived
chaperone; and Madame Dumay; alarmed for her husband's