the nabob-第96章
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the law courts； born fifty years old； with a bitter mouth； an envious air； and a morocco portfolio under the arm。 He sat down on the edge of the chair which she pointed out to him； turned his head to make sure that the servant had gone out； then opened his portfolio methodically to search for a paper。 Seeing that he did not speak； she began in a tone of impatience：
〃I ought to warn you； sir； that my husband is absent； and that I am not acquainted with his business。〃
Without any astonishment； his hand in his papers； the man answered： 〃I know that /M。 Jenkins/ is absent； madame〃he emphasized more particularly the two words 〃M。 Jenkins〃〃especially as I come on his behalf。〃
She looked at him frightened。 〃On his behalf？〃
〃Alas！ yes； madame。 The doctor's situation； as you are no doubt aware； is one； for the moment； of very great embarrassment。 Unfortunate dealings on the Stock Exchange； the failure of a great financial enterprise in which his money is invested； the /OEuvre de Bethleem/ which weighs heavily on him； all these reverses coming at once have forced him to a grave resolution。 He is selling his mansion； his horses； everything that he possesses； and has given me a power of attorney for that purpose。〃
He had at last found what he was looking forone of those stamped folded papers； interlined and riddled with references； where the impassible law makes itself responsible for so many lies。 Mme。 Jenkins was going to say： 〃But I was here。 I would have carried out all his wishes； all his orders〃 when she suddenly understood by the coolness of her visitor； his easy； almost insolent attitude； that she was included in this clearing up； in the getting rid of the costly mansion and useless riches； and that her departure would be the signal for the sale。
She rose suddenly。 The man； still seated； went on： 〃What I have still to say； madame〃oh； she knew it； she could have dictated to him； what he had still to say〃is so painful； so delicate。 M。 Jenkins is leaving Paris for a long time； and in the fear of exposing you to the hazards and adventures of the new life he is undertaking； of taking you away from a son you cherish； and in whose interest perhaps you had better〃
She heard no more； saw no more； and while he was spinning out his gossamer phrases； given over to despair； she heard the song over and over in her mind； as the last image seen pursues a drowning man：
Le temps nous enleve Notre enchantement。
All at once her pride returned。 〃Let us put a stop to this； sir。 All your turns and phrases are only an additional insult。 The fact is that I am driven outturned into the street like a servant。〃
〃Oh； madame； madame！ The situation is cruel enough； don't let us make it worse by hard words。 In the evolution of his /modus vivendi/ M。 Jenkins has to separate from you； but he does so with the greatest pain to himself； and the proposals which I am charged to make are a proof of his sentiments for you。 First； as to furniture and clothes； I am authorized to let you take〃
〃That will do；〃 said she。 She flew to the bell。 〃I am going out。 Quick my hat； my mantle； anything； never mind what。 I am in a hurry。〃
And while they went to fetch her what she wanted she said：
〃Everything here belongs to M。 Jenkins。 Let him dispose of it as he likes。 I want nothing from him。 Don't insist； it is useless。〃
The man did not insist。 His mission fulfilled； the rest mattered little to him。
Steadily； coldly； she arranged her hat carefully before the glass； the maid fastening her veil； and arranging on her shoulders the folds of her mantle； then she looked round her and considered for a moment whether she was forgetting anything precious to her。 No； nothingher son's letters were in her pocket； she never allowed them to be away from her。
〃Madame does not wish for the carriage？〃
〃No。〃 And she left the house。
It was about five o'clock。 At that moment Bernard Jansoulet was crossing the doorway of the legislative chamber； his mother on his arm； but poignant as was the drama enacted there； this one surpassed itmore sudden； unforeseen； and without any stage effects。 A drama between four walls； improvised in Paris day by day。 Perhaps it is this which gives that vibration to the air of the city； that tremor which forces the nerves into activity。 The weather was magnificent。 The streets of the wealthy quarter； large and straight as avenues； shone in the declining light； embellished with open windows； flowery balconies； and patches of green seen on the boulevards； light and soft among the narrow； hard prospects of stone。 Mme。 Jenkins hurried in this direction； walking aimlessly； in a dull stupor。 What a horrible crash！ Five minutes ago rich； surrounded by all the respect and comfort of easy circumstances。 Nownothing。 Not even a roof to sleep under； not even a name。 The street！
Where was she to go？ What would become of her？
At first she had thought of her son。 But； to acknowledge her fault； to blush before her own child； to weep while taking from him the right to console her； was more than she could do。 No； there was nothing for her but death。 To die as soon as possible； to escape shame by a complete disappearance； to unravel in this way an inextricable situation。 But where to die！ How？ There are so many ways of departure！ And she called them all up mentally while she walked。 Life flowed around her； its luxury at this time of the year in full flower； round the Madeleine and its market； in a space marked off by the perfume of carnations and roses。 On the wide footpath were well…dressed women whose skirts mingled their rustle with the trembling of the young leaves； there was some of the pleasure here of a meeting in a drawing…room； an air of acquaintance among the passers…by； of smiles and discreet greetings in passing。 And all at once Mme。 Jenkins； anxious lest her features might betray her； fearing what might be thought if any one saw her rushing on so blindly； slackened her pace to the aimless gait of an afternoon walk； stopping here and there。 The light materials of the dresses spoke of summer； of the country； a thin skirt for the sandy paths of the parks； gauze…trimmed hats for the seaside； fans； sunshades。 Her fixed eyes fastened on these trifles without seeing them； but in a vague and pale reflection in the clear windows she saw her image； lying motionless on the bed of some hotel； the leaden sleep of a poison in her head； or； down there； beyond the walls； among the slime of some sunken boat。 Which of the two was better？
She hesitated； considered； compared； then； her decision made； started off with the resolved air of a woman tearing herself regretfully from the temptations of the window。 As she moved away； the Marquis de Monpavon； proud and well…dressed； a flower in his coat； saluted her at a distance with that sweep of the hat so dear to women's vanity； the well…bred brow； with the hat lifted high above the erect head。 She answered him with her pretty Parisian's greeting； expressed in an imperceptible inclination of the body and a smile； and seeing this exchange of politeness in the midst of the spring gaiety； one would never think that the same sinister idea was guiding the two； meeting by chance on the road they were traversing in opposite directions； but to the same end。
The prediction of Mora's valet had come true for the marquis： 〃We may die or lose power； then there will be a reckoning； and it will be terrible。〃 It was terrible。 The former receiver…general had obtained with difficulty a delay of a fortnight to make up his deficiencies； taking the last chance that Jansoulet； with his election confirmed； and with full control over his millions again； would come to the rescue once more。 The decision of the Assembly had just taken from him this last hope。 As soon as he knew it； he returned to the club calmly； and went up to his room； where Francis was waiting impatiently for him with an important paper just arrived。 It was a notification to the Sieur Louis…Marie…Agenor de Monpavon to appear the next day in the office of the Juge d'Instruction。 Was it addressed to the censor of the Territorial Bank or to the former receiver…general？ In any case； the bold formula of a judicial assignation in the first instance； instead
