two poets-第13章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



　　POSTEL　（LATE　CHARDON）；　PHARMACEUTICAL　CHEMIST；

in　yellow　letters　on　a　green　ground。　It　was　an　offence　to　him　that　his　father's　name　should　be　thus　posted　up　in　a　place　where　every　carriage　passed。

Every　evening；　when　he　closed　the　ugly　iron　gate　and　went　up　to　Beaulieu　to　give　his　arm　to　Mme。　de　Bargeton　among　the　dandies　of　the　upper　town；　he　chafed　beyond　all　reason　at　the　disparity　between　his　lodging　and　his　fortune。

〃I　love　Mme。　de　Bargeton；　perhaps　in　a　few　days　she　will　be　mine；　yet　here　I　live　in　this　rat…hole！〃　he　said　to　himself　this　evening；　as　he　went　down　the　narrow　passage　into　the　little　yard　behind　the　shop。　This　evening　bundles　of　boiled　herbs　were　spread　out　along　the　wall；　the　apprentice　was　scouring　a　caldron；　and　M。　Postel　himself；　girded　about　with　his　laboratory　apron；　was　standing　with　a　retort　in　his　hand；　inspecting　some　chemical　product　while　keeping　an　eye　upon　the　shop　door；　or　if　the　eye　happened　to　be　engaged；　he　had　at　any　rate　an　ear　for　the　bell。

A　strong　scent　of　camomile　and　peppermint　pervaded　the　yard　and　the　poor　little　dwelling　at　the　side；　which　you　reached　by　a　short　ladder；　with　a　rope　on　either　side　by　way　of　hand…rail。　Lucien's　room　was　an　attic　just　under　the　roof。

〃Good…day；　sonny；〃　said　M。　Postel；　that　typical；　provincial　tradesman。　〃Are　you　pretty　middling？　I　have　just　been　experimenting　on　treacle；　but　it　would　take　a　man　like　your　father　to　find　what　I　am　looking　for。　Ah！　he　was　a　famous　chemist；　he　was！　If　I　had　only　known　his　gout　specific；　you　and　I　should　be　rolling　along　in　our　carriage　this　day。〃

The　little　druggist；　whose　head　was　as　thick　as　his　heart　was　kind；　never　let　a　week　pass　without　some　allusion　to　Chardon　senior's　unlucky　secretiveness　as　to　that　discovery；　words　that　Lucien　felt　like　a　stab。

〃It　is　a　great　pity；〃　Lucien　answered　curtly。　He　was　beginning　to　think　his　father's　apprentice　prodigiously　vulgar；　though　he　had　blessed　the　man　for　his　kindness；　for　honest　Postel　had　helped　his　master's　widow　and　children　more　than　once。

〃Why；　what　is　the　matter　with　you？〃　M。　Postel　inquired；　putting　down　his　test　tube　on　the　laboratory　table。

〃Is　there　a　letter　for　me？〃

〃Yes；　a　letter　that　smells　like　balm！　it　is　lying　on　the　corner　near　my　desk。〃

Mme。　de　Bargeton's　letter　lying　among　the　physic　bottles　in　a　druggist's　shop！　Lucien　sprang　in　to　rescue　it。

〃Be　quick；　Lucien！　your　dinner　has　been　waiting　an　hour　for　you；　it　will　be　cold！〃　a　sweet　voice　called　gently　through　a　half…opened　window；　but　Lucien　did　not　hear。

〃That　brother　of　yours　has　gone　crazy；　mademoiselle；〃　said　Postel；　lifting　his　face。

The　old　bachelor　looked　rather　like　a　miniature　brandy　cask；　embellished　by　a　painter's　fancy；　with　a　fat；　ruddy　countenance　much　pitted　with　the　smallpox；　at　the　sight　of　Eve　his　face　took　a　ceremonious　and　amiable　expression；　which　said　plainly　that　he　had　thoughts　of　espousing　the　daughter　of　his　predecessor；　but　could　not　put　an　end　to　the　strife　between　love　and　interest　in　his　heart。　He　often　said　to　Lucien；　with　a　smile；　〃Your　sister　is　uncommonly　pretty；　and　you　are　not　so　bad　looking　neither！　Your　father　did　everything　well。〃

Eve　was　tall；　dark…haired；　dark　of　complexion；　and　blue…eyed；　but　notwithstanding　these　signs　of　virile　character；　she　was　gentle；　tender…hearted；　and　devoted　to　those　she　loved。　Her　frank　innocence；　her　simplicity；　her　quiet　acceptance　of　a　hard…working　life；　her　characterfor　her　life　was　above　reproachcould　not　fail　to　win　David　Sechard's　heart。　So；　since　the　first　time　that　these　two　had　met；　a　repressed　and　single…hearted　love　had　grown　up　between　them　in　the　German　fashion；　quietly；　with　no　fervid　protestations。　In　their　secret　souls　they　thought　of　each　other　as　if　there　were　a　bar　between　that　kept　them　apart；　as　if　the　thought　were　an　offence　against　some　jealous　husband；　and　hid　their　feelings　from　Lucien　as　though　their　love　in　some　way　did　him　a　wrong。　David；　moreover；　had　no　confidence　in　himself；　and　could　not　believe　that　Eve　could　care　for　him；　Eve　was　a　penniless　girl；　and　therefore　shy。　A　real　work…girl　would　have　been　bolder；　but　Eve；　gently　bred；　and　fallen　into　poverty；　resigned　herself　to　her　dreary　lot。　Diffident　as　she　seemed；　she　was　in　reality　proud；　and　would　not　make　a　single　advance　towards　the　son　of　a　father　said　to　be　rich。　People　who　knew　the　value　of　a　growing　property；　said　that　the　vineyard　at　Marsac　was　worth　more　than　eighty　thousand　francs；　to　say　nothing　of　the　traditional　bits　of　land　which　old　Sechard　used　to　buy　as　they　came　into　the　market；　for　old　Sechard　had　savingshe　was　lucky　with　his　vintages；　and　a　clever　salesman。　Perhaps　David　was　the　only　man　in　Angouleme　who　knew　nothing　of　his　father's　wealth。　In　David's　eyes　Marsac　was　a　hovel　bought　in　1810　for　fifteen　or　sixteen　thousand　francs；　a　place　that　he　saw　once　a　year　at　vintage　time　when　his　father　walked　him　up　and　down　among　the　vines　and　boasted　of　an　output　of　wine　which　the　young　printer　never　saw；　and　he　cared　nothing　about　it。

David　was　a　student　leading　a　solitary　life；　and　the　love　that　gained　even　greater　force　in　solitude；　as　he　dwelt　upon　the　difficulties　in　the　way；　was　timid；　and　looked　for　encouragement；　for　David　stood　more　in　awe　of　Eve　than　a　simple　clerk　of　some　high…born　lady。　He　was　awkward　and　ill　at　ease　in　the　presence　of　his　idol；　and　as　eager　to　hurry　away　as　he　had　been　to　come。　He　repressed　his　passion；　and　was　silent。　Often　of　an　evening；　on　some　pretext　of　consulting　Lucien；　he　would　leave　the　Place　du　Murier　and　go　down　through　the　Palet　Gate　as　far　as　L'Houmeau；　but　at　the　sight　of　the　green　iron　railings　his　heart　failed。　Perhaps　he　had　come　too　late；　Eve　might　think　him　a　nuisance；　she　would　be　in　bed　by　this　time　no　doubt；　and　so　he　turned　back。　But　though　his　great　love　had　only　appeared　in　trifles；　Eve　read　it　clearly；　she　was　proud；　without　a　touch　of　vanity　in　her　pride；　of　the　deep　reverence　in　David's　looks　and　words　and　manner　towards　her；　but　it　was　the　young　printer's　enthusiastic　belief　in　Lucien　that　drew　her　to　him　most　of　all。　He　had　divined　the　way　to　win　Eve。　The　mute　delights　of　this　love　of　theirs　differed　from　the　transports　of　stormy　passion；　as　wildflowers　in　the　fields　from　the　brilliant　flowers　in　garden　beds。　Interchange　of　glances；　delicate　and　sweet　as　blue　water…　flowers　on　the　surface　of　the　stream；　a　look　in　either　face；　vanishing　as　swiftly　as　the　scent　of　briar…rose；　melancholy；　tender　as　the　velvet　of　mossthese　were　the　blossoms　of　two　rare　natures；　springing　up　out　of　a　rich　and　fruitful　soil　on　foundations　of　rock。　Many　a　time　Eve　had　seen　revelations　of　the　strength　that　lay　below　the　appearance　of　weakness；　and　made　such　full　allowance　for　all　that　David　left　undone；　that　the　slightest　word　now　might　bring　about　a　closer　union　of　soul　and　soul。

Eve　opened　the　door；　and　Lucien　sat　down　without　a　word　at　the　little　table　on　an　X…shaped　trestle。　There　was　no　tablecloth；　the　poor　little　household　boasted　but　three　silver　spoons　and　forks；　and　Eve　had　laid　them　all　for　the　dearly　loved　brother。

〃What　have　you　there？〃　she　asked；　when　she　had　set　a　dish　on　the　table；　and　put　the　extinguisher　on　the　portable　stove；　where　it　had　been　kept　hot　for　him。

Lucien　did　not　answer。　Eve　took　up　a　little　plate；　daintily　garnished　with　vine…leaves；　and　set　it　on　the　table　with　a　jug　full　of　cream。

〃There；　Lucien；　I　have　had　strawberries　for　you。〃

But　Lucien　was　so　absorbed　in　his　letter　that　he　did　not　hear　a　word。　Eve　came　to　sit　beside　him　without　a　murmur；　for　in　a　sister's　love　for　a　brother　it　is　an　element　of　great　pleasure　to　be　treated　without　ceremony。

〃Oh！　what　is　it？〃　she　cried　as　she　saw　tears　shining　in　her　brother's　eyes。

〃Nothing；　nothing；　Eve；〃　he　said；　and　putting　his　arm　about　her　waist；　he　drew　her　towards　him　and　kissed　her　forehead；　her　hair；　her　throat；　with　warmth　that　surprised　her。

〃You　are　keeping　something　from　me。〃

〃Well；　thenshe　loves　me。〃

〃I　knew　very　well　that　you　kissed　me　for　somebody　else；〃　the　poor　sister　pouted；　flushing　red。

〃We　shall　all　be　happy；〃　cried　Lucien；　swallowing　great　spoonfuls　of　soup。

〃WE？〃　echoed　Eve。　The　same　presentiment　that　had　crossed　David's　mind　prompted　her　to　add；　〃You　will　not　care　so　much　about　us　now。〃

〃How　can　you　think　that；　if　you　know　me？〃

Eve　put　out　her　hand　and　grasped　his　tightly；　then　she　carried　off　the　empty　plate　and　the　brown　earthen　soup…tureen；　and　brought　the　dish　that　she　had　made　for　him。　But　instead　of　eating　his　dinner；　Lucien　read　his　letter　over　again；　and　Eve；　discreet　maiden；　did　not　ask　another　question；　respecting　her　brother's　silence。　If　he　wished　to　tell　her　about　it；　she　could　wait；　if　he　did　not；　how　could　she　ask　him　to　tell　her？　She　waited。　Here　is　the　letter：

　　〃MY　FRIEND；Why　should　I　refuse　to　your　brother　in　science　the　　　help　that　I　have　lent　you？　All　merits　have　equal　rights　in　my　　　eyes；　but　you　do　not　know　the　prejudices　of　those　among　whom　I　　　live。　We　shall　never　make　an　aristocracy　of　ignorance　understand　　　that　intellect　ennobles。　If　I　have　not　sufficient　influence　to　　　compel　them　to　accept　M。　David　Sechard；　I　am　quite　willing　to　　　sacrifice　the　worthless　creatures　to　you。　It　would　be　a　perfect　　　hecatomb　in　the　antique　manner。　But；　dear　friend；　you　would　not；　　　of　course；　ask　me　to　leave　them　all　in　exchange　for　the　society　of　　　a　person　whose　character　and　manner　might　not　please　me。　I　know　　　from　your　flatteries　how　easily　friendship　can　be　blinded。　Will　　　you　think　the　worse　of　me　if　I　attach　a　condition　to　my　consent？　　　In　the　interests　of　your　future　I　should　like　to　see　your　friend；　　　and　know　and　decide　for　myself　whether　you　are　not　mistaken。　What　　　is　this　but　the　mother's　anxious　care　of　my　dear　poet；　which　I　am　　　in　duty　bound　to　take？

〃LOUISE　DE　NEGREPELISSE。〃

Lucien　had　no　suspicion　of　the　art　with　which　polite　society　puts　forward　a　〃Yes〃　on　the　way　to　a　〃No；〃　and　a　〃No〃　that　leads　to　a　〃Yes。〃　He　took　this　note　for　a　victory。　David　should　go　to　Mme。　de　Bargeton's　house！　David　would　shine　there　in　all　the　majesty　of　his　genius！　He　raised　his　head　so　proudly　in　the　intoxication　of　a　victory　which　increased　his　belief　in　himself　and　his　ascendency　over　others；　his　face　was　so　radiant　with　the　brightness　of　many　hopes；　that　his　sister　could　not　help　telling　him　that　he　looked　handsome。

〃If　that　woman　has　any　sense；　she　must　love　you！　And　if　so；　to…night　she　will　be　vexed；　for　all　the　ladies　will　try　all　sorts　of　coquetries　on　you。　How　handsome　you　will　look　when　you　read　your　Saint　John　in　Patmos！　If　only　I　were　a　mouse；　and　could　just　slip　in　and　see　it！　Come；　I　have　put　your　clothes　out　in　mother's　room。〃

The　mother's　room　bore　witness　to　self…respecting　poverty。　There　were　white　curtains　to　the　walnut　wood　bedstead；　and　a　strip　of　cheap　green　carpet　at　the　foot。　A　chest　of　drawers　with　a　wooden　top；　a　looking…　glass；　and　a　few　walnut　wood　chairs　completed　the　furniture。　The　clock　on　the　chimney…piece　told　of　the　old　vanished　days　of　prosperity。　White　curtains　hung　in　the　windows；　a　gray　flowered　paper　covered　the　walls；　and　the　tiled　floor；　colored　and　waxed　by　Eve　herself；　shone　with　cleanliness。　On　the　little　round　table　in　the　middle　of　the　room　stood　a　red　tray　with　a　pattern　of