two poets-第20章

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ory　of　God。　So；　in　silence；　the　two　lovers　went　across　the　Bridge　of　Saint　Anne；　and　followed　the　left　bank　of　the　Charente。　Eve　felt　embarrassed　by　the　pause；　and　stopped　to　look　along　the　river；　a　joyous　shaft　of　sunset　had　turned　the　water　between　the　bridge　and　the　new　powder　mills　into　a　sheet　of　gold。

〃What　a　beautiful　evening　it　is！〃　she　said；　for　the　sake　of　saying　something；　〃the　air　is　warm　and　fresh；　and　full　of　the　scent　of　flowers；　and　there　is　a　wonderful　sky。〃

〃Everything　speaks　to　our　heart；〃　said　David；　trying　to　proceed　to　love　by　way　of　analogy。　〃Those　who　love　find　infinite　delight　in　discovering　the　poetry　of　their　own　inmost　souls　in　every　chance　effect　of　the　landscape；　in　the　thin；　clear　air；　in　the　scent　of　the　earth。　Nature　speaks　for　them。〃

〃And　loosens　their　tongues；　too；〃　Eve　said　merrily。　〃You　were　very　silent　as　we　came　through　L'Houmeau。　Do　you　know；　I　felt　quite　uncomfortable〃

〃You　looked　so　beautiful；　that　I　could　not　say　anything；〃　David　answered　candidly。

〃Then；　just　now　I　am　not　so　beautiful？〃　inquired　she。

〃It　is　not　that；〃　he　said；　〃but　I　was　so　happy　to　have　this　walk　alone　with　you；　that〃　he　stopped　short　in　confusion；　and　looked　at　the　hillside　and　the　road　to　Saintes。

〃If　the　walk　is　any　pleasure　to　you；　I　am　delighted；　for　I　owe　you　an　evening；　I　think；　when　you　have　given　up　yours　for　me。　When　you　refused　to　go　to　Mme。　de　Bargeton's；　you　were　quite　as　generous　as　Lucien　when　he　made　the　demand　at　the　risk　of　vexing　her。〃

〃No；　not　generous；　only　wise；〃　said　David。　〃And　now　that　we　are　quite　alone　under　the　sky；　with　no　listeners　except　the　bushes　and　the　reeds　by　the　edge　of　the　Charente；　let　me　tell　you　about　my　anxiety　as　to　Lucien's　present　step；　dear　Eve。　After　all　that　I　have　just　said；　I　hope　that　you　will　look　on　my　fears　as　a　refinement　of　friendship。　You　and　your　mother　have　done　all　that　you　could　to　put　him　above　his　social　position；　but　when　you　stimulated　his　ambition；　did　you　not　unthinkingly　condemn　him　to　a　hard　struggle？　How　can　he　maintain　himself　in　the　society　to　which　his　tastes　incline　him？　I　know　Lucien；　he　likes　to　reap；　he　does　not　like　toil；　it　is　his　nature。　Social　claims　will　take　up　the　whole　of　his　time；　and　for　a　man　who　has　nothing　but　his　brains；　time　is　capital。　He　likes　to　shine；　society　will　stimulate　his　desires　until　no　money　will　satisfy　them；　instead　of　earning　money；　he　will　spend　it。　You　have　accustomed　him　to　believe　in　his　great　powers；　in　fact；　but　the　world　at　large　declines　to　believe　in　any　man's　superior　intellect　until　he　has　achieved　some　signal　success。　Now　success　in　literature　is　only　won　in　solitude　and　by　dogged　work。　What　will　Mme。　de　Bargeton　give　your　brother　in　return　for　so　many　days　spent　at　her　feet？　Lucien　has　too　much　spirit　to　accept　help　from　her；　and　he　cannot　afford；　as　we　know；　to　cultivate　her　society；　twice　ruinous　as　it　is　for　him。　Sooner　or　later　that　woman　will　throw　over　this　dear　brother　of　ours；　but　not　before　she　has　spoiled　him　for　hard　work；　and　given　him　a　taste　for　luxury　and　a　contempt　for　our　humdrum　life。　She　will　develop　his　love　of　enjoyment；　his　inclination　for　idleness；　that　debauches　a　poetic　soul。　Yes；　it　makes　me　tremble　to　think　that　this　great　lady　may　make　a　plaything　of　Lucien。　If　she　cares　for　him　sincerely；　he　will　forget　everything　else　for　her；　or　if　she　does　not　love　him；　she　will　make　him　unhappy；　for　he　is　wild　about　her。〃

〃You　have　sent　a　chill　of　dread　through　my　heart；〃　said　Eve；　stopping　as　they　reached　the　weir。　〃But　so　long　as　mother　is　strong　enough　for　her　tiring　life；　so　long　as　I　live；　we　shall　earn　enough；　perhaps；　between　us　to　keep　Lucien　until　success　comes。　My　courage　will　never　fail；〃　said　Eve；　brightening。　〃There　is　no　hardship　in　work　when　we　work　for　one　we　love；　it　is　not　drudgery。　It　makes　me　happy　to　think　that　I　toil　so　much；　if　indeed　it　is　toil；　for　him。　Oh；　do　not　be　in　the　least　afraid；　we　will　earn　money　enough　to　send　Lucien　into　the　great　world。　There　lies　his　road　to　success。〃

〃And　there　lies　his　road　to　ruin；〃　returned　David。　〃Dear　Eve；　listen　to　me。　A　man　needs　an　independent　fortune；　or　the　sublime　cynicism　of　poverty；　for　the　slow　execution　of　great　work。　Believe　me；　Lucien's　horror　of　privation　is　so　great；　the　savor　of　banquets；　the　incense　of　success　is　so　sweet　in　his　nostrils；　his　self…love　has　grown　so　much　in　Mme。　de　Bargeton's　boudoir；　that　he　will　do　anything　desperate　sooner　than　fall　back；　and　you　will　never　earn　enough　for　his　requirements。

〃Then　you　are　only　a　false　friend　to　him！〃　Eve　cried　in　despair；　〃or　you　would　not　discourage　us　in　this　way。〃

〃Eve！　Eve！〃　cried　David；　〃if　only　I　could　be　a　brother　to　Lucien！　You　alone　can　give　me　that　title；　he　could　accept　anything　from　me　then；　I　should　claim　the　right　of　devoting　my　life　to　him　with　the　love　that　hallows　your　self…sacrifice；　but　with　some　worldly　wisdom　too。　Eve；　my　darling；　give　Lucien　a　store　from　which　he　need　not　blush　to　draw！　His　brother's　purse　will　be　like　his　own；　will　it　not？　If　you　only　knew　all　my　thoughts　about　Lucien's　position！　If　he　means　to　go　to　Mme。　de　Bargeton's；　he　must　not　be　my　foreman　any　longer；　poor　fellow！　He　ought　not　to　live　in　L'Houmeau；　you　ought　not　to　be　a　working　girl；　and　your　mother　must　give　up　her　employment　as　well。　If　you　would　consent　to　be　my　wife；　the　difficulties　will　all　be　smoothed　away。　Lucien　might　live　on　the　second　floor　in　the　Place　du　Murier　until　I　can　build　rooms　for　him　over　the　shed　at　the　back　of　the　yard　（if　my　father　will　allow　it；　that　is。）。　And　in　that　way　we　would　arrange　a　free　and　independent　life　for　him。　The　wish　to　support　Lucien　will　give　me　a　better　will　to　work　than　I　ever　should　have　had　for　myself　alone；　but　it　rests　with　you　to　give　me　the　right　to　devote　myself　to　him。　Some　day；　perhaps；　he　will　go　to　Paris；　the　only　place　that　can　bring　out　all　that　is　in　him；　and　where　his　talents　will　be　appreciated　and　rewarded。　Living　in　Paris　is　expensive；　and　the　earnings　of　all　three　of　us　will　be　needed　for　his　support。　And　besides；　will　not　you　and　your　mother　need　some　one　to　lean　upon　then？　Dear　Eve；　marry　me　for　love　of　Lucien；　perhaps　afterwards　you　will　love　me　when　you　see　how　I　shall　strive　to　help　him　and　to　make　you　happy。　We　are；　both　of　us；　equally　simple　in　our　tastes；　we　have　few　wants；　Lucien's　welfare　shall　be　the　great　object　of　our　lives。　His　heart　shall　be　our　treasure…house；　we　will　lay　up　all　our　fortune；　and　think　and　feel　and　hope　in　him。〃

〃Worldly　considerations　keep　us　apart；〃　said　Eve；　moved　by　this　love　that　tried　to　explain　away　its　greatness。　〃You　are　rich　and　I　am　poor。　One　must　love　indeed　to　overcome　such　a　difficulty。〃

〃Then　you　do　not　care　enough　for　me？〃　cried　the　stricken　David。

〃But　perhaps　your　father　would　object〃

〃Never　mind；〃　said　David；　〃if　asking　my　father　is　all　that　is　necessary；　you　will　be　my　wife。　Eve；　my　dear　Eve；　how　you　have　lightened　life　for　me　in　a　moment；　and　my　heart　has　been　very　heavy　with　thoughts　that　I　could　not　utter；　I　did　not　know　how　to　speak　of　them。　Only　tell　me　that　you　care　for　me　a　little；　and　I　will　take　courage　to　tell　you　the　rest。〃

〃Indeed；〃　she　said；　〃you　make　me　quite　ashamed；　but　confidence　for　confidence；　I　will　tell　you　this；　that　I　have　never　thought　of　any　one　but　you　in　my　life。　I　looked　upon　you　as　one　of　those　men　to　whom　a　woman　might　be　proud　to　belong；　and　I　did　not　dare　to　hope　so　great　a　thing　for　myself；　a　penniless　working　girl　with　no　prospects。〃

〃That　is　enough；　that　is　enough；〃　he　answered；　sitting　down　on　the　bar　by　the　weir；　for　they　had　gone　to　and　fro　like　mad　creatures　over　the　same　length　of　pathway。

〃What　is　the　matter？〃　she　asked；　her　voice　expressing　for　the　first　time　a　woman's　sweet　anxiety　for　one　who　belongs　to　her。

〃Nothing　but　good；〃　he　answered。　〃It　is　the　sight　of　a　whole　lifetime　of　happiness　that　dazzles　me；　as　it　were；　it　is　overwhelming。　Why　am　I　happier　than　you？〃　he　asked；　with　a　touch　of　sadness。　〃For　I　know　that　I　am　happier。〃

Eve　looked　at　David　with　mischievous；　doubtful　eyes　that　asked　an　explanation。

〃Dear　Eve；　I　am　taking　more　than　I　give。　So　I　shall　always　love　you　more　than　you　love　me；　because　I　have　more　reason　to　love。　You　are　an　angel；　I　am　a　man。〃

〃I　am　not　so　learned；〃　Eve　said；　smiling。　〃I　love　you〃

〃As　much　as　you　love　Lucien？〃　he　broke　in。

〃Enough　to　be　your　wife；　enough　to　devote　myself　to　you；　to　try　not　to　add　anything　to　your　burdens；　for　we　shall　have　some　struggles；　it　will　not　be　quite　easy　at　first。〃

〃Dear　Eve；　have　you　known　that　I　loved　you　since　the　first　day　I　saw　you？〃

〃Where　is　the　woman　who　does　not　feel　that　she　is　loved？〃

〃Now　let　me　get　rid　of　your　scruples　as　to　my　imaginary　riches。　I　am　a　poor　man；　dear。　Yes；　it　pleased　my　father　to　ruin　me；　he　made　a　speculation　of　me；　as　a　good　many　so…called　benefactors　do。　If　I　make　a　fortune；　it　will　be　entirely　through　you。　That　is　not　a　lover's　speech；　but　sober；　serious　earnest。　I　ought　to　tell　you　about　my　faults；　for　they　are　exceedingly　bad　ones　in　a　man　who　has　his　way　to　make。　My　character　and　habits　and　favorite　occupations　all　unfit　me　for　business　and　money…getting；　and　yet　we　can　only　make　money　by　some　kind　of　industry；　if　I　have　some　faculty　for　the　discovery　of　gold…　mines；　I　am　singularly　ill…adapted　for　getting　the　gold　out　of　them。　But　you　who；　for　your　brother's　sake；　went　into　the　smallest　details；　with　a　talent　for　thrift；　and　the　patient　watchfulness　of　the　born　man　of　business；　you　will　reap　the　harvest　that　I　shall　sow。　The　present　state　of　things；　for　I　have　been　like　one　of　the　family　for　a　long　time；　weighs　so　heavily　upon　me；　that　I　have　spent　days　and　nights　in　search　of　some　way　of　making　a　fortune。　I　know　something　of　chemistry；　and　a　knowledge　of　commercial　requirements　has　put　me　on　the　scent　of　a　discovery　that　is　likely　to　pay。　I　can　say　nothing　as　yet　about　it；　there　will　be　a　long　while　to　wait；　perhaps　for　some　years　we　may　have　a　hard　time　of　it；　but　I　shall　find　out　how　to　make　a　commercial　article　at　last。　Others　are　busy　making　the　same　researches；　and　if　I　am　first　in　the　field；　we　shall　have　a　large　fortune。　I　have　said　nothing　to　Lucien；　his　enthusiastic　nature　would　spoil　everything；　he　would　convert　my　hopes　into　realities；　and　begin　to　live　like　a　lord；　and　perhaps　get　into　debt。　So　keep　my　secret　for　me。　Your　sweet　and　dear　companionship　will　be　consolation　in　itself　during　the　long　time　of　experiment；　and　the　desire　to　gain　wealth　for　you　and　Lucien　will　give　me　persistence　and　tenacity〃

〃I　had　guessed　this　too；〃　Eve　said；　interrupting　him；　〃I　knew　that　you　were　one　of　those　inventors；　like　my　poor　father；　who　must　have　a　woman　to　take　care　of　them。〃

〃Then　you　love　me！　Ah！　say　so　without　fear　to　me；　who　saw　a　symbol　of　my　love　for　you　in　your　name。　Eve　was　the　one　woman　in　the　world；　if　it　was　true　in　the　outward　world　for　Adam；　it　is　true　again　in　the　inner　world　of　my　heart　for　me。　My　God！　do　you　love　me？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　she；　lengthening　out　the　word　as　if　to　make　it　cover　the　extent　of　feeling　expressed　by　a　single　syllable。

〃Well；　let　us　sit　here；〃　he　said；　and　taking　Eve's　hand；　he　went　to　a　great　baulk　of　timber　lying　below　the　wheels　of　a　paper…mill。　〃Let　me　breathe　the　evening　air；　and　hear　th