cousin betty-第17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！


to　Hortense；　the　Baron；　and　the　Baroness。

〃Yes；　a　hundred　thousand　francs；〃　repeated　the　dealer。　〃If　I　were　rich
enough；　I　would　buy　it　of　you　myself　for　twenty　thousand　francs；　for
by　destroying　the　mould　it　would　become　a　valuable　property。　But　one
of　the　princes　ought　to　pay　thirty　or　forty　thousand　francs　for　such　a
work　to　ornament　his　drawing…room。　No　man　has　ever　succeeded　in　making
a　clock　satisfactory　alike　to　the　vulgar　and　to　the　connoisseur；　and
this　one；　sir；　solves　the　difficulty。〃

〃This　is　for　yourself；　monsieur；〃　said　Hortense；　giving　six　gold
pieces　to　the　dealer。

〃Never　breath　a　word　of　this　visit　to　any　one　living；〃　said　the　artist
to　his　friend；　at　the　door。　〃If　you　should　be　asked　where　we　sold　the
group；　mention　the　Duc　d'Herouville；　the　famous　collector　in　the　Rue
de　Varenne。〃

The　dealer　nodded　assent。

〃And　your　name？〃　said　Hulot　to　the　artist　when　he　came　back。

〃Count　Steinbock。〃

〃Have　you　the　papers　that　prove　your　identity？〃

〃Yes；　Monsieur　le　Baron。　They　are　in　Russian　and　in　German；　but　not
legalized。〃

〃Do　you　feel　equal　to　undertaking　a　statue　nine　feet　high？〃

〃Yes；　monsieur。〃

〃Well；　then；　if　the　persons　whom　I　shall　consult　are　satisfied　with
your　work；　I　can　secure　you　the　commission　for　the　statue　of　Marshal
Montcornet；　which　is　to　be　erected　on　his　monument　at　Pere…Lachaise。
The　Minister　of　War　and　the　old　officers　of　the　Imperial　Guard　have
subscribed　a　sum　large　enough　to　enable　us　to　select　our　artist。〃

〃Oh；　monsieur；　it　will　make　my　fortune！〃　exclaimed　Steinbock；
overpowered　by　so　much　happiness　at　once。

〃Be　easy；〃　replied　the　Baron　graciously。　〃If　the　two　ministers　to　whom
I　propose　to　show　your　group　and　this　sketch　in　wax　are　delighted　with
these　two　pieces；　your　prospects　of　a　fortune　are　good。〃

Hortense　hugged　her　father's　arm　so　tightly　as　to　hurt　him。

〃Bring　me　your　papers；　and　say　nothing　of　your　hopes　to　anybody；　not
even　to　our　old　Cousin　Betty。〃

〃Lisbeth？〃　said　Madame　Hulot；　at　last　understanding　the　end　of　all
this；　though　unable　to　guess　the　means。

〃I　could　give　proof　of　my　skill　by　making　a　bust　of　the　Baroness；〃
added　Wenceslas。

The　artist；　struck　by　Madame　Hulot's　beauty；　was　comparing　the　mother
and　daughter。

〃Indeed；　monsieur；　life　may　smile　upon　you；〃　said　the　Baron；　quite
charmed　by　Count　Steinbock's　refined　and　elegant　manner。　〃You　will
find　out　that　in　Paris　no　man　is　clever　for　nothing；　and　that
persevering　toil　always　finds　its　reward　here。〃

Hortense；　with　a　blush；　held　out　to　the　young　man　a　pretty　Algerine
purse　containing　sixty　gold　pieces。　The　artist；　with　something　still
of　a　gentleman's　pride；　responded　with　a　mounting　color　easy　enough　to
interpret。

〃This；　perhaps；　is　the　first　money　your　works　have　brought　you？〃　said
Adeline。

〃Yes；　madamemy　works　of　art。　It　is　not　the　first…fruits　of　my　labor；
for　I　have　been　a　workman。〃

〃Well；　we　must　hope　my　daughter's　money　will　bring　you　good　luck；〃
said　she。

〃And　take　it　without　scruple；〃　added　the　Baron；　seeing　that　Wenceslas
held　the　purse　in　his　hand　instead　of　pocketing　it。　〃The　sum　will　be
repaid　by　some　rich　man；　a　prince　perhaps；　who　will　offer　it　with
interest　to　possess　so　fine　a　work。〃

〃Oh；　I　want　it　too　much　myself；　papa；　to　give　it　up　to　anybody　in　the
world；　even　a　royal　prince！〃

〃I　can　make　a　far　prettier　thing　than　that　for　you；　mademoiselle。〃

〃But　it　would　not　be　this　one；〃　replied　she；　and　then；　as　if　ashamed
of　having　said　too　much；　she　ran　out　into　the　garden。

〃Then　I　shall　break　the　mould　and　the　model　as　soon　as　I　go　home；〃
said　Steinbock。

〃Fetch　me　your　papers；　and　you　will　hear　of　me　before　long；　if　you　are
equal　to　what　I　expect　of　you；　monsieur。〃

The　artist　on　this　could　but　take　leave。　After　bowing　to　Madame　Hulot
and　Hortense；　who　came　in　from　the　garden　on　purpose；　he　went　off　to
walk　in　the　Tuileries；　not　bearingnot　daringto　return　to　his
attic；　where　his　tyrant　would　pelt　him　with　questions　and　wring　his
secret　from　him。

Hortense's　adorer　conceived　of　groups　and　statues　by　the　hundred；　he
felt　strong　enough　to　hew　the　marble　himself；　like　Canova；　who　was
also　a　feeble　man；　and　nearly　died　of　it。　He　was　transfigured　by
Hortense；　who　was　to　him　inspiration　made　visible。

〃Now　then；〃　said　the　Baroness　to　her　daughter；　〃what　does　all　this
mean？〃

〃Well；　dear　mamma；　you　have　just　seen　Cousin　Lisbeth's　lover；　who　now；
I　hope；　is　mine。　But　shut　your　eyes；　know　nothing。　Good　Heavens！　I　was
to　keep　it　all　from　you；　and　I　cannot　help　telling　you　everything〃

〃Good…bye；　children！〃　said　the　Baron；　kissing　his　wife　and　daughter；
〃I　shall　perhaps　go　to　call　on　the　Nanny；　and　from　her　I　shall　hear　a
great　deal　about　our　young　man。〃

〃Papa；　be　cautious！〃　said　Hortense。

〃Oh！　little　girl！〃　cried　the　Baroness　when　Hortense　had　poured　out　her
poem；　of　which　the　morning's　adventure　was　the　last　canto；　〃dear
little　girl；　Artlessness　will　always　be　the　artfulest　puss　on　earth！〃

Genuine　passions　have　an　unerring　instinct。　Set　a　greedy　man　before　a
dish　of　fruit　and　he　will　make　no　mistake；　but　take　the　choicest　even
without　seeing　it。　In　the　same　way；　if　you　allow　a　girl　who　is　well
brought　up　to　choose　a　husband　for　herself；　if　she　is　in　a　position　to
meet　the　man　of　her　heart；　rarely　will　she　blunder。　The　act　of　nature
in　such　cases　is　known　as　love　at　first　sight；　and　in　love；　first
sight　is　practically　second　sight。

The　Baroness'　satisfaction；　though　disguised　under　maternal　dignity；
was　as　great　as　her　daughter's；　for；　of　the　three　ways　of　marrying
Hortense　of　which　Crevel　had　spoken；　the　best；　as　she　opined；　was
about　to　be　realized。　And　she　regarded　this　little　drama　as　an　answer
by　Providence　to　her　fervent　prayers。



Mademoiselle　Fischer's　galley　slave；　obliged　at　last　to　go　home；
thought　he　might　hide　his　joy　as　a　lover　under　his　glee　as　an　artist
rejoicing　over　his　first　success。

〃Victory！　my　group　is　sold　to　the　Duc　d'Herouville；　who　is　going　to
give　me　some　commissions；〃　cried　he；　throwing　the　twelve　hundred
francs　in　gold　on　the　table　before　the　old　maid。

He　had；　as　may　be　supposed　concealed　Hortense's　purse；　it　lay　next　to
his　heart。

〃And　a　very　good　thing　too；〃　said　Lisbeth。　〃I　was　working　myself　to
death。　You　see；　child；　money　comes　in　slowly　in　the　business　you　have
taken　up；　for　this　is　the　first　you　have　earned；　and　you　have　been
grinding　at　it　for　near　on　five　years　now。　That　money　barely　repays　me
for　what　you　have　cost　me　since　I　took　your　promissory　note；　that　is
all　I　have　got　by　my　savings。　But　be　sure　of　one　thing；〃　she　said；
after　counting　the　gold；　〃this　money　will　all　be　spent　on　you。　There
is　enough　there　to　keep　us　going　for　a　year。　In　a　year　you　may　now　be
able　to　pay　your　debt　and　have　a　snug　little　sum　of　your　own；　if　you
go　on　in　the　same　way。〃

Wenceslas；　finding　his　trick　successful；　expatiated　on　the　Duc
d'Herouville。

〃I　will　fit　you　out　in　a　black　suit；　and　get　you　some　new　linen；〃　said
Lisbeth；　〃for　you　must　appear　presentably　before　your　patrons；　and
then　you　must　have　a　larger　and　better　apartment　than　your　horrible
garret；　and　furnish　it　property。You　look　so　bright；　you　are　not　like
the　same　creature；〃　she　added；　gazing　at　Wenceslas。

〃But　my　work　is　pronounced　a　masterpiece。〃

〃Well；　so　much　the　better！　Do　some　more；〃　said　the　arid　creature；　who
was　nothing　but　practical；　and　incapable　of　understanding　the　joy　of
triumph　or　of　beauty　in　Art。　〃Trouble　your　head　no　further　about　what
you　have　sold；　make　something　else　to　sell。　You　have　spent　two　hundred
francs　in　money；　to　say　nothing　of　your　time　and　your　labor；　on　that
devil　of　a　/Samson/。　Your　clock　will　cost　you　more　than　two　thousand
francs　to　execute。　I　tell　you　what；　if　you　will　listen　to　me；　you　will
finish　the　two　little　boys　crowning　the　little　girl　with　cornflowers；
that　would　just　suit　the　Parisians。I　will　go　round　to　Monsieur　Graff
the　tailor　before　going　to　Monsieur　Crevel。Go　up　now　and　leave　me　to
dress。〃

Next　day　the　Baron；　perfectly　crazy　about　Madame　Marneffe；　went　to　see
Cousin　Betty；　who　was　considerably　amazed　on　opening　the　door　to　see
who　her　visitor　was；　for　he　had　never　called　on　her　before。　She　at
once　said　to　herself；　〃Can　it　be　that　Hortense　wants　my　lover？〃for
she　had　heard　the　evening　before；　at　Monsieur　Crevel's；　that　the
marriage　with　the　Councillor　of　the　Supreme　Court　was　broken　off。

〃What；　Cousin！　you　here？　This　is　the　first　time　you　have　ever　been　to
see　me；　and　it　is　certainly　not　for　love　of　my　fine　eyes　that　you　have
come　now。〃

〃Fine　eyes　is　the　truth；〃　said　the　Baron；　〃you　have　as　fine　eyes　as　I
have　ever　seen〃

〃Come；　what　are　you　here　for？　I　really　am　ashamed　to　receive　you　in
such　a　kennel。〃

The　outer　room　of　the　two　inhabited　by　Lisbeth　served　her　as　sitting…
room；　dining…room；　kitchen；　and　workroom。　The　furniture　was　such　as
beseemed　a　well…to…do　artisanwalnut…wood　chairs　with　straw　seats；　a
small　walnut…wood　dining　table；　a　work　table；　some　colored　prints　in
black　wooden　frames；　short　muslin　curtains　to　the　windows；　the　floor
well　polished　and　shining　with　cleanliness；　not　a　speck　of　dust
anywhere；　but　all　cold　and　dingy；　like　a　picture　by　Terburg　in　every
particular；　even　to　the　gray　tone　given　by　a　wall　paper　once　blue　and
now　faded　to　gray。　As　to　the　bedroom；　no　human　being　had　ever
penetrated　its　secrets。

The　Baron　took　it　all　in　at　a　glance；　saw　the　sign…manual　of
commonness　on　every　detail；　from　the　cast…iron　stove　to　the　household
utensils；　and　his　gorge　rose　as　he　said　to　himself；　〃And　/this/　is
virtue！What　am　I　here　for？〃　said　he　aloud。　〃You　are　far　too　cunning
not　to　guess；　and　I　had　better　tell　you　plainly；〃　cried　he；　sitting
down　and　looking　out　across　the　courtyard　through　an　opening　he　made
in　the　puckered　curtain。　〃There　is　a　very　pretty　woman　in　the
house〃

〃Madame　Marneffe！　Now　I　understand！〃　she　exclaimed；　seeing　it　all。
〃But　Josepha？〃

〃Alas；　Cousin；　Josepha　is　no　more。　I　was　turned　out　of　doors　like　a
discarded　footman。〃

〃And　you　would　like　。　。　。？〃　said　Lisbeth；　looking　at　the　Baron　with
the　dignity　of　a　prude　on　her　guard　a　quarter　of　an　hour　too　soon。

〃As　Madame　Marneffe　is　very　much　the　lady；　and　the　wife　of　an　employe；
you　can　meet　her　without　compromising　yourself；〃　the　Baron　went　on；
〃and　I　should　like　to　see　you　neighborly。　Oh！　you　need　not　be　alarmed；
she　will　have　the　greatest　consideration　for　the　cousin　of　her
husband's　chief。〃

At　this　moment　the　rustle　of　a　gown　was　heard　on　the　stairs　and　the
footstep　of　a　woman　wearing　the　thinnest　boots。　The　sound　ceased　on
the　landing。　There　was　a　tap　at　the　door；　and　Madame　Marneffe　came　in。

〃Pray　excuse　me；　mademoiselle；　for　thus　intruding　upon　you；　but　I
failed　to　find　you　yesterday　when　I　came　to　call；　we　are　near
neighbors；　and　if　I　had　known　that　you　were　related　to　Monsieur　le
Baron；　I　should　long　since　have　craved　your　kind　interest　with　him。　I
saw　him　come　in；　so　I　took　the　liberty　of　coming　across；　for　my
husband；　Monsieur　le　Baron；　spoke　to　me　of　a　report　on　the　office
clerks　which　is　to　be　laid　before　the　minister　to…morrow。〃

She　seemed　quite　agitated　and　nervousbut　she　had　only　run　upstairs。

〃You　have　no　need　to　play　th