Эжен Сю
Pride: One of the Seven Cardinal Sins
CHAPTER XXIII
A TEMPTING BAIT
M. de Maillefort, having asked to see Mlle. de Beaumesnil, was conducted straight to Ernestine's apartments.
"Have you some good news for Herminie?" cried Ernestine, hastening forward to meet him.
"A little, I think."
"How glad I am! Can I tell Herminie when I see her what you have just told me?"
"Yes; tell her to hope, and yet not to expect too much. And now, as you seem to have forgotten all about yourself, I will add that the result of my inquiries concerning M. Olivier has been eminently satisfactory."
"I was sure it would be."
"I even discovered one rather strange fact. It is that, while he was working during his leave so he might be able to assist his uncle, he went down to Beaumesnil, your estate near Luzarches, to help a contractor with his estimates there."
"M. Olivier? That was, indeed, strange."
"And this circumstance suggested a plan which I think may prove a good one, for now I think, with you, that you could not have made a wiser choice, but – "
"But what?"
"It is such an important matter that I have thought one more test might be advisable. What is your opinion on the subject?"
"Try it; I have no fears."
"Besides, you shall witness it yourself, my dear child. If M. Olivier withstands it, you will be the proudest and happiest of women, and there can be no further doubt of your future happiness. If, on the contrary, he succumbs, it will, alas! only be a fresh proof that the noblest natures sometimes yield to certain temptations. This test, too, will have another and very important result."
"And what is that?"
"After this test M. Olivier can not feel the slightest scruples about marrying the richest heiress in France, and you know, my dear child, that you have some very grave apprehensions on that score."
"Ah, monsieur, you are, indeed, our good angel!"
"Wait a little, my child. Don't praise me too soon. Now, one thing more. Didn't you tell me that there was a back stairway that led up to your guardian's rooms?"
"Yes, monsieur, several of his intimate friends, who are never formally announced, always make use of it mornings."
"Very well; I propose to play the part of an intimate friend myself, then, and give the baron a surprise. Show me the way, my child."
As they were passing through Madame Laîné's room, Ernestine paused and said to the hunchback:
"I have always forgotten to tell you how I managed to leave the house unobserved the night I went to Madame Herbaut's party, M. de Maillefort. That door you see over there opens upon another back stairway that leads down to the street. The door at the foot of it was nailed up a long time ago, but my governess succeeded in opening it, and it was through that door we left the house and entered it."
"Has this door been securely nailed up again?" inquired the hunchback, thoughtfully.
"My governess told me that she had fastened it securely on the inside."
"My dear child, your governess is an unprincipled woman. She assisted you in making your escape from the house and also favoured your long visits to Herminie. No matter how reprehensible your motives had been, she would have obeyed you just the same, so she is not to be trusted."
"I have no confidence in her, of course, M. de Maillefort, and, as soon as I can, I intend to pay her liberally, as I promised, and send her away."
"This door, which affords such easy access to your apartments and which is so entirely at this woman's disposal, seems to me a very bad thing," remarked the hunchback. "You had better tell your guardian to-day that you have discovered this door, and ask him to have it walled up as soon as possible, or else give you some other room."
"I will do as you say, monsieur, but what fears can you have on the subject?"
"I have no well-founded fears at all, my dear child. I consider the walling up of this door as, first, a matter of propriety, and subsequently as a matter of prudence. There is nothing in this to alarm you in the least. Now, au revoir. I am going to have a bout with your guardian, and hope to have some good news for you on my return."
A moment afterwards M. de Maillefort had reached the floor above. Seeing a key in the lock of the door in front of him, he opened this door, and, finding himself in a narrow passage, he followed this passage until he came to a second door, which he opened like the first and found himself in M. de la Rochaiguë's study.
That gentleman was seated with his back to the door, reading, in the morning paper, an account of the proceedings during the session of the Chamber of Peers the day before. Hearing the door open, he turned his head and saw the hunchback, who came briskly, even gaily, forward, and, giving him a friendly nod of the head, exclaimed, blithely:
"Good morning, my dear baron, good morning!"
M. de la Rochaiguë was too much astounded to utter a word.
Leaning back in his armchair, his hands still clutching the paper, he sat like one petrified, though his eyes were full of surprise and anger.
"You see, my dear baron, I am assuming all the privileges of an intimate friend and making myself quite at home," continued the hunchback, in the same jovial, almost affectionate tone, as he seated himself in an armchair near the fireplace.
M. de la Rochaiguë was fairly purple with rage by this time, but, having a wholesome fear of the marquis, he controlled his wrath as best he could, and said, rising abruptly:
"It seems incredible, unheard of, outrageous, that – that I should have your presence thus forced upon me, monsieur, after that scene the other evening, and – and – "
"My dear baron, excuse me, but if I had requested the honour of an interview, you would have refused it, would you not?"
"Most assuredly I should, monsieur, for – "
"So I very wisely decided to take you by surprise. Now do me the favour to sit down, and let us talk this matter over like a couple of friends."
"Friends? You have the audacity to say that, monsieur; you, who ever since I first had the misfortune to know you, have fairly hounded me with sneers and sarcasms which – which I have returned in kind," added the baron, with true parliamentary aplomb. "A friend? you, monsieur, who have just outdone yourself by – "
"My dear baron," said the hunchback, interrupting M. de la Rochaiguë afresh, "did you ever see an amusing comedy by Scribe, called 'A Woman's Hatred'?"
"I am unable to see any connection – "
"But you will, my dear baron. In this little play, a young and pretty woman seems to pursue with the bitterest animosity a young man, whom in her secret heart she adores."
"And what of that, may I ask?"
"Well, my dear baron, with this slight difference, viz., that you are not a young man, and I am not a pretty woman who adores you, our relative positions are exactly the same as those of the hero and heroine in Scribe's little comedy."
"Once more, monsieur, I – "
"My dear baron, one question, if you please. Have you political aspirations, – yes, or no?"
"Monsieur – "
"Oh, put all false modesty aside and answer me frankly. Do you consider yourself a politician or not?"
On hearing this allusion to his pet hobby, the poor baron, forgetting his resentment, puffed out his cheeks, and, slipping his left hand in the bosom of his dressing-gown while he gesticulated with his right, assumed a parliamentary attitude and majestically responded:
"If a most profound, extended, and conscientious study of the internal and external condition of France, if a certain aptitude for public speaking, and a devoted love of country constitute a politician, I might reasonably aspire to that rôle. Yes, and but for you, monsieur, – but for your outrageous attack upon M. de Mornand, – I might not only aspire to, but assume that rôle at an early day."
"True, my dear baron, and I must confess that it was with unutterable satisfaction that I killed two birds with one stone by preventing a base and corrupt man like M. de Mornand from marrying your ward, and at the same time preventing you from becoming a peer of France."
"Yes, from satisfying my ridiculous ambition, as you have told me to my face more than once, monsieur, and I repel the insulting aspersion with scorn and disdain. There is nothing ridiculous about my ambition, monsieur."
"It is ridiculous in every respect, my dear baron."
"Have you come here to insult me, monsieur?"
"Do you know why your ambition is ridiculous and out of place, my dear baron? It is because you long for a field of labour in which your political talents will be entirely wasted, completely swallowed up, so to speak."
"What, monsieur, can it be you that I hear speaking of my political talents when you have never neglected an opportunity to sneer at them?"
"A 'Woman's Hatred,' my dear baron, a 'Woman's Hatred'!"
And as M. de la Rochaiguë gazed at the hunchback with a bewildered air, the latter gentleman continued:
"You know, of course, that you and I belong to the same political party, my dear baron."
"I was not aware of that fact, monsieur; still, it should not surprise me. Persons of exalted rank are inevitably the born, immutable, and unwavering advocates, champions, and representatives of the traditions of the past."
"And it is for this very reason that I am so bitterly opposed to your holding a seat in the Chamber of Peers, my dear baron."
"You amaze me greatly, infinitely, prodigiously, monsieur," said the baron, hanging upon his visitor's words with breathless eagerness now.
"Can it be that M. de la Rochaiguë is really so blind, or that this mistake is due to bad advisers? I have said to myself again and again. He must, with reason, desire to bring about a return to the traditions of the past, and there cannot be the slightest doubt that he possesses many of the requisites to effect such a consummation: birth, talents, an extended knowledge of political affairs, and antecedents entirely free of any troublesome entanglements – "
When this enumeration of his political qualifications began, M. de la Rochaiguë might have been seen to smile almost imperceptibly, but when the hunchback paused to take breath, the baron's long teeth were exposed to view.
Noting this sure sign of internal satisfaction, the marquis continued:
"And where does the baron propose to bury all these talents? In the Upper Chamber, which is already filled to overflowing with members of the aristocracy. What will be the result? Why, in spite of his talents, this unfortunate baron will be completely swallowed up in this overwhelming majority. He will necessarily, too, be regarded as a mere dummy or tool, as he will owe his political position to party favour, and his energetic plainness of speech as well as the – the – pray give me the word, baron – the ardour of his impassioned oratory will be hampered by personal obligations."
"But why do you tell me all this at this late day, monsieur?" exclaimed the baron, in tones of heartfelt reproach.
But the marquis, without giving any sign of having heard the baron's question, continued:
"How different it would be if this unfortunate baron began his political career in the Chamber of Deputies! He would not enter that body by favour, but by a public election – by the will of the people. Under these circumstances, how forcible the words of this energetic and faithful representative of the traditions of the past would become! It could not be said of him: 'Your opinion is that of the favoured class to which you belong.' Far from it, for the baron could reply, and justly: 'No, my views are the views of the nation, as it is the nation that sent me here.'"
"What you say is true, perfectly true, monsieur, but why did you defer telling me so long?"
"Why, baron? Why, because you manifested such a deep distrust and such an intense antipathy to me."
"On the contrary, it was you, marquis, who seemed to pursue me with relentless cruelty."
"Very possibly, for I was continually saying to myself: 'Ah, if the baron is so blind as to neglect the opportunity to play such a magnificent rôle, he shall bear the penalty of it. I will give him no peace.' Nor have I; but when the time came to prevent you from committing such a fatal blunder – I did it."
"But marquis, permit me to say – "
"You do not belong to yourself, monsieur, you belong to your party, and the injury you do yourself will reflect upon the other members of your party. You are consequently an egotist, a heartless – "
"One word, monsieur, one word."
"Ambitious man who prefers to owe his position to political favour rather than to a public election."
"You talk very lightly of a public election, monsieur. Do you believe that a seat in either political body can be secured so easily, no matter how well fitted the person may be to fill such a position? (In speaking in this way of myself, I am only repeating your words, remember.) You may not be aware that I have been trying to secure a seat in the Chamber of Peers ten years, monsieur."
"Nonsense! You could be a deputy in less than a month if you chose."
"I?"
"Yes, you, Baron de la Rochaiguë."
"I, a deputy! That would be magnificent, marquis, for you have opened my eyes to the vast, immense, infinite field of labour that would lie before me. But how could I secure an election?"
"It so happens that the electors of the district where my estates are situated desire to confer the honour of representing them upon me."
"You, M. le marquis?"
"Yes, I! Just imagine what an idea people will form of those worthy fellows down there from their representative. People will fancy when they see me that I am the envoy of a colony founded by Punchinello."
This lively sally excited considerable hilarity on the part of the baron, who manifested it as usual by displaying his long teeth several times.
"If my district was located in a mountainous country, there might be some sense in my election," continued the marquis, indicating his hump by a laughing gesture, to keep the baron in good humour, doubtless.
"Really, marquis," exclaimed M. de la Rochaiguë, much amused, "you certainly do the honours of yourself with wonderful grace and wit."
"Then shout, 'Long live my hump!' my dear baron, for you little know what you – no, our party – will perhaps owe to it!"
"I – our party – owe anything to your – " the baron hesitated – "to your – to your gibbosity."
"Gibbosity is a remarkably well chosen word, baron. You were evidently born for the tribune, and, as I said before, you can be a deputy in less than a month if you choose."
"Once more may I beg you to explain, marquis."
"Nothing could be simpler. Be a deputy in my stead."
"You are jesting."
"Not at all. I should only make the Chamber laugh. You will hold it captive by your eloquence, and our party will consequently be much the gainer by the change. I will introduce you to three or four delegates who have been chosen by my constituents, and who really control the elections down there, and I am sure I shall have little or no difficulty in persuading them to accept you in my stead. I will write to them this afternoon; day after to-morrow they will be here, and by the following day everything will be settled."
"Really, marquis, I scarcely know whether I am awake or dreaming. You, whom I have hitherto regarded as a bitter enemy – "
"Only a 'Woman's Hatred,' you know – or, if you like it better, the 'Hatred of a Political Friend.'"
"It seems inconceivable."
"So even as I ruined your absurd plans for securing a peerage at the same time that I prevented you from marrying your ward to an unprincipled scoundrel, I now propose to make you a deputy, and at the same time secure your consent to her marriage with a worthy young man who loves her, and whom she loves in return."
On hearing this announcement, M. de la Rochaiguë moved uneasily in his chair, cast a suspicious look at the marquis, and answered, coldly:
"I have been your dupe, I see, M. le marquis; I fell into the trap like a fool."
"What trap, my dear baron?"
"Your pretended anger at the course my political aspirations had taken, your flattery, your proposal to make me a deputy in your stead, all conceal an ulterior motive. Fortunately, I divine it – I unmask it – I unveil it."
"You are sure to become Minister of Foreign Affairs, baron, if you manifest like perspicuity in political matters."
"A truce to pleasantries, monsieur."
"So be it, monsieur. You must believe one of two things: I am either mocking you by pretending to take your political aspirations seriously, or else I really see in you the stuff from which statesmen are made. It is for you to decide which of these hypotheses is the correct one. Now, to state the case simply but clearly, your ward has made an admirable choice, as I will prove to you. Consent to this marriage, and I will have you elected deputy. That is the bright side of the medal."
"Ah, there are two sides?" sneered the baron.
"Naturally. I have shown you the good side; this is the bad: You and your wife and sister have grossly abused the trust confided to you – "
"Monsieur – "
"Oh, I can prove it. All three of you have either favoured or been personally mixed up in the most abominable intrigues, of which Mlle. de Beaumesnil was to be the victim. I repeat that I have abundant proofs of this fact, and Mlle. de Beaumesnil herself will unite with me in exposing these nefarious schemes."
"And to whom do you propose to denounce us, if you please?"
"To the members of the family council which Mlle. de Beaumesnil will convoke at once. You can guess what the result of such a proceeding will be. Your appointment as guardian will be annulled, forthwith."
"We will see about that! We will see about that, monsieur!"
"You will certainly have an admirable chance to see about it. Now choose. Consent to this marriage and you are a deputy. Refuse your consent, there will be a frightful scandal; you will be deprived of your guardianship, and all your ambitious hopes will be blighted for ever!"
"Ah, you censure me for having desired to marry my ward in a way that might benefit me personally, and yet you – you propose to do the same thing you censure me for, yourself."
"There is not the slightest justice in your comparison, my dear sir. You were trying to marry your ward to a scoundrel; I want to marry her to an honourable man, and I offer you a certain price for your consent, because you have proved to me that it is necessary to give a certain price for your consent."
"And why, if the person you have selected for Mlle. de Beaumesnil is a suitable person?"
"The husband I have suggested, and that Mlle. de Beaumesnil desires, is a perfectly honourable man – "
"And his fortune, social position, etc., – these are all that can be desired, I suppose."
"He is a lieutenant in the army, without either name or fortune, but he is one of the bravest and most honest men I know. He loves Ernestine, and she loves him in return. What objection have you to offer?"
"What objection have I to offer? A mere nobody, whose only possessions are his cloak and sword, marry the richest heiress in France! Never. Do you hear me? Never will I consent to such an unequal marriage! M. de Mornand at least had a fair prospect of becoming a minister, an ambassador, or president of the Chamber, monsieur."
"So you see, baron, I was very wise to offer you a handsome price for your consent."
"But according to you, monsieur, in thus allowing myself to be influenced by motives of personal aggrandisement, I should be acting very – "
"Disgracefully. Still, that does not matter, provided Ernestine's happiness can be assured."
"And it is a person capable of an act you consider so dishonourable that you dare to propose to the electors of your district as their representative!" exclaimed the baron, triumphantly. "You would so abuse their confidence as to give them, as a representative of our party, a man who – "
"In the first place, the electors in question are a parcel of fools, my dear sir; besides, I do not interfere with their right of suffrage in the least. They imagine, because I am a marquis, that I should be just as fanatical a partisan of church and throne as their late deputy. They even told me that, in case of my refusal, they should consider it a favour if I would designate some other suitable person. I offer them as a candidate a man of their own party, perfectly capable of representing them. (It is not very high praise, my dear baron, to say that you are at least as gifted a man as their deceased deputy.) The rest is for you to decide, for I need not tell you that I was only jesting a few minutes ago when I said that your political sentiments and mine were identical. It was merely a means of paving the way to the offer which I have made, and which I reiterate. And now, you will, perhaps, ask me why, if I feel confident of my ability to compel you to resign your guardianship of Mlle. de Beaumesnil, I do not do it."
"I should like to ask you that very plain question, monsieur," responded the baron.
"My explanation will be very simple, my dear sir. It is because I do not believe there is, among the other persons to whom this guardianship is likely to be entrusted, any man with sense and heart enough to understand why the richest heiress in France might be permitted to marry a brave and honourable man without either rank or fortune. So, as I should have the same difficulty to contend with in another guardian, but not have the same effectual means of coercing him, perhaps, such a change might injure rather than aid my plans, besides ruining you irretrievably. Now reflect, and make your choice. I shall expect to see you at my house to-morrow morning, not later than ten o'clock."
And the marquis departed, leaving M. de la Rochaiguë in a state of painful perplexity.
