Le Juif errant. English

  CHAPTER XLI. RISING.

  To explain the arrival of Mdlle. de Cardoville at the garden-door ofthe house occupied by Djalma, we must cast a retrospective glance atprevious events. On leaving Doctor Baleinier's, Mdlle. de Cardoville hadgone to take up her residence in the Rue d'Anjou. During the last fewmonths of her stay with her aunt, Adrienne had secretly caused thishandsome dwelling to be repaired and furnished, and its luxuryand elegance were now increased by all the wonders of the lodge ofSaint-Dizier House. The world found it very strange, that a lady of theage and condition of Mdlle. de Cardoville should take the resolution ofliving completely alone and free, and, in fact, of keeping house exactlylike a bachelor, a young widow, or an emancipated minor. The worldpretended not to know that Mdlle. de Cardoville possessed what is oftenwanting in men, whether of age or twice of age--a firm character, alofty mind, a generous heart, strong and vigorous good sense.

  Judging that she would require faithful assistance in the internalmanagement of her house, Adrienne had written to the bailiff ofCardoville, and his wife, old family servants, to come immediately toParis: M. Dupont thus filled the office of steward, and Mme. Dupontthat of housekeeper. An old friend of Adrienne's father, the Count deMontbron, an accomplished old man, once very much in fashion, and stilla connoisseur in all sorts of elegances, had advised Adrienne to actlike a princess, and take an equerry; recommended for this office a manof good rearing and ripe age, who, himself an amateur in horses, hadbeen ruined in England, at Newmarket, the Derby, and Tattersall's, andreduced, as sometimes happened to gentlemen in that country, to drivethe stage coaches, thus finding an honest method of earning his bread,and at the same time gratifying his taste for horses. Such was M. deBonneville, M. de Montbron's choice. Both from age and habits, thisequerry could accompany Mdlle. de Cardoville on horseback, and betterthan any one else, superintend the stable. He accepted, therefore, theemployment with gratitude, and, thanks to his skill and attention, theequipages of Mdlle. de Cardoville were not eclipsed in style by anythingof the kind in Paris. Mdlle. de Cardoville had taken back her women,Hebe, Georgette, and Florine. The latter was at first to have re-enteredthe service of the Princess de Saint-Dizier, to continue her part of spyfor the superior of St. Mary's Convent; but, in consequence of the newdirection given by Rodin to the Rennepont affair, it was decidedthat Florine, if possible, should return to the service of Mdlle. deCardoville. This confidential place, enabling this unfortunate creatureto render important and mysterious services to the people who held herfate in their hands, forced her to infamous treachery. Unfortunately,all things favored this machination. We know that Florine, in herinterview with Mother Bunch, a few days after Mdlle. de Cardoville wasimprisoned at Dr. Baleinier's, had yielded to a twinge of remorse,and given to the sempstress advice likely to be of use to Adrienne'sinterests--sending word to Agricola not to deliver to Madame de SaintDizier the papers found in the hiding-place of the pavilion, but onlyto entrust them to Mdlle. de Cardoville herself. The latter, afterwardsinformed of these details by Mother Bunch, felt a double degree ofconfidence and interest in Florine, took her back into her servicewith gratitude, and almost immediately charged her with a confidentialmission--that of superintending the arrangements of the house hired forDjalma's habitation. As for Mother Bunch (yielding to the solicitationsof Mdlle. de Cardoville, and finding she was no longer of use toDagobert's wife, of whom we shall speak hereafter), she had consented totake up her abode in the hotel on the Rue d'Anjou, along with Adrienne,who with that rare sagacity of the heart peculiar to her, entrustedthe young sempstress, who served her also as a secretary, with thedepartment of alms-giving.

  Mdlle. de Cardoville had at first thought of entertaining her merelyas a friend, wishing to pay homage in her person to probity with labor,resignation in sorrow, and intelligence in poverty; but knowingthe workgirl's natural dignity, she feared, with reason that,notwithstanding the delicate circumspection with which the hospitalitywould be offered, Mother Bunch might perceive in it alms in disguise.Adrienne preferred, therefore, whilst she treated her as a friend, togive her a confidential employment. In this manner the great delicacy ofthe needlewoman would be spared, since she could earn her livelihood byperforming duties which would at the same time satisfy her praiseworthyinstincts of charity. In fact, she could fulfil, better than any one,the sacred mission confided to her by Adrienne. Her cruel experience inmisfortune, the goodness of her angelic soul, the elevation of her mind,her rare activity, her penetration with regard to the painful secretsof poverty, her perfect knowledge of the industrial classes, weresufficient security for the tact and intelligence with which theexcellent creature would second the generous intentions of Mdlle. deCardoville.

  Let us now speak of the divers events which, on that day, preceded thecoming of Mdlle. de Cardoville to the garden-gate of the house in theRue Blanche. About ten o'clock in the morning, the blinds of Adrienne'sbedchamber, closely shut, admitted no ray of daylight to this apartment,which was only lighted by a spherical lamp of oriental alabaster,suspended from the ceiling by three long silver chains. This apartment,terminating in a dome, was in the form of a tent with eight sides. Fromthe ceiling to the floor, it was hung with white silk, covered withlong draperies of muslin, fastened in large puffs to the wall, by bandscaught in at regular distances by plates of ivory. Two doors, alsoof ivory, admirably encrusted with mother-of-pearl, led, one to thebath-room, the other to the toilet-chamber, a sort of little templededicated to the worship of beauty, and furnished as it had been at thepavilion of Saint Dizier House. Two other compartments of the wall wereoccupied by windows, completely veiled with drapery. Opposite the bed,enclosing splendid fire-dogs of chased silver, was a chimney-pieceof white marble, like crystallized snow, on which were sculptured twomagnificent caryatides, and a frieze representing birds and flowers.Above this frieze, carved in openwork with extreme delicacy, was amarble basket, filled with red camellias. Their leaves of shininggreen their flowers of a delicate rosy hue, were the only colors thatdisturbed the harmonious whiteness of this virgin retreat. Finally, halfsurrounded by waves of white muslin, which poured down from the domelike a mass of light clouds, the bed was visible--very low, and restingon feet of carved ivory, which stood upon the ermine carpet that coveredthe floor. With the exception of a plinth, also in ivory, admirablyinlaid with mother-of-pearl, the bed was entirely covered with whitesatin, wadded and quilted like an immense scent-bag. The cambric sheets,trimmed with lace, being a little disturbed on one side, discovered thecorner of a white taffety mattress, and a light counterpane of wateredstuff--for an equal temperature always reigned in this apartment, warmas a fine spring day.

  From a singular scruple, arising from the same sentiment which hadcaused Adrienne to have inscribed on a masterpiece of goldsmith's workthe name of the maker instead of that of the seller, she had wished allthese articles, so costly and sumptuous, to be manufactured by workmenchosen amongst the most intelligent, honest, and industrious of theirclass, whom she had supplied with the necessary materials. In thismanner she had been able to add to the price of the work the profitusually gained by the middle man, who speculates in such labor; thisnotable augmentation of wages had spread happiness and comfort through ahundred necessitous families, who, blessing the munificence of Adrienne,gave her, as she said, the right to enjoy her luxury as a good action.Nothing could be fresher or more charming than the interior of thisbedchamber. Mdlle. de Cardoville had just awoke; she reposed in themiddle of this flood of muslin, lace, cambric, and white silk, in aposition full of sweet grace. Never during the night did she cover thatbeautiful golden hair (a certain recipe, said the Greeks, for preservingit for a long while in magnificence). Every evening, her women arrangedher long silky curls in flat tresses, forming two broad bands, which,descending sufficiently low almost entirely to conceal the small ear,the rosy lobe of which was alone visible, were joined to the large plaitbehind the head.

  This head-dress, borrowed from Greek antiquity, set off to admirationthe pure, fine features of Mdll
e. de Cardoville, and made her look somuch younger, that, instead of eighteen, one would hardly have given herfifteen years of age. Gathered thus closely about the temples, the hairlost its transparent and brilliant hues, and would have appeared almostbrown, but for the golden tints which played here and there, amid theundulations of the tresses. Lulled in that morning torpor, the warmlanguor of which is so favorable to soft reveries, Adrienne leanedwith her elbow on the pillow, and her head a little on one side,which displayed to advantage the ideal contour of her bared neck andshoulders; her smiling lips, moist and rosy, were, like her cheeks, coldas if they had just been bathed in ice-water; her snow-white lidshalf veiled the large, dark, soft eyes, which now gazed languidly uponvacancy, and now fixed themselves with pleasure upon the rosy flowersand green leaves in the basket of camellias. Who can paint the matchlessserenity of Adrienne's awaking--when the fair and chaste soul rouseditself in the fair and chaste body? It was the awakening of a heart aspure as the fresh and balmy breath of youth, that made her bosom riseand fall in its white, immaculate purity. What creed, what dogma, whatformula, what religious symbol, oh! paternal and divine Creator! canever give a more complete idea of Thy harmonious and ineffable power,than the image of a young maiden awaking in the bloom of her beauty,and in all the grace of that modesty with which Thou hast endowed her,seeking, in her dreamy innocence, for the secret of that celestialinstinct of love, which Thou hast placed in the bosom of all Thycreatures--oh! Thou whose love is eternal, and goodness infinite!

  The confused thoughts which, since her sleep, had appeared gently toagitate Adrienne, absorbed her more and more; her head resting on herbosom, her beautiful arm upon the couch, her features without becomingprecisely sad, assumed an expression of touching melancholy. Her dearestdesire was accomplished; she was about to live independent and alone.But this affectionate, delicate, expansive, and marvellously completenature, felt that God had not given her such rare treasures, to burythem in a cold and selfish solitude. She felt how much that was greatand beautiful might be inspired by love, both in herself, and inhim that should be worthy of her. Confiding in her courage, and thenobleness of her character, proud of the example that she wished to giveto other women, knowing that all eyes would be fixed enviously upon her,she felt, as it were, only too sure of herself; far from fearing thatshe should make a bad choice, she rather feared, that she should notfind any from whom to choose, so pure and perfect was her taste. And,even had she met with her own ideal, she had views so singular andso just, so extraordinary and yet so sensible, with regard to theindependence and dignity of woman, that, inexorably determined to makeno concession upon this head, she asked herself if the man of her choicewould ever accept the hitherto unheard-of conditions that she meant toimpose. In recalling to her remembrance the possible suitors that shehad met in the world, she remembered also the dark, but true picture,which Rodin had drawn with so much caustic bitterness. She remembered,too, not without a certain pride, the encouragement this man had givenher, not by flattery, but by advising her to follow out and accomplisha great, generous, and beautiful design. The current or the caprice offancy soon brought Adrienne to think of Djalma. Whilst she congratulatedherself on having paid to her royal kinsman the duties of a kinglyhospitality, the young lady was far from regarding the prince as thehero of her future.

  And first she said to herself, not unreasonably, that this half-savageboy, with passions, if not untamable, yet untamed, transported on asudden into the midst of a refined civilization, would be inevitablydestined to fiery trials and violent transformations. Now Mdlle. deCardoville, having nothing masculine or despotic in her character, hadno wish to civilize the young savage. Therefore, notwithstanding theinterest, or rather because of the interest, which she felt for theyoung Indian, she was firmly resolved, not to make herself known to him,till after the lapse of two or three months; and she determined also,that, even if Djalma should learn by chance that she was his relation,she would not receive his visit. She desired, if not to try him, atleast to leave him free in all his acts, so that he might expend thefirst fire of his passions, good or bad. But not wishing to abandon himquite without defence to the perils of Parisian life, she requested theCount de Montbron, in confidence, to introduce Prince Djalma to thebest company in Paris, and to enlighten him by the counsels of hislong experience. M. de Montbron had received the request of Mdlle.de Cardoville with the greatest pleasure, taking delight, he said, instarting his royal tiger in drawing-rooms, and bringing him into contactwith the flower of the fine ladies and gentlemen of Paris, offering atthe same time to wager any amount in favor of his half-savage pupil.

  "As for myself, my dear Count," said Adrienne to M. de Montbron, withher usual frankness, "my resolution is not to be shaken. You have toldme the effect that will be produced in the fashionable world, by thefirst appearance of Prince Djalma, an Indian nineteen years of age,of surprising beauty, proud and wild as a young lion arriving from hisforest; it is new, it is extraordinary, you added; and, therefore, allthe coquetries of civilized life will pursue him with an eagerness whichmakes me tremble for him. Now, seriously, my dear count it will notsuit me to appear as the rival of so many fine ladies, who are aboutto expose themselves intrepidly to the claws of the young tiger. I takegreat interest in him, because he is my cousin, because he is handsome,because he is brave, and above all because he does not wear thathorrible European dress. No doubt these are rare qualities--but notsufficient to make me change my mind. Besides, the good old philosopher,my new friend, has given me advice about this Indian, which you, mydear Count, who are not a philosopher, will yet approve. It is, for sometime, to receive visits at home, but not to visit other people--whichwill spare me the awkwardness of meeting my royal cousin, and allow meto make a careful choice, even amongst my usual society. As my housewill be an excellent one, my position most unusual, and as I shall besuspected of all sorts of naughty secrets, I shall be in no want ofinquisitive visitors, who will amuse me a good deal, I assure you."

  And as M. de Montbron asked, if the exile of the poor young Indiantiger was to last long, Adrienne answered: "As I shall see most of thepersons, to whom you will introduce him, I shall be pleased to heardifferent opinions about him. If certain men speak well of him, andcertain women ill, I shall have good hope of him. In a word, the opinionthat I come to, in sifting the true from the false (you may leave thatto my sagacity), will shorten or prolong the exile of my royal cousin."

  Such were the formal intentions of Mdlle. de Cardoville with regard toDjalma, even on the day she went with Florine to the house he occupied.In a word, she had positively resolved not to be known to him for somemonths to come.

  After long reflecting that morning, on the chances that might yet offerthemselves to satisfy the wants of her heart, Adrienne fell into a new,deep reverie. This charming creature, so full of life and youth, heaveda low sigh, raised her arms above her head, turned her profiletowards the pillow, and remained for some moments as if powerless andvanquished. Motionless beneath the white tissues that wrapped her round,she looked like a fair, marble statue, visible beneath a light layerof snow. Suddenly, Adrienne raised herself up, drew her hand across herbrow, and rang for her women. At the first silver tone of the bell,the two ivory doors opened. Georgette appeared on the threshold of thedressing-room, from which Frisky, a little black and-tan dog, with hisgolden collar, escaped with a joyful barking. Hebe appeared at thesame time on the threshold of the bath-room. At the further end of thisapartment, lighted from above, might be seen upon a green mat of Spanishleather, with golden ornaments, a crystal bath in the form of a longshell. The three only divisions in this masterpiece of glass work, wereconcealed by the elegant device of several large reeds in silver,which rose from the wide base of the bath, also of wrought silver,representing children and dolphins playing, among branches of naturalcoral, and azure shells. Nothing could be more pleasing than the effectof these purple reeds and ultramarine shells, upon a dull ground ofsilver; the balsamic vapor, which rose from the warm, limpid, a
ndperfumed water, that filled the crystal shell, spread through thebath-room, and floated like a light cloud into the sleeping-chamber.

  Seeing Hebe in her fresh and pretty costume, bringing her a long bathinggown, hanging upon a bare and dimpled arm, Adrienne said to her: "Whereis Florine, my child?"

  "Madame, she went downstairs two hours ago; she was wanted for somethingvery pressing."

  "Who wanted her?"

  "The young person who serves Madame as secretary. She went out thismorning very early; and, as soon as she returned, she sent for Florine,who has not come back since."

  "This absence no doubt relates to some important affair of my angelicminister of succor," said Adrienne, smiling, and thinking of thehunchback. Then she made a sign to Hebe to approach her bed.

  About two hours after rising, Adrienne, having had herself dressed,as usual, with rare elegance, dismissed her women, and sent for MotherBunch, whom she treated with marked deference, always receiving heralone. The young sempstress entered hastily, with a pale, agitatedcountenance, and said, in a trembling voice: "Oh, madame! mypresentiments were justified. You are betrayed."

  "Of what presentiments do you speak, my dear child!" said Adrienne, withsurprise. "Who betrays me?"

  "M. Rodin!" answered the workgirl.