CHAPTER XXXV. THE INTERVIEW.
When Adrienne de Cardoville entered the saloon where Agricola expectedher, she was dressed with extremely elegant simplicity. A robe ofdeep blue, perfectly fitted to her shape, embroidered in front withinterlacings of black silk, according to the then fashion, outlinedher nymph-like figure, and her rounded bosom. A French cambric collar,fastened by a large Scotch pebble, set as a brooch, served her for anecklace. Her magnificent golden hair formed a framework for her faircountenance, with an incredible profusion of long and light spiraltresses, which reached nearly to her waist.
Agricola, in order to save explanations with his father, and to make himbelieve that he had indeed gone to the workshop of M. Hardy, had beenobliged to array himself in his working dress; he had put on a newblouse though, and the collar of his shirt, of stout linen, very white,fell over upon a black cravat, negligently tied; his gray trousersallowed his well polished boots to be seen; and he held between hismuscular hands a cap of fine woolen cloth, quite new. To sum up, hisblue blouse, embroidered with red, showing off the nervous chest of theyoung blacksmith, and indicating his robust shoulders, falling downin graceful folds, put not the least constraint upon his free and easygait, and became him much better than either frock-coat or dress-coatwould have done. While awaiting Miss de Cardoville, Agricolamechanically examined a magnificent silver vase, admirably graven. Asmall tablet, of the same metal, fitted into a cavity of its antiquestand, bore the words--"Chased by JEAN MARIE, working chaser, 1831."
Adrienne had stepped so lightly upon the carpet of her saloon, onlyseparated from another apartment by the doors, that Agricola had notperceived the young lady's entrance. He started, and turned quicklyround, upon hearing a silver and brilliant voice say to him-"That is abeautiful vase, is it not, sir?"
"Very beautiful, madame," answered Agricola greatly embarrassed.
"You may see from it that I like what is equitable." added Miss deCardoville, pointing with her finger to the little silver tablet;--"anartist puts his name upon his painting; an author publishes his on thetitle-page of his book; and I contend that an artisan ought also to havehis name connected with his workmanship."
"Oh, madame, so this name?"
"Is that of the poor chaser who executed this masterpiece, at the orderof a rich goldsmith. When the latter sold me the vase, he was amazed atmy eccentricity, he would have almost said at my injustice, when, afterhaving made him tell me the name of the author of this production,I ordered his name to be inscribed upon it, instead of that of thegoldsmith, which had already been affixed to the stand. In the absenceof the rich profits, let the artisan enjoy the fame of his skill. Is itnot just, sir?"
It would have been impossible for Adrienne to commence the conversationmore graciously: so that the blacksmith, already beginning to feel alittle more at ease, answered:
"Being a mechanic myself, madame, I cannot but be doubly affected bysuch a proof of your sense of equity and justice."
"Since you are a mechanic, sir," resumed Adrienne, "I cannot butfelicitate myself on having so suitable a hearer. But please to beseated."
With a gesture full of affability, she pointed to an armchair of purplesilk embroidered with gold, sitting down herself upon a tete-a-tete ofthe same materials.
Seeing Agricola's hesitation, who again cast down his eyes withembarrassment, Adrienne, to encourage him, showed him Frisky, andsaid to him gayly: "This poor little animal, to which I am very muchattached, will always afford me a lively remembrance of your obligingcomplaisance, sir. And this visit seems to me to be of happy augury;I know not what good presentiment whispers to me, that perhaps I shallhave the pleasure of being useful to you in some affair."
"Madame," said Agricola, resolutely, "my name is Baudoin: a blacksmithin the employment of M. Hardy, at Pressy, near the city. Yesterday youoffered me your purse and I refused it: to-day, I have come to requestof you perhaps ten or twenty times the sum that you had generouslyproposed. I have said thus much all at once, madame, because it causesme the greatest effort. The words blistered my lips, but now I shall bemore at ease."
"I appreciate the delicacy of your scruples, sir," said Adrienne; "butif you knew me, you would address me without fear. How much do yourequire?"
"I do not know, madame," answered Agricola.
"I beg your pardon. You don't know what sum?"
"No madame; and I come to you to request, not only the sum necessary tome, but also information as to what that sum is."
"Let us see, sir," said Adrienne, smiling, "explain this to me. In spiteof my good will, you feel that I cannot divine, all at once, what it isthat is required."
"Madame, in two words, I can state the truth. I have a food old mother,who in her youth, broke her health by excessive labor, to enable her tobring me up; and not only me, but a poor abandoned child whom shehad picked up. It is my turn now to maintain her; and that I have thehappiness of doing. But in order to do so, I have only my labor. If I amdragged from my employment, my mother will be without support."
"Your mother cannot want for anything now, sir, since I interest myselffor her."
"You will interest yourself for her, madame?" said Agricola.
"Certainly," replied Adrienne.
"But you don't know her," exclaimed the blacksmith.
"Now I do; yes."
"Oh, madame!" said Agricola, with emotion, after a moment's silence."I understand you. But indeed you have a noble heart. Mother Bunch wasright."
"Mother Bunch?" said Adrienne, looking at Agricola with a very surprisedair; for what he said to her was an enigma.
The blacksmith, who blushed not for his friends, replied frankly.
"Madame, permit me to explain, to you. Mother Bunch is a poor and veryindustrious young workwoman, with whom I have been brought up. Sheis deformed, which is the reason why she is called Mother Bunch. Butthough, on the one hand, she is sunk, as low as you are highly elevatedon the other, yet as regards the heart--as to delicacy--oh, lady, I amcertain that your heart is of equal worth with hers! That was at onceher own thought, after I had related to her in what manner, yesterday,you had presented me with that beautiful flower."
"I can assure you, sir," said Adrienne, sincerely touched, "that thiscomparison flatters and honors me more than anything else that you couldsay to me,--a heart that remains good and delicate, in spite of cruelmisfortunes, is so rare a treasure; while it is very easy to be good,when we have youth and beauty, and to be delicate and generous, whenwe are rich. I accept, then, your comparison; but on condition thatyou will quickly put me in a situation to deserve it. Pray go on,therefore."
In spite of the gracious cordiality of Miss de Cardoville, there wasalways observable in her so much of that natural dignity which arisesfrom independence of character, so much elevation of soul and noblenessof sentiment that Agricola, forgetting the ideal physical beauty of hisprotectress, rather experienced for her the emotions of an affectionateand kindly, though profound respect, which offered a singular andstriking contrast with the youth and gayety of the lovely being whoinspired him with this sentiment.
"If my mother alone, madame, were exposed to the rigor which I dread.I should not be so greatly disquieted with the fear of a compulsorysuspension of my employment. Among poor people, the poor help oneanother; and my mother is worshipped by all the inmates of our house,our excellent neighbors, who would willingly succor her. But, theythemselves are far from being well off; and as they would incurprivations by assisting her, their little benefit would still be morepainful to my mother than the endurance even of misery by herself. Andbesides, it is not only for my mother that my exertions are required,but for my father, whom we have not seen for eighteen years, and who hasjust arrived from Siberia, where he remained during all that time, fromzealous devotion to his former general, now Marshal Simon."
"Marshal Simon!" said Adrienne, quickly, with an expression of muchsurprise.
"Do you know the marshal, madame?"
"I do not personally know him, b
ut he married a lady of our family."
"What joy!" exclaimed the blacksmith, "then the two young ladies, hisdaughters, whom my father has brought from Russia, are your relations!"
"Has Marshal Simon two daughters?" asked Adrienne, more and moreastonished and interested.
"Yes, madame, two little angels of fifteen or sixteen, and so pretty,so sweet; they are twins so very much alike, as to be mistaken for oneanother. Their mother died in exile; and the little she possessed havingbeen confiscated, they have come hither with my father, from the depthsof Siberia, travelling very wretchedly; but he tried to make them forgetso many privations by the fervency of his devotion and his tenderness.My excellent father! you will not believe, madame, that, with thecourage of a lion, he has all the love and tenderness of a mother."
"And where are the dear children, sir?" asked Adrienne.
"At our home, madame. It is that which renders my position so very hard;that which has given me courage to come to you; it is not but that mylabor would be sufficient for our little household, even thus augmented;but that I am about to be arrested."
"About to be arrested? For what?"
"Pray, madame, have the goodness to read this letter, which has beensent by some one to Mother Bunch."
Agricola gave to Miss de Cardoville the anonymous letter which had beenreceived by the workwoman.
After having read the letter, Adrienne said to the blacksmith, withsurprise, "It appears, sir, you are a poet!"
"I have neither the ambition nor the pretension to be one, madame. Only,when I return to my mother after a day's toil, and often, even whileforging my iron, in order to divert and relax my attention, I amusemyself with rhymes, sometimes composing an ode, sometimes a song."
"And your song of the Freed Workman, which is mentioned in this letter,is, therefore, very disaffected--very dangerous?"
"Oh, no, madame; quite the contrary. For myself, I have the good fortuneto be employed in the factory of M. Hardy, who renders the condition ofhis workpeople as happy as that of their less fortunate comrades is thereverse; and I had limited myself to attempt, in favor of the greatmass of the working classes, an equitable, sincere, warm, and earnestclaim--nothing more. But you are aware, perhaps, Madame, that intimes of conspiracy, and commotion, people are often incriminated andimprisoned on very slight grounds. Should such a misfortune befall me,what will become of my mother, my father, and the two orphans whom weare bound to regard as part of our family until the return of theirfather, Marshal Simon? It is on this account, madame, that, if I remain,I run the risk of being arrested. I have come to you to request you toprovide surety for me; so that I should not be compelled to exchangethe workshop for the prison, in which case I can answer for it that thefruits of my labor will suffice for all."
"Thank the stars!" said Adrienne, gayly, "this affair will arrangeitself quite easily. Henceforth, Mr. Poet, you shall draw yourinspirations in the midst of good fortune instead of adversity. Sadmuse! But first of all, bonds shall be given for you."
"Oh, madame, you have saved us!"
"To continue," said Adrienne, "the physician of our family is intimatelyconnected with a very important minister (understand that, as you like,"said she, smiling, "you will not deceive yourself much). The doctorexercises very great influence over this great statesman; for he hasalways had the happiness of recommending to him, on account of hishealth; the sweets and repose of private life, to the very eve of theday on which his portfolio was taken from him. Keep yourself, then,perfectly at ease. If the surety be insufficient, we shall be able todevise some other means.
"Madame," said Agricola, with great emotion, "I am indebted to you forthe repose, perhaps for the life of my mother. Believe that I shall everbe grateful."
"That is all quite simple. Now for another thing. It is proper thatthose who have too much should have the right of coming to the aid ofthose who have too little. Marshal Simon's daughters are members of myfamily, and they will reside here with me, which will be more suitable.You will apprise your worthy mother of this; and in the evening, besidesgoing to thank her for the hospitality which she has shown to my youngrelations, I shall fetch them home."
At this moment Georgette, throwing open the door which separated theroom from an adjacent apartment, hurriedly entered, with an affrightedlook, exclaiming:
"Oh, madame, something extraordinary is going on in the street."
"How so? Explain yourself," said Adrienne.
"I went to conduct my dressmaker to the little garden-gate," saidGeorgette; "where I saw some ill-looking men, attentively examining thewalls and windows of the little out-building belonging to the pavilion,as if they wished to spy out some one."
"Madame," said Agricola, with chagrin, "I have not been deceived. Theyare after me."
"What say you?"
"I thought I was followed, from the moment when I left the Rue St.Merry: and now it is beyond doubt. They must have seen me enter yourhouse; and are on the watch to arrest me. Well, now that your interesthas been acquired for my mother,--now that I have no farther uneasinessfor Marshal Simon's daughters,--rather than hazard your exposure toanything the least unpleasant, I run to deliver myself up."
"Beware of that sir," said Adrienne, quickly. "Liberty is too preciousto be voluntarily sacrificed. Besides, Georgette may have been mistaken.But in any case, I entreat you not to surrender yourself. Takemy advice, and escape being arrested. That, I think, will greatlyfacilitate my measures; for I am of opinion that justice evinces a greatdesire to keep possession of those upon whom she has once pounced."
"Madame," said Hebe, now also entering with a terrified look, "a manknocked at the little door, and inquired if a young man in a blue blousehas not entered here. He added, that the person whom he seeks isnamed Agricola Baudoin, and that he has something to tell him of greatimportance."
"That's my name," said Agricola; "but the important information is atrick to draw me out."
"Evidently," said Adrienne; "and therefore we must play off trick fortrick. What did you answer, child?" added she, addressing herself toHebe.
"I answered, that I didn't know what he was talking about."
"Quite right," said Adrienne: "and the man who put the question?"
"He went away, madame."
"Without doubt to come back again, soon," said Agricola.
"That is very probable," said Adrienne, "and therefore, sir, it isnecessary for you to remain here some hours with resignation. I amunfortunately obliged to go immediately to the Princess Saint-Dizier, myaunt, for an important interview, which can no longer be delayed, andis rendered more pressing still by what you have told me concerning thedaughters of Marshal Simon. Remain here, then, sir; since if you go out,you will certainly be arrested."
"Madame, pardon my refusal; but I must say once more that I ought not toaccept this generous offer."
"Why?"
"They have tried to draw me out, in order to avoid penetrating with thepower of the law into your dwelling but if I go not out, they will comein; and never will I expose you to anything so disagreeable. Now that Iam no longer uneasy about my mother, what signifies prison?"
"And the grief that your mother will feel, her uneasiness, and herfears,--nothing? Think of your father; and that poor work-woman wholoves you as a brother, and whom I value as a sister;--say, sir, do youforget them also? Believe me, it is better to spare those torments toyour family. Remain here; and before the evening I am certain, eitherby giving surety, or some other means, of delivering you from theseannoyances."
"But, madame, supposing that I do accept your generous offer, they willcome and find me here."
"Not at all. There is in this pavilion, which was formerly the abode ofa nobleman's left-handed wife,--you see, sir," said Adrienne, smiling,"that live in a very profane place--there is here a secret placeof concealment, so wonderfully well-contrived, that it can defy allsearches. Georgette will conduct you to it. You will be very wellaccommodated. You will even be able to write some verses for me, if
theplace inspire you."
"Oh, madame! how great is your goodness! how have I merited it?"
"Oh, sir, I will tell you. Admitting that your character and yourposition do not entitle you to any interest;--admitting that I may notowe a sacred debt to your father for the touching regards and cares hehas bestowed upon the daughters of Marshal Simon, my relations--do youforget Frisky, sir?" asked Adrienne, laughing,--"Frisky, there, whomyou have restored to my fondles? Seriously, if I laugh," continued thissingular and extravagant creature, "it is because I know that youare entirely out of danger, and that I feel an increase of happiness.Therefore, sir, write for me quickly your address, and your mother's, inthis pocket-book; follow Georgette; and spin me some pretty verses, ifyou do not bore yourself too much in that prison to which you fly."
While Georgette conducted the blacksmith to the hiding-place, Hebebrought her mistress a small gray beaver hat with a gray feather;for Adrienne had to cross the park to reach the house occupied by thePrincess Saint-Dizier.
A quarter of an hour after this scene, Florine entered mysteriously theapartment of Mrs. Grivois, the first woman of the princess.
"Well?" demanded Mrs. Grivois of the young woman.
"Here are the notes which I have taken this morning," said Florine,putting a paper into the duenna's hand. "Happily, I have a good memory."
"At what time exactly did she return home this morning?" asked theduenna, quickly.
"Who, madame?"
"Miss Adrienne."
"She did not go out, madame. We put her in the bath at nine o'clock."
"But before nine o'clock she came home, after having passed the nightout of her house. Eight o'clock was the time at which she returned,however."
Florine looked at Mrs. Grivois with profound astonishment, and said-"Ido not understand you, madame."
"What's that? Madame did not come home this morning at eight o'clock?Dare you lie?"
"I was ill yesterday, and did not come down till nine this morning, inorder to assist Georgette and Hebe help our young lady from the bath. Iknow nothing of what passed previously, I swear to you, madame."
"That alters the case. You must ferret out what I allude to from yourcompanions. They don't distrust you, and will tell you all."
"Yes, madame."
"What has your mistress done this morning since you saw her?"
"Madame dictated a letter to Georgette for M. Norval, I requestedpermission to send it off, as a pretext for going out, and for writingdown all I recollected."
"Very well. And this letter?"
"Jerome had to go out, and I gave it him to put in the post-office."
"Idiot!" exclaimed Mrs. Grivois: "couldn't you bring it to me?"
"But, as madame dictated it aloud to Georgette, as is her custom, I knewthe contents of the letter; and I have written it in my notes."
"That's not the same thing. It is likely there was need to delay sendingoff this letter; the princess will be very much displeased."
"I thought I did right, madame."
"I know that it is not good will that fails you. For these six monthsI have been satisfied with you. But this time you have committed a verygreat mistake."
"Be indulgent, madame! what I do is sufficiently painful!" The girlstifled a sigh.
Mrs. Grivois looked fixedly at her, and said in a sardonic tone:
"Very well, my dear, do not continue it. If you have scruples, you arefree. Go your way."
"You well know that I am not free, madame," said Florine, reddening;and with tears in her eyes she added: "I am dependent upon M. Rodin, whoplaced me here."
"Wherefore these regrets, then?"
"In spite of one's self, one feels remorse. Madame is so good, and soconfiding."
"She is all perfection, certainly! But you are not here to sing herpraises. What occurred afterwards?"
"The working-man who yesterday found and brought back Frisky, came earlythis morning and requested permission to speak with my young lady."
"And is this working-man still in her house?"
"I don't know. He came in when I was going out with the letter."
"You must contrive to learn what it was this workingman came about."
"Yes, madame."
"Has your mistress seemed preoccupied, uneasy, or afraid of theinterview which she is to have to-day with the princess? She conceals solittle of what she thinks, that you ought to know."
"She has been as gay as usual. She has even jested about the interview!"
"Oh! jested, has she?" said the tire-woman, muttering between her teeth,without Florine being able to hear her: "'They laugh most who laughlast.' In spite of her audacious and diabolical character, she wouldtremble, and would pray for mercy, if she knew what awaits her thisday." Then addressing Florine, she continued-"Return, and keep yourself,I advise you, from those fine scruples, which will be quite enough to doyou a bad turn. Do not forget!"
"I cannot forget that I belong not to myself, madame."
"Anyway, let it be so. Farewell."
Florine quitted the mansion and crossed the park to regain the summerhouse, while Mrs Grivois went immediately to the Princess Saint-Dizier.
BOOK III.
XXXVI. A Female Jesuit XXXVII. The Plot XXXVIII. Adrienne's Enemies XXXIX. The Skirmish XL. The Revolt XLI. Treachery XLII. The Snare XLIII. A False Friend XLIV. The Minister's Cabinet XLV. The Visit XLVI. Presentiments XLVII. The Letter XLVIII. The Confessional XLIX. My Lord and Spoil-sport L. Appearances LI. The Convent LII. The Influence of a Confessor LIII. The Examination