l'abbe constantin — volume 3 by halevy, ludovic, 1834-1908
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THEABBECONSTANTIN
ByLUDOVICHALEVY
BOOK3.
CHAPTERVII
CONFIDENCES
Thenextmorning,onreturningfromdrill,JeanfoundPauldeLavardenswaitingforhimatthebarracks;hescarcelyallowedhimtimetodismount,andthemomenthehadhimalone:
"Quick,"saidhe,"describeyour,dinner-partyofyesterday.Isawthemmyselfinthemorning;thelittleonewasdrivingfourponies,andwithanamountofaudacity!Ibowedtothem;didtheymentionme?Didtheyrecognizeme?WhenwillyoutakemetoLongueval?Answerme."
"Answer?Yes.Butwhichquestionfirst?"
"Thelast."
"WhenshallItakeyoutoLongueval?"
"Yes."
"Well,intendays;theydon'twanttoseeanyonejustnow."
"ThenyouarenotgoingbacktoLonguevalfortendays?"
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"Oh,Ishallgobackto-dayatfouro'clock.ButIdon'tcount,youknow.JeanReynaud,theCure'sgodson.ThatiswhyIhavepenetratedsoeasilyintotheconfidenceofthesetwocharmingwomen.IhavepresentedmyselfunderthepatronageandwiththeguaranteeoftheChurch.AndthentheyhavediscoveredthatIcouldrenderthemlittleservices.Iknowthecountryverywell,andtheywillmakeuseofmeasaguide.Inaword,Iamnobody;whileyou,CountPauldeLavardens,youaresomebody;sofearnothing,yourturnwillcomewiththefetesandballs.Thenyouwillberesplendentinallyourglory,andIshallreturnveryhumblyintomyobscurity."
"Youmaylaughatmeasmuchasyoulike;itisnonethelesstruethatduringthosetendaysyouwillstealamarchuponme--uponme!"
"Howuponyou?"
"Now,Jean,doyouwanttomakemebelievethatyouarenotalreadyinlovewithoneofthesetwowomen?Isitpossible?Somuchbeauty,somuchluxury.Luxurytothatdegreeupsetsme.Thoseblackponieswiththeirwhiterosettes!Idreamedofthemlastnight,andthatlittle-Bettina,isitnot?"
"Yes,Bettina."
"Bettina--CountessBettinadeLavardens!Doesn'tthatsoundwellenough!andwhataperfecthusbandshewouldhaveinme!Tobethehusbandofawomanpossessingboundlesswealth,thatismydestiny.Itisnotsoeasyasonemaysuppose.Ihavealreadyrunthroughsomething,and--ifmymotherhadnotstoppedme!butIamquitereadytobeginagain.Oh,howhappythatgirlwouldbewithme!Iwouldcreatearoundhertheexistenceofafairyqueen.Inallherluxuryshewouldfeelthetaste,theart,andtheskillofherhusband.Iwouldpassmylifeinadoringher,indisplayingherbeauty,inpettingher,inbearinghertriumphantthroughtheworld.Iwouldstudyherbeautyinordertogiveittheframethatbestsuitedit.'Ifhewerenotthere,'shewouldsay,'Ishouldnotbesobeautiful,sodazzling.'Ishouldknownotonlyhowtoloveher,buthowtoamuseher.Shewouldhavesomethingforhermoney,
shewouldhaveloveandpleasure.Come,Jean,doagoodaction,takemetoMrs.Scott'sto-day."
"Icannot,Iassureyou."
"Well,then,intendays;butIgiveyoufairnotice,IshallinstallmyselfatLongueval,andshallnotmove.Inthefirstplaceitwouldpleasemymother;sheisstillalittleprejudicedagainsttheAmericans.Shesaysthatsheshallarrangenottoseethem,butIknowmymother.Someday,whenIshallgohomeintheeveningandtellher:'Mother,Ihavewonthe-heartofacharminglittlepersonwhoisburdenedwithacapitaloftwentymillions--theyexaggeratewhentheytalkofhundredsofmillions.Youknowthesearethecorrectfigures,andtheyareenough
forme.Thatevening,then,mymotherwillbedelighted,because,inherheart,whatisitshedesiresforme?Whatallgoodmothersdesirefortheirsons--agoodmarriage,oradiscreetliaisonwithsomeoneinsociety.AtLonguevalIfindthesetwoessentials,andIwillaccommodatemyselfverywillinglytoeither.Youwillhavethekindnesstowarnmeintendays--youwillletmeknowwhichofthetwoyouabandontome,Mrs.ScottorMissPercival?"
"Youaremad,youarequitemad!Idonot,Inevershallthink--"
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"Listen,Jean.Youarewisdompersonified;youmaysayanddoasyoulike,butrememberwhatIsaytoyou,Jean,youwillfallinloveinthathouse."
"Idonotbelieveit,"repliedJean,laughing.
"ButIamabsolutelysureofit.Good-by.Ileaveyoutoyourduties."
ThatmorningJeanwasperfectlysincere.Hehadsleptverywellthepreviousnight;thesecondinterviewwiththetwosistershad,asifbyenchantment,dissipatedtheslighttroublewhichhadagitatedhissoulafterthefirstmeeting.Hepreparedtomeetthemagainwithmuchpleasure,butalsowithmuchtranquillity;therewastoomuchmoneyinthathousetopermittheloveofapoordevillikeJeantofindplacehonestlythere.
Friendshipwasanotheraffair;withallhishearthewished,andwithallhisstrengthhesought,toestablishhimselfpeacefullyintheesteemandregardofthesisters.HewouldtrynottoremarktoomuchthebeautyofSusieandBettina;hewouldtrynottoforgethimselfashehaddonethepreviousevening,inthecontemplationofthefourlittlefeetrestingontheirfootstools.Theyhadsaid,veryfrankly,verycordially,tohim:"Youshallbeourfriend."Thatwasallhedesired--tobetheirfriend--andthathewouldbe.
Duringthetendaysthatfollowed,allconducedtothesuccessofthisenterprise.Susie,Bettina,theCure,andJeanledthesamelifeintheclosestandmostcordialintimacy.
Jeandidnotseektoanalyzehisfeelings.Hefeltforthesetwowomenanequalaffection;hewasperfectlyhappy,perfectlytranquil.Thenhewasnotinlove,forloveandtranquillityseldomdwellatpeaceinthesameheart.
Jean,however,sawapproach,withalittleanxietyandsadness,thedaywhichwouldbringtoLonguevaltheTurners,andtheNortons,andthewholeforceoftheAmericancolony.Thedaycametoosoon.
OnFriday,the24thofJune,atfouro'clock,Jeanarrivedatthecastle.Bettinareceivedhimalone,lookingquitevexed.
"Howannoyingitis,"saidshe,"mysisterisnotwell;alittleheadache,nothingofconsequence,itwillbegonebytomorrow;butIdarenotridewithyoualone.InAmericaImight;buthere,itwouldnotdo,wouldit?"
"Certainlynot,"repliedJean.
"Imustsendyouback,andIamsosorry."
"AndsoamI--Iamverysorrytobeobligedtogo,andtolosethislastday,whichIhadhopedtopasswithyou.However,sinceitmustbe,Iwillcometomorrowtoinquireafteryoursister."
"Shewillseeyouherself,to-morrow;Irepeatitisnothingserious.Butdonotrunawayinsuchahurry,pray;willyounotsparemealittlequarterofanhour'sconversation?Iwanttospeaktoyou;sitdownthere,andnowlistentomewell.MysisterandIhadintendedthisevening,afterdinner,toblockadeyouintoalittlecornerofthedrawing-room,andthenshemeanttotellyouwhatIamgoingtotryto
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sayforusboth."
"ButIamalittlenervous.Donotlaugh;itisaveryseriousmatter.Wewishtothankyouforhavingbeen,eversinceourarrivalhere,sogoodtousboth."
"Oh,MissPercival,pray,itisIwho--"
"Oh,donotinterruptme,youwillquiteconfuseme.Idonotknowhowtogetthroughwithit.Imaintain,besides,thatthethanksareduefromus,notfromyou.Wearrivedheretwostrangers.Wehavebeenfortunateenoughimmediatelytofindfriends.Yes,friends.Youhavetakenusbythehand,youhaveledustoourfarmers,toourkeepers;whileyourgodfathertookustohispoor--andeverywhereyouweresomuchbelovedthatfromtheirconfidenceinyou,theybegan,onyourrecommendation,tolikeusalittle.Youareadoredabouthere;doyouknowthat?"
"Iwasbornhere--allthesegoodpeoplehaveknownmefrommyinfancy,andaregratefultomeforwhatmygrandfatherandfatherdidforthem;andthenIamoftheirrace,theraceofthepeasants;mygreat-grandfatherwasalaboreratBargecourt,avillagetwomilesfromhere."
"Oh!oh!youappearveryproudofthat!"
"Neitherproudnorashamed."
"Ibegyourpardon,youmadealittlemovementofpride.Well,Icantellyouthatmymother'sgreat-grandfatherwasafarmerinBrittany.HewenttoCanadaattheendofthelastcentury,whenCanadawasstillFrench.Andyouloveverymuchthisplacewhereyouwereborn?"
"Verymuch.PerhapsIshallsoonbeobligedtoleaveit."
"Why?"
"WhenIgetpromotion,Ishallhavetoexchangeintoanotherregiment,
andIshallwanderfromgarrisontogarrison;butcertainly,whenIamanoldcommandantoroldcolonel,onhalf-pay,Ishallcomeback,andliveanddiehere,inthelittlehousethatwasmyfather's."
"Alwaysquitealone?"
"Whyquitealone?Icertainlyhopenot."
"Youintendtomarry?"
"Yes,certainly."
"Youaretryingtomarry?"
"No;onemaythinkofmarrying,butoneoughtnottotrytomarry."
"Andyettherearepeoplewhodotry.Come,Icananswerforthat,andyoueven;peoplehavewishedtomarryyou."
"Howdoyouknowthat?"
"Oh!Iknowallyourlittleaffairssowell;youarewhattheycallagoodmatch,andIrepeatit,theyhavewishedtomarryyou."
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"Whotoldyouthat?"
"MonsieurleCure."
"Thenhewasverywrong,"saidJean,withacertainsharpness.
"No,no,hewasnotwrong.IfanyonehasbeentoblameitisI.Isoondiscoveredthatyourgodfatherwasneversohappyaswhenhewasspeakingofyou.SowhenIwasalonewithhimduringourwalks,topleasehimItalkedofyou,andherelatedyourhistorytome.Youarewelloff;youareverywelloff;fromGovernmentyoureceiveeverymonthtwohundredandthirteenfrancsandsomecentimes;amIcorrect?"
"Yes,"saidJean,decidingtobearwithagoodgracehisshareintheCure'sindiscretions.
"Youhaveeightthousandfrancs'income?"
"Nearly,notquite."
"Addtothatyourhouse,whichisworththirtythousandfrancs.Youareinanexcellentposition,andpeoplehaveaskedyourhand."
"Askedmyhand!No,no."
"Theyhave,theyhave,twice,andyouhaverefusedtwoverygoodmarriages,twoverygoodfortunes,ifyoupreferit--itisthesamethingforsomanypeople.Twohundredthousandfrancsintheone,threehundredthousandintheothercase.Itappearsthatthesefortunesareenormousforthecountry!Yetyouhaverefused!Tellmewhy."
"Well,itconcernedtwocharmingyounggirls."
"Thatisunderstood.Onealwayssaysthat."
"ButwhomIscarcelyknew.Theyforcedme--forIdidresist--theyforced
metospendtwoorthreeeveningswiththemlastwinter."
"Andthen?"
"Then--Idon'tquiteknowhowtoexplainittoyou.Ididnotfeeltheslightesttouchofembarrassment,emotion,anxiety,ordisturbance--"
"Infact,"saidBettina,resolutely,"nottheleastsuspicionoflove."
"No,nottheleast,andIreturnedquitecalmlytomybachelorden,forIthinkitisbetternottomarrythantomarrywithoutlove."
"AndIthinkso,too."
Shelookedathim,helookedather,andsuddenly,tothegreatsurpriseofboth,theyfoundnothingmoretosay,nothingatall.
AtthismomentHarryandBellarushedintotheroom,withcriesofjoy.
"MonsieurJean!Areyouthere?Comeandseeourponies!"
"Ah!"saidBettina,hervoicealittleuncertain,"EdwardshasjustcomebackfromParis,andhasbroughttwomicroscopicponiesforthechildren.
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Letusgotoseethem,shallwe?"
Theywenttoseetheponies,whichwereindeedworthytofigureinthestablesoftheKingofLilliput.
CHAPTERVIII
ANOTHERMARTYRTOMILLIONS
Threeweekshaveglidedby;anotherdayandJeanwillbeobligedtoleavewithhisregimentfortheartillerypractice.Hewillleadthelifeofasoldier.Tendays'marchonthehighroadgoingandreturning,andtendaysinthecampatCercottesintheforestofOrleans.TheregimentwillreturntoSouvignyonthe10thofAugust.
Jeanisnolongertranquil;Jeanisnolongerhappy.Heseesapproachwithimpatience,andatthesametimewithterror,themomentofhisdeparture.Withimpatience--forhesuffersanabsolutemartyrdom,helongstoescapefromit;withterror--fortopasstwentydayswithoutseeingher,withoutspeakingtoher,withoutherinaword--whatwillbecomeofhim?Her!ItisBettina;headoresher!
Sincewhen?Sincethefirstday,sincethatmeetinginthemonthofMayintheCure'sgarden.Thatisthetruth;butJeanstrugglesagainstandresiststhattruth.HebelievesthathehasonlylovedBettinasincethedaywhenthetwochattedgayly,amicably,inthelittledrawing-room.Shewassittingonthebluecouchnearthewidow,and,whiletalking,amusedherselfwithrepairingthedisorderofthedressofaJapaneseprincess,oneofBella'sdolls,whichshehadleftonachair,andwhichBettinahadmechanicallytakenup.
WhyhadthefancycometoMissPercivaltotalktohimofthosetwoyounggirlswhomhemighthavemarried?Thequestionofitselfwasnotatallembarrassingtohim.Hehadrepliedthat,ifhehadnotthenfeltany
tasteformarriage,itwasbecausehisinterviewswiththesetwogirlshadnotcausedhimanyemotionoranyagitation.Hehadsmiledinspeakingthus,butafewminutesafterhesmilednomore.Thisemotion,thisagitation,hehadsuddenlylearnedtoknowthem.Jeandidnotdeceivehimself;heacknowledgedthedepthofthewound;ithadpenetratedtohisveryheart'score.
Jean,however,didnotabandonhimselftothisemotion.Hesaidtohimself:
"Yes,itisserious,veryserious,butIshallrecoverfromit."
Hesoughtanexcuseforhismadness;helaidtheblameoncircumstances.
Fortendaysthisdelightfulgirlhadbeentoomuchwithhim,toomuchwithhimalone!Howcouldheresistsuchatemptation?Hewasintoxicatedwithhercharm,withhergraceandbeauty.ButthenextdayatroopofvisitorswouldarriveatLongueval,andtherewouldbeanendofthisdangerousintimacy.Hewouldhavecourage;hewouldkeepatadistance;hewouldlosehimselfinthecrowd,wouldseeBettinalessoftenandlessfamiliarly.Toseehernomorewasathoughthecouldnotsupport!HewishedtoremainBettina'sfriend,sincehecouldbenothingbutherfriend;fortherewasanotherthoughtwhichscarcelyenteredthemindofJean.Thisthoughtdidnotappearextravaganttohim;it
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appearedmonstrous.InthewholeworldtherewasnotamorehonorablemanthanJean,andhefeltforBettina'smoneyhorror,positivelyhorror.
Fromthe25thofJunethecrowdhadbeeninpossessionofLongueval.Mrs.Nortonarrivedwithherson,DanielNorton;andMrs.Turnerwithherson,PhilipTurner.Bothofthem,theyoungPhilipandtheyoungDaniel,formedapartofthefamousbrotherhoodofthethirty-four.Theywereoldfriends,Bettinahadtreatedthemassuch,andhaddeclaredtothem,withperfectfrankness,thattheywerelosingtheirtime.However,theywerenotdiscouraged,andformedthecentreofalittlecourtwhichwasalwaysveryeagerandassiduousaroundBettina.
PauldeLavardenshadmadehisappearanceonthisscene,andhadveryrapidlybecomeeverybody'sfriend.Hehadreceivedthebrilliantandcomplicatededucationofayoungmandestinedforpleasure.Assoonasitwasaquestiononlyofamusement,riding,croquet,lawn-tennis,polo,dancing,charades,andtheatricals,hewasreadyforeverything.Heexcelledineverything.Hissuperioritywasevident,unquestionable.Paulbecame,inashorttime,bygeneralconsent,thedirectorandorganizerofthefetesatLongueval.
Bettinahadnotamomentofhesitation.JeanintroducedPauldeLavardens,andthelatterhadscarcelyconcludedthecustomarylittlecomplimentwhenMissPercival,leaningtowardhersister,whisperedin
herear:
"Thethirty-fifth!"
However,shereceivedPaulverykindly,sokindlythatforseveraldayshehadtheweaknesstomisunderstandher.Hebelievedthatitwashispersonalgraceswhichhadobtainedforhimthisveryflatteringandcordialreception.Itwasagreatmistake.PauldeLavardenshadbeenintroducedbyJean;hewasthefriendofJean.InBettina'seyes,thereinlayallhismerit.
Mrs.Scott'scastlewasopenhouse;peoplewerenotinvitedforoneeveningonly,butforeveryevening,andPaul,withenthusiasm,came
everyevening!Hisdreamwasatlastrealized;hehad,foundParisatLongueval.
ButPaulwasneitherblindnorafool.Nodoubthewas,onMissPercival'spart,theobjectofveryparticularattentionandfavor.Itpleasedhertotalklong,verylong,alonewithhim.Butwhatwastheeternal,theinexhaustiblesubjectoftheirconversations?Jean,againJean,andalwaysJean!
Paulwasthoughtless,dissipated,frivolous,buthebecameinearnestwhenJeanwasinquestion;heknewhowtoappreciatehim,heknewhowtolovehim.Nothingtohimwassweeter,nothingwaseasier,thantosayofthefriendofhischildhoodallthegoodthathethoughtofhim,andas
hesawthatBettinalistenedwithgreatpleasure,Paulgavefreereintohiseloquence.
Only--andhewasquiteright--Paulwishedoneeveningtoreapthebenefitofhischivalrousconduct.HehadjustbeentalkingforaquarterofanhourwithBettina.Theconversationfinished,hewenttolookforJeanattheotherendofthedrawing-room,andsaidtohim:
"Youleftthefieldopentome,andIhavemadeaboldstrokeforMissPercival."
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"Well,youhavenoreasontobediscontentedwiththeresultoftheenterprise.Youarethebestfriendsintheworld."
"Yes,certainly,prettywell,butnotquitesatisfactory.ThereisnothingmoreamiableormorecharmingthanMissPercival,andreallyitisverygoodofmetoacknowledgeit;for,betweenourselves,shemakesmeplayanungratefulandridiculousrole,arolewhichisquiteunsuitedtomyage.Iam,youwilladmit,ofthelover'sage,andnotofthatoftheconfidant."
"Oftheconfidant!"
"Yes,mydearfellow,oftheconfidant!Thatismyoccupationinthishouse.Youwerelookingatusjustnow.Oh,Ihaveverygoodeyes;youwerelookingatus.Well,doyouknowwhatweweretalkingabout?Ofyou,mydearfellow,ofyou,ofyouagain,ofnothingbutyou.Anditisthesamethingeveryevening;thereisnoendtothequestions:
"'Youwerebroughtuptogether?YoutooklessonstogetherfromtheAbbeConstantin?'
"'WillhesoonbeCaptain?Andthen?'
"'Commandant.'
"'Andthen?'
"'Colonel,etc.,etc.,etc.'
"Ah!Icantellyou,myfriendJean,ifyouliked,youmightdreamaverydeliciousdream."
Jeanwasannoyed,almostangry.Paulwasmuchastonishedatthissuddenattackofirritability.
"Whatisthematter?HaveIsaidanything--"
"Ibegyourpardon;Iwaswrong.Buthowcouldyoutakesuchanabsurdideaintoyourhead?"
"Absurd!Idon'tseeit.Ihaveentertainedtheabsurdideaonmyownaccount."
"Ah!you--"
"Why'Ah!you?'IfIhavehadityoumayhaveit;youarebetterworthitthanIam."
"Paul,Ientreatyou!"
Jean'sdiscomfortwasevident.
"Wewillnotspeakofitagain;wewillnotspeakofitagain.WhatIwantedtosay,inshort,isthatMissPercivalperhapsthinksIamagreeable;butastoconsideringmeseriously,thatlittlepersonwillnevercommitsuchafolly.ImustfallbackuponMrs.Scott,butwithoutmuchconfidence.Yousee,Jean,Ishallamusemyselfinthishouse,butIshallmakenothingoutofit."
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PauldeLavardensdidfallbackuponMrs.Scott,butthenextdaywassurprisedtostumbleuponJean,whohadtakentoplacinghimselfveryregularlyinMrs.Scott'sparticularcircle,forlikeBettinashehadalsoherlittlecourt.ButwhatJeansoughttherewasaprotection,ashelter,arefuge.
Thedayofthatmemorableconversationonmarriagewithoutlove,Bettinahadalso,forthefirsttime,feltsuddenlyawakeinherthatnecessityoflovingwhichsleeps,butnotveryprofoundly,intheheartsofallyounggirls.Thesensationhadbeenthesame,atthesamemoment,inthesoulofBettinaandthesoulofJean.He,terrified,hadcastitviolentlyfromhim.She,onthecontrary,hadyielded,inallthesimplicityofherperfectinnocence,tothisfloodofemotionandoftenderness.
Shehadwaitedforlove.Couldthisbelove?Themanwhowastobeherthought,herlife,hersoul--couldthisbehe--thisJean?Whynot?Sheknewhimbetterthansheknewallthosewho,duringthepastyear,hadhauntedherforherfortune,andinwhatsheknewofhimtherewasnothingtodiscouragetheloveofagoodgirl.Farfromit!
Bothofthemdidwell;bothofthemwereinthewayofdutyandoftruth--she,inyielding;he,inresisting;she,innotthinkingforamomentoftheobscurityofJean;he,inrecoilingbeforehermountainofwealth
ashewouldhaverecoiledbeforeacrime;she,inthinkingthatshehadnorighttoparleywithlove;he,inthinkinghehadnorighttoparleywithhonor.
Thisiswhy,inproportionasBettinashowedherselfmoretender,andabandonedherselfwithmorefranknesstothefirstcalloflove--thisiswhyJeanbecame,daybyday,moregloomyandmorerestless.Hewasnotonlyafraidofloving;hewasafraidofbeingloved.
Heoughttohaveremainedaway;heshouldnothavecomenearher.Hehadtried;hecouldnot;thetemptationwastoostrong;itcarriedhimaway;sohecame.Shewouldcometohim,herhandsextended,asmileonherlips,andherheartinhereyes.Everythinginhersaid:
"Letustrytoloveeachother,andifwecanlove,wewill!"
Fearseizedhim.Thosetwohandswhichofferedthemselvestothepressureofhishands,hehardlydaredtouchthem.Hetriedtoescapethoseeyeswhich,tenderandsmiling,anxiousandcurious,triedtomeethiseyes.HetrembledbeforethenecessityofspeakingtoBettina,beforethenecessityoflisteningtoher.
ItwasthenthatJeantookrefugewithMrs.Scott,anditwasthenthatMrs.Scottgatheredthoseuncertain,agitated,troubledwordswhichwerenotaddressedtoher,andwhichshetookforherself,nevertheless.Itwouldhavebeendifficultnottobemistaken.
Forofthesestillvagueandconfusedsentimentswhichagitatedher,Bettinahadasyetsaidnothing.Sheguardedandcaressedthesecretofherbuddinglove,asamiserguardsandcaressesthefirstcoinsofhistreasure.Thedaywhensheshouldseeclearlyintoherownheart;thedaythatsheshouldbesurethatsheloved--ah!shewouldspeakthatday,andhowhappysheshouldbetotellalltoSusie!
Mrs.ScotthadendedbyattributingtoherselfthismelancholyofJean,which,daybyday,tookamoremarkedcharacter.Shewasflatteredby
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it--awomanisneverdispleasedatthinkingherselfbeloved--andvexedatthesametime.SheheldJeaningreatesteem,ingreataffection;butshewasgreatlydistressedatthethoughtthatifheweresadandunhappy,itwasbecauseofher.
Susiewas,besides,consciousofherowninnocence.Withothersshehadsometimesbeencoquettish,verycoquettish.Totormentthemalittle,wasthatsuchagreatcrime?Theyhadnothingtodo,theyweregood-for-nothing,itoccupiedthemwhileitamusedher.Ithelpedthemtopasstheirtime,andithelpedher,too.ButSusiehadnottoreproachherselfforhavingflirtedwithJean.Sherecognizedhismeritandhissuperiority;hewasworthmorethantheothers,hewasamantosufferseriously,andthatwaswhatMrs.Scottdidnotwish.Already,twoorthreetimes,shehadbeenonthepointofspeakingtohimveryseriously,veryaffectionately,butshehadreflectedJeanwasgoingawayforthreeweeks;onhisreturn,ifitwerestillnecessary,shewouldreadhimalecture,andwouldactinsuchamannerthatloveshouldnotcomeandfoolishlyinterfereintheirfriendship.
SoJeanwastogothenextday.BettinahadinsistedthatheshouldspendthislastdayatLongueval,anddineatthehouse.Jeanhadrefused,allegingthathehadmuchtodothenightbeforehisdeparture.
Hearrivedintheevening,abouthalf-pastten;hecameonfoot.Several
timesonthewayhehadbeeninclinedtoreturn.
"IfIhadcourageenough,"hesaidtohimself,"Iwouldnotseeheragain.Ishallleaveto-morrow,andreturnnomoretoSouvignywhilesheisthere.Myresolutionistaken,andtakenforever."
Buthecontinuedhisway,hewouldseeheragain--forthelasttime.
Assoonasheenteredthedrawing-room,Bettinahastenedtohim.
"Itisyouatlast!Howlateyouare!"
"Ihavebeenverybusy."
"Andyouaregoingto-morrow?"
"Yes,to-morrow."
"Early?"
"Atfiveinthemorning."
"Youwillgobytheroadwhichrunsbythewallofthepark,andgoesthroughthevillage?"
"Yes,thatisthewayweshallgo."
"Whysoearlyinthemorning?Iwouldhavegoneoutontheterracetoseeyoupass,andtowishyougood-by."
BettinadetainedforamomentJean'sburninghandinhers.Hedrewitmournfullyaway,withaneffort.
"Imustgoandspeaktoyoursister,"saidhe.
"Directly,shehasnotseenyou,thereareadozenpersonsroundher.
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Comeandsitherealittlewhile,nearme."
Hewasobligedtoseathimselfbesideher.
"Wearegoingaway,too,"saidshe.
"You!"
"Yes.Anhourago,wereceivedatelegramfrommybrother-in-law,whichhascausedusgreatjoy.Wedidnotexpecthimforamonth,butheiscomingbackinafortnight.Hewillembarkthedayafterto-morrowatNewYork,onboardtheLabrador.WearegoingtomeethimatHavre.Weshallalsostartthedayafterto-morrow;wearegoingtotakethechildren,itwilldothemagreatdealofgoodtospendafewdaysattheseaside.Howpleasedmybrother-in-lawwillbetoknowyou--heknowsyoualready,wehavespokenofyouinallourletters.IamsureyouandMr.Scottwillgetonextremelywelltogether,heissogood.Howlongshallyoustayaway?"
"Threeweeks."
"Threeweeksinacamp?"
"Yes,MissPercival,inthecampofCercottes."
"InthemiddleoftheforestofOrleans.Imadeyourgodfatherexplainallaboutittomethismorning.OfcourseIamdelightedtogotomeetmybrother-in-law;butatthesametime,Iamalittlesorrytoleavehere,forIshouldhavegoneeverymorningtopayalittlevisittoMonsieurl'Abbe.Hewouldhavegivenmenewsofyou.Perhaps,inabouttendays,youwillwritetomysister--alittlenoteofthreeorfourlines--itwillnottakemuchofyourtime--justtotellherhowyouare,andthatyoudonotforgetus."
"Oh,astoforgettingyou,astolosingtheremembranceofyourextremekindness,yourgoodness,never,MissPercival,never!"
Hisvoicetrembled,hewasafraidofhisownemotion,herose.
"Iassureyou,MissPercival,Imustgoandspeaktoyoursister.Sheislookingatme.Shemustbeastonished."
Hecrossedtheroom,Bettinafollowedhimwithhereyes.
Mrs.Nortonhadjustplacedherselfatthepianotoplayawaltzfortheyoungpeople.
PauldeLavardensapproachedMissPercival.
"Willyoudomethehonor,MissPercival?"
"IbelieveIhavejustpromisedthisdancetoMonsieurJean,"shereplied.
"Well,ifnottohim,willyougiveittome?"
"Thatisunderstood."
BettinawalkedtowardJean,whohadseatedhimselfnearMrs.Scott.
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"Ihavejusttoldadreadfulstory,"saidshe."MonsieurdeLavardenshasaskedmeforthisdance,andIrepliedthatIhadpromisedittoyou.Youwouldlikeit,wouldn'tyou?"
Toholdherinhisarms,tobreathetheperfumeofherhair--Jeanfelthiscouragecouldnotsupportthisordeal,hedarednotaccept.
"IregretextremelyIcannot,Iamnotwelltonight;IpersistedincomingbecauseIwouldnotleavewithoutwishingyougood-by,butdance,no,itisimpossible!"
Mrs.Nortonbeganthepreludeofthewaltz.
"Well,"saidPaul,comingupquitejoyful,"whoisittobe,heorI?"
"You,"shesaid,sadly,withoutremovinghereyesfromJean.
Shewasmuchdisturbed,andrepliedwithoutknowingwellwhatshesaid.Sheimmediatelyregrettedhavingaccepted,shewouldhavelikedtostaythere,nearhim.Butitwastoolate,Paultookherhandandledheraway.
Jeanrose;helookedatthetwo,BettinaandPaul,ahazefloatedbeforehiseyes,hesufferedcruelly.
"ThereisonlyonethingIcando,"thoughthe,"profitbythiswaltz,andgo.To-morrowIwillwriteafewlinestoMrs.Scotttoexcusemyself."
Hegainedthedoor,helookednomoreatBettina;hadhelooked,hewouldhavestayed.
ButBettinalookedathim;andallatonceshesaidtoPaul:
"Thankyouverymuch,butIamalittletired,letusstop,please.Youwillexcuseme,willyounot?"
Paulofferedhisarm.
"No,thankyou,"saidshe.
Thedoorwasjustclosing,Jeanwasnolongerthere.Bettinaranacrosstheroom.Paulremainedalone,muchsurprised,understandingnothingofwhathadpassed.
Jeanwasalreadyatthehall-door,whenheheardsomeonecall--"MonsieurJean!MonsieurJean!"
Hestoppedandturned.Shewasnearhim.
"Youaregoingwithoutwishingmegood-by?"
"Ibegyourpardon,Iamverytired."
"Thenyoumustnotwalkhome,theweatheristhreatening,"sheextendedherhandout-of-doors,"itisrainingalready."
"Comeandhaveacupofteainthelittledrawing-room,andIwilltellthemtodriveyouhome,"andturningtowardoneofthefootmen,"tellthemtosendacarriagerounddirectly."
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"No,MissPercival,pray,theopenairwillreviveme.Imustwalk,letmego."
"Go,then,butyouhavenogreatcoat,takesomethingtowrapyourselfin."
"Ishallnotbecold--whileyouwiththatopendress--Ishallgotoobligeyoutogoin."Andwithoutevenofferinghishand,heranquicklydownthesteps.
"IfItouchherhand,"hethought,"Iamlost,mysecretwillescapeme."
Hissecret!HedidnotknowthatBettinareadhisheartlikeanopenbook.
WhenJeanhaddescendedthesteps,hehesitatedoneshortmoment,thesewordswereuponhislips:
"Iloveyou,Iadoreyou,andthatiswhyIwillseeyounomore!"
Buthedidnotutterthesewords,hefledawayandwassoonlostinthedarkness.
Bettinaremainedthereagainstthebrilliantbackgroundmadebythelightfromthehall.Greatdropsofrain,drivenbythewind,sweptacrossherbareshouldersandmadehershiver;shetooknonotice,shedistinctlyheardherheartbeat.
"Iknewverywellthathelovedme,"shethought,"butnowIamverysure,thatI,too--oh!yes!I,too!--"
Allatonce,inoneofthegreatmirrorsinthehalldoor,shesawthereflectionofthetwofootmenwhostoodtheremotionless,neartheoaktableinthehall.Bettinaheardburstsoflaughterandthestrainsofthewaltz;shestopped.Shewishedtobealone,completelyalone,andaddressingoneoftheservants,shesaid:
"GoandtellyourmistressthatIamverytired,andhavegonetomyownroom."
Annie,hermaid,hadfallenasleep,inaneasy-chair.Shesentheraway.Shewouldundressherself.Sheletherselfsinkonacouch,shewasoppressedwithdeliciousemotion.
Thedoorofherroomopened,itwasMrs.Scott.
"Youarenotwell,Bettina?"
"Oh,Susie,isityou,mySusie?howniceofyoutocome.Sithere,
closetome,quiteclosetome."
Shehidherselflikeachildinthearmsofhersister,caressingwithherburningbrowSusie'sfreshshoulders.Thenshesuddenlyburstintosobs,greatsobs,whichstifled,suffocatedher.
"Bettina,mydarling,whatisthematter?"
"Nothing,nothing!itisnothing,itisjoy--joy!"
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"Joy?"
"Yes,yes,wait--letmecryalittle,itwilldomesomuchgood.Butdonotbefrightened,donotbefrightened."
Beneathhersister'scaress,Bettinagrewcalm,soothed.
"Itisover,Iambetternow,andIcantalktoyou.ItisaboutJean."
"Jean!YoucallhimJean?"
"Yes,IcallhimJean.Haveyounotnoticedforsometimethathewasdullandlookedquitemelancholy?"
"Yes,Ihave."
"Whenhecame,hewentandpostedhimselfnearyou,andstayedthere,silent,absorbedtosuchadegree,thatforseveraldaysIaskedmyself--pardonmeforspeakingtoyouwithsuchfrankness,itismyway,youknow--Iaskedmyselfifitwerenotyouwhomheloved,Susie;youaresocharming,itwouldhavebeensonatural!Butno,itwasnotyou,itwasI!"
"You?"
"Yes,I.Listen,hescarcelydaredtolookatme,heavoidedme,hefledfromme,hewasafraidofme,evidentlyafraid.Now,injustice,amIapersontoinspirefear?IamsureIamnot!"
"Certainlynot!"
"Ah!itwasnotIofwhomhewasafraid,itwasmymoney,myhorridmoney!Thismoneywhichattractsalltheothersandtemptsthemsomuch,thismoneyterrifieshim,driveshimdesperate,becauseheisnotliketheothers,becausehe--"
"Mychild,takecare,perhapsyouaremistaken."
"Oh,no,Iamnotmistaken!Justnow,atthedoor,whenhewasgoingaway,hesaidsomewordstome.Thesewordswerenothing.Butifyouhadseenhisdistressinspiteofallhiseffortstocontrolit!Susie,dearSusie,bytheaffectionwhichIbearyou,andGodknowshowgreatisthataffection,thisismyconviction,myabsoluteconviction--if,insteadofbeingMissPercival,IhadbeenapoorlittlegirlwithoutapennyJeanwouldthenhavetakenmyhand,andhavetoldmethathelovedme,andifhehadspokentomethus,doyouknowwhatIshouldhavereplied?"
"Thatyoulovedhim,too?"
"Yes;andthatiswhyIamsohappy.WithmeitisafixedideathatImustadorethemanwhowillbemyhusband.Well!Idon'tsaythatIadoreJean,no,notyet;butstillitisbeginning,Susie,anditisbeginningsosweetly."
"Bettina,itreallymakesmeuneasytoseeyouinthisstateofexcitement.IdonotdenythatMonsieurReynaudismuchattachedtoyou--"
"Oh,morethanthat,morethanthat!"
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"Lovesyou,ifyoulike;yes,youareright,youarequiteright.Helovesyou;andareyounotworthy,mydarling,ofallthelovethatonecanbearyou?AstoJean--itisprogressingdecidedly,hereamIalsocallinghimJean--well!youknowwhatIthinkofhim.Irankhimvery,veryhigh.Butinspiteofthat,ishereallyasuitablehusbandforyou?"
"Yes,ifIlovehim."
"Iamtryingtotalksensiblytoyou,andyou,onthecontrary--Understandme,Bettina;Ihaveanexperienceoftheworldwhichyoucannothave.SinceourarrivalinParis,wehavebeenlaunchedintoaverybrilliant,veryanimated,veryaristocraticsociety.Youmighthavebeenalready,ifyouhadliked,marchionessorprincess."
"Yes,butIdidnotlike."
"ItwouldnotmattertoyoutobecalledMadameReynaud?"
"Notintheleast,ifIlovehim."
"Ah!youreturnalwaysto--"
"Becausethatisthetruequestion.Thereisnoother.NowIwillbesensibleinmyturn.Thisquestion--Igrantthatthisisnotquitesettled,andthatIhave,perhaps,allowedmyselftobetooeasilypersuaded.YouseehowsensibleIam.Jeanisgoingawayto-morrow,Ishallnotseehimagainforthreeweeks.DuringthesethreeweeksIshallhaveampletimetoquestionmyself,toexaminemyself,inaword,toknowmyownmind.Undermygiddymanner,Iamseriousandthoughtful,youknowthat?"
"Oh,yes,Iknowit."
"Well,Iwillmakethispetitiontoyou,asIwouldhaveaddressedittoourmotherhadshebeenhere.If,inthreeweeks,Isaytoyou,'Susie,
IamcertainthatIlovehim,'willyouallowmetogotohim,myself,quitealone,andaskhimifhewillhavemeforhiswife?ThatiswhatyoudidwithRichard.Tellme,Susie,willyouallowme?"
"Yes,Iwillallowyou."
Bettinaembracedhersister,andmurmuredthesewordsinherear:
"Thankyou,mamma."
"Mamma,mamma!Itwasthusthatyouusedtocallmewhenyouwereachild,whenwewerealoneintheworldtogether,whenIusedtoundressyouinourpoorroominNewYork,whenIheldyouinmyarms,whenIlaid
youinyourlittlebed,whenIsangyoutosleep.Andsincethen,Bettina,Ihavehadonlyonedesireintheworld,yourhappiness.ThatiswhyIbegyoutoreflectwell.Donotanswerme,donotletustalkanymoreofthat.Iwishtoleaveyouverycalm,verytranquil.YouhavesentawayAnnie,wouldyoulikemetobeyourlittlemammaagaintonight,toundressyou,andputyoutobedasIusedtodo?"
"Yes,Ishouldlikeitverymuch."
"Andwhenyouareinbed,youpromisemetobeverygood?"
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"Asgoodasanangel."
"Youwilldoyourbesttogotosleep?"
"Myverybest."
"Veryquietly,withoutthinkingofanything?"
"Veryquietly,withoutthinkingofanything."
"Verywell,then."
Tenminutesafter,Bettina'sprettyheadrestedgentlyamidembroideriesandlace.Susiesaidtohersister:
"Iamgoingdowntothosepeoplewhoboremedreadfullythisevening.Beforegoingtomyownroom,Ishallcomebackandseeifyouareasleep.Donotspeak.Gotosleep."
Shewentaway.Bettinaremainedalone;shetriedtokeepherword;sheendeavoredtogotosleep,butonlyhalf-succeeded.Shefellintoahalf-slumberwhichleftherfloatingbetweendreamandreality.Shehadpromisedtothinkofnothing,andyetshethoughtofhim,alwaysofhim,
ofnothingbuthim,vaguely,confusedly.
Howlongatimepassedthusshecouldnottell.
Allatonceitseemedtoherthatsomeonewaswalkinginherroom;shehalf-openedhereyes,andthoughtsherecognizedhersister.Inaverysleepyvoiceshesaidtoher:
"YouknowIlovehim."
"Hush!gotosleep."
"Iamasleep!Iamasleep!"
Atlastshedidfallsoundasleep,lessprofoundly,however,thanusual,foraboutfouro'clockinthemorningshewassuddenlyawakenedbyanoise,which,thenightbefore,wouldnothavedisturbedherslumber.Therainfellintorrents,andbeatagainstherwindow.
"Oh,itisraining!"shethought."Hewillgetwet."
Thatwasherfirstthought.Sherose,crossedtheroombarefooted,half-openedtheshutters.Thedayhadbroke,grayandlowering;thecloudswereheavywithrain,thewindblewtempestuously,anddrovetherainingustsbeforeit.
Bettinadidnotgobacktobed,shefeltitwouldbequiteimpossibletosleepagain.Sheputonadressing-gown,andremainedatthewindow;shewatchedthefallingrain.Sincehepositivelymustgo,shewouldhavelikedtheweathertobefine;shewouldhavelikedbrightsunshinetohavecheeredhisfirstday'smarch.
WhenshecametoLonguevalamonthago,Bettinadidnotknowwhatthismeant.Butsheknewitnow.Aday'smarchfortheartilleryistwentyorthirtymiles,withanhour'shaltforluncheon.ItwastheAbbeConstantinwhohadtaughtherthat;whengoingtheirroundsinthe
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morningamongthepoor,BettinaoverwhelmedtheCurewithquestionsonmilitaryaffairs,andparticularlyontheartillery.
Twentyorthirtymilesunderthispouringrain!PoorJean!BettinathoughtofyoungTurner,youngNorton,ofPauldeLavardens,whowouldsleepcalmlytillteninthemorning,whileJeanwasexposedtothisdeluge.
PauldeLavardens!
Thisnameawokeinherapainfulmemory,thememoryofthatwaltztheeveningbefore.Tohavedancedlikethat,whileJeanwassoobviouslyintrouble!Thatwaltztooktheproportionsofacrimeinhereyes;itwasahorriblethingthatshehaddone.
Andthen,hadshenotbeenwantingincourageandfranknessinthatlastinterviewwithJean?Heneithercouldnordaredsayanything;butshemighthaveshownmoretenderness,moreexpansiveness.Sadandsufferingashewas,sheshouldneverhaveallowedhimtogobackonfoot.Sheoughttohavedetainedhimatanyprice.Herimaginationtormentedandexcitedher;Jeanmusthavecarriedawaywithhimtheimpressionthatshewasabadlittlecreature,heartlessandpitiless.Andinhalf-an-hourhewasgoingaway,awayforthreeweeks.Ah!ifshecouldbyanymeans--butthereisaway!Theregimentmustpassalongthewallofthepark,
undertheterrace.
BettinawasseizedwithawilddesiretoseeJeanpass;hewouldunderstandwell,ifhesawheratsuchanhour,thatshehadcometobeghispardonforhercrueltyofthepreviousevening.Yes,shewouldgo!ButshehadpromisedtoSusietobeasgoodasanangel,andtodowhatshewasgoingtodo,wasthatbeingasgoodasanangel?ShewouldmakeupforitbyacknowledgingalltoSusiewhenshecameinagain,andSusiewouldforgiveher.
Shewouldgo!Shehadmadeuphermind.Onlyhowshouldshedressherself?Shehadnothingathandbutamuslindressing-gown,littlehigh-heeledslippers,andbluesatinshoes.Shemightwakehermaid.
Oh,neverwouldshedaretodothat,andtimepressed;aquartertofive!theregimentwouldstartatfiveo'clock.
Shemight,perhaps,managewiththemuslindressing-gown,andthesatinshoes;inthehall,shemightfindherhat,herlittlesabotswhichsheworeinthegarden,andthelargetartancloakfordrivinginwetweather.Shehalf-openedherdoorwithinfiniteprecautions.Everythingsleptinthehouse;shecreptalongthecorridor,shedescendedthestaircase.
Ifonlythelittlesabotsarethereintheirplace;thatishergreatanxiety.Theretheyare!Sheslipsthemonoverhersatinshoes,shewrapsherselfinhergreatmantle.
Shehearsthattherainhasredoubledinviolence.Shenoticesoneofthoselargeumbrellaswhichthefootmenuseontheboxinwetweather;sheseizesit;sheisready;butwhensheisreadytogo,sheseesthatthehall-doorisfastenedbyagreatironbar.Shetriestoraiseit;buttheboltholdsfast,resistsallherefforts,andthegreatclockinthehallslowlystrikesfive.Heisstartingatthatmoment.
Shewillseehim!shewillseehim!Herwillisexcitedbytheseobstacles.Shemakesagreateffort;thebaryields,slipsbackinthe
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groove.ButBettinahasmadealongscratchonherhand,fromwhichissuesaslenderstreamofblood.Bettinatwistsherhandkerchiefroundherhand,takeshergreatumbrella,turnsthekeyinthelock;andopensthedoor.
Atlastsheisoutofthehouse!
Theweatherisfrightful.Thewindandtherainragetogether.Ittakesfiveorsixminutestoreachtheterracewhichlooksovertheroad.Bettinadartsforwardcourageously;herheadbent,hiddenunderherimmenseumbrella,shehastakenafewsteps.Allatonce,furious,mad,blinding,asuddensquallburstsuponBettina,buriesherinhermantle,drivesheralong,liftsheralmostfromtheground,turnstheumbrellaviolentlyinsideout;thatisnothing,thedisasterisnotyetcomplete.
Bettinahaslostoneofherlittlesabots;theywerenotpracticalsabots;theywereonlyprettylittlethingsforfineweather,andatthismoment,whenBettinastrugglesagainstthetempestwithherbluesatinshoehalfburiedinthewetgravel,atthismomentthewindbearstoherthedistantechoofablastoftrumpets.Itistheregimentstarting!
Bettinamakesadesperateeffort,abandonsherumbrella,findsherlittlesabot,fastensitonaswellasshecan,andstartsoffrunning,withadelugedescendingonherhead.
Atlast,sheisinthewood,thetreesprotectheralittle.Anotherblast,nearerthistime.Bettinafanciesshehearstherollingofthegun-carriages.Shemakesalasteffort,thereistheterrace,sheistherejustintime.
Twentyyardsoffsheperceivedthewhitehorsesofthetrumpeters,andalongtheroadcaughtglimpses,vaguelyappearingthroughthefog,ofthelonglineofgunsandwagons.
Sheshelteredherselfunderoneoftheoldlimeswhichborderedtheterrace.Shewatched,shewaited.Heisthereamongthatconfusedmassofriders.Willshebeabletorecognizehim?Andhe,willheseeher?
Willanychancemakehimturnhisheadthatway?
BettinaknowsthatheisLieutenantinthesecondbatteryofhisregiment;sheknowsthatabatteryiscomposedofsixguns,andsixammunitionwagons.OfcourseitistheAbbeConstantinwhohastaughtherthat.Thusshemustallowthefirstbatterytopass,thatistosay,countsixguns,sixwagons,andthen--hewillbethere.
Thereheisatlast,wrappedinhisgreatcloak,anditishewhosees,whorecognizesherfirst.Afewmomentsbefore,hehadrecalledtohismindalongwalkwhichhehadtakenwithheroneevening,whennightwasfalling,onthatterrace.Heraisedhiseyes,andtheveryspotwhereherememberedhavingseenher,wasthespotwherehefoundheragain.He
bowed,and,bareheadedintherain,turningroundinhissaddle,aslongashecouldseeher,helookedather.Hesaidagaintohimselfwhathehadsaidthepreviousevening:
"Itisforthelasttime."
Withacharminggestureofbothhands,shereturnedhisfarewell,andthisgesture,repeatedmanytimes,broughtherhandssonear,sonearherlips,thatonemighthavefancied--
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"Ah!"shethought,"if,afterthat,hedoesnotunderstandthatIlovehim,anddoesnotforgivememymoney!"
CHAPTERIX
THEREWARDOFTENDERCOURAGE
Itwasthe20thofAugust,thedaywhichshouldbringJeanbacktoLongueval.
Bettinaawokeveryearly,rose,andranimmediatelytothewindow.Theeveningbefore,theskyhadlookedthreatening,heavywithclouds.Bettinasleptbutlittle,andallnightprayedthatitmightnotrainthenextday.
IntheearlymorningadensefogenvelopedtheparkofLongueval,thetreesofwhichwerehiddenfromview,asbyacurtain.Butgraduallytheraysofthesundissipatedthemist,thetreesbecamevaguelydiscerniblethroughthevapor;then,suddenly,thesunshonebrilliantly,floodingwithlightthepark,andthefieldsbeyond;andthelake,wheretheblackswansweredisportingthemselvesintheradiantlight,appearedasbright
asasheetofpolishedmetal.
Theweatherwasgoingtobebeautiful.Bettinawasalittlesuperstitious.Thesunshinegiveshergoodhopeandgoodcourage."Thedaybeginswell,soitwillfinishwell."
Mr.Scotthadcomehomeseveraldaysbefore.Susie,Betting,andthechildrenwaitedonthequayatHavreforthearrivalofhissteamer.
Theyexchangedmanytenderembraces;then,Richard,addressinghissister-in-law,said,laughingly:
"Well,whenistheweddingtobe?"
"Whatwedding?"
"Yours."
"Mywedding?"
"Yes,certainly."
"AndtowhomamIabouttobemarried?"
"ToMonsieurJeanReynaud."
"Ah!Susiehaswrittentoyou?"
"Susie?Notatall.Susiehasnotsaidaword.Itisyou,Bettina,whohavewrittentome.Forthelasttwomonths,allyourlettershavebeenoccupiedwiththisyoungofficer."
"Allmyletters?"
"Yes,andyouhavewrittentomeoftenerandmoreatlengththanusual.Idonotcomplainofthat,butIdoaskwhenyouaregoingtopresentme
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withabrother-in-law?"
Hespokejestingly,butBettinareplied:
"Soon,Ihope."
Mr.Scottperceivedthattheaffairwasserious.Whenreturninginthecarriage,BettinaaskedMr.Scottifhehadkeptherletters.
"Certainly,"hereplied.
Shereadthemagain.Itwasindeedonlywith"Jean"thatalltheselettershavebeenfilled.Shefoundthereinrelated,downtothemosttriflingdetails,theirfirstmeeting.TherewastheportraitofJeaninthevicaragegarden,withhisstrawhatandhisearthenwaresalad-dish--andthenitwasagainMonsieurJean,alwaysMonsieurJean.Shediscoveredthatshehadlovedhimmuchlongerthanshehadsuspected.Atlastitwasthe10thofAugust.Luncheonwasjustover,andHarryandBellawereimpatient.Theyknewthatbetweenoneandtwoo'clocktheregimentmustpassthroughthevillage.Theyhadbeenpromisedthattheyshouldbetakentoseethesoldierspass,andforthem,aswellasforBettina,thereturnofthe9thArtillerywasagreatevent.
"AuntBetty,"saidBella,"AuntBetty,comewithus."
"Yes,docome,"saidHarry,"docome,weshallseeourfriendJean,onhisbiggrayhorse."
Bettinaresisted,refused--andyethowgreatwasthetemptation.Butno,shewouldnotgo,shewouldnotseeJeanagaintilltheevening,whenshewouldgivehimthatdecisiveexplanationforwhichshehadbeenpreparingherselfforthelastthreeweeks.Thechildrenwentawaywiththeirgovernesses.Bettina,Susie,andRichardwenttositinthepark,quiteclosetothecastle,andassoonastheywereestablishedthere:
"Susie,"saidBettina,"Iamgoingtoremindyoutodayofyourpromise;yourememberwhatpassedbetweenusthenightofhisdeparture;we
settledthatif,onthedayofhisreturn,Icouldsaytoyou,'Susie,IamsurethatIlovehim,'wesettledthatyouwouldallowmetospeakfranklytohim,andaskhimifhewouldhavemeforhiswife."
"Yes,Ididpromiseyou.Butareyouverysure?"
"Absolutely--andnowthetimehascometoredeemyourpromise.IwarnyouthatIintendtobringhimtothisveryplace,"sheadded,smiling,"tothisseat;andtousealmostthesamelanguagetohimthatyouformerlyusedtoRichard.Youweresuccessful,Susie,youareperfectlyhappy,andI--thatiswhatIwishtobe."
"Richard,SusiehastoldyouaboutMonsieurReynaud."
"Yes,andshehastoldmethatthereisnomanofwhomshehasahigheropinion,but--"
"Butshehastoldyouthatformeitwouldbearatherquiet,rathercommonplacemarriage.Oh,naughtysister!Willyoubelieveit,Richard,thatIcannotgetthisfearoutofherhead?Shedoesnotunderstandthat,beforeeverything,Iwishtoloveandbeloved;willyoubelieveit,Richard,thatonlylastweekshelaidahorribletrapforme?YouknowthatthereexistsacertainPrinceRomanelli."
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"Yes,Iknowyoumighthavebeenaprincess."
"Thatwouldnothavebeenimmenselydifficult,Ibelieve.Well,onedayIwassofoolishastosaytoSusie,that,inextremity,ImightacceptthePrinceRomanelli.Now,justimaginewhatshedid.TheTurnerswereatTrouville,Susiehadarrangedalittleplot.WelunchedwiththePrince,buttheresultwasdisastrous.Accepthim!ThetwohoursthatIpassedwithhim,IpassedinaskingmyselfhowIcouldhavesaidsuchathing.No,Richard;no,Susie;Iwillbeneitherprincess,normarchioness,norcountess.MywishistobeMadameJeanReynaud;if,however,MonsieurJeanReynaudwillagreetoit,andthatisbynomeanscertain."
Theregimententeredthevillage,andsuddenlymilitarymusicburstmartialandjoyousacrossthespace.Allthreeremainedsilent,itwastheregiment,itwasJeanwhopassed;thesoundbecamefainter,diedaway,andBettinacontinued:
"No,thatisnotcertain.Helovesme,however,andmuch,butwithoutknowingwellwhatIam;IthinkthatIdeservetobeloveddifferently;IthinkthatIshouldnotcausehimsomuchterror,somuchfear,ifheknewmebetter,andthatiswhyIaskyoutopermitmetospeaktohimthiseveningfreely,frommyheart."
"Wewillallowyou,"repliedRichard,"youshallspeaktohimfreely,forweknow,bothofus,Bettina,thatyouwillneverdoanythingthatisnotnobleandgenerous."
"Atleast,Ishalltry."
Thechildrenranuptothem;theyhadseenJean,hewasquitewhitewithdust,hesaidgood-morningtothem.
"Only,"addedBella,"heisnotverynice,hedidnotstoptotalktous;usuallyhestops,butthistimehewouldn't."
"Yes,hewould,"repliedHarry,"foratfirstheseemedasifheweregoingto--andthenhewouldnot,hewentaway."
"Well,hedidn'tstop,anditissonicetotalktoasoldier,especiallywhenheisonhorseback."
"Itisnotthatonly,itisthatweareveryfondofMonsieurJean;ifyouknew,papa,howkindheis,andhownicelyheplayswithus."
"Andwhatbeautifuldrawingshemakes.Harry,yourememberthatgreatPunchwhowassofunny,withhisstick,youknow?"
"Andthedog,therewasthelittledog,too,asintheshow."
ThetwochildrenwentawaytalkingoftheirfriendJean.
"Decidedly,"saidMr.Scott,"everyonelikeshiminthishouse."
"Andyouwillbelikeeveryoneelsewhenyouknowhim,"repliedBettina.
Theregimentbrokeintoatrotalongthehighroad,afterleavingthevillage.TherewastheterracewhereBettinahadbeentheothermorning.Jeansaidtohimself:
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"Supposingsheshouldbethere."
Hedreadedandhopeditatthesametime.Heraisedhishead,helooked,shewasnotthere.
Hehadnotseenheragain,hewouldnotseeheragain,foralong-timeatleast.Hewouldstartthatveryeveningatsixo'clockforParis;oneofthepersonagesintheWarOfficewasinterestedinhim;hewouldtrytogetexchangedintoanotherregiment.
AloneatCercottes,Jeanhadhadtimetoreflectdeeply,andthatwastheresultofhisreflections.Hecouldnot,hemustnot,beBettinaPercival'shusband.
Themendismountedatthebarracks,JeantookleaveofhisColonel,hiscomrades;allwasover.Hewasfree,hecouldgo.
Buthedidnotgo;helookedaroundhim.Howhappyhewasthreemonthsago,whenherodeoutofthatgreatyardamidthenoiseofthecannonrollingoverthepavementofSouvigny;buthowsadlyheshouldrideawayto-day!Formerlyhislifewasthere;wherewoulditbehereafter?
Hereturned,wenttohisownroom,andwrotetoMrs.Scott;hetoldher
thathisdutiesobligedhimtoleaveimmediately,hecouldnotdineatthecastle,andbeggedMrs.ScotttorememberhimtoMissBettina.Bettina,ah!whattroubleitcosthimtowritethatname.Heclosedhisletter;hewouldsenditdirectly.
Hemadehispreparationsfordeparture;thenhewenttowishhisgodfatherfarewell.Thatiswhatcosthimmost;hemustspeaktohimonlyofashortabsence.
Heopenedoneofthedrawersofhisbureautotakeoutsomemoney.Thefirstthingthatmethiseyeswasalittlenoteonbluishpaper;itwastheonlynotewhichhehadeverreceivedfromher.
"Willyouhavethekindnesstogivetotheservantthebookofwhichyouspokeyesterdayevening.Perhapsitwillbealittleseriousforme,butyetIshouldliketotrytoreadit.Weshallseeyouto-night;comeasearlyaspossible."Itwassigned"Bettina."
Jeanreadandre-readthesefewlines,butsoonhecouldreadthemnolonger,hiseyesweredim.
"Itisallthatisleftmeofher,"hethought.
AtthesamemomenttheAbbeConstantinwastete-a-tetewitholdPauline,theyweremakinguptheiraccounts.Thefinancialsituationwasadmirable;morethan2,000francsinhand!AndthewishesofSusieand
Bettinawereaccomplished,therewerenomorepoorintheneighborhood.Hisoldservant,Pauline,hadevenoccasionalscruplesofconscience.
"Yousee,MonsieurleCure,"saidshe,"perhapswegivethemalittletoomuch.Thenitwillbespreadaboutinotherparishesthatheretheycanalwaysfindcharity.Anddoyouknowwhatwillhappenthen,oneofthesedays?PoorpeoplewillcomeandsettleinLongueval."
TheCuregavefiftyfrancstoPauline.Shewenttotakethemtoapoormanwhohadbrokenhisarmafewdaysbefore,byfallingfromthetopof
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ahay-cart.
TheAbbeConstantinremainedaloneinthevicarage.Hewasratheranxious.Hehadwatchedforthepassingoftheregiment;butJeanonlystoppedforamoment,helookedsad.Forsometime,theAbbehadnoticedthatJeanhadnolongertheflowofgood-humorandgayetyheoncepossessed.
TheCuredidnotdisturbhimselftoomuchaboutit,believingittobeoneofthoselittleyouthfultroubleswhichdidnotconcernapooroldpriest.But,onthisoccasion,Jean'sdisturbancewasveryperceptible.
"Iwillcomebackdirectly,"hesaidtotheCure,"Iwanttospeaktoyou."
Heturnedabruptlyaway.TheAbbeConstantinhadnotevenhadtimetogiveLoulouhispieceofsugar,orratherhispiecesofsugar,forhehadputfiveorsixinhispocket,consideringthatLoulouhadwelldeservedthisfeastbytenlongdays'march,andascoreofnightspassedundertheopensky.
Besides,sinceMrs.ScotthadlivedatLongueval,Loulouhadveryoftenhadseveralpiecesofsugar;theAbbeConstantinhadbecomeextravagant,prodigal;hefelthimselfamillionaire,thesugarforLoulouwasoneof
hisfollies.Oneday,even,hehadbeenonthepointofaddressingtoLoulouhiseverlastinglittlespeech:
"ThiscomesfromthenewmistressesofLongueval;prayforthemto-night."
Itwasthreeo'clockwhenJeanarrivedatthevicarage,andtheCuresaid,immediately:
"Youtoldmethatyouwantedtospeaktome;whatisitabout?"
"Aboutsomething,mydeargodfather,whichwillsurpriseyou,willgrieveyou--"
"Grieveme!"
"Yes,andwhichgrievesme,too--Ihavecometobidyoufarewell."
"Farewell!youaregoingaway?"
"Yes,Iamgoingaway."
"When?"
"To-day,intwohours."
"Intwohours?But,mydearboy,youweregoingtodineatthecastleto-night."
"IhavejustwrittentoMrs.Scotttoexcuseme.Iampositivelyobligedtogo."
"Directly?"
"Directly."
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"Andwhereareyougoing?"
"ToParis."
"ToParis!Whythissuddendetermination?"
"Notsoverysudden!Ihavethoughtaboutitforalongtime."
"Andyouhavesaidnothingaboutittome!Jean,somethinghashappened.Youareaman,andIhavenolongertherighttotreatyouasachild;butyouknowhowmuchIloveyou;ifyouhavevexations,troubles,whynottellthemtome?Icouldperhapsadviseyou.Jean,whygotoParis?"
"Ididnotwishtotellyou,itwillgiveyoupain;butyouhavetherighttoknow.IamgoingtoParistoasktobeexchangedintoanotherregiment."
"Intoanotherregiment!ToleaveSouvigny!"
"Yes,thatisjustit;ImustleaveSouvignyforashorttime,foralittlewhileonly;buttoleaveSouvignyisnecessary,itiswhatIwishaboveallthings."
"Andwhataboutme,Jean,doyounotthinkofme?Alittlewhile!Alittlewhile!Butthatisallthatremainstomeoflife,alittlewhile.Andduringtheselastdays,thatIowetothegraceofGod,itwasmyhappiness,yes,Jean,myhappiness,tofeelyouhere,nearme,andnowyouaregoingaway!Jean,waitalittlepatiently,itcannotbeforverylongnowfor.WaituntilthegoodGodhascalledmetohimself,waittillIshallbegone,tomeetthere,athisside,yourfatherandyourmother.Donotgo,Jean,donotgo."
"Ifyouloveme,Iloveyou,too,andyouknowitwell."
"Yes,Iknowit."
"IhavejustthesameaffectionforyounowthatIhadwhenIwasquitelittle,whenyoutookmetoyourself,whenyoubroughtmeup.Myhearthasnotchanged,willneverchange.Butifduty--ifhonor--obligemetogo?"
"Ah,ifitisduty,ifitishonor,Isaynothingmore,Jean,thatstandsbeforeall!--all!--all!Ihavealwaysknownyouagoodjudgeofyourduty,yourhonor.Go,myboy,go,Iaskyounothingmore,Iwishtoknownomore."
"ButIwishtotellyouall,"criedJean,vanquishedbyhisemotion,"anditisbetterthatyoushouldknowall.Youwillstayhere,youwillreturntothecastle,youwillseeheragain--her!"
"Seeher!Who?"
"Bettina!"
"Bettina?"
"Iadoreher,Iadoreher!"
"Oh,mypoorboy!"
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"Pardonmeforspeakingtoyouofthesethings;butItellyouasIwouldhavetoldmyfather."
"Andthen,Ihavenotbeenabletospeakofittoanyone,anditstifledme;yes,itisamadnesswhichhasseizedme,whichhasgrownuponme,littlebylittle,againstmywill,foryouknowvery-well--MyGod!ItwasherethatIbegantoloveher.Youknow,whenshecameherewithhersister--withthelittle'rouleaux'offrancs--herhairfelldown--andthentheevening,themonthofMary!ThenIwaspermittedtoseeherfreely,familiarly,andyou,yourself,spoketomeconstantlyofher.Youpraisedhersweetness,hergoodness.Howoftenhaveyoutoldmethattherewasnooneintheworldbetterthansheis!"
"AndIthoughtit,andIthinkitstill.AndnoonehereknowsherbetterthanIdo,foritisIalonewhohaveseenherwiththepoor.Ifyouonlyknewhowtender,andhowgoodsheis!Neitherwretchednessnorsufferingrepulseher.But,mydearboy,Iamwrongtotellyouallthis."
"No,no,Iwillseehernomore,Ipromiseyou;butIliketohearyouspeakofher."
"Inyourwholelife,Jean,youwillnevermeetabetterwoman,norone
whohasmoreelevatedsentiments.Tosuchapoint,thatoneday--shehadtakenmewithherinanopencarriage,fulloftoys--shewastakingthesetoystoapoorsicklittlegirl,andwhenshegavethemtoher,tomakethepoorlittlethinglaugh,toamuseher,shetalkedsoprettilytoherthatIthoughtofyou,andIsaidtomyself,Irememberitnow,'Ah,ifshewerepoor!'"
"Ah!ifshewerepoor,butsheisnot."
"Oh,no!Butwhatcanyoudo,mypoorchild!Ifitgivesyoupaintoseeher,tolivenearher;aboveall,ifitwillpreventyousuffering--go,go--andyet,andyet--"
Theoldpriestbecamethoughtful,lethisheadfallbetweenhishands,andremainedsilentforsomemoments;thenhecontinued:
"Andyet,Jean,doyouknowwhatIthink?IhaveseenagreatdealofMademoiselleBettinasinceshecametoLongueval.Well--whenIreflect--itdidnotastonishmethatanyoneshouldbeinterestedinyou,foritseemedsonatural--butshetalkedalways,yes,alwaysofyou."
"Ofme?"
"Yes,ofyou,andofyourfatherandmother;shewascurioustoknowhowyoulived.Shebeggedmetoexplaintoherwhatasoldier'slifewas,thelifeofatruesoldier,wholovedhisprofession,andperformedhis
dutiesconscientiously."
"Itisextraordinary,sinceyouhavetoldmethis,recollectionscrowduponme,athousandlittlethingscollectandgroupthemselvestogether.TheyreturnedfromHavreyesterdayatthreeo'clock.Well!anhouraftertheirarrivalshewashere.Anditwasofyouofwhomshespokedirectly.Sheaskedifyouhadwrittentome,ifyouhadnotbeenill,whenyouwouldarrive,atwhathour,iftheregimentwouldpassthroughthevillage?"
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"Itisuselessatthismoment,mydeargodfather,"saidJean,"torecallallthesememories."
"No,itisnotuseless.Sheseemedsopleased,sohappyeven,thatsheshouldseeyouagain!Shewouldmakequiteafeteofthedinnerthisevening.Shewouldintroduceyoutoherbrother-in-law,whohascomeback.Thereisnooneelseinthehouseatthismoment,notasinglevisitor.Sheinsistedstronglyonthispoint,andIrememberherlastwords--shewasthere,onthethresholdofthedoor:
"'Therewillbeonlyfiveofus,'shesaid,'youandMonsieurJean,mysister,mybrother-in-law,andmyself.'
"Andthensheadded,laughing,'Quiteafamilyparty.'
"Withthesewordsshewent,shealmostranaway.Quiteafamilyparty!DoyouknowwhatIthink,Jean?Doyouknow?"
"Youmustnotthinkthat,youmustnot."
"Jean,Ibelievethatshelovesyou."
"AndIbelieveit,too."
"You,too!"
"WhenIlefther,threeweeksago,shewassoagitated,somoved!Shesawmesadandunhappy,shewouldnotletmego.Itwasatthedoorofthecastle.Iwasobligedtotearmyself,yes,literallytearmyselfaway.Ishouldhavespoken,burstout,toldherall.AfterIhadgoneafewsteps,Istoppedandturned.Shecouldnolongerseeme,Iwaslostinthedarkness;butIcouldseeher.Shestoodtheremotionless,hershouldersandarmsbare,intherain,hereyesfixedonthewaybywhichIhadgone.PerhapsIammadtothinkthat.Perhapsitwasonlyafeelingofpity.Butno,itwassomethingmorethanpity,fordoyouknowwhatshedidthenextmorning?Shecameatfiveo'clock,inthemostfrightfulweather,toseemepasswiththeregiment--andthen--the
wayshebademeadieu--oh,myfriend,mydearoldfriend!"
"Butthen,"saidthepoorCure,completelybewildered,completelyataloss,"butthen,Idonotunderstandyouatall.Ifyouloveher,Jean,andifshelovesyou?"
"Butthatis,aboveall,thereasonwhyImustgo.IfitwereonlyI,ifIwerecertainthatshehasnotperceivedmylove,certainthatshehasnotbeentouchedbyit,Iwouldstay,Iwouldstay--fornothingbutforthesweetjoyofseeingher,andIwouldloveherfromafar,withoutanyhope,fornothingbutthehappinessoflovingher.Butno,shehasunderstoodtoowell,andfarfromdiscouragingme--thatiswhatforcesmetogo."
"No,Idonotunderstandit!Iknowwell,mypoorboy,wearespeakingofthingsinwhichIamnogreatscholar,butyouarebothgood,young,andcharming;youloveher,shewouldloveyou,andyouwillnot!"
"Andhermoney!hermoney!"
"Whatmattershermoney?Ifitisonlythat,isitbecauseofhermoneythatyouhavelovedher?Itisratherinspiteofhermoney.Yourconscience,myson,wouldbequiteatpeacewithregardtothat,andthat
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wouldsuffice."
"No,thatwouldnotsuffice.Tohaveagoodopinionofone'sselfisnotenough;thatopinionmustbesharedbyothers."
"Oh,Jean!Amongallwhoknowyou,whocandoubtyou?"
"Whoknows?Andthenthereisanotherthingbesidesthisquestionofmoney,anotherthingmoreseriousandmoregrave.Iamnotthehusbandsuitedtoher."
"Andwhocouldbemoreworthythanyou?"
"Thequestiontobeconsideredisnotmyworth;wehavetoconsiderwhatsheisandwhatIam,toaskwhatoughttobeherlife,andwhatoughttobemylife."
"Oneday,Paul--youknowhehasratherabluntwayofsayingthings,butthatverybluntnessoftenplacesthoughtsmuchmoredistinctlybeforeus--Paulwasspeakingofher;hedidnotsuspectanything;ifhehad,heisgood-natured,hewouldnothavespokenthus--well,hesaidtome:
"'Whatsheneedsisahusbandwhowouldbeentirelydevotedtoher,toheralone,ahusbandwhowouldhavenoothercarethantomakeher
existenceaperpetualholiday,ahusbandwhowouldgivehimself,hiswholelife,inreturnforhermoney.'
"Youknowme;suchahusbandIcannot,Imustnotbe.Iamasoldier,andshallremainone.IfthechancesofmycareersentmesomedaytoagarrisoninthedepthsoftheAlps,orinsomealmostunknownvillageinAlgeria,couldIaskhertofollowme?CouldIcondemnhertothelifeofasoldier'swife,whichisinsomedegreethelifeofasoldierhimself?Thinkofthelifewhichsheleadsnow,ofallthatluxury,ofallthosepleasures!"
"Yes,"saidtheAbbe,"thatismoreseriousthanthequestionofmoney."
"Soseriousthatthereisnohesitationpossible.DuringthethreeweeksthatIpassedaloneinthecamp,Ihavewellconsideredallthat;Ihavethoughtofnothingelse,andlovingherasIdolove,thereasonmustindeedbestrongwhichshowsmeclearlymyduty.Imustgo,Imustgofar,veryfaraway,asfaraspossible.Ishallsuffermuch,butImustnotseeheragain!Imustnotseeheragain!"
Jeansankonachairnearthefireplace.Heremainedtherequiteoverpoweredwithhisemotion.Theoldpriestlookedathim.
"Toseeyousuffer,mypoorboy!Thatsuchsufferingshouldfalluponyou!Itistoocruel,toounjust!"
Atthatmomentsomeoneknockedgentlyatthedoor.
"Ah!"saidtheCure,"donotbeafraid,Jean.Iwillsendthemaway."
TheAbbewenttothedoor,openedit,andrecoiledasifbeforeanunexpectedapparition.
ItwasBettina.InamomentshehadseenJean,andgoingdirecttohim:
"You!"criedshe."Oh,howgladIam!"
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Herose.Shetookhishands,andaddressingtheCure,shesaid:
"Ibegyourpardon,MonsieurleCure,forgoingtohimfirst.You,Isawyesterday,andhim,notforthreewholeweeks,notsinceacertainnight,whenheleftourhouse,sadandsuffering."
ShestillheldJean'shands.Hehadneitherpowertomakeamovementnortoutterasound.
"Andnow,"continuedBetting,"areyoubetter?No,notyet,Icansee,stillsad.Ah,Ihavedonewelltocome!Itwasaninspiration!However,itembarrassesmealittle,itembarrassesmeagreatdeal,tofindyouhere.YouwillunderstandwhywhenyouknowwhatIhavecometoaskofyourgodfather."
Sherelinquishedhishands,andturningtowardtheAbbe,said:
"Ihavecometobegyoutolistentomyconfession--yes,myconfession.Butdonotgoaway,MonsieurJean;Iwillmakemyconfessionpublicly.Iamquitewillingtospeakbeforeyou,andnowIthinkofit,itwillbebetterthus.Letussitdown,shallwe?"
Shefeltherselffullofconfidenceanddaring.Sheburnedwithfever,
butwiththatfeverwhich,onthefieldofbattle,givestoasoldierardor,heroism,anddisdainofdanger.TheemotionwhichmadeBettina'sheartbeatquickerthanusualwasahighandgenerousemotion.Shesaidtoherself:
"Iwillbeloved!Iwilllove!Iwillbehappy!Iwillmakehimhappy!Andsincehehasnotsufficientcouragetodoit,Imusthaveitforboth.Imustmarchalone,myheadhigh,andmyheartatease,totheconquestofourlove,totheconquestofourhappiness!"
FromherfirstwordsBettinahadgainedovertheAbbeandJeanacompleteascendancy.Theylethersaywhatsheliked,theyletherdoassheliked,theyfeltthatthehourwassupreme;theyunderstoodthatwhatwas
happeningwouldbedecisive,irrevocable,butneitherwasinapositiontoforesee.
Theysatdownobediently,almostautomatically;theywaited,theylistened.Alone,ofthethree,Bettinaretainedhercomposure.Itwasinacalmandevenvoicethatshebegan.
"Imusttellyoufirst,MonsieurleCure,tosetyourconsciencequiteatrest,ImusttellyouthatIamherewiththeconsentofmysisterandmybrother-in-law.TheyknowwhyIhavecome;theyknowwhatIamabouttodo.Theynotonlyknow,buttheyapprove.Thatissettled,isitnot?Well,whatbringsmehereisyourletter,MonsieurJean,thatletterinwhichyoutellmysisterthatyoucannotdinewithusthisevening,and
thatyouarepositivelyobligedtoleavehere.Thisletterhasunsettledallmyplans.Ihadintended,thisevening--ofcoursewiththepermissionofmysisterandbrother-in-law--Ihadintended,afterdinner,totakeyouintothepark,toseatmyselfwithyouonabench;Iwaschildishenoughtochoosetheplacebeforehand."
"ThereIshouldhavedeliveredalittlespeech,wellprepared,wellstudied,almostlearnedbyheart,forsinceyourdepartureIhavescarcelythoughtofanythingelse;Irepeatittomyselffrommorningtonight.ThatiswhatIhadproposedtodo,andyouunderstandthatyour
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lettercausedmemuchembarrassment.Ireflectedalittle,andthoughtthatifIaddressedmylittlespeechtoyourgodfatheritwouldbealmostthesameasifIaddressedittoyou.SoIhavecome,MonsieurleCure,tobegyoutolistentome."
"Iwilllistentoyou,MissPercival,"stammeredtheAbbe.
"Iamrich,MonsieurleCure,Iamveryrich,andtospeakfranklyIlovemywealthverymuch-yes,verymuch.ToitIowetheluxurywhichsurroundsme,luxurywhich,Iacknowledge--itisaconfession--isbynomeansdisagreeabletome.MyexcuseisthatIamstillveryyoung;itwillperhapspassasIgrowolder,butofthatIamnotverysure.Ihaveanotherexcuse;itis,thatifIlovemoneyalittleforthepleasurethatitprocuresme,Iloveitstillmoreforthegoodwhichitallowsmetodo.Iloveit--selfishly,ifyoulike--forthejoyofgiving,butIthinkthatmyfortuneisnotverybadlyplacedinmyhands.Well,MonsieurleCure,inthesamewaythatyouhavethecareofsouls,itseemsthatIhavethecareofmoney.Ihavealwaysthought,'Iwish,aboveallthings,thatmyhusbandshouldbeworthyofsharingthisgreatfortune.IwishtobeverysurethathewillmakeagooduseofitwithmewhileIamhere,andafterme,ifImustleavethisworldfirst.'Ithoughtofanotherthing;Ithought,'HewhowillbemyhusbandmustbesomeoneIcanlove!'Andnow,MonsieurleCure,thisiswheremyconfessionreallybegins.Thereisaman,whoforthelasttwomonths,
hasdoneallhecantoconcealfrommethathelovesme;butIdonotdoubtthatthismanlovesme.Youdoloveme,Jean?"
"Yes,"saidJean,inalowvoice,hiseyescastdown,lookinglikeacriminal,"Idoloveyou!"
"Iknewitverywell,butIwantedtohearyousayit,andnowIentreatyou,donotutterasingleword.Anywordsofyourswouldbeuseless,woulddisturbme,wouldpreventmefromgoingstraighttomyaim,andtellingyouwhatIpositivelyintendtosay.Promisemetostaythere,sittingstill,withoutmoving,withoutspeaking.Youpromiseme?"
"Ipromiseyou."
Bettina,asshewentonspeaking,begantolosealittleofherconfidence,hervoicetrembledslightly.Shecontinued,however,withagayetythatwasalittleforced:
"MonsieurleCure,Idonotblameyouforwhathashappened,yetallthisisalittleyourfault."
"Myfault!"
"Ah!donotspeak,notevenyou.Yes,Irepeatit,yourfault.IamcertainthatyouhavespokenwellofmetoJean,muchtoowell.Perhaps,withoutthat,hewouldnothavethought--Andatthesametimeyouhave
spokenverywellofhimtome.Nottoowell--no,no--butyetverywell!Then,Ihadsomuchconfidenceinyou,thatIbegantolookathim,andexamine,himwithalittlemoreattention.Ibegantocomparehimwiththosewho,duringthelastyear,hadaskedmyhand.Itseemedtomethathewasineveryrespectsuperiortothem.
"Atlast,ithappened,onacertainday,orratheronacertainevening-threeweeksago,theeveningbeforeyoulefthere,Jean--IdiscoveredthatIlovedyou.Yes,Jean,Iloveyou!Ientreatyou,donotspeak;staywhereyouare;donotcomenearme.
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"BeforeIcamehere,IthoughtIhadsuppliedmyselfwithagoodstockofcourage,butyouseeIhavenolongermyfinecomposureofaminuteago.ButIhavestillsomethingtotellyou,andthemostimportantofall.Jean,listentomewell;Idonotwishforareplytornfromyouremotion;Iknowthatyouloveme.Ifyoumarryme,Idonotwishittobeonlyforlove;Iwishittobealsoforreason.Duringthefortnightbeforeyoulefthere,youtooksomuchpainstoavoidme,toescapeanyconversation,thatIhavenotbeenabletoshowmyselftoyouasIam.Perhapsthereareinmecertainqualitieswhichyoudonotsuspect.
"Jean,Iknowwhatyouare,IknowtowhatIshouldbindmyselfinmarryingyou,andIshouldbeforyounotonlythelovingandtenderwoman,butthecourageousandconstantwife.Iknowyourentirelife;yourgodfatherhasrelatedittome.Iknowwhyyoubecameasoldier;Iknowwhatduties,whatsacrifices,thefuturemaydemandfromyou.Jean,donotsupposethatIshallturnyoufromanyoftheseduties,fromanyofthesesacrifices.IfIcouldbedisappointedwithyouforanything,itwouldbe,perhaps,forthisthought--oh,youmusthavehadit!--thatIshouldwishyoufree,andquitemyown,thatIshouldaskyoutoabandonyourcareer.Never!never!Understandwell,Ishallneverasksuchathingofyou.
"AyounggirlwhomIknowdidthatwhenshemarried,andshedidwrong.
Iloveyou,andIwishyoutobejustwhatyouare.Itisbecauseyoulivedifferentlyfrom,andbetterthan,thosewhohavebeforedesiredmeforawife,thatIdesireyouforahusband.Ishouldloveyouless--perhapsIshouldnotloveyouatall,thoughthatwouldbeverydifficult--ifyouweretobegintoliveasallthoselivewhomIwouldnothave.WhenIcanfollowyou,Iwillfollowyou;whereveryouarewillbemyduty,whereveryouarewillbemyhappiness.Andifthedaycomeswhenyoucannottakeme,thedaywhenyoumustgoalone,well!Jean,onthatday,Ipromiseyoutobebrave,andnottakeyourcouragefromyou.
"Andnow,MonsieurleCure,itisnottohim,itistoyouthatIamspeaking;Iwantyoutoanswerme,nothim.Tellme,ifhelovesme,
andfeelsmeworthyofhislove,woulditbejusttomakemeexpiatesoseverelythefortunethatIpossess?Tellme,shouldhenotagreetobemyhusband?"
"Jean,"saidtheoldpriest,gravely,"marryher.Itisyourduty,anditwillbeyourhappiness!"
JeanapproachedBettina,tookherinhisarms,andpresseduponherbrowthefirstkiss.
Bettinagentlyfreedherself,andaddressingtheAbbe,said:
"Andnow,Monsieurl'Abbe,Ihavestillonethingtoaskyou.Iwish--
Iwish--"
"Youwish?"
"Pray,MonsieurleCure,embraceme,too."
Theoldpriestkissedherpaternallyonbothcheeks,andthenBettinacontinued:
"Youhaveoftentoldme,MonsieurleCure,thatJeanwasalmostlikeyour
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ownson,andIshallbealmostlikeyourowndaughter,shallInot?Soyouwillhavetwochildren,thatisall."
...........................
Amonthafter,onthe12thofSeptember,atmid-day,Bettina,inthesimplestofwedding-gowns,enteredthechurchofLongueval,while,placedbehindthealtar,thetrumpetsofthe9thArtilleryrangjoyouslythroughthearchesoftheoldchurch.
NancyTurnerhadbeggedforthehonorofplayingtheorganonthissolemnoccasion,forthepoorlittleharmoniumhaddisappeared;anorgan,withresplendentpipes,roseinthegalleryofthechurch--itwasMissPercival'sweddingpresenttotheAbbeConstantin.
TheoldCuresaidmass,JeanandBettinakneltbeforehim,hepronouncedthebenediction,andthenremainedforsomemomentsinprayer,hisarmsextended,callingdown,withhiswholesoul,theblessingsofHeavenonhistwochildren.
ThenfloatedfromtheorganthesamereverieofChopin'swhichBettinahadplayedthefirsttimethatshehadenteredthatlittlevillagechurch,wherewastobeconsecratedthehappinessofherlife.
AndthistimeitwasBettinawhowept.
ETEXTEDITOR'SBOOKMARKS:
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