This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By LUDOVIC HALEVY
The next morning, on returning from drill, Jean found Paul de Lavardenswaiting for him at the barracks; he scarcely allowed him time todismount, and the moment he had him alone:
"Quick," said he, "describe your, dinner-party of yesterday. I saw themmyself in the morning; the little one was driving four ponies, and withan amount of audacity! I bowed to them; did they mention me? Did theyrecognize me? When will you take me to Longueval? Answer me."
"Answer? Yes. But which question first?"
"The last."
"When shall I take you to Longueval?"
"Yes."
"Well, in ten days; they don't want to see any one just now."
"Then you are not going back to Longueval for ten days?"
"Oh, I shall go back to-day at four o'clock. But I don't count, youknow. Jean Reynaud, the Cure's godson. That is why I have penetrated soeasily into the confidence of these two charming women. I have presentedmyself under the patronage and with the guarantee of the Church.And then they have discovered that I could render them little services.I know the country very well, and they will make use of me as a guide.In a word, I am nobody; while you, Count Paul de Lavardens, you aresomebody; so fear nothing, your turn will come with the fetes and balls.Then you will be resplendent in all your glory, and I shall return veryhumbly into my obscurity."
"You may laugh at me as much as you like; it is none the less true thatduring those ten days you will steal a march upon me—upon me!"
"How upon you?"
"Now, Jean, do you want to make me believe that you are not already inlove with one of these two women? Is it possible? So much beauty, somuch luxury. Luxury to that degree upsets me. Those black ponies withtheir white rosettes! I dreamed of them last night, and that little-Bettina, is it not?"
"Yes, Bettina."
"Bettina—Countess Bettina de Lavardens! Doesn't that sound well enough!and what a perfect husband she would have in me! To be the husband of awoman possessing boundless wealth, that is my destiny. It is not so easyas one may suppose. I have already run through something, and—if mymother had not stopped me! but I am quite ready to begin again. Oh, howhappy that girl would be with me! I would create around her theexistence of a fairy queen. In all her luxury she would feel the taste,the art, and the skill of her husband. I would pass my life in adoringher, in displaying her beauty, in petting her, in bearing her triumphantthrough the world. I would study her beauty in order to give it theframe that best suited it. 'If he were not there,' she would say, 'Ishould not be so beautiful, so dazzling.' I should know not only how tolove her, but how to amuse her. She would have something for her money,she would have love and pleasure. Come, Jean, do a good action, take meto Mrs. Scott's to-day."
"I cannot, I assure you."
"Well, then, in ten days; but I give you fair notice, I shall installmyself at Longueval, and shall not move. In the first place it wouldplease my m