Chapter 8 Chapter One

Frederick had just sat down in the innermost seat of the carriage when the five workhorses ran away, and the stagecoach followed, and he felt elated.He has already planned for the future, just like an architect building a palace.The future he imagined was so picturesque.This palace of future life stands tall, and inside the palace is a world of colorful flowers.He has been completely immersed in the wonderful reverie, and has already left everything around him out of the sky. When he came to the foot of Suldon Mountain, he came back to his senses, it was only five kilometers away at most!He muttered inwardly.He lowered the window, looked at the road, and kept asking the driver how long it would take to get to Paris.However, his mood gradually calmed down, his eyes widened, and he curled up in a corner of the carriage.

The chandelier hanging from the coachman's seat was shining right on the shaft horse's rear.Looking forward, I can only vaguely see the manes of other horses, rising and falling like waves.The exhaled breath of the shaft-horse at gallop turned into a white cloud of smoke on both sides of the shaft; the chains jingled and the panes of the windows rattled and rattled; Driving; vaguely in the dark, I can see the wall of a warehouse, and sometimes I can see an inn standing alone.Occasionally passing by a village, I saw a blazing fire in the bakery, and the flames reflected the fat horses. At this time, I could see the silhouette of the horse running on the wall of another house opposite.Whenever I unloaded the saddle at a post station, there was always silence for a while.A man was pacing by the tent at the foot of the high hill, and a woman was standing on the threshold of the inn with a candle in her hand.Then, the coachman stepped on his horse and jumped on the horse, and the stagecoach moved forward again.

It was exactly fifteen past one when the stagecoach came to Mormont. "Anyway, it's been until today, just this afternoon!" He was thinking. But thinking about the past, looking forward to the future, and Nogent, the streets of Choisey, Mme Arnoux, his mother, in short, all these gradually became mixed together. He was awakened from the chaos by a loud crash of planks.At this time, the post-coach was driving on the Pont Charenton, approaching Paris.Of his two companions, one of them was taking off his peaked cap, and the other was busy taking off the scarf around his neck.They both put on their top hats and chatted to each other.Of the two men, one was a businessman, rosy and stout, in a velvet tailcoat; the other was in the capital for medical treatment.Frederick was afraid of causing trouble to him along the way last night, so he took the initiative to greet him. You know, he is the happiest person now, and he has become especially kind.

The platform of the station may have been soaked in water, and the carriage drove straight ahead.A field came into view again.From afar, you can see the towering chimneys of the factory, filled with smoke.Then the stagecoach turned towards Ivry and drove along a side street.Just then, the dome of the Pantheon could be vaguely seen. The uneven fields looked like vague ruins.The castle walls are like malignant tumors growing on the horizon.The sidewalk beside the road is made of earth, and there are some bare young trees planted, surrounded by slats full of iron nails.Wood processing plants and chemical plants abound.There are often half-open doors on the farm, from which you can see the dirty courtyard, full of stinking excrement, and there is a puddle of stinky water in the middle of the courtyard.The hotels are arranged in a long strip, and the walls are painted blood red.Through the windows on the second floor, two pool sticks crossed on a colorful garland can be seen.Some unfinished old lime houses are scattered here and there.Then there are two continuous rows of houses.The door of the room was wide open, and at regular intervals, a thick tin cigar could be seen protruding from the room. It turned out to be a tobacco shop.The midwife's sign showed a newborn woman in a hat, slowly rocking a newborn baby.There are all kinds of advertisements everywhere on the corner of the wall, most of which are torn, like strips of cotton wool swaying in the wind.The streets were bustling with people, workers in rough clothes, the carts of the wine dealers, the wagons of the laundresses, and the carts of the butchers.The sky was drizzling, the air was cold, and the sky was gray.However, he felt two sun-like eyes shooting scorching light through the thick fog.

The stagecoach stopped for a long time after arriving at the checkpoint. It was very crowded with egg sellers, goods haulers, and a flock of sheep.The General Sentinel, with the hood of his overcoat turned out, walked up and down in front of the sentry post to warm himself up.The tax collector climbed onto the roof of the car, and then blew the little horn.The stagecoach ran forward along the road.The yokes of the carriages were deafening, the ribbons fluttered in the wind, and the coachman crackled his long whips in the damp air.The coachman shouted loudly: "Look at the car! Look at the car! Oh hey!" The road sweeper hurried to the side of the road, and the pedestrians also backed away. The mud on the road splashed on the car window; Garbage trucks, buggies and stagecoaches.Finally, I finally saw the fence of the Paris Botanic Garden.

The Seine River was turbid, and the river was about to overflow to the bridge deck, and a cool breath rushed over.Frederick sucked it in big mouthfuls, savoring the crisp Parisian air as if it contained the warmth of love and wisdom.He could no longer restrain his excitement when the first carriage flew past him; even the straw threshold of the tavern, the shoe shiner and his toolbox, the shaken coffee beans roasted in the grocer The clerk of the machine, and so on, all of these are so familiar and friendly to him.The women walked hurriedly under umbrellas.Frederick put his head out to watch them carefully, and Madame Arnoux might just happen to come out too.

Shops passed by one by one, and there were more and more people, and the noise became louder and louder.The Piers of St. Bernard, Tournelle, and Montebello were left behind one after another, and soon came the Pier of Napoleon.He wanted to glance at the windows of his house, but it was too far away.Then, after crossing the Pont Neuf over the Seine, you will come to the Louvre Museum, and then you will be on the Avenue Saint-Honoré, the Croisette and the Rue Blois.After passing these places, we came to Jilu Street, and then came the yard of the inn. In order to keep himself in good spirits, Frederick dressed slowly, and even walked to the Avenue Montmartre; he could not help smiling at the thought that he would soon see the name of his beloved on the marble plaque.When he looked up, he saw that the window and the picture had disappeared, nothing!

He hurried to the Rue de Schwarzer.Monsieur and Madame Arnoux no longer lived there, and a neighborhood woman watched over the concierge.Frederick waited impatiently for the gatekeeper, and at last he appeared, but not the same gatekeeper as before.This man had no idea where the Arnoux lived. Frederick came to a café.He ate his breakfast while browsing the business yearbook.There are at least 300 names like Arnoux in this yearbook, but the name Jacques Arnoux cannot be found.Where do they live now?Pellerin might be clear. So Frederick came to the workshop of Pellerin, a highland on the outskirts of Poissonniere.There was no bell or knocker on the door, so he raised his hand, clenched his fist, pounded on the door, and shouted.However, it was quiet inside.

Then, he thought of Yu Suonei.But where to find him?It occurred to him that he had once accompanied Ussonet to the house of his lover in the Rue Fleurit.But it was only when Frederick came to the Rue de Fleurid that he realized that he did not know the woman's name. He asked the Police Headquarters to help him walk from one staircase to another, from this office to that office.The duty officer at the information desk was off duty, and he was told to come back the next day. Then, as soon as he could find the painting shop, he would go in and inquire. Could it be that Arnoux was really strange to people?In the end, he was told that M. Arnoux had long since given up the business.

Afterwards, he was depressed and felt very sleepy, as if the disease had also hit him.So he went back to the inn again, collapsed and fell asleep.Just as he got into the bed, suddenly a thought flashed through him, and he jumped up excitedly: "Leranpa! Look how stupid I am, I didn't think of this man!" The next morning, just as the clock struck seven, Frederick was at the door of a tavern in the Rue Notre-Dame de la Victory, where Léramba used to drink white wine.The tavern hadn't opened yet, so Frederick wandered around the tavern for a while.After about half an hour, he came back again.Lerampa just came out of the shop.Frederick sprang into the street and hurried after him.He could even vaguely see Lerampa's hat dangling not far ahead, but a hearse and many funeral vehicles separated the two of them.When these vehicles passed by, the figure seen just now had disappeared.

But, fortunately, he remembered that Lerampa would go to a small restaurant in Garong Square for lunch every day at eleven o'clock at noon.The key is not to rush.He walked from the exchange to the Madeleine Church, and then walked from the Madeleine Church to the gymnasium.As soon as eleven o'clock arrived, Frederick came to the small restaurant in Garong Square. He was confident that he would find Leramba this time. "I don't know!" the shopkeeper said arrogantly. Frederick kept asking, and the innkeeper went on: "I don't know, sir!" When he spoke these words, he raised his thick eyebrows and kept shaking his head, looking very deep. Frederick remembered that on his last meeting with Leramba, Leramba had told him about the Café in Alexandria.He hastily devoured a piece of brioche, jumped impatiently into a buggy, and asked the driver if there was a café called Alexandre on the heights of Saint-Geneviève.So the coachman sent him to a café called Alexandre on the Rue Franck-Bourgeois-Saint-Michel.When he heard the question "Excuse me, is Mr. Lieranba in?", the owner quickly replied with a smile on his face: "I saw him just now, sir." As he spoke, he winked at his wife sitting on the counter. The owner then turned to look at the clock hanging on the wall: "However, I think we'll see him in ten minutes, not fifteen at the most.—Celestin, get a paper quickly!—What would you like to eat, sir?" Although Frederick didn't want anything, he ordered a glass of rum, a kirsch, a glass of orange liqueur, and a variety of liqueurs, hot or cold.He read the day from the beginning to the end, and then re-read it again; he carefully considered the comics on the page, and even analyzed the quality of the paper; in the end, he could even recite the advertisements in the newspaper backwards.The sound of boots slamming on the pavement was heard from time to time, and Frederick guessed it must be him this time!However, I saw the silhouette of a pedestrian reflected on the glass window, but no one came in. Frederick changed seats several times in succession to amuse himself.He sat at first in the café, then he moved to the right, and then from right to left; he sat in the very middle of the bench, with his arms outstretched.He was startled when a cat nimbly grabbed the velvet of the back of the chair and jumped on the table to eat the juice from under the plate.The owner's doll, an ugly four-year-old, was playing with a fake wooden gun on the bench behind the counter.The child's mother was pale, short in stature, without a single good tooth in her mouth, and she was smiling blankly.What did Liranba do?Frederick waited patiently, filled with infinite melancholy. The rain beat like hail on the hood.Through the gaps in the sheer curtains one could see the poor horse in the street standing still, looking even more foolish than a wooden horse.The water in the gutter was getting bigger and rushing away from the radius between the two wheels; the driver was dozing under the hood.However, every now and then, the coachman opened the door lightly to observe, and he was dripping with rainwater like a river, because he was afraid that his guests would sneak away.Besides, if the gaze could destroy things, Frederick would have melted away the clock that he had been looking at.However, the clock kept ticking.That Monsieur Alexander was pacing up and down, telling him over and over again: "He'll be here soon, don't worry! He'll be here soon!" Not only that, but to amuse Frederick, he talked a lot about politics. Current events are coming.He was so obliging that he even suggested that Frederick should play a game of dominoes. Frederick waited there from eleven o'clock at noon until four-thirty in the afternoon.Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore and declared that he would not wait any longer. "I'm also wondering, Mr. Ledoux didn't come here, and this has never happened before!" The cafe owner replied with a helpless face. "What, Monsieur Ledoux?" "Of course, sir!" "It's Leramba I'm waiting for!" Frederick shouted, furious. "Ah! I'm sorry! You were wrong!—Isn't it so, Madame Alexandre, the gentleman just said that he was waiting for M. Ledoux, didn't he?" Then he asked the clerk: "Didn't you hear him say M. Ledoux as I did?" Maybe the clerk wanted to take revenge on his shopkeeper, and just smiled lightly. Frederick asked the coachman to go back on his way again, and he was furious because he had waited for a long time in vain. He couldn't help feeling resentful towards Lie Rampa, thinking that seeing him was as hard as asking God, so he made up his mind that he had to find Lie Rampa. Can't come out, even if he hides in the most difficult cave.He felt that the carriage he was in was very annoying, so he didn't take the carriage at all.The names of all the cafes that Leramba had mentioned to him were like hot sparks, sputtering out from the depths of his memory: Café Gasca, Café Gran Bay, Café Harb , Café Baudelle, Havana, Havre, Posh Cow, Deutschland, Madam Morel, and the like, Frederick searched for them all.Then, when he came to this cafe, he said that Lerampa had just left; Came here; there is also a cafe, said Leramba yesterday pre-ordered a roast leg of lamb on Saturday.At last, when Frederick came to Votier's Cold Drinks, he just opened the door and bumped into the shop assistant. "Do you know Mr. Lerampa?" "So what if I know, sir? I was lucky enough to serve him. He's upstairs, just finished his supper!" At this moment, the shopkeeper, holding a napkin under his arm, came over to strike up a conversation with Frederick: "Sir, you inquired about Mr. Lerampa, did you not? He dined here just now." Frederick cursed without thinking, but the soda shop owner said he would be able to find Leramba at the Buttervillen's. "I can assure you! He's gone a little earlier than usual because he's going to talk to someone about business today. But, I repeat, you'll be sure to find him at the Butvilan Hotel in St. No. 92 Martin Street, inside the courtyard, the second step on the left, the bottom floor, the right door!" Finally, through the smoke from his pipe, Frederick saw Leramba sitting alone in the back of the bar behind the billiard table, with a glass of beer in front of him.His head was drooped, appearing preoccupied. "Ah! Look at you, how hard I have been looking for you!" Lerampa, however, seemed nonchalant, merely pointed two fingers at him as if he had just met Frederick, and said something inconsequential about the opening of Congress. Frederick, trying to appear calm, interrupted him by asking: "How is Arnou?" Lieranba took a sip of wine, and it took a long time before he said: "Okay, nothing!" "Where does he live now?" "Just live in Paradise - Fisherman's Street!" Reranpa replied in amazement. "What's the house number?" "No. 37, you are so funny!" Frederick stood up. "Why, are you leaving now?" "Yes, I must go there for a while, I can't remember one thing! Good-bye!" On the way from the hotel to Arnoux's house, Frederick felt ecstatic, as if accompanied by a warm wind, and felt particularly comfortable, as if he had entered a dream. After a while, he arrived at the door of a house on the third floor and rang the doorbell; only a maid came out.Then the second door opened, and Madame Arnoux was sitting by the fireplace.Arnoux jumped up and embraced Frederick tightly.Madame Arnoux was holding a boy of about three years old; she had a daughter of her own height who was standing on the other side of the fireplace. Arnoud held his son's splint socket and said: "Let me introduce you." He played with the child for a while, throwing the child up from time to time, and then holding it with his hands. "You will break the child! Ah! my lord! put it down!" cried Madame Arnoux. Arnoud, however, assured that there was nothing wrong with it, and threw the child up, muttering in the dialect of his native Marseilles: "Ah, my little darling! My beautiful oriole!" Then he asked Frederick Why didn't you hear from them for so long, and asked him what he did at home, and why he came back again. "About me, dear, I'm in the china business right now. But it's better to talk about your situation first!" Frederick lied that the reasons for staying so long at home were, first, a nasty legal entanglement, and second, that his mother was not in good health; attention.In a word, he intends to settle down in Paris for a long time, and it is a firm fact.He didn't mention the issue of inheritance at all, for fear of having any impact on his past life experience. The curtains and the coverings of the furniture were in maroon jacquard, and two pillows lay parallel to the ottoman.There was a kettle on the coal stove, boiling water.There was a lamp on the edge of the chest of drawers, and a shade was placed over it, so that there was not enough light in the room.Madame Arnoux, in a blue velvet casual dress, was contemplating the ashes in the fireplace.She put one hand on the child's shoulder and with the other she unfastened the boy's shirt.The little guy was wearing a piece of underwear, scratching his head and crying, as if. Frederick had thought that he would be very excited at the first meeting, but as soon as he left his hometown, the enthusiasm became listless.What's more, Mrs. Arnoux was very different from her in the environment he was familiar with. He felt that there was nothing in her before, as if a veil had been vaguely cast on her, and she had lost the original brilliance. color.All in all, she seemed to be a completely different person from the previous one.He couldn't help being surprised that her mood was as calm as water.He asked about old acquaintances, about Pellerin, for instance. "I rarely see him," replied Arnoux. She interrupted him, saying: "It's not the same as before. Now we don't invite guests anymore." Was it against him that they no longer invited him?However, Arnoux was as attentive as ever, and even blamed him for not coming to dinner; at the same time, he explained to Frederick why he had changed his career. "What can you do in a declining age like ours? Classical paintings are no longer fashionable! Besides, there are all kinds of art everywhere. You know what kind of person I am, and I admire beauty! I will take you to visit the factory I run at this time." He immediately pointed out to Frederick the products in the shop. Plates, pots, saucers and pots were strewn all over the floor.Stacks of square tiles for bathrooms and lavatories were piled high against the walls, with Renaissance-style fairy tales painted on them.In the center of the shop stood a two-tiered shelf nearly reaching to the ceiling, on which were placed jars of ice, vases, candlesticks, small flower pots, and statues of all kinds, such as negroes, and shepherdesses like that.Arnoux—explained in detail to Frederick, and Frederick felt hungry and cold, and found it dull. He came to the English Café and had a full dinner.While eating, he thought to himself: "I miss my homeland day and night, it's wishful thinking! She almost forgot about me! What a vulgar woman!" He was full of thoughts all of a sudden, and secretly made up his mind to seek personal gain for himself.He felt his heart harden, as hard as the table he was resting on his elbows.Therefore, he can now devote himself to society without hesitation.Immediately afterwards he remembered the Dombrose family, and he was ready to make the most of them.Afterwards, he thought of Delorolier again. "Drop it! Let him go, he deserves it!" Even though he said so, he still asked someone to send him a note, asking him to meet at the palace the next day and have lunch together. It was unfortunate enough to speak of Darorolier. He signed up for the examination of university teacher qualifications, and wrote a dissertation in reply to "On the Law of Wills", in which he advocated strict restrictions on wills by all means.However, his defense opponent deliberately used aggressive tactics against him, and he couldn't help talking eloquently, but the examiners all dismissed it.Later, the topic of the test question happened to be "Prescription".Delorolier went on and on, saying that the old certificate and the new certificate must be presented at the same time; the property owner must be thirty-one years old before he can claim his legal rights, so why deprive him of his property before that? ?That is to say, the legal rights and interests of the person who kept his duty were given to the robber-like receiver who made a lot of ill-gotten wealth.All injustices are derived from this legal right. You must know that this legal right is actually power politics and power corruption!He even yelled: "Repeal this law! Then the Gauls will no longer be mistreated by the Franks, the Irish by the English, the Americans by the Reds, and the Turks by the Arabs." People, white people will stop insulting black people, Poland..." The person in charge of the examination team interjected: "Come on! Come on! We don't need to listen to your grand speeches, you can write them later!" Delorolier did not want to put his political opinions into writing.As far as he was concerned, Chapter 20 of Volume III of the Civil Code was a major obstacle.He proceeded to draft a great work entitled "On Prescription as the Foundation of the Natural and Civil Laws of Nations."He devoted himself to studying the works of Dunod, Rogerius, Barbis, Merlin, Vazeil, Chavigny, Tropron, etc., and other masterpieces.In order to facilitate his research work, he even stopped working as a clerk in a law firm, and made a living by helping others with homework and writing articles.At that debate, the Conservatives were frightened by his vitriol, as well as Mr. Guizot's disciples, the so-called young establishments.In this way, although he has a certain reputation among people of a certain class, there will be more or less people who doubt him personally. Sure enough, he arrived as promised, wearing a red flannel jacket exactly like Seneca's original one. Because there are many people coming and going, and they think of etiquette and secularism, so it is inconvenient to hug for a long time.Then they went straight to Waver's.On the way, they hooked up shoulder to shoulder, were happy with each other, and were so excited that they burst into tears.When Dai Luolier found that there was no one else around, he couldn't help shouting: "Ah! good fellow! We can live happily again now!" Frederick took it from his heart to say that D'Orolier wanted to share his property immediately.Délorolier's immense excitement was too much for them, but too little for him. Later, Delores told Frederick about his own sufferings, and gradually related to his work and life.Whenever he talked about himself, he would talk about being strong and unyielding, but when talking about others, he would retort and exaggerate to the fullest.He hates everything around him.Those who are officials are either stupid or unreasonable.He actually scolded the waiters in the dining room for not cleaning a wine glass.Frederick had just said a few words when he replied: "These people make six thousand to eight thousand francs a year from you, and they are voters, and they may be elected, as if I were afraid to come here! Oh! I am not like that, I am. No way!" Then he said humorously: "I forgot that I was talking about a capitalist, a big one. You know, you are Mondore now." Then, Thallorier turned to the topic of inheritance, and this is what he thinks about it: Indirect succession (unfair in itself, although he is sincerely happy that Frederick can inherit the inheritance), to the next It will be abolished at the time of a revolution, as soon as possible. "Do you think that's the case?" asked Frederick. "There must be nothing wrong!" he replied. "It is impossible for a situation like this to be lingering! There is too much suffering for everyone! Whenever I see someone in pain, I take Sebastian." Let's talk about Neka..." "Keep talking about that Seneca!" thought Frederick. "Any more news? Do you still have a soft spot for Madame Arnoux? Don't count on it, eh?" Frederick was speechless, but closed his eyes and drooped his head. Speaking of Arnoux, Delorolier told Frederick that Arnoux's pictorial agency was now under the control of Yussone.Yu Sonet changed its name and called it "Art". This is a literary society and a joint-stock company with one hundred francs per share; Knowing that "the purpose of this company is to publish the manuscripts of young people who are new to society, inexperienced, and to protect the intellect and geniuses from suffering, and so on"... You see, what a load of nonsense!However, there are some things that can be done, that is, to make this pictorial a higher level, and then, keep the same team, let the column continue to run, so that subscribers are reading a very political pictorial; then, the prepaid Money is not too much. "What do you think? It makes sense! Do you want to follow suit?" Frederick had no objection to the suggestion, but he had something to attend to before he could consider the matter. "Then if you need my help..." "Thanks, my buddy!" said Deloris. They rested their elbows on the wooden planks by the windows, covered with velvet tablecloths.Two people were smoking cigars.The sky was cloudless and the sun was sunny; in the garden there were flocks of birds singing and the flowers were fragrant.Bronze and marble statues glisten in the sun as if washed by rain.Servants in aprons were sitting on chairs and talking; Regarding the setbacks suffered by Délorier, Frederick was originally very uncomfortable. However, after a few glasses of wine, it had already had an effect. I feel much better again, like a plant enjoying sufficient water and heat.Dai Luoli slightly closed his eyes, looking into the distance absently.He took a deep breath, raised his chest high, and continued to say: "How great it would be to stand on a table, wave your fists, and call on the crowd to storm the Bastille! Born in that era, everyone could fully express their opinions and show their intelligence! General Lawyers can control generals, beggars can beat kings, but now..." He was silent, but suddenly said: "Oh! The future is really unpredictable!" While clapping the march on the glass window rhythmically with his hands, he recited the poem: "I've forgotten the rest! It's getting late, shall we get out of here?" When they came out into the street, Thélorolier went on to explain his theory. Frederick, on the other hand, was absent-minded and did not listen to his nagging.He was only interested in the fabrics and furniture in those shop windows, and he was wondering if they would be suitable for furnishing his room.Passing by a grocery store, he found three china plates in it, which may have inspired him to think of Madame Arnoux.So, he involuntarily stopped here.The three porcelain plates were all decorated with bright yellow patterns, and the price of each porcelain plate was one hundred crowns.Frederick told the assistant to put the three china plates aside. "If I were you, I'd buy silver!" Dai Luolier said.From this sentence of envying the rich and powerful, it can be seen that he must be a lower-class person. Immediately after Darorolier left, Frederick came to the prestigious Pomatell Company and ordered a leather jacket, two jackets, three pairs of trousers and five suit vests.Then he went to the shoe shop, the shirt shop, the hat shop, etc., and asked them to make it for him as soon as possible, and the sooner the better. After three days.In the evening, when he returned from Le Havre, he found that all the clothes and shoes and hats made to order had been delivered.He wanted to try it on, so he decided to go to Dombrose right away.However, it was still too early, just eight o'clock. "What if I go to someone else's house?" he wondered. Arnoux was alone at home, shaving in the mirror.He told Frederick that he was going to take him somewhere to amuse himself.But when he heard of Mr. Dombrose's name, he said: "Oh, that would be great! You can meet Mr. Dombrose's friends there. Go there! It must be interesting!" Frederick did not agree.Madame Arnoux recognized him talking to her husband, and greeted him through the paneling, knowing that her daughter was ill, and she herself was not well.From the sickroom Frederick heard the clinking of spoons and cups, and the slight vibration of things being moved.Arnoud went into the back room to say goodbye to his wife.He gave many reasons: "It's a big deal, you know! I must go myself, and I must go, and they're waiting for me." "Come on, come on, my friend. Let's play!" Arnoux called for a carriage. "Palace! No. 7 Montpencier workshop." Then, lean back and fall onto the cushion. "Ah! my friend, I am going mad! I am exhausted. I can tell you the truth." He moved closer to Frederick's ear and whispered in a low voice: "I'm trying to figure out how to understand purple sand in China." Then he had a big talk about glaze and simmer. When he came to Xiewei Trading Company, someone brought him a basket, and he asked the person to deliver it to the carriage.Then, he bought some grapes, pineapples and all kinds of fresh fruits for his "beautiful wife", and ordered the clerk to deliver these fruits to his home the next morning. Later, they came to a dance shop, knowing that they were going to a dance.Frederick bought a masquerade with a mask; Arnoux bought a blue velvet jacket and breeches, and a red wig.Then the two of them drove to a house on Lava Street, and the room on the third floor was brightly lit. As soon as I came downstairs, I heard someone playing a violin. "What the hell is this place?" Frederick asked. "A beautiful lady's home! Don't worry!" At this time, a young servant opened the door for them.They entered the vestibule, where they immediately saw a mass of overcoats, overcoats, and scarves lying cluttered on the chairs.Just at this moment, a girl in a Louis XV-style dress happened to pass by. It was the owner of the house, Miss Rose Annette Bloom. "How is it?" Arnou asked. "Everything is ready!" she replied. "Ah, thank you very much, my angel!" Then he wanted to kiss her. "Be careful, fool! You're going to ruin my makeup!" Arnoux then introduced the lady to Frederick. “请朝里面走，欢迎光顾，先生！” 这位小姐掀起身后的门帘，假惺惺地喊道： “阿尔努大人和他的伙计——一位王子光临！” 一开始，弗雷德利克便被各种颜色的灯光迷花了眼；眼前全是丝绸、天鹅绒、裸肩，还有随着音乐翩翩起舞的五彩缤纷；乐队的四周围挂着黄绸子，绿荫环绕；墙上有几幅彩色肖像画和一些路易十六款式的水晶火炬。吊灯高高挂着，白雪般的灯球照射着屋角里放的花篮。在对面小房间的第三间屋里还放着一张床，床腿盘曲着，一面威尼斯镜子挂在床头的上面。 一曲终了，阿尔努头顶着篮子向人们走了过来，大家便马上鼓起掌来，欢呼雀跃。篮子里摆着各种各样的食品。——“留神，灯！”弗雷德利克抬头一瞅，原来是一盏旧萨克斯吊灯；见此情景，往事又在他眼前浮现。但是，这时，有一个人假扮战士样，一脸的新兵似的憨厚的神态，双臂大张，怪模怪样地突然在弗雷德利克前面站住。虽然余索内的胡子黑而尖，怪吓人的，而且面孔有点变了，弗雷德利克还是认出来了。这家伙放荡不羁，满嘴的阿尔萨斯地方话和黑人土话，一个劲儿地向弗雷德利克道喜，并叫他上校。弗雷德利克被大家搞懵了，对他无言以答。就在此时，乐曲奏起，大家又跳起舞来。 舞池中大约有五六十人，大部分女人都化装成乡下女子或者侯爵太太，男人们个个身强体壮，分别打扮成赶车的、扛大包的或者水手。 弗雷德利克靠着墙，瞅着他面前正在跳舞的两对男女。 其中一位化装成威尼斯执政官的浪荡公子，穿着紫绸长袍，正在跟萝莎妮一起跑舞。萝莎妮身穿绿上衣，丝绒裤衩，脚上是金马刺软靴。另外一对，男的是，腰佩一把土耳其折刀，女的是瑞士人，眼睛深蓝，皮肤白皙，身材肥胖，只穿着衬衫和红胸衣。一个身材修长、金黄色头发的剧院舞女化装成原始女人，以炫耀她那一直拖到膝弯的长发；她穿着一件棕色紧身衣，腰间束着一条皮腰带，手腕上套着玻璃镯子，头戴一顶插着一支长长的孔雀翎的金箔王冠。她的对面是英国传教士普里查尔，他穿着一件宽得异乎寻常的黑色外衣，正在用胳膊肘敲打着鼻烟盒。一个的牧童，湛蓝湛蓝的眼睛，乳白的肤色，正用牧杖打着一个扮成酒神的女巫的拐杖。这个女巫头顶葡萄王冠，左胸披着貂皮，脚蹬一双金带子的半统靴。而在另一处，一个穿着粉红色丝绒短上衣的波兰女人，摇晃着自己薄纱的裙子，脚上穿着珍珠丝袜和带着白皮毛的玫瑰红短靴。她朝着一个年龄约模四十、大腹便便的男人微笑着。这位男人扮成教堂唱诗班的歌童，活蹦乱跳，他用一只手掀起白色法衣，用另一只手按着红色的圆帽。然而，舞厅的著名舞女露露小姐装扮成舞会的王后和明星。瞧她现在成富家小姐了，身穿黑色的丝绒上衣，外面还有一条镶花边的宽大领子；腰间束着一条开司米羊毛围巾，穿着深红色的肥大丝绸裤，顺着裤子线缝，用若干小白茶花装饰着。她的脸有些浮肿，没有一点血色，翘着鼻子，一头乱糟糟的假发，戴着一顶男式灰毡帽，帽子扁扁的，斜挂在右耳处，一副趾高气扬的样子。只要她跳一下，那双带有宝石搭扣的鞋快要触到她的舞伴的鼻子，这个男舞伴打扮成身强体壮、披金挂银的中世纪的爵士。有一个手持金剑、背上插着仙鹤翅膀的天使，来回乱跳，跟那个打扮成路易十四时代骑士的男舞伴合不上节拍，常常跳错了舞蹈的动作，也影响了其他人跳舞。 望着眼前的一切，弗雷德利克觉得心烦意乱，他仍旧思念着阿尔努太太，好像自己正在干一种见不得人的勾当。 曲终舞停，萝莎妮小姐来到弗雷德利克身旁。她有些气喘吁吁，脖子上的光亮的护领也随之起伏。 “先生，您怎么不跳舞？”她问道。 弗雷德利克遗憾地说，他不会跳。 “是这么一回事！那和我一起跳行吗？就这么办了？” 接着，萝莎妮便把全身的重心压在一条腿上，另一条腿稍稍弯曲了一下，左手把着剑柄，脸上显出似是请求和嘲讽的神情，足足看了他一分多钟。最后，她道了声“晚安”，扭头就离开了。 弗雷德利克心里嗔怪自己，但苦于束手无策，便在舞厅里来回走着。 他进入里屋。屋子的四周用淡蓝色的绸缎和几束野花点缀着，天花板上嵌着一个金黄色的圆木框，框内画着一群爱神，她们在蔚蓝的天空里，踏着白云，嬉笑逗耍。弗雷德利克看着这些精美的装潢，觉得眼花缭乱，目不暇接，而对于像萝莎妮这类人而言，可能不屑一顾。他对屋里的一切感到由衷的赞叹，诸如装饰着镜框的纸做的牵牛花，壁炉的帘子，土耳其式长沙发，墙壁洼下的地方好像帐幕的东西，玫瑰色丝绸花，轻罗纱帐顶等等。卧室里摆满了带铜的深色家具，一张带有鸵鸟羽毛和华盖的床放在屋子的中间，床下面是一块铺着天鹅皮的木板。屋顶上挂着一盏用三条细链子系起来的波希米亚吊灯，灯光昏暗，透过朦胧的光线可以看到针垫里插着的别针，扔在盘里的散落的戒指，金边圆形牌，还有银盒子等等。有一扇门虚掩着，由此可以看到一间暖房把整个平台都占了，平台的尽头还有一只鸟笼。 这儿的确是寻开心的好地方。他一下子精神抖擞，发誓要尽情地享乐，这便给他壮了胆。于是，他又踅身回到舞厅门口，厅里的人越来越多(一切都在闪烁的尘埃中摇来晃去)，他站在舞厅门口凝神注视着人们跳舞。他眯着眼睛，仔细地瞅着，与此同时，从女人身上散发出的芳香使他如醉如痴。这醉人的香味四处飘逸，宛如扩张开来的硕大的吻。 佩勒林紧挨着弗雷德利克，正站在门的另一边。佩勒林穿着节日般的盛装，左手放在胸前，右手拿着一顶帽子和一只弄坏了的白手套。 “噢，久违了！您到底去哪儿了？是不是去意大利兜风了？哼，意大利？并非别人说的那样神乎其神吧？算了吧！找个时间让我看看您的素描，行不行？” 弗雷德利克还未回答，佩勒林就津津乐道起自己来了。 自从他认为线条算不了什么，他便在绘画方面成绩斐然。就一部作品而言，不应像洞察事物的特殊性和普遍性那样去认知美与和谐。 “那是因为一切都是合乎情理的，一切都是存在于自然当中，一切都有可塑性。问题是要确定好色谱，别无它事。我已经得出真知灼见了！”接着，他用胳膊肘碰了一下弗雷德利克，继续说：“我已经发现秘密了！瞧那个正在跟一个俄罗斯车夫跳舞的、扮成狮身人面的舞女，那才称得上是轮廓清晰，死板，干瘦，从上到下像棱形，全身色调生硬：眼睛下面是蓝靛，脸颊上有一层朱砂，双鬓呈茶褐色。噼啪！”他把大拇指在空中挥舞了几下，好像挥画笔似的。“要说那边的胖舞女，圆乎乎的，再也没有别的特点。”他边说边指着一位卖鱼的女人：她穿着樱桃色的裙子，脖子上挂着金十字架，背上搭一块细麻布头巾。“瞧这女人的鼻孔，如同她的帽翼一样扁平，嘴角朝两边翘着，下巴耷拉着，浑身都是肥肉，轮廓不清晰，光线明快，神态自如，这才称得上是真正的的画像！真是完美无缺的女人！然而，典型在何处呢？”他正侃在劲头儿上，“何谓靓女？美是什么？啊！美！请您告诉我……”弗雷德利克插话问他，那个正站在一群跳牧羊舞的人中为舞伴们祝福、打扮成山羊脸孔的小丑是哪号人。 “别提啦！一个有三个孩子的鳏夫。孩子们衣不蔽体，而他却整天在这个俱乐部鬼混，晚上还要搂着女佣人睡觉。” “那么，那个打扮成大革命前的法官、正站在窗户旁跟朋巴杜侯爵夫人交谈的人是谁？” “那个侯爵夫人就是曾在体育宫剧院做过女演员的旺达埃尔太太，也是德·帕拉佐伯爵多热的情人。他们两个人不知是什么原因竟同居了二十年了。过去，这个女人的眼睛无与伦比！她旁边的那个人是那个老太太的老相好，人们都称他为埃尔比尼队长。他仅有一只十字勋章和一份抚恤金，这就是他所有的家产；他的差事就是在举行仪式时做女工们的大叔，给别人安排决斗；他在饭馆里吃晚饭。” “是无赖吗？”弗雷德利克问。 “不是！是个安分守己的人。” "Ah!" 佩勒林把其他人的姓名一一向弗雷德利克作了介绍。就在这时，一个如同莫里哀戏剧中的医生的绅士走了过来。他穿着一件黑长袍，还特地从上到下敞着长袍，以炫耀身上挂着的那些廉价的小东西。画家说： “这人是德·罗吉医生。由于他不能出人头地，非常气愤，他就撰写了一本有关医学方面的黄色书籍，眼下干着擦皮鞋的活儿。他为人稳重，这些女人们都很喜欢他。然而，他跟自己的老婆(那个穿灰色裙子、身材矮小的城堡主夫人)，不管是公开场合，还是别的什么地方，他俩总是形影不离。尽管手头并不宽裕，他俩倒也会享受——举办吟诗艺术茶话会。——留神！” 那个医生果真走到他们这边，于是，三个人在舞厅门口聊了起来。随后，余索内也加入了进来。后来，那个野蛮女人的情夫也走了过来，他是个年轻诗人，瘦削，穿着弗朗索瓦一世款式的短大衣。最后，一个化装成守关卡的土耳其人的年轻人也过来闲聊。这家伙聪明伶俐，他穿的那件配带黄色绶带的上衣，曾跟随着牙医们浪迹江湖；他那皱巴巴的灯笼裤也已由红色褪成了白色；他那缠成鞑靼式的包头巾，宛如鳗鱼，让人觉得挺寒碜。总而言之，他这一身打扮是那样别扭和矫揉造作，女人们见了都投来鄙夷的目光。那个医生为了安慰这个小伙子，就对他的情妇、那个卸货女工说了一些恭维话。那个打扮成土耳其人的小伙子是一个银行家的公子。 趁着舞停休息的机会，萝莎妮朝壁炉这里走来。壁炉旁的沙发上坐着一个胖乎乎的矮小老头，穿着带有金色纽扣的栗色的礼服。尽管低垂在白色高领上的腮帮已经不怎么丰满，但是仍然长着一头生来就像卷毛狗一样的金黄色头发。这多少有些使人滑稽可笑。 萝莎妮俯下身去，挨着老头，听着他讲话。然后，她给老头子调了一杯果子汁，并端了过来。她那两只露在衣裳镶边袖子外头的小手可爱极了，真是无与伦比！老头喝完果子汁，就亲吻着她的纤手。 “那不是乌德里先生吗？他就住在阿尔努的隔壁。” “阿尔努带坏他了！”佩勒林笑着说道。 "how do I say this?" 这时，华尔兹舞开始了，一个邀请萝莎妮去跳。接着，一个个坐在周围长凳上的女人们纷纷站了起来，她们的头饰、披肩和衣裙随着舞曲摇晃了起来。 她们就在弗雷德利克的身旁跳着舞，距离弗雷德利克是如此之近，以至于她们额头上的汗珠他都看得一清二楚。她们跳得越来越快，动作整齐，令人眼花缭乱。弗雷德利克觉得骨头酥酥的，想入非非。当她们在他面前走过时，每个人的舞姿都优美好看，而且各有千秋，令人目不暇接。那个波兰女人的放荡样，他真想扑上去搂进怀中，乘着雪橇在雪地里奔驰；那个瑞士女人舞蹈时，眼皮耷拉着，挺着胸，那一颦一笑给人一种在湖边小木屋里嬉笑逗乐的想像。忽然，他看到酒神女巫将一头棕发向后一甩，不由得神思恍惚，想像着在一片风骤雨急、鼓声喧嚣中，躲在夹竹桃的树林里，恨不得一口吞下那样跟他寻欢作乐。那个化装成卖鱼的女人因舞曲节拍太快而累得喘不过气来，不停地放声大笑；如果有机会的话，他宁愿到波希隆酒店陪她开怀畅饮，并亲手为她装饰类似古代那样的头巾。那个化装成卸货女工的女人舞姿轻盈，双脚差不多都不沾地。她四肢柔软，面孔严肃，似乎蕴藏着现代爱情的全部精髓，要知道现代爱情如同科学般精确，如同鸟儿般伶俐。萝莎妮将一只手插在肋部，不停地旋转。她那弯曲的假发在衣领上轻轻摇曳，在她的四周飘逸着一阵鸢尾粉似的馨香。每当她旋转一圈，她那金马刺的尖头就差点儿碰到弗雷德利克。 当华尔兹舞快要结束时，华娜丝小姐出场了。她头顶着阿尔及利亚手帕，额头上挂着若干银币，眼眶涂了一层锑粉，身上穿的是一件黑羊毛外套和一条配带着银丝的浅色裙子，手里拿着一只扁鼓。 她身后跟着一个穿但丁式样古装的小伙子，他身材欣长，曾经在阿朗布拉舞厅做过歌手(华娜丝小姐也已坦言此事了)；他原来叫奥古斯特·德拉马尔，后来随着他声名鹊起，于是就经常改名换姓，一开始叫安泰诺·德拉马尔，以后曾改为戴勒马斯、贝勒马，最终改为戴勒马。这是因为他不再去小酒店舞厅了，而是另谋高就，去了大剧院，甚至就在昂比古剧院上演戏中，他第一次登场亮相，就引起了轰动。 余索内见到戴勒马，心里就来气。自从余索内的剧本被人家拒之门外起，他对喜剧演员恨之入骨。他跟别人讲，这帮家伙醉生梦死，简直不堪设想，特别是这个家伙，有过之而无不及！“瞧，人模狗样的！” 戴勒马向萝莎妮施过礼后，就挨着壁炉站着。他把一只手放在胸前，左脚向前伸着，眼睛朝上看着，帽子上还有一顶金桂冠，纹丝不动地呆在壁炉的旁边，同时竭尽全能含情脉脉，以挑逗那些贵女人们。女人们在他身旁远远地把他围住了。 华娜丝小姐跟萝莎妮热烈拥抱后，便走到余索内身边，请他校对一下她自己撰写的一本作品——《少年之花环》，是有关文学和伦理方面的书。余索内满口应承。华娜丝小姐请求余索内，能否帮她的朋友戴勒马在他熟悉的哪家报纸上吹捧几句，甚至于要求余索内能否帮戴勒马谋份差事。余索内听得忘乎所以，居然没有想到要一杯潘趣酒喝。 阿尔努亲自调制潘趣酒。紧随其身后的是端着空盘子的伯爵的年轻侍者，他满面春风地向大家敬酒。 当他走到乌德里先生的身边时，萝莎妮把他叫住了。 “那件事有眉目了没有？” 他听了后，脸上绯红，转身跟老头儿说： “我的这位女友跟我讲，您愿意……” “少说废话，我的邻居！悉听尊便！” 接着，他们扯到了唐布罗士先生。弗雷德利克压根儿就听不清他们的窃窃私语，于是，他便朝壁炉的另一个方向走过去，那里萝莎妮和戴勒马正在闲聊。 这位演技一般的家伙，貌不惊人，厚厚的手掌，大大的脚丫，下巴颏一堆肥肉，简直让人难以目睹；况且，他对那些真正有名的演员恨之入骨，百般诋毁，对诗人不屑一顾，总是将“我的才华，我的相貌，我的嗓子”挂在嘴边，同时讲话时常夹带一些连他本人都不明白的词语，譬如“娇艳、相像和同质”。 萝莎妮听得入了神，不时地点头，涂满脂粉的脸上漾起敬慕的笑容，一种轻沙般的难以言状的湿乎乎的东西从她那明亮的眼睛里一闪而过。她怎么会被这样一个男人鬼迷心窍呢？弗雷德利克对他更加嗤之以鼻，这也许是竭力压制心中对他的羡慕吧。 阿尔努跟华娜丝小姐呆在一块；但是，虽然她不时发出爽朗的笑声，但是时不时地斜眼看着她的女友萝莎妮，乌德里先生也老是凝神注视着她。 后来，阿尔努和华娜丝小姐消失了；乌德里先生走到萝莎妮身边窃窃私语。 “好，我知道了！让我静一会儿。” 她让弗雷德利克到厨房去一趟，看看阿尔努是否准备妥当。 厨房的地板上放满了一排排斟了一半的酒杯。平底锅、砂锅、菱形鱼锅、煎锅，有的在炒，有的在煮。阿尔努称佣人为“你”，叫他们干这干那。他还亲自动手，调制芥末汁，尝一尝味道，跟厨娘逗笑取乐。 “好了，”他说，“你告诉她，我马上叫人端菜。” 曲终人散，男士们走来走去，女士们又坐到座位上。舞厅正中的窗帘被风吹得鼓鼓的。那位狮身人面的女人居然当着大家的面把那满是汗臭的胳膊伸出来乘凉。萝莎妮去哪儿了呢？弗雷德利克便到远处去找，连内屋和卧室也找了。有些人为了独自解闷，有些人为了能成双入对厮守在一起，他们便躲开大家来到这些地方。人影来来往往，有的在窃窃私语、长吁短叹，有的用手帕捂住嘴吃吃地笑着，有的轻柔地、慢条斯理地摇着扇子，如同受伤的鸟儿扑打着翅膀。 踏进花房，弗雷德利克发现在靠近喷泉的一颗杯芋的宽大绿荫下，戴勒马面朝下正躺在一张帆布双人椅子上，而萝莎妮将一只手插在他的头发里正坐在他的身旁。他们俩彼此看着对方。正当弗雷德利克快走进花房时，阿尔努从鸟房的另一边也风风火火地奔了进来。戴勒马腾地一下蹿起，接着，昂着头毫无顾忌地出去了。到门口时，他站住了，并摘了一朵木槿花插进纽孔里。萝莎妮耷拉着脑袋，弗雷德利克从她的侧影看到她正在流泪。 “哎！发生什么事了？”阿尔努问道。 她耸了耸肩，并未理睬。 “是不是由他引起的？”阿尔努继续问她。 她张开双臂紧紧搂着他的脖子，亲吻着他的前额，慢条斯理地说： “你心里清楚，我永远爱你，亲爱的！算了吧，咱们去吃夜宵！” 大厅里灯火辉煌。那盏铜吊灯上插着四十支蜡烛，墙壁上挂满了各种各样的老古董。一只只装满虾酱浓汁的盘子摆在餐桌的四边；餐桌的正中间摆着一条肥肥的大菱鲆，两边是冷盘和水果。强烈的灯光把大菱鲆照得雪白雪白的。女士们纷纷坐到桌旁，还能听到裙子、袖子和披肩相互摩擦所发生的窸窣声。男人们站在桌子的犄角边。萝莎妮两旁站着佩勒林和乌德里先生，她的对面是阿尔努。帕拉佐跟女友一起走了。 “万事顺遂！”萝莎妮说，“开始就餐吧！” 那个化装成唱诗班歌童的男人，做出滑稽怪相，在胸画了个十字，在饭前做起祷告来了。 太太们都很讨厌，特别是那个卖鱼的女人更反感。她有一个千金小姐，盼望她日后成为一个正派的人。就连阿尔努也“讨厌”，他觉得应当信仰宗教。 装饰着一头公鸡的德国产自鸣钟叮叮当当地敲了两下，大家纷纷讥讽这座钟。各种各样的话题全来了，什么一语双关、道听途说、吹牛神侃、打赌挑战、似是而非的议论、谎话连篇等等，胡侃乱扯，然后便你一言我一语地闲聊起来。菜一道一道地上来，酒斟了一杯又一杯，那个医生用餐刀不停地切着。人们相互从远处摔瓶塞子、扔柑桔。有的人干脆起身去与别人聊天。萝莎妮不时地转过脸去瞅戴勒马，而他镇定自如地站在她的身后。佩勒林天南海北地乱侃，老是唠叨今没完；乌德里老头满脸堆笑；华娜丝小姐一人差不多吃完了一盆高得像金字塔似的虾，她把虾的硬壳咬得咯嘣咯嘣直响。那位天使一个人坐在钢琴旁边的凳子上(只有在这儿她才能呆得住)，自得其乐地嚼着东西。 “一副馋样儿！”唱诗班的歌童被惊傻了，连声说道，“一副馋样儿！” 那位狮身人面的贵妇人喝着酒，扯着嗓子喊叫，跟魔鬼似的。忽然，她的腮帮鼓起来了，一股鲜血不停地往上翻腾，她憋得难受极了，连忙拿了块餐巾把嘴唇捂严，然后把它随手丢到了桌子下面。 这一切弗雷德利克都看见了。 “无关紧要！” 当弗雷德利克让她先回去休息时，她慢吞吞地回答说： “拉倒吧！何苦呢？休息、不休息，还不都是一回事！生活并非那么有意思！” 弗雷德利克听完她的话后，不由得颤抖起来，一阵悲凉之感袭上心头。他好像看到了在凄惨和绝望中苦苦挣扎的芸芸众生，看到了帆布床边放着一盆炭火，看到了停尸房里皮围裙裹着的尸体，看到了那冲刷死尸头发的水龙头。 这时，余索内站在那位野蛮妇女的身旁，学着葛拉索角色的独白，嘶哑地喊道： “噢！！心肠不要太狠毒了！瞧这宴会多么热闹！亲爱的，让我沉醉于这欢愉之中吧！让我们一起消遣解闷吧！消遣解闷吧！” 接着，余索内亲吻女人们的肩膀。他那硬梆梆的胡子扎得她们直哆嗦。然后，他又别出心裁，突发其想，用头试着能否撞坏碟子，而且当真碰了一下。大家都跟着效仿，顷刻间，撞碎的碟子如同大风揭起屋顶的瓦片似的到处乱飞。那位卸货女人高声喊道： “没关系！这玩意儿不值钱！这都是那个办瓷器厂的老板送的。” 这时，大家都瞅着阿尔努。He replied: “嗯，按票据收钱，分文不少，对不起！”言外之意是他跟萝莎妮已一刀两断，不再是她的情人。 然而，有两个人对骂起来： "Asshole!" “无赖！” “奉陪！” "me too!" 原来，那位中世纪骑士跟那位俄罗斯车夫吵起架来了。俄罗斯车夫强调说，披坚戴甲的人称不上是勇敢者，中世纪骑士则认为这有伤他的体面。那位骑士想动手打架，人们便出来劝架。在一片喧闹声中，那个队长扯着嗓子喊道： “诸位，静一静！我讲一句话！我安排决斗很有经验！” 萝莎妮用餐刀敲打着酒杯，人们总算静下来了；她首先对那位中世纪骑士责骂了几句，接着对那位俄罗斯车夫说： “先把您手里的锅放下来！我看不惯您那样！——而您，就是那位，您这条恶狼。——你们到底听不听我的！瞅一瞅我戴的肩章！我是你们的元帅！” 他们两个人都不吭声了，人们高声喊道： “女元帅万岁！女元帅万岁！” 接着，她拿起炉子上的一瓶香槟酒，高举着朝伸过来的酒杯里倒。因为餐桌很大，客人们，尤其是女人们，一个个踮起脚尖，有的干脆踩在椅子的横档上，朝萝莎妮那边俯身下去。这样一来，女人们的头饰，伸直的胳膊，细嫩滑溜的裸肩，斜着的身体，拥挤成金字塔形状，持续了好长时间。站在大厅角落里的那个小丑和阿尔努各自打开一瓶香瓶，朝人们的脸上喷去。由于鸟笼的门没有关，因此小鸟纷纷飞到大厅里，有些鸟围着吊灯冒冒失失地来回飞着，有些鸟一股劲儿地朝玻璃窗和家具上猛撞，有些鸟落到头上，犹如朵朵鲜花。 乐师们已经走了。钢琴被从前厅搬到大厅来了。华娜丝小姐坐在钢琴前面，伴随着唱诗班的歌童的扁鼓声，她发疯地弹奏着一支对舞曲。她手指熟练地按着琴键，宛如马蹄落地；身体左摇右摆，晃来晃去，好让音乐的节奏加强。萝莎妮搂着弗雷德利克跳舞，余索内打筋斗，卸货女人好似马戏团里的丑角卑躬屈膝，小丑模仿着大猩猩，野蛮女人张开双臂，学着轻舟摇摆的样子。最终大伙都累坏了，不得不停了下来。这时有人把窗户推了开来。 晨光照射进屋里，一丝清晨的凉气扑面而来。惊叹声过后便是万籁俱静。蜡烛燃烧出昏黄的火焰，放蜡烛的盘子里偶尔传出爆裂的响声。芦席纹的地板上到处都是花朵、绸带和珍珠；墙边的矮桌子满是污渍斑斑的潘趣酒和果子汁；帷幔脏乎乎的，衣服也全是绉纹，覆盖了一层灰尘；发辫披肩，脂粉和汗水混杂在一起流下来，暴露出张张苍白的脸，眨着浮肿的眼皮。 罗莎妮双颊绯红，目光炯炯有神，宛如刚刚沐浴的少女。她把假头发随手丢到角落里，她那好似羊毛的浓密的头发顿时向四周披散开来。她把上身遮得严严实实，而把裤衩露了出来，显得滑稽可笑。 那位狮身人面的女人全身发烧，不停地打颤，她想要一条披巾。 萝莎妮便到房间里去为她找披巾；因为那个狮身人面女人紧随其后，萝莎妮就匆忙地关上了门，让她吃了今闭门羹。 那位土耳其人扬声喊叫，大伙都没看到乌德里先生出来。人们都累得精疲力尽，谁也没有在意他的逗笑。 大伙边等着马车，边手忙脚乱地穿衣戴帽。时钟敲响了七下。那位天使呆在大厅里，面对着一盘牛油沙丁鱼甜食，一动不动地坐着；她的旁边站着那位卖鱼女人，边抽烟，边唠叨着生活琐事。 马车终于来了，客人们各奔东西。余索内在外省一家通讯社谋了份差事，要在午饭前浏览完五十三份报纸；野蛮女人要去剧院排戏；佩勒林手头上有个模特儿要画；唱诗班的歌童有三个约会要赴。那位天使吃得太撑，起不来，中世纪男爵便把她一直送到马车上。 “留神她的双翼！”卸货女人在窗口大声叫道。 走到楼梯口时，华娜丝小姐跟萝莎妮说： “亲爱的，再见！这次晚会真是太棒了！” 然后，她俯身凑近萝莎妮的耳边，低语道： “把他留住！” “直至发生转机。”萝莎妮回答说，缓缓地调转身子。 阿尔努和弗雷德利克同去同回。这位瓷器商的脸色是那么忧愁，以致弗雷德利克认为他病了。 “我病了？不是！” 阿尔努愁眉不展，紧咬着胡子。弗雷德利克问他，是不是生意上遇到了麻烦。 "Not at all!" 随后他突然问道： “您认识那个乌德里老头，是吗？” 这时，他又愤恨地说： “这个老不死的，他富得很！” 然后，阿尔努告诉弗雷德利克，今天厂里有一大窑瓷器快要烧好了，想要去看一看。火车还要等一个钟头以后才开。“但是我要先去见见我的妻子。” “啊！他的妻子！”弗雷德利克寻思着。 他的后脑勺疼得要命。于是，他只得躺下来，并喝了瓶水解解渴。 这时，另外一种“渴”袭上他的心头。那就是他渴望女人，贪图享受，沉湎于巴黎社会所容纳的一切。如同刚从船上下来的人那样，他有些头晕；卖鱼女人的裸肩，御货女郎的纤腰，波兰女人的小腿，野蛮女人的长发，这一切在他眼前飘来晃去。接着，有一双黑黑的大眼睛