Chapter 11 Chapter Four

Rosanne had made all the preparations and was looking forward to his coming. "You are so kind!" she said, looking at him tenderly and happily. She tied her hat knot and sat down on the couch, gentle and elegant. "Shall we go?" said Frederick. She glanced at the clock. "Oh! No! I won't go out until half past one." It seemed that she had determined a concept of time in her indecision. It's finally time. "Let's go then, honey!" Then, when she wrapped the scarf for the last time, she turned to Delfina and explained a few words. "Miss, are you coming back for dinner?"

"Why come back? We'll dine somewhere else together, at the English Café, or whatever you like." "That works!" At this time, several of her puppies kept barking around her. "Take the dog with you, okay?" So Frederick carried the dog to the car himself.It was a cab with two horses driven by a coachman.He told the servant to sit in the back.It seemed that Rosanne was very pleased with his compliment; as soon as she sat down, she asked him if he had been at the Arnoud's lately. "Haven't been there for almost a month," said Frederick. "My, I met him the day before yesterday. He originally wanted to come today, but he has a lot of business at hand and a lawsuit. I don't know what happened. Look, how funny this man is. !"

"Yeah, it's so funny!" Frederick added casually: "Oh, by the way, you still often see...what do you call him?...the former singer...Dai Lema?" She replied angrily: "It's already been cut in two!" That said, the two of them did break off.Frederick was secretly happy, and his heart was full of infinite desire. After they passed a hillside slowly, they came to the Breda neighborhood.It happened to be Sunday, there were few pedestrians on the street, and the faces of the citizens were exposed behind the windows.The carriage was running forward, and the wheels creaked, attracting pedestrians to stop and watch.The sagging leather hood glistened, the servant's chest was puffed out, and the two little white dogs were close together, like a pair of weasel muffs on the cushions.Frederick pulled the straps and rocked with the car.Roseanne smiled all over her face, turning her head to look at pedestrians from time to time.

Her black lace straw hat shone brightly, and the hood of her cloak fluttered in the wind.For shade she wore a lilac satin umbrella with a pointed top like a little tower. "These slender fingers are simply charming!" said Frederick, tenderly grasping her left hand with the gold bracelet. "Look! How delicate and exquisite! Where did they come from?" "Oh, I already have it!" said Rosanne. Frederick didn't blame her for this lie, he might as well take advantage of the opportunity.So, he held her hand and kissed her wrist between the glove and the short sleeve.

"Okay, okay, people will see later!" "Hey! Harmless!" After passing the Place de la Concorde, they came to the Quay of the National Assembly and Billy's Quay, and saw a Lebanese cypress growing in the garden there.Rosanne thought Lebanon was in China; she laughed at her own ignorance and asked Frederick to give her a geography lesson.Then they passed through the Trocatero Palace on the right, passed the Pont d'Ena, and finally stopped in the middle of the school grounds.Rows of carriages were already parked in the racetrack, so they parked the carriages beside them.

The lawn was full of people.Many people stood on the balcony of the military school to join in the fun; the two pavilions next to the place where the riders were weighed, the two surrounding stands and the stand in front of the "King's Stand" were all crowded with people.It can be seen from their demeanor that they are very interested in this fashionable and fresh entertainment.At that time, people watching horse racing paid attention to their appearance and looked different; shoe cover straps, velvet shawls, and white gloves were the fashion of the year.Women dressed in tight gowns, dazzling, like a garden full of flowers, sitting on the stepped stools of the stands; men dressed in dark clothes, like black spots among thousands of flowers, reflecting each other.However, it was the famous Algerian who attracted the most attention. He sat solemnly on a special viewing stand, flanked by two attendants.The stands of the Jockey Club are full of celebrities and dignitaries.

Below the stands, next to the track, sat the most enthusiastic spectators.On the side of the runway are two rows of wooden fences pulled by ropes, separating the runway from the audience.In the oval field surrounding the runway, some peddlers were selling cocoa with wooden bells, some were selling game programs, and some were selling cigars. There were endless shouts and noises.The city security team patrolled back and forth.At this moment, the clock on the pole covered with numbers rang.Five horses came out, and the spectators immediately took their seats in the stands. At this time, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and clouds of black clouds passed over the tops of the elms opposite.Rosanne worried that it would rain.

"I've got an umbrella with me," said Frederick, "and entertainment," he added, picking up a case that contained a basket full of snacks. "Excellent! We both know each other so well!" "It's going to get better, isn't it?" "Probably." She said, blushing. The riders in silk shirts held the reins tightly with both hands, and rode majestically on the horses.At this time, someone waved a flag down, and the five riders set off.At first they were huddled together, but soon grew longer, and finally split in two.One rider in yellow was almost eliminated on the first lap.Felix and Tibby were neck-and-neck for a considerable time; then Domps passed them; however, Klubstick, who had been lagging behind, gradually caught up and left Charlie two horses behind. The distance, and finally won the championship.This was beyond people's expectations. Everyone stamped their feet and shouted loudly, and even the small wooden house trembled.

"That's great!" Rosanne said. "I love you, honey!" Frederick felt extremely happy, which was fully proved by what Roxanne said just now. A hundred paces away from him a woman leaned out from a carriage.She crouched against the car door, then drew back; this was repeated so many times that Frederick could not see her face clearly.A thought flashed through his mind, could she be Madame Arnoux.But, this is impossible, what is she doing here? He got out of the carriage and went to the place where the weight was measured. "You're so rude to women!" said Rosanne.

Frederick didn't listen to anything, but just walked on.The carriage turned around and disappeared. Frederick was suddenly grabbed by Cizzi. "Hello, old friend! How is it going? Listen to me, Yu Suone is there too!" Frederick made an effort to get away, and searched for the carriage.Roxanne winked him back to her.Xiqi saw her, and squeezed forward to greet her with a sullen face. After the grandmother's filial piety, Xiqi has realized his long-cherished wish, and he can be called "elegant".Scotch waistcoats, short coats, thin-soled shoes with large flowers embroidered on them, and hats with tickets stuck in them, were true to what he imagined as "fashion"—much like British, musketeer "fashion." Almost the same.First he complained to the school yard, that the racetrack was terrible, and then he mentioned Chantilly's races and the anecdotes that happened there, and swore he could drink a dozen champagne at midnight listening to the bells, Shani made a bet with him, and gently stroked her two long-haired dogs; tripe.Frederick, on the other hand, was smoking a cigar and wondering where the carriage had gone.

The clock rang, and Cizzy had to go; Rosanne wished he had gone, saying the guy was a nuisance. The second Marseille was mediocre, and the third was no more than that, only one was injured and carried away on a stretcher.The fourth race was more intense, and eight horses competed for the city's championship. The people in the stands stood on the benches, and some stood on the carriages, holding binoculars in their hands, and followed the riders.The riders are like spots of every color, red, yellow, white and blue, running along the crowd around the racetrack.From a distance the riders were not running fast; at the other end of the field they seemed to be slowing down, almost sliding, their bellies trailing in the dirt, but their legs stretched straight, not bent.They galloped over, and their figures gradually enlarged; when they passed by, they shook the sky, flew sand and stones, and raised a cloud of dust; the silk shirts of the riders bulged with the wind, as if the sails were trembling; they waved their whips, and drove towards the destination The pillars sprinted past.People took numbers and hung up new ones.Amid the applause, the winning horse dragged itself to the weighing point, sweating profusely, its knees stiffened, its neck slumped, and the rider lay dead in the saddle On, laughing wildly. There was a dispute on the field, and the last game had to be postponed. Some people couldn't sit still and left the stands one after another;The aristocratic women of the upper class could not understand the romantic girls around them, so they walked away. There are also stars of popular dance halls and street actresses; however, it is not the prettiest beauties who attract people's attention the most.The old lady, Georgina Aubert (a comedy writer called her "Louis XI who sings"), was glamorously made up, ghostly and ghostly, and kept laughing like a pig.She lay stretched out in the buggy, with her neck tucked into her ermine collar, as if in winter.Madame Remusseau, famous for her litigation, sat proudly in her open carriage with a group of Americans; and Therese Basilu, who looked like a classical virgin, was very Two ribbons filled the compartment.There is a rose box on the awning of the car.When Rosanne saw these flamboyant ladies, she became jealous; in order to show off, she deliberately shouted and pointed fingers. At this time, several gentlemen recognized her and nodded to her.She returned the salutes one by one, and told Frederick their identities.They were counts, viscounts, dukes, and marquises, all of which paid homage to his share of fortune, and he swaggered. Surrounded by a group of adults, Xi Qi looked triumphant and happy.They rode on horses, smiling and mocking him; finally, after he patted the hand of one of his oldest companions, he walked towards Rosanne. Roxanne ate the gravers with feigned relish; Frederick had to follow her example obediently, with a bottle of wine on his lap. The buggy came again, and it was Madame Arnoux, who turned pale. "Give me a glass of champagne!" Rosanne said. Then, she raised her full wine glass high and shouted: "Hello, there! Those solemn, solemn women, and the lady who is my protector, hello!" Then there was laughter all around her, and the buggy disappeared again.Fredrick tugged at her gown, even on the verge of a fit of rage.But Cizzy was still there, behaving exactly as before; and he asked Rosanne to come with him to dinner with confidence. "No!" she answered. "We're going to the English Café together." Frederick pretended not to hear anything, and remained silent, while Cizzi walked away in great disappointment. At the moment when Xiqi was standing in the right car door talking to her, Yu Suonei had suddenly appeared from the left, and emphasized the English Café vividly: "That building is beautiful! How about having some dinner there?" "You're welcome!" said Frederick.Annoyed, he lay down in a corner of the carriage, looked at the receding buggy, and felt in his heart that he had done something irreparable, and that he would lose a great love from now on.However, there is another woman beside him, this love is easy and happy!However, he was tired of it, and his heart was full of conflicts, and he didn't even know what he wanted. He felt depressed and irritable, and wished to get it over with. A noise and footsteps woke him up like a dream; a group of naughty children jumped over the ropes that blocked the track to the top of the stands; people were scattering in all directions.At this time, a few drops of rain fell from the sky, making driving more difficult.Yu Suonei took the opportunity to slip away. "That's all right!" said Frederick. "Do you like being alone?" Roseanne said, putting her hand on his. At this time, a luxurious two-covered carriage passed in front of them. The carriage was covered with copper and iron, shining brightly. Two riders in fleece jackets and gold tassels on their chests were driving the carriage. Four horses ran side by side in two rows. with.Madame Dombrose was nestling in her man's arms, Martinon was sitting on a bench opposite; all three looked surprised. "They recognized me!" thought Frederick. Rosanne asked the driver to stop the car, to have a look at the passing traffic.Frederick thought that Madame Arnoux might still appear, and called to the coachman: "Let's go! Let's go! Keep going!" So, the two-room carriage went straight to the Champs Elysees, shuttling back and forth among various carriages.There are such things as open carriages, Russian carriages, English carriages, open double carriages, double open carriages and carriages that can carry dogs.In the public traveling carriage with leather curtains, the workers sang drunkenly, and the adults drove the one-horse four-wheeled carts themselves.In several open buggies, which were crowded with people, a child sat on the feet of the grown-ups, his legs stretched outside the box.There are also some canopy double carriages with woolen seats, in which sleepy old ladies of the aristocrats sit; occasionally a British horse draws a light carriage, simple and elegant, like a dandy's black dress. .Just then, it started to rain heavily.Some held umbrellas or parasols, others put on raincoats; from a distance they called out: "Hello!—How are you doing?—Yes! No! Goodbye!" But they couldn't see their faces clearly. Flashed by, making people dizzy.Both Frederick and Rosanne remained silent, watching the carriage drive forward in a trance. Sometimes, due to the overcrowding of vehicles, it is only possible to stop in several lines.In this way, the people in the car can take a short break and look at each other.Some indifferent eyes scanned the crowd from the door of the car engraved with the aristocratic mark.Several jealous eyes flickered in the carriage.Some scoffed at the smug look of others; others opened their mouths in stupid admiration.Pedestrians wandering in the middle of the road sometimes backed quickly to avoid the driver who was galloping between horses and carriages, allowing him to rush out.Then everything was in motion; the coachman let go the reins and swung his whip; the horses, after being whipped, shook their bridles and spattered; the damp arms and bridles steamed in the sun.The sun shone on the Arc de Triomphe, casting a reddish band of light at a height of one person, against which the axles, door handles, tops of shafts, stirrup rings of saddles were all shining; On a sunny day, the water droplets on the leaves are shining brightly, the trees are towering and tall, like two green walls, and the boulevard is like a sea of ​​horses, clothes, and people.There are places in the sky that are blue and soft as grosgrain. At this moment, Frederick fell into deep thought.A long time ago, how much he wished to sit in such a luxurious carriage with a beautiful woman in his arms, how sweet that feeling is!But now, he has all these, but he doesn't feel very happy. It's not raining anymore.I saw the pedestrians who hid between the wooden pillars of the furniture warehouse to avoid the rain all left one after another.Those who walked along Junzhu Road also returned to the boulevard.A group of onlookers were standing on the steps in front of the Foreign Office Hotel. Due to the unevenness of the road next to the Chinese Bath Hall, the carriage had to slow down.A man in a ochre coat paced up and down the sidewalk.At this moment, the mud sprayed from under the wheel splashed on the man, and he immediately turned his face, staring angrily.Frederick turned pale; he recognized the man as Thérolière. They stopped at the entrance of the English Cafe and returned the carriage.Rosanne went upstairs while Frederick paid the coachman. He found Rosanne on the stairs, talking to a gentleman.So Frederick took her arm.But in the passage, the gentleman stopped her again. "Go first!" she said, "I'll find you later!" Frederick had to go into the small room alone.Both windows were open, and from there one could see the crowd at the cross windows of the opposite house.There are a few wavy reflections swaying on the almost dry asphalt floor, and the fragrance of magnolia flowers on the edge of the balcony can be smelled in the room.The refreshing fragrance made him intoxicated; he lay down on the red sofa under the full-length mirror. At this moment, Rosanne came and kissed him on the forehead: "Are you mad at me, poor baby?" "Maybe!" he replied. "You are not the only one who is unhappy, don't be so!" she implied, "let us forget our lovers in this happy hour!" Then Roxanne put a flower petal to his mouth and teased him to kiss it.This coquettish posture was almost provocative, and Frederick couldn't help being moved. "Why do you keep torturing me?" he said, but he was thinking of Madame Arnoux. "Me? Toss you?" Then she came up to him, frowned, looked at him intently, and put her hands on his shoulders. At this moment, Frederick was completely out of control. He spoke again: "Because you don't love me!" he said, pulling her into his arms. Roxanne let him caress; he put his arms around her waist; her dazzling silk gown made him lustful. "Where are they?" At this moment, Yu Suonei's voice came from the corridor. Roseanne stood up all of a sudden, and hurried to the other side of the room, with her back to the door. She asked for a plate of oysters, and they began to eat. It was not easy for Yu Suonei. Every day he had to write various articles, read newspapers, and publish all kinds of anecdotes to confuse people's hearts. As a result, he confused right from wrong and lost his correct judgment on things. Also confused.The impoverishment of his former sloppy life forced him to struggle and linger; but he did not believe that he was doing nothing, and he became a troublemaker and a teaser.When discussing a ballet "Osay" that has just been staged, he exaggerates and slanders dance; when he mentions dance, he immediately insults the Paris Opera; Attacked the Italians again, and now the Italians have been replaced by Spanish troupes.So he said: "It seems that some people have not suffered from the Castilians!" Frederick seemed to be tarnished, because he had a special love for Spain.To divert the subject, he inquired about the French Academy, where both Edgar Guinet and Mickiewicz had recently been dismissed.However, Yusone admired Peder Meister very much, and he supported the authority and spiritualism.However, he had doubts about the facts that had been proven repeatedly, firmly denied history, refused to recognize the most certain things, and even shouted when he heard the word geometry: "What is geometry!" Mixed with the tone of imitating actors.Needless to say, Saint-Ville is his best role model. Frederick was weary of this babbling.When he got angry, he kicked the long-haired dog under the table with his boots. The two dogs barked viciously. "You'll have to have them taken!" he ventured. Roxanne couldn't find anyone. Then Frederick turned to the tramp and said: "Hey, Yu Suonei, it's your turn to contribute!" "Oh! Yes, man! This is so cute!" Yu Suonei left without waiting for a request.How should I accept his love?Frederick had no time to think about it.Just as he was about to enjoy himself, a waiter walked in. "Miss, someone is looking for you!" "What, is there another person?" "But I'd better go and see!" Rosanne said. Right now, he needs her, he longs for her.She walked away in such a hurry, it was an insult to him, a kind of resistance.So, what exactly does he want?Was it not enough to insult Madame Arnoux?To be honest, this woman deserves it!Now he hates all women; he weeps sadly, knowing that his love has been slandered, and his passion has faded. Rosanne came back and introduced Xiqi to him: "I have this gentleman here, and you don't mind, do you?" "That goes without saying!" said Frederick with a wry smile, and made the gentleman sit down. Rosanne looked at the menu, and her eyes fell on some strange and unfamiliar dish names. "How about we have a Richelieu rabbit roulade and Orleans pudding?" "Oh, I don't want Orleans!" Cizzy cried, for he was a Legitimist and complacent. "Is halibut halibut your favorite?" she added. Frederick was weary of this attention. Roseanne finally ordered steak, sea prawns, mushrooms and jackfruit lettuce, etc., and the drink was vanilla. "Let's talk about it while you're eating. Don't be mean. Yo! I almost forgot! Get me some sausage! No garlic!" She called the guy "young man," touched wine with a knife, and threw crumbs at the ceiling.She immediately wanted a glass of burgundy. "You shouldn't drink right after you eat," said Frederick. The gentleman thinks that sometimes people drink impromptu, too. "Oh, no! There has never been such a thing!" "Where is it, I swear there is!" "Ah! Look!" Rosanne gave her a wink when she said that, meaning: "This is a person who has seen the world, just listen to him!" During the meal, the doors were always opening and closing, and the guys were chattering and chirping.And in the next room someone was sitting at a piano playing a waltz.Later, during the meeting, we talked about horse racing to riding, and there were two opposing ways of riding.Cizzi supported Baucher, while Frederick supported Count Auer.At this moment, Rosanne shrugged and said: "Pull it down! He is much better than you in this respect!" She rested her elbows on the table and bit a pomegranate in her mouth.The candle swayed in the wind in front of her; the candlelight reflected her fair skin, tinged her eyelids with a rosy blush, and made her eyes sparkle.The red of the fruit met the purple of her lips, and her lovely nostrils breathed evenly.And she gave people a feeling of arrogance, drunkenness and intoxication from top to bottom, which made Frederick extremely excited and lustful. Then, in a calm tone, she asked whose family owned the open carriage and the sorrel servant. "Mrs. Dombrose's," Cizzy replied. "They're rich, aren't they?" "Oh! Quite rich! Although Mrs. Dombrose was formerly Miss Butlon, the governor's daughter, the family property is not bad." His husband, on the contrary, must have inherited several estates; Cizi told them all, for he was a frequent visitor to the Tambros's and knew them all well. In order to embarrass him, Frederick insisted on refusing him.He insisted that Madame Dombrose's name was "de Boutron," as proof of her aristocratic status. "Never mind her! I just hope that one day I can have such a luxurious carriage!" Rosanne sat back in the chair after she finished speaking. At this time, her sleeve slipped slightly, revealing a bracelet on her left wrist with three agates inlaid on it. Frederick found the bracelet. "Oh! But..." The three of them looked at each other, their faces flushed. At this moment, the door was gently pushed halfway open, revealing the brim of a hat, and then Yu Suonei's figure appeared. "Excuse me for disturbing you, lovers!" However, when he found Xi Qi and sat in his seat, he was stunned and deeply surprised. The clerk brought him a set of dishes; and as he was very hungry, he ate whatever he saw, now picking a piece of meat from the center of the plate, now picking fruit out of the basket.He was holding a wine glass in one hand and holding vegetables in the other, and he was still talking about what he had just done.He has sent the two dogs back.Nothing new in the family.However, he saw the cook fooling around with a soldier, which was a story he made up, just for dinner. Roxanne took the hood off the hook.Frederick hastened to ring the bell, and shouted to the clerk from afar: "Call for a carriage!" "I have a car," said Cizzy. "But, sir!" "But, sir!" Then they both squinted, pale and trembling. In the end, Rosanne took Xi Qi's arm, pointed to Yu Suone who was seated at the table, and said: "Take care of him! He'll be fed. I can't afford it if he dies because of my puppy!" The door closed again. "So?" Yu Suonei said. "So, what's the matter?" "I thought……" "What do you think?" "Could it be that you don't..." He made a gesture to add. "Oh, no, no! How can it be?" So, Yu Suonei fell silent. This time, he came to dinner uninvited, originally he had a plan.His former "Art Newspaper" was now called "Sailor Newspaper", under the headline: "Attach your positions, artillerymen!" However, the marketing was not strong.He wanted to turn it into a weekly magazine and do it alone, without the cooperation of Dellorius.So, he repeated the old story and announced a new plan to come out of the cage. Frederick probably didn't quite understand these things, so he made a few vague and perfunctory words.Yu Sonet took a few cigars from the table and said, "Goodbye, my good friend!" After a while, he disappeared. Frederick footed the bill.The bill came in a long list.The chap had a rag under his arm and was waiting for his money.At this time, a little white face who looked exactly like Martinon came in, and the man said: "Sorry, I forgot to ask for the carriage fare just now." "What carriage?" "It's the carriage that the gentleman took to deliver the dog just now." The chap's face was drawn out, as if pitying the unfortunate young man.Frederick really wanted to punch him a few times.He gave as a tip all the twenty francs I gave him. "Thank you, my lord!" said the chap with the rag, bowing deeply. Frederick spent the next day in anger and shame.He regretted not slapping Xi Qi a few times.As for Rosanie, he swore he would never go to her again; there are many beautiful women like this; since only money can conquer a woman, he can sell his estate on the stock exchange and go for it. He will prosper with fortune, and will use his great wealth to possess Rosanne and all.As night fell, he wondered if he hadn't thought of Madame Arnoux. "It's easy! Why bother?" At eight o'clock on the third day Pellerin came to him.As soon as he came in, he showed his kindness and complimented the beauty of the furniture.Then, he suddenly asked: "Did you go to the races last week?" "Go, alas!" Pellerin then went on to attack the English horse from an anatomical point of view, while at the same time praising the Géricole and the Parthenon. "Did Rosanne go with you?" A bunch of compliments followed. And Frederick ignored it, much to his disappointment, not knowing what to say about the portrait. At the beginning, Pellerin planned to copy Di Xian's paintings, but he was fascinated by the changing colors of his models.So, he had no choice but to paint step by step, sometimes thicker, sometimes lighter, adding slowly.Rosanne was very happy at first; she had a tryst with Delmar, and her painting was interrupted for a while, so that Pellerin had ample time to enjoy himself.Later, his self-admiration gradually calmed down, and he asked himself whether the size of his painting was appropriate.So, he compared Di Xian's painting with this one, found some differences, and admitted that he had made a mistake; then, he simply repaired the painting in general, so that the effect of the whole painting could be compared with each other.In this way, the face seems to be firmer, the darker places are also brightened, and the whole painting looks full of vigor and vitality.Roxanne finally came to him.She got straight to the point and put forward some opinions, and of course Pellerin did not show any weakness.He was very angry and accused her of ignorance, but he was thinking in his heart that there seemed to be some truth in her words.As a result, he didn't believe in himself, and his mind was in a trance, which caused him stomach and intestinal cramps, he couldn't sleep at night, and he had a high fever, so that he felt disgusted with himself.He once wanted to cheer up and paint again, but he was always depressed, thinking that he was always doing poorly. All he blamed was that he had not been allowed to attend the salon, and that Frederick hadn't gone to see Rosanne's portrait. "I despise her!" Frederick's words lifted his spirits. "Do you think she doesn't want that painting now?" He had not yet said that, but he had asked her for a thousand crowns.In fact, Rosanne didn't care at all who would pay for it in the future. She would rather get more emergency supplies from Arnoux, and never mentioned the portrait to him. "And what about Arnou?" said Frederick. She insisted on giving the painting to Frederick, since Arnoux didn't want a portrait at all. "He insisted that the painting belonged to Rosanne." "Honestly, it's hers." "What! She sent me to you!" Pellerin said firmly. If he believed the painting was good, he probably wouldn't hang on to him.However, to pay him a sum (a substantial sum) would negate the original criticism and boost his confidence.Frederick, therefore, not wanting to dwell on the matter, casually asked how much the picture was worth. Frederick, annoyed by the astonishingly high price, replied: "No, ah! How unreasonable!" "After all, you are her lover, besides, you asked me to draw it." "Sorry! I'm just an introduction!" "But I can't always hold it!" Pellerin was a little annoyed. "Ah! I never thought you were so stingy!" "I didn't expect you to be so greedy for money! I'm sorry, I took a step ahead!" He was about to take a step when Seneca came. Frederick was a little flustered and uneasy. "What's the matter?" So Seneca pulled away. "About nine o'clock on Saturday, Mme. Arnoux received a letter telling her to leave for Paris at once. Just as she could not find anyone else to call a cab to Creil, she asked me to do it. I did not promise her, but asked I know it's not my business. She left and came back on Sunday night. Yesterday morning, Arnoux came to the factory suddenly. The Bordeaux woman complained to him. I don't know what they whispered, But Arnoux rescinded her fine on the spot. I was very angry and cursed at each other. In short, he fired me and here I am!" Then he said slowly: "Besides, I don't regret it, because I tried my best. Anyway, it's all because of you." "What?" cried Frederick, lest Seneca should find out about him. Seneca guessed nothing, for he continued: "That is to say, if it weren't for you, I probably would have been in another high school long ago." Frederick felt embarrassed. "Then what do you want me to do?" Seneca just wanted a job, any job. "It's not difficult for you. You know a lot of high-ranking people, said D'Orolier, and you and Mr. Dombrose are not very friendly!" As for Délorolier, his friends were a little disgusted with him.Since the meeting on the school grounds, he hadn't given much thought to going to the Dombrose's. "I don't know him very well, so I may not be able to help you." Seneca's request was denied.After a moment of silence, he said: "I'm sure it's all because of that Bordeaux woman, and also because of your Madame Arnoux." Frederick was displeased when he heard this, and even the sliver of kindness he had had was gone.However, out of sympathy, he reached for the desk key. At this point Seneca stopped him, saying: "no need!" Then, he completely forgot about his embarrassing situation, and talked about state affairs with pleasure.For example, the indiscriminate distribution of crosses on "King's Day", political changes, the incident of Droujard and Bernier, calling it an anecdote of the times, relentlessly attacking the bourgeoisie, and predicting the coming revolution. At this time, his eyes were attracted by a Japanese dagger hanging on the wall.他从墙上取下来，捏了捏刀把，又厌恶地随手丢到双人沙发上。 “唉，再见！我得去洛雷特圣母院。” “喂，到那儿干啥去？” “今天是戈德弗鲁瓦·卡芬雅克周年祭日。他是以身殉职，他！但是不会这样了事的！……谁知道？” 随后，塞内卡热情地将手伸了出来。 “我们可能再也见不着了！永别了！” 他连声说了两次“永别”，紧锁眉头，默然地看着那把短刀，终于不再固执己见了，表情严肃。这时，弗雷德利克给弄懵了，他很快静下心来了。 就在这个星期，他的律师从勒阿弗尔寄给他十七万四千法郎的地租。他将这笔钱分成两份，一份用于购买公债，另一份用于证券交易，以便在那里碰碰运气。 他到一些有名气的酒店里吃饭，经常光顾剧院，尽情地享乐。这时，余索内给他写来一封信，开心地跟他讲，在赛马的第二天，萝莎妮就跟西齐吹了。弗雷德利克觉得一阵快感袭上身来，至于他干吗把这事告诉他，他也无心去追根刨底了。 碰巧三天后，他与西齐不期而遇。那个纨绔子弟举止显得温文尔雅，甚至请他下星期三一起去用餐。 就在当日上午，弗雷德利克接到一份通知，查理·约翰·巴蒂斯特·乌德里先生跟他说：法院已经下了判决书，他可以获得雅克·阿尔努先生在美城所拥有的一份产业，但是他必须为此支付总计二十二万三千法郎的出售费用，同时，判决书上还说，原不动产的抵押款已经超过了出售价，因此弗雷德利克完全失去了债权。 这个不测之祸都是由于在时效期内未重新登记造册引起的。阿尔努本来说亲自去处理这件事，但是后来他忘了。弗雷德利克大为恼火，待心情平静下来后，心里寻思着： “那么，以后……怎么？假如这么可以让他起死回生，那也认了！我不会因此而饿死的！甭操心啦！” 然而，他收拾桌上的废纸时，又看到了余索内的那封信，只见信末还有几句附言，刚才看信时并未注意到。那个流浪汉向他只要五千法郎，以便把报纸继续办下去。 “啊！这家伙真讨厌！” 继而，他写了一张短笺，毫不客气地拒绝了他。随后，他穿上衣服，便赴约去了。 西齐给他介绍嘉宾，首先将一位鬓发斑白的胖先生给他介绍了一下： “吉贝尔·德·奥勒内侯爵，我的教父。安塞姆·德·福尔香波先生。”(那是一个已经秃了顶的瘦弱的年轻人)随后，指着一位四十多岁举止文雅的人说：“我的表哥，约瑟夫·鲍弗勒；这位是我的老师维苏先生。”这人看上去既像车夫又似修道者，留着鬓毛，穿着一件长袍，只在衣服的大襟处扣了一个纽扣，酷似在胸部搭了块披肩。 西齐还在等一个人，即谷曼男爵，“他可能会来，但是没准儿。”他有时出去瞅一瞅，一副焦急不安的样子；最后，八点时，大家来到一间豪华的客厅里，房间很大，可是客人却很少。西齐故意选中这个客厅，讲排场，摆阔气。 桌子中央摆着一只装满水果的镀银托盘，桌上按照法国古式时尚放着银盘；桌子的四周搁着盛满卤肉和香料的小碟子；一樽樽装冰镇玫瑰香酒的酒壶整齐地直立着；各人的碟子前面是五个高脚和低脚酒杯，以及一些不知其用途的东西，各种各样装食品的小巧玲珑的器皿比比皆是。光是第一道菜就有：蘑菇汁鲟鱼头、匈牙利黄酒烹约克火腿、熏画眉、烤鹌鹑、贝夏梅尔白酱油肉饼和油炸红雉鸡。同时，在这些菜的两边都放着马铃薯丝拌香菌。一只吊灯和几座多枝烛台将房间照得雪亮，四周墙壁上挂着大马士革红绸幔。羊皮靠椅后面站着四个身穿黑色衣服的佣人。见到这么豪华的场面，大家都惊叹不已，那位家庭老师也大加称羡，他说： “说心里话，咱们东道主真够阔气的，真心实意招待我们！真是太棒了！” “这个么？”西齐说，“不足挂齿！” 他刚吃了口菜，便又说： “哎，我的德·奥勒内，您去王宫看过这出戏吗？” “你知道，我哪有闲功夫啊！”他回答道。 每天上午，他要去讲授一堂树木栽培学的课，下午在农具厂搞研究，晚上去参加农业同谊会；一年有绝大部分时间是在圣东热度过，偶尔借旅行的机会，到首都去攻读。放在茶几上的那顶宽边帽里装满了小册子。 这时，西齐发现福尔香波先生在敬酒，便说道： “喝吧，别见外！您真是放不开，这是你结婚前的最后一顿饭吧！” 大家闻听后，纷纷欠身向他道喜。 “我敢断言那位小姐一定长得漂亮迷人，是吗？”那位家庭老师调侃道。 “嘿！”西齐叫嚷道，“不管怎么样，他犯了错误；太糊里糊涂了，结婚！” “你说得太草率了，朋友！”奥勒内先生一边说，一边勾起了对死去的老伴的思念，眼泪禁不住掉了下来。 但是，福尔香波反复冷笑着说道： “您也会有这一天的！” 西齐诡辩着。他宁愿放任自流，自由自在，潇潇洒洒走一回。他想学点踢打术，可以光顾老城的下流酒店，效仿中的罗道尔大王子。这时，他从兜里掏出一个短烟斗，斥责佣人，疯狂地喝酒；为了让人家夸奖他很内行，他对所有的菜肴都逐一评头论足，甚至退回了一道鲜菌。尽管那个家庭老师喜欢吃这个菜，但是谄媚地说： “这比令尊祖母大人的雪花蛋差远了！” 随后，他和邻座的那位农学家闲聊起来。那位农学家认为住在乡村里有许多益处，即使为了养育和培养儿女，使她养成简朴、节俭的习惯，也大有裨益。家庭老师很赞赏他的看法，说了许多恭维话，并认为他的这番言论对他的学生有影响，他暗自希望能教导他的学生。 弗雷德利克来时就对西齐很反感，可是，西齐的那副傻样让他心情好些了。然而，他那一颦一笑，甚至整个身子都让他想起了英吉利咖啡馆那顿晚饭，他不由得恼怒起来；他倾听着那位约瑟夫表兄在悄悄地说着他的坏话，这家伙一贫如洗，喜欢打猎，是个公费生。西齐数次戏谑地称他是“小偷”；随后，他突然大喊大叫起来。 “啊！男爵！” 这时，走进来一位三十岁左右的青年，他相貌一般，四肢发达，帽子压到了耳根，纽扣上别了朵鲜花。这真是西齐的理想人物。西齐能把他请过来，喜上眉梢。他的到来让西齐着实激动了一番，他甚至想找一句双关语，果真如此，当端上一盆红雉鸡时，他便说道： “看着，这是拉布吕耶的最佳角色！” 接着，他问了谷曼许多问题，包括一些社会上素不相识的人的情况；随后，他忽然想到了一桩事： “您说说看！您想起我了吗？” 另一个耸了耸肩。 “您还不到时候呢，我的宝贝！不可能的事！” 西齐以前要谷曼介绍他去俱乐部。但是，毫无疑问，男爵为了不伤害他的自尊心，便说道： “啊，我忘了！您的赌打赢了，恭喜您，亲爱的朋友！” "What bet?" “赛马那天，你打过赌，说当晚您就去找那位小姐。” 弗雷德利克好像被抽了一鞭子。当发觉西齐一副垂头丧气的样子，他的心情平静了下来。 真是那回事。第二天，萝莎妮就后悔不已，要知道阿尔努——她的第一位情夫，她的人——就在当日找她去了。他们两个人让子爵知道他“添乱”，便将他无礼地赶走了。 弗雷德利克似乎什么也未听到。男爵追问道： “她怎样了，那位好萝丝？……她的大腿还那么诱人吗？”他说这句话，意味着他非常熟悉她的身体。 弗雷德利克对此怏怏不乐。 “干吗这么害臊！”男爵又说，“这未尝不是好事！” 西齐话锋一转，说道： “呸！不一定的！” "what!" “是呀，我的主啊！首先，我不认为她有什么诱人的东西，况且，类似这样的女人比比皆是，只要您想要；因为，说到底，……她是要出卖肉体的！” “也不一定随意出卖！”弗雷德利克说。 “他自以为高人一筹！真是太可笑了！”西齐驳斥说。 这时，大家都哈哈大笑起来。 弗雷德利克觉得心在怦怦乱跳，几乎喘不过气来。他一口气喝了两杯水。 然而，男爵却对萝莎妮耿耿于怀，说道： “她是不是在跟那位阿尔努鬼混？” “我不晓得，我不认识那位先生！”西齐说。 但是，他信口开河，说他是个骗子。 “别说了！”弗雷德利克叫嚷道。 “可是，这是确实存在的事实！他甚至还吃过官司呢。” “这纯粹在撒谎！” 弗雷德利克完全站在阿尔努这边，替他打抱不平。他发誓，阿尔努为人老实，自己最终对他抱以充分信任，同时还杜撰了一些数字和证据。子爵心里满肚子怨气，加之醉醺醺的，一直坚持自己的观点，以至于弗雷德利克板着脸对他喊道： “您故意欺侮我，是吗？” 弗雷德利克怒视着他，双眼犹如他的雪茄烟似的冒着火。 “哦！决不，决不！我甚至还要承认他有一件很棒的东西，他的女人。” “您认得她吗？” “当然啦！索菲·阿尔努，众所皆知！” "What did you say?" 这时，西齐站起身来，结结巴巴地重复说： “这是众所皆知的！” “住嘴！您交的决不是她那样的女人！” “我很庆幸自己没有与这种女人打交道！” 弗雷德利克随手操起碟子，往他的脸砸去。 碟子闪电般地从桌上飞过，撞倒了两个酒瓶，砸碎了一个果碟，触到了花果托，碎成三块，打中了子爵的腹部。 大家都过来劝阻他。他像疯了一样挣扎着，大家叫嚷着。德·奥勒内先生不断地安慰他说： “别急！别这样！亲爱的孩儿！” “这太可怕了！”家庭老师吵嚷着。 福尔香波的脸变得铁青，浑身哆嗦着；约瑟夫哈哈大笑；仆人赶紧把酒擦干，并捡起地上的碎玻璃片；而男爵则把窗户掩上，虽然马路上车辚辚、马萧萧，但是屋里的吵闹声还是可以传出去。 在扔出碟子后，客厅里的人开始议论纷纷，因此无法搞明白到底是因阿尔努太太，抑或萝莎妮，还是别的什么人才惹怒了他。不过，有一点可以说明，弗雷德利克非常粗鲁、莽撞，简直到了无法形容的程度；他压根儿没有丝毫后悔、道歉之意。 德·奥勒内竭力劝说他冷静些，约瑟夫表兄、家庭老师、就连福尔香波也都来劝架。这时，男爵给西齐打气，要知道这家伙神经兮兮地懦弱，竟流出眼泪来了。而弗雷德利克则正好相反，越来越气愤。倘若不是男爵说了下面这番话，大概人们会在那里僵持一晚上： “先生，明天子爵会派证人去找你。” "when?" “请在正午吧。” "Very good, sir." 弗雷德利克刚走出来，就贪婪地呼吸着空气。他已经压抑了好长时间了，刚才终于淋漓痛快地发泄出来了，心情一阵轻松；他感觉到一种男子汉的气派，一种使他迷恋的内在力量的冲动。他要找两位证人。第一个想到的便是列冉巴。于是，他随即向圣德尼街的一家咖啡馆跑去。店已经关门停止营业了。但是，门上的玻璃还在闪闪发亮。门被推开了，他便弯着腰从披檐下进去了。 账台边上一枝蜡烛照着宽大的客厅。所有板凳都四腿朝天地摆在桌上。店主夫妇和伙计正在厨房旁边的一角吃饭；而列冉巴戴着一顶帽子，正跟他们在一块用饭。他的在场让那个伙计觉得别扭，每当吃口饭总要稍稍侧一下身。弗雷德利克简单地说明了来意，请求他助一臂之力。列冉巴起初死活不答应；他眼珠贼溜溜地直转，陷入沉思，在房里来回踱着步，终于说话了。 “好，我答应你！” 列冉巴知道对手是位贵族时，一下子满面红光，狡黠地笑了笑。 “我们将痛打他一番，甭操心啦！一上来，……用剑……” “可是，我大概没有权利……”弗雷德利克反驳道。 “我告诉您务必要比剑！您会用剑吗？”列冉巴叫嚷道。 “会一点儿！” “啊！一点儿！瞧，他们都是如此！他们玩命要比剑！讲武堂有什么用！听着：要站远一些，始终跟他转圈，避开他，躲避他！这是规则允许的。想办法拖累他！然后，使劲地劈他一下！可是，千万不要暗算人家，不要效仿拉·富热尔！不！只要一二一二，用剑挑他。喂，看到了吗？”他扭动手腕，似乎想开一把锁：“伏蒂埃大人，请把您的拐杖给我！啊！这就可以啦！” 他操起一根用来点煤气灯的棍子，比划着，对着墙壁猛刺了几剑。他跺着脚，虎视眈眈，甚至假装碰到了难题，大喊大叫，“你看清楚了吗？那边？看清了没有？”他那庞大的侧影映在墙上，帽子好像要顶到天花板。店主不时地喝彩：“好，真棒！”他的老婆虽然有些害怕，但是也称羡不已；至于那个老兵戴奥多尔，惊呆在那里，被列冉巴这个架势迷住了。 次日早晨，弗雷德利克到杜萨迪埃的百货商店去了。许多房间的柜台上都摆满了衣料布匹，有些横放在桌上；同时，衣架上挂着披肩。在一道铁栅栏里，他发现杜萨迪埃正站在桌前写什么，周围都是账本。他马上放下了手中的活儿。 正午前证人都来了。为了显示自己有风度，弗雷德利克觉得没有必要去跟他们商量。 男爵和约瑟夫声称，只要向他们赔礼道歉，他们就不计较了。可是，列冉巴固执己见，坚持要替阿尔努打抱不平(弗雷德利克没告诉他别的事)，要求子爵赔个不是。谷曼对这种趾高气扬的做法表示不满。公民也毫不示弱。所有调停均告失败，只得决斗。 接着，问题又出现了：由于西齐是受辱的一方，因此必须由他选择武器。而列冉巴则坚持认为，既然他鼓动人来挑战，那么他就是污辱别人的一方。西齐那边的证人叫喊着：一巴掌就是最厉害的欺侮。列冉巴则故意挑剔他的缺点，说用词不当，一拳头不能等同于一把掌。最后，大家一致决定去问问当兵的；于是，四位证人出去到军营里询问此事。 他们来到奥尔赛沿河街的军营。谷曼上前叫住两个上尉，将双方的争执向他们叙述了一番。 列冉巴不时地在旁边唠叨，弄得那个尉官一点也没听清楚。后来，他们提议这些先生们写一份材料，然后再由他们来作决定。于是，大伙便来到一家咖啡馆；为了将事办得利索、谨慎，他们用H来代表西齐，用K来代表弗雷德利克。 随后，他们回到军营。尉官走了一会儿，后又回来了，宣称：显然由H来选择武器。大家回到西齐家中，列冉巴和杜萨迪埃站在人行道上。 子爵听说事情办妥了，心里慌乱极了，让别人重复了好几遍。当谷曼谈到列冉巴盛气凌人时，他咕哝了一个“可是”，心里差不多顺从了。接着，他仰倒在一张扶手椅上，说他取消决斗。 “嗯？怎么啦？”男爵说。 就在此时，西齐叽里咕噜地瞎侃了一通。他想用大口径短枪决斗，双方将枪口对准胸膛。 “要么往一杯酒里倒进砒霜，用抓阄的方法决定到底由谁喝这杯酒。这是常发生的事，我在小说里看过！” “那几位先生正等着答复。一句话，这是失礼的！您想用哪一种办法？比剑吗？” 于是，子爵只得点头表示同意，并约定次日早晨七点准时在马约门见面。 杜萨迪埃急忙回去照料生意，而列冉巴则去通知弗雷德利克。 弗雷德利克成天呆在屋里，得不到丝毫回音。他已忍无可忍了。 “太棒了！”他叫嚷道。 列冉巴对他这种态度表示满意。 “他们还想让我们赔礼道歉，您信吗？其实，这没什么大不了，只需说一句话而已！但是，我坚决顶回去了，我应该这样干，对吧？” “当然啦。”弗雷德利克边说边寻思着，最好再挑个证人。 列冉巴走后，他扯着嗓子反复自言自语道： “我要去决斗。嘿嘿，我要去决斗！多有意思！” 他在房里徘徊着，来到穿衣镜前面时，看到自己脸色刷白。 “我发怵了吗？” 想到临阵害怕，一种恼人的恐惧感袭上心头。 “假如我被杀死，那该如何是好？我父亲就是这么死的。是的，我会被别人杀死的！” 突然，他看到母亲穿着丧服，许多乱七八糟的幻想在他脑海里闪现。他憎恨自己的软弱无能。相反，一种勇往直前的精神，一种吃人肉的欲望攫取了他；即便是一大群人马也不能让他退却。这种狂热过去后，他心满意足，意志更为坚定了。他到歌剧院看芭蕾舞，以便放松放松。他边欣赏着音乐，边用望远镜看着舞女，幕间休息时还要了杯潘趣酒。然而，回到家里时，看到自己的书房、家具，这也许是最后一次了，他不由得心灰意懒。 于是，他下楼走进花园里。天空星光灿烂，他默默地注视着。想到要为一个女人去决斗，立刻觉得自己伟大而崇高。随后，他便心安理得地进入了梦乡。 西齐则是另一番心情。男爵离开后，约瑟夫就想方设法鼓励他。当他看到西齐垂头丧气的样子，便说： “可是，亲爱的朋友，假如你不情愿，我可以去通知一下。” 西齐不敢立刻回答“好的”，但是心里埋怨表兄不理解他。 他祈祷，弗雷德利克晚上中风而死，要么突然发生暴动，翌日大街上到处筑起了堡垒，把布洛涅森林的路口都封住了；要么，发生什么不测之祸，让其中的一个证人无法到场而取消决斗。他真想坐一列特快车溜之大吉，到哪儿都成。他悔恨自己不懂医学，可以吃一种药，既能保全性命，又能令人信服他已经死了。他甚至希望自己来个大病。 为了摆脱困境和求得良方，他派人去找奥勒内先生。然而，那位先生收到一封快信，说他的一个女儿生病了，回圣东热了。这对西齐好像是不祥之兆。幸亏这时他的老师维苏先生来看望他，便向他诉起苦来。 “怎么办，上帝啊！该如何是好？” “我呀，假如我是您的话，子爵先生，我就去菜市场雇一个壮汉来，把他痛打一番。” “他总会知道是谁指使的！”西齐说。他间或长吁短叹，接着又说：“不过，人到底有无决斗的权利呢？” “这是野蛮的残渣！有什么辙呢！” 于是，维苏自己吃起饭来。而西齐什么也没有吃，饭后他想蹓跶。 走过一个教堂前面时，他说道： “我们进去一会儿……瞅一眼好吗？” 维苏先生欣然应允，甚至还把圣水给了他。 这是，鲜花覆盖着祭台，歌声悦耳，风琴声声。而他不能祈祷，因为宗教仪式会让他想起丧仪；一个嗡嗡的声音好像传入他的耳中：。 “咱们走吧！我觉得恶心！” 他们打了一晚上的牌。子爵竭力输掉，好赶走不顺心的事，这使得维苏先生占了不少便宜。最后，天亮了，西齐实在支撑不下去了，便躺到一张绿地毯上睡着了，做了许多噩梦。 但是，若论勇敢在于有意识地克服软弱，那西齐应该算是勇敢了。因为只要发现证人到这儿来，他便鼓起勇气，挺起胸来，虚荣心使他懂得：退却意味着失败。谷曼先生夸奖他脸色挺好。 路途中，由于马车颠簸，朝阳似火，他又气馁了。他的勇气又消失了，甚至搞不明白到底去哪儿。 男爵有意耍弄他，西齐更加胆怯了，他谈及尸体，并怎样将尸体偷偷运回城里。约瑟夫驳斥他；他们俩都觉得事情很可笑，深信最终会调解成功。 西齐将头埋到胸口，又缓缓地抬起，并告诉他们：没有带医生来。 “干吗要带医生！”男爵说。 “那不会有危险吗？” 约瑟夫严肃地说： “但愿这样。” 车上没有了说话声。 七点十分，他们来到马约门。弗雷德利克和他的证人早已在此恭候多时，三人都穿着黑色衣服。列冉巴没有系领带，戴着一条髭毛领子，跟今王八似的；他还携带了一件长长的如同小提琴盒的玩意，这是特地为此类冒险事而做的。双方冷冰冰地问候了一下。随后，大伙顺着马德里路，钻进了布洛涅树林里，去找一个适宜的地方藏起来。 弗雷德利克走在列冉巴和杜萨迪埃中间，列冉巴说： “怎么样，还害怕吗？怕有什么用？倘若您想要什么，随便提，我明白！胆怯是人的天性。”接着，他低声说：“不要抽烟，越抽越提不起劲头！” 于是，弗雷德利克扔掉了碍手碍脚的雪茄烟，继续迈着坚定的步伐。这时，西齐从后面赶上来了，身子夹在两位证人的胳膊上。 行人稀少，偶尔有人从他们身边走过。万里无云，时而看到有几只兔子活蹦乱跳。在一条小路的拐弯处，一个穿布衣的女人正和一个穿制服的男人在闲聊；几个穿短衫的佣人牵着马儿在林荫道上的栗树下闲逛。西齐触景生情，回忆起那段幸福的时光：他骑在栗色的马背上，戴着眼镜，朝四轮轻便马车的小门骑去。这些回忆使他更加郁闷。一种无法忍受的干渴烧着他的心；他脉搏的跳动声和苍蝇的嗡嗡声混杂在一起；他的脚陷入泥沙里；他好像生来就迷茫着。 证人们边走边看着道路两边。他们商量着到底去卡特朗十字架那边，抑或巴加太尔墙垛下。最后，他们往右拐，在一片按梅花形栽种的松树地里停了下来。 为便于将场地分成两半，他们最终看中了这个地方。他们安排好双方应站的地方。随后，列冉巴打开盒子，盒子的红羊皮布上面有四把煞是好看的剑；中间稍稍凹进，剑把上点缀着金银细线。透过树枝，一道灼热的阳光照射在剑上；在西齐眼里，这几把剑酷似血泊中爬着的银蛇。 列冉巴向大家讲明剑都是一般长短；他自己则持第三把剑，万一的话，可以将两位斗士分开。谷曼拿着一根拐杖。这时，万籁俱静，大家彼此对视着。每人都有些诚惶诚恐、冷酷无情的感觉。 弗雷德利克脱掉长袍和背心。约瑟夫也帮西齐脱下衣服；他的领带刚解开，就见他脖子上挂着一块圣牌。列冉巴冷笑了一下。 这时，谷曼为了让弗雷德利克再好好掂量一下，便歇斯底里地叫喊起来。他要求有权戴手套，并可以拿左手去夺对方的剑；列冉巴有些急躁，就认同了。最后，男爵对弗雷德利克说： “先生，想妥了没有？承认错误也是好样的。” 杜萨迪埃表示同意。列冉巴则大为恼怒。 “您以为我们来这里拔鸭毛吗？岂有此理！……注意！” 两位对手面面相觑，他们的证人各在自己的那一边站着。他喊了一句： "start!" 一刹那间，西齐吓得魂飞魄散。他的剑梢犹如皮鞭一般发抖。他身子往后一倒，双手叉开，晕过去了。约瑟夫将他扶起来；把一个鼻烟盒塞到他的鼻孔下