Chapter 14 fourteen

Victorin Hulot was subjected to the last trial of the family shocks which so often lead a man either to advance or to sink.He has improved.In the great storms of life, we often follow the example of the captain and throw away the heavy cargo under the storm to lighten the weight of the ship.The pride in the lawyer's heart, the smug face, the vigor of the orator, and the ambition of politics are all gone.He becomes like his mother.He's determined to put up with Celestine, even though she's not ideal.He has seen through life, and feels that everything in the world can only be expected to be similar.Now that his father's behavior made him hate it, he was more determined to do his duty.At his mother's bedside, on the day she was out of danger, those resolutions were strengthened.Then my mother recovered from her illness, and another piece of good news came.Claude Vignon, who was ordered by Prince Vissambre to inquire about his condition every day, asked the re-elected MP to go with him to the minister.He said:

"The minister wants to discuss the family affairs with you." Victorin Hulot had known the Minister for many years; the Marshal therefore treated him with special affection, and with an air of hinting of good news. "Friends," said the old soldier, "I swore an oath to Marshal Lingxianbo-Hulot in this office to take care of Lingtang. I heard that the Virgin is about to recover; now is the time to bandage your wounds. Here I am There are two hundred thousand francs for you." The lawyer made a gesture which made it appear that he was of the same character as his uncle.

"Don't worry," said the Prince with a smile. "It's just an escrow. My time is limited and I can't stay here forever; you take this money and act as my representative in your family. You can use this money to pay off the mortgage on the house." The ownership of the two hundred thousand francs belongs to the court and the sister. If I hand it over to the baroness, I am afraid that she will miss her husband and spend the money carelessly; and the person who gave the money meant to protect Madame Hulot. And her daughter, the Countess Steinbuck. You are old and prudent, worthy of a good mother's son, worthy of my friend Marshal Hulot's nephew; I tell you, my dear friend, that my Ministry and other places are very good. I value you. I hope you will be the guardian of your family and accept your uncle's and mine's inheritance."

"My lord," said Hulot, shaking the minister's hand, "like you, you must know that verbal thanks are meaningless, and gratitude must be proved by facts." "Okay, you can prove it with facts!" "What should I do?" "You must accept my offer," said the Minister. "We would like to ask you to be the legal adviser of the Ministry of War; for the city defense of Paris, the department in charge of fortifications has a lot of lawsuits; at the same time, we also want to ask you to be an adviser to the police chief and the royal family's public funds. These three positions together have one A salary of eight thousand francs does not limit you to the conduct of your business. Vote in Parliament according to your political views and conscience... You can act freely! Well, we would have a hard time without an opposition party! And , before the death of Uncle Ling, he wrote me a note with detailed instructions on how to install your mother, whom the Marshal loved very much! . . . Bobino, de Rastignac, de Navarreins, de Mrs. Espar, de Granlieu, de Carigliano, de Renoncourt, de Rabarti, etc., established a post of inspector for charities in the church. They are all charities. The president of the club, unable to take care of their official affairs, needs the practical help of an upright wife, to visit the suffering people, to investigate whether the good deeds done have not been deceived, whether the help has not been in vain, and at the same time to visit those who are poor and suffering. A person who is ashamed to sue. The mission of the church is an angel's mission. She only needs to communicate with the priest and the ladies of the charity society. The salary is six thousand francs a year, and the extra expenses. You see, brother, a man of integrity and righteousness , can shelter his family in the grave. In a well-organized society, a name like your uncle is, and should be, a guarantee against adversity. So you should follow in the footsteps of Uncle Ling and follow through, because You've gone his way, I know that."

"Prince, I am not surprised to see such meticulous care in my uncle's friend," said Victorin, "I will work hard to live up to your expectations." "Go and comfort your family quickly!...Ah! Tell me," said the Prince, shaking hands with Victorin, "is your father really missing?" "Oh, yes." "It's better that way. The poor fellow has a good idea, and he's always been a wise man." "He wants to avoid debt." "Ah! You'll get six months' salary for three posts. This advance will help you cover your debts to usury. I've got a chance to meet Nucingen, and maybe you and my department don't have to spend it." A penny will redeem your father's pension. Nucingen's entry into the House of Peers has not changed the temper of the banker, he is greedy; but he seems to beg me for something..."

After this, Victoran returned to Lingmao Street to realize his plan, and took his mother and sister into his home. The whole property of the young lawyer was one of the finest houses in Paris, in the avenue between the Rue de la Paix and the Rue Louis-Great, bought in 1834 when he was planning to marry.The original owner built two large houses on the main street and the side street. Between the two, between the small garden and the courtyard, there is another exquisite residence, which is the remains of the majestic and magnificent Verneuil mansion in those days.Xiao Luo, after being sure about Miss Crewell's dowry, offered a million dollars to buy this batch of beautiful property bids, with an initial payment of half a million.He used the ground floor of the house himself, hoping to rely on the rent of the two big houses to pay off the house price on schedule; however, although real estate investment in Paris is reliable, the return is slow and uncertain, and he has to rely on those unpredictable to decide on the surrounding situation.Parisians who often stroll outside must have noticed that the section of the street between the Rue Louis-Great and the Rue de la Paix developed very late; Businessmen have just come to this section to decorate beautiful windows, displaying gold from money exchange shops, colorful fashions, and extravagant goods.Although Crevel gave his daughter two hundred thousand (at that time he felt that the family was high-ranking, and the baron had not yet robbed him of Josepha); although Victorin paid another two hundred thousand in seven years; But because the son is filial to his father, the debt of the house is still 500,000.Thanks to the rising rent and the superior location, the two big houses finally showed their value.It took eight years for the investment in real estate to be profitable; during this period, the lawyer struggled to pay the interest and paid a very small part of the house price.By this time, businessmen were willing to pay a high price to rent the shop on the ground floor, as long as they could sign an eighteen-year lease.The rent of the houses upstairs has also increased; because of the movement of the commercial center, the section between the Exchange and the Madeleine Church has since become the center of Paris' political and financial circles.The money given to him by the Minister, plus the advance rent and small rent from the tenant, reduced Victorin's debt to two hundred thousand.After the two houses are fully rented out, there will be an annual income of 100,000.In another two years, Xiao Luo will be able to revive the family business.And in those two years his income had doubled, thanks to the new errand given to him by the Marshal.This is simply a godsend.Victorin allocated the entire second floor of the house to his mother, and the third floor to his sister, and Lisbeth also allocated two rooms on the third floor.Under Aunt Bei's management, the family of these three families managed to get by without dishonoring the status of a lawyer.The famous people in the courts are not very long; Yu Luo is cautious in his words and upright, and the judges of all levels of courts trust him; he is willing to study the case carefully, never say a word that cannot be proved, and does not take cases indiscriminately , It is a little bit of face for the peers.

The baroness hated the house in Rue Lingmao so much that she was willing to be taken to the Rue Louis-Great.Adeline's lodgings were well furnished, thanks to her son's care and attention; she did not need to worry about domestic details; for Lisbeth had enlisted the housekeeper's errand to show the economy she had shown at Madame Manefer's. wrist.She felt so tired that she could press her pent-up resentment upon such people; and since all her hopes had been dashed, she had only fueled and deepened her hatred for these wonderful and good people.She went to see Valerie once a month: on the one hand, Ortance asked her to inquire about Wenceslas, and on the other hand, Celestine also wanted her to inquire about the movement, because her father, openly admitted that she had been with a man who had taken her. The mother-in-law had a relationship with the woman whose sister-in-law ruined her family, which worried her greatly.Needless to say, Lisbeth took advantage of their sister-in-law's curiosity and went as far as possible to Valerie's.

One year and eight months passed.During this period, the baroness's body gradually became stronger, but the nervous trembling did not stop.She has mixed her duties well, and those noble things have relieved her pain and found a place for her beautiful soul.At the same time, she felt that running around in Paris for business was also an opportunity to find her husband.At that time, Vauvnay's bills had all been withdrawn, and Baron Hulot's pension could almost be unfrozen.The 200,000 francs entrusted by the marshal with an annual interest of 10,000 francs was used by Victorin to offset the expenses of his mother and sister.Adeline's salary of six thousand francs, added to the baron's pension of six thousand francs, would soon bring an income of twelve thousand francs to the mother and daughter.The poor lady would be almost happy without the following points: first, she was always worried about the baron's exile, and only hoped that when the family situation improved, he would return to enjoy the happiness; second, she saw her daughter abandoned here. In the end, it was Lisbeth who inadvertently gave her some cruel blows, and brought out her devilish character to the fullest.

Lisbeth's perennial dormant hatred, always fueled by Madame Maneffe, had its consequences, as illustrated by a scene at the beginning of March, 1843.Two major incidents occurred in Mrs. Manever's house.First she gave birth to a short-lived child, and received for nothing a deposit of two thousand francs with interest.Secondly, with regard to Mr. Maneffe, Lisbeth brought back the following news from the Maneffe mansion eleven months ago: "Damn Valerie called Dr. Bianchon this morning to see if the doctors who said her husband was hopeless last night had a good diagnosis. The doctor said that tonight this ugly man will go to hell. Old Man Le Verre and Madame Marnever escorted the doctor out of the gate. Well, my dear Celestine, your father has sent you five gold dollars for this good news. Go back to the drawing room, Crevel Like a dancer on a stage, he threw himself into the air several times; he hugged the woman and shouted: You are going to be Mrs. Crewell after all!... Later the woman went back to see the husband who was spitting, His Majesty said to me: If I marry Valerie, I want to be a member of the House of Peers! I want to buy a piece of land that I have been interested in for a long time, in the place of Prelle, and Madame de Serizzi wants to sell it. I can be called Crevel de Prelle, Senator of Seine-Oise and Member of Parliament. I want a son! Look, I don't fail in anything I want!—I said : And your daughter?—He replied: Oh! A daughter is just a daughter, and she is so angry with Hulot, Valerie hates these people... My son-in-law never wants to come here: why should he? Preaching, prudish, puritanical, philanthropist? I've given my daughter all her mother's money, plus two hundred thousand francs! So I'm free to act. When I'm married At that time, I will decide my attitude towards my son-in-law and daughter. I will go as they come. If they treat their stepmother well, I will see! I am a man with clear grievances and grievances! ——This is his nonsense , pose like Napoleon on the Vendome Column!"

A few days had elapsed since the ten-month period for widows to be widowed for remarriage was stipulated in the Napoleonic Code.The Preller estate has been bought.Victorin and Celestine sent Lisbeth to Madame Manever's early in the morning to inquire about the marriage of this romantic widow to the mayor of Paris, the new provincial senator. After Celestine and Ottens lived together, they grew closer and lived together almost constantly.The baroness has a serious and responsible personality, and she attaches great importance to her duties. She devotes herself to charity and runs outside almost every day between eleven o'clock and five o'clock.The aunt and sister-in-law often work together at home in order to take care of the children together.Over time, the two of them would often blurt out what was in their hearts, like two sisters, the difference being that one was naturally happy and the other was naturally melancholy.Beautiful, lively, smart, young and vigorous, loves to talk and laugh, the unfortunate sister-in-law never seems to have any worries on the surface; resentful, gentle, quiet, as calm as reason, always introspective, thoughtful, the sister-in-law is like Like holding a dull pain.Perhaps it was this contrast of personalities that contributed to their warm friendship.Both women are absorbing the strengths of the other.The builders of their houses were intended for their own use, and they deliberately left a small garden of about 100 square feet.The aunt and sister-in-law sat in the small pavilion in the garden, admiring the lilacs that had just sprouted.Only Parisians can fully appreciate that spring feeling. They are buried between the sea of ​​people and the stone walls, and they forget the green vegetation for six months a year.

When the sister-in-law complained that her husband had failed the fine weather in Parliament, Ortance replied: "Celestiner, I don't think you will enjoy your blessings. Victorin is as kind as an angel, and you have to pick eyes with him sometimes." "A man likes to be picky, my dear! A little quarrel with him is a sign of affection. If your poor mother hadn't been really hard-talking, but always pretending to be hard-talking, you wouldn't have come to this place." "Lisbeth hasn't come back yet! I'm going to sing Marlborough!" said Ottens, "I can't wait to hear about Wenceslas! . . . It's been two years." ① "Marlborough" is a popular children's song. Its recitation line is: "Marlborough has gone to war, and I don't know when he will come back." The last line of the last stanza is: "He won't come back!" "Victoran told me that he saw him with that damned woman the day before yesterday, and he guessed that she wanted him to do nothing on purpose... Ah! Sister, if you want, you can teach your husband to change his mind." Otangs shook her head. "Believe me, your situation will soon become unbearable," continued Celestine, "at first it was exasperation, despair, indignation, which gave you strength. Then there was a catastrophe in our family, two funerals, The baron's bankruptcy, accidents, keep your head and your heart busy; but now that you live in peace, you can't easily bear the emptiness of life; since you want to abide by women's morals, you can only make peace with Wenceslas. Victor Lan loves you so much, he thinks so too. After all, our emotions cannot be restrained by nature!" "Such a man without ambition!" exclaimed proud Ottens, "he loves this woman because she keeps him... Does she pay his debts too, eh? . . . My God! I wonder day and night Looking at the situation of this man! He is the father of this child, and he is so shameless..." "Look at your mother's example, my darling..." A woman like Celestine, who hears reasons as good as those of a Breton countryman, still quotes the same simple reasoning that she has said a hundred times.Her face was dull, ordinary, and cold, her locks of light chestnut hair hung stiffly, her skin color, her whole body showed that she was a rational woman, without charm, but neither Wimpy ingredients.She added: "Mother really wanted to stay with her humiliated husband, comfort him, and hide him in her arms so that no one else could see her. She had already arranged the room upstairs, as if she could find him at any time and settle him down." "Oh! mother is wonderful!" replied Ottens, "and in twenty-six years she has not had a day without greatness; but I have no such character. . . What can be done! Sometimes I am quite angry with myself. Oh, Celestine, you don't know what it's like to come to terms with a bastard! . . . " "And my father!" Celestine went on quietly, "he has followed your father's path without a doubt! Yes, he is ten years younger than the Baron, and has been in business; but what? What about the bureau? Mrs. Marnefer keeps my father as submissive as a dog. His property, his thoughts, are all under her control, and he doesn't wake up. I'm afraid of hearing the announcement of the engagement news! Your brother is thinking of a way, he thinks it is his duty to avenge society, avenge the family, and settle accounts with this woman. Oh, my dear Otonia, a gentleman like Victorin, with a heart like us, It is too late to understand the dangers of society and the morals of the world! My dear girl, this is a secret. I tell you because it concerns you; but it must not be revealed, whether to Lisbeth, to mother, or to you. anyone, because..." "Here comes Bette!" said Ottens. —"Well, Auntie, what's the matter with hell on Hound Street?" "Bad news, boys.--Otance, your husband is getting more and more infatuated with that woman, and she, frankly, is mad about him.--Celestin, your father is a Stupid gentleman. Not to mention, I have to see it every half a month; I am lucky, I never know what a man is... Scary, what a beast!...Five days later, Victor and you, dear children, you will lose your father's property!" "Has the engagement announcement been made? . . . " asked Celestine. "Yes. I fought for you just now. Didn't this old goblin go the same way as the other one? I told him that if he would help you out and redeem the house, you would be very grateful and entertain you stepmother." Otangs made a startled gesture. "Victoran will consider these..." Celestina replied coldly. "Do you know what the mayor replied to me? He said: I want to make them suffer. The only way to tame the cattle is to starve them, deprive them of sleep, and deprive them of sweets! — Humph! It's not as bad as this field!...So, poor children, don't think about the word inheritance. Such a big family property! Your father spent three million to buy the Preller land, and there is still a deposit of thirty thousand interest Oh! He doesn't hide anything from me! He says he's going to buy the Navarreins mansion in the Rue de Ferry. Madame Maneffe herself has forty thousand francs in interest. — Ah! Here comes our good angel, your mother Back!..." She heard the sound of a car. After a while, the baroness did come down the steps and came towards them.Fifty-five years old, suffering so much, always shivering like a fever, Adeline's face is pale and wrinkled, but she still maintains a slender figure, beautiful lines, and a natural noble breath.Everyone who saw her said, "She must have been beautiful back then!" She was always sad, because she didn't know what happened to her husband, and because of the water plants in Paris, the peaceful and quiet environment, and the family whose situation was about to improve, she couldn't. Let him share the happiness.Her presence was majestic, like a remnant of a monument.Whenever the faintest hope was shattered, or after a failed visit, she would always frown, which made her children feel uncomfortable.This morning, the baroness had gone out in hope, and everyone looked forward to her return with even greater anxiety.One of Hulot's former subordinates, who now served as the quartermaster, said that he had seen him with a beautiful woman at the Comédie d'Ambercourt.On this day, Adeline went to visit Baron Vernier.He admitted that he had indeed met his old boss, and his attitude towards the woman in the theater seemed that they had already had a cohabitation relationship.But he told the baroness that her husband had left without waiting for the play to escape him; and added at last: "He seems to lead a domestic life, and judging by his clothes, he is not rich." "What is it?" asked the three women, as soon as they saw the baroness. "Hulot is indeed in Paris," answered Adeline; "I have a little comfort in knowing that he is near us." When Adeline had finished describing her conversation with the Baron Vernier, Bette said: "He hasn't changed his old temper! Maybe he's got some maid again. But where's the money? I'll bet he's asking for money from his former mistress, from Jeanne Cardine or Josepha . . . " The baroness's incessant convulsions were now intensified; she wiped away her tears, and looked at the sky in agony. "I don't believe that a second class 'Honorary' recipient would be as shameless as this," she said. "For fun, he will do anything!" Bate replied, "He has stolen government money, and he will steal private money, and it's hard to say that he even murdered his own money..." "Oh! Bette," cried the baroness, "don't say such things, will you?" At that moment Louise came up to them, and Hulot's two grandsons and little Vincentilla came running up to see if there were sweets in the grandmother's bag. "What is it, Louise?" "There's a man who wants to see Miss Fischer." "What kind of man?" Lisbeth asked. "Miss, he is dressed in rags, with feathers stuck to his body, he seems to be a man, his nose is red, and he smells of alcohol... This kind of person doesn't work as a bed worker for half a week." This indecent description caused Berthe to hasten to the courtyard beyond the Rue Louis-Great, where he saw a man smoking a pipe whose thick grime showed him to be an old smoker. "Old man Chardin, why are you here?" she said. "Appointment is one Saturday every month. You waited at the gate of the Maneffe Mansion on Rue des Ruys; I waited for you there for five hours, but you didn't go!..." "I'm going, my dear lady! But there's a game of billiards at the Scholar's Café on Feixin Street. Everyone has their own hobbies. Mine is billiards. Or I don't eat with silver forks! Oh, you Just understand this!" He said while looking for a piece of paper in his trousers waist pocket, "You have to drink a few cups after playing billiards... the good things in the world always have some odds and ends, teach you Money-losing. I know your order, but the old man can’t get through it, so I can only break into the restricted area... If our down is genuine, I won’t use it to find you; but there are other things mixed in it! God It's not as fair as everyone says, he has his partiality, no wonder, that's his right. Here is your father's handwriting, scare, he is really a good friend of the mattress, he likes to sleep... This is his lord's Where are the official documents?" The old man Chardin used his right thumb to circle around in the air, making random strokes. Lisbeth didn't listen to him at all, and looked at the two lines written on the paper: "My dear aunt, help me! Please give me three hundred francs immediately. ——Hector." "What does he want so much money for?" "Landlord!" replied old Chardin, who was always drawing circles with his hand. "And my son came back from Algeria, via Spain, Bayonne . Ah, but he will pay back the money we lent him. He wants to find a boss who pays and does nothing to let him open a shop; he has a lot of ways, and he will definitely shake up in the future..." "He'll be in prison!" Lisbeth replied, "He's my uncle's murderer! I will not forget him. " "He! He wouldn't dare kill a chicken, my lady!" "Come on, take the three hundred francs," Lisbeth took out fifteen gold dollars from his purse, "go for me, and never come here again!" She sent the father of the director of the warehouse in Oran to the gate, and then pointed to the drunk old man as the concierge; "If this man comes again, don't let him in, tell him I'm not here. He's going to ask if Mr. Xiaoluo or the baroness live here, and you answer that you don't know these people at all..." "Yes, miss." "If something happens to you if you don't pay attention, be careful of your job!" The old girl bit the porter's ear.At this time the lawyer had just returned from outside, and she greeted him and said: "Hey, nephew, there is something bad waiting for you." "What's up?" "In a few days, Madame Maneffe will be your wife's stepmother." "We'll see!" replied Viktorland. For six months Lisbeth had paid Baron Hulot a small monthly allowance, and her patron was now under her protection.She knew where he lived, enjoyed Adeline's tears, and when she saw her happy and hopeful, she interjected as before: "Wait, sooner or later the news of the court in the newspapers will have a brother-in-law." name!" In such places, as before, she retaliated too hard, which put Victorin on his guard.He was determined to completely resolve Lisbeth's constant cold arrows and the banshee who caused his family to be ruined.Prince Wissembourg, who knew Mrs. Maneffe's behavior, expressed his full support for the lawyer's private arrangement; as the prime minister of the cabinet, of course he would not show any traces, and promised to teach the police to wake up Crewell secretly, so as not to let the The diabolical whore swallowed up another great fortune; for the death of Marshal Hulot and the ruin of the Senate, the Prince would not pardon that woman. Lisbeth's words that "he is asking for money from his former mistress" made the baroness think about it all night.At first, she thought it an insult to suspect the baron's despicable behavior; but in the end, she was like a hopeless patient who believed in Fang's doctor, like a person who fell into the eighteenth hell, or like a person drowning in water. The driftwood was like a cable, she actually believed Bate's words, and decided to seek help from those wicked women.The next morning, without consulting the children or saying a word to anyone, she went straight to the house of Mademoiselle Josepha Myra, the prima donna, and put her little hope, which was burning like a fire, on Ask whether it is false or true, and ask for a clarification.At noon, the famous singer saw the old lady handing in a card of the Baroness Hulot, saying that a visitor was waiting at the door, and asked if the lady could see her. "Has the house been tidied?" "It's packed, miss." "Have you changed the flowers?" "It has been changed, miss." "Order to take another look at the room. There must be no sloppy in the room, and guests are invited in after the inspection. You all have to be very respectful to her. Dress me again when you come back. I want to look amazing!" After all, she went to look in the big mirror. "Let me dress up!" she said to herself, "the devil must be fully armed to fight against the righteous! Poor woman! What is she looking for me for? ... I am a little flustered, and want me to see: The boundless sea of ​​suffering, the great victim! ... After she sang the famous song, the old lady came in. ① Lyrics from the opera "Oedipus in Colona" by the Italian playwright Sassini (1740-1786). "Miss, the lady is trembling..." "Give her orange blossom juice, and rum, hot soup..." "I sent them all away, but she didn't want them. She said it was an old problem, and her nerves were injured..." "Where did you ask her to sit?" "In the big living room." "Hurry up, boy! Come on, bring out my best soft shoes, Bijou embroidered dress, and full lace. Brush my hair for me, even a woman will be amazed... The role of this lady Just the opposite of mine! Go tell this lady... (She is indeed a noble lady, well, more than noble, and something you'll never learn: Her prayers can lift souls from purgatory to heaven! ) told her that I was getting up in bed and went on stage last night..." The baroness was invited into Josepha's large living room. Although she waited for half an hour, she didn't feel like she was waiting at all.This living room has been completely renewed since Josepha moved in, and the walls are covered with red and gold silk.Judging from the number of remnants of the luxury that the princes used to spend in the small mansions, those houses are indeed called the Gold Selling Caves.The four rooms in front of me, in addition to the ostentation of a prince and modern equipment, are more and more perfectly arranged. The mild air in the room is controlled by a heating furnace with no entrance and exit.The baroness was dizzy, and looked at the artworks one by one in amazement.Only then did she understand how huge family fortunes were melted in the furnace of joy and pomp.Her living environment for the past twenty-six years, all the luxury is just a relic of the imperial era. She is used to carpets with dull colors, bronze sculptures with faded gold, and silk fabrics that are as broken as her heart. Now she sees luxury and lust. It is only through the effect that you can experience the magic of extravagance and lust.One cannot help but love those wonderful things, rare creations, all of which are the joint crystallization of unknown great artists. Those productions not only made Paris what it is today, but also became popular all over Europe.Here, the amazing thing is that everything is a unique boutique.The model was destroyed, and the large and small statues and furnishings became unique copies in the world.This is the ultimate in modern luxury.Two thousand well-to-do nouveau riche only know how to take home the treasures that fill the shops and show them off; they don’t know that the collection of such vulgar things is the real luxury, which shows that you are a modern prince. The season's star in the sky.Seeing the large wooden parterres filled with exotic flowers and plants, and the parterres themselves inlaid with bronze carvings in the style of Bulle, the baroness was stunned to think of the wealth that could be hidden in the tail.This feeling is naturally reflected in the characters supported by the Selling Gold Cave.The portrait of Josepha Mira painted by Bridau hangs in the small living room next door; Adeline imagines that she must be like the famous Marie Blanc, a gifted singer, a real singer. courtesan.Thinking of this, she felt a little regretful, thinking she shouldn't have come.But her motive was an emotion so strong and so natural, so unreflected, that it rallied her again for the interview.At the same time she wished to gratify her aching curiosity, to study the magic of such a woman, capable of wringing so much gold from the stingy strata of Paris.The baroness took a good look at herself, to see if she would not look shabby in the midst of this magnificent scene.Her velvet dress was neatly dressed, with a delicate cross-spoiled collar; a velvet hat of the same color suited her well.Seeing that her dignity is not inferior to that of a queen, and she is still a queen in her haggard and old age, she feels that the greatness of suffering is also equal to the greatness of talent.After hearing the sound of the door opening and closing, she finally saw Josepha.The singer is very similar to Judit① described by the Italian painter Allori, hanging by the door of the large living room of the Pitti Building②. No one who has seen it can forget it: the same heroic posture, the same solemn face, curly black Her hair was bare, and she was dressed in a yellow dress embroidered with flowers, exactly the same as the gold and silver embroidered dress worn by the immortal heroine in Allori's painting. ① Allori (1577-1621), an Italian painter in Florence. "Judit" is one of his masterpieces. ②The Pitti Building, in Florence, Italy today, has a lot of ancient famous paintings. "Baroness, I am so ashamed that you have come here for the honor," said the singer, determined to play the role of lady. She personally pushed a sofa covered in floral silk to the guests, and she just picked a folding chair to sit on.She saw the lady's former beauty, and the constant trembling, which turned into convulsions at the touch of emotion, aroused her sympathy.Hulot and Crevel had previously described to her the life of the saint, and now she understood it at a glance; so she not only gave up the idea of ​​​​resisting, but was awed by the greatness she had grasped. Respectfully.What the whore and slut make fun of is what the great artist admires. "Miss, I was forced by despair, I don't care about decency..." Josepha's expression made the baroness feel that she had said something wrong and had offended the person on whom she had put all her hopes, so she looked at her and dared not say any more.This pleading gaze extinguished the flame in Josepha's eyes, and slowly smiled.How many embarrassing secrets the two of them had, they confessed it tacitly like this. "Monsieur Hulot has been away from the family for two years, and though I know he is in Paris, I do not know where he lives," said the baroness, in a trembling voice. "I have had a dream which has brought to me a perhaps absurd idea, I thought you would care about Hulot, if you can make me meet him again, oh, miss, I will pray for you as long as I live..." The singer never answered, two tears rolled in his eyes first. “夫人，”她的语气卑恭到极点，“我没有认识你的时候就做了对不起你的事；可是现在，从你身上，我不胜幸运的见到了贤德在世界上最伟大的代表，才明白我的罪孽是多么深重，我真心的忏悔；请你相信，我要尽我的力量补赎我的罪过！……” 她拿了男爵夫人的手，不让她撑拒，恭恭敬敬的亲了一下，甚至把腿也弯了一弯。然后象扮演玛蒂尔德①进场时的神气，她气概非凡的站起来，打了铃。 ①玛蒂尔德，罗西尼的歌剧《威廉·退尔》中的女主角。 “你，”她吩咐当差的，“赶快骑了马，到圣莫神殿街去把小比茹找来。替她雇一辆车，多给点儿钱给马夫，要他赶一赶。一分钟都不许耽误，要不，小心你的饭碗。” 说罢她回来对男爵夫人说： “夫人，请你原谅。我一找到埃鲁维尔公爵做后台，马上把男爵打发掉，因为他为我快要倾家荡产了。除此以外，我还有什么办法？干戏剧的初出茅庐，都得有后台。我们的薪水还不够我们一半的开支，所以得找些临时丈夫……我并不希罕于洛先生，是他使我离开一个有钱人，一个虚荣的冤大头的。要不然，克勒韦尔老头会正式娶我。” “他跟我说过的，”男爵夫人插了一句嘴。 “啊，你瞧，夫人！要是克勒韦尔的事成了，我正式嫁了人，现在也是一个规规矩矩的女人了！” “小姐，你有你的苦衷，上帝会原谅的。我非但没有责备你的意思，这番倒是来向你求情的。” “夫人，我供给男爵的生活费，快有三年了……” “你！……”男爵夫人嚷着，眼泪都涌了上来，“啊！我怎么报答你呢？我只能够祈祷……” “对了，是我……还有埃鲁维尔公爵，他是一个热心人，真正的贵族……” 然后约瑟法把图尔老头如何安家如何结婚的事说了一遍。 “这样说来，小姐，靠了你的帮助，我丈夫并没有吃苦喽？” “我们一切都替他安排好的，夫人。” "Where is he now?" “六个月以前，公爵告诉我，男爵把公证人那边的八千法郎支完了；公证人只知道他叫图尔，那笔款子是每隔三个月分批给的。从此我跟公爵都没有听到男爵的消息。我们这般人又忙又乱，没有功夫去打听图尔老头。碰巧六个月以来，比茹，那个替我绣花的女工，他的……怎么说呢？” “他的情妇，”男爵夫人接口道。 “他的情妇，”约瑟法跟着说，“没有上这儿来。奥林普·比茹很可能已经离了婚。我们这一区，离婚的事是常有的。” 约瑟法起身把花坛中名贵的鲜花摘了几朵，扎成一个美妙的花球献给男爵夫人。真的，男爵夫人简直不觉得在那里等待。好象一般的人把天才当做三头六臂的怪物，吃喝、走路、说话都跟旁人不同似的，阿黛莉娜也预备看到一个迷人的约瑟法，歌唱家的约瑟法，又机灵又多情的荡妇；却不料见到的竟是一个安详稳重的女子，高雅、大方、朴素、因为象她那种女演员知道自己在晚上才是王后；不但如此，她还在目光、举动、态度之间，对贤德的女子，对赞美诗中所谓的痛苦的圣母，表示充分的敬意，用鲜花来放在她的伤口上，有如意大利的风俗把花供奉圣母像一样。 过了半个钟点，当差的回来报告：“太太，比茹的妈妈已经在路上了；可是奥林普那小姑娘没有在。您的绣花工人高升了，结了婚……” “跟人同居了吗？……”约瑟法问。 “不，太太，正式结婚了。她做了一个大铺子的老板娘，丈夫开着很大的时装店，做到上百万生意，在意大利人大街上；她把原来的绣作铺丢给了姊姊跟母亲。此刻她是葛勒努维尔太太了。那个大商人……” “又是一个克勒韦尔！” “是的，太太。他在婚书上给了比茹小姐三万法郎利息的存款。听说她姊姊也要嫁一个有钱的肉铺老板。” “你的事恐怕糟了，”歌唱家对男爵夫人说，“男爵已经不在我原先安插他的地方。” 十分钟后，当差的通报说比茹太太来了。约瑟法为谨慎起见，请男爵夫人坐到小客厅去，把门拉上了，说： “她见了你要胆小的。一猜到你跟这件事有关，她就不肯说老实话，还是让我来盘问她。你躲在这儿，句句话都听得见。这套戏，人生中跟舞台上都是常演的。” “喂，比茹妈妈，你们可是得意啦？……你女儿运道倒不差！” 比茹妈妈穿着杂色方格花呢衣衫，好似星期日打扮的门房。 “唉！得意！……女儿给我一百法郎一月，她自己可是车子进车子出的，饭桌上都是银器，有了一百万家私！……照理奥林普不该再要我辛苦了。活了这把年纪还得做活！…… 这算是对我好吗？ " “你把她生得这么漂亮，她不应该不孝顺你，”约瑟法接着说；“可是她干吗不来看我呢？是我提拔她过的好日子，把她配给我的叔叔的……” “是啊，太太，那个图尔老头！……可是他年纪真大，身子也不行啦……” “你们怎么打发他的呢？他还在你们家吗？……比茹不应该离开他的，现在他发了大财，有几百万呢……” “哎唷，我的老天爷！她对他不老实的时候，我们就是这么说的。可怜的老头儿，人真和气。啊，她把他搅得七荤八素！奥林普后来变坏了，太太！” “怎么的呢？” “太太，你别生气。她认得一个在戏院里当啦啦队的，圣马尔索城根一个老床垫工人的侄孙。那个光棍，象所有的小白脸，说穿了便是婊子掮客！他是神庙街上的红人，在那里推销新出笼的货色，照他说来是给新出道的女戏子找门路。他一天到晚好吃懒做，天生的喜欢打弹子，喝老酒。'这不是一桩行业呐！'我对奥林普说。” “可惜倒真是一桩行业，”约瑟法说。 “奥林普给这小子迷昏了头，他呀，太太，来往的全是不三不四的人，有一回在咖啡店里跟做贼的给一块儿抓去了，可是啦啦队的头目勃罗拉把他保了出来。那小子戴着金耳环，一事不做的鬼混，就吃那些为小白脸发疯的女人！图尔先生给我们小丫头的钱，全给他吃光了。铺子给搅得一塌糊涂。绣花挣来的钱，都在弹子台上送掉。唉，太太，那小子有个漂亮妹妹，跟他差不多的行业，没有出息的，在大学区里鬼混。” “茅庐游乐场的一个私娼罗，”约瑟法插了一句。 “对啦，太太。所以伊达摩，那小子姓沙尔丹，绰号叫伊达摩，认为你叔叔的钱还不止表面上那一些；把他妹子埃洛迪（他给她起了一个戏子的名字），不让我女儿有一点疑心，送到我们工场里做工；哎唷！老天爷！她跑来搅得七颠八倒，把所有的女孩子全教坏了，一个个变了老油子……她千方百计勾上了图尔老头，把他拐到不知哪儿去了。这一下，我们可受累啦。老头儿丢下一大批债，至今我们还没有能还清，可是这个归我女儿去对付了……等到伊达摩替妹子把老头儿拐走之后，他就丢掉了我女儿，去姘一个杂耍戏院里挂头牌的小姑娘……这样以后我女儿就攀了亲，让我慢慢说给你听吧……” “你可知道那个做床垫的住在哪儿？”约瑟法问。 “沙尔丹老头吗？他这种人哪有住的地方？从早上六点钟起就喝醉了，一个月只做一个床垫，成天躲在下等咖啡店里打野鸡……” “怎么，打野鸡？……他倒是了不得的老公鸡！” “你不懂，太太；那是打弹子赌钱的玩意儿；他一天赢上三四场，赢了钱就去喝老酒……” “嘿！喝野鸡的奶！”约瑟法接口说，“可是伊达摩是在大街上当差的，可以叫我的朋友勃罗拉找他。” “那我不知道，太太。这些事已经有六个月了。伊达摩这种料应该送公堂，送默伦，①以后哪……哼！……” “以后哪，送草地！”② ①指默伦中央监狱。 ②囚犯黑话，指苦役监。 “啊！太太什么话都懂，”比茹妈妈笑道，“要是我女儿不认得这家伙，她……她……可是老实说，她运道不错；葛勒努维尔先生真喜欢她，居然把她娶了去……” “这头亲事怎么成功的？” “倒是奥林普一气气出来的，太太。自从那个挂头牌的女戏子把她的小白脸拐走以后，她跑去揍了她一顿，喝！左右开弓给了她多少嘴巴！……她又丢了多么疼她的图尔老头，简直不想再跟男人打交道了。那时葛勒努维尔先生照顾我们一笔大生意，每季定绣两百条缎子披肩；他想安慰她；可是不管他是真是假，我女儿说除非上教堂上区政府，旁的话都不用提。她老是这么说：'我要规规矩矩做人，要不我就完啦！'她竟拿定主意。葛勒努维尔居然答应娶她，只要她跟我们断绝往来，我们也答应了……” “当然是得了一笔钱啰？……”聪明的约瑟法说。 “是的，太太，一万法郎，另外给我父亲一笔存款，他已经不能做活了。” “我当初托你女儿好好的服侍图尔老头，她却把他丢在泥洼里！真是不应该。从此我再也不关切人了！你瞧，做好事落得这样一个收场！……哼，真的，发善心也得先打过算盘。至少，出了乱子，奥林普也该来告诉我一声！要是从今天起，你半个月内能找到图尔老头，我给你一千法郎赏金……” “那可不容易，我的好太太。不过一千法郎有多少个五法郎的大钱哟，我要想法来得你这笔赏金……” “好吧，再见，比茹太太。” 走进小客厅，歌唱家发觉于洛太太完全晕过去了；但她虽然失去知觉，神经性的抽搐还在那里使她发抖，跟一条蛇斩了几段还在牵动一样。什么盐呀，冷水呀，所有的方法都用到了，男爵夫人才恢复了生命，或者不如说恢复了痛苦的知觉。 男爵夫人醒来认出了歌唱家，看到没有旁人在场，便说： “啊！小姐，他堕落到什么地步啊！……” “耐着点吧，夫人，”约瑟法端了一个垫褥坐在男爵夫人脚下，吻着她的手；“我们会找到他的；要是他掉入了泥洼，给他洗个澡就行了。相信我，一个有教育的人，只是衣衫的问题……让我来补赎我的罪过吧。既然你跑到这儿来，足见不论你丈夫行为怎么样，你还是爱他的……唉！可怜的人！他真喜欢女人……老实说，你要能有那么一点点儿我们的花腔，他或者不至于搅了一个又一个；因为那样你可以对丈夫成为一个包罗万象的女人，那就是我们的本领。政府很应该替良家妇女办一个训练班。可是所有的政府都扭扭捏捏的怕事得很！……领导政府的男人是受我们领导的！我真替老百姓叫屈！……哦，现在得帮你忙，不是打哈哈的时候……夫人，放心吧，你回去，别操心啦。我一定把你的埃克托给找回来，跟他三十年前一个样儿。” “噢！小姐，我们去找那位葛勒努维尔太太吧！”男爵夫人说，“她应该知道一些消息；也许今天就可以找到于洛先生，立刻使他脱离苦难，羞辱……” “夫人，承你瞧得起我来看我，我是永远感激的，所以我不愿让一个当歌女的约瑟法，埃鲁维尔公爵的情妇，跟一个最美、最圣洁、大贤大德的人物站在一起。我太尊敬你了，决不肯在众人面前和你并肩出现。这不是虚情假意的恭顺，而是我真正的敬意。夫人，见到了你，我后悔不曾走你的路，虽然那是遍地荆棘的路！可是有什么办法！我是献身于艺术的，正如你的献身于德行……” “可怜的孩子！”男爵夫人虽在痛苦之中也给她引起了同情心，“我要为你祈祷。社会需要娱乐，你是社会的牺牲品。到老年的时候，你应当忏悔……你可以得到赦免，要是上帝肯听一个……” “一个殉道者的祈祷，夫人，”约瑟法恭恭敬敬吻着男爵夫人的衣角。 阿黛莉娜抓住歌唱家的手，拉她过去亲了亲她的额角。歌唱家快活得红着脸，一直把男爵夫人送上车子。 “这位太太一定是个做善事的，”当差的对老妈子说，“她对谁都没有这样的礼数，连对她的好朋友珍妮·卡迪讷太太也没有。” “夫人，你等几天吧，”约瑟法说，“你一定会找到他，要不然我也不认我祖宗的上帝了；你知道，一个犹太女子说这种话，就是保证你一定成功。” 当男爵夫人走进约瑟法家的时候，维克托兰在办公室里接见一位年纪约有七十五岁的老婆子。她求见名律师的时候，竟提到公安处长那个骇人的名字。当差的通报： “圣埃斯泰夫太太！” “这是我的一个绰号，”她一边坐下一边说。 维克托兰一看见这个奇丑的老妇，不由得凉了半截。虽然穿着华丽，她那张又扁又白、青筋暴突、全是丑恶的皱纹的脸，杀气腾腾，着实教人害怕。大革命的巨头马拉①，倘使是女人而活到这个年纪，就该象圣埃斯泰夫一样，成为恐怖的化身。②阴险的老婆子，发亮的小眼睛有股老虎般的杀性。臃肿的鼻子、椭圆形的大鼻孔，象两个窟窿在那里喷出地狱的火焰，又好似鹰鸷一类的鸟喙。凶相毕露的低额角，便是阴谋诡计的中心。脸上所有凹陷的部分，东一处西一处的长着长汗毛，显出那种蛮干到底的性格。凡是见到这女人的，都会觉得画家对于魔鬼靡非斯特③的脸，还没有画到家。 “亲爱的先生，”她说话之间带着倚老卖老的口吻，“我已经多年不管闲事了。这次来帮你忙是看在我的侄子面上，我对他比对儿子还要喜欢……可是，警察总监听到内阁首相咬着耳朵嘱咐了两句之后，为你的问题跟夏皮佐先生商量过，认为这一类事，警察局绝对不能出面。他们把事情交给我侄儿，让他全权办理；可是我侄儿在这方面只能做个参谋，不能给自己惹是招非……” “那么你就是他④的姑母了？” “你猜着了。这也是我得意的事，因为他是我的徒弟，拜了门就满师的徒弟……我们把你的案子推敲过了，掂过分量了……要是你的烦恼能统统摆脱，你愿不愿意花三万法郎？我替你把事做得干干净净！你可以事后付款……” ①十八世纪法国大革命中激进派的领袖。 ②此处恐怖二字指大革命的恐怖时期。 ③《浮士德》中的魔鬼。靡非斯特意为“憎恨光明的人”。 ④指雅克·柯冷，即伏脱冷。 “那些角色你都知道了吗？” “不，亲爱的先生，我就是等你的情报。人家只告诉我们：'有个老糊涂落在一个寡妇手里。那个二十五岁的寡妇，拐骗的手段很高，已经从两个家长身上刮了四万法郎利息的存款。现在她要嫁给一个六十一岁的老头儿，好吞下一笔八万利息的家财。她要把一份规规矩矩的人家败光，把这笔大家财送给什么姘夫的孩子，因为她很快会把老头儿干掉的……'就是这样的案子。” “一点不错！”维克托兰说，“我的岳父克勒韦尔先生……” “从前做花粉生意的，现在当了区长。我就住在他区里，出面叫努里松太太。” “对方是玛奈弗太太。” “我不知道这个人；可是三天之内，她有几件衬衫我都背得出。” “你能不能阻止这头亲事？”律师问。 “到什么阶段了？” “到了第二次婚约公告。” “那得把女的绑走。咱们今天是星期日，只剩三天了，他们下星期三就要结婚，来不及了！可是我们可以把她干掉……” 听到若无其事说出的这句话，维克托兰这个规矩人直跳起来。 “谋杀！……”他说。“可是你们怎么下手呢？” “嘿，先生，我们替天行道已经有四十年了，”她回答的神气高傲得不得了，“我们在巴黎爱怎办就怎办。哼，多少人家，而且是圣日耳曼区的，都对我说出了他们的秘密！多少婚姻由我撮合，由我拆散，我撕掉了多少遗嘱，救过多少人的名誉！”她又指了指脑袋：“这里面装着无数的秘密，替我挣了一份三万六千法郎存息的家业；你呀，你也要变做我的一头羔羊。要是肯说出办法来，我还成其为我吗？我就是干！大律师，告诉你，将来的事全是偶巧，你良心上用不着有一点儿疙瘩。你好似医好了梦游病；个把月之后，大家以为一切都是天意。” 维克托兰出了一身冷汗。即使看到一个刽子手，也没有象这个大言不惭，功架十足的苦役监坯子那样教他毛骨悚然。 她穿着酒糟色的衣衫，他几乎以为是件血衣。 “太太，倘使事情成功要送掉人家的性命，或是牵涉到刑事罪名，我就不敢接受你老经验的帮助。” “亲爱的先生，你真是一个大孩子！你又要保持自己的清白，又要希望把敌人打倒。” 维克托兰摇摇头。 “是的，你要这个玛奈弗太太吐出她嘴里的肥肉！老虎啣着牛肉，要它放下，我问你怎么办？你打算摩着它的肩背叫：猫咪啊！猫咪啊！是不是？……你这是不通的。你叫人家厮杀，却不许有死伤！好吧，既然你非要良心平安，我就送你一个良心平安吧。凡是规矩人，总免不了假仁假义的脾气！你等着吧，三个月之内，有个穷苦的教士，来向你募四万法郎的捐，重修近东沙漠中一座残废的修道院。要是你认为结果满意，你就把四万法郎交给他。反正你得了遗产还得送一笔大大的捐税给国库！跟你到手的数目相比，那笔钱也算不得什么。” 她站起来，露出一双胖肉拥在缎子鞋外面的大脚，堆着笑容，行着礼告辞了。 “魔鬼还有一个姊妹呢，”维克托兰一边站起一边想。 他送走了这个丑恶可怕的陌生女人，仿佛从间谍窠里找出来的，也仿佛是神话剧中仙女的棍子一挥，从舞台底下钻出来的妖魔。维克托兰在法院里办完公，跑去见警察总署一个最重要的司长夏皮佐先生，打听陌生女人的来历。一看到夏皮佐办公室里没有旁人，维克托兰·于洛就谢谢他的帮忙： “你派来看我的老婆子，在罪恶的观点上，真可以代表巴黎。” 夏皮佐摘下眼镜望文件上一放，好不诧异的望着律师： “我派人去看你，决不会事先不通知你，不给他一个介绍的字条。” “那么也许是总监……” “我想不是的，”夏皮佐说，“最近一次维桑布尔亲王在内政大臣家吃饭，跟总监提到你的情形，一个很糟糕的局面，问他能不能大力帮忙。看到亲王对这件家务纠纷那么痛心，总监也很关切，跟我商量过这个问题。我们这衙门一向受人攻击，可是一向是对社会有功的；自从现任总监接手之后，他一开场便决心不过问人家的家事。原则上、道德上，他是对的；事实上他可是错了。在我服务的四十五年中，一七九九到一八一五之间，警务机关的确为多少家庭出过力。从一八二○以后，报纸跟立宪政府把我们的基本条件完全改变了。所以，我的意思是不再预闻这一类的事，承总监瞧得起我，居然接受了这个意见。公安处长当我的面得到命令，不能采取行动；要是他深入去看你，我要责备他的。这种情形，他可能受到撤职处分。大家随随便便的说一句：'教警察去办呀！'警察！警察！可是大律师，我告诉你，元帅、大臣，都不知道警察是怎么回事。知道的只有警察自己。那些王上，拿破仑，路易十八，只知道他们的事；我们的事只有富歇、勒努瓦、德·萨蒂讷①，跟几个有头脑的总监才明白……现在，一切都变了。我们给降低了，解除了武装！多少私人的苦难在抬头，在我是只消一点儿独断的权力就可消弭了的！……就是那些限制我们权力的人，有朝一日象你一样，遇到某些伤天害理的事，应当象扫垃圾似的扫掉的时候，恐怕也要想起我们了。在政治上，为了公众的安全，警察要负责防范一切；可是家庭，那是神圣的。有什么谋害王上的计划，我得不顾一切去破案去预防！我要使一座屋子的墙壁变成透明的；可是插足到家庭中去，干预私人的利益，那万万不能，至少在我任内，因为我怕……” ①以上提到的，都是大革命前后的法国警察总监。 "What are you afraid of?" “怕新闻界！告诉你这位中间偏左的议员先生。” “那我怎么办呢？”小于洛停了一会又说。 “哎！你们说是家务！好啦，话不是说完了吗？你们爱怎办就怎办；要我帮忙，要警察替私人的情欲跟利益做工具，那怎么行？……你知道，我们前任的公安处长，就是为了这个，受到无可避免的迫害，虽然法官们认为这种迫害不合法。从前，比比－吕潘用警察替私人当差。对社会，这是非常危险的！凭他的神通，那家伙可能作威作福，执掌生杀大权……” “可是在我的地位？……”于洛说。 “噢！你靠出主意吃饭的人跟我要主意！得啦，大律师，你简直开我玩笑啦。” 于洛向司长告辞，并没看到对方起身送他的时候，微微耸了耸肩膀。 “这样的人还想当政治家！”夏皮佐想着，重新拿起他的公事。 维克托兰回到家里，满肚子的惶惑，对谁都不能说。吃晚饭时，男爵夫人高高兴兴向儿女们报告，说一个月之内他们的父亲可以回来享福，安安静静在家庭中消度余年了。 “啊！只要能看到男爵回家，我拿出三千法郎的利息都愿意的！”李斯贝特叫道，“可是，阿黛莉娜，千万别把这样的喜事拿得太稳，告诉你！” “贝姨说得不错，”赛莱斯蒂纳说，“亲爱的妈妈，先看事情怎么发展。” 男爵夫人抱着一腔热忱，一肚子希望，说出访问约瑟法的经过，觉得那些可怜的女人尽管享福，实际上是不幸的；她又提到床垫工沙尔丹老头，奥兰省仓库主任的父亲，表示她的希望并不虚空。 第二天早上七点，李斯贝特雇了一辆马车到图尔内勒河滨道，在普瓦西街转角教车子停下，吩咐马夫说： “你到贝纳丹街七号去一趟，那是一幢只有甬道没有门房的屋子。你走上五层楼，靠左手的门上有个牌子写着：沙尔丹小姐，专修花边开司米。你打铃，说要找骑士。人家回答你：他出去了。你就说：我知道，请你们去找他来，他的女佣人在河滨道上马车里等他……” 二十分钟后，一个好象有八十岁的老头儿，头发全白，鼻子冻得通红，苍白的脸上皱纹多得象个老婆子，穿着粗布软鞋，秃毛的阿尔帕卡呢大氅，伛着背，不戴勋饰，毛线衫的袖口伸在外边，衬衫的颜色黄得不清不白，拖着沉重的步子，鬼鬼祟崇望了望马车，认出了李斯贝特，走到车门旁边。 “啊！亲爱的姊夫，你瞧你落到什么地步！” “埃洛迪把我什么都搜括光了！”于洛男爵说，“沙尔丹这家人全是该死的坏蛋……” “你愿不愿意回家？” “噢！不，不；我想上美洲去……” “阿黛莉娜已经找到你的线索……” “啊！要是有人替我还债的话，”男爵的神气很不放心，“萨玛农要告我呢。” “我们还没料清你的宿债，你儿子还欠着十万法郎……” “可怜的孩子！” “你的养老金还要七八个月才好赎出……你要愿意等，我这儿有两千法郎！” 男爵伸出手来，急不及待的样子简直可怕。 “给我吧，李斯贝特！上帝保佑你！给我吧，我有个地方好躲！” “可是你得告诉我呀，老怪物！” “行。我可以