Chapter 8 chapter eight

"Supper is postponed to eight o'clock to-day," said Mrs. Elisani. "The Deslanders and their son, and probably Mr. Dardento, will have four sets ready." "Yes, ma'am," replied the maid. "Our friend badly needs rest. You know, Manuella, I am very worried about poor Mrs. Deslanders. She must have had a hard time traveling. Go and see if her room is ready. When she gets home she You must rest immediately." "It must be done, ma'am." "Where is my daughter?" "In the kitchen, ma'am. She's preparing dessert."

Manula is a Spaniard who has worked here since the Elisani family moved here.She belonged to those Spaniards from Oran families who worked as maids. Mrs Elisani lives in a beautiful house in Old Castle Street.The inhabitants of this street are half Spanish and half Moorish.Madame Elisani had a small garden in which morning glories grew in two small beds.The weather was just beginning to warm, but the meadow was green, with a few trees growing, which, according to the efficacious seers, were "beauty trees."The two roads by the small pond are covered with beautiful patterns. Mrs. Elisani's house was two stories, and the Deslanders would be comfortably entertained.Food and accommodation were not a problem for them during their stay in Oran.

Oran is a very beautiful city and the capital of the province of Oran.The city is located on the slope of a canyon.At the bottom of the valley flows the swift Leuille Season River, and the Rue Oudinot also occupies part of the river bed.The fortifications of Neuf Castle divide the city of Oran, like other cities, with the new city on one side and the old city on the other.The old city, also known as the old Spanish city, has ancient castles, houses with floors, a port in the west of the city, and ancient city walls.To the east is the Neustadt, inhabited by Jews and Moors, surrounded by a pheasant-shaped wall that extends from the castle to the fortress of St. Andrew.

The city is also known as the Oasis of the Arabs. It was built by Andalusian Moors in the 10th century.The city is backed by a fairly high mountain, and the Ramuni fortress stands on a steep cliff.The area of ​​the city has expanded five times compared to the original, with a total area of ​​no less than 75 hectares, and many streets protrude outside the city wall.The entire city stretches for two kilometers along the coast.Tourists walking northeast along the fortress walls will come across recently built annexes of the city, such as the suburbs of Gombetta and Noise-Emle. One would be hard-pressed to find such a multi-ethnic Algerian city of greater research interest.Of the total 47,000 people, there are only 17,000 French and Orthodox Jews, and among the 18,000 foreign residents, most are Spanish, followed by Italians, Angolans, and Angola Maltese.Let me add that there are about 4,000 Arabs gathered in the southern suburb of Diyali.The area was known as the Black Quarter, and it was from here that street cleaners and dock porters came.In this multi-ethnic city, there are 27,000 Catholics, 7,000 ancient Jews, and 1,000 Muslims.From this, we can get a more accurate view of this capital city where many ethnic groups live together.

The weather in Åland is generally cold, dry, hot, and windy and sandy.The city is sprinkled by the municipality more often and more than God does. Mr. Elisani came to such a city after retirement.He had been doing business in Perpignan for 15 years and earned an annual income of 12,000 pounds by luck.This money will never be less under the careful management of his widow. Mrs. Elisani was 44 years old at the time.She has never been as beautiful, kind and lovely as her daughter.She was one of those rare practical women who weighed what she said.She is like a female accountant that people are very familiar with, who divides people into grades and grades, and regards money as life.Careful calculation of daily expenses, worrying all day long that there will be a deficit.People are familiar with the face of this decisive character, straight back, prominent forehead, sharp eyes, and tightly closed lips, all of which show women's concentration and persistence.Mrs. Elisani kept the house in good order and never spent a penny.She counts carefully and spends every penny where it is useful.But she was never stingy with her beloved daughter.Even in a nun's attire, she wants to make her daughter look elegant and dignified, and she will never be sloppy about it.After all, the happiness of the child is her only hope.She believed that by marrying the Deslander family, her daughter's happiness would be guaranteed.The 12,000 francs that Acatoc would receive one day, combined with Louise's inheritance from her mother, would have been considered by many to be enough to establish a solid foundation of wealth that would provide them with food and clothing in the future.

Louise could barely remember what Akatoq looked like.But her mother had instilled in her the idea that she would one day be young Mrs. Deslanders.In short, it all seemed more natural to her.As long as this fiancé can satisfy her, why can't he satisfy her? Madame Elisani, having given her last instructions, entered the drawing-room, where her daughter was also present. "Is your dessert ready?" Madame asked. "It's done, Mom." "Too bad, the ocean liner is a little late, arriving almost at dark! Louise, get dressed at 6 o'clock, with a little checkered skirt, and we'll go to the pier together later. The siren of the 'Akatocle' When the sound rang, we also rushed to the pier."

Mrs. Elisani confused the two names. "You want to say the steamer 'Ajale'," laughed Louise, "but my fiancé's name is 'Akatoque,' not 'Akatocle.'" "Well! . . . " said Mrs. Elisani, "'Ajielai,' 'Acatoc,' it doesn't matter! You're sure he won't get Louise's name wrong. . . . " "Who can be sure?" said the daughter in a slightly mocking tone. "Mr. Akatok doesn't know me very well, and to be honest I don't know much about him either." "We're giving you time to get to know each other before making a decision."

"It could not be better!" "In addition, I believe he will satisfy you, and he will certainly satisfy you... My Mrs. Deslander, please show mercy! We will still have to negotiate the terms of the wedding." "Is it possible to make ends meet, Mother?" "Of course, you rogue, mind your own business! . . . and don't forget that there was a Mr. Clovis Dardento who accompanied the Deslanders. You know, they The family was proud of the rich Perpignan, and believed him to be the best man in the world. The Deslanders were not used to boats, so he accompanied them as far as Oran. He made a large Good thing, we must treat him well, Louise."

"Give him a warm reception, even if he wants to propose to me... really no. I forgot I was supposed to be... I'm going to be Lady Akatoque... that's a nice name, but it sounds a little like ancient Greece language!" "Enough, Louise, be serious!" She is a very decent person, a cheerful and lovely girl.There is no one in the world who is exactly like the heroine in the novel, but Louise is such a person.She is at the age of 20, with a straightforward temperament, full of energy, lively and active, with a pair of black and shiny eyes like black pearls on sapphires.A head of thick blond hair that walks gracefully and lightly, perhaps as light as silk, as even Pierre Roddy would have said without hesitation before he became a Fellow of the Academy, as light as a swallow in the sky .

The above is an understatement of Louise Elisani.The reader will find herself compelled to make a comparison with this stupid fellow, which was sent from Seth with its cargo by the "Ajielai". When it was time to depart, Mrs. Elisani took a last look at the room of the Deslanders family as a hostess, then called her daughter, and the two walked towards the pier together.They stopped for a while in the circular garden overlooking the quay.From this place one can see the calm sea all the way.The weather is very good, the sky is as blue as washed.The sun was setting in the direction of Mirskbir City—a city called "Shengang" by the ancients.There both armored ships and cruisers can find the best shelter from the frequent storms from the west.

A few ships with white sails lined up facing north, and the smoke in the distance indicated some steam steamers.These ships traveled between the Mediterranean Sea and the African continent on various routes.Two or three ocean liners were heading towards Oran, one of which was less than three nautical miles away.Is it the "Ajilai"?If it's not the daughter, then it must be the mother becoming impatient.In fact, Louise did not know this young man who would take a step closer to her with each turn of the turbine, and perhaps the "Ajielai" would be better off in reverse... "It's almost six-thirty," Mrs. Elisani reminded. "Let's go down!" "I'll be right behind you, Mom," Louise replied. Along the street leading directly to the pier, the mother and daughter walked towards the port.Several ocean-going ships on the pier are breaking anchor as usual. Mrs. Elisani asked a port official, who was coming towards the pier, whether the Ajilai had arrived. "Yes, ma'am," replied the officer, "in half an hour." Mrs. Elisani and her daughter looked around the port, but the hills to the north of the port blocked their view. 20 minutes later came bursts of sirens.The ocean-going ship bypassed the 1-kilometer-long breakwater and slowly stopped at the foot of the Ramuni Fortress. After several repetitions, it stopped firmly at the berth behind the pier. When the trestle was connected, Mrs. Elisani and her daughter boarded the boat.Mrs. Elisani embraced Mrs. Deslander with her arms, and then embraced Mr. Deslander and Acatoc.At this time Louise, like all other sensible young women, maintained a reserved posture. "Ah! my dear and honorable lady, we have not seen each other since Perpignan, have we not? . . . I miss you so much, Madame Elisani, and Mademoiselle Louise . . . She has grown taller again. Ah, by the way, one kiss, no, two kisses, that good servant of Dardento." If Patrice had hoped that his master would behave like a man in the world when he began the house ceremony, he was greatly disappointed.Clovis Dardento's lips slammed on Mrs. Elisani's shriveled cheek like a stick of cheeks on a drum when Patrice took a step back with a serious expression. . Of course, Louise did not avoid the embrace of the Deslanders.However, Mr. Dardento, who never sticks to small details, gave the young girl his best wishes instead of the kisses of his parents. As for this Acatoc, he took a few steps towards Louise and saluted like a robot.The whole salute was nothing more than stretching the muscles in his neck and nodding his head.Then backed away without saying a word. The young girl couldn't help curling her lips in contempt.This movement was not noticed by Clovis Dardento, but it did not escape the eyes of Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagona. "Well, what a surprise to see such a beauty!" said Marcel Ronan to Jean Tagonne. "Really, it is very beautiful," continued Jean Tagona. "Do you want to marry that fool?" asked Marcel Ronan. "Impossible!" exclaimed Jean Tagona. "God bless me, I would rather break my vow never to marry than to have her marry this fool." Yes, Jean Tagona made that oath, at least he said it.In short, at his age, more is said than done.And Marcel Ronan, he didn't make such an oath.But it doesn't matter!The two of them had come to Oran to enlist in the 7th African Cavalry, not to marry Miss Louise Elisani. It should be mentioned in passing—and so as not to mention it hereafter—that the Ajielai completed her voyage from Parma to Oran in smooth and comfortable conditions.The calm sea seemed to be covered with a layer of oil, which made people think that all the oil of Provence had been sprinkled on the sea.The breeze blowing from the northeast blows the middle of the port side of the ocean liner, blows the ship's staysail, bow jib and mizzen schooner, and keeps the ship steady. Since departure from Palma, almost all passengers have been in the same Meals were served at the table.In the end, the shipping company will complain to the sky, complaining that the number of diners is beyond normal. For Mr. Oriandal, the "Tour" fish cooked in the Neapolitan way was delicious, and the regional desserts were tasted with the palate of a professional gourmet. It can be said that everyone arrived in Oran safe and sound, even Mrs. Deslander, who was still suffering in the Balearic Islands, arrived safely. Mr. Deslander, though he braced himself and braced himself for the second half of the journey, did not make the acquaintance of the two Parisians.He regarded the two young men as different beings, much worse than his son Akatok.Although the two were clever and clever, they disgusted him.Dadangtuo had a happy relationship with them, talking and laughing happily, which was Dadangtuo's freedom.But in his opinion, all this ended when the "Ajielai" docked at the pier. It can be imagined that Mr. Deslander had no desire to present the two Parisians to Madame Elisani and her daughter.And Clovis Dadant, with the boldness of a southerner, blurted out habitually: "Mr. Marcel Ronan and Mr. Jean Tagauna are both Parisians." He said, "The two young people get along very well with me. I hope our friendship will not be interrupted by the short voyage." This Perpignan man is extraordinary!He expressed his feelings with beautiful words.It's a pity Patrice didn't hear. The two young men bowed politely to Mrs. Elisani. "Madame," said Marcel Ronan, "we are honored to be valued by Mr. Dardento... We will cherish our friendship with him... We also believe that this friendship will last for a long time..." "We are like father and son!" added Jean Tagona. Mrs. Deslander, weary of the courtesies, looked at her son, who remained silent.Besides, Madame Elisani should perhaps have told the two young Parisians that she was delighted to receive them during their stay in Oran.But she didn't say it, because it was Akatok's mother who should have brought it up.In the nature of mothers, neither lady spoke, and it seemed best to be cautious with these two strangers. Mrs. Elisani told Mr. Dardento that she was delighted to have Mr. Dardente and the Deslanders at her first supper. "I will go back to the hotel at once," said the Perpignan, "to have a bath, to change out of this dress and sailor's coat, and to dress properly for your dinner, my dear madame." When everything is settled, Clovis Dardento, Jean Tagona, and Marcel Ronan bid farewell to Captain Bucarash and Dr. Bruno.If they could sail on the Ajielai again, they would be very happy to see the lovely doctor and the gracious captain again.The captain and the doctor replied that they had seldom seen more cheerful passengers.Everyone parted with great satisfaction. Mr. Eustache Oleandal also set foot on African soil.The binoculars in the holster on his back, the travel bag in his hand, followed the porter who carried the heavy case for him.He was dressed like this for the entire trip, so no one would pay attention to his travels. Clovis Dardento and the two Parisians disembarked.Dardent asked the Deslanders to send his luggage to their home in Old Castle Street.Afterwards he and the two young men drove to a beautiful restaurant in the Republic Square in a luggage carriage.This restaurant was specially introduced by Dr. Bruno.On the second floor of the hotel, Clovis Dardento occupied a drawing room and a bedroom, and a small room belonged to Patrice.On the third floor, Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagauna occupy two bedrooms with windows facing the square. Mr. Oliandal also chose this restaurant.When the three of them arrived, they found him already sitting in the dining room, perusing the menu and choosing what to eat for dinner. "What an extraordinary astronomer!" said Jean Tagauna. "It makes me wonder that he doesn't order himself an omelette from the stars and a duck from the asteroids." Half an hour later Clovis Darden walked out of the room undressed.Patrice always dressed his master carefully and meticulously, without any sloppiness. At the entrance to the hall Mr. Dardento saw the brothers. "Hey, young friend," he called out, "we're at Oran at last." "In the blink of an eye," replied Jean Tagonne. "Yes, I hope you are not planning to go to the 7th Cavalry today." "Of course, Monsieur Dardento, time is not very short," said Marcel Ronan. "You will soon be wearing blue jackets, red sheepskin trousers, and soldier caps..." "We've made a decision." "Very well...very good! But at least until we've seen the city and places around it together. See you tomorrow!" "See you tomorrow!" Clovis Dardent drove to Mrs. Elisani's house. "Yes, we have reached Oran, as the venerable man said!" repeated Marcel Ronan. "When you get to a place, you need to know what to do," said Jean Tagona. "As I see it, Jean, it was decided a long time ago to join the army." "Of course, Marcel, but..." "But what? Are you still thinking about Article 345 of the Civil Code?" "What clause?" "It's about the conditions of adoption." "If Article 345 is this," said Jean Tagauna, "that's what I think. What didn't happen in Parma will happen in Oran." "It's just bad luck," Marcel Ronan said with a smile, "you will never encounter waves at sea again! All that remains is battlefields and fires! For example, the hotel caught fire tonight, but I have something to say first, I will save you first, and then myself." "You are such a friend, Marcel!" "As for Mr. Dardento, I think he can save himself quite well by himself. He is the best man who can keep his head. We have learned that." "That's right, Marcel. He proved it when he went into St. Ellary's to take communion. But if he doesn't perceive the danger, if he's caught in a sudden fire, if he can only Rely on someone outside to save him..." "Jean, you still can't let go of the idea of ​​making Mr. Dardento our adoptive father?" "Of course...he will definitely become our adoptive father!" "Well, you don't want to give up." "Never give up!" "Then I won't joke about it in the future. But on one condition..." "What conditions?" "That is to stop putting on a face full of preoccupations and unreasonable worries, restore the cheerful and happy mood of the past, and face everything with a smile." "It's a deal, Marcel. If I save Mr. Dardento from the perils recognized by the law, I smile; if I miss the chance, I smile; if I succeed, I smile; if I fail, I smile Smile. Smile all the time and everywhere.” "You're back to your whimsical look so quickly! ... The fact that we went to join the army ..." "Don't worry, Marcel, I'll ask for a leave of absence before reporting to the quartermaster department." "how long?" "15 days! No matter what happens in the future! When you are ready to dedicate your life to the army, you can enjoy 15 days of freedom." "Well, just 15 days from now. Even if you don't get a foster father like Mr. Dardento." "Maybe it's you, maybe it's me, Marcel." "Maybe it's me...I'd rather we go to the army together and wear a tasseled cap." "It's a deal, Marcel!" "Will you be happy?" "Happy as a bird!"