the two brothers-第55节
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Renard; dared broach so delicate a subject with him。 Potel; somewhat
disturbed by this open misunderstanding between two heroes of the
Imperial Guard; suggested that Max might be laying a net for the
colonel; he asserted that some new scheme might be looked for from the
man who had got rid of the mother and one brother by making use of
Fario's attack upon him; the particulars of which were now no longer a
mystery。 Monsieur Hochon had taken care to reveal the truth of Max's
atrocious accusation to the best people of the town。 Thus it happened
that in talking over the situation of the lieutenant…colonel in
relation to Max; and in trying to guess what might spring from their
antagonism; the whole town regarded the two men; from the start; as
adversaries。
Philippe; who had carefully investigated all the circumstances of his
brother's arrest and the antecedents of Gilet and the Rabouilleuse;
was finally brought into rather close relations with Fario; who lived
near him。 After studying the Spaniard; Philippe thought he might trust
a man of that quality。 The two found their hatred so firm a bond of
union; that Fario put himself at Philippe's disposal; and related all
that he knew about the Knights of Idleness。 Philippe promised; in case
he succeeded in obtaining over his uncle the power now exercised by
Gilet; to indemnify Fario for his losses; this bait made the Spaniard
his henchman。 Maxence was now face to face with a dangerous foe; he
had; as they say in those parts; some one to handle。 Roused by much
gossip and various rumors; the town of Issoudun expected a mortal
combat between the two men; who; we must remark; mutually despised
each other。
One morning; toward the end of November; Philippe met Monsieur Hochon
about twelve o'clock; in the long avenue of Frapesle; and said to
him:
〃I have discovered that your grandsons Baruch and Francois are the
intimate friends of Maxence Gilet。 The rascals are mixed up in all the
pranks that are played about this town at night。 It was through them
that Maxence knew what was said in your house when my mother and
brother were staying there。〃
〃How did you get proof of such a monstrous thing?〃
〃I overheard their conversation one night as they were leaving a
drinking…shop。 Your grandsons both owe Max more than three thousand
francs。 The scoundrel told the lads to try and find out our
intentions; he reminded them that you had once thought of getting
round my uncle by priestcraft; and declared that nobody but you could
guide me; for he thinks; fortunately; that I am nothing more than a
'sabreur。'〃
〃My grandsons! is it possible?〃
〃Watch them;〃 said Philippe。 〃You will see them coming home along the
place Saint…Jean; at two or three o'clock in the morning; as tipsy as
champagne…corks; and in company with Gilet〃
〃That's why the scamps keep so sober at home!〃 cried Monsieur Hochon。
〃Fario has told me all about their nocturnal proceedings;〃 resumed
Philippe; 〃without him; I should never have suspected them。 My uncle
is held down under an absolute thraldom; if I may judge by certain
things which the Spaniard has heard Max say to your boys。 I suspect
Max and the Rabouilleuse of a scheme to make sure of the fifty
thousand francs' income from the Funds; and then; after pulling that
feather from their pigeon's wing; to run away; I don't know where; and
get married。 It is high time to know what is going on under my uncle's
roof; but I don't see how to set about it。〃
〃I will think of it;〃 said the old man。
They separated; for several persons were now approaching。
Never; at any time in his life; did Jean…Jacques suffer as he had done
since the first visit of his nephew Philippe。 Flore was terrified by
the presentiment of some evil that threatened Max。 Weary of her
master; and fearing that he might live to be very old; since he was
able to bear up under their criminal practices; she formed the very
simple plan of leaving Issoudun and being married to Maxence in Paris;
after obtaining from Jean…Jacques the transfer of the income in the
Funds。 The old bachelor; guided; not by any justice to his family; nor
by personal avarice; but solely by his passion; steadily refused to
make the transfer; on the ground that Flore was to be his sole heir。
The unhappy creature knew to what extent Flore loved Max; and he
believed he would be abandoned the moment she was made rich enough to
marry。 When Flore; after employing the tenderest cajoleries; was
unable to succeed; she tried rigor; she no longer spoke to her master;
Vedie was sent to wait upon him; and found him in the morning with his
eyes swollen and red with weeping。 For a week or more; poor Rouget had
breakfasted alone; and Heaven knows on what food!
The day after Philippe's conversation with Monsieur Hochon; he
determined to pay a second visit to his uncle; whom he found much
changed。 Flore stayed beside the old man; speaking tenderly and
looking at him with much affection; she played the comedy so well that
Philippe guessed some immediate danger; merely from the solicitude
thus displayed in his presence。 Gilet; whose policy it was to avoid
all collision with Philippe; did not appear。 After watching his uncle
and Flore for a time with a discerning eye; the colonel judged that
the time had come to strike his grand blow。
〃Adieu; my dear uncle;〃 he said; rising as if to leave the house。
〃Oh! don't go yet;〃 cried the old man; who was comforted by Flore's
false tenderness。 〃Dine with us; Philippe。〃
〃Yes; if you will come and take a walk with me。〃
〃Monsieur is very feeble;〃 interposed Mademoiselle Brazier; 〃just now
he was unwilling even to go out in the carriage;〃 she added; turning
upon the old man the fixed look with which keepers quell a maniac。
Philippe took Flore by the arm; compelling her to look at him; and
looking at her in return as fixedly as she had just looked at her
victim。
〃Tell me; mademoiselle;〃 he said; 〃is it a fact that my uncle is not
free to take a walk with me?〃
〃Why; yes he is; monsieur;〃 replied Flore; who was unable to make any
other answer。
〃Very well。 Come; uncle。 Mademoiselle; give him his hat and cane。〃
〃Buthe never goes out without me。 Do you; monsieur?〃
〃Yes; Philippe; yes; I always want her〃
〃It would be better to take the carriage;〃 said Flore。
〃Yes; let us take the carriage;〃 cried the old man; in his anxiety to
make his two tyrants agree。
〃Uncle; you will come with me; alone; and on foot; or I shall never
return here; I shall know that the town of Issoudun tells the truth;
when it declares you are under the dominion of Mademoiselle Flore
Brazier。 That my uncle should love you; is all very well;〃 he resumed;
holding Flore with a fixed eye; 〃that you should not love my uncle is
also on the cards; but when it comes to your making him unhappyhalt!
If people want to get hold of an inheritance; they must earn it。 Are
you coming; uncle?〃
Philippe saw the eyes of the poor imbecile roving from himself to
Flore; in painful hesitation。
〃Ha! that's how it is; is it?〃 resumed the lieutenant…colonel。 〃Well;
adieu; uncle。 Mademoiselle; I kiss your hands。〃
He turned quickly when he reached the door; and caught Flore in the
act of making a menacing gesture at his uncle。
〃Uncle;〃 he said; 〃if you wish to go with me; I will meet you at your
door in ten minutes: I am now going to see Monsieur Hochon。 If you and
I do not take that walk; I shall take upon myself to make some others
walk。〃
So saying; he went away; and crossed the place Saint…Jean to the
Hochons。
Every one can imagine the scenes which the revelations made by
Philippe to Monsieur Hochon had brought about within that family。 At
nine o'clock; old Monsieur Heron; the notary; presented himself with a
bundle of papers; and found a fire in the hall which the old miser;
contrary to all his habits; had ordered to be lighted。 Madame Hochon;
already dressed at this unusual hour; was sitting in her armchair at
the corner of the fireplace。 The two grandsons; warned the night
before by Adolphine that a storm was gathering about their heads; had
been ordered to stay in the house。 Summoned now by Gritte; they were
alarmed at the formal preparations of their grandparents; whose
coldness and anger they had been made to feel in the air for the last
twenty…four hours。
〃Don't rise for them;〃 said their grandfather to Monsieur Heron; 〃you
see before you two miscreants; unworthy of pardon。〃
〃Oh; grandpapa!〃 said Francois。
〃Be silent!〃 said the old man sternly。 〃I know of your nocturnal life
and your intimacy with Monsieur Maxence Gilet。 But you will meet him
no more at Mere Cognette's at one in the morning; for you will not
leave this house; either of you; until you go to your respective
destinations。 Ha! it was you who ruined Fario; was it? you; who have
narrowly esca