the two brothers-第62节
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some degree observant; marks so plainly a duellist of the first rank
that a feeling of inferiority came into Max's soul; and produced the
same disarray of powers which demoralizes a gambler when; in presence
of a master or a lucky hand; he loses his self…possession and plays
less well than usual。
〃Ah! the lascar!〃 thought Max; 〃he's an expert; I'm lost!〃
He attempted a 〃moulinet;〃 and twirled his sabre with the dexterity of
a single…stick。 He wanted to bewilder Philippe; and strike his weapon
so as to disarm him; but at the first encounter he felt that the
colonel's wrist was iron; with the flexibility of a steel string。
Maxence was then forced; unfortunate fellow; to think of another move;
while Philippe; whose eyes were darting gleams that were sharper than
the flash of their blades; parried every attack with the coolness of a
fencing…master wearing his plastron in an armory。
Between two men of the calibre of these combatants; there occurs a
phenomenon very like that which takes place among the lower classes;
during the terrible tussle called 〃the savante;〃 which is fought with
the feet; as the name implies。 Victory depends on a false movement; on
some error of the calculation; rapid as lightning; which must be made
and followed almost instinctively。 During a period of time as short to
the spectators as it seems long to the combatants; the contest lies in
observation; so keen as to absorb the powers of mind and body; and yet
concealed by preparatory feints whose slowness and apparent prudence
seem to show that the antagonists are not intending to fight。 This
moment; which is followed by a rapid and decisive struggle; is
terrible to a connoisseur。 At a bad parry from Max the colonel sent
the sabre spinning from his hand。
〃Pick it up;〃 he said; pausing; 〃I am not the man to kill a disarmed
enemy。〃
There was something atrocious in the grandeur of these words; they
seemed to show such consciousness of superiority that the onlookers
took them for a shrewd calculation。 In fact; when Max replaced himself
in position; he had lost his coolness; and was once more confronted
with his adversary's raised guard which defended the colonel's whole
person while it menaced his。 He resolved to redeem his shameful defeat
by a bold stroke。 He no longer guarded himself; but took his sabre in
both hands and rushed furiously on his antagonist; resolved to kill
him; if he had to lose his own life。 Philippe received a sabre…cut
which slashed open his forehead and a part of his face; but he cleft
Max's head obliquely by the terrible sweep of a 〃moulinet;〃 made to
break the force of the annihilating stroke Max aimed at him。 These two
savage blows ended the combat; at the ninth minute。 Fario came down to
gloat over the sight of his enemy in the convulsions of death; for the
muscles of a man of Maxence Gilet's vigor quiver horribly。 Philippe
was carried back to his uncle's house。
Thus perished a man destined to do great deeds had he lived his life
amid environments which were suited to him; a man treated by Nature as
a favorite child; for she gave him courage; self…possession; and the
political sagacity of a Cesar Borgia。 But education had not bestowed
upon him that nobility of conduct and ideas without which nothing
great is possible in any walk of life。 He was not regretted; because
of the perfidy with which his adversary; who was a worse man than he;
had contrived to bring him into disrepute。 His death put an end to the
exploits of the Order of Idleness; to the great satisfaction of the
town of Issoudun。 Philippe therefore had nothing to fear in
consequence of the duel; which seemed almost the result of divine
vengeance: its circumstances were related throughout that whole region
of country; with unanimous praise for the bravery of the two
combatants。
〃But they had better both have been killed;〃 remarked Monsieur
Mouilleron; 〃it would have been a good riddance for the Government。〃
The situation of Flore Brazier would have been very embarrassing were
it not for the condition into which she was thrown by Max's death。 A
brain…fever set in; combined with a dangerous inflammation resulting
from her escapade to Vatan。 If she had had her usual health; she might
have fled the house where; in the room above her; Max's room; and in
Max's bed; lay and suffered Max's murderer。 She hovered between life
and death for three months; attended by Monsieur Goddet; who was also
attending Philippe。
As soon as Philippe was able to hold a pen; he wrote the following
letters:
To Monsieur Desroches:
I have already killed the most venomous of the two reptiles; not
however without getting my own head split open by a sabre; but the
rascal struck with a dying hand。 The other viper is here; and I
must come to an understanding with her; for my uncle clings to her
like the apple of his eye。 I have been half afraid the girl; who
is devilishly handsome; might run away; and then my uncle would
have followed her; but an illness which seized her suddenly has
kept her in bed。 If God desired to protect me; he would call her
soul to himself; now; while she is repenting of her sins。
Meantime; on my side I have; thanks to that old trump; Hochon; the
doctor of Issoudun; one named Goddet; a worthy soul who conceives
that the property of uncles ought to go to nephews rather than to
sluts。
Monsieur Hochon has some influence on a certain papa Fichet; who
is rich; and whose daughter Goddet wants as a wife for his son: so
the thousand francs they have promised him if he mends up my pate
is not the chief cause of his devotion。 Moreover; this Goddet; who
was formerly head…surgeon to the 3rd regiment of the line; has
been privately advised by my staunch friends; Mignonnet and
Carpentier; so he is now playing the hypocrite with his other
patient。 He says to Mademoiselle Brazier; as he feels her pulse;
〃You see; my child; that there's a God after all。 You have been
the cause of a great misfortune; and you must now repair it。 The
finger of God is in all this 'it is inconceivable what they don't
say the finger of God is in!'。 Religion is religion: submit;
resign yourself; and that will quiet you better than my drugs。
Above all; resolve to stay here and take care of your master:
forget and forgive;that's Christianity。〃
Goddet has promised to keep the Rabouilleuse three months in her
bed。 By degrees the girl will get accustomed to living under the
same roof with me。 I have bought over the cook。 That abominable
old woman tells her mistress Max would have led her a hard life;
and declares she overheard him say that if; after the old man's
death; he was obliged to marry Flore; he didn't mean to have his
prospects ruined by it; and he should find a way to get rid of
her。
Thus; all goes well; so far。 My uncle; by old Hochon's advice; has
destroyed his will。
To Monsieur Giroudeau; care of Mademoiselle Florentine。 Rue de
Vendome; Marais:
My dear old Fellow;Find out if the little rat Cesarine has any
engagement; and if not; try to arrange that she can come to
Issoudun in case I send for her; if I do; she must come at once。
It is a matter this time of decent behavior; no theatre morals。
She must present herself as the daughter of a brave soldier;
killed on the battle…field。 Therefore; mind;sober manners;
schoolgirl's clothes; virtue of the best quality; that's the
watchword。 If I need Cesarine; and if she answers my purpose; I
will give her fifty thousand francs on my uncle's death。 If
Cesarine has other engagements; explain what I want to Florentine;
and between you; find me some ballet…girl capable of playing the
part。
I have had my skull cracked in a duel with the fellow who was
filching my inheritance; and is now feeding the worms。 I'll tell
you all about it some day。 Ah! old fellow; the good times are
coming back for you and me; we'll amuse ourselves once more; or we
are not the pair we really are。 If you can send me five hundred
more cartridges I'll bite them。
Adieu; my old fire…eater。 Light your pipe with this letter。 Mind;
the daughter of the officer is to come from Chateauroux; and must
seem to be in need of assistance。 I hope however that I shall not
be driven to such dangerous expedients。 Remember me to Mariette
and all our friends。
Agathe; informed by Madame Hochon of what had happened; rushed to
Issoudun; and was received by her brother; who gave her Philippe's
former room。 The poor mother's tenderness for the worthless son
revived in all its maternal strength; a few happy days were hers at
last; as she listened to the praises which the whole town bestowed
upon her hero。
〃After all; my child;〃 said Madame Hochon on the day of her arrival;
〃youth must have its fling。 The dissipations of a soldier