the two brothers-第63节
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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 under the
Empire must; of course; be greater than those of young men who are
looked after by their fathers。 Oh! if you only knew what went on here
at night under that wretched Max! Thanks to your son; Issoudun now
breathes and sleeps in peace。 Philippe has come to his senses rather
late; he told us frankly that those three months in the Luxembourg
sobered him。 Monsieur Hochon is delighted with his conduct here; every
one thinks highly of it。 If he can be kept away from the temptations
of Paris; he will end by being a comfort to you。〃
Hearing these consolatory words Agathe's eyes filled with tears。
Philippe played the saint to his mother; for he had need of her。 That
wily politician did not wish to have recourse to Cesarine unless he
continued to be an object of horror to Mademoiselle Brazier。 He saw
that Flore had been thoroughly broken to harness by Max; he knew she
was an essential part of his uncle's life; and he greatly preferred to
use her rather than send for the ballet…girl; who might take it into
her head to marry the old man。 Fouche advised Louis XVIII。 to sleep in
Napoleon's sheets instead of granting the charter; and Philippe would
have liked to remain in Gilet's sheets; but he was reluctant to risk
the good reputation he had made for himself in Berry。 To take Max's
place with the Rabouilleuse would be as odious on his part as on hers。
He could; without discredit and by the laws of nepotism; live in his
uncle's house and at his uncle's expense; but he could not have Flore
unless her character were whitewashed。 Hampered by this difficulty;
and stimulated by the hope of finally getting hold of the property;
the idea came into his head of making his uncle marry the
Rabouilleuse。 With this in view he requested his mother to go and see
the girl and treat her in a sisterly manner。
〃I must confess; my dear mother;〃 he said; in a canting tone; looking
at Monsieur and Madame Hochon who accompanied her; 〃that my uncle's
way of life is not becoming; he could; however; make Mademoiselle
Brazier respected by the community if he chose。 Wouldn't it be far
better for her to be Madame Rouget than the servant…mistress of an old
bachelor? She had better obtain a definite right to his property by a
marriage contract then threaten a whole family with disinheritance。 If
you; or Monsieur Hochon; or some good priest would speak of the matter
to both parties; you might put a stop to the scandal which offends
decent people。 Mademoiselle Brazier would be only too happy if you
were to welcome her as a sister; and I as an aunt。〃
On the morrow Agathe and Madame Hochon appeared at Flore's bedside;
and repeated to the sick girl and to Rouget; the excellent sentiments
expressed by Philippe。 Throughout Issoudun the colonel was talked of
as a man of noble character; especially because of his conduct towards
Flore。 For a month; the Rabouilleuse heard Goddet; her doctor; the
individual who has paramount influence over a sick person; the
respectable Madame Hochon; moved by religious principle; and Agathe;
so gentle and pious; all representing to her the advantages of a
marriage with Rouget。 And when; attracted by the idea of becoming
Madame Rouget; a dignified and virtuous bourgeoisie; she grew eager to
recover; so that the marriage might speedily be celebrated; it was not
difficult to make her understand that she would not be allowed to
enter the family of the Rougets if she intended to turn Philippe from
its doors。
〃Besides;〃 remarked the doctor; 〃you really owe him this good fortune。
Max would never have allowed you to marry old Rouget。 And;〃 he added
in her ear; 〃if you have children; you can revenge Max; for that will
disinherit the Bridaus。〃
Two months after the fatal duel in February; 1823; the sick woman;
urged by those about her; and implored by Rouget; consented to receive
Philippe; the sight of whose scars made her weep; but whose softened
and affectionate manner calmed her。 By Philippe's wish they were left
alone together。
〃My dear child;〃 said the soldier。 〃It is I; who; from the start; have
advised your marriage with my uncle; if you consent; it will take
place as soon as you are quite recovered。〃
〃So they tell me;〃 she replied。
〃Circumstances have compelled me to give you pain; it is natural
therefore that I should wish to do you all the good I can。 Wealth;
respect; and a family position are worth more than what you have lost。
You wouldn't have been that fellow's wife long after my uncle's death;
for I happen to know; through friends of his; that he intended to get
rid of you。 Come; my dear; let us understand each other; and live
happily。 You shall be my aunt; and nothing more than my aunt。 You will
take care that my uncle does not forget me in his will; on my side;
you shall see how well I will have you treated in the marriage
contract。 Keep calm; think it over; and we will talk of it later。 All
sensible people; indeed the whole town; urge you to put an end to your
illegal position; no one will blame you for receiving me。 It is well
understood in the world that interests go before feelings。 By the day
of your marriage you will be handsomer than ever。 The pallor of
illness has given you an air of distinction; and on my honor; if my
uncle did not love you so madly; you should be the wife of Colonel
Bridau。〃
Philippe left the room; having dropped this hint into Flore's mind to
waken a vague idea of vengeance which might please the girl; who did;
in fact; feel a sort of happiness as she saw this dreadful being at
her feet。 In this scene Philippe repeated; in miniature; that of
Richard III。 with the queen he had widowed。 The meaning of it is that
personal calculation; hidden under sentiment; has a powerful influence
on the heart; and is able to dissipate even genuine grief。 This is
how; in individual life; Nature does that which in works of genius is
thought to be consummate art: she works by self…interest;the genius
of money。
At the beginning of April; 1823; the hall of Jean…Jacques Rouget's
house was the scene of a splendid dinner; given to celebrate the
signing of the marriage contract between Mademoiselle Flore Brazier
and the old bachelor。 The guests were Monsieur Heron; the four
witnesses; Messieurs Mignonnet; Carpentier; Hochon; and Goddet; the
mayor and the curate; Agathe Bridau; Madame Hochon; and her friend
Madame Borniche; the two old ladies who laid down the law to the
society of Issoudun。 The bride was much impressed by this concession;
obtained by Philippe; and intended by the two ladies as a mark of
protection to a repentant woman。 Flore was in dazzling beauty。 The
curate; who for the last fortnight had been instructing the ignorant
crab…girl; was to allow her; on the following day; to make her first
communion。 The marriage was the text of the following pious article in
the 〃Journal du Cher;〃 published at Bourges; and in the 〃Journal de
l'Indre;〃 published at Chateauroux:
Issoudun。The revival of religion is progressing in Berry。
Friends of the Church and all respectable persons in this town
were yesterday witnesses of a marriage ceremony by which a leading
man of property put an end to a scandalous connection; which began
at the time when the authority of religion was overthrown in this
region。 This event; due to the enlightened zeal of the clergy of
Issoudun will; we trust; have imitators; and put a stop to
marriages; so…called; which have never been solemnized; and were
only contracted during the disastrous epoch of revolutionary rule。
One remarkable feature of the event to which we allude; is the
fact that it was brought about at the entreaty of a colonel
belonging to the old army; sent to our town by a sentence of the
Court of Peers; who may; in consequence; lose the inheritance of
his uncle's property。 Such disinterestedness is so rare in these
days that it deserves public mention。
By the marriage contract Rouget secured to Flore a dower of one
hundred thousand francs; and a life annuity of thirty thousand more。
After the wedding; which was sumptuous; Agathe returned to Paris the
happiest of mothers; and told Joseph and Desroches what she called the
good news。
〃Your son Philippe is too wily a man not to keep his paw on that
inheritance;〃 said the lawyer; when he had heard Madame Bridau to the
end。 〃You and your poor Joseph will never get one penny of your
brother's property。〃
〃You; and Joseph too; will always be unjust to that poor boy;〃 said
the mother。 〃His conduct before the Court of Peers was worthy of a
statesman; he succeeded in saving many heads。 Philippe's errors came
from his great faculties being unemployed。 He now sees how faults of
conduct injure the prospects of a man who ha