Volume I Part 2 (2/2)
The newcomer's name was Freluchon; he had inherited money from his mother and from his uncle, and his pockets were always full. He spent it freely, but he did not throw it out of the window; he devoted much time to pleasure, but he occasionally took a turn in business or speculated a little on the Bourse. He was generally very fortunate in what he undertook, and often succeeded in making more than he spent. He was three years older than Didier, whose intimate friend he was.
He was a good fellow, that is to say, he was always ready to do what anyone wanted him to do, so long as it was not a bore to him. Beneath a frail and sickly appearance, he was blessed with the strength of a Hercules, and could kill an ox with a blow of his fist. Men of that type as a general rule never seek a quarrel with anybody.
”Here you are at last!” cried Edmond as his friend entered. ”It's very lucky. I was just going away. You're a full half-hour behindhand.”
”First of all, have you a fire? On my word of honor, I am frozen!”
”Oh! we can warm ourselves at the young ladies' room, as they're waiting for us; it's not worth while to settle down here.”
”But I say it is; the order of the day and the line of march are changed.--Ah! good! there is a fire; with a little blowing and another stick, it will go all right.”
”What is there new? Why aren't we going to Henriette's, where Amelia was to join us? That was all arranged this morning.”
”Yes, but since this morning, many things have happened.--Where in the devil do you keep your bellows?”
”There, in that corner.--Come, Freluchon, I should be very glad to know what all this means.”
”Just a moment,--when the fire's well kindled; good! now it's blazing up. A fine invention is fire; it must have been the sun that suggested the idea. The Peruvians wors.h.i.+p the sun, and I believe I am descended from them. I too wors.h.i.+p the sun--especially in winter; in summer I would gladly do without it.”
”When you've finished, perhaps you'll answer me.”
”How impatient he is! Let us go softly--_piano_, as the Italians say.--My dear fellow, this is what has happened: we went much too fast with those young women--so-called flower-makers! We made love to them, they listened to us; they are very pretty. Now, that is all very well, but we undertook to dazzle them by our generosity--there's the foolish blunder! Not content with treating them to superfine dinners, set off with iced wines which they poured down like Prussians, we began at once to give them presents. You gave your Amelia a beautiful opera gla.s.s which you used at the theatre, and I handed over a dainty gold-rimmed eyegla.s.s which I had lent to Henriette, who a.s.sured me that it was perfectly adapted to her sight. When those damsels saw that they had only to wish in order to obtain, they said to themselves: 'We must wish for something else.'--They took us for great n.o.bles or for gulls--perhaps for both--and determined to hold us to ransom.”
”You always think that somebody is trying to cheat you. Why think that of those young flower-makers, who seem to be fond of work and to lead orderly lives? I have been to Amelia's only three times, but I have always found them at work making flowers.”
”So have I; but I have noticed that it was always the same flower that was under way. It seems that it's a difficult one to make!”
”They don't seem to be hard up; they have some very pretty mahogany furniture, which they pay for by pleasure.”
”Yes; as for that, I have never doubted it. Indeed, Henriette told me, in the beginning of our intimacy, when I complimented her on her lodgings, that she had paid for it all by her work and by the way she pa.s.sed her nights; but as they lie constantly, they forget one day what they told you the day before. Here's a proof of it--look.”
”What is this letter?”
”A billet-doux that I received from Henriette this morning; she doesn't write badly, I must do her that justice; and not a mistake in spelling!
That's very nice for a flower-maker, but it's all the more dangerous.
Take it and read it.”
Edmond took the letter that his friend handed him and read as follows:
”My dear Freluchon:
”A terrible catastrophe has befallen me; my furniture, which I thought was paid for, is not. The upholsterer is going to compel me to leave my apartment instantly, if I do not pay four hundred francs on account. Be kind enough to lend me that amount, which I will pay you very soon. Otherwise you will not find me at my rooms, as I shall be turned out, and I have no idea where Amelia and I will go. You may hand the money to the woman who brings this letter; but be sure to seal it.
”Your loving and faithful friend,
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