Part 97 (2/2)
”Do you know, monsieur, that this is very well done of you?” said Monsieur Grandcourt, turning to Cherami, and looking at him for the first time with a kindly expression.
”Well done of me! because I return a portfolio that I found? Tell me, in G.o.d's name, did you take me for a thief, for a man who keeps what doesn't belong to him? Sapristi! I don't propose that people shall hold that opinion of me, and you must----”
”Come, come! cool down, hot-head! I haven't a bad opinion of you. Do you propose to pick a quarrel with me?”
”You seem surprised that I do a perfectly simple thing--that I am honest!”
”Let us forget that.--Now, do you care to accept the position of our travelling man? The duties are simply to go to see our correspondents abroad, and keep us informed as to their orders. As you see, it's by no means an unpleasant post. We will give you six thousand francs a year and all your expenses paid. Does that suit you?”
”Does it suit me! why, it delights me beyond words! Dear uncle of my friend! Permit me--no, it's foolish for men to kiss--give me your hand, that's better.”
”There it is, Monsieur Cherami; and henceforth you can number me among your true friends.”
”Their number isn't very great: you and Gustave, that's all.”
”Permit me also to advance you two thousand francs on your salary; you may have purchases to make, some troublesome little debts to pay.”
”Faith! I have, indeed. I will pay Capucine and Blanquette, two creditors of long standing, who have not been very troublesome. I am sure that they were never anxious; but they have waited long enough.
This evening, I will send them what I owe them. They will be surprised; but they'll take it.”
A few days later, Gustave married Adolphine, who obtained at last the reward of the sincere and devoted love which she had hidden so long in the bottom of her heart.
f.a.n.n.y never saw her sister after she became Gustave's wife. The little widow could not forgive herself for having refused a man who eventually had more than forty thousand francs a year; especially as n.o.body else came forward to take his place.
Monsieur Batonnin was greatly vexed by the rejection of his hand. When he learned that it was Gustave who was preferred to him, he was tempted to make ill-natured remarks, because he, in common with many others, thought that Gustave must be a coward, as he allowed Cherami to fight for him. But when he came face to face with Adolphine's beloved, when he saw the scar of the famous sword-cut, Monsieur Batonnin became smiling and soft-spoken once more, and congratulated Gustave on his new choice.
Some months after Gustave's marriage, Cherami, who had become a dandy once more in respect to dress, happening to pa.s.s the omnibus office near Porte Saint-Martin, met Madame Capucine and her two boys. He greeted the corpulent dame cordially, saying:
”Do you happen to be going to your aunt's again? But, no; this isn't the direction.”
”Excuse me; she isn't at Saint-Mande now, she's gone back to Romainville; she feels better there.”
”Does she eat as many rabbits?”
”No, too many were stolen; she got sick of 'em.”
”Then, I will call again to see dear Madame Duponceau.”
”Oh! yes, as you did before; when you leave the house, that's the last we see of you. Come now, with us.”
”I can't possibly to-day; I see two young ladies yonder looking for me.”
Cherami had caught sight of Mesdemoiselles Laurette and Lucie at the corner of the boulevard, where they had stopped to stare at him, and were saying to each other:
”Is it really him? How finely he's dressed now!”
”Yes, it certainly is him. Don't you see, his nose is still crooked.”
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