Renée's marriage

Table Of Contents

I. Two Cousins,

II. Obliged to Wait,

III. Alphonse’s Agility,

Chapter I. Two Cousins

As the hour of eleven sounded from all the clocks that in a great city seem like the plaintive voices of time rapidly passing away, a young man descended from a travelling carriage, and entered a handsome house the porch of which was surmounted by a large slab of black marble, bearing these words : Grand Hotel de Bourgogne . He opened the glass door behind which was a woman seated at a desk, and inquired :

“ M. Gauthier de Montpollin ? ”

“ Number 75, corridor to the right, in the fifth story,” answered the clerk.

“ But is he at home ? ”

“Yes, Monsieur.”

The young man slowly ascended the staircase, the beautiful marble of which, with its hand-rail

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of velvet, and figured carpet, did not diminish the number of its one hifhdred and twelve steps. He stopped a moment upon the fifth landing to take breath, then turned in the direction indicated, and, at last, rapped at a door the number of which could scarcely be distinguished, so dark was the corridor.

“ Come in,” said a voice from the depths of the apartment.

The visitor opened the door, and advanced joyfully, but stopped short — he saw no one.

A burst of laughter from an alcove on the right, caused him to turn round. From amidst curtains that in the last century might have been blue, a head appeared, and two hands were extended to greet him.

“ In bed ! ” exclaimed the new-comer. “ Are you sick?”

“ Not the least in the world, my dear fellow, but I had nothing to do. Besides, it is not more than eleven o’clock at latest. I have smoked but four cigars.”

“What taste!” it is almost impossible to see here. Well, I am delighted that you have had a safe and pleasant journey. But get up, Alphonse, we can talk better. It really makes me uncomfortable to look at you through the cigar smoke and under the reflection of that green curtain.”

“ I will,” answered Alphonse, yawning. Stir up the fire a little, Xavier, whilst I dress.”

Very soon the two young men were seated, side by side before a blazing fire.

“ I did not expect to see you in Paris just now,” said he whom the traveller called Xavier. “ Your last letter led me to believe that you were about to study with a notary.”

“ Pooh ! I really did think myself threatened with that calamity. Scarcely knowing what to set about, I pondered the matter seriously. Said I to myself, in a little town, a notary’s practice is always worth a hundred thousand francs. That of M. Malvarais — are you acquainted with M. Malvarais?”

Xavier inclining his head affirmatively, Alphonse continued :

“ That of M. Malvarais, it appeared to me, was about the above mentioned sum. Moreover, he is rich, that good man — the death of a relative left him heir to at least eight thousand or ten thousand francs’ income. His only daughter is but seventeen, she will not marry for a year or two. Now, said I to myself, in studying with M. Malvarais, I give him the opportunity of becoming thoroughly acquainted with me. Meanwhile, during these years of patience, I dance at all the balls with Mile. Malvarais, I am very attentive to Madame, I accidentally meet the grandmother

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when she goes out leaning upon the arm of some old Jeanneton, and I often beg the pleasure of replacing the latter. I — ”

“ I understand,” said Xavier, laughing. “ In a word, notary’s clerk, dancer, courtier — all these titles, are one day to be lost in that of betrothed.”

“ Admirably defined ! I marry. My wife receives as her dowry the paternal practice. In a few months, I sell the above mentioned practice.”

“ Oh ! that would be anything but respectful ! ” “ The deuce, my good fellow ! when Jacob had obtained Rachael’s hand, he didn’t consider himself bound to tend sheep any longer.”

Xavier laughed more heartily than ever.

“ Let us unfold our plans in order,” continued Alphonse, delighted to see his friend in such good spirits. “ When I shall have realized a hundred thousand francs, I buy a beautiful country seat near a fine hunting ground, and I am a happy man. In winter, I hunt ; in summer, I fish ; I have a farmer, I build, I tear down — ” “Ah, that is grand!” exclaimed Xavier, throwing himself back in his arm-chair. “ He already beholds his estate and himself lord and master ! What imagination ! But, my dear fellow, as beautifully constructed as your romance may be, I am at a loss to understand how I find you in Paris on your way to M. Malvarais’s office.”

Alphonse arose, and regarding Xavier with an air of triumph, exclaimed :

“ Ah ! I have you there ; you are off the track this time. I have exposed my ideas concerning Father Malvarais, merely as one does an ordinary garment that he intends changing for one of velvet. I resign to the bourgeoisie, M. Malvarais, his practice, his daughter, everything.”

“And what replaces them ?”

“A beautiful young girl, a dowry of seven hundred thousand francs, an estate in the heart of Touraine ! ”

“ Oh, gracious ! but that is a dream ! Are you speaking seriously ? ”

“ Quite seriously.”

“ It is incredible ! ”

“ And why ? ” replied Alphonse. “ Are you so very much astonished at the thought of my marrying advantageously ? ”

“ No, no, on the contrary, I am delighted ; but in this world, matters are not always arranged so easily.”

“ Ah ! well, I shall prove an exception to that rule. In fine, I must tell you how it all came about. You know my mother had an elder sister married to an Austrian general, the Baron de Grenaff.”

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“ Yes, I remember seeing your uncle five or six years ago, at an entertainment given to the Minister of War.”

“Yes, he was in Paris, but he did not make our acquaintance. Oh ! he was a bear, a miser.”

“ I believe he is dead.”

“ Yes, thank God ! ”

“Yes, thank God, I say. This ejaculation enters into my story, and should no more be suppressed than the rest of it. Well, to continue, he left my Aunt Aurelie a widow after having held her aloof for thirty years from the world which she loved to distraction. As to the General, he cared for nothing but his books, and devoted his money to works of philanthropy among superannuated soldiers.”

“ Did you not just say that he was miserly ? ”

“Yes, as regards any diversion or pleasure it was impossible to get a cent out of him. He allowed my aunt a stipulated sum for her wardrobe, but beyond that sum you could not persuade him to buy her even a pair of gloves. On seeing her embarrassed to pay her debts, he would say harshly, “ So much the worse for you ! buying such numbers of dresses, was altogether unnecessary ? ’ Oh ! she was very unhappy ! ”

“ Evidently,” replied Xavier in a tone of slight

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II irony. He had been acquainted with an intimate friend of the Baron, and knew the true story of M. de Gr£naff’s severity and his wife’s extravagance.

“ Since becoming a widow, she makes her money fly,” resumed the nephew, advocating the cause of his happily inspired aunt. “ But the old miser left her no great things ; however, she has sufficient to travel on.”

“ Come, let us get to the part that concerns yourself,” interrupted Xavier, casting a glance at his watch. “ I have but five more minutes to give you.”

“ I am not straying from my subject. I have told you that my aunt spends her time travelling ; and last winter she met at Nice, a Belgian family, consisting of the following members : the father, M. Vangaramenghen, a banker ; his wife ; a daughter nineteen years of age, by his first wife ; and two children by the second Mme. Vangaramenghen, a charming, elegant, thorough woman of the world, with whom my aunt became very intimate. During the six weeks of a winter’s trip, they were constantly together, mingling in every amusement, and one not able to do without the other. At this time, the eldest daughter was not with her parents. She had been placed at a convent by a maternal grandaunt, her godmother ; and, as, on the one hand,

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she was perfectly satisfied there, whilst on the other, her stepmother was not extremely anxious to take charge of her, she had remained there up to the present time. At last, the father, judging that a daughter nineteen years of age, was old enough to take her place in the world, withdrew her from the convent. My aunt saw her at Vichy. She is very pretty, it appears, and has the elegant manners and bearing of a little duchess. But she has very strong opinions of her own, which clash with those of the stepmother For instance, at the first breakfast on Friday which she took at home, the presence of two guests, did not prevent her positively refusing to partake of the sumptuously served meats, to the great irritation of Mme. Vangaramenghen, who could overcome her neither by reproaches nor banter. The young girl seemed deeply touched, but remained inflexible. Her conduct was precisely the same, in regard to certain relations, with whom she would have no intercourse, certain opera airs that nothing could induce her to sing, — indeed, concerning many matters upon which she and Madame differed. Mile. Ren£e (that was her name) could not be moved an inch. But the important, grave affair, that which turned the beam it appears, took place about eight days ago. The whole family was in the country upon the estate in Touraine, which I have already

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mentioned as belonging to the young girl ; when behold, Mme. Vangaramenghen receives an invitation to a magnificent fancy ball where she would have the opportunity of dancing with a Swedish prince. This invitation arrived Friday evening, and the soiree was to take place the following Monday. All in vain would they bestir themselves immediately, to get off Saturday, — it was an impossibility for their apparel must be in readiness ; and to take the afternoon train on Sunday, would make them too late for some of the arrangements, consequently it was decided that they should start Sunday morning, at four o’clock, so as to reach Tours in time for the fastest train. But at this announcement, Mile. Renee declared most positively that she would never sacrifice a duty of obligation to the pleasure of attending a ball, and that nothing could induce her to quit the chateau ere hearing Mass. Mme. Vangaramenghen, perceiving her determined resistance, in a most excited manner laid the matter before the father, saying that she had no influence or control over Mile. Ren£e, who was only a source of torment and worry to her — in fine, she begged him to decide the question. The young girl it appears did not defend her cause badly ; for the father gave as his decision, that since the wife spoke in the name of pleasure, and the daughter,

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of her conscience, he could not sacrifice the latter to the former ; consequently, Mile. Ren6e would set out with him either Sunday evening or Monday morning, leaving Mme. Vangaramenghen free to make her own arrangements, and to depart sooner if she so desired. Piqued beyond expression the wife accepted this compromise, and started on her journey before dawn, accompanied by her two children and a maid. M. Vangaramenghen was to follow with the rest of the family. In all their travels heretofore Monsieur had attended to the baggage. I know not how Madame managed hers this time, but it so happened, that whilst she was on her way to Paris, the trunk (just think of it, the trunk containing the toilette for a prince’s ball !) was going towards Montpellier.”

Here Alphonse was interrupted by Xavier’s peals of laughter. The young man laughed until he cried. Nor could Alphonse help laughing.

“ You can well imagine the horror of such a mishap, — to have risen eight hours earlier than usual, to have vexed her lord and master (for M. Vangaramenghen was far from being pleased), to have had the fatigue and bother of the trip, all to end in so supremely ridiculous a manner, her missing the opportunity of dancing with His Highness, not to speak of the loss of a dress, costing five thousand or six thousand francs ! So, that when

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two days later, M. and Mile. Vangaramenghen reached Paris, they were overwhelmed with such reproaches, such an outburst of wrath, that Monsieur, comprehending the impossibility of a continuance of this state of affairs, declared that his daughter should be married within six weeks ! This was indeed the only practicable means of separating the two women. The future must shape itself in accordance with this decision. The young girl, possessing already seven hundred thousand francs, besides the chateau, and a prospective fortune nearly as great from a relative whose sole heiress she is, has no need of riches in her suitor. It is necessary only that he be a young man of good family, unsullied reputation, agreeable address, educated — in fine, just what your humble servant believes himself to be. My aunt, who extols me to the skies, because, as she says, I amuse her, instantly seized upon the project of marriage, and heartily entered into their plans, as her friend laid bare the story of these griefs and trials. * Oh ! exclaimed she, ‘ I can manage all this for you ; my own nephew is the very person, a delightful young man.'

“ ‘ Bravo ! ’ exclaimed Mme. Vangaramenghen, * do telegraph for him for I shall have no peace until I get rid of that little fool.’ My aunt, however, thought it best to speak to the father, before acquainting me with the good news. The i6

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father asked her numberless questions about me. My good aunt’s replies were satisfactory, and she also gave him a list of references in case he wished to pursue his inquiries. Everything looks favorable ; I have been sent for in haste, I arrived yesterday evening, as you know ; to-day, I dine with my aunt ; then, we repair to a third house, I do not yet know whose, I see her , she sees me, we are mutally delighted, of that I am assured in advance, I beholding in her the briliancy of a million, she saluting in me, freedom ; and, in a month, at most, Mile. Vangaramenghen becomes Mme. Alphonse de Montpollin.”

“ Gauthier has disappeared,” said Xavier sadly.

“ No, but we shall put it Gauthier de Montpollin for a while. How, in conscience, my dear fellow, could you wish me to offer a woman of such position so plain and simple a name as Gauthier, one borne by about ten thousand individuals?”

“ Others, however found it all-sufficient,” gently replied the young man; “ it is a name, which in your province, recalls ancient and precious souvenirs. Your mother was content with it, and for twenty-two years mine likewise bore it joyously.”

“ Yes, but when the opportunity offered of exchanging it for the title of Viscountess de Bois Roughs, she did not slight the chance.”

Xavier shook his head. He thought of the deep and holy love that had united his parents, and Alphonse’s words wounded him.

“ Vanity and pride had no share in determining my mother’s choice,” said he.

“Well,” replied Alphonse somewhat curtly, “ vanity, I hope will aid that of Mile. Vangaramenghen, and I shall be just as well pleased if it does.”

Xavier made no reply. Legal possessor of a title, and one of the oldest names in Poitou, he considered it indelicate to pursue the discussion upon this subject envolving his loyalty of character, his love for his mother, and respect for the heritage of honor, accompanying a name long venerated. In a few moments, he said gravely,

“ Alphonse, what you have told me about this young girl, gives me great confidence that she will make you happy. She is beautiful and rich, that is all very well ; but what strikes me most, is her courageous Christian character. If, as appears most probable at present, she becomes your wife, I hope you will not replace the stepmother in the combat.”

“ Oh ! no, I pledge you my word, no. Do not worry yourself, my dear fellow, on that point. I shall allow her to be as great a Christian and devotee as she wishes. I do not intend to interfere such in matters ; she shall have no fault to find with me there. Since I know the disagreeable

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side of her character, if I marry her all the same, it is because I do not object to it.”

“ Ah ! do you call that the disagreeable side ? ”

“ Well, it is what causes disagreements ; if you wish it, I will turn my phrase thus. I am not complaining of it, on the contrary, I can say, that I should prefer a wife having some spirit.”

“So much the better,” said Xavier rising. “I will be here to-morrow, about the same time, and no doubt shall find you. If, however, you do go out, remember that I am home at five o’clock. I leave the office at four.”

“ You go regularly then to the office ? ”

“ Always ; it is the exception that I am free to-day.”

“ My dear fellow, you paralyze me ; at your age, and with your fortune, to tie yourself down to such a tiresome life ! ”

“ I do not view it in that light, far from it indeed, I am delighted. If condemned to live in idleness I should die.”

“ But one ought to know how to occupy himself.”

“Use a better expression, and say that one ought to know how to work,” replied Xavier smiling, and pressing for a last time the hand the handsome Alphonse had placed in his. “ Goodby, then, till to-morrow, either here or at my house. I will announce your arrival to my mother

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and sister, but without fixing the day for you to come, so as to leave you free.”

“You are right indeed, for I am really obliged to multiply myself as it were. I must go here, go there, to my aunt’s, to my patron’s, to my betrothed’s. Fortunately, I am as nimble and active as formerly when I climbed the walls, and ran after the stage-coach until I overtook it. Do you recollect ? ”

“Yes, yes, I recollect your exploits,” said Xavier, endeavoring to disengage his arm which Alphonse had seized. “ But do let me go, Alphonse, I am late now.”

“ It is too soon, it seems such a little while since you came in. Have you a cab waiting for you.”

“Yes, but stop your nonsense, for seriously, I must go, I am expected to meet some one on business.”

“ Well, go, slave of duty, and think of me this evening.”

“ I will,” said Xavier, as he darted down the stairway. Alphonse re-entered his chamber again, threw himself back again in the arm-chair, lighted a fifth cigar, and placing his feet upon the andirons, remained thus, fixing his eyes upon the light bluish cloud escaping from his pure Havana, and indulging in the following reflections.

“ What an original this Xavier is ! that he is a

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delightful fellow no one can deny, refined and elegant, a gentleman to the very tips of his nails. But it is really incredible that he, only twentyfive years of age, possessor of a handsome title and sixty thousand livres of rent should spend his time scratching paper in an office, or, teaching morality and religion to a crowd of little vagabonds, when he might lead a most delightful life. And then for him to ride in a hack or omnibus like a poor man, when he could have not one only, but three handsome private carriages. Truly does he verify the old adage that there are people of all sorts of tastes in this world ! ”

Meanwhile, Xavier moving along in a vehicle drawn by a jaded horse, pondered what he had just heard.

“ Poor Alphonse ! ” thought he, “ what a weak character! However, he is not bad, though it seems wonderful that with his education he should have escaped so far unscathed. But he is too trifling, his thoughts never straying beyond his apparel, his cigar, the chase. Though destitute of fortune, he has never yet succeeded in settling himself in any business or profession. He has made several attempts to do so, but in vain ; for everything demanded too much exactitude or work beyond his desires, which latter is not astonishing, as his desires are to do nothing. Can he really have found, as he hopes, the long sought for opening?

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And even if so, how will he make use of it — but more than all, what will be the fate of this young girl ? Poor child ! at the very threshold of womanhood, cast into a godless family, as a burden of which they strive to rid themselves, she has courageously kept God’s laws. Ah ! Providence will not abandon her. If she marries Alphonse, I shall most assuredly assist her by every means in my power in trying to implant a few serious thoughts in his empty mind, and to render his light, trifling heart accessible to a ray of divine love. What sad prospects life holds out for her ! Although she would be no longer the subject of incessant contradictions, if married to Alphonse, yet, what must it not be to live in a complete isolation of soul from a husband indifferent to religion, who later, may destroy, one by one, even unintentionally, all the principles of piety with which she, poor woman, will strive to imbue their little ones. And such are the marriages of the present day, often when there is a mother to watch over her child’s welfare ! how much more deplorable the case when her tenderness is replaced by the mistrust and unkindness of a stranger ! Oh ! the many sad spectacles this world presents ! ”

Xavier sighed, and changing the course of his reflections, took from his pocket a package, and from this, a letter, which he read and re-read atten-

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tively so as to become thoroughly acquainted with its contents.

“ Six thousand francs’ salary ! What a godsend this would be to dear Etienne. The old grandmother could then have her coffee, and the sisters their new dresses — it would not be at all extravagant. What a pity they are so proud. My mother would take great pleasure in assisting all of them, young and old, but she dares not mention the subject. Oh ! the contrast between Etienne and Alphonse ! ” Xavier’s eyes again sought the open letter in his hands. Its contents ran thus.

“ Dear Xavier :

“ I address myself to you with all the confidence of a friend. Just now there is a vacancy in one of the public departments which pays a salary of six thousand francs per annum. Far be it from me to complain of my lot, when I say what you already know, that the profession of a barrister, though noble, always leaves the material side of things very uncertain; and in my position, I cannot neglect this important question. I have been told that you are acquainted with the Marquise de Valbret de Manlouars, sister-inlaw of the present Minister, and that one word from this holy woman would have great weight in deciding her relative’s choice. May I ask you then to lay my petition before her? I know it could not be in better hands than yours, dear friend. Excuse me for not coming in person to confer with you on the subject. All that prevents my doing so is a pressing business engagement, demanding much time and labor. Believe me, Your most devoted friend,

Etienne Malhouet.”

‘‘If not too late, we shall gain the battle,” murmured Xavier, smiling in anticipation of the happiness with which he could say to his friend, “The field is ours, we have succeeded.”

At this moment the horse stopped, and the young man perceived that he had reached his destination, a handsome dwelling in the Rue de Sevres.

Chapter II. Obliged To Wait

Xavier dismissed the vehicle. Entering the vestibule of this elegant mansion, he ascended the broad, beautiful staircase, and stopping at a door opening on the first floor, he rang the bell. It was opened by an old domestic in livery, who exclaimed :

‘‘Oh! M. Viscount! Madame, the Marquise has not yet returned. That stupid porter knew it, and let you come all the way up.”

“ No, it was not his fault,” answered Xavier decidedly, “ I was so sure of finding Mme. de Valbret, that I did not even stop to inquire of him.”

“ It is M. the Viscount de Bois Roughs,” said a voice at the end of the vestibule, and another domestic equally aged and prepossessing in appearance hastily approached.

“ Madame went out to remain until three o’clock,” said he. “ She wrote to Monsieur to defer his proposed visit until that hour. I posted the letter myself yesterday.”

“ I did not receive it.”

“ Is it possible ? How disagreeable,” exclaimed the two old men as Xavier continued :

“ Oh ! well, the delay is of no great importance; the essential part is that I see Mme. de Valbret to-day. I shall return at three o’clock, and if Madame is not home by that time, I shall wait until she comes.”

“ Perhaps Monsieur would prefer waiting now,” said one of the servants.

“ No, as it lacks an hour of the appointed time, I will step out awhile.”

A smile of intelligence, flitting over the features of the two old men, proved that Xavier was understood.

“Just as Monsieur wishes,” said they, as the young man descended the steps, making with his hands a gesture of adieu and thanks.

“ What a good countenance, Pierre !” said one of the old men, closing the door.

“Yes, indeed, and if every one were like him, the world would be much better than it is,” replied the other, turning to wipe the silver plates he had just left.

“ Don’t you think he somewhat resembles our poor, dear M. Jean?”

“ Oh ! poor, dear M. Jean ! M. de Bois Roughs is very fine and elegant looking, to be sure, but he can’t equal our dear young master, whom I never think of as dressed in this way, but always as I

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last saw him in his white habit, his eyes closed, an angel indeed ! In seeing him thus, one was lifted above earth.”

And the old man after passing his hand several times over his eyes, finished by saying ;

“ Here, Jacques, wipe this silver, for I cannot do it, I run the risk of tarnishing it.”

But Jacques was likewise unable to wipe the silver, the same tears of emotion coursing down the cheeks of both these humble friends, who mourned the death of their master’s only son.

Xavier had “stepped out” as he spoke of doing, — that is, he had repaired to the chapel of the sons of St. Ignatius, and was now absorbed in prayer, his eyes fixed upon the glittering slabs enclosing the bodies of the holy martyrs. A mysterious twilight enveloped the sanctuary, and a vague perfume of incense was still floating around. From those interlacing arches, those walls covered with holy images, those altars adorned with flowers, those crimson crowns, those sepulchral stones, chanting sweetness and glory in death, came peace and strength to the soul.

Happy are they who know how to snatch themselves from the activity of the outward life, and take refuge a moment in this blessed enclosure, as in a peaceful, shady island that the hand of Providence has raised up amidst the waves of a torrent !

OBLIGED TO WAIT.

2 7

Xavier’s eyes were fixed upon the marble slabs recording the names that an impious hatred has made great for eternity : Olivaint, Clerc, de Bengy, Ducondray, Caubert.

“ O my God,” he murmured, “have I understood Thee ? Dost Thou indeed permit me to aspire so high ? Ah! it is the virtues of my mother Thou art going to recompense in me. Have pity on my weakness ! ”

He had been thus absorbed in meditation about half an hour, when he was disturbed by the noise of a chair gliding over the chapel floor. He now perceived that his solitude was shared by a young girl who had just fallen on her knees, a few steps from him, before the altar of the martyrs. Her clasped hands rested upon the back of a kneeling stool; her head was raised, and her gaze riveted upon the three blessed ones, who with their victorious crosses, adorn the teredos.