Complete Works of Gustave Flaubert

by Gustave Flaubert

  BOUVIGNY [proudly]: Sir, a gentleman of my son's rank can take up no profession but that of arms!

  ROUSSELIN: But he is not a soldier.

  BOUVIGNY: He is waiting, in order to serve his country, until the government is changed.

  ROUSSELIN: And while waiting?

  BOUVIGNY: He will live in his own domains, as I live, Monsieur.

  ROUSSELIN: TO wear out his shoes in hunting — very good! But, Monsieur, I prefer to give my daughter to some one whose fortune — pardon me for using the word! — is even less than your son's.

  BOUVIGNY: But your daughter's fortune is assured, is it not?

  ROUSSELIN: Yes! But I prefer to give her to a man who has nothing at all.

  BOUVIGNY: Nothing at all!

  ROUSSELIN [rises]: Yes, Monsieur, a simple workman, a person without breeding or culture!

  BOUVIGNY [rises]: Is it your intention to express scorn of rank and aristocratic breeding?

  ROUSSELIN: Yes, Monsieur. I am a son of the Revolution!

  BOUVIGNY: Your manners show it, believe me!

  ROUSSELIN: And I do not allow myself to be dazzled by the glitter of brilliant titles.

  BOUVIGNY: Nor I by that of gold!

  ROUSSELIN: We no longer cringe low before the nobility, thank heaven!

  BOUVIGNY: True! I remember that your grandfather was a servant in our household!

  ROUSSELIN: Ah, you wish to insult me! Go, Monsieur! The consideration of one's reputation is to-day a privilege belonging to everyone. Mine is above your sneers and calumnies. Has not a group of worthy citizens just waited upon me in order to offer me the candidacy?

  BOUVIGNY: Let me tell you that they wished to offer it first to me, and I declined it in your favour! But in the face of such indelicacy on your part, after the declaration of your principles, and since you have practically announced yourself a democrat, a supporter of anarchy —

  ROUSSELIN: Of anarchy! Not at all!

  BOUVIGNY: An organ of disorder, I say — I have resolved to take back my refusal. I shall declare myself a candidate — a conservative candidate, you understand — and we shall see which will win! I am the friend of the prefect who has just been nominated. I shall tell hip everything, and he will support me. Good evening, Monsieur!

  [Exit.

  SCENE IX.

  ROUSSELIN: Now he is so furious now that he is quite capable of doing all he can to ruin me in public opinion — even of representing me as a Jacobite! Perhaps 1 did wrong to hurt his feelings. But to be expected to hand over a large part of my fortune to set up the Bouvignys — that was a little too much! Well, it can't be helped now, but it is a pity to break with him. Murel and Gruchet already appear to me to be less certain of my election than they were, and we must find some means to persuade the Conservatives that 1 am in reality the most conservative of men! Ha! what does this mean?

  SCENE X.

  (Enter Murel, followed by a crowd of Electors, then by Heurtelot, Beaumesnil, Voinchet, Hombourg, Ledru, then Gruchet )

  MUREL: My dear fellow-citizen, the electors here present have come to offer you, through me, the candidacy of the Liberal party of this district.

  ROUSSELIN: But, gentlemen —

  MUREL: YOU will have the majority of votes in the communes of Faverville, Harolle, Lahoussaye, Sannevas, Bonneval, Hautot, Saint-Mathieu —

  ROUSSELIN [delighted]: Ah, indeed!

  MUREL: Randau, Manerville, and La Coudrette. In short, we count on a majority of more than fifteen hundred votes, and your election is practically assured.

  ROUSSELIN: Ah, my fellow-citizens — [Aside to Murel] I don't know what to say!

  MUREL: Allow me to present to you some of your political friends. Here is the most enthusiastic of all, a true patriot — Monsieur Heurtelot, a manufacturer —

  HEURTELOT: Oh, say shoemaker — it is all the same to me!

  MUREL: Monsieur Hombourg, proprietor of the Golden Lion, and also of a livery stable. Monsieur Voinchet, nurseryman; Monsieur Beaumesnil, without a profession; and the brave Captain Ledru, retired.

  ROUSSELIN [with enthusiasm]: Ah, the military!

  MUREL: And we are all convinced that you will fill this high office in the most satisfactory manner. [Aside to Rousselin] Say something.

  ROUSSELIN: Gentlemen — no, citizens! My principles are yours — and — certainly — I am a son of this soil — like yourselves. No one has ever heard me say anything against the cause of liberty. Quite the contrary! You will find in me a servant devoted to your interests — a defender — a barrier against the encroachments of Power!

  MUREL [presses Rousselin's hand]: Good! my friend, very good! Have no doubt as to the result of your nomination! First of all, you will be sustained and upheld by that well-known journal, The Impartial.

  ROUSSELIN: The Impartial will support me, you say?

  GRUCHET [coming forward from the midst of the group]: Absolutely, I assure you. I have just come from the editor's office. Julien Duprat is most enthusiastic. [Surprised at seeing Murel; then aside to him] He has given me his reasons — I will explain to you later. [To the Electors] You will permit me, gentlemen. [Makes his way to Rousselin; then aside to him] Now, then, my friend, don't you think you would do well to follow my advice?

  ROUSSELIN: TO follow your advice? Pardon me! I have a head of my own, you know.

  GRUCHET: I mean — to let me present Julien to you? He is very desirous to meet you.

  ROUSSELIN: IS it — absolutely necessary?

  GRUCHET: Oh, indispensable!

  ROUSSELIN: Well, then — yes, — as you please.

  [Exit Gruchet.

  HEURTELOT [takes Rousselin by the elbow and turns him squarely around]: That is not all, by any means, Monsieur. One of the first things you must do after you are elected is to abolish the tax on liquors.

  ROUSSELIN: Abolish the tax on liquors — oh, yes, certainly!

  HEURTELOT: The other candidates have made fine promises, but after election they tell you to go and take a walk! But I believe you are an honest man — give me your hand on it! [Extends his own hand]

  ROUSSELIN [with a slight hesitation]: Willingly, sir, willingly!

  HEURTELOT: That's all right, then. It is high time that some of these public abuses should stop. We have suffered from them quite long enough.

  HOMBOURG: I believe you! A man can make nothing now in the livery business. The price of hay is beyond all reason.

  ROUSSELIN: That is quite true. The occupation of agriculture —

  HOMBOURG: I am not talking about agriculture, but about the livery business.

  MUREL: And a most important business it is! But now, thanks to our friend here, the government will —

  LEDRU: Bah! the government! It decorates a lot of good-for-nothing puppies!

  VOINCHET: I wish to say that the laying out of the railway so that it shall run through Saint-Mathieu, is a piece of imbecile folly.

  BEAUMESNIL: A man cannot educate his children properly in these days.

  ROUSSELIN: I promise you all —

  HOMBOURG: First of all, the rights of liverymen.

  ROUSSELIN: Yes, yes!

  LEDRU: That is, when they are in the interest of discipline.

  ROUSSELIN: Of course!

  VOINCHET: You must persuade the railway company to lay the road by way of Bonneval.

  ROUSSELIN: Certainly, certainly!

  BEAUMESNIL: AS for me, I have only the best intentions —

  ROUSSELIN: I believe you, Monsieur.

  HOMBOURG: Thus, in order to rent a carriage —

  LEDRU: I ask nothing for myself, but —

  VOINCHET: My property will be greatly injured if —

  BEAUMESNIL: Really, you know, since there are colleges —

  MUREL [loudly]. My fellow-citizens, pardon me! One word! Gentlemen, on this occasion, when our beloved fellow-citizen here has so well expressed himself, — in language which I might almost call classic in its simplicity — and has so well confirmed our hopes, I am very
happy to have been your spokesman. In order to celebrate this event — the influence of which will spread over all the district, and perhaps over France — permit me to invite you to partake, next Monday, of a punch of my own brewing!

  ELECTORS [together]: Bravo! Agreed! Next Monday be it!

  MUREL: And now, I believe, nothing remains for us to do but to retire.

  ELECTORS [together]: Good morning, Monsieur Rousselin I Good luck! All will go well! You will see!

  ROUSSELIN [shakes hands with several of the Electors]: My friends, I am indeed touched! Good morning! I am your servant, gentlemen! [Electors retire slowly up stage, talking together]

  MUREL [aside to Rousselin]: You must cultivate Heurtelot a little; he is a leader among them. [Follows Electors up stage and delays their exit]

  ROUSSELIN [calls]: Oh, Monsieur Heurtelot, one moment!

  HEURTELOT [returns]: Yes, Monsieur.

  ROUSSELIN [speaks confidentially]: Could you not make me fifteen pairs of boots?

  HEURTELOT: Fifteen pairs, Monsieur!

  ROUSSELIN: Yes, and as many pairs of shoes. I am not going on a long journey, but I think it wise to provide myself with a good supply of foot-wear.

  HEURTELOT: They shall be begun at once, Monsieur. At your service! [Bows low, and rejoins the Electors]

  HOMBOURG [approaches Rousselin, speaking confidentially]: Monsieur Rousselin, I have recently bought a pair of beautiful chestnut horses, and they would look superb harnessed to your carriage. Would you like to see them?

  ROUSSELIN: Yes, yes! One of these days. [Hombourg rejoins Electors]

  VOINCHET [approaches Rousselin]: I will send you a little memorandum about the laying out of that new railroad, showing that by running it through my property —

  ROUSSELIN: Very well, very well! [Voinchet rejoins Electors]

  BEAUMESNIL: I mean to bring my son to call on you, and you will be convinced that it would be deplorable to allow so promising a boy to grow up without a proper education.

  ROUSSELIN: He shall be permitted to re-enter his classes, I promise it.

  HEURTELOT: That's something like a candidate! Hurrah for Rousselin!

  ALL: Hurrah for Rousselin! [Exit Electors.

  SCENE XI.

  (Rousselin, Murel )

  ROUSSELIN [rushes to Murel and embraces him]: Ah, my friend, my dear, good friend!

  MUREL: Well, do you think I managed that part of the business satisfactorily?

  ROUSSELIN: I never can find words to express my gratitude and appreciation.

  MUREL: YOU are very desirous to obtain this nomination, aren't you?

  ROUSSELIN: Well, I don't mind telling you that I am very anxious to get it. You see, after I retired from active business life, and had spent about a year or two out here in the country, I began to feel a certain lassitude creeping over me. I became dull and heavy. I used to go to sleep every evening after dinner; and finally the doctor told my wife it was absolutely necessary for me to find something to occupy myself with. So I cast about in my mind to decide upon some agreeable occupation.

  MUREL: And you thought you would like to become a deputy, eh?

  ROUSSELIN: Naturally. Besides, I have arrived at an age when a man owes something to himself. I have bought a library and I have subscribed to The (Monitor.

  MUREL: You have laid out some pretty stiff work for yourself, I should say!

  ROUSSELIN: Then I joined the Archaelogical Society, and I have already received, through the mails, several pamphlets on archaeology. After awhile I was chosen as a member of the municipal council; next, of the district council; and finally, of the general council; and when any important questions came up in the affairs of these councils, I never compromised myself by making any statements or remarks — I only smiled discreetly! Ah, the non-committal smile is a great resource sometimes, my boy!

  MUREL: But in doing that, you see, you never allow the public to become acquainted with your real ideas and sympathies; and now it is time to declare yourself. Perhaps you do not know —

  ROUSSELIN: Oh, yes! I know that I owe everything to you alone.

  MUREL: NO, no! You don't understand at all.

  ROUSSELIN: Perhaps not! That's your modesty. What a diplomat you are, my dear fellow!

  MUREL [aside]: He's trying to pique me! [Aloud] Frankly, the workmen in my factory were against you when your name was first proposed, and they are redoubtable men, I assure you. But now they are all in your favour.

  ROUSSELIN: YOU are worth your weight in gold!

  MUREL [aside]: I don't ask quite so much as that!

  ROUSSELIN [looks at Murel admiringly]: You are dearer to me than a brother! You are like my own son!

  MUREL [significantly]: Well, I might be — that!

  ROUSSELIN: No doubt [sudden movement from Murel], if I were only a trifle older.

  MUREL [with a forced laugh]: Or if — I — should become your — son-in-law! How would you like that?

  ROUSSELIN [also with a forced laugh]: You're a great joker! You know you wouldn't like it yourself.

  MUREL [earnestly]: But indeed I should!

  ROUSSELIN: Nonsense! Marry, with your Parisian habits?

  MUREL: I should live in the country.

  ROUSSELIN: Oh, pshaw! Men of your age don't marry.

  MUREL: Thirty-four years — it is just the right age.

  ROUSSELIN: Especially when they have before them such a future as yours.

  MUREL: My future prospects would be greatly improved if —

  ROUSSELIN: Now let us reason a little. Here you are, simply the manager of the Bugneaux spinning-mills, representing the Flemish company, and you have a salary of twenty thousand francs.

  MUREL: And a considerable sum coming to me besides, in perquisites and privileges.

  ROUSSELIN: But how about the years when business is bad? And then, of course, you might lose your place at any time.

  MUREL: Then I should go somewhere else, where I could find —

  ROUSSELIN: But you have debts and dishonoured bills — you are harassed by your creditors.

  MUREL: I have some means of my own, nevertheless, to say nothing of my expectations.

  ROUSSELIN: Ah, you mean you expect to inherit something from your aunt. You do not really count upon that, do you? Your aunt lives two hundred leagues away from this place, and besides you are not on good terms with her.

  MUREL [aside]: The old brute! He finds out everything!

  ROUSSELIN: In short, my dear Murel, although I doubt neither your intelligence nor your industry, I prefer to give my daughter to a man who —

  MUREL: Who has nothing at all, and is a fool into the bargain, I suppose!

  ROUSSELIN: NO, but whose fortune, though small, would be certain.

  MUREL [scornfully]: Ah, indeed!

  ROUSSELIN: Yes, Monsieur, to a gentleman possessing a modest income, or to a small landed proprietor living in this part of the country.

  MUREL: Apparently, you have not a very high opinion of a man that works.

  ROUSSELIN: Listen to me, my good fellow! Industry is very commendable, but it is not to be depended upon — its results are not sure — and a good father must look carefully after the interests of his child.

  MUREL: Then you refuse to give me your daughter?

  ROUSSELIN [very good-naturedly, taking Murel's hand]: I am forced to do so, but really it is not my fault, and I speak entirely without rancour. [Calls] Pierre! Bring my writing-case and an inkstand. [To Murel] Sit down here. You must now prepare my declaration of policy for the electors.

  (Enter Pierre, with writing materials; puts them on small table, R. Exit )

  MUREL: I must prepare it, you say?

  ROUSSELIN: Yes, and afterward we will look it over together. But you begin it, there's a good fellow! With your spirit and imagination, you will be sure to do it well, — better than I could, although you did praise me for my speech to the electors. It was good, wasn't it? Now I will leave you for a short time, as I have to look after some rather pr
essing matters. Give them something lively — something fiery — wake them up! [Exit

  SCENE XII.

  MUREL: Fool! I've advanced my interests beautifully, I must say! [Looks after Rousselin] You old idiot! You'll never find anyone that will be so useful to you as I. How shall I pay him back, or rather, how can I frighten him? He would sacrifice anything for the sake of being elected. I shall have to threaten him with a dangerous political rival. But whom? [Enter Gruchet ] Ah, Gruchet!