GRUCHET: YOU look disturbed. What is the matter with you?
MUREL: Remorse! I have just done a stupid thing — and you, too.
GRUCHET: In what way?
MUREL: YOU were here just now, with the men that promised to support Rousselin's candidacy. You saw and heard him.
GRUCHET: Yes, and then I went to find Julien — he is coming here directly.
MUREL: It is not a question of Julien, but of Rousselin. That man is an ass! He doesn't know how to say four words properly. We shall have a fine deputy!
GRUCHET: Well, I did not take the initiative step!
MUREL: He has shown himself to be possessed of scarcely mediocre intelligence.
GRUCHET: Quite true!
MUREL: But that doesn't prevent him from, being regarded with great consideration in this neighbourhood, — even more than you yourself receive.
GRUCHET [vexed]: More than I!
MUREL: I don't wish to offend you, but of course I know you do not enjoy, in this town, the distinction that belongs to the Rousselins.
GRUCHET: Oh, if I wished it — [Short pause]
MUREL [looks Gruchet full in the eyes]: Gruchet, would you be willing to raise yourself in the world, even if it should put you to a rather heavy expense?
GRUCHET: Heavy expense? That sort of thing is not very much to my taste, but what do you mean?
MUREL: Suppose some one said to you: For a consideration of several thousand francs, you may take Rousselin's place — you shall become deputy?
GRUCHET: I? Deputy?
MUREL: Just think what a glorious time you would have in Paris, where you would be in the very midst of great affairs! You would meet hundreds of delightful people — even the ministers. You would know all about everything — society gossip, news about important public works, the latest thing on the Bourse — everything! What influence you might have, my friend, and what an experience!
GRUCHET: But how can all this possibly come about? Rousselin is almost elected.
MUREL: Not yet! He failed to mention his ideas on the rights of franchise when he made the declaration of his policy; and then — a little — manipulation — is easy! Several electors were not in favour of his nomination in the first place. Heurtelot, in particular grumbled at it.
GRUCHET: The shoemaker? I have a seizure against him for the day after to-morrow.
MUREL: Put it off! He is looked up to by his fellows. With regard to the others, we shall see. I shall arrange matters so that the dissatisfaction with Rousselin shall begin among the workmen in our mills; then, if it becomes necessary for me to declare myself outright for you, I shall do so.
As Monsieur Rousselin has not shown a sufficiently patriotic spirit, I feel compelled to withdraw from his support! More than that, I know him now for what he is — a blockhead!
GRUCHET: Gently! gently! [Falls into a reverie]
MUREL: Who can stop you? You are on the "left" side, aren't you? Your name can be brought up by that faction, as a member of the Chamber; but even if you fail of election, the votes cast for you will take away from Rousselin any chance he might have of being elected.
GRUCHET: That would make him furious!
MUREL: It will not cost much to try it — perhaps a few hundred francs in the wine-shops.
GRUCHET [with interest]: No more than that, you think?
MUREL: NOW I am going to stir up the district! Soon you will be nominated, and Rousselin will be buried — out of sight! You will have the satisfaction of seeing that some persons that appear not to know you now, will then bow very low and say, "Monsieur the deputy, I have the honour to offer you my respects!"
SCENE XIII.
(The same. Enter Julien Duprat; looks about him right and left )
MUREL: My young friend Duprat, you cannot see Monsieur Rousselin. JULIEN: I cannot see him, you say?
MUREL: Precisely. He and I have had some disagreement over politics.
JULIEN: But I do not understand. Just now you came to my house to tell me that I must support Monsieur Rousselin, and gave me a mass of reasons — which I repeated to Monsieur Gruchet. He accepted them immediately, all the sooner since he desires —
GRUCHET [hastily]: That matter is entirely between you and me, Julien. This is another affair altogether — something that does not concern Rousselin.
JULIEN: Then what is the trouble regarding him?
MUREL: I will tell you in a few words — he is not the right man for our party.
GRUCHET [complacently]: Another candidate must be found!
MUREL: YOU shall know soon the name of the next candidate. But let us get out of here. We mustn't conspire on the very grounds of the enemy.
JULIEN: The enemy! Rousselin?
MUREL: Certainly! And you will please oblige us by attacking him vigorously in The Impartial.
JULIEN: But why? I don't know of anything bad to say about him.
GRUCHET: With a little exercise of the imagination, it should be easy to find something.
JULIEN: I am not in the habit of doing that sort of thing, Monsieur!
GRUCHET: NOW listen! You came to me first to offer me your services, and, knowing that I was a friend of Rousselin, you begged me — yes, that's the word — to introduce you here.
JULIEN: And no sooner do I arrive than you take back your promise to present me.
GRUCHET: It is not my fault if political affairs have taken a turn in the other direction.
JULIEN: And is it mine?
GRUCHET: YOU will remember, it was distinctly understood between us that you should publish some slashing articles against the Society of the Turf of Grumesnil-les-Arbois — the president of which is the Count de Bouvigny — demonstrating the financial incapacity of its leader. A fine affair, that Society! from which that scoundrelly Dodart has excluded me!
MUREL [aside]: Oh! So this is the secret of the alliance between Gruchet and our young friend!
GRUCHET: Up to the present, however, you have done nothing whatever, which is a very good reason why you should now do something effective. Besides, what we wish you to do is not at all difficult.
JULIEN: I don't care what it is! I refuse!
MUREL: Julien, you appear to forget the terms of your engagement with our journal.
JULIEN: Oh, I remember them well enough! You engaged me to make extracts from other publications; to write bright little stories about lost dogs, floods, fires, and accidents, and to write up, with plenty of clever hits, the daily happenings of life in Paris! I must seek interviews, listen to explanations, receive all visitors, work like a galley-slave, lead a regular dog's life, and never, under any conditions, be my own master in anything! Well, for once I ask to be excused.
MUREL: All the worse for you!
GRUCHET: I conclude that it was not necessary for you to accept this engagement with The Impartial!
JULIEN: Not necessary! Ah! if only I could have found another!
GRUCHET: Oh, indeed! Well, when a man has no means to fall back upon, I should think it would be rather pleasant to have a good comfortable berth like this.
JULIEN [walks slowly up stage]: Ah, the misery of poverty!
MUREL: Let him pout! We might as well sit down here a few moments, long enough for me to write out your declaration of policy.
GRUCHET: Willingly! [They sit; Murel draws out paper and pencil and begins to write; Gruchet looks over his shoulder]
JULIEN [stands up stage; looks up at Rousselin's house]: How gladly would I rid myself of my wretched existence, were it not for thee, my love! Oh, I cannot allow the slightest grief or anxiety on my account to come to thee — herein thine own home! May the walls that shelter thee be blessed! [Looks off] It appears to me that I can distinguish a white robe out there — among the acacias. Now it has disappeared! Farewell! [About to go]
GRUCHET [looks around at Julien]: Wait a moment, we have something to show you.
JULIEN: Ah! I have had enough of your dirty work!
[Exit.
MUREL [h
olds up sheet of paper]: There! What do you think of it?
GRUCHET: It is very well done! Thank you! But —
MUREL: Well, what is it?.
GRUCHET: The thought of Rousselin disturbs me a little.
MUREL: Pooh! He is a person of very little consequence.
GRUCHET: You don't know what he is capable of doing. Young Duprat appeared extremely angry just now, didn't he?
MUREL: My opinion is, he must have some strong reason for wishing to become acquainted with the Rousselins.
GRUCHET: To be sure he has! He is in love with Louise.
MUREL: Who told you so?
GRUCHET: Rousselin himself.
MUREL [aside]: Another rival! Bah! I have knocked over more formidable ones than he! [Aloud] I am going to find Julien again, and catechise him. In the meantime, you must get this declaration of policy set up at the printer's; then go around and see as many of your friends as you can, and meet me here again in two hours.
GRUCHET: Agreed! [Exit.
MUREL: And now, Monsieur Rousselin, I think the time will come when you will be glad to offer me your daughter!
ACT II.
Scene: A promenade in a public square. A café, L. 2 E.; the walls and the iron gates leading to the grounds belonging to Rousselin's house, R. 2 E. As the curtain rises, a bill-poster is discovered affixing a placard to Rousselin's wall.
SCENE I.
(Heurtelot, Marchais, a Village Policeman, and a crowd of citizens )
POLICEMAN: Move on, there! Get away from the wall, so that everyone can read the proclamation. CITIZENS: That's right! Stand back! [Crowd moves back]
HEURTELOT: Ah, it is De Bouvigny's declaration of policy!
MARCHAIS: What! Is he nominated?
HEURTELOT: NO, no! It is Gruchet who will get the . nomination now. Read what is on the placard.
MARCHAIS: I — read it?
HEURTELOT: Yes.
MARCHAIS: YOU read the first part of it. [Aside] He does not know his alphabet! [Aloud] Well?
HEURTELOT: But why don't you read it?
MARCHAIS: I?
HEURTELOT [aside]: He doesn't know how to spell! [Aloud] Well — ahem!
POLICEMAN: And these ignoramuses vote! Wait — I'll read it for you. First, I'll read Bouvigny's: "My friends! Yielding to your urgent request, I believe it my duty to present myself as a candidate for your votes — "
HEURTELOT [interrupts]: Oh, we know all about him I Read another — read Gruchet's.
POLICEMAN: "Fellow-citizens! In obedience to the wishes of my friends, I present myself — "
MARCHAIS [interrupts]: What a farce! That's enough about him!
POLICEMAN: Now I will read Monsieur Rousselin's announcement: "My dear fellow-patriots! So many of you have solicited me to accept the nomination that I dare not — ”
HEURTELOT: The old rascal! He thinks he is going to fool us! Let's tear down his placard!
MARCHAIS: Yes, because he is a traitor!
POLICEMAN [stops their approach to the wall]: You have no right to do that.
MARCHAIS: Not when it is in the interest of law and order?
HEURTELOT: And liberty!
POLICEMAN: YOU let those placards alone, or I will throw you both into jail! '
HEURTELOT: A fine government this is! It is carried on only to torment us and cheat us!
MARCHAIS: We can do nothing to defend ourselves!
SCENE II.
(The same, including Murel and Gruchet )
MUREL [to Heurtelot]: Faithful at your post! That's good! Now take all this crowd over there [points to café], and give them a drink.
HEURTELOT: Oh, but —
MUREL: Take them along, I say, and go in without ceremony. I have given them their orders over there, but it is Gruchet who stands treat!
GRUCHET: Up to a certain amount — don't forget that!
MUREL: Well, go along with them, then.
CITIZENS: Hurrah for Gruchet! A good fellow! A solid citizen! A patriot!
[Exit all except Murel.
SCENE III.
MUREL [approaches Rousselin's gates]: I must try to see Louise for a moment.
ARABELLA [enters through the gates]: I wish to speak to you, Monsieur.
MUREL: Delighted, Miss Arabella! But — tell me — Louise, is she not —
ARABELLA: Was not some one here with you a moment ago?
MUREL: Yes.
ARABELLA: Monsieur Duprat, I believe.
MUREL: NO, it was Gruchet.
ARABELLA: Gruchet! He is a very bad man! It is a shame to make him a candidate!
MUREL: And why, may I ask?
ARABELLA: Some time ago Monsieur Rousselin lent him quite a large sum of money, which he has never repaid. I have seen the memorandum of it.
MUREL [aside]: This explains the reason why Gruchet was so afraid of him!
ARABELLA: But Monsieur Rousselin had too much delicacy and kindly feeling to press him for payment. He is so good, although a little odd at times! For instance, his prejudice against Monsieur Julien —
MUREL: And Louise, Miss Arabella — how is she?
ARABELLA: Oh, when they told her it was impossible that she should be allowed to marry you, she wept sadly.
MUREL: My sweet Louise!
ARABELLA: Poor little thing! Madame Rousselin is very hard upon her.
MUREL: And her father — what does he say about me?
ARABELLA: He is very much worried and vexed.
MUREL: Does he regret his words to me?
ARABELLA: NO. But he is afraid of you.
MUREL: I am glad to hear it!
ARABELLA: He fears your workmen will oppose him, and he dreads the editorials in The Impartial, of which he says you are the real master.
MUREL: Ha! ha! ha!
ARABELLA: But that is not true, is it? Has not Monsieur Julien more influence there than you?
MUREL [still laughing]: Go on, I beg, Miss Arabella!
ARABELLA: Oh! I am very sad about this whole affair. I wish that matters could be settled amicably.
MUREL: It would be rather difficult to do that now, it seems to me.
ARABELLA: Not at all! I know that Monsieur Rousselin strongly desires a friendly understanding. But hush! Do not mention what I have just said, I entreat you.
MUREL [aside]*. What a queer creature!
ARABELLA: A reconciliation would be to your interest with regard to Louise, believe me! Everyone should be reconciled and made happy — she, you, myself, and Monsieur Julien.
MUREL [aside]: Always Julien! How stupid I have been! I believe I have discovered a romance — the poet and his muse! How very funny! [Aloud ] I will do whatever I can to bring about a reconciliation. Au revoir, Mademoiselle.
ARABELLA [curtseys]: Good afternoon, sir! [Sees an old woman, who stands up stage, C., beckoning J Ah, Félicité! [Joins the woman; they go out]
SCENE IV.
(Enter Rousselin, hastily, through the gates )
ROUSSELIN: Upon my word, this is a most unheard-
of thing! MUREL [aside]: Now for it!
ROUSSELIN: Gruchet! — it is that man Gruchet who is trying to cut the ground from under my feet! A miserable fellow, whom I have protected and helped! And he boasts that he is upheld by you!
MUREL: But —
ROUSSELIN: HOW the devil did this idea of putting himself forward as a candidate ever get into his head?
MUREL: I really do not know. He came tearing into my rooms like a madman, saying that I must abjure all my former political opinions at once.
ROUSSELIN: I have been too moderate. Nevertheless, I protested with equal vigour against the preposterous demagogy, of which this rascally Gruchet is the representative, and the yoke of absolutism that the aristocrats would like to hang upon our necks, of which the Count de Bouvigny is the abominable supporter, the Gothic symbol, I may say! In a word, faithful to the traditions of the old French spirit, I demand, before all, the reign of law, the government of the people by the people, with a du
e regard for the rights of property. On that point-
Complete Works of Gustave Flaubert Page 409