Le Juif errant. English

by Eugène Sue

  CHAPTER XLII. THE SNARE.

  After the departure of Madame de Saint-Dizier and the marquis, Adriennehad remained in her aunt's apartment with M. Baleinier and BaronTripeaud.

  On hearing of the commissary's arrival, Mdlle. de Cardoville had feltconsiderable uneasiness; for there could be no doubt that, as Agricolahad apprehended, this magistrate was come to search the hotel andextension, in order to find the smith, whom he believed to be concealedthere.

  Though she looked upon Agricola's hiding-place as a very safe one,Adrienne was not quite tranquil on his account; so in the event of anyunfortunate accident, she thought it a good opportunity to recommend therefugee to the doctor, an intimate friend, as we have said, of oneof the most influential ministers of the day. So, drawing near to thephysician, who was conversing in a low voice with the baron, she saidto him in her softest and most coaxing manner: "My good M. Baleinier, Iwish to speak a few words with you." She pointed to the deep recess ofone of the windows.

  "I am at your orders, madame," answered the doctor, as he rose to followAdrienne to the recess.

  M. Tripeaud, who, no longer sustained by the abbe's presence, dreadedthe young lady as he did fire, was not sorry for this diversion. To keepup appearances, he stationed himself before one of the sacred pictures,and began again to contemplate it, as if there were no bounds to hisadmiration.

  When Mdlle. de Cardoville was far enough from the baron, not to beoverheard by him, she said to the physician, who, all smiles andbenevolence, waited for her to explain: "My good doctor, you aremy friend, as you were my father's. Just now, notwithstanding thedifficulty of your position, you had the courage to show yourself myonly partisan."

  "Not at all, madame; do not go and say such things!" cried the doctor,affecting a pleasant kind of anger. "Plague on't! you would get meinto a pretty scrape; so pray be silent on that subject. Vade retroSatanas!--which means: Get thee behind me, charming little demon thatyou are!"

  "Do not be afraid," answered Adrienne, with a smile; "I will notcompromise you. Only allow me to remind you, that you have often made meoffers of service, and spoken to me of your devotion."

  "Put me to the test--and you will see if I do not keep my promises."

  "Well, then! give me a proof on the instant," said Adrienne, quickly.

  "Capital! this is how I like to be taken at my word. What can I do foryou?"

  "Are you still very intimate with your friend the minister?"

  "Yes; I am just treating him for a loss of voice, which he always has,the day they put questions to him in the house. He likes it better."

  "I want you to obtain from him something very important for me."

  "For you? pray, what is it?"

  At this instant, the valet entered the room, delivered a letter to M.Baleinier, and said to him: "A footman has just brought this letter foryou, sir; it is very pressing."

  The physician took the letter, and the servant went out.

  "This is one of the inconveniences of merit," said Adrienne, smiling;"they do not leave you a moment's rest, my poor doctor."

  "Do not speak of it, madame," said the physician, who could not conceala start of amazement, as he recognized the writing of D'Aigrigny; "thesepatients think we are made of iron, and have monopolized the healthwhich they so much need. They have really no mercy. With yourpermission, madame," added M. Baleinier, looking at Adrienne before heunsealed the letter.

  Mdlle. de Cardoville answered by a graceful nod. Marquis d'Aigrigny'sletter was not long; the doctor read it at a single glance, and,notwithstanding his habitual prudence, he shrugged his shoulders, andsaid hastily: "Today! why, it's impossible. He is mad."

  "You speak no doubt of some poor patient, who has placed all his hopesin you--who waits and calls for you at this moment. Come, my dear M.Baleinier, do not reject his prayer. It is so sweet to justify theconfidence we inspire."

  There was at once so much analogy, and such contradiction, between theobject of this letter, written just before by Adrienne's most implacableenemy, and these words of commiseration which she spoke in a touchingvoice, that Dr. Baleinier himself could not help being struck with it.He looked at Mdlle. de Cardoville with an almost embarrassed air, as hereplied: "I am indeed speaking of one of my patients, who counts muchupon me--a great deal too much--for he asks me to do an impossibility.But why do you feel so interested in an unknown person?"

  "If he is unfortunate, I know enough to interest me. The person for whomI ask your assistance with the minister, was quite as little known tome; and now I take the deepest interest in him. I must tell you, that heis the son of the worthy soldier who brought Marshal Simon's daughtersfrom the heart of Siberia."

  "What! he is--"

  "An honest workman, the support of his family; but I must tell you allabout it--this is how the affair took place."

  The confidential communication which Adrienne was going to make tothe doctor, was cut short by Madame Saint-Dizier, who, followed by M.d'Aigrigny, opened abruptly the door. An expression of infernal joy,hardly concealed beneath a semblance of extreme indignation, was visiblein her countenance.

  M. d'Aigrigny threw rapidly, as he entered the apartment, an inquiringand anxious glance at M. Baleinier. The doctor answered by a shake ofthe head. The abbe bit his lips with silent rage; he had built his lasthopes upon the doctor, and his projects seemed now forever annihilated,notwithstanding the new blow which the princess had in reserve forAdrienne.

  "Gentlemen," said Madame de Saint-Dizier, in a sharp, hurried voice, forshe was nearly choking with wicked pleasure, "gentlemen, pray be seated!I have some new and curious things to tell you, on the subject of thisyoung lady." She pointed to her niece, with a look of ineffable hatredand disdain.

  "My poor child, what is the matter now?" said M. Baleinier, in a soft,wheedling tone, before he left the window where he was standing withAdrienne. "Whatever happens, count upon me!"--And the physician went toseat himself between M. d'Aigrigny and M. Tripeaud.

  At her aunt's insolent address, Mdlle. de Cardoville had proudly linedher head. The blood rushed to her face, and irritated at the new attackswith which she was menaced, she advanced to the table where the princesswas seated, and said in an agitated voice to M. Baleinier: "I shallexpect you to call on me as soon as possible, my dear doctor. You knowthat I wish particularly to speak with you."

  Adrienne made one step towards the arm-chair, on which she had left herhat. The princess rose abruptly, and exclaimed: "What are you doing,madame?"

  "I am about to retire. Your highness has expressed to me your will, andI have told you mine. It is enough."

  She took her hat. Madame de Saint-Dizier, seeing her prey about toescape, hastened towards her niece, and, in defiance of all propriety,seized her violently by the arm with a convulsive grasp, and bade her,"Remain!"

  "Fie, madame!" exclaimed Adrienne, with an accent of painful contempt,"have we sunk so low?"

  "You wish to escape--you are afraid!" resumed Madame de Saint-Dizier,looking at her disdainfully from head to foot.

  With these words "you are afraid," you could have made Adrienne deCardoville walk into a fiery furnace. Disengaging her arm from heraunt's grasp, with a gesture full of nobleness and pride, she threw downthe hat upon the chair, and returning to the table, said imperiously tothe princess: "There is something even stronger than the disgust withwhich all this inspires me--the fear of being accused of cowardice. Goon, madame! I am listening!"

  With her head raised, her color somewhat heightened, her glance halfveiled by a tear of indignation, her arms folded over her bosom, whichheaved in spite of herself with deep emotion, and her little footbeating convulsively on the carpet, Adrienne looked steadily at heraunt. The princess wished to infuse drop by drop, the poison withwhich she was swelling, and make her victim suffer as long as possible,feeling certain that she could not escape. "Gentlemen," said Madame deSaint-Dizier, in a forced voice, "this has occurred: I was told thatthe commissary of police wished to speak with me: I went to receive thi
smagistrate; he excused himself, with a troubled air, for the nature ofthe duty he had to perform. A man, against whom a warrant was out, hadbeen seen to enter the garden-house."

  Adrienne started, there could be no doubt that Agricola was meant. Butshe recovered her tranquillity, when she thought of the security of thehiding-place she had given him.

  "The magistrate," continued the princess, "asked my consent to searchthe hotel and extension, to discover this man. It was his right. Ibegged him to commence with the garden-house, and accompanied him.Notwithstanding the improper conduct of Mademoiselle, it never, Iconfess, entered my head for a moment, that she was in any way mixed upwith this police business. I was deceived."

  "What do you mean, madame?" cried Adrienne.

  "You shall know all, madame," said the princess, with a triumphant air,"in good time. You were in rather too great a hurry just now, to showyourself so proud and satirical. Well! I accompanied the commissaryin his search; we came to the summer-house; I leave you to imagine thestupor and astonishment of the magistrate, on seeing three creaturesdressed up like actresses. At my request, the fact was noted in theofficial report; for it is well to reveal such extravagances to all whomit may concern."

  "The princess acted very wisely," said Tripeaud, bowing; "it is wellthat the authorities should be informed of such matters."

  Adrienne, too much interested in the fate of the workman to think ofanswering Tripeaud or the princess, listened in silence, and strove toconceal her uneasiness.

  "The magistrate," resumed Madame de Saint-Dizier, "began by a severeexamination of these young girls; to learn if any man had, with theirknowledge, been introduced into the house; with incredible effrontery,they answered that they had seen nobody enter."

  "The true-hearted, honest girls!" thought Mademoiselle de Cardoville,full of joy; "the poor workman is safe! the protection of Dr. Baleinierwill do the rest."

  "Fortunately," continued the princess, "one of my women, Mrs. Grivois,had accompanied me. This excellent person, remembering to have seenMademoiselle return home at eight o'clock in the morning, remarked withmuch simplicity to the magistrate, that the man, whom they sought,might probably have entered by the little garden gate, left open,accidentally, by Mademoiselle."

  "It would have been well, madame," said Tripeaud, "to have caused to benoted also in the report, that Mademoiselle had returned home at eighto'clock in the morning."

  "I do not see the necessity for this," said the doctor, faithful to hispart: "it would have been quite foreign to the search carried on by thecommissary."

  "But, doctor," said Tripeaud.

  "But, baron," resumed M. Baleinier, in a firm voice, "that is myopinion."

  "It was not mine, doctor," said the princess; "like M. Tripeaud, Iconsidered it important to establish the fact by an entry in the report,and I saw, by the confused and troubled countenance of the magistrate,how painful it was to register the scandalous conduct of a young personplaced in so high a position in society."

  "Certainly, madame," said Adrienne, losing patience, "I believe yourmodesty to be about equal to that of this candid commissary of police;but it seems to me, that your mutual innocence was alarmed a little toosoon. You might, and ought to have reflected, that there was nothingextraordinary in my coming home at eight o'clock, if I had gone out atsix."

  "The excuse, though somewhat tardy, is at least cunning," said theprincess, spitefully.

  "I do not excuse myself, madame," said Adrienne; "but as M. Baleinierhas been kind enough to speak a word in my favor, I give the possibleinterpretation of a fact, which it would not become me to explain inyour presence."

  "The fact will stand, however, in the report," said Tripeaud, "until theexplanation is given."

  Abbe d'Aigrigny, his forehead resting on his hand, remained as if astranger to this scene; he was too much occupied with his fears at theconsequences of the approaching interview between Mdlle. de Cardovilleand Marshal Simon's daughters--for there seemed no possibility of usingforce to prevent Adrienne from going out that evening.

  Madame de Saint-Dizier went on: "The fact which so greatly scandalizedthe commissary is nothing compared to what I yet have to tell you,gentlemen. We had searched all parts of the pavilion without finding anyone, and were just about to quit the bed-chamber, for we had takenthis room the last, when Mrs. Grivois pointed out to us that one of thegolden mouldings of a panel did not appear to come quite home to thewall. We drew the attention of the magistrate to this circumstance; hismen examined, touched, felt--the panel flew open!--and then--can youguess what we discovered? But, no! it is too odious, too revolting; Idare not even--"

  "Then I dare, madame," said Adrienne, resolutely, though she saw withthe utmost grief the retreat of Agricola was discovered; "I will spareyour highness's candor the recital of this new scandal, and yet what Iam about to say is in nowise intended as a justification."

  "It requires one, however," said Madame de Saint-Dizier, with adisdainful smile; "a man concealed by you in your own bedroom."

  "A man concealed in her bedroom!" cried the Marquis d'Aigrigny, raisinghis head with apparent indignation, which only covered a cruel joy.

  "A man! in the bedroom of Mademoiselle!" added Baron Tripeaud. "I hopethis also was inserted in the report."

  "Yes, yes, baron," said the princess with a triumphant air.

  "But this man," said the doctor, in a hypocritical tone, "must havebeen a robber? Any other supposition would be in the highest degreeimprobable. This explains itself."

  "Your indulgence deceives you, M. Baleinier," answered the princess,dryly.

  "We knew the sort of thieves," said Tripeaud; "they are generally youngmen, handsome, and very rich."

  "You are wrong, sir," resumed Madame de Saint-Dizier. "Mademoiselle doesnot raise her views so high. She proves that a dereliction from dutymay be ignoble as well as criminal. I am no longer astonished at thesympathy which was just now professed for the lower orders. It is themore touching and affecting, as the man concealed by her was dressed ina blouse."

  "A blouse!" cried the baron, with an air of extreme disgust; "then he isone of the common people? It really makes one's hair stand on end."

  "The man is a working smith--he confessed it," said the princess; "butnot to be unjust--he is really a good-looking fellow. It was doubtlessthat singular worship which Mademoiselle pays to the beautiful--"

  "Enough, madame, enough!" said Adrienne suddenly, for, hithertodisdaining to answer, she had listened to her aunt with growing andpainful indignation; "I was just now on the point of defending myselfagainst one of your odious insinuations--but I will not a second timedescend to any such weakness. One word only, madame; has this honest andworthy artisan been arrested?"

  "To be sure, he has been arrested and taken to prison, under a strongescort. Does not that pierce your heart?" sneered the princess, with atriumphant air. "Your tender pity for this interesting smith must indeedbe very great, since it deprives you of your sarcastic assurance."

  "Yes, madame; for I have something better to do than to satirize thatwhich is utterly odious and ridiculous," replied Adrienne, whose eyesgrew dim with tears at the thought of the cruel hurt to Agricola'sfamily. Then, putting her hat on, and tying the strings, she said to thedoctor: "M. Baleinier, I asked you just now for your interest with theminister."

  "Yes, madame; and it will give me great pleasure to act on your behalf."

  "Is your carriage below?"

  "Yes, madame," said the doctor, much surprised.

  "You will be good enough to accompany me immediately to the minister's.Introduced by you, he will not refuse me the favor, or rather the act ofjustice, that I have to solicit."

  "What, mademoiselle," said the princess; "do you dare take such acourse, without my orders, after what has just passed? It is reallyquite unheard-of."

  "It confounds one," added Tripeaud; "but we must not be surprised atanything."

  The moment Adrienne asked the doctor if his carriage was below,D'Aigrigny started
. A look of intense satisfaction flashed across hiscountenance, and he could hardly repress the violence of his delight,when, darting, a rapid and significant glance at the doctor, he sawthe latter respond to it by trace closing his eyelids in token ofcomprehension and assent.

  When therefore the princess resumed, in an angry tone,addressing herself to Adrienne: "Madame, I forbid you leaving thehouse!"--D'Aigrigny said to the speaker, with a peculiar inflectionof the voice: "I think, your highness, we may trust the lady to thedoctor's care."

  The marquis pronounced these words in so significant a manner, thatthe princess, having looked by turns at the physician and D'Aigrigny,understood it all, and her countenance grew radiant with joy.

  Not only did this pass with extreme rapidity, but the night was alreadyalmost come, so that Adrienne, absorbed in painful thoughts with regardto Agricola, did not perceive the different signals exchanged betweenthe princess, the doctor, and the abbe. Even had she done so, they wouldhave been incomprehensible to her.

  Not wishing to have the appearance of yielding too readily, to thesuggestion of the marquis, Madame de Saint-Dizier resumed: "Though thedoctor seems to me to be far too indulgent to mademoiselle, I might notsee any great objection to trusting her with him; but that I do not wishto establish such a precedent, for hence forward she must have no willbut mine."

  "Madame," said the physician gravely, feigning to be somewhat shocked bythe words of the Princess de Saint-Dizier, "I do not think I have beentoo indulgent to mademoiselle--but only just. I am at her orders,to take her to the minister if she wishes it. I do not know whatshe intends to solicit, but I believe her incapable of abusing theconfidence I repose in her, or making me support a recommendationundeserved."

  Adrienne, much moved, extended her hand cordially to the doctor, andsaid to him: "Rest assured, my excellent friend, that you will thank mefor the step I am taking, for you will assist in a noble action."

  Tripeaud, who was not in the secret of the new plans of the doctor andthe abbe in a low voice faltered to the latter, with a stupefied air,"What! will you let her go?"

  "Yes, yes," answered D'Aigrigny abruptly, making a sign that he shouldlisten to the princess, who was about to speak. Advancing towards herniece, she said to her in a slow and measured tone, laying a peculiaremphasis on every word: "One moment more, mademoiselle--one last wordin presence of these gentlemen. Answer me! Notwithstanding the heavycharges impending over you, are you still determined to resist my formalcommands?"

  "Yes, madame."

  "Notwithstanding the scandalous exposure which has just taken place, youstill persist in withdrawing yourself from my authority?"

  "Yes, madame."

  "You refuse positively to submit to the regular and decent mode of lifewhich I would impose upon you?"

  "I have already told you, madame, that I am about to quit this dwellingin order to live alone and after my own fashion."

  "Is that your final decision?"

  "It is my last word."

  "Reflect! the matter is serious. Beware!"

  "I have given your highness my last word, and I never speak it twice."

  "Gentlemen, you hear all this?" resumed the princess; "I have tried invain all that was possible to conciliate. Mademoiselle will have onlyherself to thank for the measures to which this audacious revolt willoblige me to have recourse."

  "Be it so, madame," replied Adrienne. Then, addressing M. Baleinier, shesaid quickly to him: "Come, my dear doctor; I am dying with impatience.Let us set out immediately. Every minute lost may occasion bitter tearsto an honest family."

  So saying, Adrienne left the room precipitately with the physician.One of the servants called for M. Baleinier's carriage. Assisted bythe doctor, Adrienne mounted the step, without perceiving that he saidsomething in a low whisper to the footman that opened the coach-door.

  When, however, he was seated by the side of Mdlle. de Cardoville, andthe door was closed upon them, he waited for about a second, andthen called out in a loud voice to the coachman: "To the house of theminister, by the private entrance!" The horses started at a gallop.