Le Juif errant. English

by Eugène Sue

  CHAPTER XXXII. THE ADVICE.

  Adrienne de Cardoville had been still more strictly confined in Dr.Baleinier's house, since the double nocturnal attempt of Agricola andDagobert, in which the soldier, though severely wounded, had succeeded,thanks to the intrepid devotion of his son, seconded by the heroic Spoilsport, in gaining the little garden gate of the convent, and escaping byway of the boulevard, along with the young smith. Four o'clock had juststruck. Adrienne, since the previous day, had been removed to a chamberon the second story of the asylum. The grated window, with closedshutters, only admitted a faint light to this apartment. The young lady,since her interview with Mother Bunch, expected to be delivered any dayby the intervention of her friends. But she felt painful uneasiness onthe subject of Agricola and Dagobert, being absolutely ignorant of theissue of the struggle in which her intended liberators had been engagedwith the people of the asylum and convent. She had in vain questionedher keepers on the subject; they had remained perfectly mute. These newincidents had augmented the bitter resentment of Adrienne against thePrincess de Saint Dizier, Father d'Aigrigny, and their creatures. Theslight paleness of Mdlle. de Cardoville's charming face, and her fineeyes a little drooping, betrayed her recent sufferings; seated beforea little table, with her forehead resting upon one of her hands, halfveiled by the long curls of her golden hair, she was turning over theleaves of a book. Suddenly, the door opened, and M. Baleinier entered.The doctor, a Jesuit, in lay attire, a docile and passive instrumentof the will of his Order, was only half in the confidence of Fatherd'Aigrigny and the Princess de Saint-Dizier. He was ignorant of theobject of the imprisonment of Mdlle. de Cardoville; he was ignorant alsoof the sudden change which had taken place in the relative positionof Father d'Aigrigny and Rodin, after the reading of the testamentof Marius de Rennepont. The doctor had, only the day before, receivedorders from Father d'Aigrigny (now acting under the directions of Rodin)to confine Mdlle. de Cardoville still more strictly, to act towards herwith redoubled severity, and to endeavor to force her, it will be seenby what expedients, to renounce the judicial proceedings, which shepromised herself to take hereafter against her persecutors. At sight ofthe doctor, Mdlle. de Cardoville could not hide the aversion and disdainwith which this man inspired her. M. Baleinier, on the contrary, alwayssmiling, always courteous, approached Adrienne with perfect ease andconfidence, stopped a few steps from her, as if to study her featuresmore attentively, and then added like a man who is satisfied with theobservations he had made: "Come! the unfortunate events of the nightbefore last have had a less injurious influence than I feared. There issome improvement; the complexion is less flushed, the look calmer,the eyes still somewhat too bright, but no longer shining with suchunnatural fire. You are getting on so well! Now the cure must beprolonged--for this unfortunate night affair threw you into a stateof excitement, that was only the more dangerous from your not beingconscious of it. Happily, with care, your recovery will not, I hope, bevery much delayed." Accustomed though she was to the audacity of thistool of the Congregation, Mdlle. de Cardoville could not forbear sayingto him, with a smile of bitter disdain: "What impudence, sir, there isin your probity! What effrontery in your zeal to earn your hire! Neverfor a moment do you lay aside your mask; craft and falsehood are ever onyour lips. Really, if this shameful comedy causes you as much fatigue asit does me disgust and contempt, they can never pay you enough."

  "Alas!" said the doctor, in a sorrowful tone; "always this unfortunatedelusion, that you are not in want of our care!--that I am playing apart, when I talk to you of the sad state in which you were when we wereobliged to bring you hither by stratagem. Still, with the exception ofthis little sign of rebellious insanity, your condition has marvellouslyimproved. You are on the high-road to a complete cure. By-and-by, yourexcellent heart will render me the justice that is due to me; and, oneday, I shall be judged as I deserve."

  "I, believe it, sir; the day approaches, in which you will be judged asyou deserve," said Adrienne, laying great stress upon the two words.

  "Always that other fixed idea," said the doctor with a sort ofcommiseration. "Come, be reasonable. Do not think of this childishness."

  "What! renounce my intention to demand at the hands of justicereparation for myself, and disgrace for you and your accomplices? Never,sir--never!"

  "Well!" said the doctor, shrugging his shoulders; "once at liberty,thank heaven, you will have many other things to think of, my fairenemy."

  "You forget piously the evil that you do; but I, sir, have a bettermemory."

  "Let us talk seriously. Have you really the intention of applying to thecourts?" inquired Dr. Baleinier, in a grave tone.

  "Yes, sir, and you know that what I intend, I firmly carry out."

  "Well! I can only conjure you not to follow out this idea," replied thedoctor, in a still more solemn tone; "I ask it as a favor, in the nameof your own interest."

  "I think, sir, that you are a little too ready to confound your interestwith mine."

  "Now come," said Dr. Baleinier, with a feigned impatience, as if quitecertain of convincing Mdlle. de Cardoville on the instant; "would youhave the melancholy courage to plunge into despair two persons full ofgoodness and generosity?"

  "Only two? The jest would be complete, if you were to reckon three:you, sir, and my aunt, and Abbe d'Aigrigny; for these are no doubt thegenerous persons in whose name you implore my pity."

  "No, madame; I speak neither of myself, nor of your aunt, nor of Abbed'Aigrigny."

  "Of whom, then, sir?" asked Mdlle. de Cardoville with surprise.

  "Of two poor fellows, who, no doubt sent by those whom you call yourfriends, got into the neighboring convent the other night, and thenceinto this garden. The guns which you heard go off were fired at them."

  "Alas! I thought so. They refused to tell me if either of them waswounded," said Adrienne, with painful emotion.

  "One of them received a wound, but not very serious, since he was ableto fly and escape pursuit."

  "Thank God!" cried Mdlle. de Cardoville, clasping her hands with fervor.

  "It is quite natural that you should rejoice at their escape, butby what strange contradiction do you now wish to put the officers ofjustice on their track? A singular manner, truly, of rewarding theirdevotion!"

  "What do you say, sir?" asked Mdlle. de Cardoville.

  "For if they should be arrested," resumed Dr. Baleinier, withoutanswering her, "as they have been guilty of housebreaking and attemptedburglary, they would be sent to the galleys."

  "Heavens! and for my sake!"

  "Yes; it would be for you, and what is worse, by you, that they would becondemned."

  "By me, sir?"

  "Certainly; that is, if you follow up your vengeance against your auntand Abbe d'Aigrigny--I do not speak of myself, for I am quite safe; ina word, if you persist in laying your complaint before the magistrates,that you have been unjustly confined in this house."

  "I do not understand you, sir. Explain yourself," said Adrienne, withgrowing uneasiness.

  "Child that you are!" cried the Jesuit of the short robe, with an air ofconviction; "do you think that if the law once takes cognizance of thisaffair, you can stop short its action where and when you please? Whenyou leave this house, you lodge a complaint against me and againstyour family; well, what happens? The law interferes, inquires, callswitnesses, enters into the most minute investigations. Then, whatfollows? Why, that this nocturnal escalade, which the superior of theconvent has some interest in hushing up, for fear of scandal--that thisnocturnal attempt, I say, which I also would keep quiet, is necessarilydivulged, and as it involves a serious crime, to which a heavy penaltyis attached, the law will ferret into it, and find out these unfortunatemen, and if, as is probable, they are detained in Paris by their dutiesor occupations, or even by a false security, arising from the honorablemotives which they know to have actuated them, they will be arrested.And who will be the cause of this arrest? You, by your depositionagainst us."

  "Oh, sir! that w
ould be horrible; but it is impossible."

  "It is very possible, on the contrary," returned M. Baleinier: "so that,while I and the superior of the convent, who alone are really entitledto complain, only wish to keep quiet this unpleasant affair, it isyou--you, for whom these unfortunate men have risked the galleys--thatwill deliver them up to justice."

  Though Mdlle. de Cardoville was not completely duped by the lay Jesuit,she guessed that the merciful intentions which he expressed with regardto Dagobert and his son, would be absolutely subordinate to the courseshe might take in pressing or abandoning the legitimate vengeance whichshe meant to claim of authority. Indeed, Rodin, whose instructions thedoctor was following without knowing it, was too cunning to have it saidto Mdlle. de Cardoville: "If you attempt any proceedings, we denounceDagobert and his son;" but he attained the same end, by inspiringAdrienne with fears on the subject of her two liberators, so as toprevent her taking any hostile measures. Without knowing the exact lawon the subject, Mdlle. de Cardoville had too much good sense not tounderstand that Dagobert and Agricola might be very seriously involvedin consequence of their nocturnal adventure, and might even findthemselves in a terrible position. And yet, when she thought of allshe had suffered in that house, and of all the just resentment sheentertained in the bottom of her heart, Adrienne felt unwilling torenounce the stern pleasure of exposing such odious machinations to thelight of day. Dr. Baleinier watched with sullen attention her whom heconsidered his dupe, for he thought he could divine the cause of thesilence and hesitation of Mdlle. de Cardoville.

  "But, sir," resumed the latter, unable to conceal her anxiety, "if Iwere disposed, for whatever reason, to make no complaint, and to forgetthe wrongs I have suffered, when should I leave this place?"

  "I cannot tell; for I do not know when you will be radically cured,"said the doctor, benignantly. "You are in a very good way, but--"

  "Still this insolent and stupid acting!" broke forth Mdlle. deCardoville, interrupting the doctor with indignation. "I ask, and if itmust be, I entreat you to tell me how long I am to be shut up in thisdreadful house, for I shall leave it some day, I suppose?"

  "I hope so, certainly," said the Jesuit of the short robe, with unction;"but when, I am unable to say. Moreover, I must tell you frankly, thatevery precaution is taken against such attempts as those of the othernight; and the most vigorous watch will be maintained, to prevent yourcommunicating with any one. And all this in your own interest, that yourpoor head may not again be dangerously excited."

  "So, sir," said Adrienne, almost terrified, "compared with what awaitsme, the last few days have been days of liberty."

  "Your interest before everything," answered the doctor, in a ferventtone.

  Mdlle. de Cardoville, feeling the impotence of her indignation anddespair, heaved a deep sigh, and hid her face in her hands.

  At this moment, quick footsteps were heard in the passage, and one ofthe nurses entered, after having knocked at the door.

  "Sir," said she to the doctor, with a frightened air, "there are twogentlemen below, who wish to see you instantly, and the lady also."

  Adrienne raised her head hastily; her eyes were bathed in tears.

  "What are the names of these persons?" said M. Baleinier, muchastonished.

  "One of them said to me," answered the nurse: "'Go and inform Dr.Baleinier that I am a magistrate, and that I come on a duty regardingMdlle. de Cardoville.'"

  "A magistrate!" exclaimed the Jesuit of the short robe, growing purplein the face, and unable to hide his surprise and uneasiness.

  "Heaven be praised!" cried Adrienne, rising with vivacity, hercountenance beaming through her tears with hope and joy; "my friendshave been informed in time, and the hour of justice is arrived!"

  "Ask these persons to walk up," said Dr. Baleinier, after a moment'sreflection. Then, with a still more agitated expression of countenance,he approached Adrienne with a harsh, and almost menacing air, whichcontrasted with the habitual placidity of his hypocritical smile, andsaid to her in a low voice: "Take care, madame! do not rejoice toosoon."

  "I no longer fear you," answered Mdlle. de Cardoville, with a bright,flashing eye. "M. de Montbron is no doubt returned to Paris, and hasbeen informed in time. He accompanies the magistrate, and comes todeliver me. I pity you, sir--both you and yours," added Adrienne, withan accent of bitter irony.

  "Madame," cried M. Baleinier, no longer able to dissemble his growingalarm, "I repeat to you, take care! Remember what I have told you. Youraccusations would necessarily involve the discovery of what took placethe other night. Beware! the fate of the soldier and his son is in yourhands. Recollect they are in danger of the convict's chains."

  "Oh! I am not your dupe, sir. You are holding out a covert menace.Have at least the courage to say to me, that, if I complain to themagistrates, you will denounce the soldier and his son."

  "I repeat, that, if you make any complaint, those two people are lost,"answered the doctor, ambiguously.

  Startled by what was really dangerous in the doctor's threats, Adrienneasked: "Sir, if this magistrate questions me, do you think I will tellhim a falsehood?"

  "You will answer what is true," said M. Baleinier, hastily, in the hopeof still attaining his end. "You will answer that you were in so exciteda state of mind a few days ago, that it was thought advisable, for yourown sake, to bring you hither, without your knowing it. But you are nowso much better, that you acknowledge the utility of the measures takenwith regard to you. I will confirm these words for, after all, it is thetruth."

  "Never!" cried Mdlle. de Cardoville, with indignation, "never will I bethe accomplice of so infamous a falsehood; never will I be base enoughto justify the indignities that I have suffered!"

  "Here is the magistrate," said M. Baleinier, as he caught the sound ofapproaching footsteps. "Beware!"

  The door opened, and, to the indescribable amazement of the doctor,Rodin appeared on the threshold, accompanied by a man dressed inblack, with a dignified and severe countenance. In the interest of hisprojects, and from motives of craft and prudence that will hereafter beknown, Rodin had not informed Father d'Aigrigny, and consequentlythe doctor, of the unexpected visit he intended to pay to the asylum,accompanied by a magistrate. On the contrary, he had only the day beforegiven orders to M. Baleinier to confine Mdlle. de Cardoville still morestrictly. Therefore, imagine the stupor of the doctor when he saw thejudicial officer, whose unexpected presence and imposing aspect wereotherwise sufficiently alarming, enter the room, accompanied by Rodin,Abbe d'Aigrigny's humble and obscure secretary. From the door,Rodin, who was very shabbily dressed, as usual, pointed out Mdlle.de Cardoville to the magistrate, by a gesture at once respectful andcompassionate. Then, while the latter, who had not been able to repressa movement of admiration at sight of the rare beauty of Adrienne, seemedto examine her with as much surprise as interest, the Jesuit modestlyreceded several steps.

  Dr. Baleinier in his extreme astonishment, hoping to be understood byRodin, made suddenly several private signals, as if to interrogate himon the cause of the magistrate's visit. But this was only productive offresh amazement to M. Baleinier; for Rodin did not appear to recognizehim, or to understand his expressive pantomime, and looked at him withaffected bewilderment. At length, as the doctor, growing impatient,redoubled his mute questionings, Rodin advanced with a stride, stretchedforward his crooked neck, and said, in a loud voice: "What is yourpleasure, doctor?"

  These words, which completely disconcerted Baleinier, broke the silencewhich had reigned for some seconds, and the magistrate turned round.Rodin added, with imperturbable coolness: "Since our arrival, the doctorhas been making all sorts of mysterious signs to me. I suppose he hassomething private to communicate, but, as I have no secrets, I must beghim to speak out loud."

  This reply, so embarrassing for M. Baleinier, uttered in a tone ofaggression, and with an air of icy coldness, plunged the doctor intosuch new and deep amazement, that he remained for some moments withoutanswering. No doubt the magistrat
e was struck with this incident, andwith the silence which followed it, for he cast a look of great severityon the doctor. Mdlle. de Cardoville, who had expected to have seen M. deMontbron, was also singularly surprised.