Le Juif errant. English

by Eugène Sue

  CHAPTER XXXIII. THE ACCUSER.

  Baleinier, disconcerted for a moment by the unexpected presence of amagistrate, and by Rodin's inexplicable attitude, soon recovered hispresence of mind, and addressing his colleague of the longer robe, saidto him: "If I make signs to you, sir, it was that, while I wishedto respect the silence which this gentleman"--glancing at themagistrate--"has preserved since his entrance, I desired to express mysurprise at the unexpected honor of this visit."

  "It is to the lady that I will explain the reason for my silence, andbeg her to excuse it," replied the magistrate, as he made a half-bow toAdrienne, whom he thus continued to address: "I have just receivedso serious a declaration with regard to you, madame, that I could notforbear looking at you for a moment in silence, to see if I could readin your countenance or in your attitude, the truth or falsehood of theaccusation that has been placed in my hands; and I have every reason tobelieve that it is but too well founded."

  "May I at length be informed, sir," said Dr. Baleinier, in a polite butfirm tone, "to whom I have the honor of speaking?"

  "Sir, I am juge d'instruction, and I have come to inform myself as to afact which has been pointed out to me--"

  "Will you do me the honor to explain yourself, sir?" said the doctor,bowing.

  "Sir," resumed the magistrate, M. de Gernande, a man of about fiftyyears of age, full of firmness and straightforwardness, and knowing howto unite the austere duties of his position with benevolent politeness,"you are accused of having committed--a very great error, not to use aharsher expression. As for the nature of that error, I prefer believing,sir, that you (a first rate man of science) may have been deceived inthe calculation of a medical case, rather than suspect you of havingforgotten all that is sacred in the exercise of a profession that isalmost a priesthood."

  "When you specify the facts, sir," answered the Jesuit of the shortrobe, with a degree of haughtiness, "it will be easy for me to provethat my reputation as a man of science is no less free from reproach,than my conscience as a man of honor."

  "Madame," said M. de Gernande, addressing Adrienne, "is it true that youwere conveyed to this house by stratagem?"

  "Sir," cried M. Baleinier, "permit me to observe, that the manner inwhich you open this question is an insult to me."

  "Sir, it is to the lady that I have the honor of addressing myself,"replied M. de Gernande, sternly; "and I am the sole judge of thepropriety of my questions."

  Adrienne was about to answer affirmatively to the magistrate, when anexpressive took from Dr. Baleinier reminded her that she would perhapsexpose Dagobert and his son to cruel dangers. It was no base and vulgarfeeling of vengeance by which Adrienne was animated, but a legitimateindignation, inspired by odious hypocrisy. She would have thought itcowardly not to unmask the criminals; but wishing to avoid compromisingothers, she said to the magistrate, with an accent full of mildness anddignity: "Permit me, sir, in my turn, rather to ask you a question."

  "Speak, madame."

  "Will the answer I make be considered a formal accusation?"

  "I have come hither, madame, to ascertain the truth, and noconsideration should induce you to dissemble it."

  "So be it, sir," resumed Adrienne; "but suppose, having just causes ofcomplaint, I lay them before you, in order to be allowed to leave thishouse, shall I afterwards be at liberty not to press the accusations Ihave made?"

  "You may abandon proceedings, madame, but the law will take up your casein the name of society, if its rights have been inured in your person."

  "Shall I then not be allowed to pardon? Should I not be sufficientlyavenged by a contemptuous forgetfulness of the wrongs I have suffered?"

  "Personally, madame, you may forgive and forget; but I have the honorto repeat to you, that society cannot show the same indulgence, ifit should turn out that you have been the victim of a criminalmachination--and I have every reason to fear it is so. The manner inwhich you express yourself, the generosity of your sentiments, thecalmness and dignity of your attitude, convince me that I have been wellinformed."

  "I hope, sir," said Dr. Baleinier, recovering his coolness, "that youwill at least communicate the declaration that has been made to you."

  "It has been declared to me, sir," said the magistrate, in a sternvoice, "that Mdlle. de Cardoville was brought here by stratagem."

  "By stratagem?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "It is true. The lady was brought here by stratagem," answered theJesuit of the short robe, after a moment's silence.

  "You confess it, then?" said M. de Gernande.

  "Certainly I do, sir. I admit that I had recourse to means which we areunfortunately too often obliged to employ, when persons who most needour assistance are unconscious of their own sad state."

  "But, sir," replied the magistrate, "it has also been declared to me,that Mdlle. de Cardoville never required such aid."

  "That, sir, is a question of medical jurisprudence, which has to beexamined and discussed," said M. Baleinier, recovering his assurance.

  "It will, indeed, sir, be seriously discussed; for you are accused ofconfining Mdlle. De Cardoville, while in the full possession of all herfaculties."

  "And may I ask you for what purpose?" said M. de Baleinier, with aslight shrug of the shoulders, and in a tone of irony. "What interesthad I to commit such a crime, even admitting that my reputation did notplace me above so odious and absurd a charge?"

  "You are said to have acted, sir, in furtherance of a family plot,devised against Mdlle. de Cardoville for a pecuniary motive."

  "And who has dared, sir, to make so calumnious a charge?" cried Dr.Baleinier, with indignant warmth. "Who has had the audacity to accusea respectable, and I dare to say, respected man, of having been theaccomplice in such infamy?"

  "I," said Rodin, coldly.

  "You!" cried Dr. Baleinier, falling back two steps, as if thunderstruck.

  "Yes, I accuse you," repeated Rodin, in a clear sharp voice.

  "Yes, it was this gentleman who came to me this morning, with ampleproofs, to demand my interference in favor of Mdlle. de Cardoville,"said the magistrate, drawing back a little, to give Adrienne theopportunity of seeing her defender.

  Throughout this scene, Rodin's name had not hitherto been mentioned.Mdlle. de Cardoville had often heard speak of the Abbe d'Aigrigny'ssecretary in no very favorable terms; but, never having seen him, shedid not know that her liberator was this very Jesuit. She thereforelooked towards him, with a glance in which were mingled curiosity,interest, surprise and gratitude. Rodin's cadaverous countenance, hisrepulsive ugliness, his sordid dress, would a few days before haveoccasioned Adrienne a perhaps invincible feeling of disgust. But theyoung lady, remembering how the sempstress, poor, feeble, deformed,and dressed almost in rags was endowed notwithstanding her wretchedexterior, with one of the noblest and most admirable hearts, recalledthis recollection in favor of the Jesuit. She forgot that he was uglyand sordid, only to remember that he was old, that he seemed poor, andthat he had come to her assistance. Dr. Baleinier, notwithstanding hiscraft, notwithstanding his audacious hypocrisy, in spite even of hispresence of mind, could not conceal how much he was disturbed by Rodin'sdenunciation. His head became troubled as he remembered how, on thefirst day of Adrienne's confinement in this house, the implacable appealof Rodin, through the hole in the door, had prevented him (Baleinier)from yielding to emotions of pity, inspired by the despair of thisunfortunate young girl, driven almost to doubt of her own reason. Andyet it was this very Rodin, so cruel, so inexorable, the devoted agentof Father d'Aigrigny, who denounced him (Baleinier), and brought amagistrate to set Adrienne at liberty--when, only the day before, Fatherd'Aigrigny had ordered an increase of severity towards her!

  The lay Jesuit felt persuaded that Rodin was betraying Father d'Aigrignyin the most shameful manner, and that Mdlle. de Cardoville's friends hadbribed and bought over this scoundrelly secretary. Exasperated by whathe considered a monstrous piece of treachery, the doctor exclaimed, in avoice broken wit
h rage: "And it is you, sir, that have the impudence toaccuse me--you, who only a few days ago--"

  Then, reflecting that the retort upon Rodin would be self-accusation,he appeared to give way to an excess of emotion, and resumed withbitterness: "Ah, sir, you are the last person that I should have thoughtcapable of this odious denunciation. It is shameful!"

  "And who had a better right than I to denounce this infamy?" answeredRodin, in a rude, overbearing tone. "Was I not in a position tolearn--unfortunately, too late--the nature of the conspiracy of whichMdlle. de Cardoville and others have been the victims? Then, what wasmy duty as an honest man? Why, to inform the magistrate, to prove what Iset forth, and to accompany him hither. That is what I have done."

  "So, sir," said the doctor, addressing the magistrate, "it is not onlymyself that this man accuses, but he dares also--"

  "I accuse the Abbe d'Aigrigny," resumed Rodin, in a still louder andmore imperative tone, interrupting the doctor, "I accuse the Princess deSaint-Dizier, I accuse you, sir--of having, from a vile motive of selfinterest, confined Mdlle. de Cardoville in this house, and the twodaughters of Marshal Simon in the neighboring convent. Is that clear?"

  "Alas! it is only too true," said Adrienne, hastily. "I have seen thosepoor children all in tears, making signs of distress to me."

  The accusation of Rodin, with regard to the orphans, was a new andfearful blow for Dr. Baleinier. He felt perfectly convinced that thetraitor had passed clear over to the enemy's camp. Wishing therefore toput an end to this embarrassing scene, he tried to put a good face onthe matter, in spite of his emotion, and said to the magistrate:

  "I might confine myself, sir, to silence--disdaining to answer suchaccusations, till a judicial decision had given them some kind ofauthority. But, strong in a good conscience I address myself to Mdlle.de Cardoville, and I beg her to say if this very morning I did notinform her, that her health would soon be sufficiently restored to allowher to leave this house. I conjure her, in the name of her well-knownlove of truth to state if such was not my language, when I was alonewith her--"

  "Come, sir!" said Rodin, interrupting Baleinier with an insolent air;"suppose that, from pure generosity, this dear young lady were to admitas much--what will it prove in your favor?--why, nothing at all."

  "What, sir," cried the doctor, "do you presume--"

  "I presume to unmask you, without asking your leave. What have you justtold us? Why, that being alone with Mdlle. de Cardoville, you talked toher as if she were really mad. How very conclusive!"

  "But, sir--" cried the doctor.

  "But, sir," resumed Rodin, without allowing him to continue, "it isevident that, foreseeing the possibility of what has occurred to-day,and, to provide yourself with a hole to creep out at, you have pretendedto believe your own execrable falsehood, in presence of this poor younglady, that you might afterwards call in aid the evidence of your ownassumed conviction. Come, sir! such stories will not go down with peopleof common sense or common humanity."

  "Come now, sir!" exclaimed Baleinier, angrily.

  "Well, sir," resumed Rodin, in a still louder voice, which completelydrowned that of the doctor; "is it true, or is it not, that you haverecourse to the mean evasion of ascribing this odious imprisonment to ascientific error? I affirm that you do so, and that you think yourselfsafe, because you can now say: 'Thanks to my care, the young lady hasrecovered her reason. What more would you have?'"

  "Yes, I do say that, sir, and I maintain it."

  "You maintain a falsehood; for it is proven that the lady never lost herreason for a moment."

  "But I, sir, maintain that she did lose it."

  "And I, sir, will prove the contrary," said Rodin.

  "You? How will you do that?" cried the doctor.

  "That I shall take care not to tell you at present, as you maywell suppose," answered Rodin, with an ironical smile, adding withindignation: "But, really, sir, you ought to die for shame, to dare toraise such a question in presence of the lady. You should at least havespared her this discussion."

  "Sir!"

  "Oh, fie, sir! I say, fie! It is odious to maintain this argument beforeher--odious if you speak truth, doubly odious if you lie," said Rodin,with disgust.

  "This violence is inconceivable!" cried the Jesuit of the short robe,exasperated; "and I think the magistrate shows great partiality inallowing such gross calumnies to be heaped upon me!"

  "Sir," answered M. de Gernande, severely, "I am entitled not only tohear, but to provoke any contradictory discussion that may enlightenme in the execution of my duty; it results from all this, that, even inyour opinion, sir, Mdlle. de Cardoville's health is sufficiently good toallow her to return home immediately."

  "At least, I do not see any very serious inconvenience likely to arisefrom it, sir," said the doctor: "only I maintain that the cure is notso complete as it might have been, and, on this subject, I decline allresponsibility for the future."

  "You can do so, safely," said Rodin; "it is not likely that the younglady will ever again have recourse to your honest assistance."

  "It is useless, therefore, to employ my official authority, to demandthe immediate liberation of Mdlle. de Cardoville," said the magistrate.

  "She is free," said Baleinier, "perfectly free."

  "As for the question whether you have imprisoned her on the plea of asuppositious madness, the law will inquire into it, sir, and you will beheard."

  "I am quite easy, sir," answered M. Baleinier, trying to look so; "myconscience reproaches me with nothing."

  "I hope it may turn out well, sir," said M. de Gernande. "However badappearances may be, more especially when persons of your station insociety are concerned, we should always wish to be convinced of theirinnocence." Then, turning to Adrienne, he added: "I understand, madame,how painful this scene must be to all your feelings of delicacy andgenerosity; hereafter, it will depend upon yourself, either to proceedfor damages against M. Baleinier, or to let the law take its course.One word more. The bold and upright man"--here the magistrate pointedto Rodin--"who has taken up your cause in so frank and disinterested amanner, expressed a belief that you would, perhaps, take charge for thepresent of Marshal Simon's daughters, whose liberation I am about todemand from the convent where they also are confined by stratagem."

  "The fact is, sir," replied Adrienne, "that, as soon as I learned thearrival of Marshal Simon's daughters in Paris, my intention was to offerthem apartments in my house. These young ladies are my near relations.It is at once a duty and a pleasure for me to treat them as sisters. Ishall, therefore, be doubly grateful to you, sir, if you will trust themto my care."

  "I think that I cannot serve them better," answered M. de Gernande.Then, addressing Baleinier, he added, "Will you consent, sir, to mybringing these two ladies hither? I will go and fetch them, while Mdlle.de Cardoville prepares for her departure. They will then be able toleave this house with their relation."

  "I entreat the lady to make use of this house as her own, until sheleaves it," replied M. Baleinier. "My carriage shall be at her orders totake her home."

  "Madame," said the magistrate, approaching Adrienne, "without prejudgingthe question, which must soon be decided by, a court of law, I may atleast regret that I was not called in sooner. Your situation must havebeen a very cruel one."

  "There will at least remain to me, sir, from this mournful time,"said Adrienne, with graceful dignity, "one precious and touchingremembrance--that of the interest which you have shown me. I hope thatyou will one day permit me to thank you, at my own home, not for thejustice you have done me, but for the benevolent and paternal manner inwhich you have done it. And moreover, sir," added Mdlle. de Cardoville,with a sweet smile, "I should like to prove to you, that what they callmy cure is complete."

  M. de Gernande bowed respectfully in reply. During the abort dialogue ofthe magistrate with Adrienne, their backs were both turned to Baleinierand Rodin. The latter, profiting by this moment's opportunity, hastilyslipped into the doctor's hand a note j
ust written with a pencil in thebottom of his hat. Baleinier looked at Rodin in stupefied amazement. Butthe latter made a peculiar sign, by raising his thumb to his forehead,and drawing it twice across his brow. Then he remained impassible. Thishad passed so rapidly, that when M. de Gernande turned round, Rodin wasat a distance of several steps from Dr. Baleinier, and looking at Mdlle.de Cardoville with respectful interest.

  "Permit me to accompany you, sir," said the doctor, preceding themagistrate, whom Mdlle. de Cardoville saluted with much affability. Thenboth went out, and Rodin remained alone with the young lady.

  After conducting M. de Gernande to the outer door of the house, M.Baleinier made haste to read the pencil-note written by Rodin; it ran asfollows: "The magistrate is going to the convent, by way of the street.Run round by the garden, and tell the Superior to obey the order Ihave given with regard to the two young girls. It is of the utmostimportance."

  The peculiar sign which Rodin had made, and the tenor of this note,proved to Dr. Baleinier, who was passing from surprise to amazement,that the secretary, far from betraying the reverend father, was stillacting for the Greater Glory of the Lord. However, whilst he obeyed theorders, M. Baleinier sought in vain to penetrate the motives of Rodin'sinexplicable conduct, who had himself informed the authorities of anaffair that was to have been hushed up, and that might have the mostdisastrous consequences for Father d'Aigrigny, Madame de Saint-Dizier,and Baleinier himself. But let us return to Rodin, left alone withMdlle, de Cardoville.