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This Edition

is

Copies,

Limited

to

One Hundred Numbered

on " Old English, Spartan^

This copy

is

No.

iO-

THE AMOURS
OF THE

CHEVALIER DE FAUBLAS
JOHN BAPTISTE LOUVET DE COUVRAY
FOUNDED ON HISTORICAL FACTS.

INTERSPERSED

WITH MOST REMARKABLE NARRATIVES

'

LITERAL UNEXPURGATED TRANSLATION

FROM THE PARIS EDITION OF

VOLUME

1821

IV

WITH NUMEROUS BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS

ETCHED BY LOUIS MONZIES
FROM DRAWINGS BY PAUL AVRIL

EDITION STRICTLY LIMITED TO ONE

HUNDRED COPIES

LONDON
PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR SOCIETE DES BIBLIOPHILES

DCCCXCVIII

\i'\<t

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in

2008

with funding from

IVIicrosoft

Corporation

http://www.archive.org/details/amoursofchevalie04louv

CONCLUSION OF THE AMOURS

OF THE

CHEVALIER DE FAUBLAS.
The

Marchioness at

stupefied

first cast

What

look.

around her a
her

object has struck

dream that torments her ? Her

mouth utters a few incoherent words and tired
with a first effort, her eyes close again. Soon
after, for the second time, her hands drop down,
eyes

Is

it

and she re-opens her weighed-down

Madame

de

the female
surprise.

is

phantom whose presence

She has recovered,

use of her senses

eyelids.

enabled to consider anew

creates her

at last, the entire

more composed survey con-

no dream, but that she has

fallen into the hands of her most mortal enemy.
It was less difficult, however, to surprise and

vinces her that

attack

Madame

overpower her;

it is

de
it

than to intimidate and

was she who commenced the

1

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

2
contest;
first

was Madame de Fonrose

whom

the

Marchioness. Although I was

want of rest than of visits, I am

in

it

blow was aimed

at.

The
greater

lighted to see you,

Madame

la

de-

Baronne.

Delighted saying a great

Vicomte exaggerates.
The Makchioness. You
modest, madam!
The Baeoness. ^You are
The Countess
the Baroness). You are
not
yourself; wherefore did you awake him
I had begged of you madam
you
me
The Baeoness.

deal, I

apprehend M.

is

le

are so

so polite, sir!

(to

so

let

that I should be very

much

tell

displeased if

were to pick a quarrel with him in

my

Do

The Baeoness (with a laugh).

you

house.
scold

me,

I advise you.

The Marchioness, astonished

at

what the

Countess had been saying, looked as if she was

asking

me

give

her in a whisper

it

for an explanation,
;

I was going to

the Baroness prevented

me.

The Baeoness (running between

chioness and Faublas).

you

please.

ISTo,

the

Mar-

by no means,

I doubt not but you have

things to say to one another; but you

if

many
must

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Well do I disturb you ? Speak,

who have been better trained.
jou
Vicomte,
M. le
The Marchioness. Madame is going to
speak aloud

persuade

me

am: no one knows more about

than she does, her suffrage

it

worth a thou-

is

sand; her long experience

The Baroness

Would

(in a faltering voice).

not one think I

am

Long!

a hundred years

old!

The Marchioness (apparently concerned).

Ah I beg pardon, I have hurt you, madam.
The Baroness. Hurt me! not in the least.
The Marchioness (ironically). I have
!

though.

Madame

has retreated,

Madame

ceased the attack, to think of the defence.

how sorry I am
The Baroness.
for there

You

is

You need not grieve much,

(To Faublas.)

no harm done.

do not speak,

FAirBi.AS.

has

Ah

my fair young lady.

am

listening to

what

is

said,

I suffer much, and I am waiting.

The Countess. And I likewise wait very
impatiently for the end of this contest.

The Count. For my part, so far, I

understand much about this quarrel what
:

see very plain

is,

don't

I can

that your souls are all affected.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

The Baeoness
blas).

This

spirits,

it

(to the Countess

contest tires you.

will not last long.

Vicomte.) I

am certain

this

and Fau-

Keep up your

(Pointing

to

the

gentleman will have

the goodness to put an end to

it

presently, by

bidding us farewell.

The Count. I have caught it at last. You

my own opinion; it is a love affair of
these young persons
The Countess. You presume, Madame, in
are of

my
I

whom

house, to use an individual so bad, to

under the greatest obligations!

lie

The Baroness (laughing)

ligations

The Countess
greatest.

Had

it

(giddily).

The
To be

greatest ob-

not been for him,

sure, the

Mon-

all

targis

Well! MonFaublas (with great hurry).

Fontainebleau, Madame means.
The Countess. Yes, yes All FontaineFontainebleau.
bleau
The Marchioness
Countess). How
The Count

(inquisitively).

all

targis

It

is

all

all

(to the

We

might have procured assistance for

Mademoiselle there.
It was much better unso

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
doubtedly

to leave that place;

but when I ad-

vised you so to do, I only rendered you a very

little service.

The Countess (low

witty he

all

come

How

is

The Baroness.
ing

to the Baroness).

Be

you may

entitled to

it

so

but notwithstand-

wish to be-

say, Countess, I

your everlasting gratitude; I

wish to rid you of that gentleman.

The Countess. What an obstinacy!

The Baroness. Don't be angry.

appeal

to

Vicomte

the

own-

The Countess.

Your

Hear me,
he

himself;

behaviour,

will

Madame,

very strange, quite unpardonable; and although this gentleman had been guilty towards
is

you of

fifty infidelities

The Baroness
He!
The Countess.
The Baroness.
The Countess.

(laughing).

Yes,

you.

Do you

Infidelities?

Certainly.

Infidelities

think I

ing been your lover

am

towards

infidelities

me ?

he

towards

ignorant of his hav-

The Baroness. He! my lover?

The Count. Hush! Hush! don't

let

us

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

I don't like such topics

speak of those things.

of conversation.

Indeed,
Baeoness. He! my

The Countess.

What

sir,

I admire you!

has this to do with what you dislike!

The

pleasant

(She bursts

story!

Countess, pray inform

What

lover?

me who

out laughing.)
told

you

^Lit-

CunBrumont, probably. (To Faublas.)

ning little miss
How truly, don't you know
better ? How could you presume to make me a
present of the kind ? Would you be so daring
tle

as to repeat the burlesque accusation before

my

face

Faublas. Why not ? if you force me.

And you,
The Baroness. Well answered
M. le Vicomte, will you dare also to maintain
Indeed, that would be the only thing
it?

wanted

to render this adventure truly ludicrous.

The Marchioness. Madame, there are conquests which a young man publishes through
vanity

there are des bonnes fortunes which pru-

dence will not allow him to acknowledge having

fallen to his lot:

it

rests

with you

to

decide

whether I can be indiscreet.

The Baroness. Why, truly I

you would be strangely puzzled

consider that
if

you were

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

obliged to reveal all your conquests: without

compliment, I believe they have already been

numerous;

at Versailles for instance,

you are

in a fair way.

Exactly
saw him.
The Baroness.
The Count.

Is

so

there

it

was that I

not owing to

it

women

introducing you, that you are patronised by the

Minister

The Count (low

Oh

but

if

he

is

to

the Baroness).

Oh!

patronised by the Minister, you

must not speak to him as you do; you should

keep upon good terms with him.
The Marchioness. There are some folks
who don't believe it, and who notwithstanding
will set the

example. The

eluded answering

sumed

to

my

lady, meanwhile, has

question

she has not pre-

determine whether I should be indis-

creet.

The Baeoness

(in an

ill

humour).

I have

decided you should.

The Marchioness.

You

I refuse your decision; I

act

from modesty

demand

we

call

Let us

see.

that

the votes.

The Baroness.
Monsieur

le

agree to

Comte, speak

first.

it.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

The Marchioness.

When

derstand me.

No,

no,

you do not un-

the accused party

person of your consequence,

it is

small committee that the enquiry

place

is

to

take

town and

in a case of that sort, the court,

country, are to be applied

is

not before a

to.

The Baroness. That is too impertinent.

The Countess. You deserve as much. Why
did you awake him ? why do you offer to turn
him out of my house ?
The Baroness (to the Countess). To speak

the truth I ought not to be angry, for

it is

only

what might amuse me much

is to see you side with them against me.
However, there must be an end to all this.
I am
to be laughed at;

expected

time to

(she looks her watch)

Monsieur Vicomte
at

lose.

le

walk back home: he

tion, I

riage

of a delicate constitu-

beg of him to hand

where he

I engage to carry

him back

stay here.

my

car-

to Fontainebleau

is

I am very thankful for

Madame la Baronne; but

Comtesse will permit, I shall

the obliging offers of

la

to

The Marchioness.

Madame

me down

will not object to take a place.

that polite enough

since

is

I have no

would not


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

You are

The Countess.
The Baroness
right,

right.

Countess).

the

(to

He

is

undoubtedly, and you do very well to

applaud him.
in earnest

(To the Marchioness).

The Marchioness.
here so long as

Quite

Mademoiselle

I shall stay

so.

is

Are you

in danger,

and

I shall not be troublesome to the Countess.

The Baroness. Do you expect I will leave

you here ?
The Marchioness. I can't see by what
means you can force me to go away.
The Baroness (angrily). How audacious!

think, I need but speak one single word.

Only
The Marchioness (with great composure).

You

will not speak

out

it

The Baroness. Who will prevent me?

The Marchioness. A moment's reflection.
I

am

my

well aware that you are acquainted with

secret; but look round,

advantage could those

derive in consequence

The Countess
does that mean ?
FAUBI.AS.

and

tell

whom you

me what
reveal

(low

That

will explain it to

to

to

Faublas).

What

concerns your husband.

you by and by.

it,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

IQ

The Marchioness (to the Baroness, in a

The Countess is light-headed;
friendly tone).

in a

fit

of rage she might forget herself; I beg

you will not provoke her.

The Bakoness (low). I

shall find

send M. de Lignolle away.

The Maechioness

(aloud).

means to

I do not

believe

it.

The Baeoness. Who will prevent me ?

The Maechioness. That lady, mademoi-

and myself.
The Baeoness.

selle,

Monsieur Vicomte,
both go out
The Maechioness.
speak
The Baroness. I
you.
defy

I
The Maechioness.
The Baeoness. I had heard prodigious

let

le

us

together.

!N'o.

will

out.

en-

comiums on your incomparable merit; but

Fame, who publishes feats of gallantry deserving of being kept in memory, and who commonly exaggerates
The Maechioness (ironically). Do not
That Fame has not spoken to you
flatter me.

about me.

You know

well she has no longer

time of speaking of anyone

made

it

your business

else, since

you Have

to find her occupation.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
The Baroness
less,

has some

you.

(ironically).

She,

neverthe-

leisure hours left to chatter about

She says that after having

selected

from

the throng the fortunate object of your affection

Marchioness. Selected from the

throng So much the better for my mistress and
It is an example which I set
for myself.

The

to

my

some females of

when they

take a lover, do not select

the throng, but

They,

acquaintance.

make him an

him from

additional

mem-

ber.

The Baroness. You will never be ranked

among them: you who distinguish yourself by
so

many

divers talents

circumstances,

know

you, who, according to

so well

how

to

change your

tone, temper, behaviour, name, and so

The Marchioness. Hush! take care, Madame la Baronne, your sang froid has left you,
you are going
Countess and
take care.

to say

Faublas) you will expose us;

at

It

something; (looking at the

is

seldom dangerous

one's tongue; but frequently

speak.

The Baroness.
please,

Monsieur

A word
le

Comte

it

is

to

hold

perilous to

in your ear, if

you

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

12

The Marchioness (to the Countess). Believe me, madam, allow no secrets.
The Countess (to her husband). I will not
have you speak to her.
The Baroness. But
The Countess (to the Baroness). Neither
shall you speak to him.
The Baroness (to the Count). Since it is
so
I beg your pardon but I must beg of you
to leave us for a moment.
The Marchioness (to the Coimtess). Do
not let him go.
The Countess (to her husband). I will not
have you leave the place.
The Count (muttering). Never mind, you

need not mention

can

see,

it;

nothing escapes me.

notwithstanding her assuming a good

countenance, that the Baroness's soul

is affected

with regard to that young man, since he has

so

much

credit with the minister, I conceive

he must not have occasion to complain of being

ill-treated

world

in

my

house.

But I know

the

a man, a master of the house especially,

always commands respect; (aloud) so,

must stay to prevent quarrelling?
The Marchioness. Yes, do stay.

then, I

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
The Countess.

Stay.

Faublas. Stay.
The Baroness. Since everyone
so,

stay then.

13

will have

it

This turns out in a pleasant man-

would occasion me too much ill-humour,

(She laughs very
if I were not amused.
Countess, give me your hand; they
heartily.)

ner;

it

are playing you

some

trick

let

am made game of also.

All together. Explain.
The Count (rubbing his

for I

the Countess:

They

hands.

enter-

and was saying

tained a confused idea,

are

so to

making game of

her.

But should not be sorry

explain
manner:
what
know in
they know I
The Baroness. Why,

(To
to

us shake hands,

the Baroness.)

it.

truly,

cannot explain: I

am

I must wait.

sensible

Well! patience. (She takes a chair.)

The Marchioness.
dam.

The Baroness.
polite, sir!

rather

The observation
situated,

was anxious

me, but since your going

I

is

not very

however, on account of your being

awkwardly

confess I

You were expected, maI forgive you.

to take
is

demand being permitted

you away with

so positively opposed,
to stop

with you.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

14

The Countess. Just as you please.

The Marchioness (to the Count). I beg
you will not keep standing, sir. (She reaches
him a chair.)
The Baeoness. Madame de Lignolle does
not mind that excess of attention.
The Count. Quite the reverse, I am very
(He reaches a chair to the Marthankful.

chioness.)

They

all sit

my

round

bed, and their respect-

ive countenances deserve being noticed.

The Countess

divides her affectionate atten-

tion between the Marchioness

and me; and

sometimes she seems to recollect that

de Fonrose
tent, either

is present, it is to

by a sulky

look,

if

Madame

show her disconor a disobliging

monosyllable.

M. de

Lignolle absolutely neglects the Bar-

oness; the whole attention of the courtier

directed towards

M. de

Florville,

young man who was in such high

the

minister;

he

approaches,

is

upon that
credit with

caresses,

and

strangely importunes him.

The Vicomte receives with modesty the thanks

of

Madame, and almost with

vances of Monsieur.

By

dignity the ad-

the entire security

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

15

whicli he affects, one would have thought that

he had forgotten his danger and his adversary

but the

less

he seems to pay attention to them,

the more I presume he keeps them in mind.

Every now and then

Florville

casts

the

at

Baroness a proud, imperious, and triumphant

look

if the

would

it

not be incomprehensible, however,

Marchioness, exaggerating to herself her

advantages, and losing sight of her position,

should consider an enemy as beaten who had

not yet

left the field

of battle

warrior, wondering at the

the second attack

inspires

me

obstinacy

As

for me, timid

first success,

though the courage of

I dread

my

ally

with confidence, the indefatigable

of her

antagonist

intimidates

and doubtful which of the two

is to

me;

carry the

day, I hope, I tremble, I admire, and observe

in silence.

The Baroness, though single-handed, makes

game of them all. She punishes the Count, who
impolitely neglects her, by praising enthusiastically whatever he says; to be revenged of

my

perfidious tricks, she darts at me, by stealth, a

reprobating and caressing glance

seems to convey
proaches.

To

a look which

at once congratulations

and

re-

the unjust anger of the Countess,

!
:

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

16

she opposes only long bursts of laughter; and

with a bitter and threatening smile, she beats

back the majestic glance of her haughty rival.

I see her at last involved in deep thought;
next she rises from her seat, goes into the gallery, calls one of her servants, gives him orders

and

as she returns to us, is heard to say aloud

Let

my

coachman get ready.

my coachman get ready ? " Did she
O my guardian
speak those words?

" Let
really

genius

protecting angel of the Marchioness

I return you thanks, the victory will be ours.

In compliance with the Count's

the Baroness allowing
versation

desire,

and

the old topic of con-

M. de LignoUe

was resumed.

vited Florville not to

menced

it,

in-

neglect charades, com-

pompous eulogium on

the affections

of the soul, and of the soul of a courtier.

quarter of an hour had elapsed: on a sudden,

we heard

fowling piece

of the chateau,

cries

fired,

of to

and in the yard

arms! poachers!

poachers

At this hue and cry, M. de Lignolle thinks

no more of charades, the Vicomte, or the court,
but rises, leaves us, and rushes on in a great
hurry.

The Countess,

either to quiet or to de-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
tain him, offers to run after

IJ

him but Ma'iame

;

de Fonrose stops her, saying

Don't be alarmed,
conception, to call

it is

spite of you, to turn

My
Alas!

of!

By

You

rival

yes,

my

suffer yourself to be

Only look

at the

poor dear

made

Can you

a dupe

supposed young man.

the shape, and the features, can

take a female

in

your rival out of doors.

The Countess.
The Baroness,
child!

my

only a trick of

away your husband, and

you mis-

witness her artifice, her

perfidiousness, her incomprehensible audacity,

and not know ?

The Countess.

The

Marchioness de

Great God

The Marchioness (to Faublas). I leave

you with regret my friend; but I shall hear
(To Madame de Fonrose, in a menacof you.
Rely upon my gratitude, Madame
ing tone).
la

Baronne

exposing

and yet keep

me by

Madame

de

my

secret,

beware of

divulging this adventure.

Lignolle).

Adieu,

(To

Madame

la

Comtesse if you are reasonable enough to harbour no resentment against Vicomte de Florville, he engages not to reveal your unguarded
;

conduct to the Marchioness de


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

18

She went out;

tlie

Baroness followed her.

form a just idea of the raging

transports of the Countess, it would not suffice
to be as irascible and violent as she was; one
must, besides, burn with a like fire to that
which devours her. At first, the excess of her
In order

to

amazement suspended the

excess of her fury;

but the frightening calm did not last long, and

the explosion

was

I saw

terrible.

Lignolle shiver and turn pale

Madame

de

then on a sudden,

her whole frame appeared agitated by a convulsive motion;

trembled,

her

her

eyes

throat

swelled,

her lips

were inflamed, her face

turned of a purple violet colour

she attempted

to cry out, but could utter only stifled groans,

her feet beat the ground, her weak

fist

got

bruised against the furniture, she tore her hair

off; she

even dared to

lift

a sacrilegious

hand

against her charming face, whence blood immediately issued

from

several scratches.

accident for herself and for

have foreseen that cruel

Worn

me

effect of

What an

but I could not

her despair.

out as I was, I collected powers enough to

be able to get out of bed, I tried to drag myself

close to her: the

see

me

unhappy creature did not even

she rushed towards the door, and in a

Ifell prostrate on

my

knees

Pajie 10.

and on my hands.

"

was; one
..^

At.

-r.

to

.e

...

<>Hg

that

of her

'e

T and
ame aj
m; he

iy

eyes

r
i

a purple

it,

.1

face

colour: she attempted

" 'vv

but coul

beat the

a eon-

her lips
her

vi^^ifi

-lif^rd

'cak

ised against the

ofi; she

groans,
fist

g^ot

tnro her hai'-

even dared

for herself
wii

r?

could not

;t-r

despair.

vers enough to
.0

drag mjseif

iture did not even

the door,

fUsbeu

.or

9hb'i

and in a

v^

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
stifled voice, said:

her be brought back to

let

That I may
I may murder her
dear Eleanor!
heard me,

me, that I may be revenged

her to pieces

Eleanor!

my

19

tear

that

she

me

turned round, and saw

in the middle of the

apartment; beside herself, she hurried towards

me

do you wish to follow her

well go

go

man, and never let me see you again

^what can detain you ? she is waiting for you
she is waiting for the reward of her enormities.
Go to enjoy with her my disgrace, your ingratitude, and her infamy.
Go, run but remember
that if I can meet you together, I will immolate
you both.
She had seized my arm, which she kept shaking with all her might; I fell prostrate on my
knees and on my hands. She cried out: but it
was not a scream of rage. Anger had already
made room for fear. Eleanor, how can you
perfidious

imagine that in

my

present situation, I should

I wished to join you,

think of following her

my

to justify myself, to sue

for

beloved, I

wanted

forgiveness,

to

offer

you

consolation.

Eleanor, hear me, be calm, I beg of you

my

sake, for

for

your own sake, spare your many

charms; spare that skin so

soft,

so white,

and

20

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

those

little

sweet Lands, those long floating hairs,

that so charming face

Oh

you,

whom

the god

of love purposely made so handsome, beware of

altering one of his most pleasing works, respect

a thousand attractions formed to be caressed,

and procure the most exquisite pleasures.
Whenever you have the misfortune of making your mistress angry, you must endeavour to
soothe her immediately; and whoever, in such
an occurrence, feels incapable of acting, should
at least say something, and for want of having it
in his power to do better, he ought, as a sub-

urge passionate

stitute for tender caresses, to

encomiums, and season the

with

all

the

warmth

flattering discourse

the consoling action

have been susceptible

Such

of.

is

would

the ordinary

advice which love suggests, and that love inspired

me

to abide

by: yet I cannot positively

affiTm that the Countess was appeased by that

alone.

It appeared to

fear, after

me

very plausible, that

removing anger, had made room for

my tender-hearted friend,
of my situation, more than
forgot my wrongs, to think

compassion, and that

moved

at the sight

my

fair words,

by

only of

my

danger.

Be

it

as it

may,

if

I under-

stood the cause, the effect was not to be mis-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Madame

construed.

21

de Lignolle raised

me

supported me, helped

to get into

me

up,

bed again,

and then sitting close to me, she leaned towards me, and hid her face on my bosom, which
she watered with her tears.

The Countess changed her

heard
cious

Madame

attitude

when

de Fonrose approaching.

God exclaimed

what a

the latter,

she

Grafigure

and after applying a handkerchief to the face of

her friend, she added Madam, I have told you
many a time already, that when a young handsome woman was angry she might weep, groan,
;

scold her maids, quarrel with her lover,

plague her husband

her

own

face.

and

but that she must spare

and, above all things, her sweet

self,

I, nevertheless,

thought that in the

first

access of your passion, you would have acted

But I could not have stopped with you.
rashly
What is become of Madame de B ? asked
Madame de Lignolle. She nobly refused my
carriage
which she had no occasion for. The
!

sly

in

Vicomte had made himself quite

your house

he kept a servant of

in gay clothes, in your hall,

in

your

stables.

Countess,

What

and

at

his,

home

dressed

woman

a pair of horses
!

exclaimed the

with extreme vivacity;

how auda-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

22

cious in her behaviour!

discourse

When

how impudent

in her

I met her at Compiegne, she

was a relation of the Marquis de

and you too, sir, you made me believe so
you have imposed on me most shamefully!
What had brought her to Compiegne ? Answer
me ^you keep silent you are a traitor! Get

me

told

she

you gone, leave my house, begone directly! I

was such a simpleton as to give them credit!
She followed us on the road, joined us at Montargis
in what a situation did she find me there ?
as long as I live I shall be ashamed
stars
My

of myself, and

weep through rage!

think more provoking

acknowledge that

ments

later

yes,

still,

is

What

to be forced to

had arrived a few moonly some minutes later it

if I

would have fallen to my lot

my unworthy rival in the arms of a perfidious
for he loves all those he meets with whether
to have surprised

the Marchioness or the Countess, what

fies to

him

provided she be a female.

signi-

How

many mistresses do you want? Do you wish

me to have several lovers ? Don't attempt to
justify yourself! You are destitute of delicacy,

of honesty, of good faith

diately,

and never

let

me

Get you gone immesee

you again!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

23

Madame de Lignolle's former rage returned

by degrees I trembled, lest her husband should
come back. The Baroness, to whom I imparted
;

mj

The supposed

apprehensions, quieted me.

poacher, said she to me,

He

in a disguise.
heels,

and

is

is

is

my running footman,

possessed of a pair of light

favourably inclined.

He

is

aware

of the Count going in person after him, and will

procure that gentleman the pleasure of a long

race.

He

will find exercise in plenty for the

amateur, and I warrant you that

as

much time

as

we can wish

we

shall

have

for.

Meanwhile, the Countess, who did not

listen

was going on: She surprised me; she

seemed as if she pitied, and wished to serve me.

to us,

I addressed a thousand insignificant compli-

ments

and

to her,

this

was lavish of ridiculous thanks,

gentleman allowed

even did more than that

to

make game

of

But

me

me

to proceed.

He

he coalesced with her

you. Baroness, where-

me know who she was, as

soon as you had found her out ? You are making your jokes upon this occasion.
Do not I
fore did not you let

know enough

of you to be well satisfied that no

consideration whatever could have silenced you

that you

would have burst out; and

that, too,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

24

even in the presence of your husband.

Un-

doubtedly, in the face of the whole universe

would have exposed the insolent creature; I

would have put her to the blush; I would
Let

me

tell

you,

madam,

instead of wasting

time by quarrelling with her, you should have

summoned up your servants, and have had her

thrown out at the window. Ah, to be sure, I
had at command that very simple and genteel

mode

of getting rid of her, without

bustle, or scandalising the public

making a

But, indeed,

one does not always think of what might be

done

I did not give

it

a thought.

This impostor, cried the Countess, looking at

me, has made fools of us both,

oness:

it

was he who

told

me,

my

dear Bar-

as a secret, that

woman was your lover. if he had confessed to me that, formerly, you had been a
that

man, I would have believed him and yet that

is the manner in which he has abused the blind
He shall never
confidence I reposed in him!

me again, however! Let him begone, I

him and will see him no more
How
?
When I reflect that
you have him go

betray
detest

will

that odious Marchioness has stopped here

with menear himand,

night

all

besides, part

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

25

of the day! (She screams aloud.) TTeaven forI left them tete-a-tete for a whole

me!

give

hour

what were you

Speak While I was asleep what

for an age

about together
took place

Oh, yes

Tell me,

Nothing my
conversed

impose upon

sir,

me

Do

again

dear

we

conversed.

not imagine you can

speak the truth,

what you have done together; I

tell

me

upon

insist

it

Countess, interrupted the Baroness, laughing,

you suspect him of having committed a crime,

without offering him any offence
of which

of which, for four-and-twenty hours, he has been

absolutely

incapable.

Incapable

he

never

"When I returned, sir, she said you had a palshe must be very
pitation, and her hand
her hand
bold to dare to lay it on your heart
it
That
kind
to
suffer
very
and you must be

heart

is

mine

it

belongs to no one else

alas

what do I say ? the ungrateful man the flighty

young man he gives himself up to everyone
!

sleep

am certain
am positive;

indiscriminately!

my

yes, I

I had rather be

during

own mouth I insist upon

made certain of my miseries,

the avowal from your

it

that,

but I expect

than to continue in a state of dreadful un-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

26

Faublas,

certainty.

Hear me;

gether.

Own

give you.

me what you

tell

you

if

it,

sir,

own

am

charge you; yes, I

to-

for-

or I shall dis-

it,

determined

1 will

1 will dismiss you.

discharge

Wlierefore dismiss her

as he

did

I will

confess,

was coming

M. de

said

You must

in.

not

Lignolle

am

even

very sorry I went out, for you have sent away

The Vicomte! once

never have him
I declare
you, that I
mentioned in my presence. Ah but what
the Vicomte.

forever, sir,

will

to

ails

you,

madam

own,

sir,

Your

may

My

face

face

is

my

do whatever I like with

meddle with your own business.

Be

it

so

it;

but

I repent having left this apartment; you have

my

been availing yourself of

The Bakoness.

absence

It has not been long; the

poacher has suffered himself to be caught

much

sooner than I expected.

The CoTJNT (throwing himself

chair).

Caught, indeed!

not achieve

Ah! what

it

the best runner could

in four-and-twenty-hours' time.

man!

a devilish

that has just started

!

He

is no bird,
Imagine a stag

since he

he must be the devil himself.

fast

in an arm-

Why, madam, he ran

then would come back again.

as

I could

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
see

him within

pistol-shot

27

and, presto

at

When you would

hundred yards distance.

thought him very far, he seemed as

have

he had

if

dropped from the sky, you had him under your

nose

he really put

my men

at defiance.

The Baroness. But you, sir?

The Count. This alters the case; I was always at the head of his pursuers. This rascal

easily

when

found out

whom

he had to deal with;

I got close to him, he took to his legs

with double efforts;

pleasure to see

how

it

would have given you

afraid he was of

times I was on the point of catching

me

him

Ten

But,

notwithstanding he has made his escape.

remembered the Vicomte, and gave

that I

am

I dare to say

off,

my

all

it

j^ow

up.

servants will

be unable to come up with him.

The Countess
not confess

Why

(to Faublas).

will

you

Faublas. I swear there was nothing done.

The Countess. Own it, or I will dismiss

you.

The Count
give

Madame

(to

Faublas).

that satisfaction

ISTever

it

mind;
you

will cost

nothing; confess.

The Baeoness

(to the

Count, with a laugh).

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

28

Do

jou know what you wish him

con-

to

fess?

Why!
very agreeable young man!
The Baroness. Most
mean?
not
The Count. How!
The Count.

that the Vicomte is a

most likely!

what do you

likely!

that plain lan-

is

guage

finds the

(To

I mean, that most likely mademoiselle

Vicomte

is

the Countess.)

fess, that is

a very handsome fellow.

But though she did con-

not a sufficient cause for you to dis-

miss her.

The Countess
sake

let

me

(to her husband).

^For God's

(To

alone, or I shall be angry.

Faublas.) Confess.

The Count
do

confess.

may

tell

(to Faublas).

You

do.

We

Oh
all

the Vicomte that I find

do not forget to let him know

away has occasioned me severe
will please

him

to

Paris, or

The Countess.

him

You
;

and

that his going

whenever

it

see us, either in

If ever he dares

face in a house of mine, I will have

out.

so

regret; that he

will always do us great pleasure

come and

I beg of you,

here do.

to

show his

him turned

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
The Count.

wonder

at

you

29
;

just

now

I wish
you espoused his cause most violently
you could know your own mind.
The Countess. You, sir, who now speak,
!

were of a contrary opinion an hour ago.

The Count. For an hour back a great

The Baeoness. Quite

change has taken place.

The Count
speak the truth,

(to

so.

Baroness).

the

madam

Don't

You have some

knowl-

edge of the world, you, madam, and I don't

doubt but that you guess at my motives for

viewing things under a different aspect.

(Much

M.

de Flor-

lower.)

I thought at

first

that this

although of a tolerable good family, enjoyed, like most young men of his time of life,
ville,

a very indifferent existence

I therefore could

not see of what advantage Mademoiselle de

Brumont's partiality to that youth could be pro-

mine that a man of

must be on his guard
against new acquaintance, so as never to form

ductive.

It

is

maxim

rank more than any

of

other,

may be profitable. Now

madam: that man who, upon no

but such as

listen to

this,

occasion,

cannot be useful to us, must sooner or later be

doubly burthensome to us, because, as he has

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

30

nothing to give, he always ends by asking for

something

in the course of ambition especially,

must necessarily check

and consequently retard our march; that is the
reason why I did not wish to form a connection with the Vicomte. But you tell me that he
is in high favour at Versailles, and that has
whoever does not

my

caused

help,

I don't

disposition to be altered.

wish to meddle with your contentions, with the

quarrels

among women

neither

my

is it

prov-

ince to examine whether the means adopted by

that young man, for his promotion, are very
delicate

the essential object for

be very powerful.
that
to

M. de

wish for

he

me

is,

Elorville, in that respect has nothing

;

it

appears to

me

that,

favoured as

by nature, and so situated

is

that they

Methinks,

(Pretty loud.)

as to

turn

those advantages to profit, he cannot but rise

His acquaintance I
Mademoiselle de Brumont, who must think of getting
a fortune, and for me who long to augment

high and very quick

too.

consider as extremely precious for

mine.

Go yon,
Go I

The Countess.
fine

calculations.

to

sir,

am

and

all

your

beyond my-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
self!

repeat to you,

sir,

31

that I will never

hear of that

The Bakoness (interrupting hor). ImpertiThat is the

nent creature! (To the Count.)
manner in which she treats him now.

The Count
is

(to the Baroness).

Indeed!

it

your fault, and I repent having gone out

You know

(in a low voice).

that at Versailles,

one must be unceasingly soliciting

The Baroness.
is

to

The worst that may happen

obtain nothing.

By
provided
understood and

dint of importunity you

The Count.
always succeed

you have friends,

that

as

is

lately

proof,

I have

carried off a pension of six thousand

But Madame de Lignolle has insisted

upon my resigning it to M. de St. Free. Oh
The Countess is
I confess that has hurt me.
a child who does not know the value of money
she imagines that a man who is worth one

francs.

hundred and

fifty

thousand livres a year, has

no further occasion for the king's bounty

madam,

in

whom

you,

she reposes great confidence,

ought to make her a few representations on that

subject.

The Countess.

All

that

you say

is useless.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

32
I

am no more

made a dupe of by all your

upon jour confessing all

to be

but I

insist

idle tales

Do

your wrongs.
you.

The Count.

or I will dismiss

confess,

^Endeavour

to

make her com-

prehend also, that far from discharging Mademoiselle de Brumont, she ought to treat her with

redoubled politeness, attention and regard, and

above

all

things to invite

M. de

Florville to

come

as frequently as possible.

The Countess.

Sir,

you have your

ment, I beg you will be so kind as to

quiet in mine.

The Bakoness
at

minute;

let

are

The Count.

it so,

else.

with

cause you understand reason

all

my

heart, be-

but wait a

The Countess. Will you confess?

The Count. Before I go, I wish to

be

interrupted at every

us go somewhere

Be

apart-

me

We are not

(to the Count).

we

liberty here,

let

little.

give

you

good advice; you, mademoiselle, confess; for

if it is

not so

it

will soon be,

we

believe

it,

and so must you in the end. You, madam,

whether she confess or not, do not discharge
your demoiselle de compagnie, for I am read
in the affections of your soul, and you would

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

33

be overwhelmed with grief an hour after.

With

regard to the Vicomte, I shall mention him to

you no more; I
settle

We
gnolle

shall

make

my

it

business to

with him.

were

left

by

obstinately

avowal of

my

Madame

ourselves.

de Li-

persevered in exacting

supposed offence

an

whereas, under

a persuasion that telling a falsity could answer

no purpose, I persisted in speaking the

Chagrined, however, at

made

truth.

protestations being

in vain, I tried a last effort which

crowned with

My

my

was

success.

beloved, I repeat

it,

and take

my

solemn

oath, I think but seldom of the Marchioness,

you since you have

no longer belongs
This day, the same as yesterday, I was
to me.
her friend only, and to-morrow it will be the
same. Tell me, under the impression of what
error could I think of her when I am by the
side of you
Can it be possible for me to regret
any of the advantages she is possessed of, when
I see you endowed with a thousand qualifications
she is in want of?
Notwithstanding all her
accomplishments, must she not envy all your
natural endowments?
Don't vou look handsince I think continually of

Madame

been mine,

de

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

34

somer with your rising charms, your unaffected

your seducing sprightliness, than she is

graces,
to be

found beauteous on account of her dazzling

youth, her lofty manners, her proud deport-

ment

Has

she,

my

Eleanor, a soul equally com-

passionate and liberal as yours?

lieve that I

Do you

be-

can ever forget the joy of your

upon your return, the gratitude of your

your respectable rector saluted you with? I have witnessed them, and
my heart enjoyed the sight; you are here the
object of general worship you are for all those
good people a beneficent providence, which never
requires being asked for anything, but which
commands unceasing thanks. Could your lover
be the only one to refuse doing justice to your
vassals

tenants, the praises

virtues

the only one to repay your kindness

with ingratitude

ware of believing

Don't you believe

it.

Believe rather,

it,

my

be-

ador-

able friend, that I wish I were permitted to go

with

my

Eleanor, far from every other seduc-

and inhabit for the remainder of my life,

the humble cottage which the Countess de Lition,

had repaired for old Duval. Cease

complaining and suspecting me cease to dread
gnolle has

too

weak a

rival; I esteeem her, but I revere

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

35

you; I retain some friendship for her, and the

most tender love for you; it is true that for

a time I have spent happy moments in her com-

pany but I have

:

in yours

offer

me

since enjoyed delicious ecstasy

in short,

Madame

pleasure, whereas

de

might now

from you

alone,

my

Eleanor, I can expect happiness.

Happiness!

Thus

parallel between

ducing, but

two

whom

man more
was

all

in

drawing a

nature had gifted in a very

different manner, I

person

engaged

rivals almost equally se-

was forgetful of another wo-

favoured
the virtues

still,

who

united in her

and attractions of both

forgetful of Sophia, and so wildly prepos-

sessed that I expressed wishes inimical to our

being re-united together.

Ah

I dare not hope

that the avowal of so enormous a fault

may

ever

be a sufficient reparation in the estimation of

it is in mine own.
The more I became culpable towards my wife,
the more occasion my mistress had of being satisfied.
Very well said the Countess, throwing
her arms round my neck, if you had held out
such language at first, you would have persuaded
me immediately Since you love me, and that
you don't love her, I am content since you have

others as

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

36

not committed an act of infidelity with her, 1

forgive all the rest.

But I don't forgive you;

you have not spared

uable part of

ing your face

account?

am

if I

my
!

my

property, the most val-

property

Will you

you have been

me

love

less

tear-

on that

would be very wrong of you, for

am become more interPromI will have none of that interest.
It

handsome, I

less

never commit similar

you
you
And you, Faublas, promise
my
Ah
upon
never make me angry.
how
laughing,
honour! Well,

esting.

me

ise

ex-

will

that

that

cesses.

will

good-natured I

see

she,

said

am; I engage never more

to fly

in a passion.

The Count, who was coming

ment, exclaimed:

God

in at that

mo-

be praised! she has con-

She has confessed repeated

answered
Not
Baroness with
hands
her
Countess, who clapped
How! resumed
and jumped
you
and
M. de LignoUe, she has
Exactly and very
such good

because she has not

reason

fessed at last.

the

at all!

surprise.

to-

little

the

for joy.

gether,

are in

yet

not,

spirits!

the

so,

confessed.

is

said the deep observer,

is

beyond

my

This,

conception.

I however will deduce at least the truth of this

principle

that the soul of a female

is

absolutely

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
enigmatical.

Madame
easy

I shall

draw no conclusion, said

de Fonrose, but shall retire with an

mind and

When

37

content.

upon us on the following

day, M. de Lignolle had left the castle. Letters
come from Versailles in the morning had induced him to set off immediately and although
she called

we

entertained not so high an opinion as he did

of the important business that

to court, yet

we attempted

summoned him
him at

not to keep

home, or have him postpone his departure.

The Baroness instead of congratulating her

damped her joy; my father had com-

friend,

missioned

Madame

de Fonrose to bring

me
me

back

with
Nemours, where he was waiting for
dear Adelaide, who had entirely recovered
from her late indisposition and fatigue.
The first word the Countess spoke was to express that henceforth we were never to part and
when the Baroness had forced her to acknowledge that I was bound to obey my father, Ma-

to

my

dame de

Lignolle, appealing to

the surgeon, maintained that

ness would not allow

my

my

M.

Despeisses,

extreme weak-

being taken away.

She declared in addition, that so long as my

was threatened, she was determined to

existence


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

38
nurse

me

herself until I should be in a state of

human

convalescence, and that no

from her

oblige her to part

should be entirely recovered.

force should

lover before

Madame

he

de Fon-

rose after having urged prayers, representations

and menaces, went away rather

dissatisfied at

obtaining no more.

On

the next day,

As soon

himself.

my

as

M.

father called for

me

Brumont was

an-

her

at-

de

nounced, the Countess dismissed

tendants, and ran to meet

my

all

father.

she in a joyous and caressing tone,

See, said

come nearer

no longer confined to his bed;

is
in
an arm chair, look at him!
there he
We have been pacing round the room several

to him, he is

times

^he

has had a good sleep

he

his strength, he is getting better,

You

recovers

much

better.

are indebted for his preservation to

vigilance,

and for his recovery

to

my

my

care; I

have guarded him against his despair, I have

saved him from his illness through me he lives,
and
solely for me
for me he is bound to live
;

for you,

sir,

I agree to

it,

but not for you alone.

The Baron addressed me: to what a

you expose a father who loves you ?
what you had promised me ? Was it

step do

Is this
in this

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
place that I was to meet

my

son?

39

Madame

de

Lignolle interrupted him: Cruel man! would

you have preferred finding him dead at MontWhen I went to join him there, he
argis?

was by himself, delirious, holding a pistol in his

hand. Sir, I must repeat it to you, I saved him
from his despair. Alas it was not however the
grief of having lost me that deprived him of his
!

rational faculties, that rent his heart.

My

father continued speaking to

Madame

me: Since

de Fonrose has not been allowed to take

you away yesterday, I am come myself

He won't

listen to

me

even scorns returning

How

ungrateful

Sir,

to-day.

cried the Countess

me

he

a word of thanks!

not even a word of politeness

though you

may

refuse proper acknowl-

edgment of my services, think at least of the

attention and regard that are due to my sex,
and remember that this is not Mademoiselle de
Brumont's house. In order that I should think
myself obliged to you, madam, it were requisite

I should be acquainted with your dealings only,

and ignorant of your motives; you have done

everything for this young man, but nothing for
me.

know

As

Mademoiselle de Brumont I don't

I am come here to fetch the Chev-

to

her,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

40

Sophia! no,

am

sir,

mine! I

his wife! (she kissed

am

Of
Oh! I

husband of Sophia.

alier de Faublas, the

his wife!

me) and your daugh-

added she and laying hold of one of his

hands, which she kissed pardon me for what I
ter,

have been saying; forgive

haviour the
cuse

my

last

my

time I was

at

inconsiderate be-

your house; ex-

inexperience: remember only that I

me

Let

love you, and that I adore him.

tell

you, I was extremely anxious to see you again,

and to speak to you. I will inform you of every

For some days past a great change,

the bonds
a very happy change has taken place
which link him to me are now indissoluble: in
less than nine months hence, you will have a

particular.

hear me,

grandson

listen to

me

^yes,

it

will

be a boy, a pretty boy, lovely, generous, sensible,

lively, witty, intrepid, replete with grace and

Hear me now,

beauty like his father.

don't at-

Are you sorry

tempt to withdraw your hand.

for my carrying in my bosom a pledge of his
love?

Or

his; his
is

not

gnolle.

could you think

own, you may

M. de

LignoUe's,

Oh!

the child

is

rest assured of that; it

never has

M. de

Li-

protest that no one had ever married

me, before Faublas.

Ask him,

if

you think I


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

No

speak an untruth.

one before him had,

neither shall anyone after

Unhappy

child

41

said the

him espouse me.

Baron at last, whom

extreme astonishment had kept silent for a

What transport misleads you ? And

bow can you reveal to me similar confidences ?

long time

It

you,

is

upon me
only view

me

who knowing
and

frolics

whom

exactly,

to choose as

my

it

as the mistress of

only of

foibles,

Madame

incumbent

is

confidant

you,

your son

who
you,

de Lignolle's

form the most unfavourable

idea of her character, and judge her most rigorIt is true that I have suffered myself

ously.

to be seduced

but

what manner, and by

in

whom ? Look at him first, and tell me whether

I am not excusable ? To speak the truth, his
was carried in an instant, but that is
exactly what renders my defeat justifiable. If
I had calculated my defeat, it would not have
been so prompt, and perhaps I would not have
yielded at all, if I had known what it was to
victory

But, in

contend.

my

profound ignorance, I

understood nothing about those matters

only a married

doubt

it

will tell

woman

nominally.

I was

Do you

Ask Faublas, he will confirm it he

it was him who taught me

you that

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

42

Can you

love!

thoroughly

how

conceive

simple,

young person,
unac-

innocent,

totally

Hymen,
known and observed her duty? I

quainted even with the privileges of

could have

took a lover as I had taken a husband, without

reflecting, not
fess,

from

curiosity, but yet, I con-

determined by the desire of being

re-

venged as soon as possible, for an affront which

was represented

me

to

took the Chevalier

first,

be there at the critical

cause I

me

know

moment; and

of his being very amiable.

am

not criminal.

I have happened to

at

If,

when they opened

over, left

stead of directing

proper
graded,

light.
it

me

first

new

course for

If ever I

supplying

me

offer himself to

me

with a

am unhappy and

will be the fault of Destiny

too late.

step,

there in the dark, in-

me and

has sacrificed me,

served

me

my

the fault rests with

fall,

those who,

run

next, be-

You now may be

may have strayed,

me

to

not what natural instinct apprised

sensible, sir, that although I

yet I

unpardonable.

as

because he happened to

de-

which

and of Chance, who has

Ah
a

wherefore did he not

few months sooner, since

he was to be the creator of

did he not come on the

my

first

existence

day of

last

Why
spring

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

43

to that Franche-Comte, where, for the first time,

I felt ennui in

my

aunt's company,

when

I felt

agitated by an inquietude entirely novel, con-

sumed by an unknown fire, devoured by the

want of loving, of loving Faublas, of loving him
alone ? Why did he not come, then ? I would
immediately have bestowed upon him my fortune with

my

hand

my

would have given up

to

person and

my

but, alas

God

for the re-

happy

and

He was

all

and the most respected

he did not come

himself

sented
great

and,

I would have been, of

life,

wives, the most

heart I

him, and would have

been his lawful wife then!

mainder of

my

Another pre-

what

another!

introduced to

me

was

This gentleman wishes to marry, and suits

you; a maid must not continue so; become a
wife, I, without even enquiring what it signified, promised to become one, and so I did
one evening, at the expiration of two months.
told

But

it

that the

one who

bears the

the duty, and that he

cannot enjoy the

title.

this distressing ease

M.

two husbands;

so happens, that I have

title

cannot perform

who performs
What am I

the duty
to

to sue for a divorce

de LignoUe, or to break

upon

do in

from

sudden with

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

44

Mademoiselle

de

Brumont.

The former

of

those two measures, equally extreme, by cover-

me

ing

with indelible ridicule, would have

dis-

my tranquillity; the latter would have

cost me my happiness, by reducing me to widowhood all my lifetime. I was therefore not so
very wrong in suppressing my resentment
turbed

against the unworthy husband, and in manifesting

How

my

contentment to the seducing lover.

could I help entertaining a higher opinion

him daily?

of

How, from

the bottom of

heart, could I forbear disliking the other

my

more

and more ? Where is the possibility of expelling

disgust and contempt, when it is that M. de
By
Lignolle who constantly inspires them?

what means am I

my

to trace the paths of virtue,

Faublas who unceasingly impedes

You are made sensible now.
approach ?

when

it

is

Baron, that I

am

compelled to keep forever,

the husband I detest, and the lover I adore.

Now that I have presented to your view the
faithful picture of

my

situation,

you

will,

hope, renounce every unjust prejudice injurious to

it

my

character.

If ever, on the contrary,

should happen that the public were to watch

my

conduct, and to find

it

reprehensible,

you

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

45

me up to the precipitancy of their

Ah I beseech you, become the deMadame de Lignolle; show her to

will not give

decision.

fender of

them such

as she really is

tell

everyone that

her errors are not to be attributed to her; that

her parents and relatives alone are responsible;

and that

fatality is chiefly to be accused.

Madame, answered my
cern,

your confidence I deem very

though bestowed upon

certain occasions,

excuse

rather

flattering,

inconsider-

may

serve

you as an

neither shall I conceal from you that I

have been moved

dent

me

I conceive that your excessive petulance,

ately.

upon

father, with deep con-

candidness

to

compassion by the impru-

of

your

avowals.

hitherto blamed your irregularities, I

have

now com-

passionate your passion; but you certainly do

not expect

me

to

approve of

yourself that, although

it

my

but do not flatter

indulgence should

be carried so far, the public,

who account

for

nothing the protection granted by the weak to

the vicious, that public would judge you with
less severity.

If, therefore,

opinion as something,

if

you consider

their

you are jealous of not

forfeiting the friendship of your relatives, if

you are desirous of preserving

their esteem

and

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

46

your own, of obtaining the sentiment of a

good conscience, stop on the declivity of the
abyss towards which you proceed rashly be-

tween two guides, always blind, and oftentimes

perfidious, namely,
if it be not too late.

Hope and

My

Security.

Stop,

duty, Countess,

is to

try mildness to bring you back to the practice

of your obligations, and if you will not listen

to

me,

to use

my

authority to compel

my

son to

Both you and he have taken your

fulfil his.

oaths at the altar to love someone alone, and

that someone

is

other.

You

neither you nor him.

both promised that same God not

Eternal respect

is

due

have

to love each

to oaths: yours,

although you have violated them, are not annulled.

Faublas no more belongs

you belong

to

to you,

than

Faublas; and as your love for

him cannot make you cease being the wife of

M. de Lignolle, in the same manner the frequent

infidelities

of which the Chevalier has

been guilty of towards Sophia, will not prevent

his continuing to be her husband.

To Madame

de Faublas he has bound his faith

to

Made-

moiselle de Pontis his love.

No,
adores

sir,

no! interrupted the Countess, for he

me; he was

telling

me

so but just now.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
Let

me

47

jou, I shall not dispute his being

tell

the husband of another; but you confess, also,

at least, that I

his

child

That

is

claim.

that

his wife

and

the mother of

what I am delighted

is

at

what allows me over him an indisputable

It is

de Faublas.

de Faublas

mine

am

Madame
Madame

an advantage I have over

How I envy the fate of

How far better is her portion than

She can boast of having him for her

She boars his name

husband!

Ah! what has

name!

his

dear

that Sophia, so highly

done so commendable, to have deserved obtaining Faublas? and what had poor
favoured,

Eleanor done so very reprehensible as to deserve the torture of marrying

M.

de Lignolle

Believe me, reproach not Destiny on account

of your wretchedness; accuse your
ness,

own weak-

and prepare, by means of a courageous

from it. In order

situation, to recover entirely

triumph over a fatal passion, cease to see

Cease to see him!
I had
the object of it.
to

rather die
this only

Cease

mode

which threaten you.

tess,

conceal

am
it

to see

him

you must try

of avoiding the dire misfortunes

going to

Counhad sooner die

cannot
afflict you
but, I
I

from you any longer: the present

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

48

me

circumstances impose upon

I

am

hard

sacrifice

which I

nothing to force you to

powers!
rectly

cruel!

a painful duty

compelled, if you refuse agreeing to the

you

shall not

I shall take

It is not requisite

away

him

Could you

reduce

me

to restore peace to

to despair?

woman

if requisite.

you

obliges

The

against too powerful

find

enough

to deprive a

Who

di-

you will not be so

him away,

necessity of securing

who wish

shall take the Chevalier

'No,

seduction.

must neglect
accomplish it.
Mighty
advise,

it

in your heart to

shall

have fortitude

You wish

you

your mind

of her lover

It is

to rob a father of his son.

Me!

re-

plied she, with great volubility; by no means!

Stay here

don't be deprived of him.

you

to

go away

did not

mean

Stop with us,

it.

and
you much, but he

him

infinite pleasure,

to

love

loves

I do.

who

told

If I have spoken the word, I

Stay with

us,

will give

likewise, for

me

more than
give you a very

you

I will

it

still

comfortable apartment, richly furnished; that

of

my

husband

send

daughter
his sister

let

I have also a room for your

for her; he will be glad to see

her come, and

also, the whole family.

Madame

de Fonrose

Let your whole family

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

49

come and settle in mj house, there will be room

Well, added
them all all, except Sophia
don't
speak
a word ?
me,
you
she, addressing

for

to entreat his stopping

Join me,

with us.

But,

what is she saying? cried out my father. Will

you permit me to speak in my turn ? There is

no occasion for long speeches, replied she, with

No,
great vehemence; answer plain: Yes.

must
No The Chevalier

IndispenIndispensably
Positively
go
madam

positively

sably

us go

How,

In that case I

all three.

She

sir:

so,

Why

shall

is

accompany him

let

not in her proper senses.

do you say

so,

pray?

was very willing to keep you in my house?

Why would you refuse to receive me in yours ?
Do you suppose it would be conferring too great
an honour upon me ? De you think She is

entirely deranged

me.

Take care you

next addressed

my

Faublas, prepare to follow

don't, she said to

me;

she

You must

take

me

father:

tess,

to

me ? What

Force
Ah!
I,

in

Counsir, or you shan't take him.

what extremity do you wish to reduce

with you,

shall I be

this time

my

compelled to use force

you forget yourself

I shall use force.

you are not in your own home!

my servant to come

turn, will ring for

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

50

up

If

were possible, madam, that

it

my

de-

termination was not irrevocably fixed, what you

have just given

make

sufficed to

me

would have

to understand,

it so.

How

so

Have I given

must have been most innoWhatever

comes uppermost in
cently, I swear.
my mind out with it. Impute to my vivacity
alone what may have hurt you in my discourse
indeed it proceeds neither from malice nor reflection.
Think, remember that it is a terrified
woman who is speaking to you, a mere child,
and a child of yours your son's wife your
you

offence

It

O you, whom I am so delighted in

my father, do not take my husband away

daughter
calling

from me

no,

it is

Faublas

have agreed to his not being

band

Baron,

seech you

whom

my

I mean; I

betrothed hus-

do not take away Faublas, I be-

If you knew in what agony I have

spent twenty-four hours by his bedside

many

times I have trembled for his

when, through
life again,

you would be
part us

my

care,

when I begin

Alas!

life

how

and

he has been brought to

to be revived

with him,

so barbarously ungrateful as to
less

unhappy

if

he had died, I

should have been at least permitted to follow

him

at the

same hour

into the

same grave.

!:

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Do

51

him away, Baron: ere long, peryou would repent, and your regret would

not take

haps,

be useless.

am

sensible of

it

neither am

afraid of saying

it,

you

aware how far

tremities

take

not

are

my

I might, in a

him away, have mercy upon

of, for the

despair might carry

said she, embracing his knees,

sake of

my

fit

to

what

me!
is

ex-

Don't

a mother
it

of despair

yes,

in favour

child that I implore you

My

father replied, with extreme agitation

What

are you doing,

madam ?

I beg

you

will

and not continue in that posture

Ah,
she, you feel for my sufferings Wherefore would you deny it ? Why would you wish
to conceal it from me ?
Don't push me away
from you so don't turn your face aside from
rise,

pursued

only speak

me

My

a single word

father, in fact,

was labouring under such

emotion that he could not speak

oned

to

me

follow him,

to

but he beck-

upon which the

Countess ceased to weep, and her tender ejaculations

were converted into accents of rage.

see you, vociferated she, rising, you seem to pity

me, and only betray me, you wicked and un-

grateful
these

man

The Baron then stammered out

few words

Did you not understand me.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

52

my

son

!N"o,

replied she, most impetuously,

neither will he, because he

unmerciful, like yourself

room

Mind

who
a lover who
The Baron,

is

not perfidious and

Chevalier, quit
Faublas,
Faublas,

you do not!

it

begs of you to go.

friend

entreats

you not

this
is

it

is

to forsake her!

seeing that I hesitated, said, in a

command you!

very firm tone: I

tess,

The

Coun-

observing that I did not show suflScient in-

me: I forbid you,

docility, cried out to

which of the two was I to obey ? Oh

Eleanor it is with a broken heart that your

Alas

my

lover disobeys

you

his father's order?

how can

but

Madame

a son resist

de Lignolle, sur-

prised and grieved at seeing that I was leaving

my

seat,

was advancing

the Baron stopped her

bell,

to lay hold of

me

but

she then tried to pull the

he prevented her: she hoped at least to be

allowed to call out: with one of his hands, he

stopped her mouth: she immediately

less into the chair

My
we

I had just

father supported

me on

reached the courtyard.

fell sense-

left.

his

arm; and

There I saw in our

who hid her face it was Madame de Fonrose. The Baron said to her: you
have not a moment to lose; go to your friend,

carriage, a female,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
who

has just fainted away

hurry

to go,

and

this

left us,

For

we

are likewise in a

impossible

it is

Have your dinner

for you.

to carry

and

53

we

could wait

at the Countess's,

evening she will lend you her berlin

This said, the Baroness

you home.

and we drove

a long time,

off.

my

father remained plunged

in a deep reverie; I next heard

him heave

and mutter the following words: Poor

He then cast upon me
creature! I pity her.
sigh,

an affectionate look, and in a pretty firm tone,

although

still

bid you,

my

any more.
I found

at

in a faltering voice, said

Madame

son, seeing

Nemours,

my

I for-

de Lignolle

dear Adelaide; at

mine was renewed.

lost
you; but notwithhad
I
Sophia!
Oh, my
standing Madame de Lignolle daily became

the sight of her sorrow,

dearer to me, you

still

were the one I pre-

ferred.

Madame

de Fonrose returned to us in the

evening; she had been at great pains to bring

the Countess to recover her senses; and no

trouble to dissuade her

with

us.

from coming

The Baroness, addressing

added: I believe she

is

little

to quarrel

my

father,

capable of committing

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

54

manner

all

of excess within a short time, if

regardless of her youth

you refuse

and unhappy

young man leave

this

situation,

to go,

seldom

indeed, but sometimes at least to offer that poor

child the only consolation that

existence supportable.

My

observing most attentively,

may render her

whom I was

father,

made no

sign, either

of approbation or of discontent, in answer to

the Baroness.

felt

very

much

agitated dur-

ing the whole night, as might well have been

On

apprehended.

the day following,

we

re-

turned to Paris, where I found three letters

already come. The first was from Justine my
;

Eleanor had written the second

you

third,

to guess

" I

am

will be obliged, the

whom

and
same

as for the
as I was,

came from.

it

informed, that Monsieur le Chevalier

will return in a state of convalescence; I beg

he will

call

upon me

as soon as possible.

is desired to be so kind, as to let

may

expect his

visit,

by

He

me know when

a note, to be

forwarded

on the preceding day.

"

Your

suffer as

of us

father

much

I must

is

a naughty

man

as I do from his
tell

you,

my

ill

do you

treatment

friend, that if

you

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
do not wish

my

55

me away,

sorrows should carry

will hasten to recover sufficient strength, to

you
come and
be

shall

satisfied.

man had

cruel

the

Let

me.

see

me

only see you, and I

For two days past that

parted

us,

I have been

dying with inquietude, impatience, love, and

ennui."

"Monsieur
gentleman

is

him pleasure

Chevalier,

le

The

going; but he says

if

poor young
will give

it

he can but bid you

adieu,

that he has something of importance to

and

commu-

you will not

him quake
makes
which
come to see him,
through fear; and that is the reason why he
According
has commissioned me to ask you.

nicate

that perhaps, through spite,

custom of the law of nature, a dying man is

indulged in all his whims; and with due re-

to a

gard,

you,

are as he says, possessed of

who

genteel behaviour towards every one, you

must

bear a very hard soul within your heart, to refuse so trifling a matter to a friend, who
is

not void of indifference for you.

consequence of

duce you to
cure

him

my

my

waiting for you,

It

master, in order that you

his jocular pipes:

in

may

him
he who was

of his itch for talking, and have

resume and tune

is

to intro-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

56

always as merry as a cricket,

By

an owl.

dull as

the by,

is
it

now-a-days, as

would not be

amiss, without interrupting your conversation,

now and

to give him, every

for he has taken

him

You must take

good.

smother him, for he

die in

to another, like a

the only reason

sible for

is still

very weak
it

all

over

at last,

you

to lose, since the surgeons

have no time

may

would do

care, however, not to

To have done with

his body.

that he

then, a tight tug,

in his head that

it

him

contend

my

arms from one moment

That is
farthing rushlight.

why

it

would be

to wait long,

till

totally impos-

convenient for

but that would not proceed from unpoliteness on his side, nor too great impatience
neither ; but do you see, when He above calls us,

you

we must

company without ceremony or

In consequence of what I have
if you have no objection, I shall

quit the

bargaining.

been saying,

send you his carriage, which he has not used

since he has kept his bed; by this means, I
shall expect

you undaunted,

as I

remain most

respectfully

" Monsieur le Chevalier,

" Your very humble and obedient servant,
" Robert, his valet-de-chambre."


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
I called Jasmin: go, said

dame

de Montdesir.

Ah

Thank
my

her to present

I,

ah

directly to

the lady

her for her note;

respects to the person

desired her to write

it,

Ma-

whom

as she is forever send-

you always keep waiting,

ing after you.

57

and

let

tell

who

her forward this

observe
under
put
I
be
This
me?
understand
cover you
Madame de Montdesir. Yes,
same person,

letter to that

signed Robert

that

shall

or rather,

de-

is to

sir.

livered to

You

is

it

it

next will go to the Countess de Lignolle.

Ah!

handsome

the

who

so alert,

brunette, so droll,

little

the other day in the boudoir, gave

on the face that woman must

So she does, but you
love you dearly, sir?
have too retentive a memory. Hark you must
not go in at Madame's, you will ask for her

you

a good slap

servant

la

his mistress.

must know

know

it.

you will tell him that I adore

Since you bid me tell him so, he

Fleur

already.

it

It is

You

are right, he does

therefore proper that la Fleur

and I should be upon good terms.

to offer

him

a glass of wine, sir?

two, to drink

me ?

sir,

liberal

Offer

him

health; Jasmin, you under-

Yes,

most

stand

and

my

If I were

la

you are the most amiable

Fleur must remember to


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

58

Madame

inform

upon her

dame de Fonrose
male

attire,

seeing me.
forget.

de Lignolle, that I shall wait

have concerted with Ma-

as soon as I

the

means of procuring

is

fe-

Lastly,

you

will

Comte de Rosambert.
That

mj

and of going out without the Baron

That part of mj errand I shall not
go to Monsieur

So

much

Jasmin,

the goodness to listen to

if

le

better.

I grew tired
you would have

another jovial youngster.

of not seeing him.

the

me ?

You

will speak

Eobert, his valet de chambre, and apprise

to

him,
shall

that notwithstanding

my

the offer of his carriage, Robert

me

weak

go and see his master to-morrow.

may

in the morning at ten o'clock.

state

I accept

send

Very

it

to

well,

What! you going?Undoubtedly.

Madame de Lignolle with your
so?
what
on You are
A plain
those
fellow I am! you
a
did not
because I
too
people
Yes,
If M. de Belcour
are

sir.

How

livery

to

dress,

right.

will tell all

silly

write,

that I

tired.

sir,

felt

stop a bit.

tell him
M. de Rosambert we must not
mention the other errands. To be sure, amorous
connections are your own concern only. Your
father must have nothing to do with such busi-

should enquire where you are, I shall

that I sent

you

to

!
;;!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
ness.

He

But he

will find that I have stopped long

That

will scold!

mind,

ISTever

hear him with patience

offer to reply.

59

is

above

my

good fellow,

all

things do not

what hurts

I don't like to be scolded

when

me

The testimony of your conscience

can you
you amends;

For your
sake?
my
a

duty.

will

make

object to suffer

besides,

little

though

my

I do

sake, sir, I

for

could put up with anything; you will see what

I can do and endure for your sake

My generous man was as good as his word
notwithstanding he returned in a state of vio-

from grumbling when the

Baron complained of his tardiness, he nobly conOh!
fessed that he had loitered on the road.
young
of
would
thousands
what
good Jasmin!
men of family give to have a servant like you
M. de Belcour did not leave my room that
Owing to
night, until he saw me fast asleep.
I gave a
daybreak.
awoke
at
my troubles I

lent perspiration, far

sigh to the Marchioness

gret to

my

Eleanor

recollections to

my

many

a poignant re-

a thousand sweet

Sophia.

and cruel

But, judge of

my

inquietude when wishing to peruse the epistle

of her ravisher, I could not find

woman's

clothes brought to me,

it.

I had

my

and searched

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

60
every pocket

Ah

the precious paper

without doubt I have

Lignolle's!

and

if it

merciful God

was not

left it at

It

is

him

little,

me

said he, in a

You may

mournful

an

at

was Robert who introduced

into his master's bedchamber.

to

de

has fallen into her hands!

Rosambert's servants came to fetch

early hour.

there.

Madame

me

speak

he

tone,

not quite dead yet, but the poor young gentle-

man

will not carry

had a burning

it

Oh, I beg of you,

fever.

contradict him,

don't

Whom

long! he but just

adopt

all

his

now
sir,

ideas.

you thus whispering to ? asked the

The tnlet
Count, in almost an extinct voice.
de chamhre answered It is Monsieur Chevaare

lier

de Faublas.

Rosambert,

as

soon as he

my

name, made an effort and lifted up

his head it was not without great difficulty that
he stammered out the following words: I see
heard

you again!

I shall, therefore, enjoy the con-

you my last sentiments

Come, Faublas, draw near to me confess without any partiality Is not that ticklish Amazon
a great savage and a romantic creature, thus,
for a mere affair of social pleasantry, to take
the life of one of her most constant adorers.
solation of imparting to

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
Here Rosambert

recruited

which at

articulation,

first

his

61
spirits;

embarassed, became, on a sudden, loud and

tinct.

That

Madame

de

Madame

B who

the world and

its

de

is so

his

was weak, slow, and

dis-

continued he, that

well acquainted with

ways; with gallantry and

its

code; with the rights of our sex, and the priv-

own;

ileges of her

tell

me, could she

not, in

good conscience, calculate that on account of the

success of her last attempt, she and I were en-

Punished in proportion to the

committed, could she not inhad
offence she
wardly confess to herself that, in truth, we
should mutually forget the little tricks with
which she first had enlivened the grand work
tirely

quits.

of our rupture in one evening, and when, authorised

by her example, I thought myself entitled

up a reconciliation adopted and re-

to patch

voked the same night, and at the same moment

How came

then, that, forgetful of the general

it,

law, and of her

the

strange

own

principles, she has

formed

determination of coming, like a

lunatic, at the peril of her life, so dear to love,

and attack mine, which

to the

truly

is

not quite indifferent

Amours ? Wlio has suggested that

infernal design? Honour? It is not at

God

of

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

62

the place where I struck

Madame

de

that

she ever would have thought of placing hers.

She

is

too well versed in the widely differing

science of words

and

have been the demon

things.

It must, therefore,

of self-love

That I knew,

every degraded female was ever ready blindly

Yet I could never

had power enough to invite
a fair lady to murder whoever might be proud
of gaining over her some advantage which might
to follow its

absurd advice.

have guessed that

it

have hurt her vanity.

I protest to you,
sret

is

to

my

Madame

have offered to

my

you alone had

behaviour, upon that

occasion, was totally irreproachable

tain that

de

only re-

I do not pretend to

too lenient affront only.

say, nevertheless, that

my

friend, that

a right to

but I main-

complain of

Faublas! what shall I say? I could not

withstand the temptation, I only considered the
me.

sweet pleasure of catching the artful woman,

as she had escaped from me, by a variety of

Those considerame, did not even

have
stopped
might
which
tions,
occur to my mind, entirely occupied with the
idea of my whimsical thoughts of vengeance,
and it was not till I had found my mistress
strange perfidious artifices.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

63

again that I acknowledged having wronged my

friend. What a dreadful punishment, however,

has followed the most pardonable of

all

faults!

What an enemy has espoused the quarrel

Faublas! and how that enemy has avenged
Alas

of
it!

did Kosambert, for having inconsiderately

occasioned you some transient trouble, deserve

dying, at the age of twenty-three, at the hand

of a

woman?

These

words were spoken in

last

voice, that I

needed

to hear them.
passion.

My

all

my

attention to be able

was moved with com-

heart

Kosambert,

so feeble a

my

dear friend, I pity

you must
That
bottom of my
forgive me Oh, from
your
me
You, moreover, must

You
With
great

former
over
me every day,
come and
At our time of
with me. What an idea
many resources! hope! Why,
nature has

you.

is

not enough, replied he,

heart.

the

to

restore

pleasure.

friendship.

until

see

will

it is

life,

so

we always hope; but, notwithstanding,

some fine morning we must bid our friends

truly,

you
Repeat, Faublas,
That you me you did formerly
As I did formerly! Give me your word of
honour. Upon my word of honour. Promise,
that

adieu.

repeat

love

as

forgive.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

above
of

it

all things,

to the

that without speaking a

word

Marchioness, you will come, just to

Eosambert, I promise.
me breathe my
Foi de gentilhomme?Foi de gentilhomme.
see

last.

Well! he exclaimed gaily, you will pay me

more than one visit. Come, Robert, open the

draw the curtains, help me to rise.

Is not
Chevalier, you don't congratulate me!
my valet de chamhre a man of talents? What
say you of his style of writing ? Would you besashes;

lieve

it,

his letter has cost

deep meditation?
terday, they

My

me

ten minutes of

physicians told

would be answerable for

me

yes-

my

life.

M. Robert immediately took up his pen: Why

but, Faublas, wherefore this cold and serious
Are you sorry for my recovering once
air?
more ? When you forgave me this day, was it
upon condition that I should get buried to-morrow ? Do you find that the horrid woman who
has overpowered

me

has not inflicted suflBcient

punishment ? In order that you should be fully

revenged, was it requisite that she should kill
me ? I did not kill her when her life was at my

wounded her delicate person!

oh! very gently!
wounded her!

disposal: I only

gently

I was certain she would not die of

it,

but I

am

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
very sorry she

felt

so grieved

it

her trifling

at

accident as to become crazy in

Was

G5

consequence.

own

because I had once beat her in her

art, that despairing forever of being able to use

up

the arms of her sex, she took

to attack

me ?

those of

mine

It is true that she has lately ac-

quired the immortal glory of having almost dis-

M. de Rosambert's shoulder; most undoubtedly she derives infinite honour from her

located

Fau-

prowess, but as to profit, I do not see any.

blas, I tell

you now, as a

and at some

secret,

future period, perhaps, the Marchioness herself

will condescend to

own

nature of our combat,

by changing the

it;

Madame

de

has hurt

When an old
herself more than she has me.
quarrel exists between two young persons of
different sexes, love takes great care to revive
it,

never to put an end to

enemies become

it.

The two charming

irreconcilable, cease not to pur-

sue one another, to join, and to engage.

body knows that in

be unequal,

it is

triumphs the

this contest,

Every-

which seems to

not the weakest antagonist

less

frequently.

the female warrior, overtired,

If,
is

who

sometimes,

seen to totter

for a moment, the successful wrestler then wears

himself out

neither does

it fall to

his lot to be


;!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

66

capacitated to dissemble his defeat, to palliate

it

bj excuses, or

having had a

more formidable

to rise

Alas!

fall.

is

it

all

after

over!

must no more measure arms with Madame de

The foolish woman has entrusted the
B
sanguinary god of war with the care of manVenus
aging our interests, and her revenge.
will no longer summon us to her sweet exercise

Mars henceforth

will ordain our struggles

Instead of Cu-

serious and bloody struggles.

pids,

we

have furies to be our

shall in future

and the high road will be our

witnesses,

field

of battle, instead of a boudoir; our arms, even

we

those courteous arms, of which

to each other,

made

changed for murderous

tance

Pistols!

both, close

so jovial a use, will be expistols,

What!

will

which, at a dis-

you go

to

Com-

piegne a second time ? Will I how can you

ask me such a question? What, Eosambert!

would you go and

cracking your jokes that

:

Besides, I have promised

Faublas,

it

woman? You are

woman is a grenadier

fight a

1 have promised,

matters not to what god

How

Rosambert? will you go and expose your

to threaten!

blas, is that I

Your
am

so,

life

opinion therefore, Fau-

not in conscience bound?

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

67

Certainly!

"Well, make yourself easy; it is

mine likewise; I believe that our most scrupulous casuists would not deem me bound to fulfil

a ridiculous

and barbarous engagement,

acted by force, and surprised by artifice

my

fer leaving
defeat, to

ex-

I pre-

heroic adversary glorying at

my

committing myself with a woman, to

send her into the other world, or to revisiting

You moreover know,

myself a foreign country.

that I

am

not of a sanguinary disposition, that

I hate duels, and I verily believe, that

if I

were

obliged to fight again, death would appear to

preferable to a second exile.

how
tion

Ah,

my

me

friend

tedious have been the days of our separa!

God what

Gracious

am come from! How

boasted

Go

there, if

a dull country is that

dull that England, so

you

like discoursing

on

philosophy, talkative politicians, and lying daily

papers.

Go

there, if

you wish to see noblemen

chairmen in the arena

at fisty-cuffs with their

of pugilism

popular farces in the double sanc-

tuary* of the law, churchyards on the stages,

* Both Houses of Parliament.

anyone was so unjust

and decisive cutting
manner in which Count Rosambert judges and denigrates
the second European nation, I shall undoubtedly be peras to reprobate

me

If

for the superficial

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

68

and heroes on the

scaffold.

Go

to

London, en-

deavour to find out our manners and fashions,

strangely disguised, or exaggerated most ridic-

ulously by

awkward

Go, Faublas,

imitators.

and may you fashion automaton petits-maitres

may you give life to their female statues!
Should you, modern Pygmalion, succeed

how

so far,

soon will they satiate you with pleasures,

granted without obstacles, tasted without

art,

and repeated without variety! How they will

overwhelm you with unlimited gratitude, and
endless affection! I would venture a bet, that
on the second night, you will find satiety in the
arms of an English woman. What is there

more

frigid than beauty,

supply

more

it

with motion and

insipid than love

livened by a

That

little

my Lady

Venus

^but

when
life

itself,

graces do not

What

if it

is

there

be not en-

inconstancy and coquetry?

Barrington, for instance,

I feel too

much

fatigued

is

now

a
I

you to-morrow, the history of our

eternal connection, which would have lasted to
the present time, if I had not brought it to a
shall relate to

mitted to observe, without offering offence to anyone, that

a young French nobleman who is speaking, in 1784.

it is

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
conclusion by means of a

69

new and

ludicrous

scheme.*
Chevalier, added he, holding out his

me, I wanted to see

My

again.

you and

happy country, I

to

France

shall find it so,

We

the only country for pleasure.

is

hand

to revisit

do not

enjoy the right of bringing our peers to the

bar but every morning, at the toilet of some fair
;

lady,

the trial of a novel, pub-

we commence

new

lished on the preceding day, or the

piece

which is to be performed on the next. We do

not harangue our parliament houses, but in the
evening we go and decide at the play-houses,
and in company: we do not read thousands of
daily publications

but the scandalous chronicle

of each day, enlivens our too short suppers.

I confess that

it is

not by their noble stature,

and the dignity of their deportment, that our

French women generally are remarkable; they
possess that which is less admired, but more
sought for; their shape, their figure, the vivacity of
*

nymphs, the

You

will

know

carelessness, taste,

of this anecdote,

to write the history of Rosambert.

will hear of Dorothea's adventures.

prohibited.

The

present time

is

if

ever I

and

am

elas-

allowed

Then probably you

But at present, I am

the Lord.

the arch of

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

70

from

of the graces; thej are endowed

ticitj

and of

their birth, with the art of pleasing,

They may be reproached,

indiscriminately.

in-

them

spiring us all with the desire of loving

in-

deed, with being totally unacquainted in general

with those great passions, which in London, in

the course of a week, will bring a romantic hero-

ine to her grave

mence an

proper time

and

to

means of giddiness,

to

put an end to

know how

they

know how

but they

intrigue,

to elude

to

by

comit

in

provoke by

artifice, to ad-

vance in order to engage, to retreat with a view

of hastening their defeat

make

it

certain, to defer

when they wish

it,

that

it

may

hanced in value, to grant gracefully,

to

be en-

to refuse

with voluptuousness, occasionally to give, sometimes to allow a theft, continually to excite

desires,

never to extinguish them; frequently

to retain a lover

him back by
with

by coquetry, sometimes

resignation,

to

dismiss

either through caprice, or for

tion to take to

without

time,

to forsake

Ah

to bring

inconstancy, in fine, to lose

him

him
ill

him

him

skilfully;

want of occupa-

again, to lose

him

a second

humour, or without scandal

again.

I wanted to see

my native

country again.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
I daily become convinced of

it

in

71

mj

country

alone, I shall find mistresses alternately fickle

and

and

affectionate, frivolous

ate

and decent, timid and

weak

rational, passion-

and

bold, reserved

mistresses who, possessed of the great art

of reproaching themselves at every instant under

a different form, occasion you to relish a thou-

sand times, the keen pleasures of infidelity

dis-

sembling, deceitful, and perfidious mistresses,

as witty

and adorable

as

Madame

de

The

fortunate fair of Versailles and Paris, are alone

allowed to meet with elegant young men, void

of pretension, handsome without foppishness,

complaisant without meanness, frequently inconsistent,

offer,

nate,

indefatigable, though apparently effemi-

and with a modest

extreme; young
tiate

an opportunity will

only because

air enterprising to

men who

an

surprise and ingra-

themselves with the one by their high senti-

ments, with the other by their sprightlincss,

with a third by their audacity: with the mistrustful and timorous Emilia in her very draw-

ing-room, which

is

open

at all times;

with the

coquet Arsinoe, not far from the conjugal bed,

where the jealous husband

innocent

Zulma

is

watching; with the

in the alcove,

where her watch-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

72
ful mother

is

just gone to sleep

young men, who

favoured with the most expansive

can idolise two or three

women

sensibility,

at a

time; in

short accomplished lovers, such as Faublas, and

God forbid me I was going to quote Rosambert; but I stop: I am sensible it would
be polluting two great names, were I to associate
!

my

unworthy one

Must I speak
Tell me,

what has become of the

Unhappy

husband

What have you done

rival

which

that

is

as

it

fair

Sophia

it,

to ask

When

should be.

venture brought him into celebrity.

they

let
?

Let us see how

many

Only

my

one,

still

The Marchioness

friend.

made

first

how many are

One what does

hold you in her chains

hold.

ad-

Happy

mistresses he has

us count Sophia's rivals

the Marchioness

he

me

was endowed

with every qualification, and his very

got

With her
Whybut That's

his entrance into the world, he

mortal

my good

I understand you.

he feels inclined

he, laughing,
:

with her rival

with her rival

added

Come,

take a seat, and speak in your turn.

friend,

Alas

to them.

alone forever

Monsieur

le

Comte

don't like to hear you speak of the Marchioness.

The tone

in which I had

made

that answer,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

73

announced I was in an ill-lmmour, which however was calmed, for I still loved Rosambert,
and his cheerfulness always pleased me.
his

many

But

questions to be informed of what had

happened

to

me

since our separation, were super-

I had fortitude enough to refuse grat-

fluous.

ifying his curiosity.

ready to go:

You

When he saw

that I

was

do not consider, said he, that

without being at the trouble of asking, I shall

henceforth be

and above
added

made acquainted with

Thanks

doings.

he,

all,

to myself, to the

all

your

Marchioness,

thanks to your superior merits,

with a laugh, for I do not pretend

in the least to depreciate your abilities, you are

so notorious a character that the public

become

inquire with curiosity what becomes of

will

you; but

till

such time as I hear from that

public of your good fortune, Chevalier, I believe it is

incumbent upon

me

to repeat it: if

your wife, take care of Madame de

your wife, I apprehend, will never have a
more formidable enemy. Farewell, Faublas!
I rely upon your word, I shall expect you to-

you

love

morrow
ess

is

again.

and remember well that the Marchionknow that we are good friends

not to

Adieu.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

74

As

I had just returned home, I received a

note from

Madame

The Mar-

de Montdesir.

chioness had commissioned her to inform

me

that the surgeons having two days since per-

mitted the Count to be removed to Paris, he

must not of course be so bad as described to be
in the pretended letter of the pretended valet

de chamhre.

Madame

de

desired me, in

consequence, not to pay a visit to Rosambert,

I
I shall not ^tell her I shall
as requested.

pay him that visit. Such was the insidious

answer which the tardy messenger took home
with him.

Meanwhile, the recollection of Sophia haunted

me

without interruption

and, as soon as I

was

left by myself, a thousand regrets assailed me

I must confess, however, that the sweet hope of

soon embracing

my

Eleanor, and perhaps also,

for I should not conceal

half of

my

seeing

the

from

feelings, perhaps

Marchioness

my

reader one-

also the desire of

again,

chagrin and contributed to restore

lessened

my

my

powers.

The frequent messages brought by la Fleur

and from Justine made me conscious that on
both sides I was expected with an almost equal
patience but alas if ever jou have experienced
;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

75

what degree passions, when opposed, become

more ardent, pity the lover of Madame de Li-

to

gnolle and the friend of

M. de Beleour, moved

Madame
at the

de

allowed to mention, but unfeeling for

sufferings, lamented with

me

sorrows I was

my

secret

the loss of Sophia,

stifled

complaints which

the absence of Eleanor drew

from me. Notand the

but would not hear the

withstanding

my

indirect solicitations,

representations of the Baroness,

my

father, in-

exorable this once, persevered in not leaving

at liberty for a
sit

in

my

moment.

He would come

me
and

apartment during the whole forenoon,

and in the afternoon accompanied me when I

went out to take a walk. In this manner was
my convalescence prolonged for a whole week.

On

the

Friday before Easter, a beautiful

announced that the last day of

morning
Longchamps would be magnificent, Madame
de Fonrose, who came to dine with us, proposed
going to the Bois de Boulogne we shall take the
Chevalier with us, said she to my father. Too
;

unhappy

in

my mind

to seek boisterous

amuse-

ments, I was preparing to beg to be excused but

a look from the Baroness decided me to accept
;

and M. de Beleour having

left

us for a moment,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

76

Madame

de Fonrose imparted the news, so

more agreeable

the

as least expected:

much

She

is

you will. The CounWho then ? Perhaps you would rather it

tess ?
were the Marchioness? No, no. The Coungoing, because she hopes

tess

I shall have the happiness of seeing her

Of seeing her

I wish for

is

^yes

To interrupted
!

since

she,

I would be

ble to

that all

you wish for

if it

In heaven,
heaven But

First of

re-

to

is

previously to be done

all,

don't think of bury-

us agree upon what

here below.

were not impossi-

in heaven!

peated she, well, you will go

let

All

impossible to

it is

and

ing yourself in a dark berlin with that weari-

some Madame de Fonrose, and that troublesome

you don't hear me ? I beg your
Baron de B
I believe him! he
pardon, I am all attention.

He

quakes with impatience!

would wish
rive

to

devour

my

on your charger.

looks as

words

you

if

he

will ar-

After you will have

capered for a while at some distance from a

gig in which your friend intends to come

after

the Countess will have got intoxicated with the

pleasure of seeing you,

all at

her ease, manag-

ing your beautiful horse with infinite grace;

hers,

whether she governs

it

worse or better,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
will

run away with her on

77

For a

a sudden.

time, without moving forward, you will not lose

sight of the fugitive vehicle but a moment af;

your own horse will run away with you too,

Not in
not in the same direction, though, sir.
fret;
after
don't
yet
ISTo,
direction!
the same
hour,
whole
long windings, an hour after a
ter,

the animal that

is

not quite stupid will bring

Faublas exactly where his Eleanor will be wait-

To

her

What an idea! Is it
you who have been speaking? To mine
home, young man. There you will find
my Swiss and my Agatha, two good folks
never see, say, or hear but what pleases

only

ing for him; I leave you to guess.

house, perhaps?

people

whom

your home

really

can be answerable

hou thankful.

Truly,

for.

own

who
me;

To

said she, in

yi

will act like

a tone almost serio^a, I hope
Tf x thought you were going
rational beings.

only to play childish tricks, I would not permit

you

to enter

laughing.)

my

drawing-room.

But I

know you

(She burst out

both.

Your time

will be devoted to business of importance,

making one, two, or

do I know all that Faublas

will be

Hold, here

is

the

three charades,

key of

is

you
what

capable of doing ?

my

boudoir.

ISTo

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

78

scandalous behaviour, of
acter

I am very tender

]\I.

all

my

things;

char-

of a good character!

de Belcour returned;

we spoke

of Long-

champs again; I manifested an extreme desire

of making my appearance there on horseback.

My

father observed that too violent an exercise

might prove injurious

when I

objection,

but he made no further

represented that I should be

spared the greatest fatigue,

to take

me

if

he condescended

in his carriage as far as the grille

de Chaillot.

It

was farther

was

still, it

at the

entrance of the wood, that Jasmin went to wait

for

me

ment

with

my

horse.

I left his carriage,

The Baron at the moknew the Porte-Maillot

again, and as if he anticipated the hazardous

meeting that awaited me:

deep sigh,

is

he with a

this, said

a spot that will be present to

recollection forever

my

Here I have spent one of

the most painful and one of the sweetest mo-

ments in

my

life.

I hastened to look for

Madame

de Lignolle,

met her within a short time, and she likewise

soon saw with a pleasure, not easily to be described,

her lover pass close to her gig.

young folks who enjoy the triumphs

make ready for him your warmest

Ye

of Faublas,

congratula-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
lie

tions.

79

who already was ravished with

the

pleasure of beholding the Countess, and of being

admired by

had

her,

the additional hap-

still

piness of overhearing several people,

looked at her, exclaim

little

woman

ment

so greeting to

Oh

what

they

as

charming

If such as paid her a compli-

my

ears,

had paid the

least

attention to me, they might have observed that

I thanked them with a smile, a proud smile

which seemed

answer: She

to

woman whom you

that

is

find

so

my

Eleanor!

charming

is

mine; and without being sensible of it, I reCharming little woman charming that

peated

Her
eulogium was intended for her alone.
have
share
her
attendants
no
dress, her vehicle,
in

it.

Her attendants!

she has but one single

servant, the confidant of our amours, the discreet la Fleur.

Her

carriage!

gig that brought her to

Compiegne.

Her

dress

me
it

it

is

the little

in the forest of
is

never extrava-

gantly rich, but always elegant and tasteful.

She
in

is

all

come hither

as she is seen at

her native attractions.

home, decked

How

becoming

that gown, of linen, less white than her skin!

How

I like to see her wear instead of diamonds,

those flowers, symbols of her adolescence hardly

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

go

commenced; those early blossomed violets, and

those rose-buds, which seem to have naturally
grown upon her head. Ah in the midst of
worldly pomp, how delighted I feel to behold
her in plain attire, and in the most modest
!

equipage, the benefactress of a thousand vassals.

But what Deity

is that,

carried in a superb

whisky, which persecuting chance has placed

exactly before the Countess, in the long and

double row of carriages

And who

the

is

nymph

that occupies the brilliant phaeton, which comes

immediately behind the Countess?

I went up

first

to

the magnificent car: a

superb female offered herself to

the splendour of dress, and

The

beauty.

all

view in

all

the lustre of

of her imposed on all

first sight

a silence of admiration

my

the brief exclamations

of enthusiasm were next heard; those were followed by a slight murmuring, when on a sudden

every one repeated Yes, there she

:

that's the

Marchioness de

is

that's her,

Who, however, contended with her for the

honours of the day at Longchamps ? The pretty

woman

in the phaeton.

Negligently seated in a

lilac-coloured shell, silver plated, she carelessly

handled the

reins, so rich that

one could hardly

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

gl

believe her delicate hands were capable of sup-

porting the weight of them for a long while.

She appeared playfully

horses,

superbly

to

curb four piebald

caparisoned,

covered

with

flowers and ribbons; four horses full of mettle,

which proudly raising their heads, and beating

the ground with their feet, covering their bits

with foam, seemed to feel indignant at being

led

by a woman and a young

lad.

Everyone

could discover that the nymph's countenance was

not that of a person of rank, and that she had

more
tell

eclat

than real beauty

but no one could

whether there was more indelicacy in her

than wantonness in her looks;

whether there was more opulence than elegance
in the unbounded luxury of equipage and dress.
could you have
At any rate Madame de B

deportment

guessed that, that

woman

loaded with plumes,

embroidery and diamonds, mounted on a triumphal car, surrounded by young noblemen, pursued by the joyous applause of the crowded
little girl who for a twelve

multitude, was the

month had been your waiting woman? M. de

Valbrun must have ruined himself! I passed
several times near

Madame

de

B 's

whisky:

she looked as if she had not seen me, and I had

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

32

prudence enough not to bow to her but curious

most likely of ascertaining whether I had come
:

there on her account, the Marchioness cast her

inquisitive looks on all sides.

As

she turned

round she saw in her humble gig Madame de

whom she honoured with a gracious

Lignolle,

smile;

and on her splendid car Madame de

Montdesir,

whom

she cast a protecting glance

There was every reason to believe that Madame de B , so near the Countess to whose
jealous vivacity she was no stranger; and not
at.

far from Justine,

who might indulge some im-

prudent familiarity, did not think herself

What

is

drove a

certain
little

mined upon

is,

safe.

she got out of that line, and

higher up.

Perhaps she

deter-

this measure, because she perceived

husband advancing towards me.

I intended at first to retire, that I might
avoid meeting the unwelcome Marquis, but upon

at a distance her

second thoughts, apprehensive

lest

he might,

without a cause, suspect me of being afraid, I

proceeded along, I even thought proper to ad-

vance slowly, and to look fiercely at the enemy,

I notwithstanding was
as he drew near me.
imagined, to let M.
be
well
may
as
resolved,
de

pass

by, in case he did not accost me.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

He
am

did though.

Monsieur

very glad that chance

le

83
Chevalier, I

Say no more, Mon-

you but what

word chance, pray ? methinks it
impossible to meet me about the

sieur le Marquis, I understand

signifies that

not quite

is

town; and besides, whoever has anything very

pressing to say to me, is always sure of finding

me

at

home.

Why, indeed, I wished

to go to

Who could have prevented you?Who?

Why then you now think the
Marchioness was wrong? Not very wrong,
you may
She had her
one
me not
Her reasons?
pend on
wishwhereas I had mine
pay you a
meeting
somewhere.
Our

meet you
ing

you.

my

wife.

sir,

in

reasons,

sense.

to

it.

visit

to

de-

invite

for

then,

to

you were saying just now, is very happy ?

So it is, because I wanted to have an explanaDirectly, if you choose, M.
tion with you.
as

le

Marquis.

draw.

With

all

my

Let us with-

but
For what

have no objection.

your pardon a moment.

As

heart.

must beg

I was going, I thought I could not dis-

pense bowing to

Madame

de Lignolle, and giv-

ing her to understand, by

my

signs,

that

would soon return.

resumed: You are continually
M. de B

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

84

Most likely it is that

looking on that side.
handsome lady in the phaeton that engages your
No unattention! I am come in your way.

M.

timely jokes,

Let us stop here.

comfortable.

le

Marquis.

Here!

Why

don't jokel

the place will not be

not? I^obody will hear us

What does
But everybody
immaterial
signify You think
I suppose you have brought your
you
To be
My
you nor I have swords. What do we want
Chevalier? Are
or swords, M.
with
quite on
To
we not going
you before
having
fought
I repent
Indeed! I repent having quarrelled with
Ah! To have
you without cause or
Ah! ah! And
cause of your
been
subsequently of your imprisonment. You must
I could not have
Marquis,
own, M.
That the reason why I have
guessed
your
you ever
been looking
Indeed
you

from the
I would have
you
I
kind. And
that

will see us.

as

it is

well, just

please,

sure.

pistols?

pistols?

IS'either

le

pistols

to fight

fight

the

reverse, sir:

reason.
exile.

the

that

le

all that.

is

since

after

tion

as

before,

told

gone to your house

libera-

are too

Bastille.

if

my

chioness was very right

wife

to

The Mar-

dissuade you;

would have been carrying matters too far

it


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
believe not

my

In

85

opinion, a gentleman cannot

You have

be too hasty in repairing an offence.

experienced

am

yourself; I

it

word throws me

single

very irascible, a

into a rage, I

am

after I

my
tell

am

calmed, and candidly acknowledge

having been wrong.

my

All

you I gain by being known

a good-natured

soul.

able to

is

at

friends will

am

bottom I

in earn-

the

I shall

will

for-

I have confessed

now mention my good

of

fully

will

est?

convinced
I am
me. Are you
word
speak
never
What you
what
mean. Listen

Say you forgive

I beg you
never be
not
give me. That
that.

to me.

angry

moment

before I hear an explanation, but the

my

wrongs,

me

let

oiSces: I have been the

promoter of your emancipation from the Bastille.

You Monsieur le Marquis ? My very

self.

vail

I threw myself at

upon her

to solicit

my wife's
your

release.

succeeded in persuading her

And you

knees, to pre-

Why

truly,

it

was not without great pains; however, I must

do her justice
to heart as

she afterwards took the business

much

as I had,

and pressed the new

minister with unrelenting ardour.

is

said

new minister?
They sometimes are

to be in high favour with the

In very high favour!

She


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

86

closeted together for hours; that wife of

is

woman

of great merit; I

when I married her

knew her

well

she had a promising look,

and the Marchioness has

fulfilled all that those

had promised.

looks of hers

mine

Apropos,

if

you

should wish for some situation, or a pension, or

I thank you kindlyYou

word Madame de B
conversation with I return you
have
return
our
thousand thanks "Now,
me! I was
but you
lady:
not
looking yonder,
Marchioness d'Armincour I
her pray. Marquis
know her
I understand
way
eyes
turn
our
us
wish
be
go and
you
you
dowager I would
pay your compliments
resume my former
much. I
not
a lettre de cachet,

need but speak the

will

a private

at

that elderly

the

is

again.

don't

to

obliged to

to the

Bastille;

through

me you

got liberated

from the

and had not I already been used

cording to
thrust

shall

like it
:

don't

don't let

that

subject

is

It

well

first

don't listen to

business,

she

to

to

my

deserts

Had

from your sword?

ac-

not I received a

I assure you, I was

That

exceedingly sorry to have been forced.

was
cost

a masterly thrust

me my

honour,

it

life

Do you know
give you

would have been

to

my

it

nearly

word of
me an eternal

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

87

jou bore me no
So
How then do you
animosity? Not the
forgive me I am quite ready
refuse
I am happy hear M.
give and
Chevalier. And do you forgive me
Marquis If I forgive you But, from
M.
then,

subject of sorrow.

least.

to for-

to

to

forget.

it,

also,

le

le

mv

wife's

own

declaration, in the whole of this

me were

your wrongs towards

affair,

very

and towards herself very

slight,

but very
slight

indeed.

This conversation, which at first I thought

rather unpleasant, I now found very amusing, it
excited

my

Madame

curiosity; yet I

was

my

absence, must be waiting for

impatience,

killing

longer, attempt

M.
made
talk

and,

if

some nonsensical

Marquis, said

le
it

sensible that

de Lignolle, wondering already at

I,

now

delayed

more

at

our ease here.

I was

We

right

that

de

In

we have

We

shall

shall be quite

when I

the pretty lady stuck to his heart

M.

much

trick.

up, let us join the throng.

as well yonder.

my

return with

said that

exclaimed

B
was near the damsel in the phaeton
him back but it was the lady in
who drew my whole attention, and 1

fact, it

that I brought

the gig,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

gg

have no need
at seeing

me

to

that she

tell,

was delighted

I, nevertheless, could per-

again.

ceive, that the stranger

whom

she observed

was

following me, occasioned her some inquietude.

Madame

de Montdesir also appeared extremely

new homage which I seemed to

by returning a second time, to swell the

flattered at the

pay

her,

number

of her admirers; but as soon as she

recognised her former master in the cavalier who

accompanied me, she smothered some bursts of

upon us both very significant

the Marquis was saying to
Meanwhile
glances.
me again Towards the Marchioness and myself
your wrongs were but very slight, such as any
Is it not true, sir, would
other young man.
laughter, to cast

not everyone in

my

Undoubtedly.

place, have acted as I did

But

it

was M. de Rosambert,

who, through the whole, has behaved uncommonly ill; of course, I will never make it up
with him.

M. du

Portail

is

not altogether free

from blame neither. He is not, indeed. So

you confess it now ? Most assuredly. On that
fatal day, when I met you all in the Tuilleries,
M. du Portail should have preserved more presence of mind, have drawn me aside, and have informed me

that the honour

and repose of a whole

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

39

family obliged him to speak that untruth could

I have guessed?
Certainly not.
Your sister
:

would not have done amiss neither, if she had

whispered a word in mine ear; but the young
lady was afraid, her father was there You, M.
!

Ah me now Let me hear what

you have
say!
speak
After you. By no means, M.
Marquis, I
have interrupted you. Don't mention
go
Go on yourselfI beg of you. Let me
requestWell then you, M.
were
Chevalier

le

to

"No,

no,

yourself.

le

it,

on.

le

not bound to

tell

me

Chevalier,

a secret; of course,

rather unbecoming in you to apprise

little

your

slips of

am no

babbler

sister

me

it

was

of the

this hurts you,

I have given

but

my word

of

honour

and beware of being angry with the

Marchioness, I have not surprised your secrets
from her, in the first place
It was not for
the mere sake of gossiping, that she entrusted
!

me

with them.

Marchioness

is

believe so, I believe that the

incapable of committing an act

of inconsiderate indiscretion.

Incapable!

you

have spoken the word the wanton doings of

your sister, a dangerous frolic, which M. de

Rosambert had advised and the last story, told

by M. du Portail, had, in my estimation,
;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

90

Oh

strangely exposed the Marchioness.

I have

begged her pardon a hundred times, and I

re-

proach myself daily; I accused my wife, the

If it were only from
most virtuous of women
!

might question

speaking very low, her virtue

is

ceeds from

principles, one

believe

a night

de
to

solid,

for,

will grant

me, who

am

it

pro-

would you

through mere complaisance

it,

Madame

a frigid constitution

added he,

but,

it is,

that

me now and then

whom

her husband, and

It

was

requisite,

therefore, that for the sake of her

own

justifica-

she adores

tion, she

troubles,

already.

Yet I accused

her.

me your little family

which I was partly acquainted with

should relate to

What

occasions

me

great satisfaction,

is to hear from your own mouth,

was not held to reveal to you the slips
Say no more,
of Mademoiselle du Portail
that I am acsee
Mademoiselle du Portail, you
quainted with the business Well then. Mademoiselle de Faublas, since you will have it so.
In the first place, you should not
That's it.

M.

le

Marquis,

that I

and
licit

you had appeared disposed to soan explanation, I, who in a pet, was anx-

next, if

ious to fight

it

out, would, perhaps,

so unjust as to suspect

have been

you of wanting courage.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
It

is

undaunted

in

steadiness

honour; and in
ess,

man

most essential for a young

his

first

I said so to

this,

91
to display

affair

forced to acknowledge

who was

of

the Marchion-

you

it,

behaved in every respect as the bravest of men.

You are a man of true courage, and whoever
is

must read

a connoisseur

and

so does

you

to

my

wife.

come and

in

your counte-

I would willingly invite

see us; but the public are so

"Whenever they have been pleased to

stupid!
allot

it

I entertain a very high esteem for you,

nance.

such a lover to such a woman, they never

will retract.

I find numbers of people, who,

through mere complaisance only, do not contradict me when I afiirm to them that I am

same
yet
and
yourself, they would not believe you,
no one, except the Marchioness, knows as much
and though you were

not

about

it

as

you

to protest the

do.

But only observe the extreme difference

that I

am made

easy in

my

now

mind, concerning

your adventure, you, and a hundred thousand

young men more amiable still, if there are any,

would take their solemn oath in vain, before
they could persuade

me

that they have obtained

the favours of the Marchioness.

I have already

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

92

you how many reasons I had

told

vinced of

de

B's

which alone appears

other,
all

Madame

virtue
to

me

my

head

my

Jove

M. de

wards the

But pay me

a knowing one.

fair

damsel
at you.

being a

and M. de

more

a little

at-

constantly turned to-

are

and then looks

my

does not perceive at

that he looks like a fool

tention; your eyes

glass,

physiognomy one feature,

one single feature that indicates

By

as strong as

myself in the

to look at

and I don't find in

is

to be con-

there is an-

the rest put together: I sometimes take it

into

all,

Methinks that she now

'Naj, she winks at

you

you whom she chalyou are a much handsomer man than I am. At 3'^our time of life
I did not look amiss, but now you have the
advantage of blooming youth. I believe, however, that you were not mistaken, that I have
my share in glances of the princess. I must confess, candidly, that I begin to feel rather awkward
This is quite a new thing to me she
must not have been long on the town. What's
l^ot at

lenges.

all.

Marquis,

it is

I don't think so

her

Her

Ah

name ?

does she live

knew

her

name

I can't

I don't know.

tell.

But

Where

as those creatures are

yet you

known,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

93

yes, I think I recollect

by reminiscence

going frequently to sup

at

where, sometimes finding her within

I would set her to play,

much

my

certain house,

my

reach,

about the same

time as I had taken a fancy

one certain

to

you know! Yes, yes, one of the Marchioness's women, that little jade whom you
would come to cajole even in my hotel. Oh you
Justine,

young rake, I behaved too kindly at the comSay whatever you please, M. le
missary's,

Marquis, I cannot be persuaded, that beauty

is

unknown to you. Do me the pleasure,

therefore, to draw nearer, and to look at her full
Why, faith, you are right I have
in the face.
entirely

seen that sprightly

little face.

We

were speak-

ing of Justine just now; this girl has a false

air about her

Methinks there

is

a great like-

Oh! but cried

Great! no I find it so.
most vehemently, you are no physiognomist
Since we are now speaking of likeness, do you

ness
he,

know

of two individuals, between

a very striking one?

Ah!

that

may

Your

whom

sister,

be well mentioned.

clever might be deceived.

I,

I find

and you.
most

The

who am

the first

in the kingdom for the science of physiognomy,

have been mistaken, several times mistaken!


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

94

It appears, that
ure.

one

your

When she is
may then find

sister is

very fond of pleas-

tired, pale,

and worn

out,

out the difference between

you two. But when she enjoys her good health

and spirits, the devil himself might see you
side by side, without being able to determine
Apropos, will you mention our
which is which
meeting to your sister? If agreeable to you
!

Do me

the pleasure to

tell

her, that notwith-

standing the grievous mistakes which her

disguise

had occasioned, I love her with

heart; and although your father

he

may

M. du
him.

rely

upon

my

is

first

all

my

rather hot,

sincere esteem: even tell

Portail that I hold no grudge against

M.

Connoisseur, look in that gig before

the phaeton, look at that

a sweet figure; that

charming

little

the other, but

is

young woman that is

what may be called a
;

person! not so finely dressed as

much

prettier,

and she does not

look like one of the frail sisterhood.

lady

of fashion? Zounds! I know that livery! I am

very glad, added he, in a tone of inward gratification, that for a

long time also, this lady has

been repeatedly looking

at us.

One would think

that she wishes to speak to us.

Madame

de Lignolla. indeed, was out of pa-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

make me understand,

tience,

and endeavoured

bj her

signs, that I must, at

my

of

to

95

any

price, get rid

troublesome companion, to go instantly

at the place of rendezvous, whither,

and join her

tired of waiting, she

was going

Sev-

herself.

eral times yielding to her natural impetuosity,

would rise, and stand nearly out

In the meantime, Madame de Mont-

the Countess

of her gig.
desir,

from the top of her

vehicle, could notice

I do not think that

the impatience of her rival.

was possible for her then

it

Madame
attention

de Lignolle
;

who

to see that

attracted

it

my

was

whole

but no doubt she suspected as much.

was with a view of ascertaining the truth

It

that she immediately had her postilion ordered

to quit the line,

and

to try to pass before the gig.

During a few seconds, he kept close to it on the

same line, and then passed before it. Justine,
who then saw plainly Madame de Lignolle, took
the liberty of saluting her with an air of familiarity;

she even dared, whilst looking at her

with insolent affectation, to burst out into impertinent

I
all

felt

fits

of laughter.

indignant; I was going; I cannot

I was going to do.

allow

me

time

to

tell

The Countess did not

Too

expose her by avenging.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

96

high-spirited tamely to endure a similar insult,

"
she immediately cried out " Gare !

pushed

her horse on, and, with her whip, cut

Madame

de Montdesir's face, and at the same time ran

so violently against the light phaeton that one

of the wheels was broke.

turned; the idol

ment

lest

fell;

The

vehicle

happily, as she

over-

I apprehended for a mo-

her head might be broken

fell,

was

also.

Most

Justine mechanically threw

her arms forward, her hands prevented her face

being much injured, which had already been

maltreated more than enough.

It so happened,

however, that by an accident quite comical, the

feet of the nymph remained, I cannot tell how,
fastened to the upper part of the overthrown
In a like posture, therefore, nothing
vehicle.

could hinder her petticoats from falling over

her shoulders, while uncovering another part;
and, sportful zephyrs having timely agitated the
fine linen that remained alone over her fair
skin,

Madame

de Montdesir exhibited

our

it would be an
delicate tongue prevents us
unpardonable act of rudeness to call by its name
what Madame de Montdesir exhibited I nevertheless shall say what I am permitted, namely,
:

that the whole assembly, finding this

modern

The

vt'/iif/c zt'a<i

overturned; the idol

Page

StC.

fell.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS
iuh-spirited tamely to endure a similar

"Oare!"

immediately cried out

le

her horse on,

ai

'
'

'

'

*:.,

pushed
Madame

cut

de JMontdesir's

same time ran

so violently

at-ron that

of the
-

atri

one

over-

is

'>

moMoat

'

v'l.

It SO haj

ident quite comical, the

'.

..

.1

T cannot

tell

nre, thereforo.

vehicle.

how,

of the overthrown

nothing

could hinder her jM^rticoats from

remaiB'
.

our
be

an

name
:

I never-

uitted,

namely,

this

modern

bited

2-

^^n
rup

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

97

Antinous* very pretty, applauded

its

appari-

tion by loud clapping of hands.

Some young men,

assistance of the

nevertheless, flew to the

unhappy

sufferer;

I myself

moved at the sight of her discomfiture, dismounted to offer her a succouring hand. Wait
I shall go with you,
a moment, said M. de B
for I feel for her, and, as I told you before,
Now, MonI have seen that face somewhere.
with from
put
up
this
I
cannot
sieur le Marquis,
a physiognomist. In good conscience, can you
felt

However, whether you are

call that a face?

obstinate in maintaining that

clare that it

is not entirely

it is

or not, I de-

unknown

I question your ever having seen

to

me, and

it.

Justine had already been placed on her legs

again,

when I came

claimed, as soon as she

Ah! she exAh! M. de

me:
saw

close to her.

Faublas! what a figure she has brought

me

to!

I interrupted her, and said to her in a very

low tone of voice:

My

dear child, you have no

more than what you deserve; yet mind not

to

* In case you should have forgotten this passage of the

"History of Rome," consult the book; you will find it
worth your while.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

98

mention
do,

cheap a

name

tlie

upon

my
rate.

of the Countess, for if you

honour, you will not get

Ah!

off at so

replied Justine, with

an

accent of deep despair: So then you think she

has acted right!

She had pronounced

my name

several voices repeated it;

it

several times

immediately was

circulated through the whole assembly, and flew

from mouth to mouth. On a sudden, the crowd

which encircled Madame de Montdesir gathered
round me, so that the Marquis and I had
scarcely elbow-room enough to cross our horses,

and could only proceed

number of
Young and

at a slow pace.

The

gazers increased at every minute.

old,

males and females, horsemen

all

thronged before me; car-

riages even stopped.

!Never did our most re-

and pedestrians,

La Fayette, Suffren,
and a thousand more, on their return from their
glorious expeditions, see a more prodigious
affluence of people collected around them in the
public walks.
And yet it was oh, the most
it was only upon
light-headed of all nations
Mademoiselle du Portail that you were lavishnowned

heroes, Destaing,

ing such honours

What young man, however,

could have had


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
such a

command

charms of such

over himself as to reject the

triumph?

moment

for a while; for a

sight of so

99

I felt intoxicated
I felt proud at the

many young men, who, known

to

and famous on account of their amours, seemed to proclaim me as

their supreme chief.
The ladies especially
the fair ladies
it was with transport that I
possess the art of pleasing,

saw I was the object of

their attention.

lively desire of being still

must have supplied

in

my

me

it

with additional graces

deportment, and fresh expression to

countenance

The

more deserving of

my

with a milder look I must have

answered their caressing glances, which seem to

prognosticate forever sweet connections

with a

more greedy ear I must have devoured the enchanting eulogiums bestowed upon my external
personal merits.

But forgive me,

take
blas

the illusion

tarry for

my Eleanor
was not

forgive

lasting.

long time at

my mis-

Could FauLongchamps ?

Could he stop long, detained by the twofold

de-

and coquetry, when

was waiting for him in

ceitful illusions of vanity

love,

impatient love,

Paris, to procure no less flattering triumphs,

and more

solid enjoyments.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

100

M.

Marquis, what think you of our

le

moving from
objection,

most willingly

you are known by

so

re-

I have not
but how comes
that
many people You know

crowd

this

the least

it

Whatever
common, occasions a great

this part of the world.

is

lutely

bustle,

not abso-

even four-and-twenty hours will bring a

into high repute: our duel,

my

exile,

my

and

man
im-

prisonment

it

He

interrupted

not

my name?
my ears,

me Was
:

a mistake

it

Yes,

Was

it was your name that

and which is repeated aloud

rang into

by two thousand people.

Two

thousand! no!

repeated he, with apparent satisfaction: Yet

I do not wonder at
acquaintances.

it;

The

I have such myriads of

rumour goes increasing;

dear me, what a terrible noise!

all

It is because

these people are glad to see us together!

Yes, I can read

are pleased

it

it

in their physiognomies, they

makes them happy

to be certain

of a reconciliation having taken place between

was a great pity that the two

us.

In

men

in France the most

fact, it

believe,

as

you

pleased

but

let

more of

us

say

make

their plaudits.

M.

rightly,

le

Marquis, I

that

they

are

haste, to avoid hearing

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

101

They were

pleased, for they laughed with all

their hearts;

and there was no further doubt

but their desultory applause was directed toThe Marquis, notwithstandwards M. de B

ing,

appeared more delighted with their

frolic-

some transports than I had been proud of their

It was in spite of myself, but to the

homage.

great contentment of
that I

was forced

very top of the

my

illustrious

to follow the

companion,

multitude to the

There I succeeded, though

line.

not without great pains, to break a passage

through the less crowded ranks of our admirers.

There I bade adieu

theless followed

carry him.

me

B who

never-

as close as his horse

would

to

M.

de

Several other gentlemen kept gal-

loping the same

way but
;

it

was not

after

him

they were intently hunting this time, for they

passed

him without slackening their course. I,

was in hopes of making my escape

for a time,

subsequent to long and useless windings,

I was on the point of being overtaken, I thought
it necessary to try more powerful means to

but

as,

disperse those troublesome pursuers.

I turned round to them

they were pages ; I

counted eight of them: Gentlemen, what can

I do to oblige you

Allow me

to see

and em-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

102

brace you, I was answered immediately.

Gen-

tlemen, you are very young, but yet you are of

an age

to act rationally;

wherefore then, I beg

man of honour a bad

which may be attended with dangerous
consequences.
It is no joke, replied the youth
who acted as spokesman We would be extremely
of you, hazard against a

joke,

sorry to offer you the least offence

we

but indeed

long to embrace Mademoiselle du Portail.

Ko, interrupted a better-knowing one, not Mademoiselle du Portail, but the generous conqueror
of the Marquis de B
Whilst they were speaking to me, I cast an

inquisitive look

over the country;

I already

could discern the famous Marquis,

gaining ground, and trembled for

vous: Gentlemen, I do not

du

Portail, but, let

to lose, therefore

me

tell

who was

my

rendez-

know Mademoiselle
you, I have no time

put an end to your fun;

if it

be absolutely indispensable that Faublas should

be embraced by you

all,

I agree to

it,

with this

you will wait for, stop

and detain, under some pretence or other, for
a few minutes, that cavalier, whom you may
perceive. You would even do me a great piece
of service, if, for further security, you could
proviso, however, that

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
upon him

prevail

to ride

103

back with you to Long-

champs.

As

was

still

bily dressed,

for one of these

me

to

speaking, a man, rather shab-

whom I had at first mistaken

young men's servants, drew near

and

I then, notwith-

in a mysterious air.

standing his flopped hat covered the upper part

of his face, recognised
tor of

M. Despres,

He

Luxembourg.
am not come here

said he, I

I have

made

all

the dear doc-

spoke very low: Sir,

to

embrace you, but

the haste I could to inform you,

Madame

de Montdesir begs you to give

Madame de
her a call for one minute only.

that

Montdesir

oh, yes

good friend, that I

I understand
am

tell

her,

my

very sorry, but that

will be two hours, at least, before I have

it

it

in

my

power to attend to her invitation.

The frolicsome pages collectively promised
to stop, and to carry back with them the troublesome horseman, who now was but at a very short
They gave me their word, embraced
distance.
me, and saw me, with regret, depart from them
in full gallop.

was high time I should arrive; Madame

de Lignolle found the moments very long. As
soon as she saw me, she loaded me with reIt

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

104
preaches:
it

my

Yes,

How

fault if that
it is

your

my

unjust you are,

woman

fault.

Why

have you been unfaithful

me

to

Wherefore

What!

with that Ma-

are

you going

revive a quarrel long since forgotten

ten

never

having been

to

Forgot-

So long as I live, I shall remember

silly enough to kiss the hand of

woman, who
You have punished

that impertinent
herself

Is

do you scrape an

acquaintance with such creatures?

dame de Montdesir?

dear!

has the audacity

have cut her face sadly.

dares to avail

her for

She was very near being

riage was overturned and she
From a great height

you

killed; her car-

her.

fell

it,

should have killed

height.

from a great

exclaimed the

Countess with great inquietude: Oh,

my God!

I perhaps, have hurt her dangerously?

No,

but
I then, with a view of soothing

Madame de

LignoUe, hastened to relate Justine's misad-

and I leave you, to think how amused

the Countess was with my rapid but faithful
narration, who, however, felt keenly, whether
venture

she was pleased or angry.

I really dreaded she

would be choked with laughing.

I pressed her within

my

arms, thinking that


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

105

she was disposed for a reconciliation; but was

very

much mistaken the cruel Eleanor repulsed

You will forever he the most unlover.
;

her

grateful mortal

upon

Yet

ishing with love and impatience.

me

mj

vain,

It is in

succeed, at last, in finding a favourable exfly to that

may
is

Longchamps which I

de-

hurry there to see Faublas, solely that

Thither he comes, indeed, but

test; I

it

some

dearest, that I have planned several.

pedient; I

procure a meeting.

to

to

it is

that he leaves the care of inventing

scheme or other
-

an an-

earth, said she in

I have been a whole age here, per-

gry tone.

see him.

an opportunity of paying his

two rivals. Eleanor, I swear it

to procure

court to

was not

my
so.

cruel

man

heart

is

exactly

And what

a barbarous trick

arranges matters

my

between

Yes,

fore mine.

mortal

two
to

enemies.

's

carriage stood precisely be-

Eleanor,

I give

you

my word

^Madame de E was very

away and

so

my

say that was

you story-teller, try to perwas owing to chance alone that

The

try,

me that it
Madame de B

suade

honour.

whose

that I,

torn by jealousy, find myself placed

What! do you pretend

fault?

so,

were you not

of

right to go

to follow her

had


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

106

just seen her

One moment

given you
membered long enough.

I would have
you would have reMy dear if I had gone
later,

both a lesson that

there for her sake,

would not I have followed

her?
She, for a moment, seemed absorbed in deep

me

thought, and immediately gave

a kiss

a sudden she cried out: N'o, no! I

yet convinced!

It is because

am

you were

but on
not as
indis-

Madame de Mont-

pensably obliged to assist

desir, that you kept me waiting here for up-

wards of half an hour! ISTo, my beloved; I

have been kept a long time by that troublesome
Who was speaking to you so veheintruder.

mently, and

whom you

listened to apparently

much pleasure? Pleasure! by no

What was that gentleman saying so remeans.
He was speaking to me
markably fine?
Does he know her? To
about my sister.
with

so

be sure; he

is

a relation.

relation?

This

time, however, I believe you, because I have

looked at

him

whether he

Oh!
shall
tell

you

full

the

in

was not a

will

never

face

female

catch

me

to

ascertain

in

disguise.

again!

Apropos, my dear,
be on my guard.
me, did not you see your aunt at Long-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
champs

whereas,

ISTo,

could

but

see

107
alone,

you.

you paid great attention

you.
I have paid some

sir,

to

all

Marchioness, because I thought she

was looking
me. Most luckily
us both
rather on
wane. But, Eleanor,
she
could have known me again I don't
think she could Faublas,
would be
most
unfortunate circumstance

be
who surrounded

atten-

tion to the

for

at

looks

the

if she

it

it

^yet

to

is

hoped she did not.

The Countess now spoke

and I soon convinced her of

She then appeared

to

in a milder tone,

my

being innocent.

hear with transport

repeated protestations of love and fidelity

I was no less grieved than surprised,

my
but

when I

saw her refuse my proving to her that my professions were sincere.

!N^o, no
would she say
affirmatively
you weep, my good friend what
occasions you to shed tears ?
You no longer
love me as you did.
I love you more, sir.
!

You never refused me

when you were in good health

then.

I^o,

Dear me, how

My

be sure,

weep

childish

so rational mistress

now bade me

before her, that she might wipe

with her

to

^j'ou

kisses.

away

my

kneel
tears


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

108

Faublas, you must not weep,

grieves

me

loved,

man,

in

my

arms; your

must have caused you much

illness

to die

die also

me

speak the truth, would

may

not

now? both of us so
we do Ah I beseech you,
us die as late as we can, that we

loving each other as

let

it

young and

be a great pity

Faublas,

do you

Indeed, if you should, I must

let

since

fatigue; you have

not been long in a state of convalescence

wish

it

you let me tell you, my beremember the day when you

to see

still

away

fainted

my

adore one another as long as possible,

am
speak rationally? well
again you consider
you laugh,

sir

I to be laughed at

now! you begin over

all

when I

I say as nothing

Have done, Faume,

have done, my dear

make me angry hark

away. You
on your
me summon
Faublas! my dear Faublas, added
it

is

all

the

same

to

you

leave

blas,

will

a little fortitude

to

sir,

^go

listen
side.

she, after

giving

me

thing for

I must at

it is no easy
mine own desires, if
the same time triumph over yours;

the most tender kiss,

me

to

resist

I cannot answer to muster strength enough.

My

adorable Eleanor was very right to mis-

trust herself, since after a

few moments of vo-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
luptuous

struggling,

109

subsequent

since

to

more voluptuous still, she said to

me in a trembling voice, and through half stifled
sighs; you are sensible of what has just taken
well! when I came here I had deterplace:
mined to allow nothing of the kind. And she
swore that at least it would not be repeated.
In the like manner as I have been publishing
her defeat, I am bound in justice to publish her
short silence

notwithstanding

victory;

renewed

at

my

pressing efforts

every minute, I never could obtain a

my

second time from

scrupulous mistress to for-

get her chaste determination.

My

charming friend

on very fast!
part

It

Already If
!

fortunate hours slide

already time

is

would be impossible for me

it

up a probOne moment

to patch

M. de Belcour.

able story to tell

we should

I was to be too late,

longer, exclaimed she with tears in her eyes;

one other
three

moment

days.

For

Faublas

shall set off for Gatinois.

out

me what
!

It is

that

your father

the death of

be

do there

to

when

me

days

three

we must
?

part for

To-morrow

For Gatinois! with Alas without you

that father of yours, will be

festival,

how

dull

I was allowed to believe that

it

mv

will

lover


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

110

"was to embellish

by

it

tears occasion

it!

me

too painful a sensation.

them up wait let my lips

dear, what sort of a festival
talking of?

what a
Eleanor, your

presence,

his

pleasing idea I formed of

To stand in

Dry

me my

tell

you are

that

it is

sweet

the midst of a thou-

sand unfeeling people, and not meet the beloved

object

surrounded by a crowd when you

to be

me about
Every year on Easter Sunday
Rosiere has
every year
I was born
from my hands
year I was
was performing; know
ignorant of what
my
now! now I do know
I
my
weakness with
hope
would be
I
me support me
would wish

to be in a desert!

that festival

Tell

the

since

received

last

still

it

flattered

it.

lover

that

the

there to console

in case

to

should happen to think, with secret dread, that

I

who was crowning

tuous myself.

Alas

ing

not

it:

ever

it is

virtue,
!

my

was no longer

vir-

I shall not cease repeatfault; I shall say so for-

wherefore was I given away

to that

M. de

What I am now speaking hurts you,

but
I
no remorse,
sometimes only
not even
your
father has been holding out
me
long
myself
speeches I
on the
Lignolle

my

Faublas

don't fret

feel

regret

since

to

surprise

his

reflecting

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
numberless dangers

make

yourself easy how-

you love me, don't be afraid of

and when you have ceased
when you will love me no more, my

ever, so long as

my

forsaking you

loving

me

me with

despair will supply

Be comforted

our tears

day the sad

come,
come,

my

weep!

^you

come and give me a

a last resource.

kiss,

shall set out

dear,

us mingle

let

to-morrow; on Sun-

festival will take place; on

Mon-

day, at a certain hour everybody will return.

I shall bring back with

dame de Fonrose who

me my

aunt, and

loves us dearly

Ma-

Madame

de Fonrose and I will concert some stratagem

that will bring us together in the evening of that

same Monday.
Although it was

late already; notwithstand-

ing the Marchioness was waiting for me, and

that

my

father might be out of patience on ac-

count of

my

absence, I repeated

hundred times

to

Madame

my

adieus a

de Lignolle, before

I could leave her.

At

last,

enough
to

meet

however,

to part,

we

and I ran

Madame

de

mustered

The Marchioness's eyes were

with great

difficulty,

strength

to Justine's lodgings

red, she breathed

she looked quite dejected;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

112

saw

nevertheless,

she,

me

with some pleasure

lay hold of her hand, which I immediately kissed

twenty times over.

Was

totally impossible,

it

said she with infinite mildness, for

make me wait
ing

me

so long?

me

at

satisfaction, she

covered.

back,

you not

to

then, without giv-

time to answer her, with apparent joy,

and looking

Would

And

Who

with an air of unbounded

added: here he

is

perfectly re-

could imagine that twelve days

young man was dangerously

this

those ladies believe

Longchamps wondered
rosy complexion,

it,

at his

who were

who
lily

just

appeared

at

white and

not tired of admir-

ing his beauty, the bloom of youth, his

dame de

ill?

now

Ma-

obliged to use violence

Her looks on a sudden turned

and pensive. In a feeble and
languishing voice she proceeded: I would not
have ventured going if I had thought of meetnot to say more.
sad, uncertain,

But how could one have imagmake your appearance in public, when little Montdesir had been
waiting in vain a week for your apprising her
of the day of your first visit.
Ah! don't accuse me! I had it not in my power to attend
ing you there.

ined that you were able to

to

your

invitation.

My

father has followed

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

me

113

everywhere even this day he went to Longchamps with me, Did not you see me there
at Longchamps ? asked she with a kind of inquietude I did, but would not bow to you for
fear
She interrupted me with an exclamation
of joy: I had presumed to flatter myself that
he had known me, and that it was only from
discretion
receive my best thanks: by that
trait alone I could have known it was you whom
WhereI saw, the delicate friend of my choice.
fore, dear mamma, did you stop for so short a
time only at that promenade of which you were
The chief
no no
the chief ornament ?
;

when I
however, I only
crowd gathering round you. So then
!

don't believe

left it

it

saw the
you may have witnessed Justine's misadventure

The Marchioness

may

in a very grave tone

her sufficiently

my

ment
her.

she next added

has that accident punished

which reason,

company, we

We

I shall be glad to hear

say in her presence, what

case, for

Yes, said she,

smiled.

have seen her accident

is

if

you are not

tired of

shall wait for her here.

had not long

very mowas opened to

to wait, for at that

the door of her ante-chamber

you

your opinion of the

gallant cavalier

was speaking

to

her

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

114

very loud : These young

men

and wel-

accosted,

comed me on all sides for my part I know not

what it is to resist obliging manners, to the
civilities of people that love me: in the mean;

time the other had a great advance over me.

When

I saw that I returned to Longchamps on

purpose to meet you; I was struck with your

physiognomy,

Am I not mistaken,
You are not mis

lieve I

is

not this

voice,

know him

us be

let

said

child.

Madame de B
taken. By his

and by

again.

It

his discourse I beis

him

it is

him

off

There was not a moment to lose; we ran to

the door which communicated with the jewel-

My

ler's.

stars

exclaimed the Marchioness,

what have I done with the key ? A lofty, though

narrow cupboard, yet most luckily deep enough,
placed in a comer, close to the fireplace, offered

us a safe asylum.

Madame

de

got

Quick Faublas I had but just time

and to close the door after us.
!

They entered
left

the apartment that

vacant for them.

struck with your

first.

we had

Yes, continued

just

he, I

but

was

physiognomy; I longed

you. So then you knew me again

speak to
Directly

in

to rush in

how can you ask me such

to
?

a ques-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
when

tion,

the

superb

know

bj rote?

faces

all

caparisoned

115

horses,

Ah, but

the

brilliant

equipage, the rich dress I wore, might have

made me

look quite a stranger.

In

the eyes

You must have

what a physiognomist I am. But now
I think of your equipage, tell me, pray, who is

of any other, but not in mine

forgotten

the magnificent mortal

ruins himself to

The Chevalier de Faublas,

keep you?

haps?

who

He!

a perfect

per-

coxcomb!

Hold
How-

Do you hear the impertinent hussy ?

your tongue, replied the Marchioness.

ever, resumed M. de B
methinks that you
winked to him at Longchamps ? To him, to
that raw boy ?
I was looking at you
You
,

me

right, for to

speak the truth, I

then

most engaging physiognomy

but people

who

love

Who could You

don't dislike

am

are

bearer of a

I meet with none

me; you might have

ob-

served to-day at Longchamps, the universal joy

which

my

I did.

Everyone seemed

presence created.

to feel satisfaction at seeing

Yet,

my

poor

me.

little

I^o

more than

dear, a very dis-

agreeable adventure has just befallen you.

is

the

woman who

strumpet

treated you so

ill ?

Who
little

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

IIQ

But do jou hear

said

Madame
Her

this?

de

Hold

Her husband

again.

servant wore

tinued:

your tongue,

a livery.

conbor-

Your elegant phaeton

and
very much damaged. I am sorry
rowed, or hired one.

for

much

more

the

it,

from a

as it is a present

so

is

so

lady, a friend of mine.

this part of the interesting dialogue, the

At

Marchioness could not help repeating:

how

a friend of mine!

my

then,

permit

charming

me

in

my

insolent!

mamma

Was

It

was

turn to say: Keep

lady,

it

you,

Well,

silent.

some of Justine's words, before we

heard her say To return from England on pur-

We

lost

pose

lady, a friend of yours, exclaimed the

you must have shown great

that lady?
I warrant you I

Zounds

Marquis.

I hope, however she

a lady of high rank who

complaisance to

is

have,
ion,

a lady of fashis

kept close at

home I imderstand, I comprehend now! there

is a stupid fellow of a husband, who has been

Or soon will be, Monsieur le

what blockheads some husme,
Dear
Marquis.
bands are! so you let her come to your bed-

made

room

a dupe of

that

!N"o,

oh no I
!

am

certain nothing dis-

honest has taken place between the two parties.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Their
Quite
a time
me,

commenced then

intrigue has but just

the contrary,

for

Tell

was

it

when I hear

pleased

story

then, do!

am

done away with

is

it

\IJ

worth knowing.

always excessively

the recital of the tricks

played upon those stupid husbands!

The lady
formerly has been connected with the young

man, but he

him

to induce

Here

left

her for another, and she wishes

to return to her.

the Marchioness muttered,

Oh

pudent

liar

silent!

and I ventured

dear

mamma,

to give

what an im-

please to keep

her a kiss which

Meanwhile we
some other words.
So far, was Madame de Montdesir saying, she

she could not help receiving.

had

lost

has not granted him the least favour, but the

moment is near at hand when she will refuse

him

nothing.

You are acquainted with her

she
mistrustful, and

secrets, I find.

all

iSTo,

is too

too artificious, she scarcely tells

but I can see from her conduct

laugh at?

At

when they

me

anything,

what do you

the countenance of those lovers,

are together.

who am

I,

a physiog-

nomist, would willingly give a hundred louis

d'ors to study at that time the expression de-

picted in their countenances

You

ought to pro-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

118

To you?
Impossible M. Marquis.Why
so?
I would hide myself somewhere. Imcreep
I
you. Though I were
under your
Under my bed! you could
Let
You are
only
cupboard. You have cupboards
in
me
here You
I have.
me

cure

that pleasure

To me.

some day.
le

possible!

to

tell

bed.

right.

see their legs then.

see!

see

The conversation was taking a turn truly

alarming I was far from being at my ease, and
;

I could feel the Marchioness to tremble.

Wait a moment! cried out the Marquis.

Most fortunately he went to that which was
on the other side of the fire-place and when he
had looked into it this, said he, is exactly what
;

I want.

corpulent

man

in,

but

And, do you

see,

could not get

I shall feel very comfortable.

through the key-hole I shall peep at the actors

Come, Justine, let me preI will pay you liberally for

vail upon you
your condescension, and will keep the secret to
quite at

my

ease.

Upon my honour, were not

lady handsome
alone
of
thinks
beauty.
pretty well but
And
Oh
A customary

myself.

totally

if it

impracticable, I would consent; for the novelty

Is the

the case

so,

she

thing.

herself a

the gallant

So,


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
a

charming young man

Handsomer
Handsomer
indeed Do you

quite so

than the Chevalier de Faublas

no,

but quite as handsome,

know

that I

How

jealous?

Marchioness?

am jealous
Do you

!N'o,

I ah
though. Formerly
my

angel

119

of the Chevalier?
believe that the

still

But you,

by no means.
you are wrong.

Formerly,

my

were not
However, I always felt highly prepossessed in your favour, M. le Marquis.
I don't
inclinations

solid.

doubt

it,

that effect

wife,

you

tell

upon

for one,

all

my

the

countenance produces

does
Adores me

women.

adores you.

ISTothing in the course of time be-

comes more tedious than those adorations.

dame de B
woman, be

your

you
But do you know

have spoken the right word.

one thing?

It

may be considered
it so,

but the same

Besides, notwithstanding

Marchioness

is

all

Ma-

as a beautiful

woman

forever!

her tenderness, the

of a cold constitution; and I

only value that in amours.

I am young and
want amusement. I shall sup here with you,
my dear. Do you eat suppers ? Yes, I always
sup, you must remember it
and I go to bed,
my queen. Where M. le Marquis ? here ? Xo
where else, this night, I assure you.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

130

We

heard a heavy purse to

piece.

Presently, said Justine,

into the dining-room

on the mantel-

fall

we

Wherefore

move

shall

into the din-

Let us stay here; we are so comhave our supper brought up here. Be-

ing-room?
fortable

and even during our supper, we may have

a thousand interesting things to communicate

fore,

to one another.

Madame

de Montdesir rang the bell; quick,

said she, to the servant,

lay two covers

So, beautiful

no one

who had come

up, quick,

to be admitted.

mamma, you and

I are also go-

ing to sup and to bed in this cupboard.

my

dear friend, answered she, I

covered from

Now

my

am

Ah!

not yet re-

fright.

that I have weighed the matter in

mind, I wonder

why

my

I dreaded spending the

whole night in that cupboard, where I must

find myself so well? I have already told you,
that it was not wide enough to have held us;
so then, since it was requisite the Marchioness

and myself should occupy the depth, would it

not have been very extraordinary, if I had impolitely turned my back on Madame de B
I therefore had placed myself in the reverse

direction.

The consequence was,

that in this

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
sweet posture,

my

lips

121

would unceasingly meet

and that I could feel her heart to beat.

What man, though he were born in the frosty

hers,

huts of Siberia; though clothed in a chastely

absurd gown, he had been brought up in the

hatred of love, and the dread of

women

though

he had been fed constantly on vegetables destitute of juice;

though he had never been given

any other liquor

what

to

drink but cooling emulsions

man, allured by the powerful

attrac-

which

tions of so pressing a temptation as that

would not have

agitated me,

moved, his

spirits to

blood to boil

felt his

heart to be

ferment, and his whole

Mine burned within my

veins

and you yourself, O, Madame de B , yourAh what virtue could have resisted.

self

My

first caresses,

however, occasioned her a

Faublas,

surprise, mingled with terror.

possible!

is

it

Think of what you are about! Sir!

Sir!

The Marquis, more promptly

his amours than I was, forced

the vivacity of

my

enterprises.

successful in

me

to

suspend

The prevailing

which reigned in the apartment would

have led me to a detection, if I had offered to
stir Methinks, my beauteous mamma, that your
silence


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

122

husband

unfaithful

is

mj

vided

What

do I care

pro-

friend retains some respect for me,

provided he does not take the advantage of

my

trulj chagrining situation, what do I care for

the rest!

Their close conversation, the same as ours,

was interrupted by the servant, who laid the
cloth upon a table, which we heard to be brought
close to our cupboard.

As soon

as the supper

was served up, Madame de Montdesir said

M. de B
Marquis,

let

gether.

Now

that

us have a

am

we

are alone,

little

M.

conversation

glad to belong to you.

to
le
to-

It is a

good fortune which I desired too ardently not

to obtain it but wherefore have I been obliged
;

to wait so long for it

How

came you not

me when

to

I lived in your

pay any attention to

house ? Wliat under my wife's own roof ?
That was not it! let me tell you, all you men
are alike; be candid, you love me now because

am

something

You joke

did I not see in

your physiognomy that you would be a something ?

for you have a promising physiognomy
That
^though a little spoiled this evening

marked you, but for a conmere trifle; your features re-

cut of a whip has

noisseur that

is

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

123

Justine, I assure

original character.

tain

tliC'ir

you

that I have already read in your counte-

nance that you were

have said

to

ing at you

know

to

make your fortune

myself a hundred times when lookI observe in the look of that girl, I

not what that will please

me

at a future

^NTevertheless, when six months ago

period.
I was angry.
you turned me out of doors
that my wife
believe
me
make
They wanted to
!

Apropos, I

very anxious to know in

am

what manner you have discovered her being

nocent of the charge, for innocent she was.

am

in-

Is

rememI
it not so
You have. But
ber, I always maintained it.
I would wish to hear from your own mouth,
?

certain she was, and,

how you have acquired the proofs! Why, Mawas compelled to supply me with
dame de B

all

the

Listen to the

information requisite.

narrative.

What

the

Marquis was going

every respect, excite

my

to say,

lively

must, in

curiosity;

therefore listened with redoubled attention.

In the

first place,

M. du Portail has no

chil-

Mademoiselle de Faublas,
who is a very giddy, presuming young lady, had
taken his name, to go to a ball in male attire.
dren, that

is

true.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

124

It is truly with Mademoiselle de Eaublas, that

Marchioness

the

got

who

have at

is

it

it

my

slept in

know something about

times,

and

was Mademoiselle de FauYou, as you

wife's bed.
the time, repeated it to me a hundred

equally true, that

blas

acquainted;

undressed her

Besides,

to suspect that the

it

it.

Certainly

was shocking in me

Marchioness could so sud-

man
me mention

denly throw herself at the head of a young

But let
she did not know.
you a circumstance that I have recollected
since, and which I shall take great care never

whom
to

to

inform

Madame

de

B of. My countenance

produced upon the young person its ordinary

effect the lively damsel had just permitted me
:

to

pay her

I entered

a visit in the night.

my

wife's apartment; and in the dark, gently ran

my

hand over the bosom of the young

girl

why by Jove, a male's bosom is of another

make: You laugh!Yes, I do laugh, because
at that mobecause I think that Madame

ment might have

felt

made
Ah! ah!

in bed

Oh

she

was

your hand
fast asleep

a noise,

goon.

so that quite

was

close to the child,

she

was

and most un-

which awoke her too

luckily I

it

for

on the contrary,

who, perhaps,

still

con-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
tinued asleep
her that you

my

little

125

She did was

Exactly
kissed jour
sleep

It

close to

wife.

so,

It was not to be presumed

come there for nothing; besides, it

queen.

that I had

would have been offering a kind of insult to

the Marchioness if I had gone away without

I am very much
madam permitting such a thing
moment! You must confess that de-

fulfilling

my

conjugal duty.

astonished at

on that

The

cency

humour

My
a

fib.

for

Marchioness that night was in a

it,

because

dear love, I can bear witness that he

tells

Faublas! pity me.

frighten one! Those

indeed, enough
Marquis, that
M.
are two substantial
was Mademoiselle de Faublas! But have
you not some others besides? Most assuredly:
was
there was one which I had forgotten;
memory
my
Madame de B who
The jealous Marchioness, was M. de B
ing when I listened to him again: She is
ous,

say-

jeal-

to

proofs,

le

it

it

recalled

it

to

on the day following, we saw the supposed

Mademoiselle du Porta il home she was obliged
to take us to her pretended father; but there
:

we found her

real father,

young lady whose conduct

who used her

is

as a

not very regular

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

126

So that now I know

Baron de Faublas, I have had twice an

deserves to be treated.
that

opportunity of examining his disposition and

his

physiognomy; he

is

a hot-headed, passion-

and sometimes a brutal man, a man who

If it had
is incapable of paying any regard.
home
brought
been the young man whom he had
ate,

would have cried out as at the

So then it was
is my son!
came
at night in
who
Portail
Mademoiselle du
The next
the male attire, and the next day
so disguised, he

commissary's:

He

Her brother,
ISTo, it was her brother
But have you been told why? Beknow
cause M. de Rosambert insisted upon his playing that foul trick. M. de Rosambert had his
day?

he was in love with

reasons,

enraged

wished

with

meeting

at

be revenged.

to

He

my

wife,

repeated

and

rebuffs,

accordingly dis-

patched to the Marchioness the Chevalier, dressed

in his sister's clothes; and availing himself of

the circumstance,

my

came

in the evening, abused

wife in a most shocking manner, using such

language

as

against her

might create strange suspicions

I do not

details of that scene

low,

except

remember the particular

my memory

is

when physiognomies

rather shal-

but

the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

127

Marchioness has assisted me, and I recollect

was dreadful.

that, in toto, the scene

This

be-

haviour of Rosambert, I think, was infamous;

never will I keep company with the Count again
so long as I live, or if ever I

word

Avere to speak a

to

meet him,

he

if

me, believe me, Justine,

Do not attempt
I would challenge him.
your lover would be frightened to death
!

lover

Me. Well very

M.
Pray inform me,

whom

well spoken!

do you mean

likewise,

le

1 beg your pardon for asking you

Marquis

many

it

My

must be sensible that

I am delighted at finding that you no longer
suspect either your lady or me, for you imagined
that I had been telling you a pack of idle tales.
so

questions

What became

^you

of Mademoiselle de Faublas

Mademoiselle Faublas

she began by forming

an intimate connection with M. de Eosambert,

She had appointand, after that, with others.

and that one, I am very

positive, I found a letter which she had left in
a certain place and I have met the young perments with

this one,

son herself in a tete-a-tete in the vicinity of the

Bois de Boulogne. The result of

child

all

these in-

what might be expected, a child.

Yes, a child, I am sure of
say you ?

trigues was,


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

128
that too;

I saw her

in the family-way

plump with the physiognomy

of a woman who
am I not a true connoisround

getting

seur?

She then would hide herself under the

name

of Ducange, in the hotel of the Fauxbourg

Saint Honore.

ISTotwithstanding these precau-

tions, the father could not continue

any longer

ignorant of his daughter's loose conduct; and

called a family meeting, the relatives, in order
to secure the family

decision: the brother

himself,

from time

from disgrace, came to a

was appointed to show

to time, in public, in

female

which would capacitate them to have it

rumoured that it was the Chevalier de Faublas,
and not his sister, who had frequented the ballrooms in divers disguises. M. du Portail was
attire,

so condescending as to agree to that arrange-

So that slanderers have been imposed

upon and silenced, with the exception however of
Rosambert and two or three other bucks, who
ment.

will never be

was a male.
this affair,

made to believe that the damsel

But what is truly abominable in

added he in a mysterious tone,

that they have procured abortion

if

not,

is,

it

must have been in consequence of some accident

that the young person was brought to bed be-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
fore her time.

have hastened

am

129

certain, at least, that they

to exhibit her in the public walks.

The day on which

met her

in the Tuilleries,

she looked pale, thin, and emaciated.

how many

however,

day

to bias

my

physiognomical knowledge.

young lady much

find the

voice, I congratulated her

father,

who

ated at

my

rage
it

the

in a low

altered;

on her recovery

the

stood behind, heard

me

being in the

he flew in a

secret,

young man joined

was the

Consider,

accidents combined on that

first

the group

exasper-

and as

time that I saw the brother by

the side of the sister, was struck at their amaz-

The Chevalier

ing likeness.
his

father;

called the

the father cried out

Portail had no children;

M. du

that

Baron
M. du

Portail told

me

lie he had engaged to tell, and affirmed that

was the Chevalier who had always sported
the cursed disguise.
I then, bewildered by so
many mistakes, and being very ticklish when
my honour is at stake, flew into a passion, gave

the
it

credit to their sayings in preference to

eyes, accused

my

wife, and, what

my own

is still

carry-

ing matters further, I accused the physiognomical

science

and her of having deceived me.

Madman-like, I challenged the Chevalier, who


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

130

has not been connected with the Marchioness,

since he scarcely

knew her; who was

not,

any

young man,

other.

IsTevertheless,

the

terested in maintaining the contest, which

become

a family business, entered into

of explanation.

He

my

accepted

nor

neither he, nor

ever will be connected with her

in-

had

no kind

challenge,

and

on the next day

The Marquis went on speaking; but

heard

all

as I

had

I wished to know, I ceased listening

to him.

sweeter

occupation.

more pressing

interest

Madame

commanded

de

in

a
a

posture unfavourable for an attack, and by no

means convenient

for the defence

apprehensive,

besides, of being overheard, dared hardly stir,

and

to

my

rapidly multiplied efforts could op-

pose but a very short resistance.

when

after a

So

that, indeed,

few minutes had expired, her

de-

The Chevalier never

I was
has, never will; neither he nor others!
very near carrying my point. The Marchioness
lighted husband repeated:

herself seemed

conscious

of

victory, since she addressed

cating tone of a

tard her defeat:

woman who

my approaching
me in the supplionly wished to

moment!
you

said she; I only beg of

my

re-

dear friend,

to grant

me

one

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
moment

single

Faublas

I had imagined you

were susceptible of showing

ity

Heroism,
have

should

man
blas,

will

my

my

said,

me more generosmamma, you

beauteous

would be wanted

Cruel

me one moment ? Faume have time to ascertain

you refuse

beloved, let

whether I

131

am

not in extreme danger

not wish to expose

me

Let

you would

me know

whether,

upon hearing the least noise, they cannot come

and surprise us ? Where are they ? At supper.

Look.
no
Where through The keyhole. That
easy matter;
not room
Try.
They
How do they Justine
facing
The cupboard? Yes. And the
back
Marquis Why he turns

Make

sure

of

it ?

How

can I

is

there

to stoop.

is

are at table.

sit

sits

his

to us.

I had hardly done speaking,

when

the

Mar-

chioness, quick as lightning, disengaged herself

from

my

arms, pushed our door open with viol-

ence, hurried out of the cupboard, rushed to-

wards the

table,

which she overturned, and

could see no more.

The door

had been closed again, the

guished

of the cupboard

lights

were

extin-

but, stupefied as I was, I could hear

the report of half-a-dozcn slaps of the face given

by the Marchioness, who,

in a firm tone of voice,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

132

spoke as follows

becomes you well, indeed,

It

insignificant little creature,

whom

I have raised

from the dust and poverty, who, had it not been

for me, would still be tending the pigs in your
native village, and whom I might, with a single
word, send back again

comes you well

to

your dunghill;

to forged the respect

it

you owe

beto

your benefactress, and to make her private conI

duct the topic of your secret conversation.
especially find you very bold to presume to
seduce

And

my husband
you, sir;

to

is

your libertine association.

thus you repay my un-

it

bounded attachment? I had suspected that

some projects of conquests brought you to Longchamps! I have had you followed, you have
been seen I have seen you myself go, without

being put to the blush, to swell the shameful

number

of the followers of a courtezan, and in

the crowd of her lovers, sue for the honour of

obtaining the preference; you have been seen

also conversing for a long time with a

man,
to

to

whom,

if

you had paid the

least

young
regard

me, you never should have spoken in public,

nor even in private

return to console this

You have been seen to

nymph for the little acci-

dent which her impudence had been the occasion

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
of,

and

makes

preparing

finally

triumph

to her

home.

to

133

bring her back in

Mademoiselle,

whoever

a trade of selling her person to the first

comer, must expect to have no other servants

but such as

may

new comer;

be bribed by any

I have had yours generously paid; they have

not refused to

let

one of them has

where I trembled,

me know your
concealed me

direction,

in this room,

from fear of seeing you

sir,

How-

enter the place soon with your mistress.

ever, I

was determined

this

to obtain a certain proof of

ties

I had even

once at any price

your daily

made up my mind

infideli-

to leave

place of confinement only to surprise in bed

unworthy

rival

and

and

my

perfidious husband.

my
my

have not had patience enough to wait so long;

you have spared me the trouble neither

This pretty lady is so dedo I wonder at it.
However,
serving of your eager embraces
make yourself easy; I will be angry no more
besides

with either her or you

I already repent having

been so violent against this

shall

girl.

In future I

know, upon similar occasions, how

to re-

more tranquillity; or, rather, this scene I

promise you will be the last which the jealous
tain

Marchioness will ever indulge in; nay, to con-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

134

tinue using your

own very

obliging expressions,

my

adorations will no longer fatigue you.

any

rate, since at present

At

am informed that it
mere desire of not insulting me that
you to honour me sometimes with what

was the
induced

you are pleased

to call the

conjugal duty, I need

not repeat, through complaisance, what I have

already told you with great moderation, that

was

me

to

the most indifferent thing in the

It is proper I should declare to

world.

it

you that

I have truly immolated myself every time I

have been compelled to discharge that duty, and

from

that

this

moment I think myself

dispensed from ever fulfilling

it

again.

entirely
Little

do I care for the weaker sex being interdicted,

through a tyrannical custom, the sad and

last

resource against the offences of the strongest.

I acknowledge no laws except those that are

just

and no just laws but those which admit

equality.

numerous
plauded,

It

is

too

abominable

to

see

the

acts of a husband's perfidiousness ap-

when

the wife

is

disgraced for com-

mitting one single act of weakness.

It is too

shocking to think that I should have been con-

demned

to perish broken-hearted in

ignominious

confinement, for idolising a lover the most de-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
serving of

my

affections,

to receive the embraces of

135

and that I

am bound

an unworthy husband,

on his leaving the arms of

prostitute

Remember,
swear it shall never take place.
Marquis, the day on which false rumours and

Had I not
your odious suspicions accused me
right
wrong
or wrong,
justified myself right or
repeated she, with great firmness, had I not
!

had I not convinced you of my

to exercise your right

justified myself,

innocence, you were going

the right of the strongest party.

me

ready apprised
that I

was

You

al-

that our bonds were broken,

to be confined for life in a dreary

you pronounced on that day

against yourself, for the offence you have been
guilty of this day, not the sentence of your cap-

prison.

Well,

sir,

tivity, there are

men

no convents for the reception of

in cases of this sort, but the sentence of our

separation.

You have

verdict, there

protests

that

Madame

just been signing that

on Justine's
it

will be so,

de

B 's

sofa.

Madame

resolutions never vary.

I shall live in celibacy, but I shall live free

shall
tool

de

and you must know

no longer be the property, the slave, the

of anyone; I shall belong to myself alone.

You, Monsieur

le

Marquis, more happy

still

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

136

than before, will have, without any constraint,

a

hundred mistresses

all

at a time, if

you choose

women who will love you, and all the

this one excepted,
that may please you

the

girls

however.

I do not wish this one to be a gainer

from your generosity, that

is

the only vengeance

I shall only warn her that if

I will exercise.

she happens, were

it

but once, to receive you in

her house, I will have her immured without

mercy in a dungeon. You think, Mademoiselle,

I am doing you irreparable injury, don't you?
Be comforted, added she, in a tone that must
have given Justine to comprehend the true mean-

ing of those equivocal words; continue charm-

and faithful other people, richer

and more liberal, will indemnify you with re-

ing, clever,

gard to wealth, for the

loss of

M.

le

Marquis.

Others, believe me, will amply reward you for

this

indispensable

sacrifice.

I flatter myself,

you will condescend to hand me downand return home with me.

Yes, I comprehend you, Madame la Mar-

sir,

that

stairs,

quise, cried out Justine,

on her return from

conducting as far as her ante-chamber, the Marquis and his lady, and thinking herself alone

understand you

you will indemnify me for

;!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
this sacrifice
off

well and good

137

I shall be better

may

on that account, because then I

retain

M. de Valbrun.
Whilst

Madame

de Montdesir was going on

with her soliloquy, I continued in the cupboard

there I stood, wondering at all that had taken

had just heard.

place, at all that I

Justine,

meanwhile, burst out laughing: They are gone,

now

said she,

let

me

"What a good scene

recount to

alier, to

enjoy

markable good scene

have guessed that

at liberty in full.

it

when shall I see the Chevhim this ah what a re!

How

the deuce could I

woman was

here in

cup-

th^'s

board?

She opened
"What

So

and found

this other too

me

great

there.

God

I thought

I shall burst'

stars!

scene

it,

this will

then,

M.

make

much

it

it

Oh my
!

was a good

pleasanter

still

le Chevalier, you were in the secret

You had matched us! the Marquis, however,

In fact, since
only loved me through reprisals
!

you were shut up

in that

side by side, face to face

have!

cupboard for an hour,

M.

you have not suffered

le

Chevalier, you

to escape so pro-

pitious an opportunity of claiming your rights

Justine,

don't mention

it

you

see

me

still

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

138

amazed

at her presence of

ful boldness!

was by

It

womanly cunning,

mind,

at

her success-

a diabolical trick, a

that she deprived me, robbed

me of a victory which I thought was certain

I am sorry for it, it would have been more droll
!

still.

It is comical enough, however, as

I invited the husband to chat, just as

it

if his

is.

wife

had been at a thousand miles distance, as if I

had guessed that you, M. de Faublas, were quite
near.
Do you know that I heard him tell some
very excellent things! neither is what I have

made him

do,

almost
revenge from

much amiss

so

under the eyes of his wife

heaven

for

it

was

also

there

under the eyes of her

husband, that the virtuous lady once idolised

you, as she just now, most pleasantly, gave the

Marquis

to understand.

woman

she has been

larations!
truths.

He

Ah

she

is

a masterly

making him dreadful

dec-

has been forced to hear harsh

Poor man

she did not allow

him time

I wished you had

to recover his proper senses.

witnessed as I did, what a figure he looked, with

his eye-brows sticking up, his

mouth gaping, and

his eyes stupidly staring; I dare say he will not

be able to utter a single word before he reaches

his home.

What

occasions

me

a lively pleasure,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Madame

added

hand

139

de Montdesir, weighing in each

a purse full of gold, is that I shall get

rich if this should continue: the

to caress,

and the wife

to beat

me.

husband pays

How

so

Yes, that one I earned on my sofa, this the

Marchioness just now, while the lights were out,

me with one hand, while

with the other, she gave me a few little slaps on
the face, which occasioned me more fright than
M. le Chevalier, if your
they did me hurt.
very dexterously gave

Countess would
strikes.

at least

Justine,

pay for the blows she

never speak to

me

Countess, and rather try, if you wish

continue friends.

power

to

will do everything in

my

the

my

gain that end, interrupted she, jumpCome do you want proofs

ing to embrace me.

of

of

we should

sincerity

Stop here

in fact I

was not

and without

intended to sleep alone

pretending to pay you any compliment, I shall
to-night,

think myself a great gainer by the change.

Justine, I believe they are

that

night.

may
What

now

far enough, and

go down without danger

!

come of your

are

you in earnest what has beThat love, my

for me?
!

love

pretty, has been gone several days since

then try to

call it

Good
!

Ah

back one of these mornings,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

140

negligently looking at herself in a

said she,

and if it should return, you may return with it, and will always

glass over the chimney-piece,

But before you

indeed,
A morsel
getting
starved but

be welcome.

go, at least eat a

morsel

no,

must be uneasy

As soon

it

late

is

adieu,

Madame

am

true,

my

half

father

de Montdesir.

as I appeared at the door of the

Here he comes!
Jasmin
on
the stair-case.
Here he is, hallooed
Is he not wounded ? asked the Baron, who ran
to meet me.
No, father; so then you saw me
?
Yes,
in the crowd with the Marquis de B
hotel,

the Swiss called out:

I did see you; in vain did I attempt to force

my

passage through the throng to join you

have been returned home these three hours, and

nothing could equal my inquietude. What has

happened to you ? how has your antagonist deI shall tell you when we
tained you so long ?
were able to withdraw from the bronliahas of

the multitude,

you

me

killed

Not

him

we were both very warm

?

No,

Another dreadful
at

he forced

all,

me

father,
to

Have

father, but he has forced

affair! another duel!

you won't

follow

him

let

me

as far as

Cloud, to a friend's he has there,

finish:

Saint

and who gave

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
US refreshments

M. de B

141

Refreshments! Yes,

father;

sorry he has quarrelled with

is

me

he cannot be comforted for having done so without a cause; he has begged

my

pardon twenty

times; he loves me, he honours you, and has

desired

me

assure you

to

of his

sincere

es-

teem.

Upon hearing

those last words,

my

father en-

deavoured to retain his gravity; but unable to

succeed, he turned his back to me. Madame de
Fonrose, who had not the same reasons to use
constraint, laughed most heartily.
at

me

me, to give

She winked
comprehend where I had

to

The Baroness took her

when her laughing fit was over. I

taken refreshments.
leave of us
leave

you before

it

gets late, said she, because

I must get up very early to-morrow, to go to

the castle of the

I can't

tell

little

Countess.

whether

Madame

de Fonrose was

more early than Madame de B

called up before seven to receive

but I was

a note

from

Justine.

" Monsieur

le

comte de Florville

Chevalier.
is

what I am writing.

M.

now with me and

;

He

is

the

Vi-

dictates

very sorry he was

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

142

prevented, hj more pressing business, telling

me

yesterday, in your presence, what he thinks of

my

behaviour towards the Countess.

girl,

situated as I am, must have lost the use of her

senses, to have been so audacious as to insult in

My

public a lady of her rank.

nonsensical im-

prudence might also have exposed M. de Flor-

had you not known him so well, you,

Chevalier, might have suspected him of

ville, for,

M.

le

having had his share in

my

odious proceeding.

Vicomte has forgiven me;

ITevertheless, M.
but he questions your being disposed to show
me the like indulgence; and he apprises me,
le

you refuse pardoning me, neither the

patronage of M. de Valbrun, nor other more
that if

powerful considerations, will prevent

M. de

to-night to sleep at

condescends to spare

me

my

going

Florville kindly

the humiliation of writ-

ing the word omitted.

" I remain, with repentance, fear, and

re-

spect, etc.

" MONTDESIR."
" Present

my

respectful

comte, assure him,

gratitude

but

tell

my

him

homage

to

M.

poor child, of

le

Vi-

all

my

that he is uneasy in his

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
mind without
taken

it

into

143

a cause; that I never could have

my

head that he were capable of

using such means as those that were adopted

yesterday, and by a woman of your description,
to chagrin

Madame

la

Comtesse.

Do

not fail

you on account of the

adding,
threefold consideration of the cut from a whip,
of your fall, and of the slaps you received yesthat I forgive

terday.

So much

said,

fare

thee

my

well,

dear!"
Meanwhile, in the midst of the most extraordinary events which seemed to follow each
other so close, purposely to be conducive to m;^

speedy convalescence,
think of

ment of

my

my

b}'

not

allowing

me

actual situation, I enjoyed a

to

mo-

which I consecrated entirely to

Oh, my Sophia! Oh, my wife!

repose,

Sophia.

and evermore regretted, when

by thy presence, to diminish
and to annul the lively impressions which the
tenderness and charms of thy rivals produce on
the mind and heart of your still young husband,
But what
too weak to resist so many trials?

no

less cherished,

wilt thou come,

have I been saying

of thy rivals

in truth, thou hast one only

that

Sophia,

one, I can-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

144

not do otherwise

I must adore

and

at least

most certainly love alone

But what can mortal man oppose to destiny?
at least, I will

My persecuting genius, at the very moment when

I was forming the wisest resolutions, was pre-

paring to impose upon me, as a law, several new

infidelities,

for the perpetration of which

am

will be seen I

gree of injustice, to be found guilty

Madame

it

without the greatest de-

not,

whom

de Fonrose,

of.

I thought

was

already at a great distance, came at twelve

o'clock, to

inform us that

a slight indisposition

having kept her in town, she was come

with us; and
as

soon as

to dine

was immediately agreed, that

our dinner was over, we should
it

go to the Tuilleries.

I declined joining the

party.

Before we sat down to

rose,

whom my

table,

Madame de Fonme for a

father left alone with

few moments, said

to

me You were
:

right to re-

fuse going with us; leap for joy, you will see

Madame
sible

de Lignolle this evening.

Listen

As I was
ing, a

sitting at

my

it

Is

dressing-table this

humorous idea occurred

ran to impart

it

pos-

me, and thank your friend.

to

to the

to

my

morn-

mind: I

Countess; but ever too

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
was already gone.

hasty, she

the old aunt

Madame

I told

145

I then applied to

d'Armincour, that

Mademoiselle de Brumont having but a moment

obtained the unexpected leave of going to Gatinois,

had dispatched

me

to request of

Madame

Marquise to postpone her departure for a

few hours, and to give her a seat in her carriage.
In hers and why not in yours ? A fine quesla

tion

because I sacrifice myself, in order that

you may

go, I

must

When

not.

the concert

is

Baron home with me and,

that I may keep him there, I shall use means
which I leave you to guess, young man! The
Baron will oppose so much the less resistance,
as knowing that Madame de Lignolle is absent,
he cannot plead the danger of leaving you master of your own actions.
M. de Belcour will
stop, I promise you I even engage to keep him

over, I shall take the

with

me

shall

manage matters

home

to-morrow, the whole of the day.

so,

that he will not go

you to return by
nine, that you can. Immediately after dinner,
which I have had got ready at an early hour,
your father and I will be off. Agatha then will
before midnight

come and dress you.

try

That done, pop

into a

hackney-coach, and drive in great haste to

Ma-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

146

dame d'Armincour's

and fear nothing.

don't

It will be six, perhaps,

lose her direction

when you

set off

but

you will be time enough yet to spend a good

night with the Countess. In the morning, you
will assist at the festival, seated by the side of
Madame de Lignolle, who most likely will be
rather inclined to take a nap than to receive
company. But there is no pleasure to be procured without some drawback: methinks I see
her little face turned pale and fatigued, which
you more interesting in conseHowever, have a little patience! you
quence.
also will have your punishment to endure, for a
lover like Faublas has always a good appetite.
ITotwithstanding, sir, you must quit the grand
dinner! I am very sorry for it! at two o'clock

will appear to

precisely step into your post-chaise

Chevalier! do not yield

do not

fail,

to the solicitations of

your giddy mistress, to expose her, disoblige me,

and deprive yourself forever of the resources
which such a friend as I am has in reserve for

you

My
pelled

a friend

father returning, the Baroness was comto

change her conversation.

everything passed as smooth as

At

Madame

first,

de Fon-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
rose had foretold.

Before

147

five o'clock,

Faublas

was disguised at five precisely, Mademoiselle

de Brumont scarcely applied the tip of her lips
:

to the pointed chin of the old Marchioness,

who

returned the pretended kiss with a truly chagrin-

ing tardiness, and casting upon her

a look

which

To make

a tender curiosity seemed to animate.

amends, Mademoiselle de Brumont gave a free

embrace
girl,

a certain

to

who

the brilliant hue

Madame
lady!

slender,

tall,

well-made

exhibited on her youthful countenance

la

of nature

Marquise, this

She

and pudicity.

young
Mesanges a

a very pretty

is

Mademoiselle de

is

cousin to your friend.

I have just fetched her

from her convent to take her to the festival.

Apropos of festival you were not at Longchamps yesterday then with the Countess ?

'No,

madam.

am

delighted

really

at

miss

that
I saw somebody
you, resumed
some
Where, madam At Longchamps. That may
She truly a sweet
creature
high time
should
married We are thinking of getting a husband
dowager. And you,
mademoiselle
asked
returned

joining our party

looked very

there

much

the tire-

like

gossip.

be.

is

get

that she

It is

for her, replied the

?

I.

I,

the

in-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

148
nocent

girl,

and casting down her

crossing, with

an embarrassed

lower than her bosom

business of mine

Me why

and

eyes,

her hands,

air,

that

no

is

I have been told, however,

and I have begged

was time. Yes, yes, exclaimed the Marchioness, we will let you know.

that I should be informed

to hear of it

when

it

Mademoiselle de Brumont here will speak

my

you

won't you

girl,

such a misfortune
niece

it

to

you will speak to her,

she should meet with
wish
not
do
I

old

might

so

as

has befallen

happen

indeed, she

ignorant, added she quite low, she

my

poor

is totally

knows of

I entrust you with the care of instruct-

nothing

ing her.

With

Not
Madame
me. Yes, I

deal of pleasure.

however, but when the time

is

yet,

come, I beseech

employ your whole abilities.

la Marquise, you may rely upon
doubt not but I shall always find you disposed

you

to

to render

me

services of the kind.

I assuredly

do not know of a girl more obliging than you

are.

We

departed, and as

we were stepping into

making this obMademoiselle de Me-

the carriage, I could not help

servation,

namely, that

sanges had a pretty leg, and a very small foot.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
the road, I had

As we were on

149

many an

op-

portunity also of discovering, through a thin

gauze, something very pretty.

iSTeither

could I

abstain thinking, within myself, that he

be a fortunate mortal

who was intended

must

first to

see that rising breast to palpitate with pleasure.

It

was with a deep

I soon

mortification, however, that

made another

discovery.

I could read

on the countenance of the young person, I know

not what, less attractive than natural pleasing
modesty, more senseless than plain ingenuity,
a certain, I

prise me,

know

not what, which seemed to ap-

that love, so quick in general in en-

lightening the

mind

of a young girl, would be

at great pains to innoculate

little

wit into

this one's.

However, whether through instinct or sympathy. Mademoiselle de Mesangcs seemed already to be very partial to me, when we arrived
Everybody was asleep, one waitat the castle.
ing woman alone sat up to wait for the Mar-

The Countess had taken care to keep

own apartment for her dearest relatives:

chioness.

her

her aunt was to occupy her bed she had ordered

another to be put up for her young cousin, in
;

the adjacent closet

that closet with a glass door.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

150

recollect that

whitlier the reader will

promised

to bring

I have

him back more than

once.

"With regard to Mademoiselle de Brumont, as

she was not expected, there was no

room kept

for

her in the whole castle, not one bed but what

Every year,

was occupied.
festival,

was
and

generally

at the period of this

brilliant,

the

Marchioness

in the habit of receiving her whole family

this

country,

once,

as

often

will

happen in the

some friends with them.

The

first

word I spoke was to have the Countess called

up.

The

was nearly
was not becoming, said

old Marchioness

in a passion;

it

falling
she, to

have the rest of her child disturbed, young

folks might sleep together, and not die in conse-

The young damsel

quence of a bad night!

looked at
to

me

with a frown

I was a naughty girl

wish to have her cousin called up: would

not be more amusing

night,

to chatter together

it

all

than to go and sleep separately in a

bed?
Oh,

my

Eleanor! I give you

my word

of

honour that notwithstanding the bad night with

which the aunt threatened me, notwithstanding

the interesting conversation that your cousin
promised to treat me with, I insisted upon going

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
to

151

you; but the Marchioness then, quite in an

ill-humour, absolutely forbade the waiting-wo-

man showing me your

apartment, and imme-

diately gave her the tremendous order to undress us all three. Could I, tell me, go through

numerous galleries of the immense castle in

search, from door to door, of the mistress, and
awaken the whole company at two in the morn-

the

Observe, besides, that the very expedi-

ing?
tious

maid already stripped your

old aunt of

all

her wearing apparel, and could not be long in

coming

to

me.

Under what

pretence, however,

could I refuse her very dangerous services?

Confess,

my

Eleanor, confess with a good grace,

that I was obliged immediately to yield consent.

I hastened to undress myself, ran to the

and had already placed my foot in the

very little bed in which the Demoiselles de
Mesanges and de Brumont would certainly have
found it diflScult to procure room enough for

closet;

them both for

a whole night.

But, oh, heavens! what a thunderbolt comes

to crush me ? the cursed old woman has altered

her mind! most likely recollecting the talent I

am

possessed of in explaining everything, she

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

152

has apprehended
use of
she

it

lest

I should make a premature

with her Agnes.

'No, though, cried

me, in a hoarse voice, upon second

to

thoughts,

it is

Everyone
proposal

but

me you

with

may

guess

it is

will

how I

come

to bed.

objected to the

proper I should conceal from

no one that the young miss was no less hurt

What, my
at this proposition than myself!
kind cousin, for fear we should be a

little in-

commoded, would you expose yourself to spend

a bad night ? Do not be afraid of that, Mesanges; you know that I sleep very sound;
nothing prevents my enjoying a good night's
How! Madame la Marchioness, would
rest.

you show me such excessive kindness as to allow me to incommode you ? Kot in the least,
my angel, you will not incommode me at all;
I observe that this bed is very large; you will
That is
see, we shall be very comfortable!

exactly

what I did not wish

attempted to repeat

my

to ascertain.

caressing solicitations;

but a positive " I insist upon

it

" closed

my

mouth.

Now, quicker
fore, I

in

my

still

was forced
shift! If,

to

and more cruelly than beimmolate myself I was

however, you do not perceive

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
at first sight,
if

am

what

153

found very troublesome;

obliged to describe in

its

whole extent

the state of extreme embarrassment in which I

manage not

to violate in some
You, readers, who are
in want of penetration, show me at least some

stood,

how

shall I

degree austere modesty.

indulgence.

Who among

many

was obliged, as I had

make the best of it I was
so

to

at a loss in

called into action

occasions,

now enabled me

hands

that

all

mont, in order

to screen

what way

mind

on so many

to cover

was necessary

without being confused.

eyes upon me, to

screen myself, but that presence of

which had been

my

you, standing in

place, could have acted better than I did

my

with

to be concealed,

Mademoiselle de BruFaublas from

all eyes,

was therefore reduced to make the best of a

bad bargain, to obey promptly; she was compelled, without any further deliberation, to leave
the narrow couch of a novice maiden, to hurry
into the wide bed, in which soon after a dame
of about sixty years of age came to stretch her-

down by the side

Ah! pity Faublas,

self

of her.
pity him! never

placed in a more chagrining situation.

this

was

lie

Yes, in

same bed, a fortnight back, I suffered

less,

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

154

when, undeserving of the affection of two lovers,

I felt, under the eyes of the Countess and of the
Marchioness, near dying from extreme weakit is my remy apprehensions,
How then can a

ness; whereas on the present day

cruited health that causes

me

and makes

miserable

sexagenarian, by the only reason that she

my

female, kindle within

ing

fires

But

is it

is

breast those devour-

not rather because through

a too thin partition, the nubile attractions of

me

that child cause

influence

Draw
would

dame
sleep.

still to feel

my

nearer,

my

darling,

draw

close to

me,

No,

Ma-

bed fellow say tenderly.

Marchioness, no,

la

their burning

You

will

would disturb your

never disturb me,

soul, I never feel too

incommodes me.

it

warm

Why,

in bed.

my

Well

that I believe

is

dear
!

heat

very

your time of life I was the same.

I have the honour to wish
I don't doubt it.

possible

you
was

at

good night,

like

Madame

la Marchioness.

you, and when M. d'Armincour was

pleased to sleep by himself, he did

Very well!
you good

Madame

night.

He

la

me

service.

Marchioness, I wish

rendered

me

truly when he would leave me

service

after having

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
fulfilled

duty, that

his

must do him

justice,

155

understood

is

and

while he was young

complied easily to perform

Oh

it.

I
lie

he was no

wish you joy upon

M.
Madame
Marchioness,

come

my
do
hear what you

I
because
me I
you turn your back
The
because I can only
on my
singular!
must
but
To be sure
check
now
habit Habit, my
you
me
I was married
I have
doubt
long time
I
I do now
of always laying
and never could break myself of Perhaps
de Lignolle

I believe,

casion.
is

the oc-

getting

late.

la

can't

pretty

it

nearer,

too late

jN^ot

to

left side.

that

heart!

of the

is

it

the circulation.

it

that is

don't

ago.

does,

are right

sweetly,

for instance, since

do,

sleep

side

w^hat

say,

got

it.

into the habit

so

as

it.

that

is

ture

is

so

much

the better for you, for the pos-

not a bad one.

Madame

I have the honour to wish

You
am.

you

la

Marquise,

good night.

I warrant you I
Please yourshe
plenty of room but where

are very sleepy then?

"Well then,

self,

there

gone

is

my

little heart.

is

Quite on the edge of the bed

She made

my hand had
what would have

a great motion: if

not stopped hers,

my

been the consequence

stars!

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

156

Ah madam, pray don't touch me, you would

make me jump to the skies. But, my chicken,
!

don't get out of bed

come

I only wanted to feel where

take care must

dear?^Prodigiously
madam. So am I
I don't
good
another habit what do
know whether
But,
I don't
you think of
you
No.
take
my

you were

in again

my

be very ticklish,
so

^you

little

night,

too.

that

it

dear,

come near me
thing

believe
will

care,

Whence proceeds
wanted.

is

this obstinacy?

There

'Tis because

is.

fall.

wherefore not

more room than

is

it

I can't touch

is

any-

If I were only to feel accidentally the tip

of your finger

should faint away.

Zooks!

bad disorder. What will you do, then,

I
I will not marry.
get married ?
have the honour to wish you a good night, Madame la Marchioness. How could you have
laid in that horse bedstead, by the side of young
Mesanges ? You are right I could not have
laid quiet, Madame la Marquise; I wish you
that

is a

when you

a good night.
don't know,

What

o'clock

Madame; but

may

it

be?

I wish you a good

night.

At

length the gossip became willing to let me

my turn, that " good night " so press-

hear, in


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
ingly solicited; but rejoice,

thou wast not the only

As soon

as the

157

Faublas, rejoice,

one who

sighed for

it.

Marchioness had begun

to

was that agreeable additional

of my charming bed comcompany
charm in the
panion, that she was heard to snore like a man,
methought, that in a low voice I was addressed
snore, for there

in the following words:

My

dear friend!

was

my

imagination; yet

fancied

it

I lifted up

my

a sport of

head, and watched for the least

"my

noise: a second time

dear friend" a mo-

me
cannot.
sleep? Xo, indeed,
Wlience
my dear whence comes

ment

mine ears. My dear friend,

what is the matter ? Can you

after saluted

yourself,

tell

iSTor I,

that

neither,
?

be-

you were saying not long

cause, my
since, it would be more amusing to have a little
chat together.
If you think so, come then.
dear, as

With

all

my heart, but the Marchioness? My

Ah when she snores it is a sign that

cousin

she

asleep.

is

in good earnest

believe you.

when

she

And she

is asleep.

sleeps

Come my

dear; come, then, you have nothing to fear.

Ah

as I have told you, with all

door

is

my

heart,

my
my

Certainly
your door is locked
alwavs locked, without that precaution

dear, but

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

158

How,
would you have
Why! was not me who locked
I do not say was was not
I
me, because
have not perceived
You very
you, my
was frightened
I shoTild be afraid.

me

then,

get in?

it

the door.

you.

it

are

dear.

at

my

kind,

It

at all that

dearest; but here I am, standing at

your door, and rather thinly clad to hold a conAh! but it is the Marchioness who
versation.

That does not prevent my

Ah but Marchionher
Why, but
key
has put
you can
My
I have not got her
dear
I
In
Do, my beloved nearly the
has locked

me

in.

beginning to feel

cold.

in

the

ess

the

pocket.

dear,

pocket.

find

it in.

the dark,

the dark.

will feel for

it.

well,
at

foot of the bed, on the second arm-chair, on the

left

hand

there.

side

Why,

before

I have seen her place her pockets

my

dear, did

you not

tell

me

so

Without making the

least

noise,

I found

the arm-chair, the pocket, the key, and the keyhole.

found

my

dear friend,

into her bed to chat;

warm

my

who

me, threw herself into

pressed

me

to her

bosom.

You, Goddess of
histories in the

my

received

me

good friend who, to

What

my

arms,

and

a sweet child!

history! and of

world, you who have

all

the

conde-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
scended to take up

my

159

pen when I was neces-

sitated to relate, in a decent style, the ticklish

debates between the aunt and niece, the delicate

multiplied questions the amorous instructions

upon the latter, O Clio! worthy Clio,

come! come this day to describe the astonishment of the cousin, her first inquietudes, and
her sweet errors! come to recount something
else come the recital which I have further to
make is, perhaps, more surprising, and more
difficult than any of those I could not hitherto
lavished

dispense gratifying public curiosity with.

For some minutes past we had been convers-

ing most amicably, and I began to get warm

again a short time only elapsed when our con;

was interrupted by Mademoiselle de

versation

Mesanges, who made

are you frightened

a start

at,

my

both your hands are here on

have

felt

strange to

cause
dear,

my

neck, and yet I

I felt something that seemed very

me
am

what

What
Why, but

backward.

beloved

Do you wonder
fit

to

be

at that

It is be-

married. My
you? You have not
dearest

shall I say to

hitherto been informed, because

too young. Ah

since

it

must be

you are
so,

replied

still

my

novice, the Marchioness will have no occasion to

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

160

me

inform

without

my

so great a change will not take place

being sensible of

it.

Yes, I

laugh,

I think they are playing their tricks upon my

good friend Des Rieux. A good friend of your

convent?

Yes. With

whom you

go and chat

in the night? When they forget locking me

They are playing iricks with that young
up.

? Certainly

lady

they

tell

her every day that

properly formed; I plainly see that is

not true, and that it is because they expect
something that they unceasingly postpone her
she

is

Probably.
young
she ? Sixteen. Oh
How
a
And

almost
am
But I
married
be
you have been
long time
A twelve monthor nearly suppose
you converse
anyone
you do not

miss
I am not such
young
night with
simpleton they would soon deprive one of the
You,
means of doing
under

marriage

old

pretences.

divers

is

too

it is

eighteen.

still.

since

fit

to

so.

at

that

tell

that

therefore, will

so again.

beware of telling them that I came to have a

little chat with you this night? Don't be
apropos, there

afraid

zles both

tainly,

a something that puz-

Des Rieux and me

my

man!

is

dear, will tell us

vastly; you, cer-

what a man

is ?

I would give anything in the world,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

my

dearest, to

know.

Would you

the same agreement as

What

is

married,

is to

all

about

tion!

it.

it?

The

Trust me,
friend,

manner

don't know, but

me more

sioned

most

likely,

to
it

What

enter

I have.

who

gets

to tell the other

I join in the conven-

you embrace me much

does, and I

what Des Rieux

seems to

pleasure

from

well

of us two

my

me

still.

did she wish

as if

That

it

occa-

proceeds,

loving you better than she

My dearest dear! What

does.

Des Rieux and

first

come the next day

My good

in a like

IGl

to

do with

is

the matter?

my hand,

which

she seized on a sudden, saying: Embrace

then,

Not
a

my

dear beloved, as Des Rieux does!

quite in the same manner,

little

me

my

dear

but in

better one, perhaps

Although I did not cease protesting that all

would soon be over, that the most difficult part
of the business was already gone through, the
young person, subsequent to her uttering some
gentle screams, which she endeavoured to

stifle,

could not finally suppress a piercing shriek.

shall not tell

think

have

mentioned

above,

moiselle de Mesanges had a very

Was

it

what occasioned her pain; but I

that

Made-

little foot.

not a very cruel thing for

me

to

be

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

IQ2

obliged to leave the field of battle precisely at

the

moment when

victory

was declaring in

my

favour? I however, was forced so to do. The

Marchioness, roused on a sudden from her first

was muttering these words. Mercy upon

ah, it is
my God! it is a dream!
only a dream

sleep,

me!

oh,

I immediately submitted to necessity, quitted

the bed of the ex-maiden, and escaped, on

my

knees and hands, to that of the dowager.

N'ow

this latter,

anxious to

know

just heard.

who was

quite awake,

was

the cause of the noise she had

Alas!

it

is

me, madam.

You!

where are you then ? On the ground by

"Why
the bedside; I have just fallen down.
?
brim
very
the
will you obstinately lay on
Quite on the contrary, madam. How so, on the
And what
contrary? I approached too near.
miss

then?

cannot

What
help

then!

When madame

jogging

about;

sleeps, she

madame

stretched out her leg; her leg has touched

has

me

on purpose, my dear child

keep at some distance, if
again;
bed
get into
you like. Oh, yes, I do! You awoke me on
Pray, madam, do not scold me, I
a sudden.
1 do not
am extremely sorry if I have
1 did not do

it

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
scold

there

have a

is

no great harm done

chat for a moment.

little

me, I feel quite

will excuse

you

we

shall

I beg

jon

already for hav-

ill

Listen
what
madam. Ah,
Good
madam,
recount my dream. But

ing had so

at least to

little sleep.

I was dreaming.

wish to

103

night,

then,

-Oh,

will not be able to go to sleep again.-

but I will though

I can sleep whenever I please.

Where, in the name of patience, do we collect

This was the place
matter for all our dreams
impertinent man
dreamt
that
an
of action.
I
!

was espousing me by main force. Ah ah

Madame la Marquise! what man would be so
It was not me, at any
audacious? Guess.
but most likely
rate.
ISTo, it could not be you
I have no brother.
I do
it was your brother.
not say you have, my darling people will dream
every day of what does not exist In my dream,
he was your brother, for he bore a striking likePardon this new wrong of mine.
ness to you.
You joke, my angel! it was not your fault;

no harm in it; but that is not

What! the impudent fellow! perhaps he

besides, there
all.

had courage
soon left

me

Without

is

Not he
That
do you hear?Without

to begin over
to

my

go into that
leave

again?

so;

closet.

closet


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

164

?
To marry young De Mesanges.
Who did not oppose him
Young De Mesanges

your leave

Who
what

is

did not oppose him!

most singular, the

Wait

a little;

being so

child, not

What

well drilled as myself to that exercise

then?

PainPain! Caused

forth

shriek

her

shriek!

send

to

That

awoke

me.

Figure

to yourself, reader, if

mortal fright that agitated me.

you can, the

Had the Mar-

chioness really dreamt that dream, whicli ac-

corded so well with the circumstances

a tardy warning, that

amorous

to all

Hymen,

successes,

Was

had just sent

to the

duenna, in order to prevent

too careless

it

sworn enemy

my

triumph being completed ? Or, what would have

been worse still, had the cursed old woman, at
that very instant, with a wonderful presence of
mind, invented that supposed dream, on purpose to give

me

clearly to understand that

my

crime had been discovered, that an entire devotedness alone could expiate

it,

that I

must

instantly meet the punishment which awaited

me

in her arms

At

this last idea, all

volted.

I,

my

notwithstanding,

senses at once re-

summoned

all

my

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

1G5

in order to ascertain, by means of

some indirect questions, the true disposition of

fortitude,

Madame

d'Armincour.

Are you
beauty.

madam ?

serious,

What

You
you had seen
dark Ah

sure, I did hear.

also that

Quite

you heard,

being in the

my

serious,

madam

To

be

have been telling

me

How could you

my dream it

was

in

see,

broad daylight.

This answer, made in a tone of great can-

me
Madame

dour, restored

night

to perfect tranquillity.

Good

Well,

child,

la

Marquise.

you will absolutely have it so, good night

companion now went to sleep again; and
her loud snoring, which before was so disagreesince

My

able,

now

caressed

my

ears as sweetly as

might

have done the most enchanting voice, the voice

Do not wonder at it it was the joytrumpet

which announced the time was come
ful
for me to go and resume a charming piece of
of Baletti.

work, already in a state of great forwardness,

but unfortunately interrupted as nearly completed.

Eager

to

finish

it,

lifted

up

the

clothes with the utmost precaution,

ready to
the

and I was
step out of the bed, when, on a sudden,

propitious

snoring

ceased.

wrinkled.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

166

heavy hand, which appeared

me

and stopped

for awhile:

said the infernal old

woman,

me to be that
me bj the neck,

to

of Proserpina, caught hold of

Wait
at last

moment!

am

going

with you.

She was going, indeed

she locked

sanges
little

Ah

it

to shut the

after calling out to

Sleep, mademoiselle, sleep

patience,
but,

we

Madame

will
la

door ; and

young de Me-

marry you

and have a
ere long!

Marquise, replied

my

friend, in a languishing tone of voice, I

married yet

to be

fit

Very

well,

other, counterfeiting her accent

prudely

You seem

to

dear

am

not

resumed the

very well, miss

know nothing about

the

matter, but that will not prevent our doing

your business for you, as soon

as possible, too.

you who have contracted

Come
habits, added she, conducting me by the hand
to her bed
I shall see whether you can keep
awake to chat with young girls only.
along, miss,

At

these dreadful words, which forebode tor-

tures awaiting me, I could feel a deadly shiver-

ing to freeze

from

all

my

blood,

my

whole blood, which,

the extremities, flowed with prodigious

swiftness towards

my heart.

Trembling through

every limb, I suffered myself to be dragged

to-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

167

wards the place of execution. I fell on the bed,

where a furj was already waiting to press me
There I fell, exwithin her avenging arm?.
hausted, motionless, and almost lifeless.

The impatient Marchioness, subsequent

short silence,

which she strove to

forgotten her dream, and

voice,

ing one point of

Alas!

to a

asked me, in a hoarse, broken

it

only

soften,
if

whether I had

I thought of

realis-

was thinking of her dream!

it appeared indispensable I should prevent greater misfortunes by a generous devotedness.

Was I, by offering to Madame d'Armin-

thought

cour an insult that no female will ever forgive,

to expose to her easy vengeance Mademoiselle
de Mesanges,
the

fact,

and

Was

also?

who had

my

dear

nearly been caught in

Madame

de Lignolle

I to risk exposing myself to the

rancour of three families, that would unite

against

was the

magnanimous effort, therefore,

only means I had left of saving my two

me?

mistresses and myself.

Never more than upon

this

occasion did I

young man,
whose great courage besides is called forth by
pressing necessity, may at all times rely upon
ever

experience

that

resolute

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

168

After some short hesitation, after a

few moments of dejection and terror, inseparable from the dreadful undertaking I was sum-

himself.

moned

to,

I felt less incapable of attempting,

and perhaps of accomplishing it. Unfortunate

Come,
your last hour is near at hand
immolate
heart!
show
a
good
come,
Faublas,

youth

thyself!

Thus did I encourage

ing virtue, but, to consolidate

make some new

The

efforts.

my
it,

still

waver-

I wanted to

victim, at last,

however, wishing for nothing more but to avoid,

at least, cruel preludes,

and

to accomplish the

dolorous sacrifice in an instant, if possible, the

resigned victim on a sudden flew to meet his
fate.

How

prompt! exclaimed the malignant old

woman, laughing. Gently, sir, gently, if you
please it was said in my dream that you mar!

me by

ried

me

force.

By

force

do you hear

Let

ask you then, are you disposed to use

Are you fully determined to ravish the
viol-

ence;

dowager d'Armincour? jSTo, madam, I have

too much honour to commit so heinous an ofI
Well, then, be quiet by my side.
fence.

may
life

have played you a trick;

one likes a joke, for

my

at

any time of

part I always


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
do,

my

when

Eleanor

not concerned; but

is

would be carrying the joke too

accept of your generous offer.
for
at

young women;

169

far, if I

Keep yourself
aunt was to take you

if the

your word, the niece might not be

The

niece

it

were to

satisfied.

you think that Madame de Lignolle

Most assuredly I do but

;

let

me

have noth-

ing to say about the Countess for the present;

we have a more pressing object

You were speaking just now, sir,
Are you not

action!

have indulged during

Madam,

to

speak

sensible that the one

my

sleep

was

you

horrible

could anyone, had he been in

Wherefore were you

of.

of a heinous

my

in that place, in

place

which

you never should have been ? Why go in search

of temptations that no one could resist ? Where-

by a
you
perfidious disguise ? I see nothing, sir,
can plead as an excuse, but I hope, at least, you
fore surprise the confidence of relations

that

have some means of repairing the injury that

Mademoiselle de Mesanges and her family have
Madam. You will undoubtedly
suffered.

Madam. Speak
With my
meanbefore but Let me hear
I have
I cannot. You already
ing of your

marry
plain

the

young

person.

will you, or not

said

but.

heart, as

all

the

are

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

170

married, are you not

it!

I am, madam. That's

What become

that becomes certain!

it is

persons that

not in your power to marry; for

she has been seduced, has not she

?

What

there

done,

is

done

You have

Madam. Speak,

done her a great injury

is

now

see

to

it

was

easy, sir, I

to

you have

cer-

is

Make yourself
speaking
myself.
You may
dreadful thing
seduce young
madam?

tain,

is

no remedy

sir.

but

you will have the goodness to inform me, in

what situation exactly you have left the young
person; in all probability I awoke too late for
her safety; but, to speak the truth, since I entertained suspicions, I ought not to have gone
to sleep at
that,

Yet how could I have fancied

all.

though inclined to commit a rash

act,

they

would have the audacity and time requisite,

when I, who must be very easy on my own account, held the rake in my bed, the young girl
locked in, and the key in my pocket ? He must
be a true devil

mad

devil, too, I say.

Well,

the young
it
the young girl has
young person is the young person
has undergone an entire metamorphose? To
conceal nothing from you, madam, I believe

confess

sir,

girl

that

the

my

triumph has been complete.

fine

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
triumph

very

difficult to obtain,

difficult for the

sweet child.

171

indeed

What now

very

in his

enthusiasm, he wants to enter into particular

Ah

details.

pardon me, madam, whether

known your

cult or not, I have

cousin so

diffi-

little,

any serious consequences

What do you mean? explain.

that I cannot imagine

hardly
be presumed
pregnant. Wliy, indeed, cried

will ensue.

mean
is

that

that she

to

it is

she, in a pas-

what a high favour you are bestowing upon

us but at any rate, sir, her fame is gone to the
devil!
Do you reckon that a mere nothing?
Would you have been pleased if you had been
sion,
!

given

in

learned

now

marriage

Learned She
me She
!

telling

she believes I

young person already

is

not

so.

is so little

am

What

is

But do you
story? Madame

a girl.

believe

that I was born yesterday, to come up to

with such an idle

la

chioness don't be angry.

I'll tell

he

informed that

me

Mar-

you the whole

story.

The good
interrupting
out,

That

as
is

quite so

aunt,

who

me by

did not hear

me

without

frequent exclamations, cried

soon as I had nothing more to say:

very extraordinary, and there

much harm

done,

not auite

so

is

not

much.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

172

you will keep it a profound secret

and I rely enough upon your honour. You
may, madam. You are sensible that now I
Sir, I expect

cannot get that child married too soon it will be

no difficult thing neither; she is a good figure,
;

and has a large fortune. She is deficient in

except what you have just been rob-

nothing

bing her

That, however,

of.

is

not depicted in

the face of a girl, and most fortunately

for,

be

many

said between ourselves, if

it

a fine

it is so

were,

it

damsel could never enter the matri-

This one, therefore, will be provided for as soon as possible; and, as chance
might have it that you were to hear in the

monial

state.

world of the fool who would be on the point

of marrying her, be very particular then in
not

Make

sensible

ourselves

this

yourself

perfectly

adventure

only!

Very

known

must be

well,

sir,

am

easy;

to

I shall say

nothing to the young person, for what could

I say?

She

is

a little simpleton,

who

out knowing what she was about, took

it

withinto

Let her
her head to act a part; that is all.
error;
useful
but
ridiculous
continue in her
but that she

may

nor perceive

it herself,

neither impart

it

to anyone,

I shall take care to rec-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

ommend

her to her convent, and likewise the

good friend with

whom

she exchanges embraces.

however, you should deem

If,

it

proper,

entrust her cousin with the secret.

Yes. Madame de Lignolle

You

don't wish she should

sure, she is too

Oh

know

giddy to keep a

Il^ot

now

know

in the least.

we may

Iler cousin
of

no, no.

it ?

secret.

Besides, your conduct, perhaps,

enough

sir,

173

To be

She

is.

interests her

K"ot at all

Ah,

young person who has

that the

explained everything to Mademoiselle de Mesanges

me

is

a charming chevalier, and you want

to be still

made

dupe of?

"We shall resume

us drop so delicate a subject.

in due time.

it

In

a very good night.

Madam. Let

my

turn,

Go

to rest, if

sir,

I wish you

you think

proper; but rest assured that I shall not go to

sleep again.

I availed myself of the permission; for after

happy and fatal

was quite necessary I should enjoy
some sleep. ^Nevertheless, I was not allowed to
the various agitations of that
night,

enjoy

it

it

long: the

first

brought into our room

rays of the rising sun

Madame

de Lignolle,

had a key that opened every door.

me

with her kisses

Here you

are,

who

She awoke
my dear Bru-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

174

mont! how happy I am! I did not expect you.

I was only told accidentally just now
She ran to the closet with apparent inquiet-

ude and looking through one of the panes

Aunt, said she, you have placed our young
cousin there by herself! You have done right.
Why not? Because I
IvTot too much so.
have had but a very indifferent night myself
;

was
You have locked her Ah
Better! on what account?Did I say
I speak
aunt You
what danger Certainly
in

better

that

still.

better,

siderately

none.
slept.

for

incon-

did, niece.

In an apartment where none but women

ITone but women, as you say, aunt and

gentlemen in the adjacent apartments,

tect

them in

case of

That's

it,

to pro-

exactly!

Wherefore, aunt, did you only come at two in

Because, niece, I wished to
the morning?

How kind you

Brumont, why

Very kind, am
her;
did not you send me word? Don't
you
be
was I who would not
You don't
You were very wrong,
my dear Brumont! you look
speak a
For
me, I am very sorry
sad!
what, niece Why, because you have both been

bring this dear child with me.

I not?

are!

scold

suffer

it

to

called.

aunt.

syllable,

believe
?

too!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

!!!

175

Had

you a spare
bed then for this child
She would have shared
That is precisely what I was desirous
in mine.
laying very uncomfortable.

You, however, would

Yes, but you
?

of

preventing,

niece.

have spent a better night.

Pshaw we arrange matters very

!

She

well together.

a troublesome bed-fellow, though.

is

She keeps perpetual

ing upon me Upon you
Nearly!
I unceasingly
was pushing her
She kept me
warm
she smothered me
Dear me but
What makes you uneasy,
Why, you
Do you

motion

find so, aunt?

all

in

night long! she was continually lay-

that

ISTearly

alters

back.

so

she

so.

the case!

niece

must have been prodigiously incommoded

Truly if that was to happen to me every night
!

at

my

time of

The tone

life

but

for one single time

of candour in which the sly aunt

spoke those last words, entirely quieted Ma-

dame de

Lignolle.

The

thoughtless niece only

viewed the pleasant side of the matter. Ah

but you, Brumont, she exclaimed, embracing

me, you must have had a pretty good night's

rest!
My aunt has not interrupted your slumbers!
I,

Hear me.

you may be

You

assured.

are grieved, and so

am

am

extremely sorry

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS,

176

you were not shown where my room was. Yet,

let me tell you, don't you think it quite droll

you here thus close excuse me, but

I can't hold any longer.
In fact, the bursts of laughter withheld for a
long time at length broke out. The explosion
was so strong, and lasted so long, that the Countess finally fell on the bed and fainted away.
to see

This giddy creature laughs so heartily, that she

also, said the aunt!

would induce one to laugh

and she imitated her niece,
would soon have surpassed

I even thought she

not

have

jovial trio

shared

made

their

in
so

much

How

her.

could I

Our
we awoke

joyfulness?

noise, that

Mademoiselle de Mesanges.

The prisoner knocked at the window. Madame de Lignolle, said the Marchioness, open
the door to that child

take the key out of

my

pocket. The Countess, to have done the sooner,

used her own key: bade good morning to her

cousin, without entering the closet,

my

and returned

on the bed. Young de Mesanges followed her close, and kissing me, said

on

side, to sit

Good morning, my
of this

dear.

What

is

the

meaning

exclaimed the Countess, surprised and

angry what do you mean by such familiarities,

:

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
and calling her as you have done?
you, I don't like Mademoiselle de

be kissed by anyone
dear, neither.

You

Marchioness, give

she

me

let

not to be called

is

tell

Bnimont

to

my

are right, niece, cried the

her well, she makes too

it

free.
I^Tot

be called

my

dear! resumed our Agnes,

now become more bold

As if I did not know
dear?

But,

miss,

ah

that's a

my

dearest

Madame

de Li-

that she is

continued

good one

go and put on a handkerchief, if you

What does that
please, you are stark naked.
signify? replied the other; there are no men
gnolle,

here.

said

The

counterfeiting

Marchioness,

'No, there are no

in a more blunt tone

men

here

her,

but she added

mind, there are married

women, married women, do you hear? You

go but stop stop a moment
little simpleton

how

What
What have

dejected and fatigued you look!

have you been about in the night

I been about?

nothing,

since I have not even

And wherefore have you not

Wherefore? Ah! why? because I was
might
expectation
the
tening
Snore! expression! Yoii
hear you
slept?

slept.

lis-

all

that I

while, in

snore.

that

are very fond then of hearing people snore?


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

178

That
self,

is

not

it

but

a something

wlieii

one

is

in bed by one's

must be done by way of amuse-

ment.

While speaking, she played with a lock of

The impatient Countess, on

hair.

a sudden,

saluted her with a good slap on her hand; and

taking her by the shoulders, brought her back to

the closet, with repeated injunctions to put a

handkerchief round her neck.

The Marchioness

applauded: you have acted very wisely, said

she; give her a good lecture,

from you some

Do me

lessons on

the service,

she must hear

common

Madame
may

decency.

de Lignolle, to help

have done sooner,

and that we may send her home, for I want to

her to dress, that she

speak

to you.

The Countess, vexed at being taken away

from me for a moment, soon had done with her
cousin; and I can assure you, that to dress her
from head to foot, she wanted less time than she
used to spend in tying one of

my

petticoats.

They both returned within a short time into

bed-room. The Marchioness praised the one

the

for

being so expeditious, and desired the other to

go and take a walk in the park. Ah! but it

So
is very early to go and take a walk!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

much

the better,

morning

the

179

air

will

cool

Ah! but take walkone must

walk Well, what then? I can only walk with
great
Indeed! miss
her
shoes pinch her!
not my
not my
You have
enough,
away with you.
most
you.

to

difficulty.

delicate!

'No,

It

feet

is

said

it

are

that

shoes.

is

sore

go,

It is

somewhere

likely

Marry

cause

else

that

upon

me,

Countess, this very slow

me.

kills

Oh, no!

Is

Oh

For God's

it

feel

pain,

interrupted

it is

what

the

manner of speaking

your stays that hurt you

no!

be-

my

not

stays neither.

Why!

most
becoming
fit to be married.
I have no patience with her I
cried the Marchioness
what nonsense is she
come with pray, Madame de LignoUe, send
sake,

likely I begin

is it

probably

then?

am

also

away
she

You

the impertinent girl.

is at

don't see that

a loss what to say, and only wants to

Oh, but I do know what I am saying

notwithstanding, not very
kill time.

necessary, re-

it is

member

that

you have promised

to give

mo

notice.

We

did not hear the

tess seeing

rest,

because the Coun-

her cousin in the gallery, shut the

door in her face.

Very

well,

niece, bolt the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

180

door, that no one should

Come and

on

sit here,

sometimes you seem

:

Brumont

moiselle de

you may

fort her;

to

come

my

to interrupt us.

bed, but look at

me

have eyes but for MadeAh! it is to com-

alone.

see her grieve.

ticed her not speaking a

I have no-

word; she does not

appear in her usual good spirits. I^^Teither is

she, said Madame de Lignolle, kissing me; she

my

laments her not having been brought to

She

apartment.

you
knows me

great

bears

certainly

friendship, aunt; but as she

better,

she would have preferred spending the night by

my

side,

I dare to

say Gently, madam,

don't flatter yourself so much.

Allowed

gently

If I had

al-

Why,

you
and
young
so
quite
not
is
one
imagine because
mean?
you
What do
so handsome as you are
What you
I mean that if I had consented

lowed

it

what,

are

saying,

way.

sible either

Do make

aunt,

haste,

is

aunt?

Truth. Incomprehen-

I shall explain then, niece.

I beg; you keep

me on

the

rack.

Madame

de Lignolle,

it

would appear

to

me

very surprising, in fact, but yet very desirable,

that you were not so well acquainted with the

supposed miss,

now

in bed

by the side of

me


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
The supposed miss!

181

and

declare,

wish

you something that will surprise

I may tell
you, I declare, that this pretty girl

man!

gure
me,

and

if

you

are

he

is

you

are

there

is

man.

himself to contradict

I do not speak the exact truth

self offered, less

aunt?

sure,

than two hours

he him-

since, to

prove

Offered prove that cannot be

he thought
much
Don't wonder
himself bound Bound Wherefore Ah ask
addressing me
him. Say wherefore,
speak
Speak,
warmth.
with extreme
me
You
why don't you speak I

it to

me

to

at

too

no,

it,

niece,

cried she,

at last,

replied

see

so stupefied at all that happens to me, that I

have not sufBcient power to speak a word.

He wishes to reduce me to the hard necessity of
making the painful avowal, continued the Marchioness, he thought himself obliged, niece, be-

cause I exacted

it.

You

exacted

it,

aunt!

Make yourself easy, I only shammed. Only

As I tell you, but I showed mercy
shammed
to the generous young man, when I saw that he
was ready to sacrifice himself. Yet he could!
!

cried out the Countess, no less surprised than

chagrined.
is,

He

I confess, a

could! repeated the aunt.

compliment

to be

paid to him.

It

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

182

He

Madame

could! said

de Lignolle again, in

a tone expressive no less of astonishment, than

of the deepest

affliction.

Those two

last excla-

mations, observed the Marchioness, are not very

He

you wish
madame, he
never were able, but for you For me! Madame d'Armincour interrupted her in a most
polite.

to

could!

So, then, niece,

make me angry, you would

wish,

serious tone, Eleanor, I have ever

be extremely candid, and with

known you

me

to

especially.

Before you struggle hard to act contrary to your

natural

disposition,

before you

maintain too improbable a

This miss

is

determine to

falsity, listen to

me.

man; I have more than one

reason, unfortunately, to remove all doubts.

addition to that, I

am now

In

acquainted with his

name; and everything tells me, niece, that for

a long time since you have not been ignorant of
it

to

Yesterday, about

o'clock,

Longchamps, where I was surprised

to

yourself.

went

five

see you, especially at that early hour, you,

in the

who

morning had refused under the pretence

of some business to accompany

afternoon.

You

me

did not even

there in the

perceive

me,

madam, because you had eyes only to look at a

cavalier, who on his side was continually look-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
This was what occasioned

ing at you.
notice

it.

183

It

me

to

was Mademoiselle de Brumont in

man's clothes;

or, at least a

brother of hers, a

brother, absolutely like her in the face,

which

excited your attention the same as mine.

my

naturally stopped at that idea, and in

I
per-

fect security, I did not even think of carrying

conjectures farther.

Immediately next

carriage followed, in a

much

to

your

richer one, a kind

of a strumpet very elegantly dressed,

wise eyed the young man, by

whom

sometimes eyed in her turn.

To

who

all

like-

she was

appear-

ances that creature does not love you much, and

you don't love her more, for she behaved imper-

which you punished her in

style, and I laughed heartily upon the occasion
when on a sudden a great rumour arose. Everybody came running and approached de Brumont, male or female, whom I did not lose sight
of, with the intention of calling her to me, and

tinently to you, for

to

have some conversation for a moment with

him
I,

or her.
a poor country

woman

like,

amazed

seeing such a concourse of people,

whether

it

at

enquired

was customary with the Parisian

ladies to run thus, as if they

were crazy,

pell-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Ig4

mell with the men, after the

fellow they met with.
vociferated
is

Not

so

All

first

handsome

who surrounded me

by no means

deserving of general attention

but this one

he

is

a charm-

ing cavalier, already famous on account of an

extraordinary adventure; he is Mademoiselle

du

Portail,

You

stantly

had

the

lover of the Marchioness

can judge of

my

my

eyes opened, recollected a thou-

sand distressing circumstances

much

de

surprise: I in-

malignity, was

and without too

obliged to say to myself,

became very probable that the lover of

the Marchioness was also the paramour of the
Countess. However, I must not judge too has-

that

it

tily of the

regard.

conduct of a niece, for

whom

I have a

I will see and observe, I will put quessince I am going to

tions to her to-morrow,

By no means! on the
wished-for-day, the obliging Madame de Fonrose comes to my house, and proposes to me in
join her in Gatinois.

a genteel way, the honourable charge of conducting to you your bosom friend. Delighted

happy chance which favoured my secret

designs, I agreed to the proposal, and fully determined to examine closely the young miss, and
at a

to prevent the possibility of

your reducing

me

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

185

under jonr roof the part of a

to perform

I arrived with the happy mortal

adjutant.

co-

he

fancied perhaps, seeing that you were gone to

bed, that he would at least be allowed to share

young de Mesanges: quite the reverse,

him to myself. In the beginning of
night
I plagued him an hour after I
the
I,
that of

I secured

nearly as I

He

may

say, caught

him

in the fact.

did not confess his name, which I did not

At

ask him; but he could not deny his sex.

last, it

was mom,

and that I might entertain no

further doubt, I entirely discovered the Chevalier de Faublas.

As
cover

she spoke these words, she in fact did un-

me and
;

with a rapid hand, lifted up the

blanket, which she threw almost to

my

and

in the twinkling of an eye brought

over

my

shoulders.

decisive.

Chance

would have

it

so,

The moment was

that

declared

feet,

it

back

short but

against

me

that at the time I lay in

Buch a posture that the most essential evidence

could not escape the eye of the accused party,
his

accomplice,

and their judge.

niece, exclaimed the Marchioness,

your doubts are removed; in

were possible to believe that

case,

Now, my
I hope

mind me,

you could

all
it

enter-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

186

But

tain any before.

ing

me

a vigorous slap on

same hand that had

added

she, giv-

the face,

with the

confess,

just exposed

me

in a state

of nearly complete nakedness, to the confused

Madame

looks of

de Lignolle,

M. de Faublas must be
have come on this day

confess

that this

a bold little rogue, to

with the aunt,

to sleep

for the sole reason that he should go to bed with

the niece.

ill

Aunt, exclaimed the Countess, with a

humour, why did you strike so hard ?

will hurt him.

Hurt him,

He

indeed!

little

You
too

is

was a favour. Madame

you can no longer, under a pretext of
ignorance, deny it and refuse, you must imme-

well off

now

de Lignolle,

it

that

diately desire this gentleman to get up, turn

him out

of your house without

and never

let

making any

him be admitted

again.

fuss,

Turn

my house, aunt Well, I must tell

him
you, he is my lover the lover whom I adore.
And your husband, madam ? My husband he
I have no other. How so,
is also my husband
out of

niece? has not

nearly

never

five

M. de

months

It is he, aunt.

the first time

Lignolle espoused you

back?

How
Yes,

Espoused
so

aunt,

He
it

is.

it is

me?
who
Ah!


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
what a happy
nant.

rogue

little

that gentleman

is

igj

What an

espouser

But, niece, you are preg-

So I am, and

it is he again.
But
away with now, aunt

All buts are done

It

has always been, and ever shall be him; never

any other

shall

will

you be

able

to

Never any other!

How
manage it. As I have

hitherto done with him, aunt.

What

a flow of

him alone!
But, at least, hear.
But, at
I only hear him
least, listen.
I listen to him only!
Well,
niece, will you let me speak to you a moment ?
words!

See a

little

see

I speak him alone Eleanor, you me

no more, then only
ah but I do love
me explain
Since you
you
how
you manage
me, unhappy
conceal your being pregnant do not intend
conceal
But your husband
ask you
father of
who
answer
I
him. But
he has never gone
bed
?

too

love

to

love

do, let

creature,

to

to

will

it.

is

that

tell

will

the

that child.

shall

to

if

it is

with you, how will you make him believe

It is for that very reason that he will believe

How,
very reason Exactly
Come,
we must be blundering some way
or
You
quick that you do not
give one time
I am very quick!
me.

for that

niece,

other.

are so

to explain.

so.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

188

you

are not so, perhaps, yourself.

be otherwise

when

a hot-headed

woman

How can

it

I have to deal with such

you are

as

the favour to explain what

But do me

done to per-

to be

is

suade a man, who has never espoused his wife,

that he

really the father of the child

is

how provoking

the goodness to explain to

me how you

imagine that I will hold out

to

can

M. de Lignolle

and nonsensical an argument?

so stupid

was you who

See,

I request, aunt, you will have

told

me

so.

It

Quite on the con-

trary, I have repeatedly declared to

you that it
was him by whom I was pregnant. Ah I understand you at last him is this gentleman ?

To be
Why,

sure.

When

faith,

I could not have guessed that.

mean him.

I say him, I

What, you intend going yourself to tell your

husband you have made him a
What he deserves to be.
In one sense, I do not say he has
not.

In

every possible

he

sense

this is quite another thing!

My
angry I

approve of your irregular conduct.

Let us return
If your husband
him. If he wishes
convent? He

lar conduct!
article.

laugh at

fined in a

Ah!
madam,

does.

I cannot,

irregu-

to the important

gets

to

shall

have you con-

will not be able.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Who

can

friends.

him

prevent

Your

harm; but

rence I shall
neuter.

much

at

him

if

my
me

Let

this

I shall not

I admit he will be ready to

it

head. A

you are locked up

dare to say.

remain

only

left

left,

IN'o,

you, aunt, I was thinking of

have a project in

an occurto

least,

protect you, but will he have

And

mj

all

ever to do you the

then will have

If I have

want for more.

and

in so unfortunate

bo forced,

You

gentleman.

You

friends will turn against jou.

I cherish jou too

least

189

it

hear what

in his power?

no

me

let

tell

in the night

fine project,

it is

tell

I
I

me.

That being
the
am going now
inform you of
only measure
can be adopted. I am
my
You must, soon
I cannot now;

not time yet.

it is

case, I

the

to

that

all at-

tention,

dearest aunt.

as possible,

madam,

pouse you, and

The reason

But, although

consent.

Wow,

as

M. de Lignolle

to es-

That, friend, cannot be.

For what reason ?

be.

get

it

were

aunt,

is

that

possible, I

it

cannot

would not

know what

is

what,

never will your niece go into the arms of a

man.

Never

into the

He, aunt,

Your

lover!

is

no

Why,

arms of

man

he

man!

is

my

yet he

lover.

truly, that is a substantial

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

190

reason to advance to your husband!

ting that the reason

is

a bad one,

at least that it is preferable to a

Is

not a shameful one,

it

is

it

Admit-

it is

certain

bad

action.

not a dreadful

and make
two men sharers in one's good graces, with a
view of betraying the one with greater ease,
act of treachery to go in cold blood

and keeping the other by reducing him to deFor I am certain, exclaimed she, as
she loaded me with embraces, that he would be
exasperated.
If, however, madam, you were
disposed to hear me to the end, you would find
that your aunt advises neither libertinism nor
spair?

You

perfidiousness.

going to
olle to

you, that upon getting

M. de Lign-

espouse you, you must immediately adopt

another
trigue

tell

interrupted me, as I was

mode of

An

conduct, and break off this in-

intrigue!

Fie,

for

shame, aunt.

which the destiny of my life will

will make your life miserable, if you don't take care.
'No misery with
him.
Misery ever attends crime.
Listen to
me, my dear; I am a good-natured soul, I like

Say a

passion,

depend upon.

Which

to crack a joke; but this is serious business.

Consider how

know

many

of no dangers

dangers threaten you.

when he

is

concerned.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
Yonr
quiet.

conscience

Quiet

Eleanor

My

191

conscience

is

You, who never

that cannot be.

used to speak an untruth, do now.

Eleanor, hear

my own

me, I cherish you as I would

child, I

have always idolised you, too much, perhaps.

T have spoiled you too much, perhaps, but try to

remember how I have always made it my study

you the best principles with regard

to teach

To-day, for instance, you

to essential matters.

are going to crown the Rosiere.

Oh

cried she, rushing into the arms of her

aunt, whose hands she also seized to cover her

own

pray don't mention

face,

I then, pene-

it.

trated with the tone in which those words had

been pronounced, said

me,

to

me

alone, are

Madame la Marquise, to
your reproaches to be ad:

dressed; pardon and pity her, but do not op-

O my

you
you will not
find it a difficult task I can be made to weep
as easily as to laugh.
I have no objection let

press her.

wish to excite only

children, replied she, if

my

sensibility,

us

all

three

shed tears.

Hear

me, however,

you remember last year at this same

same day I said to you Eleanor,
highly pleased with you but, ere long,

niece, do

period, on the

am

my

child,

new times

will bring on other obliga-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

192

tions; all the duties

we have

to fulfil in this

world are not so pleasing as that of assisting the

indigent; the time
haps,

jou

which at

will

is

near at hand when, per-

impose upon yourself others,

first will

seduce you, but that subse-

quently will become painful to you

The Countess,

at these words, hastily relin-

quished her humble attitude, and, in the most

animated tone, repeated

duce you

me ?

Alas

how

Which

at first will se-

could they have seduced

I was not taught to know him

who promised what

cent victim,

comprehend, was gaily led

madam, who now speak

When my

to

me
?

You,

of duty, did you

Dare you

affirm

father and mother, intox-

the supposed

icated with

an inno-

to the sacrifice.

discharge yours at the time

you did?

she did not

advantages of this

introduced to you M. de Liyou defended me, I know, by your representations your consent, I know, was partly
extorted by force; but of what avail was your
too weak resistance? Were you not to have
Were you not
strengthened it with mine ?
bound to take me aside, and to say to me: My
poor child, I inform you that they are going to
sacrifice you; they impose upon your inexperifatal marriage,
gnolle,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

193

ence bj dazzling promises; will you, for the

frivolous advantage of being presented at Court

a few months sooner, of going from to-morrow

to assemblies, to balls, to the theatres, sacrifice

forever your most precious liberty, the only true

your person and of

your heart ? Do you find yourself so bad with
me ? Are you in so great a hurry to leave me ?
liberty, that of disposing of

It is no longer time to

found your virtue on

and since they want to deceive

you, I must put you on your guard, and en-

your ignorance

When

lighten you.

a girl, naturally vivacious,

shows herself in the spring moved at the sight

of nature,
confesses

is

surprised in frequent reveries,

secret

inquietudes,

pain she cannot define,

she wants a husband

who have always

complains of a

commonly said that

but I, who know thee, I
it is

seen thee

by

caressed

all

around thee repay their affection by a similar

my cares with gratitude, and

attachment, repay
cherish

me

as

much

as I have loved thee

lament

the distress of a vassal, and even pity the sor-

rows of an entire stranger

I believe that nature

has given thee, in addition to burning vivacity,

tender feelings; I believe

it is

not alone a hus-

band, but a lover that you want.

Nevertheless

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

194

thej are determined to have you marry

You

Lignolle.

M. de

are not quite sixteen, he

up-

is

wards of fifty: your adolescence will hardly

commence, when his autumn will be at an end
like all other libertines he will

become a

vale-

tudinarian, infirm, harsh, morose, and jealous;

and, what will complete the fullness of your

misery, six times a year, perhaps, you will be

obliged, compelled to bear the disgust of his

embraces
that in

my

my

for

aunt could not have guessed

unhappy

situation I should have one

consolation left, namely, that

my

pretended hus-

band would never become capacitated

so.

I^ever capable
Fie!

iN'ever, aunt.

You

what a nasty man!

could not have guessed that;

ought to have said

to

me

haps you will be obliged

his embraces

become

to

exclaimed she, weeping.

and yet

if

so

you

six times a year perto bear the disgust of

you were

to

meet with

a young man, handsome, witty, sensible, captivated with your charms, and deserving of you,
again you will be obliged

to reject his

homage

that will give offence, and his image that will

haunt you. In order to remain virtuous you

must continually oppose the sweetest inclination of your heart, and the most sacred law

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
of nature

out

yonr ears will be saluted with-

if not,

with

relaxation

duty

195

crimes

words:

dreadful

these

misfortunes

Thus you

oaths

may

languish for thirty years and more,

duced

re-

to the cruel privations of a forced celi-

condemned

more cruel
you should
yield to the seductions of an invincible love, you
may get interred in your prime, in the solitude
bacy, and

duties of a tyrannical

the

to

still

hymen and
;

if

of a convent, there to perish soon, loaded with

public contempt and the hatred of your

If you had spoken thus to me,

atives.

la

rel-

Madame

Marchioness, I would have exclaimed

won't have your M. de Lignolle!

have him.

I will not

I had rather die a maid

and they

would not have had me married in spite of myself! perhaps they might have killed me, but

me

they would not have taken

Kever

capable

weeping

ah

how

dear,

There

is

repeated

you

Marchioness

the
!

my

poor

you manage it ? Poor

no remedy then never capable
!

much

but no,

My dear child you

the more in consequence.

less,

man

church

little

love

will

alters the case

change.

the nasty

to

are equally

it

that

occasions no

are only to be pitied

Eleanor,

bound

directly

neverthe-

and forever


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

196

renounce the Chevalier.

to

had rather

Renounce

him! I

die.

Why, but

I cannot knock louder, cried out

young de Mesanges, whom we had not heard.

Go and take a walk, replied the impatient
Countess Ah! I am but just returned from

taking one.

Go

Sit dowTi

again.

Ah! but am
Why but I am
I

on the turf.

tired.

tired

Are we here intended only

of being by myself.

for your amusement, asked the Marchioness.

Not you, my

cousin, if

you don't

like,

but

Leave
dear

long time
Why but appears me
Go,
we have had some chat
drawing-room. Ah
me
and wait
number of people who
I hear
I
Go.
friend.

Your dear friend?

to

it

since

it is

miss, go

together.

for

in the

will, for

my

us.

so

are

getting up.

Number of people who are

Madame d'Armincour.

peated

should get up too,

dress
niece,

It is time

we

and that this lady should

Begone

and begone.
do you think

make her appearance

can prevent her?

getting up, re-

it

is

at

Why!

aunt.

Yes,

possible she should

this

festival?

Who

are there not fifty

who were yesterday at Longchamps, and will know her again quite as well

people

here,

know

as I

no!

it

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

197

'No such a thing!

Don't say

you.

is impossible otherwise,

and you would

provided he does
What
When hear her reason
make my hair stand on
How am I
not the

madam, you are

be ruined.

signifies

not go.

mistress

it

so,

end.

will

so!

Besides,

him away, it is your duty.

duty! there is the word returned again.

bound

My

to send

Well

then,

throwing the

interrupted

bed

clothes

must come

to a decision

her there

no end

is

Madame

marchioness,

the

my

over

face,

and comply, for with

to disputes.

d'Armincour, as she hastened to put

on a bed-gown and petticoat, exclaimed: great

God now
!

I think of

it

everyone would be ask-

ing where has this young lady been sleeping!

everybody would know that

it

it is

not be thought that I have

with the boy.

my

there

would

dealings also

I for the whole day

would

be-

come the heroine of the adventure of a gallant

adventure, at upwards of sixty! it is being
rather late.
Come, madam, you must be sensible it is less to spare

me

being

made an

object

of ridicule, than to preserve your character,

and save yourself from ruin, that I appeal to

He must go. No, my niece, I will not

you.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

198
suffer

jou in

mj

waiting-maid;
tiously,

presence to act the part of his

him as
you could.

expedi-

dress

shall

and as decently as

Be not

in the least afraid: I shall only be le chien

du

jardinier.

During the time that my toilet lasted, there

was a warm contest between the aunt, who insisted upon my going, and the niece who opposed

it.

Madame
it

de Lignolle meanwhile was informed

was time she should go down

her

commands

relative to the festival.

presently, said she to me.

aunt also

who

left

stairs to give

respecting the last arrangements

I shall be with you

moment

after the

me, and returned before the niece,

ISTearly a

nevertheless did not tarry long.

good quarter of an hour elapsed, and I need not

tell that the renewed dispute was getting very

warm, when the Countess was

Obliged
it

to leave

me

was only for a moment.

gone down

stairs,

called out again.

once more, she assured

But

when her aunt

me

was scarcely

she

said to

me

you are not quite so destitute of

she is; you must be conscious that

Sir, I believe

reason as

your presence here

necessity, yield to

may

my

expose her, yield to

solicitations,

and

if req-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

my

to

uisite,

She

entreaties.

away, and conducted

tirely unkno^\Ti to

me

ping into
dear

it,

to

through windings en-

As

me MadeAre you going, my

Pray make my compli-

I am.

Mademoiselle des Rieux.

fit

I was step-

chance brought near

You assure me
she gets

me

Mesanges.

de

Alas

ments

dragged

me, into a yard, where her

carriage was in waiting for me.

moiselle

199

to

that

be

it

will not.

will not be long before

mar

Hold your tongue,

miss, interrupted bluntly the Marchioness, and

if ever

you repeat

the like

I heard no more, because the coachman, who

had received orders, drove off as quick as lightning.

He

bleau,

from whence I

brought

me

back as far as Fontainetravelled post.

It

near four o'clock when I reached Paris.

dame de Penrose was

My

as good

as

was

Ma-

her word.

and availing mysome moments of liberty, I took off my

female attire, and went to Rosambert's.
I found him much better; he already could,
without any foreign assistance, walk about his
apartment, and even several times round his
garden. The Count began by loading me with
reproaches.
I represented to him, that I had
father had not been seen

self of


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

200

morning to enquire how

But you had promised to come your-

sent regularly every

My

he was.
self.

father has not left me.

That has

not prevented you from going somewhere

I confess, however, that the

little

The

little

serves the preference.

Yes,

Madame

Did

de Lignolle.

before, that henceforth every

else.

Countess deCountess!

not I

tell

woman who

you

should

with you, would be publicly

However, I am truly glad that the
Marchioness has a rival deserving of being so
be

connected

known?

am

for I

man.

told the Countess is

Unfortunately, she

an adorable wo-

is still

of manners, of art, of malice.

a child, void

The Marchioness

will crush her to atoms, as soon as she

AproposJ I wish you joy you are in high favour

:

with M. de

him smiling by
your apotheosis

band

The whole of Paris have seen

the side of you on the day of

!

next to that, the excellent hus-

everybody that you are a charming

and for fear the thing should not appear

tells

fellow,

comical enough, he will say to everyone willing

to give

him

character.

angry, I

a hearing, that I

He
am

is

am an

infamous

angry with me! extremely

assured! perhaps I shall have an-

other duel to fight.

But you know something

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
about

it,

The Marquis has had a

Oh the Marquis

Chevalier.

long conversation with you.

has told

me

of all sorts

ship, come, Faublas, tell

to be

made

201

to laugh,

But, in good friend-

me

all

about

and you ought

I want

it,

to try to

amuse a friend in a state of convalescence.

No, faith, I confess, that I am very far from
wishing to amuse you at the expense of the
Marchioness
ambert,
to

me

it

I shall even repeat

always grieves

You

about her.

present

moment

tic adorer.

now;

are

it

Ros-

to you,

me when you

speak

wrong I am,

in the

especially, her

most enthusias-

Truly, was I saying to myself just

to all her other qualifications, so

ous already, that

woman now

Don't you wonder

at the

numer-

adds prudence.

profundity of the

cal-

culation she had made, namely, that if I es-

caped her, I should not have it in my power to

escape her husband ? Chevalier, you will be my

Second

Most
? Yes, most incessantly.
would
you
that
me
told
had
you
incessantly!
Second in my fightnot return to Compiegnc ?
Chevalier! make yourself
ing the Marquis.
second.

easy!

we have passed an agreement

should not fight the

can you suspect

me

Marchioness again.
of being mad enough

that

How
to en-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

202

courage the extravagant whims of that woman,

who has taken

it

ageous young

men with

into her

The more I think of

become
evil to

it,

head to attack courown weapons?

their

do you

the

see,

more I

sensible, that public safety requires the

be stopped in

its

beginning; that would

be setting a bad example: only think, if they

wished to adopt the new fashion

all

all

amours

would terminate in pistol-shots! What a noise

would be heard every day, in every part of this
metropolis

me
and asked me

Rosambert, who saw

thousand jokes,

respecting such as he styled

at last

him

smile,
as

cracked a

many

my

questions

mistresses.

condescended, with a good grace, to join

in the sport; but his curiosity

altogether

was not

productive of great satisfaction to

him.

My

father returned to the hotel only two

hours after me.

He

gave

me

to understand, he

was concerned I had been left alone all day. I

it would be carrying kind-

respectfully observed,

incommode himself
asked me how I had spent the

ness too far to

He

for his son.

night.

ISTot

an untruth, I answered Partly well, and

You have not enjoyed
partly bad, father.
to tell

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
sound sleep

Sound, begging your

You
have,
agitated?
You have had

replied

203

lie.

pardon, though frequently interrupted.

suffered

father,

have been greatly

agitations.

violent

dreadful dreams

Oh

very dreadful

one

es-

pecially,

towards the middle of the night, has

plagued

me most uncommonly.

But the
Tn the
in

morning, at least you have slept quiet

morning no. I was uneasy in the morning.
?

Fatigue, most likely?

haps, and

fatigue,

per-

the recollection of that dream.

long to hear that

there was a

was, father
dream.
Women forever! Oh! my
seven
Ah ever
It

woman

your wife.

son, think of

morning (the time

in the

little

since

at

which I had

set

out), I can assure you, that ever since seven,

I have almost continually been thinking of her.

when shall I hear from her? You

know how many people I have despatched to
Father,

find her out,

and within a fortnight, I propose

going with you.

Why not sooner?Why,

re-

plied he with an embarrassed air, I am not

ready besides, we must wait till you get better,
;

till

the

weather

weather! will
is

absent?

it

is

more

settled.

The

fine

ever return so long as Sophia

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

204

Whilst I was speaking at

this rate, I never-

some happiness on the

day was that Monday
The
next
day following.
so ardently wished for, on which my Eleanor
and I were to be reunited for some moments.

theless expected to enjoy

we were disappointed in our

Madame de Fonrose, who came in

Alas
to

pay

to tell

my
me

father a short

visit,

expectation.

the evening

found means

there was not the least possibility;

the aunt arrived this morning at her house,

where she

is still.

Tuesday it was the same, but on the

Wednesday I had the consolation at least, of
receiving a note from Justine. It informed me
that with a key that was sent me, I should be
able to open the street door and every other,

On

the

of a small

new

house, situated at the entrance

of the rue du Bac, on the side of the Pont

Eoyal. M. le Marquise requested of me to be
there at about seven in the afternoon.

Good news Madame de

!

of course

is

not

angry with me, I had not heard of her since

the Friday that long silence, subsequent to our
above-mentioned adventure, began to occasion
:

me some

inquietude.

of humour! she

is

Faublas,

she

is

not out

not angry! Faublas, happy


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
young man

rejoice

congratulate yourself

kissed Justine's note, and

What

205

propitious news

jumped
asked

for joy.

my

father, as

he was coming in again. Ah 'tis that

I see it is fine weather; I think I
that

'tis

may

venture to go and take a walk in the afternoon,

father?
Yes, with me. With you
Sir! I beg your pardon; but do not wish
prevent me
of me,
make a
not friend
from going
The Vicomte,
you would go
that?
M. de Valbrun? very well; but
Countess's
I promise not go
Do you give me your word My
upon your
I
word of honour. Be
again,

en-

slave

tirely to

to

It

to see a friend.

is

father.

to visit.

after

to

to

the

house.

it

so;

rely

word.

immediately

kissed

my

father's

hand,

and cut another joyous caper.

I was so impatient to know what the Marchioness had to say to me, that I was at the
place of meeting before the appointed hour. I
had plenty of time to run over the house, which
I found elegant, convenient, and well furnished.
I observed, especially, two small bed-rooms, adjacent to each other; two bed-rooms, which I
think I can see on this present day, and which,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

206

am

in a hundred years hence, if I

alas

still

alive,

I shall see as plain as I do now.

M. de
to join

came

Florville arrived about dusk: he

me

I imme-

in one of the little rooms.

embraced his knees: Right, said the

Marchioness, beg pardon of your friend, whom
diately

you have offended,

whom you

have reduced to

the absolute necessity of venturing an act of

which might have ruined

temerity,

her,

and

True, beauteous mamma, but

wherefore have you 1
going
he
I
interrupted
stand
Be
ask me why I

exposed you.

believe,

wherefore

verily believe

she,

resisted

to

is

quiet, sir,

think that instead of renewing your of-

still;

fences,

you ought

I need not

alier,

have met here.

to sue for forgiveness.

tell

You

Chev-

you for what purpose we

conceive that, after the

cruel scene of last Friday, I could not, without

acting most imprudently, return to Justine's

house.

Undoubtedly,

you speak

my

last

to

scene

that

me no more

of Sophia!

many
don't

it

Since

misadventure, I have so seldom ob-

tained the happiness of seeing you

joyed

Chevalier,

for so short a time

That

is

very true, but

you love your wife

We

tell

less

I have en-

have had so

me, candidly,

than you did?


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

207

do not conceal from me

Less Speak
had promised
you
sentiments;
your
Marme. Less? more! Madame
seems
adore her
each day more
absence Yet, Madame de
out

to ap-

real

la

prise

chioness,
as

it

Lignolle.

if

Ah!

yes! she

deserving of

child

natured.

is

dear to me! and

is so

she not

is

I shall ask you, you have

it ?

know

seen her, and

the

her better.

To

be sure,

and very good

enough,

pretty

I had been misinformed with regard

am no

longer

IN'evertheless,

Chev-

However, I

to her disposition.

prejudiced against her.

very extraordinary that you

I think
should bear affection so as to even be in love
Say three, dear
with two women at a time.
it

alier,

mamma.

No!

assure

every

cried she, that

you

Do

day that

not;

man

ing wife; that, when she

her; then even

it

is

it

prefers
is

impossible!

will
his

happen
charm-

absent, he regrets

may happen

tliat

he feels a

very great inclination, a decided attachment

for an amiable

woman;

will always appear to

but, for two,

me

is

incomprehensible

what
;

no,

I will never comprehend that the Countess's

lover may at the same time be mine; never
shall I

understand that!

never!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

208

I looked at her attentively

she observed

me

probably the embarrassed air which she must

have noticed in my whole frame, made her

augur unfavourably of my answer; I saw her
turn pale there was a sudden alteration in her
;

voice: This conversation seems to be irksome,

resumed

How

she, let us

speak of something

now ?

does the country look

else.

The

coun-

try? Yes, you went into the country on Saturday evening, and returned on Sunday; a
very short excursion! Tell me, pray, who is one
Mademoiselle de Mesanges? De Mesanges!
Is not that child become infinitely dear to you

also?

first

place, she is a female

Infinitely?

on what account?

that is the best of all titles

In

the

and, to Faublas,

and, next, would

it

if, having it occasionally

your power to spend the night with the
Dowager d'Armincour and Mademoiselle de

not be too astonishing

in

Mesanges, you had not given the preference to

Supposing even that you were not
the latter ?
allowed to take your choice, I know you to be

same apartroom of the old wo-

quite capable, if you slept in the

ment, of leaving the large

man,

to
*

go and creep into the closet * of the

Madame

de

B knew

that closet well.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

209

young one. You blush jou do not speak a

word! Madam, if these particular details
were true, who could have informed you? If
!

those particular details were true!

supposition mightily

I like the

Faublas, do not attempt

an untruth: your looks, your countesilence, and your discourse, everyyour

nance,

to tell

thing in you speaks you to be guilty.

Faublas,

I have been indebted to a singular fortuitous

event for the discovery of part of these details

but you must well know that whenever I am

allowed to have a peep at one corner of a box,

what the contents are. I don't

know exactly whether you have had it in your
power to consecrate the whole of your night to
I can easily

tell

the young person, or only to grant her one single

may, I rely upon your having

made a good use of your time. I no longer
wonder at her friends already speaking of mar-

hour; be

it

as it

rying the girl; I conceive that at present, for

more than one reason, it is become a pressing

However, pursued she, in a most serious

tone, I am far from reproaching you for havcase.

ing kept the adventure secret; indiscretion in.

this case would be infamous, and I do not think

you ever could be

guilty of such an offence; I

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

210

am

you will be silent on the subhave not mentioned it to M.

you
ject I am sure
de Eosambert? To M. de Rosambert? Do
certain that
;

I believe so,
you not know him ? Too well
you saw him again on Sunday? Sunday!
What! have I mistaken the day? Was it
!

not

Mar-

I threw myself at the knees of the

chioness

my

Oh,

generous friend

forgive

me

At any rate, added she, beckoning me to rise,

remember that you are bound in honour to
come and see me fight my enemy again. Your
I
Be as good as his word
enemy will not
Could it be
shall know how to compel him.

possible,

Faublas, that his punishment should

and

less desirable to-day

Ah,

appear

less just

speak

your wishes will decide the event of the

Do not question it; I prefer dying by

fight.

man, if from you he is to

Don't you know how much I

the hand of the cruel

obtain a regret.

hate the barbarian

all the troubles

insupportable

He

which

to

has been the author of

me

are insupportable:

repeated she, weeping.

Prior to

his vile attempt in the village of Holrisse, I

was

my

for-

not quite so miserable

tune and character.

I had lost only

But has not

the perfidious

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

211

wretch occasioned jou too some irreparable

some inconsolable sorrow

loss,

Ungrateful Fau-

blas! continued she, with extreme vehemence,

ought not you to detest him as

you

much

as I Iotg

Madame

de

ran away, frightened at

what she had been saying. I flew after her; I

She
was near reaching her; I was going to
turned round to me Sir, said she, if you dare
:

to detain

me, you

long as I

shall never see

me

again as

I could read in her face so

live.

violent a fright, and a something so determined

in her attitude that I dared not disobey her.

She made her

On my

escape.

return home, I found there

de Fonrose,

who asked me,

maliciously,

Madame
how

the

Vicomte was; in other respects she was bearer

Madame

only of sad tidings.

de Lignolle,

who

for some days past had been assailed by the

numberless

little illnesses,

her being pregnant,

posed

she

could

now

not

which

all

announced

felt seriously

leave

her

indis-

apartment,

neither could I go and see her, because

Madame

d'Armincour, probably determined to neglect

nothing that might cure her niece of a dangerous passion, had

let

her

know

that she would

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

212

not return into Franche-Comte before

mer; she had

begged of

also

Midsum-

Madame

de Li-

gnolle for an apartment in her hotel, which the

niece could not refuse.

whole fortnight elapsed, during which

my

Eleanor and I had no other consolation than to

send, repeatedly, Jasmin to la Fleur's, and la
Fleur to Jasmin's.

During
at all of

that fatal fortnight, I did not hear

Madame

de

I received from the

country no intelligence that could create a hope

Sophia's place

of

soon

discovered.

what I held

as

of new confinement being

Thus deprived of hearing

most interesting

to

my

existence,

tedious did I find the days, and long and

te-

dious the nights.

Madame

de Fonrose, however, invited both

the father and the son to come and dine with

under some pretence,

I quitted the Baroness's drawing-room, and
through secret passages, well known to me,
her.

At seven

reached

precisely,

her boudoir,

opened the door

bates,

it

to

of which

me.

Alas

the

Countess

after long de-

had been decided on the preceding day

that I should stop with

utes only.

my

beloved twenty min-

I continued a quarter of an hour

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

213

above the time, so that I had scarce leisure

enough
words

admire, embrace, and speak a few

to

her; to

to

came dearer

me

to

tell

me;

her that she daily be-

that she appeared prettier

She had hardly time sufficient

to
to protest that my absence killed her by inches
that her tenderness was still increased, and that
every day.

her love would likewise increase to the latest

day of her

When
was

life.

I re-entered the drawing-room, there

dispute;

the

ceased as soon as I

conversation,

made my

however,

appearance.

Most likely, the Baroness, wishing to find out

some means of preventing M. de Belcour noticing my long absence, had thought she could do
no better than to pick up a quarrel with him.

Oh!

divine friendship! thou wert given to the

weakest sex, to enable them to cheat the strongand thou would forever secure the happiness

est,

of

women,

if

thou couldst but continue long be-

tween them.
The happy

leie-a-tete

only inspired

me

which I had obtained,

with a more eager desire to

procure one less short, in spite of Eleanor's

aunt and my father, who jointly conspired
against us.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

214

In the middle of the following night, as I

was thinking of

I conceived a bold project,

it,

which, on the next morning, the Baroness ap-

proved

and which was completely executed

of,

before that same day was over.

in the

morning I took great care

When

I awoke

to be

provided

with the sick headache; I complained

dinner-time; and in the evening

at

it

much

casioned

me

such violent pain that

my

cour himself advised

As soon

as

my

oc-

it

M. de

of

Bel-

going to bed.

father saw I was asleep, he

and no sooner was he gone than I had

done sleeping. A skilful hairdresser was mys-

went out

teriously brought into

my room

by

my

trusty

servant.

Thanks

to

my own

abilities,

and Jasmin,

my

waiting-maid, I soon dressed from head to foot.

Mademoiselle de Brumont,

whom

a very inat-

tentive or absent Swiss did not see go out,

and

whom

im-

rascal

mediately carried
It

of

to

hackney-coachman

Madame

was very near midnight.

proper not

to

de Fonrose's.
"We had thought

go earlier to the Countess, for

fear of the Marchioness not having yet retired

to her apartment.

we

arrived at

M. de

Madame

de Fonrose,

Lignolle's hotel,

when

would not

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

215

allow her carriage to enter the yard, that

might not disturb the

we

There

rest of anyone.

was nobody up at the Countess's except her husband and her maids, for her aunt was gone to
bed, as

was expected.

How! why

so

the

said

late?

Count.

"We

wanted, answered the Baroness, to come and

ask you for a bit of supper, but have been detained elsewhere.

This young lady, unable on

account of the late hour to be

let in at

her con-

vent, has not accepted of the bed I offered her,

but has preferred coming to beg of you for this

night the little room which she occupied in
more happy times. She has done right, replied
Very right, exclaimed my Eleanor, and
he.
let her come as often as possible, to occasion me

Your

such an agreeable surprise.

sent

you

to a

convent then

father has

resumed M. de LiWhere? I must

he
Yes,
beg your pardon, but I am not allowed
anyone. understand, pursued
on account
a mysterious
and
no
Vicomte. There
anything from you. Oh, I was
gnolle.

sir,

has.

to receive

he, quite low,

tone,

in

is

sure of

cealing
it,

because

of

possibility of con-

is

the

it

the

familiar to me.

affections

What

is

of

the

soul

are

most surprising, I


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

216

have enquired in vain after that young

Versailles,

him.

there

have

Madame

man

at

no one there who knows

is

already

told

you,

who was

de Fonrose,

interrupted

listening, that

he was in high favour with the secretary of

state, but that he seldom made his appearance
at court.

And

I,

exclaimed the Countess, have

begged he should never be mentioned to me.

Apropos, resumed the Count, I

you.

What

for?

am

angry with

fortnight ago, you went

into Gatinois to that festival, and early in the

morning you departed without
You certainly must have been told that pressing orders
had compelled me to return to Paris. And
how do you go on with the charades? Rather
indifferently for some weeks past; yesterday,

however, I began again; but so few! so few!

So much the worse. Come,

you must
of
make up
So I
Let me you, here your
miss,

for the loss

long,

tell

sir.

whom you

neglect;

she will be in an

and I
sir,

shall

answered

don't expect

thing

time.

will, ere

ill

pupil,

is

mind what you

are about,

humour, dismiss you,

No,

be chosen to replace you.

Madame
it:

de Lignolle,

hastily,

I have been proposed such

not long since, but I have plainly

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

is

it

mademoiselle who

proposal?

No,

madam
You
day.

wait

thank
bit

will

How now!
strange
has made
God! Wait

never

can

that

declared

217

be.

that

she will, perhaps,

added

see,

patting

he,

shoulder, you will find out at last that

tiresome business.

am

his wife, but I

Brumont

Madame
I

is

la

To

you

it

may

to

son,

be, replied

never

tired.

Most

assuredly,

Comtesse, and for several days past

come and give you

interrupted

my

it is

very sure Mademoiselle de

have been very sorry I had

power

bit,

some

Madame

I must be

not in

it

lessons.

de Fonrose, give her a

off.

shall not

les-

detain you,

replied her friend, for I feel sleepy.

ing the case, said

my

Well!

That

be-

de Lignolle, I shall see the

M.

Baroness to her carriage, and then retire into

my apartment. Ladies, I wish you a very good
night.

The Countess immediately sent away her women; and the moment we were left by ourselves, she flew into

my

arms, and rewarded

happy stratagem with a hundred

whom

my

caresses.

has been granted leave occasionally to enter the bed of an adored mistress, and to watch there a whole night for her

ye

to

it

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

218

you were truly deserving of such a

favour, you must have relished more than one
sake,

if

kind

of

exquisite

know only

voured lovers are no strangers

follows

it

Vulgar

pleasure!

lovers

the hour of enjoyment; more fa-

this

is

hour that

to the

the time for a sweeter in-

timacy, better felt eulogiums, more persuasive

protestations, enchanting avowals, tender over-

and of

tures, delicious tears,

all

the voluptuous-

ness that can

fill

with an equal

interest, the fortunate couple re-

member
then

the heart.

It is then,

that

their first interview, their first desires

it is,

that bringing their thoughts back to

the time present, with which they are delighted,

they congratulate each other, upon having obtained

many

so

much

obstacles

felicity,
it is

notwithstanding

so

then, that viewing only in

future times a long series of happy days, they

indulge with full confidence, the reveries of

hope.

Yes, said she, I have formed the best, the

all

projects;

we

shall

and die together.

I shall

fill

one trunk

most charming of
live

only with

my

most necessary

clothes,

then

and take

away with me my diamonds only: I don't wish

M. de Lignolle should have to complain of be-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
ing wronged by us
settle

where you

we

like

219

shall leave France,

and

every country will ap-

pear beautiful to me, since you will be with

My

me.

diamonds are well worth ninety thou-

sand francs

we

shall sell them,

in a fine country, not a castle,

and purchase

nor even a house,

handsome cotprovided there be room enough for one

tage
As you
person, for you and I shall be but one.
say, my charming friend, we shall be but one.
We don't want two rooms to sleep in. Shall
we have two beds, Faublas? Oh, no! not two
The garden will be large, and we shall
beds.
have a gardener. We shall marry a pretty counbut a cottage, Faublas

a small

try girl to a poor peasant,

we

shall give

vate

it

who

will love her:

them our garden, they

for their

own

use,

will culti-

and will allow us

to

shall

want for our support; we

not want. much, you and I only eat to sup-

port

life.

take what

waiting
ent

we

shall

Apropos, I don't think of keeping a

woman

when

there would be someone pres-

I would wish to

you that I love

With regard to my

tell

you that would annoy me.

Shan't
dress, do I want anybody's assistance?
I find out in what manner I must deck myself
Ah! you will please me in all
to please you.
;


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

220

Well, now
a cook? How can we

manner of
shall

we have

How

that

dress.

is settled,

have no waiting woman, but a cook;

do without!

do you think I would not know

cook our dinner

our four meals

milk, eggs, fruit, a fowl

how

some

to

butter,

I have learnt to

shall

make

make you pies,

and every now and then some nice creams.
Oh I shall treat you well, you will see Will
not all those appear to you better, sir, when it
So
Better! a thousand times better!
is I
then, said she, embracing me, we shall be only
Let me see, you will place
one in this cottage
will
fetch us upwards of a
it
our money, and
hundred louis d'ors per annum, so you must see
cakes, biscuits,

pastry, I will

that

we

will be

immensely rich! our food will

not cost much, and our clothing will not require

much!

summer

a light taffeta in

the winter season a neat cotton

You

time,

gown

and in
is

all

want more yourgood friend; you need not wear fine

shall

wish

self,

my

for.

will not

clothes to look charming.

By

this

means, we

spend one half of our income;

and with the remainder, will have it in our
power to assist some poor people. One half for
shall scarcely

us will be a great deal

Fifty louis for the un-

!!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
fortunate poor, that

we

try: first

is

very

221

We

little!

am no more

then, Faublas,

with

lighted

possessed

you

like

How

happy I am
invention

for

all

but
I

article.

What

it,

it?

is

it

make

yourself easy

ery, to play

creams,
too

my

many

you,

Eleanor:

it

and

be

and will

its

heart!

embroid-

it

to

You

make

little

cannot be possessed of

why, what

is

the matter with

Certainly, I
you laugh when I am speaking
when I speak

my

beloved

you weep

weep
you are jocose
!

all

will teach

on the piano

child.

will,

you with

to love

talents

I have

shall

my

dear Eleanor?

teach

first

You

you have not heard the most

brought to bed, and will suckle

will suckle

be

to

never would have found that out

not told you

so
de-

genius

child

of a child

it

of

important

we

Adorable
than you are;
my project I am

shall next curtail necessaries.

shall

shall suppress all superfluities,

am

because I

seriously

feelingly

It

is

glad at heart, I assure you

Eleanor, I too wish to educate our child

teach

him

to read

shall

feel

for

Every day!

do

it,

He

his mother loves

In our

interrupted she
will write every

you

I will

eyes, all the love

to

we

write

morning

better than she did

that

on the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
preceding day.

my

To

To dance upon

dance

knees, exclaimed she, laughing in her turn.

To

fence.

Ah

where we

try,

wherefore

shall be

In that coun-

surrounded but by well

wishers of ours, what occasion will he have to

know how

to kill people

Eleanor,

When

him how
he

You

are right,

my

his mother will have taught

to render himself dear to everyone,

will, like his

of everyone.

mother, be defended by the love

Such

resumed she

are

my

projects, Faublas,

I was certain they would meet

with your approbation.

We

are going to spend

the remainder of our days together!

we

are

going, unopposed, to adore each other to the

day of our lives; Madame d'Armincour

no longer come to plague me with her useyour father will not have
less representations
it in his power again to tear you away from
last

will

Ah
Would I forsake my
I forsake my aunt My
not
me My aunt does not
who
me.

father

don't

idolises

less.

But

fection

if

they

Why
father,

cherish

they really feel for us

manifest,

nothing

all

will

me

the af-

prevent

coming to join us. I have thought, that

from the place of our retirement, we might
write to apprise them of our invariable deter-

their


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
mination

if

they come,

croase of happiness,

for

them adjacent

we

will be for us an in-

it

will have a cottage built

our own;

to

223

we

our repeated entreaties,

if

they resisted

shall consider

them

as having forsaken us; our reciprocal love will

make us

our

forget

my

Could I forsake
Sophia!

sister

and

my

relatives.

my sister?

name you; but you

I did not

were avenged by

Your

ungrateful

father,

tears.

may come

too

we

to some worthy husbandman,

to

will

marry her

an honest

man

who will not marry her fortune, but her person,

and will make her happy. AVherefore are you
silent, Faublas ? Why do you shed tears ? You

me penetrated with gratitude, my beloved.

So many proofs of your so tender love would

see

increase mine, if

it

were susceptible of an

in-

but after mature deliberation, I am

obliged to confess to myself, and to inform you
crease;

deem

it

impossible to execute that project.

Unfortunately
Sophia? I am not speak-

Impossible! for what reason?

there are several.

man! your
ing of
the

my

many

supports;

love for

wife

you

necessitous

your

know

of one, ungrateful

don't give a thought to

whom

wealth

is

your beneficence
their

patrimony.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

224

Will
spair

mj

de-

reflect

on.

thej enjoy that wealth after

has

killed

me?

You

don't

would occasion.
All
would call it treachery, all would call your
sacrifices an act of folly, and your love for me a
disorderly passion.
Would you wish to have
your memory detested by your relations, and
the

bustle

your

flight

What do

disgraced in your country.

since I

am

I care

not quite inexcusable! what do I

care for the opinion of the world that does not

know me, and the unjust hatred of relatives

who have sacrificed me! Can you hope that

Madame d'Armincour

will ever consent to fol-

low into foreign parts a

the voice of the public?

for

my

the time

when

aunt,

Cruel man!

Do you

when

niece,

Ah!

my

condemned by
what do I care

lover

concerned!

is

wish to make

I loved

my

me

regret

aunt alone?

In

short, since I cannot dispense telling you

consider that both of us, as

ily,

subjects,

members of

so,

fam-

and married, can, neither of us

escape the threefold authority of our families,

of the sovereign, and of the law.

combined

forces,

my

Against those

Eleanor, there

is

not in

the whole universe one single asylum for two

lovers.

Not

one single asylum!

I shall find

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
At any

one.

225

rate let us go, let us disguise our-

selves well, change our

names, and be concealed

in some obscure village, where thej will not

come

we

to look after us

resource;
selves

and

if

they were to come,

have against our persecutors one

shall

we

Yes,

shall

kill

ourselves.

live together, or die

you carry me away! and you

kill ourselves! and our child?

last

Kill
have
I
We

our-

will

shall

shall.

Our child? our

child

He

is

right, cried

What

spair, he is right!

upon

to fix

dispensable,

Do you

she,

with deep de-

determination

am

and
Upon oneequally
my
my most unhappy
what your aunt was proposother day? And you
Faucruel

in-

dear.

dear,

recollect

ing to you the

too,

would give me that horrid advice? It is

who invites me to throw myself into
Eleanor, that sacrithe arms of another man.
blas,

my

lover

fice

does not appear to

does to you!

it is

me

less

painful than

it

dreadful indeed!
Eleanor? and our

dreadful!

more dreadful than death!

child?

Suffocated by her sobs, she could not answer

me.

It

appeared

ment was come

to

me

that the propitious mo-

to detail

with force the

reasons that were to convince

many

and persuade


A
;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

226

All that

her.

may

be, said she at length, but

how can you arrange matters so as to re-capacitate M. de Lignolle?

My dear, you have allowed him one minute only for the experiment

and,
be
done Let

perhaps by granting him a whole night.

whole night!

same

an age of

the

tortures!

obliged to

as at the first time, I shall

?
him that I will have it
your
headaches,
sick
frequent
us beware. Your

go and

tell

being often

sick,

and many other circumstances

must already have caused inquietude

Lignolle.
to give

to

M. de

If after six months' silence you were

him peremptory

your husband

orders,

might conceive strange and dreadful suspicions.

We have no other means left than to apply to a
discreet and complaisant physician,
skilful,
who will come and examine your supposed illness,

and prescribe marriage. Where

as you describe to be found ?

where.

Our

doctors are

men

must

trust a

stranger!

why

find that to be necessary.

tell

you what, I

Your

such

of honour,

customed to keep family secrets,

between married couples,

peace

is

Every-

man

to

and

indeed,

ac-

maintain

So

I don't

friend can.

I'll

will provide the physician.

tears begin to

run again,

my

Eleanor!


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Ah

227

same as yours, mj heart is torn. I am

going to immolate myself, said she sobbing, and
shall become less dear to him.
I shall no longer
the

be his wife, I shall only be his mistress.

I succeeded

in calming her inquietude

but 1
vain efforts to comfort her, for the misfortune with which she was threatened.
She
;

made

wept in my arms till four in the morning as I

was obliged to leave her then, we agreed that
two days after I would bring the physician, and
that the painful sacrifice was to be accomplished
on the following night.
;

Totally preoccupied on the preceding day

with the desire of seeing her, I had, while
thinking of the means of gaining admittance to
her apartment, entirely forgotten those of getting out of

how

late,

My

it.

shall

dear, I think of

manage

to return

you are going away, my dear

I have only woman's clothes by me.
Alas

it

rather

home.

Yes, but
A

young

running about the streets at

four o'clock in the morning by herself, will

girl in full dress,

create suspicion

I don't at
Martin.

all

the guard will arrest me, and

wish

to be carried again to Saint

Is that all? replied she.

I shall get up

too,

we

shall call

Wait a bit
up la Fleur;


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

228

without making a noise he will put the horse

and attended by

to the gig,

you

see

to

my

servant I shall

your own door, and by this means we

shall continue longer in each other's

I shall

tell

you

M. de

Lignolle

it

company.

was indispensable

your convent by day break.

What she proposed was executed. La Fleur,

for

to return to

who appeared

entirely devoted to us, served us

Madame

most zealously.
only at the

hearing

the

faithful Jasmin,

previously

signal

me

de Lignolle left

moment when my

agreed

upon,

I
came
went to lay down, and it was striking ten when
M. de Belcour awoke me. He asked me if I
had had a good night. Very good, father.
And the sick headache ? The sick headache
ah I still feel some secret pain from it but it

running to open the gate of the hotel.

does not signify

days'

sufferings,

may

I, at

obtain

the price of several

occasionally

similar

nights to that I have just spent.

I had scarcely ended those words, when good

fortune
father,

M. de Rosambert.

brought in

who

unfortunate

My

had not seen the Count since his

duel

at

whelmed him with

last went down into

la

porte

his

Maillot,

over-

The Baron
apartment. As soon

civilities.

at

as

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
we

"were left alone,

ing

me

again

Rosambert began reproach-

You have

229

given

me your word

of

honour, said he, and yet a fortnight has elapsed

my father never
You
me.
I
your house, but with him.
might have gone
That would have procured me
the
seeing
Come,
you.

Rosambert,
pleasure of
a
leaves

see,

to

at least

truce
that

to

compliments,

the Baron's

visit

able,

but he

is

my

I prefer.

is

very ami-

It is the

father.

young people that you

candidly

confess

M. de Belcour

agreeable to you,

of

and

would not prove very

company

which
you heard a great
remember perhaps a

like.

It is that

Chevalier, have

piece of news

You

will

certain obliging Countess, who, the first time

you to a ball-room, carried

might be left with Madame
you
me away that
Undoubtedly I do remember her; she
de B
that I conducted

is

pretty enough.

nobody knows

it

You

need not

better than I do.

tell

me

so;

This Coun-

had for a long time since been intimate

with the Marchioness; it is assured that those
tess

two ladies were equally interested in sparing

each other; yet they are no longer upon very
good terms.

Their rupture makes a great noise

in the world, and

is

spoken of diversely.

One

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

230

day, as I was going to pay

my

the

first visit to

Marchioness of Rosambert,* I found the lovely

Countess at her house, and she manifested a

me;

great friendship for

cult for
alliance.
tell

me

it

was not very

to find out that she

Ah! no more on

diffi-

my

wished for

the subject

me

let

you, Eosambert, that you are come very

apropos; I was going to write to beg of you to

render

me

Of my

a service of importance.

adventures with

Madame

de Lignolle,

I only conceal those parts in which

Madame

de

was connected I spoke much about the

aunt and the niece, but took great care not to
My recitals,
say a word about the cousin.
;

though curtailed, supplied him with an inexhaustible subject of pleasantry; and when his

merriment had been

exercised:

sufficiently

already feel strong enough, said he, to attend

upon some pretty female

patients

besides, it is

impossible to refuse so ludicrous an errand as

that which

Mad. de Brumont honours me with

to-morrow she will see me at the Countess's,

ready to answer her confidence in me to-mor;

row she
the most

will do

me

the justice to

own

that

scientific doctor could not have taken

* His mother.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
measures

better

the impotent

than

M. de

myself

to

231
secure

to

Lignolle the honours of

paternity.

A moment

after the departure of Rosambert,

came

the Baroness

I was surprised

to see us.

at first to hear her speak as follows to

Belcour
wife

M. de
M. de Lignolle has never espoused his

it

a fact which every person

is

quainted with, and

still

his wife is

is

ac-

with child!

you know of it, Baron; for that avowal, with

which she has suddenly astonished you, she
would, immediately after, and with the same
candour, have regaled her husband,

d'Armincour had not opposed

now

is to

to be pitied

ever,

there

is

Madame

The question
who deserves

but one single mode, how-

namely, to contrive to induce the un-

worthy husband
w^hich

it.

save the thoughtless girl,

if

is

no

to

trifling

consummate
matter

perhaps,

his marriage,

but something more

upon

difficult

still,

Madame

de Lignolle to suffer the attempt to be

made.

is

to

prevail

I can see no one in the whole world but

who will be able to persuade the mother to a determination, for which,

the father of the child

whoever knows the lover and the husband, will

be sensible that no small share of fortitude is

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

232

requisite.

who

doctor

is to

be

let into the secret,

will prescribe the conjugal union; the hus-

band will hear the sentence, and the aunt will

press the execution of

it.

All

is

ready for

to-

morrow; but the whole will fail if Mademoiselle de Brumont is not present.
Allow me,
then, M. le Baron, to call soon and take your
son in his disguise, and conduct him to Madame
de Lignolle; Mademoiselle de Brumont will
spend the day there, and I promise to bring her
back again in a moment; the little lady overwhelmed with sorrow will want to be comforted
by a look from her friend. Your son on that
day, I give you my word of honour, will return
to dine

with you.

M. de

Belcour, plunged in serious thought,

kept silence for a while:

you promise not

length, will

promised.

for

one

put on Mademoiselle
but,

said he, at

to part

from

this

moment?
She
He then addressed me: Twice more

young man

them

Madam,

single

de

Brumont' s clothes;

remember, that after that you are to take

off,

and never

Madame

to

wear them again.

de Fonrose had not taken leave of

us for a quarter of an hour, when M. de Belcour received a note. The Baron, upon reading

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
assumed a gloomy

it,

233

some signs of im-

air,

patience also frequently escaped him, and he

exclaimed several times: In

probable

Some bad news,

fact, that

father

appears

Yes,

bad,

Nothing about Sophia Sophia not

Nor your
word. Xor my
Farewell,
may
you sleep well

my
a

son.

sister

sister,

sir;

neither.

this night, although the last

morrow put on

was a good one

perfidious

the

disguise,

you have

after to-morrow, in the forenoon,

to-

and

my

leave, but it be for the last time; for the last

time, understand

On

me

well

the next day, before twelve, the Baroness

and I were at

Madame

de Lignolle's;

No

not long to wait for the doctor.

we had

one could

have recognised in his new costume, the friend

of the Chevalier de Faublas. He was no longer

young man, thoughtless, jovial, replete with grace and amiableness he was, however, a handsome doctor, gallant, courteous,
lively and charming, like the rest of them. He
that elegant

advanced straight
This

is

point her out to

Wliere

to

my

me

does it settle?

such eyes!

Eleanor.

the patient; there is

It

What

no occasion
is

to

her illness

with such a figure, and

must be

the consequence of de-

I
!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

234

rangement somewhere?
knowledge of the case
a

patience!

little

Monsieur

le

for nothing.

it

requires

It

to find

Comte knows

it

out here

decamp

will

new

the

I have not seen

great

But,

ere long.

piece

Good

myself, I have

it

Crowds of patients assail me

It is natural enough though they are
tired of getting killed by others.
My fair lady,
Ah what a sweet hand
let me feel the pulse.
not one hour's respite

the charming hand!

He

kissed

it.

What

are

you doing ? said the Countess, with a laugh.

know

well others will feel

through this so

fine

it,

I listen to

The Marchioness d'Akmincotje.

The

doc-

(In a low voice, to Faublas)

tor is jocose!

my

it;

I could even see

skin,

it.

Receive

best thanks

have persuaded

my

it is

niece

you no doubt who

to

adopt the only

measure that could save her ; and to this service,

add that of never being connected with her

again; and I shall say, notwithstanding your

former wrongs, that you are certainly a

of honour.

RosAMBEKT.

man

There

proaching war.

is a rumour of an apThe emperor has projects of

conquest; if I were in the place of the grand


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
signior,

men,

I would collect five-hundred-thousand

Danube

cross the

it is

Countess

(laughing).

grand signior on the Danube ?

RosAMBERT. Well very well

you; you

Madame

Vienna

Countess.

we

the

will cure

my

pulse,

complains

You

doctor, for though I

of

Who?

and I would go and lay

sick, I believe

The

Your

fair

fair

a je ne sais quoi, which causes

is

to beat too quick

to

a joke.

like

lady ; there

my

agitated,

lady
The

235

commit

feel sick,

being

of

it

siege

mistake,

I don't complain

it.

RosAMBERT.
care,

madam

Howcver, you must take great

Your

an affection of the heart

be sported with

from

sickness proceeds
!

and the heart

It is the noble part

is

not to

and you

are sensible that if I were to lay siege to

it,

it

and
immediately after its surrender, I would march
straight up to Saint Petersburg, to go and pay

would be with the intention of taking

it;

-Does

she

Doctor,

the

a visit to that ambitious empress.

sleep well?

Mademoiselle de Brumont.
ambitious sleep but

little.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

236

RosAMBEBT.
ing

Oh

it is

Madame

am

speak-

of.

The Countess

(still

laughing).

Me, that

is

quite another thing; for some time past I have

(She

not slept well.

and tender

air,

then assumed a serious

and casting at

significant look,

added)

me

a sudden but

I nevertheless never

entertained any other ambitious desire, but of

being able to do without doctor's prescriptions.

RosAMBERT. Trulj, mj fair lady, I conit would be better to do without; but,

necessity, when pressing, must be attended to
At the end of the campaign, I would return to
but I would
recruit myself in my seraglio
have French women in my seraglio! and you,
Monsieur le Comte ?
M. DE LiGNOLLE. I likewise.
RosAMBERT. Ah! it is not to be disputed;
none are so amiable as the French women! I
behold some here who are charming; you, for
fess

instance, sir, possess one

who

is

worth a thou-

sand others; but only imagine how delightful,

you had two or three hundred more like her,

many more that you might
send for, and have brought from Italy, Spain,
England, Golconda, Cachemica, Africa, Amerif

without reckoning

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
ica,

and, in short, from

237

the different parts

all

of the world.

Gently,
her husband). I

The Baeoness (laughing).

What

doctor.

a sultan you would be

The Countess
that so

many

(to

believe

people would only occasion you

some uneasiness.

EosAMBEKT
angry with me.

little

Countess).

Yes!

But

jealousy!

it

don't be

was not in earnest that I

Comte.
(To M. de Lignolle)

advised

M.

Do you

give her

le

the

(to

might create a

It

much

M. DE Lignolle.

exercise

Exercise?

She takes too

much, she kills herself.

RosAMBERT.

Youug

womcu

and

like that,

they are right: they seldom feel the worse for

Do you enjoy

it

The Countess.
lost

a good appetite,

I did formerly, but I have

it.

RosAMBERT.
sleep

My

some

You

fair lady,

havc

lost

your soul

it
is

don't

^you

affected with

secret trouble.

M. DE Lignolle.
tor,

madam ?

Are you acquainted,

doc-

with the affections of the soul ?

RosAMBEET.
world.

Better

than any

man

in the

238

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

M. DE LiGNOLLE. Better! that is soon said.

But we shall see; allow me to put your deep
knowledge to the test: is mine own soul in its
complete equilibrium

EosAMBERT.

Your

soul

can't see, that at this present

something that perplexes

Do you
moment

think I
there

is

it ?

M. DE LiGNOLLE. What is that ?

EosAMBEKT (in an ill humour). You insist
upon it! I will speak it all out: what perplexes your soul,

in the first place, the situa-

is

tion of your lady, because, if her illness

became

serious, and that your wife should die, you

would be obliged to return her marriage portion.

M. DE LiGNOLLE
teur,

(haughtily).

you offend me

KosAMBERT
own fault, M.

M.

(in high spirits).

le

not treat learned

Comte.

men with

and respect that are due

moreover, tortures your soul,

It

le

Doc-

is

your

Wherefore do you
that consideration
to
is

them?

What,

the composition

of some work of genius, that does not go on as

quick as you could wish; for I do not look at
your dress, which informs me, that you are a
military character, it is your soul that I ex-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

239

amine: it is depicted in your countenance in

your looks: I can read there that you cultivate
letters with success.

M. DE LiGNOLLE (with
You see very right you are

a skilful

you the

tell

truth, I

satisfied

am now

air).

man.

To

already tormented

about a charade.

RosAMBEKT. What! Am I so fortunate as

to have met the Monsieur de Lignolle, who fills
our public papers with his poetry, who supplies
the Mercure with his masterpieces

M. DE Lignolle
Masterpieces

am

(in a transport of joy).

You are

M. de

the

of.

Lignolle

M.
that

However, I
are speaking

excuse
Oh!
DE Lignolle. I beg you

RosAMBEKT.
port

tion

too kind.

whom you

it

it

the little re-

sir,

will not

men-

I must beg your pardon for I confess

were difficult to carry further the
;

knowledge of the soul

RosAMBERT. I havc heard that the Countess

would

The

also

meddle with charades.

Countess.

one.

Rosambert.

Yes,

Very

well,

have

my

composed

fair lady; go

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

240
on, it will

Be

amuse you.

not uneasy on ac-

count of your actual indisposition; your illness

will be a mere nothing ; it is only a case of

To

plenitude

be sure there

but whence does

originate

it

is

plenitude;

then held his head between his two hands,

and for a long time appeared absorbed in deep
reflection; he next looked most attentively at

He

the Countess.

Upon my

afterwards, this
for after all

beyond

is

my

comprehension;

the case of a maiden, and this

it is

handsome person

(To M.

honour, exclaimed he,

is

Madame

Comtesse

la

de Lignolle, low, but distinctly, so that

did not lose a syllable) Tell me, you must

We
neglect your charming wife very much?

we

could

not

hear

Rosambert resumed
there

is

plenitude,

answer;

husband's

the

It

must be

so,

redundance,

but

though, for
a

complete

plethora; and if you do not remedy it, the

jaundice will infallibly come next; and after
the

jaundice

why,

faith,

you would have

the marriage portion to return; take care of

yourself.

M. DE L1GNOL1.E
can assure you
tion

it is

(in a faltering voice).

not in the marriage por-

AI

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
EosAMBERT

(to

the Countess).

have you been married

The CouxTEss.

241

How

long

Very

near eight months,

doctor.

RosAMBEKT.

Eight

months

very near her accouchement.

your duty to Madame:

M.

this

she
le

must be
Comte, do

very night! or I

could not answer for the consequence.

M. DE LiGNOLLE. Doctop, obscrve

The Marchioness d'Armincouk (harshly).

'No observations.

The Baroness
child to this

little

child!

(in

caressing tone).

one; what

would that cost

you?

M. DE LlGNOLLE. But
RosAMBERT (in a friendly

buts.

tone).

Ah!

no

child!

The Marchioness d'Armincour (weeping).

Alas doctor, perhaps you prescribe to him
!

what

impossible.

is

RosAMBERT

How

so

consent

(pointing to

Impossible

the

Countess).

does the lady refuse her

The Countess (with

tears in her eyes)

I
Mademoiselle de Bkumont (throwing

her-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

242
self

at

knees

tie

of

low)

Countess,

the

Eleanor, think of me, think of our child

(aloud)

Madame

la Countess, if

least return to the tender

you pay the

attachment of your

aunt, to that of your friends and to mine, say

you consent.
The Countess lifted up her eyes to heaven,
then turned them towards me, and, dropping
that

her hand into mine, heaved a deep sigh and was

heard to pronounce the fatal

EosAMBERT

M.

(to

dc

I consent.

Liguollc).

Well!

now ?
The Makchioness d'Armincoue (sobbing).

she consents

what have you

That he cannot
RosAMBERT. That

achieve

it,

he

what I shall never be

to say

the traitor

made

to

The repugnance is not probable;

Neither is
a charming woman!
the want of physical powers? you

your prime

yet.

What

is

That

cannot!

the wife is
it

owing to

are quite in

your age?

sixty ?

M. DE LiGNOLLE

(rather

is

comprehend.

angrily).

About

Very

more than fifty, sir.

RosAMBERT. You SCO but though you were
double, these charms are capable of reviving a

little

centenarian.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
The Baeoness.

me

Be

it

043

doctor; but give

so,

leave to introduce a quotation:

On

qu'on n'a jamais tons

dit

Et que les gens

Ont fort peu de

RosAMBERT.
it so

but a

Comte,

men.

dons

les

a-la-fois,

d'esprits, d'ailleurs tres estimablefl,

pour former leurs semblables,*

Destocches, le Philosophe marie.

talent

With regard

man

of genius

men of wit,
man like M.

to

be
le

in every respect superior to other

is

Wait a moment, though

very
we were
I can demonAuthors who compose, by dint of

sible that

all right,

it is

pos-

blood

and the

as

strate.

petual

per-

meditation,

force

humours continually
it is to

the

towards the head;

to flow

the brains therefore that all the spirits

are carried; unfortunately the brains being incessantly exercised,

acquire

strength

only

at

the expense of the other parts that languish.

The

left

less

than the right,

it is

the

arm, for instance, which you use much

same in

of letters,
* It

is his

is said,

that

much

this case.

right

we never

of every qualification
ble in other respects,
their like.

is

arm:

the weakest.

Well

The head

of a

man

the rest of

him

all

are possessed at the same time

and that men of wit, very estimahave very little talent to produce

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

244
is

is so much the better for

much the worse for love.
Maechioness d'Armincour. What

the left; which

glory, but so

The

do I care for glory

have I married

my

niece,

that she might be regarded with glory alone

RosAMBERT. Rightly spoken! all ladies are

of the same opinion on that point but be comforted, a remedy is near at hand: I who am
;

now

speaking to you, have, in a similar case

performed a miraculous cure, upon every member of a provincial academy.

members of

All the

that literary society were

labouring under the same disease

Comte appears

women

to

be afflicted;

all

M.

le

the married

in that small town looked emaciated,

and exhibited sallow complexions.

wives,

as

who

Provincial

are very particular respecting the

matrimonial duty, were unwilling to

article of

die without complaining; they cried out against

and made an infernal

roaring! Their good fortune would have it so,
that I was travelling that road, was recognised,
and called upon to attend them. I found out

literature

they hallooed

by re-establishing the equilibrium

of the humours, and the ordinary circulation of
the blood, everything would return of itself to
at once, that

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
its

natural

For those
be made men

state.

very willing to

245

literati,

who were

again, I composed

an excellent potion, a wonderful potion

tion

in

From

The

short!

the very next day,

a po-

was prodigious.

success

the

complexion of

every complainant looked to be brighter; but

what happened

most remarkable in the

adventure was, that at nine months from the

period,

hour,

to be

on the same day, and nearly at the same

my academical females were delivered

all

of a stout boy, well constituted; of a boy, do

you hear

because the fathers had gone to work

with incredible ardour!

What

occasions

my

laughing,

is

a pleasant

Only think, thia

day of general delivery, which the ladies
seemed to have appointed, happenqd to be a day
of meeting, each husband lost his counter.
This, which proved a subject of great mortification for the first literary characters, was a
source of amusement for the whole town,
circumstance I just recollect.

M.
to

le

Comte, I

compose a

am

returning home, in order

like potion for

you

only, as

imagine that you are possessed of more genius

than those gentlemen, you must have suffered

more

in

your constitution than they had, and,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

246

of course, I shall double the doses.

I shall

send you the paternal draught this evening;

swallow
that

up

it

at one draught,

Madame

night

in the

and I warrant
hear

will

of

Mademoiselle de Brumont and I shall

morrow morning
remedy.

Don^t

He

fail,

admire the

to

it.

effect

call to-

of the

added, in a lower tone of voice:

for

be a great pity

it is

to

a pressing case.

It

would

bury that young woman, and

I must leave
to have her portion to return.
you the whole town are waiting for me. Good
morning to you, sir ladies, your servant.
His departure released me from a heavy
;

burden; for I could see the doctor continually

getting into better spirits, and I was afraid that

he had already carried the joke too

M. de

ever,

far.

Lignolle's satisfied look,

How-

and tone

Without being discomposed at the bitter reproaches of Madame

d'Armincour, he proudly replied: Is it my
fault if glory and love do not agree ? Have you
of confidence quieted me.

not heard the doctor

self

see

He

is

a very clever

and since he takes

man

upon himto re-establish the equilibrium, you will

to-night you will see!
He went away

I certify he

is,

much

pleased with himself.

it

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
As soon
could

as he

no

hold

was gone, the Baroness, who

longer,

name

"Where in the

247

laughing.

out

burst

of patience, asked she, have

you found out that truly amiable physician?

In fact, interrupted the Countess, who laughed
and wept at the same time, your friend is very
He has found means to
entertaining quite so
enliven one of the most distressing moments of
my life. And what he says is sound reasoning,
exclaimed Madame d'Armincour full of sense
"What is the name of that charming man?
The Count de Rosambert! said
Rosambert.
!

the Baroness

de

the unfortunate lover of

I have heard

Madame

him spoken of with high

encomiums, which he appears to be deserving

The Count de Rosambert repeated the
of.

name he is the same

recommended
to me to
was
who
man
young
Marchioness
he

madam.

man

is

that

your

am

carries his

is

the

friend

intimate

very glad of

He

young

that

it;

recommendation on

is

his counte-

nance, he does not in the least bear the appear-

ance of being another

M. de

Madame d'Armincour not

me politely whether I was
Countess

immediately

Lignolle

long after asked

not going.

declared

she

The

insisted

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

248

my

upon

remaining with her the whole day

long; she even protested I should not leave her

before the fatal hour, and that if she were compelled to send

allow

M. de

me away

sooner, she

would not

Lignolle to enter the apartment.

Another act of imprudence! exclaimed the

Marchioness.

an end

It is high time there should be

to all this.

Madam,

tell

you over

again; people begin to talk about the world;

must have been some shocking bad

rumours circulated against you, for several
times within a few days, some folks, even in
there

my

have indulged scandalous jokes

respecting our l*!ademoiselle de Brumont, with
presence,

whom you

are said to be intimately connected

that your secret, a secret, of

for a long time since has
which
this nature,

how

is it possible

been entrusted to so many individuals, should

be well kept? I beg of you, niece, henceforth

your conduct be regulated by

let

my

advice

if

not for my
not ruin yourself, do not obstinately insist
upon detaining I insist, aunt, upon her stopit

sake, let it

is

Do

be for your own.

and her coming to-morrow at

an early hour to comfort me. Since you will
have her stay, I must yield consent; but you

ping

till

night,

But

as soon as he

and

had

fitialy

tasted it, toe sazc him make horrid s:rim aces,

place the vase on the mantel piece.

Page 24U

]ot

!:

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

249

must allow me at least not to leave you. Alas

you might leave us without any risk, you may
the same
stay to-day, as well as to-morrow

day, I assure you, shall not witness an odious

shame.

Notwithstanding,
leave us,

my

the

Marchioness did not

Eleanor found means

to say to

me

My aunt does not know that you lately have

spent a night here; I have requested M. de
Lignolle not to

him,

that

her of

tell

Madame

it.

I observed to

talkative, might, perhaps, mention

one,

who might

father,

naturally

d'Armincour,
it

to

accidentally repeat it to

and thus bring you

into trouble.

some
your

So

we may still expect more

you see,
than one happy night But it will neither be

my

dear, that

to-morrow, nor even

Oh, no

I could not pass

on a sudden from the arms of such a man, into

the arms of

my

lover.

Tedious as the day was, yet to us it appeared

The fatal potion was brought very
too short.
punctually.

The Count

at first seized it

with

had tasted it, we

saw him make horrid grimaces, and finally
place the vase on the mantel-piece most luckily
Madame d'Armincour
it was nearly empty;
avidity; but as soon as he

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

250

never could persuade him to drink the small

quantity of the liquor he had left.

The
went

moment
the
when
bed

cruel

to

arrived.

The Countess

clock had struck twelve.

I saw her bathe her pillow with her tears, I

saw her secretly kiss the place where my head

had rested two nights before. My dear Eleanor

What
what

a farewell I did hear her pronounce, with

a look

was

Her

lacerated.

it

accompanied

my

soul

was

plaintive accent and dolorous

seemed both equally to upbraid me for

the horrid sacrifice which was soon to be acMy dearest Eleanor! she was as
complished.
glance,

pale and trembling as a felon under sentence

Was

of death.

that the

woman, who

half a

year before, would say to her husband in a decided tone

I insist upon

it ?

Love

Almighty

Love, what an empire do you exercise over our

minds and our hearts

On my

return home, I was overwhelmed with

M. de Belcour tried useless efforts to disguise how deeply concerned he felt for my sorWhat a sad night I did pass? Pardon
rows.
me, however, my Sophia! pardon me; it was
not you entirely who this time occasioned my
restless night; but at least, you still know, as
grief.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
how

well as your unfortunate rival,

my

you were

You
were

rising, the first ob-

me, father, that in

go and fetch

fortnight

my

solicitude.

told

to

upon

at least,

my

ject of

to excite

and tender commiseration

regret,

lively

251

is

embarrassed

elapsed.

my

wife; upwards of a

He

I have

air.

business to attend to

first

we

a fortnight,

an

answered with

some indispensable

I don't think

have patience
early? To
going

now

for a

few days.

wish you good morning, father.

Whither

are

you

it

will be long

so

dress,

and go

to

the Baroness, and from thence to the Countess

you

me

have given

leave.

I most assuredly

with you, father.

will return to dine

We

did not call for Rosambert; he had appointed his hour, and we were both punctual,
that

upon our

arrival at

M. de

Lignolle's,

saw the doctor's carriage in the yard.

we

This

was a job coach, well chosen for the present

occasion, with outside steps, French fashion,
the

body

straight

vis-a-vis, the

and

long, a kind of a gothic

demi-fortune of a physician.

We

met Rosambert, who was gravely ascending the

Madame d'Armincour advanced with
stairs.
tears in her eyes, to open the door of her niece's

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

252

The

bed-room.

my

into

all

the signs of extreme

Surprised, I asked her very earn-

satisfaction.
estly,

on the contrary, rushed

niece,

arms, with

what could occasion her

transports

such

joyous

Congratulate me, exclaimed she,

M. de LignoUe is
he is not as yet M. de

congratulate yourself, that

not changed in the least

Lignolle
is

neither

am

I his wife

Eleanor

^your

yours only.

At

the

same moment, M. de Lignolle, who

undoubtedly had heard the doctor coming, entered the room, and without showing the least
confusion,

Rosambert

addressed

Doctor, the equilibrium

what say you

to that?

not the fault of

my

not re-established;

What say I?

remedy

of genius, as few are to

fortunately,

is

follows:

as

that

it is

you are a man

Most
with.
met
be
;

that

exclaimed the aunt.

man

of

pursued Rosambert a man

will ever be wonderful,
head
whose
genius,
of
but who, for all the rest, will remain impotent
genius incurable

all

his life-time.

I should have

acted right,

perhaps, resumed the Count, showing the phial,

if

I had not left

that.

have acted better; but

Certainly

it

you would

does not signify: the

quantity that you have drank,

sir,

would have

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
I

sufficed for four ordinary literati.

man

not a

my

with

to trifle

you never

not recover,

never.

am

since that has produced no effect,

tients,

will

impose upon, or

to

253

What!

you

do

will

think

get

pa-

you

better,

that

the

course

The Count was

interrupted by the sudden ar-

Vicomte de LignoUe, a

rival of his brother, the

The impatient

captain in the Royal ISTavy.

sea-faring

man

rushed into his sister-in-law's

apartment without waiting

He was

nounced.

he had been an-

till

man

feet ten inches

five

high, bulky, and strong in proportion, a kind of

an Hercules, with black hair, large mustachios,

a long sword

by

his side, a savage look,

whole countenance of

The

Captahst.

and the

a bravo.

Good

morning

you,

to

brother: good morning everybody.

M. DE LiGNOLLE (apparently

Good
You

my

dear.

of opinion,

that

morning,

are

blood and of the humours

mined ?
The Captain.

Who
E.OSAMBERT. Your
The Captain. She

pre-occupied).

(To Rosambert.)
the
is

is ill

course

of

the

invincibly deter-

here

sistcr-in-law.
is

indisposed, that wo-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

254

man ? perhaps
we shall see.

it is

The Baroness

nmch

(in

low

voice,

personage

Made-

to

cast

just

threatening look at the Vicomte).

have spoken

Zounds,

the better.

who had

Brumont,

de

moiselle

so

believe I

you sometimes of this enormous

coming here appears to bode us
Above all things, be patient and

to

his

nothing good.
moderate.

Your brothcr not

he should
you?
The Captain. What
M. DE LiGNOLLE. Why I am
equilibrium.
The Captain. Thunder and lightning!
RosAMBERT.

quite as

is

be.

ails

deficient in

believe

you want

to crack

you standing firm upon both your

legs,

I see

your jokes!

and as

erect as I am.

RosAMBERT,
question;

That

that

is

is

not the equilibrium in

universal

the

The one which the gentleman

is

equilibrium.
in

want

of, is

the right proportion of the affections of the

body.

M. DE LiGNOLLE.
the soul; that

And of

the affections of

is

The Captain.

Oh

the

affections

of the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
soul

255

I wondered at your not having bothered

(To Rosambert). Hear

be very fine what you
are speaking about; but may five hundred
devils seize me, if I understand a word of it

me

with them before.

me, good

that

sir, all

may

RosAMBEKT.

That,

but I will explain

it

however,

very plain;

is

The

you over again.

to

body of the wife is ill, because the mind

husband is too well. I have prescribed for the
of the

restoration of the lady's health that she should

procreate.

The Captain.
do you know

Procreate! Apropos,
is

it

reported

that

brother,

your wife

does not want you for that achievement?

Mademoiselle de Beumont.
pos

is

tain,

very impertinent

That

Do you

apro-

know, cap-

that if all naval officers were like you,

they would be very disagreeable gentlemen

The Captain. Pray, my

chance are you worth a brother ?
Mademoiselle de Brumont.
if I

had one

young miss,

per-

then!

The Captain.

Though

would beg of them, one

me

What

you had

thirty,

after another, to

behind the convent of the Carthusian

Mademoiselle

de

Beumont.

meet

friars.

believe,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

256
captain,

notwithstanding your menacing

who would

that the first

go,

airs,

might spare the

rest the trouble of taking the walk.

The Captain (with contempt). You are

very happy you are but a female.
The tone in which he pronounced these words
fully quieted

me

respecting the equivocal sense

of his previous questions.

angrily,

when

the

I was going to reply

Baroness,

who

continually

watched over me, said in a whisper: For God^s

sake! be composed! think that your Eleanor's
safety is at stake. Madame de Lignolle, meanwhile, with her well-known vivacity, just then
signified to her rude brother-in-law that, if he

continued thus to treat her with disrespect, she

would have him turned out of doors. Don't

mind what he

says,

exclaimed the Count

a hot-headed fellow.

RosAMBERT

(to the Captain).

Sir,

he

is

whoever

has told you the impertinent story you have

lie; it is

my

busi-

ness to understand those matters, and

this

very

you a

just repeated, has told

minute,

Madame

if required,

la

am

ready to sign that

Comtesse, on the contrary, stands

in great need of her husband for the said purpose.

Unfortunately,

M.

le

Comte does not

in


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
the least

want

his wife

not at

257

He

all.

is

so con-

stituted that in his whole person the intellectual

part preponderates over the material.

The Captain. True mj brother is far

from being stupefied he composes
RosAMBEET. Vcrv Well so far but it is not
!

with his wit that a husband can cause his wife

to

I therefore wished,

be pregnant.

present case, to force the

operations a

little,

that

it

mind

to

in

the

suspend

its

might not impede the

body sometimes performing

its

functions also;

I wished to re-establish the equilibrium.

M. DE LiGNOLLE (laughing, to the Captain).

He has not succeeded.

Look here! you who

this, I have drunk

understand chemistry, look at

all

that

wanted in the

is

The Captain

phial.

(after shaking the bottle,

applying a drop of the liquid

Hell and

fire!

who

to his tongue).

who has

the cursed ass

is

composed for you this horse medicine ?

M. DE LiGNOLLE. It was uot an ass.

the doctor.

RosAMBERT (bowing
the doctor, Mr. Censor

not being too strong,

effect.

is

to the
!

A
that

and

Captain.

proof of
it

my

It

was

It

was

potion

has produced no

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

258

The Captain.

What
dose! If

the deuce

a decoction

of cantharides! the most powerful approsidiac!

and in such a

I were to take the

twenty-fifth part I should be like a

for five-and-twenty

nights!

whole of

sufficed to infuriate the

madman

That would have

my

crew.

The Marchioness d'Aemincouk (weeping).

And yet

it

has produced no

The Captain.

E'o

effect!

poor brother, there must

your

entrails,

all

effect.

why

be ice in

over you.

In the name of

patience what stuff has our dear mother

you of?

It is not the

my

zooks!

your heart, in

same blood,

made

at least, that

runs through our veins! no, it cannot be the

same blood. True, indeed, I am a younger
brother, your junior

by upwards of a twelve-

month, without any compliment, but at

times, it must be confessed
M. DE LiGNOLLE (rubbiug his hands).

all

is

my

The Captain.
I

am

It

genius, in fact, that occasions that.

What

a deuce of a genius!

very glad, however, that you have entirely

it; for, according to your own

monopolised

you have had genius from an early

period of your life. At all times, that is what
I wanted to say, my dear elder brother at all
account,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
times has cut but a very poor figure

259

among

the

fair sex.

The Marchioness d'Armincour. Since

you knew of that, why did you suffer him to
take a wife

The Captain. Ah why should I have prevented him from concluding an advantageous
marriage

Marchioness

The
rage).

d'Armincour (in a
(To M. de LiI wish now your wife

Shocking calculation!

gnolle)

Cursed wit

would cuckold you

as

many

times as she has

hairs upon her head.

The Captain.

Why,

has fancied to do as
of that

whim

am

indeed,

much but
;

it is

said she

I shall cure her

returned to this country on

purpose.

The Marchioness
as for you,

(casting

mont)

And

Mr. Bully, I wish that somebody

de Bru-

look upon Mademoiselle

my

of

through as

(to the Captain).

acquaintance

many

times as

would run you

niece is worth

my

thousands per annum!

The Captain
a sneer).

the

name

(in a menacing tone, and with

Tell me,

my

good woman,

of that acquaintance of yours

tell

me

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

260

The
Marchioness. Good
woman
name! his name! Go, go, perhaps you
know his name but too soon.
The Captain. By G d! we shall see

any

rate, brother, be

on your guard

article of a letter that I

Brest:

You

me

told

let

us go on

said so, but

How

At

return to

your brother never

that

could consummate his marriage

member having

will

read that

my

found on

his

then does

do not re-

it

does not signify,

it

happen that your

sister-in-law is pregnant?

RosAMBEKT. She is not.

The Captain. I am glad to hear it. (To
his brother)
The letter is signed Saint-Leon, a
friend of mine, you know.
Boiling with rage,

my

I took post-horses, and on

at Saint-Leon's

he told

me

arrival alighted

he had never writ-

I showed him the paper, and he proved

was not his handwriting, but some one had

ten.
it

tried to imitate

it.

The Baroness

(low,

Brumont). I apprehend
trick of your Madame de
tain)
it)

Show me

to

Mademoiselle

this

that letter

de

a perfidious

is

(To the Cap(as

she returns

If you are a rational man, I shall ask you

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
what

credit

to the inculpations of

you can give

a forger?

The Captain.

261

Very well

very well

I con-

descend to believe it is not the exact truth

but

I intend to

no smoke without a fire.

few days and let me see a coxcomb come near her! may a hundred-thousand
bombs crush me, if I don't cut off the puppy's

there

is

stop here for a

ears.

Brumont. Captain,
de
Mademoiselle
unfortunately, you
me
reached
has
name
your
tiger, when
Thirsty
have made it too famous.
;

you cannot quench upon the English the thirst

that devours you, you drink the blood of your
France, it is well known, has not a
brethren.
more renowned duellist than you are; think,
however, that there still remain in the kingdom
some brave young men, who, although they
don't

make

it

a trade unceasingly to massacre,

are not the less capable of fighting, and, perhaps, of punishing you. If I were in the place

of the Countess, I would try, at least; determined by your menaces, I would this very even-

ing take a lover

declare

him

to be

so,

and

would choose in preference the weakest, perhaps.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

262

RosAMBERT

(with

enthusiasm).

the

TTo!

youngest, but the most formidable a handsome

young man, of a prodigious strength, extreme
;

dexterity,

who am

my

life,

and uncommon intrepidity; and

I,

speaking to you, madam, would forfeit

if, on the contrary, this champion did

not bring you the Captain's ears,

him for them.

The Baroness.

if

you asked

But you would not ask for

them, would you. Countess?

You would

seek

no other revenge for the threats of a Hector

than the contempt which they deserve.
The Captain. What is the opinion of in-

significant

up

my

women

to

me

however, I shall take

quarters here.

by no
In hotel?
means.
am I refused an
The Captain. How
apartment in your house, brother?
The Countess. Most undoubtedly, I never

The Countess.

this

ITo,

so!

will have

you

as

an inmate.

The Captain (to the Count).You don't

answer me! why don't you bid her hold her
tongue? Ah! you suffer yourself to be led by
Blood and flesh! I wish I were
a woman!
in your place only for four-and-twenty-hours,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

263

man-

the husband of a scold, I would teach her

ners,

(To the Countess): Be easy! be easy!

don't be angry

I shall not stop here in spite

of you, but I will take lodgings in the same

and rely upon it, I will watch you,
street

Rest assured,

princess.

of mine

will

it

be

no fault

you succeed in becoming

if

little

strumpet.

At

this last outrage of the captain, the

tess fell in a rage,

Coun-

and returned no other an-

swer, than by throwing at his head a candle-

happened

stick that

to be within her reach.

saw the moment when the brute would have

With my left hand
and with my right
uplifted
arm,
his
I stopi^ed

returned the compliment.

seizing the giant

by the

I pushed

collar,

him

back so violently, that he tumbled at the further

extremity of the room against the window sash,

which he broke. Had it not been for the balcony, down he would have gone into the yard.
Well done! my dear Brumont, cried out the
Marchioness
the villain
sults

my

you must

who

child,

kill

frightens

and

him

me

let

us murder

to death,

who

in-

offers to beat her

I needed not being encouraged by the Marchioness; I was so transported with anger, that

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

264

having perceived on an arm-chair M. de Liwhich he had left there on the

gnolle's sword,

preceding night when he undressed, I ran to

seize

Rosamhert, who alone preserved some

it.

sang-froid in the midst of so scandalous a scene,

ran up to

me Rash
:

youth, said he, if jou

draw

you will be detected!

Meanwhile the captain, seated on the fragments of the window sash, was looking at me
with astonishment, gazed upon himself with
it,

and with a coarse laugh, said: It is

young wench, however, who, at one blow
has brought me here what an iron arm, or am
I no longer but a man of straw? Odds bodisurprise,

this

kins! what

it is

to be

taken unawares! a child

could beat you! but that sword which she offered to draw against

taken for

my

me! what must I have

A black

defence, miss?

then thought he must get up.)

ladies

adieu,

little sister;

my

Adieu, fair

poor brother, adieu,

I shall

remember

pin? (he

my

lovely

the kind recep-

am

not going far,

and

will keep a watchful eye over

your conduct.

Let

me

tion I have

Sir,

band,

met from you.

alone for that! he went away.

said

it is

Madame

de Lignolle to her hus-

you that I admire

your tranquillity

!
;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
gives

me

me

pleasure

to be

You would

2G5

have suffered

murdered, without even rising from

your chair

He
yes

answered, with a pre-occupied air: Yes,

what

do you please

to say

pardon;

my

where.

I meditate the plan of a

this will be

composed of eight

haps I shall write a dozen

I beg your

my mind

body was here, and

else-

new poem

lines; nay, per-

and, since the doc-

tor affirms that the equilibrium will not be reestablished,

I wish to justify the

which he bestows upon

my

I will have this work be a

he declares the others are

genius, as he says

masterpiece, as

little
!

encomiums

and I leave you,

to

forward the poem without relaxation.

When

he was gone,

we

few minutes in

lost a

looking at one another in silence; each of us

surprised, perhaps, at the present,

and uneasy

about the future events, was mentally engaged

in anticipating various circumstances, to be able
to act accordingly.

Madame

de Fonrose was the

her mouth to recommend great

Marchioness exclaimed, that

who opened
prudence. The

first

it

was

requisite

the Chevalier would never see her niece again.

The

niece protested she

would rather die than

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

266
give

me up: and

assured

mj

by a look replete with

I,

Eleanor of

my

love,

unalterable con-

stancy: I besides swore that her rude brotherin-law should soon give

me

satisfaction for the

gross language he had addressed her in,

and the

inquietude he had dared to create.

That, said Rosambert,

who spoke

very irrational determination

common

interest,

my

friend,

last,

is

for the sake of

you must

dis-

semble your resentment against the Vicomte

only wait for the events.

When Madame

will

be able no longer to conceal her situation, she

then will reveal
so

many

it

to her

husband; who,

like

more, will be obliged to put up with

the case, and to claim the child as his own.

captain, I know, will

make

The

a rare noise; then,

Faublas, you will come forward, you will go

and whisper a word or two in the ear of the

ill-bred navigator; and then I know there will
be an end of the business.
Everyone having acknowledged that Ilosambert's advice was a very prudent one, Madame
d'Armincour, who sobbed aloud, thanked me
for having protected her niece, begged of me to
protect her at all times, and bade

and never

to return.

me

Poor children

to be gone,

added

she.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
we

seeing that
grief breaks

also

my

were shedding

heart

must, indispensably.

but

Ah

it

267

your

tears,

must be

so

wherefore was not this one her husband

Come

to-night,

murmured my Eleanor in
we have a

tone of voice, come at twelve,

sweet dear, I will.

cause the Marchioness,

low

thou-

come Yes,
At an early hour,

sand things to say to each other

my

it

M. de Rosambert

be-

who

is

going to the wed-

ding of a relation, will not return to supper.

N'otwithstanding the presence of her aunt,
she rushed into

bosom, loaded

me

with transport

my

arms, pressed

me

to

her

with caresses, and even kissed

my

feathers, handkerchief, sash,

were taking leave of my

had guessed that she never was
to see Mademoiselle de Brumont any more.
It was with great difficulty that we were
parted.
Ah, Madame la Baronne, stop with

and gown,

as if she

dress, as if she

her at least for some time, and try to comfort

With all my heart! answered she: M. de

Rosambert has his carriage, let him see you
home; I shall meet you at the Baron's in an

her.

hour.

Here

is

one who deserves being pitied, said

the Count to me, for she seems to feel for

you

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

268

Do

you suppose, Rosambert, that I do not love her?

That is a good
question I know you love them all.
Oh that
a real attachment.

one!

it is

with

all

my

heart; I prefer her

To Sophia
To Sophia no, not to Sophia
To Madame de B ? Yes, my friend! So
much the better! exclaimed he, so much the
better for me that avenges me but so much
!

the worse for the sweet child; for hence proceeds

the

certainly

chioness bears her.

do you think
de

B who

the Vicomte

it

hatred

Assuredly

can be any other than

Madame

wrote that pseudonimous letter to

?

Ah,

Rosambert

My

pect her of a

much

confidence in that

friend, mistrust her too

friend,

can you susyou repose too

woman. And you, my

much; be it as it may,

I beg of you let us speak of something

Most
news

Mar-

which the

hatred

The

else.

willingly, for I wish to impart a piece of

that will surprise you;

and

excite

your

am to be married to-morrow. And

you want me to wonder at that ? Now that your
laughter: I

convalescence

you

is

indubitable,

it

think that I
that I

am

am

joking,

to be married.

it

is

clear

that

Don't

you

is

will get married every day.

in good earnest

In good earnest?

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
Impossible!

Yes, before the altar.

been heard of!

Yet

269

it

has not

it

has been spoken of this

Mj

fortnight.

acted that I

word of honour has been

would mention it to no one,

discriminately;

in-

who dread

grand-parents,

the

ex-

the opposition of the rest of the family, have

upon the most profound secresy being

kept, and have even procured a dispensation of
My mother also recommended me to
banns.
insisted

be silent on the subject, through fear that this

advantageous marriage should fail on account
of some indiscretion.

my

surprise.

twenty-three,

What

Rosambert,

Madame

de

at the age of

has been able to determine.

could not be otherwise.

Countess de

cannot recover from

First of

all, it

It

was the

you know, the confidant of

B Yes. It
.

she

is

undertaken the business with a zeal

who has

but under

whatever pretence she has strove to cover her

extreme interest, I did not mistake her real
motives

it

was not

difficult for

sensible that she did

to

it

me

made
me than

to be

less to oblige

vex her former friend: and, in that respect,

I confess that she could not feel better inclined

besides, the Marchioness has

than I was myself

pressed

me. The

Marchioness?

Oh!

when-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

270

ever one speaks of a Marchioness he always

thinks

^o, Chevalier,

of his.

it is

this one is

not over head and ears in love with yon

Marchioness

the

of

Rosambert.

she

is

The Marme;

chioness has pressed, requested, intreated

TMio can withstand the

therefore
suffered myself
mother?
tears of a
I
to be persuaded; the marriage contract is to be
she has even wept.

signed this evening; to-morrow I shall marry

sixty thousand livres per
girl.

Pretty
?

annum, and

a pretty

Yes, indeed, with the look of a

and

innocent!

as

simpleton,

however,

make one's
Her age?

sides ready to split with laughter.

IsTot

quite fifteen.

so

Oh, that

is

to

complete education! the direction whereof I

shall take the

charge myself.

Her

name?

come at an
and withmorning,
to-morrow
early hour after
out any further ceremony, you will breakfast
with the new bride. Do you like those faces

You

will

of the

know

after to-morrow:

morrow ? Do you

like to see a

new bride

rather impeded in her walk, with beaten eyes,

and her still astonished looks? You laugh?

I do, you put me in mind of somebody He is
Here
right; indeed I am a wonderful fellow!
knows
he
what
describe
I am trying hard to


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

271

Are not those looks and

more of than I do
Has he
airs of the morrow familiar to him?
not seen the charming de Lignolle, and the beauteous Sophia ? And so many more, whom, perBut it
haps, he has never mentioned to me
does not signify, Chevalier, you may perhaps
!

relish a

new kind

of pleasure,

make

interesting

and account to yourself of what

you will feel near an Agnes newly married,
whose secret aches, and charming embarrassed
observations,

looks,

ioned.

Faublas this once will not have occas-

Your

ideas,

my

dear Rosambert, are

truly those of an arch libertine.

the child

gainer by

joyments

no vain excuse
it; shall

Don't

I not likewise have

Shall I not be

still

my

envy to no purpose

with the
not

little

ignorant

especially

am

of

the

me

well acquainted

inconveniences of

hymen

most inevitable of

when one has

en-

more intoxicated

with the happiness that another will envy

will

play

I myself shall be a

am
all,

the honour of being the

intimate friend of the Chevalier de Faublas;

but this once, illustrious hero, do not congratulate yourself in

I hope, and I

advance upon a new conquest

tell

you

so with confidence, I ex-

pect I shall never become an additional

mem-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

272

ber of the universal fraternity.

here

is

another exception; and

Rosambert,

"Well

it is

done!

Rosambert

who, on the day preceding his

marriage, already holds out the language of hus-

He must

bands in general.
however,

how many

not have forgotten,

times the blind obstinacy

of those gentlemen has supplied him with matter for his keenest sarcasms.

ovm

that there

is one,
is

is

All, in general,

among them but who

not one

yet each in particular will affirm that he

not one

and you

too,

Rosambert, you

and

Faublas, listen to me,

tell

whether I have not some reasons

different destiny?

When

me

too.

yourself

to expect a

an aged bachelor,

sati-

ated with pleasure, exhausted by former good

fortunes,
teases,

disgusted

with

world

the

that

he

and with the sex that deserts him; when

an old bachelor, enlightened by the constant

experience of past times, and of the present
age, dares, nevertheless,

to brave

present age and times to come

at once the

when marrying

a young wife, he impertinently challenges us

make him what

made by him, that
to

so

many

calls

others have been

aloud for vengeance:

in a similar case, the throng of bachelors ought

to unite, in order to

punish the braggart.

But

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
I,

who have

am

scarcely entered

courted by the world,

who

caress: I,

deny

will

Enough,

enjoyment

more, I beg of you

my

spring,

whom the
my wife no

Kosambert,

who

fair sex

kind of

no

say

you occasion me too great

must be most powerfully

Hymen

a surprise.

273

prepossessing thus to obscure the best judgment.

I don't know you again

altered, that if

would laugh

my

you.

at

care of myself, you

then

well

mit,

in

am

to be
is

so strangely

Indeed I

must take
me with terror come
?

fill

like

may

promise, whatever

found

you are

not already resigned

advance,

heart

sorrows were not so great I

myself

man

of

I sub-

honour;

happen, always to be

yes, if the

young woman's

ever engaged, I can assure you, that

unless she carries on her intrigue in a shocking

awkward manner,
lieve it is not

wrongs.

I will never notice

everyone,

I be-

possible better to repair one's

Chevalier,

is

not that a good begin-

ning! you are at full liberty.

may

it.

much

as

your happy bonds

as

Faublas,

respect

Those maxims that I have

been repeating just

tertained the like

Me! Rosambert?

now

are yours

I never en-

I never have been a seducer

I have always been allured; the Marchioness


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

274

my

was

first

Madame

passion;
love.

attachment; Sophia

my only
be my last

is

de Lignolle will

May God hear you,

and keep you from

it!

Rosambert had some business to attend to;

alighted at his house, had a conversation

we

that lasted about two hours, yet the time ap-

peared

me

me

to

very short, as the Count allowed

my

to speak unceasingly of

was leaving
tered

my

Eleanor.

Madame

length I was taken home.

At

de Fonrose

apartment when I en-

father's

The Baron looked highly animated;

it.

the Baroness was pale and trembling: Well, ex-

claimed

she,

with an

ill-disguised

spite,

we

shall try to overcome the chagrin which that

loss

must

create,

one's brains.

the

carriage.

Is

though
it

it

enough

is

you, fair miss

Chevalier,

you

if

to turn

hand

me

should

to
see

your cruel Marchioness soon, tell her, sir, that

I will ruin her, though I were to ruin myself.

When
ments,

I had changed

M.

although

my

female accoutre-

de Belcour and I sat

neither

of

us

had

down
an

to dinner,

appetite.

I am unwell, from
morquietude and chagrinbut you don't
Your

head-ache.
I
have
got
my

yourself

Father, you don't eat?

in-

eat a

sel

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS,
sick head-ache!

275

I advise you to give

will not succeed this time;

paragraph of this

my

son,

it

up:

it

read the

which I received
the other day by the two-penny post

last

letter,

" I believe

it is advisable to inform you that

Mademoiselle de Bruraont has spent the last

Madame

night at

de Lignolle's, and that

it

is

Fonrose who has taken her

the Baroness de

there again."

An

anonymous letter, father? True, my

son; but would you presume to say the account
it

gives

is

untrue

My

son, I forbid

ing out at night in future; and

Fonrose, added he, in a
voice,

abuse

Madame

my

de

confidence

shall never betray

dear

much

Fonrose

altered tone of

shall

no

longer

the ungrateful Baroness

me more

and consequently

son,

your go-

Madame de

am

liable

man,
to

Sometimes I deviate from the right path

my

as soon as I discover

and take another road.

sued he, taking both

you wish

to

foretold that

my

error.
;

but

mistake, I step back,

My

dear friend, pur-

my hands between his, do

my foibles ? Had not I

copy only

you would

finally ruin her, that


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

276

charming a child ?

SO unfortunate

and

Sophia?

Madame

de

]^o,

Lignolle

henceforth

what is
mention
morning

Since

her

to be
it!

so

de Lignolle.

she

hushand

is

Who

Madame

pregnant

cannot

done to save her?

since

believe

Oh,

I have been endeavouring

don't

all

the

some means of rescuing her

from the dangers with which she is threatened.
In vain have I tortured my imagination! I
to find out

iam beyond myself!

Her brother-in-law

is ar-

you have already had a terrible scene

together; my son, do you know the captain?
I have heard of his fame. Do you know that
Tremendous
I am
his fame is tremendous ?
told it is.
Do you know that the Vicomte de
rived;

has
often
Lignolle
Do you
be
it

Often!
man has
So much

hit Saint-Georges?

so.

know

that

that

fought two-hundred times, perhaps

That he has never been

not invulnerable, however,
wounded He
That he has reduced many
in
Monsieur Baron, far
father
That
you have not been reduced
and many
down
many
sword has mowed
father! an obscure
a promising youth.
the worse for him.
?

is

all probability.

to despair.

le

yourself.

so

his

fatal

Ali,

youth, perhaps,

is

only wanted to avenge them

!
;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
all.

My

Captain cannot

son, the

277

fail

being in-

formed soon that Mademoiselle de Brumont

Madame

Mademoi-

discover with greater difficulty that

de Brumont

selle

soon or

late,

will

however, we have reason to be-

he will find

lieve that

you do then

But permit me

God

Chevalier Faublas;

the

is

is

I confess he will

de Lignolle's lover.

it

My

out.

What

son,

what

be requisite

will

to observe, sir, yours is a strange

forbid

exclaimed he

God

forbid I

should wish to insult your youthful courage

I confess even, added he, embracing me, that

the proud simplicity of your manners has given

me

am

extreme pleasure; I likewise

proud, but

it is

of

my

that I have rested all

imagine what

my

son;

my

it is

upon

You

pride.

my

son

cannot

when I saw

raptures were

you, scarcely in the prime

sometimes

of adolescence, have

no equal in any of your exercises;

at

one time

bringing back, covered with froth, and broken

with fatigue,

fiery

steed,

which the most

famous horsemen were afraid of crossing; at

another, with your firelock, bow, or pistols,
bring down, at the

which

all

the

first

other

sometimes in a public

the very bird

shot,

sportsmen
assault,

had missed

in the presence

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

278

of a crowd of wondering young spectators, beat

or disarm all the fencing masters in the newly-

Every one then, adjudging

young Chevalier, would congratulate me upon having such a son.
Yet I
arrived regiment.
the prize to the

thought within myself, with a kind of impatience,

and not without some

sort of inquietude,

that your superiority ^vould not be well consecrated, until

pelled

you

an event, always

to

undergo

monly attended with

fatal,

had comtoo

a last ordeal,

regret

com-

a trial, for the suc-

cess of which, without courage, skill is of

no

avail.

You have gone through

that ordeal too soon;

am

not afraid of saying, that upon the

you behaved more than well. If his
who enanger had less blinded him, M. de B
might
swordsman,
reputation
as
a
joys some
have admired you at la porte Maillot, when,

but I

occasion,

with

marvellous

dexterity,

uncommon

sang-

froid, mastering your antagonist's weapon, as if

the question had been still merely to receive a

hit with a foil,

come unequal,

much

you displayed
as

much

in that fight, be-

ability as strength, as

true valour as magnanimity.

Then,

in-

deed, I conceived the opinion that Faublas, as

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

279

intrepid as he was skilful, would never be con-

Astonished then

quered.

youth

at seeing in a

uncommon

of sixteen, the reunion of an

talent,

and of a qualification still more rare, your

happy father, in the excess of his joy, recollected that he had taken upon himself the
charge of superintending your education, and
could not contemplate his work without some

Then

feeling of pride.

Belcour,

embracing

also,

me

M. de

continued
I

again,

reproached

myself for having waited the event to do justice

to the most deserving of sons; and you, Fau-

my

pardon

blas,

first

apprehensions; if

were

it

have credited in advance virtues

a crime not
that had not yet been e\'inced to me, you see I
am punished in consequence believe me, I was
to

less

tormented formerly,

titute of them, than I

that

lest

you should be

am now by

you are possessed of them

Yes,

gree.

my

friend,

it is

des-

the certainty

in a superior de-

the excess of your

courage, and your generosity, which at present

occasion

me

demand

of you several favours.

the liveliest alarms.

beg of you not

you
you

to

wait

till

will do

Permit me

to

Favours?

go to your enemy; I beg of

he comes to fetch you, and then
to

your duty.

^N'evertheless,

en-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

280
treat

you

to

agree to the fight, but upon this ex-

press condition, that each of

I wish

to bring a witness.

you

will be allowed

your second

to see

more dangerous than the first; I wish,

by my presence, to oblige you to return conaffair,

Faublas, beware of sparing the

Vicomte de Lignolle in the magnanimous manner you did the Marquis de B
I shall remember it long, your generosity nearly cost me
my son. You would not get off with a mere
bruise, when opposed to the Vicomte; every
wound inflicted by the Captain has proved morqueror.

tal; and, I repeat it to you,

more ferocious than he

fessional duellist.

is

he

is

man

still

formidable, a pro-

If his valour had not some-

times been useful to government, he long since,

for public vengeance,

on the block.

His

would have
existence

lost his

head

evinces the un-

happy forgetfulness of the wisest of our laws.

Think of it, Faublas, when the moment of fighting him is come, then, I conjure you think of
your father, of your sister, of your Sophia, of
Madame de Lignolle, if it must be so. Then,
for your own safety, for the good of all, for
the tardy satisfaction of a hundred families,
!

immolate the victim, whose blood heaven

calls

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

281

He, you know, must receive death who

for.

delights in dealing in it; strike without mercy,

strike,

purge the earth of a monster, and your

youth will not have been totally useless to the

repose of mankind.

But, exclaimed M. de Belcour, a reflection

truly perplexing has just occurred.

For

a too

long time back travels, diseases, and various ac-

have compelled you entirely to neglect

cidents,

your

exercises.

It

now

is

seven months, up-

wards of seven months, since you have handled

Gracious God if you had lost some of
a foil.
that prodigious agility which was admired, and
!

which habit alone can entertain! If your eye

My
was not so quick, your motions so sure
Let
stars if you were only a second-rate man
!

us try together, let us try directly.

not hungry, nor I neither.
foils

Pray give me one

quiet me.

I beg of you,

me
am not

haste, give

regret I

Where
if it

my

able

are

are your

were only to

good friend, make

I thank you!

one.

You

I sincerely

oppose a resistance

to

equal to the attack; but at least I shall defend

myself as well as I can.

guard, go
it

that

you spare me

is

not

I
it

am

am

ready, I

my

son, that is not

on

Faublas, I order you to dis-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

282
play

your powers.

all

father,

now

for

In two

it

minutes

time

and received

thrusts,

You

upon

insist

it?

then.

he

parried

Very

thirty.

twenty

well,

ex-

claimed he, perfectly well! better than form-

Yes! more pliancy

more vigour, more rapidity! It is light-

erly; indeed, I think so.

still,

ning,

it is

thunder! ^ever, continued he, pass-

ing his hand several times over his breast, never

me

with so

hurt

no,

have you hit

your

hits

pleasure

iN'ow do

your

pistols,

at a

few

much

force, never

caused

me

me

another service

have

much

so
;

take

go down into the garden, and shoot

birds.

I beseech you do

ing to obey, but he called

me

I was

back.

go-

I cannot

impart too soon a news that will overwhelm you

On

with joy.
delay,

we

Sophia

Saturday, without any further

shall set off to try to find out Sophia.

?

Saturday

That, as you say,

delightful piece of news!

my

Go

is

into the garden,

friend, go.

I did go down, not to disturb the innocent

birds in their amours, but to think of mine.

We

shall go

on Saturday

of and to meet Sophia

we

shall

what

But _what am I saying ? what

go in search

a happiness

will

become of

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Madame

de Lignolle

desert her

now

to leave

my

283

Eleanor

in five days hence

to

unhappy

Faublas
I hurried into

expect

it,

sir,

my

said

father's apartment: do not

do not expect

I,

it

Would

you have me, with equal perfidy and cowardice,

leave Paris, when the captain is come to fetch
me ? Shall I forsake the mother of my child at
the moment when her enemies muster around

Do

her?
not

not expect

sir!

it,

I protest

it

shall

be.

My

father

so stupefied, that he could not

was

answer me: and

I,

without waiting until

re-

covering from his surprise, he would explain

his intentions, ran to my room, where I locked

myself up to write.
"

My

dear Eleanor,

my

charming dear, I am
we are not to meet

grieved beyond expression:

this evening.

thing;

My

is

apprised of every-

your aunt must know more about us

than you imagine

only

father

who

fatal intelligence

ous night.

Madame

could have sent to

Alas

d' Armincour is

the

M. de Belcour

the

which deprives us of a
!

it

is

delici-

true, then, that every-

body combines against two lovers

It is true

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

284

then, that everybody by conjuring your ruin,

presumes

to attack

myself!

Be

me

in the dearest half of

easy, however, do not fret,

blas remains yours, Faublas adores

ever

may

Fau-

you; what-

happen, your lover will sooner forfeit

his life than forsake you."

" Beauteous
offence

now

Mamma.

by some new

Have

I given you

act of giddiness

It is

eighteen long killing days that I have been

Ah!

deprived of the happiness of seeing you.

pardon

me

if I

am

guilty; and if I

am

deign to acknowledge your wrongs, and to

my

pair them: appoint an hour for

My

you to-morrow.
promised
protection,

me

days, to go

advice,

that

wishes to take

fair

me

is

all

not,
re-

meeting

mamma, you have

friendship,

I claim.

assistance,

My

father

with him in the course of

and fetch Sophia, and

five

at present, I

must dread, above all things, that departure,

which not long since was the object of my most
ardent desire.
Could not you, my beautiful
mamma, who knew how to remedy every accident, find a remedy for this one ? I intreat
you, on so

me

difficult

a conjuncture, not to leave

to myself, I request

you

will not refuse

me

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
for to-morrow your advice,

you

285

which I promise

to abide by.

" I

am

with the most lively gratitude, the

most tender friendship, and with the most profound

respect, etc."

Here Jasmin

Madame

Go

quick to

de Montdesir.

la

Fleur, and to

Put on

a plain coat,

use your ordinary precautions and observe on

the

road,

whether you are not followed by

anyone
Sir,

said

dame

de

he

on

his

Madame

Montdesir

Montdesir?

Fleur, first?

You

then

Madame

return,

de

me
wish me

Let

hear

de

Ma-

Montdesir!

of

la

to begin at

the end? I bring no news from la Fleur,

sir.

I had just delivered your note to him, when ho

said to me: Jasmin, are you fond of a good
Well! my
caning? N'ot I, faith, replied I.

resumed he, do you see in the coffeeroom facing the hotel that officer, as high as an
Egyptian pyramid ? He has a cross look, returned I. Well, my good friend, resumed he

friend,

again, I believe he has been casting one of his

cross looks at you.

Kun away

full speed, if

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

286

you wish not

own

expose

to

I then,

shoulders.

my

mistress,

sir,

and your

returned no other

answer; but without waiting for further advice,

my

took to

heels,

and here I am.

So

that,

thanks to your cowardice, I have no news from

Madame

de Lignolle.

Sir,

I could not have

brought you more, although that big devil had

Thither you
my
Yes, in the evening, the
And
perhaps,
not be there
Madame de Montdesir? She recommended

broken every bone in

skin.

must return though.

giant,

me

then.

will

to assure you, that she felt severely for not

being honoured with a

visit

from you:

that,

however, she was going to forward your letter

as it had been expected some days
and that you would have an answer to-

directly,
since,

morrow morning.
fact, came at an early hour,
was not written by Madame de Mont-

This answer, in
but

it

desir.

" Yes, I shall prevent that departure

but

was not I right to say that Sophia was less dear

to you ? In the interim, since you manifest the
desire,

we may meet

^ou know where."

at seven in the evening,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
I called

my

your courage

servant

If

come, Jasmin, keep up

had not failed you

it

day, you might have joined

morning

this

287

yester-

Fleur; go then

la

whether the captain

to see

is still

at his post.

He was

there

who, piqued
tured a

little

at

My

already.

my

reproaches,

further than on

tlie

good Jasmin,

had just venpreceding day,

had escaped the cudgelling of the captain only

by

prompt

that unless

my

retreat.

my man

now became

conscious

was powerfully encouraged,

errand would never be completed.

cordingly had

my

I ac-

indefatigable courier to eat

a copious dinner, and,

when he had

got stuffed

with fresh courage, he resolutely departed upon

'lis

new

former

errand,
ones.

more

My

ill-fated

bruised from head to foot.

than

Jasmin

poor

This

all

the

returned,

time,

sir,

got as far as the yard, but the big devil on a

sudden came up

to

me.

He

cried out:

I answered I
He hallooed again You
what do you want? I then
do you want
sir.

shall

What

want you,
not come in

don't

replied, speaking

Why would you

Are you the Swiss ?

as loud as I possibly could

prevent

He

my

coming in ?

then cried out again

no, he did not cry


288

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

out,

he contented himself for the

giving

me

moment by
made me see thirty
And it was I who

a fistj-cuff, that

thousand burning candles.

cried out, and well I did
his fellow-servants

from the grip of

so,

for if la Fleur

had not come

to rescue

me

and turn me out of

the brute,

I believe I never could have

doors,

and

left

the

place.

What

what insolence!

a fury!

Sir,

inter-

rupted Jasmin, I did not hesitate telling him

that

my

master would not in the least feel

fied for the treatment.

'Twas

out.

me who

He

What

answered,

sir,

he only cried

then cried out, while striking at

again and again: Your Master! what

name ?

master's

You

satis-

did he answer?

Will you

have concealed

tell

me

his

from him?

it

is

me

your

name ?

Yes,

sir,

would though he were to have killed

Well I shall go myself this
Go, exclaimed
minute, and tell him my name.
Jasmin, who saw me take up my sword, and
lay that fellow down sprawling as you did that
and

so I

me on

the spot

M. de B

another braggart.

down stairs, but fortunately met

M. de Belcour half-way, who stopped me.
I hastened

Faublas, where are you going with your sword

How!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

289

mj

servant and

he has dared to stop

to strike him.

So

mj

answered he
with great sang-froid, jou are in greater haste
to avenge your servant than you were to avenge
your mistress; thus it is that, to obtain redress
then,

Madame

for a personal outrage,

lover hurries to expose

son,

and

de Lignolle's

to ruin her!

These just representations

calmed

me

di-

Jasmin to bid him take away

The Baron, who saw that I was

rectly, I called

my

sword.

preparing to go out, said to

your room, I

am

speak to you.

want

of

me No,
:

go up into

going there myself, I want to

We

are

my

both,

friend,

in

we cannot procure one

company of your sister. I

diversion;

sweeter than the

have just sent for Adelaide, and intend to keep

her here till Friday evening.
Why not longer ?

We

are to go on Saturday.

observed

my

countenance

whilst returning that answer.

As

the hour ap-

M.

de

Belcour

proached, at which I was to go and learn what

Madame

de

proposed doing

to

prevent

my

departure, I determined to avoid the explanation the

Baron wished

replying:
father.

Saturday

Stop;

your

for.

was

satisfied

Saturday.
yes

sister

will

with

Adieu,

be here in a

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

290

quarter of an hour.
father.

Mj

am

son, I will not

I must absolutely

go, father.

not have you leave your

obliged to go out,

have you go out

home

tell

am

you I will
determined

If I cannot do otherwise,

you should stop here. I can assure you that a

most indispensable affair My son, would you
wish

to disobey

father

me ?

I understand you,
At

use force.

and locked me

You

sir

therefore shall

these words, he left

my

room,

in.

and I dexterity
?
I
was
only
one
high
it
story
I jumped. The shock was violent; I nevertheless crossed the yard as quick as lightning, and
running all the way, soon reached Madame de
will

use

force

opened the window,

Fonrose's.

Unhappy young man, said she, what has

The captain has familiarly
?

brought you here

paid

me

his dreadful visit this morning.

He

asked me, in that polite tone which you know to

be his,

who

a certain Mademoiselle de

Brumont

Madame de Lignolle's
world to many jokes and

was, whose assiduities at

gave rise about the

pleasantries.
to

make

I have been at no

little

trouble

that dreadful brother-in-law compre-

hend that I had nothing

to

do with the conduct

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
of his

sister

that I

was by no means bound

my

account to him for

would

oblige very

much

to set his foot again on

seen

my

Eleanor?

if

my

he were pleased never

premises.

Quite

regret,

going

to

recommend her
all

same

the

be-

things to

I was just, with

have

to

Have you

on the contrary, I

ing very circumspect, and above

hither.

to

and that he

doings,

Lave just sent her a note

beware coming

291

much

precaution

recommended to you. ITeither do T wish to detain you at present for I confess that I dread
some new assault from that pirate, who is come
Chevalier, are
very unseasonably to annoy us.
?
ITo, why do you
you now returning home
ask me ?
I would have desired you to tell
moment! stop another moment.
She rang the bell, a servant answered it, and
;

she gave
little

him

I paid but very

secret orders.

attention then to that fatal circumstance,

which I have often

recollected since.

I wished to beg of you, resumed she

you

will be

but

time enough in the evening for

Baron

that commission, to tell the

obliging things from

timacy has ceased

that perfidious

me;
Has

Madame

a thousand

for although our init?

de

For

life.

however,

It is

who


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

292
causes

onr

all

Can you
my father I
and
de Lignolle
Impos-

present

troubles.

imagine that the Marchioness has been capable

of writing that letter to

that to the Vicomte

too.

sible

I cannot.

Just

as

you

do,

please, sir, an-

For my part, permit me not

and to act in consequence.

swered she dryly.

to

question

Adieu,

it,

Madame

la

Baronne.

I don't bid

you

adieu, Monsieur le Chevalier.

Was

which we

the critical situation in

it

stood, that caused

me

false terrors

As

all

was

going from the Hotel de Fonrose to the petitemaison, rue du Bac,

it

me

appeared to

that I

was followed by somebody.

Beausame dress you

I did not wait long for the Vicomte.

teous

Mamma, you wear

had on

at Saint Cloud.

some pleasure
port.

the

With
With
mind of Of

I always see

interrupted she.

It unceasingly puts

me

what we must not remember.

trans-

in

Ah

will never forget so long as I live

for upwards of a fortnight have

you

me

me; I

What do

of what I

tell

me, why,
so cruelly

waited
you would
wish
become
Troublesome can you

deprived
write to

troublesome.

it

know ?

till

don't

to

I see

at last

you

quite

ever

so prepossessed in

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

293

Madame de LignoUe
many charms. It is true

behalf of the Countess!

much

has so
that

wit

You must

women

very insipid

all!

company of

ures in the

them

so

find the

Yes,

company

rather

me,

let

tell

me

other

most amiable! next

the

us

all

the most amiable of

Sophia, next to the Countess!

lieve

of

find a thousand pleas-

leave

to

Chevalier, be-

compliments aside

of your troubles.

The Marchioness

listened to

me

constantly

with the greatest attention, but often apparently

sad,

and

sometimes

Nevertheless,
rative of

my

seemingly

embarrassed.

when I concluded

the long nar-

sorrows and inquietudes, I could

not help saying to her

What

exasperates

me

is,

that they presume to charge you with having

written those two cruel letters.

who

are they

de Fonrose

M.

Madame

My two most mortal enemies

Though they were your

take their word! dear

prevent

They presume

de Rosambert

my

departure

friends, I

would not
will you

mamma, how

She

replied in a pre-

occupied tone, I cannot be tired of repeating

Sophia must be
I assure you
is

less

it is

indispensable;

dear to you.

not so; but

my

Less

it,

dear!

stay in Paris

both honour and love com-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

294

Your
My

mand
yes.

it.

Madame de Lignolle!
mamma, how will you pre-

love for

dearest

Faublas,

vent

my

ceive

from Versailles

departure

you are

to

re-

a packet, the contents of

which, I hope, will give you pleasure, and probably induce

If,

M. de Belcour

to alter his plan.

however, your father would insist upon tak-

ing you with him,

let

ately.

is

me know

This packet You

morrow morning;

of

immedi-

it

will receive

I shall leave you

time with your curious impatience.

it to-

till

Yet

that

you

me that this first mode you have

Why,
me must be infallible
assist
used to
but, mamma, you don't hear me, you are thinkdo not assure

ing of something

else.

Yes,

exclaimed

she,

rousing from her deep reverie, you must be

Ah
much enamoured with the Countess
much More than you love me than you did
Why I don't know
love me, I meant to say.
!

can't

Come,

more

your

uncertainty,

More!
your embarrassed air evince it.
peated she mournfully It is true that

my

Eleanor has acquired rights that no other

^but

I chagrin you, fair

why

mamma

Not

re-

in the least,

should I feel chagrined at your preferring

your mistress

to

your friend?

But you have


!!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
not said

no other

all

how has

She

is

295

she acquired rights that

pregnant.

Cruel young man

exclaimed she with infinite vivacity;

if
Madame

fault,

it

my

is

B did not finish her sentence.

mj falling at her knees and for
hearing my reply, stopped my mouth
de

She prevented
fear of

At

with her hand, which however I kissed.

length the Marchioness, whose looks I could observe to

grow tender

at the

same time

complexion grew animated, rose

Do you wish
do

pelled to

to leave
so,

me

to

already?

answered

she,

am

stealing

com-

away

my caresses. I am forced to go my time

not my own I have many affairs to attend to

from
is

that her

go away.

my

you forbid

mamma.
stairs

Farewell, Chevalier.

present.

at

just

Since

detaining you, farewell,

When

she

was

at the

dear

bottom of the

See, said she, with tears in her eyes, the

ingrate does not merely enquire on what day

he

is to

Of

Ah
Of anything

come and thank me

I was thinking

else,

quite another thing,

nevertheless.

On what

On what

Friday

day

yes,

This

it

is

pardon

me

no doubt

true, but of you,

day,
is

dear

Tuesday

mamma ?

well,

on Friday I shall be able

on

to sparrf

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

296
a moment.
little later.

At
At

the

same hour

Perhaps

the close of the evening

it

will

be more prudent.
I only left the house a quarter of an hour
after the Vicomte,
see again,

at

and yet I thought I could

no great distance from me, the

who had already caused me

some uneasiness.
What confirmed my suspicions was to see the spy, either a novice in the
profession, or actuated by fear, alter his course
when he perceived that I was making towards
troublesome Argus

him.

I returned home, fully persuaded that

would not be long before

me

Is

the Captain

it

would pay

visit.
it

Baron

said the

possible,

me, you

to

should have run the risk at least of breaking

one of your legs

tured

my

life!

Father,

I would have ven-

wherefore. Monsieur

you bring me
become fatal? You

le

Baron,

to such extremities as

will

are not ignorant

situated as I am, death to

me

is

sir,

may
that

preferable to

my surrendering to your
positively to declare that
come
authority, I am
to place any restraint upon my liberty is to atslavery.

tempt

Prior to

my

life.

What

numberless

dangers

threaten an unfortunate defenceless young wo-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

207

man, the woman the most deserving of my tenderest affections and you, the most cruel of her
!

enemies, pretend to rob her of her only consolation, her only support!

ducing

me

you pretend, by

re-

to entire immobility, to deliver her

within the hands of her persecutors, and oblige

me

to witness their

preparing her ruin without

opposing any obstacle

to their

heinous designs.

If you should further intend,

sir, if you have

any means left of locking me up in my room,
and compel me to live there, I announce to you
that then, and I swear by my sister, by you, by

Sophia, by all that I hold in this world dearest

and most sacred, I swear that no consideration

whatever will induce

Vicomte, a

life

me

to defend, against the

which your tyranny will have

rendered useless in future to

gnolle,

mine

and odious

my

destiny

Madame

to her lover!
it is

at

Now

de Lideter-

your option.

would do as he says, exclaimed my sister

whenever the question is a female, he no longer
knows us; he, however, could not commit a

He

greater fault than to suffer himself to be killed.

Don't lock him up, father; ah, I beg of you,

pray, do not lock

him

up.

Whilst Adelaide was addressing him in this


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

298
style,

me

the

alone.

filled

Baron kept his sorrowful eyes upon

Alas! I saw the eyes of my father

with tears

my

was already kissing

sister

the hands of

M. de Belcour,

hastily kneeled

Father!

on

of

son;

account

whom

before

ah, father! pity

his

your

forgive

misfortune,

what he has been saying to you, and the tone

in which the words were spoken; have mercy
upon the most impetuous of all men, the most
miserable of lovers

think,

sir,

above

all things,

that unless he were driven to despair, Faublas

would never

your so dear authority, your

resist

orders ever sacred.

M. de Belcour hid

his face in his hands

At

meditated long his answer.

Promise,

my

and

he said:

son, to go neither to the Countess's

Impossible!
oness's,

last

father.

ISTor

nor to the Captain's.

the

to

I agree

Bar-

to that

I^either to the Baroness's, nor to the Captain's.

I give you

my word

of honour,

and may I

never be called by your

name

my

the Baroness's, nor to

word.

ISTeither to

the Captain's, that

My

father returned

that

moment I

is

all

I do not keep

that I can promise.

me no

recovered

if

my

answer; but from

full liberty.

Immediately after supper, I went up into


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

mj

and sword.

hat, cloak,

So

see that notwithstanding the

my

Baron, yon are of

is

who

sir,

M.

I
le

You believe it
rid me of that

deals such ponderous fisty-cuffs,

and you are right

much

me mj

then,

advice of

opinion.

proper as soon as possible, to

big devil,

as

Give

room, and called Jasmin.

round

299

and your father would say

as I do,

like

if,

me, he had received

Hold your tongue. Jasmin, I am not going

to

my man

Captain's,

the

much

go and speak to

Without

la Fleur.

How
That's

Don't go to bed,

wait for me.

so! sir, don't

with you?

coward

hear

me

good

one!

may meet

and you would be frightened.

company,

sir.

too

1 wish myself to try to

curiosity, sir

Xow

that I see

you take me
you are a

the big devil,

'No, not in

you by the

of me, I could challenge a whole taproom.

big devil, perhaps, has a valet.

If

so,

your
side

The

I engage

to give a good drubbing to the servant, while

you dispatch the master. I am delighted with

your good spirits, and in consequence will take
you with me. Wliat are you about, Jasmin?

I was thinking, that if perchance the servant

had a sword, I don't know how to use such
weapons Either leave your stick behind, or


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

300
stop here.

my

trust to

prefer following you, and will

arms

alone.

my

This determination of

servant proved

very serviceable to me, as will be seen presently.

We were

just gone out,

and as I was in a hurry,

I walked very fast, and by long strides, without

looking around.

We

had just reached the

street

when a female stopped Jasmin

ask him the way to the place Vendome.

Saint-Honore,
to

Hearing the accents of a cherished voice, I

turned round: Great God! is it possible? yes,
it is

How happy
I was going
your house, Faublas.
my Eleanor, was going
Lay

her

him!

And

it is

the Countess

it is

me, continued

she,

to

to yours.

I,

hold of

giving

this, quick, relieve

me

a little box;

my

jewels are in here.

I was carrying them to you, and was coming

we might set off directly.

we go ? Wherever you
wherever I like! To be sure!

to join you, that

Set

off

like.

to

where

How

Spain,

so!

shall

England,

Italy,

China,

Japan,

to

some desert; where you think fit, I tell you.

Are you in earnest ? I have nothing ready for
Nothing
the execution of so bold a project.
ready
is

what

is it

you want.

My dear

love, this

not a proper place to discourse upon a subject

I
CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

301

of SO great an importance; you were going to

house ? well, my Eleanor, come along with

me, I shall take you there; let us enjoy some

my

What! Howmore happy hours. However

Would you be sorry to grant me another
happy night ? It would give me great pleasure,
ever!

on the contrary; but I think you had better

Jasmin,
carry me away without loss of time.

run

to the

Swiss, ask

him

for the key of the

back door of the garden, and open

Mind we

are not to be seen by anyone.

it

for us.

You

will

give two louis d'ors to the Swiss, for keeping

my

secret.

am

I promise to give

not worth the money,

him

as

much.

sir.

Oh!

your

is as good as hard cash for him.

promise you the same. Jasmin; but run.
The back door was soon opened, and without

word

we reached my apartment. How

satisfied I am! exclaimed the Countess, as she
entered my room, how satisfied I am! Now it
How well we
is that I am really his wife!
should be here but we shall be still better in a
Faublas, we must elope together, we
cottage.
being seen,

me

to you this
came
at an
The captain
day's adventures.
He
early hour in the morning to abuse me.

absolutely

must.

Let

relate


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

302

hastened to apprise M. de Lignolle of

my

pregnant, and that Mademoiselle de

Brumont

man

could be no other than a

being

He

in disguise.

then took his oath that he would very soon

know

him, and do his business for him, (I repeat his

very words) that he would do the business of

who presumed

the insolent fellow,

sister-in-law;

(it

he spoke) and

to that

my

What

My husband

the audacity to lay his

did your husband say

why

husband; you know he

mine.

M.

to be

much

de

moiselle de

will
is

if it

him

were possible that Madea man, it was

it

and
me, and done
to be so

had come to
husband should have done,

that, if ever a friend

my

call

Brumont should be

kind stars that had allowed

what

you

no husband of
did not seem

"WhatHe
did you answer?

Lignolle

pleased.

I replied, that

my

was not the word love which

who had

hand upon him.

to love his

posed husband deserved

it

amply.

my

My

sup-

aunt

exclaimed that I was right; the good old lady

When the
I don't doubt it!
sided with me.

two brothers were gone, the Marchioness wept

bitterly: she wanted to take me back with her
Think how dear you are
to Franche-Comte.
to

me

I constantly rejected her proposition.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

303

Faublas, I had rather be carried away by you.

Meanwhile, the rude captain went

seat in a coffee-room.

had better not send

to

know.

to you, as I don't

to

take a

thought I

wish you

the captain; I forgive his insults;

fight

forget them; I shall forget the whole world,

I was
Fonrose, when
word. I know. You

provided you carry

however, to write to
she

me

sent

Baroness

me away.
Madame de

see,

not a good

is

going,

woman

the

she has served

ns so long as our amours appeared to her an

intrigue more ludicrous than another, and pro-

cured her some amusement

now

that

we

are

surrounded with danger, she forsakes us. But

what do I care, since you remain faithful, and
that I am going to elope with you.
Xight at

came

last

to

have

my supper, and
aunt retire into her apartment.
put me to bed as usual but as soon

on, I hastened to get

my

My women

had left my room, quick I put on this

gown, and going down the little staircase, got
into the yard.
La Fleur, as if I had sent him
on an errand, called to the Swiss to open the
as they

street-door, I ran

prevents

prevents

your
it!

away, met you, and nothing

carrying

me away.

Xothing

say you: quite the reverse, every-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

304

thing opposes

it

We

are in

want of
and

riage, a disguise, arms, post-horses,

port.

Ah!

away
in

dear me! I shall not be carried

Hear me, Faublas, we

this night!

stop here

till

and we
the

to

shall

daybreak; you then will hide

some garret of your hotel

whole day

a cara pass-

make

me

will have the

you

the necessary preparations,

shall finally take

our departure towards

middle of to-morrow night.

Impossible,

my dear. Impossible for what reason ? You

will not consider, that by acting too precipitately in the execution of so difficult an enterOnly think!
prise, we are liable to miscarry.
I always find out the means of succeeding, and
!

he sees only the obstacles!

You

have

it

still

in your power, for three months to come to conceal

in

your pregnancy, and

situation.

that

not carry

The

case

postpone

which we

my

is

for

may

deny your being

ungrateful

man

will

unless he be obliged so to do.

not
three

so

Wherefore
happiness
Would you,

pressing.

months

that

obtain directly?

who are
made it a

Eleanor,

necessity

The

me away

to

so tender hearted, unless

law,

enjoy a happiness,

which would reduce to despair, the most feeling

Miserof all sisters, and the best of fathers!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
able

me!

He

305

shall not elope with

determined I

you

beloved, I give

my

He

me away!

will not carry

word

him.

that those consid-

though ever so powerful, will not stop

erations,

me when

the day of sacrificing

them

to

you

Then I swear, that though I were

come.

is

My

perish myself, I will forsake neither

whom

nor his mother,

I adore.

child,

But allow me

as possible those

to leave as late

my

is

to

objects, the

most deserving of sharing with you my affections: permit me, when I forsake them to follow you, to carry with me the consoling idea,
that

have not voluntarily occasioned their

greatest sorrows.

The Countess, being

obliged to renounce her

sweetest hopes, wept bitterly; her grief

poignant that at
able to

calm

it

first

was so

I apprehended not being

but what cannot the caresses of

a lover perform?

The

present night, like the

last, we spent together in amorous embraces,

and it seemed to last but one moment. It will
soon be light, said Madame de Lignolle, and I

shall ask you, in

home?

my

turn,

how

I shall return

The question was rather

was obliged

to

puzzling.

weigh the matter in

my mind

before I could give a satisfactory answer:

My

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

306
Eleanor,

let

us

make

haste to dress; notwith-

standing the prudent advice

Madame

of

de

Fonrose, I shall take you to her door, without

going in myself; the Baroness will think that

you

upon her at so early an hour only

you might speak to her about me. You
will not find it a very hard task to make your
lover the topic of conversation; and notwithstanding all that she may say to you, you will
keep her company till such time as your gig
called

that

My
who
bring
me?
La Fleur,
whom I
go with proper
But
Captain was already
Let us make
he
gig!

arrives.

is to

to

shall

to

in-

if the

structions.

his post

it

haste

at

certainly will

not be there as early as at the rising of the sun.

At any
it

my

sword

we have no
But when and how shall I
sweet dear,

means left
you again? Eleanor, I

other
see

my

he should, I have got

rate, if

cannot be helped,

will not have

you

expose and endanger yourself so late at night

alone

my

on foot

beloved,

I will not suffer

is

it

not

it

Tell me,

more proper and

dangerous that I should go

to

you?

less

Can't I

sometimes, about midnight, gain admittance to

3^ou

Madame

answered

she,

de

Lignolle

kissed

me

yes,

with an exclamation of joy; I

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
means

can contrive

come not

307
next

night;

I might not have adopted proper measures

hear me, not to trust to chance, come on Friday,

between eleven and twelve.

began

It

to

We

be light.

got downstairs

without causing any disturbance, and made our

exit through the

better than I
tess enter

M.

garden door.

had expected.

Madame

We

succeeded

I saw the Coun-

de Fonrose's house; ran to

de Lignolle's to call

up

la Fleur,

to depart a quarter of an hour after.

who was
I then

returned safe home, and at eight o'clock

re-

ceived the following letter

" For a long time. Monsieur

le

Chevalier,

have been seeking an opportunity of repairing

my wrongs towards you and Monsieur le Baron.
It

is

which
so.

with transport I have seized the

offered.

I beg you will

tell

first

your father

I believe, however, that the king could not

make

for the regiment of

a better acquisi-

young man like you, since

it is certain that you are bearer of the most
promising physiognomy in the world.
tion than that of a

" I have the honour to be, etc.,

" Le Makqdis de B

."

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

308

M. de Belcour

mj room

entered

moment
and

after; he held several papers in his hand,

I could see the greatest joj depicted in his

countenance.

I received
sailles

it

this

very minute from Ver-

exclaimed he, embracing

wished

were addressed

it

me you

have

me, you have been

to

desirous I should be the first to congratulate

you on your good fortune I feel extremely

Yes, that
flattered by so delicate an attention.
is the very thing, added he, seeing that I was
;

approaching to read

it; it is

your commission

of a captain in the regiment of

now

and

quartered at !N^ancy;

on the

to join

first

of

May

dragoons,

this is the order

in a fortnight.

Faublas! I have reproached you more than

once

the

for

inexcusable

rendered your talents useless,

mined

and I had

to take at last the necessary

made

am

delighted

It has been

granted at

first,

what

fit

for

upon your having

you have been so suc-

that

a prior application,

cessful.

deter-

measures to

procure the only situation that you were

and I

which

inactivity

your good fortune

my

most pressing

to

be

solicita-

would not have obtained immediately,

namely, a superior rank, and the expectation of
tions

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
a certain promotion.
occasion

309

Unfortunately, I have

apprehend you will find in

to

this

favourable event another subject of joy; the

project of our journey

week.

If

it

my

your

prolonged a whole

is

be true, however, that you con-

upon the

gratulate yourself
least,

done away with

is

in the metropolis

stay

occasion, think at

son, that nothing will dispense

your

obeying the minister's orders, and joining your

regiment in

less

than a fortnight.

I shall then

we

leave Paris, to proceed alone whither

in-

How kind you

and how grateful I am I promise
search
Sophia
much care and
you
could have done
And you
father! you
her!
hope,

tended going together.

are, sir,

to

for

zeal as

w'ith as

yourself.

will find

will find

her,

at

I shall, on account of this late event.

least,

don't doubt but Faublas will be eager to justify

the favour of the prince.

will

fill

I doubt not but he

with distinction the honourable post

that has been committed to his charge.

be imagined that
his

solitary

which

is

M. du

retreat,

of

the forerunner of

It is to

Portail will hear, in

this

happy change,

many more, and

that

he then will no longer conceal his daughter

from a husband who

is

become deserving of

her.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

310

Oh,

father

hold out to

Adelaide
breakfast

oh

what an encouragement you

me
already up, Faublas; she

is

my

in

is

to

apartment; I was going to

have you called down.

I have not been so in-

show these papers to your sister;

but fair you should inform her of the

discreet as to
is

it

my

happy news: come,

down

dear, let us go

together.

I was receiving Adelaide's congratulations,

when my

servant came, with an alarmed counte-

nance, to

me

tell

him,

The big
It is

him
The big devil
M. de Belcour, looking
?

that

mean ?

devil

blas, stop; let

sire the

exclaimed

as
:

is

the captain

him come

Vicomte

As soon

it

my

The

in here.

to step into

my

repeated

does

to receive

mystery

this

all

heaven !perhaps

is

What

whom

Father, II am going

Wherefore

sir.

Jasmin.

at

Faublas!

expression?

Who
Who

I was wanted.

that

wants me, Jasmin

moment

is

him.

gracious
Fau-

?
?

no,

Jasmin, deapartment.

servant had left us, the

fatal

is

he

Baron

now come

my

good friend! remember the prayers which

your father has addressed you, and that he reiterates

on his knees.

He

had really knelt be-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
fore

upon

I immediately

me.

seized

my

his heart

Let

it sa%'e

half of

let it save the

him up

raised

right hand, kissed

my

he

and placed

it,

me

311

it

exclaimed he,

Adelaide

existence!

came running, and quite terrified Faublas,

said M. de Belcour, kiss your sister, and do not
:

forget her.

I was embracing her,

room

tered the
a

dreadful sneer,

Brumont

when

I see two

which

replied,

the captain en-

exclaimed he with

is

Mademoiselle de

my

pointing to

sister

Captain, this one, the day before yesterday,

could not have seated you on the Countess's
balcony.

Meanwhile,
the

gentleman

is

was

Adelaide

whisper to

Baron:

am

stooping

How

ugly

frightened at

him

that

to
tall

Leave

us, child, answered he, go and take a walk in

the garden. Prior to her obeying, she came to

me, with her eyes bathed in tears

Brother, said

oh I beg
Baron did not lock you in
of you, remember he has not locked you in
When my sister was gone, the Captain, who
had not ceased staring at me, exclaimed in a
most violent manner: Is this the Chevalier de
she, the

Faublas who

is

spoken of?

How

can he have

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

312
acquired a

name

in feats of

arms

looks to have any life in him!

He

something more than a weak female, he

half a

man

for all that!

still

hardly

Though he be

Captain,

is

but

please

you will be more at your ease then

Zounds! I believe you wish to
to look at me.
Don't you know me ? Are
be thought jocular
Vicomte de Lignolle
the
you ignorant that
to be seated

never puts up with the stupid raillery, nor the

impertinent airs of your species? that he

never has suffered an equivocal look or gesture

that the most haughty have renounced their

that he has, with
audacity in his presence?

great

facility,

immolated men more famous

than you are, and who had a more formidable

You have no more to say ? Capappearance.
tain, is it customary with brave men of your

description to try to intimidate the antagonist

whom they apprehend not being able to con-

very glad to inform you that you

could derive no great resource with me from
that excellent method.
Hell and fire! cried out the angry Captain.

quer?

am

He, however, checked his wrath; and, taking

me by the hand, said Hark since it was posthe
sible that there should be found under
:

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
canopy of heaven

hand against me, and

me openly, I had rather it is you than

daring as to

anyone

madman so rash
whom I love, and so

a youthful

as to disgrace a brotlier

to insult

313

else.

lift

Too

up

his

often, for

two or three years

back, I have been stunned with your

me

tell

name

let

you that for strength and science I

acknowledge but one single

man

in the whole

world who can be compared to me; and that

one's superiority I don't think anyone will dispute.

I will never allow any other man's fame

mine;
and I intended coming to Paris some day to tell
you so. Return thanks to chance then, which,
to rise above, or even to counterbalance

by making me apparently an offender, spares

you the infamy of a duel, the sole motive whereof would have been your ferocious love of false
I am very impatient to know how you
glory.
"will maintain the boldness of your discourse;
the more I look at you the less I can credit your

being deserving of your high renown.

Let us

It is proof

come
you want, is it not ? Assuredly but tell me,
would you perchance wish to boast of challengWhy should I
ing the Vicomte de Lignolle?
What honour could I derive from it?
boast?
to the point then, Captain.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

314

Besides, have I ever

ing anyone

my

taken

made

I must

let

a trade of challeng-

jou know that I have

solemn oath, upon

1

propose the fight

all

occasions, to

have taken no other

Well,
I have no preference.
my
The sword, then! the sword, I
endeavI
short
enemy from
never

than

oath

refuse

to

then,

it.

choose your weapons.

like to see

shall

distance.

our. Captain, not to stand too far

That we
gpot
if

you

shall see,

at

little

don't care which

like.

from him.
The

gentleman.

at la

La Porte Maillot

Porte Maillot,

Be

it

so

but

you will not have the Marquis de B

On which day, and
Perhaps.
deal with.
what o'clock? To-day, and immediately.

this time
to

my

Those are the best words you have spoken, exclaimed he, tapping

my

Captain, you
pose? ITo; I always

shoulder, let us begone.

have got your carriage, I sup-

ever,

walk.

This

once, how-

you must make up your mind

seat in the Baron's coach.

we must go and fetch one

One of my friends? Yes,

him come

is.

of your friends.

I propose taking

A witness where he
Let
Your father?My

a witness with me.

There he

to take

Why so?Because

if

as

is

father.

he pleases; but he must not

rely;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

my

315

Monsieur -le
Baron with great composure, the more I hear you, the more I am
Cappersuaded you are undeserving of mine.
Well, what then?
tain, have you heard him?

upon

Vieomte,

What

showing you mercy.

replied

the

then

exclaimed

I,

laying hold of his

hand, which I squeezed very hard,

the sen-

it is

tence of death that he has been passing on you

Let us go, repeated

we

my

father,

and I

see that

shall return soon.

We

first

went for M. de Saint-Leon, a

league of the captain, another naval

col-

officer,

and

reverse.

This gentleman's testimonies of

spect to

my

as polite

father, and

as his friend

civilities to

as

was the

tractable

me,

re-

suffi-

ciently counteracted the invectives, bravadoes,

and swearing, which M. de Lignolle uttered

without interruption: several times even he

tempted some conciliatory speeches, but

be easily imagined that

all

manner

it

at-

may

of media-

was now superflous between the Vieomte

and me.
We arrived at the Porte Maillot,

tion

each of us determined to die rather than to

relent.

We

had just got out of the carriage my anwas going to draw his sword ; and mine

tagonist

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

316

was already drawn; when, on a sudden, several

horsemen, who, for a few seconds had followed
us full gallop, surrounded the captain, crying

them said to
King and
him: M. le Vicomte
the Lord Marshals of France command you to

One

out in the king's name.

of

de Lignolle, the

deliver

your sword into

receive fresh orders, I

where you

go.

my hands; and till I

am to accompany you

The captain

flew in a rage, yet

he did not dare to offer any resistance.

surrendered his sword, he cried out

They have not appointed

As he
me:

to

a guard over you;

You
they rely on your peaceable disposition.
have very prudent friends; return them thanks
for their extreme vigilance,

it

will allow

you

to live a few days longer, but only a few days.

Understand well what I say to you.

I returned with

my

father

and as we passed

Eosambert's door, I recollected that

my happy

friend had been married on the preceding day,

and that I was

I left

tess.

the Count,

room.
joy,

to breakfast

who

me in
am come

received

Eosambert,

and

with the new Coun-

the Baron, and was introduced to

to attend to

your pardon, replied

your
he,

his drawingto

wish you

invitation.

you

will

beg

breakfast

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

me

with

wants

alone; the Countess

rest.

with your night

My

I am

fatigued,

is

You

understand.

317

yes, satisfied indeed.

what do you laugh

friend,

at

gaiety does not appear to be natural

can disturb?

and

are satisfied

foul trick, which

Your
What

played

is

me by your
now
What

Marchioness, I would lay a bet

order to join

my

I.

And

it ?

is

you too

tain of dragoons.
let

So

I have just received an

how

so

To join!
am now

so

A captain!

have

a cap-

I wish you joy!

There will not be a younger, a

us embrace.

braver, or a

regiment.

handsomer

oflScer in the

regiment.

then, at last, the Marchioness has taken

into her

not I

head

do something for you

to

it

Did

you, long since, that a man, whatever

tell

his merits

might

be, could never expect prefer-

ment but from the recommendation of women ?

I admire you Who told you it was Madame
?
I confess it would be more pleasant
de B

still if it

were her husband.

I returned

him no answer.

I had thought

proper not to communicate the Marquis's letter

to

M. de Belcour judge then whether I

;

clined to

show

Captain in

it to

felt in-

Rosambert

regiment of dragoons!

con-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

318

tinued the Count; that

Oh you may
Madame de B
!

who

it

is

no bad beginning!
promotion

expect high

patronises you

is

it

How

is

possible, however, I can't conceive, that the

summon

Marchioness could

sacrifice herself that

mission

a garrison

courage enough to

you might

get

the com-

the courage of confining Faublas in

Where

is

your regiment quartered,

At Nancy!
At
no!
minute!
Am I mistaken?
what
what
At
don't wonder. At
good one! You perhaps do not know
mean Indeed I have not
Chevalier?

Stop a

I^^Tancy.

Ah! I

InPo,

what I

the least idea

Faublas,

that's a

those

mysteries

out-of-the-way

more injurious than beneficial. How

you have me be acquainted with that?
what that? Why, that Madame de B

are

would

With

pos-

sesses, in the vicinity of the capital of Lorraine,

a very fine estate,

she has seen.

which

Ah!

ah!

it is

She

a long time since

undoubtedly ex-

and spend the fine season there;

and, whenever you please, you will obtain from
your colonel leave of absence for a whole day;
pects to go

summit of her
company at her ease,

so that the Marchioness, at the

wishes, will enjoy your

without dreading a rival being in her way.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
She has fixed upon the best plan

319

to prevent at

once your going in search of Sophia or assisting

Madame

de

Lignolle.

Eleanor

sisting

Certainly,

dered to join your

time.

Not

Well! that

before
is

Prevent

for

me from

as-

you are

or-

regiment within
the

short

day of May.

first

only a fortnight.

I am

a whole

week a gainer, since my father was to take me

away on Saturday next. A great good done,
faith what change can a single week produce ?

What do I know

pen in

Faublas, that

less

time!

So many things will hapis what I call

adopting a mere probability as a real

my

fact.

Keep silent,
move an illusion which supports me.

Madame

good friend, say no more

de Lignolle be less miserable for your

leaving her a week later

bert!

is

to re-

Will

it

when

am

Rosambert

to

Rosara-

near the bottom of the

abyss that you should point

she be less exposed

it

out to

me ?

Will

the vengeance of her

Cruel man! To
of the captain He came
enemies?

to

the brutal

me

this

anger

morning.

We

were on the point of fighting, when a garde

de

la

connetabalie

guard! to him?

you?

No

arrived

You have

to

part

us.

not one attached to

I believe so; that

would have im-

'

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

320

peded your going, incognito, to visit the MarThe Marchioness! by hearing you,
chioness.

one would suppose that nothing in the world

done but through her interference.

it

is

because

the

lion,

My

is

friend,

during some

which,

weeks, seemed to be fast asleep, has just awoke

because I see

Madame

de

B now

stirring

everything round her a week ago, bad rumours

respecting Mademoiselle de Brumont began to
Oh, dear! Much about the same
circulate.
;

time, a fatal letter is addressed to the captain.

Is

it

possible!

Yesterday

heard

from

good authority, of the rupture between M. de

Belcour and the Baroness; you receive your
commission to-day; and I

am

obliged to go,

without being favoured, like you, with a fortI must be at my regiment on.
night's respite!
the 21st of this month, of course I must bid

adieu the day

after

But what does

she

to-morrow;

aim

at

you

on Eriday!

by adopting such

measures? for the artificious woman never attempts anything without some secret designs.
If I am not allowed to guess at everything, I
conceive at least, that ready to strike the decisive blows, but hearing of our reconciliation,

and unable

to refuse

acknowledging that the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

man

321

who knows her

purse, his advice,

best, must feel

you against her with his
and even with his arm, if

absolutely requisite

in the world

disposed to

assist

deems

the Marchioness

it

very advisable, as soon as possible, to remove

that

among her enemies whom

she considers the

is your best friend.

is a true
may, your Madame de B

most dangerous, because he

Be

as

it

woman,

it

whole extent of the expression,

to the

for after beating her enemies,

she

still

bears

them malice and, pursued he, as he rubbed his

hand over his forehead, recently, quite recently,
;

prior to the order for

my

exile, I

thought I per-

ceived that the pistol shot with which she gratified

me, would not prevent her playing me

now and then some little tricks of another

every
sort.

How Yes, I have

so

since yesterday evening,

not left

my home

and I could lay

a bet

that a sincere reconciliation has taken place be-

tween the Marchioness and

Madame

the eternally officious Countess!

zealously pressed

my happy

de

who has

marriage.

so

Upon

my

honour I don't comprehend your meaning.

So much the better "When I happen to be in:

discreet,

I like to be found equally obscure.

You wish

to go,

my

good friend?

I shall

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

322

not try to detain you, for I confess I want to

You seem
Eather The order of
be out of
your departure? That, and something
of? Or that
be
Which I am not

not worth being known. What

be left by myself for a moment,
spirits?

to

so.

else.

told

to

it

is

trifle!

is

it?

nothing! less than nothing! I have been

hundred times, and never would befor it is difficult for the best tempered

told so a

lieve

it,

man

not to be ruffled a

helped

little.

Yet

it

can't be

away.

It is a cloud that will soon pass

Rosambert, you speak like an oracle; I shall

call

again

ligible.

when you

Farewell!

will cease being unintel-

Adieu,

Faublas!

you will present

and assure her of

at least, that

new

bride,

my
my

hope,

duty to your
regret.

Oh,

yes! you will see her this evening; I shall in-

What giddy chap I am

De Mesanges! exclaimed Well! what do

You were struck
you wonder at?
Struck
name
heard
you
when
brother of
country,
cause I have known,

She has no
that young
troduce her to you.

I was going away without asking you what her

maiden name was. De Mesanges, answered he.
I.

N'othing.

the

be-

in the

lady.

must have been one of her cousins

brother.

then.

It

Adieu,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

my

friend

no

Chevalier,

ISTo,

323

me

hear

when von knew that he cousin, did not you perchance know that she cousin also? Never,
wherefore? Ah! for
for nothing.
Fau-

am

I claim your indulgence, for I

blas,

ex-

tremely stupid to-day.

I made off in all the haste I could, that
Rosambert might not perceive on my countenance too much gaiety succeeding to too much
surprise.

My

father was waiting for

As

patience.

him say
child

Come

to

if it

me

with great im-

I entered his apartment, I heard

my
were

in, cried

dear Adelaide:
so,

would you

Ah! my sweet

see

me

so quiet

he as soon as he saw me, your

sister is miserable
she pretends that you have
met with some great misfortune, which I conceal from her.
Oh brother, exclaimed she, I
should have died if you had not returned.
When, then, will you give up fighting for any
;

other, than

Apropos,

Sophia?
interrupted

the

Baron,

thought of asking the question but

were out of the way.

sir,

but have lost

it

at

letter?

never

when you

Tell me, pray,

become of M. du Portail's
it,

what

is

had kept

Montargis, on the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

324

evening I was taken

Madame

de Lignolle

have not dared

wonder

it

that

to

it;
it

but I

what I

mentioned anything

me.

From

to the other, the

sister,

most likely

same evening, Rosambert brought

his wife to us.

ment

is

speak to her about

at is that she never

concerning

On

to

It

ill.

who has found

one end of the apart-

my

Countess recognising

although she had never seen her before,

stopped quite amazed.

Go

on, said her hus-

band, proceed, what detains you at this door?

Why, answered
'tis

because

she, still looking at

methinks

that's

her.

my

sister,

Who?

Who? Why a lady that I thought was my

Do you know this young lady ?
friend.

dear

During

this short dialogue, I

was enquiring
young

of myself what I had to do to prevent the

bride from betraying herself openly.

the room for a while would be exposing
ter to

To

quit

my

dangerous questions, to embarrassing

sis-

re-

proaches from the Countess, to whom, besides,

I should soon procure a

new

subject of aston-

ishment, since I could not dispense returning

It was therefore incumbent upon me to hasten obliging Madame
de Rosambert to notice me, that she might be

into the drawing-room.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

325

put in mind of the necessary explanations and

prudent advice, which, on the eve of her nuptials,

to

Madame d'Armincour
innocent

the

Having

fixed

has probably given

Mademoiselle

upon

this

as

de

the

Mesanges.

best

plan,

threw myself in her way, and bowed most

I
re-

spectfully to her.

The Countess then screamed

arms,

out,

dropped her

countenance, and very near faint-

lost all

ing away, was obliged to lean against the door.

Meanwhile she ceased not casting her looks

sometimes upon my sister, sometimes upon me
I could easily perceive that she was still at a
loss to find out which of the two was her dear
This, said Rosambert,

friend.

is

a true recog-

nisance! very singular! quite theatrical! but

appears to

me

it

that in this scene, very entertain-

ing in other respects, mine

is

by no means the

best part.

My
self:

father,

on his

Here

are

side,

more

him-

would mutter

to

quiproquos!

another

amorous adventure I could lay a wager. So

you know this young lady ? resumed the Count,
!

showing

my

sister to his wife.

unseasonably wishing

swered

Ah

This latter very

to act act cunningly, an-

dear me, no

not I

I never knew

!;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

326

Mademoiselle

Brumont.

de

repeated Rosambert
fernal genius that

So

De

Brumont

cursed be then

made you

the

guess at the

in-

name

then, continued he, beating his forehead, I

can entertain no further doubt, no doubt whatI am already what is called a husband, a
ever
!

true husband!

am

was so before
was achieved, perhaps

so! I even

How

I were married.

it

hear at some future period.

shall

My

father

my

stooped to whisper in the Count's ear that

sister

being present,

freely.

You

am

he should not speak so

are right,

replied the Count,

sir,

inexcusable, totally inexcusable to

such a bustle about a mere nonsense.

deed, though one

may

Yes,

am

it

will see

is to

man

me

moment

to recover

be confessed, however, that this young

can boast of being born under a most

but fatal to
it

myself

presently perfectly tranquil,

malignant constellation, favourable

if

little

not void of courage, or fortitude;

I only beg of you a

you

in-

be ever so prepared, one

cannot receive the blow without feeling a

hurt.

make

all

who

are near

him

to himself,

It

seems as

were written above, that not one of his

friends

is to

escape.

He

could not help asking

other questions of the poor

little

woman.

Ma-

;;!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
dam, jou have seen

Nowhere
my

oh

this

young lady nowhere

when

to ask questions

Very

well!
is

Madame

enough

indeed I have not, not even at

Ah
when

cousin de Lignolle's.

that

327

la

how mad
one

thus

certain!

is

Comtesse, very well!

the Chevalier will tell

me

the

remainder.

Count seemed to be recThe conversation now ran

onciled to his case.
upon indifferent subjects. The new bride, who

At

spoke

these words, the

little,

looked at

me

without interruption

and with an air that seemed to aimounce that if

she was still astonished and dissatisfied at the
manner in which I had entertained her error by
availing myself of her ignorance, she notwith-

standing did not feel disposed to keep eternally

against me her surprise and resentment. Rosambert, during that time, was struggling very

hard

to

conceal the inquietude which the

at-

upon me inspired him with

and as the Countess finally burst out laughing,
he asked what slic laughed at ? Why I laugh

tention bestowed

because he laughs.

laugh

Why

but that

is

And

wherefore,

he laughs, perhaps, at

what I

know what he

can't

laughs

at.

tell.

Why!

does

he

ah
I don'i

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

328

In vain did the Count attempt

to suppress a

sign of impatience; in vain did he try to

a

deep

and

sigh;

stifle

vanity

Kosambert's

since

prompted him to endeavour to conceal the mortification which his misadventure occasioned
him, he thought it was time for him to withdraw. Adieu, said he to me I am not angry
;

with you

evening?

you be

will

at

home to-morrow

in the

You may expect

Yes, my
Shall I come with you? asked
friend.

his

to see me.

wife.

What

question

you are asking,

re-

plied he, in a tone of perfect indifference, just

I nevertheless shall observe to

as you please.
you that young married women do not visit
bachelors

As

so,

especially every day.

was going downstairs, I prehand; she squeezed mine and

the Countess

sented her
said: I

my

would come most

willingly.

Do you

that I am very angry with you!

you have played me a sad trick ? Hush hush
cried out Rosambert; those things are not to be
spoken of in company, especially when the hus-

know though

band

is present.

They both went away.

ing, at six in the evening,
see

On

the day followRosambert came to

me, but he did not bring the Countess with

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
him.

Upon

his entering

mj

329

room, I was sur-

prised at his loud burst of laughter

truly comical

is

The whole

exclaimed he, infinitely pleas-

What the Countess has been

What
me. Have you seen Madame de
Lignolle? No, my wife; she has recounted
ant

relating to

to

me

the whole transaction, I

you; I kept

tell

a serious air in her presence, for the sake of

decorum; now that I am with you, permit me

You are born for comical adventures.
Kosambert, if you wish me to answer you,

to laugh.

be explicit.

Ah!

this

time I speak plain; but

you force me to it, I

Just as you please.
still.

if

so

Well then, hear me

prior to her being

That

is

not true

my
!

shall

speak plainer

Will

my

wife, she

What

you have

wife told

me

it

that

had been yours.

you who deny

it is

I interrupted him bluntly Monyou

sieur le Comte, I beg you will hear me before
you continue with your insidious confidences.
All your questions upon so delicate a subject,
in whatever manner you may venture to ask

it

it is

them, would be entirely useless; if the fact is

false, I am not such a vain coxcomb as to excuse your wife

and

if it

were

true, I

so stupidly indiscreet as to confess

it

am

not

to

her

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

330
husband.

But

disown

but merely to

I ask of

you neither

own

to

Madame

listen.

or

de Eos-

ambert has related to me that you have had the

happiness of going to bed with the Dowager
d'Armincour; that on the same night you left
the bed of the Marchioness to go and have some

who had

chat with Mademoiselle de Mesanges,

soon ceased being a demoiselle, though without

knowing it, since after having behaved with her

an honorable man, you nevertheless left her

in the full persuasion of your being a female.
You must acknowledge, Chevalier, that if the

like

young person has been

own

telling

has

she

composition,

me

enough, and allow

me

a story of her

made

to laugh at

ludicrous

it
it.

Eosam-

from opposing, I wish to join you in

However, resumed he, with a more
the laugh.
have a question to ask you withair,
I
serious

bert, far

out meaning

suppose

it

to give the least offence

is

Let

us

mere supposition, you under-

Let us suppose that advenwould you have

your
ture had
trusted Madame de B with the confidence
Who then can
much.
Never. I thought
stand

me

well

the

fallen to

en-

lot,

as

have told her of

it

for

my

be doubted, is a benefit

marriage,

it is

not to

from the Marchioness;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
and as I was

telling

331

you yesterday morning,

cause the discoveries I had

made on

the pre*

ceeding night had suggested the idea,

only at

Madame

Countess de

B 's

de
,

who appeared

moment when

the very

ample dowry

it

was

instigation that the

voted and zealous, had been acting

At

be-

to
all

me

so de-

the while.

was granting an

for the virginity* of Mademoiselle

who most

de Mesanges,

assuredly had no claim

of the kind, the belligerent powers announced

publicly that their rupture had been simulated,

was M. de Kosambert who paid the

However, I am forced
expenses of the war.
and that

it

acknowledge, that the Marchioness avenges

to

herself in a noble

maimed me,

she stood the chance of receiving

Xow

a shot herself.

upon me

manner; when she nearly

as a

that she has had bestowed

maiden, a complete widow, she

takes care to gild the pill; she adds to

console me, sixty thousand livres per

Chevalier,
I beg
*

you

The

when you

will return her

work, that it

thing.

to

annum.

my generous enemy,
my best thanks. Tell

wisest jurisconsults define dowry: Pretium de-

floratae virginitalis.

this

see

it,

wish to introduce erudition aiso In

to contain a little of every-

may be found

332

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

her that at

first

I was not quite exempt, from

means of a

feeling the little misfortune, by

hymen, of being ranked with the throng

justice add that my weakness lasted
me
yet do
foolish

only one moment; that I

onciled to the event.

Do

now am

not, above all things

omit assuring the Marchioness

standing

my own

entirely rec-

accident, I feel

that,

notwith-

more disposed

than ever to make game of imlucky husbands.

Faublas, are you coming with me ? Whither

you going ? I see you quite superb in full

Are you aldress! your sword by your side!
ready paying your marriage visits ? No, but
since I must be off to-morrow, I am going to
take leave of my friends and acquaintances.
And you wish me to accompany you ? I am to
are

sup in the faubourg Saint-Honore we shall

alight at the Champs-Elysees take a few turns
;

up and down; and have some conversation.

I agree provided we speak only of Madame de
With all my heart. So then now I
Lignolle.
;

am

hundred thousand others;

still side with young
but it
Faublas, I
bachelors against married men.
just think of it, don't take it into your head
that I wish to carry you with me to prevent
a husband like a

does not signify, I

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

333

your going wherever love might summon you.

do you mean ? If you had made a

What

new conquest, if you had an appointment with

a new young bride, already tired with her husband, don't let me prevent you!
Rosambert,

if

you

really thought

not speak of

it

so jocosely.

I spoke in earnest.
trying

my

were possible, you would

it

strength

Upon my honour,

Adversity has just been

I feel capable of enduring

any calamity.
So then I am of opinion that the unfortunate Countess has no resource than to retire into
her province, or

M. de

demand

a separation, in case

Lignolle should use her

ill.

It

was

get-

we were in the Champs-Elysees,

nearly facing M. de Beaujon's house, as Rosambert had spoken those last words. The Marting dark, and

quis de
hotel.

was

just

coming out of an adjacent

me

As soon as he saw

he

made up

to

but turned back upon seeing Rosambert.

avoids us, said the latter,

me

He

us go to him, and

let

not suffer so good an opportunity of letting an

agreeable

endeavour

moment escape
to

In vain did I
dissuade Rosambert: the decrees
us.

of fate are irrevocable.

You run away from

us,

Monsieur

le

Mar-


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

334
quis

It

true at least, that I do not seek

is

your company, replied he in

many

It is true, at least, that

very dry tone.

people have told

me, that you complained highly of me; indeed

I

am

to

equally very curious and very impatient,

hear from your

your resentment.

own mouth,

Do

tell

you candidly

do,

M.

me

his

my

the cause of

you think I will not

reasons?
How do you

le Chevalier, continued he, presenting

hand you must have received yesterday

from Versailles. His commission, interrupted
Rosambert he has received it. I have received
it. Monsieur le Marquis, and am very thankful
Here the Count interfor that proof of your
rupted me Faublas, was it the Marquis who
What
has obtained it for you? Yes, it was.
But
is there in that to excite your laughter?
;

pray,

sir,

Why not?
woman,

The Marchioness

is

you

I must persevere
reason Mon-

in

why ? The
when
a man
Comte,

asking the reason

thinks himself

woman

can

him, and that he meets one prudent,

vir-

amiable to such a degree that no

resist

an excellent

inclined to render service to everybody,

to everyone, except

sieur le

has not your lady solicited likewise?

tuous, and

who

loves her

husband tenderly.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

335

Pardon mo, but I know

scription, that I

so many of that deam at a loss to know who you

Of mine, sir. Of your own

Yes, when he meets with such a

he
He miscarries be sure
he must. Then he must
You
speak very much
your
you who never
miscarry.
unreasonable
Monsieur
Comte, I know
you have been more
than
have wuth
young

young lady? Ah!

with Mademoiselle du
Du
grin
much
you
be avenged
I used no
Ah! spare me. But speak
What do you
Your behavmy
Well, Well,
what have I done
your wife
Let us hear
you know of
If know of
day next
on which Mademoiselle de Faublas had
Marchioness's
Mademoiselle
are speaking of.

of yours!

one,

miscarries.

to

take patience.

at

ease,

jokes,

JSTo

le

that

cessful

suc-

lad}-.

A!

yes,

Portail.

please

Portail!

to

as

at least

as

foul

dealings.

plain.

call foul dealings

iour to

wife,

sir.

to

sir,

if

it.

sir.

it

the

to that

slept in the

de Faublas

bed.

are

you sure

I drew nearer to Rosambert, and whispered

to

him; take

joke too far

to expose

ever,

care,

my

friend,

you carry the

but I request of you at least not

Madame

de

went on; in order

The Marquis how-

to be avenged,

on the

;!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

336

day following jou brought

dressed

brother,

in

his

to

sister's

mj

wife

clothes.

the

See

what a cunning fellow I am, exclaimed the

Comte, with a loud laugh what a deal of mischief I have been contriving against the Mar:

chioness

only

such are the tricks I will play though

see.

believe,

vehemence M. de

with great

interrupted

B who

visibly

grew

ani-

mated, I believe, indeed, he presumes to make

game

of

me

not satisfied with that

first

act

have, moreover, been so wicked.

You
Zooks!

becomes serious

but I question

Why! when
Very

of perfidy.

who

I once begin.

serious

will have the last laugh,

for let

me

ridicule.

tell

my

so

wicked as

wife, even in

impertinent,

acknowledge

demon

M. de Rosambert

you, I don't like to be turned into

presence of a young
to

this

'Not I to be threatened, sir; but out

with the wickedness, as you

have been

an

call

it.

Yes! you

to avail yourself of the

man

in disguise, to behave

my

presence, in the most

Oh! I
now, I am wretch! a true
abominable rake Crack your

most shocking manner.

it

you are welcome! but as you have

demanded an explanation, and instead of confessing your errors you will carry them to an

jokes, sir;


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

me

337

you what I think of your

Marchioness; I deem it
unworthy of a man of honour; and added he,
laying his hand on his sword, I expect you will

extreme,

let

tell

conduct towards the

give

me immediate

satisfaction.

Why

truly!

many
more comical still
people may wonder at it, I confess that I expected as much.
Gentlemen, exclaimed I, what are you about ?
I cannot allow you to fight. Monsieur le Marthis is

quis!

and

quarrels, is

you
it

and although

who

Rosambert,

abominate

possible that in your frolicsome

humour

Always! vociferated M. de B , I have always read in his physiognomy that he was a

bad hand at cracking a joke. Bad? you provoke me! Yet I could not have thought that
This will do better!
he was so wicked a man.
more
noble.
is
I must give him a
saying
the

good lesson that will tend to correct him.

is

angry

quite angry with

me

Indeed,

He
M.

le

Marquis, you are no longer the same man. For

my part I had always read in your countenance

except, however, one certain

at la

Porte Maillot you wanted

alier

and the Baron and

!

the

morning when

to kill the

Comte

Chev-

and every-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

338

except on that morning, I Lad read iu

your countenance that you were the meekest

body!

and most

At

pacific of all mortals.

these words, pronounced in the most iron-

ical tone,

M. de

unsheathed his sword.

what

transported with anger,

Warned by

fatal presentiment,

know not

I could not refrain

feeling some emotion at the sight of that hostile

weapon, of that avenging sword, which a mo-

ment

after

was

to be

crimsoned with the blood

of Rosambert, and within a very short time

more precious blood still.

I grasped Rosambert: Monsieur le Marquis,
I beseech you, be calm Monsieur le Comte,
you shall not fight! I will not suffer you to
subsequently, with a

fight

am

Have

done, Faublas, answered the latter

sorry enough to be obliged to do

However,

was unavoidable.

duel, but a rencounter only,

it

it,

will not

and I

shall

but

it

be a

have

learned from the gentleman an infinite number

If you do not immeof pleasant anecdotes.

diately draw, exclaimed

M. de

quite be-

yond himself, I will publish everywhere that

you are a coward and before I do, I will cross
your face. Cross my face repeated Rosambert.
He then laughed again: it would be a
;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

339

great pitj! one could no longer read on

my

countenance the very wicked tricks that I indulge in playing to a prudent, virtuous woman,

who

loves her

husband tenderly; don't I speak

Marquis?

the truth, Monsieur le

Kosambert,

still

laughing, disengaged himself

from my arms, drew back a few paces, and then

sword in hand, came up to M. de B

They fought vigorously for some minutes.

Alas! how many misfortunes would have been
spared me, if the Marquis had been conquered

was the Count who

it

fell.
Heaven is just!
M. de B
may all perish thus who
me! all who bear a deceitful physiog-

cried out

offend

nomy.
I shall send as soon as possible the
necessary assistance, added he; stay near him
See now what a countenance is! what an al-

teration already in this man's.

He

The Count, extended on

withdrew.

the

me to stoop, that I might

and said to me in a very weak tone
My friend, I am severely wounded

ground, beckoned to
hear him,
of voice:
this time;

I don't think I shall ever recover.

Faublas, certify at least to

that previous to
sincerely

my

repented

Madame

breathing

my

cruel

my

de

last,

I have

proceedings

to-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

340

wards

cruel

lier

Faublas,

it

is

more

too

so

true

than jou imagine

Rosambert

that

could say no more, he lost the use of his senses.

Several people

who had heard a rumour of

we were contriving

the fight, were come, and

my

blood of

the

to stop

unfortunate friend,

when the surgeons arrived. He was carried

home with the greatest speed. What a sight
for his young bride
The wound was probed
but we obtained from the surgeons this per!

plexing answer only

the third dressing

I returned

is

We

my

home,

with sinister images

Who?

M.

can say nothing until

taken

off.

imagination

father,

he

is

replete

dying

de Rosambert; he has been dai^-

The Marwound
Baron, may
That
a sad event and

gerously wounded by the Marquis.

he never

quis, replied the

anyone
one,

else!

a fatal

is

entirely so

it

will bring back

the attention of the public.

O my

upon you

dear brother,

said Adelaide to me, softening by her tender

caresses,

her

reflection

cruelly

just;

dearest

what your consensible that for some

brother, I cannot tell exactly

duct

may

be,

but I

am

time past, you meet with nothing but misfortunes.

!
!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

How

me which
What terrible

long did that night appear to

succeeded that fatal evening!

dreams disturbed

my

as I closed

horror

my

my

painful slumbers

vestments tinctured with blood

knew

as soon

eyes, I only beheld objects of

naked swords suspended over

a blaze

341

my

head

the skies in

not what river overflowed, and

carrying away, besides a thousand fragments,

a corpse

the images of death all around

me

my heart to be oppressed, a
over my face; and in order to

If I awoke, I felt

was

cold sweat

remove those dreadful

all

was

my

sights, I strove to direct

thoughts towards the happy day which

to illumine

my

existence, that

Friday so

impatiently waited for, which was to procure

me some happy moments

Vicomte de
ures in the

would

Florville,

arms of

attempt

and the

my

to

in the

company of
liveliest

Eleanor.

soothe

an

But

the

pleas-

in vain

imagination,

struck with the most sinister presentiments, it

; my soul was pro-

rejected every consoling idea

foundly comfortless. Alas! too soon did that

Friday come, which seemed to promise me nothing but happiness! it came too soon, indeed,
that dreadful day, followed by one more dreadful

still.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

342

At an early hour in the morning, I called at

The Count had had a very bad
Rosambert's.
I returned in the afternoon: the

night.

first

dressing had just been taken off, but it could

not yet be ascertained whether the wound would

not be mortal.

At seven

B whom

Madame

de

all

in

were going

to

Vicomte de Elorville: it was

I met with, Madame de

the

there

Rosambert

I did not, as I expected,

rue du Bac.

fly to the

see

in the evening, I left

the eloquence of dress, as if she

to

Longchamps; how beauteous she

looked.

In the first transports of my admiration, I

threw myself at her feet and the Marchioness,
apparently beholding me in that posture with
;

less pride

than gratification, with a more gentle

intoxication than that which self-love occasions,

did not hurry

me

up.

Dear mamma, have not you acted very imprudently in coming here in so remarkable a
costume?

Would

not to come at
Versailles

in

it

all:

my

have been better for

I

am

just returned

whisky, with

no other

at-

was already
in from the rue du Bac.

tendant than Despres; besides

dark, and I did not get

me

from

it

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

So there
is,

my

is a

343

private back door then

There

dear.

Permit me, beautiful mamma, to express my

utmost gratitude. The papers which you had

Have they provided

me

promised
tended

effect?

Yes:

my

thinks of undertaking a journey with

there

is still

namely,

On

me

yet

my

being obliged to

Is there no possibility of

leave Paris so soon.

my

in-

longer

one circumstance, which I confess

makes me uneasy
having

the

no

father

departure retarded for a few days

the contrary, exclaimed she, I

am

afraid

you will receive an order to be off still sooner.

A war is spoken of; most officers have already
joined their regiments; and it was not without
great difficulty that I obtained for you the delay of a fortnight.

manage

Good

God! how

She interrupted

to

don't speak to

me

mamma

such a question?
de
his

that

shall

hastily:

you

of the calamitous event that

took place yesterday evening.

calamitous,

me

How

^Yas

it

Do you deem
can you ask

it

me

from the hand of M.

Rosambert should have received

I shall then have endured

death blow?

with impunity the outrage of his calumnies,

I shall not have
and the stain of his embrace
!


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

344

heen allowed to force from him in your presence, with the tardj remorse of his last crime,
the avowal of

his impostures!

all

Accuse not

Your courage has been rewarded by

destiny.

the success of your fight at Compiegne

and in

the rencounter of yesterday, all your expectations have been fulfilled.

Fulfilled!

Let

me

repeat what the Count said prior to losing the

use of his senses:

Madame

my

last,

de

Faublas, certify at least to

that previous to

my

proceedings towards her

cruel

breathing

my

I have sincerely repented

more

cruel

so

than

you did imagine

Faublas, it is too true that
That ? My lovely mamma, the Count was
unable to proceed.
Unable to proceed
But
Faublas, how did you interpret that involunThe sense does not appear to
tary omittance ?
me equivocal. What then ? I comprehended
that he wished to confess that he had not pos-

sessed your person

love, I

mean

to say.

taking both

my

fore believe

it

you

exclaimed she,

hands between hers

was I who spoke

I can assure you, mamma,

me most

your

^your person with

Confess!

you

there-

the truth to
it

would hurt

grievously not to be convinced of

She placed

my

hand upon her heart

it.

you

be-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
lieve
its

Faublas

it,

throbbing

only

moment

my

Suffer,

for

mj
six

345

good friend

months

feel

of joy that has fallen to

my

dear friend, suffer

feel

past, this is the

my

lot.

tears to flow.

Those that I have shed for such a length of

These I find so sweet
time were so bitter
!

Suffer

my

burthen

tears to run, they relieve

that

overpower

began to

me from
me.

Ah!

what a greater happiness, if I myself had washed away my injuries

in the blood of my enemy, and by this means
Faublas,

nevertheless,

had proved deserving

my

estimation,

obtain in your

to

complete

restoration!

own
What

have I said, added she, placing her burning

upon mine, what signifies my vengeance ?

Have

I not fully justified!

claim upon your esteem, and

lips

Am

I not a proper

am

I not even en-

Enraptured with

titled to a love equal to

her caresses, I was lavish of mine in return.

Well, be

it

out reserve;

triumph
posed

all

so!
let

exclaimed she, yielding withlove

at

last,

invincible

love

For two months back I have opthe resistance which a mortal can com-

mand. Twenty times it has forced my secret

from me; let it triumph also lOver my resolutions!

let

it

restore

to

me

with

my

idolised

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

346

some moments of supreme happiness!

lover,

though I were to purchase them

Madame

regret

short

some day

though I were to hear

arms, call Sophia, and

de Lignolle
to lose

She said no more

a bed,

of

my

several ages of trouble

an ingrate when in

at the cost

my

though I were in

life

I had just carried her on

where our two souls were confounded

into one.

What an

unforeseen catastrophe was

near awaking us from our rapturous ecstacy, to

cause the groans of rage and grief to succeed
the tender sighs of love

The door of

room

the

in

which we were,

having suddenly been burst open: Will you

believe

it

now, said

Madame

Fonrose

to

M. de

B
The Marquis, unable to question any longer
unhappy lot, became enraged; sword in
hand, he rushed upon a man unarmed, and who
besides, surprised in the greatest disorder, was

his

totally defenceless.

The Marchioness,

too prompt,

my

too gener-

ous lover, ran to meet the threatening weapon.

The Marquis struck

Madame

de

the

blow.

Great God

however, stood, at

violence of the thrust, and at the

first,

the

same instant

The Marquis, unable

question any longer his unhappy

became enraged.

to

Page

;U(i.

lot,

]^en:

Will

y<

his

Godl
:iv!e

(<^^^\t-

lustaiic

.^i

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

347

pulling out of her pocket a brace of loaded pis-

She then

she fired one at the Baroness.

tols,

said to her husband:

ray

yours

life,

is

my

try to avenge

at

You have

my

just attempted

disposal

I shall not

death, which undoubtedly

is

near; but, added she, leaning upon, me, I declare to

to save

you that I

am

determined, against

ISTotwithstanding I

her up, she

fell

made

great efforts to hold

on her knees, supported herself

on her right hand, and presented

which she
this,

all,

him.

held in her left:

still

Faublas

and

if

you,

M. de

advance one step towards him,

let

me

the pistol

Lay hold

of

offer to

him

stop

you!

\ She had

scarcely spoken these words,

she dropped backward into

my

when

arms, and lost

the use of her senses.

The Marquis no longer thought to threaten

life; his fatal sword had already- fallen
Unhappy wretch, cried he,
from his hand.
with signs of the deepest despair, what have I
been doing? Whither shall I go to hide my-

my

self

be

You who

lavish

are present, do not forsake her

of your care

and attention.

shall I get out of this place

How

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

348

So great indeed was his agitation that he was

scarcely able to find the door.

In

the

Madame

meanwhile,

de

Fonrose,

whose lower jaw was fractured, uttered horrid

cries.
Crowds of people, unknown to me, and

whom

I could hardly

came running in.

The Baroness was

see,

Several surgeons arrived.

immediately carried home, but they did not

dare to remove the unfortunate Marchioness.

Four of us

where, some

dying,

carried her,

minutes before, oh, ye gods! avenging gods!

it is

an act of vengeance,

it

if

indeed a very

is

cruel one

The deep wound was

Madame

to the heart.

not to live

till

in the left breast, close

de

next morning.

perhaps, was

The

first

dressing

being put on, she recovered the use of her

Faublas

where is Faublas ? Here I

with grief.
Maoverwhelmed
am; here I am,
dam, cried out the first surgeon, don't speak.
Though I were to die immediately, retorted
she, I must speak to him; and in an extinct
voice she stammered out these broken words:
senses.

You

will

come again,

my

friend; you will not

suffer indifferent people to close

will

hear

my

last

confession,

my
and

eyes; you

my

last

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
But

breathing.
utes

soon

run

me

leave

for

349

few

min-

the lettre de cachet no doubt will

from

arrive

Versailles,

Countess,

unfortunate

there

if

run,
is

the

save

time

still

enough.
I did not walk, I

I immediately started.

They would wish to conThey must take away my

flew along the streets.

fine

my

Eleanor!

But

life first.

ready?

If

would be

it

all

if the cruel

order

is

executed

should have been executed?

al-

It

I should have no resource!

over!

The Countess, equally impano hopes left!

tient and enamoured, will not be able, were it
only for a week, to support captivity and absence, the

miserable

mother and child will perish! and

must I be compelled

sufferer!

survive them?

Who

ing them to the grave

could prevent

replete

Without stopping

follow-

I reached the hotel of

my mind

my

I,

to

with

Madame
those

de Lignolle,

gloomy

ideas!

at the lodge of the Swiss, I

called out la Fleur, passed on, crossed the yard,

and knocked at
the door of Mademoiselle de Brumont's apartment. It was opened in a trice. How happy!

flew

it

up

the private staircase,

was the Countess! an exclamation of joy

es-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

350

caped me, which she answered by one of the

same kind Are you come already, my beloved ?

My dear Eleanor, I apprehended it was too
:

late

so

come.

Make

Where Come

with me.

They threaten your

haste.

How

liberty

My
I should be deprived of
of my beloved What
you looking
My jewels They are my house you
Where
have not taken them away My
bid
she? In the drawing-room! Eun
liberty

the

sight

for

are

at

aunt.

to

is

but

adieu;

her

Madame

no,

d'Armincour

would wish to take you with her; you must

Besides, the Marchioness's
come with me.
charms might be conducive to our detection;
it is

better that for a short time she should not

know what

is

quick, let us

make

become of you.
haste,

However, be

we have not

moment

to lose.

We

went downstairs without making any

noise.

Favoured by the night, the Countess

reached unperceived the street-door.

pulling
Swiss's

my

hat over

window

my

It is me,

eyes,

I then,

knocked at the

who have been

speak-

ing to la Fleur; please to pull the string.

man,

engaged

mechanically.

in

game

of

cards,

The

obeyed

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
Behold

Madame

de Lignolle in the

Mj

hasten to join her,

my

351
street,

Eleanor lays hold of

arm, and quickens her pace as much as pos-

sible.

We

object

on our way occasions us mortal

new

dare not speak a word, every

in-

quietude; thus, tormented by a thousand apprehensions, but

we reached

hopes,

We
as

supported by the sweetest

still

Vendome.

the place

entered the hotel at the garden door, and

we immediately

got to the back stair-case,

nobody could see us except Jasmin.

As soon as we had lights brought

me; exclaimed Madame de Lignolle,
blood about

besmeared

all

my

and on

horror,

sudden,

melted into tears:

In what a

this blood is the blood of a lover!

moment are you come

mine?
watch

Eleanor,

my

to unite

your destiny

dear Eleanor, keep

take care of yourself

is

are

I could not check a cry of

there

Faublas, yours

hands!

over

in; dear

am

to

strict

surrounded

by the persecutions of avenging heaven death

hovering around me, either strikes or threatens
;

that

are

dearest

those

objects

Keep

a strict watch! this blood

my

to
is

heart.

the blood of

a lover.

What

discourses

you

hold

out,

Faublas!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

352

Whence proceeds your

me

with terror!

blood of a
stabbed

Has
Ah!

husband

her

'No,

fill

that blood is the

dear,

The Marchioness

lover.

herself?

You

sad despair?

My

Although dying, she

me of
which
you were exposed. How thankful
am!
And
request of me
return
I
might
her
Poor woman!
You must hurry
me go
my dear;
with you. Impossible
many people who
threaten you!
many people by
Well
go by
her
mogo and
ments. However, do not
with her long;
the cruel
all

man

collected

her powers to warn

the perils to
I

soon, that

to

to

receive

breath.

last

to her,
!

let

so

her.

so

then,

soothe

yourself,

last

stop

Faublas, you will

tell

her that

her hard fate; that I wish

Yes,

my

my

hatred

was in

it

Eleanor, I will

tell

be as quick as possible.
it

en-

into his

me

to

power

But make

I shall

here.

Jasmin, as

head

my

her that you

are possessed of an excellent heart.

haste to return, don't leave

might take

is

that I feel deeply afflicted at

tirely extinct

my

come up

father

into

my

apartment, take the Countess into the boudoir.

Don't

let

see her.

M. de Belcour

find her out

let

no one

Jasmin, I trust you with the care of

the Countess, I

recommend her

to

your

care,

!
:

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
you become answerable to me
remember that my existence is

From
it is

Vendome

the place

but a stone's throw

353

for her safety;

at stake.

to the rue

du Bac,

and I returned to the

Marchioness in a moment.
Several

she,

tor

Let

and one gentleman,

females,

sur-

Let everyone withdraw, said

rounded her bed.

upon seeing me enter the room. The docrepresented to her that she must not speak

me

last conversation

have a

plied she

after that

think proper.

Let

all retire

The physician wanted

house.

Don't

my

more, but an ab-

dear friend.

She

is at

keep her there long.

of

my

At any

rate Despres is just gone to Versailles, with

secret instructions

re-

without exception

to say

solute order closed his lips.

Is she safe?

with him,

you may govern me as you

my

so long as I retain a breath

dread nothing more for the Countess.

observed for some time a
Madame de B
life,

gloomy

silence;

she then fixed

eyes, full of tears

to lay hold of her

don't you

hand

wonder

upon me her

and having beckoned

at

to

me

well, Faublas, said she,

my

sad destiny?

Some

time back, at the village of Holrisse, you saw

me extended on a bed of opprobium j you behold

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

354

me now

on

mj

death bed, and the most cruel re-

verse, at the present as at a

subverted

all

mj

former period, has

pointed for their execution.

did then, to lay

moment apnow as I

projects at the

my

I wish

soul open before

you

and

when you have heard me, when you will know

me thoroughly, when above all things, you will

my transient pleasures and durable tortures, my early weaknesses, and my last

struggles, my good resolutions, and my blameable designs, finally, my errors and my punishhave compared

ment; when you have compared the whole,

Faublas, then you will dare, I doubt not, to affirm that your lover, after having lived more
unfortunate than guilty, has died still less deserving of blame than of compassion.

Wherefore should I

recall

mencement of our connection ?

here

At

the

com-

that period,

your lover spent some very happy

days; but how soon were they poisoned by the
most poignant alarms so speedily followed by
it

true,

is

your inconstancy and my complete disaster!

Ah who would wish to purchase the like enjoy!

ments

who
tion,

at the

same price

notwithstanding
stiU feel

my

Who ?

Faublas,

I,

approaching dissolu-

burning with the

fire

that has

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

355

unceasingly consumed me! but in the whole

am

world I

Believe me,

probably the only one.

I have not forgot your rising love for Sophia,

the fatal period of her elopement, the

still

more

my
day on which I saw my
rival before the altar, and the horrors of that
night when, by the vilest of all attempts, your
lover with

fatal

perfidious friend completed

paved the way

Faublas,

to

now

my

disgrace,

and

my real misfortunes.
my last hour, I take my

at

solemn oath, and

call to witness the

God who

hears me, Eosambert has deserved death.

Ros-

me in your opinhad basely calumniated me. I avow that,

seduced by some of his brilliant qualities, I
paid more attention to him than to anyone else,
showed him a marked preference, no doubt.
ambert, prior to his degrading

ion,

He

might well have conceived great hopes,

though. I have good reasons to believe that the
event would never have justified them. Don't
imagine, Faublas, that I mean speaking to you
of

my

principles,

which

tues to

my

my

modesty, of

all

the vir-

sex have been wisely con-

with you I have not kept even the

appearance of them. What shall I say to you,

demned

my

friend! placed by chance in an elevated

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

356

rank, I moreover had received from nature an

uneasy mind, an ardent

soul,

perhaps I was

born to obey the criminal dictates of ambition;

but I saw you, I was allured, and plunged into
all

the extravagance of love.

Yes,

was by perpetrating a crime, that

annulled my designs at LuxemThose designs, I know, might have ap-

it

Rosambert
bourg.

peared blameable: but at least they were not

such as a lover void of liberality and of courage,

vulgar woman, moderately enamoured

with an ordinary man, could have conceived.

Rosambert subverted them all. It appeared to

me that henceforth I was not allowed to produce to your embrace a woman who despised
herself; and from that period presuming too

much on my own

strength, or rather

still

unac-

quainted with the irresistible empire of a passion, thinking that I

was

able to

manage the

great concerns of the heart as easily as I gov-

erned the petty interests of a court, I swore,

you heard me, I swore henceforward to live

only to exercise my vengeance and procure your
promotion.
It

was

requisite first of

all, to

have you

liber-

ated from a state prison, where you would not

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
have lingered four months,

if

my

357
enemies had

not leagued to counteract in a thousand ways

all

my

endeavours.

in consequence of

At

my

last

M. de

promoted

efforts to the high post

was neverthewhich he now occupies, M. de

less to set your liberation at a price which
nearly rendered the procuring of

Judge

if the sacrifice

ful to

me

required appeared pain-

The business was

impossible.

it

to restore

you

to the world, and I hesitated for several days.

My

friend, I shall repeat

boast here of

men

my

What

in general.

it,

I do not pretend to

virtue, or of the virtue of wo-

a difference however be-

tween the principles, inclinations and passions

of the two sexes
feel for

how

far your love from that I

You, Faublas, especially, who

divide yourself between three lovers,

you!

are able to

charms in the possession of the first

object that chance throws in your way
Alas! on the contrary, how grievously hurt
still

did

find

Madame

having

been

de

(so miserable already for

obliged,

that

her

justification

should be complete, to acknowledge the rights

of a husband, and to fulfil with

him

a rigorous

on the fatal day when to procure

duty)
your rescue, she was forced to submit herself
feel

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

358

man

to the brutal libidinous desires of a

desti-

man

tute of delicacy; to the cruel caresses of a

totally indifferent to her

has enjoyed me

it

yes,

my

was only

friend,

at

my

M. de

last

hour

that I was to make an avowal of the kind;

nevertheless, among so many proofs of my un-

limited attachment, consider this shameful de-

votedness as the most prominent.

You were

set at liberty, I

dared to see you

again,

I dared so to do! that was

wrong,

it

to

my

was conducive

my

was

my

first

errors,

and

tragical end.

Four months
of

my latter

to

so,

of absence

must have cured

me

fatal love: at least I flattered myself it

when I had you

Montdesir's; at our

ence occasioned

first

me much

called to

Madame

de

interview your presless

emotion than

it

used to do formerly; I spoke to you of Justine

without anger, of the Countess without much
acrimony,

and of Sophia without

without any feeling of jealousy.

to you, in the sincerity of

resolutions
table.

At

my

agitation,

I mentioned
heart, laudable

which I thought would be immulast,

when I

left you,

I congratulated

myself upon feeling only friendship for you;

foolish

woman! how was

I deceived! the

ill-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
extinguished

fire still

was going

a spark

359

burned under the ashes;

and

to escape,

new conflagration.
Remember, remember

to cause

when ready
Compiegne, I went to bid you

to set off for

the day,

Hitherto, whilst preparing to chastise

adieu.

Rosambert, I had only entertained the desire of

you caused me to fear death.

The sudden idea that there was a possibility of

being revenged

separated

our being soon

me

shudder, and chilled

mediately

felt it

my

accomplish
but I

felt also

was

forever,

less desirable for

my

momentary

my

turbation of
heart, all

ing the

to

of being re-habil-

Meanwhile, the

lover.

new apprehensions which had

produced,

I im-

me

vengeance against an enemy;

more impatient

itated in the eyes of

the

made me

with terror.

irresolution

still

my

astonished me,

which they had

violent agitation, the per-

senses,

the emotions of

my

suggested plainly, that while attempt-

life

of Rosambert,

I must,

other things, take care to defend

my

above
ovra

all

that

was not so much to triumph

as not to die; that I must especially strive to
live, that I might adore you!

now

the question

How

could I have

still

been insensible of

my

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

360

real disposition, since, even at Compiegne, in

the

moment

victory,

my

of intoxication which followed

secret escaped

me

mj

in your presence,

and that of the Countess?

It was, however,

without having previously given

it

a thought,

from a mere instinct of revived jealousy, that,

seeing you on the point of joining again my
most dangerous rival, I advised you to re-enter
Paris again with

Madame

Then,

de Lignolle.

without rendering to myself a faithful account

of

my

sentiments, I only discovered, amidst a

crowd

of

jarring

strangely mistaken
store
see

ideas,

when

had

been

Sophia to you, and with tranquillity

you lavish your

made

that

I had promised to re-

caresses

upon

sensible, that a female,

her.

to

I was

though she

may

have given a courageous example of self-abnegation,

should not flatter herself of attaining

the more heroical effort of entire devotedness.

I ascertained, that a lover, though capable of

renouncing her own happiness, could yet be unprovided with sufficient fortitude to suffer another to be happy.

I found

it

out, felt indig-

nant at the discovery, and shuddered at it. But

at last, without presuming to form, for times to
come, any decided project, I adopted at

least to

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
retard

for

present

tlie

361

whereof alone occasioned my

I despatched immediately

idea

the

re-union,

secret despair.

Compiegne

from

Despres

Fromonville to apprise M. du

to

Portail of your arrival, and to throw

more obwould

stacles in your way, in case the Countess

allow you to go in search of your wife.

Faublas! I see you turn pale and tremble.

whom

Oh, you,

I have loved too

much! do not

Oh, you, the author of all my errors,

refuse not to view them with pity and indulToo happy, believe me, is the woman
gence!
of feeling, to whom propitious love has comhate

me

manded proceedings

not very blameable,

who

never was necessitated to betray an ungrateful

lover,

or to persecute rivals, alas! and

whom

the first step towards the abyss did not hurl to

its

bottom.

If you could form an idea of what I suffered

at that inn at Montargis, especially at that
castle in Gatinois, at that fatal castle of the

Countess! Incomprehensible young

then, can

much

you unite

sensibility,

such barbarity
to you,

so

much

man! how

inconstancy to so

such exquisite mildness and

Your Sophia was no less dear

and yet you adored

Madame

de Li-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

362

gnolle! Yes, I

was an eye-witness, you already

adored her! Ingrate! in the delirium of your

fever, you pronounced the name of Eleanor as

Cruel youth! in your

often as you did mine.

you would make me the

confidant of all the love, the burning love you
It was not enough for me to
felt for her!
intervals of rationality,

tremble for the

life of

my

lover, to see

a house I abhorred, to witness another

him

in

woman

bestowing upon him those attentions I wished

were committed to my only charge, I was moreover to hear from the

but

let

Who

aside.

was not

to

reserved

to

mouth of unfaithful man

those dreadful recollections be laid

me

could have told

die through grief, because I

undergo numberless other

equally unsupportable, because

of

my

then that I

all the

was

trials,

horrors

destiny were indispensably to be

ac-

complished.

Faublas,

my

pocket book

is

the fatal letter that occasioned

execution of

my

there; look for

me

to hasten the

most dreadful determinations.

Take away your father-in-law's letter, take it

away; I know it by heart, and have no further
What a letter! Good gods!
occasion for it.

How

am

treated in it!

how many crimes

are

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

363

there attributed to me, the idea whereof had

my

never come into

head

What

a dreadful

hereafter was I threatened with, that as yet I

had not merited

the deep sentiment of an act

of injustice irritates a proud mind, and will

prompt

too frequently

it

commit

to

the

most

I have had the mis-

unpardonable enormities.

fortune of experiencing the truth of that

sertion:

Mademoiselle

de

Pontis

sharing

as-

universal lover and public contempt with the

Marchioness de

know but very

B whom
,

little

Ah

of that

du Portail, you
Marchioness de

your fury thus accuses! she never

was
him
It was not to dispute him to
at Luxembourg!
Sophia that she subsequently permitted him to
go and join her! Your hatred, notwithstanding,
was

affectionate nor generous

by

half.

It

not to share Faublas that she went to seek

is

the reward of the sacrifices which she has

al-

ready made, and as a recompense for her painful daily struggles,

you promise

her, in addi-

tion to public contempt, unavoidable misfortunes.

I well

both detested

knew

me

that
that

you and your daughter

severely condemn

men

from appearances, and never

recall their judg-

ments; that destiny, as inflexible as men, never

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

364
revoked

its

and that a great reverse was

decrees,

too often the pledge of a gTeater reverse

I know

it.

common

But you yourself

still;

protest that

your

no end.

Well

persecutions will have

then, since I cannot be guarded against them, I

will justify

them

Du

Portail, I

am weary

imposing upon myself privations, without

ting indemnified

am

since I have nothing

least

more

to lose,

reap some benefit from

to

which you rejoice

return to abridge

left,

I wish at

my

disgrace,

wish that love should

at: I

my

my-

tired of sacrificing

Since I have no hopes

self for ingrates.

of

get-

existence, the termination

You

will see

what the

Marchioness, though surrounded by

enemies,

whereof you
can
a

still

woman

call for.

undertake

you will

see whether I

am

despair, I took

my

to share a lover!

Thus, Faublas, thus in

my

oath that Sophia would not be restored to you,

and that Madame de Lignolle, in her turn,

would be made acquainted with the tortures
that I had endured so long.
Compelled
theless

found

to let
it

you re-enter Paris, I never-

necessary to have you leave

as soon as possible, lest

my new

some

it

event, inimical to

designs, should tend to

make you

dis-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

3G5

cover that your father-in-law was returned to

seek an asjhim in the metropolis.

Sophia

1 beg, exclaimed

^^^lat!

Madame

de

my

you will not interrupt me; the burning fever

which supports me may leave me on a sudden,
and I then would not retain

Do

be able to speak.

to

sufficient

powers

me;
from me your

not interrupt

strive above all things to conceal

cruel joy; compassionate the situation I

M. du

Listen to me, continued she:

am

in.

Portail

was hurrying away from Fromonville with your

wife and two female strangers unknown to me.
Despres commissioned one of
at Puy-la-Lande,

and

to

my

agents to stop

manage matters

so that

you could not procure horses; Despres continued in pursuit of your father-in-law, who,
leaving the two strangers at some distance from
Montargis, proceeded on the same road, got out
of his carriage with

his

daughter,

and

then,

across by-roads, took post-horses again at Dor-

mans, and returned

He was
law

is

to

Paris through Meaux.

Your

father-in-

certainly in the capital, but I

know not

lost sight

of at Bondy.

by what means he has found the impenetrable

retical wherein, for upwards of two months, he
has escaped

all

my

researches.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

366

through mere chance, you

ISTevertheless,
might have unexpectedly discovered what I
sought to no purpose; I therefore thought it
expedient to procure a situation for you, which

would

your leaving Paris,

necessitate

inhabit

distant province,

where I

to

go and

flattered

myself I would soon render your exile agreeable; I

had you appointed

to a

company

in the

regiment of

Madame
tween

the

de Fonrose, unhappily placed be-

Countess

doubly oppose

my

her rupture with

and

designs.

Madame

the

Baron,

might

I easily brought on
de Lignolle,

and

found means to persuade M. de Belcour to give

up

his

unworthy

mistress.

I continued to harbour just projects against

my

most cruel persecutor; I entertained still,

hopes of obliging him within a few days to

fight

me

again; and

if,

as in the first instance,

I did not strike a decisive blow, if Rosambert

escaped with his life, I expected I might at

from him an avowal of his impostures, thus recover your esteem, and resume
some value in mine own eyes. However, as
your friend most assuredly would not pardon
for the excesses of which he
Madame de B
least force

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
had been guilty towards
pensable to

me

and

adviser,

her,

at first to

to try to

it

367

appeared indis-

remove the perfidious

put an end to the jokes

hymen

with which he imceasingly outraged

in

and some husbands in particular; I

had Mademoiselle de Mesanges betrothed to

general,

him, and an order to join his regiment.

had another

namely,

left,

de

my

rival.

whom

Lignolle,

you had not made

La Fleur, whom I had bribed,

would have loved much,

her

formidable enemy

infinitely

Madame

if

the traitor la Fleur, would daily

make

such reports as continually increased

to

me

my

in-

became pressing to raise between

the Countess and you obstacles insurmountable
quietude.

It

for ever;

I induced the Captain to come to

Paris; and he hastened to Versailles to

lettre

Madame

wherefore

Whence comes

me

accuse

you

my

morrow

agitation

lively

Do you

of having been cruel to Eleanor?

you judge me

me

the Captain

and

this

sudden paleness

this

friend, if

will judge

Brest,

de Lignolle was going to be arrested.

Paublas,

Wait,

solicit

de cachet, which was readily obtained

to

with too

was

precipitately,

much

rigour, to-

to be ordered

re-embark there;

the

back to

Countess

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

368

was

to be deprived of her liberty for a

few days

only; soon after she would have been assigned

as a prison, the estate which her aunt possesses

in

Franche-Comte.

the

^Nothing,

protest,

would have been neglected to protect that unhappy child against the resentment of her relatives and those of her husband.
But after the
rumours which her detention would have set
afloat, you never could have seen her again,
and I besides had kept in reserve several means
of preventing any further connection between
you.

you were going to !N'ancy, in the vicinity of which place you and I were to meet
again it was in Lorraine that I was to recover
my lover, and to see more days of happiness.
Lastly,

How many

vain projects

man! when I was

to you, death

Ah

come

The

open

to

strike

his

to

receive

me

me

fatal

my

of

life

sword of

my

victim,

own within your very

It is all over then!

arms.

unfortunate wo-

in hopes of devoting

awaited me!

the Marquis, after depriving

is

there I

I see

my

grave

must descend at

six-and-twenty

Fatal consequence of a passion too tardily

opposed!

may my example

serve as a

warning

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

crowd of unfortunate females threatened

to the

with a similar end!

May

useless

my

weaknesses, of

first

resistance,

deplorable end.

but which had

my

my

love never procured

it,

amongst the great

Let them

number, save some!

my

3^9

all

be told of

first reverses,

culpable

of

projects,

my
and

Let them be informed that

me

been

one moment's

preceded

by

felicity,

lively

in-

quietudes, accompanied with the greatest dan-

and followed by most irreparable misLet them know as much, and may

gers,

fortunes.

they, filled with salutary terror, stop, if possible,

on the brink of the precipice

into

which I have

sunk.

And

in order that they

preme power of

the love

my

rank,

may

conceive the su-

which allured me, you,

Faublas, who perhaps, will have wondered at
me, even in my last moments, you, my ever
idolised lover, tell them that my good name,
riches,

my

my

yond redemption, did not

beauty forfeited becost

that our eternal separation

of

my

despair;

tell

me

a regret, but

was the only cause

them, nevertheless, that be-

happy in
my own;
once more to

fore I left you, I found myself too

saving your dearer life at the cost of

too

happy for being

able, at least,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

370

be yours, and in a last embrace to calm partly

consumed it, of that

which was to be quenched only

the ardour of the fire that

devouring

fire

with

She did not finish, a sudden and extreme

weakness prevented her.
The physician came running in, alarmed by

my

me

cries; he requested

withdraw,

to

if

did not wish, repeated he several times, to ac-

moment.

celerate the fatal

On my
claimed:

return,

You have

How

she dead?
worse.

ISTo,

thought of

it

Madame

my

so?

de

Lignolle

stopped a long while!

dear.

To

at first!

No?

be

sure!

ex-

Is

much

the

I had

not

so

her husband killed her,

because he surprised you in the act of infidelity

me

to

I was at great pains to pacify the Countess.

At

last,

however, her heart re-opened to com-

passion in behalf of the unfortunate

de

and the

critical

predicament in which

she stood herself, calling for

we consulted
ing

the

Madame

all

her attention,

means of preventwith which we were

together on the

misfortunes

threatened.

We

were allowed another happy night, dur-

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

mj

which

ing

Eleanor,

371
manifesting

whilst

proofs of unlimited affection, ceased not speak-

ing of her elopement, which had become indispensable.

It

was agreed upon, that

course of the following daj,

every necessary preparation, so that

be ready to

Madame

the

in

should

make

we might

set off at night.

de Lignolle, with unbounded con-

was far from her

fidence, already fancied she

native country; whereas

I,

my mind

with grief, and

my

heart oppressed
agitated

still

with

secret irresolutions, trembled at the prospect of

doubtful days, and scarcely dared to think of

two certain present circumstances.

the

Madame

de

on your death-bed!
sister

to

oh,

my

Oh,

I could see you continually

Sophia

Oh,
I

my

father!

made

oh,

my

useless efforts

remove the recollection of you that oppressed

me!
It

was now day-break.

sinister

shocking sight, a

When

omen awaited me.

I entered the

room of the Marchioness, her eyes were wandering, and, in broken accents, she would say:
Yes this is my grave but that other, whom is

it

intended for

Where

is

Faublas

several times, while looking at

cried she

me: Where

is

!!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

372

Faublas

rim

him

tell

that

tend to assassinate him

and

Captain

the

proaches

he

enemies
the

Captain!

the

drags

my

that

poor

ah,

he

little

in-

Marquis
ap-

women

Come, then, Faublas! quick! what are you doing ? who detains you ? come to her assist-

ance

It is too late

it is all

over

ye gods

was for her they were digging

mine
Madame de B , violently agitated, was
strong enough to be seated in her bed, but as her
attendants came running to oblige her to take

great gods!

it

that grave by the side of

another position, she

hear her

still

which redoubled

backward.

fell

I could

mutter some incoherent sentences,

my

apprehensions and grief.

terrible fever! said the physician, a con-

tinual delirium! in this situation she has spent

the whole night!

it is

Sir, I

must not

flatter

you,

impossible she can resist long.

I went to Rosambert's;

he

began

to

give

some hopes; nevertheless, the surgeons could

not yet presume to answer for his perfect recovery. I was not permitted to speak to him.
It is true, then, that everything fails

once J that no support

is left

me,

at a

me

at

moment

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
when I stand

my

sake

in need of the assistance of every-

It is true, then, that I

body.

father,

and

the place in which I

am

to leave,

know

It must be
breathes.
both my Eleanor and

man

373

so,

going to for-

perhaps forever,

that

my

Sophia now

unless I wish to lose

my

Unfortunate

child.

I must.

I went

all

over Paris to procure a

number

articles necessary for the elopement of

de Lignolle

yet I

know

sentiment warned

me

for

not what dolorous pre

that

she

was going on

Whilst I was preparing

too long a journey.

everything

of

Madame

our

common

departure,

it

me

as if I was tormented by a painwhich was ere long to be at an end,

secret voice cried out to me, that my awak-

seemed

to

ful dream,

but a

ening would be dreadful.

When I returned to the

Madame d'Armincour was

my

hotel, I

father's apartment; she asked

had done with her

niece.

found that

waiting for

me

me what

in

Eleanor and I had

foreseen the visit and the questions of the Mar-

we had agreed upon the answers I

return
Your niece, madam, is gone

chioness;

was

to

under the care of a friend, whose courage and

It is in Switzerland
fidelity are known to me.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

374

she has sought an asylum

that country, because

she has preferred

not far distant from

it is

your Franche-Comte.
She

saved

is

embracing me:

She
you
low her
!

how much

am

gone to Switzerland

is

exclaimed the Marchioness,

ah,

My

dear niece

fol-

how have you man-

aged to tear her from her enemies

has seen you appear at the hotel
seen her go out; and yet

obliged to

I shall

it

No

one

no one has

was not

a quarter

of an hour since I had been speaking to her in

her room, when they came to arrest her.

saved

but alas

thousand perils

She

still

is

sur-

round her!

Admitting that she can escape her

persecutors,

what will become of her, far from

her native country, far from her relations, and,

must I say

it,

with idolatry

far from

him whom

Ah, young man

my

you have plunged

she loves

young man

child into an abyss of

miseries

At

me

these words,

Madame d'Armincour

with tears in her eyes.

I hastened to the
Lignolle,

who was

servant's room.
is

left

to

My

ready, nothing

attic, to

remain

join

all

Madame

day long in

do

my

dear Eleanor, everything

more appears

to

impede our

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

375

keep yourself prepared for twelve at

flight;

night precisely.

Keep

yourself prepared

re-

At any time, and in every place,

but to-day especially, and in this room, what
have I to do else but to wait for you with an
impatience, of which you have no idea ? Keep
peated she.

Faublas, wherefore do

yourself in readiness!

you address me without thinking of what you

Wherefore that air, for ever preare saying?
occupied ? Wherefore that sad countenance,
when the happy moment approaches which is
never again to be separated

to re-unite us,

When
have

it

it

certain that,

is

we

henceforth,

shall

in our power to live and die together

been
Madame d'Armincour has
My
I know I saw her from window.
The Marchioness going immediately
just

love,

here.

it

this

to

is

Switzerland; she thinks of arriving there only

after her niece; she will be there a few hours

Your aunt

before us.

and

is a

a letter?

the

father

M. de

Undoubtedly;
what

sister will not!

Belcour.

my

Leave a letter for

will be there

Baron

is

waiting for

I was thinking of
letter?

me

My

I cannot dispense

appearing at the table; I shall leave

as possible,

and

it

Eleanor,

shall return to try

it

as soon

and eat a

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

376

with you.

bit of dinner

make

am

haste back.

my

easy in

when you

Well, go Faublas, and

So long as I can see jou, I

mind; I die with inquietude

are not by me.

She kissed me, and I went down.

M. de Belcour saw me
food; he heard

refuse

me answer him

kind of

all

only by mono-

and watered with his

tears the hand which he had just been holding
out to me: You have not left your father and
syllables; he withdrew,

your

me

sister to follow

your father and your

at last;

ward you

your mistress, said he to

for

it

sister will re-

they will lavish upon you,

in your misfortune, the most tender consola-

and your afflictions then, being shared,

My son, it was from
will not overwhelm you.
you that I heard that on the day before yesterday, M. de Eosambert had fallen by the sword
tion,

of

M. de

informed

B
me

but

it is

public

rumour

that has

since, in another rencounter, the

Marquis had exercised upon

more dreadful vengeance.

a dearer

Sooner or

enemy a
later,

my

son, all the objects of our illegitimate affections

away from us by some

expect a lasting felicyou
accident; but cannot

must
ity,

perish, or be torn

you, to

whom

heaven,

till

such time as

it

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
will

restore

377

you the adorable wife who

to

idolises you, has left

good relatives who cherish

you.

The Baron was still speaking, when a letter

was brought to him: God of Mercy! exclaimed
he, after

sion on

reading

him!

you already have compas-

it,

here,

my

friend, here, read your-

self.

" At length the Marchioness has received the

to her crimes; and the unfortunate Countess is henceforward lost for your

punishment due

eon,

who

am

very willing to believe

it,

is

now

more unhappy than he has ever been reprehensible, the lessons of adversity must have cor-

him

rected

forever.

Tell

him,

that

in

the

course of two hours I will bring his wife back

to him,

and that

if

he

is

entirely deserving of

meeting her again, the day on which my children are re-united, will ever be reckoned the
happiest day of

my

existence.

"

My

movement was a transport of joy;

what an unexpected happiBut a moment of reflection made me

first

what a happiness
ness!

Le Comte Lovinski."

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

378

sensible of the embarrassments

my new
is

the matter

What

and dangers of

you, brother

ails

Whence extreme
which I
you, my son? what
peace of mind Can you ask me,
thousand
dying!
de B
ing,

the

sister.

see

Madame

what disturbs

Noth-

disturbs your
sir

Madame
sur-

still

de Lignolle, and you ask

my

peace

You know

I certainly adore

moment

wife! but in what

me ?

agitation in

perils

is

round

What

Great God! but

situation.

is

me

my

she restored to

my

but the least part of

in-

you are a stranger to one-half of the

sorrow that weighs on my heart! I stand in
need of complete tranquillity, I request of you,
as a particular favour, sir, and I beg of you too,
quietudes

my

my

quite

reveries; leave

alone

till

the

Whither are you running,

min to call him

I am going down

me

me to indulge at
me by myself, leave

dear Adelaide, permit

liberty

me

no, to

into the

there, I beseech

arrival

of Sophia.

To Jasnot
follow
garden

my friend
my room

at all!

don't

you

Sophia returns in two hours, and I set

to-night with

Madame

de Lignolle! I go,

off

when

arms of my wife, love is preparing for me the reward ungrateful lover of

at length in the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
Eleanor
behalf

what

of

379

form in

desire do I dare to

Sophia

Ah I
!

know which

women I prefer;
me bj which I am the most

of

who

those two charming

but

will tell

beloved

On

this day,

however, to secure the happiness

of the one, I must cause the despair of the

other.

Cause

rather

Madame

the

despair

Sophia!

of

may

de Lignolle perish a hundred

times

May she perish my Eleanor my

and my child! O the most barbarous
!

Eleanor
of men,

what have you been saying?

Unless I can carry away

Madame

gnolle, she is ruined; persecuted

de Li-

by the family

of her husband, degraded in the opinion of her

own, threatened with eternal confinement, she

has no friends left in the world but him for

whom her love

me rest all her

has sacrificed everything.

hopes;

if

In

I betray them, the

Countess will find her greatest enemy in her

own heart: how will she be able to defend herself against

her persecutors

How, above

all

things, will she escape the violence of her pas-

sion?

Sophia has hitherto resisted absence, because

our separation was not to be imputed to me;

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

380

but when, on the verj day of her return, I shall

run away with

a rival,

my

forsaken wife

I desert Sophia, her grief will

Unhappy man

I to do

I^oth-

by a prompt death to get rid of

ing, except

my

What am

if

kill her.

perplexities

N^othing

all

except to end by a

If I immolate myself,

crime, a life already

neither of the two will survive me.

Unhappy man!
the law
objects

it

hear your destiny; to live

imposes upon you

almost

equally

dear

is

between two

also,

and

sacred,

to

choose a victim.

my errors Remorse
and wherefore ? you have given me
the most loving heart, and the most ardent
senses; you have willed that I should meet at
the same time with several women, formed purposely to please the eye, and to charm the soul;
I have adored them all at the same time
adored them still less than they deserved! I
have done no more
If ever I was blameable,
Such

the fruit of

is

Great God

the fault

punished,

is

is

yours.

If I

am now

too cruelly

the fault to be imputed entirely

to that other unfortunate creature

have not cured of her fatal love?

whom you

O Madame

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

de

381

what miseries you have accumulated

upon me
If I do not carry away

be ruined;

my

Sophia,

Eleanor, she will

I forsake her, will

What man,

die through grief.

my

my

if

situation, after the

if

he were in

most violent struggles,

could have firmness suiEcient, or rather be bar-

barous enough, to be able to

If at

mination?

me

my

upon

a deter-

least anyone deigned to help

father

am

me

Let

with succouring advice.

consult

fix

not in

go and

my

proper

senses

What, are there no means of conciliating

Sir, interrupted my servant, who had approached

me

unperceived,

Madame, who

you from yonder window, wonders

leaving her by herself in my room,
alone in this garden.

home!

Madame?

sees

at

your

to

walk

am

not at

I don't wish to see anybody; no more

My dear master, Manot Madame,

Comtesse. Oh!
dame
Well, what does my Eleanor want?
then!
Tell her that
would not forsake
you
That
you
she
But

what I am thinking
show
Be me
her
go up
I
the way. Show me the way! repeated
'tis

females especially!

it

la

is

her.

is

to

desires

of.

to

directly.

it

so

he,


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

382

thought you knew

am

sorry I
in!

to see

These

are

it

O mj

dear master

how

you in the situation you are

but roses!

still

It
!

What do you mean,

you

finish

Yes,

that

mention
are

it

my

don't

remember what I was sayYou will soon hear it rumoured!

ing to you

sir?

be

can't

What?Why

hark,
come
helped, Jasmin, my hour
friend, you will soon hear it rumoured
is

I don't

my

wife

is

returned; but don't

to the Countess.

Take

care: here

M. de Belcour and Mademoiselle Adelaide

coming.

Return

to

Madame

de Lignolle,

shall follow you.

I went to meet
you, suffer
let

me

me

indulge

my

father

oh

I request of

meditate and weep,

at liberty to

my

grief alone.

I will not leave

me

again as soon as

the hotel, and you will see

Sophia makes her appearance.

My father and sister having
I was again absorbed in

my

left the garden,

deep reveries, from

which Jasmin came a second time to rouse me.

So then I must send for you, said she. Do
you think, my dear, that your aunt is already

Wherefore do you ask question

Madame d'Armincour
I was thinking
could have taken you away. Taken me away!
gone

that

that

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
with you?

With

me?

383

perhaps she would not

have been so condescending.

And what

then?

What then? I would have gone join you.

So we would not have gone together?My
were become impossible Who
to

dear,

if

it

could prevent

an hour ago you were

ISTot

it ?

An hour ago I did not

me yourself
guessed ? What ?
have
could
I
how
know
telling

Nothing,

my

Eleanor, I speak at random

shall quit Paris at

midnight precisely.

my tears and as
my weeping, I

I could not withhold

asked

me

we

what occasioned

peated that truly cruel question

already gone

she
re-

Do you think
What does

that your aunt

is

my

me in the present occasion,

Was it that I should go with

aunt signify to

exclaimed she.

Madame d'Armincour

my

that

fortune and character

have sacrificed

Was

that I have exposed myself to

Yet,

miseries?

ment draws

sir,

tions to redouble.

who

de

It is not

sorts

the decisive

of

mo-

irresolu-

your father alone

them it is not the death of

that makes you shed tears

gives rise to

Madame

for her sake

all

more
more I see your

the

near, the

it

you shudder at the idea of burying

yourself in a solitude where Sophia could not
Ingrate

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

384
penetrate

^Where Sophia could not penetrate

Remember,

sir,

flight before it

that

self satisfied, that it is not

situation that compels

country.

foreign

had projected

my

became necessary; make your-

me
If,

my

present hopeless

an asylum in

to seek

therefore,

you

are

prompted by no other motive to come along

with me, but that of securing me against the
resentment of my family, you may stay where

you

I declare to you that I have kept in

are.

reserve against

my

Divers resources!

enemies divers resources.

have; do not reduce me,

If
however, to the necessity of using them.
you have already ceased loving the mother,

compassionate the child; reduce

me

not to the

necessity of using them, repeated she, falling

on her knees before me.

Too long

since have I

flattered myself, with the hope of consecrating

my

whole

for

me

you it would be too dreadful

end it now, while accusing you of

life to

to

barbarity.

These

last

words of

Madame

completely discomposed me.

whether

my

I could not

is,

tell

answers were calculated to remove

or to increase her inquietudes;

lect

de LignoUe,

all

I can recol-

that during the whole course of that

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

385

day, equally preoccupied as myself, she looked

The more evening was drawing

very sad.

more I

the

felt

my

secret struggles to increase

as

my

all

my

body, the same

mind, underwent the most violent agita-

my

room of
o'clock
what
met,

apartment
of

my

I was continually going from

tion.

near,

dolorous impatience and

looking at

to the

my

watch

it

my

father's

servant, enquiring

was, and repeatedly

sometimes I would find

that the hours went on very slow, sometimes I

accused them of being too

At

last,

fast.

towards dusk, a carriage entered the

yard of the hotel

excuse me,

my

Eleanor,

it is

a visit which I must receive, I shall be with

you

in a

moment.

visit!

exclaimed she.

heard no more, but flew into the passage where

Jasmin was waiting for orders. Be quick, go
in,

and do not suffer her

I ran

down

as quick as lightning.

in the hall the

O my

beloved

stantly promised this

if I

She flew into

happy day, I never could

me Oh
:

my

had not been con-

have borne the tortures of absence

in-law embraced

I found

most beauteous of women, im-

proved within seven months.

arms

room.

to quit the

that I

my

father-

had been per-

mitted sooner, said he to me, to make both her


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

386

Adelaide transported with

and you happy!
came to share with me the caresses of her
dear friend, and my father shed delicious tears,

joy,

as he pressed

We

M. du Portail to his bosom.

mounted into jVI. de Belcour's

altogether

I shall not attempt to describe the

apartment.

transports of Sophia, those of her lover, the un-

my

and of our
whole
hour elapsed like a minute. Alas you must
know that during a whole hour the unhappy
Madame de LignoUe was entirely forgotten.
It is no mistake! I hear somebody crying
Crying out Father
out, said the Baron.
Ah 'tis Jasmin who amuses himGreat God
speakable satisfaction of

happy

sister

fathers, all I can tell is that a

!

self in counterfeiting a female's voice.

you for a moment.

I found the Countess in a
anger so you are come at last

I shall

leave

prisoner

Your impertinent

fit
!

of dreadful

sir,

am

I your

valet has kept

me

While she was speaking. Jashere by force!

min on his side was saying: sir, she wished to
jump into the yard, and that is the reason
why I have fastened the window. You have
had plenty of time to receive your visit; re-

sumed Madame de LignoUe; I hope you

will


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

me

not leave

again.

Supper
you
My

besides

It is too early

to set off

you,

we

are

grant me

One day!

waiting for me.

is

When

387

shall not

sup to-day.

dearest, I beg of

one day longer, only one day.

man!

perfidious

She rushed towards the door, I stopped

Leave me, cried she, I insist upon going

Going out
wish

am

to be ruined.

your wife

out.

go down! I

will

speak to her! I wish to

to

her.

tell

How Perfidious
!

her that I

man

saw her getting out of her carriage. I knew

her again by her shape, by her head of hair. I

knew her to be the woman at Fromonville

Ah how miserable I am Ah how beautiful
slie is
and the cruel man demands of me one
!

day I
I
!

hotel.

shall

stop here
stop

shall

in

quietude, and jealousy

rival

not even one hour

continued

she

with

take

my

oath

in-

Hear me,

excessive

More than my
I
Save me

mence: do you love me?

I

last night

I shall stop here, while in the arms of a

One day

Faublas,

life,

in-

whilst he will occupy

with her the apartment where

grate

a garret of his

devoured with ennui,

do.

vehe-

very
then.

Take notice, you have not a moment to lose;

you have not two ways left of preserving me.


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

388

Let us depart immediately.

Yes,

it is

Immediately!

already dark, let us go down, get into

a hackney coach, reach the

first

inn beyond the

turnpike: Jasmin will bring us our postchaise

My Eleanor Say yes

My Eleanor. Yes or no! resumed
present moment
Consider
man,
Impossible!
or no.

there

I was going to kneel before her, but she drew

she.

back.

that in the

impossible.

it

see,

remember, that

you who

is

it

is

perfidious

will have

mur-

dered me.

She held concealed in her right hand a pair

of short scissors with which she stabbed herNotwithstanding I had stopped her arm

self.

rather late, the violence of the blow was

much

diminished, yet the blood ran in great abun-

and the Countess fainted away.

dance,

God

plete

gracious heaven

my

fetch

the

that

was wanted

Run.

surgeon.

through the garden back door.

me

the dearest half of

Till

to

com-

Go, Jasmin, go then and

miseries.
best

Mj

is

Bring

him

my

man,

Run,

in danger.

such time as he could return, I paid

every attention to
a joy succeeded

Madame

my

de Lignolle.

What

mortal apprehensions, when

I discovered that by stopping the Countess's

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

389

arm, I had most luckily averted the hlow

the

double pointed weapon, instead of entering her

breast,

had slipped on the surface, where I

could see only one single wound.

could not bind

less

it

I neverthe-

without mingling

my

tears with the blood that continued to flow.

had just done, when the Baron

Faublas, are you not coming

down ?

called out:

Presently,

father.

How

could I leave

my

Eleanor,

who had not

yet recovered the use of her senses

mained

re-

by the side of her and called her a hun-

dred times, but to no purpose.

some
Baron in a tone of the
greatest impatience, came calling out a second
In a motime: Are you not coming down!
ment, father, in a moment.

At

length, however, she began to give

signs of

life,

when

the

Judge of

my

alarms,

when

I heard

M. de

Belcour, instead of re-entering his apartment,

coming up into Jasmin's room.

What can

he

be doing continually, cried he, in his servant's

room ever since dinner-time ? I had only time
to seize the fatal scissors, to pull the door after

me, and

to go

and meet the Baron.

In order

to plead a likely excuse, I hastened to represent

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

390
to

him

that notwithstanding Sophia's return, I

sometimes wanted

We

to be alone.

returned into the drawing-room.

been weeping! said

mj

in a low tone of voice

Madame

de

He

has

She then added

wife.

It is the recollection of

that cost you those tears.

forgive you; her end has been so truly awful!

O my

beloved, I will endeavour to restore to

you all that you have lost, and I will love you
80 much, that henceforth you will not have it in
your power to love any other.
My father, M. du Portail, and my sister
joined Sophia to lavish upon me their cruel
consolations I wished to avoid them, I wanted
;

to go out, but they

suffered
ceived,

all

detained me.

upon the occasion

their tender anxiety

is

What

not to be con-

was troublesome,

even Sophia's caresses were insupportable to

However, another quarter of an hour having elapsed, in the most violent struggles, in-

me.

quietude got the better of every other consideration; I rushed to the door vociferating: Leave

me! I wish

to be alone.

I went upstairs, and found in the passage on

the attic, a surgeon and

waiting for me.

my

servant,

who were

I applied the key to the lock.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
but the door flew open of
this

I had locked

it

itself.

That may

Jasmin, but the lock did not hold

Madame

tered the room,

longer there.

have hurt

me

become of her

How

comes

be, retorted

fast.

We

would not

Great God! what

much.

Where can

she be gone

my

wife,

her father and

passed through the midst of them

my

off.

Where

is

my own
all

To

find her

and made

he thus running away from

exclaimed Sophia.

is

I rushed out, and met on the staircase

sister,

en-

de Lignolle was no

stab from a dagger

so
?

391

out,

to

me ?
save

her, or to perish with her.

Yes,

answered the Swiss; she has been

sir,

gone about ten minutes; I thought she was a

woman
Yes,

that
sir,

madame had brought with her.

a good lady who had just

answered

taken shelter under an archway in the place

Vendome

I have just spoken to her

the poor

was dreadfully agitated she refused taking a part of my umbrella. No, no, said she to
me; I want water, I am burning! I saw her

child

going

to the Tuilleries

Fenillans

the

poor

through the passage des

little

thing will be

wet

through.

What

in fact

must have redoubled

my

terror

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

392

was that no one could have ventured about the

streets in such bad weather; the heat had been
excessive during the whole day; the south wind
began

blow; thick clouds were gathering

to

round, dreadful flashes of lightning blazed in

the sky, while hail and rain poured in torrents.

My

soul

raged

was

with consternation

filled

elements

the en-

forerunners

viewed as

of

heavenly vengeance.
I reached the passage, and enquired of the
waiters at the coffee-house whether they had

woman?
had made towards

seen the wretched

she

that

there I ran

I was answered
the

drawbridge;

found an invalid on duty

walked twice round

this basin said he,

She has
and then

went up the great terrace. There again I ran,

and made enquiries of the Swiss, who referred

me

to the sentry of the Port-royale.

At
and

moment

that

my

methinks

pen drops from

my

I hear

hand

it

At

still,

that

same moment the clock of the Theatins * struck

nine.

Sentinel

a female, young, pretty, dressed in

a white gown, with a handkerchief tied round

her head.

There
*

she

is,

answered he,

religious order so called.

coolly.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
The

man

cruel

393

extended his arm, and pointed

How
jumped
has
You
searching
to the river.

in;

just

there

it

after.

you not stop her

is

To

be sure, she

whom

her

miscreant

they are

Why

did

and, without waiting for the

barbarian's reply, I plunged after the unfor-

tunate Countess.

At

first

I could scarcely resist the waves,

which opened, roared, and drove me

tance.

At length I

collected all

my

at a dis-

powers, and

through the bellowing stream, sought

dom

that which the

of.

On

boatmen were

ran-

at

also in search

a sudden, a loud clap of thunder

was

heard, and the heavenly fires struck the liquid

By

element.

showed

itself to

dived, seized

what

tremendous blaze, however,

their

I distinguished I

know not what, which only

disappear again; I immediately

by the

hair,

ject of eternal compassion

I turned
too

my

happy

cruel

This

is

my

beloved

fell close to her,

with the recollection of

my

men have

woman ?

my

troubles.

again; they enquire of

carry that

eyes aside, and

to lose,

existence, that of

The

and brought on shore

an object did I bring up! what an ob-

just called

me

me

to life

whither they are to

they ask

me

for her

name

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

391

and her direction ? What is that to you ? I

was answered, that she must be examined, that
it is

time, perhaps, to save her life,

still

save her life

The whole

of

my

not suffice to repay so great a service

Place Vendome.

But

no.

To

fortune would

What

Quick

a sight for

rue du Bac; the distance to rue du Bac

not

is

so great.

Madame

de Lignolle was carried into the

bed-room next to that in which

still

recovered the use of her senses.

groans, and

Madame

The Marchioness had

breathed.

knew

my

de

entirely

She heard my

voice again.

She sent

me

a message requesting I would go and speak to

her.

What

the occasion of all that bustle

is

asked she, in an almost extinct voice. I was

going to answer her, when I saw the Count de
Lignolle,

followed by two strangers, entering

the room: There he

ing at

me and

is,

cried he to them, point-

one of those gentlemen, drawing

up to me, said I arrest you by the king's command.

The Marchioness heard those words, and reanimated by the excess of her grief: Is it pos:

sible,

exclaimed she

yet closed, and

my

What

my

eyes are not

enemies already triumph!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
the ungrateful

M.

Ah

my

Faublas,

yours

395

me

already forgets

cle

ruin then will have caused

Yes, you barbarian

replied I, in a

fit

and the misfortune of which you

now complain is the least of all those which your
of despair

Madame

your rage,

first

de Lignolle

She

"What do I say?

ing?

perhaps

Ah

first

She

Gods

you must be
is

righteous

not

moment

vengeance

did

or,

heaven

crush you under the

interrupted

weight
!

dy-

already dead,

acquaintance with you

wherefore

from the

is

victim

now

is

wherefore did not I die on the

my

day of

rather,

upon me.

fatal passion has brought

to

satisfied

Unmerciful

me.
!

your most cruel

I descend into the

accomplished.

grave loaded with maledictions of Faublas

backward on her bed and expired.

room where
surrounded
was
by memLignolle
Madame de
bers of the faculty, one of them was saying:
Why strip her naked before everyone ? WhereShe

As

fore

There

fell

I was returning to the other

thus
is

violate

no resource

Thus, almost
several

decorum
;

at the

mortal blows,

senses a second time.

she

is

to

no

purpose

dead.

same moment struck with

I

lost

the

use

Then, indeed,

it

of

my

was an

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

396
act of great

Yes,

my

inhumanity

to call

me

to life again.

Sophia, if now, under pain of being

separated from you by a speedy death,

if

I were

to have a relapse, and merely for an hour to

suffer what I have endured for several weeks;
if

I were so reduced,

my

past tortures

O my

Sophia! judge of

I would rather leave you and

die.

BAEON DE FAUBLAS TO COUNT LOVINSKI.

3^ May, 1785.
I

am

delighted,

my

friend, to hear that your

king, just in his clemency, has called you back

your native country, and has been pleased

your confiscated property, to re-inyour former offices, besides grantin
state you
ing you his royal protection. Yet in what mo-

into

to restore

ment did you leave me I must have been carried away by my excessive grief if your daughter and mine had not been by me.
I have already informed you that they had
detained him for ten days in the castle of Vin!

cennes; that, on account of

my

particular re-

to a house at Picpus,

was removed
where lunatics are treated. At last, however,
mercy has been shown to the most unhappy of
quest, he

fathers; I have been allowed to take

my

child

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
to

my own

house.

Great God

him.

him

in

am

what

307

just returned with

a situation did I find

Almost naked, loaded with chains,

body bruised,

hands

his

blood, his looks fiery,

his

torn, his face all over

was not

it

cries that he

uttered, but bellowings, dreadful bellowings.

He knew
is

complete

my AdeHis derangement
The most horrid

neither his father, nor

your Sophia.

laide, nor even

;

shocking.

is

it

images constantly stand before his eyes;

he

speaks of nothing but of tombs and assassins.

Such

is

From

the result of

one moment

my

guilty weakness.

another I expect, from

to

London, a physician famous for the treatment

of those diseases.

my

cure

son,

him come,

if

then, let

me, and accept of

My

am

no one will
Doctor Willis does not. Let
I

him

all

told that

restore

am

my

Faublas to

worth.

no longer be chained.
I have had a room matted all round, where six
men are to attend, day and night. Six men,
son, at least, will

I have seen

perhaps, will not be sufficient.

just

now

as if

it

in a

had been a

that contained

drag,

fit

him

of rage, break with his teeth,

his

frail glass, the silver dish

dinner

from one corner of

the

have seen him

room

to the other,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

398

his wondering keepers.

should

with

last

my

It

If this horrible frenzy

some days longer,

son,

will be all over

it

and with me.

was only the day before yesterday, that

sisters returned from Briare, and

your amiable

my

took, in

hotel,

Their niece

their niece.

you of her grief ?

my

Adieu,

make

an apartment

it is

close to that of

what

shall I say to

equal to mine.

friend! finish your business, and

haste to return.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

4:th

Dr. Wills arrived

whole

forenoon

May, 1785, midnight.

last night

near

his

he has spent the

with

the

me know

that

patient,

keepers.

At two

my

o'clock,

he came to

let

son was going to be bled; but that, subse-

quently, to

ment,

it

make him undergo

was

his first experi-

requisite he should be chained.

The unfortunate youth was

with irons; and from
of which the event proved

therefore

loaded

an excess of precaution,

doctor insisted

room,

at

upon

all

the wisdom, the

the keepers staying in the

some distance from him.

Every preparation being completed

at

six

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
o'clock,

Sophia was the

first

399

who

person

entered

the room.

He

looked at her attentively for some min-

word;

utes, without speaking a single

and

his looks

It is

you

me

My

near to

At

more mild.

I see you again

but,

by

countenance became more placid,

his

degrees,

You

too generous dear

length, he said:

are restored to

come nearer

come

me

Sophia transported with joy, was running to

him with open arms: Take care you don't,
cried the doctor; and my son immediately repeated: Take care you don't! Yes, beauteous

mamma,

quis only waits for the

blow!
piness!

The cruel Marmoment to strike the

take care you don't!

Here you

are,

however!

What

I thought you were dead!

wound was

a hap-

The deep

in the left breast, close to the heart

Adelaide then, quite trembling, came to join

her dear friend; they mutually supported each
other.

Here you

arc,

my

little

in a mild tone of voice.

dear; exclaimed he

You

are

come

to see

Speak, Justine,
with your mistress!
appear so sad ?
you
do
wherefore
speak to me
in such good
seen
you, whom I have always

me

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

400

But

spirits?

de Brumont! Yes,
frighten

Willis

I believe
it

is

Mademoiselle

it is

a shade that comes to

me!
immediately said

mj

to

daughter:

Retire.

The

attentive patient repeated:

retire

and

you

Undoubtedly

Madame

likewise,

la

Mar-

The fatal hour is drawing near. The

Baroness knows that you are here; your cruel
quis.

I have
youmy

husband.

he

But

moment! begin by
Restore

Eleanor.

assassi-

to pieces

restoring

her to me,

wretch! Restore her to me;

you

might

too generous friend, withdraw.

nate

my

no arms

if not,

me

perfidious

I will tear

with mine own hands!

I made my appearance
he saw me, he
moment
The
very
too soon.
cried out, in a dreadful voice: The Captain!
You are come this distance to tear away your

Sophia ran away.

sister

At

from me,

to cut her throat! wait!

these words, he took so violent a spring,

that he broke his chain.

mediately escaped, and

If I had not im-

if his

keepers had not

prevented his pursuing me, the unhappy youth

would have

killed his father.

Sophia, Adelaide, and myself, listened from

!!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

401

room adjoining. He seemed to have resumed some tranquillity but towards the close
the

of the day he displayed signs of a violent agi-

which increased in proportion as the

night became darker.
tation,

At

which made us

in a tone of voice

last,

shudder with fear and horror, he distinctly

spoke the following words
loose

the sky

is

on

fire

what

a clap of thunder!

she

there

is

As he wished
vented him

to

The wind

nine o'clock

rush out, his keepers pre-

Wherefore

stop

me

you wish the mother and child

likewise,

prevent
death

my

my

broke

the waters bellow

her re-appear above the waves

you

is

Don't you see

Barbarians

to perish

father, sister, Sophia,

assisting her

And

you too

You command

everybody coalesces against her

I shall save her, in spite of you

her
well,

all

Seven men scarcely sufficed to hold him he

them during a whole quarter of
;

struggled with

an hour; and the burning fever which occasioned those prodigious powers having subsided
on a sudden, he

may

fell,

easily perceive

horrid dreams.

Oh,

nearly motionless.
that he

my

One

was plagued by

son!

my

dear son!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

402

Severe gods, be just also

punished

is

he not too severely

I have just had a long conversation with the

doctor;

and

treatment he

am
is

infinitely

preparing for Faublas.

from the

the recovery of the patient

physician: on that rest

my

with the

satisfied

all

Expect

skill

our hopes.

of the

Adieu,

friend.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

May, 1785, six in the

Qth

Bourget, at

evening.

Dugny, a village near le

three leagues from Paris, a house

I have found

at

which has appeared

to

purpose of the doctor.

me
It

well suited to the

is

surrounded by a

large English garden, across which runs a wide

though not deep and generally peaceableits banks are planted poplars, weeping wil-

river,

On

lows,

and cypress

gret,

everything at

trees.
first

In that abode of
sight

re-

seems to recall

sad recollections; yet the beauty of the place,

its

tranquil

aspect,

and the purer

air

one

breathes there, must speedily remove violent

and dispose the soul to tender melancholy: there it is that we came to settle this

passions,

morning.

Towards the evening,

at sunset, as usual,

my

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

403

son imagined he could see the dreadful Btorm,

and that he heard the

fatal clock to strike.

usual, he repeated those dreadful words:

o'clock

She

Already in a

fit

of

man imputed to
woman whom we pre-

unfortunate young

the

rage,

there

is

As
Nine

us the death of that

vented him from assisting, when Sophia, con-

an adjacent room, pursuant to the

cealed in

doctor's prescription, cried out as loud as she

could

Wherefore stop him

be opened

He

Let him be

Let

the doors

all

set at liberty

immediately rushed out, ran down

as quick as lightning,

perceived

the

river,

were following him

stairs

and on a sudden, having

he jumped into
at

it.

We

some distance, and I

held myself in readiness to plunge likewise, in

case

we should be threatened with some new

He swam for about twenty min-

misfortune.
utes,

always keeping near the bridge, from the

top of which he had leaped

on

and

shore,

groaned

in.

At

bitterly.

last

he got

He

next

reached the darkest bower, continued silent for

a long time,

and then on a sudden exclaimed:

If you do not recover, here I shall dig a grave

for you.

He

attentive ear;

afterwards appeared to lend an

and

as if he only repeated

what

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

404

somebody would have ventured saying to him,

She is dead. Ah v^herefore apprise
me of it so bluntly ? He fainted away and
cried out

we

him back

carried

Adieu,

When

my

you come

will

our troubles
P.S.

When

will

you return?

to assist us in supporting

I was going

Before I

into his room.

friend.

to forget a piece of news.

left Paris, I

was

told that

de Montdesir had just been taken to

tin;* such

is

the effect of

M. de

Madame
St.

B 's

Marjust

resentment.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

1th May, 1785, midnight.
There has been

less agitation in the

course

of the day; he was heard to speak so often of

the Marquis and of the captain; but this evening, at the fatal hour, the horrid idea returned.

Sophia then, as on the preceding day, cried

out: Wherefore stop

open!

let

him be

set

him?

let

every door be

at liberty!

preceding day, he jumped

As on

the

into the river; but

on his return in the bower, he found a block

of black marble which the doctor had brought
there.

At
*

first

he shuddered; by degrees

A house of confinement

for prostitutes.

we

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
saw him approach, trembling!

405

At

last,

by the

light of a lamp, fastened to the cypress tree, he

very distinctly read this inscription

lies

Madame

de

He

Lignolle."

"

Here

immediately

threw himself on the tomb, with his feet and

hands he struck the marble, and groaned for a

long while

but he did not faint away.

the block of marble several mattresses

placed,

upon which,

!N^ear

had been

after an hour's sufferings,

he extended himself, and

Blankets

fell asleep.

were then spread over him.

He

seemed not

to

be so agitated in his sleep as usual.

I have received two notes for him: the one
from the Vicomte de Lignolle, and the other
Ah when will my
from the Marquis de B
son have it in his power to answer his enemies ?

Adieu,

my

friend.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

9th May, 1785, /en in the morning.
Let us hope,

my

friend,

some happy

tion has already taken place.

at daybreak,

accord.

He

altera-

This morning,

he returned to his room of his

has slept

a few hours

own

in the day-

At sunset, ho saw no storm but with

symptoms of approaching agitation, said O
compassionate Divinity! will you then forget

time.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

406

me

this

daj

then to

mj

moment

the

assistance,

coming near, come

me from my

is

deliver

His wife immediately cried out: Let

him be set at liberty. He manifested some
signs of joy, went out without much precipitaenemies.

advanced towards the

tion,

but stopped

river,

on the bridge, casting a sad

look

upon the

water: So quiet and so cruel! did he say with

Alas

a deep sigh.

When

he entered the bower he shuddered

he

repeatedly, kissed the tomb several

and then we saw him get up and search

groaned
times

He

for something.

finally broke a

branch of

the cypress, and on the sand round the tomb

wrote the following words

Marchioness de

He
if

stopped

all

"

Here

lies also the.

."

night in the bower; and, as

he shunned light, re-entered his room at day-

break.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

IZth May, 1785.

Dr. Willis seems to have entirely succeeded

in

what was most pressing; for these

last six

days the dreadful vision has not returned.

derangement

is

still

The

complete, but the frenzy

has absolutely subsided; and

if

am

not to

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
flatter

my

myself with

reason, I

am

407

son ever recovering his

we

already certain

shall not

have

to lament his death.

The

Marquis and of the

Captain seldom torments him; and when he
recollection of the

speaks of them,
fury.

He

no

it is

no longer with the same

longer

threatens

the

doctor,

neither does he heat his keepers; he resumes

the natural meekness of his disposition.

memory

also begins to return, not only

His

on what-

ever relates to the Marchioness, but especially

The ungrateful young man

to the Countess.

never speaks of his father or of his sister;

sometimes, nevertheless, the

near escaping him.

I dare not believe
is

it

name

of Sophia

is

Does he know us again ?

and the doctor pretends it

make our appearance

unhappy patient.
Every evening, when he hears the voice of
not time yet for us to

before the

his wife, he goes to groan in the bower; but he

cannot weep

but, continually absorbed in pro-

found sadness, he

is

still

tender, soft melancholy.

far

from displaying

Yesterday evening

however, quitted the tomb several times

up and down

the adjacent walks.

to

he,

pace

"We have not

observed without lively sorrow that he always

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

408

preferred the darkest, that he took long strides,

and that whenever he heard

agitated with

strike,

would run

the parish clock

sudden shivering, he

bank of the

and look,
with extreme inquietude, whether anything apto the

river,

peared on the surface of the water.

The doctor, ever ready to indulge his patient,

when there is not too much danger, has had the
tomb of the Marchioness placed by the side of
that of the Countess.
I don't know the reason
why their unhappy lover has objected to see
the two monuments in the same bower.
He
has always covered with earth the marble block
placed last; and always written on the sand,
close

to

" Here

the

tomb of Madame de LignoUe:

lies also the

Marchioness de

B ."

I fear, I feel inquietude, I find time very

The doctor comforts me he tells me that

we must not be in too great a hurry, that he is
Be it so; but
going on as well as possible.
long.

your daughter and mine, the same

stand in need of
P.S.

wound

all

our fortitude.

M. de Rosambert
;

as myself,

will get cured of his

but at the death of

Madame

de

B^,

he must have been charged with grave accusations.

He

has

lost his situation at court,

and

it

'.^ic^^.^w^='ifv^:-*.y

He fell sejisehss

into her

arms, she supported him.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS

40S

preferred the darkest, that he took long

he heard the parish clock

id that w*
.^liike,

agita

would run to
with xtreme
t

^'

pea;

>

sudden shivering, he

'

the river, and look,

>f

ti

ir

whether anything ap-

'

:-*nr.
!c:r

when

his patient,
as

til

had the
-

of

'C

the

same bower,

fcfe

earth the marble block

,,

thp

.^,,,.

written on the sand,

tomb of Madame de LignoUe:

the Marchioness de

B ."

i lear, i leel inquietude^ I find time very

long. The doctor comforts me he tells me that
;

we must

not be in too great a hurry, that

going on as well

-e.

Be

it

Le

,^iiive

it...

tions.

ii>o

but

of his

;:

h(

so;

de B-:>
accusa-

t court,

and

Jt

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
rumoured

is

409

as certain, that the officers of his

him apprised that they

him no longer.
THE SAME TO THE SAME.
16th May, 1785, nine in the evening.

corps intended to have

will serve with

O my

friend

congratulate me, congratulate

yourself; your daughter, your adorable daughter has saved us

all.

This evening she exclaimed

at liberty

let

him be

set

She on a sudden makes her escape,

springs forward, reaches the bower sooner than

her husband, to prevent his entering

you in search of

are

out looking at her he answers

a tomb.

And your

tone, in a tone

What

it.

With-

says she to him.

am

looking for

daughter, in the most tender

most proper

to

move

the most

obdurate soul, your charming daughter replies;

Wherefore look for a tomb

Sophia

is

not dead.

the succouring voice

her

Sophia

Ye

my

beloved

then exclaims:

and

lifting his eyes

gods

My

Sophia

to

carry

running: No;

him away,

the

let

fell

him; we
came

love accomplish
;

is

doctor

love, fortunately rash, has

menced the cure; let

let it be assisted by nature

it

upon

He

senseless into her arms, she supported

offered

Your

He

us strike

com-

it,

all

and
our

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

410

blows at once at the young man, already so

powerfully
there

You, his father, stop

draw near let him, when
himself surrounded by all the

agitated.

let his sister

he awakes, find

objects dearest to his heart.

Faublas opened his

^my

he

you

are

My

eyes.

Sophia

cried

^my Adelaide! Ah! Whence

we
come where
I have had

father!
all

are

a dreadful dream, which methought lasted for

several centuries

Ah! Madame

de

A dream

Ah my

Eleanor

His wife pressed him to her bosom, covered

him with kisses, and repeated: My beloved,
your Sophia

is

not dead.

Sophia will return

Sophia

me more

Sophia! Ah! how guilty I am!

my

of you forgive

said

than I have

he,
lost.

^you too,

all

ingratitude and the sorrows

I have heaped upon you.

He
to

dropped on his knees before

a passage,

The doctor
it,

he

could

but

speak,

opened

is

His

not.

and

us,

tears

finally

his sobs stifled his voice.

sent forth a scream of joy

saved

attempted

I can

now

That

is

be answerable for

his recovery.

When
less,

he rose, he

felt

very weak, neverthe-

supported on the arm of his wife, and of

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
his sister,

lie

411

proceeded towards the house.

He

crossed over the bridge without looking at the

river; soon after, however, he turned round, to
cast a look at the

moved.

bower from which he was restill remaining

Pitj, said he, pity a

weakness; do not destroy that tomb.

We

have just put him to bed; he there im-

mediately

fell

asleep

most

soundly.

adorable daughter has saved us

Your

all.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

18^^ May, 1785, eleven at night.

He

has slept thirty-eight hours without inter-

ruption

and since he

is

awake, neither speaks

a word, nor does anything hut which announces

good sense and tender feelings. True, indeed,

we

see

tions

him

occasionally indulge sad recollec-

but a word from his father, a caress from

and a look from his wife, expel his

Meanwhile the doctor agrees to pains
being taken to make the convalescent forgetful
his sister,
regret.

of his sorrows; but forbids his being impor-

tuned; nay, he prescribes his being sometimes

to his melancholy reveries, and above all

up

things, that he should never be disturbed in his

nocturnal walks.
enter the bower.

Sophia alone

is

permitted to

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

412

This evening,

down

moment, he went
and without looking at

at the critical

into the garden,

the river, walked slowly wherever cnance seemed

He

to guide him.

nevertheless finally took to

the bower, where Sophia was waiting for him.

Come,

This

my

beloved, let us go and

monument

gratification to

scription

my
I

is

wanted

dear, I have

am

in
to

my

going to write

it

my
it.

sorrow; but an

Let us compose

pencil about
;

together.

true, replied he, is a

is

it

me

weep

we

shall

me:

have

in-

one,

dictate,

engraven

it

afterwards.
Here
Here

lies

the Countess de Lignolle.

the Marchioness de B

lies also

Both of them at the same time adored the

same young man; both, on the same day and
nearly at the same hour, met with an equally
tragical end.

Victims of a similar destiny, they

will be enclosed in the

same tomb, but

will not

leave behind the same regret.

The Marchioness died

in

six,

Eleanor,

when
five

the
all

greatest

at the age of twenty-

lustre

of beauty.

My

charming, had scarcely commenced

she ended.

She was aged sixteen years,

months, and nine days.

My

child died

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

Why

with her.

so?

What

413

had that

offence

innocent creature offered to the gods?

Pity the Marchioness de

Bestow

tears

Bestow

tears

upon Madame de Lignolle.

especially upon their lover who

has survived them.

My

beloved, your Sophia

is

must be! cried he:

tracted I

Dis-

not dead.

erase, erase that

last line.

The dear children returned home

Faublas

now

is

as fast asleep as if he

watching the whole of

together.

had been

Adieu,

last night.

my

friend, return then, return to partake of our

P.S.
is so

The

Baroness de Fonrose,

disfigured as not to be

known

it

is said,

again.

It is

also stated that unable to be consoled for her

deformity, she

is

going

old castle in Vivarais.

me

to bury herself in an
That woman has done

a deal of harm.

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

18th June, 1785, ten in the morning.

He

has recovered his embonpoint, his bloom

of youth

but he

is

always thoughtful and mel-

ancholy; and goes every evening to weep over

the

monument

in the bower.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

414

Now

that

it

appears certain that the fatal

accident will be attended with no

dangerous

consequences, I must not conceal from you, that

week we were dreadfully

alarmed: the heat had been excessive, and at
sunset there was a tremendous storm. As soon
as he heard the winds roaring, Faublas apday

one

peared

of

much

last

agitated

he could not see the dark

clap of

clouds without shuddering; at the

first

thunder he rushed into the water

but immedi-

ately returned on shore, calling to us

weeping

abundantly.

The

all,

following

and

night

passed in tranquillity, and on the succeeding

day, you would not have believed that on the

preceding one

an

my

son could have had so violent

attack.

The doctor has not

clared, in

my

flattered

me, but has de-

hearing, that the Chevalier de

Faublas perhaps would never be able to hear

a clap of thunder without suffering great agitation.

He

has particularly recommended

never allowing

my

my

son to re-enter Paris, be-

it were possible that at the sight of the

Pont-Royal he might relapse into the cruel
state from which we have been at such pains to

cause

rescue him.

;
!

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
"Not

Paris

Where

Warsaw.

my

your

friend, in

To

reflections.

dren

my

settle in

yours with

I beg you will allow

Until I

it.

last letter, deserves serious

quit the country of

and

fathers, to go

of

re-enter

to

we go and live ? In my province, or

The proposal you have made me,

then shall
at

him

allow

415

fix

upon

dear Lovinski,

your name,

me

my
my

forechil-

time to think

a determination, receive,

my

upon

congratulations

and commissions being reBoleslas and your sisters are

estates

stored to you.

overjoyed, and only speak of going to join you.

am

with

France

sensible if I wish to continue in

my

Adelaide, I must renounce

my

son

for you never will be reconciled to the idea of

living separated

am

from the daughter of Lodoiska.

well aware, that with mental accomplish-

ments, a fortune and beauty,

find an advantageous

leave behind
to

me

my

match any^vhere

me

in France an ancient

remove far from the tombs of

allow

Adelaide

time to think of

my

may

but to

name

ancestors

it.

The day before yesterday, I unintentionally

chagrined

my

poor son.

You remember,

per-

haps, that box of diamonds which Jasmin delivered to us in Faublas's apartment, on

the

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

416

day of the

terrible

The man,

catastrophe.

equally discreet and faithful, would never

me whence came

those diamonds

tell

the day be-

my

son: I

immediately saw him melting into

tears.

These

jewels, exclaimed he, belonged to

my

fore yesterday I showed

Oh! how
He
that!

the

little

them

to

Eleanor!

I repented I had not guessed at

kissed alternately every article

in

box; and then, with great exultation

cried out: Jasmin, take this back immediately

to

M. de

Lignolle

myself the

less

article; tell

coward,

if

tell

costly,

him

that I have kept for

but the most precious

him from me

that the captain is a

he does not come to demand of

me

the wedding-ring of his pretended sister-in-law.

This was the proper time, perhaps, to show my

son the insolent and barbarous challenge of the
captain; but I was apprehensive of occasioning
at once too

much

agitation to the

young man,

with whose formidable impetuosity I

am

well

acquainted.
I have just heard of the Marchioness d'Ar-

mincour being dangerously ill in FrancheComte. I am afraid her chagrin will kill her.
Poor woman! she adored her niece, who indeed

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
imlimited affection!

-was deserving of her

shall

417

beware of announcing

to

Faublas the dan-

ger of the aunt; he reproaches himself enough

already for the misfortunes of the niece.

The Doctor has discovered that

and unhappy young man wanted
and that
capable

it

occupation,

melancholy required an object

his

of settling and subsequently

first

diverting

the spirited

of

he has advised him to write the

history of his life; your daughter agrees to

grant

likewise

manuscript

is

my

never

consent,

made

provided

it,

the

public.

Yesterday, Dr. Willis returned to London;

he would not accept of anything; I have forced

him

to trust

me with

his pocket-book, in

which

I have enclosed notes to the value of five years

my

of

income.

Upon

similar occasions

it

that one regrets not being ten times richer.

is

Go,

Willis! carry back with you the blessings of a

whole family, and deserve at a future period

the blessings of a whole nation.

Your daughter
reward

has just received also her due

her husband and lover has been re-

stored to her at night.

are

still

in bed.

Our happy

Farewell,

my

children

dear friend.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

418

THE SAME TO THE SAME.

2Qth June, 1785, four in the afternoon.
I accept of your proposal,
almost forced so to do.
this

my

morning,

At

my

son has received a lettre de

cachet to the effect of his

commencing within
I

am

from Versailles; I have seen

my

twenty-four hours his travels abroad.

just returned

friends, I have seen the ministers;

that Chevalier de Faublas's exile

definite

am

friend; I

a very early hour

for a

long time.

What

appears

it

is

to be in-

pity!

if

parental affection does not blind me, that young

man would

have merited high promotion in his

native country.

I have petitioned a fortnight to make

all

nec-

essary preparations for our departure; the delay has been granted

upon the express condi-

tion only that during that interval the Chevalier

was not

to leave the house at

my

Dugny.

and then we
shall all set off together, we shall be with you
as soon as possible, and continue with you for
I shall say nothing of your
life.
Adieu.

Another fortnight,

daughter's

every post.

impatience;

friend,

Dorliska

writes

by

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

419

CHEVALIER DE FAUBLAS TO THE VICOMTE DE

LIGNOLLE.
mil July, 1785.

The Baron has but

me, Captain, your
wished

to receive.

communicated to
I had long

jnst

which

note,

Madame

whom

de Lignolle,

your rage has ruined, has not yet been revenged;

time appears to

me

very long.

If your challenge contained only gross in-

and impertinent bravadoes, I would not

wonder at it; but I cannot admire too much
the refinement of your barbarity; you exact
that on the same day, and at the same moment,
the father and son should fight the two broYou exact it? Be satisfied then. The
thers!
sults

Baron and the Chevalier de Faublas will repair

on the 14th of this month to Kell, where, until
the 16th, they will expect the Comte and Vicomte de Lignolle. We shall meet again.
THE SAME TO THE MAKQUIS DE B
.

Glh July, 1785.

Monsieur le Marquis.
delivered to

me your

The Baron has

note,

to be obliged to answer.

which

it

just

grieves

If you insist upon

me
it,

I shall be on the 17th of this month at Kell,

where I

shall stop to the 20th

but I wish most

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

420

ardently, that satisj&ed witli finding here the

assurance of

my

lively regret,

you would not

quit Paris.

I have the honour to be,

etc.

CHEVALIER DE FAUBLAS TO COUNT LOVINSKI.

Kell, 24:th July, ten in the morning.

deaeest Fathek-in-eaw. Am I miserenough? All whom I love, through ill-

My
able

conceived generosity, wish to sacrifice their lives

with an intent of saving mine; as if, whether

of two lovers, or of two friends, the most un-

happy was not the survivor.

The two brothers arrived this morning. The
Count de Lignolle shows some anger at the sight
of me but I see him turn pale, his voice trembles, and I can easily discover, in his whole
;

deportment, that compelled by his brother to

an act of vigour, M. le Comte would prefer

having no explanation with me. The Captain

accosted me with a wild look, and said to me
in a tone intended to be threatening and ironical

I shall have the honour of sending

the shades
rate, I

he will fight your father.

announce

to

you

you

to

At any

both, that either party

must triumph or die; woe,

therefore, pursued

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
he, looking at

M. de

421

him who has

Belcoiir, to

no other second than an effeminate

madman.

I declare,

as I have killed you, I will help

finish

that

father.)

squeezed

my

or a

brother to

(He pointed

gentleman.

to

my

I seized the hand of the barbarian,

it

most powerfully: Ferocious tiger!

shall I not tear

My

dolt,

Chevalier, that as soon

away your odious

life

father and I left your sister, mine, and

Sophia to the care of Boleslas, and departed

with our two enemies.
parts,

When beyond

the ram-

we immediately dismounted.

I drew

my

sword

O my

Eleanor, your ashes

demand vengeance, receive the blood which is

The Captain vociferated: Why
do not you demand they would enclose you in
He advanced towards me;
the same grave?
we began a furious fight, which, for a long time,
was maintained with perfect equality on both
going to run!

sides.

M. de Belcour has

already, for several min-

utes back, obtained an early victory over the

Count; but, too honourable

to exercise against

the Captain the horrid condition which the

latter had himself imposed, my father remained

a motionless spectator of

my

redoubled

efforts.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

422

At

last I hit the

upon one of

me

Vicomte, but

My

his ribs.

mj

sword broke

antagonist, seeing

nearly disarmed, thought he would over-

power me,

but,

with

thrust

most fortunately, he now only

Meanwhile,
weakened arm.

frightened at the inequality of the contest,

father,

us

my

too generous father, rushed

Hold, said he giving

make

a better use of

it

me

his sword,

than I can.

my

between

you will

Alas

while

speaking to me, he presented his bare flank to

The barbarian pushed at him.

the Vicomte.

He

was going

to repeat his thrust,

when, threat-

ening him with the steel already crimsoned

with the blood of his brother, I forced him to
think only of his

own

defence.

The

savage!

I have punished him. He

while the Baron, with his eyes raised to heaven,

rolled in the dust,

still

supported himself on his right hand and

knees.

The barbarian! he

is

dead; but, prior

saw the son, free

harm, bestow upon his father

to his breathing his last, he

from

the least

the most speedy assistance.

Meanwhile M. de Belcour is in danger; am

I miserable enough? Love, fatal Love! How
many calamities. The post hour is come ah!
pity me, pity your children ; they all love you

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.
they are

all

423

plunged in deep sorrow.

with due respect,

I remain

etc.

Faublas.

the same to the same.

17th July, 1785, fen in Ihe morning.

My DEAREST Father-in-law. Sophia writes

very regularly to you every morning; you are

informed that the Baron's wound

is

dangerous as had been thought at

first;

know

not

that in a fortnight or three weeks,

capable to resume our journey,

be

shall

happy

to

have got clear

off

with the only

pleasure of joining you some weeks later.

me

tell

we
too
dis-

Let

you, however, of the favourable event

which has occurred

this day.

Sophia, Adelaide, and myself had been

ting up

so

you

all

night with the Baron

my

sister,

To

follow Sophia, I only waited

my

sit-

wife and

equally tired, were just going to bed.

till

one of

aunts would come and take

my

bedside of the dear patient,

whom we

my

place by the

should

to commit to the care of

was then seven at most.
My servant came on a sudden and brought
me word that somebody wanted to speak to me
in private.
The Baron, uneasy in his mind.

feel

apprehensive

strangers;

it


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

424

but not "without a cause, said to

speak the truth.

I forbid you to

tell

It is not the

It is the

a lie

the

is it

me

bid

Marquis!

him

to

Jasmin,

Marquis

Marquis that wants

below; but he has sent

was waiting

to let

to speak to you
you know that he

you behind the rampart.

for

Faublas, exclaimed M. de Belcour, you have

wronged M. de B. most shockingly, but I shall
only say one word to you if you are not back
in a quarter of an hour, I shall expire before
the day is over.
You will see me back in a
quarter of an hour, father.
I then embraced
and left him.
;

I soon joined

had presumed

He

my

to

enemy; M.

le

Marquis I

hope you would not come.

and without favouring me with an answer, immediately drew. I

screamed out; this sword! it is the one? Yes,
cast a sullen look at me,

said

he

and tremble

I immediately drew

mine, rushed upon him, and only aimed at

dis-

arming him. Within a few minutes, I had the

good fortune to see the fatal sword fly at ten
yards distance.

I seized

it,

returned to the

Marquis, and kneeling before him, said

me

to

permit

keep this sword, take away mine, carry

with you the assurance which I renew.

He

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

me

interrupted

debted to

This

him

said,

ah

for

mj

425

must I moreover be
life

in-

he mounted his horse and disap-

peared.

am

with respect,

ViCOMTE DE VaLBKUN

TO
Faublas.

etc.

ChEVALIEK

DE

Paris, 15ih October, 1786.

For

too long a period

you have

left us,

my

dear Chevalier; must the displeasure of your

indiiference
then,

still

when you

Have you

add

to

left

France, dropped

our regret

all

your

Wherefore do you refuse

friends in oblivion?

man who has never given

You must make me
offence
?
the
least
you
amends; and unless you wish me to charge you
with ingratitude, let me hear from you, and of
corresponding with a

your family by the

first post,

and with

partic-

ular detail of circumstances.

Public rumour informs me that you are now

engaged in writing the Memoirs of your youthful days.

I have fancied that you would be

glad to be told of the present situation of some

personages whom you arc frequently to mention in the history of your amours.

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

426

The
the

d'Armincour,

Marchioness

with chagrin,
estate

lives

she

more

possesses

devoured

retired than ever

in

Tranche

The Baroness de Fonrose, become

on

Comte.

frightfully

ugly, never leaves her old castle in Vivarais.

Count Rosambert has also been compelled to

from the world: his Countess was also
brought to bed at the end of the eighth month
retire

of her marriage.

M. de Rosambert, who,

withstanding his misfortune,

cheerfulness,

jocularly

still

not-

retains

maintains to

all

his

who

will hear him, that his wife's little boy resembles

much Mademoiselle

de Brumont; he fur-

ther says that he would give anything in the

who is such a connoisworld that M. de B

seur in physiognomies, would examine the face
,

of that infant, and that M. de Lignolle, from

whom no affection of the soul is kept secret,

would

feel

Madame

de Rosambert's pulse when-

ever the Chevalier de Faublas

is

spoken of in

That La Fleur, who served the

unfortunate woman whose name I purposely
suppress, was become valet-de-chambre to the
widowed husband; but he took it into his head
her presence.

to

rob his master,

thieves,

who from

has informed against

his
this

dislike

one.

to

The


CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

427

wretch has been hanged at the gate of the hotel

de Lignolle.

It is not four

months since Jus-

tine has left the house of correction, the diet

whereof has not embellished her

unable to do better,

tum

to

Madame

le

is

the poor child,

become cook and

cian in Faubourg Saint Marceau.

that part of the

facto-

Blanc, the wife of a physiIt is said in

town that the mistress and the

maid often go, in partnership, to magnetise

Count de Lignolle, whom your father
had not Avounded dangerously, lives, possessed
of more genius than he enjoys good health.
Some people, nevertheless, have had it reported
that last spring, having swallowed the remnant
abroad.

of the prescription of Dr. Rosambert, the Count,

for a whole day, had felt as if inclined to

marry
had

again, but that, within so short a period, he

never been able

enough to take

to

him

find

female

for a husband.

miserable

You

must,

however, be told that his charades are well

ceived
is in

own

all

over Europe.

The Marquis de

good health; he continues, according

saying, to be a good fellow

flies in a

rage

to his

he nevertheless

when he meets with

his opinion resembles yours; at

re-

a face that in

any rate he

is

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

428

pleased with his own, and will even at times

regret that of his wife.

Adieu,

mj

dear Chevalier; I

your answer with impatience,

Chevalier

de

am

waiting for

etc.

Vicomte

Faublas to
Valbrun.

de

Warsaw, 28th October, 1786.

I

am

very thankful,

my

dear Vicomte, for

your kind remembrance of me; you have

warded to me such documents as I wished

and since you manifest the obliging

knowing exactly what has become
hasten to inform you of the same.
last fifteen months our family have
at Warsaw, the palace of the Count
fifteen

months have elapsed

father-in-law

My

is

forfor,

desire of

of us,

For these
inhabited

Lovinski;

like a day.

My

in high favour with the King.

father, the best of parents,

with joy, feels happier for the

children, than for his own.

overwhelmed

felicity of his

Our dear Adelaide

has just selected for her husband the Palatine

of

of

whom

he

is

is

young nobleman, the highest praise

I shall express in a very few words:

deserving of her.

am now

a father

it

not quite four months since Sophia has borne

me

the prettiest boy in the world.

My

Sophia,

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

429

the chief ornament of the Court of Warsaw,

becomes daily more adorable.

I enjoy with

my

wife more felicity than I ever had during the

course of

my

extravagance.

Pity me, however

I have forfeited

my

native

country; neither can I hold a commission in

the

army

of the republic, for the whole of

my

perhaps; I must renounce the only

life-time,

profession for which I was intended by nature.

All the efforts of

art, all

the efforts of

my

reason

my view a persecuting and

whose frequent apparition
tortures and charms me.
O, Madame de B
cannot remove from

phantom,

beloved

are you descended into your grave instead of

your

lover,

merely that you might be able to

him everywhere, without

follow

relaxation

Alas

obstacles

or

that her shade alone pursued

me

but

the avenging gods have condemned Faublas to

still

dearer and more frequent recollections

If,

rises,

the

lightning

opens

the

clouds, if

thunder roars, then I hear a fatal sound

a soldier, barbarously cool, saying to
is

wind

in a summer's evening, the south

if

there."

On

me

I hear
:

" she

a sudden, seized with unconquer-

able fears, deceived

by a ridiculous hope, I run

CHEVALIER FAUBLAS.

430

to the roaring

main; I behold, struggling in

the midst of the waves, a

woman

that I

than to reach

But

men

my

pity me.

lot,

upon

is

Far from

and only

pity-

say, that for

of feeling, who, at the time of their

have yielded to stormy passions,

no perfect happiness to be expected

adolescence,

there

Alas! a

no more allowed to forget

no, Sophia is left to me.

ing me, envy

ardent

am
Oh

woman.

earth.

THE END.

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