Serge Panine -- Volume 03

usband, but Madame Desvarennes, wi

ly. "We have scarcely exchanged ten words since my

ered Micheline, seating herself

Madame Desvarennes, softly. "I know what you thi

me, wi

" which made tears spring to the tortured mother's eyes. She folded he

to me. Two months! And I have been desolate in that l

terrupted her mot

beg you to b

wenty years devoted my life to you? Bear, without complaining, that my happiness should be taken away, and now that I am ol

se. Then Micheline, in a

ef s coul

tience, and giving vent to her

your husban

e arose

r!" sh

menced, and with unrestr

my confidence in him! After vowing that he would never separate you

icheline. "You know the doct

ud: 'Don't you think that a season in the South would do my wife good?' The doctor answered: 'If it does not do her any good it certainly won't do her any harm.' Then

to doubt what she was

to see him about it. I never had

and wanted to change the subject. She soo

s? You know all wives leave their mothers to follow their husbands. It is the law of nat

had to work. The happiness of spoiling one's child is a privilege of the rich. For you there was no down warm enough or silk soft enough to line your crad

line, moved by these passionate expressions. "

t the young wife, the

onger the f

lfish view made

ty years I have loved you, while he has to make up for lost time. Don't try to make a comparison between my love for him and my affection for you. Be kind: instead

when you like. And how happy Serge ought to be with a wife like y

came all the way from Paris t

ennes became

me to def

looked s

k. You are seriously menac

d the young wife,

your f

e smiled

hat b

e made her mothe

te your husband is spending, there will be

ncess, gayly, "you w

assumed her cold

n good stock, a house in the Rue de Rivoli, and eight hundred thousand francs which I prudently kept in the business, and for which I pay you interest. The fi

, determined, way of hers that was part of her str

know this

it was not a question of sentiment, but o

mam

arennes demanded, hotly. "Nothing c

," murmure

ed the mistress in a

after my

udence to ask for it the

line

replied, with sweetness; "I offered

h a fellow like

se I knew you would rather prevent the marriage, and I loved Serge. I, therefore, signed the contra

eline, and wished to find out the depth of the abyss into w

he say then?

cacy touched his heart and I was happy. There, mamma," she added with eyes sparkling at the remembranc

s shrugged her sh

be locked up. What is there about th

med Micheline, anxiousl

stand that I cannot be satisfied with what you have just to

a, do let m

committing follies. You do

errupted Micheline, with a smile. "Pearl-gr

ou are not difficult t

say to his

nd with a constraint whi

ake a fuss about a fe

e of Serge exasperate

ing to go and play with gentlemen who turn up the king with a dexterity the Legitimists must envy. My dear, shall

Micheline, woun

your household matters right. I am going to keep your gentleman so

e her mother, looking so pale

"if ever you say one word to my husband,

Micheline who trusted to her tears, but a vehement woman ready to defend

on was inevitable; I have suffered beforehand, knowing that I should hav

," said the mistress, bitterly

ed in it, you yourself, with

isfortune. Don't think that my words are inspired by jealousy. A higher sentiment dictates them, and at this moment my maternal love gives me, I fear, a foresight of the future. There is only just time to rescue you from the danger into which you are runnin

ok her head haug

different race than you and I. He needs refinements of luxury which would be useless to us, but the deprivation of which would be hard to him. He suffered much when he was poor, he is making up for it now. We are guilty of some extravagances, 'tis true; but what does it matter? For whom

nes, beside herself, and seizing h

ir head to fall on her mother's shoul

annot think otherwise than you do, being a simple, hardworking woman; but I beg of you to banish

She had never been able to

he moaned, "what pai

urmured Micheline, falling into the arms

es, kissing her daughter's hair-that golden ha

erry dancers were enjoying themselves. Happy voices were heard approaching

Micheline, you will be sent back to Paris. We want a vis-a -vis for a quadrille.

ball with them on his nose, while his friend, Monsieur du Tremblay, jealous of

doing?" inquired

n the terrace," said Cayrol

ad escaped him. He had never found her at fault. Thus, reassured, he had given her his confidence and this time forever. Jeanne was adorable; he loved her more than ever. She seemed very much changed to him. Her disposition, formerly somewhat harsh, had softened, and the haughty, capricious gir

s that the traces on her face, caused by her late discussion with her daughter, should not b

the lamp off the table and carr

asked herself if she did not exaggerate the evil. Alas! no. She saw that she was not mistaken. Examining the society around her, men and women: everywhere was feverish excitement, dissipation, and nullity. You might rummage through their brains without finding one practical idea; in all their hearts, there was not one lofty aspiration. These people, in their d

retches by her example? No! She could not teach them to be good, and they excelled in teaching others harm. She must leav

hers. In the darkness of the gallery Serge crept behind her without being seen. He had been watching Jeanne, and seeing her go away alone, had followed her. In the angle

be short, and it could not be delaye

leaving

nd on yours. My daughter knows what I had to tell h

not do ot

cau

y husband

wish something else. Your

nt's pause. Then

lest I should awak

ou came to Nice, why accept

ered it to us,

rt do you purpose playing here? After six month

ddered. Madame Desvarennes's w

was indignant w

you insult me by

of the way, and I find you here, seeking danger and already trying those flirtations which are th

ied Jeanne,

u kept the promi

e fruitlessly followed. I have wept, hoping that the trouble within me would be washed away with my tears. I have prayed to Heaven, and asked that I might love my husband. But, no! That man is as odious to me as ever. Now I have lost all my illusio

asked herself whether it was not unjust for that poor child to suffer so mu

woman!"

sustain me. My mind is afflicted with feverish thoughts, my heart made desolate with b

adame Desvarennes, in a deep

irritates me. My husband is blind, Micheline unsuspicious, and Serge smiles quietly, as if he were preparing some treachery. Jealous

had momentary weaknesses like all human beings. You must be helped, and may rely on me. I will speak to your husband to-morrow; he

aughter. Then the Prince saw Madame Desvarennes go slowly past him. And the silence