Both are unsolid food.When you decide not to love, you will love no more.""That supposes that I have several hearts to choose from.I never had but one, and that no longer belongs to me.So you refuse me your advice?""What advice would you have me give you before having seen M.Larinski --before having taken the measure of this hero?""What! you expect to see him?"
"I am waiting for him to call, and I am sorry he keeps me waiting.""Seriously, will you receive this man?"
"I have been asked to examine him."
"I am lost, if you feel the need of hearing before condemning him.Our most sacred duty is to be resolutely unjust towards the enemies of our friends.""Nonsense! I shall not be indulgent towards him.""Do as you like; I have my plan."
"What is it?"
"I shall seek some groundless quarrel with this contraband, this poacher, and I will blow his brains out.""A fine scheme, my dear Camille! And afterward, when you have killed him, you will have gained a great deal.Have you confidence in me? Ihave already begun to work for you.The Abbe Miollens, as you know, is well acquainted in the society of Polish emigrants; I have sent to him for information.I have also written to Vienna for intelligence concerning him.Antoinette is foolish in forming such an acquaintance, it must be admitted; but, in matters of honour, she is as delicate as an ermine in tending the whiteness of her robe; if there be in M.
Larinski's past a stain no larger than a ten-sou piece, she will forever discard him.Let me act; be wise, do not blow out any one's brains./Grand Dieu!/ what would become of us, if the only way to get rid of people was by killing them?"As she pronounced these words a servant entered, bearing a card on a silver salver.She took the card and exclaimed: "When you speak of the wolf-- Here is our man!" She begged M.Langis to retire; he implored permission to remain, promising to be a model of discretion.She was insisting on his leaving when Count Abel Larinski appeared.
Samuel Brohl had scarcely taken three steps in Mme.de Lorcy's /salon/before he conjectured why M.Moriaz had asked him to go there, and what was the significance of the commission with which he was charged.
Notwithstanding the /salon/ had a southern exposure, and that it was then the middle of the month of August, it seemed to him to be cold there.He thought that he felt a draught of chilly air, an icy wind, which pierced him through and through, and caused him an unpleasant shiver.He did not need to look very attentively at Mme.de Lorcy to be convinced that he was before his judge, and that this judge was not a friendly one; and, as soon as his gaze met that of M.Camille Langis, something warned him that this young man was his enemy.Samuel Brohl had the gift of observation.
He delivered his message, and handed Mme.de Lorcy the little portfolio that contained Mlle.Moriaz's painting, expressing his regret that business had prevented his coming sooner.Mme.de Lorcy thanked him for his kindness, with rather a cool politeness, and asked him for news of her goddaughter.He did not expatiate on this topic.
"The valley of Saint Moritz is a dreary country," she next said.
"Rather say, madame, that it is a dreary country possessing a great charm for those who love it.""It appears that Mlle.Moriaz is almost wearied to death there.Ishould think she would die of ennui."
"Do you think her capable of yielding to ennui in any place?""Certainly, do not doubt it; but she has recourse to her imagination to dispel the tedium.She has a marvellous talent for procuring herself diversion and for varying her pleasures.Hers is an imagination having many relays: no sooner is one horse exhausted than there is another to take its place.""That is a precious gift," he replied, briefly."I assure you, however, that you calumniate the Engadine.The trees there are not so well grown as those in your park; but the Alpine fir and pine have their beauty.""You went to this hole for your health, monsieur?""Yes, and no, madame.I was not ill, but any physician contended that I should be still better if I breathed the air of the Alps for three weeks.It was taking a cure as a preventive.""M.Larinski made the ascent of the Morteratsch," said Camille, who, seated on a divan with his arms extended on his knees, never had ceased to look at Samuel Brohl with a hard and hostile glance."That is an exploit that can be performed only by well people.""It is no exploit," replied Samuel; "it is a work of patience, easy for those who are not subject to vertigo.""You are too modest," rejoined the young man."Had I done as much, Iwould sound a trumpet."
"Have you attempted the ascent?" asked Samuel.
"Not at all.I do not care about having feats of prowess to relate,"he replied, in an almost challenging tone.
Mme.de Lorcy hastened to interrupt the conversation by saying, "Is this the first time you have been in Paris, monsieur?""Yes, madame," replied Samuel, who withdrew more and more into his shell.
"And does Paris please you as much as a pine-grove?""Much more, madame."
"Have you any acquaintances?"
"None; and the truth is, I have no desire to make any.""Why?"
