登陆注册
15713100000097

第97章 V(8)

Madame Birotteau was not unknown to this young man, who had been to her shop two or three times in search of those trifles which are sometimes of more importance than greater things. The duke explained Monsieur de la Billardiere's wishes. As soon as he learned the misfortune which had overtaken the godson of the Marquise d'Uxelles, Vandenesse went at once, accompanied by Monsieur de la Billardiere, to the Comte de Fontaine, begging Madame Birotteau to wait their return.

Monsieur le Comte de Fontaine was, like Monsieur de la Billardiere, one of those fine provincial gentlemen, the heroes, almost unknown, who made "la Vendee." Birotteau was not a stranger to him, for he had seen him in the old days at "The Queen of Roses." Men who had shed their blood for the royal cause enjoyed at this time certain privileges, which the king kept secret, so as not to give umbrage to the Liberals.

Monsieur de Fontaine, always a favorite with Louis XVIII., was thought to be wholly in his confidence. Not only did the count positively promise a place, but he returned with the two gentlemen to the Duc de Lenoncourt, and asked him to procure for him an audience that very evening; and also to obtain for Billardiere an audience with MONSIEUR, who was greatly attached to the old Vendeen diplomatist.

The same evening, the Comte de Fontaine came from the Tuileries to "The Queen of Roses," and announced to Madame Birotteau that as soon as the proceedings in bankruptcy were over, her husband would be officially appointed to a situation in the Sinking-fund Office, with a salary of two thousand five hundred francs,--all the functions in the household of the king being overcrowded with noble supernumeraries to whom promises had already been made.

This success was but one part of the task before Madame Birotteau. The poor woman now went to the "Maison du Chat-qui-pelote," in the Rue Saint-Denis, to find Joseph Lebas. As she walked along she met Madame Roguin in a brilliant equipage, apparently making purchases. Their eyes met; and the shame which the rich woman could not hide as she looked at the ruined woman, gave Constance fresh courage.

"Never will I roll in a carriage bought with the money of others," she said to herself.

Joseph Lebas received her kindly, and she begged him to obtain a place for Cesarine in some respectable commercial establishment. Lebas made no promises; but eight days later Cesarine had board, lodging, and a salary of three thousand francs from one of the largest linen-drapers in Paris, who was about to open a branch establishment in the quartier des Italiens. Cesarine was put in charge of the desk, and the superintendence of the new shop was entrusted to her; she filled, in fact, a position above that of forewoman, and supplied the place of both master and mistress.

Madame Cesar went from the "Chat-qui-pelote" to the Rue des Cinq-

Diamants, and asked Popinot to let her take charge of his accounts and do his writing, and also manage his household. Popinot felt that his was the only house where Cesar's wife could meet with the respect that was due to her, and find employment without humiliation. The noble lad gave her three thousand francs a year, her board, and his own room;

going himself into an attic occupied by one of his clerks. Thus it happened that the beautiful woman, after one month's enjoyment of her sumptuous home, came to live in the wretched chamber looking into a damp, dark court, where Gaudissart, Anselme, and Finot had inaugurated Cephalic Oil.

When Molineux, appointed agent by the Court of Commerce, came to take possession of Cesar Birotteau's assets, Madame Birotteau, aided by Celestin, went over the inventory with him. Then the mother and daughter, plainly dressed, left the house on foot and went to their uncle Pillerault's, without once turning their heads to look at the home where they had passed the greater part of their lives. They walked in silence to the Rue des Bourdonnais, where they were to dine with Cesar for the first time since their separation. It was a sad dinner. Each had had time for reflection,--time to weigh the duties before them, and sound the depths of their courage. All three were like sailors ready to face foul weather, but not deceived as to their danger. Birotteau gathered courage as he was told of the interest people in high places had taken in finding employment for him, but he wept when he heard what his daughter was to become. Then he held out his hand to his wife, as he saw the courage with which she had returned to labor. Old Pillerault's eyes were wet, for the last time in his life, as he looked at these three beings folded together in one embrace; from the centre of which Birotteau, feeblest of the three and the most stricken, raised his hands, saying:--

"Let us have hope!"

"You shall live with me," said Pillerault, "for the sake of economy;

you shall have my chamber, and share my bread. I have long been lonely; you shall replace the poor child I lost. From my house it is but a step to your office in the Rue de l'Oratoire."

"God of mercy!" exclaimed Birotteau; "in the worst of a storm a star guides me."

Resignation is the last stage of man's misfortune. From this moment Cesar's downfall was accomplished; he accepted it, and strength returned to him.

同类推荐
  • 五字陀罗尼颂

    五字陀罗尼颂

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 寂照神变三摩地经

    寂照神变三摩地经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 释家观化还愚经

    释家观化还愚经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 蔷薇

    蔷薇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 黄帝内经灵枢略

    黄帝内经灵枢略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 无为修真

    无为修真

    这是一个修真世界,这是一条修真之路,无论如何,这只是一种修真生活,存在于所有仙俠爱好者心中的生活
  • 妖君傲世

    妖君傲世

    一个曾被看作不详之兆的婴儿;一个被遗弃的妖兽血脉少年。且看他如何在世人所歧视的目光中傲视苍穹。
  • 琉夏半殇蝶:宫传

    琉夏半殇蝶:宫传

    她,只是个平凡朴素的19岁女孩,却要经受着不凡的磨难,朋友推下悬崖、冷宫生活以及她“亲爱”姐姐的一个眼神、一句话语,都让她变得软弱、无力、无比惧怕。她只有一个19岁女孩的单纯思想,却要在古代深宫生活,是多么艰难。她会振作起来吗?她会爬上后位吗?
  • 魔法学院之雪花飘落

    魔法学院之雪花飘落

    雪柔在学院来学习魔法,不料在遗失森林遇到了里昂和巴特鲁,,敬请期待吧!
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 狂凤弑天

    狂凤弑天

    废材?不好意思,最起码分分钟秒了你。丹药?那不是我家兽兽的糖豆吗?神器?抱歉,从头发到脚趾头都装备着。神兽?超神兽还只是我的坐骑。一朝被杀,看云竺携着蠢萌兽兽强势归来。"我有个缺点,就是爱乱捡东西。可是现在我改掉这个毛病还不行吗"云竺一脸悲切的说到。"不行喔,娘子,当初可是你捡了我呢"
  • 勿念勿安

    勿念勿安

    命运玩人,本是一段美好的爱情却阴差阳错,最终误会解除,她是否会原谅他。
  • 特工王妃,废物小姐

    特工王妃,废物小姐

    她,世界顶级特工,无情无欲,不曾想,一朝穿越却遇见了他。他,川寻国的战神王爷,他以为这一生一定会孤独终老,谁知命运的齿轮开始转动,他终是遇见了她。他和她,两个注定不平凡的人相遇,又会发生怎样的故事呢?
  • 总有人在老地方等你

    总有人在老地方等你

    兄弟就是在你最需要帮助的时候,他会第一时间出现,他不一定能帮到你,但是他一定会出现,站在你旁边,永远陪着你哭陪着你笑陪着你受苦兄弟就是没事的时候对你竖起中指嘴里靠来靠去,说你是白痴,但是有事的时候第一个跳出来帮助你的人兄弟就是平时对你骂骂咧咧号称见你就不烦别人,但你心烦的时候,他可以陪你灌着着啤酒直到天亮的人兄弟,要永远记得,总有人在老地方等你。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)