第71章

After telling him that much had been said about his candidacy during dinner at the ministry, Monsieur de l'Estorade began to show him all the reasons why he might expect an overwhelming defeat; namely, that Arcis-sur-Aube was one of the boroughs where the administration felt itself most secure; that a man of extraordinary political ability had already been sent there to manipulate the election, and had made a first report giving triumphant news of his success.These were only generalities, to which Monsieur Dorlange replied with modesty, but also with the air of a man who had resolved who take his chances against all risks to which his election might be exposed.Monsieur de l'Estorade then produced a final shaft which, under the circumstances, was calculated to have a marvellous effect, because it attacked both the candidate and his private life.

"Listen to me, my dear monsieur," said my husband, "when a man starts on an electoral career he must remember that he stakes everything; his public life and also his private life.Your adversaries will ransack your present and your past with a pitiless hand, and sorrow to him who has any dark spots to hide.Now I ought not to conceal from you that to-night, at the ministers', much was said about a little scandal which, while it may be venial in the life of an artist, takes proportions altogether more serious in that of the people's representative.You understand me, of course.I refer to that handsome Italian woman whom you have in your house.Take care; some puritanical elector whose own morality may be more or less problematical, is likely to call you to account for her presence."The reply made by Monsieur Dorlange was very dignified.

"To those," he said, "who may arraign me on that detail of my private life I wish but one thing--that they may have nothing worse upon their consciences.If I had not already wearied madame on our way from the school with an interminable story, I would tell you the facts relating to my handsome Italian, and you would see, Monsieur le comte, that her presence in my house reflects in no way upon me.

"But," returned Monsieur de l'Estorade, softening his tone, "you take my observation rather too seriously.As I said just now, an artist may have a handsome model in his house--that may be natural enough--but she is not a usual piece of furniture in that of a legislator.""No, what seems more to their liking," replied Monsieur Dorlange, with some heat, "is the good they can get for themselves out of a calumny accepted eagerly and without examination.However, far from dreading inquiry on the subject you mention, I desire it, and the ministry will do me a great service if it will employ the extremely able political personage you say they have put upon my path to bring that delicate question before the electors.""Do you really start to-morrow?" asked Monsieur de l'Estorade, finding that he had started a subject which not only did not confound Monsieur Dorlange, but, on the contrary, gave him the opportunity to reply with a certain hauteur of tone and speech.

"Yes, and very early too; so that I must now take leave of you, having certain preparations still to make."So saying, Monsieur Dorlange rose, and after making me a rather ceremonious bow and not bestowing his hand on Monsieur de l'Estorade, who, in turn, did not hold out his own, he left the room.

"What was the matter with Armand?" asked my husband, as if to avoid any other explanation.

"Never mind Armand," I said, "it is far more interesting to know what is the matter with you; for never did I see you so out of tune, so sharp and uncivil.""What! because I told a ridiculous candidate that he would have to go into mourning for his reputation?""In the first place, that was not complimentary; and in any case the moment was ill-chosen with a man on whom my maternal anxiety had just imposed a disagreeable service.""I don't like meddlers," retorted Monsieur de l'Estorade, raising his voice more than I had ever known him do to me."And after all, if he had not been here to give you his arm you would not have gone.""You are mistaken; I should have gone alone; for your servant, being master here, refused to accompany me.""But you must certainly admit that if any acquaintance had met you at half-past nine o'clock walking arm-in-arm with Monsieur Dorlange the thing would have seemed to them, to say the least, singular."Pretending to discover what I had known for the last hour, Iexclaimed:--

"Is it possible that after sixteen years of married life you do me the honor to be jealous.Now I see why, in spite of your respect for proprieties, you spoke to Monsieur Dorlange in my presence of that Italian woman whom people think his mistress; that was a nice little perfidy by which you meant to ruin him in my estimation."Thus exposed to the light, my poor husband talked at random for a time, and finally had no resource but to ring for Lucas and lecture him severely.That ended the explanation.

What do you think of this conjugal proceeding, by which my husband, wishing to do a man some harm in my estimation, gave him the opportunity to appear to the utmost advantage? For--there was no mistaking it--the sort of emotion with which Monsieur Dorlange repelled the charge was the cry of a conscience at peace with itself, and which knows itself able to confound a calumny.