"You will find great changes then.The wall that was next to my asylum has been taken down, for they are going to build anew wing and a chapel, the old one being too small.I must say in praise of Mdlle.Adrienne"
continued the doctor with a singular smile aside, "that she promised me a copy of one of Raphael's Madonnas for this chapel."
"Really? very appropriate!" said the princess."But here it is almost noon, and M.Tripeaud has not come."
"He is the deputy-guardian of Mdlle.de Cardoville, whose property he has managed, as former agent of the count-duke," said the marquis, with evident anxiety, "and his presence here is absolutely indispensable.It is greatly to be desired that his coming should precede that of Mdlle.
de Cardoville, who may he here at any moment."
"It is unlucky that his portrait will not do as well," said the doctor, smiling maliciously, and drawing a small pamphlet from his pocket.
"What is that, doctor?" asked the princess.
"One of those anonymous sheets, which are published from time to time.
It is called the `Scourge,' and Baron Tripeaud's portrait is drawn with such faithfulness, that it ceases to be satire.It is really quite life-
like; you have only to listen.The sketch is entitled: `TYPE OF THE LYNX
SPECIES.'
"`The Baron Tripeaud.--This man, who is as basely humble towards his social superiors, as he is insolent and coarse to those who depend upon him--is the living, frightful incarnation of the worst pardon of the moneyed and commercial aristocracy--one of the rich and cynical speculators, without heart, faith or conscience, who would speculate for a rise or fall on the death of his mother, if the death of his mother could influence the price of stocks.
"`Such persons have all the odious vices of men suddenly elevated, not like those whom honest and patient labor has nobly enriched, but like those who owe their wealth to some blind caprice of fortune, or some lucky cast of the net in the miry waters of stock-jobbing.
"'Once up in the world, they hate the people--because the people remind them of a mushroom origin of which they are ashamed.Without pity for the dreadful misery of the masses, they ascribe it wholly to idleness or debauchery.because this calumny forms an excuse for their barbarous selfishness.
"`And this is not all.On the strength of his well-filled safe, mounted on his right of the candidate, Baron Tripeaud insults the poverty and political disfranchisement--
"`Of the officer, who, after forty years of wars and hard service, is just able to live on a scanty pension--
"`Of the magistrate, who has consumed his strength in the discharge of stern and sad duties, and who is not better remunerated in his litter days--
"'Of the learned man who has made his country illustrious by useful labors; or the professor who has initiated entire generations in the various branches of human knowledge--
"`Of the modest and virtuous country curate, the pure representative of the gospel, in its charitable, fraternal, and democratic tendencies, etc.
"`In such a state of things, how should our shoddy baron of in-dust-ry not feel the most sovereign contempt for all that stupid mob of honest folk, who, having given to their country their youth, their mature age, their blood, their intelligence, their learning, see themselves deprived of the rights which he enjoys, because he has gained a million by unfair and illegal transactions?
"`It is true, that your optimists say to these pariahs of civilization, whose proud and noble poverty cannot be too much revered and honored:
"Buy an estate and you too may be electors and candidates!"
"`But to come to the biography of our worthy baron--Andrew Tripeaud, the son of an ostler, at a roadside inn '"
At this instant the folding-doors were thrown open, and the valet announced: "The Baron Tripeaud!"
Dr.Baleinier put his pamphlet into his pocket, made the most cordial bow to the financier, and even rose to give him his hand.The baron entered the room, overwhelming every one with salutations."I have the honor to attend the orders of your highness the princess.She knows that she may always count upon me."
"I do indeed rely upon you, M.Tripeaud, and particularly under present circumstances."
"If the intentions of your highness the princess are still the same with regard to Mdlle.de Cardoville "
"They are still the same, M.Tripeaud, and we meet to-day on that subject."
"Your highness may be assured of my concurrence, as, indeed, I have already promised.I think that the greatest severity must at length be employed, and that even if it were necessary."
"That is also our opinion," said the marquis, hastily making a sign to the princess, and glancing at the place where the man in spectacles was hidden; "we are all perfectly in harmony.Still, we must not leave any point doubtful, for the sake of the young lady herself, whose interests alone guides us in this affair.We must draw out her sincerity by every possible means."
"Mademoiselle has just arrived from the summer-house and wishes to see your highness," said the valet, again entering, after having knocked at the door.
"Say that I wait for her," answered the princess; "and now I am at home to no one--without exception.You understand me; absolutely to no one."
Thereupon, approaching the curtain behind which the man was concealed, Mme.de Saint-Dizier gave him the cue--after which she returned to her seat.
It is singular, but during the short space which preceded Adrienne's arrival, the different actors in this scene appeared uneasy and embarrassed, as if they had a vague fear of her coming.In about a minute, Mdlle.de Cardoville entered the presence of her aunt.
