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Then we shall have to wait two hours for the gentleman, and
three for the diplomatist. I shall come back to dessert;
keep me some strawberries, coffee, and cigars. I shall take
a cutlet on my way to the Chamber.
Do not do anything of the sort; for were the gentleman a
Montmorency, and the diplomatist a Metternich, we will
breakfast at eleven; in the meantime, follow Debrays
example, and take a glass of sherry and a biscuit.
Be it so; I will stay; I must do something to distract my
thoughts.
You are like Debray, and yet it seems to me that when the
minister is out of spirits, the opposition ought to be
joyous.
Ah, you do not know with what I am threatened. I shall hear
this morning that M. Danglars make a speech at the Chamber
of Deputies, and at his wifes this evening I shall hear the
tragedy of a peer of France. The devil take the
constitutional government, and since we had our choice, as
they say, at least, how could we choose that?
I understand; you must lay in a stock of hilarity.
Do not run down M. Danglars speeches, said Debray; he
votes for you, for he belongs to the opposition.
Pardieu, that is exactly the worst of all. I am waiting
until you send him to speak at the Luxembourg, to laugh at
my ease.
My dear friend, said Albert to Beauchamp, it is plain
that the affairs of Spain are settled, for you are most
desperately out of humor this morning. Recollect that
Parisian gossip has spoken of a marriage between myself and
Mlle. Eugenie Danglars; I cannot in conscience, therefore,
let you run down the speeches of a man who will one day say
to me, Vicomte, you know I give my daughter two millions.
Ah, this marriage will never take place, said Beauchamp.
The king has made him a baron, and can make him a peer, but
he cannot make him a gentleman, and the Count of Morcerf is
too aristocratic to consent, for the paltry sum of two
million francs, to a mesalliance. The Viscount of Morcerf
can only wed a marchioness.
But two million francs make a nice little sum, replied
Morcerf.
It is the social capital of a theatre on the boulevard, or
a railroad from the Jardin des Plantes to La Rapee.
Never mind what he says, Morcerf, said Debray, do you
marry her. You marry a money-bag label, it is true; well,
but what does that matter? It is better to have a blazon
less and a figure more on it. You have seven martlets on
your arms; give three to your wife, and you will still have
four; that is one more than M. de Guise had, who so nearly
became King of France, and whose cousin was Emperor of
Germany.
On my word, I think you are right, Lucien, said Albert
absently.
To be sure; besides, every millionaire is as noble as a
bastard -- that is, he can be.
Do not say that, Debray, returned Beauchamp, laughing,
for here is Chateau-Renaud, who, to cure you of your mania
for paradoxes, will pass the sword of Renaud de Montauban,
his ancestor, through your body.
He will sully it then, returned Lucien; for I am low --
very low.
Oh, heavens, cried Beauchamp, the minister quotes
Beranger, what shall we come to next?
M. de Chateau-Renaud -- M. Maximilian Morrel, said the
servant, announcing two fresh guests.
Now, then, to breakfast, said Beauchamp; for, if I
remember, you told me you only expected two persons,
Albert.
Morrel, muttered Albert -- Morrel -- who is he? But
before he had finished, M. de Chateau-Renaud, a handsome
young man of thirty, gentleman all over, -- that is, with
the figure of a Guiche and the wit of a Mortemart, -- took
Alberts hand. My dear Albert, said he, let me introduce
to you M. Maximilian Morrel, captain of Spahis, my friend;
and what is more -- however the man speaks for himself ---my
preserver. Salute my hero, viscount. And he stepped on one
side to give place to a young man of refined and dignified
bearing, with large and open brow, piercing eyes, and black
mustache, whom our readers have already seen at Marseilles,
under circumstances sufficiently dramatic not to be
forgotten. A rich uniform, half French, half Oriental, set
off his graceful and stalwart figure, and his broad chest
was decorated with the order of the Legion of Honor. The
young officer bowed with easy and elegant politeness.
Monsieur, said Albert with affectionate courtesy, the
count of Chateau-Renaud knew how much pleasure this
introduction would give me; you are his friend, be ours
also.
Well said, interrupted Chateau-Renaud; and pray that, if
you should ever be in a similar predicament, he may do as
much for you as he did for me.
What has he done? asked Albert.
Oh, nothing worth speaking of, said Morrel; M. de
Chateau-Renaud exaggerates.
Not worth speaking of? cried Chateau-Renaud; life is not
worth speaking of! -- that is rather too philosophical, on
my word, Morrel. It is very well for you, who risk your life
every day, but for me, who only did so once --
We gather from all this, baron, that Captain Morrel saved
your life.
Exactly so.
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