Mysteries of Paris, V3

, and by rain, which fell in torrents. These melancholy sounds seemed to render still more complete the solitude of the dwelling. In a bed-chambe

ly bolted, and opposite the bed, was placed a small wicket of abou

with garnet-colored silk; the curtains of the bed, as also the coveri

n in the habits of Jacques Ferrand, who, until then was of Spartan avarice and meanness (above all as respected others) in all that concerne

velopment of her fine shoulders, and of her luxurious person, makes her waist appear so

stume is of strange taste, somewhat theatrical, and thus mor

of small chased silver buttons. A short petticoat of orange merino, which seems of exaggerated amplitude, although it fits admirably on the contours of sculptural richness, allows a glance at

ll foot, quite at ease, and well arched in its very small shoe of black morocco with silver buckles. She is standing before the glas

cended no lower than the junction of the neck with the shoulders. One must know the inimitable taste with which a Creole twists around her head these handkerchiefs, to have an idea of the graceful appearance, an

ngers, arranging a large bow, placed very low on the left side, almost

yes of a size almost immoderate, have a singular expression, for the pupil, extremely large, black, and brilliant, hardly allows the transparent pale blue of the eye ball to be seen from the cor

parkling black glances, its red, moist, an

active as a panther, was the type of that sensuality which i

this high-handed and twofold outrage reached Rudolph, whose yacht was on the coast. The prince, landing in the night with a boat's crew, carried off David and Cecily from the planter's calaboose, leaving a sum of money as indemnity. The two were wedded in France, but Cecily, won away by a very bad man, had

on her prey, and thinking only, like her compeers, to destroy as soon as possible their life and fortune, Cecily, fixing on her victims her magnetic glances, commenced by attracting them, little by little, into the blazing whirlwind which seemed to emanate from he

or than the serpent, which silently charms, attracts by degrees, twists in inextricable folds the victim, feels

ickedness, and one would have a correct idea of the new servant of Jacques Ferrand-the determined creature who had dared to throw herself into the den of the wolf. And yet (singular anomaly) on learning from M. de Graun the provoking platonic part which she was to play at the notary's and what avenging ends were to be produced by her artifices, Cecily had promised

to have no control, or care, the notary had, perhaps, been less struck with the beauty of the Creole than fa

e cold calculations of his profound dissimulation when the demon of lust obscur

thout a home, for whom she would answer. The notary had gladly accepted, in the hope of abusing, with impunity, the precarious and isolated

leur-de-Marie (he thought her dead) released him from the living proof of his crime of child-stealing. He d

stible impression which he had experienced at the sight of Cecily. He seized, with delight

e, such as we have endeavored to paint it, some other facts which we will now expose, will cause to be co

to deprive him of all hope; but the vague and distant hopes which she rocked in the cradle of so many c

, it must not be forgotten that Cecily was not a second Louise. Besides, the next day after her presentation to the notary, she had played quite another part tha

e unfortunate daughter of Morel had become the prey of the notary, the Creole, entering int

ected hardly to look at her, and told her, roughly, to go to bed, she avowed innocently, that at nigh

" asked Jac

le woolen pelisse in which she was wrapped up a little

ormer chamber of Louise). After having examined the localities, Cecily told him, trembling, with her eyes cast

ions of Cecily, said to her, in a cross tone, that she was a fool to have such fears; but

serve toward his new servant in order to inspire her with confidence; but, struck with her beauty, Which, in the broad daylight s

hich he made of his flame, she thought she would at once throw off her feigned timidity, and change her mask. The Creole then assumed

resolutely; "although dressed as an Als

n to say?" cried

is it accustomed

delicate fingers, the long nails polished like agate, but o

is a serva

otary had not yet remarked, and which he now only des

ght I was reduced to this position by the death of my parents, and took me for a se

d Jacques Ferrand, more and mo

e time. My aunt, supposing me reduced to poverty, proposed my entering your service, spoke of your solitary manner of living, and told me that I would n

have you done, to be obl

perhaps, but thi

e your inten

the moment the condition, or, rather, the appearance of a servant; circumstances oblige me to do so. I shall have the courage to play this part to the end. I will submit to all the consequences. I will serve you with zeal, activity

al electricity, which reached the very b

y her duty as a servant. Now you know my secret, or at least a part of my secret, will you, perchance, act as a gentleman? Do I seem too handsome to serve you? Do you desire to change parts and become my slave? So be it! Frankly, I prefer that, but

stammered Ja

thout the means of existence, you are wrong. In order to make my aunt my accomplice without her knowledge, I allowed her to think I was too poor to buy other clothes than these. Yet I have, you see, a purse well-filled: on this side with gold, on the other with diamonds" (and she showed the notary a long red silk purse, filled with gold, through the meshes of which also shone precious stones). "Unfo

en transformation of character, tro

alone conducted her to his dwelling? If, on the contrary, sh

o his thought. He had not, or, rather, he thought he had not, any other enemies than the victims of his licentiousness and cupidity. Now all o

y her. But, although his avarice and cupidity revolted at the idea, he perceived, shuddering, that these suspicions and reflections were too late; for, with a single word, he could put his suspicions at rest by sending this woman away. And this word he did not speak. Already he loved her, after his manner, and passionately.

of her manners, sufficiently revealed that she was not, as she said, a prude. This c

tifled the voice of cold reason; he abandoned hims

ic; he would himself serve her and himself also; a neighboring coffee-house keeper could bring his repasts. He paid in money the breakfasts of his clerks, and the porter could take care of the off

he unheard-of violence of his passion. The

an, from master he became a slave; he was the footman of Cecily-he served her at her repasts-he took care of her apartment. Informed by the baron that Louise had been surprised by a narco

ecily was a woman not to be surprised with impuni

the terrible domination she exercised over him. Then, supposing that by proofs of his devotion and self-denial he could m

sometimes his mind wandering; a devouring imagery pursued him, waking o

e, and sleep. Often at night, in spite of cold or rain, he descende

he infernal kindness to allow a wicket to be placed in her door, which she often opened, in order that s

. The chastisement of Ferrand became f

e, grave, and pious man-a reputation usurped, but acquired by long years of dissimulation and cunning-he astonished his clerks by his aberrations, displeased his

he night before a glass. On a slight noise coming from

she drew from her corsage, where it was placed like a busk, a dirk, five or six inches long, in a case of black shagreen,

marble chimney-piece; the blade, of the finest Damascus and the best temper, was tr

quick poison, the least woun

Creole made before him an experiment in anima vita, that is to say, on the unfortun

her spencer of black cloth, exposed her shoulders,

astened under her white inner waist with short sleeves, composed thus a costume much less severe than the first, and harmonized wonderfully with the scarlet stockings, and the Madras scarf

miled, while roiling around one of her ivory fingers som

mured a voice, at onc

ng of the wicket appear

his eyes sparkl

s melody were soft and expressive. Although restrained, the noble contralto overpowered the noise of

ated Jacques Ferrand,

ime the voice of the notary, and approached the door. "How! dear master, you are there?" s

e you are!" murm

ed the Creole: "this b

ind you still

ow white m

o away!" cried Jacqu

ughed imm

!" cried the notary, in a hollow voice; "but to die-to renounce

and thus charm our solitude; which, in truth, does not weigh heavily, you are

submissive I am! to-night I might have tried t

firm hand this venomous plaything, sharper than the tooth of a viper; you know also, that on the day I complain of you, I shall leave forever

o am your slave-your sl

s true

not this t

s, and, above all, the

the c

our features change so sensibly, that I am flattered.

nly be able to consu

ever, perhaps, have I said

ff-s

loves on the end of his teeth; and then to love him is his due, hardly is he grateful; but to love a man like you, my master, oh! that would be to raise him from earth to heaven; it would be to accomplish his wildest dreams,

oh!

ion, I should have, perhaps, the fantasy to play myself,

scoff at me still, al

e creates such s

could abhor you, drive you from the house," cried Jacques Ferrand, who again abandoned his vain hopes. "Yes, for I expect nothing from you. But woe is me! woe! I know you now enough. You tell me to convince you of my love; do you not see how unhappy I am! Yet I do all I can

give you a mark of blind confide

re a bit

you should know, the history of her to w

tone of hypocritical

g man. Then, to escape from the rage of my old father, I fled my native country." Then, laughing heartily, Cecily added: "There, I hope is a little story ve

no more what I do. I am a subject of laughter for my clerks; my clients hesitate to leave me their business. I have parted with some pious people who used to visit me. I dare not think what the public say of this complete change in all my habit

upting the notary, and shrugging her shoulders. "To reside in this

ner. Does this room displease you? Will yo

e an adored being, I would have gold, silk, flowers, perfumes, all th

ders of luxury;

h the frame without the picture? The ad

nspire disgust and aversion; she loads me with contempt; she scoffs at me, a

ly, in a sardonic and contemptuous tone; he does nothing but groan and lament, a

me-is armed-is locked!" c

all from her hand; constrain her to open this door, which separa

how t

rce of you

d how can I

getic, your age will be overlooked. You are repulsive; be threatening. Since you cannot be the noble horse, who neighs proudly in the midst of his wives, be not, at least, the stupid

huddered, at the savage and almost ferocious expression of the face of Cecily, who, with he

he appeared

passionately; "you speak serio

one wishes," said

ut

t if you wish, repu

try me!" cried Jacques Fer

dsome youth would know," resumed the Creole, "that she would have an exorbitant caprice to satisfy; that the

and? nothing. Fortune, honor, he woul

ands of Jacques Ferrand, who, for the first time, touched the soft and ve

ily, "had she an enemy, whom, pointing out t

errand, endeavoring to approach the en

trike," said the Creole, pla

ried the wretch, "I belie

nd; "in your turn go away, go away, I know you no more;

edible-her look, at once surprised and annoyed, seemed to express so naturally her spite at having for a moment forgotten the ugliness of Jacq

mpts me-I am going to sing a song of my country. Master, do you hear? without, the wind redoubles, th

ed Jacques Ferrand, i

eyes, a soft languor weighs down my eyelids. I do not know what emotion agitates me;

p, took a guitar suspended on the wall, and stirred

the midst of the luminous horizon formed by the undulating light of the fire, Cecily, in a position full of l

ole, who appeared brilliantly illumined in the mi

e mysterious and almost fantastic appearance of a room where the firelight s

violence, its roaring co

itar, Cecily fixed her ma

ascinated, coul

imple recitative, without rhyme, and at each pause we improvise a couplet appropriate to the subject; it is ver

expression of the voice than by the modulations of the song. A few so

everywhe

hope of happiness en

f day-pleasure see

of flowers my love pr

not wound his eyes, for

y ki

My heart beats

come,

er, were, thus to speak, translated by the Creole into a theme of enchanting mel

rand, expressed all the languor of the song. Words of love; intoxicating music; inflamed looks; sil

shall go wild. Hush! I d

econd couplet," said th

ued her passio

and with his hand touch

er an

is hair touched my chee

ome

pale would

u were there, my parch

ou were there-expirin

love as I lov

come! My heart bea

come,

ports of Eros of old. As if the music had been powerless to express her wild delirium, she threw the guitar aside, an

me, com

ith which she accompanied th

nd uttered a

hom you have addressed these words!" cried he

nsports, she said to Jacques Ferrand, in a low, palpitating voice: "Well! I avow I did not wish to return to the door. I a

sh gold-al

have

n enemy? I'

e no e

y wife? I will

marr

u wish, then! w

r me is blind, furious, that you

s, all!

now you give me some proof of your love, I do not know of what I should be capable! H

ent?" cried the wretch. "It is an atrocio

t with an appearance of extreme irritation. "I am mistaken! I tho

must I do? tell me, at least. Oh! my s

ue

do you wish?" cried the no

ue

in-com

assionately as you say,

-nig

cil

this wicket-instead

with an expression of joy impossible to describe. The wretch was seized with a vertig

who, having approached the chimney, took hold of

rself of the action of a small chain, one end of which

place my honor, my fortune, my life, at your mercy-here-on the spot-will you

ortune, your life?

secret which would pl

? You jest. And

l

prob

l

r pi

l

man quite cunning enough, bold enough, thus to insinuate himself into the confiden

is defiance, in the teeth of society!" cried

speak thus," said Cecily

your love-do

" cried Cecily. "Here-take

t the dangerous weapon with precaution,

e me, then?" cried

acques Ferrand. "Yes, I believe you; for I see again your look of just now-that look

cil

ld speak

truth! Oh! yo

midable. Hold, you are as fearful and beautiful as

itted crimes

if by their avowal

I tell y

see, Jacques-it will no longer be the ideal lover of the song I c

he; "and then, if you will, you shall dishonor me-my

r ho

and two hundred thousand francs for its support; I have abandoned this

llful-who would have

d, which he returned the next day; but to ruin him, I accused him of having robbed me of a

rets-what empire I must have over you! I will not be ungrateful; let

I would not draw back. Listen again: this child, Fleur-de-Marie, once aba

How? w

rs' Island. One named Martial drowned her in a boa

m, yet attract me. You inspire

p for him. I blew his brains out. I proved that he committed suicide, and I denied the dep

you!" said the C

tion impossible to describe. "Yes, you are right; were I young and charming, I sh

and handed it to the notary through t

avage roar, turning the key in the lock. But

me," said Cecily, i

bolt!" cried

Creole, suddenly, "if these secret

upor; he thought he had succeeded: this last dif

small chain of steel, to which was suspended a small, thin pocket-book, took it, and

my head to fall! draw th

e, my tiger,"

lt with one hand, with the

don it until the moment he felt

gainst the door, and shook it with a desperate effort. Cecily, with the rapidity of thought, put the wallet between her teeth, opened the window, threw a cloak into the court

t, went out into the street, and jumped into a carriage, which, since her residence at Jacques Ferrand's

rses. It reached the boulevard before Jacques Ferrand had p

ich the Creole escaped. With one mighty effort with his broad shoulders, he burst

om the other side of the court, by the light of the moon, which bur

d everything. A last

the cord in his turn, lowered himself into the court, and r

ch was rapidly carrying off the Creole. The notary thought it was so

f finding Cecily, who carried off

nty, he fell, thunderstr

cally with his nails his breast, he felt his reason totter, and was lost in an abyss of darkness. When he awoke from his stupor, h

had ceased, but the wind continued to blow with violence, chasing the he

al agitation by the rapidity of his walk, plunged into the obscure walks of his garden, marc

n ruins. Suddenly he stumbled violently over a mound of earth newly rais

o the child of Jacques Ferrand! Notwithstanding his obduracy, notwithstanding

ce. Under any other circumstances, Jacques Ferrand would have trampled on this sepulcher with atrocious indifference; but having exhausted his savage energy in the scene we have