Красное и черное

The First Step

           

           Twoo’clockwasalreadystrikingwhenheallowedhisfavouritepupiltoretiretohisroomafteranextremelydetailedaccount.

           "LeavemethefirstvolumeofyourTacitus,"hesaidtohim."WhereismyLordBishop’scompliment?ThisLatinlinewillserveasyourlightning-conductorinthishouseaftermydeparture."

           Erittibi,filimi,successormeustanquamleoquerensquemdevoret.(Formysuccessorwillbetoyou,myson,likearaveninglionseekingsomeonetodevour).

           ThefollowingmorningJuliennoticedacertainstrangenessinthemannerinwhichhiscomradesspoketohim.Itonlymadehimmorereserved."This,"hethought,"istheresultofM.Pirard’sresignation.Itisknownoverthewholehouse,andIpassforhisfavourite.Thereoughtlogicallytobeaninsultintheirdemeanour."Buthecouldnotdetectit.Onthecontrary,therewasanabsenceofhateintheeyesofallthosehemetalongthecorridors."Whatisthemeaningofthis?Itisdoubtlessatrap.Letusplayawarygame."

           Finallythelittleseminaristsaidtohimwithalaugh,

           "CorneliiTacitioperaomnia(completeworksofTacitus)."

           Onhearingthesewords,theyallcongratulatedJulienenviously,notonlyonthemagnificentpresentwhichhehadreceivedfrommylord,butalsoonthetwohours’conversationwithwhichhehadbeenhonoured.Theyknewevenitsminutestdetails.Fromthatmomentenvyceasedcompletely.Theycourtedhimbasely.TheabbéCastanède,whohadmanifestedtowardshimthemostextremeinsolencetheverydaybefore,cameandtookhisarmandinvitedhimtobreakfast.

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