Красное и черное

The Torment of the Weak

           HehadcomeawayfromhislongconsultationwiththeabbéPirardinaverydiplomaticandcalculatingmood.Thecalculationofpossibilitieshadkilledhisimagination.Mathildetoldhim,withtearsinhereyes,thatshehadreadhissuicideletter.

           "Myfathermaychangehismind;domethefavourofleavingforVillequierthisveryminute.Mountyourhorseagain,andleavethehôtelbeforetheygetupfromtable."

           WhenJulien’scoldnessandastonishmentshowednosignofabatement,sheburstintotears.

           "Letmemanageouraffairs,"sheexclaimedecstatically,assheclaspedhiminherarms."Youknow,dear,itisnotofmyownfreewillthatIseparatefromyou.Writeundercovertomymaid.Addressitinastrangehand-writing,Iwillwritevolumestoyou.Adieu,flee."

           ThislastwordwoundedJulien,buthenonethelessobeyed."Itwillbefatal,"hethought"if,intheirmostgraciousmomentsthesearistocratsmanagetoshockme."

           Mathildefirmlyopposedallherfather’sprudentplans.Shewouldnotopennegotiationsonanyotherbasisexceptthis.ShewastobeMadameSorel,andwaseithertolivewithherhusbandinpovertyinSwitzerland,orwithherfatherinParis.Sherejectedabsolutelythesuggestionofasecretaccouchement."InthatcaseIshouldbegintobeconfrontedwithaprospectofcalumnyanddishonour.Ishallgotravellingwithmyhusbandtwomonthsafterthemarriage,anditwillbeeasytopretendthatmysonwasbornatapropertime."

           Thisfirmnessthoughatfirstreceivedwithviolentfitsofanger,eventuallymadethemarquishesitate.

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