XCIII.
FROM THE DARK TO THE FAIR.
"Moderation should preside over pleasure: let us seek in new pleasures a refuge against the satiety of our souls."
KALVOS DE ZANTE (Odes nouvelles).
Zulma had remembered Marcel and had gone to him boldly.
—You have been crying then, my child? said the priest who noticed her red eyes.
The young girl in a few words informed him of her adventure.
—Who would ever have believed that? she said. Such a kind man! Such an obliging lady! The old gentleman said to me at Vic: "I shall not concern myself about you if you do not go to Confession, if you do not receive the Communion, if you do not say your prayers." Whom can one trust?
And that Madame Connard: "Eat what you like, and don't stand on ceremony. Monsieur Tibulle wishes it so. Old men are made to pay." And with all these fine words, I owe her ten francs.
Marcel could not help laughing at the girl's artlessness.
—Then you have come to ask me for them.
—Yes, said Zulma blushing; have I not done right? She has kept my band-box, the old thief; what it contains is not worth ten francs, but I don't want to leave it with her.
—And what will you give me in exchange?
—Everything you want.
—That is a great deal to promise; but you have nothing.
—It is true, I have nothing, she said piteously. Well, I will kiss you and will love you very much. One may kiss a Curé, may one not?
Marcel thought she was getting to business very quickly.
—Priests do not receive kisses from anybody, he replied.
—From nobody? not even from a sister?
—But you are not my sister.
—Well, I will be your comrade.
—No more do they have a comrade.
—Oh, well, if I were a man I should not like to be in your position; one must get awfully tired of being all alone. What are you able to do all the blessed day? For my part, in the first place I must have a lover.
—Ha, ha! and who is your lover?
—A rider at the Loyal Circus. A handsome boy too. A tall dark fellow like you. He is a little too proud, but I like that in a man.
—And for how long has he been your lover?
—Ever since I have seen him. It is nearly two years ago at the fête at
Mirecourt. Our booth was beside the Circus.
—Two years! cried Marcel: but at what age did you begin?
—Begin what? to dance on the tight-rope?
—To have lovers.
—But I have only had one, and that is he.
—Well, how old were you when you had him?
—I have never had him.
—Look, dear child, you have told me that you are sixteen.
—Yes, sir.
—Then you began at fourteen.
—Began what?
—With your lover.
—We never began anything. I have told you that he was too proud. I wanted to speak to him once, and he answered, "Go along."
—But he is not your lover.
—But he is, because I love him.
—And you have not had others.
—No, because I love him.
—Well, you are a good girl, and if what you have said is true, you are worth your weight in gold.
—My weight in gold! cried Zulma laughing; then buy me, for it is true, and
I shall be rich.
—But how shall I know if what you say is true?
—Ah, that is embarrassing, she said thoughtfully. What can I do to prove it?
—I believe you without proof. But I am not rich enough to pay you.
—It doesn't matter, to you I give myself for nothing.
Marcel was bewildered and hurriedly gave her the ten francs.
—How kind you are; I should like all the same to do something for you.
—You wish to please me? Well, remain good.
—Only that! And till when?
—Until I give you permission not to be so any longer.
—I will certainly.
She took a few steps towards the door, opened it, then turning back suddenly, she advanced her bust, as though she were making a bow to the crowd, and placing the tips of her fingers on her lips, she wafted a gracious kiss to the priest.
—There is pleasant and easy love-making, said Marcel to himself. Why did I not know it sooner?
He ran to the door.
—Wait, my child. Where are you going to sleep to-night? It is late. Have you a lodging?
—Stay, my word no, I had forgotten it.
—This is what you will do. First, settle your account with this landlady, without making allusion to anything. A scandal must always be avoided. Monsieur Tibulle is a man, highly esteemed, with a considerable position in the world, and anything you might say against him, would only turn against you. Do not tell this story then to anybody; and do not tell anybody that you know me. Now take these two louis, my dear child, and buy yourself a few little articles of dress. You must be dressed properly. Go, and come back here. Monsieur Patin!
The landlord appeared.
—Monsieur Patin, said Marcel, I confide this young person to you, or rather, to Madame Patin here. She has been recommended specially to me by some ladies of high rank. She is going to fetch her small articles of luggage, and will soon be back again. Be careful of her. Give her a room and her meals; I am answerable for her. Mademoiselle, I shall see you again to-morrow.
What were Marcel's intentions?
Had he felt the appetite for the unknown awakening?
He who had just poured forth his bitterness upon woman and upon love, had be come to the conclusion in the presence of this stranger that he could not do without woman or without love!
But the other?
The other was not there, and the absent are in the wrong.
Could this one make him forget the other? Could a new fancy destroy the strong love which bound him and was ruining him? Could a love facile and without risk soothe the hidden mischief and diminish the fury of a dangerous passion? She had all that was required for that, this little fair girl with the tempting lips.
Like Suzanne she was young and charming, like Suzanne she would be loving, and unlike Suzanne, she would be submissive.
Her eyes swimming in their azure, her aquiline nose with its mobile nostrils, her scarlet fleshly lips, her golden hair like ripened corn, her rosy cheeks in which coursed health and life, the slimness of her waist, the delicacy and whiteness of her hand; it all said: Love me.
And she was a fresh woman … a fresh woman, eternal temptation.
When he returned to the hotel, he found the Comtesse anxiously waiting for him.
With a smile she handed a large packet, sealed with the episcopal arms.
It was his nomination to the Curé of St. Marie. He would have to take possession of it immediately.