“Ah, ha!” cried he, “dis is vat I call to lif—it is too much to lif; I shall be incapable of everything.”
“Madame is alone; come down,” said Europe, looking in. “Above all, make no noise, great elephant.”
“Great Elephant!” he repeated, laughing, and walking as if he trod on red-hot iron.
Europe led the way, carrying a candle.
“Here—count dem!” said the Baron when he reached the drawing-room, holding out the notes to Europe.
Europe took the thirty notes very gravely and left the room, locking the banker in.
Nucingen went straight to the bedroom, where he found the handsome Englishwoman.
“Is that you, Lucien?” said she.
“Nein, my peauty,” said Nucingen, but he said no more.
He stood speechless on seeing a woman the very antipodes to Esther; fair hair where he had seen black, slenderness where he had admired a powerful frame! A soft English evening where he had looked for the bright sun of Arabia.