Cousin Pons

第1章

Towardsthreeo"clockintheafternoonofoneOctoberdayintheyear1844,amanofsixtyorthereabouts,whomanybodymighthavecreditedwithmorethanhisactualage,waswalkingalongtheBoulevarddesItalienswithhisheadbentdown,asifheweretrackingsomeone。

Therewasasmugexpressionaboutthemouth——helookedlikeamerchantwhohasjustdoneagoodstrokeofbusiness,orabacheloremergingfromaboudoirinthebestofhumorswithhimself;andinParisthisisthehighestdegreeofself-satisfactioneverregisteredbyahumancountenance。

Assoonastheelderlypersonappearedinthedistance,asmilebrokeoutoverthefacesofthefrequentersoftheboulevard,whodaily,fromtheirchairs,watchthepassers-by,andindulgeintheagreeablepastimeofanalyzingthem。ThatsmileispeculiartoParisians;itsayssomanythings——ironical,quizzical,pitying;butnothingsavetherarestofhumancuriositiescansummonthatlookofinteresttothefacesofParisians,satedastheyarewitheverypossiblesight。

AsayingrecordedofHyacinthe,anactorcelebratedforhisrepartees,willexplainthearchaeologicalvalueoftheoldgentleman,andthesmilerepeatedlikeanechobyalleyes。SomebodyonceaskedHyacinthewherethehatsweremadethatsetthehouseinaroarassoonasheappeared。“Idon"thavethemmade,“hesaid;“Ikeepthem！”SoalsoamongthemillionactorswhomakeupthegreattroupeofParis,thereareunconsciousHyacintheswho“keep“alltheabsurdfreaksofvanishedfashionsupontheirbacks;andtheapparitionofsomebygonedecadewillstartleyouintolaughterasyouwalkthestreetsinbitternessofsouloverthetreasonofonewhowasyourfriendinthepast。

Insomerespectsthepasser-byadheredsofaithfullytothefashionsoftheyear1806,thathewasnotsomuchaburlesquecaricatureasareproductionoftheEmpireperiod。Toanobserver,accuracyofdetailinarevivalofthissortisextremelyvaluable,butaccuracyofdetail,tobeproperlyappreciated,demandsthecriticalattentionofanexpert/flaneur/;whilethemaninthestreetwhoraisesalaughassoonashecomesinsightisboundtobeoneofthoseoutrageousexhibitionswhichstareyouintheface,asthesayinggoes,andproducethekindofeffectwhichanactortriestosecureforthesuccessofhisentry。Theelderlyperson,athin,spareman,woreanut-brownspenceroveracoatofuncertaingreen,withwhitemetalbuttons。Amaninaspencerintheyear1844!itwasasifNapoleonhimselfhadvouchsafedtocometolifeagainforacoupleofhours。

Thespencer,asitsnameindicates,wastheinventionofanEnglishlord,vain,doubtless,ofhishandsomeshape。SometimebeforethePeaceofAmiens,thisnoblemansolvedtheproblemofcoveringthebustwithoutdestroyingtheoutlinesofthefigureandencumberingthepersonwiththehideousboxcoat,nowfinishingitscareeronthebacksofagedhackneycabmen;but,elegantfiguresbeingintheminority,thesuccessofthespencerwasshort-livedinFrance,Englishthoughitwas。

Atthesightofthespencer,menoffortyorfiftymentallyinvestedthewearerwithtop-boots,pistachio-coloredkerseymeresmallclothesadornedwithaknotofribbon;andbeheldthemselvesinthecostumesoftheiryouth。Elderlyladiesthoughtofformerconquests;buttheyoungermenwereaskingeachotherwhytheagedAlcibiadeshadcutofftheskirtsofhisovercoat。Therestofthecostumewassomuchinkeepingwiththespencer,thatyouwouldnothavehesitatedtocallthewearer“anEmpireman,“justasyoucallacertainkindoffurniture“Empirefurniture;“yetthenewcomeronlysymbolizedtheEmpireforthosewhohadknownthatgreatandmagnificentepochatanyrate/devisu/,foracertainaccuracyofmemorywasneededforthefullappreciationofthecostume,andevennowtheEmpireissofarawaythatnoteveryoneofuscanpictureitinitsGallo-Grecianreality。

Thestranger"shat,forinstance,tippedtothebackofhisheadsoastoleavealmostthewholeforeheadbare,recalledacertainjauntyair,withwhichciviliansandofficialsattemptedtoswaggeritwithmilitarymen;butthehatitselfwasashockingspecimenofthefifteen-francvariety。Constantfrictionwithapairofenormousearshadlefttheirmarkswhichnobrushcouldeffacefromtheundersideofthebrim;thesilktissue(asusual)fittedbadlyoverthecardboardfoundation,andhunginwrinkleshereandthere;andsomeskin-disease(apparently)hadattackedthenapinspiteofthehandwhichrubbeditdownofamorning。

Beneaththehat,whichseemedreadytodropoffatanymoment,layanexpanseofcountenancegrotesqueanddroll,asthefaceswhichtheChinesealoneofallpeoplecanimaginefortheirquaintcuriosities。

Thebroadvisagewasasfullofholesasacolander,honeycombedwiththeshadowsofthedints,hollowedoutlikeaRomanmask。Itsetallthelawsofanatomyatdefiance。Closeinspectionfailedtodetectthesubstructure。Whereyouexpectedtofindabone,youdiscoveredalayerofcartilaginoustissue,andthehollowsofanordinaryhumanfacewereherefilledoutwithflabbybosses。Apairofgrayeyes,red-rimmedandlashless,lookedforlornlyoutofacountenancewhichwasflattenedsomethingafterthefashionofapumpkin,andsurmountedbyaDonQuixotenosethatroseoutofitlikeamonolithaboveaplain。Itwasthekindofnose,asCervantesmustsurelyhaveexplainedsomewhere,whichdenotesaninbornenthusiasmforallthingsgreat,atendencywhichisapttodegenerateintocredulity。

Andyet,thoughtheman"suglinesswassomethingalmostludicrous,itarousednottheslightestinclinationtolaugh。Theexceedingmelancholywhichfoundanoutletinthepoorman"sfadedeyesreachedthemockerhimselfandfrozethegibesonhislips;forallatoncethethoughtarosethatthiswasahumancreaturetowhomNaturehadforbiddenanyexpressionofloveortenderness,sincesuchexpressioncouldonlybepainfulorridiculoustothewomanheloved。InthepresenceofsuchmisfortuneaFrenchmanissilent;tohimitseemsthemostcruelofallafflictions——tobeunabletoplease!

Themansoill-favoredwasdressedafterthefashionofshabbygentility,afashionwhichtherichnotseldomtrytocopy。HeworelowshoesbeneathgaitersofthepatternwornbytheImperialGuard,doubtlessforthesakeofeconomy,becausetheykeptthesocksclean。

Therustytingeofhisblackbreeches,likethecutandthewhiteorshinylineofthecreases,assignedthedateofthepurchasesomethreeyearsback。Theroomygarmentsfailedtodisguisetheleanproportionsofthewearer,dueapparentlyrathertoconstitutionthantoaPythagoreanregimen,fortheworthymanwasendowedwiththicklipsandasensualmouth;andwhenhesmiled,displayedasetofwhiteteethwhichwouldhavedonecredittoashark。

Ashawl-waistcoat,likewiseofblackcloth,wassupplementedbyawhiteunder-waistcoat,andyetagainbeneaththisgleamedtheedgeofaredknittedunder-jacket,toputyouinmindofGarat"sfivewaistcoats。Ahugewhitemuslinstockwithaconspicuousbow,inventedbysomeexquisitetocharm“thecharmingsex“in1809,projectedsofarabovethewearer"schinthatthelowerpartofhisfacewaslost,asitwere,inamuslinabyss。Asilkwatch-guard,plaitedtoresemblethekeepsakesmadeofhair,meandereddowntheshirtfrontandsecuredhiswatchfromtheimprobabletheft。Thegreenishcoat,thougholderbysomethreeyearsthanthebreeches,wasremarkablyneat;theblackvelvetcollarandshiningmetalbuttons,recentlyrenewed,toldofcarefulnesswhichdescendedeventotrifles。

Theparticularmanneroffixingthehatontheocciput,thetriplewaistcoat,thevastcravatengulfingthechin,thegaiters,themetalbuttonsonthegreenishcoat,——allthesereminiscencesofImperialfashionswereblendedwithasortofafterwaftandlingeringperfumeofthecoquetryoftheIncroyable——withanindescribablefinicalsomethinginthefoldsofthegarments,acertainairofstiffnessandcorrectnessinthedemeanorthatsmackedoftheschoolofDavid,thatrecalledJacob"sspindle-leggedfurniture。

Atfirstsight,moreover,yousethimdowneitherforthegentlemanbybirthfallenavictimtosomedegradinghabit,orforthemanofsmallindependentmeanswhoseexpensesarecalculatedtosuchanicetythatthebreakageofawindowpane,arentinacoat,oravisitfromthephilanthropicpestwhoasksyouforsubscriptionstoacharity,absorbsthewholeofamonth"slittlesurplusofpocket-money。Ifyouhadseenhimthatafternoon,youwouldhavewonderedhowthatgrotesquefacecametobelightedupwithasmile;usually,surely,itmusthavewornthedispirited,passivelookoftheobscuretoilercondemnedtolaborwithoutceasingforthebarestnecessariesoflife。

Yetwhenyounoticedthattheodd-lookingoldmanwascarryingsomeobject(evidentlyprecious)inhisrighthandwithamother"scare;

concealingitundertheskirtsofhiscoattokeepitfromcollisionsinthecrowd,andstillmore,whenyouremarkedthatimportantairalwaysassumedbyanidlerwhenintrustedwithacommission,youwouldhavesuspectedhimofrecoveringsomepieceoflostproperty,somemodernequivalentofthemarquise"spoodle;youwouldhaverecognizedtheassiduousgallantryofthe“manoftheEmpire“returningintriumphfromhismissiontosomecharmingwomanofsixty,reluctantasyettodispensewiththedailyvisitofherelderly/attentif/。

InParisonlyamonggreatcitieswillyouseesuchspectaclesasthis;

forofherboulevardsParismakesastagewhereanever-endingdramaisplayedgratuitouslybytheFrenchnationintheinterestsofArt。

Inspiteoftherashlyassumedspencer,youwouldscarcelyhavethought,afteraglanceatthecontoursoftheman"sbonyframe,thatthiswasanartist——thatconventionaltypewhichisprivileged,insomethingofthesamewayasaParisgamin,torepresentriotouslivingtothebourgeoisandphilistinemind,themost/mirific/

joviality,inshort(tousetheoldRabelaisianwordnewlytakenintouse)。Yetthiselderlypersonhadoncetakenthemedalandthetravelingscholarship;hehadcomposedthefirstcantatacrownedbytheInstitutatthetimeofthere-establishmentoftheAcademiedeRome;hewasM。SylvainPons,infact——M。SylvainPons,whosenameappearsonthecoversofwell-knownsentimentalsongstrilledbyourmothers,tosaynothingofacoupleofoperas,playedin1815and1816,anddiversunpublishedscores。Theworthysoulwasnowendinghisdaysastheconductorofanorchestrainaboulevardtheatre,andamusicmasterinseveralyoungladies"boarding-schools,apostforwhichhisfaceparticularlyrecommendedhim。Hewasentirelydependentuponhisearnings。Runningabouttogiveprivatelessonsathisage!——

Thinkofit。Howmanyamysteryliesinthatunromanticsituation!

ButthelastmantowearthespencercarriedsomethingabouthimbesideshisEmpireAssociations;awarningandalessonwaswrittenlargeoverthattriplewaistcoat。Whereverhewent,heexhibited,withoutfeeorcharge,oneofthemanyvictimsofthefatalsystemofcompetitionwhichstillprevailsinFranceinspiteofacenturyoftrialwithoutresult;forPoissondeMarigny,brotherofthePompadourandDirectorofFineArts,somewhereabout1746inventedthismethodofapplyingpressuretothebrain。Thatwasahundredyearsago。Tryifyoucancountuponyourfingersthemenofgeniusamongtheprizemenofthosehundredyears。

Inthefirstplace,nodeliberateeffortofschoolmasteroradministratorcanreplacethemiraclesofchancewhichproducegreatmen：ofallthemysteriesofgeneration,thismostdefiestheambitiousmodernscientificinvestigator。Inthesecond——theancientEgyptians(wearetold)inventedincubator-stovesforhatchingeggs;

whatwouldbethoughtofEgyptianswhoshouldneglecttofillthebeaksofthecallowfledglings?YetthisispreciselywhatFranceisdoing。Shedoesherutmosttoproduceartistsbytheartificialheatofcompetitiveexamination;but,thesculptor,painter,engraver,ormusicianonceturnedoutbythismechanicalprocess,shenomoretroublesherselfaboutthemandtheirfatethanthedandycaresforyesterday"sflowerinhisbuttonhole。AndsoithappensthatthereallygreatmanisaGreuze,aWatteau,aFelicienDavid,aPagnesi,aGericault,aDecamps,anAuber,aDavidd"Angers,anEugeneDelacroix,oraMeissonier——artistswhotakebutlittleheedof/grandeprix/,andspringupintheopenfieldundertheraysofthatinvisiblesuncalledVocation。

Toresume。TheGovernmentsentSylvainPonstoRometomakeagreatmusicianofhimself;andinRomeSylvainPonsacquiredatastefortheantiqueandworksofart。Hebecameanadmirablejudgeofthosemasterpiecesofthebrainandhandwhicharesummedupbytheusefulneologism“bric-a-brac;“andwhenthechildofEuterpereturnedtoParissomewhereabouttheyear1810,itwasinthecharacterofarabidcollector,loadedwithpictures,statuettes,frames,wood-

carving,ivories,enamels,porcelains,andthelike。Hehadsunkthegreaterpartofhispatrimony,notsomuchinthepurchasesthemselvesasontheexpensesoftransit;andeverypennyinheritedfromhismotherhadbeenspentinthecourseofathree-years"travelinItalyaftertheresidenceinRomecametoanend。HehadseenVenice,Milan,Florence,Bologna,andNaplesleisurely,ashewishedtoseethem,asadreamerofdreams,andaphilosopher;carelessofthefuture,foranartistlookstohistalentforsupportasthe/filledejoie/countsuponherbeauty。

AllthroughthosesplendidyearsoftravelPonswasashappyaswaspossibletoamanwithagreatsoul,asensitivenature,andafacesouglythatany“successwiththefair“(tousethestereotypedformulaof1809)wasoutofthequestion;therealitiesoflifealwaysfellshortoftheidealswhichPonscreatedforhimself;theworldwithoutwasnotintunewiththesoulwithin,butPonshadmadeuphismindtothedissonance。Doubtlessthesenseofbeautythathehadkeptpureandlivinginhisinmostsoulwasthespringfromwhichthedelicate,graceful,andingeniousmusicflowedandwonhimreputationbetween1810and1814。

Everyreputationfoundeduponthefashionorthefancyofthehour,orupontheshort-livedfolliesofParis,producesitsPons。Noplaceintheworldissoinexorableingreatthings;nocityoftheglobesodisdainfullyindulgentinsmall。Pons"notesweredrownedbeforelonginfloodsofGermanharmonyandthemusicofRossini;andifin1824

hewasknownasanagreeablemusician,acomposerofvariousdrawing-

roommelodies,judgeifhewaslikelytobefamousin183l!In1844,theyearinwhichthesingledramaofthisobscurelifebegan,SylvainPonswasofnomorevaluethananantediluviansemiquaver;dealersinmusichadneverheardofhisname,thoughhewasstillcomposing,onscantypay,forhisownorchestraorforneighboringtheatres。

Andyet,theworthymandidjusticetothegreatmastersofourday;amasterpiecefinelyrenderedbroughttearstohiseyes;buthisreligionneverborderedonmania,asinthecaseofHoffmann"sKreislers;hekepthisenthusiasmtohimself;hisdelight,liketheparadisereachedbyopiumorhashish,laywithinhisownsoul。

Thegiftofadmiration,ofcomprehension,thesinglefacultybywhichtheordinarymanbecomesthebrotherofthepoet,israreinthecityofParis,thatinnwhitherallideas,liketravelers,cometostayforawhile;sorareisit,thatPonssurelydeservesourrespectfulesteem。Hispersonalfailuremayseemanomalous,buthefranklyadmittedthathewasweakinharmony。Hehadneglectedthestudyofcounterpoint;therewasatimewhenhemighthavebegunhisstudiesafreshandheldhisownamongmoderncomposers,whenhemighthavebeen,notcertainlyaRossini,butaHerold。Buthewasalarmedbytheintricaciesofmodernorchestration;andatlength,inthepleasuresofcollecting,hefoundsuchever-renewedcompensationforhisfailure,thatifhehadbeenmadetochoosebetweenhiscuriositiesandthefameofRossini——willitbebelieved?——Ponswouldhavepronouncedforhisbelovedcollection。

PonswasoftheopinionofChenavard,theprint-collector,wholaiditdownasanaxiom——thatyouonlyfullyenjoythepleasureoflookingatyourRuysdael,Hobbema,Holbein,Raphael,Murillo,Greuze,SebastiandelPiombo,Giorgione,AlbrechtDurer,orwhatnot,whenyouhavepaidlessthansixtyfrancsforyourpicture。Ponsnevergavemorethanahundredfrancsforanypurchase。Ifhelaidoutasmuchasfiftyfrancs,hewascarefultoassurehimselfbeforehandthattheobjectwasworththreethousand。Themostbeautifulthingintheworld,ifitcostthreehundredfrancs,didnotexistforPons。Rarehadbeenhisbargains;buthepossessedthethreequalificationsforsuccess——astag"slegs,anidler"sdisregardoftime,andthepatienceofaJew。

Thissystem,carriedoutforfortyyears,inRomeorParisalike,hadborneitsfruits。SincePonsreturnedfromItaly,hehadregularlyspentabouttwothousandfrancsayearuponacollectionofmasterpiecesofeverysortanddescription,acollectionhiddenawayfromalleyesbuthisown;andnowhiscataloguehadreachedtheincrediblenumberof1907。WanderingaboutParisbetween1811and1816,hehadpickedupmanyatreasurefortenfrancs,whichwouldfetchathousandortwelvehundredto-day。Someforty-fivethousandcanvaseschangehandsannuallyinParispicturesales,andthesePonshadsiftedthroughyearbyyear。PonshadSevresporcelain,/patetendre/,boughtofAuvergnats,thosesatellitesoftheBlackBandwhosackedchateauxandcarriedoffthemarvelsofPompadourFranceintheirtumbrilcarts;hehad,infact,collectedthedriftedwreckoftheseventeenthandeighteenthcenturies;herecognizedthegeniusoftheFrenchschool,anddiscernedthemeritoftheLepautresandLavallee-PoussinsandtherestofthegreatobscurecreatorsoftheGenreLouisQuinzeandtheGenreLouisSeize。Ourmoderncraftsmennowdrawwithoutacknowledgmentfromthem,poreincessantlyoverthetreasuresoftheCabinetdesEstampes,borrowadroitly,andgiveouttheir/pastiches/fornewinventions。Ponshadobtainedmanyapiecebyexchange,andthereinliestheineffablejoyofthecollector。Thejoyofbuyingbric-a-bracisasecondarydelight;inthegive-and-takeofbarterliesthejoyofjoys。Ponshadbegunbycollectingsnuff-

boxesandminiatures;hisnamewasunknowninbric-a-bracology,forheseldomshowedhimselfinsalesroomsorintheshopsofwell-knowndealers;Ponswasnotawarethathistreasureshadanycommercialvalue。

ThelatelamentedDusommerardtriedhisbesttogainPons"confidence,buttheprinceofbric-a-bracdiedbeforehecouldgainanentrancetothePonsmuseum,theoneprivatecollectionwhichcouldcomparewiththefamousSauvageotmuseum。PonsandM。Sauvageotindeedresembledeachotherinmorewaysthanone。M。Sauvageot,likePons,wasamusician;hewaslikewiseacomparativelypoorman,andhehadcollectedhisbric-a-bracinmuchthesameway,withthesameloveofart,thesamehatredofrichcapitalistswithwell-knownnameswhocollectforthesakeofrunninguppricesascleverlyaspossible。

Therewasyetanotherpointofresemblancebetweenthepair;Pons,likehisrivalcompetitorandantagonist,feltinhisheartaninsatiablecravingafterspecimensofthecraftsman"sskillandmiraclesofworkmanship;helovedthemasamanmightloveafairmistress;anauctioninthesaleroomsintheRuedesJeuneurs,withitsaccompanimentsofhammerstrokesandbrokers"men,wasacrimeof/lese-bric-a-brac/inPons"eyes。Pons"museumwasforhisowndelightateveryhour;forthesoulcreatedtoknowandfeelallthebeautyofamasterpiecehasthisincommonwiththelover——to-day"sjoyisasgreatasthejoyofyesterday;possessionneverpalls;andamasterpiece,happily,nevergrowsold。Sotheobjectthatheheldinhishandwithsuchfatherlycarecouldonlybea“find,“carriedoffwithwhataffectionamateursaloneknow!

Afterthefirstoutlinesofthisbiographicalsketch,everyonewillcryatonce,“Why!thisisthehappiestmanonearth,inspiteofhisugliness！”And,intruth,nospleen,nodullnesscanresistthecounter-irritantsuppliedbya“craze,“theintellectualmoxaofahobby。Youwhocannolongerdrinkof“thecupofpleasure,“asithasbeencalledthroughallages,trytocollectsomething,nomatterwhat(peoplehavebeenknowntocollectplacards),soshallyoureceivethesmallchangeforthegoldingotofhappiness。Haveyouahobby?Youhavetransferredpleasuretotheplaneofideas。Andyet,youneednotenvytheworthyPons;suchenvy,likeallkindredsentiments,wouldbefoundeduponamisapprehension。

Withanaturesosensitive,withasoulthatlivedbytirelessadmirationofthemagnificentachievementsofart,ofthehighrivalrybetweenhumantoilandtheworkofNature——PonswasaslavetothatoneoftheSevenDeadlySinswithwhichGodsurelywilldealleasthardly;Ponswasaglutton。Anarrowincome,combinedwithapassionforbric-a-brac,condemnedhimtoaregimensoabhorrenttoadiscriminatingpalate,that,bachelorashewas,hehadcuttheknotoftheproblembydiningouteveryday。

Now,inthetimeoftheEmpire,celebritiesweremoresoughtafterthanatpresent,perhapsbecausethereweresofewofthem,perhapsbecausetheymadelittleornopoliticalpretension。Inthosedays,besides,youcouldsetupforapoet,amusician,orapainter,withsolittleexpense。Pons,beingregardedastheprobablerivalofNicolo,Paer,andBerton,usedtoreceivesomanyinvitations,thathewasforcedtokeepalistofengagements,muchasbarristersnotedownthecasesforwhichtheyareretained。AndPonsbehavedlikeanartist。Hepresentedhisamphitryonswithcopiesofhissongs,he“obliged“atthepianoforte,hebroughtthemordersforboxesattheFeydeau,hisowntheatre,heorganizedconcerts,hewasnotabovetakingthefiddlehimselfsometimesinarelation"shouse,andgettingupalittleimpromptudance。Inthosedays,allthehandsomemeninFrancewereawayatthewarsexchangingsabre-cutswiththehandsomemenoftheCoalition。Ponswassaidtobe,notugly,but“peculiar-

looking,“afterthegrandrulelaiddownbyMoliereinEliante"sfamouscouplets;butifhesometimesheardhimselfdescribedasa“charmingman“(afterhehaddonesomefairladyaservice),hisgoodfortunewentnofurtherthanwords。

Itwasbetweentheyears1810and1816thatPonscontractedtheunluckyhabitofdiningout;hegrewaccustomedtoseehishoststakingpainsoverthedinner,procuringthefirstandbestofeverything,bringingouttheirchoicestvintages,seeingcarefullytothedessert,thecoffee,theliqueurs,givinghimoftheirbest,inshort;thebest,moreover,ofthosetimesoftheEmpirewhenPariswasgluttedwithkingsandqueensandprinces,andmanyaprivatehouseemulatedroyalsplendours。

PeopleusedtoplayatRoyaltythenastheyplaynowadaysatparliament,creatingawholehostofsocietieswithpresidents,vice-

presidents,secretariesandwhatnot——agriculturalsocieties,industrialsocieties,societiesforthepromotionofsericulture,viticulture,thegrowthofflax,andsoforth。Somehaveevengonesofarastolookaboutthemforsocialevilsinordertostartasocietytocurethem。

ButtoreturntoPons。Astomachthuseducatedissuretoreactupontheowner"smoralfibre;thedemoralizationofthemanvariesdirectlywithhisprogressinculinarysapience。Voluptuousness,lurkingineverysecretrecessoftheheart,laysdownthelawtherein。Honorandresolutionarebatteredinbreach。Thetyrannyofthepalatehasneverbeendescribed;asanecessityoflifeitescapesthecriticismofliterature;yetnooneimagineshowmanyhavebeenruinedbythetable。Theluxuryofthetableisindeed,inthissense,thecourtesan"sonecompetitorinParis,besidesrepresentinginamannerthecreditsideinanotheraccount,whereshefiguresastheexpenditure。

WithPons"declineandfallasanartistcamehissimultaneoustransformationfrominvitedguesttoparasiteandhanger-on;hecouldnotbringhimselftoquitdinnerssoexcellentlyservedfortheSpartanbrothofatwo-francordinary。Alas!alas!ashudderranthroughhimatthemerethoughtofthegreatsacrificeswhichindependencerequiredhimtomake。Hefeltthathewascapableofsinkingtoevenlowerdepthsforthesakeofgoodliving,iftherewerenootherwayofenjoyingthefirstandbestofeverything,ofguzzling(vulgarbutexpressiveword)nicelittledishescarefullyprepared。Ponslivedlikeabird,pilferinghismeal,flyingawaywhenhehadtakenhisfill,singingafewnotesbywayofreturn;hetookacertainpleasureinthethoughtthathelivedattheexpenseofsociety,whichaskedofhim——whatbutthetriflingtollofgrimaces?

Likeallconfirmedbachelors,whoholdtheirlodgingsinhorror,andliveasmuchaspossibleinotherpeople"shouses,Ponswasaccustomedtotheformulasandfacialcontortionswhichdodutyforfeelingintheworld;heusedcomplimentsassmallchange;andasfarasotherswereconcerned,hewassatisfiedwiththelabelstheybore,andneverplungedatoo-curioushandintothesack。

Thisnotintolerablephaselastedforanothertenyears。Suchyears!

Pons"lifewasclosingwitharainyautumn。Allthroughthoseyearshecontrivedtodinewithoutexpensebymakinghimselfnecessaryinthehouseswhichhefrequented。Hetookthefirststepinthedownwardpathbyundertakingahostofsmallcommissions;manyandmanyatimePonsranonerrandsinsteadoftheporterortheservant;manyapurchasehemadeforhisentertainers。Hebecameakindofharmless,well-meaningspy,sentbyonefamilyintoanother;buthegainednocreditwiththoseforwhomhetrudgedabout,andsooftensacrificedself-respect。

“Ponsisabachelor,“saidthey;“heisatalosstoknowwhattodowithhistime;heisonlytoogladtotrotaboutforus——Whatelsewouldhedo？”

Verysoonthecoldwhicholdagespreadsaboutitselfbegantosetin;

thecommunicablecoldwhichsensiblylowersthesocialtemperature,especiallyiftheoldmanisuglyandpoor。Oldanduglyandpoor——isnotthistobethriceold?Pons"winterhadbegun,thewinterwhichbringsthereddenednose,andfrost-nippedcheeks,andthenumbedfingers,numbinhowmanyways!

InvitationsveryseldomcameforPonsnow。Sofarfromseekingthesocietyoftheparasite,everyfamilyacceptedhimmuchastheyacceptedthetaxes;theyvaluednothingthatPonscoulddoforthem;

realservicesfromPonscountedfornought。Thefamilycirclesinwhichtheworthyartistrevolvedhadnorespectforartorletters;

theywentdownontheirkneestopracticalresults;theyvaluednothingbutthefortuneorsocialpositionacquiredsincetheyear1830。Thebourgeoisieisafraidofintellectandgenius,butPons"

spiritandmannerwerenothaughtyenoughtooverawehisrelations,andnaturallyhehadcomeatlasttobeaccountedlessthannothingwiththem,thoughhewasnotaltogetherdespised。

Hehadsufferedacutelyamongthem,but,likealltimidcreatures,hekeptsilenceastohispain;andsobydegreesschooledhimselftohidehisfeelings,andlearnedtotakesanctuaryinhisinmostself。

Manysuperficialpersonsinterpretthisconductbytheshortword“selfishness;“and,indeed,theresemblancebetweentheegoistandthesolitaryhumancreatureisstrongenoughtoseemtojustifytheharsherverdict;andthisisespeciallytrueinParis,wherenobodyobservesothersclosely,whereallthingspassswiftaswaves,andlastaslittleasaMinistry。

SoCousinPonswasaccusedofselfishness(behindhisback);andiftheworldaccusesanyone,itusuallyfindshimguiltyandcondemnshimintothebargain。Ponsbowedtothedecision。Doanyofusknowhowsuchatimidcreatureiscastdownbyanunjustjudgment?Whowilleverpaintallthatthetimidsuffer?Thisstateofthings,nowgrowingdailyworse,explainsthesadexpressiononthepooroldmusician"sface;helivedbycapitulationsofwhichhewasashamed。

Everytimewesinagainstself-respectatthebiddingoftherulingpassion,werivetitsholduponus;themorethatpassionrequiresofus,thestrongeritgrows,everysacrificeincreasing,asitwere,thevalueofasatisfactionforwhichsomuchhasbeengivenup,tillthenegativesum-totalofrenouncementsloomsverylargeinaman"simagination。Pons,forinstance,afterenduringtheinsolentlypatronizinglooksofsomebourgeois,incasedinbuckramofstupidity,sippedhisglassofportorfinishedhisquailwithbreadcrumbs,andrelishedsomethingofthesavorofrevenge,besides。“Itisnottoodearattheprice！”hesaidtohimself。

Afterall,intheeyesofthemoralist,therewereextenuatingcircumstancesinPons"case。Manonlylives,infact,bysomepersonalsatisfaction。Thepassionless,perfectlyrighteousmanisnothuman;

heisamonster,anangelwantingwings。TheangelofChristianmythologyhasnothingbutahead。Onearth,therighteouspersonisthesufficientlytiresomeGrandison,forwhomtheveryVenusoftheCrosswordsissexless。

SettingasideoneortwocommonplaceadventuresinItaly,inwhichprobablytheclimateaccountedforhissuccess,nowomanhadeversmileduponPons。Plentyofmenaredoomedtothisfate。Ponswasanabnormalbirth;thechildofparentswellstrickeninyears,heborethestigmaofhisuntimelygenesis;hiscadaverouscomplexionmighthavebeencontractedintheflaskofspirit-of-wineinwhichsciencepreservessomeextraordinaryfoetus。Artistthoughhewas,withhistender,dreamy,sensitivesoul,hewasforcedtoacceptthecharacterwhichbelongedtohisface;itwashopelesstothinkoflove,andheremainedabachelor,notsomuchofchoiceasofnecessity。ThenGluttony,thesinofthecontinentmonk,beckonedtoPons;herushedupontemptation,ashehadthrownhiswholesoulintotheadorationofartandthecultofmusic。Goodcheerandbric-a-bracgavehimthesmallchangeforthelovewhichcouldspenditselfinnootherway。Asformusic,itwashisprofession,andwherewillyoufindthemanwhoisinlovewithhismeansofearningalivelihood?Foritiswithaprofessionaswithmarriage：inthelonglengthyouaresensibleofnothingbutthedrawbacks。

Brillat-Savarinhasdeliberatelysethimselftojustifythegastronome,butperhapsevenhehasnotdweltsufficientlyontherealityofthepleasuresofthetable。Thedemandsofdigestionuponthehumaneconomyproduceaninternalwrestling-boutofhumanforceswhichrivalsthehighestdegreeofamorouspleasure。Thegastronomeisconsciousofanexpenditureofvitalpower,anexpendituresovastthatthebrainisatrophied(asitwere),thatasecondbrain,locatedinthediaphragm,maycomeintoplay,andthesuspensionofallthefacultiesisinitselfakindofintoxication。Aboaconstrictorgorgedwithanoxissostupidwithexcessthatthecreatureiseasilykilled。Whatman,onthewrongsideofforty,israshenoughtoworkafterdinner?Andremarkinthesameconnection,thatallgreatmenhavebeenmoderateeaters。Theexhilaratingeffectofthewingofachickenuponinvalidsrecoveringfromseriousillness,andlongconfinedtoastintedandcarefullychosendiet,hasbeenfrequentlyremarked。ThesoberPons,whosewholeenjoymentwasconcentratedintheexerciseofhisdigestiveorgans,wasinthepositionofchronicconvalescence;helookedtohisdinnertogivehimtheutmostdegreeofpleasurablesensation,andhithertohehadprocuredsuchsensationsdaily。Whodarestobidfarewelltooldhabit?Manyamanonthebrinkofsuicidehasbeenpluckedbackonthethresholdofdeathbythethoughtofthecafewhereheplayshisnightlygameofdominoes。

Intheyear1835,chanceavengedPonsfortheindifferenceofwomankindbyfindinghimapropforhisdecliningyears,asthesayinggoes;andhe,whohadbeenoldfromhiscradle,foundasupportinfriendship。Ponstooktohimselftheonlylife-partnerpermittedtohimamonghiskind——anoldmanandafellow-musician。

ButforLaFontaine"sfable,/LesDeuxAmis/,thissketchshouldhavebornethetitleof/TheTwoFriends/;buttotakethenameofthisdivinestorywouldsurelybeadeedofviolence,aprofanationfromwhicheverytruemanofletterswouldshrink。Thetitleoughttobebornealoneandforeverbythefabulist"smasterpiece,therevelationofhissoul,andtherecordofhisdreams;thosethreewordsweresetonceandforeverbythepoetattheheadofapagewhichishisbyasacredrightofownership;foritisashrinebeforewhichallgenerations,allovertheworld,willkneelsolongastheartofprintingshallendure。

Pons"friendgavelessonsonthepianoforte。Theymetandstruckupanacquaintancein1834,oneprizedayataboarding-school;andsocongenialweretheirwaysofthinkingandliving,thatPonsusedtosaythathehadfoundhisfriendtoolateforhishappiness。Never,perhaps,didtwosouls,somuchalike,findeachotherinthegreatoceanofhumanitywhichflowedforth,indisobediencetothewillofGod,fromitssourceintheGardenofEden。Beforeverylongthetwomusicianscouldnotlivewithouteachother。Confidenceswereexchanged,andinaweek"stimetheywerelikebrothers。Schmucke(forthatwashisname)hadnotbelievedthatsuchamanasPonsexisted,norhadPonsimaginedthataSchmuckewaspossible。Herealreadyyouhaveasufficientdescriptionofthegoodcouple;butitisnoteverymindthattakeskindlytotheconcisesyntheticmethod,andacertainamountofdemonstrationisnecessaryifthecredulousaretoaccepttheconclusion。

Thispianist,likeallotherpianists,wasaGerman。AGerman,liketheeminentLisztandthegreatMendelssohn,andSteibelt,andDussek,andMeyer,andMozart,andDoelher,andThalberg,andDreschok,andHiller,andLeopoldHertz,Woertz,Karr,Wolff,Pixis,andClaraWieck——andallGermans,generallyspeaking。Schmuckewasagreatmusicalcomposerdoomedtoremainamusicmaster,soutterlydidhischaracterlacktheaudacitywhichamusicalgeniusneedsifheistopushhiswaytothefront。AGerman"snaivetedoesnotinvariablylasthimthroughhislife;insomecasesitfailsafteracertainage;andevenasacultivatorofthesoilbringswaterfromafarbymeansofirrigationchannels,so,fromthespringsofhisyouth,doestheTeutondrawthesimplicitywhichdisarmssuspicion——theperennialsupplieswithwhichhefertilizeshislaborsineveryfieldofscience,art,orcommerce。AcraftyFrenchmanhereandtherewillturnaParisiantradesman"sstupiditytogoodaccountinthesameway。ButSchmuckehadkepthischild"ssimplicitymuchasPonscontinuedtowearhisrelicsoftheEmpire——allunsuspectingly。Thetrueandnoble-

heartedGermanwasatoncethetheatreandtheaudience,makingmusicwithinhimselfforhimselfalone。InthiscityofParishelivedasanightingalelivesamongthethickets;andfortwentyyearshesangon,mateless,tillhemetwithasecondselfinPons。[See/UneFilled"Eve/。]

BothPonsandSchmuckewereabundantlygiven,bothbyheartanddisposition,tothepeculiarlyGermansentimentalitywhichshowsitselfalikeinchildlikeways——inapassionforflowers,inthatformofnature-worshipwhichpromptsaGermantoplanthisgarden-bedswithbigglassglobesforthesakeofseeingminiaturepicturesoftheviewwhichhecanbeholdabouthimofanaturalsize;intheinquiringturnofmindthatsetsalearnedTeutontrudgingthreehundredmilesinhisgaitersinsearchofafactwhichsmilesupinhisfacefromawaysidespring,orlurkslaughingunderthejessamineleavesintheback-yard;

or(totakeafinalinstance)intheGermancravingtoendoweveryleastdetailincreationwithaspiritualsignificance,acravingwhichproducessometimesHoffmann"stipsinessintype,sometimesthefolioswithwhichGermanyhedgesthesimplestquestionsroundabout,lesthaplyanyfoolshouldfallintoherintellectualexcavations;

and,indeed,ifyoufathomtheseabysses,youfindnothingbutaGermanatthebottom。

BothfriendswereCatholics。TheywenttoMassandperformedthedutiesofreligiontogether;and,likechildren,foundnothingtotelltheirconfessors。Itwastheirfirmbeliefthatmusicistofeelingandthoughtasthoughtandfeelingaretospeech;andoftheirconverseonthissystemtherewasnoend。Eachmaderesponsetotheotherinorgiesofsound,demonstratingtheirconvictions,eachforeach,likelovers。

Schmuckewasasabsent-mindedasPonswaswide-awake。Ponswasacollector,Schmuckeadreamerofdreams;Schmuckewasastudentofbeautyseenbythesoul,Ponsapreserverofmaterialbeauty。PonswouldcatchsightofachinacupandbuyitinthetimethatSchmucketooktoblowhisnose,wonderingthewhilewithinhimselfwhetherthemusicalphrasethatwasringinginhisbrain——the/motif/fromRossiniorBelliniorBeethovenorMozart——haditsoriginoritscounterpartintheworldofhumanthoughtandemotion。Schmucke"seconomieswerecontrolledbyanabsentmind,Ponswasaspendthriftthroughpassion,andforboththeresultwasthesame——theyhadnotapennyonSaintSylvester"sday。

PerhapsPonswouldhavegivenwayunderhistroublesifithadnotbeenforthisfriendship;butlifebecamebearablewhenhefoundsomeonetowhomhecouldpourouthisheart。Thefirsttimethathebreathedawordofhisdifficulties,thegoodGermanhadadvisedhimtoliveashehimselfdid,andeatbreadandcheeseathomesoonerthandineabroadatsuchacost。Alas!Ponsdidnotdaretoconfessthatheartandstomachwereatwarwithinhim,thathecoulddigestaffrontswhichpainedhisheart,and,costwhatitmight,agooddinnerthatsatisfiedhispalatewasanecessitytohim,evenasyourgayLothariomusthaveamistresstotease。

IntimeSchmuckeunderstood;notjustatonce,forhewastoomuchofaTeutontopossessthatgiftofswiftperceptioninwhichtheFrenchrejoice;SchmuckeunderstoodandlovedpoorPonsthebetter。Nothingsofortifiesafriendshipasabeliefonthepartofonefriendthatheissuperiortotheother。AnangelcouldnothavefoundawordtosaytoSchmuckerubbinghishandsoverthediscoveryoftheholdthatgluttonyhadgainedoverPons。Indeed,thegoodGermanadornedtheirbreakfast-tablenextmorningwithdelicaciesofwhichhewentinsearchhimself;andeverydayhewascarefultoprovidesomethingnewforhisfriend,fortheyalwaysbreakfastedtogetherathome。

IfanyoneimaginesthatthepaircouldnotescaperidiculeinParis,wherenothingisrespected,hecannotknowthatcity。WhenSchmuckeandPonsunitedtheirrichesandpoverty,theyhitupontheeconomicalexpedientoflodgingtogether,eachpayinghalftherentoftheveryunequallydividedsecond-floorofahouseintheRuedeNormandieintheMarais。Andasitoftenhappenedthattheylefthometogetherandwalkedsidebysidealongtheirbeatofboulevard,theidlersofthequarterdubbedthem“thepairofnutcrackers,“anicknamewhichmakesanyportraitofSchmuckequitesuperfluous,forhewastoPonsasthefamousstatueoftheNurseofNiobeintheVaticanistotheTribuneVenus。

Mme。Cibot,portressofthehouseintheRuedeNormandie,wasthepivotonwhichthedomesticlifeofthenutcrackersturned;butMme。

Cibotplayssolargeapartinthedramawhichgrewoutoftheirdoubleexistence,thatitwillbemoreappropriatetogiveherportraitonherfirstappearanceinthisSceneofParisianLife。

Onethingremainstobesaidofthecharactersofthepairoffriends;

butthisonethingispreciselythehardesttomakecleartoninety-

ninereadersoutofahundredinthisforty-seventhyearofthenineteenthcentury,perhapsbyreasonoftheprodigiousfinancialdevelopmentbroughtaboutbytherailwaysystem。Itisalittlething,andyetitissomuch。Itisaquestion,infact,ofgivinganideaoftheextremesensitivenessoftheirnatures。Letusborrowanillustrationfromtherailways,ifonlybywayofretaliation,asitwere,fortheloanswhichtheylevyuponus。Therailwaytrainofto-day,tearingoverthemetals,grindsawayfineparticlesofdust,grainssominutethatatravelercannotdetectthemwiththeeye;butletasingleoneofthoseinvisiblemotesfinditswayintothekidneys,itwillbringaboutthatmostexcruciating,andsometimesfatal,diseaseknownasgravel。Andoursociety,rushinglikealocomotivealongitsmetaledtrack,isheedlessoftheallbutimperceptibledustmadebythegrindingofthewheels;butitwasotherwisewiththetwomusicians;theinvisiblegrainsofsandsankperpetuallyintotheveryfibresoftheirbeing,causingthemintolerableanguishofheart。Tenderexceedinglytothepainofothers,theyweptfortheirownpowerlessnesstohelp;andtheirownsusceptibilitieswerealmostmorbidlyacute。NeitheragenorthecontinualspectacleofthedramaofParislifehadhardenedtwosoulsstillyoungandchildlikeandpure;thelongertheylived,indeed,themorekeenlytheyfelttheirinwardsuffering;forsoitis,alas!withnaturesunsulliedbytheworld,withthequietthinker,andwithsuchpoetsamongthepoetsashaveneverfallenintoanyexcess。

Sincetheoldmenbeganhousekeepingtogether,theday"sroutinewasverynearlythesameforthemboth。TheyworkedtogetherinharnessinthefraternalfashionofthePariscab-horse;risingeverymorning,summerandwinter,atseveno"clock,andsettingoutafterbreakfasttogivemusiclessonsintheboarding-schools,inwhich,uponoccasion,theywouldtakelessonsforeachother。TowardsnoonPonsrepairedtohistheatre,iftherewasarehearsalonhand;butallhissparemomentswerespentinsaunteringontheboulevards。Nightfoundbothofthemintheorchestraatthetheatre,forPonshadfoundaplaceforSchmucke,anduponthiswise。

Atthetimeoftheirfirstmeeting,Ponshadjustreceivedthatmarshal"sbatonoftheunknownmusicalcomposer——anappointmentasconductorofanorchestra。Ithadcometohimunasked,byafavorofCountPopinot,abourgeoisheroofJuly,atthattimeamemberoftheGovernment。CountPopinothadthelicenseofatheatreinhisgift,andCountPopinothadalsoanoldacquaintanceofthekindthatthesuccessfulmanblushestomeet。AsherollsthroughthestreetsofParisinhiscarriage,itisnotpleasanttoseehisboyhood"schumdownatheel,withacoatofmanyimprobablecolorsandtrousersinnocentofstraps,andaheadfullofsoaringspeculationsontoograndascaletotemptshy,easilyscaredcapital。Moreover,thisfriendofhisyouth,Gaudissartbyname,haddonenotalittleinthepasttowardsfoundingthefortunesofthegreathouseofPopinot。

Popinot,nowaCountandapeerofFrance,aftertwiceholdingaportfoliohadnowishtoshakeoff“theIllustriousGaudissart。“Quiteotherwise。ThepompsandvanitiesoftheCourtoftheCitizen-Kinghadnotspoiledthesometimedruggist"skindheart;hewishedtoputhisex-commercialtravelerinthewayofrenewinghiswardrobeandreplenishinghispurse。SowhenGaudissart,alwaysanenthusiasticadmirerofthefairsex,appliedforthelicenseofabankrupttheatre,PopinotgranteditonconditionthatPons(aparasiteoftheHotelPopinot)shouldbeengagedasconductoroftheorchestra;andatthesametime,theCountwascarefultosendcertainelderlyamateursofbeautytothetheatre,sothatthenewmanagermightbestronglysupportedfinanciallybywealthyadmirersoffemininecharmsrevealedbythecostumeoftheballet。

GaudissartandCompany,who,beitsaid,madetheirfortune,hituponthegrandideaofoperasforthepeople,andcarrieditoutinaboulevardtheatrein1834。Atolerableconductor,whocouldadaptorevencomposealittlemusicuponoccasion,wasanecessityforballetsandpantomimes;butthelastmanagementhadsolongbeenbankrupt,thattheycouldnotaffordtokeepatransposerandcopyist。PonsthereforeintroducedSchmucketothecompanyascopierofmusic,ahumblecallingwhichrequiresnosmallmusicalknowledge;andSchmucke,actingonPons"advice,cametoanunderstandingwiththe/chef-de-service/attheOpera-Comique,sosavinghimselftheclericaldrudgery。

ThepartnershipbetweenPonsandSchmuckeproducedonebrilliantresult。SchmuckebeingaGerman,harmonywashisstrongpoint;helookedovertheinstrumentationofPons"compositions,andPonsprovidedtheairs。Hereandthereanamateuramongtheaudienceadmiredthenewpiecesofmusicwhichservedasaccompanimenttotwoorthreegreatsuccesses,buttheyattributedtheimprovementvaguelyto“progress。“Noonecaredtoknowthecomposer"sname;likeoccupantsofthe/baignoires/,losttoviewofthehouse,togainaviewofthestage,PonsandSchmuckeeclipsedthemselvesbytheirsuccess。InParis(especiallysincetheRevolutionofJuly)noonecanhopetosucceedunlesshewillpushhisway/quibuscumqueviis/andwithallhismightthroughaformidablehostofcompetitors;butforthisfeatamanneedsthewsandsinews,andourtwofriends,beitremembered,hadthataffectionoftheheartwhichcripplesallambitiouseffort。

Pons,asarule,onlywenttohistheatretowardseighto"clock,whenthepieceinfavorcameon,andoverturesandaccompanimentsneededthestrictrulingofthebaton;mostminortheatresarelaxinsuchmatters,andPonsfeltthemoreateasebecausehehimselfhadbeenbynomeansgraspinginallhisdealingswiththemanagement;andSchmucke,ifneedbe,couldtakehisplace。Timewentby,andSchmuckebecameaninstitutionintheorchestra;theIllustriousGaudissartsaidnothing,buthewaswellawareofthevalueofPons"

collaborator。Hewasobligedtoincludeapianoforteintheorchestra(followingtheexampleoftheleadingtheatres);theinstrumentwasplacedbesidetheconductor"schair,andSchmuckeplayedwithoutincreaseofsalary——avolunteersupernumerary。AsSchmucke"scharacter,hisutterlackofambitionorpretencebecameknown,theorchestrarecognizedhimasoneofthemselves;andastimewenton,hewasintrustedwiththeoftenneededmiscellaneousmusicalinstrumentswhichformnopartoftheregularbandofaboulevardtheatre。Foraverysmalladditiontohisstipend,Schmuckeplayedtheviolad"amore,hautboy,violoncello,andharp,aswellasthepiano,thecastanetsforthe/cachucha/,thebells,saxhorn,andthelike。IftheGermanscannotdrawharmonyfromthemightyinstrumentsofLiberty,yettoplayallinstrumentsofmusiccomestothembynature。

Thetwooldartistswereexceedinglypopularatthetheatre,andtookitswaysphilosophically。Theyhadput,asitwere,scalesovertheireyes,lesttheyshouldseetheoffencesthatneedsmustcomewhena/corpsdeballet/isblendedwithactorsandactresses,oneofthemosttryingcombinationsevercreatedbythelawsofsupplyanddemandforthetormentofmanagers,authors,andcomposersalike。

EveryoneesteemedPonswithhiskindnessandhismodesty,hisgreatself-respectandrespectforothers;forapureandlimpidlifewinssomethinglikeadmirationfromtheworstnatureineverysocialsphere,andinParisafairvirtuemeetswithsomethingofthesuccessofalargediamond,sogreatararityitis。Noactor,nodancerhoweverbrazen,wouldhaveindulgedinthemildestpracticaljokeattheexpenseofeitherPonsorSchmucke。

Ponsveryoccasionallyputinanappearanceinthe/foyer/;butallthatSchmuckeknewofthetheatrewastheundergroundpassagefromthestreetdoortotheorchestra。Sometimes,however,duringaninterval,thegoodGermanwouldventuretomakeasurveyofthehouseandaskafewquestionsofthefirstflute,ayoungfellowfromStrasbourg,whocameofaGermanfamilyatKehl。Graduallyundertheflute"stuitionSchmucke"schildlikeimaginationacquiredacertainamountofknowledgeoftheworld;hecouldbelieveintheexistenceofthatfabulouscreaturethe/lorette/,thepossibilityof“marriagesattheThirteenthArrondissement,“thevagariesoftheleadinglady,andthecontrabandtrafficcarriedonbybox-openers。InhiseyesthemoreharmlessformsofvicewerethelowestdepthsofBabylonishiniquity;

hedidnotbelievethestories,hesmiledatthemforgrotesqueinventions。TheingeniousreadercanseethatPonsandSchmuckewereexploited,touseawordmuchinfashion;butwhattheylostinmoneytheygainedinconsiderationandkindlytreatment。

ItwasafterthesuccessoftheballetwithwhicharunofsuccessbeganfortheGaudissartCompanythatthemanagementpresentedPonswithapieceofplate——agroupoffiguresattributedtoBenvenutoCellini。Thealarmingcostlinessofthegiftcausedtalkinthegreen-

room。Itwasamatteroftwelvehundredfrancs!Pons,poorhonestsoul,wasforreturningthepresent,andGaudissarthadaworldoftroubletopersuadehimtokeepit。

“Ah！”saidthemanagerafterwards,whenhetoldhispartneroftheinterview,“ifwecouldonlyfindactorsuptothatsample。“

Intheirjointlife,outwardlysoquiet,therewastheonedisturbingelement——theweaknesstowhichPonssacrificed,theinsatiablecravingtodineout。WheneverSchmuckehappenedtobeathomewhilePonswasdressingfortheevening,thegoodGermanwouldbewailthisdeplorablehabit。

“Gifonlyhevasonyfattervorit！”hemanyatimecried。

AndSchmuckewoulddreamofcuringhisfriendofhisdegradingvice,foratruefriend"sinstinctinallthatbelongstotheinnerlifeisunerringasadog"ssenseofsmell;afriendknowsbyintuitionthetroubleinhisfriend"ssoul,andguessesatthecauseandpondersitinhisheart。

Pons,whoalwaysworeadiamondringonthelittlefingerofhisrighthand,anornamentpermittedinthetimeoftheEmpire,butridiculousto-day——Pons,whobelongedtothe“troubadourtime,“thesentimentalperiodsofthefirstEmpire,wastoomuchachildofhisage,toomuchofaFrenchmantoweartheexpressionofdivineserenitywhichsoftenedSchmucke"shideousugliness。FromPons"melancholylooksSchmuckeknewthattheprofessionofparasitewasgrowingdailymoredifficultandpainful。And,infact,inthatmonthofOctober1844,thenumberofhousesatwhichPonsdinedwasnaturallymuchrestricted;reducedtomoveroundandroundthefamilycircle,hehadusedthewordfamilyinfartoowideasense,aswillshortlybeseen。

M。Camusot,therichsilkmerceroftheRuedesBourdonnais,hadmarriedPons"firstcousin,Mlle。Pons,onlychildandheiressofoneofthewell-knownfirmofPonsBrothers,courtembroiderers。Pons"ownfatherandmotherretiredfromafirmfoundedbeforetheRevolutionof1789,leavingtheircapitalinthebusinessuntilMlle。Pons"fathersolditin1815toM。Rivet。M。Camusothadsincelosthiswifeandmarriedagain,andretiredfrombusinesssometenyears,andnowin1844hewasamemberoftheBoardofTrade,adeputy,andwhatnot。

ButtheCamusotclanwerefriendly;andPons,goodman,stillconsideredthathewassomekindofcousintothechildrenofthesecondmarriage,whowerenotrelations,orevenconnectedwithhiminanyway。

ThesecondMme。CamusotbeingaMlle。Cardot,PonsintroducedhimselfasarelativeintothetolerablynumerousCardotfamily,asecondbourgeoistribewhich,takenwithitsconnections,formedquiteasstrongaclanastheCamusots;forCardotthenotary(brotherofthesecondMme。Camusot)hadmarriedaMlle。Chiffreville;andthewell-

knownfamilyofChiffreville,theleadingfirmofmanufacturingchemists,wascloselyconnectedwiththewholedrugtrade,ofwhichM。

AnselmePopinotwasformanyyearstheundisputedhead,untiltheRevolutionofJulyplungedhimintotheverycentreofthedynasticmovement,aseverybodyknows。SoPons,inthewakeoftheCamusotsandCardots,reachedtheChiffrevilles,andthencethePopinots,alwaysinthecharacterofacousin"scousin。

TheaboveconcisestatementofPons"relationswithhisentertainersexplainshowitcametopassthatanoldmusicianwasreceivedin1844

asoneofthefamilyinthehousesoffourdistinguishedpersons——towit,M。leComtePopinot,peerofFrance,andtwiceinoffice;M。

Cardot,retirednotary,mayoranddeputyofanarrondissementinParis;M。Camusotsenior,amemberoftheBoardofTradeandtheMunicipalChamberandapeerage;andlastly,M。CamusotdeMarville,Camusot"ssonbyhisfirstmarriage,andPons"onegenuinerelation,albeitevenhewasafirstcousinonceremoved。

ThisCamusot,PresidentofaChamberoftheCourtofAppealinParis,hadtakenthenameofhisestateatMarvilletodistinguishhimselffromhisfatherandayoungerhalfbrother。

Cardottheretirednotaryhadmarriedhisdaughtertohissuccessor,whosenamewasBerthier;andPons,transferredaspartoftheconnection,acquiredarighttodinewiththeBerthiers“inthepresenceofanotary,“asheputit。

ThiswasthebourgeoisempyreanwhichPonscalledhis“family,“thatupperworldinwhichhesopainfullyreservedhisrighttoaknifeandfork。

Ofallthesehouses,someteninall,theoneinwhichPonsoughttohavemetwiththekindestreceptionshouldbyrightshavebeenhisowncousin"s;and,indeed,hepaidmostattentiontoPresidentCamusot"sfamily。But,alas!Mme。CamusotdeMarville,daughteroftheSieurThirion,usherofthecabinettoLouisXVIII。andCharlesX。,hadnevertakenverykindlytoherhusband"sfirstcousin,onceremoved。

Ponshadtriedtosoftenthisformidablerelative;hewastedhistime;

forinspiteofthepianofortelessonswhichhegavegratuitouslytoMlle。Camusot,ayoungwomanwithhairsomewhatinclinedtored,itwasimpossibletomakeamusicianofher。

Andnow,atthisverymoment,ashewalkedwiththatpreciousobjectinhishand,PonswasboundforthePresident"shouse,wherehealwaysfeltasifhewereattheTuileriesitself,soheavilydidthesolemngreencurtains,thecarmelite-brownhangings,thickpiledcarpets,heavyfurniture,andgeneralatmosphereofmagisterialseverityoppresshissoul。Strangeasitmayseem,hefeltmoreathomeintheHotelPopinot,RueBasse-du-Rempart,probablybecauseitwasfullofworksofart;forthemasterofthehouse,sinceheenteredpubliclife,hadacquiredamaniaforcollectingbeautifulthings,bywayofcontrastnodoubt,forapoliticianisobligedtopayforsecretservicesoftheugliestkind。

PresidentdeMarvillelivedintheRuedeHanovre,inahousewhichhiswifehadboughttenyearspreviously,onthedeathofherparents,fortheSieurandDameThirionlefttheirdaughteraboutahundredandfiftythousandfrancs,thesavingsofalifetime。Withitsnorthaspect,thehouselooksgloomyenoughseenfromthestreet,butthebacklookstowardsthesouthoverthecourtyard,witharatherprettygardenbeyondit。AsthePresidentoccupiedthewholeofthefirstfloor,oncetheabodeofagreatfinancierofthetimeofLouisXIV。,andthesecondwaslettoawealthyoldlady,thehouseworealookofdignifiedreposebefittingamagistrate"sresidence。PresidentCamusothadinvestedallthatheinheritedfromhismother,togetherwiththesavingsoftwentyyears,inthepurchaseofthesplendidMarvilleestate;achateau(asfinearelicofthepastasyouwillfindto-dayinNormandy)standinginahundredacresofparkland,andafinedependentfarm,nominallybringingintwelvethousandfrancsperannum,though,asitcostthePresidentatleastathousandcrownstokeepupastatealmostprincelyinourdays,hisyearlyrevenue,“alltold,“asthesayingis,wasabareninethousandfrancs。Withthisandhissalary,thePresident"sincomeamountedtoabouttwentythousandfrancs;butthoughtoallappearanceawealthyman,especiallyasone-halfofhisfather"spropertywouldonedayreverttohimastheonlychildofthefirstmarriage,hewasobligedtoliveinParisasbefittedhisofficialposition,andM。andMme。deMarvillespentalmostthewholeoftheirincomes。Indeed,beforetheyear1834theyfeltpinched。

ThisfamilyschedulesufficientlyexplainswhyMlle。deMarville,agedthree-and-twenty,wasstillunwed,inspiteofahundredthousandfrancsofdowryandtemptingprospects,frequently,skilfully,butsofarvainly,heldout。ForthepastfiveyearsPonshadlistenedtoMme。laPresidente"slamentationsasshebeheldoneyounglawyerafteranotherledtothealtar,whileallthenewlyappointedjudgesattheTribunalwerefathersoffamiliesalready;andshe,allthistime,haddisplayedMlle。deMarville"sbrilliantexpectationsbeforetheundazzledeyesofyoungVicomtePopinot,eldestsonofthegreatmanofthedrugtrade,heofwhomitwassaidbytheenvioustonguesoftheneighborhoodoftheRuedesLombards,thattheRevolutionofJulyhadbeenbroughtaboutatleastasmuchforhisparticularbenefitasforthesakeoftheOrleansbranch。

ArrivedatthecorneroftheRuedeChoiseulandtheRuedeHanovre,Ponssufferedfromtheinexplicableemotionswhichtormentclearconsciences;forapanicterrorsuchastheworstofscoundrelsmightfeelatsightofapoliceman,anagonycausedsolelybyadoubtastoMme。deMarville"sprobablereceptionofhim。Thatgrainofsand,gratingcontinuallyonthefibresofhisheart,sofarfromlosingitsangles,grewmoreandmorejagged,andthefamilyintheRuedeHanovrealwayssharpenedtheedges。Indeed,theirunceremonioustreatmentandPons"depreciationinvalueamongthemhadaffectedtheservants;andwhiletheydidnotexactlyfailinrespect,theylookedonthepoorrelationasakindofbeggar。

Pons"arch-enemyinthehousewastheladies"-maid,athinandwizenedspinster,MadeleineVivetbyname。ThisMadeleine,inspiteof,nay,perhapsonthestrengthof,apimpledcomplexionandaviper-likelengthofspine,hadmadeuphermindthatsomedayshewouldbeMme。

Pons。Butinvainshedangledtwentythousandfrancsofsavingsbeforetheoldbachelor"seyes;Ponshaddeclinedhappinessaccompaniedbysomanypimples。FromthattimeforththeDidooftheante-chamber,whofainhadcalledhermasterandmistress“cousin,“wreakedherspiteinpettywaysuponthepoormusician。Sheheardhimonthestairs,andcriedaudibly,“Oh!herecomesthesponger！”Shestintedhimofwinewhenshewaitedatdinnerinthefootman"sabsence;shefilledthewater-glasstothebrim,togivehimthedifficulttaskofliftingitwithoutspillingadrop;orshewouldpasstheoldmanoveraltogether,tillthemistressofthehousewouldremindher(andinwhatatone!——itbroughtthecolortothepoorcousin"sface);orshewouldspillthegravyoverhisclothes。Inshort,shewagedpettywarafterthemannerofapettynature,knowingthatshecouldannoyanunfortunatesuperiorwithimpunity。

MadeleineVivetwasMme。deMarville"smaidandhousekeeper。ShehadlivedwithM。andMme。CamusotdeMarvillesincetheirmarriage;shehadsharedtheearlystrugglesintheprovinceswhenM。CamusotwasajudgeatAlencon;shehadhelpedthemtoexistwhenM。Camusot,PresidentoftheTribunalofMantes,cametoParis,in1828,tobeanexaminingmagistrate。Shewas,therefore,toomuchoneofthefamilynottowish,forreasonsofherown,torevengeherselfuponthem。

Beneathherdesiretopayatrickuponherhaughtyandambitiousmistress,andtocallhermasterhercousin,theresurelylurkedalong-stifledhatred,builtuplikeanavalanche,uponthepebbleofsomepastgrievance。

“HerecomesyourM。Pons,madame,stillwearingthatspencerofhis！”

MadeleinecametotellthePresidente。“Hereallymighttellmehowhemanagestomakeitlookthesameforfive-and-twentyyearstogether。“

Mme。CamusotdeMarville,hearingaman"sfootstepinthelittledrawing-roombetweenthelargedrawing-roomandherbedroom,lookedatherdaughterandshruggedhershoulders。

“Youalwaysmaketheseannouncementssocleverlythatyouleavemenotimetothink,Madeleine。“

“Jeanisout,madame,Iwasallalone;M。Ponsrangthebell,Iopenedthedoor;andasheisalmostoneofthefamily,Icouldnotpreventhimfromcomingafterme。Thereheis,takingoffhisspencer。“

“Poorlittlepuss！”saidthePresidente,addressingherdaughter,“wearecaught。Weshallhavetodineathomenow——Letussee,“sheadded,seeingthatthe“dearpuss“woreapiteousface;“mustwegetridofhimforgood？”

“Oh!poorman！”criedMlle。Camusot,“deprivehimofoneofhisdinners？”

Somebodycoughedsignificantlyinthenextroombywayofwarningthathecouldhear。

“Verywell,lethimcomein！”saidMme。Camusot,lookingatMadeleinewithanothershrug。

“Youareheresoearly,cousin,thatyouhavecomeinuponusjustasmotherwasabouttodress,“saidCecileCamusotinacoaxingtone。ButCousinPonshadcaughtsightofthePresidente"sshrug,andfeltsocruellyhurtthathecouldnotfindacompliment,andcontentedhimselfwiththeprofoundremark,“Youarealwayscharming,mylittlecousin。“

Then,turningtothemother,hecontinuedwithabow：

“Youwillnottakeitamiss,Ithink,ifIhavecomealittleearlierthanusual,dearcousin;Ihavebroughtsomethingforyou;youoncedidmethepleasureofaskingmeforit。“

PoorPons!EverytimeheaddressedthePresident,thePresident"swife,orCecileas“cousin,“hegavethemexcruciatingannoyance。Ashespoke,hedrawalong,narrowcherry-woodbox,marvelouslycarved,fromhiscoat-pocket。

“Oh,didI?——Ihadforgotten,“theladyanswereddrily。

Itwasaheartlessspeech,wasitnot?Didnotthosefewwordsdenyallmerittothepainstakenforherbythecousinwhoseoneoffencelayinthefactthathewasapoorrelation?

“Butitisverykindofyou,cousin,“sheadded。“HowmuchtoIoweyouforthislittletrifle？”

Ponsquiveredinwardlyatthequestion。Hehadmeantthetrinketasareturnforhisdinners。

“Ithoughtthatyouwouldpermitmetoofferityou——“hefalteredout。

“What？”saidMme。Camusot。“Oh!butthereneedbenoceremonybetweenus;weknoweachotherwellenoughtowashourlinenamongourselves。

Iknowverywellthatyouarenotrichenoughtogivemorethanyouget。Andtogonofurther,itisquiteenoughthatyoushouldhavespentagooddealoftimeinrunningamongthedealers——“

“Ifyouwereaskedtopaythefullpriceofthefan,mydearcousin,youwouldnotcaretohaveit,“answeredpoorPons,hurtandinsulted;

“itisoneofWatteau"smasterpieces,paintedonbothsides;butyoumaybequiteeasy,cousin,Ididnotgiveone-hundredthpartofitsvalueasaworkofart。“

Totellarichmanthatheispoor!youmightaswelltelltheArchbishopofGranadathathishomiliesshowsignsofsenility。Mme。

laPresidente,proudofherhusband"sposition,oftheestateofMarville,andherinvitationstocourtballs,waskeenlysusceptibleonthispoint;andwhatwasworse,theremarkcamefromapoverty-

strickenmusiciantowhomshehadbeencharitable。

“Thenthepeopleofwhomyoubuythingsofthiskindareverystupid,arethey？”sheaskedquickly。

“StupiddealersareunknowninParis,“Ponsansweredalmostdrily。

“Thenyoumustbeveryclever,“putinCecilebywayofcalmingthedispute。

“CleverenoughtoknowaLancret,aWatteau,aPater,orGreuzewhenI

seeit,littlecousin;butanxious,mostofall,topleaseyourdearmamma。“

Mme。deMarville,ignorantandvain,wasunwillingtoappeartoreceivetheslightesttriflefromtheparasite;andhereherignoranceservedheradmirably,shedidnotevenknowthenameofWatteau。And,ontheotherhand,ifanythingcanmeasuretheextentofthecollector"spassion,which,intruth,isoneofthemostdeeplyseatedofallpassions,rivalingtheveryvanityoftheauthor——ifanythingcangiveanideaofthelengthstowhichacollectorwillgo,itistheaudacitywhichPonsdisplayedonthisoccasion,asheheldhisownagainsthisladycousinforthefirsttimeintwentyyears。Hewasamazedathisownboldness。HemadeCecileseethebeautiesofthedelicatecarvingonthesticksofthiswonder,andashetalkedtoherhisfacegrewsereneandgentleagain。ButwithoutsomesketchofthePresidente,itisimpossiblefullytounderstandtheperturbationofheartfromwhichPonssuffered。

Mme。deMarvillehadbeenshortandfair,plumpandfresh;atforty-

sixshewasasshortasever,butshelookeddriedup。Anarchedforeheadandthinlips,thathadbeensoftlycoloredonce,lentasouredlooktoafacenaturallydisdainful,andnowgrownhardandunpleasantwithalongcourseofabsolutedomesticrule。Timehaddeepenedherfairhairtoaharshchestnuthue;theprideofoffice,intensifiedbysuppressedenvy,lookedoutofeyesthathadlostnoneoftheirbrightnessnortheirsatiricalexpression。Asamatteroffact,Mme。CamusotdeMarvillefeltalmostpoorinthesocietyofself-madewealthybourgeoiswithwhomPonsdined。Shecouldnotforgivetherichretaildruggist,ex-presidentoftheCommercialCourt,forhissuccessiveelevationsasdeputy,memberoftheGovernment,countandpeerofFrance。Shecouldnotforgiveherfather-in-lawforputtinghimselfforwardinsteadofhiseldestsonasdeputyofhisarrondissementafterPopinot"spromotiontothepeerage。

AftereighteenyearsofservicesinParis,shewasstillwaitingforthepostofCouncilloroftheCourtofCassationforherhusband。ItwasCamusot"sownincompetence,wellknownattheLawCourts,whichexcludedhimfromtheCouncil。TheHomeSecretaryof1844evenregrettedCamusot"snominationtothepresidencyoftheCourtofIndictmentsin1834,though,thankstohispastexperienceasanexaminingmagistrate,hemadehimselfusefulindraftingdecrees。

ThesedisappointmentshadtolduponMme。deMarville,who,moreover,hadformedatolerablycorrectestimateofherhusband。Atempernaturallyshrewishwassouredtillshegrewpositivelyterrible。Shewasnotold,butshehadaged;shedeliberatelysetherselftoextortbyfearallthattheworldwasinclinedtorefuseher,andwasharshandraspingasafile。Caustictoexcessshehadfewfriendsamongwomen;shesurroundedherselfwithprim,elderlymatronsofherownstamp,wholenteachothermutualsupport,andpeoplestoodinaweofher。AsforpoorPons,hisrelationswiththisfiendinpetticoatswereverymuchthoseofaschoolboywiththemasterwhoseoneideaofcommunicationistheferule。

ThePresidentehadnoideaofthevalueofthegift。Shewaspuzzledbyhercousin"ssuddenaccessofaudacity。

“Then,wheredidyoufindthis？”inquiredCecile,asshelookedcloselyatthetrinket。

“IntheRuedeLappe。Adealerinsecond-handfurnituretherehadjustbroughtitbackwithhimfromachateauthatisbeingpulleddownnearDreux,Aulnay。Mme。dePompadourusedtospendpartofhertimetherebeforeshebuiltMenars。Someofthemostsplendidwood-carvingeverknownhasbeensavedfromdestruction;Lienard(ourmostfamouslivingwood-carver)hadkeptacoupleofovalframesformodels,asthe/neplusultra/oftheart,sofineitis——Thereweretreasuresinthatplace。Mymanfoundthefaninthedrawerofaninlaidwhat-not,whichIshouldcertainlyhaveboughtifIwerecollectingthingsofthekind,butitisquiteoutofthequestion——asinglepieceofRiesener"sfurnitureisworththreeorfourthousandfrancs!PeoplehereinParisarejustbeginningtofindoutthatthefamousFrenchandGermanmarquetryworkersofthesixteenth,seventeenth,andeighteenthcenturiescomposedperfectpicturesinwood。Itisacollector"sbusinesstobeaheadofthefashion。Why,infiveyears"

time,theFrankenthalware,whichIhavebeencollectingthesetwentyyears,willfetchtwicethepriceofSevres/patatendre/。“

“WhatisFrankenthalware？”askedCecile。

“ThatisthenameoftheporcelainmadebytheElectorofthePalatinate;itdatesfurtherbackthanourmanufactoryatSevres;justasthefamousgardensatHeidelberg,laidwastebyTurenne,hadthebadlucktoexistbeforethegardenofVersailles。SevrescopiedFrankenthaltoalargeextent——InjusticetotheGermans,itmustbesaidthattheyhavedoneadmirableworkinSaxonyandinthePalatinate。“

MotheranddaughterlookedatoneanotherasifPonswerespeakingChinese。NoonecanimaginehowignorantandexclusiveParisiansare;

theyonlylearnwhattheyaretaught,andthatonlywhentheychoose。

“AndhowdoyouknowtheFrankenthalwarewhenyouseeit？”

“Eh!bythemark！”criedPonswithenthusiasm。“Thereisamarkoneveryoneofthoseexquisitemasterpieces。FrankenthalwareismarkedwithaCandT(forCharlesTheodore)interlacedandcrowned。OnoldDresdenchinatherearetwocrossedswordsandthenumberoftheorderingiltfigures。Vincennesbearsahunting-horn;Vienna,aVclosedandbarred。YoucantellBerlinbythetwobars,Mayencebythewheel,andSevresbythetwocrossedL"s。Thequeen"sporcelainismarkedA

forAntoinette,witharoyalcrownaboveit。Intheeighteenthcentury,allthecrownedheadsofEuropehadrivalporcelainfactories,andworkmenwerekidnaped。WatteaudesignedservicesfortheDresdenfactory;theyfetchfranticpricesatthepresentday。Onehastoknowwhatoneisaboutwiththemtoo,fortheyareturningoutimitationsnowatDresden。Wonderfulthingstheyusedtomake;theywillnevermakethelikeagain——“

“Oh!pshaw！”

“No,cousin。Someinlaidworkandsomekindsofporcelainwillneverbemadeagain,justastherewillneverbeanotherRaphael,norTitian,norRembrandt,norVanEyck,norCranach……Well,now!

therearetheChinese;theyareveryingenious,veryclever;theymakemoderncopiesoftheir"grandmandarin"porcelain,asitiscalled。

Butapairofvasesofgenuine"grandmandarin"vasesofthelargestsize,areworth,six,eight,andtenthousandfrancs,whileyoucanbuythemodernreplicasforacoupleofhundred！”

“Youarejoking。“

“Youareastonishedattheprices,butthatisnothing,cousin。A

dinnerserviceofSevres/patetendre/(and/patetendre/isnotporcelain)——acompletedinnerserviceofSevres/patetendre/fortwelvepersonsisnotmerelyworthahundredthousandfrancs,butthatisthepricechargedontheinvoice。Suchadinner-servicecostfifteenthousandfrancsatSevresin1750;Ihaveseentheoriginalinvoices。“

“Butletusgobacktothisfan,“saidCecile。Evidentlyinheropinionthetrinketwasanold-fashionedthing。

“Youcanunderstandthatassoonasyourdearmammadidmethehonorofaskingforafan,IwentroundofallthecuriosityshopsinParis,butIfoundnothingfineenough。IwantednothinglessthanamasterpieceforthedearPresidente,andthoughtofgivingheronethatoncebelongedtoMarieAntoinette,themostbeautifulofallcelebratedfans。ButyesterdayIwasdazzledbythisdivine/chef-

d"oeuvre/,whichcertainlymusthavebeenorderedbyLouisXV。

himself。DoyouaskhowIcametolookforfansintheRuedeLappe,amonganAuvergnat"sstockofbrassandironandormolufurniture?

Well,Imyselfbelievethatthereisanintelligenceinworksofart;

theyknowart-lovers,theycalltothem——"Cht-tt!"“

Mme。deMarvilleshruggedhershouldersandlookedatherdaughter;

Ponsdidnotnoticetherapidpantomime。

“Iknowallthosesharpers,“continuedPons,“soIaskedhim,"Anythingfreshto-day,DaddyMonistrol?"——(forhealwaysletsmelookoverhislotsbeforethebigbuyerscome)——andatthathebegantotellmehowLienard,thatdidsuchbeautifulworkfortheGovernmentintheChapelledeDreux,hadbeenattheAulnaysaleandrescuedthecarvedpanelsoutoftheclutchesoftheParisdealers,whiletheirheadswererunningonchinaandinlaidfurniture——"Ididnotdomuchmyself,"hewenton,"butImaymakemytravelingexpensesoutof/this/,"andheshowedmeawhat-not;amarvel!Boucher"sdesignsexecutedinmarquetry,andwithsuchart!——Onecouldhavegonedownonone"skneesbeforeit——"Look,sir,"hesaid,"Ihavejustfoundthisfaninalittledrawer;itwaslocked,Ihadtoforceitopen。YoumighttellmewhereIcansellit"——andwiththathebringsoutthislittlecarvedcherry-woodbox——"See,"sayshe,"itisthekindofPompadourthatlookslikedecoratedGothic。"——"Yes,"Itoldhim,"theboxispretty;theboxmightsuitme;butasforthefan,Monistrol,I

havenoMme。Ponstogivetheoldtrinketto,andtheymakeveryprettynewonesnowadays;youcanbuymiraclesofpaintingonvellumcheaplyenough。TherearetwothousandpaintersinParis,youknow。"——

AndIopenedoutthefancarelessly,keepingdownmyadmiration,lookedindifferentlyatthosetwoexquisitelittlepictures,touchedoffwithaneasefittosendyouintoraptures。IheldMme。dePompadour"sfaninmyhand!Watteauhaddonehisutmostforthis——

"Whatdoyouwantforthewhat-not?"——"Oh!athousandfrancs;Ihavehadabidalready。"——Iofferedhimapriceforthefancorrespondingwiththeprobableexpensesofthejourney。Welookedeachotherintheeyes,andIsawthatIhadmyman。IputthefanbackintotheboxlestmyAuvergnatshouldbegintolookatit,andwentintoecstasiesoverthebox;indeed,itisajewel——"IfItakeit,"saidI,"itisforthesakeofthebox;theboxtemptsme。Asforthewhat-not,youwillgetmorethanathousandfrancsforthat。Justseehowthebrassiswrought;itisamodel。Thereisbusinessinit……Ithasneverbeencopied;itisauniquespecimen,madesolelyforMme。dePompadour"——andsoon,tillmyman,allonfireforhiswhat-not,forgetsthefan,andletsmehaveitforameretrifle,becauseIhavepointedoutthebeautiesofhispieceofRiesener"sfurniture。Sohereitis;butitneedsagreatdealofexperiencetomakesuchabargainasthat。Itisaduel,eyetoeye;andwhohassucheyesasaJeworanAuvergnat？”

Theoldartist"swonderfulpantomime,hisvivid,eagerwayoftellingthestoryofthetriumphofhisshrewdnessoverthedealer"signorance,wouldhavemadeasubjectforaDutchpainter;butitwasallthrownawayupontheaudience。Motheranddaughterexchangedcold,contemptuousglances——“Whatanoddity！”theyseemedtosay。

“Soitamusesyou？”remarkedMme。deMarville。ThequestionsentacoldchillthroughPons;hefeltastrongdesiretoslapthePresidente。

“Why,mydearcousin,thatisthewaytohuntdownaworkofart。Youarefacetofacewithantagoniststhatdisputethegamewithyou。Itiscraftagainstcraft!AworkofartinthehandsofaNorman,anAuvergnat,oraJew,islikeaprincessguardedbymagiciansinafairytale。“

“AndhowcanyoutellthatthisisbyWat——whatdoyoucallhim？”

“Watteau,cousin。OneofthegreatesteighteenthcenturypaintersinFrance。Look!doyounotseethatitishiswork？”(pointingtoapastoralscene,court-shepherdswainsandshepherdessesdancinginaring)。“Themovement!thelifeinit!thecoloring!Thereitis——see!——

paintedwithastrokeofthebrush,asawriting-mastermakesaflourishwithapen。Notatraceofefforthere!And,turnitover,look!——aballinadrawing-room。SummerandWinter!Andwhatornaments!andhowwellpreserveditis!Thehinge-pinisgold,yousee,andoncleaningit,Ifoundatinyrubyateitherside。“

“Ifitisso,cousin,Icouldnotthinkofacceptingsuchavaluablepresentfromyou。Itwouldbebettertolayupthemoneyforyourself,“saidMme。deMarville;butallthesame,sheaskednobetterthantokeepthesplendidfan。

“ItistimethatitshouldpassfromtheserviceofViceintothehandsofVirtue,“saidthegoodsoul,recoveringhisassurance。“Ithastakenacenturytoworkthemiracle。NoprincessatCourt,youmaybesure,willhaveanythingtocomparewithit;for,unfortunately,menwilldomoreforaPompadourthanforavirtuousqueen,suchishumannature。“

“Verywell,“Mme。deMarvillesaid,laughing,“Iwillacceptyourpresent——Cecile,myangel,gotoMadeleineandseethatdinnerisworthyofyourcousin。“