father goriot(高老头)-第36章

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ilar　unions！　We　deceive　nobody；　it　is　deception　that　makes　a　position　humiliating。　If　you　lie；　you　lower　yourself　at　once。　She　and　her　husband　have　lived　apart　for　a　long　while。　Besides；　how　if　I　called　upon　that　Alsatian　to　resign　a　wife　whom　he　cannot　make　happy？〃

Rastignac's　battle　with　himself　went　on　for　a　long　while；　and　though　the　scruples　of　youth　inevitably　gained　the　day；　an　irresistible　curiosity　led　him；　about　half…past　four；　to　return　to　the　Maison　Vauquer　through　the　gathering　dusk。

Bianchon　had　given　Vautrin　an　emetic；　reserving　the　contents　of　the　stomach　for　chemical　analysis　at　the　hospital。　Mlle。　Michonneau's　officious　alacrity　had　still　further　strengthened　his　suspicions　of　her。　Vautrin；　moreover；　had　recovered　so　quickly　that　it　was　impossible　not　to　suspect　some　plot　against　the　leader　of　all　frolics　at　the　lodging…house。　Vautrin　was　standing　in　front　of　the　stove　in　the　dining…room　when　Rastignac　came　in。　All　the　lodgers　were　assembled　sooner　than　usual　by　the　news　of　young　Taillefer's　duel。　They　were　anxious　to　hear　any　detail　about　the　affair；　and　to　talk　over　the　probable　change　in　Victorine's　prospects。　Father　Goriot　alone　was　absent；　but　the　rest　were　chatting。　No　sooner　did　Eugene　come　into　the　room；　than　his　eyes　met　the　inscrutable　gaze　of　Vautrin。　It　was　the　same　look　that　had　read　his　thoughts　beforethe　look　that　had　such　power　to　waken　evil　thoughts　in　his　heart。　He　shuddered。

〃Well；　dear　boy；〃　said　the　escaped　convict；　〃I　am　likely　to　cheat　death　for　a　good　while　yet。　According　to　these　ladies；　I　have　had　a　stroke　that　would　have　felled　an　ox；　and　come　off　with　flying　colors。〃

〃A　bull　you　might　say；〃　cried　the　widow。

〃You　really　might　be　sorry　to　see　me　still　alive；〃　said　Vautrin　in　Rastignac's　ear；　thinking　that　he　guessed　the　student's　thoughts。　〃You　must　be　mighty　sure　of　yourself。〃

〃Mlle。　Michonneau　was　talking　the　day　before　yesterday　about　a　gentleman　named　Trompe…la…Mort；〃　said　Bianchon；　〃and；　upon　my　word；　that　name　would　do　very　well　for　you。〃

Vautrin　seemed　thunderstruck。　He　turned　pale；　and　staggered　back。　He　turned　his　magnetic　glance；　like　a　ray　of　vivid　light；　on　Mlle。　Michonneau；　the　old　maid　shrank　and　trembled　under　the　influence　of　that　strong　will；　and　collapsed　into　a　chair。　The　mask　of　good…nature　had　dropped　from　the　convict's　face；　from　the　unmistakable　ferocity　of　that　sinister　look；　Poiret　felt　that　the　old　maid　was　in　danger；　and　hastily　stepped　between　them。　None　of　the　lodgers　understood　this　scene　in　the　least；　they　looked　on　in　mute　amazement。　There　was　a　pause。　Just　then　there　was　a　sound　of　tramping　feet　outside；　there　were　soldiers　there；　it　seemed；　for　there　was　a　ring　of　several　rifles　on　the　pavement　of　the　street。　Collin　was　mechanically　looking　round　the　walls　for　a　way　of　escape；　when　four　men　entered　by　way　of　the　sitting…room。

〃In　the　name　of　the　King　and　the　Law！〃　said　an　officer；　but　the　words　were　almost　lost　in　a　murmur　of　astonishment。

Silence　fell　on　the　room。　The　lodgers　made　way　for　three　of　the　men；　who　had　each　a　hand　on　a　cocked　pistol　in　a　side　pocket。　Two　policemen；　who　followed　the　detectives；　kept　the　entrance　to　the　sitting…room；　and　two　more　men　appeared　in　the　doorway　that　gave　access　to　the　staircase。　A　sound　of　footsteps　came　from　the　garden；　and　again　the　rifles　of　several　soldiers　rang　on　the　cobblestones　under　the　window。　All　chance　of　salvation　by　flight　was　cut　off　for　Trompe…la…Mort；　to　whom　all　eyes　instinctively　turned。　The　chief　walked　straight　up　to　him；　and　commenced　operations　by　giving　him　a　sharp　blow　on　the　head；　so　that　the　wig　fell　off；　and　Collin's　face　was　revealed　in　all　its　ugliness。　There　was　a　terrible　suggestion　of　strength　mingled　with　cunning　in　the　short；　brick…red　crop　of　hair；　the　whole　head　was　in　harmony　with　his　powerful　frame；　and　at　that　moment　the　fires　of　hell　seemed　to　gleam　from　his　eyes。　In　that　flash　the　real　Vautrin　shone　forth；　revealed　at　once　before　them　all；　they　understood　his　past；　his　present；　and　future；　his　pitiless　doctrines；　his　actions；　the　religion　of　his　own　good　pleasure；　the　majesty　with　which　his　cynicism　and　contempt　for　mankind　invested　him；　the　physical　strength　of　an　organization　proof　against　all　trials。　The　blood　flew　to　his　face；　and　his　eyes　glared　like　the　eyes　of　a　wild　cat。　He　started　back　with　savage　energy　and　a　fierce　growl　that　drew　exclamations　of　alarm　from　the　lodgers。　At　that　leonine　start　the　police　caught　at　their　pistols　under　cover　of　the　general　clamor。　Collin　saw　the　gleaming　muzzles　of　the　weapons；　saw　his　danger；　and　instantly　gave　proof　of　a　power　of　the　highest　order。　There　was　something　horrible　and　majestic　in　the　spectacle　of　the　sudden　transformation　in　his　face；　he　could　only　be　compared　to　a　cauldron　full　of　the　steam　that　can　send　mountains　flying；　a　terrific　force　dispelled　in　a　moment　by　a　drop　of　cold　water。　The　drop　of　water　that　cooled　his　wrathful　fury　was　a　reflection　that　flashed　across　his　brain　like　lightning。　He　began　to　smile；　and　looked　down　at　his　wig。

〃You　are　not　in　the　politest　of　humors　to…day；〃　he　remarked　to　the　chief；　and　he　held　out　his　hands　to　the　policemen　with　a　jerk　of　his　head。

〃Gentlemen；〃　he　said；　〃put　on　the　bracelets　or　the　handcuffs。　I　call　on　those　present　to　witness　that　I　make　no　resistance。〃

A　murmur　of　admiration　ran　through　the　room　at　the　sudden　outpouring　like　fire　and　lava　flood　from　this　human　volcano；　and　its　equally　sudden　cessation。

〃There's　a　sell　for　you；　master　crusher；〃　the　convict　added；　looking　at　the　famous　director　of　police。

〃Come；　strip！〃　said　he　of　the　Petite　Rue　Saint…Anne；　contemptuously。

〃Why？〃　asked　Collin。　〃There　are　ladies　present；　I　deny　nothing；　and　surrender。〃

He　paused；　and　looked　round　the　room　like　an　orator　who　is　about　to　overwhelm　his　audience。

〃Take　this　down；　Daddy　Lachapelle；〃　he　went　on；　addressing　a　little；　white…haired　old　man　who　had　seated　himself　at　the　end　of　the　table；　and　after　drawing　a　printed　form　from　the　portfolio；　was　proceeding　to　draw　up　a　document。　〃I　acknowledge　myself　to　be　Jacques　Collin；　otherwise　known　as　Trompe…la…Mort；　condemned　to　twenty　years'　penal　servitude；　and　I　have　just　proved　that　I　have　come　fairly　by　my　nickname。If　I　had　as　much　as　raised　my　hand；〃　he　went　on；　addressing　the　other　lodgers；　〃those　three　sneaking　wretches　yonder　would　have　drawn　claret　on　Mamma　Vauquer's　domestic　hearth。　The　rogues　have　laid　their　heads　together　to　set　a　trap　for　me。〃

Mme。　Vauquer　felt　sick　and　faint　at　these　words。

〃Good　Lord！〃　she　cried；　〃this　does　give　one　a　turn；　and　me　at　the　Gaite　with　him　only　last　night！〃　she　said　to　Sylvie。

〃Summon　your　philosophy；　mamma；〃　Collin　resumed。　〃Is　it　a　misfortune　to　have　sat　in　my　box　at　the　Gaite　yesterday　evening？　After　all；　are　you　better　than　we　are？　The　brand　upon　our　shoulders　is　less　shameful　than　the　brand　set　on　your　hearts；　you　flabby　members　of　a　society　rotten　to　the　core。　Not　the　best　man　among　you　could　stand　up　to　me。〃　His　eyes　rested　upon　Rastignac；　to　whom　he　spoke　with　a　pleasant　smile　that　seemed　strangely　at　variance　with　the　savage　expression　in　his　eyes。〃Our　little　bargain　still　holds　good；　dear　boy；　you　can　accept　any　time　you　like！　Do　you　understand？〃　And　he　sang：

　　〃A　charming　girl　is　my　Fanchette　　　In　her　simplicity。〃

〃Don't　you　trouble　yourself；〃　he　went　on；　〃I　can　get　in　my　money。　They　are　too　much　afraid　of　me　to　swindle　me。〃

The　convicts'　prison；　its　language　and　customs；　its　sudden　sharp　transitions　from　the　humorous　to　the　horrible；　its　appalling　grandeur；　its　triviality　and　its　dark　depths；　were　all　revealed　in　turn　by　the　speaker's　discourse；　he　seemed　to　be　no　longer　a　man；　but　the　type　and　mouthpiece　of　a　degenerate　race；　a　brutal；　supple；　clear…headed　race　of　savages。　In　one　moment　Collin　became　the　poet　of　an　inferno；　wherein　all　thoughts　and　passions　that　move　human　nature　（save　repentance）　find　a　place。　He　looked　about　him　like　a　fallen　archangel　who　is　for　war　to　the　end。　Rastignac　lowered　his　eyes；　and　acknowledged　this　kinship　claimed　by　crime　as　an　expiation　of　his　own　evil　thoughts。

〃Who　betrayed　me？〃　said　Collin；　and　his　terrible　eyes　traveled　round　the　room。　Suddenly　they　rested　on　Mlle。　Michonneau。

〃It　was　you；　old　cat！〃　he　said。　〃That　sham　stroke　of　apoplexy　was　your　doing；　lynx　eyes！　。　。　。　Two　words　from　me；　and　your　throat　would　be　cut　in　less　than　a　week；　but　I　forgive　you；　I　am　a　Christian。　You　did　not　sell　me　either。　But　who　did？Aha！　you　may　rummage　upstairs；〃　he　shouted；　hearing　the　police　officers　opening　his　cupboards　and　taking　possession　of　his　effects。　〃The　nest　is　empty；　the　birds　flew　away　yesterday；　and　you　will　be　none　the　wiser。　My　ledgers　are　here；〃　he　said　tapping　his　forehead。　〃Now　I　know　who　sold　me！　It　could　only　be　that　blackguard　Fil…de…Soie。　That　is　who　it　was；　old　catchpoll；　eh？〃　he　said；　turning　to　the　chief。　〃It　was　timed　so　neatly　to　get　the　banknotes　up　above　there。　There　is　nothing　left　for　youspies！　As　for　Fil…de…Soie；　he　will　be　under　the　daisies　in　less　than　a　fortnight；　even　if　you　were　to　tell　off　the　whole　force　to　protect　him。　How　much　did　you　give　the　Michonnette？〃　he　asked　of　the　police　officers。　〃A　thousand　crowns？　Oh　you　Ninon　in　decay；　Pompadour　in　tatters；　Venus　of　the　graveyard；　I　was　worth　more　than　that！　If　you　had　given　me　warning；　you　should　have　had　six　thousand　francs。　Ah！　you　had　no　suspicion　of　that；　old　trafficker　in　flesh　and　blood；　or　I　should　have　had　the　preference。　Yes；　I　would　have　given　six　thousand　francs　to　save　myself　an　inconvenient　journey　and　some　loss　of　money；〃　he　said；　as　they　fastened　the　handcuffs　on　his　wrists。　〃These　folks　will　amuse　themselves　by　dragging　out　this　business　till　the　end　of　time　to　keep　me　idle。　If　they　were　to　send　me　straight　to　jail；　I　should　soon　be　back　at　my　old　tricks　in　spite　of　the　duffers　at　the　Quai　des　Orfevres。　Down　yonder　they　will　all　turn　themselves　inside　out　to　help　their　generaltheir　good　Trompe…la…Mortto　get　clear　away。　Is　there　a　single　one　among　you　that　can　say；　as　I　can；　that　he　has　ten　thousand　brothers　ready　to　do　anything　for　him？〃　he　asked　proudly。　〃There　is　some　good　there；〃　he　said　tapping　his　heart；　〃I　have　never　betrayed　any　one！Look　you　here；　you　slut；〃　he　said　to　the　old　maid；　〃they　are　all　afraid　of　me；　do　you　see？　but　the　sight　of　you　turns　them　sick。　Rake　in　your　gains。〃

He　was　silent　for　a　moment；　and　looked　round　at　the　lodgers'　faces。

〃What　dolts　you　are；　all　of　you！　Have　you　never　seen　a　convict　before？　A　convict　of　Collin's　stamp；　whom　you　see　before　you；　is　a　man　less　weak…kneed　than　others；　he　lifts　up　his　voice　against　the　colossal　fraud　of　the　Social　Contract；　as　Jean　Jacques　did；　whose　pupil　he　is　proud　to　declare　himself。　In　short；　I　stand　here　single…handed　against　a　Government　and　a　whole　subsidized　machinery　of　tribunals　and　police；　and　I　am　a　match　for　them　all。〃

〃Ye　gods！〃　cried　the　painter；　〃what　a　magnificent　sketch　one　might　make　of　him！〃

〃Look　here；　you　gentlemen…in…waiting　to　his　highness　the　gibbet；　master　of　ceremonies　to　the　widow〃　（a　nickname　full　of　sombre　poetry；　given　by　prisoners　to　the　guillotine）；　〃be　a　good　fellow；　and　tell　me　if　it　really　was　Fil…de…Soie　who　sold　me。　I　don't　want　him　to　suffer　for　some　one　else；　that　would　not　be　fair。〃

Bu