father goriot(高老头)-第38章

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　his　ears　like　words　spoken　in　a　dream。

〃It　was　finished　this　morning！　All　three　of　us　are　going　to　dine　there　together；　together！　Do　you　understand？　I　have　not　dined　with　my　Delphine；　my　little　Delphine；　these　four　years；　and　I　shall　have　her　for　a　whole　evening！　We　have　been　at　your　lodging　the　whole　time　since　morning。　I　have　been　working　like　a　porter　in　my　shirt　sleeves；　helping　to　carry　in　the　furniture。　Aha！　you　don't　know　what　pretty　ways　she　has；　at　table　she　will　look　after　me；　'Here；　papa；　just　try　this；　it　is　nice。'　And　I　shall　not　be　able　to　eat。　Oh；　it　is　a　long　while　since　I　have　been　with　her　in　quiet　every…day　life　as　we　shall　have　her。〃

〃It　really　seems　as　if　the　world　has　been　turned　upside　down。〃

〃Upside　down？〃　repeated　Father　Goriot。　〃Why；　the　world　has　never　been　so　right…side　up。　I　see　none　but　smiling　faces　in　the　streets；　people　who　shake　hands　cordially　and　embrace　each　other；　people　who　all　look　as　happy　as　if　they　were　going　to　dine　with　their　daughter；　and　gobble　down　a　nice　little　dinner　that　she　went　with　me　to　order　of　the　chef　at　the　Cafe　des　Anglais。　But；　pshaw！　with　her　beside　you　gall　and　wormwood　would　be　as　sweet　as　honey。〃

〃I　feel　as　if　I　were　coming　back　to　life　again；〃　said　Eugene。

〃Why；　hurry　up　there！〃　cried　Father　Goriot；　letting　down　the　window　in　front。　〃Get　on　faster；　I　will　give　you　five　francs　if　you　get　to　the　place　I　told　you　of　in　ten　minutes　time。〃

With　this　prospect　before　him　the　cabman　crossed　Paris　with　miraculous　celerity。

〃How　that　fellow　crawls！〃　said　Father　Goriot。

〃But　where　are　you　taking　me？〃　Eugene　asked　him。

〃To　your　own　house；〃　said　Goriot。

The　cab　stopped　in　the　Rue　d'Artois。　Father　Goriot　stepped　out　first　and　flung　ten　francs　to　the　man　with　the　recklessness　of　a　widower　returning　to　bachelor　ways。

〃Come　along　upstairs；〃　he　said　to　Rastignac。　They　crossed　a　courtyard；　and　climbed　up　to　the　third　floor　of　a　new　and　handsome　house。　There　they　stopped　before　a　door；　but　before　Goriot　could　ring；　it　was　opened　by　Therese；　Mme。　de　Nucingen's　maid。　Eugene　found　himself　in　a　charming　set　of　chambers；　an　ante…room；　a　little　drawing…room；　a　bedroom；　and　a　study；　looking　out　upon　a　garden。　The　furniture　and　the　decorations　of　the　little　drawing…room　were　of　the　most　daintily　charming　description；　the　room　was　full　of　soft　light；　and　Delphine　rose　up　from　a　low　chair　by　the　fire　and　stood　before　him。　She　set　her　fire…screen　down　on　the　chimney…piece；　and　spoke　with　tenderness　in　every　tone　of　her　voice。

〃So　we　had　to　go　in　search　of　you；　sir；　you　who　are　so　slow　to　understand！〃

Therese　left　the　room。　The　student　took　Delphine　in　his　arms　and　held　her　in　a　tight　clasp；　his　eyes　filled　with　tears　of　joy。　This　last　contrast　between　his　present　surroundings　and　the　scenes　he　had　just　witnessed　was　too　much　for　Rastignac's　over…　wrought　nerves；　after　the　day's　strain　and　excitement　that　had　wearied　heart　and　brain；　he　was　almost　overcome　by　it。

〃I　felt　sure　myself　that　he　loved　you；〃　murmured　Father　Goriot；　while　Eugene　lay　back　bewildered　on　the　sofa；　utterly　unable　to　speak　a　word　or　to　reason　out　how　and　why　the　magic　wand　had　been　waved　to　bring　about　this　final　transformation　scene。

〃But　you　must　see　your　rooms；〃　said　Mme。　de　Nucingen。　She　took　his　hand　and　led　him　into　a　room　carpeted　and　furnished　like　her　own；　indeed；　down　to　the　smallest　details；　it　was　a　reproduction　in　miniature　of　Delphine's　apartment。

〃There　is　no　bed；〃　said　Rastignac。

〃No；　monsieur；〃　she　answered；　reddening；　and　pressing　his　hand。　Eugene；　looking　at　her；　understood；　young　though　he　yet　was；　how　deeply　modesty　is　implanted　in　the　heart　of　a　woman　who　loves。

〃You　are　one　of　those　beings　whom　we　cannot　choose　but　to　adore　for　ever；〃　he　said　in　her　ear。　〃Yes；　the　deeper　and　truer　love　is；　the　more　mysterious　and　closely　veiled　it　should　be；　I　can　dare　to　say　so；　since　we　understand　each　other　so　well。　No　one　shall　learn　our　secret。〃

〃Oh！　so　I　am　nobody；　I　suppose；〃　growled　the　father。

〃You　know　quite　well　that　'we'　means　you。〃

〃Ah！　that　is　what　I　wanted。　You　will　not　mind　me；　will　you？　I　shall　go　and　come　like　a　good　fairy　who　makes　himself　felt　everywhere　without　being　seen；　shall　I　not？　Eh；　Delphinette；　Ninette；　Dedelwas　it　not　a　good　idea　of　mine　to　say　to　you；　'There　are　some　nice　rooms　to　let　in　the　Rue　d'Artois；　let　us　furnish　them　for　him？'　And　she　would　not　hear　of　it！　Ah！　your　happiness　has　been　all　my　doing。　I　am　the　author　of　your　happiness　and　of　your　existence。　Fathers　must　always　be　giving　if　they　would　be　happy　themselves；　always　givingthey　would　not　be　fathers　else。〃

〃Was　that　how　it　happened？〃　asked　Eugene。

〃Yes。　She　would　not　listen　to　me。　She　was　afraid　that　people　would　talk；　as　if　the　rubbish　that　they　say　about　you　were　to　be　compared　with　happiness！　Why；　all　women　dream　of　doing　what　she　has　done〃

Father　Goriot　found　himself　without　an　audience；　for　Mme。　de　Nucingen　had　led　Rastignac　into　the　study；　he　heard　a　kiss　given　and　taken；　low　though　the　sound　was。

The　study　was　furnished　as　elegantly　as　the　other　rooms；　and　nothing　was　wanting　there。

〃Have　we　guessed　your　wishes　rightly？〃　she　asked；　as　they　returned　to　the　drawing…room　for　dinner。

〃Yes；〃　he　said；　〃only　too　well；　alas！　For　all　this　luxury　so　well　carried　out；　this　realization　of　pleasant　dreams；　the　elegance　that　satisfies　all　the　romantic　fancies　of　youth；　appeals　to　me　so　strongly　that　I　cannot　but　feel　that　it　is　my　rightful　possession；　but　I　cannot　accept　it　from　you；　and　I　am　too　poor　as　yet　to〃

〃Ah！　ah！　you　say　me　nay　already；〃　she　said　with　arch　imperiousness；　and　a　charming　little　pout　of　the　lips；　a　woman's　way　of　laughing　away　scruples。

But　Eugene　had　submitted　so　lately　to　that　solemn　self…　questioning；　and　Vautrin's　arrest　had　so　plainly　shown　him　the　depths　of　the　pit　that　lay　ready　to　his　feet；　that　the　instincts　of　generosity　and　honor　had　been　strengthened　in　him；　and　he　could　not　allow　himself　to　be　coaxed　into　abandoning　his　high…　minded　determinations。　Profound　melancholy　filled　his　mind。

〃Do　you　really　mean　to　refuse？〃　said　Mme。　de　Nucingen。　〃And　do　you　know　what　such　a　refusal　means？　That　you　are　not　sure　of　yourself；　that　you　do　not　dare　to　bind　yourself　to　me。　Are　you　really　afraid　of　betraying　my　affection？　If　you　love　me；　if　I　love　you；　why　should　you　shrink　back　from　such　a　slight　obligation？　If　you　but　knew　what　a　pleasure　it　has　been　to　see　after　all　the　arrangements　of　this　bachelor　establishment；　you　would　not　hesitate　any　longer；　you　would　ask　me　to　forgive　you　for　your　hesitation。　I　had　some　money　that　belonged　to　you；　and　I　have　made　good　use　of　it；　that　is　all。　You　mean　this　for　magnanimity；　but　it　is　very　little　of　you。　You　are　asking　me　for　far　more　than　this。　。　。　。　Ah！〃　she　cried；　as　Eugene's　passionate　glance　was　turned　on　her；　〃and　you　are　making　difficulties　about　the　merest　trifles。　Of；　if　you　feel　no　love　whatever　for　me；　refuse；　by　all　means。　My　fate　hangs　on　a　word　from　you。　Speak！　Father；〃　she　said　after　a　pause；　〃make　him　listen　to　reason。　Can　he　imagine　that　I　am　less　nice　than　he　is　on　the　point　of　honor？〃

Father　Goriot　was　looking　on　and　listening　to　this　pretty　quarrel　with　a　placid　smile；　as　if　he　had　found　some　balm　for　all　the　sorrows　of　life。

〃Child　that　you　are！〃　she　cried　again；　catching　Eugene's　hand。　〃You　are　just　beginning　life；　you　find　barriers　at　the　outset　that　many　a　man　finds　insurmountable；　a　woman's　hand　opens　the　way　and　you　shrink　back！　Why；　you　are　sure　to　succeed！　You　will　have　a　brilliant　future。　Success　is　written　on　that　broad　forehead　of　yours；　and　will　you　not　be　able　to　repay　me　my　loan　of　today？　Did　not　a　lady　in　olden　times　arm　her　knight　with　sword　and　helmet　and　coat　of　mail；　and　find　him　a　charger；　so　that　he　might　fight　for　her　in　the　tournament？　Well；　then；　Eugene；　these　things　that　I　offer　you　are　the　weapons　of　this　age；　every　one　who　means　to　be　something　must　have　such　tools　as　these。　A　pretty　place　your　garret　must　be　if　it　is　like　papa's　room！　See；　dinner　is　waiting　all　this　time。　Do　you　want　to　make　me　unhappy？Why　don't　you　answer？〃　she　said；　shaking　his　hand。　〃MON　DIEU！　papa；　make　up　his　mind　for　him；　or　I　will　go　away　and　never　see　him　any　more。〃

〃I　will　make　up　your　mind；〃　said　Goriot；　coming　down　from　the　clouds。　〃Now；　my　dear　M。　Eugene；　the　next　thing　is　to　borrow　money　of　the　Jews；　isn't　it？〃

〃There　is　positively　no　help　for　it；〃　said　Eugene。

〃All　right；　I　will　give　you　credit；〃　said　the　other；　drawing　out　a　cheap　leather　pocket…book；　much　the　worse　for　wear。　〃I　have　turned　Jew　myself；　I　paid　for　everything；　here　are　the　invoices。　You　do　not　owe　a　penny　for　anything　here。　It　did　not　come　to　very　muchfive　thousand　francs　at　most；　and　I　am　going　to　lend　you　the　money　myself。　I　am　not　a　womanyou　can　refuse　me。　You　shall　give　me　a　receipt　on　a　scrap　of　paper；　and　you　can　return　it　some　time　or　other。〃

Delphine　and　Eugene　looked　at　each　other　in　amazement；　tears　sprang　to　their　eyes。　Rastignac　held　out　his　hand　and　grasped　Goriot's　warmly。

〃Well；　what　is　all　this　about？　Are　you　not　my　children？〃

〃Oh！　my　poor　father；〃　said　Mme。　de　Nucingen；　〃how　did　you　do　it？〃

〃Ah！　now　you　ask　me。　When　I　made　up　my　mind　to　move　him　nearer　to　you；　and　saw　you　buying　things　as　if　they　were　wedding　presents；　I　said　to　myself；　'She　will　never　be　able　to　pay　for　them。'　The　attorney　says　that　those　law　proceedings　will　last　quite　six　months　before　your　husband　can　be　made　to　disgorge　your　fortune。　Well　and　good。　I　sold　out　my　property　in　the　funds　that　brought　in　thirteen　hundred　and　fifty　livres　a　year；　and　bought　a　safe　annuity　of　twelve　hundred　francs　a　year　for　fifteen　thousand　francs。　Then　I　paid　your　tradesmen　out　of　the　rest　of　the　capital。　As　for　me；　children；　I　have　a　room　upstairs　for　which　I　pay　fifty　crowns　a　year；　I　can　live　like　a　prince　on　two　francs　a　day；　and　still　have　something　left　over。　I　shall　not　have　to　spend　anything　much　on　clothes；　for　I　never　wear　anything　out。　This　fortnight　past　I　have　been　laughing　in　my　sleeve；　thinking　to　myself；　'How　happy　they　are　going　to　be！'　andwell；　now；　are　you　not　happy？〃

〃Oh　papa！　papa！〃　cried　Mme。　de　Nucingen；　springing　to　her　father；　who　took　her　on　his　knee。　She　covered　him　with　kisses；　her　fair　hair　brushed　his　cheek；　her　tears　fell　on　the　withered　face　that　had　grown　so　bright　and　radiant。

〃Dear　father；　what　a　father　you　are！　No；　there　is　not　another　father　like　you　under　the　sun。　If　Eugene　loved　you　before；　what　must　he　feel　for　you　now？〃

〃Why；　children；　why　Delphinette！〃　cried　Goriot；　who　had　not　felt　his　daughter's　heart　beat　against　his　breast　for　ten　years；　〃do　you　want　me　to　die　of　joy？　My　poor　heart　will　break！　Come；　Monsieur　Eugene；　we　are　quits　already。〃　And　the　old　man　strained　her　to　his　breast　with　such　fierce　and　passionate　force　that　she　cried　out。

〃Oh！　you　are　hurting　me！〃　she　said。

〃I　am　hurting　you！〃　He　grew　pale　at　the　words。　The　pain　expressed　in　his　face　seemed　greater　than　it　is　given　to　humanity　to　know。　The　agony　of　this　Christ　of　paternity　can　only　be　compared　with　the　masterpieces　of　those　princes　of　the　palette　who　have　left　for　us　the　record　of　their　visions　of　an　agony　suffered　for　a　whole　world　by　the　Saviour　of　men。　Father　Goriot　pressed　his　lips