The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 3 of 6

"He is right," said M. d'Harville. "What a pity, gentlemen, that Saint-Remy has not twelve or fifteen hundred thousand livres a year! What wonders he would create for our admiration!"

"Since we have the happiness to possess a representative government," said the Duke de Lucenay, "the country ought to vote a million or two a year to Saint-Remy, and authorise him to represent in Paris the French taste and elegance, which should decide the taste and elegance of all Europe, – all the world."

"Adopted!" cried the guests in chorus.

"And we would raise these annual millions as compulsory taxes on those abominable misers, who, being possessors of colossal fortunes, should be marked down, accused, and convicted of living like gripe-farthings," added M. de Lucenay.

"And as such," added M. d'Harville, "condemned to defray those splendours which they ought to display."

"Not including that these functions of high priest, or, rather, grand master of elegance, which would devolve on Saint-Remy," continued M. de Lucenay, "would have, by imitation, an enormous influence on the general taste."

"He would be the type which all would seek to resemble."

"That is evident."

"And, in endeavouring to imitate him, taste would become purified."

"At the time of the Renaissance taste became universally excellent, because it was modelled on that of the aristocracy, which was exquisite."

"By the serious turn which the question has taken," said M. d'Harville, gaily, "I see that we have only to address a petition to the Chambers for the establishment of the office of grand master of French elegance."

"And as the Deputies have credit for possessing very elevated, very artistic, and very magnificent ideas, of course it will be voted by acclamation."

"Whilst we are waiting the decision which shall establish as a right the supremacy which Saint-Remy exercises in fact," said M. d'Harville, "I will ask him his opinion as to the gallery which I propose to erect; for I have been struck with his ideas as to the right splendour of fêtes."

"My faint lights are at your service, D'Harville."

"And when shall we commence our magnificences, my dear fellow?"

"Next year, I suppose, for I intend to begin my works without delay."

"How full of projects you are!"

"Ma foi! I have others also; I contemplate an entire alteration of Val-Richer."

"Your estate in Burgundy?"

"Yes; there is much that may be done there, if, indeed, God grants me life."

"Poor old fellow!"

"Have you not recently bought a farm near Val-Richer to complete your ring-fence?"

"Yes, a very nice thing, to which I was advised by my notary."

"And who is this rare and precious notary who advises such admirable purchases?"

"M. Jacques Ferrand."

At this name a slight shudder came over M. de Saint-Remy, and he frowned imperceptibly.

"Is he really the honest man they call him?" he inquired, carelessly, of M. d'Harville, who then remembered what Rodolph had related to Clémence about the notary.

"Jacques Ferrand? What a question! Why, his honesty is a proverb," said M. de Lucenay.

"As respected as respectable."

"And very pious; which does him no harm."

"Excessively stingy; which is a guarantee for his clients."

"In fact, he is one of the notaries of the 'old rock,' who ask you whom you take them for when you ask them for a receipt for the money which you place in their hands."

"That would have no effect on me; I would trust him with my whole fortune."

"But where the deuce did Saint-Remy imbibe his doubts with respect to this honest man, whose integrity is proverbial?"

"I am but the echo of certain vague reports; besides, I have no reason for running down this phœnix of notaries. But to return to your plans, D'Harville, what is it you wish to build at Val-Richer? I have heard that the château is excessively beautiful."

"Make yourself easy, my dear Saint-Remy, for you shall be consulted, and sooner than you expect, perhaps, for I take much pleasure in such works. I think that there is nothing more interesting than to have those affairs in hand, which expand as you examine them, and they advance, giving you occupation for years to come. To-day one project, next year another, after that something else springs up. Add to this a charming woman whom one adores, and who shares your every taste and pleasure, then, ma foi! life passes sweetly enough."

"I think so, pardieu! Why, it then makes earth a perfect paradise."

"Now, gentlemen," said D'Harville, when the breakfast was finished, "if you will smoke a cigar in my cabinet, you will find some excellent Havannahs there."

They rose from the table, and returned to the cabinet of the marquis. The door of his bedchamber, which communicated with it, was open. We have said the only decoration of the room consisted of two small racks of very beautiful arms.

M. de Lucenay, having lighted a cigar, followed the marquis into his room.

"You see, I am still a great lover of good weapons," said D'Harville to him.

"Yes, and I see you have here some splendid English and French guns. Ma foi! I hardly know which to admire most. Douglas," exclaimed M. de Lucenay, "come and see if these fowling-pieces are not equal to your crack Mantons."

Lord Douglas, Saint-Remy, and the two other guests went into the marquis's room to examine the arms.

M. d'Harville, taking down a duelling-pistol, cocked it, and said, laughingly:

"Here, gentlemen, is the universal panacea for all the ills, – spleen, disgust, weariness."

And as he spoke, jestingly, he placed the muzzle to his lips.

"Ma foi! I prefer another specific," said Saint-Remy; "that is only good in the most desperate cases."

"Yes, but it is so speedy," said M. d'Harville. "Click! and it is done!"

"Pray be cautious, D'Harville; these jokes are always so rash and dangerous; and accident happens in an instant," said M. de Lucenay.

"My dear fellow, do you think I would do so if it were loaded?"