"It is a generous offer," said, she, "but one we cannot accept.We cannot live under so great an obligation.Is all the generosity to be on the side of this Bonapartist? Are we noble in name only?
What would our father have said to such a proposal?"Josephine hung her head.The baroness groaned.
"No, mother," continued Rose; "let house and land go, but honor and true nobility remain.""What shall I do? you are cruel to me, Rose.""Mamma," cried the enthusiastic girl, "we need depend on no one.
Josephine and I have youth and spirit."
"But no money."
"We have plenty of jewels, and pictures, and movables.We can take a farm.""A farm!" shrieked the baroness.
"Why, his uncle has a farm, and we have had recourse to him for help: better a farmhouse than an almshouse, though that almshouse were a palace instead of a chateau."Josephine winced and held up her hand deprecatingly.The baroness paled: it was a terrible stroke of language to come from her daughter.She said sternly, "There is no answer to that.We were born nobles, let us die farmers: only permit me to die first.""Forgive me, mother," said Rose, kneeling."I was wrong; it is for me to obey you, not to dictate.I speak no more." And, after kissing her mother and Josephine, she crept away, but she left her words sticking in both their consciences.
"HIS uncle," said the shrewd old lady."She is no longer a child;and she says his uncle.This makes me half suspect it is her that dear boy--Josephine, tell me the truth, which of you is it?""Dear mother, who should it be? they are nearly of an age: and what man would not love our sweet Rose, that had eyes or a heart?"The baroness sighed deeply; and was silent.After awhile she said, "The moment they have a lover, he detaches their hearts from their poor old mother.She is no longer what my Josephine is to me.""Mamma, she is my superior.I see it more and more every day.She is proud: she is just; she looks at both sides.As for me, I am too apt to see only what will please those I love.""And that is the daughter for me," cried the poor baroness, opening her arms wide to her.
The next morning when they were at breakfast, in came Jacintha to say the officer was in the dining-room and wanted to speak with the young lady he talked to yesterday.Josephine rose and went to him.
"Well, mademoiselle," said he gayly, "the old woman was right.Here I have just got my orders to march: to leave France in a month.Apretty business it would have been if I had turned your mother out.
So you see there is nothing to hinder you from living here.""In your house, sir?"
"Why not, pray?"
"Forgive us.But we feel that would be unjust to you, humiliating to us: the poor are sometimes proud.""Of course they are," said Raynal: "and I don't want to offend your pride.Confound the house: why did I go and buy it? It is no use to me except to give pain to worthy people." He then, after a moment's reflection, asked her if the matter could not be arranged by some third party, a mutual friend."Then again," said he, "Idon't know any friend of yours."
"Yes, sir," said Josephine; "we have one friend, who knows you, and esteems you highly."She wanted to name Edouard; but she hesitated, and asked her conscience if it was fair to name him: and while she blushed and hesitated, lo and behold a rival referee hove in sight.Raynal saw him, suddenly opened a window, and shouted, "Hallo come in here: you are wanted."Perrin had ridden up to complete the exodus of the De Beaurepaires, and was strolling about inspecting the premises he had expelled them from.
Here was a pretty referee!
Josephine almost screamed--"What are you doing? that is our enemy, our bitterest enemy.He has only sold you the estate to spite us, not for the love of you.I had--we had--we mortified his vanity.
It was not our fault: he is a viper.Sir, pray, pray, pray be on your guard against his counsels."These words spoken with rare fire and earnestness carried conviction: but it was too late to recall the invitation.The notary entered the room, and was going to bow obsequiously to Raynal, when he caught sight of Josephine, and almost started.
Raynal, after Josephine's warning, was a little at a loss how to make him available; and even that short delay gave the notary's one foible time to lead him into temptation."Our foibles are our manias.""So," said he, "you have taken possession, commandant.These military men are prompt, are they not, mademoiselle?""Do not address yourself to me, sir, I beg," said Josephine quietly.
Perrin kept his self-command."It is only as Commandant Raynal's agent I presume to address so distinguished a lady: in that character I must inform you that whatever movables you have removed are yours: those we find in the house on entering we keep.""Come, come, not so fast," cried Raynal; "bother the chairs and tables! that is not the point.""Commandant," said the notary with dignity, "have I done anything to merit this? have I served your interests so ill that you withdraw your confidence from me?""No, no, my good fellow; but you exceed your powers.Just now Iwant you to take orders, not give them."
"That is only just," said Perrin, "and I recall my hasty remark:
excuse the susceptibility of a professional man, who is honored with the esteem of his clients; and favor me with your wishes.""All right," said Raynal heartily."Well, then--I want mademoiselle and her family to stay here while I go to Egypt with the First Consul.Mademoiselle makes difficulties; it offends her delicacy.""Comedy!" said the notary contemptuously.
"Though her mother's life depends on her staying here.""Comedy!" said Perrin.Raynal frowned.
"Her pride (begging her pardon) is greater than her affection.""Farce!"
