登陆注册
5216200000003

第3章

Finally, the business being concluded, they took their departure, and, driving to the Market Place, put up the horse and cart at an old-fashioned, dingy inn, where they took their breakfast in the public room at a table where the wagoners were having a violent quarrel over their meal.The Duke, however, had other business to transact than the investment of his money, for he wanted to find the whereabouts of a miller who was somewhat in his debt.Norbert waited for him in front of the inn, and could not help feeling rather uncomfortable at finding himself alone.All at once some one came up and touched him lightly on the shoulder.He turned round sharply, and found himself face to face with a young man, who, seeing his look of surprise, said,--"What! have you entirely forgotten your old friend Montlouis?"Montlouis was the son of one of the Duke's farmers, and he and Norbert had often played together in past years.They had driven their cows to the meadows together, and had spent long days together fishing or searching for birds' nests.The dress now worn by Montlouis had at first prevented Norbert from recognizing him, for he was attired in the uniform of the college at which his father had placed him, being desirous of making something more than a mere farmer of his son.

"What are you doing here?" asked Norbert.

"I am waiting for my father."

"So am I.Let us have a cup of coffee together."Montlouis led his playmate into a small wine shop near at hand.He seemed a little disposed to presume upon the superior knowledge of the world which he had recently acquired.

"If there was a billiard-table here," said he, "we could pass away the time with a game, though, to be sure, it runs into money."Norbert never had had more than a few pence in his pocket at one time, and at this remark the color rose to his face, and he felt much humiliated.

"My father," added the young collegian, "gives me all I ask for.I am certain of getting one, if not two prizes at the next examination; and when I have taken my degree, the Count de Mussidan has promised to make me his steward.What do you think that you will do?""I--I don't know," stammered Norbert.

"You will, I suppose, dig and toil in the fields, as your father has done before you.You are the son of the noblest and the richest man for miles round, and yet you are not so happy as I am."Upon the return of the Duke de Champdoce some little time after this conversation, he did not detect any change in his son's manner; but the words spoken by Montlouis had fallen into Norbert's brain like a subtle poison, and a few careless sentences uttered by an inconsiderate lad had annihilated the education of sixteen years, and a complete change had taken place in Norbert's mind, a change which was utterly unsuspected by those around him, for his manner of bringing up had taught him to keep his own counsel.

The fixed smile on his features entirely masked the angry feelings that were working in his breast.He went through his daily tasks, which had once been a pleasure to him, with utter disgust and loathing.His eyes had been suddenly opened, and he now understood a host of things which he had never before even endeavored to comprehend.He saw now that his proper position was among the nobles, whom he never saw except when they attended Mass at the little chapel in Bevron.The Count de Mussidan, so haughty and imposing, with his snow-white hair; the aristocratic-looking Marquis de Laurebourg, of whom the peasants stood in the greatest awe, were always courteous and even cordial in their salutations, while the noble dames smiled graciously upon him.Proud and haughty as they were, they evidently looked upon his father and himself as their equals, in spite of the coarse garments that they wore.The realization of these facts effected a great change in Norbert.He was the equal of all these people, and yet how great a gulf separated him from them.While he and his father tramped to Mass in heavy shoes, the others drove up in their carriages with powdered footmen to open the doors.Why was this extraordinary difference? He knew enough of the value of crops and land to know that his father was as wealthy as any of these gentlemen.

The laborers on the farm said that his father was a miser, and the villagers asserted that he got up at night and gazed with rapture upon the treasure that was hidden away from men's eyes.

同类推荐
  • William the Conqueror

    William the Conqueror

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 覆瓿集

    覆瓿集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 释氏要览

    释氏要览

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 丽白楼诗话

    丽白楼诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 永嘉八面锋

    永嘉八面锋

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 好妈妈必知的宝宝饮食宜忌

    好妈妈必知的宝宝饮食宜忌

    宝宝该吃什么、怎么吃,怎样才能吃得健康、吃出聪明,补充营养怎样才能恰到好处,生病了该怎样护理才有助于宝宝恢复健康……每位妈妈都会遇到一些困惑。《美食天下(第1辑):好妈妈必知的宝宝饮食宜忌》针对宝宝喂养过程中容易遇到的问题,详细讲解日常饮食宜忌、营养素补充宜忌、保健食养宜忌、四季饮食宜忌。另外,宝宝婴幼儿时期难免会遇到小病痛,有效护理能帮助宝宝尽快恢复健康,《美食天下(第1辑):好妈妈必知的宝宝饮食宜忌》选了24种婴幼儿易得的疾病,讲解每种疾病的饮食护理宜忌,让妈妈不再束手无策。
  • 闪电窗(残本)

    闪电窗(残本)

    《闪电窗》,清代世情小说,酌玄亭主人著。本书仅存6回残本,原书回数不详。小说叙述福建漳州,举人林鹍化为人正直,与新举人邬云汉等三人不投缘。林进京会试,船停苏州,富户陆家失火,其家小姐匆忙中赤体逃入林船,为林救护。陆未婚夫沈天孙亦为举人,闻此退亲……
  • 总裁心爱物

    总裁心爱物

    什么前任渣男都不重要,陆先生自然解决,“烦到我家宝宝,自己滚”
  • 侯沧海商路笔记

    侯沧海商路笔记

    《侯卫东官场笔记》兄弟篇,大神作家小桥老树潜心五年突破之作!一部民企教父的商路传奇奋斗史,也是每一个人的命运打拼史。翻开本书,在中国跌宕起伏的时代变迁20年中,见识一个民企教父的热血发家史。山南省首富侯沧海传奇创业故事。主人公侯沧海出身于国营企业工人家庭,1999年大学毕业后分配到政府工作。从政府辞职后投身商海,每一次挫折都成为他前进的动力。经过十年创业,最终成为山南省首富,并在茫茫人海中找到了心心相印的真心爱人。
  • 好口才好前程(大全集)

    好口才好前程(大全集)

    说话是人生中必不可少的事。会说话,可以让你结交更多的知心好友;会说话,可以让你在职场中游刃有余;会说话,可以让你在商战中轻松取胜;会说话,更会让你独具个人魅力。让感情之泉从心海中自然地流出,急,流之末;缓,流之本也。说话的艺术,便在其中。本书通过大量贴近生活的有趣事例和精炼的要点通俗易懂地向你介绍各种语言表达技巧及注意事项,理论与故事相结合,让你在轻松快乐的阅读中就能掌握说话的技巧。本书具有较强的实用性和针对性,是广大读者掌握及提高说话水平和能力的重要工具。
  • 穿越之矮矬重生

    穿越之矮矬重生

    穿越到花木兰的时代,老太监要我净身?怎么可能!这是一本正经胡扯虚构的轻松诙谐历史穿越小说,主人公在现实中是一个人人嘲讽的矮矬,后来怎么脱胎换骨的自己看吧!穿越竟然是因为——一棵树!,带着仅有的一个技能穿梭到与现实平行的历史世界当中。穿越被误认作太监,北魏护送木兰从军,修正错乱的三国。西域易容,断骨重建,建功立业,驰骋沙场,运筹帷幄,决胜千里……且看矮矬如何犀利重生。
  • 公元6000年异世界

    公元6000年异世界

    阿密自愿挑战时光旅行,来到了公元6000年,却发现景物虽然依旧,但这根本是个异世界;《狼嚎》、《血族猎人D》成了世界文学古典名著,只要搞懂鸡兔同笼,就可以拿诺贝尔奖,还有提着人头当球踢的阳光美少女、骄傲坏脾气的御姐、羞怯可人的纤柔少女……这是天堂吗?但是,等等……满月、变身、獠牙?还有猎杀血族的街头足球!原来,美少女是狼人,御姐是血族熟女。这是什么世界啊,人类呢?公元6000年,怎么都没有人类了呢?
  • 不敢言爱

    不敢言爱

    如果说说出爱需要勇气,那么不敢说出的爱是不是只有等待……等待是爱情的酝酿也是情感的煎熬,但是默默的在一起却没有说出“我爱你”,为何在分离时却要说出“我认识你”呢?爱不需要说出来,但是……
  • 石器时代之酋长女

    石器时代之酋长女

    她莫名穿越到石器时代,成了某一个原始部落酋长的女儿。在这样一个什么都没有时代,想要生活得好些,就只能自己动手丰衣足食。制布、建房、引水、造车、做陶、煮蜡,寻药等等,只要是生活需要的东西,她全都能制作出来,只为提高自己的生活质量!这是一个神奇的世界,到处都是浓密的深林,参天的大树。从未见过的植物这里到处都是,各种奇怪的动物满林跑!在现代极为稀少的娃娃鱼,在这里竟然爬了满溪!这里都是刚毅,帅气的真男人,每天都会一丝不挂的裸露着强壮的身子在部落的小河里洗澡。她见多了,也就习惯了。这是一个特别温馨的宠文!
  • 潜入皇家美男团

    潜入皇家美男团

    她被他囚禁,终于逃脱,又遇上那一个个的美男,本以为成功逃脱,却又再次被他抓住。“奕儿,再敢逃跑,小心我收拾你。”不止如此,他竟然说:“你不该姓‘洛’”她到底是谁?时别三年,本以为已经死掉的她以当红歌星的身份华丽归来,这一次她要让所有人知道谁才是真正的女王!