登陆注册
5388600000012

第12章

After being first a notary's clerk, then in business, then in the customs, and a tax collector, and having even applied for a position in the administration of woods and forests, he had at last, when he was thirty-six years old, by a divine inspiration, found his vocation:

registrature! and he displayed such a high ability that an inspector had offered him his daughter and his influence.

Paul, who had become quite settled, brought his bride to visit his mother.

But she looked down upon the customs of Pont-l'Eveque, put on airs, and hurt Felicite's feelings. Madame Aubain felt relieved when she left.

The following week they learned of Monsieur Bourais' death in an inn.

There were rumours of suicide, which were confirmed; doubts concerning his integrity arose. Madame Aubain looked over her accounts and soon discovered his numerous embezzlements; sales of wood which had been concealed from her, false receipts, etc. Furthermore, he had an illegitimate child, and entertained a friendship for "a person in Dozule."These base actions affected her very much. In March, 1853, she developed a pain in her chest; her tongue looked as if it were coated with smoke, and the leeches they applied did not relieve her oppression; and on the ninth evening she died, being just seventy-two years old.

People thought that she was younger, because her hair, which she wore in bands framing her pale face, was brown. Few friends regretted her loss, for her manner was so haughty that she did not attract them.

Felicite mourned for her as servants seldom mourn for their masters.

The fact that Madame should die before herself perplexed her mind and seemed contrary to the order of things, and absolutely monstrous and inadmissible. Ten days later (the time to journey from Besancon), the heirs arrived. Her daughter-in-law ransacked the drawers, kept some of the furniture, and sold the rest; then they went back to their own home.

Madame's armchair, foot-warmer, work-table, the eight chairs, everything was gone! The places occupied by the pictures formed yellow squares on the walls. They had taken the two little beds, and the wardrobe had been emptied of Virginia's belongings! Felicite went upstairs, overcome with grief.

The following day a sign was posted on the door; the chemist screamed in her ear that the house was for sale.

For a moment she tottered, and had to sit down.

What hurt her most was to give up her room,--so nice for poor Loulou!

She looked at him in despair and implored the Holy Ghost, and it was this way that she contracted the idolatrous habit of saying her prayers kneeling in front of the bird. Sometimes the sun fell through the window on his glass eye, and lighted a spark in it which sent Felicite into ecstasy.

Her mistress had left her an income of three hundred and eighty francs. The garden supplied her with vegetables. As for clothes, she had enough to last her till the end of her days, and she economised on the light by going to bed at dusk.

She rarely went out, in order to avoid passing in front of the second-hand dealer's shop where there was some of the old furniture. Since her fainting spell, she dragged her leg, and as her strength was failing rapidly, old Mother Simon, who had lost her money in the grocery business, came very morning to chop the wood and pump the water.

Her eyesight grew dim. She did not open the shutters after that. Many years passed. But the house did not sell or rent. Fearing that she would be put out, Felicite did not ask for repairs. The laths of the roof were rotting away, and during one whole winter her bolster was wet. After Easter she spit blood.

Then Mother Simon went for a doctor. Felicite wished to know what her complaint was. But, being too deaf to hear, she caught only one word:

"Pneumonia." She was familiar with it and gently answered:--"Ah! like Madame," thinking it quite natural that she should follow her mistress.

The time for the altars in the street drew near.

The first one was always erected at the foot of the hill, the second in front of the post-office, and the third in the middle of the street. This position occasioned some rivalry among the women and they finally decided upon Madame Aubain's yard.

Felicite's fever grew worse. She was sorry that she could not do anything for the altar. If she could, at least, have contributed something towards it! Then she thought of the parrot. Her neighbours objected that it would not be proper. But the cure gave his consent and she was so grateful for it that she begged him to accept after her death, her only treasure, Loulou. From Tuesday until Saturday, the day before the event, she coughed more frequently. In the evening her face was contracted, her lips stuck to her gums and she began to vomit; and on the following day, she felt so low that she called for a priest.

Three neighbours surrounded her when the dominie administered the Extreme Unction. Afterwards she said that she wished to speak to Fabu.

He arrived in his Sunday clothes, very ill at ease among the funereal surroundings.

"Forgive me," she said, making an effort to extend her arm, "Ibelieved it was you who killed him!"

What did such accusations mean? Suspect a man like him of murder! And Fabu became excited and was about to make trouble.

"Don't you see she is not in her right mind?"From time to time Felicite spoke to shadows. The women left her and Mother Simon sat down to breakfast.

A little later, she took Loulou and holding him up to Felicite:

"Say good-bye to him, now!" she commanded.

Although he was not a corpse, he was eaten up by worms; one of his wings was broken and the wadding was coming out of his body. But Felicite was blind now, and she took him and laid him against her cheek. Then Mother Simon removed him in order to set him on the altar.

同类推荐
  • 佛说如来兴显经卷第一

    佛说如来兴显经卷第一

    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。
  • 修真十书黄庭内景五脏六腑图卷

    修真十书黄庭内景五脏六腑图卷

    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。
  • 新石头记

    新石头记

    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。
  • The Story of the Treasure Seekers

    The Story of the Treasure Seekers

    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。
  • 林泉随笔

    林泉随笔

    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
  • 他好像在想我

    他好像在想我

    新书《Hello,傲娇男神》已发~【甜宠文,男女主身心健康】“你不许骗我,骗人你是小狗。”那位可信度实在太低,不让他保证怎能行。“骗人你是小狗。”某一日。“颜圣翼...你要干嘛?”某恶魔勾唇笑了笑,为何有不祥的预感?他给她两个选择:一辈子待我身边,或者离开我,你自己选。这还用考虑吗?是人都会选择后者,在她离开时,一双大手把她拉进怀抱。见鬼了,不是让她自己选择,她惹不起还躲不起吗?
  • 二青

    二青

    (新书《山野闲云》已发布!)岑青穿越了,重生成一条青蛇,名叫二青。后来,他知道这个世界有猴子,有白蛇。游遍青山蛇未老,蓦然回首已成妖!群:689615506
  • 释家观化还愚经

    释家观化还愚经

    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。
  • 2013年短篇小说排行榜

    2013年短篇小说排行榜

    包括《大雨如注》、《人群里有没有王元木》、《某年的枪声》、《喷泉》、《透明》、《酒疯子》、《蹲下时看到了什么》、《瑜伽》、《哭河》、《夜空晴朗》、《典当奇闻》等文章。本书贴近现实,题材丰富,风格多样,构思灵巧,代表着中国当代短篇小说创作的重要收获。
  • 重回初三

    重回初三

    林美重新回到了初三。她的体重变成了45kg!!她的暑假作业还没有写!!!再来一遍,清华北大!
  • 一本书读懂情商

    一本书读懂情商

    《一本书读懂情商》会对你大有裨益。通过了解情商的本质,破解其在生活中运用的窍门及从内到外的开发自己的情商,我们即可在多年积累的智力、教育、经历这三者间获取平衡。
  • 恋爱求教帖

    恋爱求教帖

    关蔚绫,轻宅女,假正经,小浪漫,死傲娇。毕业几年,兢兢业业厮杀职场,落得个不上不下,不温不火的小经理职位,每天安安静静平平淡淡地挤地铁去搬砖。某日,昔日好友发了一段微信,将一个温厚木讷,不善辞令的大龄男青年送给她。关蔚绫发现,微信聊天,额,有点难度,于是在网上发了恋爱求教帖,在线等教程……还望各位大神指点一二,下一句我回什么呀???
  • 神奇植物大揭秘

    神奇植物大揭秘

    植物世界奇花异草,多有神秘面纱,有许许多多的奇异植物,是很多人闻所未闻的。它们的神秘,让青少年朋友感到兴趣盎然,又迷惑不解。为了满足青少年朋友的需要,本书特此采用生动、形象的语言,帮助青少年朋友深入理解,使青少年朋友在阅读过程中犹如身临其境,轻松、愉快地探索植物的奥秘。
  • 世界军事百科之古代军事

    世界军事百科之古代军事

    军事是一个国家和民族强大和稳定的象征,在国家生活中具有举足轻重的作用。国家兴亡,匹夫有责,全面而系统地掌握军事知识,是我们每一个人光荣的责任和义务,也是我们进行国防教育的主要内容。
  • 都市修仙狂少

    都市修仙狂少

    因为一次意外的救人,赵子成从此收获神龙玉佩和真仙门的传承功法。修仙炼丹,力量无比!校花,警花,都市女神,主动送上门来,让赵子成不由大呼,美女太热情,有些受不了……