Mademoiselle de La Mole, having failed to get
anything out of Julien,made the lawyer come in.
Well, for the cost of hiring thatwindow, which of
those two worthies will rob the other? Even if it had been, the young man was so
handsome!
The worst drawback of a prison, he thought, is that
one can neverclose ones door. Was I not fine yesterday when I rose to speak?
Mathilde kept on saying to him in a faint voice: He is there, in thenext room.
Never, replied Julien with rapture, and I am speaking to you as Ispeak to myself. I
did love Madame de Renal, but my conduct hasbeen atrocious. Besancon and the whole
Department could talk of nothingbut this cause celebre. To increase his impatience,
he saw the turnkey move his lipsas he repeated the Latin words. You may succeedthe
Chevreuses and Longuevilles of the Fronde .
It is true thatthere is reason to fear it may also
be the last. All that Mathilde had to say served only toirritate him.
What devil thought ofthat malicious
touch?
Indeed, he said to himself, it appears to be my
destiny to die in adream.
I heardher speak to the examining magistrate. Yes,
but this is a lucky day for Valenod, who is sentencingme .
To others, I am at best only amight-have-been. I
foresee interviews with priests, with my father .
And he continued his reasoning aloud, without a
thought ofthe turnkeys presence. This unexpected obstinacy awoke all the latent
pride in Mathildesnature.
Iwas improvising, and for the first time in my
life! Because at this moment I feel that I have the courage to die withoutexciting
undue derision.
You do not understand my position, said the former
Mayorof Verrieres.
You do not understand my position, said the former
Mayorof Verrieres. I have a mission from on high; it is I that am tosave the soul of
young Sorel.
Who knows what we shall find in our next
life?
And yet I regard myself as pious, Madame de Renal
told him in thecourse of their conversation. Your position in society, your fortune,
and,let me say, your genius will enable M.
Indeed, I amhappier by myself than when that lovely
girl shares my solitude .
I cananswer at once for these eight jurors, he told
Mathilde.