"As for you, Madame Nourrisson, the complaint is that you gather your fruit unripe.You ought to know by this time the laws and regulations, and I warn you that everything under twenty-one years of age is forbidden.I wonder I have to remind you of it.Now, aunt, what I have to say to you is confidential."Thus dismissed, two of the Fates departed.
Since the days when Jacques Collin had abdicated his former kingship and had made himself, as they say, a new skin in the police force, Jacqueline Collin, though she had never put herself within reach of the law, had certainly never donned the robe of innocence.But having attained, like her nephew, to what might fairly be called opulence, she kept at a safe and respectful distance from the Penal Code, and under cover of an agency that was fairly avowable, she sheltered practices more or less shady, on which she continued to bestow an intelligence and an activity that were really infernal.
"Aunt," said Vautrin, "I have so many things to say to you that Idon't know where to begin."
"I should think so! It is a week since I've seen you.""In the first place, I must tell you that I have just missed a splendid chance.""What sort of chance?" asked Jacqueline.
"In the line of my odious calling.But this time the capture was worth making.Do you remember that little Prussian engraver about whom Isent you to Berlin?"
"The one who forged those Vienna bank bills in that wonderful way?""Yes.I just missed arresting him near Saint-Sulpice.But I followed him into the church, where I heard your Signora Luigia.""Ah!" said Jacqueline, "she has made up her mind at last, and has left that imbecile of a sculptor.""It is about her that I have come to talk to you," said Vautrin."Here are the facts.The Italian opera season in London has begun badly,--their prima donna is taken ill.Sir Francis Drake, the impresario, arrived in Paris yesterday, at the Hotel des Princes, rue de Richelieu, in search of a prima donna, at any rate pro tem.I have been to see him in the interests of the signora.Sir Francis Drake is an Englishman, very bald, with a red nose, and long yellow teeth.He received me with cold politeness, and asked in very good French what my business was.""Did you propose to him Luigia?"
"That was what I went for,--in the character, be it understood, of a Swedish nobleman.He asked if her talent was known.'Absolutely unknown,' I replied.'It is risky,' said Sir Francis; 'nevertheless arrange to let me hear her.' I told him that she was staying with her friend Madame de Saint-Esteve, at whose house I could take the liberty to invite him to dinner.""When?" asked Jacqueline.
"To-day is the 19th; I said the 21st.Order the dinner from Chevet for fifteen persons, and send for your client Bixiou to make you out the list.Tell him you want the chief men of the press, a lawyer to settle the terms of the contract, and a pianist to accompany the signora.Let her know what hangs upon it.Sir Francis Drake and I will make up the number.Useless to tell you that I am your friend Comte Halphertius, who, having no house in Paris, gives this dinner at yours.Mind that everything is done in the best taste."In designating Bixiou to his aunt as the recruiting-officer of the dinner, Vautrin knew that through the universality of his relations with writing, singing, designing, eating, living, and squirming Paris, no one was as capable as he of spreading the news of the dinner broadcast.
At seven o'clock precisely all the guests named by Desroches to Maxime, plus Desroches himself, were assembled in the salon of the rue de Provence, when the Negro footman opened the door and announced Sir Francis Drake and his Excellency the Comte Halphertius.The dress of the Swedish nobleman was correct to the last degree,--black coat, white cravat, and white waistcoat, on which glowed the ribbon of an order hanging from his neck; the rest of his decorations were fastened to his coat by chainlets.At the first glance which he cast upon the company, Vautrin had the annoyance of beholding that Jacqueline's habits and instincts had been more potent than his express order,--for a species of green and yellow turban surmounted her head in a manner which he felt to be ridiculous; but thanks to the admirable manner in which the rest of his programme had been carried out, the luckless coiffure was forgiven.
As for Signora Luigia, dressed in black, which was customary with her, and having had the good sense to reject the services of a coiffeur, she was royally beautiful.An air of melancholy gravity, expressed by her whole person, inspired a sentiment of respect which surprised the men who on Bixiou's invitation were there to judge of her.The only special presentation that was made among the guests was that of Desroches to Vautrin, which Bixiou made in the following lively formula:--"Maitre Desroches, the most intelligent solicitor of modern times--Comte Halphertius of Sweden."
As for Sir Francis Drake, he seemed at first inclined to disdain the influence of the dramatic newspapers, whose representatives were there assembled; but presently recognizing Felicien Vernou and Lousteau, two noted men of that secondary press, he greeted them heartily and shook them by the hand.
Before dinner was announced, Comte Halphertius judged it advisable to make a little speech.
"Dear madame," he said to his aunt, "you are really a fairy godmother.
This is the first time I have ever been in a Parisian salon, and here you have assembled to meet me all that literature, the arts, and the legal profession can offer of their best.I, who am only a northern barbarian,--though our country, too, can boast of its celebrities,--Linnaeus, Berzelius, Thorwaldsen, Tegner, Franzen, Geier, and the charming novelist Frederika Bremer,--I find myself a cipher in such company.""But in Bernadotte France and Sweden clasped hands," replied Madame de Saint-Esteve, whose historical erudition went as far as that.