Miss Eugenie Grandet

On this day in early May, Eugenie called a carriage and accompanied Madame Grandet to the church in the town to attend the celebration of Whitsunday.

Just a few days before, Eugenie had sent a letter addressed to James Rochelle.

After repeated weighing, she decided to accept the cooperation idea proposed by James earlier.But there is a premise, do not touch arms, opium.If he accepts, then cooperate.

On the premise of not violating the basic conscience, as James said, she will not bite her hand because of too much money.Although she can earn wealth that is beyond the reach of most people in France without resorting to external forces, she is not a truly omnipotent future predictor after all.She only knew what she knew before.And with a partner like James, once the business is on the right track, there is no need for her to do anything at the later stage. Not only will the capital itself generate profits, but there will also be countless professional managers below who will own the capital for the top people make more profits.

Money is really a sharp tool that can basically realize any wish that a person can imagine. Except for the death that human beings cannot control themselves, it is really omnipotent-making yourself feel freer, making you feel more free. Charity, even the pure love that has been sung by countless poets, who said that money cannot be used for business?

So, she doesn't object to it.

----

When she arrived in the town, Eugenie found that the atmosphere in the town was a bit different from the past—but it was not the atmosphere created by celebrating religious festivals, but that several entrances and exits and main streets were patrolled by Bourbon policemen. Even, when they find suspicious vehicles passing by, the police will come forward to make inquiries.

After arriving at the church, Eugenie soon learned the whole story from the priest.

The unexpected news surprised her.

It is definitely not an exaggeration to describe her feeling as "surprised".

"Miss, I also heard a whisper from a friend in the town hall," said the crippled priest in a low voice, "Napoleon Bonaparte, who was imprisoned in St. Helena, has escaped! The government is trying to suppress This news, it is said that someone recently reported that he had been found in this province, so a large number of secret police were sent to search for him. You should have seen it when you came, right?" He sighed, and made a cross on his chest, with a serious expression on his face He murmured, "I hope everything goes well."

Eugenie did not pay any attention to the meaning contained in the priest's last words, all her thoughts were shocked by the news she had just heard.

Napoleon Bonaparte actually escaped from the island of St. Helena where he was imprisoned?

How can it be?

She remembered clearly that in another year, in May of next year, he should have died on the island.Now, the priest told her that he escaped from the island?

How did he escape?Moreover, if the priest is right, why is he here?

Eugenie felt that her mind was a little confused, as if it was not enough.After a moment of daze, a pair of eyes suddenly appeared in her mind.

Although nearly half a year has passed, she was too busy because of such and other things, and she never thought of this person, so that even his face is a bit vague now, but those eyes, until now, she still can't remember. Remember clearly.

Phillips Lanner!

That's right, it's this desperado.

Could it be that just because I accidentally did something to save that person in November last year, did this lead to today's accident?

Imagine that he escaped the fate of death, remained loyal to the overthrown Emperor of the First Empire, secretly gathered his followers, and carried out a shocking savior operation. Then, he succeeded, but unfortunately failed, and together with the former emperor, Became the target of the Bourbon police search...

Eugenie's heart beat faster, her eyes stared straight ahead, her vision was a little distracted.

She simply couldn't imagine that if this man and his emperor were successfully restored again-although this sounds a bit absurd, it is not impossible.To this day, there are still many remnants loyal to Napoleon operating.Although they had no hope of returning the former emperor imprisoned on St. Helena to the throne, they remained loyal to Napoleon I's son, the Roman king who now remained in Vienna.Moreover, in the minds of the majority of peasants, Napoleon is still a figure who exists like a god. Compared with the various retrogressions of the Bourbon dynasty after the restoration, the Napoleon era is even more memorable.Although at that time, everyone also cursed the emperor's militarism, but now, it seems that no one remembers this, and only remembers the glory and glory of France in that era.

"Miss Grandet, Madame Grandet, you are the biggest givers today, please stand in front and receive God's blessing."

Eugenie was awakened by the priest's voice.

According to custom, when celebrating this religious festival, in addition to the church dinner, the church will also distribute bread and cheese to the masses.This is a legacy of giving to the poor that originated in the Middle Ages. It is still practiced in some remote rural places, and it is the same here.

There were many people who came to the church to receive food, and there was a long queue behind them with no end in sight.In the name of Madame Grandet, Eugenie donated a thousand francs for today's charity.Now, although she stands here with Mrs. Grandet to distribute things to the townspeople queuing up to get food, she is a little distracted, and she even took the wrong things several times, until even Mrs. Grandet noticed her insanity. No, when Caring asked her if she was not feeling well, she finally cheered up and continued to work.

After arriving here, Mrs. Grandet's spirit seemed much better than before.She didn't want to add to her worries.

"Miss Grandet, if you need a rest, you can go to Notre-Dame."

The priest also seemed to notice her absent-mindedness, and came over to remind her in a low voice.

Eugenie thanked him, and decided to accept his proposal.

She left the main hall and came to the empty Notre-Dame chapel on the side. She sat alone on a chair in the corner. When she fell into a daze, her shoulders suddenly sank, as if she had put a hand on her.

Eugenie turned her head abruptly, and saw a familiar face.

It was really Philip Lanner!

He looked pretty much the same as she remembered.If I had to say something different, it would be darker and thinner, so that the eyes would look brighter.

After noticing that she turned her head, he immediately withdrew his hand and grinned at her, revealing a pair of snow-white teeth, but now it looked more like white animal teeth.

Eugenie was so terrified that she stood up suddenly with her eyes wide open, and was about to speak when he made a silencing gesture towards her, then grabbed her hand, and forcibly pulled her into a small prayer room nearby. .

"Miss Grandet, it is a pleasure to see you again."

He looked at her and continued to laugh.

The prayer room was a bit dark, but his eyes were still sparkling, as if tiny diamonds were shining.

Eugenie stared at him.Although she didn't say a word, it's not difficult to see her inner emotions at the moment from her furrowed brows and her tightly pursed lips—the other party seems to have sensed this, so she gradually stopped laughing and changed to being serious With an expression on his face, he said in a low voice: "I suddenly saw me appear, did it scare you?"

Eugenie still stared at him coldly, and suddenly asked: "Why are you here?"

Philip did not answer right away, as if he was considering whether to tell the truth, Eugenie had already smiled coldly, "I see. The priest belongs to you."

Philip raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, the abbe was once one of the first old guards to follow the emperor, and he fought with the emperor in the first Italian campaign and the subsequent battle of Marengo. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Austerlitz. Retired. Still loyal to the Emperor."

Eugenie snorted, "There's no need to explain. I'm not interested in these things. I have something else to do, excuse me. I hope you don't talk to me again. I don't remember knowing you." When she turned to open the door to go out, he He had already flashed in front of her faster than her movements, blocking her way to the door.

"What do you want to do? Get out of the way!" Eugenie lowered her voice, her tone full of threats, "Believe it or not, if you don't get out of the way, I'll call someone right now. The Bourbon police are on the street through the window Go on patrol."

"Miss, please listen to me..."

"Come on man—here's—"

Eugenie suddenly turned her head and yelled towards the window. Just after yelling, a hand quickly stretched out and covered her mouth with force.

"Miss!" He dragged her to a corner and held her tightly. His tone seemed to be a bit threatening, and he lowered his head and leaned into her ear and said, "You better not be so disobedient. You know, I'm not a good man or woman."

Without saying a word, Eugenie opened her mouth and bit down hard. The person who bit her middle finger hurt so badly that she had to let go, frowning and shaking her hands, making a slight hissing sound from her mouth.

"If I hadn't saved you last year, you would have died in the wilderness! How dare you scare me now? Do you think I don't know? If I lend you ten guts, you wouldn't dare to harm me here! Unless you want to court death!"

Eugenie wiped her lips, which had just been covered by his hand, with the back of her hand in disgust, and said viciously.

Philip looked at her with a helpless wry smile.

"All right--"

He wiped his finger that had been stained with her saliva just now on his trousers, and then whispered in a begging tone, "I was wrong, and I admit it to you. But I I beg you, can you please listen to me first?"