Miss Eugenie Grandet

In fact, the reason why the old Grandet finally chose President Crochet to escort Eugenie to Paris is also a bit of a peace of mind-the last time the bankruptcy and liquidation of the Guillaume Trading Company in Paris was handed over to the Grassin family. Another consequence of doing it is that Grassinpai is complacent, thinking that this will add a lot of weight to his pursuit of the heiress.Now that I have this opportunity, I just want to promote the Crosh faction, so that the Grashan family’s minds are sober, and at the same time, it also means to encourage the Crosch faction to continue to work for themselves—that is to say, before the last moment, you No one should expect Dad to make a name for himself.What to do, what to do.

Grandet's father should have never learned the art of checks and balances of ancient Chinese emperors, but his ability to manipulate the two families so that they bowed their heads and ears to serve him was no worse than any ancient emperor.In short, President Crochet, who was lucky enough to be selected to send the task, was very excited, and he tried his best all the way, fully reflecting his reliability and ability—of course, it is still a bit regretful—if Nanon, who was not in the way, was by his side, only himself would be left With Miss Grandet, this trip will be even more perfect.

Nanon was completely unaware that she had become an obstacle in the eyes of M. Crochet, who was trying his best to pursue the lady.She was completely absorbed in the overwhelming excitement of going out for the first time and going to Paris.Of course, her excitement is different from that of the judge-in her nearly 40 years of life, Paris has been a paradise in her imagination: the ground is paved with gold and precious stones, and the rivers are flowing. The juice of balm and honey milk, the men are all riding the horses with richly decorated saddles, the women are beautifully dressed, flirting with the men with wine glasses in their hands...

"Holy Mother, if I can go to Paris before I close my eyes and go to heaven, then I really have no regrets."

In her mind, besides going to heaven after death, her second greatest wish in life is to take a trip to Paris.So, before Miss Lin left, when she casually sighed in front of her, she never expected that Miss Lin would let her go with her.

Now, thanks to Mademoiselle, Nanon finally set foot on the land of Paris.As before, they got off the stagecoach at Place Rochelle.Nanon was momentarily disappointed to find that there was no pavement of gold and gemstones and rivers of balm and milk as imagined before, and that it looked dusty.But soon, when she got into the carriage and was pulled to the Polly Hotel near the Etoile, she stopped on this wide avenue full of magnificent buildings, heard the hotel doorman call her "Miss", and opened the wiper for herself. The polished glass door, and then in the gorgeous and bright hotel lobby, and finally, when she followed Eugenie to the room she was going to live in next, she had completely stared open, and was even trembling with excitement.She marveled at the satin jacquard sheets and fluffy pillows with beautiful lace trims on the bed for her night's sleep, marveled at the marble dressing table where she washed her face and combed her hair, and marveled at the huge mirror in the room that saw her whole body. .In short, she praised everything she saw after stepping into this hotel. As a result, she was probably too excited, or she was really not used to sleeping on such a soft bed. In the middle of the night, Eugenie could still sleep. I heard her tossing and turning on the bed.

"What is the matter with you, Nanon?"

"Oh miss, forgive me! Did I disturb you? But I really can't sleep. Can I sleep on the floor?"

"Well, if that's more customary for you."

"okay!"

The maid got out of bed.As soon as he closed his eyes, he finally found the feeling of lying on the bunk between Saumur and sleeping.Soon, she fell asleep comfortably.

----

The next day, after leaving Nanon at the hotel, Eugenie declined Mr. Crochet's kindness to accompany her, and Eugenie went alone to the Paris notary office near the Bank of France.There, James was already waiting for her.

The legal formalities went very smoothly.When it was over, James looked very happy, and shook Eugenie's hand.

"Miss Grandet, from this moment on, we are partners. I am very happy and hope we can cooperate happily." He handed her a document bag, "Here are several possible investment projects planned by the new company. , feel free to tell me what you think.”

Eugenie took it over, "No problem."

"Miss Grandet, I wonder if you have considered living in Paris?" He suddenly asked, "Since we are already partners, we will inevitably need to meet frequently in the future—I mean, we need to discuss various matters. To communicate, after all, Saumur is a bit far from Paris, and it seems inconvenient. If you are interested, I can arrange for you a residence that will satisfy you completely."

"I'll think about it. Thank you."

Eugenie laughed.

After parting from James, Eugenie went to the Curia Trading House.Although the money invested in the British Railway Company has not seen much benefit so far, the other two investments have made a lot of money, especially the stock of Male Hou Company, which has now risen to 20, and still continues to rise the trend of.

"That is to say, you now have all the assets of nearly 2000 million francs," Mr. Curia said respectfully, "do you need me to sell the stocks of the railway company or Malehou for you?"

"When it reaches twenty-five, throw out the Marlehous for me," Eugenie instructed him. "But the railway company, although it is not making money now, I have no intention of moving it. I plan to add more."

"Ok."

Although Mr. Curia was a little puzzled by her stubborn holding of the railway company's stock, she was the client, so naturally everything should be based on her will.And, speaking quietly, shocked by her great success in other previous investments, he secretly followed her to buy some, and now he has tasted the sweetness.If she really decides to invest more in railway stocks sometime, he will probably consider taking a gamble with her.

Already have assets of 2000 million francs.If this money is only used for eating, drinking and having fun in this life, it will naturally be safe for food and clothing.However, if she is not satisfied with the status quo and wants to get involved in railway steamship or other industries that are about to occupy the leading force of productive forces, even if she adds all her father's property, it will not be enough.That's why she chose to be a partner with James.Using the funds he can mobilize to make up for his shortcomings, and her ability to provide accurate guidance for investment projects in new companies, this is why she and James have come together.

After leaving the trading house, Eugenie decided to walk since the return trip was not far away.When passing by the entrance of a gallery, she was attracted by a notice posted at the entrance and couldn't help but stop.

Three days later, the reopened Louvre Gallery will host a major auction, the announcement said.Most of the sources of the paintings come from the declining nobles who were forced to sell their collections anonymously due to financial constraints.

Eugenie looked carefully at the catalog of the auction items, and immediately decided to participate in the auction—this decision was not made out of love for art.Instead, she saw the names of several familiar painters and their works.In addition to several paintings by Jacques-Louis David, the representative of the neoclassical school, which has become famous, what attracted her even more were the several works of Watteau, the most outstanding representative painter of the Rococo period, and the Dutch painter Rembrandt. The "Night Watch", which caused great trouble, and Ingres's "The Bather", which has not yet been collected by Vapinçon.

These few paintings by these painters later undoubtedly became great works of great value.But now, either because the artist is not well-known, or because of various other reasons, the value of the painting has not been recognized by the world.Just right, since you have encountered them, put them in your bag.

Three days later, Eugenie replied to James with her opinion on the investment project of the new company, and asked him to inform herself after confirming the investment funds. Then, at the scheduled time, she appeared together with Mr. Crochet and Nanon at the The auction room of the Louvre Gallery.Prior to this, she had paid a deposit of 1000 francs.

This line of auction participants with a strong local flavor entered the gallery auction room, which aroused the attention of others.There was nothing wrong with the young lady in the bonnet, except for her modest attire.But the overly prim gentleman and the other large woman who looked around her were completely out of tune with the atmosphere of the gallery.

Unlike Nanon, who completely ignored the attention of others and was completely intoxicated by it, Mr. Judge felt like needles all over his body from the first step he stepped into this place, and he was uncomfortable from head to toe, and immediately regretted why he had It's not a move to insist on following.He only knows the rigid legal provisions, and he is used to deciding the fate of the plaintiff and the defendant according to whether the other party calls him "Mr. Crochet" or "President de Bonfon" in court. He has a level of appreciation for painting or art. There are only a few dusty old portraits of his grandparents hanging in front of the hall of his home.Now, when he came here, he realized that the attire he was most proud of looked so shabby and old-fashioned compared with the men present, and he immediately felt deeply ashamed like being humiliated.But he definitely would not show an expression of shame. On the contrary, he followed Miss Grandet into the auction hall with his head held high and his chest held high, and sat down in his seat.

The auction begins.This strange combination that looked like it came from the countryside quickly attracted the attention of the people present.Not only because the plainly dressed Miss Grandet finally beat a collector who was bound to win at a high price of 10 francs, and took the highest bid of the night for a work of David, it was even more surprising that , she seems to be more interested in a few unpopular paintings.In the end, with almost no competitors, she spent less than [-] francs to collect several paintings by Watteau, Rembrandt and Ingres that she had originally set her sights on.

"Miss! It was really exciting just now! I'm holding that sign up and down. I haven't lifted enough, but unfortunately it's over."

Under the watchful eyes of countless people around, Eugenie and her party, who had harvested a lot tonight, left the auction house.Nanon was very devoted to the card-raising game just now. Although it was over, she was still thinking about it with great interest.

By tomorrow, the name of Mademoiselle Grandet from Anjou will be spread in the art salons in Paris, and she will receive invitations from the organizers for any similar auctions or gallery exhibitions in the future. Sincerely invite.

"Miss Grandet, I really don't understand why you spend so much money on these paintings?"

Leaving the auction house, the chief judge finally felt that he had regained some confidence and couldn't help asking questions.Just now, when he saw that the heiress spent 10 francs just to bid for a painting, his back was almost drenched with sweat.

"If I have the opportunity in the future, I will buy it again."

Eugenie answered him thus.

The judge felt very distressed, and slightly displeased—as if he was spending his money.Of course, he would never dare to reveal such a subtle psychology.

"Understood. No matter what you do, I must be your most loyal supporter."

He spoke at once, with a look of sincerity.

Eugenie smiled.

----

After staying for about a week, after finishing dealing with James, when Eugenie planned to take Nanon for a stroll, a message came.

The Emperor Napoleon, who was imprisoned on St. Helena, escaped from the cage again and landed from Royan in southwest France.There, a team of about 1000 people has assembled.Among them, there are the old guards loyal to him, some local residents who heard the news, and some local garrisons who defected to him.This restoration team cleverly avoided places such as Suger and Niort, where Bourbon was powerful, and marched towards Paris from Angoulême and Limoges, where the revolutionary storm was strong.The emperor issued a proclamation, appeared in person and made a very inflammatory tone to the public who supported him, accusing the Bourbon dynasty of relying on foreign forces for its survival after the restoration and shameless betrayal of the people, announcing his decision to revitalize France. The people claim their rights.When the residents along the way heard that the British were trying to kill their former emperor by means of abuse or even poisoning secretly, their anger spread uncontrollably, and pictures of the emperor with a pale but full face spread everywhere. It is a booklet of portraits of resolute and solemn expressions. People came from all directions to join the emperor's team. The number of people snowballed more and more, and the Bourbon army along the way almost collapsed without a fight.

This team is approaching Paris inch by inch, just like the scene when the emperor landed from Cannes back then.

Paris was completely shaken by the news.The theater and the opera house were closed, and everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about it, and the nightly balls held by the Bourbon royal family and nobles also stopped.While the worried king was busy summoning the National Guard and the Royal Guard in the Tuileries Palace to protect Paris from falling, many nobles had secretly packed their bags and were ready to flee at any time.

Eugenie's itinerary plan was naturally disrupted by this news.

After declining James' proposal to send her back to Saumur in person, she and the judge and Nanon hurriedly boarded the return post car - the return journey took only two days, and no matter how fast Napoleon's army was, it was impossible Advance to the provinces near Paris in two days.

Although she was already mentally prepared.But waiting for that day to come is still a bit unbelievable.

If the old Grandet hadn't taken her to Floavond on a whim last year, and she hadn't taken a walk by the river in the vineyard, and finally helped the ambitious man, all of today's events would still have happened. ?