Miss Eugenie Grandet

night.

In Saumur, at this hour, everyone except Grandet, who was used to thinking about ways to make money in his secret room in the dead of night, fell asleep-this is also the human being's observance of the day and night of nature.But in the noble residential area of ​​Paris, this hour is just the beginning of the main event of the day.Fragrant cars and BMWs carry people in gorgeous clothes and make-up to their respective destinations—they are addicted to the enjoyment and pleasure brought by the nightfall, just like laudanum.

At nine o'clock, Eugenie appeared on the flat road leading to the duchess' residence in the Saint-Germain district.

According to Jane before, the upper class in Paris mainly live in two places, Saint-Germain and Rue Antin.The difference between the two is that the former is a large aristocratic area, while the latter is a residential area for the rich and the bourgeoisie.But there are exceptions.For example, the famous big banker Rochelle, his private residence is located in the Saint-Germain district, not far from the residence of the Duchess.

There is no private carriage, she came in a rented carriage, accompanied by the newly promoted personal maid Jane, and from time to time a Kupp carriage with the family emblem passed by them under the powerful feet of the pair of horses As they galloped by, the woman in costumes sitting in the car occasionally poked her head out of curiosity to take a look at the rental carriage that was heading in the same direction as her.

"Miss, you should buy a private carriage that belongs to you, so that it is worthy of your status. Moreover, there is an unwritten rule in the social world. When going out at night, you must take a car that can transport you A box-shaped carriage that is completely covered. If a guest sits in an open carriage such as Karasch or Landau, which is suitable for walking on the Champs-Elysées, they will be looked down upon by the servants at the door, let alone your current rental carriage." Jane whispered.

"If I walk over, will I be thrown out of the gate by the servants?"

"It's entirely possible."

"That is to say, if I want to be respected, I must spend a lot of money to order two carriages?"

"Yes."

"Okay—" Eugenie smiled, "I will discuss it with my father when I go back."

Jane didn't understand what Eugenie was saying at all, and replied seriously: "But don't worry. I'll help you deal with it later. You just have to put on a condescending look, and they will be bluffed by you live."

"Okay, thank you dear, I will try my best to do as you said." Eugenie smiled.

Through the car window, Jane continued to observe the movement around her dutifully.

"The ones who passed by just now were the Marquise de Lei and her daughter. The Marquis was awarded the title of the first ruling period because of his military exploits. When the king was in power, they voted for the king and served the king. Now that His Majesty has returned, they have sworn allegiance to His Majesty... "

Jean's voice was very low, almost speaking in Eugenie's ear, "but when you meet them later, you will be surprised to find that the arrogance in them is no less than that of a king when he is in power. The old aristocracy of the Bourbon era—at least the old aristocracy has been passed down for at least a hundred years, but what about them? It’s only been a short period of ten years, but now they appear to be superior from head to toe. But you don’t have to worry about it They. Think about it, their husbands or fathers were just blacksmiths or farmers before they were enshrined in the First Consul, and they may actually be more proficient in how to hold a tong to light a fire and how to drive pigs than their maids."

Jane made no secret of the meanness and sarcasm in her words.

Eugenie shrugged, "Well—if I am despised by them, I will try to imagine them burning fire and chasing pigs in my mind, so as to gain a psychological advantage."

The mansion of the Duchess of Guastalla is just ahead.

This is not a small party.The ball hadn't officially started yet, but there were at least a hundred carriages parked around the mansion.The lights from the carriage corner lamps converge to illuminate the grand silhouette of the building.Bright lights were lit in front of the gate, illuminating the front of the gate as if it were day, and a servant in uniform stood on either side.

"Also, to attend such an occasion, you'd better have a male companion by your side. This way you won't get sideways glances when you enter..."

The carriage stopped, and when the servants came to greet her, Jane suddenly said something in a regretful tone.

"Pray for me, then. I hope no one notices me when I go in."

Eugenie whispered jokingly.

The servant noticed that it was a rental carriage and was obviously taken aback.But still kept going.But unlike what he had done countless times before, first helping the guests put down the carriage steps, and then asking for the invitation letter when the guests stepped on the external steps to enter the entrance, instead, he looked at Eugenie who got out of the carriage, and cautiously Asked: "Who are you? Have you ever received an invitation letter from the Duchess?" There was obvious doubt and indifference in the voice.

Jane glanced at Eugenie with an expression of "Look, I'm right."

"Did the Duchess teach you to treat guests like this?" She poked her head out of the car window, pretending to be impatient, and snapped, "I don't need to remind you what you need to do now, do you?"

The servant was stunned, hesitated for a moment, and was finally discouraged. Just as he was about to put down the footsteps for the guests, suddenly, a man stepped out from the door and looked around. Through the glass of the carriage window, he seemed to vaguely see Eugenie was sitting inside, but obviously, at first, he was a little uncertain, and when Eugenie happened to turn her head, he finally recognized her, and with a happy face, he came with fast strides.

"Mademoiselle Grandet! It's really you! I'm sorry I just found out that you'll be here too!"

"Mr. Rochelle..."

The servant was astonished.When he saw that the famous Parisian plutocrat, who even greeted the duchess with a smile, bent down indifferently, preparing to help the female guest who came in a taxi to arrange the step platform, he finally came back to his senses. Hastily rushed forward to do it.

Eugenie stepped down from the step, and James put out his hand for her to lean on, and helped her out of the carriage in the most gentlemanly manner.Then, quite naturally, he held out an arm.

After a moment's hesitation, Eugenie smiled and took his arm.

"You are so beautiful today. Forgive me for not recognizing it at first."

He glanced down at her.

Eugenie also lowered her head and looked at herself.

"Although I'm happy to hear such compliments, I have to say, I'm still me. It's just this beautiful dress that bothers you."

James smiled and shook his head.The two whispered something, and walked in hand in hand.

The servant behind was stunned. After being surprised, Jane immediately became triumphant. After giving a mocking snort at the servant, she went to the side hall dedicated to receiving guests and entourages to wait for the end of the dance.

"I was surprised to meet you here," Eugenie continued with a smile, "If you hadn't appeared in time just now, I would have been stopped by the servants."

James laughed.

"My pleasure. But please believe that very soon, the entire Parisian social circle will be ashamed of not seeing your face. At that time, even if you walk here in your pajamas, no one will dare to express the slightest bit of affection to you." disrespectful."

Eugenie was amused by his compliment, and the two had appeared at the door of the hall at the end of the hall.

This is an extremely luxurious two-storey hall.The high ceiling is supported by twelve Ionic pillars in relief, and huge chandeliers hang from it.The floor is inlaid with diamond-shaped marble cubes in black and white.At the end of the hall facing the main entrance, a huge stone staircase in the typical Gabriel style of the Louis XV period leads guests to the second floor.There are flowers everywhere, and the air is filled with the scents of fragrance and flowers intertwined.The silk gowns of the ladies and the gold trim of the flannels of the men gleamed and blazed in the brilliant lights.

During the period before the ball officially started, the entrance of the hall was always the place that attracted the most attention from the guests.Women observe whether the gowns and jewelry on the female guests overwhelm them, and the men are ready to hunt or wait for the hottest powerful person they expect to befriend next.

Therefore, the entry of this pair immediately attracted the attention of almost all the guests present.

James Rochelle, of course, has risen to social status since his rescue of French bonds last year.Whether it is the previous Louis Dynasty or the current Bonaparte Empire, his figure often appears in the ball halls of the various noble residences.But the young and beautiful lady next to him was a completely unfamiliar face.

who is she?He actually took Rochelle's arm and entered the hall where the Duchess of Guastalla held her first ball after returning to Paris?