Miss Eugenie Grandet

If, just a week ago, Eugenie's idea of ​​building locomotives and building railways was only a "thought", now, after a long and detailed conversation with M. Bernard, a concept has begun to take shape. Plans for the silhouette have gradually surfaced.

Mr. Bernard has a clear mind, is very proficient in his profession, and is persistent in his dreams.Whether it is character or behavior, it is in line with all the characteristics of all successful technologists.

So in the end, when Bernard finished his explanation and looked at Eugenie with his expectant and nervous eyes, Eugenie immediately decided to believe him-even if it was proved in the end that his assumption was just a fantasy, her loss would be nothing but The amount invested in the experimental project at the beginning is not an astonishing investment.

And if his idea becomes a reality, it means that she can start the world's first railway development project a few years earlier - from passively waiting for other people's technology transfer to taking control of the initiative by herself, the economic benefits of this are naturally it goes without saying.

"Mr. Bernard, if you can really build a locomotive that can be put into actual operation within the agreed time, then it is up to you to decide whether to buy out your technology patent in cash or let you enjoy the shares of the railway company." , I fully respect your choice. Now, the most important thing is to let you have the opportunity to put your ideas into reality. If you are willing, I hope you can devote yourself to research after you recover from your injury. "

Bernard stood up abruptly from his chair, his eyes sparkled, and he seemed extremely excited.

"Ah, my dear lady! It is no exaggeration to say that meeting you is like receiving the gospel from the kingdom of heaven! My body is completely fine! As long as I have the conditions, I can even now Get to work! You don't know how long I've been waiting for this day!"

Eugenie smiled.

"Mr. Bernard, I understand your impatient mood. But first, you must recover first. After that, you can work better. This is not only responsible for yourself and your daughter, but also an early investment for me. , is also a kind of responsibility. Second, I believe that you should need some assistants. In addition, as for the choice of your next work place, if you have no other ideas, you can go to my hometown Saumur, which is about a hundred far away from here. Near Saumur, my father has a not-so-small manor, and there is a piece of wasteland nearby, which is very suitable for laying railway tracks or building factories."

"I listen to you, Mademoiselle Grandet!" Bernard said, "My family was originally poor. In order to build my ideal locomotive, I have lost everything and my wife has left me. Drawings, I have nothing now."

"Then it is agreed," said Eugenie, "that I shall remain in Paris for some time. Then you and your daughter may come with me."

----

After seeing Bernard off, when Eugenie strolled to the window and looked out, her mood fluctuated slightly.

She knew that she had done the right thing just now.

Yes, everything was going perfectly now—her earliest investments were either hugely profitable or promising, and several projects at the Merchant Bank were now well underway.When making the decision at the beginning, factors of changes in the current situation were considered, so we chose projects that had no necessary causal relationship with the changes in the current situation, for example, investing in several new factories in other provinces. In the future, they will be the French textile and steel industries. giants in the industry.Even the loan to Napoleon, which took a great risk, seems to be unnecessary to worry about now—unless one day, the regime of this empire is completely destroyed by someone in a violent way—of course, this is not her Everything that can be controlled can only be left to God.

People in the world, especially those with outstanding abilities, often have endless desires.However, she knows herself well.No matter in the past or now, her cleverness and ingenuity are actually not enough to look down on the world.

So, she is not greedy.

It is enough for a person to really do one thing well in his whole life and to do it to the extreme.

----

A week later, Rochelle held a grand ball in his mansion in Saint-Germain.

That night, the mansion was full of distinguished guests.Almost all prominent people in the Parisian business circles, official circles, nobles and even the military circles received the invitation. When the ball started, the corner lights from nearly a thousand carriages parked outside the mansion illuminated the whole house—— The next day, a writer for the Paris Business Daily wrote an article describing the gathering, saying it was "an impressive grand gathering, enough to be included in this year's social yearbook."Of course, the climax of this ball was the appearance of the host, James Rochelle, together with Miss Grandet from Anjou, a rising star in the Parisian social circle, and announced the official opening of their joint merchant bank. listing.

Accompanied by champagne and an orchestra, James and his partner, the young Mademoiselle Grandet, slid down the dance floor and danced under the gaze of countless eyes.

"Miss Grandet, I am very excited tonight, unexpectedly excited, and do you know why?"

At the end of a dance, James looked at Eugenie and said suddenly.

The man beside her who was dancing with her had twinkling eyes and a very happy expression, which Eugenie could naturally see.

"Me too, Mr. Rochelle," she replied with a smile, "I hope we will have a pleasant cooperation in the future."

"Most definitely."

The dance music stopped.Amidst the applause, James suddenly leaned towards Eugenie and said in a low voice: "Miss Grandet, would you please come with me alone, I have something important to talk to you about."

"can."

Eugenie spoke at once.

"Thank you, please come with me."

Eugenie followed James out of the noisy hall, walked through the long corridor, walked forward amidst the constant bowing of the servants standing beside the long corridor, and finally stopped in front of a small hall.

The small hall seemed pre-arranged.The huge table in the center is covered with a snow-white tablecloth, and the table is decorated with a spherical bouquet of roses. Beside the bouquet, there are two golden candelabra standing silently. Dozens of candles have been lit together, emitting a warm and hazy glow. orange light.

Eugenie froze for a moment, then stopped in her footsteps.

"Mr. Rochelle, what do you want?"

she asked with a smile.

James in front stopped and turned around.As if hesitating, after walking back and forth by the table, he seemed to have finally made up his mind and walked towards her quickly.

"Miss Grandet, what do you think of me?"

He stopped in front of her and asked quickly.

Eugenie raised her eyebrows.

"You are shrewd, competent and possess a keen business acumen."

"Apart from these?"

"You are also an extremely rare partner."

"I mean……"

He paused, then said, "I mean, do you have anything else to say about me personally besides these business impressions?"

Eugenie shrugged, "For example?"

"For example, if I propose to you, will you agree to my proposal?"

This time, he asked very firmly, just like his usual self-confidence and determination.

Although, just now Eugenie already felt a little abnormal.But to be honest, she was still surprised to hear that he actually proposed to her.

"Sorry...James...you..."

"I know, this move of mine surprised you a lot." The suitor took what she hadn't finished and continued to explain quickly, "After all, our previous topics have been limited to business, investment, factories, Cooperation and such words sound dry and emotionless. However, please believe that my proposal to you is from the bottom of my heart. Let me put it this way, Miss Grandet, the first time I met you I have left a deep impression on you since the first contact. In the next contact, I admire your unique demeanor and talent. This is not only because of the admiration of business partners, It's a man's admiration for a woman. I need a wife..."

"and many more--"

The stunned Eugenie finally had a chance to interrupt him, "Mr. James, if I'm not mistaken, your family seems to have rules that members must abide by when it comes to marriage partners?"

James laughed.

"You are right, but not quite. To be precise, it is just a guideline, but not an order that must be followed. Besides, as the youngest of five brothers in the family, after our father passed away, everyone treated me All that is left is for me to marry as soon as possible. Whether or not my bride is of the same blood as I am is completely irrelevant."

James' explanation made Eugenie speechless for a moment.Just when she was silent, he continued: "So, my proposal to you is completely sincere, and there is no obstacle at all - the only thing that makes me feel uneasy is your thoughts. I don't know that in your eyes , do I meet the requirements of your future husband? Will my abrupt marriage proposal make you feel uncomfortable or even disgusted?"

"You are serious!" Eugenie interrupted him immediately, "Frankly speaking, what you said just now did make me feel a little uncomfortable, but it can't be disgusting. It is a kind of compliment to me to receive such praise from you... "

"Then, would you consider my proposal?" he said at once. "I dare not expect a quick answer from you. I take this opportunity to confess to you tonight to let you know how I feel, and I hope you will can be considered.”

"I'm very sorry, James," said Eugenie apologetically, shaking her head, "I'm afraid I cannot accept your kindness, and I hope you will understand."

James was a little surprised that she refused so decisively.As if hit, he was stunned for a moment, and tried to persuade again, "You really don't have to refuse so quickly, as long as you give me a chance, I can wait..."

"James, I know it's very impolite, but since it's impossible, there's no need to hang you. I think that's the greatest disrespect to you."

When she said this, she had a smile on her face and her tone was very gentle, but the firmness in her words was obvious.

After a while of silence, James finally showed a self-deprecating wry smile.

"Well—" he looked at Eugenie, "then, can you satisfy my curiosity and tell me why you don't even give me a chance? Do you already have a lover, or do you think I am completely Doesn't meet the requirements of your ideal husband?"

"Neither," Eugenie said, "I have heard the priest preach. The priest said that a woman accepting a man's marriage proposal means that under God's guidance, a woman is ready to be his wife and to serve the Holy Spirit." Marriage dedicates all my preparations, which is also the embodiment of the great beauty of women. But I am very selfish. For me, I may not be able to do this in my life. I think more about myself. So I can only refuse Your kindness."

After being silent again, finally, James smiled and said, "So, can we still cooperate happily in the future? God, I don't want my cooperation relationship to be affected because of my actions."

"As I said, it is my honor," Eugenie smiled, "I will be even more grateful for your high opinion of me. We are still good partners."