Miss Eugenie Grandet

On the edge of Floavon Manor, a house that was originally used as a stable was transformed into a factory suitable for research work. Then, various equipment and raw materials were brought in one after another. Bernard started Put into research work with great enthusiasm.At the same time, a smelter in Lorraine has received a trial order.Customers ask them to produce various fittings and rail tracks dimensioned according to drawings.

The scale of this smelter was not considered the largest in Lorraine and Alsace at that time, but it always paid attention to reputation and attached great importance to the requirements of customers.It is because of this that a few years later, this smelter became the leading large factory in the area.After receiving this trial order, the factory owner attached great importance to it and immediately arranged for smelting production.

Soon, three months passed.In the abundant sunshine, the large tracts of vineyards along the Loire River have finished harvesting grapes this year, and every family is busy making wine.On this day, Bernard was conducting the first important experiment in his life in the wasteland stretching out from the Frovoyfon estate.

A 500-meter-long track has been laid, and the first locomotive head he manufactured was unveiled. It was pulled out along the track of the manufacturing workshop and parked at the predetermined starting point.In order to welcome the day of trial operation of the locomotive, last night, he and his assistant checked every part of the locomotive again to ensure that it will run smoothly today.Then, he almost stayed awake all night, and waited until dawn in excitement and apprehension.

After Miss Grandet arrives at the scheduled time, he will drive the locomotive himself to verify the rationality and reality of his previous ideas.

In Saumur, everyone knows that Miss Grandet is Mr. Bernard's investor, and old Grandet, he will never do business at a loss. Although everyone thinks it is not realistic, they are even more curious.In the past few months, people have come here from time to time to find out what happened.After going back, the description of the scale claw will only make everyone feel more mysterious about this new gadget that is about to appear.After waiting for several months, finally today, I heard that the engineer will drive the strange-looking huge iron guy himself. Not only the onlookers from the town of Floavon, but also many people in Saumur are not happy. Feeling the distance is far away, I rushed over to watch the excitement.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Eugenie came to the experiment site.Not only her, old Grandet, Madame Grandet, Nanon and the little servant Louise also came.The whole family has to stay in the manor for at least half a month, and Grandet will not go back with peace of mind until this year's newly harvested grapes are made into wine, packed into oak barrels, and stored barrel by barrel in the wine cellar.

Unlike the jubilant and expectant audience, the old Grandet seemed very low-key and calm.After coming over, he walked around the locomotive head quietly lying on the railroad track twice with his hands behind his back, reached out and knocked on the hard iron sheet, and then bent down to inspect the structure of the big iron wheels and the bottom of the car. Always very calm.Only when he returned to Eugenie, he finally couldn't help muttering in a low voice: "Hey, this iron monster, can it really run?"

Eugenie laughed.

"You'll know it when you look at it."

----

In the eyes of all the audience's eager anticipation, the result was a big disappointment.

Although Bernard drove the locomotive and successfully completed the 500-meter distance, the speed of the locomotive was very slow, and the speed could not even reach five kilometers per hour. After the audience was disappointed, they spared no effort to ridicule. Some people said that they When running from the starting point to the finish line, this thing is still chasing behind slowly.Moreover, the huge rumbling sound and the fireworks that it kept spraying out scared many people who got too close.When old Grandet turned away with a blank face, everyone discussed more unscrupulously, and at the end they agreed, not without gloating, that Grandet's father must be old, and actually made a deal that was bound to lose money. .

When the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed, Bernard came to Eugenie with a face full of shame, and looked at her uneasily.

Eugenie glanced at the locomotive lying quietly on the rails behind him, and said with a slight smile: "Do you know that you have done a very remarkable thing just now. Let it run successfully by steam power Finished the 500-meter journey."

Bernard showed gratitude, and the original uneasiness was swept away.

"Miss Grandet, thank you very much. I thought you would be disappointed with today's results, but I did not expect to be encouraged by you. Please give me a little more time. I will find out the shortcomings based on the results of this experiment We must continue to improve everywhere, and we must make it a real means of transportation."

After bowing deeply to Eugenie, he turned to greet his assistants and workers, and pulled the locomotive back to the workshop along the rails.

After watching Bernard and the workers pull the locomotive into the factory, Eugenie raised her head, took a deep breath towards the sunny sky, and looked at the two straight rails stretching out in front of her, which finally seemed to disappear at the end of the horizon. I couldn't help but lifted my skirt, stepped across the rails, stepped on the sleepers on the rails, counted my steps, and walked forward step by step.When she was about to reach the end, she stopped.

At the end of the track, a man stood.

james.

He seemed to have noticed her for a long time.Seeing that she finally raised her eyes, she immediately raised her hand and strode towards her.

"I heard that your locomotive is going to try to start today, so come and have a look, and congratulations by the way."

James laughed as the two walked back along the tracks.

Eugenie also smiled, and said, "Thank you. But I'm a little sorry. You should have seen that the result was not as satisfactory."

James shrugged: "On the contrary, I think this is a good start, or I believe in your judgment. If this is a project that has no investment value at all, I don't think you will invest so much energy to take it seriously.”

Eugenie raised her eyebrows and smiled without saying a word.

Last month, when sending some relevant documents and materials, Eugenie mentioned in the letter what she was doing now.With his usual keenness and shrewdness, it was within her expectation to come here to see what happened in person.

In Eugenie's plan, she will set up a railway company after the real working locomotive comes out.For the funds needed in the initial period, some stocks can be sold to the public to raise funds.Alternatively, James should be interested in joining as well.

Of course, everything depends on his own wishes.If he has no intention, she will never force it.

James really lived up to his surname.No sooner had this thought occurred to Eugenie than he said: "Mademoiselle Grandet, as I have said, I have always been convinced of your judgment. As regards this enterprise, I believe that once the real You may have a shortfall in funds to operate. If you have any difficulties at that time, please don't hesitate, I will be happy to provide any help I can."

These words were not only beautiful, but also solved one of her problems.

For such a James, Eugenie felt that there was no other person more suitable to be her business partner than him.

"Don't worry, I will definitely trouble you when the time comes."

She said with a smile, and James also smiled, his eyes flickered slightly, looking very excited.

The two gradually walked back to the origin of the rails, and finally stopped.

"Miss Grandet, this is the second time I have come here. The last time I came in a hurry, I went back before I had time to enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Loire River. This time I have the opportunity to come again. I don't know if you welcome How long will I stay? As a friend, not as a business partner—I should be your friend too?"

When returning from a walk just now, Eugenie actually noticed that he glanced at himself from time to time, a little hesitant to speak.She pretended not to see it.Hearing him say that now, I was a little taken aback.

"Of course!" she said immediately, "of course you are my friend. You are very welcome here. The grapes have just been harvested, and my father is busy making wine recently. If you can stay a few more days, maybe you can taste this year's new wine. The wines produced. Although in the eyes of others, the wines here may not be as famous as those produced in Bordeaux, but in my opinion, nowhere else can the wines be as good as the wines produced here.”

"Great!" He smiled happily, "I am very much looking forward to seeing the wine making process. This should be a very wonderful experience for me."

While chatting, the two happily went to the house.As soon as she entered, Nanon ran out excitedly.

"Miss! You're back! I was just about to find you. A guest I haven't seen before came to my house. It's a very handsome little brother...uh..."

She suddenly noticed James who came in with Eugenie, and she was taken aback, "It's you? I remembered! You came here once before!"

"Yes, you look as healthy as ever! Nice to meet you."

James greeted her nonchalantly.

"What's the matter today, it's such a good day! Guests are coming to the door one after another!"

Nanon exclaimed joyfully.

After Eugenie smiled apologetically at James, she approached Nanon and asked in a low voice, "Who is here?"

"Oh, he said his name is Philip, what a lovely name, just like everyone else! Just now, the master accompanied him to visit the manor..."

Eugenie's heart skipped a beat, and suddenly a sense of foreboding came over her.

After several months, when he faded out of sight and she felt that he would finally stop bothering her, he suddenly appeared again.

What on earth is he trying to do?