Miss Eugenie Grandet

Eugenie looked at the man opposite.

He seemed to be different from the person she had imagined before.At this moment, his eye sockets are slightly deep, and the short hair on his forehead is scattered in a slightly messy manner, covering half of his eyebrows. His eyes are covered with bloodshot eyes. The first button of the collar of the military uniform on his body is undone, revealing the inner white shirt .

Undoubtedly, fatigue showed on his face.But he looked silent and reserved, completely different from the tenderness and patience he showed when facing his old father all night, as if he was a different person.

She lowered her gaze and subconsciously looked at his hand.

On the little finger of the left hand, there is now a black and iron-colored fingertip.

She raised her eyes again and met his.

"Mr. Lana, thank you very much. I don't know what words to use to thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for my father." She said clearly.

"It's nothing," he answered, in a low voice. "It's my duty to come here, for whatever reason."

After a short silence, Eugenie smiled at him.

"No matter what you think of yourself, I will still remember your affection."

Philip stared fixedly at Mademoiselle Grandet in the lamplight.

He knew that she had shed tears before, but now, this smiling face looked elegant and clean, without any trace of previous tears.She just lost weight.Compared with the person in his impression, she now has bigger eyes, a sharper chin, and thinner shoulders, as if he could easily hook her into his arms with just one finger .

"You..." He hesitated for a while, and finally changed his words, "Please don't be too sad and take care of yourself."

"Thank you," said Eugenie, taking a breath, and forcing back the sudden tears that had sprung up at his words, "I will not be sorry. After all, my father is old, and that is what happens to everyone." One day. Besides, he is very happy now, so I must thank you—I know you won't mind, but I must express my gratitude to you."

In fact, Philippe Larner did not analyze why he came here—after hearing Nanon's description of the situation, he almost didn't think about it. He immediately put down all the urgent tasks at hand and rushed over without stopping .

All he knew was that he should come, as if it was his part.

Now, she expressed her gratitude to him with such humility and sincerity, which he had never enjoyed before.But strangely, he didn't feel the slightest joy about it.Instead, he felt a deep disappointment from his heart, and even, under her grateful eyes, he began to feel awkward, especially when he remembered that he had been with him for a whole day. When her old father said that sentence to herself overnight in a seemingly sober and seemingly confused state - it seemed that she had seen through her trip and actually had some ulterior motives.

"Please don't misunderstand—" he explained hastily, "I just heard from Nanon that your father had fulfilled his wish and didn't want him to leave with regrets, so I came here. I have no other reason." the meaning of……"

"I know," Eugenie paused and smiled again, "that's why I want to express my gratitude to you. I am very touched by your kindness and kindness. Regarding the Montebello estate, after my father left, I will return it to you as soon as possible."

He no longer knew what to say next.He could only look at her silently.This is the only way he can hide his heart now.

She didn't speak any more, her eyes drooped slightly, and finally landed on the third golden button of the military uniform on his chest, as if she was studying the style of this button and the pattern on it.

It was getting dark, and in this dim old house, on the dilapidated and narrow corridors, there were only two people standing opposite each other in such a dim candlelight, quietly, as if they could hear each other's breathing and heartbeat.

A gust of wind suddenly came in through a gap in the wall. The flames swayed, and the two black figures cast on the old wall also swayed, as if they were about to walk down from the wall. Eugenie seemed to have eaten a bite. Shocked, he hastily raised his other hand to protect the swaying flames.

"Mr. Lana, you are probably tired. Go and have a rest." She looked at the flames and said quickly, "I heard from Nanon that you are busy with work and have to go back this morning. It's just right Well, at seven o'clock, there will be a train departing from Saumur. A room has been packed for you downstairs, although it hasn't been long, but you can still take a little rest, and I will call someone when it is o'clock Wake up, you won't delay the train. Here's the candlestick."

She handed him the candlestick in her hand.Waited for a while, but didn't wait for him to pick up.She looked up at him and found that he was staring at her without blinking.His gaze flickered slightly, but he couldn't tell whether it was the true color or the candlelight cast into his eyes. The protruding Adam's apple rolled up and down at the collar of the military uniform with the first button unbuttoned.

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

After a moment of hesitation, she looked at him and asked softly.

"Eugenie..."

He called her name in a low voice, and took a step closer to her, with a suppressed expression on his face.

"Actually, I have a lot to say to you, but I don't know if you're willing to let me speak..."

After a pause, he took a deep breath and his chest heaved. When he finally calmed down, he stared at her and continued, "But now, I have to go. Later, if I am lucky enough to have this chance, I will I will come to you again. I will always remember your words, and I will not dare to slack off until the French government has paid off your debts."

After saying the last sentence that seemed to be a bit of a joke, he raised his eyebrows and smiled at her, showing his neat and white teeth.

At this moment Eugenie seemed to see in his face again the frivolity and loveliness which had been so irritating before.But it was strange that after five years, in this dilapidated corridor of Saumur's old house, when he showed her this kind of smile that was so incompatible with everything around him again, she didn't find it glaring.

"Then I won't keep you," she said with a slight smile, suppressing the sudden inexplicable sadness in her heart, "I wish you all the best."

"You too—"

He took a deep look at her, and suddenly walked past her, his leather boots stepped on the creaking stairs, making heavy footsteps, the sound gradually faded away until it disappeared.

----

On this early morning in May, the sun had just come out, and the dew was still rolling on the grass blades on the roadside. When Philip boarded the first train from Saumur to Orléans, in Saumur's old house, Accompanied by the priest and his daughter, the old Grandet left this world with his pillow on the huge estate he had acquired just the night before—from then on, Eugenie became an orphan again.

Half a month later, at the old Grandet's funeral, an unexpected mourner came——Charles Grandet, who six years ago was full of resentment towards his uncle and cousin And resentment and set foot on the cousin of the ship to India.But now, he has obviously forgotten all the insults and injuries he suffered here, as well as the oath he made at that time.He was wearing solemn mourning clothes, with a sad expression on his face, and he shed sad tears for the death of his uncle whom he had secretly scolded as an old dog.After the funeral, he offered his most sincere condolences to his cousin, asking her to mourn—when he did all this, he didn't feel the slightest bit of reluctance or shame, but really came from his heart.The reason is very simple. After enduring the baptism of the scorching sun at the equator, doing smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking and many other businesses that can make money at the fastest speed, and finally earning three barrels of tightly-knit gold powder, Shire Grandet, all the moral and personality upbringing he had received has completely disappeared.Only money is the master - the ancestral lineage of the Grandet family has been vividly expressed in him, even surpassing his uncle Grandet.The first second he set foot on French soil, after hearing the shocking news about Lady Eugenie Grandet of Anjou, he rushed over without hesitation at the fastest speed .

He was a little apprehensive at first, lest this cousin would treat him more cruelly than before, because compared with her current wealth and status, he, together with all the people he made friends with who could increase his chances of being stationed in Saint-Germain, Everything was so humble that it was not worth mentioning, besides, the insult he received from her back then really impressed him deeply.But what surprised him was that the cousin was not as aggressive as before.She was wearing a black mourning dress and a black veil covering her face. Most of her face was blocked by the black veil. Apart from the pale complexion he could feel, he couldn't see more.After listening to his euphemistic complaint about the final account dispute of the Guillaume Company's debt, she only looked at him meaningfully through the veil-this reminded him of what she had reminded him when he left. That sentence—but now he doesn't want to recall the sentence he promised at all.Let him use his hard-earned gold to pay off his father's remaining debt of more than 100 million yuan, which would be more enjoyable than killing him.What is dignity in front of gold?What is decent?

His groveling was not in vain, this frighteningly wealthy cousin really agreed to pay off the more than 100 million debts for him that have been watched by debtors like flies since he returned to Paris, "just to protect Grandet. The dignity of this surname," she said casually to him in a casual manner, and then turned away.

Charles Grandet left with satisfaction and regret.What he was satisfied with was that he finally kept his three big buckets of gold. What he regretted was that the person who had briefly fantasized in his mind before coming here might be able to win the heart of his cousin with his masculine appearance today. Before the attempt could take shape, it was completely shattered.

In her eyes, she was just a passerby, so she no longer imposed contempt and cruelty on herself.

He felt a little lost and a little resentful.

"Just a queer, unapproachable woman! Sooner or later she will turn into a poor spinster! Everyone talks about her like that behind her back!"

He comforted himself like this, and finally felt a little more comfortable in his heart.

----

After her father's funeral, Eugenie returns to Floafons with Nanon.She also knew why Philip Rana left in such a hurry that morning—just a month ago, the Prussians, who were unwilling to fail, persuaded the British who had always been eager to move, and made a plan for the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the protection of France. Interfering with the question of the throne.After years of peace, war inevitably broke out again.

"It's time, we must use our blood and artillery fire to win a complete victory in exchange for real peace!"

These were the last words of General Philip Lanner's declaration of war in Congress, reappointed interim war marshal.

----

Two months later, when the vines in the vineyard began to hang small turquoise fruits, the war in the northeastern corner of France also came to an end.

The battle was fought beautifully.

With the demeanor that even if he retreats, he will be at the end of the team and never leave a soldier behind. General Philippe Lana, who was regarded as "Roland III" by the French army, led a huge army of 30 in the The border area between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands completely defeated the British-Prussian allied forces and achieved a decisive victory.But then, a piece of news that made the whole French people worry about it spread.

At the end of the war, near the Frisian Islands, when the general boarded a patrol ship, he was attacked by artillery fire from the remnants of the retreating enemy. The patrol ship sank and General Philip Lanner disappeared.Although all efforts have been made to search and rescue, so far, there is no news of survivors.

This news was brought by Mrs. Grassin who came to visit—although she had already cut off her previous thoughts, she, like everyone in Saumur, was still Miss Grandet's most loyal supporter and concern with.When she heard the news from her husband, out of some subtle psychology, she didn't even have time to put her hat on, so she immediately got into the carriage and rushed to Floavon with her daughter-in-law.

When she rushed in, Mademoiselle Grandet had just received a group of visitors and was instructing a newly hired young man who had just graduated from college, that is, her secretary, to help her dispose of a pile of gifts that had been delivered this morning. She hadn't had time to deal with the letters herself—a letter from a stock exchange broker, a bank reconciliation letter, and the railway company's request for her approval regarding the upcoming shareholder meeting in Paris.

Madame de Grassin broke out in a loud voice the news that had so stunned her.

"Holy Mother! If General Lannes really died, it would be a great loss to the whole of France! I dare say that even His Majesty would be overwhelmed with grief! He is obedient..."

While Madame de Grassin was yelling, she had been watching Mademoiselle Grandet's expression carefully.

To her disappointment, Mademoiselle Grandet did not show anything she expected.She is wearing a dark blue long jacket with a waist today, and her waist is so thin that she can't grasp it. Her hair is braided behind her head in an extremely natural way. There is no decoration on her whole body, and there is no pain or pain on her face. Traces of a forced smile.When Madame de Grassin tried to express her shock again, Mademoiselle Grandet's face finally showed a stern displeasure--this expression was exactly the same as that of old Grandet, and Madame de Grassin even felt a little frightened--and frightened, Disappointed again, he immediately shut up tactfully.

When Nanon heard the news, she burst into tears.

"Oh—he'll be all right!" she cried, choked up, "and he promised to take me to the Champs Elysees in a carriage—such a lovely fellow, he won't die—wow— Aw-"

While Nanon was weeping sadly outside, Eugenie returned to her room after instructing the secretary the last thing, and the moment she closed the door, the masked expression on her face was immediately broken.

The room, exactly as it had been before, hadn't changed in any way - and it never occurred to her to renovate herself when she called the craftsmen to renovate the parlor, living room, dining room of the house and make them like new When Nanon or the craftsmen thought she had forgotten and kindly reminded her, she only said that she didn't think it was necessary.

Now, she is alone.There was no longer the prying eyes of the Saumurs, nor the wailing of Nanon.She leaned against the door panel weakly and closed her eyes.After feeling that he had finally regained enough strength, he walked to the window step by step.

On the desk by the window lay a letter which had arrived from Paris a few days before.

The letter was written to her by Rochelle. In the letter, he told her the news in a tactful tone, and said that the palace and the Congress are in a bit of chaos now, and everyone is a little panicked.If he really died, it would most likely cause quite a shock to the French political situation.

In the flowerbed outside the window, roses are in full bloom.The past is like yesterday.Close your eyes so clearly, it seems that the last smile he showed to her when they parted in Saumur's old house last time appeared in front of your eyes.

If she could see him smiling at her like that again, she thought she wouldn't find it so unbearable anymore.

----

Half a month later, Eugenie arrived in Lec-Tour, Gers, Southwest France. In a village named Pulitov, the carriage she hired finally stopped in front of an old house.

This is an old house comparable to my old Saumur house.But unlike Saumur's house, which gives people a cold and desolate feeling, this three-story old brick house is neatly tidied up.The walls were covered with honeysuckle and ivy, and the fence enclosed a small garden in the sun.A neat stone road stretches under her feet.At the end of the road, there is an old wooden door that is ajar.

The coachman was a local, and he told her that this was where General Philip Laner had grown up.Today, the general's grandmother lives in the house.She is also the only relative of General Lana in the world.She has the title of countess, but has been reluctant to leave her hometown.Several times a year, General Rana would visit his grandmother.

He remembered the last time clearly, about three months ago.

"The countess's eyes are broken, and she doesn't know the terrible news... I hope you don't disturb her life, miss."

Before the coachman left, he worriedly told Eugenie several times.

Eugenie walked towards the wooden door step by step along the quiet stone road.Imagining that the man in her childhood was walking towards the door on the stone road under her feet like she is now, an indescribable sadness suddenly surged in her heart.

She reached the door and knocked tentatively.Soon, an old woman's voice came from inside.

"Come in, honey."

The sound is very pleasant to hear.

Eugenie opened the door, and saw an old woman sitting by the window.Sunshine came in from the window and fell on her and an old cat who was dozing in her arms.She turned her head, looked in Eugenie's direction, and asked with a smile: "You are the Miss Yalena who was hired to study for me, right? You are finally here, that's great. Please sit down. It turns out that the My school girl got married, and Laura couldn't read, so I had to go to the newspaper to find another school girl. I'm very happy that you are willing to come to this rural place to study for me."

Eugenie was startled, and obediently acquiesced to her misunderstanding.

She sat on an empty chair next to Countess Lana, picked up a bookmarked book on the table, and asked what to do next.So she spread the book on her lap and began to read softly.

After reading a few pages, the countess sighed and smiled contentedly.

"That's great——Miss Yalena, you read really well, much better than the previous lady. She probably thinks it's a bit boring to study with a blind old lady like me, so she always reads very fast. Baba. Not like you. When I listen to you reading, I seem to see the scene depicted in the book."

"Thank you for your compliment," said Eugenie, and continued.

When she was studying, she couldn't help being distracted and looked around, as if in this way, she could learn more about the man who might never come back—now she regrets it very much, why she never wanted to go before Pay more attention to him.Even if she had been willing to pay a little more attention, she would not know so little about him now-except for his name and all the annoying behaviors she had used to irritate and fear and wanted to avoid. , What he likes, what he likes to eat, every time he escapes from death, and what kind of mood he has when he steps on the battlefield again and again, she actually doesn't know anything about it.

If there is another chance, she will definitely ask, and ask clearly.

When her gaze finally settled on the two portraits on the wall facing her, the countess seemed to sense her distraction, "Honey, are you looking at the two portraits facing you?"

"Yes," said Eugenie.

The countess' tone immediately became proud.

"That is my son, Marshal Jean Lannes and his wife. They are my pride. Of course, you should know my grandson better? Philip. What a lovely child! Naughty and kind since childhood, He was also naughty. He pulled out all the roses I planted in the garden. I scolded him angrily, and he smiled and apologized to me. Seeing his beautiful face, how could I be willing to be angry? I know he grows He will be great when he grows up. I guessed right, he is my pride—"

While the countess praised her grandson in a boastful tone, Eugenie looked at the black-haired heroic man in military uniform and the beautiful young woman next to him in the portrait.

They are his parents.A pair of handsome men and beautiful women.No wonder, he is also so handsome and beautiful.

She stared fixedly, as if she wanted to see all the features related to that man from their faces.

"Oh, wait, I'll show you a portrait—"

The countess seemed to remember suddenly, put down the cat on her lap, groped to get up, and walked to a table beside her, laughing as she walked, "You should have heard that my grandson is a great fighter, but you probably don't." You know, he's good at drawing, too. I've got a drawing he gave me here, and I'll show you—"

Eugenie helped her to the table.Watching her open the drawer, and after fumbling around for a while, she took out a rolled up painting.

"Look."

The countess spread out the painting, her tone was full of pride, "Is he good at painting?"

In the picture, a young woman is standing by the river, facing the wind, her long skirt is blown up by the wind, and just when she is eager to hold it down, her hat is lifted up again, so in a hurry, she has to lift another Hold the hat with one hand so that the hat on the head will not be blown away by the wind.

Behind her is an endless vineyard.

Eugenie's heart jumped violently, and her face flushed rapidly.

She stared fixedly at the woman in the painting, and forgot to speak for a moment.She didn't wake up until the countess asked again and again.

"Madam, can you tell me who is the woman in this portrait?"

"It was his sweetheart," said the countess. "I had been urging him to marry, and for a while he was too afraid to come and see me. At last he came and brought me this portrait." , Said he loved this lady above - but that lady didn't like him - well, I'm not boasting, I really want to see that lady someday, even if she is a princess, my Philip is enough He is worthy of her, she actually despises him—"

Eyes sore and hot, Eugenie resisted the urge to cry, rolled the portrait back, and put it back.

"She should be in love with him." After she calmed down a bit, she helped the Countess back to her seat, her voice was low, "As you said, he is so cute, who can resist him? "

"I hope—" the countess smiled, "you can continue to read to me. If you have been working for a long time, next time, maybe at some time, you can see him with me— At that time, you will know that my praise of my grandson is really not exaggerated."

"Yes Yes--"

Don't wait until the next time, she already knows how cute he is.The only regret is that in this life, or I will never have the opportunity to tell him this again.

She suppressed the urge to shed tears, and continued to read the book in a calm tone. After reading more than ten pages, there was silence around the corner. The countess had already fallen asleep leaning on the chair, and the old cat continued to jump back He sat on her lap, and stared at Eugenie with his round eyes.

Eugenie gently put down the book, went to the desk just now, opened the drawer, and put the Montebello property documents she brought next to the portrait, and took a last look at this clean and quiet place. The house, quietly opened the door and left.