His Excellency the Count of Grandet

When Father Grandet fell into the madness about gold, Charles upstairs had also confirmed that Madame Grandet's illness was indeed caused by fright.This reason seemed nonsense to him, but it was perfectly normal for a woman who was always thin and timid.

But fortunately not too ill.

The original plot in the book is that Eugenie gave all her private money (basically gifts from her elders on New Years and holidays) to her cousin to help the latter go to the Far East; Grandet was furious when he found out, Eugenie was grounded, and she was not allowed to eat.This effort to starve her daughter to death frightened Mrs. Grandet so much that she fell ill until her death.

And now Eugenie had only a sweetheart.

Not directly involving Grandet's favorite gold, of course it's not that serious.Eugenie was still grounded this time, but the biggest punishment was that she was not allowed to go out. She had to stay upstairs at ordinary times, and she could no longer sit in the living room and look at the passers-by.

"It's all right, dear aunt," Charles comforted Mrs. Grandet, who was even thinner, thinking that the closed window he saw just now was like this, "I just saw my uncle. Look at the attitude, this matter There is still room for maneuver.”

After all, isn't it gold?Problems that can be solved with money have never been a problem.

Of course, he only agreed to make peace, and did not show that he already knew the inside story.

Madame Grandet's withered face instantly shone brightly. "You think so?" She turned her eyes and saw Eugenie on the other side. "Nanon is coming up. Would you like to go and see?"

Eugenie, of course, also heard heavy steps on the stairs.While they were chatting about old times, Nanon had apparently finished her work outside and came up to help Charles tidy up the room.

"Okay, Mom." She stood up obediently, thinking that her mother probably wanted to ask her cousin for help, but it might be awkward for her to be there.In any case, she would do anything for Charles, as well as for her mother.

Even Eugenie could sense this intention, let alone Charles?So after the former left, Ciel sat up straighter. "If you have anything to do, please just ask. As long as I can do it, I will try my best to do it."

These words dispelled Madame Grandet's last scruples.

She hesitated at first, but now she just patted Charles' hand lightly.Her hands were somewhat deformed due to long-term needlework, and the years had left rugged grooves on them; compared with the always pampered Charles, it could be said to be ugly.

"You've always been a good boy," she said, a little tremblingly. "You've seen a lot from the big city, haven't you?"

Charles nodded, and gently held the hand that was exposed outside the quilt.

Madame Grandet, who was leaning against the bed, took a slight breath. "So, I suppose, you've probably figured it out? How the hell did this happen?"

Charles said nothing this time.

That means default.Madame Grandet closed her eyes, and her lips seemed to want to say "God", but no sound came out. "Then you don't like Eugenie either, do you? You know what I mean."

This blocked what Charles wanted to say in his throat.He wanted to say that he did like Eugenie—who would hate someone who just likes you, takes care of you quietly, and doesn't bother you—but this kind of affection is like that between a brother and a sister, not between lovers. kind.

Madame Grandet sighed, and said again: "On the one hand, this makes me feel sorry for Eugenie, and on the other hand, I think it might be good. If it is true...then..."

Charles heard what she meant.If he also intends to do this, there is no way to clean up the matter.An unprecedentedly fierce war will break out in the Grandet family, absolutely.

"Although it's very presumptuous, can I ask for your help?" Madame Grandet spoke a little faster, as if she heard the noise from the roof, "Think of a way to reject Eugenie." She covered her eyes with one hand as she spoke, as if she would burst into tears in the next second, "Oh, I actually said that! If Eugenie knew, how would she miss me!"

Charles was not surprised by this request at all, and only patted Madame Grandet's hand reassuringly. "I believe my cousin will understand. You are doing it for her own good. Don't worry, leave this matter to me." But he has the final say on what the solution is.

"You are such a good person through and through!" Madame Grandet's eyes were flushed, and she no longer knew what to say.She is a typical woman who grows up in the same environment as the Three Obediences and Four Virtues.Now hearing that Charles said to leave it to him, she subconsciously felt that it would definitely work.

Charles blinked.Was he issued a card for being a good person through and through?

It was almost dinner time.Having settled Charles' room, Nanon went to cook supper.Eugenie was upstairs with her mother, and the nephew and uncle were left staring at each other in the dark living room.

Grandet was still thinking about something, and from his expression, he could see the traces of the gears of his thoughts turning desperately, and his eyes occasionally glanced at Charles.Charles knew that the other party must be holding back a lot of words, so he was not in a hurry.Anyway, there are still two days left!

The next day was the weekend and Eugenie's 23rd birthday.

It was a great day for the whole town of Saumur.For the Cruchots and the Grassins, this was the best time of the year for them to be able to enter the Grandet mansion.For others, which of the two factions has the upper hand is their concern.

However, whether it was last year or this year, Grandet's nephew from Paris happened to be in Saumur.

"Just right? This is definitely not right!"

"But I heard that Father Grandet personally opened the door for his nephew this time. Maybe he really wants to marry Eugenie over."

"I don't know about the family property, but that young nephew is obviously more likable than Mr. Judge and Master Grashan!"

"You doubt the property of the Grandet family in Paris? Even the cargo workers at the docks know who they are working for!"

and so on and so forth.Saumur's gossip was blowing fast, but that didn't mean that Cruchot and Grassin were indifferent to such one-sided remarks.But they only cared about one thing: Eugenie liked Charles and didn't run away, so what did Grandet mean?The latter opinion is decisive!

But Charles is here this time, which means that Cruchot and Grassin will stumble again in terms of gifts.Charles had been to Nantes this year - it's a big port - and bought exotic gifts.It was a gold round mirror, and a whole piece of finely carved pure gold patterns on the back could blind people's eyes under the candlelight.

In contrast, the gifts of Cruchot and Grassin require no effort to describe at all, they are simply rubbish.

If their reaction to this last year was "Grandet's nephew is so stupid to throw money in the water", this year it has become "Charles is just willing to throw it anyway he has money".The former is a bit condescending and gloating, while the latter is completely helpless——

If you don't have money, what's the sense of existence when you compete with others?Will Grandet ignore them for a minute?

After dinner, a game of four-handed poker was suggested, and the response was unanimous.

"You said, with this situation, Father Grandet really wants to develop in Paris?" President Cruchot looked at Charles who was playing cards—the other three were Eugenie and Madame Grandet (although there were still Sick, but in a good mood) and Mr. Grassin—feeling a little guilty.

"Don't worry," his uncle—the old Abbe Cruchot—answered him in the same whisper, "Paris Grandet is very popular. At this time, they must only want to marry princes and nobles."

Mr. President nodded.The timing is not right now, otherwise he really wanted to say, what is that man with a promising future always running to Saumur?

Although he comforted his nephew in this way, the priest actually didn't know much about it.Because with Sherby, they don't have a condition to catch up with.So he looked over the edge of the card table, carefully got Madame de Grassin's attention, and they walked together to the window.

"What did you ask me for?" Madame de Grassin was not very polite.Of course, the two factions have been fighting each other, it's really polite.

"It's about us, of course," said the abbe, in a low voice. "You've always been an expert in this field; you know we haven't been to Paris very often."

"I'm afraid our efforts this time will be in vain," Madame de Grassin replied angrily, "Eugenie has long since fallen in love; as for Father Grandet, he didn't object, that's the attitude!"

The priest was silent for half a minute.

He knew about Madame Grandet's illness, and he wanted to persuade Grandet when he came here today, but when he came, he found that there was no room for him to play at all - Madame Grandet seemed to be in a good mood, and so did Eugenie; Grandet glanced at his daughter from time to time, and seemed quite satisfied.

But before, the mother and daughter did not show up in public for a long time.If everything was normal in the Grandet family, this would never have happened!

The priest didn't want to think about what role Ciel had played in it, because it was never a good thing.He straightened his mind and asked again: "So I want to ask you, is there any necessary means at this time? After all, Parisians like Charles are unlikely to like dull country girls, are they?"

Madame de Grassin was taken aback, because she heard the other party's hint. "In Paris there are mothers who do little for the happiness of their children. But I thought you did not agree with that opinion?"

In Paris, some mothers would go to any lengths to seduce their son's love rivals in order for their son to marry a richer and more powerful partner.This is not a glamorous thing on the stage; especially when it is proposed from the mouth of a Catholic priest, it is even more sensational.

"No, I just think it is necessary for us to cooperate properly now." The priest replied tactfully. "Those mothers do this out of noble love for their sons, don't they?"

If Charles could hear this conversation, he would surely be able to smear Father Cruchot's face with "noble love" - ​​which eye can tell that he, who is just 22 years old and just in good looks, would like a man who is nearly forty years old and has ulterior motives? woman?The priest is blind, but he is not blind yet!

But Charles is playing cards now, and pays no attention to anything else.At the end of the game, he deliberately lost another ten dice, which made Madame Grandet on the opposite side laugh. "Master nephew, you must be making me happy today!" She said reproachfully.How can it be so easy for people who do big business to lose money?

Eugenie was about to say a few words for her cousin when she suddenly felt dizzy and subconsciously braced the table with her arms.

"No, it's definitely your luck today." Charles replied with a smile, and then noticed that Eugenie seemed to be shaking with her head bowed. "Dear cousin, are you unwell?"

Eugenie raised her head and fixed her dark eyes on him.Charles felt that there was something wrong with this line of sight, but he couldn't tell.But she finally replied: "Nothing, thank you for your concern."

Charles judged her face and tone, and it really didn't look like she was sick.At this moment, M. de Grassin's loud voice called to restart the game, and his attention was diverted.

"I would like to drink a glass of water," said Eugenie, standing up. "Monsieur President, would you please play a game for me?"

President Cruchot of course agreed to this kind of wishful thinking.Eugenie said this in anticipation of his consent, so that she could go into the kitchen alone, out of sight.As soon as she entered, she closed the door with her backhand, squatted on the ground and covered her face, her shoulders trembling slightly.

This is impossible!