, 1872-12-08
EUGENE GRANDET:



ed there till they got up to q hundred francs. a
meditation fatal to Eugenie. So soon as he came
in, the two women wished him Happy NeH
Year,-his daughter with hugs and caresses
Madame Grandet gravely and dignihedly.
"Ah! ali! my child" said he, kissing hif
daughters cheeks, st am working for you, d.
you see? I want you to be happy. One must
have money to be happy; without money, beg.
gary. Look! here is 8 bran-new napoleon. j
sent to Paris for it. On my word, there is not a
grain Of gold here. You are the only one whe
has gold. Show me your gold, little daughter
"Bah! it is too cold; let us have breakfast,
replied Eugene.
swell, after breakfast, eh? It will help oul
digestion. That big Des Grassins has sent Us
this pate, " continued he. $50 eat, my children;
it does not cost Us anything. Des Grassins is
doing well, and am satisfied with him. The
fellow has done Charles q Hervice, and that
gratis. He has managed the affairs Of that poor
dead Grandet very well. Whew!" said he, hia
mouth full, after pause, "this is good. Eat
some, my wife; this nourishes one for couple
Of days." "
II am not hungry; I am very poorly, and you
know it,"
sob. tut! You can stuff yourself without
fear Of bursting; you are q La Bertelliere, a
solid woman. You are o little bit yenoWish but
love yellow"
The awaiting Of Q shameful ind public death
is, perhaps, less horrible for the condemned
than was for Madame Grandet and her daughter
tho awaiting Of the events which were to con-
clude this family breakfast. The more merrily
the old yine-dresser spoke and ate, the more the
hearts Of the two women contracted. The
daughter had nevertheless, 3 support at that
time; she derived strength from her love.
!" For him, for him, said she to herself, IT
would suffer thousand Deaths"
As she thought thus, she gave her mother
looks blazing with courage.
Take away a1l this, said Grandet to Nanon,
when. about II o'clock, breakfast was ended !;
shut leave rs the table. 1t will be more con
yenient for usto see your little treasure, said he
looking at Eu,enie. s'Littlc! on my word. no.
sand nine hundred and ffty-nine francs, and
forty this moming, making six Thousand francs,
less one. Well, I will give you, myself, that
franc to make up the full sum, because you see,
little daught-7-Well! VIII, are you listening to
your work, !" said the goodman. Eanon disappear
ed. "Listen, !Eugenie you must give me your
gold. You viii not refuse your father, my little
daughter, chi" The two women we're mute.
I have no geld. had some, but hare it no
L
in liyres, and you will invest them as will show
you. It is unnecessary to think Of the Dozen
When marry 5ou off, which will be shortly, 7
will find you i. husband who can offer sou the
most beautiful dozen ever talked of
in the pToyinct- Just listen, daughter: An e1-
cellent opportunity offers itself. You can
put your six thousand francs into Government
securities, and every six months you will have
about two hun1red francs in interest, frco from
tax, OF repairs. or hail. or frost, or tide, or any
of those things which neddle with incomes.
Perhaps you do not like to separate yourself
from yonr gold, eh, daughter? But bring it to
me anyhow. will pick you up some gold
pieces, sonefHolland coins, Portugueses, rupees
Of the Mogul, and Genoyines; and, with thoseI
shall give you on your birthday, in three years
you Will have replaced half Of your pretty little
treasure in gold What do you say, daughter:
Lift up your nose Come, go for it, the dear
treasure. You ought to kiss me on the eyes for
telling me about the secrets and mysteries Of
life and death for crowns. Verify, crowns live
and move Like men; they come. they go, they
Eugenie rose but, after having taken few
steps toward the door, she turned sharply
around, looked her father in the face, and said
to him:
~ have not got my gold"
Grandet Strengthening Eng himself up on bis hams,
like horse which hears cannon fred within
ten PAGES of it.
s:No. have not got it."
"Iou are mistaken, Eugenie."
"No."
"By my fathers pruning -knife!"
When the cooper used that oath, the ceilings
shook.
sGood God! Madame is turning pale," cried
Nanon.
sGrandet, your anger will kill me-" said the
poor woman.
eta, ta, ia, ia! you folks, you never die in
your family. Eugenie, what have you done
with your coins5" said he, turning upon her.
"Si1," said the daughter, who was at Madame
Grandet's knees, my % mother = IS suffering e1-
Grandet was frightened by the pallor which
had come over his wifes face, once SO yellow.
'tNapon, come and help me to 20 to bet" }" said
the mother, in q faint voice. ~ am dying
Nanon at once gave her arm to her mistress
trouble that they were able to get her to her
room, for she sunk down in q swoon at almost
every Btep. Grandet remained alone. Never
thelees, in (. few minutes he went up seven or
eight steps, and called out, "Eugenie, when
your mother has gone to bed, you vii come
down."
''Yes, my father"
She did not fail to come, after having reas-
cured her mother.
"My daughter" said Grandet to her, "you
are going to tell me whero your treasure is"
"My father. if you make me presents over
which I have not complete control, take them
back" replied Eugenie, coldly, getting the ma
po1eon from the mantelpiece, and handing it to
him.
Grandet snatched the napoleon, and slipped it
into his pocket
u am quite certain I shall never give you
anything more. Not even this" said he, snap
ping his thumb nail between his teeth. $50 you
despise your father; you have no confidence in
him; you do not know what father is. # he is
not everything for you, be is nothing. Where is
your gold?'
= MY father, I love and respect you, notwith-
standing your anger; hut will very humbly
call your attention to the fact that am % years
old. You have told me that an Of age quite
often enough for me to know. have done with
my money what it pleased me to do, and be sure
that it is well invested -"
aWhere ~
"That is an inviolab1e secret" said she
" Have not you your secrets ?"
ssAm not I the head of my faIniiy2 Can not
have my own private concerns?"
ssThis is my private business
"It must be q bad business il you cannot tell
it to your father, Mademoiselle Grnndet.'
s'1t is good one, and cannot tell it to my
father" .-..-,,,,
TAT least, when did you give your gold?"
Eugene made negative sign With her head.