Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-18
The EgOtism of Victor Hugo.

THE AUTHOR, THE ENGINEER, AND THE ACTOR.
Interview with Bonnat, the French Painter.
"While Hugo was sitting for me in my old studio
in the Place vintimille," said NJ. Bonnat, "there
came knock at the door one morning. 1 had
given him my word that no one should disturb our
seances. assured him that nobody should come
in, and that my stupid porter must have made
some mistake, and. while Hugo went and stood
with his back to the stove went to open the door,
1t was NJ. Ferdinand de LeSSepS. Good gracious!
exclaimed. Il thought you were at Rome so
was two days ago: returned this morning You
sorry cannot ask you In VINO is itg' sVicfor
Hugo But know Victor Hugo was presented
to him years ago. / can come in So was
with that grace and courtesy which charac.
terizes him, NJ. de Lesseps walked UP to Victor
Hugo and 6oWing low, he's he said: Industrious
some twenty years ago. am Ferdinand de Les
seps.' Victor Hugo with his hands behind him,
and stu warming his back against the stove, in
ago, Monsieur, was forced to go into exile A
little embarrassed by this icy. reception. NJ. de
master, to have this opportunity OF presenting my
humble respects to YOU Victor Hugo again in
elined his head iciy and N. de Lesseps, turning
my friend Bonnat is transmitting you to pos
terity- Victor Hugo remained mute, and, fearing
further difficulties broke in and turned the con-
versation by referring to NJ de Lesseps' project OF
creating an inland sea In the Sahara, and so NJ de
Lesseps was able to retreat.
i
brushes determined to try to solve the mystery
OF Hugo's strange attitude. Was it because he
knew that Lesseps was related TO the empress?
Was 1t because LeSseps had spoken OF my portrait
as If HugO's verses were not enough to make his
name immortal? SO l remarked after a time:
what an extraordinary man NJ. de Lesseps is
after all! By the way, Is he not related in some
way to the Empress Eugenie?' Hugo held up the
forefnger OF his right hand and in measured tones
one might have thought Jupiter was speaking-he
said: M. de Lesseps is related to the empress
through his ancestors OF the Cabarrus family NJ.
de LeSSeps is great man; he Is one OF the men
whom / most esteem and who most honor our
country; he has been great benefactor of human
ty, and should be most happy to see him enter
the senate as life SENATOR Thus it was evident
Victor Hugo had nothing against NJ. de Lesseps:
he esteemed him; but his gigantic egotism, his
consciousness OF his own Olympian greatness did
not permit him to acknowledge the existence OF
an equal in greatness; he could not allow another
sun TO shine beside his own.
another day." continued NJ. Bonnat, "while
was painting Hugo's portrait, Coquelin OF the
Coincide Franchise called. went to the door and
sent him away. who Is til? asked Hugo. sCOOue-
lin why did you not let him come imp ran to
the door and called COQuelin back. The actor
came in. He did not address Hugo as Lesseps did.
IllustriOus master, but simply as Monsieur Hugo
Well Hugo was charming. He talked with CoGue-
lin easily and simply-in fact, he was charming,
as he could be when he pleased. Here there was no
rivalry. The glory Of Hugo was not menaced by
the glory OF COQuelin, and added BOnnat slyly
'Hugo wanted COquens service at the Franchise
just then for the revival OF his play, lie Roi
s'amuSe.'"