The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-02-03
The Expiration
How Jeanne's Vanity
Proved Her Undoing.


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50 NOU say there is no such thing
as everlasting justice, and that
no revenge is executed more terribly
upon those who have wronged us, than
the revenge they carry upon them
selves? What know you of it? Let
me assure you that destiny often ex-
tends her hand against the guilty one
and inf1icts a chastisement which sur
passes our most ferocious DESIRES"
So spoke Roger Valtet, who, for
some time, had listened silently to our
discussions without taking any part
in them whatever, and, in view Of his
great age, we did not contradict him.
You are incredulous?" he asked
>Well, let me convince you by relating
story which is my own, and re-
garding which 1 have always remained
silent Now that years have rolled
by, l can speak without fear of open
ing the wound of a deeply lacerated
heart.
you all believe me an impenitent
celibate. Nevertheless, I have been
married. was no longer young when.
through love, l took in marriage a
} stranger who brought me only her mar
Vicious beauty as dowry. I was in re-
ceipt of small income, my station in
iife was fair, and as | had no family re-
iations, it appeared to me that a legiti-
mate companion would ennobe my life
To be precise, however, | made this re-
friendly salon a charming niece of the
master OF the house, recently arrived
from Rouen, who, was told, was an or
phan, very poor, and in search of re-
munerative employment. I was indig-
nant at the thought that such beau
tiful girl should find it necessary to
work in order to live; she was born to
receive homage and dictate her caprices
declared my views to her Her smile
was deliciously sad. The charm of her
answer was enhanced by her soft accent.
4 became an assiduous caller at the
house of my friends. They perceived
before l did that 1 had fallen in love
with Dele Jeanne, and aided my cause
'surreptitiously Through their good Of
fees we became shortly affianced; and
when we were married | was more her
slave than her husband. But the slav-
>ery was delightful!
Jeanne loved luxury My modest
revenue was insufficient to meet her
needs. | became ingenious in my de-
sire to satisfy her, and racked my intel
igence for new resources to make mon
ey. At the price of eXhausting work, I
realized large sums of money. In this
manner she was enabled to have mag
nificent dresses, which rendered her
more beautiful than ever. She thanked
me for my labor with kisses and flat
terry. | was using my vigor in killing
labor The reflection in the mirror
showed me tired face prematurely
worn out. At my side Jeanne appeared
a perfect creature, the young sultana of
my adolescent dreams. l tofd her So
and also that | was old and ugly, and
asked her pardon for having associated
her juvenile grace with my senility
Speaking thus exaggerated, but she
would close my mouth with her little
hand, laughingly kiss my eyes and an
swer: You are young and handsome,
since you are so intelligent, and love
YOU And believed it. My confidence
In her was abso1ute-her glance was so
clear and frank.
Il felt that she was so entirely mine
that the idea of suspecting her never
entered my head; did not even dream
of being jealous. Still, from time to
time, her absence was strange If
questioned her, she would excuse her
self by saying that she had been wan
dering about Paris thinking deeply of
her childhood in her country home. And
still believed her.
For distraction, l would take her to
the theater. l knew not which pleased
her more, the scene on the stage before
her, or the admiration she received
from the spectators. These occasions Of
fered ner an opportunity to show off her
Jewels, of which she was passionately
fond. Jewels! l had bought her many.
and the contents of her casket had cost
me small fortune. But she always
craved for more original designs, and
she would coax me so gently that
would manage somehow to secure them
for her.
"on one occasion, however, was
forced to refuse. In the window Of
jewsler, a chain made of gold and or
namented with valuable diamond PEN
dant, had attracted her With the end
Of her finger she pointed it out to me.
\ want that chain said she. l made
her to listen to reason. My stock of ready
money was already seriously en-
cro9ched upon, as l had payments to
ma e; it was more convenient to await
a more favorable opportunity.