Serge Panine by Georges Ohnet
CHAPTER II
THE GALLEY-SLAVE OF PLEASURE
One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired,
alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's
house. The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with
a military medal, stationed near the door. The visitor found himself in an
anteroom which communicated with several corridors. A messenger was seated in
the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an
inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were
patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing. On seeing the young man
enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the
armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps
forward.
"Good-morning, old Felix," said the young man, in a friendly tone to the
messenger. "Is my aunt within?"
"Yes, Monsieur Savinien, Madame Desvarennes is in her office; but she has
been engaged for more than an hour with the Financial Secretary of the War
Department."
In uttering these words old Felix put on a mysterious and important air,
which denoted how serious the discussions going on in the adjoining room seemed
to his mind.
"You see," continued he, showing Madame Desvarennes's nephew the anteroom
full of people, "madame has kept all these waiting since this morning, and
perhaps she won't see them."
"I must see her though," murmured the young man.
He reflected a moment, then added:
"Is Monsieur Marechal in?"
"Yes, sir, certainly. If you will allow me I will announce you."
"It is unnecessary."
And, stepping forward, he entered the office adjoining that of Madame
Desvarennes.
Seated at a large table of black wood, covered with bundles of papers and
notes, a young man was working. He was thirty years of age, but appeared much
older. His prematurely bald forehead, and wrinkled brow, betokened a life of
severe struggles and privations, or a life of excesses and pleasures. Still
those clear and pure eyes were not those of a libertine, and the straight nose
solidly joined to the face was that of a searcher. Whatever the cause, the man
was old before his time.
On hearing the door of his office open, he raised his eyes, put down his pen,
and was making a movement toward his visitor, when the latter interrupted him
quickly with these words:
"Don't stir, Marechal, or I shall be off! I only came in until Aunt
Desvarennes is at liberty; but if I disturb you I will go and take a turn, smoke
a cigar, and come back in three quarters of an hour."
"You do not disturb me, Monsieur Savinien; at least not often enough, for be
it said, without reproaching you, it is more than three months since we have
seen anything of you. There, the post is finished. I was writing the last
addresses."
And taking a heavy bundle of papers off the desk, Marechal showed them to
Savinien.
"Gracious! It seems that business is going on well here."
"Better and better."
"You are making mountains of flour."
"Yes; high as Mont Blanc; and then, we now have a fleet."
"What! a fleet?" cried Savinien, whose face expressed doubt and surprise at
the same time.
"Yes, a steam fleet. Last year Madame Desvarennes was not satisfied with the
state in which her corn came from the East. The corn was damaged owing to
defective stowage; the firm claimed compensation from the steamship company. The
claim was only moderately satisfied, Madame Desvarennes got vexed, and now we
import our own. We have branches at Smyrna and Odessa."
"It is fabulous! If it goes on, my aunt will have an administration as
important as that of a European state. Oh! you are happy here, you people; you
are busy. I amuse myself! And if you knew how it wearies me! I am withering,
consuming myself, I am longing for business."
And saying these words, young Monsieur Desvarennes allowed a sorrowful moan
to escape him.
"It seems to me," said Marechal, "that it only depends upon yourself to do as
much and more business than any one?"
"You know well enough that it is not so," sighed Savinien; "my aunt is
opposed to it."
"What a mistake!" cried Marechal, quickly. "I have heard Madame Desvarennes
say more than twenty times how she regretted your being unemployed. Come into
the firm, you will have a good berth in the counting-house."
"In the counting-house!" cried Savinien, bitterly; "there's the sore point.
Now look here; my friend, do you think that an organization like mine is made to
bend to the trivialities of a copying clerk's work? To follow the humdrum of
every-day routine? To blacken paper? To become a servant?—me! with what I have
in my brain?"
And, rising abruptly, Savinien began to walk hurriedly up and down the room,
disdainfully shaking his little head with its low forehead on which were
plastered a few fair curls (made with curling-irons), with the indignant air of
an Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders.
"Oh, I know very well what is at the bottom of the business—my aunt is
jealous of me because I am a man of ideas. She wishes to be the only one of the
family who possesses any. She thinks of binding me down to a besotting work,"
continued he, "but I won't have it. I know what I want! It is independence of
thought, bent on the solution of great problems—that is, a wide field to apply
my discoveries. But a fixed rule, common law, I could not submit to it."
"It is like the examinations," observed Marechal, looking slyly at young
Desvarennes, who was drawing himself up to his full height; "examinations never
suited you."
"Never," said Savinien, energetically. "They wished to get me into the
Polytechnic School; impossible! Then the Central School; no better. I astonished
the examiners by the novelty of my ideas. They refused me."
"Well, you know," retorted Marechal, "if you began by overthrowing their
theories—"
"That's it!" cried Savinien, triumphantly. "My mind is stronger than I; I
must let my imagination have free run, and no one will ever know what that
particular turn of mind has cost me. Even my family do not think me serious.
Aunt Desvarennes has forbidden any kind of enterprise, under pretence that I
bear her name, and that I might compromise it because I have twice failed. My
aunt paid, it is true. Do you think it is generous of her to take advantage of
my situation, and prohibit my trying to succeed? Are inventors judged by three
or four failures? If my aunt had allowed me I should have astonished the world."
"She feared, above all," said Marechal, simply, "to see you astonishing the
Tribunal of Commerce."
"Oh! you, too," moaned Savinien, "are in league with my enemies; you make no
account of me."
And young Desvarennes sank as if crushed into an armchair and began to
lament. He was very unhappy at being misunderstood. His aunt allowed him three
thousand francs a month on condition that he would not make use of his ten
fingers. Was it moral? Then he with such exuberant vigor had to waste it on
pleasure and seeing life to the utmost. He passed his time in theatres, at
clubs, restaurants, in boudoirs. He lost his time, his money, his hair, his
illusions. He bemoaned his lot, but continued, only to have something to do.
With grim sarcasm he called himself the galley-slave of pleasure. And
notwithstanding all these consuming excesses, he asserted that he could not
render his imagination barren. Amid the greatest follies at suppers, during the
clinking of glasses; in the excitement of the dance-inspirations came to him in
flashes, he made prodigious discoveries.
And as Marechal ventured a timid "Oh!" tinged with incredulity, Savinien flew
into a passion. Yes; he had invented something astonishing; he saw fortune
within reach, and he thought the bargain made with his aunt very unjust.
Therefore he had come to break it, and to regain his liberty.
Marechal looked at the young man while he was explaining with animation his
ambitious projects. He scrutinized that flat forehead within which the dandy
asserted so many good ideas were hidden. He measured that slim form bent by wild
living, and asked himself how that degenerate being could struggle against the
difficulties of business. A smile played on his lips. He knew Savinien too well
not to be aware that he was a prey to one of those attacks of melancholy which
seized on him when his funds were low.
On these occasions, which occurred frequently, the young man had longings for
business, which Madame Desvarennes stopped by asking: "How much?" Savinien
allowed himself to be with difficulty induced to consent to renounce the certain
profits promised, as he said, by his projected enterprise. At last he would
capitulate, and with his pocket well lined, nimble and joyful, he returned to
his boudoirs, race-courses, fashionable restaurants, and became more than ever
the galley-slave of pleasure.
"And Pierre?" asked young Desvarennes, suddenly and quickly changing the
subject. "Have you any news of him?"
Marechal became serious. A cloud seemed to have come across his brow; he
gravely answered Savinien's question.
Pierre was still in the East. He was travelling toward Tunis, the coast of
which he was exploring. It was a question of the formation of an island sea by
taking the water through the desert. It would be a colossal undertaking, the
results of which would be considerable as regarded Algeria. The climate would be
completely changed, and the value of the colony would be increased tenfold,
because it would become the most fertile country in the world. Pierre had been
occupied in this undertaking for more than a year with unequalled ardor; he was
far from his home, his betrothed, seeing only the goal to be attained; turning a
deaf ear to all that would distract his attention from the great work, to the
success of which he hoped to contribute gloriously.
"And don't people say," resumed Savinien with an evil smile, "that during his
absence a dashing young fellow is busy luring his betrothed away from him?"
At these words Marechal made a quick movement.
"It is false," he interrupted; "and I do not understand how you, Monsieur
Desvarennes, should be the bearer of such a tale. To admit that Mademoiselle
Micheline could break her word or her engagements is to slander her, and if any
one other than you—"
"There, there, my dear friend," said Savinien, laughing, "don't get into a
rage. What I say to you I would not repeat to the first comer; besides, I am
only the echo of a rumor that has been going the round during the last three
weeks. They even give the name of him who has been chosen for the honor and
pleasure of such a brilliant conquest. I mean Prince Serge Panine."
"As you have mentioned Prince Panine," replied Marechal, "allow me to tell
you that he has not put his foot inside Madame Desvarennes's door for three
weeks. This is not the way of a man about to marry the daughter of the house."
"My dear fellow, I only repeat what I have heard. As for me, I don't know any
more. I have kept out of the way for more than three months. And besides, it
matters little to me whether Micheline be a commoner or a princess, the wife of
Delarue or of Panine. I shall be none the richer or the poorer, shall I?
Therefore I need not care. The dear child will certainly have millions enough to
marry easily. And her adopted sister, the stately Mademoiselle Jeanne, what has
become of her?"
"Ah! as to Mademoiselle de Cernay, that is another affair," cried Marechal.
And as if wishing to divert the conversation in an opposite direction to
which Savinien had led it a moment before, he spoke readily of Madame
Desvarennes's adopted daughter. She had made a lively impression on one of the
intimate friends of the house—the banker Cayrol, who had offered his name and
his fortune to the fair Jeanne.
This was a cause of deep amazement to Savinien. What! Cayrol! The shrewd
close—fisted Auvergnat! A girl without a fortune! Cayrol Silex as he was called
in the commercial world on account of his hardness. This living money-bag had a
heart then! It was necessary to believe it since both money-bag and heart had
been placed at Mademoiselle de Cernay's feet. This strange girl was certainly
destined to millions. She had just missed being Madame Desvarennes's heiress,
and now Cayrol had taken it into his head to marry her.
But that was not all. And when Marechal told Savinien that the fair Jeanne
flatly refused to become the wife of Cayrol, there was an outburst of joyful
exclamations. She refused! By Jove, she was mad! An unlooked-for marriage—for
she had not a penny, and had most extravagant notions. She had been brought up
as if she were to live always in velvet and silks—to loll in carriages and think
only of her pleasure. What reason did she give for refusing him! None. Haughtily
and disdainfully she had declared that she did not love "that man," and that she
would not marry him.
When Savinien heard these details his rapture increased. One thing especially
charmed him: Jeanne's saying "that man," when speaking of Cayrol. A little girl
who was called "De Cernay" just as he might call himself "Des Batignolles" if he
pleased: the natural and unacknowledged daughter of a Count and of a shady
public singer! And she refused Cayrol, calling him "that man." It was really
funny. And what did worthy Cayrol say about it?
When Marechal declared that the banker had not been damped by this
discouraging reception, Savinien said it was human nature. The fair Jeanne
scorned Cayrol and Cayrol adored her. He had often seen those things happen. He
knew the baggages so well! Nobody knew more of women than he did. He had known
some more difficult to manage than proud Mademoiselle Jeanne.
An old leaven of hatred had festered in Savinien's heart against Jeanne since
the time when the younger branch of the Desvarennes had reason to fear that the
superb heritage was going to the adopted daughter. Savinien had lost the fear,
but had kept up the animosity. And everything that could happen to Jeanne of a
vexing or painful nature would be witnessed by him with pleasure.
He was about to encourage Marechal to continue his revelations, and had risen
and was leaning on the desk. With his face excited and eager, he was preparing
his question, when, through the door which led to Madame Desvarennes's office, a
confused murmur of voices was heard. At the same time the door was half opened,
held by a woman's hand, square, with short fingers, a firm-willed and energetic
hand. At the same time, the last words exchanged between Madame Desvarennes and
the Financial Secretary of the War Office were distinctly audible. Madame
Desvarennes was speaking, and her voice sounded clear and plain; a little raised
and vibrating. There seemed a shade of anger in its tone.
"My dear sir, you will tell the Minister that does not suit me. It is not the
custom of the house. For thirty-five years I have conducted business thus, and I
have always found it answer. I wish you good-morning."
The door of the office facing that which Madame Desvarennes held closed, and
a light step glided along the corridor. It was the Financial Secretary's. The
mistress appeared.
Marechal rose hastily. As to Savinien, all his resolution seemed to have
vanished at the sound of his aunt's voice, for he had rapidly gained a corner of
the room, and seated himself on a leather-covered sofa, hidden behind an
armchair, where he remained perfectly quiet.
"Do you understand that, Marechal?" said dame Desvarennes; "they want to
place a resident agent at the mill on pretext of checking things. They say that
all military contractors are obliged to submit to it. My word, do they take us
for thieves, the rascals? It is the first time that people have seemed to doubt
me. And it has enraged me. I have been arguing for a whole hour with the man
they sent me. I said to him, 'My dear sir, you may either take it or leave it.
Let us start from this point: I can do without you and you cannot do without me.
If you don't buy my flour, somebody else will. I am not at all troubled about
it. But as to having any one here who would be as much master as myself, or
perhaps more, never! I am too old to change my customs.' Thereupon the Financial
Secretary left. There! And, besides, they change their Ministry every fortnight.
One would never know with whom one had to deal. Thank you, no."
While talking thus with Marechal, Madame Desvarennes was walking about the
office. She was still the same woman with the broad prominent forehead. Her
hair, which she wore in smooth plaits, had become gray, but the sparkle of her
dark eyes only seemed the brighter from this. She had preserved her splendid
teeth, and her smile had remained young and charming. She spoke with animation,
as usual, and with the gestures of a man. She placed herself before her
secretary, seeming to appeal to him as a witness of her being in the right.
During the hour with the official personage she had been obliged to contain
herself. She unburdened herself to Marechal, saying just what she thought.
But all at once she perceived Savinien, who was waiting to show himself now
that she had finished. The mistress turned sharply to the young man, and frowned
slightly:
"Hallo! you are there, eh? How is it that you could leave your fair friends?"
"But, aunt, I came to pay you my respects."
"No nonsense now; I've no time," interrupted the mistress. "What do you
want?"
Savinien, disconcerted by this rude reception, blinked his eyes, as if
seeking some form to give his request; then, making up his mind, he said:
"I came to see you on business."
"You on business?" replied Madame Desvarennes, with a shade of astonishment
and irony.
"Yes, aunt, on business," declared Savinien, looking down as if he expected a
rebuff.
"Oh, oh, oh!" said Madame Desvarennes, "you know our agreement; I give you an
allowance—"
"I renounce my income," interrupted Savinien, quickly, "I wish to take back
my independence. The transfer I made has already cost me too dear. It's a fool's
bargain. The enterprise which I am going to launch is superb, and must realize
immense profits. I shall certainly not abandon it."
While speaking, Savinien had become animated and had regained his
self-possession. He believed in his scheme, and was ready to pledge his future.
He argued that his aunt could not blame him for giving proof of his energy and
daring, and he discoursed in bombastic style.
"That's enough!" cried Madame Desvarennes, interrupting her nephew's oration.
"I am very fond of mills, but not word-mills. You are talking too much about it
to be sincere. So many words can only serve to disguise the nullity of your
projects. You want to embark in speculation? With what money?"
"I contribute the scheme and some capitalists will advance the money to start
with; we shall then issue shares!"
"Never in this life! I oppose it. You! With a responsibility. You! Directing
an undertaking. You would only commit absurdities. In fact, you want to sell an
idea, eh? Well, I will buy it."
"It is not only the money I want," said Savinien, with an indignant air, "it
is confidence in my ideas, it is enthusiasm on the part of my shareholders, it
is success. You don't believe in my ideas, aunt!"
"What does it matter to you, if I buy them from you? It seems to me a pretty
good proof of confidence. Is that settled?"
"Ah, aunt, you are implacable!" groaned Savinien. "When you have laid your
hand upon any one, it is all over. Adieu, independence; one must obey you.
Nevertheless, it was a vast and beautiful conception."
"Very well. Marechal, see that my nephew has ten thousand francs. And you,
Savinien, remember that I see no more of you."
"Until the money is spent!" murmured Marechal, in the ear of Madame
Desvarennes's nephew.
And taking him by the arm he was leading him toward the safe when the
mistress turned to Savinien and said:
"By the way, what is your invention?"
"Aunt, it is a threshing machine," answered the young man, gravely.
"Rather a machine for coining money," said the incorrigible Marechal, in an
undertone.
"Well; bring me your plans," resumed Madame Desvarennes, after having
reflected a moment. "Perchance you may have hit upon something."
The mistress had been generous, and now the woman of business reasserted
herself and she thought of reaping the benefit.
Savinien seemed very confused at this demand, and as his aunt gave him an
interrogative look, he confessed:
"There are no drawings made as yet."
"No drawings as yet?" cried the mistress. "Where then is your invention?"
"It is here," replied Savinien, and with an inspired gesture he struck his
narrow forehead.
Madame Desvarennes and Marechal could not resist breaking out into a laugh.
"And you were already talking of issuing shares?" said the mistress. "Do you
think people would have paid their money with your brain as sole guarantee? You!
Get along; I am the only one to make bargains like that, and you are the only
one with whom I make them. Go, Marechal, give him his money; I won't gainsay it.
But you are a trickster, as usual!"