"But you have been one of his warmest champions and admirers up to the present time, and no one will be able to explain your sudden change of feeling, or, rather, every one will be able to explain it; and, instead of injuring Macreuse, the war you wage against him will aid him. The fellow is an unmitigated scoundrel and arrant hypocrite. You have no idea with whom you have to deal, my dear mother."
"Really, you take this very calmly--with truly heroic self-abnegation, I might say," exclaimed the duchess, bitterly.
"No, I assure you, his presumption excites my deepest indignation. A fellow like Macreuse to have such pretensions and perhaps be able to realise them, a man who from my school-days has always inspired me with both loathing and aversion! And this poor Mlle. de Beaumesnil whom I do not even know, but who becomes interesting in my eyes the minute she is in danger of becoming the wife of that rascal,--really I have half a mind to marry her myself, if only to spoil Macreuse's plans and save the poor little thing from that villain's clutches."
"Oh, Gerald, my son," cried the duchess, "your marriage would make me the happiest of mothers!"
"But--my liberty--my precious liberty!"
"But, Gerald, think of it,--with one of the most illustrious names in France, and then to become the richest and greatest landowner in France!
Think of the power this immense fortune will give combined with a position like yours, my dear Gerald."
"Yes, that is so," answered Gerald, reflectively, "but think of me, too, condemned to a life of ennui, and silk hose every evening henceforth and for ever. Besides, remember those dear girls who love me so devotedly; for, having the good fortune to be young and poor, I am forced to believe that their love is entirely disinterested."
"But, my dear," insisted the duchess, urged on in spite of herself by her ambition to see her son make this wealthy marriage, "perhaps you exaggerate the requirements of duty too much. Because you are married is no reason--"
"Oh, mother, mother, to think I should ever hear you recommending laxity of morals after marriage!"
"You misunderstand my meaning entirely, my son," replied Madame de Senneterre, considerably embarrassed. "I didn't say anything of the kind. If I insist, it is not only to inspire you with a desire to supplant this abominable man, but also for humanity's sake, so to speak."
"Humanity's sake?"
"Certainly, that poor little Mlle. de Beaumesnil would positively die of grief and despair if she is forced to live with such a monster. It would be a most generous and commendable act to save her from him."
"Really, mother, I expect to hear you say in a minute or two that I shall deserve the Monthyon prize, if I contract this marriage."
"Yes, if the Monthyon prize is to be awarded to the son who makes his mother the happiest of women," replied Madame de Senneterre, looking up at Gerald with eyes full of tears.
Gerald loved his mother so devotedly that the emotion she manifested touched the young duke deeply, and he said, with a smile:
"Ah, what a dangerous thing a mother is! She seems to be quite capable of marrying you to the heiress of millions, even against your will, especially when there is danger that a scoundrel like Macreuse may be converted into a millionaire. The fact is, the more I think of it the more pleased I am at the idea of circumventing this hypocrite. What a blow it would be to him! But there is one difficulty, my dear mother, and it strikes me that I am a little late in thinking of it."
"What do you mean?"
"I am by no means sure that I should please Mlle. de Beaumesnil."
"You will only have to try to succeed in doing it, I am sure, my dear Gerald."
"A true mother's view of the matter."
"I know you better than most people, perhaps."
"You are not capable of giving an opinion on the matter, I see. Your affection blinds you, but I forgive you."
"Leave the matter to me, Gerald. Only consent to be guided by me, and see if I don't conduct the affair to a successful termination."
"Do you know that one would take you for an inveterate match-maker if one didn't know you," said Gerald, gaily. "But all mothers are alike in one respect, when their children's interests are at stake they become positive tigresses and lionesses. Very well, whatever your will may be I resign myself to it blindly."
"My dear, good Gerald," cried the delighted duchess, positively weeping with joy; "you cannot imagine how happy you have made me. That wretched Macreuse will die of spite."
"That is so, mother. I shall give him the jaundice instead of the sword-thrust he would have declined to take."
"Now, Gerald, let us talk the matter over sensibly."
"So be it. I am listening."
"As you have made up your mind, it is of the utmost importance that you should see Mlle. de Beaumesnil as soon as possible."
"Very well."
"This first interview, you must understand, is of great importance."
"Unquestionably."
"The fact is so apparent that I had a long talk with Mesdames de Mirecourt and de la Rochaigue upon the subject this morning. From what the latter lady is able to judge of Mlle. de Beaumesnil's character, this is the plan we think most expedient; but you shall judge for yourself, Gerald."
"Very well, let me hear it."
"We recognised from the first the impossibility of representing you as a serious-minded and settled man--"
"And you showed your good sense, for I should have proved you a set of base deceivers only too soon," retorted Gerald, laughing.
"Of course there is no hope of avoiding the many censorious remarks which the frivolity of your conduct seems to justify, my poor Gerald, so the best thing we can do is to make everything that is said against you redound to your credit as much as possible."
"Only mothers could show themselves such clever diplomatists as that."
"Fortunately, Mlle. de Beaumesnil, judging from what Madame de la Rochaigue says,--she talked with the girl awhile last evening, and the mind of a child of sixteen is not difficult to read,--fortunately, Ernestine de Beaumesnil seems to be very fond of luxury, splendour, and display, so we think it advisable that you should first appear before her in the character of one of the most elegant young men in Paris."
"If you are clever enough to find such an opportunity, I consent, I am sure."
"It is to-morrow afternoon, is it not, that you are to take part in that race in the Bois de Boulogne?"
"Yes, I promised that ninny, De Courville, who has a number of fine horses he is afraid to mount himself, that I would ride his horse, 'Young Emperor,' in the hurdle race."
"Capital! Madame de la Rochaigue shall take Mlle. de Beaumesnil to the race. They will call for me, and as soon as we reach the Bois it will seem the most natural thing in the world that you should come up and talk with us before the racing begins. Your jockey costume of orange satin with black velvet trimmings is extremely becoming to you."
"One word, if you please, my dear mother."
"Let me finish, please. Mlle. de Beaumesnil will see you among a crowd of fashionable young men, in which you shine preeminent, every one must admit. And, then, I don't doubt that you will win the race. It is absolutely necessary that you should win it, Gerald."
"It is the general opinion, mother, that the 'Young Emperor' and I will come out ahead, but--"
"You certainly ride superbly," said the duchess, again interrupting her son; "and when Ernestine sees you excelling your competitors in the midst of frantic applause, there can be very little doubt that, upon one with the tastes and character she seems to have, the impression produced will be excellent; and if, after this first meeting, you make yourself as agreeable as you can be when you choose, that impudent Macreuse will appear odious in her eyes even if he should have the audacity to enter the lists."
"May I be allowed to say a word now, my dear mother?"
"Certainly."