LETUSLOVEONEANOTHER
April9th
Thefineeveningsarecomeback;thetreesbegintoputforththeirshoots;hyacinths,jonquils,violets,andlilacsperfumethebasketsoftheflower-girls——alltheworldhavebeguntheirwalksagainonthequaysandboulevards.Afterdinner,I,too,descendfrommyattictobreathetheeveningair.
ItisthehourwhenParisisseeninallitsbeauty.Duringthedaytheplasterfrontsofthehouseswearytheeyebytheirmonotonouswhiteness;heavilyladencartsmakethestreetsshakeundertheirhugewheels;theeagercrowd,takenupbytheonefearoflosingamomentfrombusiness,crossandjostleoneanother;theaspectofthecityaltogetherhassomethingharsh,restless,andflurriedaboutit.But,assoonasthestarsappear,everythingischanged;theglareofthewhitehousesisquenchedinthegatheringshades;youhearnomoreanyrollingbutthatofthecarriagesontheirwaytosomepartyofpleasure;youseeonlytheloungerorthelight-heartedpassingby;workhasgivenplacetoleisure.
Noweachonemaybreatheafterthefierceracethroughthebusinessoftheday,andwhateverstrengthremainstohimhegivestopleasure!Seetheballroomslightedup,thetheatresopen,theeating-shopsalongthewalkssetoutwithdainties,andthetwinklinglanternsofthenewspapercriers.DecidedlyParishaslaidasidethepen,theruler,andtheapron;afterthedayspentinwork,itmusthavetheeveningforenjoyment;likethemastersofThebes,ithasputoffallseriousmattertilltomorrow.
Ilovetotakepartinthishappyhour;nottomixinthegeneralgayety,buttocontemplateit.Iftheenjoymentsofothersembitterjealousminds,theystrengthenthehumblespirit;theyarethebeamsofsunshine,whichopenthetwobeautifulflowerscalledtrustandhope.
Althoughaloneinthemidstofthesmilingmultitude,Idonotfeelmyselfisolatedfromit,foritsgayetyisreflecteduponme:itismyownkind,myownfamily,whoareenjoyinglife,andItakeabrothersshareintheirhappiness.Weareallfellow-soldiersinthisearthlybattle,andwhatdoesitmatteronwhomthehonorsofthevictoryfall?
IfFortunepassesbywithoutseeingus,andpoursherfavorsonothers,letusconsoleourselves,likethefriendofParmenio,bysaying,"Those,too,areAlexanders."
Whilemakingthesereflections,Iwasgoingonaschancetookme.Icrossedfromonepavementtoanother,Iretracedmysteps,Istoppedbeforetheshopsortoreadthehandbills.HowmanythingstherearetolearninthestreetsofParis!Whatamuseumitis!Unknownfruits,foreignarms,furnitureofoldtimesorotherlands,animalsofallclimates,statuesofgreatmen,costumesofdistantnations!Itistheworldseeninsamples!
Letusthenlookatthispeople,whoseknowledgeisgainedfromtheshop-windowsandthetradesmansdisplayofgoods.Nothinghasbeentaughtthem,buttheyhavearudenotionofeverything.TheyhaveseenpineapplesatChevets,apalm-treeintheJardindesPlantes,sugar-canessellingonthePont-Neuf.TheRedskins,exhibitedintheValentineHall,havetaughtthemtomimicthedanceofthebison,andtosmokethecalumetofpeace;theyhaveseenCarterslionsfed;theyknowtheprincipalnationalcostumescontainedinBabinscollection;Goupilsdisplayofprintshasplacedthetiger-huntsofAfricaandthesittingsoftheEnglishParliamentbeforetheireyes;theyhavebecomeacquaintedwithQueenVictoria,theEmperorofAustria,andKossuth,attheoffice-dooroftheIllustratedNews.Wecancertainlyinstructthem,butnotastonishthem;fornothingiscompletelynewtothem.YoumaytaketheParisragamuffinthroughthefivequartersoftheworld,andateverywonderwithwhichyouthinktosurprisehim,hewillsettlethematterwiththatfavoriteandconclusiveanswerofhisclass——"Iknow."
Butthisvarietyofexhibitions,whichmakesParisthefairoftheworld,doesnotoffermerelyameansofinstructiontohimwhowalksthroughit;itisacontinualspurforrousingtheimagination,afirststepoftheladderalwayssetupbeforeusinavision.Whenweseethem,howmanyvoyagesdowetakeinimagination,whatadventuresdowedreamof,whatpicturesdowesketch!IneverlookatthatshopneartheChinesebaths,withitstapestryhangingsofFloridajessamine,andfilledwithmagnolias,withoutseeingtheforestgladesoftheNewWorld,describedbytheauthorofAtala,openingthemselvesoutbeforeme.
Then,whenthisstudyofthingsandthisdiscourseofreasonbegintotireyou,lookaroundyou!Whatcontrastsoffiguresandfacesyouseeinthecrowd!Whatavastfieldfortheexerciseofmeditation!Ahalf-seenglance,orafewwordscaughtasthespeakerpassesby,openathousandvistastoyourimagination.Youwishtocomprehendwhattheseimperfectdisclosuresmean,and,astheantiquaryendeavorstodecipherthemutilatedinscriptiononsomeoldmonument,youbuildupahistoryonagestureoronaword!Thesearethestirringsportsofthemind,whichfindsinfictionarelieffromthewearisomedullnessoftheactual.
Alas!asIwasjustnowpassingbythecarriage-entranceofagreathouse,Inoticedasadsubjectforoneofthesehistories.Amanwassittinginthedarkestcorner,withhisheadbare,andholdingouthishatforthecharityofthosewhopassed.Histhreadbarecoathadthatlookofneatnesswhichmarksthatdestitutionhasbeenmetbyalongstruggle.Hehadcarefullybuttonedituptohidethewantofashirt.
Hisfacewashalfhidunderhisgrayhair,andhiseyeswereclosed,asifhewishedtoescapethesightofhisownhumiliation,andheremainedmuteandmotionless.Thosewhopassedhimtooknonoticeofthebeggar,whosatinsilenceanddarkness!Theyhadbeensoluckyastoescapecomplaintsandimportunities,andweregladtoturnawaytheireyestoo.
Suddenlythegreatgateturnedonitshinges;andaverylowcarriage,lightedwithsilverlampsanddrawnbytwoblackhorses,cameslowlyout,andtooktheroadtowardtheFaubourgSt.Germain.Icouldjustdistinguish,within,thesparklingdiamondsandtheflowersofaball-dress;theglareofthelampspassedlikeabloodystreakoverthepalefaceofthebeggar,andshowedhislookashiseyesopenedandfollowedtherichmansequipageuntilitdisappearedinthenight.
Idroppedasmallpieceofmoneyintothehathewasholdingout,andpassedonquickly.
Ihadjustfallenunexpectedlyuponthetwosaddestsecretsofthediseasewhichtroublestheagewelivein:theenvioushatredofhimwhosufferswant,andtheselfishforgetfulnessofhimwholivesinaffluence.
Alltheenjoymentofmywalkwasgone;Ileftofflookingaboutme,andretiredintomyownheart.Theanimatedandmovingsightinthestreetsgaveplacetoinwardmeditationuponallthepainfulproblemswhichhavebeenwrittenforthelastfourthousandyearsatthebottomofeachhumanstruggle,butwhicharepropoundedmoreclearlythaneverinourdays.
Iponderedontheuselessnessofsomanycontests,inwhichdefeatandvictoryonlydisplaceeachotherbyturns,andonthemistakenzealotswhohaverepeatedfromgenerationtogenerationthebloodyhistoryofCainandAbel;and,saddenedwiththesemournfulreflections,Iwalkedonaschancetookme,untilthesilenceallaroundinsensiblydrewmeoutfrommyownthoughts.
Ihadreachedoneoftheremotestreets,inwhichthosewhowouldliveincomfortandwithoutostentation,andwholoveseriousreflection,delighttofindahome.Therewerenoshopsalongthedimlylightedstreet;oneheardnosoundsbutofdistantcarriages,andofthestepsofsomeoftheinhabitantsreturningquietlyhome.
Iinstantlyrecognizedthestreet,thoughIhadbeenthereonlyoncebefore.
Thatwastwoyearsago.IwaswalkingatthetimebythesideoftheSeine,towhichthelightsonthequaysandbridgesgavetheaspectofalakesurroundedbyagarlandofstars;andIhadreachedtheLouvre,whenIwasstoppedbyacrowdcollectedneartheparapettheyhadgatheredroundachildofaboutsix,whowascrying,andIaskedthecauseofhistears.
"ItseemsthathewassenttowalkintheTuileries,"saidamason,whowasreturningfromhisworkwithhistrowelinhishand;"theservantwhotookcareofhimmetwithsomefriendsthere,andtoldthechildtowaitforhimwhilehewenttogetadrink;butIsupposethedrinkmadehimmorethirsty,forhehasnotcomeback,andthechildcannotfindhiswayhome."
"Whydotheynotaskhimhisname,andwherehelives?"
"Theyhavebeendoingitforthelasthour;butallhecansayis,thatheiscalledCharles,andthathisfatherisMonsieurDuval——therearetwelvehundredDuvalsinParis."
"Thenhedoesnotknowinwhatpartofthetownhelives?"
"Ishouldnotthink,indeed!Dontyouseethatheisagentlemanschild?Hehasnevergoneoutexceptinacarriageorwithaservant;hedoesnotknowwhattodobyhimself."
Herethemasonwasinterruptedbysomeofthevoicesrisingabovetheothers.
"Wecannotleavehiminthestreet,"saidsome.
"Thechild-stealerswouldcarryhimoff,"continuedothers.
"Wemusttakehimtotheoverseer."
"Ortothepolice-office."
"Thatsthething.Come,littleone!"
Butthechild,frightenedbythesesuggestionsofdanger,andatthenamesofpoliceandoverseer,criedlouder,anddrewbacktowardtheparapet.Invaintheytriedtopersuadehim;hisfearsmadehimresistthemore,andthemosteagerbegantogetweary,whenthevoiceofalittleboywasheardthroughtheconfusion.
"Iknowhimwell——Ido,"saidhe,lookingatthelostchild;"hebelongsinourpartofthetown."
"Whatpartisit?"
"Yonder,ontheothersideoftheBoulevards——RuedesMagasins."
"Andyouhaveseenhimbefore?"
"Yes,yes!hebelongstothegreathouseattheendofthestreet,wherethereisanirongatewithgiltpoints."
Thechildquicklyraisedhishead,andstoppedcrying.Thelittleboyansweredallthequestionsthatwereputtohim,andgavesuchdetailsasleftnoroomfordoubt.Theotherchildunderstoodhim,forhewentuptohimasiftoputhimselfunderhisprotection.
"Thenyoucantakehimtohisparents?"askedthemason,whohadlistenedwithrealinteresttothelittleboysaccount.
"IdontcareifIdo,"repliedhe;"itsthewayImgoing."
"Thenyouwilltakechargeofhim?"
"Hehasonlytocomewithme."
And,takingupthebaskethehadputdownonthepavement,hesetofftowardthepostern-gateoftheLouvre.
Thelostchildfollowedhim.
"Ihopehewilltakehimright,"saidI,whenIsawthemgoaway.
"Neverfear,"repliedthemason;"thelittleoneintheblouseisthesameageastheother;but,asthesayingis,heknowsblackfromwhite;poverty,yousee,isafamousschoolmistress!"
Thecrowddispersed.Formypart,IwenttowardtheLouvre;thethoughtcameintomyheadtofollowthetwochildren,soastoguardagainstanymistake.
Iwasnotlonginovertakingthem;theywerewalkingsidebyside,talking,andalreadyquitefamiliarwitheachother.Thecontrastintheirdressthenstruckme.LittleDuvalworeoneofthosefancifulchildrensdresseswhichareexpensiveaswellasingoodtaste;hiscoatwasskilfullyfittedtohisfigure,histrouserscamedowninplaitsfromhiswaisttohisbootsofpolishedleatherwithmother-of-pearlbuttons,andhisringletswerehalfhidbyavelvetcap.Theappearanceofhisguide,onthecontrary,wasthatoftheclasswhodwellontheextremebordersofpoverty,butwhotheremaintaintheirgroundwithnosurrender.Hisoldblouse,patchedwithpiecesofdifferentshades,indicatedtheperseveranceofanindustriousmotherstrugglingagainstthewearandtearoftime;histrouserswerebecometooshort,andshowedhisstockingsdarnedoverandoveragain;anditwasevidentthathisshoeswerenotmadeforhim.
Thecountenancesofthetwochildrenwerenotlessdifferentthantheirdress.Thatofthefirstwasdelicateandrefined;hisclearblueeye,hisfairskin,andhissmilingmouthgavehimacharminglookofinnocenceandhappiness.Thefeaturesoftheother,onthecontrary,hadsomethingroughinthem;hiseyewasquickandlively,hiscomplexiondark,hissmilelessmerrythanshrewd;allshowedamindsharpenedbytooearlyexperience;hewalkedboldlythroughthemiddleofthestreetsthrongedbycarriages,andfollowedtheircountlessturningswithouthesitation.
Ifound,onaskinghim,thateverydayhecarrieddinnertohisfather,whowasthenworkingontheleftbankoftheSeine;andthisresponsibledutyhadmadehimcarefulandprudent.Hehadlearnedthosehardbutforciblelessonsofnecessitywhichnothingcanequalorsupplytheplaceof.Unfortunately,thewantsofhispoorfamilyhadkepthimfromschool,andheseemedtofeeltheloss;forheoftenstoppedbeforetheprintshops,andaskedhiscompaniontoreadhimthenamesoftheengravings.InthiswaywereachedtheBoulevardBonneNouvelle,whichthelittlewandererseemedtoknowagain.Notwithstandinghisfatigue,hehurriedon;hewasagitatedbymixedfeelings;atthesightofhishouseheutteredacry,andrantowardtheirongatewiththegiltpoints;aladywhowasstandingattheentrancereceivedhiminherarms,andfromtheexclamationsofjoy,andthesoundofkisses,Isoonperceivedshewashismother.
Notseeingeithertheservantorchildreturn,shehadsentinsearchofthemineverydirection,andwaswaitingfortheminintenseanxiety.
Iexplainedtoherinafewwordswhathadhappened.Shethankedmewarmly,andlookedroundforthelittleboywhohadrecognizedandbroughtbackherson;butwhileweweretalking,hehaddisappeared.
ItwasforthefirsttimesincethenthatIhadcomeintothispartofParis.Didthemothercontinuegrateful?Hadthechildrenmetagain,andhadthehappychanceoftheirfirstmeetingloweredbetweenthemthatbarrierwhichmaymarkthedifferentranksofmen,butshouldnotdividethem?
Whileputtingthesequestionstomyself,Islackenedmypace,andfixedmyeyesonthegreatgate,whichIjustperceived.SuddenlyIsawitopen,andtwochildrenappearedattheentrance.Althoughmuchgrown,Irecognizedthematfirstsight;theywerethechildwhowasfoundneartheparapetoftheLouvre,andhisyoungguide.Butthedressofthelatterwasgreatlychanged:hisblouseofgrayclothwasneat,andevenspruce,andwasfastenedroundthewaistbyapolishedleatherbelt;heworestrongshoes,butmadeforhisfeet,andhadonanewclothcap.
JustatthemomentIsawhim,heheldinhistwohandsanenormousbunchoflilacs,towhichhiscompanionwastryingtoaddnarcissusesandprimroses;thetwochildrenlaughed,andpartedwithafriendlygood-by.
M.Duvalssondidnotgointillhehadseentheotherturnthecornerofthestreet.
ThenIaccostedthelatter,andremindedhimofourformermeeting;helookedatmeforamoment,andthenseemedtorecollectme.
"ForgivemeifIdonotmakeyouabow,"saidhe,merrily,"butIwantbothmyhandsforthenosegayMonsieurCharleshasgivenme."
"Youare,then,becomegreatfriends?"saidI.
"Oh!Ishouldthinkso,"saidthechild;"andnowmyfatherisrichtoo!"
"Howsthat?"
"MonsieurDuvallenthimsomemoney;hehastakenashop,whereheworksonhisownaccount;and,asforme,Igotoschool."
"Yes,"repliedI,remarkingforthefirsttimethecrossthatdecoratedhislittlecoat;"andIseethatyouarehead-boy!"
"MonsieurCharleshelpsmetolearn,andsoIamcometobethefirstintheclass."
"Areyounowgoingtoyourlessons?"
"Yes,andhehasgivenmesomelilacs;forhehasagardenwhereweplaytogether,andwheremymothercanalwayshaveflowers."
"Thenitisthesameasifitwerepartlyyourown."
"Soitis!Ah!theyaregoodneighborsindeed.ButhereIam;good-by,sir."
Henoddedtomewithasmile,anddisappeared.
Iwentonwithmywalk,stillpensive,butwithafeelingofrelief.
IfIhadelsewherewitnessedthepainfulcontrastbetweenaffluenceandwant,hereIhadfoundthetrueunionofrichesandpoverty.Heartygood-willhadsmootheddownthemoreruggedinequalitiesonbothsides,andhadopenedaroadoftrueneighborhoodandfellowshipbetweenthehumbleworkshopandthestatelymansion.Insteadofhearkeningtothevoiceofinterest,theyhadbothlistenedtothatofself-sacrifice,andtherewasnoplaceleftforcontemptorenvy.Thus,insteadofthebeggarinrags,thatIhadseenattheotherdoorcursingtherichman,Ihadfoundherethehappychildofthelaborerloadedwithflowersandblessinghim!Theproblem,sodifficultandsodangeroustoexamineintowithnoregardbutfortherightsofit,Ihadjustseensolvedbylove.
屋顶间的哲学家April9th
Thefineeveningsarecomeback;thetreesbegintoputforththeirshoots;hyacinths,jonquils,violets,andlilacsperfumethebasketsoftheflower-girls——alltheworldhavebeguntheirwalksagainonthequaysandboulevards.Afterdinner,I,too,descendfrommyattictobreathetheeveningair.
ItisthehourwhenParisisseeninallitsbeauty.Duringthedaytheplasterfrontsofthehouseswearytheeyebytheirmonotonouswhiteness;heavilyladencartsmakethestreetsshakeundertheirhugewheels;theeagercrowd,takenupbytheonefearoflosingamomentfrombusiness,crossandjostleoneanother;theaspectofthecityaltogetherhassomethingharsh,restless,andflurriedaboutit.But,assoonasthestarsappear,everythingischanged;theglareofthewhitehousesisquenchedinthegatheringshades;youhearnomoreanyrollingbutthatofthecarriagesontheirwaytosomepartyofpleasure;youseeonlytheloungerorthelight-heartedpassingby;workhasgivenplacetoleisure.
Noweachonemaybreatheafterthefierceracethroughthebusinessoftheday,andwhateverstrengthremainstohimhegivestopleasure!Seetheballroomslightedup,thetheatresopen,theeating-shopsalongthewalkssetoutwithdainties,andthetwinklinglanternsofthenewspapercriers.DecidedlyParishaslaidasidethepen,theruler,andtheapron;afterthedayspentinwork,itmusthavetheeveningforenjoyment;likethemastersofThebes,ithasputoffallseriousmattertilltomorrow.
Ilovetotakepartinthishappyhour;nottomixinthegeneralgayety,buttocontemplateit.Iftheenjoymentsofothersembitterjealousminds,theystrengthenthehumblespirit;theyarethebeamsofsunshine,whichopenthetwobeautifulflowerscalledtrustandhope.
Althoughaloneinthemidstofthesmilingmultitude,Idonotfeelmyselfisolatedfromit,foritsgayetyisreflecteduponme:itismyownkind,myownfamily,whoareenjoyinglife,andItakeabrothersshareintheirhappiness.Weareallfellow-soldiersinthisearthlybattle,andwhatdoesitmatteronwhomthehonorsofthevictoryfall?
IfFortunepassesbywithoutseeingus,andpoursherfavorsonothers,letusconsoleourselves,likethefriendofParmenio,bysaying,"Those,too,areAlexanders."
Whilemakingthesereflections,Iwasgoingonaschancetookme.Icrossedfromonepavementtoanother,Iretracedmysteps,Istoppedbeforetheshopsortoreadthehandbills.HowmanythingstherearetolearninthestreetsofParis!Whatamuseumitis!Unknownfruits,foreignarms,furnitureofoldtimesorotherlands,animalsofallclimates,statuesofgreatmen,costumesofdistantnations!Itistheworldseeninsamples!
Letusthenlookatthispeople,whoseknowledgeisgainedfromtheshop-windowsandthetradesmansdisplayofgoods.Nothinghasbeentaughtthem,buttheyhavearudenotionofeverything.TheyhaveseenpineapplesatChevets,apalm-treeintheJardindesPlantes,sugar-canessellingonthePont-Neuf.TheRedskins,exhibitedintheValentineHall,havetaughtthemtomimicthedanceofthebison,andtosmokethecalumetofpeace;theyhaveseenCarterslionsfed;theyknowtheprincipalnationalcostumescontainedinBabinscollection;Goupilsdisplayofprintshasplacedthetiger-huntsofAfricaandthesittingsoftheEnglishParliamentbeforetheireyes;theyhavebecomeacquaintedwithQueenVictoria,theEmperorofAustria,andKossuth,attheoffice-dooroftheIllustratedNews.Wecancertainlyinstructthem,butnotastonishthem;fornothingiscompletelynewtothem.YoumaytaketheParisragamuffinthroughthefivequartersoftheworld,andateverywonderwithwhichyouthinktosurprisehim,hewillsettlethematterwiththatfavoriteandconclusiveanswerofhisclass——"Iknow."
Butthisvarietyofexhibitions,whichmakesParisthefairoftheworld,doesnotoffermerelyameansofinstructiontohimwhowalksthroughit;itisacontinualspurforrousingtheimagination,afirststepoftheladderalwayssetupbeforeusinavision.Whenweseethem,howmanyvoyagesdowetakeinimagination,whatadventuresdowedreamof,whatpicturesdowesketch!IneverlookatthatshopneartheChinesebaths,withitstapestryhangingsofFloridajessamine,andfilledwithmagnolias,withoutseeingtheforestgladesoftheNewWorld,describedbytheauthorofAtala,openingthemselvesoutbeforeme.
Then,whenthisstudyofthingsandthisdiscourseofreasonbegintotireyou,lookaroundyou!Whatcontrastsoffiguresandfacesyouseeinthecrowd!Whatavastfieldfortheexerciseofmeditation!Ahalf-seenglance,orafewwordscaughtasthespeakerpassesby,openathousandvistastoyourimagination.Youwishtocomprehendwhattheseimperfectdisclosuresmean,and,astheantiquaryendeavorstodecipherthemutilatedinscriptiononsomeoldmonument,youbuildupahistoryonagestureoronaword!Thesearethestirringsportsofthemind,whichfindsinfictionarelieffromthewearisomedullnessoftheactual.
Alas!asIwasjustnowpassingbythecarriage-entranceofagreathouse,Inoticedasadsubjectforoneofthesehistories.Amanwassittinginthedarkestcorner,withhisheadbare,andholdingouthishatforthecharityofthosewhopassed.Histhreadbarecoathadthatlookofneatnesswhichmarksthatdestitutionhasbeenmetbyalongstruggle.Hehadcarefullybuttonedituptohidethewantofashirt.
Hisfacewashalfhidunderhisgrayhair,andhiseyeswereclosed,asifhewishedtoescapethesightofhisownhumiliation,andheremainedmuteandmotionless.Thosewhopassedhimtooknonoticeofthebeggar,whosatinsilenceanddarkness!Theyhadbeensoluckyastoescapecomplaintsandimportunities,andweregladtoturnawaytheireyestoo.
Suddenlythegreatgateturnedonitshinges;andaverylowcarriage,lightedwithsilverlampsanddrawnbytwoblackhorses,cameslowlyout,andtooktheroadtowardtheFaubourgSt.Germain.Icouldjustdistinguish,within,thesparklingdiamondsandtheflowersofaball-dress;theglareofthelampspassedlikeabloodystreakoverthepalefaceofthebeggar,andshowedhislookashiseyesopenedandfollowedtherichmansequipageuntilitdisappearedinthenight.
Idroppedasmallpieceofmoneyintothehathewasholdingout,andpassedonquickly.
Ihadjustfallenunexpectedlyuponthetwosaddestsecretsofthediseasewhichtroublestheagewelivein:theenvioushatredofhimwhosufferswant,andtheselfishforgetfulnessofhimwholivesinaffluence.
Alltheenjoymentofmywalkwasgone;Ileftofflookingaboutme,andretiredintomyownheart.Theanimatedandmovingsightinthestreetsgaveplacetoinwardmeditationuponallthepainfulproblemswhichhavebeenwrittenforthelastfourthousandyearsatthebottomofeachhumanstruggle,butwhicharepropoundedmoreclearlythaneverinourdays.
Iponderedontheuselessnessofsomanycontests,inwhichdefeatandvictoryonlydisplaceeachotherbyturns,andonthemistakenzealotswhohaverepeatedfromgenerationtogenerationthebloodyhistoryofCainandAbel;and,saddenedwiththesemournfulreflections,Iwalkedonaschancetookme,untilthesilenceallaroundinsensiblydrewmeoutfrommyownthoughts.
Ihadreachedoneoftheremotestreets,inwhichthosewhowouldliveincomfortandwithoutostentation,andwholoveseriousreflection,delighttofindahome.Therewerenoshopsalongthedimlylightedstreet;oneheardnosoundsbutofdistantcarriages,andofthestepsofsomeoftheinhabitantsreturningquietlyhome.
Iinstantlyrecognizedthestreet,thoughIhadbeenthereonlyoncebefore.
Thatwastwoyearsago.IwaswalkingatthetimebythesideoftheSeine,towhichthelightsonthequaysandbridgesgavetheaspectofalakesurroundedbyagarlandofstars;andIhadreachedtheLouvre,whenIwasstoppedbyacrowdcollectedneartheparapettheyhadgatheredroundachildofaboutsix,whowascrying,andIaskedthecauseofhistears.
"ItseemsthathewassenttowalkintheTuileries,"saidamason,whowasreturningfromhisworkwithhistrowelinhishand;"theservantwhotookcareofhimmetwithsomefriendsthere,andtoldthechildtowaitforhimwhilehewenttogetadrink;butIsupposethedrinkmadehimmorethirsty,forhehasnotcomeback,andthechildcannotfindhiswayhome."
"Whydotheynotaskhimhisname,andwherehelives?"
"Theyhavebeendoingitforthelasthour;butallhecansayis,thatheiscalledCharles,andthathisfatherisMonsieurDuval——therearetwelvehundredDuvalsinParis."
"Thenhedoesnotknowinwhatpartofthetownhelives?"
"Ishouldnotthink,indeed!Dontyouseethatheisagentlemanschild?Hehasnevergoneoutexceptinacarriageorwithaservant;hedoesnotknowwhattodobyhimself."
Herethemasonwasinterruptedbysomeofthevoicesrisingabovetheothers.
"Wecannotleavehiminthestreet,"saidsome.
"Thechild-stealerswouldcarryhimoff,"continuedothers.
"Wemusttakehimtotheoverseer."
"Ortothepolice-office."
"Thatsthething.Come,littleone!"
Butthechild,frightenedbythesesuggestionsofdanger,andatthenamesofpoliceandoverseer,criedlouder,anddrewbacktowardtheparapet.Invaintheytriedtopersuadehim;hisfearsmadehimresistthemore,andthemosteagerbegantogetweary,whenthevoiceofalittleboywasheardthroughtheconfusion.
"Iknowhimwell——Ido,"saidhe,lookingatthelostchild;"hebelongsinourpartofthetown."
"Whatpartisit?"
"Yonder,ontheothersideoftheBoulevards——RuedesMagasins."
"Andyouhaveseenhimbefore?"
"Yes,yes!hebelongstothegreathouseattheendofthestreet,wherethereisanirongatewithgiltpoints."
Thechildquicklyraisedhishead,andstoppedcrying.Thelittleboyansweredallthequestionsthatwereputtohim,andgavesuchdetailsasleftnoroomfordoubt.Theotherchildunderstoodhim,forhewentuptohimasiftoputhimselfunderhisprotection.
"Thenyoucantakehimtohisparents?"askedthemason,whohadlistenedwithrealinteresttothelittleboysaccount.
"IdontcareifIdo,"repliedhe;"itsthewayImgoing."
"Thenyouwilltakechargeofhim?"
"Hehasonlytocomewithme."
And,takingupthebaskethehadputdownonthepavement,hesetofftowardthepostern-gateoftheLouvre.
Thelostchildfollowedhim.
"Ihopehewilltakehimright,"saidI,whenIsawthemgoaway.
"Neverfear,"repliedthemason;"thelittleoneintheblouseisthesameageastheother;but,asthesayingis,heknowsblackfromwhite;poverty,yousee,isafamousschoolmistress!"
Thecrowddispersed.Formypart,IwenttowardtheLouvre;thethoughtcameintomyheadtofollowthetwochildren,soastoguardagainstanymistake.
Iwasnotlonginovertakingthem;theywerewalkingsidebyside,talking,andalreadyquitefamiliarwitheachother.Thecontrastintheirdressthenstruckme.LittleDuvalworeoneofthosefancifulchildrensdresseswhichareexpensiveaswellasingoodtaste;hiscoatwasskilfullyfittedtohisfigure,histrouserscamedowninplaitsfromhiswaisttohisbootsofpolishedleatherwithmother-of-pearlbuttons,andhisringletswerehalfhidbyavelvetcap.Theappearanceofhisguide,onthecontrary,wasthatoftheclasswhodwellontheextremebordersofpoverty,butwhotheremaintaintheirgroundwithnosurrender.Hisoldblouse,patchedwithpiecesofdifferentshades,indicatedtheperseveranceofanindustriousmotherstrugglingagainstthewearandtearoftime;histrouserswerebecometooshort,andshowedhisstockingsdarnedoverandoveragain;anditwasevidentthathisshoeswerenotmadeforhim.
Thecountenancesofthetwochildrenwerenotlessdifferentthantheirdress.Thatofthefirstwasdelicateandrefined;hisclearblueeye,hisfairskin,andhissmilingmouthgavehimacharminglookofinnocenceandhappiness.Thefeaturesoftheother,onthecontrary,hadsomethingroughinthem;hiseyewasquickandlively,hiscomplexiondark,hissmilelessmerrythanshrewd;allshowedamindsharpenedbytooearlyexperience;hewalkedboldlythroughthemiddleofthestreetsthrongedbycarriages,andfollowedtheircountlessturningswithouthesitation.
Ifound,onaskinghim,thateverydayhecarrieddinnertohisfather,whowasthenworkingontheleftbankoftheSeine;andthisresponsibledutyhadmadehimcarefulandprudent.Hehadlearnedthosehardbutforciblelessonsofnecessitywhichnothingcanequalorsupplytheplaceof.Unfortunately,thewantsofhispoorfamilyhadkepthimfromschool,andheseemedtofeeltheloss;forheoftenstoppedbeforetheprintshops,andaskedhiscompaniontoreadhimthenamesoftheengravings.InthiswaywereachedtheBoulevardBonneNouvelle,whichthelittlewandererseemedtoknowagain.Notwithstandinghisfatigue,hehurriedon;hewasagitatedbymixedfeelings;atthesightofhishouseheutteredacry,andrantowardtheirongatewiththegiltpoints;aladywhowasstandingattheentrancereceivedhiminherarms,andfromtheexclamationsofjoy,andthesoundofkisses,Isoonperceivedshewashismother.
Notseeingeithertheservantorchildreturn,shehadsentinsearchofthemineverydirection,andwaswaitingfortheminintenseanxiety.
Iexplainedtoherinafewwordswhathadhappened.Shethankedmewarmly,andlookedroundforthelittleboywhohadrecognizedandbroughtbackherson;butwhileweweretalking,hehaddisappeared.
ItwasforthefirsttimesincethenthatIhadcomeintothispartofParis.Didthemothercontinuegrateful?Hadthechildrenmetagain,andhadthehappychanceoftheirfirstmeetingloweredbetweenthemthatbarrierwhichmaymarkthedifferentranksofmen,butshouldnotdividethem?
Whileputtingthesequestionstomyself,Islackenedmypace,andfixedmyeyesonthegreatgate,whichIjustperceived.SuddenlyIsawitopen,andtwochildrenappearedattheentrance.Althoughmuchgrown,Irecognizedthematfirstsight;theywerethechildwhowasfoundneartheparapetoftheLouvre,andhisyoungguide.Butthedressofthelatterwasgreatlychanged:hisblouseofgrayclothwasneat,andevenspruce,andwasfastenedroundthewaistbyapolishedleatherbelt;heworestrongshoes,butmadeforhisfeet,andhadonanewclothcap.
JustatthemomentIsawhim,heheldinhistwohandsanenormousbunchoflilacs,towhichhiscompanionwastryingtoaddnarcissusesandprimroses;thetwochildrenlaughed,andpartedwithafriendlygood-by.
M.Duvalssondidnotgointillhehadseentheotherturnthecornerofthestreet.
ThenIaccostedthelatter,andremindedhimofourformermeeting;helookedatmeforamoment,andthenseemedtorecollectme.
"ForgivemeifIdonotmakeyouabow,"saidhe,merrily,"butIwantbothmyhandsforthenosegayMonsieurCharleshasgivenme."
"Youare,then,becomegreatfriends?"saidI.
"Oh!Ishouldthinkso,"saidthechild;"andnowmyfatherisrichtoo!"
"Howsthat?"
"MonsieurDuvallenthimsomemoney;hehastakenashop,whereheworksonhisownaccount;and,asforme,Igotoschool."
"Yes,"repliedI,remarkingforthefirsttimethecrossthatdecoratedhislittlecoat;"andIseethatyouarehead-boy!"
"MonsieurCharleshelpsmetolearn,andsoIamcometobethefirstintheclass."
"Areyounowgoingtoyourlessons?"
"Yes,andhehasgivenmesomelilacs;forhehasagardenwhereweplaytogether,andwheremymothercanalwayshaveflowers."
"Thenitisthesameasifitwerepartlyyourown."
"Soitis!Ah!theyaregoodneighborsindeed.ButhereIam;good-by,sir."
Henoddedtomewithasmile,anddisappeared.
Iwentonwithmywalk,stillpensive,butwithafeelingofrelief.
IfIhadelsewherewitnessedthepainfulcontrastbetweenaffluenceandwant,hereIhadfoundthetrueunionofrichesandpoverty.Heartygood-willhadsmootheddownthemoreruggedinequalitiesonbothsides,andhadopenedaroadoftrueneighborhoodandfellowshipbetweenthehumbleworkshopandthestatelymansion.Insteadofhearkeningtothevoiceofinterest,theyhadbothlistenedtothatofself-sacrifice,andtherewasnoplaceleftforcontemptorenvy.Thus,insteadofthebeggarinrags,thatIhadseenattheotherdoorcursingtherichman,Ihadfoundherethehappychildofthelaborerloadedwithflowersandblessinghim!Theproblem,sodifficultandsodangeroustoexamineintowithnoregardbutfortherightsofit,Ihadjustseensolvedbylove.