worthy and sincere because they are free, faithful and devoted because they have liberty to choose--neither imperious not base, because they have no master to govern or to flatter--cherished and respected, because they can withdraw from a disloyal hand their hand, loyally bestowed.Oh, my sisters! my sisters! I feel it.These are not merely consoling visions--they are sacred hopes."
Carried away, in spite of herself, by the excitement of her feelings, Adrienne paused for a moment, in order to return to earth; she did not perceive that the other actors in this scene were looking at each other with an air of delight.
"What she says there is excellent," murmured the doctor in the princess's ear, next to whom he was seated; "were she in league with us, she would not speak differently."
"It is only by excessive harshness," added D'Aigrigny, "that we shall bring her to the desired point."
But it seemed as if the vexed emotion of Adrienne had been dissipated by the contact of the generous sentiments she had just uttered.Addressing Baleinier with a smile, she said: "I must own, doctor, that there is nothing more ridiculous, than to yield to the current of certain thoughts, in the presence of persons incapable of understanding them.
This would give you a fine opportunity to make game of that exaltation of mind for which you sometimes reproach me.To let myself be carried away by transports at so serious a moment!--for, verily, the matter in hand seems to be serious.But you see, good M.Baleinier, when an idea comes into my head, I can no more help following it out, than I could refrain from running after butterflies when I was a little girl."
"And heaven only knows whither these brilliant butterflies of all colors," said M.Baleinier, smiling with an air of paternal indulgence, "that are passing through your brain, are likely to lead you.Oh, madcap, when will she be as reasonable as she is charming?"
"This very instant, my good doctor," replied Adrienne."I am about to cast off my reveries for realities, and speak plain and positive language, as you shall hear."
Upon which, addressing her aunt, she continued: "You have imparted to me your resolution, madame; I will now tell you mine.Within a week, I shall quit the pavilion that I inhabit, for a house which I have arranged to my taste, where I shall live after my own fashion.I have neither father nor mother, and I owe no account of my actions to any but myself."
"Upon my word, mademoiselle," said the princess, shrugging her shoulders, "you talk nonsense.You forget that society has inalienable moral rights, which we are bound to enforce.And we shall not neglect them, depend upon it."
"So madame, it is you, and M.d'Aigrigny, and M.Tripeaud, that represent the morality of society! This appears to me very fine.Is it because M.
Tripeaud has considered (I must acknowledge it) my fortune as his own?
Is it because--"
"Now, really, madame," began Tripeaud.
"In good time, madame," said Adrienne to her aunt, without noticing the baron, "as the occasion offers, I shall have to ask you for explanations with regard to certain interests, which have hitherto, I think, been concealed from me."
These words of Adrienne made D'Aigrigny and the princess start, and then rapidly exchange a glance of uneasiness and anxiety.Adrienne did not seem to perceive it, but thus continued: "To have done with your demands, madame, here is my final resolve.I shall live where and how I please.
I think that, if I were a man, no one would impose on me, at my age, the harsh and humiliating guardianship you have in view, for living as I have lived till now--honestly, freely, and generously, in the sight of all."
"This idea is absurd! is madness!" cried the princess."To wish to live thus alone, is to carry immorality and immodesty to their utmost limits."
"If so, madame," said Adrienne, "what opinion must you entertain of so many poor girls, orphans like myself, who live alone and free, as I wish to live? They have not received, as I have, a refined education, calculated to raise the soul, and purify the heart.They have not wealth, as I have, to protect them from the evil temptations of misery;
and yet they live honestly and proudly in their distress."
"Vice and virtue do not exist for such tag-rag vermin!" cried Baron Tripeaud, with an expression of anger and hideous disdain.
"Madame, you would turn away a lackey, that would venture to speak thus before you," said Adrienne to her aunt, unable to conceal her disgust, "and yet you oblige me to listen to such speeches!"
The Marquis d'Aigrigny touched M.Tripeaud with his knee under the table, to remind him that he must not express himself in the princess's parlors in the same manner as he would in the lobbies of the Exchange.To repair the baron's coarseness, the abbe thus continued: "There is no comparison, mademoiselle, between people of the class you name, and a young lady of your rank."
"For a Catholic priest, M.l'Abbe, that distinction is not very Christian," replied Adrienne.
"I know the purport of my words, madame," answered the abbe, dryly;
"besides the independent life that you wish to lead, in opposition to all reason, may tend to very serious consequences for you.Your family may one day wish to see you married--"
"I will spare my family that trouble, sir, if I marry at all, I will choose for myself, which also appears to me reasonable enough.But, in truth, I am very little tempted by that heavy chain, which selfishness and brutality rivet for ever about our necks."
"It is indecent, madame," said the princess, to speak so lightly of such an institution."