按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
into a frown； his smile became petrified； his whole visage assumed an expression of incredible hardness； but it was only for an instant。 At the bedside of their patients the physiognomies of these fashionable doctors become expert in lying。 In his most tender； most cordial manner； he replied； disclosing a row of dazzling white teeth：
〃What I promised shall be done； Mrs。 Jenkins。 And now； go in quickly and shut your window。 The fog is cold this morning。〃
Yes； the fog was cold； but white as snow mist； and； filling the air outside the glasses of the large brougham； it brightened with soft gleams the unfolded newspaper in the doctor's hands。 Over yonder； in the populous quarters； confined and gloomy； in the Paris of tradesman and mechanic； that charming morning haze which lingers in the great thoroughfares is not known。 The bustle of awakening； the going and coming of the market…carts； of the omnibuses； of the heavy trucks rattling their old iron； have early and quickly cut it up； unravelled and scattered it。 Every passer…by carries away a little of it in a threadbare overcoat； a muffler which shows the woof； and coarse gloves rubbed one against the other。 It soaks through the thin blouses； and the mackintoshes thrown over the working skirts； it melts away at every breath that is drawn； warm from sleeplessness or alcohol； it is engulfed in the depths of empty stomachs； dispersed in the shops as they are opened； and the dark courts； or even to the fireless attics。 That is the reason why there remains so little of it out of doors。 But in that spacious and grandiose region of Paris； which was inhabited by Jenkins's clients； on those wide boulevards planted with trees； and those deserted quays； the fog hovered without a stain； like so many sheets； with waverings and cotton wool…like flakes。 The effect was of a place inclosed； secret； almost sumptuous； as the sun after his slothful rising began to diffuse softly crimsoned tints； which gave to the mist enshrouding the rows of houses to their summits the appearance of white muslin thrown over some scarlet material。 One might have fancied it a great curtain beneath which nothing could be heard save the cautious closing of some court…yard gate； the tin measuring…cans of the milkmen； the little bells of a herd of she…asses passing at a quick trot followed by the short and panting breath of their shepherd； and the dull rumble of Jenkins's brougham commencing its daily round。
First； to Mora House。 This was a magnificent palace on the Quai d'Orsay； next door to the Spanish embassy； whose long terraces succeeded its own； having its principal entrance in the Rue de Lille； and a door upon the side next the river。 Between two lofty walls overgrown with ivy； and united by imposing vaulted arches； the brougham shot in； announced by two strokes of a sonorous bell which roused Jenkins from the reverie into which the reading of his newspaper seemed to have plunged him。 Then the noise of the wheels became deadened on the sand of a vast court…yard； and they drew up； after describing an elegant curve； before the steps of the mansion； which were surrounded by a large circular awning。 In the obscurity of the fog； a dozen carriages could be seen ranged in line； and along an avenue of acacias； quite withered at that season and leafless in their bark； the profiles of English grooms leading out the saddle…horses of the duke for their exercise。 Everything revealed a luxury thought…out； settled； grandiose； and assured。
〃It is quite useless for me to come early； others always arrive before me；〃 said Jenkins to himself as he saw the file in which his brougham took its place； but； certain of not having to wait； with head carried high； and an air of tranquil authority； he ascended that official flight of steps which is mounted every day by so many trembling ambitions； so many anxieties on hesitating feet。
From the very antechamber； lofty and resonant like a church； which； although calorifers burned night and day； possessed two great wood… fires that filled it with a radiant life； the luxury of this interior reached you by warm and heady puffs。 It suggested at once a hot…house and a Turkish bath。 A great deal of heat and yet brightness； white wainscoting； white marbles； immense windows； nothing stifling or shut in； and yet a uniform atmosphere meet for the surrounding of some rare existence； refined and nervous。 Jenkins always expanded in this factitious sun of wealth； he greeted with a 〃good…morning； my lads；〃 the powdered porter； with his wide golden scarf； the footmen in knee… breeches and livery of gold and blue； all standing to do him honour； lightly drew his finger across the bars of the large cages of monkeys full of sharp cries and capers； and； whistling under his breath； stepped quickly up the staircase of shining marble laid with a carpet as thick as the turf of a lawn； which led to the apartments of the duke。 Although six months had passed since his first visit to Mora House； the good doctor was not yet become insensible to the quite physical impression of gaiety； of frivolity； which he received from this dwelling。
Although you were in the abode of the first official of the Empire there was nothing here suggestive of the work of government or its boxes of dusty old papers。 The duke had only consented to accept his high dignitaries as Minister of State and President of the Council upon the condition that he should not quit his private mansion； he only went to his office for an hour or two daily； the time necessary to give the indispensable signatures； and held his receptions in his bed…chamber。 At this moment； notwithstanding the earliness of the hour； the hall was crowded。 You saw there grave； anxious faces； provincial prefects with shaven lips； and administrative whiskers； slightly less arrogant in this antechamber than yonder in their prefectures； magistrates of austere air； sober in gesture； deputies important of manner； big…wigs of the financial world； rich and boorish manufacturers； among whom stood out here and there the slender； ambitious figure of some substitute of a prefectorial councillor； in the garb of one seeking a favour； dress…coat and white tie； and all； standing； sitting in groups or solitary； sought silently to penetrate with their gaze that high door closed upon their destiny； by which they would issue forth directly triumphant or with cast…down head。 Jenkins passed through the crowd rapidly； and every one followed with an envious eye this newcomer whom the doorkeeper； with his official chain； correct and icy in his demeanour； seated at a table beside the door； greeted with a little smile at once respectful and familiar。
〃Who is with him？〃 asked the doctor； indicating the chamber of the duke。
Hardly moving his lips； and not without a slightly ironical glance of the eye； the doorkeeper whispered a name which； if they had heard it； would have roused the indignation of all these high personages who had been waiting for an hour past until the costumier of the opera should have ended his audience。
A sound of voices； a ray of light。 Jenkins had just entered the duke's presence； he never waited； he。
Standing with his back to the fireplace； closely wrapped in a dressin