The Wandering Jew — Complete
"Till now, there is no other proof than the spontaneous declaration of
Mrs. Grivois: but whilst I think of it," said the Princess, taking up a
paper that lay before her, "here is the report, which, every day, one of
Adrienne's women makes to me."
"The one that Rodin succeeded in introducing into your niece's service?"
"The same; as this creature is entirely in Rodin's hands, she has
hitherto answered our purpose very well. In this report, we shall
perhaps find the confirmation of what Mrs. Grivois affirms she saw."
Hardly had the Princess glanced at the note, than she exclaimed almost
in terror: "What do I see? Why, Adrienne is a very demon!"
"What now?"
"The bailiff at Cardoville, having written to my niece to ask her
recommendation, informed her at the same time of the stay of the Indian
prince at the castle. She knows that he is her relation, and has just
written to her old drawing-master, Norval, to set out post with Eastern
dresses, and bring Prince Djalma hither--the man that must be kept away
from Paris at any cost."
The marquis grew pale, and said to Mme. de Saint-Dizier: "If this be not
merely one of her whims, the eagerness she displays in sending for this
relation hither, proves that she knows more than you even suspected. She
is 'posted' on the affair of the medals. Have a care--she may ruin all."
"In that case," said the princess, resolutely, "there is no room to
hesitate. We must carry things further than we thought, and make an end
this very morning."
"Yes, though it is almost impossible."
"Nay, all is possible. The doctor and M. Tripeaud are ours," said the
princess, hastily.
"Though I am as sure as you are of the doctor, or of M. Tripeaud,
under present circumstances, we must not touch on the question of
acting--which will be sure to frighten them at first--until after
our interview with your niece. It will be easy, notwithstanding her
cleverness, to find out her armor's defect. If our suspicions should be
realized--if she is really informed of what it would be so dangerous for
her to know--then we must have no scruples, and above all no delay. This
very day must see all set at rest. The time for wavering is past."
"Have you been able to send for the person agreed on?" asked the
princess, after a moment's silence.
"He was to be here at noon. He cannot be long."
"I thought this room would do very well for our purpose. It is separated
from the smaller parlor by a curtain only behind which your man may be
stationed."
"Capital!"
"Is he a man to be depended on?"
"Quite so--we have often employed him in similar matters. He is as
skillful as discreet."
At this moment a low knock was heard at the door.
"Come in," said the princess.
"Dr. Baleinier wishes to know if her Highness the Princess can receive
him," asked the valet-de-chambre.
"Certainly. Beg him to walk in."
"There is also a gentleman that M. l'Abbe appointed to be here at noon,
by whose orders I have left him waiting in the oratory."
"'Tis the person in question," said the marquis to the princess. "We
must have him in first. 'Twould be useless for Dr. Baleinier to see him
at present."
"Show this person in first," said the princess; "next when I ring
the bell, you will beg Dr. Baleinier to walk this way: and, if Baron
Tripeaud should call, you will bring him here also. After that, I am at
home to no one, except Mdlle. Adrienne." The servant went out.
(9) With regard to this text, a commentary upon it will be found in the
Constitutions of the Jesuits, as follows: "In order that the habit of
language may come to the help of the sentiments, it is wise not to say,
'I have parents, or I have brothers;' but to say, 'I had parents; I had
brothers.'"--General Examination, p. 29; Constitutions.--Paulin; 1843.
Paris.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. ADRIENNE'S ENEMIES.
The Princess de Saint-Dizier's valet soon returned, showing in a little,
pale man, dressed in black, and wearing spectacles. He carried under his
left arm a long black morocco writing-case.
The princess said to this man: "M. l'Abbe, I suppose, has already
informed you of what is to be done?"
"Yes, your highness," said the man in a faint, shrill, piping voice,
making at the same time a low bow.
"Shall you be conveniently placed in this room?" asked the princess,
conducting him to the adjoining apartment, which was only separated from
the other by a curtain hung before a doorway.
"I shall do nicely here, your highness," answered the man in spectacles,
with a second and still lower bow.
"In that case, sir, please to step in here; I will let you know when it
is time."
"I shall wait your highness's order."
"And pray remember my instructions," added the marquis, as he unfastened
the loops of the curtain.
"You may be perfectly tranquil, M. l'Abbe." The heavy drapery, as it
fell, completely concealed the man in spectacles.
The princess touched the bell; some moments after, the door opened, and
the servant announced a very important personage in this work.
Dr. Baleinier was about fifty years of age, middling size, rather plump,
with a full shining, ruddy countenance. His gray hair, very smooth and
rather long, parted by a straight line in the middle, fell flat over
his temples. He had retained the fashion of wearing short, black silk
breeches, perhaps because he had a well-formed leg; his garters were
fastened with small, golden buckles, as were his shoes of polished
morocco leather; his coat, waistcoat, and cravat were black, which gave
him rather a clerical appearance; his sleek, white hand was half hidden
beneath a cambric ruffle, very closely plaited; on the whole, the
gravity of his costume did not seem to exclude a shade of foppery.
His face was acute and smiling; his small gray eye announced rare
penetration and sagacity. A man of the world and a man of pleasure,
a delicate epicure, witty in conversation, polite to obsequiousness,
supple, adroit, insinuating, Baleinier was one of the oldest favorites
of the congregational set of the Princess de Saint-Dizier. Thanks to
this powerful support, its cause unknown, the doctor, who had been
long neglected, in spite of real skill and incontestable merit, found
himself, under the Restoration, suddenly provided with two medical
sinecures most valuable, and soon after with numerous patients. We must
add, that, once under the patronage of the princess, the doctor began
scrupulously to observe his religious duties; he communicated once a
week, with great publicity, at the high mass in Saint Thomas Aquinas
Church.
At the year's end, a certain class of patients, led by the example and
enthusiasm of Madame de Saint-Dizier's followers, would have no other
physician than Doctor Baleinier, and his practice was now increased to
an extraordinary degree. It may be conceived how important it was for
the order, to have amongst its "plain clothes members" one of the most
popular practitioners of Paris.
A doctor has in some sort a priesthood of his own. Admitted at all hours
to the most secret intimacy of families, he knows, guesses, and is able
to effect much. Like the priest, in short, he has the ear of the sick
and the dying. Now, when he who cares for the health of the body, and he
who takes charge of the health of the soul, understands each other, and
render mutual aid for the advancement of a common interest, there is
nothing (with certain exceptions), which they may not extract from the
weakness and fears of a sick man at the last gasp--not for themselves
(the laws forbid it)--but for third parties belonging more or less
to the very convenient class of men of straw. Doctor Baleinier was
therefore one of the most active and valuable assistant members of the
Paris Jesuits.
When he entered the room, he hastened to kiss the princess's hand with
the most finished gallantry.
"Always punctual, my dear M. Baleinier."
"Always eager and happy to attend to your highness's orders." Then
turning towards the marquis, whose hand he pressed cordially, he added:
"Here we have you then at last. Do you know, that three months' absence
appears very long to your friends?"
"The time is as long to the absent as to those who remain, my dear
doctor. Well! here is the great day, Mdlle. de Cardoville is coming."
"I am not quite easy," said the princess; "suppose she had any
suspicion?"
"That's impossible," said M. Baleinier; "we are the best friends in the
world. You know, that Mdlle. Adrienne has always had great confidence in
me. The day before yesterday, we laughed a good deal, and as I made some
observations to her, as usual, on her eccentric mode of life, and on the
singular state of excitement in which I sometimes found her--"
"M. Baleinier never fails to insist on these circumstances, in
appearance so insignificant," said Madame de Saint-Dizier to the marquis
with a meaning look.
"They are indeed very essential," replied the other.
"Mdlle. Adrienne answered my observations," resumed the doctor, "by
laughing at me in the gayest and most witty manner; for I must confess,
that this young lady has one of the aptest and most accomplished minds I
know."
"Doctor, doctor!" said Madame de Saint-Dizier, "no weakness!"
Instead of answering immediately, M. Baleinier drew his gold snuff-box
from his waistcoat pocket, opened it, and took slowly a pinch of snuff,
looking all the time at the princess with so significant an air, that
she appeared quite reassured. "Weakness, madame?" observed he at last,
brushing some grains of snuff from his shirt-front with his plump white
hand; "did I not have the honor of volunteering to extricate you from
this embarrassment?"
"And you are the only person in the world that could render us this
important service," said D'Aigrigny.
"Your highness sees, therefore," resumed the doctor, "that I am not
likely to show any weakness. I perfectly understand the responsibility
of what I undertake; but such immense interests, you told me, were at
stake--"
"Yes," said D'Aigrigny, "interests of the first consequence."
"Therefore I did not hesitate," proceeded M. Baleinier; "and you need
not be at all uneasy. As a man of taste, accustomed to good society,
allow me to render homage to the charming qualities of Mdlle. Adrienne;
when the time for action comes, you will find me quite as willing to do
my work."
"Perhaps, that moment may be nearer than we thought," said Madame de
Saint-Dizier, exchanging a glance with D'Aigrigny.
"I am, and will be, always ready," said the doctor. "I answer for
everything that concerns myself. I wish I could be as tranquil on every
other point."
"Is not your asylum still as fashionable--as an asylum can well be?"
asked Madame de Saint-Dizier, with a half smile.
"On the contrary. I might almost complain of having too many boarders.
It is not that. But, whilst we are waiting for Mdlle. Adrienne, I will
mention another subject, which only relates to her indirectly, for
it concerns the person who, bought Cardoville Manor, one Madame de la
Sainte-Colombe, who has taken me for a doctor, thanks to Rodin's able
management."
"True," said D'Aigrigny; "Rodin wrote to me on the subject--but without
entering into details."
"These are the facts," resumed the doctor. "This Madame de la Sainte
Colombe, who was at first considered easy enough to lead, has shown
herself very refractory on the head of her conversion. Two spiritual
directors have already renounced the task of saving her soul. In
despair, Rodin unslipped little Philippon on her. He is adroit,
tenacious, and above all patient in the extreme--the very man that was
wanted. When I got Madame de la Sainte-Colombe for a patient, Philippon
asked my aid, which he was naturally entitled to. We agreed upon our