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Brohl had an imagination that readily took fire； and； when his imagination
was kindled； he felt within him something warm； which he took for a heart；
and sincerely persuaded himself that he had such an organ。 At this moment
he saw Antoinette as he had left her the evening previous； her face
animated； her cheeks flushed； her countenance full of reproach； her eyes
tearful。 She never had appeared to him so charming。 He believed himself
so madly in love that he was inclined to mock a little at himself。 He teased
in anticipation the joys that were in reserve for him； he revelled in thought
of the day and the hour when this superb creature would be his； when he
could view her as his own undisputed possession； and devour page after
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page； chapter after chapter； of this elegantly printed； richly bound book。
However； he was not the man to wholly absorb himself in such a
reverie。 His thoughts travelled farther； in idea he embraced his entire
future； which he fashioned out at pleasure。 He took leave of his sorrowful
past as a blind man who by some miracle recovers his sight； parts from his
dog and his stafftroublesome witnesses of evil days。 He had done with
petty employments； with ungrateful toil； with humiliating servitude； with
anxiety about the morrow； with the necessity for counting every sou； with
meagre repasts； with sordid expedients； with sorrow； distress； and usuries；
to all these he said farewell。 Henceforth he would pick up silver and gold
by the shovelful； he would have a share in abundance of festivalsthe joy
of doing nothingthe pleasure of commandingall the sweetness and all
the calm satisfaction of delightful egotismreposing in a bed of eider…
downfed upon delicate birdsowning two or three houses； a carriage；
horses； and a box at the opera。 What a future！ At intervals Samuel Brohl
passed his tongue over his lips； they were parched with thirst。
Alnaschar the Lazy received one hundred drachms of silver as his
entire patrimony； and he promised himself that he would one day marry
the daughter of the grand…vizier。 He meant to clothe himself like a prince；
to mount upon a horse with a saddle of fine gold and housings of gold；
richly embroidered with diamonds and pearls。 He proposed to see that his
wife formed good habits； to train her to obedience； to teach her to stand
before him and be always ready to wait upon him； he resolved to
discipline her with his looks； his hand； and his foot。 Samuel Brohl
possessed a calmer spirit than the Athenian Hippoclide； he was less brutal
than Alnaschar of Bagdad： was he much less ferocious？ He proposed； he
also； to educate his wife； he intended that the daughter of the grand…vizier
should consecrate herself wholly to his happiness； to his service。 To
possess a beautiful slave； with velvety eyes； chestnut hair； tinged with gold；
who would make of Samuel Brohl her padishah and her god； who would
pass her life at his knees on the alert for his wishes； reading his good
pleasure in his face； attentive to his fancies and to his eye…brows；
belonging to him body and soul； uplifting to him the gaze of a timid
gazelle or a faithful spanielsuch was his dream of conjugal felicity。 And
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little need would he have to exert himself much in the education of Mlle。
Antoinette Moriaz。 Love would charge itself with that。 She adored Samuel
Brohl； and he relied upon her devotion； it were impossible that she could
refuse him anything！ She was prepared in advance for every compliance；
every obedience； she was ready to be his humble servant in all things。
Knaves make it their boast that they can readily fathom honest people； the
truth is； they only half comprehend them。 Honest people have sentiments；
as do certain languages； reputed easy； which are full of mystery； of refined
delicacy； inaccessible to the vulgar mind。 A commercial traveller often
learns to speak Italian in three weeks； and yet never really knows the
language； Samuel Brohl had gained a superficial knowledge of Mlle。
Moriaz in a few days； and yet he was far from having a true
comprehension of her。
He arrived at Maisons in the most cheerful； self…satisfied frame of
mind。 As he walked through the park； he remembered that Mme。 de Lorcy
had lost her only two children when they were still of a tender age； that
she was therefore free to will her property as she pleased； that she had a
short neck； an apoplectic temperament； that Antoinette was her
goddaughter； that although she was piqued with Count Larinski the count
was adroit； and would find a way to regain her sympathies。 The park
appeared to him magnificent； he admired its long； regular alleys； which
had the appearance of extending as far as Peking； he paused some
moments before the purple beech； and it seemed to him that there must be
some resemblance between this beautiful tree and himself。 He
contemplated with the eyes of proprietorship the terrace planted with
superb lindens； and he decided that he would establish himself in his
Maisons chateau； that his pretty Cormeilles villa would merely be his
country…seat。 As it may be seen； his imagination refused him nothing； it
placed happiness and wealth untold at his command。
We are unable to state whether Mme。 de Lorcy actually had an
apoplectic temperament； the one thing certain is； that she was not dead。
Samuel Brohl perceived her from afar on the veranda； which she had just
stepped out upon in order to watch for his arrival。 He had forgotten
himself in the park； which should one day be his park； and she was
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beginning to be uneasy about his coming。
She cried out to him： 〃At last！ You always make us wait for you；〃
adding； in a most affable tone； 〃We meet to…day under less tragic
circumstances than the la