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！
came to finish his education in Paris； where he acquired excellent
manners in the society of Madame d'Egmont； Count Horn； the Prince of
Aremberg； the Spanish ambassador； Helvetius； and other Frenchmen
originally from Belgium； or coming lately thence； whose birth or
wealth won them admittance among the great seigneurs who at that time
gave the tone to social life。 Young Claes found several relations and
friends ready to launch him into the great world at the very moment
when that world was about to fall。 Like other young men； he was at
first more attracted by glory and science than by the vanities of
life。 He frequented the society of scientific men； particularly
Lavoisier； who at that time was better known to the world for his
enormous fortune as a 〃fermier…general〃 than for his discoveries in
chemistry；though later the great chemist was to eclipse the man of
wealth。
Balthazar grew enamored of the science which Lavoisier cultivated； and
became his devoted disciple； but he was young； and handsome as
Helvetius； and before long the Parisian women taught him to distil wit
and love exclusively。 Though he had studied chemistry with such ardor
that Lavoisier commended him； he deserted science and his master for
those mistresses of fashion and good taste from whom young men take
finishing lessons in knowledge of life； and learn the usages of good
society； which in Europe forms； as it were； one family。
The intoxicating dream of social success lasted but a short time。
Balthazar left Paris； weary of a hollow existence which suited neither
his ardent soul nor his loving heart。 Domestic life； so calm； so
tender； which the very name of Flanders recalled to him； seemed far
more fitted to his character and to the aspirations of his heart。 No
gilded Parisian salon had effaced from his mind the harmonies of the
panelled parlor and the little garden where his happy childhood had
slipped away。 A man must needs be without a home to remain in Paris；
Paris； the city of cosmopolitans； of men who wed the world； and clasp
her with the arms of Science； Art； or Power。
The son of Flanders came back to Douai； like La Fontaine's pigeon to
its nest； he wept with joy as he re…entered the town on the day of the
Gayant procession；Gayant； the superstitious luck of Douai； the glory
of Flemish traditions； introduced there at the time the Claes family
had emigrated from Ghent。 The death of Balthazar's father and mother
had left the old mansion deserted； and the young man was occupied for
a time in settling its affairs。 His first grief over； he wished to
marry； he needed the domestic happiness whose every religious aspect
had fastened upon his mind。 He even followed the family custom of
seeking a wife in Ghent； or at Bruges； or Antwerp； but it happened
that no woman whom he met there suited him。 Undoubtedly； he had
certain peculiar ideas as to marriage； from his youth he had been
accused of never following the beaten track。
One day； at the house of a relation in Ghent； he heard a young lady；
then living in Brussels； spoken of in a manner which gave rise to a
long discussion。 Some said that the beauty of Mademoiselle de Temninck
was destroyed by the imperfections of her figure； others declared that
she was perfect in spite of her defects。 Balthazar's old cousin； at
whose house the discussion took place； assured his guests that；
handsome or not； she had a soul that would make him marry her were he
a marrying man； and he told how she had lately renounced her share of
her parents' property to enable her brother to make a marriage worthy
of his name； thus preferring his happiness to her own； and sacrificing
her future to his interests；for it was not to be supposed that
Mademoiselle de Temninck would marry late in life and without property
when； young and wealthy； she had met with no aspirant。
A few days later； Balthazar Claes made the acquaintance of
Mademoiselle de Temninck； with whom he fell deeply in love。 At first；
Josephine de Temninck thought herself the object of a mere caprice；
and refused to listen to Monsieur Claes； but passion is contagious；
and to a poor girl who was lame and ill…made； the sense of inspiring
love in a young and handsome man carries with it such strong seduction
that she finally consented to allow him to woo her。
It would need a volume to paint the love of a young girl humbly
submissive to the verdict of a world that calls her plain； while she
feels within herself the irresistible charm which comes of sensibility
and true feeling。 It involves fierce jealousy of happiness； freaks of
cruel vengeance against some fancied rival who wins a glance；
emotions； terrors； unknown to the majority of women； and which ought；
therefore； to be more than indicated。 The doubt； the dramatic doubt of
love； is the keynote of this analysis； where certain souls will find
once more the lost； but unforgotten； poetry of their early struggles；
the passionate exaltations of the heart which the face must not
betray； the fear that we may not be understood； and the boundless joy
of being so； the hesitations of the soul which recoils upon itself；
and the magnetic propulsions which give to the eyes an infinitude of
shades； the promptings to suicide caused by a word； dispelled by an
intonation； trembling glances which veil an inward daring； sudden
desires to speak and act that are paralyzed by their own violence； the
secret eloquence of common phrases spoken in a quivering voice； the
mysterious workings of that pristine modesty of soul and that divine
discernment which lead to hidden generosities； and give so exquisite a
flavor to silent devotion； in short； all the loveliness of young love；
and the weaknesses of its power。
Mademoiselle Josephine de Temninck was coquettish from nobility of
soul。 The sense of her obvious imperfections made her as difficult to
win as the handsomest of women。 The fear of some day displeasing the
eye roused her pride； destroyed her trustfulness； and gave her the
courage to hide in the depths of her heart that dawning happiness
which other women delight in making known by their manners；wearing
it proudly； like a coronet。 The more love urged her towards Balthazar；
the less she dared to express her feelings。 The glance； the gesture；
the question and answer as it were of a pretty woman； so flattering to
the man she loves； would they not be in her case mere humiliating
speculation？ A beautiful woman can be her natural self；the world
overlooks her little follies or her clumsiness； whereas a single
criticising glance checks the noblest expression on the lips of an
ugly woman； adds to the ill…grace of her gesture； gives timidity to
her eyes and awkwardness to her whole bearing。 She knows too well that
to her alone the world condones no faults； she is denied the right to
repair them； indeed； the chance to do so is never given。 This
necessity of being perfect and on her guard at every moment； must
surely chill her faculties an