第36章

There are moments when the aspect of the most common objects stirs the soul with solemn emotion.When the condemned man is led out to die, the least straw on the floor of his cell seems to say something to his heart.Finally, gathering all his courage, Stephane raised the cup and carried it to his mouth; but before it had touched his lips, the Count took it roughly from his hands.

Stephane uttered a piercing cry and fell back in his chair with closed eyes.M.Leminof looked at him for a moment with a sarcastic and scornful smile; then bending over the cup he examined it with care, smelt of it, and dipping his spoon in it, drew out two or three yellow grains which he rubbed and pulverized between his fingers.Then in a tone as tranquil and as indifferent as if speaking of the rain, or of the fine weather, he said:

"It is phosphorus, a sufficiently active poison, and phosphorus matches have been the death of a man more than once.But I saw your little paper some time before.If I am not mistaken the dose was not strong enough." And dipping his finger in the cup, he passed it over his tongue, and curled his lip disdainfully."I was not mistaken," continued he, "it would only have given you a violent colic.It was very imprudent in you; you do not like to suffer, and you know we have only fresh-water physicians in this neighborhood.Why didn't you wait a few hours? Doctor Vladimir Paulitch will be here to-morrow evening." And then he went on in a more phlegmatic tone."It should be a first principle to do thoroughly whatever you undertake to do at all.Thus, when a man wants to kill himself according to rule, he should not begin by exciting suspicions in talking of the cemetery.And as these affairs require the exercise of coolness, he should not try to get intoxicated.The courage which a person finds at the bottom of a glass of Marsala is not of a good quality, and the approach of death always sobers one.Finally, when a man has seriously resolved to kill himself, he does not do this little thing at the table, in company, but in his room, after having carefully bolted the door.In short, your little scene has failed in every point, and you do not know the first rudiments of this fine art.I advise you not to meddle with it any more."At these words he pulled the bell for Ivan.

"Your young master wanted to kill himself," said he; "take him to his room and prepare him a composing draught that will put him to sleep.Watch with him to-night, and in future be careful not to leave any phosphorus matches in his rooms.Not that I suspect him of entertaining any intense desire of killing himself,--but who knows? Wounded vanity might drive him to try it.As his nerves are excited, you will see that for some days he takes a great deal of exercise.If the weather is fine tomorrow, keep him in the open air all day, and in the evening walk him on the terrace; he must get his blood stirred up."From the moment that his father had taken the poisoned cup from him, Stephane had remained petrified on his chair, with livid face and arms hanging over his knees, giving no sign of life.When Ivan approached to take him away, he rose with a start, and leaning upon the arm of the serf, he crossed the room without opening his eyes.

When he had gone, the Count heaved a long sigh of weariness and dejection.

"What did I tell you?" exclaimed he, throwing upon Gilbert a scrutinizing look; "this boy has a theatrical turn of mind.Iwould wager my life that he hadn't the faintest desire to kill himself: he only aimed at exciting us; but certainly if it was the sensitive heart of Father Alexis which he took for a target, he has lost the trouble." And he directed Gilbert's attention to the worthy priest, who, as soon as he had emptied his cup, had fallen sound asleep on his stool, and smiled at the angels in his dreams.

Gilbert gave the Count a lively and agreeable surprise by answering him in the steadiest tone:

"You are entirely right, sir; it was only a very ridiculous affectation.Fortunately, we may consider it pretty certain that our young tragedian will not regale us a second time with his little play.Where courage is required, it is good to have an opportunity of seeing to the bottom of one's sack; nothing is more likely to cure a boaster of the foolish mania for blustering.""Decidedly my secretary is improving," thought the Count; "he has a tender mouth and feels the curb." And in the joy which this discovery gave him, he felt that he entertained for him sentiments of real friendship, of which he would not have believed himself capable.His surprise and pleasure increased still more when Gilbert resumed:

"But apropos, sir, do you persist in believing that, according to Constantius Porphyrogennatus, all Greece became Slavonian in the eighteenth century? I have new objections to present to you on that subject.And first this famous Copronymus of whom he speaks...."They did not rise from the table until eleven o'clock.It was necessary to awaken Father Alexis, who slept during the whole time, his right arm extended over his plate, and his head leaning upon his elbow.The Count having shaken him, he rose with a start and exclaimed:

"Don't touch it! The colors are all fresh; Jacob's beard is such a fine gray!"The compliant secretary retired humming an aria.M.Leminof followed him with his eyes, and, pointing after him, said to his serf in a confidential tone:

"Thou seest that man there; just fancy! I feel friendship for him.

He is at least my most cherished--habit.My suspicions were absurd, thou wert right in combating them.By way of precaution, however, make a tour of the corridor between midnight and two o'clock.Now come and double-lock me in my room, for I feel a paroxysm coming on.To-morrow at five o'clock thou wilt come to open it for me.""Count Kostia!" murmured Gilbert, when he found himself in his room, "fear no longer that I shall think of leaving you.Whatever happens, I remain here.Count Kostia, understand me, you have buried the smile: I take heaven to witness that I will resuscitate it."