: Gustave Flaubert
: Sentimental Education, Volume 2
: Egoist Press
: 9781911429296
: 1
: CHF 3.70
:
: Erzählende Literatur
: English
: 240
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
The novel describes the life of a young man living through the revolution of 1848 and the founding of the Second French Empire, and his love for an older woman. Flaubert based many of the protagonist's experiences including the romantic passion on his own life. 'I want to write the moral history of the men of my generation-or, more accurately, the history of their feelings. It's a book about love, about passion; but passion such as can exist nowadays-that is to say, inactive.'

CHAPTER XII.

Little Louise Grows Up.

Deslauriers had carried away from[47] Frederick’s house the copy of the deed of subrogation, with a power of attorney in proper form, giving him full authority to act; but, when he had reascended his own five flights of stairs and found himself alone in the midst of his dismal room, in his armchair upholstered in sheep-leather, the sight of the stamped paper disgusted him.

He was tired of these things, and of restaurants at thirty-two sous, of travelling in omnibuses, of enduring want and making futile efforts. He took up the papers again; there were others near them. They were prospectuses of the coal-mining company, with a list of the mines and the particulars as to their contents, Frederick having left all these matters in his hands in order to have his opinion about them.

An idea occurred to him—that of presenting himself at M. Dambreuse’s house and applying for the post of secretary. This post, it was perfectly certain, could not be obtained without purchasing a certain number of shares. He recognised the folly of his project, and said to himself:[48]

“Oh! no, that would be a wrong step.”

Then he ransacked his brains to think of the best way in which he could set about recovering the fifteen thousand francs. Such a sum was a mere trifle to Frederick. But, if he had it, what a lever it would be in his hands! And the ex-law-clerk was indignant at the other being so well off.

“He makes a pitiful use of it. He is a selfish fellow. Ah! what do I care for his fifteen thousand francs!”

Why had he lent the money? For the sake of Madame Arnoux’s bright eyes. She was his mistress! Deslauriers had no doubt about it. “There was another way in which money was useful!”

And he was assailed by malignant thoughts.

Then he allowed his thoughts to dwell even on Frederick’s personal appearance. It had always exercised over him an almost feminine charm; and he soon came to admire it for a success which he realised that he was himself incapable of achieving.

“Nevertheless, was not the will the main element in every enterprise? and, since by its means we may triumph over everything——