of illusion, excitement and apprehension, had been blind to the beauties and insensible to the pleasures of nature.
Since he was naturally sceptical, Clisson became melancholy. In his heart, reverie had replaced reflection. He no longer had anything to work towards, to fear, or to hope for. This state of tranquillity, so new to his spirit, might quickly have become stupor, without his being aware of it. From dawn to dusk, as he wandered in the countryside he was moved by the plight of the unfortunate people he came across, and lent them a helping hand.
The spa baths at Allès are about one league from Champvert. Many people went there to enjoy the coolness of the climate. Right from the start he saw this place as a landscape of emotions. It was a realm of enchantment, and he missed not a single day. Unknown as he was, he wandered amongst the throng of ‘hearts’. He gazed with interest at the beauty of the women and their dresses, mostly made of linen. People feel comfortable while taking the waters and he was able to engage in a great number of conversations (inconsequential in themselves but a contact nevertheless), which brought him relief from his melancholy and solitude.
One day when it had rained the day before, there were very few people at the spa. He noticed two young women who seemed to be enjoying themselves as they took their stroll; they walked with the lightness and energy of sixteen-year-olds. Amélie had beautifully set eyes, a slender and elegant figure, a bright complexion, a slightly oval face and an alabaster-white neck; she was seventeen. Eugénie was a year younger and not as pretty. When Amélie looked at you she seemed to be saying: ‘You find me pretty; perhaps you are even in love with me. But you should know that you are not the only one; and you will only attract my attention by flattering me. I like compliments, and I love allowing people to make them to me.’
Eugénie never looked at a man directly. When she gave her sweet smile, she revealed beautifully arranged pearly white teeth. If someone made as if to take her hand, she would proffer it timidly, but then take it away again as quickly as possible. It was as if she were afraid to show her pretty hand, where the blue of the veins contrasted with the whiteness of her skin. Amélie had the same effect as a piece of French music that everyone listens to with pleasure because they appreciate the succession of chords and are soothed by the harmony. Eugénie, on the other hand, was like a piece by Paesiello which transports and elevates only those souls born to appreciate it, leaving ordinary people unaffected. Amélie seemed to command young men to love her, whilst Eugénie appealed to ardent men, who love not as a pastime or as a contest but rather with a deep and committed passion. For the former, love came through beauty; for the latter, it could only come from real empathy. Many men had been Eugénie’s friend. But she was only prepared to share her more intimate feelings with one of them.
Clisson was drawn to Amélie by her fresh face and beautiful eyes. He contrived to find an opportunity to talk to the two girls and to accompany them to their country house, where he asked them if he might come to see them from time to time.
He could not stop thinking about the two pretty girls he had just encountered. He never tired of recalling Amélie’s face and going over what she had said; he was allowing himself to become besotted with her. But the vision of the silent, modest Eugénie kept getting in the way. She had had a strange effect on his heart, which disturbed the pleasure of the memory of the beautiful Amélie.
As for the two young women, they had each been affected very differently by Clisson. Amélie upbraided Eugénie for not having hidden the displeasure that the stranger’s conversation had inspired in her. Amélie found him sombre but distinguished-looking and refreshingly honest. Eugénie thought that Amélie had been too open with him. Her heart was troubled, and she believed that her unease stemmed from a great aversion she had conceived for the stranger; she could, however, find neither explanation nor justification for her aversion.
The next day, Amélie tried in vain to get Eugénie to agree to come to the spa, stubbornly pressing her case. But Eugénie would not countenance it and rose immediately on Amélie’s departure to write to her sister and then to walk around the estate.
Clisson was there already when Amélie arrived; and they picked up again like old friends. The freedom of the spa and the relaxed holiday atmosphere banished all formality and etiquette. They stayed several hours together, looking critically at the women in love; and the amiable, beautiful and charming Amélie returned home having formed an excellent opinion of Clisson. It was true she did not find him particularly seductive, but he was pleasant. She spoke only of Clisson all day long and persuaded Eugénie to take the waters the following day. Eugénie, meanwhile, had meditated a great deal upon some of the things the stranger had said; she did not know
whether to hate him or to be impressed by him.
The day before, Clisson and Amélie had tacitly agreed to meet. Clisson was careful not to miss the assignation. But when from afar he saw Amélie approaching, he was annoyed to see her with her friend. Eugénie, for her part, listened but either did not reply or answered indifferently. She fixed her eyes on the stranger’s, and never tired of looking at him. ‘What is the matter with him? How sombre and pensive he is! His glance has all the maturity of old age, but his physiognomy reveals the languor of adolescence.’ And then Eugénie became angry to see him so absorbed by Amélie. She feigned tiredness and persuaded the group to turn back to their country house. Here they were met by her doctor, who visited them from time to time. The doctor was astounded to see Amélie with Clisson, whom he did not bother to greet, although Amélie introduced him with the words ‘Monsieur Clisson’.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
