[The Two Brothers by Honore de Balzac]@TWC D-Link book
The Two Brothers

CHAPTER X
24/26

was a locksmith.

These candlesticks were ornamented with circlets made of the roots of rose, peach, and apricot trees.

Madame Hochon actually risked the use of her precious relics! These preparations and this sacrifice increased old Hochon's anxiety; up to this time he had not believed in the arrival of the Bridaus.
The morning of the day that was celebrated by the trick on Fario, Madame Hochon said to her husband after breakfast:-- "I hope, Hochon, that you will receive my goddaughter, Madame Bridau, properly." Then, after making sure that her grandchildren were out of hearing, she added: "I am mistress of my own property; don't oblige me to make up to Agathe in my will for any incivility on your part." "Do you think, madame," answered Hochon, in a mild voice, "that, at my age, I don't know the forms of decent civility ?" "You know very well what I mean, you crafty old thing! Be friendly to our guests, and remember that I love Agathe." "And you love Maxence Gilet also, who is getting the property away from your dear Agathe! Ah! you've warmed a viper in your bosom there; but after all, the Rouget money is bound to go to a Lousteau." After making this allusion to the supposed parentage and both Max and Agathe, Hochon turned to leave the room; but old Madame Hochon, a woman still erect and spare, wearing a round cap with ribbon knots and her hair powdered, a taffet petticoat of changeable colors like a pigeon's breast, tight sleeves, and her feet in high-heeled slippers, deposited her snuff-box on a little table, and said:-- "Really, Monsieur Hochon, how can a man of your sense repeat absurdities which, unhappily, cost my poor friend her peace of mind, and Agathe the property which she ought to have had from her father.

Max Gilet is not the son of my brother, whom I often advised to save the money he paid for him.

You know as well as I do that Madame Rouget was virtue itself--" "And the daughter takes after her; for she strikes me as uncommonly stupid.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books