第22章

Society alone has the right over its members of repression; as for punishment, I deny it that right.Repression suffices; and that, besides, brings with it punishment enough.

"So," resumed Monsieur Alain, continuing his history, having drawn from it that noble teaching, "after listening to the gossip of the Parisian, and relying on the wisdom of my old master, I condemned Mongenod.His play, 'Les Peruviens,' was announced.I expected to receive a ticket from Mongenod for the first representation; Iestablished in my own mind a sort of claim on him.It seemed to me that by reason of my loan my friend was a sort of vassal of mine, who owed me a number of things besides the interest on my money.We all think that.Mongenod not only did not send me a ticket, but I saw him from a distance coming towards me in that dark passage under the Theatre Feydeau, well dressed, almost elegant; he pretended not to see me; then, after he had passed and I turned to run after him, my debtor hastily escaped through a transverse alley.This circumstance greatly irritated me; and the irritation, instead of subsiding with time, only increased, and for the following reason: Some days after this encounter, I wrote to Mongenod somewhat in these terms: 'My friend, you ought not to think me indifferent to whatever happens to you of good or evil.Are you satisfied with the success of 'Les Peruviens'?

You forgot me (of course it was your right to do so) for the first representation, at which I should have applauded you.But, nevertheless, I hope you found a Peru in your Peruvians, for I have found a use for my funds, and shall look to you for the payment of them when the note falls due.Your friend, Alain.' After waiting two weeks for an answer, I went to the rue des Moineaux.The landlady told me that the little wife really did go away with her father at the time when Mongenod told Bordin of their departure.Mongenod always left the garret very early in the morning and did not return till late at night.Another two weeks, I wrote again, thus: 'My dear Mongenod, Icannot find you, and you do not reply to my letters.I do not understand your conduct.If I behaved thus to you, what would you think of me?' I did not subscribe the letter as before, 'Your friend,'

I merely wrote, 'Kind regards.'

"Well, it was all of no use," said Monsieur Alain."A month went by and I had no news of Mongenod.'Les Peruviens' did not obtain the great success on which he counted.I went to the twentieth representation, thinking to find him and obtain my money.The house was less than half full; but Madame Scio was very beautiful.They told me in the foyer that the play would run a few nights longer.I went seven different times to Mongenod's lodging and did not find him; each time I left my name with the landlady.At last I wrote again:

'Monsieur, if you do not wish to lose my respect, as you have my friendship, you will treat me now as a stranger,--that is to say, with politeness; and you will tell me when you will be ready to pay your note, which is now due.I shall act according to your answer.Your obedient servant, Alain.' No answer.We were then in 1799; one year, all but two months, had expired.At the end of those two months I went to Bordin.Bordin took the note, had it protested, and sued Mongenod for me.Meantime the disasters of the French armies had produced such depreciation of the Funds that investors could buy a five-francs dividend on seven francs capital.Therefore, for my hundred louis in gold, I might have bought myself fifteen hundred francs of income.

Every morning, as I took my coffee and read the paper, I said to myself: 'That cursed Mongenod! if it were not for him I should have three thousand francs a year to live on.' Mongenod became by /bete-noire/; I inveighed against him even as I walked the streets.'Bordin is there,' I thought to myself; 'Bordin will put the screws on, and a good thing, too.' My feelings turned to hatred, and my hatred to imprecations; I cursed the man, and I believed he had every vice.'Ah!

Monsieur Barillaud was very right,' thought I, 'in all he told me!'"Monsieur Alain paused reflectively.

"Yes," he said again, "I thought him very right in all he told me.At last, one morning, in came my debtor, no more embarrassed than if he didn't owe me a sou.When I saw him I felt all the shame he ought to have felt.I was like a criminal taken in the act; I was all upset.

The eighteenth Brumaire had just taken place.Public affairs were doing well, the Funds had gone up.Bonaparte was off to fight the battle of Marengo.'It is unfortunate, monsieur,' I said, receiving Mongenod standing, 'that I owe your visit to a sheriff's summons.'

Mongenod took a chair and sat down.'I came to tell you,' he said, 'that I am totally unable to pay you.' 'You made me miss a fine investment before the election of the First Consul,--an investment which would have given me a little fortune.' 'I know it, Alain,' he said, 'I know it.But what is the good of suing me and crushing me with bills of costs? I have nothing with which to pay anything.

Lately I received letters from my wife and father-in-law; they have bought land with the money you lent me, and they send me a list of things they need to improve it.Now, unless some one prevents it, Ishall sail on a Dutch vessel from Flushing, whither I have sent the few things I am taking out to them.Bonaparte has won the battle of Marengo, peace will be signed, I may safely rejoin my family; and Ihave need to, for my dear little wife is about to give birth to a child.' 'And so you have sacrificed me to your own interests?' said I.