第24章 FLORINE(5)

He rushed through the various rooms of Florine's apartment,followed by Blondet,who thought him crazy,looking with a greedy eye upon the wealth displayed there.Blondet understood that look.

"There's a hundred and more thousand francs in them,"he remarked.

"Yes,"said Raoul,sighing,as he looked at Florine's sumptuous bedstead;"but I'd rather be a pedler all my life on the boulevard,and live on fried potatoes,than sell one item of this apartment.""Not one item,"said Blondet;"sell all.Ambition is like death;it takes all or nothing.""No,a hundred times no!I would take anything from my new countess;but rob Florine of her shell?no."

"Upset our money-box,break one's balance-pole,smash our refuge,--yes,that would be serious,"said Blondet with a tragic air.

"It seems to me from what I hear that you want to play politics instead of comedies,"said Florine,suddenly appearing.

"Yes,my dear,yes,"said Raoul,affectionately taking her by the neck and kissing her forehead."Don't make faces at that;you won't lose anything.A minister can do better than a journalist for the queen of the boards.What parts and what holidays you shall have!""Where will you get the money?"she said.

"From my uncle,"replied Raoul.

Florine knew Raoul's "uncle."The word meant usury,as in popular parlance "aunt"means pawn.

"Don't worry yourself,my little darling,"said Blondet to Florine,tapping her shoulder."I'll get him the assistance of Massol,a lawyer who wants to be deputy;also Finot,who has never yet got beyond his 'petit-journal,'and Pantin,who wants to be master of petitions,and who dabbles in reviews.Yes,I'll save him from himself;we'll convoke here to supper Etienne Lousteau,who can do the feuilleton;Claude Vignon for criticisms;Felicien Vernou as general care-taker;the lawyer will work,and du Tillet may take charge of the Bourse,the money article,and all industrial questions.We'll see where these various talents and slaves united will land the enterprise.""In a hospital or a ministry,--where all men ruined in body or mind are apt to go,"said Raoul,laughing.

"Where and when shall we invite them?"

"Here,five days hence."

"Tell me the sum you want,"said Florine,simply.

"Well,the lawyer,du Tillet,and Raoul will each have to put up a hundred thousand francs before they embark on the affair,"replied Blondet."Then the paper can run eighteen months;about long enough for a rise and fall in Paris."Florine gave a little grimace of approval.The two friends jumped into a cabriolet to go about collecting guests and pens,ideas and self-interests.