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Updated: June 19, 2025
He would have lived in her house, and have surrounded her old age with care and affection. And then, he was so full of ability that he could not help attaining a brilliant position. She would have helped him, and would have rejoiced in his success. And all this scaffolding was overturned because this Panine had crossed Micheline's path. A foreign adventurer, prince perhaps, but who could tell?
The blood rushed to her cheeks. She whispered, "It is he!" and, hesitating, she remained a moment leaning on the piano, listening vaguely to the sounds in the drawing-room. The footman's voice announcing the visitor reached the young girls: "Prince Panine." Jeanne also rose then, and if Micheline had turned round she would have been frightened at the pallor of her companion.
The world sees him elegant and happy, and its envies his luxury; but this luxury is as deluding as watch-chains made of pinchbeck. You understand now that I cannot seriously ask you to share such an existence." But if, with this sketch of his life, correctly described, Panine thought to turn the young girl against him, he was mistaken.
You have come from Madame Desvarennes. You are both agreed that I shall give up the Universal Credit, but I will not yield to any pressure. I know what I am doing. Be easy." And quietly lighting another cigarette, he gracefully puffed the smoke toward the ceiling. Cayrol did not trouble to argue, but took a newspaper from his pocket and handed it to Panine, simply saying, "Read!"
Besides, I reserve the right of divulging Herzog's fraud without implicating Panine, if the shareholders insist. Trust me, I will catch Herzog another time. It is my stupid confidence in that man which has been partly the cause of this disaster. I will make your business mine and force him to shell out. I shall leave for London to- night, by the 1.50 train.
With a bound, without going through the offices, without even taking off her bonnet and cloak, she went up to Serge's apartments. Without hesitating, she entered the smoking-room. Panine was there. Evidently he was expecting her. On seeing Madame Desvarennes he rose, with a smile: "One can see that you are at home," said he, ironically; "you come in without knocking."
Panine turned horribly pale, and advanced toward Cayrol, despite Jeanne, who was clinging to him. "Don't insult me; it is superfluous," said he. "My life belongs to you; you can take it. I shall be at your service whenever you please." Cayrol burst into a fearful laugh. "Ah! a duel! Come! Am I a gentleman? I am a plebeian! a rustic! a cowherd! you know that! I have you now!
He understood that he must not leave her with the slightest hope of encouragement, but throw ice on the fire which was devouring her. "My dear Jeanne," he said, with affectionate sweetness, "you are talking nonsense. Remember this, that for Prince Panine there are only three social'conditions possible: to be rich, a soldier, or a priest. I have the choice. It is for you to decide."
Panine could not control a gesture of vexation, which made the financier smile. "Am I wrong?" asked Herzog. "Can our friend Cayrol have refused your request? By-the-bye, did you not quarrel with Madame Desvarennes yesterday? Whoever was it told me that?
"Oh, I know capitalists run after you," said Cayrol, laughingly; "and to welcome them you affect the scruples of a pretty woman. But let us go and congratulate the Prince." While Cayrol and Herzog were exchanging those few words which had such a considerable influence on the future of Serge Panine a scene, terrible in its simplicity, was going on without being noticed.
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