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Now the intention, as well as the words of the author, represented the "aristocracy" in quite a different light. That line should have read "that elegance and etiquette which distinguish the well-bred from the parvenu of society, etc."
But Frederick's countenance soon cleared, and he said, with perfect composure: "We wish you to show us your picture-gallery, sir." The tone in which he spoke was less pleading than commanding, and roused the anger of the easily enraged parvenu. "Sir, I have a picture-gallery, arranged for my own pleasure and paid for with my own money.
And all at once the wealth displayed in the Countess de Restaud's drawing-room rose before his eyes. That was the luxury which Goriot's daughter had loved too well, the gilding, the ostentatious splendor, the unintelligent luxury of the parvenu, the riotous extravagance of a courtesan.
The son of a workman, Pierre Simon still further admired the Emperor, because that imperial parvenu had always known how to make that popular heart beat nobly, and, remembering the people, from the masses of whom he first arose, had invited them fraternally to share in regal and aristocratic pomp. When Marshal Simon entered the room, his countenance was much agitated.
Even Lesage, so exact in his description of all that is exterior, lacked this literary truthfulness. His Spain is a land of fancy; his Spaniards are not Spanish; Gil Blas, albeit he comes from Santillana, is a Frenchman. Marivaux was wiser in placing his Vie de Marianne and his Paysan parvenu in France.
Dancers and dysard, presently visible through the subsiding dust, looked rather foolish and crestfallen. And all the branches of the conservative old elm above them seemed to be quivering with indignation. In a sense this elm was a mere parvenu as compared with its beloved dancers.
The Prince de Poix was likewise reminded by him, in a letter, of the decision he had expressed against Lecour during their interview some months before. These precautions taken, he remained in Paris, confidently awaiting the outbreak of his powder mines and the destruction of the parvenu. Matters lay in a condition of suspense until the fateful hour.
He rose, and in reply to Cicero, in a forced tone of humility protested his innocence. He tried also another point. Was he, a man of ancient and noble family; to be hastily condemned by his fellow-nobles on the word of this 'foreigner', as he contemptuously called Cicero this parvenu from Arpinum?
The answer is, Because his mood was very far from Titian's, because he makes a comment that Titian never makes upon his Venuses and Bacchanals. Rubens makes no comment at all: his attitude towards the classical is that of the wondering parvenu. Titian through the classical expresses the Renaissance liberation from scruple and fear.
Metropolitan magnificence, which, if the parvenu could not equal, he at least could imitate, seemed a poor return for the feudal splendour and impartial festivity of an Hungarian magnate. While he was brooding over these reminiscences, it suddenly occurred to him that he had never made a progress into his western territories.
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