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Updated: June 13, 2025
The attention of the socius was divided between the least noise from without, and the slow evolution of the hands of the watch, which he followed with his little, wrathful eye, as if hastening their progress, so great was his impatience for the hour of noon. The notary, unfolding the sheet of parchment, read what follows, in the midst of profound attention: Hameau de Villetaneuse,
A tintamarre of voices and a jingle of glasses accompanied the violins and tambours de Basque as the company stood up and sang the song, winding up with a grand burst at the chorus: "'Vivat! vivat! vivat! cent fois vivat! Novus socius qui tam bene parlat! Mille mille annis et manget et bibat, Fripet et friponnat!"
"What! you quit your place you cease writing?" said the reverend father, in amazement. Then, addressing the princess, who shared in his astonishment, he added, as he glanced contemptuously at the socius, "He is losing his senses." "Forgive him," replied Mme. de Saint-Dizier; "it is, no doubt, the emotion caused by the ruin of this affair."
The socius, therefore, judging this a very good opportunity to walk off with the casket, during the general silence and stupor which still continued, slightly touched Father d'Aigrigny's elbow, made him a sign of intelligence, and, tucking the cedar-wood chest under his arm, was hastening towards the door.
The socius had not spoken a word, but his hideous countenance, now flushed, suddenly revealed such a sense of his superiority, and such sovereign contempt for Father d'Aigrigny, mingled with so calm and serene a daring, that the reverend father and the princess were quite confounded by it. They felt themselves overawed by this little old man, so sordid and so ugly.
"You are not able," answered Rose-Pompon, majestically; then she added with a mocking air, "So, we have our little pussy-cat hiding-places; we change our name; we are afraid Mamma Rodin will find us out." "Come, my dear child," said the socius, with a paternal smile; "you have come to the right quarter. I am an old man, but I love youth happy, joyous youth! Amuse yourself, pray, at my expense.
Samuel entered the room, and said: "A rather old man wishes to speak to M. Rodin." "That is my name, sir," answered the socius, in surprise; "I am much obliged to you." But, before following the Jew, he gave to Father d'Aigrigny a few words written with a pencil upon one of the leaves of his packet-book.
"It's not here," said he, moving towards the stairs. "I do not know him. Inquire above or below." "No, you don't! giving yourself airs at your age!" said Rose-Pompon, shrugging her shoulders. "As if we did not know that you are M. Rodin." "Charlemagne," said the socius, bowing; "Charlemagne, to serve you if I am able."
Faringhea thought to astonish or intimidate Rodin by these ferocious words; but, to his great surprise, the socius, impassible as a corpse, said to him, quite simply: "Oh! they strangle people in Java?" "Yes, there and elsewhere," answered Faringhea, with a bitter smile. "I would prefer to disbelieve you; but I am surprised at your sincerity M. , what is your name?" "Faringhea."
Oh, sir!" resumed Agricola, turning towards Father d'Aigrigny, with indignation, "my father is right such machinations are indeed infamous!" During this scene, the reverend father and his socius, at first alarmed and shaken in their audacity, had by degrees recovered all their coolness. Rodin, still leaning upon the casket, had said a few words in a low voice to Father d'Aigrigny.
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