Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 20, 2025
"Yes and no," replied Etienne Lousteau. "It is a supper, old chap." There will be play afterwards." "But we are engaged to Mme. Mahoudeau this evening, dear," put in the wife. "What does that matter?" returned Vernou. "She will take offence if we don't go; and you are very glad of her when you have a bill to discount."
Lucien began to understand the sour look which seemed to add to the bleak expression of envy on Vernou's face; the acerbity of the epigrams with which his conversation was sown, the journalist's pungent phrases, keen and elaborately wrought as a stiletto, were at once explained. "Let us go into my study," Vernou said, rising from the table; "you have come on business, no doubt."
Felicien Vernou, in a cotton dressing-gown contrived out of the remains of one of his wife's dresses, was not over well pleased by this invasion. "Have you breakfasted, Lousteau?" he asked, placing a chair for Lucien. "We have just left Florine; we have been breakfasting with her." Lucien could not take his eyes off Mme. Vernou.
A table covered with a green cloth was drawn up to a blazing fire, and seated in various chairs and lounges Lucien discovered Lousteau, Felicien Vernou, Hector Merlin, and two others unknown to him, all laughing or smoking.
"If you want a success," said Nathan, "instead of screaming, 'He is saved! like a Fury, walk on quite quietly, go to the staircase, and say, 'He is saved, in a chest voice, like Pasta's 'O patria, in Tancreda. There, go along!" and he pushed her towards the stage. "It is too late," said Vernou, "the effect has hung fire." "What did she do? the house is applauding like mad," asked Lousteau.
"Very well; Nathan, Vernou, and du Bruel will make the jokes at the end; and Blondet, good fellow, surely will vouchsafe a couple of short columns for the first sheet. I will run round to the printer. It is lucky that you brought your carriage, Tullia." "Yes, but the Duke is waiting below in it, and he has a German Minister with him." "Ask the Duke and the Minister to come up," said Nathan.
"Well," cried Vernou, "is Coralie's kept man likely to be so very particular?" "Oh!" replied Bixiou, "those thousand francs prove to me that our friend Lucien lives with La Torpille " "What an irreparable loss to literature, science, art, and politics!" exclaimed Blondet.
"Criminal procedure is based on the same rule," said Vernou. "Very well, we meet here at nine o'clock," and with that they rose, and the sitting broke up with the most affecting demonstrations of intimacy and good-will. "What have you done to Finot, Lucien, that he should make a special arrangement with you?
"Very well good-bye till to-morrow, my boy," said Lousteau, shaking hands with every sign of cordiality. "When is your book coming out?" "That depends on Dauriat; it is ready," said Vernou pater-familias. "Are you satisfied?" "Yes and no " "We will get up a success," said Lousteau, and he rose with a bow to his colleague's wife.
"There were a lot of new things in it. You are past master!" Lousteau called with Hector Merlin and Vernou. Lucien was immensely flattered by this attention. Felicien Vernou brought a hundred francs for Lucien's article; it was felt that such a contributor must be well paid to attach him to the paper.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking