Should he fly? Should he still
appear the same in his conduct toward her, pretending not to have
seen her? He ought to fly that very evening, without hesitation,
without turning his head; to fly as if the house were about to
tumble about his head. This was his first thought. It was quickly
stifled under the explosion of the base passions which fermented in
him. Ah, Sauvresy had saved him when he was dying! Sauvresy, after
saving him, had welcomed him, opened to him his heart, purse, house;
at this very moment he was making untiring efforts to restore his
fortunes. Men like Tremorel can only receive such services as
outrages. Had not his sojourn at Valfeuillu been a continual
suffering? Was not his self-conceit tortured from morning till
night? He might count the days by their humiliations. What! Must
he always submit to--if he was not grateful for--the superiority
of a man whom he had always been wont to treat as his inferior?
"Besides," thought he, judging his friend by himself, "he only acts
thus from pride and ostentation. What am I at his house, but a
living witness of his generosity and devotion? He seems to live
for me--it's Tremorel here and Tremorel there! He triumphs over
my misfortunes, and makes his conduct a glory and title to the public
admiration.
Pages:
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276