The Baroness

by Guy de Maupassant

　　

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"Come with me," said my friend Boisrene, "you will see some veryinteresting bric-a-brac and works of art there."He conducted me to the first floor of an elegant house in one of the bigstreets of Paris. We were welcomed by a very pleasing man, withexcellent manners, who led us from room to room, showing us rare things,the price of which he mentioned carelessly. Large sums, ten, twenty,thirty, fifty thousand francs, dropped from his lips with such grace andease that one could not doubt that this gentleman-merchant had millionsshut up in his safe.I had known him by reputation for a long time Very bright, clever,intelligent, he acted as intermediary in all sorts of transactions. Hekept in touch with all the richest art amateurs in Paris, and even ofEurope and America, knowing their tastes and preferences; he apprisedthem by letter, or by wire if they lived in a distant city, as soon as heknew of some work of art which might suit them.Men of the best society had had recourse to him in times of difficulty,either to find money for gambling, or to pay off a debt, or to sell apicture, a family jewel, or a tapestry.It was said that he never refused his services when he saw a chance ofgain.Boisrene seemed very intimate with this strange merchant. They must haveworked together in many a deal. I observed the man with great interest.He was tall, thin, bald, and very elegant. His soft, insinuating voicehad a peculiar, tempting charm which seemed to give the objects a specialvalue. When he held anything in his hands, he turned it round and round,looking at it with such skill, refinement, and sympathy that the objectseemed immediately to be beautiful and transformed by his look and touch.And its value increased in one's estimation, after the object had passedfrom the showcase into his hands."And your Crucifix," said Boisrene, "that beautiful Renaissance Crucifixwhich you showed me last year?"The man smiled and answered:"It has been sold, and in a very peculiar manner. There is a realParisian story for you! Would you like to hear it?""With pleasure.""Do you know the Baroness Samoris?""Yes and no. I have seen her once, but I know what she is!""You know--everything?""Yes.""Would you mind telling me, so that I can see whether you are notmistaken?""Certainly. Mme. Samoris is a woman of the world who has a daughter,without anyone having known her husband. At any rate, she is received ina certain tolerant, or blind society. She goes to church and devoutlypartakes of Communion, so that everyone may know it, and she nevercompromises herself. She expects her daughter to marry well. Is thatcorrect?""Yes, but I will complete your information. She is a woman who makesherself respected by her admirers in spite of everything. That is a rarequality, for in this manner she can get what she wishes from a man. Theman whom she has chosen without his suspecting it courts her for a longtime, longs for her timidly, wins her with astonishment and possesses herwith consideration. He does not notice that he is paying, she is sotactful; and she maintains her relations on such a footing of reserve anddignity that he would slap the first man who dared doubt her in theleast. And all this in the best of faith."Several times I have been able to render little services to this woman.She has no secrets from me."Toward the beginning of January she came to me in order to borrow thirtythousand francs. Naturally, I did not lend them to her; but, as I wishedto oblige her, I told her to explain her situation to me completely, sothat I might see whether there was not something I could do for her."She told me her troubles in such cautious language that she could nothave spoken more delicately of her child's first communion. I finallymanaged to understand that times were hard, and that she was penniless."The commercial crisis, political unrest, rumors of war, had made moneyscarce even in the hands of her clients. And then, of course, she wasvery particular."She would associate only with a man in the best of society, who couldstrengthen her reputation as well as help her financially. A reveller,no matter how rich, would have compromised her forever, and would havemade the marriage of her daughter quite doubtful."She had to maintain her household expenses and continue to entertain, inorder not to lose the opportunity of finding, among her numerousvisitors, the discreet and distinguished friend for whom she was waiting,and whom she would choose."I showed her that my thirty thousand francs would have but littlelikelihood of returning to me; for, after spending them all, she wouldhave to find at least sixty thousand more, in a lump, to pay me back."She seemed very disheartened when she heard this. I did not know justwhat to do, when an idea, a really fine idea, struck me."I had just bought this Renaissance Crucifix which I showed you, anadmirable piece of workmanship, one of the finest of its land that I haveever seen."'My dear friend,' I said to her, 'I am going to send you that piece ofivory. You will invent some ingenious, touching, poetic story, anythingthat you wish, to explain your desire for parting with it. It is, ofcourse, a family heirloom left you by your father."'I myself will send you amateurs, or will bring them to you. The restconcerns you. Before they come I will drop you a line about theirposition, both social and financial. This Crucifix is worth fiftythousand francs; but I will let it go for thirty thousand. Thedifference will belong to you.'"She considered the matter seriously for several minutes, and thenanswered: 'Yes, it is, perhaps, a good idea. I thank you very-much.'"The next day I sent her my Crucifix, and the same evening the Baron deSaint-Hospital."For three months I sent her my best clients, from a business point ofview. But I heard nothing more from her."One day I received a visit from a foreigner who spoke very littleFrench. I decided to introduce him personally to the baroness, in orderto see how she was getting along."A footman in black livery received us and ushered us into a quiet littleparlor, furnished with taste, where we waited for several minutes. Sheappeared, charming as usual, extended her hand to me and invited us to beseated; and when I had explained the reason of my visit, she rang."The footman appeared."'See if Mlle. Isabelle can let us go into her oratory.' The young girlherself brought the answer. She was about fifteen years of age, modestand good to look upon in the sweet freshness of her youth. She wished toconduct us herself to her chapel."It was a kind of religious boudoir where a silver lamp was burningbefore the Crucifix, my Crucifix, on a background of black velvet. Thesetting was charming and very clever. The child crossed herself and thensaid:"'Look, gentlemen. Isn't it beautiful?'"I took the object, examined it and declared it to be remarkable. Theforeigner also examined it, but he seemed much more interested in the twowomen than in the crucifix."A delicate odor of incense, flowers and perfume pervaded the wholehouse. One felt at home there. This really was a comfortable home,where one would have liked to linger."When we had returned to the parlor I delicately broached the subject ofthe price. Mme. Samoris, lowering her eyes, asked fifty thousand francs."Then she added: 'If you wish to see it again, monsieur, I very seldom goout before three o'clock; and I can be found at home every day.'"In the street the stranger asked me for some details about the baroness,whom he had found charming. But I did not hear anything more from eitherof them."Three months passed by."One morning, hardly two weeks ago, she came here at about lunch time,and, placing a roll of bills in my hand, said: 'My dear, you are anangel! Here are fifty thousand francs; I am buying your crucifix, and Iam paying twenty thousand francs more for it than the price agreed upon,on condition that you always--always send your clients to me--for it issill for sale.'"

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