CHAPTER X.

by Alexandre Dumas

　　GRIFFO was in attendance when we arrived, and before his master said aword the servant had taken the pheasant from Lucien's pocket. Thevalet had heard and had understood the object of the shot.Madame de Franchi had not yet retired to rest, although she had goneupstairs, and she had left a message with Griffo to request her son togo into her room before she went to bed.The young man first inquiring whether I was in want of anything, andon my reply in the negative, begged to be excused, to wait upon hismother.Of course I acknowledged the politeness, and leaving him, went up tomy own room.I entered it with a certain feeling of self congratulation. I waspleased that I had divined the character of Louis, as I had found outLucien's.I undressed deliberately, and having taken down a volume of VictorHugo's works, I lay down and enjoyed myself thoroughly with _LesOrientales._For the hundredth time I came upon _Le Feu du ciel,_ and re-read itonce more. I was fully occupied thus, when I fancied I heard a stepupon the staircase, which stopped at my door. I suspected that my hosthad paused outside, wishing to bid me good-night, but scarcely likingto venture in for fear I should be asleep; so I cried out "Come in,"and put my book upon the table.In fact, as I spoke the door opened, and Lucien appeared."I trust you will excuse me," he said; "but it seems to me that I havebeen somewhat rude this evening, and I did not like to retire withoutmaking my excuses to you. So I have come to make the _amendehonorable_--and as I daresay you have a number of questions to ask Iam quite at your disposal.""A thousand thanks," I replied; "but, thanks to your good nature, I amalready well informed upon most topics concerning which I desiredinformation, and there only remains one question, which I have made upmy mind _not_ to ask.""Why?""Because it would appear too impertinent. However, if you remain hereI confess I cannot answer for myself. I give you fair warning!""Well, then, go on. Curiosity unsatisfied is an uncomfortablecompanion, and awakens all kinds of suppositions; and two, at least,out of every three guesses concerning a fact are sure to be quite wideof the mark, and more likely to prejudice the object than to arrive atthe truth concerning it.""Well, you may rest easy. My worst suspicions concerning you lead meto regard you as a sorcerer!"The young man laughed loudly."The devil! You have inoculated me with some of your curiosity: tellme why, I entreat you--speak out!""Well, then, you have had the kindness to clear up many things whichwere before obscure to me; but one thing you did not touch upon. Youhave shown me your beautiful weapons, which I should like to examineagain before my departure.""Granted. That's one reason.""You have explained to me the inscriptions upon the carbines.""That's another reason.""You have made it clear to me that, thanks to the phenomenon of yourbirth, you always experience--although far away from him, the samesensations that agitate your brother, and no doubt he feels equallyyour troubles.""That is a third reason for your belief in my sorcery!""Yes, but Madame de Franchi, when referring to the sadness you latelyhave experienced, and which leads you to think that some misfortunethreatens your brother, asked you if you were sure he were not dead,and you replied 'No, for then I should have seen him.'""Yes, I remember I did say so.""Well, then, if such an explanation may be entrusted to a stranger,will you explain to me how this could happen?"The young man's face had assumed a very grave expression as I wasspeaking, and I hesitated to pronounce the last words.He was silent for a moment after I ceased to speak, and I said--"I am afraid that I have been too indiscreet; pray forget that I spokeon the subject at all.""No," he replied, quietly; "no, but you are a man of the world, and assuch inclined to be somewhat incredulous. So, you see, I am ratherafraid you will treat as a superstition an old family tradition whichhas been handed down for centuries.""Listen," I said. "I can declare one thing, and that is that no one ismore easily convinced than I am on all questions of legendary ortraditionary lore--and I am always ready to give credence to thingsregarded as impossible!""So you believe in ghosts?""Do you wish to hear me tell how I saw one?""Yes, that will encourage me.""My father died in 1807, when I was three and a-half years old. Whenthe doctor announced his speedy death I was sent away to the house ofan old cousin in the country."She had made up a bed for me opposite her own, to which I was sent atthe usual time, and, notwithstanding the trouble hanging over me, Ifeel fast asleep."I was suddenly awakened by three violent blows upon the door of thechamber; I got out of bed and walked across the floor to open it."'Where are you going?' asked my cousin."She had herself been awakened by the noise, but could not overcomeher terror, knowing very well that as the front door was fastened noone would be likely to come to the room in which we were sleeping."'I am going to open the door to my father, who has come to bid meadieu,' I replied."It was then she jumped out of bed and insisted upon my lying downagain. I cried for a long time and very bitterly, saying, 'Papa is atthe door, and I want to see papa again before he goes away for ever.'""And has the apparition ever returned since?" asked Lucien."No, although I have often called upon it; but, perhaps, Providencepermitted to the innocence and purity of the child what it declines toaccord to the sinfulness of the man.""Well, then," said Lucien smiling, "in our family we are morefortunate than you.""Then you are enabled to see your deceased parents?""Yes, always when any great event is about to happen or has beenaccomplished.""And to what do you attribute this privilege?""I will tell you the tradition that has been handed down. You rememberthat I told you that Savilia died leaving two sons.""Yes, I recollect.""Well, these children grew up concentrating on each other theaffection they would have bestowed on other relatives had any beenalive. They swore nothing should separate them, not even death, andafter some incantation or other they wrote with their blood on twopieces of parchment, which they exchanged, the reciprocal oath thatwhichever died first should appear to the other at the moment of hisown death, and, subsequently, at every important epoch of hisbrother's life. Three months afterwards one of the two brothers waskilled in an ambuscade at the moment when the survivor was sealing aletter addressed to him. Just as he was pressing the signet upon theburning wax he heard a sigh behind him, and, turning round, perceivedhis brother standing behind him, and touching his shoulder, althoughhe felt no pressure from the hand. Then, by a mechanical movement, heheld out the letter that was destined for his brother, the spirit tookthe letter and disappeared. On the night before the survivor's death,the ghost appeared again."There is no doubt that the brothers not only made this engagement forthemselves, but it applies also to their descendants, for spirits haveappeared not only at the moment of the death of those who had passedaway, but also on the eve of any great event in their lives.""And have you never seen any apparition?""No; but like my father, who, during the night preceding his death,was warned by his father that he was about to die, so I presume mybrother and I inherit the privilege of our ancestors, not having doneanything to forfeit it.""And is this privilege accorded to the males of the family only?""Yes.""That is strange.""It is as I say."I looked at the young man as he was speaking to me. He was cool, calm,and grave, and I could not help repeating with Hamlet--"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."In Paris I should have thought that this young man was hoaxing me; buthere in Corsica, in a little unknown village, one must look upon himeither as a foolish person endeavouring to deceive one for his ownpurposes, or as a privileged being amongst other men."And now," he said, after a long silence, "are you satisfied?""Yes, thank you," I answered. "I appreciate your confidence, and willpromise to keep your secret.""Oh, goodness," he said, laughing, "there is no secret in thematter--the first peasant you meet would tell you all I have told you;I only hope that in Paris my brother has not boasted of thisprivilege, which would only cause men to laugh, and would frighten theladies."So saying, he bade me good-night, and retired to his room.Although fatigued, I was not able to sleep for some time, and when Idid at last sleep I was restless.I appeared to see in a confused manner in my dreams all the peoplewith whom I had come in contact that day. It was only when day brokethat I fell into a sound sleep, and was awakened by the striking of aclock, close to my bed, apparently.I rang the bell, without rising, for my lazy predecessor had provideda bell-rope close at hand, the only one probably in the village.Griffo immediately appeared, carrying some warm water; I saw that thisvalet had been well drilled.Lucien, he said, had twice inquired whether I was awake, and had toldhim that if I did not ring before half-past nine he would call me.It was now twenty-five minutes past nine, so it would not be longbefore he came.He soon made his appearance, dressed very elegantly in French style,with a black frock coat and white trowsers.He noticed that I looked at him with some surprise."I hope you are admiring my dress," he said; "another proof that I ambecoming civilized.""Yes, indeed," I replied, "and I confess I am considerably astonishedto find that you possess such a tailor in Ajaccio. I shall look quitethe country bumpkin beside you.""I assure you my dress is quite Parisian, my dear friend. You see mybrother and I being exactly the same height, he for a joke sent me aregular outfit, which I only wear on grand occasions, to receive theprefect, for instance, or when the commandant makes his departmentalinspection; or, better still, when I receive a guest like yourself,and when that pleasure is combined with such important business as weare about to accomplish to-day."There was in this young man's manner of speaking a polished irony, andgood-nature withal, which at once set people at their ease, and neverpassed the bounds of perfect politeness.I simply bowed in reply, while he carefully inducted his hands into apair of kid gloves of Paris manufacture.As now attired, he looked a thorough Parisian.All this time I was dressing rapidly.A quarter to ten struck."Come along," said Lucien, "if you wish to see the play. I think it istime we took our seats, unless, indeed, you would rather havebreakfast first, which appears to me only reasonable.""Thank you, I seldom eat before eleven or twelve, so I am ready toface both operations.""Come along, then."I took up my hat and followed him upstairs.