|
THE WANDERING JEW - VOLUME 4
THE WANDERING JEW - VOLUME 4 EUGENE SUE BOOK IV.
PART SECOND.--THE CHASTISEMENT.
PROLOGUE.--THE BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF TWO WORLDS.
I. The Masquerade
II. The Contrast
III. The Carouse
IV. The Farewell
VI. Mother Sainte-Perpetue
VII. The Temptation
VIII. Mother Bunch and Mdlle. De Cardoville
IX. The Encounters
X. The Meeting
XI. Discoveries
XII. The Penal Code
XIII. Burglary
PROLOGUE.--THE BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF TWO WORLDS.
As the eagle perched upon the cliff commands an all-comprehensive view
--not only of what happens on the plains and in the woodlands but of
matters occurring upon the heights which its aerie overlooks so may the
reader have sights pointed out to him which lie below the level of the
unassisted eye.
In the year 1831 the powerful Order of the Jesuits saw fit to begin to
act upon information which had for some time been digesting in their
hands.
As it related to a sum estimated at no less than thirty or forty millions
of francs it is no wonder that they should redouble all exertions to
obtain it from the rightful owners.
These were presumably the descendants of Marius Count of Rennepont in
the reign of Louis XIV. of France.
They were distinguished from other men by a simple token which all in
the year above named had in their hands.
It was a bronze medal bearing these legends on reverse and obverse:
VICTIM
of
L. C. D. J.
Pray for me!
PARIS
February the 13th 1682.
IN PARIS
Rue St Francois No. 3
In a century and a half
you will be.
February the 13th 1832.
PRAY FOR ME!
Those who had this token were descendants of a family whom a hundred and
fifty years ago persecution scattered through the world in emigration
and exile; in changes of religion fortune and name. For this family--
what grandeur what reverses what obscurity what lustre what penury
what glory! How many crimes sullied how many virtues honored it! The
history of this single family is the history of humanity! Passing
through many generations throbbing in the veins of the poor and the
rich the sovereign and the bandit the wise and the simple the coward
and the brave the saint and the atheist the blood flowed on to the year
we have named.
Seven representatives summed up the virtue courage degradation
splendor and poverty of the race. Seven: two orphan twin daughters of
exiled parents a dethroned prince a humble missionary priest a man of
the middle class a young lady of high name and large fortune and a
working man.
Fate scattered them in Russia India France and America.
The orphans Rose and Blanche Simon had left their dead mother's grave
in Siberia under charge of a trooper named Francis Baudoin alias
Dagobert who was as much attached to them as he had been devoted to
their father his commanding general.
On the road to France this little party had met the first check in the
only tavern of Mockern village. Not only had a wild beast showman known
as Morok the lion-tamer sought to pick a quarrel with the inoffensive
veteran but that failing had let a panther of his menagerie loose upon
the soldier's horse. That horse had carried Dagobert under General
Simon's and the Great Napoleon's eyes through many battles; had borne
the General's wife (a Polish lady under the Czar's ban) to her home of
exile in Siberia and their children now across Russia and Germany but
only to perish thus cruelly. An unseen hand appeared in a manifestation
of spite otherwise unaccountable. Dagobert denounced as a French spy
and his fair young companions accused of being adventuresses to help his
designs had so kindled at the insult not less to him than to his old
commander's daughters that he had taught the pompous burgomaster of
Mockern a lesson which however resulted in the imprisonment of the
three in Leipsic jail.
General Simon who had vainly sought to share his master's St. Helena
captivity had gone to fight the English in India. But notwithstanding
his drilling of Radja-sings sepoys they had been beaten by the troops
taught by Clive and not only was the old king of Mundi slain and the
realm added to the Company's land but his son Prince Djalma taken
prisoner. However at length released he had gone to Batavia with
General Simon. The prince's mother was a Frenchwoman and among the
property she left him in the capital of Java the general was delighted
to find just such another medal as he knew was in his wife's possession.
The unseen hand of enmity had reached to him for letters miscarried and
...
|
Unpublished Work 
