And it was at this same period, a fortnight after the Exhibition opened, that Saccard inaugurated the monumental pile in which he had insisted upon lodging5 the Universal. Six months had sufficed to erect6 it; workmen had toiled7 day and night without losing an hour, performing a miracle which is only possible in Paris; and a superb fa?ade was now displayed, rich in flowery ornamentation, suggestive in some respects of a temple, in others of a music hall—a fa?ade of such a luxurious9 aspect that passers-by stopped short in groups to gaze upon it. And within all was sumptuous10; the millions in the coffers seemed to have streamed along the walls. A grand staircase led to the board-room, which was all purple and gold, as splendid as the auditorium11 of an opera house. On every side you found carpets and hangings, offices fitted up with a dazzling wealth of furniture. Fastened in the walls of the basement, where the share offices were[Pg 238] installed, were huge safes, with deep oven-like mouths, and transparent13 glass partitions enabled the public to perceive them, ranged there like the barrels of gold that figure in the folk-tales, and in which slumber14 the incalculable treasures of the fairies. And the nations with their kings on their way to the Exhibition would be able to come and view them, for all was ready, the new building awaited them, to dazzle them, catch them one by one, like an irresistible16 golden trap scintillating17 in the sunlight.
Saccard was enthroned in a most sumptuously18 adorned19 office with Louis Quatorze furniture of Genoa velvet20 and gilded21 woodwork. The staff had again been increased; it exceeded four hundred employees; so now it was quite an army that Saccard commanded with the pomp of a tyrant22 who is both adored and obeyed, for he was very open-handed in the matter of presents and gratuities23. And, despite his mere24 title of manager, it was he in reality who reigned26, above the chairman of the board, above the board itself, which simply ratified27 his orders. Madame Caroline was consequently ever on the alert, busy in finding out his decisions, to try and thwart28 them if she thought it necessary. She disapproved29 of this new, unduly30 magnificent establishment, though she could not blame it in principle, having recognised the necessity of having larger quarters in the fine days when she had been all confidence, and had joked her brother for growing anxious. The argument she now used in combating all this luxury was that the Bank lost its aspect of honest modesty31, of deep religious gravity. What would the customers, accustomed to the monkish32 solemnity, the discreet33 half-light prevailing34 on the ground floor of the Rue35 Saint Lazare, think on entering this palace in the Rue de Londres, with its lofty storeys enlivened with sound and flooded with light? Saccard answered that they would be overwhelmed with admiration36 and respect, that those who brought five francs would take ten from their pockets, swayed by self-pride and intoxicated37 with confidence. And he was right in thus estimating the effect of all this tinsel. The success of the building was prodigious38; as an effective advertisement it surpassed Jantrou's[Pg 239] most extraordinary puffs39. The pious40 little capitalists of the quiet parts of Paris, the poor country priests arriving in the morning from the railway stations, stood gaping41 beatifically42 before the doors, and came out flushed with pleasure at the thought of having their funds in such a palace.
In reality, the point which more particularly vexed43 Madame Caroline was that she could no longer constantly be in the establishment exercising supervision44. She was only able to go to the Rue de Londres at long intervals45 on some pretext47 or other. She now lived alone in the workroom at home, and scarcely saw Saccard, except in the evening. He had kept his rooms in the Rue Saint Lazare, but the entire ground floor, as well as the offices on the first floor, remained closed; and the Princess d'Orviedo, happy in reality at being freed from the remorse48 of having that bank, that money shop, installed underneath49 her, did not even try to re-let the premises50, indifferent as she was to the question of making money, even in the most legitimate51 way. The empty house, echoing to every passing vehicle, seemed like a tomb. Madame Caroline now only heard that quivering echo ascending52 through the ceilings from the closed wickets whence for two years there had ever come a faint jingling53 of gold. Her days now seemed to her of greater length and increasing dulness. Yet she worked a great deal, always kept busy by her brother, who required her to do no end of writing for him. At times, though, she would pause in her work and listen, instinctively54 feeling anxious, desirous of knowing what was going on at the Bank. But she heard nothing, not a breath; the rooms below were stripped of their furniture, empty, dark, securely locked. Then a little shiver would come upon her and she would forget herself for a few minutes in her anxiety. What were they doing in the Rue de Londres? Was not the crack appearing at that very moment—the crack which would cause the collapse56 of the whole edifice57?
A report, vague and faint as yet, was spreading to the effect that Saccard contemplated58 a fresh issue of shares. He wished to raise the Bank's capital from one hundred to[Pg 240] one hundred and fifty millions. It was a time of particular excitement, the fatal time when all the prosperities of the reign25, the vast works which had transformed the city of Paris, the frenzied59 circulation of money, the furore of luxury and greed, were bound to culminate60 in a high fever of speculation61. Each wished to have his share of wealth and risked his fortune on the tapis vert, in order to increase it tenfold and reap enjoyment63 like so many others who had enriched themselves in a single night. The banners of the Exhibition flapping in the sunlight, the illuminations and orchestras of the Champ de Mars, the crowds from all over the world which streamed along the streets, completed the intoxication64 of the Parisians, made them dream alike of inexhaustible wealth and sovereign dominion65. During the clear evenings, from all the huge city en fête, seated at table in exotic restaurants, amid a colossal fair where pleasure was freely sold under the stars, there arose the supreme fit of madness, the joyous66, voracious67 folly68 which seizes upon great capitals threatened with destruction. And Saccard, with the scent69 of a cut-purse, had so clearly divined the advent70 of this paroxysm, this desire of one and all to empty their pockets and throw their money to the winds, that he had just doubled the amount allowed for advertising71, urging Jantrou to raise the most deafening72 din15.
Day by day, ever since the opening of the Exhibition, the voice of the Press had been like a peal73 of bells ringing the praises of the Universal. Each morning brought its clash of cymbals74 to make the world turn round and look: some extraordinary news 'par,' some story of a lady who had forgotten a hundred shares in a cab; some extract from an account of a journey in Asia Minor75, in which it was explained that the first Napoleon had predicted the advent of the establishment in the Rue de Londres; some leading article in which the r?le of this financial house was considered from a political point of view in connection with the approaching solution of the Eastern question, to say nothing of the constant notes in the financial journals, all enlisted76 and marching together in a compact mass. Jantrou had made annual contracts with the small financial prints, which assured him a column in every[Pg 241] number; and in utilising this column he displayed astonishing fertility and variety of imagination, going so far even as to attack the Bank, for the sake of refuting the attack and triumphing afterwards. The famous pamphlet which he had meditated77 had just been launched through the entire world to the extent of a million copies. His new agency was also established—that agency which, under the pretext of sending a financial bulletin to the provincial78 newspapers, made itself absolute master of the market in all the important towns. And finally 'L'Espérance,' shrewdly conducted, was daily acquiring greater political importance. Much attention had been attracted by a series of articles issued after the decree of January 19, which to the old formula of an address from the Corps79 Législatif substituted the right of interpellation—a fresh concession80 on the part of the Emperor on his path to the re-establishment of Parliamentary liberty. Saccard, who inspired these articles, did not venture to openly attack his brother, who, despite everything, was still Minister of State, resigned, such was his passion for power, to defend to-day that which he had condemned81 yesterday; still it could be seen that the financier was on the look-out, watching Rougon in his false position, caught as he was between the Third Party hungering for his inheritance, and the Clericals who had leagued themselves with the despotic Bonapartists against the establishment of a liberal empire. Indeed, insinuations were already beginning; the paper was again becoming a mouthpiece of militant82 Catholicism, commenting tartly83 on each one of the Minister's acts. The accession of 'L'Espérance' to the ranks of the Opposition84 journals would mean popularity, and would finish carrying the name of the Universal to the four corners, not only of France, but of the world.
Then, as an effect of all the formidable advertising, the probability of an increase of capital, the rumour85 of a new issue of fifty millions, fevered even the most sensible of that agitated86 society, ripe for every folly. From humble87 dwellings88 to aristocratic mansions89, from the dark dens91 of door-porters to the drawing-rooms of duchesses, all heads took fire; the[Pg 242] general infatuation became blind faith, heroic and ready for battle. Folks enumerated92 the great things done by the Universal—its first startling successes, its unexpected dividends93, such as no other company had distributed in the early phases of its existence. They recalled that happy idea of the United Steam Navigation Company, which had so speedily yielded a magnificent profit, and whose shares already commanded a premium95 of a hundred francs. Then there was the Carmel silver-mine, with its miraculous96 yield of the precious metal, to which a reverend preacher had referred during Lent from the pulpit of Notre-Dame, calling it a gift from the Most High to trusting Christians97.[21] And, besides this, there was another company established to work the immense deposits of coal which had been discovered; and yet another which was going to work the vast Lebanon forests, felling a certain number of trees every year, to say nothing of the establishment of that substantial concern, the National Turkish Bank at Constantinople.
There had not been one check; good fortune, ever on the increase, changed everything that the Universal touched into gold. There was already a large ensemble98 of prosperous creations, providing an immovable basis for future operations and justifying99 the rapid increase of the capital. Then there was the future which opened before overheated imaginations—the future so big with great enterprises that it necessitated100 that call for another fifty millions, the mere announcement of which was sufficient to upset men's brains. In this respect there was an unlimited101 field for Bourse and drawing-room rumours102; however, the approaching grand affair of the Oriental Railway Company stood out amid all other projects, found its way into all conversations, decried103 by some and exalted104 by others.
The women especially became excited, and carried on enthusiastic propaganda in favour of the scheme. In boudoirs and at gala dinners, behind flowery jardinières at[Pg 243] the late hour of tea,[22] even in the depths of alcoves106, there were charming, persuasive107, caressing108 creatures who thus catechised men: 'What! you have no Universals? But they are the only shares worth having! Make haste and buy some Universals if you wish me to love you!' It was the new Crusade, they said, the conquest of Asia, which the Crusaders of Peter the Hermit109 and Saint Louis had been unable to effect, and which they, these ladies, undertook to accomplish with their little purses of chain gold. They all pretended to be well-informed, and talked in technical terms of the main line which would be opened first from Broussa to Beyrout by way of Angora and Aleppo. Later on would come the branch line from Smyrna to Angora; later, that from Trebizond to Angora by way of Erzeroum and Sivas; later still, that from Damascus to Beyrout. And then they smiled, and winked110, and whispered that perhaps there would be another one, oh! a long time hence, from Beyrout to Jerusalem, by way of the old cities of the coast—Saida, Saint Jean d'Acre, and Jaffa. And afterwards, mon Dieu! who could tell? there might be one from Jerusalem to Port Said and Alexandria. To say nothing of the fact that Bagdad was not far from Damascus, and that, if a line should be carried to that point, why, Persia, India, and China would some day be united to the West.
At a word from their pretty lips it seemed as though the treasures of the Caliphs were found again and were shining resplendently, as in some tale of the 'Arabian Nights.' The jewels and gems111 of dreamland rained into the coffers of the palace in the Rue de Londres; whilst Carmel supplied smoking incense112 and a vague, delicate background of Biblical legends, hallowing the mighty113 appetite for gain. Did it not mean Eden reconquered, the Holy Land delivered, religion triumphing in the very cradle of humanity? And then the ladies paused, refusing to say any more, but their eyes beaming at thought of that which it was necessary to hide. That[Pg 244] could not even be whispered in a lover's ear. Many of these ladies were ignorant of the secret, but none the less pretended to know it. That was the mystery, the thing which perchance might never happen, and which perchance might some day burst upon the world like a thunderbolt: Jerusalem purchased from the Sultan, given to the Pope with Syria for a kingdom; the Papacy provided with a revenue supplied by a Catholic bank—the Treasury114 of the Holy Sepulchre—which would place it beyond the pale of political disturbances115; briefly116, Catholicism would be rejuvenated117, would be no longer forced to any compromises, but would acquire renewed authority, and dominate the world from the summit of the height where Christ the man expired.
And of a morning now, in his luxurious Louis Quatorze office, Saccard was forced to forbid his door when he wished to work; for there were endless assaulting parties, or rather a court procession, coming, as it were, to a king's levée—courtiers, business people, applicants118 of all kinds soliciting119 and adoring his omnipotence120. One morning, during the early days of July, he was particularly inflexible121, giving the most stringent122 orders to admit no one. Whilst the ante-room was filling with people, who, despite the usher123, persisted in waiting and hoping that they would be received, he shut himself up with two heads of departments to finish planning the new issue of shares. After examining various projects, he pronounced in favour of a combination which, thanks to this new issue of a hundred thousand shares, would permit the complete release of the two hundred thousand old ones, upon each of which only one hundred and twenty-five francs had been paid. This result was arrived at by issuing the new shares—which were reserved for existing shareholders124—at the price of eight hundred and fifty francs; that is to say, five hundred francs for the share itself and three hundred and fifty francs premium, this premium effecting the proposed release. However, certain complications arose, due to the large amount of its own stock which the Bank held, and it was necessary to find a means of filling up certain gaps, the worry of which acted upon Saccard's nerves. The sound of the[Pg 245] voices in the ante-room, moreover, irritated him. That cringing127 Paris, whose homage128 he usually received with the good-nature of a despot prone129 to familiarity, filled him on this occasion with contempt. And Dejoie, who served him as usher in the morning, having ventured to take a roundabout way and enter by a little door opening from a passage, he turned on him in a fury: 'What! I told you nobody, nobody; do you understand? Here! take my walking stick, place it at my door, and let them kiss it.'
Dejoie impassively ventured to insist. 'Excuse me, monsieur, it is the Countess de Beauvilliers. She begged so hard, and, as I know Monsieur wishes to be agreeable to her——'
'What!' cried Saccard in a fit of anger; 'let her go to the devil with the others.'
Then with a gesture of repressed wrath130 he immediately reconsidered the matter: 'Show her in,' said he, 'since it seems certain that I cannot be left in peace. And by the little door, mind, so that the whole flock may not enter with her.'
The welcome which he extended to the Countess de Beauvilliers was fraught131 with the abruptness132 of a man just recovering from excitement. Even the sight of Alice, who accompanied her mother, silently meditating133, did not calm him. He had sent the two heads of departments away, and was only thinking of how soon he would be able to call them back so as to continue his work.
'Pray speak quickly, madame, for I am terribly busy.'
The Countess, always slow with her words and movements, always preserving the sadness of a fallen queen, stopped short in evident surprise. 'But if I disturb you, monsieur'—she began.
He had to offer them seats, and the girl, the braver of the two, sat down the first in a resolute134 way whilst her mother continued: 'I have come for some advice, monsieur. I am in a state of very painful uncertainty135, and am afraid that I shall never be able to come to a decision by myself.'
Then she reminded him that at the time of the establishment[Pg 246] of the Bank she had taken a hundred shares, which she had doubled at the time of the first increase of capital and again at the time of the second increase, so that she now held four hundred shares, upon which, inclusive of premiums136, she had paid the sum of eighty-seven thousand francs. Twenty thousand francs of this amount had been supplied by her savings137, and the rest—some seventy thousand—she had been forced to borrow on her farm, Les Aublets.
'And it now happens,' she continued, 'that I have just found a purchaser for the farm. And I understand that there is to be a new issue of shares. If that is so, I may perhaps place our entire fortune in your house.'
Saccard was now calming down, flattered at finding these two poor women, the last members of a great and ancient race, so trustful and anxious in his presence. He went into figures and rapidly supplied them with information.
'A new issue—yes, there is to be one, I am just attending to it,' he said. 'The shares will be priced at eight hundred and fifty francs, inclusive of premium. You say that you now have four hundred shares; well, two hundred of these new ones will be allotted138 to you; so that you will be required to pay one hundred and seventy thousand francs. But all your shares will be released, and you will have six hundred belonging to you entirely140 without any further liability with regard to them.'
They did not understand, and he had to explain to them how the premium would release the shares; and they turned a little pale at the big figures that were mentioned, oppressed by the thought of what an audacious stroke they would have to risk.
'As for the money,' murmured the mother at last, 'that will be all right. I am offered two hundred and forty thousand francs for Les Aublets, which were formerly141 worth four hundred thousand; so that, after repaying the sum I have already borrowed, there would be just enough left to pay for the shares. But what a terrible thing, mon Dieu! this fortune displaced, our whole existence ventured in this fashion!'
Her hands trembled, and there was a spell of silence,[Pg 247] during which she reflected how this financial machinery142 had already drawn143 in both her savings and the seventy thousand francs that she had borrowed, and now threatened to take the entire farm. Her old respect for landed property, ploughed fields, meadows and forests, her repugnance144 for traffic in money—that base calling of the Jews, unworthy of her race—came back to her and filled her with anguish146 at this decisive moment, when everything was on the point of being consummated147. Her daughter meantime looked at her in silence, with her pure yet ardent148 eyes.
Saccard gave an encouraging smile.
'Well,' said he, 'it is very certain that you will have to place confidence in us. But there are the figures. Examine them, and hesitation149 seems to me impossible. Suppose you decide to do it, then you will have six hundred shares, which will have cost you two hundred and fifty-seven thousand francs. Now they are quoted to-day at an average rate of thirteen hundred francs, which would give you a total of seven hundred and eighty thousand francs. You have already more than tripled your money. And it will continue; you will see how the quotations151 will go up after the new issue! I promise you that your shares will be worth a million before the end of the year.'
'Oh, mamma!' said Alice, allowing the words to escape her in a sigh, as if despite herself.
A million! The mansion90 in the Rue Saint-Lazare freed from its mortgages, cleansed152 of the mire153 of poverty! Life replaced on a proper footing; an end to the nightmare of those who have a carriage but lack bread! The daughter married, with a respectable dowry, able at last to have a husband and children, that joy which is permitted to the lowest, poorest creature of the streets! The son, whom the climate of Rome was killing154, relieved, able to maintain his rank, pending155 the time when he might serve the great cause, which at present utilised him so little! The mother reinstated in her high position, able to pay her coachman, no longer hesitating to add a dish to her Tuesday dinners, no longer forced to fast for the rest of the week! That million[Pg 248] flamed before them; it meant salvation156, the realisation of their dream.
Conquered for her own part, the Countess turned to her daughter to ask for her adhesion: 'Well, what do you think of it?'
But the girl would say nothing more; she let her eyelids157 slowly fall to hide the glow of her eyes.
'Ah! true,' continued the mother, smiling in her turn, 'I had forgotten that you wished to let me remain sole mistress in the matter. But I know how brave you are, and all that you hope for.'
Then, addressing Saccard, she said: 'Ah! people speak so highly of you, monsieur. We can go nowhere without hearing the most beautiful and touching158 things about you. It is not only the Princess d'Orviedo, but all my friends, who are enthusiastic over your work. Many of them are jealous of me because I was one of your first shareholders, and if I were to take their advice I should sell even my mattresses159 in order to buy more shares.'
She jested in a mild, gentle way. 'I even think them a trifle crazy,' she continued—'yes, really a trifle crazy. No doubt it is because I am no longer young enough to understand it all. But my daughter is one of your admirers. She believes in your mission, and carries on propaganda in all the houses where we visit.'
Quite charmed, Saccard looked at Alice, who at that moment was so animated160, so penetrated161 with lively faith, that she actually seemed to him very pretty, albeit162 already faded, with yellow complexion163, and scraggy neck. And he deemed himself very great and good at the idea of having brought happiness to that sad creature whom the mere hope of a husband sufficed to beautify.
'Oh!' said she in a very low, seemingly distant voice, ''tis so beautiful to think of, that conquest yonder—yes, a new era, the Cross radiant——'
But that was the mystery of which no one spoke164; and her voice sank lower yet, died away in a breath of rapture165. Moreover, Saccard reduced her to silence by a friendly gesture, for[Pg 249] in his presence he would not tolerate any mention of the grand affair, the supreme, hidden end. His gesture implied that it was necessary one should always aim at attaining166 that end, but that one should never open one's lips to speak about it. In the sanctuary167 the censers swung in the hands of the few initiated168.
After an interval46 of feeling silence, the Countess at last rose. 'Well, monsieur,' said she, 'I am convinced. I shall send my notary169 word that I accept the offer which is made for Les Aublets. May God forgive me, if I do wrong!'
Standing170 before her, Saccard declared with mingled171 gravity and emotion: 'It is God himself who inspires you, madame; be certain of it.'[23]
And as he accompanied them into the little passage, avoiding the ante-room, which was still thronged172 with people, he met Dejoie, who was prowling about with an embarrassed air.
'What's the matter? Not someone else, I hope?'
'No, no, monsieur. If I dared to ask Monsieur's advice—it is for myself.'
And he man?uvred in such a way that Saccard found himself in his office again, while Dejoie stood on the threshold in a very deferential173 attitude.
'For you. Ah! true, you are a shareholder125 also. Well, my man, take the new shares which will be reserved for you; take them even if you must sell your shirts to do so. That is the advice which I give to all our friends.'
'Oh! monsieur, the slice is too big a one, my daughter and I are not so ambitious. At the outset I took eight shares with the four thousand francs which my poor wife saved up and left to us; and I still only have those eight, for at the time of the other issues, you see, when the capital was twice doubled, we hadn't the money to take up the shares which we were entitled to purchase. No, no, that is not the question; one need not be so greedy as that. I simply wanted to ask[Pg 250] Monsieur, without offending him, if he is of opinion that I ought to sell?'
'What! that you ought to sell?'
Thereupon, with all sorts of circumlocutions, prompted by anxiety and respect, Dejoie explained his situation. At their present price of thirteen hundred francs his eight shares represented a total of ten thousand four hundred francs. So he could easily give Nathalie the dowry of six thousand francs which the pasteboard-maker required. But, in presence of the continual rise of the shares, an appetite for money had come to him also—an idea, vague at first and then all-absorbing, of securing a share of the spoil for himself, a little income of six hundred francs a year, which would enable him to retire. For that, a capital of twelve thousand francs would be required, which added to his daughter's portion of six thousand would make the, to him, enormous total of eighteen thousand francs; and he despaired of ever getting such an amount together, for to do so he must wait till the shares should rise to a value of two thousand three hundred francs.
'You understand, monsieur,' said he. 'If the shares won't rise any higher I prefer to sell, because Nathalie's happiness should come before everything, shouldn't it? But if they continue going up, why, I shall be heartsick at the thought of having sold them.'
'Come, my man, you are stupid!' exclaimed Saccard vehemently174. 'Do you think that we are going to stop at thirteen hundred? Do I sell? You shall have your eighteen thousand francs, I answer for it. And now be off and turn out all those people—tell them that I have gone.'
When he found himself alone again, Saccard recalled the two heads of departments and was able to finish his work in peace.
It was decided175 that an extraordinary meeting of shareholders should be held in August in order to vote the fresh increase of capital. Hamelin, who was to preside, landed at Marseilles towards the end of July. For two months past his sister, in each letter that she had written him, had been more and more pressingly advising him to return. Amidst all the[Pg 251] success of the Bank, which day by day was growing more pronounced, she experienced an instinctive55 feeling that danger was covertly176 approaching, an unreasoning fear which she did not even dare to speak of; and she preferred that her brother should be on the spot to see things for himself, for she had come to the point of distrusting her own mind, of fearing that she might be strengthless against Saccard and allow herself to be blinded to such a degree even as to betray this brother whom she loved so much. Ought she not to have confessed her liaison177 to him—that liaison which, in the innocence178 of his piety179 and science, passing through life in ignorance of so many of its aspects, he certainly did not suspect? This idea was extremely painful to her; and she at last sought refuge in cowardly compromises; she discussed with duty, which, now that she knew the man and his past, clearly ordered her to tell everything, that her brother might be on his guard. In her hours of strength she promised herself that she would have a decisive explanation, and would not suffer the uncontrolled disposal of such large sums of money by criminal hands, in which so many millions had already melted away to the ruin of such numbers of people. Was it not the only virile180, honest course she could take, the only course worthy145 of her? Then her lucidity181, however, left her; she grew weak and temporized182, finding no grievances183 except the irregularities common to all financial houses, as he affirmed. Perhaps he was right in telling her with a laugh that the monster she dreaded184 was success, that success which in Paris resounds185 and strikes like a thunderbolt, and which left her trembling, as if under the suddenness and anguish of a catastrophe186. She no longer knew what to do; there were even times when she admired him the more, full of that infinite affection which she retained for him, albeit she had ceased to esteem187 him. Never would she have thought her heart so complicated; she felt herself a woman; she feared lest she might not be able to act. And so she was very happy at her brother's return.
On the very afternoon of Hamelin's arrival Saccard arranged to see him in the work-room, where they were[Pg 252] certain of not being disturbed, in order to submit to him the resolutions which the board of directors would have to approve of before they could be laid before the shareholders. By a tacit agreement, however, the brother and sister met shortly before the time agreed upon, and finding themselves alone together were in a position to talk freely. Hamelin had come back very gay, delighted at having brought his complicated railway affair to a successful issue in that Eastern country, which was slumbering188 in idleness and where political, administrative189, and financial obstacles were ever cropping up to defeat all efforts. However, in his case, the success was complete; they would start on the first works, work-yards would be opened in all directions as soon as the company should be definitely formed in Paris, and he was so enthusiastic, so confident in the future, that Madame Caroline acquired yet another reason for preserving silence—it would cost her so much to spoil that beautiful delight. Nevertheless she expressed some doubts to put him on his guard against the infatuation which was carrying away the public. He checked her and looked her in the face. Did she know of anything suspicious? If so, why didn't she speak out? And she did not speak, she was unable to think of any precise charge.
When Saccard came into the room, not having yet seen Hamelin since his return, he threw his arms round his neck and embraced him with the exuberant190 affection of a man from the South. Then, when Hamelin had confirmed his last letters and given him particulars of the absolute success which had attended his long sojourn191 abroad, he waxed enthusiastic. 'Ah! my dear fellow,' said he, 'this time we are going to become the masters of Paris, the kings of the market. I have been working hard too; I have an extraordinary idea; you shall see.'
He forthwith explained his plan, which was, first, to raise the Bank's capital from one hundred to one hundred and fifty millions by issuing a hundred thousand new shares, and, secondly193, to release the whole of the shares, the old as well as the new ones. He intended, he said, to offer the new shares at the price of eight hundred and fifty francs, employing[Pg 253] the premium of three hundred and fifty francs per share to build up a reserve fund, which, with the amounts already set aside at each distribution, would reach the figure of five and twenty millions. And all that remained for him to do was to find an equal sum so as to have in hand the fifty millions that would be necessary to release the two hundred thousand old shares. It was here that his so-called extraordinary idea came in. It was to draw up an approximative estimate of the current year's profits, which in his opinion would at the least amount to thirty-six millions of francs. From these he could quietly take the twenty-five millions which he needed. And so, from December 31, 1867, the Universal would have a definitive194 capital of a hundred and fifty millions represented by three hundred thousand fully195 paid-up shares. They would afterwards unify196 the stock and make the shares payable197 to bearer in order to facilitate their free circulation on the market. That would be the stroke of genius entailing198 perfect triumph.
'Yes, a stroke of genius,' he repeated; 'the expression is none too strong.'
Hamelin, somewhat dazed, turned over the pages of Saccard's memoir199 on the subject, examining the figures. 'I hardly like this premature200 balance-sheet,' he said at last. 'These are real dividends that you will be giving your shareholders, since you will release their shares; and one must be certain that the amounts are really earned, for otherwise we might be rightly accused of distributing fictitious201 dividends.'
Saccard grew excited. 'What! But I am below the estimates! Just look and you will see if I have been reasonable; won't the steamers, the Carmel mine, and the Turkish bank yield larger profits than those which I have put down? You have brought me bulletins of victory from over yonder; everything is marching on, everything is prosperous, and yet you cavil202 about the certainty of success!'
Hamelin smiled, and calmed him with a gesture. Yes, yes! he had faith in the future. Only he preferred that things should take their regular course.
'And indeed,' said Madame Caroline, gently, 'why should[Pg 254] you hurry? Could not we wait till April for this increase of capital? Or, since you need twenty-five millions more, why not issue the stock at a thousand or twelve hundred francs at once, for in that way you would not require to anticipate the profits of the current year?'
Saccard looked at her momentarily nonplussed203, astonished that that this idea should have occurred to her.
'No doubt,' said he, 'if the shares were issued at eleven hundred francs, instead of at eight hundred and fifty, we should then have exactly the twenty-five millions we want.'
'Then settle things in that way,' she resumed: 'you can hardly fear that the shareholders will kick at it. They will pay eleven hundred francs as readily as eight hundred and fifty.'
'Oh yes, that is certain,' said Saccard. 'They'll pay whatever we like, and they'll even fight together to decide who shall pay most. They have quite lost their heads and would storm the building to bring us their money.'
All at once, however, he recovered his self-possession, and with a violent start of protest exclaimed: 'But come, what are you talking about? I don't want to ask them eleven hundred francs on any account. It would really be too foolish and too simple. Understand that in these financial matters it is always necessary to strike the imagination. The grand idea is to take money out of people's pockets before it has even got into them. They at once imagine that they are not parting with it. They fancy even that a present is being made to them. And besides, can't you see what a colossal effect will be produced by the newspapers notifying these anticipated profits, announcing with a flourish of trumpets204 these thirty-six millions gained in advance? Why, the whole Bourse will take fire; our shares will be quoted at over two thousand francs, and will keep on rising and rising till there will be no stopping them.'
He gesticulated as he spoke, erect, and stretching his little legs till he really became taller, his arms waving among the stars, like the inspired bard205 of Money, whose poetic206 flight, no failure, no ruin had ever been able to check. To urge on[Pg 255] his enterprises, to keep them at a feverish207 gallop208—that was his instinctive system, the course into which he dashed, both heart and soul. He had compelled success, kindled209 every greed by that lightning march of the Universal—three issues of shares in three years, the capital leaping from five and twenty to fifty, one hundred, and one hundred and fifty millions with a speed which seemed to denote miraculous prosperity. And the dividends also had increased by leaps and bounds—nothing the first year, then ten francs, then thirty-three francs per share, and now thirty-six millions to be apportioned210 amongst the entire stock and release it. And all this had been achieved amidst the deceptive211 overheating of the machine, the fictitious subscription212 of shares and their retention213 by the Bank, in order to make people believe that they had really been taken up. Yes, it had been achieved thanks to the impulse imparted by speculation at the Bourse, where each fresh increase of capital had determined214 such an exaggerated rise in the quotations.
Still deep in his examination of Saccard's scheme, Hamelin had not supported his sister in her remarks.
Shaking his head, he now reverted215 to questions of detail.
'None the less, I don't approve of your anticipated balance-sheet, since the profits have not actually been made. I am not now referring to our enterprises, although, like all human affairs, they may meet with accidents. But I see here the Sabatani account, three thousand and odd shares, representing more than two millions of francs. Now you place these to our credit, whereas we ought to be debited216 with them, for Sabatani is only our man of straw. We can say these things between ourselves, can we not? And stay! I also see here the names of several of our employees, even some of our directors, all of them prête-noms—oh! I can guess it easily enough, you need not tell me. It makes me tremble to see that we are keeping such a large number of our shares. We not only do not take in the cash which they represent, but we bring ourselves to a standstill so far as they are concerned, and we shall end by devouring218 ourselves some day.'
Madame Caroline gave him an encouraging look, for he[Pg 256] was at last giving voice to her hidden fears; he was putting his finger on the cause of the secret uneasiness which had grown up within her as success increased. 'Oh! gambling219! gambling!' she murmured.
'But we do not gamble,' cried Saccard. 'Only it is surely allowable for us to keep up the price of our stock, and we should be fools if we did not prevent Gundermann and others from bringing it down by playing against us for a fall. Although they have not quite dared to do so yet, it may come all the same. That is why I am rather glad we have a certain number of our shares in hand, and I warn you, if they force me to it, I am even ready to buy some of those in the market—yes, I'll even buy rather than see the quotations fall by a single centime.'
He spoke these last words with extraordinary vehemence220, as if he were swearing that he would die rather than suffer defeat. However, by dint221 of effort he afterwards calmed himself, and began to laugh, though not without some peevishness222. 'So distrust is coming back again, is it?' he said. 'I thought we had had an explanation once for all about all these matters. You consented to place yourselves in my hands, so let me go ahead. I seek nothing but your fortune, a great, great fortune.' He paused and lowered his voice as though frightened himself by the enormity of his desire. 'Do you know what I want?' he whispered. 'Why, I want the shares to be quoted at three thousand francs!'
He waved his hand, as though over yonder, in space, he could behold223 that triumphant224 quotation150 blazing in figures of fire which set the horizon of the Bourse all aglow225 and ascended226 to the heavens like stars.
'It is madness!' said Madame Caroline.
'As soon as prices exceed two thousand francs,' Hamelin declared, 'each fresh rise will constitute a danger; and for my own part I warn you that I shall sell my shares so as not to take part in such lunacy.'
By way of reply Saccard began to hum a tune62. People always talk of selling and yet do not sell. He would enrich them, despite themselves. Then again he began to smile in a[Pg 257] very affectionate, though somewhat mocking way. 'Trust me,' said he. 'It seems to me that I haven't managed your affairs so badly until now. Sadowa brought you a million.'
This was true; the Hamelins had forgotten it. Yet they had accepted that million fished out of the troubled waters of the Bourse. For a moment they remained silent, turning pale, with the heart-pang felt by those who are still honest but are no longer certain whether they have acted rightly. Had the leprosy of gambling seized upon them also? Were they, too, rotting in that maddening atmosphere of Money in which circumstances compelled them to live?
'No doubt that is so,' the engineer at last muttered; 'but if I had been here——'
Saccard would not let him finish. 'Nonsense,' said he. 'You need feel no remorse; it was only so much money regained227 from those dirty Jews!'
At this all three began to laugh; and Madame Caroline, having seated herself, made a gesture of tolerance228 and resignation. Could one let oneself be devoured229 and not devour217 others? It was life. To do otherwise would require virtues230 of too sublime231 a character, or else the solitude232 of a cloister233, far from all temptation.
'Come, come!' Saccard continued gaily234. 'Do not appear to spit upon money: in the first place, it would be idiotic235 to do so; and secondly, it is only the powerless who disdain236 power. It would be illogical to kill yourselves in labouring to enrich others without cutting off the share you are legitimately238 entitled to. Otherwise, you might just as well go to bed and sleep!' He dominated them and would not permit them to say another word. 'Do you know that you will soon have a pretty sum in your pockets?' he exclaimed. 'Wait a moment.' And then, with a school-boy's petulance239, he rushed to Madame Caroline's table, and, taking a pencil and a sheet of paper, began covering the latter with figures. 'Wait!' he said again. 'I am going to draw up your account. Oh! I know it. At the outset you had five hundred shares, doubled a first time and then doubled again, so that you now hold two[Pg 258] thousand. And you will have three thousand after our next issue.'
Hamelin tried to interrupt him.
'No, no!' said he. 'I know that you have the money to pay for them, what with the three hundred thousand francs that you inherited on the one hand, and your Sadowa million on the other. See! your first two thousand shares have cost you four hundred and thirty-five thousand francs, the other thousand will cost you eight hundred and fifty thousand francs, in all twelve hundred and eighty-five thousand francs. So you will still have fifteen thousand francs left you for pocket money, to say nothing of your salary, now thirty thousand francs a year, but which we shall raise to sixty thousand.'
Bewildered by his flow of words, they listened, and at last began to take an acute interest in these figures.
'You can see very well that you are honest,' he continued 'that you pay for what you take. But those matters are mere bagatelles. This is what I wanted to get at!'
So saying he sprang to his feet again and flourished his sheet of paper with an air of triumph. 'At three thousand francs apiece your three thousand shares will yield you nine millions,' he said.
'Three thousand francs apiece!' they exclaimed, protesting with a gesture against his mad obstinacy240.
'Yes, of course!' said he. 'I forbid you to sell until that price is reached. I shall know how to prevent you—oh! by force if necessary, by the right a man has to prevent his friends from acting241 foolishly. Three thousand francs, that is the quotation I must have, and I will have it!'
What answer could they give to that terrible fellow, whose strident voice sounded like the crow of a cock proclaiming his triumph? They again laughed and affected242 to shrug243 their shoulders. Their minds were quite easy, they declared, for that wonderful price would never be reached. He, however, had again seated himself at the table, and was making fresh calculations, drawing up his own account. Had he paid for his three thousand shares? would he pay for them? That[Pg 259] point remained obscure. It was even probable that he possessed244 a still larger number of shares; but the matter could not be easily elucidated245, for he also served as one of the Bank's prête-noms, and how was one to distinguish the shares which really belonged to him among all those that were entered in his name? His pencil continued jotting246 down line after line of figures. Then all at once, with a rapid zig-zag stroke, he effaced248 everything and crumpled249 up the paper. The amount he had noted250 on it, with the two millions which he had picked up amid the blood and mire of Sadowa, constituted his share of the spoil.
'I must leave you, I have an appointment,' he said, taking up his hat. 'But it's agreed, isn't it? In a week's time we'll have the board meeting, and immediately afterwards the shareholders' meeting to vote on the new scheme.'
When Madame Caroline and Hamelin, bewildered and weary, again found themselves alone, they remained silent for a moment, seated opposite each other.
'What would you have?' at last said the engineer, responding to his sister's secret thoughts. 'We are in it and must remain in it. He is right in saying that it would be stupid of us to refuse this fortune. I have always looked on myself as a mere man of science who brings water to the mill; and I have brought it, I think, clear and abundant in the shape of excellent affairs, to which the Bank owes its rapid prosperity. And so, since no reproach can fall upon me, let us keep free from discouragement, let us work.'
She had risen from her chair, staggering and stammering251: 'Oh, all that money! all that money!' And, choking with invincible252 emotion at the thought of those millions which were about to fall upon them, she hung upon his neck and wept. It was with joy undoubtedly253, with happiness at seeing him at last worthily254 rewarded for his intelligence and labour; but with pain also, a pain of which she could not have told the exact cause, but in which there was a commingling255 of shame and fear. He began to make fun of her, and they once more affected cheerfulness; yet a feeling of uneasiness remained within them, a secret dissatisfaction with themselves, unconfessed[Pg 260] remorse at being forced into this soiling complicity.
'After all, he is right,' repeated Madame Caroline; 'everybody does it. Such is life.'
The board meeting was held in the new room in the sumptuous building of the Rue de Londres. Here, there was no damp reception-room to which the pale reflections from a neighbouring garden imparted a greenish hue256, but a vast apartment, lighted by four windows, overlooking the street, an apartment with a lofty ceiling and majestic257 walls, decorated with large paintings and streaming with gold. The chairman's arm-chair was a veritable throne, dominating the other arm-chairs, which, superb and grave, were ranged as if for a meeting of Cabinet Ministers around an immense table, covered with red velvet. And, above the monumental white marble chimney-piece, where trunks of trees blazed in winter time, there stood a bust258 of the Pope,[24] a shrewd amiable259 face which seemed to be smiling maliciously260 at the idea of finding itself in such a place.
Saccard had now acquired complete control over the board by buying most of its members. Thanks to him, the Marquis de Bohain, compromised in the matter of a pot-de-vin, the fraudulent appropriation261 of some money which he had pocketed and spent, was able to stifle262 the scandal by refunding263 the amount to the company he had robbed, and so he was now Saccard's very humble servant, albeit he still carried his head high like a perfect flower of nobility, the finest ornament8 of the board. Huret, too, since Rougon had dismissed him for revealing the despatch265 respecting the surrender of Venice, had been devoting himself entirely to the fortunes of the Universal, acting as the Bank's representative at the Corps Législatif, and fishing for it in the miry waters of politics, though retaining for himself the larger part of the profits accruing266 from his shameless jobbery, which some fine morning would probably land him in Mazas. And the Viscount de Robin-Chagot, the vice-chairman, pocketed a secret allowance of a hundred thousand francs for giving all the signatures[Pg 261] that were asked of him during Hamelin's long absences. Banker Kolb also paid himself for his passive compliance267 by utilizing268 the Universal's influence abroad, and even by compromising it in his arbitrage270 operations. And Sédille, the silk merchant, shaken by a terrible settlement, had borrowed a large sum which he had been unable to refund264. Daigremont alone remained absolutely independent, a circumstance which at times disturbed Saccard, although the amiable fellow continued treating him in a very charming way, inviting271 him to his entertainments, and readily signing everything that was submitted to him with the good grace of a Parisian sceptic, who as long as he makes money considers that everything is going on all right.
On this occasion, in spite of the exceptional importance of the business, the board was managed quite as easily as at other times. It had indeed become a matter of habit—all the real work was done at the petty meetings held on the 15th of the month; at the full meetings, which took place a fortnight later, there was merely a question of sanctioning the predetermined resolutions with due ceremony.
Such was the indifference272 now displayed by the directors, that the minutes of each successive meeting threatened to become mere repetitions of one another, trite273 records of unswerving, uniform approval; and so it became necessary to attribute scruples274 and remarks to sundry275 members of the board, to concoct276 indeed an entirely imaginary discussion, which nobody was surprised to find recorded, when, at the following meeting, the minutes were read over in all seriousness and duly signed.
Knowing the good and grand news that Hamelin had brought with him, Daigremont no sooner espied277 him than he rushed forward and heartily278 grasped his hands. 'Ah! my dear chairman,' said he, 'how glad I am to congratulate you!'
They all surrounded the engineer and welcomed him, including even Saccard, who behaved as though he had not seen him before; and when the meeting commenced, and Hamelin began to read the report which he was to present to the shareholders, they listened—a very unusual thing. The fine[Pg 262] results already obtained, the magnificent promises for the future, the ingenious system for increasing the capital, and at the same time releasing the old shares, all announcements were received with admiring nods of the head. And nobody had any thought of asking for explanations. It was perfect. Sédille having pointed279 out an error in a figure, it was even agreed not to insert his remarks in the minutes in order not to disturb the beautiful unanimity280 of the gathering281; and then everyone signed in rapid succession, under the influence of enthusiasm, and without making any observation.
The meeting was already over; they were on their feet, laughing and joking, amid the resplendent gildings of the room. The Marquis de Bohain described an imperial shooting party at Fontainebleau; while Deputy Huret, who had lately been to Rome, related how he had received the blessing282 of the Pope. Kolb had just disappeared, running off to keep some appointment. And to the other directors, the supernumeraries, Saccard, in a low tone, gave them his instructions respecting the attitude which they were to take up at the approaching meeting. Daigremont, however, worried by the Viscount de Robin-Chagot's inordinate283 praise of Hamelin's report, caught hold of the manager's arm as he passed by to whisper in his ear: 'Not too fast, eh?'
Saccard stopped short and looked at him. He remembered how he had originally hesitated to bring Daigremont into the affair, knowing that he was not over reliable in financial matters. And in a loud voice, so that all might hear, he now replied: 'Oh! who loves me must follow me!'
Three days later, the specially105 summoned meeting of shareholders was held in the grand Salle des Fêtes at the H?tel du Louvre. They had not cared for that bare sorry-looking hall in the Rue Blanche for such a solemnity as this; they wanted the use of a gala gallery, still warm with life between some banquet and some wedding ball. According to the articles of association, it was necessary to hold at least twenty shares in order to be admitted; and the shareholders who attended were over twelve hundred in number, representing four thousand and odd votes. The formalities at the entrance,[Pg 263] the presentation of tickets and signing of names in a special register, occupied over two hours. A tumult284 of gay chatter285 filled the gallery, in which were to be seen all the directors and many of the principal employees of the Universal. Sabatani was there talking to a group of acquaintances about his country, the East, in a languishing286, caressing voice, relating marvellous tales about it, as though the region were some Tom Tiddler's ground where one need but stoop in order to pick up gold, silver, and precious stones; and Maugendre, who in June had made up his mind to buy fifty shares at one thousand two hundred francs apiece, convinced as he was of a further rise, stood listening to the Levantine open-mouthed and well pleased with the keenness of his scent. Meantime Jantrou, who, since he had become rich had been leading an altogether depraved life, chuckled287 to himself, his mouth twisted into an ironical288 grimace289, and his head heavy with his orgy of the previous night.
When Hamelin had taken the chair and opened the meeting, Lavignière, who had been re-elected auditor12 and was soon to be raised to a position on the board—his dream—was called upon to read a report on the financial situation of the Bank, such as it would be at the end of next December. In order to comply with the statutes290, Saccard had devised this plan of controlling, as it were, the anticipatory291 balance-sheet which the meeting would have to deal with. Lavignière reminded the shareholders of the balance-sheet of the previous year, presented at the ordinary meeting in April—that magnificent balance-sheet which had shown a net profit of eleven millions and a half, and after allowing five per cent. for the shareholders, ten per cent. for the directors, and ten per cent. also for the reserve fund, had admitted of the further distribution of a dividend94 of thirty-three per cent. Then, with a deluge292 of figures, he established that the sum of thirty-six million francs given as the approximate profits of the current year, far from seeming to him exaggerated, fell short of the most modest hopes. Undoubtedly he was sincere, and had conscientiously293 examined the documents submitted for his verification; but, in order to study a set of accounts thoroughly294,[Pg 264] it is necessary to draw up another set. Besides, the shareholders did not listen to him. Only a few devotees, Maugendre and others, petty holders126 who represented a vote or two, drank in his figures amid the persistent295 hum of conversation. For the others the auditors296' report was not of the slightest consequence. It was only when Hamelin at last arose that a religious silence ensued. Not at once, however, for applause broke out even before he had opened his mouth, as a homage to the zeal297 and stubborn, brave genius of this man, who had gone so far in search of barrels of money to empty them upon Paris. After that came ever-increasing success, swelling298 into triumph. The audience hailed a fresh reminder299 of the balance-sheet of the previous year, which Lavignière had been unable to make them hear. But the estimates of the approaching balance-sheet especially excited their delight—millions for the Steam Navigation Company, millions for the Carmel silver-mine, millions for the Turkish National Bank; and the addition seemed endless, the thirty-six millions grouped themselves in an easy natural fashion, and then fell in a cascade300 with a ringing sound. But a further horizon was revealed, when the future operations were dealt with. The Oriental Railway Company appeared—at first the main line, the work in connection with which was about to begin; then the branch lines, the whole network of modern industry and enterprise thrown over Asia, humanity's triumphant return to its cradle, the resurrection of the old world. And in the far distance loomed301 up the mystery which they did not speak of, the crowning of the edifice which was to astonish the nations. When Hamelin at last came to the explanation of the resolutions which he intended to submit to the meeting there was perfect unanimity. A thunder of applause greeted the proposals to increase the capital and release the stock. Above all heads could be seen Maugendre's fat hands clapping vigorously. On the foremost benches, too, the directors and employees made a furious uproar302, through which pierced the voice of Sabatani, who had risen to his feet and shouted 'Brava!' as though he had been at a theatre. All the resolutions were then adopted by acclamation.
[Pg 265]
Saccard, however, had planned an incident, which was introduced into the proceedings303 at this point. He was aware that he was accused of gambling, and wished to efface247 even the slightest suspicions from the minds of distrustful shareholders should there be any in the hall. Accordingly, Jantrou, whom he had coached, rose up, and addressing the chairman in his thick, husky voice, exclaimed: 'I believe, Mr. Chairman, that I am acting as the mouthpiece of many shareholders in inquiring if it is certain that the Bank possesses none of its own shares!'
Hamelin, who had not been forewarned, remained embarrassed for a moment. Then he instinctively turned towards Saccard, who had hitherto been hidden away in his seat, but who now suddenly rose, and, perched on tip-toe to increase his stature304, replied in his strident voice: 'No, not one, Mr. Chairman!'
Bravoes, no one knew why, again burst forth192 at this announcement. Though Saccard really lied, it was nevertheless a fact that the Bank had not a single share standing in its own name, since Sabatani and the others covered it. And that was all; there was some further applause, and then they all made their exit amid gaiety and noise.
The report of this meeting, published in the newspapers, at once produced an enormous effect at the Bourse and all over Paris. For this moment Jantrou had kept in reserve a last shower of puffs, the loudest flourishes that had been blown for a long time on the trumpets of advertising. Moreover, he had at last just executed his grand stroke, the purchase of the C?te Financière, that substantial old journal which had twelve years of stainless305 honesty behind it. It had cost a great deal of money, but the serious customers, the trembling middle-class folks, the prudent306 people with huge fortunes, the mass of self-respecting men of money, had been gained by it. In a fortnight the figure of fifteen hundred francs was reached at the Bourse, and in the last days of August, by successive leaps, the shares rose to two thousand. The infatuation was still at fever-heat; the paroxysm became more and more intense each day. Folks bought and bought; even the most prudent went on[Pg 266] buying, convinced that the shares would rise higher yet, go up indeed for ever and ever. It was as though the mysterious caverns307 of the Arabian Nights were opening, as though the incalculable treasures of the Caliphs were being offered to the greed of Paris. Such was the public enchantment308 that all the dreams which for months past had been spoken of in whispers now appeared to be on the point of realisation: the cradle of humanity was being reoccupied, the old historic cities of the coast were being resuscitated309 from their sand. Damascus, then Bagdad, then India and China, would be exploited by the invading troop of French engineers. The conquest of the East, which Napoleon had been unable to accomplish with his sword, was to be realised by a financial company sending an army of pickaxes and wheelbarrows thither310. Asia would be conquered by dint of millions, and billions would be derived311 from it in return. And especially was this the hour of triumph for the crusade undertaken by the women at their little five-o'clock gatherings312, at their grand midnight receptions, at table and elsewhere. They had clearly foreseen it all. Constantinople was taken; they would soon have Broussa, Angora, and Aleppo; later they would secure Smyrna, Trebizond, all the cities to which the Universal laid siege, until the day came when they should conquer the last one, the holy city which they did not name, but which was, as it were, the Eucharistic promise of the expedition. Fathers, husbands, and lovers, compelled to it by the passionate313 ardour of the women, went to give their brokers314 orders to the repeated cry of 'Dieu le veut!'[25] And at last came the dreadful crush of the small and humble, of the tramping crowd that follows large armies, passion descending315 from the drawing-room to the kitchen, from the merchant to the workman and the peasant, and sweeping316 along in this mad gallop of millions innumerable poor subscribers with but one share or three or four or ten shares apiece, door-portresses nearly ready to retire, old maids living with their cats, provincial pensioners317 with allowances of ten sous a day, country priests whom almsgiving had left almost penniless; in fact, the[Pg 267] whole emaciated318 hungry mass of infinitesimal capitalists, those whom a catastrophe at the Bourse sweeps away like an epidemic319, and at one stroke stretches in paupers320' graves.
And this exaltation of Universal shares, this ascension which carried them up as if on a divine wind, went on to the accompaniment of the yet louder and louder music that arose from the Tuileries and the Champ de Mars and of the endless festivities with which the Exhibition intoxicated Paris. The flags flapped more noisily in the oppressive atmosphere of the warm summer days; not an evening came but the burning city sparkled beneath the stars like a colossal palace in which debauchery went on until the dawn. The joy had spread from house to house; the streets were an intoxication; a cloud of yellow vapour—the steam of festivities, the sweat of revellers—travelled away to the horizon, rolling its coils over the house-roofs, wrapping Paris in the lurid321 night of Sodom, Babylon, and Nineveh.
Ever since May emperors and kings had been coming thither on pilgrimage from the four corners of the world—endless processions, well-nigh a hundred sovereigns, princes, and princesses. Paris was thoroughly satiated with Majesties322 and Highnesses; it had welcomed the Emperor of Russia and the Emperor of Austria, the Sultan of Turkey and the Viceroy of Egypt; and it had thrown itself under the wheels of carriages in order to get a nearer view of the King of Prussia, whom Count von Bismarck followed like a faithful dog. Salutes323 of honour were continually thundering from the Invalides, while the dense324 crowd at the Exhibition made a popular success of the huge, sombre Krupp guns, which Germany exhibited there. Almost every week the Opera was lighted up for some official festivity. Folks stifled325 in the little theatres and the restaurants, all crowded to excess, and the Boulevard footways were no longer wide enough for the overflowing326 torrent327 of frail328 women. Napoleon III. himself wished to distribute the awards to the sixty thousand exhibitors in a ceremony which surpassed all others in magnificence—a 'glory,' as it were, burning on the brow of Paris, the resplendency of the reign, when the Emperor, amid illusive[Pg 268] radiance, appeared as the master of Europe, speaking with the calmness of conscious strength and promising269 peace. Yet on the very morning of the ceremony, tidings of the frightful329 Mexican tragedy, the execution of Maximilian, had reached the Tuileries. French blood and treasure had been lavishly330 expended331 for naught332; and the news was designedly concealed333 from the people in order that the festivities might not be saddened. Nevertheless it was the first stroke of the knell334 sounding solemnly already, albeit the reign had scarce passed its meridian335, and dazzling sunlight still prevailed.
And amidst this glory it seemed as if Saccard's star rose higher still, attained336 also to yet greater brilliancy. At last, as had been his endeavour for so many years, he had made fortune a slave, a thing of his own, a thing one can dispose of, keep under lock and key, alive and real. So many times had falsehood dwelt in his coffers, so many millions had flowed through them, escaping by all sorts of unknown holes! But this was no longer the deceptive splendour of the fa?ade; it was real sovereignty substantially based upon full sacks of gold; and he did not exercise this sway like a Gundermann, after long years of economy on the part of a whole line of bankers, he laid the proud unction to his soul that he himself had acquired it like a soldier of fortune who conquers a kingdom at a stroke. In the days of his land speculations337 in the Quartier de l'Europe he had often risen very high; but never had he felt conquered Paris fawning338 so humbly339 at his feet as now. And he recalled the day when, breakfasting at Champeaux', ruined once more, and doubting his star, he had cast hungry glances at the Bourse, furiously eager for his revenge, feverishly340 longing139 to begin everything, reconquer everything again. Accordingly, now that he had become the master once more, great was his appetite for enjoyment! In the first place, as soon as he believed himself omnipotent341 he got rid of Huret, and instructed Jantrou to launch against Rougon an article in which the Minister, in the name of the Catholics of France, was openly accused of playing a double game in the Roman question. This was the definitive declaration of war between the two brothers. Since the convention[Pg 269] of September 15, 1864,[26] and especially since Sadowa, the French clerical party had pretended to be deeply anxious about the Pope's position; and so now 'L'Espérance' resumed its old Ultramontane politics and violently attacked the liberal Empire, such as the decrees of January 19[27] had begun to make it. A remark of Saccard's circulated in the Chamber342: he had said that, in spite of his profound affection for the Emperor, he would resign himself to Henry V., the Count de Chambord, rather than allow the revolutionary spirit to lead France into catastrophes343. Then, his audacity344 increasing with his victories, he no longer concealed his plan of attacking the great Jew bankers in the person of Gundermann, whose billion he meant to breach345 and breach until the time came for assault and final capture. As the Universal had acquired such miraculous development, why should it not, a few years hence, with the support of entire Christendom, become the sovereign mistress of the Bourse? And Saccard, with warlike bluster346, affected the demeanour of a rival, a neighbouring king of equal power, whilst Gundermann, very phlegmatic347, without even indulging in a grimace of irony348, continued watching and waiting—to all appearances simply interested by the continual rise of Universal stock—like a man who has placed his firm reliance in patience and logic237.
His passions had thus elevated Saccard, and his passions were fated to ruin him. Gorged349 though he was, he would have liked to have found a sixth sense to satisfy. Madame Caroline, who had come to that point that she always smiled, even when her heart was bleeding, remained a friend to whom he would listen with a kind of conjugal350 deference351. But the Baroness352 Sandorff, icily cold despite her ardent eyes, no longer had any attraction for him. Besides, he was too busy, too absorbed to indulge in a grande passion. All he wanted, all he cared about, was some woman whom he might parade as a token of wealth, just like another man might flaunt353 a huge diamond pin in his cravat354. That pin with some would be an advertisement; and it was for advertisement's sake and[Pg 270] for the mere satisfaction of vanity that Saccard, on his side, wished to show himself to all Paris in the company of some woman of exceptional notoriety. When this idea came to him his choice at once fell upon Madame de Jeumont, at whose house he had dined on two or three occasions in Maxime's company. Although six and thirty, she was still handsome, with the regular, majestic beauty of a Juno, and she was particularly notorious, for she had attracted the attention of the Emperor, who had heaped gold upon her and had even created her husband a Knight355 of the Legion of Honour. It proved a costly356 whim357 for Saccard, but it keenly satisfied his vanity. One night a grand ball was given at the Ministry358 of Foreign Affairs, and the reception-rooms, all ablaze with the light of the chandeliers, were crowded with bare shoulders and dress coats, when Saccard entered in triumph, having Madame de Jeumont on his arm, whilst her husband followed behind them. At sight of them, the groups of guests were suddenly broken up, and a broad passage was left for this scandalous exhibition of unbridled licence and mad prodigality359. It was the culminating moment of Saccard's existence. Amid the all-prevalent, intoxicating360 odor di femina and the lulling361 music of the distant orchestra, folks smiled and whispered together as the trio passed. In one salon362, however, another stream of inquisitive363 guests had gathered around a colossal individual, who stood there, dazzling and superb, in a white cuirassier uniform. It was Count von Bismarck, who, with his tall figure towering above all others, with big eyes, thick nose and powerful jaw364, crossed by the moustaches of a conquering barbarian365, was laughing broadly at some jocular remark. Since Sadowa he had given Germany to Prussia; the treaties of alliance against France, so long denied, had been signed for months; and war—which had nearly broken out in May à propos of the Luxemburg affair—had now become inevitable366. When Saccard in his triumph crossed the room with Madame de Jeumont on his arm and the husband following behind, Count von Bismarck for a moment ceased laughing like a good-humoured, playful giant, and gazed at them inquisitively367 as they passed.
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1
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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convoked
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| v.召集，召开（会议）( convoke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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auditorium
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| n.观众席，听众席；会堂，礼堂 | |
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auditor
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| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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scintillating
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| adj．才气横溢的,闪闪发光的; 闪烁的 | |
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sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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gratuities
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| n.报酬( gratuity的名词复数 )；小账；小费；养老金 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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monkish
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| adj.僧侣的，修道士的，禁欲的 | |
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33
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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38
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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40
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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41
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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42
beatifically
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| adj. 祝福的, 幸福的, 快乐的, 慈祥的 | |
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43
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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44
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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45
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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46
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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47
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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48
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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49
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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50
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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51
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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52
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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53
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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54
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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55
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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56
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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57
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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58
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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59
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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60
culminate
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| v.到绝顶，达于极点，达到高潮 | |
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61
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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62
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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63
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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64
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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65
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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66
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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67
voracious
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| adj.狼吞虎咽的，贪婪的 | |
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68
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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69
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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70
advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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71
advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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72
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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73
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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74
cymbals
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| pl.铙钹 | |
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75
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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76
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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77
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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78
provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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79
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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80
concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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81
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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82
militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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83
tartly
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| adv.辛辣地，刻薄地 | |
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84
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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85
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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86
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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87
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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88
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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89
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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90
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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91
dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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92
enumerated
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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94
dividend
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| n.红利，股息；回报，效益 | |
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95
premium
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| n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的 | |
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96
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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97
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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98
ensemble
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| n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果 | |
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justifying
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| 证明…有理( justify的现在分词 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护） | |
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100
necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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102
rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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103
decried
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| v.公开反对，谴责( decry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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105
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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106
alcoves
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| n.凹室( alcove的名词复数 )；（花园）凉亭；僻静处；壁龛 | |
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107
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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108
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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109
hermit
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| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
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110
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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111
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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112
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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113
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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114
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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115
disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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116
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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117
rejuvenated
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| 更生的 | |
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118
applicants
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| 申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 ) | |
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119
soliciting
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| v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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120
omnipotence
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| n.全能，万能，无限威力 | |
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121
inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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122
stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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123
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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124
shareholders
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| n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 ) | |
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125
shareholder
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| n.股东，股票持有人 | |
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126
holders
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| 支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物 | |
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127
cringing
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| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
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128
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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129
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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130
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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131
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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132
abruptness
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| n. 突然，唐突 | |
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133
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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134
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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135
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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136
premiums
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| n.费用( premium的名词复数 )；保险费；额外费用；（商品定价、贷款利息等以外的）加价 | |
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137
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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138
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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140
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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141
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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142
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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143
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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144
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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145
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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146
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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147
consummated
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| v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
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148
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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149
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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150
quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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151
quotations
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| n.引用( quotation的名词复数 )；[商业]行情（报告）；（货物或股票的）市价；时价 | |
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152
cleansed
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| 弄干净，清洗( cleanse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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153
mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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154
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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155
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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156
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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157
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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158
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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159
mattresses
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| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
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160
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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161
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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162
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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163
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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164
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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165
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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166
attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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167
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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168
initiated
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| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
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169
notary
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| n.公证人，公证员 | |
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170
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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171
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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172
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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173
deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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174
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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175
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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176
covertly
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| adv.偷偷摸摸地 | |
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177
liaison
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| n.联系，（未婚男女间的）暖昧关系，私通 | |
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178
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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179
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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180
virile
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| adj.男性的；有男性生殖力的；有男子气概的；强有力的 | |
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181
lucidity
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| n.明朗，清晰，透明 | |
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182
temporized
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| v.敷衍( temporize的过去式和过去分词 )；拖延；顺应时势；暂时同意 | |
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183
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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184
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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185
resounds
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的第三人称单数 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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186
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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187
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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188
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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189
administrative
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| adj.行政的，管理的 | |
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190
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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191
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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192
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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193
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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194
definitive
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| adj.确切的，权威性的；最后的，决定性的 | |
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195
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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196
unify
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| vt.使联合，统一；使相同，使一致 | |
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197
payable
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| adj.可付的，应付的，有利益的 | |
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198
entailing
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| 使…成为必要( entail的现在分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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199
memoir
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| n.[pl.]回忆录，自传；记事录 | |
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200
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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201
fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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202
cavil
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| v.挑毛病，吹毛求疵 | |
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203
nonplussed
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| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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204
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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205
bard
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| n.吟游诗人 | |
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206
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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207
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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208
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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209
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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210
apportioned
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| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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211
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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212
subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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213
retention
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| n.保留，保持，保持力，记忆力 | |
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214
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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215
reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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216
debited
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| v.记入（账户）的借方( debit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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217
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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218
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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219
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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220
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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221
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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222
peevishness
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| 脾气不好；爱发牢骚 | |
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223
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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224
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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225
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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226
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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228
tolerance
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| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
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229
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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230
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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231
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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232
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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233
cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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234
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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235
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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236
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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237
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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238
legitimately
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| ad.合法地；正当地，合理地 | |
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239
petulance
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| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
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240
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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241
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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242
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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243
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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244
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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245
elucidated
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| v.阐明，解释( elucidate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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246
jotting
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| n.简短的笔记，略记v.匆忙记下( jot的现在分词 )；草草记下，匆匆记下 | |
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247
efface
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| v.擦掉，抹去 | |
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248
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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249
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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250
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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251
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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252
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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253
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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254
worthily
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| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
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255
commingling
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| v.混合，掺和，合并( commingle的现在分词 ) | |
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256
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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257
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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258
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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259
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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260
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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261
appropriation
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| n.拨款，批准支出 | |
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262
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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263
refunding
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| n.借新债还旧债；再融资；债务延展；发行新债券取代旧债券v.归还，退还( refund的现在分词 ) | |
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264
refund
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| v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款 | |
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265
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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266
accruing
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| v.增加( accrue的现在分词 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累 | |
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267
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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268
utilizing
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的现在分词 ) | |
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269
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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270
arbitrage
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| n.套利，套汇 | |
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271
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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272
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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273
trite
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| adj.陈腐的 | |
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274
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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275
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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276
concoct
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| v.调合，制造 | |
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277
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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278
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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279
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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280
unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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281
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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282
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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283
inordinate
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| adj.无节制的；过度的 | |
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284
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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285
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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286
languishing
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| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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287
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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288
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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289
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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290
statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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291
anticipatory
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| adj.预想的，预期的 | |
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292
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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293
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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294
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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295
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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296
auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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297
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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298
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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299
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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300
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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301
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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302
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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303
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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304
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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305
stainless
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| adj.无瑕疵的，不锈的 | |
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306
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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307
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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308
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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309
resuscitated
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| v.使（某人或某物）恢复知觉，苏醒( resuscitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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310
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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311
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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312
gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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313
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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314
brokers
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| n.（股票、外币等）经纪人( broker的名词复数 )；中间人；代理商；（订合同的）中人v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的第三人称单数 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排… | |
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315
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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316
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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317
pensioners
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| n.领取退休、养老金或抚恤金的人( pensioner的名词复数 ) | |
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318
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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319
epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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320
paupers
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| n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 )；贫民；贫穷 | |
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321
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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322
majesties
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| n.雄伟( majesty的名词复数 )；庄严；陛下；王权 | |
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323
salutes
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| n.致敬，欢迎，敬礼( salute的名词复数 )v.欢迎，致敬( salute的第三人称单数 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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324
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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325
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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326
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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327
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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328
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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329
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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330
lavishly
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| adv.慷慨地，大方地 | |
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331
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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332
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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333
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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334
knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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335
meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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336
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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337
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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338
fawning
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| adj.乞怜的，奉承的v.（尤指狗等）跳过来往人身上蹭以示亲热( fawn的现在分词 )；巴结；讨好 | |
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339
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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340
feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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341
omnipotent
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| adj.全能的，万能的 | |
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342
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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343
catastrophes
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| n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 )；灾难；不幸事件；困难 | |
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344
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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345
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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346
bluster
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| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
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347
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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348
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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349
gorged
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| v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的过去式和过去分词 )；作呕 | |
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350
conjugal
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|
| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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351
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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352
baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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353
flaunt
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| vt.夸耀，夸饰 | |
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354
cravat
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| n.领巾，领结；v.使穿有领结的服装，使结领结 | |
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355
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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356
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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357
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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358
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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359
prodigality
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| n.浪费，挥霍 | |
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360
intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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361
lulling
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的现在分词形式） | |
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362
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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363
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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364
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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365
barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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366
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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367
inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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