One Thursday, Camille, on returning from his office, brought with him a great fellow with square shoulders, whom he pushed in a familiar manner into the shop.
"Mother," he said to Madame Raquin, pointing to the newcomer, "do you recognise this gentleman?"
The old mercer looked at the strapping1 blade, seeking among her recollections and finding nothing, while Therese placidly2 observed the scene.
"What!" resumed Camille, "you don't recognise Laurent, little Laurent, the son of daddy Laurent who owns those beautiful fields of corn out Jeufosse way. Don't you remember? I went to school with him; he came to fetch me of a morning on leaving the house of his uncle, who was our neighbour, and you used to give him slices of bread and jam."
All at once Madame Raquin recollected3 little Laurent, whom she found very much grown. It was quite ten years since she had seen him. She now did her best to make him forget her lapse4 of memory in greeting him, by recalling a thousand little incidents of the past, and by adopting a wheedling5 manner towards him that was quite maternal6. Laurent had seated himself. With a peaceful smile on his lips, he replied to the questions addressed to him in a clear voice, casting calm and easy glances around him.
"Just imagine," said Camille, "this joker has been employed at the Orleans-Railway-Station for eighteen months, and it was only to-night that we met and recognised one another--the administration is so vast, so important!"
As the young man made this remark, he opened his eyes wider, and pinched his lips, proud to be a humble7 wheel in such a large machine. Shaking his head, he continued:
"Oh! but he is in a good position. He has studied. He already earns 1,500 francs a year. His father sent him to college. He had read for the bar, and learnt painting. That is so, is it not, Laurent? You'll dine with us?"
"I am quite willing," boldly replied the other.
He got rid of his hat and made himself comfortable in the shop, while Madame Raquin ran off to her stewpots. Therese, who had not yet pronounced a word, looked at the new arrival. She had never seen such a man before. Laurent, who was tall and robust9, with a florid complexion11, astonished her. It was with a feeling akin8 to admiration12, that she contemplated13 his low forehead planted with coarse black hair, his full cheeks, his red lips, his regular features of sanguineous beauty. For an instant her eyes rested on his neck, a neck that was thick and short, fat and powerful. Then she became lost in the contemplation of his great hands which he kept spread out on his knees: the fingers were square; the clenched14 fist must be enormous and would fell an ox.
Laurent was a real son of a peasant, rather heavy in gait, with an arched back, with movements that were slow and precise, and an obstinate15 tranquil16 manner. One felt that his apparel concealed17 round and well-developed muscles, and a body of thick hard flesh. Therese examined him with curiosity, glancing from his fists to his face, and experienced little shivers when her eyes fell on his bull-like neck.
Camille spread out his Buffon volumes, and his serials18 at 10 centimes the number, to show his friend that he also studied. Then, as if answering an inquiry19 he had been making of himself for some minutes, he said to Laurent:
"But, surely you must know my wife? Don't you remember that little cousin who used to play with us at Vernon?"
"I had no difficulty in recognising Madame," answered Laurent, looking Therese full in the face.
This penetrating20 glance troubled the young woman, who, nevertheless, gave a forced smile, and after exchanging a few words with Laurent and her husband, hurried away to join her aunt, feeling ill at ease.
As soon as they had seated themselves at table, and commenced the soup, Camille thought it right to be attentive21 to his friend.
"How is your father?" he inquired.
"Well, I don't know," answered Laurent. "We are not on good terms; we ceased corresponding five years ago."
"Bah!" exclaimed the clerk, astonished at such a monstrosity.
"Yes," continued the other, "the dear man has ideas of his own. As he is always at law with his neighbours, he sent me to college, in the fond hope that later on, he would find in me an advocate who would win him all his actions. Oh! daddy Laurent has naught22 but useful ambitions; he even wants to get something out of his follies23."
"And you wouldn't be an advocate?" inquired Camille, more and more astonished.
"Faith, no," answered his friend with a smile. "For a couple of years I pretended to follow the classes, so as to draw the allowance of 1,200 francs which my father made me. I lived with one of my college chums, who is a painter, and I set about painting also. It amused me. The calling is droll24, and not at all fatiguing25. We smoked and joked all the livelong day."
"Unfortunately," continued Laurent, "this could not last. My father found out that I was telling him falsehoods. He stopped my 100 francs a month, and invited me to return and plough the land with him. I then tried to paint pictures on religious subjects which proved bad business. As I could plainly see that I was going to die of hunger, I sent art to the deuce and sought employment. My father will die one of these days, and I am waiting for that event to live and do nothing."
Laurent spoke27 in a tranquil tone. In a few words he had just related a characteristic tale that depicted28 him at full length. In reality he was an idle fellow, with the appetite of a full-blooded man for everything, and very pronounced ideas as to easy and lasting29 employment. The only ambition of this great powerful frame was to do nothing, to grovel30 in idleness and satiation from hour to hour. He wanted to eat well, sleep well, to abundantly satisfy his passions, without moving from his place, without running the risk of the slightest fatigue31.
The profession of advocate had terrified him, and he shuddered32 at the idea of tilling the soil. He had plunged33 into art, hoping to find therein a calling suitable to an idle man. The paint-brush struck him as being an instrument light to handle, and he fancied success easy. His dream was a life of cheap sensuality, a beautiful existence full of houris, of repose34 on divans35, of victuals36 and intoxication37.
The dream lasted so long as daddy Laurent sent the crown pieces. But when the young man, who was already thirty, perceived the wolf at the door, he began to reflect. Face to face with privations, he felt himself a coward. He would not have accepted a day without bread, for the utmost glory art could bestow38. As he had said himself, he sent art to the deuce, as soon as he recognised that it would never suffice to satisfy his numerous requirements. His first efforts had been below mediocrity; his peasant eyes caught a clumsy, slovenly39 view of nature; his muddy, badly drawn40, grimacing41 pictures, defied all criticism.
But he did not seem to have an over-dose of vanity for an artist; he was not in dire42 despair when he had to put aside his brushes. All he really regretted was the vast studio of his college chum, where he had been voluptuously43 grovelling45 for four or five years. He also regretted the women who came to pose there. Nevertheless he found himself at ease in his position as clerk; he lived very well in a brutish fashion, and he was fond of this daily task, which did not fatigue him, and soothed46 his mind. Still one thing irritated him: the food at the eighteen sous ordinaries failed to appease47 the gluttonous48 appetite of his stomach.
As Camille listened to his friend, he contemplated him with all the astonishment49 of a simpleton. This feeble man was dreaming, in a childish manner, of this studio life which his friend had been alluding50 to, and he questioned Laurent on the subject.
"Oh! yes," answered Laurent with a smile, and looking at Therese, who had turned deadly pale.
"You must have thought that very funny," continued Camille, laughing like a child. "It would have made me feel most awkward. I expect you were quite scandalised the first time it happened."
Laurent had spread out one of his great hands and was attentively52 looking at the palm. His fingers gave slight twitches53, and his cheeks became flushed.
"The first time," he answered, as if speaking to himself, "I fancy I thought it quite natural. This devilish art is exceedingly amusing, only it does not bring in a sou. I had a red-haired girl as model who was superb, firm white flesh, gorgeous bust10, hips54 as wide as . . ."
Laurent, raising his head, saw Therese mute and motionless opposite, gazing at him with ardent55 fixedness56. Her dull black eyes seemed like two fathomless57 holes, and through her parted lips could be perceived the rosy58 tint59 of the inside of her mouth. She seemed as if overpowered by what she heard, and lost in thought. She continued listening.
Laurent looked from Therese to Camille, and the former painter restrained a smile. He completed his phrase by a broad voluptuous44 gesture, which the young woman followed with her eyes. They were at dessert, and Madame Raquin had just run downstairs to serve a customer.
When the cloth was removed Laurent, who for some minutes had been thoughtful, turned to Camille.
This idea delighted Madame Raquin and her son, but Therese remained silent.
"It is summer-time," resumed Laurent, "and as we leave the office at four o'clock, I can come here, and let you give me a sitting for a couple of hours in the evening. The picture will be finished in a week."
"That will be fine," answered Camille, flushed with joy. "You shall dine with us. I will have my hair curled, and put on my black frock coat."
Eight o'clock struck. Grivet and Michaud made their entry. Olivier and Suzanne arrived behind them.
When Camille introduced his friend to the company, Grivet pinched his lips. He detested61 Laurent whose salary, according to his idea, had risen far too rapidly. Besides, the introduction of a new-comer was quite an important matter, and the guests of the Raquins could not receive an individual unknown to them, without some display of coldness.
Laurent behaved very amicably62. He grasped the situation, and did his best to please the company, so as to make himself acceptable to them at once. He related anecdotes63, enlivened the party by his merry laughter, and even won the friendship of Grivet.
That evening Therese made no attempt to go down to the shop. She remained seated on her chair until eleven o'clock, playing and talking, avoiding the eyes of Laurent, who for that matter did not trouble himself about her. The sanguineous temperament64 of this strapping fellow, his full voice and jovial65 laughter, troubled the young woman and threw her into a sort of nervous anguish66.
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1
strapping
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| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
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2
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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3
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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5
wheedling
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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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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akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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14
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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18
serials
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| n.连载小说，电视连续剧( serial的名词复数 ) | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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20
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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21
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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22
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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24
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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26
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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27
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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28
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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29
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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30
grovel
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| vi.卑躬屈膝，奴颜婢膝 | |
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31
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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32
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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33
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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34
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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35
divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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36
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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37
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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38
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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39
slovenly
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| adj.懒散的，不整齐的，邋遢的 | |
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40
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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41
grimacing
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| v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的现在分词 ) | |
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42
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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43
voluptuously
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| adv.风骚地，体态丰满地 | |
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44
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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45
grovelling
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| adj.卑下的，奴颜婢膝的v.卑躬屈节，奴颜婢膝( grovel的现在分词 )；趴 | |
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46
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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47
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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48
gluttonous
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| adj.贪吃的，贪婪的 | |
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49
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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50
alluding
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| 提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 ) | |
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51
nude
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| adj.裸体的；n.裸体者，裸体艺术品 | |
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52
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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53
twitches
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| n.（使）抽动， （使）颤动， （使）抽搐( twitch的名词复数 ) | |
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54
hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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55
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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56
fixedness
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| n.固定；稳定；稳固 | |
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fathomless
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| a.深不可测的 | |
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58
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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59
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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60
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
amicably
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| adv.友善地 | |
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63
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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64
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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65
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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66
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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