A husband of choice

A husband of choice

Pages de titre

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

XIII

XIV

XV

XVII

XVIII

XIX

XX

XXI

XXII

XXIII

XXIV

XXV

XXVI

XXVII

XXVIII

XXIX

XXX

XXXI

XXXII

XXXIII

XXXIV

Copyright

Max the Veuzit

A husband of choice

Max the Veuzit is the pen name of Alphonsine Zéphirine Vavasseur, born in Petit-Quevilly 29 October 1876 and died in Bois-Colombes 15 April 1952. It is a French language writer, author of numerous romance novels with great success.

I

- Knock Knock !

Without looking up from her knitting, Mary Jousserand, lady companion in this rich house, threw her clear voice a resounding Enter.

A young maid entered the room.

- It's me, miss, she said, a little intimidated.

- Ah! there you are, Celine! Well, are you happy to be here? The place is not too tiring, she is well remunerated. If you know to be serious and dedicated, that you alone on the fate of yours.

- Oh ! Yes ! And I projects; it is said that Miss Frémonde is very good.

- It is exquisite for those who can understand it.

- And that is why I dared to come to you, miss. You have been very generous to my parents and thanks to you I came here. I wish you never have to regret what you have done for me.

The lady looked at the girl.

- Why should I be displeased with you, Celine? She said sympathetically.

- Involuntarily, I can make blunders; I've never worked in others before that day and I do not know many things.

- It's just ! you are new in your maid functions.

She pointed to a stool at the girl.

- Here, sit down here, kid. We have plenty of time to talk, Mademoiselle will not return until an hour.

When the maid had taken place at his feet on the seat bottom that had just designated him the knitter asked, smiling:

- Tell me what troubles you?

- Here ! said the young girl, seriously, Miss Frémonde control very quickly. We feel that we must understand half word ...

- Well ! you guess what she wants before she opens her mouth. The key is to never respond to his comments.

- Never respond?

- Never !

- Even though Miss is an undeserved remark ... There are cases ...

- Especially when she's wrong.

- For example ! exclaimed the maid with surprise.

- This is necessary and no exceptions. When Miss is not right, it perfectly realizes, because it is of remarkable intelligence! But it is precisely in such times as it must be said, give in, or shut up.

- Well, here's a mentality! She will not be happy in life, the little boss, if it bears no contradiction.

The girl shook her head with disapproval of air that spoke volumes about his thoughts.

- We need to realize what Miss Frémonde, 'said the old lady firmly. His father was one of the richest men in France and he loved his daughter. At eleven, the girl had a personal budget of a thousand francs a month for her small pleasures. At fifteen, the same amount was paid to him every week, and the teenager thought it was meager to satisfy every whim or spread his gifts. For Miss Frémonde is generous much as prodigal. Money slips through her fingers she wants without realizing how it goes.

Celine now opened wide eyes.

- So much money! she asked, bewildered. We can not imagine that a woman who spends without counting!

Miss Jousserand smiled.

- Who knows Claude Frémonde, this money is secondary fragmentation. She is prodigiously rich, it is natural that it sows its revenue to the four winds. What is less clear is how this fortune reacted on his character.

- Miss is original, I bet?

The Knitter nodded.

- It is above all independent and voluntary. It does not occur to her that there is to it legal or illegal things. His good pleasure is the law. If it does not hurt, is that she does not feel the need. It is fundamentally right. But I'm sure if she was tempted to do something stupid act, no advice nor any human will in the turn away.

- It is inconceivable!

- What has been lacking to this child is a mother ... She had lost hers when she had not yet reached his eleven years since, no authority has weighed on his youthful desire. His father did not allow anyone to annoy! When, after the death of his wife, he called to her to be his housekeeper, he said he did not want the child was forced or saddened. By all means, I had to make her happy and satisfy all his desires ... A tear of her and I would lose my place! However, all his smiles would be worth me gratuities ...

The old lady paused to sigh.

- I accepted this program, she added. The place was well remunerated and had my mother that my big salary allowed many sweets ... I was also hoping to do good to this little being that flouted so miserably.

- And it worked ?

- Yes, I've never upset, which did not prevent me to attach myself to it and not wanting to leave.

- What she had to make you see!

- Not too: the bottom was good.

- But when she committed some stupidity, how you doing? Celine insisted.

- Well ! I did notice him gently, and common sense often put away in my opinion.

- Still, she is not married! It proves that his character ...

But the housekeeper quickly interrupted the maid:

- His character was never discussed with anyone. If our young boss is not married is that it has not accepted any of the suitors who tried to soften!

Celine had an ambiguous smile.

- This is the first time I hear that a woman does not get married! She remarked incredulously.

- And why should she desire? retorted Mary Jousserand with fire. Four years since his father died, we went from one end of the world to another, alongside all backgrounds and races. That's what takes away some illusions! With the wealth it possesses, Miss Claude trailed after him all possible suitors.

- That much ?

- She had only to open his eyes to see around her twenty suitors watching his every move.

- And none pleased him?

The housekeeper made a vague gesture.

- Poor kid, which one weighs the big bucks! she asked sadly. How could she believe in true love? All her friends rich, married before she is unhappy. It seems that a loyal husband does not exist for a gifted orphan fortune.

Celina approved, any thoughtful:

- It is also difficult for a man not to become intoxicated by so much money!

- Obviously, men are excusable. Women have the same dizziness before the jewelry and the toilet! Also, my little Claude, who is intelligent and healthy judge things, do not hurry to put the rope around his neck.

The girl was a significant pout.

- It will remain an old maid! She said in a tone that seemed to prophesy disaster.

- It is not always unpleasant, gently remarked the old lady. I am very happy, me! And as Miss Frémonde feel myself at her side, she is right to remain free and independent: it is his best time!

- Obviously, the maid said thoughtfully. When a woman can afford anything she wants, a husband is not exactly necessary.

At that time, there were doors noises suddenly opened in the spacious apartment that Miss Frémonde occupied with his retinue, Avenue du Bois de Boulogne.

The lady companion motioned for Celine to go.

- Here Miss; file quickly to your work. It is unnecessary that you found unoccupied.

The servant had barely disappeared as the living room door opened and a tall girl, encased in a large sable coat, appeared.

- As hot here when you get outside!

She threw her hat and gloves on a chair.

- You had cold, wood? asked Mary Jousserand.

- No not too much ! I made a good walk. There was frost on the trees and the wind was blushing nose; but how the market looks good in this weather! You were wrong, Jousserand, not with me.

- I become cautious with age, made it a apologetically. I preferred to work for your small protected; you see it coming ...!

She pointed her knitting, Claude took that and examined.

- My brave Jousserand, you win us the sky with your hands. Fortunately, you are braver than me. I do not like sewing and handicrafts.

- Bah! When you're my age ...

- Yes, I will practice less skating and walking, sure, she remarked cheerfully. As knitting by the fire? Hum! It will truly I change!

She laughed at the prospect.

Then, without transition:

- Nothing new in the mail?

- Nothing !

- We came home Alice?

- Your dress is up there.

- I also was expecting a shipment of books.

- They're here, too.

- Perfect. You called the Casino de Paris?

- Yes. You have the desired foreground.

- This is great, we will marvel to see Maurice Chevalier to his return, after so many years of absence. It should not be very young, the beautiful Mauritius!

Mary smiled Jousserand:

- Actually, Claude, age Maurice Chevalier worry you?

- That to me is perfectly equal, the girl replied with conviction.

Then, with a sigh:

- But it or something. When we do not know how to kill time!

And crossing his arms, standing in front of the lady companion:

- Ah! Jousserand, as time seems long when one has no purpose and that we know what to do!

- traveling.

- Winter sports or the Riviera! Thank you well, it's always the same.

- Let us go.

- Traveling does not tempt me. No, really, it's still in Paris that is best in winter. Paris! my beautiful Paris!

- Why you are bored, then?

- Ah! Yes why ? She said, slowly removing his coat.

And thoughtfully, eyes unfocused:

- You never know why a girl of twenty-three years, rich, free and healthy, sometimes bothers to die?

- Come on, Claude, what is this sad thoughts lately? Do you have trouble, sorrow?

- Oh ! No, said the girl shrugged. I have no reason to express. Only this: I feel like wasting my life and foolishly wasting my time ... Whatever I do: pleasure, work or walk, there is emptiness inside me with the sensation of nothingness, of uselessness of things ... It's not all fun an impression like that.

We must react, little ... Maybe even more than thinking the humble, the poor, you feel useful ... It takes so little to be happy with yourself!

- You are preaching to the converted, Jousserand! You know that I give a lot to charity ...

- If you yourself visiting your protected?

The girl stifled a yawn.

- I tried: I can not get interested in their little problems. When poor people start complaining, I have an idea: cover the money that they no longer suffer, and quickly, spinning far from them to not hear their lamentations or see their mediocrity . It's scary, but I think I have more heart.

- It would be a shame, my brave Claude, smiled, made the companion, because so far I've never uses it without either been extremely compassionate.

- Yes, give, give always! I know doing it! This should be good though sometimes receive.

She paused thoughtfully, and sighed. Then, suddenly, shaking his shoulders as to prevent a burden:

- But let that, she said. How many would like to be in my place! And I dare complain of being too stubbornly happy! Phew! I return to my books are still best friends!

- You read too much, it's your imagination.

- But with my books, no disappointment: the heroes are beautiful, the Delightful princes are all loyal and brave. As for girls, they always happiness to spare. You see, Jousserand is even through a book that life really seems to me beautiful. On this, goodbye, my old friend; I will find you, just now, at dinner.

II

- Come Jousserand, wake up! I have very important things to tell you this morning!

The old lady parted her flashing eyes under the harsh light of morning day.

- What time is he, Claude, you are up before me?

- It's eight o'clock, my old friend.

- Ah well ! eight hours !

And suddenly, standing on his bed:

- My God ! what a catastrophe it he has to keep you out of your bed so good morning?

- No disaster, but of happiness, hope! Ah! Jousserand my good, as I was anxious to see you ... to tell you! I will not miss! I have a goal! Life is Beautiful !

- What are you telling me?

- The truth Jousserand! It's exciting, I will live a romance.

- Huh?

- Yes, I will be the heroine of a wonderful adventure; I'm crazy with happiness.

The girl nervously pacing the room comfortable for her companion, striding forward, eager to escape too narrow limits of this closed room. The arms were moving, punctuating his words. Her whole being seethed in an intimate thought that obviously upset her.

Miss Jousserand was obviously not on the same wavelength as his delightful companion, whose harmonious shapes appeared sculptural under the satin pajamas.

After yawning and having stretched blissfully, she said, her husky voice and without any enthusiasm:

- Well, Claude, what is this wonderful news that you could not wait to tell me?

- I'm getting married, Jousserand! I decided to take a husband!

- Ouch! said the old girl. I knew that an idea so overflowing impulsively could not hold that the nightmare.

- How the nightmare! Ah! here, Jousserand, wake up! I tell you I got married and I'm going to live a real novel; this is not a vision of your dreams, I think!

But Mary Jousserand would not listen.

- I slept so well, Claude! And it is to tell me a stupid story you pull me dreamland?

- For example ! cried the girl impatiently. Do you understand me, dear old thing, as my friend Bonny? Who do you want me to talk about my hopes and my projects, if not to you, my father placed with me just to support me and encourage me in any serious acts of my life?

Then, tapping his foot a little tune angry, she remarked unkindly:

- Really, I wonder what you are good if today, you can not hear me without ridicule!

The lady companion did not flinch under this deluge of reproaches.

At half facing the head of her bed, she shook her snug pillow and went back on the bolster.

Then, wedging it although her bust, she quietly encouraged Claude:

- Go ahead, kid. I'm all eyes and ears to hear your fantastic story.

- Oh ! Jousserand! You had me jump with your subversive adjectives, if I knew how, in fact, devoted you are to me! I tell you that I have decided to get married!

- I understand that. And I wonder what is the unfortunate mortal against whom you make this decision?

Claude made a gesture of indifference.

- Husband matter ...

- Huh! I thought it was exciting point in a marriage proposal.

A disdainful pout lips clenched proud of Claude.

- A husband ! It is like grass between paving stones. You know, Jousserand, I have to choose.

- Exactly. So far, none has found favor with you.

- Because all claimed to love me, while they were only after my father's legacy.

- And you found one that we can not be suspected of running the same goal?

- Not at all ! It would look a rose in a thistle bush. I had too many disappointments to still believe in the disinterestedness of a suitor.

- Come on, quietly saw the old girl, you are talking nonsense unless your input matter was the fear first.

- Listen, before you rejoice! Claude protested with a mysterious smile.

And no illusions about the fate that old daughter was going to do to her statements, she added, mischievously:

- Prepare your cries of outrage, my good Jousserand I did not marry a little man who speaks of love for better roll me. No ! On the contrary, I marry a husband that I buy and the feelings which I do not care no illusions.

- A husband she buys!

Marie Jousserand had risen to better stare her companion.

- Ideally, a husband who is this or that, that makes a certain thing at my convenience, not because he loves me or tell me to love, but simply because I pay for this or for that.

- A husband it pays for him to do what she wants. Oh, my poor head! It is this?

- I think, Claude made with the utmost seriousness, that if it does not exist in general, simply create it for it to become quickly a generality.

- And it is you who are serious about creating a precedent in such matters?

- Here ! Yes it's me ! nodded the girl with a beautiful casually.

And sitting on the edge of the bed, legs crossed and hands on knees, she explained very calmly:

- You know that for several months I like to read foreign authors in their own language. So I threw myself into hungry on Spanish books. And last night, in particular, I read one of these books ...

- What has this to do Spanish literature?

- Almost nothing ; but it is by reading this novel laid by the brain of a modern Cervantes, that the idea of ​​buying a husband came to me. I dreamed all night.

- This brave about the Iberian republic might well have to refrain from disturbing your brains.

- But you do not understand, Jousserand, it's a genius idea that reading this book I suggested! Buy a husband is to say that I selected on a particular model I have in mind. I pay for that ...

- Yes, you've said. The challenge will be to unearth the rare bird who is willing to do your every whim.

But it was not to embarrass the girl.

- By putting the price there, she affirmed with evident sincerity, it should not be impossible.

The lady companion raised his arms to heaven. And almost angrily:

- I hope, if she cried, that Providence will sow you so many obstacles on the road that you will never meet a man so vile to accept such a market.

The remarks of the old girl started to warm Claude, who protested with vivacity:

- You think a guy who says, I like it and think I pocketed is much cleaner than that agrees to faithfully fulfill the terms of a deal?

Go and meet such an argument!

The lady companion began to look with dismay the orphan, the serious face and decided the air said the deep conviction.

- My poor little Claude, she said, shaking his head, I know not why fight this new eccentricity goes through your brain. You should say that marriage is too important for us to stay put her life on a crazy idea of ​​romance.

- Marriage is a very sad thing, in the present state of our morals, bitterly remarked the girl.

- But it is also the best state for serious woman.

- This is why I strongly considering getting married; I'm twenty three...

- And the suitors do not miss! Among them is a good family that offer serious qualities.

Claude rose impatiently.

- The qualities of these contenders resemble those of various brands of sardines are less famous, the more one praises the wide publicity in closets. Thank you fiancés in rancid oil, under pompous names. I found a way that is acceptable to me and I think good. If I can not find the white blackbird my new way to get him, it will be time to give up.

The old woman looked up at the sky with discouragement.

- What about you again, my poor child? She said, really sorry, before the impotence of his advice.

- Nothing but congratulations, my old friend. Rejoice instead I'm going to marry a husband chosen by me, so for my taste!

But the other was not at all convinced.

- Let us rejoice because joy is in the agenda, replied she mournfully.

She piteous look.

- And then she continued softly, it is through the newspapers ... by an ad you expect ... buy this husband?

Claude laughed and laughed and fresh young denoted a remote control of any indecision.

- Oh ! Jousserand, you amuse me! Can you see me wearing such an announcement in a newspaper and wait for the results at the post office?

- You prefer to spread your desire among your suitors?

- What you therefore have a poor imagination! noticed the girl cheerfully.

She rose and stood before the High ice three faces that indefinitely referred her image, she stretched luxuriously.

- I leave you, my little Jousserand, to move it not to Select Agency which is the most serious dating agency we have in France.

The old lady had jumped:

- An agency ! Claude, that's impossible! My little girl, do not embark on such an adventure! ...

But laughter