|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 35
Alphonse was in the highest degree a spoilt child of fortune; he
acquired everything without effort; existence fitted him like an
elegant dress, and he wore it with such unconstrained amiability
that people forgot to envy him.
And then he was so handsome. He was tall and slim, with brown hair
and big open eyes; his complexion was clear and smooth, and his
teeth shone when he laughed. He was quite conscious of his beauty,
but, as everybody had petted him from his earliest days, his
vanity was of a cheerful, good-natured sort, which, after all, was
not so offensive. He was exceedingly fond of his friend. He amused
himself and sometimes others by teasing him and making fun of him;
but he knew Charles's face so thoroughly that he saw at once when
the jest was going too far. Then he would resume his natural,
kindly tone, until he made the serious and somewhat melancholy
Charles laugh till he was ill.
From his boyhood Charles had admired Alphonse beyond measure. He
himself was small and insignificant, quiet and shy. His friend's
brilliant qualities cast a lustre over him as well, and gave a
certain impetus to his life.
His mother often said: "This friendship between the boys is a real
blessing for my poor Charles, for without it he would certainly
have been a melancholy creature."
When Alphonse was on all occasions preferred to him, Charles
rejoiced; he was proud of his friend. He wrote his exercises,
prompted him at examination, pleaded his cause with the masters,
and fought for him with the boys.
At the commercial academy it was the same story. Charles worked
for Alphonse, and Alphonse rewarded him with his inexhaustible
amiability and unfailing good-humor.
When subsequently, as quite young men, they were placed in the
same banker's office, it happened one day that the principal said
to Charles: "From the first of May I will raise your salary."
"I thank you," answered Charles, "both on my own and on my
friend's behalf."
"Monsieur Alphonse's salary remains unaltered," replied the chief,
and went on writing.
Charles never forgot that morning. It was the first time he had
been preferred or distinguished before his friend. And it was his
commercial capacity, the quality which, as a young man of
business, he valued most, that had procured him this preference;
and it was the head of the firm, the great financier, who had
himself accorded him such recognition.
The experience was so strange to him that it seemed like an
injustice to his friend. He told Alphonse nothing of the
occurrence; on the contrary, he proposed that they should apply
for two vacant places in the Credit Lyonnais.
Alphonse was quite willing, for he loved change, and the splendid
new banking establishment on the Boulevard seemed to him far more
attractive than the dark offices in the Rue Bergere. So they
removed to the Credit Lyonnais on the first of May. But as they
were in the chief's office taking their leave, the old banker said
to Charles, when Alphonse had gone out (Alphonse always took
precedence of Charles), "Sentiment won't do for a business man."
From that day forward a change went on in Charles. He not only
worked as industriously and conscientiously as before, but
developed such energy and such an amazing faculty for labor as
soon attracted to him the attention of his superiors. That he was
far ahead of his friend in business capacity was soon manifest;
but every time he received a new mark of recognition he had a
struggle with himself. For a long time, every advancement brought
with it a certain qualm of conscience; and yet he worked on with
restless ardor.
One day Alphonse said, in his light, frank way: "You are really a
smart fellow, Charlie! You're getting ahead of everybody, young
and old--not to mention me. I'm quite proud of you."
Charles felt ashamed. He had been thinking that Alphonse must feel
wounded at being left on one side, and now he learned that his
friend not only did not grudge him his advancement, but was even
proud of him. By degrees his conscience was lulled to rest, and
his solid worth was more and more appreciated.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|