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"Here," said Monetti to his nephew, "this letter has been running after you for a month."
"Uncle! Uncle!" cried Rodolphe, "I am rich at last! This letter informs me that I have gained a prize of three hundred francs, given by an academy of floral games. Quick! my coat and my things! Let me go to gather my laurels. They await me at the Capitol!"
"And my chapter on ventilators?" said Monetti, coldly.
"I like that! Give me my things, I tell you; I can't go out so!"
"You shall go out when my 'Manual' is finished," quoth the uncle, shutting up his nephew under lock and key.
Rodolphe, when left alone, did not hesitate on the course to take. He transformed his quilt into a knotted rope, which he fastened firmly to his own balcony, and in spite of the risk, descended by this extempore ladder upon Mademoiselle Sidonia's.
"Who is there?" she cried, on hearing Rodolphe knock at her window.
"Hus.h.!.+" he replied, "open!"
"What do you want? Who are you?"
"Can you ask? I am the author of 'The Avenger,' come to look for my heart, which I dropped through the trap into your room."
"Rash youth!" said the actress, "you might have killed yourself!"
"Listen, Sidonia," continued Rodolphe, showing her the letter he just received. "You see, wealth and glory smile on me, let love do the same!"
The following morning, by means of a masculine disguise, which Sidonia procured for him, Rodolphe was enabled to escape from his uncle's lodging. He ran to the secretary of the academy of floral games, to receive a crown of gold sweetbrier, worth three hundred francs, which lived
"--as live roses the fairest-- The s.p.a.ce of a day."
A month after, Monsieur Monetti was invited by his nephew to a.s.sist at the first representation of "The Avenger." Thanks to the talent of Mademoiselle Sidonia, the piece had a run of seventeen nights, and brought in forty francs to its author.
Some time later--it was in the warm season--Rodolphe lodged in the Avenue St. Cloud, third tree as you go out of the Bois de Boulogne, on the fifth branch.
CHAPTER V
THE CARLOVINGIAN COIN
Towards the end of December the messengers of Bidault's agency were entrusted with the distribution of about a hundred copies of a letter of invitation, of which we certify that the following to be a true and genuine copy:--
_M.M. Rodolphe and Marcel request the honor of your company on Sat.u.r.day next, Christmas Eve. Fun!_
_P.S. Life is short!_
_PROGRAM OF THE ENTERTAINMENT_
_PART I_
_7 o'clock--Opening of the saloons. Brisk and witty conversation._
_8.--Appearance of the talented authors of "The Mountain in Labor,"
comedy refused at the Odeon Theater._
_8:30.--M. Alexander Schaunard, the eminent virtuoso, will play his imitative symphony, "The Influence of Blue in Art," on the piano._
_9.--First reading of the essay on the "Abolition of the penalty of tragedy."_
_9:30.--Philosophical and metaphysical argument between M. Colline, hyperphysical philosopher, and M. Schaunard. To avoid any collision between the two antagonists, they will both be securely fastened._
_10.--M. Tristan, master of literature, will narrate his early loves, accompanied on the piano by M. Alexander Schaunard._
_10:30.--Second reading of the essay on the "Abolition of the penalty of tragedy."_
_11.--Narration of a ca.s.sowary hunt by a foreign prince._
_PART II_
_Midnight.--M. Marcel, historical painter, will execute with his eyes bandaged an impromptu sketch in chalk of the meeting of Voltaire and Napolean in the Elyssian Fields. M. Rodolphe will also improvise a parallel between the author of Zaire, and the victor of Austerlitz._
_12:30.--M. Gustave Colline, in a decent undress, will give an imitation of the athletic games of the 4th Olympiad._
_1.--Third reading of the essay on the "Abolition of the penalty of tragedy," and subscription on behalf of tragic authors who will one day find themselves out of employment._
_2.--Commencement of games and organization of quadrilles to last until morning._
_6.--Sunrise and final chorus._
_During the whole of entertainment ventilators will be in action._
_N.B. Anyone attempting to read or recite poetry will be summarily ejected and handed over to the police. The guests are equally requested not to help themselves to the candle ends._
Two days later, copies of this invitation were circulating among the lower depths of art and literature, and created a profound sensation.
There were, however, amongst the invited guests, some who cast doubt upon the splendor of the promises made by the two friends.
"I am very skeptical about it," said one of them. "I have sometimes gone to Rodolphe's Thursdays in the Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne, when one could only sit on anything morally, and where all one had to drink was a little filtered water in eclectic pottery."
"This time," said another, "it is really serious. Marcel has shown me the program of the fete, and the effect will be magical."
"Will there be any ladies?"
"Yes. Phemie Teinturiere has asked to be queen of the fete and Schaunard is to bring some ladies of position."
