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| ISBN-13: | 9780720618112 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Owen, Peter Limited |
| Publication date: | 12/01/2002 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 200 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
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The Crimes of Love
By Marquis de Sade, Margaret Crosland
Peter Owen Publishers
Copyright © 1996 Marquis de SadeAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7206-1811-2
CHAPTER 1
Faxelange or The Wrongs of Ambition
Monsieur and Madame de Faxelange, who possessed an income of 30 to 35 livres, usually lived in Paris. They had an only daughter, as beautiful as the very goddess of Youth. Monsieur de Faxelange had served in the army but had retired young and from that time he concerned himself only with the running of the household and the upbringing of his daughter. He was a very quiet man, not highly intelligent and of excellent character. His wife, who was more or less of the same age, that is between forty-five and fifty, had a slightly more subtle mind, but on the whole this couple had more naïveté and good faith than guile and distrust.
Mademoiselle de Faxelange had just reached her sixteenth year. She had the kind of romantic good looks in which every feature reflects a virtue; a very white skin, fine blue eyes, a mouth that was rather wide but full, a slight and supple figure, and the most beautiful hair in the world. Her mind was as gentle as her nature; she was incapable of wrongdoing and had not yet realized that anyone could commit it. In short, she personified innocence and naïveté embellished by the hand of the Graces. Mademoiselle de Faxelange was well educated; nothing had been spared in order to achieve this; she spoke English and Italian very well, she played several musical instruments and painted miniatures with good taste. As an only daughter, destined therefore to inherit one day the family fortune, even if it was not great, she could look forward to a good marriage, which for eighteen months now had been her parents' sole preoccupation.
But Mademoiselle de Faxelange's heart had not waited for the decision of her parents and she had dared to commit herself totally, she had not been mistress of her affections for over three years. Monsieur de Goé, who was distantly related to her, and because of this often came to her house, was the cherished object of this affectionate girl's love. She loved him with a sincerity and consideration reminiscent of days gone by, feelings now corrupted by our depravity.
Monsieur de Goé no doubt deserved such happiness. He was twenty-three years old, had a fine figure, attractive looks and a frankness of character totally suited to harmonize with that of his beautiful cousin. He was an officer in the dragoons, but hardly rich; he needed a girl with a large dowry, while his cousin needed an opulent man, since, even if she were an heiress, she did not have a vast fortune, as we have just said. As a result they both perceived clearly that their hopes would never be fulfilled and the love that burned within them both would be consumed in sighs.
Monsieur de Goé had never informed Mademoiselle de Faxelange's parents of the feelings he cherished for their daughter; he thought he would be rejected and was too proud to place himself in the position of hearing them say so. Mademoiselle de Faxelange, who was infinitely more timid still, had also taken care not to say a word about her feelings. And so this gentle and virtuous intrigue, strengthened by the links of the most tender love, was nourished quietly within the shadow of silence, but both parties had faithfully promised each other that, come what may, they would yield to no other demands and would never belong to anyone except each other.
Our young lovers had reached this stage when a friend of Monsieur de Faxelange came to ask permission to introduce him to a man from the provinces who had recently been indirectly recommended to him. 'It is not without a purpose that I am making this suggestion to you,' said Monsieur de Belleval. 'The man I am telling you about has vast properties in France and superb houses in America. The one purpose of his journey is to look for a wife in Paris. He may take her to the New World, that is the only thing I am afraid of, but apart from that, if the possibility does not alarm you too much, it is quite certain that from all points of view this man would suit your daughter. He is thirty-two, his face is not very attractive ... there is something slightly dark about his eyes, but he has a very noble bearing and he is remarkably cultivated.'
'Bring him to see us,' said Monsieur de Faxelange, and, addressing his wife, he asked, 'What do you say to that, madame?'
'We shall have to see,' she replied. 'If he really is a suitable party, I agree to it with all my heart, however upset I may feel by the separation from my daughter. I adore her, her absence will break my heart but I shall certainly not stand in the way of her happiness.'
Monsieur de Belleval, who was delighted with his first overtures, made arrangements with the husband and wife and it was agreed that the following Thursday the Baron de Franlo would be introduced to Madame de Faxelange. Monsieur le Baron de Franlo had been in Paris for a month, occupying the most splendid apartment in the Hôtel de Chartres. He had a very handsome carriage, two lackeys, a valet de chambre, a large amount of jewellery, a wallet full of letters of credit and the finest clothes in the world. He did not know Monsieur de Belleval at all, but he knew, he alleged, a close friend of this Monsieur de Belleval who, since he was a long way from Paris for eighteen months, could not be of any service to the baron. The latter had presented himself at this man's door and had been told that he was away, but, since Monsieur de Belleval was his best friend, he should go to see him. As a result it was to Monsieur de Belleval that the baron had presented his letters of recommendation, and Monsieur de Belleval, in order to be of service to an honourable man, had no objection to opening them. He had given the baron all the help that this stranger would have received from Monsieur de Belleval's friend, had he been present.
Belleval was not acquainted with the persons in the provinces who had recommended the baron, he had never even heard them mentioned by his friend, but it was quite possible that he did not know all the people whom his friend knew; therefore nothing stood in the way of the interest he showed from then on in Franlo. He is a friend of a friend of mine, is that not more than enough to justify in the heart of an honourable man the reason which commits him to be of service?
So Monsieur de Belleval, who was responsible for the Baron de Franlo, took him everywhere, on walks, to the theatres, to the shops; they were never seen except together. It was essential to establish these details in order to justify the interest that Belleval took in Franlo, and the reasons for which, believing him to be an excellent suitor, he introduced him to the Faxelange household.
On the day fixed for the expected visit, Madame de Faxelange, without explaining things to her daughter, arranged for her to be dressed in her finest clothes. She advised her to be as polite and amiable as possible in front of the stranger she was about to see and to display her talents freely if asked to do so, for this stranger was a man personally recommended to them, and Monsieur de Faxelange and herself had good reasons for receiving him well.
Five o'clock struck; it was the time agreed, and Monsieur de Franlo arrived, escorted by Monsieur de Belleval. Nobody could have been better dressed, shown better taste or have had a more honourable bearing, but, as we have said, there was something indefinable about this man's face which immediately seemed repellent, and it was only through very artful manners and much expressive play with his features that he succeeded in concealing this defect.
Conversation began. Various topics were discussed and Monsieur de Franlo handled them all like the best brought up, the best educated man in the world. When the sciences were mentioned Monsieur de Franlo analysed them all. Then came the turn of the arts. Monsieur de Franlo proved that he was acquainted with them and that there were none among them which had not sometimes delighted him. In politics he revealed the same depth; this man set out a plan for the entire world, all this without affectation, without self-importance, mingling everything he said with an air or modesty which seemed to demand indulgence and indicate that he could be wrong, that he was far from certain about what he had ventured to put forward. There was talk about music. Monsieur de Belleval asked Mademoiselle de Faxelange to sing. She did so, blushing, and when she came to her second song, Franlo asked permission to accompany her on a guitar which he saw on a chair. He played this instrument with all the grace and accuracy possible, revealing, without affectation, rings of enormous value on his fingers. Mademoiselle de Faxelange began a third song, a very recent one; Monsieur de Franlo accompanied her on the piano with all the precision of the greatest masters. Mademoiselle de Faxelange was invited to read a few lines from Pope in English; Franlo immediately took up conversation in that language and proved that he spoke it extremely well.
However, the visit ended without the baron saying anything to indicate what he thought about Mademoiselle de Faxelange, and the young person's father, who was enthusiastic about his new acquaintance, had no wish for them to separate without a personal promise from Monsieur de Franlo that he would come to dine with them the following Sunday.
Madame de Faxelange, when she discussed this personage in the evening, was less impressed and did not entirely agree with her husband's opinion. She said that at first sight she had found something repellent about this man; it had made her feel that if he came to want her daughter's hand she would grant it only most unwillingly. Her husband did not share this repugnance; Franlo, he said, was a delightful man, no one could be better educated or have a more pleasant bearing. What did his face matter? Must things of that sort determine one's attitude to a man? Madame de Faxelange moreover should have no fears, she would not be fortunate enough for Franlo to seek an alliance with her, but if by chance he wished to do so, it would certainly be madness to lose such a match. Would their daughter ever expect to find such a good one?
All this did not convince a cautious mother. She maintained that the face was the mirror of the soul, and if Franlo's soul matched his countenance this was certainly not the husband who would make her beloved daughter happy.
The day of the dinner party arrived. Franlo, better dressed than on the previous occasion, more serious and more amiable still, brought grace and delight to the occasion. After dinner he was put at the gaming-table to play cards with Mademoiselle de Faxelange, Belleval and another guest. Franlo was very unlucky and accepted the situation with astonishing nobility, he lost absolutely everything. This is often a way of appearing amiable in society; our man was not unaware of it. A little music followed, and Monsieur de Franlo played three or four different instruments. The evening ended with a visit to the Comédie-Française, where the baron gave his hand publicly to Mademoiselle de Faxelange and then the company separated.
A month went by in this manner, without mention of any proposition. Each side continued to be reserved. The Faxelange parents did not want to thrust themselves forward and Franlo, who for his part wanted very much to succeed, was afraid of spoiling everything by appearing too eager. At last came the occasion when Monsieur de Belleval appeared, with responsibility now for negotiations in the correct style. He stated formally to Monsieur and Madame Faxelange that Monsieur the Baron de Franlo, a native of the Vivarais, owning considerable possessions in America, and wishing to marry, had set eyes on Mademoiselle de Faxelange and was now asking the parents of this delightful person if he would be allowed to have some hope.
For the sake of form the first replies stated that Mademoiselle de Faxelange was still very young to think of settling down, and two weeks later the baron was invited to dinner. At this point the baron was asked to explain his situation. He said that he possessed three estates in the Vivarais, each bringing in incomes valued at sums from 12 to 15,000 livres. His father had gone to America and there had married a Creole, from whom he had received properties worth nearly a million livres. No longer having any parents, Franlo had inherited these possessions and since he had never claimed them, he had decided to go there with his wife as soon as he was married.
This plan displeased Madame de Faxelange, she expressed her fears. To that Franlo replied that people went to America now just as they went to England, that this trip was indispensable for him, but it would last only two years and after that he undertook to bring his wife back to Paris. There remained now only the question of the separation of the dear girl from her mother. But this would still have to take place, for he did not plan to live in Paris permanently. He did not find himself in harmony with everyone there, he could not live there with the same pleasure as in his country properties where his fortune caused him to play a leading role.
Further details were then discussed, and as this first interview came to an end Franlo was asked to be good enough to give the name of someone well known in his province to whom application could be made for information, which was customary in cases of this sort. Franlo, who was not surprised by the request for these assurances, gave his agreement and advice, saying that the simplest and speediest plan appeared to be an approach to the offices of the Minister. This method met with approval, Monsieur de Faxelange went there the next day, he spoke to the Minister himself, who assured him that Monsieur de Franlo, at present in Paris, was certainly one of the men of the Vivarais, the most worthy and the richest. Monsieur de Faxelange, more enthusiastic than ever about this matter, brought this excellent news home to his wife and, wishing no more delay, Mademoiselle de Faxelange was summoned that very evening and Monsieur de Franlo was offered to her as a husband.
For two weeks this charming girl had become aware that there were plans afoot for settling her future, and through a caprice fairly common among women, pride imposed silence on love. Flattered by Franlo's riches and magnificence, she gradually came to prefer him to Monsieur Goé, in such a way that she replied in the affirmative that she was ready to do what was suggested to her and that she would obey her family.
Goé on his side had not been so indifferent as to be unaware of part of what was happening. He rushed to see his mistress and was dismayed by the coldness she displayed. He expressed himself with all the heat of the fire that consumed him, he mingled the most tender love with the most bitter reproaches, he told his loved one that he could see very clearly the reason for the change, which spelt death to him. He would never have suspected her of such cruel infidelity! Tears increased the reality and violence of the young man's bitter complaints. Mademoiselle de Faxelange was moved, she confessed her weakness and they both agreed that the only way of redressing the harm that had been done was to make Monsieur de Goé's parents take action.
This resolution was followed up; the young man fell at his father's feet, he begged him to obtain his cousin's hand for him, he protested that if he was refused this favour he would leave France for ever. He acted in such a way that Monsieur de Goé was moved, he went the next day to see Monsieur de Faxelange and asked for his daughter on his son's behalf. He was thanked for the honour he did the family but was told it was too late and that promises had been made. Monsieur de Goé had acted only out of kindness, and in reality was not upset at finding obstacles placed in the way of a marriage which did not suit him too well. He returned to announce this news coldly to his son, exhorting him to change his attitude and not to stand in the way of his cousin's happiness.
Young Goé was furious and promised nothing; he rushed to see Mademoiselle de Faxelange who, constantly hesitating between her love and her vanity, was much less understanding this time than on the previous occasion, and tried to persuade her lover to console himself and accept the course she was about to follow. Monsieur de Goé tried to remain calm, he contained himself, he kissed his cousin's hand and left in a state of mind all the more desperate because he was forced to disguise it. However, it did not prevent him from swearing to his mistress that he would never adore anyone but her, yet he did not wish to disrupt her happiness.
In the meantime Franlo, warned by Belleval that the time had come to make a deep impression on Mademoiselle de Faxelange's heart, since there were rivals to fear, made every effort to appear more attractive. He sent superb gifts to his future wife who, with the agreement of her parents, accepted the amorous attentions of a man she could regard as her husband. He rented a charming house two leagues outside Paris and for a week offered his mistress delightful fetes there. By constantly combining in this way the most skilful seduction and the serious steps that were to conclude everything, he soon turned our beloved girl's head, he soon outstripped his rival.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Crimes of Love by Marquis de Sade, Margaret Crosland. Copyright © 1996 Marquis de Sade. Excerpted by permission of Peter Owen Publishers.
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Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction,Faxelange or The Wrongs of Ambition,
Dorgeville or The Criminal through Virtue,
Rodrigo or The Enchanted Tower: An Allegorical Tale,
Lorenza and Antonio: An Italian Story,
The Comtesse de Sancerre or Her Daughter's Rival: Anecdote from the Court of Burgundy,