Page:Novels of Honoré de Balzac Volume 23.djvu/227

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For two days, the disagreement between the Portenduères and Doctor Minoret was the subject of conversation for the heirs, who paid tribute to Dionis’s genius, and now looked upon their inheritance as saved. And so, in a century in which ranks are leveled, in which the rage for equality places all individuals on a level and threatens everything, even military subordination, the last entrenchment of power in France; in which, consequently, the passions have no other obstacles to overcome than personal antipathies or the want of balance between fortunes, the obstinacy of an old Bretonne and Doctor Minoret’s dignity raised barriers between these two lovers that were fated, as in bygone times, less to destroy than to strengthen love. To a passionate man, every woman is worth what she costs him; now, Savinien foresaw a struggle, efforts and uncertainties which were already making this young girl dear to him; he wanted to win her. Perhaps our feelings obey the laws of Nature upon the duration of her creations; a long life has a long childhood!

The next morning, on rising, both Ursule and Savinien thought of the same thing. This understanding would have given rise to love even had it not already been the most delightful proof. When the young girl slightly parted her curtains in order (201)