Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 48 Everyone has two hands; no one should be idle in Paris.
Professor Gaston Boischer's distress stemmed not from the journal's print run, but from the theme of "The Old Guard."

In previous years, the March issue of the Sorbonne Academy Bulletin was mainly a showcase for the Sorbonne's talented writers, publishing mostly novels in the style of aestheticism, romanticism, or light comedy.

The main purpose of those important figures who wanted to fund the college attending the "poetry gathering" was to show their generosity while also indulging in a bit of refined taste.

After all, after listening to young, handsome college students recite a story at a "poetry gathering" about a lost shepherd falling in love with a fairy in the forest, everyone can offer their opinions.

But The Old Guard is too heavy, its criticisms directed at both authoritarian and republican governments.

Mr. Hugo's phrases "the debt of history" and "we are all in debt" are particularly unpleasant to anyone who hears them—people come to the "poetry gathering" to donate to the Sorbonne, not to pay off a debt to the Sorbonne.

The "Old Guard" was a very special group in 19th-century French history. Their fearless courage and loyalty to Emperor Napoleon pointed to both an unforgettable and glorious period in modern French history and a symbol of a stubborn, ignorant, and rude personality.

In Paris, political journalists use the term "Las Vegas" to refer to the long-term, close followers of politicians, a term with a somewhat derogatory connotation.

Therefore, the publication of "The Old Guard" may very well reawaken the French people's memory of this group that had almost disappeared—whether the outcome is good or bad is beyond human control.

Therefore, Dean Professor Henry Patan felt it necessary to add a commentary before "The Old Guard" to prevent readers from overreacting to the novel—the biggest problem was how to write this commentary.
On the one hand, it is necessary to demonstrate that *The Old Guard* is a rare masterpiece, even praised by Victor Hugo:

On the other hand, it cannot be allowed to be so blatant, lest it offend the hearts of too many important figures who are wary of it—such as Ernest Renan, a staunch supporter of the Bourbon dynasty.

A major reason why he was so hostile to Lionel that day was that Louis XVIII, who had given their family status and wealth, was the one who had ordered the disbandment and surveillance of the "Old Guard."

After much deliberation, Professor Gaston Boischer finally pulled his quill from the ink bottle, drained off the excess ink, and then wrote on the manuscript paper:

As this issue of the Bulletin goes to press, with great enthusiasm and caution, we would like to recommend to you a student work that is destined to resonate within the academy and even in the wider literary field—Lionel Sorel's short story "The Old Guard"...

Mr. Sorel's "The Old Guard," with its distinct temperament, somber power, and impeccable artistic integrity, presents us with a completely different yet deeply moving picture... It has won the personal appreciation and high praise of our most revered literary giant, Mr. Victor Hugo.

However, precisely because the artistic power of "The Old Guard" is so abundant, and its profound themes and unique perspectives are so striking, we, as editors, feel a deep responsibility to guide readers to appreciate its literary value with a clearer perspective that transcends political context...

As he was writing, the office door was pushed open, and Hippolyte Taine stormed in, his face contorted with anger, and yelled at Gaston Boischer, "What exactly happened the day Mr. Hugo came?"

Gaston Boischer looked bewildered: "What happened...didn't you see the meeting minutes?"

Hippolyte Taine sat down in the chair opposite him, panting, clutching his chest for a long time before calming down. Then, in a suppressed anger, he said, "Armand attended Madame Adele's salon last night, and Madame Adele asked him if Mr. Hugo had gotten my medical bills back!"

Gaston Boischer: "..."

Hippolyte Taine continued, "Now it's all over the place that 'poor Lionel kicked Professor Taine and owes him medical bills. Mr. Hugo came to the Sorbonne to collect the debt and said that the debt owed by the student is also the debt owed by the Sorbonne'!"
Good heavens, is this still the Paris I know? Is this still the France I grew up in? Now, whenever I go to a party, everyone gives me strange looks…

Gaston Boischer: "..."

After a long while, he quietly reminded his hot-tempered old colleague, "I think you might have misunderstood Lionel. This kind of rumor doesn't seem to be something Lionel made up. What good would it do him?"

Last night, the version I heard from Mrs. Celestina was that 'Professor Taine felt indebted to Lionel and wanted to marry his daughter to the poor Lionel to pay off the debt.'

Hippolyte Tainer: "My daughter? Madeleine has been married for ten years! ...Wait, is it really not Lionel?"

Gaston Boischer looked at him meaningfully, took out a copy of "The Old Guard" from his drawer, and handed it to Taine: "Take a look at his novel first—I don't think such a young man would become famous in such a shameless way."

His talent rivals that of any genius I've ever met at the Sorbonne!

Hippolyte Tainer took the manuscript with some skepticism… ————————

At 12 Antant Street, apartment 502, two young people and a little girl were having a heartwarming gathering.

The rectangular dining table was covered with a clean white linen tablecloth, and the silver-plated cutlery was polished to a shine. In front of each person's seat was a patterned porcelain plate and a stemmed crystal glass; the fireplace crackled, and the candlelight reflected off the crystal glasses, creating shimmering light.

In the center of the table was a large soup bowl containing a tender old hen, golden chicken soup, and mushrooms and radish chunks floating in the soup.

Around the soup pot were roasted duck breast, creamy baked potatoes, and buttered roasted vegetables. The bread basket contained both traditional baguettes and soft brioche.

The accompanying wine is a bottle of ordinary sparkling wine.

Lionel raised his glass: "Let's congratulate Miss Petty on her healthy return! Cheers!"

Alice and Petty both raised their glasses high: "Cheers!"—except Petty's glass contained lemonade.

Alice stayed at Lionel's place for two weeks without ever leaving, not even daring to open the curtains; during the day Lionel would go to class at the Sorbonne, and at night he would write until late, and on weekends he would often mysteriously disappear for a whole day.

She had no entertainment here except reading the newspaper—until this day, when Lionel brought back a little girl named Petty, saying she was his maid.

Alice had become accustomed to the many magical things that had happened to Lionel—suddenly becoming a writer, earning a considerable amount of royalties, and moving into an apartment she had never dared to dream of—and no longer questioned them, especially now that she suddenly had a 10-year-old maid.

She was just glad that she had a companion.

After the celebratory dinner, Alice finally mustered the courage to ask Lionel, "I think... I want to find a job. I can't keep eating and living here for free..."

Do you have any connections you could introduce me to?

Lionel was not surprised.

Alice had developed a work ethic on her father's farm, so it was quite an achievement for her to stay cooped up in the apartment for two weeks without going out.

However, her picture has appeared in several missing person notices in newspapers. Now that she is showing her face in public, she will probably be "apprehended" by the church soon.

He thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How's your handwriting?"

Alice paused, then nodded: "I copied the Bible at Notre-Dame de Luís, and the nuns said I did a good job."

Lionel smiled: "That makes things easier!"

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On March 1, 1879, the current issue of the Sorbonne College Bulletin was officially published.

As the most anticipated issue of the academic journal each year, every Sorbonne student soon received a copy.

Then they were shocked to discover that the most important position on the front page of this issue of the Sorbonne College Bulletin was not some scholar's or professor's eloquent discourse, but rather an introduction to a student's work.

(End of this chapter)