Dazzled
by the prosperity of the Restoration, which was tottering when he left
France, fascinated by the splendor of aristocratic ideas, his
intoxication, which began on the brig, increased after he reached
Paris, and he finally determined to take the course and reach the high
position which the selfish hopes of his would-be mother-in-law pointed
out to him. His cousin counted for no more than a speck in this
brilliant perspective; but he went to see Annette. True woman of the
world, Annette advised her old friend to make the marriage, and
promised him her support in all his ambitious projects. In her heart
she was enchanted to fasten an ugly and uninteresting girl on Charles,
whose life in the West Indies had rendered him very attractive. His
complexion had bronzed, his manners had grown decided and bold, like
those of a man accustomed to make sharp decisions, to rule, and to
succeed. Charles breathed more at his ease in Paris, conscious that he
now had a part to play.
Des Grassins, hearing of his return, of his approaching marriage and
his large fortune, came to see him, and inquired about the three
hundred thousand francs still required to settle his father's debts.
He found Grandet in conference with a goldsmith, from whom he had
ordered jewels for Mademoiselle d'Aubrion's _corbeille_, and who was
then submitting the designs. Charles had brought back magnificent
diamonds, and the value of their setting, together with the plate and
jewelry of the new establishment, amounted to more than two hundred
thousand francs.
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