The Corsican Brothers | Page 9

matter for
reverie.
But observing that my continued silence bordered upon impoliteness, I
raised my head, and endeavored to shake off this confusion of ideas.
Both mother and son saw at once, that I intended to take up the subject
again.
"And,'' began Lucien, as if he was merely continuing an uninterrupted
conversation, "you concluded to visit Corsica?"
"Yes, so you see; I formed this project a long time ago, and have at last
put it into execution."
"By my soul, you have done well not to delay it longer, for in a few
years, with the successive innovations of French taste and customs,
those who come here to see Corsica, will find her no more."
"At all events," said I, "if the old national spirit retires before the
advances of civilization, and finds a retreat in some remote corner of
the island, it will certainly be in the Province of Sartene, and in the
Valley of the Tararo."
"You think so?" said the young man, smiling.
"Because it seems to me, that all I see before and around me, is a very
fine and noble picture of the old manners and customs of Corsica.
"Yes, sir, but notwithstanding, between my mother and myself, in

presence of the souvenirs of four centuries, in this same ancient house
with its pinnacles and gratings, the French spirit has entered to
influence my brother; has taken him away from us, and has made him
go to Paris, from whence he will return a lawyer. He will then live at
Ajaccio, instead of living in the house of his forefathers; he will
practice law--if he has talent he will perhaps be appointed royal
attorney; he will then sue the poor fellows who have made* a skin, as
they say in this country; he will confound the assassin with the
murderer, as you have done awhile ago; he will, in the name of the law,
demand the heads of those who have done merely what their fathers
would have felt themselves disgraced by not doing. He will substitute
the judgments of men for the judgments of God. And in the evening,
after he has given a head to the executioner, he will imagine that he has
saved his country, and think he has brought his stone to the foundation
of the temple of civilization, as our PrŽfet says. Oh God! Oh God!!"
* FAIRE UNE PEAU, literally, to make a skin, means to kill a person
in what they call an honorable cause, as for instance the celebrated
Corsican vendetta. T.
And the young man raised his eyes to heaven, just as Hannibal must
have done after the battle of Zama.
"But," said I, "God has balanced all things well, for if your brother has
become a follower of the new principles, you have at the same time
adhered more firmly to the old customs."
"Yes; but who assures me that my son may not follow the example of
his uncle, instead of following mine? and I, myself, don't I sanction
things unworthy of one of the de Franchis?"
"You?" exclaimed I, astonished.
"Ah, heaven! yes, I, myself. Will you permit me to tell you what was
your object in visiting the province of Sartene?"
"Speak!"

"You came here with the curiosity of a man of the world, of an artist, or
of a poet; I know not, nor do I ask what you are. You may tell us,
before we part, if it be agreeable, or you may remain silent on the
subject--just as you please. Well, now, you come here in hope of seeing
some village in vendetta, to be brought into contact with some real
original bandit, like those whom Monsieur MŽrimŽe has pourtrayed in
his Colomba.
"Well, I think I have then been tolerably fortunate, for if I have seen
right, yours is the only house in the village, that is not fortified."
"This proves how much I have degenerated; for my father, my
grandfather, or any one of my forefathers would have taken part for one
or other of the two parties which have divided this village for the last
ten years. Well, and do you know what I am in all this, in the midst of
the report of guns, the strokes of knives, and the blows of stilettos! I am
arbiter. You came to the province of Sartene to see bandits, did you not?
Well, come with me this evening, and I'll show you one."
"How! You permit me then to accompany you?"
"Oh! yes; if it amuses you, it depends entirely upon yourself."
"I certainly accept your invitation with great pleasure."
"Your signoria must be very much fatigued," said Madame de Franchi,
casting a glance at her son, as if she had partaken of the shame he felt at