And he put his horse to the gallop.
Full of a stupid admiration, Julien followed him.
"Ah! if I have been like that, she would not have preferred Croisenois to me!"
The more his reason was offended by the grotesque affectations of the prince the more he despised himself for not having them.
It was impossible for self-disgust to be carried further.
The prince still finding him distinctly melancholy, said to him as they re-entered Strasbourg,
"Come, my dear fellow, have you lost all your money, or perhaps you are in love with some little actress.
"The Russians copy French manners, but always at an interval of fifty years.
They have now reached the age of Louis XV."
These jests about love brought the tears to Julien's eyes.
"Why should I not consult this charming man," he suddenly said to himself.
"Well, yes, my dear friend," he said to the prince, "you see in me a man who is very much in love and jilted into the bargain.
A charming woman who lives in a neighbouring town has left me stranded here after three passionate days, and the change kills me."
Using fictitious names, he described to the prince Mathilde's conduct and character.
"You need not finish," said Korasoff.
"In order to give you confidence in your doctor, I will finish the story you have confided to me.
This young woman's husband enjoys an enormous income, or even more probably, she belongs herself to the high nobility of the district.
She must be proud about something."
Julien nodded his head, he had no longer the courage to speak.
"Very good," said the prince, "here are three fairly bitter pills that you will take without delay.
"1. See madame ——. What is her name, any way?"
"Madame de Dubois."
"What a name!" said the prince bursting into laughter.
"But forgive me, you find it sublime.
Your tactics must be to see Madame de Dubois every day; above all do not appear to be cold and piqued.
Remember the great principle of your century: be the opposite of what is expected.
Be exactly as you were the week before you were honoured by her favours."
"Ah! I was calm enough then," exclaimed Julien in despair,
"I thought I was taking pity on her...."
"The moth is burning itself at the candle," continued the prince using a metaphor as old as the world.
"1. You will see her every day.
"2. You will pay court to a woman in her own set, but without manifesting a passion, do you understand?
I do not disguise from you that your role is difficult; you are playing a part, and if she realises you are playing it you are lost."
"She has so much intelligence and I have so little, I shall be lost," said Julien sadly.
"No, you are only more in love than I thought.
Madame de Dubois is preoccupied with herself as are all women who have been favoured by heaven either with too much pedigree or too much money.
She contemplates herself instead of contemplating you, consequently she does not know you.
During the two or three fits of love into which she managed to work herself for your especial benefit, she saw in you the hero of her dreams, and not the man you really are.
"But, deuce take it, this is elementary, my dear Sorel, are you an absolute novice?
"Oddslife!
Let us go into this shop.
Look at that charming black cravat, one would say it was made by John Anderson of Burlington Street.
Be kind enough to take it and throw far away that awful black cord which you are wearing round your neck."
"And now," continued the prince as they came out of the shop of the first hosier of Strasbourg, "what is the society in which madame de Dubois lives?
Great God, what a name, don't be angry, my dear Sorel, I can't help it.... Now, whom are you going to pay court to?"
"To an absolute prude, the daughter of an immensely rich stocking-merchant.
She has the finest eyes in the world and they please me infinitely; she doubtless holds the highest place in the society of the district, but in the midst of all her greatness she blushes and becomes positively confused if anyone starts talking about trade or shops.
And, unfortunately, her father was one of the best known merchants in Strasbourg."
"So," said the prince with a laugh, "you are sure that when one talks about trade your fair lady thinks about herself and not about you.
This silly weakness is divine and extremely useful, it will prevent you from yielding to a single moment's folly when near her sparkling eyes.