CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Strassburg

Trapped in Strassburg for a week, Julien thought only of Mathilde. She was in control of his happiness. Ambition could make him forget his love of Mrs de Rênal, but nothing could make him forget Mathilde.

He was unhappy until he heard someone yell to him. Julien looked up and saw his friend from London, Prince Korasov. "You're not acting like I taught you," Korasov said. "Looking unhappy is bad. To be aristocratic you must look bored.

"What's wrong? Have you lost your money or are you in love with some actress?"

This joke almost made Julien cry. "To be honest, I am in love. She doesn't love me anymore." Julien told his story, but he made new names for everyone.

"I am your doctor," the prince said. Here's what to do:

1. See her everyday, but don't be cold.

2. Pay attention to another woman.

"What other woman will you choose?"

"I know a woman," Julien said, "who is very rich and does not love anyone." He was thinking of Mrs de Fervaques, whose husband was dead.

"That's perfect!" Korasov said. "Write two letters to her everyday. You don't even have to invent them; I have six boxes of letters ready for you to copy."

Julien was much happier when he went to bed that night.

Julien and his friend went riding everyday. Prince Korasov really liked Julien, and finally he said, "I have a cousin in Moscow. You should marry her! With my uncle's influence and the Legion of Honor cross you have, you'll go far in the army."

I can't do that, Julien thought. Leaving Mathilde would be too painful. I won't take my friend's cousin, but I'll take his advice. I'll seduce Mrs de Fervaques. She may be boring, but her eyes are like the woman I love.

(end of section)