Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 28 Provocation
Lionel simply looked at Albert quietly, his expression calm and his eyes clear.

Albert's smile, which had almost reached the corners of his mouth, gradually disappeared, replaced by embarrassment and anger: "You..."

"So, you're still relying on such a boring way to prove your courage?" Lionel closed his notebook.

Now it was Albert's turn to be stunned, and he immediately revealed the embarrassment of his scheme being seen through, but his pride as a nobleman made him force himself to meet Lionel's gaze.

Lionel shook his head and stood up.

He was already a few centimeters taller than Albert and had broader shoulders. Plus, being on the upper level of the lecture hall, he had a rather condescending air about him: "In your world, is courage so cheap?"
"Is going to the 'old mine' to look at the immobile bones of the dead, and that's what you call courage?"

Albert's pale face flushed red again, and he began to grit his teeth as he spoke: "What's the use of saying all this? Do you dare or not? Ha, you commoners..."

“Okay, just name a time,” Lionel interrupted Albert’s long-winded explanation and surprisingly agreed.

“However, I have a condition,” Lionel added calmly, “After I go there, I will not join you, and you should not bother me again.”

Albert's mood turned red again, and his little schemes were exposed by Lionel time and time again. This feeling—who in the family can understand!
Now it was Lionel's turn to wear a contemptuous smile.

How could he possibly be fooled by the tactics used by student groups in European and American universities to recruit new members through a "test of courage" method (which is actually PUA)?

Having failed to gain any advantage over Lionel on several occasions before, and having incurred a favor in the dean's office, Albert decided to "generously" accept Lionel as his follower.

This way, he could both save face and display his "aristocratic demeanor".

As the tide of republicanism swept across France, noble titles were not actually recognized by the government, nor did they come with any institutional privileges.

However, the long history continues to exert its enormous cultural inertia. Even if the apparent difference in bloodline is denied, both the nobility and the common people generally acknowledge that they are not in the same social class.

After their wealth was crushed by the emerging bourgeois merchants, and their cultural creativity was left behind by artists of commoner origin, the aristocracy had few fig leaves left, and "courage" was considered one of them.

They stubbornly believed that this virtue was something that merchants and ordinary people did not possess—for example, they would not die for honor!
Therefore, until the end of the 19th century, French people from aristocratic families or who aspired to the "aristocratic spirit" were still enthusiastic about the barbaric tradition of dueling.

Albert could no longer stand the terrible atmosphere of the conversation and could only coldly say, "Fine, see you at 10 a.m. Sunday, in the 14th arrondissement, at Denfer-Rochero Square."

This was originally the maintenance entrance of a stone quarry, under the management of the Quarry Administration Bureau, hence the nickname "Old Mine Pit" for the underground cemetery.

Students, geology apprentices, doctors, or those with connections can pay a small fee to enter semi-legally, but the scope of exploration is limited, and they will be chased out by patrolling priests from time to time.

“How about tonight? 10 o’clock, in the 14th ward, meet me at Hell Street.” Lionel suddenly spoke as the other person turned around.

Albert whirled around, glaring menacingly at Lionel: "You think I wouldn't dare? You think I wouldn't dare?"

Lionel watched Albert, who was about to explode, silently, saying nothing, yet seemingly saying everything.

"Hell Street" is an exceptionally narrow street in the slums of the 14th ward, only about 40 to 50 centimeters wide. The nearly 3-kilometer-long street is sandwiched between rows of houses with almost no gaps, and you can only walk from one end to the other.

However, these houses located between streets often have narrow doors or small windows in their walls.

It is said that you can get anything you want by trading through these narrow doors or small windows; it is one of the most famous underground black markets in Paris. Some of the houses even have cellars dug through mine shafts, allowing secret access to tombs.

Many Parisian occult enthusiasts and adventurers prefer to enter the underground from here to explore the wider underworld.

Of course, there are other illegal entrances to the Paris catacombs, such as the culverts of the Biève River and the shafts on Rue de la Thombe-Isois, but these places smell terrible and lack guidance, and are only chosen by criminals and smugglers to conduct their business.

Being a guide in the catacombs was considered a respectable job in "Hell Street," so the risk level wasn't high, but going at night was still too terrifying for 19th-century college students.

Albert's chest heaved rapidly a few times before he finally managed to control his breathing: "Alright, see you at 'Hell Street' at 10 p.m. Sunday." With that, he led his entourage away.

Lionel nodded and sat back down, completely ignoring the curious and awe-inspiring looks from his classmates.

Although materialism was quite mature in the 19th century, it was by no means the belief of most people.

The public—including the vast majority of college students—still believes in the existence of God, angels, and devils, and therefore, ghosts and evil spirits must also exist.

That's why Albert chose to explore the catacombs as a way to "test his courage." As long as Lionel turned pale, trembled, and knelt down begging for mercy, he would "forgive past grievances" and save this poor civilian.

But to my surprise, Lionel seemed even braver than I had been to the catacombs several times...

Lionel didn't think that much; he just wanted to resolve the troubles Albert de Rohan had caused him as soon as possible, or even once and for all, so that they would no longer affect his life at the Sorbonne.

After class in the afternoon, Lionel did not return to his apartment immediately. Instead, he went to the post office on Boulevard Saint-Martin to collect the advance payment of 3000 francs that Gabriel had sent to his anonymous account.

This was a huge sum of money, equivalent to a year's income for an average middle-class French person, and also the largest amount of cash that Lionel had ever handled in his life.

The thin envelope contained two pieces of paper: a bearer check worth 1500 francs and a periodic acceptance bill of the same value.

Lionel stuffed the two valuable pieces of paper back into the envelope, then into the inside pocket of his clothes, before taking a public carriage to the Second District, where the financial industry was concentrated.

He quickly found the cheque-accepting bank, Crédit Lyonnais, opened an account for himself, deposited 1500 francs into the account, and then withdrew 200 francs.

Of that, 100 francs was to be sent to the Sorel family in the Alps, making a total of 200 francs including the previous one.

This sum of money is a drop in the ocean compared to the losses, but the continued receipt of small remittances will undoubtedly give the Sorel family more confidence in life and help them gradually emerge from the shadows.

The other 100 francs was for finding a new apartment over the weekend; if a suitable place was found, he wouldn't mind paying a deposit immediately.

Feeling relieved after finishing his business, Lionel took a public carriage back to Mrs. Martin's apartment. As soon as he entered, he was greeted by a strong aroma of stewed meat.

Petty, still wearing an adult apron, ran out as soon as she saw Lionel: "Young Master Sorel, I made braised duck with mushrooms today, using the recipe you taught me before."

However, duck seems to have a stronger gamey smell than chicken, so I added more thyme and bay leaves. Is that alright?

Lionel smiled and said, "It smells delicious! I'm hungry, let's eat!"

(End of this chapter)