Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 476 This is not fair!

Lionel stood on the small stage, his gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people below, especially the young faces sitting next to their fathers.

He began, "Good evening. Thank you all again for coming tonight. I know that Gap has become quite lively lately because of my sister Ivana."

When I got home, I found the living room had practically turned into a salon. My father was overwhelmed, my mother was struggling to cope, and my sister was even afraid to go downstairs.

Therefore, after discussing it with them, we decided that I would temporarily represent my sister to communicate with everyone and their families.

I think everyone will agree with this, right?

"of course not!"

"This is the best arrangement!"

"Mr. Sorel is very thoughtful!"

A chorus of agreement immediately erupted from the audience—who dared to object?

Lionel nodded in satisfaction: "I have a lot of business to attend to in Paris, so I can't stay here for too long, and I don't have time to communicate with everyone individually."

Therefore, I would like to take advantage of tonight's occasion to try to reduce the number of choices my dear sister faces in a relatively efficient way.

Of course, the final decision always rests with her. I'm just acting as her caring younger brother, helping her to get some initial information.

Another round of praise followed.

"Mr. Lionel is so considerate!"

"Brothers like this are so rare!"

Lionel raised his hand slightly, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

He said slowly, "I believe that the foundation of marriage is, of course, the feelings between two people, that is, love."

But marriage is not just a matter between two people; it involves two families and a shared future together.

Therefore, some basic conditions, such as family circumstances, economic situation, personal education and abilities, etc., also need to be considered.

Do you all agree?

"Agree!"

"Yes!"

"Marriage is a big deal, so it should be considered carefully!"

Almost everyone in the audience loudly agreed; they initially thought that Mr. Lionel, as a writer, might place more emphasis on "love"—

Unexpectedly, he is also capable of "sharing joy with the people"!
Only Marcel looked worried, while old Dubois gently patted his son's shoulder, comforting him.

Lionel nodded: "Okay. Then, for the sake of efficiency, I will put forward some conditions that I think are more important."

Those who meet the criteria, please step forward. This way, we can see the situation more clearly. What do you all think?

"good idea!"

"fair!"

"Simple and clear!"

The guests once again agreed, and the fathers especially felt that this method was straightforward, saving them from countless roundabout attempts.

Lionel smiled. "Well then, let's begin. First, all unmarried men who are interested in pursuing my sister Ivana, please stand in the middle of the banquet hall."

A slight commotion arose as the young people, brought by their fathers or elders, stood up one by one and walked to the open space in the center of the hall.

There were quite a few people, at least thirty or forty, standing in several rows, facing Lionel on the stage.

Marcel Dubois was among them. He stood on the side, his fingers trembling slightly with nervousness.

Lionel looked at them calmly: "The first condition is very simple: Ivana's future husband should at least have received a secondary education."

If you can read, write, and do accounting, and meet these criteria, please take the next step.

A burst of relaxed laughter erupted in the hall; these conditions were far too basic.

Families that can be found here are at least middle-class or above, and having their children finish high school is the bare minimum.

Sure enough, all the young people in the center of the open space took a step forward without hesitation, not one was missing.

Lionel laughed too: "Everyone is excellent. The second condition—my sister is twenty-five this year, and she doesn't want her future husband to be too much older than her."

Therefore, those under the age of 35, please take another step forward.

Now, things changed. Four or five men in the crowd, who were noticeably older, hesitated for a moment, their faces somewhat embarrassed, and remained where they were, not moving forward.

Most of them were over thirty-five, so their chances weren't high to begin with. Although they were a little disappointed to be eliminated, it was within expectations and not too bad.

The remaining people all took another step forward.

Lionel continued, "The third condition is that my sister wants her husband to have a formal, stable job and be able to take on family responsibilities."

If you've already officially started working, instead of still studying or idling, please take that step.

Several more people were screened out, mainly students who were still studying at universities in Lyon, Grenoble and other places, including Raphael Moreau, who was studying medicine.

He opened his mouth as if to say that he would graduate next year, but in the end he swallowed his words and remained where he was.

Lionel's voice remained steady: "The fourth condition is that her husband does not need to be extremely wealthy, but his annual income should be at least three thousand francs."

This can guarantee a family a relatively stable and decent life in Gapu. If you meet the requirements, please take the next step.

Three thousand francs! That's no small sum in Gapu. A skilled craftsman or a high-ranking shop assistant might only earn a little over one thousand to two thousand francs a year.

This condition eliminated several young people from ordinary families with limited income.

In the center of the open space, only about twenty people remained standing; these were all scions of truly "powerful" families in Gap.
The son of a factory owner, the heir of a wealthy merchant, a judge, the son of an education bureau chief, the descendant of a rich landowner… and of course, Marcel Dubois.

The Dubois family's grocery store is doing well; earning over three thousand francs a year is not difficult. Marcel himself is currently running the business, so he has a regular job. Marcel himself is somewhat surprised; he didn't expect to stay this long.

The remaining young people showed a hint of pride and anticipation on their faces.

After all, they had gone through four rounds of selection, and they were already among the "best of the best" among their peers.

Lionel looked at them: "The next condition is that within six months of our family moving to Gaple, we must try to get to know her, pursue her, and take a step forward."

This condition left many young people looking at each other in bewilderment.

When Ivana first moved to Gap, Lionel was a well-known figure, but old Joseph was just a retired clerk and not particularly wealthy.

In other words, no one could be sure how much dowry the Sorel family could prepare for Ivana, which was the most important cornerstone of marriage in France at that time!
Ivana herself was somewhat depressed because of the scam, and her appearance was not outstanding, so very few people pursued her at that time.

It wasn't until the last few months, with Lionel's big court wins, his bicycle races, and his US tour, that people realized what had happened.

That's why the news of Marcel Dubois's engagement to Ivana sparked such a fierce competition.

There was silence for a few seconds.

Some people lowered their heads and didn't move—they had only joined in the recent craze.

But a few people stepped forward without hesitation, including Marcel Dubois.

He had seen Ivana's family at the store a few times shortly after they moved in, and later, after Mass at the church, he mustered up the courage to strike up a conversation, and they gradually became acquainted.

His pursuit began earliest and was the most unassuming.

Unexpectedly, Adrian Lafont also took a step forward.

His father was a court clerk and well-informed, so he was one of the first to "keep an eye" on Ivana, though his method was more about self-promotion.

Adrian even took the opportunity to bow slightly to Lionel on the stage: "Mr. Sorel, I have always admired Miss Ivana's gentleness and kindness."

Lionel nodded to him without saying much, his gaze sweeping over the five or six people now standing at the front.

The atmosphere became even more tense. From nearly forty people, to less than twenty, and now to five or six, success was just one step away!

Lionel was silent for a moment. The banquet hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone's heart was clenched.

Finally, Lionel spoke again: "One last condition—last year, from July to September 1881, I was labeled a 'sinner of France' for opposing colonialism, and during that time, I was still willing to visit my home and keep Ivana company..."

Please take a step forward!

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire banquet hall fell into a deathly silence.

Time seemed to stand still, and even the flickering of the gas lamps seemed to have stopped.

All eyes were fixed on the five or six young men standing at the front.

Adrian Lafont's fawning smile froze.

His eyes flickered, his lips moved, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot, remaining completely still.

His father was a public official who valued self-preservation above all else. During that period, the Lafont family was trying to avoid trouble, so how could they let their son go to the Sorel family to "cause trouble"?
He even mocked Lionel at home for being "out of touch with reality."

The others frowned in thought, some looked embarrassed, and some simply lowered their heads.

Some of them may have indeed had feelings for Ivana, but during that sensitive period—

Approaching Lionel's sister when his future is uncertain, or even when he's disgraced, is far too risky!
Their families wouldn't allow it, and they themselves didn't have the courage.

Each step felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

There was a long silence.

Just when everyone thought no one would move forward—

A figure took a step forward slowly, but firmly.

He was alone, Marcel Dubois.

He raised his head, his face showing no pride or arrogance, only a relieved calm, and his eyes held a tenderness as he recalled the past.

He remembered those afternoons when the shop wasn't busy, he would pack some newly arrived candy or a small bag of coffee beans and walk to Sorel's house.

Ivana sometimes tended to the fig tree in the yard, and sometimes read in the living room.

The old Josephs were always very kind. They would chat about things in Gape, interesting things that happened in the shop, or they would just sit quietly for a while without saying anything.

At that time, no one dared to come to Sorel's house except himself. Everyone was talking about Lionel's lawsuit and thought he was "finished".

They didn't understand politics, nor did they care about the famous Lionel. What did all this have to do with their family's grocery store business?

He simply wanted to see Ivana and talk to her.

Marcel didn't know if it counted as "courage"; he simply did what he felt was right.

And now, all of this seems to have finally come to meaning.

He stood alone in the empty space before Lionel, under the gaze of hundreds of people.

Lionel stared at Marcel Dubois for a long time.

Then, a genuine smile appeared on his face for the first time that night.

At this moment, a resentful voice rang out—

"Mr. Sorel, this is not fair!"

(Second update, more tonight!)

(End of this chapter)