The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 729 - 350: The Libertine Father

"Figaro Newspaper" reporter: Mr. Dumas, first of all, congratulations on your election as a member of the French Academy of Literature. I believe your father, in the spirit of heaven, must be proud of you. My question is: Readers often say that your writing style and that of your father’s are worlds apart. What is your view on the differences between you and your father?

Alexander Dumas fils (after a prolonged silence): I am a writer of realist literature, and I have already talked about that man enough in my books. If you don’t know my opinion, you might as well reread my previous works.

Reporter: Which one are you referring to?

Alexander Dumas fils: "The Illegitimate Son," or "The Profligate Father" will do as well.

(Audience bursts into laughter)

Reporter: What if I insist on a direct answer from you?

Alexander Dumas fils (after a slight pause): All right. The difference between me and that man is like the difference between the two Emperors of France. Apart from having the same surname and being related by blood, we have no other common points... oh, I almost forgot, there is one more.

Reporter: What is that?

Alexander Dumas fils: We both had the fortune of encountering Uncle Hastings during the lowest points in our lives.

Reporter (with a slightly unnatural expression): Are you sure that encountering the surname Hastings in France is fortunate? It is quite controversial.

Alexander Dumas fils: Say what you will, France is not short of controversies, and one more won’t make a difference. In any case, Uncle Hastings sometimes behaved more like a father to me.

——————

"Alexander, I do not wish to meddle in your personal life. However, from a business standpoint, I think if you do not take this attorney’s letter demanding that you acknowledge your kin seriously, it might impact the social reputation of ’British.’ Of course, I cannot dismiss the possibility that this news might boost our magazine sales. After all, ’The merciless Mr. Great Dumas refuses to recognize his pitiful illegitimate child’ is quite an eye-catching headline, and London’s readers love such stuff."

The Great Dumas read Victor’s letter word by word, and he was so angered that he crumpled up the paper: "Prunier, that bastard! He dares to question my character in ’Revue des deux mondes,’ and openly mocks me for not being a gentleman? I indeed owe Vini an apology, and I should write to Vini expressing my regret, but what has this got to do with Prunier, that green bottle fly?"

Arthur calmly took a sip of tea; he didn’t mind learning a bit more about the little amusements of the Parisian literary world: "Who is this Prunier? He seems to harbor great hostility against you?"

The Great Dumas loosened his collar, sweating from his fury.

"Prunier? He is like those vermin from ’Blackwood’s,’ those so-called literary critics who make a living by attacking ’British.’ He idolizes Voltaire but has only learned Voltaire’s acerbic sharpness, completely lacking the touch of humor that comes with Voltaire’s satire, turning himself into the most annoying pest in all of Paris. He makes reviews that are harsh to the point of cruelty, yet he still poses as a man of elegance. One look at him and I can’t eat for three days straight. Jules Janin’s description of him is apt: ’When Prunier goes to the theater, the seats on either side of him are sure to be empty.’

Back when I was still in Paris, he used to spout nonsense at me all the time, and eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and went to challenge him to a duel. Prunier initially agreed readily, even provoking me through letters frequently. But as the day of the duel drew near, this coward eventually shrank back, coming to me, brazen-faced, to apologize."

"He promised me that as long as I did not publicize his retreat from the duel, he would stop defaming me. This little weasel must think that I won’t return to Paris, so he’s seizing the opportunity to avenge an old grudge," the Great Dumas brooded, his anger mounting as he thought about it.

With a slap on Arthur’s desk, he said, "Arthur, do you have a way to book me a passage back to France? Don’t worry, I won’t be gone long on this business trip; I’ll be back in a week."

Arthur raised an eyebrow: "I can get you a ticket to Paris, but not to Prunier’s place; it would be to a cell in the Security Department."

The Great Dumas discontentedly said: "What do you mean by that?"

Arthur replied helplessly: "Please, Alexander, Prunier didn’t dare to accept your challenge to a duel before, and there’s no reason to believe he has suddenly become braver. If he doesn’t accept your challenge, then going after him would amount to murder. Paris has been quite chaotic lately, so you better not trouble Victor with this. After all, we still owe him a favor concerning Frederick."

After much consideration, the Great Dumas was still rather discontented: "So we just let this scum Prunier defame me as he pleases?"

"That’s simple."

Arthur pushed forward the lawyer’s letter on the desk: "You merely have to acknowledge your old lover as your lawful wife, and the illegitimate child as your official heir, right? I have looked into your affair in detail. Miss Catherine Labay devoted herself to you when you were penniless and bore you a child, yet you abandoned mother and child upon making your name.

Alexander, although we are friends, I must say, you seem like a bastard in this affair. My opinion on the matter aligns with that of Mr. Hugo. Like him, I believe you should take responsibility for the mother and child." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com