"Mr. Victor Hugo has arrived!"

Following the servants' briefing, a middle-aged man slowly walked into the living room of the famous literary young woman, and then nodded to the people who were already seated.

His forehead was broad, the bridge of his nose was straight, his square face exuded an air of wisdom, and his eyes were very sharp, but with a little inexplicable worry. His hair is slightly long, as if to accentuate the temperament of a literati, but there is also a bit of a politician in his gestures.

"Good evening, everyone."

The voice is not loud, but it is very calm and mellow, full of the proper demeanor that has been cultivated in the French noble court. This middle-aged man who is full of ambition at this time, where can he imagine the ups and downs in the future at this moment!

The others also hurriedly greeted him, and they didn't lose their arrogance just now.

The writers, who were still enthusiastically criticizing Hugo's talents just now, are completely silent at the moment. Those who are interested in talking about him behind his back do not have the courage to criticize the members of the French Academy and the House of Nobles in person, even if they say hello, for fear of appearing impolite.

Well, that's what most literati would have been.

On the contrary, Charles, who had spoken for him before, was much calmer, and only nodded at the future great writer - this is not because he was born arrogant and had to behave outstandingly, but because he had never planned to eat literature for the rest of his life, because he was really not afraid of offending anyone in the literary circle, so he couldn't raise his strength if he wanted to grovel......

Mademoiselle Perriette graciously beckoned Hugo to sit beside her, as if the arrival of this man was the highlight of her plans. Then let him participate in the conversation. And Hugo was unceremonious, sat down directly, and then chatted with the host in a very decent and courteous manner.

"What were you talking about? Our dear Miss Perriette? ”

"We're talking about the French literary scene today. Each of them is talking about their favorite contemporary writers," replied Miss Bluestockings, and then pointed at Charles with a smile, "but this Mr. Tswilt is saying that you are the favorite writer besides Mr. Balzac!" ”

"Aha, how dare you do this!" Hugo smiled awkwardly.

No. You can definitely afford it in the future, as long as your life trajectory continues as it was.

Then Hugo suddenly looked at Charles and smiled very gently.

"You're Mr. Tswil? Sure enough, he is as young as the rumors! I've read your book. Well written! ”

"It's an honor for you to hear my name." Charles thanked him rather calmly.

"I really didn't expect it to be such a young ......," Hugo muttered softly, and then raised his head to talk to the others, "Speaking of the most admired writers of our time, I personally admire Monsieur de Chateaubriand the most. His poetry ushered in a new era. ”

His nomination was not very convincing. But everyone knew that Hugo admired Chateaubriand the most, so no one refuted anything, but agreed.

Charles, however, did not appreciate this Monsieur de Chateaubriand very much.

That's right, Chateaubriand was an excellent poet, and he was the idol of Victor Hugo, the guide for Hugo to enter the literary world, and he took a lot of care of Hugo when he entered the literary world in his early years. But at the same time he is also a politician of low personal character, or rather a failed speculator, the negative of French politicians.

He started out as a staunch royalist. He entered the government after the restoration of the Bourbons, and for a time became Minister of Foreign Affairs (1822-1824). However, due to the defeat of the political struggle, he was eventually relieved of this position. Having lost his position, he began to abandon the monarchist ideas that had given rise to him in his early years and presented himself as a liberal republican - but after the fall of the Bourbon dynasty in 1830 and the establishment of the July dynasty, he was unable to get a new appointment to the new dynasty. I can only be a literary critic at home all the time.

He is a failed politician, a loser who has completely fallen off a single-plank bridge, and one that Charles never wants to emulate.

At the mention of Chateaubriand, and of the famous affair of the great man and of the young Monsieur Ampère and Madame de Recamier, the whole salon was lightened for a time.

[In the 1820s, Jean-Jacques Ampère, the son of the famous physicist Ampère and the future famous linguist, Chateaubriand, who was in his fifties at the time, and the philosopher Barlance pursued Madame de Recamier at the same time. 】

"Monsieur Chateaubriand was in his fifties at the time, right? It's a shame that he has the heart to play......" Miss Perriette sighed.

"My dear friend, age has never been an issue for us writers." A middle-aged writer replied with a smile, "Even if we are weak because of old age, our minds are still sharp enough......

For a while, the whole living room was made laugh by this slightly ridiculous pun joke, and even the literary young woman laughed.

[Impuissance once means both weak and 'not lifting' in French.] 】

It would be rude to say such a thing in a normal salon, but writers are unrestrained and despise rules, so that no one will take it to heart as long as they answer wittily.

"But now I have heard that poor Monsieur de Chateaubriand is dying, and that he has recently fallen ill? Doctors now run home every day. After laughing for a while, one writer asked softly.

"yes, I've visited him before. Now that he is seriously ill, I am afraid that he will ...... soon" Hugo shook his head slightly, obviously unable to bear to say Zuihou's words.

"It's a shame...... "Someone sighed.

"Each of us will face the day when Chateaubriand's life will be enough for him to return to God without regret." Hugo replied, "We're all going to have this day." The difference is not the result, but the way. ”

"It's not just the way, it's the attitude." Charles added.

"Yes. And attitude. Hugo nodded.

………………

It was getting late, and the guests began to say goodbye one after another, and Charbourne wanted to say goodbye directly, but was stopped by Miss Perriette with her eyes.

What else? Charles couldn't help but be a little curious.

Soon, the guests were almost gone, and Zuihou was left with only Hugo and Charles.

Miss Blue Stockings smiled and nodded to Hugo, "Mr. Hugo." As you wished, I brought him to you today. ”

Well?

Charles was surprised.

"Mr. Tswil, I asked Miss Perriette to invite you as far as she could. Didn't cause you any inconvenience, did it? Before he could react, Hugo smiled at him.

"It's not inconvenient, it's just a little unexpected......," Charles replied honestly, "I just." I didn't expect you to care about such a small role as me. ”

"Small role?" Hugo shook his head. "It's not a small role, even now, definitely not in the future, your surname is a pen name, right? What is your real name? ”

"You'll hear it someday, but not now." Charles replied with a smile.

This attitude of his did not make Hugo angry, or even surprised. Before being smoothed out by the cold reality, there is always something reserved and proud about the young writer, and he used to be so.

"That's good. I am very much looking forward to the day when you will become famous, and I am sure that this day will come soon. After seeing your work. That's how I feel. ”

"Thank you very much for the compliment." Charles hurriedly thanked the other party, and at the same time felt a trace of excitement in his heart - a great writer like Victor Hugo actually praised me for my literary talent in person one day, oh my God!

Seeing Charles' excitement, Hugo smiled, "However, I came to you not to praise you, but to criticize you. ”

Well? The head-on basin of cold water almost made Charles a little baffled.

"What do you mean?"

"That's right, you're talented, every character you portray is impressive, it's your talent. However, you are wasting your talent now! Hugo looked directly at Charles with a very serious expression, "Look at your things, either write about the extravagance and splendor of the court, or write about the surprising sensation but strange and bizarre plots." Your novels lack philosophical speculation, and they lack the discussion of the era itself, which is the responsibility of a writer, isn't it? Mr. Tswil, it's a shame that you should have done more and yet refused to do it. ”

Perhaps fearing that these criticisms would be too heavy, Hugo immediately slowed down.

"Please don't be angry, I said this because I expected you from you. Maybe I don't have a position to talk about you now, and you know that my current work is not favored by people, and I think it's really bad. But I hope that you, a talented young man like you, do not follow in my footsteps, you are gifted, you should not waste it, you could have been a great man of letters......"

Charles couldn't help but feel a little weak in front of Hugo's harsh and sincere criticism.

"However, today's readers love this kind of novel, and writing this kind of novel can quickly get money......"

"Are you short of money?" Hugo seemed to understand something, "If you are short of money now, I can help you some." Young people, don't get too attached to meaningless dignity, and if you need help, just tell me as if I had lent it to you. You should devote yourself to writing, don't be shackled by boring things, and write a novel that everyone will admire, just like Goethe! ”

Charles smiled bitterly.

I'm really short of money, but where can you afford to fill this gap......

"Xiexie, I'm not short of money for the time being, but I'll keep in mind your instructions today and try to write a Haode novel in the future." He replied solemnly.

Seeing the solemn appearance of the young man, Hugo finally relieved, but he still did not forget to say another word of advice.

"Fate plays tricks on each of us, but you are still you. In times of eminence, we must not get carried away, and in times of difficulty, we must not be discouraged, and all gloom will eventually dissipate. I hope you remember that. ”

"Xiexie, I'll remember." Charles nodded sincerely.

He's the one who really did that. (To be continued......)