Le Figaro: First of all, congratulations to Monsieur Dumas on your election as a member of the Académie Française, and I believe that your father's spirit in heaven will be proud of you. My question is: Readers often say that you and your father's writing styles are almost the same, how do you feel about this difference between yourself and your father?

Dumas (long silence): I'm a non-fiction writer, and in my books I've talked enough about that person. If you don't know what I think, you might as well re-read my previous writings.

Reporter: Which one are you referring to?

Alexandre Dumas: "Bastard", "The Father" is also fine.

(The audience laughs)

Reporter: What if I insisted that you give an answer yourself?

Alexandre Dumas (on a slight skew): Okay. The difference between me and that man is like the difference between the two emperors of France. There is nothing else we have in common other than the same surname and blood...... Oh, I almost forgot, we have one more thing in common.

Reporter: What do you have in common?

Alexandre Dumas: We were all at the lowest point in our lives when we were lucky enough to meet Uncle Hastings.

Reporter (slightly unnatural): Are you sure it's a bit of luck? The surname Hastings is controversial in France.

Alexandre Dumas: As you may say, there is a lot of controversy in France, and this one is no worse. To me anyway, Uncle Hastings sometimes acts more like a father.

——————

"Alexander, I don't want to ask about your private life. But from a business point of view, I think if you don't take this lawyer's letter seriously, it could have an impact on the reputation of British.

Of course, I can't rule out that this news may drive up our magazine sales. After all, the headline "The Ruthless Monsieur Dumas Refuses to Admit the Poor Bastard" is quite eye-catching, and readers in London love to read it. ”

Alexandre Dumas read the letter from Vidocq word by word, and he crumpled the paper in anger: "Pranche, bastard! How dare he question my character in the Two Worlds Review, and openly ridicule me for not being a gentleman? I am indeed sorry for Pooh, and it is necessary to write to Pooh to apologize, but what is the matter with this green-headed fly of Pranche? ”

Arthur calmly took a sip of tea, he didn't mind knowing a little more about the Parisian literary scene: "Who is this Pronche?" He seems to have a lot of hostility towards you? ”

Alexandre Dumas loosened his collar, and he was sweating angrily.

"Pranche? He is the same as the bedbugs in Blackwood who make a living attacking the British, both so-called literary critics. He idolized Voltaire, but he only learned Voltaire's bitterness, but he did not learn Voltaire's satirical and humorous tone at all, so he mixed himself up with the most annoying ghost in Paris.

While making harsh comments that bordered on meanness, and at the same time pretending to be personable, I couldn't eat for three days just by looking at him. Jules Yanan aptly described him: 'When Pranche went to the theatre, the seats on either side were empty. ’

When I was in Paris, he used to make a lot of nonsense at me, and then I couldn't take it anymore and went to him to duel. At first, he was full of promises, and often provoked me by letters. But as the day of the duel drew nearer, the cowardly finally shrank his head and cheekily found me and bowed his head to admit his mistake.

He assured me that as long as I didn't make a noise about his retreat in the duel, he would stop slandering me. This kid must have thought that I would not return to Paris, so he took this opportunity to avenge the revenge of the year. ”

When Dumas said this, the more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became.

He slapped Arthur's desk: "Arthur, do you have a way to help me book a ticket back to France?" Don't worry, I won't be out for too long, I'll be back in a week. ”

Arthur raised an eyebrow: "I can get a ticket to Paris, but not to Prons, but to the cell of the Ministry of Security." ”

Alexandre Dumas complained: "What do you mean by that?" ”

Arthur said helplessly: "Please, Alexander, Pranche didn't dare to accept your invitation to a duel before, and there is no reason why he is suddenly emboldened now." If he doesn't take your duel, then you go to him and it will be murder. Paris has been in turmoil lately, too, so don't bother Mr. Vidocq. After all, we owe Frederick a favor to him. ”

Alexandre Dumas pondered for a long time, but was still a little unhappy: "Then do you just let a promiscuous person like Planche slander me casually?" ”

"It's easy."

Arthur pushed the lawyer's letter forward on the table: "Wouldn't you just admit that your old lover is your legal wife and your illegitimate son is your legal heir?" I've already learned more about your love history. Miss Caterina Rabe committed to you when you were penniless and bore you a child, but you abandoned the mother and son after you became famous.

Alexander, we're friends, but I have to say that you look like a bastard in this relationship. My opinion on this matter is on the same level as that of Monsieur Hugo. Like him, I believe that you should be responsible for both mother and son. ”

Alexandre Dumas said angrily, "Arthur, you can't be led astray by others. You and Hugo are both very upright people, and I can't say that your views are wrong. But for an energetic French gentleman, it is normal to have a lover. As for the child, it was an unfortunate accident.

Besides, I had given the seamstress a sum of money to return to the country with her children for their peaceful birthday. Because it's impossible for someone like me to have a family to worry about. As you know, I was wanted by the authorities for the revolution, so wouldn't it be a good choice for my mother and son to go into hiding with me? ”

Arthur nodded slightly, "There is some truth to what you said, but haven't you settled down now?" ”

Alexandre Dumas snorted, "I've settled down, but you can't guarantee that I'll not fall into the hunted state I was in again tomorrow." ”

"Alexander."

"What's wrong?"

Arthur took a drag on his cigarette: "You seem to have forgotten what your friend does." I may not be able to escape the fate of the guns myself, but as long as I don't breathe, you and your family are safe in London. If you're worried about the safety of both mother and son, you're looking down on my ability to work. ”

Alexandre Dumas was choked by Arthur and speechless.

He pointed at Arthur and glared at him for a long time, and then he held back a sentence: "Arthur! Why are you so concerned about my feelings? If I hadn't known that you had never left Britain since you were a child, I would have thought that child was yours! ”

Arthur smiled and replied, "Alexander, you have a good reputation, I can't give birth to such a good son, it is the greatest work you have created in your life." Although it only took one night, it was both quality and efficiency. ”

Alexandre Dumas slapped him on the forehead: "Damn! Are you laughing at me? ”

Arthur shrugged his shoulders, he crossed Erlang's legs and unfolded the newspaper and said, "If you don't want a similar tragedy to happen again, I advise you to stop by the shop next to the butcher's shop next to you when you go out for entertainment." ”

"What am I going to do there?"

Arthur yawned, "I've heard Fiona say that condoms made of sheep's intestines are usually sold there, and if you don't think you can accept them, you can also choose linen." Fiona's little sisters often buy this thing in large quantities, and according to them, this product is very effective in preventing misfortune from happening. ”

Alexandre Dumas blushed and said, "Civilized people don't do such things!" ”

Arthur plucked his ears: "You're talking about the civilized people of the last century, and the civilized people of this century don't see it that way." At least birth control activists like the Rev. Malthus and Mr. Price are very much in favor of using it, and some time ago the Westminster Review opened a special column to advertise it. ”

Alexandre Dumas raised an eyebrow and asked, "Huh?" I remember you didn't hate Malthus and Price very much? Last time we had a dinner in the editorial office, we scolded these supporters of "The Principle of Population" together. Is it because utilitarianism is now so prevalent in Britain that you are flexible enough to stand on our side? ”

Arthur nodded, "I don't like Malthus, I don't hate it. As a scholar, he simply made his own point. I hated only people like Price, who, though he was a pupil of Mr. Bentham, hated to be given a stick to his radical way of expressing his opinions, and his impatience to turn unproven fantasies into reality at once. If they're proposing something as down-to-earth and humanitarian as promoting condoms, then I don't mind letting them go. ”

Dumas sighed when he heard this: "Sure enough, you still can't get rid of the police." Arthur, listen to me, jump out of that place sooner, or you will never be born with the consciousness to match your talent. ”

Arthur didn't really care about this, he said, "Alexander, I'll leave these thoughts to you, I'll just stay in Scotland Yard." Although I will not have any enlightenment here, at least I can guarantee that if you fail to achieve enlightenment, I will catch you on the shore in time. ”

Alexandre Dumas replied unconvinced: "No matter what you say, you can't change the trend of the world." ”

"Trends?"

Arthur put down the newspaper and thought back, "Are you Mr. Faraday's electromagnetic induction, or are these new inventions made by Charles?" If that's what you're talking about, I didn't want to stop them! I wish they could change a little faster, so I don't have to worry about going back to where I need to go. ”

"That's not what I'm talking about!"

Dumas knocked on the table and said, "A year ago, could you have imagined that parliamentary reform was the order of the day?" That's how the world is changing, that's the trend. A year ago, you stood by the Duke of Wellington and cheered for the Tories! ”

When Arthur heard this, he just chuckled softly: "Alexander, if you think this is the change, then you are wrong. In my opinion, parliamentary reform does not say much. ”

"Huh?" Alexandre Dumas raised his eyebrows and said, "Do you want to tell me that in the history of Britain, universal suffrage has ever been achieved?" ”

Arthur shook his head: "Of course not, but what you see is superficial. The success or failure of parliamentary reform does not affect the nature of things. Whether it was past, future, or present, our society is made up of third-class people.

Among them, the goal of the superior is to maintain their position, the goal of the middle class is to exchange status with the superior person, and the characteristics of the inferior person are always the same. The inferior people work hard and have no time to take care of them, and in their little leisure time, they can only take care of the trivial things of daily life.

Therefore, if they have a goal, it is nothing more than to abolish all differences and build a society in which all are equal. At this time, the middle people will flaunt that they are fighting for freedom and justice, and win the inferior people to their side.

But when the purpose of the middle class is achieved, they will push the inferior back to their original position, and they themselves will become the superior people. Therefore, thousands of years have passed, and among the third-class people, only the inferior people have never achieved their goals, even temporarily.

This time the parliamentary reform, maybe the slogan is novel, but I don't think their essence has changed. Instead of having high hopes for the conscience of the Whigs, you might as well lift Mr. Faraday to the altar. Or let's take 10,000 steps back and say, you have at least reimbursed the tickets of the mother and son, which is within your ability. ”

Alexandre Dumas had heard it with relish in front of him, but when he heard the ticket, he was suddenly shocked: "The ticket? You mean, they're coming to London? ”

Arthur nodded and smiled: "Alexander, don't blame me, the ferry ticket was issued by Mr. Hugo for the mother and son, and I don't think you should have any reason to refuse them."

Let your child see what a talented playwright his father was, and it will not only drive the French crazy, but also the Britons cheer. Let's show him how great your "Anthony" premiere really is!

After that, we can also arrange for the author of "The British" to have a meal with him, maybe he accidentally got a little bit of literature from Charles, Benjamin, Alfred, or yourself? ”

"This ......"

Seeing that he was still hesitating, Arthur couldn't help but remind, "If you don't do this, then we will have to cancel the plan for Lady Doval to come to London to perform." After all, it will not be easy to erase the effects of this incident in Paris, because I have heard from Mr. Vidocq that there are a few good Parisian journalists who came to London with mother and son.

And as you know, Monsieur Pooh is very influential in the Parisian literary scene, and if you don't keep his mouth shut and give him the opportunity to continue to fan the flames, it may have a detrimental effect on the centralized publication of "The British" in Paris. Alexander, I don't ask for help often. But this time, for the sake of francs, even if you are just acting on the spot, you must at least cooperate well, right? ”

"Alas......"

Dumas struggled for a moment, and then reluctantly responded: "For the sake of my friend's affection, then I will reluctantly sacrifice my hue." ”

(End of chapter)