his aristocratic manners, were all studying
him with sarcastic intent. This needs an explanation. At twenty-two,
young people are still so near childhood that they often conduct
themselves childishly. In all probability, out of every hundred of
them fully ninety-nine would have behaved precisely as Monsieur Charles
Grandet was now behaving.

Some days earlier than this his father had told him to go and spend
several months with his uncle at Saumur. Perhaps Monsieur Grandet was
thinking of Eugenie. Charles, sent for the first time in his life into
the provinces, took a fancy to make his appearance with the superiority
of a man of fashion, to reduce the whole arrondissement to despair by
his luxury, and to make his visit an epoch, importing into those country
regions all the refinements of Parisian life. In short, to explain it in
one word, he mean to pass more time at Saumur in brushing his nails than
he ever thought of doing in Paris, and to assume the extra nicety and
elegance of dress which a young man of fashion often lays aside for
a certain negligence which in itself is not devoid of grace. Charles
therefore brought with him a complete hunting-costume, the finest gun,
the best hunting-knife in the prettiest sheath to be found in all
Paris. He brought his whole collection of waistcoats. They were of all
kinds,--gray, black, white, scarabaeus-colored: some were shot with
gold, some spangled, some _chined_; some were double-breasted and
crossed like a shawl, others were straight in the collar; some had
turned-over collars, some buttoned up to the top with gilt buttons. He
brought every variety of collar and cravat in fashion at that epoch. He
brought two of Buisson's coats and all his finest linen He brought his
pretty gold toilet-set,--a present from his mother. He brought all his
dandy knick-knacks, not forgetting a ravishing little desk presented to
him by the most amiable of women,--amiable for him, at least,--a fine
lady whom he called Annette and who at this moment was travelling,
matrimonially and wearily, in Scotland, a victim to certain suspicions
which required a passing sacrifice of happiness; in the desk was much
pretty note-paper on which to write to her once a fortnight.

In short, it was as complete a cargo of Parisian frivolities as it was
possible for him to get together,--a collection of all the implements
of husbandry with which the youth of leisure tills his life, from
the little whip which helps