The Immoralist
season had not yet begun, the vast hotel was almost empty and I was able to choose. I took two spacious rooms, bright, and simply furnished; there was a large sitting room adjoining, with a big bow-window, from which could be seen the hideous blue lake and a crude mountain, whose name I have forgotten and whose slopes were either too wooded or too bare. We had our meals served separately. The rooms were extravagantly dear. But what do I care? thought I. It is true I no longer have my lectures, but I am selling La Morinière. And then we shall see.… Besides, what need have I of money? What need have I of all this?… I am strong now.… A complete change of fortune, I think, must be as instructive as a complete change of health.… Marceline, of course, requires luxury; she is weak … oh, for her sake, I will spend so much, so much that … And I felt at one and the same time a horror of luxury and a craving for it. I bathed, I steeped my sensuality in it, and then again it was a vagabond joy that I longed for.
In the meanwhile Marceline was getting better and my constant care was having good results. As she had a difficulty in eating, I ordered the most dainty and delicious food to stimulate her appetite; we drank the
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