The Elixir of Immortality by Gabi Gleichmann

The Elixir of Immortality by Gabi Gleichmann

Author:Gabi Gleichmann [Gleichmann, Gabi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-59051-590-7
Publisher: Other Press
Published: 2013-09-30T16:00:00+00:00


AFTER A FEW WEEKS of this Hélène asked if she could introduce Avraham to her beloved brother Robert Deschanel, who was having difficulties with the authorities because of malicious rumors spread by competitors and individuals conspiring against him. He had been discharged from his employment and was seeking some way to provide for himself and his family. She added that Robert had a wonderfully charming wife. Avraham accompanied her to meet the brother over a glass of wine.

Deschanel turned out to be just as fine a person as his sister. Warm, charming, and direct, he spoke immediately of his troubles without beating about the bush: He had just completed a two-year prison sentence for fraud. An unscrupulous colleague in the office had cold-bloodedly stolen money, forged documents, and laid the blame on him. Deschanel said that he would be a liar if he were to say that life in the Bastille hadn’t been unendurable, especially considering he was innocent; but worst of all was the loss of his reputation. No one in Paris would even speak his name, let alone recommend him for employment. One day he had become so despondent, he said with tears in his eyes, that death seemed the only way out. He had acquired a rope and was tempted to hang himself. But he thought that he should do one last good deed by using his talents and making someone wealthy.

Deschanel had heard from his sister Hélène that the baron was a good and wise man, and he wanted to suggest a collaboration that could profit both of them. He quickly outlined a couple of ideas, stock speculations that could easily yield fabulous profits without the slightest risk. Deschanel assured the baron he could make him one of the richest men in Paris and simultaneously redeem his own reputation.

Hélène nodded in approval throughout the presentation.

Avraham found it somewhat difficult to concentrate upon the details of Deschanel’s plan, for his eyes were drawn irresistibly to the sight of Hélène’s décolletage, which was even more revealing than usual. One of the richest men in Paris—that phrase brought sweet music to his ears. He thought of Voltaire, who had always undervalued him and never believed he would turn out to be anything. He could imagine the philosopher’s face, filled with surprise and reverent admiration when he heard of Avraham’s unprecedented financial success. One of the richest men in Paris … He was overcome by an irresistible desire to work with Deschanel.

“Your candor,” he replied, flushed with the wine and the prospects of a gleaming future, “has won my absolute confidence, and I will be most happy to place a portion of my patrimony in your hands. If you will permit me, dear friend, to call you Robert, I will raise my glass to toast the brilliant future that awaits us.”

“We can be entirely open with each other here, dear Baron de Spina-Rosa,” Deschanel answered and sipped his wine, “given that through Hélène you are, so to speak, a member of the family.



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