Chapter 951: Schérer's Travels 4
The Schérers' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when they heard that.
Heavens! This house was actually worth eighteen thousand francs—that was seven thousand two hundred florins!
To put that in perspective, a luxury villa in the heart of Vienna only cost seven thousand florins.
He couldn't help but glance again at the boxes stacked in the corner by the stairs. It suddenly occurred to him that he had heard of these "Paris Angel" cosmetics back in Vienna. They were prohibitively expensive; a minor noble family like his could never afford such luxuries.
It was no wonder his brother-in-law was so wealthy.
Beyond his amazement, Baron Schérer felt a wave of relief wash over him.
It seemed Elias truly could afford to lend him those seventeen hundred florins.
Lukas was saved!
Just as he rose to offer Elias his heartfelt thanks, the front door swung open.
It wasn't until she reached the living room that she realized there were guests. She came to a screeching halt, only to be jolted forward when the maid, who had been chasing after her, collided with her from behind.
The girl fought to regain her balance, smoothed her dress with an embarrassed air, and then looked cautiously at Elias. "Father, who are these two?" she whispered.
Before Elias could answer, Mrs. Schérer stood up and took the girl's hand, a doting smile on her face. "Oh, my dear Corinna, look at how much you've grown. My, what a beautiful face; it's like a lily in the morning dew, bathed in the light of Aurora."
The girl immediately dropped into a nervous curtsy. "Thank you, Madam. Your praise is far more than I deserve."
Elias quickly intervened. "Corinna, this is your aunt. You used to play at her house often when we lived in Vienna."
Corinna clearly had no memory of things from over a decade ago, but she curtsied again. "It is a pleasure to meet you, dear Aunt.
"And this must be my uncle. I hope you enjoy your stay in Reims."
Mrs. Schérer pulled her niece down to sit and began a warm exchange of pleasantries, though an anxious shadow flickered across the girl's face.
Elias turned and asked the maid in a low voice, "Gina, why is the young lady home so early?"
Corinna beat her to the punch. "Father, Baron Machir is going to welcome the triumphant army, so he ended the lesson early today."
Baron Machir was her dance instructor and a very famous dancer among the aristocracy of Reims.
Elias frowned slightly. "The army's return?"
"Yes, General Masséna's troops are back from Cologne. They're entering the city this afternoon," Corinna said excitedly. "Everyone is going out to meet them.
"In fact, I came back to change my clothes so I could join Baron Machir and the others at the eastern gate..."
Elias curled his lip in disdain. "How fascinating. We are Austrians, and the French army just defeated our Emperor, yet here you are, eager to welcome them?"
Corinna protested immediately. "I am not Austrian! I've lived in Reims my whole life; I am French! Look, I can barely even speak German anymore."
"Say what you will. But you had better not go anywhere this afternoon."
Elias gestured to the maid. "Since Gina is back, go and tidy up the guest rooms on the second floor. My sister and her husband's luggage is in that room.
"Old John and his wife are on leave, and everything in the house is a mess."
Corinna grew frantic and stood up. "Father, well, Reina and Louisa are going too."
Elias hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Just make sure you're back early."
Those two girls were noble ladies of considerable standing and Corinna's classmates. A major reason he had sent his daughter to study dance with Baron Machir was to facilitate such high-society connections.
Overjoyed, Corinna quickly changed into a stunning outfit, grabbed the maid, and headed for the door.
Elias suddenly remembered something and called out to her, "Wait, did you say the army entering the city is the one that went to Luxembourg?"
"Yes, Father."
Elias frowned again. "So, that tailor's son is back too?"
Corinna shot a look at the maid and then replied casually, "I don't know. Perhaps."
The maid had already moved to the door and was turning the handle.
Corinna dashed out and dove into the carriage. "Reina and Louisa will be tired of waiting!"
Mrs. Schérer watched the door as it still rattled on its hinges. "Who is this 'tailor's son' you mentioned?" she asked her brother.
The latter replied irritably, "Just a poor boy. Two years ago, he went to Paris for... what was it? Oh, the police academy. Later, he returned to Reims for service. I don't know how he managed to fill Corinna's head with such nonsense, but she actually claims to be in love with him.
"That boy went off to fight in Luxembourg last year. I didn't expect him to make it back alive."
Mrs. Schérer chimed in agreement. "His family are tailors? Then he is certainly no match for Corinna."
"Precisely!" Elias sighed. "I didn't even agree when Baron Swazic came to propose earlier this year. How could I let her marry a pauper?
"But Corinna is nearly seventeen. I must arrange a suitable marriage for her as soon as possible."
After dinner, Elias stood by the window waiting for his daughter's return. But even by eight in the evening, long after the gas streetlights had been lit, the family carriage had yet to appear.
He wasn't worried about her safety, as she was with Baron Machir, but he was constantly afraid the tailor's son might lure her away.
Just as he was preparing to head out and look for her, the carriage returned.
Corinna pushed open the door and entered, clearly in low spirits. She hastily greeted her father and the Schérers before retreating to her room and locking the door behind her.
Confused, Elias summoned the maid. "Did Corinna see that boy?"
Gina nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. They spoke for a long time."
Elias gestured toward his daughter's room. "So, they had a falling out?"
"It didn't seem like that, sir."
"Then what's wrong with Corinna?"
Gina lowered her head. "I think... it's because Mr. Thwaites was injured."
Thwaites was the tailor's son.
"Injured? Is it serious?"
The maid's voice dropped even lower. "He lost his left hand."
Elias's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh, how wonderful—I mean, how tragic. He's so young."
'But if that's the case, Corinna should finally give up on him. No wonder she's so upset,' he thought.
The next morning, Elias had just finished washing up and was about to send a servant for breakfast when his daughter's bedroom door was thrown open.
"Good morning, Corinna. I heard about Mr. Thwaites. It truly is a tragedy—"
Before Elias could finish, Corinna stood before him and spoke with a firm, resolute voice. "Father, I have made my decision."
"Oh? Decided what?"
"I am going to get engaged to Thwaites!"
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