We were given an assignment by our English professor to change the end of the story "The Jewels", written by Guy de Maupassant. And here is my version. Hope you like it!
After Madame Lantin
passed away, M Lantin nearly followed her to the grave. His grief knew no
bounds. He couldn't imagine life without her. All those days of bliss he had
spent with her were now over. He yearned to see her smile once more, but he knew
it would never be possible. His plight was now clear to him. The meager income
that he earned was not enough to fulfill his own needs. Despite his grief, he
continued to work at the Ministry; and he worked even harder, knowing the
loneliness that would greet him at home.
A day after the tragic incident, M Lantin had received a
letter from a wealthy man of Paris. The letter was meant for Mme Lantin, and it
was obvious that the man had not heard about her sudden death. The letter
seemed to be a very considerate one, enquiring into the health of the lady, and
hoping to see her at the theatre soon. "Perhaps the man was a well wisher
of my wife," was all that M Lantin could conclude.
Poverty had struck M Lantin like a dagger. His savings
were finished before he knew it, and a week before the end of the month, he was
already in debt. In the next few days, he was starving to death. Driven by
agony, he thought of selling the jewels that his wife adored so much. He picked
up his wife's favourite necklace and decided to visit the jeweler in order to
sell it. While walking towards the shop, he wore a grin on his face; despite
his grief, as if cherishing a secret which was about to be made known.
M Lantin did not reel in shock. In fact, he was pleased
with what he heard. At the jeweler's, he was told that the jewels were not
paste, but were real after all. Unusual though it may seem, M Lantin's heart
sang! The necklace was real and cost 12,000 francs. The most obvious conclusion
was that the rest of the jewels were real too. His wife was not what she seemed
to be. She had got the money from somewhere, and even a simpleton like M Lantin
knew that the jewels were presents.
M Lantin was still grinning, unconsciously showing the
pride of already knowing the truth beforehand.
M Lantin, the simple yet shrewd clerk, had not forgotten
the letter which was addressed to his late wife. On reaching home, he wasted no
time in reading the man's address;
M. Cadeau,
11, Rue de Valentine,
Paris
The next day M Lantin was heard talking to M Cadeau who
was unusually sorry to hear of his wife's demise.
"... and ever since she passed away, dear Sir, I
have lost all interest in life," said M Lantin. "You see," he
continued, "now my meager income isn't even enough for my own needs! She
has made me miserable! Look at me now. My heart broken. My clothes tattered. My
stomach starving! Do you not have any pity for me?"
M Cadeau felt sorry when he heard his plea, and genuinely
ventured to help M Lantin. M Lantin spoke of his wife's faults with rancour. He
spoke of her love for jewels and produced these from a small bag that he
carried. M Cadeau was impressed. He greatly admired the jewels and asked him
from where they were bought. M Lantin provided him with all the details, and
then asked him if he could buy the jewels from him.
M Cadeau, being a wealthy man, readily considered the
prospect put forth by the widower. "I would like to study the jewels,
Lantin. Only then will I be able to give you my quotation. Give me some
time."
"M Cadeau, I am a poor man. I have been starving
since days! How can you expect me to give you time? The longer you take, the
sooner will I die!"
M Cadeau's heart melted. He requested M Lantin to wait
till the evening. He promised to give him his quotation until then.
A smiling M Lantin was seen leaving Rue de Valentine. But
once he had reached his home, his smile transformed to hatred. Anger and
contempt towards his wife gushed from his heart. He tore down her room entirely
and smashed her possessions to pieces. For hours he remained impulsive, and
nothing pacified him.
But again in the evening, a smiling M Lantin was seen at
11, Rue de Valentine. He met M Cadeau warmly, and both the gentlemen got down
to business. A deal of two hundred thousand francs was at last settled upon.
M Lantin, feeling slightly indebted to M Cadeau for
finalizing the deal, invited him for a drink. The two spoke for long about
current affairs and other business. However, at the end of the tête-à -tête, M
Cadeau complained of sickness, and expressed his desire to leave. Thus ended
their short acquaintance.
***
Eight days later, the widower read in the newspaper that
M Cadeau had died due to inflammation of the lungs. A slow smile appeared on M
Lantin's face, just as it had done after the death of his wife, as he
remembered the vial of poison locked up in his cupboard.
THE END
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