Lionel truly felt innocent.
It wasn't he who had deceived Baroness Alexeyevna, but the lady seemed to have unleashed all her anger upon him.
But since Sophia had already come knocking, he had no choice but to face her, however unwilling he was.
Furthermore, he didn't believe a 19th-century literature exam could pose any real challenge to him.
Like all disciplines, 150 years meant the knowledge system had iterated at least ten times, and many theories that were groundbreaking and difficult to comprehend back then had, after the passage of time, become simple common sense.
But this didn't mean he would allow Sophia to manipulate him.
Lionel slowly rose from the hardwood chair.
He first scanned the examination hall, his gaze finally settling on the radiant Russian noblewoman, bright as the midday sun.
Lionel's voice was clear, devoid of anger or fear:
"Miss Sophia, you have received the highest standard of French education, your accent as pure as if you were born in the Palace of Versailles.
Presumably, you are intimately familiar with French works and masters?
Like Balzac, Voltaire, Rousseau, whom you just mentioned..."
Sophia proudly lifted her head:
"At least in Moscow's salons, no one is more familiar with them than I am."
France had already implemented a republican system; noble titles and privileges had been abolished, though cultural inertia persisted.
Russia, however, was still a thoroughly feudal society, with its entire upper echelon composed of nobility.
In Sophia's eyes, a commoner like Lionel was nothing more than an ant.
If not for French law protecting him, she would have even had her guards tie him up and drag him two kilometers through the mud behind a horse.
Professor Durand kindly reminded Lionel:
"Sophia has been eloquent since childhood, she is Baroness Alexeyevna's most outstanding child, and a star in Moscow's aristocratic salons."
Lionel noted that Professor Durand, when speaking of "child," did not specify whether it was "boy" or "girl."
Lionel smiled, but his words began to sharpen:
"You say you are familiar with these masters, but they seem to be merely conversation starters you use to adorn your presence at aristocratic salons.
The precious pursuit of reason, the emphasis on logic, the practice of civilization in French literature... none of these have taken root and blossomed in your beautiful head."
Sophia remained dismissive, believing Lionel was merely putting on a brave front.
Lionel paced over to Sophia, looking down at her from above: "Just as you just loudly declared your hope for the Sorbonne's 'lofty standards unshaken by any external factors'—
If my 'empty reputation' is an 'external factor' that can influence the examination, then can your mother's '300,000 francs' and your own social influence be excluded from 'external factors'?
Is there any rationality or logic to that?"
Sophia was momentarily speechless.
Lionel continued his most cruel 'dissection' in the calmest tone:
"When you brazenly uttered words like 'rigorous tradition,' 'lofty standards,' 'temple of knowledge,' did you ever consider—
That you yourself just burst into the examination hall like a barbarian, without any etiquette, interrupting the examination process?
Is this a sign of respect for tradition, standards, and the temple of knowledge?
Is there any civilization in this?"
Sophia was speechless in the face of the sudden interrogation.
In Moscow's salons, no noble youth would ever question her like this; they would only nod subserviently in her dazzling presence, shedding their armor and abandoning their weapons before her sharp wit.
Lionel's uncompromising, tit-for-tat demeanor momentarily threw her mind into disarray, making it impossible for her to organize her thoughts.
But Lionel had no intention of giving her time to retort, so the questioning did not end:
"Therefore, Miss Sophia Ivanovna Durova-Shcherbatova—
You constantly claim to love French culture, yet you merely understand it as elegant conversation fodder in salons, capital for showing off in social circles, or...
...a tool, like your mother's 300,000 franc donation, used to self-aggrandize, or even to interfere with the freedom of others!
Therefore, you have never truly understood the soul of French literature; it is inherently incompatible with your mindset of trying to manipulate everything with money and power!
Your French might be better than most French people, but you are still, hmpf, a Russian..."
Lionel's words were truly cutting; Sophia's face turned from red to white, then from white to green, her full chest heaving violently.
She wanted to retort, to rebuke, to call her servants in and throw this arrogant little writer out...
This was a spiritual humiliation she had never encountered before! She could only stare intently at Lionel, flames burning in her eyes.
Lionel gave a slight smile, turned, and sat back in his chair, facing Professor Durand and the other two judges once more.
"So, gentlemen professors, please present the questions. I accept the additional examination.
But the purpose of this additional examination is not to prove whether my personal 'reputation is undeserved' or 'well-deserved,' nor is it to satisfy the expectations or concerns of any generous lady.
Rather, it is to provide Miss Sophia Ivanovna, who has come all this way, with a mandatory lesson on the true spirit of French literature, a lesson they have missed!"
The three examiners—Professors Durand, Moreau, and Leclerc—exchanged solemn and complex glances.
While Lionel's sharp outburst was certainly gratifying, it also pushed them completely into the spotlight.
After some discussion, Professor Gustave Durand pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice regaining its scholarly composure:
"Lionel, you have defended the right to question, and you have also taken on the challenge that comes with it.
Since you have voluntarily requested an additional examination to prove the purity of Sorbonne academics and the caliber of your own knowledge, then, we shall grant your request."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the breath-held audience before returning to Lionel's face:
"Please expound upon—the relationship between 'truth' and 'morality' in French literature, and indeed, in the entire European literary tradition. Are they necessarily opposed?
If an opposition exists, how do writers reconcile, demonstrate, or even exploit this opposition in their works?"
As soon as the question was posed, the entire tiered classroom fell into a dead silence.
Even Sophia momentarily forgot the humiliation she had just suffered, displaying a thoughtful expression.
This was an extremely grand and profound proposition within 19th-century literary theory, touching upon the core of literary creation.
Its distinction from the previous questions was that it no longer set specific authors or works as reference points; thus, while there was no 'model answer,' it best reflected the respondent's caliber.
Lionel tried to look as if he was thinking, and after a good while, he began to answer:
"'Truth' and 'morality,' like two pillars of a spiritual edifice, though standing apart, are actually in a symbiotic relationship full of tension."
...
"Literature seeks truth to reveal the complexities of human nature and society, rather than merely moralizing or whitewashing reality."
...
"If literature only serves a 'morality' defined by the upper classes, and shies away from truth, then it becomes merely a decorative painting adorning the walls of aristocratic salons, losing its power to strike the soul."
Upon hearing the words 'aristocratic salons,' Sophia's expression instantly darkened a few shades.
Lionel's discourse did not end:
"And true moral strength often arises from a profound analysis of truth, combined with compassion and pity."
...
"Therefore, a writer's reconciliation of 'truth' and 'morality' is not about whitewashing or avoidance, but rather about delving into truth with fearless courage, and using profound insight and broad moral sentiment, to both present 'what is' and guide readers to ponder 'why' and 'how it should be.'"
...
"The highest form of literary morality is not rigid dogma, but a deep understanding of human nature, a merciless exposure of injustice, and an unyielding pursuit of dignity and freedom!"
...
"As for those who attempt to define 'morality' and constrain 'truth' with money and power, they are often the ones least able to withstand the light of truth. Their 'morality' is merely a fig leaf to cover their own privileges and illusory sense of superiority."
...
Lionel concluded his discourse.
He stood up and bowed to the professors and the dean:
"I believe my examination can now conclude."
Then, amidst the cheers and applause of the students, he calmly walked through the crowd and left the scene.
Before leaving, he casually dropped a line to Sophia:
"Your last French lesson is over, Miss Sophia Ivanovna Durova-Shcherbatova."
Upon hearing this cutting mockery, Sophia managed to remain standing, but Madame Rothschild, who had been listening from the small room next door, went limp and collapsed onto the sofa.
(End of Chapter)
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