It was on the occasion of the visits which he paid Seguin in reference to
these matters that Mathieu became acquainted with the terrible break-up
of the other's home. The very rooms of the house in the Avenue d'Antin,
particularly the once sumptuous "cabinet," spoke of neglect and
abandonment. The desire to cut a figure in society, and to carry the
"fad" of the moment to extremes, ever possessed Seguin; and thus he had
for a while renounced his pretended artistic tastes for certain new forms
of sport--the motor-car craze, and so forth. But his only real passion
was horseflesh, and to this he at last returned. A racing stable which he
set up quickly helped on his ruin. Women and gaming had been responsible
for the loss of part of his large fortune, and now horses were devouring
the remainder. It was said, too, that he gambled at the bourse, in the
hope of recouping himself for his losses on the turf, and by way, too, of
affecting an air of power and influence, for he allowed it to be supposed
that he obtained information direct from members of the Government. And
as his losses increased and downfall threatened him, all that remained of
the _bel esprit_ and moralist, once so prone to discuss literature and
social philosophy with Santerre, was an embittered, impotent
individual--one who had proclaimed himself a pessimist for fashion's
sake, and was now caught in his own trap; having so spoilt his existence
that he was now but an artisan of corruption and death.
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