第4章

"Poorthing，Iamkillingher！Andnowgentlemen，itistimetogo。"

Tenminutesafter，GastonandIleftthehouse。Margueriteshookhandswithmeandsaidgood-bye。Prudenceremainedbehind。

"Well，"saidGaston，whenwewereinthestreet，"whatdoyouthinkofMarguerite？"

"Sheisanangel，andIammadlyinlovewithher。""SoI

guessed；didyoutellherso？"

"Yes。"

"Anddidshepromisetobelieveyou？"

"No。"

"SheisnotlikePrudence。"

"Didshepromiseto？"

"Betterstill，mydearfellow。Youwouldn\'tthinkit；butsheisstillnothalfbad，pooroldDuvernoy！"

Chapter11

AtthispointArmandstopped。

"Wouldyouclosethewindowforme？"hesaid。"Iambeginningtofeelcold。Meanwhile，Iwillgetintobed。"

Iclosedthewindow。Armand，whowasstillveryweak，tookoffhisdressing-gownandlaydowninbed，restinghisheadforafewmomentsonthepillow，likeamanwhoistiredbymuchtalkingordisturbedbypainfulmemories。

"Perhapsyouhavebeentalkingtoomuch，"Isaidtohim。"Wouldyouratherformetogoandleaveyoutosleep？Youcantellmetherestofthestoryanotherday。"

"Areyoutiredoflisteningtoit？"

"Quitethecontrary。"

"ThenIwillgoon。Ifyouleftmealone，Ishouldnotsleep。"

WhenIreturnedhome（hecontinued，withoutneedingtopauseandrecollecthimself，sofreshwereallthedetailsinhismind），I

didnotgotobed，butbegantoreflectovertheday\'sadventure。

Themeeting，theintroduction，thepromiseofMarguerite，hadfollowedoneanothersorapidly，andsounexpectedly，thatthereweremomentswhenitseemedtomeIhadbeendreaming。

Nevertheless，itwasnotthefirsttimethatagirllikeMargueritehadpromisedherselftoamanonthemorrowofthedayonwhichhehadaskedforthepromise。

Though，indeed，Imadethisreflection，thefirstimpressionproducedonmebymyfuturemistresswassostrongthatitstillpersisted。Irefusedobstinatelytoseeinherawomanlikeotherwomen，and，withthevanitysocommontoallmen，Iwasreadytobelievethatshecouldnotbutsharetheattractionwhichdrewmetoher。

Yet，Ihadbeforemeplentyofinstancestothecontrary，andI

hadoftenheardthattheaffectionofMargueritewasathingtobehadmoreorlessdear，accordingtotheseason。

But，ontheotherhand，howwasItoreconcilethisreputationwithherconstantrefusaloftheyoungcountwhomwehadfoundatherhouse？Youmaysaythathewasunattractivetoher，andthat，asshewassplendidlykeptbytheduke，shewouldbemorelikelytochooseamanwhowasattractivetoher，ifsheweretotakeanotherlover。Ifso，whydidshenotchooseGaston，whowasrich，witty，andcharming，andwhydidshecareforme，whomshehadthoughtsoridiculousthefirsttimeshehadseenme？

Itistruethatthereareeventsofamomentwhichtellmorethanthecourtshipofayear。Ofthosewhowereatthesupper，Iwastheonlyonewhohadbeenconcernedatherleavingthetable。I

hadfollowedher，Ihadbeensoaffectedastobeunabletohideitfromher，IhadweptasIkissedherhand。Thiscircumstance，addedtomydailyvisitsduringthetwomonthsofherillness，mighthaveshownherthatIwassomewhatdifferentfromtheothermensheknew，andperhapsshehadsaidtoherselfthatforalovewhichcouldthusmanifestitselfshemightwelldowhatshehaddonesooftenthatithadnomoreconsequenceforher。

Allthesesuppositions，asyoumaysee，wereimprobableenough；

butwhatevermighthavebeenthereasonofherconsent，onethingwascertain，shehadconsented。

Now，IwasinlovewithMarguerite。Ihadnothingmoretoaskofher。Nevertheless，thoughshewasonlyakeptwoman，Ihadsoanticipatedformyself，perhapstopoetizeitalittle，ahopelesslove，thatthenearerthemomentapproachedwhenI

shouldhavenothingmoretohope，themoreIdoubted。Ididnotclosemyeyesallnight。

Iscarcelyknewmyself。Iwashalfdemented。Now，Iseemedtomyselfnothandsomeorrichorelegantenoughtopossesssuchawoman，nowIwasfilledwithvanityatthethoughtofit；thenI

begantofearlestMargueritehadnomorethanafewdays\'

capriceforme，andIsaidtomyselfthatsinceweshouldsoonhavetopart，itwouldbebetternottokeepherappointment，buttowriteandtellhermyfearsandleaveher。FromthatIwentontounlimitedhope，unboundedconfidence。Idreamedincredibledreamsofthefuture；Isaidtomyselfthatsheshouldowetomehermoralandphysicalrecovery，thatIshouldspendmywholelifewithher，andthatherloveshouldmakemehappierthanallthemaidenlylovesintheworld。

ButIcannotrepeattoyouthethousandthoughtsthatrosefrommyhearttomyhead，andthatonlyfadedawaywiththesleepthatcametomeatdaybreak。

WhenIawokeitwastwoo\'clock。Theweatherwassuperb。Idon\'tthinklifeeverseemedtomesobeautifulandsofullofpossibilities。Thememoriesofthenightbeforecametomewithoutshadoworhindrance，escortedgailybythehopesofthenighttocome。Fromtimetotimemyheartleapedwithloveandjoyinmybreast。Asweetfeverthrilledme。IthoughtnomoreofthereasonswhichhadfilledmymindbeforeIslept。Isawonlytheresult，IthoughtonlyofthehourwhenIwastoseeMargueriteagain。

Itwasimpossibletostayindoors。Myroomseemedtoosmalltocontainmyhappiness。Ineededthewholeofnaturetounbosommyself。

Iwentout。PassingbytheRued\'Antin，IsawMarguerite\'scoupe\'

waitingforheratthedoor。IwenttowardtheChamps-Elysees。I

lovedallthepeoplewhomImet。Lovegivesoneakindofgoodness。

AfterIhadbeenwalkingforanhourfromtheMarlyhorsestotheRond-Point，IsawMarguerite\'scarriageinthedistance；I

divinedratherthanrecognisedit。AsitwasturningthecorneroftheChamps-Elyseesitstopped，andatallyoungmanleftagroupofpeoplewithwhomhewastalkingandcameuptoher。Theytalkedforafewmoments；theyoungmanreturnedtohisfriends，thehorsessetoutagain，andasIcamenearthegroupI

recognisedtheonewhohadspokentoMargueriteastheComtedeG。，whoseportraitIhadseenandwhomPrudencehadindicatedtomeasthemantowhomMargueriteowedherposition。Itwastohimthatshehadclosedherdoorsthenightbefore；Iimaginedthatshehadstoppedhercarriageinordertoexplaintohimwhyshehaddoneso，andIhopedthatatthesametimeshehadfoundsomenewpretextfornotreceivinghimonthefollowingnight。

HowIspenttherestofthedayIdonotknow；Iwalked，smoked，talked，butwhatIsaid，whomImet，Ihadutterlyforgottenbyteno\'clockintheevening。

AllIrememberisthatwhenIreturnedhome，Ispentthreehoursovermytoilet，andIlookedatmywatchandmyclockahundredtimes，whichunfortunatelybothpointedtothesamehour。

Whenitstruckhalfpastten，Isaidtomyselfthatitwastimetogo。

IlivedatthattimeintheRuedeProvence；IfollowedtheRueduMont-Blanc，crossedtheBoulevard，wentuptheRueLouis-le-Grand，theRuedePort-Mahon，andtheRued\'Antin。I

lookedupatMarguerite\'swindows。Therewasalight。Irang。I

askedtheporterifMlle。Gautierwasathome。Herepliedthatshenevercameinbeforeelevenoraquarterpasteleven。I

lookedatmywatch。Iintendedtocomequiteslowly，andIhadcomeinfiveminutesfromtheRuedeProvencetotheRued\'Antin。

Iwalkedtoandfrointhestreet；therearenoshops，andatthathouritisquitedeserted。Inhalfanhour\'stimeMargueritearrived。Shelookedaroundherasshegotdownfromhercoupe\'，asifshewerelookingforsomeone。Thecarriagedroveoff；thestableswerenotatthehouse。JustasMargueritewasgoingtoring，Iwentuptoherandsaid，"Good-evening。"

"Ah，itisyou，"shesaid，inatonethatbynomeansreassuredmeastoherpleasureinseeingme。

"DidyounotpromisemethatImightcomeandseeyouto-day？"

"Quiteright。Ihadforgotten。"

ThiswordupsetallthereflectionsIhadhadduringtheday。

Nevertheless，Iwasbeginningtogetusedtoherways，andIdidnotleaveher，asIshouldcertainlyhavedoneonce。Weentered。

Naninehadalreadyopenedthedoor。

"HasPrudencecome？"saidMarguerite。

"No，madame。"

"Saythatsheistobeadmittedassoonasshecomes。Butfirstputoutthelampinthedrawing-room，andifanyonecomes，saythatIhavenotcomebackandshallnotbecomingback。"

Shewaslikeawomanwhoispreoccupiedwithsomething，andperhapsannoyedbyanunwelcomeguest。Ididnotknowwhattodoorsay。Margueritewenttowardherbedroom；IremainedwhereI

was。

"Come，"shesaid。

Shetookoffherhatandhervelvetcloakandthrewthemonthebed，thenletherselfdropintoagreatarmchairbesidethefire，whichshekepttilltheverybeginningofsummer，andsaidtomeasshefingeredherwatch-chain：

"Well，whatnewshaveyougotforme？"

"None，exceptthatIoughtnottohavecometo-night。"

"Why？"

"Becauseyouseemvexed，andnodoubtIamboringyou。"

"Youarenotboringme；onlyIamnotwell；Ihavebeensufferingallday。Icouldnotsleep，andIhaveafrightfulheadache。"

"ShallIgoawayandletyougotobed？"

"Oh，youcanstay。IfIwanttogotobedIdon\'tmindyourbeinghere。"

Atthatmomenttherewasaring。

"Whoiscomingnow？"shesaid，withanimpatientmovement。

Afewminutesaftertherewasanotherring。

"Isn\'tthereanyonetogotothedoor？Ishallhavetogo。"Shegotupandsaidtome，"Waithere。"

Shewentthroughtherooms，andIheardheropentheouterdoor。

Ilistened。

Thepersonwhomshehadadmitteddidnotcomefartherthanthedining-room。AtthefirstwordIrecognisedthevoiceoftheyoungComtedeN。

"Howareyouthisevening？"hesaid。

"Notwell，"repliedMargueritedrily。

"AmIdisturbingyou？"

"Perhaps。

"Howyoureceiveme！WhathaveIdone，mydearMarguerite？"

"Mydearfriend，youhavedonenothing。Iamill；Imustgotobed，soyouwillbegoodenoughtogo。Itissickeningnottobeabletoreturnatnightwithoutyourmakingyourappearancefiveminutesafterward。Whatisityouwant？Formetobeyourmistress？Well，Ihavealreadytoldyouahundredtimes，No；yousimplyworryme，andyoumightaswellgosomewhereelse。I

repeattoyouto-day，forthelasttime，Idon\'twanttohaveanythingtodowithyou；that\'ssettled。Good-bye。Here\'sNaninecomingin；shecanlightyoutothedoor。Good-night。"

Withoutaddinganotherword，orlisteningtowhattheyoungmanstammeredout，Margueritereturnedtotheroomandslammedthedoor。Nanineenteredamomentafter。

"Nowunderstand，"saidMarguerite，"youarealwaystosaytothatidiotthatIamnotin，orthatIwillnotseehim。Iamtiredoutwithseeingpeoplewhoalwayswantthesamething；whopaymeforit，andthenthinktheyarequitofme。Ifthosewhoaregoingtogoinforourhatefulbusinessonlyknewwhatitreallywastheywouldsoonerbechambermaids。Butno，vanity，thedesireofhavingdressesandcarriagesanddiamondscarriesusaway；onebelieveswhatonehears，forhere，aselsewhere，thereissuchathingasbelief，andoneusesupone\'sheart，one\'sbody，one\'sbeauty，littlebylittle；oneisfearedlikeabeastofprey，scornedlikeapariah，surroundedbypeoplewhoalwaystakemorethantheygive；andonefinedayonedieslikeadoginaditch，afterhavingruinedothersandruinedone\'sself。"

"Come，come，madame，becalm，"saidNanine；"yournervesareabitupsetto-night。"

"Thisdressworriesme，"continuedMarguerite，unhookingherbodice；"givemeadressing-gown。Well，andPrudence？"

"Shehasnotcomeyet，butIwillsendhertoyou，madame，themomentshecomes。"

"There\'sone，now，"Margueritewenton，asshetookoffherdressandputonawhitedressing-gown，"there\'sonewhoknowsverywellhowtofindmewhensheisinwantofme，andyetshecan\'tdomeaservicedecently。SheknowsIamwaitingforananswer。

SheknowshowanxiousIam，andIamsuresheisgoingaboutonherownaccount，withoutgivingathoughttome。"

"Perhapsshehadtowait。"

"Letushavesomepunch。"

"Itwilldoyounogood，madame，"saidNanine。

"Somuchthebetter。Bringsomefruit，too，andapateorawingofchicken；somethingorother，atonce。Iamhungry。"

NeedItellyoutheimpressionwhichthisscenemadeuponme，orcanyounotimagineit？

"Youaregoingtohavesupperwithme，"shesaidtome；

"meanwhile，takeabook。Iamgoingintomydressing-roomforamoment。"

Shelitthecandlesofacandelabra，openedadooratthefootofthebed，anddisappeared。

Ibegantothinkoverthispoorgirl\'slife，andmyloveforherwasmingledwithagreatpity。Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom，thinkingoverthings，whenPrudenceentered。

"Ah，youhere？"\'shesaid，"whereisMarguerite？"

"Inherdressing-room。"

"Iwillwait。Bytheway，doyouknowshethinksyoucharming？"

"No。"

"Shehasn\'ttoldyou？"

"Notatall。"

"Howareyouhere？"

"Ihavecometopayheravisit。"

"Atmidnight？"

"Whynot？"

"Farceur！"

"Shehasreceivedme，asamatteroffact，verybadly。"

"Shewillreceiveyoubetterbyandbye。"

"Doyouthinkso？"

"Ihavesomegoodnewsforher。"

"Noharminthat。Soshehasspokentoyouaboutme？"

"Lastnight，orratherto-night，whenyouandyourfriendwent。

Bytheway，whatisyourfriendcalled？GastonR。，hisnameis，isn\'tit？"

"Yes，"saidI，notwithoutsmiling，asIthoughtofwhatGastonhadconfidedtome，andsawthatPrudencescarcelyevenknewhisname。

"Heisquitenice，thatfellow；whatdoeshedo？"

"Hehastwenty-fivethousandfrancsayear。"

"Ah，indeed！Well，toreturntoyou。Margueriteaskedmeallaboutyou：whoyouwere，whatyoudid，whatmistressesyouhadhad；inshort，everythingthatonecouldaskaboutamanofyourage。ItoldherallIknew，andaddedthatyouwereacharmingyoungman。That\'sall。"

"Thanks。Nowtellmewhatitwasshewantedtosaytoyoulastnight。"

"Nothingatall。Itwasonlytogetridofthecount；butIhavereallysomethingtoseeheraboutto-day，andIambringingherananswernow。"

AtthismomentMargueritereappearedfromherdressing-room，wearingacoquettishlittlenightcapwithbunchesofyellowribbons，technicallyknownas"cabbages。"Shelookedravishing。

Shehadsatinslippersonherbarefeet，andwasintheactofpolishinghernails。

"Well，"shesaid，seeingPrudence，"haveyouseentheduke？"

"Yes，indeed。"

"Andwhatdidhesaytoyou？"

"Hegaveme——"

"Howmuch？"

"Sixthousand。"

"Haveyougotit？"

"Yes。

"Didheseemputout？"

"No。"

"Poorman！"

This"Poorman！"wassaidinatoneimpossibletorender。

Margueritetookthesixnotesofathousandfrancs。

"Itwasquitetime，"shesaid。"MydearPrudence，areyouinwantofanymoney？"

"Youknow，mychild，itisthe15thinacoupleofdays，soifyoucouldlendmethreeorfourhundredfrancs，youwoulddomearealservice。"

"Sendoverto-morrow；itistoolatetogetchangenow。"

"Don\'tforget。"

"Nofear。Willyouhavesupperwithus？"

"No，Charlesiswaitingforme。"

"Youarestilldevotedtohim？"

"Crazy，mydear！Iwillseeyouto-morrow。Good-bye，Armand。"

Mme。Duvernoywentout。

Margueriteopenedthedrawerofaside-tableandthrewthebank-notesintoit。

"Willyoupermitmetogetintobed？"shesaidwithasmile，asshemovedtowardthebed。

"Notonlypermit，butIbegofyou。"

Sheturnedbackthecoveringandgotintobed。

"Now，"saidshe，"comeandsitdownbyme，andlet\'shaveatalk。"

Prudencewasright：theanswerthatshehadbroughttoMargueritehadputherintoagoodhumour。

"Willyouforgivemeformybadtempertonight？"shesaid，takingmyhand。

"Iamreadytoforgiveyouasoftenasyoulike。"

"Andyouloveme？"

"Madly。"

"Inspiteofmybaddisposition？"

"Inspiteofall。"

"Youswearit？"

"Yes，"Isaidinawhisper。

Nanineentered，carryingplates，acoldchicken，abottleofclaret，andsomestrawberries。

"Ihaven\'thadanypunchmade，"saidNanine；"claretisbetterforyou。Isn\'tit，sir？"

"Certainly，"Ireplied，stillundertheexcitementofMarguerite\'slastwords，myeyesfixedardentlyuponher。

"Good，"saidshe；"putitallonthelittletable，anddrawituptothebed；wewillhelpourselves。Thisisthethirdnightyouhavesatup，andyoumustbeinwantofsleep。Gotobed。Idon\'twantanythingmore。"

"ShallIlockthedoor？"

"Ishouldthinkso！Andaboveall，tellthemnottoadmitanybodybeforemidday。"

Chapter12

Atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，asthelightbegantoappearthroughthecurtains，Margueritesaidtome："ForgivemeifI

sendyouaway；butImust。Thedukecomeseverymorning；theywilltellhim，whenhecomes，thatIamasleep，andperhapshewillwaituntilIwake。"

ItookMarguerite\'sheadinmyhands；herloosenedhairstreamedabouther；Igaveheralastkiss，saying："WhenshallIseeyouagain？"

"Listen，"shesaid；"takethelittlegiltkeyonthemantelpiece，openthatdoor；bringmebackthekeyandgo。Inthecourseofthedayyoushallhavealetter，andmyorders，foryouknowyouaretoobeyblindly。"

"Yes；butifIshouldalreadyaskforsomething？"

"What？"

"Letmehavethatkey。"

"WhatyouaskisathingIhaveneverdoneforanyone。"

"Well，doitforme，forIsweartoyouthatIdon\'tloveyouastheothershavelovedyou。"

"Well，keepit；butitonlydependsonmetomakeituselesstoyou，afterall。"

"How？"

"Thereareboltsonthedoor。"

"Wretch！"

"Iwillhavethemtakenoff。"

"Youlove，then，alittle？"

"Idon\'tknowhowitis，butitseemstomeasifIdo！Now，go；

Ican\'tkeepmyeyesopen。"

Iheldherinmyarmsforafewsecondsandthenwent。

Thestreetswereempty，thegreatcitywasstillasleep，asweetfreshnesscirculatedinthestreetsthatafewhourslaterwouldbefilledwiththenoiseofmen。Itseemedtomeasifthissleepingcitybelongedtome；IsearchedmymemoryforthenamesofthosewhosehappinessIhadonceenvied；andIcouldnotrecallonewithoutfindingmyselfthehappier。

Tobelovedbyapureyounggirl，tobethefirsttorevealtoherthestrangemysteryoflove，isindeedagreathappiness，butitisthesimplestthingintheworld。Totakecaptiveaheartwhichhashadnoexperienceofattack，istoenteranunfortifiedandungarrisonedcity。Education，familyfeeling，thesenseofduty，thefamily，arestrongsentinels，buttherearenosentinelssovigilantasnottobedeceivedbyagirlofsixteentowhomnature，bythevoiceofthemansheloves，givesthefirstcounselsoflove，allthemoreardentbecausetheyseemsopure。

Themoreagirlbelievesingoodness，themoreeasilywillshegiveway，ifnottoherlover，atleasttolove，forbeingwithoutmistrustsheiswithoutforce，andtowinherloveisatriumphthatcanbegainedbyanyyoungmanoffive-and-twenty。

Seehowyounggirlsarewatchedandguarded！Thewallsofconventsarenothighenough，mothershavenolocksstrongenough，religionhasnodutiesconstantenough，toshutthesecharmingbirdsintheircages，cagesnotevenstrewnwithflowers。Thenhowsurelymusttheydesiretheworldwhichishiddenfromthem，howsurelymusttheyfindittempting，howsurelymusttheylistentothefirstvoicewhichcomestotellitssecretsthroughtheirbars，andblessthehandwhichisthefirsttoraiseacornerofthemysteriousveil！

Buttobereallylovedbyacourtesan：thatisavictoryofinfinitelygreaterdifficulty。Withthemthebodyhaswornoutthesoul，thesenseshaveburneduptheheart，dissipationhasbluntedthefeelings。Theyhavelongknownthewordsthatwesaytothem，themeansweuse；theyhavesoldthelovethattheyinspire。Theylovebyprofession，andnotbyinstinct。Theyareguardedbetterbytheircalculationsthanavirginbyhermotherandherconvent；andtheyhaveinventedthewordcapriceforthatunbarteredlovewhichtheyallowthemselvesfromtimetotime，forarest，foranexcuse，foraconsolation，likeusurers，whocheatathousand，andthinktheyhaveboughttheirownredemptionbyoncelendingasovereigntoapoordevilwhoisdyingofhungerwithoutaskingforinterestorareceipt。

Then，whenGodallowslovetoacourtesan，thatlove，whichatfirstseemslikeapardon，becomesforheralmostwithoutpenitence。Whenacreaturewhohasallherpasttoreproachherselfwithistakenallatoncebyaprofound，sincere，irresistiblelove，ofwhichshehadneverfeltherselfcapable；

whenshehasconfessedherlove，howabsolutelythemanwhomshelovesdominatesher！Howstronghefeelswithhiscruelrighttosay：Youdonomoreforlovethanyouhavedoneformoney。Theyknownotwhatprooftogive。Achild，saysthefable，havingoftenamusedhimselfbycrying"Help！awolf！"inordertodisturbthelabourersinthefield，wasonedaydevouredbyaWolf，becausethosewhomhehadsooftendeceivednolongerbelievedinhiscriesforhelp。Itisthesamewiththeseunhappywomenwhentheyloveseriously。Theyhaveliedsooftenthatnoonewillbelievethem，andinthemidstoftheirremorsetheyaredevouredbytheirlove。

Hencethosegreatdevotions，thoseaustereretreatsfromtheworld，ofwhichsomeofthemhavegivenanexample。

Butwhenthemanwhoinspiresthisredeemingloveisgreatenoughinsoultoreceiveitwithoutrememberingthepast，whenhegiveshimselfuptoit，when，inshort，helovesasheisloved，thismandrainsatonedraughtallearthlyemotions，andaftersuchalovehisheartwillbeclosedtoeveryother。

IdidnotmakethesereflectionsonthemorningwhenIreturnedhome。Theycouldbuthavebeenthepresentimentofwhatwastohappentome，and，despitemyloveforMarguerite，Ididnotforeseesuchconsequences。Imakethesereflectionsto-day。Nowthatallisirrevocablyended，theyarisenaturallyoutofwhathastakenplace。

Buttoreturntothefirstdayofmyliaison。WhenIreachedhomeIwasinastateofmadgaiety。AsIthoughtofhowthebarrierswhichmyimaginationhadplacedbetweenMargueriteandmyselfhaddisappeared，ofhowshewasnowmine；oftheplaceInowhadinherthoughts，ofthekeytoherroomwhichIhadinmypocket，andofmyrighttousethiskey，Iwassatisfiedwithlife，proudofmyself，andIlovedGodbecausehehadletsuchthingsbe。

Onedayayoungmanispassinginthestreet，hebrushesagainstawoman，looksather，turns，goesonhisway。Hedoesnotknowthewoman，andshehaspleasures，griefs，loves，inwhichhehasnopart。Hedoesnotexistforher，andperhaps，ifhespoketoher，shewouldonlylaughathim，asMargueritehadlaughedatme。Weeks，months，yearspass，andallatonce，whentheyhaveeachfollowedtheirfatealongadifferentpath，thelogicofchancebringsthemfacetoface。Thewomanbecomestheman\'smistressandloveshim。How？why？Theirtwoexistencesarehenceforthone；theyhavescarcelybeguntoknowoneanotherwhenitseemsasiftheyhadknownoneanotheralways，andallthathadgonebeforeiswipedoutfromthememoryofthetwolovers。

Itiscurious，onemustadmit。

Asforme，InolongerrememberedhowIhadlivedbeforethatnight。Mywholebeingwasexaltedintojoyatthememoryofthewordswehadexchangedduringthatfirstnight。EitherMargueritewasverycleverindeception，orshehadconceivedformeoneofthosesuddenpassionswhicharerevealedinthefirstkiss，andwhichdie，oftenenough，assuddenlyastheywereborn。

ThemoreIreflectedthemoreIsaidtomyselfthatMargueritehadnoreasonforfeigningalovewhichshedidnotfeel，andI

saidtomyselfalsothatwomenhavetwowaysofloving，oneofwhichmayarisefromtheother：theylovewiththeheartorwiththesenses。Oftenawomantakesaloverinobediencetothemerewillofthesenses，andlearnswithoutexpectingitthemysteryofimmateriallove，andliveshenceforthonlythroughherheart；

oftenagirlwhohassoughtinmarriageonlytheunionoftwopureaffectionsreceivesthesuddenrevelationofphysicallove，thatenergeticconclusionofthepurestimpressionsofthesoul。

InthemidstofthesethoughtsIfellasleep；IwasawakenedbyaletterfromMargueritecontainingthesewords：

"Herearemyorders：To-nightattheVaudeville。

"Comeduringthethirdentr\'acte。"

Iputtheletterintoadrawer，sothatImightalwayshaveitatbandincaseIdoubteditsreality，asIdidfromtimetotime。

Shedidnottellmetocometoseeherduringtheday，andI

darednotgo；butIhadsogreatadesiretoseeherbeforetheeveningthatIwenttotheChamps-Elysees，whereIagainsawherpassandrepass，asIhadonthepreviousday。

Atseveno\'clockIwasattheVaudeville。NeverhadIgonetoatheatresoearly。Theboxesfilledoneafteranother。Onlyoneremainedempty，thestagebox。AtthebeginningofthethirdactIheardthedoorofthebox，onwhichmyeyeshadbeenalmostconstantlyfixed，open，andMargueriteappeared。Shecametothefrontatonce，lookedaroundthestalls，sawme，andthankedmewithalook。

Thatnightshewasmarvellouslybeautiful。WasIthecauseofthiscoquetry？DidshelovemeenoughtobelievethatthemorebeautifulshelookedthehappierIshouldbe？Ididnotknow，butifthathadbeenherintentionshecertainlysucceeded，forwhensheappearedallheadsturned，andtheactorwhowasthenonthestagelookedtoseewhohadproducedsuchaneffectontheaudiencebyhermerepresencethere。

AndIhadthekeyofthiswoman\'sroom，andinthreeorfourhoursshewouldagainbemine！

Peopleblamethosewholetthemselvesberuinedbyactressesandkeptwomen；whatastonishesmeisthattwentytimesgreaterfolliesarenotcommittedforthem。Onemusthavelivedthatlife，asIhave，toknowhowmuchthelittlevanitieswhichtheyaffordtheirloverseverydayhelptofastendeeperintotheheart，sincewehavenootherwordforit，thelovewhichhehasforthem。

Prudencenexttookherplaceinthebox，andaman，whomI

recognisedastheComtedeG。，seatedhimselfattheback。AsI

sawhim，acoldshiverwentthroughmyheart。

DoubtlessMargueriteperceivedtheimpressionmadeonmebythepresenceofthisman，forshesmiledtomeagain，and，turningherbacktothecount，appearedtobeveryattentivetotheplay。

Atthethirdentr\'actesheturnedandsaidtwowords：thecountleftthebox，andMargueritebeckonedtometocometoher。

"Good-evening，"shesaidasIentered，holdingoutherhand。

"Good-evening，"IrepliedtobothMargueriteandPrudence。

"Sitdown。"

"ButIamtakingsomeone\'splace。Isn\'ttheComtedeG。comingback？"

"Yes；Isenthimtofetchsomesweets，sothatwecouldtalkbyourselvesforamoment。Mme。Duvernoyisinthesecret。"

"Yes，mychildren，"saidshe；"havenofear。Ishallsaynothing。"

"Whatisthematterwithyouto-night？"saidMarguerite，risingandcomingtothebackoftheboxandkissingmeontheforehead。

"Iamnotverywell。"

"Youshouldgotobed，"shereplied，withthatironicalairwhichwentsowellwithherdelicateandwittyface。

"Where？"

"Athome。"

"YouknowthatIshouldn\'tbeabletosleepthere。"

"Well，then，itwon\'tdoforyoutocomeandbepettishherebecauseyouhaveseenamaninmybox。"

"Itisnotforthatreason。"

"Yes，itis。Iknow；andyouarewrong，soletussaynomoreaboutit。YouwillgobackwithPrudenceafterthetheatre，andyouwillstaytheretillIcall。Doyouunderstand？"

"Yes。"

HowcouldIdisobey？

"Youstillloveme？"

"Canyouask？"

"Youhavethoughtofme？"

"Alldaylong。"

"DoyouknowthatIamreallyafraidthatIshallgetveryfondofyou？AskPrudence。"

"Ah，"saidshe，"itisamazing！"

"Now，youmustgobacktoyourseat。Thecountwillbecomingback，andthereisnothingtobegainedbyhisfindingyouhere。"

"Becauseyoudon\'tlikeseeinghim。"

"No；onlyifyouhadtoldmethatyouwantedtocometotheVaudevilleto-nightIcouldhavegotthisboxforyouaswellashe。"

"Unfortunately，hegotitformewithoutmyaskinghim，andheaskedmetogowithhim；youknowwellenoughthatIcouldn\'trefuse。AllIcoulddowastowriteandtellyouwhereIwasgoing，sothatyoucouldseeme，andbecauseIwantedtoseeyoumyself；butsincethisisthewayyouthankme，Ishallprofitbythelesson。"

"Iwaswrong；forgiveme。"

"Wellandgood；andnowgobacknicelytoyourplace，and，aboveall，nomorejealousy。"

Shekissedmeagain，andIleftthebox。InthepassageImetthecountcomingback。Ireturnedtomyseat。

Afterall，thepresenceofM。deG。inMarguerite\'sboxwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。Hehadbeenherlover，hesentherabox，heaccompaniedhertothetheatre；itwasallquitenatural，andifIwastohaveamistresslikeMargueriteIshouldhavetogetusedtoherways。

Nonetheless，Iwasveryunhappyalltherestoftheevening，andwentawayverysadlyafterhavingseenPrudence，thecount，andMargueritegetintothecarriage，whichwaswaitingforthematthedoor。

However，aquarterofanhourlaterIwasatPrudence\'s。Shehadonlyjustgotin。

Chapter13

"Youhavecomealmostasquicklyaswe，"saidPrudence。

"Yes，"Iansweredmechanically。"WhereisMarguerite？"

"Athome。"

"Alone？"

"WithM。deG。"

Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom。

"Well，whatisthematter？"

"DoyouthinkitamusesmetowaitheretillM。deG。leavesMarguerite\'s？"

"Howunreasonableyouare！Don\'tyouseethatMargueritecan\'tturnthecountoutofdoors？M。deG。hasbeenwithherforalongtime；hehasalwaysgivenheralotofmoney；hestilldoes。

Margueritespendsmorethanahundredthousandfrancsayear；shehasheapsofdebts。Thedukegivesherallthatsheasksfor，butshedoesnotalwaysventuretoaskhimforallthatsheisinwantof。Itwouldneverdoforhertoquarrelwiththecount，whoisworthtoheratleasttenthousandfrancsayear。Margueriteisveryfondofyou，mydearfellow，butyourliaisonwithher，inherinterestsandinyours，oughtnottobeserious。Youwithyoursevenoreightthousandfrancsayear，whatcouldyoudotowardsupplyingalltheluxurieswhichagirllikethatisinneedof？Itwouldnotbeenoughtokeephercarriage。TakeMargueriteforwhatsheis，foragood，bright，prettygirl；beherloverforamonth，twomonths；giveherflowers，sweets，boxesatthetheatre；butdon\'tgetanyotherideasintoyourhead，anddon\'tmakeabsurdscenesofjealousy。Youknowwhomyouhavetodowith；Margueriteisn\'tasaint。Shelikesyou，youareveryfondofher；lettherestalone。YouamazemewhenIseeyousotouchy；youhavethemostcharmingmistressinParis。Shereceivesyouinthegreateststyle，sheiscoveredwithdiamonds，sheneedn\'tcostyouapenny，unlessyoulike，andyouarenotsatisfied。Mydearfellow，youasktoomuch！"

"Youareright，butIcan\'thelpit；theideathatthatmanisherloverhurtsmehorribly。"

"Inthefirstplace，"repliedPrudence；"ishestillherlover？

Heisamanwhoisusefultoher，nothingmore。Shehasclosedherdoorstohimfortwodays；hecamethismorning——shecouldnotbutaccepttheboxandlethimaccompanyher。Hesawherhome；hehasgoneinforamoment，heisnotstaying，becauseyouarewaitinghere。Allthat，itseemstome，isquitenatural。

Besides，youdon\'tmindtheduke。"

"Yes；butheisanoldman，andIamsurethatMargueriteisnothismistress。Then，itisallverywelltoacceptoneliaison，butnottwo。Sucheasinessinthematterisverylikecalculation，andputsthemanwhoconsentstoit，evenoutoflove，verymuchinthecategoryofthosewho，inalowerstageofsociety，makeatradeoftheirconnivance，andaprofitoftheirtrade。"

"Ah，mydearfellow，howold-fashionedyouare！HowmanyoftherichestandmostfashionablemenofthebestfamiliesIhaveseenquitereadytodowhatIadviseyoutodo，andwithoutaneffort，withoutshame，withoutremorse，Why，oneseesiteveryday。HowdoyousupposethekeptwomeninPariscouldliveinthestyletheydo，iftheyhadnotthreeorfourloversatonce？Nosinglefortune，howeverlarge，couldsufficefortheexpensesofawomanlikeMarguerite。Afortuneoffivehundredthousandfrancsayearis，inFrance，anenormousfortune；well，mydearfriend，fivehundredthousandfrancsayearwouldstillbetoolittle，andforthisreason：amanwithsuchanincomehasalargehouse，horses，servants，carriages；heshoots，hasfriends，oftenheismarried，hehaschildren，heraces，gambles，travels，andwhatnot。Allthesehabitsaresomuchapartofhispositionthathecannotforegothemwithoutappearingtohavelostallhismoney，andwithoutcausingscandal。Takingitallround，withfivehundredthousandfrancsayearhecannotgiveawomanmorethanfortyorfiftythousandfrancsintheyear，andthatisalreadyagooddeal。Well，otherloversmakeupfortherestofherexpenses。

WithMarguerite，itisstillmoreconvenient；shehaschancedbyamiracleonanoldmanworthtenmillions，whosewifeanddaughteraredead；whohasonlysomenephews，themselvesrich，andwhogivesherallshewantswithoutaskinganythinginreturn。Butshecannotaskhimformorethanseventythousandfrancsayear；andIamsurethatifshedidaskformore，despitehishealthandtheaffectionhehasforherhewouldnotgiveittoher。

"AlltheyoungmenoftwentyorthirtythousandfrancsayearatParis，thatistosay，menwhohaveonlyjustenoughtoliveoninthesocietyinwhichtheymix，knowperfectlywell，whentheyaretheloversofawomanlikeMarguerite，thatshecouldnotsomuchaspayfortheroomsshelivesinandtheservantswhowaituponherwithwhattheygiveher。Theydonotsaytoherthattheyknowit；theypretendnottoseeanything，andwhentheyhavehadenoughofittheygotheirway。Iftheyhavethevanitytowishtopayforeverythingtheygetruined，likethefoolstheyare，andgoandgetkilledinAfrica，afterleavingahundredthousandfrancsofdebtinParis。Doyouthinkawomanisgratefultothemforit？Farfromit。Shedeclaresthatshehassacrificedherpositionforthem，andthatwhileshewaswiththemshewaslosingmoney。Thesedetailsseemtoyoushocking？

Well，theyaretrue。Youareaverynicefellow；Ilikeyouverymuch。Ihavelivedwiththesewomenfortwentyyears；Iknowwhattheyareworth，andIdon\'twanttoseeyoutakethecapricethataprettygirlhasforyoutooseriously。

"Then，besidesthat，"continuedPrudence；"admitthatMargueritelovesyouenoughtogiveupthecountortheduke，incaseoneofthemweretodiscoveryourliaisonandtotellhertochoosebetweenhimandyou，thesacrificethatshewouldmakeforyouwouldbeenormous，youcannotdenyit。Whatequalsacrificecouldyoumakeforher，onyourpart，andwhenyouhadgottiredofher，whatcouldyoudotomakeupforwhatyouhadtakenfromher？Nothing。Youwouldhavecutherofffromtheworldinwhichherfortuneandherfutureweretobefound；shewouldhavegivenyouherbestyears，andshewouldbeforgotten。Eitheryouwouldbeanordinaryman，and，castingherpastinherteeth，youwouldleaveher，tellingherthatyouwereonlydoinglikeherotherlovers，andyouwouldabandonhertocertainmisery；oryouwouldbeanhonestman，and，feelingboundtokeepherbyyou，youwouldbringinevitabletroubleuponyourself，foraliaisonwhichisexcusableinayoungman，isnolongerexcusableinamanofmiddleage。Itbecomesanobstacletoeverything；itallowsneitherfamilynorambition，man\'ssecondandlastloves。Believeme，then，myfriend，takethingsforwhattheyareworth，anddonotgiveakeptwomantherighttocallherselfyourcreditor，nomatterinwhat。"

Itwaswellargued，withalogicofwhichIshouldhavethoughtPrudenceincapable。Ihadnothingtoreply，exceptthatshewasright；Itookherhandandthankedherforhercounsels。

"Come，come，"saidshe，"putthesefoolishtheoriestoflight，andlaughoverthem。Lifeispleasant，mydearfellow；italldependsonthecolouroftheglassthroughwhichoneseesit。AskyourfriendGaston；there\'samanwhoseemstometounderstandloveasIunderstandit。Allthatyouneedthinkof，unlessyouarequiteafool，isthatclosebythereisabeautifulgirlwhoiswaitingimpatientlyforthemanwhoiswithhertogo，thinkingofyou，keepingthewholenightforyou，andwholovesyou，Iamcertain。Now，cometothewindowwithme，andletuswatchforthecounttogo；hewon\'tbelonginleavingthecoastclear。"

Prudenceopenedthewindow，andweleanedsidebysideoverthebalcony。Shewatchedthefewpassers，Ireflected。Allthatshehadsaidbuzzedinmyhead，andIcouldnothelpfeelingthatshewasright；butthegenuinelovewhichIhadforMargueritehadsomedifficultyinaccommodatingitselftosuchabelief。I

sighedfromtimetotime，atwhichPrudenceturned，andshruggedhershoulderslikeaphysicianwhohasgivenuphispatient。

"Howonerealizestheshortnessoflife，"Isaidtomyself，"bytherapidityofsensations！IhaveonlyknownMargueritefortwodays，shehasonlybeenmymistresssinceyesterday，andshehasalreadysocompletelyabsorbedmythoughts，myheart，andmylifethatthevisitoftheComtedeG。isamisfortuneforme。"

Atlastthecountcameout，gotintohiscarriageanddisappeared。Prudenceclosedthewindow。AtthesameinstantMargueritecalledtous：

"Comeatonce，"shesaid；"theyarelayingthetable，andwe\'llhavesupper。"

WhenIentered，Margueriterantome，threwherarmsaroundmyneckandkissedmewithallhermight。

"Arewestillsulky？"shesaidtome。

"No，itisallover，"repliedPrudence。"Ihavegivenhimatalkingto，andhehaspromisedtobereasonable。"

"Wellandgood。"

InspiteofmyselfIglancedatthebed；itwasnotunmade。AsforMarguerite，shewasalreadyinherwhitedressing-gown。Wesatdowntotable。

Charm，sweetness，spontaneity，Margueritehadthemall，andIwasforcedfromtimetotimetoadmitthatIhadnorighttoaskofheranythingelse；thatmanypeoplewouldbeveryhappytobeinmyplace；andthat，likeVirgil\'sshepherd，Ihadonlytoenjoythepleasuresthatagod，orratheragoddess，setbeforeme。

ItriedtoputinpracticethetheoriesofPrudence，andtobeasgayasmytwocompanions；butwhatwasnaturalinthemwasonmypartaneffort，andthenervouslaughter，whosesourcetheydidnotdetect，wasnearertotearsthantomirth。

AtlastthesupperwasoverandIwasalonewithMarguerite。Shesatdownasusualonthehearthrugbeforethefireandgazedsadlyintotheflames。Whatwasshethinkingof？Iknownot。Asforme，Ilookedatherwithaminglingofloveandterror，asI

thoughtofallthatIwasreadytosufferforhersake。

"DoyouknowwhatIamthinkingof？"

"No。"

"Ofaplanthathascomeintomyhead。"

"Andwhatisthisplan？"

"Ican\'ttellyouyet，butIcantellyouwhattheresultwouldbe。TheresultwouldbethatinamonthIshouldbefree，I

shouldhavenomoredebts，andwecouldgoandspendthesummerinthecountry。"

"Andyoucan\'ttellmebywhatmeans？"

"No，onlylovemeasIloveyou，andallwillsucceed。"

"Andhaveyoumadethisplanallbyyourself？"

"Yes。"Andyouwillcarryitoutallbyyourself？"

"Ialoneshallhavethetroubleofit，"saidMarguerite，withasmilewhichIshallneverforget，"butweshallbothpartakeitsbenefits。"

Icouldnothelpflushingatthewordbenefits；IthoughtofManonLescautsquanderingwithDesgrieuxthemoneyofM。deB。

Irepliedinahardvoice，risingfrommyseat：

"Youmustpermitme，mydearMarguerite，toshareonlythebenefitsofthoseenterpriseswhichIhaveconceivedandcarriedoutmyself。"

"Whatdoesthatmean？"

"ItmeansthatIhaveastrongsuspicionthatM。deG。istobeyourassociateinthisprettyplan，ofwhichIcanacceptneitherthecostnorthebenefits"Whatachildyouare！Ithoughtyoulovedme。Iwasmistaken；

allright。"

Sherose，openedthepianoandbegantoplaytheInvitationalaValse，asfarasthefamouspassageinthemajorwhichalwaysstoppedher。Wasitthroughforceofhabit，orwasittoremindmeofthedaywhenwefirstmet？AllIknowisthatthemelodybroughtbackthatrecollection，and，cominguptoher，Itookherheadbetweenmyhandsandkissedher。"Youforgiveme？"Isaid。

"YouseeIdo，"sheanswered；"butobservethatweareonlyatoursecondday，andalreadyIhavehadtoforgiveyousomething。