第6章

Chapter17

NextdayMargueritesentmeawayveryearly，sayingthatthedukewascomingatanearlyhour，andpromisingtowritetomethemomenthewent，andtomakeanappointmentfortheevening。InthecourseofthedayIreceivedthisnote：

"IamgoingtoBougivalwiththeduke；beatPrudence\'sto-nightateight。"

AttheappointedhourMargueritecametomeatMme。Duvernoy\'s。

"Well，itisallsettled，"shesaid，assheentered。"Thehouseistaken？"askedPrudence。"Yes；heagreedatonce。"

Ididnotknowtheduke，butIfeltashamedofdeceivinghim。

"Butthatisnotall，"continuedMarguerite。

"Whatelseisthere？"

"IhavebeenseeingaboutaplaceforArmandtostay。"

"Inthesamehouse？"askedPrudence，laughing。

"No，atPointduJour，wherewehaddinner，thedukeandI。Whilehewasadmiringtheview，IaskedMme。Arnould（sheiscalledMme。Arnould，isn\'tshe？）iftherewereanysuitablerooms，andsheshowedmejusttheverything：salon，anteroom，andbed-room，atsixtyfrancsamonth；thewholeplacefurnishedinawaytodivertahypochondriac。Itookit。WasIright？"Iflungmyarmsaroundherneckandkissedher。

"Itwillbecharming，"shecontinued。"Youhavethekeyofthelittledoor，andIhavepromisedthedukethekeyofthefrontdoor，whichhewillnottake，becausehewillcomeduringthedaywhenhecomes。Ithink，betweenourselves，thatheisenchantedwithacapricewhichwillkeepmeoutofParisforatime，andsosilencetheobjectionsofhisfamily。However，hehasaskedmehowI，lovingParisasIdo，couldmakeupmymindtoburymyselfinthecountry。ItoldhimthatIwasill，andthatIwantedrest。Heseemedtohavesomedifficultyinbelievingme。Thepooroldmanisalwaysonthewatch。Wemusttakeeveryprecaution，mydearArmand，forhewillhavemewatchedwhileIamthere；anditisn\'tonlythequestionofhistakingahouseforme，buthehasmydebtstopay，andunluckilyIhaveplenty。Doesallthatsuityou？"

"Yes，"Ianswered，tryingtoquietthescrupleswhichthiswayoflivingawokeinmefromtimetotime。

"Wewentalloverthehouse，andweshallhaveeverythingperfect。Thedukeisgoingtolookaftereverysinglething。Ah，mydear，"sheadded，kissingme，"you\'reinluck；it\'samillionairewhomakesyourbedforyou。"

"Andwhenshallyoumoveintothehouse？"inquiredPrudence。

"Assoonaspossible。"

"Willyoutakeyourhorsesandcarriage？"

"Ishalltakethewholehouse，andyoucanlookaftermyplacewhileIamaway。"

AweeklaterMargueritewassettledinhercountryhouse，andI

wasinstalledatPointduJour。

ThenbegananexistencewhichIshallhavesomedifficultyindescribingtoyou。AtfirstMargueritecouldnotbreakentirelywithherformerhabits，and，asthehousewasalwaysenfete，allthewomenwhomsheknewcametoseeher。ForawholemonththerewasnotadaywhenMargueritehadnoteightortenpeopletomeals。Prudence，onherside，broughtdownallthepeoplesheknew，anddidthehonoursofthehouseasifthehousebelongedtoher。

Theduke\'smoneypaidforallthat，asyoumayimagine；butfromtimetotimePrudencecametome，askingforanoteforathousandfrancs，professedlyonbehalfofMarguerite。YouknowI

hadwonsomemoneyatgambling；IthereforeimmediatelyhandedovertoPrudencewhatsheaskedforMarguerite，andfearinglestsheshouldrequiremorethanIpossessed，IborrowedatParisasumequaltothatwhichIhadalreadyborrowedandpaidback。I

wasthenoncemoreinpossessionofsometenthousandfrancs，withoutreckoningmyallowance。However，Marguerite\'spleasureinseeingherfriendswasalittlemoderatedwhenshesawtheexpensewhichthatpleasureentailed，andespeciallythenecessityshewassometimesinofaskingmeformoney。Theduke，whohadtakenthehouseinorderthatMargueritemightrestthere，nolongervisitedit，fearingtofindhimselfinthemidstofalargeandmerrycompany，bywhomhedidnotwishtobeseen。

Thiscameaboutthroughhishavingoncearrivedtodinetete-a-tetewithMarguerite，andhavingfallenuponapartyoffifteen，whowerestillatlunchatanhourwhenhewaspreparedtositdowntodinner。Hehadunsuspectinglyopenedthedining-roomdoor，andhadbeengreetedbyaburstoflaughter，andhadhadtoretireprecipitatelybeforetheimpertinentmirthofthewomenwhowereassembledthere。

Margueriterosefromtable，andjoinedthedukeinthenextroom，whereshetried，asfaraspossible，toinducehimtoforgettheincident，buttheoldman，woundedinhisdignity，boreheragrudgeforit，andcouldnotforgiveher。Hesaidtoher，somewhatcruelly，thathewastiredofpayingforthefolliesofawomanwhocouldnotevenhavehimtreatedwithrespectunderhisownroof，andhewentawayingreatindignation。

Sincethatdayhehadneverbeenheardof。

InvainMargueritedismissedherguests，changedherwayoflife；

thedukewasnottobeheardof。Iwasthegainerinso，farthatmymistressnowbelongedtomemorecompletely，andmydreamwasatlengthrealized。Margueritecouldnotbewithoutme。Notcaringwhattheresultmightbe，shepubliclyproclaimedourliaison，andIhadcometoliveentirelyatherhouse。Theservantsaddressedmeofficiallyastheirmaster。

PrudencehadstrictlysermonizedMargueriteinregardtohernewmanneroflife；butshehadrepliedthatshelovedme，thatshecouldnotlivewithoutme，andthat，happenwhatmight，shewouldnotsacrificethepleasureofhavingmeconstantlywithher，addingthatthosewhowerenotsatisfiedwiththisarrangementwerefreetostayaway。SomuchIhadheardonedaywhenPrudencehadsaidtoMargueritethatshehadsomethingveryimportanttotellher，andIhadlistenedatthedooroftheroomintowhichtheyhadshutthemselves。

Notlongafter，Prudencereturnedagain。Iwasattheotherendofthegardenwhenshearrived，andshedidnotseeme。Ihadnodoubt，fromthewayinwhichMargueritecametomeether，thatanothersimilarconversationwasgoingtotakeplace，andIwasanxioustohearwhatitwasabout。Thetwowomenshutthemselvesintoaboudoir，andIputmyselfwithinhearing。

"Well？"saidMarguerite。

"Well，Ihaveseentheduke。"

"Whatdidhesay？"

"Thathewouldgladlyforgiveyouinregardtothescenewhichtookplace，butthathehaslearnedthatyouarepubliclylivingwithM。ArmandDuval，andthathewillneverforgivethat。\'LetMargueriteleavetheyoungman，\'hesaidtome，\'and，asinthepast，Iwillgiveherallthatsherequires；ifnot，letherasknothingmorefromme。\'"

"Andyoureplied？"

"ThatIwouldreporthisdecisiontoyou，andIpromisedhimthatIwouldbringyouintoamorereasonableframeofmind。Onlythink，mydearchild，ofthepositionthatyouarelosing，andthatArmandcannevergiveyou。Helovesyouwithallhissoul，buthehasnofortunecapableofsupplyingyourneeds，andhewillbeboundtoleaveyouoneday，whenitwillbetoolateandwhenthedukewillrefusetodoanymoreforyou。WouldyoulikemetospeaktoArmand？"

Margueriteseemedtobethinking，forsheanswerednothing。MyheartbeatviolentlywhileIwaitedforherreply。

"No，"sheanswered，"IwillnotleaveArmand，andIwillnotconcealthefactthatIamlivingwithhim。Itisfollynodoubt，butIlovehim。Whatwouldyouhavemedo？Andthen，nowthathehasgotaccustomedtobealwayswithme，hewouldsuffertoocruellyifhehadtoleavemesomuchasanhouraday。Besides，IhavenotsuchalongtimetolivethatIneedmakemyselfmiserableinordertopleaseanoldmanwhoseverysightmakesmefeelold。Lethimkeephismoney；Iwilldowithoutit。"

"Butwhatwillyoudo？"

"Idon\'tintheleastknow。"

Prudencewasnodoubtgoingtomakesomereply，butIenteredsuddenlyandflungmyselfatMarguerite\'sfeet，coveringherhandswithtearsinmyjoyatbeingthusloved。

"Mylifeisyours，Marguerite；youneedthismannolonger。AmI

nothere？ShallIeverleaveyou，andcanIeverrepayyouforthehappinessthatyougiveme？Nomorebarriers，myMarguerite；

welove；whatmattersalltherest？"

"Ohyes，Iloveyou，myArmand，"shemurmured，puttinghertwoarmsaroundmyneck。"IloveyouasIneverthoughtIshouldeverlove。Wewillbehappy；wewilllivequietly，andIwillsaygood-byeforevertothelifeforwhichInowblush。Youwon\'teverreproachmeforthepast？Tellme！"

Tearschokedmyvoice。IcouldonlyreplybyclaspingMargueritetomyheart。

"Well，"saidshe，turningtoPrudence，andspeakinginabrokenvoice，"youcanreportthisscenetotheduke，andyoucanaddthatwehavenolongerneedofhim。"

Fromthatdayforththedukewasneverreferredto。MargueritewasnolongerthesamewomanthatIhadknown。SheavoidedeverythingthatmightrecalltomethelifewhichshehadbeenleadingwhenIfirstmether。Neverdidwifeorsistersurroundhusbandorbrotherwithsuchlovingcareasshehadforme。Hernaturewasmorbidlyopentoallimpressionsandaccessibletoallsentiments。Shehadbrokenequallywithherfriendsandwithherways，withherwordsandwithherextravagances。AnyonewhohadseenusleavingthehousetogoontheriverinthecharminglittleboatwhichIhadboughtwouldneverhavebelievedthatthewomandressedinwhite，wearingastrawhat，andcarryingonherarmalittlesilkpelissetoprotectheragainstthedampoftheriver，wasthatMargueriteGautierwho，onlyfourmonthsago，hadbeenthetalkofthetownfortheluxuryandscandalofherexistence。

Alas，wemadehastetobehappy，asifweknewthatwewerenottobehappylong。

FortwomonthswehadnotevenbeentoParis。Noonecametoseeus，exceptPrudenceandJulieDuprat，ofwhomIhavespokentoyou，andtowhomMargueritewasafterwardtogivethetouchingnarrativethatIhavethere。

Ipassedwholedaysatthefeetofmymistress。Weopenedthewindowsuponthegarden，and，aswewatchedthesummerripeninginitsflowersandundertheshadowofthetrees，webreathedtogetherthattruelifewhichneitherMargueritenorIhadeverknownbefore。

Herdelightinthesmallestthingswaslikethatofachild。

Thereweredayswhensheraninthegarden，likeachildoften，afterabutterflyoradragon-fly。Thiscourtesanwhohadcostmoremoneyinbouquetsthanwouldhavekeptawholefamilyincomfort，wouldsometimessitonthegrassforanhour，examiningthesimpleflowerwhosenameshebore。

ItwasatthistimethatshereadManonLescaut，overandoveragain。Ifoundherseveraltimesmakingnotesinthebook，andshealwaysdeclaredthatwhenawomanloves，shecannotdoasManondid。

Thedukewrotetohertwoorthreetimes。Sherecognisedthewritingandgavemetheletterswithoutreadingthem。Sometimesthetermsoftheselettersbroughttearstomyeyes。HehadimaginedthatbyclosinghispursetoMarguerite，hewouldbringherbacktohim；butwhenhehadperceivedtheuselessnessofthesemeans，hecouldholdoutnolonger；hewroteandaskedthathemightseeheragain，asbefore，nomatteronwhatconditions。

Ireadtheseurgentandrepeatedletters，andtoretheminpieces，withouttellingMargueritewhattheycontainedandwithoutadvisinghertoseetheoldmanagain，thoughIwashalfinclinedto，somuchdidIpityhim，butIwasafraidlest，ifI

soadvisedhersheshouldthinkthatIwishedtheduke，notmerelytocomeandseeheragain，buttotakeovertheexpensesofthehouse；Ifeared，aboveall，thatshemightthinkmecapableofshirkingtheresponsibilitiesofeveryconsequencetowhichherloveformemightleadher。

Itthuscameaboutthattheduke，receivingnoreply，ceasedtowrite，andthatMargueriteandIcontinuedtolivetogetherwithoutgivingathoughttothefuture。

Chapter18

Itwouldbedifficulttogiveyouallthedetailsofournewlife。Itwasmadeupofaseriesoflittlechildishevents，charmingforusbutinsignificanttoanyoneelse。Youknowwhatitistobeinlovewithawoman，youknowhowitcutsshortthedays，andwithwhatlovinglistlessnessonedriftsintothemorrow。Youknowthatforgetfulnessofeverythingwhichcomesofaviolentconfident，reciprocatedlove。Everybeingwhoisnotthebelovedoneseemsauselessbeingincreation。Oneregretshavingcastscrapsofone\'shearttootherwomen，andonecannotbelieveinthepossibilityofeverpressinganotherhandthanthatwhichoneholdsbetweenone\'shands。Themindadmitsneitherworknorremembrance；nothing，inshort，whichcandistractitfromtheonethoughtinwhichitisceaselesslyabsorbed。Everydayonediscoversinone\'smistressanewcharmandunknowndelights。Existenceitselfisbuttheunceasingaccomplishmentofanunchangingdesire；thesoulisbutthevestalchargedtofeedthesacredfireoflove。

Weoftenwentatnight-timetositinthelittlewoodabovethehouse；therewelistenedtothecheerfulharmoniesofevening，bothofusthinkingofthecominghourswhichshouldleaveustooneanothertillthedawnofday。Atothertimeswedidnotgetupallday；wedidnotevenletthesunlightenterourroom。

Thecurtainswerehermeticallyclosed，andforamomenttheexternalworlddidnotexistforus。Naninealonehadtherighttoopenourdoor，butonlytobringinourmealsandeventhesewetookwithoutgettingup，interruptingthemwithlaughterandgaiety。Tothatsucceededabriefsleep，for，disappearingintothedepthsofourlove，wewereliketwodiverswhoonlycometothesurfacetotakebreath。

Nevertheless，Isurprisedmomentsofsadness，eventears，inMarguerite；Iaskedherthecauseofhertrouble，andsheanswered：

"Ourloveisnotlikeotherloves，myArmand。YoulovemeasifI

hadneverbelongedtoanother，andItremblelestlateron，repentingofyourlove，andaccusingmeofmypast，youshouldletmefallbackintothatlifefromwhichyouhavetakenme。I

thinkthatnowthatIhavetastedofanotherlife，IshoulddieifIwentbacktotheoldone。Tellmethatyouwillneverleaveme！"

"Iswearit！"

Atthesewordsshelookedatmeasiftoreadinmyeyeswhethermyoathwassincere；thenflungherselfintomyarms，and，hidingherheadinmybosom，saidtome："Youdon\'tknowhowmuchIloveyou！"

Oneevening，seatedonthebalconyoutsidethewindow，welookedatthemoonwhichseemedtorisewithdifficultyoutofitsbedofclouds，andwelistenedtothewindviolentlyrustlingthetrees；weheldeachother\'shands，andforawholequarterofanhourwehadnotspoken，whenMargueritesaidtome：

"Winterisathand。Wouldyoulikeforustogoabroad？"

"Where？"

"ToItaly。"

"Youaretiredofhere？"

"Iamafraidofthewinter；IamparticularlyafraidofyourreturntoParis。"

"Why？"

"Formanyreasons。"

Andshewentonabruptly，withoutgivingmeherreasonsforfears：

"Willyougoabroad？IwillsellallthatIhave；wewillgoandlivethere，andtherewillbenothingleftofwhatIwas；noonewillknowwhoIam。Willyou？"

"Byallmeans，ifyoulike，Marguerite，letustravel，"Isaid。

"Butwhereisthenecessityofsellingthingswhichyouwillbegladofwhenwereturn？Ihavenotalargeenoughfortunetoacceptsuchasacrifice；butIhaveenoughforustobeabletotravelsplendidlyforfiveorsixmonths，ifthatwillamuseyoutheleastintheworld。"

"Afterall，no，"shesaid，leavingthewindowandgoingtositdownonthesofaattheotherendoftheroom。"Whyshouldwespendmoneyabroad？Icostyouenoughalready，here。"

"Youreproachme，Marguerite；itisn\'tgenerous。"

"Forgiveme，myfriend，"shesaid，givingmeherhand。"Thisthunderweathergetsonmynerves；IdonotsaywhatIintendtosay。"

Andafterembracingmeshefellintoalongreverie。

Scenesofthiskindoftentookplace，andthoughIcouldnotdiscovertheircause，IcouldnotfailtoseeinMargueritesignsofdisquietudeinregardtothefuture。Shecouldnotdoubtmylove，whichincreaseddaybyday，andyetIoftenfoundhersad，withoutbeingabletogetanyexplanationofthereason，exceptsomephysicalcause。Fearingthatsomonotonousalifewasbeginningtowearyher，IproposedreturningtoParis；butshealwaysrefused，assuringmethatshecouldnotbesohappyanywhereasinthecountry。

Prudencenowcamebutrarely；butsheoftenwroteletterswhichI

neveraskedtosee，though，everytimetheycame，theyseemedtopreoccupyMargueritedeeply。Ididnotknowwhattothink。

OnedayMargueritewasinherroom。Ientered。Shewaswriting。

"Towhomareyouwriting？"Iasked。"ToPrudence。DoyouwanttoseewhatIamwriting？"

Ihadahorrorofanythingthatmightlooklikesuspicion，andI

answeredthatIhadnodesiretoknowwhatshewaswriting；andyetIwascertainthatletterwouldhaveexplainedtomethecauseofhersadness。

Nextdaytheweatherwassplendid。\'MargueriteproposedtometotaketheboatandgoasfarastheislandofCroissy。Sheseemedverycheerful；whenwegotbackitwasfiveo\'clock。

"Mme。Duvernoyhasbeenhere，"saidNanine，asshesawusenter。

"Shehasgoneagain？"askedMarguerite。

"Yes，madame，inthecarriage；shesaiditwasarranged。"

"Quiteright，"saidMargueritesharply。"Servethedinner。"

TwodaysafterwardtherecamealetterfromPrudence，andforafortnightMargueriteseemedtohavegotridofhermysteriousgloom，forwhichsheconstantlyaskedmyforgiveness，nowthatitnolongerexisted。Still，thecarriagedidnotreturn。

"HowisitthatPrudencedoesnotsendyoubackyourcarriage？"I

askedoneday。

"Oneofthehorsesisill，andtherearesomerepairstobedone。

Itisbettertohavethatdonewhilewearehere，anddon\'tneedacarriage，thantowaittillwegetbacktoParis。"

Prudencecametwodaysafterward，andconfirmedwhatMargueritehadsaid。Thetwowomenwentforawalkinthegarden，andwhenI

joinedthemtheychangedtheconversation。Thatnight，asshewasgoing，PrudencecomplainedofthecoldandaskedMargueritetolendherashawl。

Soamonthpassed，andallthetimeMargueritewasmorejoyousandmoreaffectionatethansheeverhadbeen。Nevertheless，thecarriagedidnotreturn，theshawlhadnotbeensentback，andI

begantobeanxiousinspiteofmyself，andasIknewinwhichdrawerMargueriteputPrudence\'sletters，Itookadvantageofamomentwhenshewasattheotherendofthegarden，wenttothedrawer，andtriedtoopenit；invain，foritwaslocked。WhenI

openedthedrawerinwhichthetrinketsanddiamondswereusuallykept，theseopenedwithoutresistance，butthejewelcaseshaddisappeared，alongwiththeircontentsnodoubt。

Asharpfearpenetratedmyheart。ImightindeedaskMargueriteforthetruthinregardtothesedisappearances，butitwascertainthatshewouldnotconfessit。

"MygoodMarguerite，"Isaidtoher，"IamgoingtoaskyourpermissiontogotoParis。Theydonotknowmyaddress，andI

expecttherearelettersfrommyfatherwaitingforme。Ihavenodoubtheisconcerned；Ioughttoanswerhim。"

"Go，myfriend，"shesaid；"butbebackearly。"IwentstraighttoPrudence。

"Come，"saidI，withoutbeatingaboutthebush，"tellmefrankly，whereareMarguerite\'shorses？"

"Sold。"

"Theshawl？"

"Sold。"

"Thediamonds？"

"Pawned。"

"Andwhohassoldandpawnedthem？"

"Whydidyounottellme？"

"BecauseMargueritemademepromisenotto。"

"Andwhydidyounotaskmeformoney？"

"Becauseshewouldn\'tletme。"

"Andwherehasthismoneygone？"

"Inpayments。"

"Isshemuchindebt？"

"Thirtythousandfrancs，orthereabouts。Ah，mydearfellow，didn\'tItellyou？Youwouldn\'tbelieveme；nowyouareconvinced。Theupholstererwhomthedukehadagreedtosettlewithwasshownoutofthehousewhenhepresentedhimself，andthedukewrotenextdaytosaythathewouldanswerfornothinginregardtoMlle。Gautier。Thismanwantedhismoney；hewasgivenpartpaymentoutofthefewthousandfrancsthatIgotfromyou；thensomekindsoulswarnedhimthathisdebtorhadbeenabandonedbythedukeandwaslivingwithapennilessyoungman；

theothercreditorsweretoldthesame；theyaskedfortheirmoney，andseizedsomeofthegoods。Margueritewantedtoselleverything，butitwastoolate，andbesidesIshouldhaveopposedit。Butitwasnecessarytopay，andinordernottoaskyouformoney，shesoldherhorsesandhershawls，andpawnedherjewels。Wouldyouliketoseethereceiptsandthepawntickets？"

AndPrudenceopenedthedrawerandshowedmethepapers。

"Ah，youthink，"shecontinued，withtheinsistenceofawomanwhocansay，Iwasrightafterall，"ah，youthinkitisenoughtobeinlove，andtogointothecountryandleadadreamy，pastorallife。No，myfriend，no。Bythesideofthatideallife，thereisamateriallife，andthepurestresolutionsareheldtoearthbythreadswhichseemslightenough，butwhichareofiron，noteasilytobebroken。IfMargueritehasnotbeenunfaithfultoyoutwentytimes，itisbecauseshehasanexceptionalnature。Itisnotmyfaultfornotadvisingherto，forIcouldn\'tbeartoseethepoorgirlstrippingherselfofeverything。Shewouldn\'t；

sherepliedthatshelovedyou，andshewouldn\'tbeunfaithfultoyouforanythingintheworld。Allthatisverypretty，verypoetical，butonecan\'tpayone\'screditorsinthatcoin，andnowshecan\'tfreeherselffromdebt，unlessshecanraisethirtythousandfrancs。"

"Allright，Iwillprovidethatamount。"

"Youwillborrowit？"

"Goodheavens！Why，yes！"

"Afinethingthatwillbetodo；youwillfalloutwithyourfather，crippleyourresources，andonedoesn\'tfindthirtythousandfrancsfromonedaytoanother。Believeme，mydearArmand，Iknowwomenbetterthanyoudo；donotcommitthisfolly；youwillbesorryforitoneday。Bereasonable。Idon\'tadviseyoutoleaveMarguerite，butlivewithherasyoudidatthebeginning。Letherfindthemeanstogetoutofthisdifficulty。Thedukewillcomebackinalittlewhile。TheComtedeN。，ifshewouldtakehim，hetoldmeyesterdayeven，wouldpayallherdebts，andgiveherfourorfivethousandfrancsamonth。Hehastwohundredthousandayear。Itwouldbeapositionforher，whileyouwillcertainlybeobligedtoleaveher。Don\'twaittillyouareruined，especiallyastheComtedeN。isafool，andnothingwouldpreventyourstillbeingMarguerite\'slover。Shewouldcryalittleatthebeginning，butshewouldcometoaccustomherselftoit，andyouwouldthankmeonedayforwhatyouhaddone。ImaginethatMargueriteismarried，anddeceivethehusband；thatisall。Ihavealreadytoldyouallthisonce，onlyatthattimeitwasmerelyadvice，andnowitisalmostanecessity。"

WhatPrudencesaidwascruellytrue。

"Thisishowitis，"shewenton，puttingawaythepapersshehadjustshownme；"womenlikeMargueritealwaysforeseethatsomeonewilllovethem，neverthattheywilllove；otherwisetheywouldputasidemoney，andatthirtytheycouldaffordtheluxuryofhavingaloverfornothing。IfIhadonlyknownoncewhatI

knownow！Inshort，saynothingtoMarguerite，andbringherbacktoParis。Youhavelivedwithheraloneforfourorfivemonths；

thatisquiteenough。Shutyoureyesnow；thatisallthatanyoneasksofyou。AttheendofafortnightshewilltaketheComtedeN。，andshewillsaveupduringthewinter，andnextsummeryouwillbeginoveragain。Thatishowthingsaredone，mydearfellow！"

AndPrudenceappearedtobeenchantedwithheradvice，whichI

refusedindignantly。

Notonlymyloveandmydignitywouldnotletmeactthus，butI

wascertainthat，feelingasshedidnow，Margueritewoulddieratherthanacceptanotherlover。

"Enoughjoking，"IsaidtoPrudence；"tellmeexactlyhowmuchMargueriteisinneedof。"

"Ihavetoldyou：thirtythousandfrancs。"

"Andwhendoessherequirethissum？"

"Beforetheendoftwomonths。"

"Sheshallhaveit。"

Prudenceshruggedhershoulders。

"Iwillgiveittoyou，"Icontinued，"butyoumustsweartomethatyouwillnottellMargueritethatIhavegivenittoyou。"

"Don\'tbeafraid。"

"Andifshesendsyouanythingelsetosellorpawn，letmeknow。"

"Thereisnodanger。Shehasnothingleft。"

Iwentstraighttomyownhousetoseeiftherewereanylettersfrommyfather。Therewerefour。

Chapter19

Inhisfirstthreelettersmyfatherinquiredthecauseofmysilence；inthelastheallowedmetoseethathehadheardofmychangeoflife，andinformedmethathewasabouttocomeandseeme。

Ihavealwayshadagreatrespectandasincereaffectionformyfather。IrepliedthatIhadbeentravellingforashorttime，andbeggedhimtoletmeknowbeforehandwhatdayhewouldarrive，sothatIcouldbetheretomeethim。

Igavemyservantmyaddressinthecountry，tellinghimtobringmethefirstletterthatcamewiththepostmarkofC。，thenI

returnedtoBougival。

Margueritewaswaitingformeatthegardengate。Shelookedatmeanxiously。Throwingherarmsroundmyneck，shesaidtome：

"HaveyouseenPrudence？"

"No。"

"YouwerealongtimeinParis。"

"IfoundlettersfrommyfathertowhichIhadtoreply。"

AfewminutesafterwardNanineentered，alloutofbreath。

Margueriteroseandtalkedwithherinwhispers。WhenNaninehadgoneoutMargueritesatdownbymeagainandsaid，takingmyhand：

"Whydidyoudeceiveme？YouwenttoseePrudence。"

"Whotoldyou？"

"Nanine。"

"Andhowdidsheknow？"

"Shefollowedyou。"

"Youtoldhertofollowme？"

"Yes。IthoughtthatyoumusthavehadaverystrongmotiveforgoingtoParis，afternotleavingmeforfourmonths。Iwasafraidthatsomethingmighthappentoyou，orthatyouwereperhapsgoingtoseeanotherwoman。"

"Child！"

"NowIamrelieved。Iknowwhatyouhavedone，butIdon\'tyetknowwhatyouhavebeentold。"

IshowedMargueritemyfather\'sletters。

"ThatisnotwhatIamaskingyouabout。WhatIwanttoknowiswhyyouwenttoseePrudence。"

"Toseeher。"

"That\'salie，myfriend。"

"Well，Iwenttoaskherifthehorsewasanybetter，andifshewantedyourshawlandyourjewelsanylonger。"

Margueriteblushed，butdidnotanswer。

"And，"Icontinued，"Ilearnedwhatyouhaddonewithyourhorses，shawls，andjewels。"

"Andyouarevexed？"

"Iamvexedthatitneveroccurredtoyoutoaskmeforwhatyouwereinwantof。"

"Inaliaisonlikeours，ifthewomanhasanysenseofdignityatall，sheoughttomakeeverypossiblesacrificeratherthanaskherloverformoneyandsogiveavenalcharactertoherlove。

Youloveme，Iamsure，butyoudonotknowonhowslightathreaddependstheloveonehasforawomanlikeme。Whoknows？

Perhapssomedaywhenyouwereboredorworriedyouwouldfancyyousawacarefullyconcertedplaninourliaison。Prudenceisachatterbox。WhatneedhadIofthehorses？Itwasaneconomytosellthem。Idon\'tusethemandIdon\'tspendanythingontheirkeep；ifyouloveme，Iasknothingmore，andyouwilllovemejustasmuchwithouthorses，orshawls，ordiamonds。"

AllthatwassaidsonaturallythatthetearscametomyeyesasIlistened。

"But，mygoodMarguerite，"Ireplied，pressingherhandslovingly，"youknewthatonedayIshoulddiscoverthesacrificeyouhadmade，andthatthemomentIdiscovereditIshouldallowitnolonger。"

"Butwhy？"

"Because，mydearchild，Icannotallowyouraffectionformetodepriveyouofevenatrinket。Itooshouldnotlikeyoutobeable，inamomentwhenyouwereboredorworried，tothinkthatifyouwerelivingwithsomebodyelsethosemomentswouldnotexist；andtorepent，ifonlyforaminute，oflivingwithme。Inafewdaysyourhorses，yourdiamonds，andyourshawlsshallbereturnedtoyou。Theyareasnecessarytoyouasairistolife，anditmaybeabsurd，butIlikeyoubettershowythansimple。"

"Thenyounolongerloveme。"

"Foolishcreature！"

"Ifyoulovedme，youwouldletmeloveyoumyownway；onthecontrary，youpersistinonlyseeinginmeawomantowhomluxuryisindispensable，andwhomyouthinkyouarealwaysobligedtopay。Youareashamedtoaccepttheproofofmylove。Inspiteofyourself，youthinkofleavingmesomeday，andyouwanttoputyourdisinterestednessbeyondriskofsuspicion。Youareright，myfriend，butIhadbetterhopes。"

AndMargueritemadeamotiontorise；Iheldher，andsaidtoher：

"Iwantyoutobehappyandtohavenothingtoreproachmefor，thatisall。"

"Andwearegoingtobeseparated！"

"Why，Marguerite，whocanseparateus？"Icried。

"You，whowillnotletmetakeyouonyourownlevel，butinsistontakingmeonmine；you，whowishmetokeeptheluxuryinthemidstofwhichIhavelived，andsokeepthemoraldistancewhichseparatesus；you，whodonotbelievethatmyaffectionissufficientlydisinterestedtosharewithmewhatyouhave，thoughwecouldlivehappilyenoughonittogether，andwouldratherruinyourself，becauseyouarestillboundbyafoolishprejudice。DoyoureallythinkthatIcouldcompareacarriageanddiamondswithyourlove？Doyouthinkthatmyrealhappinessliesinthetriflesthatmeansomuchwhenonehasnothingtolove，butwhichbecometriflingindeedwhenonehas？Youwillpaymydebts，realizeyourestate，andthenkeepme？Howlongwillthatlast？Twoorthreemonths，andthenitwillbetoolatetolivethelifeIpropose，forthenyouwillhavetotakeeverythingfromme，andthatiswhatamanofhonourcannotdo；

whilenowyouhaveeightortenthousandfrancsayear，onwhichweshouldbeabletolive。IwillselltherestofwhatIdonotwant，andwiththisaloneIwillmaketwothousandfrancsayear。

Wewilltakeanicelittleflatinwhichwecanbothlive。Inthesummerwewillgointothecountry，nottoahouselikethis，buttoahousejustbigenoughfortwopeople。Youareindependent，I

amfree，weareyoung；inheaven\'sname，Armand，donotdrivemebackintothelifeIhadtoleadonce！"

Icouldnotanswer。Tearsofgratitudeandlovefilledmyeyes，andIflungmyselfintoMarguerite\'sarms。

"Iwanted，"shecontinued，"toarrangeeverythingwithouttellingyou，payallmydebts，andtakeanewflat。InOctoberweshouldhavebeenbackinParis，andallwouldhavecomeout；butsincePrudencehastoldyouall，youwillhavetoagreebeforehand，insteadofagreeingafterward。Doyoulovemeenoughforthat？"

Itwasimpossibletoresistsuchdevotion。Ikissedherhandsardently，andsaid：

"Iwilldowhateveryouwish。"

Itwasagreedthatweshoulddoasshehadplanned。Thereupon，shewentwildwithdelight；danced，sang，amusedherselfwithcallinguppicturesofhernewflatinallitssimplicity，andbegantoconsultmeastoitspositionandarrangement。Isawhowhappyandproudshewasofthisresolution，whichseemedasifitwouldbringusintocloserandcloserrelationship，andI

resolvedtodomyownshare。InaninstantIdecidedthewholecourseofmylife。Iputmyaffairsinorder，andmadeovertoMargueritetheincomewhichhadcometomefrommymother，andwhichseemedlittleenoughinreturnforthesacrificewhichI

wasaccepting。Thereremainedthefivethousandfrancsayearfrommyfather；and，whateverhappened，Ihadalwaysenoughtoliveon。IdidnottellMargueritewhatIhaddone，certainasI

wasthatshewouldrefusethegift。ThisincomecamefromamortgageofsixtythousandfrancsonahousethatIhadneverevenseen。AllthatIknewwasthateverythreemonthsmyfather\'ssolicitor，anoldfriendofthefamily，handedovertomesevenhundredandfiftyfrancsinreturnformyreceipt。

ThedaywhenMargueriteandIcametoParistolookforaflat，I

wenttothissolicitorandaskedhimwhathadtobedoneinordertomakeoverthisincometoanotherperson。ThegoodmanimaginedIwasruined，andquestionedmeastothecauseofmydecision。

AsIknewthatIshouldbeobliged，soonerorlater，tosayinwhosefavourImadethistransfer，Ithoughtitbesttotellhimthetruthatonce。Hemadenoneoftheobjectionsthathispositionasfriendandsolicitorauthorizedhimtomake，andassuredmethathewouldarrangethewholeaffairinthebestwaypossible。Naturally，Ibeggedhimtoemploythegreatestdiscretioninregardtomyfather，andonleavinghimIrejoinedMarguerite，whowaswaitingformeatJulieDuprat\'s，whereshehadgoneinpreferencetogoingtolistentothemoralizingsofPrudence。

Webegantolookoutforflats。AllthosethatwesawseemedtoMargueritetoodear，andtometoosimple。However，wefinallyfound，inoneofthequietestpartsofParis，alittlehouse，isolatedfromthemainpartofthebuilding。Behindthislittlehousewasacharminggarden，surroundedbywallshighenoughtoscreenusfromourneighbours，andlowenoughnottoshutoffourownview。Itwasbetterthanourexpectations。

WhileIwenttogivenoticeatmyownflat，Margueritewenttoseeabusinessagent，who，shetoldme，hadalreadydoneforoneofherfriendsexactlywhatshewantedhimtodoforher。ShecameontotheRuedeProvenceinastateofgreatdelight。Themanhadpromisedtopayallherdebts，togiveherareceiptfortheamount，andtohandovertohertwentythousandfrancs，inreturnforthewholeofherfurniture。Youhaveseenbytheamounttakenatthesalethatthishonestmanwouldhavegainedthirtythousandfrancsoutofhisclient。

WewentbackjoyouslytoBougival，talkingoverourprojectsforthefuture，which，thankstoourheedlessness，andespeciallytoourlove，wesawintherosiestlight。

Aweeklater，aswewerehavinglunch，Naninecametotellusthatmyservantwasaskingforme。"Lethimcomein，"Isaid。

"Sir，"saidhe，"yourfatherhasarrivedinParis，andbegsyoutoreturnatoncetoyourrooms，whereheiswaitingforyou。"

Thispieceofnewswasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，yet，asweheardit，MargueriteandIlookedatoneanother。Weforesawtrouble。Beforeshehadspokenaword，Irepliedtoherthought，and，takingherhand，Isaid，"Fearnothing。"

"Comebackassoonaspossible，"whisperedMarguerite，embracingme；"Iwillwaitforyouatthewindow。"

IsentonJosephtotellmyfatherthatIwasonmyway。TwohourslaterIwasattheRuedeProvence。

Chapter20

Myfatherwasseatedinmyroominhisdressing-gown；hewaswriting，andIsawatonce，bythewayinwhichheraisedhiseyestomewhenIcamein，thattherewasgoingtobeaseriousdiscussion。Iwentuptohim，allthesame，asifIhadseennothinginhisface，embracedhim，andsaid：

"Whendidyoucome，father？"

"Lastnight。"

"Didyoucomestraighthere，asusual？"

"Yes。"

"Iamverysorrynottohavebeenheretoreceiveyou。"

Iexpectedthatthesermonwhichmyfather\'scoldfacethreatenedwouldbeginatonce；buthesaidnothing，sealedtheletterwhichhehadjustwritten，andgaveittoJosephtopost。

Whenwewerealone，myfatherrose，andleaningagainstthemantel-piece，saidtome：

"MydearArmand，wehaveseriousmatterstodiscuss。"

"Iamlistening，father。"

"Youpromisemetobefrank？"

"AmInotaccustomedtobeso？"

"IsitnottruethatyouarelivingwithawomancalledMargueriteGautier？"

"Yes。"

"Doyouknowwhatthiswomanwas？"

"Akeptwoman。"

"Anditisforherthatyouhaveforgottentocomeandseeyoursisterandmethisyear？"

"Yes，father，Iadmitit。"

"Youareverymuchinlovewiththiswoman？"

"Youseeit，father，sinceshehasmademefailindutytowardyou，forwhichIhumblyaskyourforgivenessto-day。"

Myfather，nodoubt，wasnotexpectingsuchcategoricalanswers，forheseemedtoreflectamoment，andthensaidtome：

"Youhave，ofcourse，realizedthatyoucannotalwayslivelikethat？"

"Ifearso，father，butIhavenotrealizedit。"

"Butyoumustrealize，"continuedmyfather，inadryertone，"thatI，atallevents，shouldnotpermitit。"

"IhavesaidtomyselfthataslongasIdidnothingcontrarytotherespectwhichIowetothetraditionalprobityofthefamilyIcouldliveasIamliving，andthishasreassuredmesomewhatinregardtothefearsIhavehad。"

Passionsareformidableenemiestosentiment。Iwaspreparedforeverystruggle，evenwithmyfather，inorderthatImightkeepMarguerite。

"Then，themomentiscomewhenyoumustliveotherwise。"

"Why，father？"

"Becauseyouaredoingthingswhichoutragetherespectthatyouimagineyouhaveforyourfamily。"

"Idon\'tfollowyourmeaning。"

"Iwillexplainittoyou。Haveamistressifyouwill；payherasamanofhonourisboundtopaythewomanwhomhekeeps，byallmeans；butthatyoushouldcometoforgetthemostsacredthingsforher，thatyoushouldletthereportofyourscandalouslifereachmyquietcountryside，andsetablotonthehonourablenamethatIhavegivenyou，itcannot，itshallnotbe。"

"Permitmetotellyou，father，thatthosewhohavegivenyouinformationaboutmehavebeenill-informed。IamtheloverofMlle。Gautier；Ilivewithher；itisthemostnaturalthingintheworld。IdonotgiveMlle。Gautierthenameyouhavegivenme；Ispendonheraccountwhatmymeansallowmetospend；I

havenodebts；and，inshort，Iamnotinapositionwhichauthorizesafathertosaytohissonwhatyouhavejustsaidtome。"

"Afatherisalwaysauthorizedtorescuehissonoutofevilpaths。Youhavenotdoneanyharmyet，butyouwilldoit。"

"Father！"

"Sir，Iknowmoreoflifethanyoudo。Therearenoentirelypuresentimentsexceptinperfectlychastewomen。EveryManoncanhaveherownDesGrieux，andtimesarechanged。Itwouldbeuselessfortheworldtogrowolderifitdidnotcorrectitsways。Youwillleaveyourmistress。"

"Iamverysorrytodisobeyyou，father，butitisimpossible。"

"Iwillcompelyoutodoso。"

"Unfortunately，father，therenolongerexistsaSainteMargueritetowhichcourtesanscanbesent，and，eveniftherewere，IwouldfollowMlle。Gautierifyousucceededinhavinghersentthere。Whatwouldyouhave？Perhapsaminthewrong，butI

canonlybehappyaslongasIamtheloverofthiswoman。"

"Come，Armand，openyoureyes。Recognisethatitisyourfatherwhospeakstoyou，yourfatherwhohasalwayslovedyou，andwhoonlydesiresyourhappiness。Isithonourableforyoutolivelikehusbandandwifewithawomanwhomeverybodyhashad？"

"Whatdoesitmatter，father，ifnoonewillanymore？Whatdoesitmatter，ifthiswomanlovesme，ifherwholelifeischangedthroughthelovewhichshehasformeandthelovewhichIhaveforher？Whatdoesitmatter，ifshehasbecomeadifferentwoman？"

"Doyouthink，then，sir，thatthemissionofamanofhonouristogoaboutconvertinglostwomen？DoyouthinkthatGodhasgivensuchagrotesqueaimtolife，andthattheheartshouldhaveanyroomforenthusiasmofthatkind？Whatwillbetheendofthismarvellouscure，andwhatwillyouthinkofwhatyouaresayingto-daybythetimeyouareforty？Youwilllaughatthisloveofyours，ifyoucanstilllaugh，andifithasnotlefttooseriousatraceinyourpast。Whatwouldyoubenowifyourfatherhadhadyourideasandhadgivenuphislifetoeveryimpulseofthiskind，insteadofrootinghimselffirmlyinconvictionsofhonourandsteadfastness？Thinkitover，Armand，anddonottalkanymoresuchabsurdities。Come，leavethiswoman；yourfatherentreatsyou。"

Ianswerednothing。

"Armand，"continuedmyfather，"inthenameofyoursaintedmother，abandonthislife，whichyouwillforgetmoreeasilythanyouthink。Youaretiedtoitbyanimpossibletheory。Youaretwenty-four；thinkofthefuture。Youcannotalwayslovethiswoman，whoalsocannotalwaysloveyou。Youbothexaggerateyourlove。Youputanendtoyourwholecareer。Onestepfurther，andyouwillnolongerbeabletoleavethepathyouhavechosen，andyouwillsufferallyourlifeforwhatyouhavedoneinyouryouth。LeaveParis。Comeandstayforamonthortwowithyoursisterandme。Restinourquietfamilyaffectionwillsoonhealyouofthisfever，foritisnothingelse。Meanwhile，yourmistresswillconsoleherself；shewilltakeanotherlover；andwhenyouseewhatitisforwhichyouhaveallbutbrokenwithyourfather，andallbutlosthislove，youwilltellmethatI

havedonewelltocomeandseekyouout，andyouwillthankmeforit。Come，youwillgowithme，Armand，willyounot？"Ifeltthatmyfatherwouldberightifithadbeenanyotherwoman，butIwasconvincedthathewaswrongwithregardtoMarguerite。

Nevertheless，thetoneinwhichhesaidtheselastwordswassokind，soappealing，thatIdarednotanswer。

"Well？"saidheinatremblingvoice。

"Well，father，Icanpromisenothing，"Isaidatlast；"whatyouaskofmeisbeyondmypower。Believeme，"Icontinued，seeinghimmakeanimpatientmovement，"youexaggeratetheeffectsofthisliaison。Margueriteisadifferentkindofawomanfromwhatyouthink。Thislove，farfromleadingmeastray，iscapable，onthecontrary，ofsettingmeintherightdirection。Lovealwaysmakesamanbetter，nomatterwhatwomaninspiresit。IfyouknewMarguerite，youwouldunderstandthatIaminnodanger。Sheisasnobleasthenoblestofwomen。Thereisasmuchdisinterestednessinherasthereiscupidityinothers。"

"Allofwhichdoesnotpreventherfromacceptingthewholeofyourfortune，forthesixtythousandfrancswhichcometoyoufromyourmother，andwhichyouaregivingher，are，understandmewell，yourwholefortune。"

Myfatherhadprobablykeptthisperorationandthisthreatforthelaststroke。Iwasfirmerbeforethesethreatsthanbeforehisentreaties。

"WhotoldyouthatIwashandingthissumtoher？"Iasked。

"Mysolicitor。Couldanhonestmancarryoutsuchaprocedurewithoutwarningme？Well，itistopreventyoufromruiningyourselfforaprostitutethatIamnowinParis。Yourmother，whenshedied，leftyouenoughtoliveonrespectably，andnottosquanderonyourmistresses。"

"Isweartoyou，father，thatMargueriteknewnothingofthistransfer。"

"Why，then，doyoumakeit？"

"BecauseMarguerite，thewomanyoucalumniate，andwhomyouwishmetoabandon，issacrificingallthatshepossessesinordertolivewithme。"

"Andyouacceptthissacrifice？Whatsortofamanareyou，sir，toallowMlle。Gautiertosacrificeanythingforyou？Come，enoughofthis。Youwillleavethiswoman。JustnowIbeggedyou；

nowIcommandyou。Iwillhavenosuchscandalousdoingsinmyfamily。Packupyourthingsandgetreadytocomewithme。"

"Pardonme，father，"Isaid，"butIshallnotcome。"

"Andwhy？"

"BecauseIamatanagewhennooneanylongerobeysacommand。"

Myfatherturnedpaleatmyanswer。

"Verywell，sir，"hesaid，"Iknowwhatremainstobedone。"

HerangandJosephappeared。

"HavemythingstakentotheHoteldeParis，"hesaidtomyservant。Andthereuponhewenttohisroomandfinisheddressing。

Whenhereturned，Iwentuptohim。

"Promiseme，father，"Isaid，"thatyouwilldonothingtogiveMargueritepain？"

Myfatherstopped，lookedatmedisdainfully，andcontentedhimselfwithsaying，"Ibelieveyouaremad。"Afterthishewentout，shuttingthedoorviolentlyafterhim。

Iwentdownstairs，tookacab，andreturnedtoBougival。

Margueritewaswaitingformeatthewindow。