第7章

Chapter21

"Atlastyouhavecome，"shesaid，throwingherarmsroundmyneck。"Buthowpaleyouare！"

Itoldherofthescenewithmyfather。

"MyGod！Iwasafraidofit，"shesaid。"WhenJosephcametotellyouofyourfather\'sarrivalItrembledasifhehadbroughtnewsofsomemisfortune。Mypoorfriend，Iamthecauseofallyourdistress。Youwillbebetteroff，perhaps，ifyouleavemeanddonotquarrelwithyourfatheronmyaccount。Heknowsthatyouaresuretohaveamistress，andheoughttobethankfulthatitisI，sinceIloveyouanddonotwantmoreofyouthanyourpositionallows。Didyoutellhimhowwehadarrangedourfuture？"

"Yes；thatiswhatannoyedhimthemost，forhesawhowmuchwereallyloveoneanother。"

"Whatarewetodo，then？"

"Holdtogether，mygoodMarguerite，andletthestormpassover。"

"Willitpass？"

"Itwillhaveto。"

"Butyourfatherwillnotstopthere。"

"Whatdoyousupposehecando？"

"HowdoIknow？Everythingthatafathercandotomakehissonobeyhim。Hewillremindyouofmypastlife，andwillperhapsdomethehonourofinventingsomenewstory，sothatyoumaygivemeup。"

"YouknowthatIloveyou。"

"Yes，butwhatIknow，too，isthat，soonerorlater，youwillhavetoobeyyourfather，andperhapsyouwillendbybelievinghim。"

"No，Marguerite。ItisIwhowillmakehimbelieveme。Someofhisfriendshavebeentellinghimtaleswhichhavemadehimangry；butheisgoodandjust，hewillchangehisfirstimpression；andthen，afterall，whatdoesitmattertome？"

"Donotsaythat，Armand。Iwouldratheranythingshouldhappenthanthatyoushouldquarrelwithyourfamily；waittillafterto-day，andto-morrowgobacktoParis。Yourfather，too，willhavethoughtitoveronhisside，andperhapsyouwillbothcometoabetterunderstanding。Donotgoagainsthisprinciples，pretendtomakesomeconcessionstowhathewants；seemnottocaresoverymuchaboutme，andhewillletthingsremainastheyare。Hope，myfriend，andbesureofonething，thatwhateverhappens，Margueritewillalwaysbeyours。"

"Youswearit？"

"DoIneedtoswearit？"

Howsweetitistoletoneselfbepersuadedbythevoicethatoneloves！MargueriteandIspentthewholedayintalkingoverourprojectsforthefuture，asifwefelttheneedofrealizingthemasquicklyaspossible。Ateverymomentweawaitedsomeevent，butthedaypassedwithoutbringingusanynewtidings。

NextdayIleftatteno\'clock，andreachedthehotelabouttwelve。Myfatherhadgoneout。

Iwenttomyownrooms，hopingthathehadperhapsgonethere。Noonehadcalled。Iwenttothesolicitor\'s。Noonewasthere。I

wentbacktothehotel，andwaitedtillsix。M。Duvaldidnotreturn，andIwentbacktoBougival。

IfoundMargueritenotwaitingforme，asshehadbeenthedaybefore，butsittingbythefire，whichtheweatherstillmadenecessary。ShewassoabsorbedinherthoughtsthatIcameclosetoherchairwithoutherhearingme。WhenIputmylipstoherforeheadshestartedasifthekisshadsuddenlyawakenedher。

"Youfrightenedme，"shesaid。"Andyourfather？"

"Ihavenotseenhim。Idonotknowwhatitmeans。Hewasnotathishotel，noranywherewheretherewasachanceofmyfindinghim。"

"Well，youmusttryagainto-morrow。"

"Iamverymuchinclinedtowaittillhesendsforme。IthinkI

havedoneallthatcanbeexpectedofme。"

"No，myfriend，itisnotenough；youmustcallonyourfatheragain，andyoumustcallto-morrow。"

"Whyto-morrowratherthananyotherday？"

"Because，"saidMarguerite，anditseemedtomethatsheblushedslightlyatthisquestion，"becauseitwillshowthatyouarethemorekeenaboutit，andhewillforgiveusthesooner。"

FortheremainderofthedayMargueritewassadandpreoccupied。

IhadtorepeattwiceovereverythingIsaidtohertoobtainananswer。Sheascribedthispreoccupationtoheranxietyinregardtotheeventswhichhadhappenedduringthelasttwodays。I

spentthenightinreassuringher，andshesentmeawayinthemorningwithaninsistentdisquietudethatIcouldnotexplaintomyself。

Againmyfatherwasabsent，buthehadleftthisletterforme：

"Ifyoucallagainto-day，waitformetillfour。IfIamnotinbyfour，comeanddinewithmeto-morrow。Imustseeyou。"

Iwaitedtillthehourhehadnamed，buthedidnotappear。I

returnedtoBougival。

ThenightbeforeIhadfoundMargueritesad；thatnightIfoundherfeverishandagitated。Onseeingme，sheflungherarmsaroundmyneck，butshecriedforalongtimeinmyarms。I

questionedherastothissuddendistress，whichalarmedmebyitsviolence。Shegavemenopositivereason，butputmeoffwiththoseevasionswhichawomanresortstowhenshewillnottellthetruth。

Whenshewasalittlecalmeddown，Itoldhertheresultofmyvisit，andIshowedhermyfather\'sletter，fromwhich，Isaid，wemightaugurwell。Atthesightoftheletterandonhearingmycomment，hertearsbegantoflowsocopiouslythatIfearedanattackofnerves，and，callingNanine，Iputhertobed，wheresheweptwithoutaword，butheldmyhandsandkissedthemeverymoment。

IaskedNanineif，duringmyabsence，hermistresshadreceivedanyletterorvisitwhichcouldaccountforthestateinwhichI

foundher，butNaninerepliedthatnoonehadcalledandnothinghadbeensent。

Something，however，hadoccurredsincethedaybefore，somethingwhichtroubledmethemorebecauseMargueriteconcealeditfromme。

Intheeveningsheseemedalittlecalmer，and，makingmesitatthefootofthebed，shetoldmemanytimeshowmuchshelovedme。Shesmiledatme，butwithaneffort，forinspiteofherselfhereyeswereveiledwithtears。

Iusedeverymeanstomakeherconfesstherealcauseofherdistress，butshepersistedingivingmenothingbutvaguereasons，asIhavetoldyou。Atlastshefellasleepinmyarms，butitwasthesleepwhichtiresratherthanreststhebody。Fromtimetotimesheutteredacry，startedup，and，afterassuringherselfthatIwasbesideher，mademeswearthatIwouldalwaysloveher。

Icouldmakenothingoftheseintermittentparoxysmsofdistress，whichwentontillmorning。ThenMargueritefellintoakindofstupor。Shehadnotsleptfortwonights。

Herrestwasofshortduration，fortowardelevensheawoke，and，seeingthatIwasup，shelookedabouther，crying：

"Areyougoingalready？"

"No，"saidI，holdingherhands；"butIwantedtoletyousleepon。Itisstillearly。"

"WhattimeareyougoingtoParis？"

"Atfour。"

"Sosoon？Butyouwillstaywithmetillthen？"

"Ofcourse。DoInotalways？"

"Iamsoglad！Shallwehavelunch？"shewentonabsentmindedly。

"Ifyoulike。"

"Andthenyouwillbenicetometilltheverymomentyougo？"

"Yes；andIwillcomebackassoonasIcan。"

"Youwillcomeback？"shesaid，lookingatmewithhaggardeyes。

"Naturally。"

"Oh，yes，youwillcomebackto-night。Ishallwaitforyou，asI

alwaysdo，andyouwillloveme，andweshallbehappy，aswehavebeeneversincewehaveknowneachother。"

Allthesewordsweresaidinsuchastrainedvoice，theyseemedtohidesopersistentandsosorrowfulathought，thatItrembledeverymomentlestMargueriteshouldbecomedelirious。

"Listen，"Isaid。"Youareill。Icannotleaveyoulikethis。I

willwriteandtellmyfathernottoexpectme。"

"No，no，"shecriedhastily，"don\'tdothat。Yourfatherwillaccusemeofhinderingyouagainfromgoingtoseehimwhenhewantstoseeyou；no，no，youmustgo，youmust！Besides，Iamnotill。Iamquitewell。Ihadabaddreamandamnotyetfullyawake。"

FromthatmomentMargueritetriedtoseemmorecheerful。Therewerenomoretears。

Whenthehourcameformetogo，Iembracedherandaskedherifshewouldcomewithmeasfarasthetrain；Ihopedthatthewalkwoulddistractherandthattheairwoulddohergood。Iwantedespeciallytobewithheraslongaspossible。

Sheagreed，putonhercloakandtookNaninewithher，soasnottoreturnalone。TwentytimesIwasonthepointofnotgoing。

Butthehopeofaspeedyreturn，andthefearofoffendingmyfatherstillmore，sustainedme，andItookmyplaceinthetrain。

"Tillthisevening！"IsaidtoMarguerite，asIlefther。Shedidnotreply。

Oncealreadyshehadnotrepliedtothesamewords，andtheComtedeG。，youwillremember，hadspentthenightwithher；butthattimewassofarawaythatitseemedtohavebeeneffacedfrommymemory，andifIhadanyfear，itwascertainlynotofMargueritebeingunfaithfultome。ReachingParis，IhastenedofftoseePrudence，intendingtoaskhertogoandkeepMargueritecompany，inthehopethathermirthandlivelinesswoulddistracther。I

enteredwithoutbeingannounced，andfoundPrudenceathertoilet。

"Ah！"shesaid，anxiously；"isMargueritewithyou？"

"No。"

"Howisshe？"

"Sheisnotwell。"

"Isshenotcoming？"

"Didyouexpecther？"

MadameDuvernoyreddened，andreplied，withacertainconstraint：

"IonlymeantthatsinceyouareatParis，isshenotcomingtojoinyou？"

"No。"

IlookedatPrudence；shecastdownhereyes，andIreadinherfacethefearofseeingmyvisitprolonged。

"Ievencametoaskyou，mydearPrudence，ifyouhavenothingtodothisevening，togoandseeMarguerite；youwillbecompanyforher，andyoucanstaythenight。Ineversawherasshewasto-day，andIamafraidsheisgoingtobeill。"

"Iamdiningintown，"repliedPrudence，"andIcan\'tgoandseeMargueritethisevening。Iwillseehertomorrow。"

ItookleaveofMme。Duvernoy，whoseemedalmostaspreoccupiedasMarguerite，andwentontomyfather\'s；hisfirstglanceseemedtostudymeattentively。Heheldouthishand。

"Yourtwovisitshavegivenmepleasure，Armand，"hesaid；"theymakemehopethatyouhavethoughtoverthingsonyoursideasI

haveonmine。"

"MayIaskyou，father，whatwastheresultofyourreflection？"

"Theresult，mydearboy，isthatIhaveexaggeratedtheimportanceofthereportsthathadbeenmadetome，andthatI

havemadeupmymindtobelessseverewithyou。"

"Whatareyousaying，father？"Icriedjoyously。

"Isay，mydearchild，thateveryyoungmanmusthavehismistress，andthat，fromthefreshinformationIhavehad，I

wouldratherseeyoutheloverofMlle。Gautierthanofanyoneelse。"

"Mydearfather，howhappyyoumakeme！"

Wetalkedinthismannerforsomemoments，andthensatdowntotable。Myfatherwascharmingalldinnertime。

IwasinahurrytogetbacktoBougivaltotellMargueriteaboutthisfortunatechange，andIlookedattheclockeverymoment。

"Youarewatchingthetime，"saidmyfather，"andyouareimpatienttoleaveme。Oyoungpeople，howyoualwayssacrificesinceretodoubtfulaffections！"

"Donotsaythat，father；Margueritelovesme，Iamsureofit。"

Myfatherdidnotanswer；heseemedtosayneitheryesnorno。

HewasveryinsistentthatIshouldspendthewholeeveningwithhimandnotgotillthemorning；butMargueritehadnotbeenwellwhenIlefther。Itoldhimofit，andbeggedhispermissiontogobacktoherearly，promisingtocomeagainonthemorrow。

Theweatherwasfine；hewalkedwithmeasfarasthestation。

NeverhadIbeensohappy。ThefutureappearedasIhadlongdesiredtoseeit。IhadneverlovedmyfatherasIlovedhimatthatmoment。

JustasIwasleavinghim，heoncemorebeggedmetostay。I

refused。

"Youarereallyverymuchinlovewithher？"heasked。

"Madly。"

"Go，then，"andhepassedhishandacrosshisforeheadasiftochaseathought，thenopenedhismouthasiftosaysomething；

butheonlypressedmyhand，andleftmehurriedly，saying：

"Tillto-morrow，then！"

Chapter22

Itseemedtomeasifthetraindidnotmove。IreachedBougivalateleven。

Notawindowinthehousewaslightedup，andwhenIrangnooneansweredthebell。Itwasthefirsttimethatsuchathinghadoccurredtome。Atlastthegardenercame。Ientered。Naninemetmewithalight。IwenttoMarguerite\'sroom。

"Whereismadame？"

"GonetoParis，"repliedNanine。

"ToParis！"

"Yes，sir。"

"When？"

"Anhourafteryou。"

"Sheleftnowordforme？"

"Nothing。"

Nanineleftme。

Perhapsshehadsomesuspicionorother，Ithought，andwenttoParistomakesurethatmyvisittomyfatherwasnotanexcuseforadayoff。PerhapsPrudencewrotetoheraboutsomethingimportant。IsaidtomyselfwhenIwasalone；butIsawPrudence；

shesaidnothingtomakemesupposethatshehadwrittentoMarguerite。

AllatonceIrememberedMme。Duvernoy\'squestion，"Isn\'tshecomingto-day？"whenIhadsaidthatMargueritewasill。I

rememberedatthesametimehowembarrassedPrudencehadappearedwhenIlookedatherafterthisremark，whichseemedtoindicateanappointment。Iremembered，too，Marguerite\'stearsalldaylong，whichmyfather\'skindreceptionhadratherputoutofmymind。Fromthismomentalltheincidentsgroupedthemselvesaboutmyfirstsuspicion，andfixeditsofirmlyinmymindthateverythingservedtoconfirmit，evenmyfather\'skindness。

MargueritehadalmostinsistedonmygoingtoParis；shehadpretendedtobecalmerwhenIhadproposedstayingwithher。HadIfallenintosometrap？WasMargueritedeceivingme？Hadshecountedonbeingbackintimeformenottoperceiveherabsence，andhadshebeendetainedbychance？WhyhadshesaidnothingtoNanine，orwhyhadshenotwritten？Whatwasthemeaningofthosetears，thisabsence，thismystery？

ThatiswhatIaskedmyselfinaffright，asIstoodinthevacantroom，gazingattheclock，whichpointedtomidnight，andseemedtosaytomethatitwastoolatetohopeformymistress\'sreturn。Yet，afterallthearrangementswehadjustmade，afterthesacrificesthathadbeenofferedandaccepted，wasitlikelythatshewasdeceivingme？No。Itriedtogetridofmyfirstsupposition。

Probablyshehadfoundapurchaserforherfurniture，andshehadgonetoParistoconcludethebargain。Shedidnotwishtotellmebeforehand，forsheknewthat，thoughIhadconsentedtoit，thesale，sonecessarytoourfuturehappiness，waspainfultome，andshefearedtowoundmyself-respectinspeakingtomeaboutit。Shewouldrathernotseemetillthewholethingwasdone，andthatwasevidentlywhyPrudencewasexpectingherwhensheletoutthesecret。Margueritecouldnotfinishthewholebusinessto-day，andwasstayingthenightwithPrudence，orperhapsshewouldcomeevennow，forshemustknowbowanxiousI

shouldbe，andwouldnotwishtoleavemeinthatcondition。But，ifso，whythosetears？Nodoubt，despiteherloveforme，thepoorgirlcouldnotmakeuphermindtogiveupalltheluxuryinwhichshehadliveduntilnow，andforwhichshehadbeensoenvied，withoutcryingoverit。Iwasquitereadytoforgiveherforsuchregrets。Iwaitedforherimpatiently，thatImightsaytoher，asIcoveredherwithkisses，thatIhadguessedthereasonofhermysteriousabsence。

Nevertheless，thenightwenton，andMargueritedidnotreturn。

Myanxietytighteneditscirclelittlebylittle，andbegantooppressmyheadandheart。Perhapssomethinghadhappenedtoher。

Perhapsshewasinjured，ill，dead。Perhapsamessengerwouldarrivewiththenewsofsomedreadfulaccident。Perhapsthedaylightwouldfindmewiththesameuncertaintyandwiththesamefears。

TheideathatMargueritewasperhapsunfaithfultomeattheverymomentwhenIwaitedforherinterroratherabsencedidnotreturntomymind。Theremustbesomecause，independentofherwill，tokeepherawayfromme，andthemoreIthought，themoreconvincedIwasthatthiscausecouldonlybesomemishaporother。Ovanityofman，comingbacktousineveryform！

Oneo\'clockstruck。IsaidtomyselfthatIwouldwaitanotherhour，butthatattwoo\'clock，ifMargueritehadnotreturned，I

wouldsetoutforParis。MeanwhileIlookedaboutforabook，forIdarednotthink。ManonLescautwasopenonthetable。Itseemedtomethathereandtherethepageswerewetasifwithtears。I

turnedtheleavesoverandthenclosedthebook，forthelettersseemedtomevoidofmeaningthroughtheveilofmydoubts。

Timewentslowly。Theskywascoveredwithclouds。Anautumnrainlashedthewindows。Theemptybedseemedatmomentstoassumetheaspectofatomb。Iwasafraid。

Iopenedthedoor。Ilistened，andheardnothingbutthevoiceofthewindinthetrees。Notavehiclewastobeseenontheroad。

Thehalfhoursoundedsadlyfromthechurchtower。

Ibegantofearlestsomeoneshouldenter。Itseemedtomethatonlyadisastercouldcomeatthathourandunderthatsombresky。

Twoo\'clockstruck。Istillwaitedalittle。Onlythesoundofthebelltroubledthesilencewithitsmonotonousandrhythmicalstroke。

AtlastIlefttheroom，whereeveryobjecthadassumedthatmelancholyaspectwhichtherestlesssolitudeoftheheartgivestoallitssurroundings。

InthenextroomIfoundNaninesleepingoverherwork。Atthesoundofthedoor，sheawokeandaskedifhermistresshadcomein。

"No；butifshecomesin，tellherthatIwassoanxiousthatI

hadtogotoParis。"

"Atthishour？"

"Yes。

"Buthow？Youwon\'tfindacarriage。"

"Iwillwalk。"

"Butitisraining。"

"Nomatter。"

"Butmadamewillbecomingback，orifshedoesn\'tcomeitwillbetimeenoughinthemorningtogoandseewhathaskepther。

Youwillbemurderedontheway。"

"Thereisnodanger，mydearNanine；Iwillseeyouto-morrow。"

Thegoodgirlwentandgotmeacloak，putitovermyshoulders，andofferedtowakeupMme。Arnouldtoseeifavehiclecouldbeobtained；butIwouldhearofnothing，convincedasIwasthatI

shouldlose，inaperhapsfruitlessinquiry，moretimethanI

shouldtaketocoverhalftheroad。Besides，Ifelttheneedofairandphysicalfatigueinordertocooldowntheover-

excitementwhichpossessedme。

ItookthekeyoftheflatintheRued\'Antin，andaftersayinggood-byetoNanine，whocamewithmeasfarasthegate，Isetout。

AtfirstIbegantorun，buttheearthwasmuddywithrain，andI

fatiguedmyselfdoubly。AttheendofhalfanhourIwasobligedtostop，andIwasdrenchedwithsweat。Irecoveredmybreathandwenton。ThenightwassodarkthatateverystepIfearedtodashmyselfagainstoneofthetreesontheroadside，whichroseupsharplybeforemelikegreatphantomsrushinguponme。

Iovertookoneortwowagons，whichIsoonleftbehind。A

carriagewasgoingatfullgalloptowardBougival。AsitpassedmethehopecametomethatMargueritewasinit。Istoppedandcriedout，"Marguerite！Marguerite！"Butnooneansweredandthecarriagecontinueditscourse。Iwatcheditfadeawayinthedistance，andthenstartedonmywayagain。ItooktwohourstoreachtheBarrieredel\'Etoile。ThesightofParisrestoredmystrength，andIranthewholelengthofthealleyIhadsooftenwalked。

Thatnightnoonewaspassing；itwaslikegoingthroughthemidstofadeadcity。Thedawnbegantobreak。WhenIreachedtheRued\'Antinthegreatcitystirredalittlebeforequiteawakening。Fiveo\'clockstruckatthechurchofSaintRochatthemomentwhenIenteredMarguerite\'shouse。Icalledoutmynametotheporter，whohadhadfrommeenoughtwenty-francpiecestoknowthatIhadtherighttocallonMlle。Gautieratfiveinthemorning。Ipassedwithoutdifficulty。ImighthaveaskedifMargueritewasathome，buthemighthavesaid"No，"andI

preferredtoremainindoubttwominuteslonger，for，aslongasIdoubted，therewasstillhope。

Ilistenedatthedoor，tryingtodiscoverasound，amovement。

Nothing。Thesilenceofthecountryseemedtobecontinuedhere。

Iopenedthedoorandentered。Allthecurtainswerehermeticallyclosed。Idrewthoseofthedining-roomandwenttowardthebed-roomandpushedopenthedoor。Isprangatthecurtaincordanddrewitviolently。Thecurtainopened，afaintlightmadeitswayin。Irushedtothebed。Itwasempty。

Iopenedthedoorsoneafteranother。Ivisitedeveryroom。Noone。Itwasenoughtodriveonemad。

Iwentintothedressing-room，openedthewindow，andcalledPrudenceseveraltimes。Mme。Duvernoy\'swindowremainedclosed。

IwentdownstairstotheporterandaskedhimifMlle。Gautierhadcomehomeduringtheday。

"Yes，"answeredtheman；"withMme。Duvernoy。"

"Sheleftnowordforme？"

"No。"

"Doyouknowwhattheydidafterward？"

"Theywentawayinacarriage。"

"Whatsortofacarriage？"

"Aprivatecarriage。"

Whatcoulditallmean？

Irangatthenextdoor。

"Whereareyougoing，sir？"askedtheporter，whenhehadopenedtome。

"ToMme。Duvernoy\'s。"

"Shehasnotcomeback。"

"Youaresure？"

"Yes，sir；here\'salettereven，whichwasbroughtforherlastnightandwhichIhavenotyetgivenher。"

AndtheportershowedmealetterwhichIglancedatmechanically。IrecognisedMarguerite\'swriting。Itooktheletter。Itwasaddressed，"ToMme。Duvernoy，toforwardtoM。

Duval。"

"Thisletterisforme，"Isaidtotheporter，asIshowedhimtheaddress。

"YouareM。Duval？"hereplied。

"Yes。

"Ah！Iremember。YouoftencametoseeMme。Duvernoy。"

WhenIwasinthestreetIbrokethesealoftheletter。Ifathunder-bolthadfallenatmyfeetIshouldhavebeenlessstartledthanIwasbywhatIread。

"Bythetimeyoureadthisletter，Armand，Ishallbethemistressofanotherman。Allisoverbetweenus。

"Gobacktoyourfather，myfriend，andtoyoursister，andthere，bythesideofapureyounggirl，ignorantofallourmiseries，youwillsoonforgetwhatyouwouldhavesufferedthroughthatlostcreaturewhoiscalledMargueriteGautier，whomyouhavelovedforaninstant，andwhoowestoyoutheonlyhappymomentsofalifewhich，shehopes，willnotbeverylongnow。"

WhenIhadreadthelastword，IthoughtIshouldhavegonemad。

ForamomentIwasreallyafraidoffallinginthestreet。A

cloudpassedbeforemyeyesandmybloodbeatinmytemples。AtlastIcametomyselfalittle。Ilookedaboutme，andwasastonishedtoseethelifeofotherscontinuewithoutpausingatmydistress。

Iwasnotstrongenoughtoenduretheblowalone。ThenI

rememberedthatmyfatherwasinthesamecity，thatImightbewithhimintenminutes，andthat，whatevermightbethecauseofmysorrow，hewouldshareit。

Iranlikeamadman，likeathief，totheHoteldeParis；Ifoundthekeyinthedoorofmyfather\'sroom；Ientered。Hewasreading。Heshowedsolittleastonishmentatseeingme，thatitwasasifhewasexpectingme。Iflungmyselfintohisarmswithoutsayingaword。IgavehimMarguerite\'sletter，and，fallingonmykneesbesidehisbed，Iwepthottears。

Chapter23

Whenthecurrentoflifehadresumeditscourse，IcouldnotbelievethatthedaywhichIsawdawningwouldnotbelikethosewhichhadprecededit。ThereweremomentswhenIfanciedthatsomecircumstance，whichIcouldnotrecollect，hadobligedmetospendthenightawayfromMarguerite，butthat，ifIreturnedtoBougival，IshouldfindheragainasanxiousasIhadbeen，andthatshewouldaskmewhathaddetainedmeawayfromhersolong。

Whenone\'sexistencehascontractedahabit，suchasthatofthislove，itseemsimpossiblethatthehabitshouldbebrokenwithoutatthesametimebreakingalltheotherspringsoflife。IwasforcedfromtimetotimetorereadMarguerite\'sletter，inordertoconvincemyselfthatIhadnotbeendreaming。

Mybody，succumbingtothemoralshock，wasincapableofmovement。Anxiety，thenightwalk，andthemorning\'snewshadprostratedme。Myfatherprofitedbythistotalprostrationofallmyfacultiestodemandofmeaformalpromisetoaccompanyhim。Ipromisedallthatheasked，forIwasincapableofsustainingadiscussion，andIneededsomeaffectiontohelpmetolive，afterwhathadhappened。Iwastoothankfulthatmyfatherwaswillingtoconsolemeundersuchacalamity。

AllthatIrememberisthatonthatday，aboutfiveo\'clock，hetookmewithhiminapost-chaise。Withoutawordtome，hehadhadmyluggagepackedandputupbehindthechaisewithhisown，andsohecarriedmeoff。IdidnotrealizewhatIwasdoinguntilthetownhaddisappearedandthesolitudeoftheroadrecalledtometheemptinessofmyheart。Thenmytearsagainbegantoflow。

Myfatherhadrealizedthatwords，evenfromhim，woulddonothingtoconsoleme，andheletmeweepwithoutsayingaword，onlysometimespressingmyhand，asiftoremindmethatIhadafriendatmyside。

AtnightIsleptalittle。IdreamedofMarguerite。

Iwokewithastart，notrecallingwhyIwasinthecarriage。

Thenthetruthcamebackuponme，andIletmyheadsinkonmybreast。Idarednotsayanythingtomyfather。Iwasafraidhewouldsay，"YouseeIwasrightwhenIdeclaredthatthiswomandidnotloveyou。"Buthedidnotusehisadvantage，andwereachedC。withouthishavingsaidanythingtomeexcepttospeakofmattersquiteapartfromtheeventwhichhadoccasionedmyleavingParis。

WhenIembracedmysister，IrememberedwhatMargueritehadsaidaboutherinherletter，andIsawatoncehowlittlemysister，goodasshewas，wouldbeabletomakemeforgetmymistress。

Shootinghadbegun，andmyfatherthoughtthatitwouldbeadistractionforme。Hegotupshootingpartieswithfriendsandneighbours。Iwentwithouteitherreluctanceorenthusiasm，withthatsortofapathyintowhichIhadsunksincemydeparture。

WewerebeatingaboutforgameandIwasgivenmypost。Iputdownmyunloadedgunatmyside，andmeditated。Iwatchedthecloudspass。Iletmythoughtwanderoverthesolitaryplains，andfromtimetotimeIheardsomeonecalltomeandpointtoaharenottenpacesoff。Noneofthesedetailsescapedmyfather，andhewasnotdeceivedbymyexteriorcalm。Hewaswellawarethat，brokenasInowwas，Ishouldsomedayexperienceaterriblereaction，whichmightbedangerous，and，withoutseemingtomakeanyefforttoconsoleme，hedidhisutmosttodistractmythoughts。

Mysister，naturally，knewnothingofwhathadhappened，andshecouldnotunderstandhowitwasthatI，whohadformerlybeensolighthearted，hadsuddenlybecomesosadanddreamy。

Sometimes，surprisinginthemidstofmysadnessmyfather\'sanxiousscrutiny，Ipressedhishandasiftoaskhimtacitlytoforgivemeforthepainwhich，inspiteofmyself，Iwasgivinghim。

Thusamonthpassed，butattheendofthattimeIcouldendureitnolonger。ThememoryofMargueritepursuedmeunceasingly。I

hadloved，IstilllovedthiswomansomuchthatIcouldnotsuddenlybecomeindifferenttoher。Ihadtoloveortohateher。

Aboveall，whateverIfeltforher，Ihadtoseeheragain，andatonce。Thisdesirepossessedmymind，andwithalltheviolenceofawillwhichhadbeguntoreassertitselfinabodysolonginert。

ItwasnotenoughformetoseeMargueriteinamonth，aweek。I

hadtoseehertheverynextdayafterthedaywhenthethoughthadoccurredtome；andIwenttomyfatherandtoldhimthatI

hadbeencalledtoParisonbusiness，butthatIshouldreturnpromptly。Nodoubtheguessedthereasonofmydeparture，forheinsistedthatIshouldstay，but，seeingthatifIdidnotcarryoutmyintentiontheconsequences，inthestateinwhichIwas，mightbefatal，heembracedme，andbeggedme，almost，withtears，toreturnwithoutdelay。

IdidnotsleeponthewaytoParis。Oncethere，whatwasIgoingtodo？Ididnotknow；IonlyknewthatitmustbesomethingconnectedwithMarguerite。Iwenttomyroomstochangemyclothes，and，astheweatherwasfineanditwasstillearly，I

mademywaytotheChamps-Elysees。AttheendofhalfanhourI

sawMarguerite\'scarriage，atsomedistance，comingfromtheRond-PointtothePlacedelaConcorde。Shehadrepurchasedherhorses，forthecarriagewasjustasIwasaccustomedtoseeit，butshewasnotinit。ScarcelyhadInoticedthisfact，whenlookingaroundme，IsawMargueriteonfoot，accompaniedbyawomanwhomIhadneverseen。

Asshepassedmesheturnedpale，andanervoussmiletightenedaboutherlips。Formypart，myheartbeatviolentlyinmybreast；butIsucceededingivingacoldexpressiontomyface，asIbowedcoldlytomyformermistress，whojustthenreachedhercarriage，intowhichshegotwithherfriend。

IknewMarguerite：thisunexpectedmeetingmustcertainlyhaveupsether。NodoubtshehadheardthatIhadgoneaway，andhadthusbeenreassuredastotheconsequencesofourrupture；but，seeingmeagaininParis，findingherselffacetofacewithme，paleasIwas，shemusthaverealizedthatIhadnotreturnedwithoutpurpose，andshemusthaveaskedherselfwhatthatpurposewas。

IfIhadseenMargueriteunhappy，if，inrevengingmyselfuponher，Icouldhavecometoheraid，Ishouldperhapshaveforgivenher，andcertainlyIshouldhaveneverdreamtofdoingheraninjury。ButIfoundherapparentlyhappy，someoneelsehadrestoredtohertheluxurywhichIcouldnotgiveher；herbreakingwithmeseemedtoassumeacharacterofthebasestself-interest；Iwasloweredinmyownesteemaswellasinmylove。IresolvedthatsheshouldpayforwhatIhadsuffered。

Icouldnotbeindifferenttowhatshedid，consequentlywhatwouldhurtherthemostwouldbemyindifference；itwas，therefore，thissentimentwhichImustaffect，notonlyinhereyes，butintheeyesofothers。

Itriedtoputonasmilingcountenance，andIwenttocallonPrudence。Themaidannouncedme，andIhadtowaitafewminutesinthedrawing-room。AtlastMme。Duvernoyappearedandaskedmeintoherboudoir；asIseatedmyselfIheardthedrawing-roomdooropen，alightfootstepmadethefloorcreakandthefrontdoorwasclosedviolently。

"Iamdisturbingyou，"IsaidtoPrudence。

"Notintheleast。Margueritewasthere。Whensheheardyouannounced，shemadeherescape；itwasshewhohasjustgoneout。"

"Issheafraidofmenow？"

"No。butsheisafraidthatyouwouldnotwishtoseeher。"

"Butwhy？"Isaid，drawingmybreathwithdifficulty，forIwaschokedwithemotion。"Thepoorgirlleftmeforhercarriage，herfurniture，andherdiamonds；shedidquiteright，andIdon\'tbearheranygrudge。Imetherto-day，"Icontinuedcarelessly。

"Where？"askedPrudence，lookingatmeandseemingtoaskherselfifthiswasthesamemanwhomshehadknownsomadlyinlove。

"IntheChamps-Elysees。Shewaswithanotherwoman，verypretty。

Whoisshe？"

"Whatwasshelike？"

"Blonde，slender，withsidecurls；blueeyes；veryelegant。"

"Ali！ItwasOlympe；sheisreallyverypretty。"

"Whomdoesshelivewith？"

"Withnobody；withanybody。"

"Wheredoesshelive？"

"RueTroncliet，No。——。Doyouwanttomakelovetoher？"

"Oneneverknows。"

"AndMarguerite？"

"IshouldhardlytellyouthetruthifIsaidIthinknomoreabouther；butIamoneofthosewithwhomeverythingdependsonthewayinwhichonebreakswiththem。NowMargueriteendedwithmesolightlythatIrealizeIwasagreatfooltohavebeenasmuchinlovewithherasIwas，forIwasreallyverymuchinlovewiththatgirl。"

YoucanimaginethewayinwhichIsaidthat；thesweatbrokeoutonmyforehead。

"Shewasveryfondofyou，youknow，andshestillis；theproofis，thataftermeetingyouto-day，shecamestraighttotellmeaboutit。Whenshegothereshewasallofatremble；Ithoughtshewasgoingtofaint。"

"Well，whatdidshesay？"

"Shesaid，\'Heissuretocomehere，\'andshebeggedmetoaskyoutoforgiveher。"

"Ihaveforgivenher，youmaytellher。Shewasagoodgirl；but，afterall，liketheothers，andIoughttohaveexpectedwhathappened。Iamevengratefultoher，forIseenowwhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadlivedwithheraltogether。Itwasridiculous。"

"Shewillbeverygladtofindthatyoutakeitsowell。Itwasquitetimesheleftyou，mydearfellow。Therascalofanagenttowhomshehadofferedtosellherfurniturewentaroundtohercreditorstofindouthowmuchsheowed；theytookfright，andintwodaysshewouldhavebeensoldup。"

"Andnowitisallpaid？"

"Moreorless。"

"Andwhohassuppliedthemoney？"

"TheComtedeN。Ah，mydearfriend，therearemenmadeonpurposeforsuchoccasions。Tocutalongstoryshorthegavehertwentythousandfrancs，buthehashadhiswayatlast。HeknowsquitewellthatMargueriteisnotinlovewithhim；butheisverynicewithherallthesame。Asyouhaveseen，hehasrepurchasedherhorses，hehastakenherjewelsoutofpawn，andhegivesherasmuchmoneyasthedukeusedtogiveher；ifshelikestolivequietly，hewillstaywithheralongtime。"

"Andwhatisshedoing？IsshelivinginParisaltogether？"

"ShewouldnevergobacktoBougivalafteryouwent。Ihadtogomyselfandseeafterallherthings，andyours，too。Imadeapackageofthemandyoucansendhereforthem。Youwillfindeverything，exceptalittlecasewithyourinitials。Margueritewantedtokeepit。Ifyoureallywantit，Iwillaskherforit。"

"Letherkeepit，"Istammered，forIfeltthetearsrisefrommyhearttomyeyesattherecollectionofthevillagewhereIhadbeensohappy，andatthethoughtthatMargueritecaredtokeepsomethingwhichhadbelongedtomeandwouldrecallmetoher。Ifshehadenteredatthatmomentmythoughtsofvengeancewouldhavedisappeared，andIshouldhavefallenatherfeet。

"Fortherest，"continuedPrudence，"Ineversawherassheisnow；shehardlytakesanysleep，shegoestoalltheballs，shegoestosuppers，sheevendrinks。Theotherday，afterasupper，shehadtostayinbedforaweek；andwhenthedoctorlethergetup，shebeganagainattheriskofherlife。Shallyougoandseeher？"

"Whatisthegood？Icametoseeyou，becauseyouhavealwaysbeencharmingtome，andIknewyoubeforeIeverknewMarguerite。IoweittoyouthatIhavebeenherlover，andalso，don\'tI，thatIamherlovernolonger？"

"Well，IdidallIcouldtogetherawayfromyou，andIbelieveyouwillbethankfultomelateron。"

Ioweyouadoublegratitude，"Iadded，rising，forIwasdisgustedwiththewoman，seeinghertakeeverywordIsaidtoherasifitwereserious。

"Youaregoing？"

"Yes。"

Ihadlearnedenough。

"WhenshallIbeseeingyou？"

"Soon。Good-bye。"

"Good-bye。"

Prudencesawmetothedoor，andIwentbacktomyownroomswithtearsofrageinmyeyesandadesireforvengeanceinmyheart。

SoMargueritewasnodifferentfromtheothers；sothesteadfastlovethatshehadhadformecouldnotresistthedesireofreturningtoherformerlife，andtheneedofhavingacarriageandplungingintodissipation。SoIsaidtomyself，asIlayawakeatnightthoughifIhadreflectedascalmlyasIprofessedtoIshouldhaveseeninthisnewandturbulentlifeofMargueritetheattempttosilenceaconstantthought，aceaselessmemory。Unfortunately，evilpassionhadtheupperhand，andI

onlysoughtforsomemeansofavengingmyselfonthepoorcreature。Oh，howpettyandvileismanwhenheiswoundedinoneofhisnarrowpassions！

ThisOlympewhomIhadseenwas，ifnotafriendofMarguerite，atalleventsthewomanwithwhomshewasmostoftenseensinceherreturntoParis。Shewasgoingtogiveaball，and，asItookitforgrantedthatMargueritewouldbethere，Itriedtogetaninvitationandsucceeded。

When，fullofmysorrowfulemotions，Iarrivedattheball，itwasalreadyveryanimated。Theyweredancing，shoutingeven，andinoneofthequadrillesIperceivedMargueritedancingwiththeComtedeN。，whoseemedproudofshowingheroff，asifhesaidtoeverybody："Thiswomanismine。"

Ileanedagainstthemantel-piecejustoppositeMargueriteandwatchedherdancing。Herfacechangedthemomentshecaughtsightofme。Isalutedhercasuallywithaglanceoftheeyesandawaveofthehand。

WhenIreflectedthataftertheballshewouldgohome，notwithmebutwiththatrichfool，whenIthoughtofwhatwouldfollowtheirreturn，thebloodrosetomyface，andIfelttheneedofdoingsomethingtotroubletheirrelations。

AfterthecontredanseIwentuptothemistressofthehouse，whodisplayedforthebenefitofherguestsadazzlingbosomandmagnificentshoulders。Shewasbeautiful，and，fromthepointofviewoffigure，morebeautifulthanMarguerite。IrealizedthisfactstillmoreclearlyfromcertainglanceswhichMargueritebestoweduponherwhileIwastalkingwithher。ThemanwhowastheloverofsuchawomanmightwellbeasproudasM。deN。，andshewasbeautifulenoughtoinspireapassionnotlessgreatthanthatwhichMargueritehadinspiredinme。Atthatmomentshehadnolover。Itwouldnotbedifficulttobecomeso；itdependedonlyonshowingenoughmoneytoattractherattention。

Imadeupmymind。Thatwomanshouldbemymistress。Ibeganbydancingwithher。Halfanhourafterward，Marguerite，paleasdeath，putonherpelisseandlefttheball。

Chapter24

Itwassomethingalready，butitwasnotenough。IsawtheholdwhichIhaduponthiswoman，andItookacowardlyadvantageofit。

WhenIthinkthatsheisdeadnow，IaskmyselfifGodwilleverforgivemeforthewrongIdidher。

Afterthesupper，whichwasnoisyascouldbe，therewasgambling。IsatbythesideofOlympeandputdownmymoneysorecklesslythatshecouldnotbutnoticeme。InaninstantIhadgainedonehundredandfiftyortwohundredlouis，whichIspreadoutbeforemeonthetable，andonwhichshefastenedhereyesgreedily。

Iwastheonlyonenotcompletelyabsorbedbythegame，andabletopayhersomeattention。AlltherestofthenightIgained，anditwasIwhogavehermoneytoplay，forshehadlostallshehadbeforeherandprobablyallshehadinthehouse。

Atfiveinthemorning，theguestsdeparted。Ihadgainedthreehundredlouis。

Alltheplayerswerealreadyontheirwaydownstairs；Iwastheonlyonewhohadremainedbehind，andasIdidnotknowanyofthem，noonenoticedit。Olympeherselfwaslightingtheway，andIwasgoingtofollowtheothers，when，turningback，Isaidtoher：

"Imustspeaktoyou。"

"To-morrow，"shesaid。

"No，now。"

"Whathaveyoutosay？"

"Youwillsee。"

AndIwentbackintotheroom。

"Youhavelost，"Isaid。

"Yes。

"Allthatyouhadinthehouse？"

Shehesitated。

"Befrank。"

"Well，itistrue。"

"Ihavewonthreehundredlouis。Heretheyare，ifyouwillletmestayhereto-night。"

AndIthrewthegoldonthetable。