第6章

’Youwillbreakmyheart，’shesighed。

’Notintheleast，’saidhe。’Youwillfeelatriflinginconvenienceforamonth，justasIdidwhenIwasfirstbroughttothisvilehamlet。thenyouradmirablesenseandtemperwillprevail，andIseeyoualreadyascontentasever，andmakingyourhusbandthehappiestofmen。’

’YouknowIcanrefuseyounothing，’shesaid，withalastflickerofresistance。’nothingthatwillmakeyoutrulyhappier。Butwillthis？Areyousure，myhusband？Lastnight，yousay，youfoundhim！Hemaybetheworstofhumbugs。’

’Ithinknot，’repliedtheDoctor。’Butdonotsupposemesounwaryastoadopthimoutofhand。Iam，Iflattermyself，afinishedmanoftheworld。Ihavehadallpossibilitiesinview。myplaniscontrivedtomeetthemall。Itaketheladasstableboy。

Ifhepilfer，ifhegrumble，ifhedesiretochange，IshallseeI

wasmistaken。Ishallrecognisehimfornosonofmine，andsendhimtramping。’

’Youwillneverdosowhenthetimecomes，’saidhiswife。’Iknowyourgoodheart。’

Shereachedoutherhandtohim，withasigh。theDoctorsmiledashetookitandcarriedittohislips。hehadgainedhispointwithgreatereasethanhehaddaredtohope。forperhapsthetwentiethtimehehadprovedtheefficacyofhistrustyargument，hisExcalibur，thehintofareturntoParis。Sixmonthsinthecapital，foramanoftheDoctor’santecedentsandrelations，impliednolessacalamitythantotalruin。Anastasiehadsavedtheremainderofhisfortunebykeepinghimstrictlyinthecountry。TheverynameofParisputherinabluefear。andshewouldhaveallowedherhusbandtokeepamenagerieinthebackgarden，letaloneadoptingastable-boy，ratherthanpermitthequestionofreturntobediscussed。

Aboutfouroftheafternoon，themountebankrendereduphisghost。

hehadneverbeenconscioussincehisseizure。DoctorDesprezwaspresentathislastpassage，anddeclaredthefarceover。ThenhetookJean-Mariebytheshoulderandledhimoutintotheinngardenwheretherewasaconvenientbenchbesidetheriver。Herehesathimdownandmadetheboyplacehimselfonhisleft。

’Jean-Marie，’hesaidverygravely，’thisworldisexceedinglyvast。andevenFrance，whichisonlyasmallcornerofit，isagreatplaceforalittleladlikeyou。Unfortunatelyitisfullofeager，shoulderingpeoplemovingon。andthereareveryfewbakers’

shopsforsomanyeaters。Yourmasterisdead。youarenotfittogainalivingbyyourself。youdonotwishtosteal？No。Yoursituationthenisundesirable。itis，forthemoment，critical。Ontheotherhand，youbeholdinmeamannotold，thoughelderly，stillenjoyingtheyouthoftheheartandtheintelligence。amanofinstruction。easilysituatedinthisworld’saffairs。keepingagoodtable：-aman，neitherasfriendnorhost，tobedespised。I

offeryouyourfoodandclothes，andtoteachyoulessonsintheevening，whichwillbeinfinitelymoretothepurposeforaladofyourstampthanthoseofallthepriestsinEurope。Iproposenowages，butifeveryoutakeathoughttoleaveme，thedoorshallbeopen，andIwillgiveyouahundredfrancstostarttheworldupon。Inreturn，Ihaveanoldhorseandchaise，whichyouwouldveryspeedilylearntocleanandkeepinorder。Donothurryyourselftoanswer，andtakeitorleaveitasyoujudgearight。

Onlyrememberthis，thatIamnosentimentalistorcharitableperson，butamanwholivesrigorouslytohimself。andthatifI

maketheproposal，itisformyownends-itisbecauseIperceiveclearlyanadvantagetomyself。Andnow，reflect。’

’Ishallbeveryglad。IdonotseewhatelseIcando。Ithankyou，sir，mostkindly，andIwilltrytobeuseful，’saidtheboy。

’Thankyou，’saidtheDoctorwarmly，risingatthesametimeandwipinghisbrow，forhehadsufferedagonieswhilethethinghunginthewind。Arefusal，afterthesceneatnoon，wouldhaveplacedhiminaridiculouslightbeforeAnastasie。’Howhotandheavyistheevening，tobesure！Ihavealwayshadafancytobeafishinsummer，Jean-Marie，hereintheLoingbesideGretz。Ishouldlieunderawater-lilyandlistentothebells，whichmustsoundmostdelicatelydownbelow。Thatwouldbealife-doyounotthinksotoo？’

’Yes，’saidJean-Marie。

’ThankGodyouhaveimagination！’criedtheDoctor，embracingtheboywithhisusualeffusivewarmth，thoughitwasaproceedingthatseemedtodisconcertthesuffereralmostasmuchasifhehadbeenanEnglishschoolboyofthesameage。’Andnow，’headded，’Iwilltakeyoutomywife。’

MadameDesprezsatinthedining-roominacoolwrapper。Alltheblindsweredown，andthetilefloorhadbeenrecentlysprinkledwithwater。hereyeswerehalfshut，butsheaffectedtobereadinganovelasthetheyentered。Thoughshewasabustlingwoman，sheenjoyedreposebetweenwhilesandhadaremarkableappetiteforsleep。

TheDoctorwentthroughasolemnformofintroduction，adding，forthebenefitofbothparties，’Youmusttrytolikeeachotherformysake。’

’Heisverypretty，’saidAnastasie。’Willyoukissme，myprettylittlefellow？’

TheDoctorwasfurious，anddraggedherintothepassage。’Areyouafool，Anastasie？’hesaid。’WhatisallthisIhearaboutthetactofwomen？Heavenknows，Ihavenotmetwithitinmyexperience。Youaddressmylittlephilosopherasifhewereaninfant。Hemustbespokentowithmorerespect，Itellyou。hemustnotbekissedandGeorgy-porgy’dlikeanordinarychild。’

’Ionlydidittopleaseyou，Iamsure，’repliedAnastasie。’butI

willtrytodobetter。’

TheDoctorapologisedforhiswarmth。’ButIdowishhim，’hecontinued，’tofeelathomeamongus。Andreallyyourconductwassoidiotic，mycherishedone，andsoutterlyanddistantlyoutofplace，thatasaintmighthavebeenpardonedalittlevehemenceindisapproval。Do，dotry-ifitispossibleforawomantounderstandyoungpeople-butofcourseitisnot，andIwastemybreath。Holdyourtongueasmuchaspossibleatleast，andobservemyconductnarrowly。itwillserveyouforamodel。’

Anastasiedidasshewasbidden，andconsideredtheDoctor’sbehaviour。Sheobservedthatheembracedtheboythreetimesinthecourseoftheevening，andmanagedgenerallytoconfoundandabashthelittlefellowoutofspeechandappetite。Butshehadthetruewomanlyheroisminlittleaffairs。NotonlydidsherefrainfromthecheaprevengeofexposingtheDoctor’serrorstohimself，butshedidherbesttoremovetheirill-effectonJean-

Marie。WhenDesprezwentoutforhislastbreathofairbeforeretiringforthenight，shecameovertotheboy’ssideandtookhishand。

’Youmustnotbesurprisednorfrightenedbymyhusband’smanners，’

shesaid。’Heisthekindestofmen，butsocleverthatheissometimesdifficulttounderstand。Youwillsoongrowusedtohim，andthenyouwilllovehim，forthatnobodycanhelp。Asforme，youmaybesure，Ishalltrytomakeyouhappy，andwillnotbotheryouatall。Ithinkweshouldbeexcellentfriends，youandI。I

amnotclever，butIamverygood-natured。Willyougivemeakiss？’

Hehelduphisface，andshetookhiminherarmsandthenbegantocry。Thewomanhadspokenincomplaisance。butshehadwarmedtoherownwords，andtendernessfollowed。TheDoctor，entering，foundthemenlaced：heconcludedthathiswifewasinfault。andhewasjustbeginning，inanawfulvoice，’Anastasie-，’whenshelookedupathim，smiling，withanupraisedfinger。andheheldhispeace，wondering，whilesheledtheboytohisattic。

CHAPTERIV。

THEEDUCATIONOFAPHILOSOPHER。

THEinstallationoftheadoptedstable-boywasthushappilyeffected，andthewheelsoflifecontinuedtorunsmoothlyintheDoctor’shouse。Jean-Mariedidhishorseandcarriagedutyinthemorning。sometimeshelpedinthehousework。sometimeswalkedabroadwiththeDoctor，todrinkwisdomfromthefountain-head。andwasintroducedatnighttothesciencesandthedeadtongues。Heretainedhissingularplacidityofmindandmanner。hewasrarelyinfault。buthemadeonlyaverypartialprogressinhisstudies，andremainedmuchofastrangerinthefamily。

TheDoctorwasapatternofregularity。Allforenoonheworkedonhisgreatbook，the’ComparativePharmacopoeia，orHistoricalDictionaryofallMedicines，’whichasyetconsistedprincipallyofslipsofpaperandpins。Whenfinished，itwastofillmanypersonablevolumes，andtocombineantiquarianinterestwithprofessionalutility。ButtheDoctorwasstudiousofliterarygracesandthepicturesque。ananecdote，atouchofmanners，amoralqualification，orasoundingepithetwassuretobepreferredbeforeapieceofscience。alittlemore，andhewouldhavewrittenthe’ComparativePharmacopoeia’inverse！Thearticle’Mummia，’

forinstance，wasalreadycomplete，thoughtheremainderoftheworkhadnotprogressedbeyondtheletterA。Itwasexceedinglycopiousandentertaining，writtenwithquaintnessandcolour，exact，erudite，aliteraryarticle。butitwouldhardlyhaveaffordedguidancetoapractisingphysicianofto-day。Thefemininegoodsenseofhiswifehadledhertopointthisoutwithuncompromisingsincerity。fortheDictionarywasdulyreadaloudtoher，betwixtsleepandwaning，asitproceededtowardsaninfinitelydistantcompletion。andtheDoctorwasalittlesoreonthesubjectofmummies，andsometimesresentedanallusionwithasperity。

Afterthemiddaymealandaproperperiodofdigestion，hewalked，sometimesalone，sometimesaccompaniedbyJean-Marie。formadamewouldhavepreferredanyhardshipratherthanwalk。

Shewas，asIhavesaid，averybusyperson，continuallyoccupiedaboutmaterialcomforts，andreadytodropasleepoveranoveltheinstantshewasdisengaged。Thiswasthelessobjectionable，assheneversnoredorgrewdistemperedincomplexionwhensheslept。

Onthecontrary，shelookedtheverypictureofluxuriousandappetisingease，andwokewithoutastarttotheperfectpossessionofherfaculties。Iamafraidshewasgreatlyananimal，butshewasaveryniceanimaltohaveabout。Inthisway，shehadlittletodowithJean-Marie。butthesympathywhichhadbeenestablishedbetweenthemonthefirstnightremainedunbroken。theyheldoccasionalconversations，mostlyonhouseholdmatters。totheextremedisappointmentoftheDoctor，theyoccasionallysalliedofftogethertothattempleofdebasingsuperstition，thevillagechurch。madameandhe，bothintheirSunday’sbest，drovetwiceamonthtoFontainebleauandreturnedladenwithpurchases。andinshort，althoughtheDoctorstillcontinuedtoregardthemasirreconcilablyanti-pathetic，theirrelationwasasintimate，friendly，andconfidentialastheirnaturessuffered。

Ifear，however，thatinherheartofhearts，madamekindlydespisedandpitiedtheboy。Shehadnoadmirationforhisclassofvirtues。shelikedasmart，polite，forward，roguishsortofboy，capinhand，lightoffoot，meetingtheeye。shelikedvolubility，charm，alittlevice-thepromiseofasecondDoctorDesprez。AnditwasherindefeasiblebeliefthatJean-Mariewasdull。’Poordearboy，’shehadsaidonce，’howsaditisthatheshouldbesostupid！’Shehadneverrepeatedthatremark，fortheDoctorhadragedlikeawildbull，denouncingthebrutalbluntnessofhermind，bemoaninghisownfatetobesounequallymatedwithanass，and，whattouchedAnastasiemorenearly，menacingthetablechinabythefuryofhisgesticulations。Butsheadheredsilentlytoheropinion。andwhenJean-Mariewassitting，stolid，blank，butnotunhappy，overhisunfinishedtasks，shewouldsnatchheropportunityintheDoctor’sabsence，goovertohim，putherarmsabouthisneck，layhercheektohis，andcommunicatehersympathywithhisdistress。’Donotmind，’shewouldsay。’I，too，amnotatallclever，andIcanassureyouthatitmakesnodifferenceinlife。’

TheDoctor’sviewwasnaturallydifferent。Thatgentlemanneverweariedofthesoundofhisownvoice，whichwas，tosaythetruth，agreeableenoughtohear。Henowhadalistener，whowasnotsocynicallyindifferentasAnastasie，andwhosometimesputhimonhismettlebythemostrelevantobjections。Besides，washenoteducatingtheboy？Andeducation，philosophersareagreed，isthemostphilosophicalofduties。Whatcanbemoreheavenlytopoormankindthantohaveone’shobbygrowintoadutytotheState？

Then，indeed，dothewaysoflifebecomewaysofpleasantness。

NeverhadtheDoctorseenreasontobemorecontentwithhisendowments。Philosophyflowedsmoothlyfromhislips。Hewassoagileadialecticianthathecouldtracehisnonsense，whenchallenged，backtosomerootinsense，andproveittobeasortoffloweruponhissystem。Heslippedoutofantinomieslikeafish，andlefthisdisciplemarvellingattherabbi’sdepth。

Moreover，deepdowninhishearttheDoctorwasdisappointedwiththeill-successofhismoreformaleducation。Aboy，chosenbysoacuteanobserverforhisaptitude，andguidedalongthepathoflearningbysophilosophicaninstructor，wasbound，bythenatureoftheuniverse，tomakeamoreobviousandlastingadvance。NowJean-Mariewasslowinallthings，impenetrableinothers。andhispowerofforgettingwasfullyonalevelwithhispowertolearn。

ThereforetheDoctorcherishedhisperipateticlectures，towhichtheboyattended，whichhegenerallyappearedtoenjoy，andbywhichheoftenprofited。

Manyandmanywerethetalkstheyhadtogether。andhealthandmoderationprovedthesubjectoftheDoctor’sdivagations。Tothesehelovinglyreturned。

’Ileadyou，’hewouldsay，’bythegreenpastures。Mysystem，mybeliefs，mymedicines，areresumedinonephrase-toavoidexcess。

Blessednature，healthy，temperatenature，abhorsandexterminatesexcess。Humanlaw，inthismatter，imitatesatagreatdistanceherprovisions。andwemuststrivetosupplementtheeffortsofthelaw。Yes，boy，wemustbealawtoourselvesandforourselvesandforourneighbours-lexarmata-armed，emphatic，tyrannouslaw。

Ifyouseeacrapuloushumanruinsnuffing，dashfromhimhisbox！

Thejudge，thoughinawayanadmissionofdisease，islessoffensivetomethaneitherthedoctororthepriest。Aboveallthedoctor-thedoctorandthepurulenttrashandgarbageofhispharmacopoeia！Pureair-fromtheneighbourhoodofapinetumforthesakeoftheturpentine-unadulteratedwine，andthereflectionsofanunsophisticatedspiritinthepresenceoftheworksofnature-these，myboy，arethebestmedicalappliancesandthebestreligiouscomforts。Devoteyourselftothese。Hark！

therearethebellsofBourron(thewindisinthenorth，itwillbefair)。Howclearandairyisthesound！Thenervesareharmonisedandquieted。themindattunedtosilence。andobservehoweasilyandregularlybeatstheheart！Yourunenlighteneddoctorwouldseenothinginthesesensations。andyetyouyourselfperceivetheyareapartofhealth-Didyourememberyourcinchonathismorning？Good。Cinchonaalsoisaworkofnature。

itis，afterall，onlythebarkofatreewhichwemightgatherforourselvesifwelivedinthelocality-Whataworldisthis！

Thoughaprofessedatheist，Idelighttobearmytestimonytotheworld。Lookatthegratuitousremediesandpleasuresthatsurroundourpath！Theriverrunsbythegardenend，ourbath，ourfishpond，ournaturalsystemofdrainage。Thereisawellinthecourtwhichsendsupsparklingwaterfromtheearth’sveryheart，clean，cool，and，withalittlewine，mostwholesome。Thedistrictisnotoriousforitssalubrity。rheumatismistheonlyprevalentcomplaint，andImyselfhaveneverhadatouchofit。Itellyou-

andmyopinionisbaseduponthecoldest，clearestprocessesofreason-ifI，ifyou，desiredtoleavethishomeofpleasures，itwouldbetheduty，itwouldbetheprivilege，ofourbestfriendtopreventuswithapistolbullet。’

OnebeautifulJunedaytheysatuponthehilloutsidethevillage。

Theriver，asblueasheaven，shonehereandthereamongthefoliage。TheindefatigablebirdsturnedandflickeredaboutGretzchurchtower。Ahealthywindblewfromovertheforest，andthesoundofinnumerablethousandsoftree-topsandinnumerablemillionsonmillionsofgreenleaveswasabroadintheair，andfilledtheearwithsomethingbetweenwhisperedspeechandsinging。

Itseemedasifeverybladeofgrassmusthideacigale。andthefieldsrangmerrilywiththeirmusic，jinglingfarandnearaswiththesleigh-bellsofthefairyqueen。Fromtheirstationontheslopetheeyeembracedalargespaceofpoplar’dplainupontheonehand，thewavinghill-topsoftheforestontheother，andGretzitselfinthemiddle，ahandfulofroofs。Underthebestridingarchoftheblueheavens，theplaceseemeddwindledtoatoy。Itseemedincrediblethatpeopledwelt，andcouldfindroomtoturnorairtobreathe，insuchacorneroftheworld。Thethoughtcamehometotheboy，perhapsforthefirsttime，andhegaveitwords。

’Howsmallitlooks！’hesighed。

’Ay，’repliedtheDoctor，’smallenoughnow。Yetitwasonceawalledcity。thriving，fulloffurredburgessesandmeninarmour，hummingwithaffairs-withtallspires，foraughtthatIknow，andportlytowersalongthebattlements。Athousandchimneysceasedsmokingatthecurfewbell。Thereweregibbetsatthegateasthickasscarecrows。Intimeofwar，theassaultswarmedagainstitwithladders，thearrowsfelllikeleaves，thedefenderssalliedhotlyoverthedrawbridge，eachsideuttereditscryastheypliedtheirweapons。DoyouknowthatthewallsextendedasfarastheCommanderie？Traditionsoreports。Alas，whatalongwayoffisallthisconfusion-nothingleftofitbutmyquietwordsspokeninyourear-andthetownitselfshrunktothehamletunderneathus！By-and-bycametheEnglishwars-youshallhearmoreoftheEnglish，astupidpeople，whosometimesblunderedintogood-andGretzwastaken，sacked，andburned。Itisthehistoryofmanytowns。butGretzneverroseagain。itwasneverrebuilt。

itsruinswereaquarrytoservethegrowthofrivals。andthestonesofGretzarenowerectalongthestreetsofNemours。Itgratifiesmethatouroldhousewasthefirsttoriseafterthecalamity。whenthetownhadcometoanend，itinauguratedthehamlet。’

’I，too，amgladofthat，’saidJean-Marie。

’Itshouldbethetempleofthehumblervirtues，’respondedtheDoctorwithasavourygusto。’PerhapsoneofthereasonswhyI

lovemylittlehamletasIdo，isthatwehaveasimilarhistory，sheandI。HaveItoldyouthatIwasoncerich？’

’Idonotthinkso，’answeredJean-Marie。’IdonotthinkIshouldhaveforgotten。Iamsorryyoushouldhavelostyourfortune。’

’Sorry？’criedtheDoctor。’Why，IfindIhavescarcebegunyoureducationafterall。Listentome！WouldyouratherliveintheoldGretzorinthenew，freefromthealarmsofwar，withthegreencountryatthedoor，withoutnoise，passports，theexactionsofthesoldiery，orthejangleofthecurfew-belltosendusofftobedbysundown？’

’IsupposeIshouldpreferthenew，’repliedtheboy。

’Precisely，’returnedtheDoctor。’sodoI。And，inthesameway，Iprefermypresentmoderatefortunetomyformerwealth。Goldenmediocrity！criedtheadorableancients。andIsubscribetotheirenthusiasm。HaveInotgoodwine，goodfood，goodair，thefieldsandtheforestformywalk，ahouse，anadmirablewife，aboywhomIprotestIcherishlikeason？Now，ifIwerestillrich，I

shouldindubitablymakemyresidenceinParis-youknowParis-

ParisandParadisearenotconvertibleterms。ThispleasantnoiseofthewindstreamingamongleaveschangedintothegrindingBabelofthestreet，thestupidglareofplastersubstitutedforthisquietpatternofgreensandgreys，thenervesshattered，thedigestionfalsified-picturethefall！Alreadyyouperceivetheconsequences。themindisstimulated，theheartstepstoadifferentmeasure，andthemanishimselfnolonger。Ihavepassionatelystudiedmyself-thetruebusinessofphilosophy。I

knowmycharacterasthemusicianknowstheventagesofhisflute。

ShouldIreturntoParis，Ishouldruinmyselfgambling。nay，Igofurther-IshouldbreaktheheartofmyAnastasiewithinfidelities。’

ThiswastoomuchforJean-Marie。Thataplaceshouldsotransformthemostexcellentofmentranscendedhisbelief。Paris，heprotested，wasevenanagreeableplaceofresidence。’NorwhenI

livedinthatcitydidIfeelmuchdifference，’hepleaded。

’What！’criedtheDoctor。’Didyounotstealwhenyouwerethere？’

Buttheboycouldneverbebroughttoseethathehaddoneanythingwrongwhenhestole。Nor，indeed，didtheDoctorthinkhehad。butthatgentlemanwasneververyscrupulouswheninwantofaretort。

’Andnow，’heconcluded，’doyoubegintounderstand？Myonlyfriendswerethosewhoruinedme。Gretzhasbeenmyacademy，mysanatorium，myheavenofinnocentpleasures。Ifmillionsareofferedme，Iwavethemback：RETRO，SATHANAS！-Evilone，begone！

Fixyourmindonmyexample。despiseriches，avoidthedebasinginfluenceofcities。Hygiene-hygieneandmediocrityoffortune-

thesebeyourwatchwordsduringlife！’

TheDoctor’ssystemofhygienestrikinglycoincidedwithhistastes。andhispictureoftheperfectlifewasafaithfuldescriptionoftheonehewasleadingatthetime。Butitiseasytoconvinceaboy，whomyousupplywithallthefactsforthediscussion。Andbesides，therewasonethingadmirableinthephilosophy，andthatwastheenthusiasmofthephilosopher。Therewasneveranyonemorevigorouslydeterminedtobepleased。andifhewasnotagreatlogician，andsohadnorighttoconvincetheintellect，hewascertainlysomethingofapoet，andhadafascinationtoseducetheheart。Whathecouldnotachieveinhiscustomaryhumourofaradiantadmirationofhimselfandhiscircumstances，hesometimeseffectedinhisfitsofgloom。

’Boy，’hewouldsay，’avoidmeto-day。IfIweresuperstitious，I

shouldevenbegforaninterestinyourprayers。Iamintheblackfit。theevilspiritofKingSaul，thehagofthemerchantAbudah，thepersonaldevilofthemediaevalmonk，iswithme-isinme，’

tappingonhisbreast。’Thevicesofmynaturearenowuppermost。

innocentpleasureswoomeinvain。IlongforParis，formywallowinginthemire。See，’hewouldcontinue，producingahandfulofsilver，’Idenudemyself，Iamnottobetrustedwiththepriceofafare。Takeit，keepitforme，squanderitondeleteriouscandy，throwitinthedeepestoftheriver-Iwillhomologateyouraction。SavemefromthatpartofmyselfwhichI

disown。Ifyouseemefalter，donothesitate。ifnecessary，wreckthetrain！Ispeak，ofcourse，byaparable。AnyextremitywerebetterthanformetoreachParisalive。’

DoubtlesstheDoctorenjoyedtheselittlescenes，asavariationinhispart。theyrepresentedtheByronicelementinthesomewhatartificialpoetryofhisexistence。buttotheboy，thoughhewasdimlyawareoftheirtheatricality，theyrepresentedmore。TheDoctormadeperhapstoolittle，theboypossiblytoomuch，oftherealityandgravityofthesetemptations。

OnedayagreatlightshoneforJean-Marie。’Couldnotrichesbeusedwell？’heasked。

’Intheory，yes，’repliedtheDoctor。’Butitisfoundinexperiencethatnoonedoesso。Alltheworldimaginetheywillbeexceptionalwhentheygrowwealthy。butpossessionisdebasing，newdesiresspringup。andthesillytasteforostentationeatsouttheheartofpleasure。’

’Thenyoumightbebetterifyouhadless，’saidtheboy。

’Certainlynot，’repliedtheDoctor。buthisvoicequaveredashespoke。

’Why？’demandedpitilessinnocence。

DoctorDesprezsawallthecoloursoftherainbowinamoment。thestableuniverseappearedtobeaboutcapsizingwithhim。

’Because，’saidhe-affectingdeliberationafteranobviouspause-’becauseIhaveformedmylifeformypresentincome。Itisnotgoodformenofmyyearstobeviolentlydisseveredfromtheirhabits。’

Thatwasasharpbrush。TheDoctorbreathedhard，andfellintotaciturnityfortheafternoon。Asfortheboy，hewasdelightedwiththeresolutionofhisdoubts。evenwonderedthathehadnotforeseentheobviousandconclusiveanswer。HisfaithintheDoctorwasastoutpieceofgoods。Desprezwasinclinedtobeasheetinthewind’seyeafterdinner，especiallyafterRhonewine，hisfavouriteweakness。HewouldthenremarkonthewarmthofhisfeelingforAnastasie，andwithinflamedcheeksandaloose，flusteredsmile，debateuponallsortsoftopics，andbefeeblyandindiscreetlywitty。Buttheadoptedstable-boywouldnotpermithimselftoentertainadoubtthatsavouredofingratitude。Itisquitetruethatamanmaybeasecondfathertoyou，andyettaketoomuchtodrink。butthebestnaturesareeverslowtoacceptsuchtruths。

TheDoctorthoroughlypossessedhisheart，butperhapsheexaggeratedhisinfluenceoverhismind。CertainlyJean-Marieadoptedsomeofhismaster’sopinions，butIhaveyettolearnthatheeversurrenderedoneofhisown。Convictionsexistedinhimbydivineright。theywerevirgin，unwrought，thebrutemetalofdecision。Hecouldaddothersindeed，buthecouldnotputaway。

neitherdidhecareiftheywereperfectlyagreedamongthemselves。

andhisspiritualpleasureshadnothingtodowithturningthemoverorjustifyingtheminwords。Wordswerewithhimamereaccomplishment，likedancing。Whenhewasbyhimself，hispleasureswerealmostvegetable。HewouldslipintothewoodstowardsAcheres，andsitinthemouthofacaveamonggreybirches。

Hissoulstaredstraightoutofhiseyes。hedidnotmoveorthink。

sunlight，thinshadowsmovinginthewind，theedgeoffirsagainstthesky，occupiedandboundhisfaculties。Hewaspureunity，aspiritwhollyabstracted。Asinglemoodfilledhim，towhichalltheobjectsofsensecontributed，asthecoloursofthespectrummergeanddisappearinwhitelight。

SowhiletheDoctormadehimselfdrunkwithwords，theadoptedstable-boybemusedhimselfwithsilence。

CHAPTERV。TREASURETROVE。

THEDoctor’scarriagewasatwo-wheeledgigwithahood。akindofvehicleinmuchfavouramongcountrydoctors。Onhowmanyroadshasonenotseenit，agreatwayoffbetweenthepoplars！-inhowmanyvillagestreets，tiedtoagate-post！Thissortofchariotisaffected-particularlyatthetrot-byakindofpitchingmovementtoandfroacrosstheaxle，whichwellentitlesittothestyleofaNoddy。Thehooddescribesaconsiderablearcagainstthelandscape，withasolemnlyabsurdeffectonthecontemplativepedestrian。Torideinsuchacarriagecannotbenumberedamongthethingsthatappertaintoglory。butIhavenodoubtitmaybeusefulinlivercomplaint。Thence，perhaps，itswidepopularityamongphysicians。

Onemorningearly，Jean-MarieledforththeDoctor’snoddy，openedthegate，andmountedtothedriving-seat。TheDoctorfollowed，arrayedfromtoptotoeinspotlesslinen，armedwithanimmenseflesh-colouredumbrella，andgirtwithabotanicalcaseonabaldric。andtheequipagedroveoffsmartlyinabreezeofitsownprovocation。TheywereboundforFranchard，tocollectplants，withaneyetothe’ComparativePharmacopoeia。’

Alittlerattlingontheopenroads，andtheycametothebordersoftheforestandstruckintoanunfrequentedtrack。thenoddyyawedsoftlyoverthesand，withanaccompanimentofsnappingtwigs。Therewasagreat，green，softlymurmuringcloudofcongregatedfoliageoverhead。Inthearcadesoftheforesttheairretainedthefreshnessofthenight。Theathleticbearingofthetrees，eachcarryingitsleafymountain，pleasedthemindlikesomanystatues。andthelinesofthetrunkledtheeyeadmiringlyupwardtowheretheextremeleavessparkledinapatchofazure。

Squirrelsleapedinmidair。ItwasaproperspotforadevoteeofthegoddessHygieia。

’HaveyoubeentoFranchard，Jean-Marie？’inquiredtheDoctor。’I

fancynot。’

’Never，’repliedtheboy。

’Itisruininagorge，’continuedDesprez，adoptinghisexpositoryvoice。’theruinofahermitageandchapel。HistorytellsusmuchofFranchard。howthereclusewasoftenslainbyrobbers。howhelivedonamostinsufficientdiet。howhewasexpectedtopasshisdaysinprayer。Aletterispreserved，addressedtooneofthesesolitariesbythesuperiorofhisorder，fullofadmirablehygienicadvice。biddinghimgofromhisbooktopraying，andsobackagain，forvariety’ssake，andwhenhewaswearyofbothtostrollabouthisgardenandobservethehoneybees。Itistothisdaymyownsystem。YoumustoftenhaveremarkedmeleavingthePharmacopoeia-ofteneveninthemiddleofaphrase-tocomeforthintothesunandair。Iadmirethewriterofthatletterfrommyheart。hewasamanofthoughtonthemostimportantsubjects。But，indeed，hadIlivedintheMiddleAges(IamheartilygladthatIdidnot)Ishouldhavebeenaneremitemyself-ifIhadnotbeenaprofessedbuffoon，thatis。Theseweretheonlyphilosophicallivesyetopen：laughterorprayer。sneers，wemightsay，andtears。UntilthesunofthePositivearose，thewisemanhadtomakehischoicebetweenthesetwo。’

’Ihavebeenabuffoon，ofcourse，’observedJean-Marie。

’Icannotimagineyoutohaveexcelledinyourprofession，’saidtheDoctor，admiringtheboy’sgravity。’Doyoueverlaugh？’

’Oh，yes，’repliedtheother。’Ilaughoften。Iamveryfondofjokes。’

’Singularbeing！’saidDesprez。’ButIdivagate(IperceiveinathousandwaysthatIgrowold)。FranchardwasatlengthdestroyedintheEnglishwars，thesamethatlevelledGretz。But-hereisthepoint-thehermits(fortherewerealreadymorethanone)hadforeseenthedangerandcarefullyconcealedthesacrificialvessels。Thesevesselswereofmonstrousvalue，Jean-Marie-

monstrousvalue-priceless，wemaysay。exquisitelyworked，ofexquisitematerial。Andnow，markme，theyhaveneverbeenfound。

InthereignofLouisQuatorzesomefellowsweredigginghardbytheruins。Suddenly-tock！-thespadehituponanobstacle。

Imaginethemenfoolingonetoanother。imaginehowtheirheartsbounded，howtheircolourcameandwent。Itwasacoffer，andinFranchardtheplaceofburiedtreasure！Theytoreitopenlikefamishedbeasts。Alas！itwasnotthetreasure。onlysomepriestlyrobes，which，atthetouchoftheeatingair，felluponthemselvesandinstantlywastedintodust。Theperspirationofthesegoodfellowsturnedcolduponthem，Jean-Marie。Iwillpledgemyreputation，iftherewasanythinglikeacuttingwind，oneorotherhadapneumoniaforhistrouble。’

’Ishouldliketohaveseenthemturningintodust，’saidJean-

Marie。’Otherwise，Ishouldnothavecaredsogreatly。’

’Youhavenoimagination，’criedtheDoctor。’Picturetoyourselfthescene。Dwellontheidea-agreattreasurelyingintheearthforcenturies：thematerialforagiddy，copious，opulentexistencenotemployed。dressesandexquisitepicturesunseen。theswiftestgallopinghorsesnotstirringahoof，arrestedbyaspell。womenwiththebeautifulfacultyofsmiles，notsmiling。cards，dice，operasinging，orchestras，castles，beautifulparksandgardens，bigshipswithatowerofsailcloth，alllyingunborninacoffin-

andthestupidtreesgrowingoverheadinthesunlight，yearafteryear。Thethoughtdrivesonefrantic。’

’Itisonlymoney，’repliedJean-Marie。’Itwoulddoharm。’

’O，come！’criedDesprez，’thatisphilosophy。itisallveryfine，butnottothepointjustnow。Andbesides，itisnotonlymoney，asyoucallit。thereareworksofartinthequestion。thevesselswerecarved。Youspeaklikeachild。Youwearymeexceedingly，quotingmywordsoutofalllogicalconnection，likeaparroquet。’

’Andatanyrate，wehavenothingtodowithit，’returnedtheboysubmissively。

TheystrucktheRouteRondeatthatmoment。andthesuddenchangetotherattlingcausewaycombined，withtheDoctor’sirritation，tokeephimsilent。Thenoddyjiggedalong。thetreeswentby，lookingonsilently，asiftheyhadsomethingontheirminds。TheQuadrilateralwaspassed。thencameFranchard。Theyputupthehorseatthelittlesolitaryinn，andwentforthstrolling。Thegorgewasdyeddeeplywithheather。therocksandbirchesstandingluminousinthesun。AgreathummingofbeesabouttheflowersdisposedJean-Marietosleep，andhesatdownagainstaclumpofheather，whiletheDoctorwentbrisklytoandfro，withquickturns，cullinghissimples。

Theboy’sheadhadfallenalittleforward，hiseyeswereclosed，hisfingershadfallenlaxabouthisknees，whenasuddencrycalledhimtohisfeet。Itwasastrangesound，thinandbrief。itfelldead，andsilencereturnedasthoughithadneverbeeninterrupted。HehadnotrecognisedtheDoctor’svoice。but，astherewasnooneelseinallthevalley，itwasplainlytheDoctorwhohadgivenutterancetothesound。Helookedrightandleft，andtherewasDesprez，standinginanichebetweentwoboulders，andlookingroundonhisadoptedsonwithacountenanceaswhiteaspaper。

’Aviper！’criedJean-Marie，runningtowardshim。’Aviper！Youarebitten！’

TheDoctorcamedownheavilyoutofthecleft，and，advancedinsilencetomeettheboy，whomhetookroughlybytheshoulder。

’Ihavefoundit，’hesaid，withagasp。

’Aplant？’askedJean-Marie。

Desprezhadafitofunnaturalgaiety，whichtherockstookupandmimicked。’Aplant！’herepeatedscornfully。’Well-yes-aplant。Andhere，’headdedsuddenly，showinghisrighthand，whichhehadhithertoconcealedbehindhisback-’hereisoneofthebulbs。’

Jean-Mariesawadirtyplatter，coatedwithearth。

’That？’saidhe。’Itisaplate！’

’Itisacoachandhorses，’criedtheDoctor。’Boy，’hecontinued，growingwarmer，’Ipluckedawayagreatpadofmossfrombetweentheseboulders，anddisclosedacrevice。andwhenIlookedin，whatdoyousupposeIsaw？IsawahouseinPariswithacourtandgarden，Isawmywifeshiningwithdiamonds，Isawmyselfadeputy，Isawyou-well，I-Isawyourfuture，’heconcluded，ratherfeebly。’IhavejustdiscoveredAmerica，’headded。

’Butwhatisit？’askedtheboy。

’TheTreasureofFranchard，’criedtheDoctor。and，throwinghisbrownstrawhatupontheground，hewhoopedlikeanIndianandspranguponJean-Marie，whomhesuffocatedwithembracesandbedewedwithtears。Thenheflunghimselfdownamongtheheatherandoncemorelaugheduntilthevalleyrang。

Buttheboyhadnowaninterestofhisown，aboy’sinterest。NosoonerwashereleasedfromtheDoctor’saccoladethanherantotheboulders，sprangintotheniche，and，thrustinghishandintothecrevice，drewforthoneafteranother，encrustedwiththeearthofages，theflagons，candlesticks，andpatensofthehermitageofFranchard。Acasketcamelast，tightlyshutandveryheavy。

’Owhatfun！’hecried。

ButwhenhelookedbackattheDoctor，whohadfollowedclosebehindandwassilentlyobserving，thewordsdiedfromhislips。

Desprezwasoncemorethecolourofashes。hislipworkedandtrembled。asortofbestialgreedpossessedhim。

’Thisischildish，’hesaid。’Weloseprecioustime。Backtotheinn，harnessthetrap，andbringittoyonbank。Runforyourlife，andremember-notonewhisper。Istayheretowatch。’

Jean-Mariedidashewasbid，thoughnotwithoutsurprise。Thenoddywasbroughtroundtothespotindicated。andthetwograduallytransportedthetreasurefromitsplaceofconcealmenttothebootbelowthedrivingseat。OnceitwasallstoredtheDoctorrecoveredhisgaiety。

’Ipaymygratefuldutiestothegeniusofthisdell，’hesaid。

’O，foralivecoal，aheifer，andajarofcountrywine！Iamintheveinforsacrifice，forasuperblibation。Well，andwhynot？

WeareatFranchard。Englishpalealeistobehad-notclassical，indeed，butexcellent。Boy，weshalldrinkale。’

’ButIthoughtitwassounwholesome，’saidJean-Marie，’andverydearbesides。’

’Fiddle-de-dee！’exclaimedtheDoctorgaily。’Totheinn！’

Andhesteppedintothenoddy，tossinghishead，withanelastic，youthfulair。Thehorsewasturned，andinafewsecondstheydrewupbesidethepalingsoftheinngarden。

’Here，’saidDesprez-’here，nearthetable，sothatwemaykeepaneyeuponthings。’

Theytiedthehorse，andenteredthegarden，theDoctorsinging，nowinfantastichighnotes，nowproducingdeepreverberationsfromhischest。Hetookaseat，rappedloudlyonthetable，assailedthewaiterwithwitticisms。andwhenthebottleofBasswasatlengthproduced，farmorechargedwithgasthanthemostdeliriouschampagne，hefilledoutalongglassfuloffrothandpusheditovertoJean-Marie。’Drink，’hesaid。’drinkdeep。’

’Iwouldrathernot，’falteredtheboy，truetohistraining。

’What？’thunderedDesprez。

’Iamafraidofit，’saidJean-Marie：’mystomach-’

’Takeitorleaveit，’interruptedDesprezfiercely。’butunderstanditonceforall-thereisnothingsocontemptibleasaprecisian。’

Herewasanewlesson！Theboysatbemused，lookingattheglassbutnottastingit，whiletheDoctoremptiedandrefilledhisown，atfirstwithcloudedbrow，butgraduallyyieldingtothesun，theheady，pricklingbeverage，andhisownpredispositiontobehappy。

’Onceinaway，’hesaidatlast，bywayofaconcessiontotheboy’smorerigorousattitude，’onceinaway，andatsocriticalamoment，thisaleisanectarforthegods。Thehabit，indeed，isdebasing。wine，thejuiceofthegrape，isthetruedrinkoftheFrenchman，asIhaveoftenhadoccasiontopointout。andIdonotknowthatIcanblameyouforrefusingthisoutlandishstimulant。

Youcanhavesomewineandcakes。Isthebottleempty？Well，wewillnotbeproud。wewillhavepityonyourglass。’

Thebeerbeingdone，theDoctorchafedbitterlywhileJean-Mariefinishedhiscakes。’Iburntobegone，’hesaid，lookingathiswatch。’GoodGod，howslowyoueat！’Andyettoeatslowlywashisownparticularprescription，themainsecretoflongevity！

Hismartyrdom，however，reachedanendatlast。thepairresumedtheirplacesinthebuggy，andDesprez，leaningluxuriouslyback，announcedhisintentionofproceedingtoFontainebleau。

’ToFontainebleau？’repeatedJean-Marie。

’Mywordsarealwaysmeasured，’saidtheDoctor。’On！’

TheDoctorwasdriventhroughthegladesofparadise。theair，thelight，theshiningleaves，theverymovementsofthevehicle，seemedtofallintunewithhisgoldenmeditations。withhisheadthrownback，hedreamedaseriesofsunnyvisions，aleandpleasuredancinginhisveins。Atlasthespoke。

’IshalltelegraphforCasimir，’hesaid。’GoodCasimir！afellowofthelowerorderofintelligence，Jean-Marie，distinctlynotcreative，notpoetic。andyethewillrepayyourstudy。hisfortuneisvast，andisentirelyduetohisownexertions。Heistheveryfellowtohelpustodisposeofourtrinkets，findusasuitablehouseinParis，andmanagethedetailsofourinstallation。

AdmirableCasimir，oneofmyoldestcomrades！Itwasonhisadvice，Imayadd，thatIinvestedmylittlefortuneinTurkishbonds。whenwehaveaddedthesespoilsofthemediaevalchurchtoourstakeintheMahometanempire，littleboy，weshallpositivelyrollamongdoubloons，positivelyroll！Beautifulforest，’hecried，’farewell！Thoughcalledtootherscenes，Iwillnotforgetthee。Thynameisgraveninmyheart。UndertheinfluenceofprosperityIbecomedithyrambic，Jean-Marie。Suchistheimpulseofthenaturalsoul。suchwastheconstitutionofprimaevalman。

AndI-well，Iwillnotrefusethecredit-Ihavepreservedmyyouthlikeavirginity。another，whoshouldhaveledthesamesnoozing，countryfiedexistencefortheseyears，anotherhadbecomerusted，becomestereotype。butI，Ipraisemyhappyconstitution，retainthespringunbroken。Freshopulenceandanewsphereofdutiesfindmeunabatedinardourandonlymorematurebyknowledge。Forthisprospectivechange，Jean-Marie-itmayprobablyhaveshockedyou。Tellmenow，diditnotstrikeyouasaninconsistency？Confess-itisuselesstodissemble-itpainedyou？’

’Yes，’saidtheboy。

’Yousee，’returnedtheDoctor，withsublimefatuity，’Ireadyourthoughts！NoramIsurprised-youreducationisnotyetcomplete。

thehigherdutiesofmenhavenotbeenyetpresentedtoyoufully。

Ahint-tillwehaveleisure-mustsuffice。NowthatIamoncemoreinpossessionofamodestcompetence。nowthatIhavesolongpreparedmyselfinsilentmeditation，itbecomesmysuperiordutytoproceedtoParis。Myscientifictraining，myundoubtedcommandoflanguage，markmeoutfortheserviceofmycountry。Modestyinsuchacasewouldbeasnare。Ifsinwereaphilosophicalexpression，Ishouldcallitsinful。Amanmustnotdenyhismanifestabilities，forthatistoevadehisobligations。Imustbeupanddoing。Imustbenoskulkerinlife’sbattle。’

Soherattledon，copiouslygreasingthejointofhisinconsistencywithwords。whiletheboylistenedsilently，hiseyesfixedonthehorse，hismindseething。Itwasalllosteloquence。noarrayofwordscouldunsettleabeliefofJean-Marie’s。andhedroveintoFontainebleaufilledwithpity，horror，indignation，anddespair。

InthetownJean-Mariewaskeptafixtureonthedriving-seat，toguardthetreasure。whiletheDoctor，withasingular，slightlytipsyairinessofmanner，flutteredinandoutofcafes，whereheshookhandswithgarrisonofficers，andmixedanabsinthewiththenicetyofoldexperience。inandoutofshops，fromwhichhereturnedladenwithcostlyfruits，realturtle，amagnificentpieceofsilkforhiswife，apreposterouscaneforhimself，andakepiofthenewestfashionfortheboy。inandoutofthetelegraphoffice，whencehedespatchedhistelegram，andwherethreehourslaterhereceivedananswerpromisingavisitonthemorrow。andgenerallypervadedFontainebleauwiththefirstfinearomaofhisdivinegoodhumour。

Thesunwasverylowwhentheysetforthagain。theshadowsoftheforesttreesextendedacrossthebroadwhiteroadthatledthemhome。thepenetratingodouroftheeveningwoodhadalreadyarisen，likeacloudofincense，fromthatbroadfieldoftree-tops。andeveninthestreetsofthetown，wheretheairhadbeenbakedalldaybetweenwhitewalls，itcameinwhiffsandpulses，likeadistantmusic。Half-wayhome，thelastgoldflickervanishedfromagreatoakupontheleft。andwhentheycameforthbeyondthebordersofthewood，theplainwasalreadysunkeninpearlygreyness，andagreat，palemooncameswingingskywardthroughthefilmypoplars。

TheDoctorsang，theDoctorwhistled，theDoctortalked。Hespokeofthewoods，andthewars，andthedepositionofdew。hebrightenedandbabbledofParis。hesoaredintocloudybombastonthegloriesofthepoliticalarena。Allwastobechanged。asthedaydeparted，ittookwithitthevestigesofanoutwornexistence，andto-morrow’ssunwastoinauguratethenew。’Enough，’hecried，’ofthislifeofmaceration！’Hiswife(stillbeautiful，orhewassadlypartial)wastobenolongerburied。sheshouldnowshinebeforesociety。Jean-Mariewouldfindtheworldathisfeet。theroadsopentosuccess，wealth，honour，andpost-humousrenown。

’AndO，bytheway，’saidhe，’forGod’ssakekeepyourtonguequiet！Youare，ofcourse，averysilentfellow。itisaqualityI

gladlyrecogniseinyou-silence，goldensilence！Butthisisamatterofgravity。Nowordmustgetabroad。nonebutthegoodCasimiristobetrusted。weshallprobablydisposeofthevesselsinEngland。’

’Butaretheynotevenours？’theboysaid，almostwithasob-itwastheonlytimehehadspoken。

’Oursinthissense，thattheyarenobodyelse’s，’repliedtheDoctor。’ButtheStatewouldhavesomeclaim。Iftheywerestolen，forinstance，weshouldbeunabletodemandtheirrestitution。weshouldhavenotitle。weshouldbeunableeventocommunicatewiththepolice。Suchisthemonstrousconditionofthelaw。(6)Itisamereinstanceofwhatremainstobedone，oftheinjusticesthatmayyetberightedbyanardent，active，andphilosophicaldeputy。’

Jean-MarieputhisfaithinMadameDesprez。andastheydroveforwarddowntheroadfromBourron，betweentherustlingpoplars，heprayedinhisteeth，andwhippedupthehorsetoanunusualspeed。Surely，assoonastheyarrived，madamewouldasserthercharacter，andbringthiswakingnightmaretoanend。

TheirentranceintoGretzwasheraldedandaccompaniedbyamostfuriousbarking。allthedogsinthevillageseemedtosmellthetreasureinthenoddy。Buttherewasnooneinthestreet，savethreelounginglandscapepaintersatTentaillon’sdoor。Jean-Marieopenedthegreengateandledinthehorseandcarriage。andalmostatthesamemomentMadameDesprezcametothekitchenthresholdwithalightedlantern。forthemoonwasnotyethighenoughtoclearthegardenwalls。

’Closethegates，Jean-Marie！’criedtheDoctor，somewhatunsteadilyalighting。’Anastasie，whereisAline？’

’ShehasgonetoMontereautoseeherparents，’saidmadame。

’Allisforthebest！’exclaimedtheDoctorfervently。’Here，quick，comeneartome。Idonotwishtospeaktooloud，’hecontinued。’Darling，wearewealthy！’

’Wealthy！’repeatedthewife。

’IhavefoundthetreasureofFranchard，’repliedherhusband。

’See，herearethefirstfruits。apineapple，adressformyever-

beautiful-itwillsuither-trustahusband’s，trustalover’s，taste！Embraceme，darling！Thisgrimyepisodeisover。thebutterflyunfoldsitspaintedwings。To-morrowCasimirwillcome。

inaweekwemaybeinParis-happyatlast！Youshallhavediamonds。Jean-Marie，takeitoutoftheboot，withreligiouscare，andbringitpiecebypieceintothedining-room。Weshallhaveplateattable！Darling，hastenandpreparethisturtle。itwillbeawhet-itwillbeanadditiontoourmeagreordinary。I

myselfwillproceedtothecellar。WeshallhaveabottleofthatlittleBeaujolaisyoulike，andfinishwiththeHermitage。therearestillthreebottlesleft。Worthywineforaworthyoccasion。’

’But，myhusband。youputmeinawhirl，’shecried。’Idonotcomprehend。’

’Theturtle，myadored，theturtle！’criedthedoctor。andhepushedhertowardsthekitchen，lanternandall。

Jean-Mariestooddumfounded。Hehadpicturedtohimselfadifferentscene-amoreimmediateprotest，andhishopebegantodwindleonthespot。

TheDoctorwaseverywhere，alittledoubtfulonhislegs，perhaps，andnowandthentakingthewallwithhisshoulder。foritwaslongsincehehadtastedabsinthe，andhewaseventhenreflectingthattheabsinthehadbeenamisconception。Notthatheregrettedexcessonsuchagloriousday，buthemadeamentalmemorandumtobeware。hemustnot，asecondtime，becomethevictimofadeleterioushabit。Hehadhiswineoutofthecellarinatwinkling。hearrangedthesacrificialvessels，someonthewhitetable-cloth，someonthesideboard，stillcrustedwithhistoricearth。Hewasinandoutofthekitchen，plyingAnastasiewithvermouth，heatingherwithglimpsesofthefuture，estimatingtheirnewwealthateverlargerfigures。andbeforetheysatdowntosupper，thelady’svirtuehadmeltedinthefireofhisenthusiasm，hertimidityhaddisappeared。she，too，hadbeguntospeakdisparaginglyofthelifeatGretz。andasshetookherplaceandhelpedthesoup，hereyesshonewiththeglitterofprospectivediamonds。

Allthroughthemeal，sheandtheDoctormadeandunmadefairyplans。Theybobbedandbowedandpledgedeachother。Theirfacesranoverwithsmiles。theireyesscatteredsparkles，astheyprojectedtheDoctor’spoliticalhonoursandthelady’sdrawing-

roomovations。

’ButyouwillnotbeaRed！’criedAnastasie。

’IamLeftCentretothecore，’repliedtheDoctor。

’MadameGasteinwillpresentus-weshallfindourselvesforgotten，’saidthelady。

’Never，’protestedtheDoctor。’Beautyandtalentleaveamark。’

’Ihavepositivelyforgottenhowtodress，’shesighed。

’Darling，youmakemeblush，’criedhe。’Yourshasbeenatragicmarriage！’

’Butyoursuccess-toseeyouappreciated，honoured，yournameinallthepapers，thatwillbemorethanpleasure-itwillbeheaven！’shecried。

’Andonceaweek，’saidtheDoctor，archlyscanningthesyllables，’onceaweek-onegoodlittlegameofbaccarat？’

’Onlyonceaweek？’shequestioned，threateninghimwithafinger。

’Iswearitbymypoliticalhonour，’criedhe。

’Ispoilyou，’shesaid，andgavehimherhand。

Hecovereditwithkisses。

Jean-Marieescapedintothenight。ThemoonswunghighoverGretz。

Hewentdowntothegardenendandsatonthejetty。Theriverranbywitheddiesofoilysilver，andalow，monotonoussong。Faintveilsofmistmovedamongthepoplarsonthefartherside。Thereedswerequietlynodding。Ahundredtimesalreadyhadtheboysat，onsuchanight，andwatchedthestreamingriverwithuntroubledfancy。Andthisperhapswastobethelast。Hewastoleavethisfamiliarhamlet，thisgreen，rustlingcountry，thisbrightandquietstream。hewastopassintothegreatcity。hisdearladymistresswastomovebedizenedinsaloons。hisgood，garrulous，kind-heartedmastertobecomeabrawlingdeputy。andbothbelostforevertoJean-Marieandtheirbetterselves。Heknewhisowndefects。heknewhemustsinkintolessandlessconsiderationintheturmoilofacitylife，sinkmoreandmorefromthechildintotheservant。AndhebegandimlytobelievetheDoctor’spropheciesofevil。Hecouldseeachangeinboth。Hisgenerousincredulityfailedhimforthisonce。achildmusthaveperceivedthattheHermitagehadcompletedwhattheabsinthehadbegun。Ifthiswerethefirstday，whatwouldbethelast？’Ifnecessary，wreckthetrain，’thoughthe，rememberingtheDoctor’sparable。Helookedroundonthedelightfulscene。hedrankdeepofthecharmednightair，ladenwiththescentofhay。’Ifnecessary，wreckthetrain，’herepeated。Andheroseandreturnedtothehouse。

CHAPTERVI。ACRIMINALINVESTIGATION，INTWOPARTS。

THEnextmorningtherewasamostunusualoutcry，intheDoctor’shouse。Thelastthingbeforegoingtobed，theDoctorhadlockedupsomevaluablesinthedining-roomcupboard。andbehold，whenheroseagain，ashedidaboutfouro’clock，thecupboardhadbeenbrokenopen，andthevaluablesinquestionhaddisappeared。MadameandJean-Marieweresummonedfromtheirrooms，andappearedinhastytoilets。theyfoundtheDoctorraving，callingtheheavenstowitnessandavengehisinjury，pacingtheroombare-footed，withthetailsofhisnight-shirtflirtingasheturned。

’Gone！’hesaid。’thethingsaregone，thefortunegone！Wearepaupersoncemore。Boy！whatdoyouknowofthis？Speakup，sir，speakup。Doyouknowofit？Wherearethey？’Hehadhimbythearm，shakinghimlikeabag，andtheboy’swords，ifhehadany，werejoltedforthininarticulatemurmurs。TheDoctor，witharevulsionfromhisownviolence，sethimdownagain。HeobservedAnastasieintears。’Anastasie，’hesaid，inquiteanalteredvoice，’composeyourself，commandyourfeelings。Iwouldnothaveyougivewaytopassionlikethevulgar。This-thistriflingaccidentmustbeliveddown。Jean-Marie，bringmemysmallermedicinechest。Agentlelaxativeisindicated。’

Andhedosedthefamilyallround，leadingthewayhimselfwithadoublequantity。ThewretchedAnastasie，whohadneverbeenillinthewholecourseofherexistence，andwhosesoulrecoiledfromremedies，weptfloodsoftearsasshesipped，andshuddered，andprotested，andthenwasbulliedandshoutedatuntilshesippedagain。AsforJean-Marie，hetookhisportiondownwithstoicism。

’Ihavegivenhimalessamount，’observedtheDoctor，’hisyouthprotectinghimagainstemotion。Andnowthatwehavethusparriedanymorbidconsequences，letusreason。’

’Iamsocold，’wailedAnastasie。

’Cold！’criedtheDoctor。’IgivethankstoGodthatIammadeoffieriermaterial。Why，madam，ablowlikethiswouldsetafrogintoatranspiration。Ifyouarecold，youcanretire。and，bytheway，youmightthrowmedownmytrousers。Itischillyforthelegs。’

’Oh，no！’protestedAnastasie。’Iwillstaywithyou。’

’Nay，madam，youshallnotsufferforyourdevotion，’saidtheDoctor。’Iwillmyselffetchyouashawl。’AndhewentupstairsandreturnedmorefullycladandwithanarmfulofwrapsfortheshiveringAnastasie。’Andnow，’heresumed，’toinvestigatethiscrime。Letusproceedbyinduction。Anastasie，doyouknowanythingthatcanhelpus？’Anastasieknewnothing。’Oryou，Jean-Marie？’

’NotI，’repliedtheboysteadily。

’Good，’returnedtheDoctor。’Weshallnowturnourattentiontothematerialevidences。(Iwasborntobeadetective。Ihavetheeyeandthesystematicspirit。)First，violencehasbeenemployed。