第3章

Ordinarilyawomanfeels，enjoys，andjudges，successively；hencethreedistinctages，thelastofwhichcoincideswiththemournfulperiodofoldage。InMademoiselledesTouchesthisorderwasreversed。Heryouthwaswrappedinthesnowsofknowledgeandtheiceofreflection。Thistranspositionis，intruth，anadditionalexplanationofthestrangenessofherlifeandthenatureofhertalent。Sheobservedmenatanagewhenmostwomencanonlyseeoneman；shedespisedwhatotherwomenadmired；shedetectedfalsehoodintheflatteriestheyacceptastruths；shelaughedatthingsthatmadethemserious。Thiscontradictionofherlifewiththatofotherslastedlong；butitcametoaterribleend；shewasdestinedtofindinhersoulafirstlove，youngandfresh，atanagewhenwomenaresummonedbyNaturetorenouncealllove。

Meantime，afirstaffairinwhichshewasinvolvedhasalwaysremainedasecretfromtheworld。Felicite，likeotherwomen，wasinducedtobelievethatbeautyofbodywasthatofsoul。Shefellinlovewithaface，andlearned，tohercost，thefollyofamanofgallantry，whosawnothinginherbutamerewoman。Itwassometimebeforesherecoveredfromthedisgustshefeltatthisepisode。Herdistresswasperceivedbyafriend，aman，whoconsoledherwithoutpersonalafter-

thought，or，atanyrate，heconcealedanysuchmotiveifhehadit。

InhimFelicitebelievedshefoundtheheartandmindwhichwerelackingtoherformerlover。Hedid，intruth，possessoneofthemostoriginalmindsofourage。He，too，wroteunderapseudonym，andhisfirstpublicationswerethoseofanadorerofItaly。TravelwastheoneformofeducationwhichFelicitelacked。Amanofgenius，apoetandacritic，hetookFelicitetoItalyinordertomakeknowntoherthatcountryofallArt。Thiscelebratedman，whoisnameless，mayberegardedasthemasterandmakerof”CamilleMaupin。”HeboughtintoorderandshapethevastamountofknowledgealreadyacquiredbyFelicite；increaseditbystudyofthemasterpieceswithwhichItalyteems；gaveherthefrankness，freedom，andgrace，epigrammatic，andintense，whichisthecharacterofhisowntalent(alwaysratherfancifulastoform)whichCamilleMaupinmodifiedbydelicacyofsentimentandthesoftertermsofthoughtthatarenaturaltoawoman。

HealsorousedinheratasteforGermanandEnglishliteratureandmadeherlearnbothlanguageswhiletravelling。InRome，in1820，FelicitewasdesertedforanItalian。Withoutthatmiseryshemightneverhavebeencelebrated。Napoleoncalledmisfortunethemidwifeofgenius。ThiseventfilledMademoiselledesTouches，andforever，withthatcontemptformenwhichlaterwastomakehersostrong。Felicitedied，CamilleMaupinwasborn。

ShereturnedtoPariswithConti，thegreatmusician，forwhomshewrotethelibrettosoftwooperas。Butshehadnomoreillusions，andshebecame，atheart，unknowntotheworld，asortoffemaleDonJuan，withoutdebtsandwithoutconquests。Encouragedbysuccess，shepublishedthetwovolumesofplayswhichatonceplacedthenameofCamilleMaupininthelistofillustriousanonymas。Next，sherelatedherbetrayedanddeludedloveinashortnovel，oneofthemasterpiecesofthatperiod。Thisbook，ofadangerousexample，wasclassedwith”Adolphe，”adreadfullamentation，thecounterpartofwhichisfoundinCamille’swork。Thetruesecretofherliterarymetamorphosisandpseudonymhasneverbeenfullyunderstood。Somedelicatemindshavethoughtitlayinafemininedesiretoescapefameandremainobscure，whileofferingaman’snameandworktocriticism。

Inspiteofanysuchdesire，ifshehadit，hercelebrityincreaseddaily，partlythroughtheinfluenceofhersalon，partlyfromherownwit，thecorrectnessofherjudgments，andthesolidworthofheracquirements。Shebecameanauthority；hersayingswerequoted；shecouldnolongerlayasideatwillthefunctionswithwhichParisiansocietyinvestedher。Shecametobeanacknowledgedexception。Theworldbowedbeforethegeniusandpositionofthisstrangewoman；itrecognizedandsanctionedherindependence；womenadmiredhermind，menherbeauty。Herconductwasregulatedbyallsocialconventions。

Herfriendshipsseemedpurelyplatonic。Therewas，moreover，nothingofthefemaleauthorabouther。MademoiselledesTouchesischarmingasawomanoftheworld，——languidwhenshepleases，indolent，coquettish，concernedabouthertoilet，pleasedwiththeairynothingssoseductivetowomenandtopoets。SheunderstandsverywellthatafterMadamedeStaelthereisnoplaceinthiscenturyforaSappho，andthatNinoncouldnotexistinPariswithout/grandsseigneurs/andavoluptuouscourt。SheistheNinonoftheintellect；sheadoresArtandartists；shegoesfromthepoettothemusician，fromthesculptortotheprose-writer。Herheartisnoble，endowedwithagenerositythatmakesheradupe；sofilledisshewithpityforsorrow，——filledalsowithcontemptfortheprosperous。Shehaslivedsince1830，thecentreofachoicecircle，surroundedbytriedfriendswholovehertenderlyandesteemeachother。FarfromthenoisyfussofMadamedeStael，farfrompoliticalstrifes，shejokesaboutCamilleMaupin，thatjuniorofGeorgeSand(whomshecallsherbrotherCain)，whoserecentfamehasnoweclipsedherown。MademoiselledesTouchesadmiresherfortunaterivalwithangeliccomposure，feelingnojealousyandnosecretvexation。

Untiltheperiodwhenthishistorybegins，shehadledashappyalifeasawomanstrongenoughtoprotectherselfcanbesupposedtolive。

From1817to1834shehadcomesomefiveorsixtimestoLesTouches。

Herfirststaywasafterherfirstdisillusionin1818。Thehousewasuninhabitable，andshesenthermanofbusinesstoGuerandeandtookalodgingforherselfinthevillage。Atthattimeshehadnosuspicionofhercomingfame；shewassad，shesawnoone；shewanted，asitwere，tocontemplateherselfafterhergreatdisaster。ShewrotetoParistohavethefurniturenecessaryforaresidenceatLesTouchessentdowntoher。ItcamebyavesseltoNantes，thencebysmallboatstoCroisic，fromwhichlittleplaceitwastransported，notwithoutdifficulty，overthesandstoLesTouches。WorkmencamedownfromParis，andbeforelongsheoccupiedLesTouches，whichpleasedherimmensely。Shewantedtomeditateovertheeventsofherlife，likeacloisterednun。

AtthebeginningofthewintershereturnedtoParis。ThelittletownofGuerandewasbythistimerousedtodiabolicalcuriosity；itswholetalkwasoftheAsiaticluxurydisplayedatLesTouches。Hermanofbusinessgaveordersafterherdeparturethatvisitorsshouldbeadmittedtoviewthehouse。TheyflockedfromthevillageofBatz，fromCroisic，andfromSavenay，aswellasfromGuerande。Thispubliccuriositybroughtinanenormoussumtothefamilyoftheporterandgardener，notless，intwoyears，thanseventeenfrancs。

Afterthis，MademoiselledesTouchesdidnotrevisitLesTouchesfortwoyears，notuntilherreturnfromItaly。OnthatoccasionshecamebywayofCroisicandwasaccompaniedbyConti。ItwassometimebeforeGuerandebecameawareofherpresence。HersubsequentapparitionsatLesTouchesexcitedcomparativelylittleinterest。HerParisianfamedidnotprecedeher；hermanofbusinessaloneknewthesecretofherwritingsandofherconnectionwiththecelebrityofCamilleMaupin。ButattheperiodofwhichwearenowwritingthecontagionofthenewideashadmadesomeprogressinGuerande，andseveralpersonsknewofthedualformofMademoiselledesTouches’

existence。Letterscametothepost-office，directedtoCamilleMaupinatLesTouches。Inshort，theveilwasrentaway。InaregionsoessentiallyCatholic，archaic，andfullofprejudice，thesingularlifeofthisillustriouswomanwouldofcoursecauserumors，someofwhich，aswehaveseen，hadreachedtheearsoftheAbbeGrimontandalarmedhim；suchalifecouldneverbecomprehendedinGuerande；infact，toeverymind，itseemedunnaturalandimproper。

Felicite，duringherpresentstay，wasnotaloneinLesTouches。Shehadaguest。ThatguestwasClaudeVignon，ascornfulandpowerfulwriterwho，thoughdoingcriticismonly，hasfoundmeanstogivethepublicandliteraturetheimpressionofacertainsuperiority。

MademoiselledesToucheshadreceivedthiswriterforthelastsevenyears，asshehadsomanyotherauthors，journalists，artists，andmenoftheworld。Sheknewhisnervelessnature，hislaziness，hisutterpenury，hisindifferenceanddisgustforallthings，andyetbythewayshewasnowconductingherselfsheseemedinclinedtomarryhim。

Sheexplainedherconduct，incomprehensibletoherfriends，invariousways，——byambition，bythedreadshefeltofalonelyoldage；shewantedtoconfideherfuturetoasuperiorman，towhomherfortunewouldbeastepping-stone，andthusincreaseherownimportanceintheliteraryworld。

WiththeseapparentintentionsshehadbroughtClaudeVignonfromParistoLesTouches，asaneaglebearsawayakidinitstalons，——tostudyhim，anddecideuponsomepositivecourse。But，intruth，shewasmisleadingbothCalysteandClaude；shewasnoteventhinkingofmarriage；herheartwasinthethroesofthemostviolentconvulsionthatcouldagitateasoulasstrongashers。Shefoundherselfthedupeofherownmind；toolateshesawlifelightedbythesunoflove，shiningasloveshinesinaheartoftwenty。

LetusnowseeCamille’sconventwherethiswashappening。

VII

LESTOUCHES

AfewhundredyardsfromGuerandethesoilofBrittanycomestoanend；thesalt-marshesandthesandydunesbegin。Wedescendintoadesertofsand，whichtheseahasleftforamarginbetweenherselfandearth，byaruggedroadthrougharavinethathasneverseenacarriage。Thisdesertcontainswastetracts，pondsofunequalsize，roundtheshoresofwhichthesaltismadeonmuddybanks，andalittlearmoftheseawhichseparatesthemainlandfromtheislandofCroisic。Geographically，Croisicisreallyapeninsula；butasitholdstoBrittanyonlybythebeacheswhichconnectitwiththevillageofBatz(barrenquicksandsverydifficulttocross)，itmaybemorecorrecttocallitanisland。

AtthepointwheretheroadfromCroisictoGuerandeturnsofffromthemainroadof/terrafirma/，standsacountry-house，surroundedbyalargegarden，remarkableforitstrimmedandtwistedpine-trees，somebeingtrainedtotheshapeofsun-shades，others，strippedoftheirbranches，showingtheirreddenedtrunksinspotswherethebarkhaspeeled。Thesetrees，victimsofhurricanes，growingagainstwindandtide(forthemthesayingisliterallytrue)，preparethemindforthestrangeanddepressingsightofthemarshesanddunes，whichresembleastiffenedocean。Thehouse，fairlywellbuiltofaspeciesofslatystonewithgranitecourses，hasnoarchitecture；itpresentstotheeyeaplainwallwithwindowsatregularintervals。Thesewindowshavesmallleadedpanesontheground-floorandlargepanesontheupperfloor。Abovearetheattics，whichstretchthewholelengthofanenormouslyhighpointedroof，withtwogablesandtwolargedormerwindowsoneachsideofit。Underthetriangularpointofeachgableacircularwindowopensitscyclopiceye，westerlytothesea，easterlyonGuerande。OnefacadeofthehouselooksontheroadtoGuerande，theotheronthedesertattheendofwhichisCroisic；

beyondthatlittletownistheopensea。AbrookescapesthroughanopeningintheparkwallwhichskirtstheroadtoCroisic，crossestheroad，andislostinthesandsbeyondit。

Thegrayishtonesofthehouseharmonizeadmirablywiththesceneitoverlooks。Theparkisanoasisinthesurroundingdesert，attheentranceofwhichthetravellercomesuponamud-hut，wherethecustom-houseofficialslieinwaitforhim。Thishousewithoutland(forthebulkoftheestateisreallyinGuerande)derivesanincomefromthemarshesandafewoutlyingfarmsofovertenthousandfrancsayear。SuchisthefiefofLesTouches，fromwhichtheRevolutionloppeditsfeudalrights。The/paludiers/，however，continuetocallit”thechateau，”andtheywouldstillsay”seigneur”ifthefiefwerenotnowinthefemaleline。WhenFelicitesetaboutrestoringLesTouches，shewascareful，artistthatsheis，nottochangethedesolateexteriorwhichgivesthelookofaprisontotheisolatedstructure。Thesolechangewasatthegate，whichsheenlivenedbytwobrickcolumnssupportinganarch，beneathwhichcarriagespassintothecourt-yardwheresheplantedtrees。

Thearrangementoftheground-flooristhatofnearlyallcountryhousesbuiltahundredyearsago。Itwas，evidently，erectedontheruinsofsomeoldcastleformerlyperchedthere。Alargepanelledentrance-hallhasbeenturnedbyFeliciteintoabilliard-room；fromitopensanimmensesalonwithsixwindows，andthedining-room。Thekitchencommunicateswiththedining-roomthroughanoffice。Camillehasdisplayedanoblesimplicityinthearrangementofthisfloor，carefullyavoidingallsplendiddecoration。Thesalon，paintedgray，isfurnishedinoldmahoganywithgreensilkcoverings。Thefurnitureofthedining-roomcomprisesfourgreatbuffets，alsoofmahogany，chairscoveredwithhorsehair，andsuperbengravingsbyAudraninmahoganyframes。Theoldstaircase，ofwoodwithheavybalusters，iscoveredalloverwithagreencarpet。

Onthefloorabovearetwosuitesofroomsseparatedbythestaircase。

MademoiselledesToucheshastakenforherselftheonethatlookstowardtheseaandthemarshes，andarrangeditwithasmallsalon，alargechamber，andtwocabinets，oneforadressing-room，theotherforastudyandwriting-room。Theothersuite，shehasmadeintotwoseparateapartmentsforguests，eachwithabedroom，anantechamber，andacabinet。Theservantshaveroomsintheattic。Theroomsforguestsarefurnishedwithwhatisstrictlynecessary，andnomore。A

certainfantasticluxuryhasbeenreservedforherownapartment。Inthatsombreandmelancholyhabitation，lookingoutuponthesombreandmelancholylandscape，shewantedthemostfantasticcreationsofartthatshecouldfind。ThelittlesalonishungwithGobelintapestry，framedinmarvellouslycarvedoak。Thewindowsaredrapedwiththeheavysilkenhangingsofapastage，abrocadeshotwithcrimsonandgoldagainstgreenandyellow，gatheredintomightypleatsandtrimmedwithfringesandcordsandtasselsworthyofachurch。Thissaloncontainsachestorcabinetworthinthesedayssevenoreightthousandfrancs，acarvedebonytable，asecretarywithmanydrawers，inlaidwitharabesquesofivoryandboughtinVenice，withothernobleGothicfurniture。Heretooarepicturesandarticlesofchoiceworkmanshipboughtin1818，atatimewhennoonesuspectedtheultimatevalueofsuchtreasures。HerbedroomisoftheperiodofLouisXV。andstrictlyexacttoit。Hereweseethecarvedwoodenbedsteadpaintedwhite，withthearchedhead-boardsurmountedbyCupidsscatteringflowers，andthecanopyaboveitadornedwithplumes；thehangingsofbluesilk；thePompadourdressing-tablewithitslacesandmirror；togetherwithbitsoffurnitureofsingularshape，——a”duchesse，”achaise-longue，astifflittlesofa，——withwindow-curtainsofsilk，likethatofthefurniture，linedwithpinksatin，andcaughtbackwithsilkenropes，andacarpetofSavonnerie；

inshort，wefindhereallthoseelegant，rich，sumptuous，anddaintythingsinthemidstofwhichthewomenoftheeighteenthcenturylivedandmadelove。

Thestudy，entirelyofthepresentday，presents，incontrastwiththeLouisXV。gallantries，acharmingcollectionofmahoganyfurniture；itresemblesaboudoir；thebookshelvesarefull，butthefascinatingtrivialitiesofawoman’sexistenceencumberit；inthemidstofwhichaninquisitiveeyeperceiveswithuneasysurprisepistols，anarghile，ariding-whip，ahammock，arifle，aman’sblouse，tobacco，pipes，aknapsack，——abizarrecombinationwhichpaintsFelicite。

Everygreatsoul，enteringthatroom，wouldbestruckwiththepeculiarbeautyofthelandscapewhichspreadsitsbroadsavannabeyondthepark，thelastvegetationonthecontinent。Themelancholysquaresofwater，dividedbylittlepathsofwhitesaltcrust，alongwhichthesalt-makerspass(dressedinwhite)torakeupandgatherthesaltinto/mulons/；aspacewhichthesalineexhalationspreventallbirdsfromcrossing，stiflingthustheeffortsofbotanicnature；

thosesandswheretheeyeissoothedonlybyonelittlehardypersistentplantbearingrosyflowersandtheChartreuxpansy；thatlakeofsaltwater，thesandydunes，theviewofCroisic，aminiaturetownafloatlikeVeniceonthesea；and，finallythemightyoceantossingitsfoamingfringeuponthegraniterocksasifthebettertobringouttheirweirdformations——thatsightupliftsthemindalthoughitsaddensit；aneffectproducedatlastbyallthatissublime，creatingaregretfulyearningforthingsunknownandyetperceivedbythesoulonfar-offheights。Thesewildandsavageharmoniesareforgreatspiritsandgreatsorrowsonly。

Thisdesertscene，whereattimesthesunrays，reflectedbythewater，bythesands，whitenedthevillageofBatzandrippledontheroofsofCroisicwithpitilessbrilliancy，filledCamille’sdreamingmindfordaystogether。Sheseldomlookedtothecool，refreshingscenes，thegroves，theflowerymeadowsaroundGuerande。Hersoulwasstrugglingtoendureahorribleinwardanguish。

NosoonerdidCalysteseethevanesofthetwogablesshootingupbeyondthefurzeoftheroadsideandthedistortedheadsofthepines，thantheairseemedlighter；Guerandewasaprisontohim；hislifewasatLesTouches。Whowillnotunderstandtheattractionitpresentedtoayouthinhisposition。AlovelikethatofCherubin，hadflunghimatthefeetofapersonwhowasagreatandgrandthingtohimbeforehethoughtofherasawoman，andithadsurvivedtherepeatedandinexplicablerefusalsofFelicite。Thissentiment，whichwasmoretheneedoflovingthanloveitself，hadnotescapedtheterriblepowerofCamilleforanalysis；hence，possibly，herrejection，——agenerosityunperceived，ofcourse，byCalyste。

AtLesTouchesweredisplayedtotheravishedeyesoftheignorantyoungcountryman，therichesofanewworld；heheard，asitwere，anotherlanguage，hithertounknowntohimandsonorous。Helistenedtothepoeticsoundsofthefinestmusic，thatsurpassingmusicofthenineteenthcentury，inwhichmelodyandharmonyblendorstruggleonequalterms，——amusicinwhichsongandinstrumentationhavereachedahithertounknownperfection。Hesawbeforehiseyestheworksofmodernpainters，thoseoftheFrenchschool，to-daytheheirofItaly，Spain，andFlanders，inwhichtalenthasbecomesocommonthathearts，wearyoftalent，arecallingaloudforgenius。Hereadtherethoseworksofimagination，thoseamazingcreationsofmodernliteraturewhichproducedtheirfulleffectuponhisunusedheart。Inshort，thegreatNineteenthCenturyappearedtohim，inallitscollectivemagnificence，itscriticisingspirit，itsdesiresforrenovationinalldirections，anditsvastefforts，nearlyallofthemonthescaleofthegiantwhocradledtheinfancyofthecenturyinhisbannersandsangtoithymnswiththelullabyofcannon。

InitiatedbyFeliciteintothegrandeurofallthesethings，whichmay，perhaps，escapetheeyesofthosewhoworkthem，CalystegratifiedatLesTouchesthetastefortheglorious，powerfulathisage，andthatartlessadmiration，thefirstloveofadolescence，whichisalwaysirritatedbycriticism。Itissonaturalthatflameshouldrise！HelistenedtothatcharmingParisianraillery，thatgracefulsatirewhichrevealedtohimFrenchwitandthequalitiesoftheFrenchmind，andawakenedinhimathousandideas，whichmighthaveslumberedforeverinthesofttorporofhisfamilylife。Forhim，MademoiselledesToucheswasthemotherofhisintellect。Shewassokindtohim；awomanisalwaysadorabletoamaninwhomsheinspireslove，evenwhensheseemsnottoshareit。

AtthepresenttimeFelicitewasgivinghimmusic-lessons。Tohimthegrandapartmentsonthelowerfloor，andherprivateroomsabove，socoquettish，soartistic，werevivified，wereanimatedbyalight，aspirit，asupernaturalatmosphere，strangeandundefinable。ThemodernworldwithitspoesywassharplycontrastedwiththedullandpatriarchalworldofGuerande，inthetwosystemsbroughtfacetofacebeforehim。OnonesideallthethousanddevelopmentsofArt，ontheotherthesamenessofuncivilizedBrittany。Noonewillthereforeaskwhythepoorlad，boredlikehismotherwiththepleasuresof/mouche/，quiveredasheapproachedthehouse，andrangthebell，andcrossedthecourt-yard。Suchemotions，wemayremark，donotassailamatureman，trainedtotheupsanddownsoflife，whomnothingsurprises，beingpreparedforall。

Asthedooropened，Calyste，hearingthesoundofthepiano，supposedthatCamillewasinthesalon；butwhenheenteredthebilliard-hallhenolongerheardit。Camille，hethought，mustbeplayingonasmalluprightpianobroughtbyContifromEnglandandplacedbyherinherownlittlesalon。Hebegantorunupthestairs，wherethethickcarpetsmotheredthesoundofhissteps；buthewentmoreslowlyashenearedthetop，perceivingsomethingunusualandextraordinaryaboutthemusic。Felicitewasplayingforherselfonly；shewascommuningwithherownbeing。

Insteadofenteringtheroom，theyoungmansatdownuponaGothicseatcoveredwithgreenvelvet，whichstoodonthelandingbeneathawindowartisticallyframedincarvedwoodsstainedandvarnished。

NothingwasevermoremysteriouslymelancholythanCamille’simprovisation；itseemedlikethecryofasoul/deprofundis/toGod——fromthedepthsofagrave！Theheartoftheyoungloverrecognizedthecryofdespairinglove，theprayerofahiddenplaint，thegroanofrepressedaffliction。Camillehadvaried，modified，andlengthenedtheintroductiontothecavatina:”Mercyforthee，mercyforme！”

whichisnearlythewholeofthefourthactof”RobertleDiable。”Shenowsuddenlysangthewordsinaheart-rendingmanner，andthenassuddenlyinterruptedherself。Calysteentered，andsawthereason。

PoorCamilleMaupin！poorFelicite！Sheturnedtohimafacebathedwithtears，tookoutherhandkerchiefanddriedthem，andsaid，simply，withoutaffectation，”Good-morning。”Shewasbeautifulasshesatthereinhermorninggown。Onherheadwasoneofthoseredchenillenets，muchworninthosedays，throughwhichthecoilsofherblackhairshone，escapinghereandthere。AshortuppergarmentmadelikeaGreekpeplumgavetoviewapairofcambrictrouserswithembroideredfrills，andtheprettiestofTurkishslippers，redandgold。”Whatisthematter？”criedCalyste。”Hehasnotreturned，”shereplied，goingtoawindowandlookingoutuponthesands，theseaandthemarshes。

Thisanswerexplainedall。CamillewasawaitingClaudeVignon。”Youareanxiousabouthim？”askedCalyste。”Yes，”sheanswered，withasadnesstheladwastooignoranttoanalyze。

Hestartedtoleavetheroom。”Whereareyougoing？”sheasked。”Tofindhim，”hereplied。”Dearchild！”shesaid，takinghishandanddrawinghimtowardherwithoneofthosemoistglanceswhicharetoayouthfulsoulthebestofrecompenses。”Youaredistracted！Wherecouldyoufindhimonthatwideshore？””Iwillfindhim。””Yourmotherwouldbeinmortalterror。Stay。Besides，Ichooseit，”

shesaid，makinghimsitdownuponthesofa。”Don’tpityme。Thetearsyouseearethetearsawomanlikestoshed。Wehaveafacultythatisnotinman，——thatofabandoningourselvestoournervousnatureanddrivingourfeelingstoanextreme。Byimaginingcertainsituationsandencouragingtheimaginationweendintears，andsometimesinseriousstatesofillnessordisorder。Thefanciesofwomenarenottheactionofthemind；theyareoftheheart。Youhavecomejustintime；solitudeisbadforme。IamnotthedupeofhisprofesseddesiretogotoCroisicandseetherocksandthedunesandthesalt-

marsheswithoutme。Hemeanttoleaveusalonetogether；heisjealous，or，rather，hepretendsjealousy，andyouareyoung，youarehandsome。””Whynothavetoldmethisbefore？WhatmustIdo？mustIstayaway？”

askedCalyste，withdifficultyrestraininghistears，oneofwhichrolleddownhischeekandtouchedFelicitedeeply。”Youareanangel！”shecried。Thenshegailysangthe”Stay！stay！”

ofMatildein”GuillaumeTell，”takingallgravityfromthatmagnificentansweroftheprincesstohersubject。”Heonlywantstomakemethinkhelovesmebetterthanhereallydoes，”shesaid。”HeknowshowmuchIdesirehishappiness，”shewenton，lookingattentivelyatCalyste。”Perhapshefeelshumiliatedtobeinferiortomethere。Perhapshehassuspicionsaboutyouandmeanstosurpriseus。Butevenifhisonlycrimeistotakehispleasurewithoutme，andnottoassociatemewiththeideasthisnewplacegiveshim，isnotthatenough？Ah！IamnomorelovedbythatgreatbrainthanIwasbythemusician，bythepoet，bythesoldier！Sterneisright；namessignifymuch；mineisabittersarcasm。Ishalldiewithoutfindinginanymanthelovewhichfillsmyheart，thepoesythatIhaveinmysoul——”

Shestopped，herarmspendant，herheadlyingbackonthecushions，hereyes，stupidwiththought，fixedonapatternofthecarpet。Thepainofgreatmindshassomethinggrandioseandimposingaboutit；itrevealsavastextentofsoulwhichthethoughtofthespectatorextendsstillfurther。Suchsoulssharetheprivilegesofroyaltywhoseaffectionsbelongtoapeopleandsoaffectaworld。”Whydidyourejectmy——”saidCalyste；buthecouldnotendhissentence。Camille’sbeautifulhandlaiduponhiseloquentlyinterruptedhim。”Naturechangedherlawsingrantingmeadozenyearsofyouthbeyondmydue，”shesaid。”Irejectedyourlovefromegotism。Soonerorlaterthedifferenceinouragesmusthavepartedus。Iamthirteenyearsolderthan/he/，andeventhatistoomuch。””Youwillbebeautifulatsixty，”criedCalyste，heroically。”Godgrantit，”sheanswered，smiling。”Besides，dearchild，I/want/

tolove。Inspiteofhiscoldheart，hislackofimagination，hiscowardlyindifference，andtheenvywhichconsumeshim，Ibelievethereisgreatnessbehindthosetatters；Ihopetogalvanizethatheart，tosavehimfromhimself，toattachhimtome。Alas！alas！I

haveaclear-seeingmind，butablindheart。”

Shewasterribleinherknowledgeofherself。ShesufferedandanalyzedherfeelingsasCuvierandDupuytrenexplainedtofriendsthefataladvanceoftheirdiseaseandtheprogressthatdeathwasmakingintheirbodies。CamilleMaupinknewthepassionwithinherasthosemenofscienceknewtheirownanatomy。”Ihavebroughthimheretojudgehim，andheisalreadybored，”shecontinued。”HepinesforParis，Itellhim；thenostalgiaofcriticismisonhim；hehasnoauthortopluck，nosystemtoundermine，nopoettodrivetodespair，andhedaresnotcommitsomedebauchinthishousewhichmightliftforamomenttheburdenofhisennui。Alas！myloveisnotrealenough，perhaps，tosoothehisbrain；Idon’tintoxicatehim！Makehimdrunkatdinnerto-nightandIshallknowifIamright。IwillsayIamill，andstayinmyownroom。”

Calysteturnedscarletfromhisnecktohisforehead；evenhisearswereonfire。”Oh！forgiveme，”shecried。”HowcanIheedlesslydepraveyourgirlishinnocence！Forgiveme，Calyste——”Shepaused。”Therearesomesuperb，consistentnatureswhosayatacertainage:’IfIhadmylifetoliveoveragain，Iwouldsothesamethings。’Iwhodonotthinkmyselfweak，Isay，’Iwouldbeawomanlikeyourmother，Calyste。’TohaveaCalyste，oh！whathappiness！Icouldbeahumbleandsubmissivewoman——Andyet，Ihavedonenoharmexcepttomyself。Butalas！dearchild，awomancannotstandaloneinsocietyexceptitbeinwhatiscalledaprimitivestate。Affectionswhicharenotinharmonywithsocialorwithnaturallaws，affectionsthatarenotobligatory，inshort，escapeus。Sufferingforsuffering，aswellbeusefulwherewecan。WhatcareIforthosechildrenofmycousinFaucombe？Ihavenotseenthemthesetwentyyears，andtheyaremarriedtomerchants。Youaremyson，whohavenevercostmethemiseriesofmotherhood；Ishallleaveyoumyfortuneandmakeyouhappy——atleast，sofarasmoneycandoso，deartreasureofbeautyandgracethatnothingshouldeverchangeorblast。””Youwouldnottakemylove，”saidCalyste，”andIshallreturnyourfortunetoyourheirs。””Child！”answeredCamille，inagutturalvoice，lettingthetearsrolldownhercheeks。”Willnothingsavemefrommyself？”sheadded，presently。”Yousaidyouhadahistorytotellme，andaletterto——”saidthegenerousyouth，wishingtodivertherthoughtsfromhergrief；butshedidnotlethimfinish。”Youarerighttoremindmeofthat。Iwillbeanhonestwomanbeforeallelse。Iwillsacrificenoone——Yes，itwastoolate，yesterday，butto-daywehavetime，”shesaid，inacheerfultone。”Iwillkeepmypromise；andwhileItellyouthathistoryIwillsitbythewindowandwatchtheroadtothemarshes。”

CalystearrangedagreatGothicchairforhernearthewindow，andopenedoneofthesashes。CamilleMaupin，whosharedtheorientaltasteofherillustrioussister-author，tookamagnificentPersiannarghile，giventoherbyanambassador。Shefilledthenipplewithpatchouli，cleanedthe/bochettino/，perfumedthegoose-quill，whichsheattachedtothemouthpieceandusedonlyonce，setfiretotheyellowleaves，placingthevasewithitslongneckenamelledinblueandgoldatsomedistancefromher，andrangthebellfortea。”Willyouhavecigarettes？——Ah！Iamalwaysforgettingthatyoudonotsmoke。Puritysuchasyoursissorare！ThehandofEveherself，freshfromthehandofherMaker，isaloneinnocentenoughtostrokeyourcheek。”

Calystecolored；sittingdownonastoolatCamille’sfeet，hedidnotseethedeepemotionthatseemedforamomenttoovercomeher。

VIII

LAMARQUISEBEATRIX”Ipromisedyouthistaleofthepast，andhereitis，”saidCamille。”ThepersonfromwhomIreceivedthatletteryesterday，andwhomaybehereto-morrow，istheMarquisedeRochefide。Theoldmarquis(whosefamilyisnotasoldasyours)，aftermarryinghiseldestdaughtertoaPortuguesegrandee，wasanxioustofindanallianceamongthehighernobilityforhisson，inordertoobtainforhimthepeeragehehadneverbeenabletogetforhimself。TheComtessedeMontcornettoldhimofayoungladyinthedepartmentoftheOrne，aMademoiselleBeatrix-Maximilienne-RosedeCasteran，theyoungestdaughteroftheMarquisdeCasteran，whowishedtomarryhistwodaughterswithoutdowriesinordertoreservehiswholefortunefortheComtedeCasteran，hisson。TheCasteransare，itseems，ofthebluestblood。

Beatrix，bornandbroughtupatthechateaudeCasteran，wastwentyyearsoldatthetimeofhermarriagein1828。Shewasremarkableforwhatyouprovincialscalloriginality，whichissimplyindependenceofideas，enthusiasm，afeelingforthebeautiful，andacertainimpulseandardortowardthethingsofArt。Youmaybelieveapoorwomanwhohasallowedherselftobedrawnalongthesamelines，thereisnothingmoredangerousforawoman。Ifshefollowsthem，theyleadherwhereyouseeme，andwherethemarquisecame，——tothevergeofabysses。Menalonehavethestaffonwhichtoleanastheyskirtthoseprecipices，——aforcewhichislackingtomostwomen，butwhich，ifwedopossessit，makesabnormalbeingsofus。Heroldgrandmother，thedowagerdeCasteran，waswellpleasedtoseehermarryamantowhomshewassuperiorineveryway。TheRochefideswereequallysatisfiedwiththeCasterans，whoconnectedthemwiththeVerneuils，thed’Esgrignons，theTroisvilles，andgavethemapeeragefortheirsoninthatlastbigbatchofpeersmadebyCharlesX。，butrevokedbytherevolutionofJuly。Thefirstdaysofmarriageareperilousforlittlemindsaswellasforgreatloves。Rochefide，beingafool，mistookhiswife’signoranceforcoldness；heclassedheramongfrigid，lymphaticwomen，andmadethatanexcusetoreturntohisbachelorlife，relyingonthecoldnessofthemarquise，herpride，andthethousandbarriersthatthelifeofagreatladysetsupaboutawomaninParis。You’llknowwhatImeanwhenyougothere。PeoplesaidtoRochefide:’Youareveryluckytopossessacoldwifewhowillneverhaveanybutheadpassions。Shewillalwaysbecontentifshecanshine；herfanciesarepurelyartistic，herdesireswillbesatisfiedifshecanmakeasalon，andcollectaboutherdistinguishedminds；herdebaucheswillbeinmusicandherorgiesliterary。’Rochefide，however，isnotanordinaryfool；hehasasmuchconceitandvanityasacleverman，whichgiveshimameanandsquintingjealousy，brutalwhenitcomestothesurface，lurkingandcowardlyforsixmonths，andmurderoustheseventh。Hethoughthewasdeceivinghiswife，andyethefearedher，——twocausesfortyrannywhenthedaycameonwhichthemarquiselethimseethatshewascharitablyassumingindifferencetohisunfaithfulness。Ianalyzeallthisinordertoexplainherconduct。

Beatrixhadthekeenestadmirationforme；thereisbutonestep，however，fromadmirationtojealousy。IhaveoneofthemostremarkablesalonsinParis；shewishedtomakeherselfanother；andinordertodososheattemptedtodrawawaymycircle。Idon’tknowhowtokeepthosewhowishtoleaveme。Sheobtainedthesuperficialpeoplewhoarefriendswitheveryonefrommerewantofoccupation，andwhoseobjectistogetoutofasalonassoonastheyhaveenteredit；butshedidnothavetimetomakeherselfarealsociety。InthosedaysIthoughtherconsumedwithadesireforcelebrityofonekindoranother。Nevertheless，shehasreallymuchgrandeurofsoul，aregalpride，distinctideas，andamarvellousfacilityforapprehendingandunderstandingallthings；shecantalkmetaphysicsandmusic，theologyandpainting。Youwillseeher，asamaturewoman，whattherestofussawherasabride。Andyetthereissomethingofaffectationaboutherinallthis。Shehastoomuchtheairofknowingabstrusethings，——Chinese，Hebrew，hieroglyphicsperhaps，orthepapyrusthattheywrappedroundmummies。Personally，BeatrixisoneofthoseblondesbesidewhomEvethefairwouldseemaNegress。Sheisslenderandstraightandwhiteasachurchtaper；herfaceislongandpointed；

theskiniscapricious，to-daylikecambric，to-morrowdarkenedwithlittlespecklesbeneathitssurface，asifherbloodhadleftadepositofdustthereduringthenight。Herforeheadismagnificent，thoughratherdaring。Thepupilsofhereyesarepalesea-green，floatingontheirwhiteballsunderthinlashesandlazyeyelids。Hereyeshavedarkringsaroundthemoften；hernose，whichdescribesone-

quarterofacircle，ispinchedaboutthenostrils；veryshrewdandclever，butsupercilious。ShehasanAustrianmouth；theupperliphasmorecharacterthanthelower，whichdropsdisdainfully。Herpalecheekshavenocolorunlesssomeverykeenemotionmovesher。Herchinisratherfat；mineisnotthin，andperhapsIdowrongtotellyouthatwomenwithfatchinsareexactinginlove。ShehasoneofthemostexquisitewaistsIeversaw；theshouldersarebeautiful，butthebusthasnotdevelopedaswell，andthearmsarethin。Shehas，however，aneasycarriageandmanner，whichredeemsallsuchdefectsandsetsherbeautiesinfullrelief。Naturehasgivenherthatprincessairwhichcanneverbeacquired；itbecomesher，andrevealsatsuddenmomentsthewomanofhighbirth。Withoutbeingfaultlesslybeautiful，orprettilypretty，sheproduces，whenshechooses，ineffaceableimpressions。Shehasonlytoputonagownofcherryvelvetwithcloudsoflace，andwreathewithrosesthatangelichairofhers，whichresemblesfloodsoflight，andshebecomesdivine。If，onsomeexcuseorother，shecouldwearthecostumeofthetimewhenwomenhadlong，pointedbodices，rising，slimandslender，fromvoluminousbrocadedskirtswithfoldssoheavythattheystoodalone，andcouldhideherarmsinthosewaddedsleeveswithruffles，fromwhichthehandcomesoutlikeapistilfromacalyx，andcouldflingbackthecurlsofherheadintothejewelledknotbehindherhead，Beatrixwouldholdherownvictoriouslywithidealbeautieslike/that/——”

AndFeliciteshowedCalysteafinecopyofapicturebyMieris，inwhichwasawomanrobedinwhitesatin，standingwithapaperinherhand，andsingingwithaBrabanconseigneur，whileaNegrobesidethempouredgoldenSpanishwineintoagoblet，andtheoldhousekeeperinthebackgroundarrangedsomebiscuits。”Fairwomen，blonds，”saidCamille，”havetheadvantageoveruspoorbrownthingsofapreciousdiversity；thereareahundredwaysforablondetocharm，andonlyoneforabrunette。Besides，blondesaremorewomanly；wearetoolikemen，weFrenchbrunettes——Well，well！”

shecried，”praydon’tfallinlovewithBeatrixfromtheportraitI

ammakingofher，likethatprince，Iforgethisname，intheArabianNights。Youwouldbetoolate，mydearboy。”

Thesewordsweresaidpointedly。Theadmirationdepictedontheyoungman’sfacewasmoreforthepicturethanforthepainterwhose/faire/

wasfailingofitspurpose。Asshespoke，Felicitewasemployingalltheresourcesofhereloquentphysiognomy。”Blondassheis，however，”shewenton，”Beatrixhasnotthegraceofhercolor；herlinesaresevere；sheiselegant，buthard；herfacehasaharshcontour，thoughattimesitrevealsasoulwithSouthernpassions；anangelflashesoutandthenexpires。Hereyesarethirsty。

Shelooksbestwhenseenfullface；theprofilehasanairofbeingsqueezedbetweentwodoors。YouwillseeifIammistaken。Iwilltellyounowwhatmadeusintimatefriends。Forthreeyears，from1828to1831，Beatrix，whileenjoyingthelastfetesoftheRestoration，makingtheroundofthesalons，goingtocourt，takingpartinthefancy-ballsoftheElysee-Bourbon，wasallthewhilejudgingmen，andthings，events，andlifeitself，fromtheheightofherownthought。

Hermindwasbusy。Thesefirstyearsofthebewildermenttheworldcausedherpreventedherheartfromwakingup。From1830to1831shespentthetimeoftherevolutionarydisturbanceatherhusband’scountry-place，whereshewasboredlikeasaintinparadise。OnherreturntoParisshebecameconvinced，perhapsjustly，thattherevolutionofJuly，inthemindsofsomepersonspurelypolitical，wouldprovetobeamoralrevolution。Thesocialclasstowhichshebelonged，notbeingable，duringitsunhoped-fortriumphinthefifteenyearsoftheRestorationtoreconstructitself，wasabouttogotopieces，bitbybit，underthebattering-ramofthebourgeoisie。

SheheardthefamouswordsofMonsieurLaine:’Kingsaredeparting！’

Thisconviction，Ibelievewasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonherconduct。Shetookanintellectualpartinthenewdoctrines，whichswarmed，duringthethreeyearssucceedingJuly，1830，likegnatsinthesunshine，andturnedsomefemaleheads。But，likeallnobles，Beatrix，whilethinkingthesenovelidealssuperb，wantedalwaystoprotectthenobility。Findingbeforelongthattherewasnoplaceinthisnewregimeforindividualsuperiority，seeingthatthehighernobilitywerebeginningoncemorethemuteoppositionithadformerlymadetoNapoleon，——whichwas，intruth，itswisestcourseunderanempireofdeedsandfacts，butwhichinanepochofmoralcauseswasequivalenttoabdication，——shechosepersonalhappinessratherthansucheclipse。Aboutthetimewewereallbeginningtobreatheagain，BeatrixmetatmyhouseamanwithwhomIhadexpectedtoendmydays，——GennaroConti，thegreatcomposer，amanofNeapolitanorigin，thoughborninMarseilles。Contihasabrilliantmind；asacomposerhehastalent，thoughhewillneverattaintothefirstrank。WithoutRossini，withoutMeyerbeer，hemightperhapshavebeentakenforamanofgenius。Hehasoneadvantageoverthosemen，——heisinvocalmusicwhatPaganiniisontheviolin，Lisztonthepiano，Taglioniintheballet，andwhatthefamousGaratwas；atanyrateherecallsthatgreatsingertothosewhoknewhim。Hisisnotavoice，myfriend，itisasoul。Whenitssongrepliestocertainideas，certainstatesoffeelingdifficulttodescribeinwhichawomansometimesfindsherself，thatwomanislost。Themarquiseconceivedthemaddestpassionforhim，andtookhimfromme。Theactwasprovincial，I

allow，butitwasallfairplay。Shewonmyesteemandfriendshipbythewayshebehavedtome。Shethoughtmeawomanwhowaslikelytodefendherown；shedidnotknowthattomethemostridiculousthingintheworldissuchastruggle。Shecametoseeme。Thatwoman，proudassheis，wassoinlovethatshetoldmehersecretandmademethearbiterofherdestiny。Shewasreallyadorable，andshekeptherplaceaswomanandasmarquiseinmyeyes。Imusttellyou，dearfriend，thatwhilewomenaresometimesbad，theyhavehiddengrandeursintheirsoulsthatmencanneverappreciate。Well，asIseemtobemakingmylastwillandtestamentlikeawomanonthevergeofoldage，IshalltellyouthatIwaseverfaithfultoConti，andshouldhavebeentilldeath，andyetI/knowhim/。Hisnatureischarming，apparently，anddetestablebeneathitssurface。Heisacharlataninmattersoftheheart。Therearesomemen，likeNathan，ofwhomIhavealreadyspokentoyou，whoarecharlatansexternally，andyethonest。

Suchmenlietothemselves。Mountedontheirstilts，theythinktheyareontheirfeet，andperformtheirjugglerywithasortofinnocence；theirhumbuggeryisintheirblood；theyareborncomedians，braggarts；extravagantinformasaChinesevase；perhapstheyevenlaughatthemselves。Theirpersonalityisgenerous；likeMurat’skinglygarments，itattractsdanger。ButConti’sduplicitywillbeknownonlytothewomenwholovehim。InhisarthehasthatdeepItalianjealousywhichledtheCarlonetomurderPiola，andstuckastilettointoPaesiello。Thatterribleenvylurksbeneaththewarmestcomradeship。Contihasnotthecourageofhisvice；hesmilesatMeyerbeerandflattershim，whenhefainwouldtearhimtobits。Heknowshisweakness，andcultivatesanappearanceofsincerity；hisvanitystillfurtherleadshimtoplayatsentimentswhicharefarindeedfromhisrealheart。Herepresentshimselfasanartistwhoreceiveshisinspirationsfromheaven；Artissomethingsaintlyandsacredtohim；heisfanatic；heissublimeinhiscontemptforworldliness；hiseloquenceseemstocomefromthedeepestconvictions。

Heisaseer，ademon，agod，anangel。Calyste，althoughIwarnyouabouthim，youwillbehisdupe。ThatSouthernnature，thatimpassionedartistiscoldasawell-rope。Listentohim:theartistisamissionary。Artisareligion，whichhasitspriestsandoughttohaveitsmartyrs。Oncestartedonthattheme，GennaroreachesthemostdishevelledpathosthatanyGermanprofessorofphilosophyeversplutteredtohisaudience。Youadmirehisconvictions，buthehasn’tany。Bearinghishearerstoheavenonasongwhichseemsamysteriousfluidsheddinglove，hecastsanecstaticglanceuponthem；heisexaminingtheirenthusiasm；heisaskinghimself:’AmIreallyagodtothem？’andheisalsothinking:’Iatetoomuchmacaronito-day。’

Heisinsatiableofapplause，andhewinsit。Hedelights，heisbeloved；heisadmiredwhensoeverhewill。Heoweshissuccessmoretohisvoicethantohistalentasacomposer，thoughhewouldratherbeamanofgeniuslikeRossinithanaperformerlikeRubini。Ihadcommittedthefollyofattachingmyselftohim，andIwasdeterminedandresignedtodeckthisidoltotheend。Conti，likeagreatmanyartists，isdaintyinallhisways；helikeshisease，hisenjoyments；

heisalwayscarefully，evenelegantlydressed。Idorespecthiscourage；heisbrave；bravery，theysay，istheonlyvirtueintowhichhypocrisycannotenter。WhileweweretravellingIsawhiscouragetested；heriskedthelifeheloved；andyet，strangecontradiction！I

haveseenhim，inParis，commitwhatIcallthecowardiceofthought。

Myfriend，allthiswasknowntome。Isaidtothepoormarquise:’Youdon’tknowintowhatagulfyouareplunging。YouarethePerseusofapoorAndromeda；youreleasemefrommyrock。Ifhelovesyou，somuchthebetter！butIdoubtit；helovesnoonebuthimself。’Gennarowastransportedtotheseventhheavenofpride。Iwasnotamarquise，I

wasnotbornaCasteran，andheforgotmeinaday。Ithengavemyselfthesavagepleasureofprobingthatnaturetothebottom。Certainoftheresult，IwantedtoseethetwistingsandturningsContiwouldperform。Mydearchild，Isawinoneweekactualhorrorsofshamsentiment，infamousbuffooneriesoffeeling。Iwillnottellyouaboutthem；youshallseethemanhereinadayortwo。HenowknowsthatI

knowhim，andhehatesmeaccordingly。IfhecouldstabmewithsafetytohimselfIshouldn’tbealivetwoseconds。IhaveneversaidonewordofallthistoBeatrix。ThelastandconstantinsultGerannooffersmeistosupposethatIamcapableofcommunicatingmysadknowledgeofhimtoher；buthehasnobeliefinthegoodfeelingofanyhumanbeing。Evennowheisplayingapartwithme；heisposingasamanwhoiswretchedathavingleftme。YouwillfindwhatImaycallthemostpenetratingcordialityabouthim；heiswinning；heischivalrous。Tohim，allwomenaremadonnas。Onemustlivewithhimlongbeforewegetbehindtheveilofthisfalsechivalryandlearntheinvisiblesignsofhishumbug。HistoneofconvictionabouthimselfmightalmostdeceivetheDeity。Youwillbeentrapped，mydearchild，byhiscatlikemanners，andyouwillneverbelieveintheprofoundandrapidarithmeticofhisinmostthought。Butenough；letusleavehim。Ipushedindifferencesofarastoreceivethemtogetherinmyhouse。Thiscircumstancekeptthatmostperspicaciousofallsocieties，thegreatworldofParis，ignorantoftheaffair。Thoughintoxicatedwithpride，Gennarowascompelledtodissimulate；andhediditadmirably。Butviolentpassionswillhavetheirfreedomatanycost。Beforetheendoftheyear，Beatrixwhisperedinmyearoneevening:’MydearFelicite，Istartto-morrowforItalywithConti。’I

wasnotsurprised；sheregardedherselfasunitedforlifetoGennaro，andshesufferedfromtherestraintsimposeduponher；sheescapedoneevilbyrushingintoagreater。Contiwaswildwithhappiness，——thehappinessofvanityalone。’That’swhatitistolovetruly，’hesaidtome。’Howmanywomenaretherewhowouldsacrificetheirlives，theirfortune，theirreputation？’——’Yes，shelovesyou，’Ireplied，’butyoudonotloveher。’Hewasfurious，andmademeascene；hestormed，hedeclaimed，hedepictedhislove，declaringthathehadneversupposeditpossibletoloveasmuch。Iremainedimpassible，andlenthimmoneyforhisjourney，which，beingunexpected，foundhimunprepared。BeatrixleftaletterforherhusbandandstartedthenextdayforItaly。Thereshehasremainedtwoyears；shehaswrittentomeseveraltimes，andherlettersareenchanting。Thepoorchildattachesherselftomeastheonlywomanwhowillcomprehendher。Shesayssheadoresme。WantofmoneyhascompelledGennarotoacceptanoffertowriteaFrenchopera；hedoesnotfindinItalythepecuniarygainswhichcomposersobtaininParis。Here’stheletterIreceivedyesterdayfromBeatrix。Takeitandreadit；youcannowunderstandit，——thatis，ifitispossible，atyourage，toanalyzethethingsoftheheart。”

Sosaying，sheheldoutthelettertohim。

AtthismomentClaudeVignonenteredtheroom。AthisunexpectedapparitionCalysteandFelicitewerebothsilentforamoment，——shefromsurprise，hefromavagueuneasiness。Thevastforehead，broadandhigh，ofthenew-comer，whowasbaldattheageofthirty-seven，nowseemeddarkenedbyannoyance。Hisfirm，judicialmouthexpressedahabitofchillingsarcasm。ClaudeVignonisimposing，inspiteoftheprecociousdeteriorationsofafaceoncemagnificent，andnowgrownhaggard。Betweentheagesofeighteenandtwenty-fivehestronglyresembledthedivineRaffaelle。Buthisnose，thatfeatureofthehumanfacethatchangesmost，isgrowingtoapoint；thecountenanceissinkingintomysteriousdepressions，theoutlinesarethickening；

leadentonespredominateinthecomplexion，givingtokensofweariness，althoughthefatiguesofthisyoungmanarenotapparent；

perhapssomebittersolitudehasagedhim，ortheabuseofhisgiftofcomprehension。Hescrutinizesthethoughtofeveryone，yetwithoutdefiniteaimorsystem。Thepickaxeofhiscriticismdemolishes，itneverconstructs。Thushislassitudeisthatofamechanic，notofanarchitect。Theeyes，ofapaleblue，oncebrilliant，arecloudednowbysomehiddenpain，ordulledbygloomysadness。Excesseshavelaiddarktintsabovetheeyelids；thetempleshavelosttheirfreshness。

Thechin，ofincomparabledistinction，isgettingdoubled，butwithoutdignity。Hisvoice，neversonorous，isweakening；withoutbeingeitherhoarseorextinct，ittouchestheconfinesofhoarsenessandextinction。Theimpassibilityofthatfinehead，thefixityofthatglance，coverirresolutionandweakness，whichthekeenlyintelligentandsarcasticsmilebelies。Theweaknesslieswhollyinaction，notinthought；therearetracesofanencyclopediccomprehensiononthatbrow，andinthehabitualmovementofafacethatischildlikeandsplendidboth。Themanistall，slightlybentalready，likeallthosewhobeartheweightofaworldofthought。Suchlong，tallbodiesareneverremarkableforcontinuouseffortorcreativeactivity。

Charlemagne，Belisarious，andConstantinearenotedexceptionstothisrule。

CertainlyClaudeVignonpresentsavarietyofmysteriestobesolved。

Inthefirstplace，heisverysimpleandverywily。Thoughhefallsintoexcesseswiththereadinessofacourtesan，hispowersofthoughtremainuntouched。Yethisintellect，whichiscompetenttocriticiseart，science，literature，andpolitics，isincompetenttoguidehisexternallife。Claudecontemplateshimselfwithinthedomainofhisintellectualkingdom，andabandonshisoutermanwithDiogenicindifference。Satisfiedtopenetrateall，tocomprehendallbythought，hedespisesmaterialities；andyet，ifitbecomesaquestionofcreating，doubtassailshim；heseesobstacles，heisnotinspiredbybeauties，andwhileheisdebatingmeans，hesitswithhisarmspendant，accomplishingnothing。HeistheTurkoftheintellectmadesomnolentbymeditation。Criticismishisopium；hisharemofbookstoreaddisgustshimwithrealwork。Indifferenttosmallthingsaswellasgreatthings，heissometimescompelled，bytheveryweightofhishead，tofallintoadebauch，andabdicateforafewhoursthefatalpowerofomnipotentanalysis。Heisfartoopreoccupiedwiththewrongsideofgenius，andCamilleMaupin’sdesiretoputhimbackontherightsideiseasilyconceivable。Thetaskwasanattractiveone。

ClaudeVignonthinkshimselfagreatpoliticianaswellasagreatwriter；butthisunpublishedMachiavellilaughswithinhimselfatallambitions；heknowswhathecando；hehasinstinctivelytakenthemeasureofhisfutureonhisfaculties；heseeshisgreatness，buthealsoseesobstacles，growsalarmedordisgusted，letsthetimerollby，anddoesnotgotowork。LikeEtienneLousteauthefeuilletonist，likeNathanthedramaticauthor，likeBlondet，anotherjournalist，hecamefromtheranksofthebourgeoisie，towhichweowethegreaternumberofourwriters。”Whichwaydidyoucome？”askedMademoiselledesTouches，coloringwitheitherpleasureorsurprise。’”Bythedoor，”repliedClaudeVignon，dryly。”Oh，”shecried，shrugginghershoulders，”Iamawarethatyouarenotamantoclimbinbyawindow。””Scalingawindowisabadgeofhonorforabelovedwoman。””Enough！”saidFelicite。”AmIintheway？”askedClaude。”Monsieur，”saidCalyste，artlessly，”thisletter——””Praykeepit；Iasknoquestions；atourageweunderstandsuchaffairs，”heanswered，interruptingCalystewithasardonicair。”But，monsieur，”beganCalyste，muchprovoked。”Calmyourself，youngman；Ihavetheutmostindulgenceforsentiments。””MydearCalyste，”saidCamille，wishingtospeak。”’Dear’？”saidVignon，interruptingher。”Claudeisjoking，”saidCamille，continuingherremarkstoCalyste。”Heiswrongtodoitwithyou，whoknownothingofParisianways。””IdidnotknowthatIwasjoking，”saidClaudeVignon，verygravely。”Whichwaydidyoucome？”askedFeliciteagain。”IhavebeenwatchingtheroadtoCroisicforthelasttwohours。””Notallthetime，”repliedVignon。”Youaretoobadtojestinthisway。””AmIjesting？”

Calysterose。”Whyshouldyougososoon？Youarecertainlyatyoureasehere，”saidVignon。”Quitethecontrary，”repliedtheangryyoungBreton，towhomCamilleMaupinstretchedoutahand，whichhetookandkissed，droppingatearuponit，afterwhichhetookhisleave。”Ishouldliketobethatlittleyoungman，”saidthecritic，sittingdown，andtakingoneendofthehookah。”Howhewilllove！””Toomuch；forthenhewillnotbelovedinreturn，”repliedMademoiselledesTouches。”MadamedeRochefideiscominghere，”sheadded。”Youdon’tsayso！”exclaimedClaude。”WithConti？””Shewillstayherealone，butheaccompaniesher。””Havetheyquarrelled？””No。””PlaymeasonataofBeethoven’s；Iknownothingofthemusichewroteforthepiano。”

ClaudebegantofillthetubeofthehookahwithTurkishtobacco，allthewhileexaminingCamillemuchmoreattentivelythansheobserved。A

dreadfulthoughtoppressedhim；hefanciedhewasbeingusedforablindbythiswoman。Thesituationwasanovelone。

CalystewenthomethinkingnolongerofBeatrixdeRochefideandherletter；hewasfuriousagainstClaudeVignonforwhatheconsideredtheutmostindelicacy，andhepitiedpoorFelicite。Howwasitpossibletobebelovedbythatsublimecreatureandnotadoreheronhisknees，notbelieveheronthefaithofaglanceorasmile？Hefeltadesiretoturnandrendthatcold，palespectreofaman。

Ignoranthemightbe，asFelicitehadtoldhim，ofthetricksofthoughtofthejestersofthepress，butonethingheknew——Lovewasthehumanreligion。

Whenhismothersawhimenteringthecourt-yardsheutteredanexclamationofjoy，andZephirinewhistledforMariotte。”Mariotte，theboyiscoming！cookthefish！””Iseehim，mademoiselle，”repliedthewoman。

Fanny，uneasyatthesadnessshesawonherson’sbrow，pickedupherworsted-work；theoldaunttookoutherknitting。Thebarongavehisarm-chairtohissonandwalkedabouttheroom，asiftostretchhislegsbeforegoingouttotakeaturninthegarden。NoFlemishorDutchpictureeverpresentedaninteriorintonesmoremellow，peopledwithfacesandformssoharmoniouslyblending。Thehandsomeyoungmaninhisblackvelvetcoat，themother，stillsobeautiful，andtheagedbrotherandsisterframedbythatancienthall，wereamovingdomesticharmony。

FannywouldfainhavequestionedCalyste，buthehadalreadypulledaletterfromhispocket，——thatletteroftheMarquiseBeatrix，whichwas，perhaps，destinedtodestroythehappinessofthisnoblefamily。

Asheunfoldedit，Calyste’sawakenedimaginationshowedhimthemarquisedressedasCamilleMaupinhadfancifullydepictedher。

FromtheMarquisedeRochefidetoMademoiselledesTouches。

Genoa，July2。

IhavenotwrittentoyousinceourstayinFlorence，mydearfriend，forVeniceandRomehaveabsorbedmytime，and，asyouknow，happinessoccupiesalargepartoflife；sofar，wehaveneitherofusdroppedfromitsfirstlevel。Iamalittlefatigued；forwhenonehasasoulnoteasyto/blaser/，theconstantsuccessionofenjoymentsnaturallycauseslassitude。

OurfriendhashadamagnificenttriumphattheScalaandtheFenice，andnowattheSanCarlo。ThreeItalianoperasintwoyears！Youcannotsaythatlovehasmadehimidle。Wehavebeenwarmlyreceivedeverywhere，——thoughImyselfwouldhavepreferredsolitudeandsilence。Surelythatistheonlysuitablemanneroflifeforwomenwhohaveplacedthemselvesindirectoppositiontosociety？Iexpectedsuchalife；butlove，mydearfriend，isamoreexactingmasterthanmarriage，——however，itissweettoobeyhim；thoughIdidnotthinkIshouldhavetoseetheworldagain，evenbysnatches，andtheattentionsIreceivearesomanystabs。

Iamnolongeronafootingofequalitywiththehighestrankofwomen；andthemoreattentionsarepaidtome，themoremyinferiorityismadeapparent。

Gennarocouldnotcomprehendthissensitiveness；buthehasbeensohappythatitwouldillbecomemenottohavesacrificedmypettyvanitytothatgreatandnoblething，——thelifeofanartist。Wewomenlivebylove，whereasmenlivebyloveandaction；otherwisetheywouldnotbemen。Still，therearegreatdisadvantagesforawomaninthepositioninwhichIhaveputmyself。Youhaveescapedthem；youcontinuetobeapersonintheeyesoftheworld，whichhasnorightsoveryou；youhaveyourownfreewill，andIhavelostmine。Iamspeakingnowofthethingsoftheheart，notthoseofsociallife，whichIhaveutterlyrenounced。Youcanbecoquettishandself-willed，andhaveallthegracesofawomanwholoves，awomanwhocangiveorrefuseherloveasshepleases；youhavekepttherighttohavecaprices，intheinterestsevenofyourlove。Inshort，to-dayyoustillpossessyourrightoffeeling，whileI，Ihavenolongeranylibertyofheart，whichIthinkprecioustoexerciseinlove，eventhoughtheloveitselfmaybeeternal。Ihavenorightnowtothatprivilegeofquarrellinginjesttowhichsomanywomencling，andjustly；forisitnottheplummetlinewithwhichtosoundtheheartsofmen？Ihavenothreatatmycommand。Imustdrawmypowerhenceforthfromobedience，fromunlimitedgentleness；Imustmakemyselfimposingbythegreatnessofmylove。IwouldratherdiethanleaveGennaro，andmypardonliesinthesanctityofmylove。Betweensocialdignityandmypettypersonaldignity，Ididrightnottohesitate。IfattimesIhaveafewmelancholyfeelings，likecloudsthatpassthroughaclearbluesky，andtowhichallwomenliketoyieldthemselves，Ikeepsilenceaboutthem；theymightseemlikeregrets。Ahme！IhavesofullyunderstoodtheobligationsofmypositionthatIhavearmedmyselfwiththeutmostindulgence；butsofar，Gennarohasnotalarmedmysusceptiblejealousy。Idon’tasyetseewherethatdeargreatgeniusmayfail。

Dearangel，IamlikethosepioussoulswhoarguewiththeirGod，forarenotyoumyProvidence？doInotowemyhappinesstoyou？

Youmustneverdoubt，therefore，thatyouareconstantlyinmythoughts。

IhaveseenItalyatlast；seenitasyousawit，andasitoughttobeseen，——lightedtooursoulsbylove，asitisbyitsownbrightsunanditsmasterpieces。Ipitythosewho，beingmovedtoadorationateverystep，havenohandtopress，noheartinwhichtoshedtheexuberanceofemotionswhichcalmthemselveswhenshared。Thesetwoyearshavebeentomealifetime，inwhichmymemoryhasstoredrichharvests。Haveyoumadeplans，asIdo，tostayforeveratChiavari，tobuyapalazzoinVenice，asummer-

houseatSorrento，avillainFlorence？Alllovingwomendreadsociety；butI，whoamcastforeveroutsideofit，oughtInottoburymyselfinsomebeautifullandscape，onfloweryslopes，facingthesea，orinavalleythatequalsasea，likethatofFiesole？

Butalas！weareonlypoorartists，andwantofmoneyisbringingthesetwobohemiansbacktoParis。GennarodoesnotwantmetofeelthatIhavelostmyluxury，andhewishestoputhisnewwork，agrandopera，intorehearsalatonce。Youwillunderstand，ofcourse，mydearest，thatIcannotsetfootinParis。Icouldnot，Iwouldnot，evenifitcostsmemylove，meetoneofthoseglancesofwomen，orofmen，whichwouldmakemethinkofmurderorsuicide。Yes，Icouldhackinpieceswhoeverinsultedmewithpity；likeChateauneuf，who，inthetimeofHenriIII。，Ithink，rodehishorseattheProvostofParisforawrongofthatkind，andtrampledhimunderhoof。

Iwrite，therefore，tosaythatIshallsoonpayyouavisitatLesTouches。Iwanttostaythere，inthatChartreuse，whileawaitingthesuccessofourGennaro’sopera。YouwillseethatI

amboldwithmybenefactress，mysister；butIprove，atanyrate，thatthegreatnessofobligationslaiduponmehasnotledme，asitdoessomanypeople，toingratitude。YouhavetoldmesomuchofthedifficultiesofthelandjourneythatIshallgotoCroisicbywater。ThisideacametomeonfindingthatthereisalittleDanishvesselnowhere，ladenwithmarble，whichistotouchatCroisicforacargoofsaltonitswaybacktotheBaltic。Ishallthusescapethefatigueandthecostofthelandjourney。DearFelicite，youaretheonlypersonwithwhomIcouldbealonewithoutConti。Willitnotbesomepleasuretohaveawomanwithyouwhounderstandsyourheartasfullyasyoudohers？

Adieu，/abientot/。Thewindisfavorable，andIsetsail，waftingyouakiss。

Beatrix。”Ah！sheloves，too！”thoughtCalyste，foldingthelettersadly。

Thatsadnessflowedtotheheartofthemotherasifsomegleamhadlightedupagulftoher。Thebaronhadgoneout；Fannywenttothedoorofthetowerandpushedthebolt，thenshereturned，andleaneduponthebackofherboy’schair，likethesisterofDidoinGuerin’spicture，andsaid，——”Whatisit，myCalyste？whatmakesyousosad？YoupromisedtoexplaintomethesevisitstoLesTouches；Iamtoblessitsmistress，——atleast，yousaidso。””Yes，indeedyouwill，dearmother，”hereplied。”Shehasshownmetheinsufficiencyofmyeducationatanepochwhenthenoblesoughttopossessapersonalvalueinordertogivelifetotheirrank。IwasasfarfromtheageweliveinasGuerandeisfromParis。Shehasbeen，asitwere，themotherofmyintellect。””Icannotblessherforthat，”saidthebaroness，withtearsinhereyes。”Mamma！”criedCalyste，onwhoseforeheadthosehottearsfell，twopearlsofsorrowfulmotherhood，”mamma，don’tweep！Justnow，whenI

wantedtodoheraservice，andsearchthecountryround，shesaid，’Itwillmakeyourmothersouneasy。’””Didshesaythat？ThenIcanforgivehermanythings，”repliedFanny。”Felicitethinksonlyofmygood，”continuedCalyste。”Sheoftenchecksthelively，venturesomelanguageofartistssoasnottoshakemeinafaithwhichis，thoughsheknowsitnot，unshakable。ShehastoldmeofthelifeinParisofseveralyoungmenofthehighestnobilitycomingfromtheirprovinces，asImightdo，——leavingfamilieswithoutfortune，butobtaininginParis，bythepoweroftheirwillandtheirintellect，agreatcareer。IcandowhattheBarondeRastignac，nowaministerofState，hasdone。Felicitehastaughtme；

Ireadwithher；shegivesmelessonsonthepiano；sheisteachingmeItalian；shehasinitiatedmeintoathousandsocialsecrets，aboutwhichnooneinGuerandeknowsanythingatall。Shecouldnotgivemethetreasuresofherlove，butshehasgivenmethoseofhervastintellect，hermind，hergenius。Shedoesnotwanttobeapleasure，butalighttome；shelessensnotoneofmyfaiths；sheherselfhasfaithinthenobility，shelovesBrittany，she——””ShehaschangedourCalyste，”saidhisblindoldaunt，interruptinghim。”Idonotunderstandonewordhehasbeensaying。Youhaveasolidroofoveryourhead，mygoodnephew；youhaveparentsandrelationswhoadoreyou，andfaithfulservants；youcanmarrysomegoodlittleBretongirl，religiousandaccomplished，whowillmakeyouhappy。Reserveyourambitionsforyoureldestson，whomaybefourtimesasrichasyou，ifyouchoosetolivetranquilly，thriftily，inobscurity，——butinthepeaceofGod，——inordertoreleasetheburdensonyourestate。ItisallassimpleasaBretonheart。Youwillbe，notsorapidlyperhaps，butmoresolidly，arichnobleman。””Yourauntisright，mydarling；sheplansforyourhappinesswithasmuchanxietyasIdomyself。IfIdonotsucceedinmarryingyoutomyniece，Margaret，thedaughterofyouruncle，LordFitzwilliam，itisalmostcertainthatMademoiselledePen-Hoelwillleaveherfortunetowhicheverofherniecesyoumaychoose。””Andbesides，there’salittlegoldtobefoundhere，”addedtheoldauntinalowvoice，withamysteriousglanceabouther。”Marry！atmyage！”hesaid，castingonhismotheroneofthoselookswhichmelttheargumentsofmothers。”AmItolivewithoutmybeautifulfondloves？MustInevertrembleorthroborfearorgasp，orliebeneathimplacablelooksandsoftenthem？AmInevertoknowbeautyinitsfreedom，thefantasyofthesoul，thecloudsthatcoursethroughtheazureofhappiness，whichthebreathofpleasuredissipates？Ah！shallIneverwanderinthosesweetby-pathsmoistwithdew；neverstandbeneaththedrenchingofagutterandnotknowitrains，likethoseloversseenbyDiderot；nevertake，liketheDucdeLorraine，alivecoalinmyhand？Aretherenosilkenladdersforme，norottentrellisestoclingtoandnotfall？ShallIknownothingofwomanbutconjugalsubmission；nothingoflovebuttheflameofitslamp-wick？Aremylongingstobesatisfiedbeforetheyareroused？

MustIliveoutmydaysdeprivedofthatmadnessoftheheartthatmakesamanandhispower？Wouldyoumakemeamarriedmonk？No！I

haveeatenofthefruitofParisiancivilization。Doyounotseethatyouhave，bytheignorantmoralsofthisfamily，preparedthefirethatconsumesme，that/will/consumemeutterly，unlessIcanadorethedivinenessIseeeverywhere，——inthosesandsgleaminginthesun，inthegreenfoliage，inallthewomen，beautiful，noble，elegant，picturedinthebooksandinthepoemsIhavereadwithCamille？Alas！

thereisbutonesuchwomaninGuerande，anditisyou，mymother！Thebirdsofmybeautifuldream，theycomefromParis，theyflyfromthepagesofScott，ofByron，——Parisina，Effie，Minna！yes，andthatroyalduchess，whomIsawonthemoorsamongthefurzeandtheferns，whoseveryaspectsentthebloodtomyheart。”

Thebaronesssawthesethoughtsflamingintheeyesofherson，clearer，morebeautiful，morelivingthanartcantelltothosewhoreadthem。Shegraspedthemrapidly，flungtoherastheywereinglanceslikearrowsfromanupsetquiver。WithouthavingreadBeaumarchais，shefelt，asotherwomenwouldhavefelt，thatitwouldbeacrimetomarryCalyste。”Oh！mychild！”shesaid，takinghiminherarms，andkissingthebeautifulhairthatwasstillhers，”marrywhomyouwill，andwhenyouwill，butbehappy！Mypartinlifeisnottohamperyou。”

Mariottecametolaythetable。GasselinwasoutexercisingCalyste’shorse，whichtheyouthhadnotmountedfortwomonths。Thethreewomen，mother，aunt，andMariotte，sharedinthetenderfemininewiliness，whichtaughtthemtomakemuchofCalystewhenhedinedathome。BretonplainnessfoughtagainstParisianluxury，nowbroughttotheverydoorsofGuerande。MariotteendeavoredtoweanheryoungmasterfromtheaccomplishedserviceofCamilleMaupin’skitchen，justashismotherandauntstrovetoholdhiminthenetoftheirtendernessandrenderallcomparisonimpossible。”There’sasalmon-troutfordinner，MonsieurCalyste，andsnipe，andpancakessuchasIknowyoucan’tgetanywherebuthere，”saidMariotte，withasly，triumphantlookasshesmoothedthecloth，acascadeofsnow。

Afterdinner，whentheoldaunthadtakenupherknitting，andtherectorandMonsieurduHalgahadarrived，alluredbytheirprecious/mouche/，CalystewentbacktoLesTouchesonthepretextofreturningtheletter。

ClaudeVignonandFelicitewerestillattable。Thegreatcriticwassomethingofagourmand，andFelicitepamperedthevice，knowinghowindispensableawomanmakesherselfbysuchcompliance。Thedinner-

tablepresentedthatrichandbrilliantaspectwhichmodernluxury，aidedbytheperfectingofhandicrafts，nowgivestoitsservice。ThepoorandnoblehouseofGueniclittleknewwithwhatanadversaryitwasattemptingtocompete，orwhatamountoffortunewasnecessarytoenterthelistsagainstthesilverware，thedelicateporcelain，thebeautifullinen，thesilver-giltservicebroughtfromParisbyMademoiselledesTouches，andthescienceofhercook。Calystedeclinedtheliqueurscontainedinoneofthosesuperbcasesofpreciouswoods，whicharesomethingliketabernacles。”Here’stheletter，”hesaid，withinnocentostentation，lookingatClaude，whowasslowlysippingaglassof/liqueur-des-iles/。”Well，whatdidyouthinkofit？”askedMademoiselledesTouches，throwingtheletteracrossthetabletoVignon，whobegantoreadit，takingupandputtingdownatintervalshislittleglass。”Ithought——well，thatParisianwomenwereveryfortunatetohavemenofgeniustoadorewhoadorethem。””Ah！youarestillinyourvillage，”saidFelicite，laughing。”What！

didyounotseethatsheloveshimless，and——””Thatisevident，”saidClaudeVignon，whohadonlyreadthefirstpage。”Dopeoplereasonontheirsituationwhentheyreallylove；aretheyasshrewdasthemarquise，asobserving，asdiscriminating？YourdearBeatrixisheldtoContinowbyprideonly；sheiscondemnedtolovehim/quandmeme/。””Poorwoman！”saidCamille。

Calyste’seyeswerefixedonthetable；hesawnothingabouthim。ThebeautifulwomaninthefancifuldressdescribedthatmorningbyFeliciteappearedtohimcrownedwithlight；shesmiledtohim，shewavedherfan；theotherhand，issuingfromitsruffleoflace，fellwhiteandpureontheheavyfoldsofhercrimsonvelvetrobe。”Sheisjustthethingforyou，”saidClaudeVignon，smilingsardonicallyatCalyste。

Theyoungmanwasdeeplywoundedbythewords，andbythemannerinwhichtheyweresaid。”Don’tputsuchideasintoCalyste’smind；youdon’tknowhowdangeroussuchjokesmayprovetobe，”saidMademoiselledesTouches，hastily。”IknowBeatrix，andthereissomethingtoograndioseinhernaturetoallowhertochange。Besides，Contiwillbehere。””Ha！”saidClaudeVignon，satirically，”aslighttouchofjealousy，eh？””Canyoureallythinkso？”saidCamille，haughtily。”Youaremoreperspicaciousthanamother，”repliedClaudeVignon，stillsarcastically。”Butitwouldbeimpossible，”saidCamille，lookingatCalyste。”Theyareverywellmatched，”remarkedVignon。”Sheistenyearsolderthanhe；anditishewhoappearstobethegirl——””Agirl，monsieur，”saidCalyste，wakingfromhisreverie，”whohasbeentwiceunderfireinLaVendee！IftheCausehadhadtwentythousandmoresuchgirls——””Iwasgivingyousomewell-deservedpraise，andthatiseasierthantogiveyouabeard，”remarkedVignon。”Ihaveaswordforthosewhoweartheirbeardstoolong，”criedCalyste。”AndIamverygoodatanepigram，”saidtheother，smiling。”WeareFrenchmen；theaffaircaneasilybearranged。”

MademoiselledesTouchescastasupplicatinglookonCalyste，whichcalmedhiminstantly。”Why，”saidFelicite，asiftobreakupthediscussion，”doyoungmenlikemyCalyste，beginbylovingwomenofacertainage？””Idon’tknowanysentimentmoreartlessormoregenerous，”repliedVignon。”Itisthenaturalconsequenceoftheadorablequalitiesofyouth。Besides，howwouldoldwomenendifitwerenotforsuchlove？