第5章

Astheymetsooften，theyperhapssmiledatthenextmeeting;then，seeingeachotheragainandagain，theyfeltasiftheykneweachother.

Hecertainlybowedtoher.Andshe，surprised，bowedinreturn，butvery，veryslightly，justenoughnottoappearimpolite.Butaftertwoweeksshereturnedhissalutationfromadistance，evenbeforetheyweresidebyside.

Hespoketoher.Ofwhat？Doubtlessofthesettingsun.Theyadmiredittogether，lookingforitineachother’seyesmoreoftenthanonthehorizon.Andeveryeveningfortwoweeksthiswasthecommonplaceandpersistentpretextforafewminutes’chat.

Thentheyventuredtotakeafewstepstogether，talkingofanythingthatcameintotheirminds，buttheireyeswerealreadysayingtoeachotherathousandmoreintimatethings，thosesecret，charmingthingsthatarereflectedinthegentleemotionoftheglance，andthatcausethehearttobeat，fortheyareabetterrevelationofthesoulthanthespokenward.

Andthenhewouldtakeherhand，murmuringthosewordswhichthewomandivines，withoutseemingtohearthem.

Anditwasagreedbetweenthemthattheywouldloveeachotherwithoutevidencingitbyanythingsensualorbrutal.

Shewouldhaveremainedindefinitelyatthisstageofintimacy，buthewantedmore.Andeverydayheurgedhermorehotlytogiveintohisardentdesire.

Sheresisted，wouldnothearofit，seemeddeterminednottogiveway.

Butoneeveningshesaidtohimcasually："MyhusbandhasjustgonetoMarseilles.Hewillbeawayfourdays."

JeandeCarmelinthrewhimselfatherfeet，imploringhertoopenherdoortohimthatverynightateleveno’clock.Butshewouldnotlistentohim，andwenthome，appearingtobeannoyed.

Thecommandantwasinabadhumoralltheevening，andthenextmorningatdawnhewentoutontherampartsinarage，goingfromoneexercisefieldtotheother，dealingoutpunishmenttotheofficersandmenasonemightflingstonesintoacrowd，Ongoingintobreakfasthefoundanenvelopeunderhisnapkinwiththesefourwords："To—nightatten."Andhegaveonehundredsouswithoutanyreasontothewaiter.

Thedayseemedendlesstohim.Hepassedpartofitincurlinghishairandperfuminghimself.

Ashewassittingdowntothedinner—tableanotherenvelopewashandedtohim，andinithefoundthefollowingtelegram：

"MyLove：Businesscompleted.Ireturnthiseveningonthenineo’clocktrain.

PARISSE."

Thecommandantletloosesuchavehementoaththatthewaiterdroppedthesoup—tureenonthefloor.

Whatshouldhedo？Hecertainlywantedher，thatvery，eveningatwhatevercost;andhewouldhaveher.Hewouldresorttoanymeans，eventoarrestingandimprisoningthehusband.Thenamadthoughtstruckhim.

Callingforpaper，hewrotethefollowingnote：

MADAME：Hewillnotcomebackthisevening，Iswearittoyou，——andIshallbe，youknowwhere，atteno’clock.Fearnothing.Iwillanswerforeverything，onmyhonorasanofficer.

JEANDECARMELIN.

Andhavingsentoffthisletter，hequietlyatehisdinner.

Towardeighto’clockhesentforCaptainGribois，thesecondincommand，andsaid，rollingbetweenhisfingersthecrumpledtelegramofMonsieurParisse：

"Captain，Ihavejustreceivedatelegramofaverysingularnature，whichitisimpossibleformetocommunicatetoyou.Youwillimmediatelyhaveallthegatesofthecityclosedandguarded，sothatnoone，mindme，noone，willeitherenterorleavebeforesixinthemorning.Youwillalsohavemenpatrolthestreets，whowillcompeltheinhabitantstoretiretotheirhousesatnineo’clock.Anyonefoundoutsidebeyondthattimewillbeconductedtohishome’manumilitari’.

Ifyourmenmeetmethisnighttheywillatoncegooutofmyway，appearingnottoknowme.Youunderstandme？"

"Yes，commandant."

"Iholdyouresponsiblefortheexecutionofmyorders，mydearcaptain."

"Yes，commandant."

"Wouldyouliketohaveaglassofchartreuse？"

"Withgreatpleasure，commandant."

TheyclinkedglassesdrankdownthebrownliquorandCaptainGriboislefttheroom.

ThetrainfromMarseillesarrivedatthestationatnineo’clocksharp，lefttwopassengersontheplatformandwentontowardNice.

Oneofthem，tallandthin，wasMonsieurSaribe，theoilmerchant，andtheother，shortandfat，wasMonsieurParisse.

Togethertheysetout，withtheirvalises，toreachthecity，onekilometerdistant.

Butonarrivingatthegateoftheporttheguardscrossedtheirbayonets，commandingthemtoretire.

Frightened，surprised，cowedwithastonishment，theyretiredtodeliberate;then，afterhavingtakencounselonewiththeother，theycamebackcautiouslytoparley，givingtheirnames.

Butthesoldiersevidentlyhadstrictorders，fortheythreatenedtoshoot;andthetwoscaredtravellersranoff，throwingawaytheirvalises，whichimpededtheirflight.

Makingthetouroftheramparts，theypresentedthemselvesatthegateontheroutetoCannes.Thislikewisewasclosedandguardedbyamenacingsentinel.Messrs.SaribeandParisse，liketheprudentmentheywere，desistedfromtheireffortsandwentbacktothestationforshelter，sinceitwasnotsafetobenearthefortificationsaftersundown.

Thestationagent，surprisedandsleepy，permittedthemtostaytillmorninginthewaiting—room.

Andtheysattheresidebyside，inthedark，onthegreenvelvetsofa，tooscaredtothinkofsleeping.

Itwasalongandwearynightforthem.

Athalf—pastsixinthemorningtheywereinformedthatthegateswereopenandthatpeoplecouldnowenterAntibes.

Theysetoutforthecity，butfailedtofindtheirabandonedvalisesontheroad.

Whentheypassedthroughthegatesofthecity，stillsomewhatanxious，theCommandantdeCarmelin，withslyglanceandmustachecurledup，camehimselftolookatthemandquestionthem.

Thenhebowedtothempolitely，excusinghimselfforhavingcausedthemabadnight.Buthehadtocarryoutorders.

ThepeopleofAntibeswerescaredtodeath.SomespokeofasurpriseplannedbytheItalians，othersofthelandingoftheprinceimperialandothersagainbelievedthattherewasanOrleanistconspiracy.Thetruthwassuspectedonlylater，whenitbecameknownthatthebattalionofthecommandanthadbeensentaway，toadistanceandthatMonsieurdeCarmelinhadbeenseverelypunished.

MonsieurMartinihadfinishedhisstory.MadameParissereturned，herpromenadebeingended.Shepassedgravelynearme，withhereyesfixedontheAlps，whosesummitsnowgleamedrosyinthelastraysofthesettingsun.

Ilongedtospeaktoher，thispoor，sadwoman，whowouldeverbethinkingofthatnightoflove，nowlongpast，andoftheboldmanwhoforthesakeofakissfromherhaddaredtoputacityintoastateofsiegeandtocompromisehiswholefuture.

Andto—dayhehadprobablyforgottenher，ifhedidnotrelatethisaudacious，comicalandtenderfarcetohiscomradesovertheircups.

Hadsheseenhimagain？Didshestilllovehim？AndIthought：Hereisaninstanceofmodernlove，grotesqueandyetheroic.TheHomerwhoshouldsingofthisnewHelenandtheadventureofherMenelausmustbegiftedwiththesoulofaPauldeKock.Andyettheheroofthisdesertedwomanwasbrave，daring，handsome，strongasAchillesandmorecunningthanUlysses.

MADEMOISELLEFIFI

MajorGrafVonFarlsberg，thePrussiancommandant，wasreadinghisnewspaperashelaybackinagreateasy—chair，withhisbootedfeetonthebeautifulmarblemantelpiecewherehisspurshadmadetwoholes，whichhadgrowndeepereverydayduringthethreemonthsthathehadbeeninthechateauofUville.

Acupofcoffeewassmokingonasmallinlaidtable，whichwasstainedwithliqueur，burnedbycigars，notchedbythepenknifeofthevictoriousofficer，whooccasionallywouldstopwhilesharpeningapencil，tojotdownfigures，ortomakeadrawingonit，justasittookhisfancy.

WhenhehadreadhislettersandtheGermannewspapers，whichhisorderlyhadbroughthim，hegotup，andafterthrowingthreeorfourenormouspiecesofgreenwoodonthefire，forthesegentlemenweregraduallycuttingdowntheparkinordertokeepthemselveswarm，hewenttothewindow.Therainwasdescendingintorrents，aregularNormandyrain，whichlookedasifitwerebeingpouredoutbysomefuriousperson，aslantingrain，opaqueasacurtain，whichformedakindofwallwithdiagonalstripes，andwhichdelugedeverything，arainsuchasonefrequentlyexperiencesintheneighborhoodofRouen，whichisthewatering—potofFrance.

ForalongtimetheofficerlookedatthesoddenturfandattheswollenAndellebeyondit，whichwasoverflowingitsbanks;hewasdrummingawaltzwithhisfingersonthewindow—panes，whenanoisemadehimturnround.Itwashissecondincommand，CaptainBaronvanKelweinstein.

Themajorwasagiant，withbroadshouldersandalong，fan—likebeard，whichhungdownlikeacurtaintohischest.Hiswholesolemnpersonsuggestedtheideaofamilitarypeacock，apeacockwhowascarryinghistailspreadoutonhisbreast.Hehadcold，gentleblueeyes，andascarfromaswordcut，whichhehadreceivedinthewarwithAustria;hewassaidtobeanhonorableman，aswellasabraveofficer.

Thecaptain，ashort，red—facedman，wastightlybeltedinatthewaist，hisredhairwascroppedquiteclosetohishead，andincertainlightshealmostlookedasifhehadbeenrubbedoverwithphosphorus.Hehadlosttwofrontteethonenight，thoughhecouldnotquiterememberhow，andthissometimesmadehimspeakunintelligibly，andhehadabaldpatchontopofhisheadsurroundedbyafringeofcurly，brightgoldenhair，whichmadehimlooklikeamonk.

Thecommandantshookhandswithhimanddrankhiscupofcoffee（thesixththatmorning），whilehelistenedtohissubordinate’sreportofwhathadoccurred;andthentheybothwenttothewindowanddeclaredthatitwasaveryunpleasantoutlook.Themajor，whowasaquietman，withawifeathome，couldaccommodatehimselftoeverything;butthecaptain，wholedafastlife，whowasinthehabitoffrequentinglowresorts，andenjoyingwomen’ssociety，wasangryathavingtobeshutupforthreemonthsinthatwretchedhole.

Therewasaknockatthedoor，andwhenthecommandantsaid，"Comein，"

oneoftheorderliesappeared，andbyhismerepresenceannouncedthatbreakfastwasready.Inthedining—roomtheymetthreeotherofficersoflowerrank——alieutenant，OttovonGrossling，andtwosub—lieutenants，FritzScheunebergandBaronvonEyrick，averyshort，fair—hairedman，whowasproudandbrutaltowardmen，harshtowardprisonersandasexplosiveasgunpowder.

SincehehadbeeninFrancehiscomradeshadcalledhimnothingbutMademoiselleFifi.Theyhadgivenhimthatnicknameonaccountofhisdandifiedstyleandsmallwaist，whichlookedasifheworecorsets;ofhispaleface，onwhichhisbuddingmustachescarcelyshowed，andonaccountofthehabithehadacquiredofemployingtheFrenchexpression，’Fi，fidonc’，whichhepronouncedwithaslightwhistlewhenhewishedtoexpresshissovereigncontemptforpersonsorthings.

Thedining—roomofthechateauwasamagnificentlongroom，whosefineoldmirrors，thatwerecrackedbypistolbullets，andwhoseFlemishtapestry，whichwascuttoribbons，andhanginginragsinplacesfromsword—cuts，toldtoowellwhatMademoiselleFifi’soccupationwasduringhissparetime.

Therewerethreefamilyportraitsonthewallsasteel—cladknight，acardinalandajudge，whowereallsmokinglongporcelainpipes，whichhadbeeninsertedintoholesinthecanvas，whilealadyinalong，pointedwaistproudlyexhibitedapairofenormousmustaches，drawnwithcharcoal.Theofficersatetheirbreakfastalmostinsilenceinthatmutilatedroom，whichlookeddullintherainandmelancholyinitsdilapidatedcondition，althoughitsoldoakfloorhadbecomeassolidasthestonefloorofaninn.

Whentheyhadfinishedeatingandweresmokinganddrinking，theybegan，asusual，toberatethedulllifetheywereleading.Thebottlesofbrandyandofliqueurpassedfromhandtohand，andallsatbackintheirchairsandtookrepeatedsipsfromtheirglasses，scarcelyremovingfromtheirmouthsthelong，curvedstems，whichterminatedinchinabowls，paintedinamannertodelightaHottentot.

Assoonastheirglasseswereemptytheyfilledthemagain，withagestureofresignedweariness，butMademoiselleFifiemptiedhiseveryminute，andasoldierimmediatelygavehimanother.Theywereenvelopedinacloudofstrongtobaccosmoke，andseemedtobesunkinastateofdrowsy，stupidintoxication，thatconditionofstupidintoxicationofmenwhohavenothingtodo，whensuddenlythebaronsatupandsaid：

"Heavens！Thiscannotgoon;wemustthinkofsomethingtodo."Andonhearingthis，LieutenantOttoandSub—lieutenantFritz，whopreeminentlypossessedtheserious，heavyGermancountenance，said："What，captain？"

Hethoughtforafewmomentsandthenreplied："What？Why，wemustgetupsomeentertainment，ifthecommandantwillallowus.""Whatsortofanentertainment，captain？"themajorasked，takinghispipeoutofhismouth."Iwillarrangeallthat，commandant，"thebaronsaid."IwillsendLeDevoirtoRouen，andhewillbringbacksomeladies.Iknowwheretheycanbefound，Wewillhavesupperhere，asallthematerialsareathandand;atleast，weshallhaveajollyevening."

GrafvonFarlsbergshruggedhisshoulderswithasmile："Youmustsurelybemad，myfriend."

Butalltheotherofficershadrisenandsurroundedtheirchief，saying：

"Letthecaptainhavehisway，commandant;itisterriblydullhere."

Andthemajorendedbyyielding."Verywell，"hereplied，andthebaronimmediatelysentforLeDevoir.Hewasanoldnon—commissionedofficer，whohadneverbeenseentosmile，butwhocarriedoutalltheordersofhissuperiorstotheletter，nomatterwhattheymightbe.Hestoodthere，withanimpassiveface，whilehereceivedthebaron’sinstructions，andthenwentout，andfiveminuteslateralargemilitarywagon，coveredwithtarpaulin，gallopedoffasfastasfourhorsescoulddrawitinthepouringrain.Theofficersallseemedtoawakenfromtheirlethargy，theirlooksbrightened，，andtheybegantotalk.

Althoughitwasrainingashardasever，themajordeclaredthatitwasnotsodark，andLieutenantvonGrosslingsaidwithconvictionthattheskywasclearingup，whileMademoiselleFifididnotseemtobeabletokeepstill.Hegotupandsatdownagain，andhisbrighteyesseemedtobelookingforsomethingtodestroy.Suddenly，lookingattheladywiththemustaches，theyoungfellowpulledouthisrevolverandsaid："Youshallnotseeit."Andwithoutleavinghisseatheaimed，andwithtwosuccessivebulletscutoutboththeeyesoftheportrait.

"Letusmakeamine！"hethenexclaimed，andtheconversationwassuddenlyinterrupted，asiftheyhadfoundsomefreshandpowerfulsubjectofinterest.Theminewashisinvention，hismethodofdestruction，andhisfavoriteamusement.

Whenheleftthechateau，thelawfulowner，ComteFernandd’Amoysd’Uville，hadnothadtimetocarryawayortohideanythingexcepttheplate，whichhadbeenstowedawayinaholemadeinoneofthewalls.Ashewasveryrichandhadgoodtaste，thelargedrawing—room，whichopenedintothedining—room，lookedlikeagalleryinamuseum，beforehisprecipitateflight.

Expensiveoilpaintings，watercolorsanddrawingshungagainstthewalls，whileonthetables，onthehangingshelvesandinelegantglasscupboardstherewereathousandornaments：smallvases，statuettes，groupsofDresdenchinaandgrotesqueChinesefigures，oldivoryandVenetianglass，whichfilledthelargeroomwiththeircostlyandfantasticarray.

Scarcelyanythingwasleftnow;notthatthethingshadbeenstolen，forthemajorwouldnothaveallowedthat，butMademoiselleFifiwouldeverynowandthenhaveamine，andonthoseoccasionsalltheofficersthoroughlyenjoyedthemselvesforfiveminutes.Thelittlemarquiswentintothedrawing—roomtogetwhathewanted，andhebroughtbackasmall，delicatechinateapot，whichhefilledwithgunpowder，andcarefullyintroducedapieceofpunkthroughthespout.Thishelightedandtookhisinfernalmachineintothenextroom，buthecamebackimmediatelyandshutthedoor.TheGermansallstoodexpectant，theirfacesfullofchildish，smilingcuriosity，andassoonastheexplosionhadshakenthechateau，theyallrushedinatonce.

MademoiselleFifi，whogotinfirst，clappedhishandsindelightatthesightofaterra—cottaVenus，whoseheadhadbeenblownoff，andeachpickeduppiecesofporcelainandwonderedatthestrangeshapeofthefragments，whilethemajorwaslookingwithapaternaleyeatthelargedrawing—room，whichhadbeenwreckedafterthefashionofaNero，andwasstrewnwiththefragmentsofworksofart.Hewentoutfirstandsaidwithasmile："Thatwasagreatsuccessthistime."

Buttherewassuchacloudofsmokeinthedining—room，mingledwiththetobaccosmoke，thattheycouldnotbreathe，sothecommandantopenedthewindow，andalltheofficers，whohadreturnedforalastglassofcognac，wentuptoit.

Themoistairblewintotheroom，bringingwithitasortofpowderyspray，whichsprinkledtheirbeards.Theylookedatthetalltreeswhichweredrippingwithrain，atthebroadvalleywhichwascoveredwithmist，andatthechurchspireinthedistance，whichroseuplikeagraypointinthebeatingrain.

Thebellshadnotrungsincetheirarrival.Thatwastheonlyresistancewhichtheinvadershadmetwithintheneighborhood.TheparishpriesthadnotrefusedtotakeinandtofeedthePrussiansoldiers;hehadseveraltimesevendrunkabottleofbeerorclaretwiththehostilecommandant，whooftenemployedhimasabenevolentintermediary;butitwasnousetoaskhimforasinglestrokeofthebells;hewouldsoonerhaveallowedhimselftobeshot.Thatwashiswayofprotestingagainsttheinvasion，apeacefulandsilentprotest，theonlyone，hesaid，whichwassuitabletoapriest，whowasamanofmildness，andnotofblood;

andeveryone，fortwenty—fivemilesround，praisedAbbeChantavoine’sfirmnessandheroisminventuringtoproclaimthepublicmourningbytheobstinatesilenceofhischurchbells.

Thewholevillage，enthusiasticathisresistance，wasreadytobackuptheirpastorandtoriskanything，fortheylookeduponthatsilentprotestasthesafeguardofthenationalhonor.ItseemedtothepeasantsthatthustheydeservedbetteroftheircountrythanBelfortandStrassburg，thattheyhadsetanequallyvaluableexample，andthatthenameoftheirlittlevillagewouldbecomeimmortalizedbythat;but，withthatexception，theyrefusedtheirPrussianconquerorsnothing.

Thecommandantandhisofficerslaughedamongthemselvesatthisinoffensivecourage，andasthepeopleinthewholecountryroundshowedthemselvesobligingandcomplianttowardthem，theywillinglytoleratedtheirsilentpatriotism.LittleBaronWilhelmalonewouldhavelikedtohaveforcedthemtoringthebells.Hewasveryangryathissuperior’spoliticcompliancewiththepriest’sscruples，andeverydaybeggedthecommandanttoallowhimtosound"ding—dong，ding—dong，"justonce，onlyjustonce，justbywayofajoke.Andheaskeditinthecoaxing，tendervoiceofsomelovedwomanwhoisbentonobtainingherwish，butthecommandantwouldnotyield，andtoconsolehimself，MademoiselleFifimadeamineintheChateaud’Uville.

Thefivemenstoodtheretogetherforfiveminutes，breathinginthemoistair，andatlastLieutenantFritzsaidwithalaugh："Theladieswillcertainlynothavefineweatherfortheirdrive.Thentheyseparated，eachtohisduty，whilethecaptainhadplentytodoinarrangingforthedinner.

Whentheymetagaintowardeveningtheybegantolaughatseeingeachotherasspickandspanandsmartasonthedayofagrandreview.Thecommandant’shairdidnotlooksograyasitwasinthemorning，andthecaptainhadshaved，leavingonlyhismustache，whichmadehimlookasifhehadastreakoffireunderhisnose.

Inspiteoftherain，theyleftthewindowopen，andoneofthemwenttolistenfromtimetotime;andataquarterpastsixthebaronsaidheheardarumblinginthedistance.Theyallrusheddown，andpresentlythewagondroveupatagallopwithitsfourhorsessteamingandblowing，andsplashedwithmudtotheirgirths.Fivewomendismounted，fivehandsomegirlswhomacomradeofthecaptain，towhomLeDevoirhadpresentedhiscard，hadselectedwithcare.

Theyhadnotrequiredmuchpressing，astheyhadgottoknowthePrussiansinthethreemonthsduringwhichtheyhadhadtodowiththem，andsotheyresignedthemselvestothemenastheydidtothestateofaffairs.

Theywentatonceintothedining—room，whichlookedstillmoredismalinitsdilapidatedconditionwhenitwaslightedup;whilethetablecoveredwithchoicedishes，thebeautifulchinaandglass，andtheplate，whichhadbeenfoundintheholeinthewallwhereitsownerhadhiddenit，gaveittheappearanceofabandits’inn，wheretheyweresuppingaftercommittingarobberyintheplace.Thecaptainwasradiant，andputhisarmroundthewomenasifhewerefamiliarwiththem;andwhenthethreeyoungmenwantedtoappropriateoneeach，heopposedthemauthoritatively，reservingtohimselftherighttoapportionthemjustly，accordingtotheirseveralranks，soasnottooffendthehigherpowers.

Therefore，toavoidalldiscussion，jarring，andsuspicionofpartiality，heplacedthemallinarowaccordingtoheight，andaddressingthetallest，hesaidinavoiceofcommand：

"Whatisyourname？""Pamela，"shereplied，raisinghervoice.Andthenhesaid："NumberOne，calledPamela，isadjudgedtothecommandant."

Then，havingkissedBlondina，thesecond，asasignofproprietorship，heprofferedstoutAmandatoLieutenantOtto;Eva，"theTomato，"toSub—

lieutenantFritz，andRachel，theshortestofthemall，averyyoung，darkgirl，witheyesasblackasink，aJewess，whosesnubnoseprovedtherulewhichallotshookednosestoallherrace，totheyoungestofficer，frailCountWilhelmd’Eyrick.

Theywereallprettyandplump，withoutanydistinctivefeatures，andallhadasimilarityofcomplexionandfigure.

Thethreeyoungmenwishedtocarryofftheirprizesimmediately，underthepretextthattheymightwishtofreshentheirtoilets;butthecaptainwiselyopposedthis，forhesaidtheywerequitefittositdowntodinner，andhisexperienceinsuchmatterscarriedtheday.Therewereonlymanykisses，expectantkisses.

SuddenlyRachelchoked，andbegantocoughuntilthetearscameintohereyes，whilesmokecamethroughhernostrils.Underpretenceofkissingher，thecounthadblownawhiffoftobaccointohermouth.Shedidnotflyintoarageanddidnotsayaword，butshelookedathertormentorwithlatenthatredinherdarkeyes.

Theysatdowntodinner.Thecommandantseemeddelighted;hemadePamelasitonhisright，andBlondinaonhisleft，andsaid，asheunfoldedhistablenapkin："Thatwasadelightfulideaofyours，captain."

LieutenantsOttoandFritz，whowereaspoliteasiftheyhadbeenwithfashionableladies，ratherintimidatedtheirguests，butBaronvonKelweinsteinbeamed，madeobsceneremarksandseemedonfirewithhiscrownofredhair.HepaidthewomencomplimentsinFrenchoftheRhine，andsputteredoutgallantremarks，onlyfitforalowpothouse，frombetweenhistwobrokenteeth.

Theydidnotunderstandhim，however，andtheirintelligencedidnotseemtobeawakeneduntilheutteredfoulwordsandbroadexpressions，whichweremangledbyhisaccent.Thentheyallbegantolaughatoncelikecrazywomenandfellagainsteachother，repeatingthewords，whichthebaronthenbegantosayallwrong，inorderthathemighthavethepleasureofhearingthemsaydirtythings.Theygavehimasmuchofthatstuffashewanted，fortheyweredrunkafterthefirstbottleofwine，andresumingtheirusualhabitsandmanners，theykissedtheofficerstorightandleftofthem，pinchedtheirarms，utteredwildcries，drankoutofeveryglassandsangFrenchcoupletsandbitsofGermansongswhichtheyhadpickedupintheirdailyintercoursewiththeenemy.

Soonthementhemselvesbecameveryunrestrained，shoutedandbroketheplatesanddishes，whilethesoldiersbehindthemwaitedonthemstolidly.Thecommandantwastheonlyonewhokeptanyrestraintuponhimself.

MademoiselleFifihadtakenRachelonhisknee，and，gettingexcited，atonemomenthekissedthelittleblackcurlsonherneckandatanotherhepinchedherfuriouslyandmadeherscream，forhewasseizedbyaspeciesofferocity，andtormentedbyhisdesiretohurther.HeoftenheldherclosetohimandpressedalongkissontheJewess’rosymouthuntilshelostherbreath，andatlasthebitheruntilastreamofbloodrandownherchinandontoherbodice.

Forthesecondtimeshelookedhimfullintheface，andasshebathedthewound，shesaid："Youwillhavetopayfor，that！"Buthemerelylaughedahardlaughandsaid："Iwillpay."

Atdessertchampagnewasserved，andthecommandantrose，andinthesamevoiceinwhichhewouldhavedrunktothehealthoftheEmpressAugusta，hedrank："Toourladies！"Andaseriesoftoastsbegan，toastsworthyofthelowestsoldiersandofdrunkards，mingledwithobscenejokes，whichweremadestillmorebrutalbytheirignoranceofthelanguage.

Theygotup，oneaftertheother，tryingtosaysomethingwitty，forcingthemselvestobefunny，andthewomen，whoweresodrunkthattheyalmostfellofftheirchairs，withvacantlooksandclammytonguesapplaudedmadlyeachtime.

Thecaptain，whonodoubtwishedtoimpartanappearanceofgallantrytotheorgy，raisedhisglassagainandsaid："Toourvictoriesoverheartsand，thereuponLieutenantOtto，whowasaspeciesofbearfromtheBlackForest，jumpedup，inflamedandsaturatedwithdrink，andsuddenlyseizedbyanaccessofalcoholicpatriotism，hecried："ToourvictoriesoverFrance！"

Drunkastheywere，thewomenweresilent，butRachelturnedround，trembling，andsaid："Seehere，IknowsomeFrenchmeninwhosepresenceyouwouldnotdaresaythat."Butthelittlecount，stillholdingheronhisknee，begantolaugh，forthewinehadmadehimverymerry，andsaid：

"Ha！ha！ha！Ihavenevermetanyofthemmyself.Assoonasweshowourselves，theyrunaway！"Thegirl，whowasinaterriblerage，shoutedintohisface："Youarelying，youdirtyscoundrel！"

Foramomenthelookedathersteadilywithhisbrighteyesuponher，ashehadlookedattheportraitbeforehedestroyeditwithbulletsfromhisrevolver，andthenhebegantolaugh："Ah！yes，talkaboutthem，mydear！Shouldwebeherenowiftheywerebrave？"And，gettingexcited，heexclaimed："Wearethemasters！Francebelongstous！"Shemadeonespringfromhiskneeandthrewherselfintoherchair，whilehearose，heldouthisglassoverthetableandrepeated："FranceandtheFrench，thewoods，thefieldsandthehousesofFrancebelongtous！"

Theothers，whowerequitedrunk，andwhoweresuddenlyseizedbymilitaryenthusiasm，theenthusiasmofbrutes，seizedtheirglasses，andshouting，"LonglivePrussia！"theyemptiedthematadraught.

Thegirlsdidnotprotest，fortheywerereducedtosilenceandwereafraid.EvenRacheldidnotsayaword，asshehadnoreplytomake.

Thenthelittlemarquisputhischampagneglass，whichhadjustbeenrefilled，ontheheadoftheJewessandexclaimed："AllthewomeninFrancebelongtousalso！"

Atthatshegotupsoquicklythattheglassupset，spillingtheamber—

coloredwineonherblackhairasiftobaptizeher，andbrokeintoahundredfragments，asitfelltothefloor.Herlipstrembling，shedefiedthelooksoftheofficer，whowasstilllaughing，andstammeredoutinavoicechokedwithrage：

"That——that——that——isnottrue——foryoushallnothavethewomenofFrance！"

Hesatdownagainsoastolaughathisease;and，tryingtospeakwiththeParisianaccent，hesaid："Sheisgood，verygood！Thenwhydidyoucomehere，mydear？"Shewasthunderstruckandmadenoreplyforamoment，forinheragitationshedidnotunderstandhimatfirst，butassoonasshegraspedhismeaningshesaidtohimindignantlyandvehemently："I！I！Iamnotawoman，Iamonlyastrumpet，andthatisallthatPrussianswant."

Almostbeforeshehadfinishedheslappedherfullintheface;butashewasraisinghishandagain，asiftostrikeher，sheseizedasmalldessertknifewithasilverbladefromthetableand，almostmadwithrage，stabbedhimrightinthehollowofhisneck.Somethingthathewasgoingtosaywascutshortinhisthroat，andhesattherewithhismouthhalfopenandaterriblelookinhiseyes.

Alltheofficersshoutedinhorrorandleapeduptumultuously;but，throwingherchairbetweenthelegsofLieutenantOtto，whofelldownatfulllength，sherantothewindow，openeditbeforetheycouldseizeherandjumpedoutintothenightandthepouringrain.

IntwominutesMademoiselleFifiwasdead，andFritzandOttodrewtheirswordsandwantedtokillthewomen，whothrewthemselvesattheirfeetandclungtotheirknees.Withsomedifficultythemajorstoppedtheslaughterandhadthefourterrifiedgirlslockedupinaroomunderthecareoftwosoldiers，andthenheorganizedthepursuitofthefugitiveascarefullyasifhewereabouttoengageinaskirmish，feelingquitesurethatshewouldbecaught.

Thetable，whichhadbeenclearedimmediately，nowservedasabedonwhichtolayoutthelieutenant，andthefourofficersstoodatthewindows，rigidandsoberedwiththesternfacesofsoldiersonduty，andtriedtopiercethroughthedarknessofthenightamidthesteadytorrentofrain.Suddenlyashotwasheardandthenanother，alongwayoff;andforfourhourstheyheardfromtimetotimenearordistantreportsandrallyingcries，strangewordsofchallenge，utteredingutturalvoices.

Inthemorningtheyallreturned.Twosoldiershadbeenkilledandthreeotherswoundedbytheircomradesintheardorofthatchaseandintheconfusionofthatnocturnalpursuit，buttheyhadnotcaughtRachel.

Thentheinhabitantsofthedistrictwereterrorized，thehouseswereturnedtopsy—turvy，thecountrywasscouredandbeatenup，overandoveragain，buttheJewessdidnotseemtohaveleftasingletraceofherpassagebehindher.

Whenthegeneralwastoldofithegaveorderstohushuptheaffair，soasnottosetabadexampletothearmy，butheseverelycensuredthecommandant，whointurnpunishedhisinferiors.Thegeneralhadsaid：

"Onedoesnotgotowarinordertoamuseone’sselfandtocaressprostitutes."GrafvonFarlsberg，inhisexasperation，madeuphismindtohavehisrevengeonthedistrict，butasherequiredapretextforshowingseverity，hesentforthepriestandorderedhimtohavethebelltolledatthefuneralofBaronvonEyrick.

Contrarytoallexpectation，thepriestshowedhimselfhumbleandmostrespectful，andwhenMademoiselleFifi’sbodylefttheChateaud’Uvilleonitswaytothecemetery，carriedbysoldiers，preceded，surroundedandfollowedbysoldierswhomarchedwithloadedrifles，forthefirsttimethebellsoundeditsfuneralknellinalivelymanner，asifafriendlyhandwerecaressingit.Atnightitrangagain，andthenextday，andeveryday;itrangasmuchasanyonecoulddesire.Sometimesevenitwouldstartatnightandsoundgentlythroughthedarkness，seizedwithastrangejoy，awakenedonecouldnottellwhy.Allthepeasantsintheneighborhooddeclaredthatitwasbewitched，andnobodyexceptthepriestandthesacristanwouldnowgonearthechurchtower.Andtheywentbecauseapoorgirlwaslivingthereingriefandsolitudeandprovidedforsecretlybythosetwomen.

SheremainedthereuntiltheGermantroopsdeparted，andthenoneeveningthepriestborrowedthebaker’scartandhimselfdrovehisprisonertoRouen.Whentheygotthereheembracedher，andshequicklywentbackonfoottotheestablishmentfromwhichshehadcome，wheretheproprietress，whothoughtthatshewasdead，wasverygladtoseeher.

Ashorttimeafterwardapatriotwhohadnoprejudices，andwholikedherbecauseofherbolddeed，andwhoafterwardlovedherforherself，marriedherandmadeheraladyquiteasgoodasmanyothers.

ADUEL

Thewarwasover.TheGermansoccupiedFrance.Thewholecountrywaspulsatinglikeaconqueredwrestlerbeneaththekneeofhisvictoriousopponent.

ThefirsttrainsfromParis，distracted，starving，despairingParis，weremakingtheirwaytothenewfrontiers，slowlypassingthroughthecountrydistrictsandthevillages.Thepassengersgazedthroughthewindowsattheravagedfieldsandburnedhamlets.Prussiansoldiers，intheirblackhelmetswithbrassspikes，weresmokingtheirpipesastridetheirchairsinfrontofthehouseswhichwerestillleftstanding.Otherswereworkingortalkingjustasiftheyweremembersofthefamilies.Asyoupassedthroughthedifferenttownsyousawentireregimentsdrillinginthesquares，and，inspiteoftherumbleofthecarriage—wheels，youcouldeverymomenthearthehoarsewordsofcommand.

M.Dubuis，whoduringtheentiresiegehadservedasoneoftheNationalGuardinParis，wasgoingtojoinhiswifeanddaughter，whomhehadprudentlysentawaytoSwitzerlandbeforetheinvasion.

Famineandhardshiphadnotdiminishedhisbigpaunchsocharacteristicoftherich，peace—lovingmerchant.Hehadgonethroughtheterribleeventsofthepastyearwithsorrowfulresignationandbittercomplaintsatthesavageryofmen.Nowthathewasjourneyingtothefrontieratthecloseofthewar，hesawthePrussiansforthefirsttime，althoughhehaddonehisdutyontherampartsandmountedguardonmanyacoldnight.

Hestaredwithmingledfearandangeratthosebeardedarmedmen，installedalloverFrenchsoilasiftheywereathome，andhefeltinhissoulakindoffeverofimpotentpatriotism，atthesametimealsothegreatneedofthatnewinstinctofprudencewhichsincethenhas，neverleftus.InthesamerailwaycarriageweretwoEnglishmen，whohadcometothecountryassightseersandweregazingaboutthemwithlooksofquietcuriosity.Theywerebothalsostout，andkeptchattingintheirownlanguage，sometimesreferringtotheirguidebook，andreadingaloudthenamesoftheplacesindicated.

Suddenlythetrainstoppedatalittlevillagestation，andaPrussianofficerjumpedupwithagreatclatterofhissabreonthedoublefootboardoftherailwaycarriage.Hewastall，woreatightfittinguniform，andhadwhiskersuptohiseyes.Hisredhairseemedtobeonfire，andhislongmustache，ofapalerhue，stuckoutonbothsidesofhisface，whichitseemedtocutintwo.

TheEnglishmenatoncebeganstaring，athimwithsmilesofnewlyawakenedinterest，whileM.Dubuismadeashowofreadinganewspaper.

Hesatconcealedinhiscornerlikeathiefinpresenceofagendarme.

Thetrainstartedagain.TheEnglishmenwentonchattingandlookingoutfortheexactsceneofdifferentbattles;andallofasudden，asoneofthemstretchedouthisarmtowardthehorizonashepointedoutavillage，thePrussianofficerremarkedinFrench，extendinghislonglegsandlollingbackward：

"IkilledadozenFrenchmeninthatvillageandtookmorethanahundredprisoners."

TheEnglishmen，quiteinterested，immediatelyasked：

"Ha！andwhatisthenameofthisvillage？"

ThePrussianreplied：

"Pharsbourg."Headded："WecaughtthoseFrenchscoundrelsbytheears."

AndheglancedtowardM.Dubuis，laughingconceitedlyintohismustache.

Thetrainrolledon，stillpassingthroughhamletsoccupiedbythevictoriousarmy.Germansoldierscouldbeseenalongtheroads，ontheedgesoffields，standinginfrontofgatesorchattingoutsidecafes.

TheycoveredthesoillikeAfricanlocusts.

Theofficersaid，withawaveofhishand：

"IfIhadbeenincommand，I’dhavetakenParis，burnedeverything，killedeverybody.NomoreFrance！"

TheEnglishman，throughpoliteness，repliedsimply：

"Ah！yes."

Hewenton：

"IntwentyyearsallEurope，allofit，willbelongtous.Prussiaismorethanamatchforallofthem."

TheEnglishmen，gettinguneasy，nolongerreplied.Theirfaces，whichhadbecomeimpassive，seemedmadeofwaxbehindtheirlongwhiskers.

ThenthePrussianofficerbegantolaugh.Andstill，lollingback，hebegantosneer.HesneeredatthedownfallofFrance，insultedtheprostrateenemy;hesneeredatAustria，whichhadbeenrecentlyconquered;hesneeredatthevaliantbutfruitlessdefenceofthedepartments;hesneeredattheGardeMobileandattheuselessartillery.

HeannouncedthatBismarckwasgoingtobuildacityofironwiththecapturedcannon.AndsuddenlyheplacedhisbootsagainstthethighofM.Dubuis，whoturnedawayhiseyes，reddeningtotherootsofhishair.

TheEnglishmenseemedtohavebecomeindifferenttoallthatwasgoingon，asiftheyweresuddenlyshutupintheirownisland，farfromthedinoftheworld.

Theofficertookouthispipe，andlookingfixedlyattheFrenchman，said：

"Youhaven’tanytobacco——haveyou？"

M.Dubuisreplied：

"No，monsieur."

TheGermanresumed：

"Youmightgoandbuysomeformewhenthetrainstops."

Andhebeganlaughingafreshasheadded：

"I’llgiveyouthepriceofadrink."

Thetrainwhistled，andslackeneditspace.Theypassedastationthathadbeenburneddown;andthentheystoppedaltogether.

TheGermanopenedthecarriagedoor，and，catchingM.Dubuisbythearm，said：

"GoanddowhatItoldyou——quick，quick！"

APrussiandetachmentoccupiedthestation.Othersoldierswerestandingbehindwoodengratings，lookingon.Theenginewasgettingupsteambeforestartingoffagain.ThenM.Dubuishurriedlyjumpedontheplatform，and，inspiteofthewarningsofthestationmaster，dashedintotheadjoiningcompartment.

Hewasalone！Hetoreopenhiswaistcoat，hisheartwasbeatingsorapidly，and，gaspingforbreath，hewipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead.

Thetraindrewupatanotherstation.Andsuddenlytheofficerappearedatthecarriagedoorandjumpedin，followedclosebehindbythetwoEnglishmen，whowereimpelledbycuriosity.TheGermansatfacingtheFrenchman，and，laughingstill，said：

"YoudidnotwanttodowhatIaskedyou？"

M.Dubuisreplied：

"No，monsieur."

Thetrainhadjustleftthestation.

Theofficersaid：

"I’llcutoffyourmustachetofillmypipewith."

AndheputouthishandtowardtheFrenchman’sface.

TheEnglishmenstaredatthem，retainingtheirpreviousimpassivemanner.

TheGermanhadalreadypulledoutafewhairs，andwasstilltuggingatthemustache，whenM.Dubuis，withabackstrokeofhishand，flungasidetheofficer’sarm，and，seizinghimbythecollar，threwhimdownontheseat.Then，excitedtoapitchoffury，histemplesswollenandhiseyesglaring，hekeptthrottlingtheofficerwithonehand，whilewiththeotherclenchedhebegantostrikehimviolentblowsintheface.ThePrussianstruggled，triedtodrawhissword，toclinchwithhisadversary，whowasontopofhim.ButM.Dubuiscrushedhimwithhisenormousweightandkeptpunchinghimwithouttakingbreathorknowingwherehisblowsfell.BloodfloweddownthefaceoftheGerman，who，chokingandwitharattlinginhisthroat，spatouthisbrokenteethandvainlystrovetoshakeoffthisinfuriatedmanwhowaskillinghim.

TheEnglishmenhadgotontheirfeetandcamecloserinordertoseebetter.Theyremainedstanding，fullofmirthandcuriosity，readytobetfor，oragainst，eithercombatant.

SuddenlyM.Dubuis，exhaustedbyhisviolentefforts，roseandresumedhisseatwithoututteringaword.

ThePrussiandidnotattackhim，forthesavageassaulthadterrifiedandastonishedtheofficeraswellascausinghimsuffering.Whenhewasabletobreathefreely，hesaid：

"UnlessyougivemesatisfactionwithpistolsIwillkillyou."

M.Dubuisreplied：

"Wheneveryoulike.I’mquiteready."

TheGermansaid：

"HereisthetownofStrasbourg.I’llgettwoofficerstobemyseconds，andtherewillbetimebeforethetrainleavesthestation."

M.Dubuis，whowaspuffingashardastheengine，saidtotheEnglishmen：

"Willyoubemyseconds？"Theybothansweredtogether：

"Oh，yes！"

Andthetrainstopped.

InaminutethePrussianhadfoundtwocomrades，whobroughtpistols，andtheymadetheirwaytowardtheramparts.

TheEnglishmenwerecontinuallylookingattheirwatches，shufflingtheirfeetandhurryingonwiththepreparations，uneasylesttheyshouldbetoolateforthetrain.

M.Dubuishadneverfiredapistolinhislife.

Theymadehimstandtwentypacesawayfromhisenemy.Hewasasked：

"Areyouready？"

Whilehewasanswering，"Yes，monsieur，"henoticedthatoneoftheEnglishmenhadopenedhisumbrellainordertokeepofftheraysofthesun.

Avoicegavethesignal：

"Fire！"

M.Dubuisfiredatrandomwithoutdelay，andhewasamazedtoseethePrussianoppositehimstagger，liftuphisarmsandfallforward，dead.

Hehadkilledtheofficer.

OneoftheEnglishmenexclaimed："Ah！"Hewasquiveringwithdelight，withsatisfiedcuriosityandjoyousimpatience.Theother，whostillkepthiswatchinhishand，seizedM.Dubuis’armandhurriedhimindouble—quicktimetowardthestation，hisfellow—countrymanmarkingtimeasheranbesidethem，withclosedfists，hiselbowsathissides，"One，two;one，two！"

Andallthree，runningabreastrapidly，madetheirwaytothestationlikethreegrotesquefiguresinacomicnewspaper.

Thetrainwasonthepointofstarting.Theysprangintotheircarriage.

ThentheEnglishmen，takingofftheirtravellingcaps，wavedthemthreetimesovertheirheads，exclaiming：

"Hip！hip！hip！hurrah！"

Andgravely，oneaftertheother，theyextendedtheirrighthandstoM.

Dubuisandthenwentbackandsatdownintheirowncorner.

EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.2.

ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEII.

THECOLONEL’SIDEAS

MOTHERSAUVAGE

EPIPHANY

THEMUSTACHE

MADAMEBAPTISTE

THEQUESTIONOFLATIN

AMEETING

THEBLINDMAN

INDISCRETION

AFAMILYAFFAIR

BESIDESCHOPENHAUER’SCORPSE

THECOLONEL’SIDEAS

"Uponmyword，"saidColonelLaporte，"althoughIamoldandgouty，mylegsasstiffastwopiecesofwood，yetifaprettywomanweretotellmetogothroughtheeyeofaneedle，IbelieveIshouldtakeajumpatit，likeaclownthroughahoop.Ishalldielikethat;itisintheblood.Iamanoldbeau，oneoftheoldschool，andthesightofawoman，aprettywoman，stirsmetothetipsofmytoes.There！

"WeareallverymuchalikeinFranceinthisrespect;westillremainknights，knightsofloveandfortune，sinceGodhasbeenabolishedwhosebodyguardwereallywere.Butnobodycanevergetwomanoutofourhearts;theresheis，andthereshewillremain，andweloveher，andshallcontinuetoloveher，andgooncommittingallkindsoffolliesonheraccountaslongasthereisaFranceonthemapofEurope;andevenifFranceweretobewipedoffthemap，therewouldalwaysbeFrenchmenleft.

"WhenIaminthepresenceofawoman，ofaprettywoman，Ifeelcapableofanything.ByJove！whenIfeelherlookspenetratingme，herconfoundedlookswhichsetyourbloodonfire，IshouldliketodoI

don’tknowwhat;tofightaduel，tohavearow，tosmashthefurniture，inordertoshowthatIamthestrongest，thebravest，themostdaringandthemostdevotedofmen.

"ButIamnottheonlyone，certainlynot;thewholeFrencharmyislikeme，Isweartoyou.Fromthecommonsoldiertothegeneral，weallstartout，fromthevantotherearguard，whenthereisawomaninthecase，aprettywoman.DoyourememberwhatJoanofArcmadeusdoformerly？

Come.IwillmakeabetthatifaprettywomanhadtakencommandofthearmyontheeveofSedan，whenMarshalMacMahonwaswounded，weshouldhavebrokenthroughthePrussianlines，byJove！andhadadrinkoutoftheirguns.

"ItwasnotaTrochu，butaSainte—Genevieve，whowasneededinParis;

andIrememberalittleanecdoteofthewarwhichprovesthatwearecapableofeverythinginpresenceofawoman.

"Iwasacaptain，asimplecaptain，atthetime，andIwasincommandofadetachmentofscouts，whowereretreatingthroughadistrictwhichswarmedwithPrussians.Weweresurrounded，pursued，tiredoutandhalfdeadwithfatigueandhunger，butwewereboundtoreachBar—sur—Tainbeforethemorrow，otherwiseweshouldbeshot，cutdown，massacred.I

donotknowhowwemanagedtoescapesofar.However，wehadtenleaguestogoduringthenight，tenleaguesthroughthenight，tenleaguesthroughthesnow，andwithemptystomachs，andIthoughttomyself：

"’Itisallover;mypoordevilsoffellowswillneverbeabletodoit.’

"Wehadeatennothingsincethedaybefore，andthewholedaylongweremainedhiddeninabarn，huddledclosetogether，soasnottofeelthecoldsomuch，unabletospeakorevenmove，andsleepingbyfitsandstarts，asonedoeswhenwornoutwithfatigue.

"Itwasdarkbyfiveo’clock，thatwandarknessofthesnow，andIshookmymen.Someofthemwouldnotgetup;theywerealmostincapableofmovingorofstandingupright;theirjointswerestifffromcoldandhunger.

"Beforeustherewasalargeexpanseofflat，barecountry;thesnowwasstillfallinglikeacurtain，inlarge，whiteflakes，whichconcealedeverythingunderathick，frozencoverlet，acoverletoffrozenwoolOnemighthavethoughtthatitwastheendoftheworld.

"’Come，mylads，letusstart.’

"Theylookedatthethickwhiteflakesthatwerecomingdown，andtheyseemedtothink：’Wehavehadenoughofthis;wemayjustaswelldiehere！’ThenItookoutmyrevolverandsaid：

"’Iwillshootthefirstmanwhoflinches.’Andsotheysetoff，butveryslowly，likemenwhoselegswereofverylittleusetothem，andIsentfourofthemthreehundredyardsaheadtoscout，andtheothersfollowedpell—mell，walkingatrandomandwithoutanyorder.Iputthestrongestintherear，withorderstoquickenthepaceofthesluggardswiththepointsoftheirbayonetsintheback.

"Thesnowseemedasifitweregoingtoburyusalive;itpowderedourkepisandcloakswithoutmelting，andmadephantomsofus，akindofspectresofdead，wearysoldiers.Isaidtomyself：’Weshallnevergetoutofthisexceptbya，miracle.’

"Sometimeswehadtostopforafewminutes，onaccountofthosewhocouldnotfollowus，andthenweheardnothingexceptthefallingsnow，thatvague，almostundiscerniblesoundmadebythefallingflakes.Someofthemenshookthemselves，othersdidnotmove，andsoIgavetheordertosetoffagain.Theyshoulderedtheirrifles，andwithwearyfeetweresumedourmarch，whensuddenlythescoutsfellback.Somethinghadalarmedthem;theyhadheardvoicesinfrontofthem.Isentforwardsixmenandasergeantandwaited.

"Allatonceashrillcry，awoman’scry，piercedthroughtheheavysilenceofthesnow，andinafewminutestheybroughtbacktwoprisoners，anoldmanandagirl，whomIquestionedinalowvoice.TheywereescapingfromthePrussians，whohadoccupiedtheirhouseduringtheeveningandhadgotdrunk.Thefatherwasalarmedonhisdaughter’saccount，and，withouteventellingtheirservants，theyhadmadetheirescapeinthedarkness.Isawimmediatelythattheybelongedtothebetterclass.Iinvitedthemtoaccompanyus，andwestartedoffagain，theoldmanwhoknewtheroadactingasourguide.

"Ithadceasedsnowing，thestarsappearedandthecoldbecameintense.

Thegirl，whowasleaningonherfather’sarm，walkedunsteadilyasthoughinpain，andseveraltimesshemurmured：

"’Ihavenofeelingatallinmyfeet’;andIsufferedmorethanshedidtoseethatpoorlittlewomandraggingherselflikethatthroughthesnow.Butsuddenlyshestoppedandsaid：

"’Father，IamsotiredthatIcannotgoanyfurther.’

"Theoldmanwantedtocarryher，buthecouldnotevenliftherup，andshesanktothegroundwithadeepsigh.Weallgatheredroundher，and，asforme，Istampedmyfootinperplexity，notknowingwhattodo，andbeingunwillingtoabandonthatmanandgirllikethat，whensuddenlyoneofthesoldiers，aParisianwhomtheyhadnicknamedPratique，said：

"’Come，comrades，wemustcarrytheyounglady，otherwiseweshallnotshowourselvesFrenchmen，confoundit！’

"IreallybelievethatIsworewithpleasure.’Thatisverygoodofyou，mychildren，’Isaid;’andIwilltakemyshareoftheburden.’

"Wecouldindistinctlysee，throughthedarkness，thetreesofalittlewoodontheleft.Severalofthemenwentintoit，andsooncamebackwithabundleofbranchesmadeintoalitter.

"’Whowilllendhiscape？Itisforaprettygirl，comrades，’Pratiquesaid，andtencloakswerethrowntohim.Inamomentthegirlwaslying，warmandcomfortable，amongthem，andwasraiseduponsixshoulders.I

placedmyselfattheirhead，ontheright，wellpleasedwithmyposition.

"Westartedoffmuchmorebriskly，asifwehadhadadrinkofwine，andIevenheardsomejokes.AwomanisquiteenoughtoelectrifyFrenchmen，yousee.Thesoldiers，whohadbecomecheerfulandwarm，hadalmostreformedtheirranks，andanold’franc—tireur’whowasfollowingthelitter，waitingforhisturntoreplacethefirstofhiscomradeswhomightgiveout，saidtooneofhisneighbors，loudenoughformetohear：

"’Iamnotayoungmannow，butby———，thereisnothinglikethewomentoputcourageintoyou！’

"Wewenton，almostwithoutstopping，untilthreeo’clockinthemorning，whensuddenlyourscoutsfellbackoncemore，andsoonthewholedetachmentshowednothingbutavagueshadowontheground，asthemenlayonthesnow.Igavemyordersinalowvoice，andheardtheharsh，metallicsoundofthecocking，ofrifles.Forthere，inthemiddleoftheplain，somestrangeobjectwasmovingabout.Itlookedlikesomeenormousanimalrunningabout，nowstretchingoutlikeaserpent，nowcoilingitselfintoaball，dartingtotheright，thentotheleft，thenstopping，andpresentlystartingoffagain.Butpresentlythatwanderingshapecamenearer，andIsawadozenlancersatfullgallop，onebehindtheother.Theyhadlosttheirwayandweretryingtofindit.

"TheyweresonearbythattimethatIcouldheartheloudbreathingoftheirhorses，theclinkingoftheirswordsandthecreakingoftheirsaddles，andcried：’Fire！’

"Fiftyrifleshotsbrokethestillnessofthenight，thentherewerefourorfivereports，andatlastonesingleshotwasheard，andwhenthesmokehadclearedaway，wesawthatthetwelvemenandninehorseshadfallen.Threeoftheanimalsweregallopingawayatafuriouspace，andoneofthemwasdraggingthedeadbodyofitsrider，whichreboundedviolentlyfromtheground;hisfoothadcaughtinthestirrup.

"Oneofthesoldiersbehindmegaveaterriblelaughandsaid：’Therewillbesomewidowsthere！’

"Perhapshewasmarried.Athirdadded：’Itdidnottakelong！’

"Aheademergedfromthelitter.

"’Whatisthematter？’sheasked;’areyoufighting？’

"’Itisnothing，mademoiselle，’Ireplied;’wehavegotridofadozenPrussians！’

"’Poorfellows！’shesaid.Butasshewascold，shequicklydisappearedbeneaththecloaksagain，andwestartedoffoncemore.Wemarchedonforalongtime，andatlasttheskybegantogrowlighter.Thesnowbecamequiteclear，luminousandglistening，andarosytintappearedintheeast.Suddenlyavoiceinthedistancecried：

"’Whogoesthere？’

"Thewholedetachmenthalted，andIadvancedtogivethecountersign.

WehadreachedtheFrenchlines，and，asmymendefiledbeforetheoutpost，acommandantonhorseback，whomIhadinformedofwhathadtakenplace，askedinasonorousvoice，ashesawthelitterpasshim：’Whathaveyouinthere？’

"Andimmediatelyasmallheadcoveredwithlighthairappeared，dishevelledandsmiling，andreplied：

"’ItisI，monsieur.’

"Atthisthemenraisedaheartylaugh，andwefeltquitelight—hearted，whilePratique，whowaswalkingbythesideofthelitter，wavedhiskepiandshouted：

"’VivelaFrance！’AndIfeltreallyaffected.Idonotknowwhy，exceptthatIthoughtitaprettyandgallantthingtosay.

"ItseemedtomeasifwehadjustsavedthewholeofFranceandhaddonesomethingthatothermencouldnothavedone，somethingsimpleandreallypatriotic.Ishallneverforgetthatlittleface，youmaybesure;andifIhadtogivemyopinionaboutabolishingdrums，trumpetsandbugles，Ishouldproposetoreplacethemineveryregimentbyaprettygirl，andthatwouldbeevenbetterthanplayingthe’Marseillaise：ByJove！itwouldputsomespiritintoatroopertohaveaMadonnalikethat，aliveMadonna，bythecolonel’sside."

Hewassilentforafewmomentsandthencontinued，withanairofconviction，andnoddinghishead：

"Allthesame，weareveryfondofwomen，weFrenchmen！"

MOTHERSAUVAGE

FifteenyearshadpassedsinceIwasatVirelogne.IreturnedthereintheautumntoshootwithmyfriendServal，whohadatlastrebuilthischateau，whichthePrussianshaddestroyed.

Ilovedthatdistrict.Itisoneofthosedelightfulspotswhichhaveasensuouscharmfortheeyes.Youloveitwithaphysicallove.We，whomthecountryenchants，keeptendermemoriesofcertainsprings，certainwoods，certainpools，certainhillsseenveryoftenwhichhavestirreduslikejoyfulevents.Sometimesourthoughtsturnbacktoacornerinaforest，ortheendofabank，oranorchardfilledwithflowers，seenbutasingletimeonsomebrightday，yetremaininginourheartsliketheimageofcertainwomenmetinthestreetonaspringmorningintheirlight，gauzydresses，leavinginsoulandbodyanunsatisfieddesirewhichisnottobeforgotten，afeelingthatyouhavejustpassedbyhappiness.

AtVirelogneIlovedthewholecountryside，dottedwithlittlewoodsandcrossedbybrookswhichsparkledinthesunandlookedlikeveinscarryingbloodtotheearth.Youfishedinthemforcrawfish，troutandeels.Divinehappiness！Youcouldbatheinplacesandyouoftenfoundsnipeamongthehighgrasswhichgrewalongthebordersofthesesmallwatercourses.

Iwassteppingalonglightasagoat，watchingmytwodogsrunningaheadofme，Serval，ahundredmetrestomyright，wasbeatingafieldoflucerne.IturnedroundbythethicketwhichformstheboundaryofthewoodofSandresandIsawacottageinruins.

SuddenlyIremembereditasIhadseenitthelasttime，in1869，neat，coveredwithvines，withchickensbeforethedoor.Whatissadderthanadeadhouse，withitsskeletonstandingbareandsinister？

Ialsorecalledthatinsideitsdoors，afteraverytiringday，thegoodwomanhadgivenmeaglassofwinetodrinkandthatServalhadtoldmethehistoryofitspeople.Thefather，anoldpoacher，hadbeenkilledbythegendarmes.Theson，whomIhadonceseen，wasatall，dryfellowwhoalsopassedforafierceslayerofgame.Peoplecalledthem"LesSauvage."

Wasthatanameoranickname？

IcalledtoServal.Hecameupwithhislongstrideslikeacrane.

Iaskedhim：

"What’sbecomeofthosepeople？"

Thiswashisstory：

WhenwarwasdeclaredthesonSauvage，whowasthenthirty—threeyearsold，enlisted，leavinghismotheraloneinthehouse.Peopledidnotpitytheoldwomanverymuchbecauseshehadmoney;theyknewit.

Sheremainedentirelyaloneinthatisolateddwelling，sofarfromthevillage，ontheedgeofthewood.Shewasnotafraid，however，beingofthesamestrainasthemenfolk——ahardyoldwoman，tallandthin，whoseldomlaughedandwithwhomoneneverjested.Thewomenofthefieldslaughbutlittleinanycase，thatismen’sbusiness.Buttheythemselveshavesadandnarrowedhearts，leadingamelancholy，gloomylife.Thepeasantsimbibealittlenoisymerrimentatthetavern，buttheirhelpmatesalwayshavegrave，sterncountenances.Themusclesoftheirfaceshaveneverlearnedthemotionsoflaughter.

MotherSauvagecontinuedherordinaryexistenceinhercottage，whichwassooncoveredbythesnows.Shecametothevillageonceaweektogetbreadandalittlemeat.Thenshereturnedtoherhouse.Astherewastalkofwolves，shewentoutwithagunuponhershoulder——herson’sgun，rustyandwiththebuttwornbytherubbingofthehand——andshewasastrangesight，thetall"Sauvage，"alittlebent，goingwithslowstridesoverthesnow，themuzzleofthepieceextendingbeyondtheblackheaddress，whichconfinedherheadandimprisonedherwhitehair，whichnoonehadeverseen.

OnedayaPrussianforcearrived.Itwasbilletedupontheinhabitants，accordingtothepropertyandresourcesofeach.Fourwereallottedtotheoldwoman，whowasknowntoberich.

Theywerefourgreatfellowswithfaircomplexion，blondbeardsandblueeyes，whohadnotgrownthininspiteofthefatiguewhichtheyhadenduredalreadyandwhoalso，thoughinaconqueredcountry，hadremainedkindandgentle.Alonewiththisagedwoman，theyshowedthemselvesfullofconsideration，sparingher，asmuchastheycould，allexpenseandfatigue.Theycouldbeseen，allfourofthem，makingtheirtoiletatthewellintheirshirt—sleevesinthegraydawn，splashingwithgreatswishesofwatertheirpink—whitenorthernskin，whileLaMereSauvagewentandcame，preparingtheirsoup.Theywouldbeseencleaningthekitchen，rubbingthetiles，splittingwood，peelingpotatoes，doingupallthehouseworklikefourgoodsonsaroundtheirmother.

Buttheoldwomanthoughtalwaysofherownson，sotallandthin，withhishookednoseandhisbrowneyesandhisheavymustachewhichmadearollofblackhairuponhislip.Sheaskedeverydayofeachofthesoldierswhowereinstalledbesideherhearth："DoyouknowwheretheFrenchmarchingregiment，No.23，wassent？Myboyisinit."

Theyinvariablyanswered，"No，wedon’tknow，don’tknowathingatall."

And，understandingherpainandheruneasiness——theywhohadmothers，too，thereathome——theyrenderedherathousandlittleservices.Shelovedthemwell，moreover，herfourenemies，sincethepeasantryhavenopatriotichatred;thatbelongstotheupperclassalone.Thehumble，thosewhopaythemostbecausetheyarepoorandbecauseeverynewburdencrushesthemdown;thosewhoarekilledinmasses，whomakethetruecannon’spreybecausetheyaresomany;those，infine，whosuffermostcruellytheatrociousmiseriesofwarbecausetheyarethefeeblestandofferleastresistance——theyhardlyunderstandatallthosebellicoseardors，thatexcitablesenseofhonororthosepretendedpoliticalcombinationswhichinsixmonthsexhausttwonations，theconquerorwiththeconquered.

Theysaidinthedistrict，inspeakingoftheGermansofLaMereSauvage：

"Therearefourwhohavefoundasoftplace."

Now，onemorning，whentheoldwomanwasaloneinthehouse，sheobserved，faroffontheplain，amancomingtowardherdwelling.

Soonsherecognizedhim;itwasthepostmantodistributetheletters.

Hegaveherafoldedpaperandshedrewoutofhercasethespectacleswhichsheusedforsewing.Thensheread：

MADAMESAUVAGE：Thisletteristotellyousadnews.YourboyVictorwaskilledyesterdaybyashellwhichalmostcuthimintwo.

Iwasnearby，aswestoodnexteachotherinthecompany，andhetoldmeaboutyouandaskedmetoletyouknowonthesamedayifanythinghappenedtohim.

Itookhiswatch，whichwasinhispocket，tobringitbacktoyouwhenthewarisdone.

CESAIRERIVOT，Soldierofthe2dclass，March.Reg.No.23.

Theletterwasdatedthreeweeksback.

Shedidnotcryatall.Sheremainedmotionless，soovercomeandstupefiedthatshedidnotevensufferasyet.Shethought："There’sVictorkillednow."Thenlittlebylittlethetearscametohereyesandthesorrowfilledherheart.Herthoughtscame，onebyone，dreadful，torturing.Shewouldneverkisshimagain，herchild，herbigboy，neveragain！Thegendarmeshadkilledthefather，thePrussianshadkilledtheson.Hehadbeencutintwobyacannon—ball.Sheseemedtoseethething，thehorriblething：theheadfalling，theeyesopen，whilehechewedthecornerofhisbigmustacheashealwaysdidinmomentsofanger.

Whathadtheydonewithhisbodyafterward？Iftheyhadonlyletherhaveherboybackastheyhadbroughtbackherhusband——withthebulletinthemiddleoftheforehead！

Butsheheardanoiseofvoices.ItwasthePrussiansreturningfromthevillage.Shehidherletterveryquicklyinherpocket，andshereceivedthemquietly，withherordinaryface，havinghadtimetowipehereyes.

Theywerelaughing，allfour，delighted，fortheybroughtwiththemafinerabbit——stolen，doubtless——andtheymadesignstotheoldwomanthattherewastobesomethinggoodtoeast.

Shesetherselftoworkatoncetopreparebreakfast，butwhenitcametokillingtherabbit，herheartfailedher.Andyetitwasnotthefirst.

Oneofthesoldiersstruckitdownwithablowofhisfistbehindtheears.

Thebeastoncedead，sheskinnedtheredbody，butthesightofthebloodwhichshewastouching，andwhichcoveredherhands，andwhichshefeltcoolingandcoagulating，madehertremblefromheadtofoot，andshekeptseeingherbigboycutintwo，bloody，likethisstillpalpitatinganimal.

ShesatdownattablewiththePrussians，butshecouldnoteat，notevenamouthful.Theydevouredtherabbitwithoutbotheringthemselvesabouther.Shelookedatthemsideways，withoutspeaking，herfacesoimpassivethattheyperceivednothing.

Allofasuddenshesaid："Idon’tevenknowyournames，andhere’sawholemonththatwe’vebeentogether."Theyunderstood，notwithoutdifficulty，whatshewanted，andtoldtheirnames.

Thatwasnotsufficient;shehadthemwrittenforheronapaper，withtheaddressesoftheirfamilies，and，restingherspectaclesonhergreatnose，shecontemplatedthatstrangehandwriting，thenfoldedthesheetandputitinherpocket，ontopoftheletterwhichtoldherofthedeathofherson.

Whenthemealwasendedshesaidtothemen：

"Iamgoingtoworkforyou."

Andshebegantocarryuphayintotheloftwheretheyslept.

Theywereastonishedathertakingallthistrouble;sheexplainedtothemthatthustheywouldnotbesocold;andtheyhelpedher.Theyheapedthestacksofhayashighasthestrawroof，andinthatmannertheymadeasortofgreatchamberwithfourwallsoffodder，warmandperfumed，wheretheyshouldsleepsplendidly.

AtdinneroneofthemwasworriedtoseethatLaMereSauvagestillatenothing.Shetoldhimthatshehadpainsinherstomach.Thenshekindledagoodfiretowarmherself，andthefourGermansascendedtotheirlodging—placebytheladderwhichservedthemeverynightforthispurpose.

Assoonastheyclosedthetrapdoortheoldwomanremovedtheladder，thenopenedtheoutsidedoornoiselesslyandwentbacktolookformorebundlesofstraw，withwhichshefilledherkitchen.Shewentbarefootinthesnow，sosoftlythatnosoundwasheard.Fromtimetotimeshelistenedtothesonorousandunequalsnoringofthefoursoldierswhowerefastasleep.

Whenshejudgedherpreparationstobesufficient，shethrewoneofthebundlesintothefireplace，andwhenitwasalightshescattereditoveralltheothers.Thenshewentoutsideagainandlooked.

Inafewsecondsthewholeinteriorofthecottagewasilluminedwithabrilliantlightandbecameafrightfulbrasier，agiganticfieryfurnace，whoseglarestreamedoutofthenarrowwindowandthrewaglitteringbeamuponthesnow.

Thenagreatcryissuedfromthetopofthehouse;itwasaclamorofmenshoutingheartrendingcallsofanguishandofterror.Finallythetrapdoorhavinggivenway，awhirlwindoffireshotupintotheloft，piercedthestrawroof，rosetotheskyliketheimmenseflameofatorch，andallthecottageflared.

Nothingmorewasheardthereinbutthecracklingofthefire，thecrackingofthewalls，thefallingoftherafters.Suddenlytherooffellinandtheburningcarcassofthedwellinghurledagreatplumeofsparksintotheair，amidacloudofsmoke.

Thecountry，allwhite，litupbythefire，shonelikeaclothofsilvertintedwithred.

Abell，faroff，begantotoll.