第7章

Wegotbackintotheboat.Thenightwasdark，verydark.Isawclearly，however，thathehadcaughtherbythewaist，andthattheywerehuggingeachotheragainandagain.

Itwasafrightfulcatastrophe.Ourescapadewasdiscovered，withtheresultthatPerePiquedentwasdismissed.Andmyfather，inafitofanger，sentmetofinishmycourseofphilosophyatRibaudet’sschool.

SixmonthslaterItookmydegreeofBachelorofArts.ThenIwenttostudylawinParis，anddidnotreturntomynativetowntilltwoyearslater.

AtthecorneroftheRuedeSerpentashopcaughtmyeye.Overthedoorwerethewords："ColonialProducts——Piquedent";thenunderneath，soastoenlightenthemostignorant："Grocery."

Iexclaimed：

"’Quantummutatusabillo！’"

Piquedentraisedhishead，lefthisfemalecustomer，andrushedtowardmewithoutstretchedhands.

"Ah！myyoungfriend，myyoungfriend，hereyouare！Whatluck！whatluck！"

Abeautifulwoman，veryplump，abruptlyleftthecashier’sdeskandflungherselfonmybreast.Ihadsomedifficultyinrecognizingher，shehadgrownsostout.

Iasked：

"Sothenyou’redoingwell？"

Piquedenthadgonebacktoweighthegroceries.

"Oh！verywell，verywell，verywell.Ihavemadethreethousandfrancsclearthisyear！"

"AndwhataboutLatin，MonsieurPiquedent？"

"Oh，goodheavens！Latin，Latin，Latin——youseeitdoesnotkeepthepotboiling！"

AMEETING

Itwasnothingbutanaccident，anaccidentpureandsimple.Onthatparticulareveningtheprincess’roomswereopen，andastheyappeareddarkafterthebrilliantlylightedparlors，Barond’Etraille，whowastiredofstanding，inadvertentlywanderedintoanemptybedroom.

Helookedroundforachairinwhichtohaveadoze，ashewassurehiswifewouldnotleavebeforedaylight.Assoonashebecameaccustomedtothelightoftheroomhedistinguishedthebigbedwithitsazure—and—

goldhangings，inthemiddleofthegreatroom，lookinglikeacatafalqueinwhichlovewasburied，fortheprincesswasnolongeryoung.Behindit，alargebrightsurfacelookedlikealakeseenatadistance.Itwasalargemirror，discreetlycoveredwithdarkdrapery，thatwasveryrarelyletdown，andseemedtolookatthebed，whichwasitsaccomplice.

Onemightalmostfancythatithadreminiscences，andthatonemightseeinitcharmingfemaleformsandthegentlemovementoflovingarms.

Thebaronstoodstillforamoment，smiling，almostexperiencinganemotiononthethresholdofthischamberdedicatedtolove.Butsuddenlysomethingappearedinthelooking—glass，asifthephantomswhichhehadevokedhadrisenupbeforehim.Amanandawomanwhohadbeensittingonalowcouchconcealedintheshadowhadarisen，andthepolishedsurface，reflectingtheirfigures，showedthattheywerekissingeachotherbeforeseparating.

Barond’EtraillerecognizedhiswifeandtheMarquisdeCervigne.Heturnedandwentawaylikeamanwhoisfullymasterofhimself，andwaitedtillitwasdaybeforetakingawaythebaroness;buthehadnolongeranythoughtsofsleeping.

Assoonastheywerealonehesaid：

"Madame，IsawyoujustnowinPrincessedeRaynes’room;Ineedsaynomore，andIamnotfondeitherofreproaches，actsofviolence，orofridicule.AsIwishtoavoidallsuchthings，weshallseparatewithoutanyscandal.Ourlawyerswillsettleyourpositionaccordingtomyorders.Youwillbefreetoliveasyoupleasewhenyouarenolongerundermyroof;but，asyouwillcontinuetobearmyname，ImustwarnyouthatshouldanyscandalariseIshallshowmyselfinflexible."

Shetriedtospeak，buthestoppedher，bowed，andlefttheroom.

Hewasmoreastonishedandsadthanunhappy.Hehadlovedherdearlyduringthefirstperiodoftheirmarriedlife;buthisardorhadcooled，andnowheoftenamusedhimselfelsewhere，eitherinatheatreorinsociety，thoughhealwayspreservedacertainlikingforthebaroness.

Shewasveryyoung，hardlyfour—and—twenty，small，slight——tooslight——

andveryfair.ShewasatrueParisiandoll：clever，spoiled，elegant，coquettish，witty，withmorecharmthanrealbeauty.Heusedtosayfamiliarlytohisbrother，whenspeakingofher：

"Mywifeischarming，attractive，but——thereisnothingtolayholdof.

Sheislikeaglassofchampagnethatisallfroth;whenyougettothewineitisverygood，butthereistoolittleofit，unfortunately."

Hewalkedupanddowntheroomingreatagitation，thinkingofathousandthings.Atonemomenthewasfurious，andfeltinclinedtogivethemarquisagoodthrashing，ortoslaphisfacepublicly，intheclub.

Buthedecidedthatwouldnotdo，itwouldnotbegoodform;hewouldbelaughedat，andnothisrival，andthisthoughtwoundedhisvanity.

Sohewenttobed，butcouldnotsleep.ParisknewinafewdaysthattheBaronandBaronessd’Etraillehadagreedtoanamicableseparationonaccountofincompatibilityoftemper.Noonesuspectedanything，noonelaughed，andnoonewasastonished.

Thebaron，however，toavoidmeetinghiswife，travelledforayear，thenspentthesummerattheseaside，andtheautumninshooting，returningtoParisforthewinter.Hedidnotmeetthebaronessonce.

Hedidnotevenknowwhatpeoplesaidabouther.Inanycase，shetookcaretorespectappearances，andthatwasallheaskedfor.

Hebecamedreadfullybored，travelledagain，restoredhisoldcastleofVillebosc，whichtookhimtwoyears;thenforoverayearheentertainedfriendsthere，tillatlast，tiredofalltheseso—calledpleasures，hereturnedtohismansionintheRuedeLille，justsixyearsaftertheseparation.

Hewasnowforty—five，withagoodcropofgrayhair，ratherstout，andwiththatmelancholylookcharacteristicofthosewhohavebeenhandsome，soughtafter，andliked，butwhoaredeteriorating，daily.

AmonthafterhisreturntoParis，hetookcoldoncomingoutofhisclub，andhadsuchabadcoughthathismedicalmanorderedhimtoNicefortherestofthewinter.

HereachedthestationonlyafewminutesbeforethedepartureofthetrainonMondayevening，andhadbarelytimetogetintoacarriage，withonlyoneotheroccupant，whowassittinginacornersowrappedinfursandcloaksthathecouldnotevenmakeoutwhetheritwasamanorawoman，asnothingofthefigurecouldbeseen.Whenheperceivedthathecouldnotfindout，heputonhistravellingcap，rolledhimselfupinhisrugs，andstretchedoutcomfortablytosleep.

Hedidnotwakeuntilthedaywasbreaking，andlookedatonceathisfellow—traveller，whohadnotstirredallnight，andseemedstilltobesoundasleep.

M.d’Etraillemadeuseoftheopportunitytobrushhishairandhisbeard，andtotrytofreshenhimselfupalittlegenerally，foranight’straveldoesnotimproveone’sappearancewhenonehasattainedacertainage.

Agreatpoethassaid：

"Whenweareyoung，ourmorningsaretriumphant！"

Thenwewakeupwithacoolskin，abrighteye，andglossyhair.

Asonegrowsolderonewakesupinaverydifferentcondition.Dulleyes，red，swollencheeks，drylips，hairandbearddisarranged，impartanold，fatigued，worn—outlooktotheface.

Thebaronopenedhistravellingcase，andimprovedhislooksasmuchaspossible.

Theenginewhistled，thetrainstopped，andhisneighbormoved.Nodoubthewasawake.Theystartedoffagain，andthenaslantingrayofsunlightshoneintothecarriageandonthesleeper，whomovedagain，shookhimself，andthenhisfacecouldbeseen.

Itwasayoung，fair，pretty，plumpwoman，andthebaronlookedatherinamazement.Hedidnotknowwhattothink.Hecouldreallyhaveswornthatitwashiswife，butwonderfullychangedforthebetter：stouter——

whyshehadgrownasstoutashewas，onlyitsuitedhermuchbetterthanitdidhim.

Shelookedathimcalmly，didnotseemtorecognizehim，andthenslowlylaidasideherwraps.Shehadthatquietassuranceofawomanwhoissureofherself，whofeelsthatonawakingsheisinherfullbeautyandfreshness.

Thebaronwasreallybewildered.Wasithiswife，orelseaslikeherasanysistercouldbe？Nothavingseenherforsixyears，hemightbemistaken.

Sheyawned，andthisgesturebetrayedher.Sheturnedandlookedathimagain，calmly，indifferently，asifshescarcelysawhim，andthenlookedoutofthewindowagain.

Hewasupsetanddreadfullyperplexed，andkeptlookingathersideways.

Yes;itwassurelyhiswife.Howcouldhepossiblyhavedoubtedit？

Therecouldcertainlynotbetwonoseslikethat，andathousandrecollectionsflashedthroughhismind.Hefelttheoldfeelingoftheintoxicationoflovestealingoverhim，andhecalledtomindthesweetodorofherskin，hersmilewhensheputherarmsontohisshoulders，thesoftintonationsofhervoice，allhergraceful，coaxingways.

Buthowshehadchangedandimproved！Itwassheandyetnotshe.Sheseemedriper，moredeveloped，moreofawoman，moreseductive，moredesirable，adorablydesirable.

Andthisstrange，unknownwoman，whomhehadaccidentallymetinarailwaycarriage，belongedtohim;hehadonlytosaytoher：

"Iinsistuponit."

Hehadformerlysleptinherarms，existedonlyinherlove，andnowhehadfoundheragaincertainly，butsochangedthathescarcelyknewher.

Itwasanother，andyetitwassheherself.Itwassomeonewhohadbeenbornandhadformedandgrownsincehehadlefther.Itwasshe，indeed;

shewhomhehadloved，butwhowasnowaltered，withamoreassuredsmileandgreaterself—possession.Thereweretwowomeninone，minglingagreatpartofwhatwasnewandunknownwithmanysweetrecollectionsofthepast.Therewassomethingsingular，disturbing，excitingaboutit——akindofmysteryofloveinwhichtherefloatedadeliciousconfusion.

Itwashiswifeinanewbodyandinnewfleshwhichlipshadneverpressed.

Andhethoughtthatinafewyearsnearlyeverythingchangesinus;onlytheoutlinecanberecognized，andsometimeseventhatdisappears.

Theblood，thehair，theskin，allchangesandisrenewed，andwhenpeoplehavenotseeneachotherforalongtime，whentheymeettheyfindeachothertotallydifferentbeings，althoughtheyarethesameandbearthesamename.

Andtheheartalsocanchange.Ideasmaybemodifiedandrenewed，sothatinfortyyearsoflifewemay，bygradualandconstanttransformations，becomefourorfivetotallynewanddifferentbeings.

Hedweltonthisthoughttillittroubledhim;ithadfirsttakenpossessionofhimwhenhesurprisedherintheprincess’room.Hewasnottheleastangry;itwasnotthesamewomanthathewaslookingat——

thatthin，excitablelittledollofthosedays.

Whatwashetodo？Howshouldheaddressher？andwhatcouldhesaytoher？Hadsherecognizedhim？

Thetrainstoppedagain.Hegotup，bowed，and，said："Bertha，doyouwantanythingIcouldbringyou？"

Shelookedathimfromheadtofoot，andanswered，withoutshowingtheslightestsurprise，orconfusion，oranger，butwiththemostperfectindifference：

"Idonotwantanything———thankyou."

Hegotoutandwalkedupanddowntheplatformalittleinordertorecoverhimself，and，asitwere，torecoverhissensesafterafall.

Whatshouldhedonow？Ifhegotintoanothercarriageitwouldlookasifhewererunningaway.Shouldhebepoliteorimportunate？Thatwouldlookasifhewereaskingforforgiveness.Shouldhespeakasifhewerehermaster？Hewouldlooklikeafool，and，besides，hereallyhadnorighttodoso.

Hegotinagainandtookhisplace.

Duringhisabsenceshehadhastilyarrangedherdressandhair，andwasnowlyingstretchedoutontheseat，radiant，andwithoutshowinganyemotion.

Heturnedtoher，andsaid："MydearBertha，sincethissingularchancehasbroughtuptogetherafteraseparationofsixyears——aquitefriendlyseparation——arewetocontinuetolookuponeachotherasirreconcilableenemies？Weareshutuptogether，tete—d—tete，whichissomuchthebetterorsomuchtheworse.Iamnotgoingtogetintoanothercarriage，sodon’tyouthinkitispreferabletotalkasfriendstilltheendofourjourney？"

Sheanswered，quitecalmlyagain：

"Justasyouplease."

Thenhesuddenlystopped，reallynotknowingwhattosay;butashehadplentyofassurance，hesatdownonthemiddleseat，andsaid：

"Well，IseeImustpaymycourttoyou;somuchthebetter.Itis，however，reallyapleasure，foryouarecharming.Youcannotimaginehowyouhaveimprovedinthelastsixyears.IdonotknowanywomanwhocouldgivemethatdelightfulsensationwhichIexperiencedjustnowwhenyouemergedfromyourwraps.Ireallycouldnothavethoughtsuchachangepossible."

Withoutmovingherheadorlookingathim，shesaid："Icannotsaythesamewithregardtoyou;youhavecertainlydeterioratedagreatdeal."

Hegotredandconfused，andthen，withasmileofresignation，hesaid：

"Youareratherhard."

"Why？"washerreply."Iamonlystatingfacts.Idon’tsupposeyouintendtooffermeyourlove？Itmust，therefore，beamatterofperfectindifferencetoyouwhatIthinkaboutyou.ButIseeitisapainfulsubject，soletustalkofsomethingelse.WhathaveyoubeendoingsinceIlastsawyou？"

Hefeltratheroutofcountenance，andstammered：

"I？Ihavetravelled，donesomeshooting，andgrownold，asyousee.

Andyou？"

Shesaid，quitecalmly："Ihavetakencareofappearances，asyouorderedme."

Hewasverynearlysayingsomethingbrutal，buthecheckedhimself;andkissedhiswife’shand：

"AndIthankyou，"hesaid.

Shewassurprised.Hewasindeeddiplomatic，andalwaysmasterofhimself.

Hewenton："Asyouhaveaccededtomyfirstrequest，shallwenowtalkwithoutanybitterness？"

Shemadealittlemovementofsurprise.

"Bitterness？Idon’tfeelany;youareacompletestrangertome;Iamonlytryingtokeepupadifficultconversation."

Hewasstilllookingather，fascinatedinspiteofherharshness，andhefeltseizedwithabrutalBeside，thedesireofthemaster.

Perceivingthatshehadhurthisfeelings，shesaid：

"Howoldareyounow？Ithoughtyouwereyoungerthanyoulook."

"Iamforty—five";andthenheadded："IforgottoaskafterPrincessedeRaynes.Areyoustillintimatewithher？"

Shelookedathimasifshehatedhim：

"Yes，Icertainlyam.Sheisverywell，thankyou."

Theyremainedsittingsidebyside，agitatedandirritated.Suddenlyhesaid：

"MydearBertha，Ihavechangedmymind.Youaremywife，andIexpectyoutocomewithmeto—day.Youhave，Ithink，improvedbothmorallyandphysically，andIamgoingtotakeyoubackagain.Iamyourhusband，anditismyrighttodoso."

Shewasstupefied，andlookedathim，tryingtodivinehisthoughts;buthisfacewasresoluteandimpenetrable.

"Iamverysorry，"shesaid，"butIhavemadeotherengagements."

"Somuchtheworseforyou，"washisreply."Thelawgivesmethepower，andImeantouseit."

TheywerenearingMarseilles，andthetrainwhistledandslackenedspeed.

Thebaronessrose，carefullyrolledupherwraps，andthen，turningtoherhusband，said：

"MydearRaymond，donotmakeabaduseofthistete—atetewhichIhadcarefullyprepared.Iwishedtotakeprecautions，accordingtoyouradvice，sothatImighthavenothingtofearfromyouorfromotherpeople，whatevermighthappen.YouaregoingtoNice，areyounot？"

"Ishallgowhereveryougo."

"Notatall;justlistentome，andIamsurethatyouwillleavemeinpeace.Inafewmoments，whenwegettothestation，youwillseethePrincessedeRaynesandComtesseHenriotwaitingformewiththeirhusbands.Iwishedthemtoseeas，andtoknowthatwehadspentthenighttogetherintherailwaycarriage.Don’tbealarmed;theywilltelliteverywhereasamostsurprisingfact.

"ItoldyoujustnowthatIhadmostcarefullyfollowedyouradviceandsavedappearances.Anythingelsedoesnotmatter，doesit？Well，inordertodoso，Iwishedtobeseenwithyou.Youtoldmecarefullytoavoidanyscandal，andIamavoidingit，for，Iamafraid——Iamafraid——"

Shewaitedtillthetrainhadquitestopped，andasherfriendsranuptoopenthecarriagedoor，shesaid：

"Iamafraid"——hesitating——"thatthereisanotherreason——jesuisenceinte."

Theprincessstretchedoutherarmstoembraceher，——andthebaronesssaid，paintingtothebaron，whowasdumbwithastonishment，andwastryingtogetatthetruth：

"YoudonotrecognizeRaymond？Hehascertainlychangedagooddeal，andheagreedtocomewithmesothatImightnottravelalone.Wetakelittletripslikethisoccasionally，likegoodfriendswhocannotlivetogether.Wearegoingtoseparatehere;hehashadenoughofmealready."

Sheputoutherhand，whichhetookmechanically，andthenshejumpedoutontotheplatformamongherfriends，whowerewaitingforher.

Thebaronhastilyshutthecarriagedoor，forhewastoomuchdisturbedtosayawordorcometoanydetermination.Heheardhiswife’svoiceandtheirmerrylaughterastheywentaway.

Heneversawheragain，nordidheeverdiscoverwhethershehadtoldhimalieorwasspeakingthetruth.

THEBLINDMAN

Howisitthatthesunlightgivesussuchjoy？Whydoesthisradiancewhenitfallsontheearthfilluswiththejoyofliving？Thewholeskyisblue，thefieldsaregreen，thehousesallwhite，andourenchantedeyesdrinkinthosebrightcolorswhichbringdelighttooursouls.Andthentherespringsupinourheartsadesiretodance，torun，tosing，ahappylightnessofthought，asortofenlargedtenderness;wefeelalongingtoembracethesun.

Theblind，astheysitinthedoorways，impassiveintheireternaldarkness，remainascalmaseverinthemidstofthisfreshgaiety，and，notunderstandingwhatistakingplacearoundthem，theycontinuallychecktheirdogsastheyattempttoplay.

When，atthecloseoftheday，theyarereturninghomeonthearmofayoungbrotheroralittlesister，ifthechildsays："Itwasaveryfineday！"theotheranswers："Icouldnoticethatitwasfine.Loulouwouldn’tkeepquiet."

Iknewoneofthesemenwhoselifewasoneofthemostcruelmartyrdomsthatcouldpossiblybeconceived.

Hewasapeasant，thesonofaNormanfarmer.Aslongashisfatherandmotherlived，hewasmoreorlesstakencareof;hesufferedlittlesavefromhishorribleinfirmity;butassoonastheoldpeopleweregone，anatrociouslifeofmiserycommencedforhim.Dependentonasisterofhis，everybodyinthefarmhousetreatedhimasabeggarwhoiseatingthebreadofstrangers.Ateverymealtheveryfoodheswallowedwasmadeasubjectofreproachagainsthim;hewascalledadrone，aclown，andalthoughhisbrother—in—lawhadtakenpossessionofhisportionoftheinheritance，hewashelpedgrudginglytosoup，gettingjustenoughtosavehimfromstarving.

Hisfacewasverypaleandhistwobigwhiteeyeslookedlikewafers.

Heremainedunmovedatalltheinsultshurledathim，soreservedthatonecouldnottellwhetherhefeltthem.

Moreover，hehadneverknownanytenderness，hismotherhavingalwaystreatedhimunkindlyandcaringverylittleforhim;forincountryplacesuselesspersonsareconsideredanuisance，andthepeasantswouldbegladtokilltheinfirmoftheirspecies，aspoultrydo.

Assoonashefinishedhissouphewentandsatoutsidethedoorinsummerandinwinterbesidethefireside，anddidnotstiragainalltheevening.Hemadenogesture，nomovement;onlyhiseyelids，quiveringfromsomenervousaffection，felldownsometimesoverhiswhite，sightlessorbs.Hadheanyintellect，anythinkingfaculty，anyconsciousnessofhisownexistence？Nobodycaredtoinquire.

Forsomeyearsthingswentoninthisfashion.Buthisincapacityforworkaswellashisimpassivenesseventuallyexasperatedhisrelatives，andhebecamealaughingstock，asortofbuttformerriment，apreytotheinbornferocity，tothesavagegaietyofthebruteswhosurroundedhim.

Itiseasytoimagineallthecruelpracticaljokesinspiredbyhisblindness.And，inordertohavesomefuninreturnforfeedinghim，theynowconvertedhismealsintohoursofpleasurefortheneighborsandofpunishmentforthehelplesscreaturehimself.

Thepeasantsfromthenearesthousescametothisentertainment;itwastalkedaboutfromdoortodoor，andeverydaythekitchenofthefarmhousewasfullofpeople.Sometimestheyplacedbeforehisplate，whenhewasbeginningtoeathissoup，somecatordog.Theanimalinstinctivelyperceivedtheman’sinfirmity，and，softlyapproaching，commencedeatingnoiselessly，lappingupthesoupdaintily;and，whentheylappedthefoodrathernoisily，rousingthepoorfellow’sattention，theywouldprudentlyscamperawaytoavoidtheblowofthespoondirectedatrandombytheblindman！

Thenthespectatorsrangedalongthewallwouldburstoutlaughing，nudgeeachotherandstamptheirfeetonthefloor.Andhe，withouteverutteringaword，wouldcontinueeatingwithhisrighthand，whilestretchingouthislefttoprotecthisplate.

Anothertimetheymadehimchewcorks，bitsofwood，leavesorevenfilth，whichhewasunabletodistinguish.

Afterthistheygottiredevenofthesepracticaljokes，andthebrother—

in—law，angryathavingtosupporthimalways，struckhim，cuffedhimincessantly，laughingathisfutileeffortstowardofforreturntheblows.Thencameanewpleasure——thepleasureofsmackinghisface.Andtheplough—men，theservantgirlsandeveneverypassingvagabondwereeverymomentgivinghimcuffs，whichcausedhiseyelashestotwitchspasmodically.Hedidnotknowwheretohidehimselfandremainedwithhisarmsalwaysheldouttoguardagainstpeoplecomingtooclosetohim.

Atlasthewasforcedtobeg.

Hewasplacedsomewhereonthehigh—roadonmarket—days，andassoonasheheardthesoundoffootstepsortherollingofavehicle，hereachedouthishat，stammering：

"Charity，ifyouplease！"

Butthepeasantisnotlavish，andforwholeweekshedidnotbringbackasou.

Thenhebecamethevictimoffurious，pitilesshatred.Andthisishowhedied.

Onewinterthegroundwascoveredwithsnow，anditwasfreezinghard.

Hisbrother—in—lawledhimonemorningagreatdistancealongthehighroadinorderthathemightsolicitalms.Theblindmanwasleftthereallday;andwhennightcameon，thebrother—in—lawtoldthepeopleofhishousethathecouldfindnotraceofthemendicant.Thenheadded：

"Pooh！bestnotbotherabouthim！Hewascoldandgotsomeonetotakehimaway.Neverfear！he’snotlost.He’llturnupsoonenoughtomorrowtoeatthesoup."

Nextdayhedidnotcomeback.

Afterlonghoursofwaiting，stiffenedwiththecold，feelingthathewasdying，theblindmanbegantowalk.Beingunabletofindhiswayalongtheroad，owingtoitsthickcoatingofice，hewentonatrandom，fallingintoditches，gettingupagain，withoututteringasound，hissoleobjectbeingtofindsomehousewherehecouldtakeshelter.

But，bydegrees，thedescendingsnowmadeanumbnessstealoverhim，andhisfeeblelimbsbeingincapableofcarryinghimfarther，hesatdowninthemiddleofanopenfield.Hedidnotgetupagain.

Thewhiteflakeswhichfellcontinuouslyburiedhim，sothathisbody，quitestiffandstark，disappearedundertheincessantaccumulationoftheirrapidlythickeningmass，andnothingwaslefttoindicatetheplacewherehelay.

Hisrelativesmadeapretenceofinquiringabouthimandsearchingforhimforaboutaweek.Theyevenmadeashowofweeping.

Thewinterwassevere，andthethawdidnotsetinquickly.Now，oneSunday，ontheirwaytomass，thefarmersnoticedagreatflightofcrows，whowerewhirlingincessantlyabovetheopenfield，andthendescendinglikeashowerofblackrainatthesamespot，evergoingandcoming.

Thefollowingweekthesegloomybirdswerestillthere.Therewasacrowdofthemupintheair，asiftheyhadgatheredfromallcornersofthehorizon，andtheyswoopeddownwithagreatcawingintotheshiningsnow，whichtheycoveredlikeblackpatches，andinwhichtheykeptpeckingobstinately.Ayoungfellowwenttoseewhattheyweredoinganddiscoveredthebodyoftheblindman，alreadyhalfdevoured，mangled.

Hiswaneyeshaddisappeared，peckedoutbythelong，voraciousbeaks.

AndIcanneverfeelthegladradianceofsunlitdayswithoutsadlyrememberingandponderingoverthefateofthebeggarwhowassuchanoutcastinlife—thathishorribledeathwasarelieftoallwhohadknownhim.

INDISCRETION

Theyhadlovedeachotherbeforemarriagewithapureandloftylove.

Theyhadfirstmetonthesea—shore.Hehadthoughtthisyounggirlcharming，asshepassedbywithherlight—coloredparasolandherdaintydressamidthemarinelandscapeagainstthehorizon.Hehadlovedher，blondandslender，inthesesurroundingsofblueoceanandspacioussky.

Hecouldnotdistinguishthetendernesswhichthisbuddingwomanawokeinhimfromthevagueandpowerfulemotionwhichthefreshsaltairandthegrandsceneryofsurfandsunshineandwavesarousedinhissoul.

She，ontheotherhand，hadlovedhimbecausehecourtedher，becausehewasyoung，rich，kind，andattentive.Shehadlovedhimbecauseitisnaturalforyounggirlstolovemenwhowhispersweetnothingstothem.

So，forthreemonths，theyhadlivedsidebyside，andhandinhand.

Thegreetingwhichtheyexchangedinthemorningbeforethebath，inthefreshnessofthemorning，orintheeveningonthesand，underthestars，inthewarmthofacalmnight，whisperedlow，verylow，alreadyhadtheflavorofkisses，thoughtheirlipshadnevermet.

Eachdreamedoftheotheratnight，eachthoughtoftheotheronawaking，and，withoutyethavingvoicedtheirsentiments，eachlongerfortheother，bodyandsoul.

Aftermarriagetheirlovedescendedtoearth.Itwasatfirstatireless，sensuouspassion，thenexaltedtendernesscomposedoftangiblepoetry，morerefinedcaresses，andnewandfoolishinventions.Everyglanceandgesturewasanexpressionofpassion.

But，littlebylittle，withoutevennoticingit，theybegantogettiredofeachother.Lovewasstillstrong，buttheyhadnothingmoretorevealtoeachother，nothingmoretolearnfromeachother，nonewtaleofendearment，nounexpectedoutburst，nonewwayofexpressingthewell—

known，oft—repeatedverb.

Theytried，however，torekindlethedwindlingflameofthefirstlove.

Everydaytheytriedsomenewtrickordesperateattempttobringbacktotheirheartstheuncooledardoroftheirfirstdaysofmarriedlife.

Theytriedmoonlightwalksunderthetrees，inthesweetwarmthofthesummerevenings：thepoetryofmist—coveredbeaches;theexcitementofpublicfestivals.

OnemorningHenriettesaidtoPaul：

"Willyoutakemetoacafefordinner？"

"Certainly，dearie."

"Tosomewell—knowncafe？"

"Ofcourse！"

Helookedatherwithaquestioningglance，seeingthatshewasthinkingofsomethingwhichshedidnotwishtotell.

Shewenton：

"Youknow，oneofthosecafes——oh，howcanIexplainmyself？——asportycafe！"

Hesmiled："Ofcourse，Iunderstand——youmeaninoneofthecafeswhicharecommonlycalledbohemian."

"Yes，that’sit.Buttakemetooneofthebigplaces，onewhereyouareknown，onewhereyouhavealreadysupped——no——dined——well，youknow——I———

—I——oh！Iwillneverdaresayit！"

"Goahead，dearie.Littlesecretsshouldnolongerexistbetweenus."

"No，Idarenot."

"Goon;don’tbeprudish.Tellme."

"Well，I——I——Iwanttobetakenforyoursweetheart——there！andIwanttheboys，whodonotknowthatyouaremarried，totakemeforsuch;andyoutoo——IwantyoutothinkthatIamyoursweetheartforonehour，inthatplacewhichmustholdsomanymemoriesforyou.There！AndIwillplaythatIamyoursweetheart.It’sawful，Iknow——Iamabominablyashamed，Iamasredasapeony.Don’tlookatme！"

Helaughed，greatlyamused，andanswered：

"Allright，wewillgoto—nighttoaveryswellplacewhereIamwellknown."

Towardseveno’clocktheywentupthestairsofoneofthebigcafesontheBoulevard，he，smiling，withthelookofaconqueror，she，timid，veiled，delighted.Theywereimmediatelyshowntooneoftheluxuriousprivatedining—rooms，furnishedwithfourlargearm—chairsandaredplushcouch.Theheadwaiterenteredandbroughtthemthemenu.Paulhandedittohiswife.

"Whatdoyouwanttoeat？"

"Idon’tcare;orderwhateverisgood."

Afterhandinghiscoattothewaiter，heordereddinnerandchampagne.

Thewaiterlookedattheyoungwomanandsmiled.Hetooktheorderandmurmured：

"WillMonsieurPaulhavehischampagnesweetordry？"

"Dry，verydry."

Henriettewaspleasedtohearthatthismanknewherhusband’sname.

Theysatonthecouch，sidebyside，andbegantoeat.

Tencandleslightedtheroomandwerereflectedinthemirrorsallaroundthem，whichseemedtoincreasethebrilliancyathousand—fold.

Henriettedrankglassafterglassinordertokeepuphercourage，althoughshefeltdizzyafterthefirstfewglasses.Paul，excitedbythememorieswhichreturnedtohim，keptkissinghiswife’shands.Hiseyesweresparkling.

Shewasfeelingstrangelyexcitedinthisnewplace，restless，pleased，alittleguilty，butfulloflife.Twowaiters，serious，silent，accustomedtoseeingandforgettingeverything，toenteringtheroomonlywhenitwasnecessaryandtoleavingitwhentheyfelttheywereintruding，weresilentlyflittinghitherandthither.

Towardthemiddleofthedinner，Henriettewaswellundertheinfluenceofchampagne.Shewasprattlingalongfearlessly，hercheeksflushed，hereyesglistening.

"Come，Paul;tellmeeverything."

"What，sweetheart？"

"Idon’tdaretellyou."

"Goon！"

"Haveyoulovedmanywomenbeforeme？"

Hehesitated，alittleperplexed，notknowingwhetherheshouldhidehisadventuresorboastofthem.

Shecontinued：

"Oh！pleasetellme.Howmanyhaveyouloved？"

"Afew."

"Howmany？"

"Idon’tknow.Howdoyouexpectmetoknowsuchthings？"

"Haven’tyoucountedthem？"

"Ofcoursenot."

"Thenyoumusthavelovedagoodmany！"

"Perhaps."

"Abouthowmany？Justtellmeabouthowmany."

"ButIdon’tknow，dearest.Someyearsagoodmany，andsomeyearsonlyafew."

"Howmanyayear，didyousay？"

"Sometimestwentyorthirty，sometimesonlyfourorfive."

"Oh！thatmakesmorethanahundredinall！"

"Yes，justabout."

"Oh！Ithinkthatisdreadful！"

"Whydreadful？"

"Becauseit’sdreadfulwhenyouthinkofit——allthosewomen——andalways——alwaysthesamething.Oh！it’sdreadful，justthesame——morethanahundredwomen！"

Hewassurprisedthatsheshouldthinkthatdreadful，andanswered，withtheairofsuperioritywhichmentakewithwomenwhentheywishtomakethemunderstandthattheyhavesaidsomethingfoolish：

"That’sfunny！Ifitisdreadfultohaveahundredwomen，it’sdreadfultohaveone."

"Oh，no，notatall！"

"Whynot？"

"Becausewithonewomanyouhavearealbondoflovewhichattachesyoutoher，whilewithahundredwomenit’snotthesameatall.Thereisnoreallove.Idon’tunderstandhowamancanassociatewithsuchwomen."

"Buttheyareallright."

"No，theycan’tbe！"

"Yes，theyare！"

"Oh，stop;youdisgustme！"

"Butthen，whydidyouaskmehowmanysweetheartsIhadhad？"

"Because————"

"That’snoreason！"

"Whatwerethey—actresses，littleshop—girls，orsocietywomen？"

"Afewofeach."

"Itmusthavebeenrathermonotonoustowardthelast."

"Oh，no;it’samusingtochange."

Sheremainedthoughtful，staringatherchampagneglass.Itwasfull——

shedrankitinonegulp;thenputtingitbackonthetable，shethrewherarmsaroundherhusband’sneckandmurmuredinhisear：

"Oh！howIloveyou，sweetheart！howIloveyou！"

Hethrewhisarmsaroundherinapassionateembrace.Awaiter，whowasjustentering，backedout，closingthedoordiscreetly.Inaboutfiveminutestheheadwaitercameback，solemnanddignified，bringingthefruitfordessert.Shewasoncemoreholdingbetweenherfingersafullglass，andgazingintotheamberliquidasthoughseekingunknownthings.

Shemurmuredinadreamyvoice：

"Yes，itmustbefun！"

AFAMILYAFFAIR

ThesmallengineattachedtotheNeuillysteam—tramwhistledasitpassedthePorteMaillottowarnallobstaclestogetoutofitswayandpuffedlikeapersonoutofbreathasitsentoutitssteam，itspistonsmovingrapidlywithanoiseasofironlegsrunning.ThetrainwasgoingalongthebroadavenuethatendsattheSeine.ThesultryheatatthecloseofaJulydaylayoverthewholecity，andfromtheroad，althoughtherewasnotabreathofwindstirring，therearoseawhite，chalky，suffocating，warmdust，whichadheredtothemoistskin，filledtheeyesandgotintothelungs.Peoplestoodinthedoorwaysoftheirhousestotryandgetabreathofair.

Thewindowsofthesteam—tramwereopenandthecurtainsflutteredinthewind.Therewereveryfewpassengersinside，becauseonwarmdayspeoplepreferredtheoutsideortheplatforms.Theyconsistedofstoutwomeninpeculiarcostumes，ofthoseshopkeepers’wivesfromthesuburbs，whomadeupforthedistinguishedlookswhichtheydidnotpossessbyill—assumeddignity;ofmentiredfromoffice—work，withyellowfaces，stoopedshoulders，andwithoneshoulderhigherthantheother，inconsequenceof，theirlonghoursofwritingatadesk.Theiruneasyandmelancholyfacesalsospokeofdomestictroubles，ofconstantwantofmoney，disappointedhopes，fortheyallbelongedtothearmyofpoor，threadbaredevilswhovegetateeconomicallyincheap，plasteredhouseswithatinypieceofneglectedgardenontheoutskirtsofParis，inthemidstofthosefieldswherenightsoilisdeposited.

Ashort，corpulentman，withapuffyface，dressedallinblackandwearingadecorationinhisbuttonhole，wastalkingtoatall，thinman，dressedinadirty，whitelinensuit，thecoatallunbuttoned，withawhitePanamahatonhishead.Theformerspokesoslowlyandhesitatinglythatitoccasionallyalmostseemedasifhestammered;hewasMonsieurCaravan，chiefclerkintheAdmiralty.Theother，whohadformerlybeensurgeononboardamerchantship，hadsetupinpracticeinCourbevoie，whereheappliedthevagueremnantsofmedicalknowledgewhichhehadretainedafteranadventurouslife，tothewretchedpopulationofthatdistrict.HisnamewasChenet，andstrangerumorswerecurrentastohismorality.

MonsieurCaravanhadalwaysledthenormallifeofamaninaGovernmentoffice.Forthelastthirtyyearshehadinvariablygonethesamewaytohisofficeeverymorning，andhadmetthesamemengoingtobusinessatthesametime，andnearlyonthesamespot，andhereturnedhomeeveryeveningbythesameroad，andagainmetthesamefaceswhichhehadseengrowingold.Everymorning，afterbuyinghispennypaperatthecorneroftheFaubourgSaintHonore，heboughttworolls，andthenwenttohisoffice，likeaculpritwhoisgivinghimselfuptojustice，andgottohisdeskasquicklyaspossible，alwaysfeelinguneasy;asthoughhewereexpectingarebukeforsomeneglectofdutyofwhichhemighthavebeenguilty.

Nothinghadeveroccurredtochangethemonotonousorderofhisexistence，fornoeventaffectedhimexcepttheworkofhisoffice，perquisites，gratuities，andpromotion.Heneverspokeofanythingbutofhisduties，eitherattheoffice，orathome——hehadmarriedtheportionlessdaughterofoneofhiscolleagues.Hismind，whichwasinastateofatrophyfromhisdepressingdailywork，hadnootherthoughts，hopesordreamsthansuchasrelatedtotheoffice，andtherewasaconstantsourceofbitternessthatspoilteverypleasurethathemighthavehad，andthatwastheemploymentofsomanynavalofficials，tinsmiths，astheywerecalledbecauseoftheirsilver—laceasfirst—

classclerks;andeveryeveningatdinnerhediscussedthematterhotlywithhiswife，whosharedhisangryfeelings，andprovedtotheirownsatisfactionthatitwasineverywayunjusttogiveplacesinParistomenwhooughtproperlytohavebeenemployedinthenavy.

Hewasoldnow，andhadscarcelynoticedhowhislifewaspassing，forschoolhadmerelybeenexchangedfortheofficewithoutanyintermediatetransition，andtheushers，atwhomhehadformerlytrembled，werereplacedbyhischiefs，ofwhomhewasterriblyafraid.Whenhehadtogointotheroomsoftheseofficialdespots，itmadehimtremblefromheadtofoot，andthatconstantfearhadgivenhimaveryawkwardmannerintheirpresence，ahumbledemeanor，andakindofnervousstammering.

HeknewnothingmoreaboutParisthanablindmanmightknowwhowasledtothesamespotbyhisdogeveryday;andifhereadtheaccountofanyuncommoneventsorscandalsinhispennypaper，theyappearedtohimlikefantastictales，whichsomepressmanhadmadeupoutofhisownhead，inordertoamusetheinferioremployees.Hedidnotreadthepoliticalnews，whichhispaperfrequentlyalteredasthecausewhichsubsidizeditmightrequire，forhewasnotfondofinnovations，andwhenhewentthroughtheAvenueoftheChamps—Elyseeseveryevening，helookedatthesurgingcrowdofpedestrians，andatthestreamofcarriages，asatravellermightwhohaslosthiswayinastrangecountry.

Ashehadcompletedhisthirtyyearsofobligatoryservicethatyear，onthefirstofJanuary，hehadhadthecrossoftheLegionofHonorbestoweduponhim，which，inthesemi—militarypublicoffices，isarecompenseforthemiserableslavery——theofficialphraseis，loyalservices——ofunfortunateconvictswhoarerivetedtotheirdesk.Thatunexpecteddignitygavehimahighandnewideaofhisowncapacities，andaltogetherchangedhim.Heimmediatelyleftoffwearinglighttrousersandfancywaistcoats，andworeblacktrousersandlongcoats，onwhichhisribbon，whichwasverybroad，showedoffbetter.Hegotshavedeverymorning，manicuredhisnailsmorecarefully，changedhislineneverytwodays，fromalegitimatesenseofwhatwasproper，andoutofrespectforthenationalOrder，ofwhichheformedapart，andfromthatdayhewasanotherCaravan，scrupulouslyclean，majesticandcondescending.

Athome，hesaid，"mycross，"ateverymoment，andhehadbecomesoproudofit，thathecouldnotbeartoseemenwearinganyotherribbonintheirbutton—holes.Hebecameespeciallyangryonseeingstrangeorders：

"WhichnobodyoughttobeallowedtowearinFrance，"andheboreChenetaparticulargrudge，ashemethimonatram—careveryevening，wearingadecorationofonekindoranother，white，blue，orange，orgreen.

Theconversationofthetwomen，fromtheArcdeTriomphetoNeuilly，wasalwaysthesame，andonthatdaytheydiscussed，firstofall，variouslocalabuseswhichdisgustedthemboth，andtheMayorofNeuillyreceivedhisfullshareoftheircensure.Then，asinvariablyhappensinthecompanyofmedicalmanCaravanbegantoenlargeonthechapterofillness，asinthatmanner，hehopedtoobtainalittlegratuitousadvice，ifhewascarefulnottoshowhishand.Hismotherhadbeencausinghimnolittleanxietyforsometime;shehadfrequentandprolongedfaintingfits，and，althoughshewasninety，shewouldnottakecareofherself.

Caravangrewquitetender—heartedwhenhementionedhergreatage，andmorethanonceaskedDoctorChenet，emphasizingtheworddoctor——althoughhewasnotfullyqualified，beingonlyanOffcierdeSante——whetherhehadoftenmetanyoneasoldasthat.Andherubbedhishandswithpleasure;not，perhaps，thathecaredverymuchaboutseeingthegoodwomanlastforeverhereonearth，butbecausethelongdurationofhismother’slifewas，asitwereanearnestofoldageforhimself，andhecontinued：

"Inmyfamily，welastlong，andIamsurethat，unlessImeetwithanaccident，IshallnotdieuntilIamveryold."

Thedoctorlookedathimwithpity，andglancedforamomentathisneighbor’sredface，hisshort，thickneck，his"corporation，"asChenetcalledittohimself，histwofat，flabbylegs，andtheapoplecticrotundityoftheoldofficial;andraisingthewhitePanamahatfromhishead，hesaidwithasnigger：

"Iamnotsosureofthat，oldfellow;yourmotherisastoughasnails，andIshouldsaythatyourlifeisnotaverygoodone."

ThisratherupsetCaravan，whodidnotspeakagainuntilthetramputthemdownattheirdestination，wherethetwofriendsgotout，andChenetaskedhisfriendtohaveaglassofvermouthattheCafeduGlobe，opposite，whichbothofthemwereinthehabitoffrequenting.Theproprietor，whowasafriendoftheirs，heldouttothemtwofingers，whichtheyshookacrossthebottlesofthecounter;andthentheyjoinedthreeoftheirfriends，whowereplayingdominoes，andwhohadbeentheresincemidday.Theyexchangedcordialgreetings，withtheusualquestion：

"Anythingnew？"Andthenthethreeplayerscontinuedtheirgame，andheldouttheirhandswithoutlookingup，whentheotherswishedthem"Good—night，"andthentheybothwenthometodinner.

Caravanlivedinasmalltwo—storyhouseinCourbevaie，nearwheretheroadsmeet;thegroundfloorwasoccupiedbyahair—dresser.Twobedrooms，adining—roomandakitchen，formedthewholeoftheirapartments，andMadameCaravanspentnearlyherwholetimeincleaningthemup，whileherdaughter，Marie—Louise，whowastwelve，andherson，Phillip—Auguste，wererunningaboutwithallthelittle，dirty，mischievousbratsoftheneighborhood，andplayinginthegutter.

Caravanhadinstalledhismother，whoseavaricewasnotoriousintheneighborhood，andwhowasterriblythin，intheroomabovethem.Shewasalwayscross，andsheneverpassedadaywithoutquarrelingandflyingintofurioustempers.Shewouldapostrophizetheneighbors，whowerestandingattheirowndoors，thecoster—mongers，thestreet—sweepers，andthestreet—boys，inthemostviolentlanguage;andthelatter，tohavetheirrevenge，usedtofollowheratadistancewhenshewentout，andcalloutrudethingsafterher.

AlittleservantfromNormandy，whowasincrediblygiddyandthoughtless，performedthehouseholdwork，andsleptonthesecondfloorinthesameroomastheoldwoman，forfearofanythinghappeningtoherinthenight.

WhenCaravangotin，hiswife，whosufferedfromachronicpassionforcleaning，waspolishingupthemahoganychairsthatwerescatteredabouttheroomwithapieceofflannel.Shealwaysworecottongloves，andadornedherheadwithacapornamentedwithmanycoloredribbons，whichwasalwaystiltedoveroneear;andwheneveranyonecaughtherpolishing，sweeping，orwashing，sheusedtosay：

"Iamnotrich;everythingisverysimpleinmyhouse，butcleanlinessismyluxury，andthatisworthquiteasmuchasanyother."

Asshewasgiftedwithsound，obstinate，practicalcommonsense，sheledherhusbandineverything.Everyeveningduringdinner，andafterwardswhentheywereintheirroom，theytalkedoverthebusinessoftheofficeforalongtime，andalthoughshewastwentyyearsyoungerthanhewas，heconfidedeverythingtoherasifshetookthelead，andfollowedheradviceineverymatter.

Shehadneverbeenpretty，andnowshehadgrownugly;inadditiontothat，shewasshortandthin，whilehercarelessandtastelesswayofdressingherselfconcealedherfewsmallfeminineattractions，whichmighthavebeenbroughtoutifshehadpossessedanytasteindress.

Herskirtswerealwaysawry，andshefrequentlyscratchedherself，nomatteronwhatpartofherperson，totallyindifferentastowhomightseeher，andsopersistently，thatanyonewhosawhermightthinkthatshewassufferingfromsomethingliketheitch.Theonlyadornmentsthatsheallowedherselfweresilkribbons，whichshehadingreatprofusion，andofvariouscolorsmixedtogether，inthepretentiouscapswhichsheworeathome.

Assoonasshesawherhusbandsheroseandsaid，asshekissedhiswhiskers：

"DidyourememberPotin，mydear？"

Hefellintoachair，inconsternation，forthatwasthefourthtimeonwhichhehadforgottenacommissionthathehadpromisedtodoforher.

"Itisafatality，"hesaid;"itisnogoodformetothinkofitalldaylong，forIamsuretoforgetitintheevening."

Butasheseemedreallysoverysorry，shemerelysaid，quietly：

"Youwillthinkofitto—morrow，Idaresay.Anythingnewattheoffice？"

"Yes，agreatpieceofnews;anothertinsmithhasbeenappointedsecondchiefclerk."Shebecameveryserious，andsaid：

"SohesucceedsRamon;thiswastheverypostthatIwantedyoutohave.

AndwhataboutRamon？"

"Heretiresonhispension."

Shebecamefurious，hercapsliddownonhershoulder，andshecontinued：

"Thereisnothingmoretobedoneinthatshopnow.Andwhatisthenameofthenewcommissioner？"

"Bonassot."

ShetookuptheNavalYearBook，whichshealwayskeptcloseathand，andlookedhimup.

"’Bonassot—Toulon.Bornin1851.StudentCommissionerin1871.Sub—

Commissionerin1875.’Hashebeentosea？"shecontinued.AtthatquestionCaravan’slooksclearedup，andhelaugheduntilhissidesshook.

"AsmuchasBalin——asmuchasBaffin，hischief."Andheaddedanoldofficejoke，andlaughedmorethanever：

"ItwouldnotevendotosendthembywatertoinspectthePoint—du—Jour，fortheywouldbesickonthepennysteamboatsontheSeine."

Butsheremainedasseriousasifshehadnotheardhim，andthenshesaidinalowvoice，asshescratchedherchin：

"IfweonlyhadaDeputytofallbackupon.WhentheChamberhearseverythingthatisgoingonattheAdmiralty，theMinisterwillbeturnedout————，Shewasinterruptedbyaterriblenoiseonthestairs.Marie—LouiseandPhilippe—Auguste，whohadjustcomeinfromthegutter，wereslappingeachotherallthewayupstairs.Theirmotherrushedatthemfuriously，andtakingeachofthembyanarmshedraggedthemintotheroom，shakingthemvigorously;butassoonastheysawtheirfather，theyrusheduptohim，andhekissedthemaffectionately，andtakingoneofthemoneachknee，begantotalktothem.

Philippe—Augustewasanugly，ill—kemptlittlebrat，dirtyfromheadtofoot，withthefaceofanidiot，andMarie—Louisewasalreadylikehermother——spokelikeher，repeatedherwords，andevenimitatedhermovements.Shealsoaskedhimwhethertherewasanythingfreshattheoffice，andherepliedmerrily：

"Yourfriend，Ramon，whocomesanddineshereeverySunday，isgoingtoleaveus，littleone.Thereisanewsecondhead—clerk."

Shelookedatherfather，andwithaprecociouschild’spity，shesaid：

"Anothermanhasbeenputoveryourheadagain."

Hestoppedlaughing，anddidnotreply，andinordertocreateadiversion，hesaid，addressinghiswife，whowascleaningthewindows：

"Howismamma，upstairs？"

MadameCaravanleftoffrubbing，turnedround.pulledhercapup，asithadfallenquiteontoherback，andsaidwithtremblinglips：

"Ah！yes;letustalkaboutyourmother，forshehasmadeaprettyscene.Justimagine：ashorttimeagoMadameLebaudin，thehairdresser’swife，cameupstairstoborrowapacketofstarchofme，and，asIwasnotathome，yourmotherchasedheroutasthoughshewereabeggar;butI

gaveittotheoldwoman.Shepretendednottohear，asshealwaysdoeswhenonetellsherunpleasanttruths，butsheisnomoredeafthanIam，asyouknow.Itisallasham，andtheproofofitis，thatshewentuptoherownroomimmediately，withoutsayingaword."

Caravan，embarrassed，didnotutteraword，andatthatmomentthelittleservantcameintoannouncedinner.Inordertolethismotherknow，hetookabroom—handle，whichalwaysstoodinacorner，andrappedloudlyontheceilingthreetimes，andthentheywentintothedining—room.MadameCaravan，junior，helpedthesoup，andwaitedfortheoldwoman，butshedidnotcome，andasthesoupwasgettingcold，theybegantoeatslowly，andwhentheirplateswereempty，theywaitedagain，andMadameCaravan，whowasfurious，attackedherhusband：

"Shedoesitonpurpose，youknowthataswellasIdo.Butyoualwaysupholdher."

Notknowingwhichsidetotake，hesentMarie—Louisetofetchhergrandmother，andhesatmotionless，withhiseyescastdown，whilehiswifetappedherglassangrilywithherknife.Inaboutaminute，thedoorflewopensuddenly，andthechildcameinagain，outofbreathandverypale，andsaidhurriedly：

"Grandmammahasfallenonthefloor."

Caravanjumpedup，threwhistable—napkindown，andrushedupstairs，whilehiswife，whothoughtitwassometrickofhermother—in—law’s，followedmoreslowly，shrugginghershoulders，asiftoexpressherdoubt.Whentheygotupstairs，however，theyfoundtheoldwomanlyingatfulllengthinthemiddleoftheroom;andwhentheyturnedherover，theysawthatshewasinsensibleandmotionless，whileherskinlookedmorewrinkledandyellowthanusual，hereyeswereclosed，herteethclenched，andherthinbodywasstiff.

Caravankneltdownbyher，andbegantomoan.

"Mypoormother！mypoormother！"hesaid.ButtheotherMadameCaravansaid：

"Bah！Shehasonlyfaintedagain，thatisall，andshehasdoneittopreventusfromdiningcomfortably，youmaybesureofthat."

Theyputheronthebed，undressedhercompletely，andCaravan，hiswife，andtheservantbegantorubher;but，inspiteoftheirefforts，shedidnotrecoverconsciousness，sotheysentRosalie，theservant，tofetchDoctorChenet.Helivedalongwayoff，onthequay，goingtowardsSuresnes，andsoitwasaconsiderabletimebeforehearrived.Hecameatlast，however，and，afterhavinglookedattheoldwoman，feltherpulse，andlistenedforaheartbeat，hesaid："Itisallover."

Caravanthrewhimselfonthebody，sobbingviolently;hekissedhismother’srigidface，andweptsothatgreattearsfellonthedeadwoman’sfacelikedropsofwater，and，naturally，MadameCaravan，junior，showedadecorousamountofgrief，andutteredfeeblemoansasshestoodbehindherhusband，whilesherubbedhereyesvigorously.

But，suddenly，Caravanraisedhimselfup，withhisthinhairindisorder，and，lookingveryuglyinhisgrief，said：

"But——areyousure，doctor？Areyouquitesure？"

Thedoctorstoopedoverthebody，and，handlingitwithprofessionaldexterity，asashopkeepermightdo，whenshowingoffhisgoods，hesaid：

"See，mydearfriend，lookathereye."

Heraisedtheeyelid，andtheoldwoman’seyeappearedaltogetherunaltered，unless，perhaps，thepupilwasratherlarger，andCaravanfeltasevereshockatthesight.ThenMonsieurChenettookherthinarm，forcedthefingersopen，andsaid，angrily，asifhehadbeencontradicted：

"Justlookatherhand;Inevermakeamistake，youmaybequitesureofthat."

Caravanfellonthebed，andalmostbellowed，whilehiswife，stillwhimpering，didwhatwasnecessary.

Shebroughtthenight—table，onwhichshespreadatowelandplacedfourwaxcandlesonit，whichshelighted;thenshetookasprigofbox，whichwashangingoverthechimneyglass，andputitbetweenthefourcandles，inaplate，whichshefilledwithcleanwater，asshehadnoholywater.

But，afteramoment’srapidreflection，shethrewapinchofsaltintothewater，nodoubtthinkingshewasperformingsomesortofactofconsecrationbydoingthat，andwhenshehadfinished，sheremainedstandingmotionless，andthedoctor，whohadbeenhelpingher，whisperedtoher：

"WemusttakeCaravanaway."

Shenoddedassent，and，goinguptoherhusband，whowasstillonhisknees，sobbing，sheraisedhimupbyonearm，whileChenettookhimbytheother.

Theyputhimintoachair，andhiswifekissedhisforehead，andthenbegantolecturehim.Chenetenforcedherwordsandpreachedfirmness，courage，andresignation——theverythingswhicharealwayswantinginsuchoverwhelmingmisfortunes——andthenbothofthemtookhimbythearmsagainandledhimout.

Hewascryinglikeagreatchild，withconvulsivesobs;hisarmshangingdown，andhislegsweak，andhewentdownstairswithoutknowingwhathewasdoing，andmovinghisfeetmechanically.Theyputhimintothechairwhichhealwaysoccupiedatdinner，infrontofhisemptysoupplate.

Andtherehesat，withoutmoving，hiseyesfixedonhisglass，andsostupefiedwithgrief，thathecouldnoteventhink.

Inacorner，MadameCaravanwastalkingwiththedoctorandaskingwhatthenecessaryformalitieswere，asshewantedtoobtainpracticalinformation.Atlast，MonsieurChenet，whoappearedtobewaitingforsomething，tookuphishatandpreparedtogo，sayingthathehadnotdinedyet;whereuponsheexclaimed：

"What！youhavenotdined？Why，stayhere，doctor;don’tgo.Youshallhavewhateverwehave，for，ofcourse，youunderstandthatwedonotfaresumptuously."Hemadeexcusesandrefused，butshepersisted，andsaid：

"Youreallymuststay;attimeslikethis，peopleliketohavefriendsnearthem，and，besidesthat，perhapsyouwillbeabletopersuademyhusbandtotakesomenourishment;hemustkeepuphisstrength."

Thedoctorbowed，and，puttingdownhishat，hesaid：

"Inthatcase，Iwillacceptyourinvitation，madame."

ShegaveRosalie，whoseemedtohavelostherhead，someorders，andthensatdown，"topretendtoeat，"asshesaid，"tokeepthedoctorcompany."

Thesoupwasbroughtinagain，andMonsieurChenettooktwohelpings.

Thentherecameadishoftripe，whichexhaledasmellofonions，andwhichMadameCaravanmadeuphermindtotaste.

"Itisexcellent，"thedoctorsaid，atwhichshesmiled，and，turningtoherhusband，shesaid：

"Dotakealittle，mypoorAlfred，onlyjusttoputsomethinginyourstomach.Rememberthatyouhavegottopassthenightwatchingbyher！"

Heheldouthisplate，docilely，justashewouldhavegonetobed，ifhehadbeentoldto，obeyingherineverything，withoutresistanceandwithoutreflection，andheate;thedoctorhelpedhimselfthreetimes，whileMadameCaravan，fromtimetotime，fishedoutalargepieceattheendofherfork，andswalloweditwithasortofstudiedindifference.

Whenasaladbowlfullofmacaroniwasbroughtin，thedoctorsaid：

"ByJove！ThatiswhatIamveryfondof."Andthistime，MadameCaravanhelpedeverybody.Sheevenfilledthesaucersthatwerebeingscrapedbythechildren，who，beinglefttothemselves，hadbeendrinkingwinewithoutanywater，andwerenowkickingeachotherunderthetable.

ChenetrememberedthatRossini，thecomposer，hadbeenveryfondofthatItaliandish，andsuddenlyheexclaimed：

"Why！thatrhymes，andonecouldbeginsomelineslikethis：

TheMaestroRossiniWasfondofmacaroni."

Nobodylistenedtohim，however.MadameCaravan，whohadsuddenlygrownthoughtful，wasthinkingofalltheprobableconsequencesoftheevent，whileherhusbandmadebreadpellets，whichheputonthetable—cloth，andlookedatwithafixed，idioticstare.Ashewasdevouredbythirst，hewascontinuallyraisinghisglassfullofwinetohislips，andtheconsequencewasthathismind，whichhadbeenupsetbytheshockandgrief，seemedtobecomevague，andhisideasdancedaboutasdigestioncommenced.

Thedoctor，who，meanwhile，hadbeendrinkingawaysteadily，wasgettingvisiblydrunk，andMadameCaravanherselffeltthereactionwhichfollowsallnervousshocks，andwasagitatedandexcited，and，althoughshehaddrunknothingbutwater，herheadfeltratherconfused.

Presently，Chenetbegantorelatestoriesofdeaththatappearedcomicaltohim.ForinthatsuburbofParis，thatisfullofpeoplefromtheprovinces，onefindsthatindifferencetowardsdeathwhichallpeasantsshow，wereiteventheirownfatherormother;thatwantofrespect，thatunconsciousbrutalitywhichissocommoninthecountry，andsorareinParis，andhesaid：

"Why，IwassentforlastweektotheRueduPuteaux，andwhenIwent，I

foundthepatientdeadandthewholefamilycalmlysittingbesidethebedfinishingabottleofaniseedcordial，whichhadbeenboughtthenightbeforetosatisfythedyingman’sfancy."

ButMadameCaravanwasnotlistening;shewascontinuallythinkingoftheinheritance，andCaravanwasincapableofunderstandinganythingfurther.

Coffeewaspresentlyserved，andithadbeenmadeverystrongtogivethemcourage.Aseverycupwaswellflavoredwithcognac，itmadealltheirfacesred，andconfusedtheirideasstillmore.Tomakemattersstillworse，Chenetsuddenlyseizedthebrandybottleandpouredout"adropforeachofthemjusttowashtheirmouthsoutwith，"ashetermedit，andthen，withoutspeakinganymore，overcomeinspiteofthemselves，bythatfeelingofanimalcomfortwhichalcoholaffordsafterdinner，theyslowlysippedthesweetcognac，whichformedayellowishsyrupatthebottomoftheircups.

Thechildrenhadfallenasleep，andRosaliecarriedthemofftobed.

Caravan，mechanicallyobeyingthatwishtoforgetoneselfwhichpossessesallunhappypersons，helpedhimselftobrandyagainseveraltimes，andhisdulleyesgrewbright.Atlastthedoctorrosetogo，andseizinghisfriend’sarm，hesaid：

"Comewithme;alittlefreshairwilldoyougood.Whenoneisintrouble，onemustnotremaininonespot."

Theotherobeyedmechanically，putonhishat，tookhisstick，andwentout，andbothofthemwalkedarm—in—armtowardstheSeine，inthestarlightnight.

Theairwaswarmandsweet，forallthegardensintheneighborhoodwerefullofflowersatthisseasonoftheyear，andtheirfragrance，whichisscarcelyperceptibleduringtheday，seemedtoawakenattheapproachofnight，andmingledwiththelightbreezeswhichblewupontheminthedarkness.

Thebroadavenuewithitstworowsofgaslamps，thatextendedasfarastheArcdeTriomphe，wasdesertedandsilent，buttherewasthedistantroarofParis，whichseemedtohaveareddishvaporhangingoverit.

Itwasakindofcontinualrumbling，whichwasattimesansweredbythewhistleofatraininthedistance，travellingatfullspeedtotheocean，throughtheprovinces.

Thefreshaironthefacesofthetwomenratherovercamethematfirst，madethedoctorlosehisequilibriumalittle，andincreasedCaravan’sgiddiness，fromwhichhehadsufferedsincedinner.Hewalkedasifhewereinadream;histhoughtswereparalyzed，althoughhefeltnogreatgrief，forhewasinastateofmentaltorporthatpreventedhimfromsuffering，andheevenfeltasenseofreliefwhichwasincreasedbythemildnessofthenight.