第13章

Shealsofeltinclinedtorun;shefeltinclinedtomoveandtostretchherlimbsandtoreposeinthewarm，breathlessair.Shetookafewundecidedstepsandclosedhereyes，forshewasseizedwithafeelingofanimalcomfort，andthenshewenttolookforeggsinthehenloft.

Therewerethirteenofthem，whichshetookinandputintothestoreroom;butthesmellfromthekitchenannoyedheragain，andshewentouttositonthegrassforatime.

Thefarmyard，whichwassurroundedbytrees，seemedtobeasleep.Thetallgrass，amidwhichthetallyellowdandelionsroseuplikestreaksofyellowlight，wasofavivid，freshspringgreen.Theappletreescasttheirshadeallroundthem，andthethatchedroofs，onwhichgrewblueandyellowirises，withtheirsword—likeleaves，steamedasifthemoistureofthestablesandbarnswerecomingthroughthestraw.

Thegirlwenttotheshed，wherethecartsandbuggieswerekept.Closetoit，inaditch，therewasalargepatchofviolets，whosefragrancewasspreadabroad，whilebeyondtheslopetheopencountrycouldbeseen，wheregrainwasgrowing，withclumpsoftreesinplaces，andgroupsoflaborershereandthere，wholookedassmallasdolls，andwhitehorsesliketoys，whoweredrawingachild’scart，drivenbyamanastallasone’sfinger.

Shetookupabundleofstraw，threwitintotheditchandsatdownuponit.Then，notfeelingcomfortable，sheundidit，spreaditoutandlaydownuponitatfulllengthonherback，withbotharmsunderherheadandherlegsstretchedout.

Graduallyhereyesclosed，andshewasfallingintoastateofdelightfullanguor.Shewas，infact，almostasleepwhenshefelttwohandsonherbosom，andshesprangupatabound.ItwasJacques，oneofthefarmlaborers，atallfellowfromPicardy，whohadbeenmakinglovetoherforalongtime.Hehadbeenherdingthesheep，and，seeingherlyingdownintheshade，hadcomeupstealthilyandholdinghisbreath，withglisteningeyesandbitsofstrawinhishair.

Hetriedtokissher，butshegavehimasmackintheface，forshewasasstrongashe，andhewasshrewdenoughtobegherpardon;sotheysatdownsidebysideandtalkedamicably.Theyspokeaboutthefavorableweather，oftheirmaster，whowasagoodfellow，thenoftheirneighbors，ofallthepeopleinthecountryround，ofthemselves，oftheirvillage，oftheiryouthfuldays，oftheirrecollections，oftheirrelations，whohadleftthemforalongtime，anditmightbeforever.Shegrewsadasshethoughtofit，whilehe，withonefixedideainhishead，drewclosertoher.

"Ihavenotseenmymotherforalongtime，"shesaid."Itisveryhardtobeseparatedlikethat，"andshedirectedherlooksintothedistance，towardthevillageinthenorthwhichshehadleft.

Suddenly，however，heseizedherbytheneckandkissedheragain，butshestruckhimsoviolentlyinthefacewithherclenchedfistthathisnosebegantobleed，andhegotupandlaidhisheadagainstthestemofatree.Whenshesawthat，shewassorry，andgoinguptohim，shesaid：

"HaveIhurtyou？"He，however，onlylaughed."No，itwasamerenothing;onlyshehadhithimrightonthemiddleofthenose.Whatadevil！"hesaid，andhelookedatherwithadmiration，forshehadinspiredhimwithafeelingofrespectandofaverydifferentkindofadmirationwhichwasthebeginningofarealloveforthattall，strongwench.Whenthebleedinghadstopped，heproposedawalk，ashewasafraidofhisneighbor’sheavyhand，iftheyremainedsidebysidelikethatmuchlonger;butshetookhisarmofherownaccord，intheavenue，asiftheyhadbeenoutforanevening’swalk，andsaid："Itisnotniceofyoutodespisemelikethat，Jacques."Heprotested，however.No，hedidnotdespiseher.Hewasinlovewithher，thatwasall.

"Soyoureallywanttomarryme？"sheasked.

Hehesitatedandthenlookedathersideways，whileshelookedstraightaheadofher.Shehadfat，redcheeks，afullbustbeneathhercottonjacket;thick，redlips;andherneck，whichwasalmostbare，wascoveredwithsmallbeadsofperspiration.Hefeltafreshaccessofdesire，and，puttinghislipstoherear，hemurmured："Yes，ofcourseIdo."

Thenshethrewherarmsroundhisneckandkissedhimtilltheywerebothoutofbreath.Fromthatmomenttheeternalstoryoflovebeganbetweenthem.Theyplaguedoneanotherincorners;theymetinthemoonlightbesidethehaystackandgaveeachotherbruisesonthelegs，underthetable，withtheirheavynailedboots.Bydegrees，however，Jacquesseemedtogrowtiredofher;heavoidedher，scarcelyspoketoher，anddidnottryanylongertomeetheralone，whichmadehersadandanxious;

andsoonshefoundthatshewasenceinte.

Atfirstshewasinastateofconsternation，butthenshegotangry，andherrageincreasedeverydaybecauseshecouldnotmeethim，asheavoidedhermostcarefully.Atlast，onenight，wheneveryoneinthefarmhousewasasleep，shewentoutnoiselesslyinherpetticoat，withbarefeet，crossedtheyardandopenedthedoorofthestablewhereJacqueswaslyinginalargeboxofstrawabovehishorses.Hepretendedtosnorewhenheheardhercoming，butshekneltdownbyhissideandshookhimuntilhesatup.

"Whatdoyouwant？"hethenaskedher.Andwithclenchedteeth，andtremblingwithanger，shereplied："Iwant——Iwantyoutomarryme，asyoupromised."Butheonlylaughedandreplied："Oh！ifamanweretomarryallthegirlswithwhomhehasmadeaslip，hewouldhavemorethanenoughtodo."

Thensheseizedhimbythethroat，threwhimorhisback，sothathecouldnotgetawayfromher，and，halfstranglinghim，sheshoutedintohisface：

"Iamenceinte，doyouhear？Iamenceinte！"

Hegaspedforbreath，ashewasalmostchoked，andsotheyremained，bothofthem，motionlessandwithoutspeaking，inthedarksilence，whichwasonlybrokenbythenoisemadebyahorseashe，pulledthehayoutofthemangerandthenslowlymunchedit.

WhenJacquesfoundthatshewasthestronger，hestammeredout："Verywell，Iwillmarryyou，asthatisthecase."Butshedidnotbelievehispromises."Itmustbeatonce，"shesaid."Youmusthavethebannsputup.""Atonce，"hereplied."Swearsolemnlythatyouwill."Hehesitatedforafewmomentsandthensaid："Iswearit，byHeaven！"

Thenshereleasedhergraspandwentawaywithoutanotherword.

Shehadnochanceofspeakingtohimforseveraldays;and，asthestablewasnowalwayslockedatnight，shewasafraidtomakeanynoise，forfearofcreatingascandal.Onemorning，however，shesawanothermancomeinatdinnertime，andshesaid："HasJacquesleft？""Yes;"themanreplied;"Ihavegothisplace."

Thismadehertremblesoviolentlythatshecouldnottakethesaucepanoffthefire;andlater，whentheywereallatwork，shewentupintoherroomandcried，buryingherheadinthebolster，sothatshemightnotbeheard.Duringtheday，however，shetriedtoobtainsomeinformationwithoutexcitinganysuspicion，butshewassooverwhelmedbythethoughtsofhermisfortunethatshefanciedthatallthepeoplewhomsheaskedlaughedmaliciously.Allshelearned，however，wasthathehadlefttheneighborhoodaltogether.

PARTII

Thenacloudofconstantmiserybeganforher.Sheworkedmechanically，withoutthinkingofwhatshewasdoing，withonefixedideainherhead：

"Supposepeopleweretoknow."

Thiscontinualfeelingmadehersoincapableofreasoningthatshedidnoteventrytothinkofanymeansofavoidingthedisgracethatsheknewmustensue，whichwasirreparableanddrawingnearereveryday，andwhichwasassureasdeathitself.Shegotupeverymorninglongbeforetheothersandpersistentlytriedtolookatherfigureinapieceofbrokenlooking—glass，beforewhichshedidherhair，asshewasveryanxioustoknowwhetheranybodywouldnoticeachangeinher，and，duringtheday，shestoppedworkingeveryfewminutestolookatherselffromtoptotoe，toseewhetherheraprondidnotlooktooshort.

Themonthswenton，andshescarcelyspokenow，andwhenshewasaskedaquestion，didnotappeartounderstand;butshehadafrightenedlook，haggardeyesandtremblinghands，whichmadehermastersaytoheroccasionally："Mypoorgirl，howstupidyouhavegrownlately."

Inchurchshehidbehindapillar，andnolongerventuredtogotoconfession，asshefearedtofacethepriest，towhomsheattributedsuperhumanpowers，whichenabledhimtoreadpeople’sconsciences;andatmealtimesthelooksofherfellowservantsalmostmadeherfaintwithmentalagony;andshewasalwaysfancyingthatshehadbeenfoundoutbythecowherd，aprecociousandcunninglittlelad，whosebrighteyesseemedalwaystobewatchingher.

Onemorningthepostmanbroughtheraletter，andasshehadneverreceivedoneinherlifebeforeshewassoupsetbyitthatshewasobligedtositdown.Perhapsitwasfromhim？But，asshecouldnotread，shesatanxiousandtremblingwiththatpieceofpaper，coveredwithink，inherhand.Afteratime，however，sheputitintoherpocket，asshedidnotventuretoconfidehersecrettoanyone.Sheoftenstoppedinherworktolookatthoselineswrittenatregularintervals，andwhichterminatedinasignature，imaginingvaguelythatshewouldsuddenlydiscovertheirmeaning，untilatlast，asshefelthalfmadwithimpatienceandanxiety，shewenttotheschoolmaster，whotoldhertositdownandreadtoherasfollows：

"MYDEARDAUGHTER：IwritetotellyouthatIamveryill.Ourneighbor，MonsieurDentu，begsyoutocome，ifyoucan.

"Fromyouraffectionatemother，"CESAIREDENTU，DeputyMayor."

Shedidnotsayawordandwentaway，butassoonasshewasaloneherlegsgavewayunderher，andshefelldownbytheroadsideandremainedtheretillnight.

Whenshegotback，shetoldthefarmerherbadnews，andheallowedhertogohomeforaslongassheliked，andpromisedtohaveherworkdonebyacharwomanandtotakeherbackwhenshereturned.

Hermotherdiedsoonaftershegotthere，andthenextdayRosegavebirthtoaseven—monthschild，amiserablelittleskeleton，thinenoughtomakeanybodyshudder，andwhichseemedtobesufferingcontinually，tojudgefromthepainfulmannerinwhichitmoveditspoorlittlehands，whichwereasthinasacrab’slegs;butitlivedforallthat.Shesaidshewasmarried，butcouldnotbeburdenedwiththechild，sosheleftitwithsomeneighbors，whopromisedtotakegreatcareofit，andshewentbacktothefarm.

Butnowinherheart，whichhadbeenwoundedsolong，therearosesomethinglikebrightness，anunknownloveforthatfraillittlecreaturewhichshehadleftbehindher，thoughtherewasfreshsufferinginthatverylove，sufferingwhichshefelteveryhourandeveryminute，becauseshewaspartedfromherchild.Whatpainedhermost，however，wasthemadlongingtokissit，topressitinherarms，tofeelthewarmthofitslittlebodyagainstherbreast.Shecouldnotsleepatnight;shethoughtofitthewholedaylong，andintheevening，whenherworkwasdone，shewouldsitinfrontofthefireandgazeatitintently，aspeopledowhosethoughtsarefaraway.

Theybegantotalkaboutherandtotease—heraboutherlover.Theyaskedherwhetherhewastall，handsomeandrich.Whenwastheweddingtobeandthechristening？Andoftensheranawaytocrybyherself，forthesequestionsseemedtohurtherliketheprickofapin;and，inordertoforgettheirjokes，shebegantoworkstillmoreenergetically，and，stillthinkingofherchild，shesoughtsomewayofsavingupmoneyforit，anddeterminedtoworksothathermasterwouldbeobligedtoraiseherwages.

Bydegreesshealmostmonopolizedtheworkandpersuadedhimtogetridofoneservantgirl，whohadbecomeuselesssinceshehadtakentoworkingliketwo;sheeconomizedinthebread，oilandcandles;inthecorn，whichtheygavetothechickenstooextravagantly，andinthefodderforthehorsesandcattle，whichwasratherwasted.Shewasasmiserlyabouthermaster’smoneyasifithadbeenherown;and，bydintofmakinggoodbargains，ofgettinghighpricesforalltheirproduce，andbybafflingthepeasants’trickswhentheyofferedanythingforsale，he，atlast，entrustedherwithbuyingandsellingeverything，withthedirectionofallthelaborers，andwiththepurchaseofprovisionsnecessaryforthehousehold;sothat，inashorttime，shebecame.

indispensabletohim.Shekeptsuchastricteyeoneverythingaboutherthat，underherdirection，thefarmprosperedwonderfully，andforfivemilesaroundpeopletalkedof"MasterVallin’sservant，"andthefarmerhimselfsaideverywhere："Thatgirlisworthmorethanherweightingold."

Buttimepassedby，andherwagesremainedthesame.Herhardworkwasacceptedassomethingthatwasduefromeverygoodservant，andasameretokenofgoodwill;andshebegantothinkratherbitterlythatifthefarmercouldputfiftyorahundredcrownsextraintothebankeverymonth，thankstoher，shewasstillonlyearninghertwohundredfrancsayear，neithermorenorless;andsoshemadeuphermindtoaskforanincreaseofwages.Shewenttoseetheschoolmasterthreetimesaboutit，butwhenshegotthere，shespokeaboutsomethingelse.Shefeltakindofmodestyinaskingformoney，asifitweresomethingdisgraceful;

but，atlast，oneday，whenthefarmerwashavingbreakfastbyhimselfinthekitchen，shesaidtohim，withsomeembarrassment，thatshewishedtospeaktohimparticularly.Heraisedhisheadinsurprise，withbothhishandsonthetable，holdinghisknife，withitspointintheair，inone，andapieceofbreadintheother，andhelookedfixedlyat，thegirl，whofeltuncomfortableunderhisgaze，butaskedforaweek’sholiday，sothatshemightgetaway，asshewasnotverywell.Heaccededtoherrequestimmediately，andthenadded，insomeembarrassmenthimself：

"Whenyoucomeback，Ishallhavesomethingtosaytoyoumyself."

PARTIII

Thechildwasnearlyeightmonthsold，andshedidnotrecognizeit.Ithadgrownrosyandchubbyallover，likealittlerolloffat.Shethrewherselfonit，asifithadbeensomeprey，andkisseditsoviolentlythatitbegantoscreamwithterror;andthenshebegantocryherself，becauseitdidnotknowher，andstretchedoutitsarmstoitsnurseassoonasitsawher.Butthenextdayitbegantoknowher，andlaughedwhenitsawher，andshetookitintothefields，andranaboutexcitedlywithit，andsatdownundertheshadeofthetrees;andthen，forthefirsttimeinherlife，sheopenedherhearttosomebody，althoughhecouldnotunderstandher，andtoldhimhertroubles;howhardherworkwas，heranxietiesandherhopes，andshequitetiredthechildwiththeviolenceofhercaresses.

Shetookthegreatestpleasureinhandlingit，inwashinganddressingit，foritseemedtoherthatallthiswastheconfirmationofhermaternity;andshewouldlookatit，almostfeelingsurprised’thatitwashers，andwouldsaytoherselfinalowvoiceasshedanceditinherarms："Itismybaby，it’smybaby."

Shecriedallthewayhomeasshereturnedtothefarmandhadscarcelygotinbeforehermastercalledherintohisroom;andshewent，feelingastonishedandnervous，withoutknowingwhy.

"Sitdownthere，"hesaid.Shesatdown，andforsomemomentstheyremainedsidebyside，insomeembarrassment，withtheirarmshangingattheirsides，asiftheydidnotknowwhattodowiththem，andlookingeachotherintheface，afterthemannerofpeasants.

Thefarmer，astout，jovial，obstinatemanofforty—five，whohadlosttwowives，evidentlyfeltembarrassed，whichwasveryunusualwithhim;

but，atlast，hemade.uphismind，andbegantospeakvaguely，hesitatingalittle，andlookingoutofthewindowashetalked."Howisit，Rose，"hesaid，"thatyouhaveneverthoughtofsettlinginlife？"

Shegrewaspaleasdeath，and，seeingthatshegavehimnoanswer，hewenton："Youareagood，steady，activeandeconomicalgirl;andawifelikeyouwouldmakeaman’sfortune."

Shedidnotmove，butlookedfrightened;shedidnoteventrytocomprehendhismeaning，forherthoughtswereinawhirl，asifattheapproachofsomegreatdanger;so，afterwaitingforafewseconds，hewenton："Yousee，afarmwithoutamistresscanneversucceed，evenwithaservantlikeyou."Thenhestopped，forhedidnotknowwhatelsetosay，andRoselookedathimwiththeairofapersonwhothinksthatheisfacetofacewithamurdererandreadytofleeattheslightestmovementhemaymake;but，afterwaitingforaboutfiveminutes，heaskedher："Well，willitsuityou？""Willwhatsuitme，master？"Andhesaidquickly："Why，tomarryme，byHeaven！"

Shejumpedup，butfellbackonherchair，asifshehadbeenstruck，andtheresheremainedmotionless，likeapersonwhoisoverwhelmedbysomegreatmisfortune.Atlastthefarmergrewimpatientandsaid："Come，whatmoredoyouwant？"Shelookedathim，almostinterror，thensuddenlythetearscameintoherevesandshesaidtwiceinachokingvoice："Icannot，Icannot！""Whynot？"heasked."Come，don’tbesilly;Iwillgiveyouuntiltomorrowtothinkitover."

Andhehurriedoutoftheroom，verygladtohavegotthroughwiththematter，whichhadtroubledhimagooddeal，forhehadnodoubtthatshewouldthenextmorningacceptaproposalwhichshecouldneverhaveexpectedandwhichwouldbeacapitalbargainforhim，ashethusboundawomantohisinterestswhowouldcertainlybringhimmorethanifshehadthebestdowryinthedistrict.

Neithercouldtherebeanyscruplesaboutanunequalmatchbetweenthem，forinthecountryeveryoneisverynearlyequal;thefarmerworkswithhislaborers，whofrequentlybecomemastersintheirturn，andthefemaleservantsconstantlybecomethemistressesoftheestablishmentswithoutitsmakinganychangeintheirlifeorhabits.

Rosedidnotgotobedthatnight.Shethrewherself，dressedasshewas，onherbed，andshehadnoteventhestrengthtocryleftinher，shewassothoroughlydumfounded.Sheremainedquiteinert，scarcelyknowingthatshehadabody，andwithoutbeingatallabletocollectherthoughts，though，atmoments，sherememberedsomethingofwhathadhappened，andthenshewasfrightenedattheideaofwhatmighthappen.

Herterrorincreased，andeverytimethegreatkitchenclockstruckthehourshebrokeoutinaperspirationfromgrief.Shebecamebewildered，andhadthenightmare;hercandlewentout，andthenshebegantoimaginethatsomeonebadcastaspelloverher，ascountrypeoplesooftenimagine，andshefeltamadinclinationtorunaway，toescapeandtofleebeforehermisfortune，likeashipscuddingbeforethewind.

Anowlhooted;sheshivered，satup，passedherhandsoverherface，herhair，andalloverherbody，andthenshewentdownstairs，asifshewerewalkinginhersleep.Whenshegotintotheyardshestoopeddown，soasnottobeseenbyanyprowlingscamp，forthemoon，whichwassetting，shedabrightlightoverthefields.Insteadofopeningthegateshescrambledoverthefence，andassoonasshewasoutsideshestartedoff.

Shewentonstraightbeforeher，withaquick，springytrot，andfromtimetotimesheunconsciouslyutteredapiercingcry.Herlongshadowaccompaniedher，andnowandthensomenightbirdflewoverherhead，whilethedogsinthefarmyardsbarkedastheyheardherpass;oneevenjumpedovertheditch，andfollowedherandtriedtobiteher，butsheturnedroundandgavesuchaterribleyellthatthefrightenedanimalranbackandcoweredinsilenceinitskennel.

Thestarsgrewdim，andthebirdsbegantotwitter;daywasbreaking.

Thegirlwaswornoutandpanting;andwhenthesunroseinthepurplesky，shestopped，forherswollenfeetrefusedtogoanyfarther;butshesawapondinthedistance，alargepondwhosestagnantwaterlookedlikebloodunderthereflectionofthisnewday，andshelimpedonslowlywithherhandonherheart，inordertodipbothherfeetinit.Shesatdownonatuftofgrass，tookoffherheavyshoes，whichwerefullofdust，pulledoffherstockingsandplungedherlegsintothestillwater，fromwhichbubbleswererisinghereandthere.

Afeelingofdeliciouscoolnesspervadedherfromheadtofoot，andsuddenly，whileshewaslookingfixedlyatthedeeppool，shewasseizedwithdizziness，andwithamadlongingtothrowherselfintoit.Allhersufferingswouldbeoverinthere，overforever.Shenolongerthoughtofherchild;sheonlywantedpeace，completerest，andtosleepforever，andshegotupwithraisedarmsandtooktwostepsforward.Shewasinthewateruptoherthighs，andshewasjustabouttothrowherselfinwhensharp，prickingpainsinheranklesmadeherjumpback，andsheutteredacryofdespair，for，fromherkneestothetipsofherfeet，longblackleechesweresuckingherlifeblood，andwereswellingastheyadheredtoherflesh.Shedidnotdaretotouchthem，andscreamedwithhorror，sothathercriesofdespairattractedapeasant，whowasdrivingalongatsomedistance，tothespot.Hepulledofftheleechesonebyone，appliedherbstothewounds，anddrovethegirltohermaster’sfarminhisgig.

Shewasinbedforafortnight，andasshewassittingoutsidethedooronthefirstmorningthatshegotup，thefarmersuddenlycameandplantedhimselfbeforeher."Well，"hesaid，"Isupposetheaffairissettledisn’tit？"Shedidnotreplyatfirst，andthen，asheremainedstandingandlookingatherintentlywithhispiercingeyes，shesaidwithdifficulty："No，master，Icannot."Heimmediatelyflewintoarage.

"Youcannot，girl;youcannot？Ishouldjustliketoknowthereasonwhy？"Shebegantocry，andrepeated："Icannot."Helookedather，andthenexclaimedangrily："ThenIsupposeyouhavealover？""Perhapsthatisit，"shereplied，tremblingwithshame.

Themangotasredasapoppy，andstammeredoutinarage："Ah！Soyouconfessit，youslut！Andpraywhoisthefellow？Somepenniless，half—

starvedragamuffin，withoutarooftohishead，Isuppose？Whoisit，I

say？"Andasshegavehimnoanswer，hecontinued："Ah！Soyouwillnottellme.ThenIwilltellyou;itisJeanBaudu？’"No，nothe，"sheexclaimed."ThenitisPierreMartin？""Oh！no，master."

Andheangrilymentionedalltheyoungfellowsintheneighborhood，whileshedeniedthathehadhitupontherightone，andeverymomentwipedhereyeswiththecornerofherblueapron.Buthestilltriedtofinditout，withhisbrutishobstinacy，and，asitwere，scratchingatherhearttodiscoverhersecret，justasaterrierscratchesataholetotryandgetattheanimalwhichhescentsinsideit.Suddenly，however，themanshouted："ByGeorge！ItisJacques，themanwhowasherelastyear.

Theyusedtosaythatyouwerealwaystalkingtogether，andthatyouthoughtaboutgettingmarried."

Rosewaschoking，andshegrewscarlet，whilehertearssuddenlystoppedanddrieduponhercheeks，likedropsofwateronhotiron，andsheexclaimed："No，itisnothe，itisnothe！""Isthatreallyafact？"

askedthecunningpeasant，whopartlyguessedthetruth;andshereplied，hastily："Iwillswearit;Iwillswearittoyou——"Shetriedtothinkofsomethingbywhichtoswear，asshedidnotventuretoinvokesacredthings，butheinterruptedher："Atanyrate，heusedtofollowyouintoeverycorneranddevouredyouwithhiseyesatmealtimes.Didyouevergivehimyourpromise，eh？"

Thistimeshelookedhermasterstraightintheface."No，never，never;

Iwillsolemnlysweartoyouthatifheweretocometo—dayandaskmetomarryhimIwouldhavenothingtodowithhim."Shespokewithsuchanairofsinceritythatthefarmerhesitated，andthenhecontinued，asifspeakingtohimself：."What，then？Youhavenothadamisfortune，astheycallit，oritwouldhavebeenknown，andasithasnoconsequences，nogirlwouldrefusehermasteronthataccount.Theremustbesomethingatthebottomofit，however."

Shecouldsaynothing;shehadnotthestrengthtospeak，andheaskedheragain："Youwillnot？""Icannot，master，"shesaid，withasigh，andheturnedonhisheel.

Shethoughtshehadgotridofhimaltogetherandspenttherestofthedayalmosttranquilly，butwasasexhaustedasifshehadbeenturningthethrashingmachinealldayintheplaceoftheoldwhitehorse，andshewenttobedassoonasshecouldandfellasleepimmediately.Inthemiddleofthenight，however，twohandstouchingthebedwokeher.She.

trembledwithfear，butimmediatelyrecognizedthefarmer’svoice，whenhesaidtoher："Don’tbefrightened，Rose;Ihavecometospeaktoyou."

Shewassurprisedatfirst，butwhenhetriedtotakelibertieswithhersheunderstoodandbegantotrembleviolently，asshefeltquitealoneinthedarkness，stillheavyfromsleep，andquiteunprotected，withthatmanstandingnearher.Shecertainlydidnotconsent，butsheresistedcarelesslystrugglingagainstthatinstinctwhichisalwaysstronginsimplenaturesandveryimperfectlyprotectedbytheundecidedwillofinertandgentleraces.Sheturnedherheadnowtothewall，andnowtowardtheroom，inordertoavoidtheattentionswhichthefarmertriedtopressonher，butshewasweakenedbyfatigue，whilehebecamebrutal，intoxicatedbydesire.

Theylivedtogetherasmanandwife，andonemorninghesaidtoher："I

haveputupourbanns，andwewillgetmarriednextmonth."

Shedidnotreply，forwhatcouldshesay？Shedidnotresist，forwhatcouldshedo？

PARTIV

Shemarriedhim.Shefeltasifshewereinapitwithinaccessiblesidesfromwhichshecouldnevergetout，andallkindsofmisfortuneswerehangingoverherhead，likehugerocks，whichwouldfallonthefirstoccasion.Herhusbandgavehertheimpressionofamanwhomshehadrobbed，andwhowouldfinditoutsomedayorother.Andthenshethoughtofherchild，whowasthecauseofhermisfortunes，butwhowasalsothecauseofallherhappinessonearth，andwhomshewenttoseetwiceayear，thoughshecamebackmoreunhappyeachtime.

Butshegraduallygrewaccustomedtoherlife，herfearswereallayed，herheartwasatrest，andshelivedwithaneasiermind，thoughstillwithsomevaguefearfloatinginit.Andsoyearswenton，untilthechildwassix.Shewasalmosthappynow，whensuddenlythefarmer’stempergrewverybad.

Fortwoorthreeyearsheseemedtohavebeennursingsomesecretanxiety，tobetroubledbysomecare，somementaldisturbance，whichwasgraduallyincreasing.Heremainedsittingattableafterdinner，withhisheadinhishands，sadanddevouredbysorrow.Healwaysspokehastily，sometimesevenbrutally，anditevenseemedasifhehadagrudgeagainsthiswife，forattimesheansweredherroughly，almostangrily.

Oneday，whenaneighbor’sboycameforsomeeggs，andshespokerathercrosslytohim，asshewasverybusy，herhusbandsuddenlycameinandsaidtoherinhisunpleasantvoice："Ifthatwereyourownchildyouwouldnottreathimso."Shewashurtanddidnotreply，andthenshewentbackintothehouse，withallhergriefawakenedafresh;andatdinnerthefarmerneitherspoketohernorlookedather，andheseemedtohateher，todespiseher，toknowsomethingabouttheaffairatlast.

Inconsequenceshelosthercomposure，anddidnotventuretoremainalonewithhimafterthemealwasover，butlefttheroomandhastenedtothechurch.

Itwasgettingdusk;thenarrownavewasintotaldarkness，butsheheardfootstepsinthechoir，forthesacristanwaspreparingthetabernaclelampforthenight.Thatspotoftremblinglight，whichwaslostinthedarknessofthe.arches，lookedtoRoselikeherlasthope，andwithhereyesfixedonit，shefellonherknees.Thechainrattledasthelittlelampswungupintotheair，andalmostimmediatelythesmallbellrangouttheAngelusthroughtheincreasingmist.Shewentuptohim，ashewasgoingout.

"IsMonsieurleCureathome？"sheasked."Ofcourseheis;thisishisdinnertime."Shetrembledassherangthebelloftheparsonage.Thepriestwasjustsittingdowntodinner，andhemadehersitdownalso.

"Yes，yes，Iknowallaboutit;yourhusbandhasmentionedthemattertomethatbringsyouhere."Thepoorwomannearlyfainted，andthepriestcontinued："Whatdoyouwant，mychild？"Andhehastilyswallowedseveralspoonfulsofsoup，someofwhichdroppedontohisgreasycassock.ButRosedidnotventuretosayanythingmore，andshegotuptogo，butthepriestsaid："Courage."

Andshewentoutandreturnedtothefarmwithoutknowingwhatshewasdoing.Thefarmerwaswaitingforher，asthelaborershadgoneawayduringherabsence，andshefellheavilyathisfeet，and，sheddingafloodoftears，shesaidtohim："Whathaveyougotagainstme？"

Hebegantoshoutandtoswear："WhathaveIgotagainstyou？ThatI

havenochildren，by———.Whenamantakesawifeitisnotthattheymaylivealonetogethertotheendoftheirdays.ThatiswhatIhaveagainstyou.Whenacowhasnocalvessheisnotworthanything，andwhenawomanhasnochildrensheisalsonotworthanything."

Shebegantocry，andsaid："Itisnotmyfault！Itisnotmyfault！"

Hegrewrathermoregentlewhenheheardthat，andadded："Idonotsaythatitis，butitisveryprovoking，allthesame."

PARTV

Fromthatdayforwardshehadonlyonethought：tohaveachildanotherchild;sheconfidedherwishtoeverybody，and，inconsequenceofthis，aneighbortoldherofaninfalliblemethod.Thiswas，tomakeherhusbanddrinkaglassofwaterwithapinchofashesiniteveryevening.Thefarmerconsentedtotryit，butwithoutsuccess;sotheysaidtoeachother："Perhapstherearesomesecretways？"Andtheytriedtofindout.

Theyweretoldofashepherdwholivedtenleaguesoff，andsoVallinonedaydroveofftoconsulthim.Theshepherdgavehimaloafonwhichhehadmadesomemarks;itwaskneadedupwithherbs，andeachofthemwastoeatapieceofit，buttheyatethewholeloafwithoutobtaininganyresultsfromit.

Next，aschoolmasterunveiledmysteriesandprocessesoflovewhichwereunknowninthecountry，butinfallible，sohedeclared;butnoneofthemhadthedesiredeffect.ThenthepriestadvisedthemtomakeapilgrimagetotheshrineatFecamp.Rosewentwiththecrowdandprostratedherselfintheabbey，and，minglingherprayerswiththecoarsedesiresofthepeasantsaroundher，sheprayedthatshemightbefruitfulasecondtime;butitwasinvain，andthenshethoughtthatshewasbeingpunishedforherfirstfault，andshewasseizedbyterriblegrief.Shewaswastingawaywithsorrow;herhusbandwasalsoagingprematurely，andwaswearinghimselfoutinuselesshopes.

Thenwarbrokeoutbetweenthem;hecalledhernamesandbeather.Theyquarrelledalldaylong，andwhentheywereintheirroomtogetheratnightheflunginsultsandobscenitiesather，chokingwithrage，untilonenight，notbeingabletothinkofanymeansofmakinghersuffermoreheorderedhertogetupandgoandstandoutofdoorsintherainuntildaylight.Asshedidnotobeyhim，heseizedherbytheneckandbegantostrikeherinthefacewithhisfists，butshesaidnothinganddidnotmove.Inhisexasperationhekneltonherstomach，andwithclenchedteeth，andmadwithrage，hebegantobeather.Theninherdespairsherebelled，andflinginghimagainstthewallwithafuriousgesture，shesatup，andinanalteredvoiceshehissed："Ihavehadachild，Ihavehadone！IhaditbyJacques;youknowJacques.Hepromisedtomarryme，butheleftthisneighborhoodwithoutkeepinghisword."

Themanwasthunderstruckandcouldhardlyspeak，butatlasthestammeredout："Whatareyousaying？Whatareyousaying？"Thenshebegantosob，andamidhertearsshecontinued："ThatwasthereasonwhyIdidnotwanttomarryyou.Icouldnottellyou，foryouwouldhaveleftmewithoutanybreadformychild.Youhaveneverhadanychildren，soyoucannotunderstand，youcannotunderstand！"

Hesaidagain，mechanically，withincreasingsurprise："Youhaveachild？

Youhaveachild？"

"Youtookmebyforce，asIsupposeyouknow？Ididnotwanttomarryyou，"shesaid，stillsobbing.

Thenhegotup，litthecandle，andbegantowalkupanddown，withhisarmsbehindhim.Shewascoweringonthebedandcrying，andsuddenlyhestoppedinfrontofher，andsaid："Thenitismyfaultthatyouhavenochildren？"Shegavehimnoanswer，andhebegantowalkupanddownagain，andthen，stoppingagain，hecontinued："Howoldisyourchild？"

"Justsix，"shewhispered."Whydidyounottellmeaboutit？"heasked.

"HowcouldI？"shereplied，withasigh.

Heremainedstanding，motionless."Come，getup，"hesaid.Shegotupwithsomedifficulty，andthen，whenshewasstandingonthefloor，hesuddenlybegantolaughwiththeheartylaughofhisgooddays，and，seeinghowsurprisedshewas，headded："Verywell，wewillgoandfetchthechild，asyouandIcanhavenonetogether."

Shewassoscaredthatifshehadhadthestrengthshewouldassuredlyhaverunaway，butthefarmerrubbedhishandsandsaid："Iwantedtoadoptone，andnowwehavefoundone.Iaskedthecureaboutanorphansometimeago."

Then，stilllaughing，hekissedhisweepingandagitatedwifeonbothcheeks，andshoutedout，asthoughshecouldnothearhim："Comealong，mother，wewillgoandseewhetherthereisanysoupleft;Ishouldnotmindaplateful."

Sheputonherpetticoatandtheywentdownstairs;andWhileshewaskneelinginfrontofthefireplaceandlightingthefireunderthesaucepan，hecontinuedtowalkupanddownthekitchenwithlongstrides，repeating：

"Well，Iamreallygladofthis;Iamnotsayingitforform’ssake，butIamglad，Iamreallyveryglad."

THEWRECK

Itwasyesterday，the31stofDecember.

IhadjustfinishedbreakfastwithmyoldfriendGeorgesGarinwhentheservanthandedhimalettercoveredwithsealsandforeignstamps.

Georgessaid：

"Willyouexcuseme？"

"Certainly."

Andsohebegantoreadtheletter，whichwaswritteninalargeEnglishhandwriting，crossedandrecrossedineverydirection.Hereadthemslowly，withseriousattentionandtheinterestwhichweonlypaytothingswhichtouchourhearts.

Thenheputtheletteronthemantelpieceandsaid：

"Thatwasacuriousstory！I’venevertoldyouaboutit，Ithink.Yetitwasasentimentaladventure，anditreallyhappenedtome.ThatwasastrangeNewYear’sDay，indeed！Itmusthavebeentwentyyearsago，forIwasthenthirtyandamnowfiftyyearsold.

"IwasthenaninspectorintheMaritimeInsuranceCompany，ofwhichIamnowdirector.IhadarrangedtopassNewYear’sDayinParis——sinceitiscustomarytomakethatdayafete——whenIreceivedaletterfromthemanager，askingmetoproceedatoncetotheislandofRe，whereathree—

mastedvesselfromSaint—Nazaire，insuredbyus，hadjustbeendrivenashore.Itwastheneighto’clockinthemorning.Iarrivedattheofficeattentogetmyadvices，andthateveningItooktheexpress，whichputmedowninLaRochellethenextday，the31stofDecember.

"IhadtwohourstowaitbeforegoingaboardtheboatforRe.SoImadeatourofthetown.Itiscertainlyaqueercity，LaRochelle，withstrongcharacteristicsofitsownstreetstangledlikealabyrinth，sidewalksrunningunderendlessarcadedgallerieslikethoseoftheRuedeRivoli，butlow，mysterious，builtasiftoformasuitablesettingforconspiratorsandmakingastrikingbackgroundforthoseold—timewars，thesavageheroicwarsofreligion.ItisindeedthetypicaloldHuguenotcity，conservative，discreet，withnofinearttoshow，withnowonderfulmonuments，suchasmakeRouen;butitisremarkableforitssevere，somewhatsullenlook;itisacityofobstinatefighters，acitywherefanaticismmightwellblossom，wherethefaithoftheCalvinistsbecameenthusiasticandwhichgavebirthtotheplotofthe’FourSergeants.’

"AfterIhadwanderedforsometimeaboutthesecuriousstreets，Iwentaboardtheblack，rotundlittlesteamboatwhichwastotakemetotheislandofRe.ItwascalledtheJeanGuiton.Itstartedwithangrypuffings，passedbetweenthetwooldtowerswhichguardtheharbor，crossedtheroadsteadandissuedfromthemolebuiltbyRichelieu，thegreatstonesofwhichcanbeseenatthewater’sedge，enclosingthetownlikeagreatnecklace.Thenthesteamboatturnedtotheright.

"Itwasoneofthosesaddayswhichgiveonetheblues，tightentheheartandtakeawayallstrengthandenergyandforce—agray，coldday，withaheavymistwhichwasaswetasrain，ascoldasfrost，asbadtobreatheasthesteamofawash—tub.

"Underthislowskyofdismalfogtheshallow，yellow，sandyseaofallpracticallylevelbeacheslaywithoutawrinkle，withoutamovement，withoutlife，aseaofturbidwater，ofgreasywater，ofstagnantwater.

TheJeanGuitonpassedoverit，rollingalittlefromhabit，dividingthesmooth，darkbluewaterandleavingbehindafewwaves，alittlesplashing，aslightswell，whichsooncalmeddown.

"Ibegantotalktothecaptain，alittlemanwithsmallfeet，asroundashisboatandrollinginthesamemanner.IwantedsomedetailsofthedisasteronwhichIwastodrawupareport.Agreatsquare—riggedthree—master，theMarieJoseph，ofSaint—Nazaire，hadgoneashoreonenightinahurricaneonthesandsoftheislandofRe.

"Theownerwroteusthatthestormhadthrowntheshipsofarashorethatitwasimpossibletofloatherandthattheyhadtoremoveeverythingwhichcouldbedetachedwiththeutmostpossiblehaste.NeverthelessI

mustexaminethesituationofthewreck，estimatewhatmusthavebeenherconditionbeforethedisasteranddecidewhetheralleffortshadbeenusedtogetherafloat.Icameasanagentofthecompanyinordertogivecontradictorytestimony，ifnecessary，atthetrial.

"Onreceiptofmyreport，themanagerwouldtakewhatmeasureshemightthinknecessarytoprotectourinterests.

"ThecaptainoftheJeanGuitonknewallabouttheaffair，havingbeensummonedwithhisboattoassistintheattemptsatsalvage.

"Hetoldmethestoryofthedisaster.TheMarieJoseph，drivenbyafuriousgalelostherbearingscompletelyinthenight，andsteeringbychanceoveraheavyfoamingsea——’amilk—soupsea，’saidthecaptain——hadgoneashoreonthoseimmensesandbankswhichmakethecoastsofthiscountrylooklikelimitlessSaharaswhenthetideislow.

"WhiletalkingIlookedaroundandahead.Betweentheoceanandtheloweringskylayanopenspacewheretheeyecouldseeintothedistance.

Wewerefollowingacoast.Iasked：

"’IsthattheislandofRe？’

"’Yes，sir.’

"Andsuddenlythecaptainstretchedhisrighthandoutbeforeus，pointedtosomethingalmostimperceptibleintheopensea，andsaid：

"’There’syourship！’

"’TheMarieJoseph！’

"’Yes.’

"Iwasamazed.Thisblack，almostimperceptiblespeck，whichlookedtomelikearock，seemedatleastthreemilesfromland.

"Icontinued：

"’But，captain，theremustbeahundredfathomsofwaterinthatplace.’

"Hebegantolaugh.

"’Ahundredfathoms，mychild！Well，Ishouldsayabouttwo！’

"HewasfromBordeaux.Hecontinued：

"’It’snownine—forty，justhightide.Godownalongthebeachwithyourhandsinyourpocketsafteryou’vehadlunchattheHotelduDauphin，andI’llwagerthatattenminutestothree，orthreeo’clock，you’llreachthewreckwithoutwettingyourfeet，andhavefromanhourandthree—

quarterstotwohoursaboardofher;butnotmore，oryou’llbecaught.

Thefastertheseagoesoutthefasteritcomesback.Thiscoastisasflatasaturtle！Butstartawayattenminutestofive，asItellyou，andathalf—pastsevenyouwillbeagainaboardoftheJeanGuiton，whichwillputyoudownthissameeveningonthequayatLaRochelle.’

"IthankedthecaptainandIwentandsatdowninthebowofthesteamertogetagoodlookatthelittlecityofSaint—Martin，whichwewerenowrapidlyapproaching.

"Itwasjustlikeallsmallseaportswhichserveascapitalsofthebarrenislandsscatteredalongthecoast——alargefishingvillage，onefootonseaandoneonshore，subsistingonfishandwildfowl，vegetablesandshell—fish，radishesandmussels.Theislandisverylowandlittlecultivated，yetitseemstobethicklypopulated.However，I

didnotpenetrateintotheinterior.

"AfterbreakfastIclimbedacrossalittlepromontory，andthen，asthetidewasrapidlyfalling，IstartedoutacrossthesandstowardakindofblackrockwhichIcouldjustperceiveabovethesurfaceofthewater，outaconsiderabledistance.

"Iwalkedquicklyovertheyellowplain.Itwaselastic，likefleshandseemedtosweatbeneathmytread.Theseahadbeenthereverylately.

NowIperceiveditatadistance，escapingoutofsight，andInolongercoulddistinguishthelinewhichseparatedthesandsfromocean.IfeltasthoughIwerelookingatagiganticsupernaturalworkofenchantment.

TheAtlantichadjustnowbeenbeforeme，thenithaddisappearedintothesands，justasscenerydisappearsthroughatrap;andIwasnowwalkinginthemidstofadesert.Onlythefeeling，thebreathofthesalt—water，remainedinme.Iperceivedthesmellofthewrack，thesmellofthesea，thegoodstrongsmellofseacoasts.Iwalkedfast;I

wasnolongercold.Ilookedatthestrandedwreck，whichgrewinsizeasIapproached，andcamenowtoresembleanenormousshipwreckedwhale.

"Itseemedfairlytoriseoutoftheground，andonthatgreat，flat，yellowstretchofsandassumedwonderfulproportions.Afteranhour’swalkIatlastreachedit.Itlayuponitsside，ruinedandshattered，itsbrokenbonesshowingasthoughitwereananimal，itsbonesoftarredwoodpiercedwithgreatbolts.Thesandhadalreadyinvadedit，enteringitbyallthecrannies，andhelditandrefusedtoletitgo.Itseemedtohavetakenrootinit.Thebowhadentereddeepintothissoft，treacherousbeach，whilethestern，highinair，seemedtocastatheaven，likeacryofdespairingappeal，thetwowhitewordsontheblackplanking，MarieJoseph.

"Iclimbeduponthiscarcassofashipbythelowestside;then，havingreachedthedeck，Iwentbelow.Thedaylight，whichenteredbythestove—inhatchesandthecracksinthesides，showedmedimlylongdarkcavitiesfullofdemolishedwoodwork.Theycontainednothingbutsand，whichservedasfoot—soilinthiscavernofplanks.

"Ibegantotakesomenotesabouttheconditionoftheship.Iwasseatedonabrokenemptycask，writingbythelightofagreatcrack，throughwhichIcouldperceivetheboundlessstretchofthestrand.

Astrangeshiveringofcoldandlonelinessranovermyskinfromtimetotime，andIwouldoftenstopwritingforamomenttolistentothemysteriousnoisesinthederelict：thenoiseofcrabsscratchingtheplankingwiththeircrookedclaws;thenoiseofathousandlittlecreaturesoftheseaalreadycrawlingoverthisdeadbodyorelseboringintothewood.

"Suddenly，verynearme，Iheardhumanvoices.IstartedasthoughIhadseenaghost.ForasecondIreallythoughtIwasabouttoseedrownedmenrisefromthesinisterdepthsofthehold，whowouldtellmeabouttheirdeath.Atanyrate，itdidnottakemelongtoswingmyselfondeck.There，standingbythebows，wasatallEnglishmanwiththreeyoungmisses.Certainlytheywereagooddealmorefrightenedatseeingthissuddenapparitionontheabandonedthree—masterthanIwasatseeingthem.Theyoungestgirlturnedandran，thetwoothersthrewtheirarmsroundtheirfather.Asforhim，heopenedhismouth——thatwastheonlysignofemotionwhichheshowed.

"Then，afterseveralseconds，hespoke：

"’Mosieu，areyoutheownerofthisship.？’

"’Iam.’

"’MayIgooverit？’

"’Youmay.’

"ThenheutteredalongsentenceinEnglish，inwhichIonlydistinguishedtheword’gracious，’repeatedseveraltimes.

"AshewaslookingforaplacetoclimbupIshowedhimtheeasiestway，andgavehimahand.Heclimbedup.Thenwehelpedupthethreegirls，whohadnowquiterecoveredtheircomposure.Theywerecharming，especiallytheoldest，ablondeofeighteen，freshasaflower，andverydaintyandpretty！Ah，yes！theprettyEnglishwomenhaveindeedthelookoftenderseafruit.Onewouldhavesaidofthisonethatshehadjustrisenoutofthesandsandthatherhairhadkepttheirtint.Theyall，withtheirexquisitefreshness，makeyouthinkofthedelicatecolorsofpinksea—shellsandofshiningpearlshiddenintheunknowndepthsoftheocean.

"ShespokeFrenchalittlebetterthanherfatherandactedasinterpreter.Ihadtotellallabouttheshipwreck，andIromancedasthoughIhadbeenpresentatthecatastrophe.Thenthewholefamilydescendedintotheinteriorofthewreck.Assoonastheyhadpenetratedintothissombre，dimlylitcavitytheyutteredcriesofastonishmentandadmiration.Suddenlythefatherandhisthreedaughterswereholdingsketch—booksintheirhands，whichtheyhaddoubtlesscarriedhiddensomewhereintheirheavyweather—proofclothes，andwereallbeginningatoncetomakepencilsketchesofthismelancholyandweirdplace.

"Theyhadseatedthemselvessidebysideonaprojectingbeam，andthefoursketch—booksontheeightkneeswerebeingrapidlycoveredwithlittleblacklineswhichwereintendedtorepresentthehalf—openedhulkoftheMarieJoseph.

"Icontinuedtoinspecttheskeletonoftheship，andtheoldestgirltalkedtomewhilesheworked.

"TheyhadnoneoftheusualEnglisharrogance;theyweresimplehonestheartsofthatclassofcontinuoustravellerswithwhichEnglandcoverstheglobe.Thefatherwaslongandthin，witharedfaceframedinwhitewhiskers，andlookinglikealivingsandwich，apieceofhamcarvedlikeafacebetweentwowadsofhair.Thedaughters，whohadlonglegslikeyoungstorks，werealsothin—excepttheoldest.Allthreewerepretty，especiallythetallest.

"Shehadsuchadrollwayofspeaking，oflaughing，ofunderstandingandofnotunderstanding，ofraisinghereyestoaskaquestion（eyesblueasthedeepocean），ofstoppingherdrawingamomenttomakeaguessatwhatyoumeant，ofreturningoncemoretowork，ofsaying’yes’or’no’——thatIcouldhavelistenedandlookedindefinitely.

"Suddenlyshemurmured：

"’Ihearalittlesoundonthisboat.’

"IlistenedandIimmediatelydistinguishedalow，steady，curioussound.

Iroseandlookedoutofthecrackandgaveascream.Theseahadcomeuptous;itwouldsoonsurroundus！

"Wewereondeckinaninstant.Itwastoolate.Thewatercircledusaboutandwasrunningtowardthecoastattremendousspeed.No，itdidnotrun，itglided，crept，spreadlikeanimmense，limitlessblot.Thewaterwasbarelyafewcentimetersdeep，buttherisingfloodhadgonesofarthatwenolongersawthevanishinglineoftheimperceptibletide.

"TheEnglishmanwantedtojump.Iheldhimback.Flightwasimpossiblebecauseofthedeepplaceswhichwehadbeenobligedtogoroundonourwayoutandintowhichweshouldfallonourreturn.

"Therewasaminuteofhorribleanguishinourhearts.ThenthelittleEnglishgirlbegantosmileandmurmured：

"’Itiswewhoareshipwrecked.’

"Itriedtolaugh，butfearheldme，afearwhichwascowardlyandhorridandbaseandtreacherouslikethetide.Allthedangerwhichweranappearedtomeatonce.Iwantedtoshriek：’Help！’Buttowhom？

"Thetwoyoungergirlswereclingingtotheirfather，wholookedinconsternationatthemeasurelessseawhichhedgedusroundabout.

"Thenightfellasswiftlyastheoceanrose——alowering，wet，icynight.

"Isaid：

"’There’snothingtodobuttostayontheship：

"TheEnglishmananswered：

"’Oh，yes！’

"Andwewaitedthereaquarterofanhour，halfanhour，indeedIdon’tknowhowlong，watchingthatcreepingwatergrowingdeeperasitswirledaroundus，asthoughitwereplayingonthebeach，whichithadregained.

"Oneoftheyounggirlswascold，andwewentbelowtoshelterourselvesfromthelightbutfreezingwindthatmadeourskinstingle.

"Ileanedoverthehatchway.Theshipwasfullofwater.Sowehadtocoweragainstthesternplanking，whichshieldedusalittle.

"Darknesswasnowcomingon，andweremainedhuddledtogether.IfelttheshoulderofthelittleEnglishgirltremblingagainstmine，herteethchatteringfromtimetotime.ButIalsofeltthegentlewarmthofherbodythroughherulster，andthatwarmthwasasdelicioustomeasakiss.Wenolongerspoke;wesatmotionless，mute，coweringdownlikeanimalsinaditchwhenahurricaneisraging.And，nevertheless，despitethenight，despitetheterribleandincreasingdanger，IbegantofeelhappythatIwasthere，gladofthecoldandtheperil，gladofthelonghoursofdarknessandanguishthatImustpassonthisplanksonearthisdainty，prettylittlegirl.

"Iaskedmyself，’Whythisstrangesensationofwell—beingandofjoy？’

"Why！Doesoneknow？Becauseshewasthere？Who？She，alittleunknownEnglishgirl？Ididnotloveher，Ididnotevenknowher.Andforallthat，Iwastouchedandconquered.Iwantedtosaveher，tosacrificemyselfforher，tocommitathousandfollies！Strangething！

Howdoesithappenthatthepresenceofawomanoverwhelmsusso？Isitthepowerofhergracewhichenfoldsus？Isittheseductionofherbeautyandyouth，whichintoxicatesonelikewine？

"IsitnotratherthetouchofLove，ofLovetheMysterious，whoseeksconstantlytounitetwobeings，whotrieshisstrengththeinstanthehasputamanandawomanfacetoface？

"Thesilenceofthedarknessbecameterrible，thestillnessoftheskydreadful，becausewecouldhearvaguelyaboutusaslight，continuoussound，thesoundoftherisingtideandthemonotonousplashingofthewateragainsttheship.

"SuddenlyIheardthesoundofsobs.Theyoungestofthegirlswascrying.Herfathertriedtoconsoleher，andtheybegantotalkintheirowntongue，whichIdidnotunderstand.Iguessedthathewasreassuringherandthatshewasstillafraid.

"Iaskedmyneighbor：

"’Youarenottoocold，areyou，mademoiselle？’

"’Oh，yes.Iamverycold.’

"Iofferedtogivehermycloak;sherefusedit.

ButIhadtakenitoffandIcoveredherwithitagainstherwill.Intheshortstruggleherhandtouchedmine.Itmadeadeliciousthrillrunthroughmybody.

"Forsomeminutestheairhadbeengrowingbrisker，thedashingofthewaterstrongeragainsttheflanksoftheship.Iraisedmyself;agreatgustofwindblewinmyface.Thewindwasrising！

"TheEnglishmanperceivedthisatthesametimethatIdidandsaidsimply：

"’Thisisbadforus，this————’

"Ofcourseitwasbad，itwascertaindeathifanybreakers，howeverfeeble，shouldattackandshakethewreck，whichwasalreadysoshatteredanddisconnectedthatthefirstbigseawouldcarryitoff.

"Soouranguishincreasedmomentarilyasthesquallsgrewstrongerandstronger.Nowtheseabrokealittle，andIsawinthedarknesswhitelinesappearinganddisappearing，linesoffoam，whileeachwavestrucktheMarieJosephandshookherwithashortquiverwhichwenttoourhearts.

"TheEnglishgirlwastrembling.Ifelthershiveragainstme.AndI

hadawilddesiretotakeherinmyarms.

"Downthere，beforeandbehindus，totheleftandright，lighthouseswereshiningalongtheshore——lighthouseswhite，yellowandred，revolvingliketheenormouseyesofgiantswhowerewatchingus，waitingeagerlyforustodisappear.Oneoftheminespecialirritatedme.Itwentouteverythirtysecondsanditlitupagainimmediately.Itwasindeedaneye，thatone，withitslidincessantlyloweredoveritsfieryglance.

"FromtimetotimetheEnglishmanstruckamatchtoseethehour;thenheputhiswatchbackinhispocket.Suddenlyhesaidtome，overtheheadsofhisdaughters，withtremendousgravity：

"’IwishyouahappyNewYear，Mosieu.’

"Itwasmidnight.Iheldoutmyhand，whichhepressed.ThenhesaidsomethinginEnglish，andsuddenlyheandhisdaughtersbegantosing’GodSavetheQueen，’whichrosethroughtheblackandsilentairandvanishedintospace.

"AtfirstIfeltadesiretolaugh;thenIwasseizedbyapowerful，strangeemotion.

"Itwassomethingsinisterandsuperb，thischantoftheshipwrecked，thecondemned，somethinglikeaprayerandalsolikesomethinggrander，somethingcomparabletotheancient’AveCaesarmorituritesalutant.’

"WhentheyhadfinishedIaskedmyneighbortosingaballadalone，anythingsheliked，tomakeusforgetourterrors.Sheconsented，andimmediatelyherclearyoungvoicerangoutintothenight.Shesangsomethingwhichwasdoubtlesssad，becausethenoteswerelongdrawnoutandhovered，likewoundedbirds，abovethewaves.

"Theseawasrisingnowandbeatinguponourwreck.Asforme，Ithoughtonlyofthatvoice.AndIthoughtalsoofthesirens.Ifashiphadpassednearbyuswhatwouldthesailorshavesaid？Mytroubledspiritlostitselfinthedream！Asiren！Wasshenotreallyasiren，thisdaughterofthesea，whohadkeptmeonthisworm—eatenshipandwhowassoonabouttogodownwithmedeepintothewaters？

"Butsuddenlywewereallfiverollingonthedeck，becausetheMarieJosephhadsunkonherrightside.TheEnglishgirlhadfallenuponme，andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，thinkingthatmylastmomentwascome，Ihadcaughtherinmyarmsandkissedhercheek，hertempleandherhair.

"Theshipdidnotmoveagain，andwe，wealso，remainedmotionless.

"Thefathersaid，’Kate！’TheonewhomIwasholdinganswered’Yes’andmadeamovementtofreeherself.AndatthatmomentIshouldhavewishedtheshiptosplitintwoandletmefallwithherintothesea.

"TheEnglishmancontinued：

"’Alittlerocking;it’snothing.Ihavemythreedaughterssafe.’

"Nothavingseentheoldest，hehadthoughtshewaslostoverboard！

"Iroseslowly，andsuddenlyImadeoutalightontheseaquiteclosetous.Ishouted;theyanswered.Itwasaboatsentoutinsearchofusbythehotelkeeper，whohadguessedatourimprudence.

"Weweresaved.Iwasindespair.TheypickedusupoffourraftandtheybroughtusbacktoSaint—Martin.

"TheEnglishmanbegantorubhishandandmurmur：

"’Agoodsupper！Agoodsupper！’

"Wedidsup.Iwasnotgay.IregrettedtheMarieJoseph.

"Wehadtoseparatethenextdayaftermuchhandshakingandmanypromisestowrite.TheydepartedforBiarritz.Iwantedtofollowthem.

"Iwashardhit.Iwantedtoaskthislittlegirltomarryme.Ifwehadpassedeightdaystogether，Ishouldhavedoneso！Howweakandincomprehensibleamansometimesis！

"Twoyearspassedwithoutmyhearingawordfromthem.ThenIreceivedaletterfromNewYork.Shewasmarriedandwrotetotellme.Andsincethenwewritetoeachothereveryyear，onNewYear’sDay.Shetellsmeaboutherlife，talksofherchildren，hersisters，neverofherhusband！

Why？Ah！why？Andasforme，IonlytalkoftheMarieJoseph.ThatwasperhapstheonlywomanIhaveeverloved——no——thatIevershouldhaveloved.Ah，well！whocantell？Circumstancesruleone.Andthen——andthen——allpasses.Shemustbeoldnow;Ishouldnotknowher.Ah！sheofthebygonetime，sheofthewreck！Whatacreature！Divine！Shewritesmeherhairiswhite.Thatcausedmeterriblepain.Ah！heryellowhair.No，myEnglishgirlexistsnolonger.Howsaditallis！"

THEODULESABOT’SCONFESSION

WhenSabotenteredtheinnatMartinvilleitwasasignalforlaughter.

Whataroguehewas，thisSabot！Therewasamanwhodidnotlikepriests，forinstance！Oh，no，oh，no！Hedidnotsparethem，thescamp.

Sabot（Theodule），amastercarpenter，representedliberalthoughtinMartinville.Hewasatall，thin，than，withgray，cunningeyes，andthinlips，andworehishairplastereddownonhistemples.Whenhesaid："Ourholyfather，thepope"inacertainmanner，everyonelaughed.

HemadeapointofworkingonSundayduringthehourofmass.HekilledhispigeachyearonMondayinHolyWeekinordertohaveenoughblackpuddingtolasttillEaster，andwhenthepriestpassedby，healwayssaidbywayofajoke："TheregoesonewhohasjustswallowedhisGodoffasalver."

Thepriest，astoutmanandalsoverytall，dreadedhimonaccountofhisboastfultalkwhichattractedfollowers.TheAbbeMaritimewasapoliticman，andbelievedinbeingdiplomatic.Therehadbeenarivalrybetweenthemfortenyears，asecret，intense，incessantrivalry.Sabotwasmunicipalcouncillor，andtheythoughthewouldbecomemayor，whichwouldinevitablymeanthefinaloverthrowofthechurch.

Theelectionswereabouttotakeplace.ThechurchpartywasshakinginitsshoesinMartinville.

OnemorningthecuresetoutforRouen，tellinghisservantthathewasgoingtoseethearchbishop.Hereturnedintwodayswithajoyous，triumphantair.Andeveryoneknewthefollowingdaythatthechancelofthechurchwasgoingtoberenovated.Asumofsixhundredfrancshadbeencontributedbythearchbishopoutofhisprivatefund.Alltheoldpinepewsweretoberemoved，andreplacedbynewpewsmadeofoak.Itwouldbeabigcarpenteringjob，andtheytalkedaboutitthatveryeveninginallthehousesinthevillage.

TheoduleSabotwasnotlaughing.

Whenhewentthroughthevillagethefollowingmorning，theneighbors，friendsandenemies，allaskedhim，jokingly：

"Areyougoingtodotheworkonthechancelofthechurch？"

Hecouldfindnothingtosay，buthewasfurious，hewasgoodandangry.

Ill—naturedpeopleadded：

"Itisagoodpieceofwork;andwillbringinnotlessthantwoorthreepercent.profit."

Twodayslater，theyheardthattheworkofrenovationhadbeenentrustedtoCelestinChambrelan，thecarpenterfromPercheville.Thenthiswasdenied，anditwassaidthatallthepewsinthechurchweregoingtobechanged.Thatwouldbewellworththetwothousandfrancsthathadbeendemandedofthechurchadministration.

TheoduleSabotcouldnotsleepforthinkingaboutit.Never，inallthememoryofman，hadacountrycarpenterundertakenasimilarpieceofwork.Thenarumorspreadabroadthatthecurefeltverygrievedthathehadtogivethisworktoacarpenterwhowasastrangerinthecommunity，butthatSabot’sopinionswereabarriertohisbeingentrustedwiththejob.

Sabotknewitwell.Hecalledattheparsonagejustasitwasgrowingdark.Theservanttoldhimthatthecurewasatchurch.Hewenttothechurch.

TwoattendantsonthealtaroftheVirgin，twosoaroldmaids，weredecoratingthealtarforthemonthofMary，underthedirectionofthepriest，whostoodinthemiddleofthechancelwithhisportlypaunch，directingthetwowomenwho，mountedonchairs，wereplacingflowersaroundthetabernacle.

Sabotfeltillateaseinthere，asthoughhewereinthehouseofhisgreatestenemy，butthegreedofgainwasgnawingathisheart.Hedrewnearer，holdinghiscapinhishand，andnotpayinganyattentiontothe"demoisellesdelaVierge，"whoremainedstandingstartled，astonished，motionlessontheirchairs.

Hefaltered：

"Goodmorning，monsieurlecure."

Thepriestrepliedwithoutlookingathim，alloccupiedashewaswiththealtar：

"Goodmorning，Mr.Carpenter.’

Sabot，nonplussed，knewnotwhattosaynext.Butafterapauseheremarked：

"Youaremakingpreparations？"

AbbeMaritimereplied：

"Yes，wearenearthemonthofMary."

"Why，why，"remarkedSabotandthenwassilent.Hewouldhavelikedtoretirenowwithoutsayinganything，butaglanceatthechancelheldhimback.Hesawsixteenseatsthathadtoberemade，sixtotherightandeighttotheleft，thedoorofthesacristyoccupyingtheplaceoftwo.

Sixteenoakseats，thatwouldbeworthatmostthreehundredfrancs，andbyfiguringcarefullyonemightcertainlymaketwohundredfrancsontheworkifonewerenotclumsy.

Thenhestammeredout：

"Ihavecomeaboutthework."

Thecureappearedsurprised.Heasked：

"Whatwork？"

"Theworktobedone，"murmuredSabot，indismay.

Thenthepriestturnedroundandlookinghimstraightintheeyes，said：

"Doyoumeantherepairsinthechancelofmychurch？"

Atthetoneoftheabbe，TheoduleSabotfeltachillrundownhisbackandheoncemorehadalongingtotaketohisheels.However，herepliedhumbly：

"Why，yes，monsieurlecure."

Thentheabbefoldedhisarmsacrosshislargestomachand，asiffilledwithamazement，said：

"Isityou——you——you，Sabot——whohavecometoaskmeforthis

You——theonlyirreligiousmaninmyparish！Why，itwouldbeascandal，apublicscandal！Thearchbishopwouldgivemeareprimand，perhapstransferme."

Hestoppedafewseconds，forbreath，andthenresumedinacalmertone：

"Icanunderstandthatitpainsyoutoseeaworkofsuchimportanceentrustedtoacarpenterfromaneighboringparish.ButIcannotdootherwise，unless——butno——itisimpossible——youwouldnotconsent，andunlessyoudid，never."

Sabotnowlookedattherowofbenchesinlineasfarastheentrancedoor.Christopher，iftheyweregoingtochangeallthose！

Andheasked：

"Whatwouldyourequireofme？Tellme."

Thepriest，inafirmtonereplied：

"Imusthaveanextraordinarytokenofyourgoodintentions."

"Idonotsay——Idonotsay;perhapswemightcometoanunderstanding，"

falteredSabot.

"YouwillhavetotakecommunionpubliclyathighmassnextSunday，"

declaredthecure.

Thecarpenterfelthewasgrowingpale，andwithoutreplying，heasked：

"Andthebenches，aretheygoingtoberenovated？"

Theabberepliedwithconfidence：

"Yes，butlateron."

Sabotresumed：

"Idonotsay，Idonotsay.Iamnotcallingitoff，Iamconsentingtoreligion，forsure.Butwhatrubsmethewrongwayis，puttingitinpractice;butinthiscaseIwillnotberefractory."

TheattendantsoftheVirgin，havinggotofftheirchairshadconcealedthemselvesbehindthealtar;andtheylistenedpalewithemotion.

Thecure，seeinghehadgainedthevictory，becameallatonceveryfriendly，quitefamiliar.

"Thatisgood，thatisgood.Thatwaswiselysaid，andnotstupid，youunderstand.Youwillsee，youwillsee."

Sabotsmiledandaskedwithanawkwardair：

"Woulditnotbepossibletoputoffthiscommunionjustatrifle？"

Butthepriestreplied，resuminghissevereexpression：

"Fromthemomentthattheworkisputintoyourhands，Iwanttobeassuredofyourconversion."

Thenhecontinuedmoregently：

"Youwillcometoconfessionto—morrow;forImustexamineyouatleasttwice."

"Twice？"repeatedSabot.

"Yes."

Thepriestsmiled.

"Youunderstandperfectlythatyoumusthaveageneralcleaningup，athoroughcleansing.SoIwillexpectyouto—morrow."

Thecarpenter，muchagitated，asked：

"Wheredoyoudothat？"

"Why——intheconfessional."

"In——thatbox，overthereinthecorner？Thefactis——is——thatitdoesnotsuitme，yourbox."

"Howisthat？"

"Seeingthat——seeingthatIamnotaccustomedtothat，andalsoIamratherhardofhearing."

Thecurewasveryaffableandsaid.：

"Well，then！youshallcometomyhouseandintomyparlor.Wewillhaveitjustthetwoofus，tete—a—tete.Doesthatsuityou？"

"Yes，thatisallright，thatwillsuitme，butyourbox，no."

"Well，then，to—morrowafterthedayswork，atsixo’clock."

"Thatisunderstood，thatisallright，thatisagreedon.To—morrow，monsieurlecure.Whoeverdrawsbackisaskunk！"

Andheheldouthisgreatroughhandwhichthepriestgraspedheartilywithaclapthatresoundedthroughthechurch.

TheoduleSabotwasnoteasyinhismindallthefollowingday.Hehadafeelinganalogoustotheapprehensiononeexperienceswhenatoothhastobedrawn.Thethoughtrecurredtohimateverymoment："Imustgotoconfessionthisevening."Andhistroubledmind，themindofanatheistonlyhalfconvinced，wasbewilderedwithaconfusedandoverwhelmingdreadofthedivinemystery.

Assoonashehadfinishedhiswork，hebetookhimselftotheparsonage.

Thecurewaswaitingforhiminthegarden，readinghisbreviaryashewalkedalongalittlepath.Heappearedradiantandgreetedhimwithagood—naturedlaugh.

"Well，hereweare！Comein，comein，MonsieurSabot，noonewilleatyou."

AndSabotprecededhimintothehouse.Hefaltered：

"IfyoudonotmindIshouldliketogetthroughwiththislittlematteratonce."

Thecurereplied：

"Iamatyourservice.Ihavemysurplicehere.OneminuteandIwilllistentoyou."

Thecarpenter，sodisturbedthathehadnottwoideasinhishead，watchedhimasheputonthewhitevestmentwithitspleatedfolds.

Thepriestbeckonedtohimandsaid：

"Kneeldownonthiscushion."

Sabotremainedstanding，ashamedofhavingtokneel.Hestuttered：

"Isitnecessary？"

Buttheabbehadbecomedignified.

"Youcannotapproachthepenitentbenchexceptonyourknees."

AndSabotkneltdown.

"Repeattheconfiteor，"saidthepriest.

"Whatisthat？"askedSabot.

"Theconfiteor.Ifyoudonotrememberit，repeatafterme，onebyone，thewordsIamgoingtosay."Andthecurerepeatedthesacredprayer，inaslowtone，emphasizingthewordswhichthecarpenterrepeatedafterhim.Thenhesaid：

"Nowmakeyourconfession."

ButSabotwassilent，notknowingwheretobegin.Theabbethencametohisaid.

"Mychild，Iwillaskyouquestions，sinceyoudon’tseemfamiliarwiththesethings.Wewilltake，onebyone，thecommandmentsofGod.Listentomeanddonotbedisturbed.Speakveryfranklyandneverfearthatyoumaysaytoomuch.

"’OneGodalone，thoushaltadore，Andlovehimperfectly.’

Haveyoueverlovedanything，oranybody，aswellasyoulovedGod？Haveyoulovedhimwithallyoursoul，allyourheart，allthestrengthofyourlove？"

Sabotwasperspiringwiththeeffortofthinking.Hereplied：

"No.Oh，no，m’sieulecure.IloveGodasmuchasIcan.Thatis——

yes——Ilovehimverymuch.TosaythatIdonotlovemychildren，no——Icannotsaythat.TosaythatifIhadtochoosebetweenthemandGod，Icouldnotbesure.TosaythatifIhadtoloseahundredfrancsfortheloveofGod，Icouldnotsayaboutthat.ButIlovehimwell，forsure，Ilovehimallthesame."Thepriestsaidgravely"YoumustloveHimmorethanallbesides."AndSabot，meaningwell，declared"I

willdowhatIpossiblycan，m’sieulecure."Theabberesumed：

"’God’snameinvainthoushaltnottakeNorswearbyanyotherthing.’

Didyoueverswear？"

"No—oh，that，no！Ineverswear，never.Sometimes，inamomentofanger，ImaysaysacrenomdeDieu！Butthen，Ineverswear."

"Thatisswearing，"criedthepriest，andaddedseriously：

"Donotdoitagain.

’ThySundaysthoushaltkeepInservingGoddevoutly.’

WhatdoyoudoonSunday？"

ThistimeSabotscratchedhisear.

"Why，IserveGodasbestIcan，m’sieulecure.Iservehim——athome.

IworkonSunday."

Thecureinterruptedhim，sayingmagnanimously：

"Iknow，youwilldobetterinfuture.Iwillpassoverthefollowingcommandments，certainthatyouhavenottransgressedthetwofirst.Wewilltakefromthesixthtotheninth.Iwillresume：

"’Others’goodsthoushaltnottakeNorkeepwhatisnotthine.’

Haveyouevertakeninanywaywhatbelongedtoanother？"

ButTheoduleSabotbecameindignant.

"Ofcoursenot，ofcoursenot！Iamanhonestman，m’sieulecure，I

swearit，forsure.TosaythatIhavenotsometimeschargedforafewmorehoursofworktocustomerswhohadmeans，Icouldnotsaythat.

TosaythatIneveraddafewcentimestobills，onlyafew，Iwouldnotsaythat.Buttosteal，no！Oh，notthat，no！"

Thepriestresumedseverely：

"Totakeonesinglecentimeconstitutesatheft.Donotdoitagain.

’Falsewitnessthoushaltnotbear，Norlieinanyway.’

Haveyouevertoldalie？"

"No，astothat，no.Iamnotaliar.Thatismyquality.TosaythatIhavenevertoldabigstory，Iwouldnotliketosaythat.TosaythatIhavenevermadepeoplebelievethingsthatwerenottruewhenitwastomyowninterest，Iwouldnotliketosaythat.Butasforlying，Iamnotaliar."

Thepriestsimplysaid：

"Watchyourselfmoreclosely."Thenhecontinued：

"’TheworksofthefleshthoushaltnotdesireExceptinmarriageonly.’

Didyoueverdesire，orlivewith，anyotherwomanthanyourwife？"

Sabotexclaimedwithsincerity：

"Astothat，no;oh，astothat，no，m’sieuleCure.Mypoorwife，deceiveher！No，no！Notsomuchasthetipofafinger，eitherinthoughtorinact.Thatisthetruth."

Theyweresilentafewseconds，then，inalowertone，asthoughadoubthadariseninhismind，heresumed：

"WhenIgototown，tosaythatInevergointoahouse，youknow，oneofthelicensedhouses，justtolaughandtalkandseesomethingdifferent，Icouldnotsaythat.ButIalwayspay，monsieurlecure，Ialwayspay.

Fromthemomentyoupay，withoutanyoneseeingorknowingyou，noonecangetyouintotrouble."

Thecuredidnotinsist，andgavehimabsolution.

TheoduleSabotdidtheworkonthechancel，andgoestocommunioneverymonth.

THEWRONGHOUSE

QuartermasterVarajouhadobtainedaweek’sleavetogoandvisithissister，MadamePadoie.Varajou，whowasingarrisonatRennesandwasleadingaprettygaylife，findinghimselfhighanddry，wrotetohissistersayingthathewoulddevoteaweektoher.ItwasnotthathecaredparticularlyforMme.Padoie，alittlemoralist，adevotee，andalwayscross;butheneededmoney，neededitverybadly，andherememberedthat，ofallhisrelations，thePadoiesweretheonlyoneswhomhehadneverapproachedonthesubject.

PereVarajou，formerlyahorticulturistatAngers，butnowretiredfrombusiness，hadclosedhispursestringstohisscapegracesonandhadhardlyseenhimfortwoyears.HisdaughterhadmarriedPadoie，aformertreasuryclerk，whohadjustbeenappointedtaxcollectoratVannes.

Varajou，onleavingthetrain，hadsomeonedirecthimtothehouseofhisbrother—in—law，whomhefoundinhisofficearguingwiththeBretonpeasantsoftheneighborhood.Padoierosefromhisseat，heldouthishandacrossthetablelitteredwithpapers，murmured，"Takeachair.I

willbeatlibertyinamoment，"satdownagainandresumedhisdiscussion.

Thepeasantsdidnotunderstandhisexplanations，thecollectordidnotunderstandtheirlineofargument.HespokeFrench，theyspokeBreton，andtheclerkwhoactedasinterpreterappearednottounderstandeither.

Itlastedalongtime，averylonglime.Varajoulookedathisbrother—

in—lawandthought："Whatafool！"Padoiemusthavebeenalmostfifty.

Hewastall，thin，bony，slow，hairy，withheavyarchedeyebrows.Heworeavelvetskullcapwithagoldcordvandykedesignroundit.Hislookwasgentle，likehisactions.Hisspeech，hisgestures，histhoughts，allweresoft.Varajousaidtohimself，"Whatafool！"

He，himself，wasoneofthosenoisyroysterersforwhomthegreatestpleasuresinlifearethecafeandabandonedwomen.Heunderstoodnothingoutsideoftheseconditionsofexistence.

Aboisterousbraggart，filledwithcontemptfortherestoftheworld，hedespisedtheentireuniversefromtheheightofhisignorance.Whenhesaid："Nomd’unchien，whataspree！"heexpressedthehighestdegreeofadmirationofwhichhismindwascapable.

Havingfinallygotridofhispeasants，Padoieinquired：

"Howareyou？"

"Prettywell，asyousee.Andhowareyou？"

"Quitewell，thankyou.Itisverykindofyoutohavethoughtofcomingtoseeus."

"Oh，Ihavebeenthinkingofitforsometime;but，youknow，inthemilitaryprofessiononehasnotmuchfreedom."

"Oh，Iknow，Iknow.Allthesame，itisverykindofyou."

"AndJosephine，isshewell？"

"Yes，yes，thankyou;youwillseeherpresently.""Whereisshe？"

"Sheismakingsomecalls.Wehaveagreatmanyfriendshere;itisaverynicetown."

"Ithoughtso."

ThedooropenedandMme.Padoieappeared.Shewentovertoherbrotherwithoutanyeagerness，heldhercheekforhimtokiss，andasked：

"Haveyoubeenherelong？"

"No，hardlyhalfanhour."

"Oh，Ithoughtthetrainwouldbelate.Willyoucomeintotheparlor？"

Theywentintotheadjoiningroom，leavingPadoietohisaccountsandhistaxpayers.Assoonastheywerealone，shesaid：

"Ihaveheardnicethingsaboutyou！"

"Whathaveyouheard？"

"Itseemsthatyouarebehavinglikeablackguard，gettingdrunkandcontractingdebts."

Heappearedverymuchastonished.

"I！neverintheworld！"

"Oh，donotdenyit，Iknowit."

Heattemptedtodefendhimself，butshegavehimsuchalecturethathecouldsaynothingmore.

Shethenresumed：

"Wedineatsixo’clock，andyoucanamuseyourselfuntilthen.Icannotentertainyou，asIhavesomanythingstodo."

Whenhewasalonehehesitatedastowhetherheshouldsleeportakeawalk.Helookedfirstatthedoorleadingtohisroomandthenatthehalldoor，anddecidedtogoout.HesaunteredslowlythroughthequietBretontown，sosleepy，socalm，sodead，ontheshoresofitsinlandbaythatiscalled"leMorbihan."Helookedatthelittlegrayhouses，theoccasionalpedestrians，theemptystores，andhemurmured：

"Vannesiscertainlynotgay，notlively.Itwasasadidea，mycominghere."

Hereachedtheharbor，thedesolateharbor，walkedbackalongalonely，desertedboulevard，andgothomebeforefiveo’clock.Thenhethrewhimselfonhisbedtosleeptilldinnertime.Themaidwokehim，knockingatthedoor.

"Dinnerisready，sir："

Hewentdownstairs.Inthedampdining—roomwiththepaperpeelingfromthewallsnearthefloor，hesawasouptureenonaroundtablewithoutanytablecloth，onwhichwerealsothreemelancholysoup—plates.

M.andMme.PadoieenteredtheroomatthesametimeasVarajou.Theyallsatdowntotable，andthehusbandandwifecrossedthemselvesoverthepitoftheirstomachs，afterwhichPadoiehelpedthesoup，ameatsoup.Itwasthedayforpot—roast.

Afterthesoup，theyhadthebeef，whichwasdonetorags，melted，greasy，likepap.Theofficerateslowly，withdisgust，wearinessandrage.

Mme.Padoiesaidtoherhusband：

"Areyougoingtothejudge’shousethisevening？"

"Yes，dear."

"Donotstaylate.Youalwaysgetsotiredwhenyougoout.Youarenotmadeforsociety，withyourpoorhealth."

ShethentalkedaboutsocietyinVannes，oftheexcellentsocialcircleinwhichthePadoiesmoved，thankstotheirreligioussentiments.

Apureeofpotatoesandadishofporkwerenextserved，inhonoroftheguest.Thensomecheese，andthatwasall.Nocoffee.

WhenVarajousawthathewouldhavetospendtheeveningtete—a—tetewithhissister，endureherreproaches，listentohersermons，withoutevenaglassofliqueurtohelphimtoswallowtheseremonstrances，hefeltthathecouldnotstandthetorture，anddeclaredthathewasobligedtogotothepolicestationtohavesomethingattendedtoregardinghisleaveofabsence.Andhemadehisescapeatseveno’clock.

Hehadscarcelyreachedthestreetbeforehegavehimselfashakelikeadogcomingoutofthewater.Hemuttered：

"Heavens，heavens，heavens，whatagalleyslave’slife！"

Andhesetouttolookforacafe，thebestinthetown.Hefounditonapublicsquare，behindtwogaslamps.Insidethecafe，fiveorsixmen，semi—gentlemen，andnotnoisy，weredrinkingandchattingquietly，leaningtheirelbowsonthesmalltables，whiletwobilliardplayerswalkedroundthegreenbaize，wheretheballswerehittingeachotherastheyrolled.

Oneheardthemcounting：

"Eighteen—nineteen.Noluck.Oh，that’sagoodstroke！Wellplayed！

Eleven.Youshouldhaveplayedonthered.Twenty.Froze！Froze！

Twelve.Ha！Wasn’tIright？"

Varajouordered：

"Ademi—tasseandasmalldecanterofbrandy，thebest."Thenhesatdownandwaitedforit.

Hewasaccustomedtospendinghiseveningsoffdutywithhiscompanions，amidnoiseandthesmokeofpipes.Thissilence，thisquiet，exasperatedhim.Hebegantodrink;firstthecoffee，thenthebrandy，andaskedforanotherdecanter.Henowwantedtolaugh，toshout，tosing，tofightsomeone.Hesaidtohimself：

"Gee，Iamhalffull.Imustgoandhaveagoodtime."

Andhethoughthewouldgoandlookforsomegirlstoamusehim.Hecalledthewaiter：

"Hey，waiter."

"Yes，sir."

"Tellme，wheredoesoneamuseoneselfhere？"

Themanlookedstupid，andreplied：

"Idonotknow，sir.Here，Isuppose！"

"Howdoyoumeanhere？Whatdoyoucallamusingoneself，yourself？"

"Idonotknow，sir，drinkinggoodbeerorgoodwine."

"Ah，goaway，dummy，howaboutthegirls？"

"Thegirls，ah！ah！"

"Yes，thegirls，wherecanonefindanyhere？"

"Girls？"

"Why，yes，girls！"

Theboyapproachedandloweringhisvoice，said："Youwanttoknowwheretheylive？"

"Why，yes，thedevil！"

"Youtakethesecondstreettotheleftandthenthefirsttotheright.

Itisnumberfifteen."

"Thankyou，oldman.Thereissomethingforyou."

"Thankyou，sir."

AndVarajouwentoutofthecafe，repeating，"Secondtotheleft，firsttotheright，number15."Butattheendofafewsecondshethought，"secondtotheleftyes.ButonleavingthecafemustIwalktotherightortheleft？Bah，itcannotbehelped，weshallsee."