下载辰思小说免费APP
"Comehere，Philippe，kissyourmother.Tellme，child，doyouloveyourmamma？You，Rose，takecareofyourlittlesisterwhileIamaway.Anddon’tleaveheralone.Don’tplaywithmatches！"
Shestoppedforawhile，then，inaloudervoice，asthoughshewerecallingsomeone："Henriette！"thenwaitedamomentandcontinued：
"TellyourfatherthatIwishtospeaktohimbeforehegoestobusiness."Andsuddenly："Iamnotfeelingverywellto—day，darling;
promisenottocomehomelate.TellyouremployerthatIamsick.
Youknow，itisn’tsafetoleavethechildrenalonewhenIaminbed.
FordinnerIwillfixyouupanicedishofrice.Thelittleoneslikethatverymuch.Won’tClairebehappy？"
Andshebrokeintoahappy，joyouslaugh，suchastheyhadneverheard：
"LookatJean，howfunnyhelooks！Hehassmearedjamalloverhisface，thelittlepig！Look，sweetheart，look;isn’thefunny？"
Colombel，whowascontinuallyliftinghistiredlegfromplacetoplace，muttered：
"Sheisdreamingthatshehaschildrenandahusband;itisthebeginningofthedeathagony."
Thetwosistershadnotyetmoved，surprised，astounded.
Thelittlemaidexclaimed：
"Youmusttakeoffyourshawlsandyourhits！Wouldyouliketogointotheparlor？"
Theywentoutwithouthavingsaidaword.AndColombelfollowedthem，limping，oncemoreleavingthedyingwomanalone.
Whentheywererelievedoftheirtravellinggarments，thewomenfinallysatdown.Thenoneofthecatsleftitswindow，stretched，jumpedintotheroomandontoMme.Cimme’sknees.Shebegantopetit.
Inthenextroomcouldbeheardthevoiceofthedyingwoman，living，inthislasthour，thelifeforwhichshehaddoubtlesshoped，livingherdreamsthemselvesjustwhenallwasoverforher.
Cimme，inthegarden，wasplayingwithlittleJosephandthedog，enjoyinghimselfinthewholeheartedmannerofacountryman，havingcompletelyforgottenthedyingwoman.
Butsuddenlyheenteredthehouseandsaidtothegirl：
"Isay，mygirl，arewenotgoingtohaveluncheon？Whatdoyouladieswishtoeat？"
Theyfinallyagreedonanomelet，apieceofsteakwithnewpotatoes，cheeseandcoffee.
AsMme.Colombelwasfumblinginherpocketforherpurse，Cimmestoppedher，and，turningtothemaid："Haveyougotanymoney？"
Sheanswered：
"Yes，monsieur."
"Howmuch？"
"Fifteenfrancs."
"That’senough.Hustle，mygirl，becauseIambeginningtogetveryhungry："
Mme.Cimme，lookingoutovertheclimbingvinesbathedinsunlight，andatthetwoturtle—dovesontheroofopposite，saidinanannoyedtoneofvoice：
"Whatapitytohavehadtocomeforsuchasadoccasion.Itissoniceinthecountryto—day."
Hersistersighedwithoutanswering，andColombelmumbled，thinkingperhapsofthewalkaheadofhim：
"Mylegcertainlyisbotheringmeto—day："
LittleJosephandthedogweremakingaterriblenoise;onewasshriekingwithpleasure，theotherwasbarkingwildly.Theywereplayinghide—and—
seekaroundthethreeflowerbeds，runningaftereachotherlikemad.
Thedyingwomancontinuedtocallherchildren，talkingwitheachone，imaginingthatshewasdressingthem，fondlingthem，teachingthemhowtoread："Comeon！Simonrepeat：A，B，C，D.Youarenotpayingattention，listen——D，D，D;doyouhearme？Nowrepeat——"
Cimmeexclaimed："Funnywhatpeoplesaywheninthatcondition."
Mme.Colombelthenasked：
"Wouldn’titbebetterifweweretoreturntoher？"
ButCimmedissuadedherfromtheidea：
"What’stheuse？Youcan’tchangeanything.Wearejustascomfortablehere."
Nobodyinsisted.Mme.Cimmeobservedthetwogreenbirdscalledlove—
birds.Inafewwordsshepraisedthissingularfaithfulnessandblamedthemenfornotimitatingtheseanimals.Cimmebegantolaugh，lookedathiswifeandhummedinateasingway："Tra—la—la，tra—la—la"asthoughtocastagooddealofdoubtonhisown，Cimme’s，faithfulness：
Colombelwassufferingfromcrampsandwasrappingthefloorwithhiscane.
Theothercat，itstailpointinguprighttothesky，nowcamein.
Theysatdowntoluncheonatoneo’clock.
Assoonashehadtastedthewine，Colombel，forwhomonlythebestofBordeauxhadbeenprescribed，calledtheservantback：
"Isay，mygirl，isthisthebeststuffthatyouhaveinthecellar？"
"No，monsieur;thereissomebetterwine，whichwasonlybroughtoutwhenyoucame."
"Well，bringusthreebottlesofit."
Theytastedthewineandfounditexcellent，notbecauseitwasofaremarkablevintage，butbecauseithadbeeninthecellarfifteenyears.
Cimmedeclared：
"Thatisregularinvalid’swine."
Colombel，filledwithanardentdesiretogainpossessionofthisBordeaux，oncemorequestionedthegirl：
"Howmuchofitisleft？"
"Oh！Almostall，monsieur;mamz’ellenevertouchedit.It’sinthebottomstack."
Thenheturnedtohisbrother—in—law：
"Ifyouwish，Cimme，Iwouldbewillingtoexchangesomethingelseforthiswine;itsuitsmystomachmarvellously."
Thechickenhadnowappearedwithitsregimentofyoungones.Thetwowomenwereenjoyingthemselvesthrowingcrumbstothem.
Josephandthedog，whohadeatenenough，weresentbacktothegarden.
QueenHortensewasstilltalking，butinalow，hushedvoice，sothatthewordscouldnolongerbedistinguished.
Whentheyhadfinishedtheircoffeeallwentintoobservetheconditionofthesickwoman.Sheseemedcalm.
Theywentoutsideagainandseatedthemselvesinacircleinthegarden，inordertocompletetheirdigestion.
Suddenlythedog，whowascarryingsomethinginhismouth，begantorunaroundthechairsatfullspeed.Thechildwaschasinghimwildly.Bothdisappearedintothehouse.
Cimmefellasleep，hiswell—roundedpaunchbathedintheglowoftheshiningsun.
Thedyingwomanoncemorebegantotalkinaloudvoice.Thensuddenlysheshrieked.
ThetwowomenandColombelrushedintoseewhatwasthematter.Cimme，wakingup，didnotbudge，because，hedidnotwishtowitnesssuchascene.
Shewassittingup，withhaggardeyes.Herdog，inordertoescapebeingpursuedbylittleJoseph，hadjumpeduponthebed，runoverthesickwoman，andentrenchedbehindthepillow，waslookingdownathisplaymatewithsnappingeyes，readytojumpdownandbeginthegameagain.Hewasholdinginhismouthoneofhismistress’slippers，whichhehadtorntopiecesandwithwhichhehadbeenplayingforthelasthour.
Thechild，frightenedbythiswomanwhohadsuddenlyriseninfrontofhim，stoodmotionlessbeforethebed.
Thehenhadalsocomein，andfrightenedbythenoise，hadjumpeduponachairandwaswildlycallingherchicks，whowerechirpingdistractedlyaroundthefourlegsofthechair.
QueenHortensewasshrieking：
"No，no，Idon’twanttodie，Idon’twantto！Idon’twantto！Whowillbringupmychildren？Whowilltakecareofthem？Whowilllovethem？No，Idon’twantto！——Idon’t————"
Shefellback.Allwasover.
Thedog，wildwithexcitement，jumpedabouttheroom，barking.
Colombelrantothewindow，callinghisbrother—in—law：
"Hurryup，hurryup！Ithinkthatshehasjustgone."
ThenCimme，resigned，aroseandenteredtheroom，mumbling"Itdidn’ttakeaslongasIthoughtitwould！"
TIMBUCTOO
Theboulevard，thatriverofhumanity，wasalivewithpeopleinthegoldenlightofthesettingsun.Thewholeskywasred，blinding，andbehindtheMadeleineanimmensebankofflamingcloudscastashoweroflightthewholelengthoftileboulevard，vibrantastheheatfromabrazier.
Thegay，animatedcrowdwentbyinthisgoldenmistandseemedtobeglorified.Theirfacesweregilded，theirblackhatsandclothestookonpurpletints，thepatentleatheroftheirshoescastbrightreflectionsontheasphaltofthesidewalk.
Beforethecafesamassofmenweredrinkingopalescentliquidsthatlookedlikepreciousstonesdissolvedintheglasses.
Inthemidstofthedrinkerstwoofficersinfulluniformdazzledalleyeswiththeirglitteringgoldlace.Theychatted，happywithoutaskingwhy，inthisgloryoflife，inthisradiantlightofsunset，andtheylookedatthecrowd，theleisurelymenandthehurryingwomenwholeftabewilderingodorofperfumeastheypassedby.
Allatonceanenormousnegro，dressedinblack，withapaunchbeneathhisjeanwaistcoat，whichwascoveredwithcharms，hisfaceshiningasifithadbeenpolished，passedbeforethemwithatriumphantair.Helaughedatthepassers—by，atthenewsvenders，atthedazzlingsky，atthewholeofParis.Hewassotallthatheovertoppedeveryoneelse，andwhenhepassedalltheloungersturnedroundtolookathisback.
Buthesuddenlyperceivedtheofficersanddartedtowardsthem，jostlingthedrinkersinhispath.Assoonashereachedtheirtablehefixedhisgleaminganddelightedeyesuponthemandthecornersofhismouthexpandedtohisears，showinghisdazzlingwhiteteethlikeacrescentmooninablacksky.Thetwomenlookedinastonishmentatthisebonygiant，unabletounderstandhisdelight.
Withavoicethatmadealltheguestslaugh，hesaid：
"Good—day，mylieutenant."
Oneoftheofficerswascommanderofabattalion，theotherwasacolonel.Theformersaid：
"Idonotknowyou，sir.Iamatalosstoknowwhatyouwantofme."
"Melikeyoumuch，LieutenantVedie，siegeofBezi，muchgrapes，findme."
Theofficer，utterlybewildered，lookedatthemanintently，tryingtorefreshhismemory.Thenhecriedabruptly：
"Timbuctoo？"
Thenegro，radiant，slappedhisthighasheutteredatremendouslaughandroared：
"Yes，yes，mylieutenant;yourememberTimbuctoo，ya.Howdoyoudo？"
Thecommandantheldouthishand，laughingheartilyashedidso.ThenTimbuctoobecameserious.Heseizedtheofficer’shandand，beforetheothercouldpreventit，hekissedit，accordingtonegroandArabcustom.
Theofficerembarrassed，saidinaseveretone：
"Comenow，Timbuctoo，wearenotinAfrica.SitdownthereandtellmehowitisIfindyouhere."
Timbuctooswelledhimselfoutand，hiswordsfallingoveroneanother，repliedhurriedly：
"Makemuchmoney，much，bigrestaurant，goodfood;Prussians，me，muchsteal，much，Frenchcooking;Timbuctoocooktotheemperor;twothousandfrancsmine.Ha，ha，ha，ha！"
Andhelaughed，doublinghimselfup，roaring，withwilddelightinhisglances.
Whentheofficer，whounderstoodhisstrangemannerofexpressinghimself，hadquestionedhimhesaid：
"Well，aurevoir，Timbuctoo.Iwillseeyouagain."
Thenegrorose，thistimeshakingthehandthatwasextendedtohimand，smilingstill，cried：
"Good—day，good—day，mylieutenant！"
Hewentoffsohappythathegesticulatedashewalked，andpeoplethoughthewascrazy.
"Whoisthatbrute？"askedthecolonel.
"Afinefellowandabravesoldier.IwilltellyouwhatIknowabouthim.Itisfunnyenough.
"Youknowthatatthecommencementofthewarof1870IwasshutupinBezieres，thatthisnegrocallsBezi.Wewerenotbesieged，butblockaded.ThePrussianlinessurroundedusonallsides，outsidethereachofcannon，notfiringonus，butslowlystarvingusout.
"Iwasthenlieutenant.Ourgarrisonconsistedofsoldierofalldescriptions，fragmentsofslaughteredregiments，somethathadrunaway，freebootersseparatedfromthemainarmy，etc.Wehadallkinds，infactevenelevenTurcos[AlgeriansoldiersintheserviceofFrance]，whoarrivedoneeveningnooneknewwhenceorhow.Theyappearedatthegatesofthecity，exhausted，inrags，starvinganddirty.Theywerehandedovertome.
"Isawverysoonthattheywereabsolutelyundisciplined，alwaysinthestreetandalwaysdrunk.Itriedputtingtheminthepolicestation，eveninprison，butnothingwasofanyuse.Theywoulddisappear，sometimesfordaysatatime，asiftheyhadbeenswallowedupbytheearth，andthencomebackstaggeringdrunk.Theyhadnomoney.Wheredidtheybuydrinkandhowandwithwhat？
"Thisbegantoworrymegreatly，allthemoreasthesesavagesinterestedmewiththeireverlastinglaughandtheircharacteristicsofovergrownfrolicsomechildren.
"Ithennoticedthattheyblindlyobeyedthelargestamongthem，theoneyouhavejustseen.Hemadethemdoashepleased，plannedtheirmysteriousexpeditionswiththeall—powerfulandundisputedauthorityofaleader.Isentforhimandquestionedhim.Ourconversationlastedfullythreehours，foritwashardformetounderstandhisremarkablegibberish.Asforhim，poordevil，hemadeunheard—ofeffortstomakehimselfintelligible，inventedwords，gesticulated，perspiredinhisanxiety，moppinghisforehead，puffing，stoppingandabruptlybeginningagainwhenhethoughthehadfoundanewmethodofexplainingwhathewantedtosay.
"Igatheredfinallythathewasthesonofabigchief，asortofnegrokingoftheregionaroundTimbuctoo.Iaskedhimhisname.Herepeatedsomethinglike’Chavaharibouhalikranafotapolara.’Itseemedsimplertometogivehimthenameofhisnativeplace，’Timbuctoo.’Andaweeklaterhewasknownbynoothernameinthegarrison.
"ButwewereallwildlyanxioustofindoutwherethisAfricanex—princeprocuredhisdrinks.Idiscovereditinasingularmanner.
"Iwasontherampartsonemorning，watchingthehorizon，whenI
perceivedsomethingmovingaboutinavineyard.Itwasnearthetimeofvintage，thegrapeswereripe，butIwasnotthinkingofthat.Ithoughtthataspywasapproachingthetown，andIorganizedacompleteexpeditiontocatchtheprowler.Itookcommandmyself，afterobtainingpermissionfromthegeneral.
"Isentoutbythreedifferentgatesthreelittlecompanies，whichweretomeetatthesuspectedvineyardandformacordonroundit.Inordertocutoffthespy’sretreat，oneofthesedetachmentshadtomakeatleastanhour’smarch.AwatchonthewallssignalledtomethatthepersonIhadseenhadnotlefttheplace.Wewentalonginprofoundsilence，creeping，almostcrawling，alongtheditches.Atlastwereachedthespotassigned.
"Iabruptlydisbandedmysoldiers，whodartedintothevineyardandfoundTimbuctooonhandsandkneestravellingaroundamongthevinesandeatinggrapes，orratherdevouringthemasadogeatshissop，snatchingtheminmouthfulsfromthevinewithhisteeth.
"Iwantedhimtogetup，buthecouldnotthinkofit.Ithenunderstoodwhyhewascrawlingonhishandsandknees.Assoonaswestoodhimonhisfeethebegantowabble，thenstretchedouthisarmsandfelldownonhisnose.HewasmoredrunkthanIhaveeverseenanyone.
"Theybroughthimhomeontwopoles.Heneverstoppedlaughingallthewayback，gesticulatingwithhisarmsandlegs.
"Thisexplainedthemystery.Mymenalsodrankthejuiceofthegrapes，andwhentheyweresointoxicatedtheycouldnotstirtheywenttosleepinthevineyard.AsforTimbuctoo，hisloveofthevineyardwasbeyondallbeliefandallbounds.Helivedinitasdidthethrushes，whomhehatedwiththejealoushateofarival.Herepeatedincessantly：’Thethrusheseatallthegrapes，captain！’
"OneeveningIwassentfor.Somethinghadbeenseenontheplaincominginourdirection.Ihadnotbroughtmyfield—glassandIcouldnotdistinguishthingsclearly.Itlookedlikeagreatserpentuncoilingitself——aconvoy.HowcouldItell？
"Isentsomementomeetthisstrangecaravan，whichpresentlymadeitstriumphalentry.Timbuctooandnineofhiscomradeswerecarryingonasortofaltarmadeofcampstoolseightsevered，grinningandbleedingheads.TheAfricanwasdraggingalongahorsetowhosetailanotherheadwasfastened，andsixotheranimalsfollowed，adornedinthesamemanner.
"ThisiswhatIlearned：Havingstartedouttothevineyard，myAfricanshadsuddenlyperceivedadetachmentofPrussiansapproachingavillage.
Insteadoftakingtotheirheels，theyhidthemselves，andassoonasthePrussianofficersdismountedataninntorefreshthemselves，theelevenrascalsrushedonthem，puttoflightthelancers，whothoughttheywerebeingattackedbythemainarmy，killedthetwosentries，thenthecolonelandthefiveofficersofhisescort.
"ThatdayIkissedTimbuctoo.Isaw，however，thathewalkedwithdifficultyandthoughthewaswounded.Helaughedandsaid：
"’Meprovisionsformycountry.’
"Timbuctoowasnotfightingforglory，butforgain.Everythinghefoundthatseemedtohimtobeoftheslightestvalue，especiallyanythingthatglistened，heputinhispocket.Whatapocket！Anabyssthatbeganathishipsandreachedtohisankles.Hehadretainedanoldtermusedbythetroopersandcalledithis’profonde，’anditwashis’profonde’infact.
"HehadtakenthegoldlaceoffthePrussianuniforms，thebrassofftheirhelmets，detachedtheirbuttons，etc.，andhadthrownthemallintohis’profonde，’whichwasfulltooverflowing.
"Eachdayhepocketedeveryglisteningobjectthatcamebeneathhisobservation，piecesoftinorpiecesofsilver，andsometimeshiscontourwasverycomical.
"Heintendedtocarryallthatbacktothelandofostriches，whosebrotherhemighthavebeen，thissonofaking，tormentedwiththelongingtogobbleupallobjectsthatglistened.Ifhehadnothadhis’profonde’whatwouldhehavedone？Hedoubtlesswouldhaveswallowedthem.
"Eachmorninghispocketwasempty.Hehad，then，somegeneralstorewherehisricheswerepiledup.Butwhere？Icouldnotdiscoverit.
"Thegeneral，onbeinginformedofTimbuctoo’smightyactofvalor，hadtheheadlessbodiesthathadbeenleftintheneighboringvillageinterredatonce，thatitmightnotbediscoveredthattheyweredecapitated.ThePrussiansreturnedthitherthefollowingday.Themayorandsevenprominentinhabitantswereshotonthespot，bywayofreprisal，ashavingdenouncedthePrussians.
"Winterwashere.Wewereexhaustedanddesperate.Therewereskirmishesnoweveryday.Thefamishedmencouldnolongermarch.Theeight’Turcos’alone（threehadbeenkilled）remainedfatandshiny，vigorousandalwaysreadytofight.Timbuctoowasevengettingfatter.
Hesaidtomeoneday：
"’Youmuchhungry;megoodmeat.’
"Andhebroughtmeanexcellentfilet.Butofwhat？Wehadnomorecattle，norsheep，norgoats，nordonkeys，norpigs.Itwasimpossibletogetahorse.IthoughtofallthisafterIhaddevouredmymeat.
Thenahorribleideacametome.Thesenegroeswerebornclosetoacountrywheretheyeathumanbeings！Andeachdaysuchanumberofsoldierswerekilledaroundthetown！IquestionedTimbuctoo.Hewouldnotanswer.Ididnotinsist，butfromthattimeonIdeclinedhispresents.
"Heworshippedme.Onenightsnowtookusbysurpriseattheoutposts.
Wewereseated，ontheground.Ilookedwithpityatthosepoornegroesshiveringbeneaththiswhitefrozenshower.Iwasverycoldandbegantocough.AtonceIfeltsomethingfallonmelikealargewarmquilt.ItwasTimbuctoo’scapethathehadthrownonmyshoulders.
"Iroseandreturnedhisgarment，saying：
"’Keepit，myboy;youneeditmorethanIdo.’
"’Non，mylieutenant，foryou;menoneed.Mehot，hot！’
"Andhelookedatmeentreatingly.
"’Come，obeyorders.Keepyourcape;Iinsist，’Ireplied.
"Hethenstoodup，drewhissword，whichhehadsharpenedtoanedgelikeascythe，andholdinginhisotherhandthelargecapewhichIhadrefused，said：
"’Ifyounotkeepcape，mecut.Noonecape.’
"Andhewouldhavedoneit.SoIyielded.
"Eightdayslaterwecapitulated.Someofushadbeenabletoescape，therestweretomarchoutofthetownandgivethemselvesuptotheconquerors.
"Iwenttowardstheexercisingground，wherewewerealltomeet，whenI
wasdumfoundedatthesightofagiganticnegrodressedinwhiteduckandwearingastrawhat.ItwasTimbuctoo.Hewasbeamingandwaswalkingwithhishandsinhispocketsinfrontofalittleshopwheretwoplatesandtwoglassesweredisplayed.
"’Whatareyoudoing？’Isaid.
"’Menotgo.Megoodcook;memakefoodforColonelAlgeria.MeeatPrussians;muchsteal，much.’
"Thereweretendegreesoffrost.Ishiveredatsightofthisnegroinwhiteduck.Hetookmebythearmandmademegoinside.Inoticedanimmenseflagthathewasgoingtoplaceoutsidehisdoorassoonaswehadleft，forhehadsomeshame.
Ireadthissign，tracedbythehandofsomeaccomplice"’ARMYKITCHENOFM.TIMBUCTOO，"’FormerlyCooktoH.M.theEmperor.
"’AParisianArtist.ModeratePrices.’
"Inspiteofthedespairthatwasgnawingatmyheart，Icouldnothelplaughing，andIleftmynegrotohisnewenterprise.
"Wasnotthatbetterthantakinghimprisoner？
"Youhavejustseenthathemadeasuccessofit，therascal.
"Bezieresto—daybelongstotheGermans.The’RestaurantTimbuctoo’isthebeginningofaretaliation."
TOMBSTONES
Thefivefriendshadfinisheddinner，fivemenoftheworld，mature，rich，threemarried，thetwoothersbachelors.Theymetlikethiseverymonthinmemoryoftheiryouth，andafterdinnertheychatteduntiltwoo’clockinthemorning.Havingremainedintimatefriends，andenjoyingeachother’ssociety，theyprobablyconsideredthesethepleasantesteveningsoftheirlives.Theytalkedoneverysubject，especiallyofwhatinterestedandamusedParisians.Theirconversationwas，asinthemajorityofsalonselsewhere，averbalrehashofwhattheyhadreadinthemorningpapers.
OneofthemostlivelyofthemwasJosephdeBardon，acelibatelivingtheParisianlifeinitsfullestandmostwhimsicalmanner.Hewasnotadebauchenordepraved，butasingular，happyfellow，stillyoung，forhewasscarcelyforty.Amanoftheworldinitswidestandbestsense，giftedwithabrilliant，butnotprofound，mind，withmuchvariedknowledge，butnotrueerudition，readycomprehensionwithouttrueunderstanding，hedrewfromhisobservations，hisadventures，fromeverythinghesaw，metwithandfound，anecdotesatoncecomicalandphilosophical，andmadehumorousremarksthatgavehimagreatreputationforclevernessinsociety.
Hewastheafterdinnerspeakerandhadhisownstoryeachtime，uponwhichtheycounted，andhetalkedwithouthavingtobecoaxed.
Ashesatsmoking，hiselbowsonthetable，apetitverrehalffullbesidehisplate，halftorpidinanatmosphereoftobaccoblendedwithsteamingcoffee，heseemedtobeperfectlyathome.Hesaidbetweentwowhiffs：
"Acuriousthinghappenedtomesometimeago."
"Tellittous，"theyallexclaimedatonce.
"Withpleasure.YouknowthatIwanderaboutParisagreatdeal，likebookcollectorswhoransackbookstalls.Ijustlookatthesights，atthepeople，atallthatispassingbyandallthatisgoingon.
"TowardthemiddleofSeptember——itwasbeautifulweather——Iwentoutoneafternoon，notknowingwhereIwasgoing.Onealwayshasavaguewishtocallonsomeprettywomanorother.Onechoosesamongtheminone’smentalpicturegallery，comparestheminone’smind，weighstheinterestwithwhichtheyinspireyou，theircomparativecharmsandfinallydecidesaccordingtotheinfluenceoftheday.Butwhenthesunisverybrightandtheairwarm，ittakesawayfromyoualldesiretomakecalls.
"Thesunwasbright，theairwarm.Ilightedacigarandsaunteredaimlesslyalongtheouterboulevard.Then，asIstrolledon，itoccurredtometowalkasfarasMontmartreandgointothecemetery.
"Iamveryfondofcemeteries.Theyrestmeandgivemeafeelingofsadness;Ineedit.And，besides，Ihavegoodfriendsinthere，thosethatonenolongergoestocallon，andIgotherefromtimetotime.
"ItisinthiscemeteryofMontmartrethatisburiedaromanceofmylife，asweetheartwhomadeagreatimpressiononme，averyemotional，charminglittlewomanwhosememory，althoughitcausesmegreatsorrow，alsofillsmewithregrets——regretsofallkinds.AndIgotodreambesidehergrave.Shehasfinishedwithlife.
"AndthenIlikecemeteriesbecausetheyareimmensecitiesfilledtooverflowingwithinhabitants.Thinkhowmanydeadpeoplethereareinthissmallspace，thinkofallthegenerationsofParisianswhoarehousedthereforever，veritabletroglodytesenclosedintheirlittlevaults，intheirlittlegravescoveredwithastoneormarkedbyacross，whilelivingbeingstakeupsomuchroomandmakesomuchnoise——
imbecilesthattheyare"Then，again，incemeteriestherearemonumentsalmostasinterestingasinmuseums.ThetombofCavaignacremindedme，Imustconfesswithoutmakinganycomparison，ofthechefd’oeuvreofJeanGoujon：therecumbentstatueofLouisdeBrezeinthesubterraneanchapeloftheCathedralofRouen.Allmodernandrealisticarthasoriginatedthere，messieurs.
Thisdeadman，LouisdeBreze，ismorereal，moreterrible，morelikeinanimatefleshstillconvulsedwiththedeathagonythanallthetorturedcorpsesthataredistortedto—dayinfuneralmonuments.
"ButinMontmartreonecanyetadmireBaudin’smonument，whichhasadegreeofgrandeur;thatofGautier，ofMurger，onwhichIsawtheotherdayasimple，paltrywreathofimmortelles，yellowimmortelles，broughtthitherbywhom？Possiblybythelastgrisette，veryoldandnowjanitressintheneighborhood.ItisaprettylittlestatuebyMillet，butruinedbydirtandneglect.Singofyouth，OMurger！
"Well，thereIwasinMontmartreCemetery，andwasallatoncefilledwithsadness，asadnessthatisnotallpain，akindofsadnessthatmakesyouthinkwhenyouareingoodhealth，’Thisplaceisnotamusing，butmytimehasnotcomeyet.’
"Thefeelingofautumn，ofthewarmmoisturewhichisredolentofthedeathoftheleaves，andtheweakened，weary，anaemicsunincreased，whilerenderingitpoetical，thesensationofsolitudeandoffinalitythathoveredoverthisspotwhichsavorsofhumanmortality.
"Iwalkedalongslowlyamidthesestreetsoftombs，wheretheneighborsdonotvisiteachother，donotsleeptogetheranddonotreadthenewspapers.AndIbegantoreadtheepitaphs.Thatisthemostamusingthingintheworld.NeverdidLabicheorMeilhacmakemelaughasIhavelaughedatthecomicalinscriptionsontombstones.Oh，howmuchsuperiortothebooksofPauldeKockforgettingridofthespleenarethesemarbleslabsandthesecrosseswheretherelativesofthedeceasedhaveunburdenedtheirsorrow，theirdesiresforthehappinessofthevanishedonesandtheirhopeofrejoiningthem——humbugs！
"ButIloveaboveallinthiscemeterythedesertedportion，solitary，fullofgreatyewsandcypresses，theolderportion，belongingtothosedeadlongsince，andwhichwillsoonbetakenintouseagain;thegrowingtreesnourishedbythehumancorpsescutdowninordertoburyinrowsbeneathlittleslabsofmarblethosewhohavediedmorerecently.
"WhenIhadsaunteredaboutlongenoughtorefreshmymindIfeltthatI
wouldsoonhavehadenoughofitandthatImustplacethefaithfulhomageofmyremembranceonmylittlefriend’slastrestingplace.I
feltatighteningoftheheartasIreachedhergrave.Poordear，shewassodainty，solovingandsowhiteandfresh——andnow——ifoneshouldopenthegrave————
"Leaningovertheirongrating，Itoldherofmysorrowinalowtone，whichshedoubtlessdidnothear，andwasmovingawaywhenIsawawomaninblack，indeepmourning，kneelingonthenextgrave.Hercrapeveilwasturnedback，uncoveringaprettyfairhead，thehairinMadonnabandslookinglikeraysofdawnbeneathhersombreheaddress.Istayed.
"Surelyshemustbeinprofoundgrief.Shehadcoveredherfacewithherhandsand，standingthereinmeditation，rigidasastatue，givenuptohergrief，tellingthesadrosaryofherremembranceswithintheshadowofherconcealedandclosedeyes，sheherselfseemedlikeadeadpersonmourninganotherwhowasdead.Allatoncealittlemotionofherback，likeaflutterofwindthroughawillow，ledmetosupposethatshewasgoingtocry.Sheweptsoftlyatfirst，thenlouder，withquickmotionsofherneckandshoulders.Suddenlysheuncoveredhereyes.Theywerefulloftearsandcharming，theeyesofabewilderedwoman，withwhichsheglancedaboutherasifawakingfromanightmare.Shelookedatme，seemedabashedandhidherfacecompletelyinherhands.Thenshesobbedconvulsively，andherheadslowlybentdowntowardthemarble.Sheleanedherforeheadonit，andherveilspreadingaroundher，coveredthewhitecornersofthebelovedtomb，likeafreshtokenofmourning.
Iheardhersigh，thenshesankdownwithhercheekonthemarbleslabandremainedmotionless，unconscious.
"Idartedtowardher，slappedherhands，blewonhereyelids，whileI
readthissimpleepitaph：’HereliesLouis—TheodoreCarrel，CaptainofMarineInfantry，killedbytheenemyatTonquin.Prayforhim.’
"Hehaddiedsomemonthsbefore.Iwasaffectedtotearsandredoubledmyattentions.Theyweresuccessful.Sheregainedconsciousness.
Iappearedverymuchmoved.Iamnotbadlooking，Iamnotforty.Isawbyherfirstglancethatshewouldbepoliteandgrateful.Shewas，andamidmoretearsshetoldmeherhistoryindetachedfragmentsaswellashergaspingbreathwouldallow，howtheofficerwaskilledatTonquinwhentheyhadbeenmarriedayear，howshehadmarriedhimforlove，andbeinganorphan，shehadonlytheusualdowry.
"Iconsoledher，Icomfortedher，raisedherandliftedheronherfeet.
ThenIsaid：
"’Donotstayhere.Come.’
"’Iamunabletowalk，’shemurmured.
"’Iwillsupportyou.’
"’Thankyou，sir;youaregood.Didyoualsocometomournforsomeone？’
"’Yes，madame.’
"’Adeadfriend？’
"’Yes，madame.’
"’Yourwife？’
"’Afriend.’
"’Onemayloveafriendasmuchastheylovetheirwife.Lovehasnolaw.’
"’Yes，madame.’
"Andwesetofftogether，sheleaningonmyarm，whileIalmostcarriedheralongthepathsofthecemetery.Whenwegotoutsideshefaltered：
"’IfeelasifIweregoingtobeill.’
"’Wouldyouliketogoinanywhere，totakesomething？’
"’Yes，monsieur.’
"Iperceivedarestaurant，oneofthoseplaceswherethemournersofthedeadgotocelebratethefuneral.Wewentin.Imadeherdrinkacupofhottea，whichseemedtoreviveher.Afaintsmilecametoherlips.
Shebegantotalkaboutherself.Itwassad，sosadtobealwaysaloneinlife，aloneinone’shome，nightandday，tohavenooneonwhomonecanbestowaffection，confidence，intimacy.
"Thatsoundedsincere.Itsoundedprettyfromhermouth.Iwastouched.
Shewasveryyoung，perhapstwenty.Ipaidhercompliments，whichshetookingoodpart.Then，astimewaspassing，Isuggestedtakingherhomeinacarriage.Sheaccepted，andinthecabwesatsoclosethatourshoulderstouched.
"Whenthecabstoppedatherhouseshemurmured：’Idonotfeelequaltogoingupstairsalone，forIliveonthefourthfloor.Youhavebeensogood.Willyouletmetakeyourarmasfarasmyowndoor？’
"Iagreedwitheagerness.Sheascendedthestairsslowly，breathinghard.Then，aswestoodatherdoor，shesaid：
"’ComeinafewmomentssothatImaythankyou.’
"And，byJove，Iwentin.Everythingwasmodest，evenratherpoor，butsimpleandingoodtaste.
"Wesatdownsidebysideonalittlesofaandshebegantotalkagainaboutherloneliness.Sherangforhermaid，inordertooffermesomewine.Themaiddidnotcome.Iwasdelighted，thinkingthatthismaidprobablycameinthemorningonly，whatonecallsacharwoman.
"Shehadtakenoffherhat.Shewasreallypretty，andshegazedatmewithhercleareyes，gazedsohardandhereyesweresoclearthatIwasterriblytempted.Icaughtherinmyarmsandrainedkissesonhereyelids，whichsheclosedsuddenly.
"Shefreedherselfandpushedmeaway，saying：
"’Havedone，havedone.’
"ButInextkissedheronthemouthandshedidnotresist，andasourglancesmetafterthusoutragingthememoryofthecaptainkilledinTonquin，Isawthatshehadalanguid，resignedexpressionthatsetmymindatrest.
"Ibecameveryattentiveand，afterchattingforsometime，Isaid：
"’Wheredoyoudine？’
"’Inalittlerestaurantintheneighborhood：
"’Allalone？’
"’Why，yes.’
"’Willyoudinewithme？’
"’Where？’
"’InagoodrestaurantontheBoulevard.’
"Shedemurredalittle.Iinsisted.Sheyielded，sayingbywayofapologytoherself：’Iamsolonely——solonely.’Thensheadded：
"’Imustputonsomethinglesssombre，andwentintoherbedroom.Whenshereappearedshewasdressedinhalf—mourning，charming，daintyandslenderinaverysimplegraydress.Sheevidentlyhadacostumeforthecemeteryandoneforthetown.
"Thedinnerwasveryenjoyable.Shedranksomechampagne，brightenedup，grewlivelyandIwenthomewithher.
"Thisfriendship，begunamidthetombs，lastedaboutthreeweeks.Butonegetstiredofeverything，especiallyofwomen.Ileftherunderpretextofanimperativejourney.ShemademepromisethatIwouldcomeandseeheronmyreturn.Sheseemedtobereallyratherattachedtome.
"Otherthingsoccupiedmyattention，anditwasaboutamonthbeforeI
thoughtmuchaboutthislittlecemeteryfriend.However，Ididnotforgether.Therecollectionofherhauntedmelikeamystery，likeapsychologicalproblem，oneofthoseinexplicablequestionswhosesolutionbafflesus.
"Idonotknowwhy，butonedayIthoughtImightpossiblymeetherintheMontmartreCemetery，andIwentthere.
"Iwalkedaboutalongtimewithoutmeetinganybuttheordinaryvisitorstothisspot，thosewhohavenotyetbrokenoffallrelationswiththeirdead.ThegraveofthecaptainkilledatTonquinhadnomourneronitsmarbleslab，noflowers，nowreath.
"ButasIwanderedinanotherdirectionofthisgreatcityofthedeadI
perceivedsuddenly，attheendofanarrowavenueofcrosses，acoupleindeepmourningwalkingtowardme，amanandawoman.Oh，horrors！AstheyapproachedIrecognizedher.Itwasshe！
"Shesawme，blushed，andasIbrushedpasthershegavemealittlesignal，atinylittlesignalwithhereye，whichmeant：’Donotrecognizeme！’andalsoseemedtosay，’Comebacktoseemeagain，mydear！’
"Themanwasagentleman，distingue，chic，anofficeroftheLegionofHonor，aboutfiftyyearsold.HewassupportingherasIhadsupportedhermyselfwhenwewereleavingthecemetery.
"Iwentmyway，filledwithamazement，askingmyselfwhatthisallmeant，towhatraceofbeingsbelongedthishuntressofthetombs？Wasshejustacommongirl，onewhowenttoseekamongthetombsformenwhowereinsorrow，hauntedbytherecollectionofsomewoman，awifeorasweetheart，andstilltroubledbythememoryofvanishedcaresses？Wassheunique？Aretheremanysuch？Isitaprofession？Dotheyparadethecemeteryastheyparadethestreet？Orelsewassheonlyimpressedwiththeadmirable，profoundlyphilosophicalideaofexploitingloverecollections，whicharerevivedinthesefunerealplaces？
"AndIwouldhavelikedtoknowwhosewidowshewasonthatspecialday."
MADEMOISELLEPEARL
I
WhatastrangeideaitwasformetochooseMademoisellePearlforqueenthatevening！
EveryyearIcelebrateTwelfthNightwithmyoldfriendChantal.Myfather，whowashismostintimatefriend，usedtotakemeroundtherewhenIwasachild.Icontinuedthecustom，andIdoubtlessshallcontinueitaslongasIliveandaslongasthereisaChantalinthisworld.
TheChantalsleadapeculiarexistence;theyliveinParisasthoughtheywereinGrasse，Evetot，orPont—a—Mousson.
Theyhaveahousewithalittlegardenneartheobservatory.Theylivethereasthoughtheywereinthecountry.OfParis，therealParis，theyknownothingatall，theysuspectnothing;theyaresofar，sofaraway！
However，fromtimetotime，theytakeatripintoit.MademoiselleChantalgoestolayinherprovisions，asitiscalledinthefamily.
Thisishowtheygotopurchasetheirprovisions：
MademoisellePearl，whohasthekeystothekitchencloset（forthelinenclosetsareadministeredbythemistressherself），MademoisellePearlgiveswarningthatthesupplyofsugarislow，thatthepreservesaregivingout，thatthereisnotmuchleftinthebottomofthecoffeebag.
Thuswarnedagainstfamine，MademoiselleChantalpasseseverythinginreview，takingnotesonapad.ThensheputsdownalotoffiguresandgoesthroughlengthycalculationsandlongdiscussionswithMademoisellePearl.Atlasttheymanagetoagree，andtheydecideuponthequantityofeachthingofwhichtheywilllayinathreemonths’provision;sugar，rice，prunes，coffee，preserves，cansofpeas，beans，lobster，saltorsmokedfish，etc.，etc.Afterwhichthedayforthepurchasingisdeterminedonandtheygoinacabwitharailingroundthetopanddrivetoalargegrocerystoreontheothersideoftheriverinthenewsectionsofthetown.
MadameChantalandMademoisellePearlmakethistriptogether，mysteriously，andonlyreturnatdinnertime，tiredout，althoughstillexcited，andshakenupbythecab，theroofofwhichiscoveredwithbundlesandbags，likeanexpresswagon.
FortheChantalsallthatpartofParissituatedontheothersideoftheSeineconstitutesthenewquarter，asectioninhabitedbyastrange，noisypopulation，whichcareslittleforhonor，spendsitsdaysindissipation，itsnightsinrevelry，andwhichthrowsmoneyoutofthewindows.Fromtimetotime，however，theyounggirlsaretakentotheOpera—ComiqueortheTheatreFrancais，whentheplayisrecommendedbythepaperwhichisreadbyM.Chantal.
Atpresenttheyoungladiesarerespectivelynineteenandseventeen.
Theyaretwoprettygirls，tallandfresh，verywellbroughtup，infact，toowellbroughtup，somuchsothattheypassbyunperceivedliketwoprettydolls.NeverwouldtheideacometometopaytheslightestattentionortopaycourttooneoftheyoungChantalladies;theyaresoimmaculatethatonehardlydaresspeaktothem;onealmostfeelsindecentwhenbowingtothem.
Asforthefather，heisacharmingman，welleducated，frank，cordial，buthelikescalmandquietaboveallelse，andhasthuscontributedgreatlytothemummifyingofhisfamilyinordertoliveashepleasedinstagnantquiescence.Hereadsalot，lovestotalkandisreadilyaffected.Lackofcontactandofelbowingwiththeworldhasmadehismoralskinverytenderandsensitive.Theslightestthingmoveshim，exciteshim，andmakeshimsuffer.
TheChantalshavelimitedconnectionscarefullychosenintheneighborhood.Theyalsoexchangetwoorthreeyearlyvisitswithrelativeswholiveinthedistance.
Asforme，ItakedinnerwiththemonthefifteenthofAugustandonTwelfthNight.ThatisasmuchoneofmydutiesasEastercommunionisforaCatholic.
OnthefifteenthofAugustafewfriendsareinvited，butonTwelfthNightIamtheonlystranger.
Well，thisyear，aseveryformeryear，IwenttotheChantals’formyEpiphanydinner.
Accordingtomyusualcustom，IkissedM.Chantal，MadameChantalandMademoisellePearl，andImadeadeepbowtotheMissesLouiseandPauline.Iwasquestionedaboutathousandandonethings，aboutwhathadhappenedontheboulevards，aboutpolitics，abouthowmattersstoodinTong—King，andaboutourrepresentativesinParliament.MadameChantal，afatlady，whoseideasalwaysgavemetheimpressionofbeingcarvedoutsquarelikebuildingstones，wasaccustomedtoexclaimingattheendofeverypoliticaldiscussion："Allthatisseedwhichdoesnotpromisemuchforthefuture！"WhyhaveIalwaysimaginedthatMadameChantal’sideasaresquare？Idon’tknow;buteverythingthatshesaystakesthatshapeinmyhead：abigsquare，withfoursymmetricalangles.
Thereareotherpeoplewhoseideasalwaysstrikemeasbeingroundandrollinglikeahoop.Assoonastheybeginasentenceonanysubjectitrollsonandon，comingoutinten，twenty，fiftyroundideas，largeandsmall，whichIseerollingalong，onebehindtheother，totheendofthehorizon.Otherpeoplehavepointedideas——butenoughofthis.
Wesatdownasusualandfinishedourdinnerwithoutanythingoutoftheordinarybeingsaid.AtdesserttheTwelfthNightcakewasbroughton.
Now，M.Chantalhadbeenkingeveryyear.Idon’tknowwhetherthiswastheresultofcontinuedchanceorafamilyconvention，butheunfailinglyfoundthebeaninhispieceofcake，andhewouldproclaimMadameChantaltobequeen.Therefore，Iwasgreatlysurprisedtofindsomethingveryhard，whichalmostmademebreakatooth，inamouthfulofcake.GentlyItookthisthingfrommymouthandIsawthatitwasalittleporcelaindoll，nobiggerthanabean.Surprisecausedmetoexclaim：
"Ah！"Alllookedatme，andChantalclappedhishandsandcried："It’sGaston！It’sGaston！Longlivetheking！Longlivetheking！"
Alltookupthechorus："Longlivetheking！"AndIblushedtothetipofmyears，asoneoftendoes，withoutanyreasonatall，insituationswhicharealittlefoolish.Isattherelookingatmyplate，withthisabsurdlittlebitofpotteryinmyfingers，forcingmyselftolaughandnotknowingwhattodoorsay，whenChantaloncemorecriedout："Now，youmustchooseaqueen！"
ThenIwasthunderstruck.Inasecondathousandthoughtsandsuppositionsflashedthroughmymind.DidtheyexpectmetopickoutoneoftheyoungChantalladies？WasthatatricktomakemesaywhichoneI
prefer？Wasitagentle，light，directhintoftheparentstowardapossiblemarriage？Theideaofmarriageroamscontinuallyinhouseswithgrown—upgirls，andtakeseveryshapeanddisguise，andemployseverysubterfuge.AdreadofcompromisingmyselftookholdofmeaswellasanextremetimiditybeforetheobstinatelycorrectandreservedattitudeoftheMissesLouiseandPauline.Tochooseoneoftheminpreferencetotheotherseemedtomeasdifficultaschoosingbetweentwodropsofwater;andthenthefearoflaunchingmyselfintoanaffairwhichmight，inspiteofme，leadmegentlyintomatrimonialties，bymeansaswaryandimperceptibleandascalmasthisinsignificantroyalty——thefearofallthishauntedme.
SuddenlyIhadaninspiration，andIheldouttoMademoisellePearlthesymbolicalemblem.Atfirsteveryonewassurprised，thentheydoubtlessappreciatedmydelicacyanddiscretion，fortheyapplaudedfuriously.
Everybodywascrying："Longlivethequeen！Longlivethequeen！"
Asforherself，pooroldmaid，shewassoamazedthatshecompletelylostcontrolofherself;shewastremblingandstammering："No——no——oh！no——
notme——please——notme——Ibegofyou————"
ThenforthefirsttimeinmylifeIlookedatMademoisellePearlandwonderedwhatshewas.
Iwasaccustomedtoseeingherinthishouse，justasoneseesoldupholsteredarmchairsonwhichonehasbeensittingsincechildhoodwithoutevernoticingthem.Oneday，withnoreasonatall，becausearayofsunshinehappenstostriketheseat，yousuddenlythink："Why，thatchairisverycurious";andthenyoudiscoverthatthewoodhasbeenworkedbyarealartistandthatthematerialisremarkable.IhadnevertakenanynoticeofMademoisellePearl.
ShewasapartoftheChantalfamily，thatwasall.Buthow？Bywhatright？Shewasatall，thinpersonwhotriedtoremaininthebackground，butwhowasbynomeansinsignificant.Shewastreatedinafriendlymanner，betterthanahousekeeper，notsowellasarelative.
IsuddenlyobservedseveralshadesofdistinctionwhichIhadnevernoticedbefore.MadameChantalsaid："Pearl."Theyoungladies：
"MademoisellePearl，"andChantalonlyaddressedheras"Mademoiselle，"
withanairofgreaterrespect，perhaps.
Ibegantoobserveher.Howoldcouldshebe？Forty？Yes，forty.Shewasnotold，shemadeherselfold.Iwassuddenlystruckbythisfact.
Shefixedherhairanddressedinaridiculousmanner，and，notwithstandingallthat，shewasnotintheleastridiculous，shehadsuchsimple，naturalgracefulness，veiledandhidden.Truly，whatastrangecreature！HowwasitIhadneverobservedherbefore？Shedressedherhairinagrotesquemannerwithlittleoldmaidcurls，mostabsurd;butbeneaththisonecouldseealarge，calmbrow，cutbytwodeeplines，twowrinklesoflongsadness，thentwoblueeyes，largeandtender，sotimid，sobashful，sohumble，twobeautifuleyeswhichhadkepttheexpressionofnaivewonderofayounggirl，ofyouthfulsensations，andalsoofsorrow，whichhadsoftenedwithoutspoilingthem.
Herwholefacewasrefinedanddiscreet，afacetheexpressionofwhichseemedtohavegoneoutwithoutbeinguseduporfadedbythefatiguesandgreatemotionsoflife.
Whatadaintymouth！andsuchprettyteeth！Butonewouldhavethoughtthatshedidnotdaresmile.
SuddenlyIcomparedhertoMadameChantal！UndoubtedlyMademoisellePearlwasthebetterofthetwo，ahundredtimesbetter，daintier，prouder，morenoble.Iwassurprisedatmyobservation.Theywerepouringoutchampagne.Iheldmyglassuptothequeenand，withawell—
turnedcompliment，Idranktoherhealth.Icouldseethatshefeltinclinedtohideherheadinhernapkin.Then，asshewasdippingherlipsintheclearwine，everybodycried："Thequeendrinks！thequeendrinks！"Shealmostturnedpurpleandchoked.Everybodywaslaughing;
butIcouldseethatalllovedher.
AssoonasdinnerwasoverChantaltookmebythearm.Itwastimeforhiscigar，asacredhour.Whenalonehewouldsmokeitoutinthestreet;whenguestscametodinnerhewouldtakethemtothebilliardroomandsmokewhileplaying.ThateveningtheyhadbuiltafiretocelebrateTwelfthNight;myoldfriendtookhiscue，averyfineone，andchalkeditwithgreatcare;thenhesaid：
"Youbreak，myboy！"
Hecalledme"myboy，"althoughIwastwenty—five，buthehadknownmeasayoungchild.
Istartedthegameandmadeafewcarroms.Imissedsomeothers，butasthethoughtofMademoisellePearlkeptreturningtomymind，Isuddenlyasked：
"Bytheway，MonsieurChantal，isMademoisellePearlarelativeofyours？"
Greatlysurprised，hestoppedplayingandlookedatme：
"What！Don’tyouknow？Haven’tyouheardaboutMademoisellePearl？"
"No."
"Didn’tyourfatherevertellyou？"
"No."
"Well，well，that’sfunny！Thatcertainlyisfunny！Why，it’saregularromance！"
Hepaused，andthencontinued：
"Andifyouonlyknewhowpeculiaritisthatyoushouldaskmethatto—
day，onTwelfthNight！"
"Why？"
"Why？Well，listen.Forty—oneyearsagotoday，thedayoftheEpiphany，thefollowingeventsoccurred：WewerethenlivingatRoiiy—le—
Tors，ontheramparts;butinorderthatyoumayunderstand，Imustfirstexplainthehouse.Roilyisbuiltonahill，or，rather，onamoundwhichoverlooksagreatstretchofprairie.Wehadahousetherewithabeautifulhanginggardensupportedbytheoldbattlementedwall;sothatthehousewasinthetownonthestreets，whilethegardenoverlookedtheplain.Therewasadoorleadingfromthegardentotheopencountry，atthebottomofasecretstairwayinthethickwall——thekindyoureadaboutinnovels.Aroadpassedinfrontofthisdoor，whichwasprovidedwithabigbell;forthepeasants，inordertoavoidtheroundaboutway，wouldbringtheirprovisionsupthisway.
"Younowunderstandtheplace，don’tyou？Well，thisyear，atEpiphany，ithadbeensnowingforaweek.Onemighthavethoughtthattheworldwascomingtoanend.Whenwewenttotherampartstolookovertheplain，thisimmensewhite，frozencountry，whichshonelikevarnish，wouldchillourverysouls.OnemighthavethoughtthattheLordhadpackedtheworldincottontoputitawayinthestoreroomforoldworlds.Icanassureyouthatitwasdrearylooking.
"Wewereaverynumerousfamilyatthattimemyfather，mymother，myuncleandaunt，mytwobrothersandfourcousins;theywereprettylittlegirls;Imarriedtheyoungest.Ofallthatcrowd，thereareonlythreeofusleft：mywife，I，andmysister—in—law，wholivesinMarseilles.
Zounds！howquicklyafamilylikethatdwindlesaway！ItremblewhenI
thinkofit！Iwasfifteenyearsoldthen，sinceIamfifty—sixnow.
"WeweregoingtocelebratetheEpiphany，andwewereallhappy，veryhappy！Everybodywasintheparlor，awaitingdinner，andmyoldestbrother，Jacques，said：’Therehasbeenadoghowlingoutintheplainforabouttenminutes;thepoorbeastmustbelost.’
"Hehadhardlystoppedtalkingwhenthegardenbellbegantoring.Ithadthedeepsoundofachurchbell，whichmadeonethinkofdeath.A
shiverranthrougheverybody.Myfathercalledtheservantandtoldhimtogooutsideandlook.Wewaitedincompletesilence;wewerethinkingofthesnowwhichcoveredtheground.Whenthemanreturnedhedeclaredthathehadseennothing.Thedogkeptupitsceaselesshowling，andalwaysfromthesamespot.
"Wesatdowntodinner;butwewerealluneasy，especiallytheyoungpeople.Everythingwentwelluptotheroast，thenthebellbegantoringagain，threetimesinsuccession，threeheavy，longstrokeswhichvibratedtothetipsofourfingersandwhichstoppedourconversationshort.Wesattherelookingateachother，forkintheair，stilllistening，andshakenbyakindofsupernaturalfear.
"Atlastmymotherspoke：’It’ssurprisingthattheyshouldhavewaitedsolongtocomeback.Donotgoalone，Baptiste;oneofthesegentlemenwillaccompanyyou.’
"MyUncleFrancoisarose.HewasakindofHercules，veryproudofhisstrength，andfearednothingintheworld.Myfathersaidtohim：’Takeagun.Thereisnotellingwhatitmightbe.’
"Butmyuncleonlytookacaneandwentoutwiththeservant.
"Weothersremainedtheretremblingwithfearandapprehension，withouteatingorspeaking.Myfathertriedtoreassureus：’Justwaitandsee，’
hesaid;’itwillbesomebeggarorsometravellerlostinthesnow.
Afterringingonce，seeingthatthedoorwasnotimmediatelyopened，heattemptedagaintofindhisway，andbeingunableto，hehasreturnedtoourdoor.’
"Ouruncleseemedtostayawayanhour.Atlasthecameback，furious，swearing：’Nothingatall;it’ssomepracticaljoker！Thereisnothingbutthatdamneddoghowlingawayataboutahundredyardsfromthewalls.
IfIhadtakenagunIwouldhavekilledhimtomakehimkeepquiet.’
"Wesatdowntodinneragain，buteveryonewasexcited;wefeltthatallwasnotover，thatsomethingwasgoingtohappen，thatthebellwouldsoonringagain.
"ItrangjustastheTwelfthNightcakewasbeingcut.Allthemenjumpeduptogether.MyUncle，Francois，whohadbeendrinkingchampagne，sworesofuriouslythathewouldmurderit，whateveritmightbe，thatmymotherandmyauntthrewthemselvesonhimtopreventhisgoing.Myfather，althoughverycalmandalittlehelpless（helimpedeversincehehadbrokenhislegwhenthrownbyahorse），declared，inturn，thathewishedtofindoutwhatwasthematterandthathewasgoing.Mybrothers，agedeighteenandtwenty，rantogettheirguns;andasnoonewaspayinganyattentiontomeIsnatchedupalittleriflethatwasusedinthegardenandgotreadytoaccompanytheexpedition.
"Itstartedoutimmediately.MyfatherandunclewerewalkingaheadwithBaptiste，whowascarryingalantern.Mybrothers，JacquesandPaul，followed，andItrailedonbehindinspiteoftheprayersofmymother，whostoodinfrontofthehousewithhersisterandmycousins.
"Ithadbeensnowingagainforthelasthour，andthetreeswereweighteddown.Thepineswerebendingunderthisheavy，whitegarment，andlookedlikewhitepyramidsorenormoussugarcones，andthroughthegraycurtainsofsmallhurryingflakescouldbeseenthelighterbusheswhichstoodoutpaleintheshadow.Thesnowwasfallingsothickthatwecouldhardlyseetenfeetaheadofus.Butthelanternthrewabrightlightaroundus.WhenwebegantogodownthewindingstairwayinthewallIreallygrewfrightened.Ifeltasthoughsomeonewerewalkingbehindme，weregoingtograbmebytheshouldersandcarrymeaway，andIfeltastrongdesiretoreturn;but，asIwouldhavehadtocrossthegardenallalone，Ididnotdare.Iheardsomeoneopeningthedoorleadingtotheplain;myunclebegantoswearagain，exclaiming：’By———！
Hehasgoneagain！IfIcancatchsightofevenhisshadow，I’lltakecarenottomisshim，theswine！’
"Itwasadiscouragingthingtoseethisgreatexpanseofplain，or，rather，tofeelitbeforeus，forwecouldnotseeit;wecouldonlyseeathick，endlessveilofsnow，above，below，oppositeus，totheright，totheleft，everywhere.Myunclecontinued：
’Listen！Thereisthedoghowlingagain;IwillteachhimhowIshoot.
Thatwillbesomethinggained，anyhow.’
"Butmyfather，whowaskind—hearted，wenton：
’Itwillbemuchbettertogoonandgetthepooranimal，whoiscryingforhunger.Thepoorfellowisbarkingforhelp;heiscallinglikeamanindistress.Letusgotohim.’
"Sowestartedoutthroughthismist，throughthisthickcontinuousfallofsnow，whichfilledtheair，whichmoved，floated，fell，andchilledtheskinwithaburningsensationlikeasharp，rapidpainaseachflakemelted.Weweresinkinginuptoourkneesinthissoft，coldmass，andwehadtoliftourfeetveryhighinordertowalk.Asweadvancedthedog’svoicebecameclearerandstronger.Myunclecried：’Hereheis！’
Westoppedtoobservehimasonedoeswhenhemeetsanenemyatnight.
"Icouldseenothing，soIranuptotheothers，andIcaughtsightofhim;hewasfrightfulandweird—looking;hewasabigblackshepherd’sdogwithlonghairandawolf’shead，standingjustwithinthegleamoflightcastbyourlanternonthesnow.Hedidnotmove;hewassilentlywatchingus.
"Myunclesaid：’That’speculiar，heisneitheradvancingnorretreating.
Ifeelliketakingashotathim.’
"Myfatheransweredinafirmvoice：’No，wemustcapturehim.’
"ThenmybrotherJacquesadded：’Butheisnotalone.Thereissomethingbehindhim."
"Therewasindeedsomethingbehindhim，somethinggray，impossibletodistinguish.Westartedoutagaincautiously.Whenhesawusapproachingthedogsatdown.Hedidnotlookwicked.Instead，heseemedpleasedathavingbeenabletoattracttheattentionofsomeone.
"Myfatherwentstraighttohimandpettedhim.Thedoglickedhishands.Wesawthathewastiedtothewheelofalittlecarriage，asortoftoycarriageentirelywrappedupinthreeorfourwoolenblankets.
Wecarefullytookoffthesecoverings，andasBaptisteapproachedhislanterntothefrontofthislittlevehicle，whichlookedlikearollingkennel，wesawinitalittlebabysleepingpeacefully.
"Weweresoastonishedthatwecouldn’tspeak.
Myfatherwasthefirsttocollecthiswits，andashehadawarmheartandabroadmind，hestretchedhishandovertheroofofthecarriageandsaid：’Poorlittlewaif，youshallbeoneofus！’AndheorderedmybrotherJacquestorollthefoundlingaheadofus.Thinkingoutloud，myfathercontinued：
"’SomechildoflovewhosepoormotherrangatmydooronthisnightofEpiphanyinmemoryoftheChildofGod.’
"Heoncemorestoppedandcalledatthetopofhislungsthroughthenighttothefourcornersoftheheavens：’Wehavefoundit！’Then，puttinghishandonhisbrother’sshoulder，hemurmured：’Whatifyouhadshotthedog，Francois？’
"Myuncledidnotanswer，butinthedarknesshecrossedhimself，for，notwithstandinghisblusteringmanner，hewasveryreligious.
"Thedog，whichhadbeenuntied，wasfollowingus.
"Ah！Butyoushouldhaveseenuswhenwegottothehouse！Atfirstwehadalotoftroubleingettingthecarriageupthroughthewindingstairway;butwesucceededandevenrolleditintothevestibule.
"Howfunnymammawas！Howhappyandastonished！Andmyfourlittlecousins（theyoungestwasonlysix），theylookedlikefourchickensaroundanest.Atlastwetookthechildfromthecarriage.Itwasstillsleeping.Itwasagirlaboutsixweeksold.Initsclotheswefoundtenthousandfrancsingold，yes，myboy，tenthousandfrancs！——
whichpapasavedforherdowry.Therefore，itwasnotachildofpoorpeople，but，perhaps，thechildofsomenoblemanandalittlebourgeoiseofthetown——oragain——wemadeathousandsuppositions，butweneverfoundoutanything—nevertheslightestclue.Thedoghimselfwasrecognizedbynoone.Hewasastrangerinthecountry.Atanyrate，thepersonwhorangthreetimesatourdoormusthaveknownmyparentswell，tohavechosenthemthus.
"Thatishow，attheageofsixweeks，MademoisellePearlenteredtheChantalhousehold.
"ItwasnotuntillaterthatshewascalledMademoisellePearl.Shewasatfirstbaptized’MarieSimonneClaire，’Clairebeingintended，forherfamilyname.
"Icanassureyouthatourreturntothediningroomwasamusing，withthisbabynowawakeandlookingroundheratthesepeopleandtheselightswithhervaguebluequestioningeyes.
"Wesatdowntodinneragainandthecakewascut.Iwasking，andforqueenItookMademoisellePearl，justasyoudidto—day.Onthatdayshedidnotappreciatethehonorthatwasbeingshownher.
"Well，thechildwasadoptedandbroughtupinthefamily.Shegrew，andtheyearsflewby.Shewassogentleandlovingandmindedsowellthateveryonewouldhavespoiledherabominablyhadnotmymotherpreventedit.
"Mymotherwasanorderlywomanwithagreatrespectforclassdistinctions.SheconsentedtotreatlittleClaireasshedidherownsons，but，nevertheless，shewishedthedistancewhichseparatedustobewellmarked，andourpositionswellestablished.Therefore，assoonasthechildcouldunderstand，sheacquaintedherwithherstoryandgently，eventenderly，impressedonthelittleone’smindthat，fortheChantals，shewasanadopteddaughter，takenin，but，nevertheless，astranger.
Claireunderstoodthesituationwithpeculiarintelligenceandwithsurprisinginstinct;sheknewhowtotaketheplacewhichwasallottedher，andtokeepitwithsomuchtact，gracefulnessandgentlenessthatsheoftenbroughttearstomyfather’seyes.Mymotherherselfwasoftenmovedbythepassionategratitudeandtimiddevotionofthisdaintyandlovinglittlecreaturethatshebegancallingher：’Mydaughter.’Attimes，whenthelittleonehaddonesomethingkindandgood，mymotherwouldraiseherspectaclesonherforehead，athingwhichalwaysindicatedemotionwithher，andshewouldrepeat：’Thischildisapearl，aperfectpearl！’ThisnamestucktothelittleClaire，whobecameandremainedforusMademoisellePearl."
II
M.Chantalstopped.Hewassittingontheedgeofthebilliardtable，hisfeethanging，andwasplayingwithaballwithhislefthand，whilewithhisrighthecrumpledaragwhichservedtorubthechalkmarksfromtheslate.Alittleredintheface，hisvoicethick，hewastalkingawaytohimselfnow，lostinhismemories，gentlydriftingthroughtheoldscenesandeventswhichawokeinhismind，justaswewalkthrougholdfamilygardenswherewewerebroughtupandwhereeachtree，eachwalk，eachhedgeremindsusofsomeoccurrence.
Istoodoppositehimleaningagainstthewall，myhandsrestingonmyidlecue.
Afteraslightpausehecontinued：
"ByJove！Shewasprettyateighteen——andgraceful——andperfect.Ah！
Shewassosweet——andgoodandtrue——andcharming！Shehadsucheyes—
blue—transparent——clear——sucheyesasIhaveneverseensince！"
Hewasoncemoresilent.Iasked："Whydidshenevermarry？"
Heanswered，nottome，buttotheword"marry"whichhadcaughthisear：
"Why？why？Sheneverwould——sheneverwould！Shehadadowryofthirtythousandfrancs，andshereceivedseveraloffers——butsheneverwould！
Sheseemedsadatthattime.ThatwaswhenImarriedmycousin，littleCharlotte，mywife，towhomIhadbeenengagedforsixyears."
IlookedatM.Chantal，anditseemedtomethatIwaslookingintohisverysoul，andIwassuddenlywitnessingoneofthosehumbleandcrueltragediesofhonest，straightforward，blamelesshearts，oneofthosesecrettragediesknowntonoone，noteventhesilentandresignedvictims.Arashcuriositysuddenlyimpelledmetoexclaim：
"Youshouldhavemarriedher，MonsieurChantal！"
Hestarted，lookedatme，andsaid：
"I？Marrywhom？"
"MademoisellePearl."
"Why？"
"Becauseyoulovedhermorethanyourcousin."
Hestaredatmewithstrange，round，bewilderedeyesandstammered：
"Ilovedher——I？How？Whotoldyouthat？"
"Why，anyonecanseethat——andit’sevenonaccountofherthatyoudelayedforsolongyourmarriagetoyourcousinwhohadbeenwaitingforyouforsixyears."
Hedroppedtheballwhichhewasholdinginhislefthand，and，seizingthechalkraginbothhands，heburiedhisfaceinitandbegantosob.
Hewasweepingwithhiseyes，noseandmouthinaheartbreakingyetridiculousmanner，likeaspongewhichonesqueezes.Hewascoughing，spittingandblowinghisnoseinthechalkrag，wipinghiseyesandsneezing;thenthetearswouldagainbegintoflowdownthewrinklesonhisfaceandhewouldmakeastrangegurglingnoiseinhisthroat.
Ifeltbewildered，ashamed;Iwantedtorunaway，andInolongerknewwhattosay，do，orattempt.
SuddenlyMadameChantal’svoicesoundedonthestairs."Haven’tyoumenalmostfinishedsmokingyourcigars？"
Iopenedthedoorandcried："Yes，madame，wearecomingrightdown."
ThenIrushedtoherhusband，and，seizinghimbytheshoulders，Icried：
"MonsieurChantal，myfriendChantal，listentome;yourwifeiscalling;
pullyourselftogether，wemustgodownstairs."
Hestammered："Yes——yes——Iamcoming——poorgirl！Iamcoming——tellherthatIamcoming."
Hebeganconscientiouslytowipehisfaceontheclothwhich，forthelasttwoorthreeyears，hadbeenusedformarkingoffthechalkfromtheslate;thenheappeared，halfwhiteandhalfred，hisforehead，nose，cheeksandchincoveredwithchalk，andhiseyesswollen，stillfulloftears.
Icaughthimbythehandsanddraggedhimintohisbedroom，muttering："I
begyourpardon，Ibegyourpardon，MonsieurChantal，forhavingcausedyousuchsorrow——but——Ididnotknow——you——youunderstand."
Hesqueezedmyhand，saying："Yes——yes——therearedifficultmoments."
Thenheplungedhisfaceintoabowlofwater.Whenheemergedfromithedidnotyetseemtometobepresentable;butIthoughtofalittlestratagem.Ashewasgrowingworried，lookingathimselfinthemirror，Isaidtohim："Allyouhavetodoistosaythatalittledustflewintoyoureyeandyoucancrybeforeeverybodytoyourheart’scontent."
Hewentdownstairsrubbinghiseyeswithhishandkerchief.Allwereworried;eachonewishedtolookforthespeck，whichcouldnotbefound;
andstoriesweretoldofsimilarcaseswhereithadbeennecessarytocallinaphysician.
IwentovertoMademoisellePearlandwatchedher，tormentedbyanardentcuriosity，whichwasturningtopositivesuffering.Shemustindeedhavebeenpretty，withhergentle，calmeyes，solargethatitlookedasthoughsheneverclosedthemlikeothermortals.Hergownwasalittleridiculous，arealoldmaid’sgown，whichwasunbecomingwithoutappearingclumsy.
ItseemedtomeasthoughIwerelookingintohersoul，justasIhadintoMonsieurChantal’s;thatIwaslookingrightfromoneendtotheotherofthishumblelife，sosimpleanddevoted.Ifeltanirresistiblelongingtoquestionher，tofindoutwhethershe，too，hadlovedhim;
whethershealsohadsuffered，ashehad，fromthislong，secret，poignantgrief，whichonecannotsee，know，orguess，butwhichbreaksforthatnightinthelonelinessofthedarkroom.Iwaswatchingher，andIcouldobserveherheartbeatingunderherwaist，andIwonderedwhetherthissweet，candidfacehadweptonthesoftpillowandshehadsobbed，herwholebodyshakenbytheviolenceofheranguish.
Isaidtoherinalowvoice，likeachildwhoisbreakingatoytoseewhatisinside："IfyoucouldhaveseenMonsieurChantalcryingawhileagoitwouldhavemovedyou."
Shestarted，asking："What？Hewasweeping？"
"Ah，yes，hewasindeedweeping！"
"Why？"
Sheseemeddeeplymoved.Ianswered：
"Onyouraccount."
"Onmyaccount？"
"Yes.Hewastellingmehowmuchhehadlovedyouinthedaysgoneby;
andwhatapangithadgivenhimtomarryhiscousininsteadofyou."
Herpalefaceseemedtogrowalittlelonger;hercalmeyes，whichalwaysremainedopen，suddenlyclosedsoquicklythattheyseemedshutforever.
Sheslippedfromherchairtothefloor，andslowly，gentlysankdownaswouldafallengarment.
Icried："Help！help！MademoisellePearlisill."
MadameChantalandherdaughtersrushedforward，andwhiletheywerelookingfortowels，waterandvinegar，Igrabbedmyhatandranaway.
Iwalkedawaywithrapidstrides，myheartheavy，mymindfullofremorseandregret.AndyetsometimesIfeltpleased;IfeltasthoughIhaddoneapraiseworthyandnecessaryact.Iwasaskingmyself："DidIdowrongorright？"Theyhadthatshutupintheirhearts，justassomepeoplecarryabulletinaclosedwound.Willtheynotbehappiernow？
Itwastoolatefortheirtorturetobeginoveragainandearlyenoughforthemtorememberitwithtenderness.
Andperhapssomeeveningnextspring，movedbyabeamofmoonlightfallingthroughthebranchesonthegrassattheirfeet，theywilljoinandpresstheirhandsinmemoryofallthiscruelandsuppressedsuffering;and，perhaps，alsothisshortembracemayinfuseintheirveinsalittleofthisthrillwhichtheywouldnothaveknownwithoutit，andwillgivetothosetwodeadsouls，broughttolifeinasecond，therapidanddivinesensationofthisintoxication，ofthismadnesswhichgivestoloversmorehappinessinaninstantthanothermencangatherduringawholelifetime！
THETHIEF
Whileapparentlythinkingofsomethingelse，Dr.SorbierhadbeenlisteningquietlytothoseamazingaccountsofburglariesanddaringdeedsthatmighthavebeentakenfromthetrialofCartouche.
"Assuredly，"heexclaimed，"assuredly，Iknowofnovilerfaultnoranymeaneractionthantoattackagirl’sinnocence，tocorrupther，toprofitbyamomentofunconsciousweaknessandofmadness，whenherheartisbeatinglikethatofafrightenedfawn，andherpurelipsseekthoseofhertempter;whensheabandonsherselfwithoutthinkingoftheirremediablestain，norofherfall，norofthemorrow.
"Themanwhohasbroughtthisaboutslowly，viciously，whocantellwithwhatscienceofevil，andwho，insuchacase，hasnotsteadinessandself—restraintenoughtoquenchthatflamebysomeicywords，whohasnotsenseenoughfortwo，whocannotrecoverhisself—possessionandmastertherunawaybrutewithinhim，andwholoseshisheadontheedgeoftheprecipiceoverwhichsheisgoingtofall，isascontemptibleasanymanwhobreaksopenalock，orasanyrascalonthelookoutforahouseleftdefencelessandunprotectedorforsomeeasyanddishoneststrokeofbusiness，orasthatthiefwhosevariousexploitsyouhavejustrelatedtous.
"I，formypart，utterlyrefusetoabsolvehim，evenwhenextenuatingcircumstancespleadinhisfavor，evenwhenheiscarryingonadangerousflirtation，inwhichamantriesinvaintokeephisbalance，nottoexceedthelimitsofthegame，anymorethanatlawntennis;evenwhenthepartsareinvertedandaman’sadversaryissomeprecocious，curious，seductivegirl，whoshowsyouimmediatelythatshehasnothingtolearnandnothingtoexperience，exceptthelastchapteroflove，oneofthosegirlsfromwhommayfatealwayspreserveoursons，andwhomapsychologicalnovelwriterhaschristened’TheSemi—Virgins.’
"Itis，ofcourse，difficultandpainfulforthatcoarseandunfathomablevanitywhichischaracteristicofeveryman，andwhichmightbecalled’malism’，nottostirsuchacharmingfire，difficulttoacttheJosephandthefool，toturnawayhiseyes，and，asitwere，toputwaxintohisears，likethecompanionsofUlysseswhentheywereattractedbythedivine，seductivesongsoftheSirens，difficultonlytotouchthatprettytablecoveredwithaperfectlynewcloth，atwhichyouareinvitedtotakeaseatbeforeanyoneelse，insuchasuggestivevoice，andarerequestedtoquenchyourthirstandtotastethatnewwine，whosefreshandstrangeflavoryouwillneverforget.Butwhowouldhesitatetoexercisesuchself—restraintif，whenherapidlyexamineshisconscience，inoneofthoseinstinctivereturnstohissoberselfinwhichamanthinksclearlyandrecovershishead，heweretomeasurethegravityofhisfault，considerit，thinkofitsconsequences，ofthereprisals，oftheuneasinesswhichhewouldalwaysfeelinthefuture，andwhichwoulddestroythereposeandhappinessofhislife？
"Youmayguessthatbehindallthesemoralreflections，suchasagraybeardlikemyselfmayindulgein，thereisastoryhidden，and，sadasitis，Iamsureitwillinterestyouonaccountofthestrangeheroismitshows."
Hewassilentforafewmoments，asiftoclassifyhisrecollections，and，withhiselbowsrestingonthearmsofhiseasy—chairandhiseyeslookingintospace，hecontinuedintheslowvoiceofahospitalprofessorwhoisexplainingacasetohisclassofmedicalstudents，atabedside：
"Hewasoneofthosemenwho，asourgrandfathersusedtosay，nevermetwithacruelwoman，thetypeoftheadventurousknightwhowasalwaysforaging，whohadsomethingofthescampabouthim，butwhodespiseddangerandwasboldeventorashness.Hewasardentinthepursuitofpleasure，andhadanirresistiblecharmabouthim，oneofthosemeninwhomweexcusethegreatestexcessesasthemostnaturalthingsintheworld.Hehadrunthroughallhismoneyatgamblingandwithprettygirls，andsobecame，asitwere，asoldieroffortune.Heamusedhimselfwheneverandhoweverhecould，andwasatthattimequarteredatVersailles.
"Iknewhimtotheverydepthsofhischildlikeheart，whichwasonlytooeasilyseenthroughandsounded，andIlovedhimassomeoldbachelorunclelovesanephewwhoplayshimtricks，butwhoknowshowtocoaxhim.
Hehadmademehisconfidantratherthanhisadviser，keptmeinformedofhisslightestpranks，thoughhealwayspretendedtobespeakingaboutoneofhisfriends，andnotabouthimself;andImustconfessthathisyouthfulimpetuosity，hiscarelessgaiety，andhisamorousardorsometimesdistractedmythoughtsandmademeenvythehandsome，vigorousyoungfellowwhowassohappyatbeingalive，thatIhadnotthecouragetocheckhim，toshowhimtherightroad，andtocallouttohim：’Takecare！’aschildrendoatblindman’sbuff.
"Andoneday，afteroneofthoseinterminablecotillons，wherethecouplesdonotleaveeachotherforhours，andcandisappeartogetherwithoutanybodythinkingofnoticingthem，thepoorfellowatlastdiscoveredwhatlovewas，thatreallovewhichtakesupitsabodeintheverycentreoftheheartandinthebrain，andisproudofbeingthere，andwhichruleslikeasovereignandatyrannousmaster，andhebecamedesperatelyenamoredofaprettybutbadlybroughtupgirl，whowasasdisquietingandwaywardasshewaspretty.
"Shelovedhim，however，orrathersheidolizedhimdespotically，madly，withallherenrapturedsoulandallherbeing.Lefttodoasshepleasedbyimprudentandfrivolousparents，sufferingfromneurosis，inconsequenceoftheunwholesomefriendshipswhichshecontractedattheconventschool，instructedbywhatshesawandheardandknewwasgoingonaroundher，inspiteofherdeceitfulandartificialconduct，knowingthatneitherherfathernorhermother，whowereveryproudoftheirraceaswellasavaricious，wouldeveragreetolethermarrythemanwhomshehadtakenalikingto，thathandsomefellowwhohadlittlebesidesvision，ideasanddebts，andwhobelongedtothemiddle—class，shelaidasideallscruples，thoughtofnothingbutofbecominghis，nomatterwhatmightbethecost.
"Bydegrees，theunfortunateman’sstrengthgaveway，hisheartsoftened，andheallowedhimselftobecarriedawaybythatcurrentwhichbuffetedhim，surroundedhim，andlefthimontheshorelikeawaifandastray.
"Theywrotelettersfullofmadnesstoeachother，andnotadaypassedwithouttheirmeeting，eitheraccidentally，asitseemed，oratpartiesandballs.Shehadyieldedherlipstohiminlong，ardentcaresses，whichhadsealedtheircompactofmutualpassion."
Thedoctorstopped，andhiseyessuddenlyfilledwithtears，astheseformertroublescamebacktohismind;andthen，inahoarsevoice，hewenton，fullofthehorrorofwhathewasgoingtorelate：
"Formonthshescaledthegardenwall，and，holdinghisbreathandlisteningfortheslightestnoise，likeaburglarwhoisgoingtobreakintoahouse，hewentinbytheservants’entrance，whichshehadleftopen，slunkbarefootdownalongpassageandupthebroadstaircase，whichcreakedoccasionally，tothesecondstory，wherehissweetheart’sroomwas，andstayedthereforhours.
"Onenight，whenitwasdarkerthanusual，andhewashurryinglestheshouldbelaterthanthetimeagreedon，heknockedupagainstapieceoffurnitureintheanteroomandupsetit.Itsohappenedthatthegirl’smotherhadnotgonetosleep，eitherbecauseshehadasickheadache，orelsebecauseshehadsatuplateoversomenovel，and，frightenedatthatunusualnoisewhichdisturbedthesilenceofthehouse，shejumpedoutofbed，openedthedoor，sawsomeoneindistinctlyrunningawayandkeepingclosetothewall，and，immediatelythinkingthattherewereburglarsinthehouse，shearousedherhusbandandtheservantsbyherfranticscreams.Theunfortunatemanunderstoodthesituation;and，seeingwhataterriblefixhewasin，andpreferringtobetakenforacommonthieftodishonoringhisadoredone’sname，heranintothedrawing—room，feltonthetablesandwhat—nots，filledhispocketsatrandomwithvaluablebric—a—brac，andthencowereddownbehindthegrandpiano，whichbarredthecornerofalargeroom.
"Theservants，whohadruninwithlightedcandles，foundhim，and，overwhelminghimwithabuse，seizedhimbythecollaranddraggedhim，pantingandapparentlyhalfdeadwithshameandterror，tothenearestpolicestation.Hedefendedhimselfwithintentionalawkwardnesswhenhewasbroughtupfortrial，keptuphispartwiththemostperfectself—
possessionandwithoutanysignsofthedespairandanguishthathefeltinhisheart，and，condemnedanddegradedandmadetosuffermartyrdominhishonorasamanandasoldier——hewasanofficer——hedidnotprotest，butwenttoprisonasoneofthosecriminalswhomsocietygetsridoflikenoxiousvermin.
"Hediedthereofmiseryandofbitternessofspirit，withthenameofthefair—hairedidol，forwhomhehadsacrificedhimself，onhislips，asifithadbeenanecstaticprayer，andheintrustedhiswill’tothepriestwhoadministeredextremeunctiontohim，andrequestedhimtogiveittome.Init，withoutmentioninganybody，andwithoutintheleastliftingtheveil，heatlastexplainedtheenigma，andclearedhimselfofthoseaccusationstheterribleburdenofwhichhehadborneuntilhislastbreath.
"Ihavealwaysthoughtmyself，thoughIdonotknowwhy，thatthegirlmarriedandhadseveralcharmingchildren，whomshebroughtupwiththeausterestrictnessandintheseriouspietyofformerdays！"
CLAIRDELUNE
AbbeMarignan’smartialnamesuitedhimwell.Hewasatall，thinpriest，fanatic，excitable，yetupright.Allhisbeliefswerefixed，nevervarying.HebelievedsincerelythatheknewhisGod，understoodHisplans，desiresandintentions.
Whenhewalkedwithlongstridesalongthegardenwalkofhislittlecountryparsonage，hewouldsometimesaskhimselfthequestion："WhyhasGoddonethis？"Andhewoulddwellonthiscontinually，puttinghimselfintheplaceofGod，andhealmostinvariablyfoundananswer.Hewouldneverhavecriedoutinanoutburstofpioushumility："Thyways，OLord，arepastfindingout."
Hesaidtohimself："IamtheservantofGod;itisrightformetoknowthereasonofHisdeeds，ortoguessitifIdonotknowit."
Everythinginnatureseemedtohimtohavebeencreatedinaccordancewithanadmirableandabsolutelogic.The"whys"and"becauses"alwaysbalanced.Dawnwasgiventomakeourawakeningpleasant，thedaystoripentheharvest，therainstomoistenit，theeveningsforpreparationforslumber，andthedarknightsforsleep.
Thefourseasonscorrespondedperfectlytotheneedsofagriculture，andnosuspicionhadevercometothepriestofthefactthatnaturehasnointentions;that，onthecontrary，everythingwhichexistsmustconformtotheharddemandsofseasons，climatesandmatter.
Buthehatedwoman——hatedherunconsciously，anddespisedherbyinstinct.HeoftenrepeatedthewordsofChrist："Woman，whathaveItodowiththee？"andhewouldadd："ItseemsasthoughGod，Himself，weredissatisfiedwiththisworkofHis."Shewasthetempterwholedthefirstmanastray，andwhosincethenhadeverbeenbusywithherworkofdamnation，thefeeblecreature，dangerousandmysteriouslyaffectingone.
Andevenmorethantheirsinfulbodies，hehatedtheirlovinghearts.
Hehadoftenfelttheirtendernessdirectedtowardhimself，andthoughheknewthathewasinvulnerable，hegrewangryatthisneedoflovethatisalwaysvibratinginthem.
Accordingtohisbelief，Godhadcreatedwomanforthesolepurposeoftemptingandtestingman.Onemustnotapproachherwithoutdefensiveprecautionsandfearofpossiblesnares.Shewas，indeed，justlikeasnare，withherlipsopenandherarmsstretchedouttoman.
Hehadnoindulgenceexceptfornuns，whomtheirvowshadrenderedinoffensive;buthewassternwiththem，nevertheless，becausehefeltthatatthebottomoftheirfetteredandhumbleheartstheeverlastingtendernesswasburningbrightly——thattendernesswhichwasshowneventohim，apriest.
Hefeltthiscursedtenderness，evenintheirdocility，inthelowtonesoftheirvoiceswhenspeakingtohim，intheirloweredeyes，andintheirresignedtearswhenhereprovedthemroughly.Andhewouldshakehiscassockonleavingtheconventdoors，andwalkoff，lengtheninghisstrideasthoughflyingfromdanger.
Hehadaniecewholivedwithhermotherinalittlehousenearhim.Hewasbentuponmakingasisterofcharityofher.
Shewasapretty，brainlessmadcap.Whentheabbepreachedshelaughed，andwhenhewasangrywithhershewouldgivehimahug，drawinghimtoherheart，whilehesoughtunconsciouslytoreleasehimselffromthisembracewhichneverthelessfilledhimwithasweetpleasure，awakeninginhisdepthsthesensationofpaternitywhichslumbersineveryman.
Often，whenwalkingbyherside，alongthecountryroad，hewouldspeaktoherofGod，ofhisGod.Sheneverlistenedtohim，butlookedaboutheratthesky，thegrassandflowers，andonecouldseethejoyoflifesparklinginhereyes.Sometimesshewoulddartforwardtocatchsomeflyingcreature，cryingoutasshebroughtitback："Look，uncle，howprettyitis！Iwanttohugit！"Andthisdesireto"hug"fliesorlilacblossomsdisquieted，angered，androusedthepriest，whosaw，eveninthis，theineradicabletendernessthatisalwaysbuddinginwomen’shearts.
Thentherecameadaywhenthesexton’swife，whokepthouseforAbbeMarignan，toldhim，withcaution，thathisniecehadalover.
