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Theservantherselfgazedathermasterwithawestruckeyesasshethoughtofhimridingalongsidethecarriage，andatmeal—timesshelistenedwithallherearswhilehespokeofridingandrecountedtheexploitsofhisyouth，whenhelivedathomewithhisfather.Oh，hehadlearnedinagoodschool，andoncehefelthissteedbetweenhislegshefearednothing——nothingwhatever！
Rubbinghishands，herepeatedgailytohiswife：
"IfonlytheywouldgivemearestiveanimalIshouldbeallthebetterpleased.You’llseehowwellIcanride;andifyoulikewe’llcomebackbytheChamps—ElyseesjustasallthepeoplearereturningfromtheBois.
Asweshallmakeagoodappearance，Ishouldn’tatallobjecttomeetingsomeonefromtheministry.Thatisallthatisnecessarytoinsuretherespectofone’schiefs."
Onthedayappointedthecarriageandtheridinghorsearrivedatthesamemomentbeforethedoor.Hectorwentdownimmediatelytoexaminehismount.Hehadhadstrapssewntohistrousersandflourishedinhishandawhiphehadboughttheeveningbefore.
Heraisedthehorse’slegsandfeltthemoneafteranother，passedhishandovertheanimal’sneck，flankandhocks，openedhismouth，examinedhisteeth，declaredhisage;andthen，thewholehouseholdhavingcollectedroundhim，hedeliveredadiscourseonthehorseingeneralandthespecimenbeforehiminparticular，pronouncingthelatterexcellentineveryrespect.
Whentherestofthepartyhadtakentheirseatsinthecarriageheexaminedthesaddle—girth;then，puttinghisfootinthestirrup，hesprangtothesaddle.Theanimalbegantocurvetandnearlythrewhisrider.
Hector，notaltogetherathisease，triedtosoothehim：
"Come，come，goodhorse，gentlynow！"
Then，whenthehorsehadrecoveredhisequanimityandtheriderhisnerve，thelatterasked：
"Areyouready？"
Theoccupantsofthecarriagerepliedwithonevoice：
"Yes."
"Forward！"hecommanded.
Andthecavalcadesetout.
Alllookswerecenteredonhim.HetrottedintheEnglishstyle，risingunnecessarilyhighinthesaddle;lookingattimesasifheweremountingintospace.Sometimesheseemedonthepointoffallingforwardonthehorse’smane;hiseyeswerefixed，hisfacedrawn，hischeekspale.
Hiswife，holdingoneofthechildrenonherknees，andtheservant，whowascarryingtheother，continuallycriedout：
"Lookatpapa！lookatpapa！"
Andthetwoboys，intoxicatedbythemotionofthecarriage，bytheirdelightandbythekeenair，utteredshrillcries.Thehorse，frightenedbythenoisetheymade，startedoffatagallop，andwhileHectorwastryingtocontrolhissteedhishatfelloff，andthedriverhadtogetdownandpickitup.Whentheequestrianhadrecoveredithecalledtohiswifefromadistance：
"Don’tletthechildrenshoutlikethat！They’llmakethehorsebolt！"
TheylunchedonthegrassintheVesinetwoods，havingbroughtprovisionswiththeminthecarriage.
Althoughthedriverwaslookingafterthethreehorses，Hectorroseeveryminutetoseeifhisownlackedanything;hepattedhimontheneckandfedhimwithbread，cakesandsugar.
"He’sanunequaltrotter，"hedeclared."Hecertainlyshookmeupalittleatfirst，but，asyousaw，Isoongotusedtoit.Heknowshismasternowandwon’tgiveanymoretrouble."
Ashadbeendecided，theyreturnedbytheChamps—Elysees.
Thatspaciousthoroughfareliterallyswarmedwithvehiclesofeverykind，andonthesidewalksthepedestriansweresonumerousthattheylookedliketwoindeterminateblackribbonsunfurlingtheirlengthfromtheArcdeTriomphetothePlacedelaConcorde.Afloodofsunlightplayedonthisgayscene，makingthevarnishofthecarriages，thesteeloftheharnessandthehandlesofthecarriagedoorsshinewithdazzlingbrilliancy.
Anintoxicationoflifeandmotionseemedtohaveinvadedthisassemblageofhumanbeings，carriagesandhorses.InthedistancetheoutlinesoftheObeliskcouldbediscernedinacloudofgoldenvapor.
AssoonasHector’shorsehadpassedtheArcdeTriomphehebecamesuddenlyimbuedwithfreshenergy，and，realizingthathisstablewasnotfaroff，begantotrotrapidlythroughthemazeofwheels，despiteallhisrider’seffortstorestrainhim.
Thecarriagewasnowfarbehind.WhenthehorsearrivedoppositethePalaisdel’Industriehesawaclearfieldbeforehim，and，turningtotheright，setoffatagallop.
Anoldwomanwearinganapronwascrossingtheroadinleisurelyfashion.
ShehappenedtobejustinHector’swayashearrivedonthesceneridingatfullspeed.Powerlesstocontrolhismount，heshoutedatthetopofhisvoice：
"Hi！Lookoutthere！Hi！"
Shemusthavebeendeaf，forshecontinuedpeacefullyonherwayuntiltheawfulmomentwhen，struckbythehorse’schestasbyalocomotiveunderfullsteam，sherolledtenpacesoff，turningthreesomersaultsontheway.
Voicesyelled：
"Stophim！"
Hector，franticwithterror，clungtothehorse’smaneandshouted：
"Help！help！"
Aterriblejolthurledhim，asifshotfromagun，overhishorse’searsandcasthimintothearmsofapolicemanwhowasrunninguptostophim.
Inthespaceofasecondafurious，gesticulating，vociferatinggrouphadgatheredroundhim.Anoldgentlemanwithawhitemustache，wearingalargerounddecoration，seemedparticularlyexasperated.Herepeated：
"Confoundit！Whenamanisasawkwardasallthatheshouldremainathomeandnotcomekillingpeopleinthestreets，ifhedoesn’tknowhowtohandleahorse."
Fourmenarrivedonthescene，carryingtheoldwoman.Sheappearedtobedead.Herskinwaslikeparchment，hercapononesideandshewascoveredwithdust.
"Takehertoadruggist’s，"orderedtheoldgentleman，"andletusgotothecommissaryofpolice."
Hectorstartedonhiswaywithapolicemanoneithersideofhim，athirdwasleadinghishorse.Acrowdfollowedthem——andsuddenlythewagonetteappearedinsight.Hiswifealightedinconsternation，theservantlostherhead，thechildrenwhimpered.Heexplainedthathewouldsoonbeathome，thathehadknockedawomandownandthattherewasnotmuchthematter.Andhisfamily，distractedwithanxiety，wentontheirway.
Whentheyarrivedbeforethecommissarytheexplanationtookplaceinfewwords.Hegavehisname——HectordeGribelin，employedattheMinistryofMarine;andthentheyawaitednewsoftheinjuredwoman.Apolicemanwhohadbeensenttoobtaininformationreturned，sayingthatshehadrecoveredconsciousness，butwascomplainingoffrightfulinternalpain.
Shewasacharwoman，sixty—fiveyearsofage，namedMadameSimon.
WhenheheardthatshewasnotdeadHectorregainedhopeandpromisedtodefrayherdoctor’sbill.Thenhehastenedtothedruggist’s.Thedoorwaywasthronged;theinjuredwoman，huddledinanarmchair，wasgroaning.Herarmshungathersides，herfacewasdrawn.Twodoctorswerestillengagedinexaminingher.Noboneswerebroken，buttheyfearedsomeinternallesion.
Hectoraddressedher：
"Doyousuffermuch？"
"Oh，yes！"
"Whereisthepain？"
"Ifeelasifmystomachwereonfire."
Adoctorapproached.
"Areyouthegentlemanwhocausedtheaccident？"
"Iam."
"Thiswomanoughttobesenttoahome.Iknowonewheretheywouldtakeheratsixfrancsaday.Wouldyoulikemetosendherthere？"
Hectorwasdelightedattheidea，thankedhimandreturnedhomemuchrelieved.
Hiswife，dissolvedintears，wasawaitinghim.Hereassuredher.
"It’sallright.ThisMadameSimonisbetteralreadyandwillbequitewellintwoorthreedays.Ihavesenthertoahome.It’sallright."
WhenhelefthisofficethenextdayhewenttoinquireforMadameSimon.
Hefoundhereatingrichsoupwithanairofgreatsatisfaction.
"Well？"saidhe.
"Oh，sir，"shereplied，"I’mjustthesame.Ifeelsortofcrushed——notabitbetter."
Thedoctordeclaredtheymustwaitandsee;somecomplicationorothermightarise.
Hectorwaitedthreedays，thenhereturned.Theoldwoman，fresh—facedandclear—eyed，begantowhinewhenshesawhim：
"Ican’tmove，sir;Ican’tmoveabit.Ishallbelikethisfortherestofmydays."
AshudderpassedthroughHector’sframe.Heaskedforthedoctor，whomerelyshruggedhisshouldersandsaid：
"WhatcanIdo？Ican’ttellwhat’swrongwithher.Sheshriekswhentheytrytoraiseher.Theycan’tevenmoveherchairfromoneplacetoanotherwithoutherutteringthemostdistressingcries.Iamboundtobelievewhatshetellsme;Ican’tlookintoherinside.SolongasI
havenochanceofseeingherwalkIamnotjustifiedinsupposinghertobetellingliesaboutherself."
Theoldwomanlistened，motionless，amaliciousgleaminhereyes.
Aweekpassed，thenafortnight，thenamonth.MadameSimondidnotleaveherarmchair.Sheatefrommorningtonight，grewfat，chattedgailywiththeotherpatientsandseemedtoenjoyherimmobilityasifitweretheresttowhichshewasentitledafterfiftyyearsofgoingupanddownstairs，ofturningmattresses，ofcarryingcoalfromonestorytoanother，ofsweepinganddusting.
Hector，athiswits’end，cametoseehereveryday.Everydayhefoundhercalmandserene，declaring：
"Ican’tmove，sir;Ishallneverbeabletomoveagain."
EveryeveningMadamedeGribelin，devouredwithanxiety，said：
"HowisMadameSimon？"
Andeverytimeherepliedwitharesignationbornofdespair：
"Justthesame;nochangewhatever.
Theydismissedtheservant，whosewagestheycouldnolongerafford.
Theyeconomizedmorerigidlythanever.Thewholeoftheextrapayhadbeenswallowedup.
ThenHectorsummonedfournoteddoctors，whometinconsultationovertheoldwoman.Sheletthemexamineher，feelher，soundher，watchingthemthewhilewithacunningeye.
"Wemustmakeherwalk，"saidone.
"But，sirs，Ican’t！"shecried."Ican’tmove！"
Thentheytookholdofher，raisedheranddraggedherashortdistance，butsheslippedfromtheirgraspandfelltothefloor，groaningandgivingventtosuchheartrendingcriesthattheycarriedherbacktoherseatwithinfinitecareandprecaution.
Theypronouncedaguardedopinion——agreeing，however，thatworkwasanimpossibilitytoher.
AndwhenHectorbroughtthisnewstohiswifeshesankonachair，murmuring：
"Itwouldbebettertobringherhere;itwouldcostusless."
Hestartedinamazement.
"Here？Inourownhouse？Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing？"
Butshe，resignednowtoanything，repliedwithtearsinhereyes：
"Butwhatcanwedo，mylove？It’snotmyfault！"
USELESSBEAUTY
I
Abouthalf—pastfiveoneafternoonattheendofJunewhenthesunwasshiningwarmandbrightintothelargecourtyard，averyelegantvictoriawithtwobeautifulblackhorsesdrewupinfrontofthemansion.
TheComtessedeMascaretcamedownthestepsjustasherhusband，whowascominghome，appearedinthecarriageentrance.Hestoppedforafewmomentstolookathiswifeandturnedratherpale.Thecountesswasverybeautiful，gracefulanddistinguishedlooking，withherlongovalface，hercomplexionlikeyellowivory，herlargegrayeyesandherblackhair;andshegotintohercarriagewithoutlookingathim，withoutevenseemingtohavenoticedhim，withsuchaparticularlyhigh—bredair，thatthefuriousjealousybywhichhehadbeendevouredforsolongagaingnawedathisheart.Hewentuptoherandsaid："Youaregoingforadrive？"
Shemerelyreplieddisdainfully："YouseeIam！"
"IntheBoisdeBoulogne？"
"Mostprobably."
"MayIcomewithyou？"
"Thecarriagebelongstoyou."
Withoutbeingsurprisedatthetoneinwhichsheansweredhim，hegotinandsatdownbyhiswife’ssideandsaid："BoisdeBoulogne."Thefootmanjumpedupbesidethecoachman，andthehorsesasusualprancedandtossedtheirheadsuntiltheywereinthestreet.Husbandandwifesatsidebysidewithoutspeaking.Hewasthinkinghowtobeginaconversation，butshemaintainedsuchanobstinatelyhardlookthathedidnotventuretomaketheattempt.Atlast，however，hecunningly，accidentallyasitwere，touchedthecountess’glovedhandwithhisown，butshedrewherarmawaywithamovementwhichwassoexpressiveofdisgustthatheremainedthoughtful，inspiteofhisusualauthoritativeanddespoticcharacter，andhesaid："Gabrielle！"
"Whatdoyouwant？"
"Ithinkyouarelookingadorable."
Shedidnotreply，butremainedlyingbackinthecarriage，lookinglikeanirritatedqueen.BythattimetheyweredrivinguptheChampsElysees，towardtheArcdeTriomphe.Thatimmensemonument，attheendofthelongavenue，raiseditscolossalarchagainsttheredskyandthesunseemedtobedescendingonit，showeringfierydustonitfromthesky.
Thestreamofcarriages，withdashesofsunlightreflectedinthesilvertrappingsoftheharnessandtheglassofthelamps，flowedoninadoublecurrenttowardthetownandtowardtheBois，andtheComtedeMascaretcontinued："MydearGabrielle！"
Unabletocontrolherselfanylonger，sherepliedinanexasperatedvoice："Oh！doleavemeinpeace，pray！Iamnotevenallowedtohavemycarriagetomyselfnow."Hepretendednottohearherandcontinued：
"Youneverhavelookedsoprettyasyoudoto—day."
Herpatiencehadcometoanend，andsherepliedwithirrepressibleanger："Youarewrongtonoticeit，forIsweartoyouthatIwillneverhaveanythingtodowithyouinthatwayagain."
Thecountwasdecidedlystupefiedandupset，and，hisviolentnaturegainingtheupperhand，heexclaimed："Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"inatonethatbetrayedratherthebrutalmasterthanthelover.Sherepliedinalowvoice，sothattheservantsmightnothearamidthedeafeningnoiseofthewheels："Ah！WhatdoImeanbythat？WhatdoImeanbythat？NowIrecognizeyouagain！Doyouwantmetotelleverything？"
"Yes."
"EverythingthathasweighedonmyheartsinceIhavebeenthevictimofyourterribleselfishness？"
Hehadgrownredwithsurpriseandangerandhegrowledbetweenhisclosedteeth："Yes，tellmeeverything."
Hewasatall，broad—shoulderedman，withabigredbeard，ahandsomeman，anobleman，amanoftheworld，whopassedasaperfecthusbandandanexcellentfather，andnow，forthefirsttimesincetheyhadstarted，sheturnedtowardhimandlookedhimfullintheface："Ah！Youwillhearsomedisagreeablethings，butyoumustknowthatIampreparedforeverything，thatIfearnothing，andyoulessthananyoneto—day."
Healsowaslookingintohereyesandwasalreadyshakingwithrageashesaidinalowvoice："Youaremad."
"No，butIwillnolongerbethevictimofthehatefulpenaltyofmaternity，whichyouhaveinflictedonmeforelevenyears！IwishtotakemyplaceinsocietyasIhavetherighttodo，asallwomenhavetherighttodo."
Hesuddenlygrewpaleagainandstammered："Idonotunderstandyou."
"Oh！yes;youunderstandmewellenough.ItisnowthreemonthssinceI
hadmylastchild，andasIamstillverybeautiful，andas，inspiteofallyoureffortsyoucannotspoilmyfigure，asyoujustnowperceived，whenyousawmeonthedoorstep，youthinkitistimethatIshouldthinkofhavinganotherchild."
"Butyouaretalkingnonsense！"
"No，Iamnot，Iamthirty，andIhavehadsevenchildren，andwehavebeenmarriedelevenyears，andyouhopethatthiswillgoonfortenyearslonger，afterwhichyouwillleaveoffbeingjealous."
Heseizedherarmandsqueezedit，saying："Iwillnotallowyoutotalktomelikethatmuchlonger."
"AndIshalltalktoyoutilltheend，untilIhavefinishedallIhavetosaytoyou，andifyoutrytopreventme，Ishallraisemyvoicesothatthetwoservants，whoareonthebox，mayhear.Ionlyallowedyoutocomewithmeforthatobject，forIhavethesewitnesseswhowillobligeyoutolistentomeandtocontainyourself，sonowpayattentiontowhatIsay.Ihavealwaysfeltanantipathytoyou，andIhavealwaysletyouseeit，forIhaveneverlied，monsieur.Youmarriedmeinspiteofmyself;youforcedmyparents，whowereinembarrassedcircumstances，togivemetoyou，becauseyouwererich，andtheyobligedmetomarryyouinspiteofmytears.
"Soyouboughtme，andassoonasIwasinyourpower，assoonasIhadbecomeyourcompanion，readytoattachmyselftoyou，toforgetyourcoerciveandthreateningproceedings，inorderthatImightonlyrememberthatIoughttobeadevotedwifeandtoloveyouasmuchasitmightbepossibleformetoloveyou，youbecamejealous，you，asnomanhaseverbeenbefore，withthebase，ignoblejealousyofaspy，whichwasasdegradingtoyouasitwastome.Ihadnotbeenmarriedeightmonthswhenyoususpectedmeofeveryperfidiousness，andyoueventoldmeso.
Whatadisgrace！Andasyoucouldnotpreventmefrombeingbeautifulandfrompleasingpeople，frombeingcalledindrawing—roomsandalsointhenewspapersoneofthemostbeautifulwomeninParis，youtriedeverythingyoucouldthinkoftokeepadmirersfromme，andyouhitupontheabominableideaofmakingmespendmylifeinaconstantstateofmotherhood，untilthetimeshouldcomewhenIshoulddisgusteveryman.
Oh，donotdenyit.Ididnotunderstanditforsometime，butthenI
guessedit.Youevenboastedaboutittoyoursister，whotoldmeofit，forsheisfondofmeandwasdisgustedatyourboorishcoarseness.
"Ah！Rememberhowyouhavebehavedinthepast！Howforelevenyearsyouhavecompelledmetogiveupallsocietyandsimplybeamothertoyourchildren.AndthenyouwouldgrowdisgustedwithmeandIwassentintothecountry，thefamilychateau，amongfieldsandmeadows.AndwhenIreappeared，fresh，prettyandunspoiled，stillseductiveandconstantlysurroundedbyadmirers，hopingthatatlastIshouldlivealittlemorelikearichyoungsocietywoman，youwereseizedwithjealousyagain，andyoubeganoncemoretopersecutemewiththatinfamousandhatefuldesirefromwhichyouaresufferingatthismomentbymyside.Anditisnotthedesireofpossessingme——forIshouldneverhaverefusedmyselftoyou，butitisthewishtomakemeunsightly.
"AndthenthatabominableandmysteriousthingoccurredwhichIwasalongtimeinunderstanding（butIgrewsharpbydintofwatchingyourthoughtsandactions）：YouattachedyourselftoyourchildrenwithallthesecuritywhichtheygaveyouwhileIborethem.Youfeltaffectionforthem，withallyouraversiontome，andinspiteofyourignoblefears，whichweremomentarilyallayedbyyourpleasureinseeingmelosemysymmetry.
"Oh！howoftenhaveInoticedthatjoyinyou！Ihaveseenitinyoureyesandguessedit.Youlovedyourchildrenasvictories，andnotbecausetheywereofyourownblood.Theywerevictoriesoverme，overmyyouth，overmybeauty，overmycharms，overthecomplimentswhichwerepaidmeandoverthosethatwerewhisperedaroundmewithoutbeingpaidtomepersonally.Andyouareproudofthem，youmakeaparadeofthem，youtakethemoutfordrivesinyourbreakintheBoisdeBoulogneandyougivethemdonkeyridesatMontmorency.Youtakethemtotheatricalmatineessothatyoumaybeseeninthemidstofthem，sothatthepeoplemaysay：’Whatakindfather’andthatitmayberepeated————"
Hehadseizedherwristwithsavagebrutality，andhesqueezeditsoviolentlythatshewasquietandnearlycriedoutwiththepainandhesaidtoherinawhisper：
"Ilovemychildren，doyouhear？Whatyouhavejusttoldmeisdisgracefulinamother.Butyoubelongtome;Iammaster——yourmaster——IcanexactfromyouwhatIlikeandwhenIlike——andIhavethelaw—onmyside."
Hewastryingtocrushherfingersinthestronggripofhislarge，muscularhand，andshe，lividwithpain，triedinvaintofreethemfromthatvisewhichwascrushingthem.Theagonymadeherbreathehardandthetearscameintohereyes."YouseethatIamthemasterandthestronger，"hesaid.Whenhesomewhatloosenedhisgrip，sheaskedhim：
"DoyouthinkthatIamareligiouswoman？"
Hewassurprisedandstammered"Yes."
"DoyouthinkthatIcouldlieifIsworetothetruthofanythingtoyoubeforeanaltaronwhichChrist’sbodyis？"
"No."
"Willyougowithmetosomechurch？"
"Whatfor？"
"Youshallsee.Willyou？"
"Ifyouabsolutelywishit，yes."
Sheraisedhervoiceandsaid："Philippe！"Andthecoachman，bendingdownalittle，withouttakinghiseyesfromhishorses，seemedtoturnhisearalonetowardhismistress，whocontinued："DrivetoSt.Philippe—du—
Roule."Andthe—victoria，whichhadreachedtheentranceoftheBoisdeBoulognereturnedtoParis.
Husbandandwife（didriotexchangeawordfurtherduringthedrive，andwhenthecarriagestoppedbeforethechurchMadamedeMascaretjumpedoutandenteredit，followedbythecount，afewyardsdistant.Shewent，withoutstopping，asfarasthechoir—screen，andfallingonherkneesatachair，sheburiedherfaceinherhands.Sheprayedforalongtime，andhe，standingbehindhercouldseethatshewascrying.Sheweptnoiselessly，aswomenweepwhentheyareingreat，poignantgrief.Therewasakindofundulationinherbody，whichendedinalittlesob，whichwashiddenandstifledbyherfingers.
ButtheComtedeMascaretthoughtthatthesituationwaslastingtoolong，andhetouchedherontheshoulder.Thatcontactrecalledhertoherself，asifshehadbeenburned，andgettingup，shelookedstraightintohiseyes."ThisiswhatIhavetosaytoyou.Iamafraidofnothing，whateveryoumaydotome.Youmaykillmeifyoulike.Oneofyourchildrenisnotyours，andoneonly;thatIsweartoyoubeforeGod，whohearsmehere.Thatwastheonlyrevengethatwaspossibleformeinreturnforallyourabominablemasculinetyrannies，inreturnforthepenalservitudeofchildbearingtowhichyouhavecondemnedme.Whowasmylover？Thatyouneverwillknow！Youmaysuspecteveryone，butyouneverwillfindout.Igavemyselftohim，withoutloveandwithoutpleasure，onlyforthesakeofbetrayingyou，andhealsomademeamother.Whichisthechild？Thatalsoyouneverwillknow.Ihaveseven;trytofindout！Iintendedtotellyouthislater，foronehasnotavengedoneselfonamanbydeceivinghim，unlessheknowsit.Youhavedrivenmetoconfessittoday.Ihavenowfinished."
Shehurriedthroughthechurchtowardtheopendoor，expectingtohearbehindherthequickstep：ofherhusbandwhomshehaddefiedandtobeknockedtothegroundbyablowofhisfist，butsheheardnothingandreachedhercarriage.Shejumpedintoitatabound，overwhelmedwithanguishandbreathlesswithfear.Soshecalledouttothecoachman：
"Home！"andthehorsessetoffataquicktrot.
II
TheComtessedeMascaretwaswaitinginherroomfordinnertimeasacriminalsentencedtodeathawaitsthehourofhisexecution.Whatwasherhusbandgoingtodo？Hadhecomehome？Despotic，passionate，readyforanyviolenceashewas，whatwashemeditating，whathadhemadeuphismindtodo？Therewasnosoundinthehouse，andeverymomentshelookedattheclock.Herlady’smaidhadcomeanddressedherfortheeveningandhadthenlefttheroomagain.Eighto’clockstruckandalmostatthesamemomentthereweretwoknocksatthedoor，andthebutlercameinandannounceddinner.
"Hasthecountcomein？"
"Yes，MadamelaComtesse.Heisinthediningroom."
Foralittlemomentshefeltinclinedtoarmherselfwithasmallrevolverwhichshehadboughtsometimebefore，foreseeingthetragedywhichwasbeingrehearsedinherheart.Butsherememberedthatallthechildrenwouldbethere，andshetooknothingexceptabottleofsmellingsalts.Herosesomewhatceremoniouslyfromhischair.Theyexchangedaslightbowandsatdown.Thethreeboyswiththeirtutor，AbbeMartin，wereonherrightandthethreegirls，withMissSmith，theirEnglishgoverness，wereonherleft.Theyoungestchild，whowasonlythreemonthsold，remainedupstairswithhisnurse.
Theabbesaidgraceasusualwhentherewasnocompany，forthechildrendidnotcomedowntodinnerwhenguestswerepresent.Thentheybegandinner.Thecountess，sufferingfromemotion，whichshehadnotcalculatedupon，remainedwithhereyescastdown，whilethecountscrutinizednowthethreeboysandnowthethreegirls.withanuncertain，unhappyexpression，whichtravelledfromonetotheother.
Suddenlypushinghiswineglassfromhim，itbroke，andthewinewasspiltonthetablecloth，andattheslightnoisecausedbythislittleaccidentthecountessstartedupfromherchair;andforthefirsttimetheylookedateachother.Then，inspiteofthemselves，inspiteoftheirritationoftheirnervescausedbyeveryglance，theycontinuedtoexchangelooks，rapidaspistolshots.
Theabbe，whofeltthattherewassomecauseforembarrassmentwhichhecouldnotdivine，attemptedtobeginaconversationandtriedvarioussubjects，buthisuselesseffortsgaverisetonoideasanddidnotbringoutaword.Thecountess，withfemininetactandobeyingherinstinctsofawomanoftheworld，attemptedtoanswerhimtwoorthreetimes，butinvain.Shecouldnotfindwords，intheperplexityofhermind，andherownvoicealmostfrightenedherinthesilenceofthelargeroom，wherenothingwasheardexcepttheslightsoundofplatesandknivesandforks.
Suddenlyherhusbandsaidtoher，bendingforward："Here，amidyourchildren，willyousweartomethatwhatyoutoldmejustnowistrue？"
Thehatredwhichwasfermentinginherveinssuddenlyrousedher，andreplyingtothatquestionwiththesamefirmnesswithwhichshehadrepliedtohislooks，sheraisedbothherhands，therightpointingtowardtheboysandthelefttowardthegirls，andsaidinafirm，resolutevoiceandwithoutanyhesitation："Ontheheadofmychildren，IswearthatIhavetoldyouthetruth."
Hegotupandthrowinghistablenapkinonthetablewithamovementofexasperation，heturnedroundandflunghischairagainstthewall，andthenwentoutwithoutanotherword，whileshe，utteringadeepsigh，asifafterafirstvictory，wentoninacalmvoice："Youmustnotpayanyattentiontowhatyourfatherhasjustsaid，mydarlings;hewasverymuchupsetashorttimeago，buthewillbeallrightagaininafewdays."
ThenshetalkedwiththeabbeandMissSmithandhadtender，prettywordsforallherchildren，thosesweet，tendermother’swayswhichunfoldlittlehearts.
Whendinnerwasovershewentintothedrawing—room，allherchildrenfollowingher.Shemadetheelderoneschatter，andwhentheirbedtimecameshekissedthemforalongtimeandthenwentaloneintoherroom.
Shewaited，forshehadnodoubtthatthecountwouldcome，andshemadeuphermindthen，asherchildrenwerenotwithher，toprotectherselfasawomanoftheworldasshewouldprotectherlife，andinthepocketofherdresssheputthelittleloadedrevolverwhichshehadboughtafewdayspreviously.Thehourswentby，thehoursstruck，andeverysoundwashushedinthehouse.Onlythecabs，continuedtorumblethroughthestreets，buttheirnoisewasonlyheardvaguelythroughtheshutteredandcurtainedwindows.
Shewaited，fullofnervousenergy，withoutanyfearofhimnow，readyforanything，andalmosttriumphant，forshehadfoundmeansoftorturinghimcontinuallyduringeverymomentofhislife.
Butthefirstgleamofdawncameinthroughthefringeatthebottomofhercurtainwithouthishavingcomeintoherroom，andthensheawoketothefact，withmuchamazement，thathewasnotcoming.Havinglockedandboltedherdoor，forgreatersecurity，shewenttobedatlastandremainedthere，withhereyesopen，thinkingandbarelyunderstandingitall，withoutbeingabletoguesswhathewasgoingtodo.
Whenhermaidbroughtherteasheatthesametimehandedheraletterfromherhusband.Hetoldherthathewasgoingtoundertakealongishjourneyandinapostscriptaddedthathislawyerwouldprovideherwithanysumsofmoneyshemightrequireforallherexpenses.
III
Itwasattheopera，betweentwoactsof"RoberttheDevil."Inthestallsthemenwerestandingup，withtheirhatson，theirwaistcoatscutverylowsoastoshowalargeamountofwhiteshirtfront，inwhichgoldandjewelledstudsglistened，andwerelookingattheboxesfullofladiesinlowdressescoveredwithdiamondsandpearls，whowereexpandinglikeflowersinthatilluminatedhothouse，wherethebeautyoftheirfacesandthewhitenessoftheirshouldersseemedtobloominordertobegazedat，amidthesoundofthemusicandofhumanvoices.
Twofriends，withtheirbackstotheorchestra，werescanningthoserowsofelegance，thatexhibitionofrealorfalsecharms，ofjewels，ofluxuryandofpretensionwhichdisplayeditselfinallpartsoftheGrandTheatre，andoneofthem，RogerdeSalnis，saidtohiscompanion，BernardGrandin：
"JustlookhowbeautifultheComtessedeMascaretstillis."
Theoldermaninturnlookedthroughhisoperaglassesatatallladyinaboxopposite.Sheappearedtobestillveryyoung，andherstrikingbeautyseemedtoattractalleyesineverycornerofthehouse.Herpalecomplexion，ofanivorytint，gavehertheappearanceofastatue，whileasmalldiamondcoronetglistenedonherblackhairlikeastreakoflight.
Whenhehadlookedatherforsometime，BernardGrandinrepliedwithajocularaccentofsincereconviction："Youmaywellcallherbeautiful！"
"Howolddoyouthinksheis？"
"Waitamoment.Icantellyouexactly，forIhaveknownhersinceshewasachildandIsawhermakeherdebutintosocietywhenshewasquiteagirl.Sheis——sheis——thirty——thirty—six."
"Impossible！"
"Iamsureofit."
"Shelookstwenty—five."
"Shehashadsevenchildren."
"Itisincredible."
"Andwhatismore，theyareallsevenalive，assheisaverygoodmother.Ioccasionallygotothehouse，whichisaveryquietandpleasantone，whereonemayseethephenomenonofthefamilyinthemidstofsociety."
"Howverystrange！Andhavethereneverbeenanyreportsabouther？"
"Never."
"Butwhataboutherhusband？Heispeculiar，ishenot？"
"Yesandno.Verylikelytherehasbeenalittledramabetweenthem，oneofthoselittledomesticdramaswhichonesuspects，neverfindsoutexactly，butguessesatprettyclosely."
"Whatisit？"
"Idonotknowanythingaboutit.Mascaretleadsaveryfastlifenow，afterbeingamodelhusband.Aslongasheremainedagoodspousehehadashockingtemper，wascrabbedandeasilytookoffence，butsincehehasbeenleadinghispresentwildlifehehasbecomequitedifferent，Butonemightsurmisethathehassometrouble，awormgnawingsomewhere，forhehasagedverymuch."
Thereuponthetwofriendstalkedphilosophicallyforsomeminutesaboutthesecret，unknowabletroubleswhichdifferencesofcharacterorperhapsphysicalantipathies，whichwerenotperceivedatfirst，giverisetoinfamilies，andthenRogerdeSalnis，whowasstilllookingatMadamedeMascaretthroughhisoperaglasses，said："Itisalmostincrediblethatthatwomancanhavehadsevenchildren！"
"Yes，inelevenyears;afterwhich，whenshewasthirty，sherefusedtohaveanymore，inordertotakeherplaceinsociety，whichsheseemslikelytodoformanyyears."
"Poorwomen！"
"Whydoyoupitythem？"
"Why？Ah！mydearfellow，justconsider！Elevenyearsinaconditionofmotherhoodforsuchawoman！Whatahell！Allheryouth，allherbeauty，everyhopeofsuccess，everypoeticalidealofabrilliantlifesacrificedtothatabominablelawofreproductionwhichturnsthenormalwomanintoameremachineforbringingchildrenintotheworld."
"Whatwouldyouhave？ItisonlyNature！"
"Yes，butIsaythatNatureisourenemy，thatwemustalwaysfightagainstNature，forsheiscontinuallybringingusbacktoananimalstate.YoumaybesurethatGodhasnotputanythingonthisearththatisclean，pretty，elegantoraccessorytoourideal;thehumanbrainhasdoneit.Itismanwhohasintroducedalittlegrace，beauty，unknowncharmandmysteryintocreationbysingingaboutit，interpretingit，byadmiringitasapoet，idealizingitasanartistandbyexplainingitthroughscience，doubtlessmakingmistakes，butfindingingeniousreasons，hiddengraceandbeauty，unknowncharmandmysteryinthevariousphenomenaofNature.Godcreatedonlycoarsebeings，fullofthegermsofdisease，who，afterafewyearsofbestialenjoyment，growoldandinfirm，withalltheuglinessandallthewantofpowerofhumandecrepitude.Heseemstohavemadethemonlyinorderthattheymayreproducetheirspeciesinanignoblemannerandthendielikeephemeralinsects.IsaidreproducetheirspeciesinanignoblemannerandI
adheretothatexpression.Whatisthereasamatteroffactmoreignobleandmorerepugnantthanthatactofreproductionoflivingbeings，againstwhichalldelicatemindsalwayshaverevoltedandalwayswillrevolt？SincealltheorganswhichhavebeeninventedbythiseconomicalandmaliciousCreatorservetwopurposes，whydidHenotchooseanothermethodofperformingthatsacredmission，whichisthenoblestandthemostexaltedofallhumanfunctions？Themouth，whichnourishesthebodybymeansofmaterialfood，alsodiffusesabroadspeechandthought.Ourfleshrenewsitselfofitsownaccord，whilewearethinkingaboutit.Theolfactoryorgans，throughwhichthevitalairreachesthelungs，communicatealltheperfumesoftheworldtothebrain：thesmellofflowers，ofwoods，oftrees，ofthesea.Theear，whichenablesustocommunicatewithourfellowmen，hasalsoallowedustoinventmusic，tocreatedreams，happiness，infiniteandevenphysicalpleasurebymeansofsound！ButonemightsaythatthecynicalandcunningCreatorwishedtoprohibitmanfromeverennoblingandidealizinghisintercoursewithwomen.Neverthelessmanhasfoundlove，whichisnotabadreplytothatslyDeity，andhehasadorneditwithsomuchpoetrythatwomanoftenforgetsthesensualpartofit.Thoseamonguswhoareunabletodeceivethemselveshaveinventedviceandrefineddebauchery，whichisanotherwayoflaughingatGodandpayinghomage，immodesthomage，tobeauty.
"Butthenormalmanbegetschildrenjustlikeananimalcoupledwithanotherbylaw.
"Lookatthatwoman！Isitnotabominabletothinkthatsuchajewel，suchapearl，borntobebeautiful，admired，fetedandadored，hasspentelevenyearsofherlifeinprovidingheirsfortheComtedeMascaret？"
BernardGrandinrepliedwithalaugh："Thereisagreatdealoftruthinallthat，butveryfewpeoplewouldunderstandyou."
Salnisbecamemoreandmoreanimated."DoyouknowhowIpictureGodmyself？"hesaid."Asanenormous，creativeorganbeyondourken，whoscattersmillionsofworldsintospace，justasonesinglefishwoulddeposititsspawninthesea.HecreatesbecauseitisHisfunctionasGodtodoso，butHedoesnotknowwhatHeisdoingandisstupidlyprolificinHisworkandisignorantofthecombinationsofallkindswhichareproducedbyHisscatteredgerms.Thehumanmindisaluckylittlelocal，passingaccidentwhichwastotallyunforeseen，andcondemnedtodisappearwiththisearthandtorecommenceperhapshereorelsewherethesameordifferentwithfreshcombinationsofeternallynewbeginnings.WeoweittothislittlelapseofintelligenceonHispartthatweareveryuncomfortableinthisworldwhichwasnotmadeforus，whichhadnotbeenpreparedtoreceiveus，tolodgeandfeedusortosatisfyreflectingbeings，andweoweittoHimalsothatwehavetostrugglewithoutceasingagainstwhatarestillcalledthedesignsofProvidence，whenwearereallyrefinedandcivilizedbeings."
Grandin，whowaslisteningtohimattentivelyashehadlongknownthesurprisingoutburstsofhisimagination，askedhim："Thenyoubelievethathumanthoughtisthespontaneousproductofblinddivinegeneration？"
"Naturally！Afortuitousfunctionofthenervecentresofourbrain，liketheunforeseenchemicalactionduetonewmixturesandsimilaralsotoachargeofelectricity，causedbyfrictionortheunexpectedproximityofsomesubstance，similartoallphenomenacausedbytheinfiniteandfruitfulfermentationoflivingmatter.
"But，mydearfellow，thetruthofthismustbeevidenttoanyonewholooksabouthim.Ifthehumanmind，ordainedbyanomniscientCreator，hadbeenintendedtobewhatithasbecome，exacting，inquiring，agitated，tormented——sodifferentfrommereanimalthoughtandresignation——wouldtheworldwhichwascreatedtoreceivethebeingswhichwenowarehavebeenthisunpleasantlittleparkforsmallgame，thissaladpatch，thiswooded，rockyandsphericalkitchengardenwhereyourimprovidentProvidencehaddestinedustolivenaked，incavesorundertrees，nourishedonthefleshofslaughteredanimals，ourbrethren，oronrawvegetablesnourishedbythesunandtherain？
"Butitissufficienttoreflectforamoment，inordertounderstandthatthisworldwasnotmadeforsuchcreaturesasweare.Thought，whichisdevelopedbyamiracleinthenervesofthecellsinourbrain，powerless，ignorantandconfusedasitis，andasitwillalwaysremain，makesallofuswhoareintellectualbeingseternalandwretchedexilesonearth.
"Lookatthisearth，asGodhasgivenittothosewhoinhabitit.Isitnotvisiblyandsolelymade，plantedandcoveredwithforestsforthesakeofanimals？Whatisthereforus？Nothing.Andforthem，everything，andtheyhavenothingtodobuttoeatorgohuntingandeateachother，accordingtotheirinstincts，forGodneverforesawgentlenessandpeaceablemanners;Heonlyforesawthedeathofcreatureswhichwerebentondestroyinganddevouringeachother.Arenotthequail，thepigeonandthepartridgethenaturalpreyofthehawk？thesheep，thestagandtheoxthatofthegreatflesh—eatinganimals，ratherthanmeattobefattenedandserveduptouswithtruffles，whichhavebeenunearthedbypigsforourspecialbenefit？
"Astoourselves，themorecivilized，intellectualandrefinedweare，themoreweoughttoconquerandsubduethatanimalinstinct，whichrepresentsthewillofGodinus.Andso，inordertomitigateourlotasbrutes，wehavediscoveredandmadeeverything，beginningwithhouses，thenexquisitefood，sauces，sweetmeats，pastry，drink，stuffs，clothes，ornaments，beds，mattresses，carriages，railwaysandinnumerablemachines，besidesartsandsciences，writingandpoetry.Everyidealcomesfromusasdoalltheamenitiesoflife，inordertomakeourexistenceassimplereproducers，forwhichdivineProvidencesolelyintendedus，lessmonotonousandlesshard.
"Lookatthistheatre.Istherenothereahumanworldcreatedbyus，unforeseenandunknowntoeternalfate，intelligibletoourmindsalone，asensualandintellectualdistraction，whichhasbeeninventedsolelybyandforthatdiscontentedandrestlesslittleanimal，man？
"Lookatthatwoman，MadamedeMascaret.Godintendedhertoliveinacave，nakedorwrappedupintheskinsofwildanimals.Butisshenotbetterassheis？But，speakingofher，doesanyoneknowwhyandhowherbruteofahusband，havingsuchacompanionbyhisside，andespeciallyafterhavingbeenboorishenoughtomakeheramotherseventimes，hassuddenlylefther，torunafterbadwomen？"
Grandinreplied："Oh！mydearfellow，thisisprobablytheonlyreason.
Hefoundthatraisingafamilywasbecomingtooexpensive，andfromreasonsofdomesticeconomyhehasarrivedatthesameprincipleswhichyoulaydownasaphilosopher."
Justthenthecurtainroseforthethirdact，andtheyturnedround，tookofftheirhatsandsatdown.
IV
TheComteandComtesseMascaretweresittingsidebysideinthecarriagewhichwastakingthemhomefromtheOpera，withoutspeakingbutsuddenlythehusbandsaidtohiswife："Gabrielle！"
"Whatdoyouwant？"
"Don’tyouthinkthatthishaslastedlongenough？"
"What？"
"Thehorriblepunishmenttowhichyouhavecondemnedmeforthelastsixyears？"
"Whatdoyouwant？Icannothelpit."
"Thentellmewhichofthemitis."
"Never."
"ThinkthatIcannolongerseemychildrenorfeelthemroundme，withouthavingmyheartburdenedwiththisdoubt.Tellmewhichofthemitis，andIswearthatIwillforgiveyouandtreatitliketheothers."
"Ihavenottherighttodoso."
"DoyounotseethatIcannolongerendurethislife，thisthoughtwhichiswearingmeout，orthisquestionwhichIamconstantlyaskingmyself，thisquestionwhichtorturesmeeachtimeIlookatthem？Itisdrivingmemad."
"Thenyouhavesufferedagreatdeal？"shesaid.
"Terribly.ShouldI，withoutthat，haveacceptedthehorroroflivingbyyourside，andthestillgreaterhorroroffeelingandknowingthatthereisoneamongthemwhomIcannotrecognizeandwhopreventsmefromlovingtheothers？"
"Thenyouhavereallysufferedverymuch？"sherepeated.
Andherepliedinaconstrainedandsorrowfulvoice：
"Yes，fordoInottellyoueverydaythatitisintolerabletorturetome？ShouldIhaveremainedinthathouse，nearyouandthem，ifIdidnotlovethem？Oh！Youhavebehavedabominablytowardme.AlltheaffectionofmyheartIhavebestoweduponmychildren，andthatyouknow.Iamforthemafatheroftheoldentime，asIwasforyouahusbandofoneofthefamiliesofold，forbyinstinctIhaveremainedanaturalman，amanofformerdays.Yes，Iwillconfessit，youhavemademeterriblyjealous，becauseyouareawomanofanotherrace，ofanothersoul，withotherrequirements.Oh！Ishallneverforgetthethingsyousaidtome，butfromthatdayItroubledmyselfnomoreaboutyou.Ididnotkillyou，becausethenIshouldhavehadnomeansonearthofeverdiscoveringwhichofour——ofyourchildrenisnotmine.Ihavewaited，butIhavesufferedmorethanyouwouldbelieve，forIcannolongerventuretolovethem，except，perhaps，thetwoeldest;Inolongerventuretolookatthem，tocallthemtome，tokissthem;Icannottakethemonmykneewithoutaskingmyself，’Canitbethisone？’Ihavebeencorrectinmybehaviortowardyouforsixyears，andevenkindandcomplaisant.Tellmethetruth，andIswearthatIwilldonothingunkind."
Hethought，inspiteofthedarknessofthecarriage，thathecouldperceivethatshewasmoved，andfeelingcertainthatshewasgoingtospeakatlast，hesaid："Ibegyou，Ibeseechyoutotellme"hesaid.
"Ihavebeenmoreguiltythanyouthinkperhaps，"shereplied，"butI
couldnolongerendurethatlifeofcontinualmotherhood，andIhadonlyonemeansofdrivingyoufromme.IliedbeforeGodandIlied，withmyhandraisedtomychildren’shead，forIneverhavewrongedyou."
Heseizedherarminthedarkness，andsqueezingitashehaddoneonthatterribledayoftheirdriveintheBoisdeBoulogne，hestammered：
"Isthattrue？"
"Itistrue."
But，wildwithgrief，hesaidwithagroan："Ishallhavefreshdoubtsthatwillneverend！Whendidyoulie，thelasttimeornow？HowamI
tobelieveyouatpresent？Howcanonebelieveawomanafterthat？I
shallneveragainknowwhatIamtothink.Iwouldratheryouhadsaidtome，’ItisJacquesoritisJeanne.’"
Thecarriagedroveintothecourtyardofthehouseandwhenithaddrawnupinfrontofthestepsthecountalightedfirst，asusual，andofferedhiswifehisarmtomountthestairs.Assoonastheyreachedthefirstfloorhesaid："MayIspeaktoyouforafewmomentslonger？"Andshereplied，"Iamquitewilling."
Theywentintoasmalldrawing—roomandafootman，insomesurprise，lightedthewaxcandles.Assoonashehadlefttheroomandtheywerealonethecountcontinued："HowamItoknowthetruth？Ihavebeggedyouathousandtimestospeak，butyouhaveremaineddumb，impenetrable，inflexible，inexorable，andnowto—dayyoutellmethatyouhavebeenlying.Forsixyearsyouhaveactuallyallowedmetobelievesuchathing！No，youarelyingnow，Idonotknowwhy，butoutofpityforme，perhaps？"
Sherepliedinasincereandconvincingmanner："IfIhadnotdoneso，I
shouldhavehadfourmorechildreninthelastsixyears！"
"Canamotherspeaklikethat？"
"Oh！"shereplied，"IdonotfeelthatIamthemotherofchildrenwhoneverhavebeenborn;itisenoughformetobethemotherofthosethatIhaveandtolovethemwithallmyheart.Iamawomanofthecivilizedworld，monsieur——weallare——andwearenolonger，andwerefusetobe，merefemalestorestocktheearth."
Shegotup，butheseizedherhands."Onlyoneword，Gabrielle.Tellmethetruth！"
"Ihavejusttoldyou.Ineverhavedishonoredyou."
Helookedherfullintheface，andhowbeautifulshewas，withhergrayeyes，likethecoldsky.Inherdarkhairsparkledthediamondcoronet，likearadiance.Hesuddenlyfelt，feltbyakindofintuition，thatthisgrandcreaturewasnotmerelyabeingdestinedtoperpetuatetherace，butthestrangeandmysteriousproductofallourcomplicateddesireswhichhavebeenaccumulatinginusforcenturiesbutwhichhavebeenturnedasidefromtheirprimitiveanddivineobjectandhavewanderedafteramystic，imperfectlyperceivedandintangiblebeauty.
Therearesomewomenlikethat，whoblossomonlyforourdreams，adornedwitheverypoeticalattributeofcivilization，withthatidealluxury，coquetryandestheticcharmwhichsurroundwoman，alivingstatuethatbrightensourlife.
Herhusbandremainedstandingbeforeher，stupefiedathistardyandobscurediscovery，confusedlyhittingonthecauseofhisformerjealousyandunderstandingitallveryimperfectly，andatlastliesaid："I
believeyou，forIfeelatthismomentthatyouarenotlying，andbeforeIreallythoughtthatyouwere."
Sheputoutherhandtohim："Wearefriendsthen？"
Hetookherhandandkisseditandreplied："Wearefriends.Thankyou，Gabrielle."
Thenhewentout，stilllookingather，andsurprisedthatshewasstillsobeautifulandfeelingastrangeemotionarisinginhim.
THEFATHER
I
HewasaclerkintheBureauofPublicEducationandlivedatBatignolles.HetooktheomnibustoPariseverymorningandalwayssatoppositeagirl，withwhomhefellinlove.
Shewasemployedinashopandwentinatthesametimeeveryday.Shewasalittlebrunette，oneofthosegirlswhoseeyesaresodarkthattheylooklikeblackspots，onacomplexionlikeivory.Healwayssawhercomingatthecornerofthesamestreet，andshegenerallyhadtoruntocatchtheheavyvehicle，andspranguponthestepsbeforethehorseshadquitestopped.Thenshegotinside，outofbreath，and，sittingdown，lookedroundher.
Thefirsttimethathesawher，FrancoisTessierlikedtheface.Onesometimesmeetsawomanwhomonelongstoclaspinone’sarmswithoutevenknowingher.Thatgirlseemedtorespondtosomechordinhisbeing，tothatsortofidealoflovewhichonecherishesinthedepthsoftheheart，withoutknowingit.
Helookedatherintently，notmeaningtoberude，andshebecameembarrassedandblushed.Henoticedit，andtriedtoturnawayhiseyes;
butheinvoluntarilyfixedthemuponheragaineverymoment，althoughhetriedtolookinanotherdirection;and，inafewdays，theyseemedtoknoweachotherwithouthavingspoken.Hegaveuphisplacetoherwhentheomnibuswasfull，andgotoutside，thoughhewasverysorrytodoit.
Bythistimeshehadgotsofarastogreethimwithalittlesmile;and，althoughshealwaysdroppedhereyesunderhislooks，whichshefeltweretooardent，yetshedidnotappearoffendedatbeinglookedatinsuchamanner.
Theyendedbyspeaking.Akindofrapidfriendshiphadbecomeestablishedbetweenthem，adailyfreemasonryofhalfanhour，andthatwascertainlyoneofthemostcharminghalfhoursinhislifetohim.
Hethoughtofheralltherestoftheday，sawherimagecontinuallyduringthelongofficehours.Hewashauntedandbewitchedbythatfloatingandyettenaciousrecollectionwhichtheformofabelovedwomanleavesinus，anditseemedtohimthatifhecouldwinthatlittlepersonitwouldbemaddeninghappinesstohim，almostabovehumanrealization.
Everymorningshenowshookhandswithhim，andhepreservedthesenseofthattouchandtherecollectionofthegentlepressureofherlittlefingersuntilthenextday，andhealmostfanciedthathepreservedtheimprintonhispalm.Heanxiouslywaitedforthisshortomnibusride，whileSundaysseemedtohimheartbreakingdays.However，therewasnodoubtthatshelovedhim，foroneSaturday，inspring，shepromisedtogoandlunchwithhimatMaisons—Laffittethenextday.
II
Shewasattherailwaystationfirst，whichsurprisedhim，butshesaid：
"Beforegoing，Iwanttospeaktoyou.Wehavetwentyminutes，andthatismorethanIshalltakeforwhatIhavetosay."
Shetrembledasshehungonhisarm，andlookeddown，hercheekspale，asshecontinued："Idonotwantyoutobedeceivedinme，andIshallnotgotherewithyou，unlessyoupromise，unlessyouswear——nottodo——nottodoanything——thatisatallimproper."
Shehadsuddenlybecomeasredasapoppy，andsaidnomore.Hedidnotknowwhattoreply，forhewashappyanddisappointedatthesametime.
Heshouldloveherless，certainly，ifheknewthatherconductwaslight，butthenitwouldbesocharming，sodelicioustohavealittleflirtation.
Ashedidnotsayanything，shebegantospeakagaininanagitatedvoiceandwithtearsinhereyes."Ifyoudonotpromisetorespectmealtogether，Ishallreturnhome."Andsohesqueezedherarmtenderlyandreplied："Ipromise，youshallonlydowhatyoulike."Sheappearedrelievedinmind，andasked，withasmile："Doyoureallymeanit？"Andhelookedintohereyesandreplied："Iswearit""Nowyoumaytakethetickets，"shesaid.
Duringthejourneytheycouldhardlyspeak，asthecarriagewasfull，andwhentheyreachedMaisons—LaffitetheywenttowardtheSeine.Thesun，whichshonefullontheriver，ontheleavesandthegrass，seemedtobereflectedintheirhearts，andtheywent，handinhand，alongthebank，lookingattheshoalsoflittlefishswimmingnearthebank，andtheywalkedon，brimmingoverwithhappiness，asiftheywerewalkingonair.
Atlastshesaid："Howfoolishyoumustthinkme！"
"Why？"heasked."Tocomeoutlikethis，allalonewithyou."
"Certainlynot;itisquitenatural.""No，no;itisnotnaturalforme——becauseIdonotwishtocommitafault，andyetthisishowgirlsfall.Butifyouonlyknewhowwretcheditis，everydaythesamething，everydayinthemonthandeverymonthintheyear.Ilivequitealonewithmamma，andasshehashadagreatdealoftrouble，sheisnotverycheerful.IdothebestIcan，andtrytolaughinspiteofeverything，butIdonotalwayssucceed.But，allthesame，itwaswronginmetocome，thoughyou，atanyrate，willnotbesorry."
Bywayofananswer，hekissedherardentlyontheearthatwasnearesthim，butshemovedfromhimwithanabruptmovement，and，gettingsuddenlyangry，exclaimed："Oh！MonsieurFrancois，afterwhatyousworetome！"AndtheywentbacktoMaisons—Laffitte.
TheyhadlunchatthePetit—Havre，alowhouse，buriedunderfourenormouspoplartrees，bythesideoftheriver.Theair，theheat，theweakwhitewineandthesensationofbeingsoclosetogethermadethemsilent;theirfaceswereflushedandtheyhadafeelingofoppression;
but，afterthecoffee，theyregainedtheirhighspirits，and，havingcrossedtheSeine，startedoffalongthebank，towardthevillageofLaFrette.Suddenlyheasked："What—isyourname？"
"Louise."
"Louise，"herepeatedandsaidnothingmore.
Thegirlpickeddaisiesandmadethemintoagreatbunch，whilehesangvigorously，asunrestrainedasacoltthathasbeenturnedintoameadow.
Ontheirleftavine—coveredslopefollowedtheriver.Francoisstoppedmotionlesswithastonishment："Oh，lookthere！"hesaid.
Thevineshadcometoanend，andthewholeslopewascoveredwithlilacbushesinflower.Itwasapurplewood！Akindofgreatcarpetofflowersstretchedovertheearth，reachingasfarasthevillage，morethantwomilesoff.Shealsostood，surprisedanddelighted，andmurmured："Oh！howpretty！"And，crossingameadow，theyrantowardthatcuriouslowhill，which，everyyear，furnishesallthelilacthatisdrawnthroughParisonthecartsoftheflowervenders.
Therewasanarrowpathbeneaththetrees，sotheytookit，andwhentheycametoasmallclearing，satdown.
Swarmsofflieswerebuzzingaroundthemandmakingacontinuous，gentlesound，andthesun，thebrightsunofaperfectlystillday，shoneoverthebrightslopesandfromthatforestofblossomsapowerfulfragrancewasbornetowardthem，abreathofperfume，thebreathoftheflowers.
Achurchclockstruckinthedistance，andtheyembracedgently，then，withouttheknowledgeofanythingbutthatkiss，laydownonthegrass.
Butshesooncametoherselfwiththefeelingofagreatmisfortune，andbegantocryandsobwithgrief，withherfaceburiedinherhands.
Hetriedtoconsoleher，butshewantedtostarttoreturnandtogohomeimmediately;andshekeptsaying，asshewalkedalongquickly："Goodheavens！goodheavens！"
Hesaidtoher："Louise！Louise！Pleaseletusstophere."Butnowhercheekswereredandhereyeshollow，and，assoonastheygottotherailwaystationinParis，shelefthimwithoutevensayinggood—by.
III
Whenhemetherintheomnibus，nextday，sheappearedtohimtobechangedandthinner，andshesaidtohim："Iwanttospeaktoyou;wewillgetdownattheBoulevard."
Assoonastheywereonthepavement，shesaid：
"Wemustbideachothergood—by;Icannotmeetyouagain.""Butwhy？"heasked."BecauseIcannot;Ihavebeenculpable，andIwillnotbesoagain."
Thenheimploredher，torturedbyhislove，butsherepliedfirmly："No，Icannot，Icannot."He，however，onlygrewallthemoreexcitedandpromisedtomarryher，butshesaidagain："No，"andlefthim.
Foraweekhedidnotseeher.Hecouldnotmanagetomeether，and，ashedidnotknowheraddress，hethoughtthathehadlostheraltogether.
Ontheninthday，however，therewasaringathisbell，andwhenheopenedthedoor，shewasthere.Shethrewherselfintohisarmsanddidnotresistanylonger，andforthreemonthstheywereclosefriends.
Hewasbeginningtogrowtiredofher，whenshewhisperedsomethingtohim，andthenhehadoneideaandwish：tobreakwithheratanyprice.
As，however，hecouldnotdothat，notknowinghowtobegin，orwhattosay，fullofanxietythroughfearoftheconsequencesofhisrashindiscretion，hetookadecisivestep：onenighthechangedhislodgingsanddisappeared.
Theblowwassoheavythatshedidnotlook，forthemanwhohadabandonedher，butthrewherselfathermother’skneesandconfessedhermisfortune，and，somemonthsafter，gavebirthtoaboy.
IV
Yearspassed，andFrancoisTessiergrewold，withouttherehavingbeenanyalterationinhislife.Heledthedull，monotonouslifeofanofficeclerk，withouthopeandwithoutexpectation.Everydayhegotupatthesametime，wentthroughthesamestreets，wentthroughthesamedoor，pastthesameporter，wentintothesameoffice，satinthesamechair，anddidthesamework.Hewasaloneintheworld，aloneduringthedayinthemidstofhisdifferentcolleagues，andaloneatnightinhisbachelor’slodgings，andhelaidbyahundredfrancsamonthagainstoldage.
EverySundayhewenttotheChamps—Elysees，towatchtheelegantpeople，thecarriagesandtheprettywomen，andthenextdayheusedtosaytooneofhiscolleagues："ThereturnofthecarriagesfromtheBoisduBoulognewasverybrilliantyesterday."OnefineSundaymorning，however，hewentintotheParcMonceau，wherethemothersandnurses，sittingonthesidesofthewalks，watchedthechildrenplaying，andsuddenlyFrancoisTessierstarted.Awomanpassedby，holdingtwochildrenbythehand，alittleboyofabouttenandalittlegirloffour.Itwasshe！
Hewalkedanotherhundredyardsantithenfellintoachair，chokingwithemotion.Shehadnotrecognizedhim，andsohecameback，wishingtoseeheragain.Shewassittingdownnow，andtheboywasstandingbyhersideveryquietly，whilethelittlegirlwasmakingsandcastles.Itwasshe，itwascertainlyshe，butshehadthereservedappearanceofalady，wasdressedsimply，andlookedself—possessedanddignified.Helookedatherfromadistance，forhedidnotventuretogonear;butthelittleboyraisedhishead，andFrancoisTessierfelthimselftremble.Itwashisownson，therecouldbenodoubtofthat.And，ashelookedathim，hethoughthecouldrecognizehimselfasheappearedinanoldphotographtakenyearsago.Heremainedhiddenbehindatree，waitingforhertogothathemightfollowher.
Hedidnotsleepthatnight.Theideaofthechildespeciallytormentedhim.Hisson！Oh，ifhecouldonlyhaveknown，havebeensure！Butwhatcouldhehavedone？However，hewenttothehousewhereshelivedandaskedabouther.Hewastoldthataneighbor，anhonorablemanofstrictmorals，hadbeentouchedbyherdistressandhadmarriedher;heknewthefaultshehadcommittedandhadmarriedher，andhadevenrecognizedthechild，his，FrancoisTessier’schild，ashisown.
HereturnedtotheParcMonceaueverySunday，forthenhealwayssawher，andeachtimehewasseizedwithamad，anirresistiblelongingtotakehissonintohisarms，tocoverhimwithkissesandtostealhim，tocarryhimoff.
Hesufferedhorriblyinhiswretchedisolationasanoldbachelor，withnobodytocareforhim，andhealsosufferedatrociousmentaltorture，tornbypaternaltendernessspringingfromremorse，longingandjealousyandfromthatneedoflovingone’sownchildrenwhichnaturehasimplantedinall.Atlasthedeterminedtomakeadespairingattempt，and，goinguptoher，assheenteredthepark，hesaid，standinginthemiddleofthepath，paleandwithtremblinglips："Youdonotrecognizeme."Sheraisedhereyes，lookedathim，utteredanexclamationofhorror，ofterror，and，takingthetwochildrenbythehand，sherushedaway，draggingthemafterher，whilehewenthomeandweptinconsolably.
Monthspassedwithouthisseeingheragain，buthesuffered，dayandnight，forhewasapreytohispaternallove.Hewouldgladlyhavedied，ifhecouldonlyhavekissedhisson;hewouldhavecommittedmurder，performedanytask，bravedanydanger，venturedanything.Hewrotetoher，butshedidnotreply，and，afterwritinghersometwentyletters，hesawthattherewasnohopeofalteringherdetermination，andthenheformedthedesperateresolutionofwritingtoherhusband，beingquitepreparedtoreceiveabulletfromarevolver，ifneedbe.Hisletteronlyconsistedofafewlines，asfollows：
"Monsieur：Youmusthaveaperfecthorrorofmyname，butIamsowretched，soovercomebymiserythatmyonlyhopeisinyou，and，therefore，Iventuretorequestyoutograntmeaninterviewofonlyfiveminutes.
"Ihavethehonor，etc."
Thenextdayhereceivedthereply：
"Monsieur：Ishallexpectyouto—morrow，Tuesday，atfiveo’clock."
Ashewentupthestaircase，FrancoisTessier’sheartbeatsoviolentlythathehadtostopseveraltimes.Therewasadullandviolentthumpingnoiseinhisbreast，asofsomeanimalgalloping;andhecouldbreatheonlywithdifficulty，andhadtoholdontothebanisters，inordernottofall.
Herangthebellonthethirdfloor，andwhenamaidservanthadopenedthedoor，heasked："DoesMonsieurFlamellivehere？""Yes，monsieur.
Kindlycomein."
Hewasshownintothedrawing—room;hewasalone，andwaited，feelingbewildered，asinthemidstofacatastrophe，untiladooropened，andamancamein.Hewastall，seriousandratherstout，andworeablackfrockcoat，andpointedtoachairwithhishand.FrancoisTessiersatdown，andthensaid，withchokingbreath："Monsieur——monsieur——Idonotknowwhetheryouknowmyname——whetheryouknow————"
MonsieurFlamelinterruptedhim."Youneednottellitme，monsieur，I
knowit.Mywifehasspokentomeaboutyou."Hespokeinthedignifiedtoneofvoiceofagoodmanwhowishestobesevere，andwiththecommonplacestatelinessofanhonorableman，andFrancoisTessiercontinued：
"Well，monsieur，Iwanttosaythis：Iamdyingofgrief，ofremorse，ofshame，andIwouldlikeonce，onlyoncetokissthechild."
MonsieurFlamelgotupandrangthebell，andwhentheservantcamein，hesaid："WillyoubringLouishere？"Whenshehadgoneout，theyremainedfacetoface，withoutspeaking，astheyhadnothingmoretosaytooneanother，andwaited.Then，suddenly，alittleboyoftenrushedintotheroomandranuptothemanwhomhebelievedtobehisfather，buthestoppedwhenhesawthestranger，andMonsieurFlamelkissedhimandsaid："Now，goandkissthatgentleman，mydear."Andthechildwentuptothestrangerandlookedathim.
FrancoisTessierhadrisen.Helethishatfall，andwasreadytofallhimselfashelookedathisson，whileMonsieurFlamelhadturnedaway，fromafeelingofdelicacy，andwaslookingoutofthewindow.
Thechildwaitedinsurprise;buthepickedupthehatandgaveittothestranger.ThenFrancois，takingthechildupinhisarms，begantokisshimwildlyalloverhisface;onhiseyes，hischeeks，hismouth，hishair;andtheyoungster，frightenedattheshowerofkisses，triedtoavoidthem，turnedawayhishead，andpushedawaytheman’sfacewithhislittlehands.ButsuddenlyFrancoisTessierputhimdownandcried：
"Good—by！good—by！"Andherushedoutoftheroomasifhehadbeenathief.
MYUNCLESOSTHENES
SomepeopleareFreethinkersfromsheerstupidity.MyUncleSostheneswasoneofthese.Somepeopleareoftenreligiousforthesamereason.
Theverysightofapriestthrewmyuncleintoaviolentrage.Hewouldshakehisfistandmakegrimacesathim，andwouldthentouchapieceofironwhenthepriest’sbackwasturned，forgettingthatthelatteractionshowedabeliefafterall，thebeliefintheevileye.Now，whenbeliefsareunreasonable，oneshouldhaveallornoneatall.ImyselfamaFreethinker;Irevoltatalldogmas，butfeelnoangertowardplacesofworship，betheyCatholic，Apostolic，Roman，Protestant，Greek，Russian，Buddhist，Jewish，orMohammedan.
MyunclewasaFreemason，andIusedtodeclarethattheyarestupiderthanoldwomendevotees.Thatismyopinion，andImaintainit;ifwemusthaveanyreligionatall，theoldoneisgoodenoughforme.
Whatistheirobject？Mutualhelptobeobtainedbyticklingthepalmsofeachother’shands.Iseenoharminit，fortheyputintopracticetheChristianprecept："Dountoothersasyewouldtheyshoulddountoyou."Theonlydifferenceconsistsinthetickling，butitdoesnotseemworthwhiletomakesuchafussaboutlendingapoordevilhalfacrown.
Toallmyargumentsmyuncle’sreplyusedtobe：
"Weareraisingupareligionagainstareligion;FreeThoughtwillkillclericalism.Freemasonryisthestronghold，ofthosewhoaredemolishingalldeities."
"Verywell，mydearuncle，"Iwouldreply——inmyheartIfeltinclinedtosay，"Youoldidiot！itisjustthatwhichIamblamingyoufor.Insteadofdestroying，youareorganizingcompetition;itisonlyacaseofloweringprices.Andthen，ifyouadmittedonlyFreethinkersamongyou，Icouldunderstandit，butyouadmitanybody.YouhaveanumberofCatholicsamongyou，eventheleadersoftheparty.PiusIXissaidtohavebeenoneofyoubeforehebecamepope.Ifyoucallasocietywithsuchanorganizationabulwarkagainstclericalism，Ithinkitisanextremelyweakone."
"Mydearboy，"myunclewouldreply，withawink，"wearemosttobedreadedinpolitics;slowlyandsurelyweareeverywhereunderminingthemonarchicalspirit."
ThenIbrokeout："Yes，youareveryclever！IfyoutellmethatFreemasonryisanelectionmachine，Iwillgrantit.Iwillneverdenythatitisusedasamachinetocontrolcandidatesofallshades;ifyousaythatitisonlyusedtohoodwinkpeople，todrillthemtogotothepollsassoldiersaresentunderfire，Iagreewithyou;ifyoudeclarethatitisindispensabletoallpoliticalambitionsbecauseitchangesallitsmembersintoelectoralagents，Ishouldsaytoyou：’Thatisasclearasthesun.’Butwhenyoutellmethatitservestounderminethemonarchicalspirit，Icanonlylaughinyourface.
"JustconsiderthatgiganticandsecretdemocraticassociationwhichhadPrinceNapoleonforitsgrandmasterundertheEmpire;whichhastheCrownPrinceforitsgrandmasterinGermany，theCzar’sbrotherinRussia，andtowhichthePrinceofWalesandKingHumbert，andnearlyallthecrownedheadsoftheglobebelong."
"Youarequiteright，"myunclesaid;"butallthesepersonsareservingourprojectswithoutguessingit."
Ifeltinclinedtotellhimhewastalkingapackofnonsense.
Itwas，however，indeedasighttoseemyunclewhenhehadaFreemasontodinner.
Onmeetingtheyshookhandsinamannerthatwasirresistiblyfunny;onecouldseethattheyweregoingthroughaseriesofsecret，mysterioussigns.
Thenmyunclewouldtakehisfriendintoacornertotellhimsomethingimportant，andatdinnertheyhadapeculiarwayoflookingateachother，andofdrinkingtoeachother，inamannerasiftosay："Weknowallaboutit，don’twe？"
Andtothinkthattherearemillionsonthefaceoftheglobewhoareamusedatsuchmonkeytricks！IwouldsoonerbeaJesuit.
Now，inourtowntherereallywasanoldJesuitwhowasmyuncle’sdetestation.Everytimehemethim，orifheonlysawhimatadistance，heusedtosay："Getaway，youtoad."Andthen，takingmyarm，hewouldwhispertome：
"Seehere，thatfellowwillplaymeatricksomedayorother，Ifeelsureofit."
Myunclespokequitetruly，andthiswashowithappened，andthroughmyfault.
ItwascloseonHolyWeek，andmyunclemadeuphismindtogiveadinneronGoodFriday，arealdinner，withhisfavoritechitterlingsandblackpuddings.IresistedasmuchasIcould，andsaid：
"Ishalleatmeatonthatday，butathome，quitebymyself.Yourmanifestation，asyoucallit，isanidioticidea.Whyshouldyoumanifest？Whatdoesitmattertoyouifpeopledonoteatanymeat？"
Butmyunclewouldnotbepersuaded.Heaskedthreeofhisfriendstodinewithhimatoneofthebestrestaurantsinthetown，andashewasgoingtopaythebillIhadcertainly，afterall，noscruplesaboutmanifesting.
Atfouro’clockwetookaconspicuousplaceinthemostfrequentedrestaurantinthetown，andmyuncleordereddinnerinaloudvoiceforsixo’clock.
Wesatdownpunctually，andatteno’clockwehadnotyetfinished.Fiveofushaddrunkeighteenbottlesofchoice，stillwineandfourofchampagne.Thenmyuncleproposedwhathewasinthehabitofcalling"thearchbishop’scircuit."Eachmanputsixsmallglassesinfrontofhim，eachofthemfilledwithadifferentliqueur，andtheyhadalltobeemptiedatonegulp，oneafteranother，whileoneofthewaiterscountedtwenty.Itwasverystupid，butmyunclethoughtitwasverysuitabletotheoccasion.
Ateleveno’clockhewasasdrunkasafly.Sowehadtotakehimhomeinacabandputhimtobed，andonecouldeasilyforeseethathisanti—
clericaldemonstrationwouldendinaterriblefitofindigestion.
AsIwasgoingbacktomylodgings，beingratherdrunkmyself，withacheerfuldrunkenness，aMachiavellianideastruckmewhichsatisfiedallmyscepticalinstincts.
Iarrangedmynecktie，putonalookofgreatdistress，andwentand，rangloudlyattheoldJesuit’sdoor.Ashewasdeafhemademewaitalongishwhile，butatlengthappearedathiswindowinacottonnightcapandaskedwhatIwanted.
Ishoutedoutatthetopofmyvoice：
"Makehaste，reverendsir，andopenthedoor;apoor，despairing，sickmanisinneedofyourspiritualministrations."
Thegood，kindmanputonhistrousersasquicklyashecould，andcamedownwithouthiscassock.Itoldhiminabreathlessvoicethatmyuncle，theFreethinker，hadbeentakensuddenlyill，andfearingitwasgoingtobesomethingserious，hehadbeenseizedwithasuddendreadofdeath，andwishedtoseethepriestandtalktohim;tohavehisadviceandcomfort，tomakehispeacewiththeChurch，andtoconfess，soastobeabletocrossthedreadedthresholdatpeacewithhimself;andIaddedinamockingtone：
"Atanyrate，hewishesit，andifitdoeshimnogooditcandohimnoharm."
TheoldJesuit，whowasstartled，delighted，andalmosttrembling，saidtome：
"Waitamoment，myson;Iwillcomewithyou."ButIreplied："Pardonme，reverendfather，ifIdonotgowithyou;butmyconvictionswillnotallowmetodoso.Ievenrefusedtocomeandfetchyou，soIbegyounottosaythatyouhaveseenme，buttodeclarethatyouhadapresentiment——asortofrevelationofhisillness.
Thepriestconsentedandwentoffquickly;knockedatmyuncle’sdoor，andwassoonletin;andIsawtheblackcassockdisappearwithinthatstrongholdofFreeThought.
Ihidunderaneighboringgatewaytowaitresults.Hadhebeenwell，myunclewouldhavehalf—murderedtheJesuit，butIknewthathewouldscarcelybeabletomoveanarm，andIaskedmyselfgleefullywhatsortofascenewouldtakeplacebetweentheseantagonists，whatdisputes，whatarguments，whatahubbub，andwhatwouldbetheissueofthesituation，whichmyuncle’sindignationwouldrenderstillmoretragic？
Ilaughedtillmysidesached，andsaidhalfaloud："Oh，whatajoke，whatajoke！"
Meanwhileitwasgettingverycold，andInoticedthattheJesuitstayedalongtime，andIthought："Theyarehavinganargument，Isuppose."
One，two，threehourspassed，andstillthereverendfatherdidnotcomeout.Whathadhappened？Hadmyunclediedinafitwhenhesawhim，orhadhekilledthecassockedgentleman？Perhapstheyhadmutuallydevouredeachother？Thislastsuppositionappearedveryunlikely，forI
fanciedthatmyunclewasquiteincapableofswallowingagrainmorenourishmentatthatmoment.
Atlastthedaybroke.
Iwasveryuneasy，and，notventuringtogointothehousemyself，wenttooneofmyfriendswholivedopposite.Iwokehimup，explainedmatterstohim，muchtohisamusementandastonishment，andtookpossessionofhiswindow.
Atnineo’clockherelievedme，andIgotalittlesleep.Attwoo’clockI，inmyturn，replacedhim.Wewereutterlyastonished.
Atsixo’clocktheJesuitleft，withaveryhappyandsatisfiedlookonhisface，andwesawhimgoawaywithaquietstep.
Then，timidandashamed，Iwentandknockedatthedoorofmyuncle’shouse;andwhentheservantopeneditIdidnotdaretoaskheranyquestions，butwentupstairswithoutsayingaword.
Myunclewaslying，paleandexhausted，withweary，sorrowfuleyesandheavyarms，onhisbed.Alittlereligiouspicturewasfastenedtooneofthebedcurtainswithapin.
"Why，uncle，"Isaid，"inbedstill？Areyounotwell？"
Herepliedinafeeblevoice：
"Oh，mydearboy，Ihavebeenveryill，nearlydead."
"Howwasthat，uncle？"
"Idon’tknow;itwasmostsurprising.ButwhatisstrangerstillisthattheJesuitpriestwhohasjustleft——youknow，thatexcellentmanwhomIhavemadesuchfunof——hadadivinerevelationofmystate，andcametoseeme."
Iwasseizedwithanalmostuncontrollabledesiretolaugh，andwithdifficultysaid："Oh，really！"
"Yes，hecame.Heheardavoicetellinghimtogetupandcometome，becauseIwasgoingtodie.Iwasarevelation."
Ipretendedtosneeze，soasnottoburstoutlaughing;Ifeltinclinedtorollonthegroundwithamusement.
InaboutaminuteImanagedtosayindignantly：
"Andyoureceivedhim，uncle？You，aFreethinker，aFreemason？Youdidnothavehimthrownoutofdoors？"
Heseemedconfused，andstammered：
"Listenamoment，itissoastonishing——soastonishingandprovidential！
Healsospoketomeaboutmyfather;itseemsheknewhimformerly."
"Yourfather，uncle？ButthatisnoreasonforreceivingaJesuit."
"Iknowthat，butIwasveryill，andhelookedaftermemostdevotedlyallnightlong.Hewasperfect;nodoubthesavedmylife;thosemenallknowalittleofmedicine."
"Oh！helookedafteryouallnight？Butyousaidjustnowthathehadonlybeengoneaveryshorttime."
"Thatisquitetrue;Ikepthimtobreakfastafterallhiskindness.HehaditatatablebymybedsidewhileIdrankacupoftea."
"Andheatemeat？"
Myunclelookedvexed，asifIhadsaidsomethingveryuncalledfor，andthenadded：
"Don’tjoke，Gaston;suchthingsareoutofplaceattimes.Hehasshownmemoredevotionthanmanyarelationwouldhavedone，andIexpecttohavehisconvictionsrespected."
Thisratherupsetme，butIanswered，nevertheless："Verywell，uncle;
andwhatdidyoudoafterbreakfast？"
"Weplayedagameofbezique，andthenherepeatedhisbreviarywhileI
readalittlebookwhichhehappenedtohaveinhispocket，andwhichwasnotbyanymeansbadlywritten."
"Areligiousbook，uncle？"
"Yes，andno，or，rather——no.ItisthehistoryoftheirmissionsinCentralAfrica，andisratherabookoftravelsandadventures.Whatthesemenhavedoneisverygrand."
Ibegantofeelthatmattersweregoingbadly，soIgotup."Well，good—
by，uncle，"Isaid，"IseeyouaregoingtogiveupFreemasonryforreligion;youarearenegade."
Hewasstillratherconfused，andstammered：
"Well，butreligionisasortofFreemasonry."
"WhenisyourJesuitcomingback？"Iasked.
"Idon’t——Idon’tknowexactly;to—morrow，perhaps;butitisnotcertain."
Iwentout，altogetheroverwhelmed.
Myjoketurnedoutverybadlyforme！Myunclebecamethoroughlyconverted，andifthathadbeenallIshouldnothavecaredsomuch.
ClericalorFreemason，tomeitisallthesame;sixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother;buttheworstofitisthathehasjustmadehiswill——yes，madehiswill——andhehasdisinheritedmeinfavorofthatrascallyJesuit！
THEBARONESS
"Comewithme，"saidmyfriendBoisrene，"youwillseesomeveryinterestingbric—a—bracandworksofartthere."
HeconductedmetothefirstfloorofaneleganthouseinoneofthebigstreetsofParis.Wewerewelcomedbyaverypleasingman，withexcellentmanners，wholedusfromroomtoroom，showingusrarethings，thepriceofwhichhementionedcarelessly.Largesums，ten，twenty，thirty，fiftythousandfrancs，droppedfromhislipswithsuchgraceandeasethatonecouldnotdoubtthatthisgentleman—merchanthadmillionsshutupinhissafe.
IhadknownhimbyreputationforalongtimeVerybright，clever，intelligent，heactedasintermediaryinallsortsoftransactions.HekeptintouchwithalltherichestartamateursinParis，andevenofEuropeandAmerica，knowingtheirtastesandpreferences;heapprisedthembyletter，orbywireiftheylivedinadistantcity，assoonasheknewofsomeworkofartwhichmightsuitthem.
Menofthebestsocietyhadhadrecoursetohimintimesofdifficulty，eithertofindmoneyforgambling，ortopayoffadebt，ortosellapicture，afamilyjewel，oratapestry.
Itwassaidthatheneverrefusedhisserviceswhenhesawachanceofgain.
Boisreneseemedveryintimatewiththisstrangemerchant.Theymusthaveworkedtogetherinmanyadeal.Iobservedthemanwithgreatinterest.
Hewastall，thin，bald，andveryelegant.Hissoft，insinuatingvoicehadapeculiar，temptingcharmwhichseemedtogivetheobjectsaspecialvalue.Whenheheldanythinginhishands，heturneditroundandround，lookingatitwithsuchskill，refinement，andsympathythattheobjectseemedimmediatelytobebeautifulandtransformedbyhislookandtouch.
Anditsvalueincreasedinone’sestimation，aftertheobjecthadpassedfromtheshowcaseintohishands.
"AndyourCrucifix，"saidBoisrene，"thatbeautifulRenaissanceCrucifixwhichyoushowedmelastyear？"
Themansmiledandanswered：
"Ithasbeensold，andinaverypeculiarmanner.ThereisarealParisianstoryforyou！Wouldyouliketohearit？"
"Withpleasure."
"DoyouknowtheBaronessSamoris？"
"Yesandno.Ihaveseenheronce，butIknowwhatsheis！"
"Youknow——everything？"
"Yes."
"Wouldyoumindtellingme，sothatIcanseewhetheryouarenotmistaken？"
"Certainly.Mme.Samorisisawomanoftheworldwhohasadaughter，withoutanyonehavingknownherhusband.Atanyrate，sheisreceivedinacertaintolerant，orblindsociety.ShegoestochurchanddevoutlypartakesofCommunion，sothateveryonemayknowit，andshenevercompromisesherself.Sheexpectsherdaughtertomarrywell.Isthatcorrect？"
"Yes，butIwillcompleteyourinformation.Sheisawomanwhomakesherselfrespectedbyheradmirersinspiteofeverything.Thatisararequality，forinthismannershecangetwhatshewishesfromaman.Themanwhomshehaschosenwithouthissuspectingitcourtsherforalongtime，longsforhertimidly，winsherwithastonishmentandpossessesherwithconsideration.Hedoesnotnoticethatheispaying，sheissotactful;andshemaintainsherrelationsonsuchafootingofreserveanddignitythathewouldslapthefirstmanwhodareddoubtherintheleast.Andallthisinthebestoffaith.
"SeveraltimesIhavebeenabletorenderlittleservicestothiswoman.
Shehasnosecretsfromme.
"TowardthebeginningofJanuaryshecametomeinordertoborrowthirtythousandfrancs.Naturally，Ididnotlendthemtoher;but，asIwishedtoobligeher，Itoldhertoexplainhersituationtomecompletely，sothatImightseewhethertherewasnotsomethingIcoulddoforher.
"Shetoldmehertroublesinsuchcautiouslanguagethatshecouldnothavespokenmoredelicatelyofherchild’sfirstcommunion.Ifinallymanagedtounderstandthattimeswerehard，andthatshewaspenniless.
"Thecommercialcrisis，politicalunrest，rumorsofwar，hadmademoneyscarceeveninthehandsofherclients.Andthen，ofcourse，shewasveryparticular.
"Shewouldassociateonlywithamaninthebestofsociety，whocouldstrengthenherreputationaswellashelpherfinancially.Areveller，nomatterhowrich，wouldhavecompromisedherforever，andwouldhavemadethemarriageofherdaughterquitedoubtful.
"Shehadtomaintainherhouseholdexpensesandcontinuetoentertain，inordernottolosetheopportunityoffinding，amonghernumerousvisitors，thediscreetanddistinguishedfriendforwhomshewaswaiting，andwhomshewouldchoose.
"Ishowedherthatmythirtythousandfrancswouldhavebutlittlelikelihoodofreturningtome;for，afterspendingthemall，shewouldhavetofindatleastsixtythousandmore，inalump，topaymeback.
"Sheseemedverydisheartenedwhensheheardthis.Ididnotknowjustwhattodo，whenanidea，areallyfineidea，struckme.
"IhadjustboughtthisRenaissanceCrucifixwhichIshowedyou，anadmirablepieceofworkmanship，oneofthefinestofitslandthatIhaveeverseen.
"’Mydearfriend，’Isaidtoher，’Iamgoingtosendyouthatpieceofivory.Youwillinventsomeingenious，touching，poeticstory，anythingthatyouwish，toexplainyourdesireforpartingwithit.Itis，ofcourse，afamilyheirloomleftyoubyyourfather.
"’Imyselfwillsendyouamateurs，orwillbringthemtoyou.Therestconcernsyou.BeforetheycomeIwilldropyoualineabouttheirposition，bothsocialandfinancial.ThisCrucifixisworthfiftythousandfrancs;butIwillletitgoforthirtythousand.Thedifferencewillbelongtoyou.’
"Sheconsideredthematterseriouslyforseveralminutes，andthenanswered：’Yes，itis，perhaps，agoodidea.Ithankyouvery—much.’
"ThenextdayIsenthermyCrucifix，andthesameeveningtheBarondeSaint—Hospital.
"ForthreemonthsIsenthermybestclients，fromabusinesspointofview.ButIheardnothingmorefromher.
"OnedayIreceivedavisitfromaforeignerwhospokeverylittleFrench.Idecidedtointroducehimpersonallytothebaroness，inordertoseehowshewasgettingalong.
"Afootmaninblackliveryreceivedusandusheredusintoaquietlittleparlor，furnishedwithtaste，wherewewaitedforseveralminutes.Sheappeared，charmingasusual，extendedherhandtomeandinvitedustobeseated;andwhenIhadexplainedthereasonofmyvisit，sherang.
"Thefootmanappeared.
"’SeeifMlle.Isabellecanletusgointoheroratory.’Theyounggirlherselfbroughttheanswer.Shewasaboutfifteenyearsofage，modestandgoodtolookuponinthesweetfreshnessofheryouth.Shewishedtoconductusherselftoherchapel.
"ItwasakindofreligiousboudoirwhereasilverlampwasburningbeforetheCrucifix，myCrucifix，onabackgroundofblackvelvet.Thesettingwascharmingandveryclever.Thechildcrossedherselfandthensaid：
"’Look，gentlemen.Isn’titbeautiful？’
"Itooktheobject，examineditanddeclaredittoberemarkable.Theforeigneralsoexaminedit，butheseemedmuchmoreinterestedinthetwowomenthaninthecrucifix.
"Adelicateodorofincense，flowersandperfumepervadedthewholehouse.Onefeltathomethere.Thisreallywasacomfortablehome，whereonewouldhavelikedtolinger.
"WhenwehadreturnedtotheparlorIdelicatelybroachedthesubjectoftheprice.Mme.Samoris，loweringhereyes，askedfiftythousandfrancs.
