第20章

"AndthenalsoIfeltsomethingintheair，somethingIcouldnotexpress，oneofthosemysteriouspremonitionsthatwarnoneofanotherperson’ssecretintentionsinregardtoyourself，whethertheybegoodorevil.

"Thatpainfulsilencelastedsometime，andthenBerthasaidtome：

"’Willyoukindlyputalogonthefireforitisgoingout.’

"SoIopenedtheboxwherethewoodwaskept，whichwasplacedjustwhereyoursis，tookoutthelargestlogandputitontopoftheothers，whichwerethreepartsburned，andthensilenceagainreignedintheroom.

"Inafewminutesthelogwasburningsobrightlythatitscorchedourfaces，andtheyoungwomanraisedhereyestomine——eyesthathadastrangelooktome.

"’Itistoohotnow，’shesaid;’letusgoandsitonthesofaoverthere.’

"Sowewentandsatonthesofa，andthenshesaidsuddenly，lookingmefullintheface：

"’Whatwouldyoudoifawomanweretotellyouthatshewasinlovewithyou？’

"’Uponmyword，’Ireplied，verymuchatalossforananswer，’Icannotforeseesuchacase;butitwoulddependverymuchuponthewoman.’

"Shegaveahard，nervous，vibratinglaugh;oneofthosefalselaughswhichseemasiftheymustbreakthinglass，andthensheadded：’Menarenevereitherventuresomeorspiteful.’And，afteramoment’ssilence，shecontinued：’Haveyoueverbeeninlove，MonsieurPaul？’IwasobligedtoacknowledgethatIcertainlyhad，andsheaskedmetotellherallaboutit.WhereuponImadeupsomestoryorother.Shelistenedtomeattentively，withfrequentsignsofdisapprovalandcontempt，andthensuddenlyshesaid：

"’No，youunderstandnothingaboutthesubject.Itseemstomethatreallovemustunsettlethemind，upsetthenervesanddistractthehead;thatitmust——howshallIexpressit？——bedangerous，eventerrible，almostcriminalandsacrilegious;thatitmustbeakindoftreason;Imeantosaythatitisboundtobreaklaws，fraternalbonds，sacredobligations;

whenloveistranquil，easy，lawfulandwithoutdangers，isitreallylove？’

"Ididnotknowwhatanswertogiveher，andImadethisphilosophicalreflectiontomyself：’Oh！femalebrain，here;indeed，youshowyourself！’

"Whilespeaking，shehadassumedademuresaintlyair;and，restingonthecushions，shestretchedherselfoutatfulllength，withherheadonmyshoulder，andherdresspulledupalittlesoastoshowherredstockings，whichthefirelightmadelookstillbrighter.Inaminuteortwoshecontinued：

"’IsupposeIhavefrightenedyou？’Iprotestedagainstsuchanotion，andsheleanedagainstmybreastaltogether，andwithoutlookingatme，shesaid：’IfIweretotellyouthatIloveyou，whatwouldyoudo？’

"AndbeforeIcouldthinkofananswer，shehadthrownherarmsaroundmyneck，hadquicklydrawnmyheaddown，andputherlipstomine.

"Oh！Mydearfriend，IcantellyouthatIdidnotfeelatallhappy！

What！deceiveJulien？becometheloverofthislittle，silly，wrong—

headed，deceitfulwoman，whowas，nodoubt，terriblysensual，andwhomherhusbandnolongersatisfied.

Tobetrayhimcontinually，todeceivehim，toplayatbeinginlovemerelybecauseIwasattractedbyforbiddenfruit，bythedangerincurredandthefriendshipbetrayed！No，thatdidnotsuitme，butwhatwasItodo？ToimitateJosephwouldbeactingaverystupidand，moreover，difficultpart，forthiswomanwasenchantinginherperfidy，inflamedbyaudacity，palpitatingandexcited.Letthemanwhohasneverfeltonhislipsthewarmkissofawomanwhoisreadytogiveherselftohimthrowthefirststoneatme.

"Well，aminutemore——youunderstandwhatImean？Aminutemore，and——I

shouldhavebeen——no，shewouldhavebeen！——Ibegyourpardon，hewouldhavebeen——whenaloudnoisemadeusbothjumpup.Theloghadfallenintotheroom，knockingoverthefireironsandthefender，andontothecarpet，whichithadscorched，andhadrolledunderanarmchair，whichitwouldcertainlysetalight.

"Ijumpeduplikeamadman，and，asIwasreplacingonthefirethatlogwhichhadsavedme，thedooropenedhastily，andJuliencamein.

"’Iamfree，’hesaid，withevidentpleasure.’ThebusinesswasovertwohourssoonerthanIexpected！’

"Yes，mydearfriend，withoutthatlog，Ishouldhavebeencaughtintheveryact，andyouknowwhattheconsequenceswouldhavebeen！

"YoumaybesurethatItookgoodcarenevertobefoundinasimilarsituationagain，never，never.SoonafterwardIsawthatJulienwasgivingmethe’coldshoulder，’astheysay.Hiswifewasevidentlyunderminingourfriendship.Bydegreeshegotridofme，andwehavealtogetherceasedtomeet.

"Inevermarried，whichoughtnottosurpriseyou，Ithink."

JULIEROMAIN

TwoyearsagothisspringIwasmakingawalkingtouralongtheshoreoftheMediterranean.Isthereanythingmorepleasantthantomeditatewhilewalkingatagoodpacealongahighway？Onewalksinthesunlight，throughthecaressingbreeze，atthefootofthemountains，alongthecoastofthesea.Andonedreams！Whatafloodofillusions，loves，adventurespassthroughapedestrian’smindduringatwohours’march！

Whatacrowdofconfusedandjoyoushopesenterintoyouwiththemild，lightair！Youdrinktheminwiththebreeze，andtheyawakeninyourheartalongingforhappinesswhichincreaseswiththehungerinducedbywalking.Thefleeting，charmingideasflyandsinglikebirds.

IwasfollowingthatlongroadwhichgoesfromSaintRaphaeltoItaly，or，rather，thatlong，splendidpanoramichighwaywhichseemsmadefortherepresentationofallthelove—poemsofearth.AndIthoughtthatfromCannes，whereoneposes，toMonaco，whereonegambles，peoplecometothisspotoftheearthforhardlyanyotherpurposethantogetembroiledortothrowawaymoneyonchancegames，displayingunderthisdeliciousskyandinthisgardenofrosesandorangesallbasevanitiesandfoolishpretensionsandvilelusts，showingupthehumanmindsuchasitis，servile，ignorant，arrogantandfullofcupidity.

SuddenlyIsawsomevillasinoneofthoseravishingbaysthatonemeetsateveryturnofthemountain;therewereonlyfourorfivefrontingtheseaatthefootofthemountains，andbehindthemawildfirwoodslopesintotwogreatvalleys，thatwereuntraversedbyroads.Istoppedshortbeforeoneofthesechalets，itwassopretty：asmallwhitehousewithbrowntrimmings，overrunwithramblerrosesuptothetop.

Thegardenwasamassofflowers，ofallcolorsandallkinds，mixedinacoquettish，well—planneddisorder.Thelawnwasfullofthem，bigpotsflankedeachsideofeverystepoftheporch，pinkoryellowclustersframedeachwindow，andtheterracewiththestonebalustrade，whichenclosedthisprettylittledwelling，hadagarlandofenormousredbells，likedropsofblood.BehindthehouseIsawalongavenueoforangetreesinblossom，whichwentuptothefootofthemountain.

Overthedoorappearedthename，"Villad’Antan，"insmallgoldletters.

Iaskedmyselfwhatpoetorwhatfairywaslivingthere，whatinspired，solitarybeinghaddiscoveredthisspotandcreatedthisdreamhouse，whichseemedtonestleinanosegay.

Aworkmanwasbreakingstonesupthestreet，andIwenttohimtoaskthenameoftheproprietorofthisjewel.

"ItisMadameJulieRomain，"hereplied.

JulieRomain！Inmychildhood，longago，Ihadheardthemspeakofthisgreatactress，therivalofRachel.

Nowomaneverwasmoreapplaudedandmoreloved——especiallymoreloved！

Whatduetsandsuicidesonheraccountandwhatsensationaladventures！

Howoldwasthisseductivewomannow？Sixty，seventy，seventy—five！

JulieRomainhere，inthishouse！Thewomanwhohadbeenadoredbythegreatestmusicianandthemostexquisitepoetofourland！Istillrememberthesensation（Iwasthentwelveyearsofage）whichherflighttoSicilywiththelatter，afterherrupturewiththeformer，causedthroughoutFrance.

Shehadleftoneevening，afterapremiere，wheretheaudiencehadapplaudedherforawholehalfhour，andhadrecalledhereleventimesinsuccession.Shehadgoneawaywiththepoet，inapost—chaise，aswasthefashionthen;theyhadcrossedthesea，toloveeachotherinthatantiqueisland，thedaughterofGreece，inthatimmenseorangewoodwhichsurroundsPalermo，andwhichiscalledthe"ShellofGold."

PeopletoldoftheirascensionofMountEtnaandhowtheyhadleanedovertheimmensecrater，arminarm，cheektocheek，asiftothrowthemselvesintotheveryabyss.

Nowhewasdead，thatmakerofversessotouchingandsoprofoundthattheyturned，theheadsofawholegeneration，sosubtleandsomysteriousthattheyopenedanewworldtotheyoungerpoets.

Theotheronealsowasdead——thedesertedone，whohadattainedthroughhermusicalperiodsthatarealiveinthememoriesofall，periodsoftriumphandofdespair，intoxicatingtriumphandheartrendingdespair.

Andshewasthere，inthathouseveiledbyflowers.

Ididnothesitate，butrangthebell.

Asmallservantanswered，aboyofeighteenwithawkwardmienandclumsyhands.Iwroteinpencilonmycardagallantcomplimenttotheactress，begginghertoreceiveme.Perhaps，ifsheknewmyname，shewouldopenherdoortome.

Thelittlevalettookitin，andthencameback，askingmetofollowhim.

Heledmetoaneatanddecoroussalon，furnishedintheLouis—Philippestyle，withstiffandheavyfurniture，fromwhichalittlemaidofsixteen，slenderbutnotpretty，tookoffthecoversinmyhonor.

ThenIwasleftalone.

Onthewallshungthreeportraits，thatoftheactressinoneofherroles，thatofthepoetinhisclose—fittinggreatcoatandtheruffledshirttheninstyle，andthatofthemusicianseatedatapiano.

She，blond，charming，butaffected，accordingtothefashionofherday，wassmiling，withherprettymouthandblueeyes;thepaintingwascareful，fine，elegant，butlifeless.

Thosefacesseemedtobealreadylookinguponposterity.

Thewholeplacehadtheairofabygonetime，ofdaysthatweredoneandmenwhohadvanished.

Adooropenedandalittlewomanentered，old，veryold，verysmall，withwhitehairandwhiteeyebrows，averitablewhitemouse，andasquickandfurtiveofmovement.

Sheheldoutherhandtome，sayinginavoicestillfresh，sonorousandvibrant：

"Thankyou，monsieur.Howkinditisofthemenofto—daytorememberthewomenofyesterday！Sitdown."

Itoldherthatherhousehadattractedme，thatIhadinquiredfortheproprietor’sname，andthat，onlearningit，Icouldnotresistthedesiretoringherbell.

"Thisgivesmeallthemorepleasure，monsieur，"shereplied，"asitisthefirsttimethatsuchathinghashappened.WhenIreceivedyourcard，withthegraciousnote，Itrembledasifanoldfriendwhohaddisappearedfortwentyyearshadbeenannouncedtome.Iamlikeadeadbody，whomnooneremembers，ofwhomnoonewillthinkuntilthedaywhenIshallactuallydie;thenthenewspaperswillmentionJulieRomainforthreedays，relatinganecdotesanddetailsofmylife，revivingmemories，andpraisingmegreatly.Thenallwillbeoverwithme."

Afterafewmomentsofsilence，shecontinued：

"Andthiswillnotbesoverylongnow.Inafewmonths，inafewdays，nothingwillremainbutalittleskeletonofthislittlewomanwhoisnowalive."

Sheraisedhereyestowardherportrait，whichsmileddownuponthiscaricatureofherself;thenshelookedatthoseofthetwomen，thedisdainfulpoetandtheinspiredmusician，whoseemedtosay："Whatdoesthisruinwantofus？"

Anindefinable，poignant，irresistiblesadnessoverwhelmedmyheart，thesadnessofexistencesthathavehadtheirday，butwhoarestilldebatingwiththeirmemories，likeapersondrowningindeepwater.

FrommyseatIcouldseeonthehighroadthehandsomecarriagesthatwerewhirlingfromNicetoMonaco;insidethemIsawyoung，pretty，richandhappywomenandsmiling，satisfiedmen.Followingmyeye，sheunderstoodmythoughtandmurmuredwithasmileofresignation：

"Onecannotbothbeandhavebeen."

"Howbeautifullifemusthavebeenforyou！"Isaid.

Sheheavedagreatsigh.

"Beautifulandsweet！AndforthatreasonIregretitsomuch."

Isawthatshewasdisposedtotalkofherself，soIbegantoquestionher，gentlyanddiscreetly，asonemighttouchbruisedflesh.

Shespokeofhersuccesses，herintoxicationsandherfriends，ofherwholetriumphantexistence.

"Wasitonthestagethatyoufoundyourmostintensejoys，yourtruehappiness？"Iasked.

"Oh，no！"sherepliedquickly.

Ismiled;then，raisinghereyestothetwoportraits，shesaid，withasadglance：

"Itwaswiththem."

"Whichone？"Icouldnothelpasking.

"Both.Ievenconfusethemupalittlenowinmyoldwoman’smemory，andthenIfeelremorse."

"Then，madame，youracknowledgmentisnottothem，buttoLoveitself.

Theyweremerelyitsinterpreters."

"Thatispossible.Butwhatinterpreters！"

"Areyousurethatyouhavenotbeen，orthatyoumightnothavebeen，lovedaswellorbetterbyasimpleman，butnotagreatman，whowouldhaveofferedtoyouhiswholelifeandheart，allhisthoughts，allhisdays，hiswholebeing，whilethesegaveyoutworedoubtablerivals，MusicandPoetry？"

"No，monsieur，no！"sheexclaimedemphatically，withthatstillyouthfulvoice，whichcausedthesoultovibrate."Anotheronemightperhapshavelovedmemore，buthewouldnothavelovedmeasthesedid.Ah！thosetwosangtomeofthemusicofloveasnooneelseintheworldcouldhavesungofit.Howtheyintoxicatedme！Couldanyothermanexpresswhattheyknewsowellhowtoexpressintonesandinwords？Isitenoughmerelytoloveifonecannotputallthepoetryandallthemusicofheavenandearthintolove？Andtheyknewhowtomakeawomandeliriouswithsongsandwithwords.Yes，perhapstherewasmoreofillusionthanofrealityinourpassion;buttheseillusionsliftyouintotheclouds，whilerealitiesalwaysleaveyoutrailinginthedust.

Ifothershavelovedmemore，throughthesetwoIhaveunderstood，feltandworshippedlove."

Suddenlyshebegantoweep.

Sheweptsilently，sheddingtearsofdespair.

Ipretendednottosee，lookingoffintothedistance.Sheresumed，afterafewminutes：

"Yousee，monsieur，withnearlyeveryonetheheartageswiththebody.

Butthishasnothappenedwithme.Mybodyissixty—nineyearsold，whilemypoorheartisonlytwenty.AndthatisthereasonwhyIliveallalone，withmyflowersandmydreams."

Therewasalongsilencebetweenus.Shegrewcalmerandcontinued，smiling：

"Howyouwouldlaughatme，ifyouknew，ifyouknewhowIpassmyevenings，whentheweatherisfine.IamashamedandIpitymyselfatthesametime."

BegasImight，shewouldnottellmewhatshedid.ThenIrosetoleave.

"Already！"sheexclaimed.

AndasIsaidthatIwishedtodineatMonteCarlo，sheaskedtimidly：

"Willyounotdinewithme？Itwouldgivemeagreatdealofpleasure."

Iacceptedatonce.Sherang，delighted，andaftergivingsomeorderstothelittlemaidshetookmeoverherhouse.

Akindofglass—enclosedveranda，filledwithshrubs，openedintothedining—room，revealingatthefartherendthelongavenueoforangetreesextendingtothefootofthemountain.Alowseat，hiddenbyplants，indicatedthattheoldactressoftencametheretositdown.

Thenwewentintothegarden，tolookattheflowers.Eveningfellsoftly，oneofthosecalm，moisteveningswhentheearthbreathesforthallherperfumes.Daylightwasalmostgonewhenwesatdownattable.

Thedinnerwasgoodanditlastedalongtime，andwebecameintimatefriends，sheandI，whensheunderstoodwhataprofoundsympathyshehadarousedinmyheart.Shehadtakentwothimblefulsofwine，asthephrasegoes，andhadgrownmoreconfidingandexpansive.

"Come，letuslookatthemoon，"shesaid."Iadorethegoodmoon.Shehasbeenthewitnessofmymostintensejoys.Itseemstomethatallmymemoriesarethere，andthatIneedonlylookathertobringthemallbacktome.Andeven——sometimes——intheevening——Ioffertomyselfaprettyplay——yes，pretty——ifyouonlyknew！Butno，youwouldlaughatme.Icannot——Idarenot——no，no——really——no."

Iimploredhertotellmewhatitwas.

"Come，now！come，tellme;IpromiseyouthatIwillnotlaugh.Iswearittoyou——come，now！"

Shehesitated.Itookherhands——thosepoorlittlehands，sothinandsocold！——andIkissedthemoneaftertheother，severaltimes，asherlovershadoncekissedthem.Shewasmovedandhesitated.

"Youpromisemenottolaugh？"

"Yes，Iswearittoyou."

"Well，then，come."

Sherose，andasthelittledomestic，awkwardinhisgreenlivery，removedthechairbehindher，shewhisperedquicklyafewwordsintohisear.

"Yes，madame，atonce，"hereplied.

Shetookmyarmandledmetotheveranda.

Theavenueoforangeswasreallysplendidtosee.Thefullmoonmadeanarrowpathofsilver，alongbrightline，whichfellontheyellowsand，betweentheround，opaquecrownsofthedarktrees.

Asthesetreeswereinbloom，theirstrong，sweetperfumefilledthenight，andswarmingamongtheirdarkfoliageIsawthousandsoffireflies，whichlookedlikeseedsfallenfromthestars.

"Oh，whatasettingforalovescene！"Iexclaimed.

Shesmiled.

"Isitnottrue？Isitnottrue？Youwillsee！"

Andshemademesitdownbesideher.

"Thisiswhatmakesonelongformorelife.Butyouhardlythinkofthesethings，youmenofto—day.Youarespeculators，merchantsandmenofaffairs.

Younolongerevenknowhowtotalktous.WhenIsay’you，’Imeanyoungmeningeneral.Lovehasbeenturnedintoaliaisonwhichveryoftenbeginswithanunpaiddressmaker’sbill.Ifyouthinkthebillisdearerthanthewoman，youdisappear;butifyouholdthewomanmorehighly，youpayit.Nicemorals——andanicekindoflove！"

Shetookmyhand.

"Look！"

Ilooked，astonishedanddelighted.Downthereattheendoftheavenue，inthemoonlight，weretwoyoungpeople，withtheirarmsaroundeachother’swaist.Theywerewalkingalong，interlaced，charming，withshort，littlesteps，crossingtheflakesoflight;whichilluminatedthemmomentarily，andthensinkingbackintotheshadow.Theyouthwasdressedinasuitofwhitesatin，suchasmenworeintheeighteenthcentury，andhadonahatwithanostrichplume.Thegirlwasarrayedinagownwithpanniers，andthehigh，powderedcoiffureofthehandsomedamesofthetimeoftheRegency.

Theystoppedahundredpacesfromus，andstandinginthemiddleoftheavenue，theykissedeachotherwithgracefulgestures.

SuddenlyIrecognizedthetwolittleservants.Thenoneofthosedreadfulfitsoflaughterthatconvulseyoumademewritheinmychair.

ButIdidnotlaughaloud.Iresisted，convulsedandfeelingalmostill，asamanwhoselegiscutoffresiststheimpulsetocryout.

Astheyoungpairturnedtowardthefartherendoftheavenuetheyagainbecamedelightful.Theywentfartherandfartheraway，finallydisappearingasadreamdisappears.Inolongersawthem.Theavenueseemedasadplace.

Itookmyleaveatonce，soasnottoseethemagain，forIguessedthatthislittleplaywouldlastalongtime，awakening，asitdid，awholepastofloveandofstagescenery;theartificialpast，deceitfulandseductive，falsebutcharming，whichstillstirredtheheartofthisamorousoldcomedienne.

THERONDOLISISTERS

I

IsetouttoseeItalythoroughlyontwooccasions，andeachtimeIwasstoppedatthefrontierandcouldnotgetanyfurther.SoIdonotknowItaly，saidmyfriend，CharlesJouvent.Andyetmytwoattemptsgavemeacharmingideaofthemannersofthatbeautifulcountry.Sometime，however，Imustvisititscities，aswellasthemuseumsandworksofartwithwhichitabounds.Iwillmakeanotherattempttopenetrateintotheinterior，whichIhavenotyetsucceededindoing.

Youdon’tunderstandme，soIwillexplain：Inthespringof1874IwasseizedwithanirresistibledesiretoseeVenice，Florence，RomeandNaples.Iam，asyouknow，notagreattraveller;itappearstomeauselessandfatiguingbusiness.Nightsspentinatrain，thedisturbedslumbersoftherailwaycarriage，withtheattendantheadache，andstiffnessineverylimb，thesuddenwakinginthatrollingbox，theunwashedfeeling，withyoureyesandhairfullofdust，thesmellofthecoalonwhichone’slungsfeed，thosebaddinnersinthedraughtyrefreshmentroomsare，accordingtomyideas，ahorriblewayofbeginningapleasuretrip.

Afterthisintroduction，wehavethemiseriesofthehotel;ofsomegreathotelfullofpeople，andyetsoempty;thestrangeroomandthedoubtfulbed！

Iammostparticularaboutmybed;itisthesanctuaryoflife.Weentrustouralmostnakedandfatiguedbodiestoitsothattheymaybereanimatedbyreposingbetweensoftsheetsandfeathers.

Therewefindthemostdelightfulhoursofourexistence，thehoursofloveandofsleep.Thebedissacred，andshouldberespected，veneratedandlovedbyusasthebestandmostdelightfulofourearthlypossessions.

Icannotliftupthesheetsofahotelbedwithoutashudderofdisgust.

Whohasoccupieditthenightbefore？Perhapsdirty，revoltingpeoplehavesleptinit.Ibegin，then，tothinkofallthehorriblepeoplewithwhomonerubsshoulderseveryday，peoplewithsuspicious—lookingskinwhichmakesonethinkofthefeetandalltherest！Icalltomindthosewhocarryaboutwiththemthesickeningsmellofgarlicorofhumanity.Ithinkofthosewhoaredeformedandunhealthy，oftheperspirationemanatingfromthesick，ofeverythingthatisuglyandfilthyinman.

Andallthis，perhaps，inthebedinwhichIamabouttosleep！ThemereideaofitmakesmefeelillasIgetintoit.

Andthenthehoteldinners——thosedrearytabled’hotedinnersinthemidstofallsortsofextraordinarypeople，orelsethoseterriblesolitarydinnersatasmalltableinarestaurant，feeblylightedbyawretchedcompositecandleunderashade.

Again，thoseterriblydulleveningsinsomeunknowntown！Doyouknowanythingmorewretchedthantheapproachof.duskonsuchanoccasion？

Onegoesaboutasifalmostinadream，lookingatfacesthatoneneverhasseenbeforeandneverwillseeagain;listeningtopeopletalkingaboutmatterswhicharequiteindifferenttoyouinalanguagethatperhapsyoudonotunderstand.Youhaveaterriblefeeling，almostasifyouwerelost，andyoucontinuetowalkonsoasnottobeobligedtoreturntothehotel，whereyouwouldfeelmoreloststillbecauseyouareathome，inahomewhichbelongstoanyonewhocanpayforit;andatlastyousinkintoachairofsomewell—lightedcafe，whosegildingandlightsoppressyouathousandtimesmorethantheshadowsinthestreets.

Thenyoufeelsoabominablylonelysittinginfrontoftheglassofflatbockbeerthatakindofmadnessseizesyou，thelongingtogosomewhereorother，nomatterwhere，aslongasyouneednotremaininfrontofthatmarbletableamidthosedazzlinglights.

Andthen，suddenly，youareawarethatyouarereallyaloneintheworld，alwaysandeverywhere，andthatinplaceswhichweknow，thefamiliarjostlingsgiveustheillusiononlyofhumanfraternity.Atsuchmomentsofself—abandonmentandsombreisolationindistantcitiesonethinksbroadly，clearlyandprofoundly.Thenonesuddenlyseesthewholeoflifeoutsidethevisionofeternalhope，apartfromthedeceptionsofourinnatehabits，andofourexpectationsofhappiness，whichweindulgeindreamsnevertoberealized.

Itisonlybygoingalongdistancefromhomethatwecanfullyunderstandhowshort—livedandemptyeverythingnearathandis;bysearchingfortheunknown，weperceivehowcommonplaceandevanescenteverythingis;onlybywanderingoverthefaceoftheearthcanweunderstandhowsmalltheworldis，andhowverymuchalikeitiseverywhere.

HowwellIknow，andhowIhateandalmostfear，thosehaphazardwalksthroughunknownstreets;andthiswasthereasonwhy，asnothingwouldinducemetoundertakeatourinItalybymyself，ImadeupmymindtoaccompanymyfriendPaulPavilly.

YouknowPaul，andhowheidealizeswomen.Tohimtheearthishabitableonlybecausetheyarethere;thesungiveslightandiswarmbecauseitshinesuponthem;theairissoftandbalmybecauseitblowsupontheirskinandrufflesthesofthairontheirtemples;andthemoonischarmingbecauseitmakesthemdreamandimpartsalanguorouscharmtolove.

EveryactandactionofPaul’shaswomanforitsmotive;allhisthoughts，allhiseffortsandhopesarecenteredinthem.

WhenImentionedItalytoPaulheatfirstabsolutelyrefusedtoleaveParis.I，however，begantotellhimoftheadventuresIhadonmytravels.IassuredhimthatallItalianwomenarecharming，andImadehimhopeforthemostrefinedpleasuresatNaples，thankstocertainlettersofintroductionwhichIhad;andsoatlastheallowedhimselftobepersuaded.

II

WetooktheexpressoneThursdayevening，PaulandI.Hardlyanyonegoessouthatthattimeoftheyear，sothatwehadthecarriagestoourselves，andbothofuswereinabadtemperonleavingParis，sorryforhavingyieldedtothetemptationofthisjourney，andregrettingMarly，theSeine，andourlazyboatingexcursions，andallthosepleasuresinandnearPariswhicharesodeartoeverytrueParisian.

AssoonasthetrainstartedPaulstuckhimselfinhiscorner，andsaid，"Itismostidiotictogoallthatdistance，"andasitwastoolateforhimtochangehismindthen，Isaid，"Well，youshouldnothavecome."

Hemadenoanswer，andIfeltverymuchinclinedtolaughwhenIsawhowfurioushelooked.Heiscertainlyalwaysratherlikeasquirrel，buttheneveryoneofushasretainedthetypeofsomeanimalorotherasthemarkofhisprimitiveorigin.Howmanypeoplehavejawslikeabulldog，orheadslikegoats，rabbits，foxes，horses，oroxen.Paulisasquirrelturnedintoaman.Hehasitsbright，quickeyes，itshair，itspointednose，itssmall，fine，supple，activebody，andacertainmysteriousresemblanceinhisgeneralbearing;infact，asimilarityofmovement，ofgesture，andofbearingwhichmightalmostbetakenforarecollection.

Atlastwebothwenttosleepwiththatuncomfortableslumberoftherailwaycarriage，whichisinterruptedbyhorriblecrampsinthearmsandneck，andbythesuddenstoppagesofthetrain.

WewokeupaswewerepassingalongtheRhone.Soonthecontinuednoiseofcricketscameinthroughthewindows，thatcrywhichseemstobethevoiceofthewarmearth，thesongofProvence;andseemedtoinstillintoourlooks，ourbreasts，andoursoulsthelightandhappyfeelingofthesouth，thatodoroftheparchedearth，ofthestonyandlightsoiloftheolivewithitsgray—greenfoliage.

Whenthetrainstoppedagainarailwayguardranalongthetraincallingout"Valence"inasonorousvoice，withanaccentthatagaingaveusatasteofthatProvencewhichtheshrillnoteofthecricketshadalreadyimpartedtous.

NothingfreshhappenedtillwegottoMarseilles，wherewealightedforbreakfast，butwhenwereturnedtoourcarriagewefoundawomaninstalledthere.

Paul，withadelightedglanceatme，gavehisshortmustacheamechanicaltwirl，andpassedhisfingersthroughhis，hair，which.hadbecomeslightlyoutoforderwiththenight’sjourney.Thenhesatdownoppositethenewcomer.

WheneverIhappentoseeastrikingnewface，eitherintravellingorinsociety，Ialwayshavethestrongestinclinationtofindoutwhatcharacter，mind，andintellectualcapacitiesarehiddenbeneaththosefeatures.

Shewasayoungandprettywoman，certainlyanativeofthesouthofFrance，withsplendideyes，beautifulwavyblackhair，whichwassothickandlongthatitseemedalmosttooheavyforherhead.Shewasdressedwithacertainsouthernbadtastewhichmadeherlookalittlevulgar.

Herregularfeatureshadnoneofthegraceandfinishoftherefinedraces，ofthatslightdelicacywhichmembersofthearistocracyinheritfromtheirbirth，andwhichisthehereditarymarkofthinnerblood.

Herbraceletsweretoobigtobeofgold;sheworeearringswithlargewhitestonesthatwerecertainlynotdiamonds，andshebelongedunmistakablytothePeople.Onesurmisedthatshewouldtalktooloud，andshoutoneveryoccasionwithexaggeratedgestures.

Whenthetrainstartedsheremainedmotionlessinherplace，intheattitudeofawomanwhowasindignant，withoutevenlookingatus.

Paulbegantotalktome，evidentlywithaneyetoeffect，tryingtoattractherattention，asshopkeepersexposetheirchoicewarestocatchthenoticeofpassersby.

She，however，didnotappeartobepayingtheleastattention.

"Toulon！Tenminutestowait！Refreshmentroom！"theportersshouted.

Paulmotionedtometogetout，andassoonaswehaddoneso，hesaid：

"Iwonderwhoonearthshecanbe？"

Ibegantolaugh."IamsureIdon’tknow，andIdon’tintheleastcare."

Hewasquiteexcited.

"Sheisanuncommonlyfreshandprettygirl.Whateyesshehas，andhowcrossshelooks.Shemusthavebeendreadfullyworried，forshetakesnonoticeofanything."

"Youwillhaveallyourtroublefornothing，"Igrowled.

Hebegantolosehistemper.

"Iamnottakinganytrouble，mydearfellow.Ithinkheranextremelyprettywoman，thatisall.Ifonecouldonlyspeaktoher！ButIdon’tknowhowtobegin.Cannotyougivemeanidea？Can’tyouguesswhosheis？"

"Uponmyword，Icannot.However，Ishouldratherthinksheissomestrollingactresswhoisgoingtorejoinhercompanyafteraloveadventure."

Heseemedquiteupset，asifIhadsaidsomethinginsulting.

"Whatmakesyouthinkthat？Onthecontrary，Ithinkshelooksmostrespectable."

"Justlookatherbracelets，"Isaid，"herearringsandherwholedress.

Ishouldnotbetheleastsurprisedifshewereadanceroracircusrider，butmostlikelyadancer.Herwholestylesmacksverymuchofthetheatre."

Heevidentlydidnotliketheidea.

"Sheismuchtooyoung，Iamsure;why，sheishardlytwenty."

"Well，"Ireplied，"therearemanythingswhichonecandobeforeoneistwenty;dancingandelocutionareamongthem."

"TakeyourseatsforNice，Vintimiglia，"theguardsandporterscalled.

Wegotin;ourfellowpassengerwaseatinganorange，andcertainlyshedidnotdoitelegantly.Shehadspreadherpocket—handkerchiefonherknees，andthewayinwhichshetoreoffthepeelandopenedhermouthtoputinthepieces，andthenspatthepipsoutofthewindow，showedthathertraininghadbeendecidedlyvulgar.

Sheseemed，also，moreputoutthanever，andswallowedthefruitwithanexceedinglycomicairofrage.

Pauldevouredherwithhiseyes，andtriedtoattractherattentionandexcitehercuriosity;butinspiteofhistalk，andofthemannerinwhichhebroughtinwell—knownnames，shedidnotpaytheleastattentiontohim.

AfterpassingFrejusandSt.Raphael，thetrainpassedthroughaveritablegarden，aparadiseofroses，andgrovesoforangesandlemonscoveredwithfruitsandflowersatthesametime.ThatdelightfulcoastfromMarseillestoGenoaisakingdomofperfumesinahomeofflowers.

Juneisthetimetoseeitinallitsbeauty，whenineverynarrowvalleyandoneveryslope，themostexquisiteflowersaregrowingluxuriantly.

Andtheroses！fields，hedges，grovesofroses.Theyclimbupthewalls，blossomontheroofs，hangfromthetrees，peepoutfromamongthebushes;theyarewhite，red，yellow，largeandsmall，single，withasimpleself—coloreddress，orfullandheavyinbrillianttoilettes.

Theirbreathmakestheairheavyandrelaxing，andthestillmorepenetratingodoroftheorangeblossomssweetenstheatmospheretillitmightalmostbecalledtherefinementofodor.

Theshore，withitsbrownrocks，wasbathedbythemotionlessMediterranean.Thehotsummersunstretchedlikeafieryclothoverthemountains，overthelongexpansesofsand，andoverthemotionless，apparentlysolidbluesea.Thetrainwentonthroughthetunnels，alongtheslopes，abovethewater，onstraight，wall—likeviaducts，andasoft，vague，saltishsmell，asmellofdryingseaweed，mingledattimeswiththestrong，heavyperfumeoftheflowers.

ButPaulneithersaw，lookedat，norsmelledanything，forourfellowtravellerengrossedallhisattention.

WhenwereachedCannes，ashewishedtospeaktomehesignedtometogetout，andassoonasIdidso，hetookmebythearm.

"Doyouknow，sheisreallycharming.Justlookathereyes;andIneversawanythinglikeherhair."

"Don’texciteyourself，"Ireplied，"orelseaddressher，ifyouhaveanyintentionsthatway.Shedoesnotlookunapproachable;Ifancy，althoughsheappeartobealittlebitgrumpy."

"Whydon’tyouspeaktoher？"hesaid.

"Idon’tknowwhattosay，forIamalwaysterriblystupidatfirst;I

cannevermakeadvancestoawomaninthestreet.Ifollowthem，goroundandroundthem，andquiteclosetothem，butneverknowwhattosayatfirst.Ionlyoncetriedtoenterintoconversationwithawomaninthatway.AsIclearlysawthatshewaswaitingformetomakeovertures，andasIfeltboundtosaysomething，Istammeredout，’Ihopeyouarequitewell，madame？’Shelaughedinmyface，andImademyescape."

IpromisedPaultodoallIcouldtobringaboutaconversation，andwhenwehadtakenourplacesagain，Ipolitelyaskedourneighbor：

"Haveyouanyobjectiontothesmelloftobacco，madame？"

Shemerelyreplied，"Noncapisco."

SoshewasanItalian！Ifeltanabsurdinclinationtolaugh.AsPauldidnotunderstandawordofthatlanguage，Iwasobligedtoactashisinterpreter，soIsaidinItalian：

"Iaskedyou，madame，whetheryouhadanyobjectiontotobaccosmoke？"

Withanangrylookshereplied，"Chemifa！"

Shehadneitherturnedherheadnorlookedatme，andIreallydidnotknowwhethertotakethis"WhatdoIcare"foranauthorization，arefusal，arealsignofindifference，orforamere"Letmealone."

"Madame，"Ireplied，"ifyoumindthesmelloftobaccointheleast——"

Sheagainsaid，"Mica，"inatonewhichseemedtomean，"Iwishtogoodnessyouwouldleavemealone！"Itwas，however，akindofpermission，soIsaidtoPaul：

"Youmaysmoke."

Helookedatmeinthatcurioussortofwaythatpeoplehavewhentheytrytounderstandotherswhoaretalkinginastrangelanguagebeforethem，andaskedme：

"Whatdidyousaytoher？"

"Iaskedwhetherwemightsmoke，andshesaidwemightdowhateverweliked."

WhereuponIlightedmycigar.

"Didshesayanythingmore？"

"Ifyouhadcountedherwordsyouwouldhavenoticedthatsheusedexactlysix，twoofwhichgavemetounderstandthatsheknewnoFrench，sofourremained，andmuchcanbesaidinfourwords."

Paulseemedquiteunhappy，disappointed，andatsea，sotospeak.

ButsuddenlytheItalianaskedme，inthattoneofdiscontentwhichseemedhabitualtoher，"DoyouknowatwhattimeweshallgettoGenoa？"

"Ateleveno’clock，"Ireplied.ThenafteramomentIwenton：

"MyfriendandIarealsogoingtoGenoa，andifwecanbeofanyservicetoyou，weshallbeveryhappy，asyouarequitealone."Butsheinterruptedwithsucha"Mica！"thatIdidnotventureonanotherword.

"Whatdidshesay？"Paulasked.

"Shesaidshethoughtyouwerecharming."

Buthewasinnohumorforjoking，andbeggedmedrylynottomakefunofhim;soItranslatedherquestionandmypoliteoffer，whichhadbeensorudelyrejected.

Thenhereallybecameasrestlessasacagedsquirrel.

"Ifweonlyknew，"hesaid，"whathotelshewasgoingto，wewouldgotothesame.Trytofindoutsoastohaveanotheropportunitytomakehertalk."

Itwasnotparticularlyeasy，andIdidnotknowwhatpretexttoinvent，desirousasIwastomaketheacquaintanceofthisunapproachableperson.

WepassedNice，Monaco，Mentone，andthetrainstoppedatthefrontierfortheexaminationofluggage.

AlthoughIhatethoseill—bredpeoplewhobreakfastanddineinrailway—

carriages，Iwentandboughtaquantityofgoodthingstomakeonelastattackonherbytheirmeans.Ifeltsurethatthisgirlmust，ordinarily，bebynomeansinaccessible.Somethinghadputheroutandmadeherirritable，butverylittlewouldsuffice，amerewordorsomeagreeableoffer，todecideherandvanquishher.

Westartedagain，andwethreewerestillalone.Ispreadmyeatablesontheseat.Icutupthefowl，puttheslicesofhamneatlyonapieceofpaper，andthencarefullylaidoutourdessert，strawberries，plums，cherriesandcakes，closetothegirl.

Whenshesawthatwewereabouttoeatshetookapieceofchocolateandtwolittlecrispcakesoutofherpocketandbegantomunchthem.

"Askhertohavesomeofours，"Paulsaidinawhisper.

"ThatisexactlywhatIwishtodo，butitisratheradifficultmatter."

Asshe，however，glancedfromtimetotimeatourprovisions，Ifeltsurethatshewouldstillbehungrywhenshehadfinishedwhatshehadwithher;so，assoonasherfrugalmealwasover，Isaidtoher：

"Itwouldbeverykindofyouifyouwouldtakesomeofthisfruit."

Againshesaid"Mica！"butlesscrosslythanbefore.

"Well，then，"Isaid，"mayIofferyoualittlewine？Iseeyouhavenotdrunkanything.ItisItalianwine，andaswearenowinyourowncountry，weshouldbeverypleasedtoseesuchaprettyItalianmouthaccepttheofferofitsFrenchneighbors."

Sheshookherheadslightly，evidentlywishingtorefuse，butverydesirousofaccepting，andhermicathistimewasalmostpolite.Itooktheflask，whichwascoveredwithstrawintheItalianfashion，andfillingtheglass，Iofferedittoher.

"Pleasedrinkit，"Isaid，"tobiduswelcometoyourcountry."

Shetooktheglasswithherusuallook，andemptieditatadraught，likeawomanconsumedwiththirst，andthengaveitbacktomewithoutevensaying"Thankyou."

Ithenofferedherthecherries."Pleasetakesome，"Isaid;"weshallbesogladifyouwill."

Outofhercornershelookedatallthefruitspreadoutbesideher，andsaidsorapidlythatIcouldscarcelyfollowher："Amenonpiacciononeleciriegienelesusine;amosoltanolefragole."

"Whatdoesshesay？"Paulasked.

"Thatshedoesriotcareforcherriesorplums，butonlyforstrawberries."

Iputanewspaperfullofwildstrawberriesonherlap，andsheatethemquickly，tossingthemintohermouthfromsomedistanceinacoquettishandcharmingmanner.

Whenshehadfinishedthelittleredheap，whichsoondisappearedundertherapidactionofherhands，Iaskedher：

"WhatmayIofferyounow？"

"Iwilltakealittlechicken，"shereplied.

Shecertainlydevouredhalfofit，tearingittopieceswiththerapidmovementsofherjawslikesomecarnivorousanimal.Thenshemadeuphermindtohavesomecherries，whichshe"didnotlike，"andthensomeplums，thensomelittlecakes.Thenshesaid，"Ihavehadenough，"andsatbackinhercorner.

Iwasmuchamused，andtriedtomakehereatmore，insisting，infact，tillshesuddenlyflewintoarage，andflungsuchafuriousmicaatme，thatIwouldnolongerruntheriskofspoilingherdigestion.

Iturnedtomyfriend."MypoorPaul，"Isaid，"Iamafraidwehavehadourtroublefornothing."

Thenightcameon，oneofthosehotsummernightswhichextendtheirwarmshadeovertheburningandexhaustedearth.Hereandthere，inthedistance，bythesea，oncapesandpromontories，brightstars，whichI

was，attimes，almostinclinedtoconfoundwithlighthouses，begantoshineonthedarkhorizon：

Thescentoftheorangetreesbecamemorepenetrating，andwebreathedwithdelight，distendingourlungstoinhaleitmoredeeply.Thebalmyairwassoft，delicious，almostdivine.

SuddenlyInoticedsomethinglikeashowerofstarsunderthedenseshadeofthetreesalongtheline，whereitwasquitedark.Itmighthavebeentakenfordropsoflight，leaping，flying，playingandrunningamongtheleaves，orforsmallstarsfallenfromtheskiesinordertohaveanexcursionontheearth;buttheywereonlyfirefliesdancingastrangefieryballetintheperfumedair.

Oneofthemhappenedtocomeintoourcarriage，andsheditsintermittentlight，whichseemedtobeextinguishedonemomentandtobeburningthenext.Icoveredthecarriage—lampwithitsblueshadeandwatchedthestrangeflycareeringaboutinitsfieryflight.Suddenlyitsettledonthedarkhairofourneighbor，whowashalfdozingafterdinner.Paulseemeddelighted，withhiseyesfixedonthebright，sparklingspot，whichlookedlikealivingjewelontheforeheadofthesleepingwoman.

TheItalianwokeupabouteleveno’clock，withthebrightinsectstillinherhair.WhenIsawhermove，Isaid："WearejustgettingtoGenoa，madame，"andshemurmured，withoutansweringme，asifpossessedbysomeobstinateandembarrassingthought：

"WhatamIgoingtodo，Iwonder？"

Andthenshesuddenlyasked：

"Wouldyoulikemetocomewithyou？"

IwassotakenabackthatIreallydidnotunderstandher.

"Withus？Howdoyoumean？"

Sherepeated，lookingmoreandmorefurious：

"Wouldyoulikemetobeyourguidenow，assoonaswegetoutofthetrain？"

"Iamquitewilling;butwheredoyouwanttogo.

Sheshruggedhershoulderswithanairofsupremeindifference.

"Whereveryoulike;whatdoesitmattertome？"Sherepeatedher"Chemifa"twice.

"Butwearegoingtothehotel."

"Verywell，letusallgotothehotel，"shesaid，inacontemptuousvoice.

IturnedtoPaul，andsaid：

"Shewishestoknowwhetherweshouldlikehertocomewithus."

Myfriend’suttersurpriserestoredmyself—possession.Hestammered：

"Withus？Whereto？Whatfor？How？"

"Idon’tknow，butshemadethisstrangeproposaltomeinamostirritatedvoice.Itoldherthatweweregoingtothehotel，andshesaid：’Verywell，letusallgothere！’Isupposesheiswithoutapenny.

Shecertainlyhasaverystrangewayofmakingacquaintances."

Paul，who’wasverymuchexcited，exclaimed：

"Iamquiteagreeable.Tellherthatwewillgowherevershelikes."

Then，afteramoment’shesitation，hesaiduneasily：

"Wemustknow，however，withwhomshewishestogo——withyouorwithme？"

IturnedtotheItalian，whodidnotevenseemtobelisteningtous，andsaid：

"Weshallbeveryhappytohaveyouwithus，butmyfriendwishestoknowwhetheryouwilltakemyarmorhis？"

Sheopenedherblackeyeswidewithvaguesurprise，andsaid，"Chenifa？"

Iwasobligedtoexplainmyself."InItaly，Ibelieve，whenamanlooksafterawoman，fulfilsallherwishes，andsatisfiesallhercaprices，heiscalledapatito.Whichofustwowillyoutakeforyourpatito？"

Withouttheslightesthesitationshereplied：

"You！"

IturnedtoPaul."Yousee，myfriend，shechoosesme;youhavenochance."

"Allthebetterforyou，"herepliedinarage.Then，afterthinkingforafewmoments，hewenton：

"Doyoureallycareabouttakingthiscreaturewithyou？Shewillspoilourjourney.Whatarewetodowiththiswoman，wholookslikeIdon’tknowwhat？Theywillnottakeusinatanydecenthotel."

I，however，justbegantofindtheItalianmuchnicerthanIhadthoughtheratfirst，andIwasnowverydesiroustotakeherwithus.Theideadelightedme.

Ireplied，"Mydearfellow，wehaveaccepted，anditistoolatetorecede.Youwerethefirsttoadvisemetosay’Yes.’"

"Itisverystupid，"hegrowled，"butdoasyouplease."

Thetrainwhistled，slackenedspeed，andweranintothestation.

Igotoutofthecarriage，andofferedmynewcompanionmyhand.Shejumpedoutlightly，andIgavehermyarm，whichshetookwithanairofseemingrepugnance.Assoonaswehadclaimedourluggagewesetoffintothetown，Paulwalkinginuttersilence.

"Towhathotelshallwego？"Iaskedhim."ItmaybedifficulttogetintotheCityofPariswithawoman，especiallywiththisItalian."

Paulinterruptedme."Yes，withanItalianwholooksmorelikeadancerthanaduchess.However，thatisnobusinessofmine.Dojustasyouplease."

Iwasinastateofperplexity.IhadwrittentotheCityofParistoretainourrooms，andnowIdidnotknowwhattodo.

Twocommissionairesfolloweduswithourluggage.Icontinued："Youmightaswellgoonfirst，andsaythatwearecoming;andgivethelandlordtounderstandthatIhavea——afriendwithmeandthatweshouldlikeroomsquitebythemselvesforusthree，soasnottobebroughtincontactwithothertravellers.Hewillunderstand，andwewilldecideaccordingtohisanswer."

ButPaulgrowled，"Thankyou，suchcommissionsandsuchpartsdonotsuitme，byanymeans.Ididnotcomeheretoselectyourapartmentsortoministertoyourpleasures."

ButIwasurgent："Lookhere，don’tbeangry.Itissurelyfarbettertogotoagoodhotelthantoabadone，anditisnotdifficulttoaskthelandlordforthreeseparatebedroomsandadining—room."

Iputastressonthree，andthatdecidedhim.

Hewentonfirst，andIsawhimgointoalargehotelwhileIremainedontheothersideofthestreet，withmyfairItalian，whodidnotsayaword，andfollowedtheporterswiththeluggage.

Paulcamebackatlast，lookingasdissatisfiedasmycompanion.

"Thatissettled，"hesaid，"andtheywilltakeusin;buthereareonlytwobedrooms.Youmustsettleitasyoucan."

Ifollowedhim，ratherashamedofgoinginwithsuchastrangecompanion.

Thereweretwobedroomsseparatedbyasmallsitting—room.Iorderedacoldsupper，andthenIturnedtotheItalianwithaperplexedlook.

"Wehaveonlybeenabletogettworooms，soyoumustchoosewhichyoulike."

Sherepliedwithhereternal"Chemifa！"Ithereupontookupherlittleblackwoodentrunk，suchasservantsuse，andtookitintotheroomontheright，whichIhadchosenforher.Abitofpaperwasfastenedtothebox，onwhichwaswritten，MademoiselleFrancescaRondoli，Genoa.

"YournameisFrancesca？"Iasked，andshenoddedherhead，withoutreplying.

"Weshallhavesupperdirectly，"Icontinued."Meanwhile，Idaresayyouwouldliketoarrangeyourtoilettealittle？"

Sheansweredwitha’mica’，awordwhichsheemployedjustasfrequentlyas’Chemefa’，butIwenton："Itisalwayspleasantafterajourney."

ThenIsuddenlyrememberedthatshehadnot，perhaps，thenecessaryrequisites，forsheappearedtomeinaverysingularposition，asifshehadjustescapedfromsomedisagreeableadventure，andIbroughthermydressing—case.

Iputoutallthelittleinstrumentsforcleanlinessandcomfortwhichitcontained：anail—brush，anewtoothbrush——Ialwayscarryaselectionofthemaboutwithme——mynail—scissors，anail—file，andsponges.I

uncorkedabottleofeaudecologne，oneoflavender—water，andalittlebottleofnew—mownhay，sothatshemighthaveachoice.ThenIopenedmypowder—box，andputoutthepowder—puff，placedmyfinetowelsoverthewater—jug，andapieceofnewsoapnearthebasin.

Shewatchedmymovementswithalookofannoyanceinherwide—openeyes，withoutappearingeitherastonishedorpleasedatmyforethought.

"Hereisallthatyourequire，"Ithensaid;"Iwilltellyouwhensupperisready."

WhenIreturnedtothesitting—roomIfoundthatPaulhadshuthimselfintheotherroom，soIsatdowntowait.

Awaiterwenttoandfro，bringingplatesandglasses.Helaidthetableslowly，thenputacoldchickenonit，andtoldmethatallwasready.

IknockedgentlyatMademoiselleRondoli’sdoor."Comein，"shesaid，andwhenIdidsoIwasstruckbyastrong，heavysmellofperfumes，asifIwereinahairdresser’sshop.

TheItalianwassittingonhertrunkinanattitudeeitherofthoughtfuldiscontentorabsent—mindedness.Thetowelwasstillfoldedoverthewaterjugthatwasfullofwater，andthesoap，untouchedanddry，waslyingbesidetheemptybasin;butonewouldhavethoughtthattheyoungwomanhadusedhalfthecontentsofthebottlesofperfume.Theeaudecologne，however，hadbeenspared，asonlyaboutathirdofithadgone;

buttomakeupforthatshehadusedasurprisingamountoflavender—

waterandnew—mownhay.Acloudofvioletpowder，avaguewhitemist，seemedstilltobefloatingintheair，fromtheeffectsofherover—

powderingherfaceandneck.Itseemedtocoverhereyelashes，eyebrows，andthehaironhertempleslikesnow，whilehercheekswereplasteredwithit，andlayersofitcoveredhernostrils，thecornersofhereyes，andherchin.

Whenshegotupsheexhaledsuchastrongodorofperfumethatitalmostmademefeelfaint.

Whenwesatdowntosupper，IfoundthatPaulwasinamostexecrabletemper，andIcouldgetnothingoutofhimbutblame，irritablewords，anddisagreeableremarks.

MademoiselleFrancescaatelikeanogre，andassoonasshehadfinishedhermealshethrewherselfuponthesofainthesitting—room.Sittingdownbesideher，Isaidgallantly，kissingherhand：

"ShallIhavethebedprepared，orwillyousleeponthecouch？"

"Itisallthesametome.’Chemifa’！"

Herindifferencevexedme.

"Shouldyouliketoretireatonce？"

"Yes;Iamverysleepy."

Shegotup，yawned，gaveherhandtoPaul，whotookitwithafuriouslook，andIlightedherintothebedroom.Adisquietingfeelinghauntedme."Hereisallyouwant，"Isaidagain.

Thenextmorningshegotupearly，likeawomanwhoisaccustomedtowork.Shewokemebydoingso，andIwatchedherthroughmyhalf—closedeyelids.

Shecameandwentwithouthurryingherself，asifshewereastonishedathavingnothingtodo.Atlengthshewenttothedressing—table，andinamomentemptiedallmybottlesofperfume.Shecertainlyalsousedsomewater，butverylittle.

Whenshewasquitedressed，shesatdownonhertrunkagain，andclaspingonekneebetweenherhands，sheseemedtobethinking.

AtthatmomentIpretendedtofirstnoticeher，andsaid：

"Good—morning，Francesca."

Withoutseeminginatallabettertemperthanthepreviousnight，shemurmured，"Good—morning！"

WhenIaskedherwhethershehadsleptwell，shenoddedherhead，andjumpingoutofbed，Iwentandkissedher.

Sheturnedherfacetowardmelikeachildwhoisbeingkissedagainstitswill;butItookhertenderlyinmyarms，andgentlypressedmylipsonhereyelids，whichsheclosedwithevidentdistasteundermykissesonherfreshcheekandfulllips，whichsheturnedaway.

"Youdon’tseemtolikebeingkissed，"Isaidtoher.

"Mica！"washeronlyanswer.

Isatdownonthetrunkbyherside，andpassingmyarmthroughhers，I

said："Mica！mica！mica！inreplytoeverything.IshallcallyouMademoiselleMica，Ithink."

ForthefirsttimeIfanciedthatIsawtheshadowofasmileonherlips，butitpassedbysoquicklythatImayhavebeenmistaken.

"ButifyouneversayanythingbutMica，Ishallnotknowwhattodotopleaseyou.Letmesee;whatshallwedoto—day？"

Shehesitatedamoment，asifsomefancyhadflittedthroughherhead，andthenshesaidcarelessly："Itisallthesametome;whateveryoulike."

"Verywell，MademoiselleMica，wewillhaveacarriageandgoforadrive."

"Asyouplease，"shesaid.

Paulwaswaitingforusinthedining—room，lookingasboredasthirdpartiesusuallydoinloveaffairs.Iassumedadelightedair，andshookhandswithhimwithtriumphantenergy.

"Whatareyouthinkingofdoing？"heasked.

"Firstofall，wewillgoandseealittleofthetown，andthenwemightgetacarriageandtakeadriveintheneighborhood."

Webreakfastedalmostinsilence，andthensetout.IdraggedFrancescafrompalacetopalace，andsheeitherlookedatnothingormerelyglancedcarelesslyatthevariousmasterpieces.Paulfollowedus，growlingallsortsofdisagreeablethings.Thenweallthreetookadriveinsilenceintothecountryandreturnedtodinner.

Thenextdayitwasthesamethingandthenextdayagain;andonthethirdPaulsaidtome："Lookhere，Iamgoingtoleaveyou;Iamnotgoingtostophereforthreeweekswatchingyoumakelovetothiscreature."

Iwasperplexedandannoyed，fortomygreatsurpriseIhadbecomesingularlyattachedtoFrancesca.Amanisbutweakandfoolish，carriedawaybythemeresttrifle，andacowardeverytimethathissensesareexcitedormastered.Iclungtothisunknowngirl，silentanddissatisfiedasshealwayswas.Ilikedhersomewhatill—temperedface，thedissatisfieddroopofhermouth，thewearinessofherlook;Ilikedherfatiguedmovements，thecontemptuouswayinwhichsheletmekissher，theveryindifferenceofhercaresses.Asecretbond，thatmysteriousbondofphysicallove，whichdoesnotsatisfy，boundmetoher.ItoldPaulso，quitefrankly.HetreatedmeasifIwereafool，andthensaid：

"Verywell，takeherwithyou."

ButsheobstinatelyrefusedtoleaveGenoa，withoutgivinganyreason.

Ibesought，Ireasoned，Ipromised，butallwasofnoavail，andsoI

stayedon.

Pauldeclaredthathewouldgobyhimself，andwentsofarastopackuphisportmanteau;butheremainedallthesame.

Thusafortnightpassed.Francescawasalwayssilentandirritable，livedbesidemeratherthanwithme，respondedtoallmyrequirementsandallmypropositionswithherperpetualChemifa，orwithhernolessperpetualMica.

Myfriendbecamemoreandmorefurious，butmyonlyanswerwas，"Youcangoifyouaretiredofstaying.Iamnotdetainingyou."

Thenhecalledmenames，overwhelmedmewithreproaches，andexclaimed：

"WheredoyouthinkIcangonow？Wehadthreeweeksatourdisposal，andhereisafortnightgone！Icannotcontinuemyjourneynow;and，inanycase，IamnotgoingtoVenice，FlorenceandRomeallbymyself.Butyouwillpayforit，andmoredearlythanyouthink，mostlikely.YouarenotgoingtobringamanallthewayfromParisinordertoshuthimupatahotelinGenoawithanItalianadventuress."

WhenItoldhim，verycalmly，toreturntoParis，heexclaimedthatheintendedtodosotheverynextday;butthenextdayhewasstillthere，stillinarageandswearing.

Bythistimewebegantobeknowninthestreetsthroughwhichwewanderedfrommorningtillnight.SometimesFrenchpeoplewouldturnroundastonishedatmeetingtheirfellow—countrymeninthecompanyofthisgirlwithherstrikingcostume，wholookedsingularlyoutofplace，nottosaycompromising，besideus.

Sheusedtowalkalong，leaningonmyarm，withoutlookingatanything.

Whydidsheremainwithme，withus，whoseemedtodosolittletoamuseher？Whowasshe？Wheredidshecomefrom？Whatwasshedoing？Hadsheanyplanoridea？Wheredidshelive？Asanadventuress，orbychancemeetings？Itriedinvaintofindoutandtoexplainit.ThebetterIknewherthemoreenigmaticalshebecame.Sheseemedtobeagirlofpoorfamilywhohadbeentakenaway，andthencastasideandlost.Whatdidshethinkwouldbecomeofher，orwhomwasshewaitingfor？Shecertainlydidnotappeartobetryingtomakeaconquestofme，ortomakeanyrealprofitoutofme.

Itriedtoquestionher，tospeaktoherofherchildhoodandfamily;butshenevergavemeananswer.Istayedwithher，myheartunfetteredandmysensesenchained，neverweariedofholdingherinmyarms，thatproudandquarrelsomewoman，captivatedbymysenses，orrathercarriedaway，overcomebyayouthful，healthy，powerfulcharm，whichemanatedfromherfragrantpersonandfromthewell—moldedlinesofherbody.

Anotherweekpassed，andthetermofmyjourneywasdrawingon，forIhadtobebackinParisbytheeleventhofJuly.BythistimePaulhadcometotakehispartintheadventure，thoughstillgrumblingatme，whileI

inventedpleasures，distractionsandexcursionstoamuseFrancescaandmyfriend;andinordertodothisIgavemyselfagreatamountoftrouble.

OnedayIproposedanexcursiontoStaMargarita，thatcharminglittletowninthemidstofgardens，hiddenatthefootofaslopewhichstretchesfarintotheseauptothevillageofPortofino.Wethreewalkedalongtheexcellentroadwhichgoesalongthefootofthemountain.SuddenlyFrancescasaidtome："Ishallnotbeabletogowithyouto—morrow;Imustgoandseesomeofmyrelatives."

Thatwasall;Ididnotaskheranyquestions，asIwasquitesureshewouldnotanswerme.

Thenextmorningshegotupveryearly.Whenshespoketomeitwasinaconstrainedandhesitatingvoice：

"IfIdonotcomebackagain，shallyoucomeandfetchme？"

"MostcertainlyIshall，"wasmyreply."WhereshallIgotofindyou？"

Thensheexplained："YoumustgointotheStreetVictor—Emmanuel，downtheFalconeroadandthesidestreetSan—Rafaelandintothefurnitureshopinthebuildingattherightattheendofacourt，andthereyoumustaskforMadameRondoli.Thatistheplace."

Andsoshewentaway，leavingmeratherastonished.

WhenPaulsawthatIwasalone，hestammeredout："Where;isFrancesca？"

AndwhenItoldhimwhathadhappened，heexclaimed：

"Mydearfellow，letusmakeuseofouropportunity，andbolt;asitis，ourtimeisup.Twodays，moreorless，makenodifference.Letusgoatonce;goandpackupyourthings.Offwego！"

ButIrefused.Icouldnot，asItoldhim，leavethegirlinthatmanneraftersuchcompanionshipfornearlythreeweeks.Atanyrate，Ioughttosaygood—bytoher，andmakeheracceptapresent;Icertainlyhadnointentionofbehavingbadlytoher.

Buthewouldnotlisten;hepressedandworriedme，butIwouldnotgiveway.

Iremainedindoorsforseveralhours，expectingFrancesca’sreturn，butshedidnotcome，andatlast，atdinner，Paulsaidwithatriumphantair：

"Shehasflown，mydearfellow;itiscertainlyverystrange."

ImustacknowledgethatIwassurprisedandrathervexed.Helaughedinmyface，andmadefunofme.

"Itisnotexactlyabadwayofgettingridofyou，thoughratherprimitive.’Justwaitforme，Ishallbebackinamoment，’theyoftensay.Howlongareyougoingtowait？Ishouldnotwonderifyouwerefoolishenoughtogoandlookforherattheaddressshegaveyou.’DoesMadameRondolilivehere，please？’’No，monsieur.’I’llbetthatyouarelongingtogothere."

"Notintheleast，"Iprotested，"andIassureyouthatifshedoesnotcomebackto—morrowmorningIshallleavebytheexpressateighto’clock.Ishallhavewaitedtwenty—fourhours，andthatisenough;myconsciencewillbequiteclear."

Ispentanuneasyandunpleasantevening，forIreallyhadatheartaverytenderfeelingforher.Iwenttobedattwelveo’clock，andhardlysleptatall.Igotupatsix，calledPaul，packedupmythings，andtwohourslaterwesetoutforFrancetogether.

III

Thenextyear，atjustaboutthesameperiod，Iwasseizedasoneiswithaperiodicalfever，withanewdesiretogotoItaly，andIimmediatelymadeupmymindtocarryitintoeffect.Thereisnodoubtthateveryreallywell—educatedmanoughttoseeFlorence，VeniceandRome.Thistravelhas，also，theadditionaladvantageofprovidingmanysubjectsofconversationinsociety，andofgivingoneanopportunityforbringingforwardartisticgeneralitieswhichappearprofound.

ThistimeIwentalone，andIarrivedatGenoaatthesametimeastheyearbefore，butwithoutanyadventureontheroad.Iwenttothesamehotel，andactuallyhappenedtohavethesameroom.

IwashardlyinbedwhentherecollectionofFrancescawhich，sincetheeveningbefore，hadbeenfloatingvaguelythroughmymind，hauntedmewithstrangepersistency.Ithoughtofhernearlythewholenight，andbydegreesthewishtoseeheragainseizedme，aconfuseddesireatfirst，whichgraduallygrewstrongerandmoreintense.AtlastImadeupmymindtospendthenextdayinGenoatotrytofindher，andifI

shouldnotsucceed，totaketheeveningtrain.

EarlyinthemorningIsetoutonmysearch.Irememberedthedirectionsshehadgivenmewhensheleftme，perfectly——Victor—EmmanuelStreet，houseofthefurniture—dealer，atthebottomoftheyardontheright.

Ifounditwithouttheleastdifficulty，andIknockedatthedoorofasomewhatdilapidated—lookingdwelling.Itwasopenedbyastoutwoman，whomusthavebeenveryhandsome，butwhoactuallywasonlyverydirty.

Althoughshehadtoomuchembonpoint，shestillborethelinesofmajesticbeauty;heruntidyhairfelloverherforeheadandshoulders，andonefanciedonecouldseeherfloatingaboutinanenormousdressing—

gowncoveredwithspotsofdirtandgrease.Roundhernecksheworeagreatgiltnecklace，andonherwristsweresplendidbraceletsofGenoafiligreework.

InratherahostilemannersheaskedmewhatIwanted，andIrepliedbyrequestinghertotellmewhetherFrancescaRondolilivedthere.

"Whatdoyouwantwithher？"sheasked.

"Ihadthepleasureofmeetingherlastyear，andIshouldliketoseeheragain."

Theoldwomanlookedatmesuspiciously.

"Wheredidyoumeether？"sheasked.

"Why，hereinGenoaitself."

"Whatisyourname？"

Ihesitatedamoment，andthenItoldher.IhadhardlydonesowhentheItalianputoutherarmsasiftoembraceme."Oh！youaretheFrenchmanhowgladIamtoseeyou！Butwhatgriefyoucausedthepoorchild！Shewaitedforyouamonth;yes，awholemonth.Atfirstshethoughtyouwouldcometofetchher.Shewantedtoseewhetheryoulovedher.Ifyouonlyknewhowshecriedwhenshesawthatyouwerenotcoming！Shecriedtillsheseemedtohavenotearsleft.Thenshewenttothehotel，butyouhadgone.ShethoughtthatmostlikelyyouweretravellinginItaly，andthatyouwouldreturnbyGenoatofetchher，asshewouldnotgowithyou.Andshewaitedmorethanamonth，monsieur;

andshewassounhappy;sounhappy.Iamhermother."

Ireallyfeltalittledisconcerted，butIregainedmyself—possession，andasked：

"Whereisshenow？"

"ShehasgonetoPariswithapainter，adelightfulman，wholovesherverymuch，andwhogiveshereverythingthatshewants.Justlookatwhatshesentme;theyareverypretty，aretheynot？"

Andsheshowedme，withquitesouthernanimation，herheavybraceletsandnecklace."Ihavealso，"shecontinued，"earringswithstonesinthem，asilkdress，andsomerings;butIonlywearthemongrandoccasions.

Oh！sheisveryhappy，monsieur，veryhappy.ShewillbesopleasedwhenItellheryouhavebeenhere.Butpraycomeinandsitdown.Youwilltakesomethingorother，surely？"

ButIrefused，asInowwishedtogetawaybythefirsttrain;butshetookmebythearmandpulledmein，saying：

"Please，comein;Imusttellherthatyouhavebeeninhere."

Ifoundmyselfinasmall，ratherdarkroom，furnishedwithonlyatableandafewchairs.

Shecontinued："Oh，sheisveryhappynow，veryhappy.Whenyoumetherinthetrainshewasverymiserable;shehadhadanunfortunateloveaffairinMarseilles，andshewascominghome，poorchild.Butshelikedyouatonce，thoughshewasstillrathersad，youunderstand.Nowshehasallshewants，andshewritesandtellsmeeverythingthatshedoes.

HisnameisBellemin，andtheysayheisagreatpainterinyourcountry.

Hefellinlovewithheratfirstsight.Butyouwilltakeaglassofsirup？—itisverygood.Areyouquitealone，thisyear？"

"Yes，"Isaid，"quitealone."

Ifeltanincreasinginclinationtolaugh，asmyfirstdisappointmentwasdispelledbywhatMotherRondolisaid.Iwasobliged;however，todrinkaglassofhersirup.

"Soyouarequitealone？"shecontinued."HowsorryIamthatFrancescaisnotherenow;shewouldhavebeencompanyforyouallthetimeyoustayed.Itisnotveryamusingtogoaboutallbyoneself，andshewillbeverysorryalso."

Then，asIwasgettinguptogo，sheexclaimed：

"ButwouldyounotlikeCarlottatogowithyou？Sheknowsallthewalksverywell.Sheismyseconddaughter，monsieur."

Nodoubtshetookmylookofsurpriseforconsent，forsheopenedtheinnerdoorandcalledoutupthedarkstairswhichIcouldnotsee：

"Carlotta！Carlotta！makehastedown，mydearchild."

Itriedtoprotest，butshewouldnotlisten.

"No;shewillbeverygladtogowithyou;sheisverynice，andmuchmorecheerfulthanhersister，andsheisagoodgirl，averygoodgirl，whomIloveverymuch."

Inafewmomentsatall，slender，darkgirlappeared，herhairhangingdown，andheryouthfulfigureshowingunmistakablybeneathanolddressofhermother’s.

Thelatteratoncetoldherhowmattersstood.

"ThisisFrancesca’sFrenchman，youknow，theonewhomsheknewlastyear.Heisquitealone，andhascometolookforher，poorfellow;soItoldhimthatyouwouldgowithhimtokeephimcompany."

Thegirllookedatmewithherhandsomedarkeyes，andsaid，smiling：

"Ihavenoobjection，ifhewishesit"

Icouldnotpossiblyrefuse，andmerelysaid：

"Ofcourse，Ishallbeverygladofyourcompany."

Hermotherpushedherout."Goandgetdresseddirectly;putonyourbluedressandyourhatwiththeflowers，andmakehaste."

Assoonasshehadlefttheroomtheoldwomanexplainedherself："Ihavetwoothers，buttheyaremuchyounger.Itcostsalotofmoneytobringupfourchildren.Luckilytheeldestisoffmyhandsatpresent."

Thenshetoldallaboutherself，aboutherhusband，whohadbeenanemployeeontherailway，butwhowasdead，andsheexpatiatedonthegoodqualitiesofCarlotta，hersecondgirl，whosoonreturned，dressed，ashersisterhadbeen，inastriking，peculiarmanner.

Hermotherexaminedherfromheadtofoot，and，afterfindingeverythingright，shesaid：

"Now，mychildren，youcango."Thenturningtothegirl，shesaid："Besureyouarebackbyteno’clockto—night;youknowthedoorislockedthen."Theanswerwas：

"Allright，mamma;don’talarmyourself."

Shetookmyarmandwewentwanderingaboutthestreets，justasIhadwanderedthepreviousyearwithhersister.

Wereturnedtothehotelforlunch，andthenItookmynewfriendtoSantaMargarita，justasIhadtakenhersistertheyearpreviously.

DuringthewholefortnightwhichIhadatmydisposal，ItookCarlottatoalltheplacesofinterestinandaboutGenoa.Shegavemenocausetoregrethersister.

ShecriedwhenIlefther，andthemorningofmydepartureIgaveherfourbraceletsforhermother，besidesasubstantialtokenofmyaffectionforherself.

OneofthesedaysIintendtoreturntoItaly，andIcannothelprememberingwithacertainamountofuneasiness，mingledwithhope，thatMadameRondolihastwomoredaughters.

EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.7.

ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEVII.

THEFALSEGEMS

FASCINATION

YVETTESAMORIS

AVENDETTA

MYTWENTY—FIVEDAYS

"THETERROR"

LEGENDOFMONTST.MICHEL

ANEWYEAR’SGIFT

FRIENDPATIENCE

ABANDONED

THEMAISONTELLIER

DENNIS

MYWIFE

THEUNKNOWN

THEAPPARITION

THEFALSEGEMS

MonsieurLantinhadmettheyounggirlatareceptionatthehouseofthesecondheadofhisdepartment，andhadfallenheadoverheelsinlovewithher.

Shewasthedaughterofaprovincialtaxcollector，whohadbeendeadseveralyears.SheandhermothercametoliveinParis，wherethelatter，whomadetheacquaintanceofsomeofthefamiliesinherneighborhood，hopedtofindahusbandforherdaughter.

Theyhadverymoderatemeans，andwerehonorable，gentle，andquiet.

Theyounggirlwasaperfecttypeofthevirtuouswomaninwhosehandseverysensibleyoungmandreamsofonedayintrustinghishappiness.

Hersimplebeautyhadthecharmofangelicmodesty，andtheimperceptiblesmilewhichconstantlyhoveredaboutthelipsseemedtobethereflectionofapureandlovelysoul.Herpraisesresoundedoneveryside.Peoplenevertiredofrepeating："Happythemanwhowinsherlove！Hecouldnotfindabetterwife."

MonsieurLantin，thenchiefclerkintheDepartmentoftheInterior，enjoyedasnuglittlesalaryofthreethousandfivehundredfrancs，andheproposedtothismodelyounggirl，andwasaccepted.

Hewasunspeakablyhappywithher.Shegovernedhishouseholdwithsuchclevereconomythattheyseemedtoliveinluxury.Shelavishedthemostdelicateattentionsonherhusband，coaxedandfondledhim;andsogreatwashercharmthatsixyearsaftertheirmarriage，MonsieurLantindiscoveredthathelovedhiswifeevenmorethanduringthefirstdaysoftheirhoneymoon.

Hefoundfaultwithonlytwoofhertastes：Herloveforthetheatre，andhertasteforimitationjewelry.Herfriends（thewivesofsomepettyofficials）frequentlyprocuredforheraboxatthetheatre，oftenforthefirstrepresentationsofthenewplays;andherhusbandwasobligedtoaccompanyher，whetherhewisheditornot，totheseentertainmentswhichboredhimexcessivelyafterhisday’sworkattheoffice.

Afteratime，MonsieurLantinbeggedhiswifetorequestsomeladyofheracquaintancetoaccompanyher，andtobringherhomeafterthetheatre.

Sheopposedthisarrangement，atfirst;but，aftermuchpersuasion，finallyconsented，totheinfinitedelightofherhusband.

Now，withherloveforthetheatre，camealsothedesireforornaments.

Hercostumesremainedasbefore，simple，ingoodtaste，andalwaysmodest;butshesoonbegantoadornherearswithhugerhinestones，whichglitteredandsparkledlikerealdiamonds.Aroundhernecksheworestringsoffalsepearls，onherarmsbraceletsofimitationgold，andcombssetwithglassjewels.

Herhusbandfrequentlyremonstratedwithher，saying：

"Mydear，asyoucannotaffordtobuyrealjewelry，yououghttoappearadornedwithyourbeautyandmodestyalone，whicharetherarestornamentsofyoursex."

Butshewouldsmilesweetly，andsay：

"WhatcanIdo？Iamsofondofjewelry.Itismyonlyweakness.Wecannotchangeournature."

Thenshewouldwindthepearlnecklaceroundherfingers，makethefacetsofthecrystalgemssparkle，andsay：

"Look！aretheynotlovely？Onewouldsweartheywerereal."

MonsieurLantinwouldthenanswer，smilingly：

"Youhavebohemiantastes，mydear."

Sometimes，ofanevening，whentheywereenjoyingatete—a—totebythefireside，shewouldplaceontheteatablethemoroccoleatherboxcontainingthe"trash，"asMonsieurLantincalledit.Shewouldexaminethefalsegemswithapassionateattention，asthoughtheyimpartedsomedeepandsecretjoy;andsheoftenpersistedinpassinganecklacearoundherhusband’sneck，and，laughingheartily，wouldexclaim："Howdrollyoulook！"Thenshewouldthrowherselfintohisarms，andkisshimaffectionately.

Oneevening，inwinter，shehadbeentotheopera，andreturnedhomechilledthroughandthrough.Thenextmorningshecoughed，andeightdayslatershediedofinflammationofthelungs.

MonsieurLantin’sdespairwassogreatthathishairbecamewhiteinonemonth.Heweptunceasingly;hisheartwasbrokenasherememberedhersmile，hervoice，everycharmofhisdeadwife.

Timedidnotassuagehisgrief.Often，duringofficehours，whilehiscolleagueswerediscussingthetopicsoftheday，hiseyeswouldsuddenlyfillwithtears，andhewouldgiveventtohisgriefinheartrendingsobs.Everythinginhiswife’sroomremainedasitwasduringherlifetime;allherfurniture，evenherclothing，beingleftasitwasonthedayofherdeath.Herehewaswonttosecludehimselfdailyandthinkofherwhohadbeenhistreasure—thejoyofhisexistence.

Butlifesoonbecameastruggle.Hisincome，which，inthehandsofhiswife，coveredallhouseholdexpenses，wasnownolongersufficientforhisownimmediatewants;andhewonderedhowshecouldhavemanagedtobuysuchexcellentwineandtheraredelicacieswhichhecouldnolongerprocurewithhismodestresources.

Heincurredsomedebts，andwassoonreducedtoabsolutepoverty.Onemorning，findinghimselfwithoutacentinhispocket，heresolvedtosellsomething，andimmediatelythethoughtoccurredtohimofdisposingofhiswife’spastejewels，forhecherishedinhisheartasortofrancoragainstthese"deceptions，"whichhadalwaysirritatedhiminthepast.Theverysightofthemspoiled，somewhat，thememoryofhislostdarling.

Tothelastdaysofherlifeshehadcontinuedtomakepurchases，bringinghomenewgemsalmosteveryevening，andheturnedthemoversometimebeforefinallydecidingtoselltheheavynecklace，whichsheseemedtoprefer，andwhich，hethought，oughttobeworthaboutsixorsevenfrancs;foritwasofveryfineworkmanship，thoughonlyimitation.

Heputitinhispocket，andstartedoutinsearchofwhatseemedareliablejeweler’sshop.Atlengthhefoundone，andwentin，feelingalittleashamedtoexposehismisery，andalsotooffersuchaworthlessarticleforsale.

"Sir，"saidhetothemerchant，"Iwouldliketoknowwhatthisisworth."

Themantookthenecklace，examinedit，calledhisclerk，andmadesomeremarksinanundertone;hethenputtheornamentbackonthecounter，andlookedatitfromadistancetojudgeoftheeffect.

MonsieurLantin，annoyedatalltheseceremonies，wasonthepointofsaying："Oh！Iknowwell’enoughitisnotworthanything，"whenthejewelersaid："Sir，thatnecklaceisworthfromtwelvetofifteenthousandfrancs;butIcouldnotbuyit，unlessyoucantellmeexactlywhereitcamefrom."

Thewidoweropenedhiseyeswideandremainedgaping，notcomprehendingthemerchant’smeaning.Finallyhestammered："Yousay——areyousure？’

Theotherreplied，drily："Youcantryelsewhereandseeifanyonewillofferyoumore.Iconsideritworthfifteenthousandatthemost.Comeback;here，ifyoucannotdobetter."

MonsieurLantin，besidehimselfwithastonishment，tookupthenecklaceandleftthestore.Hewishedtimeforreflection.

Onceoutside，hefeltinclinedtolaugh，andsaidtohimself："Thefool！

Oh，thefool！HadIonlytakenhimathisword！Thatjewelercannotdistinguishrealdiamondsfromtheimitationarticle."

Afewminutesafter，heenteredanotherstore，intheRuedelaPaix.Assoonastheproprietorglancedatthenecklace，hecriedout：

"Ah，parbleu！Iknowitwell;itwasboughthere."

MonsieurLantin，greatlydisturbed，asked：

"Howmuchisitworth？"

"Well，Isolditfortwentythousandfrancs.Iamwillingtotakeitbackforeighteenthousand，whenyouinformme，accordingtoourlegalformality，howitcametobeinyourpossession."

Thistime，MonsieurLantinwasdumfounded.Hereplied：

"But——but——examineitwell.UntilthismomentIwasundertheimpressionthatitwasimitation."

Thejewelerasked：

"Whatisyourname，sir？"

"Lantin——IamintheemployoftheMinisteroftheInterior.IliveatnumbersixteenRuedesMartyrs."

Themerchantlookedthroughhisbooks，foundtheentry，andsaid："ThatnecklacewassenttoMadameLantin’saddress，sixteenRuedesMartyrs，July20，1876."

Thetwomenlookedintoeachother’seyes——thewidowerspeechlesswithastonishment;thejewelerscentingathief.Thelatterbrokethesilence.

"Willyouleavethisnecklaceherefortwenty—fourhours？"saidhe;"I

willgiveyouareceipt."

MonsieurLantinansweredhastily："Yes，certainly."Then，puttingtheticketinhispocket，heleftthestore.