CONTENTS
　　I。TheInitiationofSavalII。BougivalandLoveIII。EnlightenmentIV。FromEmotiontoPhilosophyCHAPTERI。
　　TheInitiationofSavalAstheywereleavingtheCafeRiche，JeandeServignysaidtoLeonSaval:"Ifyoudon'tobject，letuswalk。Theweatheristoofinetotakeacab。"
　　Hisfriendanswered:"Iwouldlikenothingbetter。"
　　Jeanreplied:"Itishardlyeleveno'clock。Weshallarrivemuchbeforemidnight，soletusgoslowly。"
　　Arestlesscrowdwasmovingalongtheboulevard，thatthrongpeculiartosummernights，drinking，chatting，andflowinglikeariver，filledwithasenseofcomfortandjoy。Hereandthereacafethrewafloodoflightuponaknotofpatronsdrinkingatlittletablesonthesidewalk，whichwerecoveredwithbottlesandglasses，hinderingthepassingofthehurryingmultitude。Onthepavementthecabswiththeirred，blue，orgreenlightsdashedby，showingforasecond，intheglimmer，thethinshadowofthehorse，theraisedprofileofthecoachman，andthedarkboxofthecarriage。ThecabsoftheUrbaineCompanymadeclearandrapidspotswhentheiryellowpanelswerestruckbythelight。
　　Thetwofriendswalkedwithslowsteps，cigarsintheirmouths，ineveningdressandovercoatsontheirarms，withaflowerintheirbuttonholes，andtheirhatsatrifleononeside，asmenwillcarelesslywearthemsometimes，aftertheyhavedinedwellandtheairismild。
　　Theyhadbeenlinkedtogethersincetheircollegedaysbyaclose，devoted，andfirmaffection。JeandeServigny，small，slender，atriflebald，ratherfrail，witheleganceofmien，curledmustache，brighteyes，andfinelips，wasamanwhoseemedbornandbredupontheboulevard。Hewastirelessinspiteofhislanguidair，stronginspiteofhispallor，oneofthoseslightParisianstowhomgymnasticexercise，fencing，coldshowerandhotbathsgiveanervous，artificialstrength。Hewasknownbyhismarriageaswellasbyhiswit，hisfortune，hisconnections，andbythatsociability，amiability，andfashionablegallantrypeculiartocertainmen。
　　AtrueParisian，furthermore，light，sceptical，changeable，captivating，energetic，andirresolute，capableofeverythingandofnothing；selfishbyprincipleandgenerousonoccasion，helivedmoderatelyuponhisincome，andamusedhimselfwithhygiene。
　　Indifferentandpassionate，hegavehimselfreinanddrewbackconstantly，impelledbyconflictinginstincts，yieldingtoall，andthenobeying，intheend，hisownshrewdman-about-townjudgment，whoseweather-vanelogicconsistedinfollowingthewindanddrawingprofitfromcircumstanceswithouttakingthetroubletooriginatethem。
　　Hiscompanion，LeonSaval，richalso，wasoneofthosesuperbandcolossalfigureswhomakewomenturnaroundinthestreetstolookatthem。Hegavetheideaofastatueturnedintoaman，atypeofarace，likethosesculpturedformswhicharesenttotheSalons。Toohandsome，tootall，toobig，toostrong，hesinnedalittlefromtheexcessofeverything，theexcessofhisqualities。Hehadonhandcountlessaffairsofpassion。
　　AstheyreachedtheVaudevilletheater，heasked:"Haveyouwarnedthatladythatyouaregoingtotakemetoherhousetoseeher？"
　　Servignybegantolaugh:"ForewarntheMarquiseObardi！Doyouwarnanomnibusdriverthatyoushallenterhisstageatthecorneroftheboulevard？"
　　Saval，alittleperplexed，inquired:"Whatsortofpersonisthislady？"
　　Hisfriendreplied:"Anupstart，acharminghussy，whocamefromnooneknowswhere，whomadeherappearanceoneday，nobodyknowshow，amongtheadventuressesofParis，knowingperfectlywellhowtotakecareofherself。Besides，whatdifferencedoesitmaketous？Theysaythatherrealname，hermaidenname——forshestillhaseveryclaimtothetitleofmaidenexceptthatofinnocence——isOctaviaBardin，fromwhichsheconstructsthenameObardibyprefixingthefirstletterofherfirstnameanddroppingthelastletterofthelastname。"
　　"Moreover，sheisalovablewoman，andyou，fromyourphysique，areinevitablyboundtobecomeherlover。HerculesisnotintroducedintoMessalina'shomewithoutmakingsomedisturbance。NeverthelessImakeboldtoaddthatifthereisfreeentrancetothishouse，justasthereisinbazaars，youarenotexactlycompelledtobuywhatisforsale。Loveandcardsareontheprogramme，butnobodycompelsyoutotakeupwitheither。Andtheexitisasfreeastheentrance。"
　　"ShesettleddownintheEtoiledistrict，asuspiciousneighborhood，threeyearsago，andopenedherdrawing-roomtothatfrothofthecontinentswhichcomestoParistopracticeitsvariousformidableandcriminaltalents。"
　　"Idon'trememberjusthowIwenttoherhouse。Iwentasweallgo，becausethereiscardplaying，becausethewomenarecompliant，andthemendishonest。Ilovethatsocialmobofbuccaneerswithdecorationsofallsortsoforders，alltitled，andallentirelyunknownattheirembassies，excepttothespies。Theyarealwaysdragginginthesubjectofhonor，quotingthelistoftheirancestorsontheslightestprovocation，andtellingthestoryoftheirlifeateveryopportunity，braggarts，liars，sharpers，dangerousastheircards，falseastheirnames，bravebecausetheyhavetobe，liketheassassinswhocannotplucktheirvictimsexceptbyexposingtheirownlives。Inaword，itisthearistocracyofthebagnio。"
　　"Ilikethem。Theyareinterestingtofathomandtoknow，amusingtolistento，oftenwitty，nevercommonplaceastheordinaryFrenchguests。Theirwomenarealwayspretty，withalittleflavorofforeignknavery，withthemysteryoftheirpastexistence，halfofwhich，perhaps，spentinaHouseofCorrection。Theygenerallyhavefineeyesandglorioushair，thetruephysiqueoftheprofession，anintoxicatinggrace，aseductivenesswhichdrivesmentofolly，anunwholesome，irresistiblecharm！Theyconquerlikethehighwaymenofold。Theyarerapaciouscreatures；truebirdsofprey。Ilikethem，too。"
　　"TheMarquiseObardiisoneofthetypeoftheseelegantgood-for-
　　nothings。Ripeandpretty，withafelinecharm，youcanseethatsheisvicioustothemarrow。Everybodyhasagoodtimeatherhouse，withcards，dancing，andsuppers；infactthereiseverythingwhichgoestomakeupthepleasuresoffashionablesocietylife。"
　　"Haveyoueverbeenorareyounowherlover？"LeonSavalasked。
　　"Ihavenotbeenherlover，Iamnotnow，andInevershallbe。I
　　onlygotothehousetoseeherdaughter。"
　　"Ah！Shehasadaughter，then？"
　　"Adaughter！Amarvel，mydearman。Sheistheprincipalattractionofthedento-day。Tall，magnificent，justripe，eighteenyearsold，asfairashermotherisdark，alwaysmerry，alwaysreadyforanentertainment，alwayslaughing，andreadytodancelikemad。Whowillbetheluckyman，tocaptureher，orwhohasalreadydoneso？
　　Nobodycantellthat。Shehastenofusinhertrain，allhoping。"
　　"SuchadaughterinthehandsofawomanliketheMarquiseisafortune。Andtheyplaythegametogether，thetwocharmers。Nooneknowsjustwhattheyareplanning。PerhapstheyarewaitingforabetterbargainthanIshouldprove。ButItellyouthatIshallclosethebargainifIevergetachance。"
　　"ThatgirlYvetteabsolutelybafflesme，moreover。Sheisamystery。
　　IfsheisnotthemostcompletemonsterofastutenessandperversitythatIhaveeverseen，shecertainlyisthemostmarvelousphenomenonofinnocencethatcanbeimagined。Shelivesinthatatmosphereofinfamywithacalmandtriumphingeasewhichiseitherwonderfullyprofligateorentirelyartless。Strangescionofanadventuress，castuponthemuck-heapofthatset，likeamagnificentplantnurtureduponcorruption，orratherlikethedaughterofsomenoblerace，ofsomegreatartist，orofsomegrandlord，ofsomeprinceordethronedking，tossedsomeeveningintohermother'sarms，nobodycanmakeoutwhatsheisnorwhatshethinks。Butyouaregoingtoseeher。"
　　Savalbegantolaughandsaid:"Youareinlovewithher。"
　　"No。Iamonthelist，whichisnotpreciselythesamething。Iwillintroduceyoutomymostseriousrivals。Butthechancesareinmyfavor。Iaminthelead，andsomelittledistinctionisshowntome。"
　　"Youareinlove，"Savalrepeated。
　　"No。Shedisquietsme，seducesanddisturbsme，attractsandfrightensmeaway。ImistrustherasIwouldatrap，andIlongforherasIlongforasherbetwhenIamthirsty。Iyieldtohercharm，andIonlyapproachherwiththeapprehensionthatIwouldfeelconcerningamanwhowasknowntobeaskillfulthief。toherpresenceIhaveanirrationalimpulsetowardbeliefinherpossiblepurityandaveryreasonablemistrustofhernotlessprobabletrickery。Ifeelmyselfincontactwithanabnormalbeing，beyondthepaleofnaturallaws，anexquisiteordetestablecreature——I
　　don'tknowwhich。"
　　ForthethirdtimeSavalsaid:"Itellyouthatyouareinlove。Youspeakofherwiththemagniloquenceofapoetandthefeelingofatroubadour。Come，searchyourheart，andconfess。"
　　Servignywalkedafewstepswithoutanswering。Thenhereplied:
　　"Thatispossible，afterall。Inanycase，shefillsmymindalmostcontinually。yes，perhapsIaminlove。Idreamabouthertoomuch。
　　IthinkofherwhenIamasleepandwhenIawake——thatissurelyagraveindication。Herfacefollowsme，accompaniesmeceaselessly，everbeforeme，aroundme，withme。Isthislove，thisphysicalinfatuation？HerfeaturesaresostampeduponmyvisionthatIseeherthemomentIshutmyeyes。MyheartbeatsquicklyeverytimeI
　　lookather，Idon'tdenyit。"
　　"SoIaminlovewithher，butinaqueerfashion。Ihavethestrongestdesireforher，andyettheideaofmakinghermywifewouldseemtomeafolly，apieceofstupidity，amonstrousthing:
　　AndIhavealittlefearofher，aswell，thefearwhichabirdfeelsoverwhichahawkishovering。"
　　"AndagainIamjealousofher，jealousofallofwhichIamignorantinherincomprehensibleheart。Iamalwayswondering:'Issheacharmingyoungsterorawretchedjade？'Shesaysthingsthatwouldmakeanarmyshudder；butsodoesaparrot。SheisattimessoindiscreetandyetmodestthatIamforcedtobelieveinherspotlesspurity，andagainsoincrediblyartlessthatImustsuspectthatshehasneverbeenchaste。Shealluresme，excitesme，likeawomanofacertaincategory，andatthesametimeactslikeanimpeccablevirgin。Sheseemstolovemeandyetmakesfunofme；shedeportsherselfinpublicasifsheweremymistressandtreatsmeinprivateasifIwereherbrotherorfootman。"
　　"TherearetimeswhenIfancythatshehasasmanyloversashermother。AndatothertimesIimaginethatshesuspectsabsolutelynothingofthatsortoflife，youunderstand。Furthermore，sheisagreatnovelreader。Iamatpresent，whileawaitingsomethingbetter，herbookpurveyor。Shecallsmeher'librarian。'EveryweektheNewBookStoresendsher，onmyorders，everythingnewthathasappeared，andIbelievethatshereadseverythingatrandom。Itmustmakeastrangesortofmixtureinherhead。"
　　"Thatkindofliteraryhasty-puddingaccountsperhapsforsomeofthegirl'speculiarways。Whenayoungwomanlooksatexistencethroughthemediumoffifteenthousandnovels，shemustseeitinastrangelight，andconstructqueerideasaboutmattersandthingsingeneral。Asforme，Iamwaiting。ItiscertainatanyratethatI
　　neverhavehadforanyotherwomanthedevotionwhichIhavehadforher。AndstillitisquitecertainthatIshallnevermarryher。Soifshehashadnumbers，Ishallswellthenumber。Andifshehasnot，Ishalltakethefirstticket，justasIwoulddoforastreetcar。"
　　"Thecaseisverysimple。Ofcourse，shewillnevermarry。WhointheworldwouldmarrytheMarquiseObardi'sdaughter，thechildofOctaviaBardin？Nobody，forathousandreasons。Wherewouldtheyeverfindahusbandforher？Insociety？Never。Themother'shouseisasortofliberty-hallwhosepatronageisattractedbythedaughter。Girlsdon'tgetmarriedunderthoseconditions。"
　　"Wouldshefindahusbandamongthetrades-people？Stilllesswouldthatbepossible。AndbesidestheMarquiseisnotthewomantomakeabadbargain；shewillgiveYvetteonlytoamanofhighposition，andthatmanshewillneverdiscover。"
　　"Thenperhapsshewilllookamongthecommonpeople。Stilllesslikely。Thereisnosolutionoftheproblem，then。Thisyoungladybelongsneithertosociety，nortothetradesmen'sclass，nortothecommonpeople，andshecanneverenteranyoftheseranksbymarriage。"
　　"Shebelongsthroughhermother，herbirth，hereducation，herinheritance，hermanners，andhercustoms，tothevortexofthemostrapidlifeofParis。Shecanneverescapeit，savebybecominganun，whichisnotatallprobablewithhermannersandtastes。Shehasonlyonepossiblecareer，alifeofpleasure。Shewillcometoitsoonerorlater，ifindeedshehasnotalreadybeguntotreaditsprimrosepath。Shecannotescapeherfate。Frombeingayounggirlshewilltaketheinevitablestep，quitesimply。AndIwouldliketobethepivotofthistransformation。"
　　"Iamwaiting。Therearemanylovers。YouwillseeamongthemaFrenchman，MonsieurdeBelvigne；aRussian，calledPrinceKravalow，andanItalian，ChevalierValreali，whohaveallannouncedtheircandidaciesandwhoareconsequentlymaneuveringtothebestoftheirability。Inadditiontothesethereareseveralfreebootersoflessimportance。TheMarquisewaitsandwatches。ButIthinkthatshehasviewsaboutme。SheknowsthatIamveryrich，andshemakeslessoftheothers。"
　　"Herdrawing-roomis，moreover，themostastoundingthatIknowof，insuch，exhibitions。Youevenmeetverydecentmenthere，likeourselves。Asforthewomen，shehasculledthebestthereisfromthebasketofpickpockets。Nobodyknowswhereshefoundthem。ItisasetapartfromBohemia，apartfromeverything。Shehashadoneinspirationshowinggenius，andthatistheknackofselectingespeciallythoseadventuresseswhohavechildren，generallygirls。
　　Sothatafoolmightbelievethatinherhousehewasamongrespectablewomen！"TheyhadreachedtheavenueoftheChamps-
　　Elysees。Agentlebreezesoftlystirredtheleavesandtouchedthefacesofpassers-by，likethebreathsofagiantfan，wavingsomewhereinthesky。Silentshadowswanderedbeneaththetrees；
　　others，onbenches，madeadarkspot。Andtheseshadowsspokeverylow，asiftheyweretellingeachotherimportantorshamefulsecrets。
　　"Youcan'timaginewhatacollectionoffictitioustitlesaremetinthislair，"saidServigny，"Bytheway，IshallpresentyoubythenameofCountSaval；plainSavalwouldnotdoatall。"
　　"Oh，no，indeed！"criedhisfriend；"Iwouldnothaveanyonethinkmecapableofborrowingatitle，evenforanevening，evenamongthosepeople。Ah，no！"
　　Servignybegantolaugh。
　　"Howstupidyouare！Why，inthatsettheycallmetheDukedeServigny。Idon'tknowhownorwhy。ButatanyratetheDukedeServignyIamandshallremain，withoutcomplainingorprotesting。
　　Itdoesnotworryme。Ishouldhavenofootingtherewhateverwithoutatitle。"
　　ButSavalwouldnotbeconvinced。
　　"Well，youareofrank，andsoyoumayremain。But，asforme，no。I
　　shallbetheonlycommonpersoninthedrawing-room。Somuchtheworse，or，somuchthebetter。Itwillbemymarkofdistinctionandsuperiority。"
　　Servignywasobstinate。
　　"Itellyouthatitisnotpossible。Why，itwouldalmostseemmonstrous。Youwouldhavetheeffectofaragmanatameetingofemperors。LetmedoasIlike。IshallintroduceyouastheVice-Roidu'Haut-Mississippi，'andnoonewillbeatallastonished。Whenamantakesongreatness，hecan'ttaketoomuch。"
　　"Oncemore，no，Idonotwishit。"
　　"Verywell，haveyourway。But，infact，Iamveryfoolishtotrytoconvinceyou。Idefyyoutogetinwithoutsomeonegivingyouatitle，justastheygiveabunchofvioletstotheladiesattheentrancetocertainstores。"
　　TheyturnedtotherightintheRuedeBarrie，mountedoneflightofstairsinafinemodernhouse，andgavetheirovercoatsandcanesintothehandsoffourservantsinknee-breeches。Awarmodor，asofafestivalassembly，filledtheair，anodorofflowers，perfumes，andwomen；andacomposedandcontinuousmurmurcamefromtheadjoiningrooms，whichwerefilledwithpeople。
　　Akindofmasterofceremonies，tall，erect，wideofgirth，serious，hisfaceframedinwhitewhiskers，approachedthenewcomers，askingwithashortandhaughtybow:"WhomshallIannounce？"
　　"MonsieurSaval，"Servignyreplied。
　　Thenwithaloudvoice，themanopeningthedoorcriedouttothecrowdofguests:
　　"MonsieurtheDukedeServigny。"
　　"MonsieurtheBaronSaval。"
　　Thefirstdrawing-roomwasfilledwithwomen。Thefirstthingwhichattractedattentionwasthedisplayofbareshoulders，aboveafloodofbrilliantgowns。
　　Themistressofthehousewhostoodtalkingwiththreefriends，turnedandcameforwardwithamajesticstep，withgraceinhermienandasmileonherlips。Herforeheadwasnarrowandverylow，andwascoveredwithamassofglossyblackhair，encroachingalittleuponthetemples。
　　Shewastall，atrifletoolarge，alittletoostout，overripe，butverypretty，withaheavy，warm，potentbeauty。Beneaththatmassofhair，fullofdreamsandsmiles，renderinghermysteriouslycaptivating，wereenormousblackeyes。Hernosewasalittlenarrow，hermouthlargeandinfinitelyseductive，madetospeakandtoconquer。
　　Hergreatestcharmwasinhervoice。Itcamefromthatmouthaswaterfromaspring，sonatural，solight，sowellmodulated，soclear，thattherewasaphysicalpleasureinlisteningtoit。Itwasajoyfortheeartoheartheflexiblewordsflowwiththegraceofababblingbrook，anditwasajoyfortheeyestoseethoseprettylips，atrifletoored，openasthewordsrippledforth。
　　ShegaveonehandtoServigny，whokissedit，anddroppingherfanonitslittlegoldchain，shegavetheothertoSaval，sayingtohim:"Youarewelcome，Baron，alltheDuke'sfriendsareathomehere。"
　　ThenshefixedherbrillianteyesupontheColossuswhohadjustbeenintroducedtoher。Shehadjusttheslightestdownonherupperlip，asuspicionofamustache，whichseemeddarkerwhenshespoke。
　　Therewasapleasantodorabouther，pervading，intoxicating，someperfumeofAmericaoroftheIndies。Otherpeoplecamein，marquesses，countsorprinces。ShesaidtoServigny，withthegraciousnessofamother:"Youwillfindmydaughterintheotherparlor。Haveagoodtime，gentlemen，thehouseisyours。"
　　Andsheleftthemtogotothosewhohadcomelater，throwingatSavalthatsmilingandfleetingglancewhichwomenusetoshowthattheyarepleased。Servignygraspedhisfriend'sarm。