Sheshookherhead，andhavingcaughtanantontheendofaseveredbladeofgrass，sheamusedherselfbymakingitgofromoneendtotheotherofthesprig，whichshetippedupwhenevertheinsectreachedoneoftheends。Shelistenedwithmuteandcontentedattentiontoallthewonderfuldetailsofthelifeofthesefrailcreatures:theirsubterraneanhomes；themannerinwhichtheyseize，shutup，andfeedplant-licetodrinkthesweetmilkwhichtheysecrete，aswekeepcowsinourbarns；theircustomofdomesticatinglittleblindinsectswhichcleantheanthills，andofgoingtowartocaptureslaveswhowilltakecareoftheirvictorswithsuchtendersolicitudethatthelatterevenlosethehabitoffeedingthemselves。
　　Andlittlebylittle，asifamaternaltendernesshadsprungupinherheartforthepoorinsectwhichwassotinyandsointelligent，Yvettemadeitclimbonherfinger，lookingatitwithamovedexpression，almostwantingtoembraceit。
　　AndasServignyreadofthewayinwhichtheyliveincommunities，andplaygamesofstrengthandskillamongthemselves，theyounggirlgrewenthusiasticandsoughttokisstheinsectwhichescapedherandbegantocrawloverherface。Thensheutteredapiercingcry，asifshehadbeenthreatenedbyaterribledanger，andwithfranticgesturestriedtobrushitoffherface。WithaloudlaughServignycaughtitnearhertressesandimprintedonthespotwherehehadseizeditalongkisswithoutYvettewithdrawingherforehead。
　　Thensheexclaimedassherose:"Thatisbetterthananovel。NowletusgotoLaGrenouillere。"
　　Theyreachedthatpartoftheislandwhichissetoutasaparkandshadedwithgreattrees。CoupleswerestrollingbeneaththeloftyfoliagealongtheSeine，wheretheboatswereglidingby。
　　Theboatswerefilledwithyoungpeople，working-girlsandtheirsweethearts，thelatterintheirshirt-sleeves，withcoatsontheirarms，tallhatstippedback，andajadedlook。Thereweretradesmenwiththeirfamilies，thewomendressedintheirbestandthechildrenflockinglikelittlechicksabouttheirparents。Adistant，continuoussoundofvoices，aheavy，scoldingclamorannouncedtheproximityoftheestablishmentsodeartotheboatmen。
　　Suddenlytheysawit。Itwasahugeboat，roofedover，mooredtothebank。Onboardweremanymenandwomendrinkingattables，orelsestandingup，shouting，singing，bandyingwords，dancing，capering，tothesoundofapianowhichwasgroaning——outoftuneandrattlingasanoldkettle。
　　Twotall，russet-haired，half-tipsygirls，withredlips，weretalkingcoarsely。Othersweredancingmadlywithyoungfellowshalfclad，dressedlikejockeys，inlinentrousersandcoloredcaps。Theodorsofacrowdandofrice-powderwerenoticeable。
　　Thedrinkersaroundthetableswereswallowingwhite，red，yellow，andgreenliquids，andvociferatingatthetopoftheirlungs，feelingasitwere，thenecessityofmakinganoise，abrutalneedofhavingtheirearsandbrainsfilledwithuproar。Nowandthenaswimmer，standingontheroof，divedintothewater，splashingthenearestguests，whoyelledlikesavages。
　　Onthestreampassedtheflotillasoflightcraft，long，slenderwherries，swiftlyrowedbybare-armedoarsmen，whosemusclesplayedbeneaththeirbronzedskin。Thewomenintheboats，inblueorredflannelskirts，withumbrellas，redorblue，openedovertheirheadsandgleamingundertheburningsun，leanedbackintheirchairsatthesternoftheboats，andseemedalmosttofloatuponthewater，inmotionlessandslumberouspose。
　　Theheavierboatsproceededslowly，crowdedwithpeople。A
　　collegian，wantingtoshowoff，rowedlikeawindmillagainstalltheotherboats，bringingthecursesoftheiroarsmendownuponhishead，anddisappearingindismayafteralmostdrowningtwoswimmers，followedbytheshoutsofthecrowdthronginginthegreatfloatingcafe。
　　Yvette，radiantlyhappy，takingServigny'sarm，wentintothemidstofthisnoisymob。Sheseemedtoenjoythecrowding，andstaredatthegirlswithacalmandgraciousglance。
　　"Lookatthatone，Muscade，"shesaid。"Whatprettyhairshehas！
　　Theyseemtobehavingsuchfun！"
　　Asthepianist，aboatmandressedinredwithahugestrawhat，beganawaltz，Yvettegraspedhercompanionandtheydancedsolongandmadlythateverybodylookedatthem。Theguests，standingonthetables，kepttimewiththeirfeet；othersthrewglasses，andthemusician，seemingtogomad，strucktheivorykeyswithgreatbangs；
　　swayinghiswholebodyandswinginghisheadcoveredwiththatimmensehat。Suddenlyhestoppedand，slippingtothedeck，layflat，beneathhishead-gear，asifdeadwithfatigue。Aloudlaugharoseandeverybodyapplauded。
　　Fourfriendsrushedforward，astheydoincasesofaccident，andliftinguptheircomrade，theycarriedhimbyhisfourlimbs，aftercarefullyplacinghisgreathatonhisstomach。Ajokerfollowingthemintonedthe"DeProfundis，"andaprocessionformedandthreadedthepathsoftheisland，guestsandstrollersandeveryonetheymetfallingintoline。
　　Yvettedartedforward，delighted，laughingwithherwholeheart，chattingwitheverybody，stirredbythemovementandthenoise。Theyoungmengazedather，crowdedagainsther，seemingtodevourherwiththeirglances；andServignybegantofearlesttheadventureshouldterminatebadly。
　　Theprocessionstillkeptonitsway；hasteningitsstep；forthefourbearershadtakenaquickpace，followedbytheyellingcrowd。
　　Butsuddenly，theyturnedtowardtheshore，stoppedshortastheyreachedthebank，swungtheircomradeforamoment，andthen，allfouractingtogether，flunghimintotheriver。
　　Agreatshoutofjoyrangoutfromallmouths，whilethepoorpianist，bewildered，paddled，swore，coughed，andspluttered，andthoughstickinginthemudmanagedtogettotheshore。Hishatwhichfloateddownthestreamwaspickedupbyaboat。Yvettedancedwithjoy，clappingandrepeating:"Oh！Muscade，whatfun！whatfun！"
　　Servignylookedon，havingbecomeserious，alittledisturbed，alittlechilledtoseehersomuchathereaseinthiscommonplace。
　　Asortofinstinctrevoltedinhim，thatinstinctoftheproper，whichawell-bornmanalwayspreservesevenwhenhecastshimselfloose，thatinstinctwhichavoidstoocommonfamiliaritiesandtoodegradingcontacts。Astonished，hemutteredtohimself:
　　"Egad！ThenYOUareathomehere，areyou？"Andhewantedtospeakfamiliarlytoher，asamandoestocertainwomenthefirsttimehemeetsthem。Henolongerdistinguishedherfromtherusset-haired，hoarse-voicedcreatureswhobrushedagainstthem。Thelanguageofthecrowdwasnotatallchoice，butnobodyseemedshockedorsurprised。Yvettedidnotevenappeartonoticeit。
　　"Muscade，Iwanttogoinbathing，"shesaid。"We'llgointotherivertogether。"
　　"Atyourservice，"saidhe。
　　Theywenttothebath-officetogetbathing-suits。Shewasreadythefirst，andstoodonthebankwaitingforhim，smilingoneveryonewholookedather。Thensidebysidetheywentintotheluke-warmwater。
　　Sheswamwithpleasure，withintoxication，caressedbythewave，throbbingwithasensualdelight，raisingherselfateachstrokeasifsheweregoingtospringfromthewater。Hefollowedherwithdifficulty，breathless，andvexedtofeelhimselfmediocreatthesport。
　　Butsheslackenedherpace，andthen，turningoversuddenly，shefloated，withherarmsfoldedandhereyeswideopentothebluesky。Heobserved，thusstretchedoutonthesurfaceoftheriver，theundulatinglinesofherform，herfirmneckandshoulders，herslightlysubmergedhips，andbareankles，gleaminginthewater，andthetinyfootthatemerged。
　　Hesawherthusexhibitingherself，asifsheweredoingitonpurpose，tolurehimon，oragaintomakesportofhim。Andhebegantolongforherwithapassionateardorandanexasperatingimpatience。Suddenlysheturned，lookedathim，andburstintolaughter。
　　"Youhaveafinehead，"shesaid。
　　Hewasannoyedatthisbantering，possessedwiththeangerofabaffledlover。Thenyieldingbrusquelytoahalffeltdesireforretaliation，adesiretoavengehimself，towoundher，hesaid:
　　"Well，doesthissortoflifesuityou？"
　　Sheaskedwithanartlessair:"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Oh，come，don'tmakegameofme。YouknowwellenoughwhatImean！"
　　"No，Idon't，onmywordofhonor。"
　　"Oh，letusstopthiscomedy！Willyouorwillyounot？"
　　"Idonotunderstandyou。"
　　"Youarenotasstupidasallthat；besidesItoldyoulastnight。"
　　"Toldmewhat？Ihaveforgotten！"
　　"ThatIloveyou。"
　　"You？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Whatnonsense！"
　　"Iswearit。"
　　"Thenproveit。"
　　"ThatisallIask。"
　　"Whatis？"
　　"Toproveit。"
　　"Well，doso。"
　　"Butyoudidnotsaysolastnight。"
　　"Youdidnotaskanything。"
　　"Whatabsurdity！"
　　"Andbesidesitisnottometowhomyoushouldmakeyourproposition。"
　　"Towhom，then？"
　　"Why，tomamma，ofcourse。"
　　Heburstintolaughter。"Toyourmother。No，thatistoomuch！"
　　Shehadsuddenlybecomeverygrave，andlookinghimstraightintheeyes，said:
　　"Listen，Muscade，ifyoureallylovemeenoughtomarryme，speaktomammafirst，andIwillansweryouafterward。"
　　Hethoughtshewasstillmakingsportofhim，andangrilyreplied:
　　"Mam'zelle，youmustbetakingmeforsomebodyelse。"
　　Shekeptlookingathimwithhersoft，cleareyes。Shehesitatedandthensaid:
　　"Idon'tunderstandyouatall。"
　　Thenheansweredquicklywithsomewhatofillnatureinhisvoice:
　　"Comenow，Yvette，letusceasethisabsurdcomedy，whichhasalreadylastedtoolong。Youareplayingthepartofasimplelittlegirl，andtheroledoesnotfityouatall，believeme。Youknowperfectlywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus，butmerelyoflove。IhavetoldyouthatIloveyou。Itisthetruth。Irepeat，Iloveyou。Don'tpretendanylongernottounderstandme，anddon'ttreatmeasifIwereafool。"
　　Theywerefacetoface，treadingwater，merelymovingtheirhandsalittle，tosteadythemselves。Shewasstillforamoment，asifshecouldnotmakeoutthemeaningofhiswords，thenshesuddenlyblusheduptotherootsofherhair。Herwholefacegrewpurplefromhernecktoherears，whichbecamealmostviolet，andwithoutansweringawordshefledtowardtheshore，swimmingwithallherstrengthwithhastystrokes。Hecouldnotkeepupwithherandpantedwithfatigueashefollowed。Hesawherleavethewater，pickuphercloak，andgotoherdressing-roomwithoutlookingback。
　　Ittookhimalongtimetodress，verymuchperplexedastowhatheoughttodo，puzzledoverwhatheshouldsaytoher，andwonderingwhetherheoughttoexcusehimselforpersevere。Whenhewasready，shehadgoneawayallalone。Hewentbackslowly，anxiousanddisturbed。
　　TheMarquisewasstrolling，onSaval'sarm，inthecircularpatharoundthelawn。AssheobservedServigny，shesaid，withthatcarelessairwhichshehadmaintainedsincethenightbefore。
　　"Itoldyounottogooutinsuchhotweather。AndnowYvettehascomebackalmostwithasunstroke。Shehasgonetoliedown。Shewasasredasapoppy，thepoorchild，andshehasafrightfulheadache。Youmusthavebeenwalkinginthefullsunlight，oryoumusthavedonesomethingfoolish。Youareasunreasonableasshe。"
　　Theyounggirldidnotcomedowntodinner。Whentheywantedtosendherupsomethingtoeatshecalledthroughthedoorthatshewasnothungry，forshehadshutherselfin，andshebeggedthattheywouldleaveherundisturbed。Thetwoyoungmenleftbytheteno'clocktrain，promisingtoreturnthefollowingThursday，andtheMarquiseseatedherselfattheopenwindowtodream，hearinginthedistancetheorchestraoftheboatmen'sball，withitssprightlymusic，inthedeepandsolemnsilenceofthenight。
　　Swayedbyloveasapersonismovedbyafondnessforhorsesorboating，shewassubjecttosuddentendernesseswhichcreptoverherlikeadisease。Thesepassionstookpossessionofhersuddenly，penetratedherentirebeing，maddenedher，enervatedoroverwhelmedher，inmeasureastheywereofanexalted，violent，dramatic，orsentimentalcharacter。
　　Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarecreatedtoloveandtobeloved。
　　Startingfromaverylowstationinlife，shehadriseninheradventurouscareer，actinginstinctively，withinborncleverness，acceptingmoneyandkisses，naturally，withoutdistinguishingbetweenthem，employingherextraordinaryabilityinanunthinkingandsimplefashion。Fromallherexperiencesshehadneverknowneitheragenuinetendernessoragreatrepulsion。
　　Shehadhadvariousfriends，forshehadtolive，asintravelingapersoneatsatmanytables。Butoccasionallyherhearttookfire，andshereallyfellinlove，whichstatelastedforsomeweeksormonths，accordingtoconditions。Thesewerethedeliciousmomentsofherlife，forshelovedwithallhersoul。Shecastherselfuponloveasapersonthrowshimselfintotherivertodrownhimself，andletherselfbecarriedaway，readytodie，ifneedbe，intoxicated，maddened，infinitelyhappy。Sheimaginedeachtimethatsheneverhadexperiencedanythinglikesuchanattachment，andshewouldhavebeengreatlyastonishedifsomeonehadtoldherofhowmanymenshehaddreamedwholenightsthrough，lookingatthestars。
　　Savalhadcaptivatedher，bodyandsoul。Shedreamedofhim，lulledbyhisfaceandhismemory，inthecalmexaltationofconsummatedlove，ofpresentandcertainhappiness。
　　Asoundbehindhermadeherturnaround。Yvettehadjustentered，stillinherdaytimedress，butpale，witheyesglittering，assometimesisthecaseaftersomegreatfatigue。Sheleanedonthesilloftheopenwindow，facinghermother。
　　"Iwanttospeaktoyou，"shesaid。
　　TheMarquiselookedatherinastonishment。Shelovedherlikeanegotisticalmother，proudofherbeauty，asapersonisproudofafortune，tooprettystillherselftobecomejealous，tooindifferenttoplantheschemeswithwhichtheychargedher，tooclever，nevertheless，nottohavefullconsciousnessofherdaughter'svalue。
　　"Iamlistening，mychild，"shesaid；"whatisit？"
　　Yvettegaveherapiercinglook，asiftoreadthedepthsofhersoulandtoseizeallthesensationswhichherwordsmightawake。
　　"Itisthis。Somethingstrangehasjusthappened。"
　　"Whatcanitbe？"
　　"MonsieurdeServignyhastoldmethathelovesme。"
　　TheMarquise，disturbed，waitedamoment，and，asYvettesaidnothingmore，sheasked:
　　"Howdidhetellyouthat？Explainyourself！"
　　Thentheyounggirl，sittingathermother'sfeet，inacoaxingattitudecommonwithher，andclaspingherhands，added:
　　"Heaskedmetomarryhim。"
　　MadameObardimadeasuddengestureofstupefactionandcried:
　　"Servigny！Why！youarecrazy！"
　　Yvettehadnottakenhereyesoffhermother'sface，watchingherthoughtsandhersurprise。Sheaskedwithaseriousvoice:
　　"WhyamIcrazy？WhyshouldnotMonsieurdeServignymarryme？"
　　TheMarquise，embarrassed，stammered:
　　"Youaremistaken，itisnotpossible。Youeitherdidnothearordidnotunderstand。MonsieurdeServignyistoorichforyou，andtoomuchofaParisiantomarry。"Yvetterosesoftly。Sheadded:
　　"Butifhelovesmeashesayshedoes，mamma？"
　　Hermotherreplied，withsomeimpatience:"Ithoughtyoubigenoughandwiseenoughnottohavesuchideas。Servignyisaman-about-townandanegotist。Hewillnevermarryanyonebutawomanofhissetandhisfortune。Ifheaskedyouinmarriage，itisonlythathewants——"
　　TheMarquise，incapableofexpressinghermeaning，wassilentforamoment，thencontinued:"Comenow，leavemealoneandgotobed。"
　　Andtheyounggirl，asifshehadlearnedwhatshesoughttofindout，answeredinadocilevoice:"Yes，mamma！"
　　Shekissedhermotherontheforeheadandwithdrewwithacalmstep。
　　Asshereachedthedoor，theMarquisecalledout:"Andyoursunstroke？"shesaid。
　　"Ididnothaveoneatall。Itwasthatwhichcausedeverything。"
　　TheMarquiseadded:"Wewillnotspeakofitagain。Onlydon'tstayalonewithhimforsometimefromnow，andbeverysurethathewillnevermarryyou，doyouunderstand，andthathemerelymeansto——
　　compromiseyou。"
　　Shecouldnotfindbetterwordstoexpressherthought。Yvettewenttoherroom。MadameObardibegantodream。Livingforyearsinanopulentandlovingrepose，shehadcarefullyputasideallreflectionswhichmightannoyorsaddenher。Neverhadshebeenwillingtoaskherselfthequestion——WhatwouldbecomeofYvette？
　　Itwouldbesoonenoughtothinkaboutthedifficultieswhentheyarrived。Shewellknew，fromherexperience，thatherdaughtercouldnotmarryamanwhowasrichandofgoodsociety，exceptingbyatotallyimprobablechance，byoneofthosesurprisesoflovewhichplaceadventuressesonthrones。
　　Shehadnotconsideredit，furthermore，beingtoomuchoccupiedwithherselftomakeanyplanswhichdidnotdirectlyconcernherself。
　　Yvettewoulddoashermother，undoubtedly。Shewouldleadagaylife。Whynot？ButtheMarquisehadneverdaredaskwhen，orhow。
　　Thatwouldallcomeaboutintime。
　　Andnowherdaughter，allofasudden，withoutwarning，hadaskedoneofthosequestionswhichcouldnotbeanswered，forcinghertotakeanattitudeinanaffair，sodelicate，sodangerousineveryrespect，andsodisturbingtotheconsciencewhichawomanisexpectedtoshowinmattersconcerningherdaughter。
　　Sometimesnoddingbutneverasleep，shehadtoomuchnaturalastutenesstobedeceivedaminuteaboutServigny'sintentions，forsheknewmenbyexperience，andespeciallymenofthatset。SoatthefirstwordsutteredbyYvette，shehadcriedalmostinspiteofherself:"Servigny，marryyou？Youarecrazy！"
　　Howhadhecometoemploythatoldmethod，he，thatsharpmanoftheworld？Whatwouldhedonow？Andshe，theyounggirl，howshouldshewarnhermoreclearlyandevenforbidher，forshemightmakegreatmistakes。Wouldanyonehavebelievedthatthisbiggirlhadremainedsoartless，soillinformed，soguileless？AndtheMarquise，greatlyperplexedandalreadyweariedwithherreflections，endeavoredtomakeuphermindwhattodowithoutfindingasolutionoftheproblem，forthesituationseemedtoherveryembarrassing。Wornoutwiththisworry，shethought:
　　"Iwillwatchthemmoreclearly，Iwillactaccordingtocircumstances。Ifnecessary，IwillspeaktoServigny，whoissharpandwilltakeahint。"
　　Shedidnotthinkoutwhatsheshouldsaytohim，norwhathewouldanswer，norwhatsortofanunderstandingcouldbeestablishedbetweenthem，buthappyatbeingrelievedofthiscarewithouthavinghadtomakeadecision，sheresumedherdreamsofthehandsomeSaval，andturningtowardthatmistylightwhichhoversoverParis，shethrewkisseswithbothhandstowardthegreatcity，rapidkisseswhichshetossedintothedarkness，oneaftertheother，withoutcounting；and，verylow，asifsheweretalkingtoSavalstill，shemurmured:
　　"Iloveyou，Iloveyou！"
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　ENLIGHTENMENT
　　Yvette，also，couldnotsleep。Likehermother，sheleaneduponthesilloftheopenwindow，andtears，herfirstbittertears，filledhereyes。Uptothistimeshehadlived，hadgrownup，intheheedlessandsereneconfidenceofhappyyouth。Whyshouldshehavedreamed，reflected，puzzled？Whyshouldshenothavebeenayounggirl，likeallotheryounggirls？Whyshouldadoubt，afear，orpainfulsuspicionhavecometoher？
　　Sheseemedpostedonalltopicsbecauseshehadawayoftalkingonallsubjects，becauseshehadtakenthetone，demeanor，andwordsofthepeoplewholivedaroundher。Butshereallyknewnomorethanalittlegirlraisedinaconvent；heraudacitiesofspeechcamefromhermemory，fromthatunconsciousfacultyofimitationandassimilationwhichwomenpossess，andnotfromamindinstructedandemboldened。
　　Shespokeofloveasthesonofapainteroramusicianwould，attheageoftenortwelveyears，speakofpaintingormusic。Shekneworrathersuspectedverywellwhatsortofmysterythiswordconcealed；——toomanyjokeshadbeenwhisperedbeforeher，forherinnocencenottobeatrifleenlightened，——buthowcouldshehavedrawntheconclusionfromallthis，thatallfamiliesdidnotresemblehers？
　　Theykissedhermother'shandwiththesemblanceofrespect；alltheirfriendshadtitles；theyallwererichorseemedtobeso；
　　theyallspokefamiliarlyoftheprincesoftheroyalline。Twosonsofkingshadevencomeoften，intheevening，totheMarquise'shouse。Howshouldshehaveknown？
　　And，then，shewasnaturallyartless。Shedidnotestimateorsumuppeopleashermother，did。Shelivedtranquilly，toojoyousinherlifetoworryherselfaboutwhatmightappearsuspicioustocreaturesmorecalm，thoughtful，reserved，lesscordial，andsunny。
　　Butnow，allatonce，Servigny，byafewwords，thebrutalityofwhichshefeltwithoutunderstandingthem，awakenedinherasuddendisquietude，unreasoningatfirst，butwhichgrewintoatormentingapprehension。Shehadfledhome，hadescapedlikeawoundedanimal，woundedinfactmostdeeplybythosewordswhichsheceaselesslyrepeatedtogetalltheirsenseandbearing:"Youknowverywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus——butonlyoflove。"
　　Whatdidhemean？Andwhythisinsult？Wasshetheninignoranceofsomething，somesecret，someshame？Shewastheonlyoneignorantofit，nodoubt。Butwhatcouldshedo？Shewasfrightened，startled，asapersoniswhenhediscoverssomehiddeninfamy，sometreasonofabelovedfriend，oneofthoseheart-disasterswhichcrush。