Shedreamed，reflected，puzzled，wept，consumedbyfearsandsuspicions。Thenherjoyousyoungsoulreassuringitself，shebegantoplananadventure，toimagineanabnormalanddramaticsituation，foundedontherecollectionsofallthepoeticalromancesshehadread。Sherecalledallthemovingcatastrophes，orsadandtouchingstories；shejumbledthemtogether，andconcoctedastoryofherownwithwhichsheinterpretedthehalf-understoodmysterywhichenvelopedherlife。
　　Shewasnolongercastdown。Shedreamed，sheliftedveils，sheimaginedunlikelycomplications，athousandsingular，terriblethings，seductive，nevertheless，bytheirverystrangeness。Couldshebe，bychance，thenaturaldaughterofaprince？Hadherpoormother，betrayedanddeserted，madeMarquisebysomeking，perhapsKingVictorEmmanuel，beenobligedtotakeflightbeforetheangerofthefamily？Wasshenotratherachildabandonedbyitsrelations，whowerenobleandillustrious，thefruitofaclandestinelove，takeninbytheMarquise，whohadadoptedandbroughtherup？
　　Stillothersuppositionspassedthroughhermind。Sheacceptedorrejectedthemaccordingtothedictatesofherfancy。Shewasmovedtopityoverherowncase，happyatthebottomofherheart，andsadalso，takingasortofsatisfactioninbecomingasortofaheroineofabookwhomust:assumeanobleattitude，worthyofherself。
　　Shelaidoutthepartshemustplay，accordingtoeventsatwhichsheguessed。Shevaguelyoutlinedthisrole，likeoneofScribe'sorofGeorgeSand's。Itshouldbeenduedwithdevotion，self-
　　abnegation，greatnessofsoul，tenderness；andfinewords。Herpliantnaturealmostrejoicedinthisnewattitude。Sheponderedalmosttilleveningwhatsheshoulddo，wonderinghowsheshouldmanagetowrestthetruthfromtheMarquise。
　　Andwhennightcame，favorabletotragicsituations，shehadthoughtoutasimpleandsubtiletricktoobtainwhatshewanted:itwas，brusquely，tosaythatServignyhadaskedforherhandinmarriage。
　　Atthisnews，MadameObardi，takenbysurprise，wouldcertainlyletawordescapeherlips，acrywhichwouldthrowlightintothemindofherdaughter。AndYvettehadaccomplishedherplan。
　　Sheexpectedanexplosionofastonishment，anexpansionoflove，aconfidencefullofgesturesandtears。But，insteadofthis，hermother，withoutappearingstupefiedorgrieved，hadonlyseemedbored；andfromtheconstrained，discontented，andworriedtoneinwhichshehadreplied，theyounggirl，inwhomtheresuddenlyawakedalltheastuteness，keenness，andsharpnessofawoman，understandingthatshemustnotinsist，thatthemysterywasofanothernature，thatitwouldbepainfultohertolearnit，andthatshemustpuzzleitoutallalone，hadgonebacktoherroom，herheartoppressed，hersoulindistress，possessednowwiththeapprehensionsofarealmisfortune，withoutknowingexactlyeitherwhenceorwhythisemotioncametoher。Soshewept，leaningatthewindow。
　　Sheweptlong，notdreamingofanythingnow，notseekingtodiscoveranythingmore，andlittlebylittle，wearinessovercomingher，sheclosedhereyes。Shedozedforafewminutes，withthatdeepsleepofpeoplewhoaretiredoutandhavenottheenergytoundressandgotobed，thatheavysleep，brokenbydreams，whentheheadnodsuponthebreast。
　　Shedidnotgotobeduntilthefirstbreakofday，whenthecoldofthemorning，chillingher，compelledhertoleavethewindow。
　　Thenextdayandthedayafter，shemaintainedareservedandmelancholyattitude。Herthoughtswerebusy；shewaslearningtospyout，toguessatconclusions，toreason。Alight，stillvague，seemedtoilluminemenandthingsaroundherinanewmanner；shebegantoentertainsuspicionsagainstall，againsteverythingthatshehadbelieved，againsthermother。Sheimaginedallsortsofthingsduringthesetwodays。Sheconsideredallthepossibilities，takingthemostextremeresolutionswiththesuddennessofherchangeableandunrestrainednature。Wednesdayshehituponaplan，anentirescheduleofconductandasystemofspying。SheroseThursdaymorningwiththeresolvetobeverysharpandarmedagainsteverybody。
　　Shedeterminedeventotakeforhermottothesetwowords:"Myselfalone，"andsheponderedformorethananhourhowsheshouldarrangethemtoproduceagoodeffectengravedabouthercrest，onherwritingpaper。
　　SavalandServignyarrivedatteno'clock。Theyounggirlgaveherhandwithreserve，withoutembarrassment，andinatone，familiarthoughgrave，shesaid:
　　"Goodmorning，Muscade，areyouwell？""Goodmorning，Mam'zelle，fairly，thanks，andyou？"Hewaswatchingher。"Whatcomedywillsheplayme，"hesaidtohimself。
　　TheMarquisehavingtakenSaval'sarm，hetookYvette's，andtheybegantostrollaboutthelawn，appearinganddisappearingeveryminute，behindtheclumpsoftrees。
　　Yvettewalkedwithathoughtfulair，lookingatthegravelofthepathway，appearinghardlytohearwhathercompanionsaidandscarcelyansweringhim。
　　Suddenlysheasked:"Areyoutrulymyfriend，Muscade？"
　　"Why，ofcourse，Mam'zelle。"
　　"Buttruly，truly，now？"
　　"Absolutelyyourfriend，Mam'zelle，bodyandsoul。"
　　"Evenenoughofafriendnottolietomeonce，justonce？"
　　"Eventwice，ifnecessary。"
　　"Evenenoughtotellmetheabsolute，exacttruth？"
　　"Yes，Mam'zelle。"
　　"Well，whatdoyouthink，waydowninyourheart，ofthePrinceofKravalow？"
　　"Ah，thedevil！"
　　"Youseethatyouarealreadypreparingtolie。"
　　"Notatall，butIamseekingthewords，theproperwords。GreatHeavens，PrinceKravalowisaRussian，whospeaksRussian，whowasborninRussia，whohasperhapshadapassporttocometoFrance，andaboutwhomthereisnothingfalsebuthisnameandtitle。"
　　Shelookedhimintheeyes:"Youmeanthatheis——？"
　　"Anadventurer，Mam'zelle。"
　　"Thankyou，andChevalierValrealiisnobetter？""Youhavehitit。"
　　"AndMonsieurdeBelvigne？"
　　"Withhimitisadifferentthing。Heisofprovincialsociety，honorableuptoacertainpoint，butonlyalittlescorchedfromhavinglivedtoorapidly。"
　　"Andyou？"
　　"Iamwhattheycallabutterfly，amanofgoodfamily，whohadintelligenceandwhohassquandereditinmakingphrases，whohadgoodhealthandwhohasinjureditbydissipation，whohadsomeworthperhapsandwhohasscattereditbydoingnothing。Thereislefttomeacertainknowledgeoflife，acompleteabsenceofprejudice，alargecontemptformankind，includingwomen，averydeepsentimentoftheuselessnessofmyactsandavasttoleranceforthemob。"
　　"Nevertheless，attimes，Icanbefrank，andIamevencapableofaffection，asyoucouldsee，ifyouwould。WiththesedefectsandqualitiesIplacemyselfatyourorders，Mam'zelle，morallyandphysically，todowhatyoupleasewithme。"
　　Shedidnotlaugh；shelistened，weighinghiswordsandhisintentions；thensheresumed:
　　"WhatdoyouthinkoftheCountessdeLammy？"
　　Hereplied，vivaciously:"Youwillpermitmenottogivemyopinionaboutthewomen。"
　　"Aboutnoneofthem？"
　　"Aboutnoneofthem。""Thenyoumusthaveabadopinionofthemall。
　　Come，think；won'tyoumakeasingleexception？"
　　Hesneeredwiththatinsolentairwhichhegenerallywore；andwiththatbrutalaudacitywhichheusedasaweapon，hesaid:"Presentcompanyisalwaysexcepted。"
　　Sheblushedalittle，butcalmlyasked:"Well，whatdoyouthinkofme？"
　　"Youwantmetotell。Well，sobeit。Ithinkyouareayoungpersonofgoodsense，andpracticalness，orifyouprefer，ofgoodpracticalsense，whoknowsverywellhowtoarrangeherpastime，toamusepeople，tohideherviews，tolayhersnares，andwho，withouthurrying，awaitsevents。"
　　"Isthatall？"sheasked。
　　"That'sall。"
　　Thenshesaidwithaseriousearnestness:"Ishallmakeyouchangethatopinion，Muscade。"
　　Thenshejoinedhermother，whowasproceedingwithshortsteps，herheaddown，withthatmannerassumedintalkingverylow，whilewalking，ofveryintimateandverysweetthings。Assheadvancedshedrewshapesinthesand，lettersperhaps，withthepointofhersunshade，andshespoke，withoutlookingatSaval，long，softly，leaningonhisarm，pressedagainsthim。
　　Yvettesuddenlyfixedhereyesuponher，andasuspicion，ratherafeelingthanadoubt，passedthroughhermindasashadowofaclouddrivenbythewindpassesovertheground。
　　Thebellrangforbreakfast。Itwassilentandalmostgloomy。Therewasastormintheair。Greatsolidcloudsresteduponthehorizon，muteandheavy，butchargedwithatempest。Assoonastheyhadtakentheircoffeeontheterrace，theMarquiseasked:
　　"Well，darling，areyougoingtotakeawalktodaywithyourfriendServigny？Itisagoodtimetoenjoythecoolnessunderthetrees。"
　　Yvettegaveheraquickglance。
　　"No，mamma，Iamnotgoingoutto-day。"
　　TheMarquiseappearedannoyed，andinsisted。"Oh，goandtakeastroll，mychild，itisexcellentforyou。"
　　ThenYvettedistinctlysaid:"No，mamma，Ishallstayinthehouseto-day，andyouknowverywellwhy，becauseItoldyoutheotherevening。"
　　MadameObardigaveitnofurtherthought，preoccupiedwiththethoughtofremainingalonewithSaval。Sheblushedandwasannoyed，disturbedonherownaccount，notknowinghowshecouldfindafreehourortwo。Shestammered:
　　"Itistrue。Iwasnotthinkingofit。Idon'tknowwheremyheadis。"
　　AndYvettetakingupsomeembroidery，whichshecalled"thepublicsafety，"andatwhichsheworkedfiveorsixtimesayear，ondulldays，seatedherselfonalowchairnearhermother，whilethetwoyoungmen，astridefolding-chairs，smokedtheircigars。
　　Thehourspassedinalanguidconversation。TheMarquisefidgety，castlongingglancesatSaval，seekingsomepretext，somemeans，ofgettingridofherdaughter。Shefinallyrealizedthatshewouldnotsucceed，andnotknowingwhatrusetoemploy，shesaidtoServigny:
　　"Youknow，mydearDuke，thatIamgoingtokeepyouboththisevening。To-morrowweshallbreakfastattheFournaiserestaurant，atChaton。"
　　Heunderstood，smiled，andbowed:"Iamatyourorders，Marquise。"
　　Thedayworeonslowlyandpainfullyunderthethreateningsofthestorm。Thehourfordinnergraduallyapproached。Theheavyskywasfilledwithslowandheavyclouds。Therewasnotabreathofairstirring。Theeveningmealwassilent，too。Anoppression，anembarrassment，asortofvaguefear，seemedtomakethetwomenandthetwowomenmute。
　　Whenthecoverswereremoved，theysatlongupontheterrace；onlyspeakingatlongintervals。Nightfell，asultrynight。Suddenlythehorizonwastornbyanimmenseflashoflightning，whichilluminedwithadazzlingandwanlightthefourfacesshroudedindarkness。
　　Thenafar-offsound，heavyandfeeble，liketherumblingofacarriageuponabridge，passedovertheearth；anditseemedthattheheatoftheatmosphereincreased，thattheairsuddenlybecamemoreoppressive，andthesilenceoftheeveningdeeper。
　　Yvetterose。"Iamgoingtobed，"shesaid，"thestormmakesmeill。"
　　AndsheofferedherbrowtotheMarquise，gaveherhandtothetwoyoungmen，andwithdrew。
　　Asherroomwasjustabovetheterrace，theleavesofagreatchestnut-treegrowingbeforethedoorsoongleamedwithagreenhue，andServignykepthiseyesfixedonthispalelightinthefoliage，inwhichattimeshethoughthesawashadowpass。Butsuddenlythelightwentout。MadameObardigaveagreatsigh。
　　"Mydaughterhasgonetobed，"shesaid。
　　Servignyrose，saying:"Iamgoingtodoasmuch，Marquise，ifyouwillpermitme。"Hekissedthehandsheheldouttohimanddisappearedinturn。
　　ShewasleftalonewithSaval，inthenight。Inamomentshewasclaspedinhisarms。Then，althoughhetriedtopreventher，shekneeledbeforehimmurmuring:"Iwanttoseeyoubythelightningflashes。"
　　ButYvette，hercandlesnuffedout，hadreturnedtoherbalcony，barefoot，glidinglikeashadow，andshelistened，consumedbyanunhappyandconfusedsuspicion。Shecouldnotsee，asshewasabovethem，ontheroofoftheterrace。
　　Sheheardnothingbutamurmurofvoices，andherheartbeatsofastthatshecouldactuallyhearitsthrobbing。Awindowclosedontheflooraboveher。Servigny，then，musthavejustgoneuptohisroom。
　　Hermotherwasalonewiththeotherman。
　　Asecondflashoflightning，clearingthesky；lightedupforasecondallthelandscapesheknewsowell，withastartlingandsinistergleam，andshesawthegreatriver，withthecolorofmeltedlead，asariverappearsindreamsinfantasticscenes。
　　Justthenavoicebelowherutteredthewords:"Iloveyou！"Andsheheardnothingmore。Astrangeshudderpassedoverherbody，andhersoulshiveredinfrightfuldistress。Aheavy，infinitesilence，whichseemedeternal，hungovertheworld。Shecouldnolongerbreathe，herbreastoppressedbysomethingunknownandhorrible。
　　Anotherflashoflightningilluminedspace，lightingupthehorizonforaninstant，thenanotheralmostimmediatelycame，followedbystillothers。Andthevoice，whichshehadalreadyheard，repeatedmoreloudly:"Oh！howIloveyou！howIloveyou！"AndYvetterecognizedthevoice；itwashermother's。
　　Alargedropofwarmrainfelluponherbrow，andaslightandalmostimperceptiblemotionranthroughtheleaves，thequiveringoftherainwhichwasnowbeginning。Thenanoisecamefromafar，aconfusedsound，likethatofthewindinthebranches:itwasthedelugedescendinginsheetsonearthandriverandtrees。Inafewminutesthewaterpouredabouther，coveringher，drenchingherlikeashower-bath。Shedidnotmove，thinkingonlyofwhatwashappeningontheterrace。
　　Sheheardthemgetupandgototheirrooms。Doorswereclosedwithinthehouse；andtheyounggirl，yieldingtoanirresistibledesiretolearnwhatwasgoingon，adesirewhichmaddenedandtorturedher，glideddownstairs，softlyopenedtheouterdoor，and，crossingthelawnunderthefuriousdownpour，ranandhidinaclumpoftrees，tolookatthewindows。
　　Onlyonewindowwaslighted，hermother's。Andsuddenlytwoshadowsappearedintheluminoussquare，twoshadows，sidebyside。Thendistracted，withoutreflection，withoutknowingwhatshewasdoing，shescreamedwithallhermight，inashrillvoice:"Mamma！"asapersonwouldcryouttowarnpeopleindangerofdeath。
　　Herdesperatecrywaslostinthenoiseoftherain，butthecoupleseparated，disturbed。Andoneoftheshadowsdisappeared，whiletheothertriedtodiscoversomething，peeringthroughthedarknessofthegarden。
　　Fearingtobesurprised，ortomeethermotheratthatmoment，Yvetterushedbacktothehouse，ranupstairs，drippingwet，andshutherselfinherroom，resolvedtoopenherdoortonoone。
　　Withouttaking，offherstreamingdress，whichclungtoherform，shefellonherknees，withclaspedhands，inherdistressimploringsomesuperhumanprotection，themysteriousaidofHeaven，theunknownsupportwhichapersonseeksinhoursoftearsanddespair。
　　Thegreatlightningflashesthrewforaninstanttheirlividreflectionsintoherroom，andshesawherselfinthemirrorofherwardrobe，withherwetanddisheveledhair，lookingsostrangethatshedidnotrecognizeherself。Sheremainedtheresolongthatthestormabatedwithoutherperceivingit。Therainceased，alightfilledthesky，stillobscuredwithclouds，andamild，balmy，deliciousfreshness，afreshnessofgrassandwetleaves，cameinthroughtheopenwindow。
　　Yvetterose，tookoffherwet，coldgarments，withoutthinkingwhatshewasdoing，andwenttobed。Shestaredwithfixedeyesatthedawningday。Thensheweptagain，andthenshebegantothink。
　　Hermother！Alover！Whatashame！Shehadreadsomanybooksinwhichwomen，evenmothers，hadoversteppedtheboundsofpropriety，toregaintheirhonoratthepagesoftheclimax，thatshewasnotastonishedbeyondmeasureatfindingherselfenvelopedinadramasimilartoallthoseofherreading。Theviolenceofherfirstgrief，thecruelshockofsurprise，hadalreadywornoffalittle，intheconfusedremembranceofanalogoussituations。Hermindhadrambledamongsuchtragicadventures，paintedbythenovel-writers，thatthehorriblediscoveryseemed，littlebylittle，likethenaturalcontinuationofsomeserialstory，beguntheeveningbefore。
　　Shesaidtoherself:"Iwillsavemymother。"Andalmostreassuredbythisheroicresolution，shefeltherselfstrengthened，readyatonceforthedevotionandthestruggle。Shereflectedonthemeanswhichmustbeemployed。Asingleoneseemedgood，whichwasquiteinkeepingwithherromanticnature。AndsherehearsedtheinterviewwhichsheshouldhavewiththeMarquise，asanactorrehearsesthescenewhichheisgoingtoplay。
　　Thesunhadrisen。Theservantswerestirringaboutthehouse。Thechambermaidcamewiththechocolate。Yvetteputthetrayonthetableandsaid:
　　"YouwillsaytomymotherthatIamnotwell，thatIamgoingtostayinbeduntilthosegentlemenleave，thatIcouldnotsleeplastnight，andthatIdonotwanttobedisturbedbecauseIamgoingtotrytorest。"
　　Theservant，surprised，lookedatthewetdress，whichhadfallenlikearagonthecarpet。
　　"SoMademoisellehasbeenout？"shesaid。
　　"Yes，Iwentoutforawalkintheraintorefreshmyself。"
　　Themaidpickeduptheskirts，stockings，andwetshoes；thenshewentawaycarryingonherarm，withfastidiousprecautions，thesegarments，soakedastheclothesofadrownedperson。AndYvettewaited，wellknowingthathermotherwouldcometoher。
　　TheMarquiseentered，havingjumpedfromherbedatthefirstwordsofthechambermaid，forasuspicionhadpossessedher，heartsincethatcry:"Mamma！"heardinthedark。
　　"Whatisthematter？"shesaid。
　　Yvettelookedatherandstammered:"I——I——"Thenoverpoweredbyasuddenandterribleemotion，shebegantochoke。
　　TheMarquise，astonished，againasked:"Whatintheworldisthematterwithyou？"
　　Then，forgettingallherplansandpreparedphrases，theyounggirlhidherfaceinbothhandsandstammered:
　　"Oh！mamma！Oh！mamma！"
　　MadameObardistoodbythebed，toomuchaffectedthoroughlytounderstand，butguessingalmosteverything，withthatsubtileinstinctwhenceshederivedherstrength。AsYvettecouldnotspeak，chokedwithtears，hermother，wornoutfinallyandfeelingsomefearfulexplanationcoming，brusquelyasked:
　　"Come，willyoutellmewhatthematteris？"
　　Yvettecouldhardlyutterthewords:"Oh！lastnight——Isaw——yourwindow。"
　　TheMarquise，verypale；said:"Well？whatofit？"
　　Herdaughterrepeated，stillsobbing:"Oh！mamma！Oh！mamma！"
　　MadameObardi，whosefearandembarrassmentturnedtoanger，shruggedhershouldersandturnedtogo。"Ireallybelievethatyouarecrazy。Whenthisends，youwillletmeknow。"
　　Buttheyounggirl，suddenlytookherhandsfromherface，whichwasstreamingwithtears。
　　"No，listen，Imustspeaktoyou，listen。Youmustpromiseme——wemustbothgo，away，veryfaroff，intothecountry，andwemustlivelikethecountrypeople；andnoonemustknowwhathasbecomeofus。
　　Sayyouwill，mamma；Ibegyou，Iimploreyou；willyou？"
　　TheMarquise，confused，stoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Shehadinherveinstheirasciblebloodofthecommonpeople。Thenasenseofshame，amother'smodesty，mingledwithavaguesentimentoffearandtheexasperationofapassionatewomanwhoseloveisthreatened，andsheshuddered，readytoaskforpardon，ortoyieldtosomeviolence。
　　"Idon'tunderstandyou，"shesaid。