Theynowreturned。Shecastvexedlooksonthepassers-by。"Howstupidallthesepeopleseem，"shesaid。Thenraisinghereyestothecountenanceofhercompanion，sheadded:"You，too，likealltherest。"
　　M。deBelvignebowed。TurningaroundshesawthatthePrinceandtheChevalierhaddisappeared。Servigny，dejectedanddripping，ceasedplayingonthetrumpet，andwalkedwithagloomyairatthesideofthetwoweariedyoungmen，whoalsohadstoppedthedrumplaying。
　　Shebegantolaughdryly，saying:
　　"Youseemtohavehadenough；nevertheless，thatiswhatyoucallhavingagoodtime，isn'tit？Youcameforthat；Ihavegivenyouyourmoney'sworth。"
　　Thenshewalkedon，sayingnothingfurther；andsuddenlyBelvigneperceivedthatshewasweeping。Astounded，heinquired:
　　"Whatisthematter？"
　　Shemurmured:"Letmealone，itdoesnotconcernyou。"
　　Butheinsisted，likeafool:"Oh，Mademoiselle，come，whatisthematter，hasanyoneannoyedyou？"
　　Sherepeatedimpatiently:"Willyoukeepstill？"
　　Thensuddenly，nolongerabletoresistthedespairingsorrowwhichdrownedherheart，shebegantosobsoviolently，thatshecouldnolongerwalk。Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，pantingforbreath，chokedbytheviolenceofherdespair。
　　Belvignestoodstillatherside，quitebewildered，repeating:"I
　　don'tunderstandthisatall。"
　　ButServignybrusquelycameforward:"Letusgohome，Mam'zelle，sothatpeoplemaynotseeyouweepinginthestreet。Whydoyouperpetratefollieslikethatwhentheyonlymakeyousad？"
　　Andtakingherarmhedrewherforward。Butassoonastheyreachedtheirongateofthevillashebegantorun，crossedthegarden，andwentupstairs，andshutherselfinherroom。Shedidnotappearagainuntilthedinnerhour，verypaleandserious。Servignyhadboughtfromacountrystorekeeperaworkingman'scostume，withvelvetpantaloons，afloweredwaistcoatandablouse，andheadoptedthelocaldialect。Yvettewasinahurryforthemtofinish，feelinghercourageebbing。Assoonasthecoffeewasservedshewenttoherroomagain。
　　Sheheardthemerryvoicesbeneathherwindow。TheChevalierwasmakingequivocaljokes，foreignwitticisms，vulgarandclumsy。Shelistened，indespair。Servigny，justabittipsy，wasimitatingthecommonworkingman，callingtheMarquise"theMissus。"AndallofasuddenhesaidtoSaval:"Well，Boss？"Thatcausedagenerallaugh。
　　ThenYvettedecided。Shefirsttookasheetofpaperandwrote:
　　"Bougival，Sunday，nineo'clockintheevening。
　　"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。
　　"YVETTE。"
　　Theninapostscript:
　　"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。"
　　Shesealedtheenvelope，andaddressedittotheMarquiseObardi。
　　Thensherolledherlongchairnearthewindow，drewalittletablewithinreachofherhand，andplaceduponitthebigbottleofchloroformbesideahandfulofwadding。
　　Agreatrose-treecoveredwithflowers，climbingashighasherwindow，exhaledinthenightasoftandgentleperfume，inlightbreaths；andshestoodforamomentenjoyingit。Themoon，initsfirstquarter，wasfloatinginthedarksky，alittleraggedattheleft，andveiledattimesbyslightmists。
　　Yvettethought:"Iamgoingtodie！"Andherheart，swollenwithsobs，nearlybursting，almostsuffocatedher。Shefeltinheraneedofaskingmercyfromsomeone，ofbeingsaved，ofbeingloved。
　　ThevoiceofServignyarousedher。Hewastellinganimproperstory，whichwasconstantlyinterruptedbyburstsoflaughter。TheMarquiseherselflaughedlouderthantheothers。
　　"Thereisnobodylikehimfortellingthatsortofthing，"shesaid，laughing。
　　Yvettetookthebottle，uncorkedit，andpouredalittleoftheliquidonthecotton。Astrong，sweet，strangeodorarose；andasshebroughtthepieceofcottontoherlips，thefumesenteredherthroatandmadehercough。
　　Thenshuttinghermouth，shebegantoinhaleit。Shetookinlongbreathsofthisdeadlyvapor，closinghereyes，andforcingherselftostifleinhermindallthoughts，sothatshemightnotreflect，thatshemightknownothingmore。
　　Itseemedtoheratfirstthatherchestwasgrowinglarger，wasexpanding，andthathersoul，recentlyheavyandburdenedwithgrief，wasbecominglight，light，asiftheweightwhichoverwhelmedherwaslifted，waftedaway。Somethinglivelyandagreeablepenetratedeventotheextremitiesofherlimbs，eventothetipsofhertoesandfingersandenteredherflesh，asortofdreamyintoxication，ofsoftfever。Shesawthatthecottonwasdry，andshewasastonishedthatshewasnotalreadydead。Hersensesseemedmoreacute，moresubtle，morealert。Sheheardthelowestwhisperontheterrace。PrinceKravalowwastellinghowhehadkilledanAustriangeneralinaduel。
　　Then，furtheroff，inthefields，sheheardthenoiseofthenight，theoccasionalbarkingsofadog，theshortcryofthefrogs，thealmostimperceptiblerustlingoftheleaves。
　　Shetookthebottleagain，andsaturatedoncemorethelittlepieceofwadding；thenshebegantobreatheinthefumesagain。Forafewmomentsshefeltnothing；thenthatsoftandsoothingfeelingofcomfortwhichshehadexperiencedbeforeenvelopedher。
　　Twiceshepouredmorechloroformuponthecotton，eagernowforthatphysicalandmentalsensation，thatdreamytorpor，whichbewilderedhersoul。
　　Itseemedtoherthatshehadnomorebones，flesh，legs，orarms。
　　Thedrughadgentlytakenalltheseawayfromher，withoutherperceivingit。Thechloroformhaddrawnawayherbody，leavingheronlyhermind，moreawakened，moreactive，larger，andmorefreethanshehadeverfeltit。
　　Sherecalledathousandforgottenthings，littledetailsofherchildhood，trifleswhichhadgivenherpleasure。Endowedsuddenlywithanawakenedagility，hermindleapedtothemostdiverseideas，ranthroughathousandadventures，wanderedinthepast，andlostitselfinthehoped-foreventsofthefuture。Andherlivelyandcarelessthoughtshadasensuouscharm:sheexperiencedadivinepleasureindreamingthus。
　　Shestillheardthevoices，butshecouldnolongerdistinguishthewords，whichtoherseemedtohaveadifferentmeaning。Shewasinakindofstrangeandchangingfairyland。
　　Shewasonagreatboatwhichfloatedthroughabeautifulcountry，allcoveredwithflowers。Shesawpeopleontheshore，andthesepeoplespokeveryloudly；thenshewasagainonland，withoutaskinghow，andServigny，cladasaprince，cametoseekher，totakehertoabull-fight。
　　Thestreetswerefilledwithpassers-by，whoweretalking，andsheheardconversationswhichdidnotastonishher，asifshehadknownthepeople，forthroughherdreamyintoxication，shestillheardhermother'sfriendslaughingandtalkingontheterrace。
　　Theneverythingbecamevague。Thensheawakened，deliciouslybenumbed，andshecouldhardlyrememberwhathadhappened。
　　So，shewasnotyetdead。Butshefeltsocalm，insuchastateofphysicalcomfort，thatshewasnotinhastetofinishwithit——shewantedtomakethisexquisitedrowsinesslastforever。
　　Shebreathedslowlyandlookedatthemoon，oppositeher，abovethetrees。Somethinghadchangedinherspirit。Shenolongerthoughtasshehaddonejustnow。Thechloroformquietingherbodyandhersoulhadcalmedhergriefandlulledherdesiretodie。
　　Whyshouldshenotlive？Whyshouldshenotbeloved？Whyshouldshenotleadahappylife？Everythingappearedpossibletohernow，andeasyandcertain。Everythinginlifewassweet，everythingwascharming。Butasshewishedtodreamonstill，shepouredmoreofthedream-wateronthecottonandbegantobreatheitinagain，stoppingattimes，soasnottoabsorbtoomuchofitanddie。
　　Shelookedatthemoonandsawinitaface，awoman'sface。Shebegantoscornthecountryinthefancifulintoxicationofthedrug。
　　Thatfaceswunginthesky；thenitsang，itsangwithawell-knownvoicethealleluiaoflove。
　　ItwastheMarquise，whohadcomeinandseatedherselfatthepiano。
　　Yvettehadwingsnow。Shewasflyingthroughaclearnight，abovethewoodandstreams。Shewasflyingwithdelight，openingandclosingherwings，bornebythewindasbyacaress。Shemovedintheair，whichkissedherskin，andshewentsofast，sofast，thatshehadnotimetoseeanythingbeneathher，andshefoundherselfseatedonthebankofapondwithalineinherhand；shewasfishing。
　　Somethingpulledonthecord，andwhenshedrewitoutofthewater，itboreamagnificentpearlnecklace，whichshehadlongedforsometimeago。Shewasnotatallastonishedatthisdeed，andshelookedatServigny，whohadcometoherside——sheknewnothow。Hewasfishingalso，anddrewoutoftheriverawoodenhorse。
　　Thenshehadanewthefeelingofawaking，andsheheardsomeonecallingdownstairs。Hermotherhadsaid:
　　"Putoutthecandle。"ThenServigny'svoicerose，clearandjesting:
　　"Putoutyourcandle，Mam'zelleYvette。"
　　Andalltookupthechorus:"Mam'zelleYvette，putoutyourcandle。"
　　Sheagainpouredchloroformonthecotton，but，asshedidnotwanttodie，sheplaceditfarenoughfromherfacetobreathethefreshair，whileneverthelessherroomwasfilledwiththeasphyxiatingodorofthenarcotic，forsheknewthatsomeonewascoming，andtakingasuitableposture，aposeofthedead，shewaited。
　　TheMarquisesaid:"Iamalittleuneasy！Thatfoolishchildhasgonetosleepleavingthelightonhertable。IwillsendClemencetoputitout，andtoshutthebalconywindow，whichiswideopen。"
　　Andsoonthemaidrappedonthedoorcalling:"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！"Afteramoment'ssilence，sherepeated:
　　"Mademoiselle，MadametheMarquisebegsyoutoputoutyourcandleandshutthewindow。"
　　Clemencewaitedalittle，thenknockedlouder，andcried:
　　"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！"
　　AsYvettedidnotreply，theservantwentawayandreportedtotheMarquise:
　　"Mademoisellemusthavegonetosleep，herdoorisbolted，andI
　　couldnotawakenher。"
　　MadameObardimurmured:
　　"Butshemustnotstaylikethat，"
　　Then，atthesuggestionofServigny，theyallgatheredunderthewindow，shoutinginchorus:
　　"Hip！hip！hurrah！Mam'zelleYvette。"
　　Theirclamorroseinthecalmnight，throughthetransparentairbeneaththemoon，overthesleepingcountry；andtheyhearditdieawayinthedistancelikethesoundofadisappearingtrain。
　　AsYvettedidnotanswertheMarquisesaid:"Ionlyhopethatnothinghashappened。Iambeginningtobeafraid。"
　　ThenServigny，pluckingredrosesfromabigrosebushtrainedalongthewallandbudsnotyetopened，begantothrowthemintotheroomthroughthewindow。
　　Atthefirstrosethatfellatherside，Yvettestartedandalmostcriedout。Othersfelluponherdress，othersuponherhair，whileothersgoingoverherheadfelluponthebed，coveringitwitharainofflowers。
　　TheMarquise，inachokingvoice，cried:"Come，Yvette，answer。"
　　ThenServignydeclared:"Trulythisisnotnatural；Iamgoingtoclimbupbythebalcony。"
　　ButtheChevaliergrewindignant。
　　"Now，letmedoit，"hesaid。"ItisagreatfavorIask；itistoogoodameans，andtoogoodatimetoobtainarendezvous。"
　　Alltherest，whothoughttheyounggirlwasjoking，cried:"Weprotest！Heshallnotclimbup。"
　　ButtheMarquise，disturbed，repeated:"Andyetsomeonemustgoandsee。"
　　ThePrinceexclaimedwithadramaticgesture:
　　"ShefavorstheDuke，wearebetrayed。"
　　"Letustossacointoseewhoshallgoup，"saidtheChevalier。Hetookafive-francpiecefromhispocket，andbeganwiththePrince。
　　"Tail，"saidhe。Itwashead。
　　ThePrincetossedthecoininhisturnsayingtoSaval:"Call，Monsieur。"
　　Savalcalled"Head。"Itwastail。
　　ThePrincethengavealltheothersachance，andtheyalllost。
　　Servigny，whowasstandingoppositehim，exclaimedinhisinsolentway:"PARBLEU！heischeating！"
　　TheRussianputhishandonhisheartandheldoutthegoldpiecetohisrival，saying:"Tossityourself，mydearDuke。"
　　Servignytookitandspinningitup，said:"Head。"Itwastail。
　　Hebowedandpointingtothepillarofthebalconysaid:"Climbup，Prince。"ButthePrincelookedabouthimwithadisturbedair。
　　"Whatareyoulookingfor？"askedtheChevalier。
　　"Well，——I——would——like——aladder。"Agenerallaughfollowed。
　　Saval，advancing，said:"Wewillhelpyou。"
　　Heliftedhiminhisarms，asstrongasthoseofHercules，tellinghim:
　　"Nowclimbtothatbalcony。"
　　ThePrinceimmediatelyclungtoit，and。Savallettinghimgo，heswungthere，suspendedintheair，movinghislegsinemptyspace。
　　ThenServigny，seeinghisstrugglinglegswhichsoughtarestingplace，pulledthemdownwardwithallhisstrength；thehandslosttheirgripandthePrincefellinaheaponMonsieurdeBelvigne，whowascomingtoaidhim。"Whoseturnnext？"askedServigny。Nooneclaimedtheprivilege。
　　"Come，Belvigne，courage！"
　　"Thankyou，mydearboy，Iamthinkingofmybones。"
　　"Come，Chevalier，youmustbeusedtoscalingwalls。"
　　"Igivemyplacetoyou，mydearDuke。"
　　"Ha，ha，thatisjustwhatIexpected。"
　　Servigny，withakeeneye，turnedtothepillar。Thenwithaleap，clingingtothebalcony，hedrewhimselfuplikeagymnastandclimbedoverthebalustrade。
　　Allthespectators，gazingathim，applauded。Butheimmediatelyreappeared，calling:
　　"Come，quick！Come，quick！Yvetteisunconscious。"TheMarquiseutteredaloudcry，andrushedforthestairs。
　　Theyounggirl，hereyesclosed，pretendedtobedead。Hermotherentereddistracted，andthrewherselfuponher。
　　"Tellmewhatisthematterwithher，whatisthematterwithher？"
　　Servignypickedupthebottleofchloroformwhichhadfallenuponthefloor。
　　"Shehasdruggedherself，"saidhe。
　　Heplacedhiseartoherheart；thenheadded:
　　"Butsheisnotdead；wecanresuscitateher。Haveyouanyammonia？"
　　Themaid，bewildered，repeated:"Anywhat，Monsieur？"
　　"Anysmelling-salts。"
　　"Yes，Monsieur。""Bringthematonce，andleavethedooropentomakeadraftofair。"
　　TheMarquise，onherknees，wassobbing:"Yvette！Yvette，mydaughter，mydaughter，listen，answerme，Yvette，mychild。Oh，myGod！myGod！whathasshedone？"
　　Themen，frightened，movedaboutwithoutspeaking，bringingwater，towels，glasses，andvinegar。Someonesaid:"Sheoughttobeundressed。"AndtheMarquise，whohadlostherhead，triedtoundressherdaughter；butdidnotknowwhatshewasdoing。Herhandstrembledandfaltered，andshegroaned:
　　"Icannot，——Icannot——"
　　Themaidhadcomebackbringingadruggist'sbottlewhichServignyopenedandfromwhichhepouredouthalfuponahandkerchief。ThenheappliedittoYvette'snose，causinghertochoke。
　　"Good，shebreathes，"saidhe。"Itwillbenothing。"
　　Andhebathedhertemples，cheeks，andneckwiththepungentliquid。
　　Thenhemadeasigntothemaidtounlacethegirl，andwhenshehadnothingmoreonthanaskirtoverherchemise，heraisedherinhisarmsandcarriedhertothebed，quivering，movedbytheodorandcontactofherflesh。Thenshewasplacedinbed。Hearoseverypale。
　　"Shewillcometoherself，"hesaid，"itisnothing。"Forhehadheardherbreatheinacontinuousandregularway。ButseeingallthemenwiththeireyesfixedonYvetteinbed，hewasseizedwithajealousirritation，andadvancedtowardthem。"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"therearetoomanyofusinthisroom；bekindenoughtoleaveusalone，——MonsieurSavalandme——withtheMarquise。"
　　Hespokeinatonewhichwasdryandfullofauthority。
　　MadameObardihadgraspedherlover，andwithherheadupliftedtowardhimshecriedtohim:
　　"Saveher，oh，saveher！"
　　ButServignyturningaroundsawaletteronthetable。Heseizeditwitharapidmovement，andreadtheaddress。Heunderstoodandthought:"PerhapsitwouldbebetteriftheMarquiseshouldnotknowofthis，"andtearingopentheenvelope，hedevouredataglancethetwolinesitcontained:
　　"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。"
　　"Yvette。"
　　"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。"
　　"Thedevil！"hethought，"thiscallsforreflection。"Andhehidtheletterinhispocket。
　　Thenheapproachedthebed，andimmediatelythethoughtcametohimthattheyounggirlhadregainedconsciousnessbutthatshedarednotshowit，fromshame，fromhumiliation，andfromfearofquestioning。TheMarquisehadfallenonherkneesnow，andwasweeping，herheadonthe，footofthebed。Suddenlysheexclaimed:
　　"Adoctor，wemusthaveadoctor！"
　　ButServigny，whohadjustsaidsomethinginalowtonetoSaval，repliedtoher:"No，itisallover。Come，gooutaminute，justaminute，andIpromiseyouthatshewillkissyouwhenyoucomeback。"AndtheBaron，takingMadameObardibythearm，ledherfromtheroom。
　　ThenServigny，sitting-bythebed，tookYvette'shandandsaid:
　　"Mam'zelle，listentome。"
　　Shedidnotanswer。Shefeltsowell，sosoftandwarminbed，thatshewouldhavelikednevertomove，nevertospeak，andtolivelikethatforever。Aninfinitecomforthadencompassedher，acomfortthelikeofwhichshehadneverexperienced。
　　Themildnightaircominginbyvelvetybreathstouchedhertemplesinanexquisitealmostimperceptibleway。Itwasacaresslikeakissofthewind，likethesoftandrefreshingbreathofafanmadeofalltheleavesofthetreesandofalltheshadowsofthenight，ofthemistofrivers，andofalltheflowerstoo，fortherosestossedupfrombelowintoherroomanduponherbed，andtherosesclimbingatherbalcony，mingledtheirheavyperfumewiththehealthfulsavoroftheeveningbreeze。
　　Shedrankinthisairwhichwassogood，hereyesclosed，herheartreposingintheyetpervadingintoxicationofthedrug，andshehadnolongeratallthedesiretodie，butastrong，imperiouswishtolive，tobehappy——nomatterhow——tobeloved，yes，tobeloved。
　　Servignyrepeated:"Mam'zelleYvette，listentome。"
　　Andshedecidedtoopenhereyes。
　　Hecontinued，ashesawherreviving:"Come！Come！whatdoesthisnonsensemean？"
　　Shemurmured:"MypoorMuscade，Iwassounhappy。"
　　Hesqueezedherhand:"Andthatledyouintoaprettyscrape！Come，youmustpromisemenottotryitagain。"
　　Shedidnotreply，butnoddedherheadslightlywithanalmostimperceptiblesmile。Hedrewfromhispockettheletterwhichhehadfoundonthetable:
　　"HadIbettershowthistoyourmother？"
　　Sheshookherhead，no。Heknewnotwhatmoretosayforthesituationseemedtohimwithoutanoutlet。Sohemurmured"Mydearchild，everyonehashardthingstobear。IunderstandyoursorrowandIpromiseyou——"
　　Shestammered:"Youaregood。"
　　Theyweresilent。Helookedather。Shehadinherglancesomethingoftenderness，ofweakness；andsuddenlysheraisedbothherarms，asifshewoulddrawhimtoher；hebentoverher，feelingthatshecalledhim，andtheirlipsmet。
　　Foralongtimetheyremainedthus，theireyesclosed。
　　But，knowingthathewouldlosehishead，hedrewaway。Shesmiledathimnow，mosttenderly；and，withbothherhandsclingingtohisshoulders，sheheldhim。
　　"Iamgoingtocallyourmother，"hesaid。
　　Shemurmured:"Justasecondmore。Iamsohappy。"
　　Thenafterasilence，shesaidinatonesolowthatitcouldscarcelybeheard:"Willyoulovemeverymuch？Tellme！"
　　Hekneeledbesideherbed，andkissingthehandshehadgivenhim，said:"Iadoreyou。"Butsomeonewaswalkingnearthedoor。Hearosewithabound，andcalledinhisordinaryvoice，whichseemedneverthelessalittleironical:"Youmaycomein。Itisallrightnow。"
　　TheMarquisethrewherselfonherdaughter，withbotharmsopen，andclaspedherfrantically，coveringhercountenancewithtears，whileServignywithradiantsoulandquiveringbodywentoutuponthebalconytobreathethefreshairofthenight，hummingtohimselftheoldcouplet:
　　"Awomanchangethofthermind:
　　Yetfoolsstilltrustinwomankind。"