"Thatiswhatabigamistshouldtellthejury，"retortedLaBriere，laughing。
　　ThisepigrammadeanotherdisagreeableimpressiononCanalis。HebegantothinkLaBrieretoowittyandtoofreeforasecretary。
　　Thearrivalofanelegantcaleche，drivenbyacoachmanintheCanalislivery，madethemoreexcitementattheChaletbecausethetwosuitorswereexpected，andallthepersonagesofthishistorywereassembledtoreceivethem，exceptthedukeandButscha。
　　"Whichisthepoet？"askedMadameLatournelleofDumayintheembrasureofawindow，whereshestationedherselfassoonassheheardthewheels。
　　"Theonewhowalkslikeadrum—major，"answeredthelieutenant。
　　"Ah！"saidthenotary’swife，examiningCanalis，whowasswinginghisbodylikeamanwhoknowsheisbeinglookedat。Thefaultlaywiththegreatladywhoflatteredhimincessantlyandspoiledhim，——asallwomenolderthantheiradorersinvariablyspoilandflatterthem;
　　CanalisinhismoralbeingwasasortofNarcissus。Whenawomanofacertainagewishestoattachamanforever，shebeginsbydeifyinghisdefects，soastocutoffallpossibilityofrivalry;forarivalisnever，atthefirstapproach，awareofthesuper—fineflatterytowhichthemanisaccustomed。Coxcombsaretheproductofthisfemininemanoeuvre，whentheyarenotfopsbynature。Canalis，takenyoungbythehandsomeduchess，vindicatedhisaffectationstohisownmindbytellinghimselfthattheypleasedthat"grandedame，"whosetastewaslaw。Suchshadesofcharactermaybeexcessivelyfaint，butitisimproperforthehistoriannottopointthemout。Forinstance，Melchiorpossessedatalentforreadingwhichwasgreatlyadmired，andmuchinjudiciouspraisehadgivenhimahabitofexaggeration，whichneitherpoetsnoractorsarewillingtocheck，andwhichmadepeoplesayofhim（alwaysthroughDeMarsay）thathenolongerdeclaimed，hebellowedhisverses;lengtheningthesoundsthathemightlistentohimself。Intheslangofthegreen—room，Canalis"draggedthetime。"
　　Hewasfondofexchangingglanceswithhishearers，throwinghimselfintoposturesofself—complacencyandpractisingthosetricksofdemeanorwhichactorscall"balancoires，"——thepicturesquephraseofanartisticpeople。Canalishadhisimitators，andwasinfacttheheadofaschoolofhiskind。Thishabitofdeclamatorychantingslightlyaffectedhisconversation，aswehaveseeninhisinterviewwithDumay。Themomentthemindbecomesfinicalthemannersfollowsuit，andthegreatpoetendedbystudyinghisdemeanor，inventingattitudes，lookingfurtivelyathimselfinmirrors，andsuitinghisdiscoursetotheparticularposewhichhehappenedtohavetakenup。
　　Hewassopreoccupiedwiththeeffecthewishedtoproduce，thatapracticaljoke，Blondet，hadbetonceortwice，andwonthewager，thathecouldnonplushimatanymomentbymerelylookingfixedlyathishair，orhisboots，orthetailsofhiscoats。
　　Theseairsandgraces，whichstartedinlifewithapassportoffloweryyouth，nowseemedallthemorestaleandoldbecauseMelchiorhimselfwaswaning。Lifeintheworldoffashionisquiteasexhaustingtomenasitistowomen，andperhapsthetwentyyearsbywhichtheduchessexceededherlover’sage，weighedmoreheavilyuponhimthanuponher;fortotheeyesoftheworldshewasalwayshandsome，——withoutrouge，withoutwrinkles，andwithoutheart。Alas！
　　neithermennorwomenhavefriendswhoarefriendlyenoughtowarnthemofthemomentwhenthefragranceoftheirmodestygrowsstale，whenthecaressingglanceisbutanechoofthestage，whentheexpressionofthefacechangesfromsentimenttosentimentality，andtheartificesofthemindshowtheirrustyedges。Geniusalonerenewsitsskinlikeasnake;andinthematterofcharm，asineverythingelse，itisonlytheheartthatnevergrowsold。Peoplewhohaveheartsaresimpleinalltheirways。NowCanalis，asweknow，hadashrivelledheart。Hemisusedthebeautyofhisglancebygivingit，withoutadequatereason，thefixitythatcomestotheeyesinmeditation。Inshort，applausewastohimabusiness，inwhichhewasperpetuallyonthelookoutforgain。Hisstyleofpayingcompliments，charmingtosuperficialpeople，seemedinsultingtoothersofmoredelicacy，byitstritenessandthecoolassuranceofitscut—and—
　　driedflattery。Asamatteroffact，Melchiorliedlikeacourtier。HeremarkedwithoutblushingtotheDucdeChaulieu，whomadenoimpressionwhateverwhenhewasobligedtoaddresstheChamberasministerofforeignaffairs，"Yourexcellencywastrulysublime！"ManymenlikeCanalisarepurgedoftheiraffectationsbytheadministrationofnon—successinlittledoses。
　　Thesedefects，slightinthegildedsalonsofthefaubourgSaint—
　　Germain，whereeveryonecontributeshisorherquotaofabsurdity，andwheretheseparticularformsofexaggeratedspeechandaffecteddiction——magniloquence，ifyoupleasetocallitso——aresurroundedbyexcessiveluxuryandsumptuoustoilettes，whicharetosomeextenttheirexcuse，werecertaintobefarmorenoticedintheprovinces，whoseownabsurditiesareofatotallydifferenttype。Canalis，bynatureover—strainedandartificial，couldnotchangehisform;infact，hehadhadtimetogrowstiffinthemouldintowhichtheduchesshadpouredhim;moreover，hewasthoroughlyParisian，or，ifyoupreferit，trulyFrench。TheParisianisamazedthateverythingeverywhereisnotasitinParis;theFrenchman，asitisinFrance。
　　Goodtaste，onthecontrary，demandsthatweadaptourselvestothecustomsofforeignerswithoutlosingtoomuchofourowncharacter，——
　　asdidAlcibiades，thatmodelofagentleman。Truegraceiselastic;
　　itlendsitselftocircumstances;itisinharmonywithallsocialcentres;itwearsarobeofsimplematerialinthestreets，noticeableonlybyitscut，inpreferencetothefeathersandflouncesofmiddle—
　　classvulgarity。NowCanalis，instigatedbyawomanwholovedherselfmuchmorethanshelovedhim，wishedtolaydownthelawandbe，everywhere，suchashehimselfmightseefittobe。Hebelievedhecarriedhisownpublicwithhimwhereverhewent，——anerrorsharedbyseveralofthegreatmenofParis。
　　WhilethepoetmadeastudiedandeffectiveentranceintothesalonoftheChalet，LaBriereslippedinbehindhimlikeapersonofnoaccount。
　　"Ha！doIseemysoldier？"saidCanalis，perceivingDumay，afteraddressingacomplimenttoMadameMignon，andbowingtotheotherwomen。"Youranxietiesarerelieved，aretheynot？"hesaid，offeringhishandeffusively;"Icomprehendthemtotheirfullestextentafterseeingmademoiselle。Ispoketoyouofterrestrialcreatures，notofangels。"
　　Allpresentseemedbytheirattitudestoaskthemeaningofthisspeech。
　　"Ishallalwaysconsideritatriumph，"resumedthepoet，observingthateverybodywishedforanexplanation，"tohavestirredtomentiononofthosemenofironwhomNapoleonhadtheeyetofindandmakethesupportingpilesonwhichhetriedtobuildanempire，toocolossaltobelasting:forsuchstructurestimealoneisthecement。Butthistriumph——whyshouldIbeproudofit？——Icountfornothing。Itwasthetriumphofideasoverfacts。Yourbattles，mydearMonsieurDumay，yourheroiccharges，Monsieurlecomte，nay，waritselfwastheforminwhichNapoleon’sideaclotheditself。Ofallofthesethings，whatremains？Thesodthatcoversthemknowsnothing;harvestscomeandgowithoutrevealingtheirresting—place;wereitnotforthehistorian，thewriter，futuritywouldhavenoknowledgeofthoseheroicdays。
　　Thereforeyourfifteenyearsofwararenowideasandnothingmore;
　　thatwhichpreservestheEmpireforeveristhepoemthatthepoetsmakeofthem。Anationthatcanwinsuchbattlesmustknowhowtosingthem。"
　　Canalispaused，togatherbyaglancethatranroundthecirclethetributeofamazementwhichheexpectedofprovincials。
　　"Youmustbeaware，monsieur，oftheregretIfeelatnotseeingyou，"
　　saidMadameMignon，"sinceyoucompensatemewiththepleasureofhearingyou。"
　　Modeste，determinedtothinkCanalissublime，satmotionlesswithamazement;theembroideryslippedfromherfingers，whichhelditonlybytheneedlefulofthread。
　　"Modeste，thisisMonsieurErnestdeLaBriere。MonsieurErnest，mydaughter，"saidthecount，thinkingthesecretarytoomuchinthebackground。
　　Theyounggirlbowedcoldly，givingErnestaglancethatwasmeanttoprovetoeveryonepresentthatshesawhimforthefirsttime。
　　"Pardonme，monsieur，"shesaidwithoutblushing;"thegreatadmirationIfeelforthegreatestofourpoetsis，intheeyesofmyfriends，asufficientexcuseforseeingonlyhim。"
　　Thepure，freshvoice，withaccentslikethatofMademoiselleMars，charmedthepoorsecretary，alreadydazzledbyModeste’sbeauty，andinhissuddensurpriseheansweredbyaphrasethatwouldhavebeensublime，haditbeentrue。
　　"Heismyfriend，"hesaid。
　　"Ah，thenyoudopardonme，"shereplied。
　　"Heismorethanafriend，"criedCanalistakingErnestbytheshoulderandleaninguponitlikeAlexanderonHephaestion，"weloveeachotherasthoughwewerebrothers——"
　　MadameLatournellecutshortthepoet’sspeechbypointingtoErnestandsayingaloudtoherhusband，"Surelythatisthegentlemanwesawatchurch。"
　　"Whynot？"saidCharlesMignon，quickly，observingthatErnestreddened。
　　Modestecoldlytookupherembroidery。
　　"Madamemayberight;IhavebeentwiceinHavrelately，"repliedLaBriere，sittingdownbyDumay。
　　Canalis，charmedwithModeste’sbeauty，mistooktheadmirationsheexpressed，andflatteredhimselfhehadsucceededinproducinghisdesiredeffects。
　　"Ishouldthinkamanwithoutheart，ifhehadnodevotedfriendnearhim，"saidModeste，topickuptheconversationinterruptedbyMadameLatournelle’sawkwardness。
　　"Mademoiselle，Ernest’sdevotionmakesmealmostthinkmyselfworthsomething，"saidCanalis;"formydearPyladesisfulloftalent;hewastherighthandofthegreatestministerwehavehadsincethepeace。Thoughheholdsafineposition，heisgoodenoughtobemytutorinthescienceofpolitics;heteachesmetoconductaffairsandfeedsmewithhisexperience，whenallthewhilehemightaspiretoamuchbettersituation。Oh！heisworthfarmorethanI。"AtagesturefromModestehecontinuedgracefully:"Yes，thepoetrythatIexpresshecarriesinhisheart;andifIspeakthusopenlybeforehimitisbecausehehasthemodestyofanun。"
　　"Enough，oh，enough！"criedLaBriere，whohardlyknewwhichwaytolook。"MydearCanalis，youremindmeofamotherwhoisseekingtomarryoffherdaughter。"
　　"Howisit，monsieur，"saidCharlesMignon，addressingCanalis，"thatyoucaneventhinkofbecomingapoliticalcharacter？"
　　"Itisabdication，"saidModeste，"forapoet;politicsaretheresourceofmatter—of—factmen。"
　　"Ah，mademoiselle，therostrumisto—daythegreatesttheatreoftheworld;ithassucceededthetournamentsofchivalry，itisnowthemeeting—placeforallintellects，justasthearmyhasbeentherallying—pointofcourage。"
　　Canalisstuckspursintohischargerandtalkedfortenminutesonpoliticallife:"Poetrywasbutaprefacetothestatesman。""To—daytheoratorhasbecomeasublimereasoner，theshepherdofideas。""A
　　poetmaypointthewaytonationsorindividuals，butcanheeverceasetobehimself？"HequotedChateaubriandanddeclaredthathewouldonedaybegreateronthepoliticalsidethanontheliterary。
　　"TheforumofFrancewastobethepharosofhumanity。""Oralbattlessupplantedfieldsofbattle:thereweresessionsoftheChamberfinerthananyAusterlitz，andoratorswereseentobeasloftyasgenerals;
　　theyspenttheirlives，theircourage，theirstrength，asfreelyasthosewhowenttowar。""Speechwassurelyoneofthemostprodigaloutletsofthevitalfluidthatmanhadeverknown，"etc。
　　Thisimprovisationofmoderncommonplaces，clothedinsonorousphrasesandnewlyinventedwords，andintendedtoprovethattheComtedeCanaliswasbecomingoneofthegloriesoftheFrenchgovernment，madeadeepimpressionuponthenotaryandGobenheim，anduponMadameLatournelleandMadameMignon。Modestelookedasthoughshewereatthetheatre，inanattitudeofenthusiasmforanactor，——verymuchlikethatofErnesttowardherself;forthoughthesecretaryknewallthesehigh—soundingphrasesbyheart，helistenedthroughtheeyes，asitwere，oftheyounggirl，andgrewmoreandmoremadlyinlovewithher。Tothistruelover，ModestewaseclipsingalltheModesteshehadcreatedashereadherlettersandansweredthem。
　　Thisvisit，thelengthofwhichwaspredeterminedbyCanalis，carefulnottoallowhisadmirersachancetogetsurfeited，endedbyaninvitationtodinneronthefollowingMonday。
　　"WeshallnotbeattheChalet，"saidtheComtedeLaBastie。"Dumaywillhavesolepossessionofit。Ireturntothevilla，havingboughtitbackunderadeedofredemptionwithinsixmonths，whichIhaveto—daysignedwithMonsieurVilquin。"
　　"Ihope，"saidDumay，"thatVilquinwillnotbeabletoreturntoyouthesumyouhavejustlenthim，andthatthevillawillremainyours。"
　　"Itisanabodeinkeepingwithyourfortune，"saidCanalis。
　　"YoumeanthefortunethatIamsupposedtohave，"repliedCharlesMignon，hastily。
　　"Itwouldbetoosad，"saidCanalis，turningtoModestewithacharminglittlebow，"ifthisMadonnawerenotframedinamannerworthyofherdivineperfections。"
　　ThatwastheonlythingCanalissaidtoModeste。Heaffectednottolookather，andbehavedlikeamantowhomallideaofmarriagewasinterdicted。
　　"Ah！mydearMadameMignon，"criedthenotary’swife，assoonasthegravelwasheardtogritunderthefeetoftheParisians，"whatanintellect！"
　　"Isherich？——thatisthequestion，"saidGobenheim。
　　Modestewasatthewindow，notlosingasinglemovementofthegreatpoet，andpayingnoattentiontohiscompanion。WhenMonsieurMignonreturnedtothesalon，andModeste，havingreceivedalastbowfromthetwofriendsasthecarriageturned，wentbacktoherseat，aweightydiscussiontookplace，suchasprovincialsinvariablyholdoverParisiansafterafirstinterview。Gobenheimrepeatedhisphrase，"Isherich？"asachorustothesongsofpraisesungbyMadameLatournelle，Modeste，andhermother。
　　"Rich！"exclaimedModeste;"whatcanthatsignify！DoyounotseethatMonsieurdeCanalisisoneofthosemenwhoaredestinedforthehighestplacesintheState。Hehasmorethanfortune;hepossessesthatwhichgivesfortune。"
　　"Hewillbeministerorambassador，"saidMonsieurMignon。
　　"Thatwon’thindertax—payersfromhavingtopaythecostsofhisfuneral，"remarkedthenotary。
　　"Howso？"askedCharlesMignon。
　　"HestrikesmeasamanwhowillwasteallthefortuneswithwhosegiftsMademoiselleModestesoliberallyendowshim，"answeredLatournelle。
　　"Modestecan’tavoidbeingliberaltoapoetwhocalledheraMadonna，"saidDumay，sneering，andfaithfultotherepulsionwithwhichCanalishadoriginallyinspiredhim。
　　Gobenheimarrangedthewhist—tablewithallthemorepersistencybecause，sincethereturnofMonsieurMignon，LatournelleandDumayhadallowedthemselvestoplayfortensouspoints。
　　"Well，mylittledarling，"saidthefathertothedaughterintheembrasureofawindow。"Admitthatpapathinksofeverything。IfyousendyourordersthiseveningtoyourformerdressmakerinParis，andallyourotherfurnishingpeople，youshallshowyourselfeightdayshenceinallthesplendorofanheiress。Meantimewewillinstallourselvesinthevilla。Youalreadyhaveaprettyhorse，noworderahabit;youowethatamountofcivilitytothegrandequerry。"
　　"Allthemorebecausetherewillbeanumberofustoride，"saidModeste，whowasrecoveringthecolorsofhealth。
　　"Thesecretarydidnotsaymuch，"remarkedMadameMignon。
　　"Alittlefool，"saidMadameLatournelle;"thepoethasanattentivewordforeverybody。HethankedMonsieurLatournelleforhishelpinchoosingthehouse;andsaidhemusthavetakencounselwithawomanofgoodtaste。ButtheotherlookedasgloomyasaSpaniard，andkepthiseyesfixedonModesteasthoughhewouldliketoswallowherwhole。IfhehadevenlookedatmeIshouldhavebeenafraidofhim。"
　　"Hehadapleasantvoice，"saidMadameMignon。
　　"NodoubthecametoHavretoinquireabouttheMignonsintheinterestsofhisfriendthepoet，"saidModeste，lookingfurtivelyatherfather。"Itwascertainlyhewhomwesawinchurch。"
　　MadameDumayandMonsieurandMadameLatournelle，acceptedthisasthenaturalexplanationofErnest’sjourney。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　OFWHICHTHEAUTHORTHINKSAGOODDEAL
　　"Doyouknow，Ernest，"criedCanalis，whentheyhaddrivenashortdistancefromthehouse，"Idon’tseeanymarriageablewomaninsocietyinPariswhocompareswiththatadorablegirl。"
　　"Ah，thatendsit！"repliedErnest。"Shelovesyou，orshewillloveyouifyoudesireit。Yourfamewonhalfthebattle。Well，youmaynowhaveitallyourownway。Youshallgotherealoneinfuture。Modestedespisesme;sheisrighttodoso;andIdon’tseeanyreasonwhyI
　　shouldcondemnmyselftosee，tolove，desire，andadorethatwhichI
　　canneverpossess。"
　　Afterafewconsolingremarks，dashedwithhisownsatisfactionathavingmadeanewversionofCaesar’sphrase，CanalisdivulgedadesiretobreakwiththeDuchessedeChaulieu。LaBriere，totallyunabletokeepuptheconversation，madethebeautyofthenightanexcusetobesetdown，andthenrushedlikeonepossessedtotheseashore，wherehestayedtillpastten，inahalf—dementedstate，walkinghurriedlyupanddown，talkingaloudinbrokensentences，sometimesstandingstillorsittingdown，withoutnoticingtheuneasinessoftwocustom—houseofficerswhowereonthewatch。AfterlovingModeste’switandintellectandheraggressivefrankness，henowjoinedadorationofherbeauty——thatistosay，lovewithoutreason，loveinexplicable——toalltheotherreasonswhichhaddrawnhimtendaysearlier，tothechurchinHavre。
　　HereturnedtotheChalet，wherethePyreneeshoundsbarkedathimtillhewasforcedtorelinquishthepleasureofgazingatModeste’swindows。Inlove，suchthingsareofnomoreaccounttotheloverthantheworkwhichiscoveredbythelastlayerofcoloristoanartist;
　　yettheymakeupthewholeoflove，justasthehiddentoilisthewholeofart。Outofthemarisethegreatpainterandthetrueloverwhomthewomanandthepublicend，sometimestoolate，byadoring。
　　"Wellthen！"hecriedaloud，"Iwillstay，Iwillsuffer，Iwillloveherformyselfonly，insolitude。Modesteshallbemysun，mylife;I
　　willbreathewithherbreath，rejoiceinherjoysandbearhergriefs，besheeventhewifeofthategoist，Canalis。"
　　"That’swhatIcallloving，monsieur，"saidavoicewhichcamefromashrubbythesideoftheroad。"Ha，ha，soalltheworldisinlovewithMademoiselledeLaBastie？"
　　AndButschasuddenlyappearedandlookedatLaBriere。LaBrierecheckedhisangerwhen，bythelightofthemoon，hesawthedwarf，andhemadeafewstepswithoutreplying。
　　"Soldierswhoserveinthesamecompanyoughttobegoodcomrades，"
　　remarkedButscha。"Youdon’tloveCanalis;neitherdoI。"
　　"Heismyfriend，"repliedErnest。
　　"Ha，youarethelittlesecretary？"
　　"Youaretoknow，monsieur，thatIamnoman’ssecretary。Ihavethehonortobeofcounseltoasupremecourtofthiskingdom。"
　　"IhavethehonortosaluteMonsieurdeLaBriere，"saidButscha。"I
　　myselfhavethehonortobeheadclerktoLatournelle，chiefcouncillorofHavre，andmypositionisabetteronethanyours。Yes，IhavehadthehappinessofseeingMademoiselleModestedeLaBastienearlyeveryeveningforthelastfouryears，andIexpecttolivenearher，asaking’sservantlivesintheTuileries。IftheyofferedmethethroneofRussiaIshouldanswer，’Ilovethesuntoowell。’
　　Isn’tthattellingyou，monsieur，thatIcaremoreforherthanformyself？Iamlookingafterherinterestswiththemosthonorableintentions。DoyoubelievethattheproudDuchessedeChaulieuwouldcastafavorableeyeonthehappinessofMadamedeCanalisifherwaiting—woman，whoisinlovewithMonsieurGermain，notlikingthatcharmingvalet’sabsenceinHavre，weretosaytohermistresswhilebrushingherhair——"
　　"Whodoyouknowaboutallthis？"saidLaBriere，interruptingButscha。
　　"Inthefirstplace，Iamclerktoanotary，"answeredButscha。"Buthaven’tyouseenmyhump？Itisfullofresources，monsieur。IhavemademyselfcousintoMademoisellePhiloxeneJacmin，bornatHonfleur，wheremymotherwasborn，aJacmin，——thereareeightbranchesoftheJacminsatHonfleur。SomycousinPhiloxene，enticedbythebaitofahighlyimprobablefortune，hastoldmeagoodmanythings。"
　　"Theduchessisvindictive？"saidLaBriere。
　　"Vindictiveasaqueen，Philoxenesays;shehasneveryetforgiventhedukeforbeingnothingmorethanherhusband，"repliedButscha。"Shehatesassheloves。Iknowallabouthercharacter，hertastes，hertoilette，herreligion，andhermanners;forPhiloxenestrippedherforme，soulandcorset。Iwenttotheoperaexpresslytoseeher，andIdidn’tgrudgethetenfrancsitcostme——Idon’tmeantheplay。Ifmyimaginarycousinhadnottoldmetheduchesshadseenherfiftysummers，IshouldhavethoughtIwas[www.kanbaapp.com]over—generousingivingherthirty;shehasneverknownawinter，thatduchess！"
　　"Yes，"saidLaBriere，"sheisacameo——preservedbecauseitisstone。
　　Canaliswouldbeinabadwayiftheduchessweretofindoutwhatheisdoinghere;andIhope，monsieur，thatyouwillgonofurtherinthisbusinessofspying，whichisunworthyofanhonestman。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidButscha，proudly;"formeModesteismycountry。Idonotspy;Iforesee，Itakeprecautions。Theduchesswillcomehereifitisdesirable，orshewillstaytranquillywheresheis，accordingtowhatIjudgebest。"
　　"You？"
　　"I。"
　　"Andhow，pray？"
　　"Ha，that’sit！"saidthelittlehunchback，pluckingabladeofgrass。
　　"Seehere！thisherbbelievesthatmenbuildpalacesforittogrowin;itwedgesitswaybetweentheclosestblocksofmarble，andbringsthemdown，justasthemassesforcedintotheedificeoffeudalityhavebroughtittotheground。Thepowerofthefeeblelifethatcancreepeverywhereisgreaterthanthatofthemightybehindtheircannons。IamoneofthreewhohaveswornthatModesteshallbehappy，andwewouldsellourhonorforher。Adieu，monsieur。IfyoutrulyloveMademoiselledeLaBastie，forgetthisconversationandshakehandswithme，forIthinkyou’vegotaheart。IlongedtoseetheChalet，andIgotherejustasSHEwasputtingoutherlight。Isawthedogsrushatyou，andIoverheardyourwords，andthatiswhyI
　　takethelibertyofsayingweserveinthesameregiment——thatofloyaldevotion。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidLaBriere，wringingthehunchback’shand，"wouldyouhavethefriendlinesstotellmeifMademoiselleModesteeverlovedanyoneWITHLOVEbeforeshewrotetoCanalis？"
　　"Oh！"exclaimedButschainanalteredvoice;"thatthoughtisaninsult。Andevennow，whoknowsifshereallyloves？doessheknowherself？Sheisenamoredofgenius，ofthesoulandintellectofthatsellerofverses，thatliteraryquack;butshewillstudyhim，weshallallstudyhim;andIknowhowtomaketheman’srealcharacterpeepoutfromunderthatturtle—shelloffinemanners，——we’llsoonseethepettylittleheadofhisambitionandhisvanity！"criedButscha，rubbinghishands。"So，unlessmademoiselleisdesperatelytakenwithhim——"
　　"Oh！shewasseizedwithadmirationwhenshesawhim，asifheweresomethingmarvellous，"exclaimedLaBriere，lettingthesecretofhisjealousyescapehim。
　　"Ifheisaloyal，honestfellow，andlovesher;ifheisworthyofher;ifherenounceshisduchess，"saidButscha，——"thenI’llmanagetheduchess！Here，mydearsir，takethisroad，andyouwillgethomeintenminutes。"
　　Butastheyparted，ButschaturnedbackandhailedpoorErnest，who，asatruelover，wouldgladlyhavestayedthereallnighttalkingofModeste。
　　"Monsieur，"saidButscha，"Ihavenotyethadthehonorofseeingourgreatpoet。Iamverycurioustoobservethatmagnificentphenomenonintheexerciseofhisfunctions。DomethefavortobringhimtotheChaletto—morrowevening，andstayaslongaspossible;forittakesmorethananhourforamantoshowhimselfforwhatheis。Ishallbethefirsttoseeifheloves，ifhecanlove，orifheeverwillloveMademoiselleModeste。"
　　"Youareveryyoungto——"
　　"——tobeaprofessor，"saidButscha，cuttingshortLaBriere。"Ha，monsieur，deformedfolksarebornahundredyearsold。Andbesides，asickmanwhohaslongbeensick，knowsmorethanhisdoctor;heknowsthedisease，andthatismorethancanbesaidforthebestofdoctors。Well，soitiswithamanwhocherishesawomaninhisheartwhenthewomanisforcedtodisdainhimforhisuglinessorhisdeformity;heendsbyknowingsomuchoflovethathebecomesseductive，justasthesickmanrecovershishealth;stupidityaloneisincurable。IhavehadneitherfathernormothersinceIwassixyearsold;Iamnowtwenty—five。Publiccharityhasbeenmymother，theprocureurduroimyfather。Oh！don’tbetroubled，"headded，seeingErnest’sgesture;"Iammuchmorelivelythanmysituation。
　　Well，forthelastsixyears，eversinceawoman’seyefirsttoldmeI
　　hadnorighttolove，Idolove，andIstudywomen。Ibeganwiththeuglyones，foritisbesttotakethebullbythehorns。SoItookmymaster’swife，whohascertainlybeenanangeltome，formyfirststudy。PerhapsIdidwrong;butIcouldn’thelpit。IpassedherthroughmyalembicandwhatdidIfind？thisthought，crouchingatthebottomofherheart，’Iamnotsouglyastheythinkme’;andifamanweretoworkuponthatthoughthecouldbringhertotheedgeoftheabyss，piousassheis。"
　　"AndhaveyoustudiedModeste？"
　　"IthoughtItoldyou，"repliedButscha，"thatmylifebelongstoher，justasFrancebelongstotheking。DoyounowunderstandwhatyoucalledmyspyinginParis？Noonebutmereallyknowswhatnobility，whatpride，whatdevotion，whatmysteriousgrace，whatunwearyingkindness，whattruereligion，gaiety，wit，delicacy，knowledge，andcourtesythereareinthesoulandintheheartofthatadorablecreature！"
　　Butschadrewouthishandkerchiefandwipedhiseyes，andLaBrierepressedhishandforalongtime。
　　"Iliveinthesunbeamofherexistence;itcomesfromher，itisabsorbedinme;thatishowweareunited，——asnatureistoGod，bytheLightandbytheWord。Adieu，monsieur;neverinmylifehaveI
　　talkedinthisway;butseeingyoubeneathherwindows，IfeltinmyheartthatyoulovedherasIloveher。"
　　WithoutwaitingforananswerButschaquittedthepoorlover，intowhosehearthiswordshadputaninexpressiblebalm。Ernestresolvedtomakeafriendofhim，notsuspectingthatthechiefobjectoftheclerk’sloquacitywastogaincommunicationwithsomeoneconnectedwithCanalis。Ernestwasrockedtosleepthatnightbytheebbandflowofthoughtsandresolutionsandplansforhisfutureconduct，whereasCanalissleptthesleepoftheconqueror，whichisthesweetestofslumbersafterthatofthejust。
　　Atbreakfastnextmorning，thefriendsagreedtospendtheeveningofthefollowingdayattheChaletandinitiatethemselvesintothedelightsofprovincialwhist。Togetridofthedaytheyorderedtheirhorses，purchasedbyGermainatalargeprice，andstartedonavoyageofdiscoveryroundthecountry，whichwasquiteasunknowntothemasChina;forthemostforeignthingtoFrenchmeninFranceisFranceitself。