Thefourriders，havingnowreachedawiderroad，wentabreastandsoonreachedastretchoftable—land，fromwhichtheeyetookinononesidetherichvalleyoftheSeinetowardRouen，andontheotheranhorizonboundedonlybythesea。
　　"Butschawasright，Godisthegreatestofalllandscapepainters，"
　　saidCanalis，contemplatingtheview，whichisuniqueamongthemanyfinescenesthathavemadetheshoresoftheSeinesojustlycelebrated。
　　"Abovealldowefeelthat，mydearbaron，"saidtheduke，"onhunting—days，whennaturehasavoice，andalivelytumultbreaksthesilence;atsuchtimesthelandscape，changingrapidlyasweridethroughit，seemsreallysublime。"
　　"Thesunistheinexhaustiblepalette，"saidModeste，lookingatthepoetinaspeciesofbewilderment。
　　Aremarkthatshepresentlymadeonhisabsenceofmindgavehimanopportunityofsayingthathewasjustthenabsorbedinhisownthoughts，——anexcusethatauthorshavemorereasonforgivingthanothermen。
　　"Arewereallymadehappybycarryingourlivesintothemidstoftheworld，andswellingthemwithallsortsoffictitiouswantsandover—
　　excitedvanities？"saidModeste，movedbytheaspectofthefertileandbillowycountrytolongforaphilosophicallytranquillife。
　　"Thatisabucolic，mademoiselle，whichisonlywrittenontabletsofgold，"saidthepoet。
　　"Andsometimesundergarret—roofs，"remarkedthecolonel。
　　ModestethrewapiercingglanceatCanalis，whichhewasunabletosustain;shewasconsciousofaringinginherears，darknessseemedtospreadbeforeher，andthenshesuddenlyexclaimedinicytones:——
　　"Ah！itisWednesday！"
　　"Idonotsaythistoflatteryourpassingcaprice，mademoiselle，"
　　saidtheduke，towhomthelittlescene，sotragicalforModeste，hadlefttimeforthought;"butIdeclareIamsoprofoundlydisgustedwiththeworldandtheCourtandParisthathadIaDuchessed’Herouville，giftedwiththewitandgracesofmademoiselle，Iwouldgladlybindmyselftolivelikeaphilosopheratmychateau，doinggoodaroundme，drainingmymarshes，educatingmychildren——"
　　"That，Monsieurleduc，willbesettotheaccountofyourgreatgoodness，"saidModeste，lettinghereyesreststeadilyonthenoblegentleman。"Youflattermeinnotthinkingmefrivolous，andinbelievingthatIhaveenoughresourceswithinmyselftobeabletoliveinsolitude。Itisperhapsmylot，"sheadded，glancingatCanalis，withanexpressionofpity。
　　"Itisthelotofallinsignificantfortunes，"saidthepoet。"ParisdemandsBabyloniansplendor。SometimesIaskmyselfhowIhaveevermanagedtokeepitup。"
　　"Thekingdoesthatforbothofus，"saidtheduke，candidly;"weliveonhisMajesty’sbounty。Ifmyfamilyhadnotbeenallowed，afterthedeathofMonsieurleGrand，astheycallCinq—Mars，tokeephisofficeamongus，weshouldhavebeenobligedtosellHerouvilletotheBlackBrethren。Ah，believeme，mademoiselle，itisabitterhumiliationtometohavetothinkofmoneyinmarrying。"
　　Thesimplehonestyofthisconfessioncamefromhisheart，andtheregretwassosincerethatittouchedModeste。
　　"Inthesedays，"saidthepoet，"nomaninFrance，Monsieurleduc，isrichenoughtomarryawomanforherself，herpersonalworth，hergrace，orherbeauty——"
　　ThecolonellookedatCanaliswithacuriouseye，afterfirstwatchingModeste，whosefacenolongerexpressedtheslightestastonishment。
　　"Forpersonsofhighhonor，"hesaidslowly，"itisanobleemploymentofwealthtorepairtheravagesoftimeanddestiny，andrestoretheoldhistoricfamilies。"
　　"Yes，papa，"saidModeste，gravely。
　　ThecolonelinvitedthedukeandCanalistodinewithhimsociablyintheirriding—dress，promisingthemtomakenochangehimself。WhenModestewenttoherroomtomakehertoilette，shelookedatthejewelledwhipshehaddisdainedinthemorning。
　　"Whatworkmanshiptheyputintosuchthingsnowadays！"shesaidtoFrancoiseCochet，whohadbecomeherwaiting—maid。
　　"Thatpooryoungman，mademoiselle，whohasgotafever——"
　　"Whotoldyouthat？"
　　"MonsieurButscha。Hecameherethisafternoonandaskedmetosaytoyouthathehopedyouwouldnoticehehadkepthiswordontheappointedday。"
　　Modestecamedownintothesalondressedwithroyalsimplicity。
　　"Mydearfather，"shesaidaloud，takingthecolonelbythearm，"pleasegoandaskafterMonsieurdeLaBriere’shealth，andtakehimbackhispresent。Youcansaythatmysmallmeans，aswellasmynaturaltastes，forbidmywearingornamentswhichareonlyfitforqueensorcourtesans。Besides，Icanonlyacceptgiftsfromabridegroom。Beghimtokeepthewhipuntilyouknowwhetheryouarerichenoughtobuyitback。"
　　"Mylittlegirlhasplentyofgoodsense，"saidthecolonel，kissinghisdaughterontheforehead。
　　CanalistookadvantageofaconversationwhichbeganbetweenthedukeandMadameMignontoescapetotheterrace，whereModestejoinedhim，influencedbycuriosity，thoughthepoetbelievedherdesiretobecomeMadamedeCanalishadbroughtherthere。Ratheralarmedattheindecencywithwhichhehadjustexecutedwhatsoldierscalla"volte—
　　face，"andwhich，accordingtothelawsofambition，everymaninhispositionwouldhaveexecutedquiteasbrutally，henowendeavored，astheunfortunateModesteapproachedhim，tofindplausibleexcusesforhisconduct。
　　"DearModeste，"hebegan，inacoaxingtone，"consideringthetermsonwhichwestandtoeachother，shallIdispleaseyouifIsaythatyourrepliestotheDucd’Herouvillewereverypainfultoamaninlove，——
　　aboveall，toapoetwhosesoulisfeminine，nervous，fullofthejealousiesoftruepassion。IshouldmakeapoordiplomatistindeedifIhadnotperceivedthatyourfirstcoquetries，yourlittlepremeditatedinconsistencies，wereonlyassumedforthepurposeofstudyingourcharacters——"
　　Modesteraisedherheadwiththerapid，intelligent，half—coquettishmotionofawildanimal，inwhominstinctproducessuchmiraclesofgrace。
　　"——andthereforewhenIreturnedhomeandthoughtthemover，theynevermisledme。Ionlymarvelledataclevernesssoinharmonywithyourcharacterandyourcountenance。Donotbeuneasy，Ineverdoubtedthatyourassumedduplicitycoveredanangeliccandor。No，yourmind，youreducation，haveinnowaylessenedthepreciousinnocencewhichwedemandinawife。Youareindeedawifeforapoet，adiplomatist，athinker，amandestinedtoendurethechancesandchangesoflife;
　　andmyadmirationisequalledonlybytheattachmentIfeeltoyou。I
　　nowentreatyou——ifyesterdayyouwerenotplayingalittlecomedywhenyouacceptedtheloveofamanwhosevanitywillchangetoprideifyouaccepthim，onewhosedefectswillbecomevirtuesunderyourdivineinfluence——Ientreatyoudonotexciteapassionwhich，inhim，amountstovice。Jealousyisanoxiouselementinmysoul，andyouhaverevealedtomeitsstrength;itisawful，itdestroyseverything——Oh！IdonotmeanthejealousyofanOthello，"hecontinued，noticingModeste’sgesture。"No，no;mythoughtswereofmyself:I
　　havebeensoindulgedonthatpoint。YouknowtheaffectiontowhichI
　　oweallthehappinessIhaveeverenjoyed，——verylittleatthebest"
　　（hesadlyshookhishead）。"Loveissymbolizedamongallnationsasachild，becauseitfanciestheworldbelongstoit，anditcannotconceiveotherwise。Well，Natureherselfsetthelimittothatsentiment。Itwasstill—born。Atender，maternalsoulguessedandcalmedthepainfulconstrictionofmyheart，——forawomanwhofeels，whoknows，thatsheispastthejoysoflovebecomesangelicinhertreatmentofothers。Theduchesshasnevermademesufferinmysensibilities。Fortenyearsnotaword，notalook，thatcouldwoundme！Iattachmorevaluetowords，tothoughts，tolooks，thanordinarymen。Ifalookistomeatreasurebeyondallprice，theslightestdoubtisdeadlypoison;itactsinstantaneously，mylovedies。I
　　believe——contrarytothemassofmen，whodelightintrembling，hoping，expecting——thatlovecanonlyexistinperfect，infantile，andinfinitesecurity。Theexquisitepurgatory，wherewomendelighttosendusbytheircoquetry，isabasehappinesstowhichIwillnotsubmit:tome，loveiseitherheavenorhell。Ifitishell，Iwillhavenoneofit。IfeelanaffinitywiththeazureskiesofParadisewithinmysoul。Icangivemyselfwithoutreserve，withoutsecrets，doubtsordeceptions，inthelifetocome;andIdemandreciprocity。
　　PerhapsIoffendyoubythesedoubts。Remember，however，thatIamonlytalkingofmyself——"
　　"——agooddeal，butnevertoomuch，"saidModeste，offendedineveryholeandcornerofherpridebythisdiscourse，inwhichtheDuchessedeChaulieuservedasadagger。"Iamsoaccustomedtoadmireyou，mydearpoet。"
　　"Well，then，canyoupromisemethesamecaninefidelitywhichIoffertoyou？Isitnotbeautiful？Isitnotjustwhatyouhavelongedfor？"
　　"Butwhy，dearpoet，doyounotmarryadeaf—mute，andonewhoisalsosomethingofanidiot？Iasknothingbetterthantopleasemyhusband。
　　Butyouthreatentotakeawayfromagirltheveryhappinessyousokindlyarrangeforher;youaretearingawayeverygesture，everyword，everylook;youcutthewingsofyourbird，andthenexpectittohoveraboutyou。Iknowpoetsareaccusedofinconsistency——oh！
　　veryunjustly，"sheadded，asCanalismadeagestureofdenial;"thatallegeddefectwhichcomesfromthebrilliantactivityoftheirmindswhichcommonplacepeoplecannottakeintoaccount。Idonotbelieve，however，thatamanofgeniuscaninventsuchirreconcilableconditionsandcallhisinventionlife。Youarerequiringtheimpossiblesolelyforthepleasureofputtingmeinthewrong，——liketheenchantersinfairy—tales，whosettaskstopersecutedyounggirlswhomthegoodfairiescomeanddeliver。"
　　"Inthiscasethegoodfairywouldbetruelove，"saidCanalisinacurttone，awarethathiselaborateexcuseforarupturewasseenthroughbythekeenanddelicatemindwhichButschahadpilotedsowell。
　　"Mydearpoet，youremindmeofthosefatherswhoinquireintoagirl’s’dot’beforetheyarewillingtonamethatoftheirson。Youarequarrellingwithmewithoutknowingwhetheryouhavetheslightestrighttodoso。Loveisnotgainedbysuchdryargumentsasyours。ThepoordukeonthecontraryabandonshimselftoitlikemyUncleToby;
　　withthisdifference，thatIamnottheWidowWadman，——thoughwidowindeedofmanyillusionsastopoetryatthepresentmoment。Ah，yes，weyounggirlswillnotbelieveinanythingthatdisturbsourworldoffancy！Iwaswarnedofallthisbeforehand。Mydearpoet，youareattemptingtogetupaquarrelwhichisunworthyofyou。InolongerrecognizetheMelchiorofyesterday。"
　　"BecauseMelchiorhasdiscoveredaspiritofambitioninyouwhich——"
　　Modestelookedathimfromheadtofootwithanimperialeye。
　　"ButIshallbepeerofFranceandambassadoraswellashe，"addedCanalis。
　　"Doyoutakemeforabourgeois，"shesaid，beginningtomountthestepsoftheportico;butsheinstantlyturnedbackandadded，"Thatislessimpertinentthantotakemeforafool。ThechangeinyourconductcomesfromcertainsillyrumorswhichyouhaveheardinHavre，andwhichmymaidFrancoisehasrepeatedtome。"
　　"Ah，Modeste，howcanyouthinkit？"saidCanalis，strikingadramaticattitude。"Doyouthinkmecapableofmarryingyouonlyforyourmoney？"
　　"IfIdoyouthatwrongafteryouredifyingremarksonthebanksoftheSeinecanyoueasilyundeceiveme，"shesaid，annihilatinghimwithherscorn。
　　"Ah！"thoughtthepoet，ashefollowedherintothehouse，"ifyouthink，mylittlegirl，thatI’mtobecaughtinthatnet，youtakemetobeyoungerthanIam。Dear，dear，whatafussaboutanartfullittlethingwhoseesteemIvalueaboutasmuchasthatofthekingofBorneo。Butshehasgivenmeagoodreasonfortherupturebyaccusingmeofsuchunworthysentiments。Isn’tshesly？LaBrierewillgetaburdenonhisback——idiotthatheis！Andfiveyearshenceitwillbeagoodjoketoseethemtogether。"
　　ThecoldnesswhichthisaltercationproducedbetweenModesteandCanaliswasvisibletoalleyesthatevening。Thepoetwentoffearly，onthegroundofLaBriere’sillness，leavingthefieldtothegrandequerry。Abouteleveno’clockButscha，whohadcometowalkhomewithMadameLatournelle，whisperedinModeste’sear，"WasIright？"
　　"Alas，yes，"shesaid。
　　"ButIhopeyouhaveleftthedoorhalfopen，sothathecancomeback;weagreeduponthat，youknow。"
　　"Angergotthebetterofme，"saidModeste。"SuchmeannesssentthebloodtomyheadandItoldhimwhatIthoughtofhim。"
　　"Well，somuchthebetter。Whenyouarebothsoangrythatyoucan’tspeakcivillytoeachotherIengagetomakehimdesperatelyinloveandsopressingthatyouwillbedeceivedyourself。"
　　"Come，come，Butscha;heisagreatpoet;heisagentleman;heisamanofintellect。"
　　"Yourfather’seightmillionsaremoretohimthanallthat。"
　　"Eightmillions！"exclaimedModeste。
　　"Mymaster，whohassoldhispractice，isgoingtoProvencetoattendtothepurchaseoflandswhichyourfather’sagenthassuggestedtohim。ThesumthatistobepaidfortheestateofLaBastieisfourmillions;yourfatherhasagreedtoit。Youaretohavea’dot’oftwomillionsandanothermillionforanestablishmentinParis，ahotelandfurniture。Now，countup。"
　　"Ah！thenIcanbeDuchessed’Herouville！"criedModeste，glancingatButscha。
　　"Ifithadn’tbeenforthatcomedianofaCanalisyouwouldhavekeptHISwhip，thinkingitcamefromme，"saidthedwarf，indirectlypleadingLaBriere’scause。
　　"MonsieurButscha，mayIaskifIamtomarrytopleaseyou？"saidModeste，laughing。
　　"ThatfinefellowlovesyouaswellasIdo，——andyoulovedhimforeightdays，"retortedButscha;"andHEhasgotaheart。"
　　"Canhecompete，pray，withanofficeundertheCrown？Therearebutsix，grandalmoner，chancellor，grandchamberlain，grandmaster，highconstable，grandadmiral，——buttheydon’tappointhighconstablesanylonger。"
　　"Insixmonths，mademoiselle，themasses——whoaremadeupofwickedButschas——couldsendallthosegranddignitiestothewinds。Besides，whatsignifiesnobilityinthesedays？TherearenotathousandrealnoblemeninFrance。Thed’HerouvillesaredescendedfromatipstaffinthetimeofRobertofNormandy。Youwillhavetoputupwithmanyavexationfromtheoldauntwiththefurrowedface。Lookhere，——asyouaresoanxiousforthetitleofduchess，——youbelongtotheComtat，andthePopewillcertainlythinkasmuchofyouashedoesofallthosemerchantsdownthere;he’llsellyouaduchywithsomenameendingin’ia’or’agno。’Don’tplayawayyourhappinessforanofficeundertheCrown。"
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　ADIPLOMATICLETTER
　　Thepoet’sreflectionsduringthenightwerethoroughlymatter—offact。Hesincerelysawnothingworseinlifethanthesituationofamarriedmanwithoutmoney。Stilltremblingatthedangerhehadbeenledintobyhisvanity，hisdesiretogetthebetteroftheduke，andhisbeliefintheMignonmillions，hebegantoaskhimselfwhattheduchessmustbethinkingofhisstayinHavre，aggravatedbythefactthathehadnotwrittentoherforfourteendays，whereasinParistheyexchangedfourorfivelettersaweek。
　　"AndthatpoorwomanisworkinghardtogetmeappointedcommanderoftheLegionandambassadortotheCourtofBaden！"hecried。
　　Thereupon，withthatpromptitudeofdecisionwhichresults——inpoetsaswellasinspeculators——fromalivelyintuitionofthefuture，hesatdownandcomposedthefollowingletter:——
　　ToMadamelaDuchessedeChaulieu:
　　MydearEleonore，——Youhavedoubtlessbeensurprisedatnothearingfromme;butthestayIammakinginthisplaceisnotaltogetheronaccountofmyhealth。IhavebeentryingtodoagoodturntoourlittlefriendLaBriere。ThepoorfellowhasfalleninlovewithacertainMademoiselleModestedeLaBastie，aratherpale，insignificant，andthread—paperylittlething，who，bytheway，hastheviceoflikingliterature，andcallsherselfapoettoexcusethecapricesandhumorsofarathersullennature。
　　YouknowErnest，——heissoeasytocatchthatIhavebeenafraidtoleavehimtohimself。MademoiselledeLaBastiewasinclinedtocoquetwithyourMelchior，andwasonlytooreadytobecomeyourrival，thoughherarmsarethin，andshehasnomorebustthanmostgirls;moreover，herhairisasdeadandcolorlessasthatofMadamedeRochefide，andhereyessmall，gray，andverysuspicious。Iputastop——perhapsratherbrutally——totheattentionsofMademoiselleImmodeste;butlove，suchasmineforyou，demandedit。WhatcareIforallthewomenonearth，——
　　comparedtoyou，whatarethey？
　　ThepeoplewithwhomIpassmytime，andwhoformthecircleroundtheheiress，aresothoroughlybourgeoisthattheyalmostturnmystomach。Pityme;imagine！Ipassmyeveningswithnotaries，notaresses，cashiers，provincialmoney—lenders——ah！whatachangefrommyeveningsintheruedeGrenelle。Theallegedfortuneofthefather，latelyreturnedfromChina，hasbroughttoHavrethatindefatigablesuitor，thegrandequerry，hungryafterthemillions，whichhewants，theysay，todrainhismarshes。Thekingdoesnotknowwhatafatalpresenthemadethedukeinthosewastelands。HisGrace，whohasnotyetfoundoutthattheladyhadonlyasmallfortune，isjealousofME;forLaBriereisquietlymakingprogresswithhisidolundercoverofhisfriend，whoservesasablind。
　　NotwithstandingErnest’sromanticecstasies，Imyself，apoet，thinkchieflyoftheessentialthing，andIhavebeenmakingsomeinquirieswhichdarkentheprospectsofourfriend。Ifmyangelwouldlikeabsolutionforsomeofourlittlesins，shewilltrytofindoutthefactsofthecasebysendingforMongenod，thebanker，andquestioninghim，withthedexteritythatcharacterizesher，astothefather’sfortune？MonsieurMignon，formerlycolonelofcavalryintheImperialguard，hasbeenforthelastsevenyearsacorrespondentoftheMongenods。Itissaidthathegiveshisdaughtera"dot"oftwohundredthousandfrancs，andbeforeI
　　maketheofferonErnest’sbehalfIamanxioustogettherightsofthestory。AssoonastheaffairisarrangedIshallreturntoParis。Iknowawaytosettleeverythingtotheadvantageofouryounglover，——simplybythetransmissionofthefather—in—law’stitle，andnoone，Ithink，canmorereadilyobtainthatfavorthanErnest，bothonaccountofhisownservicesandtheinfluencewhichyouandIandthedukecanexertforhim。Withhistastes，Ernest，whoofcoursewillstepintomyofficewhenIgotoBaden，willbeperfectlyhappyinPariswithtwenty—fivethousandfrancsayear，apermanentplace，andawife——lucklessfellow！
　　Ah，dearest，howIlongfortheruedeGrenelle！Fifteendaysofabsence！whentheydonotkilllove，theyrevivealltheardorofitsearlierdays，andyouknow，betterthanI，perhaps，thereasonsthatmakemyloveeternal，——myboneswilllovetheeinthegrave！Ah！Icannotbearthisseparation。IfIamforcedtostayhereanothertendays，IshallmakeaflyingvisitofafewhourstoParis。
　　Hasthedukeobtainedformethethingwewanted;andshallyou，mydearestlife，beorderedtodrinktheBadenwatersnextyear？
　　Thebillingandcooingofthe"handsomedisconsolate，"comparedwiththeaccentsofourhappylove——sotrueandchangelessfornowtenyears！——havegivenmeagreatcontemptformarriage。Ihadneverseenthethingsonear。Ah，dearest！whattheworldcallsa"falsestep"bringstwobeingsnearertogetherthanthelaw——doesitnot？
　　Theconcludingideaservedasatextfortwopagesofreminiscencesandaspirationsalittletooconfidentialforpublication。
　　TheeveningbeforethedayonwhichCanalisputtheaboveepistleintothepost，Butscha，underthenameofJeanJacmin，hadreceivedaletterfromhisfictitiouscousin，Philoxene，andhadmailedhisanswer，whichthusprecededtheletterofthepoetbyabouttwelvehours。Terriblyanxiousforthelasttwoweeks，andwoundedbyMelchior’ssilence，theduchessherselfdictatedPhiloxene’slettertohercousin，andthemomentshehadreadtheanswer，rathertooexplicitforherquinquagenaryvanity，shesentforthebankerandmadecloseinquiriesastotheexactfortuneofMonsieurMignon。
　　Findingherselfbetrayedandabandonedforthemillions，Eleonoregavewaytoaparoxysmofanger，hatred，andcoldvindictiveness。Philoxeneknockedatthedoorofthesumptuousroom，andenteringfoundhermistresswithhereyesfulloftears，——sounprecedentedaphenomenoninthefifteenyearsshehadwaiteduponherthatthewomanstoppedshortstupefied。
　　"Weexpiatethehappinessoftenyearsintenminutes，"sheheardtheduchesssay。
　　"AletterfromHavre，madame。"
　　Eleonorereadthepoet’sprosewithoutnoticingthepresenceofPhiloxene，whoseamazementbecamestillgreaterwhenshesawthedawnoffreshserenityontheduchess’sfaceasshereadfurtherandfurtherintotheletter。Holdoutapolenothickerthanawalking—
　　sticktoadrowningman，andhewillthinkitahigh—roadofsafety。
　　ThehappyEleonorebelievedinCanalis’sgoodfaithwhenshehadreadthroughthefourpagesinwhichloveandbusiness，falsehoodandtruth，jostledeachother。Shewho，afewmomentsearlier，hadsentforherhusbandtopreventMelchior’sappointmentwhiletherewasstilltime，wasnowseizedwithaspiritofgenerositythatamountedalmosttothesublime。
　　"Poorfellow！"shethought;"hehasnothadonefaithlessthought;helovesmeashedidonthefirstday;hetellsmeall——Philoxene！"shecried，noticinghermaid，whowasstandingnearandpretendingtoarrangethetoilet—table。
　　"Madameladuchesse？"
　　"Amirror，child！"
　　Eleonorelookedatherself，sawthefinerazor—likelinestracedonherbrow，whichdisappearedatalittledistance;shesighed，andinthatsighshefeltshebadeadieutolove。Abravethoughtcameintohermind，amanlythought，outsideofallthepettinessofwomen，——athoughtwhichintoxicatesforamoment，andwhichexplains，perhaps，theclemencyoftheSemiramisofRussiawhenshemarriedheryoungandbeautifulrivaltoMomonoff。
　　"Sincehehasnotbeenfaithless，heshallhavethegirlandhermillions，"shethought，——"providedMademoiselleMignonisasuglyashesayssheis。"
　　Threeraps，circumspectlygiven，announcedtheduke，andhiswifewentherselftothedoortolethimin。
　　"Ah！Iseeyouarebetter，mydear，"hecried，withthecounterfeitjoythatcourtiersassumesoreadily，andbywhichfoolsaresoreadilytakenin。
　　"MydearHenri，"sheanswered，"whyisityouhavenotyetobtainedthatappointmentforMelchior，——youwhosacrificedsomuchtothekingintakingaministrywhichyouknewcouldonlylastoneyear。"
　　ThedukeglancedatPhiloxene，whoshowedhimbyanalmostimperceptiblesigntheletterfromHavreonthedressing—table。
　　"YouwouldbeterriblyboredatBadenandcomebackatdaggersdrawnwithMelchior，"saidtheduke。
　　"Praywhy？"
　　"Why，youwouldalwaysbetogether，"saidtheformerdiplomat，withcomicgood—humor。
　　"Oh，no，"shesaid;"Iamgoingtomarryhim。"
　　"Ifwecanbelieved’Herouville，ourdearCanalisstandsinnoneedofyourhelpinthatdirection，"saidtheduke，smiling。"YesterdayGrandlieureadmesomepassagesfromaletterthegrandequerryhadwrittenhim。Nodoubttheyweredictatedbytheauntfortheexpresspurposeoftheirreachingyou，forMademoiselled’Herouville，alwaysonthescentofa’dot，’knowsthatGrandlieuandIplaywhistnearlyeveryevening。Thatgoodlittled’HerouvillewantsthePrincedeCadignantogodownandgivearoyalhuntinNormandy，andendeavortopersuadethekingtobepresent，soastoturntheheadofthedamozelwhensheseesherselftheobjectofsuchagrandaffair。Inshort，twowordsfromCharlesX。wouldsettlethematter。D’Herouvillesaysthegirlhasincomparablebeauty——"
　　"Henri，letusgotoHavre！"criedtheduchess，interruptinghim。
　　"Underwhatpretext？"saidherhusband，gravely;hewasoneoftheconfidantsofLouisXVIII。
　　"Ineversawahunt。"
　　"Itwouldbeallverywellifthekingwent;butitisaterribleboretogosofar，andhewillnotdoit;Ihavejustbeenspeakingwithhimaboutit。"
　　"PerhapsMADAMEwouldgo？"
　　"Thatwouldbebetter，"returnedtheduke，"IdaresaytheDuchessedeMaufrigneusewouldhelpyoutopersuadeherfromRosny。Ifshegoesthekingwillnotbedispleasedattheuseofhishuntingequipage。
　　Don’tgotoHavre，mydear，"addedtheduke，paternally，"thatwouldbegivingyourselfaway。Come，here’sabetterplan，Ithink。
　　Gaspard’schateauofRosembrayisontheothersideoftheforestofBrotonne;whynotgivehimahinttoinvitethewholeparty？"
　　"Heinvitethem？"saidEleonore。
　　"Imean，ofcourse，theduchess;sheisalwaysengagedinpiousworkswithMademoiselled’Herouville;givethatoldmaidahint，andgethertospeaktoGaspard。"
　　"Youarealoveofaman，"criedEleonore;"I’llwritetotheoldmaidandtoDianeatonce，forwemustgethuntingthingsmade，——aridinghatissobecoming。DidyouwinlastnightattheEnglishembassy？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheduke;"Iclearedmyself。"
　　"Henri，aboveallthings，stopproceedingsaboutMelchior’stwoappointments。"
　　AfterwritinghalfadozenlinestothebeautifulDianedeMaufrigneuse，andashorthinttoMademoiselled’Herouville，Eleonoresentthefollowinganswerlikethelashofawhipthroughthepoet’slies。
　　ToMonsieurleBarondeCanalis:——
　　Mydearpoet，——MademoiselledeLaBastieisverybeautiful;
　　Mongenodhasprovedtomethatherfatherhasmillions。Ididthinkofmarryingyoutoher;Iamthereforemuchdispleasedatyourwantofconfidence。IfyouhadanyintentionofmarryingLaBrierewhenyouwenttoHavreitissurprisingthatyousaidnothingtomeaboutitbeforeyoustarted。AndwhyhaveyouomittedwritingtoafriendwhoissoeasilymadeanxiousasI？
　　Yourletterarrivedatriflelate;Ihadalreadyseenthebanker。
　　Youareachild，Melchior，andyouareplayingtrickswithus。Itisnotright。Thedukehimselfisquiteindignantatyourproceedings;hethinksyoulessthanagentleman，whichcastssomereflectionsonyourmother’shonor。
　　Now，Iintendtoseethingsformyself。Ishall，Ibelieve，havethehonorofaccompanyingMADAMEtothehuntwhichtheDucd’HerouvilleproposestogiveforMademoiselledeLaBastie。I
　　willmanagetohaveyouinvitedtoRosembray，forthemeetwillprobablytakeplaceinDucdeVerneuil’spark。
　　Praybelieve，mydearpoet，thatIamnonetheless，forlife，Yourfriend，EleonoredeM。
　　"There，Ernest，justlookatthat！"criedCanalis，tossingtheletteratErnest’snoseacrossthebreakfast—table;"that’sthetwothousandthlove—letterIhavehadfromthatwoman，andthereisn’tevena’thou’init。TheillustriousEleonorehasnevercompromisedherselfmorethanshedoesthere。Marry，andtryyourluck！Theworstmarriageintheworldisbetterthanthissortofhalter。Ah，IamthegreatestNicodemusthatevertumbledoutofthemoon！Modestehasmillions，andI’velosther;forwecan’tgetbackfromthepoles，whereweareto—day，tothetropics，wherewewerethreedaysago！
　　Well，Iamallthemoreanxiousforyourtriumphoverthegrandequerry，becauseItoldtheduchessIcamehereonlyforyoursake;
　　andsoIshalldomybestforyou。"
　　"Alas，Melchior，Modestemustneedshavesonoble，sogrand，sowell—
　　balancedanaturetoresistthegloriesoftheCourt，andallthesesplendorscleverlydisplayedforherhonorandglorybytheduke，thatIcannotbelieveintheexistenceofsuchperfection，——andyet，ifsheisstilltheModesteofherletters，theremightbehope！"
　　"Well，well，youareahappyfellow，youyoungBoniface，toseetheworldandyourmistressthroughgreenspectacles！"criedCanalis，marchingofftopaceupanddownthegarden。
　　Caughtbetweentwolies，thepoetwasatalosswhattodo。
　　"Playbyrule，andyoulose！"hecriedpresently，sittingdowninthekiosk。"EverymanofsensewouldhaveactedasIdidfourdaysago，andgothimselfoutofthenetinwhichIsawmyself。Atsuchtimespeopledon’tdisentanglenets，theybreakthroughthem！Come，letusbecalm，cold，dignified，affronted。Honorrequiresit;Englishstiffnessistheonlywaytowinherback。Afterall，ifIhavetoretirefinally，Icanalwaysfallbackonmyoldhappiness;afidelityoftenyearscan’tgounrewarded。Eleonorewillarrangemesomegoodmarriage。"