drawer，Imighthavekeptsometreasure，thecomfortofpoorgirlsill—usedbylove，sad，poeticsouls，——butah！IhaveYOU，I
　　believeinYOU，myfriend。Thatbeliefstraightensallmythoughtsandfancies，eventhemostfantastic，andsometimes——seehowfarmyfranknessleadsme——IwishIwereinthemiddleofthebookwearejustbeginning;suchpersistencydoIfeelinmysentiments，suchstrengthinmyhearttolove，suchconstancysustainedbyreason，suchheroismforthedutiesforwhichIwascreated，——ifindeedlovecaneverbetransmutedintoduty。
　　IfyouwereabletofollowmetotheexquisiteretreatwhereI
　　fancyourselveshappy，ifyouknewmyplansandprojects，thedreadfulword"folly！"mightescapeyou，andIshouldbecruellypunishedforsendingpoetrytoapoet。Yes，Iwishtobeaspringofwatersinexhaustibleasafertilelandforthetwentyyearsthatnatureallowsmetoshine。Iwanttodriveawaysatietybycharm。Imeantobecourageousformyfriendasmostwomenarefortheworld。Iwishtovaryhappiness。Iwishtoputintelligenceintotenderness，andtogivepiquancytofidelity。Iamfilledwithambitiontokilltherivalsofthepast，toconjureawayalloutsidegriefsbyawife’sgentleness，byherproudabnegation，totakealifelongcareofthenest，——suchasbirdscanonlytakeforafewweeks。
　　Tellme，doyounowthinkmetoblameformyfirstletter？Themysteriouswindofwilldrovemetoyou，asthetempestbringsthelittlerose—treetothepollardwindow。Inyourletter，whichI
　　holdhereuponmyheart，youcriedout，likeyourancestorwhenhedepartedfortheCrusades，"Godwillsit。"
　　Ah！butyouwillcryout，"Whatachatterbox！"Allthepeopleroundmesay，onthecontrary，"Mademoiselleisverytaciturn。"
　　O。d’EsteM。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　WHATCOMESOFCORRESPONDENCE
　　Theforegoinglettersseemedveryoriginaltothepersonsfromwhomtheauthorofthe"ComedyofHumanLife"obtainedthem;buttheirinterestinthisduel，thiscrossingofpensbetweentwominds，maynotbeshared。Foreveryhundredreaders，eightymightwearyofthebattle。Therespectduetothemajorityineverynationunderaconstitutionalgovernment，leadsus，therefore，tosuppresselevenotherlettersexchangedbetweenErnestandModesteduringthemonthofSeptember。If，lateron，someflatteringmajorityshouldarisetoclaimthem，letushopethatwecanthenfindmeanstoinsertthemintheirproperplace。
　　Urgedbyamindthatseemedasaggressiveastheheartwaslovable，thetrulychivalrousfeelingsofthepoorsecretarygavethemselvesfreeplayinthesesuppressedletters，whichseem，perhaps，morebeautifulthantheyreallyare，becausetheimaginationischarmedbyasenseofthecommunionoftwofreesouls。Ernest’swholelifewasnowwrappedupinthesesweetscrapsofpaper;theyweretohimwhatbanknotesaretoamiser;whileinModeste’ssouladeeplovetooktheplaceofherdelightinagitatingagloriouslife，andbeing，inspiteofdistance，itsmainspring。Ernest’sheartwasthecomplementofCanalis’sglory。Alas！itoftentakestwomentomakeaperfectlover，justasinliteraturewecomposeatypebycollectingthepeculiaritiesofseveralsimilarcharacters。Howmanyatimeawomanhasbeenheardtosayinherownsalonaftercloseandintimateconversations:——
　　"Suchaoneismyidealastosoul，andIlovetheotherwhoisonlyadreamofthesenses。"
　　ThelastletterwrittenbyModeste，whichherefollows，givesusaglimpseoftheenchantedisletowhichthemeanderingsofthiscorrespondencehadledthetwolovers。
　　ToMonsieurdeCanalis，——BeatHavrenextSunday;gotochurch;
　　afterthemorningservice，walkonceortwiceroundthenave，andgooutwithoutspeakingtoanyone;butwearawhiteroseinyourbutton—hole。ThenreturntoParis，whereyoushallreceiveananswer。Iwarnyouthatthisanswerwillnotbewhatyouwish;
　　for，asItoldyou，thefutureisnotyetmine。ButshouldInotindeedbemadandfoolishtosayyeswithouthavingseenyou？WhenIhaveseenyouIcansaynowithoutwoundingyou;Icanmakesurethatyoushallnotseeme。
　　ThisletterhadbeensentofftheeveningbeforethedaywhentheabortivestrugglebetweenDumayandModestehadtakenplace。ThehappygirlwasimpatientlyawaitingSunday，whenhereyesweretovindicateorcondemnherheartandheractions，——asolemnmomentinthelifeofanywoman，andwhichthreemonthsofclosecommunionofsoulsnowrenderedasromanticasthemostimaginativemaidencouldhavewished。
　　Everyone，exceptthemother，hadtakenthistorporofexpectationforthecalmofinnocence。Nomatterhowfirmlyfamilylawsandreligiouspreceptsmaybind，therewillalwaysbetheClarissasandtheJulies，whosesoulslikeflowingcupso’erlapthebrimundersomespiritualpressure。Modestewasgloriousinthesavageenergywithwhichsherepressedherexuberantyouthfulhappinessandremaineddemurelyquiet。Letussayfranklythatthememoryofhersisterwasmorepotentuponherthananysocialconventions;herwillwasironintheresolvetobringnogriefuponherfatherandhermother。Butwhattumultuousheavingswerewithinherbreast！nowonderthatamotherguessedthem。
　　OnthefollowingdayModesteandMadameDumaytookMadameMignonaboutmid—daytoaseatinthesunamongtheflowers。Theblindwomanturnedherwanandblightedfacetowardtheocean;sheinhaledtheodorsoftheseaandtookthehandofherdaughterwhoremainedbesideher。Themotherhesitatedbetweenforgivenessandremonstranceeresheputtheimportantquestion;forshecomprehendedthegirl’sloveandrecognized，asthepretendedCanalishaddone，thatModestewasexceptionalinnature。
　　"Godgrantthatyourfatherreturnintime！Ifhedelaysmuchlongerhewillfindnonebutyoutolovehim。Modeste，promisemeoncemorenevertoleavehim，"shesaidinafondmaternaltone。
　　Modesteliftedhermother’shandstoherlipsandkissedthemgently，replying:"NeedIsayitagain？"
　　"Ah，mychild！Ididthisthingmyself。Ileftmyfathertofollowmyhusband;andyetmyfatherwasallalone;Iwasallthechildhehad。
　　IsthatwhyGodhassopunishedme？WhatIaskofyouistomarryasyourfatherwishes，tocherishhiminyourheart，nottosacrificehimtoyourownhappiness，buttomakehimthecentreofyourhome。Beforelosingmysight，Iwrotehimallmywishes，andIknowhewillexecutethem。Ienjoinedhimtokeephispropertyintactandinhisownhands;
　　notthatIdistrustyou，myModeste，foramoment，butwhocanbesureofason—in—law？Ah！mydaughter，lookatme;wasIreasonable？Oneglanceoftheeyedecidedmylife。Beauty，sooftendeceitful，inmycasespoketrue;butevenwereitthesamewithyou，mypoorchild，sweartomethatyouwillletyourfatherinquireintothecharacter，thehabits，theheart，andthepreviouslifeofthemanyoudistinguishwithyourlove——if，bychance，thereissuchaman。"
　　"Iwillnevermarrywithouttheconsentofmyfather，"answeredModeste。
　　"Yousee，mydarling，"saidMadameMignonafteralongpause，"thatifIamdyingbyinchesthroughBettina’swrong—doing，yourfatherwouldnotsurviveyours，no，notforamoment。Iknowhim;hewouldputapistoltohishead，——therecouldbenolife，nohappinessonearthforhim。"
　　Modestewalkedafewstepsawayfromhermother，butimmediatelycameback。
　　"Whydidyouleaveme？"demandedMadameMignon。
　　"Youmademecry，mamma，"answeredModeste。
　　"Ah，mylittledarling，kissme。Youlovenoonehere？youhavenolover，haveyou？"sheasked，holdingModesteonherlap，hearttoheart。
　　"No，mydearmamma，"saidthelittleJesuit。
　　"Canyouswearit？"
　　"Oh，yes！"criedModeste。
　　MadameMignonsaidnomore;butshestilldoubted。
　　"Atleast，ifyoudochooseyourhusband，youwilltellyourfather？"
　　sheresumed。
　　"Ipromisedthattomysister，andtoyou，mother。WhatevildoyouthinkIcouldcommitwhileIwearthatringuponmyfingerandreadthosewords:’ThinkofBettina？’Poorsister！"
　　Atthesewordsatruceofsilencecamebetweenthepair;themother’sblightedeyesrainedtearswhichModestecouldnotcheck，thoughshethrewherselfuponherknees，andcried:"Forgiveme！oh，forgiveme，mother！"
　　AtthisinstanttheexcellentDumaywascomingupthehillofIngouvilleonthedouble—quick，——afactquiteabnormalinthepresentlifeofthecashier。
　　ThreelettershadbroughtruintotheMignons;asingleletternowrestoredtheirfortunes。Dumayhadreceivedfromasea—captainjustarrivedfromtheChinaSeasthefollowinglettercontainingthefirstnewsofhispatronandfriend，CharlesMignon:——
　　ToMonsieurJeanDumay:
　　MyDearDumay，——Ishallquicklyfollow，barringthechancesofthevoyage，thevesselwhichcarriesthisletter。Infact，Ishouldhavetakenit，butIdidnotwishtoleavemyownshiptowhichI
　　amaccustomed。
　　Itoldyouthatnonewwastobegoodnews。Butthefirstwordsofthisletteroughttomakeyouahappyman。Ihavemadesevenmillionsattheleast。Iambringingbackalargepartofitinindigo，onethirdinsafeLondonsecurities，andanotherthirdingoodsolidgold。YourremittanceshelpedmetomakethesumIhadsettledinmyownmindmuchsoonerthanIexpected。Iwantedtwomillionsformydaughtersandacompetenceformyself。
　　IhavebeenengagedintheopiumtradewiththelargesthousesinCanton，alltentimesricherthaneverIwas。Youhavenoidea，inEurope，whattheserichEastIndiamerchantsare。IwenttoAsiaMinorandpurchasedopiumatlowprices，andfromthencetoCantonwhereIdeliveredmycargoestothecompanieswhocontrolthetrade。MylastexpeditionwastothePhilippineIslandswhereI
　　exchangedopiumforindigoofthefirstquality。Infact，ImayhavehalfamillionmorethanIstated，forIreckonedtheindigoatwhatitcostme。Ihavealwaysbeenwellinhealth;nottheslightestillness。Thatistheresultofworkingforone’schildren。SincethesecondyearIhaveownedaprettylittlebrigofsevenhundredtons，calledthe"Mignon。"Sheisbuiltofoak，double—planked，andcopper—fastened;andalltheinteriorfittingsweredonetosuitme。Sheis，infact，anadditionalpieceofproperty。
　　Asea—lifeandtheactivehabitsrequiredbymybusinesshavekeptmeingoodhealth。Totellyouallthisisthesameastellingittomytwodaughtersandmydearwife。ItrustthatthewretchedmanwhotookawaymyBettinadesertedherwhenheheardofmyruin;andthatIshallfindthepoorlostlambattheChalet。MythreedearwomenandmyDumay！Allfourofyouhavebeeneverpresentinmythoughtsforthelastthreeyears。Youarearichman，now，Dumay。Yourshare，outsideofmyownfortune，amountstofivehundredandsixtythousandfrancs，forwhichIsendyouherewithacheck，whichcanonlybepaidtoyouinpersonbytheMongenods，whohavebeendulyadvisedfromNewYork。
　　Afewshortmonths，andIshallseeyouallagain，andallwell，I
　　trust。MydearDumay，ifIwritethislettertoyouitisbecauseIamanxioustokeepmyfortuneasecretforthepresent。I
　　thereforeleavetoyouthehappinessofpreparingmydearangelsformyreturn。Ihavehadenoughofcommerce;andIamresolvedtoleaveHavre。MyintentionistobuybacktheestateofLaBastie，andtoentailit，soastoestablishanestateyieldingatleastahundredthousandfrancsayear，andthentoaskthekingtograntthatoneofmysons—in—lawmaysucceedtomynameandtitle。Youknow，mypoorDumay，whataterriblemisfortuneovertookusthroughthefatalreputationofalargefortune，——mydaughter’shonorwaslost。Ihavethereforeresolvedthattheamountofmypresentfortuneshallnotbeknown。IshallnotdisembarkatHavre，butatMarseilles。Ishallsellmyindigo，andnegotiateforthepurchaseofLaBastiethroughthehouseofMongenodinParis。IshallputmyfundsintheBankofFranceandreturntotheChaletgivingoutthatIhaveaconsiderablefortuneinmerchandise。Mydaughterswillbesupposedtohavetwoorthreehundredthousandfrancs。Tochoosewhichofmysons—in—lawisworthytosucceedtomytitleandestatesandtolivewithus，isnowtheobjectofmylife;butbothofthemmustbe，likeyouandme，honest，loyal，andfirmmen，andabsolutelyhonorable。
　　Mydearoldfellow，Ihaveneverdoubtedyouforamoment。Wehavegonethroughwarsandcommercetogetherandnowwewillundertakeagriculture;youshallbemybailiff。Youwilllikethat，willyounot？Andso，oldfriend，Ileaveittoyourdiscretiontotellwhatyouthinkbesttomywifeanddaughters;Irelyuponyourprudence。Infouryearsgreatchangesmayhavetakenplaceintheircharacters。
　　Adieu，myoldDumay。SaytomydaughtersandtomywifethatI
　　haveneverfailedtokisstheminmythoughtsmorningandeveningsinceIleftthem。Thesecondcheckforfortythousandfrancsherewithenclosedisformywifeandchildren。
　　Tillwemeet。——Yourcolonelandfriend，CharlesMignon。
　　"Yourfatheriscoming，"saidMadameMignontoherdaughter。
　　"Whatmakesyouthinkso，mamma？"askedModeste。
　　"NothingelsecouldmakeDumayhurryhimself。"
　　"Victory！victory！"criedthelieutenantassoonashereachedthegardengate。"Madame，thecolonelhasnotbeenillamoment;heiscomingback——comingbackonthe’Mignon，’afineshipofhisown，whichtogetherwithitscargoisworth，hetellsme，eightorninehundredthousandfrancs。Butherequiressecrecyfromallofus;hisheartisstillwrungbythemisfortunesofourdeardepartedgirl。"
　　"Hehasstilltolearnherdeath，"saidMadameMignon。
　　"Heattributesherdisaster，andIthinkheisright，totherapacityofyoungmenaftergreatfortunes。Mypoorcolonelexpectstofindthelostsheephere。Letusbehappyamongourselvesbutsaynothingtoanyone，noteventoLatournelle，ifthatispossible。Mademoiselle，"
　　hewhisperedinModeste’sear，"writetoyourfatherandtellhimofhislossandalsotheterribleresultsonyourmother’shealthandeyesight;preparehimfortheshockhehastomeet。IwillengagetogettheletterintohishandsbeforehereachesHavre，forhewillhavetopassthroughParisonhisway。Writehimalongletter;youhaveplentyoftime。IwilltaketheletteronMonday;MondayIshallprobablygotoParis。"
　　ModestewassoafraidthatCanalisandDumaywouldmeetthatshestartedhastilyforthehousetowritetoherpoetandputofftherendezvous。
　　"Mademoiselle，"saidDumay，inaveryhumblemannerandbarringModeste’sway，"mayyourfatherfindhisdaughterwithnootherfeelingsinherheartthanthoseshehadforhimandforhermotherbeforehewasobligedtoleaveher。"
　　"Ihavesworntomyself，tomysister，andtomymothertobethejoy，theconsolation，andthegloryofmyfather，andISHALLKEEPMY
　　OATH！"repliedModestewithahaughtyanddisdainfulglanceatDumay。
　　"Donottroublemydelightinthethoughtofmyfather’sreturnwithinsultingsuspicions。Youcannotpreventagirl’sheartfrombeating——
　　youdon’twantmetobeamummy，doyou？"shesaid。"Myhandbelongstomyfamily，butmyheartismyown。IfIloveanyone，myfatherandmymotherwillknowit。Doesthatsatisfyyou，monsieur？"
　　"Thankyou，mademoiselle;yourestoremetolife，"saidDumay，"butyoumightstillcallmeDumay，evenwhenyouboxmyears！"
　　"Sweartome，"saidhermother，"thatyouhavenotengagedawordoralookwithanyyoungman。"
　　"Icanswearthat，mydearmother，"saidModeste，laughing，andlookingatDumaywhowaswatchingherandsmilingtohimselflikeamischievousgirl。
　　"Shemustbefalseindeedifyouareright，"criedDumay，whenModestehadleftthemandgoneintothehouse。
　　"MydaughterModestemayhavefaults，"saidhermother，"butfalsehoodisnotoneofthem;sheisincapableofsayingwhatisnottrue。"
　　"Well！thenletusfeeleasy，"continuedDumay，"andbelievethatmisfortunehasclosedhisaccountwithus。"
　　"Godgrantit！"answeredMadameMignon。"YouwillseeHIM，Dumay;butIshallonlyhearhim。Thereismuchofsadnessinmyjoy。"
　　CHAPTERXII
　　ADECLARATIONOFLOVE，——SETTOMUSIC
　　AtthismomentModeste，happyasshewasinthereturnofherfather，was，nevertheless，pacingherroomdisconsolateasPerretteonseeinghereggsbroken。ShehadhopedherfatherwouldbringbackamuchlargerfortunethanDumayhadmentioned。Nothingcouldsatisfyhernew—foundambitiononbehalfofherpoetlessthanatleasthalfthesixmillionsshehadtalkedofinhersecondletter。Treblyagitatedbyhertwojoysandthegriefcausedbyhercomparativepoverty，sheseatedherselfatthepiano，thatconfidantofsomanyyounggirls，whotellouttheirwishesandprovocationsonthekeys，expressingthembythenotesandtonesoftheirmusic。Dumaywastalkingwithhiswifeinthegardenunderthewindows，tellingherthesecretoftheirownwealth，andquestioningherastoherdesiresandherintentions。
　　MadameDumayhad，likeherhusband，nootherfamilythantheMignons。
　　Husbandandwifeagreed，therefore，togoandliveinProvence，iftheComtedeLaBastiereallymeanttoliveinProvence，andtoleavetheirmoneytowhicheverofModeste’schildrenmightneeditmost。
　　"ListentoModeste，"saidMadameMignon，addressingthem。"Nonebutagirlinlovecancomposesuchairswithouthavingstudiedmusic。"
　　Housesmayburn，fortunesbeengulfed，fathersreturnfromdistantlands，empiresmaycrumbleaway，thecholeramayravagecities，butamaiden’slovewingsitswayasnaturepursueshers，orthatalarmingacidwhichchemistryhaslatelydiscovered，andwhichwillpresentlyeatthroughtheglobe，ifnothingstopsit。
　　Modeste，undertheinspirationofherpresentsituation，wasputtingtomusiccertainstanzaswhichwearecompelledtoquotehere——albeittheyareprintedinthesecondvolumeoftheeditionDauriathadmentioned——because，inordertoadaptthemtohermusic，whichhadtheinexpressiblecharmofsentimentsoadmiredingreatsingers，Modestehadtakenlibertieswiththelinesinamannerthatmayastonishtheadmirersofapoetsofamousforthecorrectness，sometimestooprecise，ofhismeasures。
　　THEMAIDEN’SSONG
　　Hear，arise！thelarkisshakingSunlitwingsthatheavenwardrise;
　　Sleepnomore;theviolet，waking，Waftsherincensetotheskies。
　　Flowersrevived，theireyesunclosing，SeethemselvesindropsofdewIneachcalyx—cupreposing，——
　　Pearlsofadaytheirmirrortrue。
　　Breezedivine，thegodofroses，Passedbynighttoblesstheirbloom;
　　See！forhimeachbuduncloses，Glows，andyieldsitsrichperfume。
　　Thenarise！thelarkisshakingSunlitwingsthatheavenwardrise;
　　Noughtissleeping——Heart，awaking，Liftthineincensetotheskies。
　　"Itisverypretty，"saidMadameDumay。"Modesteisamusician，andthat’sthewholeofit。"
　　"Thedevilisinher！"criedthecashier，intowhoseheartthesuspicionofthemotherforceditswayandmadehimshiver。
　　"Sheloves，"persistedMadameMignon。
　　Bysucceeding，throughtheundeniabletestimonyofthesong，inmakingthecashierasharerinherbeliefastothestateofModeste’sheart，MadameMignondestroyedthehappinessthereturnandtheprosperityofhismasterhadbroughthim。ThepoorBretonwentdownthehilltoHavreandtohisdeskinGobenheim’scounting—roomwithaheavyheart;
　　then，beforereturningtodinner，hewenttoseeLatournelle，totellhisfears，andbegoncemoreforthenotary’sadviceandassistance。
　　"Yes，mydearfriend，"saidDumay，whentheypartedonthestepsofthenotary’sdoor，"Inowagreewithmadame;sheloves，——yes，Iamsureofit;andthedevilknowstherest。Iamdishonored。"
　　"Don’tmakeyourselfunhappy，Dumay，"answeredthelittlenotary。
　　"Amongusallwecansurelygetthebetterofthelittlepuss;soonerorlater，everygirlinlovebetraysherself，——youmaybesureofthat。Butwewilltalkaboutitthisevening。"
　　ThusithappenedthatallthosedevotedtotheMignonfamilywerefullyasdisquietedanduncertainastheywerebeforetheoldsoldiertriedtheexperimentwhichheexpectedwouldbesodecisive。Theill—
　　successofhispasteffortssostimulatedDumay’ssenseofduty，thathedeterminednottogotoParistoseeafterhisownfortuneasannouncedbyhispatron，untilhehadguessedtheriddleofModeste’sheart。Thesefriends，towhomfeelingsweremorepreciousthaninterests，wellknewthatunlessthedaughterwerepureandinnocent，thefatherwoulddieofgriefwhenhecametoknowthedeathofBettinaandtheblindnessofhiswife。ThedistressofpoorDumaymadesuchanimpressionontheLatournellesthattheyevenforgottheirpartingwithExupere，whomtheyhadsentoffthatmorningtoParis。
　　Duringdinner，whilethethreewerealone，MonsieurandMadameLatournelleandButschaturnedtheproblemoverandoverintheirminds，anddiscussedeveryaspectofit。
　　"IfModestelovedanyoneinHavreshewouldhaveshownsomefearyesterday，"saidMadameLatournelle;"herlover，therefore，livessomewhereelse。"
　　"Shesworetohermotherthismorning，"saidthenotary，"inpresenceofDumay，thatshehadnotexchangedalookorawordwithanylivingsoul。"
　　"Thenshelovesaftermyfashion！"exclaimedButscha。
　　"Andhowisthat，mypoorlad？"askedMadameLatournelle。
　　"Madame，"saidthelittlecripple，"Ilovealoneandafar——oh！asfarasfromheretothestars。"
　　"Howdoyoumanageit，yousillyfellow？"saidMadameLatournelle，laughing。
　　"Ah，madame！"saidButscha，"whatyoucallmyhumpisthesocketofmywings。"
　　"Sothatistheexplanationofyourseal，isit？"criedthenotary。
　　Butscha’ssealwasastar，andunderitthewords"Fulgens，sequar，"——
　　"ShiningOne，Ifollowthee，"——themottoofthehouseofChastillonest。
　　"Abeautifulwomanmayfeelasdistrustfulastheugliest，"saidButscha，asifspeakingtohimself;"Modesteiscleverenoughtofearshemaybelovedonlyforherbeauty。"
　　Hunchbacksareextraordinarycreations，dueentirelytosocietyfor，accordingtoNature’splan，feebleorabortedbeingsoughttoperish。
　　Thecurvatureordistortionofthespinalcolumncreatesintheseoutwardlydeformedsubjectsasitwereastorage—battery，wherethenervecurrentsaccumulatemoreabundantlythanundernormalconditions，——wheretheydevelop，andwhencetheyareemitted，sotosay，inlightningflashes，toenergizetheinteriorbeing。Fromthis，forcesresultwhicharesometimesbroughttolightbymagnetism，thoughtheyarefarmorefrequentlylostinthevaguespacesofthespiritualworld。Itisraretofindadeformedpersonwhoisnotgiftedwithsomespecialfaculty，——awhimsicalorsparklinggaietyperhaps，anuttermalignity，oranalmostsublimegoodness。Likeinstrumentswhichthehandofartcanneverfullywaken，thesebeings，highlyprivilegedthoughtheyknowitnot，livewithinthemselves，asButschalived，providedtheirnaturalforcessomagnificentlyconcentratedhavenotbeenspentinthestruggletheyhavebeenforcedtomaintain，againsttremendousodds，tokeepalive。Thisexplainsmanysuperstitions，thepopularlegendsofgnomes，frightfuldwarfs，deformedfairies，——allthatraceofbottles，asRabelaiscalledthem，containingelixirsandpreciousbalms。
　　Butscha，therefore，hadverynearlyfoundthekeytothepuzzle。Withalltheanxioussolicitudeofahopelesslover，avassaleverreadytodie，——likethesoldiersaloneandabandonedinthesnowsofRussia，whostillcriedout，"LonglivetheEmperor，"——hemeditatedhowtocaptureModeste’ssecretforhisownprivateknowledge。Sothinking，hefollowedhispatronstotheChaletthatevening，withacloudofcareuponhisbrow:forheknewitwasmostimportanttohidefromallthesewatchfuleyesandearsthenet，whateveritmightbe，inwhichheshouldentraphislady。Itwouldhavetobe，hethought，bysomeinterceptedglance，somesuddenstartorquiver，aswhenasurgeonlayshisfingeronahiddensore。ThateveningGobenheimdidnotappear，andButschawasDumay’spartneragainstMonsieurandMadameLatournelle。Duringthefewmoment’sofModeste’sabsence，aboutnineo’clock，toprepareforhermother’sbedtime，MadameMignonandherfriendsspokeopenlytooneanother;butthepoorclerk，depressedbytheconvictionofModeste’slove，whichhadnowseizeduponhimasupontherest，seemedasremotefromthediscussionasGobenheimhadbeenthenightbefore。
　　"Well，what’sthematterwithyou，Butscha？"criedMadameLatournelle;
　　"onewouldreallythinkyouhadn’tafriendintheworld。"
　　Tearsshoneintheeyesofthepoorfellow，whowasthesonofaSwedishsailor，andwhosemotherwasdead。
　　"Ihavenooneintheworldbutyou，"heansweredwithatroubledvoice;"andyourcompassionissomuchapartofyourreligionthatI
　　canneverloseit——andIwillneverdeservetoloseit。"
　　Thisanswerstruckthesensitivechordoftruedelicacyinthemindsofallpresent。
　　"Weloveyou，MonsieurButscha，"saidMadameMignon，withmuchfeelinginhervoice。
　　"I’vesixhundredthousandfrancsofmyown，thisday，"criedDumay，"andyoushallbeanotaryandthesuccessorofLatournelle。"
　　TheAmericanwifetookthehandofthepoorhunchbackandpressedit。
　　"What！youhavesixhundredthousandfrancs！"exclaimedLatournelle，prickinguphisearsasDumayletfallthewords;"andyouallowtheseladiestoliveastheydo！Modesteoughttohaveafinehorse;andwhydoesn’tshecontinuetotakelessonsinmusic，andpainting，and——"
　　"Why，hehasonlyhadthemoneyafewhours！"criedthelittlewife。
　　"Hush！"murmuredMadameMignon。
　　Whilethesewordswereexchanged，Butscha’saugustmistressturnedtowardshim，preparingtomakeaspeech:——
　　"Myson，"shesaid，"youaresosurroundedbytrueaffectionthatI
　　neverthoughthowmythoughtlessuseofthatfamiliarphrasemightbeconstrued;butyoumustthankmeformylittleblunder，becauseithasservedtoshowyouwhatfriendsyournoblequalitieshavewon。"
　　"ThenyoumusthavenewsfromMonsieurMignon，"resumedthenotary。
　　"Heisonhiswayhome，"saidMadameMignon;"butletuskeepthesecrettoourselves。WhenmyhusbandlearnshowfaithfulButschahasbeentous，howhehasshownusthewarmestandthemostdisinterestedfriendshipwhenothershavegivenusthecoldshoulder，hewillnotletyoualoneprovideforhim，Dumay。Andso，myfriend，"sheadded，turningherblindfacetowardButscha;"youcanbeginatoncetonegotiatewithLatournelle。"
　　"He’soflegalage，twenty—fiveandahalfyears。Asforme，itwillbepayingadebt，myboy，tomakethepurchaseeasyforyou，"saidthenotary。
　　ButschawaskissingMadameMignon’shand，andhisfacewaswetwithtearsasModesteopenedthedoorofthesalon。
　　"WhatareyoudoingtomyBlackDwarf？"shedemanded。"Whoismakinghimunhappy？"
　　"Ah！MademoiselleMignon，dowelucklessfellows，cradledinmisfortune，everweepforgrief？TheyhavejustshownmeasmuchaffectionasIcouldfeelforthemiftheywereindeedmyownrelations。I’mtobeanotary;Ishallberich。Ha！ha！thepoorButschamaybecometherichButscha。Youdon’tknowwhataudacitythereisinthisabortion，"hecried。