Genuinepassionshaveanunerringinstinct。Setagreedymanbeforeadishoffruitandhewillmakenomistake，buttakethechoicestevenwithoutseeingit。Inthesameway，ifyouallowagirlwhoiswellbroughtuptochooseahusbandforherself，ifsheisinapositiontomeetthemanofherheart，rarelywillsheblunder。Theactofnatureinsuchcasesisknownasloveatfirstsight；andinlove，firstsightispracticallysecondsight。
　　TheBaroness’satisfaction，thoughdisguisedundermaternaldignity，wasasgreatasherdaughter’s；for，ofthethreewaysofmarryingHortenseofwhichCrevelhadspoken，thebest，assheopined，wasabouttoberealized。AndsheregardedthislittledramaasananswerbyProvidencetoherferventprayers。
　　MademoiselleFischer’sgalleyslave，obligedatlasttogohome，thoughthemighthidehisjoyasaloverunderhisgleeasanartistrejoicingoverhisfirstsuccess。”Victory！mygroupissoldtotheDucd’Herouville，whoisgoingtogivemesomecommissions，”criedhe，throwingthetwelvehundredfrancsingoldonthetablebeforetheoldmaid。
　　Hehad，asmaybesupposedconcealedHortense’spurse；itlaynexttohisheart。”Andaverygoodthingtoo，”saidLisbeth。”Iwasworkingmyselftodeath。Yousee，child，moneycomesinslowlyinthebusinessyouhavetakenup，forthisisthefirstyouhaveearned，andyouhavebeengrindingatitfornearonfiveyearsnow。ThatmoneybarelyrepaysmeforwhatyouhavecostmesinceItookyourpromissorynote；thatisallIhavegotbymysavings。Butbesureofonething，”shesaid，aftercountingthegold，”thismoneywillallbespentonyou。Thereisenoughtheretokeepusgoingforayear。Inayearyoumaynowbeabletopayyourdebtandhaveasnuglittlesumofyourown，ifyougooninthesameway。”
　　Wenceslas，findinghistricksuccessful，expatiatedontheDucd’Herouville。”Iwillfityououtinablacksuit，andgetyousomenewlinen，”saidLisbeth，”foryoumustappearpresentablybeforeyourpatrons；andthenyoumusthavealargerandbetterapartmentthanyourhorriblegarret，andfurnishitproperty——Youlooksobright，youarenotlikethesamecreature，”sheadded，gazingatWenceslas。”Butmyworkispronouncedamasterpiece。””Well，somuchthebetter！Dosomemore，”saidthearidcreature，whowasnothingbutpractical，andincapableofunderstandingthejoyoftriumphorofbeautyinArt。”Troubleyourheadnofurtheraboutwhatyouhavesold；makesomethingelsetosell。Youhavespenttwohundredfrancsinmoney，tosaynothingofyourtimeandyourlabor，onthatdevilofa/Samson/。Yourclockwillcostyoumorethantwothousandfrancstoexecute。Itellyouwhat，ifyouwilllistentome，youwillfinishthetwolittleboyscrowningthelittlegirlwithcornflowers；
　　thatwouldjustsuittheParisians——IwillgoroundtoMonsieurGraffthetailorbeforegoingtoMonsieurCrevel——Goupnowandleavemetodress。”
　　NextdaytheBaron，perfectlycrazyaboutMadameMarneffe，wenttoseeCousinBetty，whowasconsiderablyamazedonopeningthedoortoseewhohervisitorwas，forhehadnevercalledonherbefore。Sheatoncesaidtoherself，”CanitbethatHortensewantsmylover？”——forshehadheardtheeveningbefore，atMonsieurCrevel’s，thatthemarriagewiththeCouncilloroftheSupremeCourtwasbrokenoff。”What，Cousin！youhere？Thisisthefirsttimeyouhaveeverbeentoseeme，anditiscertainlynotforloveofmyfineeyesthatyouhavecomenow。””Fineeyesisthetruth，”saidtheBaron；”youhaveasfineeyesasI
　　haveeverseen——””Come，whatareyouherefor？Ireallyamashamedtoreceiveyouinsuchakennel。”
　　TheouterroomofthetwoinhabitedbyLisbethservedherassitting-
　　room，dining-room，kitchen，andworkroom。Thefurniturewassuchasbeseemedawell-to-doartisan——walnut-woodchairswithstrawseats，asmallwalnut-wooddiningtable，aworktable，somecoloredprintsinblackwoodenframes，shortmuslincurtainstothewindows，thefloorwellpolishedandshiningwithcleanliness，notaspeckofdustanywhere，butallcoldanddingy，likeapicturebyTerburgineveryparticular，eventothegraytonegivenbyawallpaperonceblueandnowfadedtogray。Astothebedroom，nohumanbeinghadeverpenetrateditssecrets。
　　TheBarontookitallinataglance，sawthesign-manualofcommonnessoneverydetail，fromthecast-ironstovetothehouseholdutensils，andhisgorgeroseashesaidtohimself，”And/this/isvirtue！——WhatamIherefor？”saidhealoud。”Youarefartoocunningnottoguess，andIhadbettertellyouplainly，”criedhe，sittingdownandlookingoutacrossthecourtyardthroughanopeninghemadeinthepuckeredcurtain。”Thereisaveryprettywomaninthehouse——””MadameMarneffe！NowIunderstand！”sheexclaimed，seeingitall。”ButJosepha？””Alas，Cousin，Josephaisnomore。Iwasturnedoutofdoorslikeadiscardedfootman。””Andyouwouldlike……？”saidLisbeth，lookingattheBaronwiththedignityofaprudeonherguardaquarterofanhourtoosoon。”AsMadameMarneffeisverymuchthelady，andthewifeofanemploye，youcanmeetherwithoutcompromisingyourself，”theBaronwenton，”andIshouldliketoseeyouneighborly。Oh！youneednotbealarmed；
　　shewillhavethegreatestconsiderationforthecousinofherhusband’schief。”
　　Atthismomenttherustleofagownwasheardonthestairsandthefootstepofawomanwearingthethinnestboots。Thesoundceasedonthelanding。Therewasatapatthedoor，andMadameMarneffecamein。”Prayexcuseme，mademoiselle，forthusintrudinguponyou，butI
　　failedtofindyouyesterdaywhenIcametocall；wearenearneighbors；andifIhadknownthatyouwererelatedtoMonsieurleBaron，Ishouldlongsincehavecravedyourkindinterestwithhim。I
　　sawhimcomein，soItookthelibertyofcomingacross；formyhusband，MonsieurleBaron，spoketomeofareportontheofficeclerkswhichistobelaidbeforetheministerto-morrow。”
　　Sheseemedquiteagitatedandnervous——butshehadonlyrunupstairs。”Youhavenoneedtoplaythepetitioner，fairlady，”repliedtheBaron。”ItisIwhoshouldaskthefavorofseeingyou。””Verywell，ifmademoiselleallowsit，praycome！”saidMadameMarneffe。”Yes——go，Cousin，Iwilljoinyou，”saidLisbethjudiciously。
　　TheParisiennehadsoconfidentlycountedonthechief’svisitandintelligence，thatnotonlyhadshedressedherselfforsoimportantaninterview——shehaddressedherroom。Earlyinthedayithadbeenfurnishedwithflowerspurchasedoncredit。Marneffehadhelpedhiswifetopolishthefurniture，downtothesmallestobjects，washing，brushing，anddustingeverything。Valeriewishedtobefoundinanatmosphereofsweetness，toattractthechiefandtopleasehimenoughtohavearighttobecruel；totantalizehimasachildwould，withallthetricksoffashionabletactics。ShehadgaugedHulot。GiveaPariswomanatbayfour-and-twentyhours，andshewilloverthrowaministry。
　　ThemanoftheEmpire，accustomedtothewaystotheEmpire，wasnodoubtquiteignorantofthewaysofmodernlove-making，ofthescruplesinvogueandthevariousstylesofconversationinventedsince1830，whichledtothepoorweakwomanbeingregardedasthevictimofherlover’sdesires——aSisterofCharitysalvingawound，anangelsacrificingherself。
　　ThismodernartofloveusesavastamountofevangelicalphrasesintheserviceoftheDevil。Passionismartyrdom。BothpartiesaspiretotheIdeal，totheInfinite；loveistomakethemsomuchbetter。Allthesefinewordsarebutapretextforputtingincreasedardorintothepracticalsideofit，morefrenzyintoafallthanofold。Thishypocrisy，acharacteristicofthetimes，isagangreneingallantry。
　　Theloversarebothangels，andtheybehave，iftheycan，liketwodevils。
　　Lovehadnotimeforsuchsubtleanalysisbetweentwocampaigns，andin1809itssuccesseswereasrapidasthoseoftheEmpire。So，undertheRestoration，thehandsomeBaron，alady’smanoncemore，hadbegunbyconsolingsomeoldfriendsnowfallenfromthepoliticalfirmament，likeextinguishedstars，andthen，ashegrewold，wascapturedbyJennyCadineandJosepha。
　　MadameMarneffehadplacedherbatteriesafterduestudyoftheBaron’spastlife，whichherhusbandhadnarratedinmuchdetail，afterpickingupsomeinformationintheoffices。ThecomedyofmodernsentimentmighthavethecharmofnoveltytotheBaron；Valeriehadmadeuphermindastoherscheme；andwemaysaythetrialofherpowerthatshemadethismorningansweredherhighestexpectations。
　　Thankstohermanoeuvres，sentimental，high-flown，andromantic，Valerie，withoutcommittingherselftoanypromises，obtainedforherhusbandtheappointmentasdeputyheadoftheofficeandtheCrossoftheLegionofHonor。
　　Thecampaignwasnotcarriedoutwithoutlittledinnersatthe/RocherdeCancale/，partiestotheplay，andgiftsintheformoflace，scarves，gowns，andjewelry。TheapartmentintheRueduDoyennewasnotsatisfactory；theBaronproposedtofurnishanothermagnificentlyinacharmingnewhouseintheRueVanneau。
　　MonsieurMarneffegotafortnight’sleave，tobetakenamonthhenceforurgentprivateaffairsinthecountry，andapresentinmoney；hepromisedhimselfthathewouldspendbothinalittletowninSwitzerland，studyingthefairsex。
　　WhileMonsieurHulotthusdevotedhimselftotheladyhewas”protecting，”hedidnotforgettheyoungartist。ComtePopinot，MinisterofCommerce，wasapatronofArt；hepaidtwothousandfrancsforacopyofthe/Samson/onconditionthatthemouldshouldbebroken，andthatthereshouldbeno/Samson/buthisandMademoiselleHulot’s。ThegroupwasadmiredbyaPrince，towhomthemodelsketchfortheclockwasalsoshown，andwhoorderedit；butthatagainwastobeunique，andheofferedthirtythousandfrancsforit。
　　Artistswhowereconsulted，andamongthemStidmann，wereofopinionthatthemanwhohadsketchedthosetwomodelswascapableofachievingastatue。TheMarshalPrincedeWissembourg，MinisterofWar，andPresidentoftheCommitteeforthesubscriptionstothemonumentofMarshalMontcornet，calledameeting，atwhichitwasdecidedthattheexecutionoftheworkshouldbeplacedinSteinbock’shands。TheComtedeRastignac，atthattimeUnder-secretaryofState，wishedtopossessaworkbytheartist，whoseglorywaswaxingamidtheacclamationsofhisrivals。Steinbocksoldtohimthecharminggroupoftwolittleboyscrowningalittlegirl，andhepromisedtosecureforthesculptorastudioattachedtotheGovernmentmarble-
　　quarries，situated，asalltheworldknows，atLeGros-Caillou。
　　Thiswasasuccess，suchsuccessasiswoninParis，thatistosay，stupendoussuccess，thatcrushesthosewhoseshouldersandloinsarenotstrongenoughtobearit——as，beitsaid，notunfrequentlyisthecase。CountWenceslasSteinbockwaswrittenaboutinallthenewspapersandreviewswithouthishavingtheleastsuspicionofit，anymorethanhadMademoiselleFischer。Everyday，assoonasLisbethhadgoneouttodinner，WenceslaswenttotheBaroness’andspentanhourortwothere，exceptingontheeveningswhenLisbethdinedwiththeHulots。
　　Thisstateofthingslastedforseveraldays。
　　TheBaron，assuredofCountSteinbock’stitlesandposition；theBaroness，pleasedwithhischaracterandhabits；Hortense，proudofherpermittedloveandofhersuitor’sfame，noneofthemhesitatedtospeakofthemarriage；inshort，theartistwasintheseventhheaven，whenanindiscretiononMadameMarneffe’spartspoiltall。
　　Andthiswashow。
　　Lisbeth，whomtheBaronwishedtoseeintimatewithMadameMarneffe，thatshemightkeepaneyeonthecouple，hadalreadydinedwithValerie；andshe，onherpart，anxioustohaveanearintheHulothouse，mademuchoftheoldmaid。ItoccurredtoValerietoinviteMademoiselleFischertoahouse-warminginthenewapartmentsshewasabouttomoveinto。Lisbeth，gladtohavefoundanotherhousetodinein，andbewitchedbyMadameMarneffe，hadtakenagreatfancytoValerie。Ofallthepersonsshehadmadeacquaintancewith，noonehadtakensomuchpainstopleaseher。Infact，MadameMarneffe，fullofattentionsforMademoiselleFischer，foundherselfinthepositiontowardsLisbeththatLisbethheldtowardstheBaroness，MonsieurRivet，Crevel，andtheotherswhoinvitedhertodinner。
　　TheMarneffeshadexcitedLisbeth’scompassionbyallowinghertoseetheextremepovertyofthehouse，whilevarnishingitasusualwiththefairestcolors；theirfriendswereunderobligationstothemandungrateful；theyhadhadmuchillness；MadameFortin，hermother，hadneverknownoftheirdistress，andhaddiedbelievingherselfwealthytotheend，thankstotheirsuperhumanefforts——andsoforth。”Poorpeople！”saidshetoherCousinHulot，”youarerighttodowhatyoucanforthem；theyaresobraveandsokind！Theycanhardlyliveonthethousandcrownshegetsasdeputy-headoftheoffice，fortheyhavegotintodebtsinceMarshalMontcornet’sdeath。ItisbarbarityonthepartoftheGovernmenttosupposethataclerkwithawifeandfamilycanliveinParisontwothousandfourhundredfrancsayear。”
　　Andso，withinaveryshorttime，ayoungwomanwhoaffectedregardforher，whotoldhereverything，andconsultedher，whoflatteredher，andseemedreadytoyieldtoherguidance，hadbecomedearertotheeccentricCousinLisbeththanallherrelations。
　　TheBaron，onhispart，admiringinMadameMarneffesuchpropriety，education，andbreedingasneitherJennyCadinenorJosepha，noranyfriendoftheirshadtoshow，hadfalleninlovewithherinamonth，developingasenilepassion，asenselesspassion，whichhadanappearanceofreason。Infact，hefoundhereneitherthebanter，northeorgies，northerecklessexpenditure，northedepravity，northescornofsocialdecencies，northeinsolentindependencewhichhadbroughthimtogriefalikewiththeactressandthesinger。Hewasspared，too，therapacityofthecourtesan，likeuntothethirstofdrysand。
　　MadameMarneffe，ofwhomhehadmadeafriendandconfidante，madethegreatestdifficultiesoveracceptinganygiftfromhim。”Appointments，officialpresents，anythingyoucanextractfromtheGovernment；butdonotbeginbyinsultingawomanwhomyouprofesstolove，”saidValerie。”Ifyoudo，Ishallceasetobelieveyou——andI
　　liketobelieveyou，”sheadded，withaglancelikeSaintTheresaleeringatheaven。
　　Everytimehemadeherapresenttherewasafortresstobestormed，aconsciencetobeover-persuaded。ThehaplessBaronlaiddeepstratagemstoofferhersometrifle——costly，nevertheless——proudofhavingatlastmetwithvirtueandtherealizationofhisdreams。Inthisprimitivehousehold，asheassuredhimself，hewasthegodasmuchasinhisown。AndMonsieurMarneffeseemedatathousandleaguesfromsuspectingthattheJupiterofhisofficeintendedtodescendonhiswifeinashowerofgold；hewashisaugustchief’shumblestslave。
　　MadameMarneffe，twenty-threeyearsofage，apureandbashfulmiddle-
　　classwife，ablossomhiddenintheRueduDoyenne，couldknownothingofthedepravityanddemoralizingharlotrywhichtheBaroncouldnolongerthinkofwithoutdisgust，forhehadneverknownthecharmofrecalcitrantvirtue，andthecoyValeriemadehimenjoyittotheutmost——allalongtheline，asthesayinggoes。
　　ThequestionhavingcometothispointbetweenHectorandValerie，itisnotastonishingthatValerieshouldhaveheardfromHectorthesecretoftheintendedmarriagebetweenthegreatsculptorSteinbockandHortenseHulot。Betweenaloveronhispromotionandaladywhohesitateslongbeforebecominghismistress，therearecontests，utteredorunexpressed，inwhichawordoftenbetraysathought；as，infencing，thefoilsflyasbrisklyastheswordsinduel。ThenaprudentmanfollowstheexampleofMonsieurdeTurenne。ThustheBaronhadhintedatthegreaterfreedomhisdaughter’smarriagewouldallowhim，inreplytothetenderValerie，whomorethanoncehadexclaimed：”Icannotimaginehowawomancangowrongforamanwhoisnotwhollyhers。”
　　AndathousandtimesalreadytheBaronhaddeclaredthatforfive-and-
　　twentyyearsallhadbeenatanendbetweenMadameHulotandhimself。”Andtheysaysheissohandsome！”repliedMadameMarneffe。”Iwantproof。””Youshallhaveit，”saidtheBaron，madehappybythisdemand，bywhichhisValeriecommittedherself。
　　Hectorhadthenbeencompelledtorevealhisplans，alreadybeingcarriedintoeffectintheRueVanneau，toprovetoValeriethatheintendedtodevotetoherthathalfofhislifewhichbelongedtohislawfulwife，supposingthatdayandnightequallydividetheexistenceofcivilizedhumanity。Hespokeofdecentlydesertinghiswife，leavinghertoherselfassoonasHortenseshouldbemarried。TheBaronesswouldthenspendallhertimewithHortenseortheyoungHulotcouple；hewassureofhersubmission。”Andthen，myangel，mytruelife，myrealhomewillbeintheRueVanneau。””Blessme，howyoudisposeofme！”saidMadameMarneffe。”Andmyhusband——””Thatrag！””Tobesure，ascomparedwithyousoheis！”saidshewithalaugh。
　　MadameMarneffe，havingheardSteinbock’shistory，wasfranticallyeagertoseetheyoungCount；perhapsshewishedtohavesometrifleofhisworkwhiletheystilllivedunderthesameroof。ThiscuriositysoseriouslyannoyedtheBaronthatValeriesworetohimthatshewouldneverevenlookatWenceslas。Butthoughsheobtained，astherewardofhersurrenderofthiswish，alittletea-serviceofoldSevres/patetendre/，shekeptherwishatthebottomofherheart，asifwrittenontablets。
　　Soonedaywhenshehadbegged”/my/CousinBetty”tocometotakecoffeewithherinherroom，sheopenedonthesubjectofherlover，toknowhowshemightseehimwithoutrisk。”Mydearchild，”saidshe，fortheycalledeachmydear，”whyhaveyouneverintroducedyourlovertome？Doyouknowthatwithinashorttimehehasbecomefamous？””Hefamous？””Heistheonesubjectofconversation。””Pooh！”criedLisbeth。”Heisgoingtoexecutethestatueofmyfather，andIcouldbeofgreatusetohimandhelphimtosucceedinthework；forMadameMontcornetcannotlendhim，asIcan，aminiaturebySain，abeautifulthingdonein1809，beforetheWagramCampaign，andgiventomypoormother——Montcornetwhenhewasyoungandhandsome。”
　　SainandAugustinbetweenthemheldthesceptreofminiaturepaintingundertheEmpire。”Heisgoingtomakeastatue，mydear，didyousay？””Ninefeethigh——bytheordersoftheMinisterofWar。Why，wherehaveyoudroppedfromthatIshouldtellyouthenews？Why，theGovernmentisgoingtogiveCountSteinbockroomsandastudioatLeGros-
　　Caillou，thedepotformarble；yourPolewillbemadetheDirector，I
　　shouldnotwonder，withtwothousandfrancsayearandaringonhisfinger。””HowdoyouknowallthiswhenIhaveheardnothingaboutit？”saidLisbethatlast，shakingoffheramazement。”Now，mydearlittleCousinBetty，”saidMadameMarneffe，inaninsinuatingvoice，”areyoucapableofdevotedfriendship，puttoanytest？Shallwehenceforthbesisters？WillyousweartomenevertohaveasecretfrommeanymorethanIfromyou——toactasmyspy，asI
　　willbeyours？——Aboveall，willyoupledgeyourselfnevertobetraymeeithertomyhusbandortoMonsieurHulot，andneverrevealthatitwasIwhotoldyou——？”
　　MadameMarneffebrokeoffinthisspurringharangue；Lisbethfrightenedher。Thepeasant-woman’sfacewasterrible；herpiercingblackeyeshadtheglareofthetiger’s；herfacewaslikethatweascribetoapythoness；shesetherteethtokeepthemfromchattering，andherwholeframequiveredconvulsively。Shehadpushedherclenchedfingersunderhercaptoclutchherhairandsupportherhead，whichfelttooheavy；shewasonfire。Thesmokeoftheflamethatscorchedherseemedtoemanatefromherwrinklesasfromthecrevassesrentbyavolcaniceruption。Itwasastartlingspectacle。”Well，whydoyoustop？”sheaskedinahollowvoice。”IwillbealltoyouthatIhavebeentohim——Oh，Iwouldhavegivenhimmylife-
　　blood！””Youlovedhimthen？””Likeachildofmyown！””Well，then，”saidMadameMarneffe，withabreathofrelief，”ifyouonlylovehiminthatway，youwillbeveryhappy——foryouwishhimtobehappy？”
　　Lisbethrepliedbyanodashastyasamadwoman’s。”HeistomarryyourCousinHortenseinamonth’stime。””Hortense！”shriekedtheoldmaid，strikingherforehead，andstartingtoherfeet。”Well，butthenyouwerereallyinlovewiththisyoungman？”askedValerie。”Mydear，weareboundforlifeanddeath，youandI，”saidMademoiselleFischer。”Yes，ifyouhaveanyloveaffairs，tometheyaresacred。Yourviceswillbevirtuesinmyeyes——ForIshallneedyourvices！””Thendidyoulivewithhim？”askedValerie。”No；Imeanttobeamothertohim。””Igiveitup。Icannotunderstand，”saidValerie。”Inthatcaseyouareneitherbetrayednorcheated，andyououghttobeveryhappytoseehimsowellmarried；heisnowfairlyafloat。And，atanyrate，yourdayisover。OurartistgoestoMadameHulot’severyeveningassoonasyougoouttodinner。””Adeline！”mutteredLisbeth。”Oh，Adeline，youshallpayforthis！I
　　willmakeyouuglierthanIam。””Youareaspaleasdeath！”exclaimedValerie。”Thereissomethingwrong？——Oh，whatafoolIam！Themotheranddaughtermusthavesuspectedthatyouwouldraisesomeobstaclesinthewayofthisaffairsincetheyhavekeptitfromyou，”saidMadameMarneffe。”Butifyoudidnotlivewiththeyoungman，mydear，allthisisagreaterpuzzletomethanmyhusband’sfeelings——””Ah，youdon’tknow，”saidLisbeth；”youhavenoideaofalltheirtricks。Itisthelastblowthatkills。AndhowmanysuchblowshaveI
　　hadtobruisemysoul！Youdon’tknowthatfromthetimewhenIcouldfirstfeel，IhavebeenvictimizedforAdeline。Iwasbeaten，andshewaspetted；Iwasdressedlikeascullion，andshehadclotheslikealady’s；Iduginthegardenandcleanedthevegetables，andshe——sheneverliftedafingerforanythingbuttomakeupsomefinery！——ShemarriedtheBaron，shecametoshineattheEmperor’sCourt，whileI
　　stayedinourvillagetill1809，waitingforfouryearsforasuitablematch；theybroughtmeaway，tobesure，butonlytomakemeawork-
　　woman，andtooffermeclerksorcaptainslikecoalheaversforahusband！Ihavehadtheirleavingsfortwenty-sixyears！——AndnowlikethestoryintheOldTestament，thepoorrelationhasoneewe-lambwhichisallherjoy，andtherichmanwhohasflockscovetstheewe-
　　lambandstealsit——withoutwarning，withoutasking。Adelinehasmeanlyrobbedmeofmyhappiness！——Adeline！Adeline！Iwillseeyouinthemire，andsunklowerthanmyself！——AndHortense——Ilovedher，andshehascheatedme。TheBaron——No，itisimpossible。Tellmeagainwhatisreallytrueofallthis。””Becalm，mydearchild。””Valerie，mydarling，Iwillbecalm，”saidthestrangecreature，sittingdownagain。”Onethingonlycanrestoremetoreason；givemeproofs。””YourCousinHortensehasthe/Samson/group——hereisalithographfromitpublishedinareview。Shepaidforitoutofherpocket-
　　money，anditistheBaronwho，tobenefithisfutureson-in-law，ispushinghim，gettingeverythingforhim。””Water！——water！”saidLisbeth，afterglancingattheprint，belowwhichsheread，”AgroupbelongingtoMademoiselleHulotd’Ervy。””Water！myheadisburning，Iamgoingmad！”
　　MadameMarneffefetchedsomewater。Lisbethtookoffhercap，unfastenedherblackhair，andplungedherheadintothebasinhernewfriendheldforher。Shedippedherforeheadintoitseveraltimes，andcheckedtheincipientinflammation。Afterthisdoucheshecompletelyrecoveredherself-command。”Notaword，”saidshetoMadameMarneffeasshewipedherface——”notawordofallthis——Yousee，Iamquitecalm；everythingisforgotten。Iamthinkingofsomethingverydifferent。””ShewillbeinCharentonto-morrow，thatisverycertain，”thoughtMadameMarneffe，lookingattheoldmaid。”Whatistobedone？”Lisbethwenton。”Yousee，myangel，thereisnothingforitbuttoholdmytongue，bowmyhead，anddrifttothegrave，asallwaterrunstotheriver。WhatcouldItrytodo？I
　　shouldliketogrindthemall——Adeline，herdaughter，andtheBaron——
　　alltodust！Butwhatcanapoorrelationdoagainstarichfamily？Itwouldbethestoryoftheearthenpotandtheironpot。””Yes；youareright，”saidValerie。”Youcanonlypullasmuchhayasyoucantoyoursideofthemanger。ThatisalltheupshotoflifeinParis。””Besides，”saidLisbeth，”Ishallsoondie，Icantellyou，ifIlosethatboytowhomIfanciedIcouldalwaysbeamother，andwithwhomI
　　countedonlivingallmydays——”
　　Thereweretearsinhereyes，andshepaused。Suchemotioninthiswomanmadeofsulphurandflame，madeValerieshudder。”Well，atanyrate，Ihavefoundyou，”saidLisbeth，takingValerie’shand，”thatissomeconsolationinthisdreadfultrouble——Weshallbetruefriends；andwhyshouldweeverpart？Ishallnevercrossyourtrack。Noonewilleverbeinlovewithme！——Thosewhowouldhavemarriedme，wouldonlyhavedoneittosecuremyCousinHulot’sinterest。WithenergyenoughtoscaleParadise，tohavetodevoteittoprocuringbreadandwater，afewrags，andagarret！——Thatismartyrdom，mydear，andIhavewitheredunderit。”
　　Shebrokeoffsuddenly，andshotablackflashintoMadameMarneffe’sblueeyes，aglancethatpiercedtheprettywoman’ssoul，asthepointofadaggermighthavepiercedherheart。”Andwhatistheuseoftalking？”sheexclaimedinreprooftoherself。”Ineversaidsomuchbefore，believeme！Thetableswillbeturnedyet！”sheaddedafterapause。”Asyousowiselysay，letussharpenourteeth，andpulldownallthehaywecanget。””Youareverywise，”saidMadameMarneffe，whohadbeenfrightenedbythisscene，andhadnoremembranceofhavingutteredthismaxim。”Iamsureyouareright，mydearchild。Lifeisnotsolongafterall，andwemustmakethebestofit，andmakeuseofotherstocontributetoourenjoyment。EvenIhavelearnedthat，youngasIam。Iwasbroughtupaspoiltchild，myfathermarriedambitiously，andalmostforgotme，aftermakingmehisidolandbringingmeuplikeaqueen’sdaughter！Mypoormother，whofilledmyheadwithsplendidvisions，diedofgriefatseeingmemarriedtoanofficeclerkwithtwelvehundredfrancsayear，atnine-and-thirtyanagedandhardenedlibertine，ascorruptasthehulks，lookingonme，asotherslookedonyou，asameansoffortune！——Well，inthatwretchedman，Ihavefoundthebestofhusbands。Heprefersthesqualidslutshepicksupatthestreetcorners，andleavesmefree。Thoughhekeepsallhissalarytohimself，heneverasksmewhereIgetmoneytoliveon——”
　　Andsheinherturnstoppedshort，asawomandoeswhofeelsherselfcarriedawaybythetorrentofherconfessions；struck，too，byLisbeth’seagerattention，shethoughtwelltomakesureofLisbethbeforerevealingherlastsecrets。”Yousee，dearchild，howentireismyconfidenceinyou！”shepresentlyadded，towhichLisbethrepliedbyamostcomfortingnod。
　　Anoathmaybetakenbyalookandanodmoresolemnlythaninacourtofjustice。”Ikeepupeveryappearanceofrespectability，”Valeriewenton，layingherhandonLisbeth’sasiftoacceptherpledge。”Iamamarriedwoman，andmyownmistress，tosuchadegree，thatinthemorning，whenMarneffesetsoutfortheoffice，ifhetakesitintohisheadtosaygood-byeandfindsmydoorlocked，hegoesoffwithoutaword。HecareslessforhisboythanIcareforoneofthemarblechildrenthatplayatthefeetofoneoftheriver-godsintheTuileries。IfIdonotcomehometodinner，hedinesquitecontentedlywiththemaid，forthemaidisdevotedtomonsieur；andhegoesouteveryeveningafterdinner，anddoesnotcomeintilltwelveoroneo’clock。Unfortunately，forayearpast，Ihavehadnoladies’maid，whichisasmuchastosaythatIamawidow！”Ihavehadonepassion，oncehavebeenhappy——arichBrazilian——whowentawayayearago——myonlylapse！——Hewentawaytosellhisestates，torealizehisland，andcomebacktoliveinFrance。WhatwillhefindleftofhisValerie？Adunghill。Well！itishisfaultandnotmine；whydoeshedelaycomingsolong？Perhapshehasbeenwrecked——likemyvirtue。””Good-bye，mydear，”saidLisbethabruptly；”wearefriendsforever。
　　Iloveyou，Iesteemyou，Iamwhollyyours！Mycousinistormentingmetogoandliveinthehouseyouaremovingto，intheRueVanneau；
　　butIwouldnotgo，forIsawatoncethereasonsforthisfreshpieceofkindness——””Yes；youwouldhavekeptaneyeonme，Iknow！”saidMadameMarneffe。”Thatwas，nodoubt，themotiveofhisgenerosity，”repliedLisbeth。”InParis，mostbeneficenceisaspeculation，asmostactsofingratitudearerevenge！Toapoorrelationyoubehaveasyoudotoratstowhomyouofferabitofbacon。Now，IwillaccepttheBaron’soffer，forthishousehasgrownintolerabletome。YouandIhavewitenoughtoholdourtonguesabouteverythingthatwoulddamageus，andtellallthatneedstelling。So，noblabbing——andwearefriends。””Throughthickandthin！”criedMadameMarneffe，delightedtohaveasheep-dog，aconfidante，asortofrespectableaunt。”Listentome；
　　theBaronisdoingagreatdealintheRueVanneau——””Ibelieveyou！”interruptedLisbeth。”Hehasspentthirtythousandfrancs！Wherehegotthemoney，IamsureIdon’tknow，forJosephathesingerbledhimdry——Oh！youareinluck，”shewenton。”TheBaronwouldstealforawomanwhoheldhisheartintwolittlewhitesatinhandslikeyours！””Well，then，”saidMadameMarneffe，withtheliberalityofsuchcreatures，whichismererecklessness，”lookhere，mydearchild；takeawayfromhereeverythingthatmayserveyourturninyournewquarters——thatchestofdrawers，thatwardrobeandmirror，thecarpet，thecurtains——”
　　Lisbeth’seyesdilatedwithexcessivejoy；shewasincredulousofsuchagift。”Youaredoingmoreformeinabreaththanmyrichrelationshavedoneinthirtyyears！”sheexclaimed。”TheyhaveneverevenaskedthemselveswhetherIhadanyfurnitureatall。Onhisfirstvisit，afewweeksago，theBaronmadearichman’sfaceonseeinghowpoorI
　　was——Thankyou，mydear；andIwillgiveyouyourmoney’sworth，youwillseehowbyandby。”
　　Valeriewentoutonthelandingwith/her/CousinBetty，andthetwowomenembraced。”Pouh！Howshestinksofhardwork！”saidtheprettylittlewomantoherselfwhenshewasalone。”Ishallnotembraceyouoften，mydearcousin！Atthesametime，Imustlooksharp。Shemustbeskilfullymanaged，forshecanbeofuse，andhelpmetomakemyfortune。”
　　LikethetrueCreoleofParis，MadameMarneffeabhorredtrouble；shehadthecalmindifferenceofacat，whichneverjumpsorrunsbutwhenurgedbynecessity。Toher，lifemustbeallpleasure；andthepleasurewithoutdifficulties。Shelovedflowers，providedtheywerebroughttoher。Shecouldnotimaginegoingtotheplaybuttoagoodbox，atherowncommand，andinacarriagetotakeherthere。Valerieinheritedthesecourtesantastesfromhermother，onwhomGeneralMontcornethadlavishedluxurywhenhewasinParis，andwhofortwentyyearshadseenalltheworldatherfeet；whohadbeenwastefulandprodigal，squanderingherallintheluxuriouslivingofwhichtheprogrammehasbeenlostsincethefallofNapoleon。
　　ThegrandeesoftheEmpirewereamatchintheirfolliesforthegreatnoblesofthelastcentury。UndertheRestorationthenobilitycannotforgetthatithasbeenbeatenandrobbed，andso，withtwoorthreeexceptions，ithasbecomethrifty，prudent，andstay-at-home，inshort，bourgeoisandpenurious。Sincethen，1830hascrownedtheworkof1793。InFrance，henceforth，therewillbegreatnames，butnogreathouses，unlessthereshouldbepoliticalchangeswhichwecanhardlyforesee。Everythingtakesthestampofindividuality。Thewisestinvestinannuities。Familyprideisdestroyed。
　　ThebitterpressureofpovertywhichhadstungValerietothequickonthedaywhen，touseMarneffe’sexpression，shehad”caughton”withHulot，hadbroughttheyoungwomantotheconclusionthatshewouldmakeafortunebymeansofhergoodlooks。So，forsomedays，shehadbeenfeelingtheneedofhavingafriendabouthertotaketheplaceofamother——adevotedfriend，towhomsuchthingsmaybetoldasmustbehiddenfromawaiting-maid，andwhocouldact，comeandgo，andthinkforher，abeastofburdenresignedtoanunequalshareoflife。
　　Now，she，quiteaskeenlyasLisbeth，hadunderstoodtheBaron’smotivesforfosteringtheintimacybetweenhiscousinandherself。
　　PromptedbytheformidableperspicacityoftheParisianhalf-breed，whospendsherdaysstretchedonasofa，turningthelanternofherdetectivespiritontheobscurestdepthsofsouls，sentiments，andintrigues，shehaddecidedonmakinganallyofthespy。Thissupremelyrashstepwas，perhapspremeditated；shehaddiscernedthetruenatureofthisardentcreature，burningwithwastedpassion，andmeanttoattachhertoherself。Thus，theirconversationwaslikethestoneatravelercastsintoanabysstodemonstrateitsdepth。AndMadameMarneffehadbeenterrifiedtofindthisoldmaidacombinationofIagoandRichardIII。，sofeebleassheseemed，sohumble，andsolittletobefeared。
　　Forthatinstant，LisbethFischerhadbeenherrealself；thatCorsicanandsavagetemperament，burstingtheslenderbondsthathelditunder，hadsprunguptoitsterribleheight，asthebranchofatreefliesupfromthehandofachildthathasbentitdowntogatherthegreenfruit。
　　Tothosewhostudythesocialworld，itmustalwaysbeamatterofastonishmenttoseethefulness，theperfection，andtherapiditywithwhichanideadevelopsinavirginnature。
　　Virginity，likeeveryothermonstrosity，hasitsspecialrichness，itsabsorbinggreatness。Life，whoseforcesarealwayseconomized，assumesinthevirgincreatureanincalculablepowerofresistanceandendurance。Thebrainisreinforcedinthesum-totalofitsreservedenergy。Whenreallychastenaturesneedtocallontheresourcesofbodyorsoul，andarerequiredtoactortothink，theyhavemusclesofsteel，orintuitiveknowledgeintheirintelligence——diabolicalstrength，ortheblackmagicoftheWill。
　　FromthispointofviewtheVirginMary，evenifweregardheronlyasasymbol，issupremelygreataboveeveryothertype，whetherHindoo，Egyptian，orGreek。Virginity，themotherofgreatthings，/magnaparensrerum/，holdsinherfairwhitehandsthekeysoftheupperworlds。Inshort，thatgrandandterribleexceptiondeservesallthehonorsdecreedtoherbytheCatholicChurch。
　　Thus，inonemoment，LisbethFischerhadbecometheMohicanwhosesnaresnonecanescape，whosedissimulationisinscrutable，whoseswiftdecisivenessistheoutcomeoftheincredibleperfectionofeveryorganofsense。ShewasHatredandRevenge，asimplacableastheyareinItaly，Spain，andtheEast。Thesetwofeelings，theobverseoffriendshipandlovecarriedtotheutmost，areknownonlyinlandsscorchedbythesun。ButLisbethwasalsoadaughterofLorraine，bentondeceit。
　　Sheacceptedthisdetailofherpartagainstherwill；shebeganbymakingacuriousattempt，duetoherignorance。Shefancied，aschildrendo，thatbeingimprisonedmeantthesamethingassolitaryconfinement。Butthisisthesuperlativedegreeofimprisonment，andthatsuperlativeistheprivilegeoftheCriminalBench。
　　AssoonassheleftMadameMarneffe，LisbethhurriedofftoMonsieurRivet，andfoundhiminhisoffice。”Well，mydearMonsieurRivet，”shebegan，whenshehadboltedthedooroftheroom。”Youwerequiteright。ThosePoles！Theyarelowvillains——allalike，menwhoknowneitherlawnorfidelity。””AndwhowanttosetEuropeonfire，”saidthepeaceableRivet，”toruineverytradeandeverytraderforthesakeofacountrythatisallbog-land，theysay，andfullofhorribleJews，tosaynothingoftheCossacksandthepeasants——asortofwildbeastsclassedbymistakewithhumanbeings。YourPolesdonotunderstandthetimeswelivein；wearenolongerbarbarians。Wariscomingtoanend，mydearmademoiselle；itwentoutwiththeMonarchy。Thisistheageoftriumphforcommerce，andindustry，andmiddle-classprudence，suchaswerethemakingofHolland。”Yes，”hewentonwithanimation，”weliveinaperiodwhennationsmustobtainalltheyneedbythelegalextensionoftheirlibertiesandbythepacificactionofConstitutionalInstitutions；thatiswhatthePolesdonotsee，andIhope——”Youweresaying，mydear？——”headded，interruptinghimselfwhenhesawfromhiswork-woman’sfacethathighpoliticswerebeyondhercomprehension。”Hereistheschedule，”saidLisbeth。”IfIdon’twanttolosemythreethousandtwohundredandtenfrancs，Imustclapthisrogueintoprison。””Didn’tItellyouso？”criedtheoracleoftheSaint-Denisquarter。
　　TheRivets，successortoPonsBrothers，hadkepttheirshopstillintheRuedesMauvaises-Paroles，intheancientHotelLangeais，builtbythatillustriousfamilyatthetimewhenthenobilitystillgatheredroundtheLouvre。”Yes，andIblessedyouonmywayhere，”repliedLisbeth。”Ifhesuspectsnothing，hecanbesafeinprisonbyeighto’clockinthemorning，”saidRivet，consultingthealmanactoascertainthehourofsunrise；”butnottillthedayafterto-morrow，forhecannotbeimprisonedtillhehashadnoticethatheistobearrestedbywrit，withtheoptionofpaymentorimprisonment。Andso——””Whatanidioticlaw！”exclaimedLisbeth。”Ofcoursethedebtorescapes。””Hehaseveryrighttodoso，”saidtheAssessor，smiling。”Sothisistheway——””Astothat，”saidLisbeth，interruptinghim，”Iwilltakethepaperandhandittohim，sayingthatIhavebeenobligedtoraisethemoney，andthatthelenderinsistsonthisformality。Iknowmygentleman。Hewillnotevenlookatthepaper；hewilllighthispipewithit。””Notabadidea，notbad，MademoiselleFischer！Well，makeyourmindeasy；thejobshallbedone——Butstopaminute；toputyourmaninprisonisnottheonlypointtobeconsidered；youonlywanttoindulgeinthatlegalluxuryinordertogetyourmoney。Whoistopayyou？””Thosewhogivehimmoney。””Tobesure；IforgotthattheMinisterofWarhadcommissionedhimtoerectamonumenttooneofourlatecustomers。Ah！thehousehassuppliedmanyanuniformtoGeneralMontcornet；hesoonblackenedthemwiththesmokeofcannon。Abraveman，hewas！andhepaidonthenail。”
　　AmarshalofFrancemayhavesavedtheEmperororhiscountry；”Hepaidonthenail”willalwaysbethehighestpraisehecanhavefromatradesman。”Verywell。AndonSaturday，MonsieurRivet，youshallhavetheflattassels——Bytheway，IammovingfromtheRueduDoyenne；IamgoingtoliveintheRueVanneau。””Youareveryright。Icouldnotbeartoseeyouinthatholewhich，inspiteofmyaversiontotheOpposition，Imustsayisadisgrace；I
　　repeatit，yes！isadisgracetotheLouvreandthePlaceduCarrousel。IamdevotedtoLouis-Philippe，heismyidol；heistheaugustandexactrepresentativeoftheclassonwhomhefoundedhisdynasty，andIcanneverforgetwhathedidforthetrimming-makersbyrestoringtheNationalGuard——””WhenIhearyouspeakso，MonsieurRivet，Icannothelpwonderingwhyyouarenotmadeadeputy。””Theyareafraidofmyattachmenttothedynasty，”repliedRivet。”MypoliticalenemiesaretheKing’s。Hehasanoblecharacter！Theyareafinefamily；inshort，”saidhe，returningtothecharge，”heisourideal：morality，economy，everything。ButthecompletionoftheLouvreisoneoftheconditionsonwhichwegavehimthecrown，andthecivillist，which，Iadmit，hadnolimitssettoit，leavestheheartofParisinamostmelancholystate——ItisbecauseIamsostronglyinfavorofthemiddlecoursethatIshouldliketoseethemiddleofParisinabettercondition。Yourpartofthetownispositivelyterrifying。Youwouldhavebeenmurderedthereonefineday——AndsoyourMonsieurCrevelhasbeenmadeMajorofhisdivision！Hewillcometous，Ihope，forhisbigepaulette。””Iamdiningwithhimto-night，andwillsendhimtoyou。”
　　LisbethbelievedthatshehadsecuredherLivoniantoherselfbycuttinghimofffromallcommunicationwiththeouterworld。Ifhecouldnolongerwork，theartistwouldbeforgottenascompletelyasamanburiedinacellar，whereshealonewouldgotoseehim。Thusshehadtwohappydays，forshehopedtodealamortalblowattheBaronessandherdaughter。
　　TogotoCrevel’shouse，intheRuedesSaussayes，shecrossedthePontduCarrousel，wentalongtheQuaiVoltaire，theQuaid’Orsay，theRueBellechasse，Ruedel’Universite，thePontdelaConcorde，andtheAvenuedeMarigny。Thisillogicalroutewastracedbythelogicofpassion，alwaysthefoeofthelegs。
　　CousinBetty，aslongasshefollowedthelineofthequays，keptwatchontheoppositeshoreoftheSeine，walkingveryslowly。Shehadguessedrightly。ShehadleftWenceslasdressing；sheatonceunderstoodthat，assoonasheshouldberidofher，theloverwouldgoofftotheBaroness’bytheshortestroad。And，infact，asshewanderedalongbytheparapetoftheQuaiVoltaire，infancysuppressingtheriverandwalkingalongtheoppositebank，sherecognizedtheartistashecameoutoftheTuileriestocrossthePontRoyal。Shetherecameupwiththefaithlessone，andcouldfollowhimunseen，forloversrarelylookbehindthem。SheescortedhimasfarasMadameHulot’shouse，wherehewentinlikeanaccustomedvisitor。
　　Thiscrowningproof，confirmingMadameMarneffe’srevelations，putLisbethquitebesideherself。
　　ShearrivedatthenewlypromotedMajor’sdoorinthestateofmentalirritationwhichpromptsmentocommitmurder，andfoundMonsieurCrevel/senior/inhisdrawing-roomawaitinghischildren，MonsieurandMadameHulot/junior/。
　　ButCelestinCrevelwassounconsciousandsoperfectatypeoftheParisianparvenu，thatwecanscarcelyventuresounceremoniouslyintothepresenceofCesarBirotteau’ssuccessor。CelestinCrevelwasaworldinhimself；andhe，evenmorethanRivet，deservesthehonorsofthepalettebyreasonofhisimportanceinthisdomesticdrama。
　　Haveyoueverobservedhowinchildhood，orattheearlystagesofsociallife，wecreateamodelforourownimitation，withourownhandsasitwere，andoftenwithoutknowingit？Thebanker’sclerk，forinstance，asheentershismaster’sdrawing-room，dreamsofpossessingsuchanother。Ifhemakesafortune，itwillnotbetheluxuryoftheday，twentyyearslater，thatyouwillfindinhishouse，buttheold-fashionedsplendorthatfascinatedhimofyore。Itisimpossibletotellhowmanyabsurditiesareduetothisretrospectivejealousy；andinthesamewayweknownothingofthefolliesduetothecovertrivalrythaturgesmentocopythetypetheyhavesetthemselves，andexhausttheirpowersinshiningwithareflectedlight，likethemoon。
　　Crevelwasdeputymayorbecausehispredecessorhadbeen；hewasMajorbecausehecovetedCesarBirotteau’sepaulettes。Inthesameway，struckbythemarvelswroughtbyGrindotthearchitect，atthetimewhenFortunehadcarriedhismastertothetopofthewheel，Crevelhad”neverlookedatbothsidesofacrown-piece，”tousehisownlanguage，whenhewantedto”doup”hisrooms；hehadgonewithhispurseopenandhiseyesshuttoGrindot，whobythistimewasquiteforgotten。Itisimpossibletoguesshowlonganextinctreputationmaysurvive，supportedbysuchstaleadmiration。
　　SoGrindot，forthethousandthtimehaddisplayedhiswhite-and-golddrawing-roompaneledwithcrimsondamask。Thefurniture，ofrosewood，clumsilycarved，assuchworkisdoneforthetrade，hadinthecountrybeenthesourceofjustprideinParisworkmanshipontheoccasionofanindustrialexhibition。Thecandelabra，thefire-dogs，thefender，thechandelier，theclock，wereallinthemostunmeaningstyleofscroll-work；theroundtable，afixtureinthemiddleoftheroom，wasamosaicoffragmentsofItalianandantiquemarbles，broughtfromRome，wherethesedissectedmapsaremadeofmineralogicalspecimens——foralltheworldliketailors’patterns——anobjectofperennialadmirationtoCrevel’scitizenfriends。TheportraitsofthelatelamentedMadameCrevel，ofCrevelhimself，ofhisdaughterandhisson-in-law，hungonthewalls，twoandtwo；theyweretheworkofPierreGrassou，thefavoredpainterofthebourgeoisie，towhomCrevelowedhisridiculousByronicattitude。Theframes，costingathousandfrancseach，werequiteinharmonywiththiscoffee-housemagnificence，whichwouldhavemadeanytrueartistshrughisshoulders。
　　Moneyneveryetmissedthesmallestopportunityofbeingstupid。WeshouldhaveinParistenVenicesifourretiredmerchantshadhadtheinstinctforfinethingscharacteristicoftheItalians。EveninourowndayaMilanesemerchantcouldleavefivehundredthousandfrancstotheDuomo，toregildthecolossalstatueoftheVirginthatcrownstheedifice。Canova，inhiswill，desiredhisbrothertobuildachurchcostingfourmillionfrancs，andthatbrotheraddssomethingonhisownaccount。WouldacitizenofParis——andtheyall，likeRivet，lovetheirParisintheirheart——everdreamofbuildingthespiresthatarelackingtothetowersofNotre-Dame？AndonlythinkofthesumsthatreverttotheStateinpropertyforwhichnoheirsarefound。
　　AlltheimprovementsofParismighthavebeencompletedwiththemoneyspentonstuccocastings，giltmouldings，andshamsculptureduringthelastfifteenyearsbyindividualsoftheCrevelstamp。
　　Beyondthisdrawing-roomwasasplendidboudoirfurnishedwithtablesandcabinetsinimitationofBoulle。
　　Thebedroom，smartwithchintz，alsoopenedoutofthedrawing-room。
　　Mahoganyinallitsgloryinfestedthedining-room，andSwissviews，gorgeouslyframed，gracedthepanels。Crevel，whohopedtotravelinSwitzerland，hadsethisheartonpossessingthesceneryinpaintingtillthetimeshouldcomewhenhemightseeitinreality。
　　So，aswillhavebeenseen，Crevel，theMayor’sdeputy，oftheLegionofHonorandoftheNationalGuard，hadfaithfullyreproducedallthemagnificence，evenastofurniture，ofhislucklesspredecessor。UndertheRestoration，whereonehadsunk，thisother，quiteoverlooked，hadcometothetop——notbyanystrangestrokeoffortune，butbytheforceofcircumstance。Inrevolutions，asinstormsatsea，solidtreasuregoestothebottom，andlighttriflesarefloatedtothesurface。CesarBirotteau，aRoyalist，infavorandenvied，hadbeenmadethemarkofbourgeoishostility，whilebourgeoisietriumphantfounditsincarnationinCrevel。
　　Thisapartment，atarentofathousandcrowns，crammedwithallthevulgarmagnificencethatmoneycanbuy，occupiedthefirstfloorofafineoldhousebetweenacourtyardandagarden。Everythingwasasspick-and-spanasthebeetlesinanentomologicalcase，forCrevellivedverylittleathome。
　　Thisgorgeousresidencewastheambitiouscitizen’slegaldomicile。
　　Hisestablishmentconsistedofawoman-cookandavalet；hehiredtwoextramen，andhadadinnersentinbyChevet，wheneverhegaveabanquettohispoliticalfriends，tomenhewantedtodazzleortoafamilyparty。
　　TheseatofCrevel’srealdomesticity，formerlyintheRueNotre-DamedeLorette，withMademoiselleHeloiseBrisetout，hadlatelybeentransferred，aswehaveseen，totheRueChauchat。Everymorningtheretiredmerchant——everyex-tradesmanisaretiredmerchant——spenttwohoursintheRuedesSaussayestoattendtobusiness，andgavetherestofhistimetoMademoiselleZaire，whichannoyedZaireverymuch。
　　Orosmanes-CrevelhadafixedbargainwithMademoiselleHeloise；sheowedhimfivehundredfrancsworthofenjoymenteverymonth，andno”billsdelivered。”Hepaidseparatelyforhisdinnerandallextras。
　　Thisagreement，withcertainbonuses，forhemadeheragoodmanypresents，seemedcheaptotheex-attacheofthegreatsinger；andhewouldsaytowidowerswhowerefondoftheirdaughters，thatitpaidbettertojobyourhorsesthantohaveastableofyourown。Atthesametime，ifthereaderremembersthespeechmadetotheBaronbytheporterattheRueChauchat，Creveldidnotescapethecoachmanandthegroom。
　　Crevel，asmaybeseen，hadturnedhispassionateaffectionforhisdaughtertotheadvantageofhisself-indulgence。Theimmoralaspectofthesituationwasjustifiedbythehighestmorality。Andthentheex-perfumerderivedfromthisstyleofliving——itwastheinevitable，afree-and-easylife，/Regence，Pompadour，MarechaldeRichelieu/，whatnot——acertainveneerofsuperiority。Crevelsetupforbeingamanofbroadviews，afinegentlemanwithanairandgrace，aliberalmanwithnothingnarrowinhisideas——andallforthesmallsumofabouttwelvetofifteenhundredfrancsamonth。Thiswastheresultnotofhypocriticalpolicy，butofmiddle-classvanity，thoughitcametothesameintheend。
　　OntheBourseCrevelwasregardedasamansuperiortohistime，andespeciallyasamanofpleasure，a/bonvivant/。InthisparticularCrevelflatteredhimselfthathehadovertoppedhisworthyfriendBirotteaubyahundredcubits。”Andisityou？”criedCrevel，flyingintoarageashesawLisbethentertheroom，”whohaveplottedthismarriagebetweenMademoiselleHulotandyouryoungCount，whomyouhavebeenbringingupbyhandforher？””Youdon’tseembestpleasedatit？”saidLisbeth，fixingapiercingeyeonCrevel。”Whatinterestcanyouhaveinhinderingmycousin’smarriage？Foritwasyou，Iamtold，whohinderedhermarryingMonsieurLebas’son。””Youareagoodsoulandtobetrusted，”saidCrevel。”Well，then，doyousupposethatIwilleverforgiveMonsieurHulotforthecrimeofhavingrobbedmeofJosepha——especiallywhenheturnedadecentgirl，whomIshouldhavemarriedinmyoldage，intoagood-for-nothingslut，amountebank，anoperasinger！——No，no。Never！””Heisaverygoodfellow，too，isMonsieurHulot，”saidCousinBetty。”Amiable，veryamiable——tooamiable，”repliedCrevel。”Iwishhimnoharm；butIdowishtohavemyrevenge，andIwillhaveit。Itismyoneidea。””AndisthatdesirethereasonwhyyounolongervisitMadameHulot？””Possibly。””Ah，ha！thenyouwerecourtingmyfaircousin？”saidLisbeth，withasmile。”Ithoughtasmuch。””Andshetreatedmelikeadog！——worse，likeafootman；nay，Imightsaylikeapoliticalprisoner——ButIwillsucceedyet，”saidhe，strikinghisbrowwithhisclenchedfist。”Poorman！Itwouldbedreadfultocatchhiswifedeceivinghimafterbeingpackedoffbyhismistress。””Josepha？”criedCrevel。”HasJosephathrownhimover，packedhimoff，turnedhimoutneckandcrop？Bravo，Josepha，youhaveavengedme！I
　　willsendyouapairofpearlstohanginyourears，myex-sweetheart！——
　　Iknewnothingofit；forafterIhadseenyou，onthedayafterthatwhenthefairAdelinehadshownmethedoor，IwentbacktovisittheLebas，atCorbeil，andhavebutjustcomeback。Heloiseplayedtheverydeviltogetmeintothecountry，andIhavefoundoutthepurposeofhergame；shewantedmeoutofthewaywhileshegaveahouse-warmingintheRueChauchat，withsomeartists，andplayers，andwriters——Shetookmein！ButIcanforgiveher，forHeloiseamusesme。SheisaDejazetunderabushel。Whatacharacterthehussyis！
　　ThereisthenoteIfoundlastevening：”’DEAROLDCHAP，——IhavepitchedmytentintheRueChauchat。I
　　havetakentheprecautionofgettingafewfriendstocleanupthepaint。Alliswell。Comewhenyouplease，monsieur；HagarawaitsherAbraham。’”Heloisewillhavesomenewsforme，forshehasherbohemiaatherfingers’end。””ButMonsieurHulottookthedisasterverycalmly，”saidLisbeth。”Impossible！”criedCrevel，stoppinginaparadeasregularastheswingofapendulum。”MonsieurHulotisnotasyoungashewas，”Lisbethremarkedsignificantly。”Iknowthat，”saidCrevel，”butinonepointwearealike：Hulotcannotdowithoutanattachment。Heiscapableofgoingbacktohiswife。Itwouldbeanoveltyforhim，butanendtomyvengeance。Yousmile，MademoiselleFischer——ah！perhapsyouknowsomething？””Iamsmilingatyournotions，”repliedLisbeth。”Yes，mycousinisstillhandsomeenoughtoinspireapassion。IshouldcertainlyfallinlovewithherifIwereaman。””Cutandcomeagain！”exclaimedCrevel。”Youarelaughingatme——TheBaronhasalreadyfoundconsolation？”
　　Lisbethbowedaffirmatively。”HeisaluckymanifhecanfindasecondJosephawithintwenty-fourhours！”saidCrevel。”ButIamnotaltogethersurprised，forhetoldmeoneeveningatsupperthatwhenhewasayoungmanhealwayshadthreemistressesonhandthathemightnotbelefthighanddry——theonehewasgivingover，theoneinpossession，andtheonehewascourtingforafutureemergency。Hehadsomesmartlittlework-womaninreserve，nodoubt——inhisfish-pond——his/Parc-aux-cerfs/！HeisveryLouisXV。，ismygentleman。Heisinlucktobesohandsome！——
　　However，heisageing；hisfaceshowsit——Hehastakenupwithsomelittlemilliner？””Dearme，no，”repliedLisbeth。”Oh！”criedCrevel，”whatwouldInotdotohinderhimfromhanginguphishat！IcouldnotwinbackJosepha；womenofthatkindnevercomebacktotheirfirstlove——Besides，itistrulysaid，suchareturnisnotlove——But，CousinBetty，Iwouldpaydownfiftythousandfrancs——
　　thatistosay，Iwouldspendit——torobthatgreatgood-lookingfellowofhismistress，andtoshowhimthataMajorwithaportlystomachandabrainmadetobecomeMayorofParis，thoughheisagrandfather，isnottohavehismistresstickledawaybyapoacherwithoutturningthetables。””Myposition，”saidLisbeth，”compelsmetoheareverythingandknownothing。Youmaytalktomewithoutfear；Ineverrepeatawordofwhatanyonemaychoosetotellme。HowcanyousupposeIshouldeverbreakthatruleofconduct？Noonewouldevertrustmeagain。””Iknow，”saidCrevel；”youaretheveryjewelofoldmaids。Still，come，thereareexceptions。Lookhere，thefamilyhaveneversettledanallowanceonyou？””ButIhavemypride，”saidLisbeth。”Idonotchoosetobeanexpensetoanybody。””Ifyouwillbuthelpmetomyrevenge，”thetradesmanwenton，”I
　　willsinktenthousandfrancsinanannuityforyou。Tellme，myfaircousin，tellmewhohassteppedintoJosepha’sshoes，andyouwillhavemoneytopayyourrent，yourlittlebreakfastinthemorning，thegoodcoffeeyoulovesowell——youmightallowyourselfpureMocha，heh！AndaverygoodthingispureMocha！””Idonotcaresomuchforthetenthousandfrancsinanannuity，whichwouldbringmenearlyfivehundredfrancsayear，asforabsolutesecrecy，”saidLisbeth。”For，yousee，mydearMonsieurCrevel，theBaronisverygoodtome；heistopaymyrent——””Ohyes，longmaythatlast！Iadviseyoutotrusthim，”criedCrevel。”Wherewillhefindthemoney？””Ah，thatIdon’tknow。Atthesametime，heisspendingmorethanthirtythousandfrancsontheroomsheisfurnishingforthislittlelady。””Alady！What，awomaninsociety；therascal，whatluckhehas！Heistheonlyfavorite！””Amarriedwoman，andquitethelady，”Lisbethaffirmed。”Reallyandtruly？”criedCrevel，openingwideeyesflashingwithenvy，quiteasmuchasatthemagicwords/quitethelady/。”Yes，really，”saidLisbeth。”Clever，amusician，three-and-twenty，apretty，innocentface，adazzlingwhiteskin，teethlikeapuppy’s，eyeslikestars，abeautifulforehead——andtinyfeet，Ineversawthelike，theyarenotwiderthanherstay-busk。””Andears？”askedCrevel，keenlyalivetothiscatalogueofcharms。”Earsforamodel，”shereplied。”Andsmallhands？””Itellyou，infewwords，agemofawoman——andhigh-minded，andmodest，andrefined！Abeautifulsoul，anangel——andwitheverydistinction，forherfatherwasaMarshalofFrance——””AMarshalofFrance！”shriekedCrevel，positivelyboundingwithexcitement。”GoodHeavens！bytheHolyPiper！ByallthejoysinParadise！——Therascal！——Ibegyourpardon，Cousin，Iamgoingcrazy！——
　　IthinkIwouldgiveahundredthousandfrancs——””Idaresayyouwould，and，Itellyou，sheisarespectablewoman——awomanofvirtue。TheBaronhasforkedouthandsomely。””Hehasnotasou，Itellyou。””Thereisahusbandhehaspushed——””Wheredidhepushhim？”askedCrevel，withabitterlaugh。”Heispromotedtobesecondinhisoffice——thishusbandwhowilloblige，nodoubt；——andhisnameisdownfortheCrossoftheLegionofHonor。””TheGovernmentoughttobejudiciousandrespectthosewhohavetheCrossbynotflingingitbroadcast，”saidCrevel，withthelookofanaggrievedpolitician。”Butwhatisthereabouttheman——thatoldbulldogofaBaron？”hewenton。”ItseemstomethatIamquiteamatchforhim，”andhestruckanattitudeashelookedathimselfintheglass。”Heloisehastoldmemanyatime，atmomentswhenawomanspeaksthetruth，thatIwaswonderful。””Oh，”saidLisbeth，”womenlikebigmen；theyarealmostalwaysgood-
　　natured；andifIhadtodecidebetweenyouandtheBaron，Ishouldchooseyou。MonsieurHulotisamusing，handsome，andhasafigure；butyou，youaresubstantial，andthen——yousee——youlookanevengreaterscampthanhedoes。””Itisincrediblehowallwomen，evenpiouswomen，taketomenwhohavethataboutthem！”exclaimedCrevel，puttinghisarmroundLisbeth’swaist，hewassojubilant。”Thedifficultydoesnotliethere，”saidBetty。”Youmustseethatawomanwhoisgettingsomanyadvantageswillnotbeunfaithfultoherpatronfornothing；anditwouldcostyoumorethanahundredoddthousandfrancs，forourlittlefriendcanlookforwardtoseeingherhusbandattheheadofhisofficewithintwoyears’time——Itispovertythatisdraggingthepoorlittleangelintothatpit。”
　　Crevelwasstridingupanddownthedrawing-roominastateoffrenzy。”Hemustbeuncommonlyfondofthewoman？”heinquiredafterapause，whilehisdesires，thusgoadedbyLisbeth，rosetoasortofmadness。”Youmayjudgeforyourself，”repliedLisbeth。Idon’tbelievehehashad/that/ofher，”saidshe，snappingherthumbnailagainstoneofherenormouswhiteteeth，”andhehasgivenhertenthousandfrancs’
　　worthofpresentsalready。””Whatagoodjokeitwouldbe！”criedCrevel，”ifIgottothewinningpostfirst！””Goodheavens！Itistoobadofmetobetellingyouallthistittle-
　　tattle，”saidLisbeth，withanairofcompunction。”No——Imeantoputyourrelationstotheblush。To-morrowIshallinvestinyournamesuchasuminfive-per-centsaswillgiveyousixhundredfrancsayear；butthenyoumusttellmeeverything——hisDulcinea’snameandresidence。ToyouIwillmakeacleanbreastofit——Ineverhavehadarealladyforamistress，anditistheheightofmyambition。Mahomet’shourisarenothingincomparisonwithwhatI
　　fancyawomanoffashionmustbe。Inshort，itismydream，mymania，andtosuchapoint，thatIdeclaretoyoutheBaronessHulottomewillneverbefifty，”saidhe，unconsciouslyplagiarizingoneofthegreatestwitsofthelastcentury。”Iassureyou，mygoodLisbeth，I
　　ampreparedtosacrificeahundred，twohundred——Hush！Herearetheyoungpeople，Iseethemcrossingthecourtyard。Ishallneverhavelearnedanythingthroughyou，Igiveyoumywordofhonor；forIdonotwantyoutolosetheBaron’sconfidence，quitethecontrary。Hemustbeamazinglyfondofthiswoman——thatoldboy。””Heiscrazyabouther，”saidLisbeth。”Hecouldnotfindfortythousandfrancstomarryhisdaughteroff，buthehasgotthemsomehowforhisnewpassion。””Anddoyouthinkthatsheloveshim？””Athisage！”saidtheoldmaid。”Oh，whatanowlIam！”criedCrevel，”whenImyselfallowedHeloisetokeepherartistexactlyasHenriIX。allowedGabrielleherBellegrade。Alas！oldage，oldage！——Good-morning，Celestine。Howdo，myjewel！——Andthebrat？Ah！herehecomes；onmyhonor，heisbeginningtobelikeme！——Good-day，Hulot——quitewell？Weshallsoonbehavinganotherweddinginthefamily。”
　　Celestineandherhusband，asahinttotheirfather，glancedattheoldmaid，whoaudaciouslyasked，inreplytoCrevel：”Indeed——whose？”
　　Crevelputonanairofreservewhichwasmeanttoconveythathewouldmakeupforherindiscretions。”ThatofHortense，”hereplied；”butitisnotyetquitesettled。I
　　havejustcomefromtheLebas’，andtheyweretalkingofMademoisellePopinotasasuitablematchfortheirson，theyoungcouncillor，forhewouldliketogetthepresidencyofaprovincialcourt——Now，cometodinner。”
　　Byseveno’clockLisbethhadreturnedhomeinanomnibus，forshewaseagertoseeWenceslas，whosedupeshehadbeenforthreeweeks，andtowhomshewascarryingabasketfilledwithfruitbythehandsofCrevelhimself，whoseattentionsweredoubledtowards/his/CousinBetty。
　　Sheflewuptotheatticatapacethattookherbreathaway，andfoundtheartistfinishingtheornamentationofaboxtobepresentedtotheadoredHortense。Theframeworkofthelidrepresentedhydrangeas——inFrenchcalled/Hortensias/——amongwhichlittleLoveswereplaying。Thepoorlover，toenablehimtopayforthematerialsofthebox，ofwhichthepanelswereofmalachite，haddesignedtwocandlesticksforFlorentandChanor，andsoldthemthecopyright——twoadmirablepiecesofwork。”Youhavebeenworkingtoohardtheselastfewdays，mydearfellow，”
　　saidLisbeth，wipingtheperspirationfromhisbrow，andgivinghimakiss。”SuchlaboriousdiligenceisreallydangerousinthemonthofAugust。Seriously，youmayinjureyourhealth。Look，herearesomepeachesandplumsfromMonsieurCrevel——Now，donotworryyourselfsomuch；Ihaveborrowedtwothousandfrancs，and，shortofsomedisaster，wecanrepaythemwhenyousellyourclock。Atthesametime，thelenderseemstomesuspicious，forhehasjustsentinthisdocument。”
　　ShelaidthewritunderthemodelsketchofthestatueofGeneralMontcornet。