AndinobediencetoValerie’sinstructions，heledtheBaronawaytowardsthequay，downtheRueHillerin-Bertin。TheunhappyBaronwalkedon，asamerchantwalksonthedaybeforehestopspayment；hewaslostinconjecturesastothereasonsofthedepravityburiedinthedepthsofValerie’sheart，andstillbelievedhimselfthevictimofsomepracticaljoke。AstheycrossedthePontRoyal，lifeseemedtohimsoblank，soutterlyavoid，andsooutofjointfromhisfinancialdifficulties，thathewaswithinanaceofyieldingtotheevilpromptingthatbidhimflingCrevelintotheriverandthrowhimselfinafter。
　　OnreachingtheRueduDauphin，whichhadnotyetbeenwidened，Crevelstoppedbeforeadoorinawall。Itopenedintoalongcorridorpavedwithblack-and-whitemarble，andservingasanentrance-hall，attheendofwhichtherewasaflightofstairsandadoorkeeper’slodge，lightedfromaninnercourtyard，asisoftenthecaseinParis。Thiscourtyard，whichwassharedwithanotherhouse，wasoddlydividedintotwounequalportions。Crevel’slittlehouse，forheownedit，hadadditionalroomswithaglassskylight，builtoutontotheadjoiningplot，underconditionsthatitshouldhavenostoryaddedabovethegroundfloor，sothatthestructurewasentirelyhiddenbythelodgeandtheprojectingmassofthestaircase。
　　Thisbackbuildinghadlongservedasastore-room，backshop，andkitchentooneoftheshopsfacingthestreet。Crevelhadcutoffthesethreeroomsfromtherestofthegroundfloor，andGrindothadtransformedthemintoaninexpensiveprivateresidence。Thereweretwowaysin——fromthefront，throughtheshopofafurniture-dealer，towhomCrevelletitatalowprice，andonlyfrommonthtomonth，soastobeabletogetridofhimincaseofhistellingtales，andalsothroughadoorinthewallofthepassage，soingeniouslyhiddenastobealmostinvisible。Thelittleapartment，comprisingadining-room，drawing-room，andbedroom，alllightedfromabove，andstandingpartlyonCrevel’sgroundandpartlyonhisneighbor’s，wasverydifficulttofind。Withtheexceptionofthesecond-handfurniture-dealer，thetenantsknewnothingoftheexistenceofthislittleparadise。
　　Thedoorkeeper，paidtokeepCrevel’ssecrets，wasacapitalcook。SoMonsieurleMairecouldgoinandoutofhisinexpensiveretreatatanyhourofthenightwithoutanyfearofbeingspiedupon。Byday，alady，dressedasPariswomendresstogoshopping，andhavingakey，rannoriskincomingtoCrevel’slodgings；shewouldstoptolookatthecheapenedgoods，asktheprice，gointotheshop，andcomeoutagain，withoutexcitingthesmallestsuspicionifanyoneshouldhappentomeether。
　　AssoonasCrevelhadlightedthecandlesinthesitting-room，theBaronwassurprisedattheeleganceandrefinementitdisplayed。Theperfumerhadgiventhearchitectafreehand，andGrindothaddonehimselfcreditbyfittingsinthePompadourstyle，whichhadinfactcostsixtythousandfrancs。”WhatIwant，”saidCreveltoGrindot，”isthataduchess，ifI
　　broughtonethere，shouldbesurprisedatit。”
　　HewantedtohaveaperfectParisianEdenforhisEve，his”reallady，”hisValerie，hisduchess。”Therearetwobeds，”saidCreveltoHulot，showinghimasofathatcouldbemadewideenoughbypullingoutadrawer。”Thisisone，theotherisinthebedroom。Wecanbothspendthenighthere。””Proof！”wasalltheBaroncouldsay。
　　CreveltookaflatcandlestickandledHulotintotheadjoiningroom，wherehesaw，onasofa，asuperbdressing-gownbelongingtoValerie，whichhehadseenherwearintheRueVanneau，todisplayitbeforewearingitinCrevel’slittleapartment。TheMayorpressedthespringofalittlewriting-tableofinlaidwork，knownasa/bonheur-du-
　　jour/，andtookoutofitaletterthathehandedtotheBaron。”Readthat，”saidhe。
　　TheCouncillorreadthesewordswritteninpencil：”Ihavewaitedinvain，youoldwretch！Awomanofmyqualitydoesnotexpecttobekeptwaitingbyaretiredperfumer。Therewasnodinnerordered——nocigarettes。Iwillmakeyoupayforthis！””Well，isthatherwriting？””GoodGod！”gaspedHulot，sittingdownindismay。”Iseeallthethingssheuses——hercaps，herslippers。Why，howlongsince——？”
　　Crevelnoddedthatheunderstood，andtookapacketofbillsoutofthelittleinlaidcabinet。”Youcansee，oldman。IpaidthedecoratorsinDecember，1838。InOctober，twomonthsbefore，thischarminglittleplacewasfirstused。”
　　Hulotbenthishead。”Howthedevildoyoumanageit？Iknowhowshespendseveryhourofherday。””HowaboutherwalkintheTuileries？”saidCrevel，rubbinghishandsintriumph。”Whatthen？”saidHulot，mystified。”YourladylovecomestotheTuileries，sheissupposedtobeairingherselffromonetillfour。But，hop，skip，andjump，andsheishere。
　　YouknowyourMoliere？Well，Baron，thereisnothingimaginaryinyourtitle。”
　　Hulot，leftwithoutashredofdoubt，satsunkinominoussilence。
　　Catastrophesleadintelligentandstrong-mindedmentobephilosophical。TheBaron，morally，wasatthismomentlikeamantryingtofindhiswaybynightthroughaforest。ThisgloomytaciturnityandthechangeinthatdejectedcountenancemadeCrevelveryuneasy，forhedidnotwishthedeathofhiscolleague。”AsIsaid，oldfellow，wearenoweven；letusplayfortheodd。Willyouplayoffthetiebyhookandbycrook？Come！””Why，”saidHulot，talkingtohimself——”whyisitthatoutoftenprettywomenatleastsevenarefalse？”
　　ButtheBaronwastoomuchupsettoanswerhisownquestion。Beautyisthegreatestofhumangiftsforpower。Everypowerthathasnocounterpoise，noautocraticcontrol，leadstoabusesandfolly。
　　Despotismisthemadnessofpower；inwomenthedespotiscaprice。”Youhavenothingtocomplainof，mygoodfriend；youhaveabeautifulwife，andsheisvirtuous。””Ideservemyfate，”saidHulot。”Ihaveundervaluedmywifeandmadehermiserable，andsheisanangel！Oh，mypoorAdeline！youareavenged！Shesuffersinsolitudeandsilence，andsheisworthyofmylove；Iought——forsheisstillcharming，fairandgirlisheven——Butwasthereeverawomanknownmorebase，moreignoble，morevillainousthanthisValerie？””Sheisagood-for-nothingslut，”saidCrevel，”ahussythatdeserveswhippingonthePlaceduChatelet。But，mydearCanillac，thoughwearesuchblades，soMarechaldeRichelieu，LouisXV。，Pompadour，MadameduBarry，gaydogs，andeverythingthatismosteighteenthcentury，thereisnolongeralieutenantofpolice。””Howcanwemakethemloveus？”HulotwonderedtohimselfwithoutheedingCrevel。”Itissheerfollyinustoexpecttobeloved，mydearfellow，”saidCrevel。”Wecanonlybeendured；forMadameMarneffeisahundredtimesmoreprofligatethanJosepha。””Andavaricious！shecostsmeahundredandninety-twothousandfrancsayear！”criedHulot。”Andhowmanycentimes！”sneeredCrevel，withtheinsolenceofafinancierwhoscornssosmallasum。”Youdonotloveher，thatisveryevident，”saidtheBarondolefully。”Ihavehadenoughofher，”repliedCrevel，”forshehashadmorethanthreehundredthousandfrancsofmine！””Whereisit？Wheredoesitallgo？”saidtheBaron，claspinghisheadinhishands。”Ifwehadcometoanagreement，likethesimpleyoungmenwhocombinetomaintainatwopennybaggage，shewouldhavecostusless。””Thatisanidea”！repliedtheBaron。”Butshewouldstillbecheatingus；for，myburlyfriend，whatdoyousaytothisBrazilian？””Ay，oldslyfox，youareright，weareswindledlike——likeshareholders！”saidCrevel。”Allsuchwomenareanunlimitedliability，andwethesleepingpartners。””Thenitwasshewhotoldyouaboutthecandleinthewindow？””Mygoodman，”repliedCrevel，strikinganattitude，”shehasfooledusboth。Valerieisa——Shetoldmetokeepyouhere——NowIseeitall。ShehasgotherBrazilian！——Oh，Ihavedonewithher，forifyouholdherhands，shewouldfindawaytocheatyouwithherfeet！
　　There！sheisaminx，ajade！””Sheislowerthanaprostitute，”saidtheBaron。”JosephaandJennyCadinewereintheirrightswhentheywerefalsetous；theymakeatradeoftheircharms。””Butshe，whoaffectsthesaint——theprude！”saidCrevel。”Itellyouwhat，Hulot，doyougobacktoyourwife；yourmoneymattersarenotlookingwell；Ihaveheardtalkofcertainnotesofhandgiventoalowusurerwhosespeciallineofbusinessislendingtothesesluts，amannamedVauvinet。Formypart，Iamcuredofyour’realladies。’
　　And，afterall，atourtimeoflifewhatdowewantoftheseswindlinghussies，who，tobehonest，cannothelpplayingusfalse？Youhavewhitehairandfalseteeth；IamoftheshapeofSilenus。Ishallgoinforsaving。Moneyneverdeceivesone。ThoughtheTreasuryisindeedopentoalltheworldtwiceayear，itpaysyouinterest，andthiswomanswallowsit。Withyou，myworthyfriend，asGubetta，asmypartnerintheconcern，Imighthaveresignedmyselftoashadybargain——no，aphilosophicalcalm。ButwithaBrazilianwhohaspossiblysmuggledinsomedoubtfulcolonialproduce——””Womanisaninexplicablecreature！”saidHulot。”Icanexplainher，”saidCrevel。”Weareold；theBrazilianisyoungandhandsome。””Yes；that，Iown，istrue，”saidHulot；”weareolderthanwewere。
　　But，mydearfellow，howisonetodowithouttheseprettycreatures——
　　seeingthemundress，twistuptheirhair，smilecunninglythroughtheirfingersastheyscrewuptheircurl-papers，putonalltheirairsandgraces，tellalltheirlies，declarethatwedon’tlovethemwhenweareworriedwithbusiness；andtheycheerusinspiteofeverything。””Yes，bythePower！Itistheonlypleasureinlife！”criedCrevel。”Whenasaucylittlemugsmilesatyouandsays，’Myolddear，youdon’tknowhowniceyouare！Iamnotlikeotherwomen，Isuppose，whogocrazyovermereboyswithgoats’beards，smellingofsmoke，andascoarseasserving-men！Forintheiryouththeyaresoinsolent！——Theycomeinandtheybidyougood-morning，andouttheygo——I，whomyouthinksuchaflirt，Ipreferamanoffiftytothesebrats。Amanwhowillstickbyme，whoisdevoted，whoknowsawomanisnottobepickedupeveryday，andappreciatesus——ThatiswhatIloveyoufor，youoldmonster！’——andtheyfilluptheseavowalswithlittlepettingsandprettinessesand——Faugh！theyareasfalseasthebillsontheHoteldeVille。””Alieissometimesbetterthanthetruth，”saidHulot，rememberingsundrybewitchingscenescalledupbyCrevel，whomimickedValerie。”Theyareobligedtoactupontheirlies，tosewspanglesontheirstagefrocks——””Andtheyareours，afterall，thelyingjades！”saidCrevelcoarsely。”Valerieisawitch，”saidtheBaron。”Shecanturnanoldmanintoayoungone。””Oh，yes！”saidCrevel，”sheisaneelthatwrigglesthroughyourhands；buttheprettiesteel，aswhiteandsweetassugar，asamusingasArnal——andingenious！””Yes，sheisfulloffun，”saidHulot，whohadnowquiteforgottenhiswife。
　　Thecolleagueswenttobedthebestfriendsintheworld，remindingeachotherofValerie’sperfections，thetonesofhervoice，herkittenishway，hermovements，herfun，hersalliesofwit，andofaffections；forshewasanartistinlove，andhadcharmingimpulses，astenorsmaysingascenabetteronedaythananother。Andtheyfellasleep，cradledintemptinganddiabolicalvisionslightedbythefiresofhell。
　　Atnineo’clocknextmorningHulotwentofftotheWarOffice，Crevelhadbusinessoutoftown；theyleftthehousetogether，andCrevelheldouthishandtotheBaron，saying：”Toshowthatthereisnoill-feeling。Forwe，neitherofus，willhaveanythingmoretosaytoMadameMarneffe？””Oh，thisistheendofeverything，”repliedHulotwithasortofhorror。
　　Byhalf-pasttenCrevelwasmountingthestairs，fouratatime，uptoMadameMarneffe’sapartment。Hefoundtheinfamouswretch，theadorableenchantress，inthemostbecomingmorningwrapper，enjoyinganelegantlittlebreakfastinthesocietyoftheBaronMontesdeMontejanosandLisbeth。ThoughthesightoftheBraziliangavehimashock，CrevelbeggedMadameMarneffetogranthimtwominutes’speechwithher。ValerieledCrevelintothedrawing-room。”Valerie，myangel，”saidtheamorousMayor，”MonsieurMarneffecannothavelongtolive。Ifyouwillbefaithfultome，whenhedieswewillbemarried。Thinkitover。IhaveridyouofHulot——SojustconsiderwhetherthisBrazilianistocomparewithaMayorofParis，amanwho，foryoursake，willmakehiswaytothehighestdignities，andwhocanalreadyofferyoueighty-oddthousandfrancsayear。””Iwillthinkitover，”saidshe。”YouwillseemeintheRueduDauphinattwoo’clock，andwecandiscussthematter。Butbeagoodboy——anddonotforgetthebondyoupromisedtotransfertome。”
　　Shereturnedtothedining-room，followedbyCrevel，whoflatteredhimselfthathehadhitonaplanforkeepingValerietohimself；buttherehefoundBaronHulot，who，duringthisshortcolloquy，hadalsoarrivedwiththesameendinview。He，likeCrevel，beggedforabriefinterview。MadameMarneffeagainrosetogotothedrawing-room，withasmileattheBrazilianthatseemedtosay，”Whatfoolstheyare！
　　Cannottheyseeyou？””Valerie，”saidtheofficial，”mychild，thatcousinofyoursisanAmericancousin——””Oh，thatisenough！”shecried，interruptingtheBaron。”Marneffeneverhasbeen，andneverwillbe，nevercanbemyhusband！Thefirst，theonlymanIeverloved，hascomebackquiteunexpectedly。Itisnofaultofmine！ButlookatHenriandlookatyourself。Thenaskyourselfwhetherawoman，andawomaninlove，canhesitateforamoment。Mydearfellow，Iamnotakeptmistress。FromthisdayforthIrefusetoplaythepartofSusannahbetweenthetwoElders。Ifyoureallycareforme，youandCrevel，youwillbeourfriends；butallelseisatanend，forIamsix-and-twenty，andhenceforthImeantobeasaint，anadmirableandworthywife——asyoursis。””Isthatwhatyouhavetosay？”answeredHulot。”IsthisthewayyoureceivemewhenIcomelikeaPopewithmyhandsfullofIndulgences？——
　　Well，yourhusbandwillneverbeafirst-classclerk，norbepromotedintheLegionofHonor。””Thatremainstobeseen，”saidMadameMarneffe，withameaninglookatHulot。”Well，well，notemper，”saidHulotindespair。”Iwillcallthisevening，andwewillcometoanunderstanding。””InLisbeth’sroomsthen。””Verygood——atLisbeth’s，”saidtheolddotard。
　　HulotandCrevelwentdownstairstogetherwithoutspeakingawordtilltheywereinthestreet；butoutsideonthesidewalktheylookedateachotherwithadrearylaugh。”Weareacoupleofoldfools，”saidCrevel。”Ihavegotridofthem，”saidMadameMarneffetoLisbeth，asshesatdownoncemore。”IneverlovedandInevershallloveanymanbutmyJaguar，”sheadded，smilingatHenriMontes。”Lisbeth，mydear，youdon’tknow。HenrihasforgivenmetheinfamytowhichIwasreducedbypoverty。””Itwasmyownfault，”saidtheBrazilian。”Ioughttohavesentyouahundredthousandfrancs。””Poorboy！”saidValerie；”Imighthaveworkedformyliving，butmyfingerswerenotmadeforthat——askLisbeth。”
　　TheBrazilianwentawaythehappiestmaninParis。
　　AtnoonValerieandLisbethwerechattinginthesplendidbedroomwherethisdangerouswomanwasgivingtoherdressthosefinishingtoucheswhichaladyalonecangive。Thedoorswerebolted，thecurtainsdrawnoverthem，andValerierelatedineverydetailalltheeventsoftheevening，thenight，themorning。”Whatdoyouthinkofitall，mydarling？”shesaidtoLisbethinconclusion。”WhichshallIbewhenthetimecomes——MadameCrevel，orMadameMontes？””Crevelwillnotlastmorethantenyears，suchaprofligateasheis，”repliedLisbeth。”Montesisyoung。Crevelwillleaveyouaboutthirtythousandfrancsayear。LetMonteswait；hewillbehappyenoughasBenjamin。Andso，bythetimeyouarethree-and-thirty，ifyoutakecareofyourlooks，youmaymarryyourBrazilianandmakeafineshowwithsixtythousandfrancsayearofyourown——especiallyunderthewingofaMarechale。””Yes，butMontesisaBrazilian；hewillnevermakehismark，”
　　observedValerie。”Weliveinthedayofrailways，”saidLisbeth，”whenforeignersrisetohighpositionsinFrance。””Weshallsee，”repliedValerie，”whenMarneffeisdead。Hehasnotmuchlongertosuffer。””Theseattacksthatreturnsooftenareasortofphysicalremorse，”
　　saidLisbeth。”Well，IamofftoseeHortense。””Yes——go，myangel！”repliedValerie。”Andbringmemyartist——Threeyears，andIhavenotgainedaninchofground！Itisadisgracetobothofus！——WenceslasandHenri——thesearemytwopassions——oneforlove，theotherforfancy。””Youarelovelythismorning，”saidLisbeth，puttingherarmroundValerie’swaistandkissingherforehead。”Ienjoyallyourpleasures，yourgoodfortune，yourdresses——Ineverreallylivedtillthedaywhenwebecamesisters。””Waitamoment，mytiger-cat！”criedValerie，laughing；”yourshawliscrooked。Youcannotputashawlonyetinspiteofmylessonsforthreeyears——andyouwanttobeMadamelaMarechaleHulot！”
　　Shodinprunellaboots，overgraysilkstockings，inagownofhandsomecordedsilk，herhairinsmoothbandsunderaveryprettyblackvelvetbonnet，linedwithyellowsatin，LisbethmadeherwaytotheRueSaint-DominiquebytheBoulevarddesInvalides，wonderingwhethersheerdejectionwouldatlastbreakdownHortense’sbravespirit，andwhetherSarmatianinstability，takenatamomentwhen，withsuchacharacter，everythingispossible，wouldbetoomuchforSteinbock’sconstancy。
　　HortenseandWenceslashadthegroundfloorofahousesituatedatthecorneroftheRueSaint-DominiqueandtheEsplanadedesInvalides。
　　Theserooms，onceinharmonywiththehoneymoon，nowhadthathalf-
　　new，half-fadedlookthatmaybecalledtheautumnalaspectoffurniture。Newlymarriedfolksareaslavishandwasteful，withoutknowingitorintendingit，ofeverythingaboutthemastheyareoftheiraffection。Thinkingonlyofthemselves，theyrecklittleofthefuture，which，atalatertime，weighsonthemotherofafamily。
　　LisbethfoundHortensejustasshehadfinisheddressingababyWenceslas，whohadbeencarriedintothegarden。”Good-morning，Betty，”saidHortense，openingthedoorherselftohercousin。Thecookwasgoneout，andthehouse-servant，whowasalsothenurse，wasdoingsomewashing。”Good-morning，dearchild，”repliedLisbeth，kissingher。”IsWenceslasinthestudio？”sheaddedinawhisper。”No；heisinthedrawing-roomtalkingtoStidmannandChanor。””Canwebealone？”askedLisbeth。”Comeintomyroom。”
　　Inthisroom，thehangingsofpink-floweredchintzwithgreenleavesonawhiteground，constantlyexposedtothesun，weremuchfaded，aswasthecarpet。Themuslincurtainshadnotbeenwashedformanyaday。Thesmelloftobaccohungabouttheroom；forWenceslas，nowanartistofrepute，andbornafinegentleman，lefthiscigar-ashonthearmsofthechairsandtheprettiestpiecesoffurniture，asamandoestowhomloveallowseverything——amanrichenoughtoscornvulgarcarefulness。”Now，then，letustalkoveryouraffairs，”saidLisbeth，seeingherprettycousinsilentinthearmchairintowhichshehaddropped。”Butwhatailsyou？Youlookratherpale，mydear。””TwoarticleshavejustcomeoutinwhichmypoorWenceslasispulledtopieces；Ihavereadthem，butIhavehiddenthemfromhim，fortheywouldcompletelydepresshim。ThemarblestatueofMarshalMontcornetispronouncedutterlybad。Thebas-reliefsareallowedtopassmuster，simplytoallowofthemostperfidiouspraiseofhistalentasadecorativeartist，andtogivethegreateremphasistothestatementthatseriousartisquiteoutofhisreach！Stidmann，whomIbesoughttotellmethetruth，brokemyheartbyconfessingthathisownopinionagreedwiththatofeveryotherartist，ofthecritics，andthepublic。Hesaidtomeinthegardenbeforebreakfast，’IfWenceslascannotexhibitamasterpiecenextseason，hemustgiveupheroicsculptureandbecontenttoexecuteidyllicsubjects，smallfigures，piecesofjewelry，andhigh-classgoldsmiths’work！’Thisverdictisdreadfultome，forWenceslas，Iknow，willneveracceptit；hefeelshehassomanyfineideas。””Ideaswillnotpaythetradesman’sbills，”remarkedLisbeth。”Iwasalwaystellinghimso——nothingbutmoney。Moneyisonlytobehadforworkdone——thingsthatordinaryfolkslikewellenoughtobuythem。
　　Whenanartisthastoliveandkeepafamily，hehadfarbetterhaveadesignforacandlestickonhiscounter，orforafenderoratable，thanforgroupsorstatues。Everybodymusthavesuchthings，whilehemaywaitmonthsfortheadmirerofthegroup——andforhismoney——””Youareright，mygoodLisbeth。Tellhimallthat；Ihavenotthecourage——Besides，ashewassayingtoStidmann，ifhegoesbacktoornamentalworkandsmallsculpture，hemustgiveupallhopeoftheInstituteandgrandworksofart，andweshouldnotgetthethreehundredthousandfrancs’worthofworkpromisedatVersaillesandbytheCityofParisandtheMinisters。Thatiswhatwearerobbedofbythosedreadfularticles，writtenbyrivalswhowanttostepintoourshoes。””Andthatisnotwhatyoudreamedof，poorlittlepuss！”saidLisbeth，kissingHortenseonthebrow。”Youexpectedtofindagentleman，aleaderofArt，thechiefofalllivingsculptors——Butthatispoetry，yousee，adreamrequiringfiftythousandfrancsayear，andyouhaveonlytwothousandfourhundred——solongasIlive。Aftermydeaththreethousand。”
　　AfewtearsrosetoHortense’seyes，andLisbethdrankthemwithhereyesasacatlapsmilk。
　　Thisisthestoryoftheirhoneymoon——thetalewillperhapsnotbelostonsomeartists。
　　Intellectualwork，laborintheupperregionsofmentaleffort，isoneofthegrandestachievementsofman。ThatwhichdeservesrealgloryinArt——forbyArtwemustunderstandeverycreationofthemind——iscourageaboveallthings——asortofcourageofwhichthevulgarhavenoconception，andwhichhasneverperhapsbeendescribedtillnow。
　　Drivenbythedreadfulstressofpoverty，goadedbyLisbeth，andkeptbyherinblinders，asahorseis，tohinderitfromseeingtotherightandleftofitsroad，lashedonbythathardwoman，thepersonificationofNecessity，asortofdeputyFate，Wenceslas，abornpoetanddreamer，hadgoneonfromconceptiontoexecution，andoverleaped，withoutsoundingit，thegulfthatdividesthesetwohemispheresofArt。Tomuse，todream，toconceiveoffineworks，isadelightfuloccupation。Itislikesmokingamagiccigarorleadingthelifeofacourtesanwhofollowsherownfancy。Theworkthenfloatsinallthegraceofinfancy，inthemadjoyofconception，withthefragrantbeautyofaflower，andthearomaticjuicesofafruitenjoyedinanticipation。
　　Themanwhocansketchhispurposebeforehandinwordsisregardedasawonder，andeveryartistandwriterpossessesthatfaculty。Butgestation，fruition，thelaboriousrearingoftheoffspring，puttingittobedeverynightfullfedwithmilk，embracingitaneweverymorningwiththeinexhaustibleaffectionofamother’sheart，lickingitclean，dressingitahundredtimesintherichestgarbonlytobeinstantlydestroyed；thennevertobecastdownattheconvulsionsofthisheadlonglifetillthelivingmasterpieceisperfectedwhichinsculpturespeakstoeveryeye，inliteraturetoeveryintellect，inpaintingtoeverymemory，inmusictoeveryheart！——Thisisthetaskofexecution。Thehandmustbereadyateveryinstanttocomeforwardandobeythebrain。Butthebrainhasnomoreacreativepoweratcommandthanlovehasaperennialspring。
　　Thehabitofcreativeness，theindefatigableloveofmotherhoodwhichmakesamother——thatmiracleofnaturewhichRaphaelsoperfectlyunderstood——thematernityofthebrain，inshort，whichissodifficulttodevelop，islostwithprodigiousease。Inspirationistheopportunityofgenius。Shedoesnotindeeddanceontherazor’sedge，sheisintheairandfliesawaywiththesuspiciousswiftnessofacrow；shewearsnoscarfbywhichthepoetcanclutchher；herhairisaflame；shevanisheslikethelovelyroseandwhiteflamingo，thesportsman’sdespair。Andwork，again，isawearifulstruggle，alikedreadedanddelightedinbytheseloftyandpowerfulnatureswhoareoftenbrokenbyit。Agreatpoetofourdayhassaidinspeakingofthisoverwhelminglabor，”Isitdowntoitindespair，butIleaveitwithregret。”Beitknowntoallwhoareignorant！IftheartistdoesnotthrowhimselfintohisworkasCurtiussprangintothegulf，asasoldierleadsaforlornhopewithoutamoment’sthought，andifwhenheisinthecraterhedoesnotdigonasaminerdoeswhentheearthhasfalleninonhim；ifhecontemplatesthedifficultiesbeforehiminsteadofconqueringthemonebyone，liketheloversinfairytales，whotowintheirprincessesovercomeevernewenchantments，theworkremainsincomplete；itperishesinthestudiowherecreativenessbecomesimpossible，andtheartistlooksonatthesuicideofhisowntalent。
　　Rossini，abrothergeniustoRaphael，isastrikinginstanceinhispoverty-strickenyouth，comparedwithhislatteryearsofopulence。
　　Thisisthereasonwhythesameprize，thesametriumph，thesamebaysareawardedtogreatpoetsandtogreatgenerals。
　　Wenceslas，bynatureadreamer，hadexpendedsomuchenergyinproduction，instudy，andinworkunderLisbeth’sdespoticrule，thatloveandhappinessresultedinreaction。Hisrealcharacterreappeared，theweakness，recklessness，andindolenceoftheSarmatianreturnedtonestleinthecomfortablecornersofhissoul，whencetheschoolmaster’srodhadroutedthem。
　　Forthefirstfewmonthstheartistadoredhiswife。HortenseandWenceslasabandonedthemselvestothehappychildishnessofalegitimateandunboundedpassion。Hortensewasthefirsttoreleaseherhusbandfromhislabors，proudtotriumphoverherrival，hisArt。
　　And，indeed，awoman’scaressesscareawaytheMuse，andbreakdownthesturdy，brutalresolutionoftheworker。
　　Sixorsevenmonthsslippedby，andtheartist’sfingershadforgottentheuseofthemodelingtool。Whentheneedforworkbegantobefelt，whenthePrincedeWissembourg，presidentofthecommitteeofsubscribers，askedtoseethestatue，Wenceslasspoketheinevitablebywordoftheidler，”Iamjustgoingtoworkonit，”andhelulledhisdearHortensewithfallaciouspromisesandthemagnificentschemesoftheartistashesmokes。Hortenselovedherpoetmorethanever；
　　shedreamedofasublimestatueofMarshalMontcornet。Montcornetwouldbetheembodiedidealofbravery，thetypeofthecavalryofficer，ofcourage/alaMurat/。Yes，yes；atthemeresightofthatstatuealltheEmperor’svictoriesweretoseemaforegoneconclusion。
　　Andthensuchworkmanship！Thepencilwasaccommodatingandansweredtotheword。
　　BywayofastatuetheresultwasadelightfullittleWenceslas。
　　WhentheprogressofaffairsrequiredthatheshouldgotothestudioatleGros-Cailloutomouldtheclayandsetupthelife-sizemodel，SteinbockfoundonedaythatthePrince’sclockrequiredhispresenceintheworkshopofFlorentandChanor，wherethefigureswerebeingfinished；or，again，thelightwasgrayanddull；to-dayhehadbusinesstodo，to-morrowtheyhadafamilydinner，tosaynothingofindispositionsofmindandbody，andthedayswhenhestayedathometotoywithhisadoredwife。
　　MarshalthePrincedeWissembourgwasobligedtobeangrytogettheclaymodelfinished；hedeclaredthathemustputtheworkintootherhands。Itwasonlybydintofendlesscomplaintsandmuchstronglanguagethatthecommitteeofsubscriberssucceededinseeingtheplaster-cast。DayafterdaySteinbockcamehome，evidentlytired，complainingofthis”hodman’swork”andhisownphysicalweakness。
　　Duringthatfirstyearthehouseholdfeltnopinch；theCountessSteinbock，desperatelyinlovewithherhusbandcursedtheWarMinister。Shewenttoseehim；shetoldhimthatgreatworksofartwerenottobemanufacturedlikecannon；andthattheState——likeLouisXIV。，FrancisI。，andLeoX——oughttobeatthebeckandcallofgenius。PoorHortense，believingsheheldaPhidiasinherembrace，hadthesortofmotherlycowardiceforherWenceslasthatisineverywifewhocarriesherlovetothepitchofidolatry。”Donotbehurried，”saidshetoherhusband，”ourwholefuturelifeisboundupwiththatstatue。Takeyourtimeandproduceamasterpiece。”
　　Shewouldgotothestudio，andthentheenrapturedSteinbockwastedfivehoursoutofsevenindescribingthestatueinsteadofworkingatit。Hethusspenteighteenmonthsinfinishingthedesign，whichtohimwasall-important。
　　Whentheplasterwascastandthemodelcomplete，poorHortense，whohadlookedonatherhusband’stoil，seeinghishealthreallysufferfromtheexertionswhichexhaustasculptor’sframeandarmsandhands——Hortensethoughttheresultadmirable。Herfather，whoknewnothingofsculpture，andhermother，nolessignorant，laudeditasatriumph；theWarMinistercamewiththemtoseeit，and，overruledbythem，expressedapprovalofthefigure，standingasitdidalone，inafavorablelight，thrownupagainstagreenbaizebackground。
　　Alas！attheexhibitionof1841，thedisapprobationofthepublicsoontooktheformofabuseandmockeryinthemouthsofthosewhowereindignantwiththeidoltoohastilysetupforworship。Stidmanntriedtoadvisehisfriend，butwasaccusedofjealousy。EveryarticleinanewspaperwastoHortenseanoutcryofenvy。Stidmann，thebestofgoodfellows，gotarticleswritten，inwhichadversecriticismwascontravened，anditwaspointedoutthatsculptorsalteredtheirworksintranslatingtheplasterintomarble，andthatthemarblewouldbethetest。”Inreproducingtheplastersketchinmarble，”wroteClaudeVignon，”amasterpiecemayberuined，orabaddesignmadebeautiful。Theplasteristhemanuscript，themarbleisthebook。”
　　SointwoyearsandahalfWenceslashadproducedastatueandason。
　　Thechildwasapictureofbeauty；thestatuewasexecrable。
　　TheclockforthePrinceandthepriceofthestatuepaidofftheyoungcouple’sdebts。Steinbockhadacquiredfashionablehabits；hewenttotheplay，totheopera；hetalkedadmirablyaboutart；andintheeyesoftheworldhemaintainedhisreputationasagreatartistbyhispowersofconversationandcriticism。TherearemanyclevermeninPariswhospendtheirlivesintalkingthemselvesout，andarecontentwithasortofdrawing-roomcelebrity。Steinbock，emulatingtheseemasculatedbutcharmingmen，greweverydaymoreaversetohardwork。Assoonashebeganathing，hewasconsciousofallitsdifficulties，andthediscouragementthatcameoverhimenervatedhiswill。Inspiration，thefrenzyofintellectualprocreation，flewswiftlyawayatthesightofthiseffetelover。
　　Sculpture——likedramaticart——isatoncethemostdifficultandtheeasiestofallarts。Youhavebuttocopyamodel，andthetaskisdone；buttogiveitasoul，tomakeittypicalbycreatingamanorawoman——thisisthesinofPrometheus。Suchtriumphsintheannalsofsculpturemaybecounted，aswemaycountthefewpoetsamongmen。
　　MichaelAngelo，MichelColumb，JeanGoujon，Phidias，Praxiteles，Polycletes，Puget，Canova，AlbertDurer，arethebrothersofMilton，Virgil，Dante，Shakespeare，Tasso，Homer，andMoliere。Andsuchanachievementissostupendousthatasinglestatueisenoughtomakeamanimmortal，asFigaro，Lovelace，andManonLescauthaveimmortalizedBeaumarchais，Richardson，andtheAbbePrevost。
　　Superficialthinkers——andtherearemanyintheartistworld——haveassertedthatsculpturelivesonlybythenude，thatitdiedwiththeGreeks，andthatmodernvesturemakesitimpossible。But，inthefirstplace，theAncientshaveleftsublimestatuesentirelyclothed——the/Polyhymnia/，the/Julia/，andothers，andwehavenotfoundone-tenthofalltheirworks；andthen，letanyloverofartgotoFlorenceandseeMichaelAngelo’s/Penseroso/，ortotheCathedralofMainz，andbeholdthe/Virgin/byAlbertDurer，whohascreatedalivingwomanoutofebony，underherthreefolddrapery，withthemostflowing，thesoftesthairthateverawaiting-maidcombedthrough；letalltheignorantflockthither，andtheywillacknowledgethatgeniuscangivemindtodrapery，toarmor，toarobe，andfillitwithabody，justasamanleavesthestampofhisindividualityandhabitsoflifeontheclotheshewears。
　　Sculptureistheperpetualrealizationofthefactwhichonce，andneveragain，was，inpaintingcalledRaphael！
　　Thesolutionofthishardproblemistobefoundonlyinconstantperseveringtoil；for，merelytoovercomethematerialdifficultiestosuchanextent，thehandmustbesopractised，sodexterousandobedient，thatthesculptormaybefreetostrugglesoultosoulwiththeelusivemoralelementthathehastotransfigureasheembodiesit。IfPaganini，whoutteredhissoulthroughthestringsofhisviolin，spentthreedayswithoutpractising，helostwhathecalledthe/stops/ofhisinstrument，meaningthesympathybetweenthewoodenframe，thestrings，thebow，andhimself；ifhehadlostthisalliance，hewouldhavebeennomorethananordinaryplayer。
　　Perpetualworkisthelawofart，asitisthelawoflife，forartisidealizedcreation。Hencegreatartistsandperfectpoetswaitneitherforcommissionnorforpurchasers。Theyareconstantlycreating——
　　to-day，to-morrow，always。Theresultisthehabitofwork，theunfailingapprehensionofthedifficultieswhichkeepthemincloseintercoursewiththeMuseandherproductiveforces。Canovalivedinhisstudio，asVoltairelivedinhisstudy；andsomustHomerandPhidiashavelived。
　　WhileLisbethkeptWenceslasSteinbockinthraldominhisgarret，hewasonthethornyroadtroddenbyallthesegreatmen，whichleadstotheAlpineheightsofglory。Thenhappiness，inthepersonofHortense，hadreducedthepoettoidleness——thenormalconditionofallartists，sincetothemidlenessisfullyoccupied。Theirjoyissuchasthatofthepashaofaseraglio；theyrevelwithideas，theygetdrunkatthefountsofintellect。Greatartists，suchasSteinbock，wrappedinreverie，arerightlyspokenofasdreamers。
　　They，likeopium-eaters，allsinkintopoverty，whereasiftheyhadbeenkeptuptothemarkbythesterndemandsoflife，theymighthavebeengreatmen。
　　Atthesametime，thesehalf-artistsaredelightful；menlikethemandcramthemwithpraise；theyevenseemsuperiortothetrueartists，whoaretaxedwithconceit，unsociableness，contemptofthelawsofsociety。Thisiswhy：Greatmenaretheslavesoftheirwork。Theirindifferencetoouterthings，theirdevotiontotheirwork，makesimpletonsregardthemasegotists，andtheyareexpectedtowearthesamegarbasthedandywhofulfilsthetrivialevolutionscalledsocialduties。ThesemenwantthelionsoftheAtlastobecombedandscentedlikealady’spoodle。
　　Theseartists，whoaretoorarelymatchedtomeettheirfellows，fallintohabitsofsolitaryexclusiveness；theyareinexplicabletothemajority，which，asweknow，consistsmostlyoffools——oftheenvious，theignorant，andthesuperficial。
　　Nowyoumayimaginewhatpartawifeshouldplayinthelifeofthesegloriousandexceptionalbeings。Sheoughttobewhat，forfiveyears，Lisbethhadbeen，butwiththeaddedofferingoflove，humbleandpatientlove，alwaysreadyandalwayssmiling。
　　Hortense，enlightenedbyheranxietiesasamother，anddrivenbydirenecessity，haddiscoveredtoolatethemistakesshehadbeeninvoluntarilyledintobyherexcessivelove。Still，theworthydaughterofhermother，herheartachedatthethoughtofworryingWenceslas；shelovedherdearpoettoomuchtobecomehistorturer；
　　andshecouldforeseethehourwhenbeggaryawaitedher，herchild，andherhusband。”Come，come，mychild，”saidLisbeth，seeingthetearsinhercousin’slovelyeyes，”youmustnotdespair。Aglassfuloftearswillnotbuyaplateofsoup。Howmuchdoyouwant？””Well，fiveorsixthousandfrancs。””Ihavebutthreethousandatthemost，”saidLisbeth。”AndwhatisWenceslasdoingnow？””HehashadanoffertoworkinpartnershipwithStidmannatatableservicefortheDucd’Herouvilleforsixthousandfrancs。ThenMonsieurChanorwilladvancefourthousandtorepayMonsieurdeLoraandBridau——adebtofhonor。””What，youhavehadthemoneyforthestatueandthebas-reliefsforMarshalMontcornet’smonument，andyouhavenotpaidthemyet？””Forthelastthreeyears，”saidHortense，”wehavespenttwelvethousandfrancsayear，andIhavebutahundredlouisayearofmyown。TheMarshal’smonument，whenalltheexpenseswerepaid，broughtusnomorethansixteenthousandfrancs。Reallyandtruly，ifWenceslasgetsnowork，Idonotknowwhatistobecomeofus。Oh，ifonlyIcouldlearntomakestatues，Iwouldhandletheclay！”shecried，holdingupherfinearms。
　　Thewoman，itwasplain，fulfilledthepromiseofthegirl；therewasaflashinhereye；impetuousblood，strongwithiron，flowedinherveins；shefeltthatshewaswastingherenergyincarryingherinfant。”Ah，mypoorlittlething！asensiblegirlshouldnotmarryanartisttillhisfortuneismade——notwhileitisstilltomake。”
　　Atthismomenttheyheardvoices；StidmannandWenceslaswereseeingChanortothedoor；thenWenceslasandStidmanncameinagain。
　　Stidmann，anartistinvogueintheworldofjournalists，famousactresses，andcourtesansofthebetterclass，wasayoungmanoffashionwhomValeriemuchwishedtoseeinherrooms；indeed，hehadalreadybeenintroducedtoherbyClaudeVignon。StidmannhadlatelybrokenoffanintimacywithMadameSchontz，whohadmarriedsomemonthssinceandgonetoliveinthecountry。ValerieandLisbeth，hearingofthisupheavalfromClaudeVignon，thoughtitwelltogetSteinbock’sfriendtovisitintheRueVanneau。
　　Stidmann，outofgoodfeeling，wentrarelytotheSteinbocks’；andasithappenedthatLisbethwasnotpresentwhenhewasintroducedbyClaudeVignon，shenowsawhimforthefirsttime。Asshewatchedthisnotedartist，shecaughtcertainglancesfromhiseyesatHortense，whichsuggestedtoherthepossibilityofofferinghimtotheCountessSteinbockasaconsolationifWenceslasshouldbefalsetoher。Inpointoffact，StidmannwasreflectingthatifSteinbockwerenothisfriend，Hortense，theyoungandsuperblybeautifulcountess，wouldbeanadorablemistress；itwasthisverynotion，controlledbyhonor，thatkepthimawayfromthehouse。Lisbethwasquicktomarkthesignificantawkwardnessthattroublesamaninthepresenceofawomanwithwhomhewillnotallowhimselftoflirt。”Verygood-looking——thatyoungman，”saidsheinawhispertoHortense。”Oh，doyouthinkso？”shereplied。”Inevernoticedhim。””Stidmann，mygoodfellow，”saidWenceslas，inanundertonetohisfriend，”weareonnoceremony，youandI——wehavesomebusinesstosettlewiththisoldgirl。”
　　Stidmannbowedtotheladiesandwentaway。”Itissettled，”saidWenceslas，whenhecameinfromtakingleaveofStidmann。”Buttherearesixmonths’worktobedone，andwemustlivemeanwhile。””Therearemydiamonds，”criedtheyoungCountess，withtheimpetuousheroismofalovingwoman。
　　AtearroseinWenceslas’eye。”Oh，Iamgoingtowork，”saidhe，sittingdownbyhiswifeanddrawingherontohisknee。”Iwilldooddjobs——aweddingchest，bronzegroups——””But，mychildren，”saidLisbeth；”for，asyouknow，youwillbemyheirs，andIshallleaveyouaverycomfortablesum，believeme，especiallyifyouhelpmetomarrytheMarshal；nay，ifwesucceedinthatquickly，Iwilltakeyoualltoboardwithme——youandAdeline。
　　Weshouldliveveryhappilytogether——Butforthemoment，listentothevoiceofmylongexperience。DonotflytotheMont-de-Piete；itistheruinoftheborrower。Ihavealwaysfoundthatwhentheinterestwasdue，thosewhohadpledgedtheirthingshadnothingwherewithtopayup，andthenallislost。Icangetyoualoanatfivepercentonyournoteofhand。””Oh，wearesaved！”saidHortense。”Well，then，child，Wenceslashadbettercomewithmetoseethelender，whowillobligehimatmyrequest。ItisMadameMarneffe。Ifyouflatterheralittle——forsheisasvainasa/parvenue/——shewillgetyououtofthescrapeinthemostobligingway。Comeyourselfandseeher，mydearHortense。”
　　Hortenselookedatherhusbandwiththeexpressionamancondemnedtodeathmustwearonhiswaytothescaffold。”ClaudeVignontookStidmannthere，”saidWenceslas。”Hesaysitisaverypleasanthouse。”
　　Hortense’sheadfell。Whatshefeltcanonlybeexpressedinoneword；
　　itwasnotpain；itwasillness。”But，mydearHortense，youmustlearnsomethingoflife！”exclaimedLisbeth，understandingtheeloquenceofhercousin’slooks。”Otherwise，likeyourmother，youwillfindyourselfabandonedinadesertedroom，whereyouwillweeplikeCalypsoonthedepartureofUlysses，andatanagewhenthereisnohopeofTelemachus——”sheadded，repeatingajestofMadameMarneffe’s。”Wehavetoregardthepeopleintheworldastoolswhichwecanmakeuseoforletalone，accordingastheycanserveourturn。MakeuseofMadameMarneffenow，mydears，andletheralonebyandby。AreyouafraidlestWenceslas，whoworshipsyou，shouldfallinlovewithawomanfourorfiveyearsolderthanhimself，asyellowasabundleoffieldpeas，and——？””Iwouldfarratherpawnmydiamonds，”saidHortense。”Oh，nevergothere，Wenceslas！——Itishell！””Hortenseisright，”saidSteinbock，kissinghiswife。”Thankyou，mydearest，”saidHortense，delighted。”Myhusbandisanangel，yousee，Lisbeth。Hedoesnotgamble，hegoesnowherewithoutme；ifheonlycouldsticktowork——oh，Ishouldbetoohappy。Whytakeusonshowtomyfather’smistress，awomanwhoisruininghimandisthecauseoftroublesthatarekillingmyheroicmother？””Mychild，thatisnotwherethecauseofyourfather’sruinlies。Itwashissingerwhoruinedhim，andthenyourmarriage！”repliedhercousin。”Blessme！why，MadameMarneffeisofthegreatestusetohim。
　　However，Imusttellnotales。””Youhaveagoodwordforeverybody，dearBetty——”
　　Hortensewascalledintothegardenbyhearingthechildcry；LisbethwasleftalonewithWenceslas。”Youhaveanangelforyourwife，Wenceslas！”saidshe。”Loveherasyouought；nevergivehercauseforgrief。””Yes，indeed，IlovehersowellthatIdonottellherall，”repliedWenceslas；”buttoyou，Lisbeth，Imayconfessthetruth——IfItookmywife’sdiamondstotheMonte-de-Piete，weshouldbenofurtherforward。””ThenborrowofMadameMarneffe，”saidLisbeth。”PersuadeHortense，Wenceslas，toletyougothere，orelse，blessme！gotherewithouttellingher。””ThatiswhatIwasthinkingof，”repliedWenceslas，”whenIrefusedforfearofgrievingHortense。””Listentome；Icaretoomuchforyoubothnottowarnyouofyourdanger。Ifyougothere，holdyourhearttightinbothhands，forthewomanisawitch。Allwhoseeheradoreher；sheissowicked，soinviting！Shefascinatesmenlikeamasterpiece。Borrowhermoney，butdonotleaveyoursoulinpledge。IshouldneverbehappyagainifyouwerefalsetoHortense——heresheis！notanotherword！Iwillsettlethematter。””KissLisbeth，mydarling，”saidWenceslastohiswife。”Shewillhelpusoutofourdifficultiesbylendingushersavings。”
　　AndhegaveLisbethalookwhichsheunderstood。”Then，Ihopeyoumeantowork，mydeartreasure，”saidHortense。”Yes，indeed，”saidtheartist。”Iwillbeginto-morrow。””To-morrowisourruin！”saidhiswife，withasmile。”Now，mydearchild！sayyourselfwhethersomehindrancehasnotcomeinthewayeveryday；someobstacleorbusiness？””Yes，verytrue，mylove。””Here！”criedSteinbock，strikinghisbrow，”hereIhaveswarmsofideas！Imeantoastonishallmyenemies。IamgoingtodesignaserviceintheGermanstyleofthesixteenthcentury；theromanticstyle：foliagetwinedwithinsects，sleepingchildren，newlyinventedmonsters，chimeras——realchimeras，suchaswedreamof！——Iseeitall！
　　Itwillbeundercut，light，andyetcrowded。Chanorwasquiteamazed——
　　AndIwantedsomeencouragement，forthelastarticleonMontcornet’smonumenthadbeencrushing。”
　　AtamomentinthecourseofthedaywhenLisbethandWenceslaswerelefttogether，theartistagreedtogoonthemorrowtoseeMadameMarneffe——heeitherwouldwinhiswife’sconsent，orhewouldgowithouttellingher。
　　Valerie，informedthesameeveningofthissuccess，insistedthatHulotshouldgotoinviteStidmann，ClaudeVignon，andSteinbocktodinner；forshewasbeginningtotyrannizeoverhimaswomenofthattypetyrannizeoveroldmen，whotrotroundtown，andgotomakeinterestwitheveryonewhoisnecessarytotheinterestsorthevanityoftheirtask-mistress。
　　NexteveningValeriearmedherselfforconquestbymakingsuchatoiletasaFrenchwomancandevisewhenshewishestomakethemostofherself。Shestudiedherappearanceinthisgreatworkasamangoingouttofightaduelpractiseshisfeintsandlunges。Notaspeck，notawrinklewastobeseen。Valeriewasatherwhitest，hersoftest，hersweetest。Andcertainlittle”patches”attractedtheeye。
　　Itiscommonlysupposedthatthepatchoftheeighteenthcenturyisoutofdateoroutoffashion；thatisamistake。Inthesedayswomen，moreingeniousperhapsthanofyore，inviteaglancethroughtheopera-glassbyotheraudaciousdevices。Oneisthefirsttohitonarosetteinherhairwithadiamondinthecentre，andsheattractseveryeyeforawholeevening；anotherrevivesthehair-net，orsticksadaggerthroughthetwisttosuggestagarter；thisonewearsvelvetbandsroundherwrists，thatoneappearsinlacelippets。Thesevaliantefforts，anAusterlitzofvanityoroflove，thensetthefashionforlowerspheresbythetimetheinventivecreatresshasoriginatedsomethingnew。Thisevening，whichValeriemeanttobeasuccessforher，shehadplacedthreepatches。Shehadwashedherhairwithsomelye，whichchangeditshueforafewdaysfromagoldcolortoadullershade。MadameSteinbock’swasalmostred，andshewouldbeineverypointunlikeher。Thisneweffectgaveherapiquantandstrangeappearance，whichpuzzledherfollowerssomuch，thatMontesaskedher：”Whathaveyoudonetoyourselfthisevening？”——Thensheputonaratherwideblackvelvetneck-ribbon，whichshowedoffthewhitenessofherskin。Onepatchtooktheplaceofthe/assassine/ofourgrandmothers。AndValeriepinnedthesweetestrosebudintoherbodice，justinthemiddleabovethestay-busk，andinthedaintiestlittlehollow！Itwasenoughtomakeeverymanunderthirtydrophiseyelids。”Iamassweetasasugar-plum，”saidshetoherself，goingthroughherattitudesbeforetheglass，exactlyasadancerpractiseshercurtesies。
　　Lisbethhadbeentomarket，andthedinnerwastobeoneofthosesuperfinemealswhichMathurinehadbeenwonttocookforherBishopwhenheentertainedtheprelateoftheadjoiningdiocese。
　　Stidmann，ClaudeVignon，andCountSteinbockarrivedalmosttogether，justatsix。Anordinary，or，ifyouwill，anaturalwomanwouldhavehastenedattheannouncementofanamesoeagerlylongedfor；butValerie，thoughreadysincefiveo’clock，remainedinherroom，leavingherthreegueststogether，certainthatshewasthesubjectoftheirconversationoroftheirsecretthoughts。Sheherselfhadarrangedthedrawing-room，layingouttheprettytriflesproducedinParisandnowhereelse，whichrevealthewomanandannounceherpresence：albumsboundinenamelorembroideredwithbeads，saucersfullofprettyrings，marvelsofSevresorDresdenmountedexquisitelybyFlorentandChanor，statues，books，allthefrivolitieswhichcostinsanesums，andwhichpassionordersofthemakersinitsfirstdelirium——ortopatchupitslastquarrel。
　　Besides，Valeriewasinthestateofintoxicationthatcomesoftriumph。ShehadpromisedtomarryCrevelifMarneffeshoulddie；andtheamorousCrevelhadtransferredtothenameofValerieFortinbondsbearingtenthousandfrancsayear，thesum-totalofwhathehadmadeinrailwayspeculationsduringthepastthreeyears，thereturnsonthecapitalofahundredthousandcrownswhichhehadatfirstofferedtotheBaronneHulot。SoValerienowhadanincomeofthirty-twothousandfrancs。
　　Crevelhadjustcommittedhimselftoapromiseoffargreatermagnitudethanthisgiftofhissurplus。Intheparoxysmofrapturewhich/hisDuchess/hadgivenhimfromtwotofour——hegavethisfinetitletoMadame/de/Marneffetocompletetheillusion——forValeriehadsurpassedherselfintheRueduDauphinthatafternoon，hehadthoughtwelltoencourageherinherpromisedfidelitybygivinghertheprospectofacertainlittlemansion，builtintheRueBarbettebyanimprudentcontractor，whonowwantedtosellit。Valeriecouldalreadyseeherselfinthisdelightfulresidence，withafore-courtandagarden，andkeepingacarriage！”Whatrespectablelifecaneverprocuresomuchinsoshortatime，orsoeasily？”saidshetoLisbethasshefinisheddressing。LisbethwastodinewithValeriethatevening，totellSteinbockthosethingsabouttheladywhichnobodycansayaboutherself。
　　MadameMarneffe，radiantwithsatisfaction，cameintothedrawing-roomwithmodestgrace，followedbyLisbethdressedinblackandyellowtosetheroff。”Good-evening，Claude，”saidshe，givingherhandtothefamousoldcritic。
　　ClaudeVignon，likemanyanother，hadbecomeapoliticalpersonage——aworddescribinganambitiousmanatthefirststageofhiscareer。The/politicalpersonage/of1840represents，insomedegree，the/Abbe/
　　oftheeighteenthcentury。Nodrawing-roomcircleiscompletewithoutone。”Mydear，thisismycousin，CountSteinbock，”saidLisbeth，introducingWenceslas，whomValerieseemedtohaveoverlooked。”Ohyes，IrecognizedMonsieurleComte，”repliedValeriewithagraciousbowtotheartist。”IoftensawyouintheRueduDoyenne，andIhadthepleasureofbeingpresentatyourwedding——Itwouldbedifficult，mydear，”saidshetoLisbeth，”toforgetyouradoptedsonafteronceseeinghim——Itismostkindofyou，MonsieurStidmann，”
　　shewenton，”tohaveacceptedmyinvitationatsuchshortnotice；butnecessityknowsnolaw。Iknewyoutobethefriendofboththesegentlemen。Nothingismoredreary，moresulky，thanadinnerwherealltheguestsarestrangers，soitwasfortheirsakethatIhailedyouin——butyouwillcomeanothertimeformine，Ihope？——Saythatyouwill。”
　　AndforafewminutesshemovedabouttheroomwithStidmann，whollyoccupiedwithhim。
　　CrevelandHulotwereannouncedseparately，andthenadeputynamedBeauvisage。
　　Thisindividual，aprovincialCrevel，oneofthemencreatedtomakeupthecrowdintheworld，votedunderthebannerofGiraud，aStateCouncillor，andVictorinHulot。ThesetwopoliticiansweretryingtoformanucleusofprogressivesintheloosearrayoftheConservativeParty。GiraudhimselfoccasionallyspenttheeveningatMadameMarneffe’s，andsheflatteredherselfthatsheshouldalsocaptureVictorinHulot；butthepuritanicallawyerhadhithertofoundexcusesforrefusingtoaccompanyhisfatherandfather-in-law。Itseemedtohimcriminaltobeseeninthehouseofthewomanwhocosthismothersomanytears。VictorinHulotwastothepuritansofpoliticallifewhatapiouswomanisamongbigots。
　　Beauvisage，formerlyastockingmanufactureratArcis，wasanxiousto/pickuptheParisstyle/。Thisman，oneoftheouterstonesoftheChamber，wasforminghimselfundertheauspicesofthisdeliciousandfascinatingMadameMarneffe。IntroducedherebyCrevel，hehadacceptedhim，atherinstigation，ashismodelandmaster。Heconsultedhimoneverypoint，tooktheaddressofhistailor，imitatedhim，andtriedtostrikethesameattitudes。Inshort，CrevelwashisGreatMan。
　　Valerie，surroundedbythesebigwigsandthethreeartists，andsupportedbyLisbeth，struckWenceslasasareallysuperiorwoman，allthemoresobecauseClaudeVignonspokeofherlikeamaninlove。”SheisMadamedeMaintenoninNinon’spetticoats！”saidtheveterancritic。”Youmaypleaseherinaneveningifyouhavethewit；butasformakingherloveyou——thatwouldbeatriumphtocrownaman’sambitionandfilluphislife。”
　　Valerie，whileseemingcoldandheedlessofherformerneighbor，piquedhisvanity，quiteunconsciouslyindeed，forsheknewnothingofthePolishcharacter。ThereisintheSlavachildishelement，asthereisinalltheseprimitivelywildnationswhichhaveoverflowedintocivilizationratherthanthattheyhavebecomecivilized。Theracehasspreadlikeaninundation，andhascoveredalargeportionoftheglobe。Itinhabitsdesertswhoseextentissovastthatitexpandsatitsease；thereisnojostlingthere，asthereisinEurope，andcivilizationisimpossiblewithouttheconstantfrictionofmindsandinterests。TheUkraine，Russia，theplainsbytheDanube，inshort，theSlavnations，areaconnectinglinkbetweenEuropeandAsia，betweencivilizationandbarbarism。ThusthePole，thewealthiestmemberoftheSlavfamily，hasinhischaracterallthechildishnessandinconsistencyofabeardlessrace。Hehascourage，spirit，andstrength；but，cursedwithinstability，thatcourage，strength，andenergyhaveneithermethodnorguidance；forthePoledisplaysavariabilityresemblingthatofthewindswhichblowacrossthatvastplainbrokenwithswamps；andthoughhehastheimpetuosityofthesnowsquallsthatwrenchandsweepawaybuildings，likethoseaerialavalanchesheislostinthefirstpoolandmeltsintowater。Manalwaysassimilatessomethingfromthesurroundingsinwhichhelives。
　　PerpetuallyatstrifewiththeTurk，thePolehasimbibedatasteforOrientalsplendor；heoftensacrificeswhatisneedfulforthesakeofdisplay。Themendressthemselvesoutlikewomen，yettheclimatehasgiventhemthetoughconstitutionofArabs。
　　ThePole，sublimeinsuffering，hastiredhisoppressors’armsbysheerenduranceofbeating；and，inthenineteenthcentury，hasreproducedthespectaclepresentedbytheearlyChristians。InfuseonlytenpercentofEnglishcautiousnessintothefrankandopenPolishnature，andthemagnanimouswhiteeaglewouldatthisdaybesupremewhereverthetwo-headedeaglehassneakedin。AlittleMachiavelismwouldhavehinderedPolandfromhelpingtosaveAustria，whohastakenashareofit；fromborrowingfromPrussia，theusurerwhohadunderminedit；andfrombreakingupassoonasadivisionwasfirstmade。
　　AtthechristeningofPoland，nodoubt，theFairyCarabosse，overlookedbythegeniiwhoendowedthatattractivepeoplewiththemostbrilliantgifts，cameintosay：”Keepallthegiftsthatmysistershavebestowedonyou；butyoushallneverknowwhatyouwishfor！”
　　If，initsheroicduelwithRussia，Polandhadwontheday，thePoleswouldnowbefightingamongthemselves，astheyformerlyfoughtintheirDietstohindereachotherfrombeingchosenKing。Whenthatnation，composedentirelyofhot-headeddare-devils，hasgoodsenseenoughtoseekaLouisXI。amongherownoffspring，toaccepthisdespotismandadynasty，shewillbesaved。
　　WhatPolandhasbeenpolitically，almosteveryPoleisinprivatelife，especiallyunderthestressofdisaster。ThusWenceslasSteinbock，afterworshipinghiswifeforthreeyearsandknowingthathewasagodtoher，wassomuchnettledatfindinghimselfbarelynoticedbyMadameMarneffe，thathemadeitapointofhonortoattractherattention。HecomparedValeriewithhiswifeandgaveherthepalm。Hortensewasbeautifulflesh，asValeriehadsaidtoLisbeth；butMadameMarneffehadspiritinherveryshape，andthesavorofvice。
　　SuchdevotionasHortense’sisafeelingwhichahusbandtakesashisdue；thesenseoftheimmensepreciousnessofsuchperfectlovesoonwearsoff，asadebtor，inthecourseoftime，beginstofancythattheborrowedmoneyishisown。Thisnobleloyaltybecomesthedailybreadofthesoul，andaninfidelityisastemptingasadainty。Thewomanwhoisscornful，andyetmorethewomanwhoisreputeddangerous，excitescuriosity，asspicesaddflavortogoodfood。
　　Indeed，thedisdainsocleverlyactedbyValeriewasanoveltytoWenceslas，afterthreeyearsoftooeasyenjoyment。Hortensewasawife；Valerieamistress。
　　Manymendesiretohavetwoeditionsofthesamework，thoughitisinfactaproofofinferioritywhenamancannotmakehismistressofhiswife。Varietyinthisparticularisasignofweakness。Constancywillalwaysbetherealgeniusoflove，theevidenceofimmensepower——thepowerthatmakesthepoet！Amanoughttofindeverywomaninhiswife，asthesqualidpoetsoftheseventeenthcenturymadetheirManonsfigureasIrisandChloe。”Well，”saidLisbethtothePole，asshebeheldhimfascinated，”whatdoyouthinkofValerie？””Sheistoocharming，”repliedWenceslas。”Youwouldnotlistentome，”saidBetty。”Oh！mylittleWenceslas，ifyouandIhadneverparted，youwouldhavebeenthatsiren’slover；
　　youmighthavemarriedherwhenshewasawidow，andyouwouldhavehadherfortythousandfrancsayear——””Really？””Certainly，”repliedLisbeth。”Now，takecareofyourself；Iwarnedyouofthedanger；donotsingeyourwingsinthecandle！——Come，givemeyourarm，dinnerisserved。”
　　Nolanguagecouldbesothoroughlydemoralizingasthis；forifyoushowaPoleaprecipice，heisboundtoleapit。Asanationtheyhavetheveryspiritofcavalry；theyfancytheycanridedowneveryobstacleandcomeoutvictorious。ThespurappliedbyLisbethtoSteinbock’svanitywasintensifiedbytheappearanceofthedining-
　　room，brightwithhandsomesilverplate；thedinnerwasservedwitheveryrefinementandextravaganceofParisianluxury。”IshouldhavedonebettertotakeCelimene，”thoughthetohimself。
　　AllthroughthedinnerHulotwascharming；pleasedtoseehisson-in-
　　lawatthattable，andyetmorehappyintheprospectofareconciliationwithValerie，whosefidelityheproposedtosecurebythepromiseofCoquet’shead-clerkship。StidmannrespondedtotheBaron’samiabilitybyshaftsofParisianbanterandanartist’shighspirits。Steinbockwouldnotallowhimselftobeeclipsedbyhisfriend；hetoowaswitty，saidamusingthings，madehismark，andwaspleasedwithhimself；MadameMarneffesmiledathimseveraltimestoshowthatshequiteunderstoodhim。
　　Thegoodmealandheadywinescompletedthework；Wenceslaswasdeepinwhatmustbecalledthesloughofdissipation。Excitedbyjustaglasstoomuch，hestretchedhimselfonasetteeafterdinner，sunkinphysicalandmentalecstasy，whichMadameMarneffewroughttothehighestpitchbycomingtositdownbyhim——airy，scented，prettyenoughtodamnanangel。ShebentoverWenceslasandalmosttouchedhisearasshewhisperedtohim：”Wecannottalkoverbusinessmattersthisevening，unlessyouwillremaintillthelast。Betweenus——you，Lisbeth，andme——wecansettleeverythingtosuityou。””Ah，Madame，youareanangel！”repliedWenceslas，alsoinamurmur。”IwasaprettyfoolnottolistentoLisbeth——””Whatdidshesay？””Shedeclared，intheRueduDoyenne，thatyoulovedme！”
　　MadameMarneffelookedathim，seemedcoveredwithconfusion，andhastilyleftherseat。Ayoungandprettywomanneverrousesthehopeofimmediatesuccesswithimpunity。Thisretreat，theimpulseofavirtuouswomanwhoiscrushingapassioninthedepthsofherheart，wasathousandtimesmoreeffectivethanthemostrecklessavowal。
　　DesirewassothoroughlyarousedinWenceslasthathedoubledhisattentionstoValerie。Awomanseenbyallisawomanwishedfor。
　　Hencetheterriblepowerofactresses。MadameMarneffe，knowingthatshewaswatched，behavedlikeanadmiredactress。Shewasquitecharming，andhersuccesswasimmense。”Inolongerwonderatmyfather-in-law’sfollies，”saidSteinbocktoLisbeth。”Ifyousaysuchthings，Wenceslas，Ishalltomydyingdayrepentofhavinggotyoutheloanofthesetenthousandfrancs。Areyou，likeallthesemen，”andsheindicatedtheguests，”madlyinlovewiththatcreature？Remember，youwouldbeyourfather-in-law’srival。AndthinkofthemiseryyouwouldbringonHortense。””Thatistrue，”saidWenceslas。”Hortenseisanangel；Ishouldbeawretch。””Andoneisenoughinthefamily！”saidLisbeth。”Artistsoughtnevertomarry！”exclaimedSteinbock。”Ah！thatiswhatIalwaystoldyouintheRueduDoyenne。Yourgroups，yourstatues，yourgreatworks，oughttobeyourchildren。””Whatareyoutalkingabout？”Valerieasked，joiningLisbeth——”Giveustea，Cousin。”
　　Steinbock，withPolishvainglory，wantedtoappearfamiliarwiththisdrawing-roomfairy。AfterdefyingStidmann，Vignon，andCrevelwithalook，hetookValerie’shandandforcedhertositdownbyhimonthesettee。”Youarerathertoolordly，CountSteinbock，”saidshe，resistingalittle。Butshelaughedasshedroppedontotheseat，notwithoutarrangingtherosebudpinnedintoherbodice。”Alas！ifIwerereallylordly，”saidhe，”Ishouldnotbeheretoborrowmoney。””Poorboy！IrememberhowyouworkedallnightintheRueduDoyenne。
　　Youreallywereratheraspooney；youmarriedasastarvingmansnatchesaloaf。YouknewnothingofParis，andyouseewhereyouarelanded。ButyouturnedadeafeartoLisbeth’sdevotion，asyoudidtotheloveofawomanwhoknowsherParisbyheart。””Saynomore！”criedSteinbock；”Iamdonefor！””Youshallhaveyourtenthousandfrancs，mydearWenceslas；butononecondition，”shewenton，playingwithhishandsomecurls。”Whatisthat？””Iwilltakenointerest——””Madame！””Oh，youneednotbeindignant；youshallmakeitgoodbygivingmeabronzegroup。YoubeganthestoryofSamson；finishit——DoaDelilahcuttingofftheJewishHercules’hair。Andyou，who，ifyouwilllistentome，willbeagreatartist，mustenterintothesubject。