MonsieurandMadameFollenviedinedattheendofthetable.Theman，wheezinglikeabroken—downlocomotive，wastooshort—windedtotalkwhenhewaseating.Butthewifewasnotsilentamoment;shetoldhowthePrussianshadimpressedherontheirarrival，whattheydid，whattheysaid;execratingtheminthefirstplacebecausetheycosthermoney，andinthesecondbecauseshehadtwosonsinthearmy.Sheaddressedherselfprincipallytothecountess，flatteredattheopportunityoftalkingtoaladyofquality.
　　Thensheloweredhervoice，andbegantobroachdelicatesubjects.Herhusbandinterruptedherfromtimetotime，saying：
　　"Youwoulddowelltoholdyourtongue，MadameFollenvie."
　　Butshetooknonoticeofhim，andwenton：
　　"Yes，madame，theseGermansdonothingbuteatpotatoesandpork，andthenporkandpotatoes.Anddon’timagineforamomentthattheyareclean！No，indeed！Andifonlyyousawthemdrillingforhours，indeedfordays，together;theyallcollectinafield，thentheydonothingbutmarchbackwardandforward，andwheelthiswayandthat.Ifonlytheywouldcultivatetheland，orremainathomeandworkontheirhighroads！
　　Really，madame，thesesoldiersareofnoearthlyuse！Poorpeoplehavetofeedandkeepthem，onlyinorderthattheymaylearnhowtokill！
　　True，Iamonlyanoldwomanwithnoeducation，butwhenIseethemwearingthemselvesoutmarchingaboutfrommorningtillnight，Isaytomyself：Whentherearepeoplewhomakediscoveriesthatareofusetopeople，whyshouldotherstakesomuchtroubletodoharm？Really，now，isn’titaterriblethingtokillpeople，whethertheyarePrussians，orEnglish，orPoles，orFrench？Ifwerevengeourselvesonanyonewhoinjuresuswedowrong，andarepunishedforit;butwhenoursonsareshotdownlikepartridges，thatisallright，anddecorationsaregiventothemanwhokillsthemost.No，indeed，Ishallneverbeabletounderstandit."
　　Cornudetraisedhisvoice：
　　"Warisabarbarousproceedingwhenweattackapeacefulneighbor，butitisasacreddutywhenundertakenindefenceofone’scountry."
　　Theoldwomanlookeddown：
　　"Yes;it’sanothermatterwhenoneactsinself—defence;butwoulditnotbebettertokillallthekings，seeingthattheymakewarjusttoamusethemselves？"
　　Cornudet’seyeskindled.
　　"Bravo，citizens！"hesaid.
　　MonsieurCarre—Lamadonwasreflectingprofoundly.Althoughanardentadmirerofgreatgenerals，thepeasantwoman’ssturdycommonsensemadehimreflectonthewealthwhichmightaccruetoacountrybytheemploymentofsomanyidlehandsnowmaintainedatagreatexpense，ofsomuchunproductiveforce，iftheywereemployedinthosegreatindustrialenterpriseswhichitwilltakecenturiestocomplete.
　　ButLoiseau，leavinghisseat，wentovertotheinnkeeperandbeganchattinginalowvoice.Thebigmanchuckled，coughed，sputtered;hisenormouscarcassshookwithmerrimentatthepleasantriesoftheother;
　　andheendedbybuyingsixcasksofclaretfromLoiseautobedeliveredinspring，afterthedepartureofthePrussians.
　　Themomentsupperwasovereveryonewenttobed，wornoutwithfatigue.
　　ButLoiseau，whohadbeenmakinghisobservationsonthesly，senthiswifetobed，andamusedhimselfbyplacingfirsthisear，andthenhiseye，tothebedroomkeyhole，inordertodiscoverwhathecalled"themysteriesofthecorridor."
　　Attheendofaboutanhourheheardarustling，peepedoutquickly，andcaughtsightofBouledeSuif，lookingmorerotundthaneverinadressing—gownofbluecashmeretrimmedwithwhitelace.Sheheldacandleinherhand，anddirectedherstepstothenumbereddoorattheendofthecorridor.Butoneofthesidedoorswaspartlyopened，andwhen，attheendofafewminutes，shereturned，Cornudet，inhisshirt—
　　sleeves，followedher.Theyspokeinlowtones，thenstoppedshort.
　　BouledeSuifseemedtobestoutlydenyinghimadmissiontoherroom.
　　Unfortunately，Loiseaucouldnotatfirsthearwhattheysaid;buttowardtheendoftheconversationtheyraisedtheirvoices，andhecaughtafewwords.Cornudetwasloudlyinsistent.
　　"Howsillyyouare！Whatdoesitmattertoyou？"hesaid.
　　Sheseemedindignant，andreplied：
　　"No，mygoodman，therearetimeswhenonedoesnotdothatsortofthing;besides，inthisplaceitwouldbeshameful."
　　Apparentlyhedidnotunderstand，andaskedthereason.Thenshelosthertemperandhercaution，and，raisinghervoicestillhigher，said：
　　"Why？Can’tyouunderstandwhy？WhentherearePrussiansinthehouse！
　　Perhapsevenintheverynextroom！"
　　Hewassilent.Thepatrioticshameofthiswanton，whowouldnotsufferherselftobecaressedintheneighborhoodoftheenemy，musthaverousedhisdormantdignity，forafterbestowingonherasimplekisshecreptsoftlybacktohisroom.Loiseau，muchedified，caperedroundthebedroombeforetakinghisplacebesidehisslumberingspouse.
　　Thensilencereignedthroughoutthehouse.Butsoontherearosefromsomeremotepart——itmighteasilyhavebeeneithercellarorattic——astertorous，monotonous，regularsnoring，adull，prolongedrumbling，variedbytremorslikethoseofaboilerunderpressureofsteam.
　　MonsieurFollenviehadgonetosleep.
　　Astheyhaddecidedonstartingateighto’clockthenextmorning，everyonewasinthekitchenatthathour;butthecoach，itsroofcoveredwithsnow，stoodbyitselfinthemiddleoftheyard，withouteitherhorsesordriver.Theysoughtthelatterinthestables，coach—housesandbarns—
　　butinvain.Sothemenofthepartyresolvedtoscourthecountryforhim，andsalliedforth.Theyfoundthemselvesinthesquare，withthechurchatthefartherside，andtorightandleftlow—roofedhouseswherethereweresomePrussiansoldiers.Thefirstsoldiertheysawwaspeelingpotatoes.Thesecond，fartheron，waswashingoutabarber’sshop.Another，beardedtotheeyes，wasfondlingacryinginfant，anddandlingitonhiskneestoquietit;andthestoutpeasantwomen，whosemen—folkwereforthemostpartatthewar，were，bymeansofsigns，tellingtheirobedientconquerorswhatworktheyweretodo：chopwood，preparesoup，grindcoffee;oneofthemevenwasdoingthewashingforhishostess，aninfirmoldgrandmother.
　　Thecount，astonishedatwhathesaw，questionedthebeadlewhowascomingoutofthepresbytery.Theoldmananswered：
　　"Oh，thosemenarenotatallabadsort;theyarenotPrussians，Iamtold;theycomefromsomewherefartheroff，Idon’texactlyknowwhere.
　　Andtheyhaveallleftwivesandchildrenbehindthem;theyarenotfondofwareither，youmaybesure！Iamsuretheyaremourningforthemenwheretheycomefrom，justaswedohere;andthewarcausesthemjustasmuchunhappinessasitdoesus.Asamatteroffact，thingsarenotsoverybadherejustnow，becausethesoldiersdonoharm，andworkjustasiftheywereintheirownhomes.Yousee，sir，poorfolkalwayshelponeanother;itisthegreatonesofthisworldwhomakewar."
　　Cornudetindignantatthefriendlyunderstandingestablishedbetweenconquerorsandconquered，withdrew，preferringtoshuthimselfupintheinn.
　　"Theyarerepeoplingthecountry，"jestedLoiseau.
　　"Theyareundoingtheharmtheyhavedone，"saidMonsieurCarre—Lamadongravely.
　　Buttheycouldnotfindthecoachdriver.Atlasthewasdiscoveredinthevillagecafe，fraternizingcordiallywiththeofficer’sorderly.
　　"Wereyounottoldtoharnessthehorsesateighto’clock？"demandedthecount.
　　"Oh，yes;butI’vehaddifferentorderssince."
　　"Whatorders？"
　　"Nottoharnessatall."
　　"Whogaveyousuchorders？"
　　"Why，thePrussianofficer."
　　"Butwhy？"
　　"Idon’tknow.Goandaskhim.Iamforbiddentoharnessthehorses，soIdon’tharnessthem——that’sall."
　　"Didhetellyousohimself？"
　　"No，sir;theinnkeepergavemetheorderfromhim."
　　"When？"
　　"Lastevening，justasIwasgoingtobed."
　　Thethreemenreturnedinaveryuneasyframeofmind.
　　TheyaskedforMonsieurFollenvie，buttheservantrepliedthatonaccountofhisasthmahenevergotupbeforeteno’clock.Theywerestrictlyforbiddentorousehimearlier，exceptincaseoffire.
　　Theywishedtoseetheofficer，butthatalsowasimpossible，althoughhelodgedintheinn.MonsieurFollenviealonewasauthorizedtointerviewhimoncivilmatters.Sotheywaited.Thewomenreturnedtotheirrooms，andoccupiedthemselveswithtrivialmatters.
　　Cornudetsettleddownbesidethetallkitchenfireplace，beforeablazingfire.Hehadasmalltableandajugofbeerplacedbesidehim，andhesmokedhispipe——apipewhichenjoyedamongdemocratsaconsiderationalmostequaltohisown，asthoughithadserveditscountryinservingCornudet.Itwasafinemeerschaum，admirablycoloredtoablacktheshadeofitsowner’steeth，butsweet—smelling，gracefullycurved，athomeinitsmaster’shand，andcompletinghisphysiognomy.AndCornudetsatmotionless，hiseyesfixednowonthedancingflames，nowonthefrothwhichcrownedhisbeer;andaftereachdraughthepassedhislong，thinfingerswithanairofsatisfactionthroughhislong，greasyhair，ashesuckedthefoamfromhismustache.
　　Loiseau，underpretenceofstretchinghislegs，wentouttoseeifhecouldsellwinetothecountrydealers.Thecountandthemanufacturerbegantotalkpolitics.TheyforecastthefutureofFrance.OnebelievedintheOrleansdynasty，theotherinanunknownsavior——aherowhoshouldriseupinthelastextremity：aDuGuesclin，perhapsaJoanofArc？oranotherNapoleontheFirst？Ah！ifonlythePrinceImperialwerenotsoyoung！Cornudet，listeningtothem，smiledlikeamanwhoholdsthekeysofdestinyinhishands.Hispipeperfumedthewholekitchen.
　　Astheclockstruckten，MonsieurFollenvieappeared.Hewasimmediatelysurroundedandquestioned，butcouldonlyrepeat，threeorfourtimesinsuccession，andwithoutvariation，thewords：
　　"Theofficersaidtome，justlikethis：’MonsieurFollenvie，youwillforbidthemtoharnessupthecoachforthosetravellersto—morrow.Theyarenottostartwithoutanorderfromme.Youhear？Thatissufficient.’"
　　Thentheyaskedtoseetheofficer.Thecountsenthimhiscard，onwhichMonsieurCarre—Lamadonalsoinscribedhisnameandtitles.ThePrussiansentwordthatthetwomenwouldbeadmittedtoseehimafterhisluncheon——thatistosay，aboutoneo’clock.
　　Theladiesreappeared，andtheyallatealittle，inspiteoftheiranxiety.BouledeSuifappearedillandverymuchworried.
　　Theywerefinishingtheircoffeewhentheorderlycametofetchthegentlemen.
　　Loiseaujoinedtheothertwo;butwhentheytriedtogetCornudettoaccompanythem，bywayofaddinggreatersolemnitytotheoccasion，hedeclaredproudlythathewouldneverhaveanythingtodowiththeGermans，and，resuminghisseatinthechimneycorner，hecalledforanotherjugofbeer.
　　Thethreemenwentupstairs，andwereusheredintothebestroomintheinn，wheretheofficerreceivedthemlollingathiseaseinanarmchair，hisfeetonthemantelpiece，smokingalongporcelainpipe，andenvelopedinagorgeousdressing—gown，doubtlessstolenfromthedeserteddwellingofsomecitizendestituteoftasteindress.Heneitherrose，greetedthem，norevenglancedintheirdirection.Heaffordedafineexampleofthatinsolenceofbearingwhichseemsnaturaltothevictorioussoldier.
　　AfterthelapseofafewmomentshesaidinhishaltingFrench：
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Wewishtostartonourjourney，"saidthecount.
　　"No."
　　"MayIaskthereasonofyourrefusal？"
　　"BecauseIdon’tchoose."
　　"Iwouldrespectfullycallyourattention，monsieur，tothefactthatyourgeneralincommandgaveusapermittoproceedtoDieppe;andIdonotthinkwehavedoneanythingtodeservethisharshnessatyourhands."
　　"Idon’tchoose——that’sall.Youmaygo."
　　Theybowed，andretired.
　　Theafternoonwaswretched.TheycouldnotunderstandthecapriceofthisGerman，andthestrangestideascameintotheirheads.Theyallcongregatedinthekitchen，andtalkedthesubjecttodeath，imaginingallkindsofunlikelythings.Perhapstheyweretobekeptashostages——butforwhatreason？ortobeextraditedasprisonersofwar？orpossiblytheyweretobeheldforransom？Theywerepanic—strickenatthislastsupposition.Therichestamongthemwerethemostalarmed，seeingthemselvesforcedtoemptybagsofgoldintotheinsolentsoldier’shandsinordertobuybacktheirlives.Theyrackedtheirbrainsforplausiblelieswherebytheymightconcealthefactthattheywererich，andpassthemselvesoffaspoor——verypoor.Loiseautookoffhiswatchchain，andputitinhispocket.Theapproachofnightincreasedtheirapprehension.Thelampwaslighted，andasitwantedyettwohourstodinnerMadameLoiseauproposedagameoftrenteetun.Itwoulddistracttheirthoughts.Therestagreed，andCornudethimselfjoinedtheparty，firstputtingouthispipeforpoliteness’sake.
　　Thecountshuffledthecards——dealt——andBouledeSuifhadthirty—onetostartwith;soontheinterestofthegameassuagedtheanxietyoftheplayers.ButCornudetnoticedthatLoiseauandhiswifewereinleaguetocheat.
　　TheywereabouttositdowntodinnerwhenMonsieurFollenvieappeared，andinhisgratingvoiceannounced：
　　"ThePrussianofficersendstoaskMademoiselleElisabethRoussetifshehaschangedhermindyet."
　　BouledeSuifstoodstill，paleasdeath.Then，suddenlyturningcrimsonwithanger，shegaspedout：
　　"Kindlytellthatscoundrel，thatcur，thatcarrionofaPrussian，thatI
　　willneverconsent——youunderstand？——never，never，never！"
　　Thefatinnkeeperlefttheroom.ThenBouledeSuifwassurrounded，questioned，entreatedonallsidestorevealthemysteryofhervisittotheofficer.Sherefusedatfirst;butherwrathsoongotthebetterofher.
　　"Whatdoeshewant？Hewantstomakemehismistress！"shecried.
　　Noonewasshockedattheword，sogreatwasthegeneralindignation.
　　Cornudetbrokehisjugashebangeditdownonthetable.Aloudoutcryaroseagainstthisbasesoldier.Allwerefurious.Theydrewtogetherincommonresistanceagainstthefoe，asifsomepartofthesacrificeexactedofBouledeSuifhadbeendemandedofeach.Thecountdeclared，withsupremedisgust，thatthosepeoplebehavedlikeancientbarbarians.
　　Thewomen，aboveall，manifestedalivelyandtendersympathyforBouledeSuif.Thenuns，whoappearedonlyatmeals，castdowntheireyes，andsaidnothing.
　　Theydined，however，assoonasthefirstindignantoutbursthadsubsided;buttheyspokelittleandthoughtmuch.
　　Theladieswenttobedearly;andthemen，havinglightedtheirpipes，proposedagameofecarte，inwhichMonsieurFollenviewasinvitedtojoin，thetravellershopingtoquestionhimskillfullyastothebestmeansofvanquishingtheofficer’sobduracy.Buthethoughtofnothingbuthiscards，wouldlistentonothing，replytonothing，andrepeated，timeaftertime："Attendtothegame，gentlemen！attendtothegame！"
　　Soabsorbedwashisattentionthatheevenforgottoexpectorate.Theconsequencewasthathischestgaveforthrumblingsoundslikethoseofanorgan.Hiswheezinglungsstruckeverynoteoftheasthmaticscale，fromdeep，hollowtonestoashrill，hoarsepipingresemblingthatofayoungcocktryingtocrow.
　　Herefusedtogotobedwhenhiswife，overcomewithsleep，cametofetchhim.Soshewentoffalone，forshewasanearlybird，alwaysupwiththesun;whilehewasaddictedtolatehours，everreadytospendthenightwithfriends.Hemerelysaid："Putmyegg—noggbythefire，"andwentonwiththegame.Whentheothermensawthatnothingwastobegotoutofhimtheydeclareditwastimetoretire，andeachsoughthisbed.
　　Theyrosefairlyearlythenextmorning，withavaguehopeofbeingallowedtostart，agreaterdesirethanevertodoso，andaterrorathavingtospendanotherdayinthiswretchedlittleinn.
　　Alas！thehorsesremainedinthestable，thedriverwasinvisible.Theyspenttheirtime，forwantofsomethingbettertodo，inwanderingroundthecoach.
　　Luncheonwasagloomyaffair;andtherewasageneralcoolnesstowardBouledeSuif，fornight，whichbringscounsel，hadsomewhatmodifiedthejudgmentofhercompanions.InthecoldlightofthemorningtheyalmostboreagrudgeagainstthegirlfornothavingsecretlysoughtoutthePrussian，thattherestofthepartymightreceiveajoyfulsurprisewhentheyawoke.Whatmoresimple？
　　Besides，whowouldhavebeenthewiser？Shemighthavesavedappearancesbytellingtheofficerthatshehadtakenpityontheirdistress.Suchastepwouldbeofsolittleconsequencetoher.
　　Butnooneasyetconfessedtosuchthoughts.
　　Intheafternoon，seeingthattheywereallboredtodeath，thecountproposedawalkintheneighborhoodofthevillage.Eachonewrappedhimselfupwell，andthelittlepartysetout，leavingbehindonlyCornudet，whopreferredtositoverthefire，andthetwonuns，whowereinthehabitofspendingtheirdayinthechurchoratthepresbytery.
　　Thecold，whichgrewmoreintenseeachday，almostfrozethenosesandearsofthepedestrians，theirfeetbegantopainthemsothateachstepwasapenance，andwhentheyreachedtheopencountryitlookedsomournfulanddepressinginitslimitlessmantleofwhitethattheyallhastilyretracedtheirsteps，withbodiesbenumbedandheartsheavy.
　　Thefourwomenwalkedinfront，andthethreemenfollowedalittleintheirrear.
　　Loiseau，whosawperfectlywellhowmattersstood，askedsuddenly"ifthattrollopweregoingtokeepthemwaitingmuchlongerinthisGodforsakenspot."Thecount，alwayscourteous，repliedthattheycouldnotexactsopainfulasacrificefromanywoman，andthatthefirstmovemustcomefromherself.MonsieurCarre—LamadonremarkedthatiftheFrench，astheytalkedofdoing，madeacounterattackbywayofDieppe，theirencounterwiththeenemymustinevitablytakeplaceatTotes.Thisreflectionmadetheothertwoanxious.
　　"Supposingweescapeonfoot？"saidLoiseau.
　　Thecountshruggedhisshoulders.
　　"Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing，inthissnow？Andwithourwives？
　　Besides，weshouldbepursuedatonce，overtakenintenminutes，andbroughtbackasprisonersatthemercyofthesoldiery."
　　Thiswastrueenough;theyweresilent.
　　Theladiestalkedofdress，butacertainconstraintseemedtoprevailamongthem.
　　Suddenly，attheendofthestreet，theofficerappeared.Histall，wasp—like，uniformedfigurewasoutlinedagainstthesnowwhichboundedthehorizon，andhewalked，kneesapart，withthatmotionpeculiartosoldiers，whoarealwaysanxiousnottosoiltheircarefullypolishedboots.
　　Hebowedashepassedtheladies，thenglancedscornfullyatthemen，whohadsufficientdignitynottoraisetheirhats，thoughLoiseaumadeamovementtodoso.
　　BouledeSuifflushedcrimsontotheears，andthethreemarriedwomenfeltunutterablyhumiliatedatbeingmetthusbythesoldierincompanywiththegirlwhomhehadtreatedwithsuchscantceremony.
　　Thentheybegantotalkabouthim，hisfigure，andhisface.MadameCarre—Lamadon，whohadknownmanyofficersandjudgedthemasaconnoisseur，thoughthimnotatallbad—looking;sheevenregrettedthathewasnotaFrenchman，becauseinthatcasehewouldhavemadeaveryhandsomehussar，withwhomallthewomenwouldassuredlyhavefalleninlove.
　　Whentheywereoncemorewithindoorstheydidnotknowwhattodowiththemselves.Sharpwordsevenwereexchangedaproposofthemeresttrifles.Thesilentdinnerwasquicklyover，andeachonewenttobedearlyinthehopeofsleeping，andthuskillingtime.
　　Theycamedownnextmorningwithtiredfacesandirritabletempers;thewomenscarcelyspoketoBouledeSuif.
　　Achurchbellsummonedthefaithfultoabaptism.BouledeSuifhadachildbeingbroughtupbypeasantsatYvetot.Shedidnotseehimonceayear，andneverthoughtofhim;buttheideaofthechildwhowasabouttobebaptizedinducedasuddenwaveoftendernessforherown，andsheinsistedonbeingpresentattheceremony.
　　Assoonasshehadgoneout，therestofthecompanylookedatoneanotherandthendrewtheirchairstogether;fortheyrealizedthattheymustdecideonsomecourseofaction.Loiseauhadaninspiration：heproposedthattheyshouldasktheofficertodetainBouledeSuifonly，andtolettherestdepartontheirway.
　　MonsieurFollenviewasintrustedwiththiscommission，buthereturnedtothemalmostimmediately.TheGerman，whoknewhumannature，hadshownhimthedoor.Heintendedtokeepallthetravellersuntilhisconditionhadbeencompliedwith.
　　WhereuponMadameLoiseau’svulgartemperamentbrokebounds.
　　"We’renotgoingtodieofoldagehere！"shecried."Sinceit’sthatvixen’stradetobehavesowithmenIdon’tseethatshehasanyrighttorefuseonemorethananother.ImayaswelltellyoushetookanyloversshecouldgetatRouen——evencoachmen！Yes，indeed，madame——thecoachmanattheprefecture！Iknowitforafact，forhebuyshiswineofus.
　　Andnowthatitisaquestionofgettingusoutofadifficultysheputsonvirtuousairs，thedrab！Formypart，Ithinkthisofficerhasbehavedverywell.Why，therewerethreeothersofus，anyoneofwhomhewouldundoubtedlyhavepreferred.Butno，hecontentshimselfwiththegirlwhoiscommonproperty.Herespectsmarriedwomen.Justthink.
　　Heismasterhere.Hehadonlytosay：’Iwishit！’andhemighthavetakenusbyforce，withthehelpofhissoldiers."
　　Thetwootherwomenshuddered;theeyesofprettyMadameCarre—Lamadonglistened，andshegrewpale，asiftheofficerwereindeedintheactoflayingviolenthandsonher.
　　Themen，whohadbeendiscussingthesubjectamongthemselves，drewnear.
　　Loiseau，inastateoffuriousresentment，wasfordeliveringup"thatmiserablewoman，"boundhandandfoot，intotheenemy’spower.Butthecount，descendedfromthreegenerationsofambassadors，andendowed，moreover，withthelineamentsofadiplomat，wasinfavorofmoretactfulmeasures.
　　"Wemustpersuadeher，"hesaid.
　　Thentheylaidtheirplans.
　　Thewomendrewtogether;theyloweredtheirvoices，andthediscussionbecamegeneral，eachgivinghisorheropinion.Buttheconversationwasnotintheleastcoarse.Theladies，inparticular，wereadeptsatdelicatephrasesandcharmingsubtletiesofexpressiontodescribethemostimproperthings.Astrangerwouldhaveunderstoodnoneoftheirallusions，soguardedwasthelanguagetheyemployed.But，seeingthatthethinveneerofmodestywithwhicheverywomanoftheworldisfurnishedgoesbutaverylittlewaybelowthesurface，theybeganrathertoenjoythisunedifyingepisode，andatbottomwerehugelydelighted——
　　feelingthemselvesintheirelement，furtheringtheschemesoflawlesslovewiththegustoofagourmandcookwhopreparessupperforanother.
　　Theirgaietyreturnedofitself，soamusingatlastdidthewholebusinessseemtothem.Thecountutteredseveralratherriskywitticisms，butsotactfullyweretheysaidthathisaudiencecouldnothelpsmiling.Loiseauinturnmadesomeconsiderablybroaderjokes，butnoonetookoffence;andthethoughtexpressedwithsuchbrutaldirectnessbyhiswifewasuppermostinthemindsofall："Sinceit’sthegirl’strade，whyshouldsherefusethismanmorethananother？"DaintyMadameCarre—LamadonseemedtothinkeventhatinBouledeSuif’splaceshewouldbelessinclinedtorefusehimthananother.
　　Theblockadewasascarefullyarrangedasiftheywereinvestingafortress.Eachagreedontherolewhichheorshewastoplay，theargumentstobeused，themaneuverstobeexecuted.Theydecidedontheplanofcampaign，thestratagemstheyweretoemploy，andthesurpriseattackswhichweretoreducethishumancitadelandforceittoreceivetheenemywithinitswalls.
　　ButCornudetremainedapartfromtherest，takingnoshareintheplot.
　　SoabsorbedwastheattentionofallthatBouledeSuif’sentrancewasalmostunnoticed.Butthecountwhisperedagentle"Hush！"whichmadetheotherslookup.Shewasthere.Theysuddenlystoppedtalking，andavagueembarrassmentpreventedthemforafewmomentsfromaddressingher.
　　Butthecountess，morepracticedthantheothersinthewilesofthedrawing—room，askedher：
　　"Wasthebaptisminteresting？"
　　Thegirl，stillunderthestressofemotion，toldwhatshehadseenandheard，describedthefaces，theattitudesofthosepresent，andeventheappearanceofthechurch.Sheconcludedwiththewords：
　　"Itdoesonegoodtopraysometimes."
　　Untillunchtimetheladiescontentedthemselveswithbeingpleasanttoher，soastoincreaseherconfidenceandmakeheramenabletotheiradvice.
　　Assoonastheytooktheirseatsattabletheattackbegan.Firsttheyopenedavagueconversationonthesubjectofself—sacrifice.Ancientexampleswerequoted：JudithandHolofernes;then，irrationallyenough，LucreceandSextus;Cleopatraandthehostilegeneralswhomshereducedtoabjectslaverybyasurrenderofhercharms.Nextwasrecountedanextraordinarystory，bornoftheimaginationoftheseignorantmillionaires，whichtoldhowthematronsofRomeseducedHannibal，hislieutenants，andallhismercenariesatCapua.Theyhelduptoadmirationallthosewomenwhofromtimetotimehavearrestedthevictoriousprogressofconquerors，madeoftheirbodiesafieldofbattle，ameansofruling，aweapon;whohavevanquishedbytheirheroiccaresseshideousordetestedbeings，andsacrificedtheirchastitytovengeanceanddevotion.
　　Allwassaidwithduerestraintandregardforpropriety，theeffectheightenednowandthenbyanoutburstofforcedenthusiasmcalculatedtoexciteemulation.
　　Alistenerwouldhavethoughtatlastthattheoneroleofwomanonearthwasaperpetualsacrificeofherperson，acontinualabandonmentofherselftothecapricesofahostilesoldiery.
　　Thetwonunsseemedtohearnothing，andtobelostinthought.BouledeSuifalsowassilent.
　　Duringthewholeafternoonshewaslefttoherreflections.Butinsteadofcallingher"madame"astheyhaddonehitherto，hercompanionsaddressedhersimplyas"mademoiselle，"withoutexactlyknowingwhy，butasifdesirousofmakingherdescendastepintheesteemshehadwon，andforcinghertorealizeherdegradedposition.
　　Justassoupwasserved，MonsieurFollenviereappeared，repeatinghisphraseoftheeveningbefore：
　　"ThePrussianofficersendstoaskifMademoiselleElisabethRoussethaschangedhermind."
　　BouledeSuifansweredbriefly：
　　"No，monsieur."
　　Butatdinnerthecoalitionweakened.Loiseaumadethreeunfortunateremarks.Eachwascudgelinghisbrainsforfurtherexamplesofself—sacrifice，andcouldfindnone，whenthecountess，possiblywithoutulteriormotive，andmovedsimplybyavaguedesiretodohomagetoreligion，begantoquestiontheelderofthetwonunsonthemoststrikingfactsinthelivesofthesaints.Now，itfelloutthatmanyofthesehadcommittedactswhichwouldbecrimesinoureyes，buttheChurchreadilypardonssuchdeedswhentheyareaccomplishedforthegloryofGodorthegoodofmankind.Thiswasapowerfulargument，andthecountessmadethemostofit.Then，whetherbyreasonofatacitunderstanding，athinlyveiledactofcomplaisancesuchasthosewhoweartheecclesiasticalhabitexcelin，orwhethermerelyastheresultofsheerstupidity——astupidityadmirablyadaptedtofurthertheirdesigns——
　　theoldnunrenderedformidableaidtotheconspirator.Theyhadthoughthertimid;sheprovedherselfbold，talkative，bigoted.Shewasnottroubledbytheinsandoutsofcasuistry;herdoctrineswereasironbars;herfaithknewnodoubt;herconsciencenoscruples.ShelookedonAbraham’ssacrificeasnaturalenough，forsheherselfwouldnothavehesitatedtokillbothfatherandmotherifshehadreceivedadivineordertothateffect;andnothing，inheropinion，coulddispleaseourLord，providedthemotivewerepraiseworthy.Thecountess，puttingtogoodusetheconsecratedauthorityofherunexpectedally，ledherontomakealengthyandedifyingparaphraseofthataxiomenunciatedbyacertainschoolofmoralists："Theendjustifiesthemeans."
　　"Then，sister，"sheasked，"youthinkGodacceptsallmethods，andpardonstheactwhenthemotiveispure？"
　　"Undoubtedly，madame.Anactionreprehensibleinitselfoftenderivesmeritfromthethoughtwhichinspiresit."
　　Andinthiswisetheytalkedon，fathomingthewishesofGod，predictingHisjudgments，describingHimasinterestedinmatterswhichassuredlyconcernHimbutlittle.
　　Allwassaidwiththeutmostcareanddiscretion，buteverywordutteredbytheholywomaninhernun’sgarbweakenedtheindignantresistanceofthecourtesan.Thentheconversationdriftedsomewhat，andthenunbegantotalkoftheconventsofherorder，ofherSuperior，ofherself，andofherfragilelittleneighbor，SisterSt.Nicephore.TheyhadbeensentforfromHavretonursethehundredsofsoldierswhowereinhospitals，strickenwithsmallpox.Shedescribedthesewretchedinvalidsandtheirmalady.And，whiletheythemselvesweredetainedontheirwaybythecapricesofthePrussianofficer，scoresofFrenchmenmightbedying，whomtheywouldotherwisehavesaved！Forthenursingofsoldierswastheoldnun’sspecialty;shehadbeenintheCrimea，inItaly，inAustria;andasshetoldthestoryofhercampaignssherevealedherselfasoneofthoseholysistersofthefifeanddrumwhoseemdesignedbynaturetofollowcamps，tosnatchthewoundedfromamidthestrifeofbattle，andtoquellwithaword，moreeffectuallythananygeneral，theroughandinsubordinatetroopers——amasterfulwoman，herseamedandpittedfaceitselfanimageofthedevastationsofwar.
　　Noonespokewhenshehadfinishedforfearofspoilingtheexcellenteffectofherwords.
　　Assoonasthemealwasoverthetravellersretiredtotheirrooms，whencetheyemergedthefollowingdayatalatehourofthemorning.
　　Luncheonpassedoffquietly.Theseedsowntheprecedingeveningwasbeinggiventimetogerminateandbringforthfruit.
　　Intheafternoonthecountessproposedawalk;thenthecount，ashadbeenarrangedbeforehand，tookBouledeSuif’sarm，andwalkedwithheratsomedistancebehindtherest.
　　Hebegantalkingtoherinthatfamiliar，paternal，slightlycontemptuoustonewhichmenofhisclassadoptinspeakingtowomenlikeher，callingher"mydearchild，"andtalkingdowntoherfromtheheightofhisexaltedsocialpositionandstainlessreputation.Hecamestraighttothepoint.
　　"Soyouprefertoleaveushere，exposedlikeyourselftoalltheviolencewhichwouldfollowonarepulseofthePrussiantroops，ratherthanconsenttosurrenderyourself，asyouhavedonesomanytimesinyourlife？"
　　Thegirldidnotreply.
　　Hetriedkindness，argument，sentiment.Hestillborehimselfascount，evenwhileadopting，whendesirable，anattitudeofgallantry，andmakingpretty——nay，eventender——speeches.Heexaltedtheserviceshewouldrenderthem，spokeoftheirgratitude;then，suddenly，usingthefamiliar"thou"：
　　"Andyouknow，mydear，hecouldboastthenofhavingmadeaconquestofaprettygirlsuchashewon’toftenfindinhisowncountry."
　　BouledeSuifdidnotanswer，andjoinedtherestoftheparty.
　　Assoonastheyreturnedshewenttoherroom，andwasseennomore.Thegeneralanxietywasatitsheight.Whatwouldshedo？Ifshestillresisted，howawkwardforthemall！
　　Thedinnerhourstruck;theywaitedforherinvain.AtlastMonsieurFollenvieentered，announcingthatMademoiselleRoussetwasnotwell，andthattheymightsitdowntotable.Theyallprickeduptheirears.Thecountdrewneartheinnkeeper，andwhispered：
　　"Isitallright？"
　　"Yes."
　　Outofregardforproprietyhesaidnothingtohiscompanions，butmerelynoddedslightlytowardthem.Agreatsighofreliefwentupfromallbreasts;everyfacewaslightedupwithjoy.
　　"ByGad！"shoutedLoiseau，"I’llstandchampagneallroundifthere’sanytobefoundinthisplace."AndgreatwasMadameLoiseau’sdismaywhentheproprietorcamebackwithfourbottlesinhishands.Theyhadallsuddenlybecometalkativeandmerry;alivelyjoyfilledallhearts.ThecountseemedtoperceiveforthefirsttimethatMadameCarre—Lamadonwascharming;themanufacturerpaidcomplimentstothecountess.Theconversationwasanimated，sprightly，witty，and，althoughmanyofthejokeswereintheworstpossibletaste，allthecompanywereamusedbythem，andnoneoffended——indignationbeingdependent，likeotheremotions，onsurroundings.Andthementalatmospherehadgraduallybecomefilledwithgrossimaginingsanduncleanthoughts.
　　Atdesserteventhewomenindulgedindiscreetlywordedallusions.Theirglanceswerefullofmeaning;theyhaddrunkmuch.Thecount，whoeveninhismomentsofrelaxationpreservedadignifieddemeanor，hitonamuch—appreciatedcomparisonoftheconditionofthingswiththeterminationofawinterspentintheicysolitudeoftheNorthPoleandthejoyofshipwreckedmarinerswhoatlastperceiveasouthwardtrackopeningoutbeforetheireyes.
　　Loiseau，fairlyinhiselement，rosetohisfeet，holdingaloftaglassofchampagne.
　　"Idrinktoourdeliverance！"heshouted.
　　Allstoodup，andgreetedthetoastwithacclamation.Eventhetwogoodsistersyieldedtothesolicitationsoftheladies，andconsentedtomoistentheirlipswiththefoamingwine，whichtheyhadneverbeforetasted.Theydeclareditwaslikeeffervescentlemonade，butwithapleasanterflavor.
　　"Itisapity，"saidLoiseau，"thatwehavenopiano;wemighthavehadaquadrille."
　　Cornudethadnotspokenawordormadeamovement;heseemedplungedinseriousthought，andnowandthentuggedfuriouslyathisgreatbeard，asiftryingtoaddstillfurthertoitslength.Atlast，towardmidnight，whentheywereabouttoseparate，Loiseau，whosegaitwasfarfromsteady，suddenlyslappedhimontheback，sayingthickly：
　　"You’renotjollyto—night;whyareyousosilent，oldman？"
　　Cornudetthrewbackhishead，castoneswiftandscornfulglanceovertheassemblage，andanswered：
　　"Itellyouall，youhavedoneaninfamousthing！"
　　Herose，reachedthedoor，andrepeating："Infamous！"disappeared.
　　Achillfellonall.Loiseauhimselflookedfoolishanddisconcertedforamoment，butsoonrecoveredhisaplomb，and，writhingwithlaughter，exclaimed：
　　"Really，youarealltoogreenforanything！"
　　Pressedforanexplanation，herelatedthe"mysteriesofthecorridor，"
　　whereathislistenerswerehugelyamused.Theladiescouldhardlycontaintheirdelight.ThecountandMonsieurCarre—Lamadonlaughedtilltheycried.Theycouldscarcelybelievetheirears.
　　"What！youaresure？Hewanted————"
　　"ItellyouIsawitwithmyowneyes."
　　"Andsherefused？"
　　"BecausethePrussianwasinthenextroom！"
　　"Surelyyouaremistaken？"
　　"IswearI’mtellingyouthetruth."
　　Thecountwaschokingwithlaughter.Themanufacturerheldhissides.
　　Loiseaucontinued：
　　"Soyoumaywellimaginehedoesn’tthinkthisevening’sbusinessatallamusing."
　　Andallthreebegantolaughagain，choking，coughing，almostillwithmerriment.
　　Thentheyseparated.ButMadameLoiseau，whowasnothingifnotspiteful，remarkedtoherhusbandastheywereonthewaytobedthat"thatstuck—uplittleminxofaCarre—Lamadonhadlaughedonthewrongsideofhermouthalltheevening."
　　"Youknow，"shesaid，"whenwomenrunafteruniformsit’sallthesametothemwhetherthemenwhowearthemareFrenchorPrussian.It’sperfectlysickening！"
　　Thenextmorningthesnowshoweddazzlingwhitetinderaclearwintersun.Thecoach，readyatlast，waitedbeforethedoor;whileaflockofwhitepigeons，withpinkeyesspottedinthecentreswithblack，puffedouttheirwhitefeathersandwalkedsedatelybetweenthelegsofthesixhorses，pickingatthesteamingmanure.
　　Thedriver，wrappedinhissheepskincoat，wassmokingapipeonthebox，andallthepassengers，radiantwithdelightattheirapproachingdeparture，wereputtingupprovisionsfortheremainderofthejourney.
　　TheywerewaitingonlyforBouledeSuif.Atlastsheappeared.
　　Sheseemedrathershamefacedandembarrassed，andadvancedwithtimidsteptowardhercompanions，whowithoneaccordturnedasideasiftheyhadnotseenher.Thecount，withmuchdignity，tookhiswifebythearm，andremovedherfromtheuncleancontact.
　　Thegirlstoodstill，stupefiedwithastonishment;then，pluckingupcourage，accostedthemanufacturer’swifewithahumble"Good—morning，madame，"towhichtheotherrepliedmerelywithaslightaridinsolentnod，accompaniedbyalookofoutragedvirtue.Everyonesuddenlyappearedextremelybusy，andkeptasfarfromBouledeSuifasiftierskirtshadbeeninfectedwithsomedeadlydisease.Thentheyhurriedtothecoach，followedbythedespisedcourtesan，who，arrivinglastofall，silentlytooktheplaceshehadoccupiedduringthefirstpartofthejourney.
　　Therestseemedneithertoseenortoknowher——allsaveMadameLoiseau，who，glancingcontemptuouslyinherdirection，remarked，halfaloud，toherhusband：
　　"WhatamercyIamnotsittingbesidethatcreature！"
　　Thelumberingvehiclestartedonitsway，andthejourneybeganafresh.
　　Atfirstnoonespoke.BouledeSuifdarednotevenraisehereyes.Shefeltatonceindignantwithherneighbors，andhumiliatedathavingyieldedtothePrussianintowhosearmstheyhadsohypocriticallycasther.
　　Butthecountess，turningtowardMadameCarre—Lamadon，soonbrokethepainfulsilence：
　　"IthinkyouknowMadamed’Etrelles？"
　　"Yes;sheisafriendofmine."
　　"Suchacharmingwoman！"
　　"Delightful！Exceptionallytalented，andanartisttothefingertips.
　　Shesingsmarvellouslyanddrawstoperfection."
　　Themanufacturerwaschattingwiththecount，andamidtheclatterofthewindow—panesawordoftheirconversationwasnowandthendistinguishable："Shares——maturity——premium——time—limit."
　　Loiseau，whohadabstractedfromtheinnthetimewornpackofcards，thickwiththegreaseoffiveyears’contactwithhalf—wiped—offtables，startedagameofbeziquewithhiswife.
　　Thegoodsisters，takingupsimultaneouslythelongrosarieshangingfromtheirwaists，madethesignofthecross，andbegantomutterinunisoninterminableprayers，theirlipsmovingevermoreandmoreswiftly，asiftheysoughtwhichshouldoutdistancetheotherintheraceoforisons;
　　fromtimetotimetheykissedamedal，andcrossedthemselvesanew，thenresumedtheirrapidandunintelligiblemurmur.
　　Cornudetsatstill，lostinthought.
　　AhtheendofthreehoursLoiseaugatheredupthecards，andremarkedthathewashungry.
　　Hiswifethereuponproducedaparceltiedwithstring，fromwhichsheextractedapieceofcoldveal.Thisshecutintoneat，thinslices，andbothbegantoeat.
　　"Wemayaswelldothesame，"saidthecountess.Therestagreed，andsheunpackedtheprovisionswhichhadbeenpreparedforherself，thecount，andtheCarre—Lamadons.Inoneofthoseovaldishes，thelidsofwhicharedecoratedwithanearthenwarehare，bywayofshowingthatagamepielieswithin，wasasucculentdelicacyconsistingofthebrownfleshofthegamelardedwithstreaksofbaconandflavoredwithothermeatschoppedfine.AsolidwedgeofGruyerecheese，whichhadbeenwrappedinanewspaper，boretheimprint："ItemsofNews，"onitsrich，oilysurface.
　　Thetwogoodsistersbroughttolightahunkofsausagesmellingstronglyofgarlic;andCornudet，plungingbothhandsatonceintothecapaciouspocketsofhislooseovercoat，producedfromonefourhard—boiledeggsandfromtheotheracrustofbread.Heremovedtheshells，threwthemintothestrawbeneathhisfeet，andbegantodevourtheeggs，lettingmorselsofthebrightyellowyolkfallinhismightybeard，wheretheylookedlikestars.
　　BouledeSuif，inthehasteandconfusionofherdeparture，hadnotthoughtofanything，and，stiflingwithrage，shewatchedallthesepeopleplacidlyeating.Atfirst，ill—suppressedwrathshookherwholeperson，andsheopenedherlipstoshriekthetruthatthem，tooverwhelmthemwithavolleyofinsults;butshecouldnotutteraword，sochokedwasshewithindignation.
　　Noonelookedather，noonethoughtofher.Shefeltherselfswallowedupinthescornofthesevirtuouscreatures，whohadfirstsacrificed，thenrejectedherasathinguselessandunclean.Thensherememberedherbigbasketfullofthegoodthingstheyhadsogreedilydevoured：thetwochickenscoatedinjelly，thepies，thepears，thefourbottlesofclaret;andherfurybrokeforthlikeacordthatisoverstrained，andshewasonthevergeoftears.Shemadeterribleeffortsatself—
　　control，drewherselfup，swallowedthesobswhichchokedher;butthetearsrosenevertheless，shoneatthebrinkofhereyelids，andsoontwoheavydropscoursedslowlydownhercheeks.Othersfollowedmorequickly，likewaterfilteringfromarock，andfell，oneafteranother，onherroundedbosom.Shesatupright，withafixedexpression，herfacepaleandrigid，hopingdesperatelythatnoonesawhergiveway.
　　Butthecountessnoticedthatshewasweeping，andwithasigndrewherhusband’sattentiontothefact.Heshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosay："Well，whatofit？It’snotmyfault."MadameLoiseauchuckledtriumphantly，andmurmured：
　　"She’sweepingforshame."
　　Thetwonunshadbetakenthemselvesoncemoretotheirprayers，firstwrappingtheremainderoftheirsausageinpaper：
　　ThenCornudet，whowasdigestinghiseggs，stretchedhislonglegsundertheoppositeseat，threwhimselfback，foldedhisarms，smiledlikeamanwhohadjustthoughtofagoodjoke，andbegantowhistletheMarseillaise.
　　Thefacesofhisneighborsclouded;thepopularairevidentlydidnotfindfavorwiththem;theygrewnervousandirritable，andseemedreadytohowlasadogdoesatthesoundofabarrel—organ.Cornudetsawthediscomforthewascreating，andwhistledthelouder;sometimesheevenhummedthewords：
　　Amoursacredelapatrie，Conduis，soutiens，nosbrasvengeurs，Liberte，libertecherie，Combatsavectesdefenseurs！
　　Thecoachprogressedmoreswiftly，thesnowbeinghardernow;andallthewaytoDieppe，duringthelong，drearyhoursofthejourney，firstinthegatheringdusk，theninthethickdarkness，raisinghisvoiceabovetherumblingofthevehicle，Cornudetcontinuedwithfierceobstinacyhisvengefulandmonotonouswhistling，forcinghiswearyandexasperated—
　　hearerstofollowthesongfromendtoend，torecalleverywordofeveryline，aseachwasrepeatedoverandoveragainwithuntiringpersistency.
　　AndBouledeSuifstillwept，andsometimesasobshecouldnotrestrainwasheardinthedarknessbetweentwoversesofthesong.
　　TWOFRIENDS
　　BesiegedPariswasinthethroesoffamine.Eventhesparrowsontheroofsandtheratsinthesewersweregrowingscarce.Peoplewereeatinganythingtheycouldget.
　　AsMonsieurMorissot，watchmakerbyprofessionandidlerforthenonce，wasstrollingalongtheboulevardonebrightJanuarymorning，hishandsinhistrouserspocketsandstomachempty，hesuddenlycamefacetofacewithanacquaintance——MonsieurSauvage，afishingchum.
　　BeforethewarbrokeoutMorissothadbeeninthehabit，everySundaymorning，ofsettingforthwithabamboorodinhishandandatinboxonhisback.HetooktheArgenteuiltrain，gotoutatColombes，andwalkedthencetotheIleMarante.Themomenthearrivedatthisplaceofhisdreamshebeganfishing，andfishedtillnightfall.
　　EverySundayhemetinthisveryspotMonsieurSauvage，astout，jolly，littleman，adraperintheRueNotreDamedeLorette，andalsoanardentfisherman.Theyoftenspenthalfthedaysidebyside，rodinhandandfeetdanglingoverthewater，andawarmfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthetwo.
　　Somedaystheydidnotspeak;atothertimestheychatted;buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectlywithouttheaidofwords，havingsimilartastesandfeelings.
　　Inthespring，aboutteno’clockinthemorning，whentheearlysuncausedalightmisttofloatonthewaterandgentlywarmedthebacksofthetwoenthusiasticanglers，Morissotwouldoccasionallyremarktohisneighbor：
　　"My，butit’spleasanthere."
　　Towhichtheotherwouldreply：
　　"Ican’timagineanythingbetter！"
　　Andthesefewwordssufficedtomakethemunderstandandappreciateeachother.
　　Intheautumn，towardthecloseofday，whenthesettingsunshedablood—redglowoverthewesternsky，andthereflectionofthecrimsoncloudstingedthewholeriverwithred，broughtaglowtothefacesofthetwofriends，andgildedthetrees，whoseleaveswerealreadyturningatthefirstchilltouchofwinter，MonsieurSauvagewouldsometimessmileatMorissot，andsay：
　　"Whatagloriousspectacle！"
　　AndMorissotwouldanswer，withouttakinghiseyesfromhisfloat：
　　"Thisismuchbetterthantheboulevard，isn’tit？"
　　Assoonastheyrecognizedeachothertheyshookhandscordially，affectedatthethoughtofmeetingundersuchchangedcircumstances.
　　MonsieurSauvage，withasigh，murmured：
　　"Thesearesadtimes！"
　　Morissotshookhisheadmournfully.
　　"Andsuchweather！Thisisthefirstfinedayoftheyear."
　　Theskywas，infact，ofabright，cloudlessblue.
　　Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，reflectiveandsad.
　　"Andtothinkofthefishing！"saidMorissot."Whatgoodtimesweusedtohave！"
　　"Whenshallwebeabletofishagain？"askedMonsieurSauvage.
　　Theyenteredasmallcafeandtookanabsinthetogether，thenresumedtheirwalkalongthepavement.
　　Morissotstoppedsuddenly.
　　"Shallwehaveanotherabsinthe？"hesaid.
　　"Ifyoulike，"agreedMonsieurSauvage.
　　Andtheyenteredanotherwineshop.
　　Theywerequiteunsteadywhentheycameout，owingtotheeffectofthealcoholontheiremptystomachs.Itwasafine，mildday，andagentlebreezefannedtheirfaces.
　　ThefreshaircompletedtheeffectofthealcoholonMonsieurSauvage.
　　Hestoppedsuddenly，saying：
　　"Supposewegothere？"
　　"Where？"
　　"Fishing."
　　"Butwhere？"
　　"Why，totheoldplace.TheFrenchoutpostsareclosetoColombes.I
　　knowColonelDumoulin，andweshalleasilygetleavetopass."
　　Morissottrembledwithdesire.
　　"Verywell.Iagree."
　　Andtheyseparated，tofetchtheirrodsandlines.
　　Anhourlatertheywerewalkingsidebysideonthe—highroad.Presentlytheyreachedthevillaoccupiedbythecolonel.Hesmiledattheirrequest，andgrantedit.Theyresumedtheirwalk，furnishedwithapassword.
　　Soontheylefttheoutpostsbehindthem，madetheirwaythroughdesertedColombes，andfoundthemselvesontheoutskirtsofthesmallvineyardswhichbordertheSeine.Itwasabouteleveno’clock.
　　BeforethemlaythevillageofArgenteuil，apparentlylifeless.TheheightsofOrgementandSannoisdominatedthelandscape.Thegreatplain，extendingasfarasNanterre，wasempty，quiteempty—awasteofdun—coloredsoilandbarecherrytrees.
　　MonsieurSauvage，pointingtotheheights，murmured：
　　"ThePrussiansareupyonder！"
　　Andthesightofthedesertedcountryfilledthetwofriendswithvaguemisgivings.
　　ThePrussians！Theyhadneverseenthemasyet，buttheyhadfelttheirpresenceintheneighborhoodofParisformonthspast——ruiningFrance，pillaging，massacring，starvingthem.Andakindofsuperstitiousterrormingledwiththehatredtheyalreadyfelttowardthisunknown，victoriousnation.
　　"Supposeweweretomeetanyofthem？"saidMorissot.
　　"We’dofferthemsomefish，"repliedMonsieurSauvage，withthatParisianlight—heartednesswhichnothingcanwhollyquench.
　　Still，theyhesitatedtoshowthemselvesintheopencountry，overawedbytheuttersilencewhichreignedaroundthem.
　　AtlastMonsieurSauvagesaidboldly：
　　"Come，we’llmakeastart;onlyletusbecareful！"
　　Andtheymadetheirwaythroughoneofthevineyards，bentdouble，creepingalongbeneaththecoveraffordedbythevines，witheyeandearalert.
　　Astripofbaregroundremainedtobecrossedbeforetheycouldgaintheriverbank.Theyranacrossthis，and，assoonastheywereatthewater’sedge，concealedthemselvesamongthedryreeds.
　　Morissotplacedhiseartotheground，toascertain，ifpossible，whetherfootstepswerecomingtheirway.Heheardnothing.Theyseemedtobeutterlyalone.
　　Theirconfidencewasrestored，andtheybegantofish.
　　BeforethemthedesertedIleMarantehidthemfromthefarthershore.
　　Thelittlerestaurantwasclosed，andlookedasifithadbeendesertedforyears.
　　MonsieurSauvagecaughtthefirstgudgeon，MonsieurMorissotthesecond，andalmosteverymomentoneorotherraisedhislinewithalittle，glittering，silveryfishwrigglingattheend;theywerehavingexcellentsport.
　　Theyslippedtheircatchgentlyintoaclose—meshedbaglyingattheirfeet;theywerefilledwithjoy——thejoyofoncemoreindulginginapastimeofwhichtheyhadlongbeendeprived.
　　Thesunpoureditsraysontheirbacks;theynolongerheardanythingorthoughtofanything.Theyignoredtherestoftheworld;theywerefishing.
　　Butsuddenlyarumblingsound，whichseemedtocomefromthebowelsoftheearth，shookthegroundbeneaththem：thecannonwereresumingtheirthunder.
　　Morissotturnedhisheadandcouldseetowardtheleft，beyondthebanksoftheriver，theformidableoutlineofMont—Valerien，fromwhosesummitaroseawhitepuffofsmoke.
　　Thenextinstantasecondpufffollowedthefirst，andinafewmomentsafreshdetonationmadetheearthtremble.
　　Othersfollowed，andminutebyminutethemountaingaveforthitsdeadlybreathandawhitepuffofsmoke，whichroseslowlyintothepeacefulheavenandfloatedabovethesummitofthecliff.
　　MonsieurSauvageshruggedhisshoulders.
　　"Theyareatitagain！"hesaid.
　　Morissot，whowasanxiouslywatchinghisfloatbobbingupanddown，wassuddenlyseizedwiththeangryimpatienceofapeacefulmantowardthemadmenwhowerefiringthus，andremarkedindignantly：
　　"Whatfoolstheyaretokilloneanotherlikethat！"
　　"They’reworsethananimals，"repliedMonsieurSauvage.
　　AndMorissot，whohadjustcaughtableak，declared：
　　"Andtothinkthatitwillbejustthesamesolongastherearegovernments！"
　　"TheRepublicwouldnothavedeclaredwar，"interposedMonsieurSauvage.
　　Morissotinterruptedhim：
　　"Underakingwehaveforeignwars;underarepublicwehavecivilwar."
　　Andthetwobeganplacidlydiscussingpoliticalproblemswiththesoundcommonsenseofpeaceful，matter—of—factcitizens——agreeingononepoint：
　　thattheywouldneverbefree.AndMont—Valerienthunderedceaselessly，demolishingthehousesoftheFrenchwithitscannonballs，grindinglivesofmentopowder，destroyingmanyadream，manyacherishedhope，manyaprospectivehappiness;ruthlesslycausingendlesswoeandsufferingintheheartsofwives，ofdaughters，ofmothers，inotherlands.
　　"Suchislife！"declaredMonsieurSauvage.
　　"Say，rather，suchisdeath！"repliedMorissot，laughing.
　　Buttheysuddenlytrembledwithalarmatthesoundoffootstepsbehindthem，and，turninground，theyperceivedcloseathandfourtall，beardedmen，dressedafterthemannerofliveryservantsandwearingflatcapsontheirheads.Theywerecoveringthetwoanglerswiththeirrifles.
　　Therodsslippedfromtheirowners’graspandfloatedawaydowntheriver.
　　Inthespaceofafewsecondstheywereseized，bound，thrownintoaboat，andtakenacrosstotheIleMarante.
　　AndbehindthehousetheyhadthoughtdesertedwereaboutascoreofGermansoldiers.
　　Ashaggy—lookinggiant，whowasbestridingachairandsmokingalongclaypipe，addressedtheminexcellentFrenchwiththewords：
　　"Well，gentlemen，haveyouhadgoodluckwithyourfishing？"
　　Thenasoldierdepositedattheofficer’sfeetthebagfulloffish，whichhehadtakencaretobringaway.ThePrussiansmiled.
　　"Notbad，Isee.Butwehavesomethingelsetotalkabout.Listentome，anddon’tbealarmed：
　　"Youmustknowthat，inmyeyes，youaretwospiessenttoreconnoitremeandmymovements.Naturally，IcaptureyouandIshootyou.Youpretendedtobefishing，thebettertodisguiseyourrealerrand.Youhavefallenintomyhands，andmusttaketheconsequences.Suchiswar.
　　"Butasyoucameherethroughtheoutpostsyoumusthaveapasswordforyourreturn.TellmethatpasswordandIwillletyougo."
　　Thetwofriends，paleasdeath，stoodsilentlysidebyside，aslightflutteringofthehandsalonebetrayingtheiremotion.
　　"Noonewilleverknow，"continuedtheofficer."Youwillreturnpeacefullytoyourhomes，andthesecretwilldisappearwithyou.Ifyourefuse，itmeansdeath—instantdeath.Choose！"
　　Theystoodmotionless，anddidnotopentheirlips.
　　ThePrussian，perfectlycalm，wenton，withhandoutstretchedtowardtheriver：
　　"Justthinkthatinfiveminutesyouwillbeatthebottomofthatwater.
　　Infiveminutes！Youhaverelations，Ipresume？"
　　Mont—Valerienstillthundered.
　　Thetwofishermenremainedsilent.TheGermanturnedandgaveanorderinhisownlanguage.Thenhemovedhischairalittlewayoff，thathemightnotbesoneartheprisoners，andadozenmensteppedforward，rifleinhand，andtookupaposition，twentypacesoff.
　　"Igiveyouoneminute，"saidtheofficer;"notasecondlonger."
　　Thenherosequickly，wentovertothetwoFrenchmen，tookMorissotbythearm，ledhimashortdistanceoff，andsaidinalowvoice：
　　"Quick！thepassword！Yourfriendwillknownothing.Iwillpretendtorelent."
　　Morissotanswerednotaword.
　　ThenthePrussiantookMonsieurSauvageasideinlikemanner，andmadehimthesameproposal.
　　MonsieurSauvagemadenoreply.
　　Againtheystoodsidebyside.
　　Theofficerissuedhisorders;thesoldiersraisedtheirrifles.
　　ThenbychanceMorissot’seyesfellonthebagfullofgudgeonlyinginthegrassafewfeetfromhim.
　　Arayofsunlightmadethestillquiveringfishglistenlikesilver.AndMorissot’sheartsank.Despitehiseffortsatself—controlhiseyesfilledwithtears.
　　"Good—by，MonsieurSauvage，"hefaltered.
　　"Good—by，MonsieurMorissot，"repliedSauvage.
　　Theyshookhands，tremblingfromheadtofootwithadreadbeyondtheirmastery.
　　Theofficercried：
　　"Fire！"
　　Thetwelveshotswereasone.
　　MonsieurSauvagefellforwardinstantaneously.Morissot，beingthetaller，swayedslightlyandfellacrosshisfriendwithfaceturnedskywardandbloodoozingfromarentinthebreastofhiscoat.
　　TheGermanissuedfreshorders.
　　Hismendispersed，andpresentlyreturnedwithropesandlargestones，whichtheyattachedtothefeetofthetwofriends;thentheycarriedthemtotheriverbank.
　　Mont—Valerien，itssummitnowenshroudedinsmoke，stillcontinuedtothunder.
　　TwosoldierstookMorissotbytheheadandthefeet;twoothersdidthesamewithSauvage.Thebodies，swunglustilybystronghands，werecasttoadistance，and，describingacurve，fellfeetforemostintothestream.
　　Thewatersplashedhigh，foamed，eddied，thengrewcalm;tinywaveslappedtheshore.
　　Afewstreaksofbloodfleckedthesurfaceoftheriver.
　　Theofficer，calmthroughout，remarked，withgrimhumor：
　　"It’sthefishes’turnnow！"
　　Thenheretracedhiswaytothehouse.
　　Suddenlyhecaughtsightofthenetfullofgudgeons，lyingforgotteninthegrass.Hepickeditup，examinedit，smiled，andcalled：
　　"Wilhelm！"
　　Awhite—apronedsoldierrespondedtothesummons，andthePrussian，tossinghimthecatchofthetwomurderedmen，said：
　　"Havethesefishfriedformeatonce，whiletheyarestillalive;
　　they’llmakeatastydish."
　　Thenheresumedhispipe.
　　THELANCER’SWIFE
　　I
　　ItwasafterBourbaki’sdefeatintheeastofFrance.Thearmy，brokenup，decimated，andwornout，hadbeenobligedtoretreatintoSwitzerlandafterthatterriblecampaign，anditwasonlyitsshortdurationthatsavedahundredandfiftythousandmenfromcertaindeath.Hunger，theterriblecold，forcedmarchesinthesnowwithoutboots，overbadmountainroads，hadcausedus’francs—tireurs’，especially，thegreatestsuffering，forwewerewithouttents，andalmostwithoutfood，alwaysinthevanwhenweweremarchingtowardBelfort，andintherearwhenreturningbytheJura.OfourlittlebandthathadnumberedtwelvehundredmenonthefirstofJanuary，thereremainedonlytwenty—twopale，thin，raggedwretches，whenweatlengthsucceededinreachingSwissterritory.
　　Thereweweresafe，andcouldrest.EverybodyknowswhatsympathywasshowntotheunfortunateFrencharmy，andhowwellitwascaredfor.Weallgainedfreshlife，andthosewhohadbeenrichandhappybeforethewardeclaredthattheyhadneverexperiencedagreaterfeelingofcomfortthantheydidthen.Justthink.Weactuallyhadsomethingtoeateveryday，andcouldsleepeverynight.
　　Meanwhile，thewarcontinuedintheeastofFrance，whichhadbeenexcludedfromthearmistice.Besanconstillkepttheenemyincheck，andthelatterhadtheirrevengebyravagingFrancheComte.Sometimesweheardthattheyhadapproachedquiteclosetothefrontier，andwesawSwisstroops，whoweretoformalineofobservationbetweenusandthem，setoutontheirmarch.
　　Thatpainedusintheend，and，asweregainedhealthandstrength，thelongingtofighttookpossessionofus.ItwasdisgracefulandirritatingtoknowthatwithintwoorthreeleaguesofustheGermanswerevictoriousandinsolent，tofeelthatwewereprotectedbyourcaptivity，andtofeelthatonthataccountwewerepowerlessagainstthem.
　　Onedayourcaptaintookfiveorsixofusaside，andspoketousaboutit，longandfuriously.Hewasafinefellow，thatcaptain.HehadbeenasublieutenantintheZouaves，wastallandthinandashardassteel，andduringthewholecampaignhehadcutouttheirworkfortheGermans.
　　Hefrettedininactivity，andcouldnotaccustomhimselftotheideaofbeingaprisonerandofdoingnothing.
　　"Confoundit！"hesaidtous，"doesitnotpainyoutoknowthatthereisanumberofuhlanswithintwohoursofus？Doesitnotalmostdriveyoumadtoknowthatthosebeggarlywretchesarewalkingaboutasmastersinourmountains，whensixdeterminedmenmightkillawholespitfulanyday？Icannotendureitanylonger，andImustgothere."
　　"Buthowcanyoumanageit，captain？"