Meanwhileithadgrownunbearablyhot，thesparklingriverlookedlikeablazeoffireandthefumesofthewineweregettingintotheirheads.
　　MonsieurDufour，whohadaviolenthiccough，hadunbuttonedhiswaistcoatandthetopbuttonofhistrousers，whilehiswife，whofeltchoking，wasgraduallyunfasteningherdress.Theapprenticewasshakinghisyellowwiginahappyframeofmind，andkepthelpinghimselftowine，andtheoldgrandmother，feelingtheeffectsofthewine，wasverystiffanddignified.Asforthegirl，onenoticedonlyapeculiarbrightnessinhereyes，whilethebrowncheeksbecamemorerosy.
　　Thecoffeefinished，theysuggestedsinging，andeachofthemsangorrepeatedacouplet，whichtheothersapplaudedfrantically.Thentheygotupwithsomedifficulty，andwhilethetwowomen，whowereratherdizzy，weretryingtogetabreathofair，thetwomen，whowerealtogetherdrunk，wereattemptinggymnastics.Heavy，limpandwithscarletfacestheyhungor，awkwardlytotheironrings，withoutbeingabletoraisethemselves.
　　Meanwhilethetwoboatingmenhadgottheirboatsintothewater，andtheycamebackandpolitelyaskedtheladieswhethertheywouldlikearow.
　　"Wouldyoulikeone，MonsieurDufour？"hiswifeexclaimed."Pleasecome！"
　　Hemerelygaveheradrunkennod，withoutunderstandingwhatshesaid.
　　Thenoneoftherowerscameupwithtwofishingrodsinhishands，andthehopeofcatchingagudgeon，thatgreatvisionoftheParisianshopkeeper，madeDufour’sdulleyesgleam，andhepolitelyallowedthemtodowhatevertheyliked，whilehesatintheshadeunderthebridge，withhisfeetdanglingovertheriver，bythesideoftheyoungmanwiththeyellowhair，whowassleepingsoundly.
　　Oneoftheboatingmenmadeamartyrofhimselfandtookthemother.
　　"LetusgotothelittlewoodontheIleauxAnglais！"hecalledoutasherowedoff.Theotherboatwentmoreslowly，fortherowerwaslookingathiscompanionsointentlythatbythoughtofnothingelse，andhisemotionseemedtoparalyzehisstrength，whilethegirl，whowassittinginthebow，gaveherselfuptotheenjoymentofbeingonthewater.Shefeltadisinclinationtothink，alassitudeinherlimbsandatotalenervation，asifshewereintoxicated，andherfacewasflushedandherbreathingquickened.Theeffectsofthewine，whichwereincreasedbytheextremeheat，madeallthetreesonthebankseemtobowasshepassed.Avaguewishforenjoymentandafermentationofherbloodseemedtopervadeherwholebody，whichwasexcitedbytheheatoftheday，andshewasalsodisturbedatthistete—a—teteonthewater，inaplacewhichseemeddepopulatedbytheheat，withthisyoungmanwhothoughtherpretty，whoseardentlooksseemedtocaressherskinandwereaspenetratingandpervadingasthesun’srays.
　　Theirinabilitytospeakincreasedtheiremotion，andtheylookedaboutthem.Atlast，however，hemadeaneffortandaskedhername.
　　"Henriette，"shesaid.
　　"Why，mynameisHenri，"hereplied.Thesoundoftheirvoiceshadcalmedthem，andtheylookedatthebanks.Theotherboathadpassedthemandseemedtobewaitingforthem，andtherowercalledout：
　　"Wewillmeetyouinthewood;wearegoingasfarasRobinson’s，becauseMadameDufouristhirsty."Thenhebentoverhisoarsagainandrowedoffsoquicklythathewassoonoutofsight.
　　Meanwhileacontinualroar，whichtheyhadheardforsometime，camenearer，andtheriveritselfseemedtoshiver，asifthedullnoisewererisingfromitsdepths.
　　"Whatisthatnoise？"sheasked.Itwasthenoiseoftheweirwhichcuttheriverintwoattheisland，andhewasexplainingittoher，when，abovethenoiseofthewaterfall，theyheardthesongofabird，whichseemedalongwayoff.
　　"Listen！"hesaid;"thenightingalesaresingingduringtheday，sothefemalebirdsmustbesitting."
　　Anightingale！Shehadneverheardonebefore，andtheideaoflisteningtoonerousedvisionsofpoetictendernessinherheart.Anightingale！
　　Thatistosay，theinvisiblewitnessofherlovetrystswhichJulietinvokedonherbalcony;thatcelestialmusicwhichitattunedtohumankisses，thateternalinspirerofallthoselanguorousromanceswhichopenanidealskytoallthepoorlittletenderheartsofsensitivegirls！
　　Shewasgoingtohearanightingale.
　　"Wemustnotmakeanoise，"hercompanionsaid，"andthenwecangointothewood，andsitdownclosebesideit."
　　Theboatseemedtoglide.Theysawthetreesontheisland，thebanksofwhichweresolowthattheycouldlookintothedepthsofthethickets.
　　Theystopped，hemadetheboatfast，HenriettetookholdofHenri’sarm，andtheywentbeneaththetrees.
　　"Stoop，"hesaid，soshestoopeddown，andtheywentintoaninextricablethicketofcreepers，leavesandreedgrass，whichformedanundiscoverableretreat，andwhichtheyoungmanlaughinglycalled"hisprivateroom."
　　Justabovetheirheads，perchedinoneofthetreeswhichhidthem，thebirdwasstillsinging.Heutteredtrillsandroulades，andthenloud，vibratingnotesthatfilledtheairandseemedtolosethemselvesonthehorizon，acrossthelevelcountry，throughthatburningsilencewhichweigheduponthewholelandscape.Theydidnotspeakforfearoffrighteningitaway.Theyweresittingclosetogether，and，slowly，Henri’sarmstoleroundthegirl’swaistandsqueezeditgently.Shetookthatdaringhandwithoutanyanger，andkeptremovingitwheneverheputitroundher;without，however，feelingatallembarrassedbythiscaress，justasifithadbeensomethingquitenatural，whichshewasresistingjustasnaturally.
　　Shewaslisteningtothebirdinecstasy.Shefeltaninfinitelongingforhappiness，forsomesuddendemonstrationoftenderness，fortherevelationofsuperhumanpoetry，andshefeltsuchasofteningatherheart，andrelaxationofhernerves，thatshebegantocry，withoutknowingwhy.Theyoungmanwasnowstrainingherclosetohim，yetshedidnotremovehisarm;shedidnotthinkofit.Suddenlythenightingalestopped，andavoicecalledoutinthedistance：
　　"Henriette！"
　　"Donotreply，"hesaidinalowvoice;"youwilldrivethebirdaway."
　　Butshehadnoideaofdoingso，andtheyremainedinthesamepositionforsometime.MadameDufourhadsatdownsomewhereorother，forfromtimetotimetheyheardthestoutladybreakoutintolittleburstsoflaughter.
　　Thegirlwasstillcrying;shewasfilledwithstrangesensations.
　　Henri’sheadwasonhershoulder，andsuddenlyhekissedheronthelips.
　　Shewassurprisedandangry，and，toavoidhim，shestoodup.
　　Theywerebothverypalewhentheylefttheirgrassyretreat.Theblueskyappearedtothemcloudedandtheardentsundarkened;andtheyfelttilesolitudeandthesilence.Theywalkedrapidly，sidebyside，withoutspeakingortouchingeachother，fortheyseemedtohavebecomeirreconcilableenemies，asifdisgustandhatredhadarisenbetweenthem，andfromtimetotimeHenriettecalledout："Mamma！"
　　Byandbytheyheardanoisebehindabush，andthestoutladyappeared，lookingratherconfused，andhercompanion’sfacewaswrinkledwithsmileswhichhecouldnotcheck.
　　MadameDufourtookhisarm，andtheyreturnedtotheboats，andHenri，whowasahead，walkedinsilencebesidetheyounggirl.AtlasttheygotbacktoBezons.MonsieurDufour，whowasnowsober，waswaitingforthemveryimpatiently，whiletheyoungmanwiththeyellowhairwashavingamouthfulofsomethingtoeatbeforeleavingtheinn.Thecarriagewaswaitingintheyard，andthegrandmother，whohadalreadygotin，wasveryfrightenedatthethoughtofbeingovertakenbynightbeforetheyreachedParis，astheoutskirtswerenotsafe.
　　Theyallshookbands，andtheDufourfamilydroveoff.
　　"Good—by，untilwemeetagain！"theoarsmencried，andtheanswertheygotwasasighandatear.
　　Twomonthslater，asHenriwasgoingalongtheRuedesMartyrs，hesawDufour，Ironmonger，overadoor，andsohewentin，andsawthestoutladysittingatthecounter.Theyrecognizedeachotherimmediately，andafteraninterchangeofpolitegreetings，heaskedafterthemall.
　　"AndhowisMademoiselleHenriette？"heinquiredspecially.
　　"Verywell，thankyou;sheismarried."
　　"Ah！"Hefeltacertainemotion，butsaid："Whomdidshemarry？"
　　"Thatyoungmanwhoaccompaniedus，youknow;hehasjoinedusinbusiness."
　　"Irememberhimperfectly."
　　Hewasgoingout，feelingveryunhappy，thoughscarcelyknowingwhy，whenmadamecalledhimback.
　　"Andhowisyourfriend？"sheaskedrathershyly.
　　"Heisverywell，thankyou."
　　"Pleasegivehimourcompliments，andbeghimtocomeandcall，whenheisintheneighborhood."
　　Shethenadded："Tellhimitwillgivemegreatpleasure."
　　"Iwillbesuretodoso.Adieu！"
　　"Donotsaythat;comeagainverysoon."
　　Thenextyear，oneveryhotSunday，allthedetailsofthatadventure，whichHenrihadneverforgotten，suddenlycamebacktohimsoclearlythathereturnedalonetotheirroominthewood，andwasoverwhelmedwithastonishmentwhenhewentin.Shewassittingonthegrass，lookingverysad，whilebyherside，stillinhisshirtsleeves，theyoungmanwiththeyellowhairwassleepingsoundly，likesomeanimal.
　　ShegrewsopalewhenshesawHenrithatatfirsthethoughtshewasgoingtofaint;then，however，theybegantotalkquitenaturally.
　　Butwhenhetoldherthathewasveryfondofthatspot，andwenttherefrequentlyonSundaystoindulgeinmemories，shelookedintohiseyesforalongtime.
　　"Itoo，thinkofit，"shereplied.
　　"Come，mydear，"herhusbandsaid，withayawn."Ithinkitistimeforustobegoing."
　　ROSE
　　Thetwoyoungwomenappeartobeburiedunderablanketofflowers.Theyarealoneintheimmenselandau，whichisfilledwithflowerslikeagiantbasket.Onthefrontseataretwosmallhampersofwhitesatinfilledwithviolets，andonthebearskinbywhichtheirkneesarecoveredthereisamassofroses，mimosas，pinks，daisies，tuberosesandorangeblossoms，interwovenwithsilkribbons;thetwofrailbodiesseemburiedunderthisbeautifulperfumedbed，whichhideseverythingbuttheshouldersandarmsandalittleofthedaintywaists.
　　Thecoachman’swhipiswoundwithagarlandofanemones，thehorses’
　　tracesaredottedwithcarnations，thespokesofthewheelsareclothedinmignonette，andwherethelanternsoughttobearetwoenormousroundbouquetswhichlookasthoughtheyweretheeyesofthisstrange，rolling，flower—bedeckedcreature.
　　Thelandaudrivesrapidlyalongtheroad，throughtheRued’Antibes，preceded，followed，accompanied，byacrowdofothercarriagescoveredwithflowers，fullofwomenalmosthiddenbyaseaofviolets.ItistheflowercarnivalatCannes.
　　ThecarriagereachestheBoulevarddelaFonciere，wherethebattleiswaged.Allalongtheimmenseavenueadoublerowofflower—bedeckedvehiclesaregoingandcominglikeanendlessribbon.Flowersarethrownfromonetotheother.Theypassthroughtheairlikeballs，strikingfreshfaces，bouncingandfallingintothedust，whereanarmyofyoungsterspickthemup.
　　Athickcrowdisstandingonthesidewalkslookingonandheldincheckbythemountedpolice，whopassbrutallyalongpushingbackthecuriouspedestriansasthoughtopreventthecommonpeoplefromminglingwiththerich.
　　Inthecarriages，peoplecalltoeachother，recognizeeachotherandbombardeachotherwithroses.Achariotfullofprettywomen，dressedinred，likedevils，attractstheeyesofall.Agentleman，wholooksliketheportraitsofHenryIV.，isthrowinganimmensebouquetwhichisheldbackbyanelastic.Fearingtheshock，thewomenhidetheireyesandthemenlowertheirheads，butthegraceful，rapidandobedientmissiledescribesacurveandreturnstoitsmaster，whoimmediatelythrowsitatsomenewface.
　　Thetwoyoungwomenbegintothrowtheirstockofflowersbyhandfuls，andreceiveaperfecthailofbouquets;then，afteranhourofwarfare，alittletired，theytellthecoachmantodrivealongtheroadwhichfollowstheseashore.
　　ThesundisappearsbehindEsterel，outliningthedark，ruggedmountainagainstthesunsetsky.Theclearbluesea，ascalmasamill—pond，stretchesoutasfarasthehorizon，whereitblendswiththesky;andthefleet，anchoredinthemiddleofthebay，lookslikeaherdofenormousbeasts，motionlessonthewater，apocalypticanimals，armoredandhump—backed，theirfrailmastslookinglikefeathers，andwitheyeswhichlightupwheneveningapproaches.
　　Thetwoyoungwomen，leaningbackundertheheavyrobes，lookoutlazilyovertheblueexpanseofwater.Atlastoneofthemsays：
　　"Howdelightfultheeveningsare！Howgoodeverythingseems！Don’tyouthinkso，Margot？"
　　"Yes，itisgood.Butthereisalwayssomethinglacking."
　　"Whatislacking？Ifeelperfectlyhappy.Idon’tneedanythingelse."
　　"Yes，youdo.Youarenotthinkingofit.Nomatterhowcontentedwemaybe，physically，wealwayslongforsomethingmore——fortheheart."
　　Theotheraskedwithasmile：
　　"Alittlelove？"
　　"Yes."
　　Theystoppedtalking，theireyesfastenedonthedistanthorizon，thentheonecalledMargueritemurmured："Lifewithoutthatseemstomeunbearable.Ineedtobeloved，ifonlybyadog.Butweareallalike，nomatterwhatyoumaysay，Simone."
　　"Notatall，mydear.Ihadrathernotbelovedatallthantobelovedbythefirstcomer.Doyouthink，forinstance，thatitwouldbepleasanttobelovedby——by——"
　　Shewasthinkingbywhomshemightpossiblybeloved，glancingacrossthewidelandscape.Hereyes，aftertravelingaroundthehorizon，fellonthetwobrightbuttonswhichwereshiningonthebackofthecoachman’slivery，andshecontinued，laughing："bymycoachman？"
　　MadameMargotbarelysmiled，andsaidinalowtoneofvoice：
　　"Iassureyouthatitisveryamusingtobelovedbyaservant.Ithashappenedtometwoorthreetimes.Theyrolltheireyesinsuchafunnymanner——it’senoughtomakeyoudielaughing！Naturally，themoreinlovetheyare，themoresevereonemustbewiththem，andthen，someday，forsomereason，youdismissthem，because，ifanyoneshouldnoticeit，youwouldappearsoridiculous."
　　MadameSimonewaslistening，staringstraightaheadofher，thensheremarked：
　　"No，I’mafraidthatmyfootman’sheartwouldnotsatisfyme.Tellmehowyounoticedthattheylovedyou."
　　"InoticeditthesamewaythatIdowithothermen——whentheygetstupid."
　　"Theothersdon’tseemstupidtome，whentheyloveme."
　　"Theyareidiots，mydear，unabletotalk，toanswer，tounderstandanything."
　　"Buthowdidyoufeelwhenyouwerelovedbyaservant？Wereyou——moved——flattered？"
　　"Moved？no，flattered——yesalittle.Oneisalwaysflatteredtobelovedbyaman，nomatterwhohemaybe."
　　"Oh，Margot！"
　　"Yes，indeed，mydear！Forinstance，Iwilltellyouofapeculiarincidentwhichhappenedtome.Youwillseehowcuriousandcomplexouremotionsare，insuchcases.
　　"AboutfouryearsagoIhappenedtobewithoutamaid.Ihadtriedfiveorsix，onerightaftertheother，andIwasaboutreadytogiveupindespair，whenIsawanadvertisementinanewspaperofayounggirlknowinghowtocook，embroider，dresshair，whowaslookingforapositionandwhocouldfurnishthebestofreferences.Besidesalltheseaccomplishments，shecouldspeakEnglish.
　　"Iwrotetothegivenaddress，andthenextdaythepersoninquestionpresentedherself.Shewastall，slender，pale，shy—looking.Shehadbeautifulblackeyesandacharmingcomplexion;shepleasedmeimmediately.Iaskedforhercertificates;shegavemeoneinEnglish，forshecame，asshesaid，fromLadyRymwell’s，whereshehadbeenfortenyears.
　　"Thecertificateshowedthattheyounggirlhadleftofherownfreewill，inordertoreturntoFrance，andtheonlythingwhichtheyhadhadtofindfaultinherduringherlongperiodofservicewasalittleFrenchcoquettishness.
　　"ThisprudishEnglishphraseevenmademesmile，andIimmediatelyengagedthismaid.
　　"Shecametomethesameday.HernamewasRose.
　　"AttheendofamonthIwouldhavebeenhelplesswithouther.Shewasatreasure，apearl，aphenomenon.
　　"Shecoulddressmyhairwithinfinitetaste;shecouldtrimahatbetterthanmostmilliners，andshecouldevenmakemydresses.
　　"Iwasastonishedatheraccomplishments.Ihadneverbeforebeenwaitedoninsuchamanner.
　　"Shedressedmerapidlyandwithasurprisinglylighttouch.Ineverfeltherfingersonmyskin，andnothingissodisagreeabletomeascontactwithaservant’shand.Isoonbecameexcessivelylazy;itwassopleasanttobedressedfromheadtofoot，andfromlingerietogloves，bythistall，timidgirl，alwaysblushingalittle，andneversayingaword.
　　AftermybathshewouldrubandmassagemewhileIdozedalittleonmycouch;Ialmostconsideredhermoreofafriendthanaservant.
　　"Onemorningthejanitorasked，mysteriously，tospeaktome.Iwassurprised，andtoldhimtocomein.Hewasagood，faithfulman，anoldsoldier，oneofmyhusband’sformerorderlies.
　　"Heseemedtobeembarrassedbywhathehadtosaytome.Atlasthemanagedtomumble：
　　"’Madame，thesuperintendentofpoliceisdownstairs.’
　　"Iaskedquickly：
　　"’Whatdoeshewish？’
　　"’Hewishestosearchthehouse.’
　　"Ofcoursethepoliceareuseful，butIhatethem.Idonotthinkthatitisanobleprofession.Ianswered，angeredandhurt：
　　"’Whythissearch？Forwhatreason？Heshallnotcomein.’
　　"Thejanitorcontinued：
　　"’Hesaysthatthereisacriminalhiddeninthehouse.’
　　"ThistimeIwasfrightenedandItoldhimtobringtheinspectortome，sothatImightgetsomeexplanation.HewasamanwithgoodmannersanddecoratedwiththeLegionofHonor.Hebeggedmypardonfordisturbingme，andtheninformedmethatIhad，amongmydomestics，aconvict.
　　"Iwasshocked;andIansweredthatIcouldguaranteeeveryservantinthehouse，andIbegantoenumeratethem.
　　"’Thejanitor，PierreCourtin，anoldsoldier.’
　　"’It’snothe.’
　　"’Astable—boy，sonoffarmerswhomIknow，andagroomwhomyouhavejustseen.’
　　"’It’snothe.’
　　"’Then，monsieur，youseethatyoumustbemistaken.’
　　"’Excuseme，madame，butIampositivethatIamnotmakingamistake.
　　Astheconvictionofanotablecriminalisatstake，wouldyoubesokindastosendforallyourservants？"
　　"AtfirstIrefused，butIfinallygavein，andsentdownstairsforeverybody，menandwomen.
　　"Theinspectorglancedatthemandthendeclared：
　　"’Thisisn’tall.’
　　"’Excuseme，monsieur，thereisnooneleftbutmymaid，ayounggirlwhomyoucouldnotpossiblymistakeforaconvict.’
　　"Heasked：
　　"’MayIalsoseeher？’
　　"’Certainly.’
　　"IrangforRose，whoimmediatelyappeared.Shehadhardlyenteredtheroom，whentheinspectormadeamotion，andtwomenwhomIhadnotseen，hiddenbehindthedoor，sprangforward，seizedherandtiedherhandsbehindherback.
　　"Icriedoutinangerandtriedtorushforwardtodefendher.Theinspectorstoppedme：
　　"’Thisgirl，madame，isamanwhosenameisJeanNicolasLecapet，condemnedtodeathin1879forassaultingawomanandinjuringhersothatdeathresulted.Hissentencewascommutedtoimprisonmentforlife.
　　Heescapedfourmonthsago.Wehavebeenlookingforhimeversince.’
　　"Iwasterrified，bewildered.Ididnotbelievehim.Thecommissionercontinued，laughing：
　　"’Icanproveittoyou.Hisrightarmistattooed.’
　　"’Thesleevewasrolledup.Itwastrue.Theinspectoradded，withbadtaste：
　　"’Youcantrustusfortheotherproofs.’
　　"Andtheyledmymaidaway！
　　"Well，wouldyoubelieveme，thethingthatmovedmemostwasnotangerathavingthusbeenplayedupon，deceivedandmaderidiculous，itwasnottheshameofhavingthusbeendressedandundressed，handledandtouchedbythisman——butadeephumiliation——awoman’shumiliation.Doyouunderstand？"
　　"IamafraidIdon’t."
　　"Justthink——thismanhadbeencondemnedfor——forassaultingawoman.
　　Well！Ithoughtoftheonewhomhehadassaulted——and——andIfelthumiliated——There！Doyouunderstandnow？"
　　MadameMargotdidnotanswer.Shewaslookingstraightahead，hereyesfastenedonthetwoshiningbuttonsofthelivery，withthatsphinx—likesmilewhichwomensometimeshave.
　　ROSALIEPRUDENT
　　Therewasarealmysteryinthisaffairwhichneitherthejury，northepresident，northepublicprosecutorhimselfcouldunderstand.
　　ThegirlPrudent（Rosalie），servantattheVarambots’，ofNantes，havingbecomeenceintewithouttheknowledgeofhermasters，had，duringthenight，killedandburiedherchildinthegarden.
　　Itwastheusualstoryoftheinfanticidescommittedbyservantgirls.
　　Buttherewasoneinexplicablecircumstanceaboutthisone.WhenthepolicesearchedthegirlPrudent’sroomtheydiscoveredacompleteinfant’soutfit，madebyRosalieherself，whohadspenthernightsforthelastthreemonthsincuttingandsewingit.Thegrocerfromwhomshehadboughthercandles，outofherownwages，forthislongpieceofworkhadcometotestify.Itcameout，moreover，thatthesage—femmeofthedistrict，informedbyRosalieofhercondition，hadgivenherallnecessaryinstructionsandcounselincasetheeventshouldhappenatatimewhenitmightnotbepossibletogethelp.ShehadalsoprocuredaplaceatPoissyforthegirlPrudent，whoforesawthatherpresentemployerswoulddischargeher，fortheVarambotcoupledidnottriflewithmorality.
　　Therewerepresentatthetrialboththemanandthewoman，amiddle—
　　classpairfromtheprovinces，livingontheirincome.Theyweresoexasperatedagainstthisgirl，whohadsulliedtheirhouse，thattheywouldhavelikedtoseeherguillotinedonthespotwithoutatrial.
　　Thespitefuldepositionstheymadeagainstherbecameaccusationsintheirmouths.
　　Thedefendant，alarge，handsomegirlofLowerNormandy，welleducatedforherstationinlife，weptcontinuouslyandwouldnotanswertoanything.
　　Thecourtandthespectatorswereforcedtotheopinionthatshehadcommittedthisbarbarousactinamomentofdespairandmadness，sincetherewaseveryindicationthatshehadexpectedtokeepandbringupherchild.
　　Thepresidenttriedforthelasttimetomakeherspeak，togetsomeconfession，and，havingurgedherwithmuchgentleness，hefinallymadeherunderstandthatallthesemengatheredheretopassjudgmentuponherwerenotanxiousforherdeathandmightevenhavepityonher.
　　Thenshemadeuphermindtospeak.
　　"Come，now，tellus，first，whoisthefatherofthischild？"heasked.
　　Untilthenshehadobstinatelyrefusedtogivehisname.
　　Butsherepliedsuddenly，lookingathermasterswhohadsocruellycalumniatedher：
　　"ItisMonsieurJoseph，MonsieurVarambot’snephew."
　　Thecouplestartedintheirseatsandcriedwithonevoice——"That’snottrue！Shelies！Thisisinfamous！"
　　Thepresidenthadthemsilencedandcontinued"Goon，please，andtellushowitallhappened."
　　Thenshesuddenlybegantotalkfreely，relievingherpent—upheart，thatpoor，solitary，crushedheart——layingbarehersorrow，herwholesorrow，beforethoseseveremenwhomshehaduntilnowtakenforenemiesandinflexiblejudges.
　　"Yes，itwasMonsieurJosephVarambot，whenhecameonleavelastyear."
　　"WhatdoesMr.JosephVarambotdo？"
　　"Heisanon—commissionedofficerintheartillery，monsieur.Well，hestayedtwomonthsatthehouse，twomonthsofthesummer.Ithoughtnothingaboutitwhenhebegantolookatme，andthenflatterme，andmakelovetomealldaylong.AndIletmyselfbetakenin，monsieur.
　　HekeptsayingtomethatIwasahandsomegirl，thatIwasgoodcompany，thatIjustsuitedhim——andI，Ilikedhimwellenough.WhatcouldIdo？
　　Onelistenstothesethingswhenoneisalone——allalone——asIwas.Iamaloneintheworld，monsieur.Ihavenoonetotalkto——noonetotellmytroublesto.Ihavenofather，nomother，nobrother，nosister，nobody.AndwhenhebegantotalktomeitwasasifIhadabrotherwhohadcomeback.Andthenheaskedmetogowithhimtotheriveroneevening，sothatwemighttalkwithoutdisturbinganyone.Iwent——I
　　don’tknow——Idon’tknowhowithappened.Hehadhisarmaroundme.
　　ReallyIdidn’twantto——no——no——Icouldnot——Ifeltlikecrying，theairwassosoft——themoonwasshining.No，Isweartoyou——Icouldnot——
　　hedidwhathewanted.Thatwentonthreeweeks，aslongashestayed.
　　Icouldhavefollowedhimtotheendsoftheworld.Hewentaway.IdidnotknowthatIwasenceinte.Ididnotknowituntilthemonthafter——"
　　Shebegantocrysobitterlythattheyhadtogivehertimetocollectherself.
　　Thenthepresidentresumedwiththetoneofapriestattheconfessional：
　　"Come，now，goon."
　　Shebegantotalkagain："WhenIrealizedmyconditionIwenttoseeMadameBoudin，whoistheretotellyou，andIaskedherhowitwouldbe，incaseitshouldcomeifshewerenotthere.ThenImadetheoutfit，sewingnightafternight，everyeveninguntiloneo’clockinthemorning;
　　andthenIlookedforanotherplace，forIknewverywellthatIshouldbesentaway，butIwantedtostayinthehouseuntiltheverylast，soastosavemypennies，forIhavenotgotverymuchandIshouldneedmymoneyforthelittleone."
　　"Thenyoudidnotintendtokillhim？"
　　"Oh，certainlynot，monsieur！"
　　"Whydidyoukillhim，then？"
　　"Ithappenedthisway.ItcamesoonerthanIexpected.Itcameuponmeinthekitchen，whileIwasdoingthedishes.MonsieurandMadameVarambotwerealreadyasleep，soIwentup，notwithoutdifficulty，draggingmyselfupbythebanister，andIlaydownonthebarefloor.
　　Itlastedperhapsonehour，ortwo，orthree;Idon’tknow，Ihadsuchpain;andthenIpushedhimoutwithallmystrength.IfeltthathecameoutandIpickedhimup.
　　"Ah！butIwasglad，Iassureyou！IdidallthatMadameBoudintoldmetodo.AndthenIlaidhimonmybed.AndthensuchapaingripedmeagainthatIthoughtIshoulddie.Ifyouknewwhatitmeant，youthere，youwouldnotdosomuchofthis.Ifellonmyknees，andthentoppledoverbackwardonthefloor;anditgripedmeagain，perhapsonehour，perhapstwo.Ilaythereallalone——andthenanotheronecomes——anotherlittleone——two，yes，two，likethis.ItookhimupasIdidthefirstone，andthenIputhimonthebed，thetwosidebyside.Isitpossible，tellme，twochildren，andIwhogetonlytwentyfrancsamonth？Say，isitpossible？One，yes，thatcanbemanagedbygoingwithoutthings，butnottwo.Thatturnedmyhead.WhatdoIknowaboutit？HadIanychoice，tellme？
　　"WhatcouldIdo？Ifeltasifmylasthourhadcome.Iputthepillowoverthem，withoutknowingwhy.Icouldnotkeepthemboth;andthenI
　　threwmyselfdown，andIlaythere，rollingoverandoverandcryinguntilIsawthedaylightcomeintothewindow.Bothofthemwerequitedeadunderthepillow.ThenItookthemundermyarmsandwentdownthestairsoutinthevegetablegarden.Itookthegardener’sspadeandI
　　buriedthemundertheearth，diggingasdeepaholeasIcould，onehereandtheotheronethere，nottogether，sothattheymightnottalkoftheirmotheriftheselittledeadbodiescantalk.WhatdoIknowaboutit？
　　"Andthen，backinmybed，IfeltsosickthatIcouldnotgetup.Theysentforthedoctorandheunderstooditall.I’mtellingyouthetruth，YourHonor.Dowhatyoulikewithme;I’mready."
　　Halfofthejurywereblowingtheirnosesviolentlytokeepfromcrying.
　　Thewomeninthecourtroomweresobbing.
　　Thepresidentaskedher：
　　"Wheredidyouburytheotherone？"
　　"Theonethatyouhave？"sheasked.
　　"Why，thisone——thisonewasintheartichokes."
　　"Oh，thentheotheroneisamongthestrawberries，bythewell."
　　Andshebegantosobsopiteouslythatnoonecouldhearherunmoved.
　　ThegirlRosaliePrudentwasacquitted.
　　REGRET
　　MonsieurSaval，whowascalledinMantes"FatherSaval，"hadjustrisenfrombed.Hewasweeping.Itwasadullautumnday;theleaveswerefalling.Theyfellslowlyintherain，likeaheavierandslowerrain.
　　M.Savalwasnotingoodspirits.Hewalkedfromthefireplacetothewindow，andfromthewindowtothefireplace.Lifehasitssombredays.
　　Itwouldnolongerhaveanybutsombredaysforhim，forhehadreachedtheageofsixty—two.Heisalone，anoldbachelor，withnobodyabouthim.Howsaditistodiealone，allalone，withoutanyonewhoisdevotedtoyou！
　　Heponderedoverhislife，sobarren，soempty.Herecalledformerdays，thedaysofhischildhood，thehome，thehouseofhisparents;hiscollegedays，hisfollies;thetimehestudiedlawinParis，hisfather’sillness，hisdeath.Hethenreturnedtolivewithhismother.Theylivedtogetherveryquietly，anddesirednothingmore.Atlastthemotherdied.Howsadlifeis！Helivedalonesincethen，andnow，inhisturn，he，too，willsoonbedead.Hewilldisappear，andthatwillbetheend.TherewillbenomoreofPaulSavalupontheearth.Whatafrightfulthing！Otherpeoplewilllove，willlaugh.Yes，peoplewillgoonamusingthemselves，andhewillnolongerexist！Isitnotstrangethatpeoplecanlaugh，amusethemselves，bejoyfulunderthateternalcertaintyofdeath？Ifthisdeathwereonlyprobable，onecouldthenhavehope;butno，itisinevitable，asinevitableasthatnightfollowstheday.
　　If，however，hislifehadbeenfull！Ifhehaddonesomething;ifhehadhadadventures，greatpleasures，success，satisfactionofsomekindoranother.Butno，nothing.Hehaddonenothing，nothingbutrisefrombed，eat，atthesamehours，andgotobedagain.Andhehadgoneonlikethattotheageofsixty—twoyears.Hehadnoteventakenuntohimselfawife，asothermendo.Why？Yes，whywasitthathehadnotmarried？Hemighthavedoneso，forhepossessedconsiderablemeans.
　　Hadhelackedanopportunity？Perhaps！Butonecancreateopportunities.Hewasindifferent;thatwasall.Indifferencehadbeenhisgreatestdrawback，hisdefect，hisvice.Howmanymenwrecktheirlivesthroughindifference！Itissodifficultforsomenaturestogetoutofbed，tomoveabout，totakelongwalks，tospeak，tostudyanyquestion.
　　Hehadnotevenbeenloved.Nowomanhadreposedonhisbosom，inacompleteabandonoflove.Heknewnothingofthedeliciousanguishofexpectation，thedivinevibrationofahandinyours，oftheecstasyoftriumphantpassion.
　　Whatsuperhumanhappinessmustoverflowyourheart，whenlipsencounterlipsforthefirsttime，whenthegraspoffourarmsmakesonebeingofyou，abeingunutterablyhappy，twobeingsinfatuatedwithoneanother.
　　M.Savalwassittingbeforethefire，hisfeetonthefender，inhisdressinggown.Assuredlyhislifehadbeenspoiled，completelyspoiled.
　　Hehad，however，loved.Hehadlovedsecretly，sadly，andindifferently，inamannercharacteristicofhimineverything.Yes，hehadlovedhisoldfriend，MadameSandres，thewifeofhisoldcompanion，Sandres.
　　Ah！ifhehadknownherasayounggirl！Buthehadmethertoolate;
　　shewasalreadymarried.Unquestionably，hewouldhaveaskedherhand！
　　Howhehadlovedher，nevertheless，withoutrespite，sincethefirstdayheseteyesonher！
　　Herecalledhisemotioneverytimehesawher，hisgriefonleavingher，themanynightsthathecouldnotsleep，becausehewasthinkingofher.
　　Onrisinginthemorninghewassomewhatmorerationalthanonthepreviousevening.
　　Why？
　　Howprettyshewasformerly，sodainty，withfaircurlyhair，andalwayslaughing.Sandreswasnotthemansheshouldhavechosen.Shewasnowfifty—twoyearsofage.Sheseemedhappy.Ah！ifshehadonlylovedhimindaysgoneby;yes，ifshehadonlylovedhim！Andwhyshouldshenothavelovedhim，he，Saval，seeingthathelovedhersomuch，yes，she，MadameSandres！
　　Ifonlyshecouldhaveguessed.Hadshenotguessedanything，seenanything，comprehendedanything？Whatwouldshehavethought？Ifhehadspoken，whatwouldshehaveanswered？
　　AndSavalaskedhimselfathousandotherthings.Hereviewedhiswholelife，seekingtorecallamultitudeofdetails.
　　HerecalledallthelongeveningsspentatthehouseofSandres，whenthelatter’swifewasyoung，andsocharming.
　　Herecalledmanythingsthatshehadsaidtohim，theintonationsofhervoice，thelittlesignificantsmilesthatmeantsomuch.
　　Herecalledtheirwalks，thethreeofthemtogether，alongthebanksoftheSeine，theirluncheononthegrassonSundays，forSandreswasemployedatthesub—prefecture.Andallatoncethedistinctrecollectioncametohimofanafternoonspentwithherinalittlewoodonthebanksoftheriver.
　　Theyhadsetoutinthemorning，carryingtheirprovisionsinbaskets.
　　Itwasabrightspringmorning，oneofthosedayswhichintoxicateone.
　　Everythingsmellsfresh，everythingseemshappy.Thevoicesofthebirdssoundmorejoyous，and—theyflymoreswiftly.Theyhadluncheononthegrass，underthewillowtrees，quiteclosetothewater，whichglitteredinthesun’srays.Theairwasbalmy，chargedwiththeodorsoffreshvegetation;theydrankitinwithdelight.Howpleasanteverythingwasonthatday！
　　Afterlunch，Sandreswenttosleeponthebroadofhisback."Thebestnaphehadinhislife，"saidhe，whenhewokeup.
　　MadameSandreshadtakenthearmofSaval，andtheystartedtowalkalongtheriverbank.
　　Sheleanedtenderlyonhisarm.Shelaughedandsaidtohim："Iamintoxicated，myfriend，Iamquiteintoxicated."Helookedather，hisheartgoingpit—a—pat.Hefelthimselfgrowpale，fearfulthathemighthavelookedtooboldlyather，andthatthetremblingofhishandhadrevealedhispassion.
　　Shehadmadeawreathofwildflowersandwater—lilies，andsheaskedhim："DoIlookprettylikethat？"
　　Ashedidnotanswer——forhecouldfindnothingtosay，hewouldhavelikedtogodownonhisknees——sheburstoutlaughing，asortofannoyed，displeasedlaugh，asshesaid："Greatgoose，whatailsyou？Youmightatleastsaysomething."
　　Hefeltlikecrying，butcouldnotevenyetfindawordtosay.
　　Allthesethingscamebacktohimnow，asvividlyasonthedaywhentheytookplace.Whyhadshesaidthistohim，"Greatgoose，whatailsyou？
　　Youmightatleastsaysomething！"
　　Andherecalledhowtenderlyshehadleanedonhisarm.Andinpassingunderashadytreehehadfeltherearbrushinghischeek，andhehadmovedhisheadabruptly，lestsheshouldsupposehewastoofamiliar.
　　Whenhehadsaidtoher："Isitnottimetoreturn？"shedartedasingularlookathim."Certainly，"shesaid，"certainly，"regardinghimatthesametimeinacuriousmanner.Hehadnotthoughtofitatthetime，butnowthewholethingappearedtohimquiteplain.
　　"Justasyoulike，myfriend.Ifyouaretiredletusgoback."
　　Andhehadanswered："Iamnotfatigued;butSandresmaybeawakenow."
　　Andshehadsaid："Ifyouareafraidofmyhusband’sbeingawake，thatisanotherthing.Letusreturn."
　　Ontheirwaybacksheremainedsilent，andleanednolongeronhisarm.
　　Why？
　　Atthattimeithadneveroccurredtohim，toaskhimself"why."Nowheseemedtoapprehendsomethingthathehadnotthenunderstood.
　　Couldit？
　　M.Savalfelthimselfblush，andhegotupatabound，asifhewerethirtyyearsyoungerandhadheardMadameSandressay，"Iloveyou."
　　Wasitpossible？Thatideawhichhadjustenteredhismindtorturedhim.
　　Wasitpossiblethathehadnotseen，hadnotguessed？
　　Oh！ifthatweretrue，ifhehadletthisopportunityofhappinesspasswithouttakingadvantageofit！
　　Hesaidtohimself："Imustknow.Icannotremaininthisstateofdoubt.Imustknow！"Hethought："Iamsixty—twoyearsofage，sheisfifty—eight;Imayaskherthatnowwithoutgivingoffense."
　　Hestartedout.
　　TheSandres’housewassituatedontheothersideofthestreet，almostdirectlyoppositehisown.Hewentacrossandknockedatthedoor，andalittleservantopenedit.
　　"Youhereatthishour，Saval！Hassomeaccidenthappenedtoyou？"
　　"No，mygirl，"hereplied;"butgoandtellyourmistressthatIwanttospeaktoheratonce."
　　"Thefactismadameispreservingpearsforthewinter，andsheisinthepreservingroom.Sheisnotdressed，youunderstand."
　　"Yes，butgoandtellherthatIwishtoseeheronaveryimportantmatter."
　　Thelittleservantwentaway，andSavalbegantowalk，withlong，nervousstrides，upanddownthedrawing—room.Hedidnotfeelintheleastembarrassed，however.Oh！hewasmerelygoingtoaskhersomething，ashewouldhaveaskedheraboutsomecookingrecipe.Hewassixty—twoyearsofage！
　　Thedooropenedandmadameappeared.Shewasnowalargewoman，fatandround，withfullcheeksandasonorouslaugh.Shewalkedwithherarmsawayfromhersidesandhersleevestuckedup，herbarearmsallcoveredwithfruitjuice.Sheaskedanxiously：
　　"Whatisthematterwithyou，myfriend？Youarenotill，areyou？"
　　"No，mydearfriend;butIwishtoaskyouonething，whichtomeisofthefirstimportance，somethingwhichistorturingmyheart，andIwantyoutopromisethatyouwillanswermefrankly."
　　Shelaughed，"Iamalwaysfrank.Sayon."
　　"Well，then.IhavelovedyoufromthefirstdayIeversawyou.Canyouhaveanydoubtofthis？"
　　Sheresponded，laughing，withsomethingofherformertoneofvoice.
　　"Greatgoose！whatailsyou？Iknewitfromtheveryfirstday！"
　　Savalbegantotremble.Hestammeredout："Youknewit？Then"
　　Hestopped.
　　Sheasked：
　　"Then？
　　Heanswered：
　　"Then——whatdidyouthink？What——what——whatwouldyouhaveanswered？"
　　Shebrokeintoapealoflaughter.Someofthejuiceranoffthetipsofherfingersontothecarpet.
　　"What？"
　　"I？Why，youdidnotaskmeanything.Itwasnotformetodeclaremyself！"
　　Hethenadvancedasteptowardher.
　　"Tellme——tellmeYourememberthedaywhenSandreswenttosleeponthegrassafterlunchwhenwehadwalkedtogetherasfarasthebendoftheriver，below"
　　Hewaited，expectantly.Shehadceasedtolaugh，andlookedathim，straightintheeyes.
　　"Yes，certainly，Irememberit."
　　Heanswered，tremblingallover：
　　"Well——thatday——ifIhadbeen——ifIhadbeen——venturesome——whatwouldyouhavedone？"
　　Shebegantolaughasonlyahappywomancanlaugh，whohasnothingtoregret，andrespondedfrankly，inaclearvoicetingedwithirony：
　　"Iwouldhaveyielded，myfriend."
　　Shethenturnedonherheelsandwentbacktoherjam—making.
　　Savalrushedintothestreet，castdown，asthoughhehadmetwithsomedisaster.Hewalkedwithgiantstridesthroughtherain，straighton，untilhereachedtheriverbank，withoutthinkingwherehewasgoing.
　　Hethenturnedtotherightandfollowedtheriver.Hewalkedalongtime，asifurgedonbysomeinstinct.Hisclotheswererunningwithwater，hishatwasoutofshape，assoftasarag，anddrippinglikearoof.Hewalkedon，straightinfrontofhim.Atlast，hecametotheplacewheretheyhadlunchedonthatdaysolongago，therecollectionofwhichtorturedhisheart.Hesatdownundertheleaflesstrees，andwept.
　　ASISTER’SCONFESSION
　　MargueritedeTherelleswasdying.Althoughshewas—onlyfifty—sixyearsoldshelookedatleastseventy—five.Shegaspedforbreath，herfacewhiterthanthesheets，andhadspasmsofviolentshivering，withherfaceconvulsedandhereyeshaggardasthoughshesawafrightfulvision.
　　Hereldersister，Suzanne，sixyearsolderthanherself，wassobbingonherkneesbesidethebed.Asmalltableclosetothedyingwoman’scouchbore，onawhitecloth，twolightedcandles，forthepriestwasexpectedatanymomenttoadministerextremeunctionandthelastcommunion.
　　Theapartmentworethatmelancholyaspectcommontodeathchambers;alookofdespairingfarewell.Medicinebottleslitteredthefurniture;
　　linenlayinthecornersintowhichithadbeenkickedorswept.Theverychairslooked，intheirdisarray，asiftheywereterrifiedandhadruninalldirections.Death——terribleDeath——wasintheroom，hidden，awaitinghisprey.
　　Thishistoryofthetwosisterswasanaffectingone.Itwasspokenoffarandwide;ithaddrawntearsfrommanyeyes.
　　Suzanne，theelder，hadoncebeenpassionatelylovedbyayoungman，whoseaffectionshereturned.Theywereengagedtobemarried，andtheweddingdaywasathand，whenHenrydeSampierresuddenlydied.
　　Theyounggirl’sdespairwasterrible，andshetookanoathnevertomarry.Shefaithfullykepthervowandadoptedwidow’sweedsfortheremainderofherlife.
　　Butonemorninghersister，herlittlesisterMarguerite，thenonlytwelveyearsold，threwherselfintoSuzanne’sarms，sobbing："Sister，I
　　don’twantyoutobeunhappy.Idon’twantyoutomournallyourlife.
　　I’llneverleaveyou——never，never，never！Ishallnevermarry，either.
　　I’llstaywithyoualways——always！"
　　Suzannekissedher，touchedbythechild’sdevotion，thoughnotputtinganyfaithinherpromise.
　　Butthelittleonekeptherword，and，despiteherparents’
　　remonstrances，despitehereldersister’sprayers，nevermarried.
　　Shewasremarkablyprettyandrefusedmanyoffers.Sheneverlefthersister.
　　Theyspenttheirwholelifetogether，withoutasingleday’sseparation.
　　Theywenteverywheretogetherandwereinseparable.ButMargueritewaspensive，melancholy，sadderthanhersister，asifhersublimesacrificehadunderminedherspirits.Shegrewoldermorequickly;herhairwaswhiteatthirty;andshewasoftenill，apparentlystrickenwithsomeunknown，wastingmalady.
　　Andnowshewouldbethefirsttodie.
　　Shehadnotspokenfortwenty—fourhours，excepttowhisperatdaybreak：
　　"Sendatonceforthepriest."
　　Andshehadsinceremainedlyingonherback，convulsedwithagony，herlipsmovingasifunabletoutterthedreadfulwordsthatroseinherheart，herfaceexpressiveofaterrordistressingtowitness.
　　Suzanne，distractedwithgrief，herbrowpressedagainstthebed，weptbitterly，repeatingoverandoveragainthewords：
　　"Margot，mypoorMargot，mylittleone！"
　　Shehadalwayscalledher"mylittleone，"whileMarguerite’snamefortheelderwasinvariably"sister."
　　Afootstepsoundedonthestairs.Thedooropened.Anacolyteappeared，followedbytheagedpriestinhissurplice.Assoonasshesawhimthedyingwomansatupsuddenlyinbed，openedherlips，stammeredafewwordsandbegantoscratchthebed—clothes，asifshewouldhavemadeholeinthem.
　　FatherSimonapproached，tookherhand，kissedherontheforeheadandsaidinagentlevoice：
　　"MayGodpardonyoursins，mydaughter.Beofgoodcourage.Nowisthemomenttoconfessthem——speak！"
　　ThenMarguerite，shudderingfromheadtofoot，sothattheverybedshookwithhernervousmovements，gasped：
　　"Sitdown，sister，andlisten."
　　TheprieststoopedtowardtheprostrateSuzanne，raisedhertoherfeet，placedherinachair，and，takingahandofeachofthesisters，pronounced：
　　"LordGod！Sendthemstrength！ShedThymercyuponthem."
　　AndMargueritebegantospeak.Thewordsissuedfromherlipsonebyone——hoarse，jerky，tremulous.
　　"Pardon，pardon，sister！pardonme！Oh，ifonlyyouknewhowIhavedreadedthismomentallmylife！"
　　Suzannefalteredthroughhertears：
　　"ButwhathaveItopardon，littleone？Youhavegivenmeeverything，sacrificedalltome.Youareanangel."
　　ButMargueriteinterruptedher：
　　"Besilent，besilent！Letmespeak！Don’tstopme！Itisterrible.
　　Letmetellall，totheveryend，withoutinterruption.Listen.Youremember——youremember——Henry——"
　　Suzannetrembledandlookedathersister.Theyoungeronewenton：
　　"Inordertounderstandyoumustheareverything.Iwastwelveyearsold——onlytwelve——youremember，don’tyou？AndIwasspoilt;IdidjustasIpleased.Yourememberhoweverybodyspoiltme？Listen.Thefirsttimehecamehehadonhisridingboots;hedismounted，sayingthathehadamessageforfather.Youremember，don’tyou？Don’tspeak.
　　Listen.WhenIsawhimIwasstruckwithadmiration.Ithoughthimsohandsome，andIstayedinacornerofthedrawing—roomallthetimehewastalking.Childrenarestrange——andterrible.Yes，indeed，Idreamtofhim.
　　"Hecameagain——manytimes.Ilookedathimwithallmyeyes，allmyheart.Iwaslargeformyageandmuchmoreprecociousthan——anyonesuspected.Hecameoften.Ithoughtonlyofhim.Ioftenwhisperedtomyself：
　　"’Henry—HenrydeSampierre！’
　　"ThenIwastoldthathewasgoingtomarryyou.Thatwasablow！Oh，sister，aterribleblow——terrible！Iweptallthroughthreesleeplessnights.
　　Hecameeveryafternoonafterlunch.Youremember，don’tyou？Don’tanswer.Listen.Youusedtomakecakesthathewasveryfondof——withflour，butterandmilk.Oh，Iknowhowtomakethem.Icouldmakethemstill，ifnecessary.Hewouldswallowthematonemouthfulandwashthemdownwithaglassofwine，saying：’Delicious！’Doyourememberthewayhesaidit？
　　"Iwasjealous——jealous！Yourweddingdaywasdrawingnear.Itwasonlyafortnightdistant.Iwasdistracted.Isaidtomyself：’HeshallnotmarrySuzanne——no，heshallnot！HeshallmarrymewhenIamoldenough！
　　Ishallneverloveanyonehalfsomuch.’Butoneevening，tendaysbeforethewedding，youwentforastrollwithhiminthemoonlightbeforethehouse——andyonder——underthepinetree，thebigpinetree——hekissedyou——kissedyou——andheldyouinhisarmssolong——solong！Youremember，don’tyou？Itwasprobablythefirsttime.Youweresopalewhenyoucarnebacktothedrawing—room！
　　"Isawyou.Iwasthereintheshrubbery.Iwasmadwithrage！IwouldhavekilledyoubothifIcould！
　　"Isaidtomyself：’HeshallnevermarrySuzanne——never！Heshallmarrynoone！Icouldnotbearit.’AndallatonceIbegantohatehimintensely.
　　"ThendoyouknowwhatIdid？Listen.Ihadseenthegardenerpreparepelletsforkillingstraydogs.Hewouldcrushabottleintosmallpieceswithastoneandputthegroundglassintoaballofmeat.
　　"Istoleasmallmedicinebottlefrommother’sroom.Igrounditfinewithahammerandhidtheglassinmypocket.Itwasaglisteningpowder.Thenextday，whenyouhadmadeyourlittlecakes;Iopenedthemwithaknifeandinsertedtheglass.Heatethree.Iateonemyself.I
　　threwthesixothersintothepond.Thetwoswansdiedthreedayslater.
　　Youremember？Oh，don’tspeak！Listen，listen.I，Ialonedidnotdie.
　　ButIhavealwaysbeenill.Listen——hedied——youknow——listen——thatwasnottheworst.Itwasafterward，later——always——themostterrible——
　　listen.
　　"Mylife，allmylife——suchtorture！Isaidtomyself：’Iwillneverleavemysister.AndonmydeathbedIwilltellherall.’AndnowI
　　havetold.AndIhavealwaysthoughtofthismoment——themomentwhenallwouldbetold.Nowithascome.Itisterrible——oh！——sister——
　　"Ihavealwaysthought，morningandevening，dayandnight：’Ishallhavetotellhersomeday！’Iwaited.Thehorrorofit！Itisdone.Saynothing.NowIamafraid——Iamafraid！Oh！SupposingIshouldseehimagain，byandby，whenIamdead！Seehimagain！Onlytothinkofit！
　　Idarenot——yetImust.Iamgoingtodie.Iwantyoutoforgiveme.
　　Iinsistonit.Icannotmeethimwithoutyourforgiveness.Oh，tellhertoforgiveme，Father！Tellher.Iimploreyou！Icannotdiewithoutit."
　　Shewassilentandlayback，gaspingforbreath，stillpluckingatthesheetswithherfingers.
　　Suzannehadhiddenherfaceinherhandsanddidnotmove.Shewasthinkingofhimwhomshehadlovedsolong.Whatalifeofhappinesstheymighthavehadtogether！Shesawhimagaininthedimanddistantpast—thatpastforeverlost.Beloveddead！howthethoughtofthemrendstheheart！Oh！thatkiss，hisonlykiss！Shehadretainedthememoryofitinhersoul.And，afterthat，nothing，nothingmorethroughoutherwholeexistence！
　　Thepriestrosesuddenlyandinafirm，compellingvoicesaid：
　　"MademoiselleSuzanne，yoursisterisdying！"
　　ThenSuzanne，raisinghertear—stainedface，putherarmsroundhersister，andkissingherfervently，exclaimed：
　　"Iforgiveyou，Iforgiveyou，littleone！"
　　COCO
　　ThroughoutthewholecountrysidetheLucasfarn，wasknownas"theManor."Nooneknewwhy.Thepeasantsdoubtlessattachedtothisword，"Manor，"ameaningofwealthandofsplendor，forthisfarmwasundoubtedlythelargest，richestandthebestmanagedinthewholeneighborhood.
　　Theimmensecourt，surroundedbyfiverowsofmagnificenttrees，whichshelteredthedelicateappletreesfromtheharshwindoftheplain，inclosedinitsconfineslongbrickbuildingsusedforstoringfodderandgrain，beautifulstablesbuiltofhardstoneandmadetoaccommodatethirtyhorses，andaredbrickresidencewhichlookedlikealittlechateau.
　　Thanksforthegoodcaretaken，themanureheapswereaslittleoffensiveassuchthingscanbe;thewatch—dogslivedinkennels，andcountlesspoultryparadedthroughthetallgrass.
　　Everyday，atnoon，fifteenpersons，masters，farmhandsandthewomenfolks，seatedthemselvesaroundthelongkitchentablewherethesoupwasbroughtinsteaminginalarge，blue—floweredbowl.
　　Thebeasts—horses，cows，pigsandsheep—werefat，wellfedandclean.
　　MaitreLucas，atallmanwhowasgettingstout，wouldgoroundthreetimesaday，overseeingeverythingandthinkingofeverything.
　　Averyoldwhitehorse，whichthemistresswishedtokeepuntilitsnaturaldeath，becauseshehadbroughtitupandhadalwaysusedit，andalsobecauseitrecalledmanyhappymemories，washoused，throughsheerkindnessofheart，attheendofthestable.
　　Ayoungscampaboutfifteenyearsold，IsidoreDuvalbyname，andcalled，forconvenience，Zidore，tookcareofthispensioner，gavehimhismeasureofoatsandfodderinwinter，andinsummerwassupposedtochangehispasturingplacefourtimesaday，sothathemighthaveplentyoffreshgrass.
　　Theanimal，almostcrippled，liftedwithdifficultyhislegs，largeatthekneesandswollenabovethehoofs.Hiscoat，whichwasnolongercurried，lookedlikewhitehair，andhislongeyelashesgavetohiseyesasadexpression.
　　WhenZidoretooktheanimaltopasture，hehadtopullontheropewithallhismight，becauseitwalkedsoslowly;andtheyouth，bentoverandoutofbreath，wouldswearatit，exasperatedathavingtocareforthisoldnag.
　　Thefarmhands，noticingtheyoungrascal’sangeragainstCoco，wereamusedandwouldcontinuallytalkofthehorsetoZidore，inordertoexasperatehim.Hiscomradeswouldmakesportwithhim.InthevillagehewascalledCoco—Zidore.
　　Theboywouldfume，feelinganunholydesiretorevengehimselfonthehorse.Hewasathin，long—legged，dirtychild，withthick，coarse，bristlyredhair.Heseemedonlyhalf—witted，andstutteredasthoughideaswereunabletoforminhisthick，brute—likemind.
　　ForalongtimehehadbeenunabletounderstandwhyCocoshouldbekept，indignantatseeingthingswastedonthisuselessbeast.Sincethehorsecouldnolongerwork，itseemedtohimunjustthatheshouldbefed;
　　herevoltedattheideaofwastingoats，oatswhichweresoexpensive，onthisparalyzedoldplug.Andoften，inspiteoftheordersofMaitreLucas，hewouldeconomizeonthenag’sfood，onlygivinghimhalfmeasure.Hatredgrewinhisconfused，childlikemind，thehatredofastingy，mean，fierce，brutalandcowardlypeasant.
　　Whensummercamehehadtomovetheanimalaboutinthepasture.Itwassomedistanceaway.Therascal，angriereverymorning，wouldstart，withhisdraggingstep，acrossthewheatfields.Themenworkinginthefieldswouldshouttohim，jokingly：
　　"Hey，Zidore，remembermetoCoco."
　　Hewouldnotanswer;butonthewayhewouldbreakoffaswitch，and，assoonashehadmovedtheoldhorse，hewouldletitbegingrazing;then，treacherouslysneakingupbehindit，hewouldslashitslegs.Theanimalwouldtrytoescape，tokick，togetawayfromtheblows，andrunaroundinacircleaboutitsrope，asthoughithadbeeninclosedinacircusring.Andtheboywouldslashawayfuriously，runningalongbehind，histeethclenchedinanger.
　　Thenhewouldgoawayslowly，withoutturninground，whilethehorsewatchedhimdisappear，hisribsstickingout，pantingasaresultofhisunusualexertions.Notuntiltheblueblouseoftheyoungpeasantwasoutofsightwouldhelowerhisthinwhiteheadtothegrass.
　　Asthenightswerenowwarm，Cocowasallowedtosleepoutofdoors，inthefieldbehindthelittlewood.Zidorealonewenttoseehim.
　　Theboythrewstonesathimtoamusehimself.Hewouldsitdownonanembankmentabouttenfeetawayandwouldstaythereabouthalfanhour，fromtimetotimethrowingasharpstoneattheoldhorse，whichremainedstandingtiedbeforehisenemy，watchinghimcontinuallyandnotdaringtoeatbeforehewasgone.
　　Thisonethoughtpersistedinthemindoftheyoungscamp："Whyfeedthishorse，whichisnolongergoodforanything？"Itseemedtohimthatthisoldnagwasstealingthefoodoftheothers，thegoodsofmanandGod，thathewasevenrobbinghim，Zidore，whowasworking.
　　Then，littlebylittle，eachday，theboybegantoshortenthelengthofropewhichallowedthehorsetograze.
　　Thehungryanimalwasgrowingthinner，andstarving.Toofeebletobreakhisbonds，hewouldstretchhisheadouttowardthetall，green，temptinggrass，sonearthathecouldsmell，andyetsofarthathecouldnottouchit.
　　ButonemorningZidorehadanidea：itwas，nottomoveCocoanymore.
　　Hewastiredofwalkingsofarforthatoldskeleton.Hecame，however，inordertoenjoyhisvengeance.Thebeastwatchedhimanxiously.Hedidnotbeathimthatday.Hewalkedaroundhimwithhishandsinhispockets.Heevenpretendedtochangehisplace，buthesankthestakeinexactlythesamehole，andwentawayoverjoyedwithhisinvention.
　　Thehorse，seeinghimleave，neighedtocallhimback;buttherascalbegantorun，leavinghimalone，entirelyaloneinhisfield，welltieddownandwithoutabladeofgrasswithinreach.
　　Starving，hetriedtoreachthegrasswhichhecouldtouchwiththeendofhisnose.Hegotonhisknees，stretchingouthisneckandhislong，droolinglips.Allinvain.Theoldanimalspentthewholedayinuseless，terribleefforts.Thesightofallthatgreenfood，whichstretchedoutonallsidesofhim，servedtoincreasethegnawingpangsofhunger.
　　Thescampdidnotreturnthatday.Hewanderedthroughthewoodsinsearchofnests.
　　Thenextdayheappeareduponthesceneagain.Coco，exhausted，hadlaindown.Whenhesawtheboy，hegotup，expectingatlasttohavehisplacechanged.
　　Butthelittlepeasantdidnoteventouchthemallet，whichwaslyingontheground.Hecamenearer，lookedattheanimal，threwathisheadaclumpofearthwhichflattenedoutagainstthewhitehair，andhestartedoffagain，whistling.
　　Thehorseremainedstandingaslongashecouldseehim;then，knowingthathisattemptstoreachthenear—bygrasswouldbehopeless，heoncemorelaydownonhissideandclosedhiseyes.
　　ThefollowingdayZidoredidnotcome.
　　Whenhedidcomeatlast，hefoundCocostillstretchedout;hesawthathewasdead.
　　Thenheremainedstanding，lookingathim，pleasedwithwhathehaddone，surprisedthatitshouldalreadybeallover.Hetouchedhimwithhisfoot，liftedoneofhislegsandthenletitdrop，satonhimandremainedthere，hiseyesfixedonthegrass，thinkingofnothing.Hereturnedtothefarm，butdidnotmentiontheaccident，becausehewishedtowanderaboutatthehourswhenheusedtochangethehorse’spasture.
　　Hewenttoseehimthenextday.Athisapproachsomecrowsflewaway.
　　Countlessflieswerewalkingoverthebodyandwerebuzzingaroundit.
　　Whenhereturnedhome，heannouncedtheevent.Theanimalwassooldthatnobodywassurprised.Themastersaidtotwoofthemen：
　　"Takeyourshovelsanddigaholerightwhereheis."
　　Themenburiedthehorseattheplacewherehehaddiedofhunger.
　　Andthegrassgrewthick，greenandvigorous，fedbythepoorbody.
　　DEADWOMAN’SSECRET
　　Thewomanhaddiedwithoutpain，quietly，asawomanshouldwhoselifehadbeenblameless.Nowshewasrestinginherbed，lyingonherback，hereyesclosed，herfeaturescalm，herlongwhitehaircarefullyarrangedasthoughshehaddoneituptenminutesbeforedying.Thewholepalecountenanceofthedeadwomanwassocollected，socalm，soresignedthatonecouldfeelwhatasweetsoulhadlivedinthatbody，whataquietexistencethisoldsoulhadled，howeasyandpurethedeathofthisparenthadbeen.
　　Kneelingbesidethebed，herson，amagistratewithinflexibleprinciples，andherdaughter，Marguerite，knownasSisterEulalie，wereweepingasthoughtheirheartswouldbreak.Shehad，fromchildhoodup，armedthemwithastrictmoralcode，teachingthemreligion，withoutweakness，andduty，withoutcompromise.He，theman，hadbecomeajudgeandhandledthelawasaweaponwithwhichhesmotetheweakoneswithoutpity.She，thegirl，influencedbythevirtuewhichhadbathedherinthisausterefamily，hadbecomethebrideoftheChurchthroughherloathingforman.
　　Theyhadhardlyknowntheirfather，knowingonlythathehadmadetheirmothermostunhappy，withoutbeingtoldanyotherdetails.
　　Thenunwaswildly—kissingthedeadwoman’shand，anivoryhandaswhiteasthelargecrucifixlyingacrossthebed.Ontheothersideofthelongbodytheotherhandseemedstilltobeholdingthesheetinthedeathgrasp;andthesheethadpreservedthelittlecreasesasamemoryofthoselastmovementswhichprecedeeternalimmobility.
　　Afewlighttapsonthedoorcausedthetwosobbingheadstolookup，andthepriest，whohadjustcomefromdinner，returned.Hewasredandoutofbreathfromhisinterrupteddigestion，forhehadmadehimselfastrongmixtureofcoffeeandbrandyinordertocombatthefatigueofthelastfewnightsandofthewakewhichwasbeginning.
　　Helookedsad，withthatassumedsadnessofthepriestforwhomdeathisabreadwinner.Hecrossedhimselfandapproachingwithhisprofessionalgesture："Well，mypoorchildren！Ihavecometohelpyoupasstheselastsadhours."ButSisterEulaliesuddenlyarose."Thankyou，"father，butmybrotherandIprefertoremainalonewithher.Thisisourlastchancetoseeher，andwewishtobetogether，allthreeofus，aswe——we——usedtobewhenweweresmallandourpoormo——mother————"
　　Griefandtearsstoppedher;shecouldnotcontinue.
　　Oncemoreserene，thepriestbowed，thinkingofhisbed."Asyouwish，mychildren."Hekneeled，crossedhimself，prayed，aroseandwentoutquietly，murmuring："Shewasasaint！"
　　Theyremainedalone，thedeadwomanandherchildren.Thetickingoftheclock，hiddenintheshadow，couldbehearddistinctly，andthroughtheopenwindowdriftedinthesweetsmellofhayandofwoods，togetherwiththesoftmoonlight.Noothernoisecouldbeheardoverthelandexcepttheoccasionalcroakingofthefrogorthechirpingofsomebelatedinsect.Aninfinitepeace，adivinemelancholy，asilentserenitysurroundedthisdeadwoman，seemedtobebreathedoutfromherandtoappeasenatureitself.
　　Thenthejudge，stillkneeling，hisheadburiedinthebedclothes，criedinavoicealteredbygriefanddeadenedbythesheetsandblankets：
　　"Mamma，mamma，mamma！"Andhissister，franticallystrikingherforeheadagainstthewoodwork，convulsed，twitchingandtremblingasinanepilepticfit，moaned："Jesus，Jesus，mamma，Jesus！"Andbothofthem，shakenbyastormofgrief，gaspedandchoked.
　　Thecrisisslowlycalmeddownandtheybegantoweepquietly，justasontheseawhenacalmfollowsasquall.
　　Aratherlongtimepassedandtheyaroseandlookedattheirdead.
　　Andthememories，thosedistantmemories，yesterdaysodear，to—daysotorturing，cametotheirmindswithallthelittleforgottendetails，thoselittleintimatefamiliardetailswhichbringbacktolifetheonewhohasleft.Theyrecalledtoeachothercircumstances，words，smiles，intonationsofthemotherwhowasnolongertospeaktothem.Theysawheragainhappyandcalm.Theyrememberedthingswhichshehadsaid，andalittlemotionofthehand，likebeatingtime，whichsheoftenusedwhenemphasizingsomethingimportant.
　　Andtheylovedherastheyneverhadlovedherbefore.Theymeasuredthedepthoftheirgrief，andthustheydiscoveredhowlonelytheywouldfindthemselves.
　　Itwastheirprop，theirguide，theirwholeyouth，allthebestpartoftheirliveswhichwasdisappearing.Itwastheirbondwithlife，theirmother，theirmamma，theconnectinglinkwiththeirforefatherswhichtheywouldthenceforthmiss.Theynowbecamesolitary，lonelybeings;
　　theycouldnolongerlookback.
　　Thenunsaidtoherbrother："Yourememberhowmammausedalwaystoreadheroldletters;theyareallthereinthatdrawer.Letus，inturn，readthem;letusliveherwholelifethroughtonightbesideher！Itwouldbelikearoadtothecross，likemakingtheacquaintanceofhermother，ofourgrandparents，whomweneverknew，butwhoselettersarethereandofwhomshesooftenspoke，doyouremember？"
　　Outofthedrawertheytookabouttenlittlepackagesofyellowpaper，tiedwithcareandarrangedonebesidetheother.Theythrewtheserelicsonthebedandchoseoneofthemonwhichtheword"Father"waswritten.Theyopenedandreadit.
　　Itwasoneofthoseold—fashionedletterswhichonefindsinoldfamilydeskdrawers，thoseepistleswhichsmellofanothercentury.Thefirstonestarted："Mydear，"anotherone："Mybeautifullittlegirl，"others：
　　"Mydearchild，"or："Mydear（laughter."Andsuddenlythenunbegantoreadaloud，toreadovertothedeadwomanherwholehistory，allhertendermemories.Thejudge，restinghiselbowonthebed，waslisteningwithhiseyesfastenedonhismother.Themotionlessbodyseemedhappy.
　　SisterEulalie，interruptingherself，saidsuddenly：
　　"Theseoughttobeputinthegravewithher;theyoughttobeusedasashroudandsheoughttobeburiedinit."Shetookanotherpackage，onwhichnonamewaswritten.Shebegantoreadinafirmvoice："Myadoredone，Iloveyouwildly.SinceyesterdayIhavebeensufferingthetorturesofthedamned，hauntedbyourmemory.Ifeelyourlipsagainstmine，youreyesinmine，yourbreastagainstmine.Iloveyou，Iloveyou！Youhavedrivenmemad.Myarmsopen，Igasp，movedbyawilddesiretoholdyouagain.Mywholesoulandbodycriesoutforyou，wantsyou.Ihavekeptinmymouththetasteofyourkisses——"
　　Thejudgehadstraightenedhimselfup.Thenunstoppedreading.Hesnatchedtheletterfromherandlookedforthesignature.Therewasnone，butonlyunderthewords，"Themanwhoadoresyou，"thename"Henry."Theirfather’snamewasRene.Thereforethiswasnotfromhim.
　　Thesonthenquicklyrummagedthroughthepackageofletters，tookoneoutandread："Icannolongerlivewithoutyourcaresses."Standingerect，severeaswhensittingonthebench，helookedunmovedatthedeadwoman.Thenun，straightasastatue，tearstremblinginthecornersofhereyes，waswatchingherbrother，waiting.Thenhecrossedtheroomslowly，wenttothewindowandstoodthere，gazingoutintothedarknight.
　　WhenheturnedaroundagainSisterEulalie，hereyesdrynow，wasstillstandingnearthebed，herheadbentdown.
　　Hesteppedforward，quicklypickedupthelettersandthrewthempell—
　　mellbackintothedrawer.Thenheclosedthecurtainsofthebed.
　　Whendaylightmadethecandlesonthetableturnpalethesonslowlylefthisarmchair，andwithoutlookingagainatthemotheruponwhomhehadpassedsentence，severingthetiethatunitedhertosonanddaughter，hesaidslowly："Letusnowretire，sister."
　　AHUMBLEDRAMA
　　Meetingsthatareunexpectedconstitutethecharmoftraveling.WhohasnotexperiencedthejoyofsuddenlycomingacrossaParisian，acollegefriend，oraneighbor，fivehundredmilesfromhome？Whohasnotpassedanightawakeinoneofthosesmall，rattlingcountrystagecoaches，inregionswheresteamisstillathingunknown，besideastrangeyoungwoman，ofwhomonehascaughtonlyaglimpseinthedimlightofthelantern，assheenteredthecarriageinfrontofawhitehouseinsomesmallcountrytown？
　　Andthenextmorning，whenone’sheadandearsfeelnumbwiththecontinuoustinklingofthebellsandtheloudrattlingofthewindows，whatacharmingsensationitistoseeyourprettyneighboropenhereyes，startled，glancearoundher，arrangeherrebellioushairwithherslenderfingers，adjustherhat，feelwithsurehandwhetherhercorsetisstillinplace，herwaiststraight，andherskirtnottoowrinkled.
　　Sheglancesatyoucoldlyandcuriously.Thensheleansbackandnolongerseemsinterestedinanythingbutthecountry.
　　Inspiteofyourself，youwatchher;andinspiteofyourselfyoukeeponthinkingofher.Whoisshe？Whencedoesshecome？Whereisshegoing？
　　Inspiteofyourselfyouspinalittleromancearoundher.Sheispretty;sheseemscharming！HappyhewhoLifemightbedelightfulwithher.Whoknows？Sheisperhapsthewomanofourdreams，theonesuitedtoourdisposition，theoneforwhomourheartcalls.
　　Andhowdeliciouseventhedisappointmentatseeinghergetoutatthegateofacountryhouse！Amanstandsthere，whoisawaitingher，withtwochildrenandtwomaids.Hetakesherinhisarmsandkissesasheliftsherout.Thenshestoopsoverthelittleones，whoholduptheirhandstoher;shekissesthemtenderly;andthentheyallgoawaytogether，downapath，whilethemaidscatchthepackageswhichthedriverthrowsdowntothemfromthecoach.
　　Adieu！Itisallover.Youneverwillseeheragain！Adieutotheyoungwomanwhohaspassedthenightbyyourside.Youknowhernomore，youhavenotspokentoher;allthesame，youfeelalittlesadtoseehergo.Adieu！
　　Ihavehadmanyofthesesouvenirsoftravel，somejoyousandsomesad.
　　OnceIwasinAuvergne，trampingthroughthosedelightfulFrenchmountains，thatarenottoohigh，nottoosteep，butfriendlyandfamiliar.IhadclimbedtheSancy，andenteredalittleinn，nearapilgrim’schapelcalledNotre—DamedeVassiviere，whenIsawaqueer，ridiculous—lookingoldwomanbreakfastingaloneattheendtable.
　　Shewasatleastseventyyearsold，tall，skinny，andangular，andherwhitehairwaspuffedaroundhertemplesintheold—fashionedstyle.
　　ShewasdressedlikeatravelingEnglishwoman，inawkward，queerclothing，likeapersonwhoisindifferenttodress.Shewaseatinganomeletanddrinkingwater.
　　Herfacewaspeculiar，withrestlesseyesandtheexpressionofonewithwhomfatehasdealtunkindly.Iwatchedher，inspiteofmyself，thinking："Whoisshe？Whatisthelifeofthiswoman？Whyisshewanderingalonethroughthesemountains？"
　　Shepaidandrosetoleave，drawingupoverhershouldersanastonishinglittleshawl，thetwoendsofwhichhungoverherarms.Fromacorneroftheroomshetookanalpenstock，whichwascoveredwithnamestracedwithahotiron;thenshewentout，straight，erect，withthelongstepsofaletter—carrierwhoissettingoutonhisroute.
　　Aguidewaswaitingforheratthedoor，andbothwentaway.Iwatchedthemgodownthevalley，alongtheroadmarkedbyalineofhighwoodencrosses.Shewastallerthanhercompanion，andseemedtowalkfasterthanhe.
　　TwohourslaterIwasclimbingtheedgeofthedeepfunnelthatinclosesLakePavininamarvelousandenormousbasinofverdure，fulloftrees，bushes，rocks，andflowers.Thislakeissoroundthatitseemsasiftheoutlinehadbeendrawnwithapairofcompasses，soclearandbluethatonemightdeemitafloodofazurecomedownfromthesky，socharmingthatonewouldliketoliveinabutonthewoodedslopewhichdominatesthiscrater，wherethecold，stillwaterissleeping.
　　TheEnglishwomanwasstandingtherelikeastatue，gazinguponthetransparentsheetdowninthedeadvolcano.Shewasstraininghereyestopenetratebelowthesurfacedowntotheunknowndepths，wheremonstroustroutwhichhavedevouredalltheotherfisharesaidtolive.
　　AsIwaspassingclosebyher，itseemedtomethattwobigtearswerebrimminghereyes.Butshedepartedatagreatpace，torejoinherguide，whohadstayedbehindinaninnatthefootofthepathleadingtothelake.
　　Ididnotseeheragainthatday.
　　Thenextday，atnightfall，IcametothechateauofMurol.Theoldfortress，anenormoustowerstandingonapeakinthemidstofalargevalley，wherethreevalleysintersect，rearsitsbrown，uneven，crackedsurfaceintothesky;itisround，fromitslargecircularbasetothecrumblingturretsonitspinnacles.
　　Itastonishestheeyemorethananyotherruinbyitssimplemass，itsmajesty，itsgraveandimposingairofantiquity.Itstandsthere，alone，highasamountain，adeadqueen，butstillthequeenofthevalleysstretchedoutbeneathit.Yougoupbyaslopeplantedwithfirs，thenyouenteranarrowgate，andstopatthefootofthewalls，inthefirstinclosure，infullviewoftheentirecountry.