Insidethereareruinedhalls，crumblingstairways，unknowncavities，dungeons，wallscutthroughinthemiddle，vaultedroofshelduponeknowsnothow，andamassofstonesandcrevices，overgrownwithgrass，whereanimalsglideinandout.
　　Iwasexploringthisruinalone.
　　SuddenlyIperceivedbehindabitofwallabeing，akindofphantom，likethespiritofthisancientandcrumblinghabitation.
　　Iwastakenabackwithsurprise，almostwithfear，whenIrecognizedtheoldladywhomIhadseentwice.
　　Shewasweeping，withbigtearsinhereyes，andheldherhandkerchiefinherhand.
　　Iturnedaroundtogoaway，whenshespoketome，apparentlyashamedtohavebeensurprisedinhergrief.
　　"Yes，monsieur，Iamcrying.Thatdoesnothappenoftentome."
　　"Pardonme，madame，forhavingdisturbedyou，"Istammered，confused，notknowingwhattosay."Somemisfortunehasdoubtlesscometoyou."
　　"Yes.No——Iamlikealostdog，"shemurmured，andbegantosob，withherhandkerchiefoverhereyes.
　　Movedbythesecontagioustears，Itookherhand，tryingtocalmher.
　　Thenbrusquelyshetoldmeherhistory，asifnolongerablytobearhergriefalone.
　　"Oh！Oh！Monsieur——ifyouknew——thesorrowinwhichIlive——inwhatsorrow.
　　"OnceIwashappy.Ihaveahousedownthere——ahome.Icannotgobacktoitanymore;Ishallnevergobacktoitagain，itistoohardtobear.
　　"Ihaveason.Itishe！itishe！Childrendon’tknow.Oh，onehassuchashorttimetolive！IfIshouldseehimnowIshouldperhapsnotrecognizehim.HowIlovedhim？HowIlovedhim！Evenbeforehewasborn，whenIfelthimmove.Andafterthat！HowIhavekissedandcaressedandcherishedhim！IfyouknewhowmanynightsIhavepassedinwatchinghimsleep，andhowmanyinthinkingofhim.Iwascrazyabouthim.Whenhewaseightyearsoldhisfathersenthimtoboarding—school.
　　Thatwastheend.Henolongerbelongedtome.Oh，heavens！HecametoseemeeverySunday.Thatwasall！
　　"HewenttocollegeinParis.Thenhecameonlyfourtimesayear，andeverytimeIwasastonishedtoseehowhehadchanged，tofindhimtallerwithouthavingseenhimgrow.Theystolehischildhoodfromme，hisconfidence，andhislovewhichotherwisewouldnothavegoneawayfromme;theystolemyjoyinseeinghimgrow，inseeinghimbecomealittleman.
　　"Isawhimfourtimesayear.Thinkofit！Andateveryoneofhisvisitshisbody，hiseye，hismovements，hisvoicehislaugh，werenolongerthesame，werenolongermine.Allthesethingschangesoquicklyinachild;anditissosadifoneisnottheretoseethemchange;onenolongerrecognizeshim.
　　"Oneyearhecamewithdownonhischeek！He！myson！Iwasdumfounded——wouldyoubelieveit？Ihardlydaredtokisshim.Wasitreallyhe，mylittle，littlecurlyheadofold，mydear;dearchild，whomIhadheldinhisdiapersormyknee，andwhohadnursedatmybreastwithhislittlegreedylips——wasithe，thistall，brownboy，whonolongerknewhowtokissme，whoseemedtolovemeasamatterofduty，whocalledme’mother’forthesakeofpoliteness，andwhokissedmeontheforehead，whenIfeltlikecrushinghiminmyarms？
　　"Myhusbanddied.Thenmyparents，andthenmytwosisters.WhenDeathentersahouseitseemsasifhewerehurryingtodohisutmost，soasnottohavetoreturnforalongtimeafterthat.Hesparesonlyoneortwotomourntheothers.
　　"Iremainedalone.Mytallsonwasthenstudyinglaw.Iwashopingtoliveanddienearhim，andIwenttohimsothatwecouldlivetogether.
　　Buthehadfallenintothewaysofyoungmen，andhegavemetounderstandthatIwasinhisway.SoIleft.Iwaswrongindoingso，butIsufferedtoomuchinfeelingmyselfinhisway，I，hismother！AndIcamebackhome.
　　"Ihardlyeversawhimagain.
　　’Hemarried.Whatajoy！Atlastweshouldbetogetherforgood.
　　Ishouldhavegrandchildren.HiswifewasanEnglishwoman，whotookadisliketome.Why？PerhapsshethoughtthatIlovedhimtoomuch.
　　"AgainIwasobligedtogoaway.AndIwasalone.Yes，monsieur.
　　"ThenhewenttoEngland，tolivewiththem，withhiswife’sparents.
　　Doyouunderstand？Theyhavehim——theyhavemysonforthemselves.
　　Theyhavestolenhimfromme.Hewritestomeonceamonth.Atfirsthecametoseeme.Butnowhenolongercomes.
　　"ItisnowfouryearssinceIsawhimlast.Hisfacethenwaswrinkledandhishairwhite.Wasthatpossible？Thisman，myson，almostanoldman？Mylittlerosychildofold？NodoubtIshallneverseehimagain.
　　"AndsoItravelaboutalltheyear.Igoeastandwest，asyousee，withnocompanion.
　　"Iamlikealostdog.Adieu，monsieur！don’tstayherewithmeforithurtsmetohavetoldyouallthis."
　　Iwentdownthehill，andonturningroundtoglanceback，Isawtheoldwomanstandingonabrokenwall，lookingoutuponthemountains，thelongvalleyandLakeChamboninthedistance.
　　Andherskirtandthequeerlittleshawlwhichsheworearoundherthinshoulderswereflutteringtikeaflaginthewind.
　　MADEMOISELLECOCOTTE
　　WewerejustleavingtheasylumwhenIsawatall，thinmaninacornerofthecourtwhokeptoncallinganimaginarydog.Hewascryinginasoft，tendervoice："Cocotte！Comehere，Cocotte，mybeauty！"andslappinghisthighasonedoeswhencallingananimal.Iaskedthephysician，"Whoisthatman？"Heanswered："Oh！heisnotatallinteresting.HeisacoachmannamedFrancois，whobecameinsaneafterdrowninghisdog."
　　Iinsisted："Tellmehisstory.Themostsimpleandhumblethingsaresometimesthosewhichtouchourheartsmostdeeply."
　　Hereisthisman’sadventure，whichwasobtainedfromafriendofhis，agroom：
　　TherewasafamilyofrichbourgeoiswholivedinasuburbofParis.
　　Theyhadavillainthemiddleofapark，attheedgeoftheSeine.
　　TheircoachmanwasthisFrancois，acountryfellow，somewhatdull，kind—
　　hearted，simpleandeasytodeceive.
　　Oneevening，ashewasreturninghome，adogbegantofollowhim.Atfirsthepaidnoattentiontoit，butthecreature’sobstinacyatlastmadehimturnround.Helookedtoseeifheknewthisdog.No，hehadneverseenit.Itwasafemaledogandfrightfullythin.Shewastrottingbehindhimwithamournfulandfamishedlook，hertailbetweenherlegs，herearsflattenedagainstherheadandstoppingandstartingwheneverhedid.
　　Hetriedtochasethisskeletonawayandcried：
　　"Runalong！Getout！Kss！kss！"Sheretreatedafewsteps，thensatdownandwaited.Andwhenthecoachmanstartedtowalkagainshefollowedalongbehindhim.
　　Hepretendedtopickupsomestones.Theanimalranalittlefartheraway，butcamebackagainassoonastheman’sbackwasturned.
　　ThenthecoachmanFrancoistookpityonthebeastandcalledher.Thedogapproachedtimidly.Themanpattedherprotrudingribs，movedbythebeast’smisery，andhecried："Come！comehere！"Immediatelyshebegantowaghertail，and，feelingherselftakenin，adopted，shebegantorunalongaheadofhernewmaster.
　　Hemadeherabedonthestrawinthestable，thenherantothekitchenforsomebread.Whenshehadeatenallshecouldshecurledupandwenttosleep.
　　Whenhisemployersheardofthisthenextdaytheyallowedthecoachmantokeeptheanimal.Itwasagoodbeast，caressingandfaithful，intelligentandgentle.
　　NeverthelessFrancoisadoredCocotte，andhekeptrepeating："Thatbeastishuman.Sheonlylacksspeech."
　　Hehadamagnificentredleathercollarmadeforherwhichborethesewordsengravedonacopperplate："MademoiselleCocotte，belongingtothecoachmanFrancois."
　　Shewasremarkablyprolificandfourtimesayearwouldgivebirthtoabatchoflittleanimalsbelongingtoeveryvarietyofthecaninerace.
　　Francoiswouldpickoutonewhichhewouldleaveherandthenhewouldunmercifullythrowtheothersintotheriver.Butsoonthecookjoinedhercomplaintstothoseofthegardener.Shewouldfinddogsunderthestove，intheicebox，inthecoalbin，andtheywouldstealeverythingtheycameacross.
　　Finallythemaster，tiredofcomplaints，impatientlyorderedFrancoistogetridofCocotte.Indespairthemantriedtogiveheraway.Nobodywantedher.Thenhedecidedtoloseher，andhegavehertoateamster，whowastodropherontheothersideofParis，nearJoinville—le—Pont.
　　Cocottereturnedthesameday.Somedecisionhadtobetaken.FivefrancswasgiventoatrainconductortotakehertoHavre.Hewastodropherthere.
　　Threedayslatershereturnedtothestable，thin，footsoreandtiredout.
　　Themastertookpityonherandletherstay.Butotherdogswereattractedasbefore，andoneevening，whenabigdinnerpartywason，astuffedturkeywascarriedawaybyoneofthemrightunderthecook’snose，andshedidnotdaretostophim.
　　ThistimethemastercompletelylosthistemperandsaidangrilytoFrancois："Ifyoudon’tthrowthisbeastintothewaterbefore——to—morrowmorning，I’llputyouout，doyouhear？"
　　Themanwasdumbfounded，andhereturnedtohisroomtopackhistrunk，preferringtoleavetheplace.Thenhebethoughthimselfthathecouldfindnoothersituationaslongashedraggedthisanimalaboutwithhim.
　　Hethoughtofhisgoodposition，wherehewaswellpaidandwellfed，andhedecidedthatadogwasreallynotworthallthat.AtlasthedecidedtoridhimselfofCocotteatdaybreak.
　　Hesleptbadly.Heroseatdawn，andtakingastrongrope，wenttogetthedog.Shestoodupslowly，shookherself，stretchedandcametowelcomehermaster.
　　Thenhiscourageforsookhim，andhebegantopetheraffectionately，strokingherlongears，kissinghermuzzleandcallinghertendernames.
　　Butaneighboringclockstrucksix.Hecouldnolongerhesitate.
　　Heopenedthedoor，calling："Come！"Thebeastwaggedhertail，understandingthatshewastobetakenout.
　　Theyreachedthebeach，andhechoseaplacewherethewaterseemeddeep.
　　Thenheknottedtheroperoundtheleathercollarandtiedaheavystonetotheotherend.HeseizedCocotteinhisarmsandkissedhermadly，asthoughheweretakingleaveofsomehumanbeing.Heheldhertohisbreast，rockedherandcalledher"mydearlittleCocotte，mysweetlittleCocotte，"andshegruntedwithpleasure.
　　Tentimeshetriedtothrowherintothewaterandeachtimehelostcourage.
　　Butsuddenlyhemadeuphismindandthrewherasfarfromhimashecould.Atfirstshetriedtoswim，asshedidwhenhegaveherabath，butherhead，draggeddownbythestone，keptgoingunder，andshelookedathermasterwithwild，humanglancesasshestruggledlikeadrowningperson.Thenthefrontpartofherbodysank，whileherhindlegswavedwildlyoutofthewater.Finallythosealsodisappeared.
　　Then，forfiveminutes，bubblesrosetothesurfaceasthoughtheriverwereboiling，andFrancois，haggard，hisheartbeating，thoughtthathesawCocottestrugglinginthemud，and，withthesimplicityofapeasant，hekeptsayingtohimself："Whatdoesthepoorbeastthinkofmenow？"
　　Healmostlosthismind.Hewasillforamonthandeverynighthedreamedofhisdog.Hecouldfeelherlickinghishandsandhearherbarking.Itwasnecessarytocallinaphysician.Atlastherecovered，andtowardthe2ndofJunehisemployerstookhimtotheirestateatBiesard，nearRouen.
　　ThereagainhewasneartheSeine.Hebegantotakebaths.Eachmorninghewouldgodownwiththegroomandtheywouldswimacrosstheriver.
　　Oneday，astheyweredisportingthemselvesinthewater，Francoissuddenlycriedtohiscompanion："Lookwhat’scoming！I’mgoingtogiveyouachop！"
　　Itwasanenormous，swollencorpsethatwasfloatingdownwithitsfeetstickingstraightupintheair.
　　Francoisswamuptoit，stilljoking："Whew！it’snotfresh.Whatacatch，oldman！Itisn’tthin，either！"Hekeptswimmingaboutatadistancefromtheanimalthatwasinastateofdecomposition.Then，suddenly，hewassilentandlookedatit：attentively.Thistimehecamenearenoughtotouch，it.Helookedfixedlyatthecollar，thenhestretchedouthisarm，seizedtheneck，swungthecorpseroundanddrewitupclosetohimandreadonthecopperwhichhadturnedgreenandwhichstillstucktothediscoloredleather："MademoiselleCocotte，belongingtothecoachmanFrancois."
　　Thedeaddoghadcomemorethanahundredmilestofinditsmaster.
　　Heletoutafrightfulshriekandbegantoswimforthebeachwithallhismight，stillhowling;andassoonashetouchedlandheranawaywildly，starknaked，throughthecountry.Hewasinsane！
　　THECORSICANBANDIT
　　TheroadascendedgentlythroughtheforestofAitone.Thelargepinesformedasolemndomeaboveourheads，andthatmysterioussoundmadebythewindinthetreessoundedlikethenotesofanorgan.
　　Afterwalkingforthreehours，therewasaclearing，andthenatintervalsanenormouspineumbrella，andthenwesuddenlycametotheedgeoftheforest，somehundredmetersbelow，thepassleadingtothewildvalleyofNiolo.
　　Onthetwoprojectingheightswhichcommandedaviewofthispass，someoldtrees，grotesquelytwisted，seemedtohavemountedwithpainfulefforts，likescoutssentinadvanceofthemultitudeintherear.Whenweturnedround，wesawtheentireforeststretchedbeneathourfeet，likeagiganticbasinofverdure，inclosedbybarerockswhosesummitsseemedtoreachthesky.
　　Weresumedourwalk，and，tenminuteslater，foundourselvesinthepass.
　　ThenIbeheldaremarkablelandscape.Beyondanotherforeststretchedavalley，butavalleysuchasIhadneverseenbefore;asolitudeofstone，tenleagueslong，hollowedoutbetweentwohighmountains，withoutafieldoratreetobeseen.ThiswastheNiolovalley，thefatherlandofCorsicanliberty，theinaccessiblecitadel，fromwhichtheinvadershadneverbeenabletodriveoutthemountaineers.
　　Mycompanionsaidtome："Thisiswhereallourbanditshavetakenrefuge？"
　　Erelongwewereatthefurtherendofthisgorge，sowild，soinconceivablybeautiful.
　　Notabladeofgrass，notaplant—nothingbutgranite.Asfarasoureyescouldreach，wesawinfrontofusadesertofglitteringstone，heatedlikeanovenbyaburningsun，whichseemedtohangforthatverypurposerightabovethegorge.Whenweraisedoureyestowardsthecrests，westooddazzledandstupefiedbywhatwesaw.Theylookedlikeafestoonofcoral;allthesummitsareofporphyry;andtheskyoverheadwasviolet，purple，tingedwiththecoloringofthesestrangemountains.
　　Lowerdown，thegranitewasofscintillatinggray，andseemedgroundtopowderbeneathourfeet.Atourright，alongalongandirregularcourse，roaredatumultuoustorrent.Andwestaggeredalongunderthisheat，inthislight，inthisburning，arid，desolatevalleycutbythistorrentofturbulentwaterwhichseemedtobeeverhurryingonward，withoutfertilizingtherocks，lostinthisfurnacewhichgreedilydrankitupwithoutbeingsaturatedorrefreshedbyit.
　　But，suddenly，therewasvisibleatourrightalittlewoodencrosssunkinalittleheapofstones.Amanhadbeenkilledthere;andIsaidtomycompanion.
　　"Tellmeaboutyourbandits."
　　Hereplied：
　　"Iknewthemostcelebratedofthem，theterribleSt.Lucia.Iwilltellyouhishistory.
　　"Hisfatherwaskilledinaquarrelbyayoungmanofthedistrict，itissaid;andSt.Luciawasleftalonewithhissister.Hewasaweak，timidyouth，small，oftenill，withoutanyenergy.Hedidnotproclaimvengeanceagainsttheassassinofhisfather.Allhisrelativescametoseehim，andimploredofhimtoavengehisdeath;heremaineddeaftotheirmenacesandtheirsupplications.
　　"Then，followingtheoldCorsicancustom，hissister，inherindignationcarriedawayhisblackclothes，inorderthathemightnotwearmourningforadeadmanwhohadnotbeenavenged.Hewasinsensibletoeventhisaffront，andratherthantakedownfromtherackhisfather’sgun，whichwasstillloaded，heshuthimselfup，notdaringtobravethelooksoftheyoungmenofthedistrict.
　　"Heseemedtohaveevenforgottenthecrime，andlivedwithhissisterintheseclusionoftheirdwelling.
　　But，oneday，themanwhowassuspectedofhavingcommittedthemurder，wasabouttogetmarried.St.Luciadidnotappeartobemovedbythisnews，but，outofsheerbravado，doubtless，thebridegroom，onhiswaytothechurch，passedbeforethehouseofthetwoorphans.
　　"Thebrotherandthesister，attheirwindow，wereeatingfrijoles，whentheyoungmansawthebridalprocessiongoingby.Suddenlyhebegantotremble，rosetohisfeetwithoututteringaword，madethesignofthecross，tookthegunwhichwashangingoverthefireplace，andwentout.
　　"Whenhespokeofthislateron，hesaid：’Idon’tknowwhatwasthematterwithme;itwaslikefireinmyblood;IfeltthatImustdoit，that，inspiteofeverything，Icouldnotresist，andIconcealedtheguninacaveontheroadtoCorte.
　　"Anhourlater，hecameback，withnothinginhishand，andwithhishabitualairofsadweariness.Hissisterbelievedthattherewasnothingfurtherinhisthoughts.
　　Butwhennightfellhedisappeared.
　　"Hisenemyhad，thesameevening，torepairtoCorteonfoot，accompaniedbyhistwogroomsmen.
　　"Hewaswalkingalong，singingashewent，whenSt.Luciastoodbeforehim，andlookingstraightinthemurderer’sface，exclaimed：’Nowisthetime！’andshothimpoint—blankinthechest.
　　"Oneofthemenfled;theotherstaredat，theyoungman，saying：
　　"’Whathaveyoudone，St.Lucia？’andhewasabouttohastentoCorteforhelp，whenSt.Luciasaidinasterntone：
　　"’Ifyoumoveanotherstep，I’llshootyouintheleg.’
　　"Theother，awareofhistimidityhitherto，replied：’Youwouldnotdaretodoit！’andwashurryingoffwhenhefellinstantaneously，histhighshatteredbyabullet.
　　"AndSt.Lucia，comingovertowherehelay，said：
　　"’Iamgoingtolookatyourwound;ifitisnotserious，I’llleaveyouthere;ifitismortalI’llfinishyouoff."
　　"Heinspectedthewound，considereditmortal，andslowlyreloadinghisgun，toldthewoundedmantosayaprayer，andshothimthroughthehead.
　　"Nextdayhewasinthemountains.
　　"AnddoyouknowwhatthisSt.Luciadidafterthis？
　　"Allhisfamilywerearrestedbythegendarmes.Hisuncle，thecure，whowassuspectedofhavingincitedhimtothisdeedofvengeance，washimselfputinprison，andaccusedbythedeadman’srelatives.Butheescaped，tookaguninhisturn，andwenttojoinhisnephewinthebrush.
　　"Next，St.Luciakilled，oneaftertheother，hisuncle’saccusers，andtoreouttheireyestoteachtheothersnevertostatewhattheyhadseenwiththeireyes.
　　"Hekilledalltherelatives，alltheconnectionsofhisenemy’sfamily.
　　Heslewduringhislifefourteengendarmes，burneddownthehousesofhisadversaries，andwas，uptothedayofhisdeath，themostterribleofallthebanditswhosememorywehavepreserved."
　　ThesundisappearedbehindMonteCintoandthetallshadowofthegranitemountainwenttosleeponthegraniteofthevalley.WequickenedourpaceinordertoreachbeforenightthelittlevillageofAlbertaccio，nothingbutapileofstonesweldedintothestoneflanksofawildgorge.AndIsaidasIthoughtofthebandit：
　　"Whataterriblecustomyourvendettais！"
　　Mycompanionansweredwithanairofresignation：
　　"Whatwouldyouhave？Amanmustdohisduty！"
　　THEGRAVE
　　TheseventeenthofJuly，onethousandeighthundredandeighty—three，athalf—pasttwointhemorning，thewatchmaninthecemeteryofBesiers，wholivedinasmallcottageontheedgeofthisfieldofthedead，wasawakenedbythebarkingofhisdog，whichwasshutupinthekitchen.
　　Goingdownquickly，hesawtheanimalsniffingatthecrackofthedoorandbarkingfuriously，asifsometramphadbeensneakingaboutthehouse.Thekeeper，Vincent，thereforetookhisgunandwentout.
　　Hisdog，precedinghim，atonceraninthedirectionoftheAvenueGeneralBonnet，stoppingshortatthemonumentofMadameTomoiseau.
　　Thekeeper，advancingcautiously，soonsawafaintlightonthesideoftheAvenueMalenvers，andstealinginamongthegraves，hecameuponahorribleactofprofanation.
　　Amanhaddugupthecoffinofayoungwomanwhohadbeenburiedtheeveningbeforeandwasdraggingthecorpseoutofit.
　　Asmalldarklantern，standingonapileofearth，lightedupthishideousscene.
　　Vincentspranguponthewretch，threwhimtotheground，boundhishandsandtookhimtothepolicestation.
　　Itwasayoung，wealthyandrespectedlawyerintown，namedCourbataille.
　　Hewasbroughtintocourt.ThepublicprosecutoropenedthecasebyreferringtothemonstrousdeedsoftheSergeantBertrand.
　　Awaveofindignationsweptoverthecourtroom.Whenthemagistratesatdownthecrowdassembledcried："Death！death！"Withdifficultythepresidingjudgeestablishedsilence.
　　Thenhesaidgravely：
　　"Defendant，whathaveyoutosayinyourdefense？"
　　Courbataille，whohadrefusedcounsel，rose.Hewasahandsomefellow，tall，brown，withafrankface，energeticmannerandafearlesseye.
　　Payingnoattentiontothewhistlingsintheroom，hebegantospeakinavoicethatwaslowandveiledatfirst，butthatgrewmorefirmasheproceeded.
　　"MonsieurlePresident，gentlemenofthejury：Ihaveverylittletosay.
　　ThewomanwhosegraveIviolatedwasmysweetheart.Ilovedher.
　　"Ilovedher，notwithasensualloveandnotwithmeretendernessofheartandsoul，butwithanabsolute，completelove，withanoverpoweringpassion.
　　"Hearme：
　　"WhenImetherforthefirsttimeIfeltastrangesensation.Itwasnotastonishmentnoradmiration，noryetthatwhichiscalledloveatfirstsight，butafeelingofdeliciouswell—being，asifIhadbeenplungedintoawarmbath.Hergesturesseducedme，hervoiceenchantedme，anditwaswithinfinitepleasurethatIlookeduponherperson.
　　ItseemedtomeasifIhadseenherbeforeandasifIhadknownheralongtime.Shehadwithinhersomethingofmyspirit.
　　"Sheseemedtomelikeananswertoacryutteredbymysoul，tothatvagueandunceasingcrywithwhichwecalluponHopeduringourwholelife.
　　"WhenIknewheralittlebetter，themerethoughtofseeingheragainfilledmewithexquisiteandprofounduneasiness;thetouchofherhandinminewasmoredelightfultomethananythingthatIhadimagined;hersmilefilledmewithamadjoy，withthedesiretorun，todance，toflingmyselfupontheground.
　　"Sowebecamelovers.
　　"Yes，morethanthat：shewasmyverylife.Ilookedfornothingfurtheronearth，andhadnofurtherdesires.Ilongedfornothingfurther.
　　"Oneevening，whenwehadgoneonasomewhatlongwalkbytheriver，wewereovertakenbytherain，andshecaughtcold.Itdevelopedintopneumoniathenextday，andaweeklatershewasdead.
　　"Duringthehoursofhersufferingastonishmentandconsternationpreventedmyunderstandingandreflectinguponit，butwhenshewasdeadIwassooverwhelmedbyblankdespairthatIhadnothoughtsleft.
　　Iwept.
　　"Duringallthehorribledetailsoftheintermentmykeenandwildgriefwaslikeamadness，akindofsensual，physicalgrief.
　　"Thenwhenshewasgone，whenshewasundertheearth，mymindatoncefounditselfagain，andIpassedthroughaseriesofmoralsufferingssoterriblethateventheloveshehadvouchsafedtomewasdearatthatprice.
　　"Thenthefixedideacametome：Ishallnotseeheragain.
　　"Whenonedwellsonthisthoughtforawholedayonefeelsasifheweregoingmad.Justthinkofit！Thereisawomanwhomyouadore，auniquewoman，forinthewholeuniversethereisnotasecondonelikeher.
　　ThiswomanhasgivenherselftoyouandhascreatedwithyouthemysteriousunionthatiscalledLove.Hereyeseemstoyoumorevastthanspace，morecharmingthantheworld，thatcleareyesmilingwithhertenderness.Thiswomanlovesyou.Whenshespeakstoyouhervoicefloodsyouwithjoy.
　　"Andsuddenlyshedisappears！Thinkofit！Shedisappears，notonlyforyou，butforever.Sheisdead.Doyouunderstandwhatthatmeans？
　　Never，never，never，notanywherewillsheexistanymore.Nevermorewillthateyelookuponanythingagain;nevermorewillthatvoice，noranyvoicelikeit，utterawordinthesamewayassheutteredit.
　　"Nevermorewillafacebebornthatislikehers.Never，never！Themoldsofstatuesarekept;castsarekeptbywhichonecanmakeobjectswiththesameoutlinesandforms.Butthatonebodyandthatonefacewillnevermorebebornagainupontheearth.Andyetmillionsandmillionsofcreatureswillbeborn，andmorethanthat，andthisonewomanwillnotreappearamongallthewomenofthefuture.Isitpossible？Itdrivesonemadtothinkofit.
　　"Shelivedfortwenty—years，notmore，andshehasdisappearedforever，forever，forever！Shethought，shesmiled，shelovedme.Andnownothing！Thefliesthatdieintheautumnareasmuchasweareinthisworld.Andnownothing！AndIthoughtthatherbody，herfreshbody，sowarm，sosweet，sowhite，solovely，wouldrotdownthereinthatboxundertheearth.Andhersoul，herthought，herlove——whereisit？
　　"Nottoseeheragain！Theideaofthisdecomposingbody，thatImightyetrecognize，hauntedme.Iwantedtolookatitoncemore.
　　"Iwentoutwithaspade，alanternandahammer;IjumpedoverthecemeterywallandIfoundthegrave，whichhadnotyetbeenclosedentirely;Iuncoveredthecoffinandtookupaboard.Anabominableodor，thestenchofputrefaction，greetedmynostrils.Oh，herbedperfumedwithorris！
　　"YetIopenedthecoffin，and，holdingmylightedlanterndownintoitI
　　sawher.Herfacewasblue，swollen，frightful.Ablackliquidhadoozedoutofhermouth.
　　"She！Thatwasshe！Horrorseizedme.ButIstretchedoutmyarmtodrawthismonstrousfacetowardme.AndthenIwascaught.
　　"AllnightIhaveretainedthefoulodorofthisputridbody，theodorofmywellbeloved，asoneretainstheperfumeofawomanafteraloveembrace.
　　"Dowithmewhatyouwill."
　　Astrangesilenceseemedtooppresstheroom.Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingmore.Thejuryretiredtodeliberate.
　　Whentheycamebackafewminuteslatertheaccusedshowednofearanddidnotevenseemtothink.
　　Thepresidentannouncedwiththeusualformalitiesthathisjudgesdeclaredhimtobenotguilty.
　　Hedidnotmoveandtheroomapplauded.
　　TheGraveappearedinGilBlas，July29，1883，underthesignatureof"Maufrigneuse."
　　EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.13.
　　ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEXIII.
　　OLDJUDAS
　　THELITTLECASK
　　BOITELLE
　　AWIDOW
　　THEENGLISHMENOFETRETAT
　　MAGNETISM
　　AFATHERSCONFESSION
　　AMOTHEROFMONSTERS
　　ANUNCOMFORTABLEBED
　　APORTRAIT
　　THEDRUNKARD
　　THEWARDROBE
　　THEMOUNTAINPOOL
　　ACREMATION
　　MISTI
　　MADAMEHERMET
　　THEMAGICCOUCH
　　OLDJUDAS
　　Thisentirestretchofcountrywasamazing;itwascharacterizedbyagrandeurthatwasalmostreligious，andyetithadanairofsinisterdesolation.
　　Agreat，wildlake，filledwithstagnant，blackwater，inwhichthousandsofreedswerewavingtoandfro，layinthemidstofavastcircleofnakedhills，wherenothinggrewbutbroom，orhereandthereanoakcuriouslytwistedbythewind.
　　Justonehousestoodonthebanksofthatdarklake，asmall，lowhouseinhabitedbyUncleJoseph，anoldboatman，wholivedonwhathecouldmakebyhisfishing.Onceaweekhecarriedthefishhecaughtintothesurroundingvillages，returningwiththefewprovisionsthatheneededforhissustenance.
　　Iwenttoseethisoldhermit，whoofferedtotakemewithhimtohisnets，andIaccepted.
　　Hisboatwasold，worm—eatenandclumsy，andtheskinnyoldmanrowedwithagentleandmonotonousstrokethatwassoothingtothesoul，alreadyoppressedbythesadnessofthelandroundabout.
　　ItseemedtomeasifIweretransportedtooldentimes，inthemidstofthatancientcountry，inthatprimitiveboat，whichwaspropelledbyamanofanotherage.
　　Hetookuphisnetsandthrewthefishintothebottomoftheboat，asthefishermenoftheBiblemighthavedone.Thenhetookmedowntotheendofthelake，whereIsuddenlyperceivedaruinontheothersideofthebankadilapidatedhut，withanenormousredcrossonthewallthatlookedasifitmighthavebeentracedwithblood，asitgleamedinthelastraysofthesettingsun.
　　"Whatisthat？"Iasked.
　　"ThatiswhereJudasdied，"themanreplied，crossinghimself.
　　Iwasnotsurprised，beingalmostpreparedforthisstrangeanswer.
　　StillIasked：
　　"Judas？WhatJudas？"
　　"TheWanderingJew，monsieur，"headded.
　　Iaskedhimtotellmethislegend.
　　Butitwasbetterthanalegend，beingatruestory，andquitearecentone，sinceUncleJosephhadknowntheman.
　　Thishuthadformerlybeenoccupiedbyalargewoman，akindofbeggar，wholivedonpubliccharity.
　　UncleJosephdidnotrememberfromwhomshehadthishut.Oneeveninganoldmanwithawhitebeard，whoseemedtobeatleasttwohundredyearsold，andwhocouldhardlydraghimselfalong，askedalmsofthisforlornwoman，ashepassedherdwelling.
　　"Sitdown，father，"shereplied;"everythingherebelongstoalltheworld，sinceitcomesfromalltheworld."
　　Hesatdownonastonebeforethedoor.Hesharedthewoman’sbread，herbedofleaves，andherhouse.
　　Hedidnotleaveheragain，forhehadcometotheendofhistravels.
　　"ItwasOurLadytheVirginwhopermittedthis，monsieur，"Josephadded，"itbeingawomanwhohadopenedherdoortoaJudas，forthisoldvagabondwastheWanderingJew.Itwasnotknownatfirstinthecountry，butthepeoplesuspecteditverysoon，becausehewasalwayswalking;ithadbecomeasortofsecondnaturetohim."
　　Andsuspicionhadbeenarousedbystillanotherthing.Thiswoman，whokeptthatstrangerwithher，wasthoughttobeaJewess，fornoonehadeverseenheratchurch.FortenmilesaroundnooneevercalledheranythingelsebuttheJewess.
　　Whenthelittlecountrychildrensawhercometobegtheycriedout：
　　"Mamma，mamma，hereistheJewess！"
　　Theoldmanandshebegantogoouttogetherintotheneighboringdistricts，holdingouttheirhandsatallthedoors，stammeringsupplicationsintotheearsofallthepassers.Theycouldbeseenatallhoursoftheday，onby—paths，inthevillages，oragaineatingbread，sittinginthenoonheatundertheshadowofsomesolitarytree.
　　AndthecountrypeoplebegantocallthebeggarOldJudas.
　　Onedayhebroughthomeinhissacktwolittlelivepigs，whichafarmerhadgivenhimafterhehadcuredthefarmerofsomesickness.
　　Soonhestoppedbegging，anddevotedhimselfentirelytohispigs.
　　Hetookthemouttofeedbythelake，orunderisolatedoaks，orinthenear—byvalleys.Thewoman，however，wentaboutalldaybegging，butshealwayscamebacktohimintheevening.
　　Healsodidnotgotochurch，andnooneeverhadseenhimcrosshimselfbeforethewaysidecrucifixes.Allthisgaverisetomuchgossip：
　　Onenighthiscompanionwasattackedbyafeverandbegantotremblelikealeafinthewind.Hewenttothenearesttowntogetsomemedicine，andthenheshuthimselfupwithher，andwasnotseenforsixdays.
　　Thepriest，havingheardthatthe"Jewess"wasabouttodie，cametooffertheconsolationofhisreligionandadministerthelastsacrament.
　　WassheaJewess？Hedidnotknow.Butinanycase，hewishedtotrytosavehersoul.
　　HardlyhadheknockedatthedoorwhenoldJudasappearedonthethreshold，breathinghard，hiseyesaflame，hislongbeardagitated，likeripplingwater，andhehurledblasphemiesinanunknownlanguage，extendinghisskinnyarmsinordertopreventthepriestfromentering.
　　Thepriestattemptedtospeak，offeredhispurseandhisaid，buttheoldmankeptonabusinghim，makinggestureswithhishandsasifthrowing;
　　stonesathim.
　　Thenthepriestretired，followedbythecursesofthebeggar.
　　ThecompanionofoldJudasdiedthefollowingday.Heburiedherhimself，infrontofherdoor.Theywerepeopleofsolittleaccountthatnoonetookanyinterestinthem.
　　Thentheysawthemantakehispigsoutagaintothelakeandupthehillsides.Andhealsobeganbeggingagaintogetfood.Butthepeoplegavehimhardlyanything，astherewassomuchgossipabouthim.Everyoneknew，moreover，howhehadtreatedthepriest.
　　Thenhedisappeared.ThatwasduringHolyWeek，butnoonepaidanyattentiontohim.
　　ButonEasterSundaytheboysandgirlswhohadgonewalkingouttothelakeheardagreatnoiseinthehut.Thedoorwaslocked;buttheboysbrokeitin，andthetwopigsranout，jumpinglikegnats.Nooneeversawthemagain.
　　Thewholecrowdwentin;theysawsomeoldragsonthefloor，thebeggar’shat，somebones，clotsofdriedbloodandbitsoffleshinthehollowsoftheskull.
　　Hispigshaddevouredhim.
　　"ThishappenedonGoodFriday，monsieur."Josephconcludedhisstory，"threehoursafternoon."
　　"Howdoyouknowthat？"Iaskedhim.
　　"Thereisnodoubtaboutthat，"hereplied.
　　Ididnotattempttomakehimunderstandthatitcouldeasilyhappenthatthefamishedanimalshadeatentheirmaster，afterhehaddiedsuddenlyinhishut.
　　Asforthecrossonthewall，ithadappearedonemorning，andnooneknewwhathandtraceditinthatstrangecolor.
　　SincethennoonedoubtedanylongerthattheWanderingJewhaddiedonthisspot.
　　Imyselfbelieveditforonehour.
　　THELITTLECASK
　　Hewasatallmanoffortyorthereabout，thisJulesChicot，theinnkeeperofSpreville，witharedfaceandaroundstomach，andsaidbythosewhoknewhimtobeasmartbusinessman.HestoppedhisbuggyinfrontofMotherMagloire’sfarmhouse，and，hitchingthehorsetothegatepost，wentinatthegate.
　　Chicotownedsomelandadjoiningthatoftheoldwoman，whichhehadbeencovetingforalongwhile，andhadtriedinvaintobuyascoreoftimes，butshehadalwaysobstinatelyrefusedtopartwithit.
　　"Iwasbornhere，andhereImeantodie，"wasallshesaid.
　　Hefoundherpeelingpotatoesoutsidethefarmhousedoor.Shewasawomanofaboutseventy—two，verythin，shriveledandwrinkled，almostdriedupinfactandmuchbentbutasactiveanduntiringasagirl.
　　Chicotpattedheronthebackinafriendlyfashionandthensatdownbyheronastool.
　　"Wellmother，youarealwaysprettywellandhearty，Iamgladtosee."
　　"Nothingtocomplainof，considering，thankyou.Andhowareyou，MonsieurChicot？"
　　"Oh，prettywell，thankyou，exceptafewrheumaticpainsoccasionally;
　　otherwiseIhavenothingtocomplainof."
　　"Somuchthebetter."
　　Andshesaidnomore，whileChicotwatchedhergoingonwithherwork.
　　Hercrooked，knottedfingers，hardasalobster’sclaws，seizedthetubers，whichwerelyinginapail，asiftheyhadbeenapairofpincers，andshepeeledthemrapidly，cuttingofflongstripsofskinwithanoldknifewhichsheheldintheotherhand，throwingthepotatoesintothewaterastheyweredone.Threedaringfowlsjumpedoneaftertheotherintoherlap，seizedabitofpeelandthenranawayasfastastheirlegswouldcarrythemwithitintheirbeak.
　　Chicotseemedembarrassed，anxious，withsomethingonthetipofhistonguewhichhecouldnotsay.Atlasthesaidhurriedly：
　　"Listen，MotherMagloire——"
　　"Well，whatisit？"
　　"Youarequitesurethatyoudonotwanttosellyourland？"
　　"Certainlynot;youmaymakeupyourmindtothat.WhatIhavesaidI
　　havesaid，sodon’trefertoitagain."
　　"Verywell;onlyIthinkIknowofanarrangementthatmightsuitusbothverywell."
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Justthis.Youshallsellittomeandkeepitallthesame.Youdon’tunderstand？Verywell，thenfollowmeinwhatIamgoingtosay."
　　Theoldwomanleftoffpeelingpotatoesandlookedattheinnkeeperattentivelyfromunderherheavyeyebrows，andhewenton：
　　"Letmeexplainmyself.EverymonthIwillgiveyouahundredandfiftyfrancs.Youunderstandme！suppose！EverymonthIwillcomeandbringyouthirtycrowns，anditwillnotmaketheslightestdifferenceinyourlife——nottheveryslightest.Youwillhaveyourownhomejustasyouhavenow，neednottroubleyourselfaboutme，andwillowemenothing;
　　allyouwillhavetodowillbetotakemymoney.Willthatarrangementsuityou？"
　　Helookedathergood—humoredly，onemightalmosthavesaidbenevolently，andtheoldwomanreturnedhislooksdistrustfully，asifshesuspectedatrap，andsaid：
　　"ItseemsallrightasfarasIamconcerned，butitwillnotgiveyouthefarm."
　　"Nevermindaboutthat，"hesaid;"youmayremainhereaslongasitpleasesGodAlmightytoletyoulive;itwillbeyourhome.Onlyyouwillsignadeedbeforealawyermakingitovertome;afteryourdeath.
　　Youhavenochildren，onlynephewsandniecesforwhomyoudon’tcareastraw.Willthatsuityou？Youwillkeepeverythingduringyourlife，andIwillgiveyouthethirtycrownsamonth.Itispuregainasfarasyouareconcerned."
　　Theoldwomanwassurprised，ratheruneasy，but，nevertheless，verymuchtemptedtoagree，andanswered：
　　"Idon’tsaythatIwillnotagreetoit，butImustthinkaboutit.
　　Comebackinaweek，andwewilltalkitoveragain，andIwillthengiveyoumydefiniteanswer."
　　AndChicotwentoffashappyasakingwhohadconqueredanempire.
　　MotherMagloirewasthoughtful，anddidnotsleepatallthatnight;infact，forfourdaysshewasinafeverofhesitation.Shesuspectedthattherewassomethingunderneaththeofferwhichwasnottoheradvantage;
　　butthenthethoughtofthirtycrownsamonth，ofallthosecoinsclinkinginherapron，fallingtoher，asitwere，fromtheskies，withoutherdoinganythingforit，arousedhercovetousness.
　　Shewenttothenotaryandtoldhimaboutit.HeadvisedhertoacceptChicot’soffer，butsaidsheoughttoaskforanannuityoffiftyinsteadofthirty，asherfarmwasworthsixtythousandfrancsatthelowestcalculation.
　　"Ifyouliveforfifteenyearslonger，"hesaid，"eventhenhewillonlyhavepaidforty—fivethousandfrancsforit."
　　Theoldwomantrembledwithjoyatthisprospectofgettingfiftycrownsamonth，butshewasstillsuspicious，fearingsometrick，andsheremainedalongtimewiththelawyeraskingquestionswithoutbeingabletomakeuphermindtogo.Atlastshegavehiminstructionstodrawupthedeedandreturnedhomewithherheadinawhirl，justasifshehaddrunkfourjugsofnewcider.
　　WhenChicotcameagaintoreceiveheranswershedeclared，afteralotofpersuading，thatshecouldnotmakeuphermindtoagreetohisproposal，thoughshewasallthetimetremblinglestheshouldnotconsenttogivethefiftycrowns，butatlast，whenhegrewurgent，shetoldhimwhatsheexpectedforherfarm.
　　Helookedsurprisedanddisappointedandrefused.
　　Then，inordertoconvincehim，shebegantotalkabouttheprobabledurationofherlife.
　　"Iamcertainlynotlikelytolivemorethanfiveorsixyearslonger.
　　Iamnearlyseventy—three，andfarfromstrong，evenconsideringmyage.
　　TheothereveningIthoughtIwasgoingtodie，andcouldhardlymanagetocrawlintobed."
　　ButChicotwasnotgoingtobetakenin.
　　"Come，come，oldlady，youareasstrongasthechurchtower，andwilllivetillyouareahundredatleast;youwillnodoubtseemeputundergroundfirst."
　　Thewholedaywasspentindiscussingthemoney，andastheoldwomanwouldnotgivein，theinnkeeperconsentedtogivethefiftycrowns，andsheinsisteduponhavingtencrownsoverandabovetostrikethebargain.
　　Threeyearspassedandtheolddamedidnotseemtohavegrownadayolder.Chicotwasindespair，anditseemedtohimasifhehadbeenpayingthatannuityforfiftyyears，thathehadbeentakenin，done，ruined.Fromtimetotimehewenttoseetheoldlady，justasonegoesinJulytoseewhentheharvestislikelytobegin.Shealwaysmethimwithacunninglook，andonemighthavesupposedthatshewascongratulatingherselfonthetrickshehadplayedhim.Seeinghowwellandheartysheseemedheverysoongotintohisbuggyagain，growlingtohimself：
　　"Willyouneverdie，youoldhag？"
　　Hedidnotknowwhattodo，andhefeltinclinedtostrangleherwhenhesawher.Hehatedherwithaferocious，cunninghatred，thehatredofapeasantwhohasbeenrobbed，andbegantocastaboutforsomemeansofgettingridofher.
　　Onedayhecametoseeheragain，rubbinghishandsashedidthefirsttimeheproposedthebargain，and，afterhavingchattedforafewminutes，hesaid：
　　"WhydoyounevercomeandhaveabitofdinneratmyplacewhenyouareinSpreville？Thepeoplearetalkingaboutit，andsayingwearenotonfriendlyterms，andthatpainsme.Youknowitwillcostyounothingifyoucome，forIdon’tlookatthepriceofadinner.Comewheneveryoufeelinclined;Ishallbeverygladtoseeyou."
　　OldMotherMagloiredidnotneedtobeaskedtwice，andthenextdaybutone，asshehadtogotothetowninanycase，itbeingmarketday，shelethermandrivehertoChicot’splace，wherethebuggywasputinthebarnwhileshewentintothehousetogetherdinner.
　　Theinnkeeperwasdelightedandtreatedherlikealady，givingherroastfowl，blackpudding，legofmuttonandbaconandcabbage.Butsheatenexttonothing.Shehadalwaysbeenasmalleater，andhadgenerallylivedonalittlesoupandacrustofbreadandbutter.
　　Chicotwasdisappointedandpressedhertoeatmore，butsherefused，andshewoulddrinklittle，anddeclinedcoffee，soheaskedher：
　　"Butsurelyyouwilltakealittledropofbrandyorliqueur？"
　　"Well，astothat，Idon’tknowthatIwillrefuse."Whereuponheshoutedout：
　　"Rosalie，bringthesuperfinebrandy——thespecial——youknow."
　　Theservantappeared，carryingalongbottleornamentedwithapapervine—leaf，andhefilledtwoliqueurglasses.
　　"Justtrythat;youwillfinditfirstrate."
　　Thegoodwomandrankitslowlyinsips，soastomakethepleasurelastallthelonger，andwhenshehadfinishedherglass，shesaid：
　　"Yes，thatisfirstrate！"
　　AlmostbeforeshehadsaiditChicothadpouredheroutanotherglassful.
　　Shewishedtorefuse，butitwastoolate，andshedrankitveryslowly，asshehaddonethefirst，andheaskedhertohaveathird.Sheobjected，buthepersisted.
　　"Itisasmildasmilk，youknow;Icandrinktenoradozenglasseswithoutanyilleffects;itgoesdownlikesugaranddoesnotgotothehead;onewouldthinkthatitevaporatedonthetongue：Itisthemostwholesomethingyoucandrink."
　　Shetookit，forshereallyenjoyedit，butshelefthalftheglass.
　　ThenChicot，inanexcessofgenerosity，said：
　　"Lookhere，asitissomuchtoyourtaste，Iwillgiveyouasmallkegofit，justtoshowthatyouandIarestillexcellentfriends."Soshetookoneawaywithher，feelingslightlyovercomebytheeffectsofwhatshehaddrunk.
　　Thenextdaytheinnkeeperdroveintoheryardandtookalittleiron—
　　hoopedkegoutofhisgig.Heinsistedonhertastingthecontents，tomakesureitwasthesamedeliciousarticle，and，whentheyhadeachofthemdrunkthreemoreglasses，hesaidashewasgoingaway：
　　"Well，youknowwhenitisallgonethereismoreleft;don’tbemodest，forIshallnotmind.ThesooneritisfinishedthebetterpleasedI
　　shallbe."
　　Fourdayslaterhecameagain.Theoldwomanwasoutsideherdoorcuttingupthebreadforhersoup.
　　Hewentuptoherandputhisfaceclosetohers，sothathemightsmellherbreath;andwhenhesmeltthealcoholhefeltpleased.
　　"IsupposeyouwillgivemeaglassoftheSpecial？"hesaid.Andtheyhadthreeglasseseach.
　　Soon，however，itbegantobewhisperedabroadthatMotherMagloirewasinthehabitofgettingdrunkallbyherself.Shewaspickedupinherkitchen，theninheryard，thenintheroadsintheneighborhood，andshewasoftenbroughthomelikealog.
　　Theinnkeeperdidnotgonearheranymore，and，whenpeoplespoketohimabouther，heusedtosay，puttingonadistressedlook：
　　"Itisagreatpitythatsheshouldhavetakentodrinkatherage，butwhenpeoplegetoldthereisnoremedy.Itwillbethedeathofherinthelongrun."
　　Anditcertainlywasthedeathofher.Shediedthenextwinter.AboutChristmastimeshefelldown，unconscious，inthesnow，andwasfounddeadthenextmorning.
　　AndwhenChicotcameinforthefarm，hesaid：
　　"Itwasverystupidofher;ifshehadnottakentodrinkshewouldprobablyhavelivedtenyearslonger."
　　BOITELLE
　　FatherBoitelle（Antoine）madeaspecialtyofundertakingdirtyjobsallthroughthecountryside.Whenevertherewasaditchoracesspooltobecleanedout，adunghillremoved，asewercleansed，oranydirtholewhatever，hewayalwaysemployedtodoit.
　　Hewouldcomewiththeinstrumentsofhistrade，hissabotscoveredwithdirt，andsettowork，complainingincessantlyabouthisoccupation.
　　Whenpeopleaskedhimthenwhyhedidthisloathsomework，hewouldreplyresignedly：
　　"Faith，’tisformychildren，whomImustsupport.Thisbringsmeinmorethananythingelse：’
　　Hehad，indeed，fourteenchildren.Ifanyoneaskedhimwhathadbecomeofthem，hewouldsaywithanairofindifference：
　　"Thereareonlyeightofthemleftinthehouse.Oneisoutatserviceandfivearemarried."
　　Whenthequestionerwantedtoknowwhethertheywerewellmarried，herepliedvivaciously：
　　"Ididnotopposethem.Iopposedtheminnothing.Theymarriedjustastheypleased.Weshouldn’tgoagainstpeople’slikings，itturnsoutbadly.Iamanightscavengerbecausemyparentswentagainstmylikings.ButforthatIwouldhavebecomeaworkmanliketheothers."
　　Hereisthewayhisparentshadthwartedhiminhislikings：
　　HewasatthetimeasoldierstationedatHavre，notmorestupidthananother，orsharpereither，arathersimplefellow，however.Whenhewasnotonduty，hisgreatestpleasurewastowalkalongthequay，wherethebirddealerscongregate.Sometimesalone，sometimeswithasoldierfromhisownpartofthecountry，hewouldslowlysaunteralongbycagescontainingparrotswithgreenbacksandyellowheadsfromthebanksoftheAmazon，orparrotswithgraybacksandredheadsfromSenegal，orenormousmacaws，whichlooklikebirdsrearedinhot—houses，withtheirflower—likefeathers，theirplumesandtheirtufts.Parrotsofeverysize，whoseempaintedwithminutecarebytheminiaturist，GodAlmighty，andthelittlebirds，allthesmallerbirdshoppedabout，yellow，blueandvariegated，minglingtheircrieswiththenoiseofthequay;andaddingtothedincausedbyunloadingthevessels，aswellasbypassengersandvehicles，aviolentclamor，loud，shrillanddeafening，asiffromsomedistantforestofmonsters.
　　Boitellewouldpause，withwonderingeyes，wide—openmouth，laughingandenraptured，showinghisteethtothecaptivecockatoos，whokeptnoddingtheirwhiteoryellowtopknotstowardtheglaringredofhisbreechesandthecopperbuckleofhisbelt.Whenhefoundabirdthatcouldtalkheputquestionstoit，andifithappenedatthetimetobedisposedtoreplyandtoholdaconversationwithhimhewouldcarryawayenoughamusementtolasthimtillevening.Healsofoundheapsofamusementinlookingatthemonkeys，andcouldconceivenogreaterluxuryforarichmanthantoowntheseanimalsasoneownscatsanddogs.Thiskindoftastefortheexotichehadinhisblood，aspeoplehaveatasteforthechase，orformedicine，orforthepriesthood.Hecouldnothelpreturningtothequayeverytimethegatesofthebarracksopened，drawntowarditbyanirresistiblelonging.
　　Ononeoccasion，havingstoppedalmostinecstasybeforeanenormousmacaw，whichwasswellingoutitsplumes，bendingforwardandbridlingupagainasifmakingthecourtcurtseysofparrot—land，hesawthedoorofalittlecafeadjoiningthebirddealer’sshopopen，andayoungnegressappeared，wearingonherheadaredsilkhandkerchief.Shewassweepingintothestreetthecorksandsandoftheestablishment.
　　Boitelle’sattentionwassoondividedbetweenthebirdandthewoman，andhereallycouldnottellwhichofthesetwobeingshecontemplatedwiththegreaterastonishmentanddelight.
　　Thenegress，havingswepttherubbishintothestreet，raisedhereyes，and，inherturn，wasdazzledbythesoldier’suniform.Thereshestoodfacinghimwithherbroominherhandsasifshewerebringinghimarifle，whilethemacawcontinuedbowing.Butattheendofafewsecondsthesoldierbegantofeelembarrassedatthisattention，andhewalkedawayquietlysoasnottolookasifhewerebeatingaretreat.
　　Buthecameback.AlmosteverydayhepassedbeforetheCafedesColonies，andoftenhecoulddistinguishthroughthewindowthefigureofthelittleblack—skinnedmaidserving"bocks"orglassesofbrandytothesailorsoftheport.Frequently，too，shewouldcomeouttothedooronseeinghim;soon，withoutevenhavingexchangedaword，theysmiledatoneanotherlikeacquaintances;andBoitellefelthishearttouchedwhenhesuddenlysaw，glitteringbetweenthedarklipsofthegirl，ashiningrowofwhiteteeth.Atlength，onedayheventuredtoenter，andwasquitesurprisedtofindthatshecouldspeakFrenchlikeeveryoneelse.
　　Thebottleoflemonade，ofwhichshewasgoodenoughtoacceptaglassful，remainedinthesoldier’srecollectionmemorablydelicious，anditbecameacustomwithhimtocomeandabsorbinthislittletavernonthequayalltheagreeabledrinkswhichhecouldafford.
　　Forhimitwasatreat，ahappiness，onwhichhisthoughtsdweltconstantly，towatchtheblackhandofthelittlemaidpouringsomethingintohisglasswhileherteethlaughedmorethanhereyes.Attheendoftwomonthstheybecamefastfriends，andBoitelle，afterhisfirstastonishmentatdiscoveringthatthisnegresshadasgoodprinciplesashonestFrenchgirls，thatsheexhibitedaregardforeconomy，industry，religionandgoodconduct，lovedhermoreonthataccount，andwassocharmedwithherthathewantedtomarryher.
　　Hetoldherhisintentions，whichmadeherdancewithjoy.Shehadalsoalittlemoney，leftherby，afemaleoysterdealer，whohadpickedherupwhenshehadbeenleftonthequayatHavrebyanAmericancaptain.
　　Thiscaptainhadfoundher，whenshewasonlyaboutsixyearsold，lyingonbalesofcottonintheholdofhisship，somehoursafterhisdeparturefromNewYork.OnhisarrivalinHavreheabandonedtothecareofthiscompassionateoysterdealerthelittleblackcreature，whohadbeenhiddenonboardhisvessel，heknewnotwhyorbywhom.
　　Theoysterwomanhavingdied，theyoungnegressbecameaservantattheColonialTavern.
　　AntoineBoitelleadded："Thiswillbeallrightifmyparentsdon’topposeit.Iwillnevergoagainstthem，youunderstand，never！I’mgoingtosayawordortwotothemthefirsttimeIgobacktothecountry."
　　Onthefollowingweek，infact，havingobtainedtwenty—fourhours’leave，hewenttoseehisfamily，whocultivatedalittlefarmatTourteville，nearYvetot.
　　Hewaitedtillthemealwasfinished，thehourwhenthecoffeebaptizedwithbrandymakespeoplemoreopen—hearted，beforeinforminghisparentsthathehadfoundagirlwhosatisfiedhistastes，allhistastes，socompletelythattherecouldnotexistanyotherinalltheworldsoperfectlysuitedtohim.
　　Theoldpeople，onhearingthis，immediatelyassumedacautiousmannerandwantedexplanations.Hehadconcealednothingfromthemexceptthecolorofherskin.
　　Shewasaservant，withoutmuchmeans，butstrong，thrifty，clean，well—
　　conductedandsensible.Allthesethingswerebetterthanmoneywouldbeinthehandsofabadhousewife.Moreover，shehadafewsous，leftherbyawomanwhohadrearedher，agoodnumberofsous，almostalittledowry，fifteenhundredfrancsinthesavingsbank.Theoldpeople，persuadedbyhistalk，andrelyingalsoontheirownjudgment，weregraduallyweakening，whenhecametothedelicatepoint.Laughinginratheraconstrainedfashion，hesaid：
　　"There’sonlyonethingyoumaynotlike.Sheisnotawhiteslip."
　　Theydidnotunderstand，andhehadtoexplainatsomelengthandverycautiously，toavoidshockingthem，thatshebelongedtotheduskyraceofwhichtheyhadonlyseensamplesinpicturesatEpinal.Thentheybecamerestless，perplexed，alarmed，asifhehadproposedaunionwiththedevil.
　　Themothersaid："Black？Howmuchofherisblack？Isthewholeofher？"
　　Hereplied："Certainly.Everywhere，justasyouarewhiteeverywhere."
　　Thefatherinterposed："Black？Isitasblackasthepot？"
　　Thesonanswered："Perhapsalittlelessthanthat.Sheisblack，butnotdisgustinglyblack.Thecure’scassockisblack，butitisnotuglierthanasurplicewhichiswhite."
　　Thefathersaid："Aretheremoreblackpeoplebesidesherinhercountry？"
　　Andtheson，withanairofconviction，exclaimed："Certainly！"
　　Buttheoldmanshookhishead.
　　"Thatmustbeunpleasant."
　　Andtheson：
　　"Itisn’tmoredisagreeablethananythingelsewhenyougetaccustomedtoit."
　　Themotherasked：
　　"Itdoesn’tsoiltheunderwearmorethanotherskins，thisblackskin？"
　　"Notmorethanyourown，asitisherpropercolor."
　　Then，aftermanyotherquestions，itwasagreedthattheparentsshouldseethisgirlbeforecoming;toanydecision，andthattheyoungfellow，whose，termofmilitaryservicewouldbeoverinamonth，shouldbringhertothehouseinorderthattheymightexamineheranddecidebytalkingthematteroverwhetherornotshewastoodarktoentertheBoitellefamily.
　　AntoineaccordinglyannouncedthatonSunday，the22dofMay，thedayofhisdischarge，hewouldstartforTourtevillewithhissweetheart.
　　Shehadputon，forthisjourneytothehouseofherlover’sparents，hermostbeautifulandmostgaudyclothes，inwhichyellow，redandblueweretheprevailingcolors，sothatshelookedasifshewereadornedforanationalfestival.
　　Attheterminus，astheywereleavingHavre，peoplestaredather，andBoitellewasproudofgivinghisarmtoapersonwhocommandedsomuchattention.Then，inthethird—classcarriage，inwhichshetookaseatbyhisside，shearousedsomuchastonishmentamongthecountryfolksthatthepeopleintheadjoiningcompartmentsstoodupontheirbenchestolookatheroverthewoodenpartitionwhichdividesthecompartments.
　　Achild，atsightofher，begantocrywithterror，anotherconcealedhisfaceinhismother’sapron.Everythingwentoffwell，however，uptotheirarrivalattheirdestination.ButwhenthetrainslackeneditsrateofmotionastheydrewnearYvetot，Antoinefelt：illatease，ashewouldhavedoneatareviewwhen;hedidnotknowhisdrillpractice.
　　Then，ashe;leanedhisheadout，herecognizedinthedistance：hisfather，holdingthebridleofthehorseharnessedtoacarryall，andhismother，whohadcomeforwardtothegrating，behindwhichstoodthosewhowereexpectingfriends.
　　Healightedfirst，gavehishandtohissweetheart，andholdinghimselferect，asifhewereescortingageneral，hewenttomeethisfamily.
　　Themother，onseeingthisblackladyinvariegatedcostumeinherson’scompany，remainedsostupefiedthatshecouldnotopenhermouth;andthefatherfoundithardtoholdthehorse，whichtheengineorthenegresscausedtorearcontinuously.ButAntoine，suddenlyfilledwithunmixedjoyatseeingoncemoretheoldpeople，rushedforwardwithopenarms，embracedhismother，embracedhisfather，inspiteofthenag’sfright，andthenturningtowardhiscompanion，atwhomthepassengersontheplatformstoppedtostarewithamazement，heproceededtoexplain：
　　"Heresheis！Itoldyouthat，atfirstsight，sheisnotattractive;
　　butassoonasyouknowher，Icanassureyouthere’snotabettersortinthewholeworld.Saygood—morningtohersothatshemaynotfeelbadly."
　　ThereuponMereBoitelle，almostfrightenedoutofherwits，madeasortofcurtsy，whilethefathertookoffhiscap，murmuring：
　　"Iwishyougoodluck！"
　　Then，withoutfurtherdelay，theyclimbedintothecarryall，thetwowomenattheback，onseatswhichmadethemjumpupanddownasthevehiclewentjoltingalongtheroad，andthetwomeninfrontonthefrontseat.
　　Nobodyspoke.Antoine，illatease，whistledabarrack—roomair;hisfatherwhippedthenag;andhismother，fromwhereshesatinthecorner，keptcastingslyglancesatthenegress，whoseforeheadandcheekbonesshoneinthesunlightlikewell—polishedshoes.
　　Wishingtobreaktheice，Antoineturnedround.
　　"Well，"saidhe，"wedon’tseeminclinedtotalk."
　　"Wemusthavetime，"repliedtheoldwoman.
　　Hewenton：
　　"Come！Tellusthelittlestoryaboutthathenofyoursthatlaideighteggs."
　　Itwasafunnyanecdoteoflongstandinginthefamily.But，ashismotherstillremainedsilent，paralyzedbyheremotion，heundertookhimselftotellthestory，laughingashedidsoatthememorableincident.Thefather，whoknewitbyheartbrightenedattheopeningwordsofthenarrative;hiswifesoonfollowedhisexample;andthenegressherself，whenhereachedthedrollestpartofit，suddenlygaveventtoalaugh，suchaloud，rollingtorrentoflaughterthatthehorse，becomingexcited，brokeintoagallopforawhile.
　　Thisservedtocementtheiracquaintance.Theyallbegantochat.
　　Theyhadscarcelyreachedthehouseandhadallalighted，whenAntoineconductedhissweethearttoaroom，sothatshemighttakeoffherdress，toavoidstainingit，asshewasgoingtoprepareanicedish，intendedtowintheoldpeople’saffectionsthroughtheirstomachs.Hedrewhisparentsoutsidethehouse，and，withbeatingheart，asked：
　　"Well，whatdoyousaynow？"
　　Thefathersaidnothing.Themother，lesstimid，exclaimed：
　　"Sheistooblack.No，indeed，thisistoomuchforme.Itturnsmyblood."
　　"Youwillgetusedtoit，"saidAntoine.
　　"Perhapsso，butnotatfirst."
　　Theywentintothehouse，wherethegoodwomanwassomewhataffectedatthespectacleofthenegressengagedincooking.Sheatonceproceededtoassisther，withpetticoatstuckedup，activeinspiteofherage.
　　Themealwasanexcellentone，verylong，veryenjoyable.Whentheyweretakingaturnafterdinner，Antoinetookhisfatheraside.
　　"Well，dad，whatdoyousayaboutit？"
　　Thepeasanttookcarenevertocompromisehimself.
　　"Ihavenoopinionaboutit.Askyourmother."
　　SoAntoinewentbacktohismother，and，detainingherbehindtherest，said：
　　"Well，mother，whatdoyouthinkofher？"
　　"Mypoorlad，sheisreallytooblack.Ifshewereonlyalittlelessblack，Iwouldnotgoagainstyou，butthisistoomuch.OnewouldthinkitwasSatan！"
　　Hedidnotpressher，knowinghowobstinatetheoldwomanhadalwaysbeen，buthefeltatempestofdisappointmentsweepingoverhisheart.
　　Hewasturningoverinhismindwhatheoughttodo，whatplanhecoulddevise，surprised，moreover，thatshehadnotconqueredthemalreadyasshehadcaptivatedhimself.Andthey，allfour，walkedalongthroughthewheatfields，havinggraduallyrelapsedintosilence.Whenevertheypassedafencetheysawacountrymansittingonthestile，andagroupofbratsclimbeduptostareatthem，andeveryonerushedoutintotheroadtoseethe"black"whoreyoungBoitellehadbroughthomewithhim.Atadistancetheynoticedpeoplescamperingacrossthefieldsjustaswhenthedrumbeatstodrawpublicattentiontosomelivingphenomenon.PereandMereBoitelle，alarmedatthiscuriosity，whichwasexhibitedeverywherethroughthecountryattheirapproach，quickenedtheirpace，walkingsidebyside，andleavingtheirsonfarbehind.Hisdarkcompanionaskedwhathisparentsthoughtofher.
　　Hehesitatinglyrepliedthattheyhadnotyetmadeuptheirminds.
　　Butonthevillagegreenpeoplerushedoutofallthehousesinaflutterofexcitement;and，atthesightofthegatheringcrowd，oldBoitelletooktohisheels，andregainedhisabode，whileAntoine;swellingwithrage，hissweetheartonhisarm，advancedmajesticallyunderthestaringeyes，whichopenedwideinamazement.
　　Heunderstoodthatitwasatanend，andtherewasnohopeforhim，thathecouldnotmarryhisnegress.Shealsounderstoodit;andastheydrewnearthefarmhousetheybothbegantoweep.Assoonastheyhadgotbacktothehouse，sheoncemoretookoffherdresstoaidthemotherinthehouseholdduties，andfollowedhereverywhere，tothedairy，tothestable，tothehenhouse，takingonherselfthehardestpartofthework，repeatingalways："Letmedoit，MadameBoitelle，"sothat，whennightcameon，theoldwoman，touchedbutinexorable，saidtoherson："Sheisagoodgirl，allthesame.It’sapitysheissoblack;butindeedsheistooblack.Icouldnotgetusedtoit.Shemustgobackagain.Sheistoo，tooblack！"
　　AndyoungBoitellesaidtohissweetheart：
　　"Shewillnotconsent.Shethinksyouaretooblack.Youmustgobackagain.Iwillgowithyoutothetrain.Nomatter——don’tfret.Iamgoingtotalktothemafteryouhavestarted."
　　Hethentookhertotherailwaystation，stillcheeringherwithhope，and，whenhehadkissedher，heputherintothetrain，whichhewatchedasitpassedoutofsight，hiseyesswollenwithtears.
　　Invaindidheappealtotheoldpeople.Theywouldnevergivetheirconsent.
　　Andwhenhehadtoldthisstory，whichwasknownalloverthecountry，AntoineBoitellewouldalwaysadd：
　　"FromthattimeforwardIhavehadnoheartforanything——foranythingatall.Notradesuitedmeanylonger，andsoIbecamewhatIam——anightscavenger."
　　Peoplewouldsaytohim：
　　"Yetyougotmarried."
　　"Yes，andIcan’tsaythatmywifedidn’tpleaseme，seeingthatIhavefourteenchildren;butsheisnottheotherone，oh，no——certainlynot！
　　Theotherone，markyou，mynegress，shehadonlytogivemeoneglance，andIfeltasifIwereinHeaven."
　　AWIDOW
　　ThisstorywastoldduringthehuntingseasonattheChateauBaneville.
　　Theautumnhadbeenrainyandsad.Theredleaves，insteadofrustlingunderthefeet，wererottingundertheheavydownfalls.
　　Theforestwasasdampasitcouldbe.Fromitcameanodorofmust，ofrain，ofsoakedgrassandwetearth;andthesportsmen，theirbackshunchedunderthedownpour，mournfuldogs，withtailsbetweentheirlegsandhairsstickingtotheirsides，andtheyoungwomen，withtheirclothesdrenched，returnedeveryevening，tiredinbodyandinmind.
　　Afterdinner，inthelargedrawing—room，everybodyplayedlotto，withoutenjoyment，whilethewindwhistledmadlyaroundthehouse.Thentheytriedtellingstorieslikethosetheyreadinbooks，butnoonewasabletoinventanythingamusing.Thehunterstoldtalesofwonderfulshotsandofthebutcheryofrabbits;andthewomenrackedtheirbrainsforideaswithoutrevealingtheimaginationofScheherezade.Theywereabouttogiveupthisdiversionwhenayoungwoman，whowasidlycaressingthehandofanoldmaidenaunt，noticedalittleringmadeofblondhair，whichshehadoftenseen，withoutpayinganyattentiontoit.
　　Shefingereditgentlyandasked，"Auntie，whatisthisring？Itlooksasifitweremadefromthehairofachild."
　　Theoldladyblushed，grewpale，thenansweredinatremblingvoice："Itissad，sosadthatIneverwishtospeakofit.Alltheunhappinessofmylifecomesfromthat.Iwasveryyoungthen，andthememoryhasremainedsopainfulthatIweepeverytimeIthinkofit."
　　Immediatelyeverybodywishedtoknowthestory，buttheoldladyrefusedtotellit.Finally，aftertheyhadcoaxedherforalongtime，sheyielded.Hereisthestory：
　　"YouhaveoftenheardmespeakoftheSantezefamily，nowextinct.I
　　knewthelastthreemalemembersofthisfamily.Theyalldiedinthesamemanner;thishairbelongstothelastone.Hewasthirteenwhenhekilledhimselfforme.Thatseemsstrangetoyou，doesn’tit？
　　"Oh！itwasastrangefamily——mad，ifyouwill，butacharmingmadness，themadnessoflove.Fromfathertoson，allhadviolentpassionswhichfilledtheirwholebeing，whichimpelledthemtodowildthings，drovethemtofranticenthusiasm，eventocrime.Thiswasborninthem，justasburningdevotionisincertainsouls.Trappershavenotthesamenatureasminionsofthedrawing—room.Therewasasaying：’AspassionateasaSanteze.’Thiscouldbenoticedbylookingatthem.
　　Theyallhadwavyhair，fallingovertheirbrows，curlybeardsandlargeeyeswhoseglancepiercedandmovedone，thoughonecouldnotsaywhy.
　　"Thegrandfatheroftheownerofthishair，ofwhomitisthelastsouvenir，aftermanyadventures，duelsandelopements，ataboutsixty—
　　fivefellmadlyinlovewithhisfarmer’sdaughter.Iknewthemboth.
　　Shewasblond，pale，distinguished—looking，withaslowmanneroftalking，aquietvoiceandalooksogentlethatonemighthavetakenherforaMadonna.Theoldnoblemantookhertohishomeandwassoonsocaptivatedwithherthathecouldnotlivewithoutherforaminute.
　　Hisdaughteranddaughter—in—law，wholivedinthechateau，foundthisperfectlynatural，lovewassuchatraditioninthefamily.Nothinginregardtoapassionsurprisedthem，andifonespokebeforethemofpartedlovers，evenofvengeanceaftertreachery，bothsaidinthesamesadtone：’Oh，howhemusthavesufferedtocometothatpoint！’Thatwasall.Theygrewsadovertragediesoflove，butneverindignant，evenwhentheywerecriminal.
　　"Now，onedayayoungmannamedMonsieurdeGradelle，whohadbeeninvitedfortheshooting，elopedwiththeyounggirl.
　　"MonsieurdeSantezeremainedcalmasifnothinghadhappened，butonemorninghewasfoundhanginginthekennels，amonghisdogs.
　　"HissondiedinthesamemannerinahotelinParisduringajourneywhichhemadetherein1841，afterbeingdeceivedbyasingerfromtheopera.
　　"Heleftatwelve—year—oldchildandawidow，mymother’ssister.Shecametomyfather’shousewiththeboy，whilewewerelivingatBertillon.Iwasthenseventeen.
　　"YouhavenoideahowwonderfulandprecociousthisSantezechildwas.
　　Onemighthavethoughtthatallthetendernessandexaltationofthewholeracehadbeenstoredupinthislastone.Hewasalwaysdreamingandwalkingaboutaloneinagreatalleyofelmsleadingfromthechateautotheforest.Iwatchedfrommywindowthissentimentalboy，whowalkedwiththoughtfulsteps，hishandsbehindhisback，hisheadbent，andattimesstoppingtoraisehiseyesasifhecouldseeandunderstandthingsthatwerenotcomprehensibleathisage.
　　"Often，afterdinneronclearevenings，hewouldsaytome：’Letusgooutsideanddream，cousin.’Andwewouldgooutsidetogetherinthepark.Hewouldstopquicklybeforeaclearingwherethewhitevaporofthemoonlightsthewoods，andhewouldpressmyhand，saying：’Look！
　　look！butyoudon’tunderstandme;Ifeelit.Ifyouunderstoodme，weshouldbehappy.Onemustlovetoknow！Iwouldlaughandthenkissthischild，wholovedmemadly.
　　"Often，afterdinner，hewouldsitonmymother’sknees.’Come，auntie，’
　　hewouldsay，’tellmesomelove—stories.’Andmymother，asajoke，wouldtellhimalltheoldlegendsofthefamily，allthepassionateadventuresofhisforefathers，forthousandsofthemwerecurrent，sometrueandsomefalse.Itwastheirreputationforloveandgallantrywhichwastheruinofeveryoneofthese—men;theygloriedinitandthenthoughtthattheyhadtoliveuptotherenownoftheirhouse.
　　"Thelittlefellowbecameexaltedbythesetenderorterriblestories，andattimeshewouldclaphishands，crying：’I，too，I，too，knowhowtolove，betterthanallofthem！’
　　"Then，hebegantocourtmeinatimidandtendermanner，atwhicheveryonelaughed，itwas，soamusing.EverymorningIhadsomeflowerspickedbyhim，andeveryeveningbeforegoingtohisroomhewouldkissmyhandandmurmur：’Iloveyou！’
　　"Iwasguilty，veryguilty，andIgrievedcontinuallyaboutit，andI
　　havebeendoingpenanceallmylife;Ihaveremainedanoldmaid——or，rather，Ihavelivedasawidowedfiancee，hiswidow.
　　"Iwasamusedatthischildishtenderness，andIevenencouragedhim.
　　Iwascoquettish，ascharmingaswithaman，alternatelycaressingandsevere.Imaddenedthischild.Itwasagameformeandajoyousdiversionforhismotherandmine.Hewastwelve！thinkofit！Whowouldhavetakenthisatom’spassionseriously？Ikissedhimasoftenashewished;Ievenwrotehimlittlenotes，whichwerereadbyourrespectivemothers;andheansweredmebypassionateletters，whichI
　　havekept.Judginghimselfasaman，hethoughtthatourlovingintimacywassecret.WehadforgottenthathewasaSanteze.
　　"Thislastedforaboutayear.Oneeveningintheparkhefellatmyfeetand，ashemadlykissedthehemofmydress，hekeptrepeating：’I
　　loveyou！Iloveyou！Iloveyou！Ifeveryoudeceiveme，ifeveryouleavemeforanother，I’lldoasmyfatherdid.’Andheaddedinahoarsevoice，whichgavemeashiver：’Youknowwhathedid！’
　　"Istoodthereastonished.Hearose，andstandingonthetipsofhistoesinordertoreachmyear，forIwastallerthanhe，hepronouncedmyfirstname：’Genevieve！’insuchagentle，sweet，tendertonethatI
　　trembledallover.Istammered：’Letusreturn！letusreturn！’Hesaidnomoreandfollowedme;butasweweregoingupthestepsoftheporch，hestoppedme，saying：’Youknow，ifeveryouleaveme，I’llkillmyself.’
　　"ThistimeIunderstoodthatIhadgonetoofar，andIbecamequitereserved.Oneday，ashewasreproachingmeforthis，Ianswered：’Youarenowtoooldforjestingandtooyoungforseriouslove.I’llwait.’
　　"Ithoughtthatthiswouldendthematter.Intheautumnhewassenttoaboarding—school.WhenhereturnedthefollowingsummerIwasengagedtobemarried.Heunderstoodimmediately，andforaweekhebecamesopensivethatIwasquiteanxious.