"OnthemorningoftheninthdayIsawalittlepaperundermydoorasI
gotup.Iseizedit，openeditandread：’YouhavedesertedmeandyouknowwhatIsaid.Itisdeathtowhichyouhavecondemnedme.AsIdonotwishtobefoundbyanotherthanyou，cometotheparkjustwhereI
toldyoulastyearthatIlovedyouandlookintheair.’
"IthoughtthatIshouldgomad.IdressedasquicklyasIcouldandranwildlytotheplacethathehadmentioned.Hislittlecapwasonthegroundinthemud.Ithadbeenrainingallnight.Iraisedmyeyesandsawsomethingswingingamongtheleaves，forthewindwasblowingagale.
"Idon’tknowwhatIdidafterthat.Imusthavescreamedatfirst，thenfaintedandfallen，andfinallyhaveruntothechateau.ThenextthingthatIrememberIwasinbed，withmymothersittingbesideme.
"IthoughtthatIhaddreamedallthisinafrightfulnightmare.
Istammered：’Andwhatofhim，whatofhim，Gontran？’Therewasnoanswer.Itwastrue！
"Ididnotdareseehimagain，butIaskedforalockofhisblondhair.
Here——hereitis！"
Andtheoldmaidstretchedouthertremblinghandinadespairinggesture.Thensheblewhernoseseveraltimes，wipedhereyesandcontinued：
"Ibrokeoffmymarriage——withoutsayingwhy.AndI——Ialwayshaveremainedthe——thewidowofthisthirteen—year—oldboy."Thenherheadfellonherbreastandsheweptforalongtime.
Astheguestswereretiringforthenightalargeman，whosequietshehaddisturbed，whisperedinhisneighbor’sear："Isn’titunfortunateto，besosentimental？"
THEENGLISHMANOFETRETAT
AgreatEnglishpoethasjustcrossedovertoFranceinordertogreetVictorHugo.Allthenewspapersarefullofhisnameandheisthegreattopicofconversationinalldrawing—rooms.FifteenyearsagoIhadoccasionseveraltimestomeetAlgernonCharlesSwinburne.IwillattempttoshowhimjustasIsawhimandtogiveanideaofthestrangeimpressionhemadeonme，whichwillremainwithmethroughouttime.
Ibelieveitwasin1867orin1868thatanunknownyoungEnglishmancametoEtretatandboughtalittlebuthiddenundergreattrees.Itwassaidthathelivedthere，alwaysalone，inastrangemanner;andhearousedtheinimicalsurpriseofthenatives，fortheinhabitantsweresullenandfoolishlymalicious，astheyalwaysareinlittletowns.
TheydeclaredthatthiswhimsicalEnglishmanatenothingbutboiled.
roastedorstewedmonkey;thathewouldseenoone;thathetalkedtohimselfhoursatatimeandmanyothersurprisingthingsthatmadepeoplethinkthathewasdifferentfromothermen.Theyweresurprisedthatheshouldlivealonewithamonkey.Haditbeenacatoradogtheywouldhavesaidnothing.Butamonkey！Wasthatnotfrightful？Whatsavagetastesthemanmusthave！
Iknewthisyoungmanonlyfromseeinghiminthestreets.Hewasshort，plump，withoutbeingfat，mild—looking，andheworealittleblondmustache，whichwasalmostinvisible.
Chancebroughtustogether.Thissavagehadamiableandpleasingmanners，buthewasoneofthosestrangeEnglishmenthatonemeetshereandtherethroughouttheworld.
Endowedwithremarkableintelligence，heseemedtoliveinafantasticdream，asEdgarPoemusthavelived.HehadtranslatedintoEnglishavolumeofstrangeIcelandiclegends，whichIardentlydesiredtoseetranslatedintoFrench.Helovedthesupernatural，thedismalandgrewsome，buthespokeofthemostmarvellousthingswithacalmnessthatwastypicallyEnglish，towhichhisgentleandquietvoicegaveasemblanceofrealitythatwasmaddening.
Fullofahaughtydisdainfortheworld，withitsconventions，prejudicesandcodeofmorality，hehadnailedtohishouseanamethatwasboldlyimpudent.Thekeeperofalonelyinnwhoshouldwriteonhisdoor：
"Travellersmurderedhere！"couldnotmakeamoresinisterjest.Ineverhadenteredhisdwelling，whenonedayIreceivedaninvitationtoluncheon，followinganaccidentthathadoccurredtooneofhisfriends，whohadbeenalmostdrownedandwhomIhadattemptedtorescue.
AlthoughIwasunabletoreachthemanuntilhehadalreadybeenrescued，IreceivedtheheartythanksofthetwoEnglishmen，andthefollowingdayIcalleduponthem.
Thefriendwasamanaboutthirtyyearsold.Heboreanenormousheadonachild’sbody——abodywithoutchestorshoulders.Animmenseforehead，whichseemedtohaveengulfedtherestoftheman，expandedlikeadomeaboveathinfacewhichendedinalittlepointedbeard.Twosharpeyesandapeculiarmouthgaveonetheimpressionoftheheadofareptile，whilethemagnificentbrowsuggestedagenius.
Anervoustwitchingshookthispeculiarbeing，whowalked，moved，actedbyjerkslikeabrokenspring.
ThiswasAlgernonCharlesSwinburne，sonofanEnglishadmiralandgrandson，onthematernalside，oftheEarlofAshburnham.
Hestrangecountenancewastransfiguredwhenhespoke.Ihaveseldomseenamanmoreimpressive，moreeloquent，incisiveorcharminginconversation.Hisrapid，clear，piercingandfantasticimaginationseemedtocreepintohisvoiceandtolendlifetohiswords.Hisbrusquegesturesenlivenedhisspeech，whichpenetratedonelikeadagger，andhehadburstsofthought，justaslighthousesthrowoutflashesoffire，great，geniallightsthatseemedtoilluminateawholeworldofideas.
Thehomeofthetwofriendswasprettyandbynomeanscommonplace.
Everywherewerepaintings，somesuperb，somestrange，representingdifferentconceptionsofinsanity.UnlessIammistaken，therewasawater—colorwhichrepresentedtheheadofadeadmanfloatinginarose—
coloredshellonaboundlessocean，underamoonwithahumanface.
HereandthereIcameacrossbones.Iclearlyrememberaflayedhandonwhichwashangingsomedriedskinandblackmuscles，andonthesnow—
whitebonescouldbeseenthetracesofdriedblood.
ThefoodwasariddlewhichIcouldnotsolve.Wasitgood？Wasitbad？
Icouldnotsay.Someroastmonkeytookawayalldesiretomakeasteadydietofthisanimal，andthegreatmonkeywhoroamedaboutamongusatlargeandplayfullypushedhisheadintomyglasswhenIwishedtodrinkcuredmeofanydesireImighthavetotakeoneofhisbrothersasacompanionfortherestofmydays.
Asforthetwomen，theygavemetheimpressionoftwostrange，original，remarkableminds，belongingtothatpeculiarraceoftalentedmadmenfromamongwhomhavearisenPoe，Hoffmannandmanyothers.
Ifgeniusis，asiscommonlybelieved，asortofaberrationofgreatminds，thenAlgernonCharlesSwinburneisundoubtedlyagenius.
Greatmindsthatarehealthyareneverconsideredgeniuses，whilethissublimequalificationislavishedonbrainsthatareofteninferiorbutareslightlytouchedbymadness.
Atanyrate，thispoetremainsoneofthefirstofhistime，throughhisoriginalityandpolishedform.Heisanexaltedlyricalsingerwhoseldombothersaboutthegoodandhumbletruth，whichFrenchpoetsarenowseekingsopersistentlyandpatiently.Hestrivestosetdowndreams，subtlethoughts，sometimesgreat，sometimesvisiblyforced，butsometimesmagnificent.
TwoyearslaterIfoundthehouseclosedanditstenantsgone.Thefurniturewasbeingsold.InmemoryofthemIboughtthehideousflayedhand.Onthegrassanenormoussquareblockofgraniteborethissimpleword："Nip."Abovethisahollowstoneofferedwatertothebirds.Itwasthegraveofthemonkey，whohadbeenhangedbyayoung，vindictivenegroservant.Itwassaidthatthisviolentdomestichadbeenforcedtofleeatthepointofhisexasperatedmaster’srevolver.Afterwanderingaboutwithouthomeorfoodforseveraldays，hereturnedandbegantopeddlebarley—sugarinthestreets.Hewasexpelledfromthecountryafterhehadalmoststrangledadispleasedcustomer.
Theworldwouldbegayerifonecouldoftenmeethomeslikethat.
Thisstoryappearedinthe"Gaulois，"November29，1882.ItwastheoriginalsketchfortheintroductorystudyofSwinburne，writtenbyMaupassantfortheFrenchtranslationbyGabrielMoureyof"PoemsandBallads."
MAGNETISM
Itwasamen’sdinnerparty，andtheyweresittingovertheircigarsandbrandyanddiscussingmagnetism.Donato’stricksandCharcot’sexperiments.Presently，thesceptical，easy—goingmen，whocarednothingforreligionofanysort，begantellingstoriesofstrangeoccurrences，incrediblethingswhich，nevertheless，hadreallyoccurred，sotheysaid，fallingbackintosuperstitiousbeliefs，clingingtotheselastremnantsofthemarvellous，becomingdevoteesofthismysteryofmagnetism，defendingitinthenameofscience.Therewasonlyonepersonwhosmiled，avigorousyoungfellow，agreatladies’manwhowassoincredulousthathewouldnotevenenteruponadiscussionofsuchmatters.
Herepeatedwithasneer：
"Humbug！humbug！humbug！WeneednotdiscussDonato，whoismerelyaverysmartjuggler.AsforM.Charcot，whoissaidtobearemarkablemanofscience，heproducesonmetheeffectofthosestory—tellersoftheschoolofEdgarPoe，whoendbygoingmadthroughconstantlyreflectingonqueercasesofinsanity.Hehasauthenticatedsomecasesofunexplainedandinexplicablenervousphenomena;hemakeshiswayintothatunknownregionwhichmenareexploringeveryday，andunablealwaystounderstandwhathesees，herecalls，perhaps，theecclesiasticalinterpretationofthesemysteries.Ishouldliketohearwhathesayshimself."
Thewordsoftheunbelieverwerelistenedtowithakindofpity，asifhehadblasphemedinanassemblyofmonks.
Oneofthesegentlemenexclaimed：
"Andyetmiracleswereperformedinoldentimes."
"Idenyit，"repliedtheother："Whycannottheybeperformednow？"
Then，eachmentionedsomefact，somefantasticpresentimentsomeinstanceofsoulscommunicatingwitheachotheracrossspace，orsomecaseofthesecretinfluenceofonebeingoveranother.Theyassertedandmaintainedthatthesethingshadactuallyoccurred，whilethescepticangrilyrepeated：
"Humbug！humbug！humbug！"
Atlastherose，threwawayhiscigar，andwithhishandsinhispockets，said："Well，Ialsohavetwostoriestotellyou，whichIwillafterwardsexplain.Heretheyare：
"InthelittlevillageofEtretat，themen，whoareallseafaringfolk，goeveryyeartoNewfoundlandtofishforcod.Onenightthelittlesonofoneofthesefishermenwokeupwithastart，cryingoutthathisfatherwasdead.Thechildwasquieted，andagainhewokeupexclaimingthathisfatherwasdrowned.Amonthlaterthenewscamethathisfatherhad，infact，beensweptoffthedeckofhissmackbyabillow.Thewidowthenrememberedhowhersonhadwokeupandspokenofhisfather’sdeath.Everyonesaiditwasamiracle，andtheaffaircausedagreatsensation.Thedateswerecompared，anditwasfoundthattheaccidentandthedreamwerealmostcoincident，whencetheyconcludedthattheyhadhappenedonthesamenightandatthesamehour.Andthereisamysteryofmagnetism."
Thestory—tellerstoppedsuddenly.
Thereupon，oneofthosewhohadheardhim，muchaffectedbythenarrative，asked：
"Andcanyouexplainthis？"
"Perfectly，monsieur.Ihavediscoveredthesecret.Thecircumstancesurprisedmeandevenperplexedmeverymuch;butyousee，Idonotbelieveonprinciple.Justasothersbeginbybelieving，Ibeginbydoubting;andwhenIcannotunderstand，Icontinuetodenythattherecanbeanytelepathiccommunicationbetweensouls;certainthatmyownintelligencewillbeabletoexplainit.Well，Ikeptoninquiringintothematter，andbydintofquestioningallthewivesoftheabsentseamen，Iwasconvincedthatnotaweekpassedwithoutoneofthem，oroneoftheirchildrendreaminganddeclaringwhentheywokeupthatthefatherwasdrowned.Thehorribleandcontinualfearofthisaccidentmakesthemalwaystalkaboutit.Now，ifoneofthesefrequentpredictionscoincides，byaverysimplechance，withthedeathofthepersonreferredto，peopleatoncedeclareittobeamiracle;fortheysuddenlylosesightofalltheotherpredictionsofmisfortunethathaveremainedunfulfilled.Ihavemyselfknownfiftycaseswherethepersonswhomadethepredictionforgotallaboutitaweekafterwards.But，if，thenonehappenstodie，thentherecollectionofthethingisimmediatelyrevived，andpeoplearereadytobelieveintheinterventionofGod，accordingtosome，andmagnetism，accordingtoothers."
Oneofthesmokersremarked：
"Whatyousayisrightenough;butwhataboutyoursecondstory？"
"Oh！mysecondstoryisaverydelicatemattertorelate.Ithappenedtomyself，andsoIdon’tplaceanygreatvalueonmyownviewofthematter.Aninterestedpartycannevergiveanimpartialopinion.
However，hereitis：
"AmongmyacquaintanceswasayoungwomanonwhomIhadneverbestowedathought，whomIhadneverevenlookedatattentively，nevertakenanynoticeof.
"Iclassedheramongthewomenofnoimportance，thoughshewasnotbad—
looking;sheappeared，infact，topossesseyes，anose，amouth，somesortofhair——justacolorlesstypeofcountenance.Shewasoneofthosebeingswhoawakenonlyachance，passingthought，butnospecialinterest，nodesire.
"Well，onenight，asIwaswritingsomelettersbymyfiresidebeforegoingtobed，Iwasconscious，inthemidstofthattrainofsensuousvisionsthatsometimespassthroughone’sbraininmomentsofidlereverie，ofakindofslightinfluence，passingoverme，alittleflutteroftheheart，andimmediately，withoutanycause，withoutanylogicalconnectionofthought，Isawdistinctly，asifIweretouchingher，sawfromheadtofoot，anddisrobed，thisyoungwomantowhomIhadnevergivenmorethatthreeseconds’thoughtatatime.IsuddenlydiscoveredinheranumberofqualitieswhichIhadneverbeforeobserved，asweetcharm，alanguorousfascination;sheawakenedinmethatsortofrestlessemotionthatcausesonetopursueawoman.ButIdidnotthinkofherlong.Iwenttobedandwassoonasleep.AndIdreamed.
"Youhaveallhadthesestrangedreamswhichmakeyouovercometheimpossible，whichopentoyoudouble—lockeddoors，unexpectedjoys，tightlyfoldedarms？
"Whichofusinthesetroubled，excising，breathlessslumbers，hasnotheld，clasped，embracedwithrapture，thewomanwhooccupiedhisthoughts？Andhaveyouevernoticedwhatsuperhumandelightthesehappydreamsgiveus？Intowhatmadintoxicationtheycastyou！withwhatpassionatespasmstheyshakeyou！andwithwhatinfinite，caressing，penetratingtendernesstheyfillyourheartforherwhomyouholdclaspedinyourarmsinthatadorableillusionthatissolikereality！
"AllthisIfeltwithunforgettableviolence.Thiswomanwasmine，somuchminethatthepleasantwarmthofherskinremainedinmyfingers，theodorofherskin，inmybrain，thetasteofherkisses，onmylips，thesoundofhervoicelingeredinmyears，thetouchofherclaspstillclungtome，andtheburningcharmofhertendernessstillgratifiedmysenseslongafterthedelightbutdisillusionofmyawakening.
"AndthreetimesthatnightIhadthesamedream.
"Whenthedaydawnedshehauntedme，possessedme，filledmysensestosuchanextentthatIwasnotonesecondwithoutthinkingofher.
"Atlast，notknowingwhattodo，Idressedmyselfandwenttocallonher.AsIwentupstairstoherapartment，IwassoovercomebyemotionthatItrembled，andmyheartbeatrapidly.
"Ienteredtheapartment.Sherosethemomentsheheardmynamementioned;andsuddenlyoureyesmetinapeculiarfixedgaze.
"Isatdown.Istammeredoutsomecommonplaceswhichsheseemednottohear.Ididnotknowwhattosayordo.Then，abruptly，claspingmyarmsroundher，mydreamwasrealizedsosuddenlythatIbegantodoubtwhetherIwasreallyawake.Wewerefriendsafterthisfortwoyears."
"Whatconclusiondoyoudrawfromit？"saidavoice.
Thestory—tellerseemedtohesitate.
"TheconclusionIdrawfromit——well，byJove，theconclusionisthatitwasjustacoincidence！Andthen——whocantell？PerhapsitwassomeglanceofherswhichIhadnotnoticedandwhichcamebackthatnighttomethroughoneofthosemysteriousandunconscious——recollectionsthatoftenbringbeforeusthingsignoredbyourownconsciousness，unperceivedbyourminds！"
"Callitwhateveryoulike，"saidoneofhistablecompanions，whenthestorywasfinished;"butifyoudon’tbelieveinmagnetismafterthat，mydearboy，youareanungratefulfellow！"
AFATHER’SCONFESSION
AllVeziers—le—RethelhadfollowedthefuneralprocessionofM.Badon—
Leremincetothegrave，andthelastwordsofthefuneralorationpronouncedbythedelegateofthedistrictremainedinthemindsofall：
"Hewasanhonestman，atleast！"
Anhonestmanhehadbeeninalltheknownactsofhislife，inhiswords，inhisexamples，hisattitude，hisbehavior，hisenterprises，inthecutofhisbeardandtheshapeofhishats.Heneverhadsaidawordthatdidnotsetanexample，neverhadgivenanalmswithoutaddingawordofadvice，neverhadextendedhishandwithoutappearingtobestowabenediction.
Helefttwochildren，aboyandagirl.Hissonwascounselorgeneral，andhisdaughter，havingmarriedalawyer，M.PoireldelaVoulte，movedinthebestsocietyofVeziers.
Theywereinconsolableatthedeathoftheirfather，fortheylovedhimsincerely.
Assoonastheceremonywasover，theson，daughterandson—in—lawreturnedtothehouseofmourning，and，shuttingthemselvesinthelibrary，theyopenedthewill，thesealsofwhichweretobebrokenbythemaloneandonlyafterthecoffinhadbeenplacedintheground.
Thiswishwasexpressedbyanoticeontheenvelope.
M.PoireldelaVoultetoreopentheenvelope，inhischaracterofalawyerusedtosuchoperations，andhavingadjustedhisspectacles，hereadinamonotonousvoice，madeforreadingthedetailsofcontracts：
Mychildren，mydearchildren，IcouldnotsleeptheeternalsleepinpeaceifIdidnotmaketoyoufromthetombaconfession，theconfessionofacrime，remorseforwhichhasruinedmylife.Yes，Icommittedacrime，afrightful，abominablecrime.
Iwastwenty—sixyearsold，andIhadjustbeencalledtothebarinParis，andwaslivingthelifeoffyoungmenfromtheprovinceswhoarestrandedinthistownwithoutacquaintances，relatives，orfriends.
Itookasweetheart.Therearebeingswhocannotlivealone.Iwasoneofthose.Solitudefillsmewithhorribleanguish，thesolitudeofmyroombesidemyfireintheevening.IfeelthenasifIwerealoneonearth，alone，butsurroundedbyvaguedangers，unknownandterriblethings;andthepartitionthatseparatesmefrommyneighbor，myneighborwhomIdonotknow，keepsmeatasgreatadistancefromhimasthestarsthatIseethroughmywindow.Asortoffeverpervadesme，afeverofimpatienceandoffear，andthesilenceofthewallsterrifiesme.ThesilenceofaroomwhereonelivesaloneissointenseandsomelancholyItisnotonlyasilenceofthemind;whenapieceoffurniturecracksashuddergoesthroughyouforyouexpectnonoiseinthismelancholyabode.
Howmanytimes，nervousandtimidfromthismotionlesssilence，I
havebeguntotalk，torepeatwordswithoutrhymeorreason，onlytomakesomesound.MyvoiceatthosetimessoundssostrangethatI
amafraidofthat，too.Isthereanythingmoredreadfulthantalkingtoone’sselfinanemptyhouse？One’svoicesoundslikethatofanother，anunknownvoicetalkingaimlessly，tonoone，intotheemptyair，withnoeartolistentoit，foroneknowsbeforetheyescapeintothesolitudeoftheroomexactlywhatwordswillbeuttered.Andwhentheyresoundlugubriouslyinthesilence，theyseemnomorethananecho，thepeculiarechoofwordswhisperedbyonesthought.
MysweetheartwasayounggirllikeotheryounggirlswholiveinParisonwagesthatareinsufficienttokeepthem.Shewasgentle，good，simple.HerparentslivedatPoissy.Shewenttospendseveraldayswiththemfromtimetotime.
ForayearIlivedquietlywithher，fullydecidedtoleaveherwhenIshouldfindsomeonewhomIlikedwellenoughtomarry.Iwouldmakealittleprovisionforthisone，foritisanunderstoodthinginoursocialsetthatawoman’sloveshouldbepaidfor，inmoneyifsheispoor，inpresentsifsheisrich.
Butonedayshetoldmeshewasenceinte.Iwasthunderstruck，andsawinasecondthatmylifewouldberuined.IsawthefetterthatIshouldwearuntilmydeath，everywhere，inmyfuturefamilylife，inmyoldage，forever;thefetterofawomanboundtomylifethroughachild;thefetterofthechildwhomImustbringup，watchover，protect，whilekeepingmyselfunknowntohim，andkeepinghimhiddenfromtheworld.
Iwasgreatlydisturbedatthisnews，andaconfusedlonging，acriminaldesire，surgedthroughmymind;Ididnotformulateit，butIfeltitinmyheart，readytocometothesurface，asifsomeonehiddenbehindaportiereshouldawaitthesignaltocomeout.Ifsomeaccidentmightonlyhappen！Somanyoftheselittlebeingsdiebeforetheyareborn！
Oh！Ididnotwishmysweethearttodie！Thepoorgirl，Ilovedherverymuch！ButIwished，possibly，thatthechildmightdiebeforeIsawit.
Hewasborn.Isetuphousekeepinginmylittlebachelorapartment，animitationhome，withahorriblechild.Helookedlikeallchildren;Ididnotcareforhim.Fathers，yousee，donotshowaffectionuntillater.Theyhavenottheinstinctiveandpassionatetendernessofmothers;theiraffectionhastobeawakenedgradually，theirmindmustbecomeattachedbybondsformedeachdaybetweenbeingsthatliveineachother’ssociety.
Ayearpassed.Inowavoidedmyhome，whichwastoosmall，wheresoiledlinen，baby—clothesandstockingsthesizeofgloveswerelyinground，whereathousandarticlesofalldescriptionslayonthefurniture，onthearmofaneasy—chair，everywhere.IwentoutchieflythatImightnothearthechildcry，forhecriedontheslightestpretext，whenhewasbathed，whenhewastouched，whenhewasputtobed，whenhewastakenupinthemorning，incessantly.
Ihadmadeafewacquaintances，andImetatareceptionthewomanwhowastobeyourmother.Ifellinlovewithherandbecamedesiroustomarryher.Icourtedher;Iaskedherparents’consenttoourmarriageanditwasgranted.
Ifoundmyselfinthisdilemma：ImusteithermarrythisyounggirlwhomIadored，havingachildalready，orelsetellthetruthandrenounceher，andhappiness，myfuture，everything;forherparents，whowerepeopleofrigidprinciples，wouldnotgivehertomeiftheyknew.
Ipassedamonthofhorribleanguish，ofmortaltorture，amonthhauntedbyathousandfrightfulthoughts;andIfeltdevelopinginmeahatredtowardmyson，towardthatlittlemorselofliving，screamingflesh，whoblockedmypath，interruptedmylife，condemnedmetoanexistencewithouthope，withoutallthosevagueexpectationsthatmakethecharmofyouth.
Butjustthenmycompanion’smotherbecameill，andIwasleftalonewiththechild.
ItwasinDecember，andtheweatherwasterriblycold.Whatanight！
Mycompanionhadjustleft.Ihaddinedaloneinmylittledining—
roomandIwentgentlyintotheroomwherethelittleonewasasleep.
Isatdowninanarmchairbeforethefire.Thewindwasblowing，makingthewindowsrattle，adry，frostywind;andIsawtroughthewindowthestarsshiningwiththatpiercingbrightnessthattheyhaveonfrostynights.
Thentheideathathadobsessedmeforamonthroseagaintothesurface.AssoonasIwasquietitcametomeandharassedme.Itateintomymindlikeafixedidea，justascancersmusteatintotheflesh.Itwasthere，inmyhead，inmyheart，inmywholebody，itseemedtome;anditswallowedmeupasawildbeastmighthave.
Iendeavoredtodriveitaway，torepulseit，toopenmymindtootherthoughts，asoneopensawindowtothefreshmorningbreezetodriveoutthevitiatedair;butIcouldnotdriveitfrommybrain，notevenforasecond.Idonotknowhowtoexpressthistorture.
Itgnawedatmysoul，andIfeltafrightfulpain，arealphysicalandmoralpain.
Mylifewasruined！HowcouldIescapefromthissituation？HowcouldIdrawback，andhowcouldIconfess？
AndIlovedtheonewhowastobecomeyourmotherwithamadpassion，whichthisinsurmountableobstacleonlyaggravated.
Aterribleragewastakingpossessionofme，chokingme，aragethatvergedonmadness！SurelyIwascrazythatevening！
Thechildwassleeping.Igotupandlookedatitasitslept.Itwashe，thisabortion，thisspawn，thisnothing，thatcondemnedmetoirremediableunhappiness！
Hewasasleep，hismouthopen，wrappedinhisbed—clothesinacribbesidemybed，whereIcouldnotsleep.
HowdidIeverdowhatIdid？HowdoIknow？Whatforceurgedmeon？Whatmalevolentpowertookpossessionofme？Oh！thetemptationtocrimecametomewithoutanyforewarning.AllI
recallisthatmyheartbeattumultuously.ItbeatsohardthatI
couldhearit，asonehearsthestrokesofahammerbehindapartition.ThatisallIcanrecall——thebeatingofmyheart！
Inmyheadtherewasastrangeconfusion，atumult，asenselessdisorder，alackofpresenceofmind.Itwasoneofthosehoursofbewildermentandhallucinationwhenamanisneitherconsciousofhisactionsnorabletoguidehiswill.
Igentlyraisedthecoveringsfromthebodyofthechild;Iturnedthemdowntothefootofthecrib，andhelaythereuncoveredandnaked.
Hedidnotwake.ThenIwenttowardthewindow，softly，quitesoftly，andIopenedit.
Abreathoficyairglidedinlikeanassassin;itwassocoldthatIdrewaside，andthetwocandlesflickered.Iremainedstandingnearthewindow，notdaringtoturnround，asifforfearofseeingwhatwasdoingonbehindme，andfeelingtheicyaircontinuallyacrossmyforehead，mycheeks，myhands，thedeadlyairwhichkeptstreamingin.Istoodtherealongtime.
Iwasnotthinking，Iwasnotreflecting.Allatoncealittlecoughcausedmetoshudderfrightfullyfromheadtofoot，ashudderthatIfeelstilltotherootsofmyhair.AndwithafranticmovementIabruptlyclosedbothsidesofthewindowand，turninground，ranovertothecrib.
Hewasstillasleep，hismouthopen，quitenaked.Itouchedhislegs;theywereicycoldandIcoveredthemup.
Myheartwassuddenlytouched，grieved，filledwithpity，tenderness，loveforthispoorinnocentbeingthatIhadwishedtokill.Ikissedhisfine，softhairlongandtenderly;thenIwentandsatdownbeforethefire.
IreflectedwithamazementwithhorroronwhatIhaddone，askingmyselfwhencecomethosetempestsofthesoulinwhichamanlosesallperspectiveofthings，allcommandoverhimselfandactsasinaconditionofmadintoxication，notknowingwhitherheisgoing——likeavesselinahurricane.
Thechildcoughedagain，anditgavemyheartawrench.Supposeitshoulddie！OGod！OGod！Whatwouldbecomeofme？
Irosefrommychairtogoandlookathim，andwithacandleinmyhandIleanedoverhim.SeeinghimbreathingquietlyIfeltreassured，whenhecoughedathirdtime.ItgavemesuchashocktatIstartedbackward，justasonedoesatsightofsomethinghorrible，andletmycandlefall.
AsIstooderectafterpickingitup，Inoticedthatmytempleswerebathedinperspiration，thatcoldsweatwhichistheresultofanguishofsoul.AndIremaineduntildaylightbendingovermyson，becomingcalmwhenheremainedquietforsometime，andfilledwithatrociouspainwhenaweakcoughcamefromhismouth.
Heawokewithhiseyesred，histhroatchoked，andwithanairofsuffering.
WhenthewomancameintoarrangemyroomIsentheratonceforadoctor.Hecameattheendofanhour，andsaid，afterexaminingthechild：
"Didhenotcatchcold？"
Ibegantotremblelikeapersonwithpalsy，andIfaltered：
"No，Idonotthinkso."
AndthenIsaid：
"Whatisthematter？Isitserious？"
"Idonotknowyet，"hereplied."Iwillcomeagainthisevening."
Hecamethatevening.Mysonhadremainedalmostalldayinaconditionofdrowsiness，coughingfromtimetotime.Duringthenightinflammationofthelungssetin.
Thatlastedtendays.IcannotexpresswhatIsufferedinthoseinterminablehoursthatdividemorningfromnight，rightfrommorning.
Hedied.
Andsince——sincethatmoment，Ihavenotpassedonehour，notasinglehour，withoutthefrightfulburningrecollection，agnawingrecollection，amemorythatseemstowringmyheart，awakinginmelikeasavagebeastimprisonedinthedepthofmysoul.
Oh！ifIcouldhavegonemad！
M.PoireldelaVoulteraisedhisspectacleswithamotionthatwaspeculiartohimwheneverhefinishedreadingacontract;andthethreeheirsofthedefunctlookedatoneanotherwithoutspeaking，paleandmotionless.
Attheendofaminutethelawyerresumed：
"Thatmustbedestroyed."
Theothertwobenttheirheadsinsignofassent.Helightedacandle，carefullyseparatedthepagescontainingthedamagingconfessionfromthoserelatingtothedispositionofmoney，thenheheldthemoverthecandleandthrewthemintothefireplace.
Andtheywatchedthewhitesheetsastheyburned，tilltheywerepresentlyreducedtolittlecrumblingblackheaps.Andassomewordswerestillvisibleinwhitetracing，thedaughter，withlittlestrokesofthetoeofhershoe，crushedtheburningpaper，mixingitwiththeoldashesinthefireplace.
Thenallthreestoodtherewatchingitforsometime，asiftheyfearedthatthedestroyedsecretmightescapefromthefireplace.
AMOTHEROFMONSTERS
Irecalledthishorriblestory，theeventsofwhichoccurredlongago，andthishorriblewoman，theotherdayatafashionableseasideresort，whereIsawonthebeachawell—knownyoung，elegantandcharmingParisienne，adoredandrespectedbyeveryone.
Ihadbeeninvitedbyafriendtopayhimavisitinalittleprovincialtown.Hetookmeaboutinalldirectionstodothehonorsoftheplace，showedmenotedscenes，chateaux，industries，ruins.Hepointedoutmonuments，churches，oldcarveddoorways，enormousordistortedtrees，theoakofSt.Andrew，andtheyewtreeofRoqueboise.
WhenIhadexhaustedmyadmirationandenthusiasmoverallthesights，myfriendsaidwithadistressedexpressiononhisface，thattherewasnothinglefttolookat.Ibreathedfreely.Iwouldnowbeabletorestundertheshadeofthetrees.But，allatonce，heutteredanexclamation：
"Oh，yes！Wehavethe’MotherofMonsters’;Imusttakeyoutoseeher."
"Whoisthat，the’MotherofMonsters’？"Iasked.
"Sheisanabominablewoman，"hereplied，"aregulardemon，abeingwhovoluntarilybringsintotheworlddeformed，hideous，frightfulchildren，monstrosities，infact，andthensellsthemtoshowmenwhoexhibitsuchthings.
"Theseexploitersoffreakscomefromtimetotimetofindoutifshehasanyfreshmonstrosity，andifitmeetswiththeirapprovaltheycarryitawaywiththem，payingthemotheracompensation.
"Shehaselevenofthisdescription.Sheisrich.
"YouthinkIamjoking，romancing，exaggerating.No，myfriend;Iamtellingyouthetruth，theexacttruth.
"Letusgoandseethiswoman.ThenIwilltellyouherhistory."
Hetookmeintooneofthesuburbs.Thewomanlivedinaprettylittlehousebythesideoftheroad.Itwasattractiveandwellkept.Thegardenwasfilledwithfragrantflowers.Onemighthavesupposedittobetheresidenceofaretiredlawyer.
Amaidusheredusintoasortoflittlecountryparlor，andthewretchappeared.Shewasaboutforty.Shewasatall，bigwomanwithhardfeatures，butwellformed，vigorousandhealthy，thetruetypeofarobustpeasantwoman，halfanimal，andhalfwoman.
Shewasawareofherreputationandreceivedeveryonewithahumilitythatsmackedofhatred.
"Whatdothegentlemenwish？"sheasked.
"Theytellmethatyourlastchildisjustlikeanordinarychild，thathedoesnotresemblehisbrothersatall，"repliedmyfriend."Iwantedtobesureofthat.Isittrue？"
Shecastonusamaliciousandfuriouslookasshesaid：
"Oh，no，oh，no，mypoorsir！Heisperhapsevenuglierthantherest.
Ihavenoluck，noluck！
Theyarealllikethat，itisheartbreaking！HowcanthegoodGodbesohardonapoorwomanwhoisallaloneintheworld，howcanHe？"
Shespokehurriedly，hereyescastdown，withadeprecatingairasofawildbeastwhoisafraid.Herharshvoicebecamesoft，anditseemedstrangetohearthosetearfulfalsettotonesissuingfromthatbig，bonyframe，ofunusualstrengthandwithcoarseoutlines，whichseemedfittedforviolentaction，andmadetoutterhowlslikeawolf.
"Weshouldliketoseeyourlittleone，"saidmyfriend.
Ifanciedshecoloredup.Imayhavebeendeceived.Afterafewmomentsofsilence，shesaidinaloudertone：
"Whatgoodwillthatdoyou？"
"Whydoyounotwishtoshowittous？"repliedmyfriend."Therearemanypeopletowhomyouwillshowit;youknowwhomImean."
Shegaveastart，andresuminghernaturalvoice，andgivingfreeplaytoheranger，shescreamed：
"Wasthatwhyyoucamehere？Toinsultme？Becausemychildrenarelikeanimals，tellme？Youshallnotseehim，no，no，youshallnotseehim！
Goaway，goaway！Idonotknowwhyyoualltrytotormentmelikethat."
Shewalkedovertowardus，herhandsonherhips.Atthebrutaltoneofhervoice，asortofmoaning，orratheramewing，thelamentablecryofanidiot，camefromtheadjoiningroom.Ishiveredtothemarrowofmybones.Weretreatedbeforeher.
"Takecare，Devil"（theycalledhertheDevil）;saidmyfriend，"takecare;somedayyouwillgetyourselfintotroublethroughthis."
Shebegantotremble，besideherselfwithfury，shakingherfistandroaring：
"Beoffwithyou！Whatwillgetmeintotrouble？Beoffwithyou，miscreants！"
Shewasabouttoattackus，butwefled，saddenedatwhatwehadseen.
Whenwegotoutside，myfriendsaid：
"Well，youhaveseenher，whatdoyouthinkofher？"
"Tellmethestoryofthisbrute，"Ireplied.
Andthisiswhathetoldmeaswewalkedalongthewhitehighroad，withripecropsoneithersideofitwhichrippledliketheseainthelightbreezethatpassedoverthem.
"Thiswomanwasoneaservantonafarm.Shewasanhonestgirl，steadyandeconomical.Shewasneverknowntohaveanadmirer，andneversuspectedofanyfrailty.Butshewentastray，assomanydo.
"Shesoonfoundherselfintrouble，andwastorturedwithfearandshame.
Wishingtoconcealhermisfortune，sheboundherbodytightlywithacorsetofherowninvention，madeofboardsandcord.Themoreshedeveloped，themoresheboundherselfwiththisinstrumentoftorture，sufferingmartyrdom，butbraveinhersorrow，notallowinganyonetosee，orsuspect，anything.Shemaimedthelittleunbornbeing，crampingitwiththatfrightfulcorset，andmadeamonsterofit.Itsheadwassqueezedandelongatedtoapoint，anditslargeeyesseemedpoppingoutofitshead.Itslimbs，exaggeratedlylong，andtwistedlikethestalkofavine，terminatedinfingersliketheclawsofaspider.Itstrunkwastiny，androundasanut.
"Thechildwasborninanopenfield，andwhentheweederssawit，theyfledaway，screaming，andthereportspreadthatshehadgivenbirthtoademon.Fromthattimeon，shewascalled’theDevil.’
"Shewasdrivenfromthefarm，andlivedoncharity，underacloud.Shebroughtupthemonster，whomshehatedwithasavagehatred，andwouldhavestrangled，perhaps，ifthepriesthadnotthreatenedherwitharrest.
"Onedaysometravellingshowmenheardaboutthefrightfulcreature，andaskedtoseeit，sothatifitpleasedthemtheymighttakeitaway.
Theywerepleased，andcountedoutfivehundredfrancstothemother.
Atfirst，shehadrefusedtoletthemseethelittleanimal，asshewasashamed;butwhenshediscoveredithadamoneyvalue，andthatthesepeoplewereanxioustogetit，shebegantohagglewiththem，raisingherpricewithallapeasant’spersistence.
"Shemadethemdrawupapaper，inwhichtheypromisedtopayherfourhundredfrancsayearbesides，asthoughtheyhadtakenthisdeformityintotheiremploy.
"Incitedbythegreedofgain，shecontinuedtoproducethesephenomena，soastohaveanassuredincomelikeabourgeoise.
"Someofthemwerelong，someshort，somelikecrabs—allbodies—otherslikelizards.Severaldied，andshewasheartbroken.
"Thelawtriedtointerfere，butastheyhadnoprooftheylethercontinuetoproduceherfreaks.
Shehasatthismomentelevenalive，andtheybringin，onanaverage，countinggoodandbadyears，fromfivetosixthousandfrancsayear.
One，alone，isnotplaced，theoneshewasunwillingtoshowus.Butshewillnotkeepitlong，forsheisknowntoalltheshowmenintheworld，whocomefromtimetotimetoseeifshehasanythingnew.
"Sheevengetsbidsfromthemwhenthemonsterisvaluable."
Myfriendwassilent.Aprofounddisguststirredmyheart，andafeelingofrage，ofregret，tothinkthatIhadnotstrangledthisbrutewhenI
hadtheopportunity.
Ihadforgottenthisstory，whenIsawonthebeachofafashionableresorttheotherday，anelegant，charming，daintywoman，surroundedbymenwhopaidherrespectaswellasadmiration.
Iwaswalkingalongthebeach，arminarmwithafriend，theresidentphysician.Tenminuteslater，Isawanursemaidwiththreechildren，whowererollinginthesand.Apairoflittlecrutcheslayontheground，andtouchedmysympathy.Ithennoticedthatthesethreechildrenwerealldeformed，humpbacked，orcrooked;andhideous.
"Thosearetheoffspringofthatcharmingwomanyousawjustnow，"saidthedoctor.
Iwasfilledwithpityforher，aswellasforthem，andexclaimed：
"Oh，thepoormother！Howcansheeverlaugh！"
"Donotpityher，myfriend.Pitythepoorchildren，"repliedthedoctor."Thisistheconsequenceofpreservingaslenderfigureuptothelast.Theselittledeformitiesweremadebythecorset.Sheknowsverywellthatsheisriskingherlifeatthisgame.Butwhatdoesshecare，aslongasliecanbebeautifulandhaveadmirers！"
AndthenIrecalledthatotherwoman，thepeasant，the"Devil，"whosoldherchildren，hermonsters.
ANUNCOMFORTABLEBED
OneautumnIwenttospendthehuntingseasonwithsomefriendsinachateauinPicardy.
Myfriendswerefondofpracticaljokes.Idonotcaretoknowpeoplewhoarenot.
WhenIarrived，theygavemeaprincelyreception，whichatonceawakenedsuspicioninmymind.Theyfiredoffrifles，embracedme，mademuchofme，asiftheyexpectedtohavegreatfunatmyexpense.
Isaidtomyself：
"Lookout，oldferret！Theyhavesomethinginstoreforyou."
Duringthedinnerthemirthwasexcessive，exaggerated，infact.
Ithought："Herearepeoplewhohavemorethantheirshareofamusement，andapparentlywithoutreason.Theymusthaveplannedsomegoodjoke.
AssuredlyIamtobethevictimofthejoke.Attention！"
Duringtheentireeveningeveryonelaughedinanexaggeratedfashion.
Iscentedapracticaljokeintheair，asadogscentsgame.Butwhatwasit？Iwaswatchful，restless.Ididnotletaword，orameaning，oragestureescapeme.Everyoneseemedtomeanobjectofsuspicion，andIevenlookeddistrustfullyatthefacesoftheservants.
Thehourstruckforretiring;andthewholehouseholdcametoescortmetomyroom.Why？
Theycalledtome："Good—night."Ienteredtheapartment，shutthedoor，andremainedstanding，withoutmovingasinglestep，holdingthewaxcandleinmyhand.
Iheardlaughterandwhisperinginthecorridor.Withoutdoubttheywerespyingonme.Icastaglanceroundthewalls，thefurniture，theceiling，thehangings，thefloor.Isawnothingtojustifysuspicion.
Iheardpersonsmovingaboutoutsidemydoor.Ihadnodoubttheywerelookingthroughthekeyhole.
Anideacameintomyhead："Mycandlemaysuddenlygooutandleavemeindarkness."
ThenIwentacrosstothemantelpieceandlightedallthewaxcandlesthatwereonit.AfterthatIcastanotherglancearoundmewithoutdiscoveringanything.Iadvancedwithshortsteps，carefullyexaminingtheapartment.Nothing.Iinspectedeveryarticle，oneaftertheother.
Stillnothing.Iwentovertothewindow.Theshutters，largewoodenshutters，wereopen.Ishutthemwithgreatcare，andthendrewthecurtains，enormousvelvetcurtains，andplacedachairinfrontofthem，soastohavenothingtofearfromoutside.
ThenIcautiouslysatdown.Thearmchairwassolid.Ididnotventuretogetintothebed.However，thenightwasadvancing;andIendedbycomingtotheconclusionthatIwasfoolish.Iftheywerespyingonme，asIsupposed，theymust，whilewaitingforthesuccessofthejoketheyhadbeenpreparingforme，havebeenlaughingimmoderatelyatmyterror.
SoImadeupmymindtogotobed.Butthebedwasparticularlysuspicious—looking.Ipulledatthecurtains.Theyseemedtobesecure.
Allthesame，therewasdanger.Iwasgoingperhapstoreceiveacoldshowerbothfromoverhead，orperhaps，themomentIstretchedmyselfout，tofindmyselfsinkingtothefloorwithmymattress.IsearchedinmymemoryforallthepracticaljokesofwhichIeverhadexperience.AndI
didnotwanttobecaught.Ah！certainlynot！certainlynot！ThenI
suddenlybethoughtmyselfofaprecautionwhichIconsideredinsuredsafety.Icaughtholdofthesideofthemattressgingerly，andveryslowlydrewittowardme.Itcameaway，followedbythesheetandtherestofthebedclothes.Idraggedalltheseobjectsintotheverymiddleoftheroom，facingtheentrancedoor.ImademybedoveragainasbestIcouldatsomedistancefromthesuspectedbedsteadandthecornerwhichhadfilledmewithsuchanxiety.ThenIextinguishedallthecandles，and，gropingmyway，Islippedunderthebedclothes.
ForatleastanotherhourIremainedawake，startingattheslightestsound.Everythingseemedquietinthechateau.Ifellasleep.
Imusthavebeeninadeepsleepforalongtime，butallofasuddenI
wasawakenedwithastartbythefallofaheavybodytumblingrightontopofmyown，and，atthesametime，Ireceivedonmyface，onmyneck，andonmychestaburningliquidwhichmademeutterahowlofpain.Andadreadfulnoise，asifasideboardladenwithplatesanddisheshadfallendown，almostdeafenedme.
Iwassmotheringbeneaththeweightthatwascrushingmeandpreventingmefrommoving.Istretchedoutmyhandtofindoutwhatwasthenatureofthisobject.Ifeltaface，anose，andwhiskers.Then，withallmystrength，Ilaunchedoutablowatthisface.ButIimmediatelyreceivedahailofcuffingswhichmademejumpstraightoutofthesoakedsheets，andrushinmynightshirtintothecorridor，thedoorofwhichIfoundopen.
Oh，heavens！itwasbroaddaylight.Thenoisebroughtmyfriendshurryingintomyapartment，andwefound，sprawlingovermyimprovisedbed，thedismayedvalet，who，whilebringingmemymorningcupoftea，hadtrippedoverthisobstacleinthemiddleofthefloorandfallenonhisstomach，spillingmybreakfastovermyfaceinspiteofhimself.
TheprecautionsIhadtakeninclosingtheshuttersandgoingtosleepinthemiddleoftheroomhadonlybroughtaboutthepracticaljokeIhadbeentryingtoavoid.
Oh，howtheyalllaughedthatday！
APORTRAIT
Hello！there’sMilial！"saidsomebodynearme.IlookedatthemanwhohadbeenpointedoutasIhadbeenwishingforalongtimetomeetthisDonJuan.
Hewasnolongeryoung.HisgrayhairlookedalittlelikethosefurbonnetswornbycertainNorthernpeoples，andhislongbeard，whichfelldownoverhischest，hadalsosomewhattheappearanceoffur.Hewastalkingtoalady，leaningtowardher，speakinginalowvoiceandlookingatherwithanexpressionfullofrespectandtenderness.
Iknewhislife，oratleastasmuchaswasknownofit.Hehadlovedmadlyseveraltimes，andtherehadbeencertaintragedieswithwhichhisnamehadbeenconnected.WhenIspoketowomenwhoweretheloudestinhispraise，andaskedthemwhencecamethispower，theyalwaysanswered，afterthinkingforawhile："Idon’tknow——hehasacertaincharmabouthim."
Hewascertainlynothandsome.Hehadnoneoftheelegancethatweascribetoconquerorsoffemininehearts.Iwonderedwhatmightbehishiddencharm.Wasitmental？Ineverhadheardofacleversayingofhis.Inhisglance？Perhaps.Orinhisvoice？Thevoicesofsomebeingshaveacertainirresistibleattraction，almostsuggestingtheflavorofthingsgoodtoeat.Oneishungryforthem，andthesoundoftheirwordspenetratesuslikeadaintymorsel.Afriendwaspassing.
Iaskedhim："DoyouknowMonsieurMilial？"
"Yes."
"Introduceus."
Aminutelaterwewereshakinghandsandtalkinginthedoorway.Whathesaidwascorrect，agreeabletohear;itcontainednoirritablethought.
Thevoicewassweet，soft，caressing，musical;butIhadheardothersmuchmoreattractive，muchmoremoving.Onelistenedtohimwithpleasure，justasonewouldlookataprettylittlebrook.Notensionofthemindwasnecessaryinordertofollowhim，nohiddenmeaningarousedcuriosity，noexpectationawokeinterest.Hisconversationwasratherrestful，butitdidnotawakeninoneeitheradesiretoanswer，tocontradictortoapprove，anditwasaseasytoanswerhimasitwastolistentohim.Theresponsecametothelipsofitsownaccord，assoonashehadfinishedtalking，andphrasesturnedtowardhimasifhehadnaturallyarousedthem.
Onethoughtsoonstruckme.Ihadknownhimforaquarterofanhour，anditseemedasifhewerealreadyoneofmyoldfriends，thatIhadknownallabouthimforalongtime;hisface，hisgestures，hisvoice，hisideas.Suddenly，afterafewminutesofconversation，heseemedalreadytobeinstalledinmyintimacy.Allconstraintdisappearedbetweenus，and，hadhesodesired，Imighthaveconfidedinhimasoneconfidesonlyinoldfriends.
Certainlytherewassomemysteryabouthim.Thosebarriersthatareclosedbetweenmostpeopleandthatareloweredwithtimewhensympathy，similartastes，equalintellectualcultureandconstantintercourseremoveconstraint——thosebarriersseemednottoexistbetweenhimandme，andnodoubtthiswasthecasebetweenhimandallpeople，bothmenandwomen，whomfatethrewinhispath.
Afterhalfanhourweparted，promisingtoseeeachotheroften，andhegavemehisaddressafterinvitingmetotakeluncheonwithhimintwodays.
Iforgotwhathourhehadstated，andIarrivedtoosoon;hewasnotyethome.Acorrectandsilentdomesticshowedmeintoabeautiful，quiet，softlylightedparlor.Ifeltcomfortablethere，athome.HowoftenI
havenoticedtheinfluenceofapartmentsonthecharacterandonthemind！Therearesomewhichmakeonefeelfoolish;inothers，onthecontrary，onealwaysfeelslively.Somemakeussad，althoughwelllightedanddecoratedinlight—coloredfurniture;otherscheerusup，althoughhungwithsombrematerial.Oureye，likeourheart，hasitslikesanddislikes，ofwhichitdoesnotinformus，andwhichitsecretlyimposesonourtemperament.Theharmonyoffurniture，walls，thestyleofanensemble，actimmediatelyonourmentalstate，justastheairfromthewoods，theseaorthemountainsmodifiesourphysicalnatures.
Isatdownonacushion—covereddivanandfeltmyselfsuddenlycarriedandsupportedbytheselittlesilkbagsoffeathers，asiftheoutlineofmybodyhadbeenmarkedoutbeforehandonthiscouch.
ThenIlookedabout.Therewasnothingstrikingabouttheroom;every—
wherewerebeautifulandmodestthings，simpleandrarefurniture，Orientalcurtainswhichdidnotseemtocomefromadepartmentstorebutfromtheinteriorofaharem;andexactlyoppositemehungtheportraitofawoman.Itwasaportraitofmediumsize，showingtheheadandtheupperpartofthebody，andthehands，whichwereholdingabook.Shewasyoung，bareheaded;ribbonswerewoveninherhair;shewassmilingsadly.Wasitbecauseshewasbareheaded，wasitmerelyhernaturalexpression？Ineverhaveseenaportraitofaladywhichseemedsomuchinitsplaceasthatoneinthatdwelling.OfallthoseIknewIhaveseennothinglikethatone.AllthosethatIknowareonexhibition，whethertheladybedressedinhergaudiestgown，withanattractiveheaddressandalookwhichshowsthatsheisposingfirstofallbeforetheartistandthenbeforethosewhowilllookatherorwhethertheyhavetakenacomfortableattitudeinanordinarygown.Somearestandingmajesticallyinalltheirbeauty，whichisnotatallnaturaltotheminlife.Allofthemhavesomething，afloweror，ajewel，acreaseinthedressoracurveofthelip，whichonefeelstohavebeenplacedthereforeffectbytheartist.Whethertheywearahatormerelytheirhaironecanimmediatelynoticethattheyarenotentirelynatural.Why？
Onecannotsaywithoutknowingthem，buttheeffectisthere.Theyseemtobecallingsomewhere，onpeoplewhomtheywishtopleaseandtowhomtheywishtoappearattheirbestadvantage;andtheyhavestudiedtheirattitudes，sometimesmodest，Sometimeshaughty.
Whatcouldonesayaboutthisone？Shewasathomeandalone.Yes，shewasalone，forshewassmilingasonesmileswhenthinkinginsolitudeofsomethingsadorsweet，andnotasonesmileswhenoneisbeingwatched.
Sheseemedsomuchaloneandsomuchathomethatshemadethewholelargeapartmentseemabsolutelyempty.Shealonelivedinit，filledit，gaveitlife.Manypeoplemightcomeinandconverse，laugh，evensing;
shewouldstillbealonewithasolitarysmile，andshealonewouldgiveitlifewithherpicturedgaze.
Thatlookalsowasunique.Itfelldirectlyonme，fixedandcaressing，withoutseeingme.Allportraitsknowthattheyarebeingwatched，andtheyanswerwiththeireyes，whichsee，think，followuswithoutleavingus，fromtheverymomentweentertheapartmenttheyinhabit.Thisonedidnotseeme;itsawnothing，althoughitslookwasfixeddirectlyonme.IrememberedthesurprisingverseofBaudelaire：
Andyoureyes，attractiveasthoseofaportrait.
Theydidindeedattractmeinanirresistiblemanner;thosepaintedeyeswhichhadlived，orwhichwereperhapsstillliving，threwovermeastrange，powerfulspell.Oh，whataninfiniteandtendercharm，likeapassingbreeze，likeadyingsunsetoflilacroseandblue，alittlesadliketheapproachingnight，whichcomesbehindthesombreframeandoutofthoseimpenetrableeyes！Thoseeyes，createdbyafewstrokesfromabrush，hidebehindthemthemysteryofthatwhichseemstobeandwhichdoesnotexist，whichcanappearintheeyesofawoman，whichcanmakeloveblossomwithinus.
ThedooropenedandM.Milialentered.Heexcusedhimselfforbeinglate.Iexcusedmyselfforbeingaheadoftime.ThenIsaid："MightI
askyouwhoisthislady？"
Heanswered："Thatismymother.Shediedveryyoung."
ThenIunderstoodwhencecametheinexplicableattractionofthisman.
THEDRUNKARD
Thenorthwindwasblowingahurricane，drivingthroughtheskybig，black，heavycloudsfromwhichtherainpoureddownontheearthwithterrificviolence.
Ahighseawasraginganddashingitshuge，slow，foamywavesalongthecoastwiththerumblingsoundofthunder.Thewavesfollowedeachotherclose，rollinginashighasmountains，scatteringthefoamastheybroke.
ThestormengulfeditselfinthelittlevalleyofYport，whistlingandmoaning，tearingtheshinglesfromtheroofs，smashingtheshutters，knockingdownthechimneys，rushingthroughthenarrowstreetsinsuchguststhatonecouldwalkonlybyholdingontothewalls，andchildrenwouldhavebeenlifteduplikeleavesandcarriedoverthehousesintothefields.
Thefishingsmackshadbeenhauledhighuponland，becauseathightidetheseawouldsweepthebeach.Severalsailors，shelteredbehindthecurvedbottomsoftheirboats，werewatchingthisbattleoftheskyandthesea.
Then，onebyone，theywentaway，fornightwasfallingonthestorm，wrappinginshadowstheragingoceanandallthebattlingelements.
Justtwomenremained，theirhandsplungeddeepintotheirpockets，bendingtheirbacksbeneaththesquall，theirwoolencapspulleddownovertheirears;twobigNormandyfishermen，bearded，theirskintannedthroughexposure，withthepiercingblackeyesofthesailorwholooksoverthehorizonlikeabirdofprey.
Oneofthemwassaying：
"Comeon，Jeremie，let’sgoplaydominoes.It’smytreat."
Theotherhesitatedawhile，temptedononehandbythegameandthethoughtofbrandy，knowingwellthat，ifhewenttoPaumelle’s，hewouldreturnhomedrunk;heldback，ontheotherhand，bytheideaofhiswiferemainingaloneinthehouse.
Heasked：
"Anyonemightthinkthatyouhadmadeabettogetmedrunkeverynight.
Say，whatgoodisitdoingyou，sinceit’salwaysyouthat’streating？"
Neverthelesshewassmilingattheideaofallthisbrandydrunkattheexpenseofanother.HewassmilingthecontentedsmirkofanavariciousNorman.
Mathurin，hisfriend，keptpullinghimbythesleeve.
"Comeon，Jeremie.Thisisn’tthekindofanighttogohomewithoutanythingtowarmyouup.Whatareyouafraidof？Isn’tyourwifegoingtowarmyourbedforyou？"
Jeremieanswered：
"TheothernightIcouldn’tfindthedoor——Ihadtobefishedoutoftheditchinfrontofthehouse！"
Hewasstilllaughingatthisdrunkard’srecollection，andhewasunconsciouslygoingtowardPaumelle’sCafe，wherealightwasshininginthewindow;hewasgoing，pulledbyMathurinandpushedbythewind，unabletoresistthesecombinedforces.
Thelowroomwasfullofsailors，smokeandnoise.Allthesemen，cladinwoolens，theirelbowsonthetables，wereshoutingtomakethemselvesheard.Themorepeoplecamein，themoreonehadtoshoutinordertoovercomethenoiseofvoicesandtherattlingofdominoesonthemarbletables.
JeremieandMathurinsatdowninacornerandbeganagame，andtheglasseswereemptiedinrapidsuccessionintotheirthirstythroats.
Thentheyplayedmoregamesanddrankmoreglasses.Mathurinkeptpouringandwinkingtothesaloonkeeper，abig，red—facedman，whochuckledasthoughatthethoughtofsomefinejoke;andJeremiekeptabsorbingalcoholandwagginghishead，givingventtoaroaroflaughterandlookingathiscomradewithastupidandcontentedexpression.
Allthecustomersweregoingaway.Everytimethatoneofthemwouldopenthedoortoleaveagustofwindwouldblowintothecafe，makingthetobaccosmokeswirlaround，swingingthelampsattheendoftheirchainsandmakingtheirflamesflicker，andsuddenlyonecouldhearthedeepboomingofabreakingwaveandthemoaningofthewind.
Jeremie，hiscollarunbuttoned，wastakingdrunkard’sposes，onelegoutstretched，onearmhangingdownandintheotherhandholdingadomino.
Theywerealonenowwiththeowner，whohadcomeuptothem，interested.
Heasked：
"Well，Jeremie，howgoesitinside？Feellessthirstyafterwettingyourthroat？"
Jeremiemuttered：
"ThemoreIwetit，thedrieritgetsinside."
TheinnkeepercastaslyglanceatMathurin.Hesaid：
"Andyourbrother，Mathurin，where’shenow？"
Thesailorlaughedsilently：
"Don’tworry;he’swarm，allright."
AndbothofthemlookedtowardJeremie，whowastriumphantlyputtingdownthedoublesixandannouncing：
"Game！"
Thentheownerdeclared：
"Well，boys，I’mgoin’tobed.Iwillleaveyouthelampandthebottle;
there’stwentycents’worthinit.Lockthedoorwhenyougo，Mathurin，andslipthekeyunderthematthewayyoudidtheothernight."
Mathurinanswered：
"Don’tworry;it’llbeallright."
Paumelleshookhandswithhistwocustomersandslowlywentupthewoodenstairs.Forseveralminuteshisheavystepechoedthroughthelittlehouse.Thenaloudcreakingannouncedthathehadgotintobed.
Thetwomencontinuedtoplay.Fromtimetotimeamoreviolentgustofwindwouldshakethewholehouse，andthetwodrinkerswouldlookup，asthoughsomeonewereabouttoenter.ThenMathurinwouldtakethebottleandfillJeremie’sglass.Butsuddenlytheclockoverthebarstrucktwelve.Itshoarseclangsoundedliketherattlingofsaucepans.ThenMathuringotuplikeasailorwhosewatchisover.
"Comeon，Jeremie，we’vegottogetout."
Theothermanrosetohisfeetwithdifficulty，gothisbalancebyleaningonthetable，reachedthedoorandopeneditwhilehiscompanionwasputtingoutthelight.
AssoonastheywereinthestreetMathurinlockedthedoorandthensaid：
"Well，solong.Seeyouto—morrownight！"
Andhedisappearedinthedarkness.
Jeremietookafewsteps，staggered，stretchedouthishands，metawallwhichsupportedhimandbegantostumblealong.Fromtimetotimeagustofwindwouldsweepthroughthestreet，pushinghimforward，makinghimrunforafewsteps;then，whenthewindwoulddiedown，hewouldstopshort，havinglosthisimpetus，andoncemorehewouldbegintostaggeronhisunsteadydrunkard’slegs.
Hewentinstinctivelytowardhishome，justasbirdsgototheirnests.
Finallyherecognizedhisdoor，andbegantofeelaboutforthekeyholeandtriedtoputthekeyinit.Notfindingthehole，hebegantoswear.
Thenhebegantobeatonthedoorwithhisfists，callingforhiswifetocomeandhelphim：
"Melina！Oh，Melina！"
Asheleanedagainstthedoorforsupport，itgavewayandopened，andJeremie，losinghisprop，fellinside，rollingonhisfaceintothemiddleofhisroom，andhefeltsomethingheavypassoverhimandescapeinthenight.
Hewasnolongermoving，dazedbyfright，bewildered，fearingthedevil，ghosts，allthemysteriousbeingsofdarkness，andhewaitedalongtimewithoutdaringtomove.Butwhenhefoundoutthatnothingelsewasmoving，alittlereasonreturnedtohim，thereasonofadrunkard.
Gentlyhesatup.Againhewaitedalongtime，andatlast，growingbolder，hecalled：
"Melina！"
Hiswifedidnotanswer.
Then，suddenly，asuspicioncrossedhisdarkenedmind，anindistinct，vaguesuspicion.Hewasnotmoving;hewassittingthereinthedark，tryingtogathertogetherhisscatteredwits，hismindstumblingoverincompleteideas，justashisfeetstumbledalong.
Oncemoreheasked：
"Whowasit，Melina？Tellmewhoitwas.Iwon’thurtyou！"
Hewaited，novoicewasraisedinthedarkness.Hewasnowreasoningwithhimselfoutloud.
"I’mdrunk，allright！I’mdrunk！Andhefilledmeup，thedog;hedidit，tostopmygoin’home.I’mdrunk！"
Andhewouldcontinue：
"Tellmewhoitwas，Melina，orsomethin’llhappentoyou."
Afterhavingwaitedagain，hewentonwiththeslowandobstinatelogicofadrunkard：
"He’sbeenkeepingmeatthatloaferPaumelle’splaceeverynight，soastostopmygoinghome.It’ssometrick.Oh，youdamnedcarrion！"
Slowlyhegotonhisknees.Ablindfurywasgainingpossessionofhim，minglingwiththefumesofalcohol.
Hecontinued：
"Tellmewhoitwas，Melina，oryou’llgetalicking——Iwarnyou！"
Hewasnowstanding，tremblingwithawildfury，asthoughthealcoholhadsethisbloodonfire.Hetookastep，knockedagainstachair，seizedit，wenton，reachedthebed，ranhishandsoveritandfeltthewarmbodyofhiswife.
Then，maddened，heroared：
"So！Youwerethere，youpieceofdirt，andyouwouldn’tanswer！"
And，liftingthechair，whichhewasholdinginhisstrongsailor’sgrip，heswungitdownbeforehimwithanexasperatedfury.Acryburstfromthebed，anagonizing，piercingcry.Thenhebegantothrasharoundlikeathresherinabarn.Andsoonnothingmoremoved.Thechairwasbrokentopieces，buthestillheldonelegandbeatawaywithit，panting.
Atlasthestoppedtoask：
"Well，areyoureadytotellmewhoitwas？"
Melinadidnotanswer.
Thentiredout，stupefiedfromhisexertion，hestretchedhimselfoutonthegroundandslept.
Whendaycameaneighbor，seeingthedooropen，entered.HesawJeremiesnoringonthefloor，amidthebrokenpiecesofachair，andonthebedapulpoffleshandblood.
THEWARDROBE
Aswesatchattingafterdinner，apartyofmen，theconversationturnedonwomen，forlackofsomethingelse.
Oneofussaid：
"Here’safunnythingthathappenedtomeon，thatverysubject."Andhetoldusthefollowingstory：
OneeveninglastwinterIsuddenlyfeltovercomebythatoverpoweringsenseofmiseryandlanguorthattakespossessionofonefromtimetotime.Iwasinmyownapartment，allalone，andIwasconvincedthatifIgaveintomyfeelingsIshouldhaveaterribleattackofmelancholia，oneofthoseattacksthatleadtosuicidewhentheyrecurtoooften.
IputonmyovercoatandwentoutwithouttheslightestideaofwhatI
wasgoingtodo.Havinggoneasfarastheboulevards，Ibegantowanderalongbythealmostemptycafes.Itwasraining，afinerainthataffectsyourmindasitdoesyourclothing，notoneofthosegooddownpourswhichcomedownintorrents，drivingbreathlesspassers—byintodoorways，butarainwithoutdropsthatdepositsonyourclothinganimperceptiblesprayandsooncoversyouwithasortoficedfoamthatchillsyouthrough.