Wegotbackintotheboat.Thenightwasdark，verydark.Isawclearly，however，thathehadcaughtherbythewaist，andthattheywerehuggingeachotheragainandagain.
Itwasafrightfulcatastrophe.Ourescapadewasdiscovered，withtheresultthatPerePiquedentwasdismissed.Andmyfather，inafitofanger，sentmetofinishmycourseofphilosophyatRibaudet’sschool.
SixmonthslaterItookmydegreeofBachelorofArts.ThenIwenttostudylawinParis，anddidnotreturntomynativetowntilltwoyearslater.
AtthecorneroftheRuedeSerpentashopcaughtmyeye.Overthedoorwerethewords："ColonialProducts——Piquedent";thenunderneath，soastoenlightenthemostignorant："Grocery."
Iexclaimed：
"’Quantummutatusabillo！’"
Piquedentraisedhishead，lefthisfemalecustomer，andrushedtowardmewithoutstretchedhands.
"Ah！myyoungfriend，myyoungfriend，hereyouare！Whatluck！whatluck！"
Abeautifulwoman，veryplump，abruptlyleftthecashier’sdeskandflungherselfonmybreast.Ihadsomedifficultyinrecognizingher，shehadgrownsostout.
Iasked：
"Sothenyou’redoingwell？"
Piquedenthadgonebacktoweighthegroceries.
"Oh！verywell，verywell，verywell.Ihavemadethreethousandfrancsclearthisyear！"
"AndwhataboutLatin，MonsieurPiquedent？"
"Oh，goodheavens！Latin，Latin，Latin——youseeitdoesnotkeepthepotboiling！"
AMEETING
Itwasnothingbutanaccident，anaccidentpureandsimple.Onthatparticulareveningtheprincess’roomswereopen，andastheyappeareddarkafterthebrilliantlylightedparlors，Barond’Etraille，whowastiredofstanding，inadvertentlywanderedintoanemptybedroom.
Helookedroundforachairinwhichtohaveadoze，ashewassurehiswifewouldnotleavebeforedaylight.Assoonashebecameaccustomedtothelightoftheroomhedistinguishedthebigbedwithitsazure—and—
goldhangings，inthemiddleofthegreatroom，lookinglikeacatafalqueinwhichlovewasburied，fortheprincesswasnolongeryoung.Behindit，alargebrightsurfacelookedlikealakeseenatadistance.Itwasalargemirror，discreetlycoveredwithdarkdrapery，thatwasveryrarelyletdown，andseemedtolookatthebed，whichwasitsaccomplice.
Onemightalmostfancythatithadreminiscences，andthatonemightseeinitcharmingfemaleformsandthegentlemovementoflovingarms.
Thebaronstoodstillforamoment，smiling，almostexperiencinganemotiononthethresholdofthischamberdedicatedtolove.Butsuddenlysomethingappearedinthelooking—glass，asifthephantomswhichhehadevokedhadrisenupbeforehim.Amanandawomanwhohadbeensittingonalowcouchconcealedintheshadowhadarisen，andthepolishedsurface，reflectingtheirfigures，showedthattheywerekissingeachotherbeforeseparating.
Barond’EtraillerecognizedhiswifeandtheMarquisdeCervigne.Heturnedandwentawaylikeamanwhoisfullymasterofhimself，andwaitedtillitwasdaybeforetakingawaythebaroness;buthehadnolongeranythoughtsofsleeping.
Assoonastheywerealonehesaid：
"Madame，IsawyoujustnowinPrincessedeRaynes’room;Ineedsaynomore，andIamnotfondeitherofreproaches，actsofviolence，orofridicule.AsIwishtoavoidallsuchthings，weshallseparatewithoutanyscandal.Ourlawyerswillsettleyourpositionaccordingtomyorders.Youwillbefreetoliveasyoupleasewhenyouarenolongerundermyroof;but，asyouwillcontinuetobearmyname，ImustwarnyouthatshouldanyscandalariseIshallshowmyselfinflexible."
Shetriedtospeak，buthestoppedher，bowed，andlefttheroom.
Hewasmoreastonishedandsadthanunhappy.Hehadlovedherdearlyduringthefirstperiodoftheirmarriedlife;buthisardorhadcooled，andnowheoftenamusedhimselfelsewhere，eitherinatheatreorinsociety，thoughhealwayspreservedacertainlikingforthebaroness.
Shewasveryyoung，hardlyfour—and—twenty，small，slight——tooslight——
andveryfair.ShewasatrueParisiandoll：clever，spoiled，elegant，coquettish，witty，withmorecharmthanrealbeauty.Heusedtosayfamiliarlytohisbrother，whenspeakingofher：
"Mywifeischarming，attractive，but——thereisnothingtolayholdof.
Sheislikeaglassofchampagnethatisallfroth;whenyougettothewineitisverygood，butthereistoolittleofit，unfortunately."
Hewalkedupanddowntheroomingreatagitation，thinkingofathousandthings.Atonemomenthewasfurious，andfeltinclinedtogivethemarquisagoodthrashing，ortoslaphisfacepublicly，intheclub.
Buthedecidedthatwouldnotdo，itwouldnotbegoodform;hewouldbelaughedat，andnothisrival，andthisthoughtwoundedhisvanity.
Sohewenttobed，butcouldnotsleep.ParisknewinafewdaysthattheBaronandBaronessd’Etraillehadagreedtoanamicableseparationonaccountofincompatibilityoftemper.Noonesuspectedanything，noonelaughed，andnoonewasastonished.
Thebaron，however，toavoidmeetinghiswife，travelledforayear，thenspentthesummerattheseaside，andtheautumninshooting，returningtoParisforthewinter.Hedidnotmeetthebaronessonce.
Hedidnotevenknowwhatpeoplesaidabouther.Inanycase，shetookcaretorespectappearances，andthatwasallheaskedfor.
Hebecamedreadfullybored，travelledagain，restoredhisoldcastleofVillebosc，whichtookhimtwoyears;thenforoverayearheentertainedfriendsthere，tillatlast，tiredofalltheseso—calledpleasures，hereturnedtohismansionintheRuedeLille，justsixyearsaftertheseparation.
Hewasnowforty—five，withagoodcropofgrayhair，ratherstout，andwiththatmelancholylookcharacteristicofthosewhohavebeenhandsome，soughtafter，andliked，butwhoaredeteriorating，daily.
AmonthafterhisreturntoParis，hetookcoldoncomingoutofhisclub，andhadsuchabadcoughthathismedicalmanorderedhimtoNicefortherestofthewinter.
HereachedthestationonlyafewminutesbeforethedepartureofthetrainonMondayevening，andhadbarelytimetogetintoacarriage，withonlyoneotheroccupant，whowassittinginacornersowrappedinfursandcloaksthathecouldnotevenmakeoutwhetheritwasamanorawoman，asnothingofthefigurecouldbeseen.Whenheperceivedthathecouldnotfindout，heputonhistravellingcap，rolledhimselfupinhisrugs，andstretchedoutcomfortablytosleep.
Hedidnotwakeuntilthedaywasbreaking，andlookedatonceathisfellow—traveller，whohadnotstirredallnight，andseemedstilltobesoundasleep.
M.d’Etraillemadeuseoftheopportunitytobrushhishairandhisbeard，andtotrytofreshenhimselfupalittlegenerally，foranight’straveldoesnotimproveone’sappearancewhenonehasattainedacertainage.
Agreatpoethassaid：
"Whenweareyoung，ourmorningsaretriumphant！"
Thenwewakeupwithacoolskin，abrighteye，andglossyhair.
Asonegrowsolderonewakesupinaverydifferentcondition.Dulleyes，red，swollencheeks，drylips，hairandbearddisarranged，impartanold，fatigued，worn—outlooktotheface.
Thebaronopenedhistravellingcase，andimprovedhislooksasmuchaspossible.
Theenginewhistled，thetrainstopped，andhisneighbormoved.Nodoubthewasawake.Theystartedoffagain，andthenaslantingrayofsunlightshoneintothecarriageandonthesleeper，whomovedagain，shookhimself，andthenhisfacecouldbeseen.
Itwasayoung，fair，pretty，plumpwoman，andthebaronlookedatherinamazement.Hedidnotknowwhattothink.Hecouldreallyhaveswornthatitwashiswife，butwonderfullychangedforthebetter：stouter——
whyshehadgrownasstoutashewas，onlyitsuitedhermuchbetterthanitdidhim.
Shelookedathimcalmly，didnotseemtorecognizehim，andthenslowlylaidasideherwraps.Shehadthatquietassuranceofawomanwhoissureofherself，whofeelsthatonawakingsheisinherfullbeautyandfreshness.
Thebaronwasreallybewildered.Wasithiswife，orelseaslikeherasanysistercouldbe？Nothavingseenherforsixyears，hemightbemistaken.
Sheyawned，andthisgesturebetrayedher.Sheturnedandlookedathimagain，calmly，indifferently，asifshescarcelysawhim，andthenlookedoutofthewindowagain.
Hewasupsetanddreadfullyperplexed，andkeptlookingathersideways.
Yes;itwassurelyhiswife.Howcouldhepossiblyhavedoubtedit？
Therecouldcertainlynotbetwonoseslikethat，andathousandrecollectionsflashedthroughhismind.Hefelttheoldfeelingoftheintoxicationoflovestealingoverhim，andhecalledtomindthesweetodorofherskin，hersmilewhensheputherarmsontohisshoulders，thesoftintonationsofhervoice，allhergraceful，coaxingways.
Buthowshehadchangedandimproved！Itwassheandyetnotshe.Sheseemedriper，moredeveloped，moreofawoman，moreseductive，moredesirable，adorablydesirable.
Andthisstrange，unknownwoman，whomhehadaccidentallymetinarailwaycarriage，belongedtohim;hehadonlytosaytoher：
"Iinsistuponit."
Hehadformerlysleptinherarms，existedonlyinherlove，andnowhehadfoundheragaincertainly，butsochangedthathescarcelyknewher.
Itwasanother，andyetitwassheherself.Itwassomeonewhohadbeenbornandhadformedandgrownsincehehadlefther.Itwasshe，indeed;
shewhomhehadloved，butwhowasnowaltered，withamoreassuredsmileandgreaterself—possession.Thereweretwowomeninone，minglingagreatpartofwhatwasnewandunknownwithmanysweetrecollectionsofthepast.Therewassomethingsingular，disturbing，excitingaboutit——akindofmysteryofloveinwhichtherefloatedadeliciousconfusion.
Itwashiswifeinanewbodyandinnewfleshwhichlipshadneverpressed.
Andhethoughtthatinafewyearsnearlyeverythingchangesinus;onlytheoutlinecanberecognized，andsometimeseventhatdisappears.
Theblood，thehair，theskin，allchangesandisrenewed，andwhenpeoplehavenotseeneachotherforalongtime，whentheymeettheyfindeachothertotallydifferentbeings，althoughtheyarethesameandbearthesamename.
Andtheheartalsocanchange.Ideasmaybemodifiedandrenewed，sothatinfortyyearsoflifewemay，bygradualandconstanttransformations，becomefourorfivetotallynewanddifferentbeings.
Hedweltonthisthoughttillittroubledhim;ithadfirsttakenpossessionofhimwhenhesurprisedherintheprincess’room.Hewasnottheleastangry;itwasnotthesamewomanthathewaslookingat——
thatthin，excitablelittledollofthosedays.
Whatwashetodo？Howshouldheaddressher？andwhatcouldhesaytoher？Hadsherecognizedhim？
Thetrainstoppedagain.Hegotup，bowed，and，said："Bertha，doyouwantanythingIcouldbringyou？"
Shelookedathimfromheadtofoot，andanswered，withoutshowingtheslightestsurprise，orconfusion，oranger，butwiththemostperfectindifference：
"Idonotwantanything———thankyou."
Hegotoutandwalkedupanddowntheplatformalittleinordertorecoverhimself，and，asitwere，torecoverhissensesafterafall.
Whatshouldhedonow？Ifhegotintoanothercarriageitwouldlookasifhewererunningaway.Shouldhebepoliteorimportunate？Thatwouldlookasifhewereaskingforforgiveness.Shouldhespeakasifhewerehermaster？Hewouldlooklikeafool，and，besides，hereallyhadnorighttodoso.
Hegotinagainandtookhisplace.
Duringhisabsenceshehadhastilyarrangedherdressandhair，andwasnowlyingstretchedoutontheseat，radiant，andwithoutshowinganyemotion.
Heturnedtoher，andsaid："MydearBertha，sincethissingularchancehasbroughtuptogetherafteraseparationofsixyears——aquitefriendlyseparation——arewetocontinuetolookuponeachotherasirreconcilableenemies？Weareshutuptogether，tete—d—tete，whichissomuchthebetterorsomuchtheworse.Iamnotgoingtogetintoanothercarriage，sodon’tyouthinkitispreferabletotalkasfriendstilltheendofourjourney？"
Sheanswered，quitecalmlyagain：
"Justasyouplease."
Thenhesuddenlystopped，reallynotknowingwhattosay;butashehadplentyofassurance，hesatdownonthemiddleseat，andsaid：
"Well，IseeImustpaymycourttoyou;somuchthebetter.Itis，however，reallyapleasure，foryouarecharming.Youcannotimaginehowyouhaveimprovedinthelastsixyears.IdonotknowanywomanwhocouldgivemethatdelightfulsensationwhichIexperiencedjustnowwhenyouemergedfromyourwraps.Ireallycouldnothavethoughtsuchachangepossible."
Withoutmovingherheadorlookingathim，shesaid："Icannotsaythesamewithregardtoyou;youhavecertainlydeterioratedagreatdeal."
Hegotredandconfused，andthen，withasmileofresignation，hesaid：
"Youareratherhard."
"Why？"washerreply."Iamonlystatingfacts.Idon’tsupposeyouintendtooffermeyourlove？Itmust，therefore，beamatterofperfectindifferencetoyouwhatIthinkaboutyou.ButIseeitisapainfulsubject，soletustalkofsomethingelse.WhathaveyoubeendoingsinceIlastsawyou？"
Hefeltratheroutofcountenance，andstammered：
"I？Ihavetravelled，donesomeshooting，andgrownold，asyousee.
Andyou？"
Shesaid，quitecalmly："Ihavetakencareofappearances，asyouorderedme."
Hewasverynearlysayingsomethingbrutal，buthecheckedhimself;andkissedhiswife’shand：
"AndIthankyou，"hesaid.
Shewassurprised.Hewasindeeddiplomatic，andalwaysmasterofhimself.
Hewenton："Asyouhaveaccededtomyfirstrequest，shallwenowtalkwithoutanybitterness？"
Shemadealittlemovementofsurprise.
"Bitterness？Idon’tfeelany;youareacompletestrangertome;Iamonlytryingtokeepupadifficultconversation."
Hewasstilllookingather，fascinatedinspiteofherharshness，andhefeltseizedwithabrutalBeside，thedesireofthemaster.
Perceivingthatshehadhurthisfeelings，shesaid：
"Howoldareyounow？Ithoughtyouwereyoungerthanyoulook."
"Iamforty—five";andthenheadded："IforgottoaskafterPrincessedeRaynes.Areyoustillintimatewithher？"
Shelookedathimasifshehatedhim：
"Yes，Icertainlyam.Sheisverywell，thankyou."
Theyremainedsittingsidebyside，agitatedandirritated.Suddenlyhesaid：
"MydearBertha，Ihavechangedmymind.Youaremywife，andIexpectyoutocomewithmeto—day.Youhave，Ithink，improvedbothmorallyandphysically，andIamgoingtotakeyoubackagain.Iamyourhusband，anditismyrighttodoso."
Shewasstupefied，andlookedathim，tryingtodivinehisthoughts;buthisfacewasresoluteandimpenetrable.
"Iamverysorry，"shesaid，"butIhavemadeotherengagements."
"Somuchtheworseforyou，"washisreply."Thelawgivesmethepower，andImeantouseit."
TheywerenearingMarseilles，andthetrainwhistledandslackenedspeed.
Thebaronessrose，carefullyrolledupherwraps，andthen，turningtoherhusband，said：
"MydearRaymond，donotmakeabaduseofthistete—atetewhichIhadcarefullyprepared.Iwishedtotakeprecautions，accordingtoyouradvice，sothatImighthavenothingtofearfromyouorfromotherpeople，whatevermighthappen.YouaregoingtoNice，areyounot？"
"Ishallgowhereveryougo."
"Notatall;justlistentome，andIamsurethatyouwillleavemeinpeace.Inafewmoments，whenwegettothestation，youwillseethePrincessedeRaynesandComtesseHenriotwaitingformewiththeirhusbands.Iwishedthemtoseeas，andtoknowthatwehadspentthenighttogetherintherailwaycarriage.Don’tbealarmed;theywilltelliteverywhereasamostsurprisingfact.
"ItoldyoujustnowthatIhadmostcarefullyfollowedyouradviceandsavedappearances.Anythingelsedoesnotmatter，doesit？Well，inordertodoso，Iwishedtobeseenwithyou.Youtoldmecarefullytoavoidanyscandal，andIamavoidingit，for，Iamafraid——Iamafraid——"
Shewaitedtillthetrainhadquitestopped，andasherfriendsranuptoopenthecarriagedoor，shesaid：
"Iamafraid"——hesitating——"thatthereisanotherreason——jesuisenceinte."
Theprincessstretchedoutherarmstoembraceher，——andthebaronesssaid，paintingtothebaron，whowasdumbwithastonishment，andwastryingtogetatthetruth：
"YoudonotrecognizeRaymond？Hehascertainlychangedagooddeal，andheagreedtocomewithmesothatImightnottravelalone.Wetakelittletripslikethisoccasionally，likegoodfriendswhocannotlivetogether.Wearegoingtoseparatehere;hehashadenoughofmealready."
Sheputoutherhand，whichhetookmechanically，andthenshejumpedoutontotheplatformamongherfriends，whowerewaitingforher.
Thebaronhastilyshutthecarriagedoor，forhewastoomuchdisturbedtosayawordorcometoanydetermination.Heheardhiswife’svoiceandtheirmerrylaughterastheywentaway.
Heneversawheragain，nordidheeverdiscoverwhethershehadtoldhimalieorwasspeakingthetruth.
THEBLINDMAN
Howisitthatthesunlightgivesussuchjoy？Whydoesthisradiancewhenitfallsontheearthfilluswiththejoyofliving？Thewholeskyisblue，thefieldsaregreen，thehousesallwhite，andourenchantedeyesdrinkinthosebrightcolorswhichbringdelighttooursouls.Andthentherespringsupinourheartsadesiretodance，torun，tosing，ahappylightnessofthought，asortofenlargedtenderness;wefeelalongingtoembracethesun.
Theblind，astheysitinthedoorways，impassiveintheireternaldarkness，remainascalmaseverinthemidstofthisfreshgaiety，and，notunderstandingwhatistakingplacearoundthem，theycontinuallychecktheirdogsastheyattempttoplay.
When，atthecloseoftheday，theyarereturninghomeonthearmofayoungbrotheroralittlesister，ifthechildsays："Itwasaveryfineday！"theotheranswers："Icouldnoticethatitwasfine.Loulouwouldn’tkeepquiet."
Iknewoneofthesemenwhoselifewasoneofthemostcruelmartyrdomsthatcouldpossiblybeconceived.
Hewasapeasant，thesonofaNormanfarmer.Aslongashisfatherandmotherlived，hewasmoreorlesstakencareof;hesufferedlittlesavefromhishorribleinfirmity;butassoonastheoldpeopleweregone，anatrociouslifeofmiserycommencedforhim.Dependentonasisterofhis，everybodyinthefarmhousetreatedhimasabeggarwhoiseatingthebreadofstrangers.Ateverymealtheveryfoodheswallowedwasmadeasubjectofreproachagainsthim;hewascalledadrone，aclown，andalthoughhisbrother—in—lawhadtakenpossessionofhisportionoftheinheritance，hewashelpedgrudginglytosoup，gettingjustenoughtosavehimfromstarving.
Hisfacewasverypaleandhistwobigwhiteeyeslookedlikewafers.
Heremainedunmovedatalltheinsultshurledathim，soreservedthatonecouldnottellwhetherhefeltthem.
Moreover，hehadneverknownanytenderness，hismotherhavingalwaystreatedhimunkindlyandcaringverylittleforhim;forincountryplacesuselesspersonsareconsideredanuisance，andthepeasantswouldbegladtokilltheinfirmoftheirspecies，aspoultrydo.
Assoonashefinishedhissouphewentandsatoutsidethedoorinsummerandinwinterbesidethefireside，anddidnotstiragainalltheevening.Hemadenogesture，nomovement;onlyhiseyelids，quiveringfromsomenervousaffection，felldownsometimesoverhiswhite，sightlessorbs.Hadheanyintellect，anythinkingfaculty，anyconsciousnessofhisownexistence？Nobodycaredtoinquire.
Forsomeyearsthingswentoninthisfashion.Buthisincapacityforworkaswellashisimpassivenesseventuallyexasperatedhisrelatives，andhebecamealaughingstock，asortofbuttformerriment，apreytotheinbornferocity，tothesavagegaietyofthebruteswhosurroundedhim.
Itiseasytoimagineallthecruelpracticaljokesinspiredbyhisblindness.And，inordertohavesomefuninreturnforfeedinghim，theynowconvertedhismealsintohoursofpleasurefortheneighborsandofpunishmentforthehelplesscreaturehimself.
Thepeasantsfromthenearesthousescametothisentertainment;itwastalkedaboutfromdoortodoor，andeverydaythekitchenofthefarmhousewasfullofpeople.Sometimestheyplacedbeforehisplate，whenhewasbeginningtoeathissoup，somecatordog.Theanimalinstinctivelyperceivedtheman’sinfirmity，and，softlyapproaching，commencedeatingnoiselessly，lappingupthesoupdaintily;and，whentheylappedthefoodrathernoisily，rousingthepoorfellow’sattention，theywouldprudentlyscamperawaytoavoidtheblowofthespoondirectedatrandombytheblindman！
Thenthespectatorsrangedalongthewallwouldburstoutlaughing，nudgeeachotherandstamptheirfeetonthefloor.Andhe，withouteverutteringaword，wouldcontinueeatingwithhisrighthand，whilestretchingouthislefttoprotecthisplate.
Anothertimetheymadehimchewcorks，bitsofwood，leavesorevenfilth，whichhewasunabletodistinguish.
Afterthistheygottiredevenofthesepracticaljokes，andthebrother—
in—law，angryathavingtosupporthimalways，struckhim，cuffedhimincessantly，laughingathisfutileeffortstowardofforreturntheblows.Thencameanewpleasure——thepleasureofsmackinghisface.Andtheplough—men，theservantgirlsandeveneverypassingvagabondwereeverymomentgivinghimcuffs，whichcausedhiseyelashestotwitchspasmodically.Hedidnotknowwheretohidehimselfandremainedwithhisarmsalwaysheldouttoguardagainstpeoplecomingtooclosetohim.
Atlasthewasforcedtobeg.
Hewasplacedsomewhereonthehigh—roadonmarket—days，andassoonasheheardthesoundoffootstepsortherollingofavehicle，hereachedouthishat，stammering：
"Charity，ifyouplease！"
Butthepeasantisnotlavish，andforwholeweekshedidnotbringbackasou.
Thenhebecamethevictimoffurious，pitilesshatred.Andthisishowhedied.
Onewinterthegroundwascoveredwithsnow，anditwasfreezinghard.
Hisbrother—in—lawledhimonemorningagreatdistancealongthehighroadinorderthathemightsolicitalms.Theblindmanwasleftthereallday;andwhennightcameon，thebrother—in—lawtoldthepeopleofhishousethathecouldfindnotraceofthemendicant.Thenheadded：
"Pooh！bestnotbotherabouthim！Hewascoldandgotsomeonetotakehimaway.Neverfear！he’snotlost.He’llturnupsoonenoughtomorrowtoeatthesoup."
Nextdayhedidnotcomeback.
Afterlonghoursofwaiting，stiffenedwiththecold，feelingthathewasdying，theblindmanbegantowalk.Beingunabletofindhiswayalongtheroad，owingtoitsthickcoatingofice，hewentonatrandom，fallingintoditches，gettingupagain，withoututteringasound，hissoleobjectbeingtofindsomehousewherehecouldtakeshelter.
But，bydegrees，thedescendingsnowmadeanumbnessstealoverhim，andhisfeeblelimbsbeingincapableofcarryinghimfarther，hesatdowninthemiddleofanopenfield.Hedidnotgetupagain.
Thewhiteflakeswhichfellcontinuouslyburiedhim，sothathisbody，quitestiffandstark，disappearedundertheincessantaccumulationoftheirrapidlythickeningmass，andnothingwaslefttoindicatetheplacewherehelay.
Hisrelativesmadeapretenceofinquiringabouthimandsearchingforhimforaboutaweek.Theyevenmadeashowofweeping.
Thewinterwassevere，andthethawdidnotsetinquickly.Now，oneSunday，ontheirwaytomass，thefarmersnoticedagreatflightofcrows，whowerewhirlingincessantlyabovetheopenfield，andthendescendinglikeashowerofblackrainatthesamespot，evergoingandcoming.
Thefollowingweekthesegloomybirdswerestillthere.Therewasacrowdofthemupintheair，asiftheyhadgatheredfromallcornersofthehorizon，andtheyswoopeddownwithagreatcawingintotheshiningsnow，whichtheycoveredlikeblackpatches，andinwhichtheykeptpeckingobstinately.Ayoungfellowwenttoseewhattheyweredoinganddiscoveredthebodyoftheblindman，alreadyhalfdevoured，mangled.
Hiswaneyeshaddisappeared，peckedoutbythelong，voraciousbeaks.
AndIcanneverfeelthegladradianceofsunlitdayswithoutsadlyrememberingandponderingoverthefateofthebeggarwhowassuchanoutcastinlife—thathishorribledeathwasarelieftoallwhohadknownhim.
INDISCRETION
Theyhadlovedeachotherbeforemarriagewithapureandloftylove.
Theyhadfirstmetonthesea—shore.Hehadthoughtthisyounggirlcharming，asshepassedbywithherlight—coloredparasolandherdaintydressamidthemarinelandscapeagainstthehorizon.Hehadlovedher，blondandslender，inthesesurroundingsofblueoceanandspacioussky.
Hecouldnotdistinguishthetendernesswhichthisbuddingwomanawokeinhimfromthevagueandpowerfulemotionwhichthefreshsaltairandthegrandsceneryofsurfandsunshineandwavesarousedinhissoul.
She，ontheotherhand，hadlovedhimbecausehecourtedher，becausehewasyoung，rich，kind，andattentive.Shehadlovedhimbecauseitisnaturalforyounggirlstolovemenwhowhispersweetnothingstothem.
So，forthreemonths，theyhadlivedsidebyside，andhandinhand.
Thegreetingwhichtheyexchangedinthemorningbeforethebath，inthefreshnessofthemorning，orintheeveningonthesand，underthestars，inthewarmthofacalmnight，whisperedlow，verylow，alreadyhadtheflavorofkisses，thoughtheirlipshadnevermet.
Eachdreamedoftheotheratnight，eachthoughtoftheotheronawaking，and，withoutyethavingvoicedtheirsentiments，eachlongerfortheother，bodyandsoul.
Aftermarriagetheirlovedescendedtoearth.Itwasatfirstatireless，sensuouspassion，thenexaltedtendernesscomposedoftangiblepoetry，morerefinedcaresses，andnewandfoolishinventions.Everyglanceandgesturewasanexpressionofpassion.
But，littlebylittle，withoutevennoticingit，theybegantogettiredofeachother.Lovewasstillstrong，buttheyhadnothingmoretorevealtoeachother，nothingmoretolearnfromeachother，nonewtaleofendearment，nounexpectedoutburst，nonewwayofexpressingthewell—
known，oft—repeatedverb.
Theytried，however，torekindlethedwindlingflameofthefirstlove.
Everydaytheytriedsomenewtrickordesperateattempttobringbacktotheirheartstheuncooledardoroftheirfirstdaysofmarriedlife.
Theytriedmoonlightwalksunderthetrees，inthesweetwarmthofthesummerevenings：thepoetryofmist—coveredbeaches;theexcitementofpublicfestivals.
OnemorningHenriettesaidtoPaul：
"Willyoutakemetoacafefordinner？"
"Certainly，dearie."
"Tosomewell—knowncafe？"
"Ofcourse！"
Helookedatherwithaquestioningglance，seeingthatshewasthinkingofsomethingwhichshedidnotwishtotell.
Shewenton：
"Youknow，oneofthosecafes——oh，howcanIexplainmyself？——asportycafe！"
Hesmiled："Ofcourse，Iunderstand——youmeaninoneofthecafeswhicharecommonlycalledbohemian."
"Yes，that’sit.Buttakemetooneofthebigplaces，onewhereyouareknown，onewhereyouhavealreadysupped——no——dined——well，youknow——I———
—I——oh！Iwillneverdaresayit！"
"Goahead，dearie.Littlesecretsshouldnolongerexistbetweenus."
"No，Idarenot."
"Goon;don’tbeprudish.Tellme."
"Well，I——I——Iwanttobetakenforyoursweetheart——there！andIwanttheboys，whodonotknowthatyouaremarried，totakemeforsuch;andyoutoo——IwantyoutothinkthatIamyoursweetheartforonehour，inthatplacewhichmustholdsomanymemoriesforyou.There！AndIwillplaythatIamyoursweetheart.It’sawful，Iknow——Iamabominablyashamed，Iamasredasapeony.Don’tlookatme！"
Helaughed，greatlyamused，andanswered：
"Allright，wewillgoto—nighttoaveryswellplacewhereIamwellknown."
Towardseveno’clocktheywentupthestairsofoneofthebigcafesontheBoulevard，he，smiling，withthelookofaconqueror，she，timid，veiled，delighted.Theywereimmediatelyshowntooneoftheluxuriousprivatedining—rooms，furnishedwithfourlargearm—chairsandaredplushcouch.Theheadwaiterenteredandbroughtthemthemenu.Paulhandedittohiswife.
"Whatdoyouwanttoeat？"
"Idon’tcare;orderwhateverisgood."
Afterhandinghiscoattothewaiter，heordereddinnerandchampagne.
Thewaiterlookedattheyoungwomanandsmiled.Hetooktheorderandmurmured：
"WillMonsieurPaulhavehischampagnesweetordry？"
"Dry，verydry."
Henriettewaspleasedtohearthatthismanknewherhusband’sname.
Theysatonthecouch，sidebyside，andbegantoeat.
Tencandleslightedtheroomandwerereflectedinthemirrorsallaroundthem，whichseemedtoincreasethebrilliancyathousand—fold.
Henriettedrankglassafterglassinordertokeepuphercourage，althoughshefeltdizzyafterthefirstfewglasses.Paul，excitedbythememorieswhichreturnedtohim，keptkissinghiswife’shands.Hiseyesweresparkling.
Shewasfeelingstrangelyexcitedinthisnewplace，restless，pleased，alittleguilty，butfulloflife.Twowaiters，serious，silent，accustomedtoseeingandforgettingeverything，toenteringtheroomonlywhenitwasnecessaryandtoleavingitwhentheyfelttheywereintruding，weresilentlyflittinghitherandthither.
Towardthemiddleofthedinner，Henriettewaswellundertheinfluenceofchampagne.Shewasprattlingalongfearlessly，hercheeksflushed，hereyesglistening.
"Come，Paul;tellmeeverything."
"What，sweetheart？"
"Idon’tdaretellyou."
"Goon！"
"Haveyoulovedmanywomenbeforeme？"
Hehesitated，alittleperplexed，notknowingwhetherheshouldhidehisadventuresorboastofthem.
Shecontinued：
"Oh！pleasetellme.Howmanyhaveyouloved？"
"Afew."
"Howmany？"
"Idon’tknow.Howdoyouexpectmetoknowsuchthings？"
"Haven’tyoucountedthem？"
"Ofcoursenot."
"Thenyoumusthavelovedagoodmany！"
"Perhaps."
"Abouthowmany？Justtellmeabouthowmany."
"ButIdon’tknow，dearest.Someyearsagoodmany，andsomeyearsonlyafew."
"Howmanyayear，didyousay？"
"Sometimestwentyorthirty，sometimesonlyfourorfive."
"Oh！thatmakesmorethanahundredinall！"
"Yes，justabout."
"Oh！Ithinkthatisdreadful！"
"Whydreadful？"
"Becauseit’sdreadfulwhenyouthinkofit——allthosewomen——andalways——alwaysthesamething.Oh！it’sdreadful，justthesame——morethanahundredwomen！"
Hewassurprisedthatsheshouldthinkthatdreadful，andanswered，withtheairofsuperioritywhichmentakewithwomenwhentheywishtomakethemunderstandthattheyhavesaidsomethingfoolish：
"That’sfunny！Ifitisdreadfultohaveahundredwomen，it’sdreadfultohaveone."
"Oh，no，notatall！"
"Whynot？"
"Becausewithonewomanyouhavearealbondoflovewhichattachesyoutoher，whilewithahundredwomenit’snotthesameatall.Thereisnoreallove.Idon’tunderstandhowamancanassociatewithsuchwomen."
"Buttheyareallright."
"No，theycan’tbe！"
"Yes，theyare！"
"Oh，stop;youdisgustme！"
"Butthen，whydidyouaskmehowmanysweetheartsIhadhad？"
"Because————"
"That’snoreason！"
"Whatwerethey—actresses，littleshop—girls，orsocietywomen？"
"Afewofeach."
"Itmusthavebeenrathermonotonoustowardthelast."
"Oh，no;it’samusingtochange."
Sheremainedthoughtful，staringatherchampagneglass.Itwasfull——
shedrankitinonegulp;thenputtingitbackonthetable，shethrewherarmsaroundherhusband’sneckandmurmuredinhisear：
"Oh！howIloveyou，sweetheart！howIloveyou！"
Hethrewhisarmsaroundherinapassionateembrace.Awaiter，whowasjustentering，backedout，closingthedoordiscreetly.Inaboutfiveminutestheheadwaitercameback，solemnanddignified，bringingthefruitfordessert.Shewasoncemoreholdingbetweenherfingersafullglass，andgazingintotheamberliquidasthoughseekingunknownthings.
Shemurmuredinadreamyvoice：
"Yes，itmustbefun！"
AFAMILYAFFAIR
ThesmallengineattachedtotheNeuillysteam—tramwhistledasitpassedthePorteMaillottowarnallobstaclestogetoutofitswayandpuffedlikeapersonoutofbreathasitsentoutitssteam，itspistonsmovingrapidlywithanoiseasofironlegsrunning.ThetrainwasgoingalongthebroadavenuethatendsattheSeine.ThesultryheatatthecloseofaJulydaylayoverthewholecity，andfromtheroad，althoughtherewasnotabreathofwindstirring，therearoseawhite，chalky，suffocating，warmdust，whichadheredtothemoistskin，filledtheeyesandgotintothelungs.Peoplestoodinthedoorwaysoftheirhousestotryandgetabreathofair.
Thewindowsofthesteam—tramwereopenandthecurtainsflutteredinthewind.Therewereveryfewpassengersinside，becauseonwarmdayspeoplepreferredtheoutsideortheplatforms.Theyconsistedofstoutwomeninpeculiarcostumes，ofthoseshopkeepers’wivesfromthesuburbs，whomadeupforthedistinguishedlookswhichtheydidnotpossessbyill—assumeddignity;ofmentiredfromoffice—work，withyellowfaces，stoopedshoulders，andwithoneshoulderhigherthantheother，inconsequenceof，theirlonghoursofwritingatadesk.Theiruneasyandmelancholyfacesalsospokeofdomestictroubles，ofconstantwantofmoney，disappointedhopes，fortheyallbelongedtothearmyofpoor，threadbaredevilswhovegetateeconomicallyincheap，plasteredhouseswithatinypieceofneglectedgardenontheoutskirtsofParis，inthemidstofthosefieldswherenightsoilisdeposited.
Ashort，corpulentman，withapuffyface，dressedallinblackandwearingadecorationinhisbuttonhole，wastalkingtoatall，thinman，dressedinadirty，whitelinensuit，thecoatallunbuttoned，withawhitePanamahatonhishead.Theformerspokesoslowlyandhesitatinglythatitoccasionallyalmostseemedasifhestammered;hewasMonsieurCaravan，chiefclerkintheAdmiralty.Theother，whohadformerlybeensurgeononboardamerchantship，hadsetupinpracticeinCourbevoie，whereheappliedthevagueremnantsofmedicalknowledgewhichhehadretainedafteranadventurouslife，tothewretchedpopulationofthatdistrict.HisnamewasChenet，andstrangerumorswerecurrentastohismorality.
MonsieurCaravanhadalwaysledthenormallifeofamaninaGovernmentoffice.Forthelastthirtyyearshehadinvariablygonethesamewaytohisofficeeverymorning，andhadmetthesamemengoingtobusinessatthesametime，andnearlyonthesamespot，andhereturnedhomeeveryeveningbythesameroad，andagainmetthesamefaceswhichhehadseengrowingold.Everymorning，afterbuyinghispennypaperatthecorneroftheFaubourgSaintHonore，heboughttworolls，andthenwenttohisoffice，likeaculpritwhoisgivinghimselfuptojustice，andgottohisdeskasquicklyaspossible，alwaysfeelinguneasy;asthoughhewereexpectingarebukeforsomeneglectofdutyofwhichhemighthavebeenguilty.
Nothinghadeveroccurredtochangethemonotonousorderofhisexistence，fornoeventaffectedhimexcepttheworkofhisoffice，perquisites，gratuities，andpromotion.Heneverspokeofanythingbutofhisduties，eitherattheoffice，orathome——hehadmarriedtheportionlessdaughterofoneofhiscolleagues.Hismind，whichwasinastateofatrophyfromhisdepressingdailywork，hadnootherthoughts，hopesordreamsthansuchasrelatedtotheoffice，andtherewasaconstantsourceofbitternessthatspoilteverypleasurethathemighthavehad，andthatwastheemploymentofsomanynavalofficials，tinsmiths，astheywerecalledbecauseoftheirsilver—laceasfirst—
classclerks;andeveryeveningatdinnerhediscussedthematterhotlywithhiswife，whosharedhisangryfeelings，andprovedtotheirownsatisfactionthatitwasineverywayunjusttogiveplacesinParistomenwhooughtproperlytohavebeenemployedinthenavy.
Hewasoldnow，andhadscarcelynoticedhowhislifewaspassing，forschoolhadmerelybeenexchangedfortheofficewithoutanyintermediatetransition，andtheushers，atwhomhehadformerlytrembled，werereplacedbyhischiefs，ofwhomhewasterriblyafraid.Whenhehadtogointotheroomsoftheseofficialdespots，itmadehimtremblefromheadtofoot，andthatconstantfearhadgivenhimaveryawkwardmannerintheirpresence，ahumbledemeanor，andakindofnervousstammering.
HeknewnothingmoreaboutParisthanablindmanmightknowwhowasledtothesamespotbyhisdogeveryday;andifhereadtheaccountofanyuncommoneventsorscandalsinhispennypaper，theyappearedtohimlikefantastictales，whichsomepressmanhadmadeupoutofhisownhead，inordertoamusetheinferioremployees.Hedidnotreadthepoliticalnews，whichhispaperfrequentlyalteredasthecausewhichsubsidizeditmightrequire，forhewasnotfondofinnovations，andwhenhewentthroughtheAvenueoftheChamps—Elyseeseveryevening，helookedatthesurgingcrowdofpedestrians，andatthestreamofcarriages，asatravellermightwhohaslosthiswayinastrangecountry.
Ashehadcompletedhisthirtyyearsofobligatoryservicethatyear，onthefirstofJanuary，hehadhadthecrossoftheLegionofHonorbestoweduponhim，which，inthesemi—militarypublicoffices，isarecompenseforthemiserableslavery——theofficialphraseis，loyalservices——ofunfortunateconvictswhoarerivetedtotheirdesk.Thatunexpecteddignitygavehimahighandnewideaofhisowncapacities，andaltogetherchangedhim.Heimmediatelyleftoffwearinglighttrousersandfancywaistcoats，andworeblacktrousersandlongcoats，onwhichhisribbon，whichwasverybroad，showedoffbetter.Hegotshavedeverymorning，manicuredhisnailsmorecarefully，changedhislineneverytwodays，fromalegitimatesenseofwhatwasproper，andoutofrespectforthenationalOrder，ofwhichheformedapart，andfromthatdayhewasanotherCaravan，scrupulouslyclean，majesticandcondescending.
Athome，hesaid，"mycross，"ateverymoment，andhehadbecomesoproudofit，thathecouldnotbeartoseemenwearinganyotherribbonintheirbutton—holes.Hebecameespeciallyangryonseeingstrangeorders：
"WhichnobodyoughttobeallowedtowearinFrance，"andheboreChenetaparticulargrudge，ashemethimonatram—careveryevening，wearingadecorationofonekindoranother，white，blue，orange，orgreen.
Theconversationofthetwomen，fromtheArcdeTriomphetoNeuilly，wasalwaysthesame，andonthatdaytheydiscussed，firstofall，variouslocalabuseswhichdisgustedthemboth，andtheMayorofNeuillyreceivedhisfullshareoftheircensure.Then，asinvariablyhappensinthecompanyofmedicalmanCaravanbegantoenlargeonthechapterofillness，asinthatmanner，hehopedtoobtainalittlegratuitousadvice，ifhewascarefulnottoshowhishand.Hismotherhadbeencausinghimnolittleanxietyforsometime;shehadfrequentandprolongedfaintingfits，and，althoughshewasninety，shewouldnottakecareofherself.
Caravangrewquitetender—heartedwhenhementionedhergreatage，andmorethanonceaskedDoctorChenet，emphasizingtheworddoctor——althoughhewasnotfullyqualified，beingonlyanOffcierdeSante——whetherhehadoftenmetanyoneasoldasthat.Andherubbedhishandswithpleasure;not，perhaps，thathecaredverymuchaboutseeingthegoodwomanlastforeverhereonearth，butbecausethelongdurationofhismother’slifewas，asitwereanearnestofoldageforhimself，andhecontinued：
"Inmyfamily，welastlong，andIamsurethat，unlessImeetwithanaccident，IshallnotdieuntilIamveryold."
Thedoctorlookedathimwithpity，andglancedforamomentathisneighbor’sredface，hisshort，thickneck，his"corporation，"asChenetcalledittohimself，histwofat，flabbylegs，andtheapoplecticrotundityoftheoldofficial;andraisingthewhitePanamahatfromhishead，hesaidwithasnigger：
"Iamnotsosureofthat，oldfellow;yourmotherisastoughasnails，andIshouldsaythatyourlifeisnotaverygoodone."
ThisratherupsetCaravan，whodidnotspeakagainuntilthetramputthemdownattheirdestination，wherethetwofriendsgotout，andChenetaskedhisfriendtohaveaglassofvermouthattheCafeduGlobe，opposite，whichbothofthemwereinthehabitoffrequenting.Theproprietor，whowasafriendoftheirs，heldouttothemtwofingers，whichtheyshookacrossthebottlesofthecounter;andthentheyjoinedthreeoftheirfriends，whowereplayingdominoes，andwhohadbeentheresincemidday.Theyexchangedcordialgreetings，withtheusualquestion：
"Anythingnew？"Andthenthethreeplayerscontinuedtheirgame，andheldouttheirhandswithoutlookingup，whentheotherswishedthem"Good—night，"andthentheybothwenthometodinner.
Caravanlivedinasmalltwo—storyhouseinCourbevaie，nearwheretheroadsmeet;thegroundfloorwasoccupiedbyahair—dresser.Twobedrooms，adining—roomandakitchen，formedthewholeoftheirapartments，andMadameCaravanspentnearlyherwholetimeincleaningthemup，whileherdaughter，Marie—Louise，whowastwelve，andherson，Phillip—Auguste，wererunningaboutwithallthelittle，dirty，mischievousbratsoftheneighborhood，andplayinginthegutter.
Caravanhadinstalledhismother，whoseavaricewasnotoriousintheneighborhood，andwhowasterriblythin，intheroomabovethem.Shewasalwayscross，andsheneverpassedadaywithoutquarrelingandflyingintofurioustempers.Shewouldapostrophizetheneighbors，whowerestandingattheirowndoors，thecoster—mongers，thestreet—sweepers，andthestreet—boys，inthemostviolentlanguage;andthelatter，tohavetheirrevenge，usedtofollowheratadistancewhenshewentout，andcalloutrudethingsafterher.
AlittleservantfromNormandy，whowasincrediblygiddyandthoughtless，performedthehouseholdwork，andsleptonthesecondfloorinthesameroomastheoldwoman，forfearofanythinghappeningtoherinthenight.
WhenCaravangotin，hiswife，whosufferedfromachronicpassionforcleaning，waspolishingupthemahoganychairsthatwerescatteredabouttheroomwithapieceofflannel.Shealwaysworecottongloves，andadornedherheadwithacapornamentedwithmanycoloredribbons，whichwasalwaystiltedoveroneear;andwheneveranyonecaughtherpolishing，sweeping，orwashing，sheusedtosay：
"Iamnotrich;everythingisverysimpleinmyhouse，butcleanlinessismyluxury，andthatisworthquiteasmuchasanyother."
Asshewasgiftedwithsound，obstinate，practicalcommonsense，sheledherhusbandineverything.Everyeveningduringdinner，andafterwardswhentheywereintheirroom，theytalkedoverthebusinessoftheofficeforalongtime，andalthoughshewastwentyyearsyoungerthanhewas，heconfidedeverythingtoherasifshetookthelead，andfollowedheradviceineverymatter.
Shehadneverbeenpretty，andnowshehadgrownugly;inadditiontothat，shewasshortandthin，whilehercarelessandtastelesswayofdressingherselfconcealedherfewsmallfeminineattractions，whichmighthavebeenbroughtoutifshehadpossessedanytasteindress.
Herskirtswerealwaysawry，andshefrequentlyscratchedherself，nomatteronwhatpartofherperson，totallyindifferentastowhomightseeher，andsopersistently，thatanyonewhosawhermightthinkthatshewassufferingfromsomethingliketheitch.Theonlyadornmentsthatsheallowedherselfweresilkribbons，whichshehadingreatprofusion，andofvariouscolorsmixedtogether，inthepretentiouscapswhichsheworeathome.
Assoonasshesawherhusbandsheroseandsaid，asshekissedhiswhiskers：
"DidyourememberPotin，mydear？"
Hefellintoachair，inconsternation，forthatwasthefourthtimeonwhichhehadforgottenacommissionthathehadpromisedtodoforher.
"Itisafatality，"hesaid;"itisnogoodformetothinkofitalldaylong，forIamsuretoforgetitintheevening."
Butasheseemedreallysoverysorry，shemerelysaid，quietly：
"Youwillthinkofitto—morrow，Idaresay.Anythingnewattheoffice？"
"Yes，agreatpieceofnews;anothertinsmithhasbeenappointedsecondchiefclerk."Shebecameveryserious，andsaid：
"SohesucceedsRamon;thiswastheverypostthatIwantedyoutohave.
AndwhataboutRamon？"
"Heretiresonhispension."
Shebecamefurious，hercapsliddownonhershoulder，andshecontinued：
"Thereisnothingmoretobedoneinthatshopnow.Andwhatisthenameofthenewcommissioner？"
"Bonassot."
ShetookuptheNavalYearBook，whichshealwayskeptcloseathand，andlookedhimup.
"’Bonassot—Toulon.Bornin1851.StudentCommissionerin1871.Sub—
Commissionerin1875.’Hashebeentosea？"shecontinued.AtthatquestionCaravan’slooksclearedup，andhelaugheduntilhissidesshook.
"AsmuchasBalin——asmuchasBaffin，hischief."Andheaddedanoldofficejoke，andlaughedmorethanever：
"ItwouldnotevendotosendthembywatertoinspectthePoint—du—Jour，fortheywouldbesickonthepennysteamboatsontheSeine."
Butsheremainedasseriousasifshehadnotheardhim，andthenshesaidinalowvoice，asshescratchedherchin：
"IfweonlyhadaDeputytofallbackupon.WhentheChamberhearseverythingthatisgoingonattheAdmiralty，theMinisterwillbeturnedout————，Shewasinterruptedbyaterriblenoiseonthestairs.Marie—LouiseandPhilippe—Auguste，whohadjustcomeinfromthegutter，wereslappingeachotherallthewayupstairs.Theirmotherrushedatthemfuriously，andtakingeachofthembyanarmshedraggedthemintotheroom，shakingthemvigorously;butassoonastheysawtheirfather，theyrusheduptohim，andhekissedthemaffectionately，andtakingoneofthemoneachknee，begantotalktothem.
Philippe—Augustewasanugly，ill—kemptlittlebrat，dirtyfromheadtofoot，withthefaceofanidiot，andMarie—Louisewasalreadylikehermother——spokelikeher，repeatedherwords，andevenimitatedhermovements.Shealsoaskedhimwhethertherewasanythingfreshattheoffice，andherepliedmerrily：
"Yourfriend，Ramon，whocomesanddineshereeverySunday，isgoingtoleaveus，littleone.Thereisanewsecondhead—clerk."
Shelookedatherfather，andwithaprecociouschild’spity，shesaid：
"Anothermanhasbeenputoveryourheadagain."
Hestoppedlaughing，anddidnotreply，andinordertocreateadiversion，hesaid，addressinghiswife，whowascleaningthewindows：
"Howismamma，upstairs？"
MadameCaravanleftoffrubbing，turnedround.pulledhercapup，asithadfallenquiteontoherback，andsaidwithtremblinglips：
"Ah！yes;letustalkaboutyourmother，forshehasmadeaprettyscene.Justimagine：ashorttimeagoMadameLebaudin，thehairdresser’swife，cameupstairstoborrowapacketofstarchofme，and，asIwasnotathome，yourmotherchasedheroutasthoughshewereabeggar;butI
gaveittotheoldwoman.Shepretendednottohear，asshealwaysdoeswhenonetellsherunpleasanttruths，butsheisnomoredeafthanIam，asyouknow.Itisallasham，andtheproofofitis，thatshewentuptoherownroomimmediately，withoutsayingaword."
Caravan，embarrassed，didnotutteraword，andatthatmomentthelittleservantcameintoannouncedinner.Inordertolethismotherknow，hetookabroom—handle，whichalwaysstoodinacorner，andrappedloudlyontheceilingthreetimes，andthentheywentintothedining—room.MadameCaravan，junior，helpedthesoup，andwaitedfortheoldwoman，butshedidnotcome，andasthesoupwasgettingcold，theybegantoeatslowly，andwhentheirplateswereempty，theywaitedagain，andMadameCaravan，whowasfurious，attackedherhusband：
"Shedoesitonpurpose，youknowthataswellasIdo.Butyoualwaysupholdher."
Notknowingwhichsidetotake，hesentMarie—Louisetofetchhergrandmother，andhesatmotionless，withhiseyescastdown，whilehiswifetappedherglassangrilywithherknife.Inaboutaminute，thedoorflewopensuddenly，andthechildcameinagain，outofbreathandverypale，andsaidhurriedly：
"Grandmammahasfallenonthefloor."
Caravanjumpedup，threwhistable—napkindown，andrushedupstairs，whilehiswife，whothoughtitwassometrickofhermother—in—law’s，followedmoreslowly，shrugginghershoulders，asiftoexpressherdoubt.Whentheygotupstairs，however，theyfoundtheoldwomanlyingatfulllengthinthemiddleoftheroom;andwhentheyturnedherover，theysawthatshewasinsensibleandmotionless，whileherskinlookedmorewrinkledandyellowthanusual，hereyeswereclosed，herteethclenched，andherthinbodywasstiff.
Caravankneltdownbyher，andbegantomoan.
"Mypoormother！mypoormother！"hesaid.ButtheotherMadameCaravansaid：
"Bah！Shehasonlyfaintedagain，thatisall，andshehasdoneittopreventusfromdiningcomfortably，youmaybesureofthat."
Theyputheronthebed，undressedhercompletely，andCaravan，hiswife，andtheservantbegantorubher;but，inspiteoftheirefforts，shedidnotrecoverconsciousness，sotheysentRosalie，theservant，tofetchDoctorChenet.Helivedalongwayoff，onthequay，goingtowardsSuresnes，andsoitwasaconsiderabletimebeforehearrived.Hecameatlast，however，and，afterhavinglookedattheoldwoman，feltherpulse，andlistenedforaheartbeat，hesaid："Itisallover."
Caravanthrewhimselfonthebody，sobbingviolently;hekissedhismother’srigidface，andweptsothatgreattearsfellonthedeadwoman’sfacelikedropsofwater，and，naturally，MadameCaravan，junior，showedadecorousamountofgrief，andutteredfeeblemoansasshestoodbehindherhusband，whilesherubbedhereyesvigorously.
But，suddenly，Caravanraisedhimselfup，withhisthinhairindisorder，and，lookingveryuglyinhisgrief，said：
"But——areyousure，doctor？Areyouquitesure？"
Thedoctorstoopedoverthebody，and，handlingitwithprofessionaldexterity，asashopkeepermightdo，whenshowingoffhisgoods，hesaid：
"See，mydearfriend，lookathereye."
Heraisedtheeyelid，andtheoldwoman’seyeappearedaltogetherunaltered，unless，perhaps，thepupilwasratherlarger，andCaravanfeltasevereshockatthesight.ThenMonsieurChenettookherthinarm，forcedthefingersopen，andsaid，angrily，asifhehadbeencontradicted：
"Justlookatherhand;Inevermakeamistake，youmaybequitesureofthat."
Caravanfellonthebed，andalmostbellowed，whilehiswife，stillwhimpering，didwhatwasnecessary.
Shebroughtthenight—table，onwhichshespreadatowelandplacedfourwaxcandlesonit，whichshelighted;thenshetookasprigofbox，whichwashangingoverthechimneyglass，andputitbetweenthefourcandles，inaplate，whichshefilledwithcleanwater，asshehadnoholywater.
But，afteramoment’srapidreflection，shethrewapinchofsaltintothewater，nodoubtthinkingshewasperformingsomesortofactofconsecrationbydoingthat，andwhenshehadfinished，sheremainedstandingmotionless，andthedoctor，whohadbeenhelpingher，whisperedtoher：
"WemusttakeCaravanaway."
Shenoddedassent，and，goinguptoherhusband，whowasstillonhisknees，sobbing，sheraisedhimupbyonearm，whileChenettookhimbytheother.
Theyputhimintoachair，andhiswifekissedhisforehead，andthenbegantolecturehim.Chenetenforcedherwordsandpreachedfirmness，courage，andresignation——theverythingswhicharealwayswantinginsuchoverwhelmingmisfortunes——andthenbothofthemtookhimbythearmsagainandledhimout.
Hewascryinglikeagreatchild，withconvulsivesobs;hisarmshangingdown，andhislegsweak，andhewentdownstairswithoutknowingwhathewasdoing，andmovinghisfeetmechanically.Theyputhimintothechairwhichhealwaysoccupiedatdinner，infrontofhisemptysoupplate.
Andtherehesat，withoutmoving，hiseyesfixedonhisglass，andsostupefiedwithgrief，thathecouldnoteventhink.
Inacorner，MadameCaravanwastalkingwiththedoctorandaskingwhatthenecessaryformalitieswere，asshewantedtoobtainpracticalinformation.Atlast，MonsieurChenet，whoappearedtobewaitingforsomething，tookuphishatandpreparedtogo，sayingthathehadnotdinedyet;whereuponsheexclaimed：
"What！youhavenotdined？Why，stayhere，doctor;don’tgo.Youshallhavewhateverwehave，for，ofcourse，youunderstandthatwedonotfaresumptuously."Hemadeexcusesandrefused，butshepersisted，andsaid：
"Youreallymuststay;attimeslikethis，peopleliketohavefriendsnearthem，and，besidesthat，perhapsyouwillbeabletopersuademyhusbandtotakesomenourishment;hemustkeepuphisstrength."
Thedoctorbowed，and，puttingdownhishat，hesaid：
"Inthatcase，Iwillacceptyourinvitation，madame."
ShegaveRosalie，whoseemedtohavelostherhead，someorders，andthensatdown，"topretendtoeat，"asshesaid，"tokeepthedoctorcompany."
Thesoupwasbroughtinagain，andMonsieurChenettooktwohelpings.
Thentherecameadishoftripe，whichexhaledasmellofonions，andwhichMadameCaravanmadeuphermindtotaste.
"Itisexcellent，"thedoctorsaid，atwhichshesmiled，and，turningtoherhusband，shesaid：
"Dotakealittle，mypoorAlfred，onlyjusttoputsomethinginyourstomach.Rememberthatyouhavegottopassthenightwatchingbyher！"
Heheldouthisplate，docilely，justashewouldhavegonetobed，ifhehadbeentoldto，obeyingherineverything，withoutresistanceandwithoutreflection，andheate;thedoctorhelpedhimselfthreetimes，whileMadameCaravan，fromtimetotime，fishedoutalargepieceattheendofherfork，andswalloweditwithasortofstudiedindifference.
Whenasaladbowlfullofmacaroniwasbroughtin，thedoctorsaid：
"ByJove！ThatiswhatIamveryfondof."Andthistime，MadameCaravanhelpedeverybody.Sheevenfilledthesaucersthatwerebeingscrapedbythechildren，who，beinglefttothemselves，hadbeendrinkingwinewithoutanywater，andwerenowkickingeachotherunderthetable.
ChenetrememberedthatRossini，thecomposer，hadbeenveryfondofthatItaliandish，andsuddenlyheexclaimed：
"Why！thatrhymes，andonecouldbeginsomelineslikethis：
TheMaestroRossiniWasfondofmacaroni."
Nobodylistenedtohim，however.MadameCaravan，whohadsuddenlygrownthoughtful，wasthinkingofalltheprobableconsequencesoftheevent，whileherhusbandmadebreadpellets，whichheputonthetable—cloth，andlookedatwithafixed，idioticstare.Ashewasdevouredbythirst，hewascontinuallyraisinghisglassfullofwinetohislips，andtheconsequencewasthathismind，whichhadbeenupsetbytheshockandgrief，seemedtobecomevague，andhisideasdancedaboutasdigestioncommenced.
Thedoctor，who，meanwhile，hadbeendrinkingawaysteadily，wasgettingvisiblydrunk，andMadameCaravanherselffeltthereactionwhichfollowsallnervousshocks，andwasagitatedandexcited，and，althoughshehaddrunknothingbutwater，herheadfeltratherconfused.
Presently，Chenetbegantorelatestoriesofdeaththatappearedcomicaltohim.ForinthatsuburbofParis，thatisfullofpeoplefromtheprovinces，onefindsthatindifferencetowardsdeathwhichallpeasantsshow，wereiteventheirownfatherormother;thatwantofrespect，thatunconsciousbrutalitywhichissocommoninthecountry，andsorareinParis，andhesaid：
"Why，IwassentforlastweektotheRueduPuteaux，andwhenIwent，I
foundthepatientdeadandthewholefamilycalmlysittingbesidethebedfinishingabottleofaniseedcordial，whichhadbeenboughtthenightbeforetosatisfythedyingman’sfancy."
ButMadameCaravanwasnotlistening;shewascontinuallythinkingoftheinheritance，andCaravanwasincapableofunderstandinganythingfurther.
Coffeewaspresentlyserved，andithadbeenmadeverystrongtogivethemcourage.Aseverycupwaswellflavoredwithcognac，itmadealltheirfacesred，andconfusedtheirideasstillmore.Tomakemattersstillworse，Chenetsuddenlyseizedthebrandybottleandpouredout"adropforeachofthemjusttowashtheirmouthsoutwith，"ashetermedit，andthen，withoutspeakinganymore，overcomeinspiteofthemselves，bythatfeelingofanimalcomfortwhichalcoholaffordsafterdinner，theyslowlysippedthesweetcognac，whichformedayellowishsyrupatthebottomoftheircups.
Thechildrenhadfallenasleep，andRosaliecarriedthemofftobed.
Caravan，mechanicallyobeyingthatwishtoforgetoneselfwhichpossessesallunhappypersons，helpedhimselftobrandyagainseveraltimes，andhisdulleyesgrewbright.Atlastthedoctorrosetogo，andseizinghisfriend’sarm，hesaid：
"Comewithme;alittlefreshairwilldoyougood.Whenoneisintrouble，onemustnotremaininonespot."
Theotherobeyedmechanically，putonhishat，tookhisstick，andwentout，andbothofthemwalkedarm—in—armtowardstheSeine，inthestarlightnight.
Theairwaswarmandsweet，forallthegardensintheneighborhoodwerefullofflowersatthisseasonoftheyear，andtheirfragrance，whichisscarcelyperceptibleduringtheday，seemedtoawakenattheapproachofnight，andmingledwiththelightbreezeswhichblewupontheminthedarkness.
Thebroadavenuewithitstworowsofgaslamps，thatextendedasfarastheArcdeTriomphe，wasdesertedandsilent，buttherewasthedistantroarofParis，whichseemedtohaveareddishvaporhangingoverit.
Itwasakindofcontinualrumbling，whichwasattimesansweredbythewhistleofatraininthedistance，travellingatfullspeedtotheocean，throughtheprovinces.
Thefreshaironthefacesofthetwomenratherovercamethematfirst，madethedoctorlosehisequilibriumalittle，andincreasedCaravan’sgiddiness，fromwhichhehadsufferedsincedinner.Hewalkedasifhewereinadream;histhoughtswereparalyzed，althoughhefeltnogreatgrief，forhewasinastateofmentaltorporthatpreventedhimfromsuffering，andheevenfeltasenseofreliefwhichwasincreasedbythemildnessofthenight.