PREFACE
　　Myendeavorhasbeentotellasimplestory，preservingascloselyaspossiblethespiritandfeelingoftheoriginal。I
　　havetried，asitwere，totaketheplaytopieces，andbuildanoveloutofthesamematerial。IhavenotfeltatlibertytoembellishM。Brieux’sideas，andIhaveusedhisdialoguewordforwordwhereverpossible。UnlessIhavemis—readtheauthor，hissolepurposeinwritingLESAVARIESwastoplaceanumberofmostimportantfactsbeforethemindsofthepublic，andtodrivethemhomebymeansofintenseemotion。IfIhavebeenabletoassisthim，thisbitofliterarycarpenteringwillbeworthwhile。IhavetothankM。Brieuxforhiskindpermissiontomaketheattempt，andforthecordialspiritwhichhehasmanifested。
　　UptonSinclairPRESSCOMMENTSONTHEPLAY
　　DAMAGEDGOODSwasfirstpresentedinAmericaataFridaymatineeonMarch14th，1913，intheFultonTheater，NewYork，beforemembersoftheSociologicalFund。ImmediatelyitwasacclaimedbypublicpressandpulpitasthegreatestcontributionevermadebytheStagetothecauseofhumanity。Mr。RichardBennett，theproducer，whohadthecouragetopresenttheplay，withtheaidofhisco—workers，inthefaceofmostsavagecriticismfromtheignorant，wasoverwhelmedwithrequestsforarepetitionoftheperformance。
　　BeforedecidingwhetherofnottopresentDAMAGEDGOODSbeforethegeneralpublic，itwasarrangedthatthehighestofficialsintheUnitedStatesshouldpassjudgmentuponthemannerinwhichtheplayteachesitsvitallesson。AspecialguestperformanceformembersoftheCabinet，membersofbothhousesofCongress，membersoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt，representativesoftheDiplomaticcorpsandothersprominentinnationallifewasgiveninWashington，D。C。
　　AlthoughtheperformancewasgivenonaSundayafternoon（April6，1913），theNationalTheaterwascrowdedtotheverydoorswiththemostdistinguishedaudienceeverassembledinAmerica，includingexclusivelytheforemostmenandwomenoftheCapital。
　　ThemostnotedclergymenofWashingtonwereamongthespectators。
　　TheresultofthisremarkableperformancewasatremendousendorsementoftheplayandofthemannerinwhichMr。Bennettandhisco—workerswerepresentingit。
　　ThisreceptionresultedinthecontinuanceoftheNewYorkperformancesuntilmid—summerandisresponsibleforthedecisiononthepartofMr。BennetttooffertheplayineverycityinAmericawherecitizensfeelthattheultimatewelfareofthecommunityisdependentuponahigherstandardofmoralityandclearerunderstandingofthelawsofhealth。
　　TheWASHINGTONPOST，commentingontheWashingtonperformance，said：
　　Theplaywaspresentedwithalltheimpressivenessofasermon；
　　withallthevigoranddynamicforceofagreatdrama；withalltheearnestnessandpowerofavitaltruth。
　　Inmanyrespectsthepresentationofthisdramatizationofagreatsocialevilassumedtheaspectsofareligiousservice。
　　Dr。DonaldC。Macleod，pastoroftheFirstPresbyterianChurch，mountedtherostrumusuallyoccupiedbytheleaderoftheorchestra，andannouncedthatthenatureoftheperformance，thesacrednessoftheplay，andthecharacteroftheaudiencegavetotheplaythesignificanceofatremendoussermoninbehalfofmankind，andthatassuchitwaseminentlyfittingthatadivineblessingbeinvoked。Dr。EarleWilfley，pastoroftheVermontAvenueChristianChurch，askedallpersonsintheaudiencetobowtheirheadsinaprayerfortheproperreceptionofthemessagetobepresentedfromthestage。Dr。MacLeodthenreadtheBernardShawprefacetotheplay，andaskedthattherebenoapplauseduringtheperformance，asuggestionwhichwasrigidlyfollowed，thusaddinggreatlytotheeffectivenessandtheseriousnessofthedramaticportrayal。
　　Theimpressionmadeupontheaudiencebytheremarkableplayisreflectedinsuchcommentsasthefollowingexpressionsvoicedaftertheperformance：
　　RABBISIMON，OFTHEWASHINGTONHEBREWCONGREGATION——IfIcouldpreachfrommypulpitasermononetenthaspowerful，asconvincing，asfar—reaching，andashelpfulasthisperformanceofDAMAGEDGOODSmustbe，IwouldconsiderthatIhadachievedthetriumphofmylife。
　　COMMISSIONERCUNOH。RUDOLPH——IwasdeeplyimpressedbywhatI
　　saw，andIthinkthatthedramashouldberepeatedineverycity，amatineeonedayforfatherandsonandthenextdayformotheranddaughter。
　　REV。EARLEWILFLEY——IamconfirmedintheopinionthatwemusttakeupourcudgelsinacrusadeagainstthemodernproblemsbroughttotheforebyDAMAGEDGOODS。Thereportthatthesediseasesareincreasingisenoughtomakeusgetbusyonacampaignagainstthem。
　　SURGEONGENERALBLUE——Itwasamoststrikingandtellinglesson。
　　Foryearswehavebeenfightingtheseconditioninthenavy。Itishightimethatciviliansawakenedtothedangerssurroundingthemandcrusadedagainsttheminapropermanner。
　　MRS。ARCHIBALDHOPKINS——Theplaywasapowerfulpresentationofaveryimportantquestionandwashandledinamostadmirablemanner。Thedramaisafineenteringwedgeforthiscrusadeandisboundtodoconsiderablegoodinconveyinginformationofaveryseriousnature。
　　MINISTERPEZET，OFPERU——Therecanbenodoubtbutthattheperformancewillhavegreatupliftingpower，andaccomplishthegoodforwhichitwascreated。Fortunately，wedonothavethepruderyinSouthAmericathatyouofthenorthpossess，andhaveopenmindstoconsidertheseseriousquestions。
　　JUSTICEDANIELTHEWWRIGHT——IfeelquitesurethatDAMAGEDGOODS
　　willhaveconsiderableeffectineducatingthepeopleofthenatureofthedangerthatsurroundsthem。
　　SENATORKERN，OFINDIANA——Therecanbenodenialofthefactthatitistimetolookattheseriousproblemspresentedintheplaywithanopenmind。
　　BrieuxhasbeenhailedbyBernardShawas"incomparablythegreatestwriterFrancehasproducedsinceMoliere，"andperhapsnowritereverwieldedhispenmoreearnestlyintheserviceoftherace。ToquotefromanarticlebyEdwinE。SlossonintheINDEPENDENT：
　　Brieuxisnotonewhobelievesthatsocialevilsaretobecuredbylawsandyetmorelaws。Hebelievesthatmostofthetroubleiscausedbyignoranceandurgeseducation，publicenlightenmentandfrankerrecognitionofexistingconditions。Allthismaybeneeded，butstillwemaywelldoubtitseffectivenessasaremedy。ThedrunkenHelotargumentisnotastrongone，andthosewholeadaviciouslifeknowmoreaboutitsrisksthananyteacherorpreachercouldtellthem。Brieuxalsourgestherequirementofhealthcertificatesformarriage，suchasmanyclergymennowinsistuponandwhichdoubtlesswillbemadecompulsorybeforelonginmanyofourStates。
　　Brieuxpaintsinblackcolorsyetisnofanatic；infact，hewillbecriticisedbymanyasbeingtootolerantofhumanweakness。
　　TheconditionsofsocietyandthemoralstandardsofFrancearesodifferentfromthoseofAmericathathispointofviewandhisproposalsforreformwillnotmeetwithgeneralacceptance，butitisencouragingtofindadramatistwhorealizestheimportanceofbeingearnestandwhouseshisartindefenseofvirtueinsteadofitsdestruction。
　　Othercommentsfollow，showingthegreatinterestmanifestedintheplayandthebeliefinthehighestseriousnessofitspurpose：
　　Thereisnouncleannessinfacts。Theuncleannessisintheglamour，inthesecretimagination。Itisinhints，half—truths，andsuggestionsthethreattolifelies。
　　Thisplayputsthehorribletruthinsolivingaway，withsuchclean，artisticforce，thatthemindisimpressedasitcouldpossiblybeimpressedinnoothermanner。
　　Bestofall，itisthephysicianwhodominatestheaction。Thereisnosentimentalizing。Thereisnoweakandmorbidhandlingofthetheme。Thedoctorappearsinhisidealfunction，asthemodernhigh—priestoftruth。Aroundhimwrithethevictimsofignoranceandthecriminalsofconventionalcruelty。Kind，stern，high—minded，clear—headed，yethuman—hearted，hetowersoverall，asthemaster。
　　Thisisasitshouldbe。Themantosaythewordtosavetheworldofignorantwretches，cursedbythecloudsanddarknessamistakenmodestyhasthrownaroundalife—and—deathinstinct，isthephysician。
　　Theonlyquestionisthis：Isthisplaydecent？MyansweristhatitisthedecentestplaythathasbeeninNewYorkforayear。Itissodecentthatitisreligious。
　　——HEARST’SMAGAZINE。
　　Theplayis，aboveall，apowerfulpleaforthetearingawayoftheveilofmysterythathassouniversallyshroudedthissubjectofthepenaltyofsexualimmorality。Itisapleaforlightonthishiddendanger，thatfathersandmothers，youngmenandyoungwomen，mayknowtheterriblepricethatmustbepaid，notonlybythegenerationthatviolatesthelaw，butbythegenerationstocome。Itisaseriousquestionjusthowtheeducationofmenandwomen，especiallyyoungmenandyoungwomen，inthevitalmattersofsexrelationshipshouldbecarriedon。Onethingissure，however。Theworstpossiblewayistheonewhichhassooftenbeenfollowedinthepast——nottocarryitonatallbuttoignoreit。
　　——THEOUTLOOK。
　　It（DAMAGEDGOODS）is，ofcourse，amasterpieceof"thesisdrama，"——anargument，dogmatic，insistent，inescapable，cumulative，betweenscienceandcommonsense，ononeside，andlove，ofvarioustypes，ontheother。ItiswhatMr。BernardShawhascalleda"dramaofdiscussion"；ithasthesplendidmovementofthebestShawplays，unrelieved——andundiluted——byShavianparadox，wit，andirony。WeimaginethatmanyaudiencesattheFultonTheaterwereastonishedattheplay’sshowingofsheerstrengthasacteddrama。Possiblyitmightnotinterestthegeneralpublic；probablyitwouldbeinadvisabletopresentittothem。Butnothinkingperson，withthemostcasualinterestincurrentsocialevils，couldlistentotheversionofRichardBennett，WiltonLackaye，andtheirassociates，withoutbeinggrippedbythepowerofBrieux’smessage。
　　——THEDIAL。
　　Itisawonderthattheworldhasbeensolongingettingholdofthisplay，whichisoneofFrance’smostvaluablecontributionstothedrama。Itshistoryisinteresting。Brieuxwroteitovertenyearsago。AntoineproduceditathistheaterandParisimmediatelycensoredit，butsoonthoughtbetterofitandremovedtheban。Duringthesummerof1910itwasplayedinBrusselsbeforecrowdedhouses，forthenthecitywasthrongedwithvisitorstotheexposition。FinallyNewYorkgotitlastspringandeugenicenthusiastsanddoctorseverywherehavewelcomedit。
　　——THEINDEPENDENT。
　　AlettertoMr。BennettfromDr。Hills，PastorofPlymouthChurch，Brooklyn。
　　23MonroeStreetBklyn。August1，1913。
　　Mr。RichardBennett，NewYorkCity，N。Y。
　　MyDearMr。Bennett：
　　Duringthepasttwenty—oneyearssinceIenteredpubliclife，I
　　haveexperiencedmanyexcitinghoursundertheinfluenceofreformer，oratorandactor，but，inthismoodofretrospection，I
　　donotknowthatIhaveeverpassedthroughamorethrilling，terrible，andyethopefulexperiencethanlastevening，whileI
　　listenedtoyourinterpretationofEugeneBrieux’"DAMAGED
　　GOODS。"
　　Ihavebeenfollowingyourworkwitheverdeepeninginterest。Itisnottoomuchtosaythatyouhavechangedthethinkingofthepeopleofourcountryastothesocialevil。Atlast，thankGod，thisconspiracyofsilenceisended。Noyoungmanwhosees"DamagedGoods"willeverbethesameagain。IfIwantedtobuildaroundaninnocentboybuttressesoffireandgranite，andlendhimtriplearmouragainsttemptationandtheassaultsofevil，Iwouldputhimforoneeveningunderyourinfluence。Thatwhichtheteacher，thepreacherandtheparenthavefailedtoaccomplishithasbeengiventoyoutoachieve。Youhavedoneaworkforwhichyourgenerationowesyouanimmeasurabledebtofgratitude。
　　IshallbedelightedtohaveyouusemyStudyofSocialDiseasesandHeredityinconnectionwithyourgreatreform。
　　Withallgoodwishes，Iam，mydearMr。Bennett，Faithfullyyours，NewellDwightHillisCHAPTERI
　　Itwasfouro’clockinthemorningwhenGeorgeDupontclosedthedoorandcamedownthestepstothestreet。Thefirstfaintstreaksofdawnwereinthesky，andhenoticedthiswithannoyance，becauseheknewthathishairwasindisarrayandhiswhileaspectdisorderly；yethedarednottakeacab，becausehefearedtoattractattentionathome。Whenhereachedthesidewalk，heglancedabouthimtomakesurethatnoonehadseenhimleavethehouse，thenstarteddownthestreet，hiseyesuponthesidewalkbeforehim。
　　Georgehadthefeelingofthemorningafter。Therearefewmeninthisworldofabundantsinwhowillnotknowwhatthephrasemeans。Thefumesofthenighthadevaporated；hewasquitesobernow，quitefreefromexcitement。Hesawwhathehaddone，anditseemedtohimsomethingblackanddisgusting。
　　Neverhadawalkseemedlongerthanthefewblockswhichhehadtotraversetoreachhishome。Hemustgettherebeforethemaidwasup，beforethebaker’sboycalledwiththerolls；otherwise，whatexplanationcouldhegive？——hewhohadalwaysbeensuchamoralman，whohadbeenpointedoutbymothersasanexampletotheirsons。
　　Georgethoughtofhisownmother，andwhatshewouldthinkifshecouldknowabouthisnight’sadventure。Hethoughtagainandagain，withapangofanguish，ofHenriette。Coulditbepossiblethatamanwhowasengaged，whosemarriagecontracthadactuallybeensigned，whowassoontopossesstheloveofabeautifulandnoblegirl——thatsuchamancouldhavebeenweakenoughandbaseenoughtolethimselfbetrappedintosuchalowaction？
　　Hewentbackoverthewholeseriesofevents，shudderingatthem，tryingtorealizehowtheyhadhappened，tryingtoexcusehimselfforthem。Hehadnotintendedsuchaculmination；hehadnevermeanttodosuchathinginhislife。Hehadnotthoughtofanyharmwhenhehadacceptedtheinvitationtothesupperpartywithhisoldcompanionsfromthelawschool。Ofcourse，hehadknownthatseveralofthesechumsled"fast"lives——but，then，surelyafellowcouldgotoafriend’sroomsforalarkwithoutharm!
　　Herememberedthegirlwhohadsatbyhissideatthetable。Shehadcomewithafriendwhowasamarriedwoman，andsohehadassumedthatshewasallright。Georgerememberedhowembarrassedhehadbeenwhenfirsthehadnoticedherglancesathim。Butthenthewinehadbeguntogotohishead——hewasoneofthoseunfortunatewretcheswhocannotdrinkwineatall。Hehadofferedtotakethegirlhomeinacab，andonthewayhehadlosthishead。
　　Oh!Whatawretchedthingitwas。Hecouldhardlybelievethatitwashewhohadspokenthosefrenziedwords；andyethemusthavespokenthem，becauseherememberedthem。Herememberedthatithadtakenalongtimetopersuadeher。Hehadhadtopromiseheraringliketheonehermarriedfriendwore。Beforetheyenteredherhomeshehadmadehimtakeoffhisshoes，sothattheportermightnothearthem。ThishadstruckGeorgeparticularly，because，evenflushedwithexcitementashewas，hehadnotforgottenthewarningshisfatherhadgivenhimastothedangersofcontactwithstrangewomen。Hehadthoughttohimself，"Thisgirlmustbesafe。Itisprobablythefirsttimeshehaseverdonesuchathing。"
　　ButnowGeorgecouldgetbutlittleconsolationoutofthatidea。
　　Hewassufferingintensely——theemotiondescribedbythepoetinthebitterwordsabout"Time’smovingfingerhavingwrit。"Hismind，seekingsomeexplanation，somejustification，wentbacktotheeventsbeforethatnight。Withasuddenpangofyearning，hethoughtofLizette。Shewasadecentgirl，andhadkepthimdecent，andhewaslonelywithouther。Hehadbeensoafraidofbeingfoundoutthathehadgivenherupwhenhebecameengaged；
　　butnowforawhilehefeltthathewouldhavetobreakhisresolution，andpayhisregularSundayvisittothelittleflatintheworking—classportionofParis。
　　ItwaswhileGeorgewasfittinghimselfforthesamecareerashisfather——thatofnotary——thathehadmadetheacquaintanceoftheyoungworkinggirl。Itmaynotbeeasytobelieve，butLizettehadreallybeenadecentgirl。Shehadafamilytotakecareof，andwasinneed。Therewasagrandmotherinpoorhealth，afathernotmuchbetter，andthreelittlebrothers；soLizettedidnotverylongresistGeorgeDupont，andhefeltquitevirtuousingivinghersufficientmoneytotakecareoftheseunfortunatepeople。Amongpeopleofhisclassitwasconsideredpropertotakesuchthingsifonepaidforthem。
　　Allthefamilyofthisworkinggirlweregratefultohim。Theyadoredhim，andtheycalledhimUncleRaoul（forofcoursehehadnotbeensofoolishastogivethemhistruename）。
　　SinceGeorgewaspayingforLizette，hefelthehadthetighttocontrolherlife。Hegaveherfairwarningconcerninghisattitude。Ifshedeceivedhimhewouldleaveherimmediately。
　　Hetoldthistoherrelativesalso，andsohehadthemallwatchingher。Shewasnevertrustedoutalone。EverySundayGeorgewenttospendthedaywithhislittle"family，"sothathiscomingbecamealmostamatteroftradition。Heinterestedherinchurchaffairs——massandvesperswereherregularoccasionsforexcursions。Georgerentedtwoseats，andthegrandmotherwentwithhertotheservices。Thesimplepeoplewereproudtoseetheirnameengraveduponthebrassplateofthepew。
　　ThereasonforalltheseprecautionswasGeorge’sterrorofdisease。Hehadbeenwarnedbyhisfatherastothedangerswhichyoungmenencounterintheiramours。AndtheselessonshadsunkdeepintoGeorge’sheart；hehadmadeuphismindthatwhateverhisfriendsmightdo，he，forone，wouldprotecthimself。
　　Thatdidnotmean，ofcourse，thatheintendedtoliveavirtuouslife；suchwasthecustomamongyoungmenofhisclass，nothaditprobablyeveroccurredtohisfatherthatitwaspossibleforayoungmantodosuchathing。TheFrenchhaveaphrase，"l’hommemoyensensuel"——theaveragesensualman。AndGeorgewassuchaman。Hehadnonobleidealisms，noparticularreverenceforwomen。Thebasisofhisattitudewasapurelyselfishone；
　　hewantedtoenjoyhimself，andatthesametimetokeepoutoftrouble。
　　Hedidnotfindanyhappinessintherenunciationwhichheimposeduponhimself；hehadnoreligiousideasaboutit。Onthecontrary，hesufferedkeenly，andwasbitterbecausehehadnoshareintheamusementsofhisfriends。Hestucktohisworkandforcedhimselftokeepregularhours，preparingforhislawexaminations。Butallthetimehewaslongingforadventures。
　　And，ofcourse，thiscouldnotgoonforever，forthemotiveoffearaloneisnotsufficienttosubduethesexualurgeinafull—
　　bloodedyoungman。
　　TheaffairwithLizettemighthavecontinuedmuchlongerhaditnotbeenforthefactthathisfatherdied。Hediedquitesuddenly，whileGeorgewasawayonatrip。Thesoncamebacktoconsolehisbroken—heartedmother，andinthetwoweektheyspentinthecountrytogetherthemotherbroachedaplantohim。Thelastwishofthedyingmanhadbeenthathissonshouldbefixedinlife。Inthemidstofhisintensesufferinghehadbeenabletothinkaboutthematter，andhadnamedthegirlwhomhewishedGeorgetomarry。Naturally，Georgewaitedwithsomeinteresttolearnwhothismightbe。Hewassurprisedwhenhismothertoldhimthatitwashiscousin，HenrietteLoches。
　　Hecouldnotkeephisemotionfromrevealingitselfinhisface。
　　"Itdoesn’tpleaseyou？"askedhismother，withatonedisappointment。
　　"Whyno，mother，"heanswered。"It’snotthat。Itjustsurprisesme。"
　　"Butwhy？"askedthemother。"Henrietteisalovelygirlandagoodgirl。"
　　"Yes，Iknow，"saidGeorge；"butthensheismycousin，and——"
　　Heblushedalittlewithembarrassment。"Ihadneverthoughtofherinthatway。"
　　MadameDupontlaidherhanduponherson’s。"Yes，George，"shesaidtenderly。"Iknow。Youaresuchagoodboy。"
　　Now，ofcourse，Georgedidnotfeelthathewasquitesuchagoodboy；buthismotherwasadeeplyreligiouswoman，whohadnoideaofthetruthaboutthemajorityofmen。Shewouldneverhavegotovertheshockifhehadtoldherabouthimself，andsohehadtopretendtobejustwhatshethoughthim。
　　"Tellme，"shecontinued，afterapause，"haveyouneverfelttheleastbitinlove？"
　　"Whyno——Idon’tthinkso，"Georgestammered，becomingconsciousofasuddenriseoftemperatureinhischeeks。
　　"Because，"saidhismother，"itisreallytimethatyouweresettledinlife。Yourfathersaidthatweshouldhaveseentoitbefore，andnowitismydutytoseetoit。Itisnotgoodforyoutolivealonesolong。"
　　"But，mother，IhaveYOU，"saidGeorgegenerously。
　　"SomedaytheLordmaytakemeaway，"wasthereply。"Iamgettingold。And，George，dear——"Heresuddenlyhervoicebegantotremblewithfeeling——"IwouldliketoseemybabygrandchildrenbeforeIgo。Youcannotimaginewhatitwouldmeantome。"
　　MadameDupontsawhowmuchthissubjectdistressedherson，soshewentontothemoreworldlyaspectsofthematter。
　　Henriette’sfatherwaswell—to—do，andhewouldgiveheragooddowry。Shewasacharmingandaccomplishedgirl。Everybodywouldconsiderhimmostfortunateifthematchcouldbearranged。
　　Also，therewasanelderlyaunttowhomMadameDuponthadspoken，andwhowasmuchtakenwiththeidea。Sheownedagreatdealofpropertyandwouldsurelyhelptheyoungcouple。
　　Georgedidnotseejusthowhecouldobjecttothisproposition，evenifhehadwantedto。Whatreasoncouldhegiveforsuchacourse？Hecouldnotexplainthathealreadyhadafamily——withstepchildren，sotospeak，whoadoredhim。Andwhatcouldhesaytohismother’sobsession，towhichshecamebackagainandagain——herlongingtoseehergrandchildrenbeforeshedied？
　　MadameDupontwaitedonlylongenoughforGeorgetostammeroutafewprotestations，andtheninthenextbreathtotakethemback；
　　afterwhichsheproceededtogoaheadwiththematch。Thefamilylawyersconferredtogether，andthetermsofthesettlementwereworkedoutandagreedupon。IthappenedthatimmediatelyafterwardsGeorgelearnedofanopportunitytopurchasethepracticeofanotary，whowasreadytoretirefrombusinessintwomonths’time。Henriette’sfatherconsentedtoadvanceaportionofherdowryforthispurpose。
　　ThusGeorgewassafelystarteduponthesamecareerashisfather，andthiswastohimasourceofsatisfactionwhichhedidnotattempttodeny，eithertohimselfoftoanyoneelse。
　　Georgewasacautiousyoungman，whocameofafrugalandsavingstock。Hehadalwaysbeentaughtthatitwashisprimarydutytomakecertainofareasonableamountofcomfort。Fromhisearliestdays，hehadbeentaughttoregardmaterialsuccessasthegreatestgoalinlife，andhewouldneverhavedreamedofengaginghimselftoagirlwithoutmoney。Butwhenhehadthegoodfortunetomeetonewhopossesseddesirablepersonalqualitiesinadditiontomoney，hewasnotintheleastbarredfromappreciatingthosequalities。Theywere，sotospeak，thesaucewhichwentwiththemeat，anditseemedtohimthatinthiscasethesaucewasoftheverybest。
　　George——abigfellowoftwenty—six，withlarge，roundeyesandagood—naturedcountenance——wasfullblooded，wellfed，withaheartylaughwhichspokeofunimpairedcontentment，asouluntroubledinitsdeeps。Heseemedtohimselftheluckiestfellowinthewholeroundworld；hecouldnotthinkwhathehaddonetodeservethegoodfortuneofpossessingsuchagirlasHenriette。Hewasordinarilyofasomewhatsentimentalturn——
　　easilyinfluencedbywomenandsensitivetotheircharms。
　　Moreover，hisrelationshipwithLizettehadsoftenedhim。Hehadlearnedtolovetheyoungworkinggirl，andnowHenriette，itseemed，wastoreapthebenefitofhisexperiencewithher。
　　Infact，hefoundhimselfalwayswithmemoriesofLizetteinhisrelationshipswiththegirlwhowastobehiswife。Whentheengagementwasannounced，andheclaimedhisfirstkissfromhisbride—to—be，asheplacedaringuponherfinger，herememberedthefirsttimehehadkissedLizette，andadoubleblushsuffusedhisroundcountenance。WhenhewalkedarmandarmwithHenrietteinthegardenherememberedhowhehadwalkedjustsowiththeothergirl，andhewasinterestedtocomparethewordsofthetwo。HerememberedwhatagoodtimehadhadwhenhehadtakenLizetteandherlittlefamilyforapicnicupononeoftheexcursionsteamerswhichrundowntheRiverSeine。ImmediatelyhedecidedthathewouldliketotakeHenrietteonsuchapicnic，andhepersuadedanauntofHenriette’stogowithherasachaperon。Georgetookhisbride—to—betothesamelittleinnwherehehadlunchbefore。
　　Thushewasalwayshauntedbymemories，someofwhichmadehimcheerfulandsomeofwhichmadehimmildlysad。Hesoongotusedtotheidea，anddidnotfinditawkward，exceptwhenhehadtosuppresstheimpulsetotellHenriettesomethingwhichLizettehadsaid，orsomefunnyincidentwhichhadhappenedinthehomeofthelittlefamily。Sometimeshefoundhimselfthinkingthatitwasashametohavetosuppresstheseimpulses。Theremustbesomethingwrong，hethought，withasocialsystemwhichmadeitnecessaryforhimtohideathingwhichwassoobviousandsosensible。Herehewas，amantwenty—sixyearsofage；hecouldnothaveaffordedtomarryearlier，notcouldhe，ashethought，havebeenexpectedtoleadacontinentlife。AndhehadreallylovedLizette；shewasreallyagoodgirl。Yet，ifHenriettehadgotanyideaofit，shewouldhavebeenhorrifiedandindignant——
　　shemightevenhavebrokenofftheengagement。
　　Andthen，too，therewasHenriette’sfather，apersonageofgreatdignityandimportance。M。LocheswasadeputyoftheFrenchParliament，fromadistrictintheprovinces。Hewasamanofuprightlife，andamanwhomadeagreatdealofthatuprightlife——keepingitonapedestalwhereeveryonemightobserveit。
　　ItwasimpossibletoimagineM。Lochesinanundignifiedorcompromisingsituation——suchastheyoungermanfoundhimselffacinginthematterofLizette。
　　ThemorehethoughtaboutitthemorenervousandanxiousGeorgebecame。Thenitwasdecideditwouldbenecessaryforhimtobreakwiththegirl，andbe"good"untilthetimeofhismarriage。Dearlittlesoft—eyedLizette——hedidnotdaretofaceherpersonally；hecouldneverbeartosaygood—by，hefelt。
　　Instead，hewenttothefather，whoasamancouldbeexpectedtounderstandthesituation。Georgewasembarrassedandnotalittlenervousaboutit；foralthoughhehadnevermisrepresentedhisattitudetothefamily，onecouldneverfeelentirelyfreefromthepossibilityofblackmailinsuchcases。However，Lizette’sfatherbehaveddecently，andwasdulygratefulforthemoderatesumofmoneywhichGeorgehandedhiminparting。HepromisedtobreakthenewsgentlytoLizette，andGeorgewentawaywithhismindmadeupthathewouldneverseeheragain。
　　Thisresolutionhekept，andheconsideredhimselfveryvirtuousindoingit。Butthetruthwasthathehadgrownusedtointimacywithawoman，andwasrestlesswithoutit。Andthat，hetoldhimself，waswhyheyieldedtotheshamefultemptationthenightofthatfatalsupperparty。
　　Hepaidforthemisadventureliberallyinremorse。Hefeltthathehadbeenawretch，thathehaddisgracedhimselfforever，thathehadprovedhimselfunworthyofthepuregirlhewastomarry。
　　SokeenwashisfeelingthatitwasseveraldaysbeforehecouldbringhimselftoseeHenrietteagain；andwhenhewent，itwaswithamindfilledwithabrand—newsetofresolutions。Itwasthelasttimethathewouldeverfallintoerror。Hewouldbeanewmanfromthenon。HethankedGodthattherewasnochanceofhissinbeingknown，thathemighthaveanopportunitytoprovehisnewdetermination。
　　SointensewerehisfeelingsthathecouldnothelpbetrayingapartofthemtoHenriette。Theysatinthegardenonesoftsummerevening，withHenriette’smotheroccupiedwithhercrochetingatadecorousdistance。George，inreverentandhumblemood，begantodropvaguehintsthathewasreallyunworthyofhisbride—to—be。Hesaidthathehadnotalwaysbeenasgoodasheshouldhavebeen；hesaidthatherpurityandsweetnesshadawakenedinhimnewideals；sothathefelthisoldlifehadbeenfullofblunders。Henriette，ofcourse，hadbutthevaguestofideasastowhattheblundersofatenderandgenerousyoungmanlikeGeorgemightbe。Sosheonlylovedhimthemoreforhishumility，andwasflatteredtohavesuchafineeffectuponhim，toawakeninhimsuchmoodsofexaltation。Whenhetoldherthatallmenwerebad，andthatnomanwasworthyofsuchabeautifullove，shewasquiteravished，andwipedawaytearsfromhereyes。
　　Itwouldhavebeenashametospoilsuchaheavenlymoodbytellingtherealtruth。Instead，Georgecontentedhimselfwithtellingofthenewresolutionshehadformed。Afterall，theywerethethingswhichreallymattered；forHenriettewasgoingtolivewithhisfuture，notwithhispast。
　　ItseemedtoGeorgeamostwonderfulthing，thisinnocenceofayounggirl，whichenabledhertomovethroughaworldofwickednesswithunpollutedmind。Itwasatouchingthing；andalso，asaprudentyoungmancouldnothelprealizing，amostconvenientthing。Herealizedtheimportanceofpreservingit，andthoughtthatifheeverhadadaughter，hewouldprotectherasrigidlyasHenriettehadbeenprotected。Hemadehastetoshyofffromthesubjectofhis"badness"andtoturntheconversationwithwhatseemedacleverjest。
　　"IfIamgoingtobesogood，"hesaid，"don’tforgetthatyouwillhavetobegoodalso!"
　　"Iwilltry，"saidHenriette，whowasstillserious。
　　"Youwillhavetotryhard，"hepersisted。"Youwillfindthatyouhaveaveryjealoushusband。"
　　"WillI？"saidHenriette，beamingwithhappiness——forwhenawomanisverymuchinloveshedoesn’tintheleastobjecttotheman’sbeingjealous。
　　"Yes，indeed，"smiledGeorge。"I’llalwaysbewatchingyou。"
　　"Watchingme？"echoedthegirlwithasurprisedlook。
　　Andimmediatelyhefeltashamedofhimselfforhisjest。TherecouldbenoneedtowatchHenriette，anditwasbadtasteeventojokeaboutitatsuchatime。Thatwasoneoftheideaswhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromhisworldofevil。
　　Thetruthwas，however，thatGeorgewouldalwaysbeasuspicioushusband；nothingcouldeverchangethatfact，fortherewassomethinginhisownconsciencewhichhecouldnotgetout，andwhichwouldmakeitimpossibleforhimtobeateaseasamarriedman。ItwasthememoryofsomethingwhichhadhappenedearlierinhislifebeforehemetLizette。Therehadbeenoneearlierexperience，withthewifeofhisdearestfriend。Shehadbeenmuchyoungerthanherhusband，andhadbetrayedaninterestinGeorge，whohadyieldedtothetemptation。Forseveralyearstheintriguecontinued，andGeorgeconsidereditagoodsolutionofayoungman’sproblem。Therehadbeennodangerofcontamination，forheknewthathisfriendwasamanofpureandrigidmorals，ajealousmanwhowatchedhiswife，anddidnotpermithertocontractthosenewrelationswhicharealwaysdangerous。AsforGeorge，hehelpedinthisworthywork，keepingthewomaninterrorofsomedisease。Hetoldherthatalmostallmenwereinfected，forhehopedbythismeanstokeepherfromdeceivinghim。
　　Iamawarethatthismayseemadreadfulstory。AsIdonotwantanyonetothinktooillofGeorgeDupont，Iought，perhaps，topointoutthatpeoplefeeldifferentlyaboutthesemattersinFrance。Injudgingtheunfortunateyoungman，wemustjudgehimbythecustomsofhisowncountry，andnotbyours。InFrance，theyareaccustomedtowhatiscalledtheMARIAGEDECONVENANCE。
　　Theyounggirlisnotpermittedtogoaboutandmakeherownfriendsanddecidewhichoneofthemsheprefersforherhusband；
　　onthecontrary，sheisstrictlyguarded，hertrainingoftenisofareligiousnature，andhermarriageisamatterofbusiness，tobeconsideredanddecidedbyherparentsandthoseoftheyoungman。Now，whateverwemaythinkright，itishumanlycertainthatwheremarriagesaremadeinthatway，theneedofmenandwomenforsympathyandforpassionateinterestwilloftenleadtotheformingofirregularrelationshipsaftermarriage。
　　ItisnotpossibletopresentstatisticsastothenumberofsuchirregularrelationshipsinParisiansociety；butinthebookswhichhereadandintheplayswhichhesaw，Georgefoundeverythingtoencouragehimtothinkthatitwasaromanticanddelightfulthingtokeepupasecretintriguewiththewifeofhisbestfriend。
　　Itshouldalso，perhaps，bepointedoutthatweareheretellingthetruth，andthewhiletruth，aboutGeorgeDupont；andthatitisnotcustomarytotellthisaboutmen，eitherinreallifeorinnovels。Thereisagreatdealofconcealmentintheworldaboutmattersofsex；andinsuchmattersthetruth—tellingmanisapttosufferinreputationincomparisonwiththetruth—
　　concealingone。
　　NorhadGeorgereallybeenaltogethercallousaboutthething。
　　Ithadhappenedthathisbestfriendhaddiedinhisarms；andthishadsoaffectedtheguiltypairthattheyhadfelttheirrelationshipwasnolongerpossible。Shehadwithdrawntonursehergriefalone，andGeorgehadbeensodeeplyaffectedthathehadavoidedaffairsandentanglementswithwomenuntilhismeetingwithLizette。
　　Allthiswasnowinthefardistantpast，butithadmadeadeeperimpressionuponGeorgethanheperhapsrealized，anditwasnowworkinginhismindandmarringhishappiness。Herewasagirlwholovedhimwithanobleandunselfishandwhole—heartedlove——andyethewouldneverbeabletotrustherasshedeserved，butwouldalwayshavesuspicionslurkinginthebackofhismind。Hewouldbeunabletohavehisfriendsintimateinhishome，becauseofthememoryofwhathehadoncedonetoafriend。
　　Itwasasubtlekindofpunishment。ButsoitisthatNatureoftenfindswaysofpunishingus，withoutourevenbeingawareofit。
　　Thatwasallforthefuture，however。Atpresent，Georgewashappy。Heputhisblacksinbehindhim，feelingthathehadobtainedabsolutionbyhisconfessiontoHenriette。Daybyday，asherealizedhisgoodfortune，hisroundfacebeamedwithmoreandyetmorejoy。
　　HewentforalittletriptoHenriette’shomeinthecountry。Itwasasimplevillage，andtheytookwalksinthecountry，andstoppedtorefreshthemselvesatafarmhouseoccupiedbyoneofM。Loches’tenants。Herewasarosyandbuxompeasantwoman，withanursingchildinherarms。Shewasdestinedacoupleofyearslatertobethefoster—motherofHenriette’slittlegirlandtoplayanimportantpartinherlife。Butthepairhadnoideaofthatatpresent。Theysimplysawaproudandhappymother，andHenrietteplayedwiththebaby，givingventtochildishdelight。ThensuddenlyshelookedupandsawthatGeorgewaswatchingher，andasshereadhisthoughtsabeautifulblushsuffusedhercheeks。
　　AsforGeorge，heturnedawayandwentoutundertheblueskyinakindofecstasy。Lifeseemedverywonderfultohimjustthen；
　　hehadfounditssupremehappiness，whichwaslove。HewasreallygettingquitemadaboutHenriette，hetoldhimself。Hecouldhardlybelievethatthedaywascomingwhenhewouldbeabletoclaspherinhisarms。
　　ButintheblueskyofGeorge’shappinesstherewasonelittlecloudofstorm。Asoftenhappenswithstorm—clouds，itwassosmallthatatfirsthepaidnoattentiontoitatall。
　　Henoteduponhisbodyonedayatinyulcer。Atfirsthetreateditwithsalvepurchasedfromanapothecary。Thenafteraweekortwo，whenthishadnoeffect，hebegantofeeluncomfortable。Herememberedsuddenlyhehadheardaboutthesymptomsofanunmentionable，dreadfuldisease，andavagueterrortookpossessionofhim。
　　Fordayshetriedtoputittooneside。Theideawasnonsense，itwasabsurdinconnectionwithawomansorespectable!Butthethoughtwouldnotbeputaway，andfinallyhewenttoaschoolfriend，whowasamanoftheworld，andgothimtotalkonthesubject。Ofcourse，Georgehadtobecareful，sothathisfriendshouldnotsuspectthathehadanyspecialpurposeinmind。
　　Thefriendwaswillingtotalk。Itwasaviledisease，hesaid；
　　butonewasfoolishtobotheraboutit，becauseitwassorare。
　　Therewereotherdiseaseswhichfellowsgot，whichnearlyeveryfellowhad，andtowhichnoneofthempaidanyattention。ButoneseldommetanyonewhohadtheredplaguethatGeorgedreaded。
　　"Andyet，"headded，"accordingtothebooks，itisn’tsouncommon。Isupposethetruthisthatpeoplehideit。Achapnaturallywouldn’ttell，whenheknewitwoulddamnhimforlife。"
　　Georgehadasicksensationinsideofhim。"Isitasbadasthat？"heasked。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidtheother，"Shouldyouwanttohaveanythingtodowithapersonwhohadit？Shouldyoubewillingtoroomwithhimortravelwithhim？Youwouldn’tevenwanttoshakehandswithhim!"
　　"No，Isupposenot，"saidGeorge，feebly。
　　"Iremember，"continuedtheother，"anoldfellowwhousedtoliveoutinthecountrynearme。Hewasnotsoveryold，either，buthelookedit。Hehadtobepushedaroundinawheel—chair。
　　Peoplesaidhehadlocomotorataxia，butthatreallymeantsyphilis。Weboysusedtopokeallkindsoffunathimbecauseonewindydayhishatandhiswigwereblownofftogether，andwediscoveredthathewasasbaldasanegg。Weusedtomakejokesabouthisautomobile，aswecalledit。Ithadalittlehandleinfront，insteadofasteering—wheel，andamanbehindtopush，insteadofanengine。"
　　"Howhorrible!"remarkedGeorgewithgenuinefeeling。
　　"Irememberthepoordevilhadaparalysissoonafter，"continuedthefriend，quitecarelessly。"Hecouldnotsteeranymore，andalsohelosthisvoice。Whenyoumethimhewouldlookatyouasithethoughthewastalking，butallhecouldsaywas’Ga—ga—ga’。"
　　Georgewentawayfromthisconversationinacoldsweat。Hetoldhimselfoverandoveragainthathewasafool，butstillhecouldnotgetthehellishideaoutofhismind。Hefoundhimselfbroodingoveritalldayandlyingawakeatnight，hauntedbyimagesofhimselfinawheel—chair，andwithoutanyhaironhishead。Herealizedthatthesensiblethingwouldbeforhimtogotoadoctorandmakecertainabouthiscondition；buthecouldnotbringhimselftofacetheordeal——hewasashamedtoadmittoadoctorthathehadlaidhimselfopentosuchataint。
　　Hebegantolosetheradiantexpressionfromhisroundandrosyface。Hehadlessappetite，andhismoodsofdepressionbecamesofrequentthathecouldnothidethenevenfromHenriette。Sheaskedhimonceortwiceiftherewerenotsomethingthematterwithhim，andhelaughed——aforcedandhurriedlaugh——andtoldherthathehadsatuptoolatethenightbefore，worryingoverthematterofhisexaminations。Oh，whatacruelthingitwasthatamanwhostoodintheverygatewayofsuchagardenofdelightshouldbetormentedandmademiserablebythisloathsomeidea!
　　Thedisturbingsymptomstillcontinued，andsoatlastGeorgepurchasedamedicalbook，dealingwiththesubjectofthedisease。Then，indeed，heopenedupachamberofhorrors；hemadeuphismindanabidingplaceofghastlyimages。Inthebooktherewerepicturesofthingssoawfulthatheturnedwhite，andtrembledlikealeaf，andhadtoclosethevolumeandhideitinthebottomofhistrunk。Buthecouldnotbanishthepicturesfromhismind。Worstofall，hecouldnotforgetthedescriptionofthefirstsymptomofthedisease，whichseemedtocorrespondexactlywithhisown。Soatlasthemadeuphismindhemustascertaindefinitelythetruthabouthiscondition。
　　Hebegantothinkoverplansforseeingadoctor。Hehadheardsomewhereastoryaboutayoungfellowwhohadfallenintothehandsofaquack，andbeenruinedforever。Sohedecidedthathewouldconsultonlythebestauthority。
　　Hegotthenamesofthebest—knownworksonthesubjectfromabookstore，andfoundthattheauthorofoneofthesebookswaspracticinginParisasaspecialist。Twoorthreedayselapsedbeforehewasabletogetupthecouragetocallonthisdoctor。
　　Andoh，theshameandhorrorofsittinginhiswaiting—roomwiththeotherpeople，noneofwhomdaredtolookeachotherintheeyes!Theymustallbeafflicted，Georgethought，andheglancedatthemfurtively，lookingforthevarioussymptomsofwhichhehadread。Orwerethere，perhaps，somelikehimself——merelyvictimsofafoolisherror，comingtohavethehagofdreadpulledfromofftheirbacks？
　　Andthensuddenly，whilehewasspeculating，therestoodthedoctor，signalingtohim。Histurnhadcome!
　　CHAPTERII
　　Thedoctorwasamanaboutfortyyearsofage，robust，witheveryappearanceofastrongcharacter。Inthebuttonholeofthefrockcoatheworewasaredrosette，thedecorationofsomeorder。
　　ConfusedandnervousasGeorgewas，hegotavagueimpressionofthephysician’srichlyfurnishedoffice，withitsbronzes，marblesandtapestries。
　　Thedoctorsignaledtotheyoungmantobeseatedinthechairbeforehisdesk。Georgecomplied，andthen，ashewipedawaytheperspirationfromhisforehead，stammeredoutafewwords，explaininghiserrand。Ofcourse，hesaid，itcouldnotbetrue，butitwasaman’sdutynottotakeanychancesinsuchamatter。
　　"Ihavenotbeenamanoflooselife，"headded；"Ihavenottakensomanychancesasothermen。"
　　Thedoctorcuthimshortwiththebriefremarkthatonechancewasallthatwasnecessary。Insteadofdiscussingsuchquestions，hewouldmakeanexamination。"Wedonotsaypositivelyinthesecasesuntilwehavemadeabloodtest。Thatistheonewaytoavoidthepossibilityofmistake。"
　　AdropofbloodwassqueezedoutofGeorge’sfingerontoalittleglassplate。Thedoctorretiredtoanadjoiningroom，andthevictimsataloneintheoffice，derivingnoenjoymentfromtheworksofartwhichsurroundedhim，butfeelinglikeaprisonerwhositsinthedockwithhislifeatstakewhilethejurydeliberates。
　　Thedoctorreturned，calmandimpassive，andseatedhimselfinhisoffice—chair。
　　"Well，doctor？"askedGeorge。Hewastremblingwithterror。
　　"Well，"wasthereply，"thereisnodoubtwhatever。"
　　Georgewipedhisforehead。Hecouldnotcreditthewords。"Nodoubtwhatever？Inwhatsense？"
　　"Inthebadsense，"saidtheother。
　　Hebegantowriteaprescription，withoutseemingtonoticehowGeorgeturnedpagewithterror。"Come，"hesaid，afterasilence，"youmusthaveknownthetruthprettywell。"
　　"No，no，sir!"exclaimedGeorge。
　　"Well，"saidtheother，"youhavesyphilis。"
　　Georgewasutterlystunned。"MyGod!"heexclaimed。
　　Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisprescription，lookedupandobservedhiscondition。"Don’ttroubleyourself，sir。Outofeverysevenmenyoumeetuponthestreet，insociety，oratthetheater，thereisatleastonewhohasbeeninyourcondition。
　　Oneoutofseven——fifteenpercent!"
　　Georgewasstaringbeforehim。Hespokelow，asiftohimself。
　　"IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。"
　　"AndIknowalso，"saidthedoctor，withasmile。"Thereisyourprescription。Youaregoingtotakeittothedrugstoreandhaveitputup。"
　　Georgetooktheprescription，mechanically，butwhispered，"No，sir。"
　　"Yes，sir，youaregoingtodoaseverybodyelsedoes。"
　　"No，becausemysituationisnotthatofeverybodyelse。IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。"
　　Saidthedoctor："Fivetimesoutoften，inthechairwhereyouaresitting，peopletalklikethat，perfectlysincerely。Eachonebelieveshimselfmoreunhappythanalltheothers；butafterthinkingitover，andlisteningtome，theyunderstandthatthisdiseaseisacompanionwithwhomonecanlive。Justasineveryhousehold，onegetsalongatthecostofmutualconcessions，that’sall。Come，sir，Itellyouagain，thereisnothingaboutitthatisnotperfectlyordinary，perfectlynatural，perfectlycommon；itisanaccidentwhichcanhappentoanyone。Itisagreatmistakethatpeoplespeakifthisasthe’FrenchDisease，’
　　forthereisnonewhichismoreuniversal。Underthepictureofthisdisease，addressingmyselftothosewhofollowtheoldestprofessionintheworld，Iwouldwritethefamousphrase：’Hereisyourmaster。Itis，itwas，oritmustbe。’"
　　Georgewasputtingtheprescriptionintotheoutsidepocketofhiscoat，stupidly，asifhedidnotknowwhathewasdoing。
　　"But，sir，"heexclaimed，"Ishouldhavebeenspared!"
　　"Why？"inquiredtheother。"Becauseyouareamanofposition，becauseyouarerich？Lookaroundyou，sir。Seetheseworksofartinmyroom。Doyouimaginethatsuchthingshavebeenpresentedtomebychimney—sweeps？"
　　"But，Doctor，"criedGeorge，withamoan，"Ihaveneverbeenalibertine。Therewasneveranyone，youunderstandme，neveranyonecouldhavebeenmorecarefulinhispleasures。IfIweretotellyouthatinallmylifeIhaveonlyhadtwomistresses，whatwouldyouanswertothat？"
　　"Iwouldanswer，thatasingleonewouldhavebeensufficienttobringyoutome。"
　　"No，sir!"criedGeorge。"Itcouldnothavebeeneitherofthosewomen。"Hewentontotellthedoctorabouthisfirstmistress，andthenaboutLizette。FinallyhetoldaboutHenriette，howmuchheadoredher。Hecouldreallyusesuchaword——helovedhermosttenderly。Shewassogood——andhehadthoughthimselfsolucky!
　　Ashewenton，hecouldhardlykeepfromgoingtopieces。"Ihadeverything，"heexclaimed，"everythingamanneeded!Allwhoknewmeenviedme。AndthenIhadtoletthosefellowsdragmeofftothatmiserablesupper—party!AndnowhereIam!Myfutureisruined，mywholeexistencepoisoned!Whatistobecomeofme？Everybodywillavoidme——Ishallbeapariah，aleper!"
　　Hepaused，andtheninsuddenwildgriefexclaimed，"Come，now!
　　WoulditnotbebetterthatIshouldtakemyselfoutoftheway？
　　Atleast，Ishouldnotsufferanymore。Youseethattherecouldnotbeanyonemoreunhappythanmyself——notanyone，Itellyou，sir，notanyone!"Completelyovercome，hebegantoweepinhishandkerchief。
　　Thedoctorgotup，andwenttohim。"Youmustbeaman，"hesaid，"andnotcrylikeachild。"
　　"Butsir，"criedtheyoungman，withtearsrunningdownhischeeks，"ifIhadledawildlife，ifIhadpassedmytimeindissipationwithchorusgirls，thenIcouldunderstandit。ThenIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。"
　　Thedoctorexclaimedwithemphasis，"No，no!Youwouldnotsayit。However，itisofnomatter——goon。"
　　"ItellyouthatIwouldsayit。Iamhonest，andIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。Butno，Ihaveworked，Ihavebeenaregulargrind。Andnow，whenIthinkoftheshamethatisinstoreforme，thedisgustingthings，thefrightfulcatastrophestowhichIamcondemned——"
　　"Whatisallthisyouaretellingme？"askedthedoctor，laughing。
　　"Oh，Iknow，Iknow!"criedtheother，andrepeatedwhathisfriendhadtoldhimaboutthemaninawheel—chair。"AndtheyusedtocallmehandsomeRaoul!Thatwasmyname——handsomeRaoul!"
　　"Now，mydearsir，"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，"wipeyoureyesonelasttime，blowyournose，putyourhandkerchiefintoyourpocket，andhearmedry—eyed。"
　　Georgeobeyedmechanically。"ButIgiveyoufairwarning，"hesaid，"youarewastingyourtime。"
　　"Itellyou——"begantheother。
　　"Iknowexactlywhatyouaregoingtotellme!"criedGeorge。
　　"Well，inthatcase，thereisnothingmoreforyoutodohere——
　　runalong。"
　　"SinceIamhere，"saidthepatientsubmissively，"Iwillhearyou。"
　　"Verywell，then。Itellyouthatifyouhavethewillandtheperseverance，noneofthethingsyoufearwillhappentoyou。"
　　"Ofcourse，itisyourdutytotellmethat。"
　　"IwilltellyouthatthereareonehundredthousandlikeyouinParis，alert，andseeminglywell。Come，takewhatyouwerejustsaying——wheel—chairs。Onedoesn’tseesomanyofthem。"
　　"No，that’strue，"saidGeorge。
　　"Andbesides，"addedthedoctor，"agoodmanypeoplewhorideinthemarenotthereforthecauseyouthink。Thereisnomorereasonwhyyoushouldbethevictimofacatastrophethananyoftheonehundredthousand。Thediseaseisserious，nothingmore。"
　　"Youadmitthatitisaseriousdisease？"arguedGeorge。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Oneofthemostserious？"
　　"Yes，butyouhavethegoodfortune——"
　　"TheGOODfortune？"
　　"Relatively，ifyouplease。Youhavethegoodfortunetobeinfectedwithoneofthediseasesoverwhichwehavethemostcertaincontrol。"
　　"Yes，yes，"exclaimedGeorge，"buttheremediesareworsethanthedisease。"
　　"Youdeceiveyourself，"repliedtheother。
　　"YouaretryingtomakemebelievethatIcanbecured？"
　　"Youcanbe。"
　　"AndthatIamnotcondemned？"
　　"Iswearittoyou。"
　　"Youarenotdeceivingyourself，youarenotdeceivingme？Why，Iwastold——"
　　Thedoctorlaughed，contemptuously。"Youweretold，youweretold!I’llwagerthatyouknowthelawsoftheChineseconcerningparty—walls。"
　　"Yes，naturally，"saidGeorge。"ButIdon’tseewhattheyhavetodowithit。"
　　"Insteadofteachingyousuchthings，"wasthereply，"itwouldhavebeenagreatdealbettertohavetaughtyouaboutthenatureandcauseofdiseasesofthissort。Thenyouwouldhaveknownhowtoavoidthecontagion。Suchknowledgeshouldbespreadabroad，foritisthemostimportantknowledgeintheworld。Itshouldbefoundineverynewspaper。"
　　ThisremarkgaveGeorgesomethingofashock，forhisfatherhadownedalittlepaperintheprovinces，andhehadasuddenvisionofthewaysubscriberswouldhavefallenoff，ifhehadprintedevensomuchasthenameofthisviledisease。
　　"Andyet，"pursuedthedoctor，"youpublishromancesaboutadultery!"
　　"Yes，"saidGeorge，"that’swhatthereaderswant。"
　　"Theydon’twantthetruthaboutvenerealdiseases，"exclaimedtheother。"Iftheyknewthefulltruth，theywouldnolongerthinkthatadulterywasromanticandinteresting。"
　　Hewentontogivehisadviceastothemeansofavoidingsuchdiseases。Therewasreallybutonerule。Itwas：Tolovebutonewoman，totakeherasavirgin，andtolovehersomuchthatshewouldneverdeceiveyou。"Takethatfromme，"addedthedoctor，"andteachittoyourson，whenyouhaveone。"
　　George’sattentionwascaughtbythislastsentence。
　　"YoumeanthatIshallbeabletohavechildren？"hecried。
　　"Certainly，"wasthereply。
　　"Healthychildren？"
　　"Irepeatittoyou；ifyoutakecareofyourselfproperlyforalongtime，conscientiously，youhavelittletofear。"
　　"That’scertain？"
　　"Ninety—ninetimesoutofahundred。"
　　Georgefeltasifhehadsuddenlyemergedfromadungeon。"Why，then，"heexclaimed，"Ishallbeabletomarry!"
　　"Youwillbeabletomarry，"wasthereply。
　　"Youarenotdeceivingme？Youwouldnotgivemethathope，youwouldnotexposeme？HowsoonwillIbeabletomarry？"
　　"Inthreeorfouryears，"saidthedoctor。
　　"What!"criedGeorgeinconsternation。"Inthreeorfouryears？
　　Notbefore？"
　　"Notbefore。"
　　"Howisthat？AmIgoingtobesickallthattime？Why，youtoldmejustnow——"
　　Saidthedoctor："Thediseasewillnolongerbedangeroustoyou，yourself——butyouwillbedangeroustoothers。"
　　"But，"theyoungmancried，indespair，"Iamtobemarriedamonthfromnow。"
　　"Thatisimpossible。"
　　"ButIcannotdoanydifferently。Thecontractisready!Thebannshavebeenpublished!Ihavegivenmyword!"
　　"Well，youareagreatone!"thedoctorlaughed。"Justnowyouwerelookingforyourrevolver!Nowyouwanttobemarriedwithinthemonth。"
　　"But，Doctor，itisnecessary!"
　　"ButIforbidit。"
　　"AssoonasIknewthatthediseaseisnotwhatIimagined，andthatIcouldbecured，naturallyIdidn’twanttocommitsuicide。
　　AndassoonasImakeupmymindnottocommitsuicide，Ihavetotakeupmyregularlife。Ihavetokeepmyengagements；Ihavetogetmarried。"
　　"No，"saidthedoctor。
　　"Yes，yes!"persistedGeorge，withblindobstinacy。"Why，Doctor，ifIdidn’tmarryitwouldbeadisaster。Youaretalkingaboutsomethingyoudon’tunderstand。I，formypart——itisnotthatIamanxioustobemarried。AsItoldyou，Ihadalmostasecondfamily。Lizette’slittlebrothersadoredme。