TranslatedbyKatharinePrescottWormeleyDEDICATION
ToTheophileGautierTHESECRETSOFTHEPRINCESSEDECADIGNAN
CHAPTERI
THELASTWORDOFTWOGREATCOQUETTES
AfterthedisastersoftherevolutionofJuly，whichdestroyedsomanyaristocraticfortunesdependentonthecourt，MadamelaPrincessedeCadignanwascleverenoughtoattributetopoliticaleventsthetotalruinshehadcausedbyherownextravagance。TheprinceleftFrancewiththeroyalfamily，andneverreturnedtoit，leavingtheprincessinParis，protectedbythefactofhisabsence；fortheirdebts，whichthesaleofalltheirsalablepropertyhadnotbeenabletoextinguish，couldonlyberecoveredthroughhim。Therevenuesoftheentailedestateshadbeenseized。Inshort，theaffairsofthisgreatfamilywereinasbadastateasthoseoftheelderbranchoftheBourbons。
Thiswoman，socelebratedunderherfirstnameofDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，verywiselydecidedtoliveinretirement，andtomakeherself，ifpossible，forgotten。PariswasthensocarriedawaybythewhirlingcurrentofeventsthattheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，buriedinthePrincessedeCadignan，achangeofnameunknowntomostofthenewactorsbroughtuponthestageofsocietybytherevolutionofJuly，didreallybecomeastrangerinherowncity。
InParisthetitleofdukeranksallothers，eventhatofprince；
though，inheraldictheory，freeofallsophism，titlessignifynothing；thereisabsoluteequalityamonggentlemen。ThisfineequalitywasformerlymaintainedbytheHouseofFranceitself；andinourdayitissostill，atleast，nominally；witnessthecarewithwhichthekingsofFrancegivetotheirsonsthesimpletitleofcount。ItwasinvirtueofthissystemthatFrancoisI。crushedthesplendidtitlesassumedbythepompousCharlestheFifth，bysigninghisanswer："Francois，seigneurdeVanves。"LouisXI。didbetterstillbymarryinghisdaughtertoanuntitledgentleman，PierredeBeaujeu。
ThefeudalsystemwassothoroughlybrokenupbyLouisXIV。thatthetitleofdukebecame，duringhisreign，thesupremehonorofthearistocracy，andthemostcoveted。
NeverthelesstherearetwoorthreefamiliesinFranceinwhichtheprincipality，richlyendowedinformertimes，takesprecedenceoftheduchy。ThehouseofCadignan，whichpossessesthetitleofDucdeMaufrigneuseforitseldestsons，isoneoftheseexceptionalfamilies。LiketheprincesofthehouseofRohaninearlierdays，theprincesofCadignanhadtherighttoathroneintheirowndomain；
theycouldhavepagesandgentlemenintheirservice。Thisexplanationisnecessary，asmuchtoescapefoolishcriticswhoknownothing，astorecordthecustomsofaworldwhich，wearetold，isabouttodisappear，andwhich，evidently，somanypersonsareassistingtopushawaywithoutknowingwhatitis。
TheCadignansbear：or，fivelozengessableappointed，placedfess-
wise，withtheword"Memini"formotto，acrownwithacapofmaintenance，nosupportersormantle。InthesedaysthegreatcrowdofstrangersflockingtoParis，andthealmostuniversalignoranceofthescienceofheraldry，arebeginningtobringthetitleofprinceintofashion。Therearenorealprincesbutthosepossessedofprincipalities，towhombelongsthetitleofhighness。ThedisdainshownbytheFrenchnobilityforthetitleofprince，andthereasonswhichcausedLouisXIV。togivesupremacytothetitleofduke，havepreventedFrenchmenfromclaimingtheappellationof"highness"forthefewprinceswhoexistinFrance，thoseofNapoleonexcepted。ThisiswhytheprincesofCadignanholdaninferiorposition，nominally，totheprincesofthecontinent。
ThemembersofthesocietycalledthefaubourgSaint-Germainprotectedtheprincessbyarespectfulsilenceduetohername，whichisoneofthosethatallmenhonor，tohermisfortunes，whichtheyceasedtodiscuss，andtoherbeauty，theonlythingshesavedofherdepartedopulence。Society，ofwhichshehadoncebeentheornament，wasthankfultoherforhaving，asitwere，takentheveil，andcloisteredherselfinherownhome。Thisactofgoodtastewasforher，morethanforanyotherwoman，animmensesacrifice。GreatdeedsarealwayssokeenlyfeltinFrancethattheprincessgained，byherretreat，asmuchasshehadlostinpublicopinioninthedaysofhersplendor。
Shenowsawonlyoneofheroldfriends，theMarquised’Espard，andeventohersheneverwentonfestiveoccasionsortoparties。Theprincessandthemarquisevisitedeachotherintheforenoons，withacertainamountofsecrecy。Whentheprincesswenttodinewithherfriend，themarquiseclosedherdoors。Madamed’Espardtreatedtheprincesscharmingly；shechangedherboxattheopera，leavingthefirsttierforabaignoireontheground-floor，sothatMadamedeCadignancouldcometothetheatreunseen，anddepartincognito。Fewwomenwouldhavebeencapableofadelicacywhichdeprivedthemofthepleasureofbearingintheirtrainafallenrival，andofpubliclybeingherbenefactress。Thusrelievedofthenecessityforcostlytoilets，theprincesscouldenjoythetheatre，whithershewentinMadamed’Espard’scarriage，whichshewouldneverhaveacceptedopenlyinthedaytime。NoonehaseverknownMadamed’Espard’sreasonsforbehavingthustothePrincessedeCadignan；butherconductwasadmirable，andforalongtimeincludedanumberoflittleactswhich，viewedsingle，seemmeretrifles，buttakeninthemassbecomegigantic。
In1832，threeyearshadthrownamantleofsnowoverthefolliesandadventuresoftheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，andhadwhitenedthemsothoroughlythatitnowrequiredaseriouseffortofmemorytorecallthem。Ofthequeenonceadoredbysomanycourtiers，andwhosefolliesmighthavegivenathemetoavarietyofnovels，thereremainedawomanstilladorablybeautiful，thirty-sixyearsofage，butquitejustifiedincallingherselfthirty，althoughshewasthemotherofDucGeorgesdeMaufrigneuse，ayoungmanofeighteen，handsomeasAntinous，poorasJob，whowasexpectedtoobtaingreatsuccesses，andforwhomhismotherdesired，aboveallthings，tofindarichwife。
Perhapsthishopewasthesecretoftheintimacyshestillkeptupwiththemarquise，inwhosesalon，whichwasoneofthefirstinParis，shemighteventuallybeabletochooseamongmanyheiressesforGeorges’wife。Theprincesssawfiveyearsbetweenthepresentmomentandherson’smarriage，——fivesolitaryanddesolateyears；for，inordertoobtainsuchamarriageforherson，sheknewthatherownconductmustbemarkedinthecornerwithdiscretion。
TheprincesslivedintheruedeMiromesnil，inasmallhouse，ofwhichsheoccupiedtheground-flooratamoderaterent。Thereshemadethemostoftherelicsofherpastmagnificence。Theeleganceofthegreatladywasstillredolentabouther。Shewasstillsurroundedbybeautifulthingswhichrecalledherformerexistence。Onherchimney-
piecewasafineminiatureportraitofCharlesX。，byMadameMirbel，beneathwhichwereengravedthewords，"GivenbytheKing"；and，asapendant，theportraitof"Madame"，whowasalwaysherkindfriend。Onatablelayanalbumofcostliestprice，suchasnoneofthebourgeoiseswhonowlorditinourindustrialandfault-findingsocietywouldhavedaredtoexhibit。Thisalbumcontainedportraits，aboutthirtyinnumber，ofherintimatefriends，whomtheworld，firstandlast，hadgivenheraslovers。Thenumberwasacalumny；buthadrumorsaidten，itmighthavebeen，asherfriendMadamed’Espardremarked，good，soundgossip。TheportraitsofMaximedeTrailles，deMarsay，Rastignac，theMarquisd’Esgrignon，GeneralMontriveau，theMarquisdeRonquerollesandd’Ajuda-Pinto，PrinceGalathionne，theyoungDucsdeGrandlieuanddeRhetore，theVicomtedeSerizy，andthehandsomeLuciendeRubempre，hadallbeentreatedwiththeutmostcoquetryofbrushandpencilbycelebratedartists。Astheprincessnowreceivedonlytwoorthreeofthesepersonages，shecalledthebook，jokingly，thecollectionofhererrors。
Misfortunehadmadethiswomanagoodmother。DuringthefifteenyearsoftheRestorationshehadamusedherselffartoomuchtothinkofherson；butontakingrefugeinobscurity，thisillustriousegoistbethoughtherthatthematernalsentiment，developedtoitsextreme，mightbeanabsolutionforherpastfolliesintheeyesofsensiblepersons，whopardoneverythingtoagoodmother。Shelovedhersonallthemorebecauseshehadnothingelsetolove。GeorgesdeMaufrigneusewas，moreover，oneofthosechildrenwhoflatterthevanitiesofamother；andtheprincesshad，accordingly，madeallsortsofsacrificesforhim。Shehiredastableandcoach-house，abovewhichhelivedinalittleentresolwiththreeroomslookingonthestreet，andcharminglyfurnished；shehadevenborneseveralprivationstokeepasaddle-horse，acab-horse，andalittlegroomforhisuse。Forherself，shehadonlyherownmaid，andascook，aformerkitchen-
maid。Theduke’sgroomhad，therefore，ratherahardplace。Toby，formerlytigertothe"late"Beaudenord（suchwasthejestingtermappliedbythegayworldtothatruinedgentleman），——Toby，whoattwenty-fiveyearsofagewasstillconsideredonlyfourteen，wasexpectedtogroomthehorses，cleanthecabriolet，orthetilbury，andtheharnesses，accompanyhismaster，takecareoftheapartments，andbeintheprincess’santechambertoannounceavisitor，if，bychance，shehappenedtoreceiveone。
WhenonethinksofwhatthebeautifulDuchessedeMaufrigneusehadbeenundertheRestoration，——oneofthequeensofParis，adazzlingqueen，whoseluxuriousexistenceequalledthatoftherichestwomenoffashioninLondon，——therewassomethingtouchinginthesightofherinthathumblelittleabodeintheruedeMiromesnil，afewstepsawayfromhersplendidmansion，whichnoamountoffortunehadenabledhertokeep，andwhichthehammerofspeculatorshassincedemolished。Thewomanwhothoughtshewasscarcelywellservedbythirtyservants，whopossessedthemostbeautifulreception-roomsinallParis，andtheloveliestlittleprivateapartments，andwhomadethemthesceneofsuchdelightfulfetes，nowlivedinasmallapartmentoffiverooms，——
anantechamber，dining-room，salon，onebed-chamber，andadressing-
room，withtwowomen-servantsonly。
"Ah！sheisdevotedtoherson，"saidthatclevercreature，Madamed’Espard，"anddevotedwithoutostentation；sheishappy。Whowouldeverhavebelievedsofrivolousawomanwascapableofsuchpersistentresolution！Ourgoodarchbishophas，consequently，greatlyencouragedher；heismostkindtoher，andhasjustinducedtheoldComtessedeCinq-Cygnetopayheravisit。"
Letusadmitatruth！Onemustbeaqueentoknowhowtoabdicate，andtodescendwithdignityfromaloftypositionwhichisneverwhollylost。Thoseonlywhohaveaninnerconsciousnessofbeingnothinginthemselves，showregretsinfalling，orstruggle，murmuring，toreturntoapastwhichcanneverreturn，——afactofwhichtheythemselvesarewellaware。Compelledtodowithoutthechoiceexoticsinthemidstofwhichshehadlived，andwhichsetoffsocharminglyherwholebeing（foritisimpossiblenottocomparehertoaflower），theprincesshadwiselychosenaground-floorapartment；theresheenjoyedaprettylittlegardenwhichbelongedtoit，——agardenfullofshrubs，andanalwaysverdantturf，whichbrightenedherpeacefulretreat。Shehadabouttwelvethousandfrancsayear；butthatmodestincomewaspartlymadeupofanannualstipendsentherbytheoldDuchessedeNavarreins，paternalauntoftheyoungduke，andanotherstipendgivenbyhermother，theDuchessed’Uxelles，whowaslivingonherestateinthecountry，wheresheeconomizedasoldduchessesaloneknowhowtoeconomize；forHarpagonisamerenovicecomparedtothem。Theprincessstillretainedsomeofherpastrelationswiththeexiledroyalfamily；anditwasinherhousethatthemarshaltowhomweowetheconquestofAfricahadconferences，atthetimeof"Madame’s"
attemptinLaVendee，withtheprincipalleadersoflegitimistopinion，——sogreatwastheobscurityinwhichtheprincesslived，andsolittledistrustdidthegovernmentfeelforherinherpresentdistress。
Beholdingtheapproachofthatterriblefortiethyear，thebankruptcyoflove，beyondwhichthereissolittleforawomanaswoman，theprincesshadflungherselfintothekingdomofphilosophy。Shetooktoreading，shewhoforsixteenyearshadfeltacordialhorrorforseriousthings。Literatureandpoliticsareto-daywhatpietyanddevotiononceweretohersex，——thelastrefugeoftheirfemininepretensions。InherlatesocialcircleitwassaidthatDianewaswritingabook。Sincehertransformationfromaqueenandbeautytoawomanofintellect，theprincesshadcontrivedtomakeareceptioninherlittlehouseagreathonorwhichdistinguishedthefavoredperson。
Shelteredbyhersupposedoccupation，shewasabletodeceiveoneofherformeradorers，deMarsay，themostinfluentialpersonageofthepoliticalbourgeoisiebroughttotheforeinJuly1830。Shereceivedhimsometimesintheevenings，and，occupiedhisattentionwhilethemarshalandafewlegitimistsweretalking，inalowvoice，inherbedroom，abouttherecoveryofpower，whichcouldbeattainedonlybyageneralco-operationofideas，——theoneelementofsuccesswhichallconspiratorsoverlook。Itwastheclevervengeanceoftheprettywoman，whothusinveigledtheprimeminister，andmadehimactasscreenforaconspiracyagainsthisowngovernment。
Thisadventure，worthyofthefinestdaysoftheFronde，wasthetextofaverywittyletter，inwhichtheprincessrenderedto"Madame"anaccountofthenegotiations。TheDucdeMaufrigneusewenttoLaVendee，andwasabletoreturnsecretlywithoutbeingcompromised，butnotwithouttakingpartin"Madame’s"perils；thelatter，however，senthimhomethemomentshesawthathercausewaslost。Perhaps，hadheremained，theeagervigilanceoftheyoungmanmighthavefoiledthattreachery。HowevergreatthefaultsoftheDuchessedeMaufrigneusemayhaveseemedintheeyesofthebourgeoisie，thebehaviorofhersononthisoccasioncertainlyeffacedthemintheeyesofthearistocracy。Therewasgreatnobilityandgrandeurinthusriskingheronlyson，andtheheirofanhistoricname。Somepersonsaresaidtointentionallycoverthefaultsoftheirprivatelifebypublicservices，andviceversa；butthePrincessedeCadignanmadenosuchcalculation。Possiblythosewhoapparentlysoconductthemselvesmakenone。Eventscountformuchinsuchcases。
OnoneofthefirstfinedaysinthemonthofMay，1833，theMarquised’Espardandtheprincesswereturningabout——onecouldhardlycallitwalking——inthesinglepathwhichwoundroundthegrass-platinthegarden，abouthalf-pasttwointheafternoon，justasthesunwasleavingit。Theraysreflectedonthewallsgaveawarmatmospheretothelittlespace，whichwasfragrantwithflowers，thegiftofthemarquise。
"WeshallsoonlosedeMarsay，"saidthemarquise；"andwithhimwilldisappearyourlasthopeoffortuneforyourson。Eversinceyouplayedhimthatclevertrick，hehasreturnedtohisaffectionforyou。"
"Mysonwillnevercapitulatetotheyoungerbranch，"returnedtheprincess，"ifhehastodieofhunger，orIhavetoworkwithmyhandstofeedhim。Besides，BerthedeCinq-Cygnehasnoaversiontohim。"
"Childrendon’tbindthemselvestotheirparents’principles，"saidMadamed’Espard。
"Don’tletustalkaboutit，"saidtheprincess。"IfIcan’tcoaxovertheMarquisedeCinq-Cygne，IshallmarryGeorgestothedaughterofsomeiron-founderer，asthatlittled’Esgrignondid。"
"DidyouloveVicturnien？"askedthemarquise。
"No，"repliedtheprincess，gravely，"d’Esgrignon’ssimplicitywasreallyonlyasortofprovincialsilliness，whichIperceivedrathertoolate——or，ifyouchoose，toosoon。"
"AnddeMarsay？"
"DeMarsayplayedwithmeasifIwereadoll。Iwassoyoungatthetime！Weneverlovemenwhopretendtoteachus；theyrubupallourlittlevanities。"
"Andthatwretchedboywhohangedhimself？"
"Lucien？AnAntinousandagreatpoet。Iworshipedhiminallconscience，andImighthavebeenhappy。Buthewasinlovewithagirlofthetown；andIgavehimuptoMadame。deSerizy……Ifhehadcaredtoloveme，shouldIhavegivenhimup？"
"Whatanoddthing，thatyoushouldcomeintocollisionwithanEsther！"
"ShewashandsomerthanI，"saidthePrincess。——"VerysoonitshallbethreeyearsthatIhavelivedinsolitude，"sheresumed，afterapause，"andthistranquillityhasnothingpainfultomeaboutit。ToyoualonecanIdaretosaythatIfeelIamhappy。Iwassurfeitedwithadoration，wearyofpleasure，emotionalonthesurfaceofthings，butconsciousthatemotionitselfneverreachedmyheart。IhavefoundallthemenwhomIhaveknownpetty，paltry，superficial；noneofthemevercausedmeasurprise；theyhadnoinnocence，nograndeur，nodelicacy。IwishIcouldhavemetwithonemanabletoinspiremewithrespect。"
"Thenareyoulikeme，mydear？"askedthemarquise；"haveyouneverfelttheemotionoflovewhiletryingtolove？"
"Never，"repliedtheprincess，layingherhandonthearmofherfriend。
Theyturnedandseatedthemselvesonarusticbenchbeneathajasminethencomingintoflower。Eachhadutteredoneofthosesayingsthataresolemntowomenwhohavereachedtheirage。
"Likeyou，"resumedtheprincess，"Ihavereceivedmorelovethanmostwomen；butthroughallmymanyadventures，Ihaveneverfoundhappiness。Icommittedgreatfollies，buttheyhadanobject，andthatobjectretreatedasfastasIapproachedit。Ifeelto-dayinmyheart，oldasitis，aninnocencewhichhasneverbeentouched。Yes，underallmyexperience，liesafirstloveintact，——justasImyself，inspiteofallmylossesandfatigues，feelyoungandbeautiful。Wemayloveandnotbehappy；wemaybehappyandneverlove；buttoloveandbehappy，tounitethosetwoimmensehumanexperiences，isamiracle。Thatmiraclehasnottakenplaceforme。"
"Norforme，"saidMadamed’Espard。
"IownIampursuedinthisretreatbydreadfulregret：Ihaveamusedmyselfallthroughlife，butIhaveneverloved。"
"Whatanincrediblesecret！"criedthemarquise。
"Ah！mydear，"repliedtheprincess，"suchsecretswecantelltoourselves，youandI，butnobodyinPariswouldbelieveus。"
"And，"saidthemarquise，"ifwewerenotbothoverthirty-sixyearsofage，perhapswewouldnottellthemtoeachother。"
"Yes；whenwomenareyoungtheyhavesomanystupidconceits，"repliedtheprincess。"Wearelikethosepooryoungmenwhoplaywithatoothpicktopretendtheyhavedined。"
"Well，atanyrate，hereweare！"saidMadamed’Espard，withcoquettishgrace，andacharminggestureofwell-informedinnocence；
"and，itseemstome，sufficientlyalivetothinkoftakingourrevenge。"
"Whenyoutoldme，theotherday，thatBeatrixhadgoneoffwithConti，Ithoughtofitallnightlong，"saidtheprincess，afterapause。"Isupposetherewashappinessinsacrificingherposition，herfuture，andrenouncingsocietyforever。"
"Shewasalittlefool，"saidMadamed’Espard，gravely。"MademoiselledesToucheswasdelightedtogetridofConti。Beatrixneverperceivedhowthatsurrender，madebyasuperiorwomanwhoneverforamomentdefendedherclaims，provedConti’snothingness。"
"Thenyouthinkshewillbeunhappy？"
"Sheissonow，"repliedMadamed’Espard。"Whydidsheleaveherhusband？Whatanacknowledgmentofweakness！"
"ThenyouthinkthatMadamedeRochefidewasnotinfluencedbythedesiretoenjoyatrueloveinpeace？"askedtheprincess。
"No；shewassimplyimitatingMadamedeBeausantandMadamedeLangeais，who，beitsaid，betweenyouandme，wouldhavebeen，inalessvulgarperiodthanours，theLaVilliere，theDianedePoitiers，theGabrielled’Estreesofhistory。"
"Lesstheking，mydear。Ah！IwishIcouldevoketheshadesofthosewomen，andaskthem——"
"But，"saidthemarquise，interruptingtheprincess，"whyaskthedead？Weknowlivingwomenwhohavebeenhappy。IhavetalkedonthisverysubjectascoreoftimeswithMadamedeMontcornetsinceshemarriedthatlittleEmileBlondet，whomakesherthehappiestwomanintheworld；notaninfidelity，notathoughtthatturnsasidefromher；
theyareashappyastheywerethefirstday。Theselongattachments，likethatofRastignacandMadamedeNucingen，andyourcousin，MadamedeCamps，forherOctave，haveasecret，andthatsecretyouandI
don’tknow，mydear。Theworldhaspaidustheextremecomplimentofthinkingwearetworakesworthyofthecourtoftheregent；whereasweare，intruth，asinnocentasacoupleofschool-girls。"
"Ishouldlikethatsortofinnocence，"criedtheprincess，laughing；
"butoursisworse，anditisveryhumiliating。Well，itisamortificationweofferupinexpiationofourfruitlesssearch；yes，mydear，fruitless，foritisn’tprobableweshallfindinourautumnseasonthefineflowerwemissedinthespringandsummer。"
"That’snotthequestion，"resumedthemarquise，afterameditativepause。"Wearebothstillbeautifulenoughtoinspirelove，butwecouldneverconvinceanyoneofourinnocenceandvirtue。"
"Ifitwerealie，howeasytodressitupwithcommentaries，andserveitassomedeliciousfruittobeeagerlyswallowed！Buthowisitpossibletogetatruthbelieved？Ah！thegreatestofmenhavebeenmistakenthere！"addedtheprincess，withoneofthosemeaningsmileswhichthepencilofLeonardodaVincialonehasrendered。
"Foolslovewell，sometimes，"returnedthemarquise。
"Butinthiscase，"saidtheprincess，"foolswouldn’thaveenoughcredulityintheirnature。"
"Youareright，"saidthemarquise。"Butwhatweoughttolookforisneitherafoolnorevenamanoftalent。Tosolveourproblemweneedamanofgenius。Geniusalonehasthefaithofchildhood，thereligionoflove，andwillinglyallowsustobanditseyes。LookatCanalisandtheDuchessedeChaulieu！Thoughwehavebothencounteredmenofgenius，theywereeithertoofarremovedfromusortoobusy，andwetooabsorbed，toofrivolous。"
"Ah！howIwishImightnotleavethisworldwithoutknowingthehappinessoftruelove，"exclaimedtheprincess。
"Itisnothingtoinspireit，"saidMadamed’Espard；"thethingistofeelit。Iseemanywomenwhoareonlythepretextforapassionwithoutbeingbothitscauseanditseffect。"
"ThelastloveIinspiredwasabeautifulandsacredthing，"saidtheprincess。"Ithadafutureinit。Chancehadbroughtme，foronceinaway，themanofgeniuswhoisduetous，andyetsodifficulttoobtain；therearemoreprettywomenthanmenofgenius。Butthedevilinterferedwiththeaffair。"
"Tellmeaboutit，mydear；thisisallnewstome。"
"Ifirstnoticedthisbeautifulpassionaboutthemiddleofthewinterof1829。EveryFriday，attheopera，Iobservedayoungman，aboutthirtyyearsofage，intheorchestrastalls，whoevidentlycamethereforme。Hewasalwaysinthesamestall，gazingatmewitheyesoffire，but，seemingly，saddenedbythedistancebetweenus，perhapsbythehopelessnessofreachingme。"
"Poorfellow！Whenamanloveshebecomeseminentlystupid，"saidthemarquise。
"Betweeneveryacthewouldslipintothecorridor，"continuedtheprincess，smilingatherfriend’sepigrammaticremark。"Onceortwice，eithertoseemeortomakemeseehim，helookedthroughtheglasssashoftheboxexactlyoppositetomine。IfIreceivedavisit，Iwascertaintoseehiminthecorridorclosetomydoor，castingafurtiveglanceuponme。Hehadapparentlylearnedtoknowthepersonsbelongingtomycircle；andhefollowedthemwhenhesawthemturninginthedirectionofmybox，inordertoobtainthebenefitoftheopeningdoor。IalsofoundmymysteriousadorerattheItalianopera-
house；therehehadastalldirectlyoppositetomybox，wherehecouldgazeatmeinnaiveecstasy——oh！itwaspretty！OnleavingeitherhouseIalwaysfoundhimplantedinthelobby，motionless；hewaselbowedandjostled，buthenevermoved。Hiseyesgrewlessbrilliantifhesawmeonthearmofsomefavorite。Butnotaword，notaletter，nodemonstration。Youmustacknowledgethatwasingoodtaste。Sometimes，ongettinghomelateatnight，Ifoundhimsittingupononeofthestonepostsoftheporte-cochere。Thisloverofminehadveryhandsomeeyes，along，thick，fan-shapedbeard，withamoustacheandside-whiskers；nothingcouldbeseenofhisskinbuthiswhitecheek-bones，andanobleforehead；itwastrulyanantiquehead。
Theprince，asyouknow，defendedtheTuileriesontheriverside，duringtheJulydays。HereturnedtoSaint-Cloudthatnight，whenallwaslost，andsaidtome：’Icamenearbeingkilledatfouro’clock。I
wasaimedatbyoneoftheinsurgents，whenayoungman，withalongbeard，whomIhaveoftenseenattheopera，andwhowasleadingtheattack，threwuptheman’sgun，andsavedme。’Somyadorerwasevidentlyarepublican！In1831，afterIcametolodgeinthishouse，Ifoundhim，oneday，leaningwithhisbackagainstthewallofit；heseemedpleasedwithmydisasters；possiblyhemayhavethoughttheydrewusnearertogether。ButaftertheaffairofSaint-MerriIsawhimnomore；hewaskilledthere。TheeveningbeforethefuneralofGeneralLamarque，Ihadgoneoutonfootwithmyson，andmyrepublicanaccompaniedus，sometimesbehind，sometimesinfront，fromtheMadeleinetothePassagedesPanoramas，whereIwasgoing。"
"Isthatall？"askedthemarquise。
"Yes，all，"repliedtheprincess。"ExceptthatonthemorningSaint-
Merriwastaken，agamincamehereandinsistedonseeingme。Hegavemealetter，writtenoncommonpaper，signedbymyrepublican。"
"Showittome，"saidthemarquise。
"No，mydear。Lovewastoogreatandtoosacredintheheartofthatmantoletmeviolateitssecrets。Theletter，shortandterrible，stillstirsmysoulwhenIthinkofit。ThatdeadmangivesmemoreemotionsthanallthelivingmenIevercoquettedwith；heconstantlyrecurstomymind。"
"Whatwashisname？"askedthemarquise。
"Oh！averycommonone：MichelChrestien。"
"Youhavedonewelltotellme，"saidMadamed’Espard，eagerly。"I
haveoftenheardofhim。ThisMichelChrestienwastheintimatefriendofaremarkablemanyouhavealreadyexpressedawishtosee，——Danield’Arthez，whocomestomyhousesometwoorthreetimesayear。
Chrestien，whowasreallykilledatSaint-Merri，hadnolackoffriends。Ihavehearditsaidthathewasoneofthosebornstatesmentowhom，likedeMarsay，nothingiswantingbutopportunitytobecomealltheymightbe。"
"Thenhehadbetterbedead，"saidtheprincess，withamelancholyair，underwhichsheconcealedherthoughts。
"Willyoucometomyhousesomeeveningandmeetd’Arthez？"saidthemarquise。"Youcantalkofyourghost。"
"Yes，Iwill，"repliedtheprincess。
CHAPTERII
DANIELD’ARTHEZ
AfewdaysafterthisconversationBlondetandRastignac，whoknewd’Arthez，promisedMadamed’Espardthattheywouldbringhimtodinewithher。Thispromisemighthaveprovedrashhaditnotbeenforthenameoftheprincess，ameetingwithwhomwasnotamatterofindifferencetothegreatwriter。
Danield’Arthez，oneoftheraremenwho，inourday，uniteanoblecharacterwithgreattalent，hadalreadyobtained，notallthepopularityhisworksdeserve，butarespectfulesteemtowhichsoulsofhisowncalibrecouldaddnothing。Hisreputationwillcertainlyincrease；butintheeyesofconnoisseursithadalreadyattaineditsfulldevelopment。Heisoneofthoseauthorswho，soonerorlater，areputintheirrightplace，andneverloseit。Apoornobleman，hehadunderstoodhisepochwellenoughtoseekpersonaldistinctiononly。HehadstruggledlongintheParisianarena，againstthewishesofarichunclewho，byacontradictionwhichvanitymustexplain，afterleavinghisnephewapreytotheutmostpenury，bequeathedtothemanwhohadreachedcelebritythefortunesopitilesslyrefusedtotheunknownwriter。ThissuddenchangeinhispositionmadenochangeinDanield’Arthez’shabits；hecontinuedtoworkwithasimplicityworthyoftheantiquepast，andevenassumednewtoilsbyacceptingaseatintheChamberofDeputies，wherehetookhisseatontheRight。
Sincehisaccessiontofamehehadsometimesgoneintosociety。Oneofhisoldfriends，thenow-famousphysician，HoraceBianchon，persuadedhimtomaketheacquaintanceoftheBarondeRastignac，under-
secretaryofState，andafriendofdeMarsay，theprimeminister。
Thesetwopoliticalofficialsacquiesced，rathernobly，inthestrongwishofd’Arthez，Bianchon，andotherfriendsofMichelChrestienfortheremovalofthebodyofthatrepublicantothechurchofSaint-
Merriforthepurposeofgivingitfuneralhonors。Gratitudeforaservicewhichcontrastedwiththeadministrativerigordisplayedatatimewhenpoliticalpassionsweresoviolent，hadbound，sotospeak，d’ArtheztoRastignac。ThelatteranddeMarsayweremuchtooclevernottoprofitbythatcircumstance；andthustheywonoverotherfriendsofMichelChrestien，whodidnotsharehispoliticalopinions，andwhonowattachedthemselvestothenewgovernment。Oneofthem，LeonGiraud，appointedinthefirstinstancemasterofpetitions，becameeventuallyaCouncillorofState。
ThewholeexistenceofDanield’Arthezisconsecratedtowork；heseessocietyonlybysnatches；itistohimasortofdream。Hishouseisaconvent，whereheleadsthelifeofaBenedictine；thesamesobrietyofregimen，thesameregularityofoccupation。Hisfriendsknewthatuptothepresenttimewomanhadbeentohimnomorethananalwaysdreadedcircumstance；hehadobservedhertoomuchnottofearher；
butbydintofstudyingherhehadceasedtounderstandher，——like，inthis，tothosedeepstrategistswhoarealwaysbeatenonunexpectedground，wheretheirscientificaxiomsareeithermodifiedorcontradicted。Incharacterhestillremainsasimple-heartedchild，allthewhileprovinghimselfanobserverofthefirstrank。Thiscontrast，apparentlyimpossible，isexplainabletothosewhoknowhowtomeasurethedepthswhichseparatefacultiesfromfeelings；theformerproceedfromthehead，thelatterfromtheheart。Amancanbeagreatmanandawickedone，justashecanbeafoolandadevotedlover。D’Arthezisoneofthoseprivilegedbeingsinwhomshrewdnessofmindandabroadexpanseofthequalitiesofthebraindonotexcludeeitherthestrengthorthegrandeurofsentiments。Heis，byrareprivilege，equallyamanofactionandamanofthought。Hisprivatelifeisnobleandgenerous。Ifhecarefullyavoidedlove，itwasbecauseheknewhimself，andfeltapremonitionoftheempiresuchapassionwouldexerciseuponhim。
Forseveralyearsthecrushingtoilbywhichhepreparedthesolidgroundofhissubsequentworks，andthechillofpoverty，weremarvellouspreservatives。Butwheneasewithhisinheritedfortunecametohim，heformedavulgarandmostincomprehensibleconnectionwitharatherhandsomewoman，belongingtothelowerclasses，withouteducationormanners，whomhecarefullyconcealedfromeveryeye。
MichelChrestienattributedtomenofgeniusthepoweroftransformingthemostmassivecreaturesintosylphs，foolsintocleverwomen，peasantsintocountesses；themoreaccomplishedawomanwas，themoreshelosthervalueintheireyes，for，accordingtoMichel，theirimaginationhadthelesstodo。Inhisopinionlove，amerematterofthesensestoinferiorbeings，wastogreatsoulsthemostimmenseofallmoralcreationsandthemostbinding。Tojustifyd’Arthez，heinstancedtheexampleofRaffaeleandtheFornarina。Hemighthaveofferedhimselfasaninstanceforthistheory，hewhohadseenanangelintheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse。Thisstrangefancyofd’Arthezmight，however，beexplainedinotherways；perhapshehaddespairedofmeetingherebelowwithawomanwhoansweredtothatdelightfulvisionwhichallmenofintellectdreamofandcherish；perhapshisheartwastoosensitive，toodelicate，toyielditselftoawomanofsociety；perhapshethoughtbesttoletnaturehaveherway，andkeephisillusionsbycultivatinghisideal；perhapshehadlaidasideloveasbeingincompatiblewithhisworkandtheregularityofamonasticlifewhichlovewouldhavewhollyupset。
Forseveralmonthspastd’ArthezhadbeensubjectedtothejestsandsatireofBlondetandRastignac，whoreproachedhimwithknowingneithertheworldnorwomen。Accordingtothem，hisauthorshipwassufficientlyadvanced，andhisworksnumerousenough，toallowhimafewdistractions；hehadafinefortune，andherehewaslivinglikeastudent；heenjoyednothing，——neitherhismoneynorhisfame；hewasignorantoftheexquisiteenjoymentsofthenobleanddelicatelovewhichwell-bornandwell-bredwomencouldinspireandfeel；heknewnothingofthecharmingrefinementsoflanguage，nothingoftheproofsofaffectionincessantlygivenbyrefinedwomentothecommonestthings。Hemight，perhaps，knowwoman；butheknewnothingofthedivinity。Whynottakehisrightfulplaceintheworld，andtastethedelightsofParisiansociety？
"Whydoesn’tamanwhobearspartyperbendgulesandor，abezantandcrabcounterchanged，"criedRastignac，"displaythatancientescutcheonofPicardyonthepanelsofacarriage？Youhavethirtythousandfrancsayear，andtheproceedsofyourpen；youhavejustifiedyourmotto：Arsthesaurusquevirtus，thatpunningdeviceourancestorswerealwaysseeking，andyetyouneverappearintheBoisdeBoulogne！Weliveintimeswhenvirtueoughttoshowitself。"
"IfyoureadyourworkstothatspeciesofstoutLaforet，whomyouseemtofancy，Iwouldforgiveyou，"saidBlondet。"But，mydearfellow，youarelivingondrybread，materiallyspeaking；inthematterofintellectyouhaven’tevenbread。"
ThisfriendlylittlewarfarehadbeengoingonforseveralmonthsbetweenDanielandhisfriends，whenMadamed’EspardaskedRastignacandBlondettoinduced’Artheztocomeanddinewithher，tellingthemthatthePrincessedeCadignanhadagreatdesiretoseethatcelebratedman。Suchcuriositiesaretocertainwomenwhatmagiclanternsaretochildren，——apleasuretotheeyes，butrathershallowandfullofdisappointments。Themoresentimentsamanoftalentexcitesatadistance，thelessherespondstothemonnearerview；
themorebrilliantfancyhaspicturedhim，thedullerhewillseeminreality。Consequently，disenchantedcuriosityisoftenunjust。
NeitherBlondetnorRastignaccoulddeceived’Arthez；buttheytoldhim，laughing，thattheynowofferedhimamostseductiveopportunitytopolishuphisheartandknowthesupremefascinationswhichloveconferredonaParisiangreatlady。Theprincesswasevidentlyinlovewithhim；hehadnothingtofearbuteverythingtogainbyacceptingtheinterview；itwasquiteimpossiblehecoulddescendfromthepedestalonwhichmadamedeCadignanhadplacedhim。NeitherBlondetnorRastignacsawanyimproprietyinattributingthislovetotheprincess；shewhosepasthadgivenrisetosomanyanecdotescouldverywellstandthatlessercalumny。Togethertheybegantorelatetod’ArtheztheadventuresoftheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse：herfirstaffairwithdeMarsay；hersecondwithd’Ajuda，whomshehad，theysaid，distractedfromhiswife，thusavengingMadamedeBeausant；alsoherlaterconnectionwithyoungd’Esgrignon，whohadtravelledwithherinItaly，andhadhorriblycompromisedhimselfonheraccount；
afterthattheytoldhimhowunhappyshehadbeenwithacertaincelebratedambassador，howhappywithaRussiangeneral，besidesbecomingtheEgeriaoftwoministersofForeignaffairs，andvariousotheranecdotes。D’Arthezrepliedthatheknewagreatdealmorethantheycouldtellhimaboutherthroughtheirpoorfriend，MichelChrestien，whoadoredhersecretlyforfouryears，andhadwell-nighgonemadabouther。
"Ihaveoftenaccompaniedhim，"saidDaniel，"totheopera。Hewouldmakemerunthroughthestreetsasfarasherhorsesthathemightseetheprincessthroughthewindowofhercoupe。"
"Well，thereyouhaveatopicallreadyforyou，"saidBlondet，smiling。"Thisistheverywomanyouneed；she’llinitiateyoumostgracefullyintothemysteriesofelegance；buttakecare！shehaswastedmanyfortunes。ThebeautifulDianeisoneofthosespendthriftswhodon’tcostapenny，butforwhomamanspendsmillions。Giveyourselfuptoher，bodyandsoul，ifyouchoose；butkeepyourmoneyinyourhand，liketheoldfellowinGirodet’s’Deluge。’"