"Poorthing，Iamkillingher！Andnowgentlemen，itistimetogo。"
　　Tenminutesafter，GastonandIleftthehouse。Margueriteshookhandswithmeandsaidgood-bye。Prudenceremainedbehind。
　　"Well，"saidGaston，whenwewereinthestreet，"whatdoyouthinkofMarguerite？"
　　"Sheisanangel，andIammadlyinlovewithher。""SoI
　　guessed；didyoutellherso？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Anddidshepromisetobelieveyou？"
　　"No。"
　　"SheisnotlikePrudence。"
　　"Didshepromiseto？"
　　"Betterstill，mydearfellow。Youwouldn'tthinkit；butsheisstillnothalfbad，pooroldDuvernoy！"
　　Chapter11
　　AtthispointArmandstopped。
　　"Wouldyouclosethewindowforme？"hesaid。"Iambeginningtofeelcold。Meanwhile，Iwillgetintobed。"
　　Iclosedthewindow。Armand，whowasstillveryweak，tookoffhisdressing-gownandlaydowninbed，restinghisheadforafewmomentsonthepillow，likeamanwhoistiredbymuchtalkingordisturbedbypainfulmemories。
　　"Perhapsyouhavebeentalkingtoomuch，"Isaidtohim。"Wouldyouratherformetogoandleaveyoutosleep？Youcantellmetherestofthestoryanotherday。"
　　"Areyoutiredoflisteningtoit？"
　　"Quitethecontrary。"
　　"ThenIwillgoon。Ifyouleftmealone，Ishouldnotsleep。"
　　WhenIreturnedhome（hecontinued，withoutneedingtopauseandrecollecthimself，sofreshwereallthedetailsinhismind），I
　　didnotgotobed，butbegantoreflectovertheday'sadventure。
　　Themeeting，theintroduction，thepromiseofMarguerite，hadfollowedoneanothersorapidly，andsounexpectedly，thatthereweremomentswhenitseemedtomeIhadbeendreaming。
　　Nevertheless，itwasnotthefirsttimethatagirllikeMargueritehadpromisedherselftoamanonthemorrowofthedayonwhichhehadaskedforthepromise。
　　Though，indeed，Imadethisreflection，thefirstimpressionproducedonmebymyfuturemistresswassostrongthatitstillpersisted。Irefusedobstinatelytoseeinherawomanlikeotherwomen，and，withthevanitysocommontoallmen，Iwasreadytobelievethatshecouldnotbutsharetheattractionwhichdrewmetoher。
　　Yet，Ihadbeforemeplentyofinstancestothecontrary，andI
　　hadoftenheardthattheaffectionofMargueritewasathingtobehadmoreorlessdear，accordingtotheseason。
　　But，ontheotherhand，howwasItoreconcilethisreputationwithherconstantrefusaloftheyoungcountwhomwehadfoundatherhouse？Youmaysaythathewasunattractivetoher，andthat，asshewassplendidlykeptbytheduke，shewouldbemorelikelytochooseamanwhowasattractivetoher，ifsheweretotakeanotherlover。Ifso，whydidshenotchooseGaston，whowasrich，witty，andcharming，andwhydidshecareforme，whomshehadthoughtsoridiculousthefirsttimeshehadseenme？
　　Itistruethatthereareeventsofamomentwhichtellmorethanthecourtshipofayear。Ofthosewhowereatthesupper，Iwastheonlyonewhohadbeenconcernedatherleavingthetable。I
　　hadfollowedher，Ihadbeensoaffectedastobeunabletohideitfromher，IhadweptasIkissedherhand。Thiscircumstance，addedtomydailyvisitsduringthetwomonthsofherillness，mighthaveshownherthatIwassomewhatdifferentfromtheothermensheknew，andperhapsshehadsaidtoherselfthatforalovewhichcouldthusmanifestitselfshemightwelldowhatshehaddonesooftenthatithadnomoreconsequenceforher。
　　Allthesesuppositions，asyoumaysee，wereimprobableenough；
　　butwhatevermighthavebeenthereasonofherconsent，onethingwascertain，shehadconsented。
　　Now，IwasinlovewithMarguerite。Ihadnothingmoretoaskofher。Nevertheless，thoughshewasonlyakeptwoman，Ihadsoanticipatedformyself，perhapstopoetizeitalittle，ahopelesslove，thatthenearerthemomentapproachedwhenI
　　shouldhavenothingmoretohope，themoreIdoubted。Ididnotclosemyeyesallnight。
　　Iscarcelyknewmyself。Iwashalfdemented。Now，Iseemedtomyselfnothandsomeorrichorelegantenoughtopossesssuchawoman，nowIwasfilledwithvanityatthethoughtofit；thenI
　　begantofearlestMargueritehadnomorethanafewdays'
　　capriceforme，andIsaidtomyselfthatsinceweshouldsoonhavetopart，itwouldbebetternottokeepherappointment，buttowriteandtellhermyfearsandleaveher。FromthatIwentontounlimitedhope，unboundedconfidence。Idreamedincredibledreamsofthefuture；Isaidtomyselfthatsheshouldowetomehermoralandphysicalrecovery，thatIshouldspendmywholelifewithher，andthatherloveshouldmakemehappierthanallthemaidenlylovesintheworld。
　　ButIcannotrepeattoyouthethousandthoughtsthatrosefrommyhearttomyhead，andthatonlyfadedawaywiththesleepthatcametomeatdaybreak。
　　WhenIawokeitwastwoo'clock。Theweatherwassuperb。Idon'tthinklifeeverseemedtomesobeautifulandsofullofpossibilities。Thememoriesofthenightbeforecametomewithoutshadoworhindrance，escortedgailybythehopesofthenighttocome。Fromtimetotimemyheartleapedwithloveandjoyinmybreast。Asweetfeverthrilledme。IthoughtnomoreofthereasonswhichhadfilledmymindbeforeIslept。Isawonlytheresult，IthoughtonlyofthehourwhenIwastoseeMargueriteagain。
　　Itwasimpossibletostayindoors。Myroomseemedtoosmalltocontainmyhappiness。Ineededthewholeofnaturetounbosommyself。
　　Iwentout。PassingbytheRued'Antin，IsawMarguerite'scoupe'
　　waitingforheratthedoor。IwenttowardtheChamps-Elysees。I
　　lovedallthepeoplewhomImet。Lovegivesoneakindofgoodness。
　　AfterIhadbeenwalkingforanhourfromtheMarlyhorsestotheRond-Point，IsawMarguerite'scarriageinthedistance；I
　　divinedratherthanrecognisedit。AsitwasturningthecorneroftheChamps-Elyseesitstopped，andatallyoungmanleftagroupofpeoplewithwhomhewastalkingandcameuptoher。Theytalkedforafewmoments；theyoungmanreturnedtohisfriends，thehorsessetoutagain，andasIcamenearthegroupI
　　recognisedtheonewhohadspokentoMargueriteastheComtedeG。，whoseportraitIhadseenandwhomPrudencehadindicatedtomeasthemantowhomMargueriteowedherposition。Itwastohimthatshehadclosedherdoorsthenightbefore；Iimaginedthatshehadstoppedhercarriageinordertoexplaintohimwhyshehaddoneso，andIhopedthatatthesametimeshehadfoundsomenewpretextfornotreceivinghimonthefollowingnight。
　　HowIspenttherestofthedayIdonotknow；Iwalked，smoked，talked，butwhatIsaid，whomImet，Ihadutterlyforgottenbyteno'clockintheevening。
　　AllIrememberisthatwhenIreturnedhome，Ispentthreehoursovermytoilet，andIlookedatmywatchandmyclockahundredtimes，whichunfortunatelybothpointedtothesamehour。
　　Whenitstruckhalfpastten，Isaidtomyselfthatitwastimetogo。
　　IlivedatthattimeintheRuedeProvence；IfollowedtheRueduMont-Blanc，crossedtheBoulevard，wentuptheRueLouis-le-Grand，theRuedePort-Mahon，andtheRued'Antin。I
　　lookedupatMarguerite'swindows。Therewasalight。Irang。I
　　askedtheporterifMlle。Gautierwasathome。Herepliedthatshenevercameinbeforeelevenoraquarterpasteleven。I
　　lookedatmywatch。Iintendedtocomequiteslowly，andIhadcomeinfiveminutesfromtheRuedeProvencetotheRued'Antin。
　　Iwalkedtoandfrointhestreet；therearenoshops，andatthathouritisquitedeserted。Inhalfanhour'stimeMargueritearrived。Shelookedaroundherasshegotdownfromhercoupe'，asifshewerelookingforsomeone。Thecarriagedroveoff；thestableswerenotatthehouse。JustasMargueritewasgoingtoring，Iwentuptoherandsaid，"Good-evening。"
　　"Ah，itisyou，"shesaid，inatonethatbynomeansreassuredmeastoherpleasureinseeingme。
　　"DidyounotpromisemethatImightcomeandseeyouto-day？"
　　"Quiteright。Ihadforgotten。"
　　ThiswordupsetallthereflectionsIhadhadduringtheday。
　　Nevertheless，Iwasbeginningtogetusedtoherways，andIdidnotleaveher，asIshouldcertainlyhavedoneonce。Weentered。
　　Naninehadalreadyopenedthedoor。
　　"HasPrudencecome？"saidMarguerite。
　　"No，madame。"
　　"Saythatsheistobeadmittedassoonasshecomes。Butfirstputoutthelampinthedrawing-room，andifanyonecomes，saythatIhavenotcomebackandshallnotbecomingback。"
　　Shewaslikeawomanwhoispreoccupiedwithsomething，andperhapsannoyedbyanunwelcomeguest。Ididnotknowwhattodoorsay。Margueritewenttowardherbedroom；IremainedwhereI
　　was。
　　"Come，"shesaid。
　　Shetookoffherhatandhervelvetcloakandthrewthemonthebed，thenletherselfdropintoagreatarmchairbesidethefire，whichshekepttilltheverybeginningofsummer，andsaidtomeasshefingeredherwatch-chain：
　　"Well，whatnewshaveyougotforme？"
　　"None，exceptthatIoughtnottohavecometo-night。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseyouseemvexed，andnodoubtIamboringyou。"
　　"Youarenotboringme；onlyIamnotwell；Ihavebeensufferingallday。Icouldnotsleep，andIhaveafrightfulheadache。"
　　"ShallIgoawayandletyougotobed？"
　　"Oh，youcanstay。IfIwanttogotobedIdon'tmindyourbeinghere。"
　　Atthatmomenttherewasaring。
　　"Whoiscomingnow？"shesaid，withanimpatientmovement。
　　Afewminutesaftertherewasanotherring。
　　"Isn'tthereanyonetogotothedoor？Ishallhavetogo。"Shegotupandsaidtome，"Waithere。"
　　Shewentthroughtherooms，andIheardheropentheouterdoor。
　　Ilistened。
　　Thepersonwhomshehadadmitteddidnotcomefartherthanthedining-room。AtthefirstwordIrecognisedthevoiceoftheyoungComtedeN。
　　"Howareyouthisevening？"hesaid。
　　"Notwell，"repliedMargueritedrily。
　　"AmIdisturbingyou？"
　　"Perhaps。
　　"Howyoureceiveme！WhathaveIdone，mydearMarguerite？"
　　"Mydearfriend，youhavedonenothing。Iamill；Imustgotobed，soyouwillbegoodenoughtogo。Itissickeningnottobeabletoreturnatnightwithoutyourmakingyourappearancefiveminutesafterward。Whatisityouwant？Formetobeyourmistress？Well，Ihavealreadytoldyouahundredtimes，No；yousimplyworryme，andyoumightaswellgosomewhereelse。I
　　repeattoyouto-day，forthelasttime，Idon'twanttohaveanythingtodowithyou；that'ssettled。Good-bye。Here'sNaninecomingin；shecanlightyoutothedoor。Good-night。"
　　Withoutaddinganotherword，orlisteningtowhattheyoungmanstammeredout，Margueritereturnedtotheroomandslammedthedoor。Nanineenteredamomentafter。
　　"Nowunderstand，"saidMarguerite，"youarealwaystosaytothatidiotthatIamnotin，orthatIwillnotseehim。Iamtiredoutwithseeingpeoplewhoalwayswantthesamething；whopaymeforit，andthenthinktheyarequitofme。Ifthosewhoaregoingtogoinforourhatefulbusinessonlyknewwhatitreallywastheywouldsoonerbechambermaids。Butno，vanity，thedesireofhavingdressesandcarriagesanddiamondscarriesusaway；onebelieveswhatonehears，forhere，aselsewhere，thereissuchathingasbelief，andoneusesupone'sheart，one'sbody，one'sbeauty，littlebylittle；oneisfearedlikeabeastofprey，scornedlikeapariah，surroundedbypeoplewhoalwaystakemorethantheygive；andonefinedayonedieslikeadoginaditch，afterhavingruinedothersandruinedone'sself。"
　　"Come，come，madame，becalm，"saidNanine；"yournervesareabitupsetto-night。"
　　"Thisdressworriesme，"continuedMarguerite，unhookingherbodice；"givemeadressing-gown。Well，andPrudence？"
　　"Shehasnotcomeyet，butIwillsendhertoyou，madame，themomentshecomes。"
　　"There'sone，now，"Margueritewenton，asshetookoffherdressandputonawhitedressing-gown，"there'sonewhoknowsverywellhowtofindmewhensheisinwantofme，andyetshecan'tdomeaservicedecently。SheknowsIamwaitingforananswer。
　　SheknowshowanxiousIam，andIamsuresheisgoingaboutonherownaccount，withoutgivingathoughttome。"
　　"Perhapsshehadtowait。"
　　"Letushavesomepunch。"
　　"Itwilldoyounogood，madame，"saidNanine。
　　"Somuchthebetter。Bringsomefruit，too，andapateorawingofchicken；somethingorother，atonce。Iamhungry。"
　　NeedItellyoutheimpressionwhichthisscenemadeuponme，orcanyounotimagineit？
　　"Youaregoingtohavesupperwithme，"shesaidtome；
　　"meanwhile，takeabook。Iamgoingintomydressing-roomforamoment。"
　　Shelitthecandlesofacandelabra，openedadooratthefootofthebed，anddisappeared。
　　Ibegantothinkoverthispoorgirl'slife，andmyloveforherwasmingledwithagreatpity。Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom，thinkingoverthings，whenPrudenceentered。
　　"Ah，youhere？"'shesaid，"whereisMarguerite？"
　　"Inherdressing-room。"
　　"Iwillwait。Bytheway，doyouknowshethinksyoucharming？"
　　"No。"
　　"Shehasn'ttoldyou？"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"Howareyouhere？"
　　"Ihavecometopayheravisit。"
　　"Atmidnight？"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Farceur！"
　　"Shehasreceivedme，asamatteroffact，verybadly。"
　　"Shewillreceiveyoubetterbyandbye。"
　　"Doyouthinkso？"
　　"Ihavesomegoodnewsforher。"
　　"Noharminthat。Soshehasspokentoyouaboutme？"
　　"Lastnight，orratherto-night，whenyouandyourfriendwent。
　　Bytheway，whatisyourfriendcalled？GastonR。，hisnameis，isn'tit？"
　　"Yes，"saidI，notwithoutsmiling，asIthoughtofwhatGastonhadconfidedtome，andsawthatPrudencescarcelyevenknewhisname。
　　"Heisquitenice，thatfellow；whatdoeshedo？"
　　"Hehastwenty-fivethousandfrancsayear。"
　　"Ah，indeed！Well，toreturntoyou。Margueriteaskedmeallaboutyou：whoyouwere，whatyoudid，whatmistressesyouhadhad；inshort，everythingthatonecouldaskaboutamanofyourage。ItoldherallIknew，andaddedthatyouwereacharmingyoungman。That'sall。"
　　"Thanks。Nowtellmewhatitwasshewantedtosaytoyoulastnight。"
　　"Nothingatall。Itwasonlytogetridofthecount；butIhavereallysomethingtoseeheraboutto-day，andIambringingherananswernow。"
　　AtthismomentMargueritereappearedfromherdressing-room，wearingacoquettishlittlenightcapwithbunchesofyellowribbons，technicallyknownas"cabbages。"Shelookedravishing。
　　Shehadsatinslippersonherbarefeet，andwasintheactofpolishinghernails。
　　"Well，"shesaid，seeingPrudence，"haveyouseentheduke？"
　　"Yes，indeed。"
　　"Andwhatdidhesaytoyou？"
　　"Hegaveme——"
　　"Howmuch？"
　　"Sixthousand。"
　　"Haveyougotit？"
　　"Yes。
　　"Didheseemputout？"
　　"No。"
　　"Poorman！"
　　This"Poorman！"wassaidinatoneimpossibletorender。
　　Margueritetookthesixnotesofathousandfrancs。
　　"Itwasquitetime，"shesaid。"MydearPrudence，areyouinwantofanymoney？"
　　"Youknow，mychild，itisthe15thinacoupleofdays，soifyoucouldlendmethreeorfourhundredfrancs，youwoulddomearealservice。"
　　"Sendoverto-morrow；itistoolatetogetchangenow。"
　　"Don'tforget。"
　　"Nofear。Willyouhavesupperwithus？"
　　"No，Charlesiswaitingforme。"
　　"Youarestilldevotedtohim？"
　　"Crazy，mydear！Iwillseeyouto-morrow。Good-bye，Armand。"
　　Mme。Duvernoywentout。
　　Margueriteopenedthedrawerofaside-tableandthrewthebank-notesintoit。
　　"Willyoupermitmetogetintobed？"shesaidwithasmile，asshemovedtowardthebed。
　　"Notonlypermit，butIbegofyou。"
　　Sheturnedbackthecoveringandgotintobed。
　　"Now，"saidshe，"comeandsitdownbyme，andlet'shaveatalk。"
　　Prudencewasright：theanswerthatshehadbroughttoMargueritehadputherintoagoodhumour。
　　"Willyouforgivemeformybadtempertonight？"shesaid，takingmyhand。
　　"Iamreadytoforgiveyouasoftenasyoulike。"
　　"Andyouloveme？"
　　"Madly。"
　　"Inspiteofmybaddisposition？"
　　"Inspiteofall。"
　　"Youswearit？"
　　"Yes，"Isaidinawhisper。
　　Nanineentered，carryingplates，acoldchicken，abottleofclaret，andsomestrawberries。
　　"Ihaven'thadanypunchmade，"saidNanine；"claretisbetterforyou。Isn'tit，sir？"
　　"Certainly，"Ireplied，stillundertheexcitementofMarguerite'slastwords，myeyesfixedardentlyuponher。
　　"Good，"saidshe；"putitallonthelittletable，anddrawituptothebed；wewillhelpourselves。Thisisthethirdnightyouhavesatup，andyoumustbeinwantofsleep。Gotobed。Idon'twantanythingmore。"
　　"ShallIlockthedoor？"
　　"Ishouldthinkso！Andaboveall，tellthemnottoadmitanybodybeforemidday。"
　　Chapter12
　　Atfiveo'clockinthemorning，asthelightbegantoappearthroughthecurtains，Margueritesaidtome："ForgivemeifI
　　sendyouaway；butImust。Thedukecomeseverymorning；theywilltellhim，whenhecomes，thatIamasleep，andperhapshewillwaituntilIwake。"
　　ItookMarguerite'sheadinmyhands；herloosenedhairstreamedabouther；Igaveheralastkiss，saying："WhenshallIseeyouagain？"
　　"Listen，"shesaid；"takethelittlegiltkeyonthemantelpiece，openthatdoor；bringmebackthekeyandgo。Inthecourseofthedayyoushallhavealetter，andmyorders，foryouknowyouaretoobeyblindly。"
　　"Yes；butifIshouldalreadyaskforsomething？"
　　"What？"
　　"Letmehavethatkey。"
　　"WhatyouaskisathingIhaveneverdoneforanyone。"
　　"Well，doitforme，forIsweartoyouthatIdon'tloveyouastheothershavelovedyou。"
　　"Well，keepit；butitonlydependsonmetomakeituselesstoyou，afterall。"
　　"How？"
　　"Thereareboltsonthedoor。"
　　"Wretch！"
　　"Iwillhavethemtakenoff。"
　　"Youlove，then，alittle？"
　　"Idon'tknowhowitis，butitseemstomeasifIdo！Now，go；
　　Ican'tkeepmyeyesopen。"
　　Iheldherinmyarmsforafewsecondsandthenwent。
　　Thestreetswereempty，thegreatcitywasstillasleep，asweetfreshnesscirculatedinthestreetsthatafewhourslaterwouldbefilledwiththenoiseofmen。Itseemedtomeasifthissleepingcitybelongedtome；IsearchedmymemoryforthenamesofthosewhosehappinessIhadonceenvied；andIcouldnotrecallonewithoutfindingmyselfthehappier。
　　Tobelovedbyapureyounggirl，tobethefirsttorevealtoherthestrangemysteryoflove，isindeedagreathappiness，butitisthesimplestthingintheworld。Totakecaptiveaheartwhichhashadnoexperienceofattack，istoenteranunfortifiedandungarrisonedcity。Education，familyfeeling，thesenseofduty，thefamily，arestrongsentinels，buttherearenosentinelssovigilantasnottobedeceivedbyagirlofsixteentowhomnature，bythevoiceofthemansheloves，givesthefirstcounselsoflove，allthemoreardentbecausetheyseemsopure。
　　Themoreagirlbelievesingoodness，themoreeasilywillshegiveway，ifnottoherlover，atleasttolove，forbeingwithoutmistrustsheiswithoutforce，andtowinherloveisatriumphthatcanbegainedbyanyyoungmanoffive-and-twenty。
　　Seehowyounggirlsarewatchedandguarded！Thewallsofconventsarenothighenough，mothershavenolocksstrongenough，religionhasnodutiesconstantenough，toshutthesecharmingbirdsintheircages，cagesnotevenstrewnwithflowers。Thenhowsurelymusttheydesiretheworldwhichishiddenfromthem，howsurelymusttheyfindittempting，howsurelymusttheylistentothefirstvoicewhichcomestotellitssecretsthroughtheirbars，andblessthehandwhichisthefirsttoraiseacornerofthemysteriousveil！
　　Buttobereallylovedbyacourtesan：thatisavictoryofinfinitelygreaterdifficulty。Withthemthebodyhaswornoutthesoul，thesenseshaveburneduptheheart，dissipationhasbluntedthefeelings。Theyhavelongknownthewordsthatwesaytothem，themeansweuse；theyhavesoldthelovethattheyinspire。Theylovebyprofession，andnotbyinstinct。Theyareguardedbetterbytheircalculationsthanavirginbyhermotherandherconvent；andtheyhaveinventedthewordcapriceforthatunbarteredlovewhichtheyallowthemselvesfromtimetotime，forarest，foranexcuse，foraconsolation，likeusurers，whocheatathousand，andthinktheyhaveboughttheirownredemptionbyoncelendingasovereigntoapoordevilwhoisdyingofhungerwithoutaskingforinterestorareceipt。
　　Then，whenGodallowslovetoacourtesan，thatlove，whichatfirstseemslikeapardon，becomesforheralmostwithoutpenitence。Whenacreaturewhohasallherpasttoreproachherselfwithistakenallatoncebyaprofound，sincere，irresistiblelove，ofwhichshehadneverfeltherselfcapable；
　　whenshehasconfessedherlove，howabsolutelythemanwhomshelovesdominatesher！Howstronghefeelswithhiscruelrighttosay：Youdonomoreforlovethanyouhavedoneformoney。Theyknownotwhatprooftogive。Achild，saysthefable，havingoftenamusedhimselfbycrying"Help！awolf！"inordertodisturbthelabourersinthefield，wasonedaydevouredbyaWolf，becausethosewhomhehadsooftendeceivednolongerbelievedinhiscriesforhelp。Itisthesamewiththeseunhappywomenwhentheyloveseriously。Theyhaveliedsooftenthatnoonewillbelievethem，andinthemidstoftheirremorsetheyaredevouredbytheirlove。
　　Hencethosegreatdevotions，thoseaustereretreatsfromtheworld，ofwhichsomeofthemhavegivenanexample。
　　Butwhenthemanwhoinspiresthisredeemingloveisgreatenoughinsoultoreceiveitwithoutrememberingthepast，whenhegiveshimselfuptoit，when，inshort，helovesasheisloved，thismandrainsatonedraughtallearthlyemotions，andaftersuchalovehisheartwillbeclosedtoeveryother。
　　IdidnotmakethesereflectionsonthemorningwhenIreturnedhome。Theycouldbuthavebeenthepresentimentofwhatwastohappentome，and，despitemyloveforMarguerite，Ididnotforeseesuchconsequences。Imakethesereflectionsto-day。Nowthatallisirrevocablyended，theyarisenaturallyoutofwhathastakenplace。
　　Buttoreturntothefirstdayofmyliaison。WhenIreachedhomeIwasinastateofmadgaiety。AsIthoughtofhowthebarrierswhichmyimaginationhadplacedbetweenMargueriteandmyselfhaddisappeared，ofhowshewasnowmine；oftheplaceInowhadinherthoughts，ofthekeytoherroomwhichIhadinmypocket，andofmyrighttousethiskey，Iwassatisfiedwithlife，proudofmyself，andIlovedGodbecausehehadletsuchthingsbe。
　　Onedayayoungmanispassinginthestreet，hebrushesagainstawoman，looksather，turns，goesonhisway。Hedoesnotknowthewoman，andshehaspleasures，griefs，loves，inwhichhehasnopart。Hedoesnotexistforher，andperhaps，ifhespoketoher，shewouldonlylaughathim，asMargueritehadlaughedatme。Weeks，months，yearspass，andallatonce，whentheyhaveeachfollowedtheirfatealongadifferentpath，thelogicofchancebringsthemfacetoface。Thewomanbecomestheman'smistressandloveshim。How？why？Theirtwoexistencesarehenceforthone；theyhavescarcelybeguntoknowoneanotherwhenitseemsasiftheyhadknownoneanotheralways，andallthathadgonebeforeiswipedoutfromthememoryofthetwolovers。
　　Itiscurious，onemustadmit。
　　Asforme，InolongerrememberedhowIhadlivedbeforethatnight。Mywholebeingwasexaltedintojoyatthememoryofthewordswehadexchangedduringthatfirstnight。EitherMargueritewasverycleverindeception，orshehadconceivedformeoneofthosesuddenpassionswhicharerevealedinthefirstkiss，andwhichdie，oftenenough，assuddenlyastheywereborn。
　　ThemoreIreflectedthemoreIsaidtomyselfthatMargueritehadnoreasonforfeigningalovewhichshedidnotfeel，andI
　　saidtomyselfalsothatwomenhavetwowaysofloving，oneofwhichmayarisefromtheother：theylovewiththeheartorwiththesenses。Oftenawomantakesaloverinobediencetothemerewillofthesenses，andlearnswithoutexpectingitthemysteryofimmateriallove，andliveshenceforthonlythroughherheart；
　　oftenagirlwhohassoughtinmarriageonlytheunionoftwopureaffectionsreceivesthesuddenrevelationofphysicallove，thatenergeticconclusionofthepurestimpressionsofthesoul。
　　InthemidstofthesethoughtsIfellasleep；IwasawakenedbyaletterfromMargueritecontainingthesewords：
　　"Herearemyorders：To-nightattheVaudeville。
　　"Comeduringthethirdentr'acte。"
　　Iputtheletterintoadrawer，sothatImightalwayshaveitatbandincaseIdoubteditsreality，asIdidfromtimetotime。
　　Shedidnottellmetocometoseeherduringtheday，andI
　　darednotgo；butIhadsogreatadesiretoseeherbeforetheeveningthatIwenttotheChamps-Elysees，whereIagainsawherpassandrepass，asIhadonthepreviousday。
　　Atseveno'clockIwasattheVaudeville。NeverhadIgonetoatheatresoearly。Theboxesfilledoneafteranother。Onlyoneremainedempty，thestagebox。AtthebeginningofthethirdactIheardthedoorofthebox，onwhichmyeyeshadbeenalmostconstantlyfixed，open，andMargueriteappeared。Shecametothefrontatonce，lookedaroundthestalls，sawme，andthankedmewithalook。
　　Thatnightshewasmarvellouslybeautiful。WasIthecauseofthiscoquetry？DidshelovemeenoughtobelievethatthemorebeautifulshelookedthehappierIshouldbe？Ididnotknow，butifthathadbeenherintentionshecertainlysucceeded，forwhensheappearedallheadsturned，andtheactorwhowasthenonthestagelookedtoseewhohadproducedsuchaneffectontheaudiencebyhermerepresencethere。
　　AndIhadthekeyofthiswoman'sroom，andinthreeorfourhoursshewouldagainbemine！
　　Peopleblamethosewholetthemselvesberuinedbyactressesandkeptwomen；whatastonishesmeisthattwentytimesgreaterfolliesarenotcommittedforthem。Onemusthavelivedthatlife，asIhave，toknowhowmuchthelittlevanitieswhichtheyaffordtheirloverseverydayhelptofastendeeperintotheheart，sincewehavenootherwordforit，thelovewhichhehasforthem。
　　Prudencenexttookherplaceinthebox，andaman，whomI
　　recognisedastheComtedeG。，seatedhimselfattheback。AsI
　　sawhim，acoldshiverwentthroughmyheart。
　　DoubtlessMargueriteperceivedtheimpressionmadeonmebythepresenceofthisman，forshesmiledtomeagain，and，turningherbacktothecount，appearedtobeveryattentivetotheplay。
　　Atthethirdentr'actesheturnedandsaidtwowords：thecountleftthebox，andMargueritebeckonedtometocometoher。
　　"Good-evening，"shesaidasIentered，holdingoutherhand。
　　"Good-evening，"IrepliedtobothMargueriteandPrudence。
　　"Sitdown。"
　　"ButIamtakingsomeone'splace。Isn'ttheComtedeG。comingback？"
　　"Yes；Isenthimtofetchsomesweets，sothatwecouldtalkbyourselvesforamoment。Mme。Duvernoyisinthesecret。"
　　"Yes，mychildren，"saidshe；"havenofear。Ishallsaynothing。"
　　"Whatisthematterwithyouto-night？"saidMarguerite，risingandcomingtothebackoftheboxandkissingmeontheforehead。
　　"Iamnotverywell。"
　　"Youshouldgotobed，"shereplied，withthatironicalairwhichwentsowellwithherdelicateandwittyface。
　　"Where？"
　　"Athome。"
　　"YouknowthatIshouldn'tbeabletosleepthere。"
　　"Well，then，itwon'tdoforyoutocomeandbepettishherebecauseyouhaveseenamaninmybox。"
　　"Itisnotforthatreason。"
　　"Yes，itis。Iknow；andyouarewrong，soletussaynomoreaboutit。YouwillgobackwithPrudenceafterthetheatre，andyouwillstaytheretillIcall。Doyouunderstand？"
　　"Yes。"
　　HowcouldIdisobey？
　　"Youstillloveme？"
　　"Canyouask？"
　　"Youhavethoughtofme？"
　　"Alldaylong。"
　　"DoyouknowthatIamreallyafraidthatIshallgetveryfondofyou？AskPrudence。"
　　"Ah，"saidshe，"itisamazing！"
　　"Now，youmustgobacktoyourseat。Thecountwillbecomingback，andthereisnothingtobegainedbyhisfindingyouhere。"
　　"Becauseyoudon'tlikeseeinghim。"
　　"No；onlyifyouhadtoldmethatyouwantedtocometotheVaudevilleto-nightIcouldhavegotthisboxforyouaswellashe。"
　　"Unfortunately，hegotitformewithoutmyaskinghim，andheaskedmetogowithhim；youknowwellenoughthatIcouldn'trefuse。AllIcoulddowastowriteandtellyouwhereIwasgoing，sothatyoucouldseeme，andbecauseIwantedtoseeyoumyself；butsincethisisthewayyouthankme，Ishallprofitbythelesson。"
　　"Iwaswrong；forgiveme。"
　　"Wellandgood；andnowgobacknicelytoyourplace，and，aboveall，nomorejealousy。"
　　Shekissedmeagain，andIleftthebox。InthepassageImetthecountcomingback。Ireturnedtomyseat。
　　Afterall，thepresenceofM。deG。inMarguerite'sboxwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。Hehadbeenherlover，hesentherabox，heaccompaniedhertothetheatre；itwasallquitenatural，andifIwastohaveamistresslikeMargueriteIshouldhavetogetusedtoherways。
　　Nonetheless，Iwasveryunhappyalltherestoftheevening，andwentawayverysadlyafterhavingseenPrudence，thecount，andMargueritegetintothecarriage，whichwaswaitingforthematthedoor。
　　However，aquarterofanhourlaterIwasatPrudence's。Shehadonlyjustgotin。
　　Chapter13
　　"Youhavecomealmostasquicklyaswe，"saidPrudence。
　　"Yes，"Iansweredmechanically。"WhereisMarguerite？"
　　"Athome。"
　　"Alone？"
　　"WithM。deG。"
　　Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom。
　　"Well，whatisthematter？"
　　"DoyouthinkitamusesmetowaitheretillM。deG。leavesMarguerite's？"
　　"Howunreasonableyouare！Don'tyouseethatMargueritecan'tturnthecountoutofdoors？M。deG。hasbeenwithherforalongtime；hehasalwaysgivenheralotofmoney；hestilldoes。
　　Margueritespendsmorethanahundredthousandfrancsayear；shehasheapsofdebts。Thedukegivesherallthatsheasksfor，butshedoesnotalwaysventuretoaskhimforallthatsheisinwantof。Itwouldneverdoforhertoquarrelwiththecount，whoisworthtoheratleasttenthousandfrancsayear。Margueriteisveryfondofyou，mydearfellow，butyourliaisonwithher，inherinterestsandinyours，oughtnottobeserious。Youwithyoursevenoreightthousandfrancsayear，whatcouldyoudotowardsupplyingalltheluxurieswhichagirllikethatisinneedof？Itwouldnotbeenoughtokeephercarriage。TakeMargueriteforwhatsheis，foragood，bright，prettygirl；beherloverforamonth，twomonths；giveherflowers，sweets，boxesatthetheatre；butdon'tgetanyotherideasintoyourhead，anddon'tmakeabsurdscenesofjealousy。Youknowwhomyouhavetodowith；Margueriteisn'tasaint。Shelikesyou，youareveryfondofher；lettherestalone。YouamazemewhenIseeyousotouchy；youhavethemostcharmingmistressinParis。Shereceivesyouinthegreateststyle，sheiscoveredwithdiamonds，sheneedn'tcostyouapenny，unlessyoulike，andyouarenotsatisfied。Mydearfellow，youasktoomuch！"
　　"Youareright，butIcan'thelpit；theideathatthatmanisherloverhurtsmehorribly。"
　　"Inthefirstplace，"repliedPrudence；"ishestillherlover？
　　Heisamanwhoisusefultoher，nothingmore。Shehasclosedherdoorstohimfortwodays；hecamethismorning——shecouldnotbutaccepttheboxandlethimaccompanyher。Hesawherhome；hehasgoneinforamoment，heisnotstaying，becauseyouarewaitinghere。Allthat，itseemstome，isquitenatural。
　　Besides，youdon'tmindtheduke。"
　　"Yes；butheisanoldman，andIamsurethatMargueriteisnothismistress。Then，itisallverywelltoacceptoneliaison，butnottwo。Sucheasinessinthematterisverylikecalculation，andputsthemanwhoconsentstoit，evenoutoflove，verymuchinthecategoryofthosewho，inalowerstageofsociety，makeatradeoftheirconnivance，andaprofitoftheirtrade。"
　　"Ah，mydearfellow，howold-fashionedyouare！HowmanyoftherichestandmostfashionablemenofthebestfamiliesIhaveseenquitereadytodowhatIadviseyoutodo，andwithoutaneffort，withoutshame，withoutremorse，Why，oneseesiteveryday。HowdoyousupposethekeptwomeninPariscouldliveinthestyletheydo，iftheyhadnotthreeorfourloversatonce？Nosinglefortune，howeverlarge，couldsufficefortheexpensesofawomanlikeMarguerite。Afortuneoffivehundredthousandfrancsayearis，inFrance，anenormousfortune；well，mydearfriend，fivehundredthousandfrancsayearwouldstillbetoolittle，andforthisreason：amanwithsuchanincomehasalargehouse，horses，servants，carriages；heshoots，hasfriends，oftenheismarried，hehaschildren，heraces，gambles，travels，andwhatnot。Allthesehabitsaresomuchapartofhispositionthathecannotforegothemwithoutappearingtohavelostallhismoney，andwithoutcausingscandal。Takingitallround，withfivehundredthousandfrancsayearhecannotgiveawomanmorethanfortyorfiftythousandfrancsintheyear，andthatisalreadyagooddeal。Well，otherloversmakeupfortherestofherexpenses。
　　WithMarguerite，itisstillmoreconvenient；shehaschancedbyamiracleonanoldmanworthtenmillions，whosewifeanddaughteraredead；whohasonlysomenephews，themselvesrich，andwhogivesherallshewantswithoutaskinganythinginreturn。Butshecannotaskhimformorethanseventythousandfrancsayear；andIamsurethatifshedidaskformore，despitehishealthandtheaffectionhehasforherhewouldnotgiveittoher。
　　"AlltheyoungmenoftwentyorthirtythousandfrancsayearatParis，thatistosay，menwhohaveonlyjustenoughtoliveoninthesocietyinwhichtheymix，knowperfectlywell，whentheyaretheloversofawomanlikeMarguerite，thatshecouldnotsomuchaspayfortheroomsshelivesinandtheservantswhowaituponherwithwhattheygiveher。Theydonotsaytoherthattheyknowit；theypretendnottoseeanything，andwhentheyhavehadenoughofittheygotheirway。Iftheyhavethevanitytowishtopayforeverythingtheygetruined，likethefoolstheyare，andgoandgetkilledinAfrica，afterleavingahundredthousandfrancsofdebtinParis。Doyouthinkawomanisgratefultothemforit？Farfromit。Shedeclaresthatshehassacrificedherpositionforthem，andthatwhileshewaswiththemshewaslosingmoney。Thesedetailsseemtoyoushocking？
　　Well，theyaretrue。Youareaverynicefellow；Ilikeyouverymuch。Ihavelivedwiththesewomenfortwentyyears；Iknowwhattheyareworth，andIdon'twanttoseeyoutakethecapricethataprettygirlhasforyoutooseriously。
　　"Then，besidesthat，"continuedPrudence；"admitthatMargueritelovesyouenoughtogiveupthecountortheduke，incaseoneofthemweretodiscoveryourliaisonandtotellhertochoosebetweenhimandyou，thesacrificethatshewouldmakeforyouwouldbeenormous，youcannotdenyit。Whatequalsacrificecouldyoumakeforher，onyourpart，andwhenyouhadgottiredofher，whatcouldyoudotomakeupforwhatyouhadtakenfromher？Nothing。Youwouldhavecutherofffromtheworldinwhichherfortuneandherfutureweretobefound；shewouldhavegivenyouherbestyears，andshewouldbeforgotten。Eitheryouwouldbeanordinaryman，and，castingherpastinherteeth，youwouldleaveher，tellingherthatyouwereonlydoinglikeherotherlovers，andyouwouldabandonhertocertainmisery；oryouwouldbeanhonestman，and，feelingboundtokeepherbyyou，youwouldbringinevitabletroubleuponyourself，foraliaisonwhichisexcusableinayoungman，isnolongerexcusableinamanofmiddleage。Itbecomesanobstacletoeverything；itallowsneitherfamilynorambition，man'ssecondandlastloves。Believeme，then，myfriend，takethingsforwhattheyareworth，anddonotgiveakeptwomantherighttocallherselfyourcreditor，nomatterinwhat。"
　　Itwaswellargued，withalogicofwhichIshouldhavethoughtPrudenceincapable。Ihadnothingtoreply，exceptthatshewasright；Itookherhandandthankedherforhercounsels。
　　"Come，come，"saidshe，"putthesefoolishtheoriestoflight，andlaughoverthem。Lifeispleasant，mydearfellow；italldependsonthecolouroftheglassthroughwhichoneseesit。AskyourfriendGaston；there'samanwhoseemstometounderstandloveasIunderstandit。Allthatyouneedthinkof，unlessyouarequiteafool，isthatclosebythereisabeautifulgirlwhoiswaitingimpatientlyforthemanwhoiswithhertogo，thinkingofyou，keepingthewholenightforyou，andwholovesyou，Iamcertain。Now，cometothewindowwithme，andletuswatchforthecounttogo；hewon'tbelonginleavingthecoastclear。"
　　Prudenceopenedthewindow，andweleanedsidebysideoverthebalcony。Shewatchedthefewpassers，Ireflected。Allthatshehadsaidbuzzedinmyhead，andIcouldnothelpfeelingthatshewasright；butthegenuinelovewhichIhadforMargueritehadsomedifficultyinaccommodatingitselftosuchabelief。I
　　sighedfromtimetotime，atwhichPrudenceturned，andshruggedhershoulderslikeaphysicianwhohasgivenuphispatient。
　　"Howonerealizestheshortnessoflife，"Isaidtomyself，"bytherapidityofsensations！IhaveonlyknownMargueritefortwodays，shehasonlybeenmymistresssinceyesterday，andshehasalreadysocompletelyabsorbedmythoughts，myheart，andmylifethatthevisitoftheComtedeG。isamisfortuneforme。"
　　Atlastthecountcameout，gotintohiscarriageanddisappeared。Prudenceclosedthewindow。AtthesameinstantMargueritecalledtous：
　　"Comeatonce，"shesaid；"theyarelayingthetable，andwe'llhavesupper。"
　　WhenIentered，Margueriterantome，threwherarmsaroundmyneckandkissedmewithallhermight。
　　"Arewestillsulky？"shesaidtome。
　　"No，itisallover，"repliedPrudence。"Ihavegivenhimatalkingto，andhehaspromisedtobereasonable。"
　　"Wellandgood。"
　　InspiteofmyselfIglancedatthebed；itwasnotunmade。AsforMarguerite，shewasalreadyinherwhitedressing-gown。Wesatdowntotable。
　　Charm，sweetness，spontaneity，Margueritehadthemall，andIwasforcedfromtimetotimetoadmitthatIhadnorighttoaskofheranythingelse；thatmanypeoplewouldbeveryhappytobeinmyplace；andthat，likeVirgil'sshepherd，Ihadonlytoenjoythepleasuresthatagod，orratheragoddess，setbeforeme。
　　ItriedtoputinpracticethetheoriesofPrudence，andtobeasgayasmytwocompanions；butwhatwasnaturalinthemwasonmypartaneffort，andthenervouslaughter，whosesourcetheydidnotdetect，wasnearertotearsthantomirth。
　　AtlastthesupperwasoverandIwasalonewithMarguerite。Shesatdownasusualonthehearthrugbeforethefireandgazedsadlyintotheflames。Whatwasshethinkingof？Iknownot。Asforme，Ilookedatherwithaminglingofloveandterror，asI
　　thoughtofallthatIwasreadytosufferforhersake。
　　"DoyouknowwhatIamthinkingof？"
　　"No。"
　　"Ofaplanthathascomeintomyhead。"
　　"Andwhatisthisplan？"
　　"Ican'ttellyouyet，butIcantellyouwhattheresultwouldbe。TheresultwouldbethatinamonthIshouldbefree，I
　　shouldhavenomoredebts，andwecouldgoandspendthesummerinthecountry。"
　　"Andyoucan'ttellmebywhatmeans？"
　　"No，onlylovemeasIloveyou，andallwillsucceed。"
　　"Andhaveyoumadethisplanallbyyourself？"
　　"Yes。"Andyouwillcarryitoutallbyyourself？"
　　"Ialoneshallhavethetroubleofit，"saidMarguerite，withasmilewhichIshallneverforget，"butweshallbothpartakeitsbenefits。"
　　Icouldnothelpflushingatthewordbenefits；IthoughtofManonLescautsquanderingwithDesgrieuxthemoneyofM。deB。
　　Irepliedinahardvoice，risingfrommyseat：
　　"Youmustpermitme，mydearMarguerite，toshareonlythebenefitsofthoseenterpriseswhichIhaveconceivedandcarriedoutmyself。"
　　"Whatdoesthatmean？"
　　"ItmeansthatIhaveastrongsuspicionthatM。deG。istobeyourassociateinthisprettyplan，ofwhichIcanacceptneitherthecostnorthebenefits"Whatachildyouare！Ithoughtyoulovedme。Iwasmistaken；
　　allright。"
　　Sherose，openedthepianoandbegantoplaytheInvitationalaValse，asfarasthefamouspassageinthemajorwhichalwaysstoppedher。Wasitthroughforceofhabit，orwasittoremindmeofthedaywhenwefirstmet？AllIknowisthatthemelodybroughtbackthatrecollection，and，cominguptoher，Itookherheadbetweenmyhandsandkissedher。"Youforgiveme？"Isaid。
　　"YouseeIdo，"sheanswered；"butobservethatweareonlyatoursecondday，andalreadyIhavehadtoforgiveyousomething。