Chapter17
　　NextdayMargueritesentmeawayveryearly，sayingthatthedukewascomingatanearlyhour，andpromisingtowritetomethemomenthewent，andtomakeanappointmentfortheevening。InthecourseofthedayIreceivedthisnote：
　　"IamgoingtoBougivalwiththeduke；beatPrudence'sto-nightateight。"
　　AttheappointedhourMargueritecametomeatMme。Duvernoy's。
　　"Well，itisallsettled，"shesaid，assheentered。"Thehouseistaken？"askedPrudence。"Yes；heagreedatonce。"
　　Ididnotknowtheduke，butIfeltashamedofdeceivinghim。
　　"Butthatisnotall，"continuedMarguerite。
　　"Whatelseisthere？"
　　"IhavebeenseeingaboutaplaceforArmandtostay。"
　　"Inthesamehouse？"askedPrudence，laughing。
　　"No，atPointduJour，wherewehaddinner，thedukeandI。Whilehewasadmiringtheview，IaskedMme。Arnould（sheiscalledMme。Arnould，isn'tshe？）iftherewereanysuitablerooms，andsheshowedmejusttheverything：salon，anteroom，andbed-room，atsixtyfrancsamonth；thewholeplacefurnishedinawaytodivertahypochondriac。Itookit。WasIright？"Iflungmyarmsaroundherneckandkissedher。
　　"Itwillbecharming，"shecontinued。"Youhavethekeyofthelittledoor，andIhavepromisedthedukethekeyofthefrontdoor，whichhewillnottake，becausehewillcomeduringthedaywhenhecomes。Ithink，betweenourselves，thatheisenchantedwithacapricewhichwillkeepmeoutofParisforatime，andsosilencetheobjectionsofhisfamily。However，hehasaskedmehowI，lovingParisasIdo，couldmakeupmymindtoburymyselfinthecountry。ItoldhimthatIwasill，andthatIwantedrest。Heseemedtohavesomedifficultyinbelievingme。Thepooroldmanisalwaysonthewatch。Wemusttakeeveryprecaution，mydearArmand，forhewillhavemewatchedwhileIamthere；anditisn'tonlythequestionofhistakingahouseforme，buthehasmydebtstopay，andunluckilyIhaveplenty。Doesallthatsuityou？"
　　"Yes，"Ianswered，tryingtoquietthescrupleswhichthiswayoflivingawokeinmefromtimetotime。
　　"Wewentalloverthehouse，andweshallhaveeverythingperfect。Thedukeisgoingtolookaftereverysinglething。Ah，mydear，"sheadded，kissingme，"you'reinluck；it'samillionairewhomakesyourbedforyou。"
　　"Andwhenshallyoumoveintothehouse？"inquiredPrudence。
　　"Assoonaspossible。"
　　"Willyoutakeyourhorsesandcarriage？"
　　"Ishalltakethewholehouse，andyoucanlookaftermyplacewhileIamaway。"
　　AweeklaterMargueritewassettledinhercountryhouse，andI
　　wasinstalledatPointduJour。
　　ThenbegananexistencewhichIshallhavesomedifficultyindescribingtoyou。AtfirstMargueritecouldnotbreakentirelywithherformerhabits，and，asthehousewasalwaysenfete，allthewomenwhomsheknewcametoseeher。ForawholemonththerewasnotadaywhenMargueritehadnoteightortenpeopletomeals。Prudence，onherside，broughtdownallthepeoplesheknew，anddidthehonoursofthehouseasifthehousebelongedtoher。
　　Theduke'smoneypaidforallthat，asyoumayimagine；butfromtimetotimePrudencecametome，askingforanoteforathousandfrancs，professedlyonbehalfofMarguerite。YouknowI
　　hadwonsomemoneyatgambling；IthereforeimmediatelyhandedovertoPrudencewhatsheaskedforMarguerite，andfearinglestsheshouldrequiremorethanIpossessed，IborrowedatParisasumequaltothatwhichIhadalreadyborrowedandpaidback。I
　　wasthenoncemoreinpossessionofsometenthousandfrancs，withoutreckoningmyallowance。However，Marguerite'spleasureinseeingherfriendswasalittlemoderatedwhenshesawtheexpensewhichthatpleasureentailed，andespeciallythenecessityshewassometimesinofaskingmeformoney。Theduke，whohadtakenthehouseinorderthatMargueritemightrestthere，nolongervisitedit，fearingtofindhimselfinthemidstofalargeandmerrycompany，bywhomhedidnotwishtobeseen。
　　Thiscameaboutthroughhishavingoncearrivedtodinetete-a-tetewithMarguerite，andhavingfallenuponapartyoffifteen，whowerestillatlunchatanhourwhenhewaspreparedtositdowntodinner。Hehadunsuspectinglyopenedthedining-roomdoor，andhadbeengreetedbyaburstoflaughter，andhadhadtoretireprecipitatelybeforetheimpertinentmirthofthewomenwhowereassembledthere。
　　Margueriterosefromtable，andjoinedthedukeinthenextroom，whereshetried，asfaraspossible，toinducehimtoforgettheincident，buttheoldman，woundedinhisdignity，boreheragrudgeforit，andcouldnotforgiveher。Hesaidtoher，somewhatcruelly，thathewastiredofpayingforthefolliesofawomanwhocouldnotevenhavehimtreatedwithrespectunderhisownroof，andhewentawayingreatindignation。
　　Sincethatdayhehadneverbeenheardof。
　　InvainMargueritedismissedherguests，changedherwayoflife；
　　thedukewasnottobeheardof。Iwasthegainerinso，farthatmymistressnowbelongedtomemorecompletely，andmydreamwasatlengthrealized。Margueritecouldnotbewithoutme。Notcaringwhattheresultmightbe，shepubliclyproclaimedourliaison，andIhadcometoliveentirelyatherhouse。Theservantsaddressedmeofficiallyastheirmaster。
　　PrudencehadstrictlysermonizedMargueriteinregardtohernewmanneroflife；butshehadrepliedthatshelovedme，thatshecouldnotlivewithoutme，andthat，happenwhatmight，shewouldnotsacrificethepleasureofhavingmeconstantlywithher，addingthatthosewhowerenotsatisfiedwiththisarrangementwerefreetostayaway。SomuchIhadheardonedaywhenPrudencehadsaidtoMargueritethatshehadsomethingveryimportanttotellher，andIhadlistenedatthedooroftheroomintowhichtheyhadshutthemselves。
　　Notlongafter，Prudencereturnedagain。Iwasattheotherendofthegardenwhenshearrived，andshedidnotseeme。Ihadnodoubt，fromthewayinwhichMargueritecametomeether，thatanothersimilarconversationwasgoingtotakeplace，andIwasanxioustohearwhatitwasabout。Thetwowomenshutthemselvesintoaboudoir，andIputmyselfwithinhearing。
　　"Well？"saidMarguerite。
　　"Well，Ihaveseentheduke。"
　　"Whatdidhesay？"
　　"Thathewouldgladlyforgiveyouinregardtothescenewhichtookplace，butthathehaslearnedthatyouarepubliclylivingwithM。ArmandDuval，andthathewillneverforgivethat。'LetMargueriteleavetheyoungman，'hesaidtome，'and，asinthepast，Iwillgiveherallthatsherequires；ifnot，letherasknothingmorefromme。'"
　　"Andyoureplied？"
　　"ThatIwouldreporthisdecisiontoyou，andIpromisedhimthatIwouldbringyouintoamorereasonableframeofmind。Onlythink，mydearchild，ofthepositionthatyouarelosing，andthatArmandcannevergiveyou。Helovesyouwithallhissoul，buthehasnofortunecapableofsupplyingyourneeds，andhewillbeboundtoleaveyouoneday，whenitwillbetoolateandwhenthedukewillrefusetodoanymoreforyou。WouldyoulikemetospeaktoArmand？"
　　Margueriteseemedtobethinking，forsheanswerednothing。MyheartbeatviolentlywhileIwaitedforherreply。
　　"No，"sheanswered，"IwillnotleaveArmand，andIwillnotconcealthefactthatIamlivingwithhim。Itisfollynodoubt，butIlovehim。Whatwouldyouhavemedo？Andthen，nowthathehasgotaccustomedtobealwayswithme，hewouldsuffertoocruellyifhehadtoleavemesomuchasanhouraday。Besides，IhavenotsuchalongtimetolivethatIneedmakemyselfmiserableinordertopleaseanoldmanwhoseverysightmakesmefeelold。Lethimkeephismoney；Iwilldowithoutit。"
　　"Butwhatwillyoudo？"
　　"Idon'tintheleastknow。"
　　Prudencewasnodoubtgoingtomakesomereply，butIenteredsuddenlyandflungmyselfatMarguerite'sfeet，coveringherhandswithtearsinmyjoyatbeingthusloved。
　　"Mylifeisyours，Marguerite；youneedthismannolonger。AmI
　　nothere？ShallIeverleaveyou，andcanIeverrepayyouforthehappinessthatyougiveme？Nomorebarriers，myMarguerite；
　　welove；whatmattersalltherest？"
　　"Ohyes，Iloveyou，myArmand，"shemurmured，puttinghertwoarmsaroundmyneck。"IloveyouasIneverthoughtIshouldeverlove。Wewillbehappy；wewilllivequietly，andIwillsaygood-byeforevertothelifeforwhichInowblush。Youwon'teverreproachmeforthepast？Tellme！"
　　Tearschokedmyvoice。IcouldonlyreplybyclaspingMargueritetomyheart。
　　"Well，"saidshe，turningtoPrudence，andspeakinginabrokenvoice，"youcanreportthisscenetotheduke，andyoucanaddthatwehavenolongerneedofhim。"
　　Fromthatdayforththedukewasneverreferredto。MargueritewasnolongerthesamewomanthatIhadknown。SheavoidedeverythingthatmightrecalltomethelifewhichshehadbeenleadingwhenIfirstmether。Neverdidwifeorsistersurroundhusbandorbrotherwithsuchlovingcareasshehadforme。Hernaturewasmorbidlyopentoallimpressionsandaccessibletoallsentiments。Shehadbrokenequallywithherfriendsandwithherways，withherwordsandwithherextravagances。AnyonewhohadseenusleavingthehousetogoontheriverinthecharminglittleboatwhichIhadboughtwouldneverhavebelievedthatthewomandressedinwhite，wearingastrawhat，andcarryingonherarmalittlesilkpelissetoprotectheragainstthedampoftheriver，wasthatMargueriteGautierwho，onlyfourmonthsago，hadbeenthetalkofthetownfortheluxuryandscandalofherexistence。
　　Alas，wemadehastetobehappy，asifweknewthatwewerenottobehappylong。
　　FortwomonthswehadnotevenbeentoParis。Noonecametoseeus，exceptPrudenceandJulieDuprat，ofwhomIhavespokentoyou，andtowhomMargueritewasafterwardtogivethetouchingnarrativethatIhavethere。
　　Ipassedwholedaysatthefeetofmymistress。Weopenedthewindowsuponthegarden，and，aswewatchedthesummerripeninginitsflowersandundertheshadowofthetrees，webreathedtogetherthattruelifewhichneitherMargueritenorIhadeverknownbefore。
　　Herdelightinthesmallestthingswaslikethatofachild。
　　Thereweredayswhensheraninthegarden，likeachildoften，afterabutterflyoradragon-fly。Thiscourtesanwhohadcostmoremoneyinbouquetsthanwouldhavekeptawholefamilyincomfort，wouldsometimessitonthegrassforanhour，examiningthesimpleflowerwhosenameshebore。
　　ItwasatthistimethatshereadManonLescaut，overandoveragain。Ifoundherseveraltimesmakingnotesinthebook，andshealwaysdeclaredthatwhenawomanloves，shecannotdoasManondid。
　　Thedukewrotetohertwoorthreetimes。Sherecognisedthewritingandgavemetheletterswithoutreadingthem。Sometimesthetermsoftheselettersbroughttearstomyeyes。HehadimaginedthatbyclosinghispursetoMarguerite，hewouldbringherbacktohim；butwhenhehadperceivedtheuselessnessofthesemeans，hecouldholdoutnolonger；hewroteandaskedthathemightseeheragain，asbefore，nomatteronwhatconditions。
　　Ireadtheseurgentandrepeatedletters，andtoretheminpieces，withouttellingMargueritewhattheycontainedandwithoutadvisinghertoseetheoldmanagain，thoughIwashalfinclinedto，somuchdidIpityhim，butIwasafraidlest，ifI
　　soadvisedhersheshouldthinkthatIwishedtheduke，notmerelytocomeandseeheragain，buttotakeovertheexpensesofthehouse；Ifeared，aboveall，thatshemightthinkmecapableofshirkingtheresponsibilitiesofeveryconsequencetowhichherloveformemightleadher。
　　Itthuscameaboutthattheduke，receivingnoreply，ceasedtowrite，andthatMargueriteandIcontinuedtolivetogetherwithoutgivingathoughttothefuture。
　　Chapter18
　　Itwouldbedifficulttogiveyouallthedetailsofournewlife。Itwasmadeupofaseriesoflittlechildishevents，charmingforusbutinsignificanttoanyoneelse。Youknowwhatitistobeinlovewithawoman，youknowhowitcutsshortthedays，andwithwhatlovinglistlessnessonedriftsintothemorrow。Youknowthatforgetfulnessofeverythingwhichcomesofaviolentconfident，reciprocatedlove。Everybeingwhoisnotthebelovedoneseemsauselessbeingincreation。Oneregretshavingcastscrapsofone'shearttootherwomen，andonecannotbelieveinthepossibilityofeverpressinganotherhandthanthatwhichoneholdsbetweenone'shands。Themindadmitsneitherworknorremembrance；nothing，inshort，whichcandistractitfromtheonethoughtinwhichitisceaselesslyabsorbed。Everydayonediscoversinone'smistressanewcharmandunknowndelights。Existenceitselfisbuttheunceasingaccomplishmentofanunchangingdesire；thesoulisbutthevestalchargedtofeedthesacredfireoflove。
　　Weoftenwentatnight-timetositinthelittlewoodabovethehouse；therewelistenedtothecheerfulharmoniesofevening，bothofusthinkingofthecominghourswhichshouldleaveustooneanothertillthedawnofday。Atothertimeswedidnotgetupallday；wedidnotevenletthesunlightenterourroom。
　　Thecurtainswerehermeticallyclosed，andforamomenttheexternalworlddidnotexistforus。Naninealonehadtherighttoopenourdoor，butonlytobringinourmealsandeventhesewetookwithoutgettingup，interruptingthemwithlaughterandgaiety。Tothatsucceededabriefsleep，for，disappearingintothedepthsofourlove，wewereliketwodiverswhoonlycometothesurfacetotakebreath。
　　Nevertheless，Isurprisedmomentsofsadness，eventears，inMarguerite；Iaskedherthecauseofhertrouble，andsheanswered：
　　"Ourloveisnotlikeotherloves，myArmand。YoulovemeasifI
　　hadneverbelongedtoanother，andItremblelestlateron，repentingofyourlove，andaccusingmeofmypast，youshouldletmefallbackintothatlifefromwhichyouhavetakenme。I
　　thinkthatnowthatIhavetastedofanotherlife，IshoulddieifIwentbacktotheoldone。Tellmethatyouwillneverleaveme！"
　　"Iswearit！"
　　Atthesewordsshelookedatmeasiftoreadinmyeyeswhethermyoathwassincere；thenflungherselfintomyarms，and，hidingherheadinmybosom，saidtome："Youdon'tknowhowmuchIloveyou！"
　　Oneevening，seatedonthebalconyoutsidethewindow，welookedatthemoonwhichseemedtorisewithdifficultyoutofitsbedofclouds，andwelistenedtothewindviolentlyrustlingthetrees；weheldeachother'shands，andforawholequarterofanhourwehadnotspoken，whenMargueritesaidtome：
　　"Winterisathand。Wouldyoulikeforustogoabroad？"
　　"Where？"
　　"ToItaly。"
　　"Youaretiredofhere？"
　　"Iamafraidofthewinter；IamparticularlyafraidofyourreturntoParis。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Formanyreasons。"
　　Andshewentonabruptly，withoutgivingmeherreasonsforfears：
　　"Willyougoabroad？IwillsellallthatIhave；wewillgoandlivethere，andtherewillbenothingleftofwhatIwas；noonewillknowwhoIam。Willyou？"
　　"Byallmeans，ifyoulike，Marguerite，letustravel，"Isaid。
　　"Butwhereisthenecessityofsellingthingswhichyouwillbegladofwhenwereturn？Ihavenotalargeenoughfortunetoacceptsuchasacrifice；butIhaveenoughforustobeabletotravelsplendidlyforfiveorsixmonths，ifthatwillamuseyoutheleastintheworld。"
　　"Afterall，no，"shesaid，leavingthewindowandgoingtositdownonthesofaattheotherendoftheroom。"Whyshouldwespendmoneyabroad？Icostyouenoughalready，here。"
　　"Youreproachme，Marguerite；itisn'tgenerous。"
　　"Forgiveme，myfriend，"shesaid，givingmeherhand。"Thisthunderweathergetsonmynerves；IdonotsaywhatIintendtosay。"
　　Andafterembracingmeshefellintoalongreverie。
　　Scenesofthiskindoftentookplace，andthoughIcouldnotdiscovertheircause，IcouldnotfailtoseeinMargueritesignsofdisquietudeinregardtothefuture。Shecouldnotdoubtmylove，whichincreaseddaybyday，andyetIoftenfoundhersad，withoutbeingabletogetanyexplanationofthereason，exceptsomephysicalcause。Fearingthatsomonotonousalifewasbeginningtowearyher，IproposedreturningtoParis；butshealwaysrefused，assuringmethatshecouldnotbesohappyanywhereasinthecountry。
　　Prudencenowcamebutrarely；butsheoftenwroteletterswhichI
　　neveraskedtosee，though，everytimetheycame，theyseemedtopreoccupyMargueritedeeply。Ididnotknowwhattothink。
　　OnedayMargueritewasinherroom。Ientered。Shewaswriting。
　　"Towhomareyouwriting？"Iasked。"ToPrudence。DoyouwanttoseewhatIamwriting？"
　　Ihadahorrorofanythingthatmightlooklikesuspicion，andI
　　answeredthatIhadnodesiretoknowwhatshewaswriting；andyetIwascertainthatletterwouldhaveexplainedtomethecauseofhersadness。
　　Nextdaytheweatherwassplendid。'MargueriteproposedtometotaketheboatandgoasfarastheislandofCroissy。Sheseemedverycheerful；whenwegotbackitwasfiveo'clock。
　　"Mme。Duvernoyhasbeenhere，"saidNanine，asshesawusenter。
　　"Shehasgoneagain？"askedMarguerite。
　　"Yes，madame，inthecarriage；shesaiditwasarranged。"
　　"Quiteright，"saidMargueritesharply。"Servethedinner。"
　　TwodaysafterwardtherecamealetterfromPrudence，andforafortnightMargueriteseemedtohavegotridofhermysteriousgloom，forwhichsheconstantlyaskedmyforgiveness，nowthatitnolongerexisted。Still，thecarriagedidnotreturn。
　　"HowisitthatPrudencedoesnotsendyoubackyourcarriage？"I
　　askedoneday。
　　"Oneofthehorsesisill，andtherearesomerepairstobedone。
　　Itisbettertohavethatdonewhilewearehere，anddon'tneedacarriage，thantowaittillwegetbacktoParis。"
　　Prudencecametwodaysafterward，andconfirmedwhatMargueritehadsaid。Thetwowomenwentforawalkinthegarden，andwhenI
　　joinedthemtheychangedtheconversation。Thatnight，asshewasgoing，PrudencecomplainedofthecoldandaskedMargueritetolendherashawl。
　　Soamonthpassed，andallthetimeMargueritewasmorejoyousandmoreaffectionatethansheeverhadbeen。Nevertheless，thecarriagedidnotreturn，theshawlhadnotbeensentback，andI
　　begantobeanxiousinspiteofmyself，andasIknewinwhichdrawerMargueriteputPrudence'sletters，Itookadvantageofamomentwhenshewasattheotherendofthegarden，wenttothedrawer，andtriedtoopenit；invain，foritwaslocked。WhenI
　　openedthedrawerinwhichthetrinketsanddiamondswereusuallykept，theseopenedwithoutresistance，butthejewelcaseshaddisappeared，alongwiththeircontentsnodoubt。
　　Asharpfearpenetratedmyheart。ImightindeedaskMargueriteforthetruthinregardtothesedisappearances，butitwascertainthatshewouldnotconfessit。
　　"MygoodMarguerite，"Isaidtoher，"IamgoingtoaskyourpermissiontogotoParis。Theydonotknowmyaddress，andI
　　expecttherearelettersfrommyfatherwaitingforme。Ihavenodoubtheisconcerned；Ioughttoanswerhim。"
　　"Go，myfriend，"shesaid；"butbebackearly。"IwentstraighttoPrudence。
　　"Come，"saidI，withoutbeatingaboutthebush，"tellmefrankly，whereareMarguerite'shorses？"
　　"Sold。"
　　"Theshawl？"
　　"Sold。"
　　"Thediamonds？"
　　"Pawned。"
　　"Andwhohassoldandpawnedthem？"
　　"Whydidyounottellme？"
　　"BecauseMargueritemademepromisenotto。"
　　"Andwhydidyounotaskmeformoney？"
　　"Becauseshewouldn'tletme。"
　　"Andwherehasthismoneygone？"
　　"Inpayments。"
　　"Isshemuchindebt？"
　　"Thirtythousandfrancs，orthereabouts。Ah，mydearfellow，didn'tItellyou？Youwouldn'tbelieveme；nowyouareconvinced。Theupholstererwhomthedukehadagreedtosettlewithwasshownoutofthehousewhenhepresentedhimself，andthedukewrotenextdaytosaythathewouldanswerfornothinginregardtoMlle。Gautier。Thismanwantedhismoney；hewasgivenpartpaymentoutofthefewthousandfrancsthatIgotfromyou；thensomekindsoulswarnedhimthathisdebtorhadbeenabandonedbythedukeandwaslivingwithapennilessyoungman；
　　theothercreditorsweretoldthesame；theyaskedfortheirmoney，andseizedsomeofthegoods。Margueritewantedtoselleverything，butitwastoolate，andbesidesIshouldhaveopposedit。Butitwasnecessarytopay，andinordernottoaskyouformoney，shesoldherhorsesandhershawls，andpawnedherjewels。Wouldyouliketoseethereceiptsandthepawntickets？"
　　AndPrudenceopenedthedrawerandshowedmethepapers。
　　"Ah，youthink，"shecontinued，withtheinsistenceofawomanwhocansay，Iwasrightafterall，"ah，youthinkitisenoughtobeinlove，andtogointothecountryandleadadreamy，pastorallife。No，myfriend，no。Bythesideofthatideallife，thereisamateriallife，andthepurestresolutionsareheldtoearthbythreadswhichseemslightenough，butwhichareofiron，noteasilytobebroken。IfMargueritehasnotbeenunfaithfultoyoutwentytimes，itisbecauseshehasanexceptionalnature。Itisnotmyfaultfornotadvisingherto，forIcouldn'tbeartoseethepoorgirlstrippingherselfofeverything。Shewouldn't；
　　sherepliedthatshelovedyou，andshewouldn'tbeunfaithfultoyouforanythingintheworld。Allthatisverypretty，verypoetical，butonecan'tpayone'screditorsinthatcoin，andnowshecan'tfreeherselffromdebt，unlessshecanraisethirtythousandfrancs。"
　　"Allright，Iwillprovidethatamount。"
　　"Youwillborrowit？"
　　"Goodheavens！Why，yes！"
　　"Afinethingthatwillbetodo；youwillfalloutwithyourfather，crippleyourresources，andonedoesn'tfindthirtythousandfrancsfromonedaytoanother。Believeme，mydearArmand，Iknowwomenbetterthanyoudo；donotcommitthisfolly；youwillbesorryforitoneday。Bereasonable。Idon'tadviseyoutoleaveMarguerite，butlivewithherasyoudidatthebeginning。Letherfindthemeanstogetoutofthisdifficulty。Thedukewillcomebackinalittlewhile。TheComtedeN。，ifshewouldtakehim，hetoldmeyesterdayeven，wouldpayallherdebts，andgiveherfourorfivethousandfrancsamonth。Hehastwohundredthousandayear。Itwouldbeapositionforher，whileyouwillcertainlybeobligedtoleaveher。Don'twaittillyouareruined，especiallyastheComtedeN。isafool，andnothingwouldpreventyourstillbeingMarguerite'slover。Shewouldcryalittleatthebeginning，butshewouldcometoaccustomherselftoit，andyouwouldthankmeonedayforwhatyouhaddone。ImaginethatMargueriteismarried，anddeceivethehusband；thatisall。Ihavealreadytoldyouallthisonce，onlyatthattimeitwasmerelyadvice，andnowitisalmostanecessity。"
　　WhatPrudencesaidwascruellytrue。
　　"Thisishowitis，"shewenton，puttingawaythepapersshehadjustshownme；"womenlikeMargueritealwaysforeseethatsomeonewilllovethem，neverthattheywilllove；otherwisetheywouldputasidemoney，andatthirtytheycouldaffordtheluxuryofhavingaloverfornothing。IfIhadonlyknownoncewhatI
　　knownow！Inshort，saynothingtoMarguerite，andbringherbacktoParis。Youhavelivedwithheraloneforfourorfivemonths；
　　thatisquiteenough。Shutyoureyesnow；thatisallthatanyoneasksofyou。AttheendofafortnightshewilltaketheComtedeN。，andshewillsaveupduringthewinter，andnextsummeryouwillbeginoveragain。Thatishowthingsaredone，mydearfellow！"
　　AndPrudenceappearedtobeenchantedwithheradvice，whichI
　　refusedindignantly。
　　Notonlymyloveandmydignitywouldnotletmeactthus，butI
　　wascertainthat，feelingasshedidnow，Margueritewoulddieratherthanacceptanotherlover。
　　"Enoughjoking，"IsaidtoPrudence；"tellmeexactlyhowmuchMargueriteisinneedof。"
　　"Ihavetoldyou：thirtythousandfrancs。"
　　"Andwhendoessherequirethissum？"
　　"Beforetheendoftwomonths。"
　　"Sheshallhaveit。"
　　Prudenceshruggedhershoulders。
　　"Iwillgiveittoyou，"Icontinued，"butyoumustsweartomethatyouwillnottellMargueritethatIhavegivenittoyou。"
　　"Don'tbeafraid。"
　　"Andifshesendsyouanythingelsetosellorpawn，letmeknow。"
　　"Thereisnodanger。Shehasnothingleft。"
　　Iwentstraighttomyownhousetoseeiftherewereanylettersfrommyfather。Therewerefour。
　　Chapter19
　　Inhisfirstthreelettersmyfatherinquiredthecauseofmysilence；inthelastheallowedmetoseethathehadheardofmychangeoflife，andinformedmethathewasabouttocomeandseeme。
　　Ihavealwayshadagreatrespectandasincereaffectionformyfather。IrepliedthatIhadbeentravellingforashorttime，andbeggedhimtoletmeknowbeforehandwhatdayhewouldarrive，sothatIcouldbetheretomeethim。
　　Igavemyservantmyaddressinthecountry，tellinghimtobringmethefirstletterthatcamewiththepostmarkofC。，thenI
　　returnedtoBougival。
　　Margueritewaswaitingformeatthegardengate。Shelookedatmeanxiously。Throwingherarmsroundmyneck，shesaidtome：
　　"HaveyouseenPrudence？"
　　"No。"
　　"YouwerealongtimeinParis。"
　　"IfoundlettersfrommyfathertowhichIhadtoreply。"
　　AfewminutesafterwardNanineentered，alloutofbreath。
　　Margueriteroseandtalkedwithherinwhispers。WhenNaninehadgoneoutMargueritesatdownbymeagainandsaid，takingmyhand：
　　"Whydidyoudeceiveme？YouwenttoseePrudence。"
　　"Whotoldyou？"
　　"Nanine。"
　　"Andhowdidsheknow？"
　　"Shefollowedyou。"
　　"Youtoldhertofollowme？"
　　"Yes。IthoughtthatyoumusthavehadaverystrongmotiveforgoingtoParis，afternotleavingmeforfourmonths。Iwasafraidthatsomethingmighthappentoyou，orthatyouwereperhapsgoingtoseeanotherwoman。"
　　"Child！"
　　"NowIamrelieved。Iknowwhatyouhavedone，butIdon'tyetknowwhatyouhavebeentold。"
　　IshowedMargueritemyfather'sletters。
　　"ThatisnotwhatIamaskingyouabout。WhatIwanttoknowiswhyyouwenttoseePrudence。"
　　"Toseeher。"
　　"That'salie，myfriend。"
　　"Well，Iwenttoaskherifthehorsewasanybetter，andifshewantedyourshawlandyourjewelsanylonger。"
　　Margueriteblushed，butdidnotanswer。
　　"And，"Icontinued，"Ilearnedwhatyouhaddonewithyourhorses，shawls，andjewels。"
　　"Andyouarevexed？"
　　"Iamvexedthatitneveroccurredtoyoutoaskmeforwhatyouwereinwantof。"
　　"Inaliaisonlikeours，ifthewomanhasanysenseofdignityatall，sheoughttomakeeverypossiblesacrificeratherthanaskherloverformoneyandsogiveavenalcharactertoherlove。
　　Youloveme，Iamsure，butyoudonotknowonhowslightathreaddependstheloveonehasforawomanlikeme。Whoknows？
　　Perhapssomedaywhenyouwereboredorworriedyouwouldfancyyousawacarefullyconcertedplaninourliaison。Prudenceisachatterbox。WhatneedhadIofthehorses？Itwasaneconomytosellthem。Idon'tusethemandIdon'tspendanythingontheirkeep；ifyouloveme，Iasknothingmore，andyouwilllovemejustasmuchwithouthorses，orshawls，ordiamonds。"
　　AllthatwassaidsonaturallythatthetearscametomyeyesasIlistened。
　　"But，mygoodMarguerite，"Ireplied，pressingherhandslovingly，"youknewthatonedayIshoulddiscoverthesacrificeyouhadmade，andthatthemomentIdiscovereditIshouldallowitnolonger。"
　　"Butwhy？"
　　"Because，mydearchild，Icannotallowyouraffectionformetodepriveyouofevenatrinket。Itooshouldnotlikeyoutobeable，inamomentwhenyouwereboredorworried，tothinkthatifyouwerelivingwithsomebodyelsethosemomentswouldnotexist；andtorepent，ifonlyforaminute，oflivingwithme。Inafewdaysyourhorses，yourdiamonds，andyourshawlsshallbereturnedtoyou。Theyareasnecessarytoyouasairistolife，anditmaybeabsurd，butIlikeyoubettershowythansimple。"
　　"Thenyounolongerloveme。"
　　"Foolishcreature！"
　　"Ifyoulovedme，youwouldletmeloveyoumyownway；onthecontrary，youpersistinonlyseeinginmeawomantowhomluxuryisindispensable，andwhomyouthinkyouarealwaysobligedtopay。Youareashamedtoaccepttheproofofmylove。Inspiteofyourself，youthinkofleavingmesomeday，andyouwanttoputyourdisinterestednessbeyondriskofsuspicion。Youareright，myfriend，butIhadbetterhopes。"
　　AndMargueritemadeamotiontorise；Iheldher，andsaidtoher：
　　"Iwantyoutobehappyandtohavenothingtoreproachmefor，thatisall。"
　　"Andwearegoingtobeseparated！"
　　"Why，Marguerite，whocanseparateus？"Icried。
　　"You，whowillnotletmetakeyouonyourownlevel，butinsistontakingmeonmine；you，whowishmetokeeptheluxuryinthemidstofwhichIhavelived，andsokeepthemoraldistancewhichseparatesus；you，whodonotbelievethatmyaffectionissufficientlydisinterestedtosharewithmewhatyouhave，thoughwecouldlivehappilyenoughonittogether，andwouldratherruinyourself，becauseyouarestillboundbyafoolishprejudice。DoyoureallythinkthatIcouldcompareacarriageanddiamondswithyourlove？Doyouthinkthatmyrealhappinessliesinthetriflesthatmeansomuchwhenonehasnothingtolove，butwhichbecometriflingindeedwhenonehas？Youwillpaymydebts，realizeyourestate，andthenkeepme？Howlongwillthatlast？Twoorthreemonths，andthenitwillbetoolatetolivethelifeIpropose，forthenyouwillhavetotakeeverythingfromme，andthatiswhatamanofhonourcannotdo；
　　whilenowyouhaveeightortenthousandfrancsayear，onwhichweshouldbeabletolive。IwillselltherestofwhatIdonotwant，andwiththisaloneIwillmaketwothousandfrancsayear。
　　Wewilltakeanicelittleflatinwhichwecanbothlive。Inthesummerwewillgointothecountry，nottoahouselikethis，buttoahousejustbigenoughfortwopeople。Youareindependent，I
　　amfree，weareyoung；inheaven'sname，Armand，donotdrivemebackintothelifeIhadtoleadonce！"
　　Icouldnotanswer。Tearsofgratitudeandlovefilledmyeyes，andIflungmyselfintoMarguerite'sarms。
　　"Iwanted，"shecontinued，"toarrangeeverythingwithouttellingyou，payallmydebts，andtakeanewflat。InOctoberweshouldhavebeenbackinParis，andallwouldhavecomeout；butsincePrudencehastoldyouall，youwillhavetoagreebeforehand，insteadofagreeingafterward。Doyoulovemeenoughforthat？"
　　Itwasimpossibletoresistsuchdevotion。Ikissedherhandsardently，andsaid：
　　"Iwilldowhateveryouwish。"
　　Itwasagreedthatweshoulddoasshehadplanned。Thereupon，shewentwildwithdelight；danced，sang，amusedherselfwithcallinguppicturesofhernewflatinallitssimplicity，andbegantoconsultmeastoitspositionandarrangement。Isawhowhappyandproudshewasofthisresolution，whichseemedasifitwouldbringusintocloserandcloserrelationship，andI
　　resolvedtodomyownshare。InaninstantIdecidedthewholecourseofmylife。Iputmyaffairsinorder，andmadeovertoMargueritetheincomewhichhadcometomefrommymother，andwhichseemedlittleenoughinreturnforthesacrificewhichI
　　wasaccepting。Thereremainedthefivethousandfrancsayearfrommyfather；and，whateverhappened，Ihadalwaysenoughtoliveon。IdidnottellMargueritewhatIhaddone，certainasI
　　wasthatshewouldrefusethegift。ThisincomecamefromamortgageofsixtythousandfrancsonahousethatIhadneverevenseen。AllthatIknewwasthateverythreemonthsmyfather'ssolicitor，anoldfriendofthefamily，handedovertomesevenhundredandfiftyfrancsinreturnformyreceipt。
　　ThedaywhenMargueriteandIcametoParistolookforaflat，I
　　wenttothissolicitorandaskedhimwhathadtobedoneinordertomakeoverthisincometoanotherperson。ThegoodmanimaginedIwasruined，andquestionedmeastothecauseofmydecision。
　　AsIknewthatIshouldbeobliged，soonerorlater，tosayinwhosefavourImadethistransfer，Ithoughtitbesttotellhimthetruthatonce。Hemadenoneoftheobjectionsthathispositionasfriendandsolicitorauthorizedhimtomake，andassuredmethathewouldarrangethewholeaffairinthebestwaypossible。Naturally，Ibeggedhimtoemploythegreatestdiscretioninregardtomyfather，andonleavinghimIrejoinedMarguerite，whowaswaitingformeatJulieDuprat's，whereshehadgoneinpreferencetogoingtolistentothemoralizingsofPrudence。
　　Webegantolookoutforflats。AllthosethatwesawseemedtoMargueritetoodear，andtometoosimple。However，wefinallyfound，inoneofthequietestpartsofParis，alittlehouse，isolatedfromthemainpartofthebuilding。Behindthislittlehousewasacharminggarden，surroundedbywallshighenoughtoscreenusfromourneighbours，andlowenoughnottoshutoffourownview。Itwasbetterthanourexpectations。
　　WhileIwenttogivenoticeatmyownflat，Margueritewenttoseeabusinessagent，who，shetoldme，hadalreadydoneforoneofherfriendsexactlywhatshewantedhimtodoforher。ShecameontotheRuedeProvenceinastateofgreatdelight。Themanhadpromisedtopayallherdebts，togiveherareceiptfortheamount，andtohandovertohertwentythousandfrancs，inreturnforthewholeofherfurniture。Youhaveseenbytheamounttakenatthesalethatthishonestmanwouldhavegainedthirtythousandfrancsoutofhisclient。
　　WewentbackjoyouslytoBougival，talkingoverourprojectsforthefuture，which，thankstoourheedlessness，andespeciallytoourlove，wesawintherosiestlight。
　　Aweeklater，aswewerehavinglunch，Naninecametotellusthatmyservantwasaskingforme。"Lethimcomein，"Isaid。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"yourfatherhasarrivedinParis，andbegsyoutoreturnatoncetoyourrooms，whereheiswaitingforyou。"
　　Thispieceofnewswasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，yet，asweheardit，MargueriteandIlookedatoneanother。Weforesawtrouble。Beforeshehadspokenaword，Irepliedtoherthought，and，takingherhand，Isaid，"Fearnothing。"
　　"Comebackassoonaspossible，"whisperedMarguerite，embracingme；"Iwillwaitforyouatthewindow。"
　　IsentonJosephtotellmyfatherthatIwasonmyway。TwohourslaterIwasattheRuedeProvence。
　　Chapter20
　　Myfatherwasseatedinmyroominhisdressing-gown；hewaswriting，andIsawatonce，bythewayinwhichheraisedhiseyestomewhenIcamein，thattherewasgoingtobeaseriousdiscussion。Iwentuptohim，allthesame，asifIhadseennothinginhisface，embracedhim，andsaid：
　　"Whendidyoucome，father？"
　　"Lastnight。"
　　"Didyoucomestraighthere，asusual？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Iamverysorrynottohavebeenheretoreceiveyou。"
　　Iexpectedthatthesermonwhichmyfather'scoldfacethreatenedwouldbeginatonce；buthesaidnothing，sealedtheletterwhichhehadjustwritten，andgaveittoJosephtopost。
　　Whenwewerealone，myfatherrose，andleaningagainstthemantel-piece，saidtome：
　　"MydearArmand，wehaveseriousmatterstodiscuss。"
　　"Iamlistening，father。"
　　"Youpromisemetobefrank？"
　　"AmInotaccustomedtobeso？"
　　"IsitnottruethatyouarelivingwithawomancalledMargueriteGautier？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Doyouknowwhatthiswomanwas？"
　　"Akeptwoman。"
　　"Anditisforherthatyouhaveforgottentocomeandseeyoursisterandmethisyear？"
　　"Yes，father，Iadmitit。"
　　"Youareverymuchinlovewiththiswoman？"
　　"Youseeit，father，sinceshehasmademefailindutytowardyou，forwhichIhumblyaskyourforgivenessto-day。"
　　Myfather，nodoubt，wasnotexpectingsuchcategoricalanswers，forheseemedtoreflectamoment，andthensaidtome：
　　"Youhave，ofcourse，realizedthatyoucannotalwayslivelikethat？"
　　"Ifearso，father，butIhavenotrealizedit。"
　　"Butyoumustrealize，"continuedmyfather，inadryertone，"thatI，atallevents，shouldnotpermitit。"
　　"IhavesaidtomyselfthataslongasIdidnothingcontrarytotherespectwhichIowetothetraditionalprobityofthefamilyIcouldliveasIamliving，andthishasreassuredmesomewhatinregardtothefearsIhavehad。"
　　Passionsareformidableenemiestosentiment。Iwaspreparedforeverystruggle，evenwithmyfather，inorderthatImightkeepMarguerite。
　　"Then，themomentiscomewhenyoumustliveotherwise。"
　　"Why，father？"
　　"Becauseyouaredoingthingswhichoutragetherespectthatyouimagineyouhaveforyourfamily。"
　　"Idon'tfollowyourmeaning。"
　　"Iwillexplainittoyou。Haveamistressifyouwill；payherasamanofhonourisboundtopaythewomanwhomhekeeps，byallmeans；butthatyoushouldcometoforgetthemostsacredthingsforher，thatyoushouldletthereportofyourscandalouslifereachmyquietcountryside，andsetablotonthehonourablenamethatIhavegivenyou，itcannot，itshallnotbe。"
　　"Permitmetotellyou，father，thatthosewhohavegivenyouinformationaboutmehavebeenill-informed。IamtheloverofMlle。Gautier；Ilivewithher；itisthemostnaturalthingintheworld。IdonotgiveMlle。Gautierthenameyouhavegivenme；Ispendonheraccountwhatmymeansallowmetospend；I
　　havenodebts；and，inshort，Iamnotinapositionwhichauthorizesafathertosaytohissonwhatyouhavejustsaidtome。"
　　"Afatherisalwaysauthorizedtorescuehissonoutofevilpaths。Youhavenotdoneanyharmyet，butyouwilldoit。"
　　"Father！"
　　"Sir，Iknowmoreoflifethanyoudo。Therearenoentirelypuresentimentsexceptinperfectlychastewomen。EveryManoncanhaveherownDesGrieux，andtimesarechanged。Itwouldbeuselessfortheworldtogrowolderifitdidnotcorrectitsways。Youwillleaveyourmistress。"
　　"Iamverysorrytodisobeyyou，father，butitisimpossible。"
　　"Iwillcompelyoutodoso。"
　　"Unfortunately，father，therenolongerexistsaSainteMargueritetowhichcourtesanscanbesent，and，eveniftherewere，IwouldfollowMlle。Gautierifyousucceededinhavinghersentthere。Whatwouldyouhave？Perhapsaminthewrong，butI
　　canonlybehappyaslongasIamtheloverofthiswoman。"
　　"Come，Armand，openyoureyes。Recognisethatitisyourfatherwhospeakstoyou，yourfatherwhohasalwayslovedyou，andwhoonlydesiresyourhappiness。Isithonourableforyoutolivelikehusbandandwifewithawomanwhomeverybodyhashad？"
　　"Whatdoesitmatter，father，ifnoonewillanymore？Whatdoesitmatter，ifthiswomanlovesme，ifherwholelifeischangedthroughthelovewhichshehasformeandthelovewhichIhaveforher？Whatdoesitmatter，ifshehasbecomeadifferentwoman？"
　　"Doyouthink，then，sir，thatthemissionofamanofhonouristogoaboutconvertinglostwomen？DoyouthinkthatGodhasgivensuchagrotesqueaimtolife，andthattheheartshouldhaveanyroomforenthusiasmofthatkind？Whatwillbetheendofthismarvellouscure，andwhatwillyouthinkofwhatyouaresayingto-daybythetimeyouareforty？Youwilllaughatthisloveofyours，ifyoucanstilllaugh，andifithasnotlefttooseriousatraceinyourpast。Whatwouldyoubenowifyourfatherhadhadyourideasandhadgivenuphislifetoeveryimpulseofthiskind，insteadofrootinghimselffirmlyinconvictionsofhonourandsteadfastness？Thinkitover，Armand，anddonottalkanymoresuchabsurdities。Come，leavethiswoman；yourfatherentreatsyou。"
　　Ianswerednothing。
　　"Armand，"continuedmyfather，"inthenameofyoursaintedmother，abandonthislife，whichyouwillforgetmoreeasilythanyouthink。Youaretiedtoitbyanimpossibletheory。Youaretwenty-four；thinkofthefuture。Youcannotalwayslovethiswoman，whoalsocannotalwaysloveyou。Youbothexaggerateyourlove。Youputanendtoyourwholecareer。Onestepfurther，andyouwillnolongerbeabletoleavethepathyouhavechosen，andyouwillsufferallyourlifeforwhatyouhavedoneinyouryouth。LeaveParis。Comeandstayforamonthortwowithyoursisterandme。Restinourquietfamilyaffectionwillsoonhealyouofthisfever，foritisnothingelse。Meanwhile，yourmistresswillconsoleherself；shewilltakeanotherlover；andwhenyouseewhatitisforwhichyouhaveallbutbrokenwithyourfather，andallbutlosthislove，youwilltellmethatI
　　havedonewelltocomeandseekyouout，andyouwillthankmeforit。Come，youwillgowithme，Armand，willyounot？"Ifeltthatmyfatherwouldberightifithadbeenanyotherwoman，butIwasconvincedthathewaswrongwithregardtoMarguerite。
　　Nevertheless，thetoneinwhichhesaidtheselastwordswassokind，soappealing，thatIdarednotanswer。
　　"Well？"saidheinatremblingvoice。
　　"Well，father，Icanpromisenothing，"Isaidatlast；"whatyouaskofmeisbeyondmypower。Believeme，"Icontinued，seeinghimmakeanimpatientmovement，"youexaggeratetheeffectsofthisliaison。Margueriteisadifferentkindofawomanfromwhatyouthink。Thislove，farfromleadingmeastray，iscapable，onthecontrary，ofsettingmeintherightdirection。Lovealwaysmakesamanbetter，nomatterwhatwomaninspiresit。IfyouknewMarguerite，youwouldunderstandthatIaminnodanger。Sheisasnobleasthenoblestofwomen。Thereisasmuchdisinterestednessinherasthereiscupidityinothers。"
　　"Allofwhichdoesnotpreventherfromacceptingthewholeofyourfortune，forthesixtythousandfrancswhichcometoyoufromyourmother，andwhichyouaregivingher，are，understandmewell，yourwholefortune。"
　　Myfatherhadprobablykeptthisperorationandthisthreatforthelaststroke。Iwasfirmerbeforethesethreatsthanbeforehisentreaties。
　　"WhotoldyouthatIwashandingthissumtoher？"Iasked。
　　"Mysolicitor。Couldanhonestmancarryoutsuchaprocedurewithoutwarningme？Well，itistopreventyoufromruiningyourselfforaprostitutethatIamnowinParis。Yourmother，whenshedied，leftyouenoughtoliveonrespectably，andnottosquanderonyourmistresses。"
　　"Isweartoyou，father，thatMargueriteknewnothingofthistransfer。"
　　"Why，then，doyoumakeit？"
　　"BecauseMarguerite，thewomanyoucalumniate，andwhomyouwishmetoabandon，issacrificingallthatshepossessesinordertolivewithme。"
　　"Andyouacceptthissacrifice？Whatsortofamanareyou，sir，toallowMlle。Gautiertosacrificeanythingforyou？Come，enoughofthis。Youwillleavethiswoman。JustnowIbeggedyou；
　　nowIcommandyou。Iwillhavenosuchscandalousdoingsinmyfamily。Packupyourthingsandgetreadytocomewithme。"
　　"Pardonme，father，"Isaid，"butIshallnotcome。"
　　"Andwhy？"
　　"BecauseIamatanagewhennooneanylongerobeysacommand。"
　　Myfatherturnedpaleatmyanswer。
　　"Verywell，sir，"hesaid，"Iknowwhatremainstobedone。"
　　HerangandJosephappeared。
　　"HavemythingstakentotheHoteldeParis，"hesaidtomyservant。Andthereuponhewenttohisroomandfinisheddressing。
　　Whenhereturned，Iwentuptohim。
　　"Promiseme，father，"Isaid，"thatyouwilldonothingtogiveMargueritepain？"
　　Myfatherstopped，lookedatmedisdainfully，andcontentedhimselfwithsaying，"Ibelieveyouaremad。"Afterthishewentout，shuttingthedoorviolentlyafterhim。
　　Iwentdownstairs，tookacab，andreturnedtoBougival。
　　Margueritewaswaitingformeatthewindow。