Chapter21
"Atlastyouhavecome，"shesaid，throwingherarmsroundmyneck。"Buthowpaleyouare！"
Itoldherofthescenewithmyfather。
"MyGod！Iwasafraidofit，"shesaid。"WhenJosephcametotellyouofyourfather'sarrivalItrembledasifhehadbroughtnewsofsomemisfortune。Mypoorfriend，Iamthecauseofallyourdistress。Youwillbebetteroff，perhaps，ifyouleavemeanddonotquarrelwithyourfatheronmyaccount。Heknowsthatyouaresuretohaveamistress，andheoughttobethankfulthatitisI，sinceIloveyouanddonotwantmoreofyouthanyourpositionallows。Didyoutellhimhowwehadarrangedourfuture？"
"Yes；thatiswhatannoyedhimthemost，forhesawhowmuchwereallyloveoneanother。"
"Whatarewetodo，then？"
"Holdtogether，mygoodMarguerite，andletthestormpassover。"
"Willitpass？"
"Itwillhaveto。"
"Butyourfatherwillnotstopthere。"
"Whatdoyousupposehecando？"
"HowdoIknow？Everythingthatafathercandotomakehissonobeyhim。Hewillremindyouofmypastlife，andwillperhapsdomethehonourofinventingsomenewstory，sothatyoumaygivemeup。"
"YouknowthatIloveyou。"
"Yes，butwhatIknow，too，isthat，soonerorlater，youwillhavetoobeyyourfather，andperhapsyouwillendbybelievinghim。"
"No，Marguerite。ItisIwhowillmakehimbelieveme。Someofhisfriendshavebeentellinghimtaleswhichhavemadehimangry；butheisgoodandjust，hewillchangehisfirstimpression；andthen，afterall，whatdoesitmattertome？"
"Donotsaythat，Armand。Iwouldratheranythingshouldhappenthanthatyoushouldquarrelwithyourfamily；waittillafterto-day，andto-morrowgobacktoParis。Yourfather，too，willhavethoughtitoveronhisside，andperhapsyouwillbothcometoabetterunderstanding。Donotgoagainsthisprinciples，pretendtomakesomeconcessionstowhathewants；seemnottocaresoverymuchaboutme，andhewillletthingsremainastheyare。Hope，myfriend，andbesureofonething，thatwhateverhappens，Margueritewillalwaysbeyours。"
"Youswearit？"
"DoIneedtoswearit？"
Howsweetitistoletoneselfbepersuadedbythevoicethatoneloves！MargueriteandIspentthewholedayintalkingoverourprojectsforthefuture，asifwefelttheneedofrealizingthemasquicklyaspossible。Ateverymomentweawaitedsomeevent，butthedaypassedwithoutbringingusanynewtidings。
NextdayIleftatteno'clock，andreachedthehotelabouttwelve。Myfatherhadgoneout。
Iwenttomyownrooms，hopingthathehadperhapsgonethere。Noonehadcalled。Iwenttothesolicitor's。Noonewasthere。I
wentbacktothehotel，andwaitedtillsix。M。Duvaldidnotreturn，andIwentbacktoBougival。
IfoundMargueritenotwaitingforme，asshehadbeenthedaybefore，butsittingbythefire，whichtheweatherstillmadenecessary。ShewassoabsorbedinherthoughtsthatIcameclosetoherchairwithoutherhearingme。WhenIputmylipstoherforeheadshestartedasifthekisshadsuddenlyawakenedher。
"Youfrightenedme，"shesaid。"Andyourfather？"
"Ihavenotseenhim。Idonotknowwhatitmeans。Hewasnotathishotel，noranywherewheretherewasachanceofmyfindinghim。"
"Well，youmusttryagainto-morrow。"
"Iamverymuchinclinedtowaittillhesendsforme。IthinkI
havedoneallthatcanbeexpectedofme。"
"No，myfriend，itisnotenough；youmustcallonyourfatheragain，andyoumustcallto-morrow。"
"Whyto-morrowratherthananyotherday？"
"Because，"saidMarguerite，anditseemedtomethatsheblushedslightlyatthisquestion，"becauseitwillshowthatyouarethemorekeenaboutit，andhewillforgiveusthesooner。"
FortheremainderofthedayMargueritewassadandpreoccupied。
IhadtorepeattwiceovereverythingIsaidtohertoobtainananswer。Sheascribedthispreoccupationtoheranxietyinregardtotheeventswhichhadhappenedduringthelasttwodays。I
spentthenightinreassuringher，andshesentmeawayinthemorningwithaninsistentdisquietudethatIcouldnotexplaintomyself。
Againmyfatherwasabsent，buthehadleftthisletterforme：
"Ifyoucallagainto-day，waitformetillfour。IfIamnotinbyfour，comeanddinewithmeto-morrow。Imustseeyou。"
Iwaitedtillthehourhehadnamed，buthedidnotappear。I
returnedtoBougival。
ThenightbeforeIhadfoundMargueritesad；thatnightIfoundherfeverishandagitated。Onseeingme，sheflungherarmsaroundmyneck，butshecriedforalongtimeinmyarms。I
questionedherastothissuddendistress，whichalarmedmebyitsviolence。Shegavemenopositivereason，butputmeoffwiththoseevasionswhichawomanresortstowhenshewillnottellthetruth。
Whenshewasalittlecalmeddown，Itoldhertheresultofmyvisit，andIshowedhermyfather'sletter，fromwhich，Isaid，wemightaugurwell。Atthesightoftheletterandonhearingmycomment，hertearsbegantoflowsocopiouslythatIfearedanattackofnerves，and，callingNanine，Iputhertobed，wheresheweptwithoutaword，butheldmyhandsandkissedthemeverymoment。
IaskedNanineif，duringmyabsence，hermistresshadreceivedanyletterorvisitwhichcouldaccountforthestateinwhichI
foundher，butNaninerepliedthatnoonehadcalledandnothinghadbeensent。
Something，however，hadoccurredsincethedaybefore，somethingwhichtroubledmethemorebecauseMargueriteconcealeditfromme。
Intheeveningsheseemedalittlecalmer，and，makingmesitatthefootofthebed，shetoldmemanytimeshowmuchshelovedme。Shesmiledatme，butwithaneffort，forinspiteofherselfhereyeswereveiledwithtears。
Iusedeverymeanstomakeherconfesstherealcauseofherdistress，butshepersistedingivingmenothingbutvaguereasons，asIhavetoldyou。Atlastshefellasleepinmyarms，butitwasthesleepwhichtiresratherthanreststhebody。Fromtimetotimesheutteredacry，startedup，and，afterassuringherselfthatIwasbesideher，mademeswearthatIwouldalwaysloveher。
Icouldmakenothingoftheseintermittentparoxysmsofdistress，whichwentontillmorning。ThenMargueritefellintoakindofstupor。Shehadnotsleptfortwonights。
Herrestwasofshortduration，fortowardelevensheawoke，and，seeingthatIwasup，shelookedabouther，crying：
"Areyougoingalready？"
"No，"saidI，holdingherhands；"butIwantedtoletyousleepon。Itisstillearly。"
"WhattimeareyougoingtoParis？"
"Atfour。"
"Sosoon？Butyouwillstaywithmetillthen？"
"Ofcourse。DoInotalways？"
"Iamsoglad！Shallwehavelunch？"shewentonabsentmindedly。
"Ifyoulike。"
"Andthenyouwillbenicetometilltheverymomentyougo？"
"Yes；andIwillcomebackassoonasIcan。"
"Youwillcomeback？"shesaid，lookingatmewithhaggardeyes。
"Naturally。"
"Oh，yes，youwillcomebackto-night。Ishallwaitforyou，asI
alwaysdo，andyouwillloveme，andweshallbehappy，aswehavebeeneversincewehaveknowneachother。"
Allthesewordsweresaidinsuchastrainedvoice，theyseemedtohidesopersistentandsosorrowfulathought，thatItrembledeverymomentlestMargueriteshouldbecomedelirious。
"Listen，"Isaid。"Youareill。Icannotleaveyoulikethis。I
willwriteandtellmyfathernottoexpectme。"
"No，no，"shecriedhastily，"don'tdothat。Yourfatherwillaccusemeofhinderingyouagainfromgoingtoseehimwhenhewantstoseeyou；no，no，youmustgo，youmust！Besides，Iamnotill。Iamquitewell。Ihadabaddreamandamnotyetfullyawake。"
FromthatmomentMargueritetriedtoseemmorecheerful。Therewerenomoretears。
Whenthehourcameformetogo，Iembracedherandaskedherifshewouldcomewithmeasfarasthetrain；Ihopedthatthewalkwoulddistractherandthattheairwoulddohergood。Iwantedespeciallytobewithheraslongaspossible。
Sheagreed，putonhercloakandtookNaninewithher，soasnottoreturnalone。TwentytimesIwasonthepointofnotgoing。
Butthehopeofaspeedyreturn，andthefearofoffendingmyfatherstillmore，sustainedme，andItookmyplaceinthetrain。
"Tillthisevening！"IsaidtoMarguerite，asIlefther。Shedidnotreply。
Oncealreadyshehadnotrepliedtothesamewords，andtheComtedeG。，youwillremember，hadspentthenightwithher；butthattimewassofarawaythatitseemedtohavebeeneffacedfrommymemory，andifIhadanyfear，itwascertainlynotofMargueritebeingunfaithfultome。ReachingParis，IhastenedofftoseePrudence，intendingtoaskhertogoandkeepMargueritecompany，inthehopethathermirthandlivelinesswoulddistracther。I
enteredwithoutbeingannounced，andfoundPrudenceathertoilet。
"Ah！"shesaid，anxiously；"isMargueritewithyou？"
"No。"
"Howisshe？"
"Sheisnotwell。"
"Isshenotcoming？"
"Didyouexpecther？"
MadameDuvernoyreddened，andreplied，withacertainconstraint：
"IonlymeantthatsinceyouareatParis，isshenotcomingtojoinyou？"
"No。"
IlookedatPrudence；shecastdownhereyes，andIreadinherfacethefearofseeingmyvisitprolonged。
"Ievencametoaskyou，mydearPrudence，ifyouhavenothingtodothisevening，togoandseeMarguerite；youwillbecompanyforher，andyoucanstaythenight。Ineversawherasshewasto-day，andIamafraidsheisgoingtobeill。"
"Iamdiningintown，"repliedPrudence，"andIcan'tgoandseeMargueritethisevening。Iwillseehertomorrow。"
ItookleaveofMme。Duvernoy，whoseemedalmostaspreoccupiedasMarguerite，andwentontomyfather's；hisfirstglanceseemedtostudymeattentively。Heheldouthishand。
"Yourtwovisitshavegivenmepleasure，Armand，"hesaid；"theymakemehopethatyouhavethoughtoverthingsonyoursideasI
haveonmine。"
"MayIaskyou，father，whatwastheresultofyourreflection？"
"Theresult，mydearboy，isthatIhaveexaggeratedtheimportanceofthereportsthathadbeenmadetome，andthatI
havemadeupmymindtobelessseverewithyou。"
"Whatareyousaying，father？"Icriedjoyously。
"Isay，mydearchild，thateveryyoungmanmusthavehismistress，andthat，fromthefreshinformationIhavehad，I
wouldratherseeyoutheloverofMlle。Gautierthanofanyoneelse。"
"Mydearfather，howhappyyoumakeme！"
Wetalkedinthismannerforsomemoments，andthensatdowntotable。Myfatherwascharmingalldinnertime。
IwasinahurrytogetbacktoBougivaltotellMargueriteaboutthisfortunatechange，andIlookedattheclockeverymoment。
"Youarewatchingthetime，"saidmyfather，"andyouareimpatienttoleaveme。Oyoungpeople，howyoualwayssacrificesinceretodoubtfulaffections！"
"Donotsaythat，father；Margueritelovesme，Iamsureofit。"
Myfatherdidnotanswer；heseemedtosayneitheryesnorno。
HewasveryinsistentthatIshouldspendthewholeeveningwithhimandnotgotillthemorning；butMargueritehadnotbeenwellwhenIlefther。Itoldhimofit，andbeggedhispermissiontogobacktoherearly，promisingtocomeagainonthemorrow。
Theweatherwasfine；hewalkedwithmeasfarasthestation。
NeverhadIbeensohappy。ThefutureappearedasIhadlongdesiredtoseeit。IhadneverlovedmyfatherasIlovedhimatthatmoment。
JustasIwasleavinghim，heoncemorebeggedmetostay。I
refused。
"Youarereallyverymuchinlovewithher？"heasked。
"Madly。"
"Go，then，"andhepassedhishandacrosshisforeheadasiftochaseathought，thenopenedhismouthasiftosaysomething；
butheonlypressedmyhand，andleftmehurriedly，saying：
"Tillto-morrow，then！"
Chapter22
Itseemedtomeasifthetraindidnotmove。IreachedBougivalateleven。
Notawindowinthehousewaslightedup，andwhenIrangnooneansweredthebell。Itwasthefirsttimethatsuchathinghadoccurredtome。Atlastthegardenercame。Ientered。Naninemetmewithalight。IwenttoMarguerite'sroom。
"Whereismadame？"
"GonetoParis，"repliedNanine。
"ToParis！"
"Yes，sir。"
"When？"
"Anhourafteryou。"
"Sheleftnowordforme？"
"Nothing。"
Nanineleftme。
Perhapsshehadsomesuspicionorother，Ithought，andwenttoParistomakesurethatmyvisittomyfatherwasnotanexcuseforadayoff。PerhapsPrudencewrotetoheraboutsomethingimportant。IsaidtomyselfwhenIwasalone；butIsawPrudence；
shesaidnothingtomakemesupposethatshehadwrittentoMarguerite。
AllatonceIrememberedMme。Duvernoy'squestion，"Isn'tshecomingto-day？"whenIhadsaidthatMargueritewasill。I
rememberedatthesametimehowembarrassedPrudencehadappearedwhenIlookedatherafterthisremark，whichseemedtoindicateanappointment。Iremembered，too，Marguerite'stearsalldaylong，whichmyfather'skindreceptionhadratherputoutofmymind。Fromthismomentalltheincidentsgroupedthemselvesaboutmyfirstsuspicion，andfixeditsofirmlyinmymindthateverythingservedtoconfirmit，evenmyfather'skindness。
MargueritehadalmostinsistedonmygoingtoParis；shehadpretendedtobecalmerwhenIhadproposedstayingwithher。HadIfallenintosometrap？WasMargueritedeceivingme？Hadshecountedonbeingbackintimeformenottoperceiveherabsence，andhadshebeendetainedbychance？WhyhadshesaidnothingtoNanine，orwhyhadshenotwritten？Whatwasthemeaningofthosetears，thisabsence，thismystery？
ThatiswhatIaskedmyselfinaffright，asIstoodinthevacantroom，gazingattheclock，whichpointedtomidnight，andseemedtosaytomethatitwastoolatetohopeformymistress'sreturn。Yet，afterallthearrangementswehadjustmade，afterthesacrificesthathadbeenofferedandaccepted，wasitlikelythatshewasdeceivingme？No。Itriedtogetridofmyfirstsupposition。
Probablyshehadfoundapurchaserforherfurniture，andshehadgonetoParistoconcludethebargain。Shedidnotwishtotellmebeforehand，forsheknewthat，thoughIhadconsentedtoit，thesale，sonecessarytoourfuturehappiness，waspainfultome，andshefearedtowoundmyself-respectinspeakingtomeaboutit。Shewouldrathernotseemetillthewholethingwasdone，andthatwasevidentlywhyPrudencewasexpectingherwhensheletoutthesecret。Margueritecouldnotfinishthewholebusinessto-day，andwasstayingthenightwithPrudence，orperhapsshewouldcomeevennow，forshemustknowbowanxiousI
shouldbe，andwouldnotwishtoleavemeinthatcondition。But，ifso，whythosetears？Nodoubt，despiteherloveforme，thepoorgirlcouldnotmakeuphermindtogiveupalltheluxuryinwhichshehadliveduntilnow，andforwhichshehadbeensoenvied，withoutcryingoverit。Iwasquitereadytoforgiveherforsuchregrets。Iwaitedforherimpatiently，thatImightsaytoher，asIcoveredherwithkisses，thatIhadguessedthereasonofhermysteriousabsence。
Nevertheless，thenightwenton，andMargueritedidnotreturn。
Myanxietytighteneditscirclelittlebylittle，andbegantooppressmyheadandheart。Perhapssomethinghadhappenedtoher。
Perhapsshewasinjured，ill，dead。Perhapsamessengerwouldarrivewiththenewsofsomedreadfulaccident。Perhapsthedaylightwouldfindmewiththesameuncertaintyandwiththesamefears。
TheideathatMargueritewasperhapsunfaithfultomeattheverymomentwhenIwaitedforherinterroratherabsencedidnotreturntomymind。Theremustbesomecause，independentofherwill，tokeepherawayfromme，andthemoreIthought，themoreconvincedIwasthatthiscausecouldonlybesomemishaporother。Ovanityofman，comingbacktousineveryform！
Oneo'clockstruck。IsaidtomyselfthatIwouldwaitanotherhour，butthatattwoo'clock，ifMargueritehadnotreturned，I
wouldsetoutforParis。MeanwhileIlookedaboutforabook，forIdarednotthink。ManonLescautwasopenonthetable。Itseemedtomethathereandtherethepageswerewetasifwithtears。I
turnedtheleavesoverandthenclosedthebook，forthelettersseemedtomevoidofmeaningthroughtheveilofmydoubts。
Timewentslowly。Theskywascoveredwithclouds。Anautumnrainlashedthewindows。Theemptybedseemedatmomentstoassumetheaspectofatomb。Iwasafraid。
Iopenedthedoor。Ilistened，andheardnothingbutthevoiceofthewindinthetrees。Notavehiclewastobeseenontheroad。
Thehalfhoursoundedsadlyfromthechurchtower。
Ibegantofearlestsomeoneshouldenter。Itseemedtomethatonlyadisastercouldcomeatthathourandunderthatsombresky。
Twoo'clockstruck。Istillwaitedalittle。Onlythesoundofthebelltroubledthesilencewithitsmonotonousandrhythmicalstroke。
AtlastIlefttheroom，whereeveryobjecthadassumedthatmelancholyaspectwhichtherestlesssolitudeoftheheartgivestoallitssurroundings。
InthenextroomIfoundNaninesleepingoverherwork。Atthesoundofthedoor，sheawokeandaskedifhermistresshadcomein。
"No；butifshecomesin，tellherthatIwassoanxiousthatI
hadtogotoParis。"
"Atthishour？"
"Yes。
"Buthow？Youwon'tfindacarriage。"
"Iwillwalk。"
"Butitisraining。"
"Nomatter。"
"Butmadamewillbecomingback，orifshedoesn'tcomeitwillbetimeenoughinthemorningtogoandseewhathaskepther。
Youwillbemurderedontheway。"
"Thereisnodanger，mydearNanine；Iwillseeyouto-morrow。"
Thegoodgirlwentandgotmeacloak，putitovermyshoulders，andofferedtowakeupMme。Arnouldtoseeifavehiclecouldbeobtained；butIwouldhearofnothing，convincedasIwasthatI
shouldlose，inaperhapsfruitlessinquiry，moretimethanI
shouldtaketocoverhalftheroad。Besides，Ifelttheneedofairandphysicalfatigueinordertocooldowntheover-
excitementwhichpossessedme。
ItookthekeyoftheflatintheRued'Antin，andaftersayinggood-byetoNanine，whocamewithmeasfarasthegate，Isetout。
AtfirstIbegantorun，buttheearthwasmuddywithrain，andI
fatiguedmyselfdoubly。AttheendofhalfanhourIwasobligedtostop，andIwasdrenchedwithsweat。Irecoveredmybreathandwenton。ThenightwassodarkthatateverystepIfearedtodashmyselfagainstoneofthetreesontheroadside，whichroseupsharplybeforemelikegreatphantomsrushinguponme。
Iovertookoneortwowagons，whichIsoonleftbehind。A
carriagewasgoingatfullgalloptowardBougival。AsitpassedmethehopecametomethatMargueritewasinit。Istoppedandcriedout，"Marguerite！Marguerite！"Butnooneansweredandthecarriagecontinueditscourse。Iwatcheditfadeawayinthedistance，andthenstartedonmywayagain。ItooktwohourstoreachtheBarrieredel'Etoile。ThesightofParisrestoredmystrength，andIranthewholelengthofthealleyIhadsooftenwalked。
Thatnightnoonewaspassing；itwaslikegoingthroughthemidstofadeadcity。Thedawnbegantobreak。WhenIreachedtheRued'Antinthegreatcitystirredalittlebeforequiteawakening。Fiveo'clockstruckatthechurchofSaintRochatthemomentwhenIenteredMarguerite'shouse。Icalledoutmynametotheporter，whohadhadfrommeenoughtwenty-francpiecestoknowthatIhadtherighttocallonMlle。Gautieratfiveinthemorning。Ipassedwithoutdifficulty。ImighthaveaskedifMargueritewasathome，buthemighthavesaid"No，"andI
preferredtoremainindoubttwominuteslonger，for，aslongasIdoubted，therewasstillhope。
Ilistenedatthedoor，tryingtodiscoverasound，amovement。
Nothing。Thesilenceofthecountryseemedtobecontinuedhere。
Iopenedthedoorandentered。Allthecurtainswerehermeticallyclosed。Idrewthoseofthedining-roomandwenttowardthebed-roomandpushedopenthedoor。Isprangatthecurtaincordanddrewitviolently。Thecurtainopened，afaintlightmadeitswayin。Irushedtothebed。Itwasempty。
Iopenedthedoorsoneafteranother。Ivisitedeveryroom。Noone。Itwasenoughtodriveonemad。
Iwentintothedressing-room，openedthewindow，andcalledPrudenceseveraltimes。Mme。Duvernoy'swindowremainedclosed。
IwentdownstairstotheporterandaskedhimifMlle。Gautierhadcomehomeduringtheday。
"Yes，"answeredtheman；"withMme。Duvernoy。"
"Sheleftnowordforme？"
"No。"
"Doyouknowwhattheydidafterward？"
"Theywentawayinacarriage。"
"Whatsortofacarriage？"
"Aprivatecarriage。"
Whatcoulditallmean？
Irangatthenextdoor。
"Whereareyougoing，sir？"askedtheporter，whenhehadopenedtome。
"ToMme。Duvernoy's。"
"Shehasnotcomeback。"
"Youaresure？"
"Yes，sir；here'salettereven，whichwasbroughtforherlastnightandwhichIhavenotyetgivenher。"
AndtheportershowedmealetterwhichIglancedatmechanically。IrecognisedMarguerite'swriting。Itooktheletter。Itwasaddressed，"ToMme。Duvernoy，toforwardtoM。
Duval。"
"Thisletterisforme，"Isaidtotheporter，asIshowedhimtheaddress。
"YouareM。Duval？"hereplied。
"Yes。
"Ah！Iremember。YouoftencametoseeMme。Duvernoy。"
WhenIwasinthestreetIbrokethesealoftheletter。Ifathunder-bolthadfallenatmyfeetIshouldhavebeenlessstartledthanIwasbywhatIread。
"Bythetimeyoureadthisletter，Armand，Ishallbethemistressofanotherman。Allisoverbetweenus。
"Gobacktoyourfather，myfriend，andtoyoursister，andthere，bythesideofapureyounggirl，ignorantofallourmiseries，youwillsoonforgetwhatyouwouldhavesufferedthroughthatlostcreaturewhoiscalledMargueriteGautier，whomyouhavelovedforaninstant，andwhoowestoyoutheonlyhappymomentsofalifewhich，shehopes，willnotbeverylongnow。"
WhenIhadreadthelastword，IthoughtIshouldhavegonemad。
ForamomentIwasreallyafraidoffallinginthestreet。A
cloudpassedbeforemyeyesandmybloodbeatinmytemples。AtlastIcametomyselfalittle。Ilookedaboutme，andwasastonishedtoseethelifeofotherscontinuewithoutpausingatmydistress。
Iwasnotstrongenoughtoenduretheblowalone。ThenI
rememberedthatmyfatherwasinthesamecity，thatImightbewithhimintenminutes，andthat，whatevermightbethecauseofmysorrow，hewouldshareit。
Iranlikeamadman，likeathief，totheHoteldeParis；Ifoundthekeyinthedoorofmyfather'sroom；Ientered。Hewasreading。Heshowedsolittleastonishmentatseeingme，thatitwasasifhewasexpectingme。Iflungmyselfintohisarmswithoutsayingaword。IgavehimMarguerite'sletter，and，fallingonmykneesbesidehisbed，Iwepthottears。
Chapter23
Whenthecurrentoflifehadresumeditscourse，IcouldnotbelievethatthedaywhichIsawdawningwouldnotbelikethosewhichhadprecededit。ThereweremomentswhenIfanciedthatsomecircumstance，whichIcouldnotrecollect，hadobligedmetospendthenightawayfromMarguerite，butthat，ifIreturnedtoBougival，IshouldfindheragainasanxiousasIhadbeen，andthatshewouldaskmewhathaddetainedmeawayfromhersolong。
Whenone'sexistencehascontractedahabit，suchasthatofthislove，itseemsimpossiblethatthehabitshouldbebrokenwithoutatthesametimebreakingalltheotherspringsoflife。IwasforcedfromtimetotimetorereadMarguerite'sletter，inordertoconvincemyselfthatIhadnotbeendreaming。
Mybody，succumbingtothemoralshock，wasincapableofmovement。Anxiety，thenightwalk，andthemorning'snewshadprostratedme。Myfatherprofitedbythistotalprostrationofallmyfacultiestodemandofmeaformalpromisetoaccompanyhim。Ipromisedallthatheasked，forIwasincapableofsustainingadiscussion，andIneededsomeaffectiontohelpmetolive，afterwhathadhappened。Iwastoothankfulthatmyfatherwaswillingtoconsolemeundersuchacalamity。
AllthatIrememberisthatonthatday，aboutfiveo'clock，hetookmewithhiminapost-chaise。Withoutawordtome，hehadhadmyluggagepackedandputupbehindthechaisewithhisown，andsohecarriedmeoff。IdidnotrealizewhatIwasdoinguntilthetownhaddisappearedandthesolitudeoftheroadrecalledtometheemptinessofmyheart。Thenmytearsagainbegantoflow。
Myfatherhadrealizedthatwords，evenfromhim，woulddonothingtoconsoleme，andheletmeweepwithoutsayingaword，onlysometimespressingmyhand，asiftoremindmethatIhadafriendatmyside。
AtnightIsleptalittle。IdreamedofMarguerite。
Iwokewithastart，notrecallingwhyIwasinthecarriage。
Thenthetruthcamebackuponme，andIletmyheadsinkonmybreast。Idarednotsayanythingtomyfather。Iwasafraidhewouldsay，"YouseeIwasrightwhenIdeclaredthatthiswomandidnotloveyou。"Buthedidnotusehisadvantage，andwereachedC。withouthishavingsaidanythingtomeexcepttospeakofmattersquiteapartfromtheeventwhichhadoccasionedmyleavingParis。
WhenIembracedmysister，IrememberedwhatMargueritehadsaidaboutherinherletter，andIsawatoncehowlittlemysister，goodasshewas，wouldbeabletomakemeforgetmymistress。
Shootinghadbegun，andmyfatherthoughtthatitwouldbeadistractionforme。Hegotupshootingpartieswithfriendsandneighbours。Iwentwithouteitherreluctanceorenthusiasm，withthatsortofapathyintowhichIhadsunksincemydeparture。
WewerebeatingaboutforgameandIwasgivenmypost。Iputdownmyunloadedgunatmyside，andmeditated。Iwatchedthecloudspass。Iletmythoughtwanderoverthesolitaryplains，andfromtimetotimeIheardsomeonecalltomeandpointtoaharenottenpacesoff。Noneofthesedetailsescapedmyfather，andhewasnotdeceivedbymyexteriorcalm。Hewaswellawarethat，brokenasInowwas，Ishouldsomedayexperienceaterriblereaction，whichmightbedangerous，and，withoutseemingtomakeanyefforttoconsoleme，hedidhisutmosttodistractmythoughts。
Mysister，naturally，knewnothingofwhathadhappened，andshecouldnotunderstandhowitwasthatI，whohadformerlybeensolighthearted，hadsuddenlybecomesosadanddreamy。
Sometimes，surprisinginthemidstofmysadnessmyfather'sanxiousscrutiny，Ipressedhishandasiftoaskhimtacitlytoforgivemeforthepainwhich，inspiteofmyself，Iwasgivinghim。
Thusamonthpassed，butattheendofthattimeIcouldendureitnolonger。ThememoryofMargueritepursuedmeunceasingly。I
hadloved，IstilllovedthiswomansomuchthatIcouldnotsuddenlybecomeindifferenttoher。Ihadtoloveortohateher。
Aboveall，whateverIfeltforher，Ihadtoseeheragain，andatonce。Thisdesirepossessedmymind，andwithalltheviolenceofawillwhichhadbeguntoreassertitselfinabodysolonginert。
ItwasnotenoughformetoseeMargueriteinamonth，aweek。I
hadtoseehertheverynextdayafterthedaywhenthethoughthadoccurredtome；andIwenttomyfatherandtoldhimthatI
hadbeencalledtoParisonbusiness，butthatIshouldreturnpromptly。Nodoubtheguessedthereasonofmydeparture，forheinsistedthatIshouldstay，but，seeingthatifIdidnotcarryoutmyintentiontheconsequences，inthestateinwhichIwas，mightbefatal，heembracedme，andbeggedme，almost，withtears，toreturnwithoutdelay。
IdidnotsleeponthewaytoParis。Oncethere，whatwasIgoingtodo？Ididnotknow；IonlyknewthatitmustbesomethingconnectedwithMarguerite。Iwenttomyroomstochangemyclothes，and，astheweatherwasfineanditwasstillearly，I
mademywaytotheChamps-Elysees。AttheendofhalfanhourI
sawMarguerite'scarriage，atsomedistance，comingfromtheRond-PointtothePlacedelaConcorde。Shehadrepurchasedherhorses，forthecarriagewasjustasIwasaccustomedtoseeit，butshewasnotinit。ScarcelyhadInoticedthisfact，whenlookingaroundme，IsawMargueriteonfoot，accompaniedbyawomanwhomIhadneverseen。
Asshepassedmesheturnedpale，andanervoussmiletightenedaboutherlips。Formypart，myheartbeatviolentlyinmybreast；butIsucceededingivingacoldexpressiontomyface，asIbowedcoldlytomyformermistress，whojustthenreachedhercarriage，intowhichshegotwithherfriend。
IknewMarguerite：thisunexpectedmeetingmustcertainlyhaveupsether。NodoubtshehadheardthatIhadgoneaway，andhadthusbeenreassuredastotheconsequencesofourrupture；but，seeingmeagaininParis，findingherselffacetofacewithme，paleasIwas，shemusthaverealizedthatIhadnotreturnedwithoutpurpose，andshemusthaveaskedherselfwhatthatpurposewas。
IfIhadseenMargueriteunhappy，if，inrevengingmyselfuponher，Icouldhavecometoheraid，Ishouldperhapshaveforgivenher，andcertainlyIshouldhaveneverdreamtofdoingheraninjury。ButIfoundherapparentlyhappy，someoneelsehadrestoredtohertheluxurywhichIcouldnotgiveher；herbreakingwithmeseemedtoassumeacharacterofthebasestself-interest；Iwasloweredinmyownesteemaswellasinmylove。IresolvedthatsheshouldpayforwhatIhadsuffered。
Icouldnotbeindifferenttowhatshedid，consequentlywhatwouldhurtherthemostwouldbemyindifference；itwas，therefore，thissentimentwhichImustaffect，notonlyinhereyes，butintheeyesofothers。
Itriedtoputonasmilingcountenance，andIwenttocallonPrudence。Themaidannouncedme，andIhadtowaitafewminutesinthedrawing-room。AtlastMme。Duvernoyappearedandaskedmeintoherboudoir；asIseatedmyselfIheardthedrawing-roomdooropen，alightfootstepmadethefloorcreakandthefrontdoorwasclosedviolently。
"Iamdisturbingyou，"IsaidtoPrudence。
"Notintheleast。Margueritewasthere。Whensheheardyouannounced，shemadeherescape；itwasshewhohasjustgoneout。"
"Issheafraidofmenow？"
"No。butsheisafraidthatyouwouldnotwishtoseeher。"
"Butwhy？"Isaid，drawingmybreathwithdifficulty，forIwaschokedwithemotion。"Thepoorgirlleftmeforhercarriage，herfurniture，andherdiamonds；shedidquiteright，andIdon'tbearheranygrudge。Imetherto-day，"Icontinuedcarelessly。
"Where？"askedPrudence，lookingatmeandseemingtoaskherselfifthiswasthesamemanwhomshehadknownsomadlyinlove。
"IntheChamps-Elysees。Shewaswithanotherwoman，verypretty。
Whoisshe？"
"Whatwasshelike？"
"Blonde，slender，withsidecurls；blueeyes；veryelegant。"
"Ali！ItwasOlympe；sheisreallyverypretty。"
"Whomdoesshelivewith？"
"Withnobody；withanybody。"
"Wheredoesshelive？"
"RueTroncliet，No。——。Doyouwanttomakelovetoher？"
"Oneneverknows。"
"AndMarguerite？"
"IshouldhardlytellyouthetruthifIsaidIthinknomoreabouther；butIamoneofthosewithwhomeverythingdependsonthewayinwhichonebreakswiththem。NowMargueriteendedwithmesolightlythatIrealizeIwasagreatfooltohavebeenasmuchinlovewithherasIwas，forIwasreallyverymuchinlovewiththatgirl。"
YoucanimaginethewayinwhichIsaidthat；thesweatbrokeoutonmyforehead。
"Shewasveryfondofyou，youknow，andshestillis；theproofis，thataftermeetingyouto-day，shecamestraighttotellmeaboutit。Whenshegothereshewasallofatremble；Ithoughtshewasgoingtofaint。"
"Well，whatdidshesay？"
"Shesaid，'Heissuretocomehere，'andshebeggedmetoaskyoutoforgiveher。"
"Ihaveforgivenher，youmaytellher。Shewasagoodgirl；but，afterall，liketheothers，andIoughttohaveexpectedwhathappened。Iamevengratefultoher，forIseenowwhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadlivedwithheraltogether。Itwasridiculous。"
"Shewillbeverygladtofindthatyoutakeitsowell。Itwasquitetimesheleftyou，mydearfellow。Therascalofanagenttowhomshehadofferedtosellherfurniturewentaroundtohercreditorstofindouthowmuchsheowed；theytookfright，andintwodaysshewouldhavebeensoldup。"
"Andnowitisallpaid？"
"Moreorless。"
"Andwhohassuppliedthemoney？"
"TheComtedeN。Ah，mydearfriend，therearemenmadeonpurposeforsuchoccasions。Tocutalongstoryshorthegavehertwentythousandfrancs，buthehashadhiswayatlast。HeknowsquitewellthatMargueriteisnotinlovewithhim；butheisverynicewithherallthesame。Asyouhaveseen，hehasrepurchasedherhorses，hehastakenherjewelsoutofpawn，andhegivesherasmuchmoneyasthedukeusedtogiveher；ifshelikestolivequietly，hewillstaywithheralongtime。"
"Andwhatisshedoing？IsshelivinginParisaltogether？"
"ShewouldnevergobacktoBougivalafteryouwent。Ihadtogomyselfandseeafterallherthings，andyours，too。Imadeapackageofthemandyoucansendhereforthem。Youwillfindeverything，exceptalittlecasewithyourinitials。Margueritewantedtokeepit。Ifyoureallywantit，Iwillaskherforit。"
"Letherkeepit，"Istammered，forIfeltthetearsrisefrommyhearttomyeyesattherecollectionofthevillagewhereIhadbeensohappy，andatthethoughtthatMargueritecaredtokeepsomethingwhichhadbelongedtomeandwouldrecallmetoher。Ifshehadenteredatthatmomentmythoughtsofvengeancewouldhavedisappeared，andIshouldhavefallenatherfeet。
"Fortherest，"continuedPrudence，"Ineversawherassheisnow；shehardlytakesanysleep，shegoestoalltheballs，shegoestosuppers，sheevendrinks。Theotherday，afterasupper，shehadtostayinbedforaweek；andwhenthedoctorlethergetup，shebeganagainattheriskofherlife。Shallyougoandseeher？"
"Whatisthegood？Icametoseeyou，becauseyouhavealwaysbeencharmingtome，andIknewyoubeforeIeverknewMarguerite。IoweittoyouthatIhavebeenherlover，andalso，don'tI，thatIamherlovernolonger？"
"Well，IdidallIcouldtogetherawayfromyou，andIbelieveyouwillbethankfultomelateron。"
Ioweyouadoublegratitude，"Iadded，rising，forIwasdisgustedwiththewoman，seeinghertakeeverywordIsaidtoherasifitwereserious。
"Youaregoing？"
"Yes。"
Ihadlearnedenough。
"WhenshallIbeseeingyou？"
"Soon。Good-bye。"
"Good-bye。"
Prudencesawmetothedoor，andIwentbacktomyownroomswithtearsofrageinmyeyesandadesireforvengeanceinmyheart。
SoMargueritewasnodifferentfromtheothers；sothesteadfastlovethatshehadhadformecouldnotresistthedesireofreturningtoherformerlife，andtheneedofhavingacarriageandplungingintodissipation。SoIsaidtomyself，asIlayawakeatnightthoughifIhadreflectedascalmlyasIprofessedtoIshouldhaveseeninthisnewandturbulentlifeofMargueritetheattempttosilenceaconstantthought，aceaselessmemory。Unfortunately，evilpassionhadtheupperhand，andI
onlysoughtforsomemeansofavengingmyselfonthepoorcreature。Oh，howpettyandvileismanwhenheiswoundedinoneofhisnarrowpassions！
ThisOlympewhomIhadseenwas，ifnotafriendofMarguerite，atalleventsthewomanwithwhomshewasmostoftenseensinceherreturntoParis。Shewasgoingtogiveaball，and，asItookitforgrantedthatMargueritewouldbethere，Itriedtogetaninvitationandsucceeded。
When，fullofmysorrowfulemotions，Iarrivedattheball，itwasalreadyveryanimated。Theyweredancing，shoutingeven，andinoneofthequadrillesIperceivedMargueritedancingwiththeComtedeN。，whoseemedproudofshowingheroff，asifhesaidtoeverybody："Thiswomanismine。"
Ileanedagainstthemantel-piecejustoppositeMargueriteandwatchedherdancing。Herfacechangedthemomentshecaughtsightofme。Isalutedhercasuallywithaglanceoftheeyesandawaveofthehand。
WhenIreflectedthataftertheballshewouldgohome，notwithmebutwiththatrichfool，whenIthoughtofwhatwouldfollowtheirreturn，thebloodrosetomyface，andIfelttheneedofdoingsomethingtotroubletheirrelations。
AfterthecontredanseIwentuptothemistressofthehouse，whodisplayedforthebenefitofherguestsadazzlingbosomandmagnificentshoulders。Shewasbeautiful，and，fromthepointofviewoffigure，morebeautifulthanMarguerite。IrealizedthisfactstillmoreclearlyfromcertainglanceswhichMargueritebestoweduponherwhileIwastalkingwithher。ThemanwhowastheloverofsuchawomanmightwellbeasproudasM。deN。，andshewasbeautifulenoughtoinspireapassionnotlessgreatthanthatwhichMargueritehadinspiredinme。Atthatmomentshehadnolover。Itwouldnotbedifficulttobecomeso；itdependedonlyonshowingenoughmoneytoattractherattention。
Imadeupmymind。Thatwomanshouldbemymistress。Ibeganbydancingwithher。Halfanhourafterward，Marguerite，paleasdeath，putonherpelisseandlefttheball。
Chapter24
Itwassomethingalready，butitwasnotenough。IsawtheholdwhichIhaduponthiswoman，andItookacowardlyadvantageofit。
WhenIthinkthatsheisdeadnow，IaskmyselfifGodwilleverforgivemeforthewrongIdidher。
Afterthesupper，whichwasnoisyascouldbe，therewasgambling。IsatbythesideofOlympeandputdownmymoneysorecklesslythatshecouldnotbutnoticeme。InaninstantIhadgainedonehundredandfiftyortwohundredlouis，whichIspreadoutbeforemeonthetable，andonwhichshefastenedhereyesgreedily。
Iwastheonlyonenotcompletelyabsorbedbythegame，andabletopayhersomeattention。AlltherestofthenightIgained，anditwasIwhogavehermoneytoplay，forshehadlostallshehadbeforeherandprobablyallshehadinthehouse。
Atfiveinthemorning，theguestsdeparted。Ihadgainedthreehundredlouis。
Alltheplayerswerealreadyontheirwaydownstairs；Iwastheonlyonewhohadremainedbehind，andasIdidnotknowanyofthem，noonenoticedit。Olympeherselfwaslightingtheway，andIwasgoingtofollowtheothers，when，turningback，Isaidtoher：
"Imustspeaktoyou。"
"To-morrow，"shesaid。
"No，now。"
"Whathaveyoutosay？"
"Youwillsee。"
AndIwentbackintotheroom。
"Youhavelost，"Isaid。
"Yes。
"Allthatyouhadinthehouse？"
Shehesitated。
"Befrank。"
"Well，itistrue。"
"Ihavewonthreehundredlouis。Heretheyare，ifyouwillletmestayhereto-night。"
AndIthrewthegoldonthetable。
第7章