"Andwhythisproposition？"
　　"BecauseIaminlovewithyou，ofcourse。"
　　"No，butbecauseyouloveMarguerite，andyouwanttohaveyourrevengeuponherbybecomingmylover。Youdon'tdeceiveawomanlikeme，mydearfriend；unluckily，Iamstilltooyoungandtoogood-lookingtoacceptthepartthatyouofferme。"
　　"Soyourefuse？"
　　"Yes。
　　"Wouldyourathertakemefornothing？ItisIwhowouldn'tacceptthen。Thinkitover，mydearOlympe；ifIhadsentsomeonetoofferyouthesethreehundredlouisonmybehalf，ontheconditionsIattachtothem，youwouldhaveaccepted。Ipreferredtospeaktoyoumyself。Acceptwithoutinquiringintomyreasons；
　　saytoyourselfthatyouarebeautiful，andthatthereisnothingsurprisinginmybeinginlovewithyou。"
　　MargueritewasawomaninthesamepositionasOlympe，andyetI
　　shouldneverhavedaredsaytoherthefirsttimeImetherwhatIhadsaidtotheotherwoman。IlovedMarguerite。Isawinherinstinctswhichwerelackingintheother，andattheverymomentinwhichImademybargain，IfeltadisgusttowardthewomanwithwhomIwasmakingit。
　　Sheaccepted，ofcourse，intheend，andatmiddayIleftherhouseasherlover；butIquittedherwithoutarecollectionofthecaressesandofthewordsoflovewhichshehadfeltboundtoshoweruponmeinreturnforthesixthousandfrancswhichIleftwithher。Andyetthereweremenwhohadruinedthemselvesforthatwoman。
　　FromthatdayIinflictedonMargueriteacontinualpersecution。
　　Olympeandshegaveupseeingoneanother，asyoumightimagine。
　　Igavemynewmistressacarriageandjewels。Igambled，I
　　committedeveryextravagancewhichcouldbeexpectedofamaninlovewithsuchawomanasOlympe。Thereportofmynewinfatuationwasimmediatelyspreadabroad。
　　Prudenceherselfwastakenin，andfinallythoughtthatIhadcompletelyforgottenMarguerite。Margueriteherself，whethersheguessedmymotiveorwasdeceivedlikeeverybodyelse，preservedaperfectdignityinresponsetotheinsultswhichIheapeduponherdaily。Only，sheseemedtosuffer，forwheneverImethershewasmoreandmorepale，moreandmoresad。Myloveforher，carriedtothepointatwhichitwastransformedintohatred，rejoicedatthesightofherdailysorrow。Often，whenmycrueltytowardherbecameinfamous，MargueritelifteduponmesuchappealingeyesthatIblushedforthepartIwasplaying，andwasreadytoimploreherforgiveness。
　　Butmyrepentancewasonlyofamoment'sduration，andOlympe，whohadfinallyputasideallself-respect，anddiscoveredthatbyannoyingMargueriteshecouldgetfrommewhatevershewanted，constantlystirredupmyresentmentagainsther，andinsultedherwhenevershefoundanopportunity，withthecowardlypersistenceofawomanlicensedbytheauthorityofaman。
　　AtlastMargueritegaveupgoingtoballsortheatres，forfearofmeetingOlympeandme。Thendirectimpertinencesgavewaytoanonymousletters，andtherewasnotashamefulthingwhichIdidnotencouragemymistresstorelateandwhichIdidnotmyselfrelateinreferencetoMarguerite。
　　ToreachsuchapointImusthavebeenliterallymad。Iwaslikeamandrunkuponbadwine，whofallsintooneofthosenervousexaltationsinwhichthehandiscapableofcommittingacrimewithouttheheadknowinganythingaboutit。InthemidstofitallIenduredamartyrdom。Thenotdisdainfulcalm，thenotcontemptuousdignitywithwhichMargueriterespondedtoallmyattacks，andwhichraisedherabovemeinmyowneyes，enragedmestillmoreagainsther。
　　OneeveningOlympehadgonesomewhereorother，andhadmetMarguerite，whoforoncehadnotsparedthefoolishcreature，sothatshehadhadtoretireinconfusion。Olympereturnedinafury，andMargueritefaintedandhadtobecarriedout。Olymperelatedtomewhathadhappened，declaredthatMarguerite，seeingheralone，hadrevengedherselfuponherbecauseshewasmymistress，andthatImustwriteandtellhertorespectthewomanwhomIloved，whetherIwaspresentorabsent。
　　IneednottellyouthatIconsented，andthatIputintotheletterwhichIsenttoheraddressthesameday，everythingbitter，shameful，andcruelthatIcouldthinkof。
　　Thistimetheblowwasmorethantheunhappycreaturecouldendurewithoutreplying。Ifeltsurethatananswerwouldcome，andIresolvednottogooutallday。Abouttwotherewasaring，andPrudenceentered。
　　ItriedtoassumeanindifferentairasIaskedherwhathadbroughther；butthatdayMme。Duvernoywasnotinalaughinghumour，andinareallymovedvoiceshesaidtomethatsincemyreturn，thatistosayforaboutthreeweeks，IhadleftnooccasionuntriedwhichcouldgivepaintoMarguerite，thatshewascompletelyupsetbyit，andthatthesceneoflastnightandmyangryletterofthemorninghadforcedhertotaketoherbed。
　　Inshort，withoutmakinganyreproach，Margueritesenttoaskmeforalittlepity，sinceshehadnolongerthemoralorphysicalstrengthtoendurewhatIwasmakinghersuffer。
　　"ThatMlle。Gautier，"IsaidtoPrudence，"shouldturnmeoutofherownhouseisquitereasonable，butthatsheshouldinsultthewomanwhomIlove，underthepretencethatthiswomanismymistress，isathingIwillneverpermit。"
　　"Myfriend，"saidPrudence，"youareundertheinfluenceofawomanwhohasneitherheartnorsense；youareinlovewithher，itistrue，butthatisnotareasonfortorturingawomanwhocannotdefendherself。"
　　"LetMlle。GautiersendmeherComtedeN。andthesideswillbeequal。"
　　"Youknowverywellthatshewillnotdothat。So，mydearArmand，letheralone。Ifyousawheryouwouldbeashamedofthewayinwhichyouaretreatingher。Sheiswhite，shecoughs——shewon'tlastlongnow。"
　　AndPrudenceheldoutherhandtome，adding：
　　"Comeandseeher；itwillmakeherveryhappy。"
　　"IhavenodesiretomeetM。deN。"
　　"M。deN。isneverthere。Shecannotendurehim。"
　　"IfMargueritewishestoseeme，sheknowswhereIlive；lethercometoseeme，but，formypart，IwillneverputfootintheRued'Antin。"
　　"Willyoureceiveherwell？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"Well，Iamsurethatshewillcome。"
　　"Lethercome。"
　　"Shallyoubeoutto-day？"
　　"Ishallbeathomealltheevening。"
　　"Iwilltellher。"
　　AndPrudenceleftme。
　　IdidnotevenwritetotellOlympenottoexpectme。Inevertroubledmuchabouther，scarcelygoingtoseeheronenightaweek。Sheconsoledherself，Ibelieve，withanactorfromsometheatreorother。
　　Iwentoutfordinnerandcamebackalmostimmediately。IhadafirelitinmyroomandItoldJosephhecouldgoout。
　　IcangiveyounoideaofthedifferentimpressionswhichagitatedmeduringthehourinwhichIwaited；butwhen，towardnineo'clock，Iheardaring，theythrongedtogetherintoonesuchemotion，that，asIopenedthedoor，Iwasobligedtoleanagainstthewalltokeepmyselffromfalling。
　　Fortunatelytheanteroomwasinhalfdarkness，andthechangeinmycountenancewaslessvisible。Margueriteentered。
　　Shewasdressedinblackandveiled。Icouldscarcelyrecogniseherfacethroughtheveil。Shewentintothedrawing-roomandraisedherveil。Shewaspaleasmarble。
　　"Iamhere，Armand，"shesaid；"youwishedtoseemeandIhavecome。"
　　Andlettingherheadfallonherhands，sheburstintotears。
　　Iwentuptoher。
　　"Whatisthematter？"Isaidtoherinalowvoice。
　　Shepressedmyhandwithoutaword，fortearsstillveiledhervoice。Butafterafewminutes，recoveringherselfalittle，shesaidtome：
　　"Youhavebeenveryunkindtome，Armand，andIhavedonenothingtoyou。"
　　"Nothing？"Ianswered，withabittersmile。
　　"Nothingbutwhatcircumstancesforcedmetodo。"
　　Idonotknowifyouhaveeverinyourlifeexperienced，orifyouwilleverexperience，whatIfeltatthesightofMarguerite。
　　Thelasttimeshehadcometoseemeshehadsatinthesameplacewhereshewasnowsitting；only，sincethen，shehadbeenthemistressofanotherman，otherkissesthanminehadtouchedherlips，towardwhich，inspiteofmyself，myownreachedout，andyetIfeltthatIlovedthiswomanasmuch，moreperhaps，thanIhadeverlovedher。
　　Itwasdifficultformetobegintheconversationonthesubjectwhichbroughther。Margueritenodoubtrealizedit，forshewenton：
　　"Ihavecometotroubleyou，Armand，forIhavetwothingstoask：pardonforwhatIsaidyesterdaytoMlle。Olympe，andpityforwhatyouareperhapsstillreadytodotome。Intentionallyornot，sinceyourreturnyouhavegivenmesomuchpainthatI
　　shouldbeincapablenowofenduringafourthpartofwhatIhaveenduredtillnow。Youwillhavepityonme，won'tyou？Andyouwillunderstandthatamanwhoisnotheartlesshasothernoblerthingstodothantotakehisrevengeuponasickandsadwomanlikeme。See，takemyhand。Iaminafever。Ileftmybedtocometoyou，andask，notforyourfriendship，butforyourindifference。"
　　ItookMarguerite'shand。Itwasburning，andthepoorwomanshiveredunderherfurcloak。
　　Irolledthearm-chairinwhichshewassittinguptothefire。
　　"Doyouthink，then，thatIdidnotsuffer，"saidI，"onthatnightwhen，afterwaitingforyouinthecountry，IcametolookforyouinParis，andfoundnothingbuttheletterwhichnearlydrovememad？Howcouldyouhavedeceivedme，Marguerite，whenI
　　lovedyousomuch？
　　"Donotspeakofthat，Armand；Ididnotcometospeakofthat。I
　　wantedtoseeyouonlynotanenemy，andIwantedtotakeyourhandoncemore。Youhaveamistress；sheisyoung，pretty，youlovehertheysay。Behappywithherandforgetme。"
　　"Andyou。Youarehappy，nodoubt？"
　　"HaveIthefaceofahappywoman，Armand？Donotmockmysorrow，you，whoknowbetterthananyonewhatitscauseanditsdepthare。"
　　"Itonlydependedonyounottohavebeenunhappyatall，ifyouareasyousay。"
　　"No，myfriend；circumstanceswerestrongerthanmywill。I
　　obeyed，nottheinstinctsofalightwoman，asyouseemtosay，butaseriousnecessity，andreasonswhichyouwillknowoneday，andwhichwillmakeyouforgiveme。"
　　"Whydoyounottellmethosereasonsto-day？"
　　"Becausetheywouldnotbringaboutanimpossiblereunionbetweenus，andtheywouldseparateyouperhapsfromthosefromwhomyoumustnotbeseparated。"
　　"Whodoyoumean？"
　　"Icannottellyou。"
　　"Thenyouarelyingtome。"
　　Margueriteroseandwenttowardthedoor。Icouldnotbeholdthissilentandexpressivesorrowwithoutbeingtouched，whenI
　　comparedinmymindthispaleandweepingwomanwiththemadcapwhohadmadefunofmeattheOperaComique。
　　"Youshallnotgo，"Isaid，puttingmyselfinfrontofthedoor。
　　"Why？"
　　"Because，inspiteofwhatyouhavedonetome，Iloveyoualways，andIwantyoutostayhere。"
　　"Toturnmeoutto-morrow？No；itisimpossible。Ourdestiniesareseparate；donottrytoreunitethem。Youwilldespisemeperhaps，whilenowyoucanonlyhateme。"
　　"No，Marguerite，"Icried，feelingallmyloveandallmydesirereawakenatthecontactofthiswoman。"No，Iwillforgeteverything，andwewillbehappyaswepromisedoneanotherthatwewouldbe。"
　　Margueriteshookherheaddoubtfully，andsaid：
　　"AmInotyourslave，yourdog？Dowithmewhatyouwill。Takeme；Iamyours。"
　　Andthrowingoffhercloakandhat，sheflungthemonthesofa，andbeganhurriedlytoundothefrontofherdress，for，byoneofthosereactionssofrequentinhermalady，thebloodrushedtoherheadandstifledher。Ahard，drycoughfollowed。
　　"Tellmycoachman，"shesaid，"togobackwiththecarriage。"
　　Iwentdownmyselfandsenthimaway。WhenIreturnedMargueritewaslyinginfrontofthefire，andherteethchatteredwiththecold。
　　Itookherinmyarms。Iundressedher，withouthermakingamovement，andcarriedher，icycold，tothebed。ThenIsatbesideherandtriedtowarmherwithmycaresses。Shedidnotspeakaword，butsmiledatme。
　　Itwasastrangenight。AllMarguerite'slifeseemedtohavepassedintothekisseswithwhichshecoveredme，andIlovedhersomuchthatinmytransportsoffeverishloveIaskedmyselfwhetherIshouldnotkillher，sothatshemightneverbelongtoanother。
　　Amonthoflovelikethat，andtherewouldhaveremainedonlythecorpseofheartorbody。
　　Thedawnfoundusbothawake。Margueritewaslividwhite。Shedidnotspeakaword。Fromtimetotime，bigtearsrolledfromhereyes，andstayeduponhercheeks，shininglikediamonds。Herthinarmsopened，fromtimetotime，toholdmefast，andfellbackhelplesslyuponthebed。
　　ForamomentitseemedtomeasifIcouldforgetallthathadpassedsinceIhadleftBougival，andIsaidtoMarguerite：
　　"ShallwegoawayandleaveParis？"
　　"No，no！"shesaid，almostwithaffright；"weshouldbetoounhappy。Icandonomoretomakeyouhappy，butwhilethereisabreathoflifeinme，Iwillbetheslaveofyourfancies。Atwhateverhourofthedayornightyouwill，come，andIwillbeyours；butdonotlinkyourfutureanymorewithmine，youwouldbetoounhappyandyouwouldmakemetoounhappy。Ishallstillbeprettyforawhile；makethemostofit，butasknothingmore。"
　　Whenshehadgone，Iwasfrightenedatthesolitudeinwhichsheleftme。TwohoursafterwardIwasstillsittingonthesideofthebed，lookingatthepillowwhichkepttheimprintofherform，andaskingmyselfwhatwastobecomeofme，betweenmyloveandmyjealousy。
　　Atfiveo'clock，withoutknowingwhatIwasgoingtodo，IwenttotheRued'Antin。
　　Nanineopenedtome。
　　"Madamecannotreceiveyou，"shesaidinanembarrassedway。
　　"Why？"
　　"BecauseM。leComtedeN。isthere，andhehasgivenorderstoletnoonein。"
　　"Quiteso，"Istammered；"Iforgot。"
　　Iwenthomelikeadrunkenman，anddoyouknowwhatIdidduringthemomentofjealousdeliriumwhichwaslongenoughfortheshamefulthingIwasgoingtodo？Isaidtomyselfthatthewomanwaslaughingatme；Isawheralonewiththecount，sayingovertohimthesamewordsthatshehadsaidtomeinthenight，andtakingafive-hundred-francnoteIsentittoherwiththesewords：
　　"YouwentawaysosuddenlythatIforgottopayyou。Hereisthepriceofyournight。"
　　ThenwhentheletterwassentIwentoutasiftofreemyselffromtheinstantaneousremorseofthisinfamousaction。
　　IwenttoseeOlympe，whomIfoundtryingondresses，andwhenwewerealoneshesangobscenesongstoamuseme。Shewastheverytypeoftheshameless，heartless，senselesscourtesan，formeatleast，forperhapssomemenmighthavedreamedofherasI
　　dreamedofMarguerite。Sheaskedmeformoney。Igaveittoher，and，freethentogo，Ireturnedhome。
　　Margueritehadnotanswered。
　　IneednottellyouinwhatstateofagitationIspentthenextday。Athalfpastnineamessengerbroughtmeanenvelopecontainingmyletterandthefive-hundred-francnote，notawordmore。
　　"Whogaveyouthis？"Iaskedtheman。
　　"AladywhowasstartingwithhermaidinthenextmailforBoulogne，andwhotoldmenottotakeituntilthecoachwasoutofthecourtyard。"
　　IrushedtotheRued'Antin。
　　"MadameleftforEnglandatsixo'clock，"saidtheporter。
　　TherewasnothingtoholdmeinParisanylonger，neitherhatenorlove。Iwasexhaustedbythisseriesofshocks。OneofmyfriendswassettingoutonatourintheEast。ItoldmyfatherI
　　shouldliketoaccompanyhim；myfathergavemedraftsandlettersofintroduction，andeightortendaysafterwardI
　　embarkedatMarseilles。
　　ItwasatAlexandriathatIlearnedfromanattacheattheembassy，whomIhadsometimesseenatMarguerite's，thatthepoorgirlwasseriouslyill。
　　Ithenwrotehertheletterwhichsheansweredinthewayyouknow；IreceiveditatToulon。
　　Istartedatonce，andyouknowtherest。
　　NowyouhaveonlytoreadafewsheetswhichJulieDupratgaveme；theyarethebestcommentaryonwhatIhavejusttoldyou。
　　Chapter25
　　Armand，tiredbythislongnarrative，ofteninterruptedbyhistears，puthistwohandsoverhisforeheadandclosedhiseyestothink，ortotrytosleep，aftergivingmethepageswrittenbythehandofMarguerite。Afewminutesafter，amorerapidbreathingtoldmethatArmandslept，butthatlightsleepwhichtheleastsoundbanishes。
　　ThisiswhatIread；Icopyitwithoutaddingoromittingasyllable：
　　To-dayisthe15thDecember。Ihavebeenillthreeorfourdays。
　　ThismorningIstayedinbed。Theweatherisdark，Iamsad；
　　thereisnoonebyme。Ithinkofyou，Armand。Andyou，whereareyou，whileIwritetheselines？FarfromParis，far，far，theytellme，andperhapsyouhavealreadyforgottenMarguerite。Well，behappy；Ioweyoutheonlyhappymomentsinmylife。
　　Icannothelpwantingtoexplainallmyconducttoyou，andI
　　havewrittenyoualetter；but，writtenbyagirllikeme，suchalettermightseemtobealie，unlessdeathhadsanctifieditbyitsauthority，and，insteadofaletter，itwereaconfession。
　　To-dayIamill；Imaydieofthisillness，forIhavealwayshadthepresentimentthatIshalldieyoung。Mymotherdiedofconsumption，andthewayIhavealwayslivedcouldbutincreasetheonlyheritagesheeverleftme。ButIdonotwanttodiewithoutclearingupforyoueverythingaboutme；thatis，if，whenyoucomeback，youwillstilltroubleyourselfaboutthepoorgirlwhomyoulovedbeforeyouwentaway。
　　Thisiswhatthelettercontained；Ishalllikewritingitoveragain，soastogivemyselfanotherproofofmyownjustification。
　　Youremember，Armand，howthearrivalofyourfathersurprisedusatBougival；youremembertheinvoluntaryfrightthathisarrivalcausedme，andthescenewhichtookplacebetweenyouandhim，whichyoutoldmeofintheevening。
　　Nextday，whenyouwereatParis，waitingforyourfather，andhedidnotreturn，amancametothedoorandhandedinaletterfromM。Duval。
　　Hisletter，whichIinclosewiththis，beggedme，inthemostseriousterms，tokeepyouawayonthefollowingday，onsomeexcuseorother，andtoseeyourfather，whowishedtospeaktome，andaskedmeparticularlynottosayanythingtoyouaboutit。
　　YouknowhowIinsistedonyourreturningtoParisnextday。
　　Youhadonlybeengoneanhourwhenyourfatherpresentedhimself。Iwon'tsaywhatimpressionhisseverefacemadeuponme。Yourfatherhadtheoldtheorythatacourtesanisabeingwithoutheartorreason，asortofmachineforcoininggold，alwaysready，likethemachine，tobruisethehandthatgiveshereverything，andtotearinpieces，withoutpityordiscernment，thosewhosetherinmotion。
　　Yourfatherhadwrittenmeaverypoliteletter，inorderthatI
　　mightconsenttoseehim；hedidnotpresenthimselfquiteashehadwritten。Hismanneratfirstwassostiff，insolent，andeventhreatening，thatIhadtomakehimunderstandthatIwasinmyownhouse，andthatIhadnoneedtorenderhimanaccountofmylife，exceptbecauseofthesincereaffectionwhichIhadforhisson。
　　M。Duvalcalmeddownalittle，butstillwentontosaythathecouldnotanylongerallowhissontoruinhimselfoverme；thatIwasbeautiful，itwastrue，but，howeverbeautifulImightbe，IoughtnottomakeuseofmybeautytospoilthefutureofayoungmanbysuchexpenditureasIwascausing。
　　Atthattherewasonlyonethingtodo，toshowhimtheproofthatsinceIwasyourmistressIhadsparednosacrificetobefaithfultoyouwithoutaskingformoremoneythanyouhadtogiveme。Ishowedhimthepawntickets，thereceiptsofthepeopletowhomIhadsoldwhatIcouldnotpawn；Itoldhimofmyresolvetopartwithmyfurnitureinordertopaymydebts，andlivewithyouwithoutbeingatooheavyexpense。Itoldhimofourhappiness，ofhowyouhadshownmethepossibilityofaquieterandhappierlife，andheendedbygivingintotheevidence，offeringmehishand，andaskingpardonforthewayinwhichhehadatfirstapproachedme。
　　Thenhesaidtome：
　　"So，madame，itisnotbyremonstrancesorbythreats，butbyentreaties，thatImustendeavourtoobtainfromyouagreatersacrificethanyouhaveyetmadeformyson。"
　　Itrembledatthisbeginning。
　　Yourfathercameovertome，tookbothmyhands，andcontinuedinanaffectionatevoice：
　　"Mychild，donottakewhatIhavetosaytoyouamiss；onlyrememberthattherearesometimesinlifecruelnecessitiesfortheheart，butthattheymustbesubmittedto。Youaregood，yoursoulhasgenerosityunknowntomanywomenwhoperhapsdespiseyou，andarelessworthythanyou。Butrememberthatthereisnotonlythemistress，butthefamily；thatbesideslovethereareduties；thattotheageofpassionsucceedstheagewhenman，ifheistoberespected，mustplanthimselfsolidlyinaseriousposition。Mysonhasnofortune，andyetheisreadytoabandontoyouthelegacyofhismother。Ifheacceptedfromyouthesacrificewhichyouareonthepointofmaking，hishonouranddignitywouldrequirehimtogiveyou，inexchangeforit，thisincome，whichwouldalwaysputyououtofdangerofadversity。
　　Buthecannotacceptthissacrifice，becausetheworld，whichdoesnotknowyou，wouldgiveawronginterpretationtothisacceptance，andsuchaninterpretationmustnottarnishthenamewhichwebear。NoonewouldconsiderwhetherArmandlovesyou，whetheryoulovehim，whetherthismutuallovemeanshappinesstohimandredemptiontoyou；theywouldseeonlyonething，thatArmandDuvalallowedakeptwoman（forgiveme，mychild，forwhatIamforcedtosaytoyou）tosellallshehadforhim。Thenthedayofreproachesandregretswouldarrive，besure，foryouorforothers，andyouwouldbothbearachainthatyoucouldnotsever。Whatwouldyoudothen？Youryouthwouldbelost，myson'sfuturedestroyed；andI，hisfather，shouldreceivefromonlyoneofmychildrentherecompensethatIlookforfromboth。
　　"Youareyoung，beautiful，lifewillconsoleyou；youarenoble，andthememoryofagooddeedwillredeemyoufrommanypastdeeds。DuringthesixmonthsthathehasknownyouArmandhasforgottenme。Iwrotetohimfourtimes，andhehasneveroncereplied。Imighthavediedandhenotknownit！
　　"Whatevermaybeyourresolutionoflivingotherwisethanasyouhavelived，Armand，wholovesyou，willneverconsenttotheseclusiontowhichhismodestfortunewouldcondemnyou，andtowhichyourbeautydoesnotentitleyou。Whoknowswhathewoulddothen！Hehasgambled，Iknow；withouttellingyouofit，I
　　knowalso，but，inamomentofmadness，hemighthavelostpartofwhatIhavesaved，duringmanyyears，formydaughter'sportion，forhim，andforthereposeofmyoldage。Whatmighthavehappenedmayyethappen。
　　"Areyousure，besides，thatthelifewhichyouaregivingupforhimwillneveragaincometoattractyou？Areyousure，youwhohavelovedhim，thatyouwillneverloveanother？Wouldyounot-sufferonseeingthehindrancessetbyyourlovetoyourlover'slife，hindrancesforwhichyouwouldbepowerlesstoconsolehim，if，withage，thoughtsofambitionshouldsucceedtodreamsoflove？Thinkoverallthat，madame。YouloveArmand；
　　proveittohimbythesolemeanswhichremainstoyouofyetprovingittohim，bysacrificingyourlovetohisfuture。Nomisfortunehasyetarrived，butonewillarrive，andperhapsagreateronethanthosewhichIforesee。Armandmightbecomejealousofamanwhohaslovedyou；hemightprovokehim，fight，bekilled。Think，then，whatyouwouldsufferinthepresenceofafatherwhoshouldcallonyoutorenderanaccountforthelifeofhisson！
　　"Finally，mydearchild，letmetellyouall，forIhavenotyettoldyouall，letmetellyouwhathasbroughtmetoParis。I
　　haveadaughter，asIhavetoldyou，young，beautiful，pureasanangel。Sheloves，andshe，too，hasmadethislovethedreamofherlife。IwroteallthattoArmand，but，absorbedinyou，hemadenoreply。Well，mydaughterisabouttomarry。Sheistomarrythemanwhomsheloves；sheentersanhonourablefamily，whichrequiresthatminehastobenolesshonourable。Thefamilyofthemanwhoistobecomemyson-in-lawhaslearnedwhatmanneroflifeArmandisleadinginParis，andhasdeclaredtomethatthemarriagemustbebrokenoffifArmandcontinuesthislife。
　　Thefutureofachildwhohasdonenothingagainstyou，andwhohastherightoflookingforwardtoahappyfuture，isinyourhands。Haveyoutheright，haveyouthestrength，toshatterit？
　　Inthenameofyourloveandofyourrepentance，Marguerite，grantmethehappinessofmychild。"
　　Iweptsilently，myfriend，atallthesereflectionswhichIhadsooftenmade，andwhich，inthemouthofyourfather，tookayetmoreseriousreality。Isaidtomyselfallthatyourfatherdarednotsaytome，thoughithadcometohislipstwentytimes：thatIwas，afterall，onlyakeptwoman，andthatwhateverexcuseI
　　gaveforourliaison，itwouldalwayslooklikecalculationonmypart；thatmypastlifeleftmenorighttodreamofsuchafuture，andthatIwasacceptingresponsibilitiesforwhichmyhabitsandreputationwerefarfromgivinganyguarantee。Inshort，Ilovedyou，Armand。
　　ThepaternalwayinwhichM。Duvalhadspokentome；thepurememoriesthatheawakenedinme；therespectofthisoldman，whichIwouldgain；yours，whichIwassureofgaininglateron：
　　allthatcalledupinmyheartthoughtswhichraisedmeinmyowneyeswithasortofholypride，unknowntillthen。WhenIthoughtthatonedaythisoldman，whowasnowimploringmeforthefutureofhisson，wouldbidhisdaughterminglemynamewithherprayers，asthenameofamysteriousfriend，Iseemedtobecometransformed，andIfeltaprideinmyself。
　　Theexaltationofthemomentperhapsexaggeratedthetruthoftheseimpressions，butthatwaswhatIfelt，friend，andthesenewfeelingssilencedthememoryofthehappydaysIhadspentwithyou。
　　"Tellme，sir，"Isaidtoyourfather，wipingawaymytears，"doyoubelievethatIloveyourson？"
　　"Yes，"saidM。Duval。
　　"Withadisinterestedlove？"
　　"Yes。
　　"DoyoubelievethatIhadmadethislovethehope，thedream，theforgiveness——ofmylife？"
　　"Implicitly。"
　　"Well，sir，embracemeonce，asyouwouldembraceyourdaughter，andIsweartoyouthatthatkiss，theonlychastekissIhaveeverhad，willmakemestrongagainstmylove，andthatwithinaweekyoursonwillbeoncemoreatyourside，perhapsunhappyforatime，butcuredforever。"
　　"Youareanoblechild，"repliedyourfather，kissingmeontheforehead，"andyouaremakinganattemptforwhichGodwillrewardyou；butIgreatlyfearthatyouwillhavenoinfluenceuponmyson。"
　　"Oh，beatrest，sir；hewillhateme。"
　　Ihadtosetupbetweenus，asmuchformeasforyou，aninsurmountablebarrier。
　　IwrotetoPrudencetosaythatIacceptedthepropositionoftheComtedeN。，andthatshewastotellhimthatIwouldsupwithherandhim。Isealedtheletter，and，withouttellinghimwhatitcontained，askedyourfathertohaveitforwardedtoitsaddressonreachingParis。
　　Heinquiredofmewhatitcontained。
　　"Yourson'swelfare，"Ianswered。
　　Yourfatherembracedmeoncemore。Ifelttwogratefultearsonmyforehead，likethebaptismofmypastfaults，andatthemomentwhenIconsentedtogivemyselfuptoanothermanIglowedwithprideatthethoughtofwhatIwasredeemingbythisnewfault。
　　Itwasquitenatural，Armand。Youtoldmethatyourfatherwasthemosthonestmanintheworld。
　　M。Duvalreturnedtohiscarriage，andsetoutforParis。
　　Iwasonlyawoman，andwhenIsawyouagainIcouldnothelpweeping，butIdidnotgiveway。
　　DidIdoright？ThatiswhatIaskmyselfto-day，asIlieillinmybed，thatIshallneverleave，perhaps，untilIamdead。
　　YouarewitnessofwhatIfeltasthehourofourseparationapproached；yourfatherwasnolongertheretosupportme，andtherewasamomentwhenIwasonthepointofconfessingeverythingtoyou，soterrifiedwasIattheideathatyouweregoingtobateanddespiseme。
　　Onethingwhichyouwillnotbelieve，perhaps，Armand，isthatI
　　prayedGodtogivemestrength；andwhatprovesthatheacceptedmysacrificeisthathegavemethestrengthforwhichIprayed。
　　AtsupperIstillhadneedofaid，forIcouldnotthinkofwhatIwasgoingtodo，somuchdidIfearthatmycouragewouldfailme。WhowouldeverhavesaidthatI，MargueriteGautier，wouldhavesufferedsoatthemerethoughtofanewlover？Idrankforforgetfulness，andwhenIwokenextdayIwasbesidethecount。
　　Thatisthewholetruth，friend。judgemeandpardonme，asI
　　havepardonedyouforallthewrongthatyouhavedonemesincethatday。
　　Chapter26
　　WhatfollowedthatfatalnightyouknowaswellasI；butwhatyoucannotknow，whatyoucannotsuspect，iswhatIhavesufferedsinceourseparation。
　　Iheardthatyourfatherhadtakenyouawaywithhim，butIfeltsurethatyoucouldnotliveawayfrommeforlong，andwhenI
　　metyouintheChamps-Elysees，Iwasalittleupset，butbynomeanssurprised。
　　Thenbeganthatseriesofdays；eachofthembroughtmeafreshinsultfromyou。Ireceivedthemallwithakindofjoy，for，besidesprovingtomethatyoustilllovedme，itseemedtomeasifthemoreyoupersecutedmethemoreIshouldberaisedinyoureyeswhenyoucametoknowthetruth。
　　Donotwonderatmyjoyinmartyrdom，Armand；yourloveformehadopenedmyhearttonobleenthusiasm。
　　Still，Iwasnotsostrongasthatquiteatonce。
　　Betweenthetimeofthesacrificemadeforyouandthetimeofyourreturnalongwhileelapsed，duringwhichIwasobligedtohaverecoursetophysicalmeansinordernottogomad，andinordertobeblindedanddeafenedinthewhirloflifeintowhichIflungmyself。Prudencehastoldyou（hasshenot？）howIwenttoallthefetesandballsandorgies。IhadasortofhopethatIshouldkillmyselfbyalltheseexcesses，andIthinkitwillnotbelongbeforethishopeisrealized。Myhealthnaturallygotworseandworse，andwhenIsentMme。DuvernoytoaskyouforpityIwasutterlywornout，bodyandsoul。
　　Iwillnotremindyou，Armand，ofthereturnyoumadeforthelastproofoflovethatIgaveyou，andoftheoutragebywhichyoudroveawayadyingwoman，whocouldnotresistyourvoicewhenyouaskedherforanightoflove，andwho，likeafool，thoughtforoneinstantthatshemightagainunitethepastwiththepresent。Youhadtherighttodowhatyoudid，Armand；peoplehavenotalwaysputsohighapriceonanightofmine！
　　Ilefteverythingafterthat。OlympehastakenmyplacewiththeComtedeN。，andhastoldhim，Ihear，thereasonsformyleavinghim。TheComtedeG。wasatLondon。Heisoneofthosemenwhogivejustenoughimportancetomakinglovetowomenlikemeforittobeanagreeablepastime，andwhoarethusabletoremainfriendswithwomen，nothatingthembecausetheyhaveneverbeenjealousofthem，andheis，too，oneofthosegrandseigneurswhoopenonlyapartoftheirheartstous，butthewholeoftheirpurses。ItwasofhimthatIimmediatelythought。IjoinedhiminLondon。Hereceivedmeaskindlyaspossible，buthewastheloverthereofawomaninsociety，andhefearedtocompromisehimselfifhewereseenwithme。Heintroducedmetohisfriends，whogaveasupperinmyhonour，afterwhichoneofthemtookmehomewithhim。
　　Whatelsewasthereformetodo，myfriend？IfIhadkilledmyselfitwouldhaveburdenedyourlife，whichoughttobehappy，withaneedlessremorse；andthen，whatisthegoodofkillingoneselfwhenoneissoneardyingalready？
　　Ibecameabodywithoutasoul，athingwithoutathought；I
　　livedforsometimeinthatautomaticway；thenIreturnedtoParis，andaskedafteryou；Iheardthenthatyouweregoneonalongvoyage。Therewasnothinglefttoholdmetolife。MyexistencebecamewhatithadbeentwoyearsbeforeIknewyou。I
　　triedtowinbacktheduke，butIhadoffendedhimtoodeeply。
　　Oldmenarenotpatient，nodoubtbecausetheyrealizethattheyarenoteternal。Igotweakereveryday。Iwaspaleandsadandthinnerthanever。Menwhobuyloveexaminethegoodsbeforetakingthem。AtParistherewerewomeninbetterhealth，andnotsothinasIwas；Iwasratherforgotten。Thatisallthepastuptoyesterday。
　　NowIamseriouslyill。Ihavewrittentotheduketoaskhimformoney，forIhavenone，andthecreditorshavereturned，andcometomewiththeirbillswithpitilessperseverance。Willthedukeanswer？WhyareyounotinParis，Armand？Youwouldcomeandseeme，andyourvisitswoulddomegood。
　　December20。
　　Theweatherishorrible；itissnowing，andIamalone。IhavebeeninsuchafeverforthelastthreedaysthatIcouldnotwriteyouaword。Nonews，myfriend；everydayIhopevaguelyforaletterfromyou，butitdoesnotcome，andnodoubtitwillnevercome。Onlymenarestrongenoughnottoforgive。Thedukehasnotanswered。
　　Prudenceispawningmythingsagain。
　　Ihavebeenspittingbloodallthetime。Oh，youwouldbesorryformeifyoucouldseeme。Youareindeedhappytobeunderawarmsky，andnot，likeme，withawholewinteroficeonyourchest。To-dayIgotupforalittlewhile，andlookedoutthroughthecurtainsofmywindow，andwatchedthelifeofParispassingbelow，thelifewithwhichIhavenownothingmoretodo。IsawthefacesofsomepeopleIknew，passingrapidly，joyousandcareless。Notoneliftedhiseyestomywindow。However，afewyoungmenhavecometoinquireforme。OncebeforeIwasill，andyou，thoughyoudidnotknowme，thoughyouhadhadnothingfrommebutanimpertinencethedayImetyoufirst，youcametoinquireaftermeeveryday。Wespentsixmonthstogether。Ihadalltheloveforyouthatawoman'sheartcanholdandgive，andyouarefaraway，youarecursingme，andthereisnotawordofconsolationfromyou。Butitisonlychancethathasmadeyouleaveme，Iamsure，forifyouwereatParis，youwouldnotleavemybedside。
　　December25。
　　MydoctortellsmeImustnotwriteeveryday。Andindeedmymemoriesonlyincreasemyfever，butyesterdayIreceivedaletterwhichdidmegood，morebecauseofwhatitsaidthanbythematerialhelpwhichitcontained。Icanwritetoyou，then，to-day。Thisletterisfromyourfather，andthisiswhatitsays：
　　"MADAME：Ihavejustlearnedthatyouareill。IfIwereatParisIwouldcomeandaskafteryoumyself；ifmysonwerehereI
　　wouldsendhim；butIcannotleaveC。，andArmandissixorsevenhundredleaguesfromhere；permitme，then，simplytowritetoyou，madame，totellyouhowpainedIamtohearofyourillness，andbelieveinmysincerewishesforyourspeedyrecovery。
　　Oneofmygoodfriends，M。H。，willcallonyou；willyoukindlyreceivehim？Ihaveintrustedhimwithacommission，theresultofwhichIawaitimpatiently。"Believeme，madame，"Yoursmostfaithfully。"
　　Thisistheletterhesentme。Yourfatherhasanobleheart；
　　lovehimwell，myfriend，fortherearefewmensoworthyofbeingloved。Thispapersignedbyhisnamehasdonememoregoodthanalltheprescriptionsofourgreatdoctor。
　　ThismorningM。H。called。HeseemedmuchembarrassedbythedelicatemissionwhichM。Duvalhadintrustedtohim。Asamatteroffact，hecametobringmethreethousandfrancsfromyourfather。Iwantedtorefuseatfirst，butM。H。toldmethatmyrefusalwouldannoyM。Duval，whohadauthorizedhimtogivemethissumnow，andlateronwhateverImightneed。Iacceptedit，for，comingfromyourfather，itcouldnotbeexactlytakingalms。IfIamdeadwhenyoucomeback，showyourfatherwhatI
　　havewrittenforhim，andtellhimthatinwritingtheselinesthepoorwomantowhomhewaskindenoughtowritesoconsolingaletterwepttearsofgratitudeandprayedGodforhim。
　　January4。
　　Ihavepassedsometerribledays。Ineverknewthebodycouldsufferso。Oh，mypastlife！Ipaydoubleforitnow。
　　Therehasbeensomeonetowatchbymeeverynight；Icannotbreathe。Whatremainsofmypoorexistenceissharedbetweenbeingdeliriousandcoughing。
　　Thedining-roomisfullofsweetsandallsortsofpresentsthatmyfriendshavebrought。Someofthem，Idaresay，arehopingthatIshallbetheirmistresslateron。Iftheycouldseewhatsicknesshasmadeofme，theywouldgoawayinterror。
　　PrudenceisgivingherNewYear'spresentswiththoseIhavereceived。
　　Thereisathaw，andthedoctorsaysthatImaygooutinafewdaysifthefineweathercontinues。
　　January8。
　　Iwentoutyesterdayinmycarriage。Theweatherwaslovely。TheChamps-Elyseeswasfullofpeople。Itwaslikethefirstsmileofspring。Everythingaboutmehadafestalair。Ineverknewbeforethatarayofsunshinecouldcontainsomuchjoy，sweetness，andconsolation。
　　ImetalmostallthepeopleIknew，allhappy，allabsorbedintheirpleasures。Howmanyhappypeopledon'tevenknowthattheyarehappy！OlympepassedmeinanelegantcarriagethatM。deN。
　　hasgivenher。Shetriedtoinsultmebyherlook。ShelittleknowshowfarIamfromsuchthingsnow。Anicefellow，whomI
　　haveknownforalongtime，askedmeifIwouldhavesupperwithhimandoneofhisfriends，who，hesaid，wasveryanxioustomakemyacquaintance。Ismiledsadlyandgavehimmyhand，burningwithfever。Ineversawsuchanastonishedcountenance。
　　Icameinatfour，andhadquiteanappetiteformydinner。Goingouthasdonemegood。IfIwereonlygoingtogetwell！Howthesightofthelifeandhappinessofothersgivesadesireoflifetothosewho，onlythenightbefore，inthesolitudeoftheirsoulandintheshadowoftheirsick-room，onlywantedtodiesoon！
　　January10。
　　Thehopeofgettingbetterwasonlyadream。Iambackinbedagain，coveredwithplasterswhichburnme。IfIweretoofferthebodythatpeoplepaidsodearforonce，howmuchwouldtheygive，Iwonder，to-day？
　　Wemusthavedonesomethingverywickedbeforewewereborn，orelsewemustbegoingtobeveryhappyindeedwhenwearedead，forGodtoletthislifehaveallthetorturesofexpiationandallthesorrowsofanordeal。
　　January12。
　　Iamalwaysill。
　　TheComtedeN。sentmesomemoneyyesterday。Ididnotkeepit。
　　Iwon'ttakeanythingfromthatman。Itisthroughhimthatyouarenothere。
　　Oh，thatgoodtimeatBougival！Whereisitnow？
　　IfIcomeoutofthisroomaliveIwillmakeapilgrimagetothehousewelivedintogether，butIwillneverleaveituntilIamdead。
　　WhoknowsifIshallwritetoyouto-morrow？
　　January25。
　　Ihavenotsleptforelevennights。Iamsuffocated。IimagineeverymomentthatIamgoingtodie。Thedoctorhasforbiddenmetotouchapen。JulieDuprat，whoislookingafterme，letsmewritethesefewlinestoyou。WillyounotcomebackbeforeI
　　die？Isitalloverbetweenusforever？ItseemstomeasifI
　　shouldgetwellifyoucame。Whatwouldbethegoodofgettingwell？
　　January28。
　　ThismorningIwasawakenedbyagreatnoise。Julie，whosleptinmyroom，ranintothedining-room。Iheardmen'svoices，andhersprotestingagainsttheminvain。Shecamebackcrying。
　　Theyhadcometoseizemythings。Itoldhertoletwhattheycalljusticehaveitsway。Thebailiffcameintomyroomwithhishaton。Heopenedthedrawers，wrotedownwhathesaw，anddidnotevenseemtobeawarethattherewasadyingwomaninthebedthatfortunatelythecharityofthelawleavesme。
　　Hesaid，indeed，beforegoing，thatIcouldappealwithinninedays，butheleftamanbehindtokeepwatch。MyGod！whatistobecomeofme？ThisscenehasmademeworsethanIwasbefore。
　　Prudencewantedtogoandaskyourfather'sfriendformoney，butIwouldnotlether。
　　Ireceivedyourletterthismorning。Iwasinneedofit。Willmyanswerreachyouintime？Willyoueverseemeagain？Thisisahappyday，andithasmademeforgetallthedaysIhavepassedforthelastsixweeks。IseemasifIambetter，inspiteofthefeelingofsadnessundertheimpressionofwhichIrepliedtoyou。
　　Afterall，nooneisunhappyalways。
　　WhenIthinkthatitmayhappentomenottodie，foryoutocomeback，formetoseethespringagain，foryoustilltoloveme，andforustobeginoveragainourlastyear'slife！
　　FoolthatIam！IcanscarcelyholdthepenwithwhichIwritetoyouofthiswilddreamofmyheart。
　　Whateverhappens，Ilovedyouwell，Armand，andIwouldhavediedlongagoifIhadnothadthememoryofyourlovetohelpmeandasortofvaguehopeofseeingyoubesidemeagain。
　　February4。
　　TheComtedeG。hasreturned。Hismistresshasbeenunfaithfultohim。Heisverysad；hewasveryfondofher。Hecametotellmeallaboutit。Thepoorfellowisinratherabadwayastomoney；
　　allthesame，hehaspaidmybailiffandsentawaytheman。
　　Italkedtohimaboutyou，andhepromisedtotellyouaboutme。
　　IforgotthatIhadbeenhismistress，andhetriedtomakemeforgetit，too。Heisagoodfriend。
　　Thedukesentyesterdaytoinquireafterme，andthismorninghecametoseeme。Idonotknowhowtheoldmanstillkeepsalive。
　　Heremainedwithmethreehoursanddidnotsaytwentywords。TwobigtearsfellfromhiseyeswhenhesawhowpaleIwas。Thememoryofhisdaughter'sdeathmadehimweep，nodoubt。Hewillhaveseenherdietwice。Hisbackwasbowed，hisheadbenttowardtheground，hislipsdrooping，hiseyesvacant。Ageandsorrowweighwithadoubleweightonhisworn-outbody。Hedidnotreproachme。Itlookedasifherejoicedsecretlytoseetheravagesthatdiseasehadmadeinme。Heseemedproudofbeingstillonhisfeet，whileI，whoamstillyoung，wasbrokendownbysuffering。
　　Thebadweatherhasreturned。Noonecomestoseeme。Juliewatchesbymeasmuchasshecan。Prudence，towhomIcannolongergiveasmuchasIusedto，beginstomakeexcusesfornotcoming。
　　NowthatIamsoneardeath，inspiteofwhatthedoctorstellme，forIhaveseveral，whichprovesthatIamgettingworse，I
　　amalmostsorrythatIlistenedtoyourfather；ifIhadknownthatIshouldonlybetakingayearofyourfuture，Icouldnothaveresistedthelongingtospendthatyearwithyou，and，atleast，Ishouldhavediedwithafriendtoholdmyhand。Itistruethatifwehadlivedtogetherthisyear，Ishouldnothavediedsosoon。
　　God'swillbedone！
　　February5。
　　Oh，come，come，Armand！Isufferhorribly；Iamgoingtodie，O
　　God！IwassomiserableyesterdaythatIwantedtospendtheevening，whichseemedasifitweregoingtobeaslongasthelast，anywherebutathome。Thedukecameinthemorning。Itseemstomeasifthesightofthisoldman，whomdeathhasforgotten，makesmediefaster。
　　Despitetheburningfeverwhichdevouredme，ImadethemdressmeandtakemetotheVaudeville。Julieputonsomerougeforme，withoutwhichIshouldhavelookedlikeacorpse。IhadtheboxwhereIgaveyouourfirstrendezvous。AllthetimeIhadmyeyesfixedonthestallwhereyousatthatday，thoughasortofcountryfellowsatthere，laughingloudlyatallthefoolishthingsthattheactorssaid。Iwashalfdeadwhentheybroughtmehome。Icoughedandspatbloodallthenight。To-dayIcannotspeak，Icanscarcelymovemyarm。MyGod！MyGod！Iamgoingtodie！Ihavebeenexpectingit，butIcannotgetusedtothethoughtofsufferingmorethanIsuffernow，andif——
　　AfterthisthefewcharacterstracedbyMargueritewereindecipherable，andwhatfollowedwaswrittenbyJulieDuprat。
　　February18。
　　MONSIEURARMAND：
　　SincethedaythatMargueriteinsistedongoingtothetheatreshehasgotworseandworse。Shehascompletelylosthervoice，andnowtheuseofherlimbs。
　　Whatourpoorfriendsuffersisimpossibletosay。Iamnotusedtoemotionsofthiskind，andIaminastateofconstantfright。
　　HowIwishyouwerehere！Sheisalmostalwaysdelirious；butdeliriousorlucid，itisalwaysyournamethatshepronounces，whenshecanspeakaword。
　　Thedoctortellsmethatsheisnothereforlong。Sinceshegotsoilltheolddukehasnotreturned。Hetoldthedoctorthatthesightwastoomuchforhim。
　　Mme。Duvernoyisnotbehavingwell。Thiswoman，whothoughtshecouldgetmoremoneyoutofMarguerite，atwhoseexpenseshewaslivingalmostcompletely，hascontractedliabilitieswhichshecannotmeet，andseeingthatherneighbourisnolongerofusetoher，shedoesnotevencometoseeher。Everybodyisabandoningher。M。deG。，prosecutedforhisdebts，hashadtoreturntoLondon。Onleaving，hesentusmoremoney；hehasdoneallhecould，buttheyhavereturnedtoseizethethings，andthecreditorsareonlywaitingforhertodieinordertoselleverything。
　　Iwantedtousemylastresourcestoputastoptoit，butthebailifftoldmeitwasnouse，andthatthereareotherseizurestofollow。Sinceshemustdie，itisbettertoleteverythinggothantosaveitforherfamily，whomshehasnevercaredtosee，andwhohavenevercaredforher。Youcannotconceiveinthemidstofwhatgildedmiserythepoorthingisdying。Yesterdaywehadabsolutelynomoney。Plate，jewels，shawls，everythingisinpawn；therestissoldorseized。Margueriteisstillconsciousofwhatgoesonaroundher，andshesuffersinbody，mind，andheart。Bigtearstrickledownhercheeks，sothinandpalethatyouwouldneverrecognisethefaceofherwhomyoulovedsomuch，ifyoucouldseeher。Shehasmademepromisetowritetoyouwhenshecannolongerwrite，andIwritebeforeher。Sheturnshereyestowardme，butshenolongerseesme；hereyesarealreadyveiledbythecomingofdeath；yetshesmiles，andallherthoughts，allhersoulareyours，Iamsure。
　　Everytimethedooropenshereyesbrighten，andshethinksyouaregoingtocomein；then，whensheseesthatitisnotyou，herfaceresumesitssorrowfulexpression，acoldsweatbreaksoutoverit，andhercheek-bonesflush。
　　February19，midnight。
　　Whatasaddaywehavehadto-day，poorM。Armand！ThismorningMargueritewasstifling；thedoctorbledher，andhervoicehasreturnedtoherawhile。Thedoctorbeggedhertoseeapriest。
　　Shesaid"Yes，"andhewenthimselftofetchanabbe'fromSaintRoch。
　　MeanwhileMargueritecalledmeuptoherbed，askedmetoopenacupboard，andpointedoutacapandalongchemisecoveredwithlace，andsaidinafeeblevoice：
　　"IshalldieassoonasIhaveconfessed。Thenyouwilldressmeinthesethings；itisthewhimofadyingwoman。？
　　Thensheembracedmewithtearsandadded：
　　"Icanspeak，butIamstifledwhenIspeak；Iamstifling。Air！"
　　Iburstintotears，openedthewindow，andafewminutesafterwardthepriestentered。Iwentuptohim；whenheknewwherehewas，heseemedafraidofbeingbadlyreceived。
　　"Comeinboldly，father，"Isaidtohim。
　　Hestayedaveryshorttimeintheroom，andwhenhecameouthesaidtome：
　　"Shelivedasinner，andshewilldieaChristian。"
　　Afewminutesafterwardhereturnedwithachoirboybearingacrucifix，andasacristanwhowentbeforethemringingthebelltoannouncethatGodwascomingtothedyingone。
　　Theywentallthreeintothebed-roomwheresomanystrangewordshavebeensaid，butwasnowasortofholytabernacle。
　　Ifellonmyknees。IdonotknowhowlongtheimpressionofwhatIsawwilllast，butIdonotthinkthat，tillmyturncomes，anyhumanthingcanmakesodeepanimpressiononme。
　　Thepriestanointedwithholyoilthefeetandhandsandforeheadofthedyingwoman，repeatedashortprayer，andMargueritewasreadytosetoutfortheheaventowhichIdoubtnotshewillgo，ifGodhasseentheordealofherlifeandthesanctityofherdeath。
　　Sincethenshehasnotsaidawordormadeamovement。TwentytimesIshouldhavethoughtherdeadifIhadnotheardherbreathingpainfully。
　　February20，5P。M。
　　Allisover。
　　Margueritefellintoherlastagonyatabouttwoo'clock。Neverdidamartyrsuffersuchtorture，tojudgebythecriessheuttered。Twoorthreetimesshesatuprightinthebed，asifshewouldholdontoherlife，whichwasescapingtowardGod。
　　Twoorthreetimesalsoshesaidyourname；thenallwassilent，andshefellbackonthebedexhausted。Silenttearsflowedfromhereyes，andshewasdead。
　　ThenIwentuptoher；Icalledher，andasshedidnotanswerI
　　closedhereyesandkissedherontheforehead。
　　Poor，dearMarguerite，IwishIwereaholywomanthatmykissmightrecommendyoutoGod。
　　ThenIdressedherasshehadaskedmetodo。IwenttofindapriestatSaintRoch，Iburnedtwocandlesforher，andIprayedinthechurchforanhour。
　　Igavethemoneyshelefttothepoor。
　　Idonotknowmuchaboutreligion，butIthinkthatGodwillknowthatmytearsweregenuine，myprayersfervent，myalms-givingsincere，andthathewillhavepityonherwho，dyingyoungandbeautiful，hasonlyhadmetoclosehereyesandputherinhershroud。
　　February22。
　　Theburialtookplaceto-day。ManyofMarguerite'sfriendscametothechurch。Someofthemweptwithsincerity。WhenthefuneralstartedonthewaytoMontmartreonlytwomenfollowedit：theComtedeG。，whocamefromLondononpurpose，andtheduke，whowassupportedbytwofootmen。
　　Iwriteyouthesedetailsfromherhouse，inthemidstofmytearsandunderthelampwhichburnssadlybesideadinnerwhichIcannottouch，asyoucanimagine，butwhichNaninehasgotforme，forIhaveeatennothingfortwenty-fourhours。
　　Mylifecannotretainthesesadimpressionsforlong，formylifeisnotmyownanymorethanMarguerite'swashers；thatiswhyIgiveyouallthesedetailsontheveryspotwheretheyoccurred，inthefear，ifalongtimeelapsedbetweenthemandyourreturn，thatImightnotbeabletogivethemtoyouwithalltheirmelancholyexactitude。
　　Chapter27
　　"Youhavereadit？"saidArmand，whenIhadfinishedthemanuscript。
　　"Iunderstandwhatyoumusthavesuffered，myfriend，ifallthatIreadistrue。"
　　"Myfatherconfirmeditinaletter。"
　　Wetalkedforsometimeoverthesaddestinywhichhadbeenaccomplished，andIwenthometorestalittle。
　　Armand，stillsad，butalittlerelievedbythenarrationofhisstory，soonrecovered，andwewenttogethertopayavisittoPrudenceandtoJulieDuprat。
　　Prudencehadbecomebankrupt。ShetoldusthatMargueritewasthecauseofit；thatduringherillnessshehadlentheralotofmoneyintheformofpromissorynotes，whichshecouldnotpay，Margueritehavingdiedwithouthavingreturnedherthemoney，andwithouthavinggivenherareceiptwithwhichshecouldpresentherselfasacreditor。
　　Bythehelpofthisfable，whichMme。Duvernoyrepeatedeverywhereinordertoaccountforhermoneydifficulties，sheextractedanoteforathousandfrancsfromArmand，whodidnotbelieveit，butwhopretendedto，outofrespectforallthoseinwhosecompanyMargueritehadlived。
　　ThenwecalledonJulieDuprat，whotoldusthesadincidentwhichshehadwitnessed，sheddingrealtearsattheremembranceofherfriend。
　　Lastly，wewenttoMarguerite'sgrave，onwhichthefirstraysoftheAprilsunwerebringingthefirstleavesintobud。
　　OnedutyremainedtoArmand——toreturntohisfather。Hewishedmetoaccompanyhim。
　　WearrivedatC。，whereIsawM。Duval，suchasIhadimaginedhimfromtheportraithissonhadmadeofhim，tall，dignified，kindly。
　　HewelcomedArmandwithtearsofjoy，andclaspedmyhandaffectionately。Iwasnotlonginseeingthatthepaternalsentimentwasthatwhichdominatedallothersinhismind。
　　Hisdaughter，namedBlanche，hadthattransparenceofeyes，thatserenityofthemouth，whichindicatesasoulthatconceivesonlyholythoughtsandlipsthatrepeatonlypiouswords。Shewelcomedherbrother'sreturnwithsmiles，notknowing，inthepurityofheryouth，thatfarawayacourtesanhadsacrificedherownhappinessatthemereinvocationofhername。
　　Iremainedforsometimeintheirhappyfamily，fullofindulgentcareforonewhobroughtthemtheconvalescenceofhisheart。
　　IreturnedtoParis，whereIwrotethisstoryjustasithadbeentoldme。Ithasonlyonemerit，whichwillperhapsbedeniedit；
　　thatis，thatitistrue。
　　IdonotdrawfromthisstorytheconclusionthatallwomenlikeMargueritearecapableofdoingallthatshedid——farfromit；
　　butIhavediscoveredthatoneofthemexperiencedaseriousloveinthecourseofherlife，thatshesufferedforit，andthatshediedofit。IhavetoldthereaderallthatIlearned。Itwasmyduty。
　　Iamnottheapostleofvice，butIwouldgladlybetheechoofnoblesorrowwhereverIbearitsvoiceinprayer。
　　ThestoryofMargueriteisanexception，Irepeat；haditnotbeenanexception，itwouldnothavebeenworththetroubleofwritingit。