DuringthelastfiftyyearsFrencharistocratshaveceasedtobefactorseveninmatterssocial，thesceptretheyonceheldhavingpassedintoalienhands，thedaughtersofAlbiontoagreatextentreplacingtheirFrenchrivalsininfluencingthewaysofthe"world，"—achange，beitremarkedinpassing，thathasnotimprovedthetoneofsocietyorcontributedtothespreadofgoodmanners。
　　PeopleliketheFrenchnobles，engagedinsulkingandattemptingtooverthroworboycotteachsucceedingregime，mustnaturallylosetheirinfluence。Theyhaveheldaloofsolong—fearingtocompromisethemselvesbyanyadvancestothepowersthatbe，andrestrainedbycountlesstraditionsfromtakinganactivepartineitherthesocialorpoliticalstrife—thatlittlebylittletheyhavebeenpassedbyandignored；
　　whichisapity，foramidtheruinofmanyhopesandambitionstheyhaveremainedtruetotheircasteandhandeddownfromgenerationtogenerationthesecretofthatgraciousurbanityandtactwhichdistinguishedtheGallicnoblewomaninthelastcenturyfromtherestofherkindandmadehersodeftinthedifficultartofpleasing—andbeingpleased。
　　Withinthelastfewyearstherehave，however，beensignsofachange。Youngmembersofhistorichousesshowanamusinginclinationtoescapefromtheirausteresurroundingsandresumetheplacetheirgrandparentsabdicated。Ifitisimpossibletoruleasformerly，theyatanyrateintendtogetsomefunoutofexistence。
　　Thisjoyousmovementtothefrontisbeingmadebytheyoungmatronsenlistedunderthe"Sevenlittleduchesses’"banner。
　　Oddlyenough，abaker’shalf—dozenofducalcoronetsarewornatthismoment，inFrance，bysmallandsprightlywomen，whohaveshakenthedustofcenturiesfromthoseornamentsandsportthemwithadecidedlymodernair！
　　Itisthemembersofthiscliquewho，inParisduringthespring，attheirchateauxinthesummerandautumn，andontheRivieraafterChristmas，leadtheamusementsandstrikethekeyforthemodernFrenchworld。
　　Nooneoftheselight—heartedladiestakesanyparticularprecedenceovertheothers。Allareyoung，andsomearewonderfullynicetolookat。TheDuchessed’Uzesis，perhaps，thehandsomest，goodlooksbeinganinheritancefromhermother，thebeautifulandwaywardDuchessedeChaulme。
　　Thereisavividgraceaboutthedaughter，anintensevitalitythatsuggestssomebeautifulbeingoftheforest。Asshemovesandspeaksonealmostexpectstohearthequickbreathcomingandgoingthroughherquiveringnostrils，andseefoamonherfulllips。Hermother’stragicdeathhasthrownaglamorofromancearoundthedaughter’slifethatheightensthewitcheryofherbeauty。
　　NextingoodlookscomesanAmerican，theDuchessedelaRochefoucauld，althoughmarriage（which，asdeMaupassantremarked，israrelybecoming）hasnotbeenpropitioustothatgentlelady。Byrightssheshouldhavebeenmentionedfirst，asherhusbandoutranks，notonlyallthemenofhisage，butalsohiscousin，theoldDucdelaRochefoucauld—Doudeauville，towhom，however，asortofbrevetrankisaccordedonaccountofhisyears，hiswealth，andthehighrankofhistwowives。
　　ItmightalmostbeassertedthatourfaircompatriotwearstheoldestcoronetinFrance。Shecertainlyismistressofthreeofthefinestchateauxinthatcountry，amongwhichisMiromail，wherethefamilylive，andLiancourt，asuperbRenaissancestructure，adelighttotheartist’ssoul。
　　TheyoungDuchessedeBrissacrunshertwocomradescloseasregardslooks。BrissacisthesonofMme。deTredern，whomNewporterswillremembertwoyearsago，whensheenjoyedsomeweeksofoursummerseason。TheirchateauwasbuiltbytheBrissacofHenriIV。’stimeandisoneofthefewthatescapeduninjuredthroughtheRevolution，itsvaststonecorridorsandmassiveoakceilings，itsmoatandbattlements，standingto—
　　dayunimpairedamidagroupofchateauxincludingChaumont，Rochecotte，Azay—le—Rideau，Usse，Chenonceau，within"dining"
　　distanceofeachother，thatformacentreofgayetynextinimportancetoParisandCannes。Intheautumnthesespaciouscastlesarefilledwithjoyousbandsandtheiramplestableswithhorses。Acoupleofyearsago，whenthekingofPortugalandhissuitewereentertainedatChaumontforaweekofstag—
　　hunting，overthreehundredpeople，servants，andguests，sleptunderitsroof，andtwohundredhorseswerehousedinitsstables。
　　TheDucdeLuynesandhiswife，whowasMlle。deCrussol（daughterofthebrilliantDuchessed’UzesofBoulangerfame），liveatDampierre，anotherinterestingpilefilledwithrarepictures，bric—a—brac，andstatuary，firstamongwhichisJeanGoujon’slife—sizedstatue（insilver）ofLouisXIII。，presentedbythatmonarchtohisfavorite，thefounderofthehouse。ThisgemoftheRenaissancestandsinanoctagonalchamberhungindarkvelvet，uniqueamongstatues。Ithasbeenshownbutonceinpublic，attheLoanExhibitionin1872，whenthepatrioticnobilitylenttheirtreasurestocollectafundfortheAlsace—Lorraineexiles。
　　TheDuchessedeNoailles，NEEMlle。deLuynes，isanotherofthiscoterieandoneofthefewFrenchnoblewomenwhohastravelled。ManyAmericanswillrememberthevisitshemadeherewithhermothersomeyearsago，andtheeffecthergirlishgraceproducedatthattime。ThedeNoailles’chateauofMaintenonisaninheritancefromLouisXIV。’sprudishfavorite，whofoundedandenrichedthedeNoaillesfamily。
　　TheDucandDuchessed’UzeslivenearbyatBonnellewiththeoldDucdeDoudeauville，hergrandfather，whoisalsothegrandfatherofMme。deNoailles，thesetwoladiesbeingdescendedeachfromawifeoftheoldduke，theformerfromthePrincessedePolignacandthelatterfromthePrincessedeLigne。
　　TheDuchessedeBisaccia，NEEPrincesseRadziwill，andtheDuchessed’Harcourt，whocompletethecircleofseven，alsoliveinthisvicinity，whereanothergroupofhistoricresidences，includingEclimontandRambouillet，thesummerhomeofthepresident，rivalsingayetyandhospitalitythechateauxoftheLoire。
　　NocoterieinEnglandorinthiscountrycorrespondsatalltothisFrenchcommunity。Muchastheylovetoamusethemselves，theideaofmeetinganybuttheirownsethasneverpassedthroughtheirwell—dressedheads。Theydifferfromtheirparentsinthattheyhavebrokenawayfrommanyantiquatedhabits。Theirhousesarenolongerlayhermitages，andtheiroperaboxesareregularlyfilled，butnoforeigneriseverreceived，noambitiousparvenuacceptedamongthem。Ostracismheremeansnotatenyears’exile，butlifelongbanishment。
　　Thecontrastisstrongbetweenthisrigorandtheenthusiasmwithwhichwealthynew—comersarewelcomedintoLondonsocietyorbyourownuppercrust，sofullofunpalatablepiecesofdough。ThisexclusivenessofthetitledFrenchremindsme—
　　incongruouslyenough—ofacertainarrangementofgravesinaLenoxcemetery，wherethemembersofanoldNewEnglandfamilylieburiedinacirclewiththeirfeettowarditscentre。
　　WhenIasked，manyyearsago，thereasonforthisarrangement，awitofthatday—adaughter，bythebye，ofMrs。Stowe—
　　replied，"SothatwhentheyriseattheLastDayonlymembersoftheirownfamilymayfacethem！"
　　OneisstruckbyanotherpeculiarityoftheseFrenchmenandwomen—theirastonishingproficiencyinLESARTSD’AGREMENT。
　　EveryFrenchwomanofanypretensionstofashionbacksherbeautyandgracewithsomeartinwhichsheissuretobeproficient。ThedowagerDuchessed’Uzesisasculptorofmark，andwhenduringtheautumnMme。deTrederngivesoperaatBrissac，shefindslittledifficultyinrecruitinghertroupefromamongtheyouthsandmaidensunderherroofwhosemusicaleducationhasbeenthoroughenoughtoenablethemtosingdifficultmusicinpublic。
　　Loveofthefineartsisfeltintheirconversation，inthearrangementanddecorationoftheirhomes，andintheinterestthatanexhibitionofpicturesoroldfurniturewillexcite。
　　FewofthesepeoplebutareHABITUESoftheHotelDrouotandconversantwiththevalueandauthenticityoftheworksofartdailysoldthere。Suchelementscombinetoformanatmospherethatdoesnotexistinanyothercountry，andlendsaninteresttosocietyinFrancewhichitisfarfrompossessingelsewhere。
　　ThereisbutonewaythatanoutsidercanenterthisGallicparadise。Bymarryingintoit！Twoofthesevenladiesinquestionlackthequarteringsoftherest。MissMitchellwasonlyacharmingAmericangirl，andthemotherofthePrincesseRadziwillwasMlle。BlancofMonteCarlo。However，asinmostreligionsthereareceremoniesthatpurify，sointhiscasethesacramentofmarriageissupposedtohavereconstructedthesewivesandmadethemgenealogicallywhole。
　　Thereissomethingincongruoustomostpeopleintheideaofayounggirlhardlyoutoftheschoolroombearingaponderoustitle。Thepompandcircumstancethatsurroundhistoricnamesconnectthem（throughourreading）withstatelymatronsplayingthe"heavyfemale"rolesinlife’sdrama，muchasLadyMacbeth’snameevokestheideaofaraw—bonedmother—in—lawsortofperson，thereverseofattractive，andquitethelastwomanintheworldtoeggherhusbandontoacrime—unlessitwerewifemurder！
　　NameslikedeChevreuse，ordelaRochefoucauld，seemappropriateonlytothewarlikeamazonsoftheFronde，orcorpulentkill—joysinpowderandcourttrainsoftheMme。
　　Etiquetteschool；itcomesasashock，onbeingpresentedtoagroupofgirlishfiguresinthelatestcutofgolfingskirts，whoarechatteringoddsontheGrandPrixinfaultlessEnglish，torealizethattheselight—heartedGAMINESarethepresentownersofsonoroustitles。OneshudderstothinkwhatwouldhavebeentheeffectonpoorMarieAntoinette’spriggishmentorcouldshehaveforeseenhergranddaughter，cladinknickerbockers，runningapetroleumtricycleinthestreetsofParis，orpedalling"tandem"acrosscountrybehindsomeyoungcavalryofficerofherconnection。
　　Letnosimple—mindedAmericanimagine，however，thattheseup—
　　to—datewomenarewaitingtowelcomehimandhisfamilytotheirintimacy。TheworldoutsideofFrancedoesnotexistforaproperlybroughtupFrencharistocrat。Fewhavetravelled；fromtheirpointofview，anymanwithmoney，bornoutsideofFrance，isa"Rasta，"unlesshecomewithdiplomaticrank，inwhichcasehispositionathomeiscarefullyferretedoutbeforeheisentertained。WealthyforeignersmayliveforyearsinParis，withoutmeetingasinglememberofthiscoterie，whowill，however，joinanynewclubthatpromisestobeamusing；butassoonasthe"Rastas"
　　getafooting，"theseven"andtheirfollowingwithdraw。
　　Puteauxhaditsday，thenthe"PoloClub"intheBoisbecametheirrendezvous。ButaseverywealthyAmericanand"smart"
　　EnglishwomanpassingthespringinParisrushedforthattooopencircle，liketackstowardamagnet，itwasfinallycutbythe"Duchesses，"who，togetherwithsuchattractiveaides—de—
　　campasthePrincessedePoix，Mmes。deMurat，deMorny，anddeBroglie，inauguratedlastspring"TheLadies’CluboftheAcacias，"onatinyislandbelongingtothe"TirauxPigeons，"
　　which，forthemoment，isthefadofitsfounders。
　　ItmustbeasurprisetothosewhodonotknowFrenchfamilypridetolearnthatexclusiveasthesewomenaretherearecliquesinFrancetodaywhosemembersconsidertheladieswehavebeenspeakingofaslackinginreserve。MenlikeGuydeDurfort，DucdeLorges，ortheDucdeMassa，andtheirwomenkind，holdthemselvesaloofonaninfinitelyhigherplane，associatingwithveryfewandscorningthevulgarherdof"smart"people！
　　Itwouldseemasifsuchavigorousweedingoutoftheunworthywouldresultinaratherrestrictedcomradeship。Whothe"elect"aremustbecomeeachyearmoredifficulttodiscern。
　　TheirpointofviewinthiscasecannotdiffermateriallyfromthatoftheoldMethodistlady，who，whileshewasquitesurenooneoutsideofherownsectcouldpossiblybesaved，hadgravefearsconcerningthefutureofmostofthecongregation。
　　Shefelthopefulonlyoftheclergymanandherself，adding：
　　"TherearedayswhenIhavemedoubtsabouttheminister！"
　　Chapter22—GrowingOldUngracefullyTHEREcomes，wearetold，acrucialmoment，"atide"inalllives，thattakenattheflood，leadsontofortune。Anassertion，bythebye，whichisopentodoubt。Whatdoescometoeveryoneisanhourfraughtwithwarning，which，ifunheeded，leadsontofolly。Thisfatefuldatecoincidesformostofuswiththediscoverythatweareturninggray，orthatthe"crow’sfeet"orourtemplesarebecomingvisiblerealities。Theunpleasantquestionthenpresentsitself：Arewetoslipmeeklyintomiddleage，orarearmsbetakenupagainstourinsidiousenemy，andtherestoflifebecomealosingbattle，foughtinchbyinch？
　　Inotherdaysitwasthemenwhostruggledthehardestagainsttheirfate。Uptothiscentury，themalehadalwaysbeentheornamentalmemberofafamily。Caesar，weread，covetedalaurelcrownprincipallybecauseitwouldhelptoconcealhisbaldness。ThewigsoftheGrandMonarquearehistorical。Itischaracteristicofthetimethatthelatter’sattemptsatrejuvenationshouldhavebeentakenasamatterofcourse，whileafewyearslaterpoorMadamedePompadour’sartificestoretainherfleetingyouthwerelaughedatanddecried。
　　To—daythesituationisreversed。Thebattle，givenupbythemen—whonowaccepttheirfatewithequanimity—isbeingwagedbytheirbetterhalveswithavigorheretoforeunknown。
　　Sogeneralhasthismaniabecomethatifaskedwhatoneweaknesswasmostcharacteristicofmodernwomen，whatpeculiaritymarkedthemasdifferentfromtheirsistersinothercenturies，Ishouldunhesitatinglyanswer，"Thedesiretolookyoungerthantheiryears。"
　　ThatpeopleshouldlongtobehandsomerortallerorbetterproportionedthanacruelProvidencehasmadethem，isnaturalenough；butthatsomuchtimeandtroubleshouldbespentsimplyintryingtolook"young，"doesseemunreasonable，especiallywhenitisevidenttoeverybodythatsucheffortsmust，inthenatureofthings，befailures。Themenorwomenwhodonotlooktheiragearerare。Ineachgenerationthereareexceptions，peoplewho，fromonecauseoranother—
　　generallyanexcellentconstitution—succeedinproducingtheillusionofyouthforafewyearsafteryouthitselfhasflown。
　　Acuriousfatalitythathastheairofanemesispursuesthosewhosucceedingivingthisfalseappearance。Whenpointingthemouttostrangers，theiradmirers（inordertomakethecontrastmoreeffective）addadecadeorsototherealage。
　　OnlylastmonthIwassittingatdinneroppositeafamousFrenchbeauty，whoatfiftysucceedsinlookingbarelythirty。
　　Duringthemealbothmyneighborsdirectedattentiontoherappearance，andineachcasesaid："Isn’tsheawonder！Youknowshe’soversixty！"Soallthatpoorladygainedbylookingyouthfulwastenyearsaddedtoherage！
　　Thedesiretoremainattractiveaslongaspossibleisnotonlyareasonablebutacommendableambition。Unfortunatelythestupidmeansmostofourmatronsadopttoaccomplishthisendproduceexactlytheoppositeresult。
　　Onesignofdeficienttasteinourdayisthisfailuretoperceivethateveryagehasacharmofitsownwhichcanbeenhancedbyappropriatesurroundings，butislostwhenplacedinanincongruoussetting。Itsaddensaloverofthebeautifultoseematronsgoingsofarastrayintheirdesiretopleaseastoposeforyoungwomenwhentheynolongercanlookthepart。
　　Holmes，inMYMAIDENAUNT，asksplaintively：—
　　WHYWILLSHETRAINTHATWINTRYCURLINSUCHASPRINGLIKEWAY？
　　Thatthisfollyisintheairto—day，fewwilldispute。Itseemstobeperpetratedunconsciouslybythegreaternumber，withnoparticularobjectinview，simplybecauseotherpeopledoit。Anunanswerableargumentwhenusedbyoneofthefairsex！
　　Fewmatronsstoptothinkforthemselves，ortheywouldrealizethatbyappearinginthesameattireastheirdaughterstheychallengeacomparisonwhichcanonlybetotheirdisadvantage，andshouldbeifpossibleavoided。Isthereanydisillusionmorepainfulthan，onapproachingwhatappearedfromadistancetobeayounggirl，tofindone’sselffacetofacewithsixtyyearsofwrinkles？Thatisamodernversionofthesaying，"anoldheadonyoungshoulders，"withavengeance！Ifmistakensexagenarianscoulddivinetheeffectthattiredeyessmilingfromunderfalsehair，agedthroatsclaspedwithcollarsofpearls，andrheumaticoldribsbracedintoasemblanceofgirlishgrace，produceonthemenforwhosebenefitsuchadornmentshavebeenarranged，reformwouldquicklyfollow。Thereissomethingabsolutelyuncannyintheillusion。Themoresuccessfulitis，themoreweirdtheeffect。
　　NoonewantstoseePoloniusinthefineryofMercutio。Whatasenseoffitnessdemandsis，onthecontrary，a"makeup"inkeepingwiththerole，whichdoesnotmeanthatawomanistobecomeafrump，butonlythatsheistomakeherselfattractiveinanotherway。
　　DuringtheANCIENREGIMEinFrance，mattersoftastewereconsideredall—important；anentirecourtwouldconsultontheshadeofabrocade，andhailanewcoiffureasanevent。Thegreatladieswhohadlefttheiryouthbehindneverthencommittedtheblunder，socommonamongourmiddle—agedladies，ofapingthemaidensoftheday。Theywerefartoocleverforthat，andappreciatedtheadvantagestobegainedfromsombrestuffsandflatteringlaces。LetthosewhodoubtstudyNattier’sexquisiteportraitofMariaLeczinska。Nothingintheposeortoiletsuggestsadesireonthepainter’sparttorejuvenatehissitter。Ifanything，thequeen’sageisemphasizedassomethinghonorable。Thegrayhairissimplyarrangedandpartlyveiledwithblacklace，whichsetsoffherdelicate，fadedfacetoperfection，butwithoutflatteryorfraud。
　　WefindthesameviewtakenofagebythemastersoftheRenaissance，whoappreciateditscharmandlovedtoreproduceitsgrace。
　　QueenElizabethstandsoutinhistoryasawomanwhostruggledungracefullyagainstgrowingold。Herwigsandhoopsandfarthingalesservedonlytomakeherridiculous，andthefactthatshewishedtobepaintedwithoutshadowsinordertoappear"young，"isrecordedasanaberrationofagreatmind。
　　Aretherenopaintersto—daywhowillwhispertoourwivesandmothersthesecretoflookingreallylovely，andpersuadethemtoabandontheirfoolisheffortsatrejuvenation？
　　Letusseesomerealoldladiesoncemore，astheylookatusfromminiatureandportrait。Fewofus，Iimagine，butcherishthememoryofsomesuchbeingintheoldhome，asoft—
　　voicedgrandmother，withsilveryhairbrushedunderadiscreetandflatteringcap，withsoft，darkraimentandtulle—wrappedthroat。Therearestill，itistobehoped，manysuchlovablewomeninourland，butattimesIlookaboutmeindismay，andwonderwhoistotaketheirplaceswhentheyaregone。Aretheretobenomore"oldladies"？Willthenextgenerationhavetolookbackwhentheword"grandmother"ismentioned，toastylishvisioninParisianapparel，decolleteanddeckedinjewels，orarrayedincockylittlebonnets，perchedontousledcurls，knowingjackets，andgolfingskirts？
　　Thepresenthorrorofanythingelderlycomes，probably，fromthefactthattheprecedinggenerationwenttotheotherextreme，youngwomenretiringatfortyintobecappedoldage。
　　Knowinghoweasilyourexcitableracerunstoexaggeration，onetremblestothinkwhatsurprisesthefuturemayhold，orwhatwillbethenextdecreeofDameFashion。Havingeliminatedthe"oldlady"fromoffthefaceoftheearth，howfastshallwecontinuedownthefatalslopetowardtheridiculous？Shallwebecompelledbyacurrentstrongerthanourwillstoarrayourselveseachyear（thebarethoughtmakesoneshudder）inmoreandmoreyouthfulapparel，untilcorpulentsenatorstaketorunningaboutin"sailorsuits，"
　　andoctogenarianbusinessmengo"downtown"in"pinafores，"
　　whilebellesofsixtyorseventysummersappearinKateGreenawaycostumes，anddineoutinshort—sleevedbibs，whichwillallowcoyglimpsesoftheircunningoldanklestoappearovertheirsocks？
　　Chapter23—AroundaSpringTHEgreatestpieceofgoodluckthatcanbefallaContinentalvillageisthediscovery，withinitslimits，ofaspringsupplyingsomekindofmalodorouswater。Fromthatmomenttheentirecommunity，abandoningallotherplans，givethemselvesovertohatchingtheirgoldenegg，experiencehavingtaughtthemthatnoothersourceofprosperitycancomparewithaSOURCETHERMALE。Ifthewaterofthenewfoundspring，besideshavinganunpleasantsmell，isalsohot，thenProvidencehasindeedblessedthetownship。
　　Thefirststepistohavethefluidanalyzedbyacelebrity，anditsmedicinalqualitiesdulysetforthinacertificate。
　　Thesecondistogetofficialrecognitionfromthegovernmentandtheauthorizationtoerectabathhouse。Oncethesepreliminariesaccomplished，thewayliesplainbeforethefortunatevillage；everycitizen，fromthemayordowntothehumblestlaborer，devoteshimselftosolvingtheall—importantproblemhowtoattractstrangerstotheplaceandkeepandamusethemwhentheyhavebeensecured。
　　Multicoloredpamphletsdetailingthelocalattractionsaremailedtothefourcornersoftheearth，andbrilliantchromosofthevillage，withgroupsofpeasantsintheforeground，wearingpicturesquecostumes，arepostedineveryavailablerailwaystationandbooking—office，regardlessofthefactthatnocostumeshavebeenknownintheneighborhoodforhalfacentury，exceptthoseprovidedbythehotelproprietorsfortheirhousemaids。Anationaldress，however，hasafineeffectintheadvertisement，andgivesalocalcolortothescene。What，forinstance，wouldAthensbewithoutthatsuperbindividualinnationalget—upwhomoneissuretoseebeforethehotelonalightingfromtheomnibus？IamconvincedthathehasgivenasmuchpleasureastheAcropolistomosttravellers；theknowledgethatthehotelproprietorssharetheexpensesofhiskeepandtoiletcannotdispelthecharmofthosescarletembroideriesandglitteringarms。
　　Afterpreparingtheirtrap，thewilyinhabitantsofanewwatering—placehaveonlytositdownandawaitevents。Thefirstpeopletoappearonthesceneare，naturally，theEnglish，somehiddennaturallawcompellingthatracetowanderforeverininexpensiveby—waysandserveaspioneersforothernations。Nomatterhowneworinaccessiblethespring，youaresuretofindasmallcolonyofBritonsinstalledinthehalf—finishedhotels，readingweek—oldeditionsoftheTIMES，andgrumblingovertheincreaseinpricessincetheyearbefore。
　　AssoonasthefirststrayBritonshavedevelopedintoan"Englishcolony，"themunicipalityconsiderthemselvesauthorizedtoconstructacasinoandopenavenues，whicharesoonborderedbyyoungtreesandyoungervillas。InthewakeoftheEnglishcomeinvalidsofothernationalities。Ifawandering"crownedhead"canbesecuredforaseason，agreatstepisgained，asthatwillattracttherealpayingpublicandtheAmericans，whoasageneralthingarethelasttoappearonthescene。
　　Atthisstageofitsevolution，the"cityfathers"buildatheatreinconnectionwiththeircasino，and（persuadingthegovernmenttowinkattheirevasionofthegamblinglaws）addgamesofchancetotheothertemptationsoftheplace。
　　Thereisnobetterexampleofthewayaspringcanbedevelopedbycleverhandling，andsatisfactoryresultsobtainedfromadvertisingandjudiciousexpenditure，thanAix—
　　les—Bains，whichtwentyyearsagowasbutatinymountainvillage，andto—dayranksamongthewealthiestandmostbrilliantEAUXinEurope。Inthiscase，itistrue，theyhadtraditiontofallbackon，forAquaeGratinaewasalreadyafavoritewatering—placeintheyear30B。C。，whenCaesartookthecure。
　　ThereislittledoubtinmymindthatwhentheRomanEmperorfirstarrivedhefoundacolonyofspinstersandretiredarmyofficers（fromrecentlyconqueredBritain）livingaroundthisspringinPOPINAE（whicharesupposedtohavecorrespondedtoourmodernboarding—house），wearingwaterprooftogasandcommon—sensecothurni，withdoublecorksoles。
　　ThewifeofanotherCaesarfledhitherin1814。Thelittleinnwhereshepassedasummerinthecompanyofherone—eyedlover—whilethefateofherhusbandandsonwasbeingdecidedatViennaandWaterloo—isstillstanding，andservesastheannexofavastnewhotel。
　　Thewayinwhichawatering—placeis"run"abroad，wheretouristsareregardedasgodsends，tobecherished，spoiled，anddespoiled，isamusinglydifferentfromthemannerofourvillagepopulationswhensummervisitors（whomtheylookuponasnaturalenemies）appearonthescene。Abroadtheentiretown，togetherwiththesurroundingvillages，hamlets，andfarmhouses，racktheirbrainsanddevotetheirtimetoinventingnewamusementsforthevisitor，andoriginalwaysofenticingthegoldfromhispocket—for，mindyou，onbothcontinentstheobjectisthesame。InEuropetheruralMachiavellishavehadtimetolearnthatsmilingfacesandpicturesquesurroundingsarehalfthebattle。
　　Anotherpointwhichisperfectlyunderstoodabroadisthatacuremustbelargelymental；thatinconsequenceboredomretardsrecovery。Soduringeveryhourofthedayandeveningadifferentamusementisprovidedforthosewhofeelinclinedtobeamused。AtAix，forinstance，Colonne’sorchestraplaysunderthetreesattheVilladesFleurswhileyouaresippingyourafter—luncheoncoffee。Atthreeo’clock"Guignol"
　　performsfortheyoungsters。Atfiveo’clockthereisanotherconcertintheCasino。Ateighto’clockanoperettaisgivenatthevilla，andacomedyintheCasino，bothendingdiscreetlyateleveno’clock。Onceaweek，asavariety，theparkisilluminatedandfireworkshelptopasstheevening。
　　IfneithermusicnorGuignoltemptsyou，everyformoftrapfromafour—horsebreaktoadonkey—chair（thelattermuchinfashionsincetheEnglishqueen’svisit）isstandingreadyinthelittlesquare。Ontheneighboringlakeyouhavebuttochoosebetweenadozenkindsofboats。Thehireofallthesemodesofconveyancebeingfixedbythemunicipality，andplainlyprintedinboatorcarriage，extortionsordiscussionsareimpossible。Ifyoupreferarambleamongthehills，thewilynativeislyinginwaitforyoutherealso。Whenyouarrivebreathlessatyourjourney’send，ashadyarboroffersshelterwhereyoumaycooloffandenjoytheview。Itisnotbyaccidentthatadishoffreshlygatheredstrawberriesandabowlofmilkhappentobestandingnearby。
　　Whenbicyclingaroundthelakeyoubegintofeelhowniceahalfhour’srestwouldbe。Presto！aterraceoverhangingthewaterappears，andafarmer’swifewhoproposesbrewingyouacupoftea，supplementingitwithbutterandbreadofherownmaking。Weakhumannaturecannotwithstandsuchblandishments。Youfindyourselfbecomingfondofthepeopleandtheirsmilingways，returningagainandagaintoshoreswhereyouaremadesowelcome。Thefactthat"business"isatthebottomofallthisinnowayinterfereswithone’senjoyment。Onthecontrary，toapracticalminditisrefreshingtoseehowmuchcanbemadeofalittle，andwhatafundofprofitandpleasurecanbeextractedfromsmallthings，ifonegoestoworkintherightway。
　　Thetrickcandoubtlessbeoverdone：atmomentsonefeelsthelittlegameisworkedabittooopenly。Theotherevening，forinstance，whenweenteredthedining—roomofourhotelandfounditdecoratedwithflagsandflowers，because，forsooth，itwasthebirthdayof"VictoriaR。andI。，"whenchampagnewasofferedatdessertandthebandplayed"GodSavetheQueen，"whiletheEnglishsolemnlystoodupintheirplaces，itdidseemasiftheproprietorwaspokingfunathisguestsinaslyway。
　　Iwasapparentlytheonlyperson，however，whofeltthis。TheEnglishweremuchflatteredbytheattention，soIsnubbedmyselfwiththereflectionthatifthedatehadbeenJuly4，I
　　doubtlessshouldhaveconsideredtheflagsandmusicmostA
　　PROPOS。
　　Therearealsomomentswhenthevividpicturesquenessofthisplacecomesneartopallingonone。Itsbeautyissosuspiciouslylikeasetscenethatitgivestheimpressionofhavingbeenarrangedbysomecleverdecoratorwithaneyetoeffectonly。
　　OneiscontinuallyremindedofthatinimitablechapterinDaudet’sTARTARINSURLESALPES，whentheherodiscoversthatallSwitzerlandisoneenormoushumbug，runtoattracttourists；thatthecataractsare"faked，"andavalanchesarrangedbeforehandtoenlivenadullseason。CananythingbemoredeliciousthanthedisillusionofTartarinandhisfriends，justbackfromaperilouschamoishunt，ondiscoveringthattheanimaltheyhadexhaustedthemselvesinfollowingalldayacrossthemountains，wasbeingrefreshedwithhotwineinthekitchenofthehotelbyitspeasantowner？
　　WhenonevisitsthetheatricalabbeyacrossthelakeandinspectsthetoopicturesquetombsofSavoy’ssovereigns，orwalksinthewonderfuloldgarden，withitsintermittentspring，thesuspicionoccurs，inspiteofone’sself，thatthewholescenewillbefoldedupatsunsetandthebare—footed"brother"whoisshowingusaroundwithsomuchunctionwill，afterourdeparture，hurryintoanothercostume，andappearlaterasoneofthehappypeasantswhoaresinginganddrinkinginfrontofthatabsurdlyoperaticlittleinnyoupassonthedrivehome。
　　Thereisacertainpinkcottage，withathatchedroofandoverhangingvines，aboutwhichIhaveseriousdoubts，andfullyexpectsomedaytoseeColumbineappearonthatpistache—greenbalcony（wherethemagpieishanginginawickercage），and，takingArlequin’shand，disappearintothewater—buttwhileClowndoesaheaderoverthehalf—door，andthecottageitselfturnsintoagildedcoach，withColumbinekissingherhandfromthewindow。
　　Aproblemwhichourintelligentpeoplehavenotyetsetthemselvestosolve，isbeingworkedoutabroad。ThelittlecitiesofEuropehavediscoveredthatprosperitycomeswiththetourist，thatwithincreasedfacilitiesofcommunicationthetownshipwhichexpendsthemostinmoneyandbrainsinattractingrichtravellerstoitsgatesistheplacethatwillgrowandprosper。Itisasimplelesson，andonethatIwouldgladlyseeourAmericanwatering—placeslearnandapply。
　　Chapter24—TheBetterPartASIwatch，yearafteryear，theflowersofouraristocratichothousesbloomingbehindtheglasspartitionsoftheirconservatories，tendedalwaysbythesamegardeners，admiredbythesameamateurs，andthen，forthemostpart，witheringunpluckedontheirvirginstems，Iwonderifthewildflowersappreciatethegoodluckthatallowsthemtotastethestormandthesunshineuntrammelledanddisperseperfumeaccordingtotheirownsweetwill。
　　Todropacumbersomemetaphor，thereisnottheshadowofadoubtthatthetamestandmostmonotonouslivesinthiscountryarethoseledbythewomeninour"exclusive"sets，forthegoodreasonthattheyaresurroundedbyallthetrammelsofEuropeansocietywithoutenjoyinganyofitsbenefits，andliveinanatmospherethattakesthetasteoutofexistencetoosoon。
　　Girlsabroadarekeptawayfromthe"world"becausetheirsociallifeonlycommencesaftermarriage。InAmerica，onthecontrary，awomanislaidmoreorlessontheshelfthedayshebecomesawife，sothatifshehasnotmadehaywhilehermaidensunshinelasted，thechancesareshewillhavebutmeagrelyfurnishedlofts；andhow，Iask，isagirltoharvestalwaysinthesamefield？
　　Wheninthiscountry，aproperlybroughtupyoungaristocratispresentedbyhermammatoanadmiringcircleoffriends，sheisquiteaBLASEEperson。Thedancingclassesshehasattendedforacoupleofyearsbeforeherdebut（thatshemightknowtherightsetofyouthsandmaidens）havetakenthebloomoffherentranceintotheworld。Sheandherfriendshavealreadytalkedoverthe"men"oftheircircle，anddecided，withasigh，thattherewerematchesgoingabout。A
　　juvenileNewporterwasrecentlyoverhearddeploring（toafriendoffifteensummers），"Bythetimewecomeouttherewillonlybetwomatchesinthemarket，"meaning，ofcourse，millionnaireswhocouldprovidetheirbrideswithcountryandcityhomes，yachts，andtheotherappurtenancesofabrilliantposition。Now，theunfortunatepartoftheaffairis，thatsuchaworldly—mindedmaidenwillingoodtimebeobligedtomakeherdebut，dine，anddancethroughadozenseasonswithoutmakinganewacquaintance。Hermigrationsfromtowntoseashore，orfromonecountryhousetoanother，willbebutchangesofscene：theactorswillremainalwaysthesame。
　　Whenshedinesout，shecan，ifshecarestotakethetrouble，makeafairguessastowhotheguestswillbebeforeshestarts，foreachentertainmentisbutanewshuffleofthetoowell—knownpack。Sheismorallycertainofbeingtakenintodinnerbyoneoffiftymenwhomshehasknownsinceherchildhood，andhasmetonanaveragetwiceaweeksinceshewaseighteen。
　　Offoreignerssuchagirlseeslittlebeyondastraydiplomatistortwo，insearchofafortune，andherglimpsesofParissocietyareobtainedfromthewindowsofahotelonthePlaceVendome。InLondonorRomeshemaybepresentedinafewinternationalsalons，butasshefindsitdifficulttomakehernewacquaintancesunderstandwhatanexaltedpositionsheoccupiesathome，thechancesarethatpiqueatseeingsomeDaisyMillerattractalltheattentionwilldrivemyladybacktothecitywheresheisknownandappreciated，nothingbeingmoredifficultforanAmerican"swell"thanexplainingtotheuninitiatedinwhatwayherpositiondiffersfromthatoftherestofhercompatriots。
　　WhenIseethebeviesofhighlyeducatedandattractivegirlswhomaketheirbowseachseason，Iaskmyselfinwonder，"Who，inthenameofgoodness，aretheytomarry？"
　　Intheverycirclewheresomuchstressislaidonagirl’sestablishingherselfbrilliantly，thefewestpossiblehusbandsaretobefound。Yet，limitedassuchagirl’schoiceis，shewillsoonerremainsinglethanacceptahusbandoutofherset。Shehasaperfectlydistinctideaofwhatshewants，andhaslivedsolongintheatmosphereofwealththatexistencewithoutfootmenandmalecooks，horsesandFrenchclothes，appearstoherimpossible。Suchlargeproportionsdothesedetailsassumeinhermindthateachyearthehusbandhimselfbecomesoflessimportance，andwhathecanprovidetheessentialpoint。
　　Ifanoutsiderissufficientlyrich，myladymayconsenttouniteherdestiniestohis，hopingtogethimabsorbedintoherownworld。
　　Itispathetic，consideringtherestrictednumberofeligiblemengoingabout，toseethetroubleandexpensethatparentstaketokeeptheirdaughtersENEVIDENCE。Whenonereflectsonthenumberofpeoplewhoaredisturbedwhensuchagirldinesout，thehorsesandmenandwomenwhoarekeptuptoconveyherhome，thetimeithastakenhertodress，thecostofthetoiletitself，andthenseethemantowhomshewillbeconsignedfortheevening，—someboredmanabouttownwhohasprobablytakenhermotherintodinnertwentyyearsbefore，andwillnottroublehimselftotalkwithhisneighbor，oraschoolboy，breakinginhisfirstdresssuit，—whenonerealizesthatformanymaidensthisgoesonnightafternightandseasonafterseason，itseemsincrediblethattheyshouldhavethecourage，orthinkitworththeirwhiletokeepupthegame。
　　Thelogicalresultofturningeternallyinthesamecircleisthatninetimesoutoftenthemenwhomarrychoosegirlsoutoftheirownset，someprettystrangerwhohasburstontheirjadedvisionwithallthecharmoftheunknown。A
　　conventionalsocietymaidenwhohasnotbeenfortunateenoughtomeetandmarryamansheloves，orwhosefortunetemptsher，duringthefirstseasonortwothatsheis"out，"willinallprobabilitygoonrevolvinginanever—narrowingcircleuntilshebecomesstationaryinitscentre。
　　Incomparisonwithsuchanexistencethelifeoftheaverage"summergirl"isonelongfrolic，asvariedasthatofheraristocraticsisterismonotonous。Eachspringshehastheexcitementofselectinganewbattle—groundforhermanoeuvres，forinthecircleinwhichshemoves，parentsleavesuchdetailstotheirchildren。Onceinstalledinthehotelofherchoice，mademoiselleproceedstomaketheacquaintanceofanentirelynewsetoffriends，delightfulyouthsjustarrived，andbentonmakingthemostoftheirbriefholidays，withwhomhercodeofetiquetteallowshertosailallday，andpassuncountedeveninghoursinremotecornersofpiazzaorbeach。
　　Asthewords"position"and"set"havenomeaningtoheryoungears，andnoonehaseverpreachedtohertheimportanceofimprovinghersocialstanding，theacquaintancesthatchancethrowsinherpathareacceptedwithoutquestioniftheyhappentobegood—lookingandamusing。Shehasnoprejudiceastostanding，andifhersupplyofpartnersrunsshort，shewilldanceandflirtwiththeclerkfromthedeskinperfectgoodhumor—infact，shestandsratherinaweofthatfunctionary，andadmiresthe"English"cutofhisclothesandhisEasternswagger。Alargehotelisherdreamofluxury，andacoupleofsimultaneousflirtationsheridealofbliss。
　　Nolongeveningsofcruelboredom，inordertobeseenatsmarthouses，willcloudthemaiden’scareer，noagonizedanticipationofretiringpartnerlessfromcotillionorsupperwilldisturbherpleasure。
　　Inthecityshehailsfrom，everybodysheknowslivesinaboutthesamestyle。Somearesaidtobewealthierthanothers，butnothingintheirwayoflifebetraysthefact；theartofknowinghowtoenjoywealthbeingbutlittleunderstoodoutsideofouroneortwogreatcities。Shehasthattranquilsenseofbeingthesocialequalofthepeopleshemeets，theabsenceofwhichmakesthesnob’slifeaburden。
　　Duringhersummersawayfromhomeour"youngfriend"willmeetothergirlsofherage，andformfriendshipsthatresultinmutualvisitingduringtheensuingwinter，whenshewillcontinuetoaddmorenewnamestothelonglistofheradmirers，untilonefinemorningshewriteshometoherdelightedparentsthatshehasfoundtherightmanatlast，andengagedherselftohim。
　　Neverhavingpenetratedtothosesacredcentreswherebirthandwealthareconsideredall—important，andignoringthesupremeimportanceoflivinginoneset，theplanoflifethatsuchawomanlaysoutforherselfisexceedinglysimple。ShewillcoquetteanddanceanddreamherpleasantdreamuntilPrinceCharming，whoistoawakenhertoanewlife，comesandkissesawaythedewofgirlhoodandleadshisbrideoutintothework—a—dayworld。Thesimplesurroundingsandambitionsofheryouthwillmakeiteasyforthiswifetofollowthemanofherchoice，ifnecessary，totheremotevillagewhereheisdirectingafactoryortotheminingcampwherethefoundationsofafortunelie。Lifeisfullofdeliciouspossibilitiesforher。Menwhoareforcedtomaketheirwayinyouthoftenturnouttobethosewhomake"history"later，andabridewhohasnotbecomeprematurelyBLASEEtoalltheluxuriesorpleasuresofexistencewillknowthegreatesthappinessthatcancomeintoawoman’slife，thatofrisingatherhusband’sside，stepbystep，enjoyinghistriumphsasshesharedhispoverty。
　　Chapter25—LaComedieFrancaiseaOrangeIDLINGupthroughthesouthofFrance，incompanywithapassionateloverofthatfairland，welearnedonarrivingatLyons，thattheactorsoftheComedieFrancaiseweretopassthroughtherethenextday，ENROUTEforOrange，whereaseriesoffeteshadbeenarrangedby"LesFelibres。"Thissociety，composedofthewritersandpoetsofProvence，havethepreservationoftheRomantheatreatOrange（perhapsthemostperfectspecimenofclassicaltheatricalarchitectureinexistence）profoundlyatheart，theirhopebeingtorestoresomeofitspristinebeautytotheruin，andgivefromtimetotimeperformancesoftheGreekmasterpiecesonitsdisusedstage。
　　Themoneyobtainedbytheserepresentationswillbespentintherestorationofthetheatre，anditisexpectedintimetomakeOrangethecentreofclassicdrama，asBeyreuthisthatofWagnerianmusic。
　　AtLyons，theCORTEGEwastoleavetheParistrainandtakeboatsdowntheRhone，totheirdestination。Theirprogrammewassotemptingthattheofferofplacesinoneofthecraftwasenoughtolureusawayfromourprearrangedroute。
　　Byeighto’clockthefollowingmorning，wewereonfoot，aswasapparentlytheentirecity。AcannonfiredfromFortLamothegavethesignalofourstart。Theriver，coveredwithathousandgaylydecoratedcraft，glintedandglitteredinthemorninglight。Itworldbedifficulttoforgetthatscene，—
　　thebanksoftheRhonewerelinedwiththeruralpopulation，whohadcomemilesineverydirectiontoacclaimthepassageoftheirpoets。
　　Everywherealongourroutethehousesweregaylydecoratedandarchesofflowershadbeenerected。WefloatpastVienne，acityoncegovernedbyPontiusPilate，andTournon，withitsfeudalchateau，blueinthedistance，thenSaintPeray，onaverdantvine—cladslope。AswepassunderthebridgeatMontelimar，anavalancheofflowersdescendsonusfromabove。
　　TherapidcurrentoftheriversoonbringsourflotillaoppositeVivier，whoseGothiccathedralbathesitsfeetintheRhone。SaintEspritanditsantiquebridgeappearnextonthehorizon。TraditionassertsthattheHolySpirit，disguisedasastonemason，directeditsconstruction；therewerethirteenworkmeneachday，butatsunset，whenthemengatheredtobepaid，buttwelvecouldbecounted。
　　Herethemayorandthemunicipalcouncilweretohavereceivedusanddeliveredanaddress，butwerenotonhand。WecouldseethetardyCORTEGEhasteningtowardsthebridgeasweshotawaydownstream。
　　OnnearingOrange，thebanksandquaysoftheriverarealivewithpeople。Thehighroad，parallelwiththestream，isalivewithamany—coloredthrong。OnallsidesonehearsthelanguageofMistral，andrecognizesthemusicofMireillesungbythesepilgrimstoanartisticMecca，whereamiracleistobeperformed—andclassicartcalledforthfromitswinding—
　　sheet。
　　ThepopulationofawholeregionisastirundertheardentProvencalsun，towitnessaresurrectionoftheDramainthehistoricvalleyoftheRhone，throughwhosechannelthecivilizationandartandcultureoftheoldworldfloatedupintoEuropetotheceaselesscryoftheCIGALES。
　　Chateaurenard！ourwaterjourneyisended。ThroughtheleafyavenuesthatleadtoOrange，weseethearchofMariusandthegiganticprosceniumofthetheatre，risingabovetheroofsofthelittlecity。
　　SofewofourcompatriotslingerinthesouthofFranceafterthespringhassetin，orwanderintheby—waysofthatinexhaustiblecountry，thatawordabouttherepresentationsatOrangemaybeofinterest，andperchancecreateadesiretoseethemasterpiecesofclassicdrama（thecommoninheritanceofallcivilizedraces）revivedwithus，andourstageputtoitslegitimateuse，cultivatingandelevatingthetasteofthepeople。
　　OnewouldsogladlyseealittleofthemoneythatisgenerouslygivenformusicusedtoreviveinAmericaalovefortheclassicdrama。
　　Wearecertainlynotinferiortoourneighborsincultureorappreciation，andyetsuchaperformanceasIwitnessedatOrange（layingasidetheenchantmentlentbythesurroundings）
　　wouldnotbepossiblehere。Why？Buttoreturntomynarrative。
　　Thesunissettingaswetoil，ticketinhand，uptheRomanstairwaytotheupperrowsofseats；farbelowthelocalGENDARMERIEwhomostlyunderstandtheirordersbackwardsarestrugglingwiththethrong，whoseentrancetheyareapparentlyobstructingbyeverymeansintheirpower。Onceseated，andhavingawaitofanhourbeforeus，weamusedourselveswatchingthecrowdfillingineverycornerofthevastbuilding，likearisingtideofmulti—coloredwater。
　　Wehadpurposelychosenplacesonthehighestandmostremotebenches，totestthevauntedacousticqualitiesoftheauditorium，andtoobtainaviewofthehalf—circleofhumanity，thegiganticwallbackofthestage，andthesurroundingcountry。
　　Asdaysoftenedintotwilight，andtwilightdeepenedintoaluminousSouthernnight；theeffectwasincomparable。ThebelfriesandroofsofmediaevalOrangeroseintheclearair，overtoppingthehalfruinedtheatreinmanyplaces。ThearchofMariusgleamedwhiteagainstthesurroundinghills，themselvesvioletandpurpleinthesunset，theirshadowbrokenhereandtherebytheoutlineofacrumblingchateauorthelightsofavillage。
　　Behindusthesentriespacedalongthewall，wrappedintheirdarkcloaks；andoverallthescene，onesnowtoppedpeakrosewhiteonthehorizon，likesomeclassicvirginassistingatanOlympiansolemnity。
　　Onthestage，partlyclearedofthedebrisoffifteenhundredyears，treeshadbeenleftwheretheyhadgrown，amongfallencolumns，fragmentsofcapitalandstatue；nearthefrontasuperbrose—laurelrecalledtheAtticshores。Totheright，wildgrassesandherbsalternatedwiththickshrubbery，amongwhichOresteshidlater，duringthelamentationsofhissister。Totheleftagiganticfig—tree，growingagainthedarkwall，threwitsbranchesfaroutoverthestage。
　　Itwasfrombehinditsfoliagethat"Gaul，""Provence，"and"France，"personatedbythreeactressesofthe"Francais，"
　　advancedtosaluteApollo，seatedonhisrusticthrone，intheprologuewhichbegantheperformance。
　　Sincemiddaytheweatherhadbeenthreatening。Atseveno’clocktherewasalmostashower—amomentofterribleanxiety。Whatamisfortuneifitshouldrain，justastheactorsweretoappear，here，whereithadnotrainedfornearlyfourmonths！Myright—handneighbor，acitizenofBeaucaire，assuresme，"Itwillbenothing，onlyastrong`mistral’forto—morrow。"Anelectricianisputtingthefinishingtouchestohisarrangements。Hetriesvainlytoconcentratesomelightontheboxwherethecommitteeistosit，whichisscreenedbyabitofcrumblingwall，butfinallygivesitup。
　　Suddenlythebuglessound；theorchestraringsouttheMarseillaise；itiseighto’clock。Theskyiswildandthreatening。Anunseenhandstrikesthethreetraditionalblows。TheFaunLybrianslipsdownfromabranchofagreatelm，andthrowshimselfonthestepsthatlateraretorepresenttheentrancetothepalaceofAgamemnon，andcommencestheprologue（aninvocationtoApollo），inthemidstofsuchconfusionthatwehearhardlyaword。Littlebylittle，however，thecrowdquietsdown，andIcatchLouisGallet’sfinelines，marvellouslyphrasedbyMesdamesBartet，Dudlay，Moreno，andthehandsomeFenouxasApollo。
　　Therealinterestofthepublicisonlyaroused，however，whenTHEERYNNIESbegins。ThispowerfuladaptationfromthetragedyofAEschylusisTHECHEFD’OEUVREofLecontedeLisle。
　　Thesilenceisnowcomplete。Onefeelsintheairthatthemomentsolongandsoanxiouslyawaitedhascome，thatagreateventisabouttotakeplace。Everyeyeisfixedonthestage，waitingtoseewhatwillappearfrombehindthedarkarchesoftheproscenium。Afaint，plaintivestrainofmusicfloatsoutonthesilence。Demonscrawlamongtheleafyshadows。Notalightisvisible，yetthecentreofthestageisinstrongrelief，shadingoffintoathousandfantasticshadows。Theaudiencesitsincompletedarkness。ThenweseethepeopleofArgos，windingtowardusfromamongthetrees，lamenting，astheyhavedoneeachdayfortenyears，thelongabsenceoftheirsonsandtheirking。Theoldmennolongerdaretoconsulttheoracles，fearingtolearnthatallislost。Thebeautyofthislamentrousedthefirstmurmurofapplause，eachword，eachsyllable，chimingoutacrossthatvastsemicirclewithaclearnessandaneffectimpossibletodescribe。
　　Nowitisthesentinel，whofromhiswatch—towerhascaughtthefirstglimpseofthereturningarmy。Wehearhimdashinglikeatorrentdowntheturretstair；atthedoorway，hisgarmentsblownbythewind，hisbodybendingforwardinasplendidposeofjoyandexultation，heannouncesinavoiceofthunderthearrivaloftheking。
　　Socompletelyarethetwentythousandspectatorsunderthespellofthedramathatatthisnewsonecanfeelathrillpassoverthethrong，whomthesplendidversesholdpalpitatingundertheircharm，awaitingonlytheendofthetiradetobreakintoapplause。
　　Fromthatmomenttheperformanceisonelongtriumph。
　　Clytemnestra（MadameLerou）comeswithhersuitetoreceivetheking（Mounet—Sully），theconqueror！Ineverrealizedbeforealltheperfectionthattrainingcangivethespeakingvoice。Eachsyllableseemedtoringoutwithabell—likeclearness。AsshegraduallyroseinthelastacttothescenewithOrestes，Iunderstoodtheuseofthegreatwallbehindtheactors。Itincreasedthepowerofthevoicesandlentthemasonoritydifficulttobelieve。Theeffectwasoverwhelmingwhen，unabletoescapedeath，Clytemnestracriesoutherhorribleimprecations。
　　Mounet—Sullysurpassedhimself。PaulMounetgaveusthecompleteillusionofamonsterthirstingforblood，evenhismother’s！Whenstrikingherasshestruckhisfather，heanswersherdespairingquery，"Thouwouldstnotslaythymother？""Woman，thouhastceasedtobeamother！"Dudlay（asCassandra）reachesasplendidclimaxwhensheprophesiesthemisfortunehangingoverherfamily，whichsheispowerlesstoavert。