Thefourriders，havingnowreachedawiderroad，wentabreastandsoonreachedastretchoftable—land，fromwhichtheeyetookinononesidetherichvalleyoftheSeinetowardRouen，andontheotheranhorizonboundedonlybythesea。
\"Butschawasright，Godisthegreatestofalllandscapepainters，\"
saidCanalis，contemplatingtheview，whichisuniqueamongthemanyfinescenesthathavemadetheshoresoftheSeinesojustlycelebrated。
\"Abovealldowefeelthat，mydearbaron，\"saidtheduke，\"onhunting—days，whennaturehasavoice，andalivelytumultbreaksthesilence;atsuchtimesthelandscape，changingrapidlyasweridethroughit，seemsreallysublime。\"
\"Thesunistheinexhaustiblepalette，\"saidModeste，lookingatthepoetinaspeciesofbewilderment。
Aremarkthatshepresentlymadeonhisabsenceofmindgavehimanopportunityofsayingthathewasjustthenabsorbedinhisownthoughts，——anexcusethatauthorshavemorereasonforgivingthanothermen。
\"Arewereallymadehappybycarryingourlivesintothemidstoftheworld，andswellingthemwithallsortsoffictitiouswantsandover—
excitedvanities？\"saidModeste，movedbytheaspectofthefertileandbillowycountrytolongforaphilosophicallytranquillife。
\"Thatisabucolic，mademoiselle，whichisonlywrittenontabletsofgold，\"saidthepoet。
\"Andsometimesundergarret—roofs，\"remarkedthecolonel。
ModestethrewapiercingglanceatCanalis，whichhewasunabletosustain;shewasconsciousofaringinginherears，darknessseemedtospreadbeforeher，andthenshesuddenlyexclaimedinicytones:——
\"Ah！itisWednesday！\"
\"Idonotsaythistoflatteryourpassingcaprice，mademoiselle，\"
saidtheduke，towhomthelittlescene，sotragicalforModeste，hadlefttimeforthought;\"butIdeclareIamsoprofoundlydisgustedwiththeworldandtheCourtandParisthathadIaDuchessed’Herouville，giftedwiththewitandgracesofmademoiselle，Iwouldgladlybindmyselftolivelikeaphilosopheratmychateau，doinggoodaroundme，drainingmymarshes，educatingmychildren——\"
\"That，Monsieurleduc，willbesettotheaccountofyourgreatgoodness，\"saidModeste，lettinghereyesreststeadilyonthenoblegentleman。\"Youflattermeinnotthinkingmefrivolous，andinbelievingthatIhaveenoughresourceswithinmyselftobeabletoliveinsolitude。Itisperhapsmylot，\"sheadded，glancingatCanalis，withanexpressionofpity。
\"Itisthelotofallinsignificantfortunes，\"saidthepoet。\"ParisdemandsBabyloniansplendor。SometimesIaskmyselfhowIhaveevermanagedtokeepitup。\"
\"Thekingdoesthatforbothofus，\"saidtheduke，candidly;\"weliveonhisMajesty’sbounty。Ifmyfamilyhadnotbeenallowed，afterthedeathofMonsieurleGrand，astheycallCinq—Mars，tokeephisofficeamongus，weshouldhavebeenobligedtosellHerouvilletotheBlackBrethren。Ah，believeme，mademoiselle，itisabitterhumiliationtometohavetothinkofmoneyinmarrying。\"
Thesimplehonestyofthisconfessioncamefromhisheart，andtheregretwassosincerethatittouchedModeste。
\"Inthesedays，\"saidthepoet，\"nomaninFrance，Monsieurleduc，isrichenoughtomarryawomanforherself，herpersonalworth，hergrace，orherbeauty——\"
ThecolonellookedatCanaliswithacuriouseye，afterfirstwatchingModeste，whosefacenolongerexpressedtheslightestastonishment。
\"Forpersonsofhighhonor，\"hesaidslowly，\"itisanobleemploymentofwealthtorepairtheravagesoftimeanddestiny，andrestoretheoldhistoricfamilies。\"
\"Yes，papa，\"saidModeste，gravely。
ThecolonelinvitedthedukeandCanalistodinewithhimsociablyintheirriding—dress，promisingthemtomakenochangehimself。WhenModestewenttoherroomtomakehertoilette，shelookedatthejewelledwhipshehaddisdainedinthemorning。
\"Whatworkmanshiptheyputintosuchthingsnowadays！\"shesaidtoFrancoiseCochet，whohadbecomeherwaiting—maid。
\"Thatpooryoungman，mademoiselle，whohasgotafever——\"
\"Whotoldyouthat？\"
\"MonsieurButscha。Hecameherethisafternoonandaskedmetosaytoyouthathehopedyouwouldnoticehehadkepthiswordontheappointedday。\"
Modestecamedownintothesalondressedwithroyalsimplicity。
\"Mydearfather，\"shesaidaloud，takingthecolonelbythearm，\"pleasegoandaskafterMonsieurdeLaBriere’shealth，andtakehimbackhispresent。Youcansaythatmysmallmeans，aswellasmynaturaltastes，forbidmywearingornamentswhichareonlyfitforqueensorcourtesans。Besides，Icanonlyacceptgiftsfromabridegroom。Beghimtokeepthewhipuntilyouknowwhetheryouarerichenoughtobuyitback。\"
\"Mylittlegirlhasplentyofgoodsense，\"saidthecolonel，kissinghisdaughterontheforehead。
CanalistookadvantageofaconversationwhichbeganbetweenthedukeandMadameMignontoescapetotheterrace，whereModestejoinedhim，influencedbycuriosity，thoughthepoetbelievedherdesiretobecomeMadamedeCanalishadbroughtherthere。Ratheralarmedattheindecencywithwhichhehadjustexecutedwhatsoldierscalla\"volte—
face，\"andwhich，accordingtothelawsofambition，everymaninhispositionwouldhaveexecutedquiteasbrutally，henowendeavored，astheunfortunateModesteapproachedhim，tofindplausibleexcusesforhisconduct。
\"DearModeste，\"hebegan，inacoaxingtone，\"consideringthetermsonwhichwestandtoeachother，shallIdispleaseyouifIsaythatyourrepliestotheDucd’Herouvillewereverypainfultoamaninlove，——
aboveall，toapoetwhosesoulisfeminine，nervous，fullofthejealousiesoftruepassion。IshouldmakeapoordiplomatistindeedifIhadnotperceivedthatyourfirstcoquetries，yourlittlepremeditatedinconsistencies，wereonlyassumedforthepurposeofstudyingourcharacters——\"
Modesteraisedherheadwiththerapid，intelligent，half—coquettishmotionofawildanimal，inwhominstinctproducessuchmiraclesofgrace。
\"——andthereforewhenIreturnedhomeandthoughtthemover，theynevermisledme。Ionlymarvelledataclevernesssoinharmonywithyourcharacterandyourcountenance。Donotbeuneasy，Ineverdoubtedthatyourassumedduplicitycoveredanangeliccandor。No，yourmind，youreducation，haveinnowaylessenedthepreciousinnocencewhichwedemandinawife。Youareindeedawifeforapoet，adiplomatist，athinker，amandestinedtoendurethechancesandchangesoflife;
andmyadmirationisequalledonlybytheattachmentIfeeltoyou。I
nowentreatyou——ifyesterdayyouwerenotplayingalittlecomedywhenyouacceptedtheloveofamanwhosevanitywillchangetoprideifyouaccepthim，onewhosedefectswillbecomevirtuesunderyourdivineinfluence——Ientreatyoudonotexciteapassionwhich，inhim，amountstovice。Jealousyisanoxiouselementinmysoul，andyouhaverevealedtomeitsstrength;itisawful，itdestroyseverything——Oh！IdonotmeanthejealousyofanOthello，\"hecontinued，noticingModeste’sgesture。\"No，no;mythoughtswereofmyself:I
havebeensoindulgedonthatpoint。YouknowtheaffectiontowhichI
oweallthehappinessIhaveeverenjoyed，——verylittleatthebest\"
（hesadlyshookhishead）。\"Loveissymbolizedamongallnationsasachild，becauseitfanciestheworldbelongstoit，anditcannotconceiveotherwise。Well，Natureherselfsetthelimittothatsentiment。Itwasstill—born。Atender，maternalsoulguessedandcalmedthepainfulconstrictionofmyheart，——forawomanwhofeels，whoknows，thatsheispastthejoysoflovebecomesangelicinhertreatmentofothers。Theduchesshasnevermademesufferinmysensibilities。Fortenyearsnotaword，notalook，thatcouldwoundme！Iattachmorevaluetowords，tothoughts，tolooks，thanordinarymen。Ifalookistomeatreasurebeyondallprice，theslightestdoubtisdeadlypoison;itactsinstantaneously，mylovedies。I
believe——contrarytothemassofmen，whodelightintrembling，hoping，expecting——thatlovecanonlyexistinperfect，infantile，andinfinitesecurity。Theexquisitepurgatory，wherewomendelighttosendusbytheircoquetry，isabasehappinesstowhichIwillnotsubmit:tome，loveiseitherheavenorhell。Ifitishell，Iwillhavenoneofit。IfeelanaffinitywiththeazureskiesofParadisewithinmysoul。Icangivemyselfwithoutreserve，withoutsecrets，doubtsordeceptions，inthelifetocome;andIdemandreciprocity。
PerhapsIoffendyoubythesedoubts。Remember，however，thatIamonlytalkingofmyself——\"
\"——agooddeal，butnevertoomuch，\"saidModeste，offendedineveryholeandcornerofherpridebythisdiscourse，inwhichtheDuchessedeChaulieuservedasadagger。\"Iamsoaccustomedtoadmireyou，mydearpoet。\"
\"Well，then，canyoupromisemethesamecaninefidelitywhichIoffertoyou？Isitnotbeautiful？Isitnotjustwhatyouhavelongedfor？\"
\"Butwhy，dearpoet，doyounotmarryadeaf—mute，andonewhoisalsosomethingofanidiot？Iasknothingbetterthantopleasemyhusband。
Butyouthreatentotakeawayfromagirltheveryhappinessyousokindlyarrangeforher;youaretearingawayeverygesture，everyword，everylook;youcutthewingsofyourbird，andthenexpectittohoveraboutyou。Iknowpoetsareaccusedofinconsistency——oh！
veryunjustly，\"sheadded，asCanalismadeagestureofdenial;\"thatallegeddefectwhichcomesfromthebrilliantactivityoftheirmindswhichcommonplacepeoplecannottakeintoaccount。Idonotbelieve，however，thatamanofgeniuscaninventsuchirreconcilableconditionsandcallhisinventionlife。Youarerequiringtheimpossiblesolelyforthepleasureofputtingmeinthewrong，——liketheenchantersinfairy—tales，whosettaskstopersecutedyounggirlswhomthegoodfairiescomeanddeliver。\"
\"Inthiscasethegoodfairywouldbetruelove，\"saidCanalisinacurttone，awarethathiselaborateexcuseforarupturewasseenthroughbythekeenanddelicatemindwhichButschahadpilotedsowell。
\"Mydearpoet，youremindmeofthosefatherswhoinquireintoagirl’s’dot’beforetheyarewillingtonamethatoftheirson。Youarequarrellingwithmewithoutknowingwhetheryouhavetheslightestrighttodoso。Loveisnotgainedbysuchdryargumentsasyours。ThepoordukeonthecontraryabandonshimselftoitlikemyUncleToby;
withthisdifference，thatIamnottheWidowWadman，——thoughwidowindeedofmanyillusionsastopoetryatthepresentmoment。Ah，yes，weyounggirlswillnotbelieveinanythingthatdisturbsourworldoffancy！Iwaswarnedofallthisbeforehand。Mydearpoet，youareattemptingtogetupaquarrelwhichisunworthyofyou。InolongerrecognizetheMelchiorofyesterday。\"
\"BecauseMelchiorhasdiscoveredaspiritofambitioninyouwhich——\"
Modestelookedathimfromheadtofootwithanimperialeye。
\"ButIshallbepeerofFranceandambassadoraswellashe，\"addedCanalis。
\"Doyoutakemeforabourgeois，\"shesaid，beginningtomountthestepsoftheportico;butsheinstantlyturnedbackandadded，\"Thatislessimpertinentthantotakemeforafool。ThechangeinyourconductcomesfromcertainsillyrumorswhichyouhaveheardinHavre，andwhichmymaidFrancoisehasrepeatedtome。\"
\"Ah，Modeste，howcanyouthinkit？\"saidCanalis，strikingadramaticattitude。\"Doyouthinkmecapableofmarryingyouonlyforyourmoney？\"
\"IfIdoyouthatwrongafteryouredifyingremarksonthebanksoftheSeinecanyoueasilyundeceiveme，\"shesaid，annihilatinghimwithherscorn。
\"Ah！\"thoughtthepoet，ashefollowedherintothehouse，\"ifyouthink，mylittlegirl，thatI’mtobecaughtinthatnet，youtakemetobeyoungerthanIam。Dear，dear，whatafussaboutanartfullittlethingwhoseesteemIvalueaboutasmuchasthatofthekingofBorneo。Butshehasgivenmeagoodreasonfortherupturebyaccusingmeofsuchunworthysentiments。Isn’tshesly？LaBrierewillgetaburdenonhisback——idiotthatheis！Andfiveyearshenceitwillbeagoodjoketoseethemtogether。\"
ThecoldnesswhichthisaltercationproducedbetweenModesteandCanaliswasvisibletoalleyesthatevening。Thepoetwentoffearly，onthegroundofLaBriere’sillness，leavingthefieldtothegrandequerry。Abouteleveno’clockButscha，whohadcometowalkhomewithMadameLatournelle，whisperedinModeste’sear，\"WasIright？\"
\"Alas，yes，\"shesaid。
\"ButIhopeyouhaveleftthedoorhalfopen，sothathecancomeback;weagreeduponthat，youknow。\"
\"Angergotthebetterofme，\"saidModeste。\"SuchmeannesssentthebloodtomyheadandItoldhimwhatIthoughtofhim。\"
\"Well，somuchthebetter。Whenyouarebothsoangrythatyoucan’tspeakcivillytoeachotherIengagetomakehimdesperatelyinloveandsopressingthatyouwillbedeceivedyourself。\"
\"Come，come，Butscha;heisagreatpoet;heisagentleman;heisamanofintellect。\"
\"Yourfather’seightmillionsaremoretohimthanallthat。\"
\"Eightmillions！\"exclaimedModeste。
\"Mymaster，whohassoldhispractice，isgoingtoProvencetoattendtothepurchaseoflandswhichyourfather’sagenthassuggestedtohim。ThesumthatistobepaidfortheestateofLaBastieisfourmillions;yourfatherhasagreedtoit。Youaretohavea’dot’oftwomillionsandanothermillionforanestablishmentinParis，ahotelandfurniture。Now，countup。\"
\"Ah！thenIcanbeDuchessed’Herouville！\"criedModeste，glancingatButscha。
\"Ifithadn’tbeenforthatcomedianofaCanalisyouwouldhavekeptHISwhip，thinkingitcamefromme，\"saidthedwarf，indirectlypleadingLaBriere’scause。
\"MonsieurButscha，mayIaskifIamtomarrytopleaseyou？\"saidModeste，laughing。
\"ThatfinefellowlovesyouaswellasIdo，——andyoulovedhimforeightdays，\"retortedButscha;\"andHEhasgotaheart。\"
\"Canhecompete，pray，withanofficeundertheCrown？Therearebutsix，grandalmoner，chancellor，grandchamberlain，grandmaster，highconstable，grandadmiral，——buttheydon’tappointhighconstablesanylonger。\"
\"Insixmonths，mademoiselle，themasses——whoaremadeupofwickedButschas——couldsendallthosegranddignitiestothewinds。Besides，whatsignifiesnobilityinthesedays？TherearenotathousandrealnoblemeninFrance。Thed’HerouvillesaredescendedfromatipstaffinthetimeofRobertofNormandy。Youwillhavetoputupwithmanyavexationfromtheoldauntwiththefurrowedface。Lookhere，——asyouaresoanxiousforthetitleofduchess，——youbelongtotheComtat，andthePopewillcertainlythinkasmuchofyouashedoesofallthosemerchantsdownthere;he’llsellyouaduchywithsomenameendingin’ia’or’agno。’Don’tplayawayyourhappinessforanofficeundertheCrown。\"
CHAPTERXXV
ADIPLOMATICLETTER
Thepoet’sreflectionsduringthenightwerethoroughlymatter—offact。Hesincerelysawnothingworseinlifethanthesituationofamarriedmanwithoutmoney。Stilltremblingatthedangerhehadbeenledintobyhisvanity，hisdesiretogetthebetteroftheduke，andhisbeliefintheMignonmillions，hebegantoaskhimselfwhattheduchessmustbethinkingofhisstayinHavre，aggravatedbythefactthathehadnotwrittentoherforfourteendays，whereasinParistheyexchangedfourorfivelettersaweek。
\"AndthatpoorwomanisworkinghardtogetmeappointedcommanderoftheLegionandambassadortotheCourtofBaden！\"hecried。
Thereupon，withthatpromptitudeofdecisionwhichresults——inpoetsaswellasinspeculators——fromalivelyintuitionofthefuture，hesatdownandcomposedthefollowingletter:——
ToMadamelaDuchessedeChaulieu:
MydearEleonore，——Youhavedoubtlessbeensurprisedatnothearingfromme;butthestayIammakinginthisplaceisnotaltogetheronaccountofmyhealth。IhavebeentryingtodoagoodturntoourlittlefriendLaBriere。ThepoorfellowhasfalleninlovewithacertainMademoiselleModestedeLaBastie，aratherpale，insignificant，andthread—paperylittlething，who，bytheway，hastheviceoflikingliterature，andcallsherselfapoettoexcusethecapricesandhumorsofarathersullennature。
YouknowErnest，——heissoeasytocatchthatIhavebeenafraidtoleavehimtohimself。MademoiselledeLaBastiewasinclinedtocoquetwithyourMelchior，andwasonlytooreadytobecomeyourrival，thoughherarmsarethin，andshehasnomorebustthanmostgirls;moreover，herhairisasdeadandcolorlessasthatofMadamedeRochefide，andhereyessmall，gray，andverysuspicious。Iputastop——perhapsratherbrutally——totheattentionsofMademoiselleImmodeste;butlove，suchasmineforyou，demandedit。WhatcareIforallthewomenonearth，——
comparedtoyou，whatarethey？
ThepeoplewithwhomIpassmytime，andwhoformthecircleroundtheheiress，aresothoroughlybourgeoisthattheyalmostturnmystomach。Pityme;imagine！Ipassmyeveningswithnotaries，notaresses，cashiers，provincialmoney—lenders——ah！whatachangefrommyeveningsintheruedeGrenelle。Theallegedfortuneofthefather，latelyreturnedfromChina，hasbroughttoHavrethatindefatigablesuitor，thegrandequerry，hungryafterthemillions，whichhewants，theysay，todrainhismarshes。Thekingdoesnotknowwhatafatalpresenthemadethedukeinthosewastelands。HisGrace，whohasnotyetfoundoutthattheladyhadonlyasmallfortune，isjealousofME;forLaBriereisquietlymakingprogresswithhisidolundercoverofhisfriend，whoservesasablind。
NotwithstandingErnest’sromanticecstasies，Imyself，apoet，thinkchieflyoftheessentialthing，andIhavebeenmakingsomeinquirieswhichdarkentheprospectsofourfriend。Ifmyangelwouldlikeabsolutionforsomeofourlittlesins，shewilltrytofindoutthefactsofthecasebysendingforMongenod，thebanker，andquestioninghim，withthedexteritythatcharacterizesher，astothefather’sfortune？MonsieurMignon，formerlycolonelofcavalryintheImperialguard，hasbeenforthelastsevenyearsacorrespondentoftheMongenods。Itissaidthathegiveshisdaughtera\"dot\"oftwohundredthousandfrancs，andbeforeI
maketheofferonErnest’sbehalfIamanxioustogettherightsofthestory。AssoonastheaffairisarrangedIshallreturntoParis。Iknowawaytosettleeverythingtotheadvantageofouryounglover，——simplybythetransmissionofthefather—in—law’stitle，andnoone，Ithink，canmorereadilyobtainthatfavorthanErnest，bothonaccountofhisownservicesandtheinfluencewhichyouandIandthedukecanexertforhim。Withhistastes，Ernest，whoofcoursewillstepintomyofficewhenIgotoBaden，willbeperfectlyhappyinPariswithtwenty—fivethousandfrancsayear，apermanentplace，andawife——lucklessfellow！
Ah，dearest，howIlongfortheruedeGrenelle！Fifteendaysofabsence！whentheydonotkilllove，theyrevivealltheardorofitsearlierdays，andyouknow，betterthanI，perhaps，thereasonsthatmakemyloveeternal，——myboneswilllovetheeinthegrave！Ah！Icannotbearthisseparation。IfIamforcedtostayhereanothertendays，IshallmakeaflyingvisitofafewhourstoParis。
Hasthedukeobtainedformethethingwewanted;andshallyou，mydearestlife，beorderedtodrinktheBadenwatersnextyear？
Thebillingandcooingofthe\"handsomedisconsolate，\"comparedwiththeaccentsofourhappylove——sotrueandchangelessfornowtenyears！——havegivenmeagreatcontemptformarriage。Ihadneverseenthethingsonear。Ah，dearest！whattheworldcallsa\"falsestep\"bringstwobeingsnearertogetherthanthelaw——doesitnot？
Theconcludingideaservedasatextfortwopagesofreminiscencesandaspirationsalittletooconfidentialforpublication。
TheeveningbeforethedayonwhichCanalisputtheaboveepistleintothepost，Butscha，underthenameofJeanJacmin，hadreceivedaletterfromhisfictitiouscousin，Philoxene，andhadmailedhisanswer，whichthusprecededtheletterofthepoetbyabouttwelvehours。Terriblyanxiousforthelasttwoweeks，andwoundedbyMelchior’ssilence，theduchessherselfdictatedPhiloxene’slettertohercousin，andthemomentshehadreadtheanswer，rathertooexplicitforherquinquagenaryvanity，shesentforthebankerandmadecloseinquiriesastotheexactfortuneofMonsieurMignon。
Findingherselfbetrayedandabandonedforthemillions，Eleonoregavewaytoaparoxysmofanger，hatred，andcoldvindictiveness。Philoxeneknockedatthedoorofthesumptuousroom，andenteringfoundhermistresswithhereyesfulloftears，——sounprecedentedaphenomenoninthefifteenyearsshehadwaiteduponherthatthewomanstoppedshortstupefied。
\"Weexpiatethehappinessoftenyearsintenminutes，\"sheheardtheduchesssay。
\"AletterfromHavre，madame。\"
Eleonorereadthepoet’sprosewithoutnoticingthepresenceofPhiloxene，whoseamazementbecamestillgreaterwhenshesawthedawnoffreshserenityontheduchess’sfaceasshereadfurtherandfurtherintotheletter。Holdoutapolenothickerthanawalking—
sticktoadrowningman，andhewillthinkitahigh—roadofsafety。
ThehappyEleonorebelievedinCanalis’sgoodfaithwhenshehadreadthroughthefourpagesinwhichloveandbusiness，falsehoodandtruth，jostledeachother。Shewho，afewmomentsearlier，hadsentforherhusbandtopreventMelchior’sappointmentwhiletherewasstilltime，wasnowseizedwithaspiritofgenerositythatamountedalmosttothesublime。
\"Poorfellow！\"shethought;\"hehasnothadonefaithlessthought;helovesmeashedidonthefirstday;hetellsmeall——Philoxene！\"shecried，noticinghermaid，whowasstandingnearandpretendingtoarrangethetoilet—table。
\"Madameladuchesse？\"
\"Amirror，child！\"
Eleonorelookedatherself，sawthefinerazor—likelinestracedonherbrow，whichdisappearedatalittledistance;shesighed，andinthatsighshefeltshebadeadieutolove。Abravethoughtcameintohermind，amanlythought，outsideofallthepettinessofwomen，——athoughtwhichintoxicatesforamoment，andwhichexplains，perhaps，theclemencyoftheSemiramisofRussiawhenshemarriedheryoungandbeautifulrivaltoMomonoff。
\"Sincehehasnotbeenfaithless，heshallhavethegirlandhermillions，\"shethought，——\"providedMademoiselleMignonisasuglyashesayssheis。\"
Threeraps，circumspectlygiven，announcedtheduke，andhiswifewentherselftothedoortolethimin。
\"Ah！Iseeyouarebetter，mydear，\"hecried，withthecounterfeitjoythatcourtiersassumesoreadily，andbywhichfoolsaresoreadilytakenin。
\"MydearHenri，\"sheanswered，\"whyisityouhavenotyetobtainedthatappointmentforMelchior，——youwhosacrificedsomuchtothekingintakingaministrywhichyouknewcouldonlylastoneyear。\"
ThedukeglancedatPhiloxene，whoshowedhimbyanalmostimperceptiblesigntheletterfromHavreonthedressing—table。
\"YouwouldbeterriblyboredatBadenandcomebackatdaggersdrawnwithMelchior，\"saidtheduke。
\"Praywhy？\"
\"Why，youwouldalwaysbetogether，\"saidtheformerdiplomat，withcomicgood—humor。
\"Oh，no，\"shesaid;\"Iamgoingtomarryhim。\"
\"Ifwecanbelieved’Herouville，ourdearCanalisstandsinnoneedofyourhelpinthatdirection，\"saidtheduke，smiling。\"YesterdayGrandlieureadmesomepassagesfromaletterthegrandequerryhadwrittenhim。Nodoubttheyweredictatedbytheauntfortheexpresspurposeoftheirreachingyou，forMademoiselled’Herouville，alwaysonthescentofa’dot，’knowsthatGrandlieuandIplaywhistnearlyeveryevening。Thatgoodlittled’HerouvillewantsthePrincedeCadignantogodownandgivearoyalhuntinNormandy，andendeavortopersuadethekingtobepresent，soastoturntheheadofthedamozelwhensheseesherselftheobjectofsuchagrandaffair。Inshort，twowordsfromCharlesX。wouldsettlethematter。D’Herouvillesaysthegirlhasincomparablebeauty——\"
\"Henri，letusgotoHavre！\"criedtheduchess，interruptinghim。
\"Underwhatpretext？\"saidherhusband，gravely;hewasoneoftheconfidantsofLouisXVIII。
\"Ineversawahunt。\"
\"Itwouldbeallverywellifthekingwent;butitisaterribleboretogosofar，andhewillnotdoit;Ihavejustbeenspeakingwithhimaboutit。\"
\"PerhapsMADAMEwouldgo？\"
\"Thatwouldbebetter，\"returnedtheduke，\"IdaresaytheDuchessedeMaufrigneusewouldhelpyoutopersuadeherfromRosny。Ifshegoesthekingwillnotbedispleasedattheuseofhishuntingequipage。
Don’tgotoHavre，mydear，\"addedtheduke，paternally，\"thatwouldbegivingyourselfaway。Come，here’sabetterplan，Ithink。
Gaspard’schateauofRosembrayisontheothersideoftheforestofBrotonne;whynotgivehimahinttoinvitethewholeparty？\"
\"Heinvitethem？\"saidEleonore。
\"Imean，ofcourse，theduchess;sheisalwaysengagedinpiousworkswithMademoiselled’Herouville;givethatoldmaidahint，andgethertospeaktoGaspard。\"
\"Youarealoveofaman，\"criedEleonore;\"I’llwritetotheoldmaidandtoDianeatonce，forwemustgethuntingthingsmade，——aridinghatissobecoming。DidyouwinlastnightattheEnglishembassy？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheduke;\"Iclearedmyself。\"
\"Henri，aboveallthings，stopproceedingsaboutMelchior’stwoappointments。\"
AfterwritinghalfadozenlinestothebeautifulDianedeMaufrigneuse，andashorthinttoMademoiselled’Herouville，Eleonoresentthefollowinganswerlikethelashofawhipthroughthepoet’slies。
ToMonsieurleBarondeCanalis:——
Mydearpoet，——MademoiselledeLaBastieisverybeautiful;
Mongenodhasprovedtomethatherfatherhasmillions。Ididthinkofmarryingyoutoher;Iamthereforemuchdispleasedatyourwantofconfidence。IfyouhadanyintentionofmarryingLaBrierewhenyouwenttoHavreitissurprisingthatyousaidnothingtomeaboutitbeforeyoustarted。AndwhyhaveyouomittedwritingtoafriendwhoissoeasilymadeanxiousasI？
Yourletterarrivedatriflelate;Ihadalreadyseenthebanker。
Youareachild，Melchior，andyouareplayingtrickswithus。Itisnotright。Thedukehimselfisquiteindignantatyourproceedings;hethinksyoulessthanagentleman，whichcastssomereflectionsonyourmother’shonor。
Now，Iintendtoseethingsformyself。Ishall，Ibelieve，havethehonorofaccompanyingMADAMEtothehuntwhichtheDucd’HerouvilleproposestogiveforMademoiselledeLaBastie。I
willmanagetohaveyouinvitedtoRosembray，forthemeetwillprobablytakeplaceinDucdeVerneuil’spark。
Praybelieve，mydearpoet，thatIamnonetheless，forlife，Yourfriend，EleonoredeM。
\"There，Ernest，justlookatthat！\"criedCanalis，tossingtheletteratErnest’snoseacrossthebreakfast—table;\"that’sthetwothousandthlove—letterIhavehadfromthatwoman，andthereisn’tevena’thou’init。TheillustriousEleonorehasnevercompromisedherselfmorethanshedoesthere。Marry，andtryyourluck！Theworstmarriageintheworldisbetterthanthissortofhalter。Ah，IamthegreatestNicodemusthatevertumbledoutofthemoon！Modestehasmillions，andI’velosther;forwecan’tgetbackfromthepoles，whereweareto—day，tothetropics，wherewewerethreedaysago！
Well，Iamallthemoreanxiousforyourtriumphoverthegrandequerry，becauseItoldtheduchessIcamehereonlyforyoursake;
andsoIshalldomybestforyou。\"
\"Alas，Melchior，Modestemustneedshavesonoble，sogrand，sowell—
balancedanaturetoresistthegloriesoftheCourt，andallthesesplendorscleverlydisplayedforherhonorandglorybytheduke，thatIcannotbelieveintheexistenceofsuchperfection，——andyet，ifsheisstilltheModesteofherletters，theremightbehope！\"
\"Well，well，youareahappyfellow，youyoungBoniface，toseetheworldandyourmistressthroughgreenspectacles！\"criedCanalis，marchingofftopaceupanddownthegarden。
Caughtbetweentwolies，thepoetwasatalosswhattodo。
\"Playbyrule，andyoulose！\"hecriedpresently，sittingdowninthekiosk。\"EverymanofsensewouldhaveactedasIdidfourdaysago，andgothimselfoutofthenetinwhichIsawmyself。Atsuchtimespeopledon’tdisentanglenets，theybreakthroughthem！Come，letusbecalm，cold，dignified，affronted。Honorrequiresit;Englishstiffnessistheonlywaytowinherback。Afterall，ifIhavetoretirefinally，Icanalwaysfallbackonmyoldhappiness;afidelityoftenyearscan’tgounrewarded。Eleonorewillarrangemesomegoodmarriage。\"