TheBaronfeltoneofthosepangsoffurywhichhavetheeffect，intheheart，ofafitofragingtoothache，andhecouldhardlyconcealthetearsinhiseyes。
Duringthislittlescene，ValeriehadbeenexplainingMarneffe’simaginarydeterminationtoMontes，andthushadridherselfofhimforatime。
Ofherfouradherents，Crevelalonewasexemptedfromtherule——
Crevel，themasterofthelittle”bijou”apartment；andhedisplayedonhiscountenanceanairofreallyinsolentbeatitude，notwithstandingthewordlessreproofsadministeredbyValerieinfrownsandmeaninggrimaces。Histriumphantpaternitybeamedineveryfeature。
WhenValeriewaswhisperingawordofcorrectioninhisear，hesnatchedherhand，andputin：”To-morrow，myDuchess，youshallhaveyourownlittlehouse！Thepapersaretobesignedto-morrow。””Andthefurniture？”saidshe，withasmile。”IhaveathousandsharesintheVersailles/rivegauche/railway。I
boughtthemattwenty-five，andtheywillgouptothreehundredinconsequenceoftheamalgamationofthetwolines，whichisasecrettoldtome。Youshallhavefurniturefitforaqueen。Butthenyouwillbeminealonehenceforth？””Yes，burlyMaire，”saidthismiddle-classMadamedeMerteuil。”Butbehaveyourself；respectthefutureMadameCrevel。””Mydearcousin，”LisbethwassayingtotheBaron，”IshallgotoseeAdelineearlyto-morrow；for，asyoumustsee，Icannot，withanydecency，remainhere。IwillgoandkeephouseforyourbrothertheMarshal。””Iamgoinghomethisevening，”saidHulot。”Verywell，youwillseemeatbreakfastto-morrow，”saidLisbeth，smiling。
Sheunderstoodthatherpresencewouldbenecessaryatthefamilyscenethatwouldtakeplaceonthemorrow。AndtheveryfirstthinginthemorningshewenttoseeVictorinandtotellhimthatHortenseandWenceslashadparted。
WhentheBaronwenthomeathalf-pastten，MarietteandLouise，whohadhadahardday，werelockinguptheapartment。Hulothadnottoring。
Verymuchputoutatthiscompulsoryvirtue，thehusbandwentstraighttohiswife’sroom，andthroughthehalf-opendoorhesawherkneelingbeforeherCrucifix，absorbedinprayer，inoneofthoseattitudeswhichmakethefortuneofthepainterorthesculptorwhoissohappytoinventandthentoexpressthem。Adeline，carriedawaybyherenthusiasm，wasprayingaloud：”OGod，havemercyandenlightenhim！”
TheBaronesswasprayingforherHector。
Atthissight，sounlikewhathehadjustleft，andonhearingthispetitionfoundedontheeventsoftheday，theBaronheavedasighofdeepemotion。Adelinelookedround，herfacedrownedintears。Shewassoconvincedthatherprayerhadbeenheard，that，withonespring，shethrewherarmsroundHectorwiththeimpetuosityofhappyaffection。Adelinehadgivenupallawife’sinstincts；sorrowhadeffacedeventhememoryofthem。Nofeelingsurvivedinherbutthoseofmotherhood，ofthefamilyhonor，andthepureattachmentofaChristianwifeforahusbandwhohasgoneastray——thesaintlytendernesswhichsurvivesallelseinawoman’ssoul。”Hector！”shesaid，”areyoucomebacktous？HasGodtakenpityonourfamily？””DearAdeline，”repliedtheBaron，cominginandseatinghiswifebyhissideonacouch，”youarethesaintliestcreatureIeverknew；I
havelongknownmyselftobeunworthyofyou。””Youwouldhaveverylittletodo，mydear，”saidshe，holdingHulot’shandandtremblingsoviolentlythatitwasasthoughshehadapalsy，”verylittletosetthingsinorder——”
Shedarednotproceed；shefeltthateverywordwouldbeareproof，andshedidnotwishtomarthehappinesswithwhichthismeetingwasinundatinghersoul。”ItisHortensewhohasbroughtmehere，”saidHulot。”ThatchildmaydousfarmoreharmbyherhastyproceedingthanmyabsurdpassionforValeriehaseverdone。Butwewilldiscussallthisto-morrowmorning。
Hortenseisasleep，Mariettetellsme；wewillnotdisturbher。””Yes，”saidMadameHulot，suddenlyplungedintothedepthsofgrief。
SheunderstoodthattheBaron’sreturnwaspromptednotsomuchbythewishtoseehisfamilyasbysomeulteriorinterest。”Leaveherinpeacetillto-morrow，”saidthemother。”Thepoorchildisinadeplorablecondition；shehasbeencryingallday。”
Atninethenextmorning，theBaron，awaitinghisdaughter，whomhehadsentfor，waspacingthelarge，deserteddrawing-room，tryingtofindargumentsbywhichtoconquerthemostdifficultformofobstinacythereistodealwith——thatofayoungwife，offendedandimplacable，asblamelessyoutheveris，initsignoranceofthedisgracefulcompromisesoftheworld，ofitspassionsandinterests。”HereIam，papa，”saidHortenseinatremulousvoice，andlookingpalefromhermiseries。
Hulot，sittingdown，tookhisdaughterroundthewaist，anddrewherdowntositonhisknee。”Well，mychild，”saidhe，kissingherforehead，”sotherearetroublesathome，andyouhavebeenhastyandheadstrong？Thatisnotlikeawell-bredchild。MyHortenseoughtnottohavetakensuchadecisivestepasthatofleavingherhouseanddesertingherhusbandonherownaccount，andwithoutconsultingherparents。Ifmydarlinggirlhadcometoseeherkindandadmirablemother，shewouldnothavegivenmethiscruelpainIfeel！——Youdonotknowtheworld；itismalignantlyspiteful。Peoplewillperhapssaythatyourhusbandsentyoubacktoyourparents。Childrenbroughtupasyouwere，onyourmother’slap，remainartless；maidenlypassionlikeyoursforWenceslas，unfortunately，makesnoallowances；itactsoneveryimpulse。Thelittleheartismoved，theheadfollowssuit。YouwouldburndownParistoberevenged，withnothoughtofthecourtsofjustice！”Whenyouroldfathertellsyouthatyouhaveoutragedtheproprieties，youmaytakehiswordforit——Isaynothingofthecruelpainyouhavegivenme。Itisbitter，Iassureyou，foryouthrowalltheblameonawomanofwhoseheartyouknownothing，andwhosehostilitymaybecomedisastrous。Andyou，alas！sofullofguilelessinnocenceandpurity，canhavenosuspicions；butyoumaybevilifiedandslandered——Besides，mydarlingpet，youhavetakenafoolishjesttooseriously。Icanassureyou，onmyhonor，thatyourhusbandisblameless。MadameMarneffe——”
SofartheBaron，artisticallydiplomatic，hadformulatedhisremonstrancesveryjudiciously。Hehad，asmaybeobserved，workeduptothementionofthisnamewithsuperiorskill；andyetHortense，assheheardit，wincedasifstungtothequick。”Listentome；Ihavehadgreatexperience，andIhaveseenmuch，”hewenton，stoppinghisdaughter’sattempttospeak。”Thatladyisverycoldtoyourhusband。Yes，youhavebeenmadethevictimofapracticaljoke，andIwillproveittoyou。YesterdayWenceslaswasdiningwithher——””Diningwithher！”criedtheyoungwife，startingtoherfeet，andlookingatherfatherwithhorrorineveryfeature。”Yesterday！Afterhavinghadmyletter！Oh，greatGod！——WhydidInottaketheveilratherthanmarry？Butnowmylifeisnotmyown！Ihavethechild！”
andshesobbed。
HerweepingwenttoMadameHulot’sheart。Shecameoutofherroomandrantoherdaughter，takingherinherarms，andaskingherthosequestions，stupidwithgrief，whichfirstrosetoherlips。”Nowwehavetears，”saidtheBarontohimself，”andallwasgoingsowell！Whatistobedonewithwomenwhocry？””Mychild，”saidtheBaroness，”listentoyourfather！Helovesusall——come，come——””Come，Hortense，mydearlittlegirl，crynomore，youmakeyourselftoougly！”saidtheBaron，”Now，bealittlereasonable。Gosensiblyhome，andIpromiseyouthatWenceslasshallneversetfootinthatwoman’shouse。Iaskyoutomakethesacrifice，ifitisasacrificetoforgivethehusbandyoulovesosmallafault。Iaskyou——forthesakeofmygrayhairs，andoftheloveyouoweyourmother。Youdonotwanttoblightmylateryearswithbitternessandregret？”
Hortensefellatherfather’sfeetlikeacrazedthing，withthevehemenceofdespair；herhair，looselypinnedup，fellabouther，andsheheldoutherhandswithanexpressionthatpaintedhermisery。”Father，”shesaid，”askmylife！Takeitifyouwill，butatleasttakeitpureandspotless，andIwillyielditupgladly。Donotaskmetodieindishonorandcrime。Iamnotatalllikemyhusband；I
cannotswallowanoutrage。IfIwentbackundermyhusband’sroof，I
shouldbecapableofsmotheringhiminafitofjealousy——orofdoingworse！Donoexactfrommeathingthatisbeyondmypowers。Donothavetomournformestillliving，fortheleastthatcanbefallmeistogomad。Ifeelmadnesscloseuponme！”Yesterday，yesterday，hecoulddinewiththatwoman，afterhavingreadmyletter？——Areothermenmadeso？MylifeIgiveyou，butdonotletmydeathbeignominious！——Hisfault？——Asmallone！Whenhehasachildbythatwoman！””Achild！”criedHulot，startingbackasteportwo。”Come。Thisisreallysomefooling。”
AtthisjunctureVictorinandLisbetharrived，andstooddumfoundedatthescene。Thedaughterwasprostrateatherfather’sfeet。TheBaroness，speechlessbetweenhermaternalfeelingsandherconjugalduty，showedaharassedfacebathedintears。”Lisbeth，”saidtheBaron，seizinghiscousinbythehandandpointingtoHortense，”youcanhelpmehere。Mypoorchild’sbrainisturned；
shebelievesthatherWenceslasisMadameMarneffe’slover，whileallthatValeriewantedwastohaveagroupbyhim。””/Delilah/！”criedtheyoungwife。”Theonlythinghehasdonesinceourmarriage。Themanwouldnotworkformeorforhisson，andhehasworkedwithfrenzyforthatgood-for-nothingcreature——Oh，father，killmeoutright，foreverywordstabslikeaknife！”
LisbethturnedtotheBaronessandVictorin，pointingwithapityingshrugtotheBaron，whocouldnotseeher。”Listentome，”saidshetohim。”Ihadnoidea——whenyouaskedmetogotolodgeoverMadameMarneffeandkeephouseforher——Ihadnoideaofwhatshewas；butmanythingsmaybelearnedinthreeyears。Thatcreatureisaprostitute，andonewhosedepravitycanonlybecomparedwiththatofherinfamousandhorriblehusband。Youarethedupe，mylordpot-boiler，ofthosepeople；youwillbeledfurtherbythemthanyoudreamof！Ispeakplainly，foryouareatthebottomofapit。”
TheBaronessandherdaughter，hearingLisbethspeakinthisstyle，castadoringlooksather，suchasthedevoutcastataMadonnaforhavingsavedtheirlife。”Thathorriblewomanwasbentondestroyingyourson-in-law’shome。Towhatend？——Iknownot。Mybrainisnotequaltoseeingclearlyintothesedarkintrigues——perverse，ignoble，infamous！YourMadameMarneffedoesnotloveyourson-in-law，butshewillhavehimatherfeetoutofrevenge。Ihavejustspokentothewretchedwomanasshedeserves。Sheisashamelesscourtesan；IhavetoldherthatIamleavingherhouse，thatIwouldnothavemyhonorsmirchedinthatmuck-heap——Iowemyselftomyfamilybeforeallelse。”IknewthatHortensehadleftherhusband，sohereIam。YourValerie，whomyoubelievetobeasaint，isthecauseofthismiserableseparation；canIremainwithsuchawoman？OurpoorlittleHortense，”saidshe，touchingtheBaron’sarm，withpeculiarmeaning，”isperhapsthedupeofawishofsuchwomenasthese，who，topossessatoy，wouldsacrificeafamily。”IdonotthinkWenceslasguilty；butIthinkhimweak，andIcannotpromisethathewillnotyieldtoherrefinementsoftemptation——Mymindismadeup。Thewomanisfataltoyou；shewillbringyoualltoutterruin。Iwillnotevenseemtobeconcernedinthedestructionofmyownfamily，afterlivingthereforthreeyearssolelytohinderit。”Youarecheated，Baron；sayverypositivelythatyouwillhavenothingtosaytothepromotionofthatdreadfulMarneffe，andyouwillseethen！Thereisafinerodinpickleforyouinthatcase。”
LisbethliftedupHortenseandkissedherenthusiastically。”MydearHortense，standfirm，”shewhispered。
TheBaronessembracedLisbethwiththevehemenceofawomanwhoseesherselfavenged。Thewholefamilystoodinperfectsilenceroundthefather，whohadwitenoughtoknowwhatthatsilenceimplied。Astormoffurysweptacrosshisbrowandfacewithevidentsigns；theveinsswelled，hiseyeswerebloodshot，hisfleshshowedpatchesofcolor。
Adelinefellonherkneesbeforehimandseizedhishands。”Mydear，forgive，mydear！””Youloatheme！”criedtheBaron——thecryofhisconscience。
Forweallknowthesecretofourownwrong-doing。Wealmostalwaysascribetoourvictimsthehatefulfeelingswhichmustfillthemwiththehopeofrevenge；andinspiteofeveryeffortofhypocrisy，ourtongueorourfacemakesconfessionundertherackofsomeunexpectedanguish，asthecriminalofoldconfessedunderthehandsofthetorturer。”Ourchildren，”hewenton，toretracttheavowal，”turnatlasttobeourenemies——””Father！”Victorinbegan。”Youdaretointerruptyourfather！”saidtheBaroninavoiceofthunder，glaringathisson。”Father，listentome，”Victorinwentoninaclear，firmvoice，thevoiceofapuritanicaldeputy。”IknowtherespectIoweyoutoowellevertofailinit，andyouwillalwaysfindmethemostrespectfulandsubmissiveofsons。”
ThosewhoareinthehabitofattendingthesittingsoftheChamberwillrecognizethetacticsofparliamentarywarfareinthesefine-
drawnphrases，usedtocalmthefactionswhilegainingtime。”Wearefarfrombeingyourenemies，”hissonwenton。”Ihavequarreledwithmyfather-in-law，MonsieurCrevel，forhavingrescuedyournotesofhandforsixtythousandfrancsfromVauvinet，andthatmoneyis，beyonddoubt，inMadameMarneffe’spocket——Iamnotfindingfaultwithyou，father，”saidhe，inreplytoanimpatientgestureoftheBaron’s；”IsimplywishtoaddmyprotesttomycousinLisbeth’s，andtopointouttoyouthatthoughmydevotiontoyouasafatherisblindandunlimited，mydearfather，ourpecuniaryresources，unfortunately，areverylimited。””Money！”criedtheexcitableoldman，droppingontoachair，quitecrushedbythisargument。”Frommyson！——Youshallberepaidyourmoney，sir，”saidhe，rising，andhewenttothedoor。”Hector！”
AtthiscrytheBaronturnedround，suddenlyshowinghiswifeafacebathedintears；shethrewherarmsroundhimwiththestrengthofdespair。”Donotleaveusthus——donotgoawayinanger。Ihavenotsaidaword——notI！”
Atthisheart-wrungspeechthechildrenfellattheirfather’sfeet。”Weallloveyou，”saidHortense。
Lisbeth，asrigidasastatue，watchedthegroupwithasuperiorsmileonherlips。JustthenMarshalHulot’svoicewasheardintheanteroom。Thefamilyallfelttheimportanceofsecrecy，andthescenesuddenlychanged。Theyoungpeoplerose，andeveryonetriedtohidealltracesofemotion。
AdiscussionwasgoingonatthedoorbetweenMarietteandasoldier，whowassopersistentthatthecookcamein。”Monsieur，aregimentalquartermaster，whosaysheisjustcomefromAlgiers，insistsonseeingyou。””Tellhimtowait。””Monsieur，”saidMariettetohermasterinanundertone，”hetoldmetotellyouprivatelythatithastodowithyourunclethere。”
TheBaronstarted；hebelievedthatthefundshadbeensentatlastwhichhehadbeenaskingforthesetwomonths，topayuphisbills；heleftthefamily-party，andhurriedouttotheanteroom。”YouareMonsieurdeParonHulot？””Yes。””Yourownself？””Myownself。”
Theman，whohadbeenfumblingmeanwhileintheliningofhiscap，drewoutaletter，ofwhichtheBaronhastilybroketheseal，andreadasfollows：——”DEARNEPHEW，——Farfrombeingabletosendyouthehundredthousandfrancsyouaskofme，mypresentpositionisnottenableunlessyoucantakesomedecisivestepstosaveme。Wearesaddledwithapublicprosecutorwhotalksgoody，andrhodomontadesnonsenseaboutthemanagement。Itisimpossibletogettheblack-
chokeredpumptoholdhistongue。IftheWarMinisterallowscivilianstofeedoutofhishand，Iamdonefor。Icantrustthebearer；trytogethimpromoted；hehasdoneusgoodservice。Donotabandonmetothecrows！”
Thisletterwasathunderbolt；theBaroncouldreadinittheintestinewarfarebetweencivilandmilitaryauthorities，whichtothisdayhamperstheGovernment，andhewasrequiredtoinventonthespotsomepalliativeforthedifficultythatstaredhimintheface。
Hedesiredthesoldiertocomebacknextday，dismissinghimwithsplendidpromisesofpromotion，andhereturnedtothedrawing-room。”Good-dayandgood-bye，brother，”saidhetotheMarshal——”Good-bye，children——Good-bye，mydearAdeline——Andwhatareyougoingtodo，Lisbeth？”heasked。”I？——IamgoingtokeephousefortheMarshal，forImustendmydaysdoingwhatIcanforoneoranotherofyou。””DonotleaveValerietillIhaveseenyouagain，”saidHulotinhiscousin’sear——”Good-bye，Hortense，refractorylittlepuss；trytobereasonable。Ihaveimportantbusinesstobeattendedtoatonce；wewilldiscussyourreconciliationanothertime。Now，thinkitover，mychild，”saidheashekissedher。
Andhewentaway，soevidentlyuneasy，thathiswifeandchildrenfeltthegravestapprehensions。”Lisbeth，”saidtheBaroness，”ImustfindoutwhatiswrongwithHector；Ineversawhiminsuchastate。Stayadayortwolongerwiththatwoman；hetellshereverything，andwecanthenlearnwhathassosuddenlyupsethim。Bequiteeasy；wewillarrangeyourmarriagetotheMarshal，foritisreallynecessary。””Ishallneverforgetthecourageyouhaveshownthismorning，”saidHortense，embracingLisbeth。”Youhaveavengedourpoormother，”saidVictorin。
TheMarshallookedonwithcuriosityatallthedisplayofaffectionlavishedonLisbeth，whowentofftoreportthescenetoValerie。
ThissketchwillenableguilelesssoulstounderstandwhatvariousmischiefMadameMarneffesmaydoinafamily，andthemeansbywhichtheyreachpoorvirtuouswivesapparentlysofaroutoftheirken。Andthen，ifweonlytransfer，infancy，suchdoingstotheupperclassofsocietyaboutathrone，andifweconsiderwhatkings’mistressesmusthavecostthem，wemayestimatethedebtowedbyanationtoasovereignwhosetstheexampleofadecentanddomesticlife。
InPariseachministryisalittletownbyitself，whencewomenarebanished；butthereisjustasmuchdetractionandscandalasthoughthefemininepopulationwereadmittedthere。Attheendofthreeyears，MonsieurMarneffe’spositionwasperfectlyclearandopentotheday，andineveryroomoneandanotherasked，”IsMarneffetobe，ornottobe，Coquet’ssuccessor？”ExactlyasthequestionmighthavebeenputtotheChamber，”Willtheestimatespassornotpass？”ThesmallestinitiativeonthepartoftheboardofManagementwascommentedon；everythinginBaronHulot’sdepartmentwascarefullynoted。TheastuteStateCouncillorhadenlistedonhissidethevictimofMarneffe’spromotion，ahard-workingclerk，tellinghimthatifhecouldfillMarneffe’splace，hewouldcertainlysucceedtoit；hehadtoldhimthatthemanwasdying。SothisclerkwasschemingforMarneffe’sadvancement。
WhenHulotwentthroughhisanteroom，fullofvisitors，hesawMarneffe’scolorlessfaceinacorner，andsentforhimbeforeanyoneelse。”Whatdoyouwantofme，mydearfellow？”saidtheBaron，disguisinghisanxiety。”MonsieurleDirecteur，Iamthelaughing-stockoftheoffice，forithasbecomeknownthatthechiefoftheclerkshasleftthismorningforaholiday，onthegroundofhishealth。Heistobeawayamonth。
Now，weallknowwhatwaitingforamonthmeans。Youdelivermeovertothemockeryofmyenemies，anditisbadenoughtobedrummedupononeside；drummingonbothatonce，monsieur，isapttoburstthedrum。””MydearMarneffe，ittakeslongpatiencetogainanend。Youcannotbemadehead-clerkinlessthantwomonths，ifever。JustwhenImust，asfaraspossible，securemyownposition，isnotthetimetobeapplyingforyourpromotion，whichwouldraiseascandal。””Ifyouarebroke，Ishallnevergetit，”saidMarneffecoolly。”Andifyougetmetheplace，itwillmakenodifferenceintheend。””ThenIamtosacrificemyselfforyou？”saidtheBaron。”Ifyoudonot，Ishallbemuchmistakeninyou。””YouaretooexclusivelyMarneffe，MonsieurMarneffe，”saidHulot，risingandshowingtheclerkthedoor。”Ihavethehonortowishyougood-morning，MonsieurleBaron，”saidMarneffehumbly。”Whataninfamousrascal！”thoughttheBaron。”Thisisuncommonlylikeasummonstopaywithintwenty-fourhoursonpainofdistraint。”
Twohourslater，justwhentheBaronhadbeeninstructingClaudeVignon，whomhewassendingtotheMinistryofJusticetoobtaininformationastothejudicialauthoritiesunderwhosejurisdictionJohannFischermightfall，Reineopenedthedoorofhisprivateroomandgavehimanote，sayingshewouldwaitfortheanswer。”Valerieismad！”saidtheBarontohimself。”TosendReine！Itisenoughtocompromiseusall，anditcertainlycompromisesthatdreadfulMarneffe’schancesofpromotion！”
Buthedismissedtheminister’sprivatesecretary，andreadasfollows：——”Oh，mydearfriend，whatasceneIhavehadtoendure！Thoughyouhavemademehappyforthreeyears，Ihavepaiddearlyforit！Hecameinfromtheofficeinaragethatmademequake。Iknewhewasugly；Ihaveseenhimamonster！Hisfourrealteethchattered，andhethreatenedmewithhisodiouspresencewithoutrespiteifIshouldcontinuetoreceiveyou。Mypoor，dearoldboy，ourdoorisclosedagainstyouhenceforth。Youseemytears；
theyaredroppingonthepaperandsoakingit；canyoureadwhatI
write，dearHector？Oh，tothinkofneverseeingyou，ofgivingyouupwhenIbearinmesomeofyourlife，asIflattermyselfI
haveyourheart——itisenoughtokillme。ThinkofourlittleHector！”Donotforsakeme，butdonotdisgraceyourselfforMarneffe’ssake；donotyieldtohisthreats。”IloveyouasIhaveneverloved！IrememberallthesacrificesyouhavemadeforyourValerie；sheisnot，andneverwillbe，ungrateful；youare，andwilleverbe，myonlyhusband。ThinknomoreofthetwelvehundredfrancsayearIaskedyoutosettleonthedearlittleHectorwhoistocomesomemonthshence；Iwillnotcostyouanythingmore。Andbesides，mymoneywillalwaysbeyours。”Oh，ifyouonlylovedmeasIloveyou，myHector，youwouldretireonyourpension；weshouldbothtakeleaveofourfamily，ourworries，oursurroundings，sofullofhatred，andweshouldgotolivewithLisbethinsomeprettycountryplace——inBrittany，orwhereveryoulike。Thereweshouldseenobody，andweshouldbehappyawayfromtheworld。YourpensionandthelittlepropertyI
cancallmyownwouldbeenoughforus。Yousayyouarejealous；
well，youwouldthenhaveyourValerieentirelydevotedtoherHector，andyouwouldneverhavetotalkinaloudvoice，asyoudidtheotherday。Ishallhavebutonechild——ours——youmaybesure，mydearlylovedoldveteran。”Youcannotconceiveofmyfury，foryoucannotknowhowhetreatedme，andthefoulwordshevomitedonyourValerie。Suchwordswoulddisgracemypaper；awomansuchasIam——Montcornet’sdaughter——oughtnevertohaveheardoneoftheminherlife。I
onlywishyouhadbeenthere，thatImighthavepunishedhimwiththesightofthemadpassionIfeltforyou。Myfatherwouldhavekilledthewretch；Icanonlydoaswomendo——loveyoudevotedly！
Indeed，mylove，inthestateofexasperationinwhichIam，I
cannotpossiblygiveupseeingyou。Imustpositivelyseeyou，insecret，everyday！Thatiswhatweare，wewomen。Yourresentmentismine。Ifyouloveme，Iimploreyou，donotlethimbepromoted；leavehimtodieasecond-classclerk。”AtthismomentIhavelostmyhead；Istillseemtohearhimabusingme。Betty，whohadmeanttoleaveme，haspityonme，andwillstayforafewdays。”Mydearkindlove，Idonotknowyetwhatistobedone。Iseenothingforitbutflight。Ialwaysdelightinthecountry——
Brittany，Languedoc，whatyouwill，solongasIamfreetoloveyou。Poordear，howIpityyou！ForcednowtogobacktoyouroldAdeline，tothatlachrymalurn——for，ashenodoubttoldyou，themonstermeanstowatchmenightandday；hespokeofadetective！
Donotcomehere，heiscapableofanythingIknow，sincehecouldmakeuseofmeforthebasestpurposesofspeculation。IonlywishIcouldreturnyouallthethingsIhavereceivedfromyourgenerosity。”Ah！mykindHector，Imayhaveflirted，andhaveseemedtoyoutobefickle，butyoudidnotknowyourValerie；shelikedtoteaseyou，butshelovesyoubetterthananyoneintheworld。”Hecannotpreventyourcomingtoseeyourcousin；Iwillarrangewithherthatwehavespeechwitheachother。Mydearoldboy，writemejustaline，pray，tocomfortmeintheabsenceofyourdearself。Oh，Iwouldgiveoneofmyhandstohaveyoubymeonoursofa！Aletterwillworklikeacharm；writemesomethingfullofyournoblesoul；Iwillreturnyournotetoyou，forI
mustbecautious；Ishouldnotknowwheretohideit，hepokeshisnoseineverywhere。Inshort，comfortyourValerie，yourlittlewife，themotherofyourchild——Tothinkofmyhavingtowritetoyou，whenIusedtoseeyoueveryday。AsIsaytoLisbeth，’IdidnotknowhowhappyIwas。’Athousandkisses，dearboy。Betruetoyour”VALERIE。””Andtears！”saidHulottohimselfashefinishedthisletter，”tearswhichhaveblottedouthername——Howisshe？”saidhetoReine。”Madameisinbed；shehasdreadfulspasms，”repliedReine。”Shehadafitofhystericsthattwistedherlikeawithyroundafaggot。Itcameonafterwriting。Itcomesofcryingsomuch。Sheheardmonsieur’svoiceonthestairs。”
TheBaroninhisdistresswrotethefollowingnoteonofficepaperwithaprintedheading：——”Bequiteeasy，myangel，hewilldieasecond-classclerk！——Yourideaisadmirable；wewillgoandlivefarfromParis，whereweshallbehappywithourlittleHector；Iwillretireonmypension，andIshallbesuretofindsomegoodappointmentonarailway。”Ah，mysweetfriend，Ifeelsomuchtheyoungerforyourletter！
Ishallbeginlifeagainandmakeafortune，youwillsee，forourdearlittleone。AsIreadyourletter，athousandtimesmoreardentthanthoseofthe/NouvelleHeloise/，itworkedamiracle！
IhadnotbelieveditpossiblethatIcouldloveyoumore。Thisevening，atLisbeth’syouwillsee”YOURHECTOR，FORLIFE。”
Reinecarriedoffthisreply，thefirstlettertheBaronhadwrittentohis”sweetfriend。”Suchemotionstosomeextentcounterbalancedthedisastersgrowlinginthedistance；buttheBaron，atthismomentbelievinghecouldcertainlyaverttheblowsaimedathisuncle，JohannFischer，thoughtonlyofthedeficit。
OneofthecharacteristicsoftheBonapartisttemperamentisafirmbeliefinthepowerofthesword，andconfidenceinthesuperiorityofthemilitaryovercivilians。HulotlaughedtoscornthePublicProsecutorinAlgiers，wheretheWarOfficeissupreme。Manisalwayswhathehasoncebeen。HowcantheofficersoftheImperialGuardforgetthattimewaswhenthemayorsofthelargesttownsintheEmpireandtheEmperor’sprefects，Emperorsthemselvesonaminutescale，wouldcomeouttomeettheImperialGuard，topaytheirrespectsonthebordersoftheDepartmentsthroughwhichitpassed，andtodoit，inshort，thehomageduetosovereigns？
Athalf-pastfourthebaronwentstraighttoMadameMarneffe’s；hisheartbeatashighasayoungman’sashewentupstairs，forhewasaskinghimselfthisquestion，”ShallIseeher？orshallInot？”
Howwashenowtorememberthesceneofthemorningwhenhisweepingchildrenhadkneltathisfeet？Valerie’snote，enshrinedforeverinathinpocket-bookoverhisheart，provedtohimthatshelovedhimmorethanthemostcharmingofyoungmen。
Havingrung，theunhappyvisitorheardwithintheshufflingslippersandvexatiousscrapingcoughofthedetestablemaster。Marneffeopenedthedoor，butonlytoputhimselfintoanattitudeandpointtothestairs，exactlyasHulothadshownhimthedoorofhisprivateroom。”YouaretooexclusivelyHulot，MonsieurHulot！”saidhe。
TheBarontriedtopasshim，Marneffetookapistoloutofhispocketandcockedit。”MonsieurleBaron，”saidhe，”whenamanisasvileasIam——foryouthinkmeveryvile，don’tyou？——hewouldbethemeanestgalley-slaveifhedidnotgetthefullbenefitofhisbetrayedhonor——Youareforwar；itwillbehotworkandnoquarter。Comeherenomore，anddonotattempttogetpastme。Ihavegiventhepolicenoticeofmypositionwithregardtoyou。”
AndtakingadvantageofHulot’samazement，hepushedhimoutandshutthedoor。”Whatalowscoundrel！”saidHulottohimself，ashewentupstairstoLisbeth。”Iunderstandherletternow。ValerieandIwillgoawayfromParis。Valerieiswhollyminefortheremainderofmydays；shewillclosemyeyes。”
Lisbethwasout。MadameOliviertoldtheBaronthatshehadgonetohiswife’shouse，thinkingthatshewouldfindhimthere。”Poorthing！Ishouldneverhaveexpectedhertobesosharpasshewasthismorning，”thoughtHulot，recallingLisbeth’sbehaviorashemadehiswayfromtheRueVanneautotheRuePlumet。
AsheturnedthecorneroftheRueVanneauandtheRuedeBabylone，helookedbackattheEdenwhenceHymenhadexpelledhimwiththeswordofthelaw。Valerie，atherwindow，waswatchinghisdeparture；asheglancedup，shewavedherhandkerchief，buttherascallyMarneffehithiswife’scapanddraggedherviolentlyawayfromthewindow。Atearrosetothegreatofficial’seye。”Oh！tobesowellloved！Toseeawomansoillused，andtobesonearlyseventyyearsold！”thoughthe。
Lisbethhadcometogivethefamilythegoodnews。AdelineandHortensehadalreadyheardthattheBaron，notchoosingtocompromisehimselfintheeyesofthewholeofficebyappointingMarneffetothefirstclass，wouldbeturnedfromthedoorbytheHulot-hatinghusband。Adeline，veryhappy，hadorderedadinnerthatherHectorwastolikebetterthananyofValerie’s；andLisbeth，inherdevotion，washelpingMariettetoachievethisdifficultresult。CousinBettywastheidolofthehour。Motheranddaughterkissedherhands，andhadtoldherwithtouchingdelightthattheMarshalconsentedtohaveherashishousekeeper。”Andfromthat，mydear，thereisbutonesteptobecominghiswife！”
saidAdeline。”Infact，hedidnotsaynowhenVictorinmentionedit，”addedtheCountess。
TheBaronwaswelcomedhomewithsuchcharmingproofsofaffection，sopatheticallyoverflowingwithlove，thathewasfaintoconcealhistroubles。
MarshalHulotcametodinner。Afterdinner，Hectordidnotgoout。
Victorinandhiswifejoinedthem，andtheymadeuparubber。”Itisalongtime，Hector，saidtheMarshalgravely，”sinceyougaveusthetreatofsuchanevening。”
Thisspeechfromtheoldsoldier，whospoiledhisbrotherthoughhethusimplicitlyblamedhim，madeadeepimpression。Itshowedhowwideanddeepwerethewoundsinaheartwhereallthewoeshehaddivinedhadfoundanecho。Ateighto’clocktheBaroninsistedonseeingLisbethhome，promisingtoreturn。”Doyouknow，Lisbeth，heill-treatsher！”saidheinthestreet。”Oh，Ineverlovedhersowell！””IneverimaginedthatValerielovedyousowell，”repliedLisbeth。”Sheisfrivolousandacoquette，shelovestohaveattentionspaidher，andtohavethecomedyoflove-makingperformedforher，asshesays；butyouareheronlyrealattachment。””Whatmessagedidshesendme？””Why，this，”saidLisbeth。”Shehas，asyouknow，beenonintimatetermswithCrevel。Youmustowehernogrudge，forthat，infact，iswhathasraisedheraboveutterpovertyfortherestofherlife；butshedetestshim，andmattersarenearlyatanend——Well，shehaskeptthekeyofsomerooms——””RueduDauphin！”criedthethrice-blestBaron。”Ifitwereforthatalone，IwouldoverlookCrevel——Ihavebeenthere；Iknow。””Here，then，isthekey，”saidLisbeth。”Haveanothermadefromitinthecourseofto-morrow——twoifyoucan。””Andthen，”saidHuloteagerly。”Well，Iwilldineatyourhouseagainto-morrow；youmustgivemebackValerie’skey，foroldCrevelmightaskhertoreturnittohim，andyoucanmeethertherethedayafter；thenyoucandecidewhatyourfactsaretobe。Youwillbequitesafe，astherearetwowaysout。IfbychanceCrevel，whois/Regence/inhishabits，asheisfondofsaying，shouldcomeinbythesidestreet，youcouldgooutthroughtheshop，or/viceversa/。”Youoweallthistome，youoldvillain；nowwhatwillyoudoforme？””Whateveryouwant。””Thenyouwillnotopposemymarryingyourbrother？””You！theMarechaleHulot，theComtessedeFrozheim？”criedHector，startled。”Well，AdelineisaBaroness！”retortedBettyinaviciousandformidabletone。”Listentome，youoldlibertine。Youknowhowmattersstand；yourfamilymayfinditselfstarvinginthegutter——””ThatiswhatIdread，”saidHulotindismay。”Andifyourbrotherweretodie，whowouldmaintainyourwifeanddaughter？ThewidowofaMarshalgetsatleastsixthousandfrancspension，doesn’tshe？Well，then，Iwishtomarrytosecurebreadforyourwifeanddaughter——olddotard！””Ihadnotseenitinthatlight！”saidtheBaron。”Iwilltalktomybrother——forwearesureofyou——Tellmyangelthatmylifeishers。”
AndtheBaron，havingseenLisbethgointothehouseintheRueVanneau，wentbacktohiswhistandstayedathome。TheBaronesswasattheheightofhappiness；herhusbandseemedtobereturningtodomestichabits；foraboutafortnighthewenttohisofficeatnineeverymorning，hecameintodinneratsix，andspenttheeveningwithhisfamily。HetwicetookAdelineandHortensetotheplay。Themotheranddaughterpaidforthreethanksgivingmasses，andprayedtoGodtosufferthemtokeepthehusbandandfatherHehadrestoredtothem。
OneeveningVictorinHulot，seeinghisfatherretireforthenight，saidtohismother：”Well，weareatanyratesofarhappythatmyfatherhascomebacktous。MywifeandIshallneverregretourcapitalifonlythislasts——””Yourfatherisnearlyseventy，”saidtheBaroness。”HestillthinksofMadameMarneffe，thatIcansee；buthewillforgetherintime。A
passionforwomenisnotlikegambling，orspeculation，oravarice；
thereisanendtoit。”
ButAdeline，stillbeautifulinspiteofherfiftyyearsandhersorrows，inthiswasmistaken。Profligates，menwhomNaturehasgiftedwiththepreciouspoweroflovingbeyondthelimitsordinarilysettolove，rarelyareasoldastheirage。
DuringthisrelapseintovirtueBaronHulothadbeenthreetimestotheRueduDauphin，andhadcertainlynotbeenthemanofseventy。Hisrekindledpassionmadehimyoungagain，andhewouldhavesacrificedhishonortoValerie，hisfamily，hisall，withoutaregret。ButValerie，nowcompletelyaltered，nevermentionedmoney，noteventhetwelvehundredfrancsayeartobesettledontheirson；onthecontrary，sheofferedhimmoney，shelovedHulotasawomanofsix-
and-thirtylovesahandsomelaw-student——apoor，poetical，ardentboy。
AndthehaplesswifefanciedshehadreconqueredherdearHector！
Thefourthmeetingbetweenthiscouplehadbeenagreeduponattheendofthethird，exactlyasformerlyinItaliantheatrestheplaywasannouncedforthenextnight。Thehourfixedwasnineinthemorning。
Onthenextdaywhenthehappinesswasdueforwhichtheamorousoldmanhadresignedhimselftodomesticrules，atabouteightinthemorning，ReinecameandaskedtoseetheBaron。Hulot，fearingsomecatastrophe，wentouttospeakwithReine，whowouldnotcomeintotheanteroom。Thefaithfulwaiting-maidgavehimthefollowingnote：——”DEAROLDMAN，——DonotgototheRueduDauphin。Ourincubusisill，andImustnursehim；butbetherethiseveningatnine。
CrevelisatCorbeilwithMonsieurLebas；soIamsurehewillbringnoprincesstohislittlepalace。IhavemadearrangementsheretobefreeforthenightandgetbackbeforeMarneffeisawake。Answermeastoallthis，forperhapsyourlongelegyofawifenolongerallowsyouyourlibertyasshedid。Iamtoldsheisstillsohandsomethatyoumightplaymefalse，youaresuchagaydog！Burnthisnote；Iamsuspiciousofeveryone。”
Hulotwrotethisscrapinreply：”MYLOVE，——AsIhavetoldyou，mywifehasnotforfive-and-twentyyearsinterferedwithmypleasures。ForyouIwouldgiveupahundredAdelines——IwillbeintheCrevelsanctumatninethiseveningawaitingmydivinity。Ohthatyourclerkmightsoondie！
Weshouldpartnomore。Andthisisthedearestwishof”YOURHECTOR。”
ThateveningtheBarontoldhiswifethathehadbusinesswiththeMinisteratSaint-Cloud，thathewouldcomehomeataboutfourorfiveinthemorning；andhewenttotheRueduDauphin。ItwastowardstheendofthemonthofJune。
Fewmenhaveinthecourseoftheirlifeknownreallythedreadfulsensationofgoingtotheirdeath；thosewhohavereturnedfromthefootofthescaffoldmaybeeasilycounted。Butsomehavehadavividexperienceofitindreams；theyhavegonethroughitall，tothesensationoftheknifeattheirthroat，atthemomentwhenwakinganddaylightcometoreleasethem——Well，thesensationtowhichtheCouncillorofStatewasavictimatfiveinthemorninginCrevel’shandsomeandelegantbed，wasimmeasurablyworsethanthatoffeelinghimselfboundtothefatalblockinthepresenceoftenthousandspectatorslookingatyouwithtwentythousandsparksoffire。
Valeriewasasleepinagracefulattitude。Shewaslovely，asawomaniswhoislovelyenoughtolooksoeveninsleep。Itisartinvadingnature；inshort，alivingpicture。
InhishorizontalpositiontheBaron’seyeswerebutthreefeetabovethefloor。Hisgaze，wanderingidly，asthatofamanwhoisjustawakeandcollectinghisideas，fellonadoorpaintedwithflowersbyJan，anartistdisdainfuloffame。TheBarondidnotindeedseetwentythousandflamingeyes，likethemancondemnedtodeath；hesawbutone，ofwhichtheshaftwasreallymorepiercingthanthethousandsonthePublicSquare。
Nowthissensation，farrarerinthemidstofenjoymenteventhanthatofamancondemnedtodeath，wasoneforwhichmanyaspleneticEnglishmanwouldcertainlypayahighprice。TheBaronlaythere，horizontalstill，andliterallybathedincoldsweat。Hetriedtodoubtthefact；butthismurderouseyehadavoice。Asoundofwhisperingwasheardthroughthedoor。”SolongasitisnobodybutCrevelplayingatrickonme！”saidtheBarontohimself，onlytoocertainofanintruderinthetemple。
Thedoorwasopened。TheMajestyoftheFrenchLaw，whichinalldocumentsfollowsnexttotheKing，becamevisibleinthepersonofaworthylittlepolice-officersupportedbyatallJusticeofthePeace，bothshowninbyMonsieurMarneffe。Thepolicefunctionary，rootedinshoesofwhichthestrapsweretiedtogetherwithflappingbows，endedattopinayellowskullalmostbareofhair，andafacebetrayinghimasawide-awake，cheerful，andcunningdog，fromwhomParislifehadnosecrets。Hiseyes，thoughgarnishedwithspectacles，piercedtheglasseswithakeenmockingglance。TheJusticeofthePeace，aretiredattorney，andanoldadmirerofthefairsex，enviedthedelinquent。”Prayexcusethestrongmeasuresrequiredbyouroffice，MonsieurleBaron！”saidtheconstable；”weareactingfortheplaintiff。TheJusticeofthePeaceisheretoauthorizethevisitationofthepremises——Iknowwhoyouare，andwhotheladyiswhoisaccused。”
Valerieopenedherastonishedeyes，gavesuchashriekasactressesusetodepictmadnessonthestage，writhedinconvulsionsonthebed，likeawitchoftheMiddleAgesinhersulphur-coloredfrockonabedoffaggots。”Death，andIamready！mydearHector——butapolicecourt？——Oh！
never。”
Withoneboundshepassedthethreespectatorsandcrouchedunderthelittlewriting-table，hidingherfaceinherhands。”Ruin！Death！”shecried。”Monsieur，”saidMarneffetoHulot，”ifMadameMarneffegoesmad，youareworsethanaprofligate；youwillbeamurderer。”
Whatcanamando，whatcanhesay，whenheisdiscoveredinabedwhichisnothis，evenonthescoreofhiring，withawomanwhoisnomorehisthanthebedis？——Well，this：”MonsieurtheJusticeofthePeace，MonsieurthePoliceOfficer，”saidtheBaronwithsomedignity，”begoodenoughtotakepropercareofthatunhappywoman，whosereasonseemstometobeindanger——Youcanharanguemeafterwards。Thedoorsarelocked，nodoubt；youneednotfearthatshewillgetaway，orIeither，seeingthecostumewewear。”
Thetwofunctionariesbowedtothemagnate’sinjunctions。”You，comehere，miserablecur！”saidHulotinalowvoicetoMarneffe，takinghimbythearmanddrawinghimcloser。”ItisnotI，butyou，whowillbethemurderer！Youwanttobehead-clerkofyourroomandofficeroftheLegionofHonor？””Thatinthefirstplace，Chief！”repliedMarneffe，withabow。”Youshallbeallthat，onlysootheyourwifeanddismissthesefellows。””Nay，nay！”saidMarneffeknowingly。”Thesegentlemenmustdrawuptheirreportaseyewitnessestothefact；withoutthat，thechiefevidenceinmycase，whereshouldIbe？Thehigherofficialranksarechokefulofrascalities。Youhavedonemeoutofmywife，andyouhavenotpromotedme，MonsieurleBaron；Igiveyouonlytwodaystogetoutofthescrape。Herearesomeletters——””Someletters！”interruptedHulot。”Yes；letterswhichprovethatyouarethefatherofthechildmywifeexpectstogivebirthto——Youunderstand？Andyououghttosettleonmysonasumequaltowhathewilllosethroughthisbastard。ButI
willbereasonable；thisdoesnotdistressme，Ihavenomaniaforpaternitymyself。Ahundredlouisayearwillsatisfyme。Byto-morrowImustbeMonsieurCoquet’ssuccessorandseemynameonthelistforpromotionintheLegionofHonorattheJulyfetes，orelse——thedocumentaryevidenceandmychargeagainstyouwillbelaidbeforetheBench。Iamnotsohardtodealwithafterall，yousee。””Blessme，andsuchaprettywoman！”saidtheJusticeofthePeacetothepoliceconstable。”Whatalosstotheworldifsheshouldgomad！””Sheisnotmad，”saidtheconstablesententiously。Thepoliceisalwaystheincarnationofscepticism——”MonsieurleBaronHulothasbeencaughtbyatrick，”headded，loudenoughforValerietohearhim。
Valerieshotaflashfromhereyewhichwouldhavekilledhimonthespotiflookscouldeffectthevengeancetheyexpress。Thepolice-
officersmiled；hehadlaidasnare，andthewomanhadfallenintoit。
Marneffedesiredhiswifetogointotheotherroomandclotheherselfdecently，forheandtheBaronhadcometoanagreementonallpoints，andHulotfetchedhisdressing-gownandcameoutagain。”Gentlemen，”saidhetothetwoofficials，”Ineednotimpressonyoutobesecret。”
Thefunctionariesbowed。
Thepolice-officerrappedtwiceonthedoor；hisclerkcamein，satdownatthe”bonheur-du-jour，”andwrotewhattheconstabledictatedtohiminanundertone。Valeriestillweptvehemently。Whenshewasdressed，Hulotwentintotheotherroomandputonhisclothes。
Meanwhilethereportwaswritten。
Marneffethenwantedtotakehiswifehome；butHulot，believingthathesawherforthelasttime，beggedthefavorofbeingallowedtospeakwithher。”Monsieur，yourwifehascostmedearenoughformetobeallowedtosaygood-byetoher——inthepresenceofyouall，ofcourse。”
ValeriewentuptoHulot，andhewhisperedinherear：”Thereisnothingleftforusbuttofly，buthowcanwecorrespond？
Wehavebeenbetrayed——””ThroughReine，”sheanswered。”Butmydearfriend，afterthisscandalwecannevermeetagain。Iamdisgraced。Besides，youwillheardreadfulthingsaboutme——youwillbelievethem——”
TheBaronmadeagestureofdenial。”Youwillbelievethem，andIcanthankGodforthat，forthenperhapsyouwillnotregretme。””Hewill/not/dieasecond-classclerk！”saidMarneffetoHulot，asheledhiswifeaway，sayingroughly，”Come，madame；ifIamfoolishtoyou，Idonotchoosetobeafooltoothers。”
Valerieleftthehouse，Crevel’sEden，withalastglanceattheBaron，socunningthathethoughtsheadoredhim。TheJusticeofthePeacegaveMadameMarneffehisarmtothehackneycoachwithaflourishofgallantry。TheBaron，whowasrequiredtowitnessthereport，remainedquitebewildered，alonewiththepolice-officer。WhentheBaronhadsigned，theofficerlookedathimkeenly，overhisglasses。”Youareverysweetonthelittlelady，MonsieurleBaron？””Tomysorrow，asyousee。””Supposethatshedoesnotcareforyou？”themanwenton，”thatsheisdeceivingyou？””Ihavelongknownthat，monsieur——here，inthisveryspot，MonsieurCrevelandItoldeachother——””Oh！ThenyouknewthatyouwereinMonsieurleMaire’sprivatesnuggery？””Perfectly。”
Theconstablelightlytouchedhishatwitharespectfulgesture。”Youareverymuchinlove，”saidhe。”Isaynomore。Irespectaninveteratepassion，asadoctorrespectsaninveteratecomplaint——I
sawMonsieurdeNucingen，thebanker，attackedinthesameway——””Heisafriendofmine，”saidtheBaron。”ManyatimehaveIsuppedwithhishandsomeEsther。Shewasworththetwomillionfrancsshecosthim。””Andmore，”saidtheofficer。”ThatcapriceoftheoldBaron’scostfourpersonstheirlives。Oh！suchpassionsasthesearelikethecholera！””Whathadyoutosaytome？”askedtheBaron，whotookthisindirectwarningveryill。”Oh！whyshouldIdepriveyouofyourillusions？”repliedtheofficer。”Menrarelyhaveanyleftatyourage！””Ridmeofthem！”criedtheCouncillor。”Youwillcursethephysicianlater，”repliedtheofficer，smiling。”Ibegofyou，monsieur。””Well，then，thatwomanwasincollusionwithherhusband。””Oh！——””Yes，sir，andsoitisintwocasesoutofeveryten。Oh！weknowitwell。””Whatproofhaveyouofsuchaconspiracy？””Inthefirstplace，thehusband！”saidtheother，withthecalmacumenofasurgeonpractisedinunbindingwounds。”Meanspeculationisstampedineverylineofthatvillainousface。Butyou，nodoubt，setgreatstorebyacertainletterwrittenbythatwomanwithregardtothechild？””Somuchso，thatIalwayshaveitaboutme，”repliedHulot，feelinginhisbreast-pocketforthelittlepocketbookwhichhealwayskeptthere。”Leaveyourpocketbookwhereitis，”saidtheman，ascrushingasathunder-clap。”Hereistheletter——InowknowallIwanttoknow。
MadameMarneffe，ofcourse，wasawareofwhatthatpocketbookcontained？””Shealoneintheworld。””SoIsupposed——Nowfortheproofyouaskedforofhercollusionwithherhusband。””Letushear！”saidtheBaron，stillincredulous。”Whenwecameinhere，MonsieurleBaron，thatwretchedcreatureMarneffeledtheway，andhetookupthisletter，whichhiswife，nodoubt，hadplacedonthiswriting-table，”andhepointedtothe/bonheur-du-jour/。”Thatevidentlywasthespotagreeduponbythecouple，incasesheshouldsucceedinstealingtheletterwhileyouwereasleep；forthisletter，aswrittentoyoubythelady，is，combinedwiththoseyouwrotetoher，decisiveevidenceinapolice-
court。”
HeshowedHulotthenotethatReinehaddeliveredtohiminhisprivateroomattheoffice。”Itisoneofthedocumentsinthecase，”saidthepolice-agent；”returnittome，monsieur。””Well，monsieur，”repliedHulotwithbitterexpression，”thatwomanisprofligacyitselfinfixedratios。Iamcertainatthismomentthatshehasthreelovers。””Thatisperfectlyevident，”saidtheofficer。”Oh，theyarenotallonthestreets！Whenawomanfollowsthattradeinacarriageandadrawing-room，andherownhouse，itisnotacaseforfrancsandcentimes，MonsieurleBaron。MademoiselleEsther，ofwhomyouspoke，andwhopoisonedherself，madeawaywithmillions——Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，youwillgetoutofit，monsieur。Thislastlittlegamewillhavecostyoudear。Thatscoundrelofahusbandhasthelawonhisside。Andindeed，butforme，thatlittlewomanwouldhavecaughtyouagain！””Thankyou，monsieur，”saidtheBaron，tryingtomaintainhisdignity。”Nowwewilllockup；thefarceisplayedout，andyoucansendyourkeytoMonsieurtheMayor。”
Hulotwenthomeinastateofdejectionborderingonhelplessness，andsunkinthegloomiestthoughts。Hewokehisnobleandsaintlywife，andpouredintoherheartthehistoryofthepastthreeyears，sobbinglikeachilddeprivedofatoy。Thisconfessionfromanoldmanyounginfeeling，thisfrightfulandheart-rendingnarrative，whileitfilledAdelinewithpity，alsogaveherthegreatestjoy；shethankedHeavenforthislastcatastrophe，forinfancyshesawthehusbandsettledatlastinthebosomofhisfamily。”Lisbethwasright，”saidMadameHulotgentlyandwithoutanyuselessrecrimination，”shetoldushowitwouldbe。””Yes。IfonlyIhadlistenedtoher，insteadofflyingintoarage，thatdaywhenIwantedpoorHortensetogohomeratherthancompromisethereputationofthat——Oh！mydearAdeline，wemustsaveWenceslas。
Heisuptohischininthatmire！””Mypooroldman，therespectablemiddle-classeshaveturnedoutnobetterthantheactresses，”saidAdeline，withasmile。
TheBaronesswasalarmedatthechangeinherHector；whenshesawhimsounhappy，ailing，crushedunderhisweightofwoes，shewasallheart，allpity，alllove；shewouldhaveshedherbloodtomakeHulothappy。”Staywithus，mydearHector。Tellmewhatisitthatsuchwomendotoattractyousopowerfully。Itoowilltry。Whyhaveyounottaughtmetobewhatyouwant？AmIdeficientinintelligence？Menstillthinkmehandsomeenoughtocourtmyfavor。”
Manyamarriedwoman，attachedtoherdutyandtoherhusband，mayherepausetoaskherselfwhystrongandaffectionatemen，sotender-
heartedtotheMadameMarneffes，donottaketheirwivesfortheobjectoftheirfanciesandpassions，especiallywivesliketheBaronneAdelineHulot。
Thisis，indeed，oneofthemostreconditemysteriesofhumannature。
Love，whichisdebauchofreason，thestrongandausterejoyofaloftysoul，andpleasure，thevulgarcounterfeitsoldinthemarket-
place，aretwoaspectsofthesamething。Thewomanwhocansatisfyboththesedevouringappetitesisasrareinhersexasagreatgeneral，agreatwriter，agreatartist，agreatinventorinanation。
Amanofsuperiorintellectoranidiot——aHulotoraCrevel——equallycravefortheidealandforenjoyment；allalikegoinsearchofthemysteriouscompound，sorarethatatlastitisusuallyfoundtobeaworkintwovolumes。Thiscravingisadepravedimpulseduetosociety。
Marriage，nodoubt，mustbeacceptedasatie；itislife，withitsdutiesanditssternsacrificesonbothpartsequally。Libertines，whoseekforhiddentreasure，areasguiltyasotherevil-doerswhoaremorehardlydealtwiththanthey。Thesereflectionsarenotamereveneerofmoralizing；theyshowthereasonofmanyunexplainedmisfortunes。But，indeed，thisdramapointsitsownmoral——ormorals，fortheyareofmanykinds。
TheBaronpresentlywenttocallontheMarshalPrincedeWissembourg，whosepowerfulpatronagewasnowhisonlychance。Havingdweltunderhisprotectionforfive-and-thirtyyears，hewasavisitoratallhours，andwouldbeadmittedtohisroomsassoonashewasup。”Ah！Howareyou，mydearHector？”saidthegreatandworthyleader。”Whatisthematter？Youlookanxious。Andyetthesessionisended。
Onemoreover！IspeakofthatnowasIusedtospeakofacampaign。
AndindeedIbelievethenewspapersnowadaysspeakofthesessionsasparliamentarycampaigns。””Wehavebeenindifficulties，Imustconfess，Marshal；butthetimesarehard！”saidHulot。”Itcannotbehelped；theworldwasmadeso。
Everyphasehasitsowndrawbacks。Theworstmisfortunesintheyear1841isthatneithertheKingnortheministersarefreetoactasNapoleonwas。”
TheMarshalgaveHulotoneofthoseeagleflasheswhichinitspride，clearness，andperspicacityshowedthat，inspiteofyears，thatloftysoulwasstilluprightandvigorous。”Youwantmetososomethingforyou？”saidhe，inaheartytone。”Ifindmyselfunderthenecessityofapplyingtoyouforthepromotionofoneofmysecondclerkstotheheadofaroom——asapersonalfavortomyself——andhisadvancementtobeofficeroftheLegionofHonor。””Whatishisname？”saidtheMarshal，withalooklikealightningflash。”Marneffe。””Hehasaprettywife；Isawherontheoccasionofyourdaughter’smarriage——IfRoger——butRogerisaway！——Hector，myboy，thisisconcernedwithyourpleasures。What，youstillindulge——？Well，youareacredittotheoldGuard。ThatiswhatcomesofhavingbeenintheCommissariat；youhavereserves！——Buthavenothingtodowiththislittlejob，mydearboy；itistoostrongofthepetticoattobegoodbusiness。””No，Marshal；itisbadbusiness，forthepolicecourtshaveafingerinit。Wouldyouliketoseemegothere？””Thedevil！”saidthePrinceuneasily。”Goon！””Well，Iaminthepredicamentofatrappedfox。Youhavealwaysbeensokindtome，thatyouwill，Iamsure，condescendtohelpmeoutoftheshamefulpositioninwhichIamplaced。”
Hulotrelatedhismisadventures，aswittilyandaslightlyashecould。”Andyou，Prince，willyouallowmybrothertodieofgrief，amanyoulovesowell；orleaveoneofyourstaffintheWarOffice，aCouncillorofState，toliveindisgrace。ThisMarneffeisawretchedcreature；hecanbeshelvedintwoorthreeyears。””Howyoutalkoftwoorthreeyears，mydearfellow！”saidtheMarshal。”But，Prince，theImperialGuardisimmortal。””IamthelastofthefirstbatchofMarshals，”saidthePrince。”Listen，Hector。Youdonotknowtheextentofmyattachmenttoyou；
youshallsee。OnthedaywhenIretirefromoffice，wewillgotogether。ButyouarenotaDeputy，myfriend。Manymenwantyourplace；butforme，youwouldbeoutofitbythistime。Yes，Ihavefoughtmanyapitchedbattletokeepyouinit——Well，Igrantyouyourtworequests；itwouldbetoobadtoseeyouridingthebaratyourageandinthepositionyouhold。Butyoustretchyourcreditalittletoofar。Ifthisappointmentgivesrisetodiscussion，weshallnotbeheldblameless。Icanlaughatsuchthings；butyouwillfinditathornunderyourfeet。Andthenextsessionwillseeyourdismissal。Yourplaceisheldoutasabaittofiveorsixinfluentialmen，andyouhavebeenenabledtokeepitsolelybytheforceofmyarguments。Itellyou，onthedaywhenyouretire，therewillbefivemalcontentstoonehappyman；whereas，bykeepingyouhangingonbyathreadfortwoorthreeyears，weshallsecureallsixvotes。TherewasagreatlaughattheCouncilmeeting；theVeteranoftheOldGuard，astheysay，wasbecomingdesperatelywideawakeinparliamentarytactics！Iamfrankwithyou——Andyouaregrowinggray；
youareahappymantobeabletogetintosuchdifficultiesasthese！
HowlongisitsinceI——LieutenantCottin——hadamistress？”
Herangthebell。”Thatpolicereportmustbedestroyed，”headded。”Monseigneur，youareasafathertome！Idarednotmentionmyanxietyonthatpoint。””IstillwishIhadRogerhere，”criedthePrince，asMitouflet，hisgroomofthechambers，camein。”Iwasjustgoingtosendforhim！——
Youmaygo，Mitouflet——Goyou，mydearoldfellow，goandhavethenominationmadeout；Iwillsignit。Atthesametime，thatlowschemerwillnotlongenjoythefruitofhiscrimes。Hewillbesharplywatched，anddrummedoutoftheregimentforthesmallestfault——Youaresavedthistime，mydearHector；takecareforthefuture。Donotexhaustyourfriends’patience。Youshallhavethenominationthismorning，andyourmanshallgethispromotionintheLegionofHonor——Howoldareyounow？””Withinthreemonthsofseventy。””Whatascapegrace！”saidthePrince，laughing。”Itisyouwhodeserveapromotion，but，bythunder！wearenotunderLouisXV。！”
SuchisthesenseofcomradeshipthatbindstheglorioussurvivorsoftheNapoleonicphalanx，thattheyalwaysfeelasiftheywereincamptogether，andboundtostandtogetherthroughthickandthin。”Onemorefavorsuchasthis，”Hulotreflectedashecrossedthecourtyard，”andIamdonefor！”
ThelucklessofficialwenttoBarondeNucingen，towhomhenowowedameretrifle，andsucceededinborrowingfortythousandfrancs，onhissalarypledgedfortwoyearsmore；thebankerstipulatedthatintheeventofHulot’sretirementonhispension，thewholeofitshouldbedevotedtotherepaymentofthesumborrowedtillthecapitalandinterestwereallclearedoff。
Thisnewbargain，likethefirst，wasmadeinthenameofVauvinet，towhomtheBaronsignednotesofhandtotheamountoftwelvethousandfrancs。
Onthefollowingday，thefatefulpolicereport，thehusband’scharge，theletters——allthepapers——weredestroyed。ThescandalouspromotionofMonsieurMarneffe，hardlyheededinthemidstoftheJulyfetes，wasnotcommentedoninanynewspaper。
Lisbeth，toallappearanceatwarwithMadameMarneffe，hadtakenupherabodewithMarshalHulot。Tendaysaftertheseevents，thebannsofmarriagewerepublishedbetweentheoldmaidandthedistinguishedoldofficer，towhom，towinhisconsent，AdelinehadrelatedthefinancialdisasterthathadbefallenherHector，begginghimnevertomentionittotheBaron，whowas，asshesaid，muchsaddened，quitedepressedandcrushed。”Alas！heisasoldashisyears，”sheadded。