\"Poorthing，Iamkillingher！Andnowgentlemen，itistimetogo。\"
Tenminutesafter，GastonandIleftthehouse。Margueriteshookhandswithmeandsaidgood-bye。Prudenceremainedbehind。
\"Well，\"saidGaston，whenwewereinthestreet，\"whatdoyouthinkofMarguerite？\"
\"Sheisanangel，andIammadlyinlovewithher。\"\"SoI
guessed；didyoutellherso？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Anddidshepromisetobelieveyou？\"
\"No。\"
\"SheisnotlikePrudence。\"
\"Didshepromiseto？\"
\"Betterstill，mydearfellow。Youwouldn\'tthinkit；butsheisstillnothalfbad，pooroldDuvernoy！\"
Chapter11
AtthispointArmandstopped。
\"Wouldyouclosethewindowforme？\"hesaid。\"Iambeginningtofeelcold。Meanwhile，Iwillgetintobed。\"
Iclosedthewindow。Armand，whowasstillveryweak，tookoffhisdressing-gownandlaydowninbed，restinghisheadforafewmomentsonthepillow，likeamanwhoistiredbymuchtalkingordisturbedbypainfulmemories。
\"Perhapsyouhavebeentalkingtoomuch，\"Isaidtohim。\"Wouldyouratherformetogoandleaveyoutosleep？Youcantellmetherestofthestoryanotherday。\"
\"Areyoutiredoflisteningtoit？\"
\"Quitethecontrary。\"
\"ThenIwillgoon。Ifyouleftmealone，Ishouldnotsleep。\"
WhenIreturnedhome（hecontinued，withoutneedingtopauseandrecollecthimself，sofreshwereallthedetailsinhismind），I
didnotgotobed，butbegantoreflectovertheday\'sadventure。
Themeeting，theintroduction，thepromiseofMarguerite，hadfollowedoneanothersorapidly，andsounexpectedly，thatthereweremomentswhenitseemedtomeIhadbeendreaming。
Nevertheless，itwasnotthefirsttimethatagirllikeMargueritehadpromisedherselftoamanonthemorrowofthedayonwhichhehadaskedforthepromise。
Though，indeed，Imadethisreflection，thefirstimpressionproducedonmebymyfuturemistresswassostrongthatitstillpersisted。Irefusedobstinatelytoseeinherawomanlikeotherwomen，and，withthevanitysocommontoallmen，Iwasreadytobelievethatshecouldnotbutsharetheattractionwhichdrewmetoher。
Yet，Ihadbeforemeplentyofinstancestothecontrary，andI
hadoftenheardthattheaffectionofMargueritewasathingtobehadmoreorlessdear，accordingtotheseason。
But，ontheotherhand，howwasItoreconcilethisreputationwithherconstantrefusaloftheyoungcountwhomwehadfoundatherhouse？Youmaysaythathewasunattractivetoher，andthat，asshewassplendidlykeptbytheduke，shewouldbemorelikelytochooseamanwhowasattractivetoher，ifsheweretotakeanotherlover。Ifso，whydidshenotchooseGaston，whowasrich，witty，andcharming，andwhydidshecareforme，whomshehadthoughtsoridiculousthefirsttimeshehadseenme？
Itistruethatthereareeventsofamomentwhichtellmorethanthecourtshipofayear。Ofthosewhowereatthesupper，Iwastheonlyonewhohadbeenconcernedatherleavingthetable。I
hadfollowedher，Ihadbeensoaffectedastobeunabletohideitfromher，IhadweptasIkissedherhand。Thiscircumstance，addedtomydailyvisitsduringthetwomonthsofherillness，mighthaveshownherthatIwassomewhatdifferentfromtheothermensheknew，andperhapsshehadsaidtoherselfthatforalovewhichcouldthusmanifestitselfshemightwelldowhatshehaddonesooftenthatithadnomoreconsequenceforher。
Allthesesuppositions，asyoumaysee，wereimprobableenough；
butwhatevermighthavebeenthereasonofherconsent，onethingwascertain，shehadconsented。
Now，IwasinlovewithMarguerite。Ihadnothingmoretoaskofher。Nevertheless，thoughshewasonlyakeptwoman，Ihadsoanticipatedformyself，perhapstopoetizeitalittle，ahopelesslove，thatthenearerthemomentapproachedwhenI
shouldhavenothingmoretohope，themoreIdoubted。Ididnotclosemyeyesallnight。
Iscarcelyknewmyself。Iwashalfdemented。Now，Iseemedtomyselfnothandsomeorrichorelegantenoughtopossesssuchawoman，nowIwasfilledwithvanityatthethoughtofit；thenI
begantofearlestMargueritehadnomorethanafewdays\'
capriceforme，andIsaidtomyselfthatsinceweshouldsoonhavetopart，itwouldbebetternottokeepherappointment，buttowriteandtellhermyfearsandleaveher。FromthatIwentontounlimitedhope，unboundedconfidence。Idreamedincredibledreamsofthefuture；Isaidtomyselfthatsheshouldowetomehermoralandphysicalrecovery，thatIshouldspendmywholelifewithher，andthatherloveshouldmakemehappierthanallthemaidenlylovesintheworld。
ButIcannotrepeattoyouthethousandthoughtsthatrosefrommyhearttomyhead，andthatonlyfadedawaywiththesleepthatcametomeatdaybreak。
WhenIawokeitwastwoo\'clock。Theweatherwassuperb。Idon\'tthinklifeeverseemedtomesobeautifulandsofullofpossibilities。Thememoriesofthenightbeforecametomewithoutshadoworhindrance，escortedgailybythehopesofthenighttocome。Fromtimetotimemyheartleapedwithloveandjoyinmybreast。Asweetfeverthrilledme。IthoughtnomoreofthereasonswhichhadfilledmymindbeforeIslept。Isawonlytheresult，IthoughtonlyofthehourwhenIwastoseeMargueriteagain。
Itwasimpossibletostayindoors。Myroomseemedtoosmalltocontainmyhappiness。Ineededthewholeofnaturetounbosommyself。
Iwentout。PassingbytheRued\'Antin，IsawMarguerite\'scoupe\'
waitingforheratthedoor。IwenttowardtheChamps-Elysees。I
lovedallthepeoplewhomImet。Lovegivesoneakindofgoodness。
AfterIhadbeenwalkingforanhourfromtheMarlyhorsestotheRond-Point，IsawMarguerite\'scarriageinthedistance；I
divinedratherthanrecognisedit。AsitwasturningthecorneroftheChamps-Elyseesitstopped，andatallyoungmanleftagroupofpeoplewithwhomhewastalkingandcameuptoher。Theytalkedforafewmoments；theyoungmanreturnedtohisfriends，thehorsessetoutagain，andasIcamenearthegroupI
recognisedtheonewhohadspokentoMargueriteastheComtedeG。，whoseportraitIhadseenandwhomPrudencehadindicatedtomeasthemantowhomMargueriteowedherposition。Itwastohimthatshehadclosedherdoorsthenightbefore；Iimaginedthatshehadstoppedhercarriageinordertoexplaintohimwhyshehaddoneso，andIhopedthatatthesametimeshehadfoundsomenewpretextfornotreceivinghimonthefollowingnight。
HowIspenttherestofthedayIdonotknow；Iwalked，smoked，talked，butwhatIsaid，whomImet，Ihadutterlyforgottenbyteno\'clockintheevening。
AllIrememberisthatwhenIreturnedhome，Ispentthreehoursovermytoilet，andIlookedatmywatchandmyclockahundredtimes，whichunfortunatelybothpointedtothesamehour。
Whenitstruckhalfpastten，Isaidtomyselfthatitwastimetogo。
IlivedatthattimeintheRuedeProvence；IfollowedtheRueduMont-Blanc，crossedtheBoulevard，wentuptheRueLouis-le-Grand，theRuedePort-Mahon，andtheRued\'Antin。I
lookedupatMarguerite\'swindows。Therewasalight。Irang。I
askedtheporterifMlle。Gautierwasathome。Herepliedthatshenevercameinbeforeelevenoraquarterpasteleven。I
lookedatmywatch。Iintendedtocomequiteslowly，andIhadcomeinfiveminutesfromtheRuedeProvencetotheRued\'Antin。
Iwalkedtoandfrointhestreet；therearenoshops，andatthathouritisquitedeserted。Inhalfanhour\'stimeMargueritearrived。Shelookedaroundherasshegotdownfromhercoupe\'，asifshewerelookingforsomeone。Thecarriagedroveoff；thestableswerenotatthehouse。JustasMargueritewasgoingtoring，Iwentuptoherandsaid，\"Good-evening。\"
\"Ah，itisyou，\"shesaid，inatonethatbynomeansreassuredmeastoherpleasureinseeingme。
\"DidyounotpromisemethatImightcomeandseeyouto-day？\"
\"Quiteright。Ihadforgotten。\"
ThiswordupsetallthereflectionsIhadhadduringtheday。
Nevertheless，Iwasbeginningtogetusedtoherways，andIdidnotleaveher，asIshouldcertainlyhavedoneonce。Weentered。
Naninehadalreadyopenedthedoor。
\"HasPrudencecome？\"saidMarguerite。
\"No，madame。\"
\"Saythatsheistobeadmittedassoonasshecomes。Butfirstputoutthelampinthedrawing-room，andifanyonecomes，saythatIhavenotcomebackandshallnotbecomingback。\"
Shewaslikeawomanwhoispreoccupiedwithsomething，andperhapsannoyedbyanunwelcomeguest。Ididnotknowwhattodoorsay。Margueritewenttowardherbedroom；IremainedwhereI
was。
\"Come，\"shesaid。
Shetookoffherhatandhervelvetcloakandthrewthemonthebed，thenletherselfdropintoagreatarmchairbesidethefire，whichshekepttilltheverybeginningofsummer，andsaidtomeasshefingeredherwatch-chain：
\"Well，whatnewshaveyougotforme？\"
\"None，exceptthatIoughtnottohavecometo-night。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseyouseemvexed，andnodoubtIamboringyou。\"
\"Youarenotboringme；onlyIamnotwell；Ihavebeensufferingallday。Icouldnotsleep，andIhaveafrightfulheadache。\"
\"ShallIgoawayandletyougotobed？\"
\"Oh，youcanstay。IfIwanttogotobedIdon\'tmindyourbeinghere。\"
Atthatmomenttherewasaring。
\"Whoiscomingnow？\"shesaid，withanimpatientmovement。
Afewminutesaftertherewasanotherring。
\"Isn\'tthereanyonetogotothedoor？Ishallhavetogo。\"Shegotupandsaidtome，\"Waithere。\"
Shewentthroughtherooms，andIheardheropentheouterdoor。
Ilistened。
Thepersonwhomshehadadmitteddidnotcomefartherthanthedining-room。AtthefirstwordIrecognisedthevoiceoftheyoungComtedeN。
\"Howareyouthisevening？\"hesaid。
\"Notwell，\"repliedMargueritedrily。
\"AmIdisturbingyou？\"
\"Perhaps。
\"Howyoureceiveme！WhathaveIdone，mydearMarguerite？\"
\"Mydearfriend，youhavedonenothing。Iamill；Imustgotobed，soyouwillbegoodenoughtogo。Itissickeningnottobeabletoreturnatnightwithoutyourmakingyourappearancefiveminutesafterward。Whatisityouwant？Formetobeyourmistress？Well，Ihavealreadytoldyouahundredtimes，No；yousimplyworryme，andyoumightaswellgosomewhereelse。I
repeattoyouto-day，forthelasttime，Idon\'twanttohaveanythingtodowithyou；that\'ssettled。Good-bye。Here\'sNaninecomingin；shecanlightyoutothedoor。Good-night。\"
Withoutaddinganotherword，orlisteningtowhattheyoungmanstammeredout，Margueritereturnedtotheroomandslammedthedoor。Nanineenteredamomentafter。
\"Nowunderstand，\"saidMarguerite，\"youarealwaystosaytothatidiotthatIamnotin，orthatIwillnotseehim。Iamtiredoutwithseeingpeoplewhoalwayswantthesamething；whopaymeforit，andthenthinktheyarequitofme。Ifthosewhoaregoingtogoinforourhatefulbusinessonlyknewwhatitreallywastheywouldsoonerbechambermaids。Butno，vanity，thedesireofhavingdressesandcarriagesanddiamondscarriesusaway；onebelieveswhatonehears，forhere，aselsewhere，thereissuchathingasbelief，andoneusesupone\'sheart，one\'sbody，one\'sbeauty，littlebylittle；oneisfearedlikeabeastofprey，scornedlikeapariah，surroundedbypeoplewhoalwaystakemorethantheygive；andonefinedayonedieslikeadoginaditch，afterhavingruinedothersandruinedone\'sself。\"
\"Come，come，madame，becalm，\"saidNanine；\"yournervesareabitupsetto-night。\"
\"Thisdressworriesme，\"continuedMarguerite，unhookingherbodice；\"givemeadressing-gown。Well，andPrudence？\"
\"Shehasnotcomeyet，butIwillsendhertoyou，madame，themomentshecomes。\"
\"There\'sone，now，\"Margueritewenton，asshetookoffherdressandputonawhitedressing-gown，\"there\'sonewhoknowsverywellhowtofindmewhensheisinwantofme，andyetshecan\'tdomeaservicedecently。SheknowsIamwaitingforananswer。
SheknowshowanxiousIam，andIamsuresheisgoingaboutonherownaccount，withoutgivingathoughttome。\"
\"Perhapsshehadtowait。\"
\"Letushavesomepunch。\"
\"Itwilldoyounogood，madame，\"saidNanine。
\"Somuchthebetter。Bringsomefruit，too，andapateorawingofchicken；somethingorother，atonce。Iamhungry。\"
NeedItellyoutheimpressionwhichthisscenemadeuponme，orcanyounotimagineit？
\"Youaregoingtohavesupperwithme，\"shesaidtome；
\"meanwhile，takeabook。Iamgoingintomydressing-roomforamoment。\"
Shelitthecandlesofacandelabra，openedadooratthefootofthebed，anddisappeared。
Ibegantothinkoverthispoorgirl\'slife，andmyloveforherwasmingledwithagreatpity。Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom，thinkingoverthings，whenPrudenceentered。
\"Ah，youhere？\"\'shesaid，\"whereisMarguerite？\"
\"Inherdressing-room。\"
\"Iwillwait。Bytheway，doyouknowshethinksyoucharming？\"
\"No。\"
\"Shehasn\'ttoldyou？\"
\"Notatall。\"
\"Howareyouhere？\"
\"Ihavecometopayheravisit。\"
\"Atmidnight？\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Farceur！\"
\"Shehasreceivedme，asamatteroffact，verybadly。\"
\"Shewillreceiveyoubetterbyandbye。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？\"
\"Ihavesomegoodnewsforher。\"
\"Noharminthat。Soshehasspokentoyouaboutme？\"
\"Lastnight，orratherto-night，whenyouandyourfriendwent。
Bytheway，whatisyourfriendcalled？GastonR。，hisnameis，isn\'tit？\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，notwithoutsmiling，asIthoughtofwhatGastonhadconfidedtome，andsawthatPrudencescarcelyevenknewhisname。
\"Heisquitenice，thatfellow；whatdoeshedo？\"
\"Hehastwenty-fivethousandfrancsayear。\"
\"Ah，indeed！Well，toreturntoyou。Margueriteaskedmeallaboutyou：whoyouwere，whatyoudid，whatmistressesyouhadhad；inshort，everythingthatonecouldaskaboutamanofyourage。ItoldherallIknew，andaddedthatyouwereacharmingyoungman。That\'sall。\"
\"Thanks。Nowtellmewhatitwasshewantedtosaytoyoulastnight。\"
\"Nothingatall。Itwasonlytogetridofthecount；butIhavereallysomethingtoseeheraboutto-day，andIambringingherananswernow。\"
AtthismomentMargueritereappearedfromherdressing-room，wearingacoquettishlittlenightcapwithbunchesofyellowribbons，technicallyknownas\"cabbages。\"Shelookedravishing。
Shehadsatinslippersonherbarefeet，andwasintheactofpolishinghernails。
\"Well，\"shesaid，seeingPrudence，\"haveyouseentheduke？\"
\"Yes，indeed。\"
\"Andwhatdidhesaytoyou？\"
\"Hegaveme——\"
\"Howmuch？\"
\"Sixthousand。\"
\"Haveyougotit？\"
\"Yes。
\"Didheseemputout？\"
\"No。\"
\"Poorman！\"
This\"Poorman！\"wassaidinatoneimpossibletorender。
Margueritetookthesixnotesofathousandfrancs。
\"Itwasquitetime，\"shesaid。\"MydearPrudence，areyouinwantofanymoney？\"
\"Youknow，mychild，itisthe15thinacoupleofdays，soifyoucouldlendmethreeorfourhundredfrancs，youwoulddomearealservice。\"
\"Sendoverto-morrow；itistoolatetogetchangenow。\"
\"Don\'tforget。\"
\"Nofear。Willyouhavesupperwithus？\"
\"No，Charlesiswaitingforme。\"
\"Youarestilldevotedtohim？\"
\"Crazy，mydear！Iwillseeyouto-morrow。Good-bye，Armand。\"
Mme。Duvernoywentout。
Margueriteopenedthedrawerofaside-tableandthrewthebank-notesintoit。
\"Willyoupermitmetogetintobed？\"shesaidwithasmile，asshemovedtowardthebed。
\"Notonlypermit，butIbegofyou。\"
Sheturnedbackthecoveringandgotintobed。
\"Now，\"saidshe，\"comeandsitdownbyme，andlet\'shaveatalk。\"
Prudencewasright：theanswerthatshehadbroughttoMargueritehadputherintoagoodhumour。
\"Willyouforgivemeformybadtempertonight？\"shesaid，takingmyhand。
\"Iamreadytoforgiveyouasoftenasyoulike。\"
\"Andyouloveme？\"
\"Madly。\"
\"Inspiteofmybaddisposition？\"
\"Inspiteofall。\"
\"Youswearit？\"
\"Yes，\"Isaidinawhisper。
Nanineentered，carryingplates，acoldchicken，abottleofclaret，andsomestrawberries。
\"Ihaven\'thadanypunchmade，\"saidNanine；\"claretisbetterforyou。Isn\'tit，sir？\"
\"Certainly，\"Ireplied，stillundertheexcitementofMarguerite\'slastwords，myeyesfixedardentlyuponher。
\"Good，\"saidshe；\"putitallonthelittletable，anddrawituptothebed；wewillhelpourselves。Thisisthethirdnightyouhavesatup，andyoumustbeinwantofsleep。Gotobed。Idon\'twantanythingmore。\"
\"ShallIlockthedoor？\"
\"Ishouldthinkso！Andaboveall，tellthemnottoadmitanybodybeforemidday。\"
Chapter12
Atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，asthelightbegantoappearthroughthecurtains，Margueritesaidtome：\"ForgivemeifI
sendyouaway；butImust。Thedukecomeseverymorning；theywilltellhim，whenhecomes，thatIamasleep，andperhapshewillwaituntilIwake。\"
ItookMarguerite\'sheadinmyhands；herloosenedhairstreamedabouther；Igaveheralastkiss，saying：\"WhenshallIseeyouagain？\"
\"Listen，\"shesaid；\"takethelittlegiltkeyonthemantelpiece，openthatdoor；bringmebackthekeyandgo。Inthecourseofthedayyoushallhavealetter，andmyorders，foryouknowyouaretoobeyblindly。\"
\"Yes；butifIshouldalreadyaskforsomething？\"
\"What？\"
\"Letmehavethatkey。\"
\"WhatyouaskisathingIhaveneverdoneforanyone。\"
\"Well，doitforme，forIsweartoyouthatIdon\'tloveyouastheothershavelovedyou。\"
\"Well，keepit；butitonlydependsonmetomakeituselesstoyou，afterall。\"
\"How？\"
\"Thereareboltsonthedoor。\"
\"Wretch！\"
\"Iwillhavethemtakenoff。\"
\"Youlove，then，alittle？\"
\"Idon\'tknowhowitis，butitseemstomeasifIdo！Now，go；
Ican\'tkeepmyeyesopen。\"
Iheldherinmyarmsforafewsecondsandthenwent。
Thestreetswereempty，thegreatcitywasstillasleep，asweetfreshnesscirculatedinthestreetsthatafewhourslaterwouldbefilledwiththenoiseofmen。Itseemedtomeasifthissleepingcitybelongedtome；IsearchedmymemoryforthenamesofthosewhosehappinessIhadonceenvied；andIcouldnotrecallonewithoutfindingmyselfthehappier。
Tobelovedbyapureyounggirl，tobethefirsttorevealtoherthestrangemysteryoflove，isindeedagreathappiness，butitisthesimplestthingintheworld。Totakecaptiveaheartwhichhashadnoexperienceofattack，istoenteranunfortifiedandungarrisonedcity。Education，familyfeeling，thesenseofduty，thefamily，arestrongsentinels，buttherearenosentinelssovigilantasnottobedeceivedbyagirlofsixteentowhomnature，bythevoiceofthemansheloves，givesthefirstcounselsoflove，allthemoreardentbecausetheyseemsopure。
Themoreagirlbelievesingoodness，themoreeasilywillshegiveway，ifnottoherlover，atleasttolove，forbeingwithoutmistrustsheiswithoutforce，andtowinherloveisatriumphthatcanbegainedbyanyyoungmanoffive-and-twenty。
Seehowyounggirlsarewatchedandguarded！Thewallsofconventsarenothighenough，mothershavenolocksstrongenough，religionhasnodutiesconstantenough，toshutthesecharmingbirdsintheircages，cagesnotevenstrewnwithflowers。Thenhowsurelymusttheydesiretheworldwhichishiddenfromthem，howsurelymusttheyfindittempting，howsurelymusttheylistentothefirstvoicewhichcomestotellitssecretsthroughtheirbars，andblessthehandwhichisthefirsttoraiseacornerofthemysteriousveil！
Buttobereallylovedbyacourtesan：thatisavictoryofinfinitelygreaterdifficulty。Withthemthebodyhaswornoutthesoul，thesenseshaveburneduptheheart，dissipationhasbluntedthefeelings。Theyhavelongknownthewordsthatwesaytothem，themeansweuse；theyhavesoldthelovethattheyinspire。Theylovebyprofession，andnotbyinstinct。Theyareguardedbetterbytheircalculationsthanavirginbyhermotherandherconvent；andtheyhaveinventedthewordcapriceforthatunbarteredlovewhichtheyallowthemselvesfromtimetotime，forarest，foranexcuse，foraconsolation，likeusurers，whocheatathousand，andthinktheyhaveboughttheirownredemptionbyoncelendingasovereigntoapoordevilwhoisdyingofhungerwithoutaskingforinterestorareceipt。
Then，whenGodallowslovetoacourtesan，thatlove，whichatfirstseemslikeapardon，becomesforheralmostwithoutpenitence。Whenacreaturewhohasallherpasttoreproachherselfwithistakenallatoncebyaprofound，sincere，irresistiblelove，ofwhichshehadneverfeltherselfcapable；
whenshehasconfessedherlove，howabsolutelythemanwhomshelovesdominatesher！Howstronghefeelswithhiscruelrighttosay：Youdonomoreforlovethanyouhavedoneformoney。Theyknownotwhatprooftogive。Achild，saysthefable，havingoftenamusedhimselfbycrying\"Help！awolf！\"inordertodisturbthelabourersinthefield，wasonedaydevouredbyaWolf，becausethosewhomhehadsooftendeceivednolongerbelievedinhiscriesforhelp。Itisthesamewiththeseunhappywomenwhentheyloveseriously。Theyhaveliedsooftenthatnoonewillbelievethem，andinthemidstoftheirremorsetheyaredevouredbytheirlove。
Hencethosegreatdevotions，thoseaustereretreatsfromtheworld，ofwhichsomeofthemhavegivenanexample。
Butwhenthemanwhoinspiresthisredeemingloveisgreatenoughinsoultoreceiveitwithoutrememberingthepast，whenhegiveshimselfuptoit，when，inshort，helovesasheisloved，thismandrainsatonedraughtallearthlyemotions，andaftersuchalovehisheartwillbeclosedtoeveryother。
IdidnotmakethesereflectionsonthemorningwhenIreturnedhome。Theycouldbuthavebeenthepresentimentofwhatwastohappentome，and，despitemyloveforMarguerite，Ididnotforeseesuchconsequences。Imakethesereflectionsto-day。Nowthatallisirrevocablyended，theyarisenaturallyoutofwhathastakenplace。
Buttoreturntothefirstdayofmyliaison。WhenIreachedhomeIwasinastateofmadgaiety。AsIthoughtofhowthebarrierswhichmyimaginationhadplacedbetweenMargueriteandmyselfhaddisappeared，ofhowshewasnowmine；oftheplaceInowhadinherthoughts，ofthekeytoherroomwhichIhadinmypocket，andofmyrighttousethiskey，Iwassatisfiedwithlife，proudofmyself，andIlovedGodbecausehehadletsuchthingsbe。
Onedayayoungmanispassinginthestreet，hebrushesagainstawoman，looksather，turns，goesonhisway。Hedoesnotknowthewoman，andshehaspleasures，griefs，loves，inwhichhehasnopart。Hedoesnotexistforher，andperhaps，ifhespoketoher，shewouldonlylaughathim，asMargueritehadlaughedatme。Weeks，months，yearspass，andallatonce，whentheyhaveeachfollowedtheirfatealongadifferentpath，thelogicofchancebringsthemfacetoface。Thewomanbecomestheman\'smistressandloveshim。How？why？Theirtwoexistencesarehenceforthone；theyhavescarcelybeguntoknowoneanotherwhenitseemsasiftheyhadknownoneanotheralways，andallthathadgonebeforeiswipedoutfromthememoryofthetwolovers。
Itiscurious，onemustadmit。
Asforme，InolongerrememberedhowIhadlivedbeforethatnight。Mywholebeingwasexaltedintojoyatthememoryofthewordswehadexchangedduringthatfirstnight。EitherMargueritewasverycleverindeception，orshehadconceivedformeoneofthosesuddenpassionswhicharerevealedinthefirstkiss，andwhichdie，oftenenough，assuddenlyastheywereborn。
ThemoreIreflectedthemoreIsaidtomyselfthatMargueritehadnoreasonforfeigningalovewhichshedidnotfeel，andI
saidtomyselfalsothatwomenhavetwowaysofloving，oneofwhichmayarisefromtheother：theylovewiththeheartorwiththesenses。Oftenawomantakesaloverinobediencetothemerewillofthesenses，andlearnswithoutexpectingitthemysteryofimmateriallove，andliveshenceforthonlythroughherheart；
oftenagirlwhohassoughtinmarriageonlytheunionoftwopureaffectionsreceivesthesuddenrevelationofphysicallove，thatenergeticconclusionofthepurestimpressionsofthesoul。
InthemidstofthesethoughtsIfellasleep；IwasawakenedbyaletterfromMargueritecontainingthesewords：
\"Herearemyorders：To-nightattheVaudeville。
\"Comeduringthethirdentr\'acte。\"
Iputtheletterintoadrawer，sothatImightalwayshaveitatbandincaseIdoubteditsreality，asIdidfromtimetotime。
Shedidnottellmetocometoseeherduringtheday，andI
darednotgo；butIhadsogreatadesiretoseeherbeforetheeveningthatIwenttotheChamps-Elysees，whereIagainsawherpassandrepass，asIhadonthepreviousday。
Atseveno\'clockIwasattheVaudeville。NeverhadIgonetoatheatresoearly。Theboxesfilledoneafteranother。Onlyoneremainedempty，thestagebox。AtthebeginningofthethirdactIheardthedoorofthebox，onwhichmyeyeshadbeenalmostconstantlyfixed，open，andMargueriteappeared。Shecametothefrontatonce，lookedaroundthestalls，sawme，andthankedmewithalook。
Thatnightshewasmarvellouslybeautiful。WasIthecauseofthiscoquetry？DidshelovemeenoughtobelievethatthemorebeautifulshelookedthehappierIshouldbe？Ididnotknow，butifthathadbeenherintentionshecertainlysucceeded，forwhensheappearedallheadsturned，andtheactorwhowasthenonthestagelookedtoseewhohadproducedsuchaneffectontheaudiencebyhermerepresencethere。
AndIhadthekeyofthiswoman\'sroom，andinthreeorfourhoursshewouldagainbemine！
Peopleblamethosewholetthemselvesberuinedbyactressesandkeptwomen；whatastonishesmeisthattwentytimesgreaterfolliesarenotcommittedforthem。Onemusthavelivedthatlife，asIhave，toknowhowmuchthelittlevanitieswhichtheyaffordtheirloverseverydayhelptofastendeeperintotheheart，sincewehavenootherwordforit，thelovewhichhehasforthem。
Prudencenexttookherplaceinthebox，andaman，whomI
recognisedastheComtedeG。，seatedhimselfattheback。AsI
sawhim，acoldshiverwentthroughmyheart。
DoubtlessMargueriteperceivedtheimpressionmadeonmebythepresenceofthisman，forshesmiledtomeagain，and，turningherbacktothecount，appearedtobeveryattentivetotheplay。
Atthethirdentr\'actesheturnedandsaidtwowords：thecountleftthebox，andMargueritebeckonedtometocometoher。
\"Good-evening，\"shesaidasIentered，holdingoutherhand。
\"Good-evening，\"IrepliedtobothMargueriteandPrudence。
\"Sitdown。\"
\"ButIamtakingsomeone\'splace。Isn\'ttheComtedeG。comingback？\"
\"Yes；Isenthimtofetchsomesweets，sothatwecouldtalkbyourselvesforamoment。Mme。Duvernoyisinthesecret。\"
\"Yes，mychildren，\"saidshe；\"havenofear。Ishallsaynothing。\"
\"Whatisthematterwithyouto-night？\"saidMarguerite，risingandcomingtothebackoftheboxandkissingmeontheforehead。
\"Iamnotverywell。\"
\"Youshouldgotobed，\"shereplied，withthatironicalairwhichwentsowellwithherdelicateandwittyface。
\"Where？\"
\"Athome。\"
\"YouknowthatIshouldn\'tbeabletosleepthere。\"
\"Well，then，itwon\'tdoforyoutocomeandbepettishherebecauseyouhaveseenamaninmybox。\"
\"Itisnotforthatreason。\"
\"Yes，itis。Iknow；andyouarewrong，soletussaynomoreaboutit。YouwillgobackwithPrudenceafterthetheatre，andyouwillstaytheretillIcall。Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Yes。\"
HowcouldIdisobey？
\"Youstillloveme？\"
\"Canyouask？\"
\"Youhavethoughtofme？\"
\"Alldaylong。\"
\"DoyouknowthatIamreallyafraidthatIshallgetveryfondofyou？AskPrudence。\"
\"Ah，\"saidshe，\"itisamazing！\"
\"Now，youmustgobacktoyourseat。Thecountwillbecomingback，andthereisnothingtobegainedbyhisfindingyouhere。\"
\"Becauseyoudon\'tlikeseeinghim。\"
\"No；onlyifyouhadtoldmethatyouwantedtocometotheVaudevilleto-nightIcouldhavegotthisboxforyouaswellashe。\"
\"Unfortunately，hegotitformewithoutmyaskinghim，andheaskedmetogowithhim；youknowwellenoughthatIcouldn\'trefuse。AllIcoulddowastowriteandtellyouwhereIwasgoing，sothatyoucouldseeme，andbecauseIwantedtoseeyoumyself；butsincethisisthewayyouthankme，Ishallprofitbythelesson。\"
\"Iwaswrong；forgiveme。\"
\"Wellandgood；andnowgobacknicelytoyourplace，and，aboveall，nomorejealousy。\"
Shekissedmeagain，andIleftthebox。InthepassageImetthecountcomingback。Ireturnedtomyseat。
Afterall，thepresenceofM。deG。inMarguerite\'sboxwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。Hehadbeenherlover，hesentherabox，heaccompaniedhertothetheatre；itwasallquitenatural，andifIwastohaveamistresslikeMargueriteIshouldhavetogetusedtoherways。
Nonetheless，Iwasveryunhappyalltherestoftheevening，andwentawayverysadlyafterhavingseenPrudence，thecount，andMargueritegetintothecarriage，whichwaswaitingforthematthedoor。
However，aquarterofanhourlaterIwasatPrudence\'s。Shehadonlyjustgotin。
Chapter13
\"Youhavecomealmostasquicklyaswe，\"saidPrudence。
\"Yes，\"Iansweredmechanically。\"WhereisMarguerite？\"
\"Athome。\"
\"Alone？\"
\"WithM。deG。\"
Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom。
\"Well，whatisthematter？\"
\"DoyouthinkitamusesmetowaitheretillM。deG。leavesMarguerite\'s？\"
\"Howunreasonableyouare！Don\'tyouseethatMargueritecan\'tturnthecountoutofdoors？M。deG。hasbeenwithherforalongtime；hehasalwaysgivenheralotofmoney；hestilldoes。
Margueritespendsmorethanahundredthousandfrancsayear；shehasheapsofdebts。Thedukegivesherallthatsheasksfor，butshedoesnotalwaysventuretoaskhimforallthatsheisinwantof。Itwouldneverdoforhertoquarrelwiththecount，whoisworthtoheratleasttenthousandfrancsayear。Margueriteisveryfondofyou，mydearfellow，butyourliaisonwithher，inherinterestsandinyours，oughtnottobeserious。Youwithyoursevenoreightthousandfrancsayear，whatcouldyoudotowardsupplyingalltheluxurieswhichagirllikethatisinneedof？Itwouldnotbeenoughtokeephercarriage。TakeMargueriteforwhatsheis，foragood，bright，prettygirl；beherloverforamonth，twomonths；giveherflowers，sweets，boxesatthetheatre；butdon\'tgetanyotherideasintoyourhead，anddon\'tmakeabsurdscenesofjealousy。Youknowwhomyouhavetodowith；Margueriteisn\'tasaint。Shelikesyou，youareveryfondofher；lettherestalone。YouamazemewhenIseeyousotouchy；youhavethemostcharmingmistressinParis。Shereceivesyouinthegreateststyle，sheiscoveredwithdiamonds，sheneedn\'tcostyouapenny，unlessyoulike，andyouarenotsatisfied。Mydearfellow，youasktoomuch！\"
\"Youareright，butIcan\'thelpit；theideathatthatmanisherloverhurtsmehorribly。\"
\"Inthefirstplace，\"repliedPrudence；\"ishestillherlover？
Heisamanwhoisusefultoher，nothingmore。Shehasclosedherdoorstohimfortwodays；hecamethismorning——shecouldnotbutaccepttheboxandlethimaccompanyher。Hesawherhome；hehasgoneinforamoment，heisnotstaying，becauseyouarewaitinghere。Allthat，itseemstome，isquitenatural。
Besides，youdon\'tmindtheduke。\"
\"Yes；butheisanoldman，andIamsurethatMargueriteisnothismistress。Then，itisallverywelltoacceptoneliaison，butnottwo。Sucheasinessinthematterisverylikecalculation，andputsthemanwhoconsentstoit，evenoutoflove，verymuchinthecategoryofthosewho，inalowerstageofsociety，makeatradeoftheirconnivance，andaprofitoftheirtrade。\"
\"Ah，mydearfellow，howold-fashionedyouare！HowmanyoftherichestandmostfashionablemenofthebestfamiliesIhaveseenquitereadytodowhatIadviseyoutodo，andwithoutaneffort，withoutshame，withoutremorse，Why，oneseesiteveryday。HowdoyousupposethekeptwomeninPariscouldliveinthestyletheydo，iftheyhadnotthreeorfourloversatonce？Nosinglefortune，howeverlarge，couldsufficefortheexpensesofawomanlikeMarguerite。Afortuneoffivehundredthousandfrancsayearis，inFrance，anenormousfortune；well，mydearfriend，fivehundredthousandfrancsayearwouldstillbetoolittle，andforthisreason：amanwithsuchanincomehasalargehouse，horses，servants，carriages；heshoots，hasfriends，oftenheismarried，hehaschildren，heraces，gambles，travels，andwhatnot。Allthesehabitsaresomuchapartofhispositionthathecannotforegothemwithoutappearingtohavelostallhismoney，andwithoutcausingscandal。Takingitallround，withfivehundredthousandfrancsayearhecannotgiveawomanmorethanfortyorfiftythousandfrancsintheyear，andthatisalreadyagooddeal。Well，otherloversmakeupfortherestofherexpenses。
WithMarguerite，itisstillmoreconvenient；shehaschancedbyamiracleonanoldmanworthtenmillions，whosewifeanddaughteraredead；whohasonlysomenephews，themselvesrich，andwhogivesherallshewantswithoutaskinganythinginreturn。Butshecannotaskhimformorethanseventythousandfrancsayear；andIamsurethatifshedidaskformore，despitehishealthandtheaffectionhehasforherhewouldnotgiveittoher。
\"AlltheyoungmenoftwentyorthirtythousandfrancsayearatParis，thatistosay，menwhohaveonlyjustenoughtoliveoninthesocietyinwhichtheymix，knowperfectlywell，whentheyaretheloversofawomanlikeMarguerite，thatshecouldnotsomuchaspayfortheroomsshelivesinandtheservantswhowaituponherwithwhattheygiveher。Theydonotsaytoherthattheyknowit；theypretendnottoseeanything，andwhentheyhavehadenoughofittheygotheirway。Iftheyhavethevanitytowishtopayforeverythingtheygetruined，likethefoolstheyare，andgoandgetkilledinAfrica，afterleavingahundredthousandfrancsofdebtinParis。Doyouthinkawomanisgratefultothemforit？Farfromit。Shedeclaresthatshehassacrificedherpositionforthem，andthatwhileshewaswiththemshewaslosingmoney。Thesedetailsseemtoyoushocking？
Well，theyaretrue。Youareaverynicefellow；Ilikeyouverymuch。Ihavelivedwiththesewomenfortwentyyears；Iknowwhattheyareworth，andIdon\'twanttoseeyoutakethecapricethataprettygirlhasforyoutooseriously。
\"Then，besidesthat，\"continuedPrudence；\"admitthatMargueritelovesyouenoughtogiveupthecountortheduke，incaseoneofthemweretodiscoveryourliaisonandtotellhertochoosebetweenhimandyou，thesacrificethatshewouldmakeforyouwouldbeenormous，youcannotdenyit。Whatequalsacrificecouldyoumakeforher，onyourpart，andwhenyouhadgottiredofher，whatcouldyoudotomakeupforwhatyouhadtakenfromher？Nothing。Youwouldhavecutherofffromtheworldinwhichherfortuneandherfutureweretobefound；shewouldhavegivenyouherbestyears，andshewouldbeforgotten。Eitheryouwouldbeanordinaryman，and，castingherpastinherteeth，youwouldleaveher，tellingherthatyouwereonlydoinglikeherotherlovers，andyouwouldabandonhertocertainmisery；oryouwouldbeanhonestman，and，feelingboundtokeepherbyyou，youwouldbringinevitabletroubleuponyourself，foraliaisonwhichisexcusableinayoungman，isnolongerexcusableinamanofmiddleage。Itbecomesanobstacletoeverything；itallowsneitherfamilynorambition，man\'ssecondandlastloves。Believeme，then，myfriend，takethingsforwhattheyareworth，anddonotgiveakeptwomantherighttocallherselfyourcreditor，nomatterinwhat。\"
Itwaswellargued，withalogicofwhichIshouldhavethoughtPrudenceincapable。Ihadnothingtoreply，exceptthatshewasright；Itookherhandandthankedherforhercounsels。
\"Come，come，\"saidshe，\"putthesefoolishtheoriestoflight，andlaughoverthem。Lifeispleasant，mydearfellow；italldependsonthecolouroftheglassthroughwhichoneseesit。AskyourfriendGaston；there\'samanwhoseemstometounderstandloveasIunderstandit。Allthatyouneedthinkof，unlessyouarequiteafool，isthatclosebythereisabeautifulgirlwhoiswaitingimpatientlyforthemanwhoiswithhertogo，thinkingofyou，keepingthewholenightforyou，andwholovesyou，Iamcertain。Now，cometothewindowwithme，andletuswatchforthecounttogo；hewon\'tbelonginleavingthecoastclear。\"
Prudenceopenedthewindow，andweleanedsidebysideoverthebalcony。Shewatchedthefewpassers，Ireflected。Allthatshehadsaidbuzzedinmyhead，andIcouldnothelpfeelingthatshewasright；butthegenuinelovewhichIhadforMargueritehadsomedifficultyinaccommodatingitselftosuchabelief。I
sighedfromtimetotime，atwhichPrudenceturned，andshruggedhershoulderslikeaphysicianwhohasgivenuphispatient。
\"Howonerealizestheshortnessoflife，\"Isaidtomyself，\"bytherapidityofsensations！IhaveonlyknownMargueritefortwodays，shehasonlybeenmymistresssinceyesterday，andshehasalreadysocompletelyabsorbedmythoughts，myheart，andmylifethatthevisitoftheComtedeG。isamisfortuneforme。\"
Atlastthecountcameout，gotintohiscarriageanddisappeared。Prudenceclosedthewindow。AtthesameinstantMargueritecalledtous：
\"Comeatonce，\"shesaid；\"theyarelayingthetable，andwe\'llhavesupper。\"
WhenIentered，Margueriterantome，threwherarmsaroundmyneckandkissedmewithallhermight。
\"Arewestillsulky？\"shesaidtome。
\"No，itisallover，\"repliedPrudence。\"Ihavegivenhimatalkingto，andhehaspromisedtobereasonable。\"
\"Wellandgood。\"
InspiteofmyselfIglancedatthebed；itwasnotunmade。AsforMarguerite，shewasalreadyinherwhitedressing-gown。Wesatdowntotable。
Charm，sweetness，spontaneity，Margueritehadthemall，andIwasforcedfromtimetotimetoadmitthatIhadnorighttoaskofheranythingelse；thatmanypeoplewouldbeveryhappytobeinmyplace；andthat，likeVirgil\'sshepherd，Ihadonlytoenjoythepleasuresthatagod，orratheragoddess，setbeforeme。
ItriedtoputinpracticethetheoriesofPrudence，andtobeasgayasmytwocompanions；butwhatwasnaturalinthemwasonmypartaneffort，andthenervouslaughter，whosesourcetheydidnotdetect，wasnearertotearsthantomirth。
AtlastthesupperwasoverandIwasalonewithMarguerite。Shesatdownasusualonthehearthrugbeforethefireandgazedsadlyintotheflames。Whatwasshethinkingof？Iknownot。Asforme，Ilookedatherwithaminglingofloveandterror，asI
thoughtofallthatIwasreadytosufferforhersake。
\"DoyouknowwhatIamthinkingof？\"
\"No。\"
\"Ofaplanthathascomeintomyhead。\"
\"Andwhatisthisplan？\"
\"Ican\'ttellyouyet，butIcantellyouwhattheresultwouldbe。TheresultwouldbethatinamonthIshouldbefree，I
shouldhavenomoredebts，andwecouldgoandspendthesummerinthecountry。\"
\"Andyoucan\'ttellmebywhatmeans？\"
\"No，onlylovemeasIloveyou，andallwillsucceed。\"
\"Andhaveyoumadethisplanallbyyourself？\"
\"Yes。\"Andyouwillcarryitoutallbyyourself？\"
\"Ialoneshallhavethetroubleofit，\"saidMarguerite，withasmilewhichIshallneverforget，\"butweshallbothpartakeitsbenefits。\"
Icouldnothelpflushingatthewordbenefits；IthoughtofManonLescautsquanderingwithDesgrieuxthemoneyofM。deB。
Irepliedinahardvoice，risingfrommyseat：
\"Youmustpermitme，mydearMarguerite，toshareonlythebenefitsofthoseenterpriseswhichIhaveconceivedandcarriedoutmyself。\"
\"Whatdoesthatmean？\"
\"ItmeansthatIhaveastrongsuspicionthatM。deG。istobeyourassociateinthisprettyplan，ofwhichIcanacceptneitherthecostnorthebenefits\"Whatachildyouare！Ithoughtyoulovedme。Iwasmistaken；
allright。\"
Sherose，openedthepianoandbegantoplaytheInvitationalaValse，asfarasthefamouspassageinthemajorwhichalwaysstoppedher。Wasitthroughforceofhabit，orwasittoremindmeofthedaywhenwefirstmet？AllIknowisthatthemelodybroughtbackthatrecollection，and，cominguptoher，Itookherheadbetweenmyhandsandkissedher。\"Youforgiveme？\"Isaid。
\"YouseeIdo，\"sheanswered；\"butobservethatweareonlyatoursecondday，andalreadyIhavehadtoforgiveyousomething。