andsomeofthegravestofourdivineshavecarrieditsofarastoaffirm，thatenjoymentitselfwasattendedevenwithasigh，-andthatthegreatestTHEYKNEWOFterminated，INAGENERALWAY，inlittlebetterthanaconvulsion。
IrememberthegraveandlearnedBevoriskius，inhisCommentaryupontheGenerationsfromAdam，verynaturallybreaksoffinthemiddleofanotetogiveanaccounttotheworldofacoupleofsparrowsupontheout-edgeofhiswindow，whichhadincommodedhimallthetimehewrote，andatlasthadentirelytakenhimofffromhisgenealogy-
'Tisstrange!writesBevoriskius；butthefactsarecertain，forIhavehadthecuriositytomarkthemdownonebyonewithmypen；-
butthecocksparrow，duringthelittletimethatIcouldhavefinishedtheotherhalfofthisnote，hasactuallyinterruptedmewiththereiterationofhiscaressesthree-and-twentytimesandahalf。
Howmerciful，addsBevoriskius，isheaventohiscreatures!
IllfatedYorick!thatthegravestofthybrethrenshouldbeabletowritethattotheworld，whichstainsthyfacewithcrimsontocopy，eveninthystudy。
Butthisisnothingtomytravels-SoItwice，-twicebegpardonforit。
CHARACTER。VERSAILLES。
ANDhowdoyoufindtheFrench?saidtheCountdeB-，afterhehadgivenmethepassport。
Thereadermaysuppose，thataftersoobligingaproofofcourtesy，Icouldnotbeatalosstosaysomethinghandsometotheenquiry-
MAISPASSE，POURCELA-Speakfrankly，saidhe:doyoufindalltheurbanityintheFrenchwhichtheworldgiveusthehonourof?-
Ihadfoundeverything，Isaid，whichconfirmedit-VRAIMENT，saidtheCount，LESFRANCOISSONTPOLIS-Toanexcess，repliedI。
TheCounttooknoticeofthewordEXCES；andwouldhaveitImeantmorethanIsaid。IdefendedmyselfalongtimeaswellasIcouldagainstit-HeinsistedIhadareserve，andthatIwouldspeakmyopinionfrankly。
Ibelieve，MonsieurleCount，saidI，thatmanhasacertaincompass，aswellasaninstrument；andthatthesocialandothercallshaveoccasionbyturnsforeverykeyinhim；sothatifyoubeginanotetoohighortoolow，theremustbeawanteitherintheupperorunderpart，tofillupthesystemofharmony-TheCountdeB-didnotunderstandmusic，sodesiredmetoexplainitsomeotherway。Apolish'dnation，mydearCount，saidI，makeseveryoneitsdebtor:andbesides，Urbanityitself，likethefairsex，hassomanycharms，itgoesagainstthehearttosayitcandoill；andyet，Ibelieve，thereisbutacertainlineofperfection，thatman，takehimaltogether，isempower'dtoarriveat:-ifhegetsbeyond，heratherexchangesqualitiesthangetsthem。ImustnotpresumetosayhowfarthishasaffectedtheFrenchinthesubjectwearespeakingof；-but，shoulditeverbethecaseoftheEnglish，intheprogressoftheirrefinements，toarriveatthesamepolishwhichdistinguishestheFrench，ifwedidnotlosethePOLITESSEDUCOEUR，whichinclinesmenmoretohumaneactionsthancourteousones，-weshouldatleastlosethatdistinctvarietyandoriginalityofcharacter，whichdistinguishesthem，notonlyfromeachother，butfromalltheworldbesides。
IhadafewofKingWilliam'sshillings，assmoothasglass，inmypocket；andforeseeingtheywouldbeofuseintheillustrationofmyhypothesis，IhadgotthemintomyhandwhenIhadproceededsofar:-
See，MonsieurleCount，saidI，risingup，andlayingthembeforehimuponthetable，-byjinglingandrubbingoneagainstanotherforseventyyearstogetherinonebody'spocketoranother's，theyarebecomesomuchalike，youcanscarcedistinguishoneshillingfromanother。
TheEnglish，likeancientmedals，keptmoreapart，andpassingbutfewpeople'shands，preservethefirstsharpnesseswhichthefinehandofNaturehasgiventhem；-theyarenotsopleasanttofeel，-butinreturnthelegendissovisible，thatatthefirstlookyouseewhoseimageandsuperscriptiontheybear-ButtheFrench，MonsieurleCount，addedIwishingtosoftenwhatIhadsaid，havesomanyexcellences，theycanthebettersparethis；-theyarealoyal，agallant，agenerous，aningenious，andgoodtemper'dpeopleasisunderheaven；-iftheyhaveafault-theyaretooSERIOUS。
MONDIEU!criedtheCount，risingoutofhischair。
MAISVOUSPLAISANTEZ，saidhe，correctinghisexclamation-Ilaidmyhanduponmybreast，andwithearnestgravityassuredhimitwasmymostsettledopinion。
TheCountsaidhewasmortifiedhecouldnotstaytohearmyreasons，beingengagedtogothatmomenttodinewiththeDucdeC。
ButifitisnottoofartocometoVersaillestoeatyoursoupwithme，Ibeg，beforeyouleaveFrance，Imayhavethepleasureofknowingyouretractyouropinion，-or，inwhatmanneryousupportit-But，ifyoudosupportit，MonsieurAnglois，saidhe，youmustdoitwithallyourpowers，becauseyouhavethewholeworldagainstyou-IpromisedtheCountIwoulddomyselfthehonourofdiningwithhimbeforeIsetoutforItaly；-sotookmyleave。
THETEMPTATION。PARIS。
WHENIalightedatthehotel，theportertoldmeayoungwomanwithabandboxhadbeenthatmomentenquiringforme-Idonotknow，saidtheporter，whethersheisgoneawayornot。Itookthekeyofmychamberofhim，andwentupstairs；andwhenIhadgotwithintenstepsofthetopofthelandingbeforemydoor，Imethercomingeasilydown。
ItwasthefairFILLEDECHAMBREIhadwalkedalongtheQuaideContiwith；MadamedeR-hadsentheruponsomecommissiontoaMARCHANDEDESMODESwithinasteportwooftheHoteldeModene；
andasIhadfail'dinwaitinguponher，hadbidherenquireifI
hadleftParis；andifso，whetherIhadnotleftaletteraddressedtoher。
AsthefairFILLEDECHAMBREwassonearmydoor，shereturnedback，andwentintotheroomwithmeforamomentortwowhilstI
wroteacard。
ItwasafinestilleveninginthelatterendofthemonthofMay，-thecrimsonwindowcurtainswhichwereofthesamecolourasthoseofthebedweredrawnclose:-thesunwassetting，andreflectedthroughthemsowarmatintintothefairFILLEDE
CHAMBRE'Sface，-Ithoughtsheblush'd；-theideaofitmademeblushmyself:-wewerequitealone；andthatsuperinducedasecondblushbeforethefirstcouldgetoff。
Thereisasortofapleasinghalfguiltyblush，wherethebloodismoreinfaultthantheman:-'tissentimpetuousfromtheheart，andvirtuefliesafterit，-nottocallitback，buttomakethesensationofitmoredelicioustothenerves:-'tisassociated-
ButI'llnotdescribeit；-IfeltsomethingatfirstwithinmewhichwasnotinstrictunisonwiththelessonofvirtueIhadgivenherthenightbefore-Isoughtfiveminutesforacard；-I
knewIhadnotone-Itookupapen-Ilaiditdownagain；-myhandtrembled:-thedevilwasinme。
Iknowaswellasanyoneheisanadversary，whom，ifweresist，hewillflyfromus；-butIseldomresisthimatall；fromaterror，thoughImayconquer，Imaystillgetahurtinthecombat；-
soIgiveupthetriumphforsecurity；and，insteadofthinkingtomakehimfly，Igenerallyflymyself。
ThefairFILLEDECHAMBREcamecloseuptothebureauwhereIwaslookingforacard-tookupfirstthepenIcastdown，thenoffer'dtoholdmetheink；sheoffer'ditsosweetly，Iwasgoingtoacceptit；-butIdurstnot；-Ihavenothing，mydear，saidI，towriteupon-Writeit，saidshe，simply，uponanything-
Iwasjustgoingtocryout，ThenIwillwriteit，fairgirl!uponthylips-
IfIdo，saidI，Ishallperish；-soItookherbythehand，andledhertothedoor，andbegg'dshewouldnotforgetthelessonI
hadgivenher-Shesaid，indeedshewouldnot；-and，assheuttereditwithsomeearnestness，sheturn'dabout，andgavemebothherhands，closedtogether，intomine；-itwasimpossiblenottocompresstheminthatsituation；-Iwish'dtoletthemgo；andallthetimeIheldthem，Ikeptarguingwithinmyselfagainstit，-andstillIheldthemon-IntwominutesIfoundIhadallthebattletofightoveragain；-andIfeltmylegsandeverylimbaboutmetrembleattheidea。
Thefootofthebedwaswithinayardandahalfoftheplacewherewewerestanding-Ihadstillholdofherhands-andhowithappenedIcangivenoaccount；butIneitherask'dher-nordrewher-nordidIthinkofthebed；-butsoitdidhappen，webothsatdown。
I'lljustshowyou，saidthefairFILLEDECHAMBRE，thelittlepurseIhavebeenmakingto-daytoholdyourcrown。Sosheputherhandintoherrightpocket，whichwasnextme，andfeltforitsometime-thenintotheleft-"Shehadlostit。"-Ineverboreexpectationmorequietly；-itwasinherrightpocketatlast；-
shepull'ditout；itwasofgreentaffeta，linedwithalittlebitofwhitequiltedsatin，andjustbigenoughtoholdthecrown:sheputitintomyhand；-itwaspretty；andIheldittenminuteswiththebackofmyhandrestinguponherlap-lookingsometimesatthepurse，sometimesononesideofit。
Astitchortwohadbrokeoutinthegathersofmystock；thefairFILLEDECHAMBRE，withoutsayingaword，tookoutherlittlehousewife，threadedasmallneedle，andsew'ditup-Iforesawitwouldhazardthegloryoftheday；and，asshepass'dherhandinsilenceacrossandacrossmyneckinthemanoeuvre，Ifeltthelaurelsshakewhichfancyhadwreath'daboutmyhead。
Astraphadgivenwayinherwalk，andthebuckleofhershoewasjustfallingoff-See，saidtheFILLEDECHAMBRE，holdingupherfoot-Icouldnot，formysoulbutfastenthebuckleinreturn，andputtinginthestrap，-andliftinguptheotherfootwithit，whenIhaddone，toseebothwereright，-indoingittoosuddenly，itunavoidablythrewthefairFILLEDECHAMBREoffhercentre，-andthen-
THECONQUEST。
YES，-andthen。Yewhoseclay-coldheadsandluke-warmheartscanarguedownormaskyourpassions，tellme，whattrespassisitthatmanshouldhavethem?orhowhisspiritstandsanswerabletotheFatherofspiritsbutforhisconductunderthem?
IfNaturehassowoveherwebofkindness，thatsomethreadsofloveanddesireareentangledwiththepiece，-mustthewholewebberentindrawingthemout?-Whipmesuchstoics，greatGovernorofNature!saidItomyself:-whereverthyprovidenceshallplacemeforthetrialsofmyvirtue；-whateverismydanger，-whateverismysituation，-letmefeelthemovementswhichriseoutofit，andwhichbelongtomeasaman，-and，ifIgovernthemasagoodone，Iwilltrusttheissuestothyjustice；forthouhastmadeus，andnotweourselves。
AsIfinishedmyaddress，IraisedthefairFILLEDECHAMBREupbythehand，andledheroutoftheroom:-shestoodbymetillI
lockedthedoorandputthekeyinmypocket，-andthen，-thevictorybeingquitedecisive-andnottillthen，Ipress'dmylipstohercheek，andtakingherbythehandagain，ledhersafetothegateofthehotel。
THEMYSTERY。PARIS。
IFamanknowstheheart，hewillknowitwasimpossibletogobackinstantlytomychamber；-itwastouchingacoldkeywithaflatthirdtoituponthecloseofapieceofmusic，whichhadcall'dforthmyaffections:-therefore，whenIletgothehandoftheFILLEDECHAMBRE，Iremainedatthegateofthehotelforsometime，lookingateveryonewhopass'dby，-andformingconjecturesuponthem，tillmyattentiongotfix'duponasingleobjectwhichconfoundedallkindofreasoninguponhim。
Itwasatallfigureofaphilosophic，serious，adustlook，whichpassedandrepass'dsedatelyalongthestreet，makingaturnofaboutsixtypacesoneachsideofthegateofthehotel；-themanwasaboutfifty-two-hadasmallcaneunderhisarm-wasdress'dinadarkdrab-colour'dcoat，waistcoat，andbreeches，whichseem'dtohaveseensomeyearsservice:-theywerestillclean，andtherewasalittleairoffrugalPROPRETEthroughouthim。Byhispullingoffhishat，andhisattitudeofaccostingagoodmanyinhisway，Isawhewasaskingcharity:soIgotasousortwooutofmypocketreadytogivehim，ashetookmeinhisturn-Hepass'dbymewithoutaskinganything-andyetdidnotgofivestepsfurtherbeforeheask'dcharityofalittlewoman-Iwasmuchmorelikelytohavegivenofthetwo-Hehadscarcedonewiththewoman，whenhepull'doffhishattoanotherwhowascomingthesameway-Anancientgentlemancameslowly-and，afterhim，ayoungsmartone-
Heletthembothpass，andask'dnothing。Istoodobservinghimhalfanhour，inwhichtimehehadmadeadozenturnsbackwardsandforwards，andfoundthatheinvariablypursuedthesameplan。
Thereweretwothingsverysingularinthis，whichsetmybraintowork，andtonopurpose:-thefirstwas，whythemanshouldONLY
tellhisstorytothesex；-and，secondly，-whatkindofstoryitwas，andwhatspeciesofeloquenceitcouldbe，whichsoften'dtheheartsofthewomen，whichheknew'twastonopurposetopractiseuponthemen。
Thereweretwoothercircumstances，whichentangledthismystery；-
theonewas，hetoldeverywomanwhathehadtosayinherear，andinawaywhichhadmuchmoretheairofasecretthanapetition；-
theotherwas，itwasalwayssuccessful-Heneverstopp'dawoman，butshepull'doutherpurse，andimmediatelygavehimsomething。
Icouldformnosystemtoexplainthephenomenon。
Ihadgotariddletoamusemefortherestoftheevening；soI
walk'dupstairstomychamber。
THECASEOFCONSCIENCE。PARIS。
IWASimmediatelyfollowedupbythemasterofthehotel，whocameintomyroomtotellmeImustprovidelodgingselsewhere-Howso，friend?saidI-Heanswered，Ihadhadayoungwomanlock'dupwithmetwohoursthateveninginmybedchamber，and'twasagainsttherulesofhishouse-Verywell，saidI，we'llallpartfriendsthen，-forthegirlisnoworse，-andIamnoworse，-
andyouwillbejustasIfoundyou-Itwasenough，hesaid，tooverthrowthecreditofhishotel-VOYEZVOUS，Monsieur，saidhe，pointingtothefootofthebedwehadbeensittingupon-Iownithadsomethingoftheappearanceofanevidence；butmypridenotsufferingmetoenterintoanydetailofthecase，Iexhortedhimtolethissoulsleepinpeace，asIresolvedtoletminedothatnight，andthatIwoulddischargewhatIowedhimatbreakfast。
Ishouldnothaveminded，Monsieur，saidhe，ifyouhadhadtwentygirls-'Tisascoremore，repliedI，interruptinghim，thanIeverreckon'dupon-Provided，addedhe，ithadbeenbutinamorning-
AnddoesthedifferenceofthetimeofthedayatParismakeadifferenceinthesin?-Itmadeadifference，hesaid，inthescandal-Ilikeagooddistinctioninmyheart；andcannotsayI
wasintolerablyoutoftemperwiththeman-Iownitisnecessary，resumedthemasterofthehotel，thatastrangeratParisshouldhavetheopportunitiespresentedtohimofbuyinglaceandsilkstockingsandruffles，ETTOUTCELA；-and'tisnothingifawomancomeswithaband-box-O，myconscience!saidI，shehadonebutIneverlook'dintoit-ThenMonsieur，saidhe，hasboughtnothing?-Notoneearthlything，repliedI-Because，saidhe，IcouldrecommendonetoyouwhowoulduseyouENCONSCIENCE-
ButImustseeherthisnight，saidI-Hemademealowbow，andwalk'ddown。
NowshallItriumphoverthisMAITRED'HOTEL，criedI，-andwhatthen?ThenIshalllethimseeIknowheisadirtyfellow-Andwhatthen?Whatthen?-Iwastoonearmyselftosayitwasforthesakeofothers-Ihadnogoodanswerleft；-therewasmoreofspleenthanprincipleinmyproject，andIwassickofitbeforetheexecution。
Inafewminutesthegrisettecameinwithherboxoflace-I'llbuynothing，however，saidI，withinmyself。
Thegrisettewouldshowmeeverything-Iwashardtoplease:shewouldnotseemtoseeit；sheopenedherlittlemagazine，andlaidallherlacesoneafteranotherbeforeme；-unfoldedandfoldedthemupagainonebyonewiththemostpatientsweetness-Imightbuy，-ornot；-shewouldletmehaveeverythingatmyownprice:-
thepoorcreatureseem'danxioustogetapenny；andlaidherselfouttowinme，andnotsomuchinamannerwhichseem'dartful，asinoneIfeltsimpleandcaressing。
Ifthereisnotafundofhonestgullibilityinman，somuchtheworse；-myheartrelented，andIgaveupmysecondresolutionasquietlyasthefirst-WhyshouldIchastiseoneforthetrespassofanother?Ifthouarttributarytothistyrantofanhost，thoughtI，lookingupinherface，somuchharderisthybread。
IfIhadnothadmorethanfourlouisd'orsinmypurse，therewasnosuchthingasrisingupandshowingherthedoor，tillIhadfirstlaidthreeofthemoutinapairofruffles-
Themasterofthehotelwillsharetheprofitwithher；-nomatter，-thenIhaveonlypaidasmanyapoorsoulhasPAIDbeforeme，foranactheCOULDnotdo，orthinkof。
THERIDDLE。PARIS。
WHENLaFleurcameuptowaituponmeatsupper，hetoldmehowsorrythemasterofthehotelwasforhisaffronttomeinbiddingmechangemylodgings。
Amanwhovaluesagoodnight'srestwillnotliedownwithenmityinhisheart，ifhecanhelpit-SoIbidLaFleurtellthemasterofthehotel，thatIwassorryonmysidefortheoccasionI
hadgivenhim；-andyoumaytellhim，ifyouwill，LaFleur，addedI，thatiftheyoungwomanshouldcallagain，Ishallnotseeher。
Thiswasasacrificenottohim，butmyself，havingresolved，aftersonarrowanescape，torunnomorerisks，buttoleaveParis，ifitwaspossible，withallthevirtueIenter'dit。
C'ESTDEROGERENOBLESSE，MONSIEUR，saidLaFleur，makingmeabowdowntothegroundashesaidit-ETENCORE，MONSIEUR，saidhe，maychangehissentiments；-andifPARHAZARDheshouldliketoamusehimself，-Ifindnoamusementinit，saidI，interruptinghim-
MONDIEU!saidLaFleur，-andtookaway。
Inanhour'stimehecametoputmetobed，andwasmorethancommonlyofficious:-somethinghunguponhislipstosaytome，oraskme，whichhecouldnotgetoff:Icouldnotconceivewhatitwas，andindeedgavemyselflittletroubletofinditout，asIhadanotherriddlesomuchmoreinterestinguponmymind，whichwasthatoftheman'saskingcharitybeforethedoorofthehotel-I
wouldhavegivenanythingtohavegottothebottomofit；andthat，notoutofcuriosity，-'tissolowaprincipleofenquiry，ingeneral，Iwouldnotpurchasethegratificationofitwithatwo-souspiece；-butasecret，Ithought，whichsosoonandsocertainlysoften'dtheheartofeverywomanyoucamenear，wasasecretatleastequaltothephilosopher'sstone；hadIboththeIndies，Iwouldhavegivenuponetohavebeenmasterofit。
Itoss'dandturn'ditalmostallnightlonginmybrainstonomannerofpurpose；andwhenIawokeinthemorning，Ifoundmyspiritsasmuchtroubledwithmydreams，asevertheKingofBabylonhadbeenwithhis；andIwillnothesitatetoaffirm，itwouldhavepuzzledallthewisemenofParisasmuchasthoseofChaldeatohavegivenitsinterpretation。
LEDIMANCHE。PARIS。
ITwasSunday；andwhenLaFleurcamein，inthemorning，withmycoffeeandrollandbutter，hehadgothimselfsogallantlyarray'd，Iscarceknewhim。
IhadcovenantedatMontreuiltogivehimanewhatwithasilverbuttonandloop，andfourlouisd'ors，POURS'ADONISER，whenwegottoParis；andthepoorfellow，todohimjustice，haddonewonderswithit。
Hehadboughtabright，clean，goodscarletcoat，andapairofbreechesofthesame-Theywerenotacrownworse，hesaid，forthewearing-Iwish'dhimhang'dfortellingme-Theylook'dsofresh，thatthoughIknewthethingcouldnotbedone，yetIwouldratherhaveimposeduponmyfancywiththinkingIhadboughtthemnewforthefellow，thanthattheyhadcomeoutoftheRuedeFriperie。
ThisisanicetywhichmakesnottheheartsoreatParis。
Hehadpurchased，moreover，ahandsomebluesatinwaistcoat，fancifullyenoughembroidered:-thiswasindeedsomethingtheworsefortheserviceithaddone，but'twascleanscour'd；-thegoldhadbeentouch'dup，anduponthewholewasrathershowythanotherwise；-andasthebluewasnotviolent，itsuitedwiththecoatandbreechesverywell:hehadsqueez'doutofthemoney，moreover，anewbagandasolitaire；andhadinsistedwiththeFRIPIERuponagoldpairofgarterstohisbreechesknees-Hehadpurchasedmuslinruffles，BIENBRODEES，withfourlivresofhisownmoney；-andapairofwhitesilkstockingsforfivemore；-andtotopall，naturehadgivenhimahandsomefigure，withoutcostinghimasous。
Heenteredtheroomthussetoff，withhishairdressedinthefirststyle，andwithahandsomebouquetinhisbreast-Inaword，therewasthatlookoffestivityineverythingabouthim，whichatonceputmeinminditwasSunday；-and，bycombiningbothtogether，itinstantlystruckme，thatthefavourhewish'dtoaskofmethenightbefore，wastospendthedayaseverybodyinParisspentitbesides。Ihadscarcemadetheconjecture，whenLaFleur，withinfinitehumility，butwithalookoftrust，asifI
shouldnotrefusehim，begg'dIwouldgranthimtheday，POURFAIRE
LEGALANTVIS-E-VISDESAMAITRESSE。
NowitwastheverythingIintendedtodomyselfvis-e-visMadamedeR-Ihadretainedtheremiseonpurposeforit，anditwouldnothavemortifiedmyvanitytohavehadaservantsowelldress'dasLaFleurwas，tohavegotupbehindit:Inevercouldhaveworsesparedhim。
ButwemustFEEL，notargueintheseembarrassments-ThesonsanddaughtersofServicepartwithliberty，butnotwithnature，intheircontracts；theyarefleshandblood，andhavetheirlittlevanitiesandwishesinthemidstofthehouseofbondage，aswellastheirtask-masters；-nodoubt，theyhavesettheirself-denialsataprice，-andtheirexpectationsaresounreasonable，thatI
wouldoftendisappointthem，butthattheirconditionputsitsomuchinmypowertodoit。
BEHOLD，-BEHOLD，IAMTHYSERVANT-disarmsmeatonceofthepowersofamaster-
Thoushaltgo，LaFleur!saidI-
Andwhatmistress，LaFleur，saidI，canstthouhavepickedupinsolittleatimeatParis?LaFleurlaidhishanduponhisbreast，andsaid'twasaPETITEDEMOISELLE，atMonsieurleCountdeB-'s-
LaFleurhadaheartmadeforsociety；and，tospeakthetruthofhim，letasfewoccasionssliphimashismaster；-sothatsomehoworother，-buthow，-heavenknows，-hehadconnectedhimselfwiththedemoiselleuponthelandingofthestaircase，duringthetimeIwastakenupwithmypassport；andastherewastimeenoughformetowintheCounttomyinterest，LaFleurhadcontrivedtomakeitdotowinthemaidtohis。Thefamily，itseems，wastobeatParisthatday，andhehadmadeapartywithher，andtwoorthreemoreoftheCount'shousehold，upontheboulevards。
Happypeople!thatonceaweekatleastaresuretolaydownallyourcarestogether，anddanceandsingandsportawaytheweightsofgrievance，whichbowdownthespiritofothernationstotheearth。
THEFRAGMENT。PARIS。
LAFLEURhadleftmesomethingtoamusemyselfwithforthedaymorethanIhadbargain'dfor，orcouldhaveenter'deitherintohisheadormine。
Hehadbroughtthelittleprintofbutteruponacurrantleaf:andasthemorningwaswarm，andhehadagoodsteptobringit，hehadbegg'dasheetofwastepapertoputbetwixtthecurrantleafandhishand-Asthatwasplatesufficient，Ibadehimlayituponthetableasitwas；andasIresolvedtostaywithinallday，I
orderedhimtocallupontheTRAITEUR，tobespeakmydinner，andleavemetobreakfastbymyself。
WhenIhadfinishedthebutter，Ithrewthecurrant-leafoutofthewindow，andwasgoingtodothesamebythewastepaper；-butstoppingtoreadalinefirst，andthatdrawingmeontoasecondandthird，-Ithoughtitbetterworth；soIshutthewindow，anddrawingachairuptoit，Isatdowntoreadit。
ItwasintheoldFrenchofRabelais'stime，andforaughtIknowmighthavebeenwrotebyhim:-itwasmoreoverinaGothicletter，andthatsofadedandgoneoffbydampsandlengthoftime，itcostmeinfinitetroubletomakeanythingofit-Ithrewitdown；andthenwrotealettertoEugenius；-thenItookitupagain，andembroiledmypatiencewithitafresh；-andthentocurethat，I
wrotealettertoEliza-Stillitkeptholdofme；andthedifficultyofunderstandingitincreasedbutthedesire。
Igotmydinner；andafterIhadenlightenedmymindwithabottleofBurgundy；Iatitagain，-and，aftertwoorthreehoursporinguponit，withalmostasdeepattentionaseverGruterorJacobSpondiduponanonsensicalinscription，IthoughtImadesenseofit；
buttomakesureofit，thebestway，Iimagined，wastoturnitintoEnglish，andseehowitwouldlookthen；-soIwentonleisurely，asatriflingmandoes，sometimeswritingasentence，-
thentakingaturnortwo，-andthenlookinghowtheworldwent，outofthewindow；sothatitwasnineo'clockatnightbeforeI
haddoneit-Ithenbeganandreaditasfollows。
THEFRAGMENT。PARIS-
NOW，asthenotary'swifedisputedthepointwiththenotarywithtoomuchheat，-Iwish，saidthenotary，throwingdowntheparchmentthattherewasanothernotaryhereonlytosetdownandattestallthis——
Andwhatwouldyoudothen，Monsieur?saidshe，risinghastilyup-Thenotary'swifewasalittlefumeofawoman，andthenotarythoughtitwelltoavoidahurricanebyamildreply-I
wouldgo，answeredhe，tobed-Youmaygotothedevil，answer'dthenotary'swife。
Nowtherehappeningtobebutonebedinthehouse，theothertworoomsbeingunfurnished，asisthecustomatParis，andthenotarynotcaringtolieinthesamebedwithawomanwhohadbutthatmomentsenthimpellmelltothedevil，wentforthwithhishatandcaneandshortcloak，thenightbeingverywindy，andwalk'dout，illatease，towardsthePontNeuf。
Ofallthebridgeswhicheverwerebuilt，thewholeworldwhohavepass'doverthePontNeufmustown，thatitisthenoblest，-thefinest，-thegrandest，-thelightest，-thelongest，-thebroadest，thateverconjoin'dlandandlandtogetheruponthefaceoftheterraqueousglobe。
[BYTHISITSEEMSASIFTHEAUTHOROFTHEFRAGMENTHADNOTBEENA
FRENCHMAN。]
TheworstfaultwhichdivinesandthedoctorsoftheSorbonnecanallegeagainstitis，thatifthereisbutacapfullofwindinoraboutParis，'tismoreblasphemouslySACREDIEU'Dtherethaninanyotherapertureofthewholecity，-andwithreasongoodandcogent，Messieurs；foritcomesagainstyouwithoutcryingGARDE
D'EAU，andwithsuchunpremeditablepuffs，thatofthefewwhocrossitwiththeirhatson，notoneinfiftybuthazardstwolivresandahalf，whichisitsfullworth。
Thepoornotary，justashewaspassingbythesentry，instinctivelyclapp'dhiscanetothesideofit，butinraisingitup，thepointofhiscanecatchingholdoftheloopofthesentinel'shat，hoisteditoverthespikesoftheballustradeclearintotheSeine——
'TISANILLWIND，saidaboatman，whocatchedit，WHICHBLOWS
NOBODYANYGOOD。
Thesentry，beingaGascon，incontinentlytwirleduphiswhiskers，andlevell'dhisarquebuss。
Arquebussesinthosedayswentoffwithmatches；andanoldwoman'spaperlanternattheendofthebridgehappeningtobeblownout，shehadborrow'dthesentry'smatchtolightit:-itgaveamoment'stimefortheGascon'sbloodtoruncool，andturntheaccidentbettertohisadvantage-'TISANILLWIND，saidhe，catchingoffthenotary'scastor，andlegitimatingthecapturewiththeboatman'sadage。
Thepoornotarycrossedthebridge，andpassingalongtheRuedeDauphineintothefauxbourgsofSt。Germain，lamentedhimselfashewalkedalonginthismanner:-
LucklessmanthatIam!saidthenotary，tobethesportofhurricanesallmydays:-tobeborntohavethestormofilllanguagelevell'dagainstmeandmyprofessionwhereverIgo；tobeforcedintomarriagebythethunderofthechurchtoatempestofawoman；-tobedrivenforthoutofmyhousebydomesticwinds，anddespoil'dofmycastorbypontificones!-tobehere，bareheaded，inawindynight，atthemercyoftheebbsandflowsofaccidents!-
WhereamItolaymyhead?-Miserableman!whatwindinthetwo-
and-thirtypointsofthewholecompasscanblowuntothee，asitdoestotherestofthyfellow-creatures，good?
Asthenotarywaspassingonbyadarkpassage，complaininginthissort，avoicecall'douttoagirl，tobidherrunforthenextnotary-Nowthenotarybeingthenext，andavailinghimselfofhissituation，walk'dupthepassagetothedoor，andpassingthroughanoldsortofasaloon，wasusher'dintoalargechamber，dismantledofeverythingbutalongmilitarypike，-abreastplate，-arustyoldsword，andbandoleer，hungup，equidistant，infourdifferentplacesagainstthewall。
Anoldpersonagewhohadheretoforebeenagentleman，andunlessdecayoffortunetaintsthebloodalongwithit，wasagentlemanatthattime，laysupportinghisheaduponhishandinhisbed；alittletablewithataperburningwassetclosebesideit，andclosebythetablewasplacedachair:-thenotarysathimdowninit；andpullingouthisinkhornandasheetortwoofpaperwhichhehadinhispocket，heplacedthembeforehim；anddippinghispeninhisink，andleaninghisbreastoverthetable，hedisposedeverythingtomakethegentleman'slastwillandtestamentAlas!MONSIEURLENOTAIRE，saidthegentleman，raisinghimselfupalittle，Ihavenothingtobequeath，whichwillpaytheexpenseofbequeathing，exceptthehistoryofmyself，whichIcouldnotdieinpeace，unlessIleftitasalegacytotheworld:theprofitsarisingoutofitIbequeathtoyouforthepainsoftakingitfromme-Itisastorysouncommon，itmustbereadbyallmankind；-
itwillmakethefortunesofyourhouse-Thenotarydipp'dhispenintohisinkhorn-AlmightyDirectorofeveryeventinmylife!saidtheoldgentleman，lookingupearnestly，andraisinghishandstowardsheaven，-Thou，whosehandhasledmeonthroughsuchalabyrinthofstrangepassagesdownintothissceneofdesolation，assistthedecayingmemoryofanold，infirm，andbroken-heartedman；-directmytonguebythespiritofthyeternaltruth，thatthisstrangermaysetdownnoughtbutwhatiswritteninthatBOOK，fromwhoserecords，saidhe，claspinghishandstogether，Iamtobecondemn'doracquitted!-thenotaryheldupthepointofhispenbetwixtthetaperandhiseye-
Itisastory，MONSIEURLENOTAIRE，saidthegentleman，whichwillrouseupeveryaffectioninnature；-itwillkillthehumane，andtouchtheheartofCrueltyherselfwithpity——
Thenotarywasinflamedwithadesiretobegin，andputhispenathirdtimeintohisink-horn-andtheoldgentleman，turningalittlemoretowardsthenotary，begantodictatehisstoryinthesewords:——
Andwhereistherestofit，LaFleur?saidI，ashejustthenenter'dtheroom。
THEFRAGMENT，ANDTHEBOUQUET。1PARIS。
WHENLaFleurcameupclosetothetable，andwasmadetocomprehendwhatIwanted，hetoldmetherewereonlytwoothersheetsofit，whichhehadwrappedroundthestalksofabouquettokeepittogether，whichhehadpresentedtothedemoiselleupontheboulevards-Thenprithee，LaFleur，saidI，stepbacktohertotheCountdeB-'shotel，andseeifthoucanstgetit-Thereisnodoubtofit，saidLaFleur；-andawayheflew。
Inaverylittletimethepoorfellowcamebackquiteoutofbreath，withdeepermarksofdisappointmentinhislooksthancouldarisefromthesimpleirreparabilityofthefragment。JUSTECIEL!
inlessthantwominutesthatthepoorfellowhadtakenhislasttenderfarewellofher-hisfaithlessmistresshadgivenhisGAGE
D'AMOURtooneoftheCount'sfootmen，-thefootmantoayoungsempstress，-andthesempstresstoafiddler，withmyfragmentattheendofit-Ourmisfortuneswereinvolvedtogether:-Igaveasigh，-andLaFleurechoeditbackagaintomyear-
Howperfidious!criedLaFleur-Howunlucky!saidI-
Ishouldnothavebeenmortified，Monsieur，quothLaFleur，ifshehadlostit-NorI，LaFleur，saidI，hadIfoundit。
WhetherIdidornowillbeseenhereafter。
THEACTOFCHARITY。PARIS。
THEmanwhoeitherdisdainsorfearstowalkupadarkentrymaybeanexcellentgoodman，andfitforahundredthings，buthewillnotdotomakeagoodSentimentalTraveller-IcountlittleofthemanythingsIseepassatbroadnoonday，inlargeandopenstreets-Natureisshy，andhatestoactbeforespectators；butinsuchanunobservedcorneryousometimesseeasingleshortsceneofhersworthallthesentimentsofadozenFrenchplayscompoundedtogether，-andyettheyareabsolutelyfine；-andwheneverIhaveamorebrilliantaffairuponmyhandsthancommon，astheysuitapreacherjustaswellasahero，Igenerallymakemysermonoutof'em；-andforthetext，-"Cappadocia，PontusandAsia，PhrygiaandPamphylia，"-isasgoodasanyoneintheBible。
ThereisalongdarkpassageissuingoutfromtheOperaComiqueintoanarrowstreet；'tistrodbyafewwhohumblywaitforaFIACRE，2orwishtogetoffquietlyo'footwhentheoperaisdone。Attheendofit，towardsthetheatre，'tislightedbyasmallcandle，thelightofwhichisalmostlostbeforeyougethalf-waydown，butnearthedoor-'tismoreforornamentthanuse:
youseeitasafixedstaroftheleastmagnitude；itburns，-butdoeslittlegoodtotheworld，thatweknowof。
Inreturningalongthispassage，Idiscerned，asIapproachedwithinfiveorsixpacesofthedoor，twoladiesstandingarm-in-
armwiththeirbacksagainstthewall，waiting，asIimagined，foraFIACRE；-astheywerenextthedoor，Ithoughttheyhadapriorright；soedgedmyselfupwithinayardorlittlemoreofthem，andquietlytookmystand-Iwasinblack，andscarceseen。
Theladynextmewasatallleanfigureofawoman，ofaboutthirty-six；theotherofthesamesizeandmake，ofaboutforty:
therewasnomarkofwifeorwidowinanyonepartofeitherofthem；-theyseem'dtobetwouprightvestalsisters，unsappedbycaresses，unbrokeinuponbytendersalutations-Icouldhavewish'dtohavemadethemhappy:-theirhappinesswasdestin'dthatnight，tocomefromanotherquarter。