"Come，don'ttalknonsense，Suzanne，"repliedduBousquier；"IreallythinkIamstilldreaming。"
　　"Howmuchmorerealitydoyouwant？"criedSuzanne，standingup。
　　DuBousquierrubbedhiscottonnight-captothetopofhisheadwitharotatorymotion，whichplainlyindicatedthetremendousfermentationofhisideas。
　　"Heactuallybelievesit!"thoughtSuzanne，"andhe'sflattered。
　　Heaven!howeasyitistogullmen!"
　　"Suzanne，whatthedevilmustIdo？Itissoextraordinary——I，whothought——Thefactisthat——No，no，itcan'tbe——"
　　"What？youcan'tmarryme？"
　　"Oh!asforthat，no；Ihaveengagements。"
　　"WithMademoiselleArmandeorMademoiselleCormon，whohavebothrefusedyou？Listentome，MonsieurduBousquier，myhonordoesn'tneedgendarmestodragyoutothemayor'soffice。Isha'n'tlackforhusbands，thankgoodness!andIdon'twantamanwhocan'tappreciatewhatI'mworth。Butsomedayyou'llrepentofthewayyouarebehaving；forItellyounowthatnothingonearth，neithergoldnorsilver，willinducemetoreturnthegoodthingthatbelongstoyou，ifyourefusetoacceptitto-day。"
　　"But，Suzanne，areyousure？"
　　"Oh，monsieur!"criedthegrisette，wrappinghervirtueroundher，"whatdoyoutakemefor？Idon'tremindyouofthepromisesyoumademe，whichhaveruinedapooryounggirlwhoseonlyblamewastohaveasmuchambitionaslove。"
　　DuBousquierwastornwithconflictingsentiments，joy，distrust，calculation。HehadlongdeterminedtomarryMademoiselleCormon；fortheCharter，onwhichhehadjustbeenruminating，offeredtohisambition，throughthehalfofherproperty，thepoliticalcareerofadeputy。Besides，hismarriagewiththeoldmaidwouldputhimsociallysohighinthetownthathewouldhavegreatinfluence。Consequently，thestormupraisedbythatmaliciousSuzannedrovehimintothewildestembarrassment。Withoutthissecretscheme，hewouldhavemarriedSuzannewithouthesitation。Inwhichcase，hecouldopenlyassumetheleadershipoftheliberalpartyinAlencon。Aftersuchamarriagehewould，ofcourse，renouncethebestsocietyandtakeupwiththebourgeoisclassoftradesmen，richmanufacturersandgraziers，whowouldcertainlycarryhimintriumphastheircandidate。
　　DuBousquieralreadyforesawtheLeftside。
　　Thissolemndeliberationhedidnotconceal；herubbedhishandsoverhishead，displacingthecapwhichcovereditsdisastrousbaldness。
　　Suzanne，meantime，likeallthosepersonswhosucceedbeyondtheirhopes，wassilentandamazed。Tohideherastonishment，sheassumedthemelancholyposeofaninjuredgirlatthemercyofherseducer；
　　inwardlyshewaslaughinglikeagrisetteatherclevertrick。
　　"Mydearchild，"saidduBousquieratlength，"I'mnottobetakeninwithsuchBOSH，notI!"
　　SuchwasthecurtremarkwhichendedduBousquier'smeditation。Heplumedhimselfonbelongingtotheclassofcynicalphilosopherswhocouldneverbe"takenin"bywomen，——puttingthem，oneandall，untothesamecategory，asSUSPICIOUS。Thesestrong-mindedpersonsareusuallyweakmenwhohaveaspecialcatechisminthematterofwomenkind。Tothemthewholesex，fromqueensofFrancetomilliners，areessentiallydepraved，licentious，intriguing，notalittlerascally，fundamentallydeceitful，andincapableofthoughtaboutanythingbuttrifles。Tothem，womenareevil-doingqueens，whomustbeallowedtodanceandsingandlaughastheyplease；theyseenothingsacredorsaintlyinthem，noranythinggrand；tothemthereisnopoetryinthesenses，onlygrosssensuality。Wheresuchjurisprudenceprevails，ifawomanisnotperpetuallytyrannizedover，shereducesthemantotheconditionofaslave。UnderthisaspectduBousquierwasagaintheantithesisofthechevalier。Whenhemadehisfinalremark，heflunghisnight-captothefootofthebed，asPopeGregorydidthetaperwhenhefulminatedanexcommunication；SuzannethenlearnedforthefirsttimethatduBousquierworeatoupetcoveringhisbaldspot。
　　"Pleasetoremember，MonsieurduBousquier，"sherepliedmajestically，"thatincomingheretotellyouofthismatterIhavedonemyduty；
　　rememberthatIhaveofferedyoumyhand，andaskedforyours；butrememberalsothatIbehavedwiththedignityofawomanwhorespectsherself。Ihavenotabasedmyselftoweeplikeasillyfool；Ihavenotinsisted；Ihavenottormentedyou。Younowknowmysituation。YoumustseethatIcannotstayinAlencon:mymotherwouldbeatme，andMadameLardotridesahobbyofprinciples；she'llturnmeoff。Poorwork-girlthatIam，mustIgotothehospital？mustIbegmybread？
　　No!I'dratherthrowmyselfintotheBrillanteortheSarthe。Butisn'titbetterthatIshouldgotoParis？Mymothercouldfindanexcusetosendmethere，——anunclewhowantsme，oradyingaunt，oraladywhosendsforme。ButImusthavesomemoneyforthejourneyandfor——youknowwhat。"
　　ThisextraordinarypieceofnewswasfarmorestartlingtoduBousquierthantotheChevalierdeValois。Suzanne'sfictionintroducedsuchconfusionintotheideasoftheoldbachelorthathewasliterallyincapableofsoberreflection。Withoutthisagitationandwithouthisinwarddelightforvanityisaswindlerwhichneverfailsofitsdupe，hewouldcertainlyhavereflectedthat，supposingitweretrue，agirllikeSuzanne，whoseheartwasnotyetspoiled，wouldhavediedathousanddeathsbeforebeginningadiscussionofthiskindandaskingformoney。
　　"WillyoureallygotoParis，then？"hesaid。
　　AflashofgayetylightedSuzanne'sgrayeyesassheheardthesewords；buttheself-satisfiedduBousquiersawnothing。
　　"Yes，monsieur，"shesaid。
　　DuBousquierthenbeganbitterlamentations:hehadthelastpaymentstomakeonhishouse；thepainter，themason，theupholsterersmustbepaid。Suzannelethimrunon；shewaslisteningforthefigures。DuBousquierofferedherthreehundredfrancs。Suzannemadewhatiscalledonthestageafalseexit；thatis，shemarchedtowardthedoor。
　　"Stop，stop!whereareyougoing？"saidduBousquier，uneasily。"Thisiswhatcomesofabachelor'slife!"thoughthe。"ThedeviltakemeifIeverdidanythingmorethanrumplehercollar，and，loandbehold!
　　shemakesTHATagroundtoputherhandinone'spocket!"
　　"I'mgoing，monsieur，"repliedSuzanne，"toMadameGranson，thetreasureroftheMaternitySociety，who，tomyknowledge，hassavedmanyapoorgirlinmyconditionfromsuicide。"
　　"MadameGranson!"
　　"Yes，"saidSuzanne，"arelationofMademoiselleCormon，thepresidentoftheMaternitySociety。Savingyourpresence，theladiesofthetownhavecreatedaninstitutiontoprotectpoorcreaturesfromdestroyingtheirinfants，likethathandsomeFaustineofArgentanwhowasexecutedforitthreeyearsago。"
　　"Here，Suzanne，"saidduBousquier，givingherakey，"openthatsecretary，andtakeoutthebagyou'llfindthere:there'saboutsixhundredfrancsinit；itisallIpossess。"
　　"Oldcheat!"thoughtSuzanne，doingashetoldher，"I'lltellaboutyourfalsetoupet。"
　　ShecomparedduBousquierwiththatcharmingchevalier，whohadgivenhernothing，itistrue，butwhohadcomprehendedher，advisedher，andcarriedallgrisettesinhisheart。
　　"Ifyoudeceiveme，Suzanne，"criedduBousquier，ashesawherwithherhandinthedrawer，"you——"
　　"Monsieur，"shesaid，interruptinghimwithineffableimpertinence，"wouldn'tyouhavegivenmemoneyifIhadaskedforit？"
　　Recalledtoasenseofgallantry，duBousquierhadaremembranceofpasthappinessandgruntedhisassent。Suzannetookthebaganddeparted，afterallowingtheoldbachelortokissher，whichhedidwithanairthatseemedtosay，"Itisarightwhichcostsmedear；
　　butitisbetterthanbeingharriedbyalawyerinthecourtofassizesastheseducerofagirlaccusedofinfanticide。"
　　Suzannehidthesackinasortofgamebagmadeofosierwhichshehadonherarm，allthewhilecursingduBousquierforhisstinginess；foronethousandfrancswasthesumshewanted。Oncetemptedofthedeviltodesirethatsum，agirlwillgofarwhenshehassetfootonthepathoftrickery。AsshemadeherwayalongtherueduBercail，itcameintoherheadthattheMaternitySociety，presidedoverbyMademoiselleCormon，mightbeinducedtocompletethesumatwhichshehadreckonedherjourneytoParis，whichtoagrisetteofAlenconseemedconsiderable。Besides，shehatedduBousquier。ThelatterhadevidentlyfearedarevelationofhissupposedmisconducttoMadameGranson；andSuzanne，attheriskofnotgettingapennyfromthesociety，waspossessedwiththedesire，onleavingAlencon，ofentanglingtheoldbachelorintheinextricablemeshesofaprovincialslander。Inallgrisettesthereissomethingofthemalevolentmischiefofamonkey。Accordingly，SuzannenowwenttoseeMadameGranson，composingherfacetoanexpressionofthedeepestdejection。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　ATHANASE
　　MadameGranson，widowofalieutenant-colonelofartillerykilledatJena，possessed，asherwholemeansoflivelihood，ameagrepensionofninehundredfrancsayear，andthreehundredfrancsfrompropertyofherown，plusasonwhosesupportandeducationhadeatenupallhersavings。Sheoccupied，intherueduBercail，oneofthosemelancholyground-floorapartmentswhichatravellerpassingalongtheprincipalstreetofalittleprovincialtowncanlookthroughataglance。Thestreetdooropenedatthetopofthreesteepsteps；apassageledtoaninteriorcourtyard，attheendofwhichwasthestaircasecoveredbyawoodengallery。Ononesideofthepassagewasthedining-roomandthekitchen；ontheotherside，asalonputtomanyuses，andthewidow'sbedchamber。
　　AthanaseGranson，ayoungmantwenty-threeyearsofage，whosleptinanatticroomabovethesecondfloorofthehouse，addedsixhundredfrancstotheincomeofhispoormother，bythesalaryofalittleplacewhichtheinfluenceofhisrelation，MademoiselleCormon，hadobtainedforhiminthemayor'soffice，wherehewasplacedinchargeofthearchives。
　　FromtheseindicationsitiseasytoimagineMadameGransoninhercoldsalonwithitsyellowcurtainsandUtrechtvelvetfurniture，alsoyellow，asshestraightenedtheroundstrawmatswhichwereplacedbeforeeachchair，thatvisitorsmightnotsoilthered-tiledfloorwhiletheysatthere；afterwhichshereturnedtohercushionedarmchairandlittlework-tableplacedbeneaththeportraitofthelieutenant-colonelofartillerybetweentwowindows，——apointfromwhichhereyecouldraketherueduBercailandseeallcomers。Shewasagoodwoman，dressedwithbourgeoissimplicityinkeepingwithherwanfacefurrowedbygrief。Therigoroushumblenessofpovertymadeitselffeltinalltheaccessoriesofthishousehold，theveryairofwhichwaschargedwiththesternanduprightmoralsoftheprovinces。Atthismomentthesonandmotherweretogetherinthedining-room，wheretheywerebreakfastingwithacupofcoffee，withbreadandbutterandradishes。TomakethepleasurewhichSuzanne'svisitwastogivetoMadameGransonintelligible，wemustexplaincertainsecretinterestsofthemotherandson。
　　AthanaseGransonwasathinandpaleyoungman，ofmediumheight，withahollowfaceinwhichhistwoblackeyes，sparklingwiththoughts，gavetheeffectofbitsofcoal。Theratherirregularlinesofhisface，thecurveofhislips，aprominentchin，thefinemodellingofhisforehead，hismelancholycountenance，causedbyasenseofhispovertywarringwiththepowersthathefeltwithinhim，wereallindicationsofrepressedandimprisonedtalent。InanyotherplacethanthetownofAlenconthemereaspectofhispersonwouldhavewonhimtheassistanceofsuperiormen，orofwomenwhoareabletorecognizegeniusinobscurity。Ifhiswasnotgenius，itwasatanyratetheformandaspectofit；ifhehadnottheactualforceofagreatheart，theglowofsuchaheartwasinhisglance。Althoughhewascapableofexpressingthehighestfeeling，acasingoftimiditydestroyedallthegracesofhisyouth，justastheiceofpovertykepthimfromdaringtoputforthallhispowers。Provinciallife，withoutanopening，withoutappreciation，withoutencouragement，describedacircleabouthiminwhichlanguishedanddiedthepowerofthought，——apowerwhichasyethadscarcelyreacheditsdawn。Moreover，Athanasepossessedthatsavagepridewhichpovertyintensifiesinnobleminds，exaltingthemintheirstrugglewithmenandthings；althoughattheirstartinlifeitisanobstacletotheiradvancement。Geniusproceedsintwoways:eitherittakesitsopportunity——likeNapoleon，likeMoliere——themomentthatitseesit，oritwaitstobesoughtwhenithaspatientlyrevealeditself。YoungGransonbelongedtothatclassofmenoftalentwhodistrustthemselvesandareeasilydiscouraged。Hissoulwascontemplative。Helivedmorebythoughtthanbyaction。
　　PerhapshemighthaveseemeddeficientorincompletetothosewhocannotconceiveofgeniuswithoutthesparkleofFrenchpassion；buthewaspowerfulintheworldofmind，andhewasliabletoreach，throughaseriesofemotionsimperceptibletocommonsouls，thosesuddendeterminationswhichmakefoolssayofaman，"Heismad。"
　　ThecontemptwhichtheworldpoursoutonpovertywasdeathtoAthanase；theenervatingheatofsolitude，withoutabreathorcurrentofair，relaxedthebowwhicheverstrovetotightenitself；hissoulgrewwearyinthispainfuleffortwithoutresults。AthanasewasamanwhomighthavetakenhisplaceamongthegloriesofFrance；but，eagleashewas，coopedinacagewithouthispropernourishment，hewasabouttodieofhungeraftercontemplatingwithanardenteyethefieldsofairandthemountainheightswheregeniussoars。Hisworkinthecitylibraryescapedattention，andheburiedinhissoulhisthoughtsoffame，fearingthattheymightinjurehim；butdeeperthanalllayburiedwithinhimthesecretofhisheart，——apassionwhichhollowedhischeeksandyellowedhisbrow。Helovedhisdistantcousin，thisveryMademoiselleCormonwhomtheChevalierdeValoisandduBousquier，hishiddenrivals，werestalking。Thislovehadhaditsoriginincalculation。MademoiselleCormonwasthoughttobeoneoftherichestpersonsinthetown:thepoorladhadthereforebeenledtoloveherbydesiresformaterialhappiness，bythehope，longindulged，ofgildingwithcomforthismother'slastyears，byeagerlongingfortheeaseoflifesoneedfultomenwholivebythought；
　　butthismostinnocentpointofdeparturedegradedhispassioninhisowneyes。Moreover，hefearedtheridiculetheworldwouldcastupontheloveofayoungmanoftwenty-threeforanoldmaidofforty。
　　Andyethispassionwasreal；whatevermayseemfalseaboutsuchaloveelsewhere，itcanberealizedasafactintheprovinces，where，mannersandmoralsbeingwithoutchangeorchanceormovementormystery，marriagebecomesanecessityoflife。Nofamilywillacceptayoungmanofdissolutehabits。Howevernaturaltheliaisonofayoungman，likeAthanase，withahandsomegirl，likeSuzanne，forinstance，mightseeminacapital，italarmsprovincialparents，anddestroysthehopesofmarriageofapooryoungmanwhenpossiblythefortuneofarichonemightcausesuchanunfortunateantecedenttobeoverlooked。Betweenthedepravityofcertainliaisonsandasincerelove，amanofhonorandnofortunewillnothesitate:heprefersthemisfortunesofvirtuetotheevilsofvice。Butintheprovinceswomenwithwhomayoungmancallfallinlovearerare。Arichyounggirlhecannotobtaininaregionwherealliscalculation；apooryounggirlheispreventedfromloving；itwouldbe，asprovincialssay，marryinghungerandthirst。Suchmonkishsolitudeis，however，dangeroustoyouth。
　　Thesereflectionsexplainwhyprovinciallifeissofirmlybasedonmarriage。Thuswefindthatardentandvigorousgenius，forcedtorelyontheindependenceofitsownpoverty，quitsthesecoldregionswherethoughtispersecutedbybrutalindifference，wherenowomaniswillingtobeasisterofcharitytoamanoftalent，ofart，ofscience。
　　WhowillreallyunderstandAthanaseGranson'sloveforMademoiselleCormon？Certainlyneitherrichmen——thosesultansofsocietywhofilltheirharems——normiddle-classmen，whofollowthewell-beatenhigh-
　　roadofprejudices；norwomenwho，notchoosingtounderstandthepassionsofartists，imposetheyokeoftheirvirtuesuponmenofgenius，imaginingthatthetwosexesaregovernedbythesamelaws。
　　Here，perhaps，weshouldappealtothoseyoungmenwhosufferfromtherepressionoftheirfirstdesiresatthemomentwhenalltheirforcesaredeveloping；toartistssickoftheirowngeniussmotheringunderthepressureofpoverty；tomenoftalent，persecutedandwithoutinfluence，oftenwithoutfriendsatthestart，whohaveendedbytriumphingoverthatdoubleanguish，equallyagonizing，ofsoulandbody。SuchmenwillwellunderstandthelancinatingpainsofthecancerwhichwasnowconsumingAthanase；theyhavegonethroughthoselongandbitterdeliberationsmadeinpresenceofsomegrandiosepurposetheyhadnotthemeanstocarryout；theyhaveenduredthosesecretmiscarriagesinwhichthefructifyingseedofgeniusfallsonaridsoil。Suchmenknowthatthegrandeurofdesiresisinproportiontotheheightandbreadthoftheimagination。Thehighertheyspring，thelowertheyfall；andhowcanitbethattiesandbondsshouldnotbebrokenbysuchafall？Theirpiercingeyehasseen——asdidAthanase——thebrilliantfuturewhichawaitedthem，andfromwhichtheyfanciedthatonlyathingauzepartedthem；butthatgauzethroughwhichtheireyescouldseeischangedbySocietyintoawallofiron。Impelledbyavocation，byasentimentofart，theyendeavoragainandagaintolivebysentimentswhichsocietyasincessantlymaterializes。Alas!
　　theprovincescalculateandarrangemarriagewiththeoneviewofmaterialcomfort，andapoorartistormanofscienceisforbiddentodoubleitspurposeandmakeitthesaviourofhisgeniusbysecuringtohimthemeansofsubsistence!
　　Movedbysuchideas，AthanaseGransonfirstthoughtofmarriagewithMademoiselleCormonasameansofobtainingalivelihoodwhichwouldbepermanent。Thencehecouldrisetofame，andmakehismotherhappy，knowingatthesametimethathewascapableoffaithfullylovinghiswife。Butsoonhisownwillcreated，althoughhedidnotknowit，agenuinepassion。Hebegantostudytheoldmaid，and，bydintofthecharmwhichhabitgives，heendedbyseeingonlyherbeautiesandignoringherdefects。
　　Inayoungmanoftwenty-threethesensescountformuchinlove；
　　theirfireproducesasortofprismbetweenhiseyesandthewoman。
　　FromthispointofviewtheclaspwithwhichBeaumarchis'CherubinseizesMarcelineisastrokeofgenius。ButwhenwereflectthatintheutterisolationtowhichpovertycondemnedpoorAthanase，MademoiselleCormonwastheonlyfigurepresentedtohisgaze，thatsheattractedhiseyeincessantly，thatallthelighthehadwasconcentratedonher，surelyhislovemaybeconsiderednatural。
　　Thissentiment，socarefullyhidden，increasedfromdaytoday。
　　Desires，sufferings，hopes，andmeditationsswelledinquietnessandsilencethelakewideningeverintheyoungman'sbreast，ashourbyhouraddeditsdropofwatertothevolume。Andthewiderthisinwardcircle，drawnbytheimagination，aidedbythesenses，grew，themoreimposingMademoiselleCormonappearedtoAthanase，andthemorehisowntimidityincreased。
　　Themotherhaddivinedthetruth。Likeallprovincialmothers，shecalculatedcandidlyinherownmindtheadvantagesofthematch。ShetoldherselfthatMademoiselleCormonwouldbeveryluckytosecureahusbandinayoungmanoftwenty-three，fulloftalent，whowouldalwaysbeanhonortohisfamilyandtheneighborhood；atthesametimetheobstacleswhichherson'swantoffortuneandMademoiselleCormon'sagepresentedtothemarriageseemedtoheralmostinsurmountable；shecouldthinkofnothingbutpatienceasbeingabletovanquishthem。LikeduBousquier，liketheChevalierdeValois，shehadapolicyofherown；shewasonthewatchforcircumstances，awaitingthepropitiousmomentforamovewiththeshrewdnessofmaternalinstinct。MadameGransonhadnofearsatallastothechevalier，butshedidsupposethatduBousquier，althoughrefused，retainedcertainhopes。Asanableandunderhandenemytothelatter，shedidhimmuchsecretharmintheinterestsofherson；fromwhom，bythebye，shecarefullyconcealedallsuchproceedings。
　　AfterthisexplanationitiseasytounderstandtheimportancewhichSuzanne'slie，confidedtoMadameGranson，wasabouttoacquire。Whataweaponputintothehandsofthischaritablelady，thetreasureroftheMaternitySociety!HowshewouldgentlyanddemurelyspreadthenewswhilecollectingassistanceforthechasteSuzanne!
　　AtthepresentmomentAthanase，leaningpensivelyonhiselbowatthebreakfasttable，wastwirlinghisspooninhisemptycupandcontemplatingwithapreoccupiedeyethepoorroomwithitsredbrickfloor，itsstrawchairs，itspaintedwoodenbuffet，itspinkandwhitecurtainschequeredlikeabackgammonboard，whichcommunicatedwiththekitchenthroughaglassdoor。Ashisbackwastothechimneywhichhismotherfaced，andasthechimneywasoppositetothedoor，hispallidface，stronglylightedfromthewindow，framedinbeautifulblackhair，theeyesgleamingwithdespairandfierywithmorningthoughts，wasthefirstobjectwhichmettheeyesoftheincomingSuzanne。Thegrisette，whobelongedtoaclasswhichcertainlyhastheinstinctofmiseryandthesufferingsoftheheart，suddenlyfeltthatelectricspark，dartingfromHeavenknowswhere，whichcanneverbeexplained，whichsomestrongmindsdeny，butthesympatheticstrokeofwhichhasbeenfeltbymanymenandmanywomen。Itisatoncealightwhichlightensthedarknessofthefuture，apresentimentofthesacredjoysofasharedlove，thecertaintyofmutualcomprehension。
　　Aboveall，itislikethetouchofafirmandablehandonthekeyboardofthesenses。Theeyesarefascinatedbyanirresistibleattraction；theheartisstirred；themelodiesofhappinessechointhesoulandintheears；avoicecriesout，"Itishe!"Oftenreflectioncastsadoucheofcoldwateronthisboilingemotion，andallisover。
　　Inamoment，asrapidastheflashofthelightning，Suzannereceivedthebroadsideofthisemotioninherheart。Theflameofarealloveburneduptheevilweedsfosteredbyalibertineanddissipatedlife。
　　Shesawhowmuchshewaslosingofdecencyandvaluebyaccusingherselffalsely。Whathadseemedtoherajokethenightbeforebecametohereyesaseriouschargeagainstherself。Sherecoiledatherownsuccess。Buttheimpossibilityofanyresult；thepovertyoftheyoungman；avaguehopeofenrichingherself，ofgoingtoParis，andreturningwithfullhandstosay，"Iloveyou!herearethemeansofhappiness!"ormerefate，ifyouwillhaveitso，driedupthenextmomentthisbeneficentdew。
　　Theambitiousgrisetteaskedwithatimidairforamoment'sinterviewwithMadameGranson，whotookheratonceintoherbedchamber。WhenSuzannecameoutshelookedagainatAthanase；hewasstillinthesameposition，andthetearscameintohereyes。AsforMadameGranson，shewasradiantwithjoy。Atlastshehadaweapon，andaterribleone，againstduBousquier；shecouldnowdealhimamortalblow。ShehadofcoursepromisedthepoorseducedgirlthesupportofallcharitableladiesandthatofthemembersoftheMaternitySocietyinparticular；sheforesawadozenvisitswhichwouldoccupyherwholeday，andbrewupafrightfulstormontheheadoftheguiltyduBousquier。TheChevalierdeValois，whileforeseeingtheturntheaffairwouldtake，hadreallynoideaofthescandalwhichwouldresultfromhisownaction。
　　"Mydearchild，"saidMadameGransontoherson，"wearetodine，youknow，withMademoiselleCormon；dotakealittlepainswithyourappearance。Youarewrongtoneglectyourdressasyoudo。PutonthathandsomefrilledshirtandyourgreencoatofElbeufcloth。Ihavemyreasons，"sheaddedslyly。"Besides，MademoiselleCormonisgoingtoPrebaudet，andmanypersonswilldoubtlesscalltobidhergood-bye。
　　Whenayoungmanismarriageableheoughttotakeeverymeanstomakehimselfagreeable。Ifgirlswouldonlytellthetruth，heavens!mydearboy，you'dbeastonishedatwhatmakesthemfallinlove。Oftenitsufficesforamantoridepastthemattheheadofacompanyofartillery，orshowhimselfataballintightclothes。Sometimesamereturnofthehead，amelancholyattitude，makesthemsupposeaman'swholelife；they'llinventaromancetomatchthehero——whoisoftenamerebrute，butthemarriageismade。WatchtheChevalierdeValois:studyhim；copyhismanners；seewithwhateasehepresentshimself；heneverputsonastiffair，asyoudo。Talkalittlemore；
　　onewouldreallythinkyoudidn'tknowanything，——you，whoknowHebrewbyheart。"
　　Athanaselistenedtohismotherwithasurprisedbutsubmissiveair；
　　thenherose，tookhiscap，andwentofftothemayor'soffice，sayingtohimself，"Canmymothersuspectmysecret？"
　　HepassedthroughtherueduVal-Noble，whereMademoiselleCormonlived，——alittlepleasurewhichhegavehimselfeverymorning，thinking，asusual，avarietyoffancifulthings: