Sheshookherhead，andhavingcaughtanantontheendofaseveredbladeofgrass，sheamusedherselfbymakingitgofromoneendtotheotherofthesprig，whichshetippedupwhenevertheinsectreachedoneoftheends。Shelistenedwithmuteandcontentedattentiontoallthewonderfuldetailsofthelifeofthesefrailcreatures:theirsubterraneanhomes；themannerinwhichtheyseize，shutup，andfeedplant-licetodrinkthesweetmilkwhichtheysecrete，aswekeepcowsinourbarns；theircustomofdomesticatinglittleblindinsectswhichcleantheanthills，andofgoingtowartocaptureslaveswhowilltakecareoftheirvictorswithsuchtendersolicitudethatthelatterevenlosethehabitoffeedingthemselves。
Andlittlebylittle，asifamaternaltendernesshadsprungupinherheartforthepoorinsectwhichwassotinyandsointelligent，Yvettemadeitclimbonherfinger，lookingatitwithamovedexpression，almostwantingtoembraceit。
AndasServignyreadofthewayinwhichtheyliveincommunities，andplaygamesofstrengthandskillamongthemselves，theyounggirlgrewenthusiasticandsoughttokisstheinsectwhichescapedherandbegantocrawloverherface。Thensheutteredapiercingcry，asifshehadbeenthreatenedbyaterribledanger，andwithfranticgesturestriedtobrushitoffherface。WithaloudlaughServignycaughtitnearhertressesandimprintedonthespotwherehehadseizeditalongkisswithoutYvettewithdrawingherforehead。
Thensheexclaimedassherose:"Thatisbetterthananovel。NowletusgotoLaGrenouillere。"
Theyreachedthatpartoftheislandwhichissetoutasaparkandshadedwithgreattrees。CoupleswerestrollingbeneaththeloftyfoliagealongtheSeine，wheretheboatswereglidingby。
Theboatswerefilledwithyoungpeople，working-girlsandtheirsweethearts，thelatterintheirshirt-sleeves，withcoatsontheirarms，tallhatstippedback，andajadedlook。Thereweretradesmenwiththeirfamilies，thewomendressedintheirbestandthechildrenflockinglikelittlechicksabouttheirparents。Adistant，continuoussoundofvoices，aheavy，scoldingclamorannouncedtheproximityoftheestablishmentsodeartotheboatmen。
Suddenlytheysawit。Itwasahugeboat，roofedover，mooredtothebank。Onboardweremanymenandwomendrinkingattables，orelsestandingup，shouting，singing，bandyingwords，dancing，capering，tothesoundofapianowhichwasgroaning——outoftuneandrattlingasanoldkettle。
Twotall，russet-haired，half-tipsygirls，withredlips，weretalkingcoarsely。Othersweredancingmadlywithyoungfellowshalfclad，dressedlikejockeys，inlinentrousersandcoloredcaps。Theodorsofacrowdandofrice-powderwerenoticeable。
Thedrinkersaroundthetableswereswallowingwhite，red，yellow，andgreenliquids，andvociferatingatthetopoftheirlungs，feelingasitwere，thenecessityofmakinganoise，abrutalneedofhavingtheirearsandbrainsfilledwithuproar。Nowandthenaswimmer，standingontheroof，divedintothewater，splashingthenearestguests，whoyelledlikesavages。
Onthestreampassedtheflotillasoflightcraft，long，slenderwherries，swiftlyrowedbybare-armedoarsmen，whosemusclesplayedbeneaththeirbronzedskin。Thewomenintheboats，inblueorredflannelskirts，withumbrellas，redorblue，openedovertheirheadsandgleamingundertheburningsun，leanedbackintheirchairsatthesternoftheboats，andseemedalmosttofloatuponthewater，inmotionlessandslumberouspose。
Theheavierboatsproceededslowly，crowdedwithpeople。A
collegian，wantingtoshowoff，rowedlikeawindmillagainstalltheotherboats，bringingthecursesoftheiroarsmendownuponhishead，anddisappearingindismayafteralmostdrowningtwoswimmers，followedbytheshoutsofthecrowdthronginginthegreatfloatingcafe。
Yvette，radiantlyhappy，takingServigny'sarm，wentintothemidstofthisnoisymob。Sheseemedtoenjoythecrowding，andstaredatthegirlswithacalmandgraciousglance。
"Lookatthatone，Muscade，"shesaid。"Whatprettyhairshehas！
Theyseemtobehavingsuchfun！"
Asthepianist，aboatmandressedinredwithahugestrawhat，beganawaltz，Yvettegraspedhercompanionandtheydancedsolongandmadlythateverybodylookedatthem。Theguests，standingonthetables，kepttimewiththeirfeet；othersthrewglasses，andthemusician，seemingtogomad，strucktheivorykeyswithgreatbangs；
swayinghiswholebodyandswinginghisheadcoveredwiththatimmensehat。Suddenlyhestoppedand，slippingtothedeck，layflat，beneathhishead-gear，asifdeadwithfatigue。Aloudlaugharoseandeverybodyapplauded。
Fourfriendsrushedforward，astheydoincasesofaccident，andliftinguptheircomrade，theycarriedhimbyhisfourlimbs，aftercarefullyplacinghisgreathatonhisstomach。Ajokerfollowingthemintonedthe"DeProfundis，"andaprocessionformedandthreadedthepathsoftheisland，guestsandstrollersandeveryonetheymetfallingintoline。
Yvettedartedforward，delighted，laughingwithherwholeheart，chattingwitheverybody，stirredbythemovementandthenoise。Theyoungmengazedather，crowdedagainsther，seemingtodevourherwiththeirglances；andServignybegantofearlesttheadventureshouldterminatebadly。
Theprocessionstillkeptonitsway；hasteningitsstep；forthefourbearershadtakenaquickpace，followedbytheyellingcrowd。
Butsuddenly，theyturnedtowardtheshore，stoppedshortastheyreachedthebank，swungtheircomradeforamoment，andthen，allfouractingtogether，flunghimintotheriver。
Agreatshoutofjoyrangoutfromallmouths，whilethepoorpianist，bewildered，paddled，swore，coughed，andspluttered，andthoughstickinginthemudmanagedtogettotheshore。Hishatwhichfloateddownthestreamwaspickedupbyaboat。Yvettedancedwithjoy，clappingandrepeating:"Oh！Muscade，whatfun！whatfun！"
Servignylookedon，havingbecomeserious，alittledisturbed，alittlechilledtoseehersomuchathereaseinthiscommonplace。
Asortofinstinctrevoltedinhim，thatinstinctoftheproper，whichawell-bornmanalwayspreservesevenwhenhecastshimselfloose，thatinstinctwhichavoidstoocommonfamiliaritiesandtoodegradingcontacts。Astonished，hemutteredtohimself:
"Egad！ThenYOUareathomehere，areyou？"Andhewantedtospeakfamiliarlytoher，asamandoestocertainwomenthefirsttimehemeetsthem。Henolongerdistinguishedherfromtherusset-haired，hoarse-voicedcreatureswhobrushedagainstthem。Thelanguageofthecrowdwasnotatallchoice，butnobodyseemedshockedorsurprised。Yvettedidnotevenappeartonoticeit。
"Muscade，Iwanttogoinbathing，"shesaid。"We'llgointotherivertogether。"
"Atyourservice，"saidhe。
Theywenttothebath-officetogetbathing-suits。Shewasreadythefirst，andstoodonthebankwaitingforhim，smilingoneveryonewholookedather。Thensidebysidetheywentintotheluke-warmwater。
Sheswamwithpleasure，withintoxication，caressedbythewave，throbbingwithasensualdelight，raisingherselfateachstrokeasifsheweregoingtospringfromthewater。Hefollowedherwithdifficulty，breathless，andvexedtofeelhimselfmediocreatthesport。
Butsheslackenedherpace，andthen，turningoversuddenly，shefloated，withherarmsfoldedandhereyeswideopentothebluesky。Heobserved，thusstretchedoutonthesurfaceoftheriver，theundulatinglinesofherform，herfirmneckandshoulders，herslightlysubmergedhips，andbareankles，gleaminginthewater，andthetinyfootthatemerged。
Hesawherthusexhibitingherself，asifsheweredoingitonpurpose，tolurehimon，oragaintomakesportofhim。Andhebegantolongforherwithapassionateardorandanexasperatingimpatience。Suddenlysheturned，lookedathim，andburstintolaughter。
"Youhaveafinehead，"shesaid。
Hewasannoyedatthisbantering，possessedwiththeangerofabaffledlover。Thenyieldingbrusquelytoahalffeltdesireforretaliation，adesiretoavengehimself，towoundher，hesaid:
"Well，doesthissortoflifesuityou？"
Sheaskedwithanartlessair:"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Oh，come，don'tmakegameofme。YouknowwellenoughwhatImean！"
"No，Idon't，onmywordofhonor。"
"Oh，letusstopthiscomedy！Willyouorwillyounot？"
"Idonotunderstandyou。"
"Youarenotasstupidasallthat；besidesItoldyoulastnight。"
"Toldmewhat？Ihaveforgotten！"
"ThatIloveyou。"
"You？"
"Yes。"
"Whatnonsense！"
"Iswearit。"
"Thenproveit。"
"ThatisallIask。"
"Whatis？"
"Toproveit。"
"Well，doso。"
"Butyoudidnotsaysolastnight。"
"Youdidnotaskanything。"
"Whatabsurdity！"
"Andbesidesitisnottometowhomyoushouldmakeyourproposition。"
"Towhom，then？"
"Why，tomamma，ofcourse。"
Heburstintolaughter。"Toyourmother。No，thatistoomuch！"
Shehadsuddenlybecomeverygrave，andlookinghimstraightintheeyes，said:
"Listen，Muscade，ifyoureallylovemeenoughtomarryme，speaktomammafirst，andIwillansweryouafterward。"
Hethoughtshewasstillmakingsportofhim，andangrilyreplied:
"Mam'zelle，youmustbetakingmeforsomebodyelse。"
Shekeptlookingathimwithhersoft，cleareyes。Shehesitatedandthensaid:
"Idon'tunderstandyouatall。"
Thenheansweredquicklywithsomewhatofillnatureinhisvoice:
"Comenow，Yvette，letusceasethisabsurdcomedy，whichhasalreadylastedtoolong。Youareplayingthepartofasimplelittlegirl，andtheroledoesnotfityouatall，believeme。Youknowperfectlywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus，butmerelyoflove。IhavetoldyouthatIloveyou。Itisthetruth。Irepeat，Iloveyou。Don'tpretendanylongernottounderstandme，anddon'ttreatmeasifIwereafool。"
Theywerefacetoface，treadingwater，merelymovingtheirhandsalittle，tosteadythemselves。Shewasstillforamoment，asifshecouldnotmakeoutthemeaningofhiswords，thenshesuddenlyblusheduptotherootsofherhair。Herwholefacegrewpurplefromhernecktoherears，whichbecamealmostviolet，andwithoutansweringawordshefledtowardtheshore，swimmingwithallherstrengthwithhastystrokes。Hecouldnotkeepupwithherandpantedwithfatigueashefollowed。Hesawherleavethewater，pickuphercloak，andgotoherdressing-roomwithoutlookingback。
Ittookhimalongtimetodress，verymuchperplexedastowhatheoughttodo，puzzledoverwhatheshouldsaytoher，andwonderingwhetherheoughttoexcusehimselforpersevere。Whenhewasready，shehadgoneawayallalone。Hewentbackslowly，anxiousanddisturbed。
TheMarquisewasstrolling，onSaval'sarm，inthecircularpatharoundthelawn。AssheobservedServigny，shesaid，withthatcarelessairwhichshehadmaintainedsincethenightbefore。
"Itoldyounottogooutinsuchhotweather。AndnowYvettehascomebackalmostwithasunstroke。Shehasgonetoliedown。Shewasasredasapoppy，thepoorchild，andshehasafrightfulheadache。Youmusthavebeenwalkinginthefullsunlight，oryoumusthavedonesomethingfoolish。Youareasunreasonableasshe。"
Theyounggirldidnotcomedowntodinner。Whentheywantedtosendherupsomethingtoeatshecalledthroughthedoorthatshewasnothungry，forshehadshutherselfin，andshebeggedthattheywouldleaveherundisturbed。Thetwoyoungmenleftbytheteno'clocktrain，promisingtoreturnthefollowingThursday，andtheMarquiseseatedherselfattheopenwindowtodream，hearinginthedistancetheorchestraoftheboatmen'sball，withitssprightlymusic，inthedeepandsolemnsilenceofthenight。
Swayedbyloveasapersonismovedbyafondnessforhorsesorboating，shewassubjecttosuddentendernesseswhichcreptoverherlikeadisease。Thesepassionstookpossessionofhersuddenly，penetratedherentirebeing，maddenedher，enervatedoroverwhelmedher，inmeasureastheywereofanexalted，violent，dramatic，orsentimentalcharacter。
Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarecreatedtoloveandtobeloved。
Startingfromaverylowstationinlife，shehadriseninheradventurouscareer，actinginstinctively，withinborncleverness，acceptingmoneyandkisses，naturally，withoutdistinguishingbetweenthem，employingherextraordinaryabilityinanunthinkingandsimplefashion。Fromallherexperiencesshehadneverknowneitheragenuinetendernessoragreatrepulsion。
Shehadhadvariousfriends，forshehadtolive，asintravelingapersoneatsatmanytables。Butoccasionallyherhearttookfire，andshereallyfellinlove，whichstatelastedforsomeweeksormonths，accordingtoconditions。Thesewerethedeliciousmomentsofherlife，forshelovedwithallhersoul。Shecastherselfuponloveasapersonthrowshimselfintotherivertodrownhimself，andletherselfbecarriedaway，readytodie，ifneedbe，intoxicated，maddened，infinitelyhappy。Sheimaginedeachtimethatsheneverhadexperiencedanythinglikesuchanattachment，andshewouldhavebeengreatlyastonishedifsomeonehadtoldherofhowmanymenshehaddreamedwholenightsthrough，lookingatthestars。
Savalhadcaptivatedher，bodyandsoul。Shedreamedofhim，lulledbyhisfaceandhismemory，inthecalmexaltationofconsummatedlove，ofpresentandcertainhappiness。
Asoundbehindhermadeherturnaround。Yvettehadjustentered，stillinherdaytimedress，butpale，witheyesglittering，assometimesisthecaseaftersomegreatfatigue。Sheleanedonthesilloftheopenwindow，facinghermother。
"Iwanttospeaktoyou，"shesaid。
TheMarquiselookedatherinastonishment。Shelovedherlikeanegotisticalmother，proudofherbeauty，asapersonisproudofafortune，tooprettystillherselftobecomejealous，tooindifferenttoplantheschemeswithwhichtheychargedher，tooclever，nevertheless，nottohavefullconsciousnessofherdaughter'svalue。
"Iamlistening，mychild，"shesaid；"whatisit？"
Yvettegaveherapiercinglook，asiftoreadthedepthsofhersoulandtoseizeallthesensationswhichherwordsmightawake。
"Itisthis。Somethingstrangehasjusthappened。"
"Whatcanitbe？"
"MonsieurdeServignyhastoldmethathelovesme。"
TheMarquise，disturbed，waitedamoment，and，asYvettesaidnothingmore，sheasked:
"Howdidhetellyouthat？Explainyourself！"
Thentheyounggirl，sittingathermother'sfeet，inacoaxingattitudecommonwithher，andclaspingherhands，added:
"Heaskedmetomarryhim。"
MadameObardimadeasuddengestureofstupefactionandcried:
"Servigny！Why！youarecrazy！"
Yvettehadnottakenhereyesoffhermother'sface，watchingherthoughtsandhersurprise。Sheaskedwithaseriousvoice:
"WhyamIcrazy？WhyshouldnotMonsieurdeServignymarryme？"
TheMarquise，embarrassed，stammered:
"Youaremistaken，itisnotpossible。Youeitherdidnothearordidnotunderstand。MonsieurdeServignyistoorichforyou，andtoomuchofaParisiantomarry。"Yvetterosesoftly。Sheadded:
"Butifhelovesmeashesayshedoes，mamma？"
Hermotherreplied，withsomeimpatience:"Ithoughtyoubigenoughandwiseenoughnottohavesuchideas。Servignyisaman-about-townandanegotist。Hewillnevermarryanyonebutawomanofhissetandhisfortune。Ifheaskedyouinmarriage，itisonlythathewants——"
TheMarquise，incapableofexpressinghermeaning，wassilentforamoment，thencontinued:"Comenow，leavemealoneandgotobed。"
Andtheyounggirl，asifshehadlearnedwhatshesoughttofindout，answeredinadocilevoice:"Yes，mamma！"
Shekissedhermotherontheforeheadandwithdrewwithacalmstep。
Asshereachedthedoor，theMarquisecalledout:"Andyoursunstroke？"shesaid。
"Ididnothaveoneatall。Itwasthatwhichcausedeverything。"
TheMarquiseadded:"Wewillnotspeakofitagain。Onlydon'tstayalonewithhimforsometimefromnow，andbeverysurethathewillnevermarryyou，doyouunderstand，andthathemerelymeansto——
compromiseyou。"
Shecouldnotfindbetterwordstoexpressherthought。Yvettewenttoherroom。MadameObardibegantodream。Livingforyearsinanopulentandlovingrepose，shehadcarefullyputasideallreflectionswhichmightannoyorsaddenher。Neverhadshebeenwillingtoaskherselfthequestion——WhatwouldbecomeofYvette？
Itwouldbesoonenoughtothinkaboutthedifficultieswhentheyarrived。Shewellknew，fromherexperience，thatherdaughtercouldnotmarryamanwhowasrichandofgoodsociety，exceptingbyatotallyimprobablechance，byoneofthosesurprisesoflovewhichplaceadventuressesonthrones。
Shehadnotconsideredit，furthermore，beingtoomuchoccupiedwithherselftomakeanyplanswhichdidnotdirectlyconcernherself。
Yvettewoulddoashermother，undoubtedly。Shewouldleadagaylife。Whynot？ButtheMarquisehadneverdaredaskwhen，orhow。
Thatwouldallcomeaboutintime。
Andnowherdaughter，allofasudden，withoutwarning，hadaskedoneofthosequestionswhichcouldnotbeanswered，forcinghertotakeanattitudeinanaffair，sodelicate，sodangerousineveryrespect，andsodisturbingtotheconsciencewhichawomanisexpectedtoshowinmattersconcerningherdaughter。
Sometimesnoddingbutneverasleep，shehadtoomuchnaturalastutenesstobedeceivedaminuteaboutServigny'sintentions，forsheknewmenbyexperience，andespeciallymenofthatset。SoatthefirstwordsutteredbyYvette，shehadcriedalmostinspiteofherself:"Servigny，marryyou？Youarecrazy！"
Howhadhecometoemploythatoldmethod，he，thatsharpmanoftheworld？Whatwouldhedonow？Andshe，theyounggirl，howshouldshewarnhermoreclearlyandevenforbidher，forshemightmakegreatmistakes。Wouldanyonehavebelievedthatthisbiggirlhadremainedsoartless，soillinformed，soguileless？AndtheMarquise，greatlyperplexedandalreadyweariedwithherreflections，endeavoredtomakeuphermindwhattodowithoutfindingasolutionoftheproblem，forthesituationseemedtoherveryembarrassing。Wornoutwiththisworry，shethought:
"Iwillwatchthemmoreclearly，Iwillactaccordingtocircumstances。Ifnecessary，IwillspeaktoServigny，whoissharpandwilltakeahint。"
Shedidnotthinkoutwhatsheshouldsaytohim，norwhathewouldanswer，norwhatsortofanunderstandingcouldbeestablishedbetweenthem，buthappyatbeingrelievedofthiscarewithouthavinghadtomakeadecision，sheresumedherdreamsofthehandsomeSaval，andturningtowardthatmistylightwhichhoversoverParis，shethrewkisseswithbothhandstowardthegreatcity，rapidkisseswhichshetossedintothedarkness，oneaftertheother，withoutcounting；and，verylow，asifsheweretalkingtoSavalstill，shemurmured:
"Iloveyou，Iloveyou！"
CHAPTERIII。
ENLIGHTENMENT
Yvette，also，couldnotsleep。Likehermother，sheleaneduponthesilloftheopenwindow，andtears，herfirstbittertears，filledhereyes。Uptothistimeshehadlived，hadgrownup，intheheedlessandsereneconfidenceofhappyyouth。Whyshouldshehavedreamed，reflected，puzzled？Whyshouldshenothavebeenayounggirl，likeallotheryounggirls？Whyshouldadoubt，afear，orpainfulsuspicionhavecometoher？
Sheseemedpostedonalltopicsbecauseshehadawayoftalkingonallsubjects，becauseshehadtakenthetone，demeanor，andwordsofthepeoplewholivedaroundher。Butshereallyknewnomorethanalittlegirlraisedinaconvent；heraudacitiesofspeechcamefromhermemory，fromthatunconsciousfacultyofimitationandassimilationwhichwomenpossess，andnotfromamindinstructedandemboldened。
Shespokeofloveasthesonofapainteroramusicianwould，attheageoftenortwelveyears，speakofpaintingormusic。Shekneworrathersuspectedverywellwhatsortofmysterythiswordconcealed；——toomanyjokeshadbeenwhisperedbeforeher，forherinnocencenottobeatrifleenlightened，——buthowcouldshehavedrawntheconclusionfromallthis，thatallfamiliesdidnotresemblehers？
Theykissedhermother'shandwiththesemblanceofrespect；alltheirfriendshadtitles；theyallwererichorseemedtobeso；
theyallspokefamiliarlyoftheprincesoftheroyalline。Twosonsofkingshadevencomeoften，intheevening，totheMarquise'shouse。Howshouldshehaveknown？
And，then，shewasnaturallyartless。Shedidnotestimateorsumuppeopleashermother，did。Shelivedtranquilly，toojoyousinherlifetoworryherselfaboutwhatmightappearsuspicioustocreaturesmorecalm，thoughtful，reserved，lesscordial，andsunny。
Butnow，allatonce，Servigny，byafewwords，thebrutalityofwhichshefeltwithoutunderstandingthem，awakenedinherasuddendisquietude，unreasoningatfirst，butwhichgrewintoatormentingapprehension。Shehadfledhome，hadescapedlikeawoundedanimal，woundedinfactmostdeeplybythosewordswhichsheceaselesslyrepeatedtogetalltheirsenseandbearing:"Youknowverywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus——butonlyoflove。"
Whatdidhemean？Andwhythisinsult？Wasshetheninignoranceofsomething，somesecret，someshame？Shewastheonlyoneignorantofit，nodoubt。Butwhatcouldshedo？Shewasfrightened，startled，asapersoniswhenhediscoverssomehiddeninfamy，sometreasonofabelovedfriend，oneofthoseheart-disasterswhichcrush。