Theynowreturned。Shecastvexedlooksonthepassers-by。"Howstupidallthesepeopleseem，"shesaid。Thenraisinghereyestothecountenanceofhercompanion，sheadded:"You，too，likealltherest。"
M。deBelvignebowed。TurningaroundshesawthatthePrinceandtheChevalierhaddisappeared。Servigny，dejectedanddripping，ceasedplayingonthetrumpet，andwalkedwithagloomyairatthesideofthetwoweariedyoungmen，whoalsohadstoppedthedrumplaying。
Shebegantolaughdryly，saying:
"Youseemtohavehadenough；nevertheless，thatiswhatyoucallhavingagoodtime，isn'tit？Youcameforthat；Ihavegivenyouyourmoney'sworth。"
Thenshewalkedon，sayingnothingfurther；andsuddenlyBelvigneperceivedthatshewasweeping。Astounded，heinquired:
"Whatisthematter？"
Shemurmured:"Letmealone，itdoesnotconcernyou。"
Butheinsisted，likeafool:"Oh，Mademoiselle，come，whatisthematter，hasanyoneannoyedyou？"
Sherepeatedimpatiently:"Willyoukeepstill？"
Thensuddenly，nolongerabletoresistthedespairingsorrowwhichdrownedherheart，shebegantosobsoviolently，thatshecouldnolongerwalk。Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，pantingforbreath，chokedbytheviolenceofherdespair。
Belvignestoodstillatherside，quitebewildered，repeating:"I
don'tunderstandthisatall。"
ButServignybrusquelycameforward:"Letusgohome，Mam'zelle，sothatpeoplemaynotseeyouweepinginthestreet。Whydoyouperpetratefollieslikethatwhentheyonlymakeyousad？"
Andtakingherarmhedrewherforward。Butassoonastheyreachedtheirongateofthevillashebegantorun，crossedthegarden，andwentupstairs，andshutherselfinherroom。Shedidnotappearagainuntilthedinnerhour，verypaleandserious。Servignyhadboughtfromacountrystorekeeperaworkingman'scostume，withvelvetpantaloons，afloweredwaistcoatandablouse，andheadoptedthelocaldialect。Yvettewasinahurryforthemtofinish，feelinghercourageebbing。Assoonasthecoffeewasservedshewenttoherroomagain。
Sheheardthemerryvoicesbeneathherwindow。TheChevalierwasmakingequivocaljokes，foreignwitticisms，vulgarandclumsy。Shelistened，indespair。Servigny，justabittipsy，wasimitatingthecommonworkingman，callingtheMarquise"theMissus。"AndallofasuddenhesaidtoSaval:"Well，Boss？"Thatcausedagenerallaugh。
ThenYvettedecided。Shefirsttookasheetofpaperandwrote:
"Bougival，Sunday，nineo'clockintheevening。
"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。
"YVETTE。"
Theninapostscript:
"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。"
Shesealedtheenvelope，andaddressedittotheMarquiseObardi。
Thensherolledherlongchairnearthewindow，drewalittletablewithinreachofherhand，andplaceduponitthebigbottleofchloroformbesideahandfulofwadding。
Agreatrose-treecoveredwithflowers，climbingashighasherwindow，exhaledinthenightasoftandgentleperfume，inlightbreaths；andshestoodforamomentenjoyingit。Themoon，initsfirstquarter，wasfloatinginthedarksky，alittleraggedattheleft，andveiledattimesbyslightmists。
Yvettethought:"Iamgoingtodie！"Andherheart，swollenwithsobs，nearlybursting，almostsuffocatedher。Shefeltinheraneedofaskingmercyfromsomeone，ofbeingsaved，ofbeingloved。
ThevoiceofServignyarousedher。Hewastellinganimproperstory，whichwasconstantlyinterruptedbyburstsoflaughter。TheMarquiseherselflaughedlouderthantheothers。
"Thereisnobodylikehimfortellingthatsortofthing，"shesaid，laughing。
Yvettetookthebottle，uncorkedit，andpouredalittleoftheliquidonthecotton。Astrong，sweet，strangeodorarose；andasshebroughtthepieceofcottontoherlips，thefumesenteredherthroatandmadehercough。
Thenshuttinghermouth，shebegantoinhaleit。Shetookinlongbreathsofthisdeadlyvapor，closinghereyes，andforcingherselftostifleinhermindallthoughts，sothatshemightnotreflect，thatshemightknownothingmore。
Itseemedtoheratfirstthatherchestwasgrowinglarger，wasexpanding，andthathersoul，recentlyheavyandburdenedwithgrief，wasbecominglight，light，asiftheweightwhichoverwhelmedherwaslifted，waftedaway。Somethinglivelyandagreeablepenetratedeventotheextremitiesofherlimbs，eventothetipsofhertoesandfingersandenteredherflesh，asortofdreamyintoxication，ofsoftfever。Shesawthatthecottonwasdry，andshewasastonishedthatshewasnotalreadydead。Hersensesseemedmoreacute，moresubtle，morealert。Sheheardthelowestwhisperontheterrace。PrinceKravalowwastellinghowhehadkilledanAustriangeneralinaduel。
Then，furtheroff，inthefields，sheheardthenoiseofthenight，theoccasionalbarkingsofadog，theshortcryofthefrogs，thealmostimperceptiblerustlingoftheleaves。
Shetookthebottleagain，andsaturatedoncemorethelittlepieceofwadding；thenshebegantobreatheinthefumesagain。Forafewmomentsshefeltnothing；thenthatsoftandsoothingfeelingofcomfortwhichshehadexperiencedbeforeenvelopedher。
Twiceshepouredmorechloroformuponthecotton，eagernowforthatphysicalandmentalsensation，thatdreamytorpor，whichbewilderedhersoul。
Itseemedtoherthatshehadnomorebones，flesh，legs，orarms。
Thedrughadgentlytakenalltheseawayfromher，withoutherperceivingit。Thechloroformhaddrawnawayherbody，leavingheronlyhermind，moreawakened，moreactive，larger，andmorefreethanshehadeverfeltit。
Sherecalledathousandforgottenthings，littledetailsofherchildhood，trifleswhichhadgivenherpleasure。Endowedsuddenlywithanawakenedagility，hermindleapedtothemostdiverseideas，ranthroughathousandadventures，wanderedinthepast，andlostitselfinthehoped-foreventsofthefuture。Andherlivelyandcarelessthoughtshadasensuouscharm:sheexperiencedadivinepleasureindreamingthus。
Shestillheardthevoices，butshecouldnolongerdistinguishthewords，whichtoherseemedtohaveadifferentmeaning。Shewasinakindofstrangeandchangingfairyland。
Shewasonagreatboatwhichfloatedthroughabeautifulcountry，allcoveredwithflowers。Shesawpeopleontheshore，andthesepeoplespokeveryloudly；thenshewasagainonland，withoutaskinghow，andServigny，cladasaprince，cametoseekher，totakehertoabull-fight。
Thestreetswerefilledwithpassers-by，whoweretalking，andsheheardconversationswhichdidnotastonishher，asifshehadknownthepeople，forthroughherdreamyintoxication，shestillheardhermother'sfriendslaughingandtalkingontheterrace。
Theneverythingbecamevague。Thensheawakened，deliciouslybenumbed，andshecouldhardlyrememberwhathadhappened。
So，shewasnotyetdead。Butshefeltsocalm，insuchastateofphysicalcomfort，thatshewasnotinhastetofinishwithit——shewantedtomakethisexquisitedrowsinesslastforever。
Shebreathedslowlyandlookedatthemoon，oppositeher，abovethetrees。Somethinghadchangedinherspirit。Shenolongerthoughtasshehaddonejustnow。Thechloroformquietingherbodyandhersoulhadcalmedhergriefandlulledherdesiretodie。
Whyshouldshenotlive？Whyshouldshenotbeloved？Whyshouldshenotleadahappylife？Everythingappearedpossibletohernow，andeasyandcertain。Everythinginlifewassweet，everythingwascharming。Butasshewishedtodreamonstill，shepouredmoreofthedream-wateronthecottonandbegantobreatheitinagain，stoppingattimes，soasnottoabsorbtoomuchofitanddie。
Shelookedatthemoonandsawinitaface，awoman'sface。Shebegantoscornthecountryinthefancifulintoxicationofthedrug。
Thatfaceswunginthesky；thenitsang，itsangwithawell-knownvoicethealleluiaoflove。
ItwastheMarquise，whohadcomeinandseatedherselfatthepiano。
Yvettehadwingsnow。Shewasflyingthroughaclearnight，abovethewoodandstreams。Shewasflyingwithdelight，openingandclosingherwings，bornebythewindasbyacaress。Shemovedintheair，whichkissedherskin，andshewentsofast，sofast，thatshehadnotimetoseeanythingbeneathher，andshefoundherselfseatedonthebankofapondwithalineinherhand；shewasfishing。
Somethingpulledonthecord，andwhenshedrewitoutofthewater，itboreamagnificentpearlnecklace，whichshehadlongedforsometimeago。Shewasnotatallastonishedatthisdeed，andshelookedatServigny，whohadcometoherside——sheknewnothow。Hewasfishingalso，anddrewoutoftheriverawoodenhorse。
Thenshehadanewthefeelingofawaking，andsheheardsomeonecallingdownstairs。Hermotherhadsaid:
"Putoutthecandle。"ThenServigny'svoicerose，clearandjesting:
"Putoutyourcandle，Mam'zelleYvette。"
Andalltookupthechorus:"Mam'zelleYvette，putoutyourcandle。"
Sheagainpouredchloroformonthecotton，but，asshedidnotwanttodie，sheplaceditfarenoughfromherfacetobreathethefreshair，whileneverthelessherroomwasfilledwiththeasphyxiatingodorofthenarcotic，forsheknewthatsomeonewascoming，andtakingasuitableposture，aposeofthedead，shewaited。
TheMarquisesaid:"Iamalittleuneasy！Thatfoolishchildhasgonetosleepleavingthelightonhertable。IwillsendClemencetoputitout，andtoshutthebalconywindow，whichiswideopen。"
Andsoonthemaidrappedonthedoorcalling:"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！"Afteramoment'ssilence，sherepeated:
"Mademoiselle，MadametheMarquisebegsyoutoputoutyourcandleandshutthewindow。"
Clemencewaitedalittle，thenknockedlouder，andcried:
"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！"
AsYvettedidnotreply，theservantwentawayandreportedtotheMarquise:
"Mademoisellemusthavegonetosleep，herdoorisbolted，andI
couldnotawakenher。"
MadameObardimurmured:
"Butshemustnotstaylikethat，"
Then，atthesuggestionofServigny，theyallgatheredunderthewindow，shoutinginchorus:
"Hip！hip！hurrah！Mam'zelleYvette。"
Theirclamorroseinthecalmnight，throughthetransparentairbeneaththemoon，overthesleepingcountry；andtheyhearditdieawayinthedistancelikethesoundofadisappearingtrain。
AsYvettedidnotanswertheMarquisesaid:"Ionlyhopethatnothinghashappened。Iambeginningtobeafraid。"
ThenServigny，pluckingredrosesfromabigrosebushtrainedalongthewallandbudsnotyetopened，begantothrowthemintotheroomthroughthewindow。
Atthefirstrosethatfellatherside，Yvettestartedandalmostcriedout。Othersfelluponherdress，othersuponherhair，whileothersgoingoverherheadfelluponthebed，coveringitwitharainofflowers。
TheMarquise，inachokingvoice，cried:"Come，Yvette，answer。"
ThenServignydeclared:"Trulythisisnotnatural；Iamgoingtoclimbupbythebalcony。"
ButtheChevaliergrewindignant。
"Now，letmedoit，"hesaid。"ItisagreatfavorIask；itistoogoodameans，andtoogoodatimetoobtainarendezvous。"
Alltherest，whothoughttheyounggirlwasjoking，cried:"Weprotest！Heshallnotclimbup。"
ButtheMarquise，disturbed，repeated:"Andyetsomeonemustgoandsee。"
ThePrinceexclaimedwithadramaticgesture:
"ShefavorstheDuke，wearebetrayed。"
"Letustossacointoseewhoshallgoup，"saidtheChevalier。Hetookafive-francpiecefromhispocket，andbeganwiththePrince。
"Tail，"saidhe。Itwashead。
ThePrincetossedthecoininhisturnsayingtoSaval:"Call，Monsieur。"
Savalcalled"Head。"Itwastail。
ThePrincethengavealltheothersachance，andtheyalllost。
Servigny，whowasstandingoppositehim，exclaimedinhisinsolentway:"PARBLEU！heischeating！"
TheRussianputhishandonhisheartandheldoutthegoldpiecetohisrival，saying:"Tossityourself，mydearDuke。"
Servignytookitandspinningitup，said:"Head。"Itwastail。
Hebowedandpointingtothepillarofthebalconysaid:"Climbup，Prince。"ButthePrincelookedabouthimwithadisturbedair。
"Whatareyoulookingfor？"askedtheChevalier。
"Well，——I——would——like——aladder。"Agenerallaughfollowed。
Saval，advancing，said:"Wewillhelpyou。"
Heliftedhiminhisarms，asstrongasthoseofHercules，tellinghim:
"Nowclimbtothatbalcony。"
ThePrinceimmediatelyclungtoit，and。Savallettinghimgo，heswungthere，suspendedintheair，movinghislegsinemptyspace。
ThenServigny，seeinghisstrugglinglegswhichsoughtarestingplace，pulledthemdownwardwithallhisstrength；thehandslosttheirgripandthePrincefellinaheaponMonsieurdeBelvigne，whowascomingtoaidhim。"Whoseturnnext？"askedServigny。Nooneclaimedtheprivilege。
"Come，Belvigne，courage！"
"Thankyou，mydearboy，Iamthinkingofmybones。"
"Come，Chevalier，youmustbeusedtoscalingwalls。"
"Igivemyplacetoyou，mydearDuke。"
"Ha，ha，thatisjustwhatIexpected。"
Servigny，withakeeneye，turnedtothepillar。Thenwithaleap，clingingtothebalcony，hedrewhimselfuplikeagymnastandclimbedoverthebalustrade。
Allthespectators，gazingathim，applauded。Butheimmediatelyreappeared，calling:
"Come，quick！Come，quick！Yvetteisunconscious。"TheMarquiseutteredaloudcry，andrushedforthestairs。
Theyounggirl，hereyesclosed，pretendedtobedead。Hermotherentereddistracted，andthrewherselfuponher。
"Tellmewhatisthematterwithher，whatisthematterwithher？"
Servignypickedupthebottleofchloroformwhichhadfallenuponthefloor。
"Shehasdruggedherself，"saidhe。
Heplacedhiseartoherheart；thenheadded:
"Butsheisnotdead；wecanresuscitateher。Haveyouanyammonia？"
Themaid，bewildered，repeated:"Anywhat，Monsieur？"
"Anysmelling-salts。"
"Yes，Monsieur。""Bringthematonce，andleavethedooropentomakeadraftofair。"
TheMarquise，onherknees，wassobbing:"Yvette！Yvette，mydaughter，mydaughter，listen，answerme，Yvette，mychild。Oh，myGod！myGod！whathasshedone？"
Themen，frightened，movedaboutwithoutspeaking，bringingwater，towels，glasses，andvinegar。Someonesaid:"Sheoughttobeundressed。"AndtheMarquise，whohadlostherhead，triedtoundressherdaughter；butdidnotknowwhatshewasdoing。Herhandstrembledandfaltered，andshegroaned:
"Icannot，——Icannot——"
Themaidhadcomebackbringingadruggist'sbottlewhichServignyopenedandfromwhichhepouredouthalfuponahandkerchief。ThenheappliedittoYvette'snose，causinghertochoke。
"Good，shebreathes，"saidhe。"Itwillbenothing。"
Andhebathedhertemples，cheeks，andneckwiththepungentliquid。
Thenhemadeasigntothemaidtounlacethegirl，andwhenshehadnothingmoreonthanaskirtoverherchemise，heraisedherinhisarmsandcarriedhertothebed，quivering，movedbytheodorandcontactofherflesh。Thenshewasplacedinbed。Hearoseverypale。
"Shewillcometoherself，"hesaid，"itisnothing。"Forhehadheardherbreatheinacontinuousandregularway。ButseeingallthemenwiththeireyesfixedonYvetteinbed，hewasseizedwithajealousirritation，andadvancedtowardthem。"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"therearetoomanyofusinthisroom；bekindenoughtoleaveusalone，——MonsieurSavalandme——withtheMarquise。"
Hespokeinatonewhichwasdryandfullofauthority。
MadameObardihadgraspedherlover，andwithherheadupliftedtowardhimshecriedtohim:
"Saveher，oh，saveher！"
ButServignyturningaroundsawaletteronthetable。Heseizeditwitharapidmovement，andreadtheaddress。Heunderstoodandthought:"PerhapsitwouldbebetteriftheMarquiseshouldnotknowofthis，"andtearingopentheenvelope，hedevouredataglancethetwolinesitcontained:
"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。"
"Yvette。"
"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。"
"Thedevil！"hethought，"thiscallsforreflection。"Andhehidtheletterinhispocket。
Thenheapproachedthebed，andimmediatelythethoughtcametohimthattheyounggirlhadregainedconsciousnessbutthatshedarednotshowit，fromshame，fromhumiliation，andfromfearofquestioning。TheMarquisehadfallenonherkneesnow，andwasweeping，herheadonthe，footofthebed。Suddenlysheexclaimed:
"Adoctor，wemusthaveadoctor！"
ButServigny，whohadjustsaidsomethinginalowtonetoSaval，repliedtoher:"No，itisallover。Come，gooutaminute，justaminute，andIpromiseyouthatshewillkissyouwhenyoucomeback。"AndtheBaron，takingMadameObardibythearm，ledherfromtheroom。
ThenServigny，sitting-bythebed，tookYvette'shandandsaid:
"Mam'zelle，listentome。"
Shedidnotanswer。Shefeltsowell，sosoftandwarminbed，thatshewouldhavelikednevertomove，nevertospeak，andtolivelikethatforever。Aninfinitecomforthadencompassedher，acomfortthelikeofwhichshehadneverexperienced。
Themildnightaircominginbyvelvetybreathstouchedhertemplesinanexquisitealmostimperceptibleway。Itwasacaresslikeakissofthewind，likethesoftandrefreshingbreathofafanmadeofalltheleavesofthetreesandofalltheshadowsofthenight，ofthemistofrivers，andofalltheflowerstoo，fortherosestossedupfrombelowintoherroomanduponherbed，andtherosesclimbingatherbalcony，mingledtheirheavyperfumewiththehealthfulsavoroftheeveningbreeze。
Shedrankinthisairwhichwassogood，hereyesclosed，herheartreposingintheyetpervadingintoxicationofthedrug，andshehadnolongeratallthedesiretodie，butastrong，imperiouswishtolive，tobehappy——nomatterhow——tobeloved，yes，tobeloved。
Servignyrepeated:"Mam'zelleYvette，listentome。"
Andshedecidedtoopenhereyes。
Hecontinued，ashesawherreviving:"Come！Come！whatdoesthisnonsensemean？"
Shemurmured:"MypoorMuscade，Iwassounhappy。"
Hesqueezedherhand:"Andthatledyouintoaprettyscrape！Come，youmustpromisemenottotryitagain。"
Shedidnotreply，butnoddedherheadslightlywithanalmostimperceptiblesmile。Hedrewfromhispockettheletterwhichhehadfoundonthetable:
"HadIbettershowthistoyourmother？"
Sheshookherhead，no。Heknewnotwhatmoretosayforthesituationseemedtohimwithoutanoutlet。Sohemurmured"Mydearchild，everyonehashardthingstobear。IunderstandyoursorrowandIpromiseyou——"
Shestammered:"Youaregood。"
Theyweresilent。Helookedather。Shehadinherglancesomethingoftenderness，ofweakness；andsuddenlysheraisedbothherarms，asifshewoulddrawhimtoher；hebentoverher，feelingthatshecalledhim，andtheirlipsmet。
Foralongtimetheyremainedthus，theireyesclosed。
But，knowingthathewouldlosehishead，hedrewaway。Shesmiledathimnow，mosttenderly；and，withbothherhandsclingingtohisshoulders，sheheldhim。
"Iamgoingtocallyourmother，"hesaid。
Shemurmured:"Justasecondmore。Iamsohappy。"
Thenafterasilence，shesaidinatonesolowthatitcouldscarcelybeheard:"Willyoulovemeverymuch？Tellme！"
Hekneeledbesideherbed，andkissingthehandshehadgivenhim，said:"Iadoreyou。"Butsomeonewaswalkingnearthedoor。Hearosewithabound，andcalledinhisordinaryvoice，whichseemedneverthelessalittleironical:"Youmaycomein。Itisallrightnow。"
TheMarquisethrewherselfonherdaughter，withbotharmsopen，andclaspedherfrantically，coveringhercountenancewithtears，whileServignywithradiantsoulandquiveringbodywentoutuponthebalconytobreathethefreshairofthenight，hummingtohimselftheoldcouplet:
"Awomanchangethofthermind:
Yetfoolsstilltrustinwomankind。"