AfterthispoemofourpacificRestorationhadbeensung，andthecontractsandleasessigned，weleftthatravishingland，allflowery，gay，solemn，lonelybyturns，andcameheretokneelwithourhappinessatthefeetofherwhogaveittous。
　　CalysteandIbothfelttheneedofthankingthesisteroftheVisitation。InmemoryofherhehasquarteredhisownarmswiththoseofDesTouches，whichare:partycouped，trancheandtailleorandsinople，onthelattertwoeaglesargent。Hemeanstotakeoneoftheeaglesargentforhisownsupporterandputthismottoinitsbeak:/Souviegne-vous/。
　　YesterdaywewenttotheconventoftheladiesoftheVisitation，towhichweweretakenbytheAbbeGrimont，afriendoftheduGuenicfamily，whotoldusthatyourdearFelicite，mamma，wasindeedasaint。Shecouldnotverywellbeanythingelsetohim，forherconversion，whichwasthoughttobehisdoing，hasledtohisappointmentasvicar-generalofthediocese。MademoiselledesTouchesdeclinedtoreceiveCalyste，andwouldonlyseeme。I
　　foundherslightlychanged，thinnerandpaler；butsheseemedmuchpleasedatmyvisit。”TellCalyste，”shesaid，inalowvoice，”thatitisamatterofconsciencewithmenottoseehim，forIampermittedtodoso。I
　　prefernottobuythathappinessbymonthsofsuffering。Ah，youdonotknowwhatitcostsmetoreplytothequestion，’Ofwhatareyouthinking？’Certainlythemotherofthenoviceshasnoconceptionofthenumberandextentoftheideaswhicharerushingthroughmymindwhensheasksthatquestion。SometimesIamseeingItalyorParis，withallitssights；alwaysthinking，however，ofCalyste，whois”——shesaidthisinthatpoeticwayyouknowandadmiresomuch——”whoisthesunofmemorytome。Ifound，”shecontinued，”thatIwastoooldtobereceivedamongtheCarmelites，andIhaveenteredtheorderofSaint-FrancoisdeSalessolelybecausehesaid，’Iwillbareyourheadsinsteadofyourfeet，’——objecting，ashedid，toausteritieswhichmortifiedthebodyonly。Itis，intruth，theheadthatsins。Thesaintlybishopwasrighttomakehisruleausteretowardtheintellect，andterribleagainstthewill。ThatiswhatIsought；formyheadwastheguiltypartofme。ItdeceivedmeastomyheartuntilI
　　reachedthatfatalageofforty，when，forafewbriefmoments，wearefortytimeshappierthanyoungwomen，andthen，speedily，fiftytimesmoreunhappy。But，mychild，tellme，”sheasked，ceasingwithvisiblesatisfactiontospeakofherself，”areyouhappy？””Youseemeunderalltheenchantmentsofloveandhappiness，”I
　　answered。”Calysteisasgoodandsimpleasheisnobleandbeautiful，”shesaid，gravely。”Ihavemadeyoumyheiressinmorethingsthanproperty；younowpossessthedoubleidealofwhichIdreamed。I
　　rejoiceinwhatIhavedone，”shecontinued，afterapause。”But，mychild，makenomistake；doyourselfnowrong。Youhaveeasilywonhappiness；youhaveonlytostretchoutyourhandtotakeit，anditisyours；butbecarefultopreserveit。Ifyouhadcomeheresolelytocarryawaywithyouthecounselsthatmyknowledgeofyourhusbandalonecangiveyou，thejourneywouldbewellrepaid。Calysteismovedatthismomentbyacommunicatedpassion，butyouhavenotinspiredit。Tomakeyourhappinesslasting，try，mydearchild，togivehimsomethingofhisformeremotions。Intheinterestsofbothofyou，becapricious，becoquettish；totellyouthetruth，you/must/be。Iamnotadvisinganyodiousscheming，orpettytyranny；thisthatItellyouisthescienceofawoman’slife。Betweenusuryandprodigality，mychild，iseconomy。Study，therefore，toacquirehonorablyacertainempireoverCalyste。ThesearethelastwordsonearthlyintereststhatI
　　shalleverutter，andIhavekeptthemtosayaswepart；fortherearetimeswhenItrembleinmyconsciencelesttosaveCalysteImayhavesacrificedyou。Bindhimtoyou，firmly，givehimchildren，lethimrespecttheirmotherinyou——and，”sheadded，inalowandtremblingvoice，”manage，ifyoucan，thatheshallneveragainseeBeatrix。”
　　Thatnameplungedusbothintoasortofstupor；welookedintoeachother’seyes，exchangingavagueuneasiness。”DoyoureturntoGuerande？”sheaskedme。”Yes，”Isaid。”NevergotoLesTouches。Ididwrongtogivehimthatproperty。””Why？”Iasked。”Child！”sheanswered，”LesTouchesforyouisBluebeard’schamber。Thereisnothingsodangerousastowakeasleepingpassion。”
　　Ihavegivenyou，dearmamma，thesubstance，oratanyrate，themeaningofourconversation。IfMademoiselledesTouchesmademetalktoherfreely，shealsogavememuchtothinkof；andallthemorebecause，inthedelightofthistrip，andthecharmoftheserelationswithmyCalyste，Ihadwell-nighforgottentheserioussituationofwhichIspoketoyouinmyfirstletter，andaboutwhichyouwarnedme。
　　Butoh！mother，itisimpossibleformetofollowthesecounsels。
　　Icannotputanappearanceofoppositionorcapriceintomylove；
　　itwouldfalsifyit。Calystewilldowithmewhathepleases。
　　Accordingtoyourtheory，themoreIamawomanthemoreImakemyselfhistoy；forIam，andIknowit，horriblyweakinmyhappiness；Icannotresistasingleglanceofmylord。Butno！I
　　donotabandonmyselftolove；Ionlyclingtoit，asamotherpressesherinfanttoherbreast，fearingsomeevil。
　　Note——When”Beatrix”wasfirstpublished，in1839，thevolumeendedwiththefollowingparagraph:”Calyste，richandmarriedtothemostbeautifulwomaninParis，retainsasadnessinhissoulwhichnothingdissipates，——noteventhebirthofasonatGuerande，in1839，tothegreatjoyofZephirineduGuenic。Beatrixlivesstillinthedepthsofhisheart，anditisimpossibletoforeseewhatdisastersmightresultshouldheagainmeetwithMadamedeRochefide。”In1842thisconcludingparagraphwassuppressedandthestorycontinuedasherefollows——TR。
　　XVIII
　　THEENDOFAHONEY-MOON
　　Guerande，July，1838。
　　ToMadamelaDuchessedeGrandlieu:
　　Ah，mydearmamma！attheendofthreemonthstoknowwhatitistobejealous！Myheartcompletesitsexperience；Inowfeelthedeepesthatredandthedeepestlove！Iammorethanbetrayed，——I
　　amnotloved。Howfortunateformetohaveamother，aheartonwhichtocryoutasIwill！
　　Itisenoughtosaytowiveswhoarestillhalfgirls:”Here’sakeyrustywithmemoriesamongthoseofyourpalace；goeverywhere，enjoyeverything，butkeepawayfromLesTouches！”tomakeuseagertogotherehot-foot，oureyesshiningwiththecuriosityofEve。WhatarootofbitternessMademoiselledesTouchesplantedinmylove！WhydidsheforbidmetogotoLesTouches？Whatsortofhappinessismineifitdependsonanexcursion，onavisittoapaltryhouseinBrittany？WhyshouldIfear？Isthereanythingtofear？AddtothisreasoningofMrs。Blue-Beardthedesirethatnipsallwomentoknowiftheirpowerissolidorprecarious，andyou’llunderstandhowitwasthatIsaidoneday，withanunconcernedlittleair:——”WhatsortofplaceisLesTouches？””LesTouchesbelongstoyou，”saidmydivine，dearmother-in-law。”IfCalystehadneversetfootinLesTouches！”——criedmyauntZephirine，shakingherhead。”Hewouldnotbemyhusband，”Iadded。”Thenyouknowwhathappenedthere？”saidmymother-in-law，slyly。”Itisaplaceofperdition！”exclaimedMademoiselledePen-Hoel。”MademoiselledesTouchescommittedmanysinsthere，forwhichsheisnowaskingthepardonofGod。””Buttheysavedthesoulofthatnoblewoman，andmadethefortuneofaconvent，”criedtheChevalierduHalga。”TheAbbeGrimonttoldmeshehadgivenahundredthousandfrancstothenunsoftheVisitation。””ShouldyouliketogotoLesTouches？”askedmymother-in-law。”Itisworthseeing。””No，no！”Isaidhastily。
　　Doesn’tthislittlescenereadtoyoulikeapageoutofsomediabolicaldrama？
　　Itwasrepeatedagainandagainundervariouspretexts。Atlastmymother-in-lawsaidtome:”IunderstandwhyyoudonotgotoLesTouches，andIthinkyouareright。”
　　Oh！youmustadmit，mamma，thataninvoluntary，unconsciousstablikethatwouldhavedecidedyoutofindoutifyourhappinessrestedonsuchafrailfoundationthatitwouldperishatameretouch。TodoCalystejustice，heneverproposedtometovisitthathermitage，nowhisproperty。Butassoonaswelovewearecreaturesdevoidofcommon-sense，andthissilence，thisreservepiquedme；soIsaidtohimoneday:”WhatareyouafraidofatLesTouches，thatyoualoneneverspeakoftheplace？””Letusgothere，”hereplied。
　　SothereIwas/caught/，——likeotherwomenwhowanttobecaught，andwhotrusttochancetocuttheGordianknotoftheirindecision。SotoLesToucheswewent。
　　Itisenchanting，inastyleprofoundlyartistic。ItookdelightinthatplaceofhorrorwhereMademoiselledesToucheshadsoearnestlyforbiddenmetogo。Poisonousflowersareallcharming；
　　Satansowedthem——forthedevilhasflowersaswellasGod；wehaveonlytolookwithinoursoulstoseethetwosharedinthemakingofus。WhatdeliciousacrityinasituationwhereIplayed，notwithfire，but——withashes！IstudiedCalyste；thepointwastoknowifthatpassionwasthoroughlyextinct。Iwatched，asyoumaywellbelieve，everywindthatblew；Ikeptaneyeuponhisfaceashewentfromroomtoroomandfromonepieceoffurnituretoanother，exactlylikeachildwhoislookingforsomehiddenthing。Calysteseemedthoughtful，butatfirstIthoughtthatI
　　hadvanquishedthepast。IfeltstrongenoughtomentionMadamedeRochefide-whominmyheartIcalledlaRocheperfide。AtlastwewenttoseethefamousbushwereBeatrixwascaughtwhenheflungherintotheseathatshemightneverbelongtoanotherman。”Shemustbelightindeedtohavestayedthere，”Isaidlaughing。
　　Calystekeptsilence，soIadded，”We’llrespectthedead。”
　　StillCalystewassilent。”HaveIdispleasedyou？”Iasked。”No；butceasetogalvanizethatpassion，”heanswered。
　　Whataspeech！Calyste，whenhesawmeallcastdownbyit，redoubledhiscareandtenderness。
　　August。
　　Iwas，alas！attheedgeofaprecipice，amusingmyself，liketheinnocentheroinesofallmelodramas，bygatheringflowers。
　　Suddenlyahorriblethoughtrodefulltiltthroughmyhappiness，likethehorseintheGermanballad。IthoughtIsawthatCalyste’slovewasincreasingthroughhisreminiscences；thathewasexpendingon/me/thestormyemotionsIrevivedbyremindinghimofthecoquetriesofthathatefulBeatrix，——justthinkofit！
　　thatcold，unhealthynature，sopersistentyetsoflabby，somethingbetweenamolluskandabitofcoral，darestocallitselfBeatrix，/Beatrice！/
　　Already，dearestmother，Iamforcedtokeeponeeyeopentosuspicion，whenmyheartisallCalyste’s；andisn’titagreatcatastrophewhentheeyegetsthebetteroftheheart，andsuspicionatlastfindsitselfjustified？Itcametopassinthisway:——”Thisplaceisdeartome，”IsaidtoCalysteonemorning，”becauseIowemyhappinesstoit；andsoIforgiveyoufortakingmesometimesforanotherwoman。”
　　TheloyalBretonblushed，andIthrewmyarmsaroundhisneck。ButallthesameIhaveleftLesTouches，andneverwillIgobackthereagain。
　　TheverystrengthofhatredwhichmakesmelongforMadamedeRochefide’sdeath——ah，heavens！anaturaldeath，pleurisy，orsomeaccident——makesmealsounderstandtoitsfullestextentthepowerofmyloveforCalyste。Thatwomanhasappearedtometotroublemysleep，——Iseeherinadream；shallIeverencounterherbodily？Ah！thepostulantoftheVisitationwasright，——LesTouchesisafatalspot；Calystehasthererecoveredhispastemotions，andtheyare，Iseeitplainly，morepowerfulthanthejoysofourlove。Ascertain，mydearmamma，ifMadamedeRochefideisinParis，forifsheis，IshallstayinBrittany。PoorMademoiselledesTouchesmightwellrepentofhershareinourmarriageifsheknewtowhatextentIamtakenforourodiousrival！Butthisisprostitution！Iamnotmyself；Iamashamedofitall。AfranticdesireseizesmesometimestoflyfromGuerandeandthosesandsofCroisic。
　　August25th。
　　Iamdeterminedtogoandliveintheruinsoftheoldchateau。
　　Calyste，worriedbymyrestlessness，agreestotakeme。Eitherheknowslifesolittlethatheguessesnothing，orhe/does/knowthecauseofmyflight，inwhichcasehecannotloveme。ItremblesowithfearlestIfindtheawfulcertaintyIseekthat，likeachild，Iputmyhandsbeforemyeyesnottoheartheexplosion——
　　Oh，mother！IamnotlovedwiththelovethatIfeelinmyheart。
　　Calysteischarmingtome，that’strue！butwhatman，unlesshewereamonster，wouldnotbe，asCalysteis，amiableandgraciouswhenreceivingalltheflowersofthesoulofayounggirloftwenty，broughtupbyyou，pure，loving，andbeautiful，asmanywomenhavesaidtoyouthatIam。
　　Guenic，September18。
　　Hasheforgottenher？That’sthesolitarythoughtwhichechoesthroughmysoullikearemorse。Ah！dearmamma，haveallwomentostruggleagainstmemoriesasIdo？Nonebutinnocentyoungmenshouldbemarriedtopureyounggirls。Butthat’sadeceptiveUtopia；betterhaveone’srivalinthepastthaninthefuture。
　　Ah！mother，pityme，thoughatthismomentIamhappyasawomanwhofearstoloseherhappinessandsoclingsfasttoit，——onewayofkillingit，saysthatprofoundlywiseClotilde。
　　InoticethatforthelastfivemonthsIthinkonlyofmyself，thatis，ofCalyste。TellsisterClotildethathermelancholybitsofwisdomoftenrecurtome。Sheishappyinbeingfaithfultothedead；shefearsnorival。AkisstomydearAthenais，aboutwhomI
　　seeJusteisbesidehimself。Fromwhatyoutoldmeinyourlastletteritisevidenthefearsyouwillnotgivehertohim。
　　Cultivatethatfearasapreciousproduct。Athenaiswillbesovereignlady；butIwhofearlestIcanneverwinCalystebackfromhimselfshallalwaysbeaservant。
　　Athousandtendernesses，dearmamma。Ah！ifmyterrorsarenotdelusions，CamilleMaupinhassoldmeherfortunedearly。Myaffectionaterespectstopapa。
　　Theselettersgiveaperfectexplanationofthesecretrelationbetweenhusbandandwife。SabinethoughtofalovemarriagewhereCalystesawonlyamarriageofexpediency。Thejoysofthehoney-moonhadnotaltogetherconformedtothelegalrequirementsofthesocialsystem。
　　DuringthestayofthemarriedpairinBrittanytheworkofrestoringandfurnishingthehotelduGuenichadbeencarriedonbythecelebratedarchitectGrindot，underthesuperintendenceofClotildeandtheDucandDuchessedeGrandlieu，allarrangementshavingbeenmadeforthereturnoftheyounghouseholdtoParisinDecember，1838。
　　SabineinstalledherselfintheruedeBourbonwithpleasure，——lessforthesatisfactionofplayingmistressofagreathouseholdthanforthatofknowingwhatherfamilywouldthinkofhermarriage。
　　Calyste，witheasyindifference，wasquitewillingtolethissister-
　　in-lawClotildeandhismother-in-lawtheduchessguidehiminallmattersofsociallife，andtheywerebothverygratefulforhisobedience。Heobtainedtheplaceinsocietywhichwasduetohisname，hisfortune，andhisalliance。Thesuccessofhiswife，whowasregardedasoneofthemostcharmingwomeninParis，thediversionsofhighsociety，thedutiestobefulfilled，thewinteramusementsofthegreatcity，gaveacertainfreshlifetothehappinessoftheyounghouseholdbyproducingaseriesofexcitementsandinterludes。Sabine，consideredhappybyhermotherandsister，whosawinCalyste’scoolnessaneffectofhisEnglisheducation，castasidehergloomynotions；sheheardherlotsoenviedbymanyunhappilymarriedwomenthatshedroveherterrorsfromherintotheregionofchimeras，untilthetimewhenherpregnancygaveadditionalguaranteestothisneutralsortofunion，guaranteeswhichareusuallyauguredwellofbyexperiencedwomen。InOctober，1839，theyoungBaronneduGuenichadason，andcommittedthemistakeofnursingitherself，onthetheoryofmostwomeninsuchcases。Howisitpossible，theythink，nottobewhollythemotherofthechildofanidolizedhusband？
　　Towardtheendofthefollowingsummer，inAugust，1840，Sabinehadnearlyreachedtheperiodwhenthedutyofnursingherfirstchildwouldcometoanend。Calyste，duringhistwoyears’residenceinParis，hadcompletelythrownoffthatinnocenceofmindthecharmofwhichhadsoadornedhisearliestappearanceintheworldofpassion。
　　HewasnowthecomradeoftheyoungDucGeorgesdeMaufrigneuse，latelymarried，likehimself，toanheiress，BerthedeCinq-Cygne；oftheVicomteSaviniendePortenduere，theDucandDuchessedeRhetore，theDucandDuchessedeLenoncourt-Chaulieu，andallthe/habitues/ofhismother-in-law’ssalon；andhefullyunderstoodbythistimethedifferencesthatseparatedParisianlifefromthelifeoftheprovinces。Wealthhasfatalhours，hoursofleisureandidleness，whichParisknowsbetterthanallothercapitalshowtoamuse，charm，anddivert。Contactwiththoseyounghusbandswhodesertedthenoblestandsweetestofcreaturesforthedelightsofacigarandwhist，forthegloriousconversationsofaclub，ortheexcitementsof”theturf，”underminedbeforelongmanyofthedomesticvirtuesoftheyoungBretonnoble。Themotherlysolicitudeofawifewhoisanxiousnottowearyherhusbandalwayscomestothesupportofthedissipationsofyoungmen。Awifeisproudtoseeherhusbandreturntoherwhenshehasallowedhimfulllibertyofaction。
　　Oneevening，onOctoberofthatyear，toescapethecryingofthenewlyweanedchild，Calyste，onwhoseforeheadSabinecouldnotenduretoseeafrown，went，urgedbyher，totheVarietes，whereanewplaywastobegivenforthefirsttime。Thefootmanwhosebusinessitwastoengageastallhadtakenitquiteneartothatpartofthetheatrewhichiscalledthe/avant-scene/。AsCalystelookedabouthimduringthefirstinterlude，hesawinoneofthetwoprosceniumboxesonhisside，andnottenstepsfromhim，MadamedeRochefide。BeatrixinParis！Beatrixinpublic！ThetwothoughtsflewthroughCalyste’sheartlikearrows。Toseeheragainafternearlythreeyears！Howshallwedepicttheconvulsioninthesoulofthislover，who，farfromforgettingthepast，hadsometimessubstitutedBeatrixforhiswifesoplainlythathiswifehadperceivedit？Beatrixwaslight，life，motion，andtheUnknown。Sabinewasduty，dulness，andtheexpected。Onebecame，inamoment，pleasure；theother，weariness。Itwasthefallingofathunderbolt。
　　Fromasenseofloyalty，thefirstthoughtofSabine’shusbandwastoleavethetheatre。Asheleftthedooroftheorchestrastalls，hesawthedooroftheprosceniumboxhalf-open，andhisfeettookhimthereinspiteofhiswill。TheyoungBretonfoundBeatrixbetweentwoverydistinguishedmen，CanalisandRaoulNathan，astatesmanandamanofletters。InthethreeyearssinceCalystehadseenher，MadamedeRochefidewasamazinglychanged；andyet，althoughthetransformationhadseriouslyaffectedherasawoman，shewasonlythemorepoeticandthemoreattractivetoCalyste。UntiltheageofthirtytheprettywomenofParisasknothingmoreoftheirtoiletthanclothing；butaftertheypassthroughthefatalportalofthethirties，theylookforweapons，seductions，embellishmentsamongtheir/chiffons；/outofthesetheycomposecharms，theyfindmeans，theytakeastyle，theyseizeyouth，theystudytheslightestaccessory，——inaword，theypassfromnaturetoart。
　　MadamedeRochefidehadjustcomethroughthevicissitudesofadramawhich，inthishistoryofthemannersandmoralsofFranceinthenineteenthcenturymaybecalledthatoftheDesertedWoman。DesertedbyConti，shebecame，naturally，agreatartistindress，incoquetry，inartificialflowersofallkinds。”WhyisContinothere？”inquiredCalysteinalowvoiceofCanalis，aftergoingthroughthecommonplacecivilitieswithwhicheventhemostsolemninterviewsbeginwhentheytakeplacepublicly。
　　TheformergreatpoetofthefaubourgSaint-Germain，twiceacabinetminister，andnowforthefourthtimeanoratorintheChamber，andaspiringtoanotherministry，laidawarningfingersignificantlyonhislip。Thatgestureexplainedeverything。”Iamhappytoseeyou，”saidBeatrix，demurely。”IsaidtomyselfwhenIrecognizedyoujustnow，beforeyousawme，that/you/atleastwouldnotdisownme。Ah！myCalyste，”sheaddedinawhisper，”whydidyoumarry？——andwithsuchalittlefool！”
　　Assoonasawomanwhispersintheearofanew-comerandmakeshimsitbesideher，menoftheworldfindanimmediateexcuseforleavingthepairalonetogether。”Come，Nathan，”saidCanalis，”Madamelamarquisewill，Iamsure，allowmetogoandsayawordtod’Arthez，whomIseeovertherewiththePrincessedeCadignan；itrelatestosomebusinessintheChamberto-morrow。”
　　Thiswell-breddeparturegaveCalystetimetorecoverfromtheshockhehadjustreceived；buthenearlylostbothhisstrengthandhissensesoncemore，asheinhaledtheperfume，tohimentrancingthoughvenomous，ofthepoemcomposedbyBeatrix。MadamedeRochefide，nowbecomebonyandgaunt，hercomplexionfadedandalmostdiscolored，hereyeshollowwithdeepcircles，hadthateveningbrightenedthoseprematureruinsbythecleverestcontrivancesofthe/articleParis/。
　　Shehadtakenitintoherhead，likeotherdesertedwomen，toassumeavirginair，andrecallbycloudsofwhitematerialthemaidensofOssian，sopoeticallypaintedbyGirodet。Herfairhairdrapedherelongatedfacewithamassofcurls，amongwhichrippledtheraysofthefoot-lightsattractedbytheshiningofaperfumedoil。Herwhitebrowsparkled。Shehadappliedanimperceptibletingeofrougetohercheeks，uponthefadedwhitenessofaskinrevivedbybranandwater。
　　Ascarfsodelicateintexturethatitmadeonedoubtifhumanfingerscouldhavefabricatedsuchgossamer，waswoundaboutherthroattodiminishitslength，andpartlyconcealit；leavingimperfectlyvisiblethetreasuresofthebustwhichwerecleverlyenclosedinacorset。Herfigurewasindeedamasterpieceofcomposition。
　　Asforherpose，onewordwillsuffice——itwasworthyofthepainsshehadtakentoarrangeit。Herarms，nowthinandhard，werescarcelyvisiblewithinthepuffingsofherverylargesleeves。Shepresentedthatmixtureoffalseglitterandbrilliantfabrics，ofsilkengauzeandcrapedhair，ofvivacity，calmness，andmotionwhichgoesbythetermofthe/Jenesaisquoi/。Everybodyknowsinwhatthatconsists，namely:greatcleverness，sometaste，andacertaincomposureofmanner。Beatrixmightnowbecalledadecorativesceniceffect，changedatwill，andwonderfullymanipulated。Thepresentationofthisfairyeffect，towhichisaddedcleverdialogue，turnstheheadsofmenwhoareendowedbynaturewithfrankness，untiltheybecomepossessed，throughthelawofcontrasts，byafranticdesiretoplaywithartifice。Itisfalse，thoughenticing；apretence，butagreeable；andcertainmenadorewomenwhoplayatseductionasothersdoatcards。Andthisiswhy:Thedesireofthemanisasyllogismwhichdrawsconclusionsfromthisexternalscienceastothesecretpromisesofpleasure。Theinnerconsciousnesssays，withoutwords:”A
　　womanwhocan，asitwere，createherselfbeautifulmusthavemanyotherresourcesforlove。”Andthatistrue。Desertedwomenareusuallythosewhomerelylove；thosewhoretainloveknowthe/art/ofloving。Now，thoughherItalianlessonhadverycruellymaltreatedtheself-loveandvanityofMadamedeRochefide，hernaturewastooinstinctivelyartificialnottoprofitbyit。”Itisnotaquestionoflovingaman，”shewassayingafewmomentsbeforeCalystehadenteredherbox；”wemustteaseandharasshimifwewanttokeephim。That’sthesecretofallthosewomenwhoseektoretainyoumen。Thedragonswhoguardtreasuresarealwaysarmedwithclawsandwings。””Ishallmakeasonnetonthatthought，”repliedCanalisattheverymomentwhenCalysteenteredthebox。
　　WithasingleglanceBeatrixdivinedthestateofCalyste’sheart；shesawthemarksofthecollarshehadputuponhimatLesTouches，stillfreshandred。Calyste，however，woundedbythespeechmadetohimabouthiswife，hesitatedbetweenhisdignityasahusband，Sabine’sdefence，andaharshwordcastuponaheartwhichheldsuchmemoriesforhim，aheartwhichhebelievedtobebleeding。Themarquiseobservedhishesitation；shehadmadethatspeechexpresslythatshemightknowhowfarherempireoverCalystestillextended。Seeinghisweakness，shecameatoncetohissuccortorelievehisembarrassment。”Well，dearfriend，youfindmealone，”shesaid，assoonasthetwogentlemenhadleftthebox，——”yes，aloneintheworld！””Youforgetme！”saidCalyste。”You！”shereplied，”butyouaremarried。Thatwasoneofmygriefs，amongthemanyIhaveenduredsinceIsawyoulast。Notonly——Isaidtomyself——doIloselove，butIhavelostafriendshipwhichI
　　thoughtwasBreton。Alas！wecanmakeourselvesbeareverything。NowI
　　sufferless，butIambroken，exhausted！Thisisthefirstoutpouringofmyheartforalong，longtime。Obligedtoseemproudbeforeindifferentpersons，andarrogantasifIhadneverfalleninpresenceofthosewhopaycourttome，andhavinglostmydearFelicite，therewasnoearintowhichIcouldcastthewords，/Isuffer！/ButtoyouI
　　cantelltheanguishIenduredonseeingyoujustnowsoneartome。
　　Yes，”shesaid，replyingtoagestureofCalyste’s，”itisalmostfidelity。Thatishowitiswithmisery；alook，avisit，amerenothingiseverythingtous。Ah！youoncelovedme——you——asIdeservedtobelovedbyhimwhohastakenpleasureintramplingunderfootthetreasuresIpouredoutuponhim。Andyet，tomysorrow，Icannotforget；Ilove，andIdesiretobefaithfultoapastthatcanneverreturn。”
　　Havingutteredthistirade，improvisedforthehundredthtime，sheplayedthepupilsofhereyesinawaytodoubletheeffectofherwords，whichseemedtobedraggedfromthedepthsofhersoulbytheviolenceofatorrentlongrestrained。Calyste，incapableofspeech，letfallthetearsthatgatheredinhiseyes。Beatrixcaughthishandandpressedit，makinghimturnpale。”Thankyou，Calyste，thankyou，mypoorchild；thatishowatruefriendrespondstothegriefofhisfriend。Weunderstandeachother。
　　No，don’taddanotherword；leavemenow；peoplearelookingatus；itmightcausetroubletoyourwifeifsomeonechancedtotellherthatwewereseentogether，——innocentlyenough，beforeathousandpeople！
　　There，youseeIamstrong；adieu——”
　　Shewipedhereyes，makingwhatmightbecalled，inwoman’srhetoric，anantithesisofaction。”Letmelaughthelaughofalostsoulwiththecarelesscreatureswhoamuseme，”shewenton。”Iliveamongartists，writers，inshorttheworldIknewinthesalonofourpoorCamille——whomayindeedhaveactedwisely。Toenrichthemanweloveandthentodisappearsaying，’Iamtoooldforhim！’thatisendinglikethemartyrs，——andthebestendtoo，ifonecannotdieavirgin。”
　　Shebegantolaugh，asittoremovethemelancholyimpressionshehadmadeuponherformeradorer。”But，”saidCalyste，”wherecanIgotoseeyou？””IamhiddenintheruedeChartresoppositetheParcdeMonceaux，inalittlehousesuitabletomymeans；andthereIcrammyheadwithliterature——butonlyformyself，todistractmythoughts；Godkeepmefromthemaniaofliterarywomen！Nowgo，leaveme；Imustnotallowtheworldtotalkofme；whatwillitnotsayonseeingustogether！
　　Adieu——oh！Calyste，myfriend，ifyoustayanotherminuteIshallburstintotears！”
　　Calystewithdrew，afterholdingouthishandtoBeatrixandfeelingforthesecondtimethatstrangeanddeepsensationofadoublepressure——fullofseductivetingling。”Sabineneverknewhowtostirmysoulinthatway，”wasthethoughtthatassailedhiminthecorridor。
　　DuringtherestoftheeveningtheMarquisedeRochefidedidnotcastthreestraightglancesatCalyste，butthereweremanysidelonglookswhichtoreofthesoulofthemannowwhollythrownbackintohisfirst，repulsedlove。
　　WhenthebaronduGuenicreachedhomethesplendorofhisapartmentsmadehimthinkofthesortofmediocrityofwhichBeatrixhadspoken，andhehatedhiswealthbecauseitcouldnotbelongtothatfallenangel。WhenhewastoldthatSabinehadlongbeeninbedherejoicedtofindhimselfrichinthepossessionofanightinwhichtoliveoverhisemotions。HecursedthepowerofdivinationwhichlovehadbestoweduponSabine。Whenbychanceamanisadoredbyhiswife，shereadsonhisfaceasinabook；shelearnseveryquiverofitsmuscles，sheknowswhencecomesitscalmness，sheasksherselfthereasonoftheslightestsadness，seekingtoknowifhaplythecauseisinherself；shestudiestheeyes；forhertheeyesaretintedwiththedominantthought，——theyloveortheydonotlove。Calysteknewhimselftobetheobjectofsodeep，sonaive，sojealousaworshipthathedoubtedhispowertocomposeacautiousfacethatshouldnotbetraythechangeinhismoralbeing。”HowshallImanageto-morrowmorning？”hesaidtohimselfashewenttosleep，dreadingthesortofinspectiontowhichSabinewouldhaverecourse。Whentheycametogetheratnight，andsometimesduringtheday，Sabinewouldaskhim，”Doyoustillloveme？”or，”Idon’twearyyou，doI？”Charminginterrogations，variedaccordingtothenatureortheclevernessofwomen，whichhidetheiranxietieseitherfeignedorreal。
　　Tothesurfaceofthenoblestandpurestheartsthemudandslimecastupbyhurricanesmustcome。Soonthatmorrowmorning，Calyste，whocertainlylovedhischild，quiveredwithjoyonlearningthatSabinefearedthecroup，andwaswatchingforthecauseofslightconvulsions，notdaringtoleaveherlittleboy。Thebaronmadeapretextofbusinessandwentout，thusavoidingthehomebreakfast。Heescapedasprisonersescape，happyinbeingafoot，andfreetogobythePontLouisXVI。andtheChampsElyseestoacafeontheboulevardwherehehadlikedtobreakfastwhenhewasabachelor。
　　Whatisthereinlove？DoesNaturerebelagainstthesocialyoke？Doessheneedthatimpulseofhergivenlifetobespontaneous，free，thedashofanimpetuoustorrentfoamingagainstrocksofoppositionandofcoquetry，ratherthanatranquilstreamflowingbetweenthetwobanksofthechurchandthelegalceremony？Hassheherowndesignsasshesecretlypreparesthosevolcaniceruptionstowhich，perhaps，weowegreatmen？
　　ItwouldbedifficulttofindayoungmanmoresacredlybroughtupthanCalyste，ofpurermorals，lessstainedbyirreligion；andyetheboundedtowardawomanunworthyofhim，whenabenignandradiantchancehadgivenhimforhiswifeayoungcreaturewhosebeautywastrulyaristocratic，whosemindwaskeenanddelicate，apious，lovinggirl，attachedsinglytohim，ofangelicsweetness，andmademoretenderstillbylove，alovethatwaspassionateinspiteofmarriage，likehisforBeatrix。Perhapsthenoblestmenretainsomeclayintheirconstitutions；thesloughstillpleasesthem。Ifthisbeso，theleastimperfecthumanbeingisthewoman，inspiteofherfaultsandherwantofreason。MadamedeRochefide，itmustbesaid，amidthecircleofpoeticpretensionswhichsurroundedher，andinspiteofherfall，belongedtothehighestnobility；shepresentedanaturemoreetherealthanslimy，andhidthecourtesanshewasmeanttobebeneathanaristocraticexterior。ThereforetheaboveexplanationdoesnotfullyaccountforCalyste’sstrangepassion。
　　Perhapsweoughttolookforitscauseinavanitysodeeplyburiedinthesoulthatmoralistshavenotyetuncoveredthatsideofvice。
　　Therearemen，trulynoble，likeCalyste，handsomeasCalyste，rich，distinguished，andwell-bred，whotire——withouttheirknowledge，possibly——ofmarriagewithanatureliketheirown；beingswhoseownnoblenessisnotsurprisedormovedbynoblenessinothers；whomgrandeuranddelicacyconsonantwiththeirowndoesnotaffect；butwhoseekfrominferiororfallennaturesthesealoftheirownsuperiority——ifindeedtheydonotopenlybegforpraise。CalystefoundnothingtoprotectinSabine，shewasirreproachable；thepowersthusstagnantinhisheartwerenowtovibrateforBeatrix。IfgreatmenhaveplayedbeforeoureyestheSaviour’sparttowardthewomantakeninadultery，whyshouldordinarymenbewiserintheirgenerationthanthey？
　　Calystereachedthehouroftwoo’clocklivingononesentenceonly，”Ishallseeheragain！”——apoemwhichhasoftenpaidthecostsofajourneyoftwothousandmiles。HenowwentwithalightsteptotheruedeChartres，andrecognizedthehouseatoncealthoughhehadneverbeforeseenit。Oncethere，hestood——he，theson-in-lawoftheDucdeGrandlieu，he，rich，nobleastheBourbons——atthefootofthestaircase，stoppedshortbytheinterrogationoftheoldfootman:”Monsieur’sname？”CalystefeltthatheoughttoleavetoBeatrixherfreedomofactioninreceivingornotreceivinghim；andhewaited，lookingintothegarden，withitswallsfurrowedbythoseblackandyellowlinesproducedbyrainuponthestuccoofParis。
　　MadamedeRochefide，likenearlyallgreatladieswhobreaktheirchain，hadleftherfortunetoherhusbandwhenshefledfromhim；shecouldnotbegfromhertyrant。ContiandMademoiselledesToucheshadsparedBeatrixallthepettyworriesofmateriallife，andhermotherhadfrequentlysendherconsiderablesumsofmoney。Findingherselfnowonherownresources，shewasforcedtoaneconomythatwasrathersevereforawomanaccustomedtoeveryluxury。ShehadthereforegonetothesummitofthehillonwhichliestheParcdeMonceaux，andthereshehadtakenrefugeina”littlehouse”formerlybelongingtoagreatseigneur，standingonthestreet，butpossessedofacharminggarden，therentofwhichdidnotexceedeighteenhundredfrancs。
　　Stillservedbyanoldfootman，amaid，andacookfromAlencon，whowerefaithfultoherthroughouthervicissitudes，herpenury，asshethoughtit，wouldhavebeenopulencetomanyanambitiousbourgeoise。
　　Calystewentupastaircasethestepsofwhichwerewellpumicedandthelandingsfilledwithfloweringplants。Onthefirstfloortheoldservantopened，inordertoadmitthebaronintotheapartment，adoubledoorofredvelvetwithlozengesofredsilkstuddedwithgiltnails。SilkandvelvetfurnishedtheroomsthroughwhichCalystepassed。Carpetsingravecolors，curtainscrossingeachotherbeforethewindows，portieres，inshortallthingswithincontrastedwiththemeanexternalappearanceofthehouse，whichwasill-keptbytheproprietor。CalysteawaitedBeatrixinasalonofsobercharacter，wherealltheluxurywassimpleinstyle。Thisroom，hungwithgarnetvelvetheightenedhereandtherewithdead-goldsilkentrimmings，thefloorcoveredwithadarkredcarpet，thewindowsresemblingconservatories，withabundantflowersinthejardinieres，waslightedsofaintlythatCalystecouldscarcelyseeonamantel-shelftwocasesofoldceladon，betweenwhichgleamedasilvercupattributedtoBenvenutoCellini，andbroughtfromItalybyBeatrix。Thefurnitureofgildedwoodwithvelvetcoverings，themagnificentconsoles，ononeofwhichwasacuriousclock，thetablewithitsPersiancloth，allboretestimonytoformeropulence，theremainsofwhichhadbeenwellapplied。OnalittletableCalystesawjewelledknick-knacks，abookincourseofreading，inwhichglitteredthehandleofadaggerusedasapaper-cutter——symbolofcriticism！Finally，onthewalls，tenwater-colorsrichlyframed，eachrepresentingoneofthediversebedroomsinwhichMadamedeRochefide’swanderinglifehadledhertosojourn，gavethemeasureofwhatwassurelysuperiorimpertinence。
　　Therustleofasilkdressannouncedthepoorunfortunate，whoappearedinastudiedtoiletwhichwouldcertainlyhavetolda/roue/
　　thathiscomingwasawaited。Thegown，madelikeawrappertoshowthelineofawhitebosom，wasofpearl-graymoirewithlargeopensleeves，fromwhichissuedthearmscoveredwithasecondsleeveofpuffedtulle，dividedbystrapsandtrimmedwithlaceatthewrists。
　　Thebeautifulhair，whichthecombheldinsecurely，escapedfromacapoflaceandflowers。”Already！”shesaid，smiling。”Alovercouldnothaveshownmoreeagerness。Youmusthavesecretstotellme，haveyounot？”
　　Andsheposedherselfgracefullyonasofa，invitingCalystebyagesturetositbesideher。Bychanceaselectedchance，possibly，forwomenhavetwomemories，thatofangelsandthatofdevilsBeatrixwasredolentoftheperfumewhichsheusedatLesTouchesduringherfirstacquaintancewithCalyste。Theinhalingofthisscent，contactwiththatdress，theglanceofthoseeyes，whichinthesemi-darknessgatheredthelightandreturnedit，turnedCalyste’sbrain。ThelucklessmanwasagainimpelledtothatviolencewhichhadoncebeforealmostcostBeatrixherlife；butthistimethemarquisewasontheedgeofasofa，notonthatofarock；sherosetoringthebell，layingafingeronhislips。Calyste，recalledtoorder，controlledhimself，allthemorebecausehesawthatBeatrixhadnoinimicalintention。”Antoine，Iamnotathome——foreveryone，”shesaid。”Putsomewoodonthefire。Yousee，Calyste，thatItreatyouasafriend，”shecontinuedwithdignity，whentheoldmanhadlefttheroom；”thereforedonottreatmeasyouwouldamistress。Ihavetworemarkstomaketoyou。Inthefirstplace，IshouldnotdenymyselffoolishlytoanymanIreallyloved；andsecondly，Iamdeterminedtobelongtonoothermanonearth，forIbelieved，Calyste，thatIwaslovedbyaspeciesofRizzio，whomnoengagementtrammelled，amanabsolutelyfree，andyouseetowhatthatfatalconfidencehasledme。Asforyou，youarenowundertheyokeofthemostsacredofduties；youhaveayoung，amiable，delightfulwife；moreover，youareafather。Ishouldbe，asyouare，withoutexcuse——weshouldbetwofools——””MydearBeatrix，allthesereasonsvanishbeforeasingleword——I
　　haveneverlovedbutyouonearth，andIwasmarriedagainstmywill。””Ah！atrickplayeduponusbyMademoiselledesTouches，”shesaid，smiling。
　　Threehourspassed，duringwhichMadamedeRochefideheldCalystetotheconsiderationofconjugalfaith，pointingouttohimthehorriblealternativeofanutterrenunciationofSabine。Nothingelsecouldreassureher，shesaid，inthedreadfulsituationtowhichCalyste’slovewouldreduceher。ThensheaffectedtoregardthesacrificeofSabineasasmallmatter，sheknewhersowell！”Mydearchild，”shesaid，”that’sawomanwhofulfilsallthepromisesofhergirlhood。SheisaGrandlieu，tobesure，butshe’sasbrownashermotherthePortuguese，nottosayyellow，andasdryandstiffasherfather。Totellthetruth，yourwifewillnevergowrong；
　　she’sabigboywhocantakecareofherself。PoorCalyste！isthatthesortofwomanyouneeded？Shehasfineeyes，butsucheyesareverycommoninItalyandinSpainandPortugal。Cananywomanbetenderwithboneslikehers。Evewasfair；brownwomendescendfromAdam，blondescomefromthehandofGod，whichleftuponEvehislastthoughtafterhehadcreatedher。”
　　Aboutsixo’clockCalyste，driventodesperation，tookhishattodepart。”Yes，go，mypoorfriend，”shesaid；”don’tgivehertheannoyanceofdiningwithoutyou。”
　　Calystestayed。Athisageitwassoeasytosnarehimonhisworstside。”What！youdaretodinewithme？”saidBeatrix，playingaprovocativeamazement。”Mypoorfooddoesnotalarmyou？Haveyouenoughindependenceofsoultocrownmewithjoybythislittleproofofyouraffection？””LetmewriteanotetoSabine；otherwiseshewillwaitdinnerformetillnineo’clock。””Here，”saidBeatrix，”thisisthetableatwhichIwrite。”
　　Shelightedthecandlesherself，andtookonetothetabletolookoverwhathewaswriting。”/MydearSabine——/””’Mydear’？——canyoureallysaythatyourwifeisstilldeartoyou？”
　　sheasked，lookingathimwithacoldeyethatfrozetheverymarrowofhisbones。”Go，——youhadbettergoanddinewithher。””/Idineatarestaurantwithsomefriends。/””Alie。Oh，fy！youarenotworthytobelovedeitherbyherorbyme。
　　Menareallcowardsintheirtreatmentofwomen。Go，monsieur，goanddinewithyourdearSabine。”
　　Calysteflunghimselfbackinhisarm-chairandbecameaspaleasdeath。Bretonspossessacourageofnaturewhichmakesthemobstinateunderdifficulties。Presentlytheyoungbaronsatup，puthiselbowonthetable，hischininhishand，andlookedattheimplacableBeatrixwithaflashingeye。HewassosuperbthataNorthernoraSouthernwomanwouldhavefallenathisfeetsaying，”Takeme！”ButBeatrix，bornonthebordersofNormandyandBrittany，belongedtotheraceofCasterans；desertionhaddevelopedinhertheferocityoftheFrank，thespitefulnessoftheNorman；shewantedsometerriblenotorietyasavengeance，andsheyieldedtonoweakness。”DictatewhatIoughttowrite，”saidthelucklessman。”But，inthatcase——””Well，yes！”shesaid，”youshalllovemethenasyoulovedmeatGuerande。Write:/Idineout；donotexpectme。/””Whatnext？”saidCalyste，thinkingsomethingmorewouldfollow。”Nothing；signit。Good，”shesaid，dartingonthenotewithrestrainedjoy。”Iwillsenditbyamessenger。””Andnow，”criedCalyste，risinglikeahappyman。”Ah！Ihavekept，Ibelieve，myfreedomofaction，”shesaid，turningawayfromhimandgoingtothefireplace，wheresherangthebell。”Here，Antoine，”shesaid，whentheoldfootmanentered，”sendthisnotetoitsaddress。Monsieurdineshere。”
　　XIX
　　THEFIRSTLIEOFAPIOUSDUCHESS
　　Calystereturnedtohisownhouseabouttwointhemorning。Afterwaitingforhimtillhalf-pasttwelve，Sabinehadgonetobedoverwhelmedwithfatigue。Sheslept，althoughshewaskeenlydistressedbythelaconicwordingofherhusband’snote。Still，sheexplainedit。Thetrueloveofawomaninvariablybeginsbyexplainingallthingstotheadvantageofthemanbeloved。Calystewaspressedfortime，shesaid。
　　Thenextmorningthechildwasbetter；themother’suneasinesssubsided，andSabinecamewithasmilingface，andlittleCalysteonherarm，topresenthimtohisfatherbeforebreakfastwiththeprettyfooleriesandsenselesswordswhichgayyoungmothersdoandsay。ThislittlescenegaveCalystethechancetomaintainacountenance。Hewascharmingtohiswife，thinkinginhisheartthathewasamonster，andheplayedlikeachildwithMonsieurlechevalier；infactheplayedtoowell，——heoverdidthepart；butSabinehadnotreachedthestageatwhichawomanrecognizessodelicateadistinction。
　　Atbreakfast，however，sheaskedhimsuddenly:——”Whatdidyoudoyesterday？””Portenduerekeptmetodinner，”hereplied，”andafterthatwewenttotheclubtoplaywhist。””That’safoolishlife，myCalyste，”saidSabine。”Youngnoblemeninthesedaysoughttobusythemselvesaboutrecoveringintheeyesofthecountrythegroundlostbytheirfathers。Itisn’tbysmokingcigars，playingwhist，idlingawaytheirleisure，andsayinginsolentthingsofparvenuswhohavedriventhemfromtheirpositions，notyetbyseparatingthemselvesfromthemasseswhosesoulandintellectandprovidencetheyoughttobe，thatthenobilitywillexist。Insteadofbeingaparty，youwillsoonbeamereopinion，asdeMarsaysaid。Ah！
　　ifyouonlyknewhowmyideasonthissubjecthaveenlargedsinceI
　　havenursedandcradledyourchild！I’dliketoseethatgrandoldnameofGuenicbecomeoncemorehistorical！”ThensuddenlyplunginghereyesintothoseofCalyste，whowaslisteningtoherwithapensiveair，sheadded:”Admitthatthefirstnoteyoueverwrotemewasratherstiff。””IdidnotthinkofsendingyouwordtillIgottotheclub。””Butyouwroteonawoman’snote-paper；ithadaperfumeoffeminineelegance。””Thoseclubdirectorsaresuchdandies！”
　　TheVicomtedePortenduereandhiswife，formerlyMademoiselleMirouet，hadbecomeoflateveryintimatewiththeduGuenics，sointimatethattheysharedtheirboxattheOperabyequalpayments。
　　Thetwoyoungwomen，UrsulaandSabine，hadbeenwontothisfriendshipbythedelightfulinterchangeofcounsels，cares，andconfidencesaproposoftheirfirstinfants。
　　WhileCalyste，anoviceinfalsehood，wassayingtohimself，”ImustwarnSavinien，”Sabinewasthinking，”Iamsurethatpaperboreacoronet。”Thisreflectionpassedthroughhermindlikeaflash，andSabinescoldedherselfforhavingmadeit。Nevertheless，sheresolvedtofindthepaper，whichinthemidstofherterrorsofthenightbeforeshehadflungintoherletter-box。
　　AfterbreakfastCalystewentout，sayingtohiswifethatheshouldsoonreturn。Thenhejumpedintooneofthoselittlelowcarriageswithonehorsewhichwerejustbeginningtosupersedetheinconvenientcabrioletofourancestors。Hedroveinafewminutestothevicomte’shouseandbeggedhimtodohimtheservice，withrightsofreturn，offibbingincaseSabineshouldquestionthevicomtesse。ThenceCalyste，urginghiscoachmantospeed，rushedtotheruedeChartresinordertoknowhowBeatrixhadpassedtherestofthenight。Hefoundthatunfortunatejustfromherbath，fresh，embellished，andbreakfastingwithaverygoodappetite。Headmiredthegracewithwhichhisangelateherboiledeggs，andhemarvelledatthebeautyofthegoldservice，apresentfromamonomaniaclord，forwhomContihadcomposedafewballadson/ideas/ofthelord，whoafterwardspublishedthemashisown！
　　Calystelistenedentrancedtothewittyspeechesofhisidol，whosegreatobjectwastoamusehim，untilshegrewangryandweptwhenherosetoleaveher。Hethoughthehadbeenthereonlyhalfanhour，butitwaspastthreebeforehereachedhome。HishandsomeEnglishhorse，apresentfromtheVicomtessedeGrandlieu，wassobathedinsweatthatitlookedasthoughithadbeendriventhroughthesea。Byoneofthosechanceswhichalljealouswomenprepareforthemselves，Sabinewasatawindowwhichlookedonthecourt-yard，impatientatCalyste’snon-return，uneasywithoutknowingwhy。Theconditionofthehorsewithitsfoamingmouthsurprisedher。”Wherecanhehavecomefrom？”
　　Thequestionwaswhisperedinherearbythatpowerwhichisnotexactlyconsciousness，nordevil，norangel；whichsees，forebodes，showsustheunseen，andcreatesbeliefinmentalbeings，creaturesbornofourbrains，goingandcomingandlivingintheworldinvisibleofideas。”Wheredoyoucomefrom，dearangel？”SabinesaidtoCalyste，meetinghimonthefirstlandingofthestaircase。”Abd-el-Kaderisnearlyfoundered。Youtoldmeyouwouldbegonebutamoment，andIhavebeenwaitingforyouthesethreehours。””Well，well，”thoughtCalyste，whowasmakingprogressindissimulation，”Imustgetoutofitbyapresent——Dearlittlemother，”hesaidaloud，takingherroundthewaistwithmorecajolerythanhewouldhaveusedifhehadnotbeenconsciousofguilt，”Iseethatitisquiteimpossibletokeepasecret，howeverinnocent，fromthewomanwholovesus——””Well，don’ttellsecretsonthestaircase，”shesaid，laughing。”Comein。”
　　Inthemiddleofasalonwhichadjoinedtheirbedroom，shecaughtsightinamirrorofCalyste’sface，onwhich，notawarethatitcouldbeseen，heallowedhisrealfeelingsandhiswearinesstoappear。”Nowforyoursecret？”shesaid，turninground。”Youhaveshownsuchheroismasanurse，”hesaid，”thattheheirpresumptiveoftheGuenicsisdearertomethanever，andIwantedtogiveyouasurprise，preciselylikeanybourgeoisoftherueSaintDenis。Theyarefinishingforyouatthismomentadressing-tableatwhichtrueartistshaveworked，andmymotherandauntZephirinehavecontributed。”
　　Sabineclaspedhiminherarms，andheldhimtightlytoherbreastwithherheadonhisneck，faintwiththeweightofhappiness，notforthepieceoffurniture，butforthedispersionofherfirstdarkdoubt。Itwasoneofthosemagnificenttransportswhichcanbecounted，andwhichnolove，howeverexcessive，canprodigallyspend，orlifewouldbetoosoonburnedout。Then，indeed，menshouldfallatthefeetofwomentoadorethem，forsuchmomentsaresublime，momentswhentheforcesoftheheartandintellectgushforthlikethewatersofsculpturednymphsfromtheirincliningurns。Sabineburstintotears。
　　Suddenlyasifbittenbyaviper，sheleftCalyste，threwherselfonasofaandfaintedaway，forthereactionofachilltoherglowingheartcameneartokillingher。AssheheldCalysteinherarms，hernoseathiscravat，abandonedtoherjoy，shesmelttheperfumeofthatletterpaper！Anotherwoman’sheadhadlainthere，whosehairandfacehadleftthatadulterousodor！Shehadjustkissedthespotwherethekissesofherrivalwerestillwarm。”Whatisthematter？”askedCalyste，afterhehadbroughtSabinebacktoconsciousnessbypassingadampclothoverherfaceandmakinghersmellsalts。”Fetchthedoctorandmynurse，both！Yes，mymilkhasturned，Ifeelit。Theywon’tcomeatonceunlessyoufetchthemyourself——go！”
　　Calyste，alarmed，rushedout。ThemomentSabineheardtheclosingoftheporte-cochereshestarteduplikeafrighteneddoe，andwalkedaboutthesalonasifbesideherself，cryingout，”MyGod！myGod！myGod！”
　　Thosetwowordstooktheplaceofallideas。Thecrisisshehadseizeduponasapretextinrealitytookplace。Thehairsofherheadwerelikesomanyred-hotneedlesheatedinthefireofanervousfever。
　　Herboilingbloodseemedtohertominglewithhernervesandyettrytoissuefromallherpores。Shewasblindforafewmoments，andcriedaloud，”Iamdying！”
　　Atthatterriblecryoftheinjuredwifeandmotherhermaidranin。
　　Aftershewaslaiduponherbedandrecoveredbothsightandmind，thefirstactofherintelligencewastosendthemaidtoherfriend，MadamedePortenduere。Sabinefeltthatherideaswerewhirlinginherbrainlikestrawsatthewillofawaterspout。”Isaw，”shesaidlater，”myriadsallatonce。”
　　Sherangforthefootmanandinthetransportofherfevershefoundstrengthtowritethefollowingletter，forshewasmasteredbyonemaddesire——tohavecertainty:——
　　ToMadamelaBaronneduGuenic:
　　DearMamma，——WhenyoucometoParis，asyouallowustohopeyouwill，IshallthankyouinpersonforthebeautifulpresentbywhichyouandmyauntZephirineandCalystewishtorewardmefordoingmyduty。Iwasalreadywellrepaidbymyownhappinessindoingit。Icanneverexpressthepleasureyouhavegivenmeinthatbeautifuldressing-table，butwhenyouarewithmeIshalltrytodoso。Believeme，whenIarraymyselfbeforethattreasure，Ishallthink，liketheRomanmatron，thatmynoblestjewelisourlittleangel，etc。
　　ShedirectedthelettertoGuerandeandgaveittothefootmantopost。
　　WhentheVicomtessedePortenduerecame，theshudderingchillofreactionhadsucceededinpoorSabinethisfirstparoxysmofmadness。”Ursula，IthinkIamgoingtodie，”shesaid。”Whatisthematter，dear？””WheredidSavinienandCalystegoaftertheydinedwithyouyesterday？””Dinedwithme？”saidUrsula，towhomherhusbandhadsaidnothing，notexpectingsuchimmediateinquiry。”SavinienandIdinedalonetogetherandwenttotheOperawithoutCalyste。””Ursula，dearest，inthenameofyourloveforSavinien，keepsilenceaboutwhatyouhavejustsaidtomeandwhatIshallnowtellyou。YoualoneshallknowwhyIdie——Iambetrayed！attheendofthreeyears，attwenty-twoyearsofage！”
　　Herteethchattered，hereyesweredullandfrozen，herfacehadtakenonthegreenishtingeofanoldVenetianmirror。”You！sobeautiful！Forwhom？””Idon’tknowyet。ButCalystehastoldmetwolies。Donotpityme，donotseemincensed，pretendignoranceandperhapsyoucanfindoutwho/she/isthroughSavinien。Oh！thatletterofyesterday！”
　　Trembling，shaking，shesprangfromherbedtoapieceoffurniturefromwhichshetooktheletter。”See，”shesaid，lyingdownagain，”thecoronetofamarquise！FindoutifMadamedeRochefidehasreturnedtoParis。AmItohaveaheartinwhichtoweepandmoan？Oh，dearest！——toseeone’sbeliefs，one’spoesy，idol，virtue，happiness，all，allinpieces，withered，lost！NoGodinthesky！noloveuponearth！nolifeinmyheart！noanything！
　　Idon’tknowifthere’sdaylight；Idoubtthesun。I’vesuchanguishinmysoulIscarcelyfeelthehorriblesufferingsinmybody。
　　Happily，thebabyisweaned；mymilkwouldhavepoisonedhim。”
　　AtthatideathetearsbegantoflowfromSabine’seyeswhichhadhithertobeendry。
　　PrettyMadamedePortenduere，holdinginherhandthefatalletter，theperfumeofwhichSabineagaininhaled，wasatfirststupefiedbythistruesorrow，shockedbythisagonyoflove，withoutasyetunderstandingit，inspiteofSabine’sincoherentattemptstorelatethefacts。SuddenlyUrsulawasilluminatedbyoneofthoseideaswhichcometononebutsincerefriends。”Imustsaveher！”shethoughttoherself。”Trustme，Sabine，”shecried。”Waitformyreturn；Iwillfindoutthetruth。””Ah！inmygraveI’llloveyou，”exclaimedSabine。
　　TheviscountesswentstraighttotheDuchessedeGrandlieu，pledgedhertosecrecy，andthenexplainedtoherfullyherdaughter’ssituation。”Madame，”shesaidassheended，”doyounotthinkwithme，thatinordertoavoidsomefatalillness——perhaps，Idon’tknow，evenmadness——wehadbetterconfidethewholetruthtothedoctor，andinventsometaletoclearthathatefulCalysteandmakehimseemforthetimebeinginnocent？””Mydearchild，”saidtheduchess，whowaschilledtotheheartbythisconfidence，”friendshiphasgivenyouforthemomenttheexperienceofawomanofmyage。IknowhowSabinelovesherhusband；
　　youareright，shemightbecomeinsane。””Orloseherbeauty，whichwouldbeworse，”saidtheviscountess。”Letusgotoher！”criedtheduchess。
　　Fortunatelytheyarrivedafewmomentsbeforethefamous/accoucheur/，Dommanget，theonlyoneofthetwomenofsciencewhomCalystehadbeenabletofind。”Ursulahastoldmeeverything，”saidtheduchesstoherdaughter，”andyouaremistaken。Inthefirstplace，MadamedeRochefideisnotinParis。Asforwhatyourhusbanddidyesterday，mydear，Icantellyouthathelostagreatdealofmoneyatcards，sothathedoesnotevenknowhowtopayforyourdressing-table。””But/that？/”saidSabine，holdingouttohermotherthefatalletter。”That！”saidtheduchess，laughing；”why，thatiswrittenontheJockeyClubpaper；everybodywritesnowadaysoncoronetedpaper；evenourstewardswillsoonbetitled。”
　　Theprudentmotherthrewtheunluckypaperintothefireasshespoke。
　　WhenCalysteandDommangetarrived，theduchess，whohadgiveninstructionstotheservants，wasatonceinformed。SheleftSabinetothecareofMadamedePortenduereandstoppedthe/accoucheur/andCalysteinthesalon。”Sabine’slifeisatstake，monsieur，”shesaidtoCalyste；”youhavebetrayedherforMadamedeRochefide。”
　　Calysteblushed，likeagirlstillrespectable，detectedinafault。”And，”continuedtheduchess，”asyoudonotknowhowtodeceive，youhavebehavedinsuchaclumsymannerthatSabinehasguessedthetruth。ButIhaveforthepresentrepairedyourblunder。Youdonotwishthedeathofmydaughter，Iamsure——Allthis，MonsieurDommanget，willputyouonthetrackofherrealillnessanditscause。Asforyou，Calyste，anoldwomanlikemeunderstandsyourerror，thoughshedoesnotpardonit。Suchpardonscanonlybebroughtbyalifetimeofafterhappiness。Ifyouwishmetoesteemyou，youmust，inthefirstplace，savemydaughter；next，youmustforgetMadamedeRochefide；sheisonlyworthhavingonce。Learntolie；havethecourageofacriminal，andhisimpudence。Ihavejusttoldaliemyself，andIshallhavetodohardpenanceforthatmortalsin。”
　　Shethentoldthetwomentheliesshehadinvented。Thecleverphysiciansittingatthebedsideofhispatientstudiedinhersymptomsthemeansofrepairingtheill，whileheorderedmeasuresthesuccessofwhichdependedongreatrapidityofexecution。Calystesittingatthefootofthebedstrovetoputintohisglanceanexpressionoftenderness。”Soitwasplaywhichputthoseblackcirclesroundyoureyes？”Sabinesaidtohiminafeeblevoice。
　　Thewordsmadethedoctor，themother，andtheviscountesstremble，andtheyallthreelookedatoneanothercovertly。Calysteturnedasredasacherry。”That’swhatcomesofnursingachild，”saidDommangetbrutally，butcleverly。”Husbandsarelonelywhenseparatedfromtheirwives，andtheygototheclubandplay。Butyouneedn’tworryoverthethirtythousandfrancswhichMonsieurlebaronlostlastnight——””Thirtythousandfrancs！”criedUrsula，inasillytone。”Yes，Iknowit，”repliedDommanget。”TheytoldmethismorningatthehouseoftheyoungDuchesseBerthedeMaufrigneusethatitwasMonsieurdeTrailleswhowonthatmoneyfromyou，”headded，turningtoCalyste。”Whydoyouplaywithsuchmen？Frankly，monsieurlebaron，Icanwellbelieveyouareashamedofit。”
　　Seeinghismother-in-law，apiousduchess，theyoungviscountess，ahappywoman，andtheold/accoucheur/，aconfirmedegotist，allthreelyinglikeadealerinbric-a-brac，thekindandfeelingCalysteunderstoodthegreatnessofthedanger，andtwoheavytearsrolledfromhiseyesandcompletelydeceivedSabine。”Monsieur，”shesaid，sittingupinbedandlookingangrilyatDommanget，”MonsieurduGueniccanlosethirty，fifty，ahundredthousandfrancsifitpleaseshim，withoutanyonehavingarighttothinkitwrongorreadhimalesson。ItisfarbetterthatMonsieurdeTraillesshouldwinhismoneythanthatweshouldwinMonsieurdeTrailles’。”
　　Calysterose，tookhiswiferoundtheneck，kissedheronbothcheeksandwhispered:——”Sabine，youareanangel！”
　　Twodayslatertheyoungwifewasthoughttobeoutofdanger，andthenextdayCalystewasatMadamedeRochefide’smakingameritofhisinfamy。”Beatrix，”hesaid，”youowemehappiness。Ihavesacrificedmypoorlittlewifetoyou；shehasdiscoveredall。Thatfatalpaperonwhichyoumademewrite，boreyournameandyourcoronet，whichInevernoticed——Isawbutyou！Fortunatelythe’B’wasbychanceeffaced。ButtheperfumeyouleftuponmeandtheliesinwhichIinvolvedmyselflikeafoolhavebetrayedmyhappiness。Sabinenearlydiedofit；hermilkwenttothehead；erysipelassetin，andpossiblyshemaybearthemarksfortherestofherdays。”
　　AsBeatrixlistenedtothistiradeherfacewasdueNorth，icyenoughtofreezetheSeinehadshelookedatit。”Somuchthebetter，”shesaid；”perhapsitwillwhitenherforyou。”
　　AndBeatrix，nowbecomeashardasherbones，sharpashervoice，harshashercomplexion，continuedaseriesofatrocioussarcasmsinthesametone。Thereisnogreaterblunderthanforamantotalkofhiswife，ifsheisvirtuous，tohismistress，unlessitbetotalkofhismistress，ifsheisbeautiful，tohiswife。ButCalystehadnotreceivedthatspeciesofParisianeducationwhichwemustcallthepolitenessofthepassions。Heknewneitherhowtolietohiswife，norhowtotellhismistressthetruth，——twoapprenticeshipsamaninhispositionmustmakeinordertomanagewomen。HewasthereforecompelledtoemployallthepowerofpassiontoobtainfromBeatrixapardonwhichsheforcedhimtosolicitfortwohours；apardonrefusedbyaninjuredangelwhoraisedhereyestotheceilingthatshemightnotseetheguiltyman，andwhoputforthreasonssacredtomarquisesinavoicequiveringwithtearswhichwerefurtivelywipedwiththelaceofherhandkerchief。”Tospeaktomeofyourwifeontheverydayaftermyfall！”shecried。”Whydidyounottellmesheisapearlofvirtue？Iknowshethinksyouhandsome；puredepravity！I，Iloveyoursoul！forletmetellyou，myfriend，youareuglycomparedtomanyshepherdsontheCampagnaofRome，”etc。，etc。
　　Suchspeechesmaysurprisethereader，buttheywerepartofasystemprofoundlymeditatedbyBeatrixinthisherthirdincarnation，——forateachpassionawomanbecomesanotherbeingandadvancesonestepmoreintoprofligacy，theonlywordwhichproperlyrenderstheeffectoftheexperiencegivenbysuchadventures。Now，theMarquisedeRochefidehadsatinjudgmentonherselfbeforethemirror。Cleverwomenareneverdeceivedaboutthemselves；theycounttheirwrinkles，theyassistatthebirthoftheircrow’s-feet，theyknowthemselvesbyheart，andevenownitbythegreatnessoftheireffortsatpreservation。Thereforetostrugglesuccessfullyagainstasplendidyoungwoman，tocarryawayfromhersixtriumphsaweek，Beatrixhadrecoursetotheknowledgeandthescienceofcourtesans。Withoutacknowledgingtoherselfthebasenessofthisplan，ledawaytotheemploymentofsuchmeansbyaTurkishpassionforCalyste’sbeauty，shehadresolvedtomakehimthinkhimselfunpleasant，ugly，ill-made，andtobehaveasifshehatedhim。Nosystemismorefruitfulwithmenofaconqueringnature。Tosuchnaturesthepresenceofrepugnancetobevanquishedistherenewalofthetriumphofthefirstdayonallsucceedingdays。Anditissomethingevenbetter。Itisflatteryintheguiseofdislike。Amanthensaystohimself，”Iamirresistible，”
　　or”Myloveisall-powerfulbecauseitconquersherrepugnance。”Ifyoudenythisprinciple，divinedbyallcoquettesandcourtesansthroughoutallsocialzones，youmayaswellrejectallseekersafterknowledge，alldelversintosecrets，repulsedthroughyearsintheirduelwithhiddencauses。Beatrixaddedtotheuseofcontemptasamoralpiston，aconstantcomparisonofherownpoetic，comfortablehomewiththehotelduGuenic。Alldesertedwiveswhoabandonthemselvesindespair，neglectalsotheirsurroundings，sodiscouragedarethey。Onthis，MadamedeRochefidecounted，andpresentlybegananunderhandattackontheluxuryofthefaubourgSaint-Germain，whichshecharacterizedasstupid。
　　Thesceneofreconciliation，inwhichBeatrixmadeCalysteswearandreswearhatredtothewife，who，shesaid，wasplayingcomedy，tookplaceinaperfectbowerwheresheplayedoffhergracesamidravishingflowers，andrareplantsofthecostliestluxury。Thescienceofnothings，thetriflesoftheday，shecarriedtoexcess。
　　FallenintoamortifyingpositionthroughConti’sdesertion，Beatrixwasdeterminedtohave，atanyrate，thefamewhichunprincipledconductgives。Themisfortuneofthepooryoungwife，arichandbeautifulGrandlieu，shouldbeherpedestal。