XX
ASHORTTREATISEONCERTAINTY:BUTNOT
FROMPASCAL’SPOINTOFVIEW
Whenawomanreturnstoordinarylifeafterthenursingofherfirstchildshereappearsintheworldembellishedandcharming。Thisphaseofmaternity，whileitrejuvenatesthewomenofacertainage，givestoyoungwomenasplendoroffreshness，agayactivity，a/brio/ofmereexistence，——ifitispermissibletoapplytothebodyawordwhichItalyhasdiscoveredforthemind。Intryingtoreturntothecharminghabitsofthehoneymoon，SabinediscoveredthatherhusbandwasnottheformerCalyste。Againsheobservedhim，unhappygirl，insteadofrestingsecurelyinherhappiness。Shesoughtforthefatalperfume，andsmeltit。Thistimeshenolongerconfidedinherfriend，norinthemotherwhohadsocharitablydeceivedher。Shewantedcertainty，andCertaintymadenolongtarrying。Certaintyisneverwanting，itislikethesun；andpresentlyshadesareaskedfortokeepitout。Itis，inmattersoftheheart，arepetitionofthefableofthewoodmancallinguponDeath，——wesoonaskCertaintytoleaveusblind。
Onemorning，abouttwoweeksafterthefirstcrisis，Sabinereceivedthisterribleletter:——
Guerande。
ToMadamelaBaronneduGuenic:
MydearDaughter，——YourauntZephirineandIarelostinconjecturesaboutthedressing-tableofwhichyoutellusinyourletter。IhavewrittentoCalysteaboutit，andIbegyoutoexcuseourignorance。Youcanneverdoubtourhearts，Iamsure。
Wearepilinguprichesforyouhere。ThankstotheadviceofMademoiselledePen-Hoelonthemanagementofyourproperty，youwillfindyourselfwithinafewyearsinpossessionofaconsiderablecapitalwithoutlosinganyofyourincome。
Yourletter，dearchildasdearlylovedasifIhadborneyouinmybosomandfedyouwithmymilk，surprisedmebyitsbrevity，andaboveallbyyoursilenceaboutmydearestlittleCalyste。YoutoldmenothingofthegreatCalysteeither；butthen，Iknowthat/he/ishappy，”etc。etc。
Sabinewroteacrossthisletterthesewords，”NobleBrittanydoesnotalwayslie。”ShethenlaidthepaperonCalyste’sdesk。
Calystefoundtheletterandreadit。SeeingSabine’ssentenceandrecognizingherhandwritingheflungtheletterintothefire，determinedtopretendthathehadneverreceivedit。Sabinespentawholeweekinanagonythesecretsofwhichareknownonlytoangelicorsolitarysoulswhomthewingofthebadangelhasneverovershadowed。Calyste’ssilenceterrifiedher。”I，whooughttobeallgentleness，allpleasuretohim，Ihavedispleasedhim，woundedhim！Myvirtuehasmadeitselfhateful。Ihavenodoubthumiliatedmyidol，”shesaidtoherself。Thesethoughtsplowedfurrowsinherheart。Shewantedtoaskpardonforherfault，butCertaintyletlooseuponherotherproofs。Grownboldandinsolent，BeatrixwrotetoCalysteathisownhome；MadameduGuenicreceivedtheletter，andgaveittoherhusbandwithoutopeningit，butshesaidtohim，inachangedvoiceandwithdeathinhersoul:”Myfriend，thatletterisfromtheJockeyClub；Irecognizeboththepaperandtheperfume。”
Calystecolored，andputtheletterintohispocket。”Whydon’tyoureadit？””Iknowwhatitisabout。”
Theyoungwifesatdown。Nolongerdidfeverburnher，sheweptnomore；butmadnesssuchas，infeeblebeings，givesbirthtomiraclesofcrime，madnesswhichlayshandsonarsenicforthemselvesorfortheirrivals，possessedher。AtthismomentlittleCalystewasbroughtin，andshetookhiminherarmstodancehim。Thechild，justawakened，soughtthebreastbeneaththegown。”Heremembers，——he，atanyrate，”shesaidinalowvoice。
Calystewenttohisownroomtoreadhisletter。Whenhewasnolongerpresentthepooryoungwomanburstintotears，andweptaswomenweepwhentheyareallalone。
Pain，aswellaspleasure，hasitsinitiation。Thefirstcrisis，likethatinwhichpoorSabinenearlysuccumbed，returnsnomorethanthefirstfruitsofotherthingsreturn。Itisthefirstwedgestruckinthetortureoftheheart；allothersareexpected，theshocktothenervesisknown，thecapitalofourforceshasbeenalreadydrawnuponforvigorousresistance。SoSabine，sureofherbetrayal，spentthreehourswithhersoninherarmsbesidethefireinawaythatsurprisedherself，whenGasselin，turnedintoafootman，cametosay:——”Madameisserved。””Letmonsieurknow。””Monsieurdoesnotdineathome，Madamelabaronne。”
Whoknowswhattorturethereisforayoungwomanoftwenty-threeinfindingherselfaloneinthegreatdining-roomofanoldmansion，servedbysilentservants，undercircumstanceslikethese？”Orderthecarriage，”shesaidsuddenly；”IshallgototheOpera。”
Shedressedsuperbly；shewantedtoexhibitherselfaloneandsmilinglikeahappywoman。InthemidstofherremorsefortheadditionshehadmadetoMadamedeRochefide’slettershehadresolvedtoconquer，towinbackCalystebylovingkindness，bythevirtuesofawife，bythegentlenessofthepaschallamb。Shewished，also，todeceiveallParis。Sheloved，——lovedascourtesansandasangelslove，withpride，withhumility。Buttheoperachancedtobe”Otello。”WhenRubinisang/Ilmiocorsidivide/，sherushedaway。Musicissometimesmightierthanactororpoet，thetwomostpowerfulofallnatures，combined。
SaviniendePortenduereaccompaniedSabinetotheperistyleandputherinthecarriagewithoutbeingabletounderstandthissuddenflight。
MadameduGuenicnowenteredaphaseofsufferingwhichispeculiartothearistocracy。Envious，poor，andmiserablebeings，——whenyouseeonthearmsofsuchwomengoldenserpentswithdiamondheads，necklacesclaspedaroundtheirnecks，saytoyourselvesthatthoseviperssting，thoseslenderbondsburntothequickthroughthedelicateflesh。Allsuchluxuryisdearlybought。InsituationslikethatofSabine，womencursethepleasuresofwealth；theylooknolongeratthegildingoftheirsalons；thesilkofthedivansisjuteintheireyes，exoticflowersarenettles，perfumespoison，thechoicestcookeryscrapestheirthroatlikebarley-bread，andlifebecomesasbitterastheDeadSea。
Twoorthreeexamplesmayservetoshowthisreactionofluxuryuponhappiness；sothatallthosewomenwhohaveendureditmaybeholdtheirownexperience。
Fullyawarenowofthisterriblerivalry，Sabinestudiedherhusbandwhenheleftthehouse，thatshemightdivine，ifpossible，thefutureofhisday。Withwhatrestrainedfurydoesawomanflingherselfuponthered-hotspikesofthatsavagemartyrdom！WhatdeliriousjoyifshecouldthinkhedidnotgototheruedeChartres！Calystereturned，andthenthestudyofhisforehead，hishair，hiseyes，hiscountenance，hisdemeanor，gaveahorribleinteresttomerenothings，toobservationspursuedeventomattersoftoilet，inwhichawomanlosesherself-respectanddignity。Thesefatalinvestigations，concealedinthedepthsofherheart，turnsourandrotthedelicaterootsfromwhichshouldspringtobloomtheazureflowersofsacredconfidence，thegoldenpetalsoftheOneonlylove，withalltheperfumesofmemory。
OnedayCalystelookedabouthimdiscontentedly；hehadstayedathome！Sabinemadeherselfcaressingandhumble，gayandsparkling。”Youarevexedwithme，Calyste；amInotagoodwife？Whatisthereherethatdispleasesyou？”sheasked。”Theseroomsaresocoldandbare，”hereplied；”youdon’tunderstandarrangingthings。””Tellmewhatiswanting。””Flowers。””Ah！”shethoughttoherself，”MadamedeRochefidelikesflowers。”
Twodayslater，theroomsofthehotelduGuenichadassumedanotheraspect。NooneinPariscouldflatterhimselftohavemoreexquisiteflowersthanthosethatnowadornedthem。
SometimelaterCalyste，oneeveningafterdinner，complainedofthecold。Hetwistedaboutinhischair，declaringtherewasadraught，andseemedtobelookingforsomething。Sabinecouldnotatfirstimaginewhatthisnewfancysignified，she，whosehousepossessedacaloriferewhichheatedthestaircases，antechambers，andpassages。Atlast，afterthreedays’meditation，shecametotheconclusionthatherrivalprobablysatsurroundedbyascreentoobtainthehalf-
lightsfavorabletofadedfaces；soSabinehadascreen，butherswasofglassandofIsraelitishsplendor。”Fromwhatquarterwillthenextstormcome？”shesaidtoherself。
Theseindirectcomparisonswithhismistresswerenotyetatanend。
WhenCalystedinedathomeheatehisdinnerinawaytodriveSabinefrantic；hewouldmotiontotheservantstotakeawayhisplatesafterpeckingattwoorthreemouthfuls。”Wasn’titgood？”Sabinewouldask，indespairatseeingallthepainsshehadtakeninconferencewithhercookthrownaway。”Idon’tsaythat，myangel，”repliedCalyste，withoutanger；”Iamnothungry，thatisall。”
Awomanconsumedbyalegitimatepassion，whostrugglesthus，fallsatlastintoafuryofdesiretogetthebetterofherrival，andoftengoestoofar，eveninthemostsecretregionsofmarriedlife。Socruel，burning，andincessantacombatintheobviousand，aswemaycallthem，exteriormattersofahouseholdmustneedsbecomemoreintenseanddesperateinthethingsoftheheart。Sabinestudiedherattitudes，hertoilets；shetookheedaboutherselfinalltheinfinitelylittletriflesoflove。
Thecookingtroublelastednearlyamonth。Sabine，assistedbyMariotteandGasselin，inventedvariouslittlevaudevilleschemestoascertainthedisheswhichMadamedeRochefideservedtoCalyste。
GasselinwassubstitutedforCalyste’sgroom，whohadfallenconvenientlyill。ThisenabledGasselintoconsortwithMadamedeRochefide’scook，andbeforelong，SabinegaveCalystethesamefare，onlybetter；butstillhemadedifficulties。”Whatiswantingnow？”shesaid。”Oh，nothing，”heanswered，lookingroundthetableforsomethinghedidnotfind。”Ah！”exclaimedSabine，asshewokethenextmorning，”CalystewantedsomeofthoseIndiansaucestheyserveinEnglandincruets。MadamedeRochefideaccustomshimtoallsortsofcondiments。”
SheboughttheEnglishcruetsandthespicedsauces；butitsoonbecameimpossibleforhertomakesuchdiscoveriesinallthepreparationsinventedbyherrival。
Thisperiodlastedsomemonths；whichisnotsurprisingwhenwerememberthesortofattractionpresentedbysuchastruggle。Itislife。Andthatispreferable，withitswoundsanditsanguish，tothegloomydarknessofdisgust，tothepoisonofcontempt，tothevoidofabdication，tothatdeathoftheheartwhichiscalledindifference。
ButallSabine’scourageabandonedheroneeveningwhensheappearedinatoiletsuchaswomenareinspiredtowearinthehopeofeclipsingarival，andaboutwhichCalystesaid，laughing:——”Inspiteofallyoucando，Sabine，you’llneverbeanythingbutahandsomeAndalusian。””Alas！”shesaid，droppingonasofa，”Imaynevermakemyselfablonde，butIknowifthiscontinuesIshallsoonbethirty-fiveyearsold。”
SherefusedtogototheOperaassheintended，andchosetostayathomethewholeevening。Butoncealoneshepulledtheflowersfromherhairandstampeduponthem；shetoreoffthegownandscarfandtrampledthemunderfoot，likeagoatcaughtinthetangleofitstether，whichstrugglestilldeathcomes。Thenshewenttobed。
XXI
THEWICKEDNESSOFAGOODWOMAN
PlayingfortheseterriblestakesSabinegrewthin；griefconsumedher；butsheneverforamomentforsooktheroleshehadimposeduponherself。Sustainedbyasortoffever，herlipsdrovebackintoherthroatthebitterwordsthatpainsuggested；sherepressedtheflashingofhergloriousdarkeyes，andmadethemsofteventohumility。Butherfailinghealthsoonbecamenoticeable。Theduchess，anexcellentmother，thoughherpietywasbecomingmoreandmorePortuguese，recognizedamoralcauseinthephysicallyweakconditioninwhichSabinenowtooksatisfaction。SheknewtheexactstateoftherelationbetweenBeatrixandCalyste；andshetookgreatpainstodrawherdaughtertoherownhouse，partlytosoothethewoundsofherheart，butmoreespeciallytodragherawayfromthesceneofhermartyrdom。Sabine，however，maintainedthedeepestsilenceforalongtimeabouthersorrows，fearinglestsomeonemightmeddlebetweenherselfandCalyste。Shedeclaredherselfhappy！Attheheightofhermiserysherecoveredherpride，andallhervirtues。
Butatlast，aftersomemonthsduringwhichhersisterClotildeandhermotherhadcaressedandpettedher，sheacknowledgedhergrief，confidedhersorrows，cursedlife，anddeclaredthatshesawdeathcomingwithdeliriousjoy。ShebeggedClotilde，whowasresolvedtoremainunmarried，tobeamothertoherlittleCalyste，thefinestchildthatanyroyalracecoulddesireforheirpresumptive。
Oneevening，asshesatwithheryoungsisterAthenaiswhosemarriagetotheVicomtedeGrandlieuwastotakeplaceattheendofLent，andwithClotildeandtheduchess，Sabinegaveutterancetothesupremecriesofherheart’sanguish，excitedbythepangsofalasthumiliation。”Athenais，”shesaid，whentheVicomteJustedeGrandlieudepartedateleveno’clock，”youaregoingtomarry；letmyexamplebeawarningtoyou。Consideritacrimetodisplayyourbestqualities；resistthepleasureofadorningyourselftopleaseJuste。Becalm，dignified，cold；measurethehappinessyougivebythatwhichyoureceive。Thisisshameful，butitisnecessary。Lookatme。Iperishthroughmybestqualities。AllthatI/know/wasfineandsacredandgrandwithinme，allmyvirtues，wererocksonwhichmyhappinessiswrecked。IhaveceasedtopleasebecauseIamnotthirty-sixyearsold。Intheeyesofsomemenyouthisthoughtaninferiority。Thereisnothingtoimagineonaninnocentface。Ilaughfrankly，andthatiswrong；tocaptivateIoughttoplayoffthemelancholyhalf-smileofthefallenangel，whowantstohideheryellowingteeth。Afreshcomplexionismonotonous；
somemenprefertheirdoll’swaxmadeofrougeandspermacetiandcoldcream。Iamstraightforward；butduplicityismorepleasing。Iamloyallypassionate，asanhonestwomanmaybe，butIoughttobemanoeuvring，tricky，hypocritical，andsimulateacoldnessIhavenot，——likeanyprovincialactress。IamintoxicatedwiththehappinessofhavingmarriedoneofthemostcharmingmeninFrance；Itellhim，naively，howdistinguishedheis，howgracefulhismovementsare，howhandsomeIthinkhim；buttopleasehimIoughttoturnawaymyheadwithpretendedhorror，tolovenothingwithreallove，andtellhimhisdistinctionismeresickliness。Ihavethemisfortunetoadmireallbeautifulthingswithoutsettingmyselfupforawitbycausticandenviouscriticismofwhatevershinesfrompoesyandbeauty。I
don’tseektomakeCanalisandNathansayof/me/inverseandprosethatmyintellectissuperior。I’monlyapoorlittleartlesschild；I
careonlyforCalyste。Ah！ifIhadscouredtheworldlike/her/，ifI
hadsaidas/she/hassaid，”Ilove，”ineverylanguageofEurope，I
shouldbeconsoled，Ishouldbepitied，IshouldbeadoredforservingtheregalMacedonianwithcosmopolitanlove！Wearethankedforourtendernessifwesetitinreliefagainstourvice。AndI，anoblewoman，mustteachmyselfimpurityandallthetricksofprostitutes！
AndCalysteisthedupeofsuchgrimaces！Oh，mother！oh，mydearClotilde！IfeelthatIhavegotmydeath-blow。Myprideisonlyashambuckler；Iamwithoutdefenceagainstmymisery；Ilovemyhusbandmadly，andyettobringhimbacktomeImustborrowthewisdomofindifference。””Sillygirl，”whisperedClotilde，”lethimthinkyouwillavengeyourself——””Iwishtodieirreproachableandwithoutthemeresemblanceofdoingwrong，”repliedSabine。”Awoman’svengeanceshouldbeworthyofherlove。””Mychild，”saidtheduchesstoherdaughter，”amothermustofcourseseelifemorecoollythanyoucanseeit。Loveisnottheend，butthemeans，oftheFamily。DonotimitatethatpoorBaronnedeMacumer。
Excessivepassionisunfruitfulanddeadly。Andremember，Godsendsusafflictionswithknowledgeofourneeds。NowthatAthenais’marriageisarranged，Icangiveallmythoughtstoyou。Infact，IhavealreadytalkedofthisdelicatecrisisinyourlifewithyourfatherandtheDucdeChaulieu，andalsowithd’Ajuda；weshallcertainlyfindmeanstobringCalystebacktoyou。””ThereisalwaysoneresourcewiththeMarquisedeRochefide，”
remarkedClotilde，smiling，tohersister；”sheneverkeepsheradorerslong。””D’Ajuda，mydarling，”continuedtheduchess，”wasMonsieurdeRochefide’sbrother-in-law。IfourdearconfessorapprovesofcertainlittlemanoeuvrestowhichwemusthaverecoursetocarryoutaplanwhichIhaveproposedtoyourfather，IcanguaranteetoyoutherecoveryofCalyste。Myconscienceisrepugnanttotheuseofsuchmeans，andImustfirstsubmitthemtothejudgmentoftheAbbeBrossette。Weshallnotwait，mychild，tillyouare/inextremis/
beforecomingtoyourrelief。Keepagoodheart！Yourgriefto-nightissobitterthatmysecretescapesme；butitisimpossibleformenottogiveyoualittlehope。””WillitmakeCalysteunhappy？”askedSabine，lookinganxiouslyattheduchess。”Oh，heavens！shallIeverbeassillyasthat！”criedAthenais，naively。”Ah，littlegirl，youknownothingoftheprecipicesdownwhichourvirtueflingsuswhenledbylove，”repliedSabine，makingasortofmoralrevelation，sodistraughtwasshebyherwoe。
Thespeechwasutteredwithsuchincisivebitternessthattheduchess，enlightenedbythetoneandaccentandlookofherdaughter，feltcertaintherewassomehiddentrouble。”Mydears，itismidnight；come，gotobed，”shesaidtoClotildeandAthenais，whoseeyeswereshining。”Inspiteofmythirty-fiveyearsIappeartobe/detrop/，”saidClotilde，laughing。WhileAthenaiskissedhermother，ClotildeleanedoverSabineandsaidinherear:”Youwilltellwhatitis？I’lldinewithyouto-morrow。Ifmymother’sconsciencewon’tletheract，I——I
myselfwillgetCalysteoutofthehandsoftheinfidels。””Well，Sabine，”saidtheduchess，takingherdaughterintoherbedroom，”tellme，whatnewtroubleisthere，mychild？””Mamma，Iamlost！””Buthow？””Iwantedtogetthebetterofthathorriblewoman——Iconqueredforatime——Iampregnantagain——andCalysteloveshersothatIforeseeatotalabandonment。Whenshehearsofitshewillbefurious。Ah！I
suffersuchtorturesthatIcannotendurethemlong。Iknowwhenheisgoingtoher，Iknowitbyhisjoy；andhispeevishnesstellsmeasplainlywhenheleavesher。Henolongertroubleshimselftoconcealhisfeelings；Ihavebecomeintolerabletohim。Shehasaninfluenceoverhimasunhealthyassheisherselfinsoulandbody。You’llsee！
shewillexactfromhim，asthepriceofforgiveness，mypublicdesertion，arupturelikeherown；shewilltakehimawayfrommetoSwitzerlandorItaly。HeisbeginningnowtosayitisridiculousthatheknowsnothingofEurope。Icanguesswhatthosewordsmean，flungoutinadvance。IfCalysteisnotcuredofherinthreemonthsIdon’tknowwhathemaybecome；butasforme，Iwillkillmyself。””Butyoursoul，myunhappychild？Suicideisamortalsin。””Don’tyouunderstand？Shemaygivehimachild。AndifCalystelovedthechildofthatwomanmorethanmine——Oh！that’stheendofmypatienceandallmyresignation。”
Shefellintoachair。Shehadgivenventtothedeepestthoughtinherheart；shehadnolongerahiddengrief；andsecretsorrowislikethatironrodthatsculptorsputwithinthestructureoftheirclay，——
itsupports，itisaforce。”Come，gohome，dearsufferer。Inviewofsuchmiserytheabbewillsurelygivemeabsolutionforthevenialsinswhichthedeceitsoftheworldcompelustocommit。Leavemenow，mydaughter，”shesaid，goingtoher/prie-Dieu/。”ImustpraytoourLordandtheBlessedVirginforyou，withspecialsupplication。Good-bye，mydearSabine；aboveallthings，donotneglectyourreligiousdutiesifyouwishustosucceed。””Andifwedotriumph，mother，weshallonlysavethefamily。Calystehaskilledwithinmetheholyfervoroflove，——killeditbysickeningmewithallthings。Whatahoney-moonwasmine，inwhichIwasmadetofeelonthatfirstdaythebitternessofaretrospectiveadultery！”
Thenextday，abouttwointheafternoon，oneofthevicarsofthefaubourgSaint-Germainappointedtoavacantbishopricin1840anofficerefusedbyhimforthethirdtime，theAbbeBrossette，oneofthemostdistinguishedpriestsinParis，crossedthecourtyardofthehoteldeGrandlieu，withastepwhichwemustneedscalltheecclesiasticalstep，sosignificantisitofcaution，mystery，calmness，gravity，anddignity。Hewasathinlittlemanaboutfiftyyearsofage，withafaceaswhiteasthatofanoldwoman，chilledbypriestlyausterities，andhollowedbyallthesufferingswhichheespoused。Twoblackeyes，ardentwithfaithyetsoftenedbyanexpressionmoremysteriousthanmystical，animatedthattrulyapostolicalface。Hewassmilingashemountedthestepsoftheportico，solittledidhebelieveintheenormityofthecasesaboutwhichhispenitentsentforhim；butasthehandoftheduchesswasanopenpalmforcharity，shewasworththetimewhichherinnocentconfessionsstolefromthemoreseriousmiseriesoftheparish。
Whenthevicarwasannouncedtheduchessrose，andmadeafewstepstowardhiminthesalon，——adistinctionshegrantedonlytocardinals，bishops，simplepriests，duchessesolderthenherself，andpersonsofroyalblood。”Mydearabbe，”shesaid，pointingtoachairandspeakinginalowvoice，”IneedtheauthorityofyourexperiencebeforeIthrowmyselfintoaratherwickedintrigue，althoughitisonewhichmustresultingreatgood；andIdesiretoknowfromyouwhetherIshallmakehindrancestomyownsalvationinthecourseIproposetofollow。””Madameladuchesse，”repliedtheabbe，”donotmixupspiritualthingswithworldlythings；theyareusuallyirreconcilable。Inthefirstplace，whatisthismatter？””YouknowthatmydaughterSabineisdyingofgrief；MonsieurduGuenichasleftherforMadamedeRochefide。””Itisverydreadful，veryserious；butyouknowwhatourdearSaintFrancoisdeSalessaysonthatsubject。RemembertoohowMadameGuyoncomplainedofthelackofmysticismintheproofsofconjugallove；
shewouldhavebeenverywillingtoseeherhusbandwithaMadamedeRochefide。””Sabineisonlytoogentle；sheisalmosttoocompletelyaChristianwife；butshehasnottheslightesttasteformysticism。””Pooryoungwoman！”saidtheabbe，maliciously。”Whatmethodwillyoutaketoremedytheevil？””Ihavecommittedthesin，mydeardirector，ofthinkinghowtolaunchuponMadamedeRochefidealittleman，veryself-willedandfulloftheworstqualities，whowillcertainlyinducehertodismissmyson-
in-law。””Mydaughter，”repliedtheabbe，strokinghischin，”wearenotnowintheconfessional；Iamnotobligedtomakemyselfyourjudge。Fromtheworld’spointofview，Iadmitthattheresultwouldbedecisive——””Themeansseemtomeodious，”shesaid。”Why？NodoubtthedutyofaChristianwomanistowithdrawasinningwomanfromanevilpath，ratherthanpushheralongit；butwhenawomanhasadvanceduponthatpathasfarasMadamedeRochefide，itisnotthehandofman，butthatofGod，whichrecallssuchasinner；sheneedsathunderbolt。””Father，”repliedtheduchess，”Ithankyouforyourindulgence；butthethoughthasoccurredtomethatmyson-in-lawisbraveandaBreton。HewasheroicatthetimeoftherashaffairofthatpoorMADAME。Now，iftheyoungfellowwhoundertooktomakeMadamedeRochefidelovehimweretoquarrelwithCalyste，andaduelshouldensue——””Youhavethoughtwisely，Madameladuchesse；anditonlyprovesthatincrookedpathsyouwillalwaysfindrocksofstumbling。””Ihavediscoveredameans，mydearabbe，todoagreatgood；towithdrawMadamedeRochefidefromthefatalpathinwhichshenowis；
torestoreCalystetohiswife，andpossiblytosavefromhellapoordistractedcreature。””Inthatcase，whyconsultme？”askedthevicar，smiling。”Ah！”repliedtheduchess，”BecauseImustpermitmyselfsomerathernastyactions——””Youdon’tmeantorobanybody？””Onthecontrary，Ishallapparentlyhavetospendagreatdealofmoney。””Youwillnotcalumniate，or——””Oh！oh！””——injureyourneighbor？””Idon’tknowaboutthat。””Come，tellmeyourplan，”saidtheabbe，nowbecomingcurious。”Suppose，insteadofdrivingoutonenailbyanother，——thisiswhatI
thoughtatmy/prie-Dieu/afterimploringtheBlessedVirgintoenlightenme，——IweretofreeCalystebypersuadingMonsieurdeRochefidetotakebackhiswife？Insteadoflendingahandtoevilforthesakeofdoinggoodtomydaughter，Ishoulddoonegreatgoodbyanotheralmostasgreat——”
ThevicarlookedatthePortugueselady，andwaspensive。”Thatisevidentlyanideathatcametoyoufromafar，”hesaid，”sofarthat——””IhavethankedtheVirginforit，”repliedthegoodandhumbleduchess；”andIhavemadeavow——notcountinganovena——togivetwelvehundredfrancstosomepoorfamilyifIsucceed。ButwhenI
communicatedmyplantoMonsieurdeGrandlieuhebegantolaugh，andsaid:’Uponmyhonor，atyourtimeoflifeIthinkyouwomenhaveadevilofyourown。’””MonsieurleducmadeasahusbandthesamereplyIwasabouttomakewhenyouinterruptedme，”saidtheabbe，whocouldnotrestrainasmile。”Ah！Father，ifyouapproveoftheidea，willyoualsoapproveofthemeansofexecution？ItisnecessarytodotoacertainMadameSchontzaBeatrixofthequartierSaint-GeorgeswhatIproposedtodotoMadamedeRochefide。””Iamcertainthatyouwillnotdoanyrealwrong，”saidthevicar，cleverly，notwishingtohearanymore，havingfoundtheresultsodesirable。”Youcanconsultmelaterifyoufindyourconsciencemuttering，”headded。”Butwhy，insteadofgivingthatpersonintherueSaint-Georgesafreshoccasionforscandal，don’tyougiveherahusband？””Ah！mydeardirector，nowyouhaverectifiedtheonlybadthingIhadinmyplan。Youareworthyofbeinganarchbishop，andIhopeIshallnotdietillIhavehadtheopportunityofcallingyouYourEminence。””Iseeonlyonedifficultyinallthis，”saidtheabbe。”Whatisthat？””SupposeMadamedeRochefidechoosestokeepyourson-in-lawaftershegoesbacktoherhusband？””That’smyaffair，”repliedtheduchess；”whenonedoesn’toftenintrigue，onedoesso——””Badly，verybadly，”saidtheabbe。”Habitisnecessaryforeverything。Trytoemploysomeofthosescampswholivebyintrigue，anddon’tshowyourownhand。””Ah！monsieurl’abbe，ifImakeuseofthemeansofhell，willHeavenhelpme？””Youarenotatconfession，”repeatedtheabbe。”Saveyourchild。”
Theworthyduchess，delightedwithhervicar，accompaniedhimtothedoorofthesalon。
XXII
THENORMALHISTORYOFANUPPER-CLASSGRISETTE
Astormwasgathering，aswesee，overMonsieurdeRochefide，whoenjoyedatthatmomentthegreatestamountofhappinessthataParisiancandesireinbeingtoMadameSchontzasmuchahusbandashehadbeentoBeatrix。Itseemedtherefore，asthedukehadverysensiblysaidtohiswife，almostanimpossibilitytoupsetsoagreeableandsatisfactoryanexistence。ThisopinionwillobligeustogivecertaindetailsonthelifeledbyMonsieurdeRochefideafterhiswifehadplacedhiminthepositionofa/desertedhusband/。Thereaderwillthenbeenabledtounderstandtheenormousdifferencewhichourlawsandourmoralsputbetweenthetwosexesinthesamesituation。Thatwhichturnstomiseryforthewomanturnstohappinessfortheman。Thiscontrastmayinspiremorethanoneyoungwomanwiththedeterminationtoremaininherownhome，andtostrugglethere，likeSabineduGuenic，bypractisingasshemayselectthemostaggressiveorthemostinoffensivevirtues。
SomedaysafterBeatrixhadabandonedhim，ArthurdeRochefide，nowanonlychildinconsequenceofthedeathofhissister，thefirstwifeoftheMarquisd’Ajuda-Pinto，wholeftnochildren，foundhimselfsolemasterofthehoteldeRochefide，rued’AnjouSaint-Honore，andoftwohundredthousandfrancsayearlefttohimbyhisfather。Thisrichinheritance，addedtothefortunewhichArthurpossessedwhenhemarried，broughthisincome，includingthatfromthefortuneofhiswife，toathousandfrancsaday。ToagentlemanendowedwithanaturesuchasMademoiselledesToucheshaddescribeditinafewwordstoCalyste，suchwealthwashappinessenough。Whilehiswifecontinuedinherhomeandfulfilledthedutiesofmaternity，Rochefideenjoyedthisimmensefortune；buthedidnotspenditanymorethanheexpendedthefacultiesofhismind。Hisgood，stoutvanity，gratifiedbythefigurehepresentedasahandsomemantowhichheowedafewsuccessesthatauthorizedhimtodespisewomen，alloweditselffreescopeinthematterofbrains。Giftedwiththesortofmindwhichwemustcallareflector，heappropriatedthesalliesofothers，thewitofthestageandthe/petitsjournaux/，byhismethodofrepeatingthem，andappliedthemasformulasofcriticism。HismilitaryjovialityhehadservedintheRoyalGuardseasonedconversationwithsomuchpointthatwomenwithoutanyintellectsproclaimedhimwitty，andtherestdidnotdaretocontradictthem。
ThissystemArthurpursuedinallthings；heowedtonaturetheconvenientgeniusofimitationwithoutmimicry；heimitatedseriously。
Thuswithoutanytasteofhisown，heknewhowtobethefirsttoadoptandthefirsttoabandonanewfashion。Accusedofnothingworsethanspendingtoomuchtimeathistoiletandwearingacorset，hepresentedthetypeofthosepersonswhodispleasenoonebyadoptingincessantlytheideasandthefolliesofeverbody，andwho，astrideofcircumstance，nevergrowold。
Asahusband，hewaspitied；peoplethoughtBeatrixinexcusablefordesertingthebestfellowonearth，andsocialjeersonlytouchedthewoman。Amemberofallclubs，subscribertoalltheabsurditiesgeneratedbypatriotismorpartyspiritill-understoodacompliancewhichputhiminthefrontrank/apropos/ofallsuchmatters，thisloyal，brave，andverysillynobleman，whomunfortunatelysomanyrichmenresemble，wouldnaturallydesiretodistinguishhimselfbyadoptingsomefashionablemania。Consequently，heglorifiedhisnameprincipallyinbeingthesultanofafour-footedharem，governedbyanoldEnglishgroom，whichcosthimmonthlyfromfourtofivethousandfrancs。Hisspecialtywas/runninghorses；/heprotectedtheequineraceandsupportedamagazinedevotedtohippicquestions；but，forallthat，heknewverylittleoftheanimals，andfromshoestobridleshedependedwhollyonhisgroom，——allofwhichwillsufficientlyexplaintoyouthatthissemi-bachelorhadnothingactuallyofhisown，neithermind，taste，position，orabsurdity；evenhisfortunecamefromhisfathers。Afterhavingtastedthedispleasuresofmarriagehewassocontenttofindhimselfoncemoreabachelorthathesaidamonghisfriends，”Iwasbornwithacaul”
thatis，togoodluck。
Pleasedaboveallthingstobeabletolivewithoutthecostsofmakinganappearance，towhichhusbandsareconstrained，hishouse，inwhichsincethedeathofhisfathernothinghadbeenchanged，resembledthoseofmasterswhoaretravelling；helivedtherelittle，neverdined，andseldomsleptthere。Herefollowsthereasonforsuchindifference。
Aftervariousamorousadventures，boredbywomenoffashionofthekindwhoaretrulybores，andwhoplanttoomanythornyhedgesaroundhappiness，hehadmarriedafterafashion，asweshallsee，acertainMadameSchontz，celebratedintheworldofFannyBeaupre，SusanneduVal-Noble，Florine，Mariette，JennyCadine，etc。Thisworld，——ofwhichoneofourartistswittilyremarkedatthefranticmomentofanopera/galop/，”Whenonethinksthatall/that/islodgedandclothedandliveswell，whatafineideaitgivesusofmankind！”——thisworldhasalreadyirruptedelsewhereintothishistoryofFrenchmannersandcustomsofthenineteenthcentury；buttopaintitwithfidelity，thehistorianshouldproportionthenumberofsuchpersonagestothediverseendingsoftheirstrangecareers，whichterminateeitherinpovertyunderitsmosthideousaspect，orbyprematuredeathoftenself-inflicted，orbyluckymarriages，occasionallybyopulence。
MadameSchontz，knownatfirstunderthenameofLaPetite-Aurelie，todistinguishherfromoneofherrivalsfarlesscleverthanherself，belongstothehighestclassofthosewomenwhosesocialutilitycannotbequestionedbytheprefectoftheSeine，norbythosewhoareinterestedinthewelfareofthecityofParis。CertainlytheRat，accusedofdemolishingfortuneswhichfrequentlyneverexisted，mightbetterbecomparedtoabeaver。WithouttheAspasiasoftheNotre-DamedeLorettequarter，farfewerhouseswouldbebuiltinParis。Pioneersinfreshstucco，theyhavegone，towedbyspeculation，alongtheheightsofMontmartre，pitchingtheirtentsinthosesolitudesofcarvedfree-stone，thelikeofwhichadornstheEuropeanstreetsofAmsterdam，Milan，Stockholm，London，andMoscow，architecturalsteppeswherethewindrustlesinnumerablepapersonwhichavoidisdivulgedbythewords，/Apartmentstolet/。
Thesituationofthesedamesisdeterminedbythatwhichtheytakeintheapocryphalregions。IfthehouseisnearthelinetracedbytheruedeProvence，thewomanhasanincome，herbudgetprospers；butifsheapproachesthefartherlineoftheBoulevardExterieurorrisestowardsthehorridtownofBatignolles，sheiswithoutresources。WhenMonsieurdeRochefidefirstencounteredMadameSchontz，shelivedonthethirdflooroftheonlyhousethatremainedintheruedeBerlin；
thusshewascampingontheborder-landbetweenmiseryanditsreverse。Thispersonwasnotreallynamed，asyoumaysuppose，eitherSchontzorAurelie。Sheconcealedthenameofherfather，anoldsoldieroftheEmpire，thatperennialcolonelwhoalwaysappearsatthedawnofallthesefeminineexistenceseitherasfatherorseducer。
MadameSchontzhadreceivedthegratuitouseducationofSaint-Denis，whereyounggirlsareadmirablybroughtup，butwhere，unfortunately，neitherhusbandsnoropeningsinlifeareofferedtothemwhentheyleavetheschool，——anadmirablecreationoftheEmperor，whichnowlacksbutonething，theEmperorhimself！”Ishallbethere，toprovideforthedaughtersofmyfaithfullegions，”herepliedtoaremarkofoneofhisministers，whoforesawthefuture。
Napoleonhadalsosaid，”Ishallbethere！”forthemembersoftheInstitute；towhomtheyhadbettergivenosalarythansendthemeightyfrancseachmonth，awagethatislessthanthatofcertainclerks！
AureliewasreallythedaughteroftheintrepidColonelSchiltz，aleaderofthoseboldAlsacianguerillaswhocamenearsavingtheEmperorinthecampaignofFrance。HediedatMetz，——robbed，pillaged，ruined。In1814NapoleonputthelittleJosephineSchiltz，thenaboutnineyearsold，atSaint-Denis。Havinglostbothfatherandmotherandbeingwithoutahomeandwithoutresources，thepoorchildwasnotdismissedfromtheinstitutiononthesecondreturnoftheBourbons。
Shewasunder-mistressoftheschooltill1827，butthenherpatiencegaveway；herbeautyseducedher。WhenshereachedhermajorityJosephineSchiltz，theEmpress’sgoddaughter，wasonthevergeoftheadventurouslifeofacourtesan，persuadedtothatdoubtfulfuturebythefatalexampleofsomeofhercomradeslikeherselfwithoutresources，whocongratulatedthemselvesontheirdecision。Shesubstituted/on/for/il/inherfather’snameandplacedherselfunderthepatronageofSaint-Aurelie。
Lively，witty，andwell-educated，shecommittedmorefaultsthanherdullercompanions，whosemisdemeanorshadinvariablyself-interestfortheirbase。Afterknowingvariouswriters，poorbutdishonest，cleverbutdeeplyindebt；aftertryingcertainrichmenascalculatingastheywerefoolish；andaftersacrificingsolidintereststoonetruelove，——thusgoingthroughalltheschoolsinwhichexperienceistaught，——onacertaindayofextrememisery，when，atValentino’sthefirststagetoMusardshedancedinagown，hat，andmantlethatwereallborrowed，sheattractedtheattentionofArthurdeRochefide，whohadcometheretoseethefamous/galop/。Herclevernessinstantlycaptivatedthemanwhoatthattimeknewnotwhatpassiontodevotehimselfto。SothattwoyearsafterhisdesertionbyBeatrix，thememoryofwhomoftenhumiliatedhim，themarquiswasnotblamedbyanyoneformarrying，sotospeak，inthethirteentharrondissement，asubstituteforhiswife。
Letussketchthefourperiodsofthishappiness。Itisnecessarytoshowthatthetheoryofmarriageinthethirteentharrondissementaffectsinlikemannerallwhocomewithinitsrule。[*]Marquisintheforties，sexagenaryretiredshopkeeper，quadruplemillionnaireormoderate-incomeman，greatseigneurorbourgeois，thestrategyofpassionexceptforthedifferencesinherentinsocialzonesnevervaries。Theheartandthemoney-boxarealwaysinthesameexactandclearlydefinedrelation。Thusinformed，youwillbeabletoestimatethedifficultiestheduchesswascertaintoencounterinhercharitableenterprise。
[*]Before1859therewasno13tharrondissementinParis，hencethesaying——TR。
WhoknowsthepowerinFranceofwittysayingsuponordinaryminds，orwhatharmtheclevermenwhoinventthemhavedone？Forinstance，nobook-keepercouldaddupthefiguresofthesumsremainingunproductiveandlostinthedepthsofgenerousheartsandstrong-
boxesbythatignoblephrase，”/tirerunecarotte！/”
Thesayinghasbecomesopopularthatitmustbeallowedtosoilthispage。Besides，ifwepenetratewithinthe13tharrondissement，weareforcedtoacceptitspicturesquepatois。/Tirerunecarotte/hasadozenalliedmeanings，butitsufficestogiveithereas:/Todupe/。
MonsieurdeRochefide，likealllittleminds，wasterriblyafraidofbeing/carotte/。Thenounhasbecomeaverb。FromtheverystartofhispassionforMadameSchontz，Arthurwasonhisguard，andhewas，therefore，very/rat/，touseanotherwordofthesamevocabulary。Theword/rat/，whenappliedtoayounggirl，meanstheguestortheoneentertained，butappliedtoamanitsignifiesthegiverofthefeastwhoisniggardly。
MadameSchontzhadtoomuchsenseandsheknewmentoowellnottoconceivegreathopesfromsuchabeginning。MonsieurdeRochefideallowedherfivehundredfrancsamonth，furnishedforher，rathershabbily，anapartmentcostingtwelvehundredfrancsayearonasecondfloorintherueCoquenard，andsethimselftostudyAurelie’scharacter，whileshe，perceivinghisobject，gavehimacharactertostudy。Consequently，Rochefidebecamehappyinmeetingwithawomanofnoblenature。Buthesawnothingsurprisinginthat；hermotherwasaBarnheimofBaden，awell-bredwoman。Besides，Aureliewassowellbroughtupherself！SpeakingEnglish，German，andItalian，shepossessedathoroughknowledgeofforeignliteratures。Shecouldholdherownagainstallsecond-classpianists。And，remarkthis！shebehavedabouthertalentslikeawell-bredwoman；shenevermentionedthem。Shepickedupabrushinapainter’sstudio，usedithalfjestingly，andproducedaheadwhichcausedgeneralastonishment。Formereamusementduringthetimeshepinedasunder-mistressatSaint-
Denis，shehadmadesomeadvanceinthedomainofthesciences，buthersubsequentlifehadcoveredthesegoodseedswithacoatingofsalt，andshenowgaveArthurthecreditofthesproutingofthepreciousgerms，re-cultivatedforhim。
ThusAureliebeganbyshowingadisinterestednessequaltoherothercharms，whichallowedthisweakcorvettetoattachitsgrapnelssecurelytothelargervessel。Nevertheless，abouttheendofthefirstyear，shemadeignoblenoisesintheantechamberwithherclogs，cominginaboutthetimewhenthemarquiswasawaitingher，andhiding，asbestshecould，thedraggledtailofanoutrageouslymuddygown。Inshort，shehadbythistimesoperfectlypersuadedher/grospapa/thatallherambition，aftersomanyupsanddowns，wastoobtainhonorablyacomfortablelittlebourgeoisexistence，that，abouttenmonthsaftertheirfirstmeeting，thesecondphaseofhappinessdeclareditself。
MadameSchontzthenobtainedafineapartmentintherueNeuve-Saint-
Georges。Arthur，whocouldnolongerconcealtheamountofhisfortune，gavehersplendidfurniture，acompleteserviceofplate，twelvehundredfrancsamonth，alowcarriagewithonehorse，——this，however，washired；buthegrantedatigerverygraciously。MadameSchontzwasnottheleastgratefulforthismunificence；sheknewthemotiveofherArthur’sconduct，andrecognizedthecalculationsofthemale/rat/。Sickoflivingatarestaurant，wherethefareisusuallyexecrable，andwheretheleastlittle/gourmet/dinnercostssixtyfrancsforone，andtwohundredfrancsifyouinvitethreefriends，RochefideofferedMadameSchontzfortyfrancsadayforhisdinnerandthatofafriend，everythingincluded。Aurelieaccepted。
Thushavingmadehimtakeupallhermorallettersofcredit，drawnonebyoneonMonsieurdeRochefide’scomfort，shewaslistenedtowithfavorwhensheaskedforfivehundredfrancsmoreamonthforherdress，inordernottoshameher/grospapa/，whosefriendsallbelongedtotheJockeyClub。”Itwouldbeaprettything，”shesaid，”ifRastignac，MaximedeTrailles，d’Esgrignon，LaRoche-Hugon，Ronqueroles，Laginski，Lenoncourt，foundyouwithasortofMadameEverard。Besides，haveconfidenceinme，papa，andyou’llbethegainer。”
Infact，Aureliecontrivedtodisplaynewvirtuesinthissecondphase。Shelaidoutforherselfahouse-keepingroleforwhichsheclaimedmuchcredit。Shemade，soshesaid，bothendsmeetatthecloseofthemonthontwothousandfivehundredfrancswithoutadebt，——athingunheardofinthefaubourgSaint-Germainofthe13tharrondissement，——andsheserveddinnersinfinitelysuperiortothoseofNucingen，atwhichexquisitewinesweredrunkattwelvefrancsabottle。Rochefide，amazed，anddelightedtobeabletoinvitehisfriendstothehousewitheconomy，declared，ashecaughtherroundthewaist，——”She’satreasure！”
Soonafterhehiredone-thirdofaboxattheOperaforher；nexthetookhertofirstrepresentations。ThenhebegantoconsulthisAurelie，andrecognizedtheexcellenceofheradvice。Shelethimtakethecleversayingsshesaidaboutmostthingsforhisown，and，thesebeingunknowntoothers，raisedhisreputationasanamusingman。Henowacquiredthecertaintyofbeinglovedtruly，andforhimselfalone。AurelierefusedtomakethehappinessofaRussianprincewhoofferedherfivethousandfrancsamonth。”Youarealuckyman，mydearmarquis，”criedoldPrinceGalathionneashefinishedhisgameofwhistattheclub。”Yesterday，afteryouleftusalone，ItriedtogetMadameSchontzawayfromyou，butshesaid:’Prince，youarenothandsomer，butyouareagreatdealolderthanRochefide；youwouldbeatme，butheislikeafathertome；canyougivemeone-tenthofareasonwhyIshouldchange？I’veneverhadthegrandpassionforArthurthatIoncehadforlittlefoolsinvarnishedbootsandwhosedebtsIpaid；butIlovehimasawifelovesherhusbandwhensheisanhonestwoman。’Andthereuponsheshowedmethedoor。”
Thisspeech，whichdidnotseemexaggerated，hadtheeffectofgreatlyincreasingthestateofneglectanddegradationwhichreignedinthehoteldeRochefide。ArthurnowtransportedhiswholeexistenceandhispleasurestoMadameSchontz，andfoundhimselfwelloff；forattheendofthreeyearshehadfourhundredthousandfrancstoinvest。
Thethirdphasenowbegan。MadameSchontzbecamethetenderestofmotherstoArthur’sson；shefetchedhimfromschoolandtookhimbackherself；sheoverwhelmedwithpresentsanddaintiesandpocket-moneythechildwhocalledherhis”littlemamma，”andwhoadoredher。ShetookpartinthemanagementofArthur’sproperty；shemadehimbuyintotheFundswhenlow，justbeforethefamoustreatyofLondonwhichoverturnedtheministryofMarch1st。ArthurgainedtwohundredthousandfrancsbythattransactionandAureliedidnotaskforapennyofit。Likethegentlemanthathewas，RochefideinvestedhissixhundredthousandfrancsinstockoftheBankofFranceandputhalfofthatsuminthenameofJosephineSchiltz。AlittlehousewasnowhiredintheruedeLaBruyereandgiventoGrindot，thatgreatdecorativearchitect，withorderstomakeitaperfectbonbon-box。
Henceforth，Rochefidenolongermanagedhisaffairs。MadameSchontzreceivedtherevenuesandpaidthebills。Become，asitwere，practicallyhiswife，hiswomanofbusiness，shejustifiedthepositionbymakingher/grospapa/morecomfortablethanever；shehadlearnedallhisfancies，andgratifiedthemasMadamedePompadourgratifiedthoseofLouisXV。Inshort，MadameSchontzreignedanabsolutemistress。Shethenbegantopatronizeafewyoungmen，artists，menofletters，new-fledgedtofame，whorejectedbothancientsandmoderns，andstrovetomakethemselvesagreatreputationbyaccomplishinglittleornothing。
TheconductofMadameSchontz，atriumphoftactics，oughttorevealtoyouhersuperiority。Inthefirstplace，thesetenoradozenyoungfellowsamusedArthur；theysuppliedhimwithwittysayingsandcleveropinionsonallsortsoftopics，anddidnotputindoubtthefidelityofthemistress；moreover，theyproclaimedherawomanwhowaseminentlyintelligent。Theselivingadvertisements，theseperambulatingarticles，soonsetupMadameSchontzasthemostagreeablewomantobefoundintheborderlandwhichseparatesthethirteentharrondissementfromthetwelveothers。Herrivals——SuzanneGaillard，who，in1838，hadwontheadvantageoverherofbecomingawifemarriedinlegitimatemarriage，FannyBeaupre，Mariette，Antonia——spreadcalumniesthatweremorethandrollaboutthebeautyofthoseyoungmenandthecomplacentgood-naturewithwhichMonsieurdeRochefidewelcomedthem。MadameSchontz，whocoulddistance，asshesaid，bythree/blagues/thewitofthoseladies，saidtothemonenightatasuppergivenbyNathantoFlorine，afterrecountingherfortuneandhersuccess，”Doasmuchyourselves！”——aspeechwhichremainedintheirmemory。
ItwasduringthisperiodthatMadameSchontzmadeArthursellhisrace-horses，throughaseriesofconsiderationswhichshenodoubtderivedfromthecriticalmindofClaudeVignon，oneofher/habitues/。”Icanconceive，”shesaidonenight，afterlashingthehorsesforsometimewithherlivelywit，”thatprincesandrichmenshouldsettheirheartsonhorse-flesh，butonlyforthegoodofthecountry，notforthepaltrysatisfactionsofabettingman。Ifyouhadastudfarmonyourpropertyandcouldraiseathousandortwelvehundredhorses，andifallthehorsesofFranceandofNavarrecouldenterintoonegreatsolemncompetition，itwouldbefine；butyoubuyanimalsasthemanagersoftheatrestradeinartists；youdegradeaninstitutiontoagamblinggame；youmakeaBourseoflegs，asyoumakeaBourseofstocks。Itisunworthy。Don’tyouspendsixtythousandfrancssometimesmerelytoreadinthenewspapers:’Lelia，belongingtoMonsieurdeRochefidebeatbyalengthFleur-de-GenetthepropertyofMonsieurleDucdeRhetore’？Youhadmuchbettergivethatmoneytopoets，whowouldcarryyouinproseandversetoimmortality，likethelateMontyon。”
Bydintofbeingprodded，themarquiswasbroughttoseethehollownessoftheturf；herealizedthateconomyofsixtythousandfrancs；andthenextyearMadameSchontzremarkedtohim，——”Idon’tcostyouanythingnow，Arthur。”
ManyrichmenenviedthemarquisandendeavoredtoenticeMadameSchontzawayfromhim，butliketheRussianprincetheywastedtheiroldage。”Listentome，”shesaidtoFinot，nowbecomeimmenselyrich。”IamcertainthatRochefidewouldforgivemealittlepassionifIfellinlovewithanyone，butonedoesn’tleaveamarquiswithakindheartlikethatfora/parvenu/likeyou。Youcouldn’tkeepmeinthepositioninwhichArthurhasplacedme；hehasmademehalfawifeandalady，andthat’smorethanyoucoulddoevenifyoumarriedme。”
Thiswasthelastnailwhichclinchedthefettersofthathappygalley-slave，forthespeechofcoursereachedtheearsforwhichitwasintended。
Thefourthphasehadbegun，thatof/habit/，thefinalvictoryintheseplansofcampaign，whichmakethewomenofthisclasssayofaman，”Iholdhim！”Rochefide，whohadjustboughtthelittlehotelinthenameofMademoiselleJosephineSchiltzatrifleofeightythousandfrancs，hadreached，atthemomenttheDuchessedeGrandlieuwasformingplansabouthim，thestageofderivingvanityfromhismistresswhomhenowcalledNinonII。，byvauntingherscrupuloushonesty，herexcellentmanners，hereducation，andherwit。Hehadmergedhisowndefects，merits，tastes，andpleasuresinMadameSchontz，andhefoundhimselfatthisperiodofhislife，eitherfromlassitude，indifference，orphilosophy，amanunabletochange，whoclingstowifeormistress。
WemayunderstandthepositionwoninfiveyearsbyMadameSchontzfromthefactthatpresentationatherhousehadtobeproposedsometimebeforeitwasgranted。Sherefusedtoreceivedullrichpeopleandsmirchedpeople；andonlydepartedfromthisruleinfavorofcertaingreatnamesofthearistocracy。”They，”shesaid，”havearighttobestupidbecausetheyarewell-
bred。”
ShepossessedostensiblythethreehundredthousandfrancswhichRochefidehadgivenher，andwhichacertaingoodfellow，abrokernamedGobenheimtheonlymanofthatclassadmittedtoherhouse
investedandreinvestedforher。Butshemanipulatedforherselfsecretlyalittlefortuneoftwohundredthousandfrancs，theresultofhersavingsforthelastthreeyearsandoftheconstantmovementofthethreehundredthousandfrancs，——forsheneveradmittedthepossessionofmorethanthatknownsum。”Themoreyoumake，thelessyougetrich，”saidGobenheimtoheroneday。”Waterissodear，”sheanswered。
Thissecrethoardwasincreasedbyjewelsanddiamonds，whichAurelieworeamonthandthensold。Whenanyonecalledherrich，MadameSchontzrepliedthatattherateofinterestintheFundsthreehundredthousandfrancsproducedonlytwelvethousand，andshehadspentasmuchasthatinthehardestdaysofherlife。
XXIII
ONEOFTHEDISEASESOFTHEAGE
Suchconductimpliedaplan，andMadameSchontzhad，asyoumaywellbelieve，aplan。JealousforthelasttwoyearsofMadameduBruel，shewasconsumedwiththeambitiontobemarriedbychurchandmayor。
Allsocialpositionshavetheirforbiddenfruit，somelittlethingmagnifiedbydesireuntilithasbecometheweightiestthinginlife。
ThisambitionofcourseinvolvedasecondArthur；butnoespialonthepartofthoseaboutherhadasyetdiscoveredRochefide’ssecretrival。BixioufanciedhesawthefavoredoneinLeondeLora；thepaintersawhiminBixiou，whohadpassedhisfortiethyearandoughttobemakinghimselfafateofsomekind。SuspicionswerealsoturnedonVictordeVernisset，apoetoftheschoolofCanalis，whosepassionforMadameSchontzwasdesperate；butthepoetaccusedStidmann，ayoungsculptor，ofbeinghisfortunerival。Thisartist，acharminglad，workedforjewellers，formanufacturersinbronzeandsilver-
smiths；helongedtobeanotherBenvenutoCellini。ClaudeVignon，theyoungComtedelaPalferine，Gobenheim，Vermantonacynicalphilosopher，allfrequentersofthisamusingsalon，wereseverallysuspected，andprovedinnocent。NoonehadfathomedMadameSchontz，certainlynotRochefide，whothoughtshehadapenchantfortheyoungandwittyLaPalferine；shewasvirtuousfromself-interestandwaswhollybentonmakingagoodmarriage。
OnlyonemanofequivocalreputationwaseverseeninMadameSchontz’ssalon，namelyCouture，whohadmorethanoncemadehisbrotherspeculatorshowl；butCouturehadbeenoneofMadameSchontz’searliestfriends，andshealoneremainedfaithfultohim。Thefalsealarmof1840sweptawaythelastvestigeofthisstock-gambler’scredit；Aurelie，seeinghisrunofill-luck，madeRochefideplay，aswehaveseen，intheotherdirection。ThankfultofindaplaceforhimselfatAurelie’stable，Couture，towhomFinot，thecleverestor，ifyouchoose，theluckiestofallparvenus，occasionallygaveanoteofathousandfrancs，wasalonewiseandcalculatingenoughtoofferhishandandnametomadameSchontz，whostudiedhimtoseeiftheboldspeculatorhadsufficientpowertomakehiswayinpoliticsandenoughgratitudenottodeserthiswife。Couture，amanaboutforty-
threeyearsofage，halfworn-out，didnotredeemtheunpleasantsonorityofhisnamebybirth；hesaidlittleoftheauthorsofhisdays。
MadameSchontzwasbemoaningtoherselftherarityofeligiblemen，whenCouturepresentedtoheraprovincial，suppliedwiththetwohandlesbywhichwomentakeholdofsuchpitcherswhentheywishtokeepthem。Tosketchthispersonwillbetopaintaportionoftheyouthoftheday。Thedigressionishistory。
In1838，FabienduRonceret，sonofachief-justiceoftheRoyalcourtatCaenwhohadlatelydied，lefthisnativetownofAlencon，resigninghisjudgeshipapositioninwhichhisfatherhadcompelledhim，hesaid，towastehistime，andcametoParis，withtheintentionofmakinganoisethere，——aNormanidea，difficulttorealize，forhecouldscarcelyscrapetogethereightthousandfrancsayear；hismotherstillbeingaliveandpossessingalife-interestinavaluableestateinAlencon。Thisyoungmanhadalready，duringpreviousvisitstoParis，triedhisrope，likeanacrobat，andhadrecognizedthegreatviceofthesocialreplasteringof1830。Hemeanttoturnittohisownprofit，followingtheexampleofthelongestheadsofthebourgeoisie。Thisrequiresarapidglanceononeoftheeffectsoftheneworderofthings。
Modernequality，undulydevelopedinourday，hasnecessarilydevelopedinprivatelife，onalineparallelwithpoliticallife，thethreegreatdivisionsofthesocial/I；/namely，pride，conceit，andvanity。Foolswishtopassforwits；witswanttobethoughtmenoftalent；menoftalentwishtobetreatedasmenofgenius；asformenofgenius，theyaremorereasonable；theyconsenttobeonlydemigods。
Thistendencyofthepublicmindofthesedays，which，intheChamber，makesthemanufacturerjealousofthestatesman，andtheadministratorjealousofthewriter，leadsfoolstodisparagewits，witstodisparagemenoftalent，menoftalenttodisparagethosewhooutstripthembyaninchortwo，andthedemigodstothreateninstitutions，thethrone，orwhateverdoesnotadorethemunconditionally。Sosoonasanationhas，inaveryunstatesmanlikespirit，pulleddownallrecognizedsocialsuperiorities，sheopensthesluicethroughwhichrushesatorrentofsecondaryambitions，themeanestofwhichresolvestolead。Shehad，sodemocratsdeclare，anevilinheraristocracy；
butadefinedandcircumscribedevil；sheexchangesitforadozenarmedandcontendingaristocracies——theworstofallsituations。Byproclaimingtheequalityofall，shehaspromulgatedadeclarationoftherightsofEnvy。Weinheritto-daythesaturnaliasoftheRevolutiontransferredtothedomain，apparentlypeaceful，ofthemind，ofindustry，ofpolitics；itnowseemsthatreputationswonbytoil，byservicesrendered，bytalent，areprivilegesgrantedattheexpenseofthemasses。Agrarianlawwillspreadtothefieldofglory。
Never，inanyage，havemendemandedtheaffixingoftheirnamesonthenation’spostersforreasonsmorepuerile。Distinctionissoughtatanyprice，byridicule，byanaffectationofinterestinthecauseofPoland，inpenitentiaries，inthefutureofliberatedgalley-
slaves，inallthelittlescoundrelsaboveandbelowtwelveyears，andineveryothersocialmisery。Thesediversemaniascreatefictitiousdignities，presidents，vice-presidents，andsecretariesofsocieties，thenumberofwhichisgreaterthanthatofthesocialquestionstheyseektosolve。Societyonitsgrandscalehasbeendemolishedtomakeamillionoflittleonesintheimageofthedefunct。Theseparasiticorganizationsrevealdecomposition；aretheynottheswarmingofmaggotsinthedeadbody？Allthesesocietiesarethedaughtersofonemother，Vanity。ItisnotthusthatCatholiccharityortruebeneficenceproceeds；/they/studyevilsinwoundsandcurethem；theydon’tperorateinpublicmeetingsupondeadlyillsforthepleasureofperorating。
FabienduRonceret，withoutbeingasuperiorman，haddivined，bytheexerciseofthatgreedycommon-sensepeculiartoaNorman，thegainhecouldderivefromthispublicvice。Everyepochhasitscharacterwhichclevermenmakeuseof。Fabien’smind，thoughnotclever，waswhollybentonmakinghimselftalkedabout。”Mydearfellow，amanmustmakehimselftalkedabout，ifhewantstobeanything，”hesaid，onpartingfromthekingofAlencon，acertainduBousquier，afriendofhisfather。”InsixmonthsIshallbebetterknownthanyouare！”
ItwasthusthatFabieninterpretedthespiritofhisage；hedidnotruleit，heobeyedit。HemadehisdebutinBohemia，aregioninthemoraltopographyofPariswherehewasknownas”TheHeir”byreasonofcertainpremeditatedprodigalities。DuRoncerethadprofitedbyCouture’sfolliesfortheprettyMadameCadine，forwhom，duringhisephemeralopulence，hehadarrangedadelightfulground-floorapartmentwithagardenintherueBlanche。TheNorman，whowantedhisluxuryready-made，boughtCouture’sfurnitureandalltheimprovementshewasforcedtoleavebehindhim，——akioskinthegarden，wherehesmoked，agalleryinrusticwood，withIndiamattingsandadornedwithpotteries，throughwhichtoreachthekioskifitrained。WhentheHeirwascomplimentedonhisapartment，hecalledithis/den/。TheprovincialtookcarenottosaythatGrindot，thearchitect，hadbestowedhisbestcapacityuponit，asdidStidmannonthecarvings，andLeondeLoraonthepaintings，forFabien’scrowningdefectwasthevanitywhichcondescendstolieforthesakeofmagnifyingtheindividualself。
TheHeircomplimentedthesemagnificencesbyagreenhousewhichhebuiltalongawallwithasouthernexposure，——notthathelovedflowers，buthemeanttoattackthroughhorticulturethepublicnoticehewantedtoexcite。Atthepresentmomenthehadallbutattainedhisend。Electedvice-presidentofsomesortoffloralsocietypresidedoverbytheDucdeVissembourg，brotherofthePrincedeChiavari，youngestsonofthelateMarechalVernon，headornedhiscoatwiththeribbonoftheLegionofhonorontheoccasionofanexhibitionofproducts，theopeningspeechatwhich，deliveredbyhim，andboughtofLousteauforfivehundredfrancs，wasboldlypronouncedtobehisownbrew。Healsomadehimselftalkedaboutbyaflower，giventohimbyoldBlondetofAlencon，fatherofEmileBlondet，whichhepresentedtothehorticulturalworldastheproductofhisowngreenhouse。
Butthissuccesswasnothing。TheHeir，whowishedtobeacceptedasawit，hadformedaplanofconsortingwithclevercelebritiesandsoreflectingtheirfame，——aplansomewhathardtoexecuteonabasisofanexchequerlimitedtoeightthousandfrancsayear。Withthisendinview，FabienduRoncerethadaddressedhimselfagainandagain，withoutsuccess，toBixiou，Stidmann，andLeondeLora，askingthemtopresenthimtoMadameSchontz，andallowhimtotakepartinthatmenageriaoflionsofallkinds。FailinginthosedirectionsheappliedtoCouture，forwhosedinnershehadsooftenpaidthatthelatespeculatorfeltobligedtoprovecategoricallytoMadameSchontzthatsheoughttoacquiresuchanoriginal，ifitwasonlytomakehimoneofthoseelegantfootmenwithoutwageswhomthemistressesofhouseholdsemploytodoerrands，whenservantsarelacking。
InthecourseofthreeeveningsMadameSchontzreadFabienlikeabookandsaidtoherself，——”IfCouturedoesnotsuitme，Iamcertainofsaddlingthatone。Myfuturecangoontwolegsnow。”
Thisqueerfellowwhomeverybodylaughedatwasreallythechosenone，——chosen，however，withanintentionwhichmadesuchpreferenceinsulting。Thechoiceescapedallpublicsuspicionbyitsveryimprobability。MadameSchontzintoxicatedFabienwithsmilesgivensecretly，withlittlescenesplayedonthethresholdwhenshebadehimgood-night，ifMonsieurdeRochefidestayedbehind。SheoftenmadeFabienathirdwithArthurinheropera-boxandatfirstrepresentations；thissheexcusedbysayinghehaddonehersuchorsuchaserviceandshedidnotknowhowelsetorepayhim。Menhaveanaturalconceitascommontothemastowomen，——thatofbeinglovedexclusively。NowofallflatteringpassionsthereisnonemoreprizedthanthatofaMadameSchontz，forthemanshemakestheobjectofaloveshecalls”fromtheheart，”indistinctionfromanothersortoflove。AwomanlikeMadameSchontz，whoplaysthegreatlady，andwhoseintrinsicvalueisreal，wassuretobeanobjectofpridetoFabien，whofellinlovewithhertothepointofneverpresentinghimselfbeforehereyesexceptinfulldress，varnishedboots，lemon-kidgloves，embroideredshirtandfrill，waistcoatmoreorlessvariegated，——inshort，withalltheexternalsymptomsofprofoundworship。
Amonthbeforetheconferenceoftheduchessandherconfessor，MadameSchontzhadconfidedthesecretofherbirthandherrealnametoFabien，whodidnotintheleastunderstandthemotiveoftheconfidence。Afortnightlater，MadameSchontz，surprisedatthiswantofintelligence，suddenlyexclaimedtoherself:——”Heavens！howstupidIam！heexpectsmetolovehimforhimself。”
AccordinglythenextdayshetooktheHeirinher/caleche/totheBois，forshenowhadtwolittlecarriages，drawnbytwohorses。Inthecourseofthispublic/tete-a-tete/sheopenedthequestionofherfuture，anddeclaredthatshewishedtomarry。”Ihavesevenhundredthousandfrancs，”shesaid，”andIadmittoyouthatifIcouldfindamanfullofambition，whoknewhowtounderstandmycharacter，Iwouldchangemyposition；fordoyouknowwhatisthedreamofmylife？Tobecomeatruebourgeoise，enteranhonorablefamily，andmakemyhusbandandchildrentrulyhappy。”
TheNormanwouldfainbe”distinguished”byMadameSchontz，butasformarryingher，thatfollyseemeddebatabletoabachelorofthirty-
eightwhomtherevolutionofJulyhadmadeajudge。Seeinghishesitation，MadameSchontzmadetheHeirthebuttofherwit，herjests，andherdisdain，andturnedtoCouture。Withinaweek，thelatter，whomsheputuponthescentofherfortune，hadofferedhishand，andheart，andfuture，——threethingsofaboutthesamevalue。
ThemanoeuvresofMadameSchontzhadreachedthisstageofproceeding，whenMadamedeGrandlieubeganherinquiriesintothelifeandhabitsoftheBeatrixofthePlaceSaint-Georges。