Butitismyaunt，anoldmaid；and，also，mymotheriscrazyabouttheidea。IfIweretobackoutnow，shewoulddieofchagrin。Myauntwoulddisinheritme，andsheistheonewhohasthefamilyfortune。Then，too，thereismyfather—in—law，aregulardragoonforhisprinciples——severe，violent。Henevermakesajokeofseriousthings，andItellyouitwouldcostmedear，terriblydear。And，besides，Ihavegivenmyword。"
　　"Youmusttakebackyourword。"
　　"Youstillinsist？"exclaimedGeorge，indespair。"Butthen，supposethatitwerepossible，howcouldItakebackmysignaturewhichIputatthebottomofthedeed？Ihavepledgedmyselftopayintwomonthsfortheattorney’spracticeIhavepurchased!"
　　"Sir，"saidthedoctor，"allthesethings——"
　　"YouaregoingtotellmethatIwaslackinginprudence，thatI
　　shouldneverhavedisposedofmywife’sdowryuntilafterthehoneymoon!"
　　"Sir，"saidthedoctor，again，"alltheseconsiderationsareforeigntome。Iamaphysician，andnothingbutaphysician，andIcanonlytellyouthis：Ifyoumarrybeforethreeorfouryears，youwillbeacriminal。"
　　Georgebrokeoutwithawildexclamation。"Nosir，youarenotmerelyaphysician!Youarealsoaconfessor!Youarenotmerelyascientist；anditisnotenoughforyouthatyouobservemeasyouwouldsomelifelessthinginyourlaboratory，andsay，’Youhavethis；sciencesaysthat；nowgoalongwithyou。’Allmyexistencedependsuponyou。Itisyourdutytolistentome，becausewhenyouknoweverythingyouwillunderstandme，andyouwillfindsomewaytocuremewithinamonth。"
　　"But，"protestedthedoctor，"Iwearmyselfouttellingyouthatsuchmeansdonotexist。Ishallnotbecertainofyourcure，asmuchasanyonecanbecertain，inlessthanthreeorfouryears。"
　　Georgewasalmostbesidehimself。"Itellyouyoumustfindsomemeans!Listentome，sir——ifIdon’tgetmarriedIdon’tgetthedowry!AndwillyoutellmehowIcanpaythenotesIhavesigned？"
　　"Oh，"saidthedoctor，dryly，"ifthatisthequestion，itisverysimple——Iwillgiveyouaplantogetoutoftheaffair。
　　Youwillgoandgetacquaintedwithsomerichman；youwilldoeverythingyoucantogainhisconfidence；andwhenyouhavesucceeded，youwillplunderhim。"
　　Georgeshookhishead。"Iamnotinanymoodforjoking。"
　　"Iamnotjoking，"repliedhisadviser。"Robthatman，assassinatehimeven——thatwouldbenoworsecrimethanyouwouldcommitintakingayounggirlingoodhealthinordertogetaportionofherdowry，whenatthesametimeyouwouldhavetoexposehertothefrightfulconsequencesofthediseasewhichyouwouldgiveher。"
　　"Frightfulconsequences？"echoedGeorge。
　　"Consequencesofwhichdeathwouldnotbethemostfrightful。"
　　"But，sir，youweresayingtomejustnow——"
　　"JustnowIdidnottellyoueverything。Evenreduced，suppressedalittlebyourremedies，thediseaseremainsmysterious，menacing，andititssum，sufficientlygrave。Soitwouldbeaninfamytoexposeyourfianceeinordertoavoidaninconvenience，howevergreatthatmightbe。"
　　ButGeorgewasstillnottobeconvinced。WasitcertainthatthismisfortunewouldbefallHenriette，evenwiththebestattention？
　　Saidtheother："Idonotwishtolietoyou。No，itisnotabsolutelycertain，itisprobable。AndthereisanothertruthwhichIwishtotellyounow：ourremediesarenotinfallible。
　　Inacertainnumberofcases——averysmallnumber，scarcelyfivepercent——theyhaveremainedwithouteffect。Youmightbeoneofthoseexceptions，yourwifemightbeone。Whatthen？"
　　"Iwillemployawordyouusedjustnow，yourself。Weshouldhavetoexpecttheworstcatastrophes。"
　　Georgesatinastateofcompletedespair。
　　"Tellmewhattodo，then，"hesaid。
　　"Icantellyouonlyonething：don’tmarry。Youhaveamostseriousblemish。Itisasifyouowedadebt。Perhapsnoonewillevercometoclaimit；ontheotherhand，perhapsapitilesscreditorwillcomeallatonce，presentingabrutaldemandforimmediatepayment。Comenow——youareabusinessman。Marriageisacontract；tomarrywithoutsayinganything——thatmeanstoenterintoabargainbymeansofpassivedissimulation。That’stheterm，isitnot？Itisdishonesty，anditoughttocomeunderthelaw。"
　　George，beingalawyer，couldappreciatetheargument，andcouldthinkofnothingtosaytoit。
　　"WhatshallIdo？"heasked。
　　Theotheranswered，"Gotoyourfather—in—lawandtellhimfranklythetruth。"
　　"But，"criedtheyoungman，wildly，"therewillbenoquestionthenofthreeorfouryears’delay。Hewillrefusehisconsentaltogether。"
　　"Ifthatisthecase，"saidthedoctor，"don’ttellhimanything。"
　　"ButIhavetogivehimareason，orIdon’tknowwhathewilldo。Heisthesortofmantogivehimselftotheworstviolence，andagainmyfianceewouldbelosttome。Listen，doctor。FromeverythingIhavesaidtoyou，youmayperhapsthinkIamamercenaryman。ItistruethatIwanttogetalongintheworld，thatisonlynatural。ButHenriettehassuchqualities；sheissomuchbetterthanI，thatIloveher，really，aspeopleloveinnovels。Mygreatestgrief——itisnottogiveupthepracticeI
　　havebought——although，indeed，itwouldbeabitterblowtome；
　　mygreatestgriefwouldbetoloseHenriette。Ifyoucouldonlyseeher，ifyouonlyknewher——thenyouwouldunderstand。Ihaveherpicturehere——"
　　Theyoungfellowtookouthiscard—case。Andofferedaphotographtothedoctor，whogentlyrefusedit。Theotherblushedwithembarrassment。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid，"Iamridiculous。Thathappenstome，sometimes。Only，putyourselfinmyplace——Iloveherso!"
　　Hisvoicebroke。
　　"Mydearboy，"saidthedoctor，feelingly，"thatisexactlywhyyououghtnottomarryher。"
　　"But，"hecried，"ifIbackoutwithoutsayinganythingtheywillguessthetruth，andIshallbedishonored。"
　　"Oneisnotdishonoredbecauseoneisill。"
　　"Butwithsuchadisease!Peoplearesostupid。Imyself，yesterday——Ishouldhavelaughedatanyonewhohadgotintosuchaplight；Ishouldhaveavoidedhim，Ishouldhavedespisedhim!"
　　AndsuddenlyGeorgebrokedownagain。"Oh!"hecried，"ifIweretheonlyonetosuffer；butshe——sheisinlovewithme。Iswearittoyou!Sheissogood；andshewillbesounhappy!"
　　Thedoctoranswered，"Shewouldbeunhappierlateron。"
　　"Itwillbeascandal!"Georgeexclaimed。
　　"Youwillavoidonefargreater，"theotherreplied。
　　SuddenlyGeorgesethislipswithresolution。Herosefromhisseat。Hetookseveraltwenty—francpiecesfromhispocketandlaidthemquietlyuponthedoctor’sdesk——payingthefeeincash，sothathewouldnothavetogivehisnameandaddress。Hetookuphisgloves，hiscaneandhishat，androse。
　　"Iwillthinkitover，"hesaid。"Ithankyou，Doctor。Iwillcomebacknextweekasyouhavetoldme。Thatis——probablyI
　　will。"
　　Hewasabouttoleave。
　　Thedoctorrose，andhespokeinavoiceoffuriousanger。"No，"
　　hesaid，"Ishan’tseeyounextweek，andyouwon’teventhinkitover。Youcamehereknowingwhatyouhad；youcametoaskadviceofme，withtheintentionofpayingnoheedtoit，unlessitconformedtoyourwishes。Asuperficialhonestyhasdrivenyoutotakethatchanceinordertosatisfyyourconscience。Youwantedtohavesomebodyuponwhomyoucouldputoff，byeandbye，theconsequencesofanactwhoseculpabilityyouunderstand!No，don’tprotest!Manyofthosewhocomeherethinkandactasyouthink，andasyouwishtoact；butthemarriagemadeagainstmywillhasgenerallybeenthesourceofsuchcalamitiesthatnowI
　　amalwaysafraidofnothavingbeenpersuasiveenough，anditevenseemstomethatIamalittletoblameforthesemisfortunes。Ishouldhavebeenabletopreventthem；theywouldnothavehappenedifthosewhoaretheauthorsofthemknewwhatIknowandhadseenwhatIhaveseen。Sweartome，sir，thatyouaregoingtobreakoffthatmarriage!"
　　Georgewasgreatlyembarrassed，andunwillingtoreply。"I
　　cannotsweartoyouatall，Doctor；IcanonlytellyouagainthatIwillthinkitover。"
　　"ThatWHATover？"
　　"Whatyouhavetoldme。"
　　"WhatIhavetoldyouistrue!Youcannotbringanynewobjections；andIhaveansweredthosewhichyouhavepresentedtome；therefore，yourmindoughttobemadeup。"
　　Gropingforareply，Georgehesitated。Hecouldnotdenythathehadmadeinquiryaboutthesemattersbeforehehadcometothedoctor。Buthesaidthathewasnotalallcertainthathehadthisdisease。Thedoctordeclaredit，andperhapsitwastrue，butthemostlearnedphysiciansweresometimesdeceived。
　　Herememberedsomethinghehadreadinoneofthemedicalbooks。
　　"Dr。Ricordmaintainsthatafteracertainperiodthediseaseisnolongercontagious。Hehasprovenhiscontentionsbyexamples。
　　Todayyouproducenewexamplestoshowthatheiswrong!Now，I
　　wanttodowhat’sright，butsurelyIhavetherighttothinkitover。AndwhenIthinkitover，Irealizethatalltheevilswithwhichyouthreatenmeareonlyprobableevils。Inspiteofyourdesiretoterrifyme，youhavebeenforcedtoadmitthatpossiblymymarriagewouldnothaveanytroublesomeconsequenceformywife。"
　　Thedoctorfounddifficultyinrestraininghimself。Buthesaid，"Goon。Iwillansweryouafterwards。"
　　AndGeorgeblunderedaheadinhisdesperation。"Yourremediesarepowerful，youtellme；andforthecalamitiesofwhichyouspeaktobefallme，Iwouldhavetobeamongtherareexceptions——alsomywifewouldhavetobeamongthenumberofthoserareexceptions。Ifamathematicianweretoapplythelawofchancetothesefacts，theresultofhisoperationwouldshowbutslightchanceofacatastrophe，ascomparedwiththeabsolutecertaintyofaseriesofmisfortunes，sufferings，troubles，tears，andperhapstragicaccidentswhichthebreakingofmyengagementwouldcause。SoIsaythatthemathematician——whois，evenmorethanyou，amanofscience，amanofamoreinfalliblescience——themathematicianwouldconcludethatwisdomwasnotwithyoudoctors，butwithme。"
　　"Youbelieveit，sir!"exclaimedtheother。"Butyoudeceiveyourself。"Andhecontinued，drivinghomehispointwithafingerwhichseemedtoGeorgetopiercehisverysoul。"Twentycasesidenticalwithyourownhavebeenpatientlyobserved，fromthebeginningtotheend。Nineteentimesthewomanwasinfectedbyherhusband；youhearme，sir，nineteentimesoutoftwenty!
　　Youbelievethatthediseaseiswithoutdanger，andyoutaketoyourselftherighttoexposeyourwifetowhatyoucallthechanceofyourbeingoneofthoseexceptions，forwhomourremediesarewithouteffect。Verywell；itisnecessarythatyoushouldknowthediseasewhichyourwife，withoutbeingconsulted，willrunachanceofcontracting。Takethatbook，sir；itistheworkofmyteacher。Readityourself。Here，Ihavemarkedthepassage。"
　　Heheldouttheopenbook；butGeorgecouldnotliftahandtotakeit。
　　"Youdonotwishtoreadit？"theothercontinued。"Listentome。"Andinavoicetremblingwithpassion，heread："’Ihavewatchedthespectacleofanunfortunateyoungwoman，turnedintoaveritablemonsterbymeansofasyphiliticinfection。Herface，orratherletmesaywhatwasleftofherface，wasnothingbutaflatsurfaceseamedwithscars。’"
　　Georgecoveredhisface，exclaiming，"Enough，sir!Havemercy!"
　　Buttheothercried，"No，no!Iwillgototheveryend。Ihaveadutytoperform，andIwillnotbestoppedbythesensibilityofyournerves。"
　　Hewentonreading："’Oftheupperlipnotatracewasleft；theridgeoftheuppergumsappearedperfectlybare。’"Butthenattheyoungman’sprotests，hisresolutionfailedhim。"Come，"hesaid，"Iwillstop。Iamsorryforyou——youwhoacceptforanotherperson，forthewomanyousayyoulove，thechanceofadiseasewhichyoucannotevenenduretoheardescribed。Now，fromwhomdidthatwomangetsyphilis？ItisnotIwhoamspeaking，itisthebook。’Fromamiserablescoundrelwhowasnotafraidtoenterintomatrimonywhenhehadasecondaryeruption。’Allthatwasestablishedlateron——’andwho，moreover，hadthoughtitbestnottolethiswifebetreatedforfearofawakeninghersuspicions!’"
　　Thedoctorclosedthebookwithabang。"Whatthatmanhasdone，sir，iswhatyouwanttodo。"
　　Georgewasedgingtowardthedoor；hecouldnolongerlookthedoctorintheeye。"IshoulddeserveallthoseepithetsandstillmorebrutalonesifIshouldmarry，knowingthatmymarriagewouldcausesuchhorrors。ButthatIdonotbelieve。
　　Youandyourteachers——youarespecialists，andconsequentlyyouaredriventoattributeeverythingtothediseaseyoumakethesubjectofyourstudies。Atragiccase，anexceptionalcase，holdsakindoffascinationforyou；youthinkitcanneverbetalkedaboutenough。"
　　"Ihaveheardthatargumentbefore，"saidthedoctor，withaneffortatpatience。
　　"Letmegoon，Ibegyou，"pleadedGeorge。"Youhavetoldmethatoutofeverysevenmenthereisonesyphilitic。YouhavetoldmethatthereareonehundredthousandinParis，comingandgoing，alert，andapparentlywell。"
　　"Itistrue，"saidthedoctor，"thatthereareonehundredthousandwhoareactuallyatthismomentnotvisiblyundertheinfluenceofthedisease。Butmanythousandshavepassedintoourhospitals，victimsofthemostfrightfulravagesthatourpoorbodiescansupport。These——youdonotseethem，andtheydonotcountforyou。Butagain，ifitconcernednoonebutyourself，youmightbeabletoarguethus。WhatIdeclaretoyou，whatIaffirmwithalltheviolenceofmyconviction，isthatyouhavenottherighttoexposeahumancreaturetosuchchances——rare，asIknow，butterrible，asIknowstillbetter。
　　Whathaveyoutoanswertothat？"
　　"Nothing，"stammeredGeorge，broughttohiskneesatlast。"Youarerightaboutthat。Idon’tknowwhattothink。"
　　"Andinforbiddingyoumarriage，"continuedthedoctor，"isitthesameasifIforbadeitforever？IsitthesameasifItoldyouthatyoucouldneverbecured？Onthecontrary，Iholdouttoyoueveryhope；butIdemandofyouadelayofthreeorfouryears，becauseitwilltakemethattimetofindoutifyouareamongthenumberofthoseunfortunateoneswhomIpitywithallmyheart，forwhomthediseaseiswithoutmercy；becauseduringthattimeyouwillbedangeroustoyourwifeandtoyourchildren。ThechildrenIhavenotyetmentionedtoyou。"
　　Herethedoctor’svoicetrembledslightly。Hespokewithmovingeloquence。"Come，sir，youareanhonestman；youaretooyoungforsuchthingsnottomoveyou；youarenotinsensibletoduty。
　　ItisimpossiblethatIshan’tbeabletofindawaytoyourheart，thatIshan’tbeabletomakeyouobeyme。MyemotioninspeakingtoyouprovesthatIappreciateyoursuffering，thatI
　　sufferwithyou。ItisinthenameofmysinceritythatI
　　imploreyou。Youhaveadmittedit——thatyouhavenottherighttoexposeyourwifetosuchmiseries。Butitisnotonlyyourwifethatyoustrike；youmayattackinheryourownchildren。I
　　excludeyouforamomentfrommythought——youandher。ItisinthenameoftheseinnocentsthatIimploreyou；itisthefuture，itistheracethatIdefend。Listentome，listentome!OutofthetwentyhouseholdsofwhichIspoke，onlyfifteenhadchildren；thesefifteenhadtwenty—eight。Doyouknowhowmanyoutofthesetwenty—eightsurvived？Three，sir!Threeoutoftwenty—eight!Syphilisisaboveeverythingamurdererofchildren。HerodreignsinFrance，andoveralltheearth，andbeginseachyearhismassacreoftheinnocents；andifitbenotblasphemyagainstthesacrednessoflife，Isaythatthemosthappyarethosewhohavedisappeared。Visitourchildren’shospitals!Weknowtoowellthechildofsyphiliticparents；thetypeisclassical；thedoctorscanpickitoutanywhere。Thoselittleoldcreatureswhohavetheappearanceofhavingalreadylived，andwhohavekeptthestigmataofalloutinfirmities，ofallourdecay。Theyarethevictimsoffatherswhohavemarried，beingignorantofwhatyouknow——thingswhichIshouldliketogoandcryoutinthepublicplaces。"
　　Thedoctorpaused，andtheninasolemnvoicecontinued："Ihavetoldyouall，withoutexaggeration。Thinkitover。Considertheprosandcons；sumupthepossiblemisfortunesandthecertainmiseries。Butdisregardyourself，andconsiderthatthereareinonesideofthescalesthemisfortunesofothers，andintheotheryourown。Takecarethatyouarejust。"
　　Georgewasatlastovercome。"Verywell，"hesaid，"Igiveway。
　　Iwon’tgetmarried。Iwillinventsomeexcuse；Iwillgetadelayofsixmonths。Morethanthat，Icannotdo。"
　　Thedoctorexclaimed，"Ineedthreeyears——Ineedfouryears!"
　　"No，Doctor!"persistedGeorge。"Youcancuremeinlesstimethanthat。"
　　Theotheranswered，"No!No!No!"
　　Georgecaughthimbythehand，imploringly。"Yes!Scienceinallpowerful!"
　　"ScienceisnotGod，"wasthereply。"Therearenolongeranymiracles。"
　　"Ifonlyyouwantedtodoit!"criedtheyoungman，hysterically。
　　"Youarealearnedman；seek，invent，findsomething!Trysomenewplanwithme；givemedoublethedose，tentimesthedoes；
　　makemesuffer。Igivemyselfuptoyou；Iwillendureeverything——Iswearit!Thereoughttobesomewaytocuremewithinsixmonths。Listentome!ItellyouIcan’tanswerformyselfwiththatdelay。Come；itisinthenameofmywife，inthenameofmychildren，thatIimploreyou。Dosomethingforthem!"
　　Thedoctorhadreachedthelimitofhispatience。"Enough，sir!"
　　hecried。"Enough!"
　　Butnothingcouldstopthewretchedman。"Onmyknees!"hecried。"Iputmyselfonmykneesbeforeyou!Oh!Ifonlyyouwoulddoit!Iwouldblessyou；Iwouldadoreyou，asoneadoresagod!Allmygratitude，allmylife——halfmyfortune!
　　Formercy’ssake，Doctor，dosomething；inventsomething；makesomediscovery——havepity!"
　　Thedoctoransweredgravely，"Doyouwishmetodomoreforyouthanfortheothers？"
　　Georgeanswered，unblushingly，’answered，unblushingly，"Yes!"
　　Hewasbesidehimselfwithterroranddistress。
　　Theother’sreplywasdeliveredinasolemntone。"Understand，sir，foreveryoneofoutpatientswedoallthatwecan，whetheritbethegreatestpersonage，orthelastcomertoouthospitalclinic。Wehavenosecretsinreserveforthosewhoaremorefortunate，orlessfortunatethantheothers，andwhoareinahurrytobecured。"
　　Georgegazedathimforamomentinbewildermentanddespair，andthensuddenlybowedhishead。"Good—by，Doctor，"heanswered。
　　"Aurevoir，sir，"theothercorrected——withwhatprovedtobepropheticunderstanding。ForGeorgewasdestinedtoseehimagain——eventhoughhehadmadeuphismindtothecontrary!
　　CHAPTERIII
　　GeorgeDuponthadthemostimportantdecisionofhislifetomake；buttherewasneververymuchdoubtwhathisdecisionwouldbe。Onetheonehandwasthedefinitecertaintythatifhetookthedoctor’sadvice，hewouldwreckhisbusinessprospects，andperhapsalsolosethewomanheloved。Ontheotherhandwerevagueanduncertainpossibilitieswhichitwasdifficultforhimtomakerealtohimself。Itwasallverywelltowaitawhiletobecuredofthedreaddisease；buttowaitthreeorfouryears——
　　thatwassimplypreposterous!
　　Hedecidedtoconsultanotherphysician。Hewouldfindonethistimewhowouldnotbesoparticular，whowouldbewillingtotakesometroubletocurehimquickly。Hebegantonoticetheadvertisementswhichwerescatteredoverthepagesofthenewspapersheread。TherewereapparentlyplentyofdoctorsinPariswhocouldcurehim，whowerewillingtoguaranteetocurehim。Aftermuchhesitation，hepickedoutonewhoseadvertisementsoundedthemostconvincing。
　　Theofficewaslocatedinacheapquarter。Itwasadingyplace，notencumberedwithworksofart，butwithafewbookscoveredwithdust。Thedoctorhimselfwasstoutandgreasy，andherubbedhishandswithanticipationatthesightofsoprosperous—lookingapatient。Buthewasevidentlyamanofexperience，forheknewexactlywhatwasthematterwithGeorge，almostwithouttheformalityofanexamination。Yes，hecouldcurehim，quickly，hesaid。Therehadrecentlybeengreatdiscoveriesmade——newmethodswhichhadnotreachedthebulkoftheprofession。Helaughedattheideaofthreeorfouryears。
　　Thatwasthewaywiththosespecialists!Whenonegotfortyfrancsforaconsultation，naturally，onewasgladtodragoutthecase。Thereweretricksinthemedicaltrade，asinallothers。Adoctorhadtolive；whenhehadabigname，hehadtoliveexpensively。
　　Thenewphysicianwroteouttwoprescriptions，andpattedGeorgeontheshoulderashewentaway。Therewasnoneedforhimtoworry；hewouldsurelybewellinthreemonths。Ifhewouldputoffhismarriageforsixmonths，hewouldbedoingeverythingwithinreason。Andmeantime，therewasnoneedforhimtoworryhimself——thingswouldcomeoutallright。SoGeorgewentaway，feelingasifamountainhadbeenliftedfromhisshoulders。
　　HewenttoseeHenriettethatsameevening，togetthemattersettled。"Henriette，"hesaid，"Ihavetotellyousomethingveryimportant——somethingratherpainful。Ihopeyouwon’tletitdisturbyoutoomuch。"
　　Shewasgazingathiminalarm。"Whatisit？"
　　"Why，"hesaid，blushinginspiteofhimself，andregrettingthathehadbegunthemattersoprecipitately，"forsometimeI’venotbeenfeelingquitewell。I’vebeenhavingaslightcough。Haveyounoticedit？"
　　"Whyno!"exclaimedHenriette，anxiously。
　　"Well，todayIwenttoseeadoctor，andhesaysthatthereisapossibility——youunderstanditisnothingveryserious——butitmightbe——Imightpossiblyhavelungtrouble。"
　　"George!"criedthegirlinhorror。
　　Heputhishanduponhers。"Don’tbefrightened，"hesaid。"Itwillbeallright，onlyIhavetotakecareofmyself。"Howverydearofher，hethought——tobesomuchworried!
　　"George，yououghttogoawaytothecountry!"shecried。"Youhavebeenworkingtoohard。Ialwaystoldyouthatifyoushutyourselfupsomuch——"
　　"Iamgoingtotakecareofmyself，"hesaid。"Irealizethatitisnecessary。Ishallbeallright——thedoctorassuredmetherewasnodoubtofit，soyouarenottodistressyourself。Butmeantime，hereisthetrouble：Idon’tthinkitwouldberightformetomarryuntilIamperfectlywell。"
　　Henriettegaveanexclamationofdismay。
　　"Iamsureweshouldputitoff，"hewenton，"itwouldbeonlyfairtoyou。"
　　"But，George!"sheprotested。"Surelyitcan’tbethatserious!"
　　"Weoughttowait，"hesaid。"Yououghtnottotakethechanceofbeingmarriedtoaconsumptive。"
　　Theotherprotestedinconsternation。Hedidnotlooklikeaconsumptive；shedidnotbelievethatheWASaconsumptive。Shewaswillingtotakeherchances。Shelovedhim，andshewasnotafraid。ButGeorgeinsisted——hewassurethatheoughtnottomarryforsixmonths。
　　"Didthedoctoradvisethat？"askedHenriette。
　　"No，"hereplied，"butImadeupmymindaftertalkingtohimthatImustdothefairandhonorablething。Ibegyoutoforgiveme，andtobelievethatIknowbest。"
　　Georgestoodfirmlybythisposition，andsointheendshehadtogiveway。Itdidnotseemquitemodestinhertocontinuepersisting。
　　Georgevolunteeredtowritealettertoherfather；andhehopedthiswouldsettlethematterwithoutfurtherdiscussion。Butinthishewasdisappointed。TherehadtobealongcorrespondencewithlongargumentsandprotestationsfromHenriette’sfatherandfromhisownmother。Itseemedsuchasingularwhim。Everybodypersistedindiagnosinghissymptoms，inquestioninghimaboutwhatthedoctorhadsaid，whothedoctorwas，howhehadcometoconsulthim——allofwhich，ofcourse，wasveryembarrassingtoGeorge，whocouldnotseewhytheyhadtomakesuchafuss。Hetooktocultivatingaconsumptivelook，aswellashecouldimagineit；hetooktocoughingashewentaboutthehouse——anditwasallhecoulddotokeepfromlaughing，ashesawthelookofdismayonhispoormother’sface。Afterall，however，hetoldhimselfthathewasnotdeceivingher，forthediseasehehadwasquiteasseriousastuberculosis。
　　Itwasverypainfulandverytrying。Buttherewasnothingthatcouldbedoneaboutit；themarriagehadbeenputoffforsixmonths，andinthemeantimeheandHenriettehadtocontroltheirimpatienceandmakethebestoftheirsituation。Sixmonthswasalongtime；butwhatifithadbeenthreeorfouryears，astheotherdoctorhaddemanded？Thatwouldhavebeenaveritablesentenceofdeath。
　　George，aswehaveseen，wasconscientious，andregularandcarefulinhishabits。Hetookthemedicinewhichthenewdoctorprescribedforhim；anddaybydayhewatched，andtohisgreatreliefsawthetroublesomesymptomsgraduallydisappearing。Hebegantotakeheart，andtolookforwardtolifewithhisformerbuoyancy。Hehadhadabadscare，butnoweverythingwasgoingtobeallright。
　　Threeorfourmonthspassed，andthedoctortoldhimhewascured。Hereallywascured，sofarashecouldsee。Hewassorry，now，thathehadaskedforsolongadelayfromHenriette；
　　butthenewdatefortheweddinghadbeenannounced，anditwouldbeawkwardtochangeitagain。Georgetoldhimselfthathewasbeing"extracareful，"andhewasrepaidfortheinconveniencebythefeelingofvirtuederivedfromthedelay。Hewasrelievedthathedidnothavetocoughanymore，ortoinventanymoretalesofhisinterviewswiththeimaginarylung—specialist。
　　Sometimeshehadguiltyfeelingsbecauseofallthelyinghehadhadtodo；buthetoldhimselfthatitwasforHenriette’ssake。
　　Shelovedhimasmuchashelovedher。Shewouldhavesufferedneedlessagonieshadsheknownthetruth；shewouldneverhavegotoverit——soitwouldhavebeenacrimetotellher。
　　Hereallylovedherdevotedly，thoroughly。Fromthebeginninghehadthoughtasmuchofhermentalsufferingsashehadofanyphysicalharmthatthedreaddiseasemightdotohim。Howcouldhepossiblypersuadehimselftogiveherup，whenheknewthattheseparationwouldbreakherheartandruinherwholelife？
　　No；obviously，insuchadilemma，itwashisdutytousehisownbestjudgment，andgethimselfcuredasquicklyaspossible。
　　Afterthathewouldbetruetoher，hewouldtakenomorechancesofaloathsomedisease。
　　Thesecrethewashidingmadehimfeelhumble——madehimunusuallygentleinhisattitudetowardsthegirl。Hewasaperfectlover，andshewasravishedwithhappiness。Shethoughtthatallhissufferingswerebecauseofhisloveforher，andthedelaywhichhehadimposedoutofhisexcessofconscientiousness。Soshelovedhimmoreandmore，andneverwasthereahappierbridethanHenrietteLoches，whenatlastthegreatdayarrived。
　　TheywenttotheRiveriafortheirhoneymoon，andthenreturnedtoliveinthehomewhichhadbelongedtoGeorge’sfather。Theinvestmentinthenotary’spracticehadprovenagoodone，andsolifeheldouteverypromisefortheyoungcouple。Theyweredivinelyhappy。
　　Afterawhile，thebridecommunicatedtoherhusbandthetidingsthatshewasexpectingachild。ThenitseemedtoGeorgethatthecupofhisearthlyblisswasfull。Hisailmenthadslippedfarintothebackgroundofhisthoughts，likeanevildreamwhichhehadforgotten。Heputawaythemedicinesinthebottomofhistrunkanddismissedthewholematterfromhismind。Henriettewaswell——averypictureofhealth，aseveryoneagreed。Thedoctorhadneverseenamorepromisingyoungmother，hedeclared，andMadameDupont，theelder，bloomedwithfreshlifeandjoyassheattendedherdaughter—in—law。
　　Henriettewentforthesummertoherfather’splaceintheprovinces，whichsheandGeorgehadvisitedbeforetheirmarriage。Theydroveoutonedaytothefarmwheretheyhadstopped。Thefarmer’swifehadaweek—oldbaby，thesightofwhichmadeHenriette’sheartleapwithdelight。HewassuchaveryhealthybabythatGeorgeconceivedtheideathatthiswouldbethewomantonursehisownchild，incaseHenrietteherselfshouldnotbeabletodoit。
　　Theycamebacktothecity，andtherethebabywasborn。AsGeorgepacedthefloor，waitingforthenews，thememoryofhisevildreamscamebacktohim。Herememberedallthedreadfulmonstrositiesofwhichhehadread——infantsthatwerebornofsyphiliticparents。Hisheartstoodstillwhenthenursecameintotheroomtotellhimthetidings。
　　Butitwasallright；ofcourseitwasallright!Hehadbeenafool，hetoldhimself，ashestoodinthedarkenedroomandgazedatthewonderfullittlemiteoflifewhichwasthefruitofhislove。Itwasaperfectchild，thedoctorsaid——alittlesmall，tobesure，butthatwasadefectwhichwouldsoonberemedied。
　　Georgekneeledbythebedsideandkissedthehandofhiswife，andwentoutoftheroomfeelingasifhehadescapedfromatomb。
　　Allwentwell，andafteracoupleofweeksHenriettewasaboutthehouseagain，laughingalldayandsingingwithjoy。Butthebabydidnotgainquiteasrapidlyasthedoctorhadhoped，anditwasdecidedthatthecountryairwouldbebetterforher。SoGeorgeandhismotherpaidavisittothefarminthecountry，andarrangedthatthecountrywomanshouldputherownchildtonurseelsewhereandshouldbecomethefoster—motheroflittleGervaise。
　　Georgepaidagoodpricefortheservice，farmorethanwouldhavebeennecessary，forthesimplecountrywomanwasdelightedwiththeideaoftakingcareofthegrandchildofthedeputyofherdistrict。Georgecamehomeandtoldhiswifeaboutthisandhadamerrytimeashepicturedthewomanboastingaboutittothetravelerswhostoppedatherdoor。"Yes，ma’am，agreatpieceofluckI’vegot，ma’am。I’vegotthedaughterofthedaughterofourdeputy——atyourservicema’am。My!Butsheisasfatasoutlittlecalf——andsoclever!Sheunderstandseverything。Agreatpieceofluckforme，ma’am。She’sthedaughterofthedaughterofourdeputy!"Henriettewasvastlyentertained，discoveringinherhusbandanewtalent，thatofanactor。
　　AsforGeorge’smother，shewashardlytobepersuadedfromstayinginthecountrywiththechild。Shewenttwiceaweek，tomakesurethatallwentwell。Henrietteandshelivedwiththechild’spicturebeforethem；theyspenttheirtimesewingoncapsandunderwear——allcoveredwithlacesandfrillsandpinkandblueribbons。Everyday，whenGeorgecamehomefromhiswork，hefoundsomenewarticlecompleted，andwasravishedbythescentofsomenewkindofsachetpowder。Whataluckymanhewas!
　　YouwouldthinkhemusthavebeenthehappiestmaninthewholecityofParis。ButGeorge，alas，hadtopaythepenaltyforhisearlysins。Therewas，forinstance，thedeceptionhehadpracticeduponhisfriend，awaybackintheearlydays。Nowhehadfriendsofhisown，andhecouldnotkeepthesefriendsfromvisitinghim；andsohewasunquietwiththefearthatsomeoneofthemmightplayuponhimthesameviletrick。Eveninthemidstofhisradianthappiness，whenheknewthatHenriettewashanginguponhiseveryword，tremblingwithdelightwhensheheardhislatchkeyinthedoor——stillhecouldnotdriveawaythehorriblethoughtthatperhapsallthismightbedeception。
　　Therewashisfriend，Gustave，forexample。HehadbeenafriendofHenriette’sbeforehermarriage；hehadevenbeeninlovewithheratonetime。Andnowhecamesometimestothehouse——onceortwicewhenGeorgewasaway!Whatdidthatmean？Georgewondered。Hebroodedoveritallday，butdarednotdropanyhinttoHenriette。Buthetooktosettinglittletrapstocatchher；forinstance，hewouldcallheruponthetelephone，disguisinghisvoice。"Hello!Hello!Isthatyou，MadameDupont？"Andwhensheanswered，"ItisI，sir，"allunsuspecting，hewouldinquire，"IsGeorgethere？"
　　"No，sir，"shereplied。"Whoisthisspeaking？"
　　Heanswered，"ItisI，Gustave。Howareyouthismorning？"Hewantedtoseewhatshewouldanswer。Wouldsheperhapssay，"Verywell，Gustave。Howareyou？"——inatonewhichwouldbetraytoogreatintimacy!
　　ButHenriettewasasharpyoungperson。ThetonedidnotsoundlikeGustave’s。Sheaskedinbewilderment，"What？"andthenagain，"What？"
　　So，atlast，George，afraidthathistrickmightbesuspected，hadtoburstoutlaughing，andturnitintoajoke。Butwhenhecamehomeandteasedhiswifeaboutit，thelaughwasnotallonhisside。Henriettehadguessedtherealmeaningofhisjoke!
　　Shedidnotreallymind——shetookhisjealousyasasignoflove，andwaspleasedwithit。Itisnotuntilathirdpartycomeuponthescenethatjealousybeginstobeannoying。
　　SoshehadamerrytimeteasingGeorge。"Youareagreatfellow!
　　YouhavenoideahowwellIunderstandyou——andafteronlyayearofmarriage!"
　　"Youknowme？"saidthehusband，curiously。（Itisalwayssofascinatingwhenanybodythinkssheknowusbetterthanweknowourselves!）"Tellme，whatdoyouthinkaboutme？"
　　"Youarerestless，"saidHenriette。"Youaresuspicious。Youpassyourtimeputtingfliesinyourmilk，andinventingwiseschemestogetthemout。"
　　"Oh，youthinkthat，doyou？"saidGeorge，pleasedtobetalkedabout。
　　"Iamnotannoyed，"sheanswered。"Youhavealwaysbeenthatway——andIknowthatit’sbecauseatbottomyouaretimidanddisposedtosuffer。Andthen，too，perhapsyouhavereasonsfornothavingconfidenceinawife’sintimatefriends——lady—killerthatyouare!"
　　Georgefoundthisratherembarrassing；buthedarednotshowit，sohelaughedgayly。"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，"hesaid——
　　"uponmywordIdon’t。ButitisatrickIwouldnotadviseeverybodytotry。"
　　Therewereotherembarrassingmoments，causedbyGeorge’shavingthingstoconceal。Therewas，forinstance，thematterofthesixmonths’delayinthemarriage——aboutwhichHenriettewouldneverstoptalking。Shebegrudgedthetime，becauseshehadgottheideathatlittleGervaisewassixmonthsyoungerthansheotherwisewouldhavebeen。"Thatshowsyourtimidityagain，"shewouldsay。"Theideaofyourhavingimaginedyourselfaconsumptive!"
　　PoorGeorgehadtodefendhimself。"Ididn’ttellyouhalfthetruth，becauseIwasafraidofupsettingyou。ItseemedIhadthebeginningofchronicbronchitis。IfeltitquitekeenlywheneverItookabreath，adeepbreath——look，likethis。Yes——I
　　felt——hereandthere，oneachsideofthechest，aheaviness——adifficulty——"
　　"Theideaoftakingsixmonthstocureyouofathinglikethat!"
　　exclaimedHenriette。"Andmakingourbabysixmonthsyoungerthansheoughttobe!"
　　"But，"laughedGeorge，"thatmeansthatweshallhavehersomuchthelonger!Shewillgetmarriedsixmonthslater!"
　　"Oh，dearme，"respondedtheother，"letusnottalkaboutsuchthings!Iamalreadyworried，thinkingshewillgetmarriedsomeday。"
　　"Formypart，"saidGeorge，"IseemyselfmountingwithheronmyarmthestaircaseoftheMadeleine。"
　　"WhytheMadeleine？"exclaimedhiswife。"Suchaverymagnificentchurch!"
　　"Idon’tknow——Iseeherunderherwhiteveil，andmyselfalldressedup，andwithanorder。"
　　"Withanorder!"laughedHenriette。"Whatdoyouexpecttodotowinanorder？"
　　"Idon’tknowthat——butIseemyselfwithit。Explainitasyouwill，Iseemyselfwithanorder。Iseeitall，exactlyasifI
　　werethere——theSwissguardwithhiswhitestockingsandthehalbard，andthelittlemilliner’sassistantsandthescullionlinedupstaring。"
　　"Itisfaroff——allthat，"saidHenriette。"Idon’tliketotalkofit。Ipreferherasababy。Iwanthertogrowup——butthenIchangemymindandthinkIdon’t。Iknowyourmotherdoesn’t。
　　Doyouknow，Idon’tbelievesheeverthinksaboutanythingbutherlittleGervaise。"
　　"Ibelieveyou，"saidthefather。"Thechildcancertainlyboastofhavingagrandmotherwholovesher。"
　　"Also，Iadoreyourmother，"declaredHenriette。"Shemakesmeforgetmymisfortuneinnothavingmyownmother。Sheissogood!"
　　"Wearealllikethatinourfamily，"putinGeorge。
　　"Really，"laughedthewife。"Well，anyhow——thelasttimethatwewentdowninthecountrywithher——youhadgoneout，Idon’tknowwhereyouhadgone——"
　　"Toseethesixteenth—centurychest，"suggestedtheother。
　　"Oh，yes，"laughedHenriette；"yourfamouschest!"（Youmustexcusethislittlefamilychatteroftheirs——theyweresomuchinlovewitheachother!）
　　"Don’tlet’stalkaboutthat，"objectedGeorge。"Youweresaying——？"
　　"Youwerenotthere。Thenursewasoutatmass，Ithink——"
　　"Oratthewinemerchant’s!Goon，goon。"
　　"Well，Iwasinthelittleroom，andmotherdearthoughtshewasallalonewithGervaise。Iwaslistening；shewastalkingtothebaby——allsortsofnonsense，prettylittlewords——stupid，ifyoulike，buttender。Iwantedtolaugh，andatthesametimeI
　　wantedtoweep。"
　　"Perhapsshecalledher’mydearlittleSavior’？"
　　"Exactly!Didyouhearher？"
　　"No——butthatiswhatsheusedtocallmewhenIwaslittle。"
　　"Itwasthatdayshesworethatthelittleonehadrecognizedher，andlaughed!"
　　"Oh，yes!"
　　"Andthenanothertime，whenIwentintoherroom——mother’sroom——shedidn’thearmebecausethedoorwasopen，butIsawher。Shewasinecstasybeforethelittlebootswhichthebabyworeatbaptism——youknow？"
　　"Yes，yes。"
　　"Listen，then。Shehadtakenthemandshewasembracingthem!"
　　"Andwhatdidyousaythen？"
　　"Nothing；Istoleoutverysoftly，andIsentacrossthethresholdagreatkisstothedeargrandmother!"
　　Henriettesatforamomentinthought。"Itdidn’ttakeherverylong，"sheremarked，"todaywhenshegottheletterfromthenurse。Iimagineshecaughttheeight—fifty—ninetrain!"
　　"Anyyet，"laughedGeorge，"itwasreallynothingatall。"
　　"Ohno，"saidhiswife。"Yetafterall，perhapsshewasright——
　　andperhapsIoughttohavegonewithher。"
　　"Howcharmingyouare，mypoorHenriette!Youbelieveeverythingyouaretold。I，formypart，divinedrightawaythetruth。Thenursewassimplyplayingagameonus；shewantedaraise。Willyoubet？Come，I’llbetyousomething。Whatwouldyouliketobet？Youdon’twantto？Come，I’llbetyoualovelynecklace——
　　youknow，withabigpearl。"
　　"No，"saidHenriette，whohadsuddenlylosthermoodofgayety。
　　"Ishouldbetoomuchafraidofwinning。"
　　"Stop!"laughedherhusband。"Don’tyoubelieveIloveherasmuchasyouloveher——mylittleduck？Doyouknowhowoldsheis？ImeanherEXACTage？"
　　Henriettesatknittingherbrows，tryingtofigure。
　　"Ah!"heexploded。"Youseeyoudon’tknow!Sheisninety—onedaysandeighthours!Ha，ha!Imaginewhenshewillbeabletowalkallalone。Thenwewilltakeherbackwithus；wemustwaitatleastsixmonths。"Then，toolate，poorGeorgerealizedthathehadspokenthefatalphraseagain。
　　"Ifonlyyouhadn’tputoffourmarriage，shewouldbeabletowalknow，"saidHenriette。
　　Herosesuddenly。"Come，"hesaid，"didn’tyousayyouhadtodressandpaysomecalls？"
　　Henriettelaughed，buttookthehint。
　　"Runalong，littlewife，"hesaid。"Ihavealotofworktodointhemeantime。Youwon’tbedown—stairsbeforeIshallhavemynoseburiedinmypapers。Bye—bye。"
　　"Bye—bye，"saidHenriette。Buttheypausedtoexchangeadozenorsokissesbeforeshewentawaytodress。
　　ThenGeorgelightedacigaretteandstretchedhimselfoutinthebigarmchair。Heseemedrestless；heseemedtobedisturbedaboutsomething。Coulditbethathehadnotbeensomuchateaseashehadpretendedtobe，sincetheletterhadcomefromthebaby’snurse？MadameDuponthadgonebytheearliesttrainthatmorning。Shehadpromisedtotelegraphatonce——butshehadnotdoneso，andnowitwaslateafternoon。
　　Georgegotupandwanderedabout。Helookedathimselfintheglassforamoment；thenhewentbacktothechairandpulledupanothertoputhisgeetupon。Hepuffedawayathiscigaretteuntilhewascalmer。Butthensuddenlyheheardtherustleofadressbehindhim，andglancedabout，andstartedupwithanexclamation，"Mother!"
　　MadameDupontstoodinthedoorway。Shedidnotspeak。HerveilwasthrownbackandGeorgenotedinstantlythelookofagitationuponhercountenance。
　　"What’sthematter？"hecried。"Wedidn’tgetanytelegramfromyou；wewerenotexpectingyoutilltomorrow。"
　　Stillhismotherdidnotspeak。
　　"Henriettewasjustgoingout，"heexclaimednervously；"Ihadbettercallher。"
　　"No!"saidhismotherquickly。Hervoicewaslowandtrembling。
　　"IdidnotwantHenriettetobeherewhenIarrived。"
　　"Butwhat’sthematter？"criedGeorge。
　　Againtherewasasilencebeforethereplycame。Hereadsomethingterribleinthemother’smanner，andhefoundhimselftremblingviolently。
　　"Ihavebroughtbackthechildandthenurse，"saidMadameDupont。
　　"What!Isthelittleonesick？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"What’sthematterwithher？"
　　"Nothingdangerous——forthemoment，atleast。"
　　"Wemustsendandgetthedoctor!"criedGeorge。
　　"Ihavejustcomefromthedoctor’s，"wasthereply。"Hesaiditwasnecessarytotakeoutchildfromthenurseandbringheruponthebottle。"
　　Againtherewasapause。Georgecouldhardlybringhimselftoaskthenextquestion。Tryashewould，hecouldnotkeephisvoicefromweakening。"Well，now，whatishertrouble？"
　　Themotherdidnotanswer。Shestoodstaringbeforeher。Atlastshesaid，faintly，"Idon’tknow。"
　　"Youdidn’task？"
　　"Iasked。ButitwasnottoourowndoctorthatIwent。"
　　"Ah!"whisperedGeorge。Fornearlyaminuteneitheroneofthemspoke。"Why？"heinquiredatlast。
　　"Because——he——thenurse’sdoctor——hadfrightenedmeso——"
　　"Truly？"
　　"Yes。Itisadisease——"againshestopped。
　　Georgecried，inavoiceofagony，"andthen？"
　　"ThenIaskedhimifthematterwassogravethatIcouldnotbesatisfiedwithourordinarydoctor。"
　　"Andwhatdidheanswer？"
　　"Hesaidthatifwehadthemeansitwouldreallybebettertoconsultaspecialist。"
　　Georgelookedathismotheragain。Hewasabletodoit，becauseshewasnotlookingathim。Heclenchedhishandsandgothimselftogether。"And——wheredidhesendyou？"
　　Hismotherfumbledinherhandbaganddrewoutavisitingcard。
　　"Here，"shesaid。
　　AndGeorgelookedatthecard。Itwasallhecoulddotokeephimselffromtottering。Itwasthecardofthedoctorwhomhehadfirstconsultedabouthistrouble!Thespecialistinvenerealdiseases!
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ItwasallGeorgecoulddotocontrolhisvoice。"You——youwenttoseehim？"hestammered。
　　"Yes，"saidhismother。"Youknowhim？"
　　"No，no，"heanswered。"Or——thatis——Ihavemethim，Ithink。I
　　don’tknow。"Andthentohimself，"MyGod!"
　　Therewasasilence。"Heiscomingtotalktoyou，"saidthemother，atlast。
　　Georgewashardlyabletospeak。"Thenheisverymuchdisturbed？"
　　"No，buthewantstotalktoyou。"
　　"Tome？"
　　"Yes。Whenthedoctorsawthenurse，hesaid，’Madame，itisimpossibleformetocontinuetoattendthischildunlessIhavehadthisverydayaconversationwitthefather。’SoIsaid’Verywell，’andhesaidhewouldcomeatonce。"
　　Georgeturnedaway，andputhishandstohisforehead。"Mypoorlittledaughter!"hewhisperedtohimself。