Surely，sir，youcannotdesirethatmydaughtershouldcontinuetolivewithamanwhohasstruckhersobrutal，socowardly，ablow。"
　　"IfIrefuseyourrequest，"thedoctoranswered，"itisintheinterestofyourdaughter。"Then，seeingtheother’sexcitementreturning，hecontinued，"Inyourstateofmind，MonsieurLoches，Iknowthatyouwillprobablybeabusingmebeforefiveminuteshaspassed。Butthatwillnottroubleme。Ihaveseenmanycases。AndsinceIhavemadethemistakeoflettingmyselfbetrappedintothisdiscussion，Imustexplaintoyouthereasonformyattitude。Youaskofmeacertificatesothatyoumayproveincourtthatyourson—in—lawisafflictedwithsyphilis。"
　　"Precisely，"saidtheother。
　　"Andhaveyounotreflecteduponthis——thatatthesametimeyouwillbepubliclyattestingthatyourdaughterhasbeenexposedtothecontagion？Withsuchanadmission，anadmissionofficiallyregisteredinthepublicrecords，doyoubelievethatshewillfinditeasytore—marrylateron？"
　　"Shewillneverre—marry，"saidthefather。
　　"Shesaysthattoday，butcanyouaffirmthatshewillsaythesamethingfiveyearsfromnow，tenyearsfromnow？Itellyouyouwillnotobtainthatdivorce，becauseIwillmostcertainlyrefuseyouthenecessarycertificate。"
　　"Then，"criedtheother，"Iwillfindothermeansofestablishingproofs。Iwillhavethechildexaminedbyanotherdoctor!"
　　Theotheranswered。"Thenyoudonotfindthatthatpoorlittleonehasbeenalreadysufficientlyhandicappedattheoutsetofitslife？Yourgranddaughterhasaphysicaldefect。Doyouwishtoaddtothatacertificateofhereditarysyphilis，whichwillfollowherallherlife？"
　　MonsieurLochessprangfromhischair。"Youmeanthatifthevictimsseektodefendthemselves，theywillbestrucktheharder!Youmeanthatthelawgivesmenoweaponagainstamanwho，knowinghiscondition，takesayounggirl，sound，trusting，innocent，andbefoulsherwiththeresultofhisdebauches——makesherthemotherofapoorlittlecreature，whosefutureissuchthatthosewholoveherthemostdonotknowwhethertheyoughttoprayforherlife，orforherimmediatedeliverance？Sir，"hecontinued，inhisorator’svoice，"thatmanhasinflicteduponthewomanhehasmarriedasupremeinsult。Hehasmadeherthevictimofthemostodiousassault。Hehasdegradedher——hehasbroughther，sotospeak，intocontactwiththewomanofthestreets。HehascreatedbetweenherandthatcommonwomanIknownotwhatmysteriousrelationship。Itisthepoisonedbloodoftheprostitutewhichpoisonsmydaughterandherchild；thatabjectcreature，shelives，shelivesinus!Shebelongstoourfamily——hehasgivenheraseatatourhearth!Hehassoiledtheimaginationandthethoughtsofmypoorchild，ashehassoiledherbody。Hehasunitedforeverinhersoultheideaoflovewhichshehasplacedsohigh，withIknownotwhathorrorsofthehospitals。Hehastaintedherinherdignityandhermodesty，inherloveaswellasinherbaby。Hehasstruckherdownwithphysicalandmoraldecay，hehasoverwhelmedherwithvileness。
　　Andyetthelawissuch，thecustomsofsocietyaresuch，thatthewomancannotseparateherselffromthatmansavebytheaidoflegalproceedingswhosescandalwillfalluponherselfanduponherchild!"
　　MonsieurLocheshadbeenpacingupanddowntheroomashespoke，andnowheclenchedhisfistsinsuddenfury。
　　"Verywell!Iwillnotaddressmyselftothelaw。SinceI
　　learnedthetruthIhavebeenaskingmyselfifitwasnotmydutytofindthatmonsterandtoputabulletintohishead，asonedoestoamaddog。Idon’tknowwhatweakness，whatcowardice，hasheldmeback，anddecidedmetoappealtothelaw。Sincethelawwillnotprotectme，Iwillseekjusticeformyself。Perhapshisdeathwillbeagoodwarningfortheothers!"
　　Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosaythatthiswasnoaffairofhisandthathewouldnottrytointerfere。Butheremarked，quietly："Youwillbetriedforyourlife。"
　　"Ishallbeacquitted!"criedtheother。
　　"Yes，butafterapublicrevelationofallyourmiseries。Youwillmakethescandalgreater，themiseriesgreater——thatisall。
　　Andhowdoyouknowbutthatonthemorrowofyouracquittal，youwillfindyourselfconfrontinganothercourt，ahigherandmoresevereone？Howdoyouknowbutthatyourdaughter，seizedatlastbypityforthemanyouhavekilled，willnotdemandtoknowbywhatrightyouhaveactedso，bywhatrightyouhavemadeanorphanofherchild？Howcanyouknowbutthatherchildalsomaysomedaydemandanaccountingofyou？"
　　MonsieurLocheslethishandsfall，andstood，apictureofcrusheddespair。"Tellmethen，"hesaid，inafaintvoice，"whatoughtItodo？"
　　"Forgive!"
　　Forawhilethedoctorsatlookingathim。"Sir，"hesaid，atlast，"tellmeonething。Youareinflexible；youfeelyouhavetherighttobeinflexible。Butareyoureallysocertainthatitwasnotyourduty，onceuponatime，tosaveyourdaughterfromthepossibilityofsuchmisfortune？"
　　"What？"criedtheother。"Myduty？Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Imeanthis，sir。Whenthatmarriagewasbeingdiscussed，youcertainlytookprecautionstoinformyourselfaboutthefinancialconditionofyourfutureson—in—law。Youdemandedthatheshouldprovetoyouthathisstocksandbondswereactualvalue，listedontheexchange。Also，youobtainedsomeinformationabouthischaracter。Infact，youforgotonlyonepoint，themostimportantofall——thatwas，toinquireifhewasingoodhealth。
　　Youneverdidthat。"
　　Thefather—in—law’svoicehadbecomefaint。"No，"hesaid。
　　"Butwhynot？"
　　"Becausethatisnotthecustom。"
　　"Verywell，butthatoughttobethecustom。Surelythefatherofafamily，beforehegiveshisdaughtertoaman，shouldtakeasmuchprecautionasabusinessconcernwhichacceptsanemployee。"
　　"Youareright，"wasthereply，"thereshouldbealaw。"Themanspokeasadeputy，havingauthorityinthesematters。
　　Butthedoctorcried，"No，no，sir!Donotmakeanewlaw。Wehavetoomanyalready。Thereisnoneedofit。Itwouldsufficethatpeopleshouldknowalittlebetterwhatsyphilisis。Thecustomwouldestablishitselfveryquicklyforasuitortoaddtoalltheotherdocumentswhichhepresents，acertificateofadoctor，asproofthathecouldbereceivedintoafamilywithoutbringingapestilencewithhim。Thatwouldbeverysimple。Onceletthecustombeestablished，thenthesuitorwouldgotothedoctorforacertificateofhealth，justashegoestothepriestforacertificatethathehasconfessed；andbythatmeansyouwouldpreventagreatdealofsufferingintheworld。Orletmeputitanotherway，sir。Nowadays，beforeyouconcludeamarriage，yougetthelawyersofthetwofamiliestogether。Itwouldbeofatleastequalimportancetogettheirtwodoctorstogether。Yousee，sir，yourinquiryconcerningyourson—in—lawwasfarfromcomplete。Soyourdaughtermayfairlyaskyou，whyyou，beingaman，beingafatherwhooughttoknowthesethings，didnottakeasmuchcareofherhealthasyoutookofherfortune。Soitis，sir，thatIsaytoyou，forgive!"
　　ButMonsieurLochessaidagain，"Never!"
　　Andagainthedoctorsatandwatchedhimforaminute。"Come，sir，"hebegan，finally，"sinceitisnecessarytoemploythelastargument，Iwilldoso。Tobesosevereandsopitiless——
　　areyouyourselfwithoutsin？"
　　Theotheranswered，"Ihaveneverhadashamefuldisease。"
　　"Idonotaskyouthat，"interruptedthedoctor。"Iaskyouifyouhaveneverexposedyourselftothechanceofhavingit。"Andthen，readingtheother’sface，hewenton，inatoneofquietcertainty。"Yes，youhaveexposedyourself。Then，sir，itwasnotvirtuethatyouhad；itwasgoodfortune。Thatisoneofthethingswhichexasperatemethemost——thatterm’shamefuldisease’
　　whichyouhavejustused。Likeallotherdiseases，thatisoneofourmisfortunes，anditisnevershamefultobeunfortunate——
　　evenifonehasdeservedit。"Thedoctorpaused，andthenwithsomeexcitementhewenton："Come，sir，come，wemustunderstandeachother。Amongmenthemostexacting，amongthosewhowiththeirmiddle—classpruderydarenotpronouncethenameofsyphilis，orwhomakethemostterrifyingfaces，themostdisgusted，whentheyconsenttospeakofit——whoregardthesyphiliticassinners——Ishouldwishtoknowhowmanytherearewhohaveneverexposedthenselvestoasimilarmisadventure。
　　Theyandtheyalonehavetherighttospeak。Howmanyarethere？
　　Amongathousandmen，aretherefour？Verywell，then。
　　Exceptingthosefour，betweenalltherestandthesyphiliticthereisnothingbutthedifferenceofchance。"
　　Therecameintothedoctor’svoiceatthismomentanoteofintensefeeling；fortheseweremattersofwhichevidencecametohimeveryday。"Itellyou，sir，thatsuchpeoplearedeservingofsympathy，becausetheyaresuffering。Iftheyhavecommittedafault，theyhaveatleastthepleathattheyareexpiatingit。
　　No，sir，letmehearnomoreofthathypocrisy。Recallyourownyouth，sir。Thatwhichafflictsyourson—in—law，youhavedeserveditjustasmuchashe——morethanhe，perhaps。
　　Therefore，havepityonhim；haveforhimthetolerationwhichtheunpunishedcriminaloughttohaveforthecriminallessfortunatethanhimselfuponwhomthepenaltyhasfallen。Isthatnotso？"
　　MonsieurLocheshadbeenlisteningtothisdiscoursewiththefeelingofathiefbeforethebar。Therewasnothingthathecouldanswer。"Sir，"hestammered，"asyoupresentthisthingtome——"
　　"ButamInotright？"insistedthedoctor。
　　"Perhapsyouare，"theotheradmitted。"But——Icannotsayallthattomydaughter，topersuadehertogobacktoherhusband。"
　　"Youcangiveherotherarguments，"wastheanswer。
　　"Whatarguments，inGod’sname？"
　　"Thereisnolackofthem。Youwillsaytoherthataseparationwouldbeamisfortuneforall；thatherhusbandistheonlyoneintheworldwhowouldbedevotedenoughtohelphersaveherchild。Youwillsaytoherthatoutoftheruinsofherfirsthappinessshecanbuildherselfanotherstructure，farstronger。
　　And，sir，youwilladdtothatwhateveryourgoodheartmaysuggest——andwewillarrangesothatthenextchildofthepairshallbesoundandvigorous。"
　　MonsieurLochesreceivedthisannouncementwiththesamesurprisethatGeorgehimselfhadmanifested。"Isthatpossible？"heasked。
　　Thedoctorcried："Yes，yes，yes——athousandtimesyes!ThereisaphrasewhichIrepeatoneveryoccasion，andwhichIwouldwishtopostuponthewalls。Itisthatsyphilisisanimperiousmistress，whoonlydemandsthatoneshouldrecognizeherpower。
　　Sheisterribleforthosewhothinkherinsignificant，andgentlewiththosewhoknowhowdangeroussheis。Youknowthatkindofmistress——whoisonlyvexedwhensheisneglected。Youmaytellthistoyourdaughter——youwillrestorehertothearmsofherhusband，fromwhomshehasnolongeranythingtofear，andIwillguaranteethatyouwillbeahappygrandfathertwoyearsfromnow。"
　　MonsieurLochesatlastshowedthathewasweakenedinhisresolution。
　　"Doctor，"hesaid，"IdonotknowthatIcanevergosofarasforgiveness，butIpromiseyouthatIwilldonoirreparableact，andthatIwillnotopposeareconciliationifafterthelapseofsometime——Icannotventuretosayhowlong——mypoorchildshouldmakeuphermindtoareconciliation。"
　　"Verygood，"saidtheother。"Butletmeaddthis：Ifyouhaveanotherdaughter，takecaretoavoidthefaultwhichyoucommittedwhenyoumarriedoffthefirst。"
　　"But，"saidtheoldman，"Ididnotknow。"
　　"Ah，surely!"criedtheother。"Youdidnotknow!Youareafather，andyoudidnotknow!Youareadeputy，youhaveassumedtheresponsibilityandthehonorofmakingourlaws——andyoudidnotknow!Youareignorantaboutsyphilis，justasyouprobablyareignorantaboutalcoholismandtuberculosis。"
　　"No，"exclaimedtheother，quickly。
　　"Verywell，"saidthedoctor，"Iwillleaveyouout，ifyouwish。
　　Iamtalkingoftheothers，thefivehundred，andIdon’tknowhowmanymore，whoarethereintheChamberofDeputies，andwhocallthemselvesrepresentativesofthepeople。Theyarenotabletofindasinglehourtodiscussthesethreecruelgods，towhichegotismandindifferencemakeeverydaysuchfrightfulhumansacrifices。Theyhavenotsufficientleisuretocombatthisferocioustrinity，whichdestroyseverydaythousandsoflives。
　　Alcoholism!Itwouldbenecessarytoforbidthemanufactureofpoisons，andtorestrictthenumberoflicenses；butasonehasfearofthegreatdistillers，whoarerichandpowerful，andofthelittledealers，whoarethemastersofuniversalsuffrage，oneputsone’sconsciencetosleepbylamentingtheimmoralityoftheworking—class，andpublishinglittlepamphletsandsermons。
　　Imbeciles!……Tuberculosis!Everybodyknowsthetrueremedy，whichwouldbethepayingofsufficientwages，andthetearingdownofthefilthytenementsintowhichthelaborersarepacked——
　　thosewhoarethemostusefulandthemostunfortunateamongourpopulation!Butneedlesstosay，noonewantsthatremedy，sowegoroundbeggingtheworkingmennottospitonthesidewalks。
　　Wonderful!Butsyphilis——whydoyounotoccupyyourselfwiththat？Why，sinceyouhaveministerswhosedutyitistoattendtoallsortsofthings，doyounothaveaministertoattendtothepublichealth？"
　　"MydearDoctor，"respondedMonsieurLoches，"youfallintotheFrenchhabitofconsideringthegovernmentasthecauseofallevils。Showustheway，youlearnedgentlemen!Sincethatisamatteraboutwhichyouareinformed，andweareignorant，beginbytellinguswhatmeasuresyoubelievetobenecessary。"
　　"Ah，ah!"exclaimedtheother。"That’sfine，indeed!Itwasabouteighteenyearsagothataprojectofthatnature，workedoutbytheAcademyofMedicine，andapprovedbyitUNANIMOUSLY，wassenttotheproperminister。Wehavenotyetheardhisreply。"
　　"Youreallybelieve，"inquiredMonsieurLoches，insomebewilderment，"youbelievethattherearesomemeasures——"
　　"Sir，"brokeinthedoctor，"beforewegetthough，youaregoingtosuggestsomemeasuresyourself。Letmetellyouwhathappenedtoday。WhenIreceivedyourcardIdidnotknowthatyouwerethefather—in—lawofGeorgeDupont。Isaythatyouwereadeputy，andIthoughtthatyouwantedtogetsomeinformationaboutthesematters。Therewasawomanpatientwaitingtoseeme，andIkeptherinmywaiting—room——sayingtomyself，"Thisisjustthesortofpersonthatourdeputiesoughttotalkto。"
　　Thedoctorpausedforamoment，thencontinued："Bereassured，I
　　willtakecareofyournerves。Thispatienthasnotroublethatisapparenttotheeye。SheissimplyanillustrationoftheargumentIhavebeenadvancing——thatourworstenemyisignorance。Ignorance——youunderstandme？SinceIhavegotyouhere，sir，IamgoingtoholdyouuntilIhavemanagedtocurealittleofyourignorance!ForItellyou，sir，itisathingwhichdrivesmetodistraction——weMUSTdosomethingabouttheseconditions!Takethiscase，forexample。Hereisawomanwhoisveryseriouslyinfected。Itoldher——well，wait；youshallseeforyourself。
　　ThedoctorwenttothedoorandsummonedintotheroomawomanwhomMonsieurLocheshadnoticedwaitingthere。Shewasvergingonoldage，small，frail，andill—nourishedinappearance，poorlydressed，andyetwithasuggestionofrefinementabouther。Shestoodnearthedoor，twistingherhandstogethernervously，andshrinkingfromthegazeofthestrangegentleman。Thedoctorbeganinanangryvoice。"DidInottellyoutocomeandseemeonceeveryeightdays？Isthatnottrue？"
　　Thewomananswered，inafaintvoice，"Yes，sir。"
　　"Well，"heexclaimed，"andhowlonghasitbeensinceyouwerehere？"
　　"Threemonths，sir。"
　　"Threemonths!AndyoubelievethatIcantakecareofyouundersuchconditions？Igiveyouup!Doyouunderstand？Youdiscourageme，youdiscourageme。"Therewasapause。Then，seeingthewoman’ssuffering，hebegan，inagentlertone，"Comenow，whatisthereasonthatyouhavenotcome？Didn’tyouknowthatyouhaveaseriousdisease——mostserious？"
　　"Oh，yes，sir，"repliedthewoman，"Iknowthatverywell——sincemyhusbanddiedofit。"
　　Thedoctor’svoiceboreonceagainitsnoteofpity。"Yourhusbanddiedofit？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Hetooknocareofhimself？"
　　"No，sir。"
　　"Andwasnotthatawarningtoyou？"
　　"Doctor，"thewomanreplied，"Iwouldasknothingbetterthantocomeasoftenasyoutoldme，butthecostistoogreat。"
　　"How——whatcost？Youwerecomingtomyfreeclinic。"
　　"Yes，sir，"repliedthewoman，"butthat’sduringworkinghours，andthenitisalongwayfromhome。Therearesomanysickpeople，andIhavetowaitmyturn，Itisinthemorning——
　　sometimesIloseawholeday——andthenmyemployerisannoyed，andhethreatenstoturnmeoff。Itisthingslikethatthatkeeppeoplefromcoming，untiltheydarenotputitoffanylonger。Then，too，sir——"thewomanstopped，hesitating。
　　"Well，"demandedthedoctor。
　　"Oh，nothing，sir，"shestammered。"Youhavebeentoogoodtomealready。"
　　"Goon，"commandedtheother。"Tellme。"
　　"Well，"murmuredthewoman，"IknowIoughtnottoputonairs，butyouseeIhavenotalwaysbeensopoor。Beforemyhusband’smisfortune，wewerewellfixed。Soyousee，Ihavealittlepride。Ihavealwaysmanagedtotakecareofmyself。Iamnotawomanofthestreets，andtostandaroundlikethat，witheverybodyelse，tobeobligedtotellallone’smiseriesoutloudbeforetheworld!Iamwrong，Iknowitperfectlywell；Iarguewithmyself——butallthesame，it’shard，sir；Iassureyou，itistrulyhard。"
　　"Poorwoman!"saidthedoctor；andforawhiletherewasasilence。Thenheasked："Itwasyourhusbandwhobroughtyouthedisease？"
　　"Yes，sir，"wasthereply。"Everythingwhichhappenedtouscamefromhim。Wewerelivinginthecountrywhenhegotthedisease。
　　Hewenthalfcrazy。Henolongerknewhowtomanagehisaffairs。
　　Hegaveordershereandthereforconsiderablesums。Wewerenotabletofindthemoney。"
　　"Whydidhenotundergotreatment？"
　　"Hedidn’tknowthen。Weweresoldout，andwecametoParis。
　　Butwehadn’tapenny。Hedecidedtogotothehospitalfortreatment。"
　　"Andthen？"
　　"Why，theylookedhimover，buttheyrefusedhimanymedicine。"
　　"Howwasthat？"
　　"BecausewehadbeeninParisonlythreemonths。Ifonehasn’tbeenaresidentsixmonths，onehasnorighttofreemedicine。"
　　"Isthattrue？"brokeinMonsieurLochesquickly。
　　"Yes，"saidthedoctor，"that’stherule。"
　　"Soyousee，"saidthewoman，"itwasnotourfault。"
　　"Youneverhadchildren？"inquiredthedoctor。
　　"Iwasneverabletobringonetobirth，"wastheanswer。"Myhusbandwastakenjustatthebeginningofourmarriage——itwaswhilehewasservinginthearmy。Youknow，sir——therearewomenaboutthegarrisons——"Shestopped，andtherewasalongsilence。
　　"Come，"saidthedoctor，"that’sallright。Iwillarrangeitwithyou。Youcancomeheretomyoffice，andyoucancomeonSundaymornings。"Andasthepoorcreaturestartedtoexpresshergratitude，heslippedacoinintoherhand。"Come，come；
　　takeit，"hesaidgruffly。"Youarenotgoingtoplayproudwithme。No，no，Ihavenotimetolistentoyou。Hush!"Andhepushedheroutofthedoor。
　　Thenheturnedtothedeputy。"Youheardherstory，sir，"hesaid。"Herhusbandwasservinghistimeinthearmy；itwasyoulaw—makerswhocompelledhimtodothat。Andtherearewomenaboutthegarrisons——youheardhowhervoicetrembledasshesaidthat？Takemyadvice，sir，andlookupthestatisticsastotheprevalenceofthisdiseaseamongoursoldiers。Cometosomeofmyclinics，andletmeintroduceyoutoothersocialtypes。Youdon’tcareverymuchaboutsoldiers，perhaps——theybelongtothelowerclasses，andyouthinkofthemasroughmen。Butletmeshowyouwhatisgoingonamongourcollegestudents——amongthemenourdaughtersaresomedaytomarry。Letmeshowyouthewomenwhopreyuponthem!Perhaps，whoknows——Icanshowyoutheverywomanwhowasthecauseofallthemiseryinyourownfamily!"
　　AndasMonsieurLochesrosefromhischair，thedoctorcametohimandtookhimbythehand。"Promiseme，sir，"hesaid，earnestly，"thatyouwillcomebackandletmeteachyoumoreaboutthesematters。ItisachancethatImustnotletgo——thefirsttimeinmylifethatIevergotholdofareallivedeputy!
　　Comeandmakeastudyofthissubject，andletustrytoworkoutsomesensibleplan，andgetseriouslytoworktoremedythesefrightfulevils!"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　GeorgelivedwithhismotherafterHenriettehadlefthishome。
　　Hewaswretchedlyunhappyandlonely。Hecouldfindnointerestinanyofthethingswhichhadpleasedhimbefore。Hewasashamedtomeetanyofhisfriends，becauseheimaginedthateveryonemusthaveheardthedreadfulstory——orbecausehewasnotequaltomakingupexplanationsforhismournfulstate。Henolongercaredmuchabouthiswork。Whatwastheuseofmakingareputationorearninglargefeeswhenonehadnothingtospendthemfor？
　　Allhisthoughtswerefixeduponthewifeandchildhehadlost。
　　HewasremindedofHenrietteinathousandways，andeachwaybroughthimaseparatepangofgrief。Hehadneverrealizedhowmuchhehadcometodependuponherineverylittlething——untilnow，whenhercompanionshipwaswithdrawnfromhim，andeverythingseemedtobeablank。Hewouldcomehomeatnight，andoppositetohimatthedinner—tablewouldbehismother，silentandspectral。HowdifferentfromthedayswhenHenriettewasthere，radiantandmerry，eagertobetoldeverythingthathadhappenedtohimthroughtheday!
　　TherewasalsohisworryaboutlittleGervaise。Hemightnolongerhearhowshewasdoing，forhecouldnotgetupcouragetoaskhismotherthenews。ThuspoorGeorgewaspayingforhissins。Hecouldmakenocomplaintsagainsttheprice，howeverhigh——onlysometimeshewonderedwhetherhewouldbeabletopayit。Thereweretimesofsuchdiscouragementthathethoughtofdifferentwaysofkillinghimself。
　　Acuriousadventurebefellhimduringthisperiod。Hewaswalkingonedayinthepark，whenhesawapproachingagirlwhosefacestruckhimasfamiliar。Atfirsthecouldnotrecollectwherehehadseenher。Itwasonlywhenshewasnearlyoppositehimthatherealized——itwasthegirlwhohadbeenthecauseofallhismisery!
　　Hetriedtolookaway，buthewastoolate。Hereyeshadcaughthis，andshenoddedandthenstopped，exclaiming，"Why，howdoyoudo？"
　　Georgehadtofaceher。"Howdoyoudo？"heresponded，weakly。
　　Sheheldoutherhandandhehadtotakeit，buttherewasnotmuchwelcomeinhisclasp。"Wherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourself？"sheasked。Then，ashehesitated，shelaughedgood—
　　naturedly，"What’sthematter？Youdon’tseemgladtoseeme。"
　　Thegirl——Theresewashername——hadalittlepackageunderherarm，asifshehadbeenshopping。Shewasnotwelldressed，aswhenGeorgehadmetherbefore，anddoubtlessshethoughtthatwasthereasonforhislackofcordiality。Thismadehimratherashamed，andso，onlyhalfrealizingwhathewasdoing，hebegantostrollalongwithher。
　　"Whydidyounevercometoseemeagain？"sheasked。
　　Georgehesitated。"I——I——"hestammered——"I’vebeenmarriedsincethen。"
　　Shelaughed。"Oh!Sothat’sit!"Andthen，astheycametoabenchundersometrees，"Won’tyousitdownawhile？"Therewasallurementinherglance，butitmadeGeorgeshudder。Itwasincredibletohimthathehadeverbeenattractedbythiscrudegirl。Thespellwasnowbrokencompletely。
　　Shequicklysawthatsomethingwaswrong。"Youdon’tseemverycheerful，"shesaid。"What’sthematter？"
　　Andtheman，staringather，suddenlyblurtedout，"Don’tyouknowwhatyoudidtome？"
　　"WhatIdidtoyou？"Thereserepeatedwonderingly。
　　"Youmustknow!"heinsisted。
　　Andthenshetriedtomeethisgazeandcouldnot。"Why——"shestammered。
　　Therewassilencebetweenthem。WhenGeorgespokeagainhisvoicewaslowandtrembling。"Youruinedmywholelife，"hesaid——"notonlymine，butmyfamily’s。Howcouldyoudoit？"
　　Shestrovetolaughitoff。"Acheerfultopicforanafternoonstroll!"
　　ForalongwhileGeorgedidnotanswer。Then，almostinawhisper，herepeated，"Howcouldyoudoit？"
　　"Someonedidittomefirst，"wastheresponse。"Aman!"
　　"Yes，"saidGeorge，"buthedidn’tknow。"
　　"Howcanyoutellwhetherheknewornot？"
　　"Youknew？"heinquired，wonderingly。
　　Theresehesitated。"Yes，Iknew，"shesaidatlast，defiantly。
　　"Ihaveknownforyears。"
　　"AndI’mnottheonlyman。"
　　Shelaughed。"Iguessnot!"
　　Therefollowedalongpause。Atlastheresumed，"Idon’twanttoblameyou；there’snothingtobegainedbythat；it’sdone，andcan’tbeundone。ButsometimesIwonderaboutit。Ishouldliketounderstand——whydidyoudoit？"
　　"Why？That’seasyenough。IdiditbecauseIhavetolive。"
　　"Youlivethatway？"heexclaimed。
　　"Whyofcourse。Whatdidyouthink？"
　　"Ithoughtyouwerea——a——"Hehesitated。
　　"YouthoughtIwasrespectable，"laughedTherese。"Well，that’sjustalittlegameIwasplayingonyou。"
　　"ButIdidn’tgiveyouanymoney!"heargued。
　　"Notthattime，"shesaid，"butIthoughtyouwouldcomeback。"
　　Hesatgazingather。"Andyouearnyourlivingthatwaystill？"
　　heasked。"Whenyouknowwhat’sthematterwithyou!Whenyouknow——"
　　"WhatcanIdo？Ihavetolive，don’tI？"
　　"Butdon’tyoueventakecareofyourself？Surelytheremustbesomeway，someplace——"
　　"Thereformatory，perhaps，"shesneered。"No，thanks!I’llgotherewhenthepolicecatchme，notbefore。Iknowsomegirlsthathavetriedthat。"
　　"Butaren’tyouafraid？"criedtheman。"Andthethingsthatwillhappentoyou!Haveyouevertalkedtoadoctor——orreadabook？"
　　"Iknow，"shesaid。"I’veseenitall。Ifitcomestome，I’llgooverthesideofoneofthebridgessomedarknight。"
　　Georgesatlostinthought。Astrangeadventureitseemedtohim——tomeetthisgirlundersuchdifferentcircumstances!Itwasasifhewerewatchingaplayfrombehindthescenesinsteadofinfront。Ifonlyhehadhadthisnewviewintime——howdifferentwouldhavebeenhislife!Andhowterribleitwastothinkoftheotherswhodidn’tknow——theaudiencewhowerestillsittingoutinfront，watchingthespectacle，interestedinit!"
　　HisthoughtscamebacktoTherese。Hewascuriousaboutherandthelifeshelived。"Tellmealittleaboutit，"hesaid。"Howyoucametobedoingthis。"Andheadded，"Don’tthinkIwanttopreach；I’dreallyliketounderstand。"
　　"Oh，it’sacommonstory，"shesaid——"nothingespeciallyromantic。IcametoPariswhenIwasagirl。Myparentshaddied，andIhadnofriends，andIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Igotaplaceasanursemaid。Iwasseventeenyearsoldthen，andI
　　didn’tknowanything。IbelievedwhatIwastold，andIbelievedmyemployer。Hiswifewasillinahospital，andhesaidhewantedtomarrymewhenshedied。Well，Ilikedhim，andIwassorryforhim——andthenthefirstthingIknewIhadababy。Andthenthewifecameback，andIwasturnedoff。Ihadbeenafool，ofcourse。IfIhadbeeninherplaceshouldhavedonejustwhatshedid。"
　　Thegirlwasspeakinginacold，matter—of—factvoice，asofthingsaboutwhichshewasnolongerabletosuffer。"So，thereIwas——onthestreet，"shewenton。"Youhavealwayshadmoney，acomfortablehome，education，friendstohelpyou——allthat。
　　Youcan’timaginehowitistobeintheworldwithoutanyofthesethings。IlivedonmysavingsaslongasIcould；thenI
　　hadtoleavemybabyinafoundling’shome，andIwentouttodomyfivehoursontheboulevards。Youknowthegame，Ihavenodoubt。"
　　Yes，Georgeknewthegame。Somehoworotherhenolongerfeltbittertowardsthispoorcreature。Shewaspartofthesystemofwhichhewasavictimalso。Therewasnothingtobegainedbyhatingeachother。Justasthedoctorsaid，whatwasneededwasenlightenment。"Listen，"hesaid，"whydon’tyoutrytogetcured？"
　　"Ihaven’tgottheprice，"wastheanswer。
　　"Well，"hesaid，hesitatingly，"Iknowadoctor——oneofthereallygoodmen。Hehasafreeclinic，andI’venodoubthewouldtakeyouinifIaskedhimto。"
　　"YOUaskhim？"echoedtheother，lookingatGeorgeinsurprise。
　　Theyoungmanfeltsomewhatuncomfortable。HewasnotusedtoplayingtheroleofthegoodSamaritan。"I——Ineednottellhimaboutus，"hestammered。"IcouldjustsaythatImetyou。I
　　havehadsuchawretchedtimemyself，Ifeelsorryforanybodythat’sinthesameplight。IshouldliketohelpyouifI
　　could。"
　　Thegirlsatstaringbeforeher，lostinthought。"Ihavetreatedyoubadly，Iguess，"shesaid。"I’msorry。I’mashamedofmyself。"
　　Georgetookapencilandpaperfromhispocketandwrotethedoctor’saddress。"Hereitis，"hesaid，inabusiness—likeway，becausehefeltthatotherwisehecouldbecomesentimental。Hewashalftemptedtotellthewomanwhathadhappenedtohim，andallaboutHenrietteandthesickchild；butherealizedthatthatwouldnotdo。Soheroseandshookhandswithherandleft。
　　Thenexttimehesawthedoctorhetoldhimaboutthisgirl。Hedecidedtotellhimthetruth——havingalreadymadesomanymistakestryingtoconcealthings。Thedoctoragreedtotreatthewoman，makingtheconditionthatGeorgepromisenottoseeheragain。
　　Theyoungmanwasrathershockedatthis。"Doctor，"heexclaimed，"Iassureyouyouaremistaken。Thethingyouhaveinmindwouldbeutterlyimpossible。"
　　"Iknow，"saidtheother，"youthinkso。ButIthink，youngman，thatIknowmoreaboutlifethanyoudo。Whenamanandawomanhaveoncecommittedsuchasin，itiseasyforthemtoslipback。
　　Thelesstimetheyspendtalkingabouttheirmisfortunes，andbeinggenerousandforbearingtoeachother，thebetterforthemboth。"
　　"But，Doctor，"criedGeorge。"IloveHenriette!Icouldnotpossiblyloveanyoneelse。Itwouldbehorribletome!"
　　"Yes，"saidthedoctor。"ButyouarenotlivingwithHenriette。
　　Youarewanderinground，notknowingwhattodowithyourselfnext。"
　　TherewasnoneedforanybodytotellGeorgethat。"Whatdoyouthink？"heaskedabruptly。"Isthereanyhopeforme？"
　　"Ithinkthereis，"saidtheother，who，inspiteofhisresolution，hadbecomeasortofambassadorfortheunhappyhusband。HehadtogototheLocheshousetoattendthechild，andsohecouldnothelpseeingHenriette，andtalkingtoheraboutthechild’shealthandherownfuture。HeconsideredthatGeorgehadhadhislesson，andurgedupontheyoungwifethathewouldbewiserinfuture，andsafetotrust。
　　Georgehadindeedlearnedmuch。Hegotnewlessonseverytimehewenttocallatthephysician’soffice——hecouldreadtheminthefacesofthepeoplehesawthere。Onedaywhenhewasaloneinthewaiting—room，thedoctorcameoutofhisinneroffice，talkingtoanelderlygentleman，whomGeorgerecognizedasthefatherofoneofhisclassmatesatcollege。Thefatherwasalittleshopkeeper，andtheyoungmanrememberedhowpatheticallyproudhehadbeenofhisson。Coulditbe，thoughtGeorge，thatthisoldmanwasavictimofsyphilis？
　　Butitwastheson，andnotthefather，whowasthesubjectoftheconsultation。Theoldmanwasspeakinginadeeplymovedvoice，andhestoodsothatGeorgecouldnothelphearingwhathesaid。"Perhapsyoucan’tunderstand，"hesaid，"justwhatitmeanstous——thehopeswehadofthatboy!Suchafinefellowhewas，andagoodfellow，too，sir!Weweresoproudofhim；wehadbledourveinstokeephimincollege——andnowjustsee!"
　　"Don’tdespair，sir，"saidthedoctor，"we’lltrytocurehim。"
　　AndheaddedwiththatsamenoteofsorrowinhisvoicewhichGeorgehadheard，"Whydidyouwaitsolongbeforeyoubroughttheboytome？"
　　"HowwasItoknowwhathehad？"criedtheother。"Hedidn’tdaretellme，sir——hewasafraidofmyscoldinghim。Andinthemeantimethediseasewasrunningitscourse。Whenherealizedthathehadit，hewentsecretlytooneofthequacks，whorobbedhim，anddidn’tcurehim。Youknowhowitis，sir。"
　　"Yes，Iknow，"saidthedoctor。
　　"Suchthingsoughtnottobepermitted，"criedtheoldman。
　　"Whatisourgovernmentaboutthatitallowssuchthingstogoon？Taketheconditionsthereatthecollegewheremypoorboywasruined。Attheverygatesofthebuildingthesewomenarewaitingforthelads!Oughttheytobepermittedtodebauchyoungboysonlyfifteenyearsold？Haven’twegotpoliceenoughtopreventathinglikethat？Tellme，sir!"
　　"Onewouldthinkso，"saidthedoctor，patiently。
　　"Butisitthatthepolicedon’twantto？"
　　"Nodoubttheyhavethesameexcuseasalltherest——theydon’tknow。Takecourage，sir；wehavecuredworsecasesthanyourson’s。Andsomeday，perhaps，weshallbeabletochangetheseconditions。"
　　Sohewentonwiththeman，leavingGeorgewithsomethingtothinkabout。Howmuchhecouldhavetoldthemaboutwhathadhappenedtothatyoungfellowwhenonlyfifteenyearsold!Ithadnotbeenaltogetherthefaultofthewomenwhowerelurkingoutsideofthecollegegates；itwasafactthattheboy’sclassmateshadteasedhimandridiculedhim，hadliterallymadehislifeatorment，untilhehadyieldedtotemptation。
　　Itwastheold，oldstoryofignorantandunguidedschoolboysallovertheworld!Theythoughtthattobechastewastobeweakandfoolish；thatafellowwasnotamanunlessheledalifeofdebaucheryliketherest。Andwhatdidtheyknowaboutthesedreadfuldiseases？Theyhadthemosthorriblesuperstitions——
　　ideasofcuressoloathsomethattheycouldnotbesetdowninprint；ideasasignorantanddestructiveasthoseofsavagesintheheartofAfrica。Andyoumighthearthemlaughingandjestingaboutoneanother’scondition。Theymightbeafflictedwithdiseaseswhichwouldhavethemostterribleafter—effectsupontheirwholelivesandupontheirfamilies——diseaseswhichcausetensofthousandsofsurgicaloperationsuponwomen，andalargepercentageofblindnessandidiocyinchildren——andyoumighthearthemconfidentlyexpresstheopinionthatthesediseaseswerenoworsethanabadcold!
　　Andallthismassofmiseryandignorancecoveredoverandclampeddownbyatabooofsilence，imposedbythehorriblesuperstitionofsex—prudery!Georgewentoutfromthedoctor’sofficetremblingwithexcitementoverthissituation。Oh，whyhadnotsomeonewarnedhimintime？Whydidn’tthedoctorsandtheteachersliftuptheirvoicesandtellyoungmenaboutthesefrightfuldangers？Hewantedtogooutinthehighwaysandpreachithimself——exceptthathedarednot，becausehecouldnotexplaintotheworldhisownsuddeninterestinthisforbiddentopic。
　　Thesewasonlyonepersonhedaredtotalkto：thatwashismother——towhomheoughttohavetalkedmany，manyyearsbefore。
　　Hewasmovedtomentiontohertheinterviewhehadoverheardinthedoctor’soffice。Inasuddenburstofgriefhetoldherofhisstrugglesandtemptations；hepleadedwithhertogotoHenrietteoncemore——totellherthesethings，andtrytomakeherrealizethathealonewasnottoblameforthem，thattheywereaconditionwhichprevailedeverywhere，thattheonlydifferencebetweenherhusbandandothermenwasthathehadhadthemisfortunetobecaught。
　　TherewaspressurebeingappliedtoHenriettefromseveralsides。
　　Afterall，whatcouldshedo？Shewascomfortableinherfather’shome，sofarasthephysicalsideofthingswent；butsheknewthatallherfriendsweregossipingandspeculatingaboutherseparationfromherhusband，andsoonerorlatershewouldhavetomakeuphermind，eithertoseparatepermanentlyfromGeorgeortoreturntohim。Therewasnotmuchhappinessforherinthethoughtofgettingadivorcefromamanwhomdeepinherheartsheloved。Shewouldbepracticallyawidowtherestofherlife，andthehomeinwhichpoorlittleGervaisewouldbebroughtupwouldnotbeacheerfulone。
　　Georgewasreadytoofferanyterms，ifonlyshewouldcomebacktohishome。TheymightliveseparatelivesforaslongasHenriettewished。Theywouldhavenomorechildrenuntilthedoctordeclareditwasquitesafe；andinthemeantimehewouldbehumbleandpatient，andwouldtryhisbesttoatoneforthewrongthathehaddoneher。
　　TotheseargumentsMadameDupontaddedothersofherown。Shetoldthegirlsomethingswhichthroughbitterexperienceshehadlearnedaboutthenatureandhabitsofmen；thingsthatshouldbetoldtoeverygirlbeforemarriage，butwhichalmostallofthemarelefttofindoutafterwards，withterriblesufferinganddisillusionment。WhateverGeorge’ssinsmayhavebeen，hewasamanwhohadbeenchastenedbysuffering，andwouldknowhowtovalueawoman’slovefortherestofhislife。Notallmenknewthat——noteventhosewhohadbeenfortunateinescapingfromtheso—called"shamefuldisease。"
　　Henriettewasalsohearingargumentsfromherfather，whobythistimehadhadtimetothinkthingsover，andhadcometotheconclusionthatthedoctorwasright。Hehadnotedhisson—in—
　　law’spatienceandpenitence，andhadalsomadesurethatinspiteofeverythingHenriettestilllovedhim。Thebabyapparentlywasdoingwell；andtheFrenchman，withhisstrongsenseoffamilyties，feltitaseriousmattertoseparateachildpermanentlyfromitsfather。Sointheendhecasttheweightofhisinfluenceinfavorofareconciliation，andHenriettereturnedtoherhusband，upontermswhichthedoctorlaiddown。
　　Thedoctorplayedinthesenegotiationsthepartwhichhehadnotbeenallowedtoplayinthemarriage。Forthedeputywasnowthoroughlyawaketotheimportanceofthedutyheowedhisdaughter。Infact，hehadbecomesomewhatofa"crank"uponthewholesubject。Hehadattendedseveralofthedoctor’sclinics，andhadreadbooksandpamphletsonthesubjectofsyphilis，andwasnowdeterminedthatthereshouldbesomepracticalstepstowardsreform。
　　Attheoutset，hehadtakentheattitudeoftheaveragelegislator，thatthethingtodowastostrengthenthelawsagainstprostitution，andtoenforcethemmorestrictly。HeechoedthecryoftheoldmanwhomGeorgehadheardinthedoctor’soffice："Aretherenotenoughpolice？"
　　"Wemustgotothesource，"hedeclared。"Wemustproceedagainstthesemiserablewomen——veritablepoisonersthattheyare!"
　　Hereallythoughtthiswasgoingtothesource!Butthedoctorwasquicktoanswerhisarguments。"Poisoners？"hesaid。"Youforgetthattheyhavefirstbeenpoisoned。Everyoneofthesewomenwhocommunicatesthediseasehasfirstreceiveditfromsomeman。"
　　MonsieurLochesadvancedtohissecondidea，topunishthemen。
　　Butthedoctorhadlittleinterestinthisideaeither。Hehadseenittriedsomanytimes——suchalawcouldneverbeenforced。
　　Whatmustcomefirstwaseducation，andbythismeansamodificationofmorals。Peoplemustceasetotreatsyphilisasamysteriousevil，ofwhichnoteventhenamecouldbepronounced。
　　"But，"objectedtheother，"onecannotlayitbaretochildreninoureducationalinstitutions!"
　　"Whynot？"askedthedoctor。
　　"Because，sir，therearecuriositieswhichitwouldbeimprudenttoawaken。"
　　Thedoctorbecamemuchexcitedwheneverheheardthisargument。
　　"Youbelievethatyouarepreventingthesecuriositiesfromawakening？"hedemanded。"Iappealtothose——bothmenandwomen——whohavepassedthroughcollegesandboardingschools!
　　Suchcuriositiescannotbesmothered，andtheysatisfythemselvesasbesttheycan，basely，vilely。Itellyou，sir，thereisnothingimmoralabouttheactwhichperpetuateslifebymeansoflove。Butweorganizearoundit，sofarasconcernsourchildren，agiganticandrigorousconspiracyofsilence。Theworthycitizentakeshisdaughterandhissontopopularmusicalcomedies，wheretheylistentothingswhichwouldmakeamonkeyblush；butitisforbiddentodiscussseriouslybeforetheyoungthatactoflovewhichpeopleseemtothinktheyshouldonlyknowofthroughblasphemiesandprofanations!Eitherthatactisathingofwhichpeoplecanspeakwithoutblushing——orelse，sir，itisamatterfortheinnuendoesofthecabaretandthewitticismsofthemessroom!Pornographyisadmitted，butscienceisnot!Itellyou，sir，thatisthethingwhichmustbechanged!Wemustelevatethesouloftheyoungmanbytakingthesefactsoutoftherealmofmysteryandofslang。Wemustawakeninhimaprideinthatcreativepowerwithwhicheachoneofusisendowed。Wemustmakehimunderstandthatheisasortoftempleinwhichispreparedthefutureoftherace，andwemustteachhimthathemusttransmit，intact，theheritageentrustedtohim——thepreciousheritagewhichhasbeenbuiltoutofthetearsandmiseriesandsufferingsofaninterminablelineofancestors!"
　　Sothedoctorargued。Hebroughtforthcaseaftercasetoprovethattheprostitutewaswhatshewas，notbecauseofinnatevileness，butbecauseofeconomicconditions。IthappenedthatthedeputycametooneoftheclinicswherehemetTherese。Thedoctorbroughtherintohisconsultingroom，aftertellingherthattheimposing—lookinggentlemanwasafriendofthedirectoroftheopera，andmightbeabletorecommendherforapositiononthestagetowhichsheaspired。"Tellhimallaboutyourself，"hesaid，"howyoulive，andwhatyoudo，andwhatyouwouldliketodo。Youwillgethiminterestedinyou。"
　　Sothepoorgirlretoldthestoryofherlife。Shespokeinamatter—of—factvoice，andwhenshecametotellhowshehadbeenobligedtoleaveherbabyinthefoundlingasylum，shewassurprisedthatMonsieurLochesshowedhorror。"WhatcouldIdo？"
　　shedemanded。"HowcouldIhavetakencareofit？"
　　"Didn’tyouevermissit？"heasked。
　　"OfcourseImissedit。Butwhatdifferencedidthatmake？Itwouldhavediedofhungerwithme。"
　　"Still，"hesaid，"itwasyourchild——"
　　"Itwasthefather’schild，too，wasn’tit？Muchattentionhepaidtoit!IfIhadbeensureofgettingmoneyenough，Iwouldhaveputitouttonurse。Butwiththetwenty—fiveorthirtyfrancsamonthIcouldhaveearnedasaservant，couldIhavepaidforababy？That’sthesituationagirlfaces——solongasI
　　wantedtoremainhonest，itwasimpossibleformetokeepmychild。Youanswer，perhaps，’Youdidn’tstayhonestanyway。’
　　That’strue。Butthen——whenyouarehungry，andaniceyoungfellowoffersyoudinner，you’dhavetobemadeofwoodtorefusehim。Ofcourse，ifIhadhadatrade——butIdidn’thaveany。SoIwentonthestreet——Youknowhowitis。"
　　"Tellusaboutit，"saidthedoctor。"Thisgentlemanisfromthecountry。"
　　"Isthatso？"saidthegirl。"Ineversupposedtherewasanyonewhodidn’tknowaboutsuchthings。Well，Itookthepartofalittleworking—girl。Averysimpledress——thingsIhadmadeespeciallyforthat——alittlebundleinablacknapkincarriedinmyhand——soIwalkedalongwheretheshopsare。It’stiresome，becausetodoitright，youhavetopatteralongfast。ThenI
　　stopbeforeashop，andninetimesoutoften，thereyouare!A
　　funnythingisthatthemen——you’dimaginetheyhadagreedonthewordstoapproachyouwith。Theyhaveonlytwophrases；theynevervarythem。It’seither，’Youaregoingfast，littleone。’
　　Orit’s，’Aren’tyouafraidallalone？’Onethingortheother。
　　Oneknowsprettywellwhattheymean。Isn’titso？"Thegirlpaused，thenwenton。"Again，Iwouldgetmyselfupasayoungwidow。There，too，onehastowalkfast：Idon’tknowwhythatshouldbeso，butitis。Afteraminuteortwoofconversation，theygenerallyfindoutthatIamnotayoungwidow，butthatdoesn’tmakeanydifference——theygoonjustthesame。"
　　"Whoarethemen？"askedthedeputy。"Clerks？Travelingsalesmen？"
　　"Notmuch，"sheresponded。"Ikeepalookoutforgentlemen——likeyourself。"
　　"TheySAYtheyaregentlemen，"hesuggested。
　　"SometimesIcanseeit，"wastheresponse。"Sometimestheywearorders。It’sfunny——iftheyhaveonaribbonwhenyoufirstnoticethem，theyfollowyou，andpresto——theribbonisgone!I
　　alwayslaughoverthat。I’vewatchedthemintheglassoftheshopwindows。Theytrytolookunconcerned，butastheywalkalongtheysnapouttheribbonwiththeirthumb——asoneshellslittlepeas，youknow。"
　　Shepaused；then，asnoonejoinedinherlaugh，shecontinued，"Well，atlastthepolicegotafterme，That’sastorythatI’veneverbeenabletounderstand。Thosefilthymengavemeanastydisease，andthenIwastobeshutinprisonforit!Thatwasalittletoomuch，itseemstome。"
　　"Well，"saidthedoctor，grimly，"yourevengedyourselfonthem——
　　fromwhatyouhavetoldme。"
　　Theotherlaughed。"Oh，yes，"shesaid。"Ihadmyinnings。"
　　SheturnedtoMonsieurLoches。"Youwantmetotellyouthat？
　　Well，justontheverydayIlearnedthatthepolicewereafterme，Iwascominghomefurious，naturally。ItwasontheBoulevardSt。Denis，ifyouknowtheplace——andwhomdoyouthinkImet？Myoldmaster——theonewhogotmeintotrouble，youknow。
　　Thereitwas，God’sownwill!Isaidtomyself，’Now，mygoodfellow，here’sthetimewhereyoupaymewhatyouoweme，andwithinterest，too!’Iputonalittlesmile——oh，itdidn’ttakeverylong，youmaybesure!"
　　Thewomanpaused；herfacedarkened，andshewenton，inavoicetremblingwithagitation："WhenIhadlefthim，Iwasseizedwitharage。Asortofmadnessgotintomyblood。Itookonallthemenwhoofferedthemselves，forwhatevertheyofferedme，fornothing，iftheydidn’toffermeanything。ItookasmanyasI
　　could，theyoungestonesandthehandsomestones。Justso!I
　　onlygavethembackwhattheyhadgiventome。AndsincethattimeIhaven’treallycaredaboutanyoneanymore。Ijustturneditallintoajoke。"Shepaused，andthenlookingatthedeputy，andreadinginhisfacethehorrorwithwhichhewasregardingher，"Oh，Iamnottheonlyone!"sheexclaimed。"Therearelotsofotherwomenwhodothesame。Tobesure，itisnotforvengeance——itisbecausetheymusthavesomethingtoeat。Forevenifyouhavesyphilis，youhavetoeat，don’tyou？Eh？"
　　Shehadturnedtothedoctor，buthedidnotanswer。Therewasalongsilence；andthenthinkingthathisfriend，thedeputy，hadheardenoughforonesession，thedoctorrose。Hedismissedthewoman，thecauseofallGeorgeDupont’smisfortunes，andturningtoMonsieurLoches，said："ItwasonpurposethatIbroughtthatwretchedprostitutebeforeyou。Inherthewholestoryissummedup——notmerelythestoryofyourson—in—law，butthatofallthevictimsoftheredplague。Thatwomanherselfisavictim，andsheisasymboloftheevilwhichwehavecreatedandwhichfallsuponourownheadsagain。Icouldaddnothingtoherstory，I
　　onlyaskyou，MonsieurLoches——whennextyouareproposingnewlawsintheChamberofDeputies，nottoforgetthehorrorswhichthatpoorwomanhasexposedtoyou!"