"Youhavenotknownhowtoformaparty，"saidLordDudley；"itwillbealongtimeyetbeforeyouhaveapolicy。YoutalkagreatdealinFranceaboutorganizinglabor，andyouhavenotyetorganizedproperty。Sothisiswhathappens：Anyduke——andeveninthetimeofLouisXVIII。andCharlesX。thereweresomeleftwhohadtwohundredthousandfrancsayear，amagnificentresidence，andasumptuoustrainofservants——well，suchadukecouldlivelikeagreatlord。ThelastofthesegreatgentlemeninFrancewasthePrincedeTalleyrand。——Thisdukeleavesfourchildren，twoofthemgirls。Grantingthathehasgreatluckinmarryingthemallwell，eachofthesedescendantswillhavebutsixtyoreightythousandfrancsayearnow；eachisthefatherormotherofchildren，andconsequentlyobligedtolivewiththestrictesteconomyinaflatonthegroundfloororfirstfloorofalargehouse。Whoknowsiftheymaynotevenbehuntingafortune？
Henceforththeeldestson’swife，aduchessinnameonly，hasnocarriage，nopeople，noopera-box，notimetoherself。Shehasnotherownroomsinthefamilymansion，norherfortune，norherprettytoys；
sheisburiedintrade；shebuyssocksforherdearlittlechildren，nursesthemherself，andkeepsaneyeonhergirls，whomshenolongersendstoschoolataconvent。Thusyournoblestdameshavebeenturnedintoworthybrood-hens。"
"Alas！itistrue，"saidJosephBridau。"InourdaywecannotshowthosebeautifulflowersofwomanhoodwhichgracedthegoldenagesoftheFrenchMonarchy。Thegreatlady’sfanisbroken。Awomanhasnothingnowtoblushfor；sheneednotslanderorwhisper，hideherfaceorrevealit。Afanisofnousenowbutforfanningherself。
Whenonceathingisnomorethanwhatitis，itistoousefultobeaformofluxury。"
"EverythinginFrancehasaidedandabettedthe’perfectlady，’"saidDanield’Arthez。"Thearistocracyhasacknowledgedherbyretreatingtotherecessesofitslandedestates，whereithashiddenitselftodie——emigratinginlandbeforethemarchofideas，asofoldtoforeignlandsbeforethatofthemasses。ThewomenwhocouldhavefoundedEuropean/salons/，couldhaveguidedopinionandturneditinsideoutlikeaglove，couldhaveruledtheworldbyrulingthemenofartorofintellectwhooughttohaveruledit，havecommittedtheblunderofabandoningtheirground；theywereashamedofhavingtofightagainstthecitizenclassdrunkwithpower，andrushingoutontothestageoftheworld，theretobecuttopiecesperhapsbythebarbarianswhoareatitsheels。Hence，wherethemiddleclassinsistonseeingprincesses，thesearereallyonlyladylikeyoungwomen。Inthesedaysprincescanfindnogreatladieswhomtheymaycompromise；theycannotevenconferhonoronawomantakenupatrandom。TheDucdeBourbonwasthelastprincetoavailhimselfofthisprivilege。"
"AndGodaloneknowshowdearlyhepaidforit，"saidLordDudley。
"Nowadaysprinceshavelady-likewives，obligedtosharetheiropera-
boxwithotherladies；royalfavorcouldnotraisethemhigherbyahair’sbreadth；theyglideunremarkablebetweenthewatersofthecitizenclassandthoseofthenobility——notaltogethernoblenoraltogether/bourgeoises/，"saidtheMarquisedeRochegudeacridly。
"ThepresshasfallenheirtotheWoman，"exclaimedRastignac。"Shenolongerhasthequalityofaspoken/feuilleton/——delightfulcalumniesgracedbyelegantlanguage。Weread/feuilletons/writteninadialectwhichchangeseverythreeyears，societypapersaboutasmirthfulasanundertaker’smute，andaslightastheleadoftheirtype。Frenchconversationiscarriedonfromoneendofthecountrytotheotherinarevolutionaryjargon，throughlongcolumnsoftypeprintedinoldmansionswhereapressgroansintheplacewhereformerlyelegantcompanyusedtomeet。"
"Theknellofthehighestsocietyistolling，"saidaRussianPrince。
"Doyouhearit？Andthefirststrokeisyourmodernword/lady/。"
"Youareright，Prince，"saiddeMarsay。"The’perfectlady，’issuingfromtheranksofthenobility，orsproutingfromthecitizenclass，andtheproductofeverysoil，evenoftheprovincesistheexpressionofthesetimes，alastremainingembodimentofgoodtaste，grace，wit，anddistinction，allcombined，butdwarfed。WeshallseenomoregreatladiesinFrance，buttherewillbe’ladies’foralongtime，electedbypublicopiniontoformanupperchamberofwomen，andwhowillbeamongthefairsexwhata’gentleman’isinEngland。"
"Andthattheycallprogress！"exclaimedMademoiselledesTouches。"I
shouldliketoknowwheretheprogresslies？"
"Why，inthis，"saidMadamedeNucingen。"Formerlyawomanmighthavethevoiceofafish-seller，thewalkofagrenadier，thefaceofanimpudentcourtesan，herhairtoohighonherforehead，alargefoot，athickhand——shewasagreatladyinspiteofitall；butinthesedays，evenifshewereaMontmorency——ifaMontmorencywouldeverbesuchacreature——shewouldnotbealady。"
"Butwhatdoyoumeanbya’perfectlady’？"askedCountAdamLaginski。
"Sheisamodernproduct，adeplorabletriumphoftheelectivesystemasappliedtothefairsex，"saidtheMinister。"Everyrevolutionhasawordofitsownwhichepitomizesanddepictsit。"
"Youareright，"saidtheRussian，whohadcometomakealiteraryreputationinParis。"Theexplanationofcertainwordsaddedfromtimetotimetoyourbeautifullanguagewouldmakeamagnificenthistory。
/Organize/，forinstance，isthewordoftheEmpire，andsumsupNapoleoncompletely。"
"Butallthatdoesnotexplainwhatismeantbyalady！"theyoungPoleexclaimed，withsomeimpatience。
"Well，Iwilltellyou，"saidEmileBlondettoCountAdam。"OnefinemorningyougoforasaunterinParis。Itispasttwo，butfivehasnotyetstruck。Youseeawomancomingtowardsyou；yourfirstglanceatherisliketheprefacetoagoodbook，itleadsyoutoexpectaworldofeleganceandrefinement。Likeabotanistoverhillanddaleinhispursuitofplants，amongthevulgaritiesofParislifeyouhaveatlastfoundarareflower。Thiswomanisattendedbytwoverydistinguished-lookingmen，ofwhomone，atanyrate，wearsanorder；
orelseaservantoutofliveryfollowsheratadistanceoftenyards。Shedisplaysnogaudycolors，noopen-workedstockings，noover-elaboratewaist-buckle，noembroideredfrillstoherdrawersfussingroundherankles。Youwillseethatsheisshodwithprunellashoes，withsandalscrossedoverextremelyfinecottonstockings，orplaingraysilkstockings；orperhapsshewearsbootsofthemostexquisitesimplicity。Younoticethathergownismadeofaneatandinexpensivematerial，butmadeinawaythatsurprisesmorethanonewomanofthemiddleclass；itisalmostalwaysalongpelisse，withbowstofastenit，andneatlyboundwithfinecordoranimperceptiblebraid。TheUnknownhasawayofherowninwrappingherselfinhershawlormantilla；sheknowshowtodrawitroundherfromherhipstoherneck，outliningacarapace，asitwere，whichwouldmakeanordinarywomanlooklikeaturtle，butwhichinhersetsoffthemostbeautifulformswhileconcealingthem。Howdoesshedoit？Thissecretshekeeps，thoughunguardedbyanypatent。
"Asshewalksshegivesherselfalittleconcentricandharmonioustwist，whichmakeshersuppleordangerousslendernesswritheunderthestuff，asasnakedoesunderthegreengauzeoftremblinggrass。
Isittoanangeloradevilthatsheowesthegracefulundulationwhichplaysunderherlongblacksilkcape，stirsitslacefrill，shedsanairybalm，andwhatIshouldliketocallthebreezeofaParisienne？Youmayrecognizeoverherarms，roundherwaist，aboutherthroat，ascienceofdraperyrecallingtheantiqueMnemosyne。
"Oh！howthoroughlysheunderstandsthe/cut/ofhergait——forgivetheexpression。Studythewaysheputsherfootforwardmouldingherskirtwithsuchadecentprecisenessthatthepasser-byisfilledwithadmiration，mingledwithdesire，butsubduedbydeeprespect。WhenanEnglishwomanattemptsthisstep，shelookslikeagrenadiermarchingforwardtoattackaredoubt。ThewomenofParishaveageniusforwalking。Themunicipalityreallyowedthemasphaltfootwalks。
"OurUnknownjostlesnoone。Ifshewantstopass，shewaitswithproudhumilitytillsomeonemakesway。Thedistinctionpeculiartoawell-bredwomanbetraysitself，especiallyinthewaysheholdshershawlorcloakcrossedoverherbosom。Evenasshewalksshehasalittleairofserenedignity，likeRaphael’sMadonnasintheirframes。
Heraspect，atoncequietanddisdainful，makesthemostinsolentdandystepasideforher。
"Herbonnet，remarkableforitssimplicity，istrimmedwithcrispribbons；theremaybeflowersinit，butthecleverestofsuchwomenwearonlybows。Feathersdemandacarriage；flowersaretooshowy。
Beneathityouseethefreshunwornfaceofawomanwho，withoutconceit，issureofherself；wholooksatnothing，andseeseverything；whosevanity，satiatedbybeingconstantlygratified，stampsherfacewithanindifferencewhichpiquesyourcuriosity。Sheknowsthatsheislookedat，sheknowsthateverybody，evenwomen，turnroundtoseeheragain。AndshethreadsherwaythroughParislikeagossamer，spotlessandpure。
"Thisdelightfulspeciesaffectsthehottestlatitudes，thecleanestlongitudesofParis；youwillmeetherbetweenthe10thand110thArcadeoftheRuedeRivoli；alongthelineoftheBoulevardsfromtheequatorofthePassagedesPanoramas，wheretheproductsofIndiaflourish，wherethewarmestcreationsofindustryaredisplayed，totheCapeoftheMadeleine；intheleastmuddydistrictsofthecitizenquarters，betweenNo。30andNo。130oftheRueduFaubourgSaint-
Honore。Duringthewinter，shehauntstheterraceoftheFeuillants，butnottheasphaltpavementthatliesparallel。Accordingtotheweather，shemaybeseenflyingintheAvenueoftheChamps-Elysees，whichisboundedontheeastbythePlaceLouisXV。，onthewestbytheAvenuedeMarigny，tothesouthbytheroad，tothenorthbythegardensoftheFaubourgSaint-Honore。NeveristhisprettyvarietyofwomantobeseeninthehyperboreanregionsoftheRueSaint-Denis，neverintheKamtschatkaofmiry，narrow，commercialstreets，neveranywhereinbadweather。TheseflowersofParis，bloomingonlyinOrientalweather，perfumethehighways；andafterfiveo’clockfolduplikemorning-gloryflowers。Thewomenyouwillseelater，lookingalittlelikethem，arewould-beladies；whilethefairUnknown，yourBeatriceofaday，isa’perfectlady。’
"Itisnotveryeasyforaforeigner，mydearCount，torecognizethedifferencesbywhichtheobserver/emeritus/distinguishesthem——womenaresuchconsummateactresses；buttheyareglaringintheeyesofParisians：hooksillfastened，stringsshowingloopsofrusty-whitetapethroughagapingslitintheback，rubbedshoe-leather，ironedbonnet-strings，anover-fullskirt，anover-tightwaist。Youwillseeacertaineffortintheintentionaldroopoftheeyelid。Thereissomethingconventionalintheattitude。
"Astothe/bourgeoise/，thecitizenwomankind，shecannotpossiblybemistakenforthespellcastoveryoubytheUnknown。Sheisbustling，andgoesoutinallweathers，trotsabout，comes，goes，gazes，doesnotknowwhethershewillorwillnotgointoashop。Wheretheladyknowsjustwhatshewantsandwhatsheisdoing，thetownswomanisundecided，tucksupherskirtstocrossagutter，draggingachildbythehand，whichcompelshertolookoutforthevehicles；sheisamotherinpublic，andtalkstoherdaughter；shecarriesmoneyinherbag，andhasopen-workstockingsonherfeet；inwinter，shewearsaboaoverherfurcloak；insummer，ashawlandascarf；sheisaccomplishedintheredundanciesofdress。
"YouwillmeetthefairUnknownagainattheItaliens，attheOpera，ataball。Shewillthenappearundersuchadifferentaspectthatyouwouldthinkthemtwobeingsdevoidofanyanalogy。Thewomanhasemergedfromthosemysteriousgarmentslikeabutterflyfromitssilkycocoon。Sheservesup，likesomeraredainty，toyourlavishedeyes，theformswhichherbodicescarcelyrevealedinthemorning。Atthetheatreshenevermountshigherthanthesecondtier，exceptingattheItaliens。Youcantherewatchatyourleisurethestudieddeliberatenessofhermovements。Theenchantingdeceiverplaysoffallthelittlepoliticalartificesofhersexsonaturallyastoexcludeallideaofartorpremeditation。Ifshehasaroyallybeautifulhand，themostperspicaciousbeholderwillbelievethatitisabsolutelynecessarythatsheshouldtwist，orrefix，orpushasidetheringletorcurlsheplayswith。Ifshehassomedignityofprofile，youwillbepersuadedthatsheisgivingironyorgracetowhatshesaystoherneighbor，sittinginsuchapositionastoproducethemagicaleffectofthe’lostprofile，’sodeartogreatpainters，bywhichthecheekcatchesthehighlight，thenoseisshowninclearoutline，thenostrilsaretransparentlyrosy，theforeheadsquarelymodeled，theeyehasitsspangleoffire，butfixedonspace，andthewhiteroundnessofthechinisaccentuatedbyalineoflight。Ifshehasaprettyfoot，shewillthrowherselfonasofawiththecoquettishgraceofacatinthesunshine，herfeetoutstretchedwithoutyourfeelingthatherattitudeisanythingbutthemostcharmingmodelevergiventoasculptorbylassitude。
"Onlytheperfectladyisquiteathereaseinfulldress；nothinginconveniencesher。Youwillneverseeher，likethewomanofthecitizenclass，pullinguparefractoryshoulder-strap，orpushingdownarebelliouswhalebone，orlookingwhetherhertuckerisdoingitsofficeoffaithfulguardiantotwotreasuresofdazzlingwhiteness，orglancinginthemirrorstoseeifherhead-dressiskeepingitsplace。
Hertoiletisalwaysinharmonywithhercharacter；shehadhadtimetostudyherself，tolearnwhatbecomesher，forshehaslongknownwhatdoesnotsuither。Youwillnotfindherasyougoout；shevanishesbeforetheendoftheplay。Ifbychancesheistobeseen，calmandstately，onthestairs，sheisexperiencingsomeviolentemotion；shehastobestowaglance，toreceiveapromise。Perhapsshegoesdownsoslowlyonpurposetogratifythevanityofaslavewhomshesometimesobeys。Ifyourmeetingtakesplaceataballoraneveningparty，youwillgatherthehoney，naturaloraffectedofherinsinuatingvoice；heremptywordswillenchantyou，andshewillknowhowtogivethemthevalueofthoughtbyherinimitablebearing。"
"Tobesuchawoman，isitnotnecessarytobeveryclever？"askedthePolishCount。
"Itisnecessarytohavegreattaste，"repliedthePrincessedeCadignan。
"AndinFrancetasteismorethancleverness，"saidtheRussian。
"Thiswoman’sclevernessisthetriumphofapurelyplasticart，"
Blondetwenton。"Youwillnotknowwhatshesaid，butyouwillbefascinated。Shewilltossherhead，orgentlyshrugherwhiteshoulders；shewillgildaninsignificantspeechwithacharmingpoutandsmile；orthrowaVoltaireanepigramintoan’Indeed！’an’Ah！’a’Whatthen！’Ajerkofherheadwillbehermostpertinentformofquestioning；shewillgivemeaningtothemovementbywhichshetwirlsavinaigrettehangingtoherfingerbyaring。Shegetsanartificialgrandeuroutofsuperlativetrivialities；shesimplydropsherhandimpressively，lettingitfalloverthearmofherchairasdewdropshangonthecupofaflower，andallissaid——shehaspronouncedjudgmentbeyondappeal，totheapprehensionofthemostobtuse。Sheknowshowtolistentoyou；shegivesyoutheopportunityofshining，and——Iaskyourmodesty——thosemomentsarerare？"
ThecandidsimplicityoftheyoungPole，towhomBlondetspoke，madeallthepartyshoutwithlaughter。
"Now，youwillnottalkforhalf-an-hourwitha/bourgeoise/withoutheralludingtoherhusbandinonewayoranother，"Blondetwentonwithunperturbedgravity；"whereas，evenifyouknowthatyourladyismarried，shewillhavethedelicacytoconcealherhusbandsoeffectuallythatitwillneedtheenterpriseofChristopherColumbustodiscoverhim。Oftenyouwillfailintheattemptsingle-handed。Ifyouhavehadnoopportunityofinquiring，towardstheendoftheeveningyoudetecthergazingfixedlyatamiddle-agedmanwearingadecoration，whobowsandgoesout。Shehasorderedhercarriage，andgoes。
"Youarenottherose，butyouhavebeenwiththerose，andyougotobedunderthegoldencanopyofadeliciousdream，whichwilllastperhapsafterSleep，withhisheavyfinger，hasopenedtheivorygatesofthetempleofdreams。
"Thelady，whensheisathome，seesnoonebeforefour；sheisshrewdenoughalwaystokeepyouwaiting。Inherhouseyouwillfindeverythingingoodtaste；herluxuryisforhourlyuse，anddulyrenewed；youwillseenothingunderglassshades，noragsofwrappingshangingabout，andlookinglikeapantry。Youwillfindthestaircasewarmed。Flowersonallsideswillcharmyoursight——flowers，theonlygiftsheaccepts，andthoseonlyfromcertainpeople，fornosegayslivebutaday；theygivepleasure，andmustbereplaced；tohertheyare，asintheEast，asymbolandapromise。Thecostlytoysoffashionlieabout，butnotsoastosuggestamuseumoracuriosityshop。Youwillfindhersittingbythefireinalowchair，fromwhichshewillnotrisetogreetyou。Hertalkwillnotnowbewhatitwasattheball；thereshewasourcreditor；inherownhomesheowesyouthepleasureofherwit。Thesearetheshadesofwhichtheladyisamarvelousmistress。Whatshelikesinyouisamantoswellhercircle，anobjectforthecaresandattentionswhichsuchwomenarenowhappytobestow。Therefore，toattractyoutoherdrawing-room，shewillbebewitchinglycharming。Thisespeciallyiswhereyoufeelhowisolatedwomenarenowadays，andwhytheywantalittleworldoftheirown，towhichtheymayseemaconstellation。Conversationisimpossiblewithoutgeneralities。"
"Yes，"saiddeMarsay，"youhavetrulyhitthefaultofourage。Theepigram——avolumeinaword——nolongerstrikes，asitdidintheeighteenthcentury，atpersonsoratthings，butatsqualidevents，anditdiesinaday。"
"Hence，"saidBlondet，"theintelligenceofthelady，ifshehasany，consistsincastingdoubtsoneverything。Hereliesthegreatdifferencebetweentwowomen；thetownswomaniscertainlyvirtuous；
theladydoesnotknowyetwhethersheis，orwhethershealwayswillbe；shehesitatesandstruggleswheretheotherrefusespoint-blankandfallsfulllength。Thishesitancyineverythingisoneofthelastgraceslefttoherbyourhorribletimes。Sherarelygoestochurch，butshewilltalktoyouofreligion；andifyouhavethegoodtastetoaffectFree-thought，shewilltrytoconvertyou，foryouwillhaveopenedthewayforthestereotypedphrases，thehead-shakingandgesturesunderstoodbyallthesewomen：’Forshame！Ithoughtyouhadtoomuchsensetoattackreligion。Societyistottering，andyoudepriveitofitssupport。Why，religionatthismomentmeansyouandme；itisproperty，andthefutureofourchildren！Ah！letusnotbeselfish！Individualismisthediseaseoftheage，andreligionistheonlyremedy；itunitesfamilieswhichyourlawsputasunder，’andsoforth。Thensheplungesintosomeneo-ChristianspeechsprinkledwithpoliticalnotionswhichisneitherCatholicnorProtestant——butmoral？
Oh！deucedmoral！——inwhichyoumayrecognizeafagendofeverymaterialwovenbymoderndoctrines，atloggerheadstogether。"
ThewomencouldnothelplaughingattheairsbywhichBlondetillustratedhissatire。
"Thisexplanation，dearCountAdam，"saidBlondet，turningtothePole，"willhaveprovedtoyouthatthe’perfectlady’representstheintellectualnolessthanthepoliticalmuddle，justassheissurroundedbytheshowyandnotverylastingproductsofanindustrywhichisalwaysaimingatdestroyingitsworkinordertoreplaceitbysomethingelse。Whenyouleaveheryousaytoyourself：Shecertainlyhassuperiorideas！Andyoubelieveitallthemorebecauseshewillhavesoundedyourheartwithadelicatetouch，andhaveaskedyouyoursecrets；sheaffectsignorance，tolearneverything；therearesomethingssheneverknows，notevenwhensheknowsthem。Youalonewillbeuneasy，youwillknownothingofthestateofherheart。
Thegreatladiesofoldflauntedtheirlove-affairs，withnewspapersandadvertisements；inthesedaystheladyhasherlittlepassionneatlyruledlikeasheetofmusicwithitscrotchetsandquaversandminims，itsrests，itspauses，itssharpstosignthekey。Amereweakwomen，sheisanxiousnottocompromiseherlove，orherhusband，orthefutureofherchildren。Name，position，andfortunearenolongerflagssorespectedastoprotectallkindsofmerchandiseonboard。
Thewholearistocracynolongeradvancesinabodytoscreenthelady。
Shehasnot，likethegreatladyofthepast，thedemeanorofloftyantagonism；shecancrushnothingunderfoot，itisshewhowouldbecrushed。ThussheisaptatJesuitical/mezzotermine/，sheisacreatureofequivocalcompromises，ofguardedproprieties，ofanonymouspassionssteeredbetweentworeef-boundshores。SheisasmuchafraidofherservantsasanEnglishwomanwholivesindreadofatrialinthedivorce-court。Thiswoman——sofreeataball，soattractiveoutwalking——isaslaveathome；sheisneverindependentbutinperfectprivacy，ortheoretically。Shemustpreserveherselfinherpositionasalady。Thisishertask。
"Forinourdayawomanrepudiatedbyherhusband，reducedtoameagreallowance，withnocarriage，noluxury，noopera-box，noneofthedivineaccessoriesofthetoilet，isnolongerawife，amaid，oratownswoman；sheisadrift，andbecomesachattel。TheCarmeliteswillnotreceiveamarriedwoman；itwouldbebigamy。Wouldherloverstillhaveanythingtosaytoher？Thatisthequestion。Thusyourperfectladymayperhapsgiveoccasiontocalumny，nevertoslander。"
"Itisallsohorriblytrue，"saidthePrincessedeCadignan。
"Andso，"saidBlondet，"our’perfectlady’livesbetweenEnglishhypocrisyandthedelightfulfranknessoftheeighteenthcentury——abastardsystem，symptomaticofanageinwhichnothingthatgrowsupisatalllikethethingthathasvanished，inwhichtransitionleadsnowhere，everythingisamatterofdegree；allthegreatfiguresshrinkintothebackground，anddistinctionispurelypersonal。Iamfullyconvincedthatitisimpossibleforawoman，evenifshewerebornclosetoathrone，toacquirebeforetheageoffive-and-twentytheencyclopaedicknowledgeoftrifles，thepracticeofmanoeuvring，theimportantsmallthings，themusicaltonesandharmonyofcoloring，theangelicbedevilmentsandinnocentcunning，thespeechandthesilence，theseriousnessandthebanter，thewitandtheobtuseness，thediplomacyandtheignorancewhichmakeuptheperfectlady。"
"Andwhere，inaccordancewiththesketchyouhavedrawn，"saidMademoiselledesTouchestoEmileBlondet，"wouldyouclassthefemaleauthor？Issheaperfectlady，awoman/commeilfaut/？"
"Whenshehasnogenius，sheisawoman/commeiln’enfautpas/，"
Blondetreplied，emphasizingthewordswithastolenglance，whichmightmakethemseempraisefranklyaddressedtoCamilleMaupin。"Thisepigramisnotmine，butNapoleon’s，"headded。
"YouneednotoweNapoleonanygrudgeonthatscore，"saidCanalis，withanemphatictoneandgesture。"Itwasoneofhisweaknessestobejealousofliterarygenius——forhehadhismeanpoints。Whowilleverexplain，depict，orunderstandNapoleon？Amanrepresentedwithhisarmsfolded，andwhodideverything，whowasthegreatestforceeverknown，themostconcentrated，themostmordant，themostacidofallforces；asingulargeniuswhocarriedarmedcivilizationineverydirectionwithoutfixingitanywhere；amanwhocoulddoeverythingbecausehewilledeverything；aprodigiousphenomenonofwill，conqueringanillnessbyabattle，andyetdoomedtodieofdiseaseinbedafterlivinginthemidstofballandbullets；amanwithacodeandaswordinhisbrain，wordanddeed；aclear-sightedspiritthatforesaweverythingbuthisownfall；acapriciouspoliticianwhoriskedmenbyhandfulsoutofeconomy，andwhosparedthreeheads——
thoseofTalleyrand，ofPozzodeBorgo，andofMetternich，diplomatistswhosedeathwouldhavesavedtheFrenchEmpire，andwhoseemedtohimofgreaterweightthanthousandsofsoldiers；amantowhomnature，asarareprivilege，hadgivenaheartinaframeofbronze；mirthfulandkindatmidnightamidwomen，andnextmorningmanipulatingEuropeasayounggirlmightamuseherselfbysplashingwaterinherbath！Hypocriticalandgenerous；lovingtawdrinessandsimplicity；devoidoftaste，butprotectingthearts；andinspiteoftheseantitheses，reallygreatineverythingbyinstinctorbytemperament；Caesaratfive-and-twenty，Cromwellatthirty；andthen，likemygrocerburiedinPereLachaise，agoodhusbandandagoodfather。Inshort，heimprovisedpublicworks，empires，kings，codes，verses，aromance——andallwithmorerangethanprecision。DidhenotaimatmakingallEuropeFrance？Andaftermakingusweighontheearthinsuchawayastochangethelawsofgravitation，heleftuspoorerthanonthedaywhenhefirstlaidhandsonus；whilehe，whohadtakenanempirebyhisname，losthisnameonthefrontierofhisempireinaseaofbloodandsoldiers。Amanallthoughtandallaction，whocomprehendedDesaixandFouche。"
"Alldespotismandalljusticeattherightmoments。Thetrueking！"
saiddeMarsay。
"Ah！vatapleashreitistodichestvileyoutalk，"saidBarondeNucingen。
"Butdoyousupposethatthetreatwearegivingyouisacommonone？"
askedJosephBridau。"Ifyouhadtopayforthecharmsofconversationasyoudoforthoseofdancingorofmusic，yourfortunewouldbeinadequate！Thereisnosecondperformanceofthesameflashofwit。"
"Andarewereallysomuchdeterioratedasthesegentlementhink？"
saidthePrincessedeCadignan，addressingthewomenwithasmileatoncescepticalandironical。"Because，inthesedays，underaregimewhichmakeseverythingsmall，youprefersmalldishes，smallrooms，smallpictures，smallarticles，smallnewspapers，smallbooks，doesthatprovethatwomentoohavegrownsmaller？Whyshouldthehumanheartchangebecauseyouchangeyourcoat？Inallagesthepassionsremainthesame。Iknowcasesofbeautifuldevotion，ofsublimesufferings，whichlackthepublicity——theglory，ifyouchoose——whichformerlygavelustretotheerrorsofsomewomen。ButthoughonemaynothavesavedaKingofFrance，oneisnotthelessanAgnesSorel。
DoyoubelievethatourdearMarquised’EspardisnotthepeerofMadameDoublet，orMadameduDeffant，inwhoseroomssomuchevilwasspokenanddone？IsnotTaglioniamatchforCamargo？orMalibrantheequalofSaint-Huberti？Arenotourpoetssuperiortothoseoftheeighteenthcentury？Ifatthismoment，throughthefaultoftheGrocerswhogovernus，wehavenotastyleofourown，hadnottheEmpireitsdistinguishingstampastheageofLouisXV。had，andwasnotitssplendorfabulous？Havethescienceslostanything？"
"Iamquiteofyouropinion，madame；thewomenofthisagearetrulygreat，"repliedtheComtedeVandenesse。"Whenposterityshallhavefollowedus，willnotMadameRecamierappearinproportionsasfineasthoseofthemostbeautifulwomenofthepast？Wehavemadesomuchhistorythathistorianswillbelacking。TheageofLouisXIV。hadbutoneMadamedeSevigne；wehaveathousandnowinPariswhocertainlywritebetterthanshedid，andwhodonotpublishtheirletters。
WhethertheFrenchwomanbecalled’perfectlady，’orgreatlady，shewillalwaysbe/the/womanamongwomen。
"EmileBlondethasgivenusapictureofthefascinationsofawomanoftheday；but，atneed，thiscreaturewhobridlesorshowsoff，whochirpsouttheideasofMr。ThisandMr。That，wouldbeheroic。Anditmustbesaid，yourfaults，mesdames，areallthemorepoetical，becausetheymustalwaysandunderallcircumstancesbesurroundedbygreaterperils。Ihaveseenmuchoftheworld，Ihavestudieditperhapstoolate；butincaseswheretheillegalityofyourfeelingsmightbeexcused，IhavealwaysobservedtheeffectsofIknownotwhatchance——whichyoumaycallProvidence——inevitablyoverwhelmingsuchasweconsiderlightwomen。"
"Ihope，"saidMadamedeVandenesse，"thatwecanbegreatinotherways————"
"Oh，lettheComtedeVandenessepreachtous！"exclaimedMadamedeSerizy。
"Withallthemorereasonbecausehehaspreachedagreatdealbyexample，"saidtheBaronnedeNucingen。
"Onmyhonor！"saidGeneraldeMontriveau，"inallthedramas——awordyouareveryfondof，"hesaid，lookingatBlondet——"inwhichthefingerofGodhasbeenvisible，themostfrightfulIeverknewwasverynearbeingbymyact————"
"Well，tellusallaboutit！"criedLadyBarimore；"Ilovetoshudder！"
"Itisthetasteofavirtuouswoman，"replieddeMarsay，lookingatLordDudley’slovelydaughter。
"Duringthecampaignof1812，"GeneraldeMontriveaubegan，"Iwastheinvoluntarycauseofaterribledisasterwhichmaybeofusetoyou，DoctorBianchon，"turningtome，"since，whiledevotingyourselftothehumanbody，youconcernyourselfagooddealwiththemind；itmaytendtosolvesomeoftheproblemsofthewill。
"Iwasgoingthroughmysecondcampaign；Ienjoyeddanger，andlaughedateverything，liketheyoungandfoolishlieutenantofartillerythatIwas。WhenwereachedtheBeresina，thearmyhad，asyouknow，lostalldiscipline，andhadforgottenmilitaryobedience。Itwasamedleyofmenofallnations，instinctivelymakingtheirwayfromnorthtosouth。Thesoldierswoulddriveageneralinragsandbare-footawayfromtheirfireifhebroughtneitherwoodnorvictuals。Afterthepassageofthisfamousriverdisorderdidnotdiminish。Ihadcomequietlyandalone，withoutfood，outofthemarshesofZembin，andwaswanderinginsearchofahousewhereImightbetakenin。FindingnoneordrivenawayfromthoseIcameacross，happilytowardseveningI
perceivedawretchedlittlePolishfarm，ofwhichnothingcangiveyouanyideaunlessyouhaveseenthewoodenhousesofLowerNormandy，orthepoorestfarm-buildingsoflaBeauce。Thesedwellingsconsistofasingleroom，withoneenddividedoffbyawoodenpartition，thesmallerdivisionservingasastore-roomforforage。
"InthedarknessoftwilightIcouldjustseeafaintsmokerisingabovethishouse。HopingtofindtheresomecomradesmorecompassionatethanthoseIhadhithertoaddressed，Iboldlywalkedasfarasthefarm。Ongoingin，Ifoundthetablelaid。Severalofficers，andwiththemawoman——acommonsightenough——wereeatingpotatoes，somehorsefleshbroiledoverthecharcoal，andsomefrozenbeetroots。IrecognizedamongthecompanytwoorthreeartillerycaptainsoftheregimentinwhichIhadfirstserved。Iwaswelcomedwithashoutofacclamation，whichwouldhaveamazedmegreatlyontheothersideoftheBeresina；butatthismomentthecoldwaslessintense；myfellow-officerswereresting，theywerewarm，theyhadfood，andtheroom，strewnwithtrussesofstraw，gavethepromiseofadelightfulnight。Wedidnotaskforsomuchinthosedays。Mycomradescouldbephilanthropists/gratis/——oneofthecommonestwaysofbeingphilanthropic。Isatdowntoeatononeofthebundlesofstraw。
"Attheendofthetable，bythesideofthedooropeningintothesmallerroomfullofstrawandhay，satmyoldcolonel，oneofthemostextraordinarymenIeversawamongallthemixedcollectionofmenithasbeenmylottomeet。HewasanItalian。Now，wheneverhumannatureistrulyfineinthelandsoftheSouth，itisreallysublime。
IdonotknowwhetheryouhaveeverobservedtheextremefairnessofItalianswhentheyarefair。Itisexquisite，especiallyunderanartificiallight。WhenIreadthefantasticalportraitofColonelOudetsketchedbyCharlesNodier，Ifoundmyownsensationsineveryoneofhiselegantphrases。Italian，then，asweremostoftheofficersofhisregiment，whichhad，infact，beenborrowedbytheEmperorfromEugene’sarmy，mycolonelwasatallman，atleasteightornineinchesabovethestandard，andwasadmirablyproportioned——alittlestoutperhaps，butprodigiouslypowerful，active，andclean-
limbedasagreyhound。Hisblackhairinabundantcurlsshoweduphiscomplexion，aswhiteasawoman’s；hehadsmallhands，ashapelyfoot，apleasantmouth，andanaquilinenosedelicatelyformed，ofwhichthetipusedtobecomenaturallypinchedandwhitewheneverhewasangry，ashappenedoften。HisirascibilitywassofarbeyondbeliefthatI
willtellyounothingaboutit；youwillhavetheopportunityofjudgingofit。Noonecouldbecalminhispresence。Ialone，perhaps，wasnotafraidofhim；hehadindeedtakensuchasingularfancytomethathethoughteverythingIdidright。Whenhewasinaragehisbrowwasknitandthemusclesofthemiddleofhisforeheadsetinadelta，or，tobemoreexplicit，inRedgauntlet’shorseshoe。Thismarkwas，perhaps，evenmoreterrifyingthanthemagneticflashesofhisblueeyes。Hiswholeframequivered，andhisstrength，greatasitwasinhisnormalstate，becamealmostunbounded。
"Hespokewithastronggutturalroll。Hisvoice，atleastaspowerfulasthatofCharlesNordier’sOudet，threwanincrediblefulnessoftoneintothesyllableortheconsonantinwhichthisburrwassounded。Thoughthisfaultypronunciationwasattimesagrace，whencommandinghismen，orwhenhewasexcited，youcannotimagine，unlessyouhadheardit，whatforcewasexpressedbythisaccent，whichatParisissocommon。WhentheColonelwasquiescent，hisblueeyeswereangelicallysweet，andhissmoothbrowhadamostcharmingexpression。
Onparade，orwiththearmyofItaly，notamancouldcomparewithhim。Indeed，d’Orsayhimself，thehandsomed’Orsay，waseclipsedbyourcolonelontheoccasionofthelastreviewheldbyNapoleonbeforetheinvasionofRussia。
"Everythingwasincontrastsinthisexceptionalman。Passionlivesoncontrast。Henceyouneednotaskwhetherheexertedoverwomentheirresistibleinfluencestowhichournatureyields"——andthegenerallookedatthePrincessedeCadignan——"asvitreousmatterismouldedunderthepipeoftheglass-blower；still，byasingularfatality——anobservermightperhapsexplainthephenomenon——theColonelwasnotalady-killer，orwasindifferenttosuchsuccesses。
"Togiveyouanideaofhisviolence，IwilltellyouinafewwordswhatIoncesawhimdoinaparoxysmoffury。Weweredraggingourgunsupaverynarrowroad，borderedbyasomewhathighslopeononeside，andbythicketsontheother。Whenwewerehalf-wayupwemetanotherregimentofartillery，itscolonelmarchingatthehead。Thiscolonelwantedtomakethecaptainwhowasattheheadofourforemostbatterybackdownagain。Thecaptain，ofcourse，refused；butthecoloneloftheotherregimentsignedtohisforemostbatterytoadvance，andinspiteofthecarethedrivertooktokeepamongthescrub，thewheelofthefirstgunstruckourcaptain’srightlegandbrokeit，throwinghimoveronthenearsideofhishorse。Allthiswastheworkofamoment。OurColonel，whowasbutalittlewayoff，guessedthattherewasaquarrel；hegallopedup，ridingamongthegunsattheriskoffallingwithhishorse’sfourfeetintheair，andreachedthespot，facetofacewiththeothercolonel，attheverymomentwhenthecaptainfell，callingout’Help！’No，ourItaliancolonelwasnolongerhuman！Foamlikethefrothofchampagnerosetohislips；heroaredinarticulatelylikealion。Incapableofutteringaword，orevenacry，hemadeaterrificsignaltohisantagonist，pointingtothewoodanddrawinghissword。Thetwocolonelswentaside。IntwosecondswesawourColonel’sopponentstretchedontheground，hisskullsplitintwo。Thesoldiersofhisregimentbacked——
yes，byheaven，andprettyquicklytoo。
"Thecaptain，whohadbeensonearlycrushed，andwholayyelpinginthepuddlewheretheguncarriagehadthrownhim，hadanItalianwife，abeautifulSicilianofMessina，whowasnotindifferenttoourColonel。Thiscircumstancehadaggravatedhisrage。Hewaspledgedtoprotectthehusband，boundtodefendhimashewouldhavedefendedthewomanherself。
"Now，inthehovelbeyondZembin，whereIwassowellreceived，thiscaptainwassittingoppositetome，andhiswifewasattheotherendofthetable，facingtheColonel。ThisSicilianwasalittlewomannamedRosina，verydark，butwithallthefireoftheSouthernsuninherblackalmond-shapedeyes。Atthismomentshewasdeplorablythin；
herfacewascoveredwithdust，likefruitexposedtothedroughtofahighroad。Scarcelyclothedinrags，exhaustedbymarches，herhairindisorder，andclingingtogetherunderapieceofashawltiedcloseoverherhead，stillshehadthegracesofawoman；hermovementswereengaging，hersmallrosemouthandwhiteteeth，theoutlineofherfeaturesandfigure，charmswhichmisery，cold，andneglecthadnotaltogetherdefaced，stillsuggestedlovetoanymanwhocouldthinkofawoman。Rosinahadoneofthoseframeswhicharefragileinappearance，butwiryandfullofspring。Herhusband，agentlemanofPiedmont，hadafaceexpressiveofironicalsimplicity，ifitisallowabletoallythetwowords。Braveandwellinformed，heseemedtoknownothingoftheconnectionswhichhadsubsistedbetweenhiswifeandtheColonelforthreeyearspast。IascribedthisunconcerntoItalianmanners，ortosomedomesticsecret；yettherewasintheman’scountenanceonefeaturewhichalwaysfilledmewithinvoluntarydistrust。Hisunderlip，whichwasthinandveryrestless，turneddownatthecornersinsteadofturningup，andthis，asIthought，betrayedastreakofcrueltyinacharacterwhichseemedsophlegmaticandindolent。
"AsyoumaysupposetheconversationwasnotverysparklingwhenI
wentin。Mywearycomradesateinsilence；ofcourse，theyaskedmesomequestions，andwerelatedourmisadventures，mingledwithreflectionsonthecampaign，thegenerals，theirmistakes，theRussians，andthecold。Aminuteaftermyarrivalthecolonel，havingfinishedhismeagremeal，wipedhismoustache，bidusgood-night，shotablacklookattheItalianwoman，saying，’Rosina？’andthen，withoutwaitingforareply，wentintothelittlebarnfullofhay，tobed。
ThemeaningoftheColonel’sutterancewasself-evident。Theyoungwiferepliedbyanindescribablegesture，expressingalltheannoyanceshecouldnotfeelatseeingherthralldomthusflauntedwithouthumandecency，andtheoffencetoherdignityasawoman，andtoherhusband。Buttherewas，too，intherigidsettingofherfeaturesandthetightknittingofherbrowsasortofpresentiment；perhapssheforesawherfate。Rosinaremainedquietlyinherplace。
"Aminutelater，andapparentlywhentheColonelwassnuginhiscouchofstraworhay，herepeated，’Rosina？’
"Thetoneofthissecondcallwasevenmorebrutallyquestioningthanthefirst。TheColonel’sstrongburr，andthelengthwhichtheItalianlanguageallowstobegiventovowelsandthefinalsyllable，concentratedalltheman’sdespotism，impatience，andstrengthofwill。Rosinaturnedpale，butsherose，passedbehindus，andwenttotheColonel。
"Allthepartysatinuttersilence；I，unluckily，afterlookingatthemall，begantolaugh，andthentheyalllaughedtoo。——’/Turidi？/
——youlaugh？’saidthehusband。
"’Onmyhonor，oldcomrade，’saidI，becomingseriousagain，’I
confessthatIwaswrong；Iaskyourpardonathousandtimes，andifyouarenotsatisfiedbymyapologiesIamreadytogiveyousatisfaction。’
"’Oh！itisnotyouwhoarewrong，itisI！’herepliedcoldly。
"Thereuponwealllaydownintheroom，andbeforelongallweresoundasleep。
"Nextmorningeachone，withoutrousinghisneighbororseekingcompanionship，setoutagainonhisway，withthatselfishnesswhichmadeourroutoneofthemosthorribledramasofself-seeking，melancholy，andhorrorwhicheverwasenactedunderheaven。
Nevertheless，ataboutsevenoreighthundredpacesfromourshelterwe，mostofus，metagainandwalkedontogether，likegeeseledinflocksbyachild’swilfultyranny。Thesamenecessityurgedusall。
"Havingreachedaknollwherewecouldstillseethefarmhousewherewehadspentthenight，weheardsoundsresemblingtheroaroflionsinthedesert，thebellowingofbulls——no，itwasanoisewhichcanbecomparedtonoknowncry。Andyet，minglingwiththishorribleandominousroar，wecouldhearawoman’sfeeblescream。Wealllookedround，seizedbyIknownotwhatimpulseofterror；wenolongersawthehouse，butahugebonfire。Thefarmhousehadbeenbarricaded，andwasinflames。Swirlsofsmokeborneonthewindbroughtushoarsecriesandanindescribablepungentsmell。Afewyardsbehind，thecaptainwasquietlyapproachingtojoinourcaravan；wegazedathiminsilence，fornoonedaredquestionhim；buthe，understandingourcuriosity，pointedtohisbreastwiththeforefingerofhisrighthand，and，wavingtheleftinthedirectionofthefire，hesaid，’/Son’io/。’
"Weallwalkedonwithoutsayingawordtohim。"
"Thereisnothingmoreterriblethantherevoltofasheep，"saiddeMarsay。
"Itwouldbefrightfultoletusleavewiththishorriblepictureinourmemory，"saidMadamedeMontcornet。"Ishalldreamofit————"
"AndwhatwasthepunishmentofMonsieurdeMarsay’s’First’？"saidLordDudley，smiling。
"WhentheEnglishareinjest，theirfoilshavethebuttonson，"saidBlondet。
"MonsieurBianchoncantellus，forhesawherdying，"replieddeMarsay，turningtome。
"Yes，"saidI；"andherendwasoneofthemostbeautifulIeversaw。
TheDukeandIhadspentthenightbythedyingwoman’spillow；
pulmonaryconsumption，inthelaststage，leftnohope；shehadtakenthesacramentthedaybefore。TheDukehadfallenasleep。TheDuchess，wakingataboutfourinthemorning，signedtomeinthemosttouchingway，withafriendlysmile，tobidmeleavehimtorest，andshemeanwhilewasabouttodie。Shehadbecomeincrediblythin，butherfacehadpreserveditsreallysublimeoutlineandfeatures。Herpallormadeherskinlooklikeporcelainwithalightwithin。Herbrighteyesandcolorcontrastedwiththislanguidlyelegantcomplexion，andhercountenancewasfullofexpressivecalm。SheseemedtopitytheDuke，andthefeelinghaditsorigininaloftytendernesswhich，asdeathapproached，seemedtoknownobounds。Thesilencewasabsolute。Theroom，softlylightedbyalamp，lookedlikeeverysickroomatthehourofdeath。
"Atthismomenttheclockstruck。TheDukeawoke，andwasindespairathavingfallenasleep。Ididnotseethegestureofimpatiencebywhichhemanifestedtheregrethefeltathavinglostsightofhiswifeforafewofthelastminutesvouchsafedtohim；butitisquitecertainthatanyonebutthedyingwomanmighthavemisunderstoodit。
Abusystatesman，alwaysthinkingoftheinterestsofFrance，theDukehadathousandoddwaysonthesurface，suchasoftenleadtoamanofgeniusbeingmistakenforamadman，andofwhichtheexplanationliesintheexquisitenessandexactingneedsoftheirintellect。Hecametoseathimselfinanarmchairbyhiswife’sside，andlookedfixedlyather。Thedyingwomanputherhandoutalittleway，tookherhusband’sandclaspeditfeebly；andinalowbutagitatedvoiceshesaid，’Mypoordear，whoislefttounderstandyounow？’Thenshedied，lookingathim。"
"Thestoriesthedoctortellsus，"saidtheComtedeVandenesse，"alwaysleaveadeepimpression。"
"Butasweetone，"saidMademoiselledesTouches，rising。
PARIS，June1839-42。