Iaskedhimtoshowmethegrave，forthereisnofindingone'swaywithoutaguideinthiscityofthedead，whichhasitsstreetslikeacityoftheliving。Thekeepercalledoveragardener，towhomhegavethenecessaryinstructions；thegardenerinterruptedhim，saying："Iknow，Iknow。——Itisnotdifficulttofindthatgrave，"headded，turningtome。
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseithasverydifferentflowersfromtheothers。"
　　"Isityouwholookafterit？"
　　"Yes，sir；andIwishallrelationstookasmuchtroubleaboutthedeadastheyoungmanwhogavememyorders。"
　　Afterseveralturnings，thegardenerstoppedandsaidtome：
　　"Hereweare。"
　　Isawbeforemeasquareofflowerswhichonewouldneverhavetakenforagrave，ifithadnotbeenforawhitemarbleslabbearinganame。
　　Themarbleslabstoodupright，anironrailingmarkedthelimitsofthegroundpurchased，andtheearthwascoveredwithwhitecamellias。"Whatdoyousaytothat？"saidthegardener。
　　"Itisbeautiful。"
　　"Andwheneveracamelliafades，Ihaveorderstoreplaceit。"
　　"Whogaveyoutheorder？"
　　"Ayounggentleman，whocriedthefirsttimehecamehere；anoldpalofhers，Isuppose，fortheysayshewasagayone。Verypretty，too，Ibelieve。Didyouknowher，sir？""Yes。"
　　"Liketheother？"saidthegardener，withaknowingsmile。"No，I
　　neverspoketoher。"
　　"Andyoucomehere，too！Itisverygoodofyou，forthosethatcometoseethepoorgirldon'texactlycumberthecemetery。"
　　"Doesn'tanybodycome？"
　　"Nobody，exceptthatyounggentlemanwhocameonce。"
　　"Onlyonce？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Henevercamebackagain？"
　　"No，buthewillwhenhegetshome。"
　　"Heisawaysomewhere？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Doyouknowwhereheis？"
　　"IbelievehehasgonetoseeMlle。Gautier'ssister。"
　　"Whatdoeshewantthere？"
　　"Hehasgonetogetherauthoritytohavethecorpsedugupagainandputsomewhereelse。"
　　"Whywon'theletitremainhere？"
　　"Youknow，sir，peoplehavequeernotionsaboutdeadfolk。Weseesomethingofthateveryday。Thegroundherewasonlyboughtforfiveyears，andthisyounggentlemanwantsaperpetualleaseandabiggerplotofground；itwillbebetterinthenewpart。"
　　"Whatdoyoucallthenewpart？"
　　"Thenewplotsofgroundthatareforsale，theretotheleft。Ifthecemeteryhadalwaysbeenkeptlikeitisnow，therewouldn'tbethelikeofitintheworld；butthereisstillplentytodobeforeitwillbequiteallitshouldbe。Andthenpeoplearesoqueer！"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Imeanthattherearepeoplewhocarrytheirprideevenhere。
　　Now，thisDemoiselleGautier，itappearsshelivedabitfree，ifyou'llexcusemysayingso。Poorlady，she'sdeadnow；there'snomoreofherleftthanofthemthatnoonehasawordtosayagainst。Wewaterthemeveryday。Well，whentherelativesofthefolkthatareburiedbesideherfoundoutthesortofpersonshewas，whatdoyouthinktheysaid？Thattheywouldtrytokeepheroutfromhere，andthatthereoughttobeapieceofgroundsomewhereapartforthesesortofwomen，likethereisforthepoor。Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？Igaveittothemstraight，Idid：well-to-dofolkwhocometoseetheirdeadfourtimesayear，andbringtheirflowersthemselves，andwhatflowers！andlooktwiceatthekeepofthemtheypretendtocryover，andwriteontheirtombstonesallaboutthetearstheyhaven'tshed，andcomeandmakedifficultiesabouttheirneighbours。Youmaybelievemeornot，sir，Ineverknewtheyounglady；Idon'tknowwhatshedid。Well，I'mquiteinlovewiththepoorthing；Ilookafterherwell，andIletherhavehercamelliasatanhonestprice。SheisthedeadbodythatI
　　likethebest。Yousee，sir，weareobligedtolovethedead，forwearekeptsobusy，wehavehardlytimetoloveanythingelse。"
　　Ilookedattheman，andsomeofmyreaderswillunderstand，withoutmyneedingtoexplainittothem，theemotionwhichI
　　feltonhearinghim。Heobservedit，nodoubt，forhewenton：
　　"Theytellmetherewerepeoplewhoruinedthemselvesoverthatgirl，andloversthatworshippedher；well，whenIthinkthereisn'toneofthemthatsomuchasbuysheraflowernow，that'squeer，sir，andsad。And，afterall，sheisn'tsobadlyoff，forshehashergravetoherself，andifthereisonlyonewhoremembersher，hemakesupfortheothers。Butwehaveotherpoorgirlshere，justlikeherandjustherage，andtheyarejustthrownintoapauper'sgrave，anditbreaksmyheartwhenIheartheirpoorbodiesdropintotheearth。Andnotasoulthinksaboutthemanymore，oncetheyaredead！'Tisn'tamerrytrade，ours，especiallywhenwehavealittleheartleft。Whatdoyouexpect？Ican'thelpit。Ihaveafine，strappinggirlmyself；
　　she'sjusttwenty，andwhenagirlofthatagecomeshereIthinkofher，andIdon'tcareifit'sagreatladyoravagabond，I
　　can'thelpfeelingitabit。ButIamtakingupyourtime，sir，withmytales，anditwasn'ttohearthemyoucamehere。IwastoldtoshowyouMlle。Gautier'sgrave；hereyouhaveit。IsthereanythingelseIcandoforyou？"
　　"DoyouknowM。ArmandDuval'saddress？"Iasked。
　　"Yes；helivesatRuede——；atleast，that'swhereIalwaysgotogetmymoneyfortheflowersyouseethere。"
　　"Thanks，mygoodman。"
　　Igaveonemorelookatthegravecoveredwithflowers，halflongingtopenetratethedepthsoftheearthandseewhattheearthhadmadeofthefaircreaturethathadbeencasttoit；
　　thenIwalkedsadlyaway。
　　"DoyouwanttoseeM。Duval，sir？"saidthegardener，whowaswalkingbesideme。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，Iamprettysureheisnotbackyet，orhewouldhavebeenherealready。"
　　"Youdon'tthinkhehasforgottenMarguerite？"
　　"Iamnotonlysurehehasn't，butIwouldwagerthathewantstochangehergravesimplyinordertohaveonemorelookather。"
　　"Whydoyouthinkthat？"
　　"Thefirstwordhesaidtomewhenhecametothecemeterywas：
　　'HowcanIseeheragain？'Thatcan'tbedoneunlessthereisachangeofgrave，andItoldhimallabouttheformalitiesthathavetobeattendedtoingettingitdone；for，yousee，ifyouwanttomoveabodyfromonegravetoanotheryoumusthaveitidentified，andonlythefamilycangiveleaveforitunderthedirectionofapoliceinspector。ThatiswhyM。DuvalhasgonetoseeMlle。Gautier'ssister，andyoumaybesurehisfirstvisitwillbeforme。"
　　Wehadcometothecemeterygate。Ithankedthegardeneragain，puttingafewcoinsintohishand，andmademywaytotheaddresshehadgivenme。
　　Armandhadnotyetreturned。Ileftwordforhim，begginghimtocomeandseemeassoonashearrived，ortosendmewordwhereI
　　couldfindhim。
　　Nextday，inthemorning，IreceivedaletterfromDuval，tellingmeofhisreturn，andaskingmetocallonhim，ashewassowornoutwithfatiguethatitwasimpossibleforhimtogoout。
　　Chapter6
　　IfoundArmandinbed。Onseeingmeheheldoutaburninghand。
　　"Youarefeverish，"Isaidtohim。"Itisnothing，thefatigueofarapidjourney；thatisall。""YouhavebeentoseeMarguerite'ssister？""Yes；whotoldyou？""Iknewit。Didyougetwhatyouwanted？"
　　"Yes；butwhotoldyouofmyjourney，andofmyreasonfortakingit？"
　　"Thegardenerofthecemetery。"
　　"Youhaveseenthetomb？"
　　Iscarcelydaredreply，forthetoneinwhichthewordswerespokenprovedtomethatthespeakerwasstillpossessedbytheemotionwhichIhadwitnessedbefore，andthateverytimehisthoughtsorspeechtravelledbacktothatmournfulsubjectemotionwouldstill，foralongtimetocome，provestrongerthanhiswill。Icontentedmyselfwithanodofthehead。
　　"Hehaslookedafteritwell？"continuedArmand。Twobigtearsrolleddownthecheeksofthesickman，andheturnedawayhisheadtohidethemfromme。Ipretendednottoseethem，andtriedtochangetheconversation。"Youhavebeenawaythreeweeks，"I
　　said。
　　Armandpassedhishandacrosshiseyesandreplied，"Exactlythreeweeks。"
　　"Youhadalongjourney。"
　　"Oh，Iwasnottravellingallthetime。IwasillforafortnightorIshouldhavereturnedlongago；butIhadscarcelygottherewhenItookthisfever，andIwasobligedtokeepmyroom。"
　　"Andyoustartedtocomebackbeforeyouwerereallywell？"
　　"IfIhadremainedintheplaceforanotherweek，Ishouldhavediedthere。"
　　"Well，nowyouarebackagain，youmusttakecareofyourself；
　　yourfriendswillcomeandlookafteryou；myself，firstofall，ifyouwillallowme。"
　　"Ishallgetupinacoupleofhours。"
　　"Itwouldbeveryunwise。"
　　"Imust。"
　　"Whathaveyoutodoinsuchagreathurry？"
　　"Imustgototheinspectorofpolice。"
　　"Whydoyounotgetoneofyourfriendstoseeafterthematter？
　　Itislikelytomakeyouworsethanyouarenow。"
　　"Itismyonlychanceofgettingbetter。Imustseeher。EversinceIheardofherdeath，especiallysinceIsawhergrave，I
　　havenotbeenabletosleep。Icannotrealizethatthiswoman，soyoungandsobeautifulwhenIlefther，isreallydead。Imustconvincemyselfofit。ImustseewhatGodhasdonewithabeingthatIhavelovedsomuch，andperhapsthehorrorofthesightwillcuremeofmydespair。Willyouaccompanyme，ifitwon'tbetroublingyoutoomuch？"
　　"Whatdidhersistersayaboutit？"
　　"Nothing。SheseemedgreatlysurprisedthatastrangerwantedtobuyaplotofgroundandgiveMargueriteanewgrave，andsheimmediatelysignedtheauthorizationthatIaskedherfor。"
　　"Believeme，itwouldbebettertowaituntilyouarequitewell。"
　　"Havenofear；Ishallbequitecomposed。Besides，IshouldsimplygooutofmymindifIwerenottocarryoutaresolutionwhichIhavesetmyselftocarryout。IsweartoyouthatIshallneverbemyselfagainuntilIhaveseenMarguerite。Itisperhapsthethirstofthefever，asleeplessnight'sdream，amoment'sdelirium；butthoughIweretobecomeaTrappist，likeM。deRance'，afterhavingseen，Iwillsee。"
　　"Iunderstand，"IsaidtoArmand，"andIamatyourservice。HaveyouseenJulieDuprat？"
　　"Yes，IsawherthedayIreturned，forthefirsttime。"
　　"DidshegiveyouthepapersthatMargueritehadleftforyou？"
　　Armanddrewarollofpapersfromunderhispillow，andimmediatelyputthemback。
　　"Iknowallthatisinthesepapersbyheart，"hesaid。"ForthreeweeksIhavereadthemtentimesovereveryday。Youshallreadthem，too，butlateron，whenIamcalmer，andcanmakeyouunderstandalltheloveandtendernesshiddenawayinthisconfession。ForthemomentIwantyoutodomeaservice。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Yourcabisbelow？"
　　"Yes。
　　"Well，willyoutakemypassportandaskifthereareanylettersformeattheposterestante？MyfatherandsistermusthavewrittentomeatParis，andIwentawayinsuchhastethatIdidnotgoandseebeforeleaving。Whenyoucomebackwewillgotogethertotheinspectorofpolice，andarrangeforto-morrow'sceremony。"
　　Armandhandedmehispassport，andIwenttoRueJeanJacquesRousseau。ThereweretwolettersaddressedtoDuval。Itookthemandreturned。WhenIre-enteredtheroomArmandwasdressedandreadytogoout。
　　"Thanks，"hesaid，takingtheletters。"Yes，"headded，afterglancingattheaddresses，"theyarefrommyfatherandsister。
　　Theymusthavebeenquiteatalosstounderstandmysilence。"
　　Heopenedtheletters，guessedatratherthanreadthem，foreachwasoffourpages；andamomentafterfoldedthemup。"Come，"hesaid，"Iwillanswertomorrow。"
　　Wewenttothepolicestation，andArmandhandedinthepermissionsignedbyMarguerite'ssister。Hereceivedinreturnalettertothekeeperofthecemetery，anditwassettledthatthedisintermentwastotakeplacenextday，atteno'clock，thatI
　　shouldcallforhimanhourbefore，andthatweshouldgotothecemeterytogether。
　　IconfessthatIwascurioustobepresent，andIdidnotsleepallnight。judgingfromthethoughtswhichfilledmybrain，itmusthavebeenalongnightforArmand。WhenIenteredhisroomatnineonthefollowingmorninghewasfrightfullypale，butseemedcalm。Hesmiledandheldouthishand。Hiscandleswereburnedout；andbeforeleavinghetookaveryheavyletteraddressedtohisfather，andnodoubtcontaininganaccountofthatnight'simpressions。
　　HalfanhourlaterwewereatMontmartre。Thepoliceinspectorwastherealready。WewalkedslowlyinthedirectionofMarguerite'sgrave。Theinspectorwentinfront；ArmandandI
　　followedafewstepsbehind。
　　FromtimetotimeIfeltmycompanion'sarmtrembleconvulsively，asifheshiveredfromheadtofeet。Ilookedathim。Heunderstoodthelook，andsmiledatme；wehadnotexchangedawordsinceleavingthehouse。
　　Justbeforewereachedthegrave，Armandstoppedtowipehisface，whichwascoveredwithgreatdropsofsweat。Itookadvantageofthepausetodrawinalongbreath，forI，too，feltasifIhadaweightonmychest。
　　Whatistheoriginofthatmournfulpleasurewhichwefindinsightsofthiskind？Whenwereachedthegravethegardenerhadremovedalltheflower-pots，theironrailinghadbeentakenaway，andtwomenwereturningupthesoil。
　　Armandleanedagainstatreeandwatched。Allhislifeseemedtopassbeforehiseyes。Suddenlyoneofthetwopickaxesstruckagainstastone。AtthesoundArmandrecoiled，asatanelectricshock，andseizedmyhandwithsuchforceastogivemepain。
　　Oneofthegrave-diggerstookashovelandbeganemptyingouttheearth；then，whenonlythestonescoveringthecoffinwereleft，hethrewthemoutonebyone。
　　IscrutinizedArmand，foreverymomentIwasafraidlesttheemotionswhichhewasvisiblyrepressingshouldprovetoomuchforhim；buthestillwatched，hiseyesfixedandwideopen，liketheeyesofamadman，andaslighttremblingofthecheeksandlipsweretheonlysignsoftheviolentnervouscrisisunderwhichhewassuffering。
　　Asforme，allIcansayisthatIregrettedhavingcome。
　　Whenthecoffinwasuncoveredtheinspectorsaidtothegrave-digger："Openit。"Theyobeyed，asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld。
　　Thecoffinwasofoak，andtheybegantounscrewthelid。Thehumidityoftheearthhadrustedthescrews，anditwasnotwithoutsomedifficultythatthecoffinwasopened。Apainfulodouraroseinspiteofthearomaticplantswithwhichitwascovered。
　　"OmyGod，myGod！"murmuredArmand，andturnedpalerthanbefore。
　　Eventhegrave-diggerdrewback。
　　Agreatwhiteshroudcoveredthecorpse，closelyoutliningsomeofitscontours。Thisshroudwasalmostcompletelyeatenawayatoneend，andleftoneofthefeetvisible。
　　Iwasnearlyfainting，andatthemomentofwritingtheselinesI
　　seethewholesceneoveragaininallitsimposingreality。
　　"Quick，"saidtheinspector。Thereupononeofthemenputouthishand，begantounsewtheshroud，andtakingholdofitbyoneendsuddenlylaidbarethefaceofMarguerite。
　　Itwasterribletosee，itishorribletorelate。Theeyeswerenothingbuttwoholes，thelipshaddisappeared，vanished，andthewhiteteethweretightlyset。Theblackhair，longanddry，waspressedtightlyabouttheforehead，andhalfveiledthegreenhollowsofthecheeks；andyetIrecognisedinthisfacethejoyouswhiteandrosefacethatIhadseensooften。
　　Armand，unabletoturnawayhiseyes，hadputthehandkerchieftohismouthandbitit。
　　Formypart，itwasasifacircleofirontightenedaboutmyhead，aveilcoveredmyeyes，arumblingfilledmyears，andallIcoulddowastounstopasmellingbottlewhichIhappenedtohavewithme，andtodrawinlongbreathsofit。
　　ThroughthisbewildermentIheardtheinspectorsaytoDuval，"Doyouidentify？"
　　"Yes，"repliedtheyoungmaninadullvoice。
　　"Thenfastenitupandtakeitaway，"saidtheinspector。
　　Thegrave-diggersputbacktheshroudoverthefaceofthecorpse，fastenedupthecoffin，tookholdofeachendofit，andbegantocarryittowardtheplacewheretheyhadbeentoldtotakeit。
　　Armanddidnotmove。Hiseyeswerefixedupontheemptygrave；hewasaswhiteasthecorpsewhichwehadjustseen。Helookedasifhehadbeenturnedtostone。
　　Isawwhatwascomingassoonasthepaincausedbythespectacleshouldhaveabatedandthusceasedtosustainhim。Iwentuptotheinspector。"Isthisgentleman'spresencestillnecessary？"I
　　said，pointingtoArmand。
　　"No，"hereplied，"andIshouldadviseyoutotakehimaway。Helooksill。"
　　"Come，"IsaidtoArmand，takinghimbythearm。
　　"What？"hesaid，lookingatmeasifhedidnotrecogniseme。
　　"Itisallover，"Iadded。"Youmustcome，myfriend；youarequitewhite；youarecold。Theseemotionswillbetoomuchforyou。"
　　"Youareright。Letusgo，"heansweredmechanically，butwithoutmovingastep。
　　Itookhimbythearmandledhimalong。Helethimselfbeguidedlikeachild，onlyfromtimetotimemurmuring，"Didyouseehereyes？"andheturnedasifthevisionhadrecalledher。
　　Nevertheless，hisstepsbecamemoreirregular；heseemedtowalkbyaseriesofjerks；histeethchattered；hishandswerecold；aviolentagitationranthroughhisbody。Ispoketohim；hedidnotanswer。Hewasjustabletolethimselfbeledalong。Acabwaswaitingatthegate。Itwasonlyjustintime。Scarcelyhadheseatedhimself，whentheshiveringbecamemoreviolent，andhehadanactualattackofnerves，inthemidstofwhichhisfearoffrighteningmemadehimpressmyhandandwhisper："Itisnothing，nothing。Iwanttoweep。"
　　Hischestlaboured，hiseyeswereinjectedwithblood，butnotearscame。ImadehimsmellthesaltswhichIhadwithme，andwhenwereachedhishouseonlytheshiveringremained。
　　WiththehelpofhisservantIputhimtobed，litabigfireinhisroom，andhurriedofftomydoctor，towhomItoldallthathadhappened。Hehastenedwithme。
　　Armandwasflushedanddelirious；hestammeredoutdisconnectedwords，inwhichonlythenameofMargueritecouldbedistinctlyheard。
　　"Well？"Isaidtothedoctorwhenhehadexaminedthepatient。
　　"Well，hehasneithermorenorlessthanbrainfever，andveryluckyitisforhim，forIfirmlybelieve（Godforgiveme！）thathewouldhavegoneoutofhismind。Fortunately，thephysicalmaladywillkillthementalone，andinamonth'stimehewillbefreefromtheoneandperhapsfromtheother。"
　　Chapter7
　　IllnesseslikeArmand'shaveonefortunatethingaboutthem：theyeitherkilloutrightorareverysoonovercome。AfortnightaftertheeventswhichIhavejustrelatedArmandwasconvalescent，andwehadalreadybecomegreatfriends。DuringthewholecourseofhisillnessIhadhardlylefthisside。
　　Springwasprofuseinitsflowers，itsleaves，itsbirds，itssongs；andmyfriend'swindowopenedgailyuponhisgarden，fromwhicharevivingbreathofhealthseemedtocometohim。Thedoctorhadallowedhimtogetup，andweoftensattalkingattheopenwindow，atthehourwhenthesunisatitsheight，fromtwelvetotwo。IwascarefulnottorefertoMarguerite，fearinglestthenameshouldawakensadrecollectionshiddenundertheapparentcalmoftheinvalid；butArmand，onthecontrary，seemedtodelightinspeakingofher，notasformerly，withtearsinhiseyes，butwithasweetsmilewhichreassuredmeastothestateofhismind。
　　Ihadnoticedthateversincehislastvisittothecemetery，andthesightwhichhadbroughtonsoviolentacrisis，sorrowseemedtohavebeenovercomebysickness，andMarguerite'sdeathnolongerappearedtohimunderitsformeraspect。Akindofconsolationhadsprungfromthecertaintyofwhichhewasnowfullypersuaded，andinordertobanishthesombrepicturewhichoftenpresenteditselftohim，hereturneduponthehappyrecollectionsofhisliaisonwithMarguerite，andseemedresolvedtothinkofnothingelse。
　　Thebodywastoomuchweakenedbytheattackoffever，andevenbytheprocessofitscure，topermithimanyviolentemotions，andtheuniversaljoyofspringwhichwrappedhimroundcarriedhisthoughtsinstinctivelytoimagesofjoy。Hehadalwaysobstinatelyrefusedtotellhisfamilyofthedangerwhichhehadbeenin，andwhenhewaswellagainhisfatherdidnotevenknowthathehadbeenill。
　　Oneeveningwehadsatatthewindowlaterthanusual；theweatherhadbeensuperb，andthesunsanktosleepinatwilightdazzlingwithgoldandazure。ThoughwewereinParis，theverdurewhichsurroundedusseemedtoshutusofffromtheworld，andourconversationwasonlynowandagaindisturbedbythesoundofapassingvehicle。
　　"Itwasaboutthistimeoftheyear，ontheeveningofadaylikethis，thatIfirstmetMarguerite，"saidArmandtome，asifhewerelisteningtohisownthoughtsratherthantowhatIwassaying。Ididnotanswer。Thenturningtowardme，hesaid：
　　"Imusttellyouthewholestory；youwillmakeabookoutofit；
　　noonewillbelieveit，butitwillperhapsbeinterestingtodo。"
　　"Youwilltellmeallaboutitlateron，myfriend，"Isaidtohim；"youarenotstrongenoughyet。"
　　"Itisawarmevening，Ihaveeatenmyrationofchicken，"hesaidtome，smiling；"Ihavenofever，wehavenothingtodo，I
　　willtellittoyounow。"
　　"Sinceyoureallywishit，Iwilllisten。"
　　Thisiswhathetoldme，andIhavescarcelychangedawordofthetouchingstory。
　　Yes（Armandwenton，lettinghisheadsinkbackonthechair），yes，itwasjustsuchaneveningasthis。Ihadspentthedayinthecountrywithoneofmyfriends，GastonR——。WereturnedtoParisintheevening，andnotknowingwhattodowewenttotheVarietes。Wewentoutduringoneoftheentr'actes，andatallwomanpassedusinthecorridor，towhommyfriendbowed。
　　"Whomareyoubowingto？"Iasked。
　　"MargueriteGautier，"hesaid。
　　"Sheseemsmuchchanged，forIdidnotrecogniseher，"Isaid，withanemotionthatyouwillsoonunderstand。
　　"Shehasbeenill；thepoorgirlwon'tlastlong。"
　　Irememberthewordsasiftheyhadbeenspokentomeyesterday。
　　Imusttellyou，myfriend，thatfortwoyearsthesightofthisgirlhadmadeastrangeimpressiononmewheneverIcameacrossher。Withoutknowingwhy，Iturnedpaleandmyheartbeatviolently。Ihaveafriendwhostudiestheoccultsciences，andhewouldcallwhatIexperienced"theaffinityoffluids"；asforme，IonlyknowthatIwasfatedtofallinlovewithMarguerite，andthatIforesawit。
　　Itiscertainlythefactthatshemadeaverydefiniteimpressionuponme，thatmanyofmyfriendshadnoticeditandthattheyhadbeenmuchamusedwhentheysawwhoitwasthatmadethisimpressionuponme。
　　ThefirsttimeIeversawherwasinthePlacedelaBourse，outsideSusse's；anopencarriagewasstationedthere，andawomandressedinwhitegotdownfromit。Amurmurofadmirationgreetedherassheenteredtheshop。Asforme，Iwasrivettedtothespotfromthemomentshewentintillthemomentwhenshecameoutagain。Icouldseeherthroughtheshopwindowsselectingwhatshehadcometobuy。Imighthavegonein，butI
　　darednot。Ididnotknowwhoshewas，andIwasafraidlestsheshouldguesswhyIhadcomeinandbeoffended。Nevertheless，I
　　didnotthinkIshouldeverseeheragain。
　　Shewaselegantlydressed；sheworeamuslindresswithmanyflounces，anIndianshawlembroideredatthecornerswithgoldandsilkflowers，astrawhat，asinglebracelet，andaheavygoldchain，suchaswasjustthenbeginningtobethefashion。
　　Shereturnedtohercarriageanddroveaway。Oneoftheshopmenstoodatthedoorlookingafterhiselegantcustomer'scarriage。
　　Iwentuptohimandaskedhimwhatwasthelady'sname。
　　"MademoiselleMargueriteGautier，"hereplied。Idarednotaskhimforheraddress，andwentonmyway。
　　Therecollectionofthisvision，foritwasreallyavision，wouldnotleavemymindlikesomanyvisionsIhadseen，andI
　　lookedeverywhereforthisroyallybeautifulwomaninwhite。
　　AfewdayslatertherewasagreatperformanceattheOperaComique。ThefirstpersonIsawinoneoftheboxeswasMargueriteGautier。
　　TheyoungmanwhomIwaswithrecognisedherimmediately，forhesaidtome，mentioninghername："Lookatthatprettygirl。"
　　AtthatmomentMargueriteturnedheropera-glassinourdirectionand，seeingmyfriend，smiledandbeckonedtohimtocometoher。
　　"Iwillgoandsay'Howdoyoudo？'toher，"hesaid，"andwillbebackinamoment。"
　　"Icouldnothelpsaying"Happyman！"
　　"Why？"
　　"Togoandseethatwoman。"
　　"Areyouinlovewithher？"
　　"No，"Isaid，flushing，forIreallydidnotknowwhattosay；
　　"butIshouldverymuchliketoknowher。"
　　"Comewithme。Iwillintroduceyou。"
　　"Askherifyoumay。"
　　"Really，thereisnoneedtobeparticularwithher；come。"
　　Whathesaidtroubledme。IfearedtodiscoverthatMargueritewasnotworthyofthesentimentwhichIfeltforher。
　　InabookofAlphonseKarrentitlesAmRauchen，thereisamanwhooneeveningfollowsaveryelegantwoman，withwhomhehadfalleninlovewithatfirstsightonaccountofherbeauty。Onlytokissherhandhefeltthathehadthestrengthtoundertakeanything，thewilltoconqueranything，thecouragetoachieveanything。Hescarcelydaresglanceatthetrimanklewhichsheshowsassheholdsherdressoutofthemud。Whileheisdreamingofallthathewoulddotopossessthiswoman，shestopsatthecornerofthestreetandasksifhewillcomehomewithher。Heturnshishead，crossesthestreet，andgoessadlybacktohisownhouse。
　　Irecalledthestory，and，havinglongedtosufferforthiswoman，IwasafraidthatshewouldacceptmetoopromptlyandgivemeatoncewhatIfainwouldhavepurchasedbylongwaitingorsomegreatsacrifice。Wemenarebuiltlikethat，anditisveryfortunatethattheimaginationlendssomuchpoetrytothesenses，andthatthedesiresofthebodymakethussuchconcessiontothedreamsofthesoul。Ifanyonehadsaidtome，Youshallhavethiswomanto-nightandbekilledtomorrow，I
　　wouldhaveaccepted。Ifanyonehadsaidtome，youcanbeherloverfortenpounds，Iwouldhaverefused。Iwouldhavecriedlikeachildwhoseesthecastlehehasbeendreamingaboutvanishawayasheawakensfromsleep。
　　Allthesame，Iwishedtoknowher；itwasmyonlymeansofmakingupmymindabouther。IthereforesaidtomyfriendthatI
　　insistedonhavingherpermissiontobeintroducedtoher，andI
　　wanderedtoandfrointhecorridors，sayingtomyselfthatinamoment'stimeshewasgoingtoseeme，andthatIshouldnotknowwhichwaytolook。Itried（sublimechildishnessoflove！）tostringtogetherthewordsIshouldsaytoher。
　　Amomentaftermyfriendreturned。"Sheisexpectingus，"hesaid。
　　"Isshealone？"Iasked。
　　"Withanotherwoman。"
　　"Therearenomen？"
　　"No。"
　　"Come，then。"
　　Myfriendwenttowardthedoorofthetheatre。
　　"Thatisnottheway，"Isaid。
　　"Wemustgoandgetsomesweets。Sheaskedmeforsome。"
　　Wewentintoaconfectioner'sinthepassagedel'Opera。Iwouldhaveboughtthewholeshop，andIwaslookingabouttoseewhatsweetstochoose，whenmyfriendaskedforapoundofraisinsglaces。
　　"Doyouknowifshelikesthem？"
　　"Sheeatsnootherkindofsweets；everybodyknowsit。
　　"Ah，"hewentonwhenwehadlefttheshop，"doyouknowwhatkindofwomanitisthatIamgoingtointroduceyouto？Don'timagineitisaduchess。Itissimplyakeptwoman，verymuchkept，mydearfellow；don'tbeshy，sayanythingthatcomesintoyourhead。"
　　"Yes，yes，"Istammered，andIfollowedhim，sayingtomyselfthatIshouldsooncuremyselfofmypassion。
　　WhenIenteredtheboxMargueritewasinfitsoflaughter。I
　　wouldratherthatshehadbeensad。Myfriendintroducedme；
　　Margueritegavemealittlenod，andsaid，"Andmysweets？"
　　"Heretheyare。"
　　Shelookedatmeasshetookthem。Idroppedmyeyesandblushed。
　　Sheleanedacrosstoherneighbourandsaidsomethinginherear，atwhichbothlaughed。EvidentlyIwasthecauseoftheirmirth，andmyembarrassmentincreased。AtthattimeIhadasmistressaveryaffectionateandsentimentallittleperson，whosesentimentandwhosemelancholylettersamusedmegreatly。IrealizedthepainImusthavegivenherbywhatInowexperienced，andforfiveminutesIlovedherasnowomanwaseverloved。
　　Margueriteateherraisinsglaceswithouttakinganymorenoticeofme。Thefriendwhohadintroducedmedidnotwishtoletmeremaininsoridiculousaposition。
　　"Marguerite，"hesaid，"youmustnotbesurprisedifM。Duvalsaysnothing：youoverwhelmhimtosuchadegreethathecannotfindawordtosay。"
　　"Ishouldsay，onthecontrary，thathehasonlycomewithyoubecauseitwouldhaveboredyoutocomeherebyyourself。"
　　"Ifthatweretrue，"Isaid，"IshouldnothavebeggedErnesttoaskyourpermissiontointroduceme。"
　　"Perhapsthatwasonlyinordertoputoffthefatalmoment。"
　　HoweverlittleonemayhaveknownwomenlikeMarguerite，onecannotbutknowthedelighttheytakeinpretendingtobewittyandinteasingthepeoplewhomtheymeetforthefirsttime。Itisnodoubtareturnforthehumiliationswhichtheyoftenhavetosubmittoonthepartofthosewhomtheyseeeveryday。
　　Toanswerthemproperly，onerequiresacertainknack，andIhadnothadtheopportunityofacquiringit；besides，theideathatI
　　hadformedofMargueriteaccentuatedtheeffectsofhermockery。
　　Nothingthatdamefromherwasindifferenttome。Irosetomyfeet，sayinginanalteredvoice，whichIcouldnotentirelycontrol：
　　"Ifthatiswhatyouthinkofme，madame，Ihaveonlytoaskyourpardonformyindiscretion，andtotakeleaveofyouwiththeassurancethatitshallnotoccuragain。"
　　ThereuponIbowedandquittedthebox。IhadscarcelyclosedthedoorwhenIheardathirdpealoflaughter。Itwouldnothavebeenwellforanybodywhohadelbowedmeatthatmoment。
　　Ireturnedtomyseat。Thesignalforraisingthecurtainwasgiven。Ernestcamebacktohisplacebesideme。
　　"Whatawayyoubehaved！"hesaid，ashesatdown。"Theywillthinkyouaremad。"
　　"WhatdidMargueritesayafterIhadgone？"
　　"Shelaughed，andsaidshehadneverseenanyonesofunny。Butdon'tlookuponitasalostchance；onlydonotdothesewomenthehonouroftakingthemseriously。Theydonotknowwhatpolitenessandceremonyare。Itisasifyouweretoofferperfumestodogs——theywouldthinkitsmelledbad，andgoandrollinthegutter。"
　　"Afterall，whatdoesitmattertome？"Isaid，affectingtospeakinanonchalantway。"Ishallneverseethiswomanagain，andifIlikedherbeforemeetingher，itisquitedifferentnowthatIknowher。"
　　"Bah！Idon'tdespairofseeingyouonedayatthebackofherbox，andofbearingthatyouareruiningyourselfforher。
　　However，youareright，shehasn'tbeenwellbroughtup；butshewouldbeacharmingmistresstohave。"
　　Happily，thecurtainroseandmyfriendwassilent。Icouldnotpossiblytellyouwhattheywereacting。AllthatIrememberisthatfromtimetotimeIraisedmyeyestotheboxIhadquittedsoabruptly，andthatthefacesoffreshvisitorssucceededoneanotherallthetime。
　　IwasfarfromhavinggivenupthinkingaboutMarguerite。Anotherfeelinghadtakenpossessionofme。ItseemedtomethatIhadherinsultandmyabsurditytowipeout；IsaidtomyselfthatifIspenteverypennyIhad，IwouldwinherandwinmyrighttotheplaceIhadabandonedsoquickly。
　　BeforetheperformancewasoverMargueriteandherfriendleftthebox。Irosefrommyseat。
　　"Areyougoing？"saidErnest。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Why？"
　　Atthatmomenthesawthattheboxwasempty。
　　"Go，go，"hesaid，"andgoodluck，orratherbetterluck。"
　　Iwentout。
　　Iheardtherustleofdresses，thesoundofvoices，onthestaircase。Istoodaside，and，withoutbeingseen，sawthetwowomenpassme，accompaniedbytwoyoungmen。Attheentrancetothetheatretheyweremetbyafootman。
　　"TellthecoachmantowaitatthedooroftheCafe'Anglais，"
　　saidMarguerite。"Wewillwalkthere。"
　　AfewminutesafterwardIsawMargueritefromthestreetatawindowofoneofthelargeroomsoftherestaurant，pullingthecamelliasofherbouquettopieces，onebyone。Oneofthetwomenwasleaningoverhershoulderandwhisperinginherear。I
　　tookupmypositionattheMaison-d'or，inoneofthefirst-floorrooms，anddidnotlosesightofthewindowforaninstant。AtoneinthemorningMargueritegotintohercarriagewithherthreefriends。Itookacabandfollowedthem。ThecarriagestoppedatNo。9，Rued'Antin。Margueritegotoutandwentinalone。Itwasnodoubtamerechance，butthechancefilledmewithdelight。
　　Fromthattimeforward，IoftenmetMargueriteatthetheatreorintheChamps-Elysees。Alwaystherewasthesamegaietyinher，thesameemotioninme。
　　Atlastafortnightpassedwithoutmymeetingher。ImetGastonandaskedafterher。
　　"Poorgirl，sheisveryill，"heanswered。
　　"Whatisthematter？"
　　"Sheisconsumptive，andthesortoflifesheleadsisn'texactlythethingtocureher。Shehastakentoherbed；sheisdying。"
　　Theheartisastrangething；Iwasalmostgladathearingit。
　　EverydayIwenttoaskafterher，withoutleavingmynameormycard。IheardshewasconvalescentandhadgonetoBagneres。
　　Timewentby，theimpression，ifnotthememory，fadedgraduallyfrommymind。Itravelled；loveaffairs，habits，work，tooktheplaceofotherthoughts，andwhenIrecalledthisadventureI
　　lookeduponitasoneofthosepassionswhichonehaswhenoneisveryyoung，andlaughsatsoonafterward。
　　Fortherest，itwasnocredittometohavegotthebetterofthisrecollection，forIhadcompletelylostsightofMarguerite，and，asItoldyou，whenshepassedmeinthecorridoroftheVarietes，Ididnotrecogniseher。Shewasveiled，itistrue；
　　but，veiledthoughshemighthavebeentwoyearsearlier，I
　　shouldnothaveneededtoseeherinordertorecogniseher：I
　　shouldhaveknownherintuitively。Allthesame，myheartbegantobeatwhenIknewthatitwasshe；andthetwoyearsthathadpassedsinceIsawher，andwhathadseemedtobetheresultsofthatseparation，vanishedinsmokeatthemeretouchofherdress。
　　Chapter8
　　However（continuedArmandafterapause），whileIknewmyselftobestillinlovewithher，Ifeltmoresureofmyself，andpartofmydesiretospeaktoMargueriteagainwasawishtomakeherseethatIwasstrongerthanshe。
　　Howmanywaysdoesthehearttake，howmanyreasonsdoesitinventforitself，inordertoarriveatwhatitwants！
　　Icouldnotremaininthecorridor，andIreturnedtomyplaceinthestalls，lookinghastilyaroundtoseewhatboxshewasin。
　　Shewasinaground-floorbox，quitealone。Shehadchanged，asI
　　havetoldyou，andnolongerworeanindifferentsmileonherlips。Shehadsuffered；shewasstillsuffering。ThoughitwasApril，shewasstillwearingawintercostume，allwrappedupinfurs。
　　Igazedathersofixedlythatmyeyesattractedhers。Shelookedatmeforafewseconds，putupheropera-glasstoseemebetter，andseemedtothinksherecognisedme，withoutbeingquitesurewhoIwas，forwhensheputdownherglasses，asmile，thatcharming，femininesalutation，flittedacrossherlips，asiftoanswerthebowwhichsheseemedtoexpect；butIdidnotrespond，soastohaveanadvantageoverher，asifIhadforgotten，whilesheremembered。Supposingherselfmistaken，，shelookedaway。
　　Thecurtainwentup。IhaveoftenseenMargueriteatthetheatre。
　　Ineversawherpaytheslightestattentiontowhatwasbeingacted。Asforme，theperformanceinterestedmeequallylittle，andIpaidnoattentiontoanythingbuther，thoughdoingmyutmosttokeepherfromnoticingit。
　　PresentlyIsawherglancingacrossatthepersonwhowasintheoppositebox；onlooking，IsawawomanwithwhomIwasquitefamiliar。Shehadoncebeenakeptwoman，andhadtriedtogoonthestage，hadfailed，and，relyingonheracquaintancewithfashionablepeopleinParis，hadgoneintobusinessandtakenamilliner'sshop。IsawinherameansofmeetingwithMarguerite，andprofitedbyamomentinwhichshelookedmywaytowavemyhandtoher。AsIexpected，shebeckonedtometocometoherbox。
　　PrudenceDuvernoy（thatwasthemilliner'sauspiciousname）wasoneofthosefatwomenoffortywithwhomonerequiresverylittlediplomacytomakethemunderstandwhatonewantstoknow，especiallywhenwhatonewantstoknowisassimpleaswhatIhadtoaskofher。
　　ItookadvantageofamomentwhenshewassmilingacrossatMargueritetoaskher，"Whomareyoulookingat？"
　　"MargueriteGautier。"
　　"Youknowher？"
　　"Yes，Iamhermilliner，andsheisaneighbourofmine。"
　　"DoyouliveintheRued'Antin？"
　　"No。7。Thewindowofherdressing-roomlooksontothewindowofmine。"
　　"Theysaysheisacharminggirl。"
　　"Don'tyouknowher？"
　　"No，butIshouldliketo。"
　　"ShallIaskhertocomeovertoourbox？"
　　"No，Iwouldratherforyoutointroducemetoher。"
　　"Atherownhouse？"
　　"Yes。
　　"Thatismoredifficult。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becausesheisundertheprotectionofajealousoldduke。"
　　"'Protection'ischarming。"
　　"Yes，protection，"repliedPrudence。"Pooroldman，hewouldbegreatlyembarrassedtoofferheranythingelse。"
　　PrudencethentoldmehowMargueritehadmadetheacquaintanceofthedukeatBagneres。
　　"That，then，"Icontinued，"iswhysheisalonehere？"
　　"Precisely。"
　　"Butwhowillseeherhome？"
　　"Hewill。"
　　"Hewillcomeforher？"
　　"Inamoment。"
　　"Andyou，whoisseeingyouhome？"
　　"Noone。"
　　"MayIoffermyself？"
　　"Butyouarewithafriend，areyounot？"
　　"Mayweoffer，then？"
　　"Whoisyourfriend？"
　　"Acharmingfellow，veryamusing。Hewillbedelightedtomakeyouracquaintance。"
　　"Well，allright；wewillgoafterthispieceisover，forIknowthelastpiece。"
　　"Withpleasure；Iwillgoandtellmyfriend。"
　　"Go，then。Ah，"addedPrudence，asIwasgoing，"thereisthedukejustcomingintoMarguerite'sbox。"
　　Ilookedathim。Amanofaboutseventyhadsatdownbehindher，andwasgivingherabagofsweets，intowhichshedippedatonce，smiling。ThenshehelditouttowardPrudence，withagesturewhichseemedtosay，"Willyouhavesome？"
　　"No，"signalledPrudence。
　　Margueritedrewbackthebag，and，turning，begantotalkwiththeduke。
　　Itmaysoundchildishtotellyouallthesedetails，buteverythingrelatingtoMargueriteissofreshinmymemorythatI
　　cannothelprecallingthemnow。
　　IwentbacktoGastonandtoldhimofthearrangementIhadmadeforhimandforme。Heagreed，andweleftourstallstogoroundtoMme。Duvernoy'sbox。WehadscarcelyopenedthedoorleadingintothestallswhenwehadtostandasidetoallowMargueriteandtheduketopass。Iwouldhavegiventenyearsofmylifetohavebeenintheoldman'splace。
　　Whentheywereonthestreethehandedherintoaphaeton，whichhedrovehimself，andtheywerewhirledawaybytwosuperbhorses。
　　WereturnedtoPrudence'sbox，andwhentheplaywasoverwetookacabanddroveto7，Rued'Antin。Atthedoor，Prudenceaskedustocomeupandseehershowrooms，whichwehadneverseen，andofwhichsheseemedveryproud。YoucanimaginehoweagerlyI
　　accepted。ItseemedtomeasifIwascomingnearerandnearertoMarguerite。Isoonturnedtheconversationinherdirection。
　　"Theolddukeisatyourneighbours，"IsaidtoPrudence。