"Oh，no；sheisprobablyalone。"
　　"Butshemustbedreadfullybored，"saidGaston。
　　"Wespendmostofoureveningtogether，orshecallstomewhenshecomesin。Shenevergoestobedbeforetwointhemorning。
　　Shecan'tsleepbeforethat。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseshesuffersinthechest，andisalmostalwaysfeverish。"
　　"Hasn'tsheanylovers？"Iasked。
　　"IneverseeanyoneremainafterIleave；Idon'tsaynooneevercomeswhenIamgone。OftenintheeveningImeetthereacertainComtedeN。，whothinksheismakingsomeheadwaybycallingonheratelevenintheevening，andbysendingherjewelstoanyextent；butshecan'tstandhim。Shemakesamistake；heisveryrich。ItisinvainthatIsaytoherfromtimetotime，'Mydearchild，there'sthemanforyou。'She，whogenerallylistenstome，turnsherbackandrepliesthatheistoostupid。Stupid，indeed，heis；butitwouldbeapositionforher，whilethisolddukemightdieanyday。Oldmenareegoists；
　　hisfamilyarealwaysreproachinghimforhisaffectionforMarguerite；therearetworeasonswhyheislikelytoleavehernothing。Igivehergoodadvice，andsheonlysaysitwillbeplentyoftimetotakeonthecountwhenthedukeisdead。Itisn'tallfun，"continuedPrudence，"tolivelikethat。Iknowverywellitwouldn'tsuitme，andIshouldsoonsendtheoldmanabouthisbusiness。Heissodull；hecallsherhisdaughter；
　　looksafterherlikeachild；andisalwaysintheway。Iamsureatthisverymomentoneofhisservantsisprowlingaboutinthestreettoseewhocomesout，andespeciallywhogoesin。"
　　"Ah，poorMarguerite！"saidGaston，sittingdowntothepianoandplayingawaltz。"Ihadn'tanotionofit，butIdidnoticeshehasn'tbeenlookingsogaylately。"
　　"Hush，"saidPrudence，listening。Gastonstopped。
　　"Sheiscallingme，Ithink。"
　　Welistened。Avoicewascalling，"Prudence！"
　　"Come，now，youmustgo，"saidMme。Duvernoy。
　　"Ah，thatisyourideaofhospitality，"saidGaston，laughing；
　　"wewon'tgotillweplease。"
　　"Whyshouldwego？"
　　"IamgoingovertoMarguerite's。"
　　"Wewillwaithere。"
　　"Youcan't。"
　　"Thenwewillgowithyou。"
　　"Thatstillless。"
　　"IknowMarguerite，"saidGaston；Icanverywellpayheracall。"
　　"ButArmanddoesn'tknowher。"
　　"Iwillintroducehim。"
　　"Impossible。"
　　WeagainheardMarguerite'svoicecallingtoPrudence，whorushedtoherdressing-roomwindow。IfollowedwithGastonassheopenedthewindow。Wehidourselvessoasnottobeseenfromoutside。
　　"Ihavebeencallingyoufortenminutes，"saidMargueritefromherwindow，inalmostanimperioustoneofvoice。
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Iwantyoutocomeoveratonce。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecausetheComtedeN。isstillhere，andheisboringmetodeath。"
　　"Ican'tnow。"
　　"Whatishinderingyou？"
　　"Therearetwoyoungfellowsherewhowon'tgo。"
　　"Tellthemthatyoumustgoout。"
　　"Ihavetoldthem。"
　　"Well，then，leavetheminthehouse。Theywillsoongowhentheyseeyouhavegone。"
　　"Theywillturneverythingupsidedown。"
　　"Butwhatdotheywant？"
　　"Theywanttoseeyou。"
　　"Whataretheycalled？"
　　"Youknowone，M。GastonR。"
　　"Ah，yes，Iknowhim。Andtheother？"
　　"M。ArmandDuval；andyoudon'tknowhim。"
　　"No，butbringthemalong。Anythingisbetterthanthecount。I
　　expectyou。Comeatonce。"
　　MargueriteclosedherwindowandPrudencehers。Marguerite，whohadrememberedmyfaceforamoment，didnotremembermyname。I
　　wouldratherhavebeenrememberedtomydisadvantagethanthusforgotten。
　　"Iknew，"saidGaston，"thatshewouldbedelightedtoseeus。"
　　"Delightedisn'ttheword，"repliedPrudence，assheputonherhatandshawl。"Shewillseeyouinordertogetridofthecount。Trytobemoreagreeablethanheis，or（IknowMarguerite）shewillputitalldowntome。"
　　WefollowedPrudencedownstairs。Itrembled；itseemedtomethatthisvisitwastohaveagreatinfluenceonmylife。IwasstillmoreagitatedthanontheeveningwhenIwasintroducedintheboxattheOperaComique。Aswereachedthedoorthatyouknow，myheartbeatsoviolentlythatIwashardlyabletothink。
　　Weheardthesoundofapiano。Prudencerang。Thepianowassilent。Awomanwholookedmorelikeacompanionthanaservantopenedthedoor。Wewentintothedrawing-room，andfromthattotheboudoir，whichwasthenjustasyouhaveseenitsince。A
　　youngmanwasleaningagainstthemantel-piece。Marguerite，seatedatthepiano，letherfingerswanderoverthenotes，beginningscrapsofmusicwithoutfinishingthem。Thewholescenebreathedboredom，themanembarrassedbytheconsciousnessofhisnullity，thewomantiredofherdismalvisitor。AtthevoiceofPrudence，Margueriterose，andcomingtowarduswithalookofgratitudetoMme。Duvernoy，said：
　　"Comein，andwelcome。"
　　Chapter9
　　"Good-evening，mydearGaston，"saidMargueritetomycompanion。
　　"Iamverygladtoseeyou。Whydidn'tyoucometoseemeinmyboxattheVarietes？"
　　"Iwasafraiditwouldbeindiscreet。"
　　"Friends，"andMargueritelingeredovertheword，asiftointimatetothosewhowerepresentthatinspiteofthefamiliarwayinwhichshegreetedhim，Gastonwasnotandneverhadbeenanythingmorethanafriend，"friendsarealwayswelcome。"
　　"Then，willyoupermitmetointroduceM。ArmandDuval？"
　　"IhadalreadyauthorizedPrudencetodoso。"
　　"Asfarasthatgoes，madame，"Isaid，bowing，andsucceedingingettingmoreorlessintelligiblesoundsoutofmythroat，"I
　　havealreadyhadthehonourofbeingintroducedtoyou。"
　　Marguerite'sbeautifuleyesseemedtobelookingbackinmemory，butshecouldnot，orseemednotto，remember。
　　"Madame，"Icontinued，"Iamgratefultoyouforhavingforgottentheoccasionofmyfirstintroduction，forIwasveryabsurdandmusthaveseemedtoyouverytiresome。ItwasattheOperaComique，twoyearsago；IwaswithErnestde——。"
　　"Ah，Iremember，"saidMarguerite，withasmile。"Itwasnotyouwhowereabsurd；itwasIwhowasmischievous，asIstillam，butsomewhatless。Youhaveforgivenme？"
　　Andsheheldoutherhand，whichIkissed。
　　"Itistrue，"shewenton；"youknowIhavethebadhabitoftryingtoembarrasspeoplethefirsttimeImeetthem。Itisverystupid。MydoctorsaysitisbecauseIamnervousandalwaysill；
　　believemydoctor。"
　　"Butyouseemquitewell。"
　　"Oh！Ihavebeenveryill。"
　　"Iknow。"
　　"Whotoldyou？"
　　"Everyoneknewit；Ioftencametoinquireafteryou，andIwashappytohearofyourconvalescence。"
　　"Theynevergavemeyourcard。"
　　"Ididnotleaveit。"
　　"Wasityou，then，whocalledeverydaywhileIwasill，andwouldneverleaveyourname？"
　　"Yes，itwasI。"
　　"Thenyouaremorethanindulgent，youaregenerous。You，count，wouldn'thavedonethat，"saidshe，turningtowardM。deN。，aftergivingmeoneofthoselooksinwhichwomensumuptheiropinionofaman。
　　"Ihaveonlyknownyoufortwomonths，"repliedthecount。
　　"Andthisgentlemanonlyforfiveminutes。Youalwayssaysomethingridiculous。"
　　Womenarepitilesstowardthosewhomtheydonotcarefor。Thecountreddenedandbithislips。
　　Iwassorryforhim，forheseemed，likemyself，tobeinlove，andthebitterfranknessofMargueritemusthavemadehimveryunhappy，especiallyinthepresenceoftwostrangers。
　　"Youwereplayingthepianowhenwecamein，"Isaid，inordertochangetheconversation。"Won'tyoubesogoodastotreatmeasanoldacquaintanceandgoon？"
　　"Oh，"saidshe，flingingherselfonthesofaandmotioningtoustositdown，"Gastonknowswhatmymusicislike。ItisallverywellwhenIamalonewiththecount，butIwon'tinflictsuchapunishmentonyou。"
　　"Youshowmethatpreference？"saidM。deN。，withasmilewhichhetriedtorenderdelicatelyironical。
　　"Don'treproachmeforit。Itistheonlyone。"Itwasfatedthatthepoormanwasnottosayasingleword。HecastareallysupplicatingglanceatMarguerite。
　　"Well，Prudence，"shewenton，"haveyoudonewhatIaskedyoutodo？"
　　"Yes。
　　"Allright。Youwilltellmeaboutitlater。Wemusttalkoverit；don'tgobeforeIcanspeakwithyou。"
　　"Wearedoubtlessintruders，"Isaid，"andnowthatwe，orratherI，havehadasecondintroduction，toblotoutthefirst，itistimeforGastonandmetobegoing。"
　　"Notintheleast。Ididn'tmeanthatforyou。Iwantyoutostay。"
　　Thecounttookaveryelegantwatchoutofhispocketandlookedatthetime。"Imustbegoingtomyclub，"hesaid。Margueritedidnotanswer。Thecountthereuponlefthispositionbythefireplaceandgoinguptoher，said："Adieu，madame。"
　　Margueriterose。"Adieu，mydearcount。Areyougoingalready？"
　　"Yes，IfearIamboringyou。"
　　"Youarenotboringmeto-daymorethananyotherday。WhenshallIbeseeingyou？"
　　"Whenyoupermitme。"
　　"Good-bye，then。"
　　Itwascruel，youwilladmit。Fortunately，thecounthadexcellentmannersandwasverygood-tempered。HemerelykissedMarguerite'shand，whichsheheldouttohimcarelesslyenough，and，bowingtous，wentout。
　　Ashecrossedthethreshold，hecastaglanceatPrudence。Sheshruggedhershoulders，asmuchastosay：
　　"Whatdoyouexpect？IhavedoneallIcould。"
　　"Nanine！"criedMarguerite。"LightM。leComtetothedoor。"
　　Weheardthedooropenandshut。
　　"Atlast，"criedMarguerite，comingback，"hehasgone！Thatmangetsfrightfullyonmynerves！"
　　"Mydearchild，"saidPrudence，"youreallytreathimtoobadly，andheissogoodandkindtoyou。Lookatthiswatchonthemantel-piece，thathegaveyou：itmusthavecosthimatleastthreethousandfrancs，Iamsure。"
　　AndMme。Duvernoybegantoturnitover，asitlayonthemantel-piece，lookingatitwithcovetouseyes。
　　"Mydear，"saidMarguerite，sittingdowntothepiano，"whenI
　　putononesidewhathegivesmeandontheotherwhathesaystome，itseemstomethathebuyshisvisitsverycheap。"
　　"Thepoorfellowisinlovewithyou。"
　　"IfIhadtolistentoeverybodywhowasinlovewithme，I
　　shouldn'thavetimeformydinner。"
　　Andshebegantorunherfingersoverthepiano，andthen，turningtous，shesaid：
　　"Whatwillyoutake？IthinkIshouldlikealittlepunch。"
　　"AndIcouldeatalittlechicken，"saidPrudence。"Supposewehavesupper？"
　　"That'sit，let'sgoandhavesupper，"saidGaston。
　　"No，wewillhavesupperhere。"
　　Sherang，andNanineappeared。
　　"Sendforsomesupper。"
　　"WhatmustIget？"
　　"Whateveryoulike，butatonce，atonce。"
　　Naninewentout。
　　"That'sit，"saidMarguerite，jumpinglikeachild，"we'llhavesupper。Howtiresomethatidiotofacountis！"
　　ThemoreIsawher，themoresheenchantedme。Shewasexquisitelybeautiful。Herslendernesswasacharm。Iwaslostincontemplation。
　　WhatwaspassinginmymindIshouldhavesomedifficultyinexplaining。Iwasfullofindulgenceforherlife，fullofadmirationforherbeauty。Theproofofdisinterestednessthatshegaveinnotacceptingarichandfashionableyoungman，readytowasteallhismoneyuponher，excusedherinmyeyesforallherfaultsinthepast。
　　Therewasakindofcandourinthiswoman。Youcouldseeshewasstillinthevirginityofvice。Herfirmwalk，hersupplefigure，herrosy，opennostrils，herlargeeyes，slightlytingedwithblue，indicatedoneofthoseardentnatureswhichsbedaroundthemasortofvoluptuousperfume，likeEasternvials，which，closethemastightlyasyouwill，stillletsomeoftheirperfumeescape。Finally，whetheritwassimplenatureorabreathoffever，therepassedfromtimetotimeintheeyesofthiswomanaglimmerofdesire，givingpromiseofaveryheavenforonewhomsheshouldlove。ButthosewhohadlovedMargueritewerenottobecounted，northosewhomshehadloved。
　　Inthisgirltherewasatoncethevirginwhomamerenothinghadturnedintoacourtesan，andthecourtesanwhomamerenothingwouldhaveturnedintothemostlovingandthepurestofvirgins。
　　Margueritehadstillprideandindependence，twosentimentswhich，iftheyarewounded，canbetheequivalentofasenseofshame。Ididnotspeakaword；mysoulseemedtohavepassedintomyheartandmyheartintomyeyes。
　　"So，"saidsheallatonce，"itwasyouwhocametoinquireaftermewhenIwasill？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Doyouknow，itwasquitesplendidofyou！HowcanIthankyouforit？"
　　"Byallowingmetocomeandseeyoufromtimetotime。"
　　"Asoftenasyoulike，fromfivetosix，andfromeleventotwelve。Now，Gaston，playtheInvitationAlaValse。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Topleaseme，firstofall，andthenbecauseInevercanmanagetoplayitmyself。"
　　"Whatpartdoyoufinddifficult？"
　　"Thethirdpart，thepartinsharps。"
　　Gastonroseandwenttothepiano，andbegantoplaythewonderfulmelodyofWeber，themusicofwhichstoodopenbeforehim。
　　Marguerite，restingonehandonthepiano，followedeverynoteonthemusic，accompanyingitinalowvoice，andwhenGastonhadcometothepassagewhichshehadmentionedtohim，shesangout，runningherfingersalongthetopofthepiano：
　　"Do，re，mi，do，re，fa，mi，re；thatiswhatIcannotdo。Overagain。"
　　Gastonbeganoveragain，afterwhichMargueritesaid：
　　"Now，letmetry。"
　　Shetookherplaceandbegantoplay；butherrebelliousfingersalwayscametogriefoveroneofthenotes。
　　"Isn'titincredible，"shesaid，exactlylikeachild，"thatI
　　cannotsucceedinplayingthatpassage？WouldyoubelievethatI
　　sometimesspendtwohoursofthemorningoverit？AndwhenI
　　thinkthatthatidiotofacountplaysitwithouthismusic，andbeautifully，Ireallybelieveitisthatthatmakesmesofuriouswithhim。"Andshebeganagain，alwayswiththesameresult。
　　"ThedeviltakeWeber，music，andpianos！"shecried，throwingthemusictotheotherendoftheroom。"HowcanIplayeightsharpsoneafteranother？"Shefoldedherarmsandlookedatus，stampingherfoot。Thebloodflewtohercheeks，andherlipshalfopenedinaslightcough。
　　"Come，come，"saidPrudence，whohadtakenoffherhatandwassmoothingherhairbeforetheglass，"youwillworkyourselfintoarageanddoyourselfharm。Bettercomeandhavesupper；formypart，Iamdyingofhunger。"
　　Margueriterangthebell，satdowntothepianoagain，andbegantohumoveraveryriskysong，whichsheaccompaniedwithoutdifficulty。Gastonknewthesong，andtheygaveasortofduet。
　　"Don'tsingthosebeastlythings，"IsaidtoMarguerite，imploringly。
　　"Oh，howproperyouare！"shesaid，smilingandgivingmeherhand。"Itisnotformyself，butforyou。"
　　Margueritemadeagestureasiftosay，"Oh，itislongsincethatIhavedonewithpropriety！"AtthatmomentNanineappeared。
　　"Issupperready？"askedMarguerite。"Yes，madame，inonemoment。"
　　"Apropos，"saidPrudencetome，"youhavenotlookedround；come，andIwillshowyou。"Asyouknow，thedrawing-roomwasamarvel。
　　Margueritewentwithusforamoment；thenshecalledGastonandwentintothedining-roomwithhimtoseeifsupperwasready。
　　"Ah，"saidPrudence，catchingsightofalittleSaxefigureonaside-table，"Ineverknewyouhadthislittlegentleman。"
　　"Which？"
　　"Alittleshepherdholdingabird-cage。"
　　"Takeit，ifyoulikeit。"
　　"Iwon'tdepriveyouofit。"
　　"Iwasgoingtogiveittomymaid。Ithinkithideous；butifyoulikeit，takeit。"
　　Prudenceonlysawthepresent，notthewayinwhichitwasgiven。
　　Sheputthelittlefigureononeside，andtookmeintothedressing-room，wheresheshowedmetwominiatureshangingsidebyside，andsaid：
　　"ThatistheComtedeG。，whowasverymuchinlovewithMarguerite；itwashewhobroughtherout。Doyouknowhim？"
　　"No。Andthisone？"Iinquired，pointingtotheotherminiature。
　　"ThatisthelittleVicomtedeL。Hewasobligedtodisappear。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becausehewasallbutruined。That'sone，ifyoulike，wholovedMarguerite。"
　　"Andshelovedhim，too，nodoubt？"
　　"Sheissuchaqueergirl，oneneverknows。Thenighthewentawayshewenttothetheatreasusual，andyetshehadcriedwhenhesaidgood-byetoher。"
　　JustthenNanineappeared，totellusthatsupperwasserved。
　　Whenweenteredthedining-room，Margueritewasleaningagainstthewall，andGaston，holdingherhands，wasspeakingtoherinalowvoice。
　　"Youaremad，"repliedMarguerite。"YouknowquitewellthatI
　　don'twantyou。Itisnogoodattheendoftwoyearstomakelovetoawomanlikeme。Withus，itisatonce，ornever。Come，gentlemen，supper！"
　　And，slippingawayfromGaston，Margueritemadehimsitonherrightattable，meonherleft，thencalledtoNanine：
　　"Beforeyousitdown，telltheminthekitchennottoopentoanybodyifthereisaring。"
　　Thisorderwasgivenatoneo'clockinthemorning。
　　Welaughed，drank，andatefreelyatthissupper。Inashortwhilemirthhadreacheditslastlimit，andthewordsthatseemfunnytoacertainclassofpeople，wordsthatdegradethemouththatuttersthem，wereheardfromtimetotime，amidsttheapplauseofNanine，ofPrudence，andofMarguerite。Gastonwasthoroughlyamused；hewasaverygoodsortoffellow，butsomewhatspoiledbythehabitsofhisyouth。ForamomentItriedtoforgetmyself，toforcemyheartandmythoughtstobecomeindifferenttothesightbeforeme，andtotakemyshareofthatgaietywhichseemedlikeoneofthecoursesofthemeal。ButlittlebylittleIwithdrewfromthenoise；myglassremainedfull，andIfeltalmostsadasIsawthisbeautifulcreatureoftwentydrinking，talkinglikeaporter，andlaughingthemoreloudlythemorescandalouswasthejoke。
　　Nevertheless，thishilarity，thiswayoftalkinganddrinking，whichseemedtomeintheothersthemereresultsofbadcompanyorofbadhabits，seemedinMargueriteanecessityofforgetting，afever，anervousirritability。Ateveryglassofchampagnehercheekswouldflushwithafeverishcolour，andacough，hardlyperceptibleatthebeginningofsupper，becameatlastsoviolentthatshewasobligedtoleanherheadonthebackofherchairandholdherchestinherhandseverytimethatshecoughed。I
　　sufferedatthethoughtoftheinjurytosofrailaconstitutionwhichmustcomefromdailyexcesseslikethis。Atlength，somethingwhichIhadfearedandforeseenhappened。TowardtheendofsupperMargueritewasseizedbyamoreviolentfitofcoughingthananyshehadhadwhileIwasthere。Itseemedasifherchestwerebeingtornintwo。Thepoorgirlturnedcrimson，closedhereyesunderthepain，andputhernapkintoherlips。
　　Itwasstainedwithadropofblood。Sheroseandranintoherdressing-room。
　　"WhatisthematterwithMarguerite？"askedGaston。
　　"Shehasbeenlaughingtoomuch，andsheisspittingblood。Oh，itisnothing；ithappenstohereveryday。Shewillbebackinaminute。Leaveheralone。Sheprefersit。"
　　Icouldnotstaystill；and，totheconsternationofPrudenceandNanine，whocalledtometocomeback，IfollowedMarguerite。"
　　Chapter10
　　Theroomtowhichshehadfledwaslitonlybyasinglecandle。
　　Shelaybackonagreatsofa，herdressundone，holdingonehandonherheart，andlettingtheotherhangbyherside。Onthetablewasabasinhalffullofwater，andthewaterwasstainedwithstreaksofblood。
　　Verypale，hermouthhalfopen，Margueritetriedtorecoverbreath。Nowandagainherbosomwasraisedbyalongsigh，whichseemedtorelieveheralittle，andforafewsecondsshewouldseemtobequitecomfortable。
　　Iwentuptoher；shemadenomovement，andIsatdownandtookthehandwhichwaslyingonthesofa。
　　"Ah！itisyou，"shesaid，withasmile。
　　Imusthavelookedgreatlyagitated，forsheadded：
　　"Areyouunwell，too？"
　　"No，butyou：doyoustillsuffer？"
　　"Verylittle；"andshewipedoffwithherhandkerchiefthetearswhichthecoughinghadbroughttohereyes；"Iamusedtoitnow。"
　　"Youarekillingyourself，madame，"Isaidtoherinamovedvoice。"IwishIwereafriend，arelationofyours，thatImightkeepyoufromdoingyourselfharmlikethis。"
　　"Ah！itisreallynotworthyourwhiletoalarmyourself，"sherepliedinasomewhatbittertone；"seehowmuchnoticetheotherstakeofme！Theyknowtoowellthatthereisnothingtobedone。"
　　Thereuponshegotup，and，takingthecandle，putitonthemantel-pieceandlookedatherselfintheglass。
　　"HowpaleIam！"shesaid，asshefastenedherdressandpassedherfingersoverherloosenedhair。"Come，letusgobacktosupper。Areyoucoming？"
　　Isatstillanddidnotmove。
　　ShesawhowdeeplyIhadbeenaffectedbythewholescene，and，cominguptome，heldoutherhand，saying：
　　"Comenow，letusgo。"
　　Itookherhand，raisedittomylips，andinspiteofmyselftwotearsfelluponit。
　　"Why，whatachildyouare！"shesaid，sittingdownbymysideagain。"Youarecrying！Whatisthematter？"
　　"Imustseemverysillytoyou，butIamfrightfullytroubledbywhatIhavejustseen。"
　　"Youareverygood！Whatwouldyouhaveofme？Icannotsleep。I
　　mustamusemyselfalittle。Andthen，girlslikeme，whatdoesitmatter，onemoreorless？ThedoctorstellmethatthebloodI
　　spitupcomesfrommythroat；Ipretendtobelievethem；itisallIcandoforthem。"
　　"Listen，Marguerite，"Isaid，unabletocontainmyselfanylonger；"Idonotknowwhatinfluenceyouaregoingtohaveovermylife，butatthispresentmomentthereisnoone，notevenmysister，inwhomIfeeltheinterestwhichIfeelinyou。IthasbeenjustthesameeversinceIsawyou。Well，forHeaven'ssake，takecareofyourself，anddonotliveasyouarelivingnow。"
　　"IfItookcareofmyselfIshoulddie。AllthatsupportsmeisthefeverishlifeIlead。Then，asfortakingcareofoneself，thatisallverywellforwomenwithfamiliesandfriends；asforus，fromthemomentwecannolongerservethevanityorthepleasureofourlovers，theyleaveus，andlongnightsfollowlongdays。Iknowit。Iwasinbedfortwomonths，andafterthreeweeksnoonecametoseeme。"
　　"ItistrueIamnothingtoyou，"Iwenton，"butifyouwillletme，Iwilllookafteryoulikeabrother，Iwillneverleaveyourside，andIwillcureyou。Then，whenyouarestrongagain，youcangobacktothelifeyouareleading，ifyouchoose；butIamsureyouwillcometopreferaquietlife，whichwillmakeyouhappierandkeepyourbeautyunspoiled。"
　　"Youthinklikethatto-nightbecausethewinehasmadeyousad，butyouwouldneverhavethepatiencethatyoupretendto。"
　　"Permitmetosay，Marguerite，thatyouwereillfortwomonths，andthatfortwomonthsIcametoaskafteryoueveryday。"
　　"Itistrue，butwhydidyounotcomeup？"
　　"BecauseIdidnotknowyouthen。"
　　"Needyouhavebeensoparticularwithagirllikeme？"
　　"Onemustalwaysbeparticularwithawoman；itiswhatIfeel，atleast。"
　　"Soyouwouldlookafterme？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Youwouldstaybymeallday？"
　　"Yes。
　　"Andevenallnight？"
　　"AslongasIdidnotwearyyou。"
　　"Andwhatdoyoucallthat？"
　　"Devotion。"
　　"Andwhatdoesthisdevotioncomefrom？"
　　"TheirresistiblesympathywhichIhaveforyou。"
　　"Soyouareinlovewithme？Sayitstraightout，itismuchmoresimple。"
　　"Itispossible；butifIamtosayittoyouoneday，itisnotto-day。"
　　"Youwilldobetternevertosayit。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseonlyoneoftwothingscancomeofit。"
　　"What？"
　　"EitherIshallnotaccept：thenyouwillhaveagrudgeagainstme；orIshallaccept：thenyouwillhaveasorrymistress；awomanwhoisnervous，ill，sad，orgaywithagaietysadderthangrief，awomanwhospitsbloodandspendsahundredthousandfrancsayear。Thatisallverywellforaricholdmanliketheduke，butitisverybadforayoungmanlikeyou，andtheproofofitisthatalltheyoungloversIhavehadhaveverysoonleftme。"Ididnotanswer；Ilistened。Thisfrankness，whichwasalmostakindofconfession，thesadlife，ofwhichIcaughtsomeglimpsethroughthegoldenveilwhichcoveredit，andwhoserealitythepoorgirlsoughttoescapeindissipation，drink，andwakefulness，impressedmesodeeplythatIcouldnotutterasingleword。
　　"Come，"continuedMarguerite，"wearetalkingmerechildishness。
　　Givemeyourarmandletusgobacktothedining-room。Theywon'tknowwhatwemeanbyourabsence。"
　　"Goin，ifyoulike，butallowmetostayhere。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseyourmirthhurtsme。"
　　"Well，Iwillbesad。"
　　"Marguerite，letmesaytoyousomethingwhichyouhavenodoubtoftenheard，sooftenthatthehabitofhearingithasmadeyoubelieveitnolonger，butwhichisnonethelessreal，andwhichIwillneverrepeat。"
　　"Andthatis……？"shesaid，withthesmileofayoungmotherlisteningtosomefoolishnotionofherchild。
　　"Itisthis，thateversinceIhaveseenyou，Iknownotwhy，youhavetakenaplaceinmylife；that，ifIdrivethethoughtofyououtofmymind，italwayscomesback；thatwhenImetyouto-day，afternothavingseenyoufortwoyears，youmadeadeeperimpressiononmyheartandmindthanever；that，nowthatyouhaveletmecometoseeyou，nowthatIknowyou，nowthatI
　　knowallthatisstrangeinyou，youhavebecomeanecessityofmylife，andyouwilldrivememad，notonlyifyouwillnotloveme，butifyouwillnotletmeloveyou。"
　　"But，foolishcreaturethatyouare，Ishallsaytoyou，likeMme。D。，'Youmustbeveryrich，then！'Why，youdon'tknowthatIspendsixorseventhousandfrancsamonth，andthatIcouldnotlivewithoutit；youdon'tknow，mypoorfriend，thatI
　　shouldruinyouinnotime，andthatyourfamilywouldcastyouoffifyouweretolivewithawomanlikeme。Letusbefriends，goodfriends，butnomore。Comeandseeme，wewilllaughandtalk，butdon'texaggeratewhatIamworth，forIamworthverylittle。Youhaveagoodheart，youwantsomeonetoloveyou，youaretooyoungandtoosensitivetoliveinaworldlikemine。
　　Takeamarriedwoman。Yousee，Ispeaktoyoufrankly，likeafriend。"
　　"Butwhatthedevilareyoudoingthere？"criedPrudence，whohadcomeinwithoutourbearingher，andwhonowstoodjustinsidethedoor，withherhairhalfcomingdownandherdressundone。I
　　recognisedthehandofGaston。
　　"Wearetalkingsense，"saidMarguerite；"leaveusalone；wewillbebacksoon。"
　　"Good，good！Talk，mychildren，"saidPrudence，goingoutandclosingthedoorbehindher，asiftofurtherempbasizethetoneinwhichshehadsaidthesewords。
　　"Well，itisagreed，"continuedMarguerite，whenwewerealone，"youwon'tfallinlovewithme？"
　　"Iwillgoaway。"
　　"Somuchasthat？"
　　Ihadgonetoofartodrawback；andIwasreallycarriedaway。
　　Thisminglingofgaiety，sadness，candour，prostitution，herverymalady，whichnodoubtdevelopedinherasensitivenesstoimpressions，aswellasanirritabilityofnerves，allthismadeitcleartomethatiffromtheverybeginningIdidnotcompletelydominateherlightandforgetfulnature，shewaslosttome。
　　"Come，now，doyouseriouslymeanwhatyousay？"shesaid。
　　"Seriously。"
　　"Butwhydidn'tyousayittomesooner？"
　　"WhencouldIhavesaidit？"
　　"ThedayafteryouhadbeenintroducedtomeattheOperaComique。"
　　"IthoughtyouwouldhavereceivedmeverybadlyifIhadcometoseeyou。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecauseIhadbehavedsostupidly。"
　　"That'strue。Andyetyouwerealreadyinlovewithme。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andthatdidn'thinderyoufromgoingtobedandsleepingquitecomfortably。Oneknowswhatthatsortoflovemeans。"
　　"Thereyouaremistaken。DoyouknowwhatIdidthatevening，aftertheOperaComique？"
　　"No。"
　　"IwaitedforyouatthedooroftheCafeAnglais。Ifollowedthecarriageinwhichyouandyourthreefriendswere，andwhenIsawyouweretheonlyonetogetdown，andthatyouwentinalone，I
　　wasveryhappy。"
　　Margueritebegantolaugh。
　　"Whatareyoulaughingat？"
　　"Nothing。"
　　"Tellme，Ibegofyou，orIshallthinkyouarestilllaughingatme。"
　　"Youwon'tbecross？"
　　"WhatrighthaveItobecross？"
　　"Well，therewasasufficientreasonwhyIwentinalone。"
　　"What？"
　　"Someonewaswaitingformehere。"
　　Ifshehadthrustaknifeintomeshewouldnothavehurtmemore。Irose，andholdingoutmyhand，"Goodbye，"saidI。
　　"Iknewyouwouldbecross，"shesaid；"menarefrantictoknowwhatiscertaintogivethempain。"
　　"ButIassureyou，"Iaddedcoldly，asifwishingtoprovehowcompletelyIwascuredofmypassion，"IassureyouthatIamnotcross。Itwasquitenaturalthatsomeoneshouldbewaitingforyou，justasitisquitenaturalthatIshouldgofromhereatthreeinthemorning。"
　　"Haveyou，too，someonewaitingforyou？"
　　"No，butImustgo。"
　　"Good-bye，then。"
　　"Yousendmeaway？"
　　"Nottheleastintheworld。"
　　"Whyareyousounkindtome？"
　　"HowhaveIbeenunkindtoyou？"
　　"Intellingmethatsomeonewaswaitingforyou。"
　　"Icouldnothelplaughingattheideathatyouhadbeensohappytoseemecomeinalonewhentherewassuchagoodreasonforit。"
　　"Onefindspleasureinchildishenoughthings，anditistoobadtodestroysuchapleasurewhen，bysimplyleavingitalone，onecanmakesomebodysohappy。"
　　"ButwhatdoyouthinkIam？Iamneithermaidnorduchess。I
　　didn'tknowyoutillto-day，andIamnotresponsibletoyouformyactions。SupposingonedayIshouldbecomeyourmistress，youareboundtoknowthatIhavehadotherloversbesidesyou。Ifyoumakescenesofjealousylikethisbefore，whatwillitbeafter，ifthataftershouldeverexist？Inevermetanyonelikeyou。"
　　"ThatisbecausenoonehaseverlovedyouasIloveyou。"
　　"Frankly，then，youreallyloveme？"
　　"Asmuchasitispossibletolove，Ithink。"
　　"Andthathaslastedsince——？"
　　"SincethedayIsawyougointoSusse's，threeyearsago。
　　"Doyouknow，thatistremendouslyfine？Well，whatamtodoinreturn？"
　　"Lovemealittle，"Isaid，myheartbeatingsothatIcouldhardlyspeak；for，inspiteofthehalf-mockingsmileswithwhichshehadaccompaniedthewholeconversation，itseemedtomethatMargueritebegantosharemyagitation，andthatthehoursolongawaitedwasdrawingnear。
　　"Well，buttheduke？"
　　"Whatduke？"
　　"Myjealousoldduke。"
　　"Hewillknownothing。"
　　"Andifheshould？"
　　"Hewouldforgiveyou。"
　　"Ah，no，hewouldleaveme，andwhatwouldbecomeofme？"
　　"Youriskthatforsomeoneelse。"
　　"Howdoyouknow？""Bytheorderyougavenottoadmitanyoneto-night。""Itistrue；butthatisaseriousfriend。"
　　"Forwhomyoucarenothing，asyouhaveshutyourdooragainsthimatsuchanhour。"
　　"Itisnotforyoutoreproachme，sinceitwasinordertoreceiveyou，youandyourfriend。"
　　LittlebylittleIhaddrawnnearertoMarguerite。Ihadputmyarmsaboutherwaist，andIfelthersupplebodyweighlightlyonmyclaspedhands。
　　"IfyouknewhowmuchIloveyou！"Isaidinalowvoice。"Reallytrue？"
　　"Iswearit。"
　　"Well，ifyouwillpromisetodoeverythingItellyou，withoutaword，withoutanopinion，withoutaquestion，perhapsIwillsayyes。"
　　"Iwilldoeverythingthatyouwish！"
　　"ButIforewarnyouImustbefreetodoasIplease，withoutgivingyoutheslightestdetailswhatIdo。Ihavelongwishedforayounglover，whoshouldbeyoungandnotself-willed，lovingwithoutdistrust，lovedwithoutclaimingtherighttoit。
　　Ihaveneverfoundone。Men，insteadofbeingsatisfiedinobtainingforalongtimewhattheyscarcelyhopedtoobtainonce，exactfromtheirmistressesafullaccountofthepresent，thepast，andeventhefuture。Astheygetaccustomedtoher，theywanttoruleher，andthemoreonegivesthemthemoreexactingtheybecome。IfIdecidenowontakinganewlover，hemusthavethreeveryrarequalities：hemustbeconfiding，submissive，anddiscreet。"
　　"Well，Iwillbeallthatyouwish。"
　　"Weshallsee。"
　　"Whenshallwesee？"
　　"Lateron。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Because，"saidMarguerite，releasingherselffrommyarms，and，takingfromagreatbunchofredcamelliasasinglecamellia，sheplaceditinmybuttonhole，"becauseonecannotalwayscarryoutagreementsthedaytheyaresigned。"
　　"AndwhenshallIseeyouagain？"Isaid，claspingherinmyarms。
　　"Whenthiscamelliachangescolour。"
　　"Whenwillitchangecolour？"
　　"To-morrownightbetweenelevenandtwelve。Areyousatisfied？"
　　"Needyouaskme？"
　　"NotawordofthiseithertoyourfriendortoPrudence，ortoanybodywhatever。"
　　"Ipromise。"
　　"Now，kissme，andwewillgobacktothedining-room。"
　　Sheheldupherlipstome，smoothedherhairagain，andwewentoutoftheroom，shesinging，andIalmostbesidemyself。
　　Inthenextroomshestoppedforamomentandsaidtomeinalowvoice：
　　"ItmustseemstrangetoyouthatIamreadytotakeyouatamoment'snotice。ShallItellyouwhy？Itis，"shecontinued，takingmyhandandplacingitagainstherheartsothatIcouldfeelhowrapidlyandviolentlyitpalpitated；"itisbecauseI
　　shallnotliveaslongasothers，andIhavepromisedmyselftolivemorequickly。"
　　"Don'tspeaktomelikethat，Ientreatyou。"
　　"Oh，makeyourselfeasy，"shecontinued，laughing；"howevershortatimeIhavetolive，Ishalllivelongerthanyouwillloveme！"
　　Andshewentsingingintothedining-room。
　　"WhereisNanine？"shesaid，seeingGastonandPrudencealone。
　　"Sheisasleepinyourroom，waitingtillyouarereadytogotobed，"repliedPrudence。