"Poorthing，Iamkillingher！Andnowgentlemen，itistimetogo。"
Tenminutesafter，GastonandIleftthehouse。Margueriteshookhandswithmeandsaidgood-bye。Prudenceremainedbehind。
"Well，"saidGaston，whenwewereinthestreet，"whatdoyouthinkofMarguerite？"
"Sheisanangel，andIammadlyinlovewithher。""SoI
guessed；didyoutellherso？"
"Yes。"
"Anddidshepromisetobelieveyou？"
"No。"
"SheisnotlikePrudence。"
"Didshepromiseto？"
"Betterstill，mydearfellow。Youwouldn'tthinkit；butsheisstillnothalfbad，pooroldDuvernoy！"
Chapter11
AtthispointArmandstopped。
"Wouldyouclosethewindowforme？"hesaid。"Iambeginningtofeelcold。Meanwhile，Iwillgetintobed。"
Iclosedthewindow。Armand，whowasstillveryweak，tookoffhisdressing-gownandlaydowninbed，restinghisheadforafewmomentsonthepillow，likeamanwhoistiredbymuchtalkingordisturbedbypainfulmemories。
"Perhapsyouhavebeentalkingtoomuch，"Isaidtohim。"Wouldyouratherformetogoandleaveyoutosleep？Youcantellmetherestofthestoryanotherday。"
"Areyoutiredoflisteningtoit？"
"Quitethecontrary。"
"ThenIwillgoon。Ifyouleftmealone，Ishouldnotsleep。"
WhenIreturnedhome（hecontinued，withoutneedingtopauseandrecollecthimself，sofreshwereallthedetailsinhismind），I
didnotgotobed，butbegantoreflectovertheday'sadventure。
Themeeting，theintroduction，thepromiseofMarguerite，hadfollowedoneanothersorapidly，andsounexpectedly，thatthereweremomentswhenitseemedtomeIhadbeendreaming。
Nevertheless，itwasnotthefirsttimethatagirllikeMargueritehadpromisedherselftoamanonthemorrowofthedayonwhichhehadaskedforthepromise。
Though，indeed，Imadethisreflection，thefirstimpressionproducedonmebymyfuturemistresswassostrongthatitstillpersisted。Irefusedobstinatelytoseeinherawomanlikeotherwomen，and，withthevanitysocommontoallmen，Iwasreadytobelievethatshecouldnotbutsharetheattractionwhichdrewmetoher。
Yet，Ihadbeforemeplentyofinstancestothecontrary，andI
hadoftenheardthattheaffectionofMargueritewasathingtobehadmoreorlessdear，accordingtotheseason。
But，ontheotherhand，howwasItoreconcilethisreputationwithherconstantrefusaloftheyoungcountwhomwehadfoundatherhouse？Youmaysaythathewasunattractivetoher，andthat，asshewassplendidlykeptbytheduke，shewouldbemorelikelytochooseamanwhowasattractivetoher，ifsheweretotakeanotherlover。Ifso，whydidshenotchooseGaston，whowasrich，witty，andcharming，andwhydidshecareforme，whomshehadthoughtsoridiculousthefirsttimeshehadseenme？
Itistruethatthereareeventsofamomentwhichtellmorethanthecourtshipofayear。Ofthosewhowereatthesupper，Iwastheonlyonewhohadbeenconcernedatherleavingthetable。I
hadfollowedher，Ihadbeensoaffectedastobeunabletohideitfromher，IhadweptasIkissedherhand。Thiscircumstance，addedtomydailyvisitsduringthetwomonthsofherillness，mighthaveshownherthatIwassomewhatdifferentfromtheothermensheknew，andperhapsshehadsaidtoherselfthatforalovewhichcouldthusmanifestitselfshemightwelldowhatshehaddonesooftenthatithadnomoreconsequenceforher。
Allthesesuppositions，asyoumaysee，wereimprobableenough；
butwhatevermighthavebeenthereasonofherconsent，onethingwascertain，shehadconsented。
Now，IwasinlovewithMarguerite。Ihadnothingmoretoaskofher。Nevertheless，thoughshewasonlyakeptwoman，Ihadsoanticipatedformyself，perhapstopoetizeitalittle，ahopelesslove，thatthenearerthemomentapproachedwhenI
shouldhavenothingmoretohope，themoreIdoubted。Ididnotclosemyeyesallnight。
Iscarcelyknewmyself。Iwashalfdemented。Now，Iseemedtomyselfnothandsomeorrichorelegantenoughtopossesssuchawoman，nowIwasfilledwithvanityatthethoughtofit；thenI
begantofearlestMargueritehadnomorethanafewdays'
capriceforme，andIsaidtomyselfthatsinceweshouldsoonhavetopart，itwouldbebetternottokeepherappointment，buttowriteandtellhermyfearsandleaveher。FromthatIwentontounlimitedhope，unboundedconfidence。Idreamedincredibledreamsofthefuture；Isaidtomyselfthatsheshouldowetomehermoralandphysicalrecovery，thatIshouldspendmywholelifewithher，andthatherloveshouldmakemehappierthanallthemaidenlylovesintheworld。
ButIcannotrepeattoyouthethousandthoughtsthatrosefrommyhearttomyhead，andthatonlyfadedawaywiththesleepthatcametomeatdaybreak。
WhenIawokeitwastwoo'clock。Theweatherwassuperb。Idon'tthinklifeeverseemedtomesobeautifulandsofullofpossibilities。Thememoriesofthenightbeforecametomewithoutshadoworhindrance，escortedgailybythehopesofthenighttocome。Fromtimetotimemyheartleapedwithloveandjoyinmybreast。Asweetfeverthrilledme。IthoughtnomoreofthereasonswhichhadfilledmymindbeforeIslept。Isawonlytheresult，IthoughtonlyofthehourwhenIwastoseeMargueriteagain。
Itwasimpossibletostayindoors。Myroomseemedtoosmalltocontainmyhappiness。Ineededthewholeofnaturetounbosommyself。
Iwentout。PassingbytheRued'Antin，IsawMarguerite'scoupe'
waitingforheratthedoor。IwenttowardtheChamps-Elysees。I
lovedallthepeoplewhomImet。Lovegivesoneakindofgoodness。
AfterIhadbeenwalkingforanhourfromtheMarlyhorsestotheRond-Point，IsawMarguerite'scarriageinthedistance；I
divinedratherthanrecognisedit。AsitwasturningthecorneroftheChamps-Elyseesitstopped，andatallyoungmanleftagroupofpeoplewithwhomhewastalkingandcameuptoher。Theytalkedforafewmoments；theyoungmanreturnedtohisfriends，thehorsessetoutagain，andasIcamenearthegroupI
recognisedtheonewhohadspokentoMargueriteastheComtedeG。，whoseportraitIhadseenandwhomPrudencehadindicatedtomeasthemantowhomMargueriteowedherposition。Itwastohimthatshehadclosedherdoorsthenightbefore；Iimaginedthatshehadstoppedhercarriageinordertoexplaintohimwhyshehaddoneso，andIhopedthatatthesametimeshehadfoundsomenewpretextfornotreceivinghimonthefollowingnight。
HowIspenttherestofthedayIdonotknow；Iwalked，smoked，talked，butwhatIsaid，whomImet，Ihadutterlyforgottenbyteno'clockintheevening。
AllIrememberisthatwhenIreturnedhome，Ispentthreehoursovermytoilet，andIlookedatmywatchandmyclockahundredtimes，whichunfortunatelybothpointedtothesamehour。
Whenitstruckhalfpastten，Isaidtomyselfthatitwastimetogo。
IlivedatthattimeintheRuedeProvence；IfollowedtheRueduMont-Blanc，crossedtheBoulevard，wentuptheRueLouis-le-Grand，theRuedePort-Mahon，andtheRued'Antin。I
lookedupatMarguerite'swindows。Therewasalight。Irang。I
askedtheporterifMlle。Gautierwasathome。Herepliedthatshenevercameinbeforeelevenoraquarterpasteleven。I
lookedatmywatch。Iintendedtocomequiteslowly，andIhadcomeinfiveminutesfromtheRuedeProvencetotheRued'Antin。
Iwalkedtoandfrointhestreet；therearenoshops，andatthathouritisquitedeserted。Inhalfanhour'stimeMargueritearrived。Shelookedaroundherasshegotdownfromhercoupe'，asifshewerelookingforsomeone。Thecarriagedroveoff；thestableswerenotatthehouse。JustasMargueritewasgoingtoring，Iwentuptoherandsaid，"Good-evening。"
"Ah，itisyou，"shesaid，inatonethatbynomeansreassuredmeastoherpleasureinseeingme。
"DidyounotpromisemethatImightcomeandseeyouto-day？"
"Quiteright。Ihadforgotten。"
ThiswordupsetallthereflectionsIhadhadduringtheday。
Nevertheless，Iwasbeginningtogetusedtoherways，andIdidnotleaveher，asIshouldcertainlyhavedoneonce。Weentered。
Naninehadalreadyopenedthedoor。
"HasPrudencecome？"saidMarguerite。
"No，madame。"
"Saythatsheistobeadmittedassoonasshecomes。Butfirstputoutthelampinthedrawing-room，andifanyonecomes，saythatIhavenotcomebackandshallnotbecomingback。"
Shewaslikeawomanwhoispreoccupiedwithsomething，andperhapsannoyedbyanunwelcomeguest。Ididnotknowwhattodoorsay。Margueritewenttowardherbedroom；IremainedwhereI
was。
"Come，"shesaid。
Shetookoffherhatandhervelvetcloakandthrewthemonthebed，thenletherselfdropintoagreatarmchairbesidethefire，whichshekepttilltheverybeginningofsummer，andsaidtomeasshefingeredherwatch-chain：
"Well，whatnewshaveyougotforme？"
"None，exceptthatIoughtnottohavecometo-night。"
"Why？"
"Becauseyouseemvexed，andnodoubtIamboringyou。"
"Youarenotboringme；onlyIamnotwell；Ihavebeensufferingallday。Icouldnotsleep，andIhaveafrightfulheadache。"
"ShallIgoawayandletyougotobed？"
"Oh，youcanstay。IfIwanttogotobedIdon'tmindyourbeinghere。"
Atthatmomenttherewasaring。
"Whoiscomingnow？"shesaid，withanimpatientmovement。
Afewminutesaftertherewasanotherring。
"Isn'tthereanyonetogotothedoor？Ishallhavetogo。"Shegotupandsaidtome，"Waithere。"
Shewentthroughtherooms，andIheardheropentheouterdoor。
Ilistened。
Thepersonwhomshehadadmitteddidnotcomefartherthanthedining-room。AtthefirstwordIrecognisedthevoiceoftheyoungComtedeN。
"Howareyouthisevening？"hesaid。
"Notwell，"repliedMargueritedrily。
"AmIdisturbingyou？"
"Perhaps。
"Howyoureceiveme！WhathaveIdone，mydearMarguerite？"
"Mydearfriend，youhavedonenothing。Iamill；Imustgotobed，soyouwillbegoodenoughtogo。Itissickeningnottobeabletoreturnatnightwithoutyourmakingyourappearancefiveminutesafterward。Whatisityouwant？Formetobeyourmistress？Well，Ihavealreadytoldyouahundredtimes，No；yousimplyworryme，andyoumightaswellgosomewhereelse。I
repeattoyouto-day，forthelasttime，Idon'twanttohaveanythingtodowithyou；that'ssettled。Good-bye。Here'sNaninecomingin；shecanlightyoutothedoor。Good-night。"
Withoutaddinganotherword，orlisteningtowhattheyoungmanstammeredout，Margueritereturnedtotheroomandslammedthedoor。Nanineenteredamomentafter。
"Nowunderstand，"saidMarguerite，"youarealwaystosaytothatidiotthatIamnotin，orthatIwillnotseehim。Iamtiredoutwithseeingpeoplewhoalwayswantthesamething；whopaymeforit，andthenthinktheyarequitofme。Ifthosewhoaregoingtogoinforourhatefulbusinessonlyknewwhatitreallywastheywouldsoonerbechambermaids。Butno，vanity，thedesireofhavingdressesandcarriagesanddiamondscarriesusaway；onebelieveswhatonehears，forhere，aselsewhere，thereissuchathingasbelief，andoneusesupone'sheart，one'sbody，one'sbeauty，littlebylittle；oneisfearedlikeabeastofprey，scornedlikeapariah，surroundedbypeoplewhoalwaystakemorethantheygive；andonefinedayonedieslikeadoginaditch，afterhavingruinedothersandruinedone'sself。"
"Come，come，madame，becalm，"saidNanine；"yournervesareabitupsetto-night。"
"Thisdressworriesme，"continuedMarguerite，unhookingherbodice；"givemeadressing-gown。Well，andPrudence？"
"Shehasnotcomeyet，butIwillsendhertoyou，madame，themomentshecomes。"
"There'sone，now，"Margueritewenton，asshetookoffherdressandputonawhitedressing-gown，"there'sonewhoknowsverywellhowtofindmewhensheisinwantofme，andyetshecan'tdomeaservicedecently。SheknowsIamwaitingforananswer。
SheknowshowanxiousIam，andIamsuresheisgoingaboutonherownaccount，withoutgivingathoughttome。"
"Perhapsshehadtowait。"
"Letushavesomepunch。"
"Itwilldoyounogood，madame，"saidNanine。
"Somuchthebetter。Bringsomefruit，too，andapateorawingofchicken；somethingorother，atonce。Iamhungry。"
NeedItellyoutheimpressionwhichthisscenemadeuponme，orcanyounotimagineit？
"Youaregoingtohavesupperwithme，"shesaidtome；
"meanwhile，takeabook。Iamgoingintomydressing-roomforamoment。"
Shelitthecandlesofacandelabra，openedadooratthefootofthebed，anddisappeared。
Ibegantothinkoverthispoorgirl'slife，andmyloveforherwasmingledwithagreatpity。Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom，thinkingoverthings，whenPrudenceentered。
"Ah，youhere？"'shesaid，"whereisMarguerite？"
"Inherdressing-room。"
"Iwillwait。Bytheway，doyouknowshethinksyoucharming？"
"No。"
"Shehasn'ttoldyou？"
"Notatall。"
"Howareyouhere？"
"Ihavecometopayheravisit。"
"Atmidnight？"
"Whynot？"
"Farceur！"
"Shehasreceivedme，asamatteroffact，verybadly。"
"Shewillreceiveyoubetterbyandbye。"
"Doyouthinkso？"
"Ihavesomegoodnewsforher。"
"Noharminthat。Soshehasspokentoyouaboutme？"
"Lastnight，orratherto-night，whenyouandyourfriendwent。
Bytheway，whatisyourfriendcalled？GastonR。，hisnameis，isn'tit？"
"Yes，"saidI，notwithoutsmiling，asIthoughtofwhatGastonhadconfidedtome，andsawthatPrudencescarcelyevenknewhisname。
"Heisquitenice，thatfellow；whatdoeshedo？"
"Hehastwenty-fivethousandfrancsayear。"
"Ah，indeed！Well，toreturntoyou。Margueriteaskedmeallaboutyou：whoyouwere，whatyoudid，whatmistressesyouhadhad；inshort，everythingthatonecouldaskaboutamanofyourage。ItoldherallIknew，andaddedthatyouwereacharmingyoungman。That'sall。"
"Thanks。Nowtellmewhatitwasshewantedtosaytoyoulastnight。"
"Nothingatall。Itwasonlytogetridofthecount；butIhavereallysomethingtoseeheraboutto-day，andIambringingherananswernow。"
AtthismomentMargueritereappearedfromherdressing-room，wearingacoquettishlittlenightcapwithbunchesofyellowribbons，technicallyknownas"cabbages。"Shelookedravishing。
Shehadsatinslippersonherbarefeet，andwasintheactofpolishinghernails。
"Well，"shesaid，seeingPrudence，"haveyouseentheduke？"
"Yes，indeed。"
"Andwhatdidhesaytoyou？"
"Hegaveme——"
"Howmuch？"
"Sixthousand。"
"Haveyougotit？"
"Yes。
"Didheseemputout？"
"No。"
"Poorman！"
This"Poorman！"wassaidinatoneimpossibletorender。
Margueritetookthesixnotesofathousandfrancs。
"Itwasquitetime，"shesaid。"MydearPrudence，areyouinwantofanymoney？"
"Youknow，mychild，itisthe15thinacoupleofdays，soifyoucouldlendmethreeorfourhundredfrancs，youwoulddomearealservice。"
"Sendoverto-morrow；itistoolatetogetchangenow。"
"Don'tforget。"
"Nofear。Willyouhavesupperwithus？"
"No，Charlesiswaitingforme。"
"Youarestilldevotedtohim？"
"Crazy，mydear！Iwillseeyouto-morrow。Good-bye，Armand。"
Mme。Duvernoywentout。
Margueriteopenedthedrawerofaside-tableandthrewthebank-notesintoit。
"Willyoupermitmetogetintobed？"shesaidwithasmile，asshemovedtowardthebed。
"Notonlypermit，butIbegofyou。"
Sheturnedbackthecoveringandgotintobed。
"Now，"saidshe，"comeandsitdownbyme，andlet'shaveatalk。"
Prudencewasright：theanswerthatshehadbroughttoMargueritehadputherintoagoodhumour。
"Willyouforgivemeformybadtempertonight？"shesaid，takingmyhand。
"Iamreadytoforgiveyouasoftenasyoulike。"
"Andyouloveme？"
"Madly。"
"Inspiteofmybaddisposition？"
"Inspiteofall。"
"Youswearit？"
"Yes，"Isaidinawhisper。
Nanineentered，carryingplates，acoldchicken，abottleofclaret，andsomestrawberries。
"Ihaven'thadanypunchmade，"saidNanine；"claretisbetterforyou。Isn'tit，sir？"
"Certainly，"Ireplied，stillundertheexcitementofMarguerite'slastwords，myeyesfixedardentlyuponher。
"Good，"saidshe；"putitallonthelittletable，anddrawituptothebed；wewillhelpourselves。Thisisthethirdnightyouhavesatup，andyoumustbeinwantofsleep。Gotobed。Idon'twantanythingmore。"
"ShallIlockthedoor？"
"Ishouldthinkso！Andaboveall，tellthemnottoadmitanybodybeforemidday。"
Chapter12
Atfiveo'clockinthemorning，asthelightbegantoappearthroughthecurtains，Margueritesaidtome："ForgivemeifI
sendyouaway；butImust。Thedukecomeseverymorning；theywilltellhim，whenhecomes，thatIamasleep，andperhapshewillwaituntilIwake。"
ItookMarguerite'sheadinmyhands；herloosenedhairstreamedabouther；Igaveheralastkiss，saying："WhenshallIseeyouagain？"
"Listen，"shesaid；"takethelittlegiltkeyonthemantelpiece，openthatdoor；bringmebackthekeyandgo。Inthecourseofthedayyoushallhavealetter，andmyorders，foryouknowyouaretoobeyblindly。"
"Yes；butifIshouldalreadyaskforsomething？"
"What？"
"Letmehavethatkey。"
"WhatyouaskisathingIhaveneverdoneforanyone。"
"Well，doitforme，forIsweartoyouthatIdon'tloveyouastheothershavelovedyou。"
"Well，keepit；butitonlydependsonmetomakeituselesstoyou，afterall。"
"How？"
"Thereareboltsonthedoor。"
"Wretch！"
"Iwillhavethemtakenoff。"
"Youlove，then，alittle？"
"Idon'tknowhowitis，butitseemstomeasifIdo！Now，go；
Ican'tkeepmyeyesopen。"
Iheldherinmyarmsforafewsecondsandthenwent。
Thestreetswereempty，thegreatcitywasstillasleep，asweetfreshnesscirculatedinthestreetsthatafewhourslaterwouldbefilledwiththenoiseofmen。Itseemedtomeasifthissleepingcitybelongedtome；IsearchedmymemoryforthenamesofthosewhosehappinessIhadonceenvied；andIcouldnotrecallonewithoutfindingmyselfthehappier。
Tobelovedbyapureyounggirl，tobethefirsttorevealtoherthestrangemysteryoflove，isindeedagreathappiness，butitisthesimplestthingintheworld。Totakecaptiveaheartwhichhashadnoexperienceofattack，istoenteranunfortifiedandungarrisonedcity。Education，familyfeeling，thesenseofduty，thefamily，arestrongsentinels，buttherearenosentinelssovigilantasnottobedeceivedbyagirlofsixteentowhomnature，bythevoiceofthemansheloves，givesthefirstcounselsoflove，allthemoreardentbecausetheyseemsopure。
Themoreagirlbelievesingoodness，themoreeasilywillshegiveway，ifnottoherlover，atleasttolove，forbeingwithoutmistrustsheiswithoutforce，andtowinherloveisatriumphthatcanbegainedbyanyyoungmanoffive-and-twenty。
Seehowyounggirlsarewatchedandguarded！Thewallsofconventsarenothighenough，mothershavenolocksstrongenough，religionhasnodutiesconstantenough，toshutthesecharmingbirdsintheircages，cagesnotevenstrewnwithflowers。Thenhowsurelymusttheydesiretheworldwhichishiddenfromthem，howsurelymusttheyfindittempting，howsurelymusttheylistentothefirstvoicewhichcomestotellitssecretsthroughtheirbars，andblessthehandwhichisthefirsttoraiseacornerofthemysteriousveil！
Buttobereallylovedbyacourtesan：thatisavictoryofinfinitelygreaterdifficulty。Withthemthebodyhaswornoutthesoul，thesenseshaveburneduptheheart，dissipationhasbluntedthefeelings。Theyhavelongknownthewordsthatwesaytothem，themeansweuse；theyhavesoldthelovethattheyinspire。Theylovebyprofession，andnotbyinstinct。Theyareguardedbetterbytheircalculationsthanavirginbyhermotherandherconvent；andtheyhaveinventedthewordcapriceforthatunbarteredlovewhichtheyallowthemselvesfromtimetotime，forarest，foranexcuse，foraconsolation，likeusurers，whocheatathousand，andthinktheyhaveboughttheirownredemptionbyoncelendingasovereigntoapoordevilwhoisdyingofhungerwithoutaskingforinterestorareceipt。
Then，whenGodallowslovetoacourtesan，thatlove，whichatfirstseemslikeapardon，becomesforheralmostwithoutpenitence。Whenacreaturewhohasallherpasttoreproachherselfwithistakenallatoncebyaprofound，sincere，irresistiblelove，ofwhichshehadneverfeltherselfcapable；
whenshehasconfessedherlove，howabsolutelythemanwhomshelovesdominatesher！Howstronghefeelswithhiscruelrighttosay：Youdonomoreforlovethanyouhavedoneformoney。Theyknownotwhatprooftogive。Achild，saysthefable，havingoftenamusedhimselfbycrying"Help！awolf！"inordertodisturbthelabourersinthefield，wasonedaydevouredbyaWolf，becausethosewhomhehadsooftendeceivednolongerbelievedinhiscriesforhelp。Itisthesamewiththeseunhappywomenwhentheyloveseriously。Theyhaveliedsooftenthatnoonewillbelievethem，andinthemidstoftheirremorsetheyaredevouredbytheirlove。
Hencethosegreatdevotions，thoseaustereretreatsfromtheworld，ofwhichsomeofthemhavegivenanexample。
Butwhenthemanwhoinspiresthisredeemingloveisgreatenoughinsoultoreceiveitwithoutrememberingthepast，whenhegiveshimselfuptoit，when，inshort，helovesasheisloved，thismandrainsatonedraughtallearthlyemotions，andaftersuchalovehisheartwillbeclosedtoeveryother。
IdidnotmakethesereflectionsonthemorningwhenIreturnedhome。Theycouldbuthavebeenthepresentimentofwhatwastohappentome，and，despitemyloveforMarguerite，Ididnotforeseesuchconsequences。Imakethesereflectionsto-day。Nowthatallisirrevocablyended，theyarisenaturallyoutofwhathastakenplace。
Buttoreturntothefirstdayofmyliaison。WhenIreachedhomeIwasinastateofmadgaiety。AsIthoughtofhowthebarrierswhichmyimaginationhadplacedbetweenMargueriteandmyselfhaddisappeared，ofhowshewasnowmine；oftheplaceInowhadinherthoughts，ofthekeytoherroomwhichIhadinmypocket，andofmyrighttousethiskey，Iwassatisfiedwithlife，proudofmyself，andIlovedGodbecausehehadletsuchthingsbe。
Onedayayoungmanispassinginthestreet，hebrushesagainstawoman，looksather，turns，goesonhisway。Hedoesnotknowthewoman，andshehaspleasures，griefs，loves，inwhichhehasnopart。Hedoesnotexistforher，andperhaps，ifhespoketoher，shewouldonlylaughathim，asMargueritehadlaughedatme。Weeks，months，yearspass，andallatonce，whentheyhaveeachfollowedtheirfatealongadifferentpath，thelogicofchancebringsthemfacetoface。Thewomanbecomestheman'smistressandloveshim。How？why？Theirtwoexistencesarehenceforthone；theyhavescarcelybeguntoknowoneanotherwhenitseemsasiftheyhadknownoneanotheralways，andallthathadgonebeforeiswipedoutfromthememoryofthetwolovers。
Itiscurious，onemustadmit。
Asforme，InolongerrememberedhowIhadlivedbeforethatnight。Mywholebeingwasexaltedintojoyatthememoryofthewordswehadexchangedduringthatfirstnight。EitherMargueritewasverycleverindeception，orshehadconceivedformeoneofthosesuddenpassionswhicharerevealedinthefirstkiss，andwhichdie，oftenenough，assuddenlyastheywereborn。
ThemoreIreflectedthemoreIsaidtomyselfthatMargueritehadnoreasonforfeigningalovewhichshedidnotfeel，andI
saidtomyselfalsothatwomenhavetwowaysofloving，oneofwhichmayarisefromtheother：theylovewiththeheartorwiththesenses。Oftenawomantakesaloverinobediencetothemerewillofthesenses，andlearnswithoutexpectingitthemysteryofimmateriallove，andliveshenceforthonlythroughherheart；
oftenagirlwhohassoughtinmarriageonlytheunionoftwopureaffectionsreceivesthesuddenrevelationofphysicallove，thatenergeticconclusionofthepurestimpressionsofthesoul。
InthemidstofthesethoughtsIfellasleep；IwasawakenedbyaletterfromMargueritecontainingthesewords：
"Herearemyorders：To-nightattheVaudeville。
"Comeduringthethirdentr'acte。"
Iputtheletterintoadrawer，sothatImightalwayshaveitatbandincaseIdoubteditsreality，asIdidfromtimetotime。
Shedidnottellmetocometoseeherduringtheday，andI
darednotgo；butIhadsogreatadesiretoseeherbeforetheeveningthatIwenttotheChamps-Elysees，whereIagainsawherpassandrepass，asIhadonthepreviousday。
Atseveno'clockIwasattheVaudeville。NeverhadIgonetoatheatresoearly。Theboxesfilledoneafteranother。Onlyoneremainedempty，thestagebox。AtthebeginningofthethirdactIheardthedoorofthebox，onwhichmyeyeshadbeenalmostconstantlyfixed，open，andMargueriteappeared。Shecametothefrontatonce，lookedaroundthestalls，sawme，andthankedmewithalook。
Thatnightshewasmarvellouslybeautiful。WasIthecauseofthiscoquetry？DidshelovemeenoughtobelievethatthemorebeautifulshelookedthehappierIshouldbe？Ididnotknow，butifthathadbeenherintentionshecertainlysucceeded，forwhensheappearedallheadsturned，andtheactorwhowasthenonthestagelookedtoseewhohadproducedsuchaneffectontheaudiencebyhermerepresencethere。
AndIhadthekeyofthiswoman'sroom，andinthreeorfourhoursshewouldagainbemine！
Peopleblamethosewholetthemselvesberuinedbyactressesandkeptwomen；whatastonishesmeisthattwentytimesgreaterfolliesarenotcommittedforthem。Onemusthavelivedthatlife，asIhave，toknowhowmuchthelittlevanitieswhichtheyaffordtheirloverseverydayhelptofastendeeperintotheheart，sincewehavenootherwordforit，thelovewhichhehasforthem。
Prudencenexttookherplaceinthebox，andaman，whomI
recognisedastheComtedeG。，seatedhimselfattheback。AsI
sawhim，acoldshiverwentthroughmyheart。
DoubtlessMargueriteperceivedtheimpressionmadeonmebythepresenceofthisman，forshesmiledtomeagain，and，turningherbacktothecount，appearedtobeveryattentivetotheplay。
Atthethirdentr'actesheturnedandsaidtwowords：thecountleftthebox，andMargueritebeckonedtometocometoher。
"Good-evening，"shesaidasIentered，holdingoutherhand。
"Good-evening，"IrepliedtobothMargueriteandPrudence。
"Sitdown。"
"ButIamtakingsomeone'splace。Isn'ttheComtedeG。comingback？"
"Yes；Isenthimtofetchsomesweets，sothatwecouldtalkbyourselvesforamoment。Mme。Duvernoyisinthesecret。"
"Yes，mychildren，"saidshe；"havenofear。Ishallsaynothing。"
"Whatisthematterwithyouto-night？"saidMarguerite，risingandcomingtothebackoftheboxandkissingmeontheforehead。
"Iamnotverywell。"
"Youshouldgotobed，"shereplied，withthatironicalairwhichwentsowellwithherdelicateandwittyface。
"Where？"
"Athome。"
"YouknowthatIshouldn'tbeabletosleepthere。"
"Well，then，itwon'tdoforyoutocomeandbepettishherebecauseyouhaveseenamaninmybox。"
"Itisnotforthatreason。"
"Yes，itis。Iknow；andyouarewrong，soletussaynomoreaboutit。YouwillgobackwithPrudenceafterthetheatre，andyouwillstaytheretillIcall。Doyouunderstand？"
"Yes。"
HowcouldIdisobey？
"Youstillloveme？"
"Canyouask？"
"Youhavethoughtofme？"
"Alldaylong。"
"DoyouknowthatIamreallyafraidthatIshallgetveryfondofyou？AskPrudence。"
"Ah，"saidshe，"itisamazing！"
"Now，youmustgobacktoyourseat。Thecountwillbecomingback，andthereisnothingtobegainedbyhisfindingyouhere。"
"Becauseyoudon'tlikeseeinghim。"
"No；onlyifyouhadtoldmethatyouwantedtocometotheVaudevilleto-nightIcouldhavegotthisboxforyouaswellashe。"
"Unfortunately，hegotitformewithoutmyaskinghim，andheaskedmetogowithhim；youknowwellenoughthatIcouldn'trefuse。AllIcoulddowastowriteandtellyouwhereIwasgoing，sothatyoucouldseeme，andbecauseIwantedtoseeyoumyself；butsincethisisthewayyouthankme，Ishallprofitbythelesson。"
"Iwaswrong；forgiveme。"
"Wellandgood；andnowgobacknicelytoyourplace，and，aboveall，nomorejealousy。"
Shekissedmeagain，andIleftthebox。InthepassageImetthecountcomingback。Ireturnedtomyseat。
Afterall，thepresenceofM。deG。inMarguerite'sboxwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。Hehadbeenherlover，hesentherabox，heaccompaniedhertothetheatre；itwasallquitenatural，andifIwastohaveamistresslikeMargueriteIshouldhavetogetusedtoherways。
Nonetheless，Iwasveryunhappyalltherestoftheevening，andwentawayverysadlyafterhavingseenPrudence，thecount，andMargueritegetintothecarriage，whichwaswaitingforthematthedoor。
However，aquarterofanhourlaterIwasatPrudence's。Shehadonlyjustgotin。
Chapter13
"Youhavecomealmostasquicklyaswe，"saidPrudence。
"Yes，"Iansweredmechanically。"WhereisMarguerite？"
"Athome。"
"Alone？"
"WithM。deG。"
Iwalkedtoandfrointheroom。
"Well，whatisthematter？"
"DoyouthinkitamusesmetowaitheretillM。deG。leavesMarguerite's？"
"Howunreasonableyouare！Don'tyouseethatMargueritecan'tturnthecountoutofdoors？M。deG。hasbeenwithherforalongtime；hehasalwaysgivenheralotofmoney；hestilldoes。
Margueritespendsmorethanahundredthousandfrancsayear；shehasheapsofdebts。Thedukegivesherallthatsheasksfor，butshedoesnotalwaysventuretoaskhimforallthatsheisinwantof。Itwouldneverdoforhertoquarrelwiththecount，whoisworthtoheratleasttenthousandfrancsayear。Margueriteisveryfondofyou，mydearfellow，butyourliaisonwithher，inherinterestsandinyours，oughtnottobeserious。Youwithyoursevenoreightthousandfrancsayear，whatcouldyoudotowardsupplyingalltheluxurieswhichagirllikethatisinneedof？Itwouldnotbeenoughtokeephercarriage。TakeMargueriteforwhatsheis，foragood，bright，prettygirl；beherloverforamonth，twomonths；giveherflowers，sweets，boxesatthetheatre；butdon'tgetanyotherideasintoyourhead，anddon'tmakeabsurdscenesofjealousy。Youknowwhomyouhavetodowith；Margueriteisn'tasaint。Shelikesyou，youareveryfondofher；lettherestalone。YouamazemewhenIseeyousotouchy；youhavethemostcharmingmistressinParis。Shereceivesyouinthegreateststyle，sheiscoveredwithdiamonds，sheneedn'tcostyouapenny，unlessyoulike，andyouarenotsatisfied。Mydearfellow，youasktoomuch！"
"Youareright，butIcan'thelpit；theideathatthatmanisherloverhurtsmehorribly。"
"Inthefirstplace，"repliedPrudence；"ishestillherlover？
Heisamanwhoisusefultoher，nothingmore。Shehasclosedherdoorstohimfortwodays；hecamethismorning——shecouldnotbutaccepttheboxandlethimaccompanyher。Hesawherhome；hehasgoneinforamoment，heisnotstaying，becauseyouarewaitinghere。Allthat，itseemstome，isquitenatural。
Besides，youdon'tmindtheduke。"
"Yes；butheisanoldman，andIamsurethatMargueriteisnothismistress。Then，itisallverywelltoacceptoneliaison，butnottwo。Sucheasinessinthematterisverylikecalculation，andputsthemanwhoconsentstoit，evenoutoflove，verymuchinthecategoryofthosewho，inalowerstageofsociety，makeatradeoftheirconnivance，andaprofitoftheirtrade。"
"Ah，mydearfellow，howold-fashionedyouare！HowmanyoftherichestandmostfashionablemenofthebestfamiliesIhaveseenquitereadytodowhatIadviseyoutodo，andwithoutaneffort，withoutshame，withoutremorse，Why，oneseesiteveryday。HowdoyousupposethekeptwomeninPariscouldliveinthestyletheydo，iftheyhadnotthreeorfourloversatonce？Nosinglefortune，howeverlarge，couldsufficefortheexpensesofawomanlikeMarguerite。Afortuneoffivehundredthousandfrancsayearis，inFrance，anenormousfortune；well，mydearfriend，fivehundredthousandfrancsayearwouldstillbetoolittle，andforthisreason：amanwithsuchanincomehasalargehouse，horses，servants，carriages；heshoots，hasfriends，oftenheismarried，hehaschildren，heraces，gambles，travels，andwhatnot。Allthesehabitsaresomuchapartofhispositionthathecannotforegothemwithoutappearingtohavelostallhismoney，andwithoutcausingscandal。Takingitallround，withfivehundredthousandfrancsayearhecannotgiveawomanmorethanfortyorfiftythousandfrancsintheyear，andthatisalreadyagooddeal。Well，otherloversmakeupfortherestofherexpenses。
WithMarguerite，itisstillmoreconvenient；shehaschancedbyamiracleonanoldmanworthtenmillions，whosewifeanddaughteraredead；whohasonlysomenephews，themselvesrich，andwhogivesherallshewantswithoutaskinganythinginreturn。Butshecannotaskhimformorethanseventythousandfrancsayear；andIamsurethatifshedidaskformore，despitehishealthandtheaffectionhehasforherhewouldnotgiveittoher。
"AlltheyoungmenoftwentyorthirtythousandfrancsayearatParis，thatistosay，menwhohaveonlyjustenoughtoliveoninthesocietyinwhichtheymix，knowperfectlywell，whentheyaretheloversofawomanlikeMarguerite，thatshecouldnotsomuchaspayfortheroomsshelivesinandtheservantswhowaituponherwithwhattheygiveher。Theydonotsaytoherthattheyknowit；theypretendnottoseeanything，andwhentheyhavehadenoughofittheygotheirway。Iftheyhavethevanitytowishtopayforeverythingtheygetruined，likethefoolstheyare，andgoandgetkilledinAfrica，afterleavingahundredthousandfrancsofdebtinParis。Doyouthinkawomanisgratefultothemforit？Farfromit。Shedeclaresthatshehassacrificedherpositionforthem，andthatwhileshewaswiththemshewaslosingmoney。Thesedetailsseemtoyoushocking？
Well，theyaretrue。Youareaverynicefellow；Ilikeyouverymuch。Ihavelivedwiththesewomenfortwentyyears；Iknowwhattheyareworth，andIdon'twanttoseeyoutakethecapricethataprettygirlhasforyoutooseriously。
"Then，besidesthat，"continuedPrudence；"admitthatMargueritelovesyouenoughtogiveupthecountortheduke，incaseoneofthemweretodiscoveryourliaisonandtotellhertochoosebetweenhimandyou，thesacrificethatshewouldmakeforyouwouldbeenormous，youcannotdenyit。Whatequalsacrificecouldyoumakeforher，onyourpart，andwhenyouhadgottiredofher，whatcouldyoudotomakeupforwhatyouhadtakenfromher？Nothing。Youwouldhavecutherofffromtheworldinwhichherfortuneandherfutureweretobefound；shewouldhavegivenyouherbestyears，andshewouldbeforgotten。Eitheryouwouldbeanordinaryman，and，castingherpastinherteeth，youwouldleaveher，tellingherthatyouwereonlydoinglikeherotherlovers，andyouwouldabandonhertocertainmisery；oryouwouldbeanhonestman，and，feelingboundtokeepherbyyou，youwouldbringinevitabletroubleuponyourself，foraliaisonwhichisexcusableinayoungman，isnolongerexcusableinamanofmiddleage。Itbecomesanobstacletoeverything；itallowsneitherfamilynorambition，man'ssecondandlastloves。Believeme，then，myfriend，takethingsforwhattheyareworth，anddonotgiveakeptwomantherighttocallherselfyourcreditor，nomatterinwhat。"
Itwaswellargued，withalogicofwhichIshouldhavethoughtPrudenceincapable。Ihadnothingtoreply，exceptthatshewasright；Itookherhandandthankedherforhercounsels。
"Come，come，"saidshe，"putthesefoolishtheoriestoflight，andlaughoverthem。Lifeispleasant，mydearfellow；italldependsonthecolouroftheglassthroughwhichoneseesit。AskyourfriendGaston；there'samanwhoseemstometounderstandloveasIunderstandit。Allthatyouneedthinkof，unlessyouarequiteafool，isthatclosebythereisabeautifulgirlwhoiswaitingimpatientlyforthemanwhoiswithhertogo，thinkingofyou，keepingthewholenightforyou，andwholovesyou，Iamcertain。Now，cometothewindowwithme，andletuswatchforthecounttogo；hewon'tbelonginleavingthecoastclear。"
Prudenceopenedthewindow，andweleanedsidebysideoverthebalcony。Shewatchedthefewpassers，Ireflected。Allthatshehadsaidbuzzedinmyhead，andIcouldnothelpfeelingthatshewasright；butthegenuinelovewhichIhadforMargueritehadsomedifficultyinaccommodatingitselftosuchabelief。I
sighedfromtimetotime，atwhichPrudenceturned，andshruggedhershoulderslikeaphysicianwhohasgivenuphispatient。
"Howonerealizestheshortnessoflife，"Isaidtomyself，"bytherapidityofsensations！IhaveonlyknownMargueritefortwodays，shehasonlybeenmymistresssinceyesterday，andshehasalreadysocompletelyabsorbedmythoughts，myheart，andmylifethatthevisitoftheComtedeG。isamisfortuneforme。"
Atlastthecountcameout，gotintohiscarriageanddisappeared。Prudenceclosedthewindow。AtthesameinstantMargueritecalledtous：
"Comeatonce，"shesaid；"theyarelayingthetable，andwe'llhavesupper。"
WhenIentered，Margueriterantome，threwherarmsaroundmyneckandkissedmewithallhermight。
"Arewestillsulky？"shesaidtome。
"No，itisallover，"repliedPrudence。"Ihavegivenhimatalkingto，andhehaspromisedtobereasonable。"
"Wellandgood。"
InspiteofmyselfIglancedatthebed；itwasnotunmade。AsforMarguerite，shewasalreadyinherwhitedressing-gown。Wesatdowntotable。
Charm，sweetness，spontaneity，Margueritehadthemall，andIwasforcedfromtimetotimetoadmitthatIhadnorighttoaskofheranythingelse；thatmanypeoplewouldbeveryhappytobeinmyplace；andthat，likeVirgil'sshepherd，Ihadonlytoenjoythepleasuresthatagod，orratheragoddess，setbeforeme。
ItriedtoputinpracticethetheoriesofPrudence，andtobeasgayasmytwocompanions；butwhatwasnaturalinthemwasonmypartaneffort，andthenervouslaughter，whosesourcetheydidnotdetect，wasnearertotearsthantomirth。
AtlastthesupperwasoverandIwasalonewithMarguerite。Shesatdownasusualonthehearthrugbeforethefireandgazedsadlyintotheflames。Whatwasshethinkingof？Iknownot。Asforme，Ilookedatherwithaminglingofloveandterror，asI
thoughtofallthatIwasreadytosufferforhersake。
"DoyouknowwhatIamthinkingof？"
"No。"
"Ofaplanthathascomeintomyhead。"
"Andwhatisthisplan？"
"Ican'ttellyouyet，butIcantellyouwhattheresultwouldbe。TheresultwouldbethatinamonthIshouldbefree，I
shouldhavenomoredebts，andwecouldgoandspendthesummerinthecountry。"
"Andyoucan'ttellmebywhatmeans？"
"No，onlylovemeasIloveyou，andallwillsucceed。"
"Andhaveyoumadethisplanallbyyourself？"
"Yes。"Andyouwillcarryitoutallbyyourself？"
"Ialoneshallhavethetroubleofit，"saidMarguerite，withasmilewhichIshallneverforget，"butweshallbothpartakeitsbenefits。"
Icouldnothelpflushingatthewordbenefits；IthoughtofManonLescautsquanderingwithDesgrieuxthemoneyofM。deB。
Irepliedinahardvoice，risingfrommyseat：
"Youmustpermitme，mydearMarguerite，toshareonlythebenefitsofthoseenterpriseswhichIhaveconceivedandcarriedoutmyself。"
"Whatdoesthatmean？"
"ItmeansthatIhaveastrongsuspicionthatM。deG。istobeyourassociateinthisprettyplan，ofwhichIcanacceptneitherthecostnorthebenefits"Whatachildyouare！Ithoughtyoulovedme。Iwasmistaken；
allright。"
Sherose，openedthepianoandbegantoplaytheInvitationalaValse，asfarasthefamouspassageinthemajorwhichalwaysstoppedher。Wasitthroughforceofhabit，orwasittoremindmeofthedaywhenwefirstmet？AllIknowisthatthemelodybroughtbackthatrecollection，and，cominguptoher，Itookherheadbetweenmyhandsandkissedher。"Youforgiveme？"Isaid。
"YouseeIdo，"sheanswered；"butobservethatweareonlyatoursecondday，andalreadyIhavehadtoforgiveyousomething。