第3章

"Come，don"ttalknonsense，Suzanne，"repliedduBousquier；"IreallythinkIamstilldreaming。"

"Howmuchmorerealitydoyouwant？"criedSuzanne，standingup。

DuBousquierrubbedhiscottonnight-captothetopofhisheadwitharotatorymotion，whichplainlyindicatedthetremendousfermentationofhisideas。

"Heactuallybelievesit!"thoughtSuzanne，"andhe"sflattered。

Heaven!howeasyitistogullmen!"

"Suzanne，whatthedevilmustIdo？Itissoextraordinary——I，whothought——Thefactisthat——No，no，itcan"tbe——"

"What？youcan"tmarryme？"

"Oh!asforthat，no；Ihaveengagements。"

"WithMademoiselleArmandeorMademoiselleCormon，whohavebothrefusedyou？Listentome，MonsieurduBousquier，myhonordoesn"tneedgendarmestodragyoutothemayor"soffice。Isha"n"tlackforhusbands，thankgoodness!andIdon"twantamanwhocan"tappreciatewhatI"mworth。Butsomedayyou"llrepentofthewayyouarebehaving；forItellyounowthatnothingonearth，neithergoldnorsilver，willinducemetoreturnthegoodthingthatbelongstoyou，ifyourefusetoacceptitto-day。"

"But，Suzanne，areyousure？"

"Oh，monsieur!"criedthegrisette，wrappinghervirtueroundher，"whatdoyoutakemefor？Idon"tremindyouofthepromisesyoumademe，whichhaveruinedapooryounggirlwhoseonlyblamewastohaveasmuchambitionaslove。"

DuBousquierwastornwithconflictingsentiments，joy，distrust，calculation。HehadlongdeterminedtomarryMademoiselleCormon；fortheCharter，onwhichhehadjustbeenruminating，offeredtohisambition，throughthehalfofherproperty，thepoliticalcareerofadeputy。Besides，hismarriagewiththeoldmaidwouldputhimsociallysohighinthetownthathewouldhavegreatinfluence。Consequently，thestormupraisedbythatmaliciousSuzannedrovehimintothewildestembarrassment。Withoutthissecretscheme，hewouldhavemarriedSuzannewithouthesitation。Inwhichcase，hecouldopenlyassumetheleadershipoftheliberalpartyinAlencon。Aftersuchamarriagehewould，ofcourse，renouncethebestsocietyandtakeupwiththebourgeoisclassoftradesmen，richmanufacturersandgraziers，whowouldcertainlycarryhimintriumphastheircandidate。

DuBousquieralreadyforesawtheLeftside。

Thissolemndeliberationhedidnotconceal；herubbedhishandsoverhishead，displacingthecapwhichcovereditsdisastrousbaldness。

Suzanne，meantime，likeallthosepersonswhosucceedbeyondtheirhopes，wassilentandamazed。Tohideherastonishment，sheassumedthemelancholyposeofaninjuredgirlatthemercyofherseducer；

inwardlyshewaslaughinglikeagrisetteatherclevertrick。

"Mydearchild，"saidduBousquieratlength，"I"mnottobetakeninwithsuchBOSH，notI!"

SuchwasthecurtremarkwhichendedduBousquier"smeditation。Heplumedhimselfonbelongingtotheclassofcynicalphilosopherswhocouldneverbe"takenin"bywomen，——puttingthem，oneandall，untothesamecategory，asSUSPICIOUS。Thesestrong-mindedpersonsareusuallyweakmenwhohaveaspecialcatechisminthematterofwomenkind。Tothemthewholesex，fromqueensofFrancetomilliners，areessentiallydepraved，licentious，intriguing，notalittlerascally，fundamentallydeceitful，andincapableofthoughtaboutanythingbuttrifles。Tothem，womenareevil-doingqueens，whomustbeallowedtodanceandsingandlaughastheyplease；theyseenothingsacredorsaintlyinthem，noranythinggrand；tothemthereisnopoetryinthesenses，onlygrosssensuality。Wheresuchjurisprudenceprevails，ifawomanisnotperpetuallytyrannizedover，shereducesthemantotheconditionofaslave。UnderthisaspectduBousquierwasagaintheantithesisofthechevalier。Whenhemadehisfinalremark，heflunghisnight-captothefootofthebed，asPopeGregorydidthetaperwhenhefulminatedanexcommunication；SuzannethenlearnedforthefirsttimethatduBousquierworeatoupetcoveringhisbaldspot。

"Pleasetoremember，MonsieurduBousquier，"sherepliedmajestically，"thatincomingheretotellyouofthismatterIhavedonemyduty；

rememberthatIhaveofferedyoumyhand，andaskedforyours；butrememberalsothatIbehavedwiththedignityofawomanwhorespectsherself。Ihavenotabasedmyselftoweeplikeasillyfool；Ihavenotinsisted；Ihavenottormentedyou。Younowknowmysituation。YoumustseethatIcannotstayinAlencon:mymotherwouldbeatme，andMadameLardotridesahobbyofprinciples；she"llturnmeoff。Poorwork-girlthatIam，mustIgotothehospital？mustIbegmybread？

No!I"dratherthrowmyselfintotheBrillanteortheSarthe。Butisn"titbetterthatIshouldgotoParis？Mymothercouldfindanexcusetosendmethere，——anunclewhowantsme，oradyingaunt，oraladywhosendsforme。ButImusthavesomemoneyforthejourneyandfor——youknowwhat。"

ThisextraordinarypieceofnewswasfarmorestartlingtoduBousquierthantotheChevalierdeValois。Suzanne"sfictionintroducedsuchconfusionintotheideasoftheoldbachelorthathewasliterallyincapableofsoberreflection。Withoutthisagitationandwithouthisinwarddelight(forvanityisaswindlerwhichneverfailsofitsdupe)，hewouldcertainlyhavereflectedthat，supposingitweretrue，agirllikeSuzanne，whoseheartwasnotyetspoiled，wouldhavediedathousanddeathsbeforebeginningadiscussionofthiskindandaskingformoney。

"WillyoureallygotoParis，then？"hesaid。

AflashofgayetylightedSuzanne"sgrayeyesassheheardthesewords；buttheself-satisfiedduBousquiersawnothing。

"Yes，monsieur，"shesaid。

DuBousquierthenbeganbitterlamentations:hehadthelastpaymentstomakeonhishouse；thepainter，themason，theupholsterersmustbepaid。Suzannelethimrunon；shewaslisteningforthefigures。DuBousquierofferedherthreehundredfrancs。Suzannemadewhatiscalledonthestageafalseexit；thatis，shemarchedtowardthedoor。

"Stop，stop!whereareyougoing？"saidduBousquier，uneasily。"Thisiswhatcomesofabachelor"slife!"thoughthe。"ThedeviltakemeifIeverdidanythingmorethanrumplehercollar，and，loandbehold!

shemakesTHATagroundtoputherhandinone"spocket!"

"I"mgoing，monsieur，"repliedSuzanne，"toMadameGranson，thetreasureroftheMaternitySociety，who，tomyknowledge，hassavedmanyapoorgirlinmyconditionfromsuicide。"

"MadameGranson!"

"Yes，"saidSuzanne，"arelationofMademoiselleCormon，thepresidentoftheMaternitySociety。Savingyourpresence，theladiesofthetownhavecreatedaninstitutiontoprotectpoorcreaturesfromdestroyingtheirinfants，likethathandsomeFaustineofArgentanwhowasexecutedforitthreeyearsago。"

"Here，Suzanne，"saidduBousquier，givingherakey，"openthatsecretary，andtakeoutthebagyou"llfindthere:there"saboutsixhundredfrancsinit；itisallIpossess。"

"Oldcheat!"thoughtSuzanne，doingashetoldher，"I"lltellaboutyourfalsetoupet。"

ShecomparedduBousquierwiththatcharmingchevalier，whohadgivenhernothing，itistrue，butwhohadcomprehendedher，advisedher，andcarriedallgrisettesinhisheart。

"Ifyoudeceiveme，Suzanne，"criedduBousquier，ashesawherwithherhandinthedrawer，"you——"

"Monsieur，"shesaid，interruptinghimwithineffableimpertinence，"wouldn"tyouhavegivenmemoneyifIhadaskedforit？"

Recalledtoasenseofgallantry，duBousquierhadaremembranceofpasthappinessandgruntedhisassent。Suzannetookthebaganddeparted，afterallowingtheoldbachelortokissher，whichhedidwithanairthatseemedtosay，"Itisarightwhichcostsmedear；

butitisbetterthanbeingharriedbyalawyerinthecourtofassizesastheseducerofagirlaccusedofinfanticide。"

Suzannehidthesackinasortofgamebagmadeofosierwhichshehadonherarm，allthewhilecursingduBousquierforhisstinginess；foronethousandfrancswasthesumshewanted。Oncetemptedofthedeviltodesirethatsum，agirlwillgofarwhenshehassetfootonthepathoftrickery。AsshemadeherwayalongtherueduBercail，itcameintoherheadthattheMaternitySociety，presidedoverbyMademoiselleCormon，mightbeinducedtocompletethesumatwhichshehadreckonedherjourneytoParis，whichtoagrisetteofAlenconseemedconsiderable。Besides，shehatedduBousquier。ThelatterhadevidentlyfearedarevelationofhissupposedmisconducttoMadameGranson；andSuzanne，attheriskofnotgettingapennyfromthesociety，waspossessedwiththedesire，onleavingAlencon，ofentanglingtheoldbachelorintheinextricablemeshesofaprovincialslander。Inallgrisettesthereissomethingofthemalevolentmischiefofamonkey。Accordingly，SuzannenowwenttoseeMadameGranson，composingherfacetoanexpressionofthedeepestdejection。

CHAPTERIII

ATHANASE

MadameGranson，widowofalieutenant-colonelofartillerykilledatJena，possessed，asherwholemeansoflivelihood，ameagrepensionofninehundredfrancsayear，andthreehundredfrancsfrompropertyofherown，plusasonwhosesupportandeducationhadeatenupallhersavings。Sheoccupied，intherueduBercail，oneofthosemelancholyground-floorapartmentswhichatravellerpassingalongtheprincipalstreetofalittleprovincialtowncanlookthroughataglance。Thestreetdooropenedatthetopofthreesteepsteps；apassageledtoaninteriorcourtyard，attheendofwhichwasthestaircasecoveredbyawoodengallery。Ononesideofthepassagewasthedining-roomandthekitchen；ontheotherside，asalonputtomanyuses，andthewidow"sbedchamber。

AthanaseGranson，ayoungmantwenty-threeyearsofage，whosleptinanatticroomabovethesecondfloorofthehouse，addedsixhundredfrancstotheincomeofhispoormother，bythesalaryofalittleplacewhichtheinfluenceofhisrelation，MademoiselleCormon，hadobtainedforhiminthemayor"soffice，wherehewasplacedinchargeofthearchives。

FromtheseindicationsitiseasytoimagineMadameGransoninhercoldsalonwithitsyellowcurtainsandUtrechtvelvetfurniture，alsoyellow，asshestraightenedtheroundstrawmatswhichwereplacedbeforeeachchair，thatvisitorsmightnotsoilthered-tiledfloorwhiletheysatthere；afterwhichshereturnedtohercushionedarmchairandlittlework-tableplacedbeneaththeportraitofthelieutenant-colonelofartillerybetweentwowindows，——apointfromwhichhereyecouldraketherueduBercailandseeallcomers。Shewasagoodwoman，dressedwithbourgeoissimplicityinkeepingwithherwanfacefurrowedbygrief。Therigoroushumblenessofpovertymadeitselffeltinalltheaccessoriesofthishousehold，theveryairofwhichwaschargedwiththesternanduprightmoralsoftheprovinces。Atthismomentthesonandmotherweretogetherinthedining-room，wheretheywerebreakfastingwithacupofcoffee，withbreadandbutterandradishes。TomakethepleasurewhichSuzanne"svisitwastogivetoMadameGransonintelligible，wemustexplaincertainsecretinterestsofthemotherandson。

AthanaseGransonwasathinandpaleyoungman，ofmediumheight，withahollowfaceinwhichhistwoblackeyes，sparklingwiththoughts，gavetheeffectofbitsofcoal。Theratherirregularlinesofhisface，thecurveofhislips，aprominentchin，thefinemodellingofhisforehead，hismelancholycountenance，causedbyasenseofhispovertywarringwiththepowersthathefeltwithinhim，wereallindicationsofrepressedandimprisonedtalent。InanyotherplacethanthetownofAlenconthemereaspectofhispersonwouldhavewonhimtheassistanceofsuperiormen，orofwomenwhoareabletorecognizegeniusinobscurity。Ifhiswasnotgenius，itwasatanyratetheformandaspectofit；ifhehadnottheactualforceofagreatheart，theglowofsuchaheartwasinhisglance。Althoughhewascapableofexpressingthehighestfeeling，acasingoftimiditydestroyedallthegracesofhisyouth，justastheiceofpovertykepthimfromdaringtoputforthallhispowers。Provinciallife，withoutanopening，withoutappreciation，withoutencouragement，describedacircleabouthiminwhichlanguishedanddiedthepowerofthought，——apowerwhichasyethadscarcelyreacheditsdawn。Moreover，Athanasepossessedthatsavagepridewhichpovertyintensifiesinnobleminds，exaltingthemintheirstrugglewithmenandthings；althoughattheirstartinlifeitisanobstacletotheiradvancement。Geniusproceedsintwoways:eitherittakesitsopportunity——likeNapoleon，likeMoliere——themomentthatitseesit，oritwaitstobesoughtwhenithaspatientlyrevealeditself。YoungGransonbelongedtothatclassofmenoftalentwhodistrustthemselvesandareeasilydiscouraged。Hissoulwascontemplative。Helivedmorebythoughtthanbyaction。

PerhapshemighthaveseemeddeficientorincompletetothosewhocannotconceiveofgeniuswithoutthesparkleofFrenchpassion；buthewaspowerfulintheworldofmind，andhewasliabletoreach，throughaseriesofemotionsimperceptibletocommonsouls，thosesuddendeterminationswhichmakefoolssayofaman，"Heismad。"

ThecontemptwhichtheworldpoursoutonpovertywasdeathtoAthanase；theenervatingheatofsolitude，withoutabreathorcurrentofair，relaxedthebowwhicheverstrovetotightenitself；hissoulgrewwearyinthispainfuleffortwithoutresults。AthanasewasamanwhomighthavetakenhisplaceamongthegloriesofFrance；but，eagleashewas，coopedinacagewithouthispropernourishment，hewasabouttodieofhungeraftercontemplatingwithanardenteyethefieldsofairandthemountainheightswheregeniussoars。Hisworkinthecitylibraryescapedattention，andheburiedinhissoulhisthoughtsoffame，fearingthattheymightinjurehim；butdeeperthanalllayburiedwithinhimthesecretofhisheart，——apassionwhichhollowedhischeeksandyellowedhisbrow。Helovedhisdistantcousin，thisveryMademoiselleCormonwhomtheChevalierdeValoisandduBousquier，hishiddenrivals，werestalking。Thislovehadhaditsoriginincalculation。MademoiselleCormonwasthoughttobeoneoftherichestpersonsinthetown:thepoorladhadthereforebeenledtoloveherbydesiresformaterialhappiness，bythehope，longindulged，ofgildingwithcomforthismother"slastyears，byeagerlongingfortheeaseoflifesoneedfultomenwholivebythought；

butthismostinnocentpointofdeparturedegradedhispassioninhisowneyes。Moreover，hefearedtheridiculetheworldwouldcastupontheloveofayoungmanoftwenty-threeforanoldmaidofforty。

Andyethispassionwasreal；whatevermayseemfalseaboutsuchaloveelsewhere，itcanberealizedasafactintheprovinces，where，mannersandmoralsbeingwithoutchangeorchanceormovementormystery，marriagebecomesanecessityoflife。Nofamilywillacceptayoungmanofdissolutehabits。Howevernaturaltheliaisonofayoungman，likeAthanase，withahandsomegirl，likeSuzanne，forinstance，mightseeminacapital，italarmsprovincialparents，anddestroysthehopesofmarriageofapooryoungmanwhenpossiblythefortuneofarichonemightcausesuchanunfortunateantecedenttobeoverlooked。Betweenthedepravityofcertainliaisonsandasincerelove，amanofhonorandnofortunewillnothesitate:heprefersthemisfortunesofvirtuetotheevilsofvice。Butintheprovinceswomenwithwhomayoungmancallfallinlovearerare。Arichyounggirlhecannotobtaininaregionwherealliscalculation；apooryounggirlheispreventedfromloving；itwouldbe，asprovincialssay，marryinghungerandthirst。Suchmonkishsolitudeis，however，dangeroustoyouth。

Thesereflectionsexplainwhyprovinciallifeissofirmlybasedonmarriage。Thuswefindthatardentandvigorousgenius，forcedtorelyontheindependenceofitsownpoverty，quitsthesecoldregionswherethoughtispersecutedbybrutalindifference，wherenowomaniswillingtobeasisterofcharitytoamanoftalent，ofart，ofscience。

WhowillreallyunderstandAthanaseGranson"sloveforMademoiselleCormon？Certainlyneitherrichmen——thosesultansofsocietywhofilltheirharems——normiddle-classmen，whofollowthewell-beatenhigh-

roadofprejudices；norwomenwho，notchoosingtounderstandthepassionsofartists，imposetheyokeoftheirvirtuesuponmenofgenius，imaginingthatthetwosexesaregovernedbythesamelaws。

Here，perhaps，weshouldappealtothoseyoungmenwhosufferfromtherepressionoftheirfirstdesiresatthemomentwhenalltheirforcesaredeveloping；toartistssickoftheirowngeniussmotheringunderthepressureofpoverty；tomenoftalent，persecutedandwithoutinfluence，oftenwithoutfriendsatthestart，whohaveendedbytriumphingoverthatdoubleanguish，equallyagonizing，ofsoulandbody。SuchmenwillwellunderstandthelancinatingpainsofthecancerwhichwasnowconsumingAthanase；theyhavegonethroughthoselongandbitterdeliberationsmadeinpresenceofsomegrandiosepurposetheyhadnotthemeanstocarryout；theyhaveenduredthosesecretmiscarriagesinwhichthefructifyingseedofgeniusfallsonaridsoil。Suchmenknowthatthegrandeurofdesiresisinproportiontotheheightandbreadthoftheimagination。Thehighertheyspring，thelowertheyfall；andhowcanitbethattiesandbondsshouldnotbebrokenbysuchafall？Theirpiercingeyehasseen——asdidAthanase——thebrilliantfuturewhichawaitedthem，andfromwhichtheyfanciedthatonlyathingauzepartedthem；butthatgauzethroughwhichtheireyescouldseeischangedbySocietyintoawallofiron。Impelledbyavocation，byasentimentofart，theyendeavoragainandagaintolivebysentimentswhichsocietyasincessantlymaterializes。Alas!

theprovincescalculateandarrangemarriagewiththeoneviewofmaterialcomfort，andapoorartistormanofscienceisforbiddentodoubleitspurposeandmakeitthesaviourofhisgeniusbysecuringtohimthemeansofsubsistence!

Movedbysuchideas，AthanaseGransonfirstthoughtofmarriagewithMademoiselleCormonasameansofobtainingalivelihoodwhichwouldbepermanent。Thencehecouldrisetofame，andmakehismotherhappy，knowingatthesametimethathewascapableoffaithfullylovinghiswife。Butsoonhisownwillcreated，althoughhedidnotknowit，agenuinepassion。Hebegantostudytheoldmaid，and，bydintofthecharmwhichhabitgives，heendedbyseeingonlyherbeautiesandignoringherdefects。

Inayoungmanoftwenty-threethesensescountformuchinlove；

theirfireproducesasortofprismbetweenhiseyesandthewoman。

FromthispointofviewtheclaspwithwhichBeaumarchis"CherubinseizesMarcelineisastrokeofgenius。ButwhenwereflectthatintheutterisolationtowhichpovertycondemnedpoorAthanase，MademoiselleCormonwastheonlyfigurepresentedtohisgaze，thatsheattractedhiseyeincessantly，thatallthelighthehadwasconcentratedonher，surelyhislovemaybeconsiderednatural。

Thissentiment，socarefullyhidden，increasedfromdaytoday。

Desires，sufferings，hopes，andmeditationsswelledinquietnessandsilencethelakewideningeverintheyoungman"sbreast，ashourbyhouraddeditsdropofwatertothevolume。Andthewiderthisinwardcircle，drawnbytheimagination，aidedbythesenses，grew，themoreimposingMademoiselleCormonappearedtoAthanase，andthemorehisowntimidityincreased。

Themotherhaddivinedthetruth。Likeallprovincialmothers，shecalculatedcandidlyinherownmindtheadvantagesofthematch。ShetoldherselfthatMademoiselleCormonwouldbeveryluckytosecureahusbandinayoungmanoftwenty-three，fulloftalent，whowouldalwaysbeanhonortohisfamilyandtheneighborhood；atthesametimetheobstacleswhichherson"swantoffortuneandMademoiselleCormon"sagepresentedtothemarriageseemedtoheralmostinsurmountable；shecouldthinkofnothingbutpatienceasbeingabletovanquishthem。LikeduBousquier，liketheChevalierdeValois，shehadapolicyofherown；shewasonthewatchforcircumstances，awaitingthepropitiousmomentforamovewiththeshrewdnessofmaternalinstinct。MadameGransonhadnofearsatallastothechevalier，butshedidsupposethatduBousquier，althoughrefused，retainedcertainhopes。Asanableandunderhandenemytothelatter，shedidhimmuchsecretharmintheinterestsofherson；fromwhom，bythebye，shecarefullyconcealedallsuchproceedings。

AfterthisexplanationitiseasytounderstandtheimportancewhichSuzanne"slie，confidedtoMadameGranson，wasabouttoacquire。Whataweaponputintothehandsofthischaritablelady，thetreasureroftheMaternitySociety!HowshewouldgentlyanddemurelyspreadthenewswhilecollectingassistanceforthechasteSuzanne!

AtthepresentmomentAthanase，leaningpensivelyonhiselbowatthebreakfasttable，wastwirlinghisspooninhisemptycupandcontemplatingwithapreoccupiedeyethepoorroomwithitsredbrickfloor，itsstrawchairs，itspaintedwoodenbuffet，itspinkandwhitecurtainschequeredlikeabackgammonboard，whichcommunicatedwiththekitchenthroughaglassdoor。Ashisbackwastothechimneywhichhismotherfaced，andasthechimneywasoppositetothedoor，hispallidface，stronglylightedfromthewindow，framedinbeautifulblackhair，theeyesgleamingwithdespairandfierywithmorningthoughts，wasthefirstobjectwhichmettheeyesoftheincomingSuzanne。Thegrisette，whobelongedtoaclasswhichcertainlyhastheinstinctofmiseryandthesufferingsoftheheart，suddenlyfeltthatelectricspark，dartingfromHeavenknowswhere，whichcanneverbeexplained，whichsomestrongmindsdeny，butthesympatheticstrokeofwhichhasbeenfeltbymanymenandmanywomen。Itisatoncealightwhichlightensthedarknessofthefuture，apresentimentofthesacredjoysofasharedlove，thecertaintyofmutualcomprehension。

Aboveall，itislikethetouchofafirmandablehandonthekeyboardofthesenses。Theeyesarefascinatedbyanirresistibleattraction；theheartisstirred；themelodiesofhappinessechointhesoulandintheears；avoicecriesout，"Itishe!"Oftenreflectioncastsadoucheofcoldwateronthisboilingemotion，andallisover。

Inamoment，asrapidastheflashofthelightning，Suzannereceivedthebroadsideofthisemotioninherheart。Theflameofarealloveburneduptheevilweedsfosteredbyalibertineanddissipatedlife。

Shesawhowmuchshewaslosingofdecencyandvaluebyaccusingherselffalsely。Whathadseemedtoherajokethenightbeforebecametohereyesaseriouschargeagainstherself。Sherecoiledatherownsuccess。Buttheimpossibilityofanyresult；thepovertyoftheyoungman；avaguehopeofenrichingherself，ofgoingtoParis，andreturningwithfullhandstosay，"Iloveyou!herearethemeansofhappiness!"ormerefate，ifyouwillhaveitso，driedupthenextmomentthisbeneficentdew。

Theambitiousgrisetteaskedwithatimidairforamoment"sinterviewwithMadameGranson，whotookheratonceintoherbedchamber。WhenSuzannecameoutshelookedagainatAthanase；hewasstillinthesameposition，andthetearscameintohereyes。AsforMadameGranson，shewasradiantwithjoy。Atlastshehadaweapon，andaterribleone，againstduBousquier；shecouldnowdealhimamortalblow。ShehadofcoursepromisedthepoorseducedgirlthesupportofallcharitableladiesandthatofthemembersoftheMaternitySocietyinparticular；sheforesawadozenvisitswhichwouldoccupyherwholeday，andbrewupafrightfulstormontheheadoftheguiltyduBousquier。TheChevalierdeValois，whileforeseeingtheturntheaffairwouldtake，hadreallynoideaofthescandalwhichwouldresultfromhisownaction。

"Mydearchild，"saidMadameGransontoherson，"wearetodine，youknow，withMademoiselleCormon；dotakealittlepainswithyourappearance。Youarewrongtoneglectyourdressasyoudo。PutonthathandsomefrilledshirtandyourgreencoatofElbeufcloth。Ihavemyreasons，"sheaddedslyly。"Besides，MademoiselleCormonisgoingtoPrebaudet，andmanypersonswilldoubtlesscalltobidhergood-bye。

Whenayoungmanismarriageableheoughttotakeeverymeanstomakehimselfagreeable。Ifgirlswouldonlytellthetruth，heavens!mydearboy，you"dbeastonishedatwhatmakesthemfallinlove。Oftenitsufficesforamantoridepastthemattheheadofacompanyofartillery，orshowhimselfataballintightclothes。Sometimesamereturnofthehead，amelancholyattitude，makesthemsupposeaman"swholelife；they"llinventaromancetomatchthehero——whoisoftenamerebrute，butthemarriageismade。WatchtheChevalierdeValois:studyhim；copyhismanners；seewithwhateasehepresentshimself；heneverputsonastiffair，asyoudo。Talkalittlemore；

onewouldreallythinkyoudidn"tknowanything，——you，whoknowHebrewbyheart。"

Athanaselistenedtohismotherwithasurprisedbutsubmissiveair；

thenherose，tookhiscap，andwentofftothemayor"soffice，sayingtohimself，"Canmymothersuspectmysecret？"

HepassedthroughtherueduVal-Noble，whereMademoiselleCormonlived，——alittlepleasurewhichhegavehimselfeverymorning，thinking，asusual，avarietyoffancifulthings: