第4章

Sheshookherhead，andhavingcaughtanantontheendofaseveredbladeofgrass，sheamusedherselfbymakingitgofromoneendtotheotherofthesprig，whichshetippedupwhenevertheinsectreachedoneoftheends。Shelistenedwithmuteandcontentedattentiontoallthewonderfuldetailsofthelifeofthesefrailcreatures:theirsubterraneanhomes；themannerinwhichtheyseize，shutup，andfeedplant-licetodrinkthesweetmilkwhichtheysecrete，aswekeepcowsinourbarns；theircustomofdomesticatinglittleblindinsectswhichcleantheanthills，andofgoingtowartocaptureslaveswhowilltakecareoftheirvictorswithsuchtendersolicitudethatthelatterevenlosethehabitoffeedingthemselves。

Andlittlebylittle，asifamaternaltendernesshadsprungupinherheartforthepoorinsectwhichwassotinyandsointelligent，Yvettemadeitclimbonherfinger，lookingatitwithamovedexpression，almostwantingtoembraceit。

AndasServignyreadofthewayinwhichtheyliveincommunities，andplaygamesofstrengthandskillamongthemselves，theyounggirlgrewenthusiasticandsoughttokisstheinsectwhichescapedherandbegantocrawloverherface。Thensheutteredapiercingcry，asifshehadbeenthreatenedbyaterribledanger，andwithfranticgesturestriedtobrushitoffherface。WithaloudlaughServignycaughtitnearhertressesandimprintedonthespotwherehehadseizeditalongkisswithoutYvettewithdrawingherforehead。

Thensheexclaimedassherose:"Thatisbetterthananovel。NowletusgotoLaGrenouillere。"

Theyreachedthatpartoftheislandwhichissetoutasaparkandshadedwithgreattrees。CoupleswerestrollingbeneaththeloftyfoliagealongtheSeine，wheretheboatswereglidingby。

Theboatswerefilledwithyoungpeople，working-girlsandtheirsweethearts，thelatterintheirshirt-sleeves，withcoatsontheirarms，tallhatstippedback，andajadedlook。Thereweretradesmenwiththeirfamilies，thewomendressedintheirbestandthechildrenflockinglikelittlechicksabouttheirparents。Adistant，continuoussoundofvoices，aheavy，scoldingclamorannouncedtheproximityoftheestablishmentsodeartotheboatmen。

Suddenlytheysawit。Itwasahugeboat，roofedover，mooredtothebank。Onboardweremanymenandwomendrinkingattables，orelsestandingup，shouting，singing，bandyingwords，dancing，capering，tothesoundofapianowhichwasgroaning——outoftuneandrattlingasanoldkettle。

Twotall，russet-haired，half-tipsygirls，withredlips，weretalkingcoarsely。Othersweredancingmadlywithyoungfellowshalfclad，dressedlikejockeys，inlinentrousersandcoloredcaps。Theodorsofacrowdandofrice-powderwerenoticeable。

Thedrinkersaroundthetableswereswallowingwhite，red，yellow，andgreenliquids，andvociferatingatthetopoftheirlungs，feelingasitwere，thenecessityofmakinganoise，abrutalneedofhavingtheirearsandbrainsfilledwithuproar。Nowandthenaswimmer，standingontheroof，divedintothewater，splashingthenearestguests，whoyelledlikesavages。

Onthestreampassedtheflotillasoflightcraft，long，slenderwherries，swiftlyrowedbybare-armedoarsmen，whosemusclesplayedbeneaththeirbronzedskin。Thewomenintheboats，inblueorredflannelskirts，withumbrellas，redorblue，openedovertheirheadsandgleamingundertheburningsun，leanedbackintheirchairsatthesternoftheboats，andseemedalmosttofloatuponthewater，inmotionlessandslumberouspose。

Theheavierboatsproceededslowly，crowdedwithpeople。A

collegian，wantingtoshowoff，rowedlikeawindmillagainstalltheotherboats，bringingthecursesoftheiroarsmendownuponhishead，anddisappearingindismayafteralmostdrowningtwoswimmers，followedbytheshoutsofthecrowdthronginginthegreatfloatingcafe。

Yvette，radiantlyhappy，takingServigny"sarm，wentintothemidstofthisnoisymob。Sheseemedtoenjoythecrowding，andstaredatthegirlswithacalmandgraciousglance。

"Lookatthatone，Muscade，"shesaid。"Whatprettyhairshehas！

Theyseemtobehavingsuchfun！"

Asthepianist，aboatmandressedinredwithahugestrawhat，beganawaltz，Yvettegraspedhercompanionandtheydancedsolongandmadlythateverybodylookedatthem。Theguests，standingonthetables，kepttimewiththeirfeet；othersthrewglasses，andthemusician，seemingtogomad，strucktheivorykeyswithgreatbangs；

swayinghiswholebodyandswinginghisheadcoveredwiththatimmensehat。Suddenlyhestoppedand，slippingtothedeck，layflat，beneathhishead-gear，asifdeadwithfatigue。Aloudlaugharoseandeverybodyapplauded。

Fourfriendsrushedforward，astheydoincasesofaccident，andliftinguptheircomrade，theycarriedhimbyhisfourlimbs，aftercarefullyplacinghisgreathatonhisstomach。Ajokerfollowingthemintonedthe"DeProfundis，"andaprocessionformedandthreadedthepathsoftheisland，guestsandstrollersandeveryonetheymetfallingintoline。

Yvettedartedforward，delighted，laughingwithherwholeheart，chattingwitheverybody，stirredbythemovementandthenoise。Theyoungmengazedather，crowdedagainsther，seemingtodevourherwiththeirglances；andServignybegantofearlesttheadventureshouldterminatebadly。

Theprocessionstillkeptonitsway；hasteningitsstep；forthefourbearershadtakenaquickpace，followedbytheyellingcrowd。

Butsuddenly，theyturnedtowardtheshore，stoppedshortastheyreachedthebank，swungtheircomradeforamoment，andthen，allfouractingtogether，flunghimintotheriver。

Agreatshoutofjoyrangoutfromallmouths，whilethepoorpianist，bewildered，paddled，swore，coughed，andspluttered，andthoughstickinginthemudmanagedtogettotheshore。Hishatwhichfloateddownthestreamwaspickedupbyaboat。Yvettedancedwithjoy，clappingandrepeating:"Oh！Muscade，whatfun！whatfun！"

Servignylookedon，havingbecomeserious，alittledisturbed，alittlechilledtoseehersomuchathereaseinthiscommonplace。

Asortofinstinctrevoltedinhim，thatinstinctoftheproper，whichawell-bornmanalwayspreservesevenwhenhecastshimselfloose，thatinstinctwhichavoidstoocommonfamiliaritiesandtoodegradingcontacts。Astonished，hemutteredtohimself:

"Egad！ThenYOUareathomehere，areyou？"Andhewantedtospeakfamiliarlytoher，asamandoestocertainwomenthefirsttimehemeetsthem。Henolongerdistinguishedherfromtherusset-haired，hoarse-voicedcreatureswhobrushedagainstthem。Thelanguageofthecrowdwasnotatallchoice，butnobodyseemedshockedorsurprised。Yvettedidnotevenappeartonoticeit。

"Muscade，Iwanttogoinbathing，"shesaid。"We"llgointotherivertogether。"

"Atyourservice，"saidhe。

Theywenttothebath-officetogetbathing-suits。Shewasreadythefirst，andstoodonthebankwaitingforhim，smilingoneveryonewholookedather。Thensidebysidetheywentintotheluke-warmwater。

Sheswamwithpleasure，withintoxication，caressedbythewave，throbbingwithasensualdelight，raisingherselfateachstrokeasifsheweregoingtospringfromthewater。Hefollowedherwithdifficulty，breathless，andvexedtofeelhimselfmediocreatthesport。

Butsheslackenedherpace，andthen，turningoversuddenly，shefloated，withherarmsfoldedandhereyeswideopentothebluesky。Heobserved，thusstretchedoutonthesurfaceoftheriver，theundulatinglinesofherform，herfirmneckandshoulders，herslightlysubmergedhips，andbareankles，gleaminginthewater，andthetinyfootthatemerged。

Hesawherthusexhibitingherself，asifsheweredoingitonpurpose，tolurehimon，oragaintomakesportofhim。Andhebegantolongforherwithapassionateardorandanexasperatingimpatience。Suddenlysheturned，lookedathim，andburstintolaughter。

"Youhaveafinehead，"shesaid。

Hewasannoyedatthisbantering，possessedwiththeangerofabaffledlover。Thenyieldingbrusquelytoahalffeltdesireforretaliation，adesiretoavengehimself，towoundher，hesaid:

"Well，doesthissortoflifesuityou？"

Sheaskedwithanartlessair:"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Oh，come，don"tmakegameofme。YouknowwellenoughwhatImean！"

"No，Idon"t，onmywordofhonor。"

"Oh，letusstopthiscomedy！Willyouorwillyounot？"

"Idonotunderstandyou。"

"Youarenotasstupidasallthat；besidesItoldyoulastnight。"

"Toldmewhat？Ihaveforgotten！"

"ThatIloveyou。"

"You？"

"Yes。"

"Whatnonsense！"

"Iswearit。"

"Thenproveit。"

"ThatisallIask。"

"Whatis？"

"Toproveit。"

"Well，doso。"

"Butyoudidnotsaysolastnight。"

"Youdidnotaskanything。"

"Whatabsurdity！"

"Andbesidesitisnottometowhomyoushouldmakeyourproposition。"

"Towhom，then？"

"Why，tomamma，ofcourse。"

Heburstintolaughter。"Toyourmother。No，thatistoomuch！"

Shehadsuddenlybecomeverygrave，andlookinghimstraightintheeyes，said:

"Listen，Muscade，ifyoureallylovemeenoughtomarryme，speaktomammafirst，andIwillansweryouafterward。"

Hethoughtshewasstillmakingsportofhim，andangrilyreplied:

"Mam"zelle，youmustbetakingmeforsomebodyelse。"

Shekeptlookingathimwithhersoft，cleareyes。Shehesitatedandthensaid:

"Idon"tunderstandyouatall。"

Thenheansweredquicklywithsomewhatofillnatureinhisvoice:

"Comenow，Yvette，letusceasethisabsurdcomedy，whichhasalreadylastedtoolong。Youareplayingthepartofasimplelittlegirl，andtheroledoesnotfityouatall，believeme。Youknowperfectlywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus，butmerelyoflove。IhavetoldyouthatIloveyou。Itisthetruth。Irepeat，Iloveyou。Don"tpretendanylongernottounderstandme，anddon"ttreatmeasifIwereafool。"

Theywerefacetoface，treadingwater，merelymovingtheirhandsalittle，tosteadythemselves。Shewasstillforamoment，asifshecouldnotmakeoutthemeaningofhiswords，thenshesuddenlyblusheduptotherootsofherhair。Herwholefacegrewpurplefromhernecktoherears，whichbecamealmostviolet，andwithoutansweringawordshefledtowardtheshore，swimmingwithallherstrengthwithhastystrokes。Hecouldnotkeepupwithherandpantedwithfatigueashefollowed。Hesawherleavethewater，pickuphercloak，andgotoherdressing-roomwithoutlookingback。

Ittookhimalongtimetodress，verymuchperplexedastowhatheoughttodo，puzzledoverwhatheshouldsaytoher，andwonderingwhetherheoughttoexcusehimselforpersevere。Whenhewasready，shehadgoneawayallalone。Hewentbackslowly，anxiousanddisturbed。

TheMarquisewasstrolling，onSaval"sarm，inthecircularpatharoundthelawn。AssheobservedServigny，shesaid，withthatcarelessairwhichshehadmaintainedsincethenightbefore。

"Itoldyounottogooutinsuchhotweather。AndnowYvettehascomebackalmostwithasunstroke。Shehasgonetoliedown。Shewasasredasapoppy，thepoorchild，andshehasafrightfulheadache。Youmusthavebeenwalkinginthefullsunlight，oryoumusthavedonesomethingfoolish。Youareasunreasonableasshe。"

Theyounggirldidnotcomedowntodinner。Whentheywantedtosendherupsomethingtoeatshecalledthroughthedoorthatshewasnothungry，forshehadshutherselfin，andshebeggedthattheywouldleaveherundisturbed。Thetwoyoungmenleftbytheteno"clocktrain，promisingtoreturnthefollowingThursday，andtheMarquiseseatedherselfattheopenwindowtodream，hearinginthedistancetheorchestraoftheboatmen"sball，withitssprightlymusic，inthedeepandsolemnsilenceofthenight。

Swayedbyloveasapersonismovedbyafondnessforhorsesorboating，shewassubjecttosuddentendernesseswhichcreptoverherlikeadisease。Thesepassionstookpossessionofhersuddenly，penetratedherentirebeing，maddenedher，enervatedoroverwhelmedher，inmeasureastheywereofanexalted，violent，dramatic，orsentimentalcharacter。

Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarecreatedtoloveandtobeloved。

Startingfromaverylowstationinlife，shehadriseninheradventurouscareer，actinginstinctively，withinborncleverness，acceptingmoneyandkisses，naturally，withoutdistinguishingbetweenthem，employingherextraordinaryabilityinanunthinkingandsimplefashion。Fromallherexperiencesshehadneverknowneitheragenuinetendernessoragreatrepulsion。

Shehadhadvariousfriends，forshehadtolive，asintravelingapersoneatsatmanytables。Butoccasionallyherhearttookfire，andshereallyfellinlove，whichstatelastedforsomeweeksormonths，accordingtoconditions。Thesewerethedeliciousmomentsofherlife，forshelovedwithallhersoul。Shecastherselfuponloveasapersonthrowshimselfintotherivertodrownhimself，andletherselfbecarriedaway，readytodie，ifneedbe，intoxicated，maddened，infinitelyhappy。Sheimaginedeachtimethatsheneverhadexperiencedanythinglikesuchanattachment，andshewouldhavebeengreatlyastonishedifsomeonehadtoldherofhowmanymenshehaddreamedwholenightsthrough，lookingatthestars。

Savalhadcaptivatedher，bodyandsoul。Shedreamedofhim，lulledbyhisfaceandhismemory，inthecalmexaltationofconsummatedlove，ofpresentandcertainhappiness。

Asoundbehindhermadeherturnaround。Yvettehadjustentered，stillinherdaytimedress，butpale，witheyesglittering，assometimesisthecaseaftersomegreatfatigue。Sheleanedonthesilloftheopenwindow，facinghermother。

"Iwanttospeaktoyou，"shesaid。

TheMarquiselookedatherinastonishment。Shelovedherlikeanegotisticalmother，proudofherbeauty，asapersonisproudofafortune，tooprettystillherselftobecomejealous，tooindifferenttoplantheschemeswithwhichtheychargedher，tooclever，nevertheless，nottohavefullconsciousnessofherdaughter"svalue。

"Iamlistening，mychild，"shesaid；"whatisit？"

Yvettegaveherapiercinglook，asiftoreadthedepthsofhersoulandtoseizeallthesensationswhichherwordsmightawake。

"Itisthis。Somethingstrangehasjusthappened。"

"Whatcanitbe？"

"MonsieurdeServignyhastoldmethathelovesme。"

TheMarquise，disturbed，waitedamoment，and，asYvettesaidnothingmore，sheasked:

"Howdidhetellyouthat？Explainyourself！"

Thentheyounggirl，sittingathermother"sfeet，inacoaxingattitudecommonwithher，andclaspingherhands，added:

"Heaskedmetomarryhim。"

MadameObardimadeasuddengestureofstupefactionandcried:

"Servigny！Why！youarecrazy！"

Yvettehadnottakenhereyesoffhermother"sface，watchingherthoughtsandhersurprise。Sheaskedwithaseriousvoice:

"WhyamIcrazy？WhyshouldnotMonsieurdeServignymarryme？"

TheMarquise，embarrassed，stammered:

"Youaremistaken，itisnotpossible。Youeitherdidnothearordidnotunderstand。MonsieurdeServignyistoorichforyou，andtoomuchofaParisiantomarry。"Yvetterosesoftly。Sheadded:

"Butifhelovesmeashesayshedoes，mamma？"

Hermotherreplied，withsomeimpatience:"Ithoughtyoubigenoughandwiseenoughnottohavesuchideas。Servignyisaman-about-townandanegotist。Hewillnevermarryanyonebutawomanofhissetandhisfortune。Ifheaskedyouinmarriage，itisonlythathewants——"

TheMarquise，incapableofexpressinghermeaning，wassilentforamoment，thencontinued:"Comenow，leavemealoneandgotobed。"

Andtheyounggirl，asifshehadlearnedwhatshesoughttofindout，answeredinadocilevoice:"Yes，mamma！"

Shekissedhermotherontheforeheadandwithdrewwithacalmstep。

Asshereachedthedoor，theMarquisecalledout:"Andyoursunstroke？"shesaid。

"Ididnothaveoneatall。Itwasthatwhichcausedeverything。"

TheMarquiseadded:"Wewillnotspeakofitagain。Onlydon"tstayalonewithhimforsometimefromnow，andbeverysurethathewillnevermarryyou，doyouunderstand，andthathemerelymeansto——

compromiseyou。"

Shecouldnotfindbetterwordstoexpressherthought。Yvettewenttoherroom。MadameObardibegantodream。Livingforyearsinanopulentandlovingrepose，shehadcarefullyputasideallreflectionswhichmightannoyorsaddenher。Neverhadshebeenwillingtoaskherselfthequestion——WhatwouldbecomeofYvette？

Itwouldbesoonenoughtothinkaboutthedifficultieswhentheyarrived。Shewellknew，fromherexperience，thatherdaughtercouldnotmarryamanwhowasrichandofgoodsociety，exceptingbyatotallyimprobablechance，byoneofthosesurprisesoflovewhichplaceadventuressesonthrones。

Shehadnotconsideredit，furthermore，beingtoomuchoccupiedwithherselftomakeanyplanswhichdidnotdirectlyconcernherself。

Yvettewoulddoashermother，undoubtedly。Shewouldleadagaylife。Whynot？ButtheMarquisehadneverdaredaskwhen，orhow。

Thatwouldallcomeaboutintime。

Andnowherdaughter，allofasudden，withoutwarning，hadaskedoneofthosequestionswhichcouldnotbeanswered，forcinghertotakeanattitudeinanaffair，sodelicate，sodangerousineveryrespect，andsodisturbingtotheconsciencewhichawomanisexpectedtoshowinmattersconcerningherdaughter。

Sometimesnoddingbutneverasleep，shehadtoomuchnaturalastutenesstobedeceivedaminuteaboutServigny"sintentions，forsheknewmenbyexperience，andespeciallymenofthatset。SoatthefirstwordsutteredbyYvette，shehadcriedalmostinspiteofherself:"Servigny，marryyou？Youarecrazy！"

Howhadhecometoemploythatoldmethod，he，thatsharpmanoftheworld？Whatwouldhedonow？Andshe，theyounggirl，howshouldshewarnhermoreclearlyandevenforbidher，forshemightmakegreatmistakes。Wouldanyonehavebelievedthatthisbiggirlhadremainedsoartless，soillinformed，soguileless？AndtheMarquise，greatlyperplexedandalreadyweariedwithherreflections，endeavoredtomakeuphermindwhattodowithoutfindingasolutionoftheproblem，forthesituationseemedtoherveryembarrassing。Wornoutwiththisworry，shethought:

"Iwillwatchthemmoreclearly，Iwillactaccordingtocircumstances。Ifnecessary，IwillspeaktoServigny，whoissharpandwilltakeahint。"

Shedidnotthinkoutwhatsheshouldsaytohim，norwhathewouldanswer，norwhatsortofanunderstandingcouldbeestablishedbetweenthem，buthappyatbeingrelievedofthiscarewithouthavinghadtomakeadecision，sheresumedherdreamsofthehandsomeSaval，andturningtowardthatmistylightwhichhoversoverParis，shethrewkisseswithbothhandstowardthegreatcity，rapidkisseswhichshetossedintothedarkness，oneaftertheother，withoutcounting；and，verylow，asifsheweretalkingtoSavalstill，shemurmured:

"Iloveyou，Iloveyou！"

CHAPTERIII。

ENLIGHTENMENT

Yvette，also，couldnotsleep。Likehermother，sheleaneduponthesilloftheopenwindow，andtears，herfirstbittertears，filledhereyes。Uptothistimeshehadlived，hadgrownup，intheheedlessandsereneconfidenceofhappyyouth。Whyshouldshehavedreamed，reflected，puzzled？Whyshouldshenothavebeenayounggirl，likeallotheryounggirls？Whyshouldadoubt，afear，orpainfulsuspicionhavecometoher？

Sheseemedpostedonalltopicsbecauseshehadawayoftalkingonallsubjects，becauseshehadtakenthetone，demeanor，andwordsofthepeoplewholivedaroundher。Butshereallyknewnomorethanalittlegirlraisedinaconvent；heraudacitiesofspeechcamefromhermemory，fromthatunconsciousfacultyofimitationandassimilationwhichwomenpossess，andnotfromamindinstructedandemboldened。

Shespokeofloveasthesonofapainteroramusicianwould，attheageoftenortwelveyears，speakofpaintingormusic。Shekneworrathersuspectedverywellwhatsortofmysterythiswordconcealed；——toomanyjokeshadbeenwhisperedbeforeher，forherinnocencenottobeatrifleenlightened，——buthowcouldshehavedrawntheconclusionfromallthis，thatallfamiliesdidnotresemblehers？

Theykissedhermother"shandwiththesemblanceofrespect；alltheirfriendshadtitles；theyallwererichorseemedtobeso；

theyallspokefamiliarlyoftheprincesoftheroyalline。Twosonsofkingshadevencomeoften，intheevening，totheMarquise"shouse。Howshouldshehaveknown？

And，then，shewasnaturallyartless。Shedidnotestimateorsumuppeopleashermother，did。Shelivedtranquilly，toojoyousinherlifetoworryherselfaboutwhatmightappearsuspicioustocreaturesmorecalm，thoughtful，reserved，lesscordial，andsunny。

Butnow，allatonce，Servigny，byafewwords，thebrutalityofwhichshefeltwithoutunderstandingthem，awakenedinherasuddendisquietude，unreasoningatfirst，butwhichgrewintoatormentingapprehension。Shehadfledhome，hadescapedlikeawoundedanimal，woundedinfactmostdeeplybythosewordswhichsheceaselesslyrepeatedtogetalltheirsenseandbearing:"Youknowverywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus——butonlyoflove。"

Whatdidhemean？Andwhythisinsult？Wasshetheninignoranceofsomething，somesecret，someshame？Shewastheonlyoneignorantofit，nodoubt。Butwhatcouldshedo？Shewasfrightened，startled，asapersoniswhenhediscoverssomehiddeninfamy，sometreasonofabelovedfriend，oneofthoseheart-disasterswhichcrush。