第5章

Shedreamed，reflected，puzzled，wept，consumedbyfearsandsuspicions。Thenherjoyousyoungsoulreassuringitself，shebegantoplananadventure，toimagineanabnormalanddramaticsituation，foundedontherecollectionsofallthepoeticalromancesshehadread。Sherecalledallthemovingcatastrophes，orsadandtouchingstories；shejumbledthemtogether，andconcoctedastoryofherownwithwhichsheinterpretedthehalf-understoodmysterywhichenvelopedherlife。

Shewasnolongercastdown。Shedreamed，sheliftedveils，sheimaginedunlikelycomplications，athousandsingular，terriblethings，seductive，nevertheless，bytheirverystrangeness。Couldshebe，bychance，thenaturaldaughterofaprince？Hadherpoormother，betrayedanddeserted，madeMarquisebysomeking，perhapsKingVictorEmmanuel，beenobligedtotakeflightbeforetheangerofthefamily？Wasshenotratherachildabandonedbyitsrelations，whowerenobleandillustrious，thefruitofaclandestinelove，takeninbytheMarquise，whohadadoptedandbroughtherup？

Stillothersuppositionspassedthroughhermind。Sheacceptedorrejectedthemaccordingtothedictatesofherfancy。Shewasmovedtopityoverherowncase，happyatthebottomofherheart，andsadalso，takingasortofsatisfactioninbecomingasortofaheroineofabookwhomust:assumeanobleattitude，worthyofherself。

Shelaidoutthepartshemustplay，accordingtoeventsatwhichsheguessed。Shevaguelyoutlinedthisrole，likeoneofScribe"sorofGeorgeSand"s。Itshouldbeenduedwithdevotion，self-

abnegation，greatnessofsoul，tenderness；andfinewords。Herpliantnaturealmostrejoicedinthisnewattitude。Sheponderedalmosttilleveningwhatsheshoulddo，wonderinghowsheshouldmanagetowrestthetruthfromtheMarquise。

Andwhennightcame，favorabletotragicsituations，shehadthoughtoutasimpleandsubtiletricktoobtainwhatshewanted:itwas，brusquely，tosaythatServignyhadaskedforherhandinmarriage。

Atthisnews，MadameObardi，takenbysurprise，wouldcertainlyletawordescapeherlips，acrywhichwouldthrowlightintothemindofherdaughter。AndYvettehadaccomplishedherplan。

Sheexpectedanexplosionofastonishment，anexpansionoflove，aconfidencefullofgesturesandtears。But，insteadofthis，hermother，withoutappearingstupefiedorgrieved，hadonlyseemedbored；andfromtheconstrained，discontented，andworriedtoneinwhichshehadreplied，theyounggirl，inwhomtheresuddenlyawakedalltheastuteness，keenness，andsharpnessofawoman，understandingthatshemustnotinsist，thatthemysterywasofanothernature，thatitwouldbepainfultohertolearnit，andthatshemustpuzzleitoutallalone，hadgonebacktoherroom，herheartoppressed，hersoulindistress，possessednowwiththeapprehensionsofarealmisfortune，withoutknowingexactlyeitherwhenceorwhythisemotioncametoher。Soshewept，leaningatthewindow。

Sheweptlong，notdreamingofanythingnow，notseekingtodiscoveranythingmore，andlittlebylittle，wearinessovercomingher，sheclosedhereyes。Shedozedforafewminutes，withthatdeepsleepofpeoplewhoaretiredoutandhavenottheenergytoundressandgotobed，thatheavysleep，brokenbydreams，whentheheadnodsuponthebreast。

Shedidnotgotobeduntilthefirstbreakofday，whenthecoldofthemorning，chillingher，compelledhertoleavethewindow。

Thenextdayandthedayafter，shemaintainedareservedandmelancholyattitude。Herthoughtswerebusy；shewaslearningtospyout，toguessatconclusions，toreason。Alight，stillvague，seemedtoilluminemenandthingsaroundherinanewmanner；shebegantoentertainsuspicionsagainstall，againsteverythingthatshehadbelieved，againsthermother。Sheimaginedallsortsofthingsduringthesetwodays。Sheconsideredallthepossibilities，takingthemostextremeresolutionswiththesuddennessofherchangeableandunrestrainednature。Wednesdayshehituponaplan，anentirescheduleofconductandasystemofspying。SheroseThursdaymorningwiththeresolvetobeverysharpandarmedagainsteverybody。

Shedeterminedeventotakeforhermottothesetwowords:"Myselfalone，"andsheponderedformorethananhourhowsheshouldarrangethemtoproduceagoodeffectengravedabouthercrest，onherwritingpaper。

SavalandServignyarrivedatteno"clock。Theyounggirlgaveherhandwithreserve，withoutembarrassment，andinatone，familiarthoughgrave，shesaid:

"Goodmorning，Muscade，areyouwell？""Goodmorning，Mam"zelle，fairly，thanks，andyou？"Hewaswatchingher。"Whatcomedywillsheplayme，"hesaidtohimself。

TheMarquisehavingtakenSaval"sarm，hetookYvette"s，andtheybegantostrollaboutthelawn，appearinganddisappearingeveryminute，behindtheclumpsoftrees。

Yvettewalkedwithathoughtfulair，lookingatthegravelofthepathway，appearinghardlytohearwhathercompanionsaidandscarcelyansweringhim。

Suddenlysheasked:"Areyoutrulymyfriend，Muscade？"

"Why，ofcourse，Mam"zelle。"

"Buttruly，truly，now？"

"Absolutelyyourfriend，Mam"zelle，bodyandsoul。"

"Evenenoughofafriendnottolietomeonce，justonce？"

"Eventwice，ifnecessary。"

"Evenenoughtotellmetheabsolute，exacttruth？"

"Yes，Mam"zelle。"

"Well，whatdoyouthink，waydowninyourheart，ofthePrinceofKravalow？"

"Ah，thedevil！"

"Youseethatyouarealreadypreparingtolie。"

"Notatall，butIamseekingthewords，theproperwords。GreatHeavens，PrinceKravalowisaRussian，whospeaksRussian，whowasborninRussia，whohasperhapshadapassporttocometoFrance，andaboutwhomthereisnothingfalsebuthisnameandtitle。"

Shelookedhimintheeyes:"Youmeanthatheis——？"

"Anadventurer，Mam"zelle。"

"Thankyou，andChevalierValrealiisnobetter？""Youhavehitit。"

"AndMonsieurdeBelvigne？"

"Withhimitisadifferentthing。Heisofprovincialsociety，honorableuptoacertainpoint，butonlyalittlescorchedfromhavinglivedtoorapidly。"

"Andyou？"

"Iamwhattheycallabutterfly，amanofgoodfamily，whohadintelligenceandwhohassquandereditinmakingphrases，whohadgoodhealthandwhohasinjureditbydissipation，whohadsomeworthperhapsandwhohasscattereditbydoingnothing。Thereislefttomeacertainknowledgeoflife，acompleteabsenceofprejudice，alargecontemptformankind，includingwomen，averydeepsentimentoftheuselessnessofmyactsandavasttoleranceforthemob。"

"Nevertheless，attimes，Icanbefrank，andIamevencapableofaffection，asyoucouldsee，ifyouwould。WiththesedefectsandqualitiesIplacemyselfatyourorders，Mam"zelle，morallyandphysically，todowhatyoupleasewithme。"

Shedidnotlaugh；shelistened，weighinghiswordsandhisintentions；thensheresumed:

"WhatdoyouthinkoftheCountessdeLammy？"

Hereplied，vivaciously:"Youwillpermitmenottogivemyopinionaboutthewomen。"

"Aboutnoneofthem？"

"Aboutnoneofthem。""Thenyoumusthaveabadopinionofthemall。

Come，think；won"tyoumakeasingleexception？"

Hesneeredwiththatinsolentairwhichhegenerallywore；andwiththatbrutalaudacitywhichheusedasaweapon，hesaid:"Presentcompanyisalwaysexcepted。"

Sheblushedalittle，butcalmlyasked:"Well，whatdoyouthinkofme？"

"Youwantmetotell。Well，sobeit。Ithinkyouareayoungpersonofgoodsense，andpracticalness，orifyouprefer，ofgoodpracticalsense，whoknowsverywellhowtoarrangeherpastime，toamusepeople，tohideherviews，tolayhersnares，andwho，withouthurrying，awaitsevents。"

"Isthatall？"sheasked。

"That"sall。"

Thenshesaidwithaseriousearnestness:"Ishallmakeyouchangethatopinion，Muscade。"

Thenshejoinedhermother，whowasproceedingwithshortsteps，herheaddown，withthatmannerassumedintalkingverylow，whilewalking，ofveryintimateandverysweetthings。Assheadvancedshedrewshapesinthesand，lettersperhaps，withthepointofhersunshade，andshespoke，withoutlookingatSaval，long，softly，leaningonhisarm，pressedagainsthim。

Yvettesuddenlyfixedhereyesuponher，andasuspicion，ratherafeelingthanadoubt，passedthroughhermindasashadowofaclouddrivenbythewindpassesovertheground。

Thebellrangforbreakfast。Itwassilentandalmostgloomy。Therewasastormintheair。Greatsolidcloudsresteduponthehorizon，muteandheavy，butchargedwithatempest。Assoonastheyhadtakentheircoffeeontheterrace，theMarquiseasked:

"Well，darling，areyougoingtotakeawalktodaywithyourfriendServigny？Itisagoodtimetoenjoythecoolnessunderthetrees。"

Yvettegaveheraquickglance。

"No，mamma，Iamnotgoingoutto-day。"

TheMarquiseappearedannoyed，andinsisted。"Oh，goandtakeastroll，mychild，itisexcellentforyou。"

ThenYvettedistinctlysaid:"No，mamma，Ishallstayinthehouseto-day，andyouknowverywellwhy，becauseItoldyoutheotherevening。"

MadameObardigaveitnofurtherthought，preoccupiedwiththethoughtofremainingalonewithSaval。Sheblushedandwasannoyed，disturbedonherownaccount，notknowinghowshecouldfindafreehourortwo。Shestammered:

"Itistrue。Iwasnotthinkingofit。Idon"tknowwheremyheadis。"

AndYvettetakingupsomeembroidery，whichshecalled"thepublicsafety，"andatwhichsheworkedfiveorsixtimesayear，ondulldays，seatedherselfonalowchairnearhermother，whilethetwoyoungmen，astridefolding-chairs，smokedtheircigars。

Thehourspassedinalanguidconversation。TheMarquisefidgety，castlongingglancesatSaval，seekingsomepretext，somemeans，ofgettingridofherdaughter。Shefinallyrealizedthatshewouldnotsucceed，andnotknowingwhatrusetoemploy，shesaidtoServigny:

"Youknow，mydearDuke，thatIamgoingtokeepyouboththisevening。To-morrowweshallbreakfastattheFournaiserestaurant，atChaton。"

Heunderstood，smiled，andbowed:"Iamatyourorders，Marquise。"

Thedayworeonslowlyandpainfullyunderthethreateningsofthestorm。Thehourfordinnergraduallyapproached。Theheavyskywasfilledwithslowandheavyclouds。Therewasnotabreathofairstirring。Theeveningmealwassilent，too。Anoppression，anembarrassment，asortofvaguefear，seemedtomakethetwomenandthetwowomenmute。

Whenthecoverswereremoved，theysatlongupontheterrace；onlyspeakingatlongintervals。Nightfell，asultrynight。Suddenlythehorizonwastornbyanimmenseflashoflightning，whichilluminedwithadazzlingandwanlightthefourfacesshroudedindarkness。

Thenafar-offsound，heavyandfeeble，liketherumblingofacarriageuponabridge，passedovertheearth；anditseemedthattheheatoftheatmosphereincreased，thattheairsuddenlybecamemoreoppressive，andthesilenceoftheeveningdeeper。

Yvetterose。"Iamgoingtobed，"shesaid，"thestormmakesmeill。"

AndsheofferedherbrowtotheMarquise，gaveherhandtothetwoyoungmen，andwithdrew。

Asherroomwasjustabovetheterrace，theleavesofagreatchestnut-treegrowingbeforethedoorsoongleamedwithagreenhue，andServignykepthiseyesfixedonthispalelightinthefoliage，inwhichattimeshethoughthesawashadowpass。Butsuddenlythelightwentout。MadameObardigaveagreatsigh。

"Mydaughterhasgonetobed，"shesaid。

Servignyrose，saying:"Iamgoingtodoasmuch，Marquise，ifyouwillpermitme。"Hekissedthehandsheheldouttohimanddisappearedinturn。

ShewasleftalonewithSaval，inthenight。Inamomentshewasclaspedinhisarms。Then，althoughhetriedtopreventher，shekneeledbeforehimmurmuring:"Iwanttoseeyoubythelightningflashes。"

ButYvette，hercandlesnuffedout，hadreturnedtoherbalcony，barefoot，glidinglikeashadow，andshelistened，consumedbyanunhappyandconfusedsuspicion。Shecouldnotsee，asshewasabovethem，ontheroofoftheterrace。

Sheheardnothingbutamurmurofvoices，andherheartbeatsofastthatshecouldactuallyhearitsthrobbing。Awindowclosedontheflooraboveher。Servigny，then，musthavejustgoneuptohisroom。

Hermotherwasalonewiththeotherman。

Asecondflashoflightning，clearingthesky；lightedupforasecondallthelandscapesheknewsowell，withastartlingandsinistergleam，andshesawthegreatriver，withthecolorofmeltedlead，asariverappearsindreamsinfantasticscenes。

Justthenavoicebelowherutteredthewords:"Iloveyou！"Andsheheardnothingmore。Astrangeshudderpassedoverherbody，andhersoulshiveredinfrightfuldistress。Aheavy，infinitesilence，whichseemedeternal，hungovertheworld。Shecouldnolongerbreathe，herbreastoppressedbysomethingunknownandhorrible。

Anotherflashoflightningilluminedspace，lightingupthehorizonforaninstant，thenanotheralmostimmediatelycame，followedbystillothers。Andthevoice，whichshehadalreadyheard，repeatedmoreloudly:"Oh！howIloveyou！howIloveyou！"AndYvetterecognizedthevoice；itwashermother"s。

Alargedropofwarmrainfelluponherbrow，andaslightandalmostimperceptiblemotionranthroughtheleaves，thequiveringoftherainwhichwasnowbeginning。Thenanoisecamefromafar，aconfusedsound，likethatofthewindinthebranches:itwasthedelugedescendinginsheetsonearthandriverandtrees。Inafewminutesthewaterpouredabouther，coveringher，drenchingherlikeashower-bath。Shedidnotmove，thinkingonlyofwhatwashappeningontheterrace。

Sheheardthemgetupandgototheirrooms。Doorswereclosedwithinthehouse；andtheyounggirl，yieldingtoanirresistibledesiretolearnwhatwasgoingon，adesirewhichmaddenedandtorturedher，glideddownstairs，softlyopenedtheouterdoor，and，crossingthelawnunderthefuriousdownpour，ranandhidinaclumpoftrees，tolookatthewindows。

Onlyonewindowwaslighted，hermother"s。Andsuddenlytwoshadowsappearedintheluminoussquare，twoshadows，sidebyside。Thendistracted，withoutreflection，withoutknowingwhatshewasdoing，shescreamedwithallhermight，inashrillvoice:"Mamma！"asapersonwouldcryouttowarnpeopleindangerofdeath。

Herdesperatecrywaslostinthenoiseoftherain，butthecoupleseparated，disturbed。Andoneoftheshadowsdisappeared，whiletheothertriedtodiscoversomething，peeringthroughthedarknessofthegarden。

Fearingtobesurprised，ortomeethermotheratthatmoment，Yvetterushedbacktothehouse，ranupstairs，drippingwet，andshutherselfinherroom，resolvedtoopenherdoortonoone。

Withouttaking，offherstreamingdress，whichclungtoherform，shefellonherknees，withclaspedhands，inherdistressimploringsomesuperhumanprotection，themysteriousaidofHeaven，theunknownsupportwhichapersonseeksinhoursoftearsanddespair。

Thegreatlightningflashesthrewforaninstanttheirlividreflectionsintoherroom，andshesawherselfinthemirrorofherwardrobe，withherwetanddisheveledhair，lookingsostrangethatshedidnotrecognizeherself。Sheremainedtheresolongthatthestormabatedwithoutherperceivingit。Therainceased，alightfilledthesky，stillobscuredwithclouds，andamild，balmy，deliciousfreshness，afreshnessofgrassandwetleaves，cameinthroughtheopenwindow。

Yvetterose，tookoffherwet，coldgarments，withoutthinkingwhatshewasdoing，andwenttobed。Shestaredwithfixedeyesatthedawningday。Thensheweptagain，andthenshebegantothink。

Hermother！Alover！Whatashame！Shehadreadsomanybooksinwhichwomen，evenmothers，hadoversteppedtheboundsofpropriety，toregaintheirhonoratthepagesoftheclimax，thatshewasnotastonishedbeyondmeasureatfindingherselfenvelopedinadramasimilartoallthoseofherreading。Theviolenceofherfirstgrief，thecruelshockofsurprise，hadalreadywornoffalittle，intheconfusedremembranceofanalogoussituations。Hermindhadrambledamongsuchtragicadventures，paintedbythenovel-writers，thatthehorriblediscoveryseemed，littlebylittle，likethenaturalcontinuationofsomeserialstory，beguntheeveningbefore。

Shesaidtoherself:"Iwillsavemymother。"Andalmostreassuredbythisheroicresolution，shefeltherselfstrengthened，readyatonceforthedevotionandthestruggle。Shereflectedonthemeanswhichmustbeemployed。Asingleoneseemedgood，whichwasquiteinkeepingwithherromanticnature。AndsherehearsedtheinterviewwhichsheshouldhavewiththeMarquise，asanactorrehearsesthescenewhichheisgoingtoplay。

Thesunhadrisen。Theservantswerestirringaboutthehouse。Thechambermaidcamewiththechocolate。Yvetteputthetrayonthetableandsaid:

"YouwillsaytomymotherthatIamnotwell，thatIamgoingtostayinbeduntilthosegentlemenleave，thatIcouldnotsleeplastnight，andthatIdonotwanttobedisturbedbecauseIamgoingtotrytorest。"

Theservant，surprised，lookedatthewetdress，whichhadfallenlikearagonthecarpet。

"SoMademoisellehasbeenout？"shesaid。

"Yes，Iwentoutforawalkintheraintorefreshmyself。"

Themaidpickeduptheskirts，stockings，andwetshoes；thenshewentawaycarryingonherarm，withfastidiousprecautions，thesegarments，soakedastheclothesofadrownedperson。AndYvettewaited，wellknowingthathermotherwouldcometoher。

TheMarquiseentered，havingjumpedfromherbedatthefirstwordsofthechambermaid，forasuspicionhadpossessedher，heartsincethatcry:"Mamma！"heardinthedark。

"Whatisthematter？"shesaid。

Yvettelookedatherandstammered:"I——I——"Thenoverpoweredbyasuddenandterribleemotion，shebegantochoke。

TheMarquise，astonished，againasked:"Whatintheworldisthematterwithyou？"

Then，forgettingallherplansandpreparedphrases，theyounggirlhidherfaceinbothhandsandstammered:

"Oh！mamma！Oh！mamma！"

MadameObardistoodbythebed，toomuchaffectedthoroughlytounderstand，butguessingalmosteverything，withthatsubtileinstinctwhenceshederivedherstrength。AsYvettecouldnotspeak，chokedwithtears，hermother，wornoutfinallyandfeelingsomefearfulexplanationcoming，brusquelyasked:

"Come，willyoutellmewhatthematteris？"

Yvettecouldhardlyutterthewords:"Oh！lastnight——Isaw——yourwindow。"

TheMarquise，verypale；said:"Well？whatofit？"

Herdaughterrepeated，stillsobbing:"Oh！mamma！Oh！mamma！"

MadameObardi，whosefearandembarrassmentturnedtoanger，shruggedhershouldersandturnedtogo。"Ireallybelievethatyouarecrazy。Whenthisends，youwillletmeknow。"

Buttheyounggirl，suddenlytookherhandsfromherface，whichwasstreamingwithtears。

"No，listen，Imustspeaktoyou，listen。Youmustpromiseme——wemustbothgo，away，veryfaroff，intothecountry，andwemustlivelikethecountrypeople；andnoonemustknowwhathasbecomeofus。

Sayyouwill，mamma；Ibegyou，Iimploreyou；willyou？"

TheMarquise，confused，stoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Shehadinherveinstheirasciblebloodofthecommonpeople。Thenasenseofshame，amother"smodesty，mingledwithavaguesentimentoffearandtheexasperationofapassionatewomanwhoseloveisthreatened，andsheshuddered，readytoaskforpardon，ortoyieldtosomeviolence。

"Idon"tunderstandyou，"shesaid。