第7章

Theynowreturned。Shecastvexedlooksonthepassers-by。"Howstupidallthesepeopleseem，"shesaid。Thenraisinghereyestothecountenanceofhercompanion，sheadded:"You，too，likealltherest。"

M。deBelvignebowed。TurningaroundshesawthatthePrinceandtheChevalierhaddisappeared。Servigny，dejectedanddripping，ceasedplayingonthetrumpet，andwalkedwithagloomyairatthesideofthetwoweariedyoungmen，whoalsohadstoppedthedrumplaying。

Shebegantolaughdryly，saying:

"Youseemtohavehadenough；nevertheless，thatiswhatyoucallhavingagoodtime，isn"tit？Youcameforthat；Ihavegivenyouyourmoney"sworth。"

Thenshewalkedon，sayingnothingfurther；andsuddenlyBelvigneperceivedthatshewasweeping。Astounded，heinquired:

"Whatisthematter？"

Shemurmured:"Letmealone，itdoesnotconcernyou。"

Butheinsisted，likeafool:"Oh，Mademoiselle，come，whatisthematter，hasanyoneannoyedyou？"

Sherepeatedimpatiently:"Willyoukeepstill？"

Thensuddenly，nolongerabletoresistthedespairingsorrowwhichdrownedherheart，shebegantosobsoviolently，thatshecouldnolongerwalk。Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，pantingforbreath，chokedbytheviolenceofherdespair。

Belvignestoodstillatherside，quitebewildered，repeating:"I

don"tunderstandthisatall。"

ButServignybrusquelycameforward:"Letusgohome，Mam"zelle，sothatpeoplemaynotseeyouweepinginthestreet。Whydoyouperpetratefollieslikethatwhentheyonlymakeyousad？"

Andtakingherarmhedrewherforward。Butassoonastheyreachedtheirongateofthevillashebegantorun，crossedthegarden，andwentupstairs，andshutherselfinherroom。Shedidnotappearagainuntilthedinnerhour，verypaleandserious。Servignyhadboughtfromacountrystorekeeperaworkingman"scostume，withvelvetpantaloons，afloweredwaistcoatandablouse，andheadoptedthelocaldialect。Yvettewasinahurryforthemtofinish，feelinghercourageebbing。Assoonasthecoffeewasservedshewenttoherroomagain。

Sheheardthemerryvoicesbeneathherwindow。TheChevalierwasmakingequivocaljokes，foreignwitticisms，vulgarandclumsy。Shelistened，indespair。Servigny，justabittipsy，wasimitatingthecommonworkingman，callingtheMarquise"theMissus。"AndallofasuddenhesaidtoSaval:"Well，Boss？"Thatcausedagenerallaugh。

ThenYvettedecided。Shefirsttookasheetofpaperandwrote:

"Bougival，Sunday，nineo"clockintheevening。

"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。

"YVETTE。"

Theninapostscript:

"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。"

Shesealedtheenvelope，andaddressedittotheMarquiseObardi。

Thensherolledherlongchairnearthewindow，drewalittletablewithinreachofherhand，andplaceduponitthebigbottleofchloroformbesideahandfulofwadding。

Agreatrose-treecoveredwithflowers，climbingashighasherwindow，exhaledinthenightasoftandgentleperfume，inlightbreaths；andshestoodforamomentenjoyingit。Themoon，initsfirstquarter，wasfloatinginthedarksky，alittleraggedattheleft，andveiledattimesbyslightmists。

Yvettethought:"Iamgoingtodie！"Andherheart，swollenwithsobs，nearlybursting，almostsuffocatedher。Shefeltinheraneedofaskingmercyfromsomeone，ofbeingsaved，ofbeingloved。

ThevoiceofServignyarousedher。Hewastellinganimproperstory，whichwasconstantlyinterruptedbyburstsoflaughter。TheMarquiseherselflaughedlouderthantheothers。

"Thereisnobodylikehimfortellingthatsortofthing，"shesaid，laughing。

Yvettetookthebottle，uncorkedit，andpouredalittleoftheliquidonthecotton。Astrong，sweet，strangeodorarose；andasshebroughtthepieceofcottontoherlips，thefumesenteredherthroatandmadehercough。

Thenshuttinghermouth，shebegantoinhaleit。Shetookinlongbreathsofthisdeadlyvapor，closinghereyes，andforcingherselftostifleinhermindallthoughts，sothatshemightnotreflect，thatshemightknownothingmore。

Itseemedtoheratfirstthatherchestwasgrowinglarger，wasexpanding，andthathersoul，recentlyheavyandburdenedwithgrief，wasbecominglight，light，asiftheweightwhichoverwhelmedherwaslifted，waftedaway。Somethinglivelyandagreeablepenetratedeventotheextremitiesofherlimbs，eventothetipsofhertoesandfingersandenteredherflesh，asortofdreamyintoxication，ofsoftfever。Shesawthatthecottonwasdry，andshewasastonishedthatshewasnotalreadydead。Hersensesseemedmoreacute，moresubtle，morealert。Sheheardthelowestwhisperontheterrace。PrinceKravalowwastellinghowhehadkilledanAustriangeneralinaduel。

Then，furtheroff，inthefields，sheheardthenoiseofthenight，theoccasionalbarkingsofadog，theshortcryofthefrogs，thealmostimperceptiblerustlingoftheleaves。

Shetookthebottleagain，andsaturatedoncemorethelittlepieceofwadding；thenshebegantobreatheinthefumesagain。Forafewmomentsshefeltnothing；thenthatsoftandsoothingfeelingofcomfortwhichshehadexperiencedbeforeenvelopedher。

Twiceshepouredmorechloroformuponthecotton，eagernowforthatphysicalandmentalsensation，thatdreamytorpor，whichbewilderedhersoul。

Itseemedtoherthatshehadnomorebones，flesh，legs，orarms。

Thedrughadgentlytakenalltheseawayfromher，withoutherperceivingit。Thechloroformhaddrawnawayherbody，leavingheronlyhermind，moreawakened，moreactive，larger，andmorefreethanshehadeverfeltit。

Sherecalledathousandforgottenthings，littledetailsofherchildhood，trifleswhichhadgivenherpleasure。Endowedsuddenlywithanawakenedagility，hermindleapedtothemostdiverseideas，ranthroughathousandadventures，wanderedinthepast，andlostitselfinthehoped-foreventsofthefuture。Andherlivelyandcarelessthoughtshadasensuouscharm:sheexperiencedadivinepleasureindreamingthus。

Shestillheardthevoices，butshecouldnolongerdistinguishthewords，whichtoherseemedtohaveadifferentmeaning。Shewasinakindofstrangeandchangingfairyland。

Shewasonagreatboatwhichfloatedthroughabeautifulcountry，allcoveredwithflowers。Shesawpeopleontheshore，andthesepeoplespokeveryloudly；thenshewasagainonland，withoutaskinghow，andServigny，cladasaprince，cametoseekher，totakehertoabull-fight。

Thestreetswerefilledwithpassers-by，whoweretalking，andsheheardconversationswhichdidnotastonishher，asifshehadknownthepeople，forthroughherdreamyintoxication，shestillheardhermother"sfriendslaughingandtalkingontheterrace。

Theneverythingbecamevague。Thensheawakened，deliciouslybenumbed，andshecouldhardlyrememberwhathadhappened。

So，shewasnotyetdead。Butshefeltsocalm，insuchastateofphysicalcomfort，thatshewasnotinhastetofinishwithit——shewantedtomakethisexquisitedrowsinesslastforever。

Shebreathedslowlyandlookedatthemoon，oppositeher，abovethetrees。Somethinghadchangedinherspirit。Shenolongerthoughtasshehaddonejustnow。Thechloroformquietingherbodyandhersoulhadcalmedhergriefandlulledherdesiretodie。

Whyshouldshenotlive？Whyshouldshenotbeloved？Whyshouldshenotleadahappylife？Everythingappearedpossibletohernow，andeasyandcertain。Everythinginlifewassweet，everythingwascharming。Butasshewishedtodreamonstill，shepouredmoreofthedream-wateronthecottonandbegantobreatheitinagain，stoppingattimes，soasnottoabsorbtoomuchofitanddie。

Shelookedatthemoonandsawinitaface，awoman"sface。Shebegantoscornthecountryinthefancifulintoxicationofthedrug。

Thatfaceswunginthesky；thenitsang，itsangwithawell-knownvoicethealleluiaoflove。

ItwastheMarquise，whohadcomeinandseatedherselfatthepiano。

Yvettehadwingsnow。Shewasflyingthroughaclearnight，abovethewoodandstreams。Shewasflyingwithdelight，openingandclosingherwings，bornebythewindasbyacaress。Shemovedintheair，whichkissedherskin，andshewentsofast，sofast，thatshehadnotimetoseeanythingbeneathher，andshefoundherselfseatedonthebankofapondwithalineinherhand；shewasfishing。

Somethingpulledonthecord，andwhenshedrewitoutofthewater，itboreamagnificentpearlnecklace，whichshehadlongedforsometimeago。Shewasnotatallastonishedatthisdeed，andshelookedatServigny，whohadcometoherside——sheknewnothow。Hewasfishingalso，anddrewoutoftheriverawoodenhorse。

Thenshehadanewthefeelingofawaking，andsheheardsomeonecallingdownstairs。Hermotherhadsaid:

"Putoutthecandle。"ThenServigny"svoicerose，clearandjesting:

"Putoutyourcandle，Mam"zelleYvette。"

Andalltookupthechorus:"Mam"zelleYvette，putoutyourcandle。"

Sheagainpouredchloroformonthecotton，but，asshedidnotwanttodie，sheplaceditfarenoughfromherfacetobreathethefreshair，whileneverthelessherroomwasfilledwiththeasphyxiatingodorofthenarcotic，forsheknewthatsomeonewascoming，andtakingasuitableposture，aposeofthedead，shewaited。

TheMarquisesaid:"Iamalittleuneasy！Thatfoolishchildhasgonetosleepleavingthelightonhertable。IwillsendClemencetoputitout，andtoshutthebalconywindow，whichiswideopen。"

Andsoonthemaidrappedonthedoorcalling:"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！"Afteramoment"ssilence，sherepeated:

"Mademoiselle，MadametheMarquisebegsyoutoputoutyourcandleandshutthewindow。"

Clemencewaitedalittle，thenknockedlouder，andcried:

"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！"

AsYvettedidnotreply，theservantwentawayandreportedtotheMarquise:

"Mademoisellemusthavegonetosleep，herdoorisbolted，andI

couldnotawakenher。"

MadameObardimurmured:

"Butshemustnotstaylikethat，"

Then，atthesuggestionofServigny，theyallgatheredunderthewindow，shoutinginchorus:

"Hip！hip！hurrah！Mam"zelleYvette。"

Theirclamorroseinthecalmnight，throughthetransparentairbeneaththemoon，overthesleepingcountry；andtheyhearditdieawayinthedistancelikethesoundofadisappearingtrain。

AsYvettedidnotanswertheMarquisesaid:"Ionlyhopethatnothinghashappened。Iambeginningtobeafraid。"

ThenServigny，pluckingredrosesfromabigrosebushtrainedalongthewallandbudsnotyetopened，begantothrowthemintotheroomthroughthewindow。

Atthefirstrosethatfellatherside，Yvettestartedandalmostcriedout。Othersfelluponherdress，othersuponherhair，whileothersgoingoverherheadfelluponthebed，coveringitwitharainofflowers。

TheMarquise，inachokingvoice，cried:"Come，Yvette，answer。"

ThenServignydeclared:"Trulythisisnotnatural；Iamgoingtoclimbupbythebalcony。"

ButtheChevaliergrewindignant。

"Now，letmedoit，"hesaid。"ItisagreatfavorIask；itistoogoodameans，andtoogoodatimetoobtainarendezvous。"

Alltherest，whothoughttheyounggirlwasjoking，cried:"Weprotest！Heshallnotclimbup。"

ButtheMarquise，disturbed，repeated:"Andyetsomeonemustgoandsee。"

ThePrinceexclaimedwithadramaticgesture:

"ShefavorstheDuke，wearebetrayed。"

"Letustossacointoseewhoshallgoup，"saidtheChevalier。Hetookafive-francpiecefromhispocket，andbeganwiththePrince。

"Tail，"saidhe。Itwashead。

ThePrincetossedthecoininhisturnsayingtoSaval:"Call，Monsieur。"

Savalcalled"Head。"Itwastail。

ThePrincethengavealltheothersachance，andtheyalllost。

Servigny，whowasstandingoppositehim，exclaimedinhisinsolentway:"PARBLEU！heischeating！"

TheRussianputhishandonhisheartandheldoutthegoldpiecetohisrival，saying:"Tossityourself，mydearDuke。"

Servignytookitandspinningitup，said:"Head。"Itwastail。

Hebowedandpointingtothepillarofthebalconysaid:"Climbup，Prince。"ButthePrincelookedabouthimwithadisturbedair。

"Whatareyoulookingfor？"askedtheChevalier。

"Well，——I——would——like——aladder。"Agenerallaughfollowed。

Saval，advancing，said:"Wewillhelpyou。"

Heliftedhiminhisarms，asstrongasthoseofHercules，tellinghim:

"Nowclimbtothatbalcony。"

ThePrinceimmediatelyclungtoit，and。Savallettinghimgo，heswungthere，suspendedintheair，movinghislegsinemptyspace。

ThenServigny，seeinghisstrugglinglegswhichsoughtarestingplace，pulledthemdownwardwithallhisstrength；thehandslosttheirgripandthePrincefellinaheaponMonsieurdeBelvigne，whowascomingtoaidhim。"Whoseturnnext？"askedServigny。Nooneclaimedtheprivilege。

"Come，Belvigne，courage！"

"Thankyou，mydearboy，Iamthinkingofmybones。"

"Come，Chevalier，youmustbeusedtoscalingwalls。"

"Igivemyplacetoyou，mydearDuke。"

"Ha，ha，thatisjustwhatIexpected。"

Servigny，withakeeneye，turnedtothepillar。Thenwithaleap，clingingtothebalcony，hedrewhimselfuplikeagymnastandclimbedoverthebalustrade。

Allthespectators，gazingathim，applauded。Butheimmediatelyreappeared，calling:

"Come，quick！Come，quick！Yvetteisunconscious。"TheMarquiseutteredaloudcry，andrushedforthestairs。

Theyounggirl，hereyesclosed，pretendedtobedead。Hermotherentereddistracted，andthrewherselfuponher。

"Tellmewhatisthematterwithher，whatisthematterwithher？"

Servignypickedupthebottleofchloroformwhichhadfallenuponthefloor。

"Shehasdruggedherself，"saidhe。

Heplacedhiseartoherheart；thenheadded:

"Butsheisnotdead；wecanresuscitateher。Haveyouanyammonia？"

Themaid，bewildered，repeated:"Anywhat，Monsieur？"

"Anysmelling-salts。"

"Yes，Monsieur。""Bringthematonce，andleavethedooropentomakeadraftofair。"

TheMarquise，onherknees，wassobbing:"Yvette！Yvette，mydaughter，mydaughter，listen，answerme，Yvette，mychild。Oh，myGod！myGod！whathasshedone？"

Themen，frightened，movedaboutwithoutspeaking，bringingwater，towels，glasses，andvinegar。Someonesaid:"Sheoughttobeundressed。"AndtheMarquise，whohadlostherhead，triedtoundressherdaughter；butdidnotknowwhatshewasdoing。Herhandstrembledandfaltered，andshegroaned:

"Icannot，——Icannot——"

Themaidhadcomebackbringingadruggist"sbottlewhichServignyopenedandfromwhichhepouredouthalfuponahandkerchief。ThenheappliedittoYvette"snose，causinghertochoke。

"Good，shebreathes，"saidhe。"Itwillbenothing。"

Andhebathedhertemples，cheeks，andneckwiththepungentliquid。

Thenhemadeasigntothemaidtounlacethegirl，andwhenshehadnothingmoreonthanaskirtoverherchemise，heraisedherinhisarmsandcarriedhertothebed，quivering，movedbytheodorandcontactofherflesh。Thenshewasplacedinbed。Hearoseverypale。

"Shewillcometoherself，"hesaid，"itisnothing。"Forhehadheardherbreatheinacontinuousandregularway。ButseeingallthemenwiththeireyesfixedonYvetteinbed，hewasseizedwithajealousirritation，andadvancedtowardthem。"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"therearetoomanyofusinthisroom；bekindenoughtoleaveusalone，——MonsieurSavalandme——withtheMarquise。"

Hespokeinatonewhichwasdryandfullofauthority。

MadameObardihadgraspedherlover，andwithherheadupliftedtowardhimshecriedtohim:

"Saveher，oh，saveher！"

ButServignyturningaroundsawaletteronthetable。Heseizeditwitharapidmovement，andreadtheaddress。Heunderstoodandthought:"PerhapsitwouldbebetteriftheMarquiseshouldnotknowofthis，"andtearingopentheenvelope，hedevouredataglancethetwolinesitcontained:

"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。"

"Yvette。"

"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。"

"Thedevil！"hethought，"thiscallsforreflection。"Andhehidtheletterinhispocket。

Thenheapproachedthebed，andimmediatelythethoughtcametohimthattheyounggirlhadregainedconsciousnessbutthatshedarednotshowit，fromshame，fromhumiliation，andfromfearofquestioning。TheMarquisehadfallenonherkneesnow，andwasweeping，herheadonthe，footofthebed。Suddenlysheexclaimed:

"Adoctor，wemusthaveadoctor！"

ButServigny，whohadjustsaidsomethinginalowtonetoSaval，repliedtoher:"No，itisallover。Come，gooutaminute，justaminute，andIpromiseyouthatshewillkissyouwhenyoucomeback。"AndtheBaron，takingMadameObardibythearm，ledherfromtheroom。

ThenServigny，sitting-bythebed，tookYvette"shandandsaid:

"Mam"zelle，listentome。"

Shedidnotanswer。Shefeltsowell，sosoftandwarminbed，thatshewouldhavelikednevertomove，nevertospeak，andtolivelikethatforever。Aninfinitecomforthadencompassedher，acomfortthelikeofwhichshehadneverexperienced。

Themildnightaircominginbyvelvetybreathstouchedhertemplesinanexquisitealmostimperceptibleway。Itwasacaresslikeakissofthewind，likethesoftandrefreshingbreathofafanmadeofalltheleavesofthetreesandofalltheshadowsofthenight，ofthemistofrivers，andofalltheflowerstoo，fortherosestossedupfrombelowintoherroomanduponherbed，andtherosesclimbingatherbalcony，mingledtheirheavyperfumewiththehealthfulsavoroftheeveningbreeze。

Shedrankinthisairwhichwassogood，hereyesclosed，herheartreposingintheyetpervadingintoxicationofthedrug，andshehadnolongeratallthedesiretodie，butastrong，imperiouswishtolive，tobehappy——nomatterhow——tobeloved，yes，tobeloved。

Servignyrepeated:"Mam"zelleYvette，listentome。"

Andshedecidedtoopenhereyes。

Hecontinued，ashesawherreviving:"Come！Come！whatdoesthisnonsensemean？"

Shemurmured:"MypoorMuscade，Iwassounhappy。"

Hesqueezedherhand:"Andthatledyouintoaprettyscrape！Come，youmustpromisemenottotryitagain。"

Shedidnotreply，butnoddedherheadslightlywithanalmostimperceptiblesmile。Hedrewfromhispockettheletterwhichhehadfoundonthetable:

"HadIbettershowthistoyourmother？"

Sheshookherhead，no。Heknewnotwhatmoretosayforthesituationseemedtohimwithoutanoutlet。Sohemurmured"Mydearchild，everyonehashardthingstobear。IunderstandyoursorrowandIpromiseyou——"

Shestammered:"Youaregood。"

Theyweresilent。Helookedather。Shehadinherglancesomethingoftenderness，ofweakness；andsuddenlysheraisedbothherarms，asifshewoulddrawhimtoher；hebentoverher，feelingthatshecalledhim，andtheirlipsmet。

Foralongtimetheyremainedthus，theireyesclosed。

But，knowingthathewouldlosehishead，hedrewaway。Shesmiledathimnow，mosttenderly；and，withbothherhandsclingingtohisshoulders，sheheldhim。

"Iamgoingtocallyourmother，"hesaid。

Shemurmured:"Justasecondmore。Iamsohappy。"

Thenafterasilence，shesaidinatonesolowthatitcouldscarcelybeheard:"Willyoulovemeverymuch？Tellme！"

Hekneeledbesideherbed，andkissingthehandshehadgivenhim，said:"Iadoreyou。"Butsomeonewaswalkingnearthedoor。Hearosewithabound，andcalledinhisordinaryvoice，whichseemedneverthelessalittleironical:"Youmaycomein。Itisallrightnow。"

TheMarquisethrewherselfonherdaughter，withbotharmsopen，andclaspedherfrantically，coveringhercountenancewithtears，whileServignywithradiantsoulandquiveringbodywentoutuponthebalconytobreathethefreshairofthenight，hummingtohimselftheoldcouplet:

"Awomanchangethofthermind:

Yetfoolsstilltrustinwomankind。"