第13章
Bydintofreflectingonhispositionasanunfortunateanddespisedlover，ErnestwentthroughsomethingofthesameprocessasModeste’sfirstletterhadforceduponhim。Thoughsorrowissaidtodevelopvirtue，itonlydevelopsitinvirtuouspersons;thatcleaning—outoftheconsciencetakesplaceonlyinpersonswhoarebynatureclean。LaBrierevowedtoendurehissufferingsinSpartansilence，toactworthily，andgivewaytonobaseness;whileCanalis，fascinatedbytheenormous"dot，"wastellinghimselftotakeeverymeansofcaptivatingtheheiress。Selfishnessanddevotion，thekey—notesofthetwocharacters，thereforetook，bytheactionofamorallawwhichisoftenveryoddinitseffects，certainmeasuresthatwerecontrarytotheirrespectivenatures。Theselfishmanputonself—abnegation;
themanwhothoughtchieflyofotherstookrefugeontheAventinusofpride。Thatphenomenonisoftenseeninpoliticallife。Menfrequentlyturntheircharacterswrongsideout，anditsometimeshappensthatthepublicisunabletotellwhichistherightside。
Afterdinnerthetwofriendsheardofthearrivalofthegrandequerry，whowaspresentedattheChaletthesameeveningbyLatournelle。Mademoiselled’Herouvillehadcontrivedtowoundthatworthymanbysendingafootmentotellhimtocometoher，insteadofsendinghernephewinperson;thusdeprivingthenotaryofadistinguishedvisithewouldcertainlyhavetalkedaboutfortherestofhisnaturallife。SoLatournellecurtlyinformedthegrandequerry，whenheproposedtodrivehimtotheChalet，thathewasengagedtotakeMadameLatournelle。Guessingfromthelittleman’ssulkymannerthattherewassomeblundertorepair，thedukesaidgraciously:——
"ThenIshallhavethepleasure，ifyouwillallowme，oftakingMadameLatournellealso。"
DisregardingMademoiselled’Herouville’shaughtyshrug，thedukelefttheroomwiththenotary。MadameLatournelle，half—crazedwithjoyatseeingthegorgeouscarriageatherdoor，withfootmeninroyalliverylettingdownthesteps，wastooagitatedonhearingthatthegrandequerryhadcalledforher，tofindhergloves，herparasol，herabsurdity，orherusualairofpompousdignity。Onceinthecarriage，however，andwhileexpressingconfusedthanksandcivilitiestothelittleduke，shesuddenlyexclaimed，fromathoughtinherkindheart，——
"ButButscha，whereishe？"
"LetustakeButscha，"saidtheduke，smiling。
Whenthepeopleonthequays，attractedingroupsbythesplendoroftheroyalequipage，sawthefunnyspectacle，thethreelittlemenwiththesparegiganticwoman，theylookedatoneanotherandlaughed。
"Ifyoumeltallthreetogether，theymightmakeonemanfittomatewiththatbigcod—fish，"saidasailorfromBordeaux。
"Isthereanyotherthingyouwouldliketotakewithyou，madame？"
askedtheduke，jestingly，whilethefootmanawaitedhisorders。
"No，monseigneur，"shereplied，turningscarletandlookingatherhusbandasmuchastosay，"WhatdidIdowrong？"
"MonsieurleduchonorsmebyconsideringthatIamathing，"saidButscha;"apoorclerkisusuallythoughttobeanonentity。"
Thoughthiswassaidwithalaugh，thedukecoloredanddidnotanswer。Greatpeoplearetoblameforjokingwiththeirsocialinferiors。Jestingisagame，andgamespresupposeequality;itistoobviateanyinconvenientresultsofthistemporaryequalitythatplayershavetheright，afterthegameisover，nottorecognizeeachother。
Thevisitofthegrandequerryhadtheostensibleexcuseofanimportantpieceofbusiness;namely，theretrievalofanimmensetractofwastelandleftbytheseabetweenthemouthsofthetworivers，whichtracthadjustbeenadjudgedbytheCouncilofStatetothehouseofHerouville。Thematterwasnothinglessthanputtingflood—
gateswithdoublebridges，drainingthreeorfourhundredacres，cuttingcanals，andlayingoutroadways。Whenthedukehadexplainedtheconditionoftheland，CharlesMignonremarkedthattimemustbeallowedforthesoil，whichwasstillmoving，tosettleandgrowsolidinanaturalway。
"Time，whichhasprovidentiallyenrichedyourhouse，Monsieurleduc，canalonecompletethework，"hesaid，inconclusion。"Itwouldbeprudenttoletfiftyyearselapsebeforeyoureclaimtheland。"
"Donotletthatbeyourfinalword，Monsieurlecomte，"saidtheduke。"CometoHerouvilleandseethingsforyourself。"
CharlesMignonrepliedthateverycapitalistshouldtaketimetoexamineintosuchmatterswithacoolhead，thusgivingthedukeapretextforhisvisitstotheChalet。ThesightofModestemadealivelyimpressionontheyoungman，andheaskedthefavorofreceivingheratHerouvillewithherfather，sayingthathissisterandhisaunthadheardmuchofher，andwishedtomakeheracquaintance。Onthisthecountproposedtopresenthisdaughtertothoseladieshimself，andinvitedthewholepartytodinneronthedayofhisreturntothevilla。Thedukeacceptedtheinvitation。Theblueribbon，thetitle，andaboveall，theecstaticglancesofthenoblegentlemanhadaneffectuponModeste;butsheappearedtogreatadvantageincarriage，dignity，andconversation。Thedukewithdrewreluctantly，carryingwithhimaninvitationtovisittheChaleteveryevening，——aninvitationbasedontheimpossibilityofacourtierofCharlesX。existingforasingleeveningwithouthisrubber。
Thefollowingevening，therefore，Modestewastoseeallthreeofherlovers。Nomatterwhatyounggirlsmaysay，andthoughthelogicoftheheartmayleadthemtosacrificeeverythingtopreference，itisextremelyflatteringtotheirself—lovetoseeanumberofrivaladorersaroundthem，——distinguishedorcelebratedmen，ormenofancientlineage，——allendeavoringtoshineandtoplease。SufferasModestemayingeneralestimation，itmustbetoldshesubsequentlyadmittedthatthesentimentsexpressedinherletterspaledbeforethepleasureofseeingthreesuchdifferentmindsatwarwithoneanother，——threemenwho，takenseparately，wouldeachhavedonehonortothemostexactingfamily。Yetthisluxuryofself—lovewascheckedbyamisanthropicalspitefulness，resultingfromtheterriblewoundshehadreceived，——althoughbythistimeshewasbeginningtothinkofthatwoundasadisappointmentonly。Sowhenherfathersaidtoher，laughing，"Well，Modeste，doyouwanttobeaduchess？"sheanswered，withamockingcurtsey，——
"Sorrowshavemademephilosophical。"
"Doyoumeantobeonlyabaroness？"askedButscha。
"Oraviscountess？"saidherfather。
"Howcouldthatbe？"sheaskedquickly。
"IfyouacceptMonsieurdeLaBriere，hehasenoughmeritandinfluencetoobtainpermissionfromthekingtobearmytitlesandarms。"
"Oh，ifitcomestodisguisinghimself，HEwillnotmakeanydifficulty，"saidModeste，scornfully。
Butschadidnotunderstandthisepigram，whosemeaningcouldonlybeguessedbyMonsieurandMadameMignonandDumay。
"Whenitisaquestionofmarriage，allmendisguisethemselves，"
remarkedLatournelle，"andwomensetthemtheexample。I’vehearditsaideversinceIcameintotheworldthat’MonsieurthisorMademoisellethathasmadeagoodmarriage，’——meaningthattheothersidehadmadeabadone。"
"Marriage，"saidButscha，"islikealawsuit;there’salwaysonesidediscontented。Ifonedupestheother，certainlyhalfthehusbandsintheworldareplayingacomedyattheexpenseoftheotherhalf。"
"Fromwhichyouconclude，SieurButscha？"inquiredModeste。
"Topaytheutmostattentiontothemanoeuvresoftheenemy，"answeredtheclerk。
"WhatdidItellyou，mydarling？"saidCharlesMignon，alludingtotheirconversationontheseashore。
"Menplayasmanypartstogetmarriedasmothersmaketheirdaughtersplaytogetridofthem，"saidLatournelle。
"Thenyouapproveofstratagems？"saidModeste。
"Onbothsides，"criedGobenheim，"andthatbringsiteven。"
Thisconversationwascarriedonbyfitsandstarts，astheysay，intheintervalsofcuttinganddealingthecards;anditsoonturnedchieflyonthemeritsoftheDucd’Herouville，whowasthoughtverygood—lookingbylittleLatournelle，littleDumay，andlittleButscha。
Withouttheforegoingdiscussiononthelawfulnessofmatrimonialtricks，thereadermightpossiblyfindtheforthcomingaccountoftheeveningsoimpatientlyawaitedbyButscha，somewhattoolong。
Desplein，thefamoussurgeon，arrivedthenextmorning，andstayedonlylongenoughtosendtoHavreforfreshhorsesandhavethemput—
to，whichtookaboutanhour。AfterexaminingMadameMignon’seyes，hedecidedthatshecouldrecoverhersight，andfixedasuitabletime，amonthlater，toperformtheoperation。ThisimportantconsultationtookplacebeforetheassembledmembersoftheChalet，whostoodtremblingandexpectanttoheartheverdictoftheprinceofscience。
ThatillustriousmemberoftheAcademyofSciencesputaboutadozenbriefquestionstotheblindwomanasheexaminedhereyesinthestronglightfromawindow。Modestewasamazedatthevaluewhichamansocelebratedattachedtotime，whenshesawthetravelling—
carriagepiledwithbookswhichthegreatsurgeonproposedtoreadduringthejourney;forhehadleftParistheeveningbefore，andhadspentthenightinsleepingandtravelling。TherapidityandclearnessofDesplein’sjudgmentoneachanswermadebyMadameMignon，hissuccincttone，hisdecisivemanner，gaveModesteherfirstrealideaofamanofgenius。Sheperceivedtheenormousdifferencebetweenasecond—rateman，likeCanalis，andDesplein，whowasevenmorethanasuperiorman。Amanofgeniusfindsintheconsciousnessofhistalentandinthesolidityofhisfameanarenaofhisown，wherehislegitimatepridecanexpandandexerciseitselfwithoutinterferingwithothers。Moreover，hisperpetualstrugglewithmenandthingsleavethemnotimeforthecoxcombryoffashionablegenius，whichmakeshastetogatherintheharvestsofafugitiveseason，andwhosevanityandself—loveareaspettyandexactingasacustom—housewhichleviestithesonallthatcomesinitsway。
Modestewasthemoreenchantedbythisgreatpracticalgenius，becausehewasevidentlycharmedwiththeexquisitebeautyofModeste，——he，throughwhosehandssomanywomenhadpassed，andwhohadlongsinceexaminedthesex，asitwere，withmagnifierandscalpel。
"Itwouldbeasadpity，"hesaid，withanairofgallantrywhichheoccasionallyputon，andwhichcontrastedwithhisassumedbrusqueness，"ifamotherweredeprivedofthesightofsocharmingadaughter。"
Modesteinsistedonservingthesimplebreakfastwhichwasallthegreatsurgeonwouldaccept。SheaccompaniedherfatherandDumaytothecarriagestationedatthegarden—gate，andsaidtoDespleinatparting，hereyesshiningwithhope，——
"Andwillmydearmammareallyseeme？"
"Yes，mylittlesprite，I’llpromiseyouthat，"heanswered，smiling;
"andIamincapableofdeceivingyou，forI，too，haveadaughter。"
Thehorsesstartedandcarriedhimoffasheutteredthelastwordswithunexpectedgraceandfeeling。Nothingismorecharmingthanthepeculiarunexpectednessofpersonsoftalent。
CHAPTERXX
THEPOETDOESHISEXERCISES
Thisvisitofthegreatsurgeonwastheeventoftheday，anditleftaluminoustraceinModeste’ssoul。Theyoungenthusiastardentlyadmiredthemanwhoselifebelongedtoothers，andinwhomthehabitofstudyingphysicalsufferinghaddestroyedthemanifestationsofegoism。Thatevening，whenGobenheim，theLatournelles，andButscha，Canalis，Ernest，andtheDucd’Herouvilleweregatheredinthesalon，theyallcongratulatedtheMignonfamilyonthehopeswhichDespleinencouraged。Theconversation，inwhichtheModesteofherletterswasoncemoreintheascendant，turnednaturallyonthemanwhosegenius，unfortunatelyforhisfame，wasappreciableonlybythefacultyandmenofscience。Gobenheimcontributedaphrasewhichisthesacredchrismofgeniusasinterpretedinthesedaysbypubliceconomistsandbankers，——
"Hemakesamintofmoney。"
"Theysayheisverygrasping，"addedCanalis。
ThepraiseswhichModesteshoweredonDespleinhadannoyedthepoet。
Vanityactslikeawoman，——theyboththinktheyaredefraudedwhenloveorpraiseisbestowedonothers。VoltairewasjealousofthewitofarouewhomParisadmiredfortwodays;andevenaduchesstakesoffenceatalookbestoweduponhermaid。Theavariceexcitedbythesetwosentimentsissuchthatafractionofthemgiventothepooristhoughtrobbery。
"Doyouthink，monsieur，"saidModeste，smiling，"thatweshouldjudgegeniusbyordinarystandards？"
"Perhapsweoughtfirstofalltodefinethemanofgenius，"repliedCanalis。"Oneoftheconditionsofgeniusisinvention，——inventionofaform，asystem，aforce。Napoleonwasaninventor，apartfromhisotherconditionsofgenius。Heinventedhismethodofmakingwar。
WalterScottisaninventor，Linnaeusisaninventor，GeoffreySaint—
HilaireandCuvierareinventors。Suchmenaremenofgeniusofthefirstrank。Theyrenew，increase，ormodifybothscienceandart。ButDespleinismerelyamanwhosevasttalentconsistsinproperlyapplyinglawsalreadyknown;inobserving，bymeansofanaturalgift，thelimitslaiddownforeachtemperament，andthetimeappointedbyNatureforanoperation。Hehasnotfounded，likeHippocrates，thescienceitself。Hehasinventednosystem，asdidGalen，Broussais，andRasori。Heismerelyanexecutivegenius，likeMoschelesonthepiano，Paganiniontheviolin，orFarinellionhisownlarynx，——menwhohavedevelopedenormousfaculties，butwhohavenotcreatedmusic。
YoumustpermitmetodiscriminatebetweenBeethovenandlaCatalani:
toonebelongstheimmortalcrownofgeniusandofmartyrdom，totheotherinnumerablefive—francpieces;onewecanpayincoin，buttheworldremainsthroughoutalltimeadebtortotheother。EachdayincreasesourdebttoMoliere，butBaron’scomedieshavebeenoverpaid。"
"Ithinkyoumaketheprerogativeofideastooexclusive，"saidErnestdeLaBriere，inaquietandmelodiousvoice，whichformedasuddencontrasttotheperemptorytonesofthepoet，whoseflexibleorganhadabandoneditscaressingnotesforthestridentandmagisterialvoiceoftherostrum。"Geniusmustbeestimatedaccordingtoitsutility;
andParmentier，whobroughtpotatoesintogeneraluse，Jacquart，theinventorofsilklooms;Papin，whofirstdiscoveredtheelasticqualityofsteam，aremenofgenius，towhomstatueswillsomedaybeerected。Theyhavechanged，ortheywillchangeinacertainsense，thefaceoftheState。ItisinthatsensethatDespleinwillalwaysbeconsideredamanofgeniusbythinkers;theyseehimattendedbyagenerationofsuffererswhosepainsarestifledbyhishand。"
ThatErnestshouldgiveutterancetothisopinionwasenoughtomakeModesteopposeit。
"Ifthatbeso，monsieur，"shesaid，"thenthemanwhocoulddiscoverawaytomowwheatwithoutinjuringthestraw，byamachinethatcoulddotheworkoftenmen，wouldbeamanofgenius。"
"Yes，mydaughter，"saidMadameMignon;"andthepoorwouldblesshimforcheaperbread，——hethatisblessedbythepoorisblessedofGod。"
"Thatisputtingutilityaboveart，"saidModeste，shakingherhead。
"Withoututilitywhatwouldbecomeofart？"saidCharlesMignon。"Whatwoulditreston？whatwoulditliveon？Wherewouldyoulodge，andhowwouldyoupaythepoet？"
"Oh！mydearpapa，suchopinionsarefearfullyflatandantediluvian！
IamnotsurprisedthatGobenheimandMonsieurdeLaBriere，whoareinterestedinthesolutionofsocialproblemsshouldthinkso;butyou，whoselifehasbeenthemostuselesspoetryofthecentury，——
uselessbecausethebloodyoushedalloverEurope，andthehorriblesufferingsexactedbyyourcolossus，didnotpreventFrancefromlosingtendepartmentsacquiredundertheRevolution，——howcanYOU
giveintosuchexcessivelypig—tailnotions，astheidealistssay？Itisplainyou’vejustcomefromChina。"
TheimpertinenceofModeste’sspeechwasheightenedbyalittleairofcontemptuousdisdainwhichshepurposelyputon，andwhichfairlyastoundedMadameMignon，MadameLatournelle，andDumay。AsforMadameLatournelle，sheopenedhereyessowideshenolongersawanything。
Butscha，whosealertattentionwascomparabletothatofaspy，lookedatMonsieurMignon，expectingtoseehimflushwithsuddenandviolentindignation。
"Alittlemore，younglady，andyouwillbewantinginrespectforyourfather，"saidthecolonel，smiling，andnoticingButscha’slook。
"Seewhatitistospoilone’schildren！"
"Iamyouronlychild，"shesaidsaucily。
"Child，indeed，"remarkedthenotary，significantly。
"Monsieur，"saidModeste，turninguponhim，"myfatherisdelightedtohavemeforhisgoverness;hegavemelifeandIgivehimknowledge;
hewillsoonowemesomething。"
"Thereseemsoccasionforit，"saidMadameMignon。
"Butmademoiselleisright，"saidCanalis，risingandstandingbeforethefireplaceinoneofthefinestattitudesofhiscollection。"God，inhisprovidence，hasgivenfoodandclothingtoman，buthehasnotdirectlygivenhimart。Hesaystoman:’Tolive，thoumustbowthyselftoearth;tothink，thoushaltliftthyselftoMe。’Wehaveasmuchneedofthelifeofthesoulasofthelifeofthebody，——hence，therearetwoutilities。Itistruewecannotbeshodbybooksorclothedbypoems。Anepicsongisnot，ifyoutaketheutilitarianview，asusefulasthebrothofacharitykitchen。Thenoblestideaswillnotsailavesselinplaceofcanvas。Itisquitetruethatthecotton—gingivesuscalicoesforthirtysousayardlessthanweeverpaidbefore;butthatmachineandallotherindustrialperfectionswillnotbreathethebreathoflifeintoapeople，willnottellfuturityofacivilizationthatonceexisted。Art，onthecontrary，Egyptian，Mexican，Grecian，Romanart，withtheirmasterpieces——nowcalleduseless！——revealtheexistenceofracesbackinthevagueimmenseoftime，beyondwherethegreatintermediarynations，denudedofmenofgenius，havedisappeared，leavingnotalinenoratracebehindthem！Theworksofgeniusarethe’summum’ofcivilization，andpresupposeutility。Surelyapairofbootsarenotasagreeabletoyoureyesasafineplayatthetheatre;andyoudon’tpreferawindmilltothechurchofSaint—Ouen，doyou？Wellthen，nationsareimbuedwiththesamefeelingsastheindividualman，andtheman’scherisheddesireistosurvivehimselfmorallyjustashepropagateshimselfphysically。Thesurvivalofapeopleistheworkofitsmenofgenius。AtthisverymomentFranceisproving，energetically，thetruthofthattheory。Sheis，undoubtedly，excelledbyEnglandincommerce，industry，andnavigation，andyetsheis，Ibelieve，attheheadoftheworld，——byreasonofherartists，hermenoftalent，andthegoodtasteofherproducts。ThereisnoartistandnosuperiorintellectthatdoesnotcometoParisforadiploma。ThereisnoschoolofpaintingatthismomentbutthatofFrance;andweshallreignfarlongerandperhapsmoresecurelybyourbooksthanbyourswords。InLaBriere’ssystem，ontheotherhand，allthatisgloriousandlovelymustbesuppressed，——woman’sbeauty，music，painting，poetry。Societywillnotbeoverthrown，thatistrue，but，Iaskyou，whowouldwillinglyacceptsuchalife？Allusefulthingsareuglyandforbidding。Akitchenisindispensable，butyoutakecarenottositthere;youliveinthesalon，whichyouadorn，likethis，withsuperfluousthings。OfwhatUSE，letmeaskyou，arethesecharmingwall—paintings，thiscarvedwood—work？Thereisnothingbeautifulbutthatwhichseemstoususeless。WecalledthesixteenthcenturytheRenascencewithadmirabletruthoflanguage。Thatcenturywasthedawnofanewera。Menwillcontinuetospeakofitwhenallremembranceofanteriorcenturieshadpassedaway，——theironlymeritbeingthattheyonceexisted，likethemillionbeingswhocountastherubbishofageneration。"
"Rubbish！yes，thatmaybe，butmyrubbishisdeartome，"saidtheDucd’Herouville，laughing，duringthesilentpausewhichfollowedthepoet’spompousoration。
"Letmeask，"saidButscha，attackingCanalis，"doesart，thesphereinwhich，accordingtoyou，geniusisrequiredtoevolveitself，existatall？Isitnotasplendidlie，adelusion，ofthesocialman？DoI
wantalandscapesceneofNormandyinmybedroomwhenIcanlookoutandseeabetteronedonebyGodhimself？OurdreamsmakepoemsmoregloriousthanIliads。ForaninsignificantsumofmoneyIcanfindatValogne，atCarentan，inProvence，atArles，manyaVenusasbeautifulasthoseofTitian。Thepolicegazettepublishestales，differingsomewhatfromthoseofWalterScott，butendingtragicallywithblood，notink。Happinessandvirtueexistaboveandbeyondbothartandgenius。"
"Bravo，Butscha！"criedMadameLatournelle。
"Whatdidhesay？"askedCanalisofLaBriere，failingtogatherfromtheeyesandattitudeofMademoiselleMignontheusualsignsofartlessadmiration。
ThecontemptuousindifferencewhichModestehadexhibitedtowardLaBriere，andaboveall，herdisrespectfulspeechestoherfather，sodepressedtheyoungmanthathemadenoanswertoCanalis;hiseyes，fixedsorrowfullyonModeste，werefullofdeepmeditation。TheDucd’HerouvilletookupButscha’sargumentandreproduceditwithmuchintelligence，sayingfinallythattheecstasiesofSaint—TheresawerefarsuperiortothecreationsofLordByron。
"Oh，Monsieurleduc，"exclaimedModeste，"herswasapurelypersonalpoetry，whereasthegeniusofLordByronandMolierebenefittheworld。"
"HowdoyousquarethatopinionwiththoseofMonsieurlebaron？"
criedCharlesMignon，quickly。"Nowyouareinsistingthatgeniusmustbeuseful，andbenefittheworldasthoughitwerecotton，——butperhapsyouthinklogicasantediluvianasyourpooroldfather。"
Butscha，LaBriere，andMadameLatournelleexchangedglancesthatweremorethanhalfderisive，anddroveModestetoapitchofirritationthatkepthersilentforamoment。
"Mademoiselle，donotmindthem，"saidCanalis，smilinguponher，"weareneitherbeaten，norcaughtinacontradiction。Everyworkofart，letitbeinliterature，music，painting，sculpture，orarchitecture，impliesapositivesocialutility，equaltothatofallothercommercialproducts。Artispre—eminentlycommerce;presupposesit，inshort。Anauthorpocketstenthousandfrancsforhisbook;themakingofbooksmeansthemanufactoryofpaper，afoundry，aprinting—office，abookseller，——inotherwords，theemploymentofthousandsofmen。TheexecutionofasymphonyofBeethovenoranoperabyRossinirequireshumanarmsandmachineryandmanufactures。Thecostofamonumentisanalmostbrutalcaseinpoint。Inshort，Imaysaythattheworksofgeniushaveanextremelycostlybasisandare，necessarily，usefultotheworkingman。"
Astrideofthattheme，Canalisspokeforsomeminuteswithafineluxuryofmetaphor，andmuchinwardcomplacencyastohisphrases;butithappenedwithhim，aswithmanyanothergreatspeaker，thathefoundhimselfatlastatthepointfromwhichtheconversationstarted，andinfullagreementwithLaBrierewithoutperceivingit。
"Iseewithmuchpleasure，mydearbaron，"saidthelittleduke，slyly，"thatyouwillmakeanadmirableconstitutionalminister。"
"Oh！"saidCanalis，withthegestureofagreatman，"whatistheuseofallthesediscussions？Whatdotheyprove？——theeternalverityofoneaxiom:Allthingsaretrue，allthingsarefalse。Moraltruthsaswellashumanbeingschangetheiraspectaccordingtotheirsurroundings，tothepointofbeingactuallyunrecognizable。"
"Societyexiststhroughsettledopinions，"saidtheDucd’Herouville。
"Whatlaxity！"whisperedMadameLatournelletoherhusband。
"Heisapoet，"saidGobenheim，whooverheardher。
Canalis，whowastenleaguesabovetheheadsofhisaudience，andwhomayhavebeenrightinhislastphilosophicalremark，tookthesortofcoldnesswhichnowoverspreadthesurroundingfacesofasymptomofprovincialignorance;butseeingthatModesteunderstoodhim，hewascontent，beingwhollyunawarethatmonologueisparticularlydisagreeabletocountry—folk，whoseprincipaldesireitistoexhibitthemanneroflifeandthewitandwisdomoftheprovincestoParisians。
"ItislongsinceyouhaveseentheDuchessedeChaulieu？"askedtheduke，addressingCanalis，asiftochangetheconversation。
"Ileftheraboutsixdaysago。"
"Isshewell？"persistedtheduke。
"Perfectlywell。"
"Havethekindnesstoremembermetoherwhenyouwrite。"
"Theysaysheischarming，"remarkedModeste，addressingtheduke。
"MonsieurlebaroncanspeakmoreconfidentlythanI，"repliedthegrandequerry。
"Morethancharming，"saidCanalis，makingthebestoftheduke’sperfidy;"butIampartial，mademoiselle;shehasbeenafriendtomeforthelasttenyears;Ioweallthatisgoodinmetoher;shehassavedmefromthedangersoftheworld。Moreover，MonsieurleDucdeChaulieulaunchedmeinmypresentcareer。Withouttheinfluenceofthatfamilythekingandtheprincesseswouldhaveforgottenapoorpoetlikeme;thereforemyaffectionfortheduchessmustalwaysbefullofgratitude。"
Hisvoicequivered。
"Weoughttolovethewomanwhohasledyoutowritethosesublimepoems，andwhoinspiresyouwithsuchnoblefeelings，"saidModeste，quiteaffected。"Whocanthinkofapoetwithoutamuse！"
"Hewouldbewithoutaheart，"repliedCanalis。"HewouldwritebarrenverseslikeVoltaire，whoneverlovedanyonebutVoltaire。"
"Ithoughtyoudidmethehonortosay，inParis，"interruptedDumay，"thatyouneverfeltthesentimentsyouexpressed。"
"Theshoefits，mysoldier，"repliedthepoet，smiling;"butletmetellyouthatitisquitepossibletohaveagreatdealoffeelingbothintheintellectuallifeandinreallife。Mygoodfriendhere，LaBriere，ismadlyinlove，"continuedCanalis，withafineshowofgenerosity，lookingatModeste。"I，whocertainlyloveasmuchashe，——thatis，IthinksounlessIdeludemyself，——well，Icangivetomylovealiteraryforminharmonywithitscharacter。ButIdarenotsay，mademoiselle，"headded，turningtoModestewithtoostudiedagrace，"thatto—morrowImaynotbewithoutinspiration。"
Thusthepoettriumphedoverallobstacles。Inhonorofhisloveherodea—tiltatthehindrancesthatwerethrowninhisway，andModesteremainedwonder—struckattheParisianwitthatscintillatedinhisdeclamatorydiscourse，ofwhichshehadhithertoknownlittleornothing。
"Whatanacrobat！"whisperedButschatoLatournelle，afterlisteningtoamagnificenttiradeontheCatholicreligionandthehappinessofhavingapiouswife，——servedupinresponsetoaremarkbyMadameMignon。
Modeste’seyeswereblindfoldedasitwere;Canalis’selocutionandthecloseattentionwhichshewaspredeterminedtopaytohimpreventedherfromseeingthatButschawascarefullynotingthedeclamation，thewantofsimplicity，theemphasisthattooktheplaceoffeeling，andthecuriousincoherenciesinthepoet’sspeechwhichledthedwarftomakehisrathercruelcomment。AtcertainpointsofCanalis’sdiscourse，whenMonsieurMignon，Dumay，Butscha，andLatournellewonderedattheman’sutterwantoflogic，Modesteadmiredhissuppleness，andsaidtoherself，asshedraggedhimafterherthroughthelabyrinthoffancy，"Helovesme！"Butscha，incommonwiththeotherspectatorsofwhatwemustcallastagescene，wasstruckwiththeradiantdefectofallegoists，whichCanalis，likemanymenaccustomedtoperorate，allowedtobetooplainlyseen。Whetherheunderstoodbeforehandwhatthepersonhewasspeakingtomeanttosay，whetherhewasnotlistening，orwhetherhehadthefacultyoflisteningwhenhewasthinkingofsomethingelse，itiscertainthatMelchior’sfaceworeanabsent—mindedlookinconversation，whichdisconcertedtheideasofothersandwoundedtheirvanity。Nottolistenisnotmerelyawantofpoliteness，itisamarkofdisrespect。