第16章
Thefourriders，havingnowreachedawiderroad，wentabreastandsoonreachedastretchoftable—land，fromwhichtheeyetookinononesidetherichvalleyoftheSeinetowardRouen，andontheotheranhorizonboundedonlybythesea。
"Butschawasright，Godisthegreatestofalllandscapepainters，"
saidCanalis，contemplatingtheview，whichisuniqueamongthemanyfinescenesthathavemadetheshoresoftheSeinesojustlycelebrated。
"Abovealldowefeelthat，mydearbaron，"saidtheduke，"onhunting—days，whennaturehasavoice，andalivelytumultbreaksthesilence;atsuchtimesthelandscape，changingrapidlyasweridethroughit，seemsreallysublime。"
"Thesunistheinexhaustiblepalette，"saidModeste，lookingatthepoetinaspeciesofbewilderment。
Aremarkthatshepresentlymadeonhisabsenceofmindgavehimanopportunityofsayingthathewasjustthenabsorbedinhisownthoughts，——anexcusethatauthorshavemorereasonforgivingthanothermen。
"Arewereallymadehappybycarryingourlivesintothemidstoftheworld，andswellingthemwithallsortsoffictitiouswantsandover—
excitedvanities？"saidModeste，movedbytheaspectofthefertileandbillowycountrytolongforaphilosophicallytranquillife。
"Thatisabucolic，mademoiselle，whichisonlywrittenontabletsofgold，"saidthepoet。
"Andsometimesundergarret—roofs，"remarkedthecolonel。
ModestethrewapiercingglanceatCanalis，whichhewasunabletosustain;shewasconsciousofaringinginherears，darknessseemedtospreadbeforeher，andthenshesuddenlyexclaimedinicytones:——
"Ah！itisWednesday！"
"Idonotsaythistoflatteryourpassingcaprice，mademoiselle，"
saidtheduke，towhomthelittlescene，sotragicalforModeste，hadlefttimeforthought;"butIdeclareIamsoprofoundlydisgustedwiththeworldandtheCourtandParisthathadIaDuchessed’Herouville，giftedwiththewitandgracesofmademoiselle，Iwouldgladlybindmyselftolivelikeaphilosopheratmychateau，doinggoodaroundme，drainingmymarshes，educatingmychildren——"
"That，Monsieurleduc，willbesettotheaccountofyourgreatgoodness，"saidModeste，lettinghereyesreststeadilyonthenoblegentleman。"Youflattermeinnotthinkingmefrivolous，andinbelievingthatIhaveenoughresourceswithinmyselftobeabletoliveinsolitude。Itisperhapsmylot，"sheadded，glancingatCanalis，withanexpressionofpity。
"Itisthelotofallinsignificantfortunes，"saidthepoet。"ParisdemandsBabyloniansplendor。SometimesIaskmyselfhowIhaveevermanagedtokeepitup。"
"Thekingdoesthatforbothofus，"saidtheduke，candidly;"weliveonhisMajesty’sbounty。Ifmyfamilyhadnotbeenallowed，afterthedeathofMonsieurleGrand，astheycallCinq—Mars，tokeephisofficeamongus，weshouldhavebeenobligedtosellHerouvilletotheBlackBrethren。Ah，believeme，mademoiselle，itisabitterhumiliationtometohavetothinkofmoneyinmarrying。"
Thesimplehonestyofthisconfessioncamefromhisheart，andtheregretwassosincerethatittouchedModeste。
"Inthesedays，"saidthepoet，"nomaninFrance，Monsieurleduc，isrichenoughtomarryawomanforherself，herpersonalworth，hergrace，orherbeauty——"
ThecolonellookedatCanaliswithacuriouseye，afterfirstwatchingModeste，whosefacenolongerexpressedtheslightestastonishment。
"Forpersonsofhighhonor，"hesaidslowly，"itisanobleemploymentofwealthtorepairtheravagesoftimeanddestiny，andrestoretheoldhistoricfamilies。"
"Yes，papa，"saidModeste，gravely。
ThecolonelinvitedthedukeandCanalistodinewithhimsociablyintheirriding—dress，promisingthemtomakenochangehimself。WhenModestewenttoherroomtomakehertoilette，shelookedatthejewelledwhipshehaddisdainedinthemorning。
"Whatworkmanshiptheyputintosuchthingsnowadays！"shesaidtoFrancoiseCochet，whohadbecomeherwaiting—maid。
"Thatpooryoungman，mademoiselle，whohasgotafever——"
"Whotoldyouthat？"
"MonsieurButscha。Hecameherethisafternoonandaskedmetosaytoyouthathehopedyouwouldnoticehehadkepthiswordontheappointedday。"
Modestecamedownintothesalondressedwithroyalsimplicity。
"Mydearfather，"shesaidaloud，takingthecolonelbythearm，"pleasegoandaskafterMonsieurdeLaBriere’shealth，andtakehimbackhispresent。Youcansaythatmysmallmeans，aswellasmynaturaltastes，forbidmywearingornamentswhichareonlyfitforqueensorcourtesans。Besides，Icanonlyacceptgiftsfromabridegroom。Beghimtokeepthewhipuntilyouknowwhetheryouarerichenoughtobuyitback。"
"Mylittlegirlhasplentyofgoodsense，"saidthecolonel，kissinghisdaughterontheforehead。
CanalistookadvantageofaconversationwhichbeganbetweenthedukeandMadameMignontoescapetotheterrace，whereModestejoinedhim，influencedbycuriosity，thoughthepoetbelievedherdesiretobecomeMadamedeCanalishadbroughtherthere。Ratheralarmedattheindecencywithwhichhehadjustexecutedwhatsoldierscalla"volte—
face，"andwhich，accordingtothelawsofambition，everymaninhispositionwouldhaveexecutedquiteasbrutally，henowendeavored，astheunfortunateModesteapproachedhim，tofindplausibleexcusesforhisconduct。
"DearModeste，"hebegan，inacoaxingtone，"consideringthetermsonwhichwestandtoeachother，shallIdispleaseyouifIsaythatyourrepliestotheDucd’Herouvillewereverypainfultoamaninlove，——
aboveall，toapoetwhosesoulisfeminine，nervous，fullofthejealousiesoftruepassion。IshouldmakeapoordiplomatistindeedifIhadnotperceivedthatyourfirstcoquetries，yourlittlepremeditatedinconsistencies，wereonlyassumedforthepurposeofstudyingourcharacters——"
Modesteraisedherheadwiththerapid，intelligent，half—coquettishmotionofawildanimal，inwhominstinctproducessuchmiraclesofgrace。
"——andthereforewhenIreturnedhomeandthoughtthemover，theynevermisledme。Ionlymarvelledataclevernesssoinharmonywithyourcharacterandyourcountenance。Donotbeuneasy，Ineverdoubtedthatyourassumedduplicitycoveredanangeliccandor。No，yourmind，youreducation，haveinnowaylessenedthepreciousinnocencewhichwedemandinawife。Youareindeedawifeforapoet，adiplomatist，athinker，amandestinedtoendurethechancesandchangesoflife;
andmyadmirationisequalledonlybytheattachmentIfeeltoyou。I
nowentreatyou——ifyesterdayyouwerenotplayingalittlecomedywhenyouacceptedtheloveofamanwhosevanitywillchangetoprideifyouaccepthim，onewhosedefectswillbecomevirtuesunderyourdivineinfluence——Ientreatyoudonotexciteapassionwhich，inhim，amountstovice。Jealousyisanoxiouselementinmysoul，andyouhaverevealedtomeitsstrength;itisawful，itdestroyseverything——Oh！IdonotmeanthejealousyofanOthello，"hecontinued，noticingModeste’sgesture。"No，no;mythoughtswereofmyself:I
havebeensoindulgedonthatpoint。YouknowtheaffectiontowhichI
oweallthehappinessIhaveeverenjoyed，——verylittleatthebest"
（hesadlyshookhishead）。"Loveissymbolizedamongallnationsasachild，becauseitfanciestheworldbelongstoit，anditcannotconceiveotherwise。Well，Natureherselfsetthelimittothatsentiment。Itwasstill—born。Atender，maternalsoulguessedandcalmedthepainfulconstrictionofmyheart，——forawomanwhofeels，whoknows，thatsheispastthejoysoflovebecomesangelicinhertreatmentofothers。Theduchesshasnevermademesufferinmysensibilities。Fortenyearsnotaword，notalook，thatcouldwoundme！Iattachmorevaluetowords，tothoughts，tolooks，thanordinarymen。Ifalookistomeatreasurebeyondallprice，theslightestdoubtisdeadlypoison;itactsinstantaneously，mylovedies。I
believe——contrarytothemassofmen，whodelightintrembling，hoping，expecting——thatlovecanonlyexistinperfect，infantile，andinfinitesecurity。Theexquisitepurgatory，wherewomendelighttosendusbytheircoquetry，isabasehappinesstowhichIwillnotsubmit:tome，loveiseitherheavenorhell。Ifitishell，Iwillhavenoneofit。IfeelanaffinitywiththeazureskiesofParadisewithinmysoul。Icangivemyselfwithoutreserve，withoutsecrets，doubtsordeceptions，inthelifetocome;andIdemandreciprocity。
PerhapsIoffendyoubythesedoubts。Remember，however，thatIamonlytalkingofmyself——"
"——agooddeal，butnevertoomuch，"saidModeste，offendedineveryholeandcornerofherpridebythisdiscourse，inwhichtheDuchessedeChaulieuservedasadagger。"Iamsoaccustomedtoadmireyou，mydearpoet。"
"Well，then，canyoupromisemethesamecaninefidelitywhichIoffertoyou？Isitnotbeautiful？Isitnotjustwhatyouhavelongedfor？"
"Butwhy，dearpoet，doyounotmarryadeaf—mute，andonewhoisalsosomethingofanidiot？Iasknothingbetterthantopleasemyhusband。
Butyouthreatentotakeawayfromagirltheveryhappinessyousokindlyarrangeforher;youaretearingawayeverygesture，everyword，everylook;youcutthewingsofyourbird，andthenexpectittohoveraboutyou。Iknowpoetsareaccusedofinconsistency——oh！
veryunjustly，"sheadded，asCanalismadeagestureofdenial;"thatallegeddefectwhichcomesfromthebrilliantactivityoftheirmindswhichcommonplacepeoplecannottakeintoaccount。Idonotbelieve，however，thatamanofgeniuscaninventsuchirreconcilableconditionsandcallhisinventionlife。Youarerequiringtheimpossiblesolelyforthepleasureofputtingmeinthewrong，——liketheenchantersinfairy—tales，whosettaskstopersecutedyounggirlswhomthegoodfairiescomeanddeliver。"
"Inthiscasethegoodfairywouldbetruelove，"saidCanalisinacurttone，awarethathiselaborateexcuseforarupturewasseenthroughbythekeenanddelicatemindwhichButschahadpilotedsowell。
"Mydearpoet，youremindmeofthosefatherswhoinquireintoagirl’s’dot’beforetheyarewillingtonamethatoftheirson。Youarequarrellingwithmewithoutknowingwhetheryouhavetheslightestrighttodoso。Loveisnotgainedbysuchdryargumentsasyours。ThepoordukeonthecontraryabandonshimselftoitlikemyUncleToby;
withthisdifference，thatIamnottheWidowWadman，——thoughwidowindeedofmanyillusionsastopoetryatthepresentmoment。Ah，yes，weyounggirlswillnotbelieveinanythingthatdisturbsourworldoffancy！Iwaswarnedofallthisbeforehand。Mydearpoet，youareattemptingtogetupaquarrelwhichisunworthyofyou。InolongerrecognizetheMelchiorofyesterday。"
"BecauseMelchiorhasdiscoveredaspiritofambitioninyouwhich——"
Modestelookedathimfromheadtofootwithanimperialeye。
"ButIshallbepeerofFranceandambassadoraswellashe，"addedCanalis。
"Doyoutakemeforabourgeois，"shesaid，beginningtomountthestepsoftheportico;butsheinstantlyturnedbackandadded，"Thatislessimpertinentthantotakemeforafool。ThechangeinyourconductcomesfromcertainsillyrumorswhichyouhaveheardinHavre，andwhichmymaidFrancoisehasrepeatedtome。"
"Ah，Modeste，howcanyouthinkit？"saidCanalis，strikingadramaticattitude。"Doyouthinkmecapableofmarryingyouonlyforyourmoney？"
"IfIdoyouthatwrongafteryouredifyingremarksonthebanksoftheSeinecanyoueasilyundeceiveme，"shesaid，annihilatinghimwithherscorn。
"Ah！"thoughtthepoet，ashefollowedherintothehouse，"ifyouthink，mylittlegirl，thatI’mtobecaughtinthatnet，youtakemetobeyoungerthanIam。Dear，dear，whatafussaboutanartfullittlethingwhoseesteemIvalueaboutasmuchasthatofthekingofBorneo。Butshehasgivenmeagoodreasonfortherupturebyaccusingmeofsuchunworthysentiments。Isn’tshesly？LaBrierewillgetaburdenonhisback——idiotthatheis！Andfiveyearshenceitwillbeagoodjoketoseethemtogether。"
ThecoldnesswhichthisaltercationproducedbetweenModesteandCanaliswasvisibletoalleyesthatevening。Thepoetwentoffearly，onthegroundofLaBriere’sillness，leavingthefieldtothegrandequerry。Abouteleveno’clockButscha，whohadcometowalkhomewithMadameLatournelle，whisperedinModeste’sear，"WasIright？"
"Alas，yes，"shesaid。
"ButIhopeyouhaveleftthedoorhalfopen，sothathecancomeback;weagreeduponthat，youknow。"
"Angergotthebetterofme，"saidModeste。"SuchmeannesssentthebloodtomyheadandItoldhimwhatIthoughtofhim。"
"Well，somuchthebetter。Whenyouarebothsoangrythatyoucan’tspeakcivillytoeachotherIengagetomakehimdesperatelyinloveandsopressingthatyouwillbedeceivedyourself。"
"Come，come，Butscha;heisagreatpoet;heisagentleman;heisamanofintellect。"
"Yourfather’seightmillionsaremoretohimthanallthat。"
"Eightmillions！"exclaimedModeste。
"Mymaster，whohassoldhispractice，isgoingtoProvencetoattendtothepurchaseoflandswhichyourfather’sagenthassuggestedtohim。ThesumthatistobepaidfortheestateofLaBastieisfourmillions;yourfatherhasagreedtoit。Youaretohavea’dot’oftwomillionsandanothermillionforanestablishmentinParis，ahotelandfurniture。Now，countup。"
"Ah！thenIcanbeDuchessed’Herouville！"criedModeste，glancingatButscha。
"Ifithadn’tbeenforthatcomedianofaCanalisyouwouldhavekeptHISwhip，thinkingitcamefromme，"saidthedwarf，indirectlypleadingLaBriere’scause。
"MonsieurButscha，mayIaskifIamtomarrytopleaseyou？"saidModeste，laughing。
"ThatfinefellowlovesyouaswellasIdo，——andyoulovedhimforeightdays，"retortedButscha;"andHEhasgotaheart。"
"Canhecompete，pray，withanofficeundertheCrown？Therearebutsix，grandalmoner，chancellor，grandchamberlain，grandmaster，highconstable，grandadmiral，——buttheydon’tappointhighconstablesanylonger。"
"Insixmonths，mademoiselle，themasses——whoaremadeupofwickedButschas——couldsendallthosegranddignitiestothewinds。Besides，whatsignifiesnobilityinthesedays？TherearenotathousandrealnoblemeninFrance。Thed’HerouvillesaredescendedfromatipstaffinthetimeofRobertofNormandy。Youwillhavetoputupwithmanyavexationfromtheoldauntwiththefurrowedface。Lookhere，——asyouaresoanxiousforthetitleofduchess，——youbelongtotheComtat，andthePopewillcertainlythinkasmuchofyouashedoesofallthosemerchantsdownthere;he’llsellyouaduchywithsomenameendingin’ia’or’agno。’Don’tplayawayyourhappinessforanofficeundertheCrown。"
CHAPTERXXV
ADIPLOMATICLETTER
Thepoet’sreflectionsduringthenightwerethoroughlymatter—offact。Hesincerelysawnothingworseinlifethanthesituationofamarriedmanwithoutmoney。Stilltremblingatthedangerhehadbeenledintobyhisvanity，hisdesiretogetthebetteroftheduke，andhisbeliefintheMignonmillions，hebegantoaskhimselfwhattheduchessmustbethinkingofhisstayinHavre，aggravatedbythefactthathehadnotwrittentoherforfourteendays，whereasinParistheyexchangedfourorfivelettersaweek。
"AndthatpoorwomanisworkinghardtogetmeappointedcommanderoftheLegionandambassadortotheCourtofBaden！"hecried。
Thereupon，withthatpromptitudeofdecisionwhichresults——inpoetsaswellasinspeculators——fromalivelyintuitionofthefuture，hesatdownandcomposedthefollowingletter:——
ToMadamelaDuchessedeChaulieu:
MydearEleonore，——Youhavedoubtlessbeensurprisedatnothearingfromme;butthestayIammakinginthisplaceisnotaltogetheronaccountofmyhealth。IhavebeentryingtodoagoodturntoourlittlefriendLaBriere。ThepoorfellowhasfalleninlovewithacertainMademoiselleModestedeLaBastie，aratherpale，insignificant，andthread—paperylittlething，who，bytheway，hastheviceoflikingliterature，andcallsherselfapoettoexcusethecapricesandhumorsofarathersullennature。
YouknowErnest，——heissoeasytocatchthatIhavebeenafraidtoleavehimtohimself。MademoiselledeLaBastiewasinclinedtocoquetwithyourMelchior，andwasonlytooreadytobecomeyourrival，thoughherarmsarethin，andshehasnomorebustthanmostgirls;moreover，herhairisasdeadandcolorlessasthatofMadamedeRochefide，andhereyessmall，gray，andverysuspicious。Iputastop——perhapsratherbrutally——totheattentionsofMademoiselleImmodeste;butlove，suchasmineforyou，demandedit。WhatcareIforallthewomenonearth，——
comparedtoyou，whatarethey？
ThepeoplewithwhomIpassmytime，andwhoformthecircleroundtheheiress，aresothoroughlybourgeoisthattheyalmostturnmystomach。Pityme;imagine！Ipassmyeveningswithnotaries，notaresses，cashiers，provincialmoney—lenders——ah！whatachangefrommyeveningsintheruedeGrenelle。Theallegedfortuneofthefather，latelyreturnedfromChina，hasbroughttoHavrethatindefatigablesuitor，thegrandequerry，hungryafterthemillions，whichhewants，theysay，todrainhismarshes。Thekingdoesnotknowwhatafatalpresenthemadethedukeinthosewastelands。HisGrace，whohasnotyetfoundoutthattheladyhadonlyasmallfortune，isjealousofME;forLaBriereisquietlymakingprogresswithhisidolundercoverofhisfriend，whoservesasablind。
NotwithstandingErnest’sromanticecstasies，Imyself，apoet，thinkchieflyoftheessentialthing，andIhavebeenmakingsomeinquirieswhichdarkentheprospectsofourfriend。Ifmyangelwouldlikeabsolutionforsomeofourlittlesins，shewilltrytofindoutthefactsofthecasebysendingforMongenod，thebanker，andquestioninghim，withthedexteritythatcharacterizesher，astothefather’sfortune？MonsieurMignon，formerlycolonelofcavalryintheImperialguard，hasbeenforthelastsevenyearsacorrespondentoftheMongenods。Itissaidthathegiveshisdaughtera"dot"oftwohundredthousandfrancs，andbeforeI
maketheofferonErnest’sbehalfIamanxioustogettherightsofthestory。AssoonastheaffairisarrangedIshallreturntoParis。Iknowawaytosettleeverythingtotheadvantageofouryounglover，——simplybythetransmissionofthefather—in—law’stitle，andnoone，Ithink，canmorereadilyobtainthatfavorthanErnest，bothonaccountofhisownservicesandtheinfluencewhichyouandIandthedukecanexertforhim。Withhistastes，Ernest，whoofcoursewillstepintomyofficewhenIgotoBaden，willbeperfectlyhappyinPariswithtwenty—fivethousandfrancsayear，apermanentplace，andawife——lucklessfellow！
Ah，dearest，howIlongfortheruedeGrenelle！Fifteendaysofabsence！whentheydonotkilllove，theyrevivealltheardorofitsearlierdays，andyouknow，betterthanI，perhaps，thereasonsthatmakemyloveeternal，——myboneswilllovetheeinthegrave！Ah！Icannotbearthisseparation。IfIamforcedtostayhereanothertendays，IshallmakeaflyingvisitofafewhourstoParis。
Hasthedukeobtainedformethethingwewanted;andshallyou，mydearestlife，beorderedtodrinktheBadenwatersnextyear？
Thebillingandcooingofthe"handsomedisconsolate，"comparedwiththeaccentsofourhappylove——sotrueandchangelessfornowtenyears！——havegivenmeagreatcontemptformarriage。Ihadneverseenthethingsonear。Ah，dearest！whattheworldcallsa"falsestep"bringstwobeingsnearertogetherthanthelaw——doesitnot？
Theconcludingideaservedasatextfortwopagesofreminiscencesandaspirationsalittletooconfidentialforpublication。
TheeveningbeforethedayonwhichCanalisputtheaboveepistleintothepost，Butscha，underthenameofJeanJacmin，hadreceivedaletterfromhisfictitiouscousin，Philoxene，andhadmailedhisanswer，whichthusprecededtheletterofthepoetbyabouttwelvehours。Terriblyanxiousforthelasttwoweeks，andwoundedbyMelchior’ssilence，theduchessherselfdictatedPhiloxene’slettertohercousin，andthemomentshehadreadtheanswer，rathertooexplicitforherquinquagenaryvanity，shesentforthebankerandmadecloseinquiriesastotheexactfortuneofMonsieurMignon。
Findingherselfbetrayedandabandonedforthemillions，Eleonoregavewaytoaparoxysmofanger，hatred，andcoldvindictiveness。Philoxeneknockedatthedoorofthesumptuousroom，andenteringfoundhermistresswithhereyesfulloftears，——sounprecedentedaphenomenoninthefifteenyearsshehadwaiteduponherthatthewomanstoppedshortstupefied。
"Weexpiatethehappinessoftenyearsintenminutes，"sheheardtheduchesssay。
"AletterfromHavre，madame。"
Eleonorereadthepoet’sprosewithoutnoticingthepresenceofPhiloxene，whoseamazementbecamestillgreaterwhenshesawthedawnoffreshserenityontheduchess’sfaceasshereadfurtherandfurtherintotheletter。Holdoutapolenothickerthanawalking—
sticktoadrowningman，andhewillthinkitahigh—roadofsafety。
ThehappyEleonorebelievedinCanalis’sgoodfaithwhenshehadreadthroughthefourpagesinwhichloveandbusiness，falsehoodandtruth，jostledeachother。Shewho，afewmomentsearlier，hadsentforherhusbandtopreventMelchior’sappointmentwhiletherewasstilltime，wasnowseizedwithaspiritofgenerositythatamountedalmosttothesublime。
"Poorfellow！"shethought;"hehasnothadonefaithlessthought;helovesmeashedidonthefirstday;hetellsmeall——Philoxene！"shecried，noticinghermaid，whowasstandingnearandpretendingtoarrangethetoilet—table。
"Madameladuchesse？"
"Amirror，child！"
Eleonorelookedatherself，sawthefinerazor—likelinestracedonherbrow，whichdisappearedatalittledistance;shesighed，andinthatsighshefeltshebadeadieutolove。Abravethoughtcameintohermind，amanlythought，outsideofallthepettinessofwomen，——athoughtwhichintoxicatesforamoment，andwhichexplains，perhaps，theclemencyoftheSemiramisofRussiawhenshemarriedheryoungandbeautifulrivaltoMomonoff。
"Sincehehasnotbeenfaithless，heshallhavethegirlandhermillions，"shethought，——"providedMademoiselleMignonisasuglyashesayssheis。"
Threeraps，circumspectlygiven，announcedtheduke，andhiswifewentherselftothedoortolethimin。
"Ah！Iseeyouarebetter，mydear，"hecried，withthecounterfeitjoythatcourtiersassumesoreadily，andbywhichfoolsaresoreadilytakenin。
"MydearHenri，"sheanswered，"whyisityouhavenotyetobtainedthatappointmentforMelchior，——youwhosacrificedsomuchtothekingintakingaministrywhichyouknewcouldonlylastoneyear。"
ThedukeglancedatPhiloxene，whoshowedhimbyanalmostimperceptiblesigntheletterfromHavreonthedressing—table。
"YouwouldbeterriblyboredatBadenandcomebackatdaggersdrawnwithMelchior，"saidtheduke。
"Praywhy？"
"Why，youwouldalwaysbetogether，"saidtheformerdiplomat，withcomicgood—humor。
"Oh，no，"shesaid;"Iamgoingtomarryhim。"
"Ifwecanbelieved’Herouville，ourdearCanalisstandsinnoneedofyourhelpinthatdirection，"saidtheduke，smiling。"YesterdayGrandlieureadmesomepassagesfromaletterthegrandequerryhadwrittenhim。Nodoubttheyweredictatedbytheauntfortheexpresspurposeoftheirreachingyou，forMademoiselled’Herouville，alwaysonthescentofa’dot，’knowsthatGrandlieuandIplaywhistnearlyeveryevening。Thatgoodlittled’HerouvillewantsthePrincedeCadignantogodownandgivearoyalhuntinNormandy，andendeavortopersuadethekingtobepresent，soastoturntheheadofthedamozelwhensheseesherselftheobjectofsuchagrandaffair。Inshort，twowordsfromCharlesX。wouldsettlethematter。D’Herouvillesaysthegirlhasincomparablebeauty——"
"Henri，letusgotoHavre！"criedtheduchess，interruptinghim。
"Underwhatpretext？"saidherhusband，gravely;hewasoneoftheconfidantsofLouisXVIII。
"Ineversawahunt。"
"Itwouldbeallverywellifthekingwent;butitisaterribleboretogosofar，andhewillnotdoit;Ihavejustbeenspeakingwithhimaboutit。"
"PerhapsMADAMEwouldgo？"
"Thatwouldbebetter，"returnedtheduke，"IdaresaytheDuchessedeMaufrigneusewouldhelpyoutopersuadeherfromRosny。Ifshegoesthekingwillnotbedispleasedattheuseofhishuntingequipage。
Don’tgotoHavre，mydear，"addedtheduke，paternally，"thatwouldbegivingyourselfaway。Come，here’sabetterplan，Ithink。
Gaspard’schateauofRosembrayisontheothersideoftheforestofBrotonne;whynotgivehimahinttoinvitethewholeparty？"
"Heinvitethem？"saidEleonore。
"Imean，ofcourse，theduchess;sheisalwaysengagedinpiousworkswithMademoiselled’Herouville;givethatoldmaidahint，andgethertospeaktoGaspard。"
"Youarealoveofaman，"criedEleonore;"I’llwritetotheoldmaidandtoDianeatonce，forwemustgethuntingthingsmade，——aridinghatissobecoming。DidyouwinlastnightattheEnglishembassy？"
"Yes，"saidtheduke;"Iclearedmyself。"
"Henri，aboveallthings，stopproceedingsaboutMelchior’stwoappointments。"
AfterwritinghalfadozenlinestothebeautifulDianedeMaufrigneuse，andashorthinttoMademoiselled’Herouville，Eleonoresentthefollowinganswerlikethelashofawhipthroughthepoet’slies。
ToMonsieurleBarondeCanalis:——
Mydearpoet，——MademoiselledeLaBastieisverybeautiful;
Mongenodhasprovedtomethatherfatherhasmillions。Ididthinkofmarryingyoutoher;Iamthereforemuchdispleasedatyourwantofconfidence。IfyouhadanyintentionofmarryingLaBrierewhenyouwenttoHavreitissurprisingthatyousaidnothingtomeaboutitbeforeyoustarted。AndwhyhaveyouomittedwritingtoafriendwhoissoeasilymadeanxiousasI？
Yourletterarrivedatriflelate;Ihadalreadyseenthebanker。
Youareachild，Melchior，andyouareplayingtrickswithus。Itisnotright。Thedukehimselfisquiteindignantatyourproceedings;hethinksyoulessthanagentleman，whichcastssomereflectionsonyourmother’shonor。
Now，Iintendtoseethingsformyself。Ishall，Ibelieve，havethehonorofaccompanyingMADAMEtothehuntwhichtheDucd’HerouvilleproposestogiveforMademoiselledeLaBastie。I
willmanagetohaveyouinvitedtoRosembray，forthemeetwillprobablytakeplaceinDucdeVerneuil’spark。
Praybelieve，mydearpoet，thatIamnonetheless，forlife，Yourfriend，EleonoredeM。
"There，Ernest，justlookatthat！"criedCanalis，tossingtheletteratErnest’snoseacrossthebreakfast—table;"that’sthetwothousandthlove—letterIhavehadfromthatwoman，andthereisn’tevena’thou’init。TheillustriousEleonorehasnevercompromisedherselfmorethanshedoesthere。Marry，andtryyourluck！Theworstmarriageintheworldisbetterthanthissortofhalter。Ah，IamthegreatestNicodemusthatevertumbledoutofthemoon！Modestehasmillions，andI’velosther;forwecan’tgetbackfromthepoles，whereweareto—day，tothetropics，wherewewerethreedaysago！
Well，Iamallthemoreanxiousforyourtriumphoverthegrandequerry，becauseItoldtheduchessIcamehereonlyforyoursake;
andsoIshalldomybestforyou。"
"Alas，Melchior，Modestemustneedshavesonoble，sogrand，sowell—
balancedanaturetoresistthegloriesoftheCourt，andallthesesplendorscleverlydisplayedforherhonorandglorybytheduke，thatIcannotbelieveintheexistenceofsuchperfection，——andyet，ifsheisstilltheModesteofherletters，theremightbehope！"
"Well，well，youareahappyfellow，youyoungBoniface，toseetheworldandyourmistressthroughgreenspectacles！"criedCanalis，marchingofftopaceupanddownthegarden。
Caughtbetweentwolies，thepoetwasatalosswhattodo。
"Playbyrule，andyoulose！"hecriedpresently，sittingdowninthekiosk。"EverymanofsensewouldhaveactedasIdidfourdaysago，andgothimselfoutofthenetinwhichIsawmyself。Atsuchtimespeopledon’tdisentanglenets，theybreakthroughthem！Come，letusbecalm，cold，dignified，affronted。Honorrequiresit;Englishstiffnessistheonlywaytowinherback。Afterall，ifIhavetoretirefinally，Icanalwaysfallbackonmyoldhappiness;afidelityoftenyearscan’tgounrewarded。Eleonorewillarrangemesomegoodmarriage。"