第1章

PREFACE

Myendeavorhasbeentotellasimplestory，preservingascloselyaspossiblethespiritandfeelingoftheoriginal。I

havetried，asitwere，totaketheplaytopieces，andbuildanoveloutofthesamematerial。IhavenotfeltatlibertytoembellishM。Brieux’sideas，andIhaveusedhisdialoguewordforwordwhereverpossible。UnlessIhavemis—readtheauthor，hissolepurposeinwritingLESAVARIESwastoplaceanumberofmostimportantfactsbeforethemindsofthepublic，andtodrivethemhomebymeansofintenseemotion。IfIhavebeenabletoassisthim，thisbitofliterarycarpenteringwillbeworthwhile。IhavetothankM。Brieuxforhiskindpermissiontomaketheattempt，andforthecordialspiritwhichhehasmanifested。

UptonSinclairPRESSCOMMENTSONTHEPLAY

DAMAGEDGOODSwasfirstpresentedinAmericaataFridaymatineeonMarch14th，1913，intheFultonTheater，NewYork，beforemembersoftheSociologicalFund。ImmediatelyitwasacclaimedbypublicpressandpulpitasthegreatestcontributionevermadebytheStagetothecauseofhumanity。Mr。RichardBennett，theproducer，whohadthecouragetopresenttheplay，withtheaidofhisco—workers，inthefaceofmostsavagecriticismfromtheignorant，wasoverwhelmedwithrequestsforarepetitionoftheperformance。

BeforedecidingwhetherofnottopresentDAMAGEDGOODSbeforethegeneralpublic，itwasarrangedthatthehighestofficialsintheUnitedStatesshouldpassjudgmentuponthemannerinwhichtheplayteachesitsvitallesson。AspecialguestperformanceformembersoftheCabinet，membersofbothhousesofCongress，membersoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt，representativesoftheDiplomaticcorpsandothersprominentinnationallifewasgiveninWashington，D。C。

AlthoughtheperformancewasgivenonaSundayafternoon（April6，1913），theNationalTheaterwascrowdedtotheverydoorswiththemostdistinguishedaudienceeverassembledinAmerica，includingexclusivelytheforemostmenandwomenoftheCapital。

ThemostnotedclergymenofWashingtonwereamongthespectators。

TheresultofthisremarkableperformancewasatremendousendorsementoftheplayandofthemannerinwhichMr。Bennettandhisco—workerswerepresentingit。

ThisreceptionresultedinthecontinuanceoftheNewYorkperformancesuntilmid—summerandisresponsibleforthedecisiononthepartofMr。BennetttooffertheplayineverycityinAmericawherecitizensfeelthattheultimatewelfareofthecommunityisdependentuponahigherstandardofmoralityandclearerunderstandingofthelawsofhealth。

TheWASHINGTONPOST，commentingontheWashingtonperformance，said：

Theplaywaspresentedwithalltheimpressivenessofasermon；

withallthevigoranddynamicforceofagreatdrama；withalltheearnestnessandpowerofavitaltruth。

Inmanyrespectsthepresentationofthisdramatizationofagreatsocialevilassumedtheaspectsofareligiousservice。

Dr。DonaldC。Macleod，pastoroftheFirstPresbyterianChurch，mountedtherostrumusuallyoccupiedbytheleaderoftheorchestra，andannouncedthatthenatureoftheperformance，thesacrednessoftheplay，andthecharacteroftheaudiencegavetotheplaythesignificanceofatremendoussermoninbehalfofmankind，andthatassuchitwaseminentlyfittingthatadivineblessingbeinvoked。Dr。EarleWilfley，pastoroftheVermontAvenueChristianChurch，askedallpersonsintheaudiencetobowtheirheadsinaprayerfortheproperreceptionofthemessagetobepresentedfromthestage。Dr。MacLeodthenreadtheBernardShawprefacetotheplay，andaskedthattherebenoapplauseduringtheperformance，asuggestionwhichwasrigidlyfollowed，thusaddinggreatlytotheeffectivenessandtheseriousnessofthedramaticportrayal。

Theimpressionmadeupontheaudiencebytheremarkableplayisreflectedinsuchcommentsasthefollowingexpressionsvoicedaftertheperformance：

RABBISIMON，OFTHEWASHINGTONHEBREWCONGREGATION——IfIcouldpreachfrommypulpitasermononetenthaspowerful，asconvincing，asfar—reaching，andashelpfulasthisperformanceofDAMAGEDGOODSmustbe，IwouldconsiderthatIhadachievedthetriumphofmylife。

COMMISSIONERCUNOH。RUDOLPH——IwasdeeplyimpressedbywhatI

saw，andIthinkthatthedramashouldberepeatedineverycity，amatineeonedayforfatherandsonandthenextdayformotheranddaughter。

REV。EARLEWILFLEY——IamconfirmedintheopinionthatwemusttakeupourcudgelsinacrusadeagainstthemodernproblemsbroughttotheforebyDAMAGEDGOODS。Thereportthatthesediseasesareincreasingisenoughtomakeusgetbusyonacampaignagainstthem。

SURGEONGENERALBLUE——Itwasamoststrikingandtellinglesson。

Foryearswehavebeenfightingtheseconditioninthenavy。Itishightimethatciviliansawakenedtothedangerssurroundingthemandcrusadedagainsttheminapropermanner。

MRS。ARCHIBALDHOPKINS——Theplaywasapowerfulpresentationofaveryimportantquestionandwashandledinamostadmirablemanner。Thedramaisafineenteringwedgeforthiscrusadeandisboundtodoconsiderablegoodinconveyinginformationofaveryseriousnature。

MINISTERPEZET，OFPERU——Therecanbenodoubtbutthattheperformancewillhavegreatupliftingpower，andaccomplishthegoodforwhichitwascreated。Fortunately，wedonothavethepruderyinSouthAmericathatyouofthenorthpossess，andhaveopenmindstoconsidertheseseriousquestions。

JUSTICEDANIELTHEWWRIGHT——IfeelquitesurethatDAMAGEDGOODS

willhaveconsiderableeffectineducatingthepeopleofthenatureofthedangerthatsurroundsthem。

SENATORKERN，OFINDIANA——Therecanbenodenialofthefactthatitistimetolookattheseriousproblemspresentedintheplaywithanopenmind。

BrieuxhasbeenhailedbyBernardShawas"incomparablythegreatestwriterFrancehasproducedsinceMoliere，"andperhapsnowritereverwieldedhispenmoreearnestlyintheserviceoftherace。ToquotefromanarticlebyEdwinE。SlossonintheINDEPENDENT：

Brieuxisnotonewhobelievesthatsocialevilsaretobecuredbylawsandyetmorelaws。Hebelievesthatmostofthetroubleiscausedbyignoranceandurgeseducation，publicenlightenmentandfrankerrecognitionofexistingconditions。Allthismaybeneeded，butstillwemaywelldoubtitseffectivenessasaremedy。ThedrunkenHelotargumentisnotastrongone，andthosewholeadaviciouslifeknowmoreaboutitsrisksthananyteacherorpreachercouldtellthem。Brieuxalsourgestherequirementofhealthcertificatesformarriage，suchasmanyclergymennowinsistuponandwhichdoubtlesswillbemadecompulsorybeforelonginmanyofourStates。

Brieuxpaintsinblackcolorsyetisnofanatic；infact，hewillbecriticisedbymanyasbeingtootolerantofhumanweakness。

TheconditionsofsocietyandthemoralstandardsofFrancearesodifferentfromthoseofAmericathathispointofviewandhisproposalsforreformwillnotmeetwithgeneralacceptance，butitisencouragingtofindadramatistwhorealizestheimportanceofbeingearnestandwhouseshisartindefenseofvirtueinsteadofitsdestruction。

Othercommentsfollow，showingthegreatinterestmanifestedintheplayandthebeliefinthehighestseriousnessofitspurpose：

Thereisnouncleannessinfacts。Theuncleannessisintheglamour，inthesecretimagination。Itisinhints，half—truths，andsuggestionsthethreattolifelies。

Thisplayputsthehorribletruthinsolivingaway，withsuchclean，artisticforce，thatthemindisimpressedasitcouldpossiblybeimpressedinnoothermanner。

Bestofall，itisthephysicianwhodominatestheaction。Thereisnosentimentalizing。Thereisnoweakandmorbidhandlingofthetheme。Thedoctorappearsinhisidealfunction，asthemodernhigh—priestoftruth。Aroundhimwrithethevictimsofignoranceandthecriminalsofconventionalcruelty。Kind，stern，high—minded，clear—headed，yethuman—hearted，hetowersoverall，asthemaster。

Thisisasitshouldbe。Themantosaythewordtosavetheworldofignorantwretches，cursedbythecloudsanddarknessamistakenmodestyhasthrownaroundalife—and—deathinstinct，isthephysician。

Theonlyquestionisthis：Isthisplaydecent？MyansweristhatitisthedecentestplaythathasbeeninNewYorkforayear。Itissodecentthatitisreligious。

——HEARST’SMAGAZINE。

Theplayis，aboveall，apowerfulpleaforthetearingawayoftheveilofmysterythathassouniversallyshroudedthissubjectofthepenaltyofsexualimmorality。Itisapleaforlightonthishiddendanger，thatfathersandmothers，youngmenandyoungwomen，mayknowtheterriblepricethatmustbepaid，notonlybythegenerationthatviolatesthelaw，butbythegenerationstocome。Itisaseriousquestionjusthowtheeducationofmenandwomen，especiallyyoungmenandyoungwomen，inthevitalmattersofsexrelationshipshouldbecarriedon。Onethingissure，however。Theworstpossiblewayistheonewhichhassooftenbeenfollowedinthepast——nottocarryitonatallbuttoignoreit。

——THEOUTLOOK。

It（DAMAGEDGOODS）is，ofcourse，amasterpieceof"thesisdrama，"——anargument，dogmatic，insistent，inescapable，cumulative，betweenscienceandcommonsense，ononeside，andlove，ofvarioustypes，ontheother。ItiswhatMr。BernardShawhascalleda"dramaofdiscussion"；ithasthesplendidmovementofthebestShawplays，unrelieved——andundiluted——byShavianparadox，wit，andirony。WeimaginethatmanyaudiencesattheFultonTheaterwereastonishedattheplay’sshowingofsheerstrengthasacteddrama。Possiblyitmightnotinterestthegeneralpublic；probablyitwouldbeinadvisabletopresentittothem。Butnothinkingperson，withthemostcasualinterestincurrentsocialevils，couldlistentotheversionofRichardBennett，WiltonLackaye，andtheirassociates，withoutbeinggrippedbythepowerofBrieux’smessage。

——THEDIAL。

Itisawonderthattheworldhasbeensolongingettingholdofthisplay，whichisoneofFrance’smostvaluablecontributionstothedrama。Itshistoryisinteresting。Brieuxwroteitovertenyearsago。AntoineproduceditathistheaterandParisimmediatelycensoredit，butsoonthoughtbetterofitandremovedtheban。Duringthesummerof1910itwasplayedinBrusselsbeforecrowdedhouses，forthenthecitywasthrongedwithvisitorstotheexposition。FinallyNewYorkgotitlastspringandeugenicenthusiastsanddoctorseverywherehavewelcomedit。

——THEINDEPENDENT。

AlettertoMr。BennettfromDr。Hills，PastorofPlymouthChurch，Brooklyn。

23MonroeStreetBklyn。August1，1913。

Mr。RichardBennett，NewYorkCity，N。Y。

MyDearMr。Bennett：

Duringthepasttwenty—oneyearssinceIenteredpubliclife，I

haveexperiencedmanyexcitinghoursundertheinfluenceofreformer，oratorandactor，but，inthismoodofretrospection，I

donotknowthatIhaveeverpassedthroughamorethrilling，terrible，andyethopefulexperiencethanlastevening，whileI

listenedtoyourinterpretationofEugeneBrieux’"DAMAGED

GOODS。"

Ihavebeenfollowingyourworkwitheverdeepeninginterest。Itisnottoomuchtosaythatyouhavechangedthethinkingofthepeopleofourcountryastothesocialevil。Atlast，thankGod，thisconspiracyofsilenceisended。Noyoungmanwhosees"DamagedGoods"willeverbethesameagain。IfIwantedtobuildaroundaninnocentboybuttressesoffireandgranite，andlendhimtriplearmouragainsttemptationandtheassaultsofevil，Iwouldputhimforoneeveningunderyourinfluence。Thatwhichtheteacher，thepreacherandtheparenthavefailedtoaccomplishithasbeengiventoyoutoachieve。Youhavedoneaworkforwhichyourgenerationowesyouanimmeasurabledebtofgratitude。

IshallbedelightedtohaveyouusemyStudyofSocialDiseasesandHeredityinconnectionwithyourgreatreform。

Withallgoodwishes，Iam，mydearMr。Bennett，Faithfullyyours，NewellDwightHillisCHAPTERI

Itwasfouro’clockinthemorningwhenGeorgeDupontclosedthedoorandcamedownthestepstothestreet。Thefirstfaintstreaksofdawnwereinthesky，andhenoticedthiswithannoyance，becauseheknewthathishairwasindisarrayandhiswhileaspectdisorderly；yethedarednottakeacab，becausehefearedtoattractattentionathome。Whenhereachedthesidewalk，heglancedabouthimtomakesurethatnoonehadseenhimleavethehouse，thenstarteddownthestreet，hiseyesuponthesidewalkbeforehim。

Georgehadthefeelingofthemorningafter。Therearefewmeninthisworldofabundantsinwhowillnotknowwhatthephrasemeans。Thefumesofthenighthadevaporated；hewasquitesobernow，quitefreefromexcitement。Hesawwhathehaddone，anditseemedtohimsomethingblackanddisgusting。

Neverhadawalkseemedlongerthanthefewblockswhichhehadtotraversetoreachhishome。Hemustgettherebeforethemaidwasup，beforethebaker’sboycalledwiththerolls；otherwise，whatexplanationcouldhegive？——hewhohadalwaysbeensuchamoralman，whohadbeenpointedoutbymothersasanexampletotheirsons。

Georgethoughtofhisownmother，andwhatshewouldthinkifshecouldknowabouthisnight’sadventure。Hethoughtagainandagain，withapangofanguish，ofHenriette。Coulditbepossiblethatamanwhowasengaged，whosemarriagecontracthadactuallybeensigned，whowassoontopossesstheloveofabeautifulandnoblegirl——thatsuchamancouldhavebeenweakenoughandbaseenoughtolethimselfbetrappedintosuchalowaction？

Hewentbackoverthewholeseriesofevents，shudderingatthem，tryingtorealizehowtheyhadhappened，tryingtoexcusehimselfforthem。Hehadnotintendedsuchaculmination；hehadnevermeanttodosuchathinginhislife。Hehadnotthoughtofanyharmwhenhehadacceptedtheinvitationtothesupperpartywithhisoldcompanionsfromthelawschool。Ofcourse，hehadknownthatseveralofthesechumsled"fast"lives——but，then，surelyafellowcouldgotoafriend’sroomsforalarkwithoutharm!

Herememberedthegirlwhohadsatbyhissideatthetable。Shehadcomewithafriendwhowasamarriedwoman，andsohehadassumedthatshewasallright。Georgerememberedhowembarrassedhehadbeenwhenfirsthehadnoticedherglancesathim。Butthenthewinehadbeguntogotohishead——hewasoneofthoseunfortunatewretcheswhocannotdrinkwineatall。Hehadofferedtotakethegirlhomeinacab，andonthewayhehadlosthishead。

Oh!Whatawretchedthingitwas。Hecouldhardlybelievethatitwashewhohadspokenthosefrenziedwords；andyethemusthavespokenthem，becauseherememberedthem。Herememberedthatithadtakenalongtimetopersuadeher。Hehadhadtopromiseheraringliketheonehermarriedfriendwore。Beforetheyenteredherhomeshehadmadehimtakeoffhisshoes，sothattheportermightnothearthem。ThishadstruckGeorgeparticularly，because，evenflushedwithexcitementashewas，hehadnotforgottenthewarningshisfatherhadgivenhimastothedangersofcontactwithstrangewomen。Hehadthoughttohimself，"Thisgirlmustbesafe。Itisprobablythefirsttimeshehaseverdonesuchathing。"

ButnowGeorgecouldgetbutlittleconsolationoutofthatidea。

Hewassufferingintensely——theemotiondescribedbythepoetinthebitterwordsabout"Time’smovingfingerhavingwrit。"Hismind，seekingsomeexplanation，somejustification，wentbacktotheeventsbeforethatnight。Withasuddenpangofyearning，hethoughtofLizette。Shewasadecentgirl，andhadkepthimdecent，andhewaslonelywithouther。Hehadbeensoafraidofbeingfoundoutthathehadgivenherupwhenhebecameengaged；

butnowforawhilehefeltthathewouldhavetobreakhisresolution，andpayhisregularSundayvisittothelittleflatintheworking—classportionofParis。

ItwaswhileGeorgewasfittinghimselfforthesamecareerashisfather——thatofnotary——thathehadmadetheacquaintanceoftheyoungworkinggirl。Itmaynotbeeasytobelieve，butLizettehadreallybeenadecentgirl。Shehadafamilytotakecareof，andwasinneed。Therewasagrandmotherinpoorhealth，afathernotmuchbetter，andthreelittlebrothers；soLizettedidnotverylongresistGeorgeDupont，andhefeltquitevirtuousingivinghersufficientmoneytotakecareoftheseunfortunatepeople。Amongpeopleofhisclassitwasconsideredpropertotakesuchthingsifonepaidforthem。

Allthefamilyofthisworkinggirlweregratefultohim。Theyadoredhim，andtheycalledhimUncleRaoul（forofcoursehehadnotbeensofoolishastogivethemhistruename）。

SinceGeorgewaspayingforLizette，hefelthehadthetighttocontrolherlife。Hegaveherfairwarningconcerninghisattitude。Ifshedeceivedhimhewouldleaveherimmediately。

Hetoldthistoherrelativesalso，andsohehadthemallwatchingher。Shewasnevertrustedoutalone。EverySundayGeorgewenttospendthedaywithhislittle"family，"sothathiscomingbecamealmostamatteroftradition。Heinterestedherinchurchaffairs——massandvesperswereherregularoccasionsforexcursions。Georgerentedtwoseats，andthegrandmotherwentwithhertotheservices。Thesimplepeoplewereproudtoseetheirnameengraveduponthebrassplateofthepew。

ThereasonforalltheseprecautionswasGeorge’sterrorofdisease。Hehadbeenwarnedbyhisfatherastothedangerswhichyoungmenencounterintheiramours。AndtheselessonshadsunkdeepintoGeorge’sheart；hehadmadeuphismindthatwhateverhisfriendsmightdo，he，forone，wouldprotecthimself。

Thatdidnotmean，ofcourse，thatheintendedtoliveavirtuouslife；suchwasthecustomamongyoungmenofhisclass，nothaditprobablyeveroccurredtohisfatherthatitwaspossibleforayoungmantodosuchathing。TheFrenchhaveaphrase，"l’hommemoyensensuel"——theaveragesensualman。AndGeorgewassuchaman。Hehadnonobleidealisms，noparticularreverenceforwomen。Thebasisofhisattitudewasapurelyselfishone；

hewantedtoenjoyhimself，andatthesametimetokeepoutoftrouble。

Hedidnotfindanyhappinessintherenunciationwhichheimposeduponhimself；hehadnoreligiousideasaboutit。Onthecontrary，hesufferedkeenly，andwasbitterbecausehehadnoshareintheamusementsofhisfriends。Hestucktohisworkandforcedhimselftokeepregularhours，preparingforhislawexaminations。Butallthetimehewaslongingforadventures。

And，ofcourse，thiscouldnotgoonforever，forthemotiveoffearaloneisnotsufficienttosubduethesexualurgeinafull—

bloodedyoungman。

TheaffairwithLizettemighthavecontinuedmuchlongerhaditnotbeenforthefactthathisfatherdied。Hediedquitesuddenly，whileGeorgewasawayonatrip。Thesoncamebacktoconsolehisbroken—heartedmother，andinthetwoweektheyspentinthecountrytogetherthemotherbroachedaplantohim。Thelastwishofthedyingmanhadbeenthathissonshouldbefixedinlife。Inthemidstofhisintensesufferinghehadbeenabletothinkaboutthematter，andhadnamedthegirlwhomhewishedGeorgetomarry。Naturally，Georgewaitedwithsomeinteresttolearnwhothismightbe。Hewassurprisedwhenhismothertoldhimthatitwashiscousin，HenrietteLoches。

Hecouldnotkeephisemotionfromrevealingitselfinhisface。

"Itdoesn’tpleaseyou？"askedhismother，withatonedisappointment。

"Whyno，mother，"heanswered。"It’snotthat。Itjustsurprisesme。"

"Butwhy？"askedthemother。"Henrietteisalovelygirlandagoodgirl。"

"Yes，Iknow，"saidGeorge；"butthensheismycousin，and——"

Heblushedalittlewithembarrassment。"Ihadneverthoughtofherinthatway。"

MadameDupontlaidherhanduponherson’s。"Yes，George，"shesaidtenderly。"Iknow。Youaresuchagoodboy。"

Now，ofcourse，Georgedidnotfeelthathewasquitesuchagoodboy；buthismotherwasadeeplyreligiouswoman，whohadnoideaofthetruthaboutthemajorityofmen。Shewouldneverhavegotovertheshockifhehadtoldherabouthimself，andsohehadtopretendtobejustwhatshethoughthim。

"Tellme，"shecontinued，afterapause，"haveyouneverfelttheleastbitinlove？"

"Whyno——Idon’tthinkso，"Georgestammered，becomingconsciousofasuddenriseoftemperatureinhischeeks。

"Because，"saidhismother，"itisreallytimethatyouweresettledinlife。Yourfathersaidthatweshouldhaveseentoitbefore，andnowitismydutytoseetoit。Itisnotgoodforyoutolivealonesolong。"

"But，mother，IhaveYOU，"saidGeorgegenerously。

"SomedaytheLordmaytakemeaway，"wasthereply。"Iamgettingold。And，George，dear——"Heresuddenlyhervoicebegantotremblewithfeeling——"IwouldliketoseemybabygrandchildrenbeforeIgo。Youcannotimaginewhatitwouldmeantome。"

MadameDupontsawhowmuchthissubjectdistressedherson，soshewentontothemoreworldlyaspectsofthematter。

Henriette’sfatherwaswell—to—do，andhewouldgiveheragooddowry。Shewasacharmingandaccomplishedgirl。Everybodywouldconsiderhimmostfortunateifthematchcouldbearranged。

Also，therewasanelderlyaunttowhomMadameDuponthadspoken，andwhowasmuchtakenwiththeidea。Sheownedagreatdealofpropertyandwouldsurelyhelptheyoungcouple。

Georgedidnotseejusthowhecouldobjecttothisproposition，evenifhehadwantedto。Whatreasoncouldhegiveforsuchacourse？Hecouldnotexplainthathealreadyhadafamily——withstepchildren，sotospeak，whoadoredhim。Andwhatcouldhesaytohismother’sobsession，towhichshecamebackagainandagain——herlongingtoseehergrandchildrenbeforeshedied？

MadameDupontwaitedonlylongenoughforGeorgetostammeroutafewprotestations，andtheninthenextbreathtotakethemback；

afterwhichsheproceededtogoaheadwiththematch。Thefamilylawyersconferredtogether，andthetermsofthesettlementwereworkedoutandagreedupon。IthappenedthatimmediatelyafterwardsGeorgelearnedofanopportunitytopurchasethepracticeofanotary，whowasreadytoretirefrombusinessintwomonths’time。Henriette’sfatherconsentedtoadvanceaportionofherdowryforthispurpose。

ThusGeorgewassafelystarteduponthesamecareerashisfather，andthiswastohimasourceofsatisfactionwhichhedidnotattempttodeny，eithertohimselfoftoanyoneelse。

Georgewasacautiousyoungman，whocameofafrugalandsavingstock。Hehadalwaysbeentaughtthatitwashisprimarydutytomakecertainofareasonableamountofcomfort。Fromhisearliestdays，hehadbeentaughttoregardmaterialsuccessasthegreatestgoalinlife，andhewouldneverhavedreamedofengaginghimselftoagirlwithoutmoney。Butwhenhehadthegoodfortunetomeetonewhopossesseddesirablepersonalqualitiesinadditiontomoney，hewasnotintheleastbarredfromappreciatingthosequalities。Theywere，sotospeak，thesaucewhichwentwiththemeat，anditseemedtohimthatinthiscasethesaucewasoftheverybest。

George——abigfellowoftwenty—six，withlarge，roundeyesandagood—naturedcountenance——wasfullblooded，wellfed，withaheartylaughwhichspokeofunimpairedcontentment，asouluntroubledinitsdeeps。Heseemedtohimselftheluckiestfellowinthewholeroundworld；hecouldnotthinkwhathehaddonetodeservethegoodfortuneofpossessingsuchagirlasHenriette。Hewasordinarilyofasomewhatsentimentalturn——

easilyinfluencedbywomenandsensitivetotheircharms。

Moreover，hisrelationshipwithLizettehadsoftenedhim。Hehadlearnedtolovetheyoungworkinggirl，andnowHenriette，itseemed，wastoreapthebenefitofhisexperiencewithher。

Infact，hefoundhimselfalwayswithmemoriesofLizetteinhisrelationshipswiththegirlwhowastobehiswife。Whentheengagementwasannounced，andheclaimedhisfirstkissfromhisbride—to—be，asheplacedaringuponherfinger，herememberedthefirsttimehehadkissedLizette，andadoubleblushsuffusedhisroundcountenance。WhenhewalkedarmandarmwithHenrietteinthegardenherememberedhowhehadwalkedjustsowiththeothergirl，andhewasinterestedtocomparethewordsofthetwo。HerememberedwhatagoodtimehadhadwhenhehadtakenLizetteandherlittlefamilyforapicnicupononeoftheexcursionsteamerswhichrundowntheRiverSeine。ImmediatelyhedecidedthathewouldliketotakeHenrietteonsuchapicnic，andhepersuadedanauntofHenriette’stogowithherasachaperon。Georgetookhisbride—to—betothesamelittleinnwherehehadlunchbefore。

Thushewasalwayshauntedbymemories，someofwhichmadehimcheerfulandsomeofwhichmadehimmildlysad。Hesoongotusedtotheidea，anddidnotfinditawkward，exceptwhenhehadtosuppresstheimpulsetotellHenriettesomethingwhichLizettehadsaid，orsomefunnyincidentwhichhadhappenedinthehomeofthelittlefamily。Sometimeshefoundhimselfthinkingthatitwasashametohavetosuppresstheseimpulses。Theremustbesomethingwrong，hethought，withasocialsystemwhichmadeitnecessaryforhimtohideathingwhichwassoobviousandsosensible。Herehewas，amantwenty—sixyearsofage；hecouldnothaveaffordedtomarryearlier，notcouldhe，ashethought，havebeenexpectedtoleadacontinentlife。AndhehadreallylovedLizette；shewasreallyagoodgirl。Yet，ifHenriettehadgotanyideaofit，shewouldhavebeenhorrifiedandindignant——

shemightevenhavebrokenofftheengagement。

Andthen，too，therewasHenriette’sfather，apersonageofgreatdignityandimportance。M。LocheswasadeputyoftheFrenchParliament，fromadistrictintheprovinces。Hewasamanofuprightlife，andamanwhomadeagreatdealofthatuprightlife——keepingitonapedestalwhereeveryonemightobserveit。

ItwasimpossibletoimagineM。Lochesinanundignifiedorcompromisingsituation——suchastheyoungermanfoundhimselffacinginthematterofLizette。

ThemorehethoughtaboutitthemorenervousandanxiousGeorgebecame。Thenitwasdecideditwouldbenecessaryforhimtobreakwiththegirl，andbe"good"untilthetimeofhismarriage。Dearlittlesoft—eyedLizette——hedidnotdaretofaceherpersonally；hecouldneverbeartosaygood—by，hefelt。

Instead，hewenttothefather，whoasamancouldbeexpectedtounderstandthesituation。Georgewasembarrassedandnotalittlenervousaboutit；foralthoughhehadnevermisrepresentedhisattitudetothefamily，onecouldneverfeelentirelyfreefromthepossibilityofblackmailinsuchcases。However，Lizette’sfatherbehaveddecently，andwasdulygratefulforthemoderatesumofmoneywhichGeorgehandedhiminparting。HepromisedtobreakthenewsgentlytoLizette，andGeorgewentawaywithhismindmadeupthathewouldneverseeheragain。

Thisresolutionhekept，andheconsideredhimselfveryvirtuousindoingit。Butthetruthwasthathehadgrownusedtointimacywithawoman，andwasrestlesswithoutit。Andthat，hetoldhimself，waswhyheyieldedtotheshamefultemptationthenightofthatfatalsupperparty。

Hepaidforthemisadventureliberallyinremorse。Hefeltthathehadbeenawretch，thathehaddisgracedhimselfforever，thathehadprovedhimselfunworthyofthepuregirlhewastomarry。

SokeenwashisfeelingthatitwasseveraldaysbeforehecouldbringhimselftoseeHenrietteagain；andwhenhewent，itwaswithamindfilledwithabrand—newsetofresolutions。Itwasthelasttimethathewouldeverfallintoerror。Hewouldbeanewmanfromthenon。HethankedGodthattherewasnochanceofhissinbeingknown，thathemighthaveanopportunitytoprovehisnewdetermination。

SointensewerehisfeelingsthathecouldnothelpbetrayingapartofthemtoHenriette。Theysatinthegardenonesoftsummerevening，withHenriette’smotheroccupiedwithhercrochetingatadecorousdistance。George，inreverentandhumblemood，begantodropvaguehintsthathewasreallyunworthyofhisbride—to—be。Hesaidthathehadnotalwaysbeenasgoodasheshouldhavebeen；hesaidthatherpurityandsweetnesshadawakenedinhimnewideals；sothathefelthisoldlifehadbeenfullofblunders。Henriette，ofcourse，hadbutthevaguestofideasastowhattheblundersofatenderandgenerousyoungmanlikeGeorgemightbe。Sosheonlylovedhimthemoreforhishumility，andwasflatteredtohavesuchafineeffectuponhim，toawakeninhimsuchmoodsofexaltation。Whenhetoldherthatallmenwerebad，andthatnomanwasworthyofsuchabeautifullove，shewasquiteravished，andwipedawaytearsfromhereyes。

Itwouldhavebeenashametospoilsuchaheavenlymoodbytellingtherealtruth。Instead，Georgecontentedhimselfwithtellingofthenewresolutionshehadformed。Afterall，theywerethethingswhichreallymattered；forHenriettewasgoingtolivewithhisfuture，notwithhispast。

ItseemedtoGeorgeamostwonderfulthing，thisinnocenceofayounggirl，whichenabledhertomovethroughaworldofwickednesswithunpollutedmind。Itwasatouchingthing；andalso，asaprudentyoungmancouldnothelprealizing，amostconvenientthing。Herealizedtheimportanceofpreservingit，andthoughtthatifheeverhadadaughter，hewouldprotectherasrigidlyasHenriettehadbeenprotected。Hemadehastetoshyofffromthesubjectofhis"badness"andtoturntheconversationwithwhatseemedacleverjest。

"IfIamgoingtobesogood，"hesaid，"don’tforgetthatyouwillhavetobegoodalso!"

"Iwilltry，"saidHenriette，whowasstillserious。

"Youwillhavetotryhard，"hepersisted。"Youwillfindthatyouhaveaveryjealoushusband。"

"WillI？"saidHenriette，beamingwithhappiness——forwhenawomanisverymuchinloveshedoesn’tintheleastobjecttotheman’sbeingjealous。

"Yes，indeed，"smiledGeorge。"I’llalwaysbewatchingyou。"

"Watchingme？"echoedthegirlwithasurprisedlook。

Andimmediatelyhefeltashamedofhimselfforhisjest。TherecouldbenoneedtowatchHenriette，anditwasbadtasteeventojokeaboutitatsuchatime。Thatwasoneoftheideaswhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromhisworldofevil。

Thetruthwas，however，thatGeorgewouldalwaysbeasuspicioushusband；nothingcouldeverchangethatfact，fortherewassomethinginhisownconsciencewhichhecouldnotgetout，andwhichwouldmakeitimpossibleforhimtobeateaseasamarriedman。ItwasthememoryofsomethingwhichhadhappenedearlierinhislifebeforehemetLizette。Therehadbeenoneearlierexperience，withthewifeofhisdearestfriend。Shehadbeenmuchyoungerthanherhusband，andhadbetrayedaninterestinGeorge，whohadyieldedtothetemptation。Forseveralyearstheintriguecontinued，andGeorgeconsidereditagoodsolutionofayoungman’sproblem。Therehadbeennodangerofcontamination，forheknewthathisfriendwasamanofpureandrigidmorals，ajealousmanwhowatchedhiswife，anddidnotpermithertocontractthosenewrelationswhicharealwaysdangerous。AsforGeorge，hehelpedinthisworthywork，keepingthewomaninterrorofsomedisease。Hetoldherthatalmostallmenwereinfected，forhehopedbythismeanstokeepherfromdeceivinghim。

Iamawarethatthismayseemadreadfulstory。AsIdonotwantanyonetothinktooillofGeorgeDupont，Iought，perhaps，topointoutthatpeoplefeeldifferentlyaboutthesemattersinFrance。Injudgingtheunfortunateyoungman，wemustjudgehimbythecustomsofhisowncountry，andnotbyours。InFrance，theyareaccustomedtowhatiscalledtheMARIAGEDECONVENANCE。

Theyounggirlisnotpermittedtogoaboutandmakeherownfriendsanddecidewhichoneofthemsheprefersforherhusband；

onthecontrary，sheisstrictlyguarded，hertrainingoftenisofareligiousnature，andhermarriageisamatterofbusiness，tobeconsideredanddecidedbyherparentsandthoseoftheyoungman。Now，whateverwemaythinkright，itishumanlycertainthatwheremarriagesaremadeinthatway，theneedofmenandwomenforsympathyandforpassionateinterestwilloftenleadtotheformingofirregularrelationshipsaftermarriage。

ItisnotpossibletopresentstatisticsastothenumberofsuchirregularrelationshipsinParisiansociety；butinthebookswhichhereadandintheplayswhichhesaw，Georgefoundeverythingtoencouragehimtothinkthatitwasaromanticanddelightfulthingtokeepupasecretintriguewiththewifeofhisbestfriend。

Itshouldalso，perhaps，bepointedoutthatweareheretellingthetruth，andthewhiletruth，aboutGeorgeDupont；andthatitisnotcustomarytotellthisaboutmen，eitherinreallifeorinnovels。Thereisagreatdealofconcealmentintheworldaboutmattersofsex；andinsuchmattersthetruth—tellingmanisapttosufferinreputationincomparisonwiththetruth—

concealingone。

NorhadGeorgereallybeenaltogethercallousaboutthething。

Ithadhappenedthathisbestfriendhaddiedinhisarms；andthishadsoaffectedtheguiltypairthattheyhadfelttheirrelationshipwasnolongerpossible。Shehadwithdrawntonursehergriefalone，andGeorgehadbeensodeeplyaffectedthathehadavoidedaffairsandentanglementswithwomenuntilhismeetingwithLizette。

Allthiswasnowinthefardistantpast，butithadmadeadeeperimpressionuponGeorgethanheperhapsrealized，anditwasnowworkinginhismindandmarringhishappiness。Herewasagirlwholovedhimwithanobleandunselfishandwhole—heartedlove——andyethewouldneverbeabletotrustherasshedeserved，butwouldalwayshavesuspicionslurkinginthebackofhismind。Hewouldbeunabletohavehisfriendsintimateinhishome，becauseofthememoryofwhathehadoncedonetoafriend。

Itwasasubtlekindofpunishment。ButsoitisthatNatureoftenfindswaysofpunishingus，withoutourevenbeingawareofit。

Thatwasallforthefuture，however。Atpresent，Georgewashappy。Heputhisblacksinbehindhim，feelingthathehadobtainedabsolutionbyhisconfessiontoHenriette。Daybyday，asherealizedhisgoodfortune，hisroundfacebeamedwithmoreandyetmorejoy。

HewentforalittletriptoHenriette’shomeinthecountry。Itwasasimplevillage，andtheytookwalksinthecountry，andstoppedtorefreshthemselvesatafarmhouseoccupiedbyoneofM。Loches’tenants。Herewasarosyandbuxompeasantwoman，withanursingchildinherarms。Shewasdestinedacoupleofyearslatertobethefoster—motherofHenriette’slittlegirlandtoplayanimportantpartinherlife。Butthepairhadnoideaofthatatpresent。Theysimplysawaproudandhappymother，andHenrietteplayedwiththebaby，givingventtochildishdelight。ThensuddenlyshelookedupandsawthatGeorgewaswatchingher，andasshereadhisthoughtsabeautifulblushsuffusedhercheeks。

AsforGeorge，heturnedawayandwentoutundertheblueskyinakindofecstasy。Lifeseemedverywonderfultohimjustthen；

hehadfounditssupremehappiness，whichwaslove。HewasreallygettingquitemadaboutHenriette，hetoldhimself。Hecouldhardlybelievethatthedaywascomingwhenhewouldbeabletoclaspherinhisarms。

ButintheblueskyofGeorge’shappinesstherewasonelittlecloudofstorm。Asoftenhappenswithstorm—clouds，itwassosmallthatatfirsthepaidnoattentiontoitatall。

Henoteduponhisbodyonedayatinyulcer。Atfirsthetreateditwithsalvepurchasedfromanapothecary。Thenafteraweekortwo，whenthishadnoeffect，hebegantofeeluncomfortable。Herememberedsuddenlyhehadheardaboutthesymptomsofanunmentionable，dreadfuldisease，andavagueterrortookpossessionofhim。

Fordayshetriedtoputittooneside。Theideawasnonsense，itwasabsurdinconnectionwithawomansorespectable!Butthethoughtwouldnotbeputaway，andfinallyhewenttoaschoolfriend，whowasamanoftheworld，andgothimtotalkonthesubject。Ofcourse，Georgehadtobecareful，sothathisfriendshouldnotsuspectthathehadanyspecialpurposeinmind。

Thefriendwaswillingtotalk。Itwasaviledisease，hesaid；

butonewasfoolishtobotheraboutit，becauseitwassorare。

Therewereotherdiseaseswhichfellowsgot，whichnearlyeveryfellowhad，andtowhichnoneofthempaidanyattention。ButoneseldommetanyonewhohadtheredplaguethatGeorgedreaded。

"Andyet，"headded，"accordingtothebooks，itisn’tsouncommon。Isupposethetruthisthatpeoplehideit。Achapnaturallywouldn’ttell，whenheknewitwoulddamnhimforlife。"

Georgehadasicksensationinsideofhim。"Isitasbadasthat？"heasked。

"Ofcourse，"saidtheother，"Shouldyouwanttohaveanythingtodowithapersonwhohadit？Shouldyoubewillingtoroomwithhimortravelwithhim？Youwouldn’tevenwanttoshakehandswithhim!"

"No，Isupposenot，"saidGeorge，feebly。

"Iremember，"continuedtheother，"anoldfellowwhousedtoliveoutinthecountrynearme。Hewasnotsoveryold，either，buthelookedit。Hehadtobepushedaroundinawheel—chair。

Peoplesaidhehadlocomotorataxia，butthatreallymeantsyphilis。Weboysusedtopokeallkindsoffunathimbecauseonewindydayhishatandhiswigwereblownofftogether，andwediscoveredthathewasasbaldasanegg。Weusedtomakejokesabouthisautomobile，aswecalledit。Ithadalittlehandleinfront，insteadofasteering—wheel，andamanbehindtopush，insteadofanengine。"

"Howhorrible!"remarkedGeorgewithgenuinefeeling。

"Irememberthepoordevilhadaparalysissoonafter，"continuedthefriend，quitecarelessly。"Hecouldnotsteeranymore，andalsohelosthisvoice。Whenyoumethimhewouldlookatyouasithethoughthewastalking，butallhecouldsaywas’Ga—ga—ga’。"

Georgewentawayfromthisconversationinacoldsweat。Hetoldhimselfoverandoveragainthathewasafool，butstillhecouldnotgetthehellishideaoutofhismind。Hefoundhimselfbroodingoveritalldayandlyingawakeatnight，hauntedbyimagesofhimselfinawheel—chair，andwithoutanyhaironhishead。Herealizedthatthesensiblethingwouldbeforhimtogotoadoctorandmakecertainabouthiscondition；buthecouldnotbringhimselftofacetheordeal——hewasashamedtoadmittoadoctorthathehadlaidhimselfopentosuchataint。

Hebegantolosetheradiantexpressionfromhisroundandrosyface。Hehadlessappetite，andhismoodsofdepressionbecamesofrequentthathecouldnothidethenevenfromHenriette。Sheaskedhimonceortwiceiftherewerenotsomethingthematterwithhim，andhelaughed——aforcedandhurriedlaugh——andtoldherthathehadsatuptoolatethenightbefore，worryingoverthematterofhisexaminations。Oh，whatacruelthingitwasthatamanwhostoodintheverygatewayofsuchagardenofdelightshouldbetormentedandmademiserablebythisloathsomeidea!

Thedisturbingsymptomstillcontinued，andsoatlastGeorgepurchasedamedicalbook，dealingwiththesubjectofthedisease。Then，indeed，heopenedupachamberofhorrors；hemadeuphismindanabidingplaceofghastlyimages。Inthebooktherewerepicturesofthingssoawfulthatheturnedwhite，andtrembledlikealeaf，andhadtoclosethevolumeandhideitinthebottomofhistrunk。Buthecouldnotbanishthepicturesfromhismind。Worstofall，hecouldnotforgetthedescriptionofthefirstsymptomofthedisease，whichseemedtocorrespondexactlywithhisown。Soatlasthemadeuphismindhemustascertaindefinitelythetruthabouthiscondition。

Hebegantothinkoverplansforseeingadoctor。Hehadheardsomewhereastoryaboutayoungfellowwhohadfallenintothehandsofaquack，andbeenruinedforever。Sohedecidedthathewouldconsultonlythebestauthority。

Hegotthenamesofthebest—knownworksonthesubjectfromabookstore，andfoundthattheauthorofoneofthesebookswaspracticinginParisasaspecialist。Twoorthreedayselapsedbeforehewasabletogetupthecouragetocallonthisdoctor。

Andoh，theshameandhorrorofsittinginhiswaiting—roomwiththeotherpeople，noneofwhomdaredtolookeachotherintheeyes!Theymustallbeafflicted，Georgethought，andheglancedatthemfurtively，lookingforthevarioussymptomsofwhichhehadread。Orwerethere，perhaps，somelikehimself——merelyvictimsofafoolisherror，comingtohavethehagofdreadpulledfromofftheirbacks？

Andthensuddenly，whilehewasspeculating，therestoodthedoctor，signalingtohim。Histurnhadcome!

CHAPTERII

Thedoctorwasamanaboutfortyyearsofage，robust，witheveryappearanceofastrongcharacter。Inthebuttonholeofthefrockcoatheworewasaredrosette，thedecorationofsomeorder。

ConfusedandnervousasGeorgewas，hegotavagueimpressionofthephysician’srichlyfurnishedoffice，withitsbronzes，marblesandtapestries。

Thedoctorsignaledtotheyoungmantobeseatedinthechairbeforehisdesk。Georgecomplied，andthen，ashewipedawaytheperspirationfromhisforehead，stammeredoutafewwords，explaininghiserrand。Ofcourse，hesaid，itcouldnotbetrue，butitwasaman’sdutynottotakeanychancesinsuchamatter。

"Ihavenotbeenamanoflooselife，"headded；"Ihavenottakensomanychancesasothermen。"

Thedoctorcuthimshortwiththebriefremarkthatonechancewasallthatwasnecessary。Insteadofdiscussingsuchquestions，hewouldmakeanexamination。"Wedonotsaypositivelyinthesecasesuntilwehavemadeabloodtest。Thatistheonewaytoavoidthepossibilityofmistake。"

AdropofbloodwassqueezedoutofGeorge’sfingerontoalittleglassplate。Thedoctorretiredtoanadjoiningroom，andthevictimsataloneintheoffice，derivingnoenjoymentfromtheworksofartwhichsurroundedhim，butfeelinglikeaprisonerwhositsinthedockwithhislifeatstakewhilethejurydeliberates。

Thedoctorreturned，calmandimpassive，andseatedhimselfinhisoffice—chair。

"Well，doctor？"askedGeorge。Hewastremblingwithterror。

"Well，"wasthereply，"thereisnodoubtwhatever。"

Georgewipedhisforehead。Hecouldnotcreditthewords。"Nodoubtwhatever？Inwhatsense？"

"Inthebadsense，"saidtheother。

Hebegantowriteaprescription，withoutseemingtonoticehowGeorgeturnedpagewithterror。"Come，"hesaid，afterasilence，"youmusthaveknownthetruthprettywell。"

"No，no，sir!"exclaimedGeorge。

"Well，"saidtheother，"youhavesyphilis。"

Georgewasutterlystunned。"MyGod!"heexclaimed。

Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisprescription，lookedupandobservedhiscondition。"Don’ttroubleyourself，sir。Outofeverysevenmenyoumeetuponthestreet，insociety，oratthetheater，thereisatleastonewhohasbeeninyourcondition。

Oneoutofseven——fifteenpercent!"

Georgewasstaringbeforehim。Hespokelow，asiftohimself。

"IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。"

"AndIknowalso，"saidthedoctor，withasmile。"Thereisyourprescription。Youaregoingtotakeittothedrugstoreandhaveitputup。"

Georgetooktheprescription，mechanically，butwhispered，"No，sir。"

"Yes，sir，youaregoingtodoaseverybodyelsedoes。"

"No，becausemysituationisnotthatofeverybodyelse。IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。"

Saidthedoctor："Fivetimesoutoften，inthechairwhereyouaresitting，peopletalklikethat，perfectlysincerely。Eachonebelieveshimselfmoreunhappythanalltheothers；butafterthinkingitover，andlisteningtome，theyunderstandthatthisdiseaseisacompanionwithwhomonecanlive。Justasineveryhousehold，onegetsalongatthecostofmutualconcessions，that’sall。Come，sir，Itellyouagain，thereisnothingaboutitthatisnotperfectlyordinary，perfectlynatural，perfectlycommon；itisanaccidentwhichcanhappentoanyone。Itisagreatmistakethatpeoplespeakifthisasthe’FrenchDisease，’

forthereisnonewhichismoreuniversal。Underthepictureofthisdisease，addressingmyselftothosewhofollowtheoldestprofessionintheworld，Iwouldwritethefamousphrase：’Hereisyourmaster。Itis，itwas，oritmustbe。’"

Georgewasputtingtheprescriptionintotheoutsidepocketofhiscoat，stupidly，asifhedidnotknowwhathewasdoing。

"But，sir，"heexclaimed，"Ishouldhavebeenspared!"

"Why？"inquiredtheother。"Becauseyouareamanofposition，becauseyouarerich？Lookaroundyou，sir。Seetheseworksofartinmyroom。Doyouimaginethatsuchthingshavebeenpresentedtomebychimney—sweeps？"

"But，Doctor，"criedGeorge，withamoan，"Ihaveneverbeenalibertine。Therewasneveranyone，youunderstandme，neveranyonecouldhavebeenmorecarefulinhispleasures。IfIweretotellyouthatinallmylifeIhaveonlyhadtwomistresses，whatwouldyouanswertothat？"

"Iwouldanswer，thatasingleonewouldhavebeensufficienttobringyoutome。"

"No，sir!"criedGeorge。"Itcouldnothavebeeneitherofthosewomen。"Hewentontotellthedoctorabouthisfirstmistress，andthenaboutLizette。FinallyhetoldaboutHenriette，howmuchheadoredher。Hecouldreallyusesuchaword——helovedhermosttenderly。Shewassogood——andhehadthoughthimselfsolucky!

Ashewenton，hecouldhardlykeepfromgoingtopieces。"Ihadeverything，"heexclaimed，"everythingamanneeded!Allwhoknewmeenviedme。AndthenIhadtoletthosefellowsdragmeofftothatmiserablesupper—party!AndnowhereIam!Myfutureisruined，mywholeexistencepoisoned!Whatistobecomeofme？Everybodywillavoidme——Ishallbeapariah，aleper!"

Hepaused，andtheninsuddenwildgriefexclaimed，"Come，now!

WoulditnotbebetterthatIshouldtakemyselfoutoftheway？

Atleast，Ishouldnotsufferanymore。Youseethattherecouldnotbeanyonemoreunhappythanmyself——notanyone，Itellyou，sir，notanyone!"Completelyovercome，hebegantoweepinhishandkerchief。

Thedoctorgotup，andwenttohim。"Youmustbeaman，"hesaid，"andnotcrylikeachild。"

"Butsir，"criedtheyoungman，withtearsrunningdownhischeeks，"ifIhadledawildlife，ifIhadpassedmytimeindissipationwithchorusgirls，thenIcouldunderstandit。ThenIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。"

Thedoctorexclaimedwithemphasis，"No，no!Youwouldnotsayit。However，itisofnomatter——goon。"

"ItellyouthatIwouldsayit。Iamhonest，andIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。Butno，Ihaveworked，Ihavebeenaregulargrind。Andnow，whenIthinkoftheshamethatisinstoreforme，thedisgustingthings，thefrightfulcatastrophestowhichIamcondemned——"

"Whatisallthisyouaretellingme？"askedthedoctor，laughing。

"Oh，Iknow，Iknow!"criedtheother，andrepeatedwhathisfriendhadtoldhimaboutthemaninawheel—chair。"AndtheyusedtocallmehandsomeRaoul!Thatwasmyname——handsomeRaoul!"

"Now，mydearsir，"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，"wipeyoureyesonelasttime，blowyournose，putyourhandkerchiefintoyourpocket，andhearmedry—eyed。"

Georgeobeyedmechanically。"ButIgiveyoufairwarning，"hesaid，"youarewastingyourtime。"

"Itellyou——"begantheother。

"Iknowexactlywhatyouaregoingtotellme!"criedGeorge。

"Well，inthatcase，thereisnothingmoreforyoutodohere——

runalong。"

"SinceIamhere，"saidthepatientsubmissively，"Iwillhearyou。"

"Verywell，then。Itellyouthatifyouhavethewillandtheperseverance，noneofthethingsyoufearwillhappentoyou。"

"Ofcourse，itisyourdutytotellmethat。"

"IwilltellyouthatthereareonehundredthousandlikeyouinParis，alert，andseeminglywell。Come，takewhatyouwerejustsaying——wheel—chairs。Onedoesn’tseesomanyofthem。"

"No，that’strue，"saidGeorge。

"Andbesides，"addedthedoctor，"agoodmanypeoplewhorideinthemarenotthereforthecauseyouthink。Thereisnomorereasonwhyyoushouldbethevictimofacatastrophethananyoftheonehundredthousand。Thediseaseisserious，nothingmore。"

"Youadmitthatitisaseriousdisease？"arguedGeorge。

"Yes。"

"Oneofthemostserious？"

"Yes，butyouhavethegoodfortune——"

"TheGOODfortune？"

"Relatively，ifyouplease。Youhavethegoodfortunetobeinfectedwithoneofthediseasesoverwhichwehavethemostcertaincontrol。"

"Yes，yes，"exclaimedGeorge，"buttheremediesareworsethanthedisease。"

"Youdeceiveyourself，"repliedtheother。

"YouaretryingtomakemebelievethatIcanbecured？"

"Youcanbe。"

"AndthatIamnotcondemned？"

"Iswearittoyou。"

"Youarenotdeceivingyourself，youarenotdeceivingme？Why，Iwastold——"

Thedoctorlaughed，contemptuously。"Youweretold，youweretold!I’llwagerthatyouknowthelawsoftheChineseconcerningparty—walls。"

"Yes，naturally，"saidGeorge。"ButIdon’tseewhattheyhavetodowithit。"

"Insteadofteachingyousuchthings，"wasthereply，"itwouldhavebeenagreatdealbettertohavetaughtyouaboutthenatureandcauseofdiseasesofthissort。Thenyouwouldhaveknownhowtoavoidthecontagion。Suchknowledgeshouldbespreadabroad，foritisthemostimportantknowledgeintheworld。Itshouldbefoundineverynewspaper。"

ThisremarkgaveGeorgesomethingofashock，forhisfatherhadownedalittlepaperintheprovinces，andhehadasuddenvisionofthewaysubscriberswouldhavefallenoff，ifhehadprintedevensomuchasthenameofthisviledisease。

"Andyet，"pursuedthedoctor，"youpublishromancesaboutadultery!"

"Yes，"saidGeorge，"that’swhatthereaderswant。"

"Theydon’twantthetruthaboutvenerealdiseases，"exclaimedtheother。"Iftheyknewthefulltruth，theywouldnolongerthinkthatadulterywasromanticandinteresting。"

Hewentontogivehisadviceastothemeansofavoidingsuchdiseases。Therewasreallybutonerule。Itwas：Tolovebutonewoman，totakeherasavirgin，andtolovehersomuchthatshewouldneverdeceiveyou。"Takethatfromme，"addedthedoctor，"andteachittoyourson，whenyouhaveone。"

George’sattentionwascaughtbythislastsentence。

"YoumeanthatIshallbeabletohavechildren？"hecried。

"Certainly，"wasthereply。

"Healthychildren？"

"Irepeatittoyou；ifyoutakecareofyourselfproperlyforalongtime，conscientiously，youhavelittletofear。"

"That’scertain？"

"Ninety—ninetimesoutofahundred。"

Georgefeltasifhehadsuddenlyemergedfromadungeon。"Why，then，"heexclaimed，"Ishallbeabletomarry!"

"Youwillbeabletomarry，"wasthereply。

"Youarenotdeceivingme？Youwouldnotgivemethathope，youwouldnotexposeme？HowsoonwillIbeabletomarry？"

"Inthreeorfouryears，"saidthedoctor。

"What!"criedGeorgeinconsternation。"Inthreeorfouryears？

Notbefore？"

"Notbefore。"

"Howisthat？AmIgoingtobesickallthattime？Why，youtoldmejustnow——"

Saidthedoctor："Thediseasewillnolongerbedangeroustoyou，yourself——butyouwillbedangeroustoothers。"

"But，"theyoungmancried，indespair，"Iamtobemarriedamonthfromnow。"

"Thatisimpossible。"

"ButIcannotdoanydifferently。Thecontractisready!Thebannshavebeenpublished!Ihavegivenmyword!"

"Well，youareagreatone!"thedoctorlaughed。"Justnowyouwerelookingforyourrevolver!Nowyouwanttobemarriedwithinthemonth。"

"But，Doctor，itisnecessary!"

"ButIforbidit。"

"AssoonasIknewthatthediseaseisnotwhatIimagined，andthatIcouldbecured，naturallyIdidn’twanttocommitsuicide。

AndassoonasImakeupmymindnottocommitsuicide，Ihavetotakeupmyregularlife。Ihavetokeepmyengagements；Ihavetogetmarried。"

"No，"saidthedoctor。

"Yes，yes!"persistedGeorge，withblindobstinacy。"Why，Doctor，ifIdidn’tmarryitwouldbeadisaster。Youaretalkingaboutsomethingyoudon’tunderstand。I，formypart——itisnotthatIamanxioustobemarried。AsItoldyou，Ihadalmostasecondfamily。Lizette’slittlebrothersadoredme。