第4章

Surely，sir，youcannotdesirethatmydaughtershouldcontinuetolivewithamanwhohasstruckhersobrutal，socowardly，ablow。"

"IfIrefuseyourrequest，"thedoctoranswered，"itisintheinterestofyourdaughter。"Then，seeingtheother’sexcitementreturning，hecontinued，"Inyourstateofmind，MonsieurLoches，Iknowthatyouwillprobablybeabusingmebeforefiveminuteshaspassed。Butthatwillnottroubleme。Ihaveseenmanycases。AndsinceIhavemadethemistakeoflettingmyselfbetrappedintothisdiscussion，Imustexplaintoyouthereasonformyattitude。Youaskofmeacertificatesothatyoumayproveincourtthatyourson—in—lawisafflictedwithsyphilis。"

"Precisely，"saidtheother。

"Andhaveyounotreflecteduponthis——thatatthesametimeyouwillbepubliclyattestingthatyourdaughterhasbeenexposedtothecontagion？Withsuchanadmission，anadmissionofficiallyregisteredinthepublicrecords，doyoubelievethatshewillfinditeasytore—marrylateron？"

"Shewillneverre—marry，"saidthefather。

"Shesaysthattoday，butcanyouaffirmthatshewillsaythesamethingfiveyearsfromnow，tenyearsfromnow？Itellyouyouwillnotobtainthatdivorce，becauseIwillmostcertainlyrefuseyouthenecessarycertificate。"

"Then，"criedtheother，"Iwillfindothermeansofestablishingproofs。Iwillhavethechildexaminedbyanotherdoctor!"

Theotheranswered。"Thenyoudonotfindthatthatpoorlittleonehasbeenalreadysufficientlyhandicappedattheoutsetofitslife？Yourgranddaughterhasaphysicaldefect。Doyouwishtoaddtothatacertificateofhereditarysyphilis，whichwillfollowherallherlife？"

MonsieurLochessprangfromhischair。"Youmeanthatifthevictimsseektodefendthemselves，theywillbestrucktheharder!Youmeanthatthelawgivesmenoweaponagainstamanwho，knowinghiscondition，takesayounggirl，sound，trusting，innocent，andbefoulsherwiththeresultofhisdebauches——makesherthemotherofapoorlittlecreature，whosefutureissuchthatthosewholoveherthemostdonotknowwhethertheyoughttoprayforherlife，orforherimmediatedeliverance？Sir，"hecontinued，inhisorator’svoice，"thatmanhasinflicteduponthewomanhehasmarriedasupremeinsult。Hehasmadeherthevictimofthemostodiousassault。Hehasdegradedher——hehasbroughther，sotospeak，intocontactwiththewomanofthestreets。HehascreatedbetweenherandthatcommonwomanIknownotwhatmysteriousrelationship。Itisthepoisonedbloodoftheprostitutewhichpoisonsmydaughterandherchild；thatabjectcreature，shelives，shelivesinus!Shebelongstoourfamily——hehasgivenheraseatatourhearth!Hehassoiledtheimaginationandthethoughtsofmypoorchild，ashehassoiledherbody。Hehasunitedforeverinhersoultheideaoflovewhichshehasplacedsohigh，withIknownotwhathorrorsofthehospitals。Hehastaintedherinherdignityandhermodesty，inherloveaswellasinherbaby。Hehasstruckherdownwithphysicalandmoraldecay，hehasoverwhelmedherwithvileness。

Andyetthelawissuch，thecustomsofsocietyaresuch，thatthewomancannotseparateherselffromthatmansavebytheaidoflegalproceedingswhosescandalwillfalluponherselfanduponherchild!"

MonsieurLocheshadbeenpacingupanddowntheroomashespoke，andnowheclenchedhisfistsinsuddenfury。

"Verywell!Iwillnotaddressmyselftothelaw。SinceI

learnedthetruthIhavebeenaskingmyselfifitwasnotmydutytofindthatmonsterandtoputabulletintohishead，asonedoestoamaddog。Idon’tknowwhatweakness，whatcowardice，hasheldmeback，anddecidedmetoappealtothelaw。Sincethelawwillnotprotectme，Iwillseekjusticeformyself。Perhapshisdeathwillbeagoodwarningfortheothers!"

Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosaythatthiswasnoaffairofhisandthathewouldnottrytointerfere。Butheremarked，quietly："Youwillbetriedforyourlife。"

"Ishallbeacquitted!"criedtheother。

"Yes，butafterapublicrevelationofallyourmiseries。Youwillmakethescandalgreater，themiseriesgreater——thatisall。

Andhowdoyouknowbutthatonthemorrowofyouracquittal，youwillfindyourselfconfrontinganothercourt，ahigherandmoresevereone？Howdoyouknowbutthatyourdaughter，seizedatlastbypityforthemanyouhavekilled，willnotdemandtoknowbywhatrightyouhaveactedso，bywhatrightyouhavemadeanorphanofherchild？Howcanyouknowbutthatherchildalsomaysomedaydemandanaccountingofyou？"

MonsieurLocheslethishandsfall，andstood，apictureofcrusheddespair。"Tellmethen，"hesaid，inafaintvoice，"whatoughtItodo？"

"Forgive!"

Forawhilethedoctorsatlookingathim。"Sir，"hesaid，atlast，"tellmeonething。Youareinflexible；youfeelyouhavetherighttobeinflexible。Butareyoureallysocertainthatitwasnotyourduty，onceuponatime，tosaveyourdaughterfromthepossibilityofsuchmisfortune？"

"What？"criedtheother。"Myduty？Whatdoyoumean？"

"Imeanthis，sir。Whenthatmarriagewasbeingdiscussed，youcertainlytookprecautionstoinformyourselfaboutthefinancialconditionofyourfutureson—in—law。Youdemandedthatheshouldprovetoyouthathisstocksandbondswereactualvalue，listedontheexchange。Also，youobtainedsomeinformationabouthischaracter。Infact，youforgotonlyonepoint，themostimportantofall——thatwas，toinquireifhewasingoodhealth。

Youneverdidthat。"

Thefather—in—law’svoicehadbecomefaint。"No，"hesaid。

"Butwhynot？"

"Becausethatisnotthecustom。"

"Verywell，butthatoughttobethecustom。Surelythefatherofafamily，beforehegiveshisdaughtertoaman，shouldtakeasmuchprecautionasabusinessconcernwhichacceptsanemployee。"

"Youareright，"wasthereply，"thereshouldbealaw。"Themanspokeasadeputy，havingauthorityinthesematters。

Butthedoctorcried，"No，no，sir!Donotmakeanewlaw。Wehavetoomanyalready。Thereisnoneedofit。Itwouldsufficethatpeopleshouldknowalittlebetterwhatsyphilisis。Thecustomwouldestablishitselfveryquicklyforasuitortoaddtoalltheotherdocumentswhichhepresents，acertificateofadoctor，asproofthathecouldbereceivedintoafamilywithoutbringingapestilencewithhim。Thatwouldbeverysimple。Onceletthecustombeestablished，thenthesuitorwouldgotothedoctorforacertificateofhealth，justashegoestothepriestforacertificatethathehasconfessed；andbythatmeansyouwouldpreventagreatdealofsufferingintheworld。Orletmeputitanotherway，sir。Nowadays，beforeyouconcludeamarriage，yougetthelawyersofthetwofamiliestogether。Itwouldbeofatleastequalimportancetogettheirtwodoctorstogether。Yousee，sir，yourinquiryconcerningyourson—in—lawwasfarfromcomplete。Soyourdaughtermayfairlyaskyou，whyyou，beingaman，beingafatherwhooughttoknowthesethings，didnottakeasmuchcareofherhealthasyoutookofherfortune。Soitis，sir，thatIsaytoyou，forgive!"

ButMonsieurLochessaidagain，"Never!"

Andagainthedoctorsatandwatchedhimforaminute。"Come，sir，"hebegan，finally，"sinceitisnecessarytoemploythelastargument，Iwilldoso。Tobesosevereandsopitiless——

areyouyourselfwithoutsin？"

Theotheranswered，"Ihaveneverhadashamefuldisease。"

"Idonotaskyouthat，"interruptedthedoctor。"Iaskyouifyouhaveneverexposedyourselftothechanceofhavingit。"Andthen，readingtheother’sface，hewenton，inatoneofquietcertainty。"Yes，youhaveexposedyourself。Then，sir，itwasnotvirtuethatyouhad；itwasgoodfortune。Thatisoneofthethingswhichexasperatemethemost——thatterm’shamefuldisease’

whichyouhavejustused。Likeallotherdiseases，thatisoneofourmisfortunes，anditisnevershamefultobeunfortunate——

evenifonehasdeservedit。"Thedoctorpaused，andthenwithsomeexcitementhewenton："Come，sir，come，wemustunderstandeachother。Amongmenthemostexacting，amongthosewhowiththeirmiddle—classpruderydarenotpronouncethenameofsyphilis，orwhomakethemostterrifyingfaces，themostdisgusted，whentheyconsenttospeakofit——whoregardthesyphiliticassinners——Ishouldwishtoknowhowmanytherearewhohaveneverexposedthenselvestoasimilarmisadventure。

Theyandtheyalonehavetherighttospeak。Howmanyarethere？

Amongathousandmen，aretherefour？Verywell，then。

Exceptingthosefour，betweenalltherestandthesyphiliticthereisnothingbutthedifferenceofchance。"

Therecameintothedoctor’svoiceatthismomentanoteofintensefeeling；fortheseweremattersofwhichevidencecametohimeveryday。"Itellyou，sir，thatsuchpeoplearedeservingofsympathy，becausetheyaresuffering。Iftheyhavecommittedafault，theyhaveatleastthepleathattheyareexpiatingit。

No，sir，letmehearnomoreofthathypocrisy。Recallyourownyouth，sir。Thatwhichafflictsyourson—in—law，youhavedeserveditjustasmuchashe——morethanhe，perhaps。

Therefore，havepityonhim；haveforhimthetolerationwhichtheunpunishedcriminaloughttohaveforthecriminallessfortunatethanhimselfuponwhomthepenaltyhasfallen。Isthatnotso？"

MonsieurLocheshadbeenlisteningtothisdiscoursewiththefeelingofathiefbeforethebar。Therewasnothingthathecouldanswer。"Sir，"hestammered，"asyoupresentthisthingtome——"

"ButamInotright？"insistedthedoctor。

"Perhapsyouare，"theotheradmitted。"But——Icannotsayallthattomydaughter，topersuadehertogobacktoherhusband。"

"Youcangiveherotherarguments，"wastheanswer。

"Whatarguments，inGod’sname？"

"Thereisnolackofthem。Youwillsaytoherthataseparationwouldbeamisfortuneforall；thatherhusbandistheonlyoneintheworldwhowouldbedevotedenoughtohelphersaveherchild。Youwillsaytoherthatoutoftheruinsofherfirsthappinessshecanbuildherselfanotherstructure，farstronger。

And，sir，youwilladdtothatwhateveryourgoodheartmaysuggest——andwewillarrangesothatthenextchildofthepairshallbesoundandvigorous。"

MonsieurLochesreceivedthisannouncementwiththesamesurprisethatGeorgehimselfhadmanifested。"Isthatpossible？"heasked。

Thedoctorcried："Yes，yes，yes——athousandtimesyes!ThereisaphrasewhichIrepeatoneveryoccasion，andwhichIwouldwishtopostuponthewalls。Itisthatsyphilisisanimperiousmistress，whoonlydemandsthatoneshouldrecognizeherpower。

Sheisterribleforthosewhothinkherinsignificant，andgentlewiththosewhoknowhowdangeroussheis。Youknowthatkindofmistress——whoisonlyvexedwhensheisneglected。Youmaytellthistoyourdaughter——youwillrestorehertothearmsofherhusband，fromwhomshehasnolongeranythingtofear，andIwillguaranteethatyouwillbeahappygrandfathertwoyearsfromnow。"

MonsieurLochesatlastshowedthathewasweakenedinhisresolution。

"Doctor，"hesaid，"IdonotknowthatIcanevergosofarasforgiveness，butIpromiseyouthatIwilldonoirreparableact，andthatIwillnotopposeareconciliationifafterthelapseofsometime——Icannotventuretosayhowlong——mypoorchildshouldmakeuphermindtoareconciliation。"

"Verygood，"saidtheother。"Butletmeaddthis：Ifyouhaveanotherdaughter，takecaretoavoidthefaultwhichyoucommittedwhenyoumarriedoffthefirst。"

"But，"saidtheoldman，"Ididnotknow。"

"Ah，surely!"criedtheother。"Youdidnotknow!Youareafather，andyoudidnotknow!Youareadeputy，youhaveassumedtheresponsibilityandthehonorofmakingourlaws——andyoudidnotknow!Youareignorantaboutsyphilis，justasyouprobablyareignorantaboutalcoholismandtuberculosis。"

"No，"exclaimedtheother，quickly。

"Verywell，"saidthedoctor，"Iwillleaveyouout，ifyouwish。

Iamtalkingoftheothers，thefivehundred，andIdon’tknowhowmanymore，whoarethereintheChamberofDeputies，andwhocallthemselvesrepresentativesofthepeople。Theyarenotabletofindasinglehourtodiscussthesethreecruelgods，towhichegotismandindifferencemakeeverydaysuchfrightfulhumansacrifices。Theyhavenotsufficientleisuretocombatthisferocioustrinity，whichdestroyseverydaythousandsoflives。

Alcoholism!Itwouldbenecessarytoforbidthemanufactureofpoisons，andtorestrictthenumberoflicenses；butasonehasfearofthegreatdistillers，whoarerichandpowerful，andofthelittledealers，whoarethemastersofuniversalsuffrage，oneputsone’sconsciencetosleepbylamentingtheimmoralityoftheworking—class，andpublishinglittlepamphletsandsermons。

Imbeciles!……Tuberculosis!Everybodyknowsthetrueremedy，whichwouldbethepayingofsufficientwages，andthetearingdownofthefilthytenementsintowhichthelaborersarepacked——

thosewhoarethemostusefulandthemostunfortunateamongourpopulation!Butneedlesstosay，noonewantsthatremedy，sowegoroundbeggingtheworkingmennottospitonthesidewalks。

Wonderful!Butsyphilis——whydoyounotoccupyyourselfwiththat？Why，sinceyouhaveministerswhosedutyitistoattendtoallsortsofthings，doyounothaveaministertoattendtothepublichealth？"

"MydearDoctor，"respondedMonsieurLoches，"youfallintotheFrenchhabitofconsideringthegovernmentasthecauseofallevils。Showustheway，youlearnedgentlemen!Sincethatisamatteraboutwhichyouareinformed，andweareignorant，beginbytellinguswhatmeasuresyoubelievetobenecessary。"

"Ah，ah!"exclaimedtheother。"That’sfine，indeed!Itwasabouteighteenyearsagothataprojectofthatnature，workedoutbytheAcademyofMedicine，andapprovedbyitUNANIMOUSLY，wassenttotheproperminister。Wehavenotyetheardhisreply。"

"Youreallybelieve，"inquiredMonsieurLoches，insomebewilderment，"youbelievethattherearesomemeasures——"

"Sir，"brokeinthedoctor，"beforewegetthough，youaregoingtosuggestsomemeasuresyourself。Letmetellyouwhathappenedtoday。WhenIreceivedyourcardIdidnotknowthatyouwerethefather—in—lawofGeorgeDupont。Isaythatyouwereadeputy，andIthoughtthatyouwantedtogetsomeinformationaboutthesematters。Therewasawomanpatientwaitingtoseeme，andIkeptherinmywaiting—room——sayingtomyself，"Thisisjustthesortofpersonthatourdeputiesoughttotalkto。"

Thedoctorpausedforamoment，thencontinued："Bereassured，I

willtakecareofyournerves。Thispatienthasnotroublethatisapparenttotheeye。SheissimplyanillustrationoftheargumentIhavebeenadvancing——thatourworstenemyisignorance。Ignorance——youunderstandme？SinceIhavegotyouhere，sir，IamgoingtoholdyouuntilIhavemanagedtocurealittleofyourignorance!ForItellyou，sir，itisathingwhichdrivesmetodistraction——weMUSTdosomethingabouttheseconditions!Takethiscase，forexample。Hereisawomanwhoisveryseriouslyinfected。Itoldher——well，wait；youshallseeforyourself。

ThedoctorwenttothedoorandsummonedintotheroomawomanwhomMonsieurLocheshadnoticedwaitingthere。Shewasvergingonoldage，small，frail，andill—nourishedinappearance，poorlydressed，andyetwithasuggestionofrefinementabouther。Shestoodnearthedoor，twistingherhandstogethernervously，andshrinkingfromthegazeofthestrangegentleman。Thedoctorbeganinanangryvoice。"DidInottellyoutocomeandseemeonceeveryeightdays？Isthatnottrue？"

Thewomananswered，inafaintvoice，"Yes，sir。"

"Well，"heexclaimed，"andhowlonghasitbeensinceyouwerehere？"

"Threemonths，sir。"

"Threemonths!AndyoubelievethatIcantakecareofyouundersuchconditions？Igiveyouup!Doyouunderstand？Youdiscourageme，youdiscourageme。"Therewasapause。Then，seeingthewoman’ssuffering，hebegan，inagentlertone，"Comenow，whatisthereasonthatyouhavenotcome？Didn’tyouknowthatyouhaveaseriousdisease——mostserious？"

"Oh，yes，sir，"repliedthewoman，"Iknowthatverywell——sincemyhusbanddiedofit。"

Thedoctor’svoiceboreonceagainitsnoteofpity。"Yourhusbanddiedofit？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Hetooknocareofhimself？"

"No，sir。"

"Andwasnotthatawarningtoyou？"

"Doctor，"thewomanreplied，"Iwouldasknothingbetterthantocomeasoftenasyoutoldme，butthecostistoogreat。"

"How——whatcost？Youwerecomingtomyfreeclinic。"

"Yes，sir，"repliedthewoman，"butthat’sduringworkinghours，andthenitisalongwayfromhome。Therearesomanysickpeople，andIhavetowaitmyturn，Itisinthemorning——

sometimesIloseawholeday——andthenmyemployerisannoyed，andhethreatenstoturnmeoff。Itisthingslikethatthatkeeppeoplefromcoming，untiltheydarenotputitoffanylonger。Then，too，sir——"thewomanstopped，hesitating。

"Well，"demandedthedoctor。

"Oh，nothing，sir，"shestammered。"Youhavebeentoogoodtomealready。"

"Goon，"commandedtheother。"Tellme。"

"Well，"murmuredthewoman，"IknowIoughtnottoputonairs，butyouseeIhavenotalwaysbeensopoor。Beforemyhusband’smisfortune，wewerewellfixed。Soyousee，Ihavealittlepride。Ihavealwaysmanagedtotakecareofmyself。Iamnotawomanofthestreets，andtostandaroundlikethat，witheverybodyelse，tobeobligedtotellallone’smiseriesoutloudbeforetheworld!Iamwrong，Iknowitperfectlywell；Iarguewithmyself——butallthesame，it’shard，sir；Iassureyou，itistrulyhard。"

"Poorwoman!"saidthedoctor；andforawhiletherewasasilence。Thenheasked："Itwasyourhusbandwhobroughtyouthedisease？"

"Yes，sir，"wasthereply。"Everythingwhichhappenedtouscamefromhim。Wewerelivinginthecountrywhenhegotthedisease。

Hewenthalfcrazy。Henolongerknewhowtomanagehisaffairs。

Hegaveordershereandthereforconsiderablesums。Wewerenotabletofindthemoney。"

"Whydidhenotundergotreatment？"

"Hedidn’tknowthen。Weweresoldout，andwecametoParis。

Butwehadn’tapenny。Hedecidedtogotothehospitalfortreatment。"

"Andthen？"

"Why，theylookedhimover，buttheyrefusedhimanymedicine。"

"Howwasthat？"

"BecausewehadbeeninParisonlythreemonths。Ifonehasn’tbeenaresidentsixmonths，onehasnorighttofreemedicine。"

"Isthattrue？"brokeinMonsieurLochesquickly。

"Yes，"saidthedoctor，"that’stherule。"

"Soyousee，"saidthewoman，"itwasnotourfault。"

"Youneverhadchildren？"inquiredthedoctor。

"Iwasneverabletobringonetobirth，"wastheanswer。"Myhusbandwastakenjustatthebeginningofourmarriage——itwaswhilehewasservinginthearmy。Youknow，sir——therearewomenaboutthegarrisons——"Shestopped，andtherewasalongsilence。

"Come，"saidthedoctor，"that’sallright。Iwillarrangeitwithyou。Youcancomeheretomyoffice，andyoucancomeonSundaymornings。"Andasthepoorcreaturestartedtoexpresshergratitude，heslippedacoinintoherhand。"Come，come；

takeit，"hesaidgruffly。"Youarenotgoingtoplayproudwithme。No，no，Ihavenotimetolistentoyou。Hush!"Andhepushedheroutofthedoor。

Thenheturnedtothedeputy。"Youheardherstory，sir，"hesaid。"Herhusbandwasservinghistimeinthearmy；itwasyoulaw—makerswhocompelledhimtodothat。Andtherearewomenaboutthegarrisons——youheardhowhervoicetrembledasshesaidthat？Takemyadvice，sir，andlookupthestatisticsastotheprevalenceofthisdiseaseamongoursoldiers。Cometosomeofmyclinics，andletmeintroduceyoutoothersocialtypes。Youdon’tcareverymuchaboutsoldiers，perhaps——theybelongtothelowerclasses，andyouthinkofthemasroughmen。Butletmeshowyouwhatisgoingonamongourcollegestudents——amongthemenourdaughtersaresomedaytomarry。Letmeshowyouthewomenwhopreyuponthem!Perhaps，whoknows——Icanshowyoutheverywomanwhowasthecauseofallthemiseryinyourownfamily!"

AndasMonsieurLochesrosefromhischair，thedoctorcametohimandtookhimbythehand。"Promiseme，sir，"hesaid，earnestly，"thatyouwillcomebackandletmeteachyoumoreaboutthesematters。ItisachancethatImustnotletgo——thefirsttimeinmylifethatIevergotholdofareallivedeputy!

Comeandmakeastudyofthissubject，andletustrytoworkoutsomesensibleplan，andgetseriouslytoworktoremedythesefrightfulevils!"

CHAPTERVI

GeorgelivedwithhismotherafterHenriettehadlefthishome。

Hewaswretchedlyunhappyandlonely。Hecouldfindnointerestinanyofthethingswhichhadpleasedhimbefore。Hewasashamedtomeetanyofhisfriends，becauseheimaginedthateveryonemusthaveheardthedreadfulstory——orbecausehewasnotequaltomakingupexplanationsforhismournfulstate。Henolongercaredmuchabouthiswork。Whatwastheuseofmakingareputationorearninglargefeeswhenonehadnothingtospendthemfor？

Allhisthoughtswerefixeduponthewifeandchildhehadlost。

HewasremindedofHenrietteinathousandways，andeachwaybroughthimaseparatepangofgrief。Hehadneverrealizedhowmuchhehadcometodependuponherineverylittlething——untilnow，whenhercompanionshipwaswithdrawnfromhim，andeverythingseemedtobeablank。Hewouldcomehomeatnight，andoppositetohimatthedinner—tablewouldbehismother，silentandspectral。HowdifferentfromthedayswhenHenriettewasthere，radiantandmerry，eagertobetoldeverythingthathadhappenedtohimthroughtheday!

TherewasalsohisworryaboutlittleGervaise。Hemightnolongerhearhowshewasdoing，forhecouldnotgetupcouragetoaskhismotherthenews。ThuspoorGeorgewaspayingforhissins。Hecouldmakenocomplaintsagainsttheprice，howeverhigh——onlysometimeshewonderedwhetherhewouldbeabletopayit。Thereweretimesofsuchdiscouragementthathethoughtofdifferentwaysofkillinghimself。

Acuriousadventurebefellhimduringthisperiod。Hewaswalkingonedayinthepark，whenhesawapproachingagirlwhosefacestruckhimasfamiliar。Atfirsthecouldnotrecollectwherehehadseenher。Itwasonlywhenshewasnearlyoppositehimthatherealized——itwasthegirlwhohadbeenthecauseofallhismisery!

Hetriedtolookaway，buthewastoolate。Hereyeshadcaughthis，andshenoddedandthenstopped，exclaiming，"Why，howdoyoudo？"

Georgehadtofaceher。"Howdoyoudo？"heresponded，weakly。

Sheheldoutherhandandhehadtotakeit，buttherewasnotmuchwelcomeinhisclasp。"Wherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourself？"sheasked。Then，ashehesitated，shelaughedgood—

naturedly，"What’sthematter？Youdon’tseemgladtoseeme。"

Thegirl——Theresewashername——hadalittlepackageunderherarm，asifshehadbeenshopping。Shewasnotwelldressed，aswhenGeorgehadmetherbefore，anddoubtlessshethoughtthatwasthereasonforhislackofcordiality。Thismadehimratherashamed，andso，onlyhalfrealizingwhathewasdoing，hebegantostrollalongwithher。

"Whydidyounevercometoseemeagain？"sheasked。

Georgehesitated。"I——I——"hestammered——"I’vebeenmarriedsincethen。"

Shelaughed。"Oh!Sothat’sit!"Andthen，astheycametoabenchundersometrees，"Won’tyousitdownawhile？"Therewasallurementinherglance，butitmadeGeorgeshudder。Itwasincredibletohimthathehadeverbeenattractedbythiscrudegirl。Thespellwasnowbrokencompletely。

Shequicklysawthatsomethingwaswrong。"Youdon’tseemverycheerful，"shesaid。"What’sthematter？"

Andtheman，staringather，suddenlyblurtedout，"Don’tyouknowwhatyoudidtome？"

"WhatIdidtoyou？"Thereserepeatedwonderingly。

"Youmustknow!"heinsisted。

Andthenshetriedtomeethisgazeandcouldnot。"Why——"shestammered。

Therewassilencebetweenthem。WhenGeorgespokeagainhisvoicewaslowandtrembling。"Youruinedmywholelife，"hesaid——"notonlymine，butmyfamily’s。Howcouldyoudoit？"

Shestrovetolaughitoff。"Acheerfultopicforanafternoonstroll!"

ForalongwhileGeorgedidnotanswer。Then，almostinawhisper，herepeated，"Howcouldyoudoit？"

"Someonedidittomefirst，"wastheresponse。"Aman!"

"Yes，"saidGeorge，"buthedidn’tknow。"

"Howcanyoutellwhetherheknewornot？"

"Youknew？"heinquired，wonderingly。

Theresehesitated。"Yes，Iknew，"shesaidatlast，defiantly。

"Ihaveknownforyears。"

"AndI’mnottheonlyman。"

Shelaughed。"Iguessnot!"

Therefollowedalongpause。Atlastheresumed，"Idon’twanttoblameyou；there’snothingtobegainedbythat；it’sdone，andcan’tbeundone。ButsometimesIwonderaboutit。Ishouldliketounderstand——whydidyoudoit？"

"Why？That’seasyenough。IdiditbecauseIhavetolive。"

"Youlivethatway？"heexclaimed。

"Whyofcourse。Whatdidyouthink？"

"Ithoughtyouwerea——a——"Hehesitated。

"YouthoughtIwasrespectable，"laughedTherese。"Well，that’sjustalittlegameIwasplayingonyou。"

"ButIdidn’tgiveyouanymoney!"heargued。

"Notthattime，"shesaid，"butIthoughtyouwouldcomeback。"

Hesatgazingather。"Andyouearnyourlivingthatwaystill？"

heasked。"Whenyouknowwhat’sthematterwithyou!Whenyouknow——"

"WhatcanIdo？Ihavetolive，don’tI？"

"Butdon’tyoueventakecareofyourself？Surelytheremustbesomeway，someplace——"

"Thereformatory，perhaps，"shesneered。"No，thanks!I’llgotherewhenthepolicecatchme，notbefore。Iknowsomegirlsthathavetriedthat。"

"Butaren’tyouafraid？"criedtheman。"Andthethingsthatwillhappentoyou!Haveyouevertalkedtoadoctor——orreadabook？"

"Iknow，"shesaid。"I’veseenitall。Ifitcomestome，I’llgooverthesideofoneofthebridgessomedarknight。"

Georgesatlostinthought。Astrangeadventureitseemedtohim——tomeetthisgirlundersuchdifferentcircumstances!Itwasasifhewerewatchingaplayfrombehindthescenesinsteadofinfront。Ifonlyhehadhadthisnewviewintime——howdifferentwouldhavebeenhislife!Andhowterribleitwastothinkoftheotherswhodidn’tknow——theaudiencewhowerestillsittingoutinfront，watchingthespectacle，interestedinit!"

HisthoughtscamebacktoTherese。Hewascuriousaboutherandthelifeshelived。"Tellmealittleaboutit，"hesaid。"Howyoucametobedoingthis。"Andheadded，"Don’tthinkIwanttopreach；I’dreallyliketounderstand。"

"Oh，it’sacommonstory，"shesaid——"nothingespeciallyromantic。IcametoPariswhenIwasagirl。Myparentshaddied，andIhadnofriends，andIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Igotaplaceasanursemaid。Iwasseventeenyearsoldthen，andI

didn’tknowanything。IbelievedwhatIwastold，andIbelievedmyemployer。Hiswifewasillinahospital，andhesaidhewantedtomarrymewhenshedied。Well，Ilikedhim，andIwassorryforhim——andthenthefirstthingIknewIhadababy。Andthenthewifecameback，andIwasturnedoff。Ihadbeenafool，ofcourse。IfIhadbeeninherplaceshouldhavedonejustwhatshedid。"

Thegirlwasspeakinginacold，matter—of—factvoice，asofthingsaboutwhichshewasnolongerabletosuffer。"So，thereIwas——onthestreet，"shewenton。"Youhavealwayshadmoney，acomfortablehome，education，friendstohelpyou——allthat。

Youcan’timaginehowitistobeintheworldwithoutanyofthesethings。IlivedonmysavingsaslongasIcould；thenI

hadtoleavemybabyinafoundling’shome，andIwentouttodomyfivehoursontheboulevards。Youknowthegame，Ihavenodoubt。"

Yes，Georgeknewthegame。Somehoworotherhenolongerfeltbittertowardsthispoorcreature。Shewaspartofthesystemofwhichhewasavictimalso。Therewasnothingtobegainedbyhatingeachother。Justasthedoctorsaid，whatwasneededwasenlightenment。"Listen，"hesaid，"whydon’tyoutrytogetcured？"

"Ihaven’tgottheprice，"wastheanswer。

"Well，"hesaid，hesitatingly，"Iknowadoctor——oneofthereallygoodmen。Hehasafreeclinic，andI’venodoubthewouldtakeyouinifIaskedhimto。"

"YOUaskhim？"echoedtheother，lookingatGeorgeinsurprise。

Theyoungmanfeltsomewhatuncomfortable。HewasnotusedtoplayingtheroleofthegoodSamaritan。"I——Ineednottellhimaboutus，"hestammered。"IcouldjustsaythatImetyou。I

havehadsuchawretchedtimemyself，Ifeelsorryforanybodythat’sinthesameplight。IshouldliketohelpyouifI

could。"

Thegirlsatstaringbeforeher，lostinthought。"Ihavetreatedyoubadly，Iguess，"shesaid。"I’msorry。I’mashamedofmyself。"

Georgetookapencilandpaperfromhispocketandwrotethedoctor’saddress。"Hereitis，"hesaid，inabusiness—likeway，becausehefeltthatotherwisehecouldbecomesentimental。Hewashalftemptedtotellthewomanwhathadhappenedtohim，andallaboutHenrietteandthesickchild；butherealizedthatthatwouldnotdo。Soheroseandshookhandswithherandleft。

Thenexttimehesawthedoctorhetoldhimaboutthisgirl。Hedecidedtotellhimthetruth——havingalreadymadesomanymistakestryingtoconcealthings。Thedoctoragreedtotreatthewoman，makingtheconditionthatGeorgepromisenottoseeheragain。

Theyoungmanwasrathershockedatthis。"Doctor，"heexclaimed，"Iassureyouyouaremistaken。Thethingyouhaveinmindwouldbeutterlyimpossible。"

"Iknow，"saidtheother，"youthinkso。ButIthink，youngman，thatIknowmoreaboutlifethanyoudo。Whenamanandawomanhaveoncecommittedsuchasin，itiseasyforthemtoslipback。

Thelesstimetheyspendtalkingabouttheirmisfortunes，andbeinggenerousandforbearingtoeachother，thebetterforthemboth。"

"But，Doctor，"criedGeorge。"IloveHenriette!Icouldnotpossiblyloveanyoneelse。Itwouldbehorribletome!"

"Yes，"saidthedoctor。"ButyouarenotlivingwithHenriette。

Youarewanderinground，notknowingwhattodowithyourselfnext。"

TherewasnoneedforanybodytotellGeorgethat。"Whatdoyouthink？"heaskedabruptly。"Isthereanyhopeforme？"

"Ithinkthereis，"saidtheother，who，inspiteofhisresolution，hadbecomeasortofambassadorfortheunhappyhusband。HehadtogototheLocheshousetoattendthechild，andsohecouldnothelpseeingHenriette，andtalkingtoheraboutthechild’shealthandherownfuture。HeconsideredthatGeorgehadhadhislesson，andurgedupontheyoungwifethathewouldbewiserinfuture，andsafetotrust。

Georgehadindeedlearnedmuch。Hegotnewlessonseverytimehewenttocallatthephysician’soffice——hecouldreadtheminthefacesofthepeoplehesawthere。Onedaywhenhewasaloneinthewaiting—room，thedoctorcameoutofhisinneroffice，talkingtoanelderlygentleman，whomGeorgerecognizedasthefatherofoneofhisclassmatesatcollege。Thefatherwasalittleshopkeeper，andtheyoungmanrememberedhowpatheticallyproudhehadbeenofhisson。Coulditbe，thoughtGeorge，thatthisoldmanwasavictimofsyphilis？

Butitwastheson，andnotthefather，whowasthesubjectoftheconsultation。Theoldmanwasspeakinginadeeplymovedvoice，andhestoodsothatGeorgecouldnothelphearingwhathesaid。"Perhapsyoucan’tunderstand，"hesaid，"justwhatitmeanstous——thehopeswehadofthatboy!Suchafinefellowhewas，andagoodfellow，too，sir!Weweresoproudofhim；wehadbledourveinstokeephimincollege——andnowjustsee!"

"Don’tdespair，sir，"saidthedoctor，"we’lltrytocurehim。"

AndheaddedwiththatsamenoteofsorrowinhisvoicewhichGeorgehadheard，"Whydidyouwaitsolongbeforeyoubroughttheboytome？"

"HowwasItoknowwhathehad？"criedtheother。"Hedidn’tdaretellme，sir——hewasafraidofmyscoldinghim。Andinthemeantimethediseasewasrunningitscourse。Whenherealizedthathehadit，hewentsecretlytooneofthequacks，whorobbedhim，anddidn’tcurehim。Youknowhowitis，sir。"

"Yes，Iknow，"saidthedoctor。

"Suchthingsoughtnottobepermitted，"criedtheoldman。

"Whatisourgovernmentaboutthatitallowssuchthingstogoon？Taketheconditionsthereatthecollegewheremypoorboywasruined。Attheverygatesofthebuildingthesewomenarewaitingforthelads!Oughttheytobepermittedtodebauchyoungboysonlyfifteenyearsold？Haven’twegotpoliceenoughtopreventathinglikethat？Tellme，sir!"

"Onewouldthinkso，"saidthedoctor，patiently。

"Butisitthatthepolicedon’twantto？"

"Nodoubttheyhavethesameexcuseasalltherest——theydon’tknow。Takecourage，sir；wehavecuredworsecasesthanyourson’s。Andsomeday，perhaps，weshallbeabletochangetheseconditions。"

Sohewentonwiththeman，leavingGeorgewithsomethingtothinkabout。Howmuchhecouldhavetoldthemaboutwhathadhappenedtothatyoungfellowwhenonlyfifteenyearsold!Ithadnotbeenaltogetherthefaultofthewomenwhowerelurkingoutsideofthecollegegates；itwasafactthattheboy’sclassmateshadteasedhimandridiculedhim，hadliterallymadehislifeatorment，untilhehadyieldedtotemptation。

Itwastheold，oldstoryofignorantandunguidedschoolboysallovertheworld!Theythoughtthattobechastewastobeweakandfoolish；thatafellowwasnotamanunlessheledalifeofdebaucheryliketherest。Andwhatdidtheyknowaboutthesedreadfuldiseases？Theyhadthemosthorriblesuperstitions——

ideasofcuressoloathsomethattheycouldnotbesetdowninprint；ideasasignorantanddestructiveasthoseofsavagesintheheartofAfrica。Andyoumighthearthemlaughingandjestingaboutoneanother’scondition。Theymightbeafflictedwithdiseaseswhichwouldhavethemostterribleafter—effectsupontheirwholelivesandupontheirfamilies——diseaseswhichcausetensofthousandsofsurgicaloperationsuponwomen，andalargepercentageofblindnessandidiocyinchildren——andyoumighthearthemconfidentlyexpresstheopinionthatthesediseaseswerenoworsethanabadcold!

Andallthismassofmiseryandignorancecoveredoverandclampeddownbyatabooofsilence，imposedbythehorriblesuperstitionofsex—prudery!Georgewentoutfromthedoctor’sofficetremblingwithexcitementoverthissituation。Oh，whyhadnotsomeonewarnedhimintime？Whydidn’tthedoctorsandtheteachersliftuptheirvoicesandtellyoungmenaboutthesefrightfuldangers？Hewantedtogooutinthehighwaysandpreachithimself——exceptthathedarednot，becausehecouldnotexplaintotheworldhisownsuddeninterestinthisforbiddentopic。

Thesewasonlyonepersonhedaredtotalkto：thatwashismother——towhomheoughttohavetalkedmany，manyyearsbefore。

Hewasmovedtomentiontohertheinterviewhehadoverheardinthedoctor’soffice。Inasuddenburstofgriefhetoldherofhisstrugglesandtemptations；hepleadedwithhertogotoHenrietteoncemore——totellherthesethings，andtrytomakeherrealizethathealonewasnottoblameforthem，thattheywereaconditionwhichprevailedeverywhere，thattheonlydifferencebetweenherhusbandandothermenwasthathehadhadthemisfortunetobecaught。

TherewaspressurebeingappliedtoHenriettefromseveralsides。

Afterall，whatcouldshedo？Shewascomfortableinherfather’shome，sofarasthephysicalsideofthingswent；butsheknewthatallherfriendsweregossipingandspeculatingaboutherseparationfromherhusband，andsoonerorlatershewouldhavetomakeuphermind，eithertoseparatepermanentlyfromGeorgeortoreturntohim。Therewasnotmuchhappinessforherinthethoughtofgettingadivorcefromamanwhomdeepinherheartsheloved。Shewouldbepracticallyawidowtherestofherlife，andthehomeinwhichpoorlittleGervaisewouldbebroughtupwouldnotbeacheerfulone。

Georgewasreadytoofferanyterms，ifonlyshewouldcomebacktohishome。TheymightliveseparatelivesforaslongasHenriettewished。Theywouldhavenomorechildrenuntilthedoctordeclareditwasquitesafe；andinthemeantimehewouldbehumbleandpatient，andwouldtryhisbesttoatoneforthewrongthathehaddoneher。

TotheseargumentsMadameDupontaddedothersofherown。Shetoldthegirlsomethingswhichthroughbitterexperienceshehadlearnedaboutthenatureandhabitsofmen；thingsthatshouldbetoldtoeverygirlbeforemarriage，butwhichalmostallofthemarelefttofindoutafterwards，withterriblesufferinganddisillusionment。WhateverGeorge’ssinsmayhavebeen，hewasamanwhohadbeenchastenedbysuffering，andwouldknowhowtovalueawoman’slovefortherestofhislife。Notallmenknewthat——noteventhosewhohadbeenfortunateinescapingfromtheso—called"shamefuldisease。"

Henriettewasalsohearingargumentsfromherfather，whobythistimehadhadtimetothinkthingsover，andhadcometotheconclusionthatthedoctorwasright。Hehadnotedhisson—in—

law’spatienceandpenitence，andhadalsomadesurethatinspiteofeverythingHenriettestilllovedhim。Thebabyapparentlywasdoingwell；andtheFrenchman，withhisstrongsenseoffamilyties，feltitaseriousmattertoseparateachildpermanentlyfromitsfather。Sointheendhecasttheweightofhisinfluenceinfavorofareconciliation，andHenriettereturnedtoherhusband，upontermswhichthedoctorlaiddown。

Thedoctorplayedinthesenegotiationsthepartwhichhehadnotbeenallowedtoplayinthemarriage。Forthedeputywasnowthoroughlyawaketotheimportanceofthedutyheowedhisdaughter。Infact，hehadbecomesomewhatofa"crank"uponthewholesubject。Hehadattendedseveralofthedoctor’sclinics，andhadreadbooksandpamphletsonthesubjectofsyphilis，andwasnowdeterminedthatthereshouldbesomepracticalstepstowardsreform。

Attheoutset，hehadtakentheattitudeoftheaveragelegislator，thatthethingtodowastostrengthenthelawsagainstprostitution，andtoenforcethemmorestrictly。HeechoedthecryoftheoldmanwhomGeorgehadheardinthedoctor’soffice："Aretherenotenoughpolice？"

"Wemustgotothesource，"hedeclared。"Wemustproceedagainstthesemiserablewomen——veritablepoisonersthattheyare!"

Hereallythoughtthiswasgoingtothesource!Butthedoctorwasquicktoanswerhisarguments。"Poisoners？"hesaid。"Youforgetthattheyhavefirstbeenpoisoned。Everyoneofthesewomenwhocommunicatesthediseasehasfirstreceiveditfromsomeman。"

MonsieurLochesadvancedtohissecondidea，topunishthemen。

Butthedoctorhadlittleinterestinthisideaeither。Hehadseenittriedsomanytimes——suchalawcouldneverbeenforced。

Whatmustcomefirstwaseducation，andbythismeansamodificationofmorals。Peoplemustceasetotreatsyphilisasamysteriousevil，ofwhichnoteventhenamecouldbepronounced。

"But，"objectedtheother，"onecannotlayitbaretochildreninoureducationalinstitutions!"

"Whynot？"askedthedoctor。

"Because，sir，therearecuriositieswhichitwouldbeimprudenttoawaken。"

Thedoctorbecamemuchexcitedwheneverheheardthisargument。

"Youbelievethatyouarepreventingthesecuriositiesfromawakening？"hedemanded。"Iappealtothose——bothmenandwomen——whohavepassedthroughcollegesandboardingschools!

Suchcuriositiescannotbesmothered，andtheysatisfythemselvesasbesttheycan，basely，vilely。Itellyou，sir，thereisnothingimmoralabouttheactwhichperpetuateslifebymeansoflove。Butweorganizearoundit，sofarasconcernsourchildren，agiganticandrigorousconspiracyofsilence。Theworthycitizentakeshisdaughterandhissontopopularmusicalcomedies，wheretheylistentothingswhichwouldmakeamonkeyblush；butitisforbiddentodiscussseriouslybeforetheyoungthatactoflovewhichpeopleseemtothinktheyshouldonlyknowofthroughblasphemiesandprofanations!Eitherthatactisathingofwhichpeoplecanspeakwithoutblushing——orelse，sir，itisamatterfortheinnuendoesofthecabaretandthewitticismsofthemessroom!Pornographyisadmitted，butscienceisnot!Itellyou，sir，thatisthethingwhichmustbechanged!Wemustelevatethesouloftheyoungmanbytakingthesefactsoutoftherealmofmysteryandofslang。Wemustawakeninhimaprideinthatcreativepowerwithwhicheachoneofusisendowed。Wemustmakehimunderstandthatheisasortoftempleinwhichispreparedthefutureoftherace，andwemustteachhimthathemusttransmit，intact，theheritageentrustedtohim——thepreciousheritagewhichhasbeenbuiltoutofthetearsandmiseriesandsufferingsofaninterminablelineofancestors!"

Sothedoctorargued。Hebroughtforthcaseaftercasetoprovethattheprostitutewaswhatshewas，notbecauseofinnatevileness，butbecauseofeconomicconditions。IthappenedthatthedeputycametooneoftheclinicswherehemetTherese。Thedoctorbroughtherintohisconsultingroom，aftertellingherthattheimposing—lookinggentlemanwasafriendofthedirectoroftheopera，andmightbeabletorecommendherforapositiononthestagetowhichsheaspired。"Tellhimallaboutyourself，"hesaid，"howyoulive，andwhatyoudo，andwhatyouwouldliketodo。Youwillgethiminterestedinyou。"

Sothepoorgirlretoldthestoryofherlife。Shespokeinamatter—of—factvoice，andwhenshecametotellhowshehadbeenobligedtoleaveherbabyinthefoundlingasylum，shewassurprisedthatMonsieurLochesshowedhorror。"WhatcouldIdo？"

shedemanded。"HowcouldIhavetakencareofit？"

"Didn’tyouevermissit？"heasked。

"OfcourseImissedit。Butwhatdifferencedidthatmake？Itwouldhavediedofhungerwithme。"

"Still，"hesaid，"itwasyourchild——"

"Itwasthefather’schild，too，wasn’tit？Muchattentionhepaidtoit!IfIhadbeensureofgettingmoneyenough，Iwouldhaveputitouttonurse。Butwiththetwenty—fiveorthirtyfrancsamonthIcouldhaveearnedasaservant，couldIhavepaidforababy？That’sthesituationagirlfaces——solongasI

wantedtoremainhonest，itwasimpossibleformetokeepmychild。Youanswer，perhaps，’Youdidn’tstayhonestanyway。’

That’strue。Butthen——whenyouarehungry，andaniceyoungfellowoffersyoudinner，you’dhavetobemadeofwoodtorefusehim。Ofcourse，ifIhadhadatrade——butIdidn’thaveany。SoIwentonthestreet——Youknowhowitis。"

"Tellusaboutit，"saidthedoctor。"Thisgentlemanisfromthecountry。"

"Isthatso？"saidthegirl。"Ineversupposedtherewasanyonewhodidn’tknowaboutsuchthings。Well，Itookthepartofalittleworking—girl。Averysimpledress——thingsIhadmadeespeciallyforthat——alittlebundleinablacknapkincarriedinmyhand——soIwalkedalongwheretheshopsare。It’stiresome，becausetodoitright，youhavetopatteralongfast。ThenI

stopbeforeashop，andninetimesoutoften，thereyouare!A

funnythingisthatthemen——you’dimaginetheyhadagreedonthewordstoapproachyouwith。Theyhaveonlytwophrases；theynevervarythem。It’seither，’Youaregoingfast，littleone。’

Orit’s，’Aren’tyouafraidallalone？’Onethingortheother。

Oneknowsprettywellwhattheymean。Isn’titso？"Thegirlpaused，thenwenton。"Again，Iwouldgetmyselfupasayoungwidow。There，too，onehastowalkfast：Idon’tknowwhythatshouldbeso，butitis。Afteraminuteortwoofconversation，theygenerallyfindoutthatIamnotayoungwidow，butthatdoesn’tmakeanydifference——theygoonjustthesame。"

"Whoarethemen？"askedthedeputy。"Clerks？Travelingsalesmen？"

"Notmuch，"sheresponded。"Ikeepalookoutforgentlemen——likeyourself。"

"TheySAYtheyaregentlemen，"hesuggested。

"SometimesIcanseeit，"wastheresponse。"Sometimestheywearorders。It’sfunny——iftheyhaveonaribbonwhenyoufirstnoticethem，theyfollowyou，andpresto——theribbonisgone!I

alwayslaughoverthat。I’vewatchedthemintheglassoftheshopwindows。Theytrytolookunconcerned，butastheywalkalongtheysnapouttheribbonwiththeirthumb——asoneshellslittlepeas，youknow。"

Shepaused；then，asnoonejoinedinherlaugh，shecontinued，"Well，atlastthepolicegotafterme，That’sastorythatI’veneverbeenabletounderstand。Thosefilthymengavemeanastydisease，andthenIwastobeshutinprisonforit!Thatwasalittletoomuch，itseemstome。"

"Well，"saidthedoctor，grimly，"yourevengedyourselfonthem——

fromwhatyouhavetoldme。"

Theotherlaughed。"Oh，yes，"shesaid。"Ihadmyinnings。"

SheturnedtoMonsieurLoches。"Youwantmetotellyouthat？

Well，justontheverydayIlearnedthatthepolicewereafterme，Iwascominghomefurious，naturally。ItwasontheBoulevardSt。Denis，ifyouknowtheplace——andwhomdoyouthinkImet？Myoldmaster——theonewhogotmeintotrouble，youknow。

Thereitwas，God’sownwill!Isaidtomyself，’Now，mygoodfellow，here’sthetimewhereyoupaymewhatyouoweme，andwithinterest，too!’Iputonalittlesmile——oh，itdidn’ttakeverylong，youmaybesure!"

Thewomanpaused；herfacedarkened，andshewenton，inavoicetremblingwithagitation："WhenIhadlefthim，Iwasseizedwitharage。Asortofmadnessgotintomyblood。Itookonallthemenwhoofferedthemselves，forwhatevertheyofferedme，fornothing，iftheydidn’toffermeanything。ItookasmanyasI

could，theyoungestonesandthehandsomestones。Justso!I

onlygavethembackwhattheyhadgiventome。AndsincethattimeIhaven’treallycaredaboutanyoneanymore。Ijustturneditallintoajoke。"Shepaused，andthenlookingatthedeputy，andreadinginhisfacethehorrorwithwhichhewasregardingher，"Oh，Iamnottheonlyone!"sheexclaimed。"Therearelotsofotherwomenwhodothesame。Tobesure，itisnotforvengeance——itisbecausetheymusthavesomethingtoeat。Forevenifyouhavesyphilis，youhavetoeat，don’tyou？Eh？"

Shehadturnedtothedoctor，buthedidnotanswer。Therewasalongsilence；andthenthinkingthathisfriend，thedeputy，hadheardenoughforonesession，thedoctorrose。Hedismissedthewoman，thecauseofallGeorgeDupont’smisfortunes，andturningtoMonsieurLoches，said："ItwasonpurposethatIbroughtthatwretchedprostitutebeforeyou。Inherthewholestoryissummedup——notmerelythestoryofyourson—in—law，butthatofallthevictimsoftheredplague。Thatwomanherselfisavictim，andsheisasymboloftheevilwhichwehavecreatedandwhichfallsuponourownheadsagain。Icouldaddnothingtoherstory，I

onlyaskyou，MonsieurLoches——whennextyouareproposingnewlawsintheChamberofDeputies，nottoforgetthehorrorswhichthatpoorwomanhasexposedtoyou!"