MonsieurandMadameFollenviedinedattheendofthetable.Theman，wheezinglikeabroken—downlocomotive，wastooshort—windedtotalkwhenhewaseating.Butthewifewasnotsilentamoment;shetoldhowthePrussianshadimpressedherontheirarrival，whattheydid，whattheysaid;execratingtheminthefirstplacebecausetheycosthermoney，andinthesecondbecauseshehadtwosonsinthearmy.Sheaddressedherselfprincipallytothecountess，flatteredattheopportunityoftalkingtoaladyofquality.

Thensheloweredhervoice，andbegantobroachdelicatesubjects.Herhusbandinterruptedherfromtimetotime，saying：

"Youwoulddowelltoholdyourtongue，MadameFollenvie."

Butshetooknonoticeofhim，andwenton：

"Yes，madame，theseGermansdonothingbuteatpotatoesandpork，andthenporkandpotatoes.Anddon’timagineforamomentthattheyareclean！No，indeed！Andifonlyyousawthemdrillingforhours，indeedfordays，together;theyallcollectinafield，thentheydonothingbutmarchbackwardandforward，andwheelthiswayandthat.Ifonlytheywouldcultivatetheland，orremainathomeandworkontheirhighroads！

Really，madame，thesesoldiersareofnoearthlyuse！Poorpeoplehavetofeedandkeepthem，onlyinorderthattheymaylearnhowtokill！

True，Iamonlyanoldwomanwithnoeducation，butwhenIseethemwearingthemselvesoutmarchingaboutfrommorningtillnight，Isaytomyself：Whentherearepeoplewhomakediscoveriesthatareofusetopeople，whyshouldotherstakesomuchtroubletodoharm？Really，now，isn’titaterriblethingtokillpeople，whethertheyarePrussians，orEnglish，orPoles，orFrench？Ifwerevengeourselvesonanyonewhoinjuresuswedowrong，andarepunishedforit;butwhenoursonsareshotdownlikepartridges，thatisallright，anddecorationsaregiventothemanwhokillsthemost.No，indeed，Ishallneverbeabletounderstandit."

Cornudetraisedhisvoice：

"Warisabarbarousproceedingwhenweattackapeacefulneighbor，butitisasacreddutywhenundertakenindefenceofone’scountry."

Theoldwomanlookeddown：

"Yes;it’sanothermatterwhenoneactsinself—defence;butwoulditnotbebettertokillallthekings，seeingthattheymakewarjusttoamusethemselves？"

Cornudet’seyeskindled.

"Bravo，citizens！"hesaid.

MonsieurCarre—Lamadonwasreflectingprofoundly.Althoughanardentadmirerofgreatgenerals，thepeasantwoman’ssturdycommonsensemadehimreflectonthewealthwhichmightaccruetoacountrybytheemploymentofsomanyidlehandsnowmaintainedatagreatexpense，ofsomuchunproductiveforce，iftheywereemployedinthosegreatindustrialenterpriseswhichitwilltakecenturiestocomplete.

ButLoiseau，leavinghisseat，wentovertotheinnkeeperandbeganchattinginalowvoice.Thebigmanchuckled，coughed，sputtered;hisenormouscarcassshookwithmerrimentatthepleasantriesoftheother;

andheendedbybuyingsixcasksofclaretfromLoiseautobedeliveredinspring，afterthedepartureofthePrussians.

Themomentsupperwasovereveryonewenttobed，wornoutwithfatigue.

ButLoiseau，whohadbeenmakinghisobservationsonthesly，senthiswifetobed，andamusedhimselfbyplacingfirsthisear，andthenhiseye，tothebedroomkeyhole，inordertodiscoverwhathecalled"themysteriesofthecorridor."

Attheendofaboutanhourheheardarustling，peepedoutquickly，andcaughtsightofBouledeSuif，lookingmorerotundthaneverinadressing—gownofbluecashmeretrimmedwithwhitelace.Sheheldacandleinherhand，anddirectedherstepstothenumbereddoorattheendofthecorridor.Butoneofthesidedoorswaspartlyopened，andwhen，attheendofafewminutes，shereturned，Cornudet，inhisshirt—

sleeves，followedher.Theyspokeinlowtones，thenstoppedshort.

BouledeSuifseemedtobestoutlydenyinghimadmissiontoherroom.

Unfortunately，Loiseaucouldnotatfirsthearwhattheysaid;buttowardtheendoftheconversationtheyraisedtheirvoices，andhecaughtafewwords.Cornudetwasloudlyinsistent.

"Howsillyyouare！Whatdoesitmattertoyou？"hesaid.

Sheseemedindignant，andreplied：

"No，mygoodman，therearetimeswhenonedoesnotdothatsortofthing;besides，inthisplaceitwouldbeshameful."

Apparentlyhedidnotunderstand，andaskedthereason.Thenshelosthertemperandhercaution，and，raisinghervoicestillhigher，said：

"Why？Can’tyouunderstandwhy？WhentherearePrussiansinthehouse！

Perhapsevenintheverynextroom！"

Hewassilent.Thepatrioticshameofthiswanton，whowouldnotsufferherselftobecaressedintheneighborhoodoftheenemy，musthaverousedhisdormantdignity，forafterbestowingonherasimplekisshecreptsoftlybacktohisroom.Loiseau，muchedified，caperedroundthebedroombeforetakinghisplacebesidehisslumberingspouse.

Thensilencereignedthroughoutthehouse.Butsoontherearosefromsomeremotepart——itmighteasilyhavebeeneithercellarorattic——astertorous，monotonous，regularsnoring，adull，prolongedrumbling，variedbytremorslikethoseofaboilerunderpressureofsteam.

MonsieurFollenviehadgonetosleep.

Astheyhaddecidedonstartingateighto’clockthenextmorning，everyonewasinthekitchenatthathour;butthecoach，itsroofcoveredwithsnow，stoodbyitselfinthemiddleoftheyard，withouteitherhorsesordriver.Theysoughtthelatterinthestables，coach—housesandbarns—

butinvain.Sothemenofthepartyresolvedtoscourthecountryforhim，andsalliedforth.Theyfoundthemselvesinthesquare，withthechurchatthefartherside，andtorightandleftlow—roofedhouseswherethereweresomePrussiansoldiers.Thefirstsoldiertheysawwaspeelingpotatoes.Thesecond，fartheron，waswashingoutabarber’sshop.Another，beardedtotheeyes，wasfondlingacryinginfant，anddandlingitonhiskneestoquietit;andthestoutpeasantwomen，whosemen—folkwereforthemostpartatthewar，were，bymeansofsigns，tellingtheirobedientconquerorswhatworktheyweretodo：chopwood，preparesoup，grindcoffee;oneofthemevenwasdoingthewashingforhishostess，aninfirmoldgrandmother.

Thecount，astonishedatwhathesaw，questionedthebeadlewhowascomingoutofthepresbytery.Theoldmananswered：

"Oh，thosemenarenotatallabadsort;theyarenotPrussians，Iamtold;theycomefromsomewherefartheroff，Idon’texactlyknowwhere.

Andtheyhaveallleftwivesandchildrenbehindthem;theyarenotfondofwareither，youmaybesure！Iamsuretheyaremourningforthemenwheretheycomefrom，justaswedohere;andthewarcausesthemjustasmuchunhappinessasitdoesus.Asamatteroffact，thingsarenotsoverybadherejustnow，becausethesoldiersdonoharm，andworkjustasiftheywereintheirownhomes.Yousee，sir，poorfolkalwayshelponeanother;itisthegreatonesofthisworldwhomakewar."

Cornudetindignantatthefriendlyunderstandingestablishedbetweenconquerorsandconquered，withdrew，preferringtoshuthimselfupintheinn.

"Theyarerepeoplingthecountry，"jestedLoiseau.

"Theyareundoingtheharmtheyhavedone，"saidMonsieurCarre—Lamadongravely.

Buttheycouldnotfindthecoachdriver.Atlasthewasdiscoveredinthevillagecafe，fraternizingcordiallywiththeofficer’sorderly.

"Wereyounottoldtoharnessthehorsesateighto’clock？"demandedthecount.

"Oh，yes;butI’vehaddifferentorderssince."

"Whatorders？"

"Nottoharnessatall."

"Whogaveyousuchorders？"

"Why，thePrussianofficer."

"Butwhy？"

"Idon’tknow.Goandaskhim.Iamforbiddentoharnessthehorses，soIdon’tharnessthem——that’sall."

"Didhetellyousohimself？"

"No，sir;theinnkeepergavemetheorderfromhim."

"When？"

"Lastevening，justasIwasgoingtobed."

Thethreemenreturnedinaveryuneasyframeofmind.

TheyaskedforMonsieurFollenvie，buttheservantrepliedthatonaccountofhisasthmahenevergotupbeforeteno’clock.Theywerestrictlyforbiddentorousehimearlier，exceptincaseoffire.

Theywishedtoseetheofficer，butthatalsowasimpossible，althoughhelodgedintheinn.MonsieurFollenviealonewasauthorizedtointerviewhimoncivilmatters.Sotheywaited.Thewomenreturnedtotheirrooms，andoccupiedthemselveswithtrivialmatters.

Cornudetsettleddownbesidethetallkitchenfireplace，beforeablazingfire.Hehadasmalltableandajugofbeerplacedbesidehim，andhesmokedhispipe——apipewhichenjoyedamongdemocratsaconsiderationalmostequaltohisown，asthoughithadserveditscountryinservingCornudet.Itwasafinemeerschaum，admirablycoloredtoablacktheshadeofitsowner’steeth，butsweet—smelling，gracefullycurved，athomeinitsmaster’shand，andcompletinghisphysiognomy.AndCornudetsatmotionless，hiseyesfixednowonthedancingflames，nowonthefrothwhichcrownedhisbeer;andaftereachdraughthepassedhislong，thinfingerswithanairofsatisfactionthroughhislong，greasyhair，ashesuckedthefoamfromhismustache.

Loiseau，underpretenceofstretchinghislegs，wentouttoseeifhecouldsellwinetothecountrydealers.Thecountandthemanufacturerbegantotalkpolitics.TheyforecastthefutureofFrance.OnebelievedintheOrleansdynasty，theotherinanunknownsavior——aherowhoshouldriseupinthelastextremity：aDuGuesclin，perhapsaJoanofArc？oranotherNapoleontheFirst？Ah！ifonlythePrinceImperialwerenotsoyoung！Cornudet，listeningtothem，smiledlikeamanwhoholdsthekeysofdestinyinhishands.Hispipeperfumedthewholekitchen.

Astheclockstruckten，MonsieurFollenvieappeared.Hewasimmediatelysurroundedandquestioned，butcouldonlyrepeat，threeorfourtimesinsuccession，andwithoutvariation，thewords：

"Theofficersaidtome，justlikethis：’MonsieurFollenvie，youwillforbidthemtoharnessupthecoachforthosetravellersto—morrow.Theyarenottostartwithoutanorderfromme.Youhear？Thatissufficient.’"

Thentheyaskedtoseetheofficer.Thecountsenthimhiscard，onwhichMonsieurCarre—Lamadonalsoinscribedhisnameandtitles.ThePrussiansentwordthatthetwomenwouldbeadmittedtoseehimafterhisluncheon——thatistosay，aboutoneo’clock.

Theladiesreappeared，andtheyallatealittle，inspiteoftheiranxiety.BouledeSuifappearedillandverymuchworried.

Theywerefinishingtheircoffeewhentheorderlycametofetchthegentlemen.

Loiseaujoinedtheothertwo;butwhentheytriedtogetCornudettoaccompanythem，bywayofaddinggreatersolemnitytotheoccasion，hedeclaredproudlythathewouldneverhaveanythingtodowiththeGermans，and，resuminghisseatinthechimneycorner，hecalledforanotherjugofbeer.

Thethreemenwentupstairs，andwereusheredintothebestroomintheinn，wheretheofficerreceivedthemlollingathiseaseinanarmchair，hisfeetonthemantelpiece，smokingalongporcelainpipe，andenvelopedinagorgeousdressing—gown，doubtlessstolenfromthedeserteddwellingofsomecitizendestituteoftasteindress.Heneitherrose，greetedthem，norevenglancedintheirdirection.Heaffordedafineexampleofthatinsolenceofbearingwhichseemsnaturaltothevictorioussoldier.

AfterthelapseofafewmomentshesaidinhishaltingFrench：

"Whatdoyouwant？"

"Wewishtostartonourjourney，"saidthecount.

"No."

"MayIaskthereasonofyourrefusal？"

"BecauseIdon’tchoose."

"Iwouldrespectfullycallyourattention，monsieur，tothefactthatyourgeneralincommandgaveusapermittoproceedtoDieppe;andIdonotthinkwehavedoneanythingtodeservethisharshnessatyourhands."

"Idon’tchoose——that’sall.Youmaygo."

Theybowed，andretired.

Theafternoonwaswretched.TheycouldnotunderstandthecapriceofthisGerman，andthestrangestideascameintotheirheads.Theyallcongregatedinthekitchen，andtalkedthesubjecttodeath，imaginingallkindsofunlikelythings.Perhapstheyweretobekeptashostages——butforwhatreason？ortobeextraditedasprisonersofwar？orpossiblytheyweretobeheldforransom？Theywerepanic—strickenatthislastsupposition.Therichestamongthemwerethemostalarmed，seeingthemselvesforcedtoemptybagsofgoldintotheinsolentsoldier’shandsinordertobuybacktheirlives.Theyrackedtheirbrainsforplausiblelieswherebytheymightconcealthefactthattheywererich，andpassthemselvesoffaspoor——verypoor.Loiseautookoffhiswatchchain，andputitinhispocket.Theapproachofnightincreasedtheirapprehension.Thelampwaslighted，andasitwantedyettwohourstodinnerMadameLoiseauproposedagameoftrenteetun.Itwoulddistracttheirthoughts.Therestagreed，andCornudethimselfjoinedtheparty，firstputtingouthispipeforpoliteness’sake.

Thecountshuffledthecards——dealt——andBouledeSuifhadthirty—onetostartwith;soontheinterestofthegameassuagedtheanxietyoftheplayers.ButCornudetnoticedthatLoiseauandhiswifewereinleaguetocheat.

TheywereabouttositdowntodinnerwhenMonsieurFollenvieappeared，andinhisgratingvoiceannounced：

"ThePrussianofficersendstoaskMademoiselleElisabethRoussetifshehaschangedhermindyet."

BouledeSuifstoodstill，paleasdeath.Then，suddenlyturningcrimsonwithanger，shegaspedout：

"Kindlytellthatscoundrel，thatcur，thatcarrionofaPrussian，thatI

willneverconsent——youunderstand？——never，never，never！"

Thefatinnkeeperlefttheroom.ThenBouledeSuifwassurrounded，questioned，entreatedonallsidestorevealthemysteryofhervisittotheofficer.Sherefusedatfirst;butherwrathsoongotthebetterofher.

"Whatdoeshewant？Hewantstomakemehismistress！"shecried.

Noonewasshockedattheword，sogreatwasthegeneralindignation.

Cornudetbrokehisjugashebangeditdownonthetable.Aloudoutcryaroseagainstthisbasesoldier.Allwerefurious.Theydrewtogetherincommonresistanceagainstthefoe，asifsomepartofthesacrificeexactedofBouledeSuifhadbeendemandedofeach.Thecountdeclared，withsupremedisgust，thatthosepeoplebehavedlikeancientbarbarians.

Thewomen，aboveall，manifestedalivelyandtendersympathyforBouledeSuif.Thenuns，whoappearedonlyatmeals，castdowntheireyes，andsaidnothing.

Theydined，however，assoonasthefirstindignantoutbursthadsubsided;buttheyspokelittleandthoughtmuch.

Theladieswenttobedearly;andthemen，havinglightedtheirpipes，proposedagameofecarte，inwhichMonsieurFollenviewasinvitedtojoin，thetravellershopingtoquestionhimskillfullyastothebestmeansofvanquishingtheofficer’sobduracy.Buthethoughtofnothingbuthiscards，wouldlistentonothing，replytonothing，andrepeated，timeaftertime："Attendtothegame，gentlemen！attendtothegame！"

Soabsorbedwashisattentionthatheevenforgottoexpectorate.Theconsequencewasthathischestgaveforthrumblingsoundslikethoseofanorgan.Hiswheezinglungsstruckeverynoteoftheasthmaticscale，fromdeep，hollowtonestoashrill，hoarsepipingresemblingthatofayoungcocktryingtocrow.

Herefusedtogotobedwhenhiswife，overcomewithsleep，cametofetchhim.Soshewentoffalone，forshewasanearlybird，alwaysupwiththesun;whilehewasaddictedtolatehours，everreadytospendthenightwithfriends.Hemerelysaid："Putmyegg—noggbythefire，"andwentonwiththegame.Whentheothermensawthatnothingwastobegotoutofhimtheydeclareditwastimetoretire，andeachsoughthisbed.

Theyrosefairlyearlythenextmorning，withavaguehopeofbeingallowedtostart，agreaterdesirethanevertodoso，andaterrorathavingtospendanotherdayinthiswretchedlittleinn.

Alas！thehorsesremainedinthestable，thedriverwasinvisible.Theyspenttheirtime，forwantofsomethingbettertodo，inwanderingroundthecoach.

Luncheonwasagloomyaffair;andtherewasageneralcoolnesstowardBouledeSuif，fornight，whichbringscounsel，hadsomewhatmodifiedthejudgmentofhercompanions.InthecoldlightofthemorningtheyalmostboreagrudgeagainstthegirlfornothavingsecretlysoughtoutthePrussian，thattherestofthepartymightreceiveajoyfulsurprisewhentheyawoke.Whatmoresimple？

Besides，whowouldhavebeenthewiser？Shemighthavesavedappearancesbytellingtheofficerthatshehadtakenpityontheirdistress.Suchastepwouldbeofsolittleconsequencetoher.

Butnooneasyetconfessedtosuchthoughts.

Intheafternoon，seeingthattheywereallboredtodeath，thecountproposedawalkintheneighborhoodofthevillage.Eachonewrappedhimselfupwell，andthelittlepartysetout，leavingbehindonlyCornudet，whopreferredtositoverthefire，andthetwonuns，whowereinthehabitofspendingtheirdayinthechurchoratthepresbytery.

Thecold，whichgrewmoreintenseeachday，almostfrozethenosesandearsofthepedestrians，theirfeetbegantopainthemsothateachstepwasapenance，andwhentheyreachedtheopencountryitlookedsomournfulanddepressinginitslimitlessmantleofwhitethattheyallhastilyretracedtheirsteps，withbodiesbenumbedandheartsheavy.

Thefourwomenwalkedinfront，andthethreemenfollowedalittleintheirrear.

Loiseau，whosawperfectlywellhowmattersstood，askedsuddenly"ifthattrollopweregoingtokeepthemwaitingmuchlongerinthisGodforsakenspot."Thecount，alwayscourteous，repliedthattheycouldnotexactsopainfulasacrificefromanywoman，andthatthefirstmovemustcomefromherself.MonsieurCarre—LamadonremarkedthatiftheFrench，astheytalkedofdoing，madeacounterattackbywayofDieppe，theirencounterwiththeenemymustinevitablytakeplaceatTotes.Thisreflectionmadetheothertwoanxious.

"Supposingweescapeonfoot？"saidLoiseau.

Thecountshruggedhisshoulders.

"Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing，inthissnow？Andwithourwives？

Besides，weshouldbepursuedatonce，overtakenintenminutes，andbroughtbackasprisonersatthemercyofthesoldiery."

Thiswastrueenough;theyweresilent.

Theladiestalkedofdress，butacertainconstraintseemedtoprevailamongthem.

Suddenly，attheendofthestreet，theofficerappeared.Histall，wasp—like，uniformedfigurewasoutlinedagainstthesnowwhichboundedthehorizon，andhewalked，kneesapart，withthatmotionpeculiartosoldiers，whoarealwaysanxiousnottosoiltheircarefullypolishedboots.

Hebowedashepassedtheladies，thenglancedscornfullyatthemen，whohadsufficientdignitynottoraisetheirhats，thoughLoiseaumadeamovementtodoso.

BouledeSuifflushedcrimsontotheears，andthethreemarriedwomenfeltunutterablyhumiliatedatbeingmetthusbythesoldierincompanywiththegirlwhomhehadtreatedwithsuchscantceremony.

Thentheybegantotalkabouthim，hisfigure，andhisface.MadameCarre—Lamadon，whohadknownmanyofficersandjudgedthemasaconnoisseur，thoughthimnotatallbad—looking;sheevenregrettedthathewasnotaFrenchman，becauseinthatcasehewouldhavemadeaveryhandsomehussar，withwhomallthewomenwouldassuredlyhavefalleninlove.

Whentheywereoncemorewithindoorstheydidnotknowwhattodowiththemselves.Sharpwordsevenwereexchangedaproposofthemeresttrifles.Thesilentdinnerwasquicklyover，andeachonewenttobedearlyinthehopeofsleeping，andthuskillingtime.

Theycamedownnextmorningwithtiredfacesandirritabletempers;thewomenscarcelyspoketoBouledeSuif.

Achurchbellsummonedthefaithfultoabaptism.BouledeSuifhadachildbeingbroughtupbypeasantsatYvetot.Shedidnotseehimonceayear，andneverthoughtofhim;buttheideaofthechildwhowasabouttobebaptizedinducedasuddenwaveoftendernessforherown，andsheinsistedonbeingpresentattheceremony.

Assoonasshehadgoneout，therestofthecompanylookedatoneanotherandthendrewtheirchairstogether;fortheyrealizedthattheymustdecideonsomecourseofaction.Loiseauhadaninspiration：heproposedthattheyshouldasktheofficertodetainBouledeSuifonly，andtolettherestdepartontheirway.

MonsieurFollenviewasintrustedwiththiscommission，buthereturnedtothemalmostimmediately.TheGerman，whoknewhumannature，hadshownhimthedoor.Heintendedtokeepallthetravellersuntilhisconditionhadbeencompliedwith.

WhereuponMadameLoiseau’svulgartemperamentbrokebounds.

"We’renotgoingtodieofoldagehere！"shecried."Sinceit’sthatvixen’stradetobehavesowithmenIdon’tseethatshehasanyrighttorefuseonemorethananother.ImayaswelltellyoushetookanyloversshecouldgetatRouen——evencoachmen！Yes，indeed，madame——thecoachmanattheprefecture！Iknowitforafact，forhebuyshiswineofus.

Andnowthatitisaquestionofgettingusoutofadifficultysheputsonvirtuousairs，thedrab！Formypart，Ithinkthisofficerhasbehavedverywell.Why，therewerethreeothersofus，anyoneofwhomhewouldundoubtedlyhavepreferred.Butno，hecontentshimselfwiththegirlwhoiscommonproperty.Herespectsmarriedwomen.Justthink.

Heismasterhere.Hehadonlytosay：’Iwishit！’andhemighthavetakenusbyforce，withthehelpofhissoldiers."

Thetwootherwomenshuddered;theeyesofprettyMadameCarre—Lamadonglistened，andshegrewpale，asiftheofficerwereindeedintheactoflayingviolenthandsonher.

Themen，whohadbeendiscussingthesubjectamongthemselves，drewnear.

Loiseau，inastateoffuriousresentment，wasfordeliveringup"thatmiserablewoman，"boundhandandfoot，intotheenemy’spower.Butthecount，descendedfromthreegenerationsofambassadors，andendowed，moreover，withthelineamentsofadiplomat，wasinfavorofmoretactfulmeasures.

"Wemustpersuadeher，"hesaid.

Thentheylaidtheirplans.

Thewomendrewtogether;theyloweredtheirvoices，andthediscussionbecamegeneral，eachgivinghisorheropinion.Buttheconversationwasnotintheleastcoarse.Theladies，inparticular，wereadeptsatdelicatephrasesandcharmingsubtletiesofexpressiontodescribethemostimproperthings.Astrangerwouldhaveunderstoodnoneoftheirallusions，soguardedwasthelanguagetheyemployed.But，seeingthatthethinveneerofmodestywithwhicheverywomanoftheworldisfurnishedgoesbutaverylittlewaybelowthesurface，theybeganrathertoenjoythisunedifyingepisode，andatbottomwerehugelydelighted——

feelingthemselvesintheirelement，furtheringtheschemesoflawlesslovewiththegustoofagourmandcookwhopreparessupperforanother.

Theirgaietyreturnedofitself，soamusingatlastdidthewholebusinessseemtothem.Thecountutteredseveralratherriskywitticisms，butsotactfullyweretheysaidthathisaudiencecouldnothelpsmiling.Loiseauinturnmadesomeconsiderablybroaderjokes，butnoonetookoffence;andthethoughtexpressedwithsuchbrutaldirectnessbyhiswifewasuppermostinthemindsofall："Sinceit’sthegirl’strade，whyshouldsherefusethismanmorethananother？"DaintyMadameCarre—LamadonseemedtothinkeventhatinBouledeSuif’splaceshewouldbelessinclinedtorefusehimthananother.

Theblockadewasascarefullyarrangedasiftheywereinvestingafortress.Eachagreedontherolewhichheorshewastoplay，theargumentstobeused，themaneuverstobeexecuted.Theydecidedontheplanofcampaign，thestratagemstheyweretoemploy，andthesurpriseattackswhichweretoreducethishumancitadelandforceittoreceivetheenemywithinitswalls.

ButCornudetremainedapartfromtherest，takingnoshareintheplot.

SoabsorbedwastheattentionofallthatBouledeSuif’sentrancewasalmostunnoticed.Butthecountwhisperedagentle"Hush！"whichmadetheotherslookup.Shewasthere.Theysuddenlystoppedtalking，andavagueembarrassmentpreventedthemforafewmomentsfromaddressingher.

Butthecountess，morepracticedthantheothersinthewilesofthedrawing—room，askedher：

"Wasthebaptisminteresting？"

Thegirl，stillunderthestressofemotion，toldwhatshehadseenandheard，describedthefaces，theattitudesofthosepresent，andeventheappearanceofthechurch.Sheconcludedwiththewords：

"Itdoesonegoodtopraysometimes."

Untillunchtimetheladiescontentedthemselveswithbeingpleasanttoher，soastoincreaseherconfidenceandmakeheramenabletotheiradvice.

Assoonastheytooktheirseatsattabletheattackbegan.Firsttheyopenedavagueconversationonthesubjectofself—sacrifice.Ancientexampleswerequoted：JudithandHolofernes;then，irrationallyenough，LucreceandSextus;Cleopatraandthehostilegeneralswhomshereducedtoabjectslaverybyasurrenderofhercharms.Nextwasrecountedanextraordinarystory，bornoftheimaginationoftheseignorantmillionaires，whichtoldhowthematronsofRomeseducedHannibal，hislieutenants，andallhismercenariesatCapua.Theyhelduptoadmirationallthosewomenwhofromtimetotimehavearrestedthevictoriousprogressofconquerors，madeoftheirbodiesafieldofbattle，ameansofruling，aweapon;whohavevanquishedbytheirheroiccaresseshideousordetestedbeings，andsacrificedtheirchastitytovengeanceanddevotion.

Allwassaidwithduerestraintandregardforpropriety，theeffectheightenednowandthenbyanoutburstofforcedenthusiasmcalculatedtoexciteemulation.

Alistenerwouldhavethoughtatlastthattheoneroleofwomanonearthwasaperpetualsacrificeofherperson，acontinualabandonmentofherselftothecapricesofahostilesoldiery.

Thetwonunsseemedtohearnothing，andtobelostinthought.BouledeSuifalsowassilent.

Duringthewholeafternoonshewaslefttoherreflections.Butinsteadofcallingher"madame"astheyhaddonehitherto，hercompanionsaddressedhersimplyas"mademoiselle，"withoutexactlyknowingwhy，butasifdesirousofmakingherdescendastepintheesteemshehadwon，andforcinghertorealizeherdegradedposition.

Justassoupwasserved，MonsieurFollenviereappeared，repeatinghisphraseoftheeveningbefore：

"ThePrussianofficersendstoaskifMademoiselleElisabethRoussethaschangedhermind."

BouledeSuifansweredbriefly：

"No，monsieur."

Butatdinnerthecoalitionweakened.Loiseaumadethreeunfortunateremarks.Eachwascudgelinghisbrainsforfurtherexamplesofself—sacrifice，andcouldfindnone，whenthecountess，possiblywithoutulteriormotive，andmovedsimplybyavaguedesiretodohomagetoreligion，begantoquestiontheelderofthetwonunsonthemoststrikingfactsinthelivesofthesaints.Now，itfelloutthatmanyofthesehadcommittedactswhichwouldbecrimesinoureyes，buttheChurchreadilypardonssuchdeedswhentheyareaccomplishedforthegloryofGodorthegoodofmankind.Thiswasapowerfulargument，andthecountessmadethemostofit.Then，whetherbyreasonofatacitunderstanding，athinlyveiledactofcomplaisancesuchasthosewhoweartheecclesiasticalhabitexcelin，orwhethermerelyastheresultofsheerstupidity——astupidityadmirablyadaptedtofurthertheirdesigns——

theoldnunrenderedformidableaidtotheconspirator.Theyhadthoughthertimid;sheprovedherselfbold，talkative，bigoted.Shewasnottroubledbytheinsandoutsofcasuistry;herdoctrineswereasironbars;herfaithknewnodoubt;herconsciencenoscruples.ShelookedonAbraham’ssacrificeasnaturalenough，forsheherselfwouldnothavehesitatedtokillbothfatherandmotherifshehadreceivedadivineordertothateffect;andnothing，inheropinion，coulddispleaseourLord，providedthemotivewerepraiseworthy.Thecountess，puttingtogoodusetheconsecratedauthorityofherunexpectedally，ledherontomakealengthyandedifyingparaphraseofthataxiomenunciatedbyacertainschoolofmoralists："Theendjustifiesthemeans."

"Then，sister，"sheasked，"youthinkGodacceptsallmethods，andpardonstheactwhenthemotiveispure？"

"Undoubtedly，madame.Anactionreprehensibleinitselfoftenderivesmeritfromthethoughtwhichinspiresit."

Andinthiswisetheytalkedon，fathomingthewishesofGod，predictingHisjudgments，describingHimasinterestedinmatterswhichassuredlyconcernHimbutlittle.

Allwassaidwiththeutmostcareanddiscretion，buteverywordutteredbytheholywomaninhernun’sgarbweakenedtheindignantresistanceofthecourtesan.Thentheconversationdriftedsomewhat，andthenunbegantotalkoftheconventsofherorder，ofherSuperior，ofherself，andofherfragilelittleneighbor，SisterSt.Nicephore.TheyhadbeensentforfromHavretonursethehundredsofsoldierswhowereinhospitals，strickenwithsmallpox.Shedescribedthesewretchedinvalidsandtheirmalady.And，whiletheythemselvesweredetainedontheirwaybythecapricesofthePrussianofficer，scoresofFrenchmenmightbedying，whomtheywouldotherwisehavesaved！Forthenursingofsoldierswastheoldnun’sspecialty;shehadbeenintheCrimea，inItaly，inAustria;andasshetoldthestoryofhercampaignssherevealedherselfasoneofthoseholysistersofthefifeanddrumwhoseemdesignedbynaturetofollowcamps，tosnatchthewoundedfromamidthestrifeofbattle，andtoquellwithaword，moreeffectuallythananygeneral，theroughandinsubordinatetroopers——amasterfulwoman，herseamedandpittedfaceitselfanimageofthedevastationsofwar.

Noonespokewhenshehadfinishedforfearofspoilingtheexcellenteffectofherwords.

Assoonasthemealwasoverthetravellersretiredtotheirrooms，whencetheyemergedthefollowingdayatalatehourofthemorning.

Luncheonpassedoffquietly.Theseedsowntheprecedingeveningwasbeinggiventimetogerminateandbringforthfruit.

Intheafternoonthecountessproposedawalk;thenthecount，ashadbeenarrangedbeforehand，tookBouledeSuif’sarm，andwalkedwithheratsomedistancebehindtherest.

Hebegantalkingtoherinthatfamiliar，paternal，slightlycontemptuoustonewhichmenofhisclassadoptinspeakingtowomenlikeher，callingher"mydearchild，"andtalkingdowntoherfromtheheightofhisexaltedsocialpositionandstainlessreputation.Hecamestraighttothepoint.

"Soyouprefertoleaveushere，exposedlikeyourselftoalltheviolencewhichwouldfollowonarepulseofthePrussiantroops，ratherthanconsenttosurrenderyourself，asyouhavedonesomanytimesinyourlife？"

Thegirldidnotreply.

Hetriedkindness，argument，sentiment.Hestillborehimselfascount，evenwhileadopting，whendesirable，anattitudeofgallantry，andmakingpretty——nay，eventender——speeches.Heexaltedtheserviceshewouldrenderthem，spokeoftheirgratitude;then，suddenly，usingthefamiliar"thou"：

"Andyouknow，mydear，hecouldboastthenofhavingmadeaconquestofaprettygirlsuchashewon’toftenfindinhisowncountry."

BouledeSuifdidnotanswer，andjoinedtherestoftheparty.

Assoonastheyreturnedshewenttoherroom，andwasseennomore.Thegeneralanxietywasatitsheight.Whatwouldshedo？Ifshestillresisted，howawkwardforthemall！

Thedinnerhourstruck;theywaitedforherinvain.AtlastMonsieurFollenvieentered，announcingthatMademoiselleRoussetwasnotwell，andthattheymightsitdowntotable.Theyallprickeduptheirears.Thecountdrewneartheinnkeeper，andwhispered：

"Isitallright？"

"Yes."

Outofregardforproprietyhesaidnothingtohiscompanions，butmerelynoddedslightlytowardthem.Agreatsighofreliefwentupfromallbreasts;everyfacewaslightedupwithjoy.

"ByGad！"shoutedLoiseau，"I’llstandchampagneallroundifthere’sanytobefoundinthisplace."AndgreatwasMadameLoiseau’sdismaywhentheproprietorcamebackwithfourbottlesinhishands.Theyhadallsuddenlybecometalkativeandmerry;alivelyjoyfilledallhearts.ThecountseemedtoperceiveforthefirsttimethatMadameCarre—Lamadonwascharming;themanufacturerpaidcomplimentstothecountess.Theconversationwasanimated，sprightly，witty，and，althoughmanyofthejokeswereintheworstpossibletaste，allthecompanywereamusedbythem，andnoneoffended——indignationbeingdependent，likeotheremotions，onsurroundings.Andthementalatmospherehadgraduallybecomefilledwithgrossimaginingsanduncleanthoughts.

Atdesserteventhewomenindulgedindiscreetlywordedallusions.Theirglanceswerefullofmeaning;theyhaddrunkmuch.Thecount，whoeveninhismomentsofrelaxationpreservedadignifieddemeanor，hitonamuch—appreciatedcomparisonoftheconditionofthingswiththeterminationofawinterspentintheicysolitudeoftheNorthPoleandthejoyofshipwreckedmarinerswhoatlastperceiveasouthwardtrackopeningoutbeforetheireyes.

Loiseau，fairlyinhiselement，rosetohisfeet，holdingaloftaglassofchampagne.

"Idrinktoourdeliverance！"heshouted.

Allstoodup，andgreetedthetoastwithacclamation.Eventhetwogoodsistersyieldedtothesolicitationsoftheladies，andconsentedtomoistentheirlipswiththefoamingwine，whichtheyhadneverbeforetasted.Theydeclareditwaslikeeffervescentlemonade，butwithapleasanterflavor.

"Itisapity，"saidLoiseau，"thatwehavenopiano;wemighthavehadaquadrille."

Cornudethadnotspokenawordormadeamovement;heseemedplungedinseriousthought，andnowandthentuggedfuriouslyathisgreatbeard，asiftryingtoaddstillfurthertoitslength.Atlast，towardmidnight，whentheywereabouttoseparate，Loiseau，whosegaitwasfarfromsteady，suddenlyslappedhimontheback，sayingthickly：

"You’renotjollyto—night;whyareyousosilent，oldman？"

Cornudetthrewbackhishead，castoneswiftandscornfulglanceovertheassemblage，andanswered：

"Itellyouall，youhavedoneaninfamousthing！"

Herose，reachedthedoor，andrepeating："Infamous！"disappeared.

Achillfellonall.Loiseauhimselflookedfoolishanddisconcertedforamoment，butsoonrecoveredhisaplomb，and，writhingwithlaughter，exclaimed：

"Really，youarealltoogreenforanything！"

Pressedforanexplanation，herelatedthe"mysteriesofthecorridor，"

whereathislistenerswerehugelyamused.Theladiescouldhardlycontaintheirdelight.ThecountandMonsieurCarre—Lamadonlaughedtilltheycried.Theycouldscarcelybelievetheirears.

"What！youaresure？Hewanted————"

"ItellyouIsawitwithmyowneyes."

"Andsherefused？"

"BecausethePrussianwasinthenextroom！"

"Surelyyouaremistaken？"

"IswearI’mtellingyouthetruth."

Thecountwaschokingwithlaughter.Themanufacturerheldhissides.

Loiseaucontinued：

"Soyoumaywellimaginehedoesn’tthinkthisevening’sbusinessatallamusing."

Andallthreebegantolaughagain，choking，coughing，almostillwithmerriment.

Thentheyseparated.ButMadameLoiseau，whowasnothingifnotspiteful，remarkedtoherhusbandastheywereonthewaytobedthat"thatstuck—uplittleminxofaCarre—Lamadonhadlaughedonthewrongsideofhermouthalltheevening."

"Youknow，"shesaid，"whenwomenrunafteruniformsit’sallthesametothemwhetherthemenwhowearthemareFrenchorPrussian.It’sperfectlysickening！"

Thenextmorningthesnowshoweddazzlingwhitetinderaclearwintersun.Thecoach，readyatlast，waitedbeforethedoor;whileaflockofwhitepigeons，withpinkeyesspottedinthecentreswithblack，puffedouttheirwhitefeathersandwalkedsedatelybetweenthelegsofthesixhorses，pickingatthesteamingmanure.

Thedriver，wrappedinhissheepskincoat，wassmokingapipeonthebox，andallthepassengers，radiantwithdelightattheirapproachingdeparture，wereputtingupprovisionsfortheremainderofthejourney.

TheywerewaitingonlyforBouledeSuif.Atlastsheappeared.

Sheseemedrathershamefacedandembarrassed，andadvancedwithtimidsteptowardhercompanions，whowithoneaccordturnedasideasiftheyhadnotseenher.Thecount，withmuchdignity，tookhiswifebythearm，andremovedherfromtheuncleancontact.

Thegirlstoodstill，stupefiedwithastonishment;then，pluckingupcourage，accostedthemanufacturer’swifewithahumble"Good—morning，madame，"towhichtheotherrepliedmerelywithaslightaridinsolentnod，accompaniedbyalookofoutragedvirtue.Everyonesuddenlyappearedextremelybusy，andkeptasfarfromBouledeSuifasiftierskirtshadbeeninfectedwithsomedeadlydisease.Thentheyhurriedtothecoach，followedbythedespisedcourtesan，who，arrivinglastofall，silentlytooktheplaceshehadoccupiedduringthefirstpartofthejourney.

Therestseemedneithertoseenortoknowher——allsaveMadameLoiseau，who，glancingcontemptuouslyinherdirection，remarked，halfaloud，toherhusband：

"WhatamercyIamnotsittingbesidethatcreature！"

Thelumberingvehiclestartedonitsway，andthejourneybeganafresh.

Atfirstnoonespoke.BouledeSuifdarednotevenraisehereyes.Shefeltatonceindignantwithherneighbors，andhumiliatedathavingyieldedtothePrussianintowhosearmstheyhadsohypocriticallycasther.

Butthecountess，turningtowardMadameCarre—Lamadon，soonbrokethepainfulsilence：

"IthinkyouknowMadamed’Etrelles？"

"Yes;sheisafriendofmine."

"Suchacharmingwoman！"

"Delightful！Exceptionallytalented，andanartisttothefingertips.

Shesingsmarvellouslyanddrawstoperfection."

Themanufacturerwaschattingwiththecount，andamidtheclatterofthewindow—panesawordoftheirconversationwasnowandthendistinguishable："Shares——maturity——premium——time—limit."

Loiseau，whohadabstractedfromtheinnthetimewornpackofcards，thickwiththegreaseoffiveyears’contactwithhalf—wiped—offtables，startedagameofbeziquewithhiswife.

Thegoodsisters，takingupsimultaneouslythelongrosarieshangingfromtheirwaists，madethesignofthecross，andbegantomutterinunisoninterminableprayers，theirlipsmovingevermoreandmoreswiftly，asiftheysoughtwhichshouldoutdistancetheotherintheraceoforisons;

fromtimetotimetheykissedamedal，andcrossedthemselvesanew，thenresumedtheirrapidandunintelligiblemurmur.

Cornudetsatstill，lostinthought.

AhtheendofthreehoursLoiseaugatheredupthecards，andremarkedthathewashungry.

Hiswifethereuponproducedaparceltiedwithstring，fromwhichsheextractedapieceofcoldveal.Thisshecutintoneat，thinslices，andbothbegantoeat.

"Wemayaswelldothesame，"saidthecountess.Therestagreed，andsheunpackedtheprovisionswhichhadbeenpreparedforherself，thecount，andtheCarre—Lamadons.Inoneofthoseovaldishes，thelidsofwhicharedecoratedwithanearthenwarehare，bywayofshowingthatagamepielieswithin，wasasucculentdelicacyconsistingofthebrownfleshofthegamelardedwithstreaksofbaconandflavoredwithothermeatschoppedfine.AsolidwedgeofGruyerecheese，whichhadbeenwrappedinanewspaper，boretheimprint："ItemsofNews，"onitsrich，oilysurface.

Thetwogoodsistersbroughttolightahunkofsausagesmellingstronglyofgarlic;andCornudet，plungingbothhandsatonceintothecapaciouspocketsofhislooseovercoat，producedfromonefourhard—boiledeggsandfromtheotheracrustofbread.Heremovedtheshells，threwthemintothestrawbeneathhisfeet，andbegantodevourtheeggs，lettingmorselsofthebrightyellowyolkfallinhismightybeard，wheretheylookedlikestars.

BouledeSuif，inthehasteandconfusionofherdeparture，hadnotthoughtofanything，and，stiflingwithrage，shewatchedallthesepeopleplacidlyeating.Atfirst，ill—suppressedwrathshookherwholeperson，andsheopenedherlipstoshriekthetruthatthem，tooverwhelmthemwithavolleyofinsults;butshecouldnotutteraword，sochokedwasshewithindignation.

Noonelookedather，noonethoughtofher.Shefeltherselfswallowedupinthescornofthesevirtuouscreatures，whohadfirstsacrificed，thenrejectedherasathinguselessandunclean.Thensherememberedherbigbasketfullofthegoodthingstheyhadsogreedilydevoured：thetwochickenscoatedinjelly，thepies，thepears，thefourbottlesofclaret;andherfurybrokeforthlikeacordthatisoverstrained，andshewasonthevergeoftears.Shemadeterribleeffortsatself—

control，drewherselfup，swallowedthesobswhichchokedher;butthetearsrosenevertheless，shoneatthebrinkofhereyelids，andsoontwoheavydropscoursedslowlydownhercheeks.Othersfollowedmorequickly，likewaterfilteringfromarock，andfell，oneafteranother，onherroundedbosom.Shesatupright，withafixedexpression，herfacepaleandrigid，hopingdesperatelythatnoonesawhergiveway.

Butthecountessnoticedthatshewasweeping，andwithasigndrewherhusband’sattentiontothefact.Heshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosay："Well，whatofit？It’snotmyfault."MadameLoiseauchuckledtriumphantly，andmurmured：

"She’sweepingforshame."

Thetwonunshadbetakenthemselvesoncemoretotheirprayers，firstwrappingtheremainderoftheirsausageinpaper：

ThenCornudet，whowasdigestinghiseggs，stretchedhislonglegsundertheoppositeseat，threwhimselfback，foldedhisarms，smiledlikeamanwhohadjustthoughtofagoodjoke，andbegantowhistletheMarseillaise.

Thefacesofhisneighborsclouded;thepopularairevidentlydidnotfindfavorwiththem;theygrewnervousandirritable，andseemedreadytohowlasadogdoesatthesoundofabarrel—organ.Cornudetsawthediscomforthewascreating，andwhistledthelouder;sometimesheevenhummedthewords：

Amoursacredelapatrie，Conduis，soutiens，nosbrasvengeurs，Liberte，libertecherie，Combatsavectesdefenseurs！

Thecoachprogressedmoreswiftly，thesnowbeinghardernow;andallthewaytoDieppe，duringthelong，drearyhoursofthejourney，firstinthegatheringdusk，theninthethickdarkness，raisinghisvoiceabovetherumblingofthevehicle，Cornudetcontinuedwithfierceobstinacyhisvengefulandmonotonouswhistling，forcinghiswearyandexasperated—

hearerstofollowthesongfromendtoend，torecalleverywordofeveryline，aseachwasrepeatedoverandoveragainwithuntiringpersistency.

AndBouledeSuifstillwept，andsometimesasobshecouldnotrestrainwasheardinthedarknessbetweentwoversesofthesong.

TWOFRIENDS

BesiegedPariswasinthethroesoffamine.Eventhesparrowsontheroofsandtheratsinthesewersweregrowingscarce.Peoplewereeatinganythingtheycouldget.

AsMonsieurMorissot，watchmakerbyprofessionandidlerforthenonce，wasstrollingalongtheboulevardonebrightJanuarymorning，hishandsinhistrouserspocketsandstomachempty，hesuddenlycamefacetofacewithanacquaintance——MonsieurSauvage，afishingchum.

BeforethewarbrokeoutMorissothadbeeninthehabit，everySundaymorning，ofsettingforthwithabamboorodinhishandandatinboxonhisback.HetooktheArgenteuiltrain，gotoutatColombes，andwalkedthencetotheIleMarante.Themomenthearrivedatthisplaceofhisdreamshebeganfishing，andfishedtillnightfall.

EverySundayhemetinthisveryspotMonsieurSauvage，astout，jolly，littleman，adraperintheRueNotreDamedeLorette，andalsoanardentfisherman.Theyoftenspenthalfthedaysidebyside，rodinhandandfeetdanglingoverthewater，andawarmfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthetwo.

Somedaystheydidnotspeak;atothertimestheychatted;buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectlywithouttheaidofwords，havingsimilartastesandfeelings.

Inthespring，aboutteno’clockinthemorning，whentheearlysuncausedalightmisttofloatonthewaterandgentlywarmedthebacksofthetwoenthusiasticanglers，Morissotwouldoccasionallyremarktohisneighbor：

"My，butit’spleasanthere."

Towhichtheotherwouldreply：

"Ican’timagineanythingbetter！"

Andthesefewwordssufficedtomakethemunderstandandappreciateeachother.

Intheautumn，towardthecloseofday，whenthesettingsunshedablood—redglowoverthewesternsky，andthereflectionofthecrimsoncloudstingedthewholeriverwithred，broughtaglowtothefacesofthetwofriends，andgildedthetrees，whoseleaveswerealreadyturningatthefirstchilltouchofwinter，MonsieurSauvagewouldsometimessmileatMorissot，andsay：

"Whatagloriousspectacle！"

AndMorissotwouldanswer，withouttakinghiseyesfromhisfloat：

"Thisismuchbetterthantheboulevard，isn’tit？"

Assoonastheyrecognizedeachothertheyshookhandscordially，affectedatthethoughtofmeetingundersuchchangedcircumstances.

MonsieurSauvage，withasigh，murmured：

"Thesearesadtimes！"

Morissotshookhisheadmournfully.

"Andsuchweather！Thisisthefirstfinedayoftheyear."

Theskywas，infact，ofabright，cloudlessblue.

Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，reflectiveandsad.

"Andtothinkofthefishing！"saidMorissot."Whatgoodtimesweusedtohave！"

"Whenshallwebeabletofishagain？"askedMonsieurSauvage.

Theyenteredasmallcafeandtookanabsinthetogether，thenresumedtheirwalkalongthepavement.

Morissotstoppedsuddenly.

"Shallwehaveanotherabsinthe？"hesaid.

"Ifyoulike，"agreedMonsieurSauvage.

Andtheyenteredanotherwineshop.

Theywerequiteunsteadywhentheycameout，owingtotheeffectofthealcoholontheiremptystomachs.Itwasafine，mildday，andagentlebreezefannedtheirfaces.

ThefreshaircompletedtheeffectofthealcoholonMonsieurSauvage.

Hestoppedsuddenly，saying：

"Supposewegothere？"

"Where？"

"Fishing."

"Butwhere？"

"Why，totheoldplace.TheFrenchoutpostsareclosetoColombes.I

knowColonelDumoulin，andweshalleasilygetleavetopass."

Morissottrembledwithdesire.

"Verywell.Iagree."

Andtheyseparated，tofetchtheirrodsandlines.

Anhourlatertheywerewalkingsidebysideonthe—highroad.Presentlytheyreachedthevillaoccupiedbythecolonel.Hesmiledattheirrequest，andgrantedit.Theyresumedtheirwalk，furnishedwithapassword.

Soontheylefttheoutpostsbehindthem，madetheirwaythroughdesertedColombes，andfoundthemselvesontheoutskirtsofthesmallvineyardswhichbordertheSeine.Itwasabouteleveno’clock.

BeforethemlaythevillageofArgenteuil，apparentlylifeless.TheheightsofOrgementandSannoisdominatedthelandscape.Thegreatplain，extendingasfarasNanterre，wasempty，quiteempty—awasteofdun—coloredsoilandbarecherrytrees.

MonsieurSauvage，pointingtotheheights，murmured：

"ThePrussiansareupyonder！"

Andthesightofthedesertedcountryfilledthetwofriendswithvaguemisgivings.

ThePrussians！Theyhadneverseenthemasyet，buttheyhadfelttheirpresenceintheneighborhoodofParisformonthspast——ruiningFrance，pillaging，massacring，starvingthem.Andakindofsuperstitiousterrormingledwiththehatredtheyalreadyfelttowardthisunknown，victoriousnation.

"Supposeweweretomeetanyofthem？"saidMorissot.

"We’dofferthemsomefish，"repliedMonsieurSauvage，withthatParisianlight—heartednesswhichnothingcanwhollyquench.

Still，theyhesitatedtoshowthemselvesintheopencountry，overawedbytheuttersilencewhichreignedaroundthem.

AtlastMonsieurSauvagesaidboldly：

"Come，we’llmakeastart;onlyletusbecareful！"

Andtheymadetheirwaythroughoneofthevineyards，bentdouble，creepingalongbeneaththecoveraffordedbythevines，witheyeandearalert.

Astripofbaregroundremainedtobecrossedbeforetheycouldgaintheriverbank.Theyranacrossthis，and，assoonastheywereatthewater’sedge，concealedthemselvesamongthedryreeds.

Morissotplacedhiseartotheground，toascertain，ifpossible，whetherfootstepswerecomingtheirway.Heheardnothing.Theyseemedtobeutterlyalone.

Theirconfidencewasrestored，andtheybegantofish.

BeforethemthedesertedIleMarantehidthemfromthefarthershore.

Thelittlerestaurantwasclosed，andlookedasifithadbeendesertedforyears.

MonsieurSauvagecaughtthefirstgudgeon，MonsieurMorissotthesecond，andalmosteverymomentoneorotherraisedhislinewithalittle，glittering，silveryfishwrigglingattheend;theywerehavingexcellentsport.

Theyslippedtheircatchgentlyintoaclose—meshedbaglyingattheirfeet;theywerefilledwithjoy——thejoyofoncemoreindulginginapastimeofwhichtheyhadlongbeendeprived.

Thesunpoureditsraysontheirbacks;theynolongerheardanythingorthoughtofanything.Theyignoredtherestoftheworld;theywerefishing.

Butsuddenlyarumblingsound，whichseemedtocomefromthebowelsoftheearth，shookthegroundbeneaththem：thecannonwereresumingtheirthunder.

Morissotturnedhisheadandcouldseetowardtheleft，beyondthebanksoftheriver，theformidableoutlineofMont—Valerien，fromwhosesummitaroseawhitepuffofsmoke.

Thenextinstantasecondpufffollowedthefirst，andinafewmomentsafreshdetonationmadetheearthtremble.

Othersfollowed，andminutebyminutethemountaingaveforthitsdeadlybreathandawhitepuffofsmoke，whichroseslowlyintothepeacefulheavenandfloatedabovethesummitofthecliff.

MonsieurSauvageshruggedhisshoulders.

"Theyareatitagain！"hesaid.

Morissot，whowasanxiouslywatchinghisfloatbobbingupanddown，wassuddenlyseizedwiththeangryimpatienceofapeacefulmantowardthemadmenwhowerefiringthus，andremarkedindignantly：

"Whatfoolstheyaretokilloneanotherlikethat！"

"They’reworsethananimals，"repliedMonsieurSauvage.

AndMorissot，whohadjustcaughtableak，declared：

"Andtothinkthatitwillbejustthesamesolongastherearegovernments！"

"TheRepublicwouldnothavedeclaredwar，"interposedMonsieurSauvage.

Morissotinterruptedhim：

"Underakingwehaveforeignwars;underarepublicwehavecivilwar."

Andthetwobeganplacidlydiscussingpoliticalproblemswiththesoundcommonsenseofpeaceful，matter—of—factcitizens——agreeingononepoint：

thattheywouldneverbefree.AndMont—Valerienthunderedceaselessly，demolishingthehousesoftheFrenchwithitscannonballs，grindinglivesofmentopowder，destroyingmanyadream，manyacherishedhope，manyaprospectivehappiness;ruthlesslycausingendlesswoeandsufferingintheheartsofwives，ofdaughters，ofmothers，inotherlands.

"Suchislife！"declaredMonsieurSauvage.

"Say，rather，suchisdeath！"repliedMorissot，laughing.

Buttheysuddenlytrembledwithalarmatthesoundoffootstepsbehindthem，and，turninground，theyperceivedcloseathandfourtall，beardedmen，dressedafterthemannerofliveryservantsandwearingflatcapsontheirheads.Theywerecoveringthetwoanglerswiththeirrifles.

Therodsslippedfromtheirowners’graspandfloatedawaydowntheriver.

Inthespaceofafewsecondstheywereseized，bound，thrownintoaboat，andtakenacrosstotheIleMarante.

AndbehindthehousetheyhadthoughtdesertedwereaboutascoreofGermansoldiers.

Ashaggy—lookinggiant，whowasbestridingachairandsmokingalongclaypipe，addressedtheminexcellentFrenchwiththewords：

"Well，gentlemen，haveyouhadgoodluckwithyourfishing？"

Thenasoldierdepositedattheofficer’sfeetthebagfulloffish，whichhehadtakencaretobringaway.ThePrussiansmiled.

"Notbad，Isee.Butwehavesomethingelsetotalkabout.Listentome，anddon’tbealarmed：

"Youmustknowthat，inmyeyes，youaretwospiessenttoreconnoitremeandmymovements.Naturally，IcaptureyouandIshootyou.Youpretendedtobefishing，thebettertodisguiseyourrealerrand.Youhavefallenintomyhands，andmusttaketheconsequences.Suchiswar.

"Butasyoucameherethroughtheoutpostsyoumusthaveapasswordforyourreturn.TellmethatpasswordandIwillletyougo."

Thetwofriends，paleasdeath，stoodsilentlysidebyside，aslightflutteringofthehandsalonebetrayingtheiremotion.

"Noonewilleverknow，"continuedtheofficer."Youwillreturnpeacefullytoyourhomes，andthesecretwilldisappearwithyou.Ifyourefuse，itmeansdeath—instantdeath.Choose！"

Theystoodmotionless，anddidnotopentheirlips.

ThePrussian，perfectlycalm，wenton，withhandoutstretchedtowardtheriver：

"Justthinkthatinfiveminutesyouwillbeatthebottomofthatwater.

Infiveminutes！Youhaverelations，Ipresume？"

Mont—Valerienstillthundered.

Thetwofishermenremainedsilent.TheGermanturnedandgaveanorderinhisownlanguage.Thenhemovedhischairalittlewayoff，thathemightnotbesoneartheprisoners，andadozenmensteppedforward，rifleinhand，andtookupaposition，twentypacesoff.

"Igiveyouoneminute，"saidtheofficer;"notasecondlonger."

Thenherosequickly，wentovertothetwoFrenchmen，tookMorissotbythearm，ledhimashortdistanceoff，andsaidinalowvoice：

"Quick！thepassword！Yourfriendwillknownothing.Iwillpretendtorelent."

Morissotanswerednotaword.

ThenthePrussiantookMonsieurSauvageasideinlikemanner，andmadehimthesameproposal.

MonsieurSauvagemadenoreply.

Againtheystoodsidebyside.

Theofficerissuedhisorders;thesoldiersraisedtheirrifles.

ThenbychanceMorissot’seyesfellonthebagfullofgudgeonlyinginthegrassafewfeetfromhim.

Arayofsunlightmadethestillquiveringfishglistenlikesilver.AndMorissot’sheartsank.Despitehiseffortsatself—controlhiseyesfilledwithtears.

"Good—by，MonsieurSauvage，"hefaltered.

"Good—by，MonsieurMorissot，"repliedSauvage.

Theyshookhands，tremblingfromheadtofootwithadreadbeyondtheirmastery.

Theofficercried：

"Fire！"

Thetwelveshotswereasone.

MonsieurSauvagefellforwardinstantaneously.Morissot，beingthetaller，swayedslightlyandfellacrosshisfriendwithfaceturnedskywardandbloodoozingfromarentinthebreastofhiscoat.

TheGermanissuedfreshorders.

Hismendispersed，andpresentlyreturnedwithropesandlargestones，whichtheyattachedtothefeetofthetwofriends;thentheycarriedthemtotheriverbank.

Mont—Valerien，itssummitnowenshroudedinsmoke，stillcontinuedtothunder.

TwosoldierstookMorissotbytheheadandthefeet;twoothersdidthesamewithSauvage.Thebodies，swunglustilybystronghands，werecasttoadistance，and，describingacurve，fellfeetforemostintothestream.

Thewatersplashedhigh，foamed，eddied，thengrewcalm;tinywaveslappedtheshore.

Afewstreaksofbloodfleckedthesurfaceoftheriver.

Theofficer，calmthroughout，remarked，withgrimhumor：

"It’sthefishes’turnnow！"

Thenheretracedhiswaytothehouse.

Suddenlyhecaughtsightofthenetfullofgudgeons，lyingforgotteninthegrass.Hepickeditup，examinedit，smiled，andcalled：

"Wilhelm！"

Awhite—apronedsoldierrespondedtothesummons，andthePrussian，tossinghimthecatchofthetwomurderedmen，said：

"Havethesefishfriedformeatonce，whiletheyarestillalive;

they’llmakeatastydish."

Thenheresumedhispipe.

THELANCER’SWIFE

I

ItwasafterBourbaki’sdefeatintheeastofFrance.Thearmy，brokenup，decimated，andwornout，hadbeenobligedtoretreatintoSwitzerlandafterthatterriblecampaign，anditwasonlyitsshortdurationthatsavedahundredandfiftythousandmenfromcertaindeath.Hunger，theterriblecold，forcedmarchesinthesnowwithoutboots，overbadmountainroads，hadcausedus’francs—tireurs’，especially，thegreatestsuffering，forwewerewithouttents，andalmostwithoutfood，alwaysinthevanwhenweweremarchingtowardBelfort，andintherearwhenreturningbytheJura.OfourlittlebandthathadnumberedtwelvehundredmenonthefirstofJanuary，thereremainedonlytwenty—twopale，thin，raggedwretches，whenweatlengthsucceededinreachingSwissterritory.

Thereweweresafe，andcouldrest.EverybodyknowswhatsympathywasshowntotheunfortunateFrencharmy，andhowwellitwascaredfor.Weallgainedfreshlife，andthosewhohadbeenrichandhappybeforethewardeclaredthattheyhadneverexperiencedagreaterfeelingofcomfortthantheydidthen.Justthink.Weactuallyhadsomethingtoeateveryday，andcouldsleepeverynight.

Meanwhile，thewarcontinuedintheeastofFrance，whichhadbeenexcludedfromthearmistice.Besanconstillkepttheenemyincheck，andthelatterhadtheirrevengebyravagingFrancheComte.Sometimesweheardthattheyhadapproachedquiteclosetothefrontier，andwesawSwisstroops，whoweretoformalineofobservationbetweenusandthem，setoutontheirmarch.

Thatpainedusintheend，and，asweregainedhealthandstrength，thelongingtofighttookpossessionofus.ItwasdisgracefulandirritatingtoknowthatwithintwoorthreeleaguesofustheGermanswerevictoriousandinsolent，tofeelthatwewereprotectedbyourcaptivity，andtofeelthatonthataccountwewerepowerlessagainstthem.

Onedayourcaptaintookfiveorsixofusaside，andspoketousaboutit，longandfuriously.Hewasafinefellow，thatcaptain.HehadbeenasublieutenantintheZouaves，wastallandthinandashardassteel，andduringthewholecampaignhehadcutouttheirworkfortheGermans.

Hefrettedininactivity，andcouldnotaccustomhimselftotheideaofbeingaprisonerandofdoingnothing.

"Confoundit！"hesaidtous，"doesitnotpainyoutoknowthatthereisanumberofuhlanswithintwohoursofus？Doesitnotalmostdriveyoumadtoknowthatthosebeggarlywretchesarewalkingaboutasmastersinourmountains，whensixdeterminedmenmightkillawholespitfulanyday？Icannotendureitanylonger，andImustgothere."

"Buthowcanyoumanageit，captain？"

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