DEDICATION
ToLeonGozlanasaTokenofLiteraryGood-fellowship。
ANOTHERSTUDYOFWOMAN
AtParistherearealmostalwaystwoseparatepartiesgoingonateveryballandrout。First，anofficialparty，composedofthepersonsinvited，afashionableandmuch-boredcircle。Eachonegrimacesforhisneighbor’seye；mostoftheyoungerwomenarethereforonepersononly；wheneachwomanhasassuredherselfthatforthatonesheisthehandsomestwomanintheroom，andthattheopinionisperhapssharedbyafewothers，afewinsignificantphrasesareexchanged，as："DoyouthinkofgoingawaysoontoLaCrampade？""HowwellMadamedePortendueresang！""Whoisthatlittlewomanwithsuchaloadofdiamonds？"Or，afterfiringoffsomesmartepigrams，whichgivetransientpleasure，andleavewoundsthatranklelong，thegroupsthinout，themerelookersongoaway，andthewaxlightsburndowntothesconces。
Themistressofthehousethenwaylaysafewartists，amusingpeopleorintimatefriends，saying，"Donotgoyet；wewillhaveasnuglittlesupper。"Thesecollectinsomesmallroom。Thesecond，therealparty，nowbegins；apartywhere，asofold，everyonecanhearwhatissaid，conversationisgeneral，eachoneisboundtobewittyandtocontributetotheamusementofall。Everythingismadetotell，honestlaughtertakestheplaceofthegloomwhichincompanysaddenstheprettiestfaces。Inshort，wheretheroutendspleasurebegins。
TheRout，acolddisplayofluxury，areviewofself-conceitsinfulldress，isoneofthoseEnglishinventionswhichtendto/mechanize/
othernations。Englandseemsbentonseeingthewholeworldasdullasitself，anddullinthesameway。Sothissecondpartyis，insomeFrenchhouses，ahappyprotestonthepartoftheoldspiritofourlight-heartedpeople。Only，unfortunately，sofewhousesprotest；andthereasonisasimpleone。Ifwenolongerhavemanysuppersnowadays，itisbecausenever，underanyrule，havetherebeenfewermenplaced，established，andsuccessfulthanunderthereignofLouisPhilippe，whentheRevolutionbeganagain，lawfully。Everybodyisonthemarchsomewhither，ortrottingattheheelsofFortune。Timehasbecomethecostliestcommodity，sonoonecanaffordthelavishextravaganceofgoinghometo-morrowmorningandgettinguplate。
Hence，thereisnosecondsoireenowbutatthehousesofwomenrichenoughtoentertain，andsinceJuly1830suchwomenmaybecountedinParis。
InspiteofthecovertoppositionoftheFaubourgSaint-Germain，twoorthreewomen，amongthemMadamed’EspardandMademoiselledesTouches，havenotchosentogiveuptheshareofinfluencetheyexercisedinParis，andhavenotclosedtheirhouses。
ThesalonofMademoiselledesTouchesisnotedinParisasbeingthelastrefugewheretheoldFrenchwithasfoundahome，withitsreserveddepths，itsmyriadsubtlebyways，anditsexquisitepoliteness。Youwilltherestillfindgraceofmannernotwithstandingtheconventionalitiesofcourtesy，perfectfreedomoftalknotwithstandingthereservewhichisnaturaltopersonsofbreeding，and，aboveall，aliberalflowofideas。Noonetherethinksofkeepinghisthoughtforaplay；andnooneregardsastoryasmaterialforabook。Inshort，thehideousskeletonofliteratureatbayneverstalksthere，ontheprowlforacleversallyoraninterestingsubject。
Thememoryofoneoftheseeveningsespeciallydwellswithme，lessbyreasonofaconfidenceinwhichtheillustriousdeMarsayopeneduponeofthedeepestrecessesofwoman’sheart，thanonaccountofthereflectionstowhichhisnarrativegaverise，astothechangesthathavetakenplaceintheFrenchwomansincethefatefulrevolutionofJuly。
Onthateveningchancehadbroughttogetherseveralpersons，whoseindisputablemeritshavewonthemEuropeanreputations。ThisisnotapieceofflatteryaddressedtoFrance，fortherewereagoodmanyforeignerspresent。And，indeed，themenwhomostshonewerenotthemostfamous。Ingeniousrepartee，acuteremarks，admirablebanter，picturessketchedwithbrilliantprecision，allsparkledandflowedwithoutelaboration，werepouredoutwithoutdisdain，butwithouteffort，andwereexquisitelyexpressedanddelicatelyappreciated。Themenoftheworldespeciallywereconspicuousfortheirreallyartisticgraceandspirit。
ElsewhereinEuropeyouwillfindelegantmanners，cordiality，genialfellowship，andknowledge；butonlyinParis，inthisdrawing-room，andthosetowhichIhavealluded，doestheparticularwitaboundwhichgivesanagreeableandchangefulunitytoallthesesocialqualities，anindescribableriver-likeflowwhichmakesthisprofusionofideas，ofdefinitions，ofanecdotes，ofhistoricalincidents，meanderwithease。Paris，thecapitaloftaste，alonepossessesthesciencewhichmakesconversationatourneyinwhicheachtypeofwitiscondensedintoashaft，eachspeakeruttershisphraseandcastshisexperienceinaword，inwhicheveryonefindsamusement，relaxation，andexercise。Here，then，alone，willyouexchangeideas；
hereyouneednot，likethedolphininthefable，carryamonkeyonyourshoulders；hereyouwillbeunderstood，andwillnotriskstakingyourgoldpiecesagainstbasemetal。
Here，again，secretsneatlybetrayed，andtalk，lightordeep，playandeddy，changingtheiraspectandhueateveryphrase。Eagercriticismandcrispanecdotesleadonfromonetothenext。Alleyesarelistening，agestureasksaquestion，andanexpressivelookgivestheanswer。Inshort，andinaword，everythingiswitandmind。
Thephenomenonofspeech，which，whendulystudiedandwellhandled，isthepoweroftheactorandthestory-teller，hadneversocompletelybewitchedme。NorwasIaloneundertheinfluenceofitsspell；weallspentadelightfulevening。Theconversationhaddriftedintoanecdote，andbroughtoutinitsrushingcoursesomecuriousconfessions，severalportraits，andathousandfollies，whichmakethisenchantingimprovisationimpossibletorecord；still，bysettingthesethingsdowninalltheirnaturalfreshnessandabruptness，theirelusivedivarications，youmayperhapsfeelthecharmofarealFrenchevening，takenatthemomentwhenthemostengagingfamiliaritymakeseachoneforgethisowninterests，hispersonalconceit，or，ifyoulike，hispretensions。
Atabouttwointhemorning，assupperended，noonewasleftsittingroundthetablebutintimatefriends，provedbyintercourseoffifteenyears，andsomepersonsofgreattasteandgoodbreeding，whoknewtheworld。Bytacitagreement，perfectlycarriedout，atsuppereveryonerenouncedhispretensionstoimportance。Perfectequalitysetthetone。Butindeedtherewasnoonepresentwhowasnotveryproudofbeinghimself。
MademoiselledesTouchesalwaysinsistsonherguestsremainingattabletilltheyleave，havingfrequentlyremarkedthechangewhichamoveproducesinthespiritofaparty。Betweenthedining-roomandthedrawing-roomthecharmisdestroyed。AccordingtoSterne，theideasofanauthoraftershavingaredifferentfromthosehehadbefore。IfSterneisright，mayitnotbeboldlyassertedthattheframeofmindofapartyattableisnotthesameasthatofthesamepersonsreturnedtothedrawing-room？Theatmosphereisnotheady，theeyenolongercontemplatesthebrilliantdisorderofthedessert，lostarethehappyeffectsofthatlaxnessofmood，thatbenevolencewhichcomesoveruswhileweremaininthehumorpeculiartothewell-filledman，settledcomfortablyononeofthespringychairswhicharemadeinthesedays。Perhapswearenotmorereadytotalkfacetofacewiththedessertandinthesocietyofgoodwine，duringthedelightfulintervalwheneveryonemaysitwithanelbowonthetableandhisheadrestingonhishand。Notonlydoeseveryoneliketotalkthen，butalsotolisten。Digestion，whichisalmostalwaysattent，isloquaciousorsilent，ascharactersdiffer。Theneveryonefindshisopportunity。
Wasnotthispreamblenecessarytomakeyouknowthecharmofthenarrative，bywhichacelebratedman，nowdead，depictedtheinnocentjesuistryofwomen，paintingitwiththesubtletypeculiartopersonswhohaveseenmuchoftheworld，andwhichmakesstatesmensuchdelightfulstorytellerswhen，likePrinceTalleyrandandPrinceMetternich，theyvouchsafetotellastory？
DeMarsay，primeministerforsomesixmonths，hadalreadygivenproofsofsuperiorcapabilities。Thosewhohadknownhimlongwerenotindeedsurprisedtoseehimdisplayallthetalentsandvariousaptitudesofastatesman；stillitmightyetbeaquestionwhetherhewouldprovetobeasolidpolitician，orhadmerelybeenmouldedinthefireofcircumstance。Thisquestionhadjustbeenaskedbyamanwhomhehadmadeaprefet，amanofwitandobservation，whohadforalongtimebeenajournalist，andwhoadmireddeMarsaywithoutinfusingintohisadmirationthatdashofacridcriticismbywhich，inParis，onesuperiormanexcuseshimselffromadmiringanother。
"Wasthereever，"saidhe，"inyourformerlife，anyevent，anythoughtorwishwhichtoldyouwhatyourvocationwas？"askedEmileBlondet；"forweall，likeNewton，haveourapple，whichfallsandleadsustothespotwhereourfacultiesdevelop————"
"Yes，"saiddeMarsay；"Iwilltellyouaboutit。"
Prettywomen，politicaldandies，artists，oldmen，deMarsay’sintimatefriends，——allsettledthemselvescomfortably，eachinhisfavoriteattitude，tolookattheMinister。Needitbesaidthattheservantshadleft，thatthedoorswereshut，andthecurtainsdrawnoverthem？Thesilencewassocompletethatthemurmursofthecoachmen’svoicescouldbeheardfromthecourtyard，andthepawingandchampingmadebyhorseswhenaskingtobetakenbacktotheirstable。
"Thestatesman，myfriends，existsbyonesinglequality，"saidtheMinister，playingwithhisgoldandmother-of-pearldessertknife。"Towit：thepowerofalwaysbeingmasterofhimself；ofprofitingmoreorless，underallcircumstances，byeveryevent，howeverfortuitous；inshort，ofhavingwithinhimselfacoldanddisinterestedotherself，wholooksonasaspectatoratallthechangesoflife，notingourpassionsandoursentiments，andwhisperingtousineverycasethejudgmentofasortofmoralready-reckoner。"
"ThatexplainswhyastatesmanissorareathinginFrance，"saidoldLordDudley。
"Fromasentimentalpointofview，thisishorrible，"theMinisterwenton。"Hence，whensuchaphenomenonisseeninayoungman——
Richelieu，who，whenwarnedovernightbyaletterofConcini’speril，slepttillmidday，whenhisbenefactorwaskilledatteno’clock——orsayPitt，orNapoleon，hewasamonster。Ibecamesuchamonsterataveryearlyage，thankstoawoman。"
"Ifancied，"saidMadamedeMontcornetwithasmile，"thatmorepoliticianswereundonebyusthanwecouldmake。"
"ThemonsterofwhichIspeakisamonsterjustbecausehewithstandsyou，"replieddeMarsay，withalittleironicalbow。
"Ifthisisalove-story，"theBaronnedeNucingeninterposed，"I
requestthatitmaynotbeinterruptedbyanyreflections。"
"Reflectionissoantipathetictoit！"criedJosephBridau。
"Iwasseventeen，"deMarsaywenton；"theRestorationwasbeingconsolidated；myoldfriendsknowhowimpetuousandfervidIwasthen。
Iwasinloveforthefirsttime，andIwas——Imaysaysonow——oneofthehandsomestyoungfellowsinParis。Ihadyouthandgoodlooks，twoadvantagesduetogoodfortune，butofwhichweareallasproudasofaconquest。Imustbesilentastotherest。——Likeallyouths，Iwasinlovewithawomansixyearsolderthanmyself。Nooneofyouhere，"
saidhe，lookingcarefullyroundthetable，"cansuspecthernameorrecognizeher。Ronquerollesalone，atthetime，everguessedmysecret。Hehadkeptitwell，butIshouldhavefearedhissmile。
However，heisgone，"saidtheMinister，lookinground。
"Hewouldnotstaytosupper，"saidMadamedeNucingen。
"Forsixmonths，possessedbymypassion，"deMarsaywenton，"butincapableofsuspectingthatithadovermasteredme，Ihadabandonedmyselftothatrapturousidolatrywhichisatoncethetriumphandthefrailjoyoftheyoung。Itreasured/her/oldgloves；Idrankaninfusionoftheflowers/she/hadworn；Igotoutofbedatnighttogoandgazeat/her/window。AllmybloodrushedtomyheartwhenI
inhaledtheperfumesheused。Iwasmilesawayfromknowingthatwomanisastovewithamarblecasing。"
"Oh！spareusyourterribleverdicts，"criedMadamedeMontcornetwithasmile。
"IbelieveIshouldhavecrushedwithmyscornthephilosopherwhofirstutteredthisterriblebutprofoundlytruethought，"saiddeMarsay。"Youareallfartookeen-sightedformetosayanymoreonthatpoint。Thesefewwordswillremindyouofyourownfollies。
"Agreatladyifevertherewasone，awidowwithoutchildren——oh！allwasperfect——myidolwouldshutherselfuptomarkmylinenwithherhair；inshort，sherespondedtomymadnessbyherown。Andhowcanwefailtobelieveinpassionwhenithastheguaranteeofmadness？
"Weeachdevotedallourmindstoconcealingalovesoperfectandsobeautifulfromtheeyesoftheworld；andwesucceeded。Andwhatcharmwefoundinourescapades！OfherIwillsaynothing。Shewasperfectionthen，andtothisdayisconsideredoneofthemostbeautifulwomeninParis；butatthattimeamanwouldhaveendureddeathtowinoneofherglances。Shehadbeenleftwithanamountoffortunesufficientforawomanwhohadlovedandwasadored；buttheRestoration，towhichsheowedrenewedlustre，madeitseeminadequateincomparisonwithhername。InmypositionIwassofatuousasnevertodreamofasuspicion。ThoughmyjealousywouldhavebeenofahundredandtwentyOthello-power，thatterriblepassionslumberedinmeasgoldinthenugget。IwouldhaveorderedmyservanttothrashmeifIhadbeensobaseasevertodoubtthepurityofthatangel——sofragileandsostrong，sofair，soartless，pure，spotless，andwhoseblueeyesallowedmygazetosoundittotheverydepthsofherheartwithadorablesubmissiveness。Neverwastheretheslightesthesitancyinherattitude，herlook，orword；alwayswhiteandfresh，andreadyfortheBelovedliketheOrientalLilyofthe’SongofSongs！’Ah！myfriends！"sadlyexclaimedtheMinister，grownyoungagain，"amanmusthithisheadveryhardonthemarbletodispelthatpoem！"
Thiscryofnature，findinganechointhelisteners，spurredthecuriosityhehadexcitedinthemwithsomuchskill。
"Everymorning，ridingSultan——thefinehorseyousentmefromEngland，"deMarsaywenton，addressingLordDudley，"Irodepastheropencarriage，thehorses’pacebeingintentionallyreducedtoawalk，andreadtheorderofthedaysignaledtomebytheflowersofherbouquetincasewewereunabletoexchangeafewwords。Thoughwesaweachotheralmosteveryeveninginsociety，andshewrotetomeeveryday，todeceivethecuriousandmisleadtheobservantwehadadoptedaschemeofconduct：nevertolookateachother；toavoidmeeting；tospeakillofeachother。Self-admiration，swagger，orplayingthedisdainedswain，——alltheseoldmanoeuvresarenottocompareoneitherpartwithafalsepassionprofessedforanindifferentpersonandanairofindifferencetowardsthetrueidol。Iftwoloverswillonlyplaythatgame，theworldwillalwaysbedeceived；butthentheymustbeverysecureofeachother。
"Herstalking-horsewasamaninhighfavor，acourtier，coldandsanctimonious，whomsheneverreceivedatherownhouse。Thislittlecomedywasperformedforthebenefitofsimpletonsanddrawing-roomcircles，wholaughedatit。Marriagewasneverspokenofbetweenus；
sixyears’differenceofagemightgiveherpause；sheknewnothingofmyfortune，ofwhich，onprinciple，Ihavealwayskeptthesecret。I，onmypart，fascinatedbyherwitandmanners，bytheextentofherknowledgeandherexperienceoftheworld，wouldhavemarriedherwithoutathought。Atthesametime，herreservecharmedme。Ifshehadbeenthefirsttospeakofmarriageinacertaintone，Imightperhapshavenoteditasvulgarinthataccomplishedsoul。
"Sixmonths，fullandperfect——adiamondofthepurestwater！Thathasbeenmyportionofloveinthisbaseworld。
"Onemorning，attackedbythefeverishstiffnesswhichmarksthebeginningofacold，IwroteheralinetoputoffoneofthosesecretfestivalswhichareburiedundertheroofsofParislikepearlsinthesea。Nosoonerwasthelettersentthanremorseseizedme：shewillnotbelievethatIamill！thoughtI。Shewaswonttoaffectjealousyandsuspiciousness。——Whenjealousyisgenuine，"saiddeMarsay，interruptinghimself，"itisthevisiblesignofanuniquepassion。"
"Why？"askedthePrincessedeCadignaneagerly。
"Uniqueandtruelove，"saiddeMarsay，"producesasortofcorporealapathyattunedtothecontemplationintowhichonefalls。Thenthemindcomplicateseverything；itworksonitself，picturesitsfancies，turnsthemintorealityandtorment；andsuchjealousyisasdelightfulasitisdistressing。"
Aforeignministersmiledas，bythelightofmemory，hefeltthetruthofthisremark。
"Besides，"deMarsaywenton，"Isaidtomyself，whymissahappyhour？Wasitnotbettertogo，eventhoughfeverish？And，then，ifshelearnsthatIamill，Ibelievehercapableofhurryinghereandcompromisingherself。Imadeaneffort；Iwroteasecondletter，andcarrieditmyself，formyconfidentialservantwasnowgone。Theriverlaybetweenus。IhadtocrossParis；butatlast，withinasuitabledistanceofherhouse，Icaughtsightofamessenger；Ichargedhimtohavethenotesentuptoheratonce，andIhadthehappyideaofdrivingpastherdoorinahackneycabtoseewhethershemightnotbychancereceivethetwoletterstogether。AtthemomentwhenIarriveditwastwoo’clock；thegreatgateopenedtoadmitacarriage。Whose？
——Thatofthestalking-horse！
"Itisfifteenyearssince——well，evenwhileItellthetale，I，theexhaustedorator，theMinisterdriedupbythefrictionofpublicbusiness，Istillfeelasurginginmyheartandthehotbloodaboutmydiaphragm。AttheendofanhourIpassedoncemore；thecarriagewasstillinthecourtyard！Mynotenodoubtwasintheporter’shands。Atlast，athalf-pastthree，thecarriagedroveout。Icouldobservemyrival’sexpression；hewasgrave，anddidnotsmile；buthewasinlove，andnodoubttherewasbusinessinhand。
"Iwenttokeepmyappointment；thequeenofmyheartmetme；Isawhercalm，pure，serene。AndhereImustconfessthatIhavealwaysthoughtthatOthellowasnotonlystupid，butshowedverybadtaste。
OnlyamanwhoishalfaNegrocouldbehaveso：indeedShakespearefeltthiswhenhecalledhisplay’TheMoorofVenice。’Thesightofthewomanweloveissuchabalmtotheheartthatitmustdispelanguish，doubt，andsorrow。Allmyragevanished。Icouldsmileagain。
Hencethischeerfulness，whichatmyagenowwouldbethemostatrociousdissimulation，wastheresultofmyyouthandmylove。Myjealousyonceburied，Ihadthepowerofobservation。Myailingconditionwasevident；thehorribledoubtsthathadfermentedinmeincreasedit。AtlastIfoundanopeningforputtinginthesewords：
’Youhavehadnoonewithyouthismorning？’makingapretextoftheuneasinessIhadfeltinthefearlestsheshouldhavedisposedofhertimeafterreceivingmyfirstnote。——’Ah！’sheexclaimed，’onlyamancouldhavesuchideas！AsifIcouldthinkofanythingbutyoursuffering。TillthemomentwhenIreceivedyoursecondnoteIcouldthinkonlyofhowIcouldcontrivetoseeyou。’——’Andyouwerealone？’——’Alone，’saidshe，lookingatmewithafaceofinnocencesoperfectthatitmusthavebeenhisdistrustofsuchalookasthatwhichmadetheMoorkillDesdemona。Asshelivedaloneinthehouse，thewordwasafearfullie。Onesingleliedestroystheabsoluteconfidencewhichtosomesoulsistheveryfoundationofhappiness。
"Toexplaintoyouwhatpassedinmeatthatmomentitmustbeassumedthatwehaveaninternalselfofwhichtheexterior/I/isbutthehusk；thatthisself，asbrilliantaslight，isasfragileasashade——well，thatbeautifulselfwasinmethenceforthforevershroudedincrape。Yes；Ifeltacoldandfleshlesshandcastovermethewinding-
sheetofexperience，doomingmetotheeternalmourningintowhichthefirstbetrayalplungesthesoul。AsIcastmyeyesdownthatshemightnotobservemydizziness，thisproudthoughtsomewhatrestoredmystrength：’Ifsheisdeceivingyou，sheisunworthyofyou！’
"Iascribedmysuddenreddeningandthetearswhichstartedtomyeyestoanattackofpain，andthesweetcreatureinsistedondrivingmehomewiththeblindsofthecabdrawn。OnthewayshewasfullofasolicitudeandtendernessthatmighthavedeceivedtheMoorofVenicewhomIhavetakenasastandardofcomparison。Indeed，ifthatgreatchildweretohesitatetwosecondslonger，everyintelligentspectatorfeelsthathewouldaskDesdemona’sforgiveness。Thus，killingthewomanistheactofaboy。——Sheweptasweparted，somuchwasshedistressedatbeingunabletonursemeherself。Shewishedsheweremyvalet，inwhosehappinessshefoundacauseofenvy，andallthiswasaselegantlyexpressed，oh！asClarissamighthavewritteninherhappiness。Thereisalwaysapreciousapeintheprettiestandmostangelicwoman！"
Atthesewordsallthewomenlookeddown，asifhurtbythisbrutaltruthsobrutallystated。
"Iwillsaynothingofthenight，noroftheweekIspent，"deMarsaywenton。"IdiscoveredthatIwasastatesman。"
Itwassowellsaidthatweallutteredanadmiringexclamation。
"AsIthoughtoverthereallycruelvengeancetobetakenonawoman，"
saiddeMarsay，continuinghisstory，"withinfernalingenuity——for，aswehadlovedeachother，someterribleandirreparablerevengeswerepossible——Idespisedmyself，IfelthowcommonIwas，I
insensiblyformulatedahorriblecode——thatofIndulgence。Intakingvengeanceonawoman，dowenotinfactadmitthatthereisbutoneforus，thatwecannotdowithouther？And，then，isrevengethewaytowinherback？Ifsheisnotindispensable，ifthereareotherwomenintheworld，whynotgranthertherighttochangewhichweassume？
"This，ofcourse，appliesonlytopassion；inanyothersenseitwouldbesociallywrong。Nothingmoreclearlyprovesthenecessityforindissolublemarriagethantheinstabilityofpassion。Thetwosexesmustbechainedup，likewildbeastsastheyare，byinevitablelaw，deafandmute。Eliminaterevenge，andinfidelityinloveisnothing。
Thosewhobelievethatforthemthereisbutonewomanintheworldmustbeinfavorofvengeance，andthenthereisbutoneformofit——
thatofOthello。
"Minewasdifferent。"
ThewordsproducedineachofustheimperceptiblemovementwhichnewspaperwritersrepresentinParliamentaryreportsbythewords：
/greatsensation/。
"Curedofmycold，andofmypure，absolute，divinelove，Iflungmyselfintoanadventure，ofwhichtheheroinewascharming，andofastyleofbeautyutterlyopposedtothatofmydeceivingangel。Itookcarenottoquarrelwiththiscleverwoman，whowassogoodanactress，forIdoubtwhethertruelovecangivesuchgraciousdelightsasthoselavishedbysuchadexterousfraud。Suchrefinedhypocrisyisasgoodasvirtue。——IamnotspeakingtoyouEnglishwomen，mylady，"
saidtheMinister，suavely，addressingLadyBarimore，LordDudley’sdaughter。"Itriedtobethesamelover。
"Iwishedtohavesomeofmyhairworkedupformynewangel，andI
wenttoaskilledartistwhoatthattimedweltintheRueBoucher。
Themanhadamonopolyofcapillarykeepsakes，andImentionhisaddressforthebenefitofthosewhohavenotmuchhair；hehasplentyofeverykindandeverycolor。AfterIhadexplainedmyorder，heshowedmehiswork。Ithensawachievementsofpatiencesurpassingthosewhichthestorybooksascribetofairies，orwhichareexecutedbyprisoners。Hebroughtmeuptodateastothecapricesandfashionsgoverningtheuseofhair。’Forthelastyear，’saidhe，’therehasbeenarageformarkinglinenwithhair；happilyIhadafinecollectionofhairandskilledneedlewomen，’——onhearingthisasuspicionflasheduponme；Itookoutmyhandkerchiefandsaid，’Sothiswasdoneinyourshop，withfalsehair？’——Helookedatthehandkerchief，andsaid，’Ay！thatladywasveryparticular，sheinsistedonverifyingthetintofthehair。Mywifeherselfmarkedthosehandkerchiefs。Youhavethere，sir，oneofthefinestpiecesofworkwehaveeverexecuted。’BeforethislastrayoflightImighthavebelievedsomething——mighthavetakenawoman’sword。Ilefttheshopstillhavingfaithinpleasure，butwherelovewasconcernedI
wasasatheisticalasamathematician。
"TwomonthslaterIwassittingbythesideoftheetherealbeinginherboudoir，onhersofa；Iwasholdingoneofherhands——theywereverybeautiful——andwescaledtheAlpsofsentiment，cullingtheirsweetestflowers，andpullingoffthedaisy-petals；thereisalwaysamomentwhenonepullsdaisiestopieces，evenifitisinadrawing-
roomandtherearenodaisies。Attheintensestmomentoftenderness，andwhenwearemostinlove，loveissowellawareofitsownshortdurationthatweareirresistiblyurgedtoask，’Doyouloveme？Willyoulovemealways？’Iseizedtheelegiacmoment，sowarm，soflowery，sofull-blown，toleadhertotellhermostdelightfullies，intheenchantinglanguageoflove。Charlottedisplayedherchoicestallurements：Shecouldnotlivewithoutme；Iwastohertheonlymanintheworld；shefearedtowearyme，becausemypresencebereftherofallherwits；withme，allherfacultieswerelostinlove；shewasindeedtootendertoescapealarms；forthelastsixmonthsshehadbeenseekingsomewaytobindmetohereternally，andGodaloneknewthatsecret；inshort，Iwashergod！"
ThewomenwhohearddeMarsayseemedoffendedbyseeingthemselvessowellacted，forhesecondedthewordsbyairs，andsidelongattitudes，andmincinggrimaceswhichwerequiteillusory。
"AttheverymomentwhenImighthavebelievedtheseadorablefalsehoods，asIstillheldherrighthandinmine，Isaidtoher，’WhenareyoutomarrytheDuke？’
"Thethrustwassodirect，mygazemetherssoboldly，andherhandlaysotightlyinmine，thatherstart，slightasitwas，couldnotbedisguised；hereyesfellbeforemine，andafaintblushcoloredhercheeks。——’TheDuke！Whatdoyoumean？’shesaid，affectinggreatastonishment。——’Iknoweverything，’repliedI；’andinmyopinion，youshoulddelaynolonger；heisrich；heisaduke；butheismorethandevout，heisreligious！Iamsure，therefore，thatyouhavebeenfaithfultome，thankstohisscruples。YoucannotimaginehowurgentlynecessaryitisthatyoushouldcompromisehimwithhimselfandwithGod；shortofthatyouwillneverbringhimtothepoint。’——
’Isthisadream？’saidshe，pushingherhairfromherforehead，fifteenyearsbeforeMalibran，withthegesturewhichMalibranhasmadesofamous。——’Come，donotbechildish，myangel，’saidI，tryingtotakeherhands；butshefoldedthembeforeherwithalittleprudishandindignantmein。——’Marryhim，youhavemypermission，’saidI，replyingtothisgesturebyusingtheformal/vous/insteadof/tu/。’Nay，better，Ibegyoutodoso。’——’But，’criedshe，fallingatmyknees，’thereissomehorriblemistake；Ilovenooneintheworldbutyou；youmaydemandanyproofsyouplease。’——’Rise，mydear，’saidI，’anddomethehonorofbeingtruthful。’——’AsbeforeGod。’——’Doyoudoubtmylove？’——’No。’——’Normyfidelity？’——’No。’——’Well，Ihavecommittedthegreatestcrime，’Iwenton。’Ihavedoubtedyourloveandyourfidelity。BetweentwointoxicationsIlookedcalmlyaboutme。’——’Calmly！’sighedshe。’Thatisenough，Henri；younolongerloveme。’
"Shehadatoncefound，youperceive，aloopholeforescape。Inscenesliketheseanadverbisdangerous。But，happily，curiositymadeheradd：’Andwhatdidyousee？HaveIeverspokenoftheDukeexceptinginpublic？Haveyoudetectedinmyeyes————？’——’No，’saidI，’butinhis。AndyouhaveeighttimesmademegotoSaint-Thomasd’Aquintoseeyoulisteningtothesamemassashe。’——’Ah！’sheexclaimed，’thenIhavemadeyoujealous！’——Oh！IonlywishIcouldbe！’saidI，admiringthepliancyofherquickintelligence，andtheseacrobaticfeatswhichcanonlybesuccessfulintheeyesoftheblind。’ButbydintofgoingtochurchIhavebecomeveryincredulous。Onthedayofmyfirstcold，andyourfirsttreachery，whenyouthoughtIwasinbed，youreceivedtheDuke，andyoutoldmeyouhadseennoone。’——’Doyouknowthatyourconductisinfamous？’——’Inwhatrespect？IconsideryourmarriagetotheDukeanexcellentarrangement；hegivesyouagreatname，theonlyrankthatsuitsyou，abrilliantanddistinguishedposition。YouwillbeoneofthequeensofParis。I
shouldbedoingyouawrongifIplacedanyobstacleinthewayofthisprospect，thisdistinguishedlife，thissplendidalliance。Ah！
Charlotte，somedayyouwilldomejusticebydiscoveringhowunlikemycharacteristothatofotheryoungmen。Youwouldhavebeencompelledtodeceiveme；yes，youwouldhavefounditverydifficulttobreakwithme，forhewatchesyou。Itistimethatweshouldpart，fortheDukeisrigidlyvirtuous。Youmustturnprude；Iadviseyoutodoso。TheDukeisvain；hewillbeproudofhiswife。’——’Oh！’criedshe，burstingintotears，’Henri，ifonlyyouhadspoken！Yes，ifyouhadchosen’——itwasIwhowastoblame，youunderstand——’wewouldhavegonetoliveallourdaysinacorner，married，happy，anddefiedtheworld。’——’Well，itistoolatenow，’saidI，kissingherhands，andputtingonavictimizedair。——’GoodGod！ButIcanundoitall！’saidshe。——’No，youhavegonetoofarwiththeDuke。Ioughtindeedtogoajourneytopartusmoreeffectually。Weshouldbothhavereasontofearourownaffection————’——’Henri，doyouthinktheDukehasanysuspicions？’Iwasstill’Henri，’butthe/tu/waslostforever。——’I
donotthinkso，’Ireplied，assumingthemannerofafriend；’butbeasdevoutaspossible，reconcileyourselftoGod，fortheDukewaitsforproofs；hehesitates，youmustbringhimtothepoint。’
"Sherose，andwalkedtwiceroundtheboudoirinrealoraffectedagitation；thenshenodoubtfoundanattitudeandalookbeseemingthenewstateofaffairs，forshestoppedinfrontofme，heldoutherhand，andsaidinavoicebrokenbyemotion，’Well，Henri，youareloyal，noble，andacharmingman；Ishallneverforgetyou。’
"Thesewereadmirabletactics。Shewasbewitchinginthistransitionoffeeling，indispensabletothesituationinwhichshewishedtoplaceherselfinregardtome。Ifellintotheattitude，themanners，andthelookofamansodeeplydistressed，thatIsawhertoonewlyassumeddignitygivingway；shelookedatme，tookmyhand，drewmealongalmost，threwmeonthesofa，butquitegently，andsaidafteramoment’ssilence，’Iamdreadfullyunhappy，mydearfellow。Doyouloveme？’——’Oh！yes。’——’Well，then，whatwillbecomeofyou？’"
Atthispointthewomenalllookedateachother。
"ThoughIcanstillsufferwhenIrecallherperfidy，IstilllaughatherexpressionofentireconvictionandsweetsatisfactionthatImustdie，oratanyratesinkintoperpetualmelancholy，"deMarsaywenton。"Oh！donotlaughyet！"hesaidtohislisteners；"thereisbettertocome。Ilookedatherverytenderlyafterapause，andsaidtoher，’Yes，thatiswhatIhavebeenwondering。’——’Well，whatwillyoudo？’
——’Iaskedmyselfthatthedayaftermycold。’——’And————？’sheaskedwitheageranxiety。——’AndIhavemadeadvancestothelittleladytowhomIwassupposedtobeattached。’
"Charlottestartedupfromthesofalikeafrighteneddoe，tremblinglikealeaf，gavemeoneofthoselooksinwhichwomenforgoalltheirdignity，alltheirmodesty，theirrefinement，andeventheirgrace，thesparklingglitterofahuntedviper’seyewhendrivenintoacorner，andsaid，’AndIhavelovedthisman！Ihavestruggled！I
have————’Onthislastthought，whichIleaveyoutoguess，shemadethemostimpressivepauseIeverheard。——’GoodGod！’shecried，’howunhappyarewewomen！wenevercanbeloved。Toyouthereisnothingseriousinthepurestfeelings。Butnevermind；whenyoucheatusyoustillareourdupes！’——’Iseethatplainly，’saidI，withastrickenair；’youhavefartoomuchwitinyourangerforyourhearttosufferfromit。’——Thismodestepigramincreasedherrage；shefoundsometearsofvexation。’Youdisgustmewiththeworldandwithlife。’shesaid；’yousnatchawayallmyillusions；youdepravemyheart。’
"ShesaidtomeallthatIhadarighttosaytoher，andwithasimpleeffrontery，anartlessaudacity，whichwouldcertainlyhavenailedanymanbutmeonthespot。——’WhatistobecomeofuspoorwomeninastateofsocietysuchasLouisXVIII。’schartermadeit？’——
（Imaginehowherwordshadrunawaywithher。）——’Yes，indeed，weareborntosuffer。Inmattersofpassionwearealwayssuperiortoyou，andyouarebeneathallloyalty。Thereisnohonestyinyourhearts。
Toyouloveisagameinwhichyoualwayscheat。’——’Mydear，’saidI，’totakeanythingseriousinsocietynowadayswouldbelikemakingromanticlovetoanactress。’——’Whatashamelessbetrayal！Itwasdeliberatelyplanned！’——’No，onlyarationalissue。’——’Good-bye，MonsieurdeMarsay，’saidshe；’youhavedeceivedmehorribly。’——
’Surely，’Ireplied，takingupasubmissiveattitude，’MadamelaDuchessewillnotrememberCharlotte’sgrievances？’——’Certainly，’sheansweredbitterly。——’Then，infact，youhateme？’——Shebowed，andI
saidtomyself，’Thereissomethingstillleft！’
"ThefeelingshehadwhenIpartedfromherallowedhertobelievethatshestillhadsomethingtoavenge。Well，myfriends，Ihavecarefullystudiedthelivesofmenwhohavehadgreatsuccesswithwomen，butIdonotbelievethattheMarechaldeRichelieu，orLauzun，orLouisdeValoisevereffectedamorejudiciousretreatatthefirstattempt。Astomymindandheart，theywerecastinamouldthenandthere，onceforall，andthepowerofcontrolIthusacquiredoverthethoughtlessimpulseswhichmakeuscommitsomanyfolliesgainedmetheadmirablepresenceofmindyouallknow。"
"HowdeeplyIpitythesecond！"exclaimedtheBaronnedeNucingen。
AscarcelyperceptiblesmileondeMarsay’spalelipsmadeDelphinedeNucingencolor。
"Howwedoforget！"saidtheBarondeNucingen。
Thegreatbanker’ssimplicitywassoextremelydroll，thathiswife，whowasdeMarsay’s"second，"couldnothelplaughinglikeeveryoneelse。
"Youareallreadytocondemnthewoman，"saidLadyDudley。"Well，I
quiteunderstandthatshedidnotregardhermarriageasanactofinconstancy。Menwillneverdistinguishbetweenconstancyandfidelity。——IknowthewomanwhosestoryMonsieurdeMarsayhastoldus，andsheisoneofthelastofyourtrulygreatladies。"
"Alas！mylady，youareright，"replieddeMarsay。"Forverynearlyfiftyyearswehavebeenlookingonattheprogressiveruinofallsocialdistinctions。Weoughttohavesavedourwomenfromthisgreatwreck，buttheCivilCodehassweptitslevelinginfluenceovertheirheads。Howeverterriblethewords，theymustbespoken：Duchessesarevanishing，andmarquisestoo！Astothebaronesses——ImustapologizetoMadamedeNucingen，whowillbecomeacountesswhenherhusbandismadeapeerofFrance——baronesseshaveneversucceededingettingpeopletotakethemseriously。"
"Aristocracybeginswiththeviscountess，"saidBlondetwithasmile。
"Countesseswillsurvive，"saiddeMarsay。"Anelegantwomanwillbemoreorlessofacountess——acountessoftheEmpireorofyesterday，acountessoftheoldblock，or，astheysayinItaly，acountessbycourtesy。Butastothegreatlady，shediedoutwiththedignifiedsplendorofthelastcentury，withpowder，patches，high-heeledslippers，andstiffbodiceswithadeltastomacherofbows。Duchessesinthesedayscanpassthroughadoorwithoutanyneedtowidenitfortheirhoops。TheEmpiresawthelastofgownswithtrains！Iamstillpuzzledtounderstandhowasovereignwhowishedtoseehisdrawing-
roomsweptbyducalsatinandvelvetdidnotmakeindestructiblelaws。
NapoleonneverguessedtheresultsoftheCodehewassoproudof。
Thatman，bycreatingduchesses，foundedtheraceofour’ladies’ofto-day——theindirectoffspringofhislegislation。"
"Itwaslogic，handledasahammerbyboysjustoutofschoolandbyobscurejournalists，whichdemolishedthesplendorsofthesocialstate，"saidtheComtedeVandenesse。"Inthesedayseveryroguewhocanholdhisheadstraightinhiscollar，coverhismanlybosomwithhalfanellofsatinbywayofacuirass，displayabrowwhereapocryphalgeniusgleamsundercurlinglocks，andstrutinapairofpatent-leatherpumpsgracedbysilksockswhichcostsixfrancs，screwshiseye-glassintooneofhiseye-socketsbypuckeringuphischeek，andwhetherhebeanattorney’sclerk，acontractor’sson，orabanker’sbastard，hestaresimpertinentlyattheprettiestduchess，appraisesherasshewalksdownstairs，andsaystohisfriend——dressedbyBuisson，asweallare，andmountedinpatent-leatherlikeanydukehimself——’There，myboy，thatisaperfectlady。’"
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