ChapterI

Inmyopinion，itisimpossibletocreatecharactersuntilonehasspentalongtimeinstudyingmen，asitisimpossibletospeakalanguageuntilithasbeenseriouslyacquired。Notbeingoldenoughtoinvent，Icontentmyselfwithnarrating，andIbegthereadertoassurehimselfofthetruthofastoryinwhichallthecharacters，withtheexceptionoftheheroine，arestillalive。Eye-witnessesofthegreaterpartofthefactswhichI

havecollectedaretobefoundinParis，andImightcalluponthemtoconfirmmeifmytestimonyisnotenough。And，thankstoaparticularcircumstance，Ialonecanwritethesethings，forI

aloneamabletogivethefinaldetails，withoutwhichitwouldhavebeenimpossibletomakethestoryatonceinterestingandcomplete。

Thisishowthesedetailscametomyknowledge。Onthe12thofMarch，1847，IsawintheRueLafitteagreatyellowplacardannouncingasaleoffurnitureandcuriosities。Thesalewastotakeplaceonaccountofthedeathoftheowner。Theowner'snamewasnotmentioned，butthesalewastobeheldat9，Rued'Antin，onthe16th，from12to5。Theplacardfurtherannouncedthattheroomsandfurniturecouldbeseenonthe13thand14th。

Ihavealwaysbeenveryfondofcuriosities，andImadeupmymindnottomisstheoccasion，ifnotofbuyingsome，atalleventsofseeingthem。NextdayIcalledat9，Rued'Antin。

Itwasearlyintheday，andyettherewerealreadyanumberofvisitors，bothmenandwomen，andthewomen，thoughtheyweredressedincashmereandvelvet，andhadtheircarriageswaitingforthematthedoor，gazedwithastonishmentandadmirationattheluxurywhichtheysawbeforethem。

Iwasnotlongindiscoveringthereasonofthisastonishmentandadmiration，for，havingbeguntoexaminethingsalittlecarefully，IdiscoveredwithoutdifficultythatIwasinthehouseofakeptwoman。Now，ifthereisonethingwhichwomeninsocietywouldliketosee（andthereweresocietywomenthere），itisthehomeofthosewomenwhosecarriagessplashtheirowncarriagesdaybyday，who，likethem，sidebysidewiththem，havetheirboxesattheOperaandattheItaliens，andwhoparadeinParistheopulentinsolenceoftheirbeauty，theirdiamonds，andtheirscandal。

Thisonewasdead，sothemostvirtuousofwomencouldenterevenherbedroom。Deathhadpurifiedtheairofthisabodeofsplendidfoulness，andifmoreexcusewereneeded，theyhadtheexcusethattheyhadmerelycometoasale，theyknewnotwhose。Theyhadreadtheplacards，theywishedtoseewhattheplacardshadannounced，andtomaketheirchoicebeforehand。Whatcouldbemorenatural？Yet，allthesame，inthemidstofallthesebeautifulthings，theycouldnothelplookingaboutforsometracesofthiscourtesan'slife，ofwhichtheyhadheard，nodoubt，strangeenoughstories。

Unfortunatelythemysteryhadvanishedwiththegoddess，and，foralltheirendeavours，theydiscoveredonlywhatwasonsalesincetheowner'sdecease，andnothingofwhathadbeenonsaleduringherlifetime。Fortherest，therewereplentyofthingsworthbuying。Thefurniturewassuperb；therewererosewoodandbuhlcabinetsandtables，SevresandChinesevases，Saxestatuettes，satin，velvet，lace；therewasnothinglacking。

Isaunteredthroughtherooms，followingtheinquisitiveladiesofdistinction。TheyenteredaroomwithPersianhangings，andI

wasjustgoingtoenterinturn，whentheycameoutagainalmostimmediately，smiling，andasifashamedoftheirowncuriosity。I

wasallthemoreeagertoseetheroom。Itwasthedressing-room，laidoutwithallthearticlesoftoilet，inwhichthedeadwoman'sextravaganceseemedtobeseenatitsheight。

Onalargetableagainstthewall，atablethreefeetinwidthandsixinlength，glitteredallthetreasuresofAucocandOdiot。Itwasamagnificentcollection，andtherewasnotoneofthosethousandlittlethingssonecessarytothetoiletofawomanofthekindwhichwasnotingoldorsilver。Suchacollectioncouldonlyhavebeengottogetherlittlebylittle，andthesameloverhadcertainlynotbegunandendedit。

Notbeingshockedatthesightofakeptwoman'sdressing-room，I

amusedmyselfwithexaminingeverydetail，andIdiscoveredthatthesemagnificentlychiselledobjectsboredifferentinitialsanddifferentcoronets。Ilookedatoneafteranother，eachrecallingaseparateshame，andIsaidthatGodhadbeenmercifultothepoorchild，innothavinglefthertopaytheordinarypenalty，butrathertodieinthemidstofherbeautyandluxury，beforethecomingofoldage，thecourtesan'sfirstdeath。

Isthereanythingsadderintheworldthantheoldageofvice，especiallyinwoman？Shepreservesnodignity，sheinspiresnointerest。Theeverlastingrepentance，notoftheevilwaysfollowed，butoftheplansthathavemiscarried，themoneythathasbeenspentinvain，isassaddeningathingasonecanwellmeetwith。Iknewanagedwomanwhohadoncebeen"gay，"whoseonlylinkwiththepastwasadaughteralmostasbeautifulassheherselfhadbeen。Thispoorcreaturetowhomhermotherhadneversaid，"Youaremychild，"excepttobidhernourishheroldageassheherselfhadnourishedheryouth，wascalledLouise，and，beingobedienttohermother，sheabandonedherselfwithoutvolition，withoutpassion，withoutpleasure，asshewouldhaveworkedatanyotherprofessionthatmighthavebeentaughther。

Theconstantsightofdissipation，precociousdissipation，inadditiontoherconstantsicklystate，hadextinguishedinhermindalltheknowledgeofgoodandevilthatGodhadperhapsgivenher，butthatnoonehadeverthoughtofdeveloping。I

shallalwaysrememberher，asshepassedalongtheboulevardsalmosteverydayatthesamehour，accompaniedbyhermotherasassiduouslyasarealmothermighthaveaccompaniedherdaughter。

Iwasveryyoungthen，andreadytoacceptformyselftheeasymoralityoftheage。Iremember，however，thecontemptanddisgustwhichawokeinmeatthesightofthisscandalouschaperoning。Herface，too，wasinexpressiblyvirginalinitsexpressionofinnocenceandofmelancholysuffering。ShewaslikeafigureofResignation。

Onedaythegirl'sfacewastransfigured。Inthemidstofallthedebauchesmappedoutbyhermother，itseemedtoherasifGodhadleftoverforheronehappiness。AndwhyindeedshouldGod，whohadmadeherwithoutstrength，haveleftherwithoutconsolation，underthesorrowfulburdenofherlife？Oneday，then，sherealizedthatshewastohaveachild，andallthatremainedtoherofchastityleapedforjoy。Thesoulhasstrangerefuges。Louiserantotellthegoodnewstohermother。Itisashamefulthingtospeakof，butwearenottellingtalesofpleasantsins；wearetellingoftruefacts，whichitwouldbebetter，nodoubt，topassoverinsilence，ifwedidnotbelievethatitisneedfulfromtimetotimetorevealthemartyrdomofthosewhoarecondemnedwithoutbearing，scornedwithoutjudging；

shamefulitis，butthismotheransweredthedaughterthattheyhadalreadyscarceenoughfortwo，andwouldcertainlynothaveenoughforthree；thatsuchchildrenareuseless，andalying-inissomuchtimelost。

Nextdayamidwife，ofwhomallwewillsayisthatshewasafriendofthemother，visitedLouise，whoremainedinbedforafewdays，andthengotuppalerandfeeblerthanbefore。

Threemonthsafterwardamantookpityonherandtriedtohealher，morallyandphysically；butthelastshockhadbeentooviolent，andLouisediedofit。Themotherstilllives；how？Godknows。

ThisstoryreturnedtomymindwhileIlookedatthesilvertoiletthings，andacertainspaceoftimemusthaveelapsedduringthesereflections，fornoonewasleftintheroombutmyselfandanattendant，who，standingnearthedoor，wascarefullywatchingmetoseethatIdidnotpocketanything。

Iwentuptotheman，towhomIwascausingsomuchanxiety。

"Sir，"Isaid，"canyoutellmethenameofthepersonwhoformerlylivedhere？"

"MademoiselleMargueriteGautier。"

Iknewherbynameandbysight。

"What！"Isaidtotheattendant；"MargueriteGautierisdead？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Whendidshedie？"

"Threeweeksago，Ibelieve。"

"Andwhyaretheroomsonview？"

"Thecreditorsbelievethatitwillsenduptheprices。Peoplecanseebeforehandtheeffectofthethings；youseethatinducesthemtobuy。"

"Shewasindebt，then？"

"Toanyextent，sir。"

"Butthesalewillcoverit？"

"Andmoretoo。"

"Whowillgetwhatremainsover？"

"Herfamily。"

"Shehadafamily？"

"Itseemsso。"

"Thanks。"

Theattendant，reassuredastomyintentions，touchedhishat，andIwentout。

"Poorgirl！"IsaidtomyselfasIreturnedhome；"shemusthavehadasaddeath，for，inherworld，onehasfriendsonlywhenoneisperfectlywell。"AndinspiteofmyselfIbegantofeelmelancholyoverthefateofMargueriteGautier。

Itwillseemabsurdtomanypeople，butIhaveanunboundedsympathyforwomenofthiskind，andIdonotthinkitnecessarytoapologizeforsuchsympathy。

Oneday，asIwasgoingtothePrefectureforapassport，Isawinoneoftheneighbouringstreetsapoorgirlwhowasbeingmarchedalongbytwopolicemen。Idonotknowwhatwasthematter。AllIknowisthatshewasweepingbitterlyasshekissedaninfantonlyafewmonthsold，fromwhomherarrestwastoseparateher。SincethatdayIhaveneverdaredtodespiseawomanatfirstsight。

Chapter2

Thesalewastotakeplaceonthe16th。Aday'sintervalhadbeenleftbetweenthevisitingdaysandthesale，inordertogivetimefortakingdownthehangings，curtains，etc。Ihadjustreturnedfromabroad。ItwasnaturalthatIhadnotheardofMarguerite'sdeathamongthepiecesofnewswhichone'sfriendsalwaystellonreturningafteranabsence。Margueritewasaprettywoman；butthoughthelifeofsuchwomenmakessensationenough，theirdeathmakesverylittle。Theyaresunswhichsetastheyrose，unobserved。Theirdeath，whentheydieyoung，isheardofbyalltheirloversatthesamemoment，forinParisalmostalltheloversofawell-knownwomanarefriends。Afewrecollectionsareexchanged，andeverybody'slifegoesonasiftheincidenthadneveroccurred，withoutsomuchasatear。

Nowadays，attwenty-five，tearshavebecomesorareathingthattheyarenottobesquanderedindiscriminately。Itisthemostthatcanbeexpectediftheparentswhopayforbeingweptoverareweptoverinreturnforthepricetheypay。

Asforme，thoughmyinitialsdidnotoccuronanyofMarguerite'sbelongings，thatinstinctiveindulgence，thatnaturalpitythatIhavealreadyconfessed，setmethinkingoverherdeath，moreperhapsthanitwasworththinkingover。I

rememberedhavingoftenmetMargueriteintheBois，whereshewentregularlyeverydayinalittlebluecoupedrawnbytwomagnificentbays，andIhadnoticedinheradistinctionquiteapartfromotherwomenofherkind，adistinctionwhichwasenhancedbyareallyexceptionalbeauty。

Theseunfortunatecreatureswhenevertheygooutarealwaysaccompaniedbysomebodyorother。Asnomancarestomakehimselfconspicuousbybeingseenintheircompany，andastheyareafraidofsolitude，theytakewiththemeitherthosewhoarenotwellenoughofftohaveacarriage，oroneoranotherofthoseelegant，ancientladies，whoseeleganceisalittleinexplicable，andtowhomonecanalwaysgoforinformationinregardtothewomenwhomtheyaccompany。

InMarguerite'scaseitwasquitedifferent。ShewasalwaysalonewhenshedroveintheChamps-Elysees，lyingbackinhercarriageasmuchaspossible，dressedinfursinwinter，andinsummerwearingverysimpledresses；andthoughsheoftenpassedpeoplewhomsheknew，hersmile，whenshechosetosmile，wasseenonlybythem，andaduchessmighthavesmiledinjustsuchamanner。

Shedidnotdrivetoandfroliketheothers，fromtheRond-PointtotheendoftheChamps-Elysees。ShedrovestraighttotheBois。

Thereshelefthercarriage，walkedforanhour，returnedtohercarriage，anddroverapidlyhome。

AllthesecircumstanceswhichIhadsooftenwitnessedcamebacktomymemory，andIregrettedherdeathasonemightregretthedestructionofabeautifulworkofart。

ItwasimpossibletoseemorecharminbeautythaninthatofMarguerite。Excessivelytallandthin，shehadinthefullestdegreetheartofrepairingthisoversightofNaturebythemerearrangementofthethingsshewore。Hercashmerereachedtotheground，andshowedoneachsidethelargeflouncesofasilkdress，andtheheavymuffwhichsheheldpressedagainstherbosomwassurroundedbysuchcunninglyarrangedfoldsthattheeye，howeverexacting，couldfindnofaultwiththecontourofthelines。Herhead，amarvel，wastheobjectofthemostcoquettishcare。Itwassmall，andhermother，asMussetwouldsay，seemedtohavemadeitsoinordertomakeitwithcare。

Set，inanovalofindescribablegrace，twoblackeyes，surmountedbyeyebrowsofsopureacurvethatitseemedasifpainted；veiltheseeyeswithlovelylashes，which，whendrooped，casttheirshadowontherosyhueofthecheeks；traceadelicate，straightnose，thenostrilsalittleopen，inanardentaspirationtowardthelifeofthesenses；designaregularmouth，withlipspartedgraciouslyoverteethaswhiteasmilk；colourtheskinwiththedownofapeachthatnohandhastouched，andyouwillhavethegeneralaspectofthatcharmingcountenance。

Thehair，blackasjet，wavingnaturallyornot，waspartedontheforeheadintwolargefoldsanddrapedbackoverthehead，leavinginsightjustthetipoftheears，inwhichthereglitteredtwodiamonds，worthfourtofivethousandfrancseach。

HowitwasthatherardentlifehadleftonMarguerite'sfacethevirginal，almostchildlikeexpression，whichcharacterizedit，isaproblemwhichwecanbutstate，withoutattemptingtosolveit。

Margueritehadamarvellousportraitofherself，byVidal，theonlymanwhosepencilcoulddoherjustice。Ihadthisportraitbymeforafewdaysafterherdeath，andthelikenesswassoastonishingthatithashelpedtorefreshmymemoryinregardtosomepointswhichImightnototherwisehaveremembered。

Someamongthedetailsofthischapterdidnotreachmeuntillater，butIwritethemheresoasnottobeobligedtoreturntothemwhenthestoryitselfhasbegun。

Margueritewasalwayspresentateveryfirstnight，andpassedeveryeveningeitheratthetheatreortheball。Whenevertherewasanewpieceshewascertaintobeseen，andsheinvariablyhadthreethingswithherontheledgeofherground-floorbox：

heropera-glass，abagofsweets，andabouquetofcamellias。

Fortwenty-fivedaysofthemonththecamelliaswerewhite，andforfivetheywerered；nooneeverknewthereasonofthischangeofcolour，whichImentionthoughIcannotexplainit；itwasnoticedbothbyherfriendsandbythehabitue'softhetheatrestowhichshemostoftenwent。Shewasneverseenwithanyflowersbutcamellias。Attheflorist's，MadameBarjon's，shehadcometobecalled"theLadyoftheCamellias，"andthenamestucktoher。

LikeallthosewhomoveinacertainsetinParis，IknewthatMargueritehadlivedwithsomeofthemostfashionableyoungmeninsociety，thatshespokeofitopenly，andthattheythemselvesboastedofit；sothatallseemedequallypleasedwithoneanother。Nevertheless，foraboutthreeyears，afteravisittoBagnees，shewassaidtobelivingwithanoldduke，aforeigner，enormouslyrich，whohadtriedtoremoveherasfaraspossiblefromherformerlife，and，asitseemed，entirelytoherownsatisfaction。

ThisiswhatIwastoldonthesubject。Inthespringof1847

Margueritewassoillthatthedoctorsorderedhertotakethewaters，andshewenttoBagneres。Amongtheinvalidswasthedaughterofthisduke；shewasnotonlysufferingfromthesamecomplaint，butshewassolikeMargueriteinappearancethattheymighthavebeentakenforsisters；theyoungduchesswasinthelaststageofconsumption，andafewdaysafterMarguerite'sarrivalshedied。Onemorning，theduke，whohadremainedatBagnerestobenearthesoilthathadburiedapartofhisheart，caughtsightofMargueriteataturnoftheroad。Heseemedtoseetheshadowofhischild，andgoinguptoher，hetookherhands，embracedandweptoverher，andwithoutevenaskingherwhoshewas，beggedhertolethimloveinherthelivingimageofhisdeadchild。Marguerite，aloneatBagnereswithhermaid，andnotbeinginanyfearofcompromisingherself，grantedtheduke'srequest。Somepeoplewhoknewher，happeningtobeatBagneres，tookuponthemselvestoexplainMademoiselleGautier'struepositiontotheduke。Itwasablowtotheoldman，fortheresemblancewithhisdaughterwasendedinonedirection，butitwastoolate。Shehadbecomeanecessitytohisheart，hisonlypretext，hisonlyexcuse，forliving。Hemadenoreproaches，hehadindeednorighttodoso，butheaskedherifshefeltherselfcapableofchanginghermodeoflife，offeringherinreturnforthesacrificeeverycompensationthatshecoulddesire。Sheconsented。

ItmustbesaidthatMargueritewasjustthenveryill。Thepastseemedtohersensitivenatureasifitwereoneofthemaincausesofherillness，andasortofsuperstitionledhertohopethatGodwouldrestoretoherbothhealthandbeautyinreturnforherrepentanceandconversion。Bytheendofthesummer，thewaters，sleep，thenaturalfatigueoflongwalks，hadindeedmoreorlessrestoredherhealth。ThedukeaccompaniedhertoParis，wherehecontinuedtoseeherashehaddoneatBagneres。

Thisliaison，whosemotiveandoriginwerequiteunknown，causedagreatsensation，fortheduke，alreadyknownforhisimmensefortune，nowbecameknownforhisprodigality。Allthiswassetdowntothedebaucheryofaricholdman，andeverythingwasbelievedexceptthetruth。Thefather'ssentimentforMargueritehad，intruth，sopureacausethatanythingbutacommunionofheartswouldhaveseemedtohimakindofincest，andhehadneverspokentoherawordwhichhisdaughtermightnothaveheard。

Farbeitfrommetomakeoutourheroinetobeanythingbutwhatshewas。AslongassheremainedatBagneres，thepromiseshehadmadetothedukehadnotbeenhardtokeep，andshehadkeptit；

but，oncebackinParis，itseemedtoher，accustomedtoalifeofdissipation，ofballs，oforgies，asifthesolitude，onlyinterruptedbytheduke'sstatedvisits，wouldkillherwithboredom，andthehotbreathofheroldlifecamebackacrossherheadandheart。

WemustaddthatMargueritehadreturnedmorebeautifulthanshehadeverbeen；shewasbuttwenty，andhermalady，sleepingbutnotsubdued，continuedtogiveherthosefeverishdesireswhicharealmostalwaystheresultofdiseasesofthechest。

Itwasagreatgrieftothedukewhenhisfriends，alwaysonthelookoutforsomescandalonthepartofthewomanwithwhom，itseemedtothem，hewascompromisinghimself，cametotellhim，indeedtoprovetohim，thatattimeswhenshewassureofnotseeinghimshereceivedothervisits，andthatthesevisitswereoftenprolongedtillthefollowingday。Onbeingquestioned，Margueriteadmittedeverythingtotheduke，andadvisedhim，withoutarriere-pensee，toconcernhimselfwithhernolonger，forshefeltincapableofcarryingoutwhatshehadundertaken，andshedidnotwishtogoonacceptingbenefitsfromamanwhomshewasdeceiving。Thedukedidnotreturnforaweek；itwasallhecoulddo，andontheeighthdayhecametobegMargueritetolethimstillvisither，promisingthathewouldtakeherasshewas，solongashemightseeher，andswearingthathewouldneverutterareproachagainsther，notthoughheweretodieofit。

This，then，wasthestateofthingsthreemonthsafterMarguerite'sreturn；thatistosay，inNovemberorDecember，1842。

Chapter3

Atoneo'clockonthe16thIwenttotheRued'Antin。Thevoiceoftheauctioneercouldbeheardfromtheouterdoor。Theroomswerecrowdedwithpeople。Therewereallthecelebritiesofthemostelegantimpropriety，furtivelyexaminedbycertaingreatladieswhohadagainseizedtheopportunityofthesaleinordertobeabletosee，closeathand，womenwhomtheymightneverhaveanotheroccasionofmeeting，andwhomtheyenviedperhapsinsecretfortheireasypleasures。TheDuchessofF。elbowedMlle。

A。，oneofthemostmelancholyexamplesofourmoderncourtesan；

theMarquisdeT。hesitatedoverapieceoffurniturethepriceofwhichwasbeingrunhighbyMme。D。，themostelegantandfamousadulteressofourtime；theDukeofY。，whoinMadridissupposedtoberuininghimselfinParis，andinParistoberuininghimselfinMadrid，andwho，asamatteroffact，neverevenreachesthelimitofhisincome，talkedwithMme。M。，oneofourwittieststory-tellers，whofromtimetotimewriteswhatshesaysandsignswhatshewrites，whileatthesametimeheexchangedconfidentialglanceswithMme。deN。，afairornamentoftheChamps-Elysees，almostalwaysdressedinpinkorblue，anddrivingtwobigblackhorseswhichTonyhadsoldherfor10，000

francs，andforwhichshehadpaid，afterherfashion；finally，Mlle。R。，whomakesbyhermeretalenttwicewhatthewomenoftheworldmakebytheirdotandthreetimesasmuchastheothersmakebytheiramours，hadcome，inspiteofthecold，tomakesomepurchases，andwasnottheleastlookedatamongthecrowd。

Wemightcitetheinitialsofmanymoreofthosewhofoundthemselves，notwithoutsomemutualsurprise，sidebysideinoneroom。Butwefeartowearythereader。Wewillonlyaddthateveryonewasinthehighestspirits，andthatmanyofthosepresenthadknownthedeadwoman，andseemedquiteobliviousofthefact。Therewasasoundofloudlaughter；theauctioneersshoutedatthetopoftheirvoices；thedealerswhohadfilledthebenchesinfrontoftheauctiontabletriedinvaintoobtainsilence，inordertotransacttheirbusinessinpeace。Neverwasthereanoisieroramorevariedgathering。

Islippedquietlyintothemidstofthistumult，sadtothinkofwhenonerememberedthatthepoorcreaturewhosegoodswerebeingsoldtopayherdebtshaddiedinthenextroom。Havingcomerathertoexaminethantobuy，Iwatchedthefacesoftheauctioneers，noticinghowtheybeamedwithdelightwheneveranythingreachedapricebeyondtheirexpectations。Honestcreatures，whohadspeculateduponthiswoman'sprostitution，whohadgainedtheirhundredpercentoutofher，whohadplaguedwiththeirwritsthelastmomentsofherlife，andwhocamenowafterherdeathtogatherinatoncethefruitsoftheirdishonourablecalculationsandtheinterestontheirshamefulcredit，HowwiseweretheancientsinhavingonlyoneGodfortradersandrobbers！

Dresses，cashmeres，jewels，weresoldwithincrediblerapidity。

TherewasnothingthatIcaredfor，andIstillwaited。AllatonceIheard："Avolume，beautifullybound，gilt-edged，entitledManonLescaut。Thereissomethingwrittenonthefirstpage。Tenfrancs。"

"Twelve，"saidavoiceafteralongishsilence。

"Fifteen，"Isaid。

Why？Ididnotknow。Doubtlessforthesomethingwritten。

"Fifteen，"repeatedtheauctioneer。

"Thirty，"saidthefirstbidderinatonewhichseemedtodefyfurthercompetition。

Ithadnowbecomeastruggle。"Thirty-five，"Icriedinthesametone。

"Forty。"

"Fifty。"

"Sixty。"

"Ahundred。"

IfIhadwishedtomakeasensationIshouldcertainlyhavesucceeded，foraprofoundsilencehadensued，andpeoplegazedatmeasiftoseewhatsortofapersonitwas，whoseemedtobesodeterminedtopossessthevolume。

TheaccentwhichIhadgiventomylastwordseemedtoconvincemyadversary；hepreferredtoabandonaconflictwhichcouldonlyhaveresultedinmakingmepaytentimesitspriceforthevolume，and，bowing，hesaidverygracefully，thoughindeedalittlelate：

"Igiveway，sir。"

Nothingmorebeingoffered，thebookwasassignedtome。

AsIwasafraidofsomenewfitofobstinacy，whichmyamourpropremighthavesustainedsomewhatbetterthanmypurse，I

wrotedownmyname，hadthebookputononeside，andwentout。I

musthavegivenconsiderablefoodforreflectiontothewitnessesofthisscene，whowouldnodoubtaskthemselveswhatmypurposecouldhavebeeninpayingahundredfrancsforabookwhichI

couldhavehadanywhereforten，or，attheoutside，fifteen。

Anhourafter，Isentformypurchase。Onthefirstpagewaswritteninink，inaneleganthand，aninscriptiononthepartofthegiver。Itconsistedofthesewords：

ManontoMarguerite。

Humility。

ItwassignedArmandDuval。

WhatwasthemeaningofthewordHumility？WasManontorecogniseinMarguerite，intheopinionofM。ArmandDuval，hersuperiorinviceorinaffection？Thesecondinterpretationseemedthemoreprobable，forthefirstwouldhavebeenanimpertinentpieceofplainspeakingwhichMarguerite，whateverheropinionofherself，wouldneverhaveaccepted。

Iwentoutagain，andthoughtnomoreofthebookuntilatnight，whenIwasgoingtobed。

ManonLescautisatouchingstory。Iknoweverydetailofit，andyetwheneverIcomeacrossthevolumethesamesympathyalwaysdrawsmetoit；Iopenit，andforthehundredthtimeIliveoveragainwiththeheroineoftheAbbePrevost。NowthisheroineissotruetolifethatIfeelasifIhadknownher；andthusthesortofcomparisonbetweenherandMargueritegavemeanunusualinclinationtoreadit，andmyindulgencepassedintopity，almostintoakindofloveforthepoorgirltowhomIowedthevolume。Manondiedinthedesert，itistrue，butinthearmsofthemanwholovedherwiththewholeenergyofhissoul；who，whenshewasdead，dugagraveforher，andwatereditwithhistears，andburiedhisheartinit；whileMarguerite，asinnerlikeManon，andperhapsconvertedlikeher，haddiedinasumptuousbed（itseemed，afterwhatIhadseen，thebedofherpast），butinthatdesertoftheheart，amorebarren，avaster，amorepitilessdesertthanthatinwhichManonhadfoundherlastresting-place。

Marguerite，infact，asIhadfoundfromsomefriendswhoknewofthelastcircumstancesofherlife，hadnotasinglerealfriendbyherbedsideduringthetwomonthsofherlongandpainfulagony。

ThenfromManonandMargueritemymindwanderedtothosewhomI

knew，andwhomIsawsingingalongthewaywhichledtojustsuchanotherdeath。Poorsouls！ifitisnotrighttolovethem，isitnotwelltopitythem？Youpitytheblindmanwhohasneverseenthedaylight，thedeafwhohasneverheardtheharmoniesofnature，thedumbwhohasneverfoundavoiceforhissoul，and，underafalsecloakofshame，youwillnotpitythisblindnessofheart，thisdeafnessofsoul，thisdumbnessofconscience，whichsetsthepoorafflictedcreaturebesideherselfandmakesher，inspiteofherself，incapableofseeingwhatisgood，ofbearingtheLord，andofspeakingthepurelanguageofloveandfaith。

HugohaswrittenMarionDelorme，MussethaswrittenBernerette，AlexandreDumashaswrittenFernande，thethinkersandpoetsofalltimehavebroughttothecourtesantheofferingoftheirpity，andattimesagreatmanhasrehabilitatedthemwithhisloveandevenwithhisname。IfIinsistonthispoint，itisbecausemanyamongthosewhohavebeguntoreadmewillbereadytothrowdownabookinwhichtheywillfeartofindanapologyforviceandprostitution；andtheauthor'sagewilldosomething，nodoubt，toincreasethisfear。Letmeundeceivethosewhothinkthus，andletthemgoonreading，ifnothingbutsuchafearhindersthem。

Iamquitesimplyconvincedofacertainprinciple，whichis：Forthewomanwhoseeducationhasnottaughtherwhatisright，Godalmostalwaysopenstwowayswhichleadthitherthewaysofsorrowandoflove。Theyarehard；thosewhowalkinthemwalkwithbleedingfeetandtornhands，buttheyalsoleavethetrappingsofviceuponthethornsofthewayside，andreachthejourney'sendinanakednesswhichisnotshamefulinthesightoftheLord。

Thosewhomeettheseboldtravellersoughttosuccourthem，andtotellallthattheyhavemetthem，forinsodoingtheypointouttheway。Itisnotaquestionofsettingattheoutsetoflifetwosign-posts，onebearingtheinscription"TheRightWay，"

theothertheinscription"TheWrongWay，"andofsayingtothosewhocomethere，"Choose。"Onemustneeds，likeChrist，pointoutthewayswhichleadfromthesecondroadtothefirst，tothosewhohavebeeneasilyledastray；anditisneedfulthatthebeginningofthesewaysshouldnotbetoopainfulnorappeartooimpenetrable。

HereisChristianitywithitsmarvellousparableoftheProdigalSontoteachusindulgenceandpardon。Jesuswasfullofloveforsoulswoundedbythepassionsofmen；helovedtobinduptheirwoundsandtofindinthoseverywoundsthebalmwhichshouldhealthem。ThushesaidtotheMagdalen："Muchshallbeforgiventheebecausethouhastlovedmuch，"asublimityofpardonwhichcanonlyhavecalledforthasublimefaith。

WhydowemakeourselvesmorestrictthanChrist？Why，holdingobstinatelytotheopinionsoftheworld，whichhardensitselfinorderthatitmaybethoughtstrong，dowereject，asitrejects，soulsbleedingatwoundsbywhich，likeasickman'sbadblood，theeviloftheirpastmaybehealed，ifonlyafriendlyhandisstretchedouttolavethemandsetthemintheconvalescenceoftheheart？

ItistomyowngenerationthatIspeak，tothoseforwhomthetheoriesofM。deVoltairehappilyexistnolonger，tothosewho，likemyself，realizethathumanity，fortheselastfifteenyears，hasbeeninoneofitsmostaudaciousmomentsofexpansion。Thescienceofgoodandevilisacquiredforever；faithisrefashioned，respectforsacredthingshasreturnedtous，andiftheworldhasnotallatoncebecomegood，ithasatleastbecomebetter。Theeffortsofeveryintelligentmantendinthesamedirection，andeverystrongwillisharnessedtothesameprinciple：Begood，beyoung，betrue！Evilisnothingbutvanity，letushavetheprideofgood，andaboveallletusneverdespair。Donotletusdespisethewomanwhoisneithermother，sister，maid，norwife。Donotletuslimitesteemtothefamilynorindulgencetoegoism。Since"thereismorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerthatrepenteththanoverninetyandninejustpersonsthatneednorepentance，"letusgivejoytoheaven。Heavenwillrenderitbacktouswithusury。Letusleaveonourwaythealmsofpardonforthosewhomearthlydesireshavedrivenastray，whomadivinehopeshallperhapssave，and，asoldwomensaywhentheyofferyou。somehomelyremedyoftheirown，ifitdoesnogooditwilldonoharm。

DoubtlessitmustseemaboldthingtoattempttodeducethesegrandresultsoutofthemeagresubjectthatIdealwith；butI

amoneofthosewhobelievethatallisinlittle。Thechildissmall，andheincludestheman；thebrainisnarrow，anditharboursthought；theeyeisbutapoint，anditcoversleagues。

Chapter4

Twodaysafter，thesalewasended。Ithadproduced3。50，000

francs。Thecreditorsdividedamongthemtwothirds，andthefamily，asisterandagrand-nephew，receivedtheremainder。

Thesisteropenedhereyesverywidewhenthelawyerwrotetoherthatshehadinherited50，000francs。Thegirlhadnotseenhersisterforsixorsevenyears，anddidnotknowwhathadbecomeofherfromthemomentwhenshehaddisappearedfromhome。ShecameuptoParisinhaste，andgreatwastheastonishmentofthosewhohadknownMargueritewhentheysawasheronlyheirafine，fatcountrygirl，whountilthenhadneverlefthervillage。Shehadmadethefortuneatasinglestroke，withoutevenknowingthesourceofthatfortune。Shewentback，Iheardafterward，tohercountryside，greatlysaddenedbyhersister'sdeath，butwithasadnesswhichwassomewhatlightenedbytheinvestmentatfourandahalfpercentwhichshehadbeenabletomake。

Allthesecircumstances，oftenrepeatedinParis，themothercityofscandal，hadbeguntobeforgotten，andIwasevenlittlebylittleforgettingthepartIhadtakeninthem，whenanewincidentbroughttomyknowledgethewholeofMarguerite'slife，andacquaintedmewithsuchpatheticdetailsthatIwastakenwiththeideaofwritingdownthestorywhichInowwrite。

Therooms，nowemptiedofalltheirfurniture，hadbeentoletforthreeorfourdayswhenonemorningtherewasaringatmydoor。

Myservant，or，rather，myporter，whoactedasmyservant，wenttothedoorandbroughtmeacard，sayingthatthepersonwhohadgivenittohimwishedtoseeme。

Iglancedatthecardandtherereadthesetwowords：ArmandDuval。

ItriedtothinkwhereIhadseenthename，andrememberedthefirstleafofthecopyofManonLescaut。WhatcouldthepersonwhohadgiventhebooktoMargueritewantofme？Igaveorderstoaskhiminatonce。

Isawayoungman，blond，tall，pale，dressedinatravellingsuitwhichlookedasifhehadnotchangeditforsomedays，andhadnoteventakenthetroubletobrushitonarrivingatParis，foritwascoveredwithdust。

M。Duvalwasdeeplyagitated；hemadenoattempttoconcealhisagitation，anditwaswithtearsinhiseyesandatremblingvoicethathesaidtome：

"Sir，Ibegyoutoexcusemyvisitandmycostume；butyoungpeoplearenotveryceremoniouswithoneanother，andIwassoanxioustoseeyouto-daythatIhavenotevengonetothehoteltowhichIhavesentmyluggage，andhaverushedstraighthere，fearingthat，afterall，Imightmissyou，earlyasitis。"

IbeggedM。Duvaltositdownbythefire；hedidso，and，takinghishandkerchieffromhispocket，hidhisfaceinitforamoment。

"Youmustbeatalosstounderstand，"hewenton，sighingsadly，"forwhatpurposeanunknownvisitor，atsuchanhour，insuchacostume，andintears，canhavecometoseeyou。Ihavesimplycometoaskofyouagreatservice。"

"Speakon，sir，Iamentirelyatyourdisposal。"

"YouwerepresentatthesaleofMargueriteGautier？"

Atthiswordtheemotion，whichhehadgotthebetterofforaninstant，wastoomuchforhim，andhewasobligedtocoverhiseyeswithhishand。

"Imustseemtoyouveryabsurd，"headded，"butpardonme，andbelievethatIshallneverforgetthepatiencewithwhichyouhavelistenedtome。"

"Sir，"Ianswered，"iftheservicewhichIcanrenderyouisabletolessenyourtroublealittle，tellmeatoncewhatIcandoforyou，andyouwillfindmeonlytoohappytoobligeyou。"

M。Duval'ssorrowwassympathetic，aridinspiteofmyselfIfeltthedesireofdoinghimakindness。Thereuponhesaidtome：

"YouboughtsomethingatMarguerite'ssale？"

"Yes，abook。"

"ManonLescaut？"

"Precisely。"

"Haveyouthebookstill？"

"Itisinmybedroom。"

Onhearingthis，ArmandDuvalseemedtoberelievedofagreatweight，andthankedmeasifIhadalreadyrenderedhimaservicemerelybykeepingthebook。

Igotupandwentintomyroomtofetchthebook，whichIhandedtohim。

"Thatisitindeed，"hesaid，lookingattheinscriptiononthefirstpageandturningovertheleaves；"thatisitindeed，"andtwobigtearsfellonthepages。"Well，sir，"saidhe，liftinghishead，andnolongertryingtohidefrommethathehadweptandwaseventhenonthepointofweeping，"doyouvaluethisbookverygreatly？"

"Why？"

"BecauseIhavecometoaskyoutogiveituptome。"

"Pardonmycuriosity，butwasityou，then，whogaveittoMargueriteGautier？"

"Itwas！"

"Thebookisyours，sir；takeitback。Iamhappytobeabletohanditovertoyou。"

"But，"saidM。Duvalwithsomeembarrassment，"theleastIcandoistogiveyouinreturnthepricewhichyoupaidforit。"

"Allowmetoofferittoyou。Thepriceofasinglevolumeinasaleofthatkindisamerenothing，andIdonotrememberhowmuchIgaveforit。"

"Yougaveonehundredfrancs。"

"True，"Isaid，embarrassedinmyturn，"howdoyouknow？"

"Itisquitesimple。IhopedtoreachParisintimeforthesale，andIonlymanagedtogetherethismorning。Iwasabsolutelyresolvedtohavesomethingwhichhadbelongedtoher，andI

hastenedtotheauctioneerandaskedhimtoallowmetoseethelistofthethingssoldandofthebuyers'names。Isawthatthisvolumehadbeenboughtbyyou，andIdecidedtoaskyoutogiveituptome，thoughthepriceyouhadsetuponitmademefearthatyoumightyourselfhavesomesouvenirinconnectionwiththepossessionofthebook。"

Ashespoke，itwasevidentthathewasafraidIhadknownMargueriteashehadknownher。Ihastenedtoreassurehim。

"IknewMlle。Gautieronlybysight，"Isaid；"herdeathmadeonmetheimpressionthatthedeathofaprettywomanmustalwaysmakeonayoungmanwhohadlikedseeingher。Iwishedtobuysomethingathersale，andIbidhigherandhigherforthisbookoutofmereobstinacyandtoannoysomeoneelse，whowasequallykeentoobtainit，andwhoseemedtodefymetothecontest。I

repeat，then，thatthebookisyours，andoncemoreIbegyoutoacceptit；donottreatmeasifIwereanauctioneer，andletitbethepledgebetweenusofalongerandmoreintimateacquaintance。"

"Good，"saidArmand，holdingouthishandandpressingmine；"I

accept，andIshallbegratefultoyouallmylife。"

IwasveryanxioustoquestionArmandonthesubjectofMarguerite，fortheinscriptioninthebook，theyoungman'shurriedjourney，hisdesiretopossessthevolume，piquedmycuriosity；butIfearedifIquestionedmyvisitorthatImightseemtohaverefusedhismoneyonlyinordertohavetherighttopryintohisaffairs。

Itwasasifheguessedmydesire，forhesaidtome：

"Haveyoureadthevolume？"

"Allthrough。"

"WhatdidyouthinkofthetwolinesthatIwroteinit？"

"Irealizedatoncethatthewomantowhomyouhadgiventhevolumemusthavebeenquiteoutsidetheordinarycategory，forI

couldnottakethosetwolinesasamereemptycompliment。"

"Youwereright。Thatwomanwasanangel。See，readthisletter。"

Andhehandedtomeapaperwhichseemedtohavebeenmanytimesreread。

Iopenedit，andthisiswhatitcontained：

"MYDEARARMAND：——Ihavereceivedyourletter。Youarestillgood，andIthankGodforit。Yes，myfriend，Iamill，andwithoneofthosediseasesthatneverrelent；buttheinterestyoustilltakeinmemakesmysufferingless。Ishallnotlivelongenough，Iexpect，tohavethehappinessofpressingthehandwhichhaswrittenthekindletterIhavejustreceived；thewordsofitwouldbeenoughtocureme，ifanythingcouldcureme。I

shallnotseeyou，forIamquiteneardeath，andyouarehundredsofleaguesaway。Mypoorfriend！yourMargueriteofoldtimesissadlychanged。Itisbetterperhapsforyounottoseeheragainthantoseeherassheis。YouaskifIforgiveyou；

oh，withallmyheart，friend，forthewayyouhurtmewasonlyawayofprovingtheloveyouhadforme。Ihavebeeninbedforamonth，andIthinksomuchofyouresteemthatIwriteeverydaythejournalofmylife，fromthemomentwelefteachothertothemomentwhenIshallbeabletowritenolonger。Iftheinterestyoutakeinmeisreal，Armand，whenyoucomebackgoandseeJulieDuprat。Shewillgiveyoumyjournal。Youwillfindinitthereasonandtheexcuseforwhathaspassedbetweenus。Julieisverygoodtome；weoftentalkofyoutogether。Shewastherewhenyourlettercame，andwebothcriedoverit。

"Ifyouhadnotsentmeanyword，IhadtoldhertogiveyouthosepaperswhenyoureturnedtoFrance。Donotthankmeforit。

Thisdailylookingbackontheonlyhappymomentsofmylifedoesmeanimmenseamountofgood，andifyouwillfindinreadingitsomeexcuseforthepast。I，formypart，findacontinualsolaceinit。Ishouldliketoleaveyousomethingwhichwouldalwaysremindyouofme，buteverythingherehasbeenseized，andIhavenothingofmyown。

"Doyouunderstand，myfriend？Iamdying，andfrommybedIcanhearamanwalkingtoandfrointhedrawing-room；mycreditorshaveputhimtheretoseethatnothingistakenaway，andthatnothingremainstomeincaseIdonotdie。Ihopetheywillwaittilltheendbeforetheybegintosell。

"Oh，menhavenopity！orrather，Iamwrong，itisGodwhoisjustandinflexible！

"Andnow，dearlove，youwillcometomysale，andyouwillbuysomething，forifIputasidetheleastthingforyou，theymightaccuseyouofembezzlingseizedgoods。

"ItisasadlifethatIamleaving！

"ItwouldbegoodofGodtoletmeseeyouagainbeforeIdie。

Accordingtoallprobability，good-bye，myfriend。PardonmeifI

donotwritealongerletter，butthosewhosaytheyaregoingtocuremewearmeoutwithbloodletting，andmyhandrefusestowriteanymore。

"MARGUERITEGAUTIER。"

Thelasttwowordswerescarcelylegible。IreturnedthelettertoArmand，whohad，nodoubt，readitoveragaininhismindwhileIwasreadingitonpaper，forhesaidtomeashetookit：

"Whowouldthinkthatakeptwomancouldhavewrittenthat？"And，overcomebyrecollections，hegazedforsometimeatthewritingoftheletter，whichhefinallycarriedtohislips。

"AndwhenIthink，"hewenton，"thatshediedbeforeIcouldseeher，andthatIshallneverseeheragain，whenIthinkthatshedidformewhatnosisterwouldeverhavedone，Icannotforgivemyselfforhavinglefthertodielikethat。Dead！Deadandthinkingofme，writingandrepeatingmyname，poordearMarguerite！"

AndArmand，givingfreeoutlettohisthoughtsandhistears，heldouthishandtome，andcontinued：

"Peoplewouldthinkitchildishenoughiftheysawmelamentlikethisoveradeadwomansuchasshe；noonewilleverknowwhatI

madethatwomansuffer，howcruelIhavebeentoher！howgood，howresignedshewas！IthoughtitwasIwhohadtoforgiveher，andto-dayIfeelunworthyoftheforgivenesswhichshegrantsme。Oh，Iwouldgivetenyearsofmylifetoweepatherfeetforanhour！"

Itisalwaysdifficulttoconsoleasorrowthatisunknowntoone，andneverthelessIfeltsolivelyasympathyfortheyoungman，hemademesofranklytheconfidantofhisdistress，thatI

believedawordfrommewouldnotbeindifferenttohim，andI

said：

"Haveyounoparents，nofriends？Hope。Goandseethem；theywillconsoleyou。Asforme，Icanonlypityyou。"

"Itistrue，"hesaid，risingandwalkingtoandfrointheroom，"Iamwearyingyou。Pardonme，Ididnotreflecthowlittlemysorrowmustmeantoyou，andthatIamintrudinguponyousomethingwhichcannotandoughtnottointerestyouatall。"

"Youmistakemymeaning。Iamentirelyatyourservice；onlyI

regretmyinabilitytocalmyourdistress。Ifmysocietyandthatofmyfriendscangiveyouanydistraction，if，inshort，youhaveneedofme，nomatterinwhatway，Ihopeyouwillrealizehowmuchpleasureitwillgivemetodoanythingforyou。"

"Pardon，pardon，"saidhe；"sorrowsharpensthesensations。Letmestayhereforafewminuteslonger，longenoughtodrymyeyes，sothattheidlersinthestreetmaynotlookuponitasacuriositytoseeabigfellowlikemecrying。Youhavemademeveryhappybygivingmethisbook。IdonotknowhowIcaneverexpressmygratitudetoyou。"

"Bygivingmealittleofyourfriendship，"saidI，"andbytellingmethecauseofyoursuffering。Onefeelsbetterwhiletellingwhatonesuffers。"

"Youareright。Butto-dayIhavetoomuchneedoftears；Icannotverywelltalk。OnedayIwilltellyouthewholestory，andyouwillseeifIhavereasonforregrettingthepoorgirl。Andnow，"headded，rubbinghiseyesforthelasttime，andlookingathimselfintheglass，"saythatyoudonotthinkmetooabsolutelyidiotic，andallowmetocomebackandseeyouanothertime。"

Hecastonmeagentleandamiablelook。Iwasnearembracinghim。Asforhim，hiseyesagainbegantofillwithtears；hesawthatIperceiveditandturnedawayhishead。

"Come，"Isaid，"courage。"

"Good-bye，"hesaid。

And，makingadesperateefforttorestrainhistears，herushedratherthanwentoutoftheroom。

Iliftedthecurtainofmywindow，andsawhimgetintothecabrioletwhichawaitedhimatthedoor；butscarcelywasheseatedbeforeheburstintotearsandhidhisfaceinhispocket-handkerchief。

Chapter5

AgoodwhileelapsedbeforeIheardanythingmoreofArmand，but，ontheotherhand，IwasconstantlyhearingofMarguerite。

Idonotknowifyouhavenoticed，ifoncethenameofanybodywhomightinthenaturalcourseofthingshavealwaysremainedunknown，oratalleventsindifferenttoyou，shouldhementionedbeforeyou，immediatelydetailsbegintogroupthemselvesaboutthename，andyoufindallyourfriendstalkingtoyouaboutsomethingwhichtheyhavenevermentionedtoyoubefore。Youdiscoverthatthispersonwasalmosttouchingyouandhaspassedclosetoyoumanytimesinyourlifewithoutyournoticingit；

youfindcoincidencesintheeventswhicharetoldyou，arealaffinitywithcertaineventsofyourownexistence。IwasnotabsolutelyatthatpointinregardtoMarguerite，forIhadseenandmether，Iknewherbysightandbyreputation；nevertheless，sincethemomentofthesale，hernamecametomyearssofrequently，and，owingtothecircumstancethatIhavementionedinthelastchapter，thatnamewasassociatedwithsoprofoundasorrow，thatmycuriosityincreasedinproportionwithmyastonishment。TheconsequencewasthatwheneverImetfriendstowhomIhadneverbreathedthenameofMarguerite，Ialwaysbeganbysaying：

"DidyoueverknowacertainMargueriteGautier？"

"TheLadyoftheCamellias？"

"Exactly。"

"Oh，verywell！"

Thewordwassometimesaccompaniedbyasmilewhichcouldleavenodoubtastoitsmeaning。

"Well，whatsortofagirlwasshe？"

"Agoodsortofgirl。"

"Isthatall？"

"Oh，yes；moreintelligenceandperhapsalittlemoreheartthanmost。"

"Doyouknowanythingparticularabouther？"

"SheruinedBarondeG。"

"Nomorethanthat？"

"ShewasthemistressoftheoldDukeof……"

"Wasshereallyhismistress？"

"Sotheysay；atallevents，hegaveheragreatdealofmoney。"

Thegeneraloutlineswerealwaysthesame。NeverthelessIwasanxioustofindoutsomethingabouttherelationsbetweenMargueriteandArmand。Meetingonedayamanwhowasconstantlyaboutwithknownwomen，Iaskedhim："DidyouknowMargueriteGautier？"

Theanswerwastheusual："Verywell。"

"Whatsortofagirlwasshe？"

"Afine，goodgirl。Iwasverysorrytohearofherdeath。"

"HadshenotalovercalledArmandDuval？"

"Tallandblond？"

"Yes。

"Itisquitetrue。"

"WhowasthisArmand？"

"Afellowwhosquanderedonherthelittlemoneyhehad，andthenhadtoleaveher。Theysayhewasquitewildaboutit。"

"Andshe？"

"Theyalwayssayshewasverymuchinlovewithhim，butasgirlslikethatareinlove。Itisnogoodtoaskthemforwhattheycannotgive。"

"WhathasbecomeofArmand？"

"Idon'tknow。Weknewhimverylittle。HewaswithMargueriteforfiveorsixmonthsinthecountry。Whenshecameback，hehadgone。"

"Andyouhaveneverseenhimsince？"

"Never。"

I，too，hadnotseenArmandagain。Iwasbeginningtoaskmyselfif，whenhehadcometoseeme，therecentnewsofMarguerite'sdeathhadnotexaggeratedhisformerlove，andconsequentlyhissorrow，andIsaidtomyselfthatperhapshehadalreadyforgottenthedeadwoman，andalongwithherhispromisetocomeandseemeagain。Thissuppositionwouldhaveseemedprobableenoughinmostinstances，butinArmand'sdespairtherehadbeenanaccentofrealsincerity，and，goingfromoneextremetoanother，Iimaginedthatdistresshadbroughtonanillness，andthatmynotseeinghimwasexplainedbythefactthathewasill，perhapsdead。

Iwasinterestedintheyoungmaninspiteofmyself。Perhapstherewassomeselfishnessinthisinterest；perhapsIguessedatsomepatheticlovestoryunderallthissorrow；perhapsmydesiretoknowallaboutithadmuchtodowiththeanxietywhichArmand'ssilencecausedme。SinceM。Duvaldidnotreturntoseeme，Idecidedtogoandseehim。Apretextwasnotdifficulttofind；unluckilyIdidnotknowhisaddress，andnooneamongthosewhomIquestionedcouldgiveittome。

IwenttotheRued'Antin；perhapsMarguerite'sporterwouldknowwhereArmandlived。Therewasanewporter；heknewaslittleaboutitasI。IthenaskedinwhatcemeteryMlle。Gautierhadbeenburied。ItwastheMontmartreCemetery。ItwasnowthemonthofApril；theweatherwasfine，thegraveswerenotlikelytolookassadanddesolateastheydoinwinter；inshort，itwaswarmenoughforthelivingtothinkalittleofthedead，andpaythemavisit。Iwenttothecemetery，sayingtomyself："OneglanceatMarguerite'sgrave，andIshallknowifArmand'ssorrowstillexists，andperhapsImayfindoutwhathasbecomeofhim。"

Ienteredthekeeper'slodge，andaskedhimifonthe22ndofFebruaryawomannamedMargueriteGautierhadnotbeenburiedintheMontmartreCemetery。Heturnedoverthepagesofabigbookinwhichthosewhoenterthislastresting-placeareinscribedandnumbered，andrepliedthatonthe22ndofFebruary，at12

o'clock，awomanofthatnamehadbeenburied。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读