Iaskedhimtoshowmethegrave，forthereisnofindingone'swaywithoutaguideinthiscityofthedead，whichhasitsstreetslikeacityoftheliving。Thekeepercalledoveragardener，towhomhegavethenecessaryinstructions；thegardenerinterruptedhim，saying："Iknow，Iknow。——Itisnotdifficulttofindthatgrave，"headded，turningtome。

"Why？"

"Becauseithasverydifferentflowersfromtheothers。"

"Isityouwholookafterit？"

"Yes，sir；andIwishallrelationstookasmuchtroubleaboutthedeadastheyoungmanwhogavememyorders。"

Afterseveralturnings，thegardenerstoppedandsaidtome：

"Hereweare。"

Isawbeforemeasquareofflowerswhichonewouldneverhavetakenforagrave，ifithadnotbeenforawhitemarbleslabbearinganame。

Themarbleslabstoodupright，anironrailingmarkedthelimitsofthegroundpurchased，andtheearthwascoveredwithwhitecamellias。"Whatdoyousaytothat？"saidthegardener。

"Itisbeautiful。"

"Andwheneveracamelliafades，Ihaveorderstoreplaceit。"

"Whogaveyoutheorder？"

"Ayounggentleman，whocriedthefirsttimehecamehere；anoldpalofhers，Isuppose，fortheysayshewasagayone。Verypretty，too，Ibelieve。Didyouknowher，sir？""Yes。"

"Liketheother？"saidthegardener，withaknowingsmile。"No，I

neverspoketoher。"

"Andyoucomehere，too！Itisverygoodofyou，forthosethatcometoseethepoorgirldon'texactlycumberthecemetery。"

"Doesn'tanybodycome？"

"Nobody，exceptthatyounggentlemanwhocameonce。"

"Onlyonce？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Henevercamebackagain？"

"No，buthewillwhenhegetshome。"

"Heisawaysomewhere？"

"Yes。"

"Doyouknowwhereheis？"

"IbelievehehasgonetoseeMlle。Gautier'ssister。"

"Whatdoeshewantthere？"

"Hehasgonetogetherauthoritytohavethecorpsedugupagainandputsomewhereelse。"

"Whywon'theletitremainhere？"

"Youknow，sir，peoplehavequeernotionsaboutdeadfolk。Weseesomethingofthateveryday。Thegroundherewasonlyboughtforfiveyears，andthisyounggentlemanwantsaperpetualleaseandabiggerplotofground；itwillbebetterinthenewpart。"

"Whatdoyoucallthenewpart？"

"Thenewplotsofgroundthatareforsale，theretotheleft。Ifthecemeteryhadalwaysbeenkeptlikeitisnow，therewouldn'tbethelikeofitintheworld；butthereisstillplentytodobeforeitwillbequiteallitshouldbe。Andthenpeoplearesoqueer！"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Imeanthattherearepeoplewhocarrytheirprideevenhere。

Now，thisDemoiselleGautier，itappearsshelivedabitfree，ifyou'llexcusemysayingso。Poorlady，she'sdeadnow；there'snomoreofherleftthanofthemthatnoonehasawordtosayagainst。Wewaterthemeveryday。Well，whentherelativesofthefolkthatareburiedbesideherfoundoutthesortofpersonshewas，whatdoyouthinktheysaid？Thattheywouldtrytokeepheroutfromhere，andthatthereoughttobeapieceofgroundsomewhereapartforthesesortofwomen，likethereisforthepoor。Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？Igaveittothemstraight，Idid：well-to-dofolkwhocometoseetheirdeadfourtimesayear，andbringtheirflowersthemselves，andwhatflowers！andlooktwiceatthekeepofthemtheypretendtocryover，andwriteontheirtombstonesallaboutthetearstheyhaven'tshed，andcomeandmakedifficultiesabouttheirneighbours。Youmaybelievemeornot，sir，Ineverknewtheyounglady；Idon'tknowwhatshedid。Well，I'mquiteinlovewiththepoorthing；Ilookafterherwell，andIletherhavehercamelliasatanhonestprice。SheisthedeadbodythatI

likethebest。Yousee，sir，weareobligedtolovethedead，forwearekeptsobusy，wehavehardlytimetoloveanythingelse。"

Ilookedattheman，andsomeofmyreaderswillunderstand，withoutmyneedingtoexplainittothem，theemotionwhichI

feltonhearinghim。Heobservedit，nodoubt，forhewenton：

"Theytellmetherewerepeoplewhoruinedthemselvesoverthatgirl，andloversthatworshippedher；well，whenIthinkthereisn'toneofthemthatsomuchasbuysheraflowernow，that'squeer，sir，andsad。And，afterall，sheisn'tsobadlyoff，forshehashergravetoherself，andifthereisonlyonewhoremembersher，hemakesupfortheothers。Butwehaveotherpoorgirlshere，justlikeherandjustherage，andtheyarejustthrownintoapauper'sgrave，anditbreaksmyheartwhenIheartheirpoorbodiesdropintotheearth。Andnotasoulthinksaboutthemanymore，oncetheyaredead！'Tisn'tamerrytrade，ours，especiallywhenwehavealittleheartleft。Whatdoyouexpect？Ican'thelpit。Ihaveafine，strappinggirlmyself；

she'sjusttwenty，andwhenagirlofthatagecomeshereIthinkofher，andIdon'tcareifit'sagreatladyoravagabond，I

can'thelpfeelingitabit。ButIamtakingupyourtime，sir，withmytales，anditwasn'ttohearthemyoucamehere。IwastoldtoshowyouMlle。Gautier'sgrave；hereyouhaveit。IsthereanythingelseIcandoforyou？"

"DoyouknowM。ArmandDuval'saddress？"Iasked。

"Yes；helivesatRuede——；atleast，that'swhereIalwaysgotogetmymoneyfortheflowersyouseethere。"

"Thanks，mygoodman。"

Igaveonemorelookatthegravecoveredwithflowers，halflongingtopenetratethedepthsoftheearthandseewhattheearthhadmadeofthefaircreaturethathadbeencasttoit；

thenIwalkedsadlyaway。

"DoyouwanttoseeM。Duval，sir？"saidthegardener，whowaswalkingbesideme。

"Yes。"

"Well，Iamprettysureheisnotbackyet，orhewouldhavebeenherealready。"

"Youdon'tthinkhehasforgottenMarguerite？"

"Iamnotonlysurehehasn't，butIwouldwagerthathewantstochangehergravesimplyinordertohaveonemorelookather。"

"Whydoyouthinkthat？"

"Thefirstwordhesaidtomewhenhecametothecemeterywas：

'HowcanIseeheragain？'Thatcan'tbedoneunlessthereisachangeofgrave，andItoldhimallabouttheformalitiesthathavetobeattendedtoingettingitdone；for，yousee，ifyouwanttomoveabodyfromonegravetoanotheryoumusthaveitidentified，andonlythefamilycangiveleaveforitunderthedirectionofapoliceinspector。ThatiswhyM。DuvalhasgonetoseeMlle。Gautier'ssister，andyoumaybesurehisfirstvisitwillbeforme。"

Wehadcometothecemeterygate。Ithankedthegardeneragain，puttingafewcoinsintohishand，andmademywaytotheaddresshehadgivenme。

Armandhadnotyetreturned。Ileftwordforhim，begginghimtocomeandseemeassoonashearrived，ortosendmewordwhereI

couldfindhim。

Nextday，inthemorning，IreceivedaletterfromDuval，tellingmeofhisreturn，andaskingmetocallonhim，ashewassowornoutwithfatiguethatitwasimpossibleforhimtogoout。

Chapter6

IfoundArmandinbed。Onseeingmeheheldoutaburninghand。

"Youarefeverish，"Isaidtohim。"Itisnothing，thefatigueofarapidjourney；thatisall。""YouhavebeentoseeMarguerite'ssister？""Yes；whotoldyou？""Iknewit。Didyougetwhatyouwanted？"

"Yes；butwhotoldyouofmyjourney，andofmyreasonfortakingit？"

"Thegardenerofthecemetery。"

"Youhaveseenthetomb？"

Iscarcelydaredreply，forthetoneinwhichthewordswerespokenprovedtomethatthespeakerwasstillpossessedbytheemotionwhichIhadwitnessedbefore，andthateverytimehisthoughtsorspeechtravelledbacktothatmournfulsubjectemotionwouldstill，foralongtimetocome，provestrongerthanhiswill。Icontentedmyselfwithanodofthehead。

"Hehaslookedafteritwell？"continuedArmand。Twobigtearsrolleddownthecheeksofthesickman，andheturnedawayhisheadtohidethemfromme。Ipretendednottoseethem，andtriedtochangetheconversation。"Youhavebeenawaythreeweeks，"I

said。

Armandpassedhishandacrosshiseyesandreplied，"Exactlythreeweeks。"

"Youhadalongjourney。"

"Oh，Iwasnottravellingallthetime。IwasillforafortnightorIshouldhavereturnedlongago；butIhadscarcelygottherewhenItookthisfever，andIwasobligedtokeepmyroom。"

"Andyoustartedtocomebackbeforeyouwerereallywell？"

"IfIhadremainedintheplaceforanotherweek，Ishouldhavediedthere。"

"Well，nowyouarebackagain，youmusttakecareofyourself；

yourfriendswillcomeandlookafteryou；myself，firstofall，ifyouwillallowme。"

"Ishallgetupinacoupleofhours。"

"Itwouldbeveryunwise。"

"Imust。"

"Whathaveyoutodoinsuchagreathurry？"

"Imustgototheinspectorofpolice。"

"Whydoyounotgetoneofyourfriendstoseeafterthematter？

Itislikelytomakeyouworsethanyouarenow。"

"Itismyonlychanceofgettingbetter。Imustseeher。EversinceIheardofherdeath，especiallysinceIsawhergrave，I

havenotbeenabletosleep。Icannotrealizethatthiswoman，soyoungandsobeautifulwhenIlefther，isreallydead。Imustconvincemyselfofit。ImustseewhatGodhasdonewithabeingthatIhavelovedsomuch，andperhapsthehorrorofthesightwillcuremeofmydespair。Willyouaccompanyme，ifitwon'tbetroublingyoutoomuch？"

"Whatdidhersistersayaboutit？"

"Nothing。SheseemedgreatlysurprisedthatastrangerwantedtobuyaplotofgroundandgiveMargueriteanewgrave，andsheimmediatelysignedtheauthorizationthatIaskedherfor。"

"Believeme，itwouldbebettertowaituntilyouarequitewell。"

"Havenofear；Ishallbequitecomposed。Besides，IshouldsimplygooutofmymindifIwerenottocarryoutaresolutionwhichIhavesetmyselftocarryout。IsweartoyouthatIshallneverbemyselfagainuntilIhaveseenMarguerite。Itisperhapsthethirstofthefever，asleeplessnight'sdream，amoment'sdelirium；butthoughIweretobecomeaTrappist，likeM。deRance'，afterhavingseen，Iwillsee。"

"Iunderstand，"IsaidtoArmand，"andIamatyourservice。HaveyouseenJulieDuprat？"

"Yes，IsawherthedayIreturned，forthefirsttime。"

"DidshegiveyouthepapersthatMargueritehadleftforyou？"

Armanddrewarollofpapersfromunderhispillow，andimmediatelyputthemback。

"Iknowallthatisinthesepapersbyheart，"hesaid。"ForthreeweeksIhavereadthemtentimesovereveryday。Youshallreadthem，too，butlateron，whenIamcalmer，andcanmakeyouunderstandalltheloveandtendernesshiddenawayinthisconfession。ForthemomentIwantyoutodomeaservice。"

"Whatisit？"

"Yourcabisbelow？"

"Yes。

"Well，willyoutakemypassportandaskifthereareanylettersformeattheposterestante？MyfatherandsistermusthavewrittentomeatParis，andIwentawayinsuchhastethatIdidnotgoandseebeforeleaving。Whenyoucomebackwewillgotogethertotheinspectorofpolice，andarrangeforto-morrow'sceremony。"

Armandhandedmehispassport，andIwenttoRueJeanJacquesRousseau。ThereweretwolettersaddressedtoDuval。Itookthemandreturned。WhenIre-enteredtheroomArmandwasdressedandreadytogoout。

"Thanks，"hesaid，takingtheletters。"Yes，"headded，afterglancingattheaddresses，"theyarefrommyfatherandsister。

Theymusthavebeenquiteatalosstounderstandmysilence。"

Heopenedtheletters，guessedatratherthanreadthem，foreachwasoffourpages；andamomentafterfoldedthemup。"Come，"hesaid，"Iwillanswertomorrow。"

Wewenttothepolicestation，andArmandhandedinthepermissionsignedbyMarguerite'ssister。Hereceivedinreturnalettertothekeeperofthecemetery，anditwassettledthatthedisintermentwastotakeplacenextday，atteno'clock，thatI

shouldcallforhimanhourbefore，andthatweshouldgotothecemeterytogether。

IconfessthatIwascurioustobepresent，andIdidnotsleepallnight。judgingfromthethoughtswhichfilledmybrain，itmusthavebeenalongnightforArmand。WhenIenteredhisroomatnineonthefollowingmorninghewasfrightfullypale，butseemedcalm。Hesmiledandheldouthishand。Hiscandleswereburnedout；andbeforeleavinghetookaveryheavyletteraddressedtohisfather，andnodoubtcontaininganaccountofthatnight'simpressions。

HalfanhourlaterwewereatMontmartre。Thepoliceinspectorwastherealready。WewalkedslowlyinthedirectionofMarguerite'sgrave。Theinspectorwentinfront；ArmandandI

followedafewstepsbehind。

FromtimetotimeIfeltmycompanion'sarmtrembleconvulsively，asifheshiveredfromheadtofeet。Ilookedathim。Heunderstoodthelook，andsmiledatme；wehadnotexchangedawordsinceleavingthehouse。

Justbeforewereachedthegrave，Armandstoppedtowipehisface，whichwascoveredwithgreatdropsofsweat。Itookadvantageofthepausetodrawinalongbreath，forI，too，feltasifIhadaweightonmychest。

Whatistheoriginofthatmournfulpleasurewhichwefindinsightsofthiskind？Whenwereachedthegravethegardenerhadremovedalltheflower-pots，theironrailinghadbeentakenaway，andtwomenwereturningupthesoil。

Armandleanedagainstatreeandwatched。Allhislifeseemedtopassbeforehiseyes。Suddenlyoneofthetwopickaxesstruckagainstastone。AtthesoundArmandrecoiled，asatanelectricshock，andseizedmyhandwithsuchforceastogivemepain。

Oneofthegrave-diggerstookashovelandbeganemptyingouttheearth；then，whenonlythestonescoveringthecoffinwereleft，hethrewthemoutonebyone。

IscrutinizedArmand，foreverymomentIwasafraidlesttheemotionswhichhewasvisiblyrepressingshouldprovetoomuchforhim；buthestillwatched，hiseyesfixedandwideopen，liketheeyesofamadman，andaslighttremblingofthecheeksandlipsweretheonlysignsoftheviolentnervouscrisisunderwhichhewassuffering。

Asforme，allIcansayisthatIregrettedhavingcome。

Whenthecoffinwasuncoveredtheinspectorsaidtothegrave-digger："Openit。"Theyobeyed，asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld。

Thecoffinwasofoak，andtheybegantounscrewthelid。Thehumidityoftheearthhadrustedthescrews，anditwasnotwithoutsomedifficultythatthecoffinwasopened。Apainfulodouraroseinspiteofthearomaticplantswithwhichitwascovered。

"OmyGod，myGod！"murmuredArmand，andturnedpalerthanbefore。

Eventhegrave-diggerdrewback。

Agreatwhiteshroudcoveredthecorpse，closelyoutliningsomeofitscontours。Thisshroudwasalmostcompletelyeatenawayatoneend，andleftoneofthefeetvisible。

Iwasnearlyfainting，andatthemomentofwritingtheselinesI

seethewholesceneoveragaininallitsimposingreality。

"Quick，"saidtheinspector。Thereupononeofthemenputouthishand，begantounsewtheshroud，andtakingholdofitbyoneendsuddenlylaidbarethefaceofMarguerite。

Itwasterribletosee，itishorribletorelate。Theeyeswerenothingbuttwoholes，thelipshaddisappeared，vanished，andthewhiteteethweretightlyset。Theblackhair，longanddry，waspressedtightlyabouttheforehead，andhalfveiledthegreenhollowsofthecheeks；andyetIrecognisedinthisfacethejoyouswhiteandrosefacethatIhadseensooften。

Armand，unabletoturnawayhiseyes，hadputthehandkerchieftohismouthandbitit。

Formypart，itwasasifacircleofirontightenedaboutmyhead，aveilcoveredmyeyes，arumblingfilledmyears，andallIcoulddowastounstopasmellingbottlewhichIhappenedtohavewithme，andtodrawinlongbreathsofit。

ThroughthisbewildermentIheardtheinspectorsaytoDuval，"Doyouidentify？"

"Yes，"repliedtheyoungmaninadullvoice。

"Thenfastenitupandtakeitaway，"saidtheinspector。

Thegrave-diggersputbacktheshroudoverthefaceofthecorpse，fastenedupthecoffin，tookholdofeachendofit，andbegantocarryittowardtheplacewheretheyhadbeentoldtotakeit。

Armanddidnotmove。Hiseyeswerefixedupontheemptygrave；hewasaswhiteasthecorpsewhichwehadjustseen。Helookedasifhehadbeenturnedtostone。

Isawwhatwascomingassoonasthepaincausedbythespectacleshouldhaveabatedandthusceasedtosustainhim。Iwentuptotheinspector。"Isthisgentleman'spresencestillnecessary？"I

said，pointingtoArmand。

"No，"hereplied，"andIshouldadviseyoutotakehimaway。Helooksill。"

"Come，"IsaidtoArmand，takinghimbythearm。

"What？"hesaid，lookingatmeasifhedidnotrecogniseme。

"Itisallover，"Iadded。"Youmustcome，myfriend；youarequitewhite；youarecold。Theseemotionswillbetoomuchforyou。"

"Youareright。Letusgo，"heansweredmechanically，butwithoutmovingastep。

Itookhimbythearmandledhimalong。Helethimselfbeguidedlikeachild，onlyfromtimetotimemurmuring，"Didyouseehereyes？"andheturnedasifthevisionhadrecalledher。

Nevertheless，hisstepsbecamemoreirregular；heseemedtowalkbyaseriesofjerks；histeethchattered；hishandswerecold；aviolentagitationranthroughhisbody。Ispoketohim；hedidnotanswer。Hewasjustabletolethimselfbeledalong。Acabwaswaitingatthegate。Itwasonlyjustintime。Scarcelyhadheseatedhimself，whentheshiveringbecamemoreviolent，andhehadanactualattackofnerves，inthemidstofwhichhisfearoffrighteningmemadehimpressmyhandandwhisper："Itisnothing，nothing。Iwanttoweep。"

Hischestlaboured，hiseyeswereinjectedwithblood，butnotearscame。ImadehimsmellthesaltswhichIhadwithme，andwhenwereachedhishouseonlytheshiveringremained。

WiththehelpofhisservantIputhimtobed，litabigfireinhisroom，andhurriedofftomydoctor，towhomItoldallthathadhappened。Hehastenedwithme。

Armandwasflushedanddelirious；hestammeredoutdisconnectedwords，inwhichonlythenameofMargueritecouldbedistinctlyheard。

"Well？"Isaidtothedoctorwhenhehadexaminedthepatient。

"Well，hehasneithermorenorlessthanbrainfever，andveryluckyitisforhim，forIfirmlybelieve（Godforgiveme！）thathewouldhavegoneoutofhismind。Fortunately，thephysicalmaladywillkillthementalone，andinamonth'stimehewillbefreefromtheoneandperhapsfromtheother。"

Chapter7

IllnesseslikeArmand'shaveonefortunatethingaboutthem：theyeitherkilloutrightorareverysoonovercome。AfortnightaftertheeventswhichIhavejustrelatedArmandwasconvalescent，andwehadalreadybecomegreatfriends。DuringthewholecourseofhisillnessIhadhardlylefthisside。

Springwasprofuseinitsflowers，itsleaves，itsbirds，itssongs；andmyfriend'swindowopenedgailyuponhisgarden，fromwhicharevivingbreathofhealthseemedtocometohim。Thedoctorhadallowedhimtogetup，andweoftensattalkingattheopenwindow，atthehourwhenthesunisatitsheight，fromtwelvetotwo。IwascarefulnottorefertoMarguerite，fearinglestthenameshouldawakensadrecollectionshiddenundertheapparentcalmoftheinvalid；butArmand，onthecontrary，seemedtodelightinspeakingofher，notasformerly，withtearsinhiseyes，butwithasweetsmilewhichreassuredmeastothestateofhismind。

Ihadnoticedthateversincehislastvisittothecemetery，andthesightwhichhadbroughtonsoviolentacrisis，sorrowseemedtohavebeenovercomebysickness，andMarguerite'sdeathnolongerappearedtohimunderitsformeraspect。Akindofconsolationhadsprungfromthecertaintyofwhichhewasnowfullypersuaded，andinordertobanishthesombrepicturewhichoftenpresenteditselftohim，hereturneduponthehappyrecollectionsofhisliaisonwithMarguerite，andseemedresolvedtothinkofnothingelse。

Thebodywastoomuchweakenedbytheattackoffever，andevenbytheprocessofitscure，topermithimanyviolentemotions，andtheuniversaljoyofspringwhichwrappedhimroundcarriedhisthoughtsinstinctivelytoimagesofjoy。Hehadalwaysobstinatelyrefusedtotellhisfamilyofthedangerwhichhehadbeenin，andwhenhewaswellagainhisfatherdidnotevenknowthathehadbeenill。

Oneeveningwehadsatatthewindowlaterthanusual；theweatherhadbeensuperb，andthesunsanktosleepinatwilightdazzlingwithgoldandazure。ThoughwewereinParis，theverdurewhichsurroundedusseemedtoshutusofffromtheworld，andourconversationwasonlynowandagaindisturbedbythesoundofapassingvehicle。

"Itwasaboutthistimeoftheyear，ontheeveningofadaylikethis，thatIfirstmetMarguerite，"saidArmandtome，asifhewerelisteningtohisownthoughtsratherthantowhatIwassaying。Ididnotanswer。Thenturningtowardme，hesaid：

"Imusttellyouthewholestory；youwillmakeabookoutofit；

noonewillbelieveit，butitwillperhapsbeinterestingtodo。"

"Youwilltellmeallaboutitlateron，myfriend，"Isaidtohim；"youarenotstrongenoughyet。"

"Itisawarmevening，Ihaveeatenmyrationofchicken，"hesaidtome，smiling；"Ihavenofever，wehavenothingtodo，I

willtellittoyounow。"

"Sinceyoureallywishit，Iwilllisten。"

Thisiswhathetoldme，andIhavescarcelychangedawordofthetouchingstory。

Yes（Armandwenton，lettinghisheadsinkbackonthechair），yes，itwasjustsuchaneveningasthis。Ihadspentthedayinthecountrywithoneofmyfriends，GastonR——。WereturnedtoParisintheevening，andnotknowingwhattodowewenttotheVarietes。Wewentoutduringoneoftheentr'actes，andatallwomanpassedusinthecorridor，towhommyfriendbowed。

"Whomareyoubowingto？"Iasked。

"MargueriteGautier，"hesaid。

"Sheseemsmuchchanged，forIdidnotrecogniseher，"Isaid，withanemotionthatyouwillsoonunderstand。

"Shehasbeenill；thepoorgirlwon'tlastlong。"

Irememberthewordsasiftheyhadbeenspokentomeyesterday。

Imusttellyou，myfriend，thatfortwoyearsthesightofthisgirlhadmadeastrangeimpressiononmewheneverIcameacrossher。Withoutknowingwhy，Iturnedpaleandmyheartbeatviolently。Ihaveafriendwhostudiestheoccultsciences，andhewouldcallwhatIexperienced"theaffinityoffluids"；asforme，IonlyknowthatIwasfatedtofallinlovewithMarguerite，andthatIforesawit。

Itiscertainlythefactthatshemadeaverydefiniteimpressionuponme，thatmanyofmyfriendshadnoticeditandthattheyhadbeenmuchamusedwhentheysawwhoitwasthatmadethisimpressionuponme。

ThefirsttimeIeversawherwasinthePlacedelaBourse，outsideSusse's；anopencarriagewasstationedthere，andawomandressedinwhitegotdownfromit。Amurmurofadmirationgreetedherassheenteredtheshop。Asforme，Iwasrivettedtothespotfromthemomentshewentintillthemomentwhenshecameoutagain。Icouldseeherthroughtheshopwindowsselectingwhatshehadcometobuy。Imighthavegonein，butI

darednot。Ididnotknowwhoshewas，andIwasafraidlestsheshouldguesswhyIhadcomeinandbeoffended。Nevertheless，I

didnotthinkIshouldeverseeheragain。

Shewaselegantlydressed；sheworeamuslindresswithmanyflounces，anIndianshawlembroideredatthecornerswithgoldandsilkflowers，astrawhat，asinglebracelet，andaheavygoldchain，suchaswasjustthenbeginningtobethefashion。

Shereturnedtohercarriageanddroveaway。Oneoftheshopmenstoodatthedoorlookingafterhiselegantcustomer'scarriage。

Iwentuptohimandaskedhimwhatwasthelady'sname。

"MademoiselleMargueriteGautier，"hereplied。Idarednotaskhimforheraddress，andwentonmyway。

Therecollectionofthisvision，foritwasreallyavision，wouldnotleavemymindlikesomanyvisionsIhadseen，andI

lookedeverywhereforthisroyallybeautifulwomaninwhite。

AfewdayslatertherewasagreatperformanceattheOperaComique。ThefirstpersonIsawinoneoftheboxeswasMargueriteGautier。

TheyoungmanwhomIwaswithrecognisedherimmediately，forhesaidtome，mentioninghername："Lookatthatprettygirl。"

AtthatmomentMargueriteturnedheropera-glassinourdirectionand，seeingmyfriend，smiledandbeckonedtohimtocometoher。

"Iwillgoandsay'Howdoyoudo？'toher，"hesaid，"andwillbebackinamoment。"

"Icouldnothelpsaying"Happyman！"

"Why？"

"Togoandseethatwoman。"

"Areyouinlovewithher？"

"No，"Isaid，flushing，forIreallydidnotknowwhattosay；

"butIshouldverymuchliketoknowher。"

"Comewithme。Iwillintroduceyou。"

"Askherifyoumay。"

"Really，thereisnoneedtobeparticularwithher；come。"

Whathesaidtroubledme。IfearedtodiscoverthatMargueritewasnotworthyofthesentimentwhichIfeltforher。

InabookofAlphonseKarrentitlesAmRauchen，thereisamanwhooneeveningfollowsaveryelegantwoman，withwhomhehadfalleninlovewithatfirstsightonaccountofherbeauty。Onlytokissherhandhefeltthathehadthestrengthtoundertakeanything，thewilltoconqueranything，thecouragetoachieveanything。Hescarcelydaresglanceatthetrimanklewhichsheshowsassheholdsherdressoutofthemud。Whileheisdreamingofallthathewoulddotopossessthiswoman，shestopsatthecornerofthestreetandasksifhewillcomehomewithher。Heturnshishead，crossesthestreet，andgoessadlybacktohisownhouse。

Irecalledthestory，and，havinglongedtosufferforthiswoman，IwasafraidthatshewouldacceptmetoopromptlyandgivemeatoncewhatIfainwouldhavepurchasedbylongwaitingorsomegreatsacrifice。Wemenarebuiltlikethat，anditisveryfortunatethattheimaginationlendssomuchpoetrytothesenses，andthatthedesiresofthebodymakethussuchconcessiontothedreamsofthesoul。Ifanyonehadsaidtome，Youshallhavethiswomanto-nightandbekilledtomorrow，I

wouldhaveaccepted。Ifanyonehadsaidtome，youcanbeherloverfortenpounds，Iwouldhaverefused。Iwouldhavecriedlikeachildwhoseesthecastlehehasbeendreamingaboutvanishawayasheawakensfromsleep。

Allthesame，Iwishedtoknowher；itwasmyonlymeansofmakingupmymindabouther。IthereforesaidtomyfriendthatI

insistedonhavingherpermissiontobeintroducedtoher，andI

wanderedtoandfrointhecorridors，sayingtomyselfthatinamoment'stimeshewasgoingtoseeme，andthatIshouldnotknowwhichwaytolook。Itried（sublimechildishnessoflove！）tostringtogetherthewordsIshouldsaytoher。

Amomentaftermyfriendreturned。"Sheisexpectingus，"hesaid。

"Isshealone？"Iasked。

"Withanotherwoman。"

"Therearenomen？"

"No。"

"Come，then。"

Myfriendwenttowardthedoorofthetheatre。

"Thatisnottheway，"Isaid。

"Wemustgoandgetsomesweets。Sheaskedmeforsome。"

Wewentintoaconfectioner'sinthepassagedel'Opera。Iwouldhaveboughtthewholeshop，andIwaslookingabouttoseewhatsweetstochoose，whenmyfriendaskedforapoundofraisinsglaces。

"Doyouknowifshelikesthem？"

"Sheeatsnootherkindofsweets；everybodyknowsit。

"Ah，"hewentonwhenwehadlefttheshop，"doyouknowwhatkindofwomanitisthatIamgoingtointroduceyouto？Don'timagineitisaduchess。Itissimplyakeptwoman，verymuchkept，mydearfellow；don'tbeshy，sayanythingthatcomesintoyourhead。"

"Yes，yes，"Istammered，andIfollowedhim，sayingtomyselfthatIshouldsooncuremyselfofmypassion。

WhenIenteredtheboxMargueritewasinfitsoflaughter。I

wouldratherthatshehadbeensad。Myfriendintroducedme；

Margueritegavemealittlenod，andsaid，"Andmysweets？"

"Heretheyare。"

Shelookedatmeasshetookthem。Idroppedmyeyesandblushed。

Sheleanedacrosstoherneighbourandsaidsomethinginherear，atwhichbothlaughed。EvidentlyIwasthecauseoftheirmirth，andmyembarrassmentincreased。AtthattimeIhadasmistressaveryaffectionateandsentimentallittleperson，whosesentimentandwhosemelancholylettersamusedmegreatly。IrealizedthepainImusthavegivenherbywhatInowexperienced，andforfiveminutesIlovedherasnowomanwaseverloved。

Margueriteateherraisinsglaceswithouttakinganymorenoticeofme。Thefriendwhohadintroducedmedidnotwishtoletmeremaininsoridiculousaposition。

"Marguerite，"hesaid，"youmustnotbesurprisedifM。Duvalsaysnothing：youoverwhelmhimtosuchadegreethathecannotfindawordtosay。"

"Ishouldsay，onthecontrary，thathehasonlycomewithyoubecauseitwouldhaveboredyoutocomeherebyyourself。"

"Ifthatweretrue，"Isaid，"IshouldnothavebeggedErnesttoaskyourpermissiontointroduceme。"

"Perhapsthatwasonlyinordertoputoffthefatalmoment。"

HoweverlittleonemayhaveknownwomenlikeMarguerite，onecannotbutknowthedelighttheytakeinpretendingtobewittyandinteasingthepeoplewhomtheymeetforthefirsttime。Itisnodoubtareturnforthehumiliationswhichtheyoftenhavetosubmittoonthepartofthosewhomtheyseeeveryday。

Toanswerthemproperly，onerequiresacertainknack，andIhadnothadtheopportunityofacquiringit；besides，theideathatI

hadformedofMargueriteaccentuatedtheeffectsofhermockery。

Nothingthatdamefromherwasindifferenttome。Irosetomyfeet，sayinginanalteredvoice，whichIcouldnotentirelycontrol：

"Ifthatiswhatyouthinkofme，madame，Ihaveonlytoaskyourpardonformyindiscretion，andtotakeleaveofyouwiththeassurancethatitshallnotoccuragain。"

ThereuponIbowedandquittedthebox。IhadscarcelyclosedthedoorwhenIheardathirdpealoflaughter。Itwouldnothavebeenwellforanybodywhohadelbowedmeatthatmoment。

Ireturnedtomyseat。Thesignalforraisingthecurtainwasgiven。Ernestcamebacktohisplacebesideme。

"Whatawayyoubehaved！"hesaid，ashesatdown。"Theywillthinkyouaremad。"

"WhatdidMargueritesayafterIhadgone？"

"Shelaughed，andsaidshehadneverseenanyonesofunny。Butdon'tlookuponitasalostchance；onlydonotdothesewomenthehonouroftakingthemseriously。Theydonotknowwhatpolitenessandceremonyare。Itisasifyouweretoofferperfumestodogs——theywouldthinkitsmelledbad，andgoandrollinthegutter。"

"Afterall，whatdoesitmattertome？"Isaid，affectingtospeakinanonchalantway。"Ishallneverseethiswomanagain，andifIlikedherbeforemeetingher，itisquitedifferentnowthatIknowher。"

"Bah！Idon'tdespairofseeingyouonedayatthebackofherbox，andofbearingthatyouareruiningyourselfforher。

However，youareright，shehasn'tbeenwellbroughtup；butshewouldbeacharmingmistresstohave。"

Happily，thecurtainroseandmyfriendwassilent。Icouldnotpossiblytellyouwhattheywereacting。AllthatIrememberisthatfromtimetotimeIraisedmyeyestotheboxIhadquittedsoabruptly，andthatthefacesoffreshvisitorssucceededoneanotherallthetime。

IwasfarfromhavinggivenupthinkingaboutMarguerite。Anotherfeelinghadtakenpossessionofme。ItseemedtomethatIhadherinsultandmyabsurditytowipeout；IsaidtomyselfthatifIspenteverypennyIhad，IwouldwinherandwinmyrighttotheplaceIhadabandonedsoquickly。

BeforetheperformancewasoverMargueriteandherfriendleftthebox。Irosefrommyseat。

"Areyougoing？"saidErnest。

"Yes。"

"Why？"

Atthatmomenthesawthattheboxwasempty。

"Go，go，"hesaid，"andgoodluck，orratherbetterluck。"

Iwentout。

Iheardtherustleofdresses，thesoundofvoices，onthestaircase。Istoodaside，and，withoutbeingseen，sawthetwowomenpassme，accompaniedbytwoyoungmen。Attheentrancetothetheatretheyweremetbyafootman。

"TellthecoachmantowaitatthedooroftheCafe'Anglais，"

saidMarguerite。"Wewillwalkthere。"

AfewminutesafterwardIsawMargueritefromthestreetatawindowofoneofthelargeroomsoftherestaurant，pullingthecamelliasofherbouquettopieces，onebyone。Oneofthetwomenwasleaningoverhershoulderandwhisperinginherear。I

tookupmypositionattheMaison-d'or，inoneofthefirst-floorrooms，anddidnotlosesightofthewindowforaninstant。AtoneinthemorningMargueritegotintohercarriagewithherthreefriends。Itookacabandfollowedthem。ThecarriagestoppedatNo。9，Rued'Antin。Margueritegotoutandwentinalone。Itwasnodoubtamerechance，butthechancefilledmewithdelight。

Fromthattimeforward，IoftenmetMargueriteatthetheatreorintheChamps-Elysees。Alwaystherewasthesamegaietyinher，thesameemotioninme。

Atlastafortnightpassedwithoutmymeetingher。ImetGastonandaskedafterher。

"Poorgirl，sheisveryill，"heanswered。

"Whatisthematter？"

"Sheisconsumptive，andthesortoflifesheleadsisn'texactlythethingtocureher。Shehastakentoherbed；sheisdying。"

Theheartisastrangething；Iwasalmostgladathearingit。

EverydayIwenttoaskafterher，withoutleavingmynameormycard。IheardshewasconvalescentandhadgonetoBagneres。

Timewentby，theimpression，ifnotthememory，fadedgraduallyfrommymind。Itravelled；loveaffairs，habits，work，tooktheplaceofotherthoughts，andwhenIrecalledthisadventureI

lookeduponitasoneofthosepassionswhichonehaswhenoneisveryyoung，andlaughsatsoonafterward。

Fortherest，itwasnocredittometohavegotthebetterofthisrecollection，forIhadcompletelylostsightofMarguerite，and，asItoldyou，whenshepassedmeinthecorridoroftheVarietes，Ididnotrecogniseher。Shewasveiled，itistrue；

but，veiledthoughshemighthavebeentwoyearsearlier，I

shouldnothaveneededtoseeherinordertorecogniseher：I

shouldhaveknownherintuitively。Allthesame，myheartbegantobeatwhenIknewthatitwasshe；andthetwoyearsthathadpassedsinceIsawher，andwhathadseemedtobetheresultsofthatseparation，vanishedinsmokeatthemeretouchofherdress。

Chapter8

However（continuedArmandafterapause），whileIknewmyselftobestillinlovewithher，Ifeltmoresureofmyself，andpartofmydesiretospeaktoMargueriteagainwasawishtomakeherseethatIwasstrongerthanshe。

Howmanywaysdoesthehearttake，howmanyreasonsdoesitinventforitself，inordertoarriveatwhatitwants！

Icouldnotremaininthecorridor，andIreturnedtomyplaceinthestalls，lookinghastilyaroundtoseewhatboxshewasin。

Shewasinaground-floorbox，quitealone。Shehadchanged，asI

havetoldyou，andnolongerworeanindifferentsmileonherlips。Shehadsuffered；shewasstillsuffering。ThoughitwasApril，shewasstillwearingawintercostume，allwrappedupinfurs。

Igazedathersofixedlythatmyeyesattractedhers。Shelookedatmeforafewseconds，putupheropera-glasstoseemebetter，andseemedtothinksherecognisedme，withoutbeingquitesurewhoIwas，forwhensheputdownherglasses，asmile，thatcharming，femininesalutation，flittedacrossherlips，asiftoanswerthebowwhichsheseemedtoexpect；butIdidnotrespond，soastohaveanadvantageoverher，asifIhadforgotten，whilesheremembered。Supposingherselfmistaken，，shelookedaway。

Thecurtainwentup。IhaveoftenseenMargueriteatthetheatre。

Ineversawherpaytheslightestattentiontowhatwasbeingacted。Asforme，theperformanceinterestedmeequallylittle，andIpaidnoattentiontoanythingbuther，thoughdoingmyutmosttokeepherfromnoticingit。

PresentlyIsawherglancingacrossatthepersonwhowasintheoppositebox；onlooking，IsawawomanwithwhomIwasquitefamiliar。Shehadoncebeenakeptwoman，andhadtriedtogoonthestage，hadfailed，and，relyingonheracquaintancewithfashionablepeopleinParis，hadgoneintobusinessandtakenamilliner'sshop。IsawinherameansofmeetingwithMarguerite，andprofitedbyamomentinwhichshelookedmywaytowavemyhandtoher。AsIexpected，shebeckonedtometocometoherbox。

PrudenceDuvernoy（thatwasthemilliner'sauspiciousname）wasoneofthosefatwomenoffortywithwhomonerequiresverylittlediplomacytomakethemunderstandwhatonewantstoknow，especiallywhenwhatonewantstoknowisassimpleaswhatIhadtoaskofher。

ItookadvantageofamomentwhenshewassmilingacrossatMargueritetoaskher，"Whomareyoulookingat？"

"MargueriteGautier。"

"Youknowher？"

"Yes，Iamhermilliner，andsheisaneighbourofmine。"

"DoyouliveintheRued'Antin？"

"No。7。Thewindowofherdressing-roomlooksontothewindowofmine。"

"Theysaysheisacharminggirl。"

"Don'tyouknowher？"

"No，butIshouldliketo。"

"ShallIaskhertocomeovertoourbox？"

"No，Iwouldratherforyoutointroducemetoher。"

"Atherownhouse？"

"Yes。

"Thatismoredifficult。"

"Why？"

"Becausesheisundertheprotectionofajealousoldduke。"

"'Protection'ischarming。"

"Yes，protection，"repliedPrudence。"Pooroldman，hewouldbegreatlyembarrassedtoofferheranythingelse。"

PrudencethentoldmehowMargueritehadmadetheacquaintanceofthedukeatBagneres。

"That，then，"Icontinued，"iswhysheisalonehere？"

"Precisely。"

"Butwhowillseeherhome？"

"Hewill。"

"Hewillcomeforher？"

"Inamoment。"

"Andyou，whoisseeingyouhome？"

"Noone。"

"MayIoffermyself？"

"Butyouarewithafriend，areyounot？"

"Mayweoffer，then？"

"Whoisyourfriend？"

"Acharmingfellow，veryamusing。Hewillbedelightedtomakeyouracquaintance。"

"Well，allright；wewillgoafterthispieceisover，forIknowthelastpiece。"

"Withpleasure；Iwillgoandtellmyfriend。"

"Go，then。Ah，"addedPrudence，asIwasgoing，"thereisthedukejustcomingintoMarguerite'sbox。"

Ilookedathim。Amanofaboutseventyhadsatdownbehindher，andwasgivingherabagofsweets，intowhichshedippedatonce，smiling。ThenshehelditouttowardPrudence，withagesturewhichseemedtosay，"Willyouhavesome？"

"No，"signalledPrudence。

Margueritedrewbackthebag，and，turning，begantotalkwiththeduke。

Itmaysoundchildishtotellyouallthesedetails，buteverythingrelatingtoMargueriteissofreshinmymemorythatI

cannothelprecallingthemnow。

IwentbacktoGastonandtoldhimofthearrangementIhadmadeforhimandforme。Heagreed，andweleftourstallstogoroundtoMme。Duvernoy'sbox。WehadscarcelyopenedthedoorleadingintothestallswhenwehadtostandasidetoallowMargueriteandtheduketopass。Iwouldhavegiventenyearsofmylifetohavebeenintheoldman'splace。

Whentheywereonthestreethehandedherintoaphaeton，whichhedrovehimself，andtheywerewhirledawaybytwosuperbhorses。

WereturnedtoPrudence'sbox，andwhentheplaywasoverwetookacabanddroveto7，Rued'Antin。Atthedoor，Prudenceaskedustocomeupandseehershowrooms，whichwehadneverseen，andofwhichsheseemedveryproud。YoucanimaginehoweagerlyI

accepted。ItseemedtomeasifIwascomingnearerandnearertoMarguerite。Isoonturnedtheconversationinherdirection。

"Theolddukeisatyourneighbours，"IsaidtoPrudence。

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