"Oh，no；sheisprobablyalone。"
"Butshemustbedreadfullybored，"saidGaston。
"Wespendmostofoureveningtogether，orshecallstomewhenshecomesin。Shenevergoestobedbeforetwointhemorning。
Shecan'tsleepbeforethat。"
"Why？"
"Becauseshesuffersinthechest，andisalmostalwaysfeverish。"
"Hasn'tsheanylovers？"Iasked。
"IneverseeanyoneremainafterIleave；Idon'tsaynooneevercomeswhenIamgone。OftenintheeveningImeetthereacertainComtedeN。，whothinksheismakingsomeheadwaybycallingonheratelevenintheevening，andbysendingherjewelstoanyextent；butshecan'tstandhim。Shemakesamistake；heisveryrich。ItisinvainthatIsaytoherfromtimetotime，'Mydearchild，there'sthemanforyou。'She，whogenerallylistenstome，turnsherbackandrepliesthatheistoostupid。Stupid，indeed，heis；butitwouldbeapositionforher，whilethisolddukemightdieanyday。Oldmenareegoists；
hisfamilyarealwaysreproachinghimforhisaffectionforMarguerite；therearetworeasonswhyheislikelytoleavehernothing。Igivehergoodadvice，andsheonlysaysitwillbeplentyoftimetotakeonthecountwhenthedukeisdead。Itisn'tallfun，"continuedPrudence，"tolivelikethat。Iknowverywellitwouldn'tsuitme，andIshouldsoonsendtheoldmanabouthisbusiness。Heissodull；hecallsherhisdaughter；
looksafterherlikeachild；andisalwaysintheway。Iamsureatthisverymomentoneofhisservantsisprowlingaboutinthestreettoseewhocomesout，andespeciallywhogoesin。"
"Ah，poorMarguerite！"saidGaston，sittingdowntothepianoandplayingawaltz。"Ihadn'tanotionofit，butIdidnoticeshehasn'tbeenlookingsogaylately。"
"Hush，"saidPrudence，listening。Gastonstopped。
"Sheiscallingme，Ithink。"
Welistened。Avoicewascalling，"Prudence！"
"Come，now，youmustgo，"saidMme。Duvernoy。
"Ah，thatisyourideaofhospitality，"saidGaston，laughing；
"wewon'tgotillweplease。"
"Whyshouldwego？"
"IamgoingovertoMarguerite's。"
"Wewillwaithere。"
"Youcan't。"
"Thenwewillgowithyou。"
"Thatstillless。"
"IknowMarguerite，"saidGaston；Icanverywellpayheracall。"
"ButArmanddoesn'tknowher。"
"Iwillintroducehim。"
"Impossible。"
WeagainheardMarguerite'svoicecallingtoPrudence，whorushedtoherdressing-roomwindow。IfollowedwithGastonassheopenedthewindow。Wehidourselvessoasnottobeseenfromoutside。
"Ihavebeencallingyoufortenminutes，"saidMargueritefromherwindow，inalmostanimperioustoneofvoice。
"Whatdoyouwant？"
"Iwantyoutocomeoveratonce。"
"Why？"
"BecausetheComtedeN。isstillhere，andheisboringmetodeath。"
"Ican'tnow。"
"Whatishinderingyou？"
"Therearetwoyoungfellowsherewhowon'tgo。"
"Tellthemthatyoumustgoout。"
"Ihavetoldthem。"
"Well，then，leavetheminthehouse。Theywillsoongowhentheyseeyouhavegone。"
"Theywillturneverythingupsidedown。"
"Butwhatdotheywant？"
"Theywanttoseeyou。"
"Whataretheycalled？"
"Youknowone，M。GastonR。"
"Ah，yes，Iknowhim。Andtheother？"
"M。ArmandDuval；andyoudon'tknowhim。"
"No，butbringthemalong。Anythingisbetterthanthecount。I
expectyou。Comeatonce。"
MargueriteclosedherwindowandPrudencehers。Marguerite，whohadrememberedmyfaceforamoment，didnotremembermyname。I
wouldratherhavebeenrememberedtomydisadvantagethanthusforgotten。
"Iknew，"saidGaston，"thatshewouldbedelightedtoseeus。"
"Delightedisn'ttheword，"repliedPrudence，assheputonherhatandshawl。"Shewillseeyouinordertogetridofthecount。Trytobemoreagreeablethanheis，or（IknowMarguerite）shewillputitalldowntome。"
WefollowedPrudencedownstairs。Itrembled；itseemedtomethatthisvisitwastohaveagreatinfluenceonmylife。IwasstillmoreagitatedthanontheeveningwhenIwasintroducedintheboxattheOperaComique。Aswereachedthedoorthatyouknow，myheartbeatsoviolentlythatIwashardlyabletothink。
Weheardthesoundofapiano。Prudencerang。Thepianowassilent。Awomanwholookedmorelikeacompanionthanaservantopenedthedoor。Wewentintothedrawing-room，andfromthattotheboudoir，whichwasthenjustasyouhaveseenitsince。A
youngmanwasleaningagainstthemantel-piece。Marguerite，seatedatthepiano，letherfingerswanderoverthenotes，beginningscrapsofmusicwithoutfinishingthem。Thewholescenebreathedboredom，themanembarrassedbytheconsciousnessofhisnullity，thewomantiredofherdismalvisitor。AtthevoiceofPrudence，Margueriterose，andcomingtowarduswithalookofgratitudetoMme。Duvernoy，said：
"Comein，andwelcome。"
Chapter9
"Good-evening，mydearGaston，"saidMargueritetomycompanion。
"Iamverygladtoseeyou。Whydidn'tyoucometoseemeinmyboxattheVarietes？"
"Iwasafraiditwouldbeindiscreet。"
"Friends，"andMargueritelingeredovertheword，asiftointimatetothosewhowerepresentthatinspiteofthefamiliarwayinwhichshegreetedhim，Gastonwasnotandneverhadbeenanythingmorethanafriend，"friendsarealwayswelcome。"
"Then，willyoupermitmetointroduceM。ArmandDuval？"
"IhadalreadyauthorizedPrudencetodoso。"
"Asfarasthatgoes，madame，"Isaid，bowing，andsucceedingingettingmoreorlessintelligiblesoundsoutofmythroat，"I
havealreadyhadthehonourofbeingintroducedtoyou。"
Marguerite'sbeautifuleyesseemedtobelookingbackinmemory，butshecouldnot，orseemednotto，remember。
"Madame，"Icontinued，"Iamgratefultoyouforhavingforgottentheoccasionofmyfirstintroduction，forIwasveryabsurdandmusthaveseemedtoyouverytiresome。ItwasattheOperaComique，twoyearsago；IwaswithErnestde——。"
"Ah，Iremember，"saidMarguerite，withasmile。"Itwasnotyouwhowereabsurd；itwasIwhowasmischievous，asIstillam，butsomewhatless。Youhaveforgivenme？"
Andsheheldoutherhand，whichIkissed。
"Itistrue，"shewenton；"youknowIhavethebadhabitoftryingtoembarrasspeoplethefirsttimeImeetthem。Itisverystupid。MydoctorsaysitisbecauseIamnervousandalwaysill；
believemydoctor。"
"Butyouseemquitewell。"
"Oh！Ihavebeenveryill。"
"Iknow。"
"Whotoldyou？"
"Everyoneknewit；Ioftencametoinquireafteryou，andIwashappytohearofyourconvalescence。"
"Theynevergavemeyourcard。"
"Ididnotleaveit。"
"Wasityou，then，whocalledeverydaywhileIwasill，andwouldneverleaveyourname？"
"Yes，itwasI。"
"Thenyouaremorethanindulgent，youaregenerous。You，count，wouldn'thavedonethat，"saidshe，turningtowardM。deN。，aftergivingmeoneofthoselooksinwhichwomensumuptheiropinionofaman。
"Ihaveonlyknownyoufortwomonths，"repliedthecount。
"Andthisgentlemanonlyforfiveminutes。Youalwayssaysomethingridiculous。"
Womenarepitilesstowardthosewhomtheydonotcarefor。Thecountreddenedandbithislips。
Iwassorryforhim，forheseemed，likemyself，tobeinlove，andthebitterfranknessofMargueritemusthavemadehimveryunhappy，especiallyinthepresenceoftwostrangers。
"Youwereplayingthepianowhenwecamein，"Isaid，inordertochangetheconversation。"Won'tyoubesogoodastotreatmeasanoldacquaintanceandgoon？"
"Oh，"saidshe，flingingherselfonthesofaandmotioningtoustositdown，"Gastonknowswhatmymusicislike。ItisallverywellwhenIamalonewiththecount，butIwon'tinflictsuchapunishmentonyou。"
"Youshowmethatpreference？"saidM。deN。，withasmilewhichhetriedtorenderdelicatelyironical。
"Don'treproachmeforit。Itistheonlyone。"Itwasfatedthatthepoormanwasnottosayasingleword。HecastareallysupplicatingglanceatMarguerite。
"Well，Prudence，"shewenton，"haveyoudonewhatIaskedyoutodo？"
"Yes。
"Allright。Youwilltellmeaboutitlater。Wemusttalkoverit；don'tgobeforeIcanspeakwithyou。"
"Wearedoubtlessintruders，"Isaid，"andnowthatwe，orratherI，havehadasecondintroduction，toblotoutthefirst，itistimeforGastonandmetobegoing。"
"Notintheleast。Ididn'tmeanthatforyou。Iwantyoutostay。"
Thecounttookaveryelegantwatchoutofhispocketandlookedatthetime。"Imustbegoingtomyclub，"hesaid。Margueritedidnotanswer。Thecountthereuponlefthispositionbythefireplaceandgoinguptoher，said："Adieu，madame。"
Margueriterose。"Adieu，mydearcount。Areyougoingalready？"
"Yes，IfearIamboringyou。"
"Youarenotboringmeto-daymorethananyotherday。WhenshallIbeseeingyou？"
"Whenyoupermitme。"
"Good-bye，then。"
Itwascruel，youwilladmit。Fortunately，thecounthadexcellentmannersandwasverygood-tempered。HemerelykissedMarguerite'shand，whichsheheldouttohimcarelesslyenough，and，bowingtous，wentout。
Ashecrossedthethreshold，hecastaglanceatPrudence。Sheshruggedhershoulders，asmuchastosay：
"Whatdoyouexpect？IhavedoneallIcould。"
"Nanine！"criedMarguerite。"LightM。leComtetothedoor。"
Weheardthedooropenandshut。
"Atlast，"criedMarguerite，comingback，"hehasgone！Thatmangetsfrightfullyonmynerves！"
"Mydearchild，"saidPrudence，"youreallytreathimtoobadly，andheissogoodandkindtoyou。Lookatthiswatchonthemantel-piece，thathegaveyou：itmusthavecosthimatleastthreethousandfrancs，Iamsure。"
AndMme。Duvernoybegantoturnitover，asitlayonthemantel-piece，lookingatitwithcovetouseyes。
"Mydear，"saidMarguerite，sittingdowntothepiano，"whenI
putononesidewhathegivesmeandontheotherwhathesaystome，itseemstomethathebuyshisvisitsverycheap。"
"Thepoorfellowisinlovewithyou。"
"IfIhadtolistentoeverybodywhowasinlovewithme，I
shouldn'thavetimeformydinner。"
Andshebegantorunherfingersoverthepiano，andthen，turningtous，shesaid：
"Whatwillyoutake？IthinkIshouldlikealittlepunch。"
"AndIcouldeatalittlechicken，"saidPrudence。"Supposewehavesupper？"
"That'sit，let'sgoandhavesupper，"saidGaston。
"No，wewillhavesupperhere。"
Sherang，andNanineappeared。
"Sendforsomesupper。"
"WhatmustIget？"
"Whateveryoulike，butatonce，atonce。"
Naninewentout。
"That'sit，"saidMarguerite，jumpinglikeachild，"we'llhavesupper。Howtiresomethatidiotofacountis！"
ThemoreIsawher，themoresheenchantedme。Shewasexquisitelybeautiful。Herslendernesswasacharm。Iwaslostincontemplation。
WhatwaspassinginmymindIshouldhavesomedifficultyinexplaining。Iwasfullofindulgenceforherlife，fullofadmirationforherbeauty。Theproofofdisinterestednessthatshegaveinnotacceptingarichandfashionableyoungman，readytowasteallhismoneyuponher，excusedherinmyeyesforallherfaultsinthepast。
Therewasakindofcandourinthiswoman。Youcouldseeshewasstillinthevirginityofvice。Herfirmwalk，hersupplefigure，herrosy，opennostrils，herlargeeyes，slightlytingedwithblue，indicatedoneofthoseardentnatureswhichsbedaroundthemasortofvoluptuousperfume，likeEasternvials，which，closethemastightlyasyouwill，stillletsomeoftheirperfumeescape。Finally，whetheritwassimplenatureorabreathoffever，therepassedfromtimetotimeintheeyesofthiswomanaglimmerofdesire，givingpromiseofaveryheavenforonewhomsheshouldlove。ButthosewhohadlovedMargueritewerenottobecounted，northosewhomshehadloved。
Inthisgirltherewasatoncethevirginwhomamerenothinghadturnedintoacourtesan，andthecourtesanwhomamerenothingwouldhaveturnedintothemostlovingandthepurestofvirgins。
Margueritehadstillprideandindependence，twosentimentswhich，iftheyarewounded，canbetheequivalentofasenseofshame。Ididnotspeakaword；mysoulseemedtohavepassedintomyheartandmyheartintomyeyes。
"So，"saidsheallatonce，"itwasyouwhocametoinquireaftermewhenIwasill？"
"Yes。"
"Doyouknow，itwasquitesplendidofyou！HowcanIthankyouforit？"
"Byallowingmetocomeandseeyoufromtimetotime。"
"Asoftenasyoulike，fromfivetosix，andfromeleventotwelve。Now，Gaston，playtheInvitationAlaValse。"
"Why？"
"Topleaseme，firstofall，andthenbecauseInevercanmanagetoplayitmyself。"
"Whatpartdoyoufinddifficult？"
"Thethirdpart，thepartinsharps。"
Gastonroseandwenttothepiano，andbegantoplaythewonderfulmelodyofWeber，themusicofwhichstoodopenbeforehim。
Marguerite，restingonehandonthepiano，followedeverynoteonthemusic，accompanyingitinalowvoice，andwhenGastonhadcometothepassagewhichshehadmentionedtohim，shesangout，runningherfingersalongthetopofthepiano：
"Do，re，mi，do，re，fa，mi，re；thatiswhatIcannotdo。Overagain。"
Gastonbeganoveragain，afterwhichMargueritesaid：
"Now，letmetry。"
Shetookherplaceandbegantoplay；butherrebelliousfingersalwayscametogriefoveroneofthenotes。
"Isn'titincredible，"shesaid，exactlylikeachild，"thatI
cannotsucceedinplayingthatpassage？WouldyoubelievethatI
sometimesspendtwohoursofthemorningoverit？AndwhenI
thinkthatthatidiotofacountplaysitwithouthismusic，andbeautifully，Ireallybelieveitisthatthatmakesmesofuriouswithhim。"Andshebeganagain，alwayswiththesameresult。
"ThedeviltakeWeber，music，andpianos！"shecried，throwingthemusictotheotherendoftheroom。"HowcanIplayeightsharpsoneafteranother？"Shefoldedherarmsandlookedatus，stampingherfoot。Thebloodflewtohercheeks，andherlipshalfopenedinaslightcough。
"Come，come，"saidPrudence，whohadtakenoffherhatandwassmoothingherhairbeforetheglass，"youwillworkyourselfintoarageanddoyourselfharm。Bettercomeandhavesupper；formypart，Iamdyingofhunger。"
Margueriterangthebell，satdowntothepianoagain，andbegantohumoveraveryriskysong，whichsheaccompaniedwithoutdifficulty。Gastonknewthesong，andtheygaveasortofduet。
"Don'tsingthosebeastlythings，"IsaidtoMarguerite，imploringly。
"Oh，howproperyouare！"shesaid，smilingandgivingmeherhand。"Itisnotformyself，butforyou。"
Margueritemadeagestureasiftosay，"Oh，itislongsincethatIhavedonewithpropriety！"AtthatmomentNanineappeared。
"Issupperready？"askedMarguerite。"Yes，madame，inonemoment。"
"Apropos，"saidPrudencetome，"youhavenotlookedround；come，andIwillshowyou。"Asyouknow，thedrawing-roomwasamarvel。
Margueritewentwithusforamoment；thenshecalledGastonandwentintothedining-roomwithhimtoseeifsupperwasready。
"Ah，"saidPrudence，catchingsightofalittleSaxefigureonaside-table，"Ineverknewyouhadthislittlegentleman。"
"Which？"
"Alittleshepherdholdingabird-cage。"
"Takeit，ifyoulikeit。"
"Iwon'tdepriveyouofit。"
"Iwasgoingtogiveittomymaid。Ithinkithideous；butifyoulikeit，takeit。"
Prudenceonlysawthepresent，notthewayinwhichitwasgiven。
Sheputthelittlefigureononeside，andtookmeintothedressing-room，wheresheshowedmetwominiatureshangingsidebyside，andsaid：
"ThatistheComtedeG。，whowasverymuchinlovewithMarguerite；itwashewhobroughtherout。Doyouknowhim？"
"No。Andthisone？"Iinquired，pointingtotheotherminiature。
"ThatisthelittleVicomtedeL。Hewasobligedtodisappear。"
"Why？"
"Becausehewasallbutruined。That'sone，ifyoulike，wholovedMarguerite。"
"Andshelovedhim，too，nodoubt？"
"Sheissuchaqueergirl，oneneverknows。Thenighthewentawayshewenttothetheatreasusual，andyetshehadcriedwhenhesaidgood-byetoher。"
JustthenNanineappeared，totellusthatsupperwasserved。
Whenweenteredthedining-room，Margueritewasleaningagainstthewall，andGaston，holdingherhands，wasspeakingtoherinalowvoice。
"Youaremad，"repliedMarguerite。"YouknowquitewellthatI
don'twantyou。Itisnogoodattheendoftwoyearstomakelovetoawomanlikeme。Withus，itisatonce，ornever。Come，gentlemen，supper！"
And，slippingawayfromGaston，Margueritemadehimsitonherrightattable，meonherleft，thencalledtoNanine：
"Beforeyousitdown，telltheminthekitchennottoopentoanybodyifthereisaring。"
Thisorderwasgivenatoneo'clockinthemorning。
Welaughed，drank，andatefreelyatthissupper。Inashortwhilemirthhadreacheditslastlimit，andthewordsthatseemfunnytoacertainclassofpeople，wordsthatdegradethemouththatuttersthem，wereheardfromtimetotime，amidsttheapplauseofNanine，ofPrudence，andofMarguerite。Gastonwasthoroughlyamused；hewasaverygoodsortoffellow，butsomewhatspoiledbythehabitsofhisyouth。ForamomentItriedtoforgetmyself，toforcemyheartandmythoughtstobecomeindifferenttothesightbeforeme，andtotakemyshareofthatgaietywhichseemedlikeoneofthecoursesofthemeal。ButlittlebylittleIwithdrewfromthenoise；myglassremainedfull，andIfeltalmostsadasIsawthisbeautifulcreatureoftwentydrinking，talkinglikeaporter，andlaughingthemoreloudlythemorescandalouswasthejoke。
Nevertheless，thishilarity，thiswayoftalkinganddrinking，whichseemedtomeintheothersthemereresultsofbadcompanyorofbadhabits，seemedinMargueriteanecessityofforgetting，afever，anervousirritability。Ateveryglassofchampagnehercheekswouldflushwithafeverishcolour，andacough，hardlyperceptibleatthebeginningofsupper，becameatlastsoviolentthatshewasobligedtoleanherheadonthebackofherchairandholdherchestinherhandseverytimethatshecoughed。I
sufferedatthethoughtoftheinjurytosofrailaconstitutionwhichmustcomefromdailyexcesseslikethis。Atlength，somethingwhichIhadfearedandforeseenhappened。TowardtheendofsupperMargueritewasseizedbyamoreviolentfitofcoughingthananyshehadhadwhileIwasthere。Itseemedasifherchestwerebeingtornintwo。Thepoorgirlturnedcrimson，closedhereyesunderthepain，andputhernapkintoherlips。
Itwasstainedwithadropofblood。Sheroseandranintoherdressing-room。
"WhatisthematterwithMarguerite？"askedGaston。
"Shehasbeenlaughingtoomuch，andsheisspittingblood。Oh，itisnothing；ithappenstohereveryday。Shewillbebackinaminute。Leaveheralone。Sheprefersit。"
Icouldnotstaystill；and，totheconsternationofPrudenceandNanine，whocalledtometocomeback，IfollowedMarguerite。"
Chapter10
Theroomtowhichshehadfledwaslitonlybyasinglecandle。
Shelaybackonagreatsofa，herdressundone，holdingonehandonherheart，andlettingtheotherhangbyherside。Onthetablewasabasinhalffullofwater，andthewaterwasstainedwithstreaksofblood。
Verypale，hermouthhalfopen，Margueritetriedtorecoverbreath。Nowandagainherbosomwasraisedbyalongsigh，whichseemedtorelieveheralittle，andforafewsecondsshewouldseemtobequitecomfortable。
Iwentuptoher；shemadenomovement，andIsatdownandtookthehandwhichwaslyingonthesofa。
"Ah！itisyou，"shesaid，withasmile。
Imusthavelookedgreatlyagitated，forsheadded：
"Areyouunwell，too？"
"No，butyou：doyoustillsuffer？"
"Verylittle；"andshewipedoffwithherhandkerchiefthetearswhichthecoughinghadbroughttohereyes；"Iamusedtoitnow。"
"Youarekillingyourself，madame，"Isaidtoherinamovedvoice。"IwishIwereafriend，arelationofyours，thatImightkeepyoufromdoingyourselfharmlikethis。"
"Ah！itisreallynotworthyourwhiletoalarmyourself，"sherepliedinasomewhatbittertone；"seehowmuchnoticetheotherstakeofme！Theyknowtoowellthatthereisnothingtobedone。"
Thereuponshegotup，and，takingthecandle，putitonthemantel-pieceandlookedatherselfintheglass。
"HowpaleIam！"shesaid，asshefastenedherdressandpassedherfingersoverherloosenedhair。"Come，letusgobacktosupper。Areyoucoming？"
Isatstillanddidnotmove。
ShesawhowdeeplyIhadbeenaffectedbythewholescene，and，cominguptome，heldoutherhand，saying：
"Comenow，letusgo。"
Itookherhand，raisedittomylips，andinspiteofmyselftwotearsfelluponit。
"Why，whatachildyouare！"shesaid，sittingdownbymysideagain。"Youarecrying！Whatisthematter？"
"Imustseemverysillytoyou，butIamfrightfullytroubledbywhatIhavejustseen。"
"Youareverygood！Whatwouldyouhaveofme？Icannotsleep。I
mustamusemyselfalittle。Andthen，girlslikeme，whatdoesitmatter，onemoreorless？ThedoctorstellmethatthebloodI
spitupcomesfrommythroat；Ipretendtobelievethem；itisallIcandoforthem。"
"Listen，Marguerite，"Isaid，unabletocontainmyselfanylonger；"Idonotknowwhatinfluenceyouaregoingtohaveovermylife，butatthispresentmomentthereisnoone，notevenmysister，inwhomIfeeltheinterestwhichIfeelinyou。IthasbeenjustthesameeversinceIsawyou。Well，forHeaven'ssake，takecareofyourself，anddonotliveasyouarelivingnow。"
"IfItookcareofmyselfIshoulddie。AllthatsupportsmeisthefeverishlifeIlead。Then，asfortakingcareofoneself，thatisallverywellforwomenwithfamiliesandfriends；asforus，fromthemomentwecannolongerservethevanityorthepleasureofourlovers，theyleaveus，andlongnightsfollowlongdays。Iknowit。Iwasinbedfortwomonths，andafterthreeweeksnoonecametoseeme。"
"ItistrueIamnothingtoyou，"Iwenton，"butifyouwillletme，Iwilllookafteryoulikeabrother，Iwillneverleaveyourside，andIwillcureyou。Then，whenyouarestrongagain，youcangobacktothelifeyouareleading，ifyouchoose；butIamsureyouwillcometopreferaquietlife，whichwillmakeyouhappierandkeepyourbeautyunspoiled。"
"Youthinklikethatto-nightbecausethewinehasmadeyousad，butyouwouldneverhavethepatiencethatyoupretendto。"
"Permitmetosay，Marguerite，thatyouwereillfortwomonths，andthatfortwomonthsIcametoaskafteryoueveryday。"
"Itistrue，butwhydidyounotcomeup？"
"BecauseIdidnotknowyouthen。"
"Needyouhavebeensoparticularwithagirllikeme？"
"Onemustalwaysbeparticularwithawoman；itiswhatIfeel，atleast。"
"Soyouwouldlookafterme？"
"Yes。"
"Youwouldstaybymeallday？"
"Yes。
"Andevenallnight？"
"AslongasIdidnotwearyyou。"
"Andwhatdoyoucallthat？"
"Devotion。"
"Andwhatdoesthisdevotioncomefrom？"
"TheirresistiblesympathywhichIhaveforyou。"
"Soyouareinlovewithme？Sayitstraightout，itismuchmoresimple。"
"Itispossible；butifIamtosayittoyouoneday，itisnotto-day。"
"Youwilldobetternevertosayit。"
"Why？"
"Becauseonlyoneoftwothingscancomeofit。"
"What？"
"EitherIshallnotaccept：thenyouwillhaveagrudgeagainstme；orIshallaccept：thenyouwillhaveasorrymistress；awomanwhoisnervous，ill，sad，orgaywithagaietysadderthangrief，awomanwhospitsbloodandspendsahundredthousandfrancsayear。Thatisallverywellforaricholdmanliketheduke，butitisverybadforayoungmanlikeyou，andtheproofofitisthatalltheyoungloversIhavehadhaveverysoonleftme。"Ididnotanswer；Ilistened。Thisfrankness，whichwasalmostakindofconfession，thesadlife，ofwhichIcaughtsomeglimpsethroughthegoldenveilwhichcoveredit，andwhoserealitythepoorgirlsoughttoescapeindissipation，drink，andwakefulness，impressedmesodeeplythatIcouldnotutterasingleword。
"Come，"continuedMarguerite，"wearetalkingmerechildishness。
Givemeyourarmandletusgobacktothedining-room。Theywon'tknowwhatwemeanbyourabsence。"
"Goin，ifyoulike，butallowmetostayhere。"
"Why？"
"Becauseyourmirthhurtsme。"
"Well，Iwillbesad。"
"Marguerite，letmesaytoyousomethingwhichyouhavenodoubtoftenheard，sooftenthatthehabitofhearingithasmadeyoubelieveitnolonger，butwhichisnonethelessreal，andwhichIwillneverrepeat。"
"Andthatis……？"shesaid，withthesmileofayoungmotherlisteningtosomefoolishnotionofherchild。
"Itisthis，thateversinceIhaveseenyou，Iknownotwhy，youhavetakenaplaceinmylife；that，ifIdrivethethoughtofyououtofmymind，italwayscomesback；thatwhenImetyouto-day，afternothavingseenyoufortwoyears，youmadeadeeperimpressiononmyheartandmindthanever；that，nowthatyouhaveletmecometoseeyou，nowthatIknowyou，nowthatI
knowallthatisstrangeinyou，youhavebecomeanecessityofmylife，andyouwilldrivememad，notonlyifyouwillnotloveme，butifyouwillnotletmeloveyou。"
"But，foolishcreaturethatyouare，Ishallsaytoyou，likeMme。D。，'Youmustbeveryrich，then！'Why，youdon'tknowthatIspendsixorseventhousandfrancsamonth，andthatIcouldnotlivewithoutit；youdon'tknow，mypoorfriend，thatI
shouldruinyouinnotime，andthatyourfamilywouldcastyouoffifyouweretolivewithawomanlikeme。Letusbefriends，goodfriends，butnomore。Comeandseeme，wewilllaughandtalk，butdon'texaggeratewhatIamworth，forIamworthverylittle。Youhaveagoodheart，youwantsomeonetoloveyou，youaretooyoungandtoosensitivetoliveinaworldlikemine。
Takeamarriedwoman。Yousee，Ispeaktoyoufrankly，likeafriend。"
"Butwhatthedevilareyoudoingthere？"criedPrudence，whohadcomeinwithoutourbearingher，andwhonowstoodjustinsidethedoor，withherhairhalfcomingdownandherdressundone。I
recognisedthehandofGaston。
"Wearetalkingsense，"saidMarguerite；"leaveusalone；wewillbebacksoon。"
"Good，good！Talk，mychildren，"saidPrudence，goingoutandclosingthedoorbehindher，asiftofurtherempbasizethetoneinwhichshehadsaidthesewords。
"Well，itisagreed，"continuedMarguerite，whenwewerealone，"youwon'tfallinlovewithme？"
"Iwillgoaway。"
"Somuchasthat？"
Ihadgonetoofartodrawback；andIwasreallycarriedaway。
Thisminglingofgaiety，sadness，candour，prostitution，herverymalady，whichnodoubtdevelopedinherasensitivenesstoimpressions，aswellasanirritabilityofnerves，allthismadeitcleartomethatiffromtheverybeginningIdidnotcompletelydominateherlightandforgetfulnature，shewaslosttome。
"Come，now，doyouseriouslymeanwhatyousay？"shesaid。
"Seriously。"
"Butwhydidn'tyousayittomesooner？"
"WhencouldIhavesaidit？"
"ThedayafteryouhadbeenintroducedtomeattheOperaComique。"
"IthoughtyouwouldhavereceivedmeverybadlyifIhadcometoseeyou。"
"Why？"
"BecauseIhadbehavedsostupidly。"
"That'strue。Andyetyouwerealreadyinlovewithme。"
"Yes。"
"Andthatdidn'thinderyoufromgoingtobedandsleepingquitecomfortably。Oneknowswhatthatsortoflovemeans。"
"Thereyouaremistaken。DoyouknowwhatIdidthatevening，aftertheOperaComique？"
"No。"
"IwaitedforyouatthedooroftheCafeAnglais。Ifollowedthecarriageinwhichyouandyourthreefriendswere，andwhenIsawyouweretheonlyonetogetdown，andthatyouwentinalone，I
wasveryhappy。"
Margueritebegantolaugh。
"Whatareyoulaughingat？"
"Nothing。"
"Tellme，Ibegofyou，orIshallthinkyouarestilllaughingatme。"
"Youwon'tbecross？"
"WhatrighthaveItobecross？"
"Well，therewasasufficientreasonwhyIwentinalone。"
"What？"
"Someonewaswaitingformehere。"
Ifshehadthrustaknifeintomeshewouldnothavehurtmemore。Irose，andholdingoutmyhand，"Goodbye，"saidI。
"Iknewyouwouldbecross，"shesaid；"menarefrantictoknowwhatiscertaintogivethempain。"
"ButIassureyou，"Iaddedcoldly，asifwishingtoprovehowcompletelyIwascuredofmypassion，"IassureyouthatIamnotcross。Itwasquitenaturalthatsomeoneshouldbewaitingforyou，justasitisquitenaturalthatIshouldgofromhereatthreeinthemorning。"
"Haveyou，too，someonewaitingforyou？"
"No，butImustgo。"
"Good-bye，then。"
"Yousendmeaway？"
"Nottheleastintheworld。"
"Whyareyousounkindtome？"
"HowhaveIbeenunkindtoyou？"
"Intellingmethatsomeonewaswaitingforyou。"
"Icouldnothelplaughingattheideathatyouhadbeensohappytoseemecomeinalonewhentherewassuchagoodreasonforit。"
"Onefindspleasureinchildishenoughthings，anditistoobadtodestroysuchapleasurewhen，bysimplyleavingitalone，onecanmakesomebodysohappy。"
"ButwhatdoyouthinkIam？Iamneithermaidnorduchess。I
didn'tknowyoutillto-day，andIamnotresponsibletoyouformyactions。SupposingonedayIshouldbecomeyourmistress，youareboundtoknowthatIhavehadotherloversbesidesyou。Ifyoumakescenesofjealousylikethisbefore，whatwillitbeafter，ifthataftershouldeverexist？Inevermetanyonelikeyou。"
"ThatisbecausenoonehaseverlovedyouasIloveyou。"
"Frankly，then，youreallyloveme？"
"Asmuchasitispossibletolove，Ithink。"
"Andthathaslastedsince——？"
"SincethedayIsawyougointoSusse's，threeyearsago。
"Doyouknow，thatistremendouslyfine？Well，whatamtodoinreturn？"
"Lovemealittle，"Isaid，myheartbeatingsothatIcouldhardlyspeak；for，inspiteofthehalf-mockingsmileswithwhichshehadaccompaniedthewholeconversation，itseemedtomethatMargueritebegantosharemyagitation，andthatthehoursolongawaitedwasdrawingnear。
"Well，buttheduke？"
"Whatduke？"
"Myjealousoldduke。"
"Hewillknownothing。"
"Andifheshould？"
"Hewouldforgiveyou。"
"Ah，no，hewouldleaveme，andwhatwouldbecomeofme？"
"Youriskthatforsomeoneelse。"
"Howdoyouknow？""Bytheorderyougavenottoadmitanyoneto-night。""Itistrue；butthatisaseriousfriend。"
"Forwhomyoucarenothing，asyouhaveshutyourdooragainsthimatsuchanhour。"
"Itisnotforyoutoreproachme，sinceitwasinordertoreceiveyou，youandyourfriend。"
LittlebylittleIhaddrawnnearertoMarguerite。Ihadputmyarmsaboutherwaist，andIfelthersupplebodyweighlightlyonmyclaspedhands。
"IfyouknewhowmuchIloveyou！"Isaidinalowvoice。"Reallytrue？"
"Iswearit。"
"Well，ifyouwillpromisetodoeverythingItellyou，withoutaword，withoutanopinion，withoutaquestion，perhapsIwillsayyes。"
"Iwilldoeverythingthatyouwish！"
"ButIforewarnyouImustbefreetodoasIplease，withoutgivingyoutheslightestdetailswhatIdo。Ihavelongwishedforayounglover，whoshouldbeyoungandnotself-willed，lovingwithoutdistrust，lovedwithoutclaimingtherighttoit。
Ihaveneverfoundone。Men，insteadofbeingsatisfiedinobtainingforalongtimewhattheyscarcelyhopedtoobtainonce，exactfromtheirmistressesafullaccountofthepresent，thepast，andeventhefuture。Astheygetaccustomedtoher，theywanttoruleher，andthemoreonegivesthemthemoreexactingtheybecome。IfIdecidenowontakinganewlover，hemusthavethreeveryrarequalities：hemustbeconfiding，submissive，anddiscreet。"
"Well，Iwillbeallthatyouwish。"
"Weshallsee。"
"Whenshallwesee？"
"Lateron。"
"Why？"
"Because，"saidMarguerite，releasingherselffrommyarms，and，takingfromagreatbunchofredcamelliasasinglecamellia，sheplaceditinmybuttonhole，"becauseonecannotalwayscarryoutagreementsthedaytheyaresigned。"
"AndwhenshallIseeyouagain？"Isaid，claspingherinmyarms。
"Whenthiscamelliachangescolour。"
"Whenwillitchangecolour？"
"To-morrownightbetweenelevenandtwelve。Areyousatisfied？"
"Needyouaskme？"
"NotawordofthiseithertoyourfriendortoPrudence，ortoanybodywhatever。"
"Ipromise。"
"Now，kissme，andwewillgobacktothedining-room。"
Sheheldupherlipstome，smoothedherhairagain，andwewentoutoftheroom，shesinging，andIalmostbesidemyself。
Inthenextroomshestoppedforamomentandsaidtomeinalowvoice：
"ItmustseemstrangetoyouthatIamreadytotakeyouatamoment'snotice。ShallItellyouwhy？Itis，"shecontinued，takingmyhandandplacingitagainstherheartsothatIcouldfeelhowrapidlyandviolentlyitpalpitated；"itisbecauseI
shallnotliveaslongasothers，andIhavepromisedmyselftolivemorequickly。"
"Don'tspeaktomelikethat，Ientreatyou。"
"Oh，makeyourselfeasy，"shecontinued，laughing；"howevershortatimeIhavetolive，Ishalllivelongerthanyouwillloveme！"
Andshewentsingingintothedining-room。
"WhereisNanine？"shesaid，seeingGastonandPrudencealone。
"Sheisasleepinyourroom，waitingtillyouarereadytogotobed，"repliedPrudence。
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