XXIV
THEINFLUENCEOFSOCIALRELATIONSANDPOSITION
InaccordancewiththeadviceoftheAbbeBrossettetheDuchessedeGrandlieuaskedtheMarquisd’Ajudatobringherthatkingofpoliticalcut-throats，thecelebratedComteMaximedeTrailles，archdukeofBohemia，theyoungestofyoungmen，thoughhewasnowfullyfiftyyearsofage。Monsieurd’AjudaarrangedtodinewithMaximeattheclubintheruedeBeuane，andproposedtohimafterdinnertogoandplaydummywhistwiththeDucdeGrandlieu，whohadanattackofgoutandwasallalone。
Thoughtheson-in-lawofthedukeandthecousinoftheduchesshadeveryrighttopresenthiminasalonwherehehadneveryetsetfoot，MaximedeTraillesdidnotdeceivehimselfastothemeaningofaninvitationthusgiven。Hefeltcertainthatthedukeortheduchesshadsomeneedofhim。Clublifewheremenplaycardswithothermenwhomtheydonotreceiveintheirownhousesisbynomeansoneofthemosttriflingsignsofthepresentage。
TheDucdeGrandlieudidMaximethehonorofappearingtosufferfromhisgout。Afterseveralgamesofwhisthewenttobed，leavinghiswife/tete-a-tete/withMaximeandd’Ajuda。Theduchess，secondedbythemarquis，communicatedherprojecttoMonsieurdeTrailles，andaskedhisassistance，whileostensiblyaskingonlyforhisadvice。
Maximelistenedtotheendwithoutcommittinghimself，andwaitedtilltheduchessshouldaskpoint-blankforhisco-operationbeforereplying。”Madame，Ifullyunderstandyou，”hethensaid，castingonherandthemarquisoneofthoseshrewd，penetrating，astute，comprehensiveglancesbywhichsuchgreatscampscompromisetheirinterlocutors。”D’AjudawilltellyouthatifanyoneinPariscanconductthatdifficultnegotiation，itisI，——ofcoursewithoutmixingyouupinit；withoutitsbeingevenknownthatIhavecomeherethisevening。
Only，beforeanythingisdone，wemustsettlepreliminaries。Howmuchareyouwillingtosacrifice？””Allthatisnecessary。””Verywell，then，Madameladuchesse。AsthepriceofmyeffortsyoumustdomethehonortoreceiveinyourhouseandseriouslyprotectMadamelaComtessedeTrailles。””What！areyoumarried？”criedd’Ajuda。”Ishallbemarriedwithinafortnighttotheheiressofarichbutextremelybourgeoisfamily，——asacrificetoopinion！Iimbibetheveryspiritofmygovernment，andstartuponanewcareer。Consequently，Madameladuchessewillunderstandhowimportantitistometohavemywifeadoptedbyherandbyherfamily。Iamcertainofbeingmadedeputybytheresignationofmyfather-in-law，andIampromisedadiplomaticpostinkeepingwithmynewfortune。IdonotseewhymywifeshouldnotbeaswellreceivedasMadamedePortenduereinthatsocietyofyoungwomenwhichincludesMesdamesdelaBastie，GeorgesdeMaufrigneuse，deL’Estorade，duGuenic，d’Ajuda，deRestaud，deRastignac，deVandenesse。Mywifeispretty，andIwillundertaketo/un-cotton-night-cap/her。Willthissuityou，Madameladuchesse？Youarereligious，andifyousayyes，yourpromise，whichIknowtobesacred，willgreatlyaidinmychangeoflife。Itwillbeonemoregoodactiontoyouraccount。Alas！Ihavelongbeenthekingof/mauvaissujets/，andIwanttomakeanendofit。Afterall，webear，azure，awivernor，dartingfire，onglegules，andscaledvert，achiefermine，fromthetimeofFrancoisI。，whothoughtpropertoennoblethevaletofLouisXI。，andwehavebeencountssinceCatherinede’Medici。””Iwillreceiveandprotectyourwife，”saidtheduchess，solemnly，”andmyfamilywillnotturnitsbackuponher；Igiveyoumyword。””Ah！Madameladuchesse，”criedMaxime，visiblytouched，”ifMonsieurleducwouldalsodeigntotreatmewithsomekindness，Ipromiseyoutomakeyourplansucceedwithoutitscostingyouverymuch。But，”hecontinuedafterapause，”youmusttakeuponyourselftofollowmyinstructions。Thisisthelastintrigueofmybachelorlife；itmustbeallthebettermanagedbecauseitconcernsagoodaction，”headded，smiling。”Followyourinstructions！”saidtheduchess。”ThenImustappearinallthis。””Ah！madame，Iwillnotcompromiseyou，”criedMaxime。”Iesteemyoutoomuchtodemandguarantees。Imerelymeanthatyoumustfollowmyadvice。Forexample，itwillbenecessarythatduGuenicbetakenawaybyhiswifeforatleasttwoyears；shemustshowhimSwitzerland，Italy，Germany，——inshort，allpossiblecountries。””Ah！youconfirmafearofmydirector，”saidtheduchess，naively，rememberingthejudiciousobjectionoftheAbbeBrossette。
Maximeandd’Ajudacouldnotrefrainfromsmilingattheideaofthisagreementbetweenheavenandhell。”TopreventMadamedeRochefidefromeverseeingCalysteagain，”shecontinued，”wewillalltravel，Justeandhiswife，Calyste，Sabine，andI。IwillleaveClotildewithherfather——””Itistoosoontosingvictory，madame，”saidMaxime。”Iforeseeenormousdifficulties；thoughIshallnodoubtvanquishthem。Youresteemandyourprotectionarerewardswhichwouldmakemecommitthevilestactions，butthesewillbe——””Thevilestactions！”criedtheduchess，interruptingthismoderncondottiere，andshowingonhercountenanceasmuchdisgustasamazement。”Andyouwouldsharethem，madame，inasmuchasIamonlyyouragent。
ButareyouignorantofthedegreeofblindnesstowhichMadamedeRochefidehasbroughtyourson-in-law？IknowitfromCanalisandNathan，betweenwhomshewashesitatingwhenCalystethrewhimselfintothelioness’sjaws。BeatrixhascontrivedtopersuadethatseriousBretonthatshehasneverlovedanyonebuthim；thatsheisvirtuous；thatContiwasmerelyasentimentalhead-loveinwhichneithertheheartnortherestofithadanypart，——amusicallove，inshort！AsforRochefide，thatwasduty。So，youunderstand，sheisvirgin！——afactsheprovesbyforgettingherson，whomformorethanayearshehasnotmadetheslightestattempttosee。Thetruthis，thelittlecountwillsoonbetwelveyearsold，andhefindsinMadameSchontzamotherwhoisallthemoreamotherbecausematernityis，asyouknow，apassionwithwomenofthatsort。DuGuenicwouldlethimselfbecutinpieces，andwouldchopuphiswifeforBeatrix；andyouthinkitisaneasymattertodragamanfromthedepthsofsuchcredulity！Ah！madame，Shakespeare’sIagowouldloseallhishandkerchiefs。PeoplethinkthatOthello，orhisyoungerbrother，Orosmanes，orSaint-Preux，Rene，Werther，andotherloversnowinpossessionoffame，representedlove！Neverdidtheirfrosty-heartedfathersknowwhatabsoluteloveis；Molierealoneconceivedit。Love，Madameladuchesse，isnotlovinganoblewoman，aClarissa——agreateffort，faith！Loveistosaytoone’sself:’ShewhomIloveisinfamous；shedeceivesme，shewilldeceiveme；sheisanabandonedcreature，shesmellsofthefryingofhell-fire；’butwerushtoher，wefindtheretheblueofheaven，theflowersofParadise。ThatishowMoliereloved，andhowwe，scampsthatweare！howwelove。Asforme，IweepatthegreatsceneofArnolphe。Now，thatishowyourson-in-
lawlovesBeatrix。IshallhavetroubleseparatingRochefidefromMadameSchontz；butMadameSchontzwillnodoubtlendherselftotheplot；Ishallstudyherinterior。ButasforCalysteandBeatrix，theywillneedtheblowsofanaxe，fardeepertreachery，andsobaseaninfamythatyourvirtuousimaginationcouldneverdescendtoit——
unlessindeedyourdirectorgaveyouahand。Youhaveaskedtheimpossible，youshallbeobeyed。Butinspiteofmysettledintentiontowarwithfireandsword，Icannotabsolutelypromiseyousuccess。I
haveknownloverswhodidnotrecoilbeforethemostawfuldisillusions。Youaretoovirtuoustoknowthefullpowerofwomenwhoarenotvirtuous。””DonotenteruponthoseinfamousactionsuntilIhaveconsultedtheAbbeBrossettetoknowhowfarImaybeyouraccomplice，”criedtheduchess，withanaivetewhichdisclosedwhatselfishnessthereisinpiety。”Youshallbeignorantofeverything，mydearmother，”interposedd’Ajuda。
Ontheportico，whilethecarriageofthemarquiswasdrawingup，d’AjudasaidtoMaxime:——”Youfrightenedthatgoodduchess。””Butshehasnoideaofthedifficultyofwhatsheasks。LetusgototheJockeyClub；RochefidemustinvitemetodinewithMadameSchontzto-morrow，forto-nightmyplanwillbemade，andIshallhavechosenthepawnsonmychess-boardtocarryitout。InthedaysofhersplendorBeatrixrefusedtoreceiveme；Iintendtopayoffthatscore，andIwillavengeyoursister-in-lawsocruellythatperhapsshewillfindherselftoowellrevenged。”
ThenextdayRochefidetoldMadameSchontzthatMaximedeTrailleswascomingtodinner。Thatmeantnotifyinghertodisplayallherluxury，andpreparethechoicestfoodforthisconnoisseuremeritus，whomallthewomenoftheMadameSchontztypewereinaweof。MadameSchontzherselfthoughtasmuchofhertoiletasofputtingherhouseinastatetoreceivethispersonage。
InParisthereareasmanyroyaltiesastherearevarietiesofart，mentalandmoralspecialties，sciences，professions；thestrongestandmostcapableofthemenwhopractisethemhasamajestywhichisallhisown；heisappreciated，respectedbyhispeers，whoknowthedifficultiesofhisartorprofession，andwhoseadmirationisgiventothemanwhosurmountsthem。Maximewas，intheeyesof/rats/andcourtesans，anextremelypowerfulandcapableman，whohadknownhowtomakehimselfexcessivelyloved。HewasalsoadmiredbymenwhoknewhowdifficultitistoliveinParisongoodtermswithcreditors；inshort，hehadneverhadanyotherrivalinelegance，deportment，andwitthantheillustriousdeMarsay，whofrequentlyemployedhimonpoliticalmissions。Allthiswillsufficetoexplainhisinterviewwiththeduchess，hisprestigewithMadameSchontz，andtheauthorityofhiswordsinaconferencewhichheintendedtohaveontheboulevarddesItalienswithayoungmanalreadywell-known，thoughlatelyarrived，intheBohemiaofParis。
XXV
APRINCEOFBOHEMIA
Thenextday，whenMaximedeTraillesrose，Finotwhomhehadsummonedthenightbeforewasannounced。Maximerequestedhisvisitortoarrange，asifbyaccident，abreakfastatthecafeAnglais，whereFinot，Couture，andLousteaushouldgossipbesidehim。Finot，whosepositiontowardtheComtedeTrailleswasthatofasub-lieutenantbeforeamarshallofFrance，couldrefusehimnothing；itwasaltogethertoodangeroustoannoythatlion。Consequently，whenMaximecametothebreakfast，hefoundFinotandhistwofriendsattableandtheconversationalreadystartedonMadameSchontz，aboutwhomCouture，wellmanoeuvredbyFinotandLousteauLousteaubeing，thoughnotawareofit，Finot’stool，revealedtotheComtedeTraillesallthathewantedtoknowabouther。
Aboutoneo’clock，MaximewaschewingatoothpickandtalkingwithduTilletonTortoni’sportico，wherespeculationheldalittleBourse，asortofpreludetothegreatone。Heseemedtobeengagedinbusiness，buthewasreallyawaitingtheComtedelaPalferine，who，withinagiventime，wascertaintopassthatway。TheboulevarddesItaliensisto-daywhatthePontNeufwasin1650；allpersonsknowntofamepassalongitonce，atleast，inthecourseoftheday。Accordingly，attheendofabouttenminutes，MaximedroppedduTillet’sarm，andnoddingtotheyoungPrinceofBohemiasaid，smiling:——”Onewordwithyou，count。”
Thetworivalsintheirownprincipality，theoneorbonitsdecline，theotherliketherisingsun，satdownuponfourchairsbeforetheCafedeParis。Maximetookcaretoplaceacertaindistancebetweenhimselfandsomeoldfellowswhohabituallysunnedthemselveslikewall-fruitatthathourintheafternoon，todryouttheirrheumaticaffections。Hehadexcellentreasonsfordistrustingoldmen。”Haveyoudebts？”saidMaxime，totheyoungcount。”IfIhadnone，shouldIbeworthyofbeingyoursuccessor？”repliedLaPalferine。”InputtingthatquestiontoyouIdon’tplacethematterindoubt；I
onlywanttoknowifthetotalisreasonable；ifitgoestothefiveorthesix？””Sixwhat？””Figures；whetheryouowefiftyoronehundredthousand？Ihaveowed，myself，asmuchassixhundredthousand。”
LaPalferineraisedhishatwithanairasrespectfulasitwashumorous。”IfIhadsufficientcredittoborrowahundredthousandfrancs，”hereplied，”IshouldforgetmycreditorsandgoandpassmylifeinVenice，amidmasterpiecesofpaintingandprettywomenand——””Andatmyagewhatwouldyoube？”askedMaxime。”Ishouldneverreachit，”repliedtheyoungcount。
Maximereturnedthecivilityofhisrival，andtouchedhishatlightlywithanairoflaughablegravity。”That’sonewayoflookingatlife，”herepliedinthetoneofoneconnoisseurtoanother。”Youowe——？””Oh！ameretrifle，unworthyofbeingconfessedtoanuncle；hewoulddisinheritmeforsuchapaltrysum，——sixthousand。””Oneisoftenmorehamperedbysixthousandthanbyahundredthousand，”saidMaxime，sententiously。”LaPalferine，you’veaboldspirit，andyouhaveevenmorespiritthanboldness；youcangofar，andmakeyourselfaposition。LetmetellyouthatofallthosewhohaverushedintothecareeratthecloseofwhichInowam，andwhohavetriedtoopposeme，youaretheonlyonewhohaseverpleasedme。”
LaPalferinecolored，soflatteredwashebythisavowalmadewithgraciousgood-humorbytheleaderofParisianadventurers。Thisactionofhisownvanitywashoweverarecognitionofinferioritywhichwoundedhim；butMaximedivinedthatunpleasantreaction，easytoforeseeinsocleveramind，andheappliedabalminstantlybyputtinghimselfatthediscretionoftheyoungman。”WillyoudosomethingformethatwillfacilitatemyretreatfromtheOlympiccircusbyafinemarriage？Iwilldoasmuchforyou。””Youmakemeveryproud；itrealizesthefableoftheRatandtheLion，”saidLaPalferine。”Ishallbeginbylendingyoutwentythousandfrancs，”continuedMaxime。”Twentythousandfrancs！Iknewverywellthatbydintofwalkingupanddownthisboulevard——”saidLaPalferine，inthestyleofaparenthesis。”Mydearfellow，youmustputyourselfonacertainfooting，”saidMaxime，laughing。”Don’tgoonyourowntwofeet，havesix；doasI
do，Inevergetoutofmytilbury。””Butyoumustbegoingtoaskmeforsomethingbeyondmypowers。””No，itisonlytomakeawomanloveyouwithinafortnight。””Isitalorette？””Why？””Becausethat’simpossible；butifitconcernsawoman，andawell-
bredonewhoisalsoclever——””Sheisaveryillustriousmarquise。””Youwantherletters？”saidtheyoungcount。”Ah！youareaftermyownheart！”criedMaxime。”No，that’snotit。””Thenyouwantmetoloveher？””Yes，intherealsense——””IfIamtoabandontheaesthetic，itisutterlyimpossible，”saidLaPalferine。”Ihave，don’tyousee，astowomenacertainhonor；wemayplaythefoolwiththem，butnot——””Ah！Iwasnotmistaken！”criedMaxime。”DoyouthinkI’mamantoproposemeretwopennyinfamiestoyou？No，youmustgo，anddazzle，andconquer。Mygoodmate，Igiveyoutwentythousandfrancs，andtendaysinwhichtotriumph。Meetmeto-nightatMadameSchontz’。””Idinethere。””Verygood，”returnedMaxime。”Later，whenyouhaveneedofme，Monsieurlecomte，youwillfindme，”headdedinthetoneofakingwhobindshimself，butpromisesnothing。”Thispoorwomanmusthavedoneyousomedeadlyharm，”saidLaPalferine。”Don’ttrytothrowaplummet-lineintomywaters，myboy；andletmetellyouthatincaseofsuccessyouwillobtainsuchpowerfulinfluencethatyouwillbeable，likeme，toretireuponafinemarriagewhenyouareboredwithyourbohemianlife。””Comesthereatimewhenitisaboretoamuseone’sself，”saidLaPalferine，”tobenothing，tolivelikethebirds，tohuntthefieldsofParislikeasavage，andlaughateverything？””Allthingsweary，evenhell，”saiddeTrailles，laughing。”Well，thisevening。”
Thetwo/roues/，theoldandtheyoung，rose。AsMaximegotintohisone-horseequipage，hethoughttohimself:”Madamed’Espardcan’tendureBeatrix；shewillhelpme。HoteldeGrandlieu，”hecalledouttothecoachman，observingthatRastignacwasjustpassinghim。
Findagreatmanwithoutsomeweakness！
Theduchess，MadameduGuenic，andClotildewereevidentlyweeping。”Whatisthematter？”heaskedtheduchess。”Calystedidnotcomehome；thisisthefirsttime；mypoordaughterisindespair。””Madameladuchesse，”saidMaxime，drawingthepiousladyintotheembrasureofawindow，”forHeaven’ssakekeeptheutmostsecrecyastomyefforts，andaskd’Ajudatodothesame；forifCalysteeverhearsofourplottherewillbeaduelbetweenhimandmetothedeath。WhenItoldyouthattheaffairwouldnotcostmuch，Imeantthatyouwouldnotbeobligedtospendenormoussums；butIdowanttwentythousandfrancs；therestismyaffair；theremaybeimportantplacestobegiven，areceiver-generalshippossibly。”
TheduchessandMaximelefttheroom。WhenMadamedeGrandlieureturnedtoherdaughter，sheagainlistenedtoSabine’sdithyrambicsinlaidwithfamilyfactsevenmorecruelthanthosewhichhadalreadycrushedtheyoungwife’shappiness。”Don’tbesotroubled，mydarling，”saidtheduchess。”Beatrixwillpaydearforyourtearsandsufferings；thehandofSatanisuponher；
shewillmeetwithtenhumiliationsforeveryoneshehasinflicteduponyou。”
MadameSchontzhadinvitedClaudeVignon，who，onseveraloccasions，hadexpressedawishtoknowMaximedeTraillespersonally。ShealsoinvitedCouture，Fabien，Bixiou，LeondeLora，LaPalferine，andNathan。ThelatterwasaskedbyRochefideonaccountofMaxime。
Aureliethusexpectednineguests，allmenofthefirstability，withtheexceptionofduRonceret；buttheNormanvanityandthebrutalambitionoftheHeirwerefullyonaparwithClaudeVignon’sliterarypower，Nathan’spoeticgift，LaPalferine’s/finesse/，Couture’sfinancialeye，Bixiou’swit，Finot’sshrewdness，Maxime’sprofounddiplomacy，andLeondeLora’sgenius。
MadameSchontz，anxioustoappearbothyoungandbeautiful，armedherselfwithatoiletwhichthatsortofwomanhastheartofmaking。
Sheworeaguipurepelerineofspiderytexture，agownofbluevelvet，thegracefulcorsageofwhichwasbuttonedwithopals，andherhairinbandsassmoothandshiningasebony。MadameSchontzowedhercelebrityasaprettywomantothebrilliancyandfreshnessofacomplexionaswhiteandwarmasthatofCreoles，toafacefullofspiriteddetails，thefeaturesofwhichwereclearlyandfirmlydrawn，——atypelongpresentedinperennialyouthbytheComtesseMerlin，andwhichisperhapspeculiartoSouthernraces。Unhappily，littleMadameSchontzhadtendedtowardsebonpointeversinceherlifehadbecomesohappyandcalm。Herneck，ofexquisiteroundness，wasbeginningtotakeonfleshabouttheshoulders；butinFrancetheheadsofwomenareprincipallytreasured；sothatfineheadswilloftenkeepanill-
formedbodyunobserved。”Mydearchild，”saidMaxime，cominginandkissingMadameSchontzontheforehead，”Rochefidewantedmetoseeyourestablishment；why，itisalmostinkeepingwithhisfourhundredthousandfrancsayear。
Well，well，hewouldneverhavehadthemifhehadn’tknownyou。Inlessthanfiveyearsyouhavemadehimsavewhatothers——Antonia，Malaga，Cadine，orFlorentine——wouldhavemadehimlose。””Iamnotalorette，Iamanartist，”saidMadameSchontz，withasortofdignity，”Ihopetoend，astheysayonthestage，astheprogenitrixofhonestmen。””Itisdreadful，butweareallmarrying，”returnedMaxime，throwinghimselfintoanarmchairbesidethefire。”HereamI，onthepointofmakingaComtesseMaxime。””Oh，howIshouldliketoseeher！”exclaimedMadameSchontz。”ButpermitmetopresenttoyouMonsieurClaudeVignon——MonsieurClaudeVignon，MonsieurdeTrailles。””Ah，soyouarethemanwhoallowedCamilleMaupin，theinnkeeperofliterature，togointoaconvent？”criedMaxime。”Afteryou，God。I
neverreceivedsuchanhonor。MademoiselledesTouchestreatedyou，monsieur，asthoughyouwereLouisXIV。””Thatishowhistoryiswritten！”repliedClaudeVignon。”Don’tyouknowthatherfortunewasusedtofreetheBaronduGuenic’sestates？
Ah！ifsheonlyknewthatCalystenowbelongstoherex-friend，”
Maximepushedthecritic’sfoot，motioningtoRochefide，”shewouldissuefromherconvent，Idobelieve，totearhimfromher。””Uponmyword，Rochefide，ifIwereyou，”saidMaxime，findingthathiswarningdidnotstopVignon，”Ishouldgivebackmywife’sfortune，sothattheworldcouldn’tsaysheattachedherselftoCalystefromnecessity。””Maximeisright，”remarkedMadameSchontz，lookingatArthur，whocoloredhigh。”IfIhavehelpedyoutogainseveralthousandfrancsayear，youcouldn’tbetteremploythem。Ishallhavemadethehappinessofhusband/and/wife；whatafeatherinmycap！””Ineverthoughtofit，”repliedthemarquis；”butamanshouldbeagentlemanbeforehe’sahusband。””Letmetellyouwhenisthetimetobegenerous，”saidMaxime。”Arthur，”saidAurelie，”Maximeisright。Don’tyousee，oldfellow，thatgenerousactionsarelikeCouture’sinvestments？——youshouldmaketheminthenickoftime。”
AtthatmomentCouture，followedbyFinot，camein；and，soonafter，alltheguestswereassembledinthebeautifulblueandgoldsalonofthehotelSchontz，atitlewhichthevariousartistshadgiventotheirinnafterRochefidepurchaseditforhisNinonII。WhenMaximesawLaPalferine，thelasttoarrive，enter，hewalkeduptohislieutenant，andtakinghimasideintotherecessofawindow，gavehimnotesfortwentythousandfrancs。”Remember，myboy，youneedn’teconomizethem，”hesaid，withtheparticulargraceofatruescamp。”There’snonebutyouwhocandoublethevalueofwhatyouseemtogive，”repliedLaPalferine。”Haveyoudecided？””Surely，inasmuchasItakethemoney，”saidthecount，withamixtureofhaughtinessandjest。”Well，then，Nathan，whoishereto-night，willpresentyoutwodayshenceatthehouseofMadamelaMarquisedeRochefide。”
LaPalferinestartedwhenheheardthename。”Youaretobemadlyinlovewithher，and，nottorousesuspicion，drinkheavily，wines，liqueurs！I’lltellAurelietoplaceyoubesideNathanatdinner。Onethingmore，myboy:youandImustmeeteverynight，ontheboulevarddelaMadeleineatoneinthemorning，——youtogivemeanaccountofprogress，Itogiveyouinstructions。””Ishallbethere，mymaster，”saidtheyoungcount，bowing。”Whydoyoumakeusdinewiththatqueerfellowdressedlikethehead-
waiterofarestaurant？”whisperedMaximetoMadameSchontz，withasigntowardFabienduRonceret。”HaveyounevermettheHeir？DuRonceretofAlencon。””Monsieur，”saidMaximetoFabien，”Ithinkyoumustknowmyfriendd’Esgrignon？””Victurnienhasceasedtoknowmeforsometime，”repliedFabien，”butweusedtobeveryintimateinouryouth。”
ThedinnerwasoneofthosewhicharegivennowherebutinParisbythesegreatfemalespendthrifts，forthechoicenessoftheirpreparationsoftensurprisethemostfastidiousofguests。Itwasatjustsuchasupper，atthehouseofacourtesanashandsomeandrichasMadameSchontz，thatPaganinideclaredhehadnevereatensuchfareatthetableofanysovereign，nordrunksuchwineswithanyprince，norheardsuchwittyconversation，norseentheglitterofsuchcoquettishluxury。
MaximeandMadameSchontzwerethefirsttore-enterthesalon，aboutteno’clock，leavingtheotherguests，whohadceasedtotellanecdotesandwerenowboastingoftheirvariousgoodqualities，withtheirviscouslipsgluedtotheglasseswhichtheycouldnotdrain。”Well，mydear，”saidMaxime，”youarenotmistaken；yes，Ihavecomeforyour/beauxyeux/andforhelpinagreataffair。YoumustleaveArthur；butIpledgemyselftomakehimgiveyoutwohundredthousandfrancs。””WhyshouldIleavethepoorfellow？””Tomarrythatidiot，whoseemstohavebeensentfromAlenconexpresslyforthepurpose。Hehasbeenajudge，andI’llhavehimmadechief-justiceinplaceofEmileBlondet’sfather，whoisgettingtobeeightyyearsold。Now，ifyouknowhowtosailyourboat，yourhusbandcanbeelecteddeputy。Youwillbothbepersonages，andyoucanthenlookdownonMadamelaComtesseduBruel。””Never！”saidMadameSchontz；”she’sacountess。””Hasn’theconditionenoughtobemadeacount？””Bythebye，hebearsarms，”criedAurelie，huntingforaletterinanelegantbaghangingatthecornerofthefireplace，andgivingittoMaxime。”Whatdotheymean？Herearecombs。””Hebears:perfesseargentandazure；onthefirst，threecombsgules，twoandone，crossedbythreebunchesgrapespurpure，leavedvert，oneandtwo；onthesecond，fourfeathersor，placedfretwise，with/Servir/formotto，andasquire’shelmet。Itisnotmuch；itseemstheywereennobledunderLouisXIV。；somemercerwasdoubtlesstheirgrandfather，andthematernallinemusthavemadeitsmoneyinwines；theduRonceretwhomthekingennobledwasprobablyanusher。
ButifyougetridofArthurandmarryduRonceret，Ipromiseyouheshallbeabaronattheveryleast。Butyousee，mydear，you’llhavetosoakyourselfforfiveorsixyearsintheprovincesifyouwanttoburyLaSchontzinabaroness。Thatqueercreaturehasbeencastinglooksatyou，themeaningofwhichisperfectlyclear。You’vegothim。””No，”repliedAurelie，”whenmyhandwasofferedtohimheremained，likethebrandiesIreadofto-dayinthemarketreports，/dull/。””Iwillundertaketodecidehim——ifheisdrunk。Goandseewheretheyallare。””Itisnotworthwhiletogo；IhearnoonebutBixiou，whoismakingjokestowhichnobodylistens。ButIknowmyArthur；hefeelsboundtobepolite，andheisprobablylookingatBixiouwithhiseyesshut。””Letusgoback，then。””/Ahca！/”saidMadameSchontz，suddenlystoppingshort，”inwhoseinterestshallIbeworking？””InthatofMadamedeRochefide，”repliedMaxime，promptly。”ItisimpossibletoreconcileherwithRochefideaslongasyouholdhim。
Herobjectistorecoverherplaceasheadofhishouseholdandtheenjoymentoffourhundredthousandfrancsayear。””Andsheoffersmeonlytwohundredthousand！Iwantthreehundredthousand，sincetheaffairconcernsher。What！haven’tItakencareofherbratandherhusband？Ihavefilledherplaceineveryway——anddoesshethinktobargainwithme？Withthat，mydearMaxime，Ishallhaveamillion；andifyou’llpromisemethechief-justiceshipatAlencon，IcanholdmyownasMadameduRonceret。””That’ssettled，”saidMaxime。”Oh！won’titbedulltoliveinthatlittletown！”criedAurelie，philosophically。”Ihaveheardsomuchofthatprovincefromd’EsgrignonandtheVal-NoblethatIseemtohavelivedtherealready。””SupposeIpromiseyouthesupportofthenobility？””Ah！Maxime，youdon’tmeanthat？——butthepigeonwon’tfly。””Andheisveryuglywithhispurpleskinandbristlesforwhiskers；
helookslikeawildboarwiththeeyesofabirdofprey。Buthe’llmakethefinestchief-justiceofaprovincialcourt。Nowdon’tbeuneasy！intenminutesheshallbesingingtoyouIsabelle’sairinthefourthactofRobertleDiable:’AtthyfeetIkneel’——youpromise，don’tyou？tosendArthurbacktoBeatrix？””Itwillbedifficult；butperseverancewins。”
Abouthalf-pastteno’clocktheguestsreturnedtothesalonforcoffee。UnderthecircumstancesinwhichMadameSchontz，Couture，andduRonceretwereplaced，itiseasytoimaginetheeffectproducedupontheHeirbythefollowingconversationwhichMaximeheldwithCoutureinacornerandinalowvoice，butsoplacedthatFabiencouldlistentothem。”MydearCouture，ifyouwanttoleadasteadylifeyouhadbetteracceptareceiver-generalshipwhichMadamedeRochefidewillobtainforyou。Aurelie’smillionwillfurnishthesecurity，andyou’llsharethepropertyinmarryingher。Youcanbemadedeputy，ifyouknowhowtotrimyoursails；andthepremiumIwantforthussavingyouisyourvoteinthechamber。””Ishallalwaysbeproudtobeafollowerofyours。””Ah！mydearfellow，youhavehadquiteanescape。Justimagine！
AurelietookafancyforthatNormanfromAlencon；sheaskedtohavehimmadeabaron，andchief-justiceinhisnativetown，andofficeroftheLegionofhonor！Thefoolneverguessedhervalue，andyouwilloweyourfortunetoherdisappointment。Youhadbetternotleavethatclevercreaturetimeforreflection。Asforme，Iamalreadyputtingtheironsinthefire。”
AndMaximeleftCoutureatthesummitofhappiness，sayingtoLaPalferine，”ShallIdriveyouhome，myboy？”
Byeleveno’clockAureliewasalonewithCouture，Fabien，andRochefide。Arthurwasasleeponasofa。CoutureandFabieneachtriedtooutstaytheother，withoutsuccess；andMadameSchontzfinallyterminatedthestrugglebysayingtoCouture，——”Good-night，Ishallseeyouto-morrow。”
Adismissalwhichhetookingoodpart。”Mademoiselle，”saidFabien，inalowvoice，”becauseyousawmethoughtfulattheofferwhichyouindirectlymadetome，donotthinktherewastheslightesthesitationonmypart。Butyoudonotknowmymother；shewouldneverconsenttomyhappiness。””Youhavereachedanageforrespectfulsummons，”retortedAurelie，insolently。”Butifyouareafraidofmammayouwon’tdoforme。””Josephine！”saidtheHeir，tenderly，passinghisarmaudaciouslyroundMadameSchontz’waist，”Ithoughtyoulovedme！””Well？””PerhapsIcouldappeasemymother，andobtainherconsent。””How？””Ifyouwouldemployyourinfluence——””Tohaveyoumadebaron，officeroftheLegionofhonor，andchief-
justiceatAlencon，——isthatit，myfriend？Listentome:IhavedonesomanythingsinmylifethatIamcapableofvirtue。Icanbeanhonestwomanandaloyalwife；andIcanpushmyhusbandveryhigh。
ButIwishtobelovedbyhimwithoutonelookoronethoughtbeingturnedawayfromme。Doesthatsuityou？Don’tbindyourselfimprudently；itconcernsyourwholelife，mylittleman。””WithawomanlikeyouIcandoitblind，”criedFabien，intoxicatedbytheglanceshegavehimasmuchasbytheliqueursdesIles。”Youshallneverrepentthatword，mydear；youshallbepeerofFrance。Asforthatpooroldfellow，”shecontinued，lookingatRochefide，whowassoundasleep，”afterto-dayIhaved-o-n-ewithhim。”
FabiencaughtMadameSchontzaroundthewaistandkissedherwithanimpulseoffuryandjoy，inwhichthedoubleintoxicationofwineandlovewassecondarytoambition。”Remember，mydearchild，”shesaid，”therespectyououghttoshowtoyourwife；don’tplaythelover；leavemefreetoretirefrommymud-
holeinapropermanner。PoorCouture，whothoughthimselfsureofwealthandareceiver-generalship！””Ihaveahorrorofthatman，”saidFabien；”IwishImightneverseehimagain。””Iwillnotreceivehimanymore，”repliedMadameSchontz，withaprudishlittleair。”Nowthatwehavecometoanunderstanding，myFabien，youmustgo；itisoneo’clock。”
ThislittlescenegavebirthinthehouseholdofArthurandAureliesocompletelyhappyuntilnowtoaphaseofdomesticwarfareproducedinthebosomofallhomesbysomesecretandalieninterestinoneofthepartners。ThenextdaywhenArthurawokehefoundMadameSchontzasfrigidasthatclassofwomanknowshowtomakeherself。”Whathappenedlastnight？”hesaid，ashebreakfasted，lookingatAurelie。”WhatoftenhappensinParis，”shereplied，”onegoestobedindampweatherandthenextmorningthepavementsaredryandfrozensohardthattheyaredusty。Doyouwantabrush？””What’sthematterwithyou，dearest？””Goandfindyourgreatscarecrowofawife！””Mywife！”exclaimedthepoormarquis。”Don’tIknowwhyyoubroughtMaximehere？YoumeantomakeupwithMadamedeRochefide，whowantsyouperhapsforsomeindiscreetbrat。
AndI，whomyoucallsoclever，Iadvisedyoutogivebackherfortune！Oh！Iseeyourscheme。AttheendoffiveyearsMonsieuristiredofme。I’mgettingfat，Beatrixisallbones——itwillbeachangeforyou！YouarenotthefirstI’veknowntolikeskeletons。
YourBeatrixknowshowtodressherself，that’strue；andyouaremanwholikesfigure-heads。Besides，youwanttosendMonsieurduGuenictotheright-about。Itwillbeatriumph！You’llcutquiteanappearanceintheworld！Howpeoplewilltalkofit！Why！you’llbeahero！”
MadameSchontzdidnotmakeanendofhersarcasmsfortwohoursaftermid-day，inspiteofArthur’sprotestations。Shethensaidshewasinvitedouttodinner，andadvisedher”faithlessone”togowithouthertotheOpera，forsheherselfwasgoingtotheAmbigu-ComiquetomeetMadamedelaBaudraye，acharmingwoman，afriendofLousteau。
Arthurproposed，asproofofhiseternalattachmenttohislittleAurelieandhisdetestationofhiswife，tostartthenextdayforItaly，andliveasamarriedcoupleinRome，Naples，Florence，——inshort，whereversheliked，offeringheragiftofsixtythousandfrancs。”Allthatisnonsense，”shesaid。”Itwon’tpreventyoufrommakingupwithyourwife，andyou’lldoawisething。”
ArthurandAureliepartedonthisformidabledialogue，hetoplaycardsanddineattheclub，shetodressandspendtheevening/tete-
a-tete/withFabien。
MonsieurdeRochefidefoundMaximeattheclub，andcomplainedtohimlikeamanwhofeelsthathishappinessisbeingtornfromhisheartbytheroots，everyfibreofwhichclungtoit。Maximelistenedtohismoans，aspersonsofsocialpolitenessareaccustomedtolisten，whilethinkingofotherthings。”I’mamanofgoodcounselinsuchmatters，mydearfellow，”heanswered。”Well，letmetellyou，youareonthewrongroadinlettingAurelieseehowdearsheistoyou。AllowmetopresentyoutoMadameAntonia。There’sahearttolet。You’llsoonseeLaSchontzwithothereyes。Sheisthirty-sevenyearsold，thatSchontzofyours，andMadameAntoniaisonlytwenty-six！Andwhatawoman！Imaysaysheismypupil。IfMadameSchontzpersistsinkeepingonthehindheelsofherpride，don’tyouknowwhatthatmeans？””Faith，no！””Thatshewantstomarry，andifthat’sthecase，nothingcanhinderherfromleavingyou。Afteraleaseofsixyearsawomanhasarighttodoso。Now，ifyouwillonlylistentome，youcandoabetterthingforyourself。Yourwifeisto-dayworthmorethanalltheSchontzesandAntoniasofthequartierSaint-Georges。Iadmittheconquestisdifficult，butitisnotimpossible；andafterallthathashappenedshewillmakeyouashappyasanOrgon。Inanycase，youmustn’tlooklikeafool；comeandsupto-nightwithAntonia。””No，IloveAurelietoowell；Iwon’tgiveheranyreasontocomplainofme。””Ah！mydearfellow，whatafutureyouarepreparingforyourself！”
criedMaxime。”Itiseleveno’clock；shemusthavereturnedfromtheAmbigu，”saidRochefide，leavingtheclub。
AndhecalledouthiscoachmantodriveattopspeedtotheruedelaBruyere。
MadameSchontzhadgivenprecisedirections；monsieurcouldenterasmasterwiththefullestunderstandingofmadame；but，warnedbythenoiseofmonsieur’sarrival，madamehadsoarrangedthatthesoundofherdressing-doorclosingaswomen’sdoorsdoclosewhentheyaresurprised，wastoreachmonsieur’sears。Then，atacornerofthepiano，Fabien’shat，forgottenintentionally，wasremovedveryawkwardlybyamaidthemomentaftermonsieurhadenteredtheroom。”DidyougototheAmbigu，mylittlegirl？””No，Ichangedmymind，andstayedathometoplaymusic。””Whocametoseeyou？”askedthemarquis，good-humoredly，seeingthehatcarriedoffbythemaid。”Noone。”
AtthataudaciousfalsehoodArthurbowedhishead；hepassedbeneaththeCaudineforksofsubmission。Areallovedescendsattimestothesesublimemeannesses。ArthurbehavedwithMadameSchontzasSabinewithCalyste，andCalystewithBeatrix。
Withinaweekthetransitionfromlarvatobutterflytookplaceintheyoung，handsome，andcleverCharles-Edouard，ComteRusticolidelaPalferine。Untilthismomentofhislifehehadlivedmiserably，coveringhisdeficitswithanaudacityequaltothatofDanton。Buthenowpaidhisdebts；henow，byadviceofMaxime，hadalittlecarriage；hewasadmittedtotheJockeyClubandtothecluboftheruedeGramont；hebecamesupremelyelegant，andhepublishedinthe”JournaldesDebats”anovelettewhichwonhiminafewdaysareputationwhichauthorsbyprofessionobtainafteryearsoftoilandsuccessesonly；forthereisnothingsousurpinginParisasthatwhichoughttobeephemeral。Nathan，verycertainthatthecountwouldneverpublishanythingelse，laudedthegracefulandpresumingyoungmansohighlytoBeatrixthatshe，spurredbythepraiseofthepoet，expressedastrongdesiretoseethiskingofthevagabondsofgoodsociety。”Hewillbeallthemoredelightedtocomehere，”repliedNathan，”because，asIhappentoknow，hehasfalleninlovewithyoutothepointofcommittingallsortsoffollies。””ButIamtoldhehasalreadycommittedthem。””No，notall；hehasnotyetcommittedthatoffallinginlovewithavirtuouswoman。”
SometendaysaftertheschemeplottedontheboulevardbetweenMaximeandhishenchman，theseductiveCharles-Edouard，thelatter，towhomNaturehadgiven，nodoubtsarcastically，afaceofcharmingmelancholy，madehisfirstirruptionintothenestofthedoveoftheruedeChartres，whotookforhisreceptionaneveningwhenCalystewasobligedtogotoapartywithhiswife。
IfyoushouldevermeetLaPalferineyouwillunderstandperfectlythesuccessobtainedinasingleeveningbythatsparklingmind，thatanimatedfancy，especiallyifyoutakeintoconsiderationtheadmirableadroitnessoftheshowmanwhoconsentedtosuperintendthisdebut。Nathanwasagoodcomrade，andhemadetheyoungcountshine，asajewellershowingoffanornamentinhopestosellit，makesthediamondsglitter。LaPalferinewas，discreetly，thefirsttowithdraw；
heleftNathanandthemarquisetogether，relyingonthecollaborationofthecelebratedauthor，whichwasadmirable。SeeingthatBeatrixwasquiteastounded，Raoulputfireintoherheartbypretendedreticenceswhichstirredthefibresofacuriosityshedidnotknowshepossessed。NathanhintedthatLaPalferine’switwasnotsomuchthecauseofhissuccesswithwomenashissuperiorityintheartoflove；
astatementwhichmagnifiedthecountimmensely。
Thisistheplacetorecordaneweffectofthatgreatlawofcontraries，whichproducessomanycrisesinthehumanheartandaccountsforsuchvariedeccentricitiesthatweareforcedtorememberitsometimesaswellasitscounterpart，thelawofsimilitudes。Allcourtesanspreserveinthedepthsoftheirheartaperennialdesiretorecovertheirliberty；tothistheywouldsacrificeeverything。Theyfeelthisantitheticalneedwithsuchintensitythatitisraretomeetwithoneofthesewomenwhohasnotaspiredseveraltimestoareturntovirtuethroughlove。Theyarenotdiscouragedbythemostcrueldeceptions。Ontheotherhand，womenrestrainedbytheireducation，bythestationtheyoccupy，chainedbytherankoftheirfamilies，livinginthemidstofopulence，andwearingahaloofvirtue，aredrawnattimes，secretlybeitunderstood，towardthetropicalregionsoflove。Thesetwonaturesofwoman，soopposedtoeachother，haveatthebottomoftheirhearts，theonethatfaintdesireforvirtue，theotherthatfaintdesireforlibertinismwhichJean-JacquesRousseauwasthefirsttohavethecouragetodiagnose。
Inone，itisalastreflexionoftheraydivinethatisnotextinct；
intheother，itisthelastremainsofourprimitiveclay。
Thisclawofthebeastwasrapped，thishairofthedevilwaspulledbyNathanwithextremecleverness。Themarquisebegantoaskherselfseriouslyif，uptothepresenttime，shehadnotbeenthedupeofherhead，andwhetherhereducationwascomplete。Vice——whatisit？
Possiblyonlythedesiretoknoweverything。
XXVI
DISILLUSIONS——INALLBUTLAFONTAINE’SFABLES
ThenextdayCalysteseemedtoBeatrixjustwhathewas:aperfectandloyalgentlemanwithoutimaginationorcleverness。InParis，amancalledclevermusthavespontaneousbrilliancy，asthefountainshavewater；menoftheworldandParisiansingeneralareinthatwayveryclever。ButCalystelovedtoodeeply，hewastoomuchabsorbedinhisownsentimentstoperceivethechangeinBeatrix，andtosatisfyherneedbydisplayingnewresources。Toher，heseemedpaleindeed，afterthebrilliancyofthenightbefore，andhecausednotthefaintestemotiontothehungryBeatrix。Agreatloveisacreditopenedtoapowersovoraciousthatbankruptcyissuretocomesoonerorlater。
InspiteofthefatigueofthisdaythedaywhenawomanisboredbyaloverBeatrixtrembledwithfearatthethoughtofapossiblemeetingbetweenLaPalferineandCalyste，amanofcouragewithoutassertion。Shehesitatedtoseethecountagain；buttheknotofherhesitationwascutbyadecisiveevent。
BeatrixhadtakenthethirdofaboxattheOpera，obscurelysituatedonthelowertierforthepurposeofnotbeingmuchinsight。ForthelastfewdaysCalyste，grownbolder，hadescortedthemarquisetoherbox，placinghimselfbehindher，andtimingtheirarrivalatalatehoursoastomeetnooneinthecorridors。Beatrix，ontheseoccasions，lefttheboxalonebeforetheendofthelastact，andCalystefollowedatadistancetowatchoverher，althougholdAntoinewasalwaystheretoattendhismistress。MaximeandLaPalferinehadstudiedthisstrategy，whichwaspromptedbyrespectfortheproprieties，alsobythatdesireforconcealmentwhichcharacterizestheidolatorsofthelittlegod，andalso，again，bythefearwhichoppressesallwomenwhohavebeenconstellationsintheworldandwhomlovehascausedtofallfromtheirzodiacaleminence。Publichumiliationisdreadedasanagonymorecruelthandeathitself。But，byamanoeuvreofMaxime’s，thatblowtoherpride，thatoutragewhichwomensecureoftheirrankinOlympuscastuponotherswhohavefallenfromtheirmidst，wasnowtodescendonBeatrix。
Ataperformanceof”Lucia，”whichends，aseveryoneknows，withoneofthefinesttriumphsofRubini，MadamedeRochefide，whomAntoinehadnotyetcometofetch，reachedtheperistyleoftheopera-housebythelowercorridorjustasthestaircasewascrowdedbyfashionablewomenrangedonthestairsorstandingingroupsbelowit，awaitingtheannouncementoftheircarriages。Beatrixwasinstantlyrecognized；
whisperswhichsoonbecameamurmuraroseineverygroup。Inamomentthecrowddispersed；themarquisewasleftalonelikealeper。Calystedarednot，seeinghiswifeonthestaircase，advancetoaccompanyher，thoughtwiceshevainlycasthimatearfulglance，aprayer，thathewouldcometoher。Atthatmoment，LaPalferine，elegant，superb，charming，lefttwoladieswithwhomhehadbeentalking，andcamedowntothemarquise。”Takemyarm，”hesaid，bowing，”andwalkproudlyout。Iwillfindyourcarriage。””Willyoucomehomewithmeandfinishtheevening？”sheanswered，gettingintohercarriageandmakingroomforhim。
LaPalferinesaidtohisgroom，”Followthecarriageofmadame，”andthenhejumpedintoitbesidehertotheutterstupefactionofCalyste，whostoodforamomentplantedonhistwolegsasiftheywerelead。Itwasthesightofhimstandingthus，paleandlivid，thatcausedBeatrixtomakethesigntoLaPalferinetoenterhercarriage。
DovescanbeRobespierresinspiteoftheirwhitewings。ThreecarriagesreachedtheruedeChartreswiththunderingrapidity，——thatofCalyste，thatofthemarquise，andthatofLaPalferine。”Oh！youhere？”saidBeatrix，enteringhersalononthearmoftheyoungcount，andfindingCalyste，whosehorsehadoutstrippedthoseoftheothercarriages。”Thenyouknowmonsieur？”saidCalyste，furiously。”MonsieurleComtedelaPalferinewaspresentedtometendaysagobyNathan，”shereplied；”butyou，monsieur，/you/haveknownmefouryears！——””AndIamready，madame，”saidCharles-Edouard，”tomaketheMarquised’Espardrepenttoherthirdgenerationforbeingthefirsttoturnawayfromyou。””Ah！itwas/she/，wasit？”criedBeatrix；”Iwillmakeherrueit。””Torevengeyourselfthoroughly，”saidtheyoungmaninherear，”yououghttorecoveryourhusband；andIamcapableofbringinghimbacktoyou。”
Theconversation，thusbegun，wentontilltwointhemorning，withoutallowingCalyste，whoseangerwasagainandagainrepressedbyalookfromBeatrix，tosayonewordtoherinprivate。LaPalferine，thoughhedidnotlikeBeatrix，showedasuperiorityofgrace，goodtaste，andclevernessequaltotheevidentinferiorityofCalyste，whowriggledinhischairlikeawormcutintwo，andactuallyrosethreetimesasiftoboxtheearsofLaPalferine。Thethirdtimethathemadeadartforward，theyoungcountsaidtohim，”Areyouinpain，monsieur？”inamannerwhichsentCalystebacktohischair，wherehesatasrigidasamile-stone。
ThemarquiseconversedwiththeeaseofaCelimene，pretendingtoignorethatCalystewasthere。LaPalferinehadtheclevernesstodepartafterabrilliantwitticism，leavingthetwoloverstoaquarrel。
Thus，byMaxime’smachinations，thefireofdiscordflamedintheseparatehouseholdsofMonsieurandofMadamedeRochefide。Thenextday，learningthesuccessofthislastscenefromLaPalferineattheJockeyClub，wheretheyoungcountwasplayingwhist，MaximewenttothehotelSchontztoascertainwithwhatsuccessAureliewasrowingherboat。”Mydear，”saidMadameSchontz，laughingatMaxime’sexpression，”Iamatanendofmyexpedients。Rochefideisincurable。Iendmycareerofgallantrybyperceivingthatclevernessisamisfortune。””Explaintomethatremark。””Inthefirstplace，mydearfriend，IhavekeptArthurforthelastweektoaregimenofkicksontheshinandperpetualwranglingandjarring；inshort，allwehavethatismostdisagreeableinourbusiness。’Youareill，’hesaystomewithpaternalsweetness，’forI
havebeengoodtoyoualwaysandIloveyoutoadoration。’’Youaretoblameforonething，mydear，’Ianswered；’youboreme。’’Well，ifI
do，haven’tyouthewittiestandhandsomestyoungmaninParistoamuseyou？’saidthepoorman。Iwascaught。IactuallyfeltIlovedhim。””Ah！”saidMaxime。”HowcouldIhelpit？Feelingisstrongerthanwe；onecan’tresistsuchthings。SoIchangedpedals。Ibegantoenticemyjudicialwild-
boar，nowturnedlikeArthurtoasheep；IgavehimArthur’ssofa。
Heavens！howheboredme。But，youunderstand，IhadtohaveFabientheretoletArthursurpriseus。””Well，”criedMaxime，”goon；whathappened？WasArthurfurious？””Youknownothingaboutit，myoldfellow。WhenArthurcameinand’surprised’us，Fabienandme，heretreatedonthetipsofhistoestothedining-room，wherehebegantoclearhisthroat，’broum，broum！’
andcough，andknockthechairsabout。ThatgreatfoolofaFabien，towhom，ofcourse，Ican’texplainthewholematter，wasfrightened。
There，mydearMaxime，isthepointwehavereached。”
Maximenoddedhishead，andplayedforafewmomentswithhiscane。”Ihaveknownsuchnatures，”hesaid。”AndtheonlywayforyoutodoistopitchArthuroutofthewindowandlockthedooruponhim。Thisishowyoumustmanageit。PlaythatsceneoveragainwithFabien；
whenArthursurprisesyou，giveFabienaglanceArthurcan’tmistake；
ifhegetsangry，thatwillendthematter；ifhestillsays，’broum，broum！’itisjustasgood；youcanenditabetterway。””How？””Why，getangry，andsay:’Ibelievedyoulovedme，respectedme；butIseeyou’venofeelingatall，notevenjealousy，’——youknowthetirade。’Inacaselikethis，Maxime’bringmein’wouldkillhismanonthespot’thenweep。’AndFabien，he’mortifyhimbycomparinghimwiththatfellow，’FabienwhomIlove，Fabienwouldhavedrawnadaggerandstabbedyoutotheheart。Ah，that’swhatitistolove！Farewell，monsieur；takebackyourhouseandallyourproperty；IshallmarryFabien；/he/givesmehisname；/he/marriesmeinspiteofhisoldmother——but/you/——’””Isee！Isee！”criedMadameSchontz。”I’llbesuperb！Ah！Maxime，therewillneverbebutoneMaxime，justasthere’sonlyonedeMarsay。””LaPalferineisbetterthanI，”repliedtheComtedeTrailles，modestly。”He’llmakehismark。””LaPalferinehastongue，butyouhavefistandloins。Whatweightsyou’vecarried！whatcuffsyou’vegiven！””LaPalferinehasallthat，too；heisdeepandheiseducated，whereasIamignorant，”repliedMaxime。”IhaveseenRastignac，whohasmadeanarrangementwiththeKeeperoftheSeals。Fabienistobeappointedchief-justiceatonce，andofficeroftheLegionofhonorafteroneyear’sservice。””Ishallmakemyself/devote/，”saidMadameSchontz，accentingthatspeechinamannerwhichobtainedanodofapprobationfromMaxime。”Priestscandomorethanevenwe，”herepliedsententiously。”Ah！canthey？”saidMadameSchontz。”ThenImaystillfindsomeoneintheprovincesfittotalkto。I’vealreadybegunmyrole。Fabienhaswrittentohismotherthatgracehasenlightenedme；andhehasfascinatedthegoodwomanwithmymillionandthechief-justiceship。
Sheconsentsthatweshalllivewithher，andsendsmeherportrait，andwantsmine。IfCupidlookedathershewoulddieonthespot。
Come，goaway，Maxime。ImustputanendtomypoorArthurto-night，anditbreaksmyheart。”
Twodayslater，astheymetonthethresholdoftheJockeyClub，Charles-EdouardsaidtoMaxime，”Itisdone。”
Thewords，whichcontainedadramaaccomplishedinpartbyvengeance，madeMaximesmile。”NowcomeinandlistentoRochefidebemoaninghimself；foryouandAureliehavebothtouchedgoaltogether。AureliehasjustturnedArthuroutofdoors，andnowitisourbusinesstogethimahome。HemustgiveMadameduRonceretthreehundredthousandfrancsandtakebackhiswife；youandImustprovetohimthatBeatrixissuperiortoAurelie。””Wehavetendaysbeforeustodoitin，”saidCharles-Edouard，”andinallconsciencethat’snottoomuch。””Whatwillyoudowhentheshellbursts？””Amanhasalwaysmindenough，givehimtimetocollectit；I’msuperbatthatsortofpreparation。”
Thetwoconspiratorsenteredthesalontogether，andfoundRochefideagedbytwoyears；hehadnotevenputonhiscorset，hisbeardhadsprouted，andallhiselegancewasgone。”Well，mydearmarquis？”saidMaxime。”Ah，mydearfellow，mylifeiswrecked。”
Arthurtalkedfortenminutes，andMaximelistenedgravely，thinkingallthewhileofhisownmarriage，whichwasnowtotakeplacewithinaweek。”MydearArthur，”herepliedatlast；”ItoldyoutheonlymeansI
knewtokeepAurelie，butyouwouldn’t——””Whatwasit？””Didn’tIadviseyoutogoandsupwithAntonia？””Yes，youdid。ButhowcouldI？Ilove，andyou，youonlymakelove——””Listentome，Arthur；giveAureliethreehundredthousandfrancsforthatlittlehouse，andI’llpromisetofindsomeonetosuityoubetter。I’lltalktoyouaboutitlater，forthere’sd’Ajudamakingsignsthathewantstospeaktome。”
AndMaximelefttheinconsolablemanfortherepresentativeofafamilyinneedofconsolation。”Mydearfellow，”saidd’Ajudainhisear，”theduchessisindespair。
Calysteishavinghistrunkspackedsecretly，andhehastakenoutapassport。Sabinewantstofollowthem，surpriseBeatrix，andmaulher。
Sheispregnant，andittakestheturnofmurderousideas；shehasactuallyandopenlyboughtpistols。””TelltheduchessthatMadamedeRochefidewillnotleaveParis，butwithinafortnightshewillhaveleftCalyste。Now，d’Ajuda，shakehands。NeitheryounorIhaveeversaid，orknown，ordoneanythingaboutthis；weadmirethechancesoflife，that’sall。””TheduchesshasalreadymademeswearontheholyGospelstoholdmytongue。””Willyoureceivemywifeamonthhence？””Withpleasure。””Theneveryone，allround，willbesatisfied，”saidMaxime。”OnlyremindtheduchessthatshemustmakethatjourneytoItalywiththeduGuenics，andthesoonerthebetter。”
FortendaysCalystewasmadetobeartheweightofanangerallthemoreinvinciblebecauseitwasinparttheeffectofarealpassion。
BeatrixnowexperiencedthelovesobrutallybutfaithfullydescribedtotheDuchessedeGrandlieubyMaximedeTrailles。Perhapsnowell-
organizedbeingsexistwhodonotexperiencethatterriblepassiononceinthecourseoftheirlives。Themarquisefeltherselfmasteredbyasuperiorforce，——byayoungmanonwhomherrankandqualitydidnotimpose，who，asnobleasherself，regardedherwithaneyebothpowerfulandcalm，andfromwhomhergreatestfeminineartsandeffortscouldwithdifficultyobtainevenasmileofapproval。Inshort，shewasoppressedbyatyrantwhoneverleftherthatshedidnotfalltoweeping，bruisedandwounded，yetbelievingherselftoblame。Charles-EdouardplayeduponMadamedeRochefidethesamecomedyMadamedeRochefidehadplayedonCalysteforthelastsixmonths。
SinceherpublichumiliationattheOpera，BeatrixhadneverceasedtotreatMonsieurduGueniconthebasisofthefollowingproposition:——”Youhavepreferredyourwifeandtheopinionoftheworldtome。Ifyouwishtoprovethatyouloveme，sacrificeyourwifeandtheworldtome。AbandonSabine，andletusliveinSwitzerland，Italy，orGermany。”
Entrenchedinthathard/ultimatum/，sheestablishedtheblockadewhichwomendeclarebyfrigidglances，disdainfulgestures，andacertainfortress-likedemeanor，ifwemaysocallit。ShethoughtherselfdeliveredfromCalyste，supposingthathewouldneverdaretobreakopenlywiththeGrandlieus。TodesertSabine，towhomMademoiselledesToucheshadleftherfortune，woulddoomhimtopenury。
ButCalyste，half-madwithdespair，hadsecretlyobtainedapassport，andhadwrittentohismotherbegginghertosendhimatonceaconsiderablesumofmoney。WhileawaitingthearrivalofthesefundshesethimselftowatchBeatrix，consumedbythefuryofBretonjealousy。Atlast，ninedaysafterthecommunicationmadebyLaPalferinetoMaximeattheclub，Calyste，towhomhismotherhadforwardedthirtythousandfrancs，wenttoMadamedeRochefide’shousewiththefirmintentionofforcingtheblockade，drivingawayLaPalferine，andleavingPariswithhispacifiedangel。Itwasoneofthosehorriblealternativesinwhichwomenwhohavehithertoretainedsomelittlerespectforthemselvesplungeatonceandforeverintothedegradationsofvice，——thoughitispossibletoreturnthencetovirtue。UntilthismomentMadamedeRochefidehadregardedherselfasavirtuouswomaninheart，uponwhomtwopassionshadfallen；buttoadoreCharles-EdouardandstillletCalysteadoreher，wouldbetoloseherself-esteem，——forwheredeceptionbegins，infamybegins。ShehadgivenrightstoCalyste，andnohumanpowercouldpreventtheBretonfromfallingatherfeetandwateringthemwiththetearsofanabsoluterepentance。Manypersonsaresurprisedattheglacialinsensibilityunderwhichwomenextinguishtheirloves。Butiftheydidnotthuseffacetheirpast，theirlivescouldhavenodignity，theycouldnevermaintainthemselvesagainstthefatalfamiliaritytowhichtheyhadoncesubmitted。IntheentirelynewsituationinwhichBeatrixfoundherself，shemighthaveevadedthealternativespresentedtoherbyCalystehadLaPalferineenteredtheroom；butthevigilanceofheroldfootman，Antoine，defeatedher。
Hearingacarriagestopbeforethedoor，shesaidtoCalyste，”Herecomevisitors！”andsherushedforwardtopreventascene。
Antoine，however，asaprudentman，hadtoldLaPalferinethatMadamelamarquisewasout。
WhenBeatrixheardfromtheoldservantwhohadcalledandtheanswerhehadgiven，shereplied，”Verygood，”andreturnedtothesalon，thinking:”Iwillescapeintoaconvent；Iwillmakemyselfanun。”
Calyste，meantime，hadopenedthewindowandseenhisrival。”Whocame？”hesaidtoBeatrixonherreturn。”Idon’tknow；Antoineisstillbelow。””ItwasLaPalferine。””Possibly。””Youlovehim，andthatiswhyyouareblamingandreproachingme；I
sawhim！””Yousawhim？””Iopenedthewindow。”
Beatrixfellhalffaintingonthesofa。Thenshenegotiatedinordertogaintime；sheaskedtohavethejourneypostponedforaweek，underpretenceofmakingpreparations；inwardlyresolvingtoturnCalysteoffinawaythatshecouldsatisfyLaPalferine，——forsucharethewretchedcalculationsandthefieryanguishconcealedwiththeseliveswhichhavelefttherailsalongwhichthegreatsocialtrainrollson。
WhenCalystehadlefther，Beatrixfeltsowretched，soprofoundlyhumiliated，thatshewenttobed；shewasreallyill；theviolentstrugglewhichwrungherheartseemedtoreachaphysicalreaction，andshesentforthedoctor；butatthesametimeshedespatchedtoLaPalferinethefollowingletter，inwhichsherevengedherselfonCalystewithasortofrage:——
ToMonsieurleComtedelaPalferine。
MyFriend，——Comeandseeme；Iamindespair。AntoinesentyouawaywhenyourarrivalwouldhaveputanendtooneofthemosthorriblenightmaresofmylifeanddeliveredmefromamanIhate，andwhomItrustnevertoseeagain。Iloveyouonlyinthisworld，andIcanneveragainloveanyonebutyou，thoughIhavethemisfortunenottopleaseyouasIfainwould——
Shewrotefourpageswhich，beginningthus，endedinanexaltationtoopoeticfortypography，inwhichshecompromisedherselfsocompletelythattheletterclosedwiththesewords:”AmIsufficientlyatyourmercy？Ah！nothingwillcostmeanythingifitonlyprovestoyouhowmuchyouareloved。”Andshesignedtheletter，athingshehadneverdoneforContiorCalyste。
Thenextday，atthehourwhenLaPalferinecalled，Beatrixwasinherbath，andAntoinebeggedhimtowait。He，inhisturn，sawCalystesentaway；forduGuenic，hungryforlove，cameearly。LaPalferinewasstandingatthewindow，watchinghisrival’sdeparture，whenBeatrixenteredthesalon。”Ah！Charles，”shecried，expectingwhathadhappened，”youhaveruinedme！””Iknowit，madame，”repliedLaPalferine，tranquilly。”Youhavesworntolovemealone；youhaveofferedtogivemealetterinwhichyouwillwriteyourmotivesfordestroyingyourself，sothat，incaseofinfidelity，Imaypoisonyouwithoutfearofhumanjustice，——asifsuperiormenneededtohaverecoursetopoisonforrevenge！Youhavewrittentome:’Nothingwillcostmeanythingifitonlyprovestoyouhowmuchyouareloved。’Well，afterthat，IfindacontradictionbetweenthosewordsandyourpresentremarkthatIhaveruinedyou。I
mustknownowifyouhavehadthecouragetobreakwithduGuenic。””Ah！youhaveyourrevengeuponhiminadvance，”shecried，throwingherarmsaroundhisneck。”Henceforth，youandIareforeverboundtogether。””Madame，”saidtheprinceofBohemia，coldly，”ifyouwishmeforyourfriend，Iconsent；butononeconditiononly。””Condition！”sheexclaimed。”Yes；thefollowingcondition。YoumustbereconciledtoMonsieurdeRochefide；youmustrecoverthehonorofyourposition；youmustreturntoyourhandsomehouseinthedued’AnjouandbeoncemoreoneofthequeensofParis。YoucandothisbymakingRochefideplayapartinpolitics，andputtingintoyourownconductthepersistencywhichMadamed’Espardhasdisplayed。ThatisthesituationnecessaryforthewomantowhomIdothehonortogivemyself。””ButyouforgetthatMonsieurdeRochefide’sconsentisnecessary。””Oh，mydearchild，”saidLaPalferine，”wehavearrangedallthat；I
havegivenmywordofhonorasagentlemanthatyouareworthalltheSchontzesofthequartierSaint-Georges，andyoumustfulfilmypledge。”
ForthenextweekCalystewenteverydaytoMadamedeRochefide’sdoor，onlytoberefusedbyAntoine，whosaidwithastudiedface，”Madameisill。”
FromthereCalystehurriedtoLaPalferine’slodging，wherethevaletanswered，”Monsieurlecomteisaway，hunting。”EachtimethishappenedtheBretonbaronleftaletterforLaPalferine。
OntheninthdayCalystereceivedalinefromLaPalferine，makinganappointmenttoreceivehim。Hehurriedtohislodgingsandfoundthecount，butincompanywithMaximedeTrailles，towhomtheyoung/roue/nodoubtwishedtogiveproofofhis/savoir-faire/bymakinghimawitnessofthisscene。”Monsieurlebaron，”beganCharles-Edouard，tranquilly，”herearethesixlettersyouhavedonemethehonortowritetome。Theyare，asyousee，safeandsound；theyhavenotbeenunsealed。Iknewinadvancewhattheywerelikelytocontain，havinglearnedthatyouhavebeenseekingmesincethedaywhenIlookedatyoufromthewindowofahousefromwhichyouhadlookedatmeonthepreviousday。IthoughtIhadbetterignoreallmistakenprovocations。Betweenourselves，Iamsureyouhavetoomuchgoodtastetobeangrywithawomanfornolongerlovingyou。Itisalwaysabadmeansofrecoveringhertoseekaquarrelwiththeonepreferred。But，inthepresentcase，yourlettershavearadicalfault，anullity，asthelawyerssay。Youhavetoomuchgoodsense，Iamsure，tocomplainofahusbandwhotakesbackhiswife。MonsieurdeRochefidehasfeltthatthepositionofthemarquisewasundignified。Youwill，therefore，nolongerfindMadamedeRochefideintheruedeChartres，but——sixmonthshence，nextwinter——inthehoteldeRochefide。Youflungyourselfratherheedlesslyintothemidstofareconciliationbetweenhusbandandwife，——whichyouprovokedyourselfbynotsavingMadamedeRochefidefromthehumiliationtowhichshewassubjectedattheOpera。Oncomingaway，themarquise，towhomIhadalreadycarriedcertainamicableproposalsfromherhusband，tookmeupinhercarriage，andherfirstwordswere，’BringArthurbacktome！’””Ah！yes，”criedCalyste，”shewasright；Iwaswantingintruedevotion。””Unhappily，monsieur，Rochefidewaslivingwithoneofthoseatrociouswomen，MadameSchontz，whohadlongbeenexpectinghimtoleaveher。
ShehadcountedonMadamedeRochefide’sfailureinhealth，andexpectedsomedaytoseeherselfmarquise；findinghercastlesintheairthusscattered，shedeterminedtorevengeherselfonhusbandandwife。Suchwomen，monsieur，willputoutoneoftheirowneyestoputouttwooftheirenemy。LaSchontz，whohasjustleftParis，hasputoutsix！IfIhadhadtheimprudencetolovethemarquise，MadameSchontzwouldhaveputouteight。Youseenowthatyouareinneedofanoculist。”
MaximecouldnothelpsmilingatthechangethatcameoverCalyste’sface；whichturneddeadlypaleashiseyeswereopenedtohissituation。”Wouldyoubelieve，Monsieurlebaron，thatthatunworthywomanhasgivenherhandtothemanwhofurnishedthemeansforherrevenge？Ah！
thesewomen！YoucanunderstandnowwhyArthurandhiswifeshouldhaveretiredforatimetotheirdelightfullittlecountry-houseatNogent-sur-Marne。They’llrecovertheireyesightthere。DuringtheirstayinthecountrythehoteldeRochefideistoberenovated，andthemarquiseintendstodisplayonherreturnaprincelysplendor。Whenawomansonoble，thevictimofconjugallove，findscouragetoreturntoherduty，thepartofamanwhoadoresherasyoudo，andadmiresherasIadmireher，istoremainherfriendalthoughwecandonothingmore。Youwillexcuseme，Iknow，forhavingmadeMonsieurleComtedeTraillesawitnessofthisexplanation；butIhavebeenmostanxioustomakemyselfperfectlyclearthroughout。Asformyownsentiments，Iam，aboveall，desiroustosaytoyou，thatalthoughI
admireMadamedeRochefideforherintellect，sheissupremelydispleasingtomeasawoman。””Andsoendournoblestdreams，ourcelestialloves！”saidCalyste，dumfoundedbysomanyrevelationsanddisillusionments。”Yes，intheserpent’stail，”saidMaxime，”or，worsestill，inthevialofanapothecary。Ineverknewafirstlovethatdidnotendfoolishly。Ah！Monsieurlebaron，allthatmanhasofthedivinewithinhimfindsitsfoodinheavenonly。Thatiswhatjustifiesthelivesofus/roues/。Formyself，Ihaveponderedthisquestiondeeply；
and，asyouknow，Iwasmarriedyesterday。Ishallbefaithfultomywife，andIadviseyoutoreturntoMadameduGuenic，——butnotforthreemonths。Don’tregretBeatrix；sheisthemodelofavainandemptynature，withoutstrength，coquettishforself-glorificationonly，aMadamed’Espardwithoutherprofoundpoliticalcapacity，awomanwithoutheartandwithouthead，flounderinginevil。MadamedeRochefidelovesMadamedeRochefideonly。ShewouldhavepartedyoufromMadameduGuenicwithoutthepossibilityofreturn，andthenshewouldhaveleftyouinthelurchwithoutremorse。Inshort，thatwomanisasincompleteforviceassheisforvirtue。””Idon’tagreewithyou，Maxime，”saidLaPalferine。”IthinkshewillmakethemostdelightfulmistressofasaloninallParis。”
Calystewentaway，aftershakinghandswithCharles-EdouardandMaximeandthankingthemforhavingprickedhisillusions。
Threedayslater，theDuchessedeGrandlieu，whohadnotseenherdaughterSabinesincethemorningwhenthisconferencetookplace，wenttothehotelduGuenicearlyinthedayandfoundCalysteinhisbath，withSabinebesidehimworkingatsomeadornmentforthefuture/layette/。”Whathashappenedtoyou，mychildren？”askedtheexcellentduchess。”Nothingbutgood，dearmamma，”repliedSabine，raisinghereyes，radiantwithhappiness，tohermother；”wehavebeenplayingthefableof’TheTwoPigeons，’thatisall。”
Calysteheldouthishandtohiswife，andpressedherssotenderlywithalooksoeloquent，thatshesaidinawhispertotheduchess，——”Iamloved，mother，andforever！”
End