CONTENTSOFTHE13VOLUMES（180Stories）
VOLUMEI.
GUYDEMAUPASSANT——ASTUDYBYPOL.NEVEUX
BOULEDESUIF
TWOFRIENDS
THELANCER’SWIFE
THEPRISONERS
TWOLITTLESOLDIERS
FATHERMILON
ACOUPD’ETAT
LIEUTENANTLARE’SMARRIAGE
THEHORRIBLE
MADAMEPARISSE
MADEMOISELLEFIFI
ADUEL
VOLUMEII.
THECOLONEL’SIDEAS
MOTHERSAUVAGE
EPIPHANY
THEMUSTACHE
MADAMEBAPTISTE
THEQUESTIONOFLATIN
AMEETING
THEBLINDMAN
INDISCRETION
AFAMILYAFFAIR
BESIDESCHOPENHAUER’SCORPSE
VOLUMEIII.
MISSHARRIET
LITTLELOUISEROQUE
THEDONKEY
MOIRON
THEDISPENSEROFHOLYWATER
THEPARRICIDE
BERTHA
THEPATRON
THEDOOR
ASALE
THEIMPOLITESEX
AWEDDINGGIFT
THERELIC
VOLUMEIV.
THEMORIBUND
THEGAMEKEEPER
THESTORYOFAFARMGIRL
THEWRECK
THEODULESABOT’SCONFESSION
THEWRONGHOUSE
THEDIAMONDNECKLACE
THEMARQUISDEFUMEROL
THETRIPOFTHEHORLA
FAREWELL
THEWOLF
THEINN
VOLUMEV.
MONSIEURPARENT
QUEENHORTENSE
TIMBUCTOO
TOMBSTONES
MADEMOISELLEPEARL
THETHIEF
CLAIRDELUNE
WAITER，A\"BOCK\"
AFTER
FORGIVENESS
INTHESPRING
AQUEERNIGHTINPARIS
VOLUMEVI.
THATCOSTLYRIDE
USELESSBEAUTY
THEFATHER
MYUNCLESOSTHENES
THEBARONESS
MOTHERANDSON
THEHAND
ATRESSOFHAIR
ONTHERIVER
THECRIPPLE
ASTROLL
ALEXANDRE
THELOG
JULIEROMAINE
THERONDOLISISTERS
VOLUMEVII.
THEFALSEGEMS
FASCINATION
YVETTESAMORIS
AVENDETTA
MYTWENTY—FIVEDAYS
\"THETERROR\"
LEGENDOFMONTST.MICHEL
ANEWYEAR’SGIFT
FRIENDPATIENCE
ABANDONED
THEMAISONTELLIER
DENIS
MYWIFE
THEUNKNOWN
THEAPPARITION
VOLUMEVIII.
CLOCHETTE
THEKISS
THELEGIONOFHONOR
THETEST
FOUNDONADROWNEDMAN
THEORPHAN
THEBEGGAR
THERABBIT
HISAVENGER
MYUNCLEJULES
THEMODEL
AVAGABOND
THEFISHINGHOLE
THESPASM
INTHEWOOD
MARTINE
ALLOVER
THEPARROT
APIECEOFSTRING
VOLUMEIX.
TOINE
MADAMEHUSSON’SROSIER
THEADOPTEDSON
ACOWARD
OLDMONGILET
MOONLIGHT
THEFIRSTSNOWFALL
SUNDAYSOFABOURGEOIS
ARECOLLECTION
OURLETTERS
THELOVEOFLONGAGO
FRIENDJOSEPH
THEEFFEMINATES
OLDAMABLE
VOLUMEX.
THECHRISTENING
THEFARMER’SWIFE
THEDEVIL
THESNIPE
THEWILL
WALTERSCHNAFF’SADVENTURE
ATSEA
MINUET
THESON
THATPIGOFAMORIN
SAINTANTHONY
LASTINGLOVE
PIERROT
ANORMANDYJOKE
FATHERMATTHEW
VOLUMEXI.
THEUMBRELLA
BELHOMME’SBEAST
DISCOVERY
THEACCURSEDBREAD
THEDOWRY
THEDIARYOFAMADMAN
THEMASK
THEPENGUINSROCK
AFAMILY
SUICIDES
ANARTIFICE
DREAMS
SIMON’SPAPA
VOLUMEXII.
THECHILD
ACOUNTRYEXCURSION
ROSE
ROSALIEPRUDENT
REGRET
ASISTER’SCONFESSION
COCO
ADEADWOMAN’SSECRET
AHUMBLEDRAMA
MADEMOISELLECOCOTTE
THECORSICANBANDIT
THEGRAVE
VOLUMEXIII.
OLDJUDAS
THELITTLECASK
BOITELLE
AWIDOW
THEENGLISHMENOFETRETAT
MAGNETISM
AFATHERSCONFESSION
AMOTHEROFMONSTERS
ANUNCOMFORTABLEBED
APORTRAIT
THEDRUNKARD
THEWARDROBE
THEMOUNTAINPOOL
ACREMATION
MISTI
MADAMEHERMET
THEMAGICCOUCH
GUYDEMAUPASSANT
ORIGINALSHORTSTORIES
VOLUMEI.
GUYDEMAUPASSANT——ASTUDYBYPOL.NEVEUX
BOULEDESUIF
TWOFRIENDS
THELANCER’SWIFE
THEPRISONERS
TWOLITTLESOLDIERS
FATHERMILON
ACOUPD’ETAT
LIEUTENANTLARE’SMARRIAGE
THEHORRIBLE
MADAMEPARISSE
MADEMOISELLEFIFI
ADUEL
GUYDEMAUPASSANT
ASTUDYBYPOL.NEVEUX
\"Ienteredliterarylifeasameteor，andIshallleaveitlikeathunderbolt.\"ThesewordsofMaupassanttoJoseMariadeHerediaontheoccasionofamemorablemeetingare，inspiteoftheirmorbidsolemnity，notaninexactsummingupofthebriefcareerduringwhich，fortenyears，thewriter，byturnsundauntedandsorrowful，withthefertilityofamasterhandproducedpoetry，novels，romancesandtravels，onlytosinkprematurelyintotheabyssofmadnessanddeath
InthemonthofApril，1880，anarticleappearedinthe\"LeGaulois\"
announcingthepublicationoftheSoireesdeMedan.Itwassignedbyanameasyetunknown：GuydeMaupassant.Afterajuvenilediatribeagainstromanticismandapassionateattackonlanguorousliterature，thewriterextolledthestudyofreallife，andannouncedthepublicationofthenewwork.Itwaspicturesqueandcharming.Inthequietofevening，onanisland，intheSeine，beneathpoplarsinsteadoftheNeapolitancypressesdeartothefriendsofBoccaccio，amidthecontinuousmurmurofthevalley，andnolongertothesoundofthePyrenneanstreamsthatmurmuredafaintaccompanimenttothetalesofMarguerite’scavaliers，themasterandhisdisciplestookturnsinnarratingsomestrikingorpatheticepisodeofthewar.Andtheissue，incollaboration，ofthesetalesinonevolume，inwhichthemasterjostledelbowswithhispupils，tookontheappearanceofamanifesto，thetoneofachallenge，ortheutteranceofacreed.
Infact，however，thebeginningshadbeenmuchmoresimple，andtheyhadconfinedthemselves，beneaththetreesofMedan，todecidingonageneraltitleforthework.Zolahadcontributedthemanuscriptofthe\"AttaqueduMoulin，\"anditwasatMaupassant’shousethatthefiveyoungmengaveintheircontributions.Eachonereadhisstory，Maupassantbeingthelast.WhenhehadfinishedBouledeSuif，withaspontaneousimpulse，withanemotiontheyneverforgot，filledwithenthusiasmatthisrevelation，theyallroseand，withoutsuperfluouswords，acclaimedhimasamaster.
HeundertooktowritethearticlefortheGauloisand，incooperationwithhisfriends，hewordeditinthetermswithwhichwearefamiliar，amplifyingandembellishingit，yieldingtoaninborntasteformystificationwhichhisyouthrenderedexcusable.Theessentialpoint，hesaid，isto\"unmoor\"criticism.
Itwasunmoored.ThefollowingdayWolffwroteapolemicaldissertationintheFigaroandcarriedawayhiscolleagues.Thevolumewasabrilliantsuccess，thankstoBouledeSuif.Despitethenovelty，thehonestyofeffort，onthepartofall，nomentionwasmadeoftheotherstories.Relegatedtothesecondrank，theypassedwithoutnotice.Fromhisfirstbattle，Maupassantwasmasterofthefieldinliterature.
Atoncetheentirepresstookhimupandsaidwhatwasappropriateregardingthebuddingcelebrity.Biographersandreporterssoughtinformationconcerninghislife.Asitwasverysimpleandperfectlystraightforward，theyresortedtoinvention.AndthusitisthatatthepresentdayMaupassantappearstouslikeoneofthoseancientheroeswhoseoriginanddeathareveiledinmystery.
IwillnotdwellonGuydeMaupassant’syoungerdays.Hisrelatives，hisoldfriends，hehimself，hereandthereinhisworks，havefurnishedusintheirlettersenoughvaluablerevelationsandtouchingremembrancesoftheyearsprecedinghisliterarydebut.Hisworthybiographer，H.EdouardMaynial，aftercollectingintelligentlyallthewritings，condensingandcomparingthem，hasbeenabletogiveussomedefiniteinformationregardingthatearlyperiod.
Iwillsimplyrecallthathewasbornonthe5thofAugust，1850，nearDieppe，inthecastleofMiromesnilwhichhedescribesinUneVie
Maupassant，likeFlaubert，wasaNorman，throughhismother，andthroughhisplaceofbirthhebelongedtothatstrangeandadventurousrace，whoseheroicandlongvoyagesontramptradingshipshelikedtorecall.
Andjustastheauthorof\"Educationsentimentale\"seemstohaveinheritedinthepaternallinetheshrewdrealismofChampagne，sodeMaupassantappearstohaveinheritedfromhisLorraineancestorstheirindestructibledisciplineandcoldlucidity.
HischildhoodwaspassedatEtretat，hisbeautifulchildhood;itwastherethathisinstinctswereawakenedintheunfoldmentofhisprehistoricsoul.Yearswentbyinanecstasyofphysicalhappiness.
Thedelightofrunningatfullspeedthroughfieldsofgorse，thecharmofvoyagesofdiscoveryinhollowsandravines，gamesbeneaththedarkhedges，apassionforgoingtoseawiththefishermenand，onnightswhentherewasnomoon，fordreamingontheirboatsofimaginaryvoyages.
Mme.deMaupassant，whohadguidedherson’searlyreading，andhadgazedwithhimatthesublimespectacleofnature，put，offaslongaspossiblethehourofseparation.Oneday，however，shehadtotakethechildtothelittleseminaryatYvetot.Later，hebecameastudentatthecollegeatRouen，andbecamealiterarycorrespondentofLouisBouilhet.Itwasatthelatter’shouseonthoseSundaysinwinterwhentheNormanraindrownedthesoundofthebellsanddashedagainstthewindowpanesthattheschoolboylearnedtowritepoetry.
VacationtooktherhetoricianbacktothenorthofNormandy.NowitwasshootingatSaintJulienl’Hospitalier，acrossfields，bogs，andthroughthewoods.Fromthattimeonhesealedhispactwiththeearth，andthose\"deepanddelicateroots\"whichattachedhimtohisnativesoilbegantogrow.ItwasofNormandy，broad，freshandvirile，thathewouldpresentlydemandhisinspiration，ferventandeagerasaboy’slove;itwasinherthathewouldtakerefugewhen，wearyoflife，hewouldimploreatruce，orwhenhesimplywishedtoworkandrevivehisenergiesinold—timejoys.Itwasatthistimethatwasborninhimthatvoluptuousloveofthesea，whichinlaterdayscouldalonewithdrawhimfromtheworld，calmhim，consolehim.
In1870helivedinthecountry，thenhecametoParistolive;for，thefamilyfortuneshavingdwindled，hehadtolookforaposition.ForseveralyearshewasaclerkintheMinistryofMarine，whereheturnedovermustypapers，intheuninterestingcompanyoftheclerksoftheadmiralty.
ThenhewentintothedepartmentofPublicInstruction，wherebureaucraticservilityislessintolerable.Thedailydutiesarecertainlyscarcelymoreonerousandhehadaschiefs，orcolleagues，XavierCharmesandLeonDierx，HenryRoujonandReneBillotte，buthisofficelookedoutonabeautifulmelancholygardenwithimmenseplanetreesaroundwhichblackcirclesofcrowsgatheredinwinter.
Maupassantmadetwodivisionsofhissparehours，oneforboating，andtheotherforliterature.Everyeveninginspring，everyfreeday，herandowntotheriverwhosemysteriouscurrentveiledinfogorsparklinginthesuncalledtohimandbewitchedhim.IntheislandsintheSeinebetweenChatouandPort—Marly，onthebanksofSartrouvilleandTrielhewaslongnotedamongthepopulationofboatmen，whohavenowvanished，forhisunwearyingbiceps，hiscynicalgaietyofgood—fellowship，hisunfailingpracticaljokes，hisbroadwitticisms.Sometimeshewouldrowwithfranticspeed，freeandjoyous，throughtheglowingsunlightonthestream;sometimes，hewouldwanderalongthecoast，questioningthesailors，chattingwiththeravageurs，orjunkgatherers，orstretchedatfulllengthamidtheirisesandtansyhewouldlieforhourswatchingthefrailinsectsthatplayonthesurfaceofthestream，waterspiders，orwhitebutterflies，dragonflies，chasingeachotheramidthewillowleaves，orfrogsasleeponthelily—pads.
Therestofhislifewastakenupbyhiswork.Withouteverbecomingdespondent，silentandpersistent，heaccumulatedmanuscripts，poetry，criticisms，plays，romancesandnovels.EveryweekhedocilelysubmittedhisworktothegreatFlaubert，thechildhoodfriendofhismotherandhisuncleAlfredLePoittevin.Themasterhadconsentedtoassisttheyoungman，torevealtohimthesecretsthatmakechefs—d’oeuvreimmortal.Itwashewhocompelledhimtomakecopiousresearchandtousedirectobservationandwhoinculcatedinhimahorrorofvulgarityandacontemptforfacility.
MaupassanthimselftellsusofthosesevereinitiationsintheRueMurillo，orinthetentatCroisset;hehasrecalledtheimplacabledidacticsofhisoldmaster，histenderbrutality，thepaternaladviceofhisgenerousandcandidheart.ForsevenyearsFlaubertslashed，pulverized，theawkwardattemptsofhispupilwhosesuccessremaineduncertain.
Suddenly，inaflightofspontaneousperfection，hewroteBouledeSuif.
Hismaster’sjoywasgreatandoverwhelming.Hediedtwomonthslater.
UntiltheendMaupassantremainedilluminatedbythereflectionofthegood，vanishedgiant，bythattouchingreflectionthatcomesfromthedeadtothosesoulstheyhavesoprofoundlystirred.TheworshipofFlaubertwasareligionfromwhichnothingcoulddistracthim，neitherwork，norglory，norslowmovingwaves，norbalmynights.
Attheendofhisshortlife，whilehismindwasstillclear：hewrotetoafriend：\"IamalwaysthinkingofmypoorFlaubert，andIsaytomyselfthatIshouldliketodieifIweresurethatanyonewouldthinkofmeinthesamemanner.\"
DuringtheselongyearsofhisnovitiateMaupassanthadenteredthesocialliterarycircles.Hewouldremainsilent，preoccupied;andifanyone，astonishedathissilence，askedhimabouthisplansheansweredsimply：\"Iamlearningmytrade.\"However，underthepseudonymofGuydeValmont，hehadsentsomearticlestothenewspapers，and，later，withtheapprovalandbytheadviceofFlaubert，hepublished，inthe\"RepubliquedesLettres，\"poemssignedbyhisname.
Thesepoems，overflowingwithsensuality，wherethehymntotheEarthdescribesthetransportsofphysicalpossession，wheretheimpatienceofloveexpressesitselfinloudmelancholyappealslikethecallsofanimalsinthespringnights，arevaluablechieflyinasmuchastheyrevealthecreatureofinstinct，thefawnescapedfromhisnativeforests，thatMaupassantwasinhisearlyyouth.Buttheyaddnothingtohisglory.Theyarethe\"rhymesofaprosewriter\"asJulesLemaitresaid.Tomouldtheexpressionofhisthoughtaccordingtothestrictestlaws，andto\"narrowitdown\"tosomeextent，suchwashisaim.
FollowingtheexampleofoneofhiscomradesofMedan，beingreadilycarriedawaybyprecisionofstyleandtherhythmofsentences，bytheimperiousruleoftheballad，ofthepantoumorthechantroyal，Maupassantalsodesiredtowriteinmetricallines.However，heneverlikedthiscollectionthatheoftenregrettedhavingpublished.Hisencounterswithprosodyhadlefthimwiththatmonotonouswearinessthatthehorsemanandthefencerfeelafteraperiodintheridingschool，oraboutwiththefoils.
Such，inverybroadlines，isthestoryofMaupassant’sliteraryapprenticeship.
Thedayfollowingthepublicationof\"BouledeSuif，\"hisreputationbegantogrowrapidly.Thequalityofhisstorywasunrivalled，butatthesametimeitmustbeacknowledgedthatthereweresomewho，forthesakeofdiscussion，desiredtoplaceayoungreputationinoppositiontothetriumphantbrutalityofZola.
Fromthistimeon，Maupassant，atthesolicitationoftheentirepress，settoworkandwrotestoryafterstory.Histalent，freefromallinfluences，hisindividuality，arenotdisputedforamoment.Withaquickstep，steadyandalert，headvancedtofame，afameofwhichhehimselfwasnotaware，butwhichwassouniversal，thatnocontemporaryauthorduringhislifeeverexperiencedthesame.The\"meteor\"sentoutitslightanditsrayswereprolongedwithoutlimit，inarticleafterarticle，volumeonvolume.
HewasnowrichandfamousHeisesteemedallthemoreastheybelievehimtoberichandhappy.Buttheydonotknowthatthisyoungfellowwiththesunburntface，thickneckandsalientmuscleswhomtheyinvariablycomparetoayoungbullatliberty，andwhoseloveaffairstheywhisper，isill，veryill.Attheverymomentthatsuccesscametohim，themaladythatneverafterwardslefthimcamealso，and，seatedmotionlessathisside，gazedathimwithitsthreateningcountenance.Hesufferedfromterribleheadaches，followedbynightsofinsomnia.Hehadnervousattacks，whichhesoothedwithnarcoticsandanesthetics，whichheusedfreely.Hissight，whichhadtroubledhimatintervals，becameaffected，andacelebratedoculistspokeofabnormality，asymetryofthepupils.Thefamousyoungmantrembledinsecretandwashauntedbyallkindsofterrors.
Thereaderischarmedatthesanenessofthisrevivedartandyet，hereandthere，heissurprisedtodiscover，amiddescriptionsofnaturethatarefullofhumanity，disquietingflightstowardsthesupernatural，distressingconjurations，veiledatfirst，ofthemostcommonplace，themostvertiginousshudderingfitsoffear，asoldastheworldandaseternalastheunknown.But，insteadofbeingalarmed，hethinksthattheauthormustbegiftedwithinfallibleintuitiontofollowoutthusthetaintsinhischaracters，eventhroughtheirmostdangerousmazes.
ThereaderdoesnotknowthatthesehallucinationswhichhedescribessominutelywereexperiencedbyMaupassanthimself;hedoesnotknowthatthefearisinhimself，theanguishoffear\"whichisnotcausedbythepresenceofdanger，orofinevitabledeath，butbycertainabnormalconditions，bycertainmysteriousinfluencesinpresenceofvaguedangers，\"the\"fearoffear，thedreadofthathorriblesensationofincomprehensibleterror.\"
Howcanoneexplainthesephysicalsufferingsandthismorbiddistressthatwereknownforsometimetohisintimatesalone？Alas！theexplanationisonlytoosimple.Allhislife，consciouslyorunconsciously，Maupassantfoughtthismalady，hiddenasyet，whichwaslatentinhim.
Ashismaladybegantotakeamoredefiniteform，heturnedhisstepstowardsthesouth，onlyvisitingParistoseehisphysiciansandpublishers.IntheoldportofAntibesbeyondthecausewayofCannes，hisyacht，BelAmi，whichhecherishedasabrother，layatanchorandawaitedhim.HetookittothewhitecitiesoftheGenoeseGulf，towardsthepalmtreesofHyeres，ortheredbaytreesofAntheor.
Afterseveraltragicweeksinwhich，frominstinct，hemadeadesperatefight，onthe1stofJanuary，1892，hefelthewashopelesslyvanquished，andinamomentofsupremeclearnessofintellect，likeGerarddeNerval，heattemptedsuicide.LessfortunatethantheauthorofSylvia，hewasunsuccessful.Buthismind，henceforth\"indifferenttoallunhappiness，\"
hadenteredintoeternaldarkness.
HewastakenbacktoParisandplacedinDr.Meuriot’ssanatorium，where，aftereighteenmonthsofmechanicalexistence，the\"meteor\"quietlypassedaway.
BOULEDESUIF
Forseveraldaysinsuccessionfragmentsofadefeatedarmyhadpassedthroughthetown.Theyweremeredisorganizedbands，notdisciplinedforces.Themenworelong，dirtybeardsandtattereduniforms;theyadvancedinlistlessfashion，withoutaflag，withoutaleader.Allseemedexhausted，wornout，incapableofthoughtorresolve，marchingonwardmerelybyforceofhabit，anddroppingtothegroundwithfatiguethemomenttheyhalted.Onesaw，inparticular，manyenlistedmen，peacefulcitizens，menwholivedquietlyontheirincome，bendingbeneaththeweightoftheirrifles;andlittleactivevolunteers，easilyfrightenedbutfullofenthusiasm，aseagertoattackastheywerereadytotaketoflight;andamidthese，asprinklingofred—breechedsoldiers，thepitifulremnantofadivisioncutdowninagreatbattle;somberartillerymen，sidebysidewithnondescriptfoot—soldiers;and，hereandthere，thegleaminghelmetofaheavy—footeddragoonwhohaddifficultyinkeepingupwiththequickerpaceofthesoldiersoftheline.Legionsofirregularswithhigh—soundingnames\"AvengersofDefeat，\"\"CitizensoftheTomb，\"\"BrethreninDeath\"——passedintheirturn，lookinglikebanditti.Theirleaders，formerdrapersorgrainmerchants，ortalloworsoapchandlers——warriorsbyforceofcircumstances，officersbyreasonoftheirmustachiosortheirmoney——coveredwithweapons，flannelandgoldlace，spokeinanimpressivemanner，discussedplansofcampaign，andbehavedasthoughtheyaloneborethefortunesofdyingFranceontheirbraggartshoulders;though，intruth，theyfrequentlywereafraidoftheirownmen——scoundrelsoftenbravebeyondmeasure，butpillagersanddebauchees.
RumorhaditthatthePrussianswereabouttoenterRouen.
ThemembersoftheNationalGuard，whoforthepasttwomonthshadbeenreconnoiteringwiththeutmostcautionintheneighboringwoods，occasionallyshootingtheirownsentinels，andmakingreadyforfightwheneverarabbitrustledintheundergrowth，hadnowreturnedtotheirhomes.Theirarms，theiruniforms，allthedeath—dealingparaphernaliawithwhichtheyhadterrifiedallthemilestonesalongthehighroadforeightmilesround，hadsuddenlyandmarvellouslydisappeared.
ThelastoftheFrenchsoldiershadjustcrossedtheSeineontheirwaytoPont—Audemer，throughSaint—SeverandBourg—Achard，andintheirrearthevanquishedgeneral，powerlesstodoaughtwiththeforlornremnantsofhisarmy，himselfdismayedatthefinaloverthrowofanationaccustomedtovictoryanddisastrouslybeatendespiteitslegendarybravery，walkedbetweentwoorderlies.
Thenaprofoundcalm，ashuddering，silentdread，settledonthecity.
Manyaround—paunchedcitizen，emasculatedbyyearsdevotedtobusiness，anxiouslyawaitedtheconquerors，tremblinglesthisroasting—jacksorkitchenknivesshouldbelookeduponasweapons.
Lifeseemedtohavestoppedshort;theshopswereshut，thestreetsdeserted.Nowandthenaninhabitant，awedbythesilence，glidedswiftlybyintheshadowofthewalls.Theanguishofsuspensemademenevendesirethearrivaloftheenemy.
IntheafternoonofthedayfollowingthedepartureoftheFrenchtroops，anumberofuhlans，comingnooneknewwhence，passedrapidlythroughthetown.Alittlelateron，ablackmassdescendedSt.Catherine’sHill，whiletwootherinvadingbodiesappearedrespectivelyontheDarnetalandtheBoisguillaumeroads.TheadvanceguardsofthethreecorpsarrivedatpreciselythesamemomentattheSquareoftheHoteldeVille，andtheGermanarmypouredthroughalltheadjacentstreets，itsbattalionsmakingthepavementringwiththeirfirm，measuredtread.
Ordersshoutedinanunknown，gutturaltonguerosetothewindowsoftheseeminglydead，desertedhouses;whilebehindthefast—closedshutterseagereyespeeredforthatthevictors—mastersnowofthecity，itsfortunes，anditslives，by\"rightofwar.\"Theinhabitants，intheirdarkenedrooms，werepossessedbythatterrorwhichfollowsinthewakeofcataclysms，ofdeadlyupheavalsoftheearth，againstwhichallhumanskillandstrengtharevain.Forthesamethinghappenswhenevertheestablishedorderofthingsisupset，whensecuritynolongerexists，whenallthoserightsusuallyprotectedbythelawofmanorofNatureareatthemercyofunreasoning，savageforce.Theearthquakecrushingawholenationunderfallingroofs;thefloodletloose，andengulfinginitsswirlingdepthsthecorpsesofdrownedpeasants，alongwithdeadoxenandbeamstornfromshatteredhouses;orthearmy，coveredwithglory，murderingthosewhodefendthemselves，makingprisonersoftherest，pillaginginthenameoftheSword，andgivingthankstoGodtothethunderofcannon——alltheseareappallingscourges，whichdestroyallbeliefineternaljustice，allthatconfidencewehavebeentaughttofeelintheprotectionofHeavenandthereasonofman.
Smalldetachmentsofsoldiersknockedateachdoor，andthendisappearedwithinthehouses;forthevanquishedsawtheywouldhavetobeciviltotheirconquerors.
Attheendofashorttime，oncethefirstterrorhadsubsided，calmwasagainrestored.InmanyhousesthePrussianofficerateatthesametablewiththefamily.Hewasoftenwell—bred，and，outofpoliteness，expressedsympathywithFranceandrepugnanceatbeingcompelledtotakepartinthewar.Thissentimentwasreceivedwithgratitude;besides，hisprotectionmightbeneedfulsomedayorother.Bytheexerciseoftactthenumberofmenquarteredinone’shousemightbereduced;andwhyshouldoneprovokethehostilityofapersononwhomone’swholewelfaredepended？Suchconductwouldsavorlessofbraverythanoffool—
hardiness.AndfoolhardinessisnolongerafailingofthecitizensofRouenasitwasinthedayswhentheircityearnedrenownbyitsheroicdefenses.Lastofall—finalargumentbasedonthenationalpoliteness—
thefolkofRouensaidtooneanotherthatitwasonlyrighttobecivilinone’sownhouse，providedtherewasnopublicexhibitionoffamiliaritywiththeforeigner.Outofdoors，therefore，citizenandsoldierdidnotknoweachother;butinthehousebothchattedfreely，andeacheveningtheGermanremainedalittlelongerwarminghimselfatthehospitablehearth.
Eventhetownitselfresumedbydegreesitsordinaryaspect.TheFrenchseldomwalkedabroad，butthestreetsswarmedwithPrussiansoldiers.
Moreover，theofficersoftheBlueHussars，whoarrogantlydraggedtheirinstrumentsofdeathalongthepavements，seemedtoholdthesimpletownsmeninbutlittlemorecontemptthandidtheFrenchcavalryofficerswhohaddrunkatthesamecafestheyearbefore.
Buttherewassomethingintheair，asomethingstrangeandsubtle，anintolerableforeignatmospherelikeapenetratingodor——theodorofinvasion.Itpermeateddwellingsandplacesofpublicresort，changedthetasteoffood，madeoneimagineone’sselfinfar—distantlands，amiddangerous，barbarictribes.
Theconquerorsexactedmoney，muchmoney.Theinhabitantspaidwhatwasasked;theywererich.But，thewealthieraNormantradesmanbecomes，themorehesuffersathavingtopartwithanythingthatbelongstohim，athavingtoseeanyportionofhissubstancepassintothehandsofanother.
Nevertheless，withinsixorsevenmilesofthetown，alongthecourseoftheriverasitflowsonwardtoCroisset，DieppedalleandBiessart，boat—
menandfishermenoftenhauledtothesurfaceofthewaterthebodyofaGerman，bloatedinhisuniform，killedbyablowfromknifeorclub，hisheadcrushedbyastone，orperchancepushedfromsomebridgeintothestreambelow.Themudoftheriver—bedswalloweduptheseobscureactsofvengeance——savage，yetlegitimate;theseunrecordeddeedsofbravery;
thesesilentattacksfraughtwithgreaterdangerthanbattlesfoughtinbroadday，andsurrounded，moreover，withnohaloofromance.Forhatredoftheforeignereverarmsafewintrepidsouls，readytodieforanidea.
Atlast，astheinvaders，thoughsubjectingthetowntothestrictestdiscipline，hadnotcommittedanyofthedeedsofhorrorwithwhichtheyhadbeencreditedwhileontheirtriumphalmarch，thepeoplegrewbolder，andthenecessitiesofbusinessagainanimatedthebreastsofthelocalmerchants.SomeofthesehadimportantcommercialinterestsatHavre—
occupiedatpresentbytheFrencharmy——andwishedtoattempttoreachthatportbyoverlandroutetoDieppe，takingtheboatfromthere.
ThroughtheinfluenceoftheGermanofficerswhoseacquaintancetheyhadmade，theyobtainedapermittoleavetownfromthegeneralincommand.
Alargefour—horsecoachhaving，therefore，beenengagedforthejourney，andtenpassengershavinggivenintheirnamestotheproprietor，theydecidedtostartonacertainTuesdaymorningbeforedaybreak，toavoidattractingacrowd.
Thegroundhadbeenfrozenhardforsometime—past，andaboutthreeo’clockonMondayafternoon——largeblackcloudsfromthenorthshedtheirburdenofsnowuninterruptedlyallthroughthateveningandnight.
Athalf—pastfourinthemorningthetravellersmetinthecourtyardoftheHoteldeNormandie，wheretheyweretotaketheirseatsinthecoach.
Theywerestillhalfasleep，andshiveringwithcoldundertheirwraps.
Theycouldseeoneanotherbutindistinctlyinthedarkness，andthemountainofheavywinterwrapsinwhicheachwasswathedmadethemlooklikeagatheringofobesepriestsintheirlongcassocks.Buttwomenrecognizedeachother，athirdaccostedthem，andthethreebegantotalk.\"Iambringingmywife，\"saidone.\"SoamI.\"\"AndI，too.\"Thefirstspeakeradded：\"WeshallnotreturntoRouen，andifthePrussiansapproachHavrewewillcrosstoEngland.\"Allthree，itturnedout，hadmadethesameplans，beingofsimilardispositionandtemperament.
Stillthehorseswerenotharnessed.Asmalllanterncarriedbyastable—boyemergednowandthenfromonedarkdoorwaytodisappearimmediatelyinanother.Thestampingofhorses’hoofs，deadenedbythedungandstrawofthestable，washeardfromtimetotime，andfrominsidethebuildingissuedaman’svoice，talkingtotheanimalsandswearingatthem.Afainttinkleofbellsshowedthattheharnesswasbeinggotready;thistinklesoondevelopedintoacontinuousjingling，louderorsofteraccordingtothemovementsofthehorse，sometimesstoppingaltogether，thenbreakingoutinasuddenpealaccompaniedbyapawingofthegroundbyaniron—shodhoof.
Thedoorsuddenlyclosed.Allnoiseceased.
Thefrozentownsmenweresilent;theyremainedmotionless，stiffwithcold.
Athickcurtainofglisteningwhiteflakesfellceaselesslytotheground;itobliteratedalloutlines，envelopedallobjectsinanicymantleoffoam;nothingwastobeheardthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthesilent，winter—boundcitysavethevague，namelessrustleoffallingsnow——asensationratherthanasound——thegentleminglingoflightatomswhichseemedtofillallspace，tocoverthewholeworld.
Themanreappearedwithhislantern，leadingbyaropeamelancholy—
lookinghorse，evidentlybeingledoutagainsthisinclination.Thehostlerplacedhimbesidethepole，fastenedthetraces，andspentsometimeinwalkingroundhimtomakesurethattheharnesswasallright;
forhecoulduseonlyonehand，theotherbeingengagedinholdingthelantern.Ashewasabouttofetchthesecondhorsehenoticedthemotionlessgroupoftravellers，alreadywhitewithsnow，andsaidtothem：\"Whydon’tyougetinsidethecoach？You’dbeundershelter，atleast.\"
Thisdidnotseemtohaveoccurredtothem，andtheyatoncetookhisadvice.Thethreemenseatedtheirwivesatthefarendofthecoach，thengotinthemselves;lastlytheothervague，snow—shroudedformsclamberedtotheremainingplaceswithoutaword.
Thefloorwascoveredwithstraw，intowhichthefeetsank.Theladiesatthefarend，havingbroughtwiththemlittlecopperfoot—warmersheatedbymeansofakindofchemicalfuel，proceededtolightthese，andspentsometimeinexpatiatinginlowtonesontheiradvantages，sayingoverandoveragainthingswhichtheyhadallknownforalongtime.
Atlast，sixhorsesinsteadoffourhavingbeenharnessedtothediligence，onaccountoftheheavyroads，avoiceoutsideasked：\"Iseveryonethere？\"Towhichavoicefromtheinteriorreplied：\"Yes，\"andtheysetout.
Thevehiclemovedslowly，slowly，atasnail’space;thewheelssankintothesnow;theentirebodyofthecoachcreakedandgroaned;thehorsesslipped，puffed，steamed，andthecoachman’slongwhipcrackedincessantly，flyinghitherandthither，coilingup，thenflingingoutitslengthlikeaslenderserpent，asitlashedsomeroundedflank，whichinstantlygrewtenseasitstrainedinfurthereffort.
Butthedaygrewapace.Thoselightflakeswhichonetraveller，anativeofRouen，hadcomparedtoarainofcottonfellnolonger.Amurkylightfilteredthroughdark，heavyclouds，whichmadethecountrymoredazzlinglywhitebycontrast，awhitenessbrokensometimesbyarowoftalltreesspangledwithhoarfrost，orbyacottageroofhoodedinsnow.
Withinthecoachthepassengerseyedoneanothercuriouslyinthedimlightofdawn.
Rightattheback，inthebestseatsofall，MonsieurandMadameLoiseau，wholesalewinemerchantsoftheRueGrand—Pont，slumberedoppositeeachother.Formerlyclerktoamerchantwhohadfailedinbusiness，Loiseauhadboughthismaster’sinterest，andmadeafortuneforhimself.Hesoldverybadwineataverylowpricetotheretail—dealersinthecountry，andhadthereputation，amonghisfriendsandacquaintances，ofbeingashrewdrascalatrueNorman，fullofquipsandwiles.Sowellestablishedwashischaracterasacheatthat，inthemouthsofthecitizensofRouen，theverynameofLoiseaubecameabywordforsharppractice.
Aboveandbeyondthis，Loiseauwasnotedforhispracticaljokesofeverydescription——histricks，goodorill—natured;andnoonecouldmentionhisnamewithoutaddingatonce：\"He’sanextraordinaryman——Loiseau.\"
Hewasundersizedandpotbellied，hadafloridfacewithgrayishwhiskers.
Hiswife—tall，strong，determined，withaloudvoiceanddecidedmanner——
representedthespiritoforderandarithmeticinthebusinesshousewhichLoiseauenlivenedbyhisjovialactivity.
Besidethem，dignifiedinbearing，belongingtoasuperiorcaste，satMonsieurCarre—Lamadon，amanofconsiderableimportance，akinginthecottontrade，proprietorofthreespinning—mills，officeroftheLegionofHonor，andmemberoftheGeneralCouncil.DuringthewholetimetheEmpirewasintheascendancyheremainedthechiefofthewell—disposedOpposition，merelyinordertocommandahighervalueforhisdevotionwhenheshouldrallytothecausewhichhemeanwhileopposedwith\"courteousweapons，\"tousehisownexpression.
MadameCarre—Lamadon，muchyoungerthanherhusband，wastheconsolationofalltheofficersofgoodfamilyquarteredatRouen.Pretty，slender，graceful，shesatoppositeherhusband，curledupinherfurs，andgazingmournfullyatthesorryinteriorofthecoach.
Herneighbors，theComteandComtesseHubertdeBreville，boreoneofthenoblestandmostancientnamesinNormandy.Thecount，anoblemanadvancedinyearsandofaristocraticbearing，strovetoenhancebyeveryartificeofthetoilet，hisnaturalresemblancetoKingHenryIV，who，accordingtoalegendofwhichthefamilywereinordinatelyproud，hadbeenthefavoredloverofaDeBrevillelady，andfatherofherchild——
thefrailone’shusbandhaving，inrecognitionofthisfact，beenmadeacountandgovernorofaprovince.
AcolleagueofMonsieurCarre—LamadonintheGeneralCouncil，CountHubertrepresentedtheOrleanistpartyinhisdepartment.ThestoryofhismarriagewiththedaughterofasmallshipowneratNanteshadalwaysremainedmoreorlessofamystery.Butasthecountesshadanairofunmistakablebreeding，entertainedfaultlessly，andwasevensupposedtohavebeenlovedbyasonofLouis—Philippe，thenobilityviedwithoneanotherindoingherhonor，andherdrawing—roomremainedthemostselectinthewholecountryside——theonlyonewhichretainedtheoldspiritofgallantry，andtowhichaccesswasnoteasy.
ThefortuneoftheBrevilles，allinrealestate，amounted，itwassaid，tofivehundredthousandfrancsayear.
Thesesixpeopleoccupiedthefartherendofthecoach，andrepresentedSociety——withanincome——thestrong，establishedsocietyofgoodpeoplewithreligionandprinciple.
Ithappenedbychancethatallthewomenwereseatedonthesameside;
andthecountesshad，moreover，asneighborstwonuns，whospentthetimeinfingeringtheirlongrosariesandmurmuringpaternostersandaves.
Oneofthemwasold，andsodeeplypittedwithsmallpoxthatshelookedforalltheworldasifshehadreceivedachargeofshotfullintheface.Theother，ofsicklyappearance，hadaprettybutwastedcountenance，andanarrow，consumptivechest，sappedbythatdevouringfaithwhichisthemakingofmartyrsandvisionaries.
Amanandwoman，sittingoppositethetwonuns，attractedalleyes.
Theman——awell—knowncharacter——wasCornudet，thedemocrat，theterrorofallrespectablepeople.Forthepasttwentyyearshisbigredbeardhadbeenontermsofintimateacquaintancewiththetankardsofalltherepublicancafes.Withthehelpofhiscomradesandbrethrenhehaddissipatedarespectablefortunelefthimbyhisfather，anold—
establishedconfectioner，andhenowimpatientlyawaitedtheRepublic，thathemightatlastberewardedwiththeposthehadearnedbyhisrevolutionaryorgies.OnthefourthofSeptember——possiblyastheresultofapracticaljoke——hewasledtobelievethathehadbeenappointedprefect;butwhenheattemptedtotakeupthedutiesofthepositiontheclerksinchargeoftheofficerefusedtorecognizehisauthority，andhewascompelledinconsequencetoretire.Agoodsortoffellowinotherrespects，inoffensiveandobliging，hehadthrownhimselfzealouslyintotheworkofmakinganorganizeddefenceofthetown.Hehadhadpitsduginthelevelcountry，youngforesttreesfelled，andtrapssetonalltheroads;thenattheapproachoftheenemy，thoroughlysatisfiedwithhispreparations，hehadhastilyreturnedtothetown.HethoughthemightnowdomoregoodatHavre，wherenewintrenchmentswouldsoonbenecessary.
Thewoman，whobelongedtothecourtesanclass，wascelebratedforanembonpointunusualforherage，whichhadearnedforherthesobriquetof\"BouledeSuif\"（TallowBall）.Shortandround，fatasapig，withpuffyfingersconstrictedatthejoints，lookinglikerowsofshortsausages;
withashiny，tightly—stretchedskinandanenormousbustfillingoutthebodiceofherdress，shewasyetattractiveandmuchsoughtafter，owingtoherfreshandpleasingappearance.Herfacewaslikeacrimsonapple，apeony—budjustburstingintobloom;shehadtwomagnificentdarkeyes，fringedwiththick，heavylashes，whichcastashadowintotheirdepths;
hermouthwassmall，ripe，kissable，andwasfurnishedwiththetiniestofwhiteteeth.
Assoonasshewasrecognizedtherespectablematronsofthepartybegantowhisperamongthemselves，andthewords\"hussy\"and\"publicscandal\"
wereutteredsoloudlythatBouledeSuifraisedherhead.Sheforthwithcastsuchachallenging，boldlookatherneighborsthatasuddensilencefellonthecompany，andallloweredtheireyes，withtheexceptionofLoiseau，whowatchedherwithevidentinterest.
Butconversationwassoonresumedamongthethreeladies，whomthepresenceofthisgirlhadsuddenlydrawntogetherinthebondsoffriendship——onemightalmostsayinthoseofintimacy.Theydecidedthattheyoughttocombine，asitwere，intheirdignityaswivesinfaceofthisshamelesshussy;forlegitimizedlovealwaysdespisesitseasygoingbrother.
Thethreemen，also，broughttogetherbyacertainconservativeinstinctawakenedbythepresenceofCornudet，spokeofmoneymattersinatoneexpressiveofcontemptforthepoor.CountHubertrelatedthelosseshehadsustainedatthehandsofthePrussians，spokeofthecattlewhichhadbeenstolenfromhim，thecropswhichhadbeenruined，withtheeasymannerofanoblemanwhowasalsoatenfoldmillionaire，andwhomsuchreverseswouldscarcelyinconvenienceforasingleyear.MonsieurCarre—
Lamadon，amanofwideexperienceinthecottonindustry，hadtakencaretosendsixhundredthousandfrancstoEnglandasprovisionagainsttherainydayhewasalwaysanticipating.AsforLoiseau，hehadmanagedtoselltotheFrenchcommissariatdepartmentallthewineshehadinstock，sothatthestatenowowedhimaconsiderablesum，whichhehopedtoreceiveatHavre.
Andallthreeeyedoneanotherinfriendly，well—disposedfashion.
Althoughofvaryingsocialstatus，theywereunitedinthebrotherhoodofmoney——inthatvastfreemasonrymadeupofthosewhopossess，whocanjinglegoldwherevertheychoosetoputtheirhandsintotheirbreeches’
pockets.
Thecoachwentalongsoslowlythatatteno’clockinthemorningithadnotcoveredtwelvemiles.Threetimesthemenofthepartygotoutandclimbedthehillsonfoot.Thepassengerswerebecominguneasy，fortheyhadcountedonlunchingatTotes，anditseemednowasiftheywouldhardlyarrivetherebeforenightfall.Everyonewaseagerlylookingoutforaninnbytheroadside，when，suddenly，thecoachfounderedinasnowdrift，andittooktwohourstoextricateit.
Asappetitesincreased，theirspiritsfell;noinn，nowineshopcouldbediscovered，theapproachofthePrussiansandthetransitofthestarvingFrenchtroopshavingfrightenedawayallbusiness.
Themensoughtfoodinthefarmhousesbesidetheroad，butcouldnotfindsomuchasacrustofbread;forthesuspiciouspeasantinvariablyhidhisstoresforfearofbeingpillagedbythesoldiers，who，beingentirelywithoutfood，wouldtakeviolentpossessionofeverythingtheyfound.
Aboutoneo’clockLoiseauannouncedthathepositivelyhadabighollowinhisstomach.Theyhadallbeensufferinginthesamewayforsometime，andtheincreasinggnawingsofhungerhadputanendtoallconversation.
Nowandthensomeoneyawned，anotherfollowedhisexample，andeachinturn，accordingtohischaracter，breedingandsocialposition，yawnedeitherquietlyornoisily，placinghishandbeforethegapingvoidwhenceissuedbreathcondensedintovapor.
SeveraltimesBouledeSuifstooped，asifsearchingforsomethingunderherpetticoats.Shewouldhesitateamoment，lookatherneighbors，andthenquietlysituprightagain.Allfaceswerepaleanddrawn.Loiseaudeclaredhewouldgiveathousandfrancsforaknuckleofham.Hiswifemadeaninvoluntaryandquicklycheckedgestureofprotest.Italwayshurthertohearofmoneybeingsquandered，andshecouldnotevenunderstandjokesonsuchasubject.
\"Asamatteroffact，Idon’tfeelwell，\"saidthecount.\"WhydidInotthinkofbringingprovisions？\"Eachonereproachedhimselfinsimilarfashion.
Cornudet，however，hadabottleofrum，whichheofferedtohisneighbors.TheyallcoldlyrefusedexceptLoiseau，whotookasip，andreturnedthebottlewiththanks，saying：\"That’sgoodstuff;itwarmsoneup，andcheatstheappetite.\"Thealcoholputhimingoodhumor，andheproposedtheyshoulddoasthesailorsdidinthesong：eatthefattestofthepassengers.ThisindirectallusiontoBouledeSuifshockedtherespectablemembersoftheparty.Noonereplied;onlyCornudetsmiled.
Thetwogoodsistershadceasedtomumbletheirrosary，and，withhandsenfoldedintheirwidesleeves，satmotionless，theireyessteadfastlycastdown，doubtlessofferingupasasacrificetoHeaventhesufferingithadsentthem.
Atlast，atthreeo’clock，astheywereinthemidstofanapparentlylimitlessplain，withnotasinglevillageinsight，BouledeSuifstoopedquickly，anddrewfromunderneaththeseatalargebasketcoveredwithawhitenapkin.
Fromthissheextractedfirstofallasmallearthenwareplateandasilverdrinkingcup，thenanenormousdishcontainingtwowholechickenscutintojointsandimbeddedinjelly.Thebasketwasseentocontainothergoodthings：pies，fruit，daintiesofallsorts—provisions，infine，forathreedays’journey，renderingtheirownerindependentofwaysideinns.Thenecksoffourbottlesprotrudedfromamongthpfood.
Shetookachickenwing，andbegantoeatitdaintily，togetherwithoneofthoserollscalledinNormandy\"Regence.\"
Alllooksweredirectedtowardher.Anodoroffoodfilledtheair，causingnostrilstodilate，mouthstowater，andjawstocontractpainfully.Thescornoftheladiesforthisdisreputablefemalegrewpositivelyferocious;theywouldhavelikedtokillher，orthrow，herandherdrinkingcup，herbasket，andherprovisions，outofthecoachintothesnowoftheroadbelow.
ButLoiseau’sgazewasfixedgreedilyonthedishofchicken.Hesaid：
\"Well，well，thisladyhadmoreforethoughtthantherestofus.Somepeoplethinkofeverything.\"
Shelookedupathim.
\"Wouldyoulikesome，sir？Itishardtogoonfastingallday.\"
Hebowed.
\"Uponmysoul，Ican’trefuse;Icannotholdoutanotherminute.Allisfairinwartime，isitnot，madame？\"And，castingaglanceonthosearound，headded：
\"Attimeslikethisitisverypleasanttomeetwithobligingpeople.\"
Hespreadanewspaperoverhiskneestoavoidsoilinghistrousers，and，withapocketknifehealwayscarried，helpedhimselftoachickenlegcoatedwithjelly，whichhethereuponproceededtodevour.
ThenBouleleSuif，inlow，humbletones，invitedthenunstopartakeofherrepast.Theybothacceptedtheofferunhesitatingly，andafterafewstammeredwordsofthanksbegantoeatquickly，withoutraisingtheireyes.NeitherdidCornudetrefusehisneighbor’soffer，and，incombinationwiththenuns，asortoftablewasformedbyopeningoutthenewspaperoverthefourpairsofknees.
Mouthskeptopeningandshutting，ferociouslymasticatinganddevouringthefood.Loiseau，inhiscorner，washardatwork，andinlowtonesurgedhiswifetofollowhisexample.Sheheldoutforalongtime，butoverstrainedNaturegavewayatlast.Herhusband，assuminghispolitestmanner，askedtheir\"charmingcompanion\"ifhemightbeallowedtoofferMadameLoiseauasmallhelping.
\"Why，certainly，sir，\"shereplied，withanamiablesmile，holdingoutthedish.
Whenthefirstbottleofclaretwasopenedsomeembarrassmentwascausedbythefactthattherewasonlyonedrinkingcup，butthiswaspassedfromonetoanother，afterbeingwiped.Cornudetalone，doubtlessinaspiritofgallantry，raisedtohisownlipsthatpartoftherimwhichwasstillmoistfromthoseofhisfairneighbor.
Then，surroundedbypeoplewhowereeating，andwell—nighsuffocatedbytheodoroffood，theComteandComtessedeBrevilleandMonsieurandMadameCarre—LamadonenduredthathatefulformoftorturewhichhasperpetuatedthenameofTantalus.Allatoncethemanufacturer’syoungwifeheavedasighwhichmadeeveryoneturnandlookather;shewaswhiteasthesnowwithout;hereyesclosed，herheadfellforward;shehadfainted.Herhusband，besidehimself，imploredthehelpofhisneighbors.Nooneseemedtoknowwhattodountiltheelderofthetwonuns，raisingthepatient’shead，placedBouledeSuif’sdrinkingcuptoherlips，andmadeherswallowafewdropsofwine.Theprettyinvalidmoved，openedhereyes，smiled，anddeclaredinafeeblevoicethatshewasallrightagain.But，topreventarecurrenceofthecatastrophe，thenunmadeherdrinkacupfulofclaret，adding：\"It’sjusthunger—
that’swhatiswrongwithyou.\"
ThenBouledeSuif，blushingandembarrassed，stammered，lookingatthefourpassengerswhowerestillfasting：
\"’MonDieu’，ifImightoffertheseladiesandgentlemen————\"
Shestoppedshort，fearingasnub.ButLoiseaucontinued：
\"Hangitall，insuchacaseasthisweareallbrothersandsistersandoughttoassisteachother.Come，come，ladies，don’tstandonceremony，forgoodness’sake！Doweevenknowwhetherweshallfindahouseinwhichtopassthenight？Atourpresentrateofgoingwesha’n’tbeatTotestillmiddayto—morrow.\"
Theyhesitated，noonedaringtobethefirsttoaccept.Butthecountsettledthequestion.Heturnedtowardtheabashedgirl，andinhismostdistinguishedmannersaid：
\"Weacceptgratefully，madame.\"
Asusual，itwasonlythefirststepthatcost.ThisRubicononcecrossed，theysettoworkwithawill.Thebasketwasemptied.Itstillcontainedapatedefoiegras，alarkpie，apieceofsmokedtongue，Crassanepears，Pont—Levequegingerbread，fancycakes，andacupfullofpickledgherkinsandonions——BouledeSuif，likeallwomen，beingveryfondofindigestiblethings.
Theycouldnoteatthisgirl’sprovisionswithoutspeakingtoher.Sotheybegantotalk，stifflyatfirst;then，assheseemedbynomeansforward，withgreaterfreedom.MesdamesdeBrevilleandCarre—Lamadon，whowereaccomplishedwomenoftheworld，weregraciousandtactful.Thecountessespeciallydisplayedthatamiablecondescensioncharacteristicofgreatladieswhomnocontactwithbasermortalscansully，andwasabsolutelycharming.ButthesturdyMadameLoiseau，whohadthesoulofagendarme，continuedmorose，speakinglittleandeatingmuch.
Conversationnaturallyturnedonthewar.TerriblestoriesweretoldaboutthePrussians，deedsofbraverywererecountedoftheFrench;andallthesepeoplewhowerefleeingthemselveswerereadytopayhomagetothecourageoftheircompatriots.Personalexperiencessoonfollowed，andBottleleSuifrelatedwithgenuineemotion，andwiththatwarmthoflanguagenotuncommoninwomenofherclassandtemperament，howitcameaboutthatshehadleftRouen.
\"IthoughtatfirstthatIshouldbeabletostay，\"shesaid.\"Myhousewaswellstockedwithprovisions，anditseemedbettertoputupwithfeedingafewsoldiersthantobanishmyselfgoodnessknowswhere.ButwhenIsawthesePrussiansitwastoomuchforme！Mybloodboiledwithrage;Iweptthewholedayforveryshame.Oh，ifonlyIhadbeenaman！
Ilookedatthemfrommywindow——thefatswine，withtheirpointedhelmets！——andmymaidheldmyhandstokeepmefromthrowingmyfurnituredownonthem.Thensomeofthemwerequarteredonme;Iflewatthethroatofthefirstonewhoentered.Theyarejustaseasytostrangleasothermen！AndI’dhavebeenthedeathofthatoneifIhadn’tbeendraggedawayfromhimbymyhair.Ihadtohideafterthat.AndassoonasIcouldgetanopportunityIlefttheplace，andhereIam.\"
Shewaswarmlycongratulated.Sheroseintheestimationofhercompanions，whohadnotbeensobrave;andCornudetlistenedtoherwiththeapprovingandbenevolentsmileofanapostle，thesmileapriestmightwearinlisteningtoadevoteepraisingGod;forlong—beardeddemocratsofhistypehaveamonopolyofpatriotism，justaspriestshaveamonopolyofreligion.Heheldforthinturn，withdogmaticself—
assurance，inthestyleoftheproclamationsdailypastedonthewallsofthetown，windingupwithaspecimenofstumporatoryinwhichhereviled\"thatbesottedfoolofaLouis—Napoleon.\"
ButBouledeSuifwasindignant，forshewasanardentBonapartist.Sheturnedasredasacherry，andstammeredinherwrath：\"I’djustliketohaveseenyouinhisplace——youandyoursort！Therewouldhavebeenanicemix—up.Oh，yes！Itwasyouwhobetrayedthatman.ItwouldbeimpossibletoliveinFranceifweweregovernedbysuchrascalsasyou！\"
Cornudet，unmovedbythistirade，stillsmiledasuperior，contemptuoussmile;andonefeltthathighwordswereimpending，whenthecountinterposed，and，notwithoutdifficulty，succeededincalmingtheexasperatedwoman，sayingthatallsincereopinionsoughttoberespected.Butthecountessandthemanufacturer’swife，imbuedwiththeunreasoninghatredoftheupperclassesfortheRepublic，andinstinct，moreover，withtheaffectionfeltbyallwomenforthepompandcircumstanceofdespoticgovernment，weredrawn，inspiteofthemselves，towardthisdignifiedyoungwoman，whoseopinionscoincidedsocloselywiththeirown.
Thebasketwasempty.Thetenpeoplehadfinisheditscontentswithoutdifficultyamidgeneralregretthatitdidnotholdmore.Conversationwentonalittlelonger，thoughitflaggedsomewhatafterthepassengershadfinishedeating.
Nightfell，thedarknessgrewdeeperanddeeper，andthecoldmadeBouledeSuifshiver，inspiteofherplumpness.SoMadamedeBrevilleofferedherherfoot—warmer，thefuelofwhichhadbeenseveraltimesrenewedsincethemorning，andsheacceptedtheofferatonce，forherfeetwereicycold.MesdamesCarre—LamadonandLoiseaugavetheirstothenuns.
Thedriverlightedhislanterns.Theycastabrightgleamonacloudofvaporwhichhoveredoverthesweatingflanksofthehorses，andontheroadsidesnow，whichseemedtounrollastheywentalonginthechanginglightofthelamps.
Allwasnowindistinguishableinthecoach;butsuddenlyamovementoccurredinthecorneroccupiedbyBouledeSuifandCornudet;andLoiseau，peeringintothegloom，fanciedhesawthebig，beardeddemocratmovehastilytooneside，asifhehadreceivedawell—directed，thoughnoiseless，blowinthedark.
Tinylightsglimmeredahead.ItwasTotes.Thecoachhadbeenontheroadelevenhours，which，withthethreehoursallottedthehorsesinfourperiodsforfeedingandbreathing，madefourteen.Itenteredthetown，andstoppedbeforetheHotelduCommerce.
Thecoachdooropened;awell—knownnoisemadeallthetravellersstart;
itwastheclangingofascabbard，onthepavement;thenavoicecalledoutsomethinginGerman.
Althoughthecoachhadcometoastandstill，noonegotout;itlookedasiftheywereafraidofbeingmurderedthemomenttheylefttheirseats.
Thereuponthedriverappeared，holdinginhishandoneofhislanterns，whichcastasuddenglowontheinteriorofthecoach，lightingupthedoublerowofstartledfaces，mouthsagape，andeyeswideopeninsurpriseandterror.
BesidethedriverstoodinthefulllightaGermanofficer，atallyoungman，fairandslender，tightlyencasedinhisuniformlikeawomaninhercorset，hisflatshinycap，tiltedtoonesideofhishead，makinghimlooklikeanEnglishhotelrunner.Hisexaggeratedmustache，longandstraightandtaperingtoapointateitherendinasingleblondhairthatcouldhardlybeseen，seemedtoweighdownthecornersofhismouthandgiveadrooptohislips.
InAlsatianFrenchherequestedthetravellerstoalight，sayingstiffly：
\"Kindlygetdown，ladiesandgentlemen.\"
Thetwonunswerethefirsttoobey，manifestingthedocilityofholywomenaccustomedtosubmissiononeveryoccasion.Nextappearedthecountandcountess，followedbythemanufacturerandhiswife，afterwhomcameLoiseau，pushinghislargerandbetterhalfbeforehim.
\"Good—day，sir，\"hesaidtotheofficerasheputhisfoottotheground，actingonanimpulsebornofprudenceratherthanofpoliteness.Theother，insolentlikeallinauthority，merelystaredwithoutreplying.
BouledeSuifandCornudet，thoughnearthedoor，werethelasttoalight，graveanddignifiedbeforetheenemy.Thestoutgirltriedtocontrolherselfandappearcalm;thedemocratstrokedhislongrussetbeardwithasomewhattremblinghand.Bothstrovetomaintaintheirdignity，knowingwellthatatsuchatimeeachindividualisalwayslookeduponasmoreorlesstypicalofhisnation;and，also，resentingthecomplaisantattitudeoftheircompanions，BouledeSuiftriedtowearabolderfrontthanherneighbors，thevirtuouswomen，whilehe，feelingthatitwasincumbentonhimtosetagoodexample，keptuptheattitudeofresistancewhichhehadfirstassumedwhenheundertooktominethehighroadsroundRouen.
Theyenteredthespaciouskitchenoftheinn，andtheGerman，havingdemandedthepassportssignedbythegeneralincommand，inwhichwerementionedthename，descriptionandprofessionofeachtraveller，inspectedthemallminutely，comparingtheirappearancewiththewrittenparticulars.
Thenhesaidbrusquely：\"Allright，\"andturnedonhisheel.
Theybreathedfreely，Allwerestillhungry;sosupperwasordered.Halfanhourwasrequiredforitspreparation，andwhiletwoservantswereapparentlyengagedingettingitreadythetravellerswenttolookattheirrooms.Theseallopenedoffalongcorridor，attheendofwhichwasaglazeddoorwithanumberonit.
Theywerejustabouttotaketheirseatsattablewhentheinnkeeperappearedinperson.Hewasaformerhorsedealer——alarge，asthmaticindividual，alwayswheezing，coughing，andclearinghisthroat.
Follenviewashispatronymic.
Hecalled：
\"MademoiselleElisabethRousset？\"
BouledeSuifstarted，andturnedround.
\"Thatismyname.\"
\"Mademoiselle，thePrussianofficerwishestospeaktoyouimmediately.\"
\"Tome？\"
\"Yes;ifyouareMademoiselleElisabethRousset.\"
Shehesitated，reflectedamoment，andthendeclaredroundly：
\"Thatmaybe;butI’mnotgoing.\"
Theymovedrestlesslyaroundher;everyonewonderedandspeculatedastothecauseofthisorder.Thecountapproached：
\"Youarewrong，madame，foryourrefusalmaybringtroublenotonlyonyourselfbutalsoonallyourcompanions.Itneverpaystoresistthoseinauthority.Yourcompliancewiththisrequestcannotpossiblybefraughtwithanydanger;ithasprobablybeenmadebecausesomeformalityorotherwasforgotten.\"
Alladdedtheirvoicestothatofthecount;BouledeSuifwasbegged，urged，lectured，andatlastconvinced;everyonewasafraidofthecomplicationswhichmightresultfromheadstrongactiononherpart.Shesaidfinally：
\"Iamdoingitforyoursakes，rememberthat！\"
Thecountesstookherhand.
\"Andwearegratefultoyou.\"
Shelefttheroom.Allwaitedforherreturnbeforecommencingthemeal.
Eachwasdistressedthatheorshehadnotbeensentforratherthanthisimpulsive，quick—temperedgirl，andeachmentallyrehearsedplatitudesincaseofbeingsummonedalso.
Butattheendoftenminutesshereappearedbreathinghard，crimsonwithindignation.
\"Oh！thescoundrel！thescoundrel！\"shestammered.
Allwereanxioustoknowwhathadhappened;butshedeclinedtoenlightenthem，andwhenthecountpressedthepoint，shesilencedhimwithmuchdignity，saying：
\"No;thematterhasnothingtodowithyou，andIcannotspeakofit.\"
Thentheytooktheirplacesroundahighsouptureen，fromwhichissuedanodorofcabbage.Inspiteofthiscoincidence，thesupperwascheerful.Theciderwasgood;theLoiseausandthenunsdrankitfrommotivesofeconomy.Theothersorderedwine;Cornudetdemandedbeer.Hehadhisownfashionofuncorkingthebottleandmakingthebeerfoam，gazingatitasheinclinedhisglassandthenraisedittoapositionbetweenthelampandhiseyethathemightjudgeofitscolor.Whenhedrank，hisgreatbeard，whichmatchedthecolorofhisfavoritebeverage，seemedtotremblewithaffection;hiseyespositivelysquintedintheendeavornottolosesightofthebelovedglass，andhelookedforalltheworldasifhewerefulfillingtheonlyfunctionforwhichhewasborn.Heseemedtohaveestablishedinhismindanaffinitybetweenthetwogreatpassionsofhislife——palealeandrevolution——andassuredlyhecouldnottastetheonewithoutdreamingoftheother.