MonsieurandMadameFollenviedinedattheendofthetable.Theman，wheezinglikeabroken—downlocomotive，wastooshort—windedtotalkwhenhewaseating.Butthewifewasnotsilentamoment;shetoldhowthePrussianshadimpressedherontheirarrival，whattheydid，whattheysaid;execratingtheminthefirstplacebecausetheycosthermoney，andinthesecondbecauseshehadtwosonsinthearmy.Sheaddressedherselfprincipallytothecountess，flatteredattheopportunityoftalkingtoaladyofquality.
Thensheloweredhervoice，andbegantobroachdelicatesubjects.Herhusbandinterruptedherfromtimetotime，saying：
\"Youwoulddowelltoholdyourtongue，MadameFollenvie.\"
Butshetooknonoticeofhim，andwenton：
\"Yes，madame，theseGermansdonothingbuteatpotatoesandpork，andthenporkandpotatoes.Anddon’timagineforamomentthattheyareclean！No，indeed！Andifonlyyousawthemdrillingforhours，indeedfordays，together;theyallcollectinafield，thentheydonothingbutmarchbackwardandforward，andwheelthiswayandthat.Ifonlytheywouldcultivatetheland，orremainathomeandworkontheirhighroads！
Really，madame，thesesoldiersareofnoearthlyuse！Poorpeoplehavetofeedandkeepthem，onlyinorderthattheymaylearnhowtokill！
True，Iamonlyanoldwomanwithnoeducation，butwhenIseethemwearingthemselvesoutmarchingaboutfrommorningtillnight，Isaytomyself：Whentherearepeoplewhomakediscoveriesthatareofusetopeople，whyshouldotherstakesomuchtroubletodoharm？Really，now，isn’titaterriblethingtokillpeople，whethertheyarePrussians，orEnglish，orPoles，orFrench？Ifwerevengeourselvesonanyonewhoinjuresuswedowrong，andarepunishedforit;butwhenoursonsareshotdownlikepartridges，thatisallright，anddecorationsaregiventothemanwhokillsthemost.No，indeed，Ishallneverbeabletounderstandit.\"
Cornudetraisedhisvoice：
\"Warisabarbarousproceedingwhenweattackapeacefulneighbor，butitisasacreddutywhenundertakenindefenceofone’scountry.\"
Theoldwomanlookeddown：
\"Yes;it’sanothermatterwhenoneactsinself—defence;butwoulditnotbebettertokillallthekings，seeingthattheymakewarjusttoamusethemselves？\"
Cornudet’seyeskindled.
\"Bravo，citizens！\"hesaid.
MonsieurCarre—Lamadonwasreflectingprofoundly.Althoughanardentadmirerofgreatgenerals，thepeasantwoman’ssturdycommonsensemadehimreflectonthewealthwhichmightaccruetoacountrybytheemploymentofsomanyidlehandsnowmaintainedatagreatexpense，ofsomuchunproductiveforce，iftheywereemployedinthosegreatindustrialenterpriseswhichitwilltakecenturiestocomplete.
ButLoiseau，leavinghisseat，wentovertotheinnkeeperandbeganchattinginalowvoice.Thebigmanchuckled，coughed，sputtered;hisenormouscarcassshookwithmerrimentatthepleasantriesoftheother;
andheendedbybuyingsixcasksofclaretfromLoiseautobedeliveredinspring，afterthedepartureofthePrussians.
Themomentsupperwasovereveryonewenttobed，wornoutwithfatigue.
ButLoiseau，whohadbeenmakinghisobservationsonthesly，senthiswifetobed，andamusedhimselfbyplacingfirsthisear，andthenhiseye，tothebedroomkeyhole，inordertodiscoverwhathecalled\"themysteriesofthecorridor.\"
Attheendofaboutanhourheheardarustling，peepedoutquickly，andcaughtsightofBouledeSuif，lookingmorerotundthaneverinadressing—gownofbluecashmeretrimmedwithwhitelace.Sheheldacandleinherhand，anddirectedherstepstothenumbereddoorattheendofthecorridor.Butoneofthesidedoorswaspartlyopened，andwhen，attheendofafewminutes，shereturned，Cornudet，inhisshirt—
sleeves，followedher.Theyspokeinlowtones，thenstoppedshort.
BouledeSuifseemedtobestoutlydenyinghimadmissiontoherroom.
Unfortunately，Loiseaucouldnotatfirsthearwhattheysaid;buttowardtheendoftheconversationtheyraisedtheirvoices，andhecaughtafewwords.Cornudetwasloudlyinsistent.
\"Howsillyyouare！Whatdoesitmattertoyou？\"hesaid.
Sheseemedindignant，andreplied：
\"No，mygoodman，therearetimeswhenonedoesnotdothatsortofthing;besides，inthisplaceitwouldbeshameful.\"
Apparentlyhedidnotunderstand，andaskedthereason.Thenshelosthertemperandhercaution，and，raisinghervoicestillhigher，said：
\"Why？Can’tyouunderstandwhy？WhentherearePrussiansinthehouse！
Perhapsevenintheverynextroom！\"
Hewassilent.Thepatrioticshameofthiswanton，whowouldnotsufferherselftobecaressedintheneighborhoodoftheenemy，musthaverousedhisdormantdignity，forafterbestowingonherasimplekisshecreptsoftlybacktohisroom.Loiseau，muchedified，caperedroundthebedroombeforetakinghisplacebesidehisslumberingspouse.
Thensilencereignedthroughoutthehouse.Butsoontherearosefromsomeremotepart——itmighteasilyhavebeeneithercellarorattic——astertorous，monotonous，regularsnoring，adull，prolongedrumbling，variedbytremorslikethoseofaboilerunderpressureofsteam.
MonsieurFollenviehadgonetosleep.
Astheyhaddecidedonstartingateighto’clockthenextmorning，everyonewasinthekitchenatthathour;butthecoach，itsroofcoveredwithsnow，stoodbyitselfinthemiddleoftheyard，withouteitherhorsesordriver.Theysoughtthelatterinthestables，coach—housesandbarns—
butinvain.Sothemenofthepartyresolvedtoscourthecountryforhim，andsalliedforth.Theyfoundthemselvesinthesquare，withthechurchatthefartherside，andtorightandleftlow—roofedhouseswherethereweresomePrussiansoldiers.Thefirstsoldiertheysawwaspeelingpotatoes.Thesecond，fartheron，waswashingoutabarber’sshop.Another，beardedtotheeyes，wasfondlingacryinginfant，anddandlingitonhiskneestoquietit;andthestoutpeasantwomen，whosemen—folkwereforthemostpartatthewar，were，bymeansofsigns，tellingtheirobedientconquerorswhatworktheyweretodo：chopwood，preparesoup，grindcoffee;oneofthemevenwasdoingthewashingforhishostess，aninfirmoldgrandmother.
Thecount，astonishedatwhathesaw，questionedthebeadlewhowascomingoutofthepresbytery.Theoldmananswered：
\"Oh，thosemenarenotatallabadsort;theyarenotPrussians，Iamtold;theycomefromsomewherefartheroff，Idon’texactlyknowwhere.
Andtheyhaveallleftwivesandchildrenbehindthem;theyarenotfondofwareither，youmaybesure！Iamsuretheyaremourningforthemenwheretheycomefrom，justaswedohere;andthewarcausesthemjustasmuchunhappinessasitdoesus.Asamatteroffact，thingsarenotsoverybadherejustnow，becausethesoldiersdonoharm，andworkjustasiftheywereintheirownhomes.Yousee，sir，poorfolkalwayshelponeanother;itisthegreatonesofthisworldwhomakewar.\"
Cornudetindignantatthefriendlyunderstandingestablishedbetweenconquerorsandconquered，withdrew，preferringtoshuthimselfupintheinn.
\"Theyarerepeoplingthecountry，\"jestedLoiseau.
\"Theyareundoingtheharmtheyhavedone，\"saidMonsieurCarre—Lamadongravely.
Buttheycouldnotfindthecoachdriver.Atlasthewasdiscoveredinthevillagecafe，fraternizingcordiallywiththeofficer’sorderly.
\"Wereyounottoldtoharnessthehorsesateighto’clock？\"demandedthecount.
\"Oh，yes;butI’vehaddifferentorderssince.\"
\"Whatorders？\"
\"Nottoharnessatall.\"
\"Whogaveyousuchorders？\"
\"Why，thePrussianofficer.\"
\"Butwhy？\"
\"Idon’tknow.Goandaskhim.Iamforbiddentoharnessthehorses，soIdon’tharnessthem——that’sall.\"
\"Didhetellyousohimself？\"
\"No，sir;theinnkeepergavemetheorderfromhim.\"
\"When？\"
\"Lastevening，justasIwasgoingtobed.\"
Thethreemenreturnedinaveryuneasyframeofmind.
TheyaskedforMonsieurFollenvie，buttheservantrepliedthatonaccountofhisasthmahenevergotupbeforeteno’clock.Theywerestrictlyforbiddentorousehimearlier，exceptincaseoffire.
Theywishedtoseetheofficer，butthatalsowasimpossible，althoughhelodgedintheinn.MonsieurFollenviealonewasauthorizedtointerviewhimoncivilmatters.Sotheywaited.Thewomenreturnedtotheirrooms，andoccupiedthemselveswithtrivialmatters.
Cornudetsettleddownbesidethetallkitchenfireplace，beforeablazingfire.Hehadasmalltableandajugofbeerplacedbesidehim，andhesmokedhispipe——apipewhichenjoyedamongdemocratsaconsiderationalmostequaltohisown，asthoughithadserveditscountryinservingCornudet.Itwasafinemeerschaum，admirablycoloredtoablacktheshadeofitsowner’steeth，butsweet—smelling，gracefullycurved，athomeinitsmaster’shand，andcompletinghisphysiognomy.AndCornudetsatmotionless，hiseyesfixednowonthedancingflames，nowonthefrothwhichcrownedhisbeer;andaftereachdraughthepassedhislong，thinfingerswithanairofsatisfactionthroughhislong，greasyhair，ashesuckedthefoamfromhismustache.
Loiseau，underpretenceofstretchinghislegs，wentouttoseeifhecouldsellwinetothecountrydealers.Thecountandthemanufacturerbegantotalkpolitics.TheyforecastthefutureofFrance.OnebelievedintheOrleansdynasty，theotherinanunknownsavior——aherowhoshouldriseupinthelastextremity：aDuGuesclin，perhapsaJoanofArc？oranotherNapoleontheFirst？Ah！ifonlythePrinceImperialwerenotsoyoung！Cornudet，listeningtothem，smiledlikeamanwhoholdsthekeysofdestinyinhishands.Hispipeperfumedthewholekitchen.
Astheclockstruckten，MonsieurFollenvieappeared.Hewasimmediatelysurroundedandquestioned，butcouldonlyrepeat，threeorfourtimesinsuccession，andwithoutvariation，thewords：
\"Theofficersaidtome，justlikethis：’MonsieurFollenvie，youwillforbidthemtoharnessupthecoachforthosetravellersto—morrow.Theyarenottostartwithoutanorderfromme.Youhear？Thatissufficient.’\"
Thentheyaskedtoseetheofficer.Thecountsenthimhiscard，onwhichMonsieurCarre—Lamadonalsoinscribedhisnameandtitles.ThePrussiansentwordthatthetwomenwouldbeadmittedtoseehimafterhisluncheon——thatistosay，aboutoneo’clock.
Theladiesreappeared，andtheyallatealittle，inspiteoftheiranxiety.BouledeSuifappearedillandverymuchworried.
Theywerefinishingtheircoffeewhentheorderlycametofetchthegentlemen.
Loiseaujoinedtheothertwo;butwhentheytriedtogetCornudettoaccompanythem，bywayofaddinggreatersolemnitytotheoccasion，hedeclaredproudlythathewouldneverhaveanythingtodowiththeGermans，and，resuminghisseatinthechimneycorner，hecalledforanotherjugofbeer.
Thethreemenwentupstairs，andwereusheredintothebestroomintheinn，wheretheofficerreceivedthemlollingathiseaseinanarmchair，hisfeetonthemantelpiece，smokingalongporcelainpipe，andenvelopedinagorgeousdressing—gown，doubtlessstolenfromthedeserteddwellingofsomecitizendestituteoftasteindress.Heneitherrose，greetedthem，norevenglancedintheirdirection.Heaffordedafineexampleofthatinsolenceofbearingwhichseemsnaturaltothevictorioussoldier.
AfterthelapseofafewmomentshesaidinhishaltingFrench：
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Wewishtostartonourjourney，\"saidthecount.
\"No.\"
\"MayIaskthereasonofyourrefusal？\"
\"BecauseIdon’tchoose.\"
\"Iwouldrespectfullycallyourattention，monsieur，tothefactthatyourgeneralincommandgaveusapermittoproceedtoDieppe;andIdonotthinkwehavedoneanythingtodeservethisharshnessatyourhands.\"
\"Idon’tchoose——that’sall.Youmaygo.\"
Theybowed，andretired.
Theafternoonwaswretched.TheycouldnotunderstandthecapriceofthisGerman，andthestrangestideascameintotheirheads.Theyallcongregatedinthekitchen，andtalkedthesubjecttodeath，imaginingallkindsofunlikelythings.Perhapstheyweretobekeptashostages——butforwhatreason？ortobeextraditedasprisonersofwar？orpossiblytheyweretobeheldforransom？Theywerepanic—strickenatthislastsupposition.Therichestamongthemwerethemostalarmed，seeingthemselvesforcedtoemptybagsofgoldintotheinsolentsoldier’shandsinordertobuybacktheirlives.Theyrackedtheirbrainsforplausiblelieswherebytheymightconcealthefactthattheywererich，andpassthemselvesoffaspoor——verypoor.Loiseautookoffhiswatchchain，andputitinhispocket.Theapproachofnightincreasedtheirapprehension.Thelampwaslighted，andasitwantedyettwohourstodinnerMadameLoiseauproposedagameoftrenteetun.Itwoulddistracttheirthoughts.Therestagreed，andCornudethimselfjoinedtheparty，firstputtingouthispipeforpoliteness’sake.
Thecountshuffledthecards——dealt——andBouledeSuifhadthirty—onetostartwith;soontheinterestofthegameassuagedtheanxietyoftheplayers.ButCornudetnoticedthatLoiseauandhiswifewereinleaguetocheat.
TheywereabouttositdowntodinnerwhenMonsieurFollenvieappeared，andinhisgratingvoiceannounced：
\"ThePrussianofficersendstoaskMademoiselleElisabethRoussetifshehaschangedhermindyet.\"
BouledeSuifstoodstill，paleasdeath.Then，suddenlyturningcrimsonwithanger，shegaspedout：
\"Kindlytellthatscoundrel，thatcur，thatcarrionofaPrussian，thatI
willneverconsent——youunderstand？——never，never，never！\"
Thefatinnkeeperlefttheroom.ThenBouledeSuifwassurrounded，questioned，entreatedonallsidestorevealthemysteryofhervisittotheofficer.Sherefusedatfirst;butherwrathsoongotthebetterofher.
\"Whatdoeshewant？Hewantstomakemehismistress！\"shecried.
Noonewasshockedattheword，sogreatwasthegeneralindignation.
Cornudetbrokehisjugashebangeditdownonthetable.Aloudoutcryaroseagainstthisbasesoldier.Allwerefurious.Theydrewtogetherincommonresistanceagainstthefoe，asifsomepartofthesacrificeexactedofBouledeSuifhadbeendemandedofeach.Thecountdeclared，withsupremedisgust，thatthosepeoplebehavedlikeancientbarbarians.
Thewomen，aboveall，manifestedalivelyandtendersympathyforBouledeSuif.Thenuns，whoappearedonlyatmeals，castdowntheireyes，andsaidnothing.
Theydined，however，assoonasthefirstindignantoutbursthadsubsided;buttheyspokelittleandthoughtmuch.
Theladieswenttobedearly;andthemen，havinglightedtheirpipes，proposedagameofecarte，inwhichMonsieurFollenviewasinvitedtojoin，thetravellershopingtoquestionhimskillfullyastothebestmeansofvanquishingtheofficer’sobduracy.Buthethoughtofnothingbuthiscards，wouldlistentonothing，replytonothing，andrepeated，timeaftertime：\"Attendtothegame，gentlemen！attendtothegame！\"
Soabsorbedwashisattentionthatheevenforgottoexpectorate.Theconsequencewasthathischestgaveforthrumblingsoundslikethoseofanorgan.Hiswheezinglungsstruckeverynoteoftheasthmaticscale，fromdeep，hollowtonestoashrill，hoarsepipingresemblingthatofayoungcocktryingtocrow.
Herefusedtogotobedwhenhiswife，overcomewithsleep，cametofetchhim.Soshewentoffalone，forshewasanearlybird，alwaysupwiththesun;whilehewasaddictedtolatehours，everreadytospendthenightwithfriends.Hemerelysaid：\"Putmyegg—noggbythefire，\"andwentonwiththegame.Whentheothermensawthatnothingwastobegotoutofhimtheydeclareditwastimetoretire，andeachsoughthisbed.
Theyrosefairlyearlythenextmorning，withavaguehopeofbeingallowedtostart，agreaterdesirethanevertodoso，andaterrorathavingtospendanotherdayinthiswretchedlittleinn.
Alas！thehorsesremainedinthestable，thedriverwasinvisible.Theyspenttheirtime，forwantofsomethingbettertodo，inwanderingroundthecoach.
Luncheonwasagloomyaffair;andtherewasageneralcoolnesstowardBouledeSuif，fornight，whichbringscounsel，hadsomewhatmodifiedthejudgmentofhercompanions.InthecoldlightofthemorningtheyalmostboreagrudgeagainstthegirlfornothavingsecretlysoughtoutthePrussian，thattherestofthepartymightreceiveajoyfulsurprisewhentheyawoke.Whatmoresimple？
Besides，whowouldhavebeenthewiser？Shemighthavesavedappearancesbytellingtheofficerthatshehadtakenpityontheirdistress.Suchastepwouldbeofsolittleconsequencetoher.
Butnooneasyetconfessedtosuchthoughts.
Intheafternoon，seeingthattheywereallboredtodeath，thecountproposedawalkintheneighborhoodofthevillage.Eachonewrappedhimselfupwell，andthelittlepartysetout，leavingbehindonlyCornudet，whopreferredtositoverthefire，andthetwonuns，whowereinthehabitofspendingtheirdayinthechurchoratthepresbytery.
Thecold，whichgrewmoreintenseeachday，almostfrozethenosesandearsofthepedestrians，theirfeetbegantopainthemsothateachstepwasapenance，andwhentheyreachedtheopencountryitlookedsomournfulanddepressinginitslimitlessmantleofwhitethattheyallhastilyretracedtheirsteps，withbodiesbenumbedandheartsheavy.
Thefourwomenwalkedinfront，andthethreemenfollowedalittleintheirrear.
Loiseau，whosawperfectlywellhowmattersstood，askedsuddenly\"ifthattrollopweregoingtokeepthemwaitingmuchlongerinthisGodforsakenspot.\"Thecount，alwayscourteous，repliedthattheycouldnotexactsopainfulasacrificefromanywoman，andthatthefirstmovemustcomefromherself.MonsieurCarre—LamadonremarkedthatiftheFrench，astheytalkedofdoing，madeacounterattackbywayofDieppe，theirencounterwiththeenemymustinevitablytakeplaceatTotes.Thisreflectionmadetheothertwoanxious.
\"Supposingweescapeonfoot？\"saidLoiseau.
Thecountshruggedhisshoulders.
\"Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing，inthissnow？Andwithourwives？
Besides，weshouldbepursuedatonce，overtakenintenminutes，andbroughtbackasprisonersatthemercyofthesoldiery.\"
Thiswastrueenough;theyweresilent.
Theladiestalkedofdress，butacertainconstraintseemedtoprevailamongthem.
Suddenly，attheendofthestreet，theofficerappeared.Histall，wasp—like，uniformedfigurewasoutlinedagainstthesnowwhichboundedthehorizon，andhewalked，kneesapart，withthatmotionpeculiartosoldiers，whoarealwaysanxiousnottosoiltheircarefullypolishedboots.
Hebowedashepassedtheladies，thenglancedscornfullyatthemen，whohadsufficientdignitynottoraisetheirhats，thoughLoiseaumadeamovementtodoso.
BouledeSuifflushedcrimsontotheears，andthethreemarriedwomenfeltunutterablyhumiliatedatbeingmetthusbythesoldierincompanywiththegirlwhomhehadtreatedwithsuchscantceremony.
Thentheybegantotalkabouthim，hisfigure，andhisface.MadameCarre—Lamadon，whohadknownmanyofficersandjudgedthemasaconnoisseur，thoughthimnotatallbad—looking;sheevenregrettedthathewasnotaFrenchman，becauseinthatcasehewouldhavemadeaveryhandsomehussar，withwhomallthewomenwouldassuredlyhavefalleninlove.
Whentheywereoncemorewithindoorstheydidnotknowwhattodowiththemselves.Sharpwordsevenwereexchangedaproposofthemeresttrifles.Thesilentdinnerwasquicklyover，andeachonewenttobedearlyinthehopeofsleeping，andthuskillingtime.
Theycamedownnextmorningwithtiredfacesandirritabletempers;thewomenscarcelyspoketoBouledeSuif.
Achurchbellsummonedthefaithfultoabaptism.BouledeSuifhadachildbeingbroughtupbypeasantsatYvetot.Shedidnotseehimonceayear，andneverthoughtofhim;buttheideaofthechildwhowasabouttobebaptizedinducedasuddenwaveoftendernessforherown，andsheinsistedonbeingpresentattheceremony.
Assoonasshehadgoneout，therestofthecompanylookedatoneanotherandthendrewtheirchairstogether;fortheyrealizedthattheymustdecideonsomecourseofaction.Loiseauhadaninspiration：heproposedthattheyshouldasktheofficertodetainBouledeSuifonly，andtolettherestdepartontheirway.
MonsieurFollenviewasintrustedwiththiscommission，buthereturnedtothemalmostimmediately.TheGerman，whoknewhumannature，hadshownhimthedoor.Heintendedtokeepallthetravellersuntilhisconditionhadbeencompliedwith.
WhereuponMadameLoiseau’svulgartemperamentbrokebounds.
\"We’renotgoingtodieofoldagehere！\"shecried.\"Sinceit’sthatvixen’stradetobehavesowithmenIdon’tseethatshehasanyrighttorefuseonemorethananother.ImayaswelltellyoushetookanyloversshecouldgetatRouen——evencoachmen！Yes，indeed，madame——thecoachmanattheprefecture！Iknowitforafact，forhebuyshiswineofus.
Andnowthatitisaquestionofgettingusoutofadifficultysheputsonvirtuousairs，thedrab！Formypart，Ithinkthisofficerhasbehavedverywell.Why，therewerethreeothersofus，anyoneofwhomhewouldundoubtedlyhavepreferred.Butno，hecontentshimselfwiththegirlwhoiscommonproperty.Herespectsmarriedwomen.Justthink.
Heismasterhere.Hehadonlytosay：’Iwishit！’andhemighthavetakenusbyforce，withthehelpofhissoldiers.\"
Thetwootherwomenshuddered;theeyesofprettyMadameCarre—Lamadonglistened，andshegrewpale，asiftheofficerwereindeedintheactoflayingviolenthandsonher.
Themen，whohadbeendiscussingthesubjectamongthemselves，drewnear.
Loiseau，inastateoffuriousresentment，wasfordeliveringup\"thatmiserablewoman，\"boundhandandfoot，intotheenemy’spower.Butthecount，descendedfromthreegenerationsofambassadors，andendowed，moreover，withthelineamentsofadiplomat，wasinfavorofmoretactfulmeasures.
\"Wemustpersuadeher，\"hesaid.
Thentheylaidtheirplans.
Thewomendrewtogether;theyloweredtheirvoices，andthediscussionbecamegeneral，eachgivinghisorheropinion.Buttheconversationwasnotintheleastcoarse.Theladies，inparticular，wereadeptsatdelicatephrasesandcharmingsubtletiesofexpressiontodescribethemostimproperthings.Astrangerwouldhaveunderstoodnoneoftheirallusions，soguardedwasthelanguagetheyemployed.But，seeingthatthethinveneerofmodestywithwhicheverywomanoftheworldisfurnishedgoesbutaverylittlewaybelowthesurface，theybeganrathertoenjoythisunedifyingepisode，andatbottomwerehugelydelighted——
feelingthemselvesintheirelement，furtheringtheschemesoflawlesslovewiththegustoofagourmandcookwhopreparessupperforanother.
Theirgaietyreturnedofitself，soamusingatlastdidthewholebusinessseemtothem.Thecountutteredseveralratherriskywitticisms，butsotactfullyweretheysaidthathisaudiencecouldnothelpsmiling.Loiseauinturnmadesomeconsiderablybroaderjokes，butnoonetookoffence;andthethoughtexpressedwithsuchbrutaldirectnessbyhiswifewasuppermostinthemindsofall：\"Sinceit’sthegirl’strade，whyshouldsherefusethismanmorethananother？\"DaintyMadameCarre—LamadonseemedtothinkeventhatinBouledeSuif’splaceshewouldbelessinclinedtorefusehimthananother.
Theblockadewasascarefullyarrangedasiftheywereinvestingafortress.Eachagreedontherolewhichheorshewastoplay，theargumentstobeused，themaneuverstobeexecuted.Theydecidedontheplanofcampaign，thestratagemstheyweretoemploy，andthesurpriseattackswhichweretoreducethishumancitadelandforceittoreceivetheenemywithinitswalls.
ButCornudetremainedapartfromtherest，takingnoshareintheplot.
SoabsorbedwastheattentionofallthatBouledeSuif’sentrancewasalmostunnoticed.Butthecountwhisperedagentle\"Hush！\"whichmadetheotherslookup.Shewasthere.Theysuddenlystoppedtalking，andavagueembarrassmentpreventedthemforafewmomentsfromaddressingher.
Butthecountess，morepracticedthantheothersinthewilesofthedrawing—room，askedher：
\"Wasthebaptisminteresting？\"
Thegirl，stillunderthestressofemotion，toldwhatshehadseenandheard，describedthefaces，theattitudesofthosepresent，andeventheappearanceofthechurch.Sheconcludedwiththewords：
\"Itdoesonegoodtopraysometimes.\"
Untillunchtimetheladiescontentedthemselveswithbeingpleasanttoher，soastoincreaseherconfidenceandmakeheramenabletotheiradvice.
Assoonastheytooktheirseatsattabletheattackbegan.Firsttheyopenedavagueconversationonthesubjectofself—sacrifice.Ancientexampleswerequoted：JudithandHolofernes;then，irrationallyenough，LucreceandSextus;Cleopatraandthehostilegeneralswhomshereducedtoabjectslaverybyasurrenderofhercharms.Nextwasrecountedanextraordinarystory，bornoftheimaginationoftheseignorantmillionaires，whichtoldhowthematronsofRomeseducedHannibal，hislieutenants，andallhismercenariesatCapua.Theyhelduptoadmirationallthosewomenwhofromtimetotimehavearrestedthevictoriousprogressofconquerors，madeoftheirbodiesafieldofbattle，ameansofruling，aweapon;whohavevanquishedbytheirheroiccaresseshideousordetestedbeings，andsacrificedtheirchastitytovengeanceanddevotion.
Allwassaidwithduerestraintandregardforpropriety，theeffectheightenednowandthenbyanoutburstofforcedenthusiasmcalculatedtoexciteemulation.
Alistenerwouldhavethoughtatlastthattheoneroleofwomanonearthwasaperpetualsacrificeofherperson，acontinualabandonmentofherselftothecapricesofahostilesoldiery.
Thetwonunsseemedtohearnothing，andtobelostinthought.BouledeSuifalsowassilent.
Duringthewholeafternoonshewaslefttoherreflections.Butinsteadofcallingher\"madame\"astheyhaddonehitherto，hercompanionsaddressedhersimplyas\"mademoiselle，\"withoutexactlyknowingwhy，butasifdesirousofmakingherdescendastepintheesteemshehadwon，andforcinghertorealizeherdegradedposition.
Justassoupwasserved，MonsieurFollenviereappeared，repeatinghisphraseoftheeveningbefore：
\"ThePrussianofficersendstoaskifMademoiselleElisabethRoussethaschangedhermind.\"
BouledeSuifansweredbriefly：
\"No，monsieur.\"
Butatdinnerthecoalitionweakened.Loiseaumadethreeunfortunateremarks.Eachwascudgelinghisbrainsforfurtherexamplesofself—sacrifice，andcouldfindnone，whenthecountess，possiblywithoutulteriormotive，andmovedsimplybyavaguedesiretodohomagetoreligion，begantoquestiontheelderofthetwonunsonthemoststrikingfactsinthelivesofthesaints.Now，itfelloutthatmanyofthesehadcommittedactswhichwouldbecrimesinoureyes，buttheChurchreadilypardonssuchdeedswhentheyareaccomplishedforthegloryofGodorthegoodofmankind.Thiswasapowerfulargument，andthecountessmadethemostofit.Then，whetherbyreasonofatacitunderstanding，athinlyveiledactofcomplaisancesuchasthosewhoweartheecclesiasticalhabitexcelin，orwhethermerelyastheresultofsheerstupidity——astupidityadmirablyadaptedtofurthertheirdesigns——
theoldnunrenderedformidableaidtotheconspirator.Theyhadthoughthertimid;sheprovedherselfbold，talkative，bigoted.Shewasnottroubledbytheinsandoutsofcasuistry;herdoctrineswereasironbars;herfaithknewnodoubt;herconsciencenoscruples.ShelookedonAbraham’ssacrificeasnaturalenough，forsheherselfwouldnothavehesitatedtokillbothfatherandmotherifshehadreceivedadivineordertothateffect;andnothing，inheropinion，coulddispleaseourLord，providedthemotivewerepraiseworthy.Thecountess，puttingtogoodusetheconsecratedauthorityofherunexpectedally，ledherontomakealengthyandedifyingparaphraseofthataxiomenunciatedbyacertainschoolofmoralists：\"Theendjustifiesthemeans.\"
\"Then，sister，\"sheasked，\"youthinkGodacceptsallmethods，andpardonstheactwhenthemotiveispure？\"
\"Undoubtedly，madame.Anactionreprehensibleinitselfoftenderivesmeritfromthethoughtwhichinspiresit.\"
Andinthiswisetheytalkedon，fathomingthewishesofGod，predictingHisjudgments，describingHimasinterestedinmatterswhichassuredlyconcernHimbutlittle.
Allwassaidwiththeutmostcareanddiscretion，buteverywordutteredbytheholywomaninhernun’sgarbweakenedtheindignantresistanceofthecourtesan.Thentheconversationdriftedsomewhat，andthenunbegantotalkoftheconventsofherorder，ofherSuperior，ofherself，andofherfragilelittleneighbor，SisterSt.Nicephore.TheyhadbeensentforfromHavretonursethehundredsofsoldierswhowereinhospitals，strickenwithsmallpox.Shedescribedthesewretchedinvalidsandtheirmalady.And，whiletheythemselvesweredetainedontheirwaybythecapricesofthePrussianofficer，scoresofFrenchmenmightbedying，whomtheywouldotherwisehavesaved！Forthenursingofsoldierswastheoldnun’sspecialty;shehadbeenintheCrimea，inItaly，inAustria;andasshetoldthestoryofhercampaignssherevealedherselfasoneofthoseholysistersofthefifeanddrumwhoseemdesignedbynaturetofollowcamps，tosnatchthewoundedfromamidthestrifeofbattle，andtoquellwithaword，moreeffectuallythananygeneral，theroughandinsubordinatetroopers——amasterfulwoman，herseamedandpittedfaceitselfanimageofthedevastationsofwar.
Noonespokewhenshehadfinishedforfearofspoilingtheexcellenteffectofherwords.
Assoonasthemealwasoverthetravellersretiredtotheirrooms，whencetheyemergedthefollowingdayatalatehourofthemorning.
Luncheonpassedoffquietly.Theseedsowntheprecedingeveningwasbeinggiventimetogerminateandbringforthfruit.
Intheafternoonthecountessproposedawalk;thenthecount，ashadbeenarrangedbeforehand，tookBouledeSuif’sarm，andwalkedwithheratsomedistancebehindtherest.
Hebegantalkingtoherinthatfamiliar，paternal，slightlycontemptuoustonewhichmenofhisclassadoptinspeakingtowomenlikeher，callingher\"mydearchild，\"andtalkingdowntoherfromtheheightofhisexaltedsocialpositionandstainlessreputation.Hecamestraighttothepoint.
\"Soyouprefertoleaveushere，exposedlikeyourselftoalltheviolencewhichwouldfollowonarepulseofthePrussiantroops，ratherthanconsenttosurrenderyourself，asyouhavedonesomanytimesinyourlife？\"
Thegirldidnotreply.
Hetriedkindness，argument，sentiment.Hestillborehimselfascount，evenwhileadopting，whendesirable，anattitudeofgallantry，andmakingpretty——nay，eventender——speeches.Heexaltedtheserviceshewouldrenderthem，spokeoftheirgratitude;then，suddenly，usingthefamiliar\"thou\"：
\"Andyouknow，mydear，hecouldboastthenofhavingmadeaconquestofaprettygirlsuchashewon’toftenfindinhisowncountry.\"
BouledeSuifdidnotanswer，andjoinedtherestoftheparty.
Assoonastheyreturnedshewenttoherroom，andwasseennomore.Thegeneralanxietywasatitsheight.Whatwouldshedo？Ifshestillresisted，howawkwardforthemall！
Thedinnerhourstruck;theywaitedforherinvain.AtlastMonsieurFollenvieentered，announcingthatMademoiselleRoussetwasnotwell，andthattheymightsitdowntotable.Theyallprickeduptheirears.Thecountdrewneartheinnkeeper，andwhispered：
\"Isitallright？\"
\"Yes.\"
Outofregardforproprietyhesaidnothingtohiscompanions，butmerelynoddedslightlytowardthem.Agreatsighofreliefwentupfromallbreasts;everyfacewaslightedupwithjoy.
\"ByGad！\"shoutedLoiseau，\"I’llstandchampagneallroundifthere’sanytobefoundinthisplace.\"AndgreatwasMadameLoiseau’sdismaywhentheproprietorcamebackwithfourbottlesinhishands.Theyhadallsuddenlybecometalkativeandmerry;alivelyjoyfilledallhearts.ThecountseemedtoperceiveforthefirsttimethatMadameCarre—Lamadonwascharming;themanufacturerpaidcomplimentstothecountess.Theconversationwasanimated，sprightly，witty，and，althoughmanyofthejokeswereintheworstpossibletaste，allthecompanywereamusedbythem，andnoneoffended——indignationbeingdependent，likeotheremotions，onsurroundings.Andthementalatmospherehadgraduallybecomefilledwithgrossimaginingsanduncleanthoughts.
Atdesserteventhewomenindulgedindiscreetlywordedallusions.Theirglanceswerefullofmeaning;theyhaddrunkmuch.Thecount，whoeveninhismomentsofrelaxationpreservedadignifieddemeanor，hitonamuch—appreciatedcomparisonoftheconditionofthingswiththeterminationofawinterspentintheicysolitudeoftheNorthPoleandthejoyofshipwreckedmarinerswhoatlastperceiveasouthwardtrackopeningoutbeforetheireyes.
Loiseau，fairlyinhiselement，rosetohisfeet，holdingaloftaglassofchampagne.
\"Idrinktoourdeliverance！\"heshouted.
Allstoodup，andgreetedthetoastwithacclamation.Eventhetwogoodsistersyieldedtothesolicitationsoftheladies，andconsentedtomoistentheirlipswiththefoamingwine，whichtheyhadneverbeforetasted.Theydeclareditwaslikeeffervescentlemonade，butwithapleasanterflavor.
\"Itisapity，\"saidLoiseau，\"thatwehavenopiano;wemighthavehadaquadrille.\"
Cornudethadnotspokenawordormadeamovement;heseemedplungedinseriousthought，andnowandthentuggedfuriouslyathisgreatbeard，asiftryingtoaddstillfurthertoitslength.Atlast，towardmidnight，whentheywereabouttoseparate，Loiseau，whosegaitwasfarfromsteady，suddenlyslappedhimontheback，sayingthickly：
\"You’renotjollyto—night;whyareyousosilent，oldman？\"
Cornudetthrewbackhishead，castoneswiftandscornfulglanceovertheassemblage，andanswered：
\"Itellyouall，youhavedoneaninfamousthing！\"
Herose，reachedthedoor，andrepeating：\"Infamous！\"disappeared.
Achillfellonall.Loiseauhimselflookedfoolishanddisconcertedforamoment，butsoonrecoveredhisaplomb，and，writhingwithlaughter，exclaimed：
\"Really，youarealltoogreenforanything！\"
Pressedforanexplanation，herelatedthe\"mysteriesofthecorridor，\"
whereathislistenerswerehugelyamused.Theladiescouldhardlycontaintheirdelight.ThecountandMonsieurCarre—Lamadonlaughedtilltheycried.Theycouldscarcelybelievetheirears.
\"What！youaresure？Hewanted————\"
\"ItellyouIsawitwithmyowneyes.\"
\"Andsherefused？\"
\"BecausethePrussianwasinthenextroom！\"
\"Surelyyouaremistaken？\"
\"IswearI’mtellingyouthetruth.\"
Thecountwaschokingwithlaughter.Themanufacturerheldhissides.
Loiseaucontinued：
\"Soyoumaywellimaginehedoesn’tthinkthisevening’sbusinessatallamusing.\"
Andallthreebegantolaughagain，choking，coughing，almostillwithmerriment.
Thentheyseparated.ButMadameLoiseau，whowasnothingifnotspiteful，remarkedtoherhusbandastheywereonthewaytobedthat\"thatstuck—uplittleminxofaCarre—Lamadonhadlaughedonthewrongsideofhermouthalltheevening.\"
\"Youknow，\"shesaid，\"whenwomenrunafteruniformsit’sallthesametothemwhetherthemenwhowearthemareFrenchorPrussian.It’sperfectlysickening！\"
Thenextmorningthesnowshoweddazzlingwhitetinderaclearwintersun.Thecoach，readyatlast，waitedbeforethedoor;whileaflockofwhitepigeons，withpinkeyesspottedinthecentreswithblack，puffedouttheirwhitefeathersandwalkedsedatelybetweenthelegsofthesixhorses，pickingatthesteamingmanure.
Thedriver，wrappedinhissheepskincoat，wassmokingapipeonthebox，andallthepassengers，radiantwithdelightattheirapproachingdeparture，wereputtingupprovisionsfortheremainderofthejourney.
TheywerewaitingonlyforBouledeSuif.Atlastsheappeared.
Sheseemedrathershamefacedandembarrassed，andadvancedwithtimidsteptowardhercompanions，whowithoneaccordturnedasideasiftheyhadnotseenher.Thecount，withmuchdignity，tookhiswifebythearm，andremovedherfromtheuncleancontact.
Thegirlstoodstill，stupefiedwithastonishment;then，pluckingupcourage，accostedthemanufacturer’swifewithahumble\"Good—morning，madame，\"towhichtheotherrepliedmerelywithaslightaridinsolentnod，accompaniedbyalookofoutragedvirtue.Everyonesuddenlyappearedextremelybusy，andkeptasfarfromBouledeSuifasiftierskirtshadbeeninfectedwithsomedeadlydisease.Thentheyhurriedtothecoach，followedbythedespisedcourtesan，who，arrivinglastofall，silentlytooktheplaceshehadoccupiedduringthefirstpartofthejourney.
Therestseemedneithertoseenortoknowher——allsaveMadameLoiseau，who，glancingcontemptuouslyinherdirection，remarked，halfaloud，toherhusband：
\"WhatamercyIamnotsittingbesidethatcreature！\"
Thelumberingvehiclestartedonitsway，andthejourneybeganafresh.
Atfirstnoonespoke.BouledeSuifdarednotevenraisehereyes.Shefeltatonceindignantwithherneighbors，andhumiliatedathavingyieldedtothePrussianintowhosearmstheyhadsohypocriticallycasther.
Butthecountess，turningtowardMadameCarre—Lamadon，soonbrokethepainfulsilence：
\"IthinkyouknowMadamed’Etrelles？\"
\"Yes;sheisafriendofmine.\"
\"Suchacharmingwoman！\"
\"Delightful！Exceptionallytalented，andanartisttothefingertips.
Shesingsmarvellouslyanddrawstoperfection.\"
Themanufacturerwaschattingwiththecount，andamidtheclatterofthewindow—panesawordoftheirconversationwasnowandthendistinguishable：\"Shares——maturity——premium——time—limit.\"
Loiseau，whohadabstractedfromtheinnthetimewornpackofcards，thickwiththegreaseoffiveyears’contactwithhalf—wiped—offtables，startedagameofbeziquewithhiswife.
Thegoodsisters，takingupsimultaneouslythelongrosarieshangingfromtheirwaists，madethesignofthecross，andbegantomutterinunisoninterminableprayers，theirlipsmovingevermoreandmoreswiftly，asiftheysoughtwhichshouldoutdistancetheotherintheraceoforisons;
fromtimetotimetheykissedamedal，andcrossedthemselvesanew，thenresumedtheirrapidandunintelligiblemurmur.
Cornudetsatstill，lostinthought.
AhtheendofthreehoursLoiseaugatheredupthecards，andremarkedthathewashungry.
Hiswifethereuponproducedaparceltiedwithstring，fromwhichsheextractedapieceofcoldveal.Thisshecutintoneat，thinslices，andbothbegantoeat.
\"Wemayaswelldothesame，\"saidthecountess.Therestagreed，andsheunpackedtheprovisionswhichhadbeenpreparedforherself，thecount，andtheCarre—Lamadons.Inoneofthoseovaldishes，thelidsofwhicharedecoratedwithanearthenwarehare，bywayofshowingthatagamepielieswithin，wasasucculentdelicacyconsistingofthebrownfleshofthegamelardedwithstreaksofbaconandflavoredwithothermeatschoppedfine.AsolidwedgeofGruyerecheese，whichhadbeenwrappedinanewspaper，boretheimprint：\"ItemsofNews，\"onitsrich，oilysurface.
Thetwogoodsistersbroughttolightahunkofsausagesmellingstronglyofgarlic;andCornudet，plungingbothhandsatonceintothecapaciouspocketsofhislooseovercoat，producedfromonefourhard—boiledeggsandfromtheotheracrustofbread.Heremovedtheshells，threwthemintothestrawbeneathhisfeet，andbegantodevourtheeggs，lettingmorselsofthebrightyellowyolkfallinhismightybeard，wheretheylookedlikestars.
BouledeSuif，inthehasteandconfusionofherdeparture，hadnotthoughtofanything，and，stiflingwithrage，shewatchedallthesepeopleplacidlyeating.Atfirst，ill—suppressedwrathshookherwholeperson，andsheopenedherlipstoshriekthetruthatthem，tooverwhelmthemwithavolleyofinsults;butshecouldnotutteraword，sochokedwasshewithindignation.
Noonelookedather，noonethoughtofher.Shefeltherselfswallowedupinthescornofthesevirtuouscreatures，whohadfirstsacrificed，thenrejectedherasathinguselessandunclean.Thensherememberedherbigbasketfullofthegoodthingstheyhadsogreedilydevoured：thetwochickenscoatedinjelly，thepies，thepears，thefourbottlesofclaret;andherfurybrokeforthlikeacordthatisoverstrained，andshewasonthevergeoftears.Shemadeterribleeffortsatself—
control，drewherselfup，swallowedthesobswhichchokedher;butthetearsrosenevertheless，shoneatthebrinkofhereyelids，andsoontwoheavydropscoursedslowlydownhercheeks.Othersfollowedmorequickly，likewaterfilteringfromarock，andfell，oneafteranother，onherroundedbosom.Shesatupright，withafixedexpression，herfacepaleandrigid，hopingdesperatelythatnoonesawhergiveway.
Butthecountessnoticedthatshewasweeping，andwithasigndrewherhusband’sattentiontothefact.Heshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosay：\"Well，whatofit？It’snotmyfault.\"MadameLoiseauchuckledtriumphantly，andmurmured：
\"She’sweepingforshame.\"
Thetwonunshadbetakenthemselvesoncemoretotheirprayers，firstwrappingtheremainderoftheirsausageinpaper：
ThenCornudet，whowasdigestinghiseggs，stretchedhislonglegsundertheoppositeseat，threwhimselfback，foldedhisarms，smiledlikeamanwhohadjustthoughtofagoodjoke，andbegantowhistletheMarseillaise.
Thefacesofhisneighborsclouded;thepopularairevidentlydidnotfindfavorwiththem;theygrewnervousandirritable，andseemedreadytohowlasadogdoesatthesoundofabarrel—organ.Cornudetsawthediscomforthewascreating，andwhistledthelouder;sometimesheevenhummedthewords：
Amoursacredelapatrie，Conduis，soutiens，nosbrasvengeurs，Liberte，libertecherie，Combatsavectesdefenseurs！
Thecoachprogressedmoreswiftly，thesnowbeinghardernow;andallthewaytoDieppe，duringthelong，drearyhoursofthejourney，firstinthegatheringdusk，theninthethickdarkness，raisinghisvoiceabovetherumblingofthevehicle，Cornudetcontinuedwithfierceobstinacyhisvengefulandmonotonouswhistling，forcinghiswearyandexasperated—
hearerstofollowthesongfromendtoend，torecalleverywordofeveryline，aseachwasrepeatedoverandoveragainwithuntiringpersistency.
AndBouledeSuifstillwept，andsometimesasobshecouldnotrestrainwasheardinthedarknessbetweentwoversesofthesong.
TWOFRIENDS
BesiegedPariswasinthethroesoffamine.Eventhesparrowsontheroofsandtheratsinthesewersweregrowingscarce.Peoplewereeatinganythingtheycouldget.
AsMonsieurMorissot，watchmakerbyprofessionandidlerforthenonce，wasstrollingalongtheboulevardonebrightJanuarymorning，hishandsinhistrouserspocketsandstomachempty，hesuddenlycamefacetofacewithanacquaintance——MonsieurSauvage，afishingchum.
BeforethewarbrokeoutMorissothadbeeninthehabit，everySundaymorning，ofsettingforthwithabamboorodinhishandandatinboxonhisback.HetooktheArgenteuiltrain，gotoutatColombes，andwalkedthencetotheIleMarante.Themomenthearrivedatthisplaceofhisdreamshebeganfishing，andfishedtillnightfall.
EverySundayhemetinthisveryspotMonsieurSauvage，astout，jolly，littleman，adraperintheRueNotreDamedeLorette，andalsoanardentfisherman.Theyoftenspenthalfthedaysidebyside，rodinhandandfeetdanglingoverthewater，andawarmfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthetwo.
Somedaystheydidnotspeak;atothertimestheychatted;buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectlywithouttheaidofwords，havingsimilartastesandfeelings.
Inthespring，aboutteno’clockinthemorning，whentheearlysuncausedalightmisttofloatonthewaterandgentlywarmedthebacksofthetwoenthusiasticanglers，Morissotwouldoccasionallyremarktohisneighbor：
\"My，butit’spleasanthere.\"
Towhichtheotherwouldreply：
\"Ican’timagineanythingbetter！\"
Andthesefewwordssufficedtomakethemunderstandandappreciateeachother.
Intheautumn，towardthecloseofday，whenthesettingsunshedablood—redglowoverthewesternsky，andthereflectionofthecrimsoncloudstingedthewholeriverwithred，broughtaglowtothefacesofthetwofriends，andgildedthetrees，whoseleaveswerealreadyturningatthefirstchilltouchofwinter，MonsieurSauvagewouldsometimessmileatMorissot，andsay：
\"Whatagloriousspectacle！\"
AndMorissotwouldanswer，withouttakinghiseyesfromhisfloat：
\"Thisismuchbetterthantheboulevard，isn’tit？\"
Assoonastheyrecognizedeachothertheyshookhandscordially，affectedatthethoughtofmeetingundersuchchangedcircumstances.
MonsieurSauvage，withasigh，murmured：
\"Thesearesadtimes！\"
Morissotshookhisheadmournfully.
\"Andsuchweather！Thisisthefirstfinedayoftheyear.\"
Theskywas，infact，ofabright，cloudlessblue.
Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，reflectiveandsad.
\"Andtothinkofthefishing！\"saidMorissot.\"Whatgoodtimesweusedtohave！\"
\"Whenshallwebeabletofishagain？\"askedMonsieurSauvage.
Theyenteredasmallcafeandtookanabsinthetogether，thenresumedtheirwalkalongthepavement.
Morissotstoppedsuddenly.
\"Shallwehaveanotherabsinthe？\"hesaid.
\"Ifyoulike，\"agreedMonsieurSauvage.
Andtheyenteredanotherwineshop.
Theywerequiteunsteadywhentheycameout，owingtotheeffectofthealcoholontheiremptystomachs.Itwasafine，mildday，andagentlebreezefannedtheirfaces.
ThefreshaircompletedtheeffectofthealcoholonMonsieurSauvage.
Hestoppedsuddenly，saying：
\"Supposewegothere？\"
\"Where？\"
\"Fishing.\"
\"Butwhere？\"
\"Why，totheoldplace.TheFrenchoutpostsareclosetoColombes.I
knowColonelDumoulin，andweshalleasilygetleavetopass.\"
Morissottrembledwithdesire.
\"Verywell.Iagree.\"
Andtheyseparated，tofetchtheirrodsandlines.
Anhourlatertheywerewalkingsidebysideonthe—highroad.Presentlytheyreachedthevillaoccupiedbythecolonel.Hesmiledattheirrequest，andgrantedit.Theyresumedtheirwalk，furnishedwithapassword.
Soontheylefttheoutpostsbehindthem，madetheirwaythroughdesertedColombes，andfoundthemselvesontheoutskirtsofthesmallvineyardswhichbordertheSeine.Itwasabouteleveno’clock.
BeforethemlaythevillageofArgenteuil，apparentlylifeless.TheheightsofOrgementandSannoisdominatedthelandscape.Thegreatplain，extendingasfarasNanterre，wasempty，quiteempty—awasteofdun—coloredsoilandbarecherrytrees.
MonsieurSauvage，pointingtotheheights，murmured：
\"ThePrussiansareupyonder！\"
Andthesightofthedesertedcountryfilledthetwofriendswithvaguemisgivings.
ThePrussians！Theyhadneverseenthemasyet，buttheyhadfelttheirpresenceintheneighborhoodofParisformonthspast——ruiningFrance，pillaging，massacring，starvingthem.Andakindofsuperstitiousterrormingledwiththehatredtheyalreadyfelttowardthisunknown，victoriousnation.
\"Supposeweweretomeetanyofthem？\"saidMorissot.
\"We’dofferthemsomefish，\"repliedMonsieurSauvage，withthatParisianlight—heartednesswhichnothingcanwhollyquench.
Still，theyhesitatedtoshowthemselvesintheopencountry，overawedbytheuttersilencewhichreignedaroundthem.
AtlastMonsieurSauvagesaidboldly：
\"Come，we’llmakeastart;onlyletusbecareful！\"
Andtheymadetheirwaythroughoneofthevineyards，bentdouble，creepingalongbeneaththecoveraffordedbythevines，witheyeandearalert.
Astripofbaregroundremainedtobecrossedbeforetheycouldgaintheriverbank.Theyranacrossthis，and，assoonastheywereatthewater’sedge，concealedthemselvesamongthedryreeds.
Morissotplacedhiseartotheground，toascertain，ifpossible，whetherfootstepswerecomingtheirway.Heheardnothing.Theyseemedtobeutterlyalone.
Theirconfidencewasrestored，andtheybegantofish.
BeforethemthedesertedIleMarantehidthemfromthefarthershore.
Thelittlerestaurantwasclosed，andlookedasifithadbeendesertedforyears.
MonsieurSauvagecaughtthefirstgudgeon，MonsieurMorissotthesecond，andalmosteverymomentoneorotherraisedhislinewithalittle，glittering，silveryfishwrigglingattheend;theywerehavingexcellentsport.
Theyslippedtheircatchgentlyintoaclose—meshedbaglyingattheirfeet;theywerefilledwithjoy——thejoyofoncemoreindulginginapastimeofwhichtheyhadlongbeendeprived.
Thesunpoureditsraysontheirbacks;theynolongerheardanythingorthoughtofanything.Theyignoredtherestoftheworld;theywerefishing.
Butsuddenlyarumblingsound，whichseemedtocomefromthebowelsoftheearth，shookthegroundbeneaththem：thecannonwereresumingtheirthunder.
Morissotturnedhisheadandcouldseetowardtheleft，beyondthebanksoftheriver，theformidableoutlineofMont—Valerien，fromwhosesummitaroseawhitepuffofsmoke.
Thenextinstantasecondpufffollowedthefirst，andinafewmomentsafreshdetonationmadetheearthtremble.
Othersfollowed，andminutebyminutethemountaingaveforthitsdeadlybreathandawhitepuffofsmoke，whichroseslowlyintothepeacefulheavenandfloatedabovethesummitofthecliff.
MonsieurSauvageshruggedhisshoulders.
\"Theyareatitagain！\"hesaid.
Morissot，whowasanxiouslywatchinghisfloatbobbingupanddown，wassuddenlyseizedwiththeangryimpatienceofapeacefulmantowardthemadmenwhowerefiringthus，andremarkedindignantly：
\"Whatfoolstheyaretokilloneanotherlikethat！\"
\"They’reworsethananimals，\"repliedMonsieurSauvage.
AndMorissot，whohadjustcaughtableak，declared：
\"Andtothinkthatitwillbejustthesamesolongastherearegovernments！\"
\"TheRepublicwouldnothavedeclaredwar，\"interposedMonsieurSauvage.
Morissotinterruptedhim：
\"Underakingwehaveforeignwars;underarepublicwehavecivilwar.\"
Andthetwobeganplacidlydiscussingpoliticalproblemswiththesoundcommonsenseofpeaceful，matter—of—factcitizens——agreeingononepoint：
thattheywouldneverbefree.AndMont—Valerienthunderedceaselessly，demolishingthehousesoftheFrenchwithitscannonballs，grindinglivesofmentopowder，destroyingmanyadream，manyacherishedhope，manyaprospectivehappiness;ruthlesslycausingendlesswoeandsufferingintheheartsofwives，ofdaughters，ofmothers，inotherlands.
\"Suchislife！\"declaredMonsieurSauvage.
\"Say，rather，suchisdeath！\"repliedMorissot，laughing.
Buttheysuddenlytrembledwithalarmatthesoundoffootstepsbehindthem，and，turninground，theyperceivedcloseathandfourtall，beardedmen，dressedafterthemannerofliveryservantsandwearingflatcapsontheirheads.Theywerecoveringthetwoanglerswiththeirrifles.
Therodsslippedfromtheirowners’graspandfloatedawaydowntheriver.
Inthespaceofafewsecondstheywereseized，bound，thrownintoaboat，andtakenacrosstotheIleMarante.
AndbehindthehousetheyhadthoughtdesertedwereaboutascoreofGermansoldiers.
Ashaggy—lookinggiant，whowasbestridingachairandsmokingalongclaypipe，addressedtheminexcellentFrenchwiththewords：
\"Well，gentlemen，haveyouhadgoodluckwithyourfishing？\"
Thenasoldierdepositedattheofficer’sfeetthebagfulloffish，whichhehadtakencaretobringaway.ThePrussiansmiled.
\"Notbad，Isee.Butwehavesomethingelsetotalkabout.Listentome，anddon’tbealarmed：
\"Youmustknowthat，inmyeyes，youaretwospiessenttoreconnoitremeandmymovements.Naturally，IcaptureyouandIshootyou.Youpretendedtobefishing，thebettertodisguiseyourrealerrand.Youhavefallenintomyhands，andmusttaketheconsequences.Suchiswar.
\"Butasyoucameherethroughtheoutpostsyoumusthaveapasswordforyourreturn.TellmethatpasswordandIwillletyougo.\"
Thetwofriends，paleasdeath，stoodsilentlysidebyside，aslightflutteringofthehandsalonebetrayingtheiremotion.
\"Noonewilleverknow，\"continuedtheofficer.\"Youwillreturnpeacefullytoyourhomes，andthesecretwilldisappearwithyou.Ifyourefuse，itmeansdeath—instantdeath.Choose！\"
Theystoodmotionless，anddidnotopentheirlips.
ThePrussian，perfectlycalm，wenton，withhandoutstretchedtowardtheriver：
\"Justthinkthatinfiveminutesyouwillbeatthebottomofthatwater.
Infiveminutes！Youhaverelations，Ipresume？\"
Mont—Valerienstillthundered.
Thetwofishermenremainedsilent.TheGermanturnedandgaveanorderinhisownlanguage.Thenhemovedhischairalittlewayoff，thathemightnotbesoneartheprisoners，andadozenmensteppedforward，rifleinhand，andtookupaposition，twentypacesoff.
\"Igiveyouoneminute，\"saidtheofficer;\"notasecondlonger.\"
Thenherosequickly，wentovertothetwoFrenchmen，tookMorissotbythearm，ledhimashortdistanceoff，andsaidinalowvoice：
\"Quick！thepassword！Yourfriendwillknownothing.Iwillpretendtorelent.\"
Morissotanswerednotaword.
ThenthePrussiantookMonsieurSauvageasideinlikemanner，andmadehimthesameproposal.
MonsieurSauvagemadenoreply.
Againtheystoodsidebyside.
Theofficerissuedhisorders;thesoldiersraisedtheirrifles.
ThenbychanceMorissot’seyesfellonthebagfullofgudgeonlyinginthegrassafewfeetfromhim.
Arayofsunlightmadethestillquiveringfishglistenlikesilver.AndMorissot’sheartsank.Despitehiseffortsatself—controlhiseyesfilledwithtears.
\"Good—by，MonsieurSauvage，\"hefaltered.
\"Good—by，MonsieurMorissot，\"repliedSauvage.
Theyshookhands，tremblingfromheadtofootwithadreadbeyondtheirmastery.
Theofficercried：
\"Fire！\"
Thetwelveshotswereasone.
MonsieurSauvagefellforwardinstantaneously.Morissot，beingthetaller，swayedslightlyandfellacrosshisfriendwithfaceturnedskywardandbloodoozingfromarentinthebreastofhiscoat.
TheGermanissuedfreshorders.
Hismendispersed，andpresentlyreturnedwithropesandlargestones，whichtheyattachedtothefeetofthetwofriends;thentheycarriedthemtotheriverbank.
Mont—Valerien，itssummitnowenshroudedinsmoke，stillcontinuedtothunder.
TwosoldierstookMorissotbytheheadandthefeet;twoothersdidthesamewithSauvage.Thebodies，swunglustilybystronghands，werecasttoadistance，and，describingacurve，fellfeetforemostintothestream.
Thewatersplashedhigh，foamed，eddied，thengrewcalm;tinywaveslappedtheshore.
Afewstreaksofbloodfleckedthesurfaceoftheriver.
Theofficer，calmthroughout，remarked，withgrimhumor：
\"It’sthefishes’turnnow！\"
Thenheretracedhiswaytothehouse.
Suddenlyhecaughtsightofthenetfullofgudgeons，lyingforgotteninthegrass.Hepickeditup，examinedit，smiled，andcalled：
\"Wilhelm！\"
Awhite—apronedsoldierrespondedtothesummons，andthePrussian，tossinghimthecatchofthetwomurderedmen，said：
\"Havethesefishfriedformeatonce，whiletheyarestillalive;
they’llmakeatastydish.\"
Thenheresumedhispipe.
THELANCER’SWIFE
I
ItwasafterBourbaki’sdefeatintheeastofFrance.Thearmy，brokenup，decimated，andwornout，hadbeenobligedtoretreatintoSwitzerlandafterthatterriblecampaign，anditwasonlyitsshortdurationthatsavedahundredandfiftythousandmenfromcertaindeath.Hunger，theterriblecold，forcedmarchesinthesnowwithoutboots，overbadmountainroads，hadcausedus’francs—tireurs’，especially，thegreatestsuffering，forwewerewithouttents，andalmostwithoutfood，alwaysinthevanwhenweweremarchingtowardBelfort，andintherearwhenreturningbytheJura.OfourlittlebandthathadnumberedtwelvehundredmenonthefirstofJanuary，thereremainedonlytwenty—twopale，thin，raggedwretches，whenweatlengthsucceededinreachingSwissterritory.
Thereweweresafe，andcouldrest.EverybodyknowswhatsympathywasshowntotheunfortunateFrencharmy，andhowwellitwascaredfor.Weallgainedfreshlife，andthosewhohadbeenrichandhappybeforethewardeclaredthattheyhadneverexperiencedagreaterfeelingofcomfortthantheydidthen.Justthink.Weactuallyhadsomethingtoeateveryday，andcouldsleepeverynight.
Meanwhile，thewarcontinuedintheeastofFrance，whichhadbeenexcludedfromthearmistice.Besanconstillkepttheenemyincheck，andthelatterhadtheirrevengebyravagingFrancheComte.Sometimesweheardthattheyhadapproachedquiteclosetothefrontier，andwesawSwisstroops，whoweretoformalineofobservationbetweenusandthem，setoutontheirmarch.
Thatpainedusintheend，and，asweregainedhealthandstrength，thelongingtofighttookpossessionofus.ItwasdisgracefulandirritatingtoknowthatwithintwoorthreeleaguesofustheGermanswerevictoriousandinsolent，tofeelthatwewereprotectedbyourcaptivity，andtofeelthatonthataccountwewerepowerlessagainstthem.
Onedayourcaptaintookfiveorsixofusaside，andspoketousaboutit，longandfuriously.Hewasafinefellow，thatcaptain.HehadbeenasublieutenantintheZouaves，wastallandthinandashardassteel，andduringthewholecampaignhehadcutouttheirworkfortheGermans.
Hefrettedininactivity，andcouldnotaccustomhimselftotheideaofbeingaprisonerandofdoingnothing.
\"Confoundit！\"hesaidtous，\"doesitnotpainyoutoknowthatthereisanumberofuhlanswithintwohoursofus？Doesitnotalmostdriveyoumadtoknowthatthosebeggarlywretchesarewalkingaboutasmastersinourmountains，whensixdeterminedmenmightkillawholespitfulanyday？Icannotendureitanylonger，andImustgothere.\"
\"Buthowcanyoumanageit，captain？\"