Astheymetsooften，theyperhapssmiledatthenextmeeting;then，seeingeachotheragainandagain，theyfeltasiftheykneweachother.
Hecertainlybowedtoher.Andshe，surprised，bowedinreturn，butvery，veryslightly，justenoughnottoappearimpolite.Butaftertwoweeksshereturnedhissalutationfromadistance，evenbeforetheyweresidebyside.
Hespoketoher.Ofwhat？Doubtlessofthesettingsun.Theyadmiredittogether，lookingforitineachother’seyesmoreoftenthanonthehorizon.Andeveryeveningfortwoweeksthiswasthecommonplaceandpersistentpretextforafewminutes’chat.
Thentheyventuredtotakeafewstepstogether，talkingofanythingthatcameintotheirminds，buttheireyeswerealreadysayingtoeachotherathousandmoreintimatethings，thosesecret，charmingthingsthatarereflectedinthegentleemotionoftheglance，andthatcausethehearttobeat，fortheyareabetterrevelationofthesoulthanthespokenward.
Andthenhewouldtakeherhand，murmuringthosewordswhichthewomandivines，withoutseemingtohearthem.
Anditwasagreedbetweenthemthattheywouldloveeachotherwithoutevidencingitbyanythingsensualorbrutal.
Shewouldhaveremainedindefinitelyatthisstageofintimacy，buthewantedmore.Andeverydayheurgedhermorehotlytogiveintohisardentdesire.
Sheresisted，wouldnothearofit，seemeddeterminednottogiveway.
Butoneeveningshesaidtohimcasually：\"MyhusbandhasjustgonetoMarseilles.Hewillbeawayfourdays.\"
JeandeCarmelinthrewhimselfatherfeet，imploringhertoopenherdoortohimthatverynightateleveno’clock.Butshewouldnotlistentohim，andwenthome，appearingtobeannoyed.
Thecommandantwasinabadhumoralltheevening，andthenextmorningatdawnhewentoutontherampartsinarage，goingfromoneexercisefieldtotheother，dealingoutpunishmenttotheofficersandmenasonemightflingstonesintoacrowd，Ongoingintobreakfasthefoundanenvelopeunderhisnapkinwiththesefourwords：\"To—nightatten.\"Andhegaveonehundredsouswithoutanyreasontothewaiter.
Thedayseemedendlesstohim.Hepassedpartofitincurlinghishairandperfuminghimself.
Ashewassittingdowntothedinner—tableanotherenvelopewashandedtohim，andinithefoundthefollowingtelegram：
\"MyLove：Businesscompleted.Ireturnthiseveningonthenineo’clocktrain.
PARISSE.\"
Thecommandantletloosesuchavehementoaththatthewaiterdroppedthesoup—tureenonthefloor.
Whatshouldhedo？Hecertainlywantedher，thatvery，eveningatwhatevercost;andhewouldhaveher.Hewouldresorttoanymeans，eventoarrestingandimprisoningthehusband.Thenamadthoughtstruckhim.
Callingforpaper，hewrotethefollowingnote：
MADAME：Hewillnotcomebackthisevening，Iswearittoyou，——andIshallbe，youknowwhere，atteno’clock.Fearnothing.Iwillanswerforeverything，onmyhonorasanofficer.
JEANDECARMELIN.
Andhavingsentoffthisletter，hequietlyatehisdinner.
Towardeighto’clockhesentforCaptainGribois，thesecondincommand，andsaid，rollingbetweenhisfingersthecrumpledtelegramofMonsieurParisse：
\"Captain，Ihavejustreceivedatelegramofaverysingularnature，whichitisimpossibleformetocommunicatetoyou.Youwillimmediatelyhaveallthegatesofthecityclosedandguarded，sothatnoone，mindme，noone，willeitherenterorleavebeforesixinthemorning.Youwillalsohavemenpatrolthestreets，whowillcompeltheinhabitantstoretiretotheirhousesatnineo’clock.Anyonefoundoutsidebeyondthattimewillbeconductedtohishome’manumilitari’.
Ifyourmenmeetmethisnighttheywillatoncegooutofmyway，appearingnottoknowme.Youunderstandme？\"
\"Yes，commandant.\"
\"Iholdyouresponsiblefortheexecutionofmyorders，mydearcaptain.\"
\"Yes，commandant.\"
\"Wouldyouliketohaveaglassofchartreuse？\"
\"Withgreatpleasure，commandant.\"
TheyclinkedglassesdrankdownthebrownliquorandCaptainGriboislefttheroom.
ThetrainfromMarseillesarrivedatthestationatnineo’clocksharp，lefttwopassengersontheplatformandwentontowardNice.
Oneofthem，tallandthin，wasMonsieurSaribe，theoilmerchant，andtheother，shortandfat，wasMonsieurParisse.
Togethertheysetout，withtheirvalises，toreachthecity，onekilometerdistant.
Butonarrivingatthegateoftheporttheguardscrossedtheirbayonets，commandingthemtoretire.
Frightened，surprised，cowedwithastonishment，theyretiredtodeliberate;then，afterhavingtakencounselonewiththeother，theycamebackcautiouslytoparley，givingtheirnames.
Butthesoldiersevidentlyhadstrictorders，fortheythreatenedtoshoot;andthetwoscaredtravellersranoff，throwingawaytheirvalises，whichimpededtheirflight.
Makingthetouroftheramparts，theypresentedthemselvesatthegateontheroutetoCannes.Thislikewisewasclosedandguardedbyamenacingsentinel.Messrs.SaribeandParisse，liketheprudentmentheywere，desistedfromtheireffortsandwentbacktothestationforshelter，sinceitwasnotsafetobenearthefortificationsaftersundown.
Thestationagent，surprisedandsleepy，permittedthemtostaytillmorninginthewaiting—room.
Andtheysattheresidebyside，inthedark，onthegreenvelvetsofa，tooscaredtothinkofsleeping.
Itwasalongandwearynightforthem.
Athalf—pastsixinthemorningtheywereinformedthatthegateswereopenandthatpeoplecouldnowenterAntibes.
Theysetoutforthecity，butfailedtofindtheirabandonedvalisesontheroad.
Whentheypassedthroughthegatesofthecity，stillsomewhatanxious，theCommandantdeCarmelin，withslyglanceandmustachecurledup，camehimselftolookatthemandquestionthem.
Thenhebowedtothempolitely，excusinghimselfforhavingcausedthemabadnight.Buthehadtocarryoutorders.
ThepeopleofAntibeswerescaredtodeath.SomespokeofasurpriseplannedbytheItalians，othersofthelandingoftheprinceimperialandothersagainbelievedthattherewasanOrleanistconspiracy.Thetruthwassuspectedonlylater，whenitbecameknownthatthebattalionofthecommandanthadbeensentaway，toadistanceandthatMonsieurdeCarmelinhadbeenseverelypunished.
MonsieurMartinihadfinishedhisstory.MadameParissereturned，herpromenadebeingended.Shepassedgravelynearme，withhereyesfixedontheAlps，whosesummitsnowgleamedrosyinthelastraysofthesettingsun.
Ilongedtospeaktoher，thispoor，sadwoman，whowouldeverbethinkingofthatnightoflove，nowlongpast，andoftheboldmanwhoforthesakeofakissfromherhaddaredtoputacityintoastateofsiegeandtocompromisehiswholefuture.
Andto—dayhehadprobablyforgottenher，ifhedidnotrelatethisaudacious，comicalandtenderfarcetohiscomradesovertheircups.
Hadsheseenhimagain？Didshestilllovehim？AndIthought：Hereisaninstanceofmodernlove，grotesqueandyetheroic.TheHomerwhoshouldsingofthisnewHelenandtheadventureofherMenelausmustbegiftedwiththesoulofaPauldeKock.Andyettheheroofthisdesertedwomanwasbrave，daring，handsome，strongasAchillesandmorecunningthanUlysses.
MADEMOISELLEFIFI
MajorGrafVonFarlsberg，thePrussiancommandant，wasreadinghisnewspaperashelaybackinagreateasy—chair，withhisbootedfeetonthebeautifulmarblemantelpiecewherehisspurshadmadetwoholes，whichhadgrowndeepereverydayduringthethreemonthsthathehadbeeninthechateauofUville.
Acupofcoffeewassmokingonasmallinlaidtable，whichwasstainedwithliqueur，burnedbycigars，notchedbythepenknifeofthevictoriousofficer，whooccasionallywouldstopwhilesharpeningapencil，tojotdownfigures，ortomakeadrawingonit，justasittookhisfancy.
WhenhehadreadhislettersandtheGermannewspapers，whichhisorderlyhadbroughthim，hegotup，andafterthrowingthreeorfourenormouspiecesofgreenwoodonthefire，forthesegentlemenweregraduallycuttingdowntheparkinordertokeepthemselveswarm，hewenttothewindow.Therainwasdescendingintorrents，aregularNormandyrain，whichlookedasifitwerebeingpouredoutbysomefuriousperson，aslantingrain，opaqueasacurtain，whichformedakindofwallwithdiagonalstripes，andwhichdelugedeverything，arainsuchasonefrequentlyexperiencesintheneighborhoodofRouen，whichisthewatering—potofFrance.
ForalongtimetheofficerlookedatthesoddenturfandattheswollenAndellebeyondit，whichwasoverflowingitsbanks;hewasdrummingawaltzwithhisfingersonthewindow—panes，whenanoisemadehimturnround.Itwashissecondincommand，CaptainBaronvanKelweinstein.
Themajorwasagiant，withbroadshouldersandalong，fan—likebeard，whichhungdownlikeacurtaintohischest.Hiswholesolemnpersonsuggestedtheideaofamilitarypeacock，apeacockwhowascarryinghistailspreadoutonhisbreast.Hehadcold，gentleblueeyes，andascarfromaswordcut，whichhehadreceivedinthewarwithAustria;hewassaidtobeanhonorableman，aswellasabraveofficer.
Thecaptain，ashort，red—facedman，wastightlybeltedinatthewaist，hisredhairwascroppedquiteclosetohishead，andincertainlightshealmostlookedasifhehadbeenrubbedoverwithphosphorus.Hehadlosttwofrontteethonenight，thoughhecouldnotquiterememberhow，andthissometimesmadehimspeakunintelligibly，andhehadabaldpatchontopofhisheadsurroundedbyafringeofcurly，brightgoldenhair，whichmadehimlooklikeamonk.
Thecommandantshookhandswithhimanddrankhiscupofcoffee（thesixththatmorning），whilehelistenedtohissubordinate’sreportofwhathadoccurred;andthentheybothwenttothewindowanddeclaredthatitwasaveryunpleasantoutlook.Themajor，whowasaquietman，withawifeathome，couldaccommodatehimselftoeverything;butthecaptain，wholedafastlife，whowasinthehabitoffrequentinglowresorts，andenjoyingwomen’ssociety，wasangryathavingtobeshutupforthreemonthsinthatwretchedhole.
Therewasaknockatthedoor，andwhenthecommandantsaid，\"Comein，\"
oneoftheorderliesappeared，andbyhismerepresenceannouncedthatbreakfastwasready.Inthedining—roomtheymetthreeotherofficersoflowerrank——alieutenant，OttovonGrossling，andtwosub—lieutenants，FritzScheunebergandBaronvonEyrick，averyshort，fair—hairedman，whowasproudandbrutaltowardmen，harshtowardprisonersandasexplosiveasgunpowder.
SincehehadbeeninFrancehiscomradeshadcalledhimnothingbutMademoiselleFifi.Theyhadgivenhimthatnicknameonaccountofhisdandifiedstyleandsmallwaist，whichlookedasifheworecorsets;ofhispaleface，onwhichhisbuddingmustachescarcelyshowed，andonaccountofthehabithehadacquiredofemployingtheFrenchexpression，’Fi，fidonc’，whichhepronouncedwithaslightwhistlewhenhewishedtoexpresshissovereigncontemptforpersonsorthings.
Thedining—roomofthechateauwasamagnificentlongroom，whosefineoldmirrors，thatwerecrackedbypistolbullets，andwhoseFlemishtapestry，whichwascuttoribbons，andhanginginragsinplacesfromsword—cuts，toldtoowellwhatMademoiselleFifi’soccupationwasduringhissparetime.
Therewerethreefamilyportraitsonthewallsasteel—cladknight，acardinalandajudge，whowereallsmokinglongporcelainpipes，whichhadbeeninsertedintoholesinthecanvas，whilealadyinalong，pointedwaistproudlyexhibitedapairofenormousmustaches，drawnwithcharcoal.Theofficersatetheirbreakfastalmostinsilenceinthatmutilatedroom，whichlookeddullintherainandmelancholyinitsdilapidatedcondition，althoughitsoldoakfloorhadbecomeassolidasthestonefloorofaninn.
Whentheyhadfinishedeatingandweresmokinganddrinking，theybegan，asusual，toberatethedulllifetheywereleading.Thebottlesofbrandyandofliqueurpassedfromhandtohand，andallsatbackintheirchairsandtookrepeatedsipsfromtheirglasses，scarcelyremovingfromtheirmouthsthelong，curvedstems，whichterminatedinchinabowls，paintedinamannertodelightaHottentot.
Assoonastheirglasseswereemptytheyfilledthemagain，withagestureofresignedweariness，butMademoiselleFifiemptiedhiseveryminute，andasoldierimmediatelygavehimanother.Theywereenvelopedinacloudofstrongtobaccosmoke，andseemedtobesunkinastateofdrowsy，stupidintoxication，thatconditionofstupidintoxicationofmenwhohavenothingtodo，whensuddenlythebaronsatupandsaid：
\"Heavens！Thiscannotgoon;wemustthinkofsomethingtodo.\"Andonhearingthis，LieutenantOttoandSub—lieutenantFritz，whopreeminentlypossessedtheserious，heavyGermancountenance，said：\"What，captain？\"
Hethoughtforafewmomentsandthenreplied：\"What？Why，wemustgetupsomeentertainment，ifthecommandantwillallowus.\"\"Whatsortofanentertainment，captain？\"themajorasked，takinghispipeoutofhismouth.\"Iwillarrangeallthat，commandant，\"thebaronsaid.\"IwillsendLeDevoirtoRouen，andhewillbringbacksomeladies.Iknowwheretheycanbefound，Wewillhavesupperhere，asallthematerialsareathandand;atleast，weshallhaveajollyevening.\"
GrafvonFarlsbergshruggedhisshoulderswithasmile：\"Youmustsurelybemad，myfriend.\"
Butalltheotherofficershadrisenandsurroundedtheirchief，saying：
\"Letthecaptainhavehisway，commandant;itisterriblydullhere.\"
Andthemajorendedbyyielding.\"Verywell，\"hereplied，andthebaronimmediatelysentforLeDevoir.Hewasanoldnon—commissionedofficer，whohadneverbeenseentosmile，butwhocarriedoutalltheordersofhissuperiorstotheletter，nomatterwhattheymightbe.Hestoodthere，withanimpassiveface，whilehereceivedthebaron’sinstructions，andthenwentout，andfiveminuteslateralargemilitarywagon，coveredwithtarpaulin，gallopedoffasfastasfourhorsescoulddrawitinthepouringrain.Theofficersallseemedtoawakenfromtheirlethargy，theirlooksbrightened，，andtheybegantotalk.
Althoughitwasrainingashardasever，themajordeclaredthatitwasnotsodark，andLieutenantvonGrosslingsaidwithconvictionthattheskywasclearingup，whileMademoiselleFifididnotseemtobeabletokeepstill.Hegotupandsatdownagain，andhisbrighteyesseemedtobelookingforsomethingtodestroy.Suddenly，lookingattheladywiththemustaches，theyoungfellowpulledouthisrevolverandsaid：\"Youshallnotseeit.\"Andwithoutleavinghisseatheaimed，andwithtwosuccessivebulletscutoutboththeeyesoftheportrait.
\"Letusmakeamine！\"hethenexclaimed，andtheconversationwassuddenlyinterrupted，asiftheyhadfoundsomefreshandpowerfulsubjectofinterest.Theminewashisinvention，hismethodofdestruction，andhisfavoriteamusement.
Whenheleftthechateau，thelawfulowner，ComteFernandd’Amoysd’Uville，hadnothadtimetocarryawayortohideanythingexcepttheplate，whichhadbeenstowedawayinaholemadeinoneofthewalls.Ashewasveryrichandhadgoodtaste，thelargedrawing—room，whichopenedintothedining—room，lookedlikeagalleryinamuseum，beforehisprecipitateflight.
Expensiveoilpaintings，watercolorsanddrawingshungagainstthewalls，whileonthetables，onthehangingshelvesandinelegantglasscupboardstherewereathousandornaments：smallvases，statuettes，groupsofDresdenchinaandgrotesqueChinesefigures，oldivoryandVenetianglass，whichfilledthelargeroomwiththeircostlyandfantasticarray.
Scarcelyanythingwasleftnow;notthatthethingshadbeenstolen，forthemajorwouldnothaveallowedthat，butMademoiselleFifiwouldeverynowandthenhaveamine，andonthoseoccasionsalltheofficersthoroughlyenjoyedthemselvesforfiveminutes.Thelittlemarquiswentintothedrawing—roomtogetwhathewanted，andhebroughtbackasmall，delicatechinateapot，whichhefilledwithgunpowder，andcarefullyintroducedapieceofpunkthroughthespout.Thishelightedandtookhisinfernalmachineintothenextroom，buthecamebackimmediatelyandshutthedoor.TheGermansallstoodexpectant，theirfacesfullofchildish，smilingcuriosity，andassoonastheexplosionhadshakenthechateau，theyallrushedinatonce.
MademoiselleFifi，whogotinfirst，clappedhishandsindelightatthesightofaterra—cottaVenus，whoseheadhadbeenblownoff，andeachpickeduppiecesofporcelainandwonderedatthestrangeshapeofthefragments，whilethemajorwaslookingwithapaternaleyeatthelargedrawing—room，whichhadbeenwreckedafterthefashionofaNero，andwasstrewnwiththefragmentsofworksofart.Hewentoutfirstandsaidwithasmile：\"Thatwasagreatsuccessthistime.\"
Buttherewassuchacloudofsmokeinthedining—room，mingledwiththetobaccosmoke，thattheycouldnotbreathe，sothecommandantopenedthewindow，andalltheofficers，whohadreturnedforalastglassofcognac，wentuptoit.
Themoistairblewintotheroom，bringingwithitasortofpowderyspray，whichsprinkledtheirbeards.Theylookedatthetalltreeswhichweredrippingwithrain，atthebroadvalleywhichwascoveredwithmist，andatthechurchspireinthedistance，whichroseuplikeagraypointinthebeatingrain.
Thebellshadnotrungsincetheirarrival.Thatwastheonlyresistancewhichtheinvadershadmetwithintheneighborhood.TheparishpriesthadnotrefusedtotakeinandtofeedthePrussiansoldiers;hehadseveraltimesevendrunkabottleofbeerorclaretwiththehostilecommandant，whooftenemployedhimasabenevolentintermediary;butitwasnousetoaskhimforasinglestrokeofthebells;hewouldsoonerhaveallowedhimselftobeshot.Thatwashiswayofprotestingagainsttheinvasion，apeacefulandsilentprotest，theonlyone，hesaid，whichwassuitabletoapriest，whowasamanofmildness，andnotofblood;
andeveryone，fortwenty—fivemilesround，praisedAbbeChantavoine’sfirmnessandheroisminventuringtoproclaimthepublicmourningbytheobstinatesilenceofhischurchbells.
Thewholevillage，enthusiasticathisresistance，wasreadytobackuptheirpastorandtoriskanything，fortheylookeduponthatsilentprotestasthesafeguardofthenationalhonor.ItseemedtothepeasantsthatthustheydeservedbetteroftheircountrythanBelfortandStrassburg，thattheyhadsetanequallyvaluableexample，andthatthenameoftheirlittlevillagewouldbecomeimmortalizedbythat;but，withthatexception，theyrefusedtheirPrussianconquerorsnothing.
Thecommandantandhisofficerslaughedamongthemselvesatthisinoffensivecourage，andasthepeopleinthewholecountryroundshowedthemselvesobligingandcomplianttowardthem，theywillinglytoleratedtheirsilentpatriotism.LittleBaronWilhelmalonewouldhavelikedtohaveforcedthemtoringthebells.Hewasveryangryathissuperior’spoliticcompliancewiththepriest’sscruples，andeverydaybeggedthecommandanttoallowhimtosound\"ding—dong，ding—dong，\"justonce，onlyjustonce，justbywayofajoke.Andheaskeditinthecoaxing，tendervoiceofsomelovedwomanwhoisbentonobtainingherwish，butthecommandantwouldnotyield，andtoconsolehimself，MademoiselleFifimadeamineintheChateaud’Uville.
Thefivemenstoodtheretogetherforfiveminutes，breathinginthemoistair，andatlastLieutenantFritzsaidwithalaugh：\"Theladieswillcertainlynothavefineweatherfortheirdrive.Thentheyseparated，eachtohisduty，whilethecaptainhadplentytodoinarrangingforthedinner.
Whentheymetagaintowardeveningtheybegantolaughatseeingeachotherasspickandspanandsmartasonthedayofagrandreview.Thecommandant’shairdidnotlooksograyasitwasinthemorning，andthecaptainhadshaved，leavingonlyhismustache，whichmadehimlookasifhehadastreakoffireunderhisnose.
Inspiteoftherain，theyleftthewindowopen，andoneofthemwenttolistenfromtimetotime;andataquarterpastsixthebaronsaidheheardarumblinginthedistance.Theyallrusheddown，andpresentlythewagondroveupatagallopwithitsfourhorsessteamingandblowing，andsplashedwithmudtotheirgirths.Fivewomendismounted，fivehandsomegirlswhomacomradeofthecaptain，towhomLeDevoirhadpresentedhiscard，hadselectedwithcare.
Theyhadnotrequiredmuchpressing，astheyhadgottoknowthePrussiansinthethreemonthsduringwhichtheyhadhadtodowiththem，andsotheyresignedthemselvestothemenastheydidtothestateofaffairs.
Theywentatonceintothedining—room，whichlookedstillmoredismalinitsdilapidatedconditionwhenitwaslightedup;whilethetablecoveredwithchoicedishes，thebeautifulchinaandglass，andtheplate，whichhadbeenfoundintheholeinthewallwhereitsownerhadhiddenit，gaveittheappearanceofabandits’inn，wheretheyweresuppingaftercommittingarobberyintheplace.Thecaptainwasradiant，andputhisarmroundthewomenasifhewerefamiliarwiththem;andwhenthethreeyoungmenwantedtoappropriateoneeach，heopposedthemauthoritatively，reservingtohimselftherighttoapportionthemjustly，accordingtotheirseveralranks，soasnottooffendthehigherpowers.
Therefore，toavoidalldiscussion，jarring，andsuspicionofpartiality，heplacedthemallinarowaccordingtoheight，andaddressingthetallest，hesaidinavoiceofcommand：
\"Whatisyourname？\"\"Pamela，\"shereplied，raisinghervoice.Andthenhesaid：\"NumberOne，calledPamela，isadjudgedtothecommandant.\"
Then，havingkissedBlondina，thesecond，asasignofproprietorship，heprofferedstoutAmandatoLieutenantOtto;Eva，\"theTomato，\"toSub—
lieutenantFritz，andRachel，theshortestofthemall，averyyoung，darkgirl，witheyesasblackasink，aJewess，whosesnubnoseprovedtherulewhichallotshookednosestoallherrace，totheyoungestofficer，frailCountWilhelmd’Eyrick.
Theywereallprettyandplump，withoutanydistinctivefeatures，andallhadasimilarityofcomplexionandfigure.
Thethreeyoungmenwishedtocarryofftheirprizesimmediately，underthepretextthattheymightwishtofreshentheirtoilets;butthecaptainwiselyopposedthis，forhesaidtheywerequitefittositdowntodinner，andhisexperienceinsuchmatterscarriedtheday.Therewereonlymanykisses，expectantkisses.
SuddenlyRachelchoked，andbegantocoughuntilthetearscameintohereyes，whilesmokecamethroughhernostrils.Underpretenceofkissingher，thecounthadblownawhiffoftobaccointohermouth.Shedidnotflyintoarageanddidnotsayaword，butshelookedathertormentorwithlatenthatredinherdarkeyes.
Theysatdowntodinner.Thecommandantseemeddelighted;hemadePamelasitonhisright，andBlondinaonhisleft，andsaid，asheunfoldedhistablenapkin：\"Thatwasadelightfulideaofyours，captain.\"
LieutenantsOttoandFritz，whowereaspoliteasiftheyhadbeenwithfashionableladies，ratherintimidatedtheirguests，butBaronvonKelweinsteinbeamed，madeobsceneremarksandseemedonfirewithhiscrownofredhair.HepaidthewomencomplimentsinFrenchoftheRhine，andsputteredoutgallantremarks，onlyfitforalowpothouse，frombetweenhistwobrokenteeth.
Theydidnotunderstandhim，however，andtheirintelligencedidnotseemtobeawakeneduntilheutteredfoulwordsandbroadexpressions，whichweremangledbyhisaccent.Thentheyallbegantolaughatoncelikecrazywomenandfellagainsteachother，repeatingthewords，whichthebaronthenbegantosayallwrong，inorderthathemighthavethepleasureofhearingthemsaydirtythings.Theygavehimasmuchofthatstuffashewanted，fortheyweredrunkafterthefirstbottleofwine，andresumingtheirusualhabitsandmanners，theykissedtheofficerstorightandleftofthem，pinchedtheirarms，utteredwildcries，drankoutofeveryglassandsangFrenchcoupletsandbitsofGermansongswhichtheyhadpickedupintheirdailyintercoursewiththeenemy.
Soonthementhemselvesbecameveryunrestrained，shoutedandbroketheplatesanddishes，whilethesoldiersbehindthemwaitedonthemstolidly.Thecommandantwastheonlyonewhokeptanyrestraintuponhimself.
MademoiselleFifihadtakenRachelonhisknee，and，gettingexcited，atonemomenthekissedthelittleblackcurlsonherneckandatanotherhepinchedherfuriouslyandmadeherscream，forhewasseizedbyaspeciesofferocity，andtormentedbyhisdesiretohurther.HeoftenheldherclosetohimandpressedalongkissontheJewess’rosymouthuntilshelostherbreath，andatlasthebitheruntilastreamofbloodrandownherchinandontoherbodice.
Forthesecondtimeshelookedhimfullintheface，andasshebathedthewound，shesaid：\"Youwillhavetopayfor，that！\"Buthemerelylaughedahardlaughandsaid：\"Iwillpay.\"
Atdessertchampagnewasserved，andthecommandantrose，andinthesamevoiceinwhichhewouldhavedrunktothehealthoftheEmpressAugusta，hedrank：\"Toourladies！\"Andaseriesoftoastsbegan，toastsworthyofthelowestsoldiersandofdrunkards，mingledwithobscenejokes，whichweremadestillmorebrutalbytheirignoranceofthelanguage.
Theygotup，oneaftertheother，tryingtosaysomethingwitty，forcingthemselvestobefunny，andthewomen，whoweresodrunkthattheyalmostfellofftheirchairs，withvacantlooksandclammytonguesapplaudedmadlyeachtime.
Thecaptain，whonodoubtwishedtoimpartanappearanceofgallantrytotheorgy，raisedhisglassagainandsaid：\"Toourvictoriesoverheartsand，thereuponLieutenantOtto，whowasaspeciesofbearfromtheBlackForest，jumpedup，inflamedandsaturatedwithdrink，andsuddenlyseizedbyanaccessofalcoholicpatriotism，hecried：\"ToourvictoriesoverFrance！\"
Drunkastheywere，thewomenweresilent，butRachelturnedround，trembling，andsaid：\"Seehere，IknowsomeFrenchmeninwhosepresenceyouwouldnotdaresaythat.\"Butthelittlecount，stillholdingheronhisknee，begantolaugh，forthewinehadmadehimverymerry，andsaid：
\"Ha！ha！ha！Ihavenevermetanyofthemmyself.Assoonasweshowourselves，theyrunaway！\"Thegirl，whowasinaterriblerage，shoutedintohisface：\"Youarelying，youdirtyscoundrel！\"
Foramomenthelookedathersteadilywithhisbrighteyesuponher，ashehadlookedattheportraitbeforehedestroyeditwithbulletsfromhisrevolver，andthenhebegantolaugh：\"Ah！yes，talkaboutthem，mydear！Shouldwebeherenowiftheywerebrave？\"And，gettingexcited，heexclaimed：\"Wearethemasters！Francebelongstous！\"Shemadeonespringfromhiskneeandthrewherselfintoherchair，whilehearose，heldouthisglassoverthetableandrepeated：\"FranceandtheFrench，thewoods，thefieldsandthehousesofFrancebelongtous！\"
Theothers，whowerequitedrunk，andwhoweresuddenlyseizedbymilitaryenthusiasm，theenthusiasmofbrutes，seizedtheirglasses，andshouting，\"LonglivePrussia！\"theyemptiedthematadraught.
Thegirlsdidnotprotest，fortheywerereducedtosilenceandwereafraid.EvenRacheldidnotsayaword，asshehadnoreplytomake.
Thenthelittlemarquisputhischampagneglass，whichhadjustbeenrefilled，ontheheadoftheJewessandexclaimed：\"AllthewomeninFrancebelongtousalso！\"
Atthatshegotupsoquicklythattheglassupset，spillingtheamber—
coloredwineonherblackhairasiftobaptizeher，andbrokeintoahundredfragments，asitfelltothefloor.Herlipstrembling，shedefiedthelooksoftheofficer，whowasstilllaughing，andstammeredoutinavoicechokedwithrage：
\"That——that——that——isnottrue——foryoushallnothavethewomenofFrance！\"
Hesatdownagainsoastolaughathisease;and，tryingtospeakwiththeParisianaccent，hesaid：\"Sheisgood，verygood！Thenwhydidyoucomehere，mydear？\"Shewasthunderstruckandmadenoreplyforamoment，forinheragitationshedidnotunderstandhimatfirst，butassoonasshegraspedhismeaningshesaidtohimindignantlyandvehemently：\"I！I！Iamnotawoman，Iamonlyastrumpet，andthatisallthatPrussianswant.\"
Almostbeforeshehadfinishedheslappedherfullintheface;butashewasraisinghishandagain，asiftostrikeher，sheseizedasmalldessertknifewithasilverbladefromthetableand，almostmadwithrage，stabbedhimrightinthehollowofhisneck.Somethingthathewasgoingtosaywascutshortinhisthroat，andhesattherewithhismouthhalfopenandaterriblelookinhiseyes.
Alltheofficersshoutedinhorrorandleapeduptumultuously;but，throwingherchairbetweenthelegsofLieutenantOtto，whofelldownatfulllength，sherantothewindow，openeditbeforetheycouldseizeherandjumpedoutintothenightandthepouringrain.
IntwominutesMademoiselleFifiwasdead，andFritzandOttodrewtheirswordsandwantedtokillthewomen，whothrewthemselvesattheirfeetandclungtotheirknees.Withsomedifficultythemajorstoppedtheslaughterandhadthefourterrifiedgirlslockedupinaroomunderthecareoftwosoldiers，andthenheorganizedthepursuitofthefugitiveascarefullyasifhewereabouttoengageinaskirmish，feelingquitesurethatshewouldbecaught.
Thetable，whichhadbeenclearedimmediately，nowservedasabedonwhichtolayoutthelieutenant，andthefourofficersstoodatthewindows，rigidandsoberedwiththesternfacesofsoldiersonduty，andtriedtopiercethroughthedarknessofthenightamidthesteadytorrentofrain.Suddenlyashotwasheardandthenanother，alongwayoff;andforfourhourstheyheardfromtimetotimenearordistantreportsandrallyingcries，strangewordsofchallenge，utteredingutturalvoices.
Inthemorningtheyallreturned.Twosoldiershadbeenkilledandthreeotherswoundedbytheircomradesintheardorofthatchaseandintheconfusionofthatnocturnalpursuit，buttheyhadnotcaughtRachel.
Thentheinhabitantsofthedistrictwereterrorized，thehouseswereturnedtopsy—turvy，thecountrywasscouredandbeatenup，overandoveragain，buttheJewessdidnotseemtohaveleftasingletraceofherpassagebehindher.
Whenthegeneralwastoldofithegaveorderstohushuptheaffair，soasnottosetabadexampletothearmy，butheseverelycensuredthecommandant，whointurnpunishedhisinferiors.Thegeneralhadsaid：
\"Onedoesnotgotowarinordertoamuseone’sselfandtocaressprostitutes.\"GrafvonFarlsberg，inhisexasperation，madeuphismindtohavehisrevengeonthedistrict，butasherequiredapretextforshowingseverity，hesentforthepriestandorderedhimtohavethebelltolledatthefuneralofBaronvonEyrick.
Contrarytoallexpectation，thepriestshowedhimselfhumbleandmostrespectful，andwhenMademoiselleFifi’sbodylefttheChateaud’Uvilleonitswaytothecemetery，carriedbysoldiers，preceded，surroundedandfollowedbysoldierswhomarchedwithloadedrifles，forthefirsttimethebellsoundeditsfuneralknellinalivelymanner，asifafriendlyhandwerecaressingit.Atnightitrangagain，andthenextday，andeveryday;itrangasmuchasanyonecoulddesire.Sometimesevenitwouldstartatnightandsoundgentlythroughthedarkness，seizedwithastrangejoy，awakenedonecouldnottellwhy.Allthepeasantsintheneighborhooddeclaredthatitwasbewitched，andnobodyexceptthepriestandthesacristanwouldnowgonearthechurchtower.Andtheywentbecauseapoorgirlwaslivingthereingriefandsolitudeandprovidedforsecretlybythosetwomen.
SheremainedthereuntiltheGermantroopsdeparted，andthenoneeveningthepriestborrowedthebaker’scartandhimselfdrovehisprisonertoRouen.Whentheygotthereheembracedher，andshequicklywentbackonfoottotheestablishmentfromwhichshehadcome，wheretheproprietress，whothoughtthatshewasdead，wasverygladtoseeher.
Ashorttimeafterwardapatriotwhohadnoprejudices，andwholikedherbecauseofherbolddeed，andwhoafterwardlovedherforherself，marriedherandmadeheraladyquiteasgoodasmanyothers.
ADUEL
Thewarwasover.TheGermansoccupiedFrance.Thewholecountrywaspulsatinglikeaconqueredwrestlerbeneaththekneeofhisvictoriousopponent.
ThefirsttrainsfromParis，distracted，starving，despairingParis，weremakingtheirwaytothenewfrontiers，slowlypassingthroughthecountrydistrictsandthevillages.Thepassengersgazedthroughthewindowsattheravagedfieldsandburnedhamlets.Prussiansoldiers，intheirblackhelmetswithbrassspikes，weresmokingtheirpipesastridetheirchairsinfrontofthehouseswhichwerestillleftstanding.Otherswereworkingortalkingjustasiftheyweremembersofthefamilies.Asyoupassedthroughthedifferenttownsyousawentireregimentsdrillinginthesquares，and，inspiteoftherumbleofthecarriage—wheels，youcouldeverymomenthearthehoarsewordsofcommand.
M.Dubuis，whoduringtheentiresiegehadservedasoneoftheNationalGuardinParis，wasgoingtojoinhiswifeanddaughter，whomhehadprudentlysentawaytoSwitzerlandbeforetheinvasion.
Famineandhardshiphadnotdiminishedhisbigpaunchsocharacteristicoftherich，peace—lovingmerchant.Hehadgonethroughtheterribleeventsofthepastyearwithsorrowfulresignationandbittercomplaintsatthesavageryofmen.Nowthathewasjourneyingtothefrontieratthecloseofthewar，hesawthePrussiansforthefirsttime，althoughhehaddonehisdutyontherampartsandmountedguardonmanyacoldnight.
Hestaredwithmingledfearandangeratthosebeardedarmedmen，installedalloverFrenchsoilasiftheywereathome，andhefeltinhissoulakindoffeverofimpotentpatriotism，atthesametimealsothegreatneedofthatnewinstinctofprudencewhichsincethenhas，neverleftus.InthesamerailwaycarriageweretwoEnglishmen，whohadcometothecountryassightseersandweregazingaboutthemwithlooksofquietcuriosity.Theywerebothalsostout，andkeptchattingintheirownlanguage，sometimesreferringtotheirguidebook，andreadingaloudthenamesoftheplacesindicated.
Suddenlythetrainstoppedatalittlevillagestation，andaPrussianofficerjumpedupwithagreatclatterofhissabreonthedoublefootboardoftherailwaycarriage.Hewastall，woreatightfittinguniform，andhadwhiskersuptohiseyes.Hisredhairseemedtobeonfire，andhislongmustache，ofapalerhue，stuckoutonbothsidesofhisface，whichitseemedtocutintwo.
TheEnglishmenatoncebeganstaring，athimwithsmilesofnewlyawakenedinterest，whileM.Dubuismadeashowofreadinganewspaper.
Hesatconcealedinhiscornerlikeathiefinpresenceofagendarme.
Thetrainstartedagain.TheEnglishmenwentonchattingandlookingoutfortheexactsceneofdifferentbattles;andallofasudden，asoneofthemstretchedouthisarmtowardthehorizonashepointedoutavillage，thePrussianofficerremarkedinFrench，extendinghislonglegsandlollingbackward：
\"IkilledadozenFrenchmeninthatvillageandtookmorethanahundredprisoners.\"
TheEnglishmen，quiteinterested，immediatelyasked：
\"Ha！andwhatisthenameofthisvillage？\"
ThePrussianreplied：
\"Pharsbourg.\"Headded：\"WecaughtthoseFrenchscoundrelsbytheears.\"
AndheglancedtowardM.Dubuis，laughingconceitedlyintohismustache.
Thetrainrolledon，stillpassingthroughhamletsoccupiedbythevictoriousarmy.Germansoldierscouldbeseenalongtheroads，ontheedgesoffields，standinginfrontofgatesorchattingoutsidecafes.
TheycoveredthesoillikeAfricanlocusts.
Theofficersaid，withawaveofhishand：
\"IfIhadbeenincommand，I’dhavetakenParis，burnedeverything，killedeverybody.NomoreFrance！\"
TheEnglishman，throughpoliteness，repliedsimply：
\"Ah！yes.\"
Hewenton：
\"IntwentyyearsallEurope，allofit，willbelongtous.Prussiaismorethanamatchforallofthem.\"
TheEnglishmen，gettinguneasy，nolongerreplied.Theirfaces，whichhadbecomeimpassive，seemedmadeofwaxbehindtheirlongwhiskers.
ThenthePrussianofficerbegantolaugh.Andstill，lollingback，hebegantosneer.HesneeredatthedownfallofFrance，insultedtheprostrateenemy;hesneeredatAustria，whichhadbeenrecentlyconquered;hesneeredatthevaliantbutfruitlessdefenceofthedepartments;hesneeredattheGardeMobileandattheuselessartillery.
HeannouncedthatBismarckwasgoingtobuildacityofironwiththecapturedcannon.AndsuddenlyheplacedhisbootsagainstthethighofM.Dubuis，whoturnedawayhiseyes，reddeningtotherootsofhishair.
TheEnglishmenseemedtohavebecomeindifferenttoallthatwasgoingon，asiftheyweresuddenlyshutupintheirownisland，farfromthedinoftheworld.
Theofficertookouthispipe，andlookingfixedlyattheFrenchman，said：
\"Youhaven’tanytobacco——haveyou？\"
M.Dubuisreplied：
\"No，monsieur.\"
TheGermanresumed：
\"Youmightgoandbuysomeformewhenthetrainstops.\"
Andhebeganlaughingafreshasheadded：
\"I’llgiveyouthepriceofadrink.\"
Thetrainwhistled，andslackeneditspace.Theypassedastationthathadbeenburneddown;andthentheystoppedaltogether.
TheGermanopenedthecarriagedoor，and，catchingM.Dubuisbythearm，said：
\"GoanddowhatItoldyou——quick，quick！\"
APrussiandetachmentoccupiedthestation.Othersoldierswerestandingbehindwoodengratings，lookingon.Theenginewasgettingupsteambeforestartingoffagain.ThenM.Dubuishurriedlyjumpedontheplatform，and，inspiteofthewarningsofthestationmaster，dashedintotheadjoiningcompartment.
Hewasalone！Hetoreopenhiswaistcoat，hisheartwasbeatingsorapidly，and，gaspingforbreath，hewipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead.
Thetraindrewupatanotherstation.Andsuddenlytheofficerappearedatthecarriagedoorandjumpedin，followedclosebehindbythetwoEnglishmen，whowereimpelledbycuriosity.TheGermansatfacingtheFrenchman，and，laughingstill，said：
\"YoudidnotwanttodowhatIaskedyou？\"
M.Dubuisreplied：
\"No，monsieur.\"
Thetrainhadjustleftthestation.
Theofficersaid：
\"I’llcutoffyourmustachetofillmypipewith.\"
AndheputouthishandtowardtheFrenchman’sface.
TheEnglishmenstaredatthem，retainingtheirpreviousimpassivemanner.
TheGermanhadalreadypulledoutafewhairs，andwasstilltuggingatthemustache，whenM.Dubuis，withabackstrokeofhishand，flungasidetheofficer’sarm，and，seizinghimbythecollar，threwhimdownontheseat.Then，excitedtoapitchoffury，histemplesswollenandhiseyesglaring，hekeptthrottlingtheofficerwithonehand，whilewiththeotherclenchedhebegantostrikehimviolentblowsintheface.ThePrussianstruggled，triedtodrawhissword，toclinchwithhisadversary，whowasontopofhim.ButM.Dubuiscrushedhimwithhisenormousweightandkeptpunchinghimwithouttakingbreathorknowingwherehisblowsfell.BloodfloweddownthefaceoftheGerman，who，chokingandwitharattlinginhisthroat，spatouthisbrokenteethandvainlystrovetoshakeoffthisinfuriatedmanwhowaskillinghim.
TheEnglishmenhadgotontheirfeetandcamecloserinordertoseebetter.Theyremainedstanding，fullofmirthandcuriosity，readytobetfor，oragainst，eithercombatant.
SuddenlyM.Dubuis，exhaustedbyhisviolentefforts，roseandresumedhisseatwithoututteringaword.
ThePrussiandidnotattackhim，forthesavageassaulthadterrifiedandastonishedtheofficeraswellascausinghimsuffering.Whenhewasabletobreathefreely，hesaid：
\"UnlessyougivemesatisfactionwithpistolsIwillkillyou.\"
M.Dubuisreplied：
\"Wheneveryoulike.I’mquiteready.\"
TheGermansaid：
\"HereisthetownofStrasbourg.I’llgettwoofficerstobemyseconds，andtherewillbetimebeforethetrainleavesthestation.\"
M.Dubuis，whowaspuffingashardastheengine，saidtotheEnglishmen：
\"Willyoubemyseconds？\"Theybothansweredtogether：
\"Oh，yes！\"
Andthetrainstopped.
InaminutethePrussianhadfoundtwocomrades，whobroughtpistols，andtheymadetheirwaytowardtheramparts.
TheEnglishmenwerecontinuallylookingattheirwatches，shufflingtheirfeetandhurryingonwiththepreparations，uneasylesttheyshouldbetoolateforthetrain.
M.Dubuishadneverfiredapistolinhislife.
Theymadehimstandtwentypacesawayfromhisenemy.Hewasasked：
\"Areyouready？\"
Whilehewasanswering，\"Yes，monsieur，\"henoticedthatoneoftheEnglishmenhadopenedhisumbrellainordertokeepofftheraysofthesun.
Avoicegavethesignal：
\"Fire！\"
M.Dubuisfiredatrandomwithoutdelay，andhewasamazedtoseethePrussianoppositehimstagger，liftuphisarmsandfallforward，dead.
Hehadkilledtheofficer.
OneoftheEnglishmenexclaimed：\"Ah！\"Hewasquiveringwithdelight，withsatisfiedcuriosityandjoyousimpatience.Theother，whostillkepthiswatchinhishand，seizedM.Dubuis’armandhurriedhimindouble—quicktimetowardthestation，hisfellow—countrymanmarkingtimeasheranbesidethem，withclosedfists，hiselbowsathissides，\"One，two;one，two！\"
Andallthree，runningabreastrapidly，madetheirwaytothestationlikethreegrotesquefiguresinacomicnewspaper.
Thetrainwasonthepointofstarting.Theysprangintotheircarriage.
ThentheEnglishmen，takingofftheirtravellingcaps，wavedthemthreetimesovertheirheads，exclaiming：
\"Hip！hip！hip！hurrah！\"
Andgravely，oneaftertheother，theyextendedtheirrighthandstoM.
Dubuisandthenwentbackandsatdownintheirowncorner.
EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.2.
ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEII.
THECOLONEL’SIDEAS
MOTHERSAUVAGE
EPIPHANY
THEMUSTACHE
MADAMEBAPTISTE
THEQUESTIONOFLATIN
AMEETING
THEBLINDMAN
INDISCRETION
AFAMILYAFFAIR
BESIDESCHOPENHAUER’SCORPSE
THECOLONEL’SIDEAS
\"Uponmyword，\"saidColonelLaporte，\"althoughIamoldandgouty，mylegsasstiffastwopiecesofwood，yetifaprettywomanweretotellmetogothroughtheeyeofaneedle，IbelieveIshouldtakeajumpatit，likeaclownthroughahoop.Ishalldielikethat;itisintheblood.Iamanoldbeau，oneoftheoldschool，andthesightofawoman，aprettywoman，stirsmetothetipsofmytoes.There！
\"WeareallverymuchalikeinFranceinthisrespect;westillremainknights，knightsofloveandfortune，sinceGodhasbeenabolishedwhosebodyguardwereallywere.Butnobodycanevergetwomanoutofourhearts;theresheis，andthereshewillremain，andweloveher，andshallcontinuetoloveher，andgooncommittingallkindsoffolliesonheraccountaslongasthereisaFranceonthemapofEurope;andevenifFranceweretobewipedoffthemap，therewouldalwaysbeFrenchmenleft.
\"WhenIaminthepresenceofawoman，ofaprettywoman，Ifeelcapableofanything.ByJove！whenIfeelherlookspenetratingme，herconfoundedlookswhichsetyourbloodonfire，IshouldliketodoI
don’tknowwhat;tofightaduel，tohavearow，tosmashthefurniture，inordertoshowthatIamthestrongest，thebravest，themostdaringandthemostdevotedofmen.
\"ButIamnottheonlyone，certainlynot;thewholeFrencharmyislikeme，Isweartoyou.Fromthecommonsoldiertothegeneral，weallstartout，fromthevantotherearguard，whenthereisawomaninthecase，aprettywoman.DoyourememberwhatJoanofArcmadeusdoformerly？
Come.IwillmakeabetthatifaprettywomanhadtakencommandofthearmyontheeveofSedan，whenMarshalMacMahonwaswounded，weshouldhavebrokenthroughthePrussianlines，byJove！andhadadrinkoutoftheirguns.
\"ItwasnotaTrochu，butaSainte—Genevieve，whowasneededinParis;
andIrememberalittleanecdoteofthewarwhichprovesthatwearecapableofeverythinginpresenceofawoman.
\"Iwasacaptain，asimplecaptain，atthetime，andIwasincommandofadetachmentofscouts，whowereretreatingthroughadistrictwhichswarmedwithPrussians.Weweresurrounded，pursued，tiredoutandhalfdeadwithfatigueandhunger，butwewereboundtoreachBar—sur—Tainbeforethemorrow，otherwiseweshouldbeshot，cutdown，massacred.I
donotknowhowwemanagedtoescapesofar.However，wehadtenleaguestogoduringthenight，tenleaguesthroughthenight，tenleaguesthroughthesnow，andwithemptystomachs，andIthoughttomyself：
\"’Itisallover;mypoordevilsoffellowswillneverbeabletodoit.’
\"Wehadeatennothingsincethedaybefore，andthewholedaylongweremainedhiddeninabarn，huddledclosetogether，soasnottofeelthecoldsomuch，unabletospeakorevenmove，andsleepingbyfitsandstarts，asonedoeswhenwornoutwithfatigue.
\"Itwasdarkbyfiveo’clock，thatwandarknessofthesnow，andIshookmymen.Someofthemwouldnotgetup;theywerealmostincapableofmovingorofstandingupright;theirjointswerestifffromcoldandhunger.
\"Beforeustherewasalargeexpanseofflat，barecountry;thesnowwasstillfallinglikeacurtain，inlarge，whiteflakes，whichconcealedeverythingunderathick，frozencoverlet，acoverletoffrozenwoolOnemighthavethoughtthatitwastheendoftheworld.
\"’Come，mylads，letusstart.’
\"Theylookedatthethickwhiteflakesthatwerecomingdown，andtheyseemedtothink：’Wehavehadenoughofthis;wemayjustaswelldiehere！’ThenItookoutmyrevolverandsaid：
\"’Iwillshootthefirstmanwhoflinches.’Andsotheysetoff，butveryslowly，likemenwhoselegswereofverylittleusetothem，andIsentfourofthemthreehundredyardsaheadtoscout，andtheothersfollowedpell—mell，walkingatrandomandwithoutanyorder.Iputthestrongestintherear，withorderstoquickenthepaceofthesluggardswiththepointsoftheirbayonetsintheback.
\"Thesnowseemedasifitweregoingtoburyusalive;itpowderedourkepisandcloakswithoutmelting，andmadephantomsofus，akindofspectresofdead，wearysoldiers.Isaidtomyself：’Weshallnevergetoutofthisexceptbya，miracle.’
\"Sometimeswehadtostopforafewminutes，onaccountofthosewhocouldnotfollowus，andthenweheardnothingexceptthefallingsnow，thatvague，almostundiscerniblesoundmadebythefallingflakes.Someofthemenshookthemselves，othersdidnotmove，andsoIgavetheordertosetoffagain.Theyshoulderedtheirrifles，andwithwearyfeetweresumedourmarch，whensuddenlythescoutsfellback.Somethinghadalarmedthem;theyhadheardvoicesinfrontofthem.Isentforwardsixmenandasergeantandwaited.
\"Allatonceashrillcry，awoman’scry，piercedthroughtheheavysilenceofthesnow，andinafewminutestheybroughtbacktwoprisoners，anoldmanandagirl，whomIquestionedinalowvoice.TheywereescapingfromthePrussians，whohadoccupiedtheirhouseduringtheeveningandhadgotdrunk.Thefatherwasalarmedonhisdaughter’saccount，and，withouteventellingtheirservants，theyhadmadetheirescapeinthedarkness.Isawimmediatelythattheybelongedtothebetterclass.Iinvitedthemtoaccompanyus，andwestartedoffagain，theoldmanwhoknewtheroadactingasourguide.
\"Ithadceasedsnowing，thestarsappearedandthecoldbecameintense.
Thegirl，whowasleaningonherfather’sarm，walkedunsteadilyasthoughinpain，andseveraltimesshemurmured：
\"’Ihavenofeelingatallinmyfeet’;andIsufferedmorethanshedidtoseethatpoorlittlewomandraggingherselflikethatthroughthesnow.Butsuddenlyshestoppedandsaid：
\"’Father，IamsotiredthatIcannotgoanyfurther.’
\"Theoldmanwantedtocarryher，buthecouldnotevenliftherup，andshesanktothegroundwithadeepsigh.Weallgatheredroundher，and，asforme，Istampedmyfootinperplexity，notknowingwhattodo，andbeingunwillingtoabandonthatmanandgirllikethat，whensuddenlyoneofthesoldiers，aParisianwhomtheyhadnicknamedPratique，said：
\"’Come，comrades，wemustcarrytheyounglady，otherwiseweshallnotshowourselvesFrenchmen，confoundit！’
\"IreallybelievethatIsworewithpleasure.’Thatisverygoodofyou，mychildren，’Isaid;’andIwilltakemyshareoftheburden.’
\"Wecouldindistinctlysee，throughthedarkness，thetreesofalittlewoodontheleft.Severalofthemenwentintoit，andsooncamebackwithabundleofbranchesmadeintoalitter.
\"’Whowilllendhiscape？Itisforaprettygirl，comrades，’Pratiquesaid，andtencloakswerethrowntohim.Inamomentthegirlwaslying，warmandcomfortable，amongthem，andwasraiseduponsixshoulders.I
placedmyselfattheirhead，ontheright，wellpleasedwithmyposition.
\"Westartedoffmuchmorebriskly，asifwehadhadadrinkofwine，andIevenheardsomejokes.AwomanisquiteenoughtoelectrifyFrenchmen，yousee.Thesoldiers，whohadbecomecheerfulandwarm，hadalmostreformedtheirranks，andanold’franc—tireur’whowasfollowingthelitter，waitingforhisturntoreplacethefirstofhiscomradeswhomightgiveout，saidtooneofhisneighbors，loudenoughformetohear：
\"’Iamnotayoungmannow，butby———，thereisnothinglikethewomentoputcourageintoyou！’
\"Wewenton，almostwithoutstopping，untilthreeo’clockinthemorning，whensuddenlyourscoutsfellbackoncemore，andsoonthewholedetachmentshowednothingbutavagueshadowontheground，asthemenlayonthesnow.Igavemyordersinalowvoice，andheardtheharsh，metallicsoundofthecocking，ofrifles.Forthere，inthemiddleoftheplain，somestrangeobjectwasmovingabout.Itlookedlikesomeenormousanimalrunningabout，nowstretchingoutlikeaserpent，nowcoilingitselfintoaball，dartingtotheright，thentotheleft，thenstopping，andpresentlystartingoffagain.Butpresentlythatwanderingshapecamenearer，andIsawadozenlancersatfullgallop，onebehindtheother.Theyhadlosttheirwayandweretryingtofindit.
\"TheyweresonearbythattimethatIcouldheartheloudbreathingoftheirhorses，theclinkingoftheirswordsandthecreakingoftheirsaddles，andcried：’Fire！’
\"Fiftyrifleshotsbrokethestillnessofthenight，thentherewerefourorfivereports，andatlastonesingleshotwasheard，andwhenthesmokehadclearedaway，wesawthatthetwelvemenandninehorseshadfallen.Threeoftheanimalsweregallopingawayatafuriouspace，andoneofthemwasdraggingthedeadbodyofitsrider，whichreboundedviolentlyfromtheground;hisfoothadcaughtinthestirrup.
\"Oneofthesoldiersbehindmegaveaterriblelaughandsaid：’Therewillbesomewidowsthere！’
\"Perhapshewasmarried.Athirdadded：’Itdidnottakelong！’
\"Aheademergedfromthelitter.
\"’Whatisthematter？’sheasked;’areyoufighting？’
\"’Itisnothing，mademoiselle，’Ireplied;’wehavegotridofadozenPrussians！’
\"’Poorfellows！’shesaid.Butasshewascold，shequicklydisappearedbeneaththecloaksagain，andwestartedoffoncemore.Wemarchedonforalongtime，andatlasttheskybegantogrowlighter.Thesnowbecamequiteclear，luminousandglistening，andarosytintappearedintheeast.Suddenlyavoiceinthedistancecried：
\"’Whogoesthere？’
\"Thewholedetachmenthalted，andIadvancedtogivethecountersign.
WehadreachedtheFrenchlines，and，asmymendefiledbeforetheoutpost，acommandantonhorseback，whomIhadinformedofwhathadtakenplace，askedinasonorousvoice，ashesawthelitterpasshim：’Whathaveyouinthere？’
\"Andimmediatelyasmallheadcoveredwithlighthairappeared，dishevelledandsmiling，andreplied：
\"’ItisI，monsieur.’
\"Atthisthemenraisedaheartylaugh，andwefeltquitelight—hearted，whilePratique，whowaswalkingbythesideofthelitter，wavedhiskepiandshouted：
\"’VivelaFrance！’AndIfeltreallyaffected.Idonotknowwhy，exceptthatIthoughtitaprettyandgallantthingtosay.
\"ItseemedtomeasifwehadjustsavedthewholeofFranceandhaddonesomethingthatothermencouldnothavedone，somethingsimpleandreallypatriotic.Ishallneverforgetthatlittleface，youmaybesure;andifIhadtogivemyopinionaboutabolishingdrums，trumpetsandbugles，Ishouldproposetoreplacethemineveryregimentbyaprettygirl，andthatwouldbeevenbetterthanplayingthe’Marseillaise：ByJove！itwouldputsomespiritintoatroopertohaveaMadonnalikethat，aliveMadonna，bythecolonel’sside.\"
Hewassilentforafewmomentsandthencontinued，withanairofconviction，andnoddinghishead：
\"Allthesame，weareveryfondofwomen，weFrenchmen！\"
MOTHERSAUVAGE
FifteenyearshadpassedsinceIwasatVirelogne.IreturnedthereintheautumntoshootwithmyfriendServal，whohadatlastrebuilthischateau，whichthePrussianshaddestroyed.
Ilovedthatdistrict.Itisoneofthosedelightfulspotswhichhaveasensuouscharmfortheeyes.Youloveitwithaphysicallove.We，whomthecountryenchants，keeptendermemoriesofcertainsprings，certainwoods，certainpools，certainhillsseenveryoftenwhichhavestirreduslikejoyfulevents.Sometimesourthoughtsturnbacktoacornerinaforest，ortheendofabank，oranorchardfilledwithflowers，seenbutasingletimeonsomebrightday，yetremaininginourheartsliketheimageofcertainwomenmetinthestreetonaspringmorningintheirlight，gauzydresses，leavinginsoulandbodyanunsatisfieddesirewhichisnottobeforgotten，afeelingthatyouhavejustpassedbyhappiness.
AtVirelogneIlovedthewholecountryside，dottedwithlittlewoodsandcrossedbybrookswhichsparkledinthesunandlookedlikeveinscarryingbloodtotheearth.Youfishedinthemforcrawfish，troutandeels.Divinehappiness！Youcouldbatheinplacesandyouoftenfoundsnipeamongthehighgrasswhichgrewalongthebordersofthesesmallwatercourses.
Iwassteppingalonglightasagoat，watchingmytwodogsrunningaheadofme，Serval，ahundredmetrestomyright，wasbeatingafieldoflucerne.IturnedroundbythethicketwhichformstheboundaryofthewoodofSandresandIsawacottageinruins.
SuddenlyIremembereditasIhadseenitthelasttime，in1869，neat，coveredwithvines，withchickensbeforethedoor.Whatissadderthanadeadhouse，withitsskeletonstandingbareandsinister？
Ialsorecalledthatinsideitsdoors，afteraverytiringday，thegoodwomanhadgivenmeaglassofwinetodrinkandthatServalhadtoldmethehistoryofitspeople.Thefather，anoldpoacher，hadbeenkilledbythegendarmes.Theson，whomIhadonceseen，wasatall，dryfellowwhoalsopassedforafierceslayerofgame.Peoplecalledthem\"LesSauvage.\"
Wasthatanameoranickname？
IcalledtoServal.Hecameupwithhislongstrideslikeacrane.
Iaskedhim：
\"What’sbecomeofthosepeople？\"
Thiswashisstory：
WhenwarwasdeclaredthesonSauvage，whowasthenthirty—threeyearsold，enlisted，leavinghismotheraloneinthehouse.Peopledidnotpitytheoldwomanverymuchbecauseshehadmoney;theyknewit.
Sheremainedentirelyaloneinthatisolateddwelling，sofarfromthevillage，ontheedgeofthewood.Shewasnotafraid，however，beingofthesamestrainasthemenfolk——ahardyoldwoman，tallandthin，whoseldomlaughedandwithwhomoneneverjested.Thewomenofthefieldslaughbutlittleinanycase，thatismen’sbusiness.Buttheythemselveshavesadandnarrowedhearts，leadingamelancholy，gloomylife.Thepeasantsimbibealittlenoisymerrimentatthetavern，buttheirhelpmatesalwayshavegrave，sterncountenances.Themusclesoftheirfaceshaveneverlearnedthemotionsoflaughter.
MotherSauvagecontinuedherordinaryexistenceinhercottage，whichwassooncoveredbythesnows.Shecametothevillageonceaweektogetbreadandalittlemeat.Thenshereturnedtoherhouse.Astherewastalkofwolves，shewentoutwithagunuponhershoulder——herson’sgun，rustyandwiththebuttwornbytherubbingofthehand——andshewasastrangesight，thetall\"Sauvage，\"alittlebent，goingwithslowstridesoverthesnow，themuzzleofthepieceextendingbeyondtheblackheaddress，whichconfinedherheadandimprisonedherwhitehair，whichnoonehadeverseen.
OnedayaPrussianforcearrived.Itwasbilletedupontheinhabitants，accordingtothepropertyandresourcesofeach.Fourwereallottedtotheoldwoman，whowasknowntoberich.
Theywerefourgreatfellowswithfaircomplexion，blondbeardsandblueeyes，whohadnotgrownthininspiteofthefatiguewhichtheyhadenduredalreadyandwhoalso，thoughinaconqueredcountry，hadremainedkindandgentle.Alonewiththisagedwoman，theyshowedthemselvesfullofconsideration，sparingher，asmuchastheycould，allexpenseandfatigue.Theycouldbeseen，allfourofthem，makingtheirtoiletatthewellintheirshirt—sleevesinthegraydawn，splashingwithgreatswishesofwatertheirpink—whitenorthernskin，whileLaMereSauvagewentandcame，preparingtheirsoup.Theywouldbeseencleaningthekitchen，rubbingthetiles，splittingwood，peelingpotatoes，doingupallthehouseworklikefourgoodsonsaroundtheirmother.
Buttheoldwomanthoughtalwaysofherownson，sotallandthin，withhishookednoseandhisbrowneyesandhisheavymustachewhichmadearollofblackhairuponhislip.Sheaskedeverydayofeachofthesoldierswhowereinstalledbesideherhearth：\"DoyouknowwheretheFrenchmarchingregiment，No.23，wassent？Myboyisinit.\"
Theyinvariablyanswered，\"No，wedon’tknow，don’tknowathingatall.\"
And，understandingherpainandheruneasiness——theywhohadmothers，too，thereathome——theyrenderedherathousandlittleservices.Shelovedthemwell，moreover，herfourenemies，sincethepeasantryhavenopatriotichatred;thatbelongstotheupperclassalone.Thehumble，thosewhopaythemostbecausetheyarepoorandbecauseeverynewburdencrushesthemdown;thosewhoarekilledinmasses，whomakethetruecannon’spreybecausetheyaresomany;those，infine，whosuffermostcruellytheatrociousmiseriesofwarbecausetheyarethefeeblestandofferleastresistance——theyhardlyunderstandatallthosebellicoseardors，thatexcitablesenseofhonororthosepretendedpoliticalcombinationswhichinsixmonthsexhausttwonations，theconquerorwiththeconquered.
Theysaidinthedistrict，inspeakingoftheGermansofLaMereSauvage：
\"Therearefourwhohavefoundasoftplace.\"
Now，onemorning，whentheoldwomanwasaloneinthehouse，sheobserved，faroffontheplain，amancomingtowardherdwelling.
Soonsherecognizedhim;itwasthepostmantodistributetheletters.
Hegaveherafoldedpaperandshedrewoutofhercasethespectacleswhichsheusedforsewing.Thensheread：
MADAMESAUVAGE：Thisletteristotellyousadnews.YourboyVictorwaskilledyesterdaybyashellwhichalmostcuthimintwo.
Iwasnearby，aswestoodnexteachotherinthecompany，andhetoldmeaboutyouandaskedmetoletyouknowonthesamedayifanythinghappenedtohim.
Itookhiswatch，whichwasinhispocket，tobringitbacktoyouwhenthewarisdone.
CESAIRERIVOT，Soldierofthe2dclass，March.Reg.No.23.
Theletterwasdatedthreeweeksback.
Shedidnotcryatall.Sheremainedmotionless，soovercomeandstupefiedthatshedidnotevensufferasyet.Shethought：\"There’sVictorkillednow.\"Thenlittlebylittlethetearscametohereyesandthesorrowfilledherheart.Herthoughtscame，onebyone，dreadful，torturing.Shewouldneverkisshimagain，herchild，herbigboy，neveragain！Thegendarmeshadkilledthefather，thePrussianshadkilledtheson.Hehadbeencutintwobyacannon—ball.Sheseemedtoseethething，thehorriblething：theheadfalling，theeyesopen，whilehechewedthecornerofhisbigmustacheashealwaysdidinmomentsofanger.
Whathadtheydonewithhisbodyafterward？Iftheyhadonlyletherhaveherboybackastheyhadbroughtbackherhusband——withthebulletinthemiddleoftheforehead！
Butsheheardanoiseofvoices.ItwasthePrussiansreturningfromthevillage.Shehidherletterveryquicklyinherpocket，andshereceivedthemquietly，withherordinaryface，havinghadtimetowipehereyes.
Theywerelaughing，allfour，delighted，fortheybroughtwiththemafinerabbit——stolen，doubtless——andtheymadesignstotheoldwomanthattherewastobesomethinggoodtoeast.
Shesetherselftoworkatoncetopreparebreakfast，butwhenitcametokillingtherabbit，herheartfailedher.Andyetitwasnotthefirst.
Oneofthesoldiersstruckitdownwithablowofhisfistbehindtheears.
Thebeastoncedead，sheskinnedtheredbody，butthesightofthebloodwhichshewastouching，andwhichcoveredherhands，andwhichshefeltcoolingandcoagulating，madehertremblefromheadtofoot，andshekeptseeingherbigboycutintwo，bloody，likethisstillpalpitatinganimal.
ShesatdownattablewiththePrussians，butshecouldnoteat，notevenamouthful.Theydevouredtherabbitwithoutbotheringthemselvesabouther.Shelookedatthemsideways，withoutspeaking，herfacesoimpassivethattheyperceivednothing.
Allofasuddenshesaid：\"Idon’tevenknowyournames，andhere’sawholemonththatwe’vebeentogether.\"Theyunderstood，notwithoutdifficulty，whatshewanted，andtoldtheirnames.
Thatwasnotsufficient;shehadthemwrittenforheronapaper，withtheaddressesoftheirfamilies，and，restingherspectaclesonhergreatnose，shecontemplatedthatstrangehandwriting，thenfoldedthesheetandputitinherpocket，ontopoftheletterwhichtoldherofthedeathofherson.
Whenthemealwasendedshesaidtothemen：
\"Iamgoingtoworkforyou.\"
Andshebegantocarryuphayintotheloftwheretheyslept.
Theywereastonishedathertakingallthistrouble;sheexplainedtothemthatthustheywouldnotbesocold;andtheyhelpedher.Theyheapedthestacksofhayashighasthestrawroof，andinthatmannertheymadeasortofgreatchamberwithfourwallsoffodder，warmandperfumed，wheretheyshouldsleepsplendidly.
AtdinneroneofthemwasworriedtoseethatLaMereSauvagestillatenothing.Shetoldhimthatshehadpainsinherstomach.Thenshekindledagoodfiretowarmherself，andthefourGermansascendedtotheirlodging—placebytheladderwhichservedthemeverynightforthispurpose.
Assoonastheyclosedthetrapdoortheoldwomanremovedtheladder，thenopenedtheoutsidedoornoiselesslyandwentbacktolookformorebundlesofstraw，withwhichshefilledherkitchen.Shewentbarefootinthesnow，sosoftlythatnosoundwasheard.Fromtimetotimeshelistenedtothesonorousandunequalsnoringofthefoursoldierswhowerefastasleep.
Whenshejudgedherpreparationstobesufficient，shethrewoneofthebundlesintothefireplace，andwhenitwasalightshescattereditoveralltheothers.Thenshewentoutsideagainandlooked.
Inafewsecondsthewholeinteriorofthecottagewasilluminedwithabrilliantlightandbecameafrightfulbrasier，agiganticfieryfurnace，whoseglarestreamedoutofthenarrowwindowandthrewaglitteringbeamuponthesnow.
Thenagreatcryissuedfromthetopofthehouse;itwasaclamorofmenshoutingheartrendingcallsofanguishandofterror.Finallythetrapdoorhavinggivenway，awhirlwindoffireshotupintotheloft，piercedthestrawroof，rosetotheskyliketheimmenseflameofatorch，andallthecottageflared.
Nothingmorewasheardthereinbutthecracklingofthefire，thecrackingofthewalls，thefallingoftherafters.Suddenlytherooffellinandtheburningcarcassofthedwellinghurledagreatplumeofsparksintotheair，amidacloudofsmoke.
Thecountry，allwhite，litupbythefire，shonelikeaclothofsilvertintedwithred.
Abell，faroff，begantotoll.