ButIsoonperceivedthatshehadchangedsomewhatinhermanner，though，forawhile，Ipaidlittleattentiontoit.
\"WhenIwaspainting，whetherinmyvalleyorinsomecountrylane，I
wouldseehersuddenlyappearwithherrapid，springywalk.Shewouldthensitdownabruptly，outofbreath，asthoughshehadbeenrunningorwereovercomebysomeprofoundemotion.Herfacewouldbered，thatEnglishredwhichisdeniedtothepeopleofallothercountries;then，withoutanyreason，shewouldturnashypaleandseemabouttofaintaway.Gradually，however，hernaturalcolorwouldreturnandshewouldbegintospeak.
\"Then，withoutwarning，shewouldbreakoffinthemiddleofasentence，springupfromherseatandwalkawaysorapidlyandsostrangelythatI
wasatmywits’endstodiscoverwhetherIhaddoneorsaidanythingtodispleaseorwoundher.
\"Ifinallycametotheconclusionthatthosewerehernormalmanners，somewhatmodifiednodoubtinmyhonorduringthefirstdaysofouracquaintance.
\"Whenshereturnedtothefarm，afterwalkingforhoursonthewindycoast，herlongcurlsoftenhungstraightdown，asiftheirspringshadbeenbroken.Thishadhithertoseldomgivenheranyconcern，andshewouldcometodinnerwithoutembarrassmentalldishevelledbyhersister，thebreeze.
Butnowshewouldgotoherroomandarrangetheuntidylocks，andwhenI
wouldsay，withfamiliargallantry，which，however，alwaysoffendedher\"’Youareasbeautifulasastarto—day，MissHarriet，’ablushwouldimmediatelyrisetohercheeks，theblushofayounggirl，ofagirloffifteen.
\"Thenshewouldsuddenlybecomequitereservedandceasecomingtowatchmepaint.Ithought，’Thisisonlyafitoftemper;itwillblowover.’
Butitdidnotalwaysblowover，andwhenIspoketohershewouldanswermeeitherwithaffectedindifferenceorwithsullenannoyance.
\"Shebecamebyturnsrude，impatientandnervous.Ineversawhernowexceptatmeals，andwespokebutlittle.IconcludedatlengththatI
musthaveoffendedherinsomeway，and，accordingly，Isaidtoheroneevening：
\"’MissHarriet，whyisitthatyoudonotacttowardmeasformerly？
WhathaveIdonetodispleaseyou？Youarecausingmemuchpain！’
\"Sherepliedinamostcomicaltoneofanger：
\"’Iamjustthesamewithyouasformerly.Itisnottrue，nottrue，’
andsheranupstairsandshutherselfupinherroom.
\"Occasionallyshewouldlookatmeinapeculiarmanner.Ihaveoftensaidtomyselfsincethenthatthosewhoarecondemnedtodeathmustlookthuswhentheyareinformedthattheirlastdayhascome.Inhereyetherelurkedaspeciesofinsanity，aninsanityatoncemysticalandviolent;andevenmore，afever，anaggravatedlonging，impatientandimpotent，fortheunattainedandunattainable.
\"Nay，itseemedtometherewasalsogoingonwithinherastruggleinwhichherheartwrestledwithanunknownforcethatshesoughttomaster，andeven，perhaps，somethingelse.ButwhatdoIknow？WhatdoIknow？
\"Itwasindeedasingularrevelation.
\"ForsometimeIhadcommencedtowork，assoonasdaylightappeared，onapicturethesubjectofwhichwasasfollows：
\"Adeepravine，enclosed，surmountedbytwothicketsoftreesandvines，extendedintothedistanceandwaslost，submergedinthatmilkyvapor，inthatcloudlikecottondownthatsometimesfloatsovervalleysatdaybreak.Andattheextremeendofthatheavy，transparentfogonesaw，or，rather，surmised，thatacoupleofhumanbeingswereapproaching，ahumancouple，ayouthandamaiden，theirarmsinterlaced，embracingeachother，theirheadsinclinedtowardeachother，theirlipsmeeting.
\"Afirstrayofthesun，glisteningthroughthebranches，piercedthatfogofthedawn，illuminateditwitharosyreflectionjustbehindtherusticlovers，framingtheirvagueshadowsinasilverybackground.Itwaswelldone;yes，indeed，welldone.
\"IwasworkingonthedeclivitywhichledtotheValleyofEtretat.OnthisparticularmorningIhad，bychance，thesortoffloatingvaporwhichIneeded.Suddenlysomethingroseupinfrontofmelikeaphantom;itwasMissHarriet.Onseeingmeshewasabouttoflee.ButI
calledafterher，saying：’Comehere，comehere，mademoiselle.Ihaveanicelittlepictureforyou.’
\"Shecameforward，thoughwithseemingreluctance.Ihandedhermysketch.Shesaidnothing，butstoodforalongtime，motionless，lookingatit，andsuddenlysheburstintotears.Sheweptspasmodically，likemenwhohavestrivenhardtorestraintheirtears，butwhocandosonolongerandabandonthemselvestogrief，thoughstillresisting.Isprangtomyfeet，movedatthesightofasorrowIdidnotcomprehend，andI
tookherbythehandwithanimpulseofbrusqueaffection，atrueFrenchimpulsewhichactsbeforeitreflects.
\"Sheletherhandsrestinmineforafewseconds，andIfeltthemquiverasifallhernerveswerebeingwrenched.Thenshewithdrewherhandsabruptly，or，rather，snatchedthemaway.
\"Irecognizedthattremor，forIhadfeltit，andIcouldnotbedeceived.Ah！thelovetremorofawoman，whethershebefifteenorfiftyyearsofage，whethershebeofthepeopleorofsociety，goessostraighttomyheartthatIneverhaveanyhesitationinunderstandingit！
\"Herwholefrailbeinghadtrembled，vibrated，beenovercome.Iknewit.
ShewalkedawaybeforeIhadtimetosayaword，leavingmeassurprisedasifIhadwitnessedamiracleandastroubledasifIhadcommittedacrime.
\"Ididnotgointobreakfast.Iwenttotakeaturnontheedgeofthecliff，feelingthatIwouldjustasliefweepaslaugh，lookingontheadventureasbothcomicanddeplorableandmypositionasridiculous，believingherunhappyenoughtogoinsane.
\"IaskedmyselfwhatIoughttodo.Itseemedbestformetoleavetheplace，andIimmediatelyresolvedtodoso.
\"Somewhatsadandperplexed，Iwanderedaboutuntildinnertimeandenteredthefarmhousejustwhenthesouphadbeenservedup.
\"Isatdownatthetableasusual.MissHarrietwasthere，eatingawaysolemnly，withoutspeakingtoanyone，withoutevenliftinghereyes.
Hermannerandexpressionwere，however，thesameasusual.
\"Iwaitedpatientlytillthemealhadbeenfinished，when，turningtowardthelandlady，Isaid：’Well，MadameLecacheur，itwillnotbelongnowbeforeIshallhavetotakemyleaveofyou.’
\"Thegoodwoman，atoncesurprisedandtroubled，repliedinherdrawlingvoice：’Mydearsir，whatisityousay？YouaregoingtoleaveusafterIhavebecomesoaccustomedtoyou？’
\"IglancedatMissHarrietoutofthecornerofmyeye.Hercountenancedidnotchangeintheleast.ButCeleste，thelittleservant，lookedupatme.Shewasafatgirl，ofabouteighteenyearsofage，rosy，fresh，asstrongasahorse，andpossessingtherareattributeofcleanliness.
Ihadkissedheratoddtimesinout—of—the—waycorners，afterthemanneroftravellers——nothingmore.
\"Thedinnerbeingatlengthover，Iwenttosmokemypipeundertheappletrees，walkingupanddownfromoneendoftheenclosuretotheother.
AllthereflectionswhichIhadmadeduringtheday，thestrangediscoveryofthemorning，thatpassionateandgrotesqueattachmentforme，therecollectionswhichthatrevelationhadsuddenlycalledup，recollectionsatoncecharmingandperplexing，perhapsalsothatlookwhichtheservanthadcastonmeattheannouncementofmydeparture——allthesethings，mixedupandcombined，putmenowinarecklesshumor，gavemeaticklingsensationofkissesonthelipsandinmyveinsasomethingwhichurgedmeontocommitsomefolly.
\"Nightwascomingon，castingitsdarkshadowsunderthetrees，whenI
descriedCeleste，whohadgonetofastenupthepoultryyardattheotherendoftheenclosure.Idartedtowardher，runningsonoiselesslythatsheheardnothing，andasshegotupfromclosingthesmalltrapdoorbywhichthechickensgotinandout，Iclaspedherinmyarmsandrainedonhercoarse，fatfaceashowerofkisses.Shestruggled，laughingallthetime，asshewasaccustomedtodoinsuchcircumstances.WhydidI
suddenlyloosemygripofher？WhydidIatonceexperienceashock？
WhatwasitthatIheardbehindme？
\"ItwasMissHarriet，whohadcomeuponus，whohadseenusandwhostoodinfrontofusmotionlessasaspectre.Thenshedisappearedinthedarkness.
\"Iwasashamed，embarrassed，moredesperateathavingbeenthussurprisedbyherthanifshehadcaughtmecommittingsomecriminalact.
\"Isleptbadlythatnight.Iwascompletelyunnervedandhauntedbysadthoughts.Iseemedtohearloudweeping，butinthisIwasnodoubtdeceived.Moreover，IthoughtseveraltimesthatIheardsomeonewalkingupanddowninthehouseandopeningthehalldoor.
\"TowardmorningIwasovercomebyfatigueandfellasleep.Igotuplateanddidnotgodownstairsuntilthelatebreakfast，beingstillinabewilderedstate，notknowingwhatkindofexpressiontoputon.
\"NoonehadseenMissHarriet.Wewaitedforherattable，butshedidnotappear.AtlengthMotherLecacheurwenttoherroom.TheEnglishwomanhadgoneout.Shemusthavesetoutatbreakofday，asshewaswonttodo，inordertoseethesunrise.
\"Nobodyseemedsurprisedatthis，andwebegantoeatinsilence.
\"Theweatherwashot，veryhot，oneofthosebroiling，heavydayswhennotaleafstirs.Thetablehadbeenplacedoutofdoors，underanappletree，andfromtimetotimeSapeurhadgonetothecellartodrawajugofcider，everybodywassothirsty.Celestebroughtthedishesfromthekitchen，aragoutofmuttonwithpotatoes，acoldrabbitandasalad.
Afterwardsheplacedbeforeusadishofstrawberries，thefirstoftheseason.
\"AsIwishedtowashandfreshenthese，Ibeggedtheservanttogoanddrawmeapitcherofcoldwater.
\"Inaboutfiveminutesshereturned，declaringthatthewellwasdry.
Shehadloweredthepitchertothefullextentofthecordandhadtouchedthebottom，butondrawingthepitcherupagainitwasempty.
MotherLecacheur，anxioustoexaminethethingforherself，wentandlookeddownthehole.Shereturned，announcingthatonecouldseeclearlysomethinginthewell，somethingaltogetherunusual.Butthisnodoubtwasbundlesofstraw，whichaneighborhadthrowninoutofspite.
\"Iwishedtolookdownthewellalso，hopingImightbeabletoclearupthemystery，andIperchedmyselfclosetothebrink.Iperceivedindistinctlyawhiteobject.Whatcoulditbe？Ithenconceivedtheideaofloweringalanternattheendofacord.WhenIdidsotheyellowflamedancedonthelayersofstoneandgraduallybecameclearer.
Allfourofuswereleaningovertheopening，SapeurandCelestehavingnowjoinedus.Thelanternrestedonablack—and—whiteindistinctmass，singular，incomprehensible.Sapeurexclaimed：
\"’Itisahorse.Iseethehoofs.Itmusthavegotoutofthemeadowduringthenightandfalleninheadlong.’
\"Butsuddenlyacoldshiverfrozemetothemarrow.Ifirstrecognizedafoot，thenalegstickingup;thewholebodyandtheotherlegwerecompletelyunderwater.
\"Istammeredoutinaloudvoice，tremblingsoviolentlythatthelanterndancedhitherandthitherovertheslipper：
\"’Itisawoman！Who—who—canitbe？ItisMissHarriet！’
\"Sapeuralonedidnotmanifesthorror.HehadwitnessedmanysuchscenesinAfrica.
\"MotherLecacheurandCelestebegantoutterpiercingscreamsandranaway.
\"Butitwasnecessarytorecoverthecorpseofthedeadwoman.I
attachedtheyoungmansecurelybythewaisttotheendofthepulleyropeandloweredhimveryslowly，watchinghimdisappearinthedarkness.
Inonehandheheldthelanternandaropeintheother.SoonI
recognizedhisvoice，whichseemedtocomefromthecentreoftheearth，saying：
’Stop！’
\"Ithensawhimfishsomethingoutofthewater.Itwastheotherleg.
Hethenboundthetwofeettogetherandshoutedanew：
\"’Haulup！’
\"Ibegantowindup，butIfeltmyarmscrack，mymusclestwitch，andI
wasinterrorlestIshouldletthemanfalltothebottom.WhenhisheadappearedatthebrinkIasked：
\"’Well？’asifIexpectedhehadamessagefromthedrownedwoman.
\"Webothgotonthestoneslabattheedgeofthewellandfromoppositesideswebegantohaulupthebody.
\"MotherLecacheurandCelestewatchedusfromadistance，concealedfromviewbehindthewallofthehouse.Whentheysawissuingfromtheholetheblackslippersandwhitestockingsofthedrownedpersontheydisappeared.
\"Sapeurseizedtheankles，andwedrewupthebodyofthepoorwoman.
Theheadwasshockingtolookat，beingbruisedandlacerated，andthelonggrayhair，outofcurlforevermore，hangingdowntangledanddisordered.
\"’Inthenameofallthatisholy！howleansheis，’exclaimedSapeurinacontemptuoustone.
\"Wecarriedherintotheroom，andasthewomendidnotputinanappearanceI，withtheassistanceofthestablelad，dressedthecorpseforburial.
\"Iwashedherdisfiguredface.Underthetouchofmyfingeraneyewasslightlyopenedandregardedmewiththatpale，coldlook，thatterriblelookofacorpsewhichseemstocomefromthebeyond.IbraidedaswellasIcouldherdishevelledhairandwithmyclumsyhandsarrangedonherheadanovelandsingularcoiffure.ThenItookoffherdrippingwetgarments，baring，notwithoutafeelingofshame，asthoughIhadbeenguiltyofsomeprofanation，hershouldersandherchestandherlongarms，asslimasthetwigsofatree.
\"Inextwenttofetchsomeflowers，poppies，bluets，margueritesandfresh，sweet—smellinggrasswithwhichtostrewherfuneralcouch.
\"Ithenhadtogothroughtheusualformalities，asIwasalonetoattendtoeverything.Aletterfoundinherpocket，writtenatthelastmoment，requestedthatherbodybeburiedinthevillageinwhichshehadpassedthelastdaysofherlife.Asadsuspicionweighedonmyheart.Wasitnotonmyaccountthatshewishedtobelaidtorestinthisplace？
\"Towardeveningallthefemalegossipsofthelocalitycametoviewtheremainsofthedefunct，butIwouldnotallowasinglepersontoenter.
Iwantedtobealone，andIwatchedbesideherallnight.
\"Ilookedatthecorpsebytheflickeringlightofthecandles，atthisunhappywoman，unknowntousall，whohaddiedinsuchalamentablemannerandsofarawayfromhome.Hadsheleftnofriends，norelationsbehindher？Whathadherinfancybeen？Whathadbeenherlife？Whencehadshecomethitheralone，awanderer，lostlikeadogdrivenfromhome？
Whatsecretsofsufferingsandofdespairweresealedupinthatunprepossessingbody，inthatpoorbodywhoseoutwardappearancehaddrivenfromherallaffection，alllove？
\"Howmanyunhappybeingsthereare！Ifeltthatthereweigheduponthathumancreaturetheeternalinjusticeofimplacablenature！Itwasalloverwithher，withouthereverhavingexperienced，perhaps，thatwhichsustainsthegreatestoutcaststowit，thehopeofbeinglovedonce！
Otherwisewhyshouldshethushaveconcealedherself，fledfromthefaceofothers？Whydidsheloveeverythingsotenderlyandsopassionately，everythinglivingthatwasnotaman？
\"IrecognizedthefactthatshebelievedinaGod，andthatshehopedtoreceivecompensationfromthelatterforallthemiseriesshehadendured.Shewouldnowdisintegrateandbecome，inturn，aplant.Shewouldblossominthesun，thecattlewouldbrowseonherleaves，thebirdswouldbearawaytheseeds，andthroughthesechangesshewouldbecomeagainhumanflesh.Butthatwhichiscalledthesoulhadbeenextinguishedatthebottomofthedarkwell.Shesufferednolonger.
Shehadgivenherlifeforthatofothersyettocome.
\"Hourspassedawayinthissilentandsinistercommunionwiththedead.
Apalelightatlengthannouncedthedawnofanewday;thenaredraystreamedinonthebed，makingabaroflightacrossthecoverletandacrossherhands.Thiswasthehourshehadsomuchloved.Theawakenedbirdsbegantosinginthetrees.
\"Iopenedthewindowtoitsfullestextentanddrewbackthecurtainsthatthewholeheavensmightlookinuponus，and，bendingovertheicycorpse，Itookinmyhandsthemutilatedheadandslowly，withoutterrorordisgust，Iimprintedakiss，alongkiss，uponthoselipswhichhadneverbeforebeenkissed.\"
LeonChenalremainedsilent.Thewomenwept.WeheardontheboxseattheCountd’Atrailleblowinghisnosefromtimetotime.Thecoachmanalonehadgonetosleep.Thehorses，whonolongerfeltthestingofthewhip，hadslackenedtheirpaceandmovedalongslowly.Thedrag，hardlyadvancingatall，seemedsuddenlytorpid，asifithadbeenfreightedwithsorrow.
[MissHarrietappearedinLeGaulois，July9，1883，underthetitleofMissHastings.Thestorywaslaterrevised，enlarged;andpartlyreconstructed.ThisiswhatDeMaupassantwrotetoEditorHavardMarch15，1884，inanuneditedletter，inregardtothetitleofthestorythatwastogiveitsnametothevolume：
\"IdonotbelievethatHastingsisabadname，inasmuchasitisknownallovertheworld，andrecallsthegreatestfactsinEnglishhistory.Besides，HastingsisasmuchanameasDuvaliswithus.
\"ThenameCherbuliezselected，MissRevel，isnomorelikeanEnglishnamethanlikeaTurkishname.ButhereisanothernameasEnglishasHastings，andmoreeuphonious;itisMissHarriet.
IwillaskyouthereforetosubstituteHarrietforHastings.\"
ItwasinregardtothisverytittlethatDeMaupassanthadadisagreementwithAudranandBoucherondirectoroftheBouffesParisiensinOctober，1890TheyhadgiventhistitletoanoperettaabouttobeplayedattheBouffes.Itendedhowever，bytheircedingtoDeMaupassant，andthetitleoftheoperettawaschangedtoMissHelyett.]
LITTLELOUISEROQUE
Theformersoldier，MedericRompel，familiarlycalledMedericbythecountryfolks，leftthepostofficeofRoiiy—le—Torsattheusualhour.
Afterpassingthroughthevillagewithhislongstride，hecutacrossthemeadowsofVillaumeandreachedthebankoftheBrindille，followingthepathalongthewater’sedgetothevillageofCarvelin，wherehecommencedtodeliverhisletters.Hewalkedquickly，followingthecourseofthenarrowriver，whichfrothed，murmuredandboiledinitsgrassybedbeneathanarchofwillows.
Medericwentonwithoutstopping，withonlythisthoughtinhismind：\"MyfirstletterisforthePoivronfamily，thenIhaveoneforMonsieurRenardet;soImustcrossthewood.\"
Hisblueblouse，fastenedroundhiswaistbyablackleatherbelt，movedinaquick，regularfashionabovethegreenhedgeofwillowtrees，andhisstoutstickofhollykepttimewithhissteadytread.
HecrossedtheBrindilleonabridgeconsistingofatreetrunk，withahandrailofrope，fastenedateitherendtoastakedrivenintotheground.
Thewood，whichbelongedtoMonsieurRenardet，themayorofCarvelinandthelargestlandownerinthedistrict，consistedofhugeoldtrees，straightaspillarsandextendingforabouthalfaleaguealongtheleftbankofthestreamwhichservedasaboundarytothisimmensedomeoffoliage.Alongsidethewaterlargeshrubshadgrownupinthesunlight，butunderthetreesonefoundnothingbutmoss，thick，softandyielding，fromwhicharose，inthestillair，anodorofdampnessandofdeadwood.
Medericslackenedhispace，tookoffhisblackcapadornedwithredlaceandwipedhisforehead，foritwasbythistimehotinthemeadows，thoughitwasnotyeteighto’clockinthemorning.
Hehadjustrecoveredfromtheeffectsoftheheatandresumedhisquickpacewhenhenoticedatthefootofatreeaknife，achild’ssmallknife.Whenhepickedituphediscoveredathimbleandalsoaneedlecasenotfaraway.
Havingtakenuptheseobjects，hethought：\"I’llentrustthemtothemayor，\"andheresumedhisjourney，butnowhekepthiseyesopen，expectingtofindsomethingelse.
Allofasuddenhestoppedshort，asifhehadstruckagainstawoodenbarrier.Tenpacesinfrontofhimlaystretchedonherbackonthemossalittlegirl，perfectlynude，herfacecoveredwithahandkerchief.Shewasabouttwelveyearsold.
Meredicadvancedontiptoe，asifheapprehendedsomedanger，andheglancedtowardthespotuneasily.
Whatwasthis？Nodoubtshewasasleep.Thenhereflectedthatapersondoesnotgotosleepnakedathalf—pastseveninthemorningunderthecooltrees.So，then，shemustbedead，andhemustbefacetofacewithacrime.Atthisthoughtacoldshiverranthroughhisframe，althoughhewasanoldsoldier.Andthenamurderwassuchararethinginthecountry，and，aboveall，themurderofachild，thathecouldnotbelievehiseyes.Butshehadnowound—nothingsaveaspotofbloodonherleg.
How，then，hadshebeenkilled？
Hestoppedclosetoherandgazedather，whileheleanedonhisstick.
Certainlyhemustknowher，forheknewalltheinhabitantsofthedistrict;but，notbeingabletogetalookatherface，hecouldnotguesshername.Hestoopedforwardinordertotakeoffthehandkerchiefwhichcoveredherface，thenpaused，withoutstretchedhand，restrainedbyanideathatoccurredtohim.
Hadhetherighttodisarrangeanythingintheconditionofthecorpsebeforetheofficialinvestigation？Hepicturedjusticetohimselfasakindofgeneralwhomnothingescapesandwhoattachesasmuchimportancetoalostbuttonastothestabofaknifeinthestomach.Perhapsunderthishandkerchiefevidencecouldbefoundtosustainachargeofmurder;
infact，ifsuchproofwerethereitmightloseitsvalueiftouchedbyanawkwardhand.
Thenheraisedhimselfwiththeintentionofhasteningtowardthemayor’sresidence，butagainanotherthoughtheldhimback.Ifthelittlegirlwerestillalive，byanychance，hecouldnotleaveherlyingthereinthisway.Hesankonhiskneesverygently，alittledistancefromher，throughprecaution，andextendedhishandtowardherfoot.Itwasicycold，withtheterriblecoldnessofdeathwhichleavesusnolongerindoubt.Thelettercarrier，ashetouchedher，felthisheartinhismouth，ashesaidhimselfafterward，andhismouthparched.Risingupabruptly，herushedoffunderthetreestowardMonsieurRenardet’shouse.
Hewalkedonfasterthanever，withhisstickunderhisarm，hishandsclenchedandhisheadthrustforward，whilehisleathernbag，filledwithlettersandnewspapers，keptflappingathisside.
Themayor’sresidencewasattheendofthewoodwhichservedasapark，andonesideofitwaswashedbytheBrindille.
Itwasabigsquarehouseofgraystone，veryold，andhadstoodmanyasiegeinformerdays，andattheendofitwasahugetower，twentymetreshigh，risingoutofthewater.
Fromthetopofthisfortressonecouldformerlyseeallthesurroundingcountry.ItwascalledtheFox’stower，withoutanyoneknowingexactlywhy;andfromthisappellation，nodoubt，hadcomethenameRenardet，bornebytheownersofthisfief，whichhadremainedinthesamefamily，itwassaid，formorethantwohundredyears.FortheRenardetsformedpartoftheuppermiddleclass，allbutnoble，tobemetwithsooftenintheprovincebeforetheRevolution.
Thepostmandashedintothekitchen，wheretheservantsweretakingbreakfast，andexclaimed：
\"Isthemayorup？Iwanttospeaktohimatonce.\"
Medericwasrecognizedasamanofstandingandauthority，andtheyunderstoodthatsomethingserioushadhappened.
AssoonaswordwasbroughttoMonsieurRenardet，heorderedthepostmantobesentuptohim.Paleandoutofbreath，withhiscapinhishand，Medericfoundthemayorseatedatalongtablecoveredwithscatteredpapers.
Hewasalarge，tallman，heavyandred—faced，strongasanox，andwasgreatlylikedinthedistrict，althoughofanexcessivelyviolentdisposition.Almostfortyyearsoldandawidowerforthepastsixmonths，helivedonhisestatelikeacountrygentleman.HischolerictemperamenthadoftenbroughthimintotroublefromwhichthemagistratesofRoiiy—le—Tors，likeindulgentandprudentfriends，hadextricatedhim.
Hadhenotonedaythrowntheconductorofthediligencefromthetopofhisseatbecausehecamenearrunningoverhisretriever，Micmac？Hadhenotbrokentheribsofagamekeeperwhoabusedhimforhaving，guninhand，passedthroughaneighbor’sproperty？Hadhenotevencaughtbythecollarthesub—prefect，whostoppedoverinthevillageduringanadministrativecircuit，calledbyMonsieurRenardetanelectioneeringcircuit，forhewasopposedtothegovernment，inaccordancewithfamilytraditions.
Themayorasked：
\"What’sthematternow，Mederic？\"
\"Ifoundalittlegirldeadinyourwood.\"
Renardetrosetohisfeet，hisfacethecolorofbrick.
\"Whatdoyousay——alittlegirl？\"
\"Yes，m’sieu，alittlegirl，quitenaked，onherback，withbloodonher，dead——quitedead！\"
Themayorgaveventtoanoath：
\"ByGod，I’dmakeabetitislittleLouiseRoque！Ihavejustlearnedthatshedidnotgohometohermotherlastnight.Wheredidyoufindher？\"
Thepostmandescribedthespot，gavefulldetailsandofferedtoconductthemayortotheplace.
ButRenardetbecamebrusque：
\"No，Idon’tneedyou.Sendthewatchman，themayor’ssecretaryandthedoctortomeatonce，andresumeyourrounds.Quick，quick，goandtellthemtomeetmeinthewood.\"
Thelettercarrier，amanusedtodiscipline，obeyedandwithdrew，angryandgrievedatnotbeingabletobepresentattheinvestigation.
Themayor，inhisturn，preparedtogoout，tookhisbigsofthatandpausedforafewsecondsonthethresholdofhisabode.Infrontofhimstretchedawidesward，inwhichwerethreelargebedsofflowersinfullbloom，onefacingthehouseandtheothersateithersideofit.Fartherontheoutlyingtreesofthewoodroseskyward，whileattheleft，beyondtheBrindille，whichatthatspotwidenedintoapond，couldbeseenlongmeadows，anentirelygreenflatsweepofcountry，intersectedbytrenchesandhedgesofpollardwillows.
Totheright，behindthestables，theouthousesandallthebuildingsconnectedwiththeproperty，mightbeseenthevillage，whichwaswealthy，beingmainlyinhabitedbycattlebreeders.
Renardetslowlydescendedthestepsinfrontofhishouse，and，turningtotheleft，gainedthewater’sedge，whichhefollowedataslowpace，hishandbehindhisback.Hewalkedon，withbenthead，andfromtimetotimeglancedroundinsearchofthepersonshehadsentfor.
Whenhestoodbeneaththetreeshestopped，tookoffhishatandwipedhisforeheadasMederichaddone，fortheburningsunwasdartingitsfieryraysontheearth.Thenthemayorresumedhisjourney，stoppedoncemoreandretracedhissteps.Suddenly，stoopingdown，hesteepedhishandkerchiefinthestreamthatglidedalongathisfeetandspreaditoverhishead，underhishat.Dropsofwaterfloweddownhistemplesoverhisears，whichwerealwayspurple，overhisstrongredneck，andmadetheirway，oneaftertheother，underhiswhiteshirtcollar.
Asnobodyhadappeared，hebegantappingwithhisfoot，thenhecalledout：
\"Hello！Hello！\"
Avoiceathisrightanswered：
\"Hello！Hello！\"
Andthedoctorappearedunderthetrees.Hewasathinlittleman，anex—militarysurgeon，whopassedintheneighborhoodforaveryskillfulpractitioner.Helimped，havingbeenwoundedwhileintheservice，andhadtouseasticktoassisthiminwalking.
Nextcamethewatchmanandthemayor’ssecretary，who，havingbeensentforatthesametime，arrivedtogether.Theylookedscared，andhurriedforward，outofbreath，walkingandrunningalternatelytohastentheirprogress，andmovingtheirarmsupanddownsovigorouslythattheyseemedtodomoreworkwiththemthanwiththeirlegs.
Renardetsaidtothedoctor：
\"Youknowwhatthetroubleisabout？\"
\"Yes，achildfounddeadinthewoodbyMederic.\"
\"That’squitecorrect.Comeon！\"
Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，followedbythetwomen.
Theirstepsmadenosoundonthemoss.Theireyesweregazingaheadinfrontofthem.
Suddenlythedoctor，extendinghisarm，said：
\"See，theresheis！\"
Faraheadofthemunderthetreestheysawsomethingwhiteonwhichthesungleameddownthroughthebranches.Astheyapproachedtheygraduallydistinguishedahumanformlyingthere，itsheadtowardtheriver，thefacecoveredandthearmsextendedasthoughonacrucifix.
\"Iamfearfullywarm，\"saidthemayor，andstoopingdown，heagainsoakedhishandkerchiefinthewaterandplaceditroundhisforehead.
Thedoctorhastenedhissteps，interestedbythediscovery.Assoonastheywerenearthecorpse，hebentdowntoexamineitwithouttouchingit.Hehadputonhispince—nez，asonedoesinexaminingsomecuriousobject，andturnedroundveryquietly.
Hesaid，withoutrising：
\"Violatedandmurdered，asweshallprovepresently.Thislittlegirl，moreover，isalmostawoman——lookatherthroat.\"
Thedoctorlightlydrewawaythehandkerchiefwhichcoveredherface，whichlookedblack，frightful，thetongueprotruding，theeyesbloodshot.
Hewenton：
\"Byheavens！Shewasstrangledthemomentthedeedwasdone.\"
Hefeltherneck.
\"Strangledwiththehandswithoutleavinganyspecialtrace，neitherthemarkofthenailsnortheimprintofthefingers.Quiteright.ItislittleLouiseRoque，sureenough！\"
Hecarefullyreplacedthehandkerchief.
\"There’snothingformetodo.She’sbeendeadforthelasthouratleast.Wemustgivenoticeofthemattertotheauthorities.\"
Renardet，standingup，withhishandsbehindhisback，keptstaringwithastonylookatthelittlebodyexposedtoviewonthegrass.Hemurmured：
\"Whatawretch！Wemustfindtheclothes.\"
Thedoctorfeltthehands，thearms，thelegs.Hesaid：
\"Shehadbeenbathingnodoubt.Theyoughttobeatthewater’sedge.\"
Themayorthereupongavedirections：
\"Doyou，Principe\"（thiswashissecretary），\"goandfindthoseclothesformealongthestream.You，Maxime\"（thiswasthewatchman），\"hurryontowardRouy—le—Torsandbringwithyouthemagistratewiththegendarmes.
Theymustbeherewithinanhour.Youunderstand？\"
Thetwomenstartedatonce，andRenardetsaidtothedoctor：
\"Whatmiscreantcouldhavedonesuchadeedinthispartofthecountry？\"
Thedoctormurmured：
\"Whoknows？Anyoneiscapableofthat.Everyoneinparticularandnobodyingeneral.Nomatter，itmustbesomeprowler，someworkmanoutofemployment.SincewehavebecomeaRepublicwemeetonlythiskindofpersonalongtheroads.\"
BothofthemwereBonapartists.
Themayorwenton：
\"Yes，itcanonlybeastranger，apasser—by，avagabondwithouthearthorhome.\"
Thedoctoradded，withtheshadowofasmileonhisface：
\"Andwithoutawife.Havingneitheragoodsuppernoragoodbed，hebecamereckless.Youcan’ttellhowmanymentheremaybeintheworldcapableofacrimeatagivenmoment.Didyouknowthatthislittlegirlhaddisappeared？\"
Andwiththeendofhisstickhetouchedoneaftertheotherthestiffenedfingersofthecorpse，restingonthemasonthekeysofapiano.
\"Yes，themothercamelastnighttolookformeaboutnineo’clock，thechildnothavingcomehomeatseventosupper.Welookedforheralongtheroadsuptomidnight，butwedidnotthinkofthewood.However，weneededdaylighttocarryoutathoroughsearch.\"
\"Willyouhaveacigar？\"saidthedoctor.
\"Thanks，Idon’tcaretosmoke.Thisthingaffectsmeso.\"
Theyremainedstandingbesidethecorpseoftheyounggirl，sopaleonthedarkmoss.Abigblueflywaswalkingoverthebodywithhislively，jerkymovements.Thetwomenkeptwatchingthiswanderingspeck.
Thedoctorsaid：
\"Howprettyitis，aflyontheskin！Theladiesofthelastcenturyhadgoodreasontopastethemontheirfaces.Whyhasthisfashiongoneout？\"
Themayorseemednottohear，plungedashewasindeepthought.
But，allofasudden，heturnedround，surprisedbyashrillnoise.A
womaninacapandblueapronwasrunningtowardthemunderthetrees.
Itwasthemother，LaRoque.AssoonasshesawRenardetshebegantoshriek：
\"Mylittlegirl！Where’smylittlegirl？\"sodistractedlythatshedidnotglancedownattheground.Suddenlyshesawthecorpse，stoppedshort，claspedherhandsandraisedbothherarmswhilesheutteredasharp，heartrendingcry——thecryofawoundedanimal.Thensherushedtowardthebody，fellonherkneesandsnatchedawaythehandkerchiefthatcoveredtheface.Whenshesawthatfrightfulcountenance，blackanddistorted，sherosetoherfeetwithashudder，thensinkingtotheground，facedownward，shepressedherfaceagainstthegroundandutteredfrightful，continuousscreamsonthethickmoss.
Hertall，thinframe，withitsclose—clingingdress，waspalpitating，shakenwithspasms.Onecouldseeherbonyanklesandherdried—upcalvescoveredwithcoarsebluestockingsshakinghorribly.Shewasdiggingthesoilwithhercrookedfingers，asthoughsheweretryingtomakeaholeinwhichtohideherself.
Thedoctor，muchaffected，saidinalowtone：
\"Pooroldwoman！\"
Renardetfeltastrangesensation.Thenhegaveventtoasortofloudsneeze，and，drawinghishandkerchieffromhispocket，hebegantoweepinternally，coughing，sobbingandblowinghisnosenoisily.
Hestammered：
\"Damn——damn——damnedpigtodothis！Iwouldliketoseemhimguillotined.\"
Principereappearedwithhishandsempty.Hemurmured：
\"Ihavefoundnothing，M’sieuleMaire，nothingatallanywhere.\"
Themayor，alarmed，repliedinathickvoice，drownedintears：
\"Whatisthatyoucouldnotfind？\"
\"Thelittlegirl’sclothes.\"
\"Well——well——lookagain，andfindthem——oryou’’llhavetoanswertome.\"
Theman，knowingthatthemayorwouldnotbrookopposition，setforthagainwithhesitatingsteps，castingatimidsideglanceatthecorpse.
Distantvoiceswereheardunderthetrees，aconfusedsound，thenoiseofanapproachingcrowd，forMederichad，inthecourseofhisrounds，carriedthenewsfromdoortodoor.Thepeopleoftheneighborhood，dazedatfirst，hadgossipedaboutitinthestreet，fromonethresholdtoanother.Thentheygatheredtogether.Theytalkedover，discussedandcommentedontheeventforsomeminutesandhadnowcometoseeforthemselves.
Theyarrivedingroups，alittlefalteringanduneasythroughfearofthefirstimpressionofsuchasceneontheirminds.Whentheysawthebodytheystopped，notdaringtoadvance，andspeakinglow.Thentheygrewbolder，wentonafewsteps，stoppedagain，advancedoncemore，andpresentlyformedaroundthedeadgirl，hermother，thedoctorandRenardetaclosecircle，restlessandnoisy，whichcrowdedforwardatthesuddenimpactofnewcomers.Andnowtheytouchedthecorpse.Someofthemevenbentdowntofeelitwiththeirfingers.Thedoctorkeptthemback.Butthemayor，wakingabruptlyoutofhistorpor，flewintoarage，andseizingDr.Labarbe’sstick，flunghimselfonhistownspeople，stammering：
\"Clearout——clearout——youpackofbrutes——clearout！\"
Andinasecondthecrowdofsightseershadfallenbacktwohundredpaces.
MotherLaRoquehadrisentoasittingpostureandnowremainedweeping，withherhandsclaspedoverherface.
Thecrowdwasdiscussingtheaffair，andyounglads’eagereyescuriouslyscrutinizedthisnudeyoungform.Renardetperceivedthis，and，abruptlytakingoffhiscoat，heflungitoverthelittlegirl，whowasentirelyhiddenfromviewbeneaththelargegarment.
Thesecretarydrewnearquietly.Thewoodwasfilledwithpeople，andacontinuoushumofvoicesroseupunderthetangledfoliageofthetalltrees.
Themayor，inhisshirtsleeves，remainedstanding，withhisstickinhishands，inafightingattitude.Heseemedexasperatedbythiscuriosityonthepartofthepeopleandkeptrepeating：
\"IfoneofyoucomenearerI’llbreakhisheadjustasIwouldadog’s.\"
Thepeasantsweregreatlyafraidofhim.Theyheldback.Dr.Labarbe，whowassmoking，satdownbesideLaRoqueandspoketoherinordertodistractherattention.Theoldwomanatonceremovedherhandsfromherfaceandrepliedwithafloodoftearfulwords，emptyinghergriefincopioustalk.Shetoldthewholestoryofherlife，hermarriage，thedeathofherman，acattledrover，whohadbeengoredtodeath，theinfancyofherdaughter，herwretchedexistenceasawidowwithoutresourcesandwithachildtosupport.Shehadonlythisone，herlittleLouise，andthechildhadbeenkilled——killedinthiswood.Thenshefeltanxioustoseeheragain，and，draggingherselfonherkneestowardthecorpse，sheraiseduponecornerofthegarmentthatcoveredher;
thensheletitfallagainandbeganwailingoncemore.Thecrowdremainedsilent，eagerlywatchingallthemother’sgestures.
Butsuddenlytherewasagreatcommotionatthecryof\"Thegendarmes！
thegendarmes！\"
Twogendarmesappearedinthedistance，advancingatarapidtrot，escortingtheircaptainandalittlegentlemanwithredwhiskers，whowasbobbingupanddownlikeamonkeyonabigwhitemare.
ThewatchmanhadjustfoundMonsieurPutoin，themagistrate，atthemomentwhenhewasmountinghishorsetotakehisdailyride，forheposedasagoodhorseman，tothegreatamusementoftheofficers.
Hedismounted，alongwiththecaptain，andpressedthehandsofthemayorandthedoctor，castingaferret—likeglanceonthelinencoatbeneathwhichlaythecorpse.
Whenhewasmadeacquaintedwithallthefacts，hefirstgaveorderstodispersethecrowd，whomthegendarmesdroveoutofthewood，butwhosoonreappearedinthemeadowandformedahedge，abighedgeofexcitedandmovingheads，ontheothersideofthestream.
Thedoctor，inhisturn，gaveexplanations，whichRenardetnoteddowninhismemorandumbook.Alltheevidencewasgiven，takendownandcommentedonwithoutleadingtoanydiscovery.Maxime，too，camebackwithouthavingfoundanytraceoftheclothes.
Thisdisappearancesurprisedeverybody;noonecouldexplainitexceptonthetheoryoftheft，andasherragswerenotworthtwentysous，eventhistheorywasinadmissible.
Themagistrate，themayor，thecaptainandthedoctorsettoworksearchinginpairs，puttingasidethesmallestbranchalongthewater.
Renardetsaidtothejudge：
\"Howdoesithappenthatthiswretchhasconcealedorcarriedawaytheclothes，andhasthusleftthebodyexposed，insightofeveryone？\"
Theother，craftyandsagacious，answered：
\"Ha！ha！Perhapsadodge？Thiscrimehasbeencommittedeitherbyabruteorbyaslyscoundrel.Inanycase，we’lleasilysucceedinfindinghim.\"
Thenoiseofwheelsmadethemturntheirheadsround.Itwasthedeputymagistrate，thedoctorandtheregistrarofthecourtwhohadarrivedintheirturn.Theyresumedtheirsearch，allchattinginananimatedfashion.
Renardetsaidsuddenly：
\"Doyouknowthatyouaretotakeluncheonwithme？\"
Everyonesmilinglyacceptedtheinvitation，andthemagistrate，thinkingthatthecaseoflittleLouiseRoquehadoccupiedenoughattentionforoneday，turnedtowardthemayor.
\"Icanhavethebodybroughttoyourhouse，canInot？Youhavearoominwhichyoucankeepitformetillthisevening？\"
Theotherbecameconfusedandstammered：
\"Yes——no——no.Totellthetruth，Ipreferthatitshouldnotcomeintomyhouseonaccountof——onaccountofmyservants，whoarealreadytalkingaboutghostsin——inmytower，intheFox’stower.Youknow——Icouldnolongerkeepasingleone.No——Iprefernottohaveitinmyhouse.\"
Themagistratebegantosmile.
\"Good！IwillhaveittakenatoncetoRoilyforthelegalexamination.\"
And，turningtohisdeputy，hesaid：
\"Icanmakeuseofyourtrap，canInot？\"
\"Yes，certainly.\"
Theyallcamebacktotheplacewherethecorpselay.MotherLaRoque，nowseatedbesideherdaughter，washoldingherhandandwasstaringrightbeforeherwithawandering，listlesseye.
Thetwodoctorsendeavoredtoleadheraway，sothatshemightnotwitnessthedeadgirl’sremoval，butsheunderstoodatoncewhattheywantedtodo，and，flingingherselfonthebody，shethrewbotharmsroundit.Lyingontopofthecorpse，sheexclaimed：
\"Youshallnothaveit——it’smine——it’sminenow.Theyhavekilledherforme，andIwanttokeepher——youshallnothaveher————\"
Allthemen，affectedandnotknowinghowtoact，remainedstandingaroundher.Renardetfellonhiskneesandsaidtoher：
\"Listen，LaRoque，itisnecessary，inordertofindoutwhokilledher.
Withoutthis，wecouldnotfindout.Wemustmakeasearchforthemaninordertopunishhim.Whenwehavefoundhimwe’llgiveheruptoyou.
Ipromiseyouthis.\"
Thisexplanationbewilderedthewoman，andafeelingofhatredmanifesteditselfinherdistractedglance.
\"Sothenthey’llarresthim？\"
\"Yes，Ipromiseyouthat.\"
Sheroseup，decidingtoletthemdoastheyliked，butwhenthecaptainremarked：
\"Itissurprisingthatherclotheswerenotfound，\"anewidea，whichshehadnotpreviouslythoughtof，abruptlyenteredhermind，andsheasked：
\"Whereareherclothes？They’remine.Iwantthem.Wherehavetheybeenput？\"
Theyexplainedtoherthattheyhadnotbeenfound.Thenshedemandedthempersistently，cryingandmoaning.
\"They’remine——Iwantthem.Wherearethey？Iwantthem！\"
Themoretheytriedtocalmherthemoreshesobbedandpersistedinherdemands.Shenolongerwantedthebody，sheinsistedonhavingtheclothes，asmuchperhapsthroughtheunconsciouscupidityofawretchedbeingtowhomapieceofsilverrepresentsafortuneasthroughmaternaltenderness.
Andwhenthelittlebody，rolledupinblanketswhichhadbeenbroughtoutfromRenardet’shouse，haddisappearedinthevehicle，theoldwomanstandingunderthetrees，sustainedbythemayorandthecaptain，exclaimed：
\"Ihavenothing，nothing，nothingintheworld，notevenherlittlecap——
herlittlecap.\"
Thecure，ayoungpriest，hadjustarrived.Hetookitonhimselftoaccompanythemother，andtheywentawaytogethertowardthevillage.
Themother’sgriefwasmodifiedbythesugarywordsoftheclergyman，whopromisedherathousandcompensations.Butshekeptrepeating：\"IfIhadonlyherlittlecap.\"Thisideanowdominatedeveryother.
Renardetcalledfromthedistance：
\"Youwilllunchwithus，Monsieurl’Abbe——inanhour’stime.\"
Thepriestturnedhisheadroundandreplied：
\"Withpleasure，MonsieurleMaire.I’llbewithyouattwelve.\"
Andtheyalldirectedtheirstepstowardthehouse，whosegrayfront，withthelargetowerbuiltontheedgeoftheBrindille，couldbeseenthroughthebranches.
Themeallastedalongtime.Theytalkedaboutthecrime.Everybodywasofthesameopinion.Ithadbeencommittedbysometramppassingtherebymerechancewhilethelittlegirlwasbathing.
ThenthemagistratesreturnedtoRouy，announcingthattheywouldreturnnextdayatanearlyhour.Thedoctorandthecurewenttotheirrespectivehomes，whileRenardet，afteralongwalkthroughthemeadows，returnedtothewood，whereheremainedwalkingtillnightfallwithslowsteps，hishandsbehindhisback.
Hewenttobedearlyandwasstillasleepnextmorningwhenthemagistrateenteredhisroom.Hewasrubbinghishandstogetherwithaself—satisfiedair.
\"Ha！ha！Youarestillsleeping！Well，mydearfellow，wehavenewsthismorning.\"
Themayorsatupinhisbed.
\"What，pray？\"
\"Oh！Somethingstrange.Yourememberwellhowthemotherclamoredyesterdayforsomemementoofherdaughter，especiallyherlittlecap？
Well，onopeningherdoorthismorningshefoundonthethresholdherchild’stwolittlewoodenshoes.Thisprovesthatthecrimewasperpetratedbysomeonefromthedistrict，someonewhofeltpityforher.Besides，thepostman，Mederic，broughtmethethimble，theknifeandtheneedlecaseofthedeadgirl.So，then，themanincarryingofftheclothestohidethemmusthaveletfallthearticleswhichwereinthepocket.Asforme，Iattachspecialimportancetothewoodenshoes，astheyindicateacertainmoralcultureandafacultyfortendernessonthepartoftheassassin.Wewill，therefore，ifyouhavenoobjection，goovertogethertheprincipalinhabitantsofyourdistrict.\"
Themayorgotup.Herangforhisshavingwaterandsaid：
\"Withpleasure，butitwilltakesometime，andwemaybeginatonce.\"
M.Putoinsatastrideachair.
Renardetcoveredhischinwithawhitelatherwhilehelookedathimselfintheglass.Thenhesharpenedhisrazoronthestropandcontinued：
\"TheprincipalinhabitantofCarvelinbearsthenameofJosephRenardet，mayor，arichlandowner，aroughmanwhobeatsguardsandcoachmen——\"
Theexaminingmagistrateburstoutlaughing.
\"That’senough.Letuspassontothenext.\"
\"ThesecondinimportanceisPelledent，hisdeputy，acattlebreeder，anequallyrichlandowner，acraftypeasant，verysly，veryclose—fistedoneveryquestionofmoney，butincapableinmyopinionofhavingperpetratedsuchacrime.\"
\"Continue，\"saidM.Putoin.
Renardet，whileproceedingwithhistoilet，reviewedthecharactersofalltheinhabitantsofCarvelin.Aftertwohours’discussiontheirsuspicionswerefixedonthreeindividualswhohadhithertoborneashadyreputation——apoachernamedCavalle，afishermannamedPaquet，whocaughttroutandcrabs，andacattledrovernamedClovis.
II
Thesearchfortheperpetratorofthecrimelastedallsummer，buthewasnotdiscovered.Thosewhoweresuspectedandarrestedeasilyprovedtheirinnocence，andtheauthoritieswerecompelledtoabandontheattempttocapturethecriminal.
Butthismurderseemedtohavemovedtheentirecountryinasingularmanner.Thereremainedineveryone’smindadisquietude，avaguefear，asensationofmysteriousterror，springingnotmerelyfromtheimpossibilityofdiscoveringanytraceoftheassassin，butalsoandaboveallfromthatstrangefindingofthewoodenshoesinfrontofLaRoque’sdoorthedayafterthecrime.Thecertaintythatthemurdererhadassistedattheinvestigation，thathewasstill，doubtless，livinginthevillage，possessedallmindsandseemedtobroodovertheneighborhoodlikeaconstantmenace.
Thewoodhadalsobecomeadreadedspot，aplacetobeavoidedandsupposedtobehaunted.
FormerlytheinhabitantswenttheretospendeverySundayafternoon.
Theyusedtositdownonthemossatthefeetofthehugetalltreesorwalkalongthewater’sedgewatchingthetroutglidingamongtheweeds.
Theboy’susedtoplaybowls，hide—and—seekandothergameswherethegroundhadbeenclearedandlevelled，andthegirls，inrowsoffourorfive，wouldtripalong，holdingoneanotherbythearmsandscreamingsongswiththeirshrillvoices.Nownobodyventuredthereforfearoffindingsomecorpselyingontheground.
Autumnarrived，theleavesbegantofallfromthetalltrees，whirlingroundandroundtotheground，andtheskycouldbeseenthroughthebarebranches.Sometimes，whenagustofwindsweptoverthetreetops，theslow，continuousrainsuddenlygrewheavierandbecamearoughstormthatcoveredthemosswithathickyellowcarpetthatmadeakindofcreakingsoundbeneathone’sfeet.
Andthesoundofthefallingleavesseemedlikeawailandtheleavesthemselvesliketearsshedbythesegreat，sorrowfultrees，thatweptinthesilenceofthebareandemptywood，thisdreadedanddesertedwoodwherewanderedlonelythesoul，thelittlesouloflittleLouiseRoque.
TheBrindille，swollenbythestorms，rushedonmorequickly，yellowandangry，betweenitsdrybanks，borderedbytwothin，bare，willowhedges.
AndherewasRenardetsuddenlyresuminghiswalksunderthetrees.Everyday，atsunset，hecameoutofhishouse，descendedthefrontstepsslowlyandenteredthewoodinadreamyfashion，withhishandsinhispockets，andpacedoverthedampsoftmoss，whilealegionofrooksfromalltheneighboringhauntscamethithertorestinthetalltreesandthenflewofflikeablackcloudutteringloud，discordantcries.
Nightcameon，andRenardetwasstillstrollingslowlyunderthetrees;
then，whenthedarknesspreventedhimfromwalkinganylonger，hewouldgobacktothehouseandsinkintohisarmchairinfrontoftheglowinghearth，stretchinghisdampfeettowardthefire.
Onemorninganimportantbitofnewswascirculatedthroughthedistrict;
themayorwashavinghiswoodcutdown.
Twentywoodcutterswerealreadyatwork.Theyhadcommencedatthecornernearesttothehouseandworkedrapidlyinthemaster’spresence.
Andeachdaythewoodgrewthinner，losingitstrees，whichfelldownonebyone，asanarmylosesitssoldiers.
Renardetnolongerwalkedup，anddown.Heremainedfrommorningtillnight，contemplating，motionless，withhishandsbehindhisback，theslowdestructionofhiswood.Whenatreefellheplacedhisfootonitasifitwereacorpse.Thenheraisedhiseyestothenextwithakindofsecret，calmimpatience，asifheexpected，hopedforsomethingattheendofthisslaughter.
MeanwhiletheywereapproachingtheplacewherelittleLouiseRoquehadbeenfound.Theycametoitoneeveninginthetwilight.
Asitwasdark，theskybeingovercast，thewoodcutterswantedtostoptheirwork，puttingofftillnextdaythefallofanenormousbeechtree，butthemayorobjectedtothisandinsistedthattheyshouldatoncelopandcutdownthisgiant，whichhadshelteredthecrime.
Whenthelopperhadlaiditbareandthewoodcuttershadsappeditsbase，fivemencommencedhaulingattheropeattachedtothetop.
Thetreeresisted;itspowerfultrunk，althoughnotchedtothecentre，wasasrigidasiron.Theworkmen，alltogether，withasortofsimultaneousmotion，’strainedattherope，bendingbackwardandutteringacrywhichtimedandregulatedtheirefforts.
Twowoodcuttersstandingclosetothegiantremainedwithaxesintheirgrip，liketwoexecutionersreadytostrikeoncemore，andRenardet，motionless，withhishandonthetrunk，awaitedthefallwithanuneasy，nervousfeeling.
Oneofthemensaidtohim：
\"Youaretoonear，MonsieurleMaire.Whenitfallsitmayhurtyou.\"
Hedidnotreplyanddidnotmoveaway.Heseemedreadytocatchthebeechtreeinhisopenarmsandtocastitonthegroundlikeawrestler.
Allatonce，atthebaseofthetallcolumnofwoodtherewasarentwhichseemedtoruntothetop，likeapainfulshock;itbentslightly，readytofall，butstillresisting.Themen，inastateofexcitement，stiffenedtheirarms，renewedtheireffortswithgreatervigor，and，justasthetreecamecrashingdown，Renardetsuddenlymadeaforwardstep，thenstopped，hisshouldersraisedtoreceivetheirresistibleshock，themortalshockwhichwouldcrushhimtotheearth.
Butthebeechtree，havingdeviatedalittle，onlyrubbedagainsthisloins，throwinghimonhisface，fivemetresaway.
Theworkmendashedforwardtolifthimup.Hehadalreadyarisentohisknees，stupefied，withbewilderedeyesandpassinghishandacrosshisforehead，asifhewereawakingfromanattackofmadness.
Whenhehadgottohisfeetoncemorethemen，astonished，questionedhim，notbeingabletounderstandwhathehaddone.Herepliedinfalteringtonesthathehadbeendazedforamoment，or，rather，hehadbeenthinkingofhischildhooddays;thathethoughthewouldhavetimetorununderthetree，justasstreetboysrushinfrontofvehiclesdrivingrapidlypast;thathehadplayedatdanger;thatforthepasteightdayshefeltthisdesiregrowingstrongerwithinhim，askinghimselfeachtimeatreebegantofallwhetherhecouldpassbeneathitwithoutbeingtouched.Itwasapieceofstupidity，heconfessed，buteveryonehasthesemomentsofinsanityandthesetemptationstoboyishfolly.
Hemadethisexplanationinaslowtone，searchingforhiswords，andspeakinginacolorlesstone.
Thenhewentoff，saying：
\"Tillto—morrow，myfriends—tillto—morrow.\"
Assoonashegotbacktohisroomhesatdownathistablewhichhislamplightedupbrightly，and，buryinghisheadinhishands，hebegantocry.
Heremainedthusforalongtime，thenwipedhiseyes，raisedhisheadandlookedattheclock.Itwasnotyetsixo’clock.
Hethought：
\"Ihavetimebeforedinner.\"
Andhewenttothedoorandlockedit.Hethencameback，and，sittingdownathistable，pulledoutthemiddledrawer.Takingfromitarevolver，helaiditdownonhispapersinfullview.Thebarrelofthefirearmglittered，givingoutgleamsoflight.
Renardetgazedatitforsometimewiththeuneasyglanceofadrunkenman.Thenheroseandbegantopaceupanddowntheroom.
Hewalkedfromoneendoftheapartmenttotheother，stoppingfromtimetotime，onlytopaceupanddownagainamomentafterward.Suddenlyheopenedthedoorofhisdressing—room，steepedatowelinthewaterpitcherandmoistenedhisforehead，ashehaddoneonthemorningofthecrime.
Thenhe，beganwalkingupanddownagain.Eachtimehepassedthetablethegleamingrevolverattractedhisglance，temptedhishand，buthekeptwatchingtheclockandreflected：
\"Ihavestilltime.\"
Itstruckhalf—pastsix.Thenhetookuptherevolver，openedhismouthwidewithafrightfulgrimaceandstuckthebarrelintoitasifhewantedtoswallowit.Heremainedinthispositionforsomesecondswithoutmoving，hisfingeronthetrigger.Then，suddenlyseizedwithashudderofhorror，hedroppedthepistolonthecarpet.
Hefellbackonhisarmchair，sobbing：
\"Icannot.Idarenot！MyGod！myGod！HowcanIhavethecouragetokillmyself？’\"
Therewasaknockatthedoor.Heroseup，bewildered.Aservantsaid：
\"Monsieur’sdinnerisready.\"
Hereplied：
\"Allright.I’mcomingdown.\"
Thenhepickeduptherevolver，lockeditupagaininthedrawerandlookedathimselfinthemirroroverthemantelpiecetoseewhetherhisfacedidnotlooktoomuchtroubled.Itwasasredasusual，alittleredderperhaps.Thatwasall.Hewentdownandseatedhimselfattable.
Heateslowly，likeamanwhowantstoprolongthemeal，whodoesnotwanttobealone.
Thenhesmokedseveralpipesinthehallwhilethetablewasbeingcleared.Afterthathewentbacktohisroom.
Assoonashehadlockedhimselfinhelooked，underthebed，openedalltheclosets，exploredeverycorner，rummagedthroughallthefurniture.
Thenhelightedthecandlesonthemantelpiece，and，turningroundseveraltimes，ranhiseyeallovertheapartmentwithananguishofterrorthatdistortedhisface，forheknewwellthathewouldseeher，ashedideverynight——littleLouiseRoque，thelittlegirlhehadattackedandafterwardstrangled.
Everynighttheodiousvisioncamebackagain.Firstheseemedtohearakindofroaringsound，suchasismadebyathreshingmachineorthedistantpassageofatrainoverabridge.Thenhecommencedtogasp，tosuffocate，andhehadtounbuttonhiscollarandhisbelt.Hemovedabouttomakehisbloodcirculate，hetriedtoread，heattemptedtosing.Itwasinvain.Histhoughts，inspiteofhimself，wentbacktothedayofthemurderandmadehimbeginitalloveragaininallitsmostsecretdetails，withalltheviolentemotionshehadexperiencedfromthefirstminutetothelast.
Hehadfeltonrisingthatmorning，themorningofthehorribleday，alittledizzinessandheadache，whichheattributedtotheheat，sothatheremainedinhisroomuntilbreakfasttime.
Afterthemealhehadtakenasiesta，then，towardthecloseoftheafternoon，hehadgoneouttobreathethefresh，soothingbreezeunderthetreesinthewood.
But，assoonashewasoutside，theheavy，scorchingairoftheplainoppressedhimstillmore.Thesun，stillhighintheheavens，poureddownontheparchedsoilwavesofburninglight.Notabreathofwindstirredtheleaves.Everybeastandbird，eventhegrasshoppers，weresilent.RenardetreachedthetalltreesandbegantowalkoverthemosswheretheBrindilleproducedaslightfreshnessoftheairbeneaththeimmenseroofofbranches.Buthefeltillatease.Itseemedtohimthatanunknown，invisiblehandwasstranglinghim，andhescarcelythoughtofanything，havingusuallyfewideasinhishead.Forthelastthreemonthsonlyonethoughthauntedhim，thethoughtofmarryingagain.
Hesufferedfromlivingalone，sufferedfromitmorallyandphysically.
Accustomedfortenyearspasttofeelingawomannearhim，habituatedtoherpresenceeverymoment，hehadneed，animperiousandperplexingneedofsuchassociation.SinceMadameRenardet’sdeathhehadsufferedcontinuallywithoutknowingwhy，hehadsufferedatnotfeelingherdressbrushingpasthim，and，aboveall，fromnolongerbeingabletocalmandresthimselfinherarms.Hehadbeenscarcelysixmonthsawidowerandhewasalreadylookingaboutinthedistrictforsomeyounggirlorsomewidowhemightmarrywhenhisperiodofmourningwasatanend.
Hehadachastesoul，butitwaslodgedinapowerful，herculeanbody，andcarnalimaginingsbegantodisturbhissleepandhisvigils.Hedrovethemaway;theycamebackagain;andhemurmuredfromtimetotime，smilingathimself：
\"HereIam，likeSt.Anthony.\"
Havingthisspecialmorninghadseveralofthesevisions，thedesiresuddenlycameintohisbreasttobatheintheBrindilleinordertorefreshhimselfandcoolhisblood.
Heknewofalargedeeppool，alittlefartherdown，wherethepeopleoftheneighborhoodcamesometimestotakeadipinsummer.Hewentthere.
Thickwillowtreeshidthisclearbodyofwaterwherethecurrentrestedandwenttosleepforawhilebeforestartingonitswayagain.
Renardet，asheappeared，thoughtheheardalightsound，afaintplashingwhichwasnotthatofthestreamonthebanks.Hesoftlyputasidetheleavesandlooked.Alittlegirl，quitenakedinthetransparentwater，wasbeatingthewaterwithbothhands，dancingaboutinitanddippingherselfwithprettymovements.Shewasnotachildnorwassheyetawoman.Shewasplumpanddeveloped，whilepreservinganairofyouthfulprecocity，asofonewhohadgrownrapidly.Henolongermoved，overcomewithsurprise，withdesire，holdinghisbreathwithastrange，poignantemotion.Heremainedthere，hisheartbeatingasifoneofhissensuousdreamshadjustbeenrealized，asifanimpurefairyhadconjuredupbeforehimthisyoungcreature，thislittlerusticVenus，risingfromtheeddiesofthestreamastherealVenusrosefromthewavesofthesea.
Suddenlythelittlegirlcameoutofthewater，and，withoutseeinghim，cameovertowherehestood，lookingforherclothesinordertodressherself.Assheapproachedgingerly，onaccountofthesharp—pointedstones，hefelthimselfpushedtowardherbyanirresistibleforce，byabestialtransportofpassion，whichstirredhisflesh，bewilderedhismindandmadehimtremblefromheadtofoot.
Sheremainedstandingsomesecondsbehindthewillowtreewhichconcealedhimfromview.Then，losinghisreasonentirely，hepushedasidethebranches，rushedonherandseizedherinhisarms.Shefell，tooterrifiedtoofferanyresistance，tooterror—strickentocryout.Heseemedpossessed，notunderstandingwhathewasdoing.
Hewokefromhiscrimeasonewakesfromanightmare.Thechildburstoutweeping.
\"Holdyourtongue！Holdyourtongue！\"hesaid.\"I’llgiveyoumoney.\"
Butshedidnothearhimandwentonsobbing.
\"Comenow，holdyourtongue！Doholdyourtongue！Keepquiet！\"hecontinued.
Shekeptshriekingasshetriedtofreeherself.Hesuddenlyrealizedthathewasruined，andhecaughtherbythenecktostophermouthfromutteringtheseheartrending，dreadfulscreams.Asshecontinuedtostrugglewiththedesperatestrengthofabeingwhoisseekingtoflyfromdeath，hepressedhisenormoushandsonthelittlethroatswollenwithscreaming，andinafewsecondshehadstrangledher，sofuriouslydidhegripher.Hehadnotintendedtokillher，butonlytomakeherkeepquiet.
Thenhestoodup，overwhelmedwithhorror.
Shelaybeforehim，herfacebleedingandblackned.Hewasabouttorushawaywhentheresprangupinhisagitatedsoulthemysteriousandundefinedinstinctthatguidesallbeingsinthehourofdanger.
Hewasgoingtothrowthebodyintothewater，butanotherimpulsedrovehimtowardtheclothes，whichhemadeintoasmallpackage.Then，ashehadapieceoftwineinhispocket，hetieditupandhiditinadeepportionofthestream，beneaththetrunkofatreethatoverhungtheBrindille.