Then，asthebloodwasmakingapoolonthedeckoftheboat，oneofthesailorscried：\"Hewillbleedtodeath，wemustbindthevein.\"
Sotheytookacord，athick，brown，tarrycord，andtwistingitaroundthearmabovethewound，tighteneditwithalltheirmight.Thebloodceasedtospurtbyslowdegrees，and，presently，stoppedaltogether.
YoungJavelrose，hisarmhangingathisside.Hetookholdofitwiththeotherhand，raisedit，turneditover，shookit.Itwasallmashed，thebonesbroken，themusclesaloneholdingittogether.Helookedatitsadly，reflectively.Thenhesatdownonafoldedsailandhiscomradesadvisedhimtokeepwettingthearmconstantlytopreventitfrommortifying.
Theyplacedapailofwaterbesidehim，andeveryfewminuteshedippedaglassintoitandbathedthefrightfulwound，lettingtheclearwatertrickleontoit.
\"Youwouldbebetterinthecabin，\"saidhisbrother.Hewentdown，butcameupagaininanhour，notcaringtobealone.And，besides，hepreferredthefreshair.Hesatdownagainonhissailandbegantobathehisarm.
Theymadeagoodhaul.Thebroadfishwiththeirwhitebellieslaybesidehim，quiveringinthethroesofdeath;helookedatthemashecontinuedtobathehiscrushedflesh.
AstheywereabouttoreturntoBoulognethewindsprangupanew，andthelittleboatresumeditsmadcourse，boundingandtumblingabout，shakingupthepoorwoundedman.
Nightcameon.Thesearanhighuntildawn.AsthesunrosetheEnglishcoastwasagainvisible，but，astheweatherhadabatedalittle，theyturnedbacktowardstheFrenchcoast，tackingastheywent.
TowardseveningJavel，junior，calledhiscomradesandshowedthemsomeblackspots，allthehorribletokensofmortificationintheportionofthearmbelowthebrokenbones.
Thesailorsexaminedit，givingtheiropinion.
\"Thatmightbethe’Black，’\"thoughtone.
\"Heshouldputsaltwateronit，\"saidanother.
Theybroughtsomesaltwaterandpoureditonthewound.Theinjuredmanbecamelivid，groundhisteethandwrithedalittle，butdidnotexclaim.
Then，assoonasthesmartinghadabated，hesaidtohisbrother：
\"Givemeyourknife.\"
Thebrotherhandedittohim.
\"Holdmyarmup，quitestraight，andpullit.\"
Theydidasheaskedthem.
Thenhebegantocutoffhisarm.Hecutgently，carefully，severingalthetendonswiththisbladethatwassharpasarazor.And，presently，therewasonlyastumpleft.Hegaveadeepsighandsaid：
\"Ithadtobedone.Itwasdonefor.\"
Heseemedrelievedandbreathedloud.Hethenbeganagaintopourwateronthestumpofarmthatremained.
Theseawasstillroughandtheycouldnotmaketheshore.
Whenthedaybroke，Javel，junior，tooktheseveredportionofhisarmandexamineditforalongtime.Gangrenehadsetin.Hiscomradesalsoexamineditandhandeditfromonetotheother，feelingit，turningitover，andsniffingatit.
\"Youmustthrowthatintotheseaatonce，\"saidhisbrother.
ButJavel，junior，gotangry.
\"Oh，no！Oh，no！Idon’twantto.Itbelongstome，doesitnot，asitismyarm？\"
Andhetookandplaceditbetweenhisfeet.
\"Itwillputrefy，justthesame，\"saidtheolderbrother.Thenanideacametotheinjuredman.Inordertopreservethefishwhentheboatwaslongatsea，theypackeditinsalt，inbarrels.Heasked：
\"WhycanInotputitinpickle？\"
\"Why，that’safact，\"exclaimedtheothers.
Thentheyemptiedoneofthebarrels，whichwasfullfromthehaulofthelastfewdays;andrightatthebottomofthebarreltheylaidthedetachedarm.Theycovereditwithsalt，andthenputbackthefishonebyone.
Oneofthesailorssaidbywayofjoke：
\"Ihopewedonotsellitatauction.\"
Andeveryonelaughed，exceptthetwoJavels.
Thewindwasstillboisterous.TheytackedwithinsightofBoulogneuntilthefollowingmorningatteno’clock.YoungJavelcontinuedtobathehiswound.Fromtimetotimeheroseandwalkedfromoneendtotheotheroftheboat.
Hisbrother，whowasatthetiller，followedhimwithglances，andshookhishead.
Atlasttheyranintoharbor.
Thedoctorexaminedthewoundandpronouncedittobeingoodcondition.
Hedresseditproperlyandorderedthepatienttorest.ButJavelwouldnotgotobeduntilhegotbackhisseveredarm，andhereturnedatoncetothedocktolookforthebarrelwhichhehadmarkedwithacross.
Itwasemptiedbeforehimandheseizedthearm，whichwaswellpreservedinthepickle，hadshrunkandwasfreshened.Hewrappeditupinatowelhehadbroughtforthepurposeandtookithome.
Hiswifeandchildrenlookedforalongtimeatthisfragmentoftheirfather，feelingthefingers，andremovingthegrainsofsaltthatwereunderthenails.Thentheysentforacarpentertomakealittlecoffin.
Thenextdaytheentirecrewofthetrawlingsmackfollowedthefuneralofthedetachedarm.Thetwobrothers，sidebyside，ledtheprocession;
theparishbeadlecarriedthecorpseunderhisarm.
Javel，junior，gaveupthesea.Heobtainedasmallpositiononthedock，andwhenhesubsequentlytalkedabouthisaccident，hewouldsayconfidentiallytohisauditors：
\"Ifmybrotherhadbeenwillingtocutawaythenet，Ishouldstillhavemyarm，thatissure.Buthewasthinkingonlyofhisproperty.\"
MINUET
Greatmisfortunesdonotaffectmeverymuch，saidJohnBridelle，anoldbachelorwhopassedforasceptic.Ihaveseenwaratquiteclosequarters;Iwalkedacrosscorpseswithoutanyfeelingofpity.Thegreatbrutalfactsofnature，orofhumanity，maycallforthcriesofhorrororindignation，butdonotcauseusthattighteningoftheheart，thatshudderthatgoesdownyourspineatsightofcertainlittleheartrendingepisodes.
Thegreatestsorrowthatanyonecanexperienceiscertainlythelossofachild，toamother;andthelossofhismother，toaman.Itisintense，terrible，itrendsyourheartandupsetsyourmind;butoneishealedoftheseshocks，justaslargebleedingwoundsbecomehealed.Certainmeetings，certainthingshalfperceived，orsurmised，certainsecretsorrows，certaintricksoffatewhichawakeinusawholeworldofpainfulthoughts，whichsuddenlyunclosetousthemysteriousdoorofmoralsuffering，complicated，incurable;allthedeeperbecausetheyappearbenign，allthemorebitterbecausetheyareintangible，allthemoretenaciousbecausetheyappearalmostfactitious，leaveinoursoulsasortoftrailofsadness，atasteofbitterness，afeelingofdisenchantment，fromwhichittakesalongtimetofreeourselves.
Ihavealwayspresenttomymindtwoorthreethingsthatotherswouldsurelynothavenoticed，butwhichpenetratedmybeinglikefine，sharpincurablestings.
YoumightnotperhapsunderstandtheemotionthatIretainedfromthesehastyimpressions.Iwilltellyouoneofthem.Shewasveryold，butaslivelyasayounggirl.Itmaybethatmyimaginationaloneisresponsibleformyemotion.
Iamfifty.Iwasyoungthenandstudyinglaw.Iwasrathersad，somewhatofadreamer，fullofapessimisticphilosophyanddidnotcaremuchfornoisycafes，boisterouscompanions，orstupidgirls.Iroseearlyandoneofmychiefenjoymentswastowalkaloneabouteighto’clockinthemorninginthenurserygardenoftheLuxembourg.
Youpeopleneverknewthatnurserygarden.Itwaslikeaforgottengardenofthelastcentury，asprettyasthegentlesmileofanoldlady.
Thickhedgesdividedthenarrowregularpaths，——peacefulpathsbetweentwowallsofcarefullytrimmedfoliage.Thegardener’sgreatshearswerepruningunceasinglytheseleafypartitions，andhereandthereonecameacrossbedsofflowers，linesoflittletreeslookinglikeschoolboysoutforawalk，companiesofmagnificentrosebushes，orregimentsoffruittrees.
Anentirecornerofthischarmingspotwasinhabitedbybees.Theirstrawhivesskillfullyarrangedatdistancesonboardshadtheirentrances——aslargeastheopeningofathimble——turnedtowardsthesun，andallalongthepathsoneencounteredthesehummingandgildedflies，thetruemastersofthispeacefulspot，therealpromenadersofthesequietpaths.
Icametherealmosteverymorning.Isatdownonabenchandread.
SometimesIletmybookfallonmyknees，todream，tolistentothelifeofParisaroundme，andtoenjoytheinfinitereposeoftheseold—
fashionedhedges.
ButIsoonperceivedthatIwasnottheonlyonetofrequentthisspotassoonasthegateswereopened，andIoccasionallymetfacetoface，ataturninthepath，astrangelittleoldman.
Heworeshoeswithsilverbuckles，knee—breeches，asnuff—coloredfrockcoat，alacejabot，andanoutlandishgrayhatwithwidebrimandlong—
hairedsurfacethatmighthavecomeoutoftheark.
Hewasthin，verythin，angular，grimacingandsmiling.Hisbrighteyeswererestlessbeneathhiseyelidswhichblinkedcontinuously.Healwayscarriedinhishandasuperbcanewithagoldknob，whichmusthavebeenforhimsomeglorioussouvenir.
Thisgoodmanastonishedmeatfirst，thencausedmetheintensestinterest.Iwatchedhimthroughtheleafywalls，Ifollowedhimatadistance，stoppingataturninthehedgesoasnottobeseen.
Andonemorningwhenhethoughthewasquitealone，hebegantomakethemostremarkablemotions.Firsthewouldgivesomelittlesprings，thenmakeabow;then，withhisslimlegs，hewouldgivealivelyspringintheair，clappinghisfeetashedidso，andthenturnroundcleverly，skippingandfriskingaboutinacomicalmanner，smilingasifhehadanaudience，twistinghispoorlittlepuppet—likebody，bowingpatheticandridiculouslittlegreetingsintotheemptyair.Hewasdancing.
Istoodpetrifiedwithamazement，askingmyselfwhichofuswascrazy，heorI.
Hestoppedsuddenly，advancedasactorsdoonthestage，thenbowedandretreatedwithgracioussmiles，andkissinghishandasactorsdo，histremblinghand，tothetworowsoftrimmedbushes.
Thenhecontinuedhiswalkwithasolemndemeanor.
AfterthatIneverlostsightofhim，andeachmorninghebegananewhisoutlandishexercises.
Iwaswildlyanxioustospeaktohim.Idecidedtoriskit，andoneday，aftergreetinghim，Isaid：
\"Itisabeautifulday，monsieur.\"
Hebowed.
\"Yes，sir，theweatherisjustasitusedtobe.\"
AweeklaterwewerefriendsandIknewhishistory.Hehadbeenadancingmasterattheopera，inthetimeofLouisXV.HisbeautifulcanewasapresentfromtheComtedeClermont.Andwhenwespokeaboutdancingheneverstoppingtalking.
Onedayhesaidtome：
\"ImarriedLaCastris，monsieur.Iwillintroduceyoutoherifyouwishit，butshedoesnotgetheretilllater.Thisgarden，yousee，isourdelightandourlife.Itisallthatremainsofformerdays.Itseemsasthoughwecouldnotexistifwedidnothaveit.Itisoldanddistingue，isitnot？IseemtobreatheanairherethathasnotchangedsinceIwasyoung.MywifeandIpassallourafternoonshere，butI
comeinthemorningbecauseIgetupearly.\"
AssoonasIhadfinishedluncheonIreturnedtotheLuxembourg，andpresentlyperceivedmyfriendofferinghisarmceremoniouslytoaveryoldlittleladydressedinblack，towhomheintroducedme.ItwasLaCastris，thegreatdancer，belovedbyprinces，belovedbytheking，belovedbyallthatcenturyofgallantrythatseemstohaveleftbehinditintheworldanatmosphereoflove.
Wesatdownonabench.ItwasthemonthofMay.Anodorofflowersfloatedintheneatpaths;ahotsunglideditsraysbetweenthebranchesandcovereduswithpatchesoflight.TheblackdressofLaCastrisseemedtobesaturatedwithsunlight.
Thegardenwasempty.Weheardtherattlingofvehiclesinthedistance.
\"Tellme，\"Isaidtotheolddancer，\"whatwastheminuet？\"
Hegaveastart.
\"Theminuet，monsieur，isthequeenofdances，andthedanceofqueens，doyouunderstand？Sincethereisnolongeranyroyalty，thereisnolongeranyminuet.\"
AndhebeganinapompousmanneralongdithyrambiceulogywhichIcouldnotunderstand.Iwantedtohavethesteps，themovements，thepositions，explainedtome.Hebecameconfused，wasamazedathisinabilitytomakemeunderstand，becamenervousandworried.
Thensuddenly，turningtohisoldcompanionwhohadremainedsilentandserious，hesaid：
\"Elise，wouldyoulike——say——wouldyoulike，itwouldbeveryniceofyou，wouldyouliketoshowthisgentlemanwhatitwas？\"
Sheturnedeyesuneasilyinalldirections，thenrosewithoutsayingawordandtookherpositionoppositehim.
ThenIwitnessedanunheard—ofthing.
Theyadvancedandretreatedwithchildlikegrimaces，smiling，swingingeachother，bowing，skippingaboutliketwoautomatondollsmovedbysomeoldmechanicalcontrivance，somewhatdamaged，butmadebyacleverworkmanaccordingtothefashionofhistime.
AndIlookedatthem，myheartfilledwithextraordinaryemotions，mysoultouchedwithanindescribablemelancholy.Iseemedtoseebeforemeapatheticandcomicalapparition，theout—of—dateghostofaformercentury.
Theysuddenlystopped.Theyhadfinishedallthefiguresofthedance.
Forsomesecondstheystoodoppositeeachother，smilinginanastonishingmanner.Thentheyfelloneachother’sneckssobbing.
Ileftfortheprovincesthreedayslater.Ineversawthemagain.
WhenIreturnedtoParis，twoyearslater，thenurseryhadbeendestroyed.Whatbecameofthem，deprivedofthedeargardenofformerdays，withitsmazes，itsodorofthepast，andthegracefulwindingsofitshedges？
Aretheydead？Aretheywanderingamongmodernstreetslikehopelessexiles？Aretheydancing——grotesquespectres——afantasticminuetinthemoonlight，amidthecypressesofacemetery，alongthepathwaysborderedbygraves？
Theirmemoryhauntsme，obsessesme，tormentsme，remainswithmelikeawound.Why？Idonotknow.
Nodoubtyouthinkthatveryabsurd？
THESON
Thetwooldfriendswerewalkinginthegardeninbloom，wherespringwasbringingeverythingtolife.
Onewasasenator，theotheramemberoftheFrenchAcademy，bothseriousmen，fullofverylogicalbutsolemnarguments，menofnoteandreputation.
Theytalkedfirstofpolitics，exchangingopinions;notonideas，butonmen，personalitiesinthisregardtakingthepredominanceoverability.
Thentheyrecalledsomememories.Thentheywalkedalonginsilence，enervatedbythewarmthoftheair.
Alargebedofwallflowersbreathedoutadelicatesweetness.Amassofflowersofallspeciesandcolorflungtheirfragrancetothebreeze，whileacytisuscoveredwithyellowclustersscattereditsfinepollenabroad，agoldencloud，withanodorofhoneythatboreitsbalmyseedacrossspace，similartothesachet—powdersofperfumers.
Thesenatorstopped，breathedinthecloudoffloatingpollen，lookedatthefertileshrub，yellowasthesun，whoseseedwasfloatingintheair，andsaid：
\"Whenoneconsidersthattheseimperceptiblefragrantatomswillcreateexistencesatahundredleaguesfromhere，willsendathrillthroughthefibresandsapoffemaletreesandproducebeingswithroots，growingfromagerm，justaswedo，mortallikeourselves，andwhowillbereplacedbyotherbeingsofthesameorder，likeourselvesagain！\"
And，standinginfrontofthebrilliantcytisus，whoselivepollenwasshakenoffbyeachbreathofair，thesenatoradded：
\"Ah，oldfellow，ifyouhadtokeepcountofallyourchildrenyouwouldbemightilyembarrassed.Hereisonewhogeneratesfreely，andthenletsthemgowithoutapangandtroubleshimselfnomoreaboutthem.\"
\"Wedothesame，myfriend，\"saidtheacademician.
\"Yes，Idonotdenyit;weletthemgosometimes，\"resumedthesenator，\"butweareawarethatwedo，andthatconstitutesoursuperiority.\"
\"No，thatisnotwhatImean，\"saidtheother，shakinghishead.
\"Yousee，myfriend，thatthereisscarcelyamanwhohasnotsomechildrenthathedoesnotknow，children——’fatherunknown’——whomhehasgeneratedalmostunconsciously，justasthistreereproduces.
\"Ifwehadtokeepaccountofouramours，weshouldbejustasembarrassedasthiscytisuswhichyouapostrophizedwouldbeincountinguphisdescendants，shouldwenot？
\"Fromeighteentofortyyears，infact，countingineverychancecursoryacquaintanceship，wemaywellsaythatwehavebeenintimatewithtwoorthreehundredwomen.
\"Well，then，myfriend，amongthisnumbercanyoubesurethatyouhavenothadchildrenbyatleastoneofthem，andthatyouhavenotinthestreets，orinthebagnio，someblackguardofasonwhostealsfromandmurdersdecentpeople，i.e.，ourselves;orelseadaughterinsomedisreputableplace，or，ifshehasthegoodfortunetobedesertedbyhermother，ascookinsomefamily？
\"Consider，also，thatalmostallthosewhomwecall’prostitutes’haveoneortwochildrenofwhosepaternalparentagetheyareignorant，generatedbychanceatthepriceoftenortwentyfrancs.Ineverybusinessthereisprofitandloss.Thesewildingsconstitutethe’loss’
intheirprofession.Whogeneratedthem？You——I——wealldid，themencalled’gentlemen’！Theyaretheconsequencesofourjoviallittledinners，ofourgayevenings，ofthosehourswhenourcomfortablephysicalbeingimpelsustochanceliaisons.
\"Thieves，marauders，allthesewretches，infact，areourchildren.
Andthatisbetterforusthanifweweretheirchildren，forthosescoundrelsgeneratealso！
\"IhaveinmymindaveryhorriblestorythatIwillrelatetoyou.Ithascausedmeincessantremorse，and，furtherthanthat，acontinualdoubt，adisquietinguncertainty，that，attimes，tormentsmefrightfully.
\"WhenIwastwenty—fiveIundertookawalkingtourthroughBrittanywithoneofmyfriends，nowamemberofthecabinet.
\"AfterwalkingsteadilyforfifteenortwentydaysandvisitingtheCotes—du—NordandpartofFinisterewereachedDouarnenez.FromtherewewentwithouthaltingtothewildpromontoryofRazbythebayofLesTrepaases，andpassedthenightinavillagewhosenameendsin’of.’
Thenextmorningastrangelassitudekeptmyfriendinbed;Isaybedfromhabit，forourcouchconsistedsimplyoftwobundlesofstraw.
\"Itwouldneverdotobeillinthisplace.SoImadehimgetup，andwereachedAndierneaboutfourorfiveo’clockintheevening.
\"Thefollowingdayhefeltalittlebetter，andwesetoutagain.Butontheroadhewasseizedwithintolerablepain，andwecouldscarcelygetasfarasPontLabbe.
\"Here，atleast，therewasaninn.Myfriendwenttobed，andthedoctor，whohadbeensentforfromQuimper，announcedthathehadahighfever，withoutbeingabletodetermineitsnature.
\"DoyouknowPontLabbe？No？Well，then，itisthemostBretonofallthisBretonBrittany，whichextendsfromthepromontoryofRaztotheMorbihan，ofthislandwhichcontainstheessenceoftheBretonmanners，legendsandcustoms.Evento—daythiscornerofthecountryhasscarcelychanged.Isay’evento—day，’forInowgothereeveryyear，alas！
\"Anoldchateaulavesthewallsofitstowersinagreatmelancholypond，melancholyandfrequentedbyflightsofwildbirds.Ithasanoutletinariveronwhichboatscannavigateasfarasthetown.Inthenarrowstreetswiththeirold—timehousesthemenwearbighats，embroideredwaistcoatsandfourcoats，oneontopoftheother;theinsideone，aslargeasyourhand，barelycoveringtheshoulder—blades，andtheoutsideonecomingtojustabovetheseatofthetrousers.
\"Thegirls，tall，handsomeandfreshhavetheirbosomscrushedinaclothbodicewhichmakesanarmor，compressesthem，notallowingoneeventoguessattheirrobustandtorturedneck.Theyalsowearastrangeheaddress.Ontheirtemplestwobandsembroideredincolorsframetheirface，inclosingthehair，whichfallsinashoweratthebackoftheirheads，andisthenturnedupandgatheredontopoftheheadunderasingularcap，oftenwovenwithgoldorsilverthread.
\"Theservantatourinnwaseighteenatmost，withveryblueeyes，apalebluewithtwotinyblackpupils，shortteethclosetogether，whichsheshowedcontinuallywhenshelaughed，andwhichseemedstrongenoughtogrindgranite.
\"ShedidnotknowawordofFrench，speakingonlyBreton，asdidmostofhercompanions.
\"Asmyfrienddidnotimprovemuch，andalthoughhehadnodefinitemalady，thedoctorforbadehimtocontinuehisjourneyyet，orderingcompleterest.Ispentmydayswithhim，andthelittlemaidwouldcomeinincessantly，bringingeithermydinnerorsomeherbtea.
\"Iteasedheralittle，whichseemedtoamuseher，butwedidnotchat，ofcourse，aswecouldnotunderstandeachother.
\"Butonenight，afterIhadstayedquitelatewithmyfriendandwasgoingbacktomyroom，Ipassedthegirl，whowasgoingtoherroom.
Itwasjustoppositemyopendoor，and，withoutreflection，andmoreforfunthananythingelse，Iabruptlyseizedherroundthewaist，andbeforesherecoveredfromherastonishmentIhadthrownherdownandlockedherinmyroom.Shelookedatme，amazed，excited，terrified，notdaringtocryoutforfearofascandalandofbeingprobablydrivenout，firstbyheremployersandthen，perhaps，byherfather.
\"Ididitasajokeatfirst.Shedefendedherselfbravely，andatthefirstchancesherantothedoor，drewbacktheboltandfled.
\"Iscarcelysawherforseveraldays.Shewouldnotletmecomenearher.ButwhenmyfriendwascuredandweweretogetoutonourtravelsagainIsawhercomingintomyroomaboutmidnightthenightbeforeourdeparture，justafterIhadretired.
\"Shethrewherselfintomyarmsandembracedmepassionately，givingmealltheassurancesoftendernessanddespairthatawomancangivewhenshedoesnotknowawordofourlanguage.
\"AweeklaterIhadforgottenthisadventure，socommonandfrequentwhenoneistravelling，theinnservantsbeinggenerallydestinedtoamusetravellersinthisway.
\"IwasthirtybeforeIthoughtofitagain，orreturnedtoPontLabbe.
\"Butin1876IrevisiteditbychanceduringatripintoBrittany，whichImadeinordertolookupsomedataforabookandtobecomepermeatedwiththeatmosphereofthedifferentplaces.
\"Nothingseemedchanged.Thechateaustilllaveditsgraywallinthepondoutsidethelittletown;theinnwasthesame，thoughithadbeenrepaired，renovatedandlookedmoremodern.AsIentereditIwasreceivedbytwoyoungBretongirlsofeighteen，freshandpretty，boundupintheirtightclothbodices，withtheirsilvercapsandwideembroideredbandsontheirears.
\"Itwasaboutsixo’clockintheevening.Isatdowntodinner，andasthehostwasassiduousinwaitingonmehimself，fate，nodoubt，impelledmetosay：
\"’Didyouknowtheformerproprietorsofthishouse？Ispentabouttendaysherethirtyyearsago.Iamtalkingoldtimes.’
\"’Thoseweremyparents，monsieur，’hereplied.
\"ThenItoldhimwhywehadstayedoveratthattime，howmycomradehadbeendelayedbyillness.Hedidnotletmefinish.
\"’Oh，Irecollectperfectly.Iwasaboutfifteenorsixteen.YousleptintheroomattheendandyourfriendintheoneIhavetakenformyself，overlookingthestreet.’
\"Itwasonlythenthattherecollectionofthelittlemaidcamevividlytomymind.Iasked：’Doyourememberaprettylittleservantwhowastheninyourfather’semploy，andwhohad，ifmymemorydoesnotdeceiveme，prettyeyesandfreshlookingteeth？’
\"’Yes，monsieur;shediedinchildbirthsometimeafter.’
\"And，pointingtothecourtyardwhereathin，lamemanwasstirringupthemanure，headded：
\"’Thatisherson.’
\"Ibegantolaugh：
\"’Heisnothandsomeanddoesnotlookmuchlikehismother.Nodoubthelookslikehisfather.’
\"’Thatisverypossible，’repliedtheinnkeeper;’butweneverknewwhosechilditwas.Shediedwithouttellinganyone，andnoonehereknewofherhavingabeau.Everyonewashugelyastonishedwhentheyheardshewasenceinte，andnoonewouldbelieveit.’
\"Asortofunpleasantchillcameoverme，oneofthosepainfulsurfacewoundsthataffectusliketheshadowofanimpendingsorrow.AndI
lookedatthemanintheyard.Hehadjustdrawnwaterforthehorsesandwascarryingtwobuckets，limpingashewalked，withapainfuleffortofhisshorterleg.Hisclotheswereragged，hewashideouslydirty，withlongyellowhair，sotangledthatitlookedlikestrandsofropefallingdownateithersideofhisface.
\"’Heisnotworthmuch，’continuedtheinnkeeper;’wehavekepthimforcharity’ssake.Perhapshewouldhaveturnedoutbetterifhehadbeenbroughtuplikeotherfolks.Butwhatcouldonedo，monsieur？Nofather，nomother，nomoney！Myparentstookpityonhim，buthewasnottheirchild，youunderstand.’
\"Isaidnothing.
\"Isleptinmyoldroom，andallnightlongIthoughtofthisfrightfulstableman，sayingtomyself：’Supposingitismyownson？CouldIhavecausedthatgirl’sdeathandprocreatedthisbeing？Itwasquitepossible！’
\"Iresolvedtospeaktothismanandtofindouttheexactdateofhisbirth.Avariationoftwomonthswouldsetmydoubtsatrest.
\"Isentforhimthenextday.ButhecouldnotspeakFrench.Helookedasifhecouldnotunderstandanything，beingabsolutelyignorantofhisage，whichIhadinquiredofhimthroughoneofthemaids.Hestoodbeforemelikeanidiot，twirlinghishatin’hisknotted，disgustinghands，laughingstupidly，withsomethingofhismother’slaughinthecornersofhismouthandofhiseyes.
\"Thelandlord，appearingonthescene，wenttolookforthebirthcertificateofthiswretchedbeing.Hewasborneightmonthsandtwenty—
sixdaysaftermystayatPontLabbe，forIrecollectperfectlythatwereachedLorientonthefifteenthofAugust.Thecertificatecontainedthisdescription：’Fatherunknown.’ThemothercalledherselfJeanneKerradec.
\"Thenmyheartbegantobeatrapidly.Icouldnotutteraword，forI
feltasifIwerechoking.Ilookedatthisanimalwhoselongyellowhairremindedmeofastrawheap，andthebeggar，embarrassedbymygaze，stoppedlaughing，turnedhisheadaside，andwantedtogetaway.
\"AlldaylongIwanderedbesidethelittleriver，givingwaytopainfulreflections.Butwhatwastheuseofreflection？Icouldbesureofnothing.ForhoursandhoursIweighedalltheprosandconsinfavoroforagainsttheprobabilityofmybeingthefather，growingnervousoverinexplicablesuppositions，onlytoreturnincessantlytothesamehorribleuncertainty，thentothestillmoreatrociousconvictionthatthismanwasmyson.
\"Icouldeatnodinner，andwenttomyroom.
Ilayawakeforalongtime，andwhenIfinallyfellasleepIwashauntedbyhorriblevisions.Isawthislaborerlaughinginmyfaceandcallingme’papa.’Thenhechangedintoadogandbitthecalvesofmylegs，andnomatterhowfastIranhestillfollowedme，andinsteadofbarking，talkedandreviledme.ThenheappearedbeforemycolleaguesattheAcademy，whohadassembledtodecidewhetherIwasreallyhisfather;andoneofthemcriedout：’Therecanbenodoubtaboutit！Seehowheresembleshim.’And，indeed，Icouldseethatthismonsterlookedlikeme.AndIawokewiththisideafixedinmymindandwithaninsanedesiretoseethemanagainandassuremyselfwhetherornotwehadsimilarfeatures.
\"Ijoinedhimashewasgoingtomass（itwasSunday）andIgavehimfivefrancsasIgazedathimanxiously.Hebegantolaughinanidioticmanner，tookthemoney，andthen，embarrassedafreshatmygaze，heranoff，afterstammeringanalmostinarticulatewordthat，nodoubt，meant’thankyou.’
\"Mydaypassedinthesamedistressofmindasonthepreviousnight.
Isentforthelandlord，and，withthegreatestcaution，skillandtact，ItoldhimthatIwasinterestedinthispoorcreature，soabandonedbyeveryoneanddeprivedofeverything，andIwishedtodosomethingforhim.
\"Butthemanreplied：’Oh，donotthinkofit，monsieur;heisofnoaccount;youwillonlycauseyourselfannoyance.Iemployhimtocleanoutthestable，andthatisallhecando.Igivehimhisboardandlethimsleepwiththehorses.Heneedsnothingmore.Ifyouhaveanoldpairoftrousers，youmightgivethemtohim，buttheywillbeinragsinaweek.’
\"Ididnotinsist，intendingtothinkitover.
\"Thepoorwretchcamehomethateveningfrightfullydrunk，camenearsettingfiretothehouse，killedahorsebyhittingitwithapickaxe，andendedupbylyingdowntosleepinthemudinthemidstofthepouringrain，thankstomydonation.
\"Theybeggedmenextdaynottogivehimanymoremoney.Brandydrovehimcrazy，andassoonashehadtwosousinhispockethewouldspenditindrink.Thelandlordadded：’Givinghimmoneyisliketryingtokillhim.’Themanhadnever，neverinhislifehadmorethanafewcentimes，throwntohimbytravellers，andheknewofnodestinationforthismetalbutthewineshop.
\"IspentseveralhoursinmyroomwithanopenbookbeforemewhichI
pretendedtoread，butinrealitylookingatthisanimal，myson！myson！
tryingtodiscoverifhelookedanythinglikeme.AftercarefulscrutinyIseemedtorecognizeasimilarityinthelinesoftheforeheadandtherootofthenose，andIwassoonconvincedthattherewasaresemblance，concealedbythedifferenceingarbandtheman’shideousheadofhair.
\"Icouldnotstayhereanylongerwithoutarousingsuspicion，andIwentaway，myheartcrushed，leavingwiththeinnkeepersomemoneytosoftentheexistenceofhisservant.
\"ForsixyearsnowIhavelivedwiththisideainmymind，thishorribleuncertainty，thisabominablesuspicion.AndeachyearanirresistibleforcetakesmebacktoPontLabbe.EveryyearIcondemnmyselftothetortureofseeingthisanimalrakingthemanure，imaginingthatheresemblesme，andendeavoring，alwaysvainly，torenderhimsomeassistance.AndeachyearIreturnmoreuncertain，moretormented，moreworried.
\"Itriedtohavehimtaught，butheisahopelessidiot.Itriedtomakehislifelesshard.Heisanirreclaimabledrunkard，andspendsindrinkallthemoneyonegiveshim，andknowsenoughtosellhisnewclothesinordertogetbrandy.
\"Itriedtoawakenhismaster’ssympathy，sothatheshouldlookafterhim，offeringtopayhimfordoingso.Theinnkeeper，finallysurprised，said，verywisely：’Allthatyoudoforhim，monsieur，willonlyhelptodestroyhim.Hemustbekeptlikeaprisoner.Assoonashehasanysparetime，oranycomfort，hebecomeswicked.Ifyouwishtodogood，thereisnolackofabandonedchildren，butselectonewhowillappreciateyourattention.’
\"WhatcouldIsay？
\"IfIallowedtheslightestsuspicionofthedoubtsthattorturedmetoescape，thisidiotwouldassuredlybecomecunning，inordertoblackmailme，tocompromisemeandruinme.Hewouldcallout’papa，’asinmydream.
\"AndIsaidtomyselfthatIhadkilledthemotherandlostthisatrophiedcreature，thislarvaofthestable，bornandraisedamidthemanure，thismanwho，ifbroughtuplikeothers，wouldhavebeenlikeothers.
\"Andyoucannotimaginewhatastrange，embarrassedandintolerablefeelingcomesovermewhenhestandsbeforemeandIreflectthathecamefrommyself，thathebelongstomethroughtheintimatebondthatlinksfatherandson，that，thankstotheterriblelawofheredity，heismyownselfinathousandways，inhisbloodandhisflesh，andthathehaseventhesamegermsofdisease，thesameleavenofemotions.
\"Ihaveanincessantrestless，distressinglongingtoseehim，andthesightofhimcausesmeintensesuffering，asIlookdownfrommywindowandwatchhimforhoursremovingandcartingthehorsemanure，sayingtomyself：’Thatismyson.’
\"AndIsometimesfeelanirresistiblelongingtoembracehim.Ihavenevereventouchedhisdirtyhand.\"
Theacademicianwassilent.Hiscompanion，atactfulman，murmured：
\"Yes，indeed，weoughttotakeacloserinterestinchildrenwhohavenofather.\"
Agustofwindpassingthroughthetreeshookitsyellowclusters，envelopinginafragrantanddelicatemistthetwooldmen，whoinhaledinthefragrancewithdeepbreaths.
Thesenatoradded：\"Itisgoodtobetwenty—fiveandeventohavechildrenlikethat.\"
THATPIGOFAMORIN
\"Here，myfriend，\"IsaidtoLabarbe，\"youhavejustrepeatedthosefivewords，thatpigofaMorin.WhyonearthdoIneverhearMorin’snamementionedwithouthisbeingcalledapig？\"
Labarbe，whoisadeputy，lookedatmewithhisowl—likeeyesandsaid：
\"DoyoumeantosaythatyoudonotknowMorin’sstoryandyoucomefromLaRochelle？\"IwasobligedtodeclarethatIdidnotknowMorin’sstory，soLabarberubbedhishandsandbeganhisrecital.
\"YouknewMorin，didyounot，andyourememberhislargelinen—draper’sshopontheQuaidelaRochelle？\"
\"Yes，perfectly.\"
\"Well，then.Youmustknowthatin1862or’63MorinwenttospendafortnightinParisforpleasure;orforhispleasures，butunderthepretextofrenewinghisstock，andyoualsoknowwhatafortnightinParismeanstoacountryshopkeeper;itfireshisblood.Thetheatreeveryevening，women’sdressesrustlingupagainstyouandcontinualexcitement;onegoesalmostmadwithit.Oneseesnothingbutdancersintights，actressesinverylowdresses，roundlegs，fatshoulders，allnearlywithinreachofone’shands，withoutdaring，orbeingable，totouchthem，andonescarcelytastesfood.Whenoneleavesthecityone’sheartisstillallinaflutterandone’smindstillexhilaratedbyasortoflongingforkisseswhichticklesone’slips.
\"MorinwasinthatconditionwhenhetookhisticketforLaRochellebytheeight—fortynightexpress.Ashewaswalkingupanddownthewaiting—roomatthestationhestoppedsuddenlyinfrontofayoungladywhowaskissinganoldone.Shehadherveilup，andMorinmurmuredwithdelight：’ByJovewhataprettywoman！’
\"Whenshehadsaid’good—by’totheoldladyshewentintothewaiting—
room，andMorinfollowedher;thenshewentontheplatformandMorinstillfollowedher;thenshegotintoanemptycarriage，andheagainfollowedher.Therewereveryfewtravellersontheexpress.Theenginewhistledandthetrainstarted.Theywerealone.Morindevouredherwithhiseyes.Sheappearedtobeaboutnineteenortwentyandwasfair，tall，withaboldlook.Shewrappedarailwayrugroundherandstretchedherselfontheseattosleep.
\"Morinaskedhimself：’Iwonderwhosheis？’Andathousandconjectures，athousandprojectswentthroughhishead.Hesaidtohimself：’Somanyadventuresaretoldashappeningonrailwayjourneysthatthismaybeonethatisgoingtopresentitselftome.Whoknows？Apieceofgoodlucklikethathappensverysuddenly，andperhapsIneedonlybealittleventuresome.WasitnotDantonwhosaid：\"Audacity，moreaudacityandalwaysaudacity\"？IfitwasnotDantonitwasMirabeau，butthatdoesnotmatter.ButthenIhavenoaudacity，andthatisthedifficulty.
Oh！Ifoneonlyknew，ifonecouldonlyreadpeople’sminds！Iwillbetthateverydayonepassesbymagnificentopportunitieswithoutknowingit，thoughagesturewouldbeenoughtoletmeknowhermind.’
\"Thenheimaginedtohimselfcombinationswhichconductedhimtotriumph.
Hepicturedsomechivalrousdeedormerelysomeslightservicewhichherenderedher，alively，gallantconversationwhichendedinadeclaration.
\"Buthecouldfindnoopening，hadnopretext，andhewaitedforsomefortunatecircumstance，withhisheartbeatingandhismindtopsy—turvy.
Thenightpassedandtheprettygirlstillslept，whileMorinwasmeditatinghisownfall.Thedaybrokeandsoonthefirstrayofsunlightappearedinthesky，along，clearraywhichshoneonthefaceofthesleepinggirlandwokeher.Shesatup，lookedatthecountry，thenatMorinandsmiled.Shesmiledlikeahappywoman，withanengagingandbrightlook，andMorintrembled.Certainlythatsmilewasintendedforhim;itwasdiscreetinvitation，thesignalwhichhewaswaitingfor.Thatsmilemeanttosay：’Howstupid，whataninny，whatadolt，whatadonkeyyouare，tohavesatthereonyourseatlikeapostallnight！
\"’Justlookatme，amInotcharming？Andyouhavesatlikethatforthewholenight，whenyouhavebeenalonewithaprettywoman，yougreatsimpleton！’
\"Shewasstillsmilingasshelookedathim;sheevenbegantolaugh;andhelosthisheadtryingtofindsomethingsuitabletosay，nomatterwhat.Buthecouldthinkofnothing，nothing，andthen，seizedwithacoward’scourage，hesaidtohimself：
’Somuchtheworse，Iwillriskeverything，’andsuddenly，withouttheslightestwarning，hewenttowardher，hisarmsextended，hislipsprotruding，and，seizingherinhisarms，hekissedher.
\"Shesprangupimmediatelywithabound，cryingout：’Help！help！’andscreamingwithterror;andthensheopenedthecarriagedoorandwavedherarmout，madwithterrorandtryingtojumpout，whileMorin，whowasalmostdistractedandfeelingsurethatshewouldthrowherselfout，heldherbytheskirtandstammered：’Oh，madame！oh，madame！’
\"Thetrainslackenedspeedandthenstopped.Twoguardsrushedupattheyoungwoman’sfranticsignals.Shethrewherselfintotheirarms，stammering：’Thatmanwanted——wanted——to——to——’Andthenshefainted.
\"TheywereatMauzestation，andthegendarmeondutyarrestedMorin.
Whenthevictimofhisindiscreetadmirationhadregainedherconsciousness，shemadeherchargeagainsthim，andthepolicedrewitup.Thepoorlinendraperdidnotreachhometillnight，withaprosecutionhangingoverhimforanoutragetomoralsinapublicplace.
II
\"AtthattimeIwaseditoroftheFanaldesCharentes，andIusedtomeetMorineverydayattheCafeduCommerce，andthedayafterhisadventure.
hecametoseeme，ashedidnotknowwhattodo.Ididnothidemyopinionfromhim，butsaidtohim：’Youarenobetterthanapig.Nodecentmanbehaveslikethat.’
\"Hecried.Hiswifehadgivenhimabeating，andheforesawhistraderuined，hisnamedraggedthroughthemireanddishonored，hisfriendsscandalizedandtakingnonoticeofhim.Intheendheexcitedmypity，andIsentformycolleague，Rivet，ajocularbutverysensiblelittleman，togiveushisadvice.
\"Headvisedmetoseethepublicprosecutor，whowasafriendofmine，andsoIsentMorinhomeandwenttocallonthemagistrate.Hetoldmethatthewomanwhohadbeeninsultedwasayounglady，MademoiselleHenrietteBonnel，whohadjustreceivedhercertificateasgovernessinParisandspentherholidayswithheruncleandaunt，whowereveryrespectabletradespeopleinMauze.WhatmadeMorin’scaseallthemoreseriouswasthattheunclehadlodgedacomplaint，butthepublicofficialhadconsentedtoletthematterdropifthiscomplaintwerewithdrawn，sowemusttryandgethimtodothis.
\"IwentbacktoMorin’sandfoundhiminbed，illwithexcitementanddistress.Hiswife，atallraw—bonedwomanwithabeard，wasabusinghimcontinually，andsheshowedmeintotheroom，shoutingatme：’SoyouhavecometoseethatpigofaMorin.Well，thereheis，thedarling！’
Andsheplantedherselfinfrontofthebed，withherhandsonherhips.
Itoldhimhowmattersstood，andhebeggedmetogoandseethegirl’suncleandaunt.Itwasadelicatemission，butIundertookit，andthepoordevilneverceasedrepeating：’IassureyouIdidnotevenkissher;
no，noteventhat.Iwilltakemyoathtoit！’
\"Ireplied：’Itisallthesame;youarenothingbutapig.’AndItookathousandfrancswhichhegavemetoemployasIthoughtbest，butasI
didnotcaretoventuretoheruncle’shousealone，IbeggedRivettogowithme，whichheagreedtodoonconditionthatwewentimmediately，forhehadsomeurgentbusinessatLaRochellethatafternoon.Sotwohourslaterwerangatthedoorofaprettycountryhouse.Anattractivegirlcameandopenedthedoortousassuredlytheyoungladyinquestion，andIsaidtoRivetinalowvoice：’Confoundit！IbegintounderstandMorin！’
\"Theuncle，MonsieurTonnelet，subscribedtotheFanal，andwasaferventpoliticalcoreligionistofours.Hereceiveduswithopenarmsandcongratulatedusandwishedusjoy;hewasdelightedathavingthetwoeditorsinhishouse，andRivetwhisperedtome：’IthinkweshallbeabletoarrangethematterofthatpigofaMorinforhim.’
\"TheniecehadlefttheroomandIintroducedthedelicatesubject.
Iwavedthespectreofscandalbeforehiseyes;Iaccentuatedtheinevitabledepreciationwhichtheyoungladywouldsufferifsuchanaffairbecameknown，fornobodywouldbelieveinasimplekiss，andthegoodmanseemedundecided，buthecouldnotmakeuphismindaboutanythingwithouthiswife，whowouldnotbeinuntillatethatevening.
Butsuddenlyheutteredanexclamationoftriumph：’Lookhere，Ihaveanexcellentidea;Iwillkeepyouheretodineandsleep，andwhenmywifecomeshomeIhopeweshallbeabletoarrangematters：
\"Rivetresistedatfirst，butthewishtoextricatethatpigofaMorindecidedhim，andweacceptedtheinvitation，andtheunclegotupradiant，calledhisnieceandproposedthatweshouldtakeastrollinhisgrounds，saying：’Wewillleaveseriousmattersuntilthemorning.’
Rivetandhebegantotalkpolitics，whileIsoonfoundmyselflaggingalittlebehindwith’thegirlwhowasreallycharming——charming——andwiththegreatestprecautionIbegantospeaktoheraboutheradventureandtrytomakehermyally.Shedidnot，however，appeartheleastconfused，andlistenedtomelikeapersonwhowasenjoyingthewholethingverymuch.
\"Isaidtoher：’Justthink，mademoiselle，howunpleasantitwillbeforyou.Youwillhavetoappearincourt，toencountermaliciouslooks，tospeakbeforeeverybodyandtorecountthatunfortunateoccurrenceintherailwaycarriageinpublic.Doyounotthink，betweenourselves，thatitwouldhavebeenmuchbetterforyoutohaveputthatdirtyscoundrelbackinhisplacewithoutcallingforassistance，andmerelytochangeyourcarriage？’Shebegantolaughandreplied：’Whatyousayisquitetrue，butwhatcouldIdo？Iwasfrightened，andwhenoneisfrightenedonedoesnotstoptoreasonwithone’sself.AssoonasIrealizedthesituationIwasverysorry，thatIhadcalledout，butthenitwastoolate.Youmustalsorememberthattheidiotthrewhimselfuponmelikeamadman，withoutsayingawordandlookinglikealunatic.Ididnotevenknowwhathewantedofme.’
\"ShelookedmefullinthefacewithoutbeingnervousorintimidatedandIsaidtomyself：’Sheisaqueersortofgirl，that：IcanquiteseehowthatpigMorincametomakeamistake，’andIwentonjokingly：’Come，mademoiselle，confessthathewasexcusable，for，afterall，amancannotfindhimselfoppositesuchaprettygirlasyouarewithoutfeelinganaturaldesiretokissher.’
\"Shelaughedmorethaneverandshowedherteethandsaid：’Betweenthedesireandtheact，monsieur，thereisroomforrespect.’Itwasanoddexpressiontouse，althoughitwasnotveryclear，andIaskedabruptly：
’Well，now，supposeIweretokissyou，whatwouldyoudo？’Shestoppedtolookatmefromheadtofootandthensaidcalmly：’Oh，you？Thatisquiteanothermatter.’
\"Iknewperfectlywell，byJove，thatitwasnotthesamethingatall，aseverybodyintheneighborhoodcalledme’HandsomeLabarbe’——Iwasthirtyyearsoldinthosedays——butIaskedher：’Andwhy，pray？’Sheshruggedhershouldersandreplied：’Well！becauseyouarenotsostupidasheis.’Andthensheadded，lookingatmeslyly：’Norsougly，either：AndbeforeshecouldmakeamovementtoavoidmeIhadimplantedaheartykissonhercheek.Shesprangaside，butitwastoolate，andthenshesaid：’Well，youarenotverybashful，either！Butdon’tdothatsortofthingagain.’
\"Iputonahumblelookandsaidinalowvoice：’Oh，mademoiselle！asforme，ifIlongforonethingmorethananotheritistobesummonedbeforeamagistrateforthesamereasonasMorin.’
\"’Why？’sheasked.And，lookingsteadilyather，Ireplied：’Becauseyouareoneofthemostbeautifulcreaturesliving;becauseitwouldbeanhonorandagloryformetohavewishedtoofferyouviolence，andbecausepeoplewouldhavesaid，afterseeingyou：\"Well，Labarbehasrichlydeservedwhathehasgot，butheisaluckyfellow，allthesame.’\"
\"Shebegantolaughheartilyagainandsaid：’Howfunnyyouare！’Andshehadnotfinishedtheword’funny’beforeIhadherinmyarmsandwaskissingherardentlywhereverIcouldfindaplace，onherforehead，onhereyes，onherlipsoccasionally，onhercheeks，alloverherhead，somepartofwhichshewasobligedtoleaveexposed，inspiteofherself，todefendtheothers;butatlastshemanagedtoreleaseherself，blushingandangry.’Youareveryunmannerly，monsieur，’shesaid，’andIamsorryIlistenedtoyou.’
\"Itookherhandinsomeconfusionandstammeredout：’Ibegyourpardon.
Ibegyourpardon，mademoiselle.Ihaveoffendedyou;Ihaveactedlikeabrute！DonotbeangrywithmeforwhatIhavedone.Ifyouknew——’
Ivainlysoughtforsomeexcuse，andinafewmomentsshesaid：’Thereisnothingformetoknow，monsieur.’ButIhadfoundsomethingtosay，andIcried：’Mademoiselle，Iloveyou！’
\"Shewasreallysurprisedandraisedhereyestolookatme，andIwenton：’Yes，mademoiselle，andpraylistentome.IdonotknowMorin，andIdonotcareanythingabouthim.Itdoesnotmattertometheleastifheiscommittedfortrialandlockedupmeanwhile.Isawyouherelastyear，andIwassotakenwithyouthatthethoughtofyouhasneverleftmesince，anditdoesnotmattertomewhetheryoubelievemeornot.
Ithoughtyouadorable，andtheremembranceofyoutooksuchaholdonmethatIlongedtoseeyouagain，andsoImadeuseofthatfoolMorinasapretext，andhereIam.Circumstanceshavemademeexceedtheduelimitsofrespect，andIcanonlybegyoutopardonme.’
\"ShelookedatmetoseeifIwasinearnestandwasreadytosmileagain.Thenshemurmured：’Youhumbug！’ButIraisedmyhandandsaidinasincerevoice（andIreallybelievethatIwassincere）：’IsweartoyouthatIamspeakingthetruth，’andsherepliedquitesimply：’Don’ttalknonsense！’
\"Wewerealone，quitealone，asRivetandherunclehaddisappeareddownasidewalk，andImadeherarealdeclarationoflove，whileIsqueezedandkissedherhands，andshelistenedtoitastosomethingnewandagreeable，withoutexactlyknowinghowmuchofitshewastobelieve，whileintheendIfeltagitated，andatlastreallymyselfbelievedwhatIsaid.Iwaspale，anxiousandtrembling，andIgentlyputmyarmroundherwaistandspoketohersoftly，whisperingintothelittlecurlsoverherears.Sheseemedinatrance，soabsorbedinthoughtwasshe.
\"Thenherhandtouchedmine，andshepressedit，andIgentlysqueezedherwaistwithatrembling，andgraduallyfirmer，grasp.Shedidnotmovenow，andItouchedhercheekwithmylips，andsuddenlywithoutseekingthemmylipsmethers.Itwasalong，longkiss，anditwouldhavelastedlongerstillifIhadnotheardahm！hm！justbehindme，atwhichshemadeherescapethroughthebushes，andturningroundIsawRivetcomingtowardme，and，standinginthemiddleofthepath，hesaidwithoutevensmiling：’SothatisthewayyousettletheaffairofthatpigofaMorin.’AndIrepliedconceitedly：’Onedoeswhatonecan，mydearfellow.Butwhatabouttheuncle？Howhaveyougotonwithhim？
Iwillanswerfortheniece.’’Ihavenotbeensofortunatewithhim，’
hereplied.
\"WhereuponItookhisarmandwewentindoors，III
\"Dinnermademelosemyheadaltogether.Isatbesideher，andmyhandcontinuallymethersunderthetablecloth，myfoottouchedhersandourglancesmet.
\"Afterdinnerwetookawalkbymoonlight，andIwhisperedallthetenderthingsIcouldthinkoftoher.Iheldherclosetome，kissedhereverymoment，whileheruncleandRivetwerearguingastheywalkedinfrontofus.Theywentin，andsoonamessengerbroughtatelegramfromheraunt，sayingthatshewouldnotreturnuntilthenextmorningatseveno’clockbythefirsttrain.
\"’Verywell，Henriette，’herunclesaid，’goandshowthegentlementheirrooms.’SheshowedRivethisfirst，andhewhisperedtome：’Therewasnodangerofhertakingusintoyoursfirst.’Thenshetookmetomyroom，andassoonasshewasalonewithmeItookherinmyarmsagainandtriedtoarouseheremotion，butwhenshesawthedangersheescapedoutoftheroom，andIretiredverymuchputoutandexcitedandfeelingratherfoolish，forIknewthatIshouldnotsleepmuch，andIwaswonderinghowIcouldhavecommittedsuchamistake，whentherewasagentleknockatmydoor，andonmyaskingwhowastherealowvoicereplied：’I’
\"Idressedmyselfquicklyandopenedthedoor，andshecamein.
’Iforgottoaskyouwhatyoutakeinthemorning，’shesaid;’chocolate，teaorcoffee？’Iputmyarmsroundherimpetuouslyandsaid，devouringherwithkisses：’Iwilltake——Iwilltake——’
\"Butshefreedherselffrommyarms，blewoutmycandleanddisappearedandleftmealoneinthedark，furious，tryingtofindsomematches，andnotabletodoso.AtlastIgotsomeandIwentintothepassage，feelinghalfmad，withmycandlestickinmyhand.
\"WhatwasIabouttodo？Ididnotstoptoreason，Ionlywantedtofindher，andIwould.Iwentafewstepswithoutreflecting，butthenI
suddenlythought：’SupposeIshouldwalkintotheuncle’sroomwhatshouldIsay？’AndIstoodstill，withmyheadavoidandmyheartbeating.ButinafewmomentsIthoughtofananswer：’Ofcourse，I
shallsaythatIwaslookingforRivet’sroomtospeaktohimaboutanimportantmatter，’andIbegantoinspectallthedoors，tryingtofindhers，andatlastItookholdofahandleataventure，turneditandwentin.TherewasHenriette，sittingonherbedandlookingatmeintears.SoIgentlyturnedthekey，andgoinguptoherontiptoeIsaid：
’Iforgottoaskyouforsomethingtoread，mademoiselle.’
\"Iwasstealthilyreturningtomyroomwhenaroughhandseizedmeandavoice——itwasRivet’s—whisperedinmyear：’SoyouhavenotyetquitesettledthataffairofMorin’s？’
\"Atseveno’clockthenextmorningHenrietteherselfbroughtmeacupofchocolate.Ineverhavedrunkanythinglikeit，soft，velvety，perfumed，delicious.Icouldhardlytakeawaymylipsfromthecup，andshehadhardlylefttheroomwhenRivetcamein.Heseemednervousandirritable，likeamanwhohadnotslept，andhesaidtomecrossly：
’IfyougoonlikethisyouwillendbyspoilingtheaffairofthatpigofaMorin！’
\"Ateighto’clocktheauntarrived.Ourdiscussionwasveryshort，fortheywithdrewtheircomplaint，andIleftfivehundredfrancsforthepoorofthetown.Theywantedtokeepusfortheday，andtheyarrangedanexcursiontogoandseesomeruins.Henriettemadesignstometostay，behindherparents’back，andIaccepted，butRivetwasdeterminedtogo，andthoughItookhimasideandbeggedandprayedhimtodothisforme，heappearedquiteexasperatedandkeptsayingtome：’IhavehadenoughofthatpigofaMorin’saffair，doyouhear？’
\"OfcourseIwasobligedtoleavealso，anditwasoneofthehardestmomentsofmylife.IcouldhavegoneonarrangingthatbusinessaslongasIlived，andwhenwewereintherailwaycarriage，aftershakinghandswithherinsilence，IsaidtoRivet：’Youareamerebrute！’Andhereplied：’Mydearfellow，youwerebeginningtoannoymeconfoundedly.’
\"OngettingtotheFanaloffice，Isawacrowdwaitingforus，andassoonastheysawustheyallexclaimed：’Well，haveyousettledtheaffairofthatpigofaMorin？’AllLaRochellewasexcitedaboutit，andRivet，whohadgotoverhisill—humoronthejourney，hadgreatdifficultyinkeepinghimselffromlaughingashesaid：’Yes，wehavemanagedit，thankstoLabarbe：AndwewenttoMorin’s.
\"Hewassittinginaneasy—chairwithmustardplastersonhislegsandcoldbandagesonhishead，nearlydeadwithmisery.Hewascoughingwiththeshortcoughofadyingman，withoutanyoneknowinghowhehadcaughtit，andhiswifelookedathimlikeatigressreadytoeathim，andassoonashesawushetrembledsoviolentlyastomakehishandsandkneesshake，soIsaidtohimimmediately：’Itisallsettled，youdirtyscamp，butdon’tdosuchathingagain.’
\"Hegotup，choking，tookmyhandsandkissedthemasiftheyhadbelongedtoaprince，cried，nearlyfainted，embracedRivetandevenkissedMadameMorin，whogavehimsuchapushastosendhimstaggeringbackintohischair;buthenevergotovertheblow;hismindhadbeentoomuchupset.Inallthecountryround，moreover，hewascallednothingbut’thatpigofaMorin，’andthatepithetwentthroughhimlikeasword—thrusteverytimeheheardit.Whenastreetboycalledafterhim’Pig！’heturnedhisheadinstinctively.Hisfriendsalsooverwhelmedhimwithhorriblejokesandusedtoaskhim，whenevertheywereeatingham，’Isitabitofyourself？’Hediedtwoyearslater.
\"Asformyself，whenIwasacandidatefortheChamberofDeputiesin1875，IcalledonthenewnotaryatFousserre，MonsieurBelloncle，tosolicithisvote，andatall，handsomeandevidentlywealthyladyreceivedme.’Youdonotknowmeagain？’shesaid.AndIstammeredout：
’Why——no——madame.’’HenrietteBonnel.’’Ah！’AndIfeltmyselfturningpale，whilesheseemedperfectlyathereaseandlookedatmewithasmile.
\"Assoonasshehadleftmealonewithherhusbandhetookbothmyhands，and，squeezingthemasifhemeanttocrushthem，hesaid：’Ihavebeenintendingtogoandseeyouforalongtime，mydearsir，formywifehasveryoftentalkedtomeaboutyou.Iknow——yes，Iknowunderwhatpainfulcircumstancesyoumadeheracquaintance，andIknowalsohowperfectlyyoubehaved，howfullofdelicacy，tactanddevotionyoushowedyourselfintheaffair——’Hehesitatedandthensaidinalowertone，asifhehadbeensayingsomethinglowandcoarse，’intheaffairofthatpigofaMorin.’\"
SAINTANTHONY
TheycalledhimSaintAnthony，becausehisnamewasAnthony，andalso，perhaps，becausehewasagoodfellow，jovial，aloverofpracticaljokes，atremendouseaterandaheavydrinkerandagayfellow，althoughhewassixtyyearsold.
HewasabigpeasantofthedistrictofCaux，witharedface，largechestandstomach，andperchedontwolegsthatseemedtooslightforthebulkofhisbody.
Hewasawidowerandlivedalonewithhistwomenservantsandamaidonhisfarm，whichheconductedwithshrewdeconomy.Hewascarefulofhisowninterests，understoodbusinessandtheraisingofcattle，andfarming.Histwosonsandhisthreedaughters，whohadmarriedwell，werelivingintheneighborhoodandcametodinewiththeirfatheronceamonth.Hisvigorofbodywasfamousinallthecountryside.\"HeisasstrongasSaintAnthony，\"hadbecomeakindofproverb.
AtthetimeofthePrussianinvasionSaintAnthony，atthewineshop，promisedtoeatanarmy，forhewasabraggart，likeatrueNorman，abitofa，cowardandablusterer.Hebangedhisfistonthewoodentable，makingthecupsandthebrandyglassesdance，andcriedwiththeassumedwrathofagoodfellow，withaflushedfaceandaslylookinhiseye：
\"Ishallhavetoeatsomeofthem，nomdeDieu！\"HereckonedthatthePrussianswouldnotcomeasfarasTanneville，butwhenheheardtheywereatRautotheneverwentoutofthehouse，andconstantlywatchedtheroadfromthelittlewindowofhiskitchen，expectingatanymomenttoseethebayonetsgoby.
Onemorningashewaseatinghisluncheonwiththeservantsthedooropenedandthemayorofthecommune，MaitreChicot，appeared，followedbyasoldierwearingablackcopper—pointedhelmet.SaintAnthonyboundedtohisfeetandhisservantsalllookedathim，expectingtoseehimslashthePrussian.Buthemerelyshookhandswiththemayor，whosaid：
\"Hereisoneforyou，SaintAnthony.Theycamelastnight.Don’tdoanythingfoolish，aboveallthings，fortheytalkedofshootingandburningeverythingifthereistheslightestunpleasantness，Ihavegivenyouwarning.Givehimsomethingtoeat;helookslikeagoodfellow.
Good—day.Iamgoingtocallontherest.Thereareenoughforall.\"
Andhewentout.
FatherAnthony，whohadturnedpale，lookedatthePrussian.Hewasabig，youngfellowwithplump，whiteskin，blueeyes，fairhair，unshaventohischeekbones，wholookedstupid，timidandgood.TheshrewdNormanreadhimatonce，and，reassured，hemadehimasigntositdown.Thenhesaid：\"Willyoutakesomesoup？\"
Thestrangerdidnotunderstand.Anthonythenbecamebolder，andpushingaplatefulofsouprightunderhisnose，hesaid：\"Here，swallowthat，bigpig！
Thesoldier，answered\"Ya，\"andbegantoeatgreedily，whilethefarmer，triumphant，feelinghehadregainedhisreputation，winkedhiseyeattheservants，whoweremakingstrangegrimaces，whatwiththeirterrorandtheirdesiretolaugh.
WhenthePrussianhaddevouredhissoup，SaintAnthonygavehimanotherplateful，whichdisappearedinlikemanner;butheflinchedatthethirdwhichthefarmertriedtoinsistonhiseating，saying：\"Come，putthatintoyourstomach;’twillfattenyouoritisyourownfault，eh，pig！\"
Thesoldier，understandingonlythattheywantedtomakehimeatallhissoup，laughedinacontentedmanner，makingasigntoshowthathecouldnotholdanymore.
ThenSaintAnthony，becomequitefamiliar，tappedhimonthestomach，saying：\"My，thereisplentyinmypig’sbelly！\"Butsuddenlyhebegantowrithewithlaughter，unabletospeak.Anideahadstruckhimwhichmadehimchokewithmirth.\"That’sit，that’sit，SaintAnthonyandhispig.There’smypig！\"Andthethreeservantsburstoutlaughingintheirturn.
Theoldfellowwassopleasedthathehadthebrandybroughtin，goodstuff，’filendix’，andtreatedeveryone.TheyclinkedglasseswiththePrussian，whoclackedhistonguebywayofflatterytoshowthatheenjoyedit.AndSaintAnthonyexclaimedinhisface：\"Eh，isnotthatsuperfine？Youdon’tgetanythinglikethatinyourhome，pig！\"
FromthattimeFatherAnthonyneverwentoutwithouthisPrussian.Hehadgotwhathewanted.Thiswashisvengeance，thevengeanceofanoldrogue.Andthewholecountryside，whichwasinterror，laughedtosplititssidesatSaintAnthony’sjoke.Truly，therewasnoonelikehimwhenitcametohumor.Noonebuthewouldhavethoughtofathinglikethat.
Hewasabornjoker！
Hewenttoseehisneighborseveryday，arminarmwithhisGerman，whomheintroducedinajovialmanner，tappinghimontheshoulder：\"See，hereismypig;lookandseeifheisnotgrowingfat，theanimal！\"
Andthepeasantswouldbeamwithsmiles.\"Heissocomical，thatrecklessfellow，Antoine！\"
\"Iwillsellhimtoyou，Cesaire，forthreepistoles\"（thirtyfrancs）.
\"Iwilltakehim，Antoine，andIinviteyoutoeatsomeblackpudding.\"
\"WhatIwantishisfeet.\"
\"Feelhisbelly;youwillseethatitisallfat.\"
Andtheyallwinkedateachother，butdarednotlaughtooloud，forfearthePrussianmightfinallysuspecttheywerelaughingathim.Anthony，alonegrowingboldereveryday，pinchedhisthighs，exclaiming，\"Nothingbutfat\";tappedhimontheback，shouting，\"Thatisallbacon\";liftedhimupinhisarmsasanoldColossusthatcouldhaveliftedananvil，declaring，\"Heweighssixhundredandnowaste.\"
Hehadgotintothehabitofmakingpeopleofferhis\"pig\"somethingtoeatwherevertheywenttogether.Thiswasthechiefpleasure，thegreatdiversioneveryday.\"Givehimwhateveryouplease，hewillswalloweverything.\"Andtheyofferedthemanbreadandbutter，potatoes，coldmeat，chitterlings，whichcausedtheremark，\"Someofyourown，andchoiceones.\"
Thesoldier，stupidandgentle，atefrompoliteness，charmedattheseattentions，makinghimselfillratherthanrefuse，andhewasactuallygrowingfatandhisuniformbecomingtightforhim.ThisdelightedSaintAnthony，whosaid：\"Youknow，mypig，thatweshallhavetohaveanothercagemadeforyou.\"
Theyhad，however，becomethebestfriendsintheworld，andwhentheoldfellowwenttoattendtohisbusinessintheneighborhoodthePrussianaccompaniedhimforthesimplepleasureofbeingwithhim.
Theweatherwassevere;itwasfreezinghard.Theterriblewinterof1870seemedtobringallthescourgesonFranceatonetime.
FatherAntoine，whomadeprovisionbeforehand，andtookadvantageofeveryopportunity，foreseeingthatmanurewouldbescarceforthespringfarming，boughtfromaneighborwhohappenedtobeinneedofmoneyallthathehad，anditwasagreedthatheshouldgoeveryeveningwithhiscarttogetaload.
SoeverydayattwilighthesetoutforthefarmofHaules，halfaleaguedistant，alwaysaccompaniedbyhis\"pig.\"Andeachtimeitwasafestival，feedingtheanimal.AlltheneighborsranoverthereastheywouldgotohighmassonSunday.
Butthesoldierbegantosuspectsomething，bemistrustful，andwhentheylaughedtooloudhewouldrollhiseyesuneasily，andsometimestheylightedupwithanger.
Oneeveningwhenhehadeatenhisfillherefusedtoswallowanothermorsel，andattemptedtorisetoleavethetable.ButSaintAnthonystoppedhimbyaturnofthewristand，placinghistwopowerfulhandsonhisshoulders，hesathimdownagainsoroughlythatthechairsmashedunderhim.
Awildburstoflaughterbrokeforth，andAnthony，beaming，pickeduphispig，actedasthoughheweredressinghiswounds，andexclaimed：\"Sinceyouwillnoteat，youshalldrink，nomdeDieu！\"Andtheywenttothewineshoptogetsomebrandy.
Thesoldierrolledhiseyes，whichhadawickedexpression，buthedrank，nevertheless;hedrankaslongastheywantedhim，andSaintAnthonyheldhisheadtothegreatdelightofhiscompanions.
TheNorman，redasatomato，hiseyesablaze，filleduptheglassesandclinked，saying：\"Here’stoyou！\".AndthePrussian，withoutspeakingaword，poureddownoneafteranotherglassfulsofcognac.
Itwasacontest，abattle，arevenge！Whowoulddrinkthemost，nomd’unnom！Theycouldneitherofthemstandanymorewhentheliterwasemptied.Butneitherwasconquered.Theyweretied，thatwasall.Theywouldhavetobeginagainthenextday.
Theywentoutstaggeringandstartedforhome，walkingbesidethedungcartwhichwasdrawnalongslowlybytwohorses.
Snowbegantofallandthemoonlessnightwassadlylightedbythisdeadwhitenessontheplain.Themenbegantofeelthecold，andthisaggravatedtheirintoxication.SaintAnthony，annoyedatnotbeingthevictor，amusedhimselfbyshovinghiscompanionsoastomakehimfalloverintotheditch.Theotherwoulddodgebackwards，andeachtimehedidheutteredsomeGermanexpressioninanangrytone，whichmadethepeasantroarwithlaughter.FinallythePrussianlosthistemper，andjustasAnthonywasrollingtowardshimherespondedwithsuchaterrificblowwithhisfistthattheColossusstaggered.
Then，excitedbythebrandy，theoldmanseizedthepugilistroundthewaist，shookhimforafewmomentsashewouldhavedonewithalittlechild，andpitchedhimatrandomtotheothersideoftheroad.Then，satisfiedwiththispieceofwork，hecrossedhisarmsandbegantolaughafresh.
Butthesoldierpickedhimselfupinahurry，hisheadbare，hishelmethavingrolledoff，anddrawinghisswordherushedovertoFatherAnthony.
Whenhesawhimcomingthepeasantseizedhiswhipbythetopofthehandle，hisbighollywoodwhip，straight，strongandsuppleasthesinewofanox.
ThePrussianapproached，hisheaddown，makingalungewithhissword，sureofkillinghisadversary.Buttheoldfellow，squarelyhittingtheblade，thepointofwhichwouldhavepiercedhisstomach，turneditaside，andwiththebuttendofthewhipstruckthesoldierasharpblowonthetempleandhefelltotheground.
Thenhe，gazedaghast，stupefiedwithamazement，atthebody，twitchingconvulsivelyatfirstandthenlyingproneandmotionless.Hebentoverit，turneditonitsback，andgazedatitforsometime.Theman’seyeswereclosed，andbloodtrickledfromawoundatthesideofhisforehead.
Althoughitwasdark，FatherAnthonycoulddistinguishthebloodstainonthewhitesnow.
Heremainedthere，athiswit’send，whilehiscartcontinuedslowlyonitsway.
Whatwashetodo？Hewouldbeshot！Theywouldburnhisfarm，ruinhisdistrict！Whatshouldhedo？Whatshouldhedo？Howcouldhehidethebody，concealthefactofhisdeath，deceivethePrussians？Heheardvoicesinthedistance，amidtheutterstillnessofthesnow.Allatonceherousedhimself，andpickingupthehelmetheplaceditonhisvictim’shead.Then，seizinghimroundthebody，heliftedhimupinhisarms，andthusrunningwithhim，heovertookhisteam，andthrewthebodyontopofthemanure.Onceinhisownhousehewouldthinkupsomeplan.
Hewalkedslowly，rackinghisbrain，butwithoutresult.Hesaw，hefelt，thathewaslost.Heenteredhiscourtyard.Alightwasshininginoneoftheatticwindows;hismaidwasnotasleep.Hehastilybackedhiswagontotheedgeofthemanurehollow.Hethoughtthatbyoverturningthemanurethebodylyingontopofitwouldfallintotheditchandbeburiedbeneathit，andhedumpedthecart.