Meanwhileithadgrownunbearablyhot，thesparklingriverlookedlikeablazeoffireandthefumesofthewineweregettingintotheirheads.
MonsieurDufour，whohadaviolenthiccough，hadunbuttonedhiswaistcoatandthetopbuttonofhistrousers，whilehiswife，whofeltchoking，wasgraduallyunfasteningherdress.Theapprenticewasshakinghisyellowwiginahappyframeofmind，andkepthelpinghimselftowine，andtheoldgrandmother，feelingtheeffectsofthewine，wasverystiffanddignified.Asforthegirl，onenoticedonlyapeculiarbrightnessinhereyes，whilethebrowncheeksbecamemorerosy.
Thecoffeefinished，theysuggestedsinging，andeachofthemsangorrepeatedacouplet，whichtheothersapplaudedfrantically.Thentheygotupwithsomedifficulty，andwhilethetwowomen，whowereratherdizzy，weretryingtogetabreathofair，thetwomen，whowerealtogetherdrunk，wereattemptinggymnastics.Heavy，limpandwithscarletfacestheyhungor，awkwardlytotheironrings，withoutbeingabletoraisethemselves.
Meanwhilethetwoboatingmenhadgottheirboatsintothewater，andtheycamebackandpolitelyaskedtheladieswhethertheywouldlikearow.
\"Wouldyoulikeone，MonsieurDufour？\"hiswifeexclaimed.\"Pleasecome！\"
Hemerelygaveheradrunkennod，withoutunderstandingwhatshesaid.
Thenoneoftherowerscameupwithtwofishingrodsinhishands，andthehopeofcatchingagudgeon，thatgreatvisionoftheParisianshopkeeper，madeDufour’sdulleyesgleam，andhepolitelyallowedthemtodowhatevertheyliked，whilehesatintheshadeunderthebridge，withhisfeetdanglingovertheriver，bythesideoftheyoungmanwiththeyellowhair，whowassleepingsoundly.
Oneoftheboatingmenmadeamartyrofhimselfandtookthemother.
\"LetusgotothelittlewoodontheIleauxAnglais！\"hecalledoutasherowedoff.Theotherboatwentmoreslowly，fortherowerwaslookingathiscompanionsointentlythatbythoughtofnothingelse，andhisemotionseemedtoparalyzehisstrength，whilethegirl，whowassittinginthebow，gaveherselfuptotheenjoymentofbeingonthewater.Shefeltadisinclinationtothink，alassitudeinherlimbsandatotalenervation，asifshewereintoxicated，andherfacewasflushedandherbreathingquickened.Theeffectsofthewine，whichwereincreasedbytheextremeheat，madeallthetreesonthebankseemtobowasshepassed.Avaguewishforenjoymentandafermentationofherbloodseemedtopervadeherwholebody，whichwasexcitedbytheheatoftheday，andshewasalsodisturbedatthistete—a—teteonthewater，inaplacewhichseemeddepopulatedbytheheat，withthisyoungmanwhothoughtherpretty，whoseardentlooksseemedtocaressherskinandwereaspenetratingandpervadingasthesun’srays.
Theirinabilitytospeakincreasedtheiremotion，andtheylookedaboutthem.Atlast，however，hemadeaneffortandaskedhername.
\"Henriette，\"shesaid.
\"Why，mynameisHenri，\"hereplied.Thesoundoftheirvoiceshadcalmedthem，andtheylookedatthebanks.Theotherboathadpassedthemandseemedtobewaitingforthem，andtherowercalledout：
\"Wewillmeetyouinthewood;wearegoingasfarasRobinson’s，becauseMadameDufouristhirsty.\"Thenhebentoverhisoarsagainandrowedoffsoquicklythathewassoonoutofsight.
Meanwhileacontinualroar，whichtheyhadheardforsometime，camenearer，andtheriveritselfseemedtoshiver，asifthedullnoisewererisingfromitsdepths.
\"Whatisthatnoise？\"sheasked.Itwasthenoiseoftheweirwhichcuttheriverintwoattheisland，andhewasexplainingittoher，when，abovethenoiseofthewaterfall，theyheardthesongofabird，whichseemedalongwayoff.
\"Listen！\"hesaid;\"thenightingalesaresingingduringtheday，sothefemalebirdsmustbesitting.\"
Anightingale！Shehadneverheardonebefore，andtheideaoflisteningtoonerousedvisionsofpoetictendernessinherheart.Anightingale！
Thatistosay，theinvisiblewitnessofherlovetrystswhichJulietinvokedonherbalcony;thatcelestialmusicwhichitattunedtohumankisses，thateternalinspirerofallthoselanguorousromanceswhichopenanidealskytoallthepoorlittletenderheartsofsensitivegirls！
Shewasgoingtohearanightingale.
\"Wemustnotmakeanoise，\"hercompanionsaid，\"andthenwecangointothewood，andsitdownclosebesideit.\"
Theboatseemedtoglide.Theysawthetreesontheisland，thebanksofwhichweresolowthattheycouldlookintothedepthsofthethickets.
Theystopped，hemadetheboatfast，HenriettetookholdofHenri’sarm，andtheywentbeneaththetrees.
\"Stoop，\"hesaid，soshestoopeddown，andtheywentintoaninextricablethicketofcreepers，leavesandreedgrass，whichformedanundiscoverableretreat，andwhichtheyoungmanlaughinglycalled\"hisprivateroom.\"
Justabovetheirheads，perchedinoneofthetreeswhichhidthem，thebirdwasstillsinging.Heutteredtrillsandroulades，andthenloud，vibratingnotesthatfilledtheairandseemedtolosethemselvesonthehorizon，acrossthelevelcountry，throughthatburningsilencewhichweigheduponthewholelandscape.Theydidnotspeakforfearoffrighteningitaway.Theyweresittingclosetogether，and，slowly，Henri’sarmstoleroundthegirl’swaistandsqueezeditgently.Shetookthatdaringhandwithoutanyanger，andkeptremovingitwheneverheputitroundher;without，however，feelingatallembarrassedbythiscaress，justasifithadbeensomethingquitenatural，whichshewasresistingjustasnaturally.
Shewaslisteningtothebirdinecstasy.Shefeltaninfinitelongingforhappiness，forsomesuddendemonstrationoftenderness，fortherevelationofsuperhumanpoetry，andshefeltsuchasofteningatherheart，andrelaxationofhernerves，thatshebegantocry，withoutknowingwhy.Theyoungmanwasnowstrainingherclosetohim，yetshedidnotremovehisarm;shedidnotthinkofit.Suddenlythenightingalestopped，andavoicecalledoutinthedistance：
\"Henriette！\"
\"Donotreply，\"hesaidinalowvoice;\"youwilldrivethebirdaway.\"
Butshehadnoideaofdoingso，andtheyremainedinthesamepositionforsometime.MadameDufourhadsatdownsomewhereorother，forfromtimetotimetheyheardthestoutladybreakoutintolittleburstsoflaughter.
Thegirlwasstillcrying;shewasfilledwithstrangesensations.
Henri’sheadwasonhershoulder，andsuddenlyhekissedheronthelips.
Shewassurprisedandangry，and，toavoidhim，shestoodup.
Theywerebothverypalewhentheylefttheirgrassyretreat.Theblueskyappearedtothemcloudedandtheardentsundarkened;andtheyfelttilesolitudeandthesilence.Theywalkedrapidly，sidebyside，withoutspeakingortouchingeachother，fortheyseemedtohavebecomeirreconcilableenemies，asifdisgustandhatredhadarisenbetweenthem，andfromtimetotimeHenriettecalledout：\"Mamma！\"
Byandbytheyheardanoisebehindabush，andthestoutladyappeared，lookingratherconfused，andhercompanion’sfacewaswrinkledwithsmileswhichhecouldnotcheck.
MadameDufourtookhisarm，andtheyreturnedtotheboats，andHenri，whowasahead，walkedinsilencebesidetheyounggirl.AtlasttheygotbacktoBezons.MonsieurDufour，whowasnowsober，waswaitingforthemveryimpatiently，whiletheyoungmanwiththeyellowhairwashavingamouthfulofsomethingtoeatbeforeleavingtheinn.Thecarriagewaswaitingintheyard，andthegrandmother，whohadalreadygotin，wasveryfrightenedatthethoughtofbeingovertakenbynightbeforetheyreachedParis，astheoutskirtswerenotsafe.
Theyallshookbands，andtheDufourfamilydroveoff.
\"Good—by，untilwemeetagain！\"theoarsmencried，andtheanswertheygotwasasighandatear.
Twomonthslater，asHenriwasgoingalongtheRuedesMartyrs，hesawDufour，Ironmonger，overadoor，andsohewentin，andsawthestoutladysittingatthecounter.Theyrecognizedeachotherimmediately，andafteraninterchangeofpolitegreetings，heaskedafterthemall.
\"AndhowisMademoiselleHenriette？\"heinquiredspecially.
\"Verywell，thankyou;sheismarried.\"
\"Ah！\"Hefeltacertainemotion，butsaid：\"Whomdidshemarry？\"
\"Thatyoungmanwhoaccompaniedus，youknow;hehasjoinedusinbusiness.\"
\"Irememberhimperfectly.\"
Hewasgoingout，feelingveryunhappy，thoughscarcelyknowingwhy，whenmadamecalledhimback.
\"Andhowisyourfriend？\"sheaskedrathershyly.
\"Heisverywell，thankyou.\"
\"Pleasegivehimourcompliments，andbeghimtocomeandcall，whenheisintheneighborhood.\"
Shethenadded：\"Tellhimitwillgivemegreatpleasure.\"
\"Iwillbesuretodoso.Adieu！\"
\"Donotsaythat;comeagainverysoon.\"
Thenextyear，oneveryhotSunday，allthedetailsofthatadventure，whichHenrihadneverforgotten，suddenlycamebacktohimsoclearlythathereturnedalonetotheirroominthewood，andwasoverwhelmedwithastonishmentwhenhewentin.Shewassittingonthegrass，lookingverysad，whilebyherside，stillinhisshirtsleeves，theyoungmanwiththeyellowhairwassleepingsoundly，likesomeanimal.
ShegrewsopalewhenshesawHenrithatatfirsthethoughtshewasgoingtofaint;then，however，theybegantotalkquitenaturally.
Butwhenhetoldherthathewasveryfondofthatspot，andwenttherefrequentlyonSundaystoindulgeinmemories，shelookedintohiseyesforalongtime.
\"Itoo，thinkofit，\"shereplied.
\"Come，mydear，\"herhusbandsaid，withayawn.\"Ithinkitistimeforustobegoing.\"
ROSE
Thetwoyoungwomenappeartobeburiedunderablanketofflowers.Theyarealoneintheimmenselandau，whichisfilledwithflowerslikeagiantbasket.Onthefrontseataretwosmallhampersofwhitesatinfilledwithviolets，andonthebearskinbywhichtheirkneesarecoveredthereisamassofroses，mimosas，pinks，daisies，tuberosesandorangeblossoms，interwovenwithsilkribbons;thetwofrailbodiesseemburiedunderthisbeautifulperfumedbed，whichhideseverythingbuttheshouldersandarmsandalittleofthedaintywaists.
Thecoachman’swhipiswoundwithagarlandofanemones，thehorses’
tracesaredottedwithcarnations，thespokesofthewheelsareclothedinmignonette，andwherethelanternsoughttobearetwoenormousroundbouquetswhichlookasthoughtheyweretheeyesofthisstrange，rolling，flower—bedeckedcreature.
Thelandaudrivesrapidlyalongtheroad，throughtheRued’Antibes，preceded，followed，accompanied，byacrowdofothercarriagescoveredwithflowers，fullofwomenalmosthiddenbyaseaofviolets.ItistheflowercarnivalatCannes.
ThecarriagereachestheBoulevarddelaFonciere，wherethebattleiswaged.Allalongtheimmenseavenueadoublerowofflower—bedeckedvehiclesaregoingandcominglikeanendlessribbon.Flowersarethrownfromonetotheother.Theypassthroughtheairlikeballs，strikingfreshfaces，bouncingandfallingintothedust，whereanarmyofyoungsterspickthemup.
Athickcrowdisstandingonthesidewalkslookingonandheldincheckbythemountedpolice，whopassbrutallyalongpushingbackthecuriouspedestriansasthoughtopreventthecommonpeoplefromminglingwiththerich.
Inthecarriages，peoplecalltoeachother，recognizeeachotherandbombardeachotherwithroses.Achariotfullofprettywomen，dressedinred，likedevils，attractstheeyesofall.Agentleman，wholooksliketheportraitsofHenryIV.，isthrowinganimmensebouquetwhichisheldbackbyanelastic.Fearingtheshock，thewomenhidetheireyesandthemenlowertheirheads，butthegraceful，rapidandobedientmissiledescribesacurveandreturnstoitsmaster，whoimmediatelythrowsitatsomenewface.
Thetwoyoungwomenbegintothrowtheirstockofflowersbyhandfuls，andreceiveaperfecthailofbouquets;then，afteranhourofwarfare，alittletired，theytellthecoachmantodrivealongtheroadwhichfollowstheseashore.
ThesundisappearsbehindEsterel，outliningthedark，ruggedmountainagainstthesunsetsky.Theclearbluesea，ascalmasamill—pond，stretchesoutasfarasthehorizon，whereitblendswiththesky;andthefleet，anchoredinthemiddleofthebay，lookslikeaherdofenormousbeasts，motionlessonthewater，apocalypticanimals，armoredandhump—backed，theirfrailmastslookinglikefeathers，andwitheyeswhichlightupwheneveningapproaches.
Thetwoyoungwomen，leaningbackundertheheavyrobes，lookoutlazilyovertheblueexpanseofwater.Atlastoneofthemsays：
\"Howdelightfultheeveningsare！Howgoodeverythingseems！Don’tyouthinkso，Margot？\"
\"Yes，itisgood.Butthereisalwayssomethinglacking.\"
\"Whatislacking？Ifeelperfectlyhappy.Idon’tneedanythingelse.\"
\"Yes，youdo.Youarenotthinkingofit.Nomatterhowcontentedwemaybe，physically，wealwayslongforsomethingmore——fortheheart.\"
Theotheraskedwithasmile：
\"Alittlelove？\"
\"Yes.\"
Theystoppedtalking，theireyesfastenedonthedistanthorizon，thentheonecalledMargueritemurmured：\"Lifewithoutthatseemstomeunbearable.Ineedtobeloved，ifonlybyadog.Butweareallalike，nomatterwhatyoumaysay，Simone.\"
\"Notatall，mydear.Ihadrathernotbelovedatallthantobelovedbythefirstcomer.Doyouthink，forinstance，thatitwouldbepleasanttobelovedby——by——\"
Shewasthinkingbywhomshemightpossiblybeloved，glancingacrossthewidelandscape.Hereyes，aftertravelingaroundthehorizon，fellonthetwobrightbuttonswhichwereshiningonthebackofthecoachman’slivery，andshecontinued，laughing：\"bymycoachman？\"
MadameMargotbarelysmiled，andsaidinalowtoneofvoice：
\"Iassureyouthatitisveryamusingtobelovedbyaservant.Ithashappenedtometwoorthreetimes.Theyrolltheireyesinsuchafunnymanner——it’senoughtomakeyoudielaughing！Naturally，themoreinlovetheyare，themoresevereonemustbewiththem，andthen，someday，forsomereason，youdismissthem，because，ifanyoneshouldnoticeit，youwouldappearsoridiculous.\"
MadameSimonewaslistening，staringstraightaheadofher，thensheremarked：
\"No，I’mafraidthatmyfootman’sheartwouldnotsatisfyme.Tellmehowyounoticedthattheylovedyou.\"
\"InoticeditthesamewaythatIdowithothermen——whentheygetstupid.\"
\"Theothersdon’tseemstupidtome，whentheyloveme.\"
\"Theyareidiots，mydear，unabletotalk，toanswer，tounderstandanything.\"
\"Buthowdidyoufeelwhenyouwerelovedbyaservant？Wereyou——moved——flattered？\"
\"Moved？no，flattered——yesalittle.Oneisalwaysflatteredtobelovedbyaman，nomatterwhohemaybe.\"
\"Oh，Margot！\"
\"Yes，indeed，mydear！Forinstance，Iwilltellyouofapeculiarincidentwhichhappenedtome.Youwillseehowcuriousandcomplexouremotionsare，insuchcases.
\"AboutfouryearsagoIhappenedtobewithoutamaid.Ihadtriedfiveorsix，onerightaftertheother，andIwasaboutreadytogiveupindespair，whenIsawanadvertisementinanewspaperofayounggirlknowinghowtocook，embroider，dresshair，whowaslookingforapositionandwhocouldfurnishthebestofreferences.Besidesalltheseaccomplishments，shecouldspeakEnglish.
\"Iwrotetothegivenaddress，andthenextdaythepersoninquestionpresentedherself.Shewastall，slender，pale，shy—looking.Shehadbeautifulblackeyesandacharmingcomplexion;shepleasedmeimmediately.Iaskedforhercertificates;shegavemeoneinEnglish，forshecame，asshesaid，fromLadyRymwell’s，whereshehadbeenfortenyears.
\"Thecertificateshowedthattheyounggirlhadleftofherownfreewill，inordertoreturntoFrance，andtheonlythingwhichtheyhadhadtofindfaultinherduringherlongperiodofservicewasalittleFrenchcoquettishness.
\"ThisprudishEnglishphraseevenmademesmile，andIimmediatelyengagedthismaid.
\"Shecametomethesameday.HernamewasRose.
\"AttheendofamonthIwouldhavebeenhelplesswithouther.Shewasatreasure，apearl，aphenomenon.
\"Shecoulddressmyhairwithinfinitetaste;shecouldtrimahatbetterthanmostmilliners，andshecouldevenmakemydresses.
\"Iwasastonishedatheraccomplishments.Ihadneverbeforebeenwaitedoninsuchamanner.
\"Shedressedmerapidlyandwithasurprisinglylighttouch.Ineverfeltherfingersonmyskin，andnothingissodisagreeabletomeascontactwithaservant’shand.Isoonbecameexcessivelylazy;itwassopleasanttobedressedfromheadtofoot，andfromlingerietogloves，bythistall，timidgirl，alwaysblushingalittle，andneversayingaword.
AftermybathshewouldrubandmassagemewhileIdozedalittleonmycouch;Ialmostconsideredhermoreofafriendthanaservant.
\"Onemorningthejanitorasked，mysteriously，tospeaktome.Iwassurprised，andtoldhimtocomein.Hewasagood，faithfulman，anoldsoldier，oneofmyhusband’sformerorderlies.
\"Heseemedtobeembarrassedbywhathehadtosaytome.Atlasthemanagedtomumble：
\"’Madame，thesuperintendentofpoliceisdownstairs.’
\"Iaskedquickly：
\"’Whatdoeshewish？’
\"’Hewishestosearchthehouse.’
\"Ofcoursethepoliceareuseful，butIhatethem.Idonotthinkthatitisanobleprofession.Ianswered，angeredandhurt：
\"’Whythissearch？Forwhatreason？Heshallnotcomein.’
\"Thejanitorcontinued：
\"’Hesaysthatthereisacriminalhiddeninthehouse.’
\"ThistimeIwasfrightenedandItoldhimtobringtheinspectortome，sothatImightgetsomeexplanation.HewasamanwithgoodmannersanddecoratedwiththeLegionofHonor.Hebeggedmypardonfordisturbingme，andtheninformedmethatIhad，amongmydomestics，aconvict.
\"Iwasshocked;andIansweredthatIcouldguaranteeeveryservantinthehouse，andIbegantoenumeratethem.
\"’Thejanitor，PierreCourtin，anoldsoldier.’
\"’It’snothe.’
\"’Astable—boy，sonoffarmerswhomIknow，andagroomwhomyouhavejustseen.’
\"’It’snothe.’
\"’Then，monsieur，youseethatyoumustbemistaken.’
\"’Excuseme，madame，butIampositivethatIamnotmakingamistake.
Astheconvictionofanotablecriminalisatstake，wouldyoubesokindastosendforallyourservants？\"
\"AtfirstIrefused，butIfinallygavein，andsentdownstairsforeverybody，menandwomen.
\"Theinspectorglancedatthemandthendeclared：
\"’Thisisn’tall.’
\"’Excuseme，monsieur，thereisnooneleftbutmymaid，ayounggirlwhomyoucouldnotpossiblymistakeforaconvict.’
\"Heasked：
\"’MayIalsoseeher？’
\"’Certainly.’
\"IrangforRose，whoimmediatelyappeared.Shehadhardlyenteredtheroom，whentheinspectormadeamotion，andtwomenwhomIhadnotseen，hiddenbehindthedoor，sprangforward，seizedherandtiedherhandsbehindherback.
\"Icriedoutinangerandtriedtorushforwardtodefendher.Theinspectorstoppedme：
\"’Thisgirl，madame，isamanwhosenameisJeanNicolasLecapet，condemnedtodeathin1879forassaultingawomanandinjuringhersothatdeathresulted.Hissentencewascommutedtoimprisonmentforlife.
Heescapedfourmonthsago.Wehavebeenlookingforhimeversince.’
\"Iwasterrified，bewildered.Ididnotbelievehim.Thecommissionercontinued，laughing：
\"’Icanproveittoyou.Hisrightarmistattooed.’
\"’Thesleevewasrolledup.Itwastrue.Theinspectoradded，withbadtaste：
\"’Youcantrustusfortheotherproofs.’
\"Andtheyledmymaidaway！
\"Well，wouldyoubelieveme，thethingthatmovedmemostwasnotangerathavingthusbeenplayedupon，deceivedandmaderidiculous，itwasnottheshameofhavingthusbeendressedandundressed，handledandtouchedbythisman——butadeephumiliation——awoman’shumiliation.Doyouunderstand？\"
\"IamafraidIdon’t.\"
\"Justthink——thismanhadbeencondemnedfor——forassaultingawoman.
Well！Ithoughtoftheonewhomhehadassaulted——and——andIfelthumiliated——There！Doyouunderstandnow？\"
MadameMargotdidnotanswer.Shewaslookingstraightahead，hereyesfastenedonthetwoshiningbuttonsofthelivery，withthatsphinx—likesmilewhichwomensometimeshave.
ROSALIEPRUDENT
Therewasarealmysteryinthisaffairwhichneitherthejury，northepresident，northepublicprosecutorhimselfcouldunderstand.
ThegirlPrudent（Rosalie），servantattheVarambots’，ofNantes，havingbecomeenceintewithouttheknowledgeofhermasters，had，duringthenight，killedandburiedherchildinthegarden.
Itwastheusualstoryoftheinfanticidescommittedbyservantgirls.
Buttherewasoneinexplicablecircumstanceaboutthisone.WhenthepolicesearchedthegirlPrudent’sroomtheydiscoveredacompleteinfant’soutfit，madebyRosalieherself，whohadspenthernightsforthelastthreemonthsincuttingandsewingit.Thegrocerfromwhomshehadboughthercandles，outofherownwages，forthislongpieceofworkhadcometotestify.Itcameout，moreover，thatthesage—femmeofthedistrict，informedbyRosalieofhercondition，hadgivenherallnecessaryinstructionsandcounselincasetheeventshouldhappenatatimewhenitmightnotbepossibletogethelp.ShehadalsoprocuredaplaceatPoissyforthegirlPrudent，whoforesawthatherpresentemployerswoulddischargeher，fortheVarambotcoupledidnottriflewithmorality.
Therewerepresentatthetrialboththemanandthewoman，amiddle—
classpairfromtheprovinces，livingontheirincome.Theyweresoexasperatedagainstthisgirl，whohadsulliedtheirhouse，thattheywouldhavelikedtoseeherguillotinedonthespotwithoutatrial.
Thespitefuldepositionstheymadeagainstherbecameaccusationsintheirmouths.
Thedefendant，alarge，handsomegirlofLowerNormandy，welleducatedforherstationinlife，weptcontinuouslyandwouldnotanswertoanything.
Thecourtandthespectatorswereforcedtotheopinionthatshehadcommittedthisbarbarousactinamomentofdespairandmadness，sincetherewaseveryindicationthatshehadexpectedtokeepandbringupherchild.
Thepresidenttriedforthelasttimetomakeherspeak，togetsomeconfession，and，havingurgedherwithmuchgentleness，hefinallymadeherunderstandthatallthesemengatheredheretopassjudgmentuponherwerenotanxiousforherdeathandmightevenhavepityonher.
Thenshemadeuphermindtospeak.
\"Come，now，tellus，first，whoisthefatherofthischild？\"heasked.
Untilthenshehadobstinatelyrefusedtogivehisname.
Butsherepliedsuddenly，lookingathermasterswhohadsocruellycalumniatedher：
\"ItisMonsieurJoseph，MonsieurVarambot’snephew.\"
Thecouplestartedintheirseatsandcriedwithonevoice——\"That’snottrue！Shelies！Thisisinfamous！\"
Thepresidenthadthemsilencedandcontinued\"Goon，please，andtellushowitallhappened.\"
Thenshesuddenlybegantotalkfreely，relievingherpent—upheart，thatpoor，solitary，crushedheart——layingbarehersorrow，herwholesorrow，beforethoseseveremenwhomshehaduntilnowtakenforenemiesandinflexiblejudges.
\"Yes，itwasMonsieurJosephVarambot，whenhecameonleavelastyear.\"
\"WhatdoesMr.JosephVarambotdo？\"
\"Heisanon—commissionedofficerintheartillery，monsieur.Well，hestayedtwomonthsatthehouse，twomonthsofthesummer.Ithoughtnothingaboutitwhenhebegantolookatme，andthenflatterme，andmakelovetomealldaylong.AndIletmyselfbetakenin，monsieur.
HekeptsayingtomethatIwasahandsomegirl，thatIwasgoodcompany，thatIjustsuitedhim——andI，Ilikedhimwellenough.WhatcouldIdo？
Onelistenstothesethingswhenoneisalone——allalone——asIwas.Iamaloneintheworld，monsieur.Ihavenoonetotalkto——noonetotellmytroublesto.Ihavenofather，nomother，nobrother，nosister，nobody.AndwhenhebegantotalktomeitwasasifIhadabrotherwhohadcomeback.Andthenheaskedmetogowithhimtotheriveroneevening，sothatwemighttalkwithoutdisturbinganyone.Iwent——I
don’tknow——Idon’tknowhowithappened.Hehadhisarmaroundme.
ReallyIdidn’twantto——no——no——Icouldnot——Ifeltlikecrying，theairwassosoft——themoonwasshining.No，Isweartoyou——Icouldnot——
hedidwhathewanted.Thatwentonthreeweeks，aslongashestayed.
Icouldhavefollowedhimtotheendsoftheworld.Hewentaway.IdidnotknowthatIwasenceinte.Ididnotknowituntilthemonthafter——\"
Shebegantocrysobitterlythattheyhadtogivehertimetocollectherself.
Thenthepresidentresumedwiththetoneofapriestattheconfessional：
\"Come，now，goon.\"
Shebegantotalkagain：\"WhenIrealizedmyconditionIwenttoseeMadameBoudin，whoistheretotellyou，andIaskedherhowitwouldbe，incaseitshouldcomeifshewerenotthere.ThenImadetheoutfit，sewingnightafternight，everyeveninguntiloneo’clockinthemorning;
andthenIlookedforanotherplace，forIknewverywellthatIshouldbesentaway，butIwantedtostayinthehouseuntiltheverylast，soastosavemypennies，forIhavenotgotverymuchandIshouldneedmymoneyforthelittleone.\"
\"Thenyoudidnotintendtokillhim？\"
\"Oh，certainlynot，monsieur！\"
\"Whydidyoukillhim，then？\"
\"Ithappenedthisway.ItcamesoonerthanIexpected.Itcameuponmeinthekitchen，whileIwasdoingthedishes.MonsieurandMadameVarambotwerealreadyasleep，soIwentup，notwithoutdifficulty，draggingmyselfupbythebanister，andIlaydownonthebarefloor.
Itlastedperhapsonehour，ortwo，orthree;Idon’tknow，Ihadsuchpain;andthenIpushedhimoutwithallmystrength.IfeltthathecameoutandIpickedhimup.
\"Ah！butIwasglad，Iassureyou！IdidallthatMadameBoudintoldmetodo.AndthenIlaidhimonmybed.AndthensuchapaingripedmeagainthatIthoughtIshoulddie.Ifyouknewwhatitmeant，youthere，youwouldnotdosomuchofthis.Ifellonmyknees，andthentoppledoverbackwardonthefloor;anditgripedmeagain，perhapsonehour，perhapstwo.Ilaythereallalone——andthenanotheronecomes——anotherlittleone——two，yes，two，likethis.ItookhimupasIdidthefirstone，andthenIputhimonthebed，thetwosidebyside.Isitpossible，tellme，twochildren，andIwhogetonlytwentyfrancsamonth？Say，isitpossible？One，yes，thatcanbemanagedbygoingwithoutthings，butnottwo.Thatturnedmyhead.WhatdoIknowaboutit？HadIanychoice，tellme？
\"WhatcouldIdo？Ifeltasifmylasthourhadcome.Iputthepillowoverthem，withoutknowingwhy.Icouldnotkeepthemboth;andthenI
threwmyselfdown，andIlaythere，rollingoverandoverandcryinguntilIsawthedaylightcomeintothewindow.Bothofthemwerequitedeadunderthepillow.ThenItookthemundermyarmsandwentdownthestairsoutinthevegetablegarden.Itookthegardener’sspadeandI
buriedthemundertheearth，diggingasdeepaholeasIcould，onehereandtheotheronethere，nottogether，sothattheymightnottalkoftheirmotheriftheselittledeadbodiescantalk.WhatdoIknowaboutit？
\"Andthen，backinmybed，IfeltsosickthatIcouldnotgetup.Theysentforthedoctorandheunderstooditall.I’mtellingyouthetruth，YourHonor.Dowhatyoulikewithme;I’mready.\"
Halfofthejurywereblowingtheirnosesviolentlytokeepfromcrying.
Thewomeninthecourtroomweresobbing.
Thepresidentaskedher：
\"Wheredidyouburytheotherone？\"
\"Theonethatyouhave？\"sheasked.
\"Why，thisone——thisonewasintheartichokes.\"
\"Oh，thentheotheroneisamongthestrawberries，bythewell.\"
Andshebegantosobsopiteouslythatnoonecouldhearherunmoved.
ThegirlRosaliePrudentwasacquitted.
REGRET
MonsieurSaval，whowascalledinMantes\"FatherSaval，\"hadjustrisenfrombed.Hewasweeping.Itwasadullautumnday;theleaveswerefalling.Theyfellslowlyintherain，likeaheavierandslowerrain.
M.Savalwasnotingoodspirits.Hewalkedfromthefireplacetothewindow，andfromthewindowtothefireplace.Lifehasitssombredays.
Itwouldnolongerhaveanybutsombredaysforhim，forhehadreachedtheageofsixty—two.Heisalone，anoldbachelor，withnobodyabouthim.Howsaditistodiealone，allalone，withoutanyonewhoisdevotedtoyou！
Heponderedoverhislife，sobarren，soempty.Herecalledformerdays，thedaysofhischildhood，thehome，thehouseofhisparents;hiscollegedays，hisfollies;thetimehestudiedlawinParis，hisfather’sillness，hisdeath.Hethenreturnedtolivewithhismother.Theylivedtogetherveryquietly，anddesirednothingmore.Atlastthemotherdied.Howsadlifeis！Helivedalonesincethen，andnow，inhisturn，he，too，willsoonbedead.Hewilldisappear，andthatwillbetheend.TherewillbenomoreofPaulSavalupontheearth.Whatafrightfulthing！Otherpeoplewilllove，willlaugh.Yes，peoplewillgoonamusingthemselves，andhewillnolongerexist！Isitnotstrangethatpeoplecanlaugh，amusethemselves，bejoyfulunderthateternalcertaintyofdeath？Ifthisdeathwereonlyprobable，onecouldthenhavehope;butno，itisinevitable，asinevitableasthatnightfollowstheday.
If，however，hislifehadbeenfull！Ifhehaddonesomething;ifhehadhadadventures，greatpleasures，success，satisfactionofsomekindoranother.Butno，nothing.Hehaddonenothing，nothingbutrisefrombed，eat，atthesamehours，andgotobedagain.Andhehadgoneonlikethattotheageofsixty—twoyears.Hehadnoteventakenuntohimselfawife，asothermendo.Why？Yes，whywasitthathehadnotmarried？Hemighthavedoneso，forhepossessedconsiderablemeans.
Hadhelackedanopportunity？Perhaps！Butonecancreateopportunities.Hewasindifferent;thatwasall.Indifferencehadbeenhisgreatestdrawback，hisdefect，hisvice.Howmanymenwrecktheirlivesthroughindifference！Itissodifficultforsomenaturestogetoutofbed，tomoveabout，totakelongwalks，tospeak，tostudyanyquestion.
Hehadnotevenbeenloved.Nowomanhadreposedonhisbosom，inacompleteabandonoflove.Heknewnothingofthedeliciousanguishofexpectation，thedivinevibrationofahandinyours，oftheecstasyoftriumphantpassion.
Whatsuperhumanhappinessmustoverflowyourheart，whenlipsencounterlipsforthefirsttime，whenthegraspoffourarmsmakesonebeingofyou，abeingunutterablyhappy，twobeingsinfatuatedwithoneanother.
M.Savalwassittingbeforethefire，hisfeetonthefender，inhisdressinggown.Assuredlyhislifehadbeenspoiled，completelyspoiled.
Hehad，however，loved.Hehadlovedsecretly，sadly，andindifferently，inamannercharacteristicofhimineverything.Yes，hehadlovedhisoldfriend，MadameSandres，thewifeofhisoldcompanion，Sandres.
Ah！ifhehadknownherasayounggirl！Buthehadmethertoolate;
shewasalreadymarried.Unquestionably，hewouldhaveaskedherhand！
Howhehadlovedher，nevertheless，withoutrespite，sincethefirstdayheseteyesonher！
Herecalledhisemotioneverytimehesawher，hisgriefonleavingher，themanynightsthathecouldnotsleep，becausehewasthinkingofher.
Onrisinginthemorninghewassomewhatmorerationalthanonthepreviousevening.
Why？
Howprettyshewasformerly，sodainty，withfaircurlyhair，andalwayslaughing.Sandreswasnotthemansheshouldhavechosen.Shewasnowfifty—twoyearsofage.Sheseemedhappy.Ah！ifshehadonlylovedhimindaysgoneby;yes，ifshehadonlylovedhim！Andwhyshouldshenothavelovedhim，he，Saval，seeingthathelovedhersomuch，yes，she，MadameSandres！
Ifonlyshecouldhaveguessed.Hadshenotguessedanything，seenanything，comprehendedanything？Whatwouldshehavethought？Ifhehadspoken，whatwouldshehaveanswered？
AndSavalaskedhimselfathousandotherthings.Hereviewedhiswholelife，seekingtorecallamultitudeofdetails.
HerecalledallthelongeveningsspentatthehouseofSandres，whenthelatter’swifewasyoung，andsocharming.
Herecalledmanythingsthatshehadsaidtohim，theintonationsofhervoice，thelittlesignificantsmilesthatmeantsomuch.
Herecalledtheirwalks，thethreeofthemtogether，alongthebanksoftheSeine，theirluncheononthegrassonSundays，forSandreswasemployedatthesub—prefecture.Andallatoncethedistinctrecollectioncametohimofanafternoonspentwithherinalittlewoodonthebanksoftheriver.
Theyhadsetoutinthemorning，carryingtheirprovisionsinbaskets.
Itwasabrightspringmorning，oneofthosedayswhichintoxicateone.
Everythingsmellsfresh，everythingseemshappy.Thevoicesofthebirdssoundmorejoyous，and—theyflymoreswiftly.Theyhadluncheononthegrass，underthewillowtrees，quiteclosetothewater，whichglitteredinthesun’srays.Theairwasbalmy，chargedwiththeodorsoffreshvegetation;theydrankitinwithdelight.Howpleasanteverythingwasonthatday！
Afterlunch，Sandreswenttosleeponthebroadofhisback.\"Thebestnaphehadinhislife，\"saidhe，whenhewokeup.
MadameSandreshadtakenthearmofSaval，andtheystartedtowalkalongtheriverbank.
Sheleanedtenderlyonhisarm.Shelaughedandsaidtohim：\"Iamintoxicated，myfriend，Iamquiteintoxicated.\"Helookedather，hisheartgoingpit—a—pat.Hefelthimselfgrowpale，fearfulthathemighthavelookedtooboldlyather，andthatthetremblingofhishandhadrevealedhispassion.
Shehadmadeawreathofwildflowersandwater—lilies，andsheaskedhim：\"DoIlookprettylikethat？\"
Ashedidnotanswer——forhecouldfindnothingtosay，hewouldhavelikedtogodownonhisknees——sheburstoutlaughing，asortofannoyed，displeasedlaugh，asshesaid：\"Greatgoose，whatailsyou？Youmightatleastsaysomething.\"
Hefeltlikecrying，butcouldnotevenyetfindawordtosay.
Allthesethingscamebacktohimnow，asvividlyasonthedaywhentheytookplace.Whyhadshesaidthistohim，\"Greatgoose，whatailsyou？
Youmightatleastsaysomething！\"
Andherecalledhowtenderlyshehadleanedonhisarm.Andinpassingunderashadytreehehadfeltherearbrushinghischeek，andhehadmovedhisheadabruptly，lestsheshouldsupposehewastoofamiliar.
Whenhehadsaidtoher：\"Isitnottimetoreturn？\"shedartedasingularlookathim.\"Certainly，\"shesaid，\"certainly，\"regardinghimatthesametimeinacuriousmanner.Hehadnotthoughtofitatthetime，butnowthewholethingappearedtohimquiteplain.
\"Justasyoulike，myfriend.Ifyouaretiredletusgoback.\"
Andhehadanswered：\"Iamnotfatigued;butSandresmaybeawakenow.\"
Andshehadsaid：\"Ifyouareafraidofmyhusband’sbeingawake，thatisanotherthing.Letusreturn.\"
Ontheirwaybacksheremainedsilent，andleanednolongeronhisarm.
Why？
Atthattimeithadneveroccurredtohim，toaskhimself\"why.\"Nowheseemedtoapprehendsomethingthathehadnotthenunderstood.
Couldit？
M.Savalfelthimselfblush，andhegotupatabound，asifhewerethirtyyearsyoungerandhadheardMadameSandressay，\"Iloveyou.\"
Wasitpossible？Thatideawhichhadjustenteredhismindtorturedhim.
Wasitpossiblethathehadnotseen，hadnotguessed？
Oh！ifthatweretrue，ifhehadletthisopportunityofhappinesspasswithouttakingadvantageofit！
Hesaidtohimself：\"Imustknow.Icannotremaininthisstateofdoubt.Imustknow！\"Hethought：\"Iamsixty—twoyearsofage，sheisfifty—eight;Imayaskherthatnowwithoutgivingoffense.\"
Hestartedout.
TheSandres’housewassituatedontheothersideofthestreet，almostdirectlyoppositehisown.Hewentacrossandknockedatthedoor，andalittleservantopenedit.
\"Youhereatthishour，Saval！Hassomeaccidenthappenedtoyou？\"
\"No，mygirl，\"hereplied;\"butgoandtellyourmistressthatIwanttospeaktoheratonce.\"
\"Thefactismadameispreservingpearsforthewinter，andsheisinthepreservingroom.Sheisnotdressed，youunderstand.\"
\"Yes，butgoandtellherthatIwishtoseeheronaveryimportantmatter.\"
Thelittleservantwentaway，andSavalbegantowalk，withlong，nervousstrides，upanddownthedrawing—room.Hedidnotfeelintheleastembarrassed，however.Oh！hewasmerelygoingtoaskhersomething，ashewouldhaveaskedheraboutsomecookingrecipe.Hewassixty—twoyearsofage！
Thedooropenedandmadameappeared.Shewasnowalargewoman，fatandround，withfullcheeksandasonorouslaugh.Shewalkedwithherarmsawayfromhersidesandhersleevestuckedup，herbarearmsallcoveredwithfruitjuice.Sheaskedanxiously：
\"Whatisthematterwithyou，myfriend？Youarenotill，areyou？\"
\"No，mydearfriend;butIwishtoaskyouonething，whichtomeisofthefirstimportance，somethingwhichistorturingmyheart，andIwantyoutopromisethatyouwillanswermefrankly.\"
Shelaughed，\"Iamalwaysfrank.Sayon.\"
\"Well，then.IhavelovedyoufromthefirstdayIeversawyou.Canyouhaveanydoubtofthis？\"
Sheresponded，laughing，withsomethingofherformertoneofvoice.
\"Greatgoose！whatailsyou？Iknewitfromtheveryfirstday！\"
Savalbegantotremble.Hestammeredout：\"Youknewit？Then\"
Hestopped.
Sheasked：
\"Then？
Heanswered：
\"Then——whatdidyouthink？What——what——whatwouldyouhaveanswered？\"
Shebrokeintoapealoflaughter.Someofthejuiceranoffthetipsofherfingersontothecarpet.
\"What？\"
\"I？Why，youdidnotaskmeanything.Itwasnotformetodeclaremyself！\"
Hethenadvancedasteptowardher.
\"Tellme——tellmeYourememberthedaywhenSandreswenttosleeponthegrassafterlunchwhenwehadwalkedtogetherasfarasthebendoftheriver，below\"
Hewaited，expectantly.Shehadceasedtolaugh，andlookedathim，straightintheeyes.
\"Yes，certainly，Irememberit.\"
Heanswered，tremblingallover：
\"Well——thatday——ifIhadbeen——ifIhadbeen——venturesome——whatwouldyouhavedone？\"
Shebegantolaughasonlyahappywomancanlaugh，whohasnothingtoregret，andrespondedfrankly，inaclearvoicetingedwithirony：
\"Iwouldhaveyielded，myfriend.\"
Shethenturnedonherheelsandwentbacktoherjam—making.
Savalrushedintothestreet，castdown，asthoughhehadmetwithsomedisaster.Hewalkedwithgiantstridesthroughtherain，straighton，untilhereachedtheriverbank，withoutthinkingwherehewasgoing.
Hethenturnedtotherightandfollowedtheriver.Hewalkedalongtime，asifurgedonbysomeinstinct.Hisclotheswererunningwithwater，hishatwasoutofshape，assoftasarag，anddrippinglikearoof.Hewalkedon，straightinfrontofhim.Atlast，hecametotheplacewheretheyhadlunchedonthatdaysolongago，therecollectionofwhichtorturedhisheart.Hesatdownundertheleaflesstrees，andwept.
ASISTER’SCONFESSION
MargueritedeTherelleswasdying.Althoughshewas—onlyfifty—sixyearsoldshelookedatleastseventy—five.Shegaspedforbreath，herfacewhiterthanthesheets，andhadspasmsofviolentshivering，withherfaceconvulsedandhereyeshaggardasthoughshesawafrightfulvision.
Hereldersister，Suzanne，sixyearsolderthanherself，wassobbingonherkneesbesidethebed.Asmalltableclosetothedyingwoman’scouchbore，onawhitecloth，twolightedcandles，forthepriestwasexpectedatanymomenttoadministerextremeunctionandthelastcommunion.
Theapartmentworethatmelancholyaspectcommontodeathchambers;alookofdespairingfarewell.Medicinebottleslitteredthefurniture;
linenlayinthecornersintowhichithadbeenkickedorswept.Theverychairslooked，intheirdisarray，asiftheywereterrifiedandhadruninalldirections.Death——terribleDeath——wasintheroom，hidden，awaitinghisprey.
Thishistoryofthetwosisterswasanaffectingone.Itwasspokenoffarandwide;ithaddrawntearsfrommanyeyes.
Suzanne，theelder，hadoncebeenpassionatelylovedbyayoungman，whoseaffectionshereturned.Theywereengagedtobemarried，andtheweddingdaywasathand，whenHenrydeSampierresuddenlydied.
Theyounggirl’sdespairwasterrible，andshetookanoathnevertomarry.Shefaithfullykepthervowandadoptedwidow’sweedsfortheremainderofherlife.
Butonemorninghersister，herlittlesisterMarguerite，thenonlytwelveyearsold，threwherselfintoSuzanne’sarms，sobbing：\"Sister，I
don’twantyoutobeunhappy.Idon’twantyoutomournallyourlife.
I’llneverleaveyou——never，never，never！Ishallnevermarry，either.
I’llstaywithyoualways——always！\"
Suzannekissedher，touchedbythechild’sdevotion，thoughnotputtinganyfaithinherpromise.
Butthelittleonekeptherword，and，despiteherparents’
remonstrances，despitehereldersister’sprayers，nevermarried.
Shewasremarkablyprettyandrefusedmanyoffers.Sheneverlefthersister.
Theyspenttheirwholelifetogether，withoutasingleday’sseparation.
Theywenteverywheretogetherandwereinseparable.ButMargueritewaspensive，melancholy，sadderthanhersister，asifhersublimesacrificehadunderminedherspirits.Shegrewoldermorequickly;herhairwaswhiteatthirty;andshewasoftenill，apparentlystrickenwithsomeunknown，wastingmalady.
Andnowshewouldbethefirsttodie.
Shehadnotspokenfortwenty—fourhours，excepttowhisperatdaybreak：
\"Sendatonceforthepriest.\"
Andshehadsinceremainedlyingonherback，convulsedwithagony，herlipsmovingasifunabletoutterthedreadfulwordsthatroseinherheart，herfaceexpressiveofaterrordistressingtowitness.
Suzanne，distractedwithgrief，herbrowpressedagainstthebed，weptbitterly，repeatingoverandoveragainthewords：
\"Margot，mypoorMargot，mylittleone！\"
Shehadalwayscalledher\"mylittleone，\"whileMarguerite’snamefortheelderwasinvariably\"sister.\"
Afootstepsoundedonthestairs.Thedooropened.Anacolyteappeared，followedbytheagedpriestinhissurplice.Assoonasshesawhimthedyingwomansatupsuddenlyinbed，openedherlips，stammeredafewwordsandbegantoscratchthebed—clothes，asifshewouldhavemadeholeinthem.
FatherSimonapproached，tookherhand，kissedherontheforeheadandsaidinagentlevoice：
\"MayGodpardonyoursins，mydaughter.Beofgoodcourage.Nowisthemomenttoconfessthem——speak！\"
ThenMarguerite，shudderingfromheadtofoot，sothattheverybedshookwithhernervousmovements，gasped：
\"Sitdown，sister，andlisten.\"
TheprieststoopedtowardtheprostrateSuzanne，raisedhertoherfeet，placedherinachair，and，takingahandofeachofthesisters，pronounced：
\"LordGod！Sendthemstrength！ShedThymercyuponthem.\"
AndMargueritebegantospeak.Thewordsissuedfromherlipsonebyone——hoarse，jerky，tremulous.
\"Pardon，pardon，sister！pardonme！Oh，ifonlyyouknewhowIhavedreadedthismomentallmylife！\"
Suzannefalteredthroughhertears：
\"ButwhathaveItopardon，littleone？Youhavegivenmeeverything，sacrificedalltome.Youareanangel.\"
ButMargueriteinterruptedher：
\"Besilent，besilent！Letmespeak！Don’tstopme！Itisterrible.
Letmetellall，totheveryend，withoutinterruption.Listen.Youremember——youremember——Henry——\"
Suzannetrembledandlookedathersister.Theyoungeronewenton：
\"Inordertounderstandyoumustheareverything.Iwastwelveyearsold——onlytwelve——youremember，don’tyou？AndIwasspoilt;IdidjustasIpleased.Yourememberhoweverybodyspoiltme？Listen.Thefirsttimehecamehehadonhisridingboots;hedismounted，sayingthathehadamessageforfather.Youremember，don’tyou？Don’tspeak.
Listen.WhenIsawhimIwasstruckwithadmiration.Ithoughthimsohandsome，andIstayedinacornerofthedrawing—roomallthetimehewastalking.Childrenarestrange——andterrible.Yes，indeed，Idreamtofhim.
\"Hecameagain——manytimes.Ilookedathimwithallmyeyes，allmyheart.Iwaslargeformyageandmuchmoreprecociousthan——anyonesuspected.Hecameoften.Ithoughtonlyofhim.Ioftenwhisperedtomyself：
\"’Henry—HenrydeSampierre！’
\"ThenIwastoldthathewasgoingtomarryyou.Thatwasablow！Oh，sister，aterribleblow——terrible！Iweptallthroughthreesleeplessnights.
Hecameeveryafternoonafterlunch.Youremember，don’tyou？Don’tanswer.Listen.Youusedtomakecakesthathewasveryfondof——withflour，butterandmilk.Oh，Iknowhowtomakethem.Icouldmakethemstill，ifnecessary.Hewouldswallowthematonemouthfulandwashthemdownwithaglassofwine，saying：’Delicious！’Doyourememberthewayhesaidit？
\"Iwasjealous——jealous！Yourweddingdaywasdrawingnear.Itwasonlyafortnightdistant.Iwasdistracted.Isaidtomyself：’HeshallnotmarrySuzanne——no，heshallnot！HeshallmarrymewhenIamoldenough！
Ishallneverloveanyonehalfsomuch.’Butoneevening，tendaysbeforethewedding，youwentforastrollwithhiminthemoonlightbeforethehouse——andyonder——underthepinetree，thebigpinetree——hekissedyou——kissedyou——andheldyouinhisarmssolong——solong！Youremember，don’tyou？Itwasprobablythefirsttime.Youweresopalewhenyoucarnebacktothedrawing—room！
\"Isawyou.Iwasthereintheshrubbery.Iwasmadwithrage！IwouldhavekilledyoubothifIcould！
\"Isaidtomyself：’HeshallnevermarrySuzanne——never！Heshallmarrynoone！Icouldnotbearit.’AndallatonceIbegantohatehimintensely.
\"ThendoyouknowwhatIdid？Listen.Ihadseenthegardenerpreparepelletsforkillingstraydogs.Hewouldcrushabottleintosmallpieceswithastoneandputthegroundglassintoaballofmeat.
\"Istoleasmallmedicinebottlefrommother’sroom.Igrounditfinewithahammerandhidtheglassinmypocket.Itwasaglisteningpowder.Thenextday，whenyouhadmadeyourlittlecakes;Iopenedthemwithaknifeandinsertedtheglass.Heatethree.Iateonemyself.I
threwthesixothersintothepond.Thetwoswansdiedthreedayslater.
Youremember？Oh，don’tspeak！Listen，listen.I，Ialonedidnotdie.
ButIhavealwaysbeenill.Listen——hedied——youknow——listen——thatwasnottheworst.Itwasafterward，later——always——themostterrible——
listen.
\"Mylife，allmylife——suchtorture！Isaidtomyself：’Iwillneverleavemysister.AndonmydeathbedIwilltellherall.’AndnowI
havetold.AndIhavealwaysthoughtofthismoment——themomentwhenallwouldbetold.Nowithascome.Itisterrible——oh！——sister——
\"Ihavealwaysthought，morningandevening，dayandnight：’Ishallhavetotellhersomeday！’Iwaited.Thehorrorofit！Itisdone.Saynothing.NowIamafraid——Iamafraid！Oh！SupposingIshouldseehimagain，byandby，whenIamdead！Seehimagain！Onlytothinkofit！
Idarenot——yetImust.Iamgoingtodie.Iwantyoutoforgiveme.
Iinsistonit.Icannotmeethimwithoutyourforgiveness.Oh，tellhertoforgiveme，Father！Tellher.Iimploreyou！Icannotdiewithoutit.\"
Shewassilentandlayback，gaspingforbreath，stillpluckingatthesheetswithherfingers.
Suzannehadhiddenherfaceinherhandsanddidnotmove.Shewasthinkingofhimwhomshehadlovedsolong.Whatalifeofhappinesstheymighthavehadtogether！Shesawhimagaininthedimanddistantpast—thatpastforeverlost.Beloveddead！howthethoughtofthemrendstheheart！Oh！thatkiss，hisonlykiss！Shehadretainedthememoryofitinhersoul.And，afterthat，nothing，nothingmorethroughoutherwholeexistence！
Thepriestrosesuddenlyandinafirm，compellingvoicesaid：
\"MademoiselleSuzanne，yoursisterisdying！\"
ThenSuzanne，raisinghertear—stainedface，putherarmsroundhersister，andkissingherfervently，exclaimed：
\"Iforgiveyou，Iforgiveyou，littleone！\"
COCO
ThroughoutthewholecountrysidetheLucasfarn，wasknownas\"theManor.\"Nooneknewwhy.Thepeasantsdoubtlessattachedtothisword，\"Manor，\"ameaningofwealthandofsplendor，forthisfarmwasundoubtedlythelargest，richestandthebestmanagedinthewholeneighborhood.
Theimmensecourt，surroundedbyfiverowsofmagnificenttrees，whichshelteredthedelicateappletreesfromtheharshwindoftheplain，inclosedinitsconfineslongbrickbuildingsusedforstoringfodderandgrain，beautifulstablesbuiltofhardstoneandmadetoaccommodatethirtyhorses，andaredbrickresidencewhichlookedlikealittlechateau.
Thanksforthegoodcaretaken，themanureheapswereaslittleoffensiveassuchthingscanbe;thewatch—dogslivedinkennels，andcountlesspoultryparadedthroughthetallgrass.
Everyday，atnoon，fifteenpersons，masters，farmhandsandthewomenfolks，seatedthemselvesaroundthelongkitchentablewherethesoupwasbroughtinsteaminginalarge，blue—floweredbowl.
Thebeasts—horses，cows，pigsandsheep—werefat，wellfedandclean.
MaitreLucas，atallmanwhowasgettingstout，wouldgoroundthreetimesaday，overseeingeverythingandthinkingofeverything.
Averyoldwhitehorse，whichthemistresswishedtokeepuntilitsnaturaldeath，becauseshehadbroughtitupandhadalwaysusedit，andalsobecauseitrecalledmanyhappymemories，washoused，throughsheerkindnessofheart，attheendofthestable.
Ayoungscampaboutfifteenyearsold，IsidoreDuvalbyname，andcalled，forconvenience，Zidore，tookcareofthispensioner，gavehimhismeasureofoatsandfodderinwinter，andinsummerwassupposedtochangehispasturingplacefourtimesaday，sothathemighthaveplentyoffreshgrass.
Theanimal，almostcrippled，liftedwithdifficultyhislegs，largeatthekneesandswollenabovethehoofs.Hiscoat，whichwasnolongercurried，lookedlikewhitehair，andhislongeyelashesgavetohiseyesasadexpression.
WhenZidoretooktheanimaltopasture，hehadtopullontheropewithallhismight，becauseitwalkedsoslowly;andtheyouth，bentoverandoutofbreath，wouldswearatit，exasperatedathavingtocareforthisoldnag.
Thefarmhands，noticingtheyoungrascal’sangeragainstCoco，wereamusedandwouldcontinuallytalkofthehorsetoZidore，inordertoexasperatehim.Hiscomradeswouldmakesportwithhim.InthevillagehewascalledCoco—Zidore.
Theboywouldfume，feelinganunholydesiretorevengehimselfonthehorse.Hewasathin，long—legged，dirtychild，withthick，coarse，bristlyredhair.Heseemedonlyhalf—witted，andstutteredasthoughideaswereunabletoforminhisthick，brute—likemind.
ForalongtimehehadbeenunabletounderstandwhyCocoshouldbekept，indignantatseeingthingswastedonthisuselessbeast.Sincethehorsecouldnolongerwork，itseemedtohimunjustthatheshouldbefed;
herevoltedattheideaofwastingoats，oatswhichweresoexpensive，onthisparalyzedoldplug.Andoften，inspiteoftheordersofMaitreLucas，hewouldeconomizeonthenag’sfood，onlygivinghimhalfmeasure.Hatredgrewinhisconfused，childlikemind，thehatredofastingy，mean，fierce，brutalandcowardlypeasant.
Whensummercamehehadtomovetheanimalaboutinthepasture.Itwassomedistanceaway.Therascal，angriereverymorning，wouldstart，withhisdraggingstep，acrossthewheatfields.Themenworkinginthefieldswouldshouttohim，jokingly：
\"Hey，Zidore，remembermetoCoco.\"
Hewouldnotanswer;butonthewayhewouldbreakoffaswitch，and，assoonashehadmovedtheoldhorse，hewouldletitbegingrazing;then，treacherouslysneakingupbehindit，hewouldslashitslegs.Theanimalwouldtrytoescape，tokick，togetawayfromtheblows，andrunaroundinacircleaboutitsrope，asthoughithadbeeninclosedinacircusring.Andtheboywouldslashawayfuriously，runningalongbehind，histeethclenchedinanger.
Thenhewouldgoawayslowly，withoutturninground，whilethehorsewatchedhimdisappear，hisribsstickingout，pantingasaresultofhisunusualexertions.Notuntiltheblueblouseoftheyoungpeasantwasoutofsightwouldhelowerhisthinwhiteheadtothegrass.
Asthenightswerenowwarm，Cocowasallowedtosleepoutofdoors，inthefieldbehindthelittlewood.Zidorealonewenttoseehim.
Theboythrewstonesathimtoamusehimself.Hewouldsitdownonanembankmentabouttenfeetawayandwouldstaythereabouthalfanhour，fromtimetotimethrowingasharpstoneattheoldhorse，whichremainedstandingtiedbeforehisenemy，watchinghimcontinuallyandnotdaringtoeatbeforehewasgone.
Thisonethoughtpersistedinthemindoftheyoungscamp：\"Whyfeedthishorse，whichisnolongergoodforanything？\"Itseemedtohimthatthisoldnagwasstealingthefoodoftheothers，thegoodsofmanandGod，thathewasevenrobbinghim，Zidore，whowasworking.
Then，littlebylittle，eachday，theboybegantoshortenthelengthofropewhichallowedthehorsetograze.
Thehungryanimalwasgrowingthinner，andstarving.Toofeebletobreakhisbonds，hewouldstretchhisheadouttowardthetall，green，temptinggrass，sonearthathecouldsmell，andyetsofarthathecouldnottouchit.
ButonemorningZidorehadanidea：itwas，nottomoveCocoanymore.
Hewastiredofwalkingsofarforthatoldskeleton.Hecame，however，inordertoenjoyhisvengeance.Thebeastwatchedhimanxiously.Hedidnotbeathimthatday.Hewalkedaroundhimwithhishandsinhispockets.Heevenpretendedtochangehisplace，buthesankthestakeinexactlythesamehole，andwentawayoverjoyedwithhisinvention.
Thehorse，seeinghimleave，neighedtocallhimback;buttherascalbegantorun，leavinghimalone，entirelyaloneinhisfield，welltieddownandwithoutabladeofgrasswithinreach.
Starving，hetriedtoreachthegrasswhichhecouldtouchwiththeendofhisnose.Hegotonhisknees，stretchingouthisneckandhislong，droolinglips.Allinvain.Theoldanimalspentthewholedayinuseless，terribleefforts.Thesightofallthatgreenfood，whichstretchedoutonallsidesofhim，servedtoincreasethegnawingpangsofhunger.
Thescampdidnotreturnthatday.Hewanderedthroughthewoodsinsearchofnests.
Thenextdayheappeareduponthesceneagain.Coco，exhausted，hadlaindown.Whenhesawtheboy，hegotup，expectingatlasttohavehisplacechanged.
Butthelittlepeasantdidnoteventouchthemallet，whichwaslyingontheground.Hecamenearer，lookedattheanimal，threwathisheadaclumpofearthwhichflattenedoutagainstthewhitehair，andhestartedoffagain，whistling.
Thehorseremainedstandingaslongashecouldseehim;then，knowingthathisattemptstoreachthenear—bygrasswouldbehopeless，heoncemorelaydownonhissideandclosedhiseyes.
ThefollowingdayZidoredidnotcome.
Whenhedidcomeatlast，hefoundCocostillstretchedout;hesawthathewasdead.
Thenheremainedstanding，lookingathim，pleasedwithwhathehaddone，surprisedthatitshouldalreadybeallover.Hetouchedhimwithhisfoot，liftedoneofhislegsandthenletitdrop，satonhimandremainedthere，hiseyesfixedonthegrass，thinkingofnothing.Hereturnedtothefarm，butdidnotmentiontheaccident，becausehewishedtowanderaboutatthehourswhenheusedtochangethehorse’spasture.
Hewenttoseehimthenextday.Athisapproachsomecrowsflewaway.
Countlessflieswerewalkingoverthebodyandwerebuzzingaroundit.
Whenhereturnedhome，heannouncedtheevent.Theanimalwassooldthatnobodywassurprised.Themastersaidtotwoofthemen：
\"Takeyourshovelsanddigaholerightwhereheis.\"
Themenburiedthehorseattheplacewherehehaddiedofhunger.
Andthegrassgrewthick，greenandvigorous，fedbythepoorbody.
DEADWOMAN’SSECRET
Thewomanhaddiedwithoutpain，quietly，asawomanshouldwhoselifehadbeenblameless.Nowshewasrestinginherbed，lyingonherback，hereyesclosed，herfeaturescalm，herlongwhitehaircarefullyarrangedasthoughshehaddoneituptenminutesbeforedying.Thewholepalecountenanceofthedeadwomanwassocollected，socalm，soresignedthatonecouldfeelwhatasweetsoulhadlivedinthatbody，whataquietexistencethisoldsoulhadled，howeasyandpurethedeathofthisparenthadbeen.
Kneelingbesidethebed，herson，amagistratewithinflexibleprinciples，andherdaughter，Marguerite，knownasSisterEulalie，wereweepingasthoughtheirheartswouldbreak.Shehad，fromchildhoodup，armedthemwithastrictmoralcode，teachingthemreligion，withoutweakness，andduty，withoutcompromise.He，theman，hadbecomeajudgeandhandledthelawasaweaponwithwhichhesmotetheweakoneswithoutpity.She，thegirl，influencedbythevirtuewhichhadbathedherinthisausterefamily，hadbecomethebrideoftheChurchthroughherloathingforman.
Theyhadhardlyknowntheirfather，knowingonlythathehadmadetheirmothermostunhappy，withoutbeingtoldanyotherdetails.
Thenunwaswildly—kissingthedeadwoman’shand，anivoryhandaswhiteasthelargecrucifixlyingacrossthebed.Ontheothersideofthelongbodytheotherhandseemedstilltobeholdingthesheetinthedeathgrasp;andthesheethadpreservedthelittlecreasesasamemoryofthoselastmovementswhichprecedeeternalimmobility.
Afewlighttapsonthedoorcausedthetwosobbingheadstolookup，andthepriest，whohadjustcomefromdinner，returned.Hewasredandoutofbreathfromhisinterrupteddigestion，forhehadmadehimselfastrongmixtureofcoffeeandbrandyinordertocombatthefatigueofthelastfewnightsandofthewakewhichwasbeginning.
Helookedsad，withthatassumedsadnessofthepriestforwhomdeathisabreadwinner.Hecrossedhimselfandapproachingwithhisprofessionalgesture：\"Well，mypoorchildren！Ihavecometohelpyoupasstheselastsadhours.\"ButSisterEulaliesuddenlyarose.\"Thankyou，\"father，butmybrotherandIprefertoremainalonewithher.Thisisourlastchancetoseeher，andwewishtobetogether，allthreeofus，aswe——we——usedtobewhenweweresmallandourpoormo——mother————\"
Griefandtearsstoppedher;shecouldnotcontinue.
Oncemoreserene，thepriestbowed，thinkingofhisbed.\"Asyouwish，mychildren.\"Hekneeled，crossedhimself，prayed，aroseandwentoutquietly，murmuring：\"Shewasasaint！\"
Theyremainedalone，thedeadwomanandherchildren.Thetickingoftheclock，hiddenintheshadow，couldbehearddistinctly，andthroughtheopenwindowdriftedinthesweetsmellofhayandofwoods，togetherwiththesoftmoonlight.Noothernoisecouldbeheardoverthelandexcepttheoccasionalcroakingofthefrogorthechirpingofsomebelatedinsect.Aninfinitepeace，adivinemelancholy，asilentserenitysurroundedthisdeadwoman，seemedtobebreathedoutfromherandtoappeasenatureitself.
Thenthejudge，stillkneeling，hisheadburiedinthebedclothes，criedinavoicealteredbygriefanddeadenedbythesheetsandblankets：
\"Mamma，mamma，mamma！\"Andhissister，franticallystrikingherforeheadagainstthewoodwork，convulsed，twitchingandtremblingasinanepilepticfit，moaned：\"Jesus，Jesus，mamma，Jesus！\"Andbothofthem，shakenbyastormofgrief，gaspedandchoked.
Thecrisisslowlycalmeddownandtheybegantoweepquietly，justasontheseawhenacalmfollowsasquall.
Aratherlongtimepassedandtheyaroseandlookedattheirdead.
Andthememories，thosedistantmemories，yesterdaysodear，to—daysotorturing，cametotheirmindswithallthelittleforgottendetails，thoselittleintimatefamiliardetailswhichbringbacktolifetheonewhohasleft.Theyrecalledtoeachothercircumstances，words，smiles，intonationsofthemotherwhowasnolongertospeaktothem.Theysawheragainhappyandcalm.Theyrememberedthingswhichshehadsaid，andalittlemotionofthehand，likebeatingtime，whichsheoftenusedwhenemphasizingsomethingimportant.
Andtheylovedherastheyneverhadlovedherbefore.Theymeasuredthedepthoftheirgrief，andthustheydiscoveredhowlonelytheywouldfindthemselves.
Itwastheirprop，theirguide，theirwholeyouth，allthebestpartoftheirliveswhichwasdisappearing.Itwastheirbondwithlife，theirmother，theirmamma，theconnectinglinkwiththeirforefatherswhichtheywouldthenceforthmiss.Theynowbecamesolitary，lonelybeings;
theycouldnolongerlookback.
Thenunsaidtoherbrother：\"Yourememberhowmammausedalwaystoreadheroldletters;theyareallthereinthatdrawer.Letus，inturn，readthem;letusliveherwholelifethroughtonightbesideher！Itwouldbelikearoadtothecross，likemakingtheacquaintanceofhermother，ofourgrandparents，whomweneverknew，butwhoselettersarethereandofwhomshesooftenspoke，doyouremember？\"
Outofthedrawertheytookabouttenlittlepackagesofyellowpaper，tiedwithcareandarrangedonebesidetheother.Theythrewtheserelicsonthebedandchoseoneofthemonwhichtheword\"Father\"waswritten.Theyopenedandreadit.
Itwasoneofthoseold—fashionedletterswhichonefindsinoldfamilydeskdrawers，thoseepistleswhichsmellofanothercentury.Thefirstonestarted：\"Mydear，\"anotherone：\"Mybeautifullittlegirl，\"others：
\"Mydearchild，\"or：\"Mydear（laughter.\"Andsuddenlythenunbegantoreadaloud，toreadovertothedeadwomanherwholehistory，allhertendermemories.Thejudge，restinghiselbowonthebed，waslisteningwithhiseyesfastenedonhismother.Themotionlessbodyseemedhappy.
SisterEulalie，interruptingherself，saidsuddenly：
\"Theseoughttobeputinthegravewithher;theyoughttobeusedasashroudandsheoughttobeburiedinit.\"Shetookanotherpackage，onwhichnonamewaswritten.Shebegantoreadinafirmvoice：\"Myadoredone，Iloveyouwildly.SinceyesterdayIhavebeensufferingthetorturesofthedamned，hauntedbyourmemory.Ifeelyourlipsagainstmine，youreyesinmine，yourbreastagainstmine.Iloveyou，Iloveyou！Youhavedrivenmemad.Myarmsopen，Igasp，movedbyawilddesiretoholdyouagain.Mywholesoulandbodycriesoutforyou，wantsyou.Ihavekeptinmymouththetasteofyourkisses——\"
Thejudgehadstraightenedhimselfup.Thenunstoppedreading.Hesnatchedtheletterfromherandlookedforthesignature.Therewasnone，butonlyunderthewords，\"Themanwhoadoresyou，\"thename\"Henry.\"Theirfather’snamewasRene.Thereforethiswasnotfromhim.
Thesonthenquicklyrummagedthroughthepackageofletters，tookoneoutandread：\"Icannolongerlivewithoutyourcaresses.\"Standingerect，severeaswhensittingonthebench，helookedunmovedatthedeadwoman.Thenun，straightasastatue，tearstremblinginthecornersofhereyes，waswatchingherbrother，waiting.Thenhecrossedtheroomslowly，wenttothewindowandstoodthere，gazingoutintothedarknight.
WhenheturnedaroundagainSisterEulalie，hereyesdrynow，wasstillstandingnearthebed，herheadbentdown.
Hesteppedforward，quicklypickedupthelettersandthrewthempell—
mellbackintothedrawer.Thenheclosedthecurtainsofthebed.
Whendaylightmadethecandlesonthetableturnpalethesonslowlylefthisarmchair，andwithoutlookingagainatthemotheruponwhomhehadpassedsentence，severingthetiethatunitedhertosonanddaughter，hesaidslowly：\"Letusnowretire，sister.\"
AHUMBLEDRAMA
Meetingsthatareunexpectedconstitutethecharmoftraveling.WhohasnotexperiencedthejoyofsuddenlycomingacrossaParisian，acollegefriend，oraneighbor，fivehundredmilesfromhome？Whohasnotpassedanightawakeinoneofthosesmall，rattlingcountrystagecoaches，inregionswheresteamisstillathingunknown，besideastrangeyoungwoman，ofwhomonehascaughtonlyaglimpseinthedimlightofthelantern，assheenteredthecarriageinfrontofawhitehouseinsomesmallcountrytown？
Andthenextmorning，whenone’sheadandearsfeelnumbwiththecontinuoustinklingofthebellsandtheloudrattlingofthewindows，whatacharmingsensationitistoseeyourprettyneighboropenhereyes，startled，glancearoundher，arrangeherrebellioushairwithherslenderfingers，adjustherhat，feelwithsurehandwhetherhercorsetisstillinplace，herwaiststraight，andherskirtnottoowrinkled.
Sheglancesatyoucoldlyandcuriously.Thensheleansbackandnolongerseemsinterestedinanythingbutthecountry.
Inspiteofyourself，youwatchher;andinspiteofyourselfyoukeeponthinkingofher.Whoisshe？Whencedoesshecome？Whereisshegoing？
Inspiteofyourselfyouspinalittleromancearoundher.Sheispretty;sheseemscharming！HappyhewhoLifemightbedelightfulwithher.Whoknows？Sheisperhapsthewomanofourdreams，theonesuitedtoourdisposition，theoneforwhomourheartcalls.
Andhowdeliciouseventhedisappointmentatseeinghergetoutatthegateofacountryhouse！Amanstandsthere，whoisawaitingher，withtwochildrenandtwomaids.Hetakesherinhisarmsandkissesasheliftsherout.Thenshestoopsoverthelittleones，whoholduptheirhandstoher;shekissesthemtenderly;andthentheyallgoawaytogether，downapath，whilethemaidscatchthepackageswhichthedriverthrowsdowntothemfromthecoach.
Adieu！Itisallover.Youneverwillseeheragain！Adieutotheyoungwomanwhohaspassedthenightbyyourside.Youknowhernomore，youhavenotspokentoher;allthesame，youfeelalittlesadtoseehergo.Adieu！
Ihavehadmanyofthesesouvenirsoftravel，somejoyousandsomesad.
OnceIwasinAuvergne，trampingthroughthosedelightfulFrenchmountains，thatarenottoohigh，nottoosteep，butfriendlyandfamiliar.IhadclimbedtheSancy，andenteredalittleinn，nearapilgrim’schapelcalledNotre—DamedeVassiviere，whenIsawaqueer，ridiculous—lookingoldwomanbreakfastingaloneattheendtable.
Shewasatleastseventyyearsold，tall，skinny，andangular，andherwhitehairwaspuffedaroundhertemplesintheold—fashionedstyle.
ShewasdressedlikeatravelingEnglishwoman，inawkward，queerclothing，likeapersonwhoisindifferenttodress.Shewaseatinganomeletanddrinkingwater.
Herfacewaspeculiar，withrestlesseyesandtheexpressionofonewithwhomfatehasdealtunkindly.Iwatchedher，inspiteofmyself，thinking：\"Whoisshe？Whatisthelifeofthiswoman？Whyisshewanderingalonethroughthesemountains？\"
Shepaidandrosetoleave，drawingupoverhershouldersanastonishinglittleshawl，thetwoendsofwhichhungoverherarms.Fromacorneroftheroomshetookanalpenstock，whichwascoveredwithnamestracedwithahotiron;thenshewentout，straight，erect，withthelongstepsofaletter—carrierwhoissettingoutonhisroute.
Aguidewaswaitingforheratthedoor，andbothwentaway.Iwatchedthemgodownthevalley，alongtheroadmarkedbyalineofhighwoodencrosses.Shewastallerthanhercompanion，andseemedtowalkfasterthanhe.
TwohourslaterIwasclimbingtheedgeofthedeepfunnelthatinclosesLakePavininamarvelousandenormousbasinofverdure，fulloftrees，bushes，rocks，andflowers.Thislakeissoroundthatitseemsasiftheoutlinehadbeendrawnwithapairofcompasses，soclearandbluethatonemightdeemitafloodofazurecomedownfromthesky，socharmingthatonewouldliketoliveinabutonthewoodedslopewhichdominatesthiscrater，wherethecold，stillwaterissleeping.
TheEnglishwomanwasstandingtherelikeastatue，gazinguponthetransparentsheetdowninthedeadvolcano.Shewasstraininghereyestopenetratebelowthesurfacedowntotheunknowndepths，wheremonstroustroutwhichhavedevouredalltheotherfisharesaidtolive.
AsIwaspassingclosebyher，itseemedtomethattwobigtearswerebrimminghereyes.Butshedepartedatagreatpace，torejoinherguide，whohadstayedbehindinaninnatthefootofthepathleadingtothelake.
Ididnotseeheragainthatday.
Thenextday，atnightfall，IcametothechateauofMurol.Theoldfortress，anenormoustowerstandingonapeakinthemidstofalargevalley，wherethreevalleysintersect，rearsitsbrown，uneven，crackedsurfaceintothesky;itisround，fromitslargecircularbasetothecrumblingturretsonitspinnacles.
Itastonishestheeyemorethananyotherruinbyitssimplemass，itsmajesty，itsgraveandimposingairofantiquity.Itstandsthere，alone，highasamountain，adeadqueen，butstillthequeenofthevalleysstretchedoutbeneathit.Yougoupbyaslopeplantedwithfirs，thenyouenteranarrowgate，andstopatthefootofthewalls，inthefirstinclosure，infullviewoftheentirecountry.