Insidethereareruinedhalls，crumblingstairways，unknowncavities，dungeons，wallscutthroughinthemiddle，vaultedroofshelduponeknowsnothow，andamassofstonesandcrevices，overgrownwithgrass，whereanimalsglideinandout.
Iwasexploringthisruinalone.
SuddenlyIperceivedbehindabitofwallabeing，akindofphantom，likethespiritofthisancientandcrumblinghabitation.
Iwastakenabackwithsurprise，almostwithfear，whenIrecognizedtheoldladywhomIhadseentwice.
Shewasweeping，withbigtearsinhereyes，andheldherhandkerchiefinherhand.
Iturnedaroundtogoaway，whenshespoketome，apparentlyashamedtohavebeensurprisedinhergrief.
\"Yes，monsieur，Iamcrying.Thatdoesnothappenoftentome.\"
\"Pardonme，madame，forhavingdisturbedyou，\"Istammered，confused，notknowingwhattosay.\"Somemisfortunehasdoubtlesscometoyou.\"
\"Yes.No——Iamlikealostdog，\"shemurmured，andbegantosob，withherhandkerchiefoverhereyes.
Movedbythesecontagioustears，Itookherhand，tryingtocalmher.
Thenbrusquelyshetoldmeherhistory，asifnolongerablytobearhergriefalone.
\"Oh！Oh！Monsieur——ifyouknew——thesorrowinwhichIlive——inwhatsorrow.
\"OnceIwashappy.Ihaveahousedownthere——ahome.Icannotgobacktoitanymore;Ishallnevergobacktoitagain，itistoohardtobear.
\"Ihaveason.Itishe！itishe！Childrendon’tknow.Oh，onehassuchashorttimetolive！IfIshouldseehimnowIshouldperhapsnotrecognizehim.HowIlovedhim？HowIlovedhim！Evenbeforehewasborn，whenIfelthimmove.Andafterthat！HowIhavekissedandcaressedandcherishedhim！IfyouknewhowmanynightsIhavepassedinwatchinghimsleep，andhowmanyinthinkingofhim.Iwascrazyabouthim.Whenhewaseightyearsoldhisfathersenthimtoboarding—school.
Thatwastheend.Henolongerbelongedtome.Oh，heavens！HecametoseemeeverySunday.Thatwasall！
\"HewenttocollegeinParis.Thenhecameonlyfourtimesayear，andeverytimeIwasastonishedtoseehowhehadchanged，tofindhimtallerwithouthavingseenhimgrow.Theystolehischildhoodfromme，hisconfidence，andhislovewhichotherwisewouldnothavegoneawayfromme;theystolemyjoyinseeinghimgrow，inseeinghimbecomealittleman.
\"Isawhimfourtimesayear.Thinkofit！Andateveryoneofhisvisitshisbody，hiseye，hismovements，hisvoicehislaugh，werenolongerthesame，werenolongermine.Allthesethingschangesoquicklyinachild;anditissosadifoneisnottheretoseethemchange;onenolongerrecognizeshim.
\"Oneyearhecamewithdownonhischeek！He！myson！Iwasdumfounded——wouldyoubelieveit？Ihardlydaredtokisshim.Wasitreallyhe，mylittle，littlecurlyheadofold，mydear;dearchild，whomIhadheldinhisdiapersormyknee，andwhohadnursedatmybreastwithhislittlegreedylips——wasithe，thistall，brownboy，whonolongerknewhowtokissme，whoseemedtolovemeasamatterofduty，whocalledme’mother’forthesakeofpoliteness，andwhokissedmeontheforehead，whenIfeltlikecrushinghiminmyarms？
\"Myhusbanddied.Thenmyparents，andthenmytwosisters.WhenDeathentersahouseitseemsasifhewerehurryingtodohisutmost，soasnottohavetoreturnforalongtimeafterthat.Hesparesonlyoneortwotomourntheothers.
\"Iremainedalone.Mytallsonwasthenstudyinglaw.Iwashopingtoliveanddienearhim，andIwenttohimsothatwecouldlivetogether.
Buthehadfallenintothewaysofyoungmen，andhegavemetounderstandthatIwasinhisway.SoIleft.Iwaswrongindoingso，butIsufferedtoomuchinfeelingmyselfinhisway，I，hismother！AndIcamebackhome.
\"Ihardlyeversawhimagain.
’Hemarried.Whatajoy！Atlastweshouldbetogetherforgood.
Ishouldhavegrandchildren.HiswifewasanEnglishwoman，whotookadisliketome.Why？PerhapsshethoughtthatIlovedhimtoomuch.
\"AgainIwasobligedtogoaway.AndIwasalone.Yes，monsieur.
\"ThenhewenttoEngland，tolivewiththem，withhiswife’sparents.
Doyouunderstand？Theyhavehim——theyhavemysonforthemselves.
Theyhavestolenhimfromme.Hewritestomeonceamonth.Atfirsthecametoseeme.Butnowhenolongercomes.
\"ItisnowfouryearssinceIsawhimlast.Hisfacethenwaswrinkledandhishairwhite.Wasthatpossible？Thisman，myson，almostanoldman？Mylittlerosychildofold？NodoubtIshallneverseehimagain.
\"AndsoItravelaboutalltheyear.Igoeastandwest，asyousee，withnocompanion.
\"Iamlikealostdog.Adieu，monsieur！don’tstayherewithmeforithurtsmetohavetoldyouallthis.\"
Iwentdownthehill，andonturningroundtoglanceback，Isawtheoldwomanstandingonabrokenwall，lookingoutuponthemountains，thelongvalleyandLakeChamboninthedistance.
Andherskirtandthequeerlittleshawlwhichsheworearoundherthinshoulderswereflutteringtikeaflaginthewind.
MADEMOISELLECOCOTTE
WewerejustleavingtheasylumwhenIsawatall，thinmaninacornerofthecourtwhokeptoncallinganimaginarydog.Hewascryinginasoft，tendervoice：\"Cocotte！Comehere，Cocotte，mybeauty！\"andslappinghisthighasonedoeswhencallingananimal.Iaskedthephysician，\"Whoisthatman？\"Heanswered：\"Oh！heisnotatallinteresting.HeisacoachmannamedFrancois，whobecameinsaneafterdrowninghisdog.\"
Iinsisted：\"Tellmehisstory.Themostsimpleandhumblethingsaresometimesthosewhichtouchourheartsmostdeeply.\"
Hereisthisman’sadventure，whichwasobtainedfromafriendofhis，agroom：
TherewasafamilyofrichbourgeoiswholivedinasuburbofParis.
Theyhadavillainthemiddleofapark，attheedgeoftheSeine.
TheircoachmanwasthisFrancois，acountryfellow，somewhatdull，kind—
hearted，simpleandeasytodeceive.
Oneevening，ashewasreturninghome，adogbegantofollowhim.Atfirsthepaidnoattentiontoit，butthecreature’sobstinacyatlastmadehimturnround.Helookedtoseeifheknewthisdog.No，hehadneverseenit.Itwasafemaledogandfrightfullythin.Shewastrottingbehindhimwithamournfulandfamishedlook，hertailbetweenherlegs，herearsflattenedagainstherheadandstoppingandstartingwheneverhedid.
Hetriedtochasethisskeletonawayandcried：
\"Runalong！Getout！Kss！kss！\"Sheretreatedafewsteps，thensatdownandwaited.Andwhenthecoachmanstartedtowalkagainshefollowedalongbehindhim.
Hepretendedtopickupsomestones.Theanimalranalittlefartheraway，butcamebackagainassoonastheman’sbackwasturned.
ThenthecoachmanFrancoistookpityonthebeastandcalledher.Thedogapproachedtimidly.Themanpattedherprotrudingribs，movedbythebeast’smisery，andhecried：\"Come！comehere！\"Immediatelyshebegantowaghertail，and，feelingherselftakenin，adopted，shebegantorunalongaheadofhernewmaster.
Hemadeherabedonthestrawinthestable，thenherantothekitchenforsomebread.Whenshehadeatenallshecouldshecurledupandwenttosleep.
Whenhisemployersheardofthisthenextdaytheyallowedthecoachmantokeeptheanimal.Itwasagoodbeast，caressingandfaithful，intelligentandgentle.
NeverthelessFrancoisadoredCocotte，andhekeptrepeating：\"Thatbeastishuman.Sheonlylacksspeech.\"
Hehadamagnificentredleathercollarmadeforherwhichborethesewordsengravedonacopperplate：\"MademoiselleCocotte，belongingtothecoachmanFrancois.\"
Shewasremarkablyprolificandfourtimesayearwouldgivebirthtoabatchoflittleanimalsbelongingtoeveryvarietyofthecaninerace.
Francoiswouldpickoutonewhichhewouldleaveherandthenhewouldunmercifullythrowtheothersintotheriver.Butsoonthecookjoinedhercomplaintstothoseofthegardener.Shewouldfinddogsunderthestove，intheicebox，inthecoalbin，andtheywouldstealeverythingtheycameacross.
Finallythemaster，tiredofcomplaints，impatientlyorderedFrancoistogetridofCocotte.Indespairthemantriedtogiveheraway.Nobodywantedher.Thenhedecidedtoloseher，andhegavehertoateamster，whowastodropherontheothersideofParis，nearJoinville—le—Pont.
Cocottereturnedthesameday.Somedecisionhadtobetaken.FivefrancswasgiventoatrainconductortotakehertoHavre.Hewastodropherthere.
Threedayslatershereturnedtothestable，thin，footsoreandtiredout.
Themastertookpityonherandletherstay.Butotherdogswereattractedasbefore，andoneevening，whenabigdinnerpartywason，astuffedturkeywascarriedawaybyoneofthemrightunderthecook’snose，andshedidnotdaretostophim.
ThistimethemastercompletelylosthistemperandsaidangrilytoFrancois：\"Ifyoudon’tthrowthisbeastintothewaterbefore——to—morrowmorning，I’llputyouout，doyouhear？\"
Themanwasdumbfounded，andhereturnedtohisroomtopackhistrunk，preferringtoleavetheplace.Thenhebethoughthimselfthathecouldfindnoothersituationaslongashedraggedthisanimalaboutwithhim.
Hethoughtofhisgoodposition，wherehewaswellpaidandwellfed，andhedecidedthatadogwasreallynotworthallthat.AtlasthedecidedtoridhimselfofCocotteatdaybreak.
Hesleptbadly.Heroseatdawn，andtakingastrongrope，wenttogetthedog.Shestoodupslowly，shookherself，stretchedandcametowelcomehermaster.
Thenhiscourageforsookhim，andhebegantopetheraffectionately，strokingherlongears，kissinghermuzzleandcallinghertendernames.
Butaneighboringclockstrucksix.Hecouldnolongerhesitate.
Heopenedthedoor，calling：\"Come！\"Thebeastwaggedhertail，understandingthatshewastobetakenout.
Theyreachedthebeach，andhechoseaplacewherethewaterseemeddeep.
Thenheknottedtheroperoundtheleathercollarandtiedaheavystonetotheotherend.HeseizedCocotteinhisarmsandkissedhermadly，asthoughheweretakingleaveofsomehumanbeing.Heheldhertohisbreast，rockedherandcalledher\"mydearlittleCocotte，mysweetlittleCocotte，\"andshegruntedwithpleasure.
Tentimeshetriedtothrowherintothewaterandeachtimehelostcourage.
Butsuddenlyhemadeuphismindandthrewherasfarfromhimashecould.Atfirstshetriedtoswim，asshedidwhenhegaveherabath，butherhead，draggeddownbythestone，keptgoingunder，andshelookedathermasterwithwild，humanglancesasshestruggledlikeadrowningperson.Thenthefrontpartofherbodysank，whileherhindlegswavedwildlyoutofthewater.Finallythosealsodisappeared.
Then，forfiveminutes，bubblesrosetothesurfaceasthoughtheriverwereboiling，andFrancois，haggard，hisheartbeating，thoughtthathesawCocottestrugglinginthemud，and，withthesimplicityofapeasant，hekeptsayingtohimself：\"Whatdoesthepoorbeastthinkofmenow？\"
Healmostlosthismind.Hewasillforamonthandeverynighthedreamedofhisdog.Hecouldfeelherlickinghishandsandhearherbarking.Itwasnecessarytocallinaphysician.Atlastherecovered，andtowardthe2ndofJunehisemployerstookhimtotheirestateatBiesard，nearRouen.
ThereagainhewasneartheSeine.Hebegantotakebaths.Eachmorninghewouldgodownwiththegroomandtheywouldswimacrosstheriver.
Oneday，astheyweredisportingthemselvesinthewater，Francoissuddenlycriedtohiscompanion：\"Lookwhat’scoming！I’mgoingtogiveyouachop！\"
Itwasanenormous，swollencorpsethatwasfloatingdownwithitsfeetstickingstraightupintheair.
Francoisswamuptoit，stilljoking：\"Whew！it’snotfresh.Whatacatch，oldman！Itisn’tthin，either！\"Hekeptswimmingaboutatadistancefromtheanimalthatwasinastateofdecomposition.Then，suddenly，hewassilentandlookedatit：attentively.Thistimehecamenearenoughtotouch，it.Helookedfixedlyatthecollar，thenhestretchedouthisarm，seizedtheneck，swungthecorpseroundanddrewitupclosetohimandreadonthecopperwhichhadturnedgreenandwhichstillstucktothediscoloredleather：\"MademoiselleCocotte，belongingtothecoachmanFrancois.\"
Thedeaddoghadcomemorethanahundredmilestofinditsmaster.
Heletoutafrightfulshriekandbegantoswimforthebeachwithallhismight，stillhowling;andassoonashetouchedlandheranawaywildly，starknaked，throughthecountry.Hewasinsane！
THECORSICANBANDIT
TheroadascendedgentlythroughtheforestofAitone.Thelargepinesformedasolemndomeaboveourheads，andthatmysterioussoundmadebythewindinthetreessoundedlikethenotesofanorgan.
Afterwalkingforthreehours，therewasaclearing，andthenatintervalsanenormouspineumbrella，andthenwesuddenlycametotheedgeoftheforest，somehundredmetersbelow，thepassleadingtothewildvalleyofNiolo.
Onthetwoprojectingheightswhichcommandedaviewofthispass，someoldtrees，grotesquelytwisted，seemedtohavemountedwithpainfulefforts，likescoutssentinadvanceofthemultitudeintherear.Whenweturnedround，wesawtheentireforeststretchedbeneathourfeet，likeagiganticbasinofverdure，inclosedbybarerockswhosesummitsseemedtoreachthesky.
Weresumedourwalk，and，tenminuteslater，foundourselvesinthepass.
ThenIbeheldaremarkablelandscape.Beyondanotherforeststretchedavalley，butavalleysuchasIhadneverseenbefore;asolitudeofstone，tenleagueslong，hollowedoutbetweentwohighmountains，withoutafieldoratreetobeseen.ThiswastheNiolovalley，thefatherlandofCorsicanliberty，theinaccessiblecitadel，fromwhichtheinvadershadneverbeenabletodriveoutthemountaineers.
Mycompanionsaidtome：\"Thisiswhereallourbanditshavetakenrefuge？\"
Erelongwewereatthefurtherendofthisgorge，sowild，soinconceivablybeautiful.
Notabladeofgrass，notaplant—nothingbutgranite.Asfarasoureyescouldreach，wesawinfrontofusadesertofglitteringstone，heatedlikeanovenbyaburningsun，whichseemedtohangforthatverypurposerightabovethegorge.Whenweraisedoureyestowardsthecrests，westooddazzledandstupefiedbywhatwesaw.Theylookedlikeafestoonofcoral;allthesummitsareofporphyry;andtheskyoverheadwasviolet，purple，tingedwiththecoloringofthesestrangemountains.
Lowerdown，thegranitewasofscintillatinggray，andseemedgroundtopowderbeneathourfeet.Atourright，alongalongandirregularcourse，roaredatumultuoustorrent.Andwestaggeredalongunderthisheat，inthislight，inthisburning，arid，desolatevalleycutbythistorrentofturbulentwaterwhichseemedtobeeverhurryingonward，withoutfertilizingtherocks，lostinthisfurnacewhichgreedilydrankitupwithoutbeingsaturatedorrefreshedbyit.
But，suddenly，therewasvisibleatourrightalittlewoodencrosssunkinalittleheapofstones.Amanhadbeenkilledthere;andIsaidtomycompanion.
\"Tellmeaboutyourbandits.\"
Hereplied：
\"Iknewthemostcelebratedofthem，theterribleSt.Lucia.Iwilltellyouhishistory.
\"Hisfatherwaskilledinaquarrelbyayoungmanofthedistrict，itissaid;andSt.Luciawasleftalonewithhissister.Hewasaweak，timidyouth，small，oftenill，withoutanyenergy.Hedidnotproclaimvengeanceagainsttheassassinofhisfather.Allhisrelativescametoseehim，andimploredofhimtoavengehisdeath;heremaineddeaftotheirmenacesandtheirsupplications.
\"Then，followingtheoldCorsicancustom，hissister，inherindignationcarriedawayhisblackclothes，inorderthathemightnotwearmourningforadeadmanwhohadnotbeenavenged.Hewasinsensibletoeventhisaffront，andratherthantakedownfromtherackhisfather’sgun，whichwasstillloaded，heshuthimselfup，notdaringtobravethelooksoftheyoungmenofthedistrict.
\"Heseemedtohaveevenforgottenthecrime，andlivedwithhissisterintheseclusionoftheirdwelling.
But，oneday，themanwhowassuspectedofhavingcommittedthemurder，wasabouttogetmarried.St.Luciadidnotappeartobemovedbythisnews，but，outofsheerbravado，doubtless，thebridegroom，onhiswaytothechurch，passedbeforethehouseofthetwoorphans.
\"Thebrotherandthesister，attheirwindow，wereeatingfrijoles，whentheyoungmansawthebridalprocessiongoingby.Suddenlyhebegantotremble，rosetohisfeetwithoututteringaword，madethesignofthecross，tookthegunwhichwashangingoverthefireplace，andwentout.
\"Whenhespokeofthislateron，hesaid：’Idon’tknowwhatwasthematterwithme;itwaslikefireinmyblood;IfeltthatImustdoit，that，inspiteofeverything，Icouldnotresist，andIconcealedtheguninacaveontheroadtoCorte.
\"Anhourlater，hecameback，withnothinginhishand，andwithhishabitualairofsadweariness.Hissisterbelievedthattherewasnothingfurtherinhisthoughts.
Butwhennightfellhedisappeared.
\"Hisenemyhad，thesameevening，torepairtoCorteonfoot，accompaniedbyhistwogroomsmen.
\"Hewaswalkingalong，singingashewent，whenSt.Luciastoodbeforehim，andlookingstraightinthemurderer’sface，exclaimed：’Nowisthetime！’andshothimpoint—blankinthechest.
\"Oneofthemenfled;theotherstaredat，theyoungman，saying：
\"’Whathaveyoudone，St.Lucia？’andhewasabouttohastentoCorteforhelp，whenSt.Luciasaidinasterntone：
\"’Ifyoumoveanotherstep，I’llshootyouintheleg.’
\"Theother，awareofhistimidityhitherto，replied：’Youwouldnotdaretodoit！’andwashurryingoffwhenhefellinstantaneously，histhighshatteredbyabullet.
\"AndSt.Lucia，comingovertowherehelay，said：
\"’Iamgoingtolookatyourwound;ifitisnotserious，I’llleaveyouthere;ifitismortalI’llfinishyouoff.\"
\"Heinspectedthewound，considereditmortal，andslowlyreloadinghisgun，toldthewoundedmantosayaprayer，andshothimthroughthehead.
\"Nextdayhewasinthemountains.
\"AnddoyouknowwhatthisSt.Luciadidafterthis？
\"Allhisfamilywerearrestedbythegendarmes.Hisuncle，thecure，whowassuspectedofhavingincitedhimtothisdeedofvengeance，washimselfputinprison，andaccusedbythedeadman’srelatives.Butheescaped，tookaguninhisturn，andwenttojoinhisnephewinthebrush.
\"Next，St.Luciakilled，oneaftertheother，hisuncle’saccusers，andtoreouttheireyestoteachtheothersnevertostatewhattheyhadseenwiththeireyes.
\"Hekilledalltherelatives，alltheconnectionsofhisenemy’sfamily.
Heslewduringhislifefourteengendarmes，burneddownthehousesofhisadversaries，andwas，uptothedayofhisdeath，themostterribleofallthebanditswhosememorywehavepreserved.\"
ThesundisappearedbehindMonteCintoandthetallshadowofthegranitemountainwenttosleeponthegraniteofthevalley.WequickenedourpaceinordertoreachbeforenightthelittlevillageofAlbertaccio，nothingbutapileofstonesweldedintothestoneflanksofawildgorge.AndIsaidasIthoughtofthebandit：
\"Whataterriblecustomyourvendettais！\"
Mycompanionansweredwithanairofresignation：
\"Whatwouldyouhave？Amanmustdohisduty！\"
THEGRAVE
TheseventeenthofJuly，onethousandeighthundredandeighty—three，athalf—pasttwointhemorning，thewatchmaninthecemeteryofBesiers，wholivedinasmallcottageontheedgeofthisfieldofthedead，wasawakenedbythebarkingofhisdog，whichwasshutupinthekitchen.
Goingdownquickly，hesawtheanimalsniffingatthecrackofthedoorandbarkingfuriously，asifsometramphadbeensneakingaboutthehouse.Thekeeper，Vincent，thereforetookhisgunandwentout.
Hisdog，precedinghim，atonceraninthedirectionoftheAvenueGeneralBonnet，stoppingshortatthemonumentofMadameTomoiseau.
Thekeeper，advancingcautiously，soonsawafaintlightonthesideoftheAvenueMalenvers，andstealinginamongthegraves，hecameuponahorribleactofprofanation.
Amanhaddugupthecoffinofayoungwomanwhohadbeenburiedtheeveningbeforeandwasdraggingthecorpseoutofit.
Asmalldarklantern，standingonapileofearth，lightedupthishideousscene.
Vincentspranguponthewretch，threwhimtotheground，boundhishandsandtookhimtothepolicestation.
Itwasayoung，wealthyandrespectedlawyerintown，namedCourbataille.
Hewasbroughtintocourt.ThepublicprosecutoropenedthecasebyreferringtothemonstrousdeedsoftheSergeantBertrand.
Awaveofindignationsweptoverthecourtroom.Whenthemagistratesatdownthecrowdassembledcried：\"Death！death！\"Withdifficultythepresidingjudgeestablishedsilence.
Thenhesaidgravely：
\"Defendant，whathaveyoutosayinyourdefense？\"
Courbataille，whohadrefusedcounsel，rose.Hewasahandsomefellow，tall，brown，withafrankface，energeticmannerandafearlesseye.
Payingnoattentiontothewhistlingsintheroom，hebegantospeakinavoicethatwaslowandveiledatfirst，butthatgrewmorefirmasheproceeded.
\"MonsieurlePresident，gentlemenofthejury：Ihaveverylittletosay.
ThewomanwhosegraveIviolatedwasmysweetheart.Ilovedher.
\"Ilovedher，notwithasensualloveandnotwithmeretendernessofheartandsoul，butwithanabsolute，completelove，withanoverpoweringpassion.
\"Hearme：
\"WhenImetherforthefirsttimeIfeltastrangesensation.Itwasnotastonishmentnoradmiration，noryetthatwhichiscalledloveatfirstsight，butafeelingofdeliciouswell—being，asifIhadbeenplungedintoawarmbath.Hergesturesseducedme，hervoiceenchantedme，anditwaswithinfinitepleasurethatIlookeduponherperson.
ItseemedtomeasifIhadseenherbeforeandasifIhadknownheralongtime.Shehadwithinhersomethingofmyspirit.
\"Sheseemedtomelikeananswertoacryutteredbymysoul，tothatvagueandunceasingcrywithwhichwecalluponHopeduringourwholelife.
\"WhenIknewheralittlebetter，themerethoughtofseeingheragainfilledmewithexquisiteandprofounduneasiness;thetouchofherhandinminewasmoredelightfultomethananythingthatIhadimagined;hersmilefilledmewithamadjoy，withthedesiretorun，todance，toflingmyselfupontheground.
\"Sowebecamelovers.
\"Yes，morethanthat：shewasmyverylife.Ilookedfornothingfurtheronearth，andhadnofurtherdesires.Ilongedfornothingfurther.
\"Oneevening，whenwehadgoneonasomewhatlongwalkbytheriver，wewereovertakenbytherain，andshecaughtcold.Itdevelopedintopneumoniathenextday，andaweeklatershewasdead.
\"Duringthehoursofhersufferingastonishmentandconsternationpreventedmyunderstandingandreflectinguponit，butwhenshewasdeadIwassooverwhelmedbyblankdespairthatIhadnothoughtsleft.
Iwept.
\"Duringallthehorribledetailsoftheintermentmykeenandwildgriefwaslikeamadness，akindofsensual，physicalgrief.
\"Thenwhenshewasgone，whenshewasundertheearth，mymindatoncefounditselfagain，andIpassedthroughaseriesofmoralsufferingssoterriblethateventheloveshehadvouchsafedtomewasdearatthatprice.
\"Thenthefixedideacametome：Ishallnotseeheragain.
\"Whenonedwellsonthisthoughtforawholedayonefeelsasifheweregoingmad.Justthinkofit！Thereisawomanwhomyouadore，auniquewoman，forinthewholeuniversethereisnotasecondonelikeher.
ThiswomanhasgivenherselftoyouandhascreatedwithyouthemysteriousunionthatiscalledLove.Hereyeseemstoyoumorevastthanspace，morecharmingthantheworld，thatcleareyesmilingwithhertenderness.Thiswomanlovesyou.Whenshespeakstoyouhervoicefloodsyouwithjoy.
\"Andsuddenlyshedisappears！Thinkofit！Shedisappears，notonlyforyou，butforever.Sheisdead.Doyouunderstandwhatthatmeans？
Never，never，never，notanywherewillsheexistanymore.Nevermorewillthateyelookuponanythingagain;nevermorewillthatvoice，noranyvoicelikeit，utterawordinthesamewayassheutteredit.
\"Nevermorewillafacebebornthatislikehers.Never，never！Themoldsofstatuesarekept;castsarekeptbywhichonecanmakeobjectswiththesameoutlinesandforms.Butthatonebodyandthatonefacewillnevermorebebornagainupontheearth.Andyetmillionsandmillionsofcreatureswillbeborn，andmorethanthat，andthisonewomanwillnotreappearamongallthewomenofthefuture.Isitpossible？Itdrivesonemadtothinkofit.
\"Shelivedfortwenty—years，notmore，andshehasdisappearedforever，forever，forever！Shethought，shesmiled，shelovedme.Andnownothing！Thefliesthatdieintheautumnareasmuchasweareinthisworld.Andnownothing！AndIthoughtthatherbody，herfreshbody，sowarm，sosweet，sowhite，solovely，wouldrotdownthereinthatboxundertheearth.Andhersoul，herthought，herlove——whereisit？
\"Nottoseeheragain！Theideaofthisdecomposingbody，thatImightyetrecognize，hauntedme.Iwantedtolookatitoncemore.
\"Iwentoutwithaspade，alanternandahammer;IjumpedoverthecemeterywallandIfoundthegrave，whichhadnotyetbeenclosedentirely;Iuncoveredthecoffinandtookupaboard.Anabominableodor，thestenchofputrefaction，greetedmynostrils.Oh，herbedperfumedwithorris！
\"YetIopenedthecoffin，and，holdingmylightedlanterndownintoitI
sawher.Herfacewasblue，swollen，frightful.Ablackliquidhadoozedoutofhermouth.
\"She！Thatwasshe！Horrorseizedme.ButIstretchedoutmyarmtodrawthismonstrousfacetowardme.AndthenIwascaught.
\"AllnightIhaveretainedthefoulodorofthisputridbody，theodorofmywellbeloved，asoneretainstheperfumeofawomanafteraloveembrace.
\"Dowithmewhatyouwill.\"
Astrangesilenceseemedtooppresstheroom.Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethingmore.Thejuryretiredtodeliberate.
Whentheycamebackafewminuteslatertheaccusedshowednofearanddidnotevenseemtothink.
Thepresidentannouncedwiththeusualformalitiesthathisjudgesdeclaredhimtobenotguilty.
Hedidnotmoveandtheroomapplauded.
TheGraveappearedinGilBlas，July29，1883，underthesignatureof\"Maufrigneuse.\"
EndOriginalShortStories，Vol.13.
ByGuydeMaupassantVOLUMEXIII.
OLDJUDAS
THELITTLECASK
BOITELLE
AWIDOW
THEENGLISHMENOFETRETAT
MAGNETISM
AFATHERSCONFESSION
AMOTHEROFMONSTERS
ANUNCOMFORTABLEBED
APORTRAIT
THEDRUNKARD
THEWARDROBE
THEMOUNTAINPOOL
ACREMATION
MISTI
MADAMEHERMET
THEMAGICCOUCH
OLDJUDAS
Thisentirestretchofcountrywasamazing;itwascharacterizedbyagrandeurthatwasalmostreligious，andyetithadanairofsinisterdesolation.
Agreat，wildlake，filledwithstagnant，blackwater，inwhichthousandsofreedswerewavingtoandfro，layinthemidstofavastcircleofnakedhills，wherenothinggrewbutbroom，orhereandthereanoakcuriouslytwistedbythewind.
Justonehousestoodonthebanksofthatdarklake，asmall，lowhouseinhabitedbyUncleJoseph，anoldboatman，wholivedonwhathecouldmakebyhisfishing.Onceaweekhecarriedthefishhecaughtintothesurroundingvillages，returningwiththefewprovisionsthatheneededforhissustenance.
Iwenttoseethisoldhermit，whoofferedtotakemewithhimtohisnets，andIaccepted.
Hisboatwasold，worm—eatenandclumsy，andtheskinnyoldmanrowedwithagentleandmonotonousstrokethatwassoothingtothesoul，alreadyoppressedbythesadnessofthelandroundabout.
ItseemedtomeasifIweretransportedtooldentimes，inthemidstofthatancientcountry，inthatprimitiveboat，whichwaspropelledbyamanofanotherage.
Hetookuphisnetsandthrewthefishintothebottomoftheboat，asthefishermenoftheBiblemighthavedone.Thenhetookmedowntotheendofthelake，whereIsuddenlyperceivedaruinontheothersideofthebankadilapidatedhut，withanenormousredcrossonthewallthatlookedasifitmighthavebeentracedwithblood，asitgleamedinthelastraysofthesettingsun.
\"Whatisthat？\"Iasked.
\"ThatiswhereJudasdied，\"themanreplied，crossinghimself.
Iwasnotsurprised，beingalmostpreparedforthisstrangeanswer.
StillIasked：
\"Judas？WhatJudas？\"
\"TheWanderingJew，monsieur，\"headded.
Iaskedhimtotellmethislegend.
Butitwasbetterthanalegend，beingatruestory，andquitearecentone，sinceUncleJosephhadknowntheman.
Thishuthadformerlybeenoccupiedbyalargewoman，akindofbeggar，wholivedonpubliccharity.
UncleJosephdidnotrememberfromwhomshehadthishut.Oneeveninganoldmanwithawhitebeard，whoseemedtobeatleasttwohundredyearsold，andwhocouldhardlydraghimselfalong，askedalmsofthisforlornwoman，ashepassedherdwelling.
\"Sitdown，father，\"shereplied;\"everythingherebelongstoalltheworld，sinceitcomesfromalltheworld.\"
Hesatdownonastonebeforethedoor.Hesharedthewoman’sbread，herbedofleaves，andherhouse.
Hedidnotleaveheragain，forhehadcometotheendofhistravels.
\"ItwasOurLadytheVirginwhopermittedthis，monsieur，\"Josephadded，\"itbeingawomanwhohadopenedherdoortoaJudas，forthisoldvagabondwastheWanderingJew.Itwasnotknownatfirstinthecountry，butthepeoplesuspecteditverysoon，becausehewasalwayswalking;ithadbecomeasortofsecondnaturetohim.\"
Andsuspicionhadbeenarousedbystillanotherthing.Thiswoman，whokeptthatstrangerwithher，wasthoughttobeaJewess，fornoonehadeverseenheratchurch.FortenmilesaroundnooneevercalledheranythingelsebuttheJewess.
Whenthelittlecountrychildrensawhercometobegtheycriedout：
\"Mamma，mamma，hereistheJewess！\"
Theoldmanandshebegantogoouttogetherintotheneighboringdistricts，holdingouttheirhandsatallthedoors，stammeringsupplicationsintotheearsofallthepassers.Theycouldbeseenatallhoursoftheday，onby—paths，inthevillages，oragaineatingbread，sittinginthenoonheatundertheshadowofsomesolitarytree.
AndthecountrypeoplebegantocallthebeggarOldJudas.
Onedayhebroughthomeinhissacktwolittlelivepigs，whichafarmerhadgivenhimafterhehadcuredthefarmerofsomesickness.
Soonhestoppedbegging，anddevotedhimselfentirelytohispigs.
Hetookthemouttofeedbythelake，orunderisolatedoaks，orinthenear—byvalleys.Thewoman，however，wentaboutalldaybegging，butshealwayscamebacktohimintheevening.
Healsodidnotgotochurch，andnooneeverhadseenhimcrosshimselfbeforethewaysidecrucifixes.Allthisgaverisetomuchgossip：
Onenighthiscompanionwasattackedbyafeverandbegantotremblelikealeafinthewind.Hewenttothenearesttowntogetsomemedicine，andthenheshuthimselfupwithher，andwasnotseenforsixdays.
Thepriest，havingheardthatthe\"Jewess\"wasabouttodie，cametooffertheconsolationofhisreligionandadministerthelastsacrament.
WassheaJewess？Hedidnotknow.Butinanycase，hewishedtotrytosavehersoul.
HardlyhadheknockedatthedoorwhenoldJudasappearedonthethreshold，breathinghard，hiseyesaflame，hislongbeardagitated，likeripplingwater，andhehurledblasphemiesinanunknownlanguage，extendinghisskinnyarmsinordertopreventthepriestfromentering.
Thepriestattemptedtospeak，offeredhispurseandhisaid，buttheoldmankeptonabusinghim，makinggestureswithhishandsasifthrowing;
stonesathim.
Thenthepriestretired，followedbythecursesofthebeggar.
ThecompanionofoldJudasdiedthefollowingday.Heburiedherhimself，infrontofherdoor.Theywerepeopleofsolittleaccountthatnoonetookanyinterestinthem.
Thentheysawthemantakehispigsoutagaintothelakeandupthehillsides.Andhealsobeganbeggingagaintogetfood.Butthepeoplegavehimhardlyanything，astherewassomuchgossipabouthim.Everyoneknew，moreover，howhehadtreatedthepriest.
Thenhedisappeared.ThatwasduringHolyWeek，butnoonepaidanyattentiontohim.
ButonEasterSundaytheboysandgirlswhohadgonewalkingouttothelakeheardagreatnoiseinthehut.Thedoorwaslocked;buttheboysbrokeitin，andthetwopigsranout，jumpinglikegnats.Nooneeversawthemagain.
Thewholecrowdwentin;theysawsomeoldragsonthefloor，thebeggar’shat，somebones，clotsofdriedbloodandbitsoffleshinthehollowsoftheskull.
Hispigshaddevouredhim.
\"ThishappenedonGoodFriday，monsieur.\"Josephconcludedhisstory，\"threehoursafternoon.\"
\"Howdoyouknowthat？\"Iaskedhim.
\"Thereisnodoubtaboutthat，\"hereplied.
Ididnotattempttomakehimunderstandthatitcouldeasilyhappenthatthefamishedanimalshadeatentheirmaster，afterhehaddiedsuddenlyinhishut.
Asforthecrossonthewall，ithadappearedonemorning，andnooneknewwhathandtraceditinthatstrangecolor.
SincethennoonedoubtedanylongerthattheWanderingJewhaddiedonthisspot.
Imyselfbelieveditforonehour.
THELITTLECASK
Hewasatallmanoffortyorthereabout，thisJulesChicot，theinnkeeperofSpreville，witharedfaceandaroundstomach，andsaidbythosewhoknewhimtobeasmartbusinessman.HestoppedhisbuggyinfrontofMotherMagloire’sfarmhouse，and，hitchingthehorsetothegatepost，wentinatthegate.
Chicotownedsomelandadjoiningthatoftheoldwoman，whichhehadbeencovetingforalongwhile，andhadtriedinvaintobuyascoreoftimes，butshehadalwaysobstinatelyrefusedtopartwithit.
\"Iwasbornhere，andhereImeantodie，\"wasallshesaid.
Hefoundherpeelingpotatoesoutsidethefarmhousedoor.Shewasawomanofaboutseventy—two，verythin，shriveledandwrinkled，almostdriedupinfactandmuchbentbutasactiveanduntiringasagirl.
Chicotpattedheronthebackinafriendlyfashionandthensatdownbyheronastool.
\"Wellmother，youarealwaysprettywellandhearty，Iamgladtosee.\"
\"Nothingtocomplainof，considering，thankyou.Andhowareyou，MonsieurChicot？\"
\"Oh，prettywell，thankyou，exceptafewrheumaticpainsoccasionally;
otherwiseIhavenothingtocomplainof.\"
\"Somuchthebetter.\"
Andshesaidnomore，whileChicotwatchedhergoingonwithherwork.
Hercrooked，knottedfingers，hardasalobster’sclaws，seizedthetubers，whichwerelyinginapail，asiftheyhadbeenapairofpincers，andshepeeledthemrapidly，cuttingofflongstripsofskinwithanoldknifewhichsheheldintheotherhand，throwingthepotatoesintothewaterastheyweredone.Threedaringfowlsjumpedoneaftertheotherintoherlap，seizedabitofpeelandthenranawayasfastastheirlegswouldcarrythemwithitintheirbeak.
Chicotseemedembarrassed，anxious，withsomethingonthetipofhistonguewhichhecouldnotsay.Atlasthesaidhurriedly：
\"Listen，MotherMagloire——\"
\"Well，whatisit？\"
\"Youarequitesurethatyoudonotwanttosellyourland？\"
\"Certainlynot;youmaymakeupyourmindtothat.WhatIhavesaidI
havesaid，sodon’trefertoitagain.\"
\"Verywell;onlyIthinkIknowofanarrangementthatmightsuitusbothverywell.\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Justthis.Youshallsellittomeandkeepitallthesame.Youdon’tunderstand？Verywell，thenfollowmeinwhatIamgoingtosay.\"
Theoldwomanleftoffpeelingpotatoesandlookedattheinnkeeperattentivelyfromunderherheavyeyebrows，andhewenton：
\"Letmeexplainmyself.EverymonthIwillgiveyouahundredandfiftyfrancs.Youunderstandme！suppose！EverymonthIwillcomeandbringyouthirtycrowns，anditwillnotmaketheslightestdifferenceinyourlife——nottheveryslightest.Youwillhaveyourownhomejustasyouhavenow，neednottroubleyourselfaboutme，andwillowemenothing;
allyouwillhavetodowillbetotakemymoney.Willthatarrangementsuityou？\"
Helookedathergood—humoredly，onemightalmosthavesaidbenevolently，andtheoldwomanreturnedhislooksdistrustfully，asifshesuspectedatrap，andsaid：
\"ItseemsallrightasfarasIamconcerned，butitwillnotgiveyouthefarm.\"
\"Nevermindaboutthat，\"hesaid;\"youmayremainhereaslongasitpleasesGodAlmightytoletyoulive;itwillbeyourhome.Onlyyouwillsignadeedbeforealawyermakingitovertome;afteryourdeath.
Youhavenochildren，onlynephewsandniecesforwhomyoudon’tcareastraw.Willthatsuityou？Youwillkeepeverythingduringyourlife，andIwillgiveyouthethirtycrownsamonth.Itispuregainasfarasyouareconcerned.\"
Theoldwomanwassurprised，ratheruneasy，but，nevertheless，verymuchtemptedtoagree，andanswered：
\"Idon’tsaythatIwillnotagreetoit，butImustthinkaboutit.
Comebackinaweek，andwewilltalkitoveragain，andIwillthengiveyoumydefiniteanswer.\"
AndChicotwentoffashappyasakingwhohadconqueredanempire.
MotherMagloirewasthoughtful，anddidnotsleepatallthatnight;infact，forfourdaysshewasinafeverofhesitation.Shesuspectedthattherewassomethingunderneaththeofferwhichwasnottoheradvantage;
butthenthethoughtofthirtycrownsamonth，ofallthosecoinsclinkinginherapron，fallingtoher，asitwere，fromtheskies，withoutherdoinganythingforit，arousedhercovetousness.
Shewenttothenotaryandtoldhimaboutit.HeadvisedhertoacceptChicot’soffer，butsaidsheoughttoaskforanannuityoffiftyinsteadofthirty，asherfarmwasworthsixtythousandfrancsatthelowestcalculation.
\"Ifyouliveforfifteenyearslonger，\"hesaid，\"eventhenhewillonlyhavepaidforty—fivethousandfrancsforit.\"
Theoldwomantrembledwithjoyatthisprospectofgettingfiftycrownsamonth，butshewasstillsuspicious，fearingsometrick，andsheremainedalongtimewiththelawyeraskingquestionswithoutbeingabletomakeuphermindtogo.Atlastshegavehiminstructionstodrawupthedeedandreturnedhomewithherheadinawhirl，justasifshehaddrunkfourjugsofnewcider.
WhenChicotcameagaintoreceiveheranswershedeclared，afteralotofpersuading，thatshecouldnotmakeuphermindtoagreetohisproposal，thoughshewasallthetimetremblinglestheshouldnotconsenttogivethefiftycrowns，butatlast，whenhegrewurgent，shetoldhimwhatsheexpectedforherfarm.
Helookedsurprisedanddisappointedandrefused.
Then，inordertoconvincehim，shebegantotalkabouttheprobabledurationofherlife.
\"Iamcertainlynotlikelytolivemorethanfiveorsixyearslonger.
Iamnearlyseventy—three，andfarfromstrong，evenconsideringmyage.
TheothereveningIthoughtIwasgoingtodie，andcouldhardlymanagetocrawlintobed.\"
ButChicotwasnotgoingtobetakenin.
\"Come，come，oldlady，youareasstrongasthechurchtower，andwilllivetillyouareahundredatleast;youwillnodoubtseemeputundergroundfirst.\"
Thewholedaywasspentindiscussingthemoney，andastheoldwomanwouldnotgivein，theinnkeeperconsentedtogivethefiftycrowns，andsheinsisteduponhavingtencrownsoverandabovetostrikethebargain.
Threeyearspassedandtheolddamedidnotseemtohavegrownadayolder.Chicotwasindespair，anditseemedtohimasifhehadbeenpayingthatannuityforfiftyyears，thathehadbeentakenin，done，ruined.Fromtimetotimehewenttoseetheoldlady，justasonegoesinJulytoseewhentheharvestislikelytobegin.Shealwaysmethimwithacunninglook，andonemighthavesupposedthatshewascongratulatingherselfonthetrickshehadplayedhim.Seeinghowwellandheartysheseemedheverysoongotintohisbuggyagain，growlingtohimself：
\"Willyouneverdie，youoldhag？\"
Hedidnotknowwhattodo，andhefeltinclinedtostrangleherwhenhesawher.Hehatedherwithaferocious，cunninghatred，thehatredofapeasantwhohasbeenrobbed，andbegantocastaboutforsomemeansofgettingridofher.
Onedayhecametoseeheragain，rubbinghishandsashedidthefirsttimeheproposedthebargain，and，afterhavingchattedforafewminutes，hesaid：
\"WhydoyounevercomeandhaveabitofdinneratmyplacewhenyouareinSpreville？Thepeoplearetalkingaboutit，andsayingwearenotonfriendlyterms，andthatpainsme.Youknowitwillcostyounothingifyoucome，forIdon’tlookatthepriceofadinner.Comewheneveryoufeelinclined;Ishallbeverygladtoseeyou.\"
OldMotherMagloiredidnotneedtobeaskedtwice，andthenextdaybutone，asshehadtogotothetowninanycase，itbeingmarketday，shelethermandrivehertoChicot’splace，wherethebuggywasputinthebarnwhileshewentintothehousetogetherdinner.
Theinnkeeperwasdelightedandtreatedherlikealady，givingherroastfowl，blackpudding，legofmuttonandbaconandcabbage.Butsheatenexttonothing.Shehadalwaysbeenasmalleater，andhadgenerallylivedonalittlesoupandacrustofbreadandbutter.
Chicotwasdisappointedandpressedhertoeatmore，butsherefused，andshewoulddrinklittle，anddeclinedcoffee，soheaskedher：
\"Butsurelyyouwilltakealittledropofbrandyorliqueur？\"
\"Well，astothat，Idon’tknowthatIwillrefuse.\"Whereuponheshoutedout：
\"Rosalie，bringthesuperfinebrandy——thespecial——youknow.\"
Theservantappeared，carryingalongbottleornamentedwithapapervine—leaf，andhefilledtwoliqueurglasses.
\"Justtrythat;youwillfinditfirstrate.\"
Thegoodwomandrankitslowlyinsips，soastomakethepleasurelastallthelonger，andwhenshehadfinishedherglass，shesaid：
\"Yes，thatisfirstrate！\"
AlmostbeforeshehadsaiditChicothadpouredheroutanotherglassful.
Shewishedtorefuse，butitwastoolate，andshedrankitveryslowly，asshehaddonethefirst，andheaskedhertohaveathird.Sheobjected，buthepersisted.
\"Itisasmildasmilk，youknow;Icandrinktenoradozenglasseswithoutanyilleffects;itgoesdownlikesugaranddoesnotgotothehead;onewouldthinkthatitevaporatedonthetongue：Itisthemostwholesomethingyoucandrink.\"
Shetookit，forshereallyenjoyedit，butshelefthalftheglass.
ThenChicot，inanexcessofgenerosity，said：
\"Lookhere，asitissomuchtoyourtaste，Iwillgiveyouasmallkegofit，justtoshowthatyouandIarestillexcellentfriends.\"Soshetookoneawaywithher，feelingslightlyovercomebytheeffectsofwhatshehaddrunk.
Thenextdaytheinnkeeperdroveintoheryardandtookalittleiron—
hoopedkegoutofhisgig.Heinsistedonhertastingthecontents，tomakesureitwasthesamedeliciousarticle，and，whentheyhadeachofthemdrunkthreemoreglasses，hesaidashewasgoingaway：
\"Well，youknowwhenitisallgonethereismoreleft;don’tbemodest，forIshallnotmind.ThesooneritisfinishedthebetterpleasedI
shallbe.\"
Fourdayslaterhecameagain.Theoldwomanwasoutsideherdoorcuttingupthebreadforhersoup.
Hewentuptoherandputhisfaceclosetohers，sothathemightsmellherbreath;andwhenhesmeltthealcoholhefeltpleased.
\"IsupposeyouwillgivemeaglassoftheSpecial？\"hesaid.Andtheyhadthreeglasseseach.
Soon，however，itbegantobewhisperedabroadthatMotherMagloirewasinthehabitofgettingdrunkallbyherself.Shewaspickedupinherkitchen，theninheryard，thenintheroadsintheneighborhood，andshewasoftenbroughthomelikealog.
Theinnkeeperdidnotgonearheranymore，and，whenpeoplespoketohimabouther，heusedtosay，puttingonadistressedlook：
\"Itisagreatpitythatsheshouldhavetakentodrinkatherage，butwhenpeoplegetoldthereisnoremedy.Itwillbethedeathofherinthelongrun.\"
Anditcertainlywasthedeathofher.Shediedthenextwinter.AboutChristmastimeshefelldown，unconscious，inthesnow，andwasfounddeadthenextmorning.
AndwhenChicotcameinforthefarm，hesaid：
\"Itwasverystupidofher;ifshehadnottakentodrinkshewouldprobablyhavelivedtenyearslonger.\"
BOITELLE
FatherBoitelle（Antoine）madeaspecialtyofundertakingdirtyjobsallthroughthecountryside.Whenevertherewasaditchoracesspooltobecleanedout，adunghillremoved，asewercleansed，oranydirtholewhatever，hewayalwaysemployedtodoit.
Hewouldcomewiththeinstrumentsofhistrade，hissabotscoveredwithdirt，andsettowork，complainingincessantlyabouthisoccupation.
Whenpeopleaskedhimthenwhyhedidthisloathsomework，hewouldreplyresignedly：
\"Faith，’tisformychildren，whomImustsupport.Thisbringsmeinmorethananythingelse：’
Hehad，indeed，fourteenchildren.Ifanyoneaskedhimwhathadbecomeofthem，hewouldsaywithanairofindifference：
\"Thereareonlyeightofthemleftinthehouse.Oneisoutatserviceandfivearemarried.\"
Whenthequestionerwantedtoknowwhethertheywerewellmarried，herepliedvivaciously：
\"Ididnotopposethem.Iopposedtheminnothing.Theymarriedjustastheypleased.Weshouldn’tgoagainstpeople’slikings，itturnsoutbadly.Iamanightscavengerbecausemyparentswentagainstmylikings.ButforthatIwouldhavebecomeaworkmanliketheothers.\"
Hereisthewayhisparentshadthwartedhiminhislikings：
HewasatthetimeasoldierstationedatHavre，notmorestupidthananother，orsharpereither，arathersimplefellow，however.Whenhewasnotonduty，hisgreatestpleasurewastowalkalongthequay，wherethebirddealerscongregate.Sometimesalone，sometimeswithasoldierfromhisownpartofthecountry，hewouldslowlysaunteralongbycagescontainingparrotswithgreenbacksandyellowheadsfromthebanksoftheAmazon，orparrotswithgraybacksandredheadsfromSenegal，orenormousmacaws，whichlooklikebirdsrearedinhot—houses，withtheirflower—likefeathers，theirplumesandtheirtufts.Parrotsofeverysize，whoseempaintedwithminutecarebytheminiaturist，GodAlmighty，andthelittlebirds，allthesmallerbirdshoppedabout，yellow，blueandvariegated，minglingtheircrieswiththenoiseofthequay;andaddingtothedincausedbyunloadingthevessels，aswellasbypassengersandvehicles，aviolentclamor，loud，shrillanddeafening，asiffromsomedistantforestofmonsters.
Boitellewouldpause，withwonderingeyes，wide—openmouth，laughingandenraptured，showinghisteethtothecaptivecockatoos，whokeptnoddingtheirwhiteoryellowtopknotstowardtheglaringredofhisbreechesandthecopperbuckleofhisbelt.Whenhefoundabirdthatcouldtalkheputquestionstoit，andifithappenedatthetimetobedisposedtoreplyandtoholdaconversationwithhimhewouldcarryawayenoughamusementtolasthimtillevening.Healsofoundheapsofamusementinlookingatthemonkeys，andcouldconceivenogreaterluxuryforarichmanthantoowntheseanimalsasoneownscatsanddogs.Thiskindoftastefortheexotichehadinhisblood，aspeoplehaveatasteforthechase，orformedicine，orforthepriesthood.Hecouldnothelpreturningtothequayeverytimethegatesofthebarracksopened，drawntowarditbyanirresistiblelonging.
Ononeoccasion，havingstoppedalmostinecstasybeforeanenormousmacaw，whichwasswellingoutitsplumes，bendingforwardandbridlingupagainasifmakingthecourtcurtseysofparrot—land，hesawthedoorofalittlecafeadjoiningthebirddealer’sshopopen，andayoungnegressappeared，wearingonherheadaredsilkhandkerchief.Shewassweepingintothestreetthecorksandsandoftheestablishment.
Boitelle’sattentionwassoondividedbetweenthebirdandthewoman，andhereallycouldnottellwhichofthesetwobeingshecontemplatedwiththegreaterastonishmentanddelight.
Thenegress，havingswepttherubbishintothestreet，raisedhereyes，and，inherturn，wasdazzledbythesoldier’suniform.Thereshestoodfacinghimwithherbroominherhandsasifshewerebringinghimarifle，whilethemacawcontinuedbowing.Butattheendofafewsecondsthesoldierbegantofeelembarrassedatthisattention，andhewalkedawayquietlysoasnottolookasifhewerebeatingaretreat.
Buthecameback.AlmosteverydayhepassedbeforetheCafedesColonies，andoftenhecoulddistinguishthroughthewindowthefigureofthelittleblack—skinnedmaidserving\"bocks\"orglassesofbrandytothesailorsoftheport.Frequently，too，shewouldcomeouttothedooronseeinghim;soon，withoutevenhavingexchangedaword，theysmiledatoneanotherlikeacquaintances;andBoitellefelthishearttouchedwhenhesuddenlysaw，glitteringbetweenthedarklipsofthegirl，ashiningrowofwhiteteeth.Atlength，onedayheventuredtoenter，andwasquitesurprisedtofindthatshecouldspeakFrenchlikeeveryoneelse.
Thebottleoflemonade，ofwhichshewasgoodenoughtoacceptaglassful，remainedinthesoldier’srecollectionmemorablydelicious，anditbecameacustomwithhimtocomeandabsorbinthislittletavernonthequayalltheagreeabledrinkswhichhecouldafford.
Forhimitwasatreat，ahappiness，onwhichhisthoughtsdweltconstantly，towatchtheblackhandofthelittlemaidpouringsomethingintohisglasswhileherteethlaughedmorethanhereyes.Attheendoftwomonthstheybecamefastfriends，andBoitelle，afterhisfirstastonishmentatdiscoveringthatthisnegresshadasgoodprinciplesashonestFrenchgirls，thatsheexhibitedaregardforeconomy，industry，religionandgoodconduct，lovedhermoreonthataccount，andwassocharmedwithherthathewantedtomarryher.
Hetoldherhisintentions，whichmadeherdancewithjoy.Shehadalsoalittlemoney，leftherby，afemaleoysterdealer，whohadpickedherupwhenshehadbeenleftonthequayatHavrebyanAmericancaptain.
Thiscaptainhadfoundher，whenshewasonlyaboutsixyearsold，lyingonbalesofcottonintheholdofhisship，somehoursafterhisdeparturefromNewYork.OnhisarrivalinHavreheabandonedtothecareofthiscompassionateoysterdealerthelittleblackcreature，whohadbeenhiddenonboardhisvessel，heknewnotwhyorbywhom.
Theoysterwomanhavingdied，theyoungnegressbecameaservantattheColonialTavern.
AntoineBoitelleadded：\"Thiswillbeallrightifmyparentsdon’topposeit.Iwillnevergoagainstthem，youunderstand，never！I’mgoingtosayawordortwotothemthefirsttimeIgobacktothecountry.\"
Onthefollowingweek，infact，havingobtainedtwenty—fourhours’leave，hewenttoseehisfamily，whocultivatedalittlefarmatTourteville，nearYvetot.
Hewaitedtillthemealwasfinished，thehourwhenthecoffeebaptizedwithbrandymakespeoplemoreopen—hearted，beforeinforminghisparentsthathehadfoundagirlwhosatisfiedhistastes，allhistastes，socompletelythattherecouldnotexistanyotherinalltheworldsoperfectlysuitedtohim.
Theoldpeople，onhearingthis，immediatelyassumedacautiousmannerandwantedexplanations.Hehadconcealednothingfromthemexceptthecolorofherskin.
Shewasaservant，withoutmuchmeans，butstrong，thrifty，clean，well—
conductedandsensible.Allthesethingswerebetterthanmoneywouldbeinthehandsofabadhousewife.Moreover，shehadafewsous，leftherbyawomanwhohadrearedher，agoodnumberofsous，almostalittledowry，fifteenhundredfrancsinthesavingsbank.Theoldpeople，persuadedbyhistalk，andrelyingalsoontheirownjudgment，weregraduallyweakening，whenhecametothedelicatepoint.Laughinginratheraconstrainedfashion，hesaid：
\"There’sonlyonethingyoumaynotlike.Sheisnotawhiteslip.\"
Theydidnotunderstand，andhehadtoexplainatsomelengthandverycautiously，toavoidshockingthem，thatshebelongedtotheduskyraceofwhichtheyhadonlyseensamplesinpicturesatEpinal.Thentheybecamerestless，perplexed，alarmed，asifhehadproposedaunionwiththedevil.
Themothersaid：\"Black？Howmuchofherisblack？Isthewholeofher？\"
Hereplied：\"Certainly.Everywhere，justasyouarewhiteeverywhere.\"
Thefatherinterposed：\"Black？Isitasblackasthepot？\"
Thesonanswered：\"Perhapsalittlelessthanthat.Sheisblack，butnotdisgustinglyblack.Thecure’scassockisblack，butitisnotuglierthanasurplicewhichiswhite.\"
Thefathersaid：\"Aretheremoreblackpeoplebesidesherinhercountry？\"
Andtheson，withanairofconviction，exclaimed：\"Certainly！\"
Buttheoldmanshookhishead.
\"Thatmustbeunpleasant.\"
Andtheson：
\"Itisn’tmoredisagreeablethananythingelsewhenyougetaccustomedtoit.\"
Themotherasked：
\"Itdoesn’tsoiltheunderwearmorethanotherskins，thisblackskin？\"
\"Notmorethanyourown，asitisherpropercolor.\"
Then，aftermanyotherquestions，itwasagreedthattheparentsshouldseethisgirlbeforecoming;toanydecision，andthattheyoungfellow，whose，termofmilitaryservicewouldbeoverinamonth，shouldbringhertothehouseinorderthattheymightexamineheranddecidebytalkingthematteroverwhetherornotshewastoodarktoentertheBoitellefamily.
AntoineaccordinglyannouncedthatonSunday，the22dofMay，thedayofhisdischarge，hewouldstartforTourtevillewithhissweetheart.
Shehadputon，forthisjourneytothehouseofherlover’sparents，hermostbeautifulandmostgaudyclothes，inwhichyellow，redandblueweretheprevailingcolors，sothatshelookedasifshewereadornedforanationalfestival.
Attheterminus，astheywereleavingHavre，peoplestaredather，andBoitellewasproudofgivinghisarmtoapersonwhocommandedsomuchattention.Then，inthethird—classcarriage，inwhichshetookaseatbyhisside，shearousedsomuchastonishmentamongthecountryfolksthatthepeopleintheadjoiningcompartmentsstoodupontheirbenchestolookatheroverthewoodenpartitionwhichdividesthecompartments.
Achild，atsightofher，begantocrywithterror，anotherconcealedhisfaceinhismother’sapron.Everythingwentoffwell，however，uptotheirarrivalattheirdestination.ButwhenthetrainslackeneditsrateofmotionastheydrewnearYvetot，Antoinefelt：illatease，ashewouldhavedoneatareviewwhen;hedidnotknowhisdrillpractice.
Then，ashe;leanedhisheadout，herecognizedinthedistance：hisfather，holdingthebridleofthehorseharnessedtoacarryall，andhismother，whohadcomeforwardtothegrating，behindwhichstoodthosewhowereexpectingfriends.
Healightedfirst，gavehishandtohissweetheart，andholdinghimselferect，asifhewereescortingageneral，hewenttomeethisfamily.
Themother，onseeingthisblackladyinvariegatedcostumeinherson’scompany，remainedsostupefiedthatshecouldnotopenhermouth;andthefatherfoundithardtoholdthehorse，whichtheengineorthenegresscausedtorearcontinuously.ButAntoine，suddenlyfilledwithunmixedjoyatseeingoncemoretheoldpeople，rushedforwardwithopenarms，embracedhismother，embracedhisfather，inspiteofthenag’sfright，andthenturningtowardhiscompanion，atwhomthepassengersontheplatformstoppedtostarewithamazement，heproceededtoexplain：
\"Heresheis！Itoldyouthat，atfirstsight，sheisnotattractive;
butassoonasyouknowher，Icanassureyouthere’snotabettersortinthewholeworld.Saygood—morningtohersothatshemaynotfeelbadly.\"
ThereuponMereBoitelle，almostfrightenedoutofherwits，madeasortofcurtsy，whilethefathertookoffhiscap，murmuring：
\"Iwishyougoodluck！\"
Then，withoutfurtherdelay，theyclimbedintothecarryall，thetwowomenattheback，onseatswhichmadethemjumpupanddownasthevehiclewentjoltingalongtheroad，andthetwomeninfrontonthefrontseat.
Nobodyspoke.Antoine，illatease，whistledabarrack—roomair;hisfatherwhippedthenag;andhismother，fromwhereshesatinthecorner，keptcastingslyglancesatthenegress，whoseforeheadandcheekbonesshoneinthesunlightlikewell—polishedshoes.
Wishingtobreaktheice，Antoineturnedround.
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"wedon’tseeminclinedtotalk.\"
\"Wemusthavetime，\"repliedtheoldwoman.
Hewenton：
\"Come！Tellusthelittlestoryaboutthathenofyoursthatlaideighteggs.\"
Itwasafunnyanecdoteoflongstandinginthefamily.But，ashismotherstillremainedsilent，paralyzedbyheremotion，heundertookhimselftotellthestory，laughingashedidsoatthememorableincident.Thefather，whoknewitbyheartbrightenedattheopeningwordsofthenarrative;hiswifesoonfollowedhisexample;andthenegressherself，whenhereachedthedrollestpartofit，suddenlygaveventtoalaugh，suchaloud，rollingtorrentoflaughterthatthehorse，becomingexcited，brokeintoagallopforawhile.
Thisservedtocementtheiracquaintance.Theyallbegantochat.
Theyhadscarcelyreachedthehouseandhadallalighted，whenAntoineconductedhissweethearttoaroom，sothatshemighttakeoffherdress，toavoidstainingit，asshewasgoingtoprepareanicedish，intendedtowintheoldpeople’saffectionsthroughtheirstomachs.Hedrewhisparentsoutsidethehouse，and，withbeatingheart，asked：
\"Well，whatdoyousaynow？\"
Thefathersaidnothing.Themother，lesstimid，exclaimed：
\"Sheistooblack.No，indeed，thisistoomuchforme.Itturnsmyblood.\"
\"Youwillgetusedtoit，\"saidAntoine.
\"Perhapsso，butnotatfirst.\"
Theywentintothehouse，wherethegoodwomanwassomewhataffectedatthespectacleofthenegressengagedincooking.Sheatonceproceededtoassisther，withpetticoatstuckedup，activeinspiteofherage.
Themealwasanexcellentone，verylong，veryenjoyable.Whentheyweretakingaturnafterdinner，Antoinetookhisfatheraside.
\"Well，dad，whatdoyousayaboutit？\"
Thepeasanttookcarenevertocompromisehimself.
\"Ihavenoopinionaboutit.Askyourmother.\"
SoAntoinewentbacktohismother，and，detainingherbehindtherest，said：
\"Well，mother，whatdoyouthinkofher？\"
\"Mypoorlad，sheisreallytooblack.Ifshewereonlyalittlelessblack，Iwouldnotgoagainstyou，butthisistoomuch.OnewouldthinkitwasSatan！\"
Hedidnotpressher，knowinghowobstinatetheoldwomanhadalwaysbeen，buthefeltatempestofdisappointmentsweepingoverhisheart.
Hewasturningoverinhismindwhatheoughttodo，whatplanhecoulddevise，surprised，moreover，thatshehadnotconqueredthemalreadyasshehadcaptivatedhimself.Andthey，allfour，walkedalongthroughthewheatfields，havinggraduallyrelapsedintosilence.Whenevertheypassedafencetheysawacountrymansittingonthestile，andagroupofbratsclimbeduptostareatthem，andeveryonerushedoutintotheroadtoseethe\"black\"whoreyoungBoitellehadbroughthomewithhim.Atadistancetheynoticedpeoplescamperingacrossthefieldsjustaswhenthedrumbeatstodrawpublicattentiontosomelivingphenomenon.PereandMereBoitelle，alarmedatthiscuriosity，whichwasexhibitedeverywherethroughthecountryattheirapproach，quickenedtheirpace，walkingsidebyside，andleavingtheirsonfarbehind.Hisdarkcompanionaskedwhathisparentsthoughtofher.
Hehesitatinglyrepliedthattheyhadnotyetmadeuptheirminds.
Butonthevillagegreenpeoplerushedoutofallthehousesinaflutterofexcitement;and，atthesightofthegatheringcrowd，oldBoitelletooktohisheels，andregainedhisabode，whileAntoine;swellingwithrage，hissweetheartonhisarm，advancedmajesticallyunderthestaringeyes，whichopenedwideinamazement.
Heunderstoodthatitwasatanend，andtherewasnohopeforhim，thathecouldnotmarryhisnegress.Shealsounderstoodit;andastheydrewnearthefarmhousetheybothbegantoweep.Assoonastheyhadgotbacktothehouse，sheoncemoretookoffherdresstoaidthemotherinthehouseholdduties，andfollowedhereverywhere，tothedairy，tothestable，tothehenhouse，takingonherselfthehardestpartofthework，repeatingalways：\"Letmedoit，MadameBoitelle，\"sothat，whennightcameon，theoldwoman，touchedbutinexorable，saidtoherson：\"Sheisagoodgirl，allthesame.It’sapitysheissoblack;butindeedsheistooblack.Icouldnotgetusedtoit.Shemustgobackagain.Sheistoo，tooblack！\"
AndyoungBoitellesaidtohissweetheart：
\"Shewillnotconsent.Shethinksyouaretooblack.Youmustgobackagain.Iwillgowithyoutothetrain.Nomatter——don’tfret.Iamgoingtotalktothemafteryouhavestarted.\"
Hethentookhertotherailwaystation，stillcheeringherwithhope，and，whenhehadkissedher，heputherintothetrain，whichhewatchedasitpassedoutofsight，hiseyesswollenwithtears.
Invaindidheappealtotheoldpeople.Theywouldnevergivetheirconsent.
Andwhenhehadtoldthisstory，whichwasknownalloverthecountry，AntoineBoitellewouldalwaysadd：
\"FromthattimeforwardIhavehadnoheartforanything——foranythingatall.Notradesuitedmeanylonger，andsoIbecamewhatIam——anightscavenger.\"
Peoplewouldsaytohim：
\"Yetyougotmarried.\"
\"Yes，andIcan’tsaythatmywifedidn’tpleaseme，seeingthatIhavefourteenchildren;butsheisnottheotherone，oh，no——certainlynot！
Theotherone，markyou，mynegress，shehadonlytogivemeoneglance，andIfeltasifIwereinHeaven.\"
AWIDOW
ThisstorywastoldduringthehuntingseasonattheChateauBaneville.
Theautumnhadbeenrainyandsad.Theredleaves，insteadofrustlingunderthefeet，wererottingundertheheavydownfalls.
Theforestwasasdampasitcouldbe.Fromitcameanodorofmust，ofrain，ofsoakedgrassandwetearth;andthesportsmen，theirbackshunchedunderthedownpour，mournfuldogs，withtailsbetweentheirlegsandhairsstickingtotheirsides，andtheyoungwomen，withtheirclothesdrenched，returnedeveryevening，tiredinbodyandinmind.
Afterdinner，inthelargedrawing—room，everybodyplayedlotto，withoutenjoyment，whilethewindwhistledmadlyaroundthehouse.Thentheytriedtellingstorieslikethosetheyreadinbooks，butnoonewasabletoinventanythingamusing.Thehunterstoldtalesofwonderfulshotsandofthebutcheryofrabbits;andthewomenrackedtheirbrainsforideaswithoutrevealingtheimaginationofScheherezade.Theywereabouttogiveupthisdiversionwhenayoungwoman，whowasidlycaressingthehandofanoldmaidenaunt，noticedalittleringmadeofblondhair，whichshehadoftenseen，withoutpayinganyattentiontoit.
Shefingereditgentlyandasked，\"Auntie，whatisthisring？Itlooksasifitweremadefromthehairofachild.\"
Theoldladyblushed，grewpale，thenansweredinatremblingvoice：\"Itissad，sosadthatIneverwishtospeakofit.Alltheunhappinessofmylifecomesfromthat.Iwasveryyoungthen，andthememoryhasremainedsopainfulthatIweepeverytimeIthinkofit.\"
Immediatelyeverybodywishedtoknowthestory，buttheoldladyrefusedtotellit.Finally，aftertheyhadcoaxedherforalongtime，sheyielded.Hereisthestory：
\"YouhaveoftenheardmespeakoftheSantezefamily，nowextinct.I
knewthelastthreemalemembersofthisfamily.Theyalldiedinthesamemanner;thishairbelongstothelastone.Hewasthirteenwhenhekilledhimselfforme.Thatseemsstrangetoyou，doesn’tit？
\"Oh！itwasastrangefamily——mad，ifyouwill，butacharmingmadness，themadnessoflove.Fromfathertoson，allhadviolentpassionswhichfilledtheirwholebeing，whichimpelledthemtodowildthings，drovethemtofranticenthusiasm，eventocrime.Thiswasborninthem，justasburningdevotionisincertainsouls.Trappershavenotthesamenatureasminionsofthedrawing—room.Therewasasaying：’AspassionateasaSanteze.’Thiscouldbenoticedbylookingatthem.
Theyallhadwavyhair，fallingovertheirbrows，curlybeardsandlargeeyeswhoseglancepiercedandmovedone，thoughonecouldnotsaywhy.
\"Thegrandfatheroftheownerofthishair，ofwhomitisthelastsouvenir，aftermanyadventures，duelsandelopements，ataboutsixty—
fivefellmadlyinlovewithhisfarmer’sdaughter.Iknewthemboth.
Shewasblond，pale，distinguished—looking，withaslowmanneroftalking，aquietvoiceandalooksogentlethatonemighthavetakenherforaMadonna.Theoldnoblemantookhertohishomeandwassoonsocaptivatedwithherthathecouldnotlivewithoutherforaminute.
Hisdaughteranddaughter—in—law，wholivedinthechateau，foundthisperfectlynatural，lovewassuchatraditioninthefamily.Nothinginregardtoapassionsurprisedthem，andifonespokebeforethemofpartedlovers，evenofvengeanceaftertreachery，bothsaidinthesamesadtone：’Oh，howhemusthavesufferedtocometothatpoint！’Thatwasall.Theygrewsadovertragediesoflove，butneverindignant，evenwhentheywerecriminal.
\"Now，onedayayoungmannamedMonsieurdeGradelle，whohadbeeninvitedfortheshooting，elopedwiththeyounggirl.
\"MonsieurdeSantezeremainedcalmasifnothinghadhappened，butonemorninghewasfoundhanginginthekennels，amonghisdogs.
\"HissondiedinthesamemannerinahotelinParisduringajourneywhichhemadetherein1841，afterbeingdeceivedbyasingerfromtheopera.
\"Heleftatwelve—year—oldchildandawidow，mymother’ssister.Shecametomyfather’shousewiththeboy，whilewewerelivingatBertillon.Iwasthenseventeen.
\"YouhavenoideahowwonderfulandprecociousthisSantezechildwas.
Onemighthavethoughtthatallthetendernessandexaltationofthewholeracehadbeenstoredupinthislastone.Hewasalwaysdreamingandwalkingaboutaloneinagreatalleyofelmsleadingfromthechateautotheforest.Iwatchedfrommywindowthissentimentalboy，whowalkedwiththoughtfulsteps，hishandsbehindhisback，hisheadbent，andattimesstoppingtoraisehiseyesasifhecouldseeandunderstandthingsthatwerenotcomprehensibleathisage.
\"Often，afterdinneronclearevenings，hewouldsaytome：’Letusgooutsideanddream，cousin.’Andwewouldgooutsidetogetherinthepark.Hewouldstopquicklybeforeaclearingwherethewhitevaporofthemoonlightsthewoods，andhewouldpressmyhand，saying：’Look！
look！butyoudon’tunderstandme;Ifeelit.Ifyouunderstoodme，weshouldbehappy.Onemustlovetoknow！Iwouldlaughandthenkissthischild，wholovedmemadly.
\"Often，afterdinner，hewouldsitonmymother’sknees.’Come，auntie，’
hewouldsay，’tellmesomelove—stories.’Andmymother，asajoke，wouldtellhimalltheoldlegendsofthefamily，allthepassionateadventuresofhisforefathers，forthousandsofthemwerecurrent，sometrueandsomefalse.Itwastheirreputationforloveandgallantrywhichwastheruinofeveryoneofthese—men;theygloriedinitandthenthoughtthattheyhadtoliveuptotherenownoftheirhouse.
\"Thelittlefellowbecameexaltedbythesetenderorterriblestories，andattimeshewouldclaphishands，crying：’I，too，I，too，knowhowtolove，betterthanallofthem！’
\"Then，hebegantocourtmeinatimidandtendermanner，atwhicheveryonelaughed，itwas，soamusing.EverymorningIhadsomeflowerspickedbyhim，andeveryeveningbeforegoingtohisroomhewouldkissmyhandandmurmur：’Iloveyou！’
\"Iwasguilty，veryguilty，andIgrievedcontinuallyaboutit，andI
havebeendoingpenanceallmylife;Ihaveremainedanoldmaid——or，rather，Ihavelivedasawidowedfiancee，hiswidow.
\"Iwasamusedatthischildishtenderness，andIevenencouragedhim.
Iwascoquettish，ascharmingaswithaman，alternatelycaressingandsevere.Imaddenedthischild.Itwasagameformeandajoyousdiversionforhismotherandmine.Hewastwelve！thinkofit！Whowouldhavetakenthisatom’spassionseriously？Ikissedhimasoftenashewished;Ievenwrotehimlittlenotes，whichwerereadbyourrespectivemothers;andheansweredmebypassionateletters，whichI
havekept.Judginghimselfasaman，hethoughtthatourlovingintimacywassecret.WehadforgottenthathewasaSanteze.
\"Thislastedforaboutayear.Oneeveningintheparkhefellatmyfeetand，ashemadlykissedthehemofmydress，hekeptrepeating：’I
loveyou！Iloveyou！Iloveyou！Ifeveryoudeceiveme，ifeveryouleavemeforanother，I’lldoasmyfatherdid.’Andheaddedinahoarsevoice，whichgavemeashiver：’Youknowwhathedid！’
\"Istoodthereastonished.Hearose，andstandingonthetipsofhistoesinordertoreachmyear，forIwastallerthanhe，hepronouncedmyfirstname：’Genevieve！’insuchagentle，sweet，tendertonethatI
trembledallover.Istammered：’Letusreturn！letusreturn！’Hesaidnomoreandfollowedme;butasweweregoingupthestepsoftheporch，hestoppedme，saying：’Youknow，ifeveryouleaveme，I’llkillmyself.’
\"ThistimeIunderstoodthatIhadgonetoofar，andIbecamequitereserved.Oneday，ashewasreproachingmeforthis，Ianswered：’Youarenowtoooldforjestingandtooyoungforseriouslove.I’llwait.’
\"Ithoughtthatthiswouldendthematter.Intheautumnhewassenttoaboarding—school.WhenhereturnedthefollowingsummerIwasengagedtobemarried.Heunderstoodimmediately，andforaweekhebecamesopensivethatIwasquiteanxious.