D’Arthez,forthefirsttime,aftersixtydaysofprotocols,venturedtotakethatwarmandperfumedhand,andpressittohislipswithalong-drawnkiss,extendingfromthewristtothetipofthefingers,whichmadetheprincessaugurwellofliterature。Shethoughttoherselfthatmenofgeniusmustknowhowtolovewithmoreperfectionthanconceitedfops,menoftheworld,diplomatists,andevensoldiers,althoughsuchbeingshavenothingelsetodo。Shewasaconnoisseur,andknewverywellthatthecapacityforloverevealsitselfchieflyinmerenothings。Awomanwellinformedinsuchmatterscanreadherfutureinasimplegesture;justasCuviercouldsayfromthefragmentofabone:Thisbelongedtoananimalofsuchorsuchdimensions,withorwithouthorns,carnivorous,herbivorous,amphibious,etc。,age,somanythousandyears。Surenowoffindingind’Arthezasmuchimaginationinloveastherewasinhiswrittenstyle,shethoughtitwisetobringhimupatoncetothehighestpitchofpassionandbelief。
Shewithdrewherhandhastily,withamagnificentmovementfullofvariedemotions。Ifshehadsaidinwords:\"Stop,orIshalldie,\"shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly。Sheremainedforamomentwithhereyesind’Arthez’seyes,expressinginthatoneglancehappiness,prudery,fear,confidence,languor,avaguelonging,andvirginmodesty。Shewastwentyyearsold!butremember,shehadpreparedforthishourofcomicfalsehoodbythechoicestartofdress;shewasthereinherarmchairlikeaflower,readytoblossomatthefirstkissofsunshine。Trueorfalse,sheintoxicatedDaniel。
Itifispermissibletoriskapersonalopinionwemustavowthatitwouldbedelightfultobethusdeceivedforagoodlongtime。
CertainlyTalmaonthestagewasoftenaboveandbeyondnature,butthePrincessedeCadignanisthegreatesttruecomedianofourday。
Nothingwaswantingtothiswomanbutanattentiveaudience。
Unfortunately,atepochsperturbedbypoliticalstorms,womendisappearlikewater-lilieswhichneedacloudlessskyandbalmyzephyrstospreadtheirbloomtoourenrapturedeyes。
Thehourhadcome;Dianewasnowtoentanglethatgreatmanintheinextricablemeshesofaromancecarefullyprepared,towhichhewasfatedtolistenastheneophyteofearlyChristiantimeslistenedtotheepistlesofanapostle。
\"Myfriend,\"beganDiane,\"mymother,whostilllivesatUxelles,marriedmein1814,whenIwasseventeenyearsold(youseehowoldI
amnow!)toMonsieurdeMaufrigneuse,notoutofaffectionforme,butoutofregardforhim。Shedischargedherdebttotheonlymanshehadeverloved,forthehappinessshehadoncereceivedfromhim。Oh!youneednotbeastonishedatsohorribleaconspiracy;itfrequentlytakesplace。Manywomenaremoreloversthanmothers,thoughthemajorityaremoremothersthanwives。Thetwosentiments,loveandmotherhood,developedastheyarebyourmannersandcustoms,oftenstruggletogetherintheheartsofwomen;oneorothermustsuccumbwhentheyarenotofequalstrength;whentheyare,theyproducesomeexceptionalwomen,thegloryofoursex。Amanofyourgeniusmustsurelycomprehendmanythingsthatbewilderfoolsbutarenonethelesstrue;indeedImaygofurtherandcallthemjustifiablethroughdifferenceofcharacters,temperaments,attachments,situations。I,forexample,atthismoment,aftertwentyyearsofmisfortunes,ofdeceptions,ofcalumniesendured,andwearydaysandhollowpleasures,isitnotnaturalthatIshouldinclinetofallatthefeetofamanwhowouldlovemesincerelyandforever?Andyet,theworldwouldcondemnme。Buttwentyyearsofsufferingmightwellexcuseafewbriefyearswhichmaystillremaintomeofyouthgiventoasacredandreallove。Thiswillnothappen。Iamnotsorashastosacrificemyhopesofheaven。Ihavebornetheburdenandheatoftheday,I
shallfinishmycourseandwinmyrecompense。\"
\"Angel!\"thoughtd’Arthez。
\"Afterall,Ihaveneverblamedmymother;sheknewlittleofme。
MotherswholeadalifelikethatoftheDuchessed’Uxelleskeeptheirchildrenatadistance。Isawandknewnothingoftheworlduntilmymarriage。Youcanjudgeofmyinnocence!Iknewnothing;Iwasincapableofunderstandingthecausesofmymarriage。Ihadafinefortune;sixtythousandfrancsayearinforests,whichtheRevolutionoverlooked(orhadnotbeenabletosell)intheNivernais,withthenoblechateauofd’Anzy。MonsieurdeMaufrigneusewassteepedindebt。
LaterIlearnedwhatitwastohavedebts,butthenIwastooutterlyignorantoflifetosuspectmyposition;themoneysavedoutofmyfortunewenttopacifymyhusband’screditors。MonsieurdeMaufrigneusewasforty-eightyearsofagewhenImarriedhim;butthoseyearswerelikemilitarycampaigns,theyoughttocountfortwicewhattheywere。Ah!whatalifeIledfortenyears!Ifanyonehadknownthesufferingofthispoor,calumniatedlittlewoman!Tobewatchedbyamotherjealousofherdaughter!Heavens!Youwhomakedramas,youwillneverinventanythingasdirefulasthat。Ordinarily,accordingtothelittlethatIknowofliterature,adramaisasuiteofactions,speeches,movementswhichhurrytoacatastrophe;butwhatIspeakofwasacatastropheinaction。Itwasanavalanchefalleninthemorningandfallingagainatnightonlytofallagainthenextday。IamcoldnowasIspeaktoyouofthatcavernwithoutanopening,cold,sombre,inwhichIlived。I,poorlittlethingthatI
was!broughtupinaconventlikeamysticrose,knowingnothingofmarriage,developinglate,Iwashappyatfirst;Ienjoyedthegoodwillandharmonyofourfamily。Thebirthofmypoorboy,whoisallme——youmusthavebeenstruckbythelikeness?myhair,myeyes,theshapeofmyface,mymouth,mysmile,myteeth!——well,hisbirthwasarelieftome;mythoughtsweredivertedbythefirstjoysofmaternityfrommyhusband,whogavemenopleasureanddidnothingformethatwaskindoramiable;thosejoyswereallthekeenerbecauseI
knewnoothers。Ithadbeensooftenrungintomyearsthatamothershouldrespectherself。Besides,ayounggirllovestoplaythemother。Iwassoproudofmyflower——forGeorgeswasbeautiful,amiracle,Ithought!Isawandthoughtofnothingbutmyson,Ilivedwithmyson。Ineverlethisnursedressorundresshim。Suchcares,sowearingtomotherswhohavearegimentofchildren,wereallmypleasure。Butafterthreeorfouryears,asIwasnotanactualfool,lightcametomyeyesinspiteofthepainstakentoblindfoldme。Canyouseemeatthatfinalawakening,in1819?Thedramaof’TheBrothersatenmity’isarose-watertragedybesidethatofamotheranddaughterplacedaswethenwere。ButIbravedthemall,mymother,myhusband,theworld,bypubliccoquetrieswhichsocietytalkedof,——
andheavenknowshowittalked!Youcansee,myfriend,howthemenwithwhomIwasaccusedoffollyweretomethedaggerwithwhichtostabmyenemies。Thinkingonlyofmyvengeance,IdidnotseeorfeelthewoundsIwasinflictingonmyself。Innocentasachild,Iwasthoughtawickedwoman,theworstofwomen,andIknewnothingofit!
Theworldisveryfoolish,veryblind,veryignorant;itcanpenetratenosecretsbutthosewhichamuseitandserveitsmalice:noblethings,greatthings,itputsitshandbeforeitseyestoavoidseeing。But,asIlookback,itseemstomethatIhadanattitudeandaspectofindignantinnocence,withmovementsofpride,whichagreatpainterwouldhaverecognized。Imusthaveenlivenedmanyaballwithmytempestsofangeranddisdain。Lostpoesy!suchsublimepoemsareonlymadeintheglowingindignationwhichseizesusattwenty。Later,wearewrathfulnolonger,wearetooweary,vicenolongeramazesus,wearecowards,wefear。Butthen——oh!Ikeptagreatpace!ForallthatIplayedthesilliestpersonageintheworld;IwaschargedwithcrimesbywhichIneverbenefited。ButIhadsuchpleasureincompromisingmyself。Thatwasmyrevenge!Ah!Ihaveplayedmanychildishtricks!IwenttoItalywithathoughtlessyouth,whomI
crushedwhenhespoketomeoflove,butlater,whenIherdthathewascompromisedonmyaccount(hehadcommittedaforgerytogetmoney)Irushedtosavehim。Mymotherandhusbandkeptmealmostwithoutmeans;but,thistime,Iwenttotheking。LouisXVIII。,thatmanwithoutaheart,wastouched;hegavemeahundredthousandfrancsfromhisprivypurse。TheMarquisd’Esgrignon——youmusthaveseenhiminsocietyforheendedbymakingarichmarriage——wassavedfromtheabyssintowhichhehadplungedformysake。Thatadventure,causedbymyownfolly,ledmetoreflect。IsawthatImyselfwasthefirstvictimofmyvengeance。Mymother,whoknewIwastooproud,tood’Uxelles,toconductmyselfreallyill,begantoseetheharmthatshehaddonemeandwasfrightenedbyit。Shewasthenfifty-twoyearsofage;sheleftParisandwenttoliveatUxelles。Theresheexpiatesherwrong-doingbyalifeofdevotionandexpressestheutmostaffectionforme。AfterherdepartureIwasfacetoface,alone,withMonsieurdeMaufrigneuse。Oh!myfriend,youmencanneverknowwhatanoldmanofgallantrycanbe。Whatahomeisthatofamanaccustomedtotheadulationofwomenoftheworld,whenhefindsneitherincensenorcenserinhisownhouse!deadtoall!andyet,perhapsforthatveryreason,jealous。Iwished——whenMonsieurdeMaufrigneusewaswhollymine——Iwishedtobeagoodwife,butIfoundmyselfrepulsedwiththeharshnessofasouredspiritbyamanwhotreatedmelikeachildandtookpleasureinhumiliatingmyself-
respectateveryturn,incrushingmeunderthescornofhisexperience,andinconvictingmeoftotalignorance。Hewoundedmeonalloccasions。Hedideverythingtomakemedetesthimandtogivemetherighttobetrayhim;butIwasstillthedupeofmyownhopeandofmydesiretodorightthroughseveralyears。ShallItellyouthecruelsayingthatdrovemetofurtherfollies?’TheDuchessedeMaufrigneusehasgonebacktoherhusband,’saidtheworld。’Bah!itisalwaysatriumphtobringthedeadtolife;itisallshecannowdo,’repliedmybestfriend,arelation,she,atwhosehouseImetyou——\"
\"Madamed’Espard!\"criedDaniel,withagestureofhorror。
\"Oh!Ihaveforgivenher。Besides,itwasverywitty;andIhavemyselfmadejustascruelepigramsonotherpoorwomenasinnocentasmyself。\"
D’Arthezagainkissedthehandofthatsaintlywomanwho,havinghackedhermotherinpieces,andturnedthePrincedeCadignanintoanOthello,nowproceededtoaccuseherselfinordertoappearintheeyesofthatinnocentgreatmanasimmaculateasthesilliestorthewisestofwomendesiretoseematallcoststotheirlovers。
\"Youwillreadilyunderstand,myfriend,thatIreturnedtosocietyforthepurposeofexcitementandImaysayofnotoriety。IfeltthatImustconquermyindependence。Iledalifeofdissipation。Todivertmymind,toforgetmyreallifeinfictitiousenjoymentsIwasgay,I
shone,Igavefetes,Iplayedtheprincess,andIranindebt。AthomeIcouldforgetmyselfinthesleepofweariness,abletorisethenextdaygay,andfrivolousfortheworld;butinthatsadstruggletoescapemyreallifeIwastedmyfortune。Therevolutionof1830came;
itcameattheverymomentwhenIhadmet,attheendofthatArabianNights’life,apureandsacredlovewhich(Idesiretobehonest)I
hadlongedtoknow。Wasitnotnaturalinawomanwhoseheart,repressedbymanycausesandaccidents,wasawakeningatanagewhenawomanfeelsherselfcheatedifshehasneverknown,likethewomensheseesabouther,ahappylove?Ah!whywasMichelChrestiensorespectful?Whydidhenotseektomeetme?Thereagainwasanothermockery!Butwhatofthat?infalling,Ihavelosteverything;Ihavenoillusionsleft;IhadtastedofallthingsexcepttheonefruitforwhichIhavenolongerteeth。Yes,IfoundmyselfdisenchantedwiththeworldattheverymomentwhenIwasforcedtoleaveit。
Providential,wasitnot?likeallthosestrangeinsensibilitieswhichprepareusfordeath\"(shemadeagesturefullofpiousunction)。\"Allthingsservedmethen,\"shecontinued;\"thedisastersofthemonarchyanditsruinhelpedmetoburymyself。Mysonconsolesmeformuch。
Maternallovetakestheplaceofallfrustratedfeelings。Theworldissurprisedatmyretirement,buttomeithasbroughtpeace。Ah!ifyouknewhowhappythepoorcreaturebeforeyouisinthislittleplace。
InsacrificingalltomysonIforgettothinkofjoysofwhichIamandevermustbeignorant。Yes,hopehasflown,Inowfeareverything;
nodoubtIshouldrepulsethetruestsentiment,thepurestandmostveritablelove,inmemoryofthedeceptionsandthemiseriesofmylife。Itisallhorrible,isitnot?andyet,whatIhavetoldyouisthehistoryofmanywomen。\"
Thelastfewwordsweresaidinatoneofeasypleasantrywhichrecalledthepresenceofthewomanoftheworld。D’Arthezwasdumbfounded。Inhiseyesconvictssenttothegalleysformurder,oraggravatedrobbery,orforputtingawrongnametochecks,weresaintscomparedtothemenandwomenofsociety。Thisatrociouselegy,forgedinthearsenaloflies,andsteepedinthewatersoftheParisianStyx,hadbeenpouredintohisearswiththeinimitableaccentoftruth。Thegraveauthorcontemplatedforamomentthatadorablewomanlyingbackinhereasy-chair,hertwohandspendantfromitsarmslikedewdropsfromarose-leaf,overcomebyherownrevelation,livingoveragainthesorrowsofherlifeasshetoldthem——inshortanangelofmelancholy。
\"Andjudge,\"shecried,suddenlyliftingherselfwithaspringandraisingherhand,whilelightningflashedfromeyeswheretwentychasteyearsshone——\"judgeoftheimpressiontheloveofamanlikeMichelmusthavemadeuponme。Butbysomeironyoffate——orwasitthehandofGod?——well,hedied;diedinsavingthelifeof,whomdoyousuppose?ofMonsieurdeCadignan。Areyounowsurprisedtofindmethoughtful?\"
Thiswasthelastdrop;poord’Arthezcouldbearnomore。Hefelluponhisknees,andlaidhisheadonDiane’shand,weepingsofttearssuchastheangelsshed,——ifangelsweep。AsDanielwasinthatbentposture,MadamedeCadignancouldsafelyletamalicioussmileoftriumphflickeronherlips,asmilesuchasthemonkeyswearafterplayingaslytrick——ifmonkeyssmile。
\"Ah!Ihavehim,\"thoughtshe;and,indeed,shehadhimfast。
\"Butyouare——\"hesaid,raisinghisfineheadandlookingatherwitheyesoflove。
\"Virginandmartyr,\"shereplied,smilingatthecommonnessofthathackneyedexpression,butgivingitafreshnessofmeaningbyhersmile,sofullofpainfulgayety。\"IfIlaugh,\"shecontinued,\"itisthatIamthinkingofthatprincesswhomtheworldthinksitknows,thatDuchessedeMaufrigneusetowhomitgivesasloversdeMarsay,thatinfamousdeTrailles(apoliticalcutthroat),andthatlittlefoolofad’Esgrignon,andRastignac,Rubempre,ambassadors,ministers,Russiangenerals,heavenknowswho!allEurope!TheyhavegossipedaboutthatalbumwhichIorderedmade,believingthatthosewhoadmiredmeweremyfriends。Ah!itisfrightful!IwonderthatI
allowamanatmyfeet!Despisethemall,THATshouldbemyreligion。\"
Sheroseandwenttothewindowwithagaitandbearingmagnificentinmotifs。
D’Arthezremainedonthelowseattowhichhehadreturnednotdaringtofollowtheprincess;buthelookedather;heheardherblowinghernose。Wasthereeveraprincesswhoblewhernose?butDianeattemptedtheimpossibletoconveyanideaofhersensibility。D’Arthezbelievedhisangelwasintears;herushedtoherside,tookherroundthewaist,andpressedhertohisheart。
\"No,no,leaveme!\"shemurmuredinafeeblevoice。\"Ihavetoomanydoubtstobegoodforanything。Toreconcilemewithlifeisataskbeyondthepowersofanyman。\"
\"Diane!Iwillloveyouforyourwholelostlife。\"
\"No;don’tspeaktomethus,\"sheanswered。\"AtthismomentItremble,IamashamedasthoughIhadcommittedthegreatestsins。\"
Shewasnowentirelyrestoredtotheinnocenceoflittlegirls,andyetherbearingwasaugust,grand,nobleasthatofaqueen。Itisimpossibletodescribetheeffectofthesemanoeuvres,socleverthattheyactedlikethepuresttruthonasoulasfreshandhonestasthatofd’Arthez。Thegreatauthorremaineddumbwithadmiration,passivebesideherintherecessofthatwindowawaitingaword,whiletheprincessawaitedakiss;butshewasfartoosacredtohimforthat。
Feelingcold,theprincessreturnedtohereasy-chair;herfeetwerefrozen。
\"Itwilltakealongtime,\"shesaidtoherself,lookingatDaniel’snoblebrowandhead。
\"Isthisawoman?\"thoughtthatprofoundobserverofhumannature。
\"HowoughtItotreather?\"
Untiltwoo’clockinthemorningtheyspenttheirtimeinsayingtoeachotherthesillythingsthatwomenofgenius,liketheprincess,knowhowtomakeadorable。Dianepretendedtobetooworn,tooold,toofaded;D’Arthezprovedtoher(factsofwhichshewaswellconvinced)thatherskinwasthemostdelicate,thesoftesttothetouch,thewhitesttotheeye,themostfragrant;shewasyoungandinherbloom,howcouldshethinkotherwise?Thustheydisputed,beautybybeauty,detailbydetailwithmany:\"Oh!doyouthinkso?\"——\"Youarebesideyourself!\"——\"Itishope,itisfancy!\"——\"YouwillsoonseemeasIam。——Iamalmostfortyyearsofage。Canamanlovesooldawoman?\"
D’Arthezrespondedwithimpetuousandschool-boyeloquence,lardedwithexaggeratedepithets。Whentheprincessheardthiswiseandwittywritertalkingthenonsenseofanamoroussub-lieutenantshelistenedwithanabsorbedairandmuchsensibility;butshelaughedinhersleeve。
Whend’Arthezwasinthestreet,heaskedhimselfwhetherhemightnothavebeenratherlessrespectful。Hewentoverinmemorythosestrangeconfidences——whichhave,naturally,beenmuchabridgedhere,fortheyneededavolumetoconveytheirmellifluousabundanceandthegraceswhichaccompaniedthem。Theretrospectiveperspicacityofthisman,sonatural,soprofound,wasbaffledbythecandorofthattaleanditspoignancy,andbythetonesoftheprincess。
\"Itistrue,\"hesaidtohimself,beingunabletosleep,\"therearesuchdramasasthatinsociety。Societycoversgreathorrorswiththeflowersofitselegance,theembroideryofitsgossip,thewitofitslies。Wewritersinventnomorethanthetruth。PoorDiane!Michelhadpenetratedthatenigma;hesaidthatbeneathhercoveringoficetherelayvolcanoes!BianchonandRastignacwereright;whenamancanjointhegrandeursoftheidealandtheenjoymentsofhumanpassioninlovingawomanofperfectmanners,ofintellect,ofdelicacy,itmustbehappinessbeyondwords。\"
Sothinking,hesoundedthelovethatwasinhimandfounditinfinite。
CHAPTERV
ATRIALOFFAITH
Thenextday,abouttwointheafternoon,Madamed’Espard,whohadseenandheardnothingoftheprincessformorethanamonth,wenttoseeherundertheimpulseofextremecuriosity。Nothingwasevermoreamusingofitskindthantheconversationofthesetwocraftyaddersduringthefirsthalf-hourofthisvisit。
Dianed’Uxellescautiouslyavoided,asshewouldthewearingofayellowgown,allmentionofd’Arthez。ThemarquisecircledroundandroundthattopiclikeaBedouinroundacaravan。Dianeamusedherself;
themarquisefumed。Dianewaited;sheintendedtoutilizeherfriendanduseherinthechase。Ofthesetwowomen,bothsocelebratedinthesocialworld,onewasfarstrongerthantheother。Theprincessrosebyaheadabovethemarquise,andthemarquisewasinwardlyconsciousofthatsuperiority。Inthis,perhaps,laythesecretoftheirintimacy。Theweakerofthetwocrouchedlowinherfalseattachment,watchingforthehour,longawaitedbyfeeblebeings,ofspringingatthethroatofthestrongerandleavingthemarkofajoyfulbite。Dianesawclear;buttheworldwasthedupeofthewilecaressesofthetwofriends。
Theinstantthattheprincessperceivedadirectquestiononthelipsofherfriend,shesaid:——
\"Ah!dearest,Ioweyouamostcomplete,immense,infinite,celestialhappiness。\"
\"Whatcanyoumean?\"
\"Haveyouforgottenwhatweruminatedthreemonthsagointhelittlegarden,sittingonabenchinthesun,underthejasmine?Ah!therearenonebutmenofgeniuswhoknowhowtolove!IapplytomygrandDanield’ArtheztheDukeofAlba’ssayingtoCatherinede’Medici:
’Theheadofasinglesalmonisworthallthefrogsintheworld。’\"
\"IamnotsurprisedthatInolongerseeyou,\"saidMadamed’Espard。
\"Promiseme,ifyoumeethim,nottosaytohimonewordaboutme,myangel,\"saidtheprincess,takingherfriend’shand。\"Iamhappy,oh!
happybeyondallexpression;butyouknowthatinsocietyaword,amerejestcandomuchharm。Onespeechcankill,fortheyputsuchvenomintoasinglesentence!Ah!ifyouknewhowIlongthatyoumightmeetwithalovelikethis!Yes,itisasweet,aprecioustriumphforwomenlikeourselvestoendourwoman’slifeinthisway;
torestinanardent,pure,devoted,completeandabsolutelove;aboveall,whenwehavesoughtitlong。\"
\"Whydoyouaskmetobefaithfultomydearestfriend?\"saidMadamed’Espard。\"Doyouthinkmecapableofplayingyousomevillainoustrick?\"
\"Whenawomanpossessessuchatreasurethefearoflosingitissostrongthatitnaturallyinspiresafeelingofterror。Iamabsurd,I
know;forgiveme,dear。\"
Afewmomentslaterthemarquisedeparted;asshewatchedhergotheprincesssaidtoherself:——
\"Howshewillpluckme!ButtosaveherthetroubleoftryingtogetDanielawayfromhereI’llsendhimtoher。\"
Atthreeo’clock,orafewmomentsafter,d’Arthezarrived。Inthemidstofsomeinterestingtopiconwhichhewasdiscoursingeloquently,theprincesssuddenlycuthimshortbylayingherhandonhisarm。
\"Pardonme,mydearfriend,\"shesaid,interruptinghim,\"butIfearI
mayforgetathingwhichseemsameretriflebutmaybeofgreatimportance。YouhavenotsetfootinMadamed’Espard’ssalonsincetheever-blesseddaywhenImetyouthere。Praygoatonce;notforyoursake,norbywayofpoliteness,butforme。Youmayalreadyhavemadeheranenemyofmine,ifbychanceshehasdiscoveredthatsinceherdinneryouhavescarcelyleftmyhouse。Besides,myfriend,Idon’tliketoseeyoudroppingyourconnectionwithsociety,andneglectingyouroccupationsandyourwork。Ishouldagainbestrangelycalumniated。Whatwouldtheworldsay?ThatIheldyouinleading-
strings,absorbedyou,fearedcomparisons,andclungtomyconquestknowingittobemylast!Whowillknowthatyouaremyfriend,myonlyfriend?Ifyoulovemeindeed,asyousayyouloveme,youwillmaketheworldbelievethatwearepurelyandsimplybrotherandsister——Goonwithwhatyouweresaying。\"
Inhisarmoroftenderness,rivetedbytheknowledgeofsomanysplendidvirtues,d’ArthezobeyedthisbehestonthefollowingdayandwenttoseeMadamed’Espard,whoreceivedhimwithcharmingcoquetry。
Themarquisetookverygoodcarenottosayasinglewordtohimabouttheprincess,butsheaskedhimtodinneronacomingday。
Onthisoccasiond’Arthezfoundanumerouscompany。ThemarquisehadinvitedRastignac,Blondet,theMarquisd’Ajuda-Pinto,MaximedeTrailles,theMarquisd’Esgrignon,thetwobrothersVandenesse,duTillet,oneoftherichestbankersinParis,theBarondeNucingen,RaoulNathan,LadyDudley,twoverytreacheroussecretariesofembassiesandtheChevalierd’Espard,thewiliestpersoninthisassemblageandthechiefinstigatorofhissister-in-law’spolicy。
Whendinnerwaswellunderway,MaximedeTraillesturnedtod’Arthezandsaidsmiling:——
\"Youseeagreatdeal,don’tyou,ofthePrincessedeCadignan?\"
Tothisquestiond’Arthezrespondedbycurtlynoddinghishead。MaximedeTrailleswasa\"bravo\"ofthesocialorder,withoutfaithorlaw,capableofeverything,ruiningthewomenwhotrustedhim,compellingthemtopawntheirdiamondstogivehimmoney,butcoveringthisconductwithabrilliantvarnish;amanofcharmingmannersandsatanicmind。Heinspiredallwhoknewhimwithequalcontemptandfear;butasnoonewasboldenoughtoshowhimanysentimentsbutthoseoftheutmostcourtesyhesawnothingofthispublicopinion,orelseheacceptedandsharedthegeneraldissimulation。HeowedtotheComtedeMarsaythegreatestdegreeofelevationtowhichhecouldattain。DeMarsay,whoseknowledgeofMaximewasoflong-standing,judgedhimcapableoffulfillingcertainsecretanddiplomaticfunctionswhichheconfidedtohimandofwhichdeTraillesacquittedhimselfadmirably。D’Arthezhadforsometimepastmingledsufficientlyinpoliticalmatterstoknowthemanforwhathewas,andhealonehadsufficientstrengthandheightofcharactertoexpressaloudwhatothersthoughtorsaidinawhisper。
\"IsitforherthatyouneglecttheChamber?\"askedBarondeNucingeninhisGermanaccent。
\"Ah!theprincessisoneofthemostdangerouswomenamancanhaveanythingtodowith。Iowetoherthemiseriesofmymarriage,\"
exclaimedtheMarquisd’Esgrignon。
\"Dangerous?\"saidMadamed’Espard。\"Don’tspeaksoofmynearestfriend。Ihaveneverseenorknownanythingintheprincessthatdidnotseemtocomefromthenoblestsentiments。\"
\"Letthemarquissaywhathethinks,\"criedRastignac。\"Whenamanhasbeenthrownbyafinehorsehethinksithasvicesandhesellsit。\"
Piquedbythesewords,theMarquisd’Esgrignonlookedatd’Arthezandsaid:——
\"Monsieurisnot,Itrust,onsuchtermswiththeprincessthatwecannotspeakfreelyofher?\"
D’Arthezkeptsilence。D’Esgrignon,whowasnotwantingincleverness,repliedtoRastignac’sspeechwithanapologeticportraitoftheprincess,whichputthewholetableingoodhumor。Asthejestwasextremelyobscuretod’Arthezheleanedtowardshisneighbor,MadamedeMontcornet,andaskedher,inawhisper,whatitmeant。
\"Exceptingyourself——judgingbytheexcellentopinionyouseemtohaveoftheprincess——alltheotherguestsaresaidtohavebeeninhergoodgraces。\"
\"Icanassureyouthatsuchanaccusationisabsolutelyfalse,\"saidDaniel。
\"Andyet,hereisMonsieurd’EsgrignonofanoldfamilyofAlencon,whocompletelyruinedhimselfforhersometwelveyearsago,and,ifallistrue,cameveryneargoingtothescaffold。\"
\"Iknowtheparticularsofthataffair,\"saidd’Arthez。\"MadamedeCadignanwenttoAlencontosaveMonsieurd’Esgrignonfromatrialbeforethecourtofassizes;andthisishowherewardsherto-day!\"
MadamedeMontcornetlookedatd’Arthezwithasurpriseandcuriositythatwerealmoststupid,thensheturnedhereyesonMadamed’Espardwithalookwhichseemedtosay:\"Heisbewitched!\"
DuringthisshortconversationMadamedeCadignanwasprotectedbyMadamed’Espard,whoseprotectionwaslikethatofthelightning-rodwhichdrawstheflash。Whend’ArthezreturnedtothegeneralconversationMaximedeTrailleswassaying:——
\"WithDiane,depravityisnotaneffectbutacause;perhapssheowesthatcausetoherexquisitenature;shedoesn’tinvent,shemakesnoeffort,sheoffersyouthechoicestrefinementsastheinspirationofaspontaneousandnaivelove;anditisabsolutelyimpossiblenottobelieveher。\"
Thisspeech,whichseemedtohavebeenpreparedforamanofd’Arthez’sstamp,wassotremendousanarraignmentthatthecompanyappearedtoacceptitasaconclusion。Noonesaidmore;theprincesswascrushed。D’ArthezlookedstraightatdeTraillesandthenatd’Esgrignonwithasarcasticair,andsaid:——
\"Thegreatestfaultofthatwomanisthatshehasfollowedinthewakeofmen。Shesquanderspatrimoniesastheydo;shedrivesherloverstousurers;shepockets\"dots\";sheruinsorphans;sheinspires,possiblyshecommits,crimes,but——\"
Neverhadthetwomen,whomd’Arthezwaschieflyaddressing,listenedtosuchplaintalk。AtthatBUTthewholetablewasstartled,everyonepaused,forkinair,theireyesfixedalternatelyonthebraveauthorandontheassailantsoftheprincess,awaitingtheconclusionofthathorriblesilence。
\"But,\"saidd’Arthez,withsarcasticairiness,\"MadamelaPrincessedeCadignanhasoneadvantageovermen:whentheyhaveputthemselvesindangerforhersake,shesavesthem,andsaysnoharmofanyone。
Amongthemultitude,whyshouldn’ttherebeonewomanwhoamusesherselfwithmenasmenamusethemselveswithwomen?Whynotallowthefairsextotake,fromtimetotime,itsrevenge?\"
\"Geniusisstrongerthanwit,\"saidBlondettoNathan。
Thisbroadsideofsarcasmswasinfactthedischargeofabatteryofcannonsagainstaplatoonofmusketry。Whencoffeewasserved,BlondetandNathanwentuptod’Arthezwithaneagernessnooneelsedaredtoimitate,sounableweretherestofthecompanytoshowtheadmirationhisconductinspiredfromthefearofmakingtwopowerfulenemies。
\"Thisisnotthefirsttimewehaveseenthatyourcharacterequalsyourtalentingrandeur,\"saidBlondet。\"Youbehavedjustnowmorelikeademi-godthanaman。Nottohavebeencarriedawaybyyourheartoryourimagination,nottohavetakenupthedefenceofabelovedwoman——afaulttheywereenticingyoutocommit,becauseitwouldhavegiventhosemenofsocietyeatenupwithjealousyofyourliteraryfameatriumphoveryou——ah!givemeleavetosayyouhaveattainedtheheightofprivatestatesmanship。\"
\"Yes,youareastatesman,\"saidNathan。\"Itisascleverasitisdifficulttoavengeawomanwithoutdefendingher。\"
\"Theprincessisoneofthoseheroinesofthelegitimistparty,anditisthedutyofallmenofhonortoprotectherquandmeme,\"repliedd’Arthez,coldly。\"Whatshehasdoneforthecauseofhermasterswouldexcuseallfollies。\"
\"Hekeepshisowncounsel!\"saidNathantoBlondet。
\"Preciselyasiftheprincesswereworthit,\"saidRastignac,joiningtheothertwo。
D’Arthezwenttotheprincess,whowasawaitinghimwiththekeenestanxiety。Theresultofthisexperiment,whichDianehadherselfbroughtabout,mightbefataltoher。Forthefirsttimeinherlifethiswomansufferedinherheart。Sheknewnotwhatsheshoulddoincased’Arthezbelievedtheworldwhichspokethetruth,insteadofbelievingherwholied;forneverhadsonobleanature,socompleteaman,asoulsopure,aconsciencesoingenuouscomebeneathherhand。
Thoughshehadtoldhimcruelliesshewasdriventodosobythedesireofknowingatruelove。Thatlove——shefeltitdawninginherheart;yes,shelovedd’Arthez;andnowshewascondemnedforevertodeceivehim!Shemusthenceforthremaintohimtheactresswhohadplayedthatcomedytoblindhiseyes。
WhensheheardDaniel’sstepinthedining-roomaviolentcommotion,ashudderwhichreachedtoherveryvitalscameoverher。Thatconvulsion,neverfeltduringalltheyearsofheradventurousexistence,toldherthatshehadstakedherhappinessonthisissue。
Hereyes,gazingintospace,tookinthewholeofd’Arthez’sperson;
theirlightpouredthroughhisflesh,shereadhissoul;suspicionhadnotsomuchastouchedhimwithitsbat’s-wing。Theterribleemotionofthatfearthencametoitsreaction;joyalmoststifledher;forthereisnohumanbeingwhoisnotmoreabletoenduregriefthantobearextremefelicity。
\"Daniel,theyhavecalumniatedme,andyouhaveavengedme!\"shecried,rising,andopeningherarmstohim。
Intheprofoundamazementcausedbythesewords,therootsofwhichwereutterlyunknowntohim,Danielallowedhishandtobetakenbetweenherbeautifulhands,astheprincesskissedhimsacredlyontheforehead。
\"But,\"hesaid,\"howcouldyouknow——\"
\"Oh!illustriousninny!doyounotseethatIloveyoufondly?\"
SincethatdaynothinghasbeensaidofthePrincessdeCadignan,norofd’Arthez。TheprincesshasinheritedsomefortunefromhermotherandshespendsallhersummersinavillaonthelakeofGeneva,wherethegreatwriterjoinsher。ShereturnstoParisforafewmonthsinwinter。D’ArthezisneverseenexceptintheChamber。Hiswritingsarebecomingexceedinglyrare。Isthisaconclusion?Yes,forpeopleofsense;no,forpersonswhowanttoknoweverything。
ADDENDUM
ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy。
Ajuda-Pinto,MarquisMigueld’
FatherGoriotScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeBeatrixArthez,Danield’
ADistinguishedProvincialatParisLettersofTwoBridesTheMemberforArcisBianchon,HoraceFatherGoriotTheAtheist’sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisABachelor’sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition,M。Bianchonnarratedthefollowing:
AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBlondet,EmileJealousiesofaCountryTownADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveTheFirmofNucingenThePeasantryBlondet,VirginieJealousiesofaCountryTownThePeasantryADistinguishedProvincialatParisAnotherStudyofWomanTheMemberforArcisADaughterofEveCadignan,PrincedeModesteMignonChrestien,MichelABachelor’sEstablishmentADistinguishedProvincialatParisCinq-Cygne,Laurence,Comtesse(afterwardsMarquisede)
TheGondrevilleMysteryTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMemberforArcisDudley,LadyArabellaTheLilyoftheValleyTheBallatSceauxTheMagicSkinADaughterofEveLettersofTwoBridesEsgrignon,Victurnien,Comte(thenMarquisd’)
JealousiesofaCountryTownLettersofTwoBridesAManofBusinessCousinBettyEspard,Chevalierd’
TheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeEspard,Jeanne-Clementine-AthenaisdeBlamont-Chauvry,Marquised’
TheCommissioninLunacyADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveBeatrixGalathionne,PrinceandPrincess(bothnotineachstory)
TheMiddleClassesFatherGoriotADistinguishedProvincialatParisADaughterofEveBeatrixGiraud,LeonADistinguishedProvincialatParisABachelor’sEstablishmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsMarsay,HenrideTheThirteenTheUnconsciousHumoristsAnotherStudyofWomanTheLilyoftheValleyFatherGoriotJealousiesofaCountryTownUrsuleMirouetAMarriageSettlementLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisLettersofTwoBridesTheBallatSceauxModestMignonTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveMaufrigneuse,DucdeAStartinLifeABachelor’sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeMaufrigneuse,DuchessedeModesteMignonJealousiesofaCountryTownTheMuseoftheDepartmentScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryTheMemberforArcisMaufrigneuse,GeorgesdeTheGondrevilleMysteryBeatrixTheMemberforArcisMirbel,MadamedeLettersofTwoBridesScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeNathan,RaoulLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeADaughterofEveLettersofTwoBridesTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMuseoftheDepartmentAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheUnconsciousHumoristsNavarreins,DucdeABachelor’sEstablishmentColonelChabertTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheThirteenJealousiesofaCountryTownThePeasantryScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheCountryParsonTheMagicSkinTheGondrevilleMysteryCousinBettyNucingen,BaronFredericdeTheFirmofNucingenFatherGoriotPierretteCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanAManofBusinessCousinBettyTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsRastignac,EugenedeFatherGoriotADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheInterdictionAStudyofWomanAnotherStudyofWomanTheMagicSkinADaughterofEveTheGondrevilleMysteryTheFirmofNucingenCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisTheUnconsciousHumoristsRochefide,MarquisedeBeatrixADaughterofEveSarrasineAPrinceofBohemiaTillet,FerdinandduCesarBirotteauTheFirmofNucingenTheMiddleClassesABachelor’sEstablishmentPierretteMelmothReconciledADistinguishedProvincialatParisADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumoristsToby(Joby,Paddy)
TheFirmofNucingenTrailles,ComteMaximedeCesarBirotteauFatherGoriotGobseckUrsuleMirouetAManofBusinessTheMemberforArcisCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsVandenesse,ComteFelixdeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisCesarBirotteauLettersofTwoBridesAStartinLifeTheMarriageSettlementAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveEnd