第3章
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  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

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