\"Haveyouobtainedthecrossforme？\"hecried，onreceivingaglancefromTheodose，andwishingtoprovethathewasnotwithoutcraft。
\"Youwilldoubtlessreceiveiterelong，\"repliedthemayor。\"Butthematternowrelatestosomethingbetterthanthat。Thecrossisafavorduetothegoodopinionofaminister，whereasthepresentquestionconcernsanelectionduetotheconsentofyourfellowcitizens。Inaword，asufficientlylargenumberofelectorsinyourarrondissementhavecasttheireyesuponyou，andwishtohonoryouwiththeirconfidencebymakingyoutherepresentativeofthisarrondissementinthemunicipalcouncilofParis；which，aseverybodyknows，istheCouncil—generaloftheSeine。\"
\"Bravo！\"criedDutocq。
Phellionrose。
\"Monsieurlemairehasforestalledme，\"hesaidinanagitatedvoice，\"butitissoflatteringforourfriendtobetheobjectofeagernessonthepartofallgoodcitizens，andtoobtainthepublicvoteofhighandlow，thatIcannotcomplainofbeingobligedtocomesecondonly；therefore，allhonortotheinitiatoryauthority！\"（HerehebowedrespectfullytoMinard。）\"Yes，MonsieurThuillier，manyelectorsthinkofgivingyoutheirvotesinthatportionofthearrondissementwhereIkeepmyhumblepenates；andyouhavethespecialadvantageofbeingsuggestedtotheirmindsbyadistinguishedman。\"（Sensation。）
\"Byamaninwhosepersonwedesiredtohonoroneofthemostvirtuousinhabitantsofthearrondissement，whofortwentyyears，Imaysay，wasthefatherofit。IalludetothelateMonsieurPopinot，counsellor，duringhislifetime，totheRoyalcourt，andourdelegateinthemunicipalcouncilofParis。Buthisnephew，ofwhomIspeak，DoctorBianchon，oneofourglories，has，inviewofhisabsorbingduties，declinedtheresponsibilitywithwhichwesoughttoinvesthim。Whilethankingusforourcomplimenthehas——takenoteofthis——indicatedforoursuffragesthecandidateofMonsieurlemaireasbeing，inhisopinion，capable，owingtothepositionheformerlyoccupied，ofexercisingthemagisterialfunctionsoftheaedileship。\"
AndPhellionsatdownamidapprovingmurmurs。
\"Thuillier，youcancountonme，youroldfriend，\"saidColleville。
AtthismomenttheguestsweresincerelytouchedbythesightpresentedofoldMademoiselleBrigitteandMadameThuillier。Brigitte，paleasthoughshewerefainting，waslettingtheslowtearsrun，unheeded，downhercheeks，tearsofdeepestjoy；whileMadameThuilliersat，asifstruckbylightning，withhereyesfixed。
Suddenlytheoldmaiddartedintothekitchen，cryingouttoJosephinethecook：——
\"Comeintothecellarmygirl，wemustgetoutthewinebehindthewood！\"
\"Myfriends，\"saidThuillier，inashakingvoice，\"thisisthefinestmomentofmylife，finerthaneventhedayofmyelection，shouldI
consenttoallowmyselftobepresentedtothesuffragesofmyfellow—
citizens\"（\"Youmust！youmust！\"）；\"forIfeelmyselfmuchworndownbythirtyyearsofpublicservice，and，asyoumaywellbelieve，amanofhonorhasneedtoconsulthisstrengthandhiscapacitiesbeforehetakesuponhimselfthefunctionsoftheaedileship。\"
\"Iexpectednothinglessofyou，MonsieurThuillier，\"criedPhellion。
\"Pardonme；thisisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhaveeverinterruptedasuperior；buttherearecircumstances——\"
\"Accept！accept！\"criedZelie。\"Blessmysoul！whatwewantaremenlikeyoutogovernus。\"
\"Resignyourself，mychief！\"criedDutocq，and，\"Longlivethefuturemunicipalcouncillor！butwehaven’tanythingtodrink——\"
\"Well，thethingissettled，\"saidMinard；\"youaretobeourcandidate。\"
\"Youthinktoomuchofme，\"repliedThuillier。
\"Come，come！\"criedColleville。\"Amanwhohasdonethirtyyearsinthegalleysoftheministryoffinanceisatreasuretothetown。\"
\"Youaremuchtoomodest，\"saidtheyoungerMinard；\"yourcapacityiswellknowntous；itremainsatraditionattheministryoffinance。\"
\"Asyouallinsist——\"beganThuillier。
\"TheKingwillbepleasedwithourchoice；Icanassureyouofthat，\"
saidMinard，pompously。
\"Gentlemen，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"willyoupermitarecentdwellerinthefaubourgSaint—Jacquestomakeonelittleremark，whichisnotwithoutimportance？\"
Theconsciousnessthateverybodyhadofthesterlingmeritsoftheadvocateofthepoorproducedthedeepestsilence。
\"TheinfluenceofMonsieurlemaireofanadjoiningarrondissement，whichisimmenseinourswherehehasleftsuchexcellentmemories；
thatofMonsieurPhellion，theoracle——yes，letthetruthbespoken，\"
heexclaimed，noticingagesturemadebyPhellion——\"theORACLEofhisbattalion；theinfluence，nolesspowerful，whichMonsieurCollevilleowestothefrankheartinessofhismanner，andtohisurbanity；thatofMonsieurDutocq，theclerkofthejusticecourt，whichwillnotbelessefficacious，Iamsure；andthepooreffortswhichIcanofferinmyhumblesphereofactivity，——arepledgesofsuccess，buttheyarenotsuccessitself。Toobtainarapidtriumphweshouldpledgeourselves，nowandhere，tokeepthedeepestsecrecyonthemanifestationofsentimentswhichhasjusttakenplace。Otherwise，weshouldexcite，withoutknowingorwillingit，envyandalltheothersecondarypassions，whichwouldcreateforuslatervariousobstaclestoovercome。Thepoliticalmeaningofthenewsocialorganization，itsverybasis，itstoken，andtheguaranteeforitscontinuance，areinacertainsharingofthegoverningpowerwiththemiddleclasses，classeswhoarethetruestrengthofmodernsocieties，thecentreofmorality，ofallgoodsentimentsandintelligentwork。Butwecannotconcealfromourselvesthattheprincipleofelection，extendednowtoalmosteveryfunction，hasbroughttheinterestsofambition，andthepassionforbeingSOMETHING，excusetheword，intosocialdepthswheretheyoughtnevertohavepenetrated。Someseegoodinthis；othersseeevil；itisnotmyplacetojudgebetweentheminpresenceofmindsbeforewhoseeminenceIbow。Icontentmyselfbysimplysuggestingthisquestioninordertoshowthedangerswhichthebannerofourfriendmustmeet。Seeforyourselves！thedeceaseofourlatehonorablerepresentativeinthemunicipalcouncildatesbackscarcelyoneweek，andalreadythearrondissementisbeingcanvassedbyinferiorambitions。Suchmenputthemselvesforwardtobeseenatanyprice。Thewritofconvocationwill，probably，nottakeeffectforamonthtocome。Betweennowandthen，imaginetheintrigues！IentreatyounottoexposeourfriendThuilliertotheblowsofhiscompetitors；letusnotdeliverhimovertopublicdiscussion，thatmodernharpywhichisbutthetrumpetofenvyandcalumny，thepretextseizedbymalevolencetobelittleallthatisgreat，soilallthatisimmaculateanddishonorwhateverissacred。Letus，rather，doastheThirdPartyisnowdoingintheChamber，——keepsilenceandvote！\"
\"Hespeakswell，\"saidPhelliontohisneighborDutocq。
\"Andhowstrongthestatementis！\"
EnvyhadturnedMinardandhissongreenandyellow。
\"Thatiswellsaidandverytrue，\"remarkedMinard。
\"Unanimouslyadopted！\"criedColleville。\"Messieurs，wearemenofhonor；itsufficestounderstandeachotheronthispoint。\"
\"Whosodesirestheendacceptsthemeans，\"saidPhellion，emphatically。
Atthismoment，MademoiselleThuillierreappeared，followedbyhertwoservants；thekeyofthecellarwashangingfromherbelt，andthreebottlesofchampagne，threeofhermitage，andonebottleofmalagawereplaceduponthetable。Sheherselfwascarrying，withalmostrespectfulcare，asmallerbottle，likeafairyCarabosse，whichsheplacedbeforeher。Inthemidstofthehilaritycausedbythisabundanceofexcellentthings——afruitofgratitude，whichthepoorspinsterinthedeliriumofherjoypouredoutwithaprofusionwhichputtoshamethesparinghospitalityofherusualfortnightlydinners——numerousdessertdishesmadetheirappearance：moundsofalmonds，raisins，figs，andnuts（popularlyknownasthe\"fourbeggars\"），pyramidsoforanges，confections，crystallizedfruits，broughtfromthehiddendepthsofhercupboards，whichwouldneverhavefiguredonthetable—clothhaditnotbeenforthe\"candidacy。\"
\"Celeste，theywillbringyouabottleofbrandywhichmyfatherobtainedin1802；makeanorange—salad！\"criedBrigittetohersister—
in—law。\"MonsieurPhellion，openthechampagne；thatbottleisforyouthree。MonsieurDutocq，takethisone。MonsieurColleville，youknowhowtopopcorks！\"
Thetwomaidsdistributedchampagneglasses，alsoclaretglasses，andwineglasses。JosephinealsobroughtthreemorebottlesofBordeaux。
\"Theyearofthecomet！\"criedThuillier，laughing，\"Messieurs，youhaveturnedmysister’shead。\"
\"Andthiseveningyoushallhavepunchandcakes，\"shesaid。\"Ihavesenttothechemistsforsometea。Heavens！ifIhadonlyknowntheaffairconcernedanelection，\"shecried，lookingathersister—in—
law，\"I’dhaveservedtheturkey。\"
Agenerallaughwelcomedthisspeech。
\"Wehaveagoose！\"saidMinardjunior。
\"Thecartsareunloading！\"criedMadameThuillier，as\"marronsglaces\"
and\"meringues\"wereplaceduponthetable。
MademoiselleThuillier’sfacewasblazing。Shewasreallysuperbtobehold。Neverdidsisterlyloveassumesuchafrenziedexpression。
\"Tothosewhoknowher，itisreallytouching，\"remarkedMadameColleville。
Theglasseswerefilled。Theguestsalllookedatoneanother，evidentlyexpectingatoast，whereuponlaPeyradesaid：——
\"Messieurs，letusdrinktosomethingsublime。\"
Everybodylookedcurious。
\"ToMademoiselleBrigitte！\"
Theyallrose，clinkedglasses，andcriedwithonevoice，\"MademoiselleBrigitte！\"somuchenthusiasmdidtheexhibitionofatruefeelingexcite。
\"Messieurs，\"saidPhellion，readingfromapaperwritteninpencil，\"Toworkanditssplendors，inthepersonofourformercomrade，nowbecomeoneofthemayorsofParis，——toMonsieurMinardandhiswife！\"
Afterfiveminutes’generalconversationThuillierroseandsaid：——
\"Messieurs，TotheKingandtheroyalfamily！Iaddnothing；thetoastsaysall。\"
\"Totheelectionofmybrother！\"saidMademoiselleThuillieramomentlater。
\"NowI’llmakeyoulaugh，\"whisperedlaPeyradeinFlavie’sear。
Andherose。
\"ToWoman！\"hesaid；\"thatenchantingsextowhomweoweourhappiness，——nottospeakofourmothers，oursisters，andourwives！\"
Thistoastexcitedgeneralhilarity，andColleville，alreadysomewhatgay，exclaimed：——
\"Rascal！youhavestolenmyspeech！\"
Themayorthenrose；profoundsilencereigned。
\"Messieurs，ourinstitutions！fromwhichcomethestrengthandgrandeurofdynasticFrance！\"
Thebottlesdisappearedamidachorusofadmirationastothemarvellousgoodnessanddelicacyoftheircontents。
CelesteCollevilleheresaidtimidly：——
\"Mamma，willyoupermitmetogiveatoast？\"
Thegoodgirlhadnoticedthedull，bewilderedlookofhergodmother，neglectedandforgotten，——she，themistressofthathouse，wearingalmosttheexpressionofadogthatisdoubtfulwhichmastertoobey，lookingfromthefaceofherterriblesister—in—lawtothatofThuillier，consultingeachcountenance，andobliviousofherself；butjoyonthefaceofthatpoorhelot，accustomedtobenothing，torepressherideas，herfeelings，hadtheeffectofapalewintrysunbehindamist；itbarelylightedherfaded，flabbyflesh。Thegauzecaptrimmedwithdingyflowers，thehairill—dressed，thegloomybrowngown，withnoornamentbutathickgoldchain——all，combinedwiththeexpressionofhercountenance，stimulatedtheaffectionoftheyoungCeleste，who——aloneintheworld——knewthevalueofthatwomancondemnedtosilencebutawareofallabouther，sufferingfromallyetconsolingherselfinGodandinthegirlwhonowwaswatchingher。
\"Yes，letthedearchildgiveusherlittletoast，\"saidlaPeyradetoMadameColleville。
\"Goon，mydaughter，\"criedColleville；\"here’sthehermitagestilltobedrunk——andit’shoarywithage，\"headded。
\"Tomykindgodmother！\"saidthegirl，loweringherglassrespectfullybeforeMadameThuillier，andholdingittowardsher。
Thepoorwoman，startled，lookedthroughaveiloftearsfirstatherhusband，andthenatBrigitte；butherpositioninthefamilywassowellknown，andthehomagepaidbyinnocencetoweaknesshadsomethingsobeautifulaboutit，thattheemotionwasgeneral；themenallroseandbowedtoMadameThuillier。
\"Ah！Celeste，IwouldIhadakingdomtolayatyourfeet，\"murmuredFelixPhellion。
TheworthyPhellionwipedawayatear。Dutocqhimselfwasmoved。
\"Oh！thecharmingchild！\"criedMademoiselleThuillier，rising，andgoingroundtokisshersister—in—law。
\"Myturnnow！\"saidColleville，posinglikeanathlete。\"Nowlisten：
Tofriendship！Emptyyourglasses；refillyourglasses。Good！Tothefinearts，——theflowerofsociallife！Emptyyourglasses；refillyourglasses。Toanothersuchfestivalonthedayafterelection！\"
\"Whatisthatlittlebottleyouhavethere？\"saidDutocqtoMademoiselleThuillier。
\"That，\"shesaid，\"isoneofmythreebottlesofMadameAmphoux’
liqueur；thesecondisforthedayofCeleste’smarriage；thethirdforthedayonwhichherfirstchildisbaptized。\"
\"Mysisterislosingherhead，\"remarkedThuilliertoColleville。
Thedinnerendedwithatoast，offeredbyThuillier，butsuggestedtohimbyTheodoseatthemomentwhenthemalagasparkledinthelittleglasseslikesomanyrubies。
\"Colleville，messieurs，hasdrunktoFRIENDSHIP。Inowdrink，inthismostgenerouswine，Tomyfriends！\"
Anhurrah，fullofheartiness，greetedthatfinesentiment，butDutocqremarkedasidetoTheodose：——
\"Itisashametopoursuchwinedownthethroatsofsuchpeople。\"
\"Ah！ifwecouldonlymakesuchwineasthat！\"criedZelie，makingherglassringbythewayinwhichshesuckeddowntheSpanishliquid。
\"Whatfortuneswecouldget！\"
Zeliehadnowreachedherhighestpointofincandescence，andwasreallyalarming。
\"Yes，\"repliedMinard，\"butoursismade。\"
\"Don’tyouthink，sister，\"saidBrigittetoMadameThuillier，\"thatwehadbettertakecoffeeinthesalon？\"
MadameThuillierobedientlyassumedtheairofmistressofthehouse，androse。
\"Ah！youareagreatwizard，\"saidFlavieColleville，acceptinglaPeyrade’sarmtoreturntothesalon。
\"AndyetIcareonlytobewitchyou，\"heanswered。\"Ithinkyoumoreenchantingthaneverthisevening。\"
\"Thuillier，\"shesaid，toevadethesubject，\"Thuilliermadetothinkhimselfapoliticalcharacter！oh！oh！\"
\"But，mydearFlavie，halftheabsurditiesoflifearetheresultofsuchconspiracies；andmenarenotaloneinthesedeceptions。Inhowmanyfamiliesoneseesthehusband，children，andfriendspersuadingasillymotherthatsheisawomanofsense，oranoldwomanoffiftythatsheisyoungandbeautiful。Hence，inconceivablecontrarietiesforthosewhogoabouttheworldwiththeireyesshut。Onemanoweshisill—savoredconceittotheflatteryofamistress；anotheroweshisversifyingvanitytothosewhoarepaidtocallhimagreatpoet。
Everyfamilyhasitsgreatman；andtheresultis，asweseeitintheChamber，generalobscurityofthelightsofFrance。Well，menofrealmindarelaughingtothemselvesaboutit，that’sall。Youarethemindandthebeautyofthislittlecircleofthepettybourgeoisie；itisthissuperioritywhichledmeinthefirstinstancetoworshipyou。I
havesincelongedtodragyououtofit；forIloveyousincerely——
moreinfriendshipthaninlove；thoughagreatdealofloveisglidingintoit，\"headded，pressinghertohisheartundercoveroftherecessofawindowtowhichhehadtakenher。
\"MadamePhellionwillplaythepiano，\"criedColleville。\"Wemustalldanceto—night——bottlesandBrigitte’sfrancsandallthelittlegirls！I’llgoandfetchmyclarionet。\"
Hegavehisemptycoffee—cuptohiswife，smilingtoseehersofriendlywithlaPeyrade。
\"Whathaveyousaidanddonetomyhusband？\"askedFlavie，whenCollevillehadleftthem。
\"MustItellyoualloursecrets？\"
\"Ah！youdon’tloveme，\"shereplied，lookingathimwiththecoquettishslynessofawomanwhoisnotquitedecidedinhermind。
\"Well，sinceyoutellmeyours，\"hesaid，lettinghimselfgotothelivelyimpulseofProvencalgaiety，alwayssocharmingandapparentlysonatural，\"Iwillnotconcealfromyouananxietyinmyheart。\"
Hetookherbacktothesamewindowandsaid，smiling：——
\"Colleville，poorman，hasseeninmetheartistrepressedbyallthesebourgeois；silentbeforethembecauseIfeelmisjudged，misunderstood，andrepelledbythem。Hehasfelttheheatofthesacredfirethatconsumesme。YesIam，\"hecontinued，inatoneofconviction，\"anartistinwordsafterthemannerofBerryer；Icouldmakejuriesweep，byweepingmyself，forI’masnervousasawoman。
Yourhusband，whodeteststhebourgeoisie，begantoteasemeaboutthem。Atfirstwelaughed；then，inbecomingserious，hefoundoutthatIwasasstrongashe。ItoldhimoftheplanconcoctedtomakeSOMETHINGofThuillier，andIshowedhimallthegoodhecouldgethimselfoutofapoliticalpuppet。’Ifitwereonly，’Isaidtohim，’tomakeyourselfMonsieurDEColleville，andtoputyourcharmingwifewhereIshouldliketoseeher，asthewifeofareceiver—
general，ordeputy。Tomakeyourselfallthatyouandsheoughttobe，youhaveonlytogoandliveafewyearsintheUpperorLowerAlps，insomeholeofatownwhereeverybodywilllikeyou，andyourwifewillseduceeverybody；andthis，’Iadded，’youcannotfailtoobtain，especiallyifyougiveyourdearCelestetosomemanwhocaninfluencetheChamber。’Goodreasons，statedinjest，havethemeritofpenetratingdeeperintosomemindsthaniftheyweregivensoberly。SoCollevilleandIbecamethebestfriendsintheworld。Didn’tyouhearhimsaytomeattable，’Rascal！youhavestolenmyspeech’？To—nightweshallbetheeingandthouingeachother。Iintendtohaveachoicelittlesupper—partysoon，whereartists，tiedtotheproprietiesathome，alwayscompromisethemselves。I’llinvitehim，andthatwillmakeusassolidlygoodfriendsasheiswithThuillier。There，mydearadornedone，iswhataprofoundsentimentgivesamanthecouragetoproduce。Collevillemustadoptme；sothatImayvisityourhousebyhisinvitation。Butwhatcouldn’tyoumakemedo？licklepers，swallowlivetoads，seduceBrigitte——yes，ifyousayso，I’llimpalemyownheartonthatgreatpicket—railtopleaseyou。\"
\"Youfrightenedmethismorning，\"shesaid。
\"Butthiseveningyouarereassured。Yes，\"headded，\"noharmwilleverhappentoyouthroughme。\"
\"Youare，Imustacknowledge，amostextraordinaryman。\"
\"Why，no！thesmallestaswellasthegreatestofmyeffortsaremerelythereflectionsoftheflamewhichyouhavekindled。Iintendtobeyourson—in—lawthatwemayneverpart。Mywife，heavens！whatcouldshebetomebutamachineforchild—bearing？whereasthedivinity，thesublimebeingwillbe——you，\"hewhisperedinherear。
\"YouareSatan！\"shesaid，inasortofterror。
\"No，Iamsomethingofapoet，likeallthemenofmyregion。Come，bemyJosephine！I’llgoandseeyouto—morrow。Ihavethemostardentdesiretoseewhereyouliveandhowyoulive，thefurnitureyouuse，thecolorofyourstuffs，thearrangementofallthingsaboutyou。I
longtoseethepearlinitsshell。\"
Heslippedawaycleverlyafterthesewords，withoutwaitingforananswer。
Flavie，towhominallherlifelovehadnevertakenthelanguageofromance，satstill，buthappy，herheartpalpitating，andsayingtoherselfthatitwasverydifficulttoescapesuchinfluence。ForthefirsttimeTheodosehadappearedinapairofnewtrousers，withgraysilkstockingsandpumps，awaistcoatofblacksilk，andacravatofblacksatinontheknotofwhichshoneaplaingoldpinselectedwithtaste。Heworealsoanewcoatinthelastfashion，andyellowgloves，relievedbywhiteshirt—cuffs；hewastheonlymanwhohadmanners，ordeportmentinthatsalon，whichwasnowfillingupfortheevening。
MadamePron，neeBarniol，arrivedwithtwoschool—girls，agedseventeen，confidedtohermaternalcarebyfamiliesresidinginMartinique。MonsieurPron，professorofrhetoricinacollegepresidedoverbypriests，belongedtothePhellionclass；but，insteadofexpandingonthesurfaceinphrasesanddemonstrations，andposingasanexample，hewasdryandsententious。MonsieurandMadamePron，theflowersofthePhellionsalon，receivedeveryMonday。Thoughaprofessor，thelittlemandanced。HeenjoyedgreatinfluenceinthequarterenclosedbytheboulevardduMont—Parnasse，theLuxembourg，andtheruedeSevres。Therefore，assoonasPhellionsawhisfriend，hetookhimbythearmintoacornertoinformhimoftheThuilliercandidacy。Aftertenminutes’consultationtheybothwenttofindThuillier，andtherecessofawindow，oppositetothatwhereFlaviestillsatabsorbedinherreflections，nodoubt，hearda\"trio\"
worthy，initsway，ofthatoftheSwissin\"GuillaumeTell。\"
\"Doyousee，\"saidTheodose，returningtoFlavie，\"thepureandhonestPhellionintriguingoverthere？Giveapersonalreasontoavirtuousmanandhe’llpaddleintheslimiestpuddle；heishookingthatlittlePron，andPronistakingitallin，solelytogetyourlittleCelesteforFelixPhellion。Separatethem，andintenminutesthey’llgettogetheragain，andthatyoungMinardwillbegrowlingroundthemlikeanangrybulldog。\"
Felix，stillunderthestrongemotionimpartedtohimbyCeleste’sgenerousactionandthecrythatcamefromthegirl’sheart，thoughnoonebutMadameThuillierstillthoughtofit，becameinspiredbyoneofthoseingenuousartfulnesseswhicharethehonestcharlatanismoftruelove；buthewasnottothemannerbornofit，andmathematics，moreover，madehimsomewhatabsent—minded。HestationedhimselfnearMadameThuillier，imaginingthatMadameThuillierwouldattractCelestetoherside。ThisastutecalculationsucceededallthebetterbecauseyoungMinard，whosawinCelestenothingmorethana\"dot，\"
hadnosuchsuddeninspiration，andwasdrinkinghiscoffeeandtalkingpoliticswithLaudigeois，MonsieurBarniol，andDutocqbyorderofhisfather，whowasthinkingandplanningforthegeneralelectionofthelegislaturein1842。
\"Whowouldn’tloveCeleste？\"saidFelixtoMadameThuillier。
\"Littledarling，nooneintheworldlovesmeasshedoes，\"repliedthepoorslave，withdifficultyrestraininghertears。
\"Ah！madame，webothloveyou，\"saidthecandidprofessor，sincerely。
\"Whatareyousayingtoeachother？\"askedCeleste，comingup。
\"Mychild，\"saidthepiouswoman，drawinghergod—daughterdowntoherandkissingherontheforehead。\"Hesaidthatyoubothlovedme。\"
\"Donotbeangrywithmypresumption，mademoiselle。LetmedoallI
cantoproveit，\"murmuredFelix。\"Ah！Icannothelpit，Iwasmadethisway；injusticerevoltsmetothesoul！Yes，theSaviourofmenwasrighttopromisethefuturetothemeekheart，totheslainlamb！
Amanwhodidnotloveyou，Celeste，musthaveadoredyouafterthatsublimeimpulseofyoursattable。Ah，yes！innocencealonecanconsolethemartyr。Youareakindyounggirl；youwillbeoneofthosewiveswhomakethegloryandthehappinessofafamily。Happybehewhomyouwillchoose！\"
\"Godmamma，withwhateyesdoyouthinkMonsieurFelixseesme？\"
\"Heappreciatesyou，mylittleangel；IshallpraytoGodforbothofyou。\"
\"IfyouknewhowhappyIamthatmyfathercandoaservicetoMonsieurThuillier，andhowIwishIcouldbeusefultoyourbrother——\"
\"Inshort，\"saidCeleste，laughing，\"youloveusall。\"
\"Well，yes，\"repliedFelix。
Truelovewrapsitselfinthemysteriesofreserve，eveninitsexpression；itprovesitselfbyitself；itdoesnotfeelthenecessity，asafalselovedoes，oflightingaconflagration。Byanobserver（ifsuchabeingcouldhaveglidedintotheThuilliersalon）
abookmighthavebeenmadeincomparingthetwoscenesoflove—
making，andinwatchingtheenormouspreparationsofTheodoseandthesimplicityofFelix：onewasnature，theotherwassociety，——thetrueandthefalseembodied。Noticingherdaughterglowingwithhappiness，exhalinghersoulthroughtheporesofherface，andbeautifulwiththebeautyofayounggirlgatheringthefirstrosesofanindirectdeclaration，Flaviehadanimpulseofjealousyinherheart。ShecameacrosstoCelesteandsaidinherear：——
\"Youarenotbehavingwell，mydaughter；everybodyisobservingyou；
youarecompromisingyourselfbytalkingsolongtoMonsieurFelixwithoutknowingwhetherweapproveofit。\"
\"But，mamma，mygodmotherishere。\"
\"Ah！pardonme，dearfriend，\"saidMadameColleville；\"Ididnotnoticeyou。\"
\"Youdoasothersdo，\"saidthepoornonentity。
ThatreplystungMadameColleville，whoregardeditasabarbedarrow。
ShecastahaughtyglanceatFelixandsaidtoCeleste，\"Sitthere，mydaughter，\"seatingherselfatthesametimebesideMadameThuillierandpointingtoachairontheothersideofher。
\"Iwillworkmyselftodeath，\"saidFelixtoMadameThuillier。\"I’llbeamemberoftheAcademyofSciences；I’llmakesomegreatdiscovery，andwinherhandbyforceoffame。\"