CONTENTS
I。TheInitiationofSavalII。BougivalandLoveIII。EnlightenmentIV。FromEmotiontoPhilosophyCHAPTERI。
TheInitiationofSavalAstheywereleavingtheCafeRiche，JeandeServignysaidtoLeonSaval:\"Ifyoudon\'tobject，letuswalk。Theweatheristoofinetotakeacab。\"
Hisfriendanswered:\"Iwouldlikenothingbetter。\"
Jeanreplied:\"Itishardlyeleveno\'clock。Weshallarrivemuchbeforemidnight，soletusgoslowly。\"
Arestlesscrowdwasmovingalongtheboulevard，thatthrongpeculiartosummernights，drinking，chatting，andflowinglikeariver，filledwithasenseofcomfortandjoy。Hereandthereacafethrewafloodoflightuponaknotofpatronsdrinkingatlittletablesonthesidewalk，whichwerecoveredwithbottlesandglasses，hinderingthepassingofthehurryingmultitude。Onthepavementthecabswiththeirred，blue，orgreenlightsdashedby，showingforasecond，intheglimmer，thethinshadowofthehorse，theraisedprofileofthecoachman，andthedarkboxofthecarriage。ThecabsoftheUrbaineCompanymadeclearandrapidspotswhentheiryellowpanelswerestruckbythelight。
Thetwofriendswalkedwithslowsteps，cigarsintheirmouths，ineveningdressandovercoatsontheirarms，withaflowerintheirbuttonholes，andtheirhatsatrifleononeside，asmenwillcarelesslywearthemsometimes，aftertheyhavedinedwellandtheairismild。
Theyhadbeenlinkedtogethersincetheircollegedaysbyaclose，devoted，andfirmaffection。JeandeServigny，small，slender，atriflebald，ratherfrail，witheleganceofmien，curledmustache，brighteyes，andfinelips，wasamanwhoseemedbornandbredupontheboulevard。Hewastirelessinspiteofhislanguidair，stronginspiteofhispallor，oneofthoseslightParisianstowhomgymnasticexercise，fencing，coldshowerandhotbathsgiveanervous，artificialstrength。Hewasknownbyhismarriageaswellasbyhiswit，hisfortune，hisconnections，andbythatsociability，amiability，andfashionablegallantrypeculiartocertainmen。
AtrueParisian，furthermore，light，sceptical，changeable，captivating，energetic，andirresolute，capableofeverythingandofnothing；selfishbyprincipleandgenerousonoccasion，helivedmoderatelyuponhisincome，andamusedhimselfwithhygiene。
Indifferentandpassionate，hegavehimselfreinanddrewbackconstantly，impelledbyconflictinginstincts，yieldingtoall，andthenobeying，intheend，hisownshrewdman-about-townjudgment，whoseweather-vanelogicconsistedinfollowingthewindanddrawingprofitfromcircumstanceswithouttakingthetroubletooriginatethem。
Hiscompanion，LeonSaval，richalso，wasoneofthosesuperbandcolossalfigureswhomakewomenturnaroundinthestreetstolookatthem。Hegavetheideaofastatueturnedintoaman，atypeofarace，likethosesculpturedformswhicharesenttotheSalons。Toohandsome，tootall，toobig，toostrong，hesinnedalittlefromtheexcessofeverything，theexcessofhisqualities。Hehadonhandcountlessaffairsofpassion。
AstheyreachedtheVaudevilletheater，heasked:\"Haveyouwarnedthatladythatyouaregoingtotakemetoherhousetoseeher？\"
Servignybegantolaugh:\"ForewarntheMarquiseObardi！Doyouwarnanomnibusdriverthatyoushallenterhisstageatthecorneroftheboulevard？\"
Saval，alittleperplexed，inquired:\"Whatsortofpersonisthislady？\"
Hisfriendreplied:\"Anupstart，acharminghussy，whocamefromnooneknowswhere，whomadeherappearanceoneday，nobodyknowshow，amongtheadventuressesofParis，knowingperfectlywellhowtotakecareofherself。Besides，whatdifferencedoesitmaketous？Theysaythatherrealname，hermaidenname——forshestillhaseveryclaimtothetitleofmaidenexceptthatofinnocence——isOctaviaBardin，fromwhichsheconstructsthenameObardibyprefixingthefirstletterofherfirstnameanddroppingthelastletterofthelastname。\"
\"Moreover，sheisalovablewoman，andyou，fromyourphysique，areinevitablyboundtobecomeherlover。HerculesisnotintroducedintoMessalina\'shomewithoutmakingsomedisturbance。NeverthelessImakeboldtoaddthatifthereisfreeentrancetothishouse，justasthereisinbazaars，youarenotexactlycompelledtobuywhatisforsale。Loveandcardsareontheprogramme，butnobodycompelsyoutotakeupwitheither。Andtheexitisasfreeastheentrance。\"
\"ShesettleddownintheEtoiledistrict，asuspiciousneighborhood，threeyearsago，andopenedherdrawing-roomtothatfrothofthecontinentswhichcomestoParistopracticeitsvariousformidableandcriminaltalents。\"
\"Idon\'trememberjusthowIwenttoherhouse。Iwentasweallgo，becausethereiscardplaying，becausethewomenarecompliant，andthemendishonest。Ilovethatsocialmobofbuccaneerswithdecorationsofallsortsoforders，alltitled，andallentirelyunknownattheirembassies，excepttothespies。Theyarealwaysdragginginthesubjectofhonor，quotingthelistoftheirancestorsontheslightestprovocation，andtellingthestoryoftheirlifeateveryopportunity，braggarts，liars，sharpers，dangerousastheircards，falseastheirnames，bravebecausetheyhavetobe，liketheassassinswhocannotplucktheirvictimsexceptbyexposingtheirownlives。Inaword，itisthearistocracyofthebagnio。\"
\"Ilikethem。Theyareinterestingtofathomandtoknow，amusingtolistento，oftenwitty，nevercommonplaceastheordinaryFrenchguests。Theirwomenarealwayspretty，withalittleflavorofforeignknavery，withthemysteryoftheirpastexistence，halfofwhich，perhaps，spentinaHouseofCorrection。Theygenerallyhavefineeyesandglorioushair，thetruephysiqueoftheprofession，anintoxicatinggrace，aseductivenesswhichdrivesmentofolly，anunwholesome，irresistiblecharm！Theyconquerlikethehighwaymenofold。Theyarerapaciouscreatures；truebirdsofprey。Ilikethem，too。\"
\"TheMarquiseObardiisoneofthetypeoftheseelegantgood-for-
nothings。Ripeandpretty，withafelinecharm，youcanseethatsheisvicioustothemarrow。Everybodyhasagoodtimeatherhouse，withcards，dancing，andsuppers；infactthereiseverythingwhichgoestomakeupthepleasuresoffashionablesocietylife。\"
\"Haveyoueverbeenorareyounowherlover？\"LeonSavalasked。
\"Ihavenotbeenherlover，Iamnotnow，andInevershallbe。I
onlygotothehousetoseeherdaughter。\"
\"Ah！Shehasadaughter，then？\"
\"Adaughter！Amarvel，mydearman。Sheistheprincipalattractionofthedento-day。Tall，magnificent，justripe，eighteenyearsold，asfairashermotherisdark，alwaysmerry，alwaysreadyforanentertainment，alwayslaughing，andreadytodancelikemad。Whowillbetheluckyman，tocaptureher，orwhohasalreadydoneso？
Nobodycantellthat。Shehastenofusinhertrain，allhoping。\"
\"SuchadaughterinthehandsofawomanliketheMarquiseisafortune。Andtheyplaythegametogether，thetwocharmers。Nooneknowsjustwhattheyareplanning。PerhapstheyarewaitingforabetterbargainthanIshouldprove。ButItellyouthatIshallclosethebargainifIevergetachance。\"
\"ThatgirlYvetteabsolutelybafflesme，moreover。Sheisamystery。
IfsheisnotthemostcompletemonsterofastutenessandperversitythatIhaveeverseen，shecertainlyisthemostmarvelousphenomenonofinnocencethatcanbeimagined。Shelivesinthatatmosphereofinfamywithacalmandtriumphingeasewhichiseitherwonderfullyprofligateorentirelyartless。Strangescionofanadventuress，castuponthemuck-heapofthatset，likeamagnificentplantnurtureduponcorruption，orratherlikethedaughterofsomenoblerace，ofsomegreatartist，orofsomegrandlord，ofsomeprinceordethronedking，tossedsomeeveningintohermother\'sarms，nobodycanmakeoutwhatsheisnorwhatshethinks。Butyouaregoingtoseeher。\"
Savalbegantolaughandsaid:\"Youareinlovewithher。\"
\"No。Iamonthelist，whichisnotpreciselythesamething。Iwillintroduceyoutomymostseriousrivals。Butthechancesareinmyfavor。Iaminthelead，andsomelittledistinctionisshowntome。\"
\"Youareinlove，\"Savalrepeated。
\"No。Shedisquietsme，seducesanddisturbsme，attractsandfrightensmeaway。ImistrustherasIwouldatrap，andIlongforherasIlongforasherbetwhenIamthirsty。Iyieldtohercharm，andIonlyapproachherwiththeapprehensionthatIwouldfeelconcerningamanwhowasknowntobeaskillfulthief。toherpresenceIhaveanirrationalimpulsetowardbeliefinherpossiblepurityandaveryreasonablemistrustofhernotlessprobabletrickery。Ifeelmyselfincontactwithanabnormalbeing，beyondthepaleofnaturallaws，anexquisiteordetestablecreature——I
don\'tknowwhich。\"
ForthethirdtimeSavalsaid:\"Itellyouthatyouareinlove。Youspeakofherwiththemagniloquenceofapoetandthefeelingofatroubadour。Come，searchyourheart，andconfess。\"
Servignywalkedafewstepswithoutanswering。Thenhereplied:
\"Thatispossible，afterall。Inanycase，shefillsmymindalmostcontinually。yes，perhapsIaminlove。Idreamabouthertoomuch。
IthinkofherwhenIamasleepandwhenIawake——thatissurelyagraveindication。Herfacefollowsme，accompaniesmeceaselessly，everbeforeme，aroundme，withme。Isthislove，thisphysicalinfatuation？HerfeaturesaresostampeduponmyvisionthatIseeherthemomentIshutmyeyes。MyheartbeatsquicklyeverytimeI
lookather，Idon\'tdenyit。\"
\"SoIaminlovewithher，butinaqueerfashion。Ihavethestrongestdesireforher，andyettheideaofmakinghermywifewouldseemtomeafolly，apieceofstupidity，amonstrousthing:
AndIhavealittlefearofher，aswell，thefearwhichabirdfeelsoverwhichahawkishovering。\"
\"AndagainIamjealousofher，jealousofallofwhichIamignorantinherincomprehensibleheart。Iamalwayswondering:\'Issheacharmingyoungsterorawretchedjade？\'Shesaysthingsthatwouldmakeanarmyshudder；butsodoesaparrot。SheisattimessoindiscreetandyetmodestthatIamforcedtobelieveinherspotlesspurity，andagainsoincrediblyartlessthatImustsuspectthatshehasneverbeenchaste。Shealluresme，excitesme，likeawomanofacertaincategory，andatthesametimeactslikeanimpeccablevirgin。Sheseemstolovemeandyetmakesfunofme；shedeportsherselfinpublicasifsheweremymistressandtreatsmeinprivateasifIwereherbrotherorfootman。\"
\"TherearetimeswhenIfancythatshehasasmanyloversashermother。AndatothertimesIimaginethatshesuspectsabsolutelynothingofthatsortoflife，youunderstand。Furthermore，sheisagreatnovelreader。Iamatpresent，whileawaitingsomethingbetter，herbookpurveyor。Shecallsmeher\'librarian。\'EveryweektheNewBookStoresendsher，onmyorders，everythingnewthathasappeared，andIbelievethatshereadseverythingatrandom。Itmustmakeastrangesortofmixtureinherhead。\"
\"Thatkindofliteraryhasty-puddingaccountsperhapsforsomeofthegirl\'speculiarways。Whenayoungwomanlooksatexistencethroughthemediumoffifteenthousandnovels，shemustseeitinastrangelight，andconstructqueerideasaboutmattersandthingsingeneral。Asforme，Iamwaiting。ItiscertainatanyratethatI
neverhavehadforanyotherwomanthedevotionwhichIhavehadforher。AndstillitisquitecertainthatIshallnevermarryher。Soifshehashadnumbers，Ishallswellthenumber。Andifshehasnot，Ishalltakethefirstticket，justasIwoulddoforastreetcar。\"
\"Thecaseisverysimple。Ofcourse，shewillnevermarry。WhointheworldwouldmarrytheMarquiseObardi\'sdaughter，thechildofOctaviaBardin？Nobody，forathousandreasons。Wherewouldtheyeverfindahusbandforher？Insociety？Never。Themother\'shouseisasortofliberty-hallwhosepatronageisattractedbythedaughter。Girlsdon\'tgetmarriedunderthoseconditions。\"
\"Wouldshefindahusbandamongthetrades-people？Stilllesswouldthatbepossible。AndbesidestheMarquiseisnotthewomantomakeabadbargain；shewillgiveYvetteonlytoamanofhighposition，andthatmanshewillneverdiscover。\"
\"Thenperhapsshewilllookamongthecommonpeople。Stilllesslikely。Thereisnosolutionoftheproblem，then。Thisyoungladybelongsneithertosociety，nortothetradesmen\'sclass，nortothecommonpeople，andshecanneverenteranyoftheseranksbymarriage。\"
\"Shebelongsthroughhermother，herbirth，hereducation，herinheritance，hermanners，andhercustoms，tothevortexofthemostrapidlifeofParis。Shecanneverescapeit，savebybecominganun，whichisnotatallprobablewithhermannersandtastes。Shehasonlyonepossiblecareer，alifeofpleasure。Shewillcometoitsoonerorlater，ifindeedshehasnotalreadybeguntotreaditsprimrosepath。Shecannotescapeherfate。Frombeingayounggirlshewilltaketheinevitablestep，quitesimply。AndIwouldliketobethepivotofthistransformation。\"
\"Iamwaiting。Therearemanylovers。YouwillseeamongthemaFrenchman，MonsieurdeBelvigne；aRussian，calledPrinceKravalow，andanItalian，ChevalierValreali，whohaveallannouncedtheircandidaciesandwhoareconsequentlymaneuveringtothebestoftheirability。Inadditiontothesethereareseveralfreebootersoflessimportance。TheMarquisewaitsandwatches。ButIthinkthatshehasviewsaboutme。SheknowsthatIamveryrich，andshemakeslessoftheothers。\"
\"Herdrawing-roomis，moreover，themostastoundingthatIknowof，insuch，exhibitions。Youevenmeetverydecentmenthere，likeourselves。Asforthewomen，shehasculledthebestthereisfromthebasketofpickpockets。Nobodyknowswhereshefoundthem。ItisasetapartfromBohemia，apartfromeverything。Shehashadoneinspirationshowinggenius，andthatistheknackofselectingespeciallythoseadventuresseswhohavechildren，generallygirls。
Sothatafoolmightbelievethatinherhousehewasamongrespectablewomen！\"TheyhadreachedtheavenueoftheChamps-
Elysees。Agentlebreezesoftlystirredtheleavesandtouchedthefacesofpassers-by，likethebreathsofagiantfan，wavingsomewhereinthesky。Silentshadowswanderedbeneaththetrees；
others，onbenches，madeadarkspot。Andtheseshadowsspokeverylow，asiftheyweretellingeachotherimportantorshamefulsecrets。
\"Youcan\'timaginewhatacollectionoffictitioustitlesaremetinthislair，\"saidServigny，\"Bytheway，IshallpresentyoubythenameofCountSaval；plainSavalwouldnotdoatall。\"
\"Oh，no，indeed！\"criedhisfriend；\"Iwouldnothaveanyonethinkmecapableofborrowingatitle，evenforanevening，evenamongthosepeople。Ah，no！\"
Servignybegantolaugh。
\"Howstupidyouare！Why，inthatsettheycallmetheDukedeServigny。Idon\'tknowhownorwhy。ButatanyratetheDukedeServignyIamandshallremain，withoutcomplainingorprotesting。
Itdoesnotworryme。Ishouldhavenofootingtherewhateverwithoutatitle。\"
ButSavalwouldnotbeconvinced。
\"Well，youareofrank，andsoyoumayremain。But，asforme，no。I
shallbetheonlycommonpersoninthedrawing-room。Somuchtheworse，or，somuchthebetter。Itwillbemymarkofdistinctionandsuperiority。\"
Servignywasobstinate。
\"Itellyouthatitisnotpossible。Why，itwouldalmostseemmonstrous。Youwouldhavetheeffectofaragmanatameetingofemperors。LetmedoasIlike。IshallintroduceyouastheVice-Roidu\'Haut-Mississippi，\'andnoonewillbeatallastonished。Whenamantakesongreatness，hecan\'ttaketoomuch。\"
\"Oncemore，no，Idonotwishit。\"
\"Verywell，haveyourway。But，infact，Iamveryfoolishtotrytoconvinceyou。Idefyyoutogetinwithoutsomeonegivingyouatitle，justastheygiveabunchofvioletstotheladiesattheentrancetocertainstores。\"
TheyturnedtotherightintheRuedeBarrie，mountedoneflightofstairsinafinemodernhouse，andgavetheirovercoatsandcanesintothehandsoffourservantsinknee-breeches。Awarmodor，asofafestivalassembly，filledtheair，anodorofflowers，perfumes，andwomen；andacomposedandcontinuousmurmurcamefromtheadjoiningrooms，whichwerefilledwithpeople。
Akindofmasterofceremonies，tall，erect，wideofgirth，serious，hisfaceframedinwhitewhiskers，approachedthenewcomers，askingwithashortandhaughtybow:\"WhomshallIannounce？\"
\"MonsieurSaval，\"Servignyreplied。
Thenwithaloudvoice，themanopeningthedoorcriedouttothecrowdofguests:
\"MonsieurtheDukedeServigny。\"
\"MonsieurtheBaronSaval。\"
Thefirstdrawing-roomwasfilledwithwomen。Thefirstthingwhichattractedattentionwasthedisplayofbareshoulders，aboveafloodofbrilliantgowns。
Themistressofthehousewhostoodtalkingwiththreefriends，turnedandcameforwardwithamajesticstep，withgraceinhermienandasmileonherlips。Herforeheadwasnarrowandverylow，andwascoveredwithamassofglossyblackhair，encroachingalittleuponthetemples。
Shewastall，atrifletoolarge，alittletoostout，overripe，butverypretty，withaheavy，warm，potentbeauty。Beneaththatmassofhair，fullofdreamsandsmiles，renderinghermysteriouslycaptivating，wereenormousblackeyes。Hernosewasalittlenarrow，hermouthlargeandinfinitelyseductive，madetospeakandtoconquer。
Hergreatestcharmwasinhervoice。Itcamefromthatmouthaswaterfromaspring，sonatural，solight，sowellmodulated，soclear，thattherewasaphysicalpleasureinlisteningtoit。Itwasajoyfortheeartoheartheflexiblewordsflowwiththegraceofababblingbrook，anditwasajoyfortheeyestoseethoseprettylips，atrifletoored，openasthewordsrippledforth。
ShegaveonehandtoServigny，whokissedit，anddroppingherfanonitslittlegoldchain，shegavetheothertoSaval，sayingtohim:\"Youarewelcome，Baron，alltheDuke\'sfriendsareathomehere。\"
ThenshefixedherbrillianteyesupontheColossuswhohadjustbeenintroducedtoher。Shehadjusttheslightestdownonherupperlip，asuspicionofamustache，whichseemeddarkerwhenshespoke。
Therewasapleasantodorabouther，pervading，intoxicating，someperfumeofAmericaoroftheIndies。Otherpeoplecamein，marquesses，countsorprinces。ShesaidtoServigny，withthegraciousnessofamother:\"Youwillfindmydaughterintheotherparlor。Haveagoodtime，gentlemen，thehouseisyours。\"
Andsheleftthemtogotothosewhohadcomelater，throwingatSavalthatsmilingandfleetingglancewhichwomenusetoshowthattheyarepleased。Servignygraspedhisfriend\'sarm。
