Sheshookherhead，andhavingcaughtanantontheendofaseveredbladeofgrass，sheamusedherselfbymakingitgofromoneendtotheotherofthesprig，whichshetippedupwhenevertheinsectreachedoneoftheends。Shelistenedwithmuteandcontentedattentiontoallthewonderfuldetailsofthelifeofthesefrailcreatures:theirsubterraneanhomes；themannerinwhichtheyseize，shutup，andfeedplant-licetodrinkthesweetmilkwhichtheysecrete，aswekeepcowsinourbarns；theircustomofdomesticatinglittleblindinsectswhichcleantheanthills，andofgoingtowartocaptureslaveswhowilltakecareoftheirvictorswithsuchtendersolicitudethatthelatterevenlosethehabitoffeedingthemselves。
Andlittlebylittle，asifamaternaltendernesshadsprungupinherheartforthepoorinsectwhichwassotinyandsointelligent，Yvettemadeitclimbonherfinger，lookingatitwithamovedexpression，almostwantingtoembraceit。
AndasServignyreadofthewayinwhichtheyliveincommunities，andplaygamesofstrengthandskillamongthemselves，theyounggirlgrewenthusiasticandsoughttokisstheinsectwhichescapedherandbegantocrawloverherface。Thensheutteredapiercingcry，asifshehadbeenthreatenedbyaterribledanger，andwithfranticgesturestriedtobrushitoffherface。WithaloudlaughServignycaughtitnearhertressesandimprintedonthespotwherehehadseizeditalongkisswithoutYvettewithdrawingherforehead。
Thensheexclaimedassherose:\"Thatisbetterthananovel。NowletusgotoLaGrenouillere。\"
Theyreachedthatpartoftheislandwhichissetoutasaparkandshadedwithgreattrees。CoupleswerestrollingbeneaththeloftyfoliagealongtheSeine，wheretheboatswereglidingby。
Theboatswerefilledwithyoungpeople，working-girlsandtheirsweethearts，thelatterintheirshirt-sleeves，withcoatsontheirarms，tallhatstippedback，andajadedlook。Thereweretradesmenwiththeirfamilies，thewomendressedintheirbestandthechildrenflockinglikelittlechicksabouttheirparents。Adistant，continuoussoundofvoices，aheavy，scoldingclamorannouncedtheproximityoftheestablishmentsodeartotheboatmen。
Suddenlytheysawit。Itwasahugeboat，roofedover，mooredtothebank。Onboardweremanymenandwomendrinkingattables，orelsestandingup，shouting，singing，bandyingwords，dancing，capering，tothesoundofapianowhichwasgroaning——outoftuneandrattlingasanoldkettle。
Twotall，russet-haired，half-tipsygirls，withredlips，weretalkingcoarsely。Othersweredancingmadlywithyoungfellowshalfclad，dressedlikejockeys，inlinentrousersandcoloredcaps。Theodorsofacrowdandofrice-powderwerenoticeable。
Thedrinkersaroundthetableswereswallowingwhite，red，yellow，andgreenliquids，andvociferatingatthetopoftheirlungs，feelingasitwere，thenecessityofmakinganoise，abrutalneedofhavingtheirearsandbrainsfilledwithuproar。Nowandthenaswimmer，standingontheroof，divedintothewater，splashingthenearestguests，whoyelledlikesavages。
Onthestreampassedtheflotillasoflightcraft，long，slenderwherries，swiftlyrowedbybare-armedoarsmen，whosemusclesplayedbeneaththeirbronzedskin。Thewomenintheboats，inblueorredflannelskirts，withumbrellas，redorblue，openedovertheirheadsandgleamingundertheburningsun，leanedbackintheirchairsatthesternoftheboats，andseemedalmosttofloatuponthewater，inmotionlessandslumberouspose。
Theheavierboatsproceededslowly，crowdedwithpeople。A
collegian，wantingtoshowoff，rowedlikeawindmillagainstalltheotherboats，bringingthecursesoftheiroarsmendownuponhishead，anddisappearingindismayafteralmostdrowningtwoswimmers，followedbytheshoutsofthecrowdthronginginthegreatfloatingcafe。
Yvette，radiantlyhappy，takingServigny\'sarm，wentintothemidstofthisnoisymob。Sheseemedtoenjoythecrowding，andstaredatthegirlswithacalmandgraciousglance。
\"Lookatthatone，Muscade，\"shesaid。\"Whatprettyhairshehas！
Theyseemtobehavingsuchfun！\"
Asthepianist，aboatmandressedinredwithahugestrawhat，beganawaltz，Yvettegraspedhercompanionandtheydancedsolongandmadlythateverybodylookedatthem。Theguests，standingonthetables，kepttimewiththeirfeet；othersthrewglasses，andthemusician，seemingtogomad，strucktheivorykeyswithgreatbangs；
swayinghiswholebodyandswinginghisheadcoveredwiththatimmensehat。Suddenlyhestoppedand，slippingtothedeck，layflat，beneathhishead-gear，asifdeadwithfatigue。Aloudlaugharoseandeverybodyapplauded。
Fourfriendsrushedforward，astheydoincasesofaccident，andliftinguptheircomrade，theycarriedhimbyhisfourlimbs，aftercarefullyplacinghisgreathatonhisstomach。Ajokerfollowingthemintonedthe\"DeProfundis，\"andaprocessionformedandthreadedthepathsoftheisland，guestsandstrollersandeveryonetheymetfallingintoline。
Yvettedartedforward，delighted，laughingwithherwholeheart，chattingwitheverybody，stirredbythemovementandthenoise。Theyoungmengazedather，crowdedagainsther，seemingtodevourherwiththeirglances；andServignybegantofearlesttheadventureshouldterminatebadly。
Theprocessionstillkeptonitsway；hasteningitsstep；forthefourbearershadtakenaquickpace，followedbytheyellingcrowd。
Butsuddenly，theyturnedtowardtheshore，stoppedshortastheyreachedthebank，swungtheircomradeforamoment，andthen，allfouractingtogether，flunghimintotheriver。
Agreatshoutofjoyrangoutfromallmouths，whilethepoorpianist，bewildered，paddled，swore，coughed，andspluttered，andthoughstickinginthemudmanagedtogettotheshore。Hishatwhichfloateddownthestreamwaspickedupbyaboat。Yvettedancedwithjoy，clappingandrepeating:\"Oh！Muscade，whatfun！whatfun！\"
Servignylookedon，havingbecomeserious，alittledisturbed，alittlechilledtoseehersomuchathereaseinthiscommonplace。
Asortofinstinctrevoltedinhim，thatinstinctoftheproper，whichawell-bornmanalwayspreservesevenwhenhecastshimselfloose，thatinstinctwhichavoidstoocommonfamiliaritiesandtoodegradingcontacts。Astonished，hemutteredtohimself:
\"Egad！ThenYOUareathomehere，areyou？\"Andhewantedtospeakfamiliarlytoher，asamandoestocertainwomenthefirsttimehemeetsthem。Henolongerdistinguishedherfromtherusset-haired，hoarse-voicedcreatureswhobrushedagainstthem。Thelanguageofthecrowdwasnotatallchoice，butnobodyseemedshockedorsurprised。Yvettedidnotevenappeartonoticeit。
\"Muscade，Iwanttogoinbathing，\"shesaid。\"We\'llgointotherivertogether。\"
\"Atyourservice，\"saidhe。
Theywenttothebath-officetogetbathing-suits。Shewasreadythefirst，andstoodonthebankwaitingforhim，smilingoneveryonewholookedather。Thensidebysidetheywentintotheluke-warmwater。
Sheswamwithpleasure，withintoxication，caressedbythewave，throbbingwithasensualdelight，raisingherselfateachstrokeasifsheweregoingtospringfromthewater。Hefollowedherwithdifficulty，breathless，andvexedtofeelhimselfmediocreatthesport。
Butsheslackenedherpace，andthen，turningoversuddenly，shefloated，withherarmsfoldedandhereyeswideopentothebluesky。Heobserved，thusstretchedoutonthesurfaceoftheriver，theundulatinglinesofherform，herfirmneckandshoulders，herslightlysubmergedhips，andbareankles，gleaminginthewater，andthetinyfootthatemerged。
Hesawherthusexhibitingherself，asifsheweredoingitonpurpose，tolurehimon，oragaintomakesportofhim。Andhebegantolongforherwithapassionateardorandanexasperatingimpatience。Suddenlysheturned，lookedathim，andburstintolaughter。
\"Youhaveafinehead，\"shesaid。
Hewasannoyedatthisbantering，possessedwiththeangerofabaffledlover。Thenyieldingbrusquelytoahalffeltdesireforretaliation，adesiretoavengehimself，towoundher，hesaid:
\"Well，doesthissortoflifesuityou？\"
Sheaskedwithanartlessair:\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Oh，come，don\'tmakegameofme。YouknowwellenoughwhatImean！\"
\"No，Idon\'t，onmywordofhonor。\"
\"Oh，letusstopthiscomedy！Willyouorwillyounot？\"
\"Idonotunderstandyou。\"
\"Youarenotasstupidasallthat；besidesItoldyoulastnight。\"
\"Toldmewhat？Ihaveforgotten！\"
\"ThatIloveyou。\"
\"You？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whatnonsense！\"
\"Iswearit。\"
\"Thenproveit。\"
\"ThatisallIask。\"
\"Whatis？\"
\"Toproveit。\"
\"Well，doso。\"
\"Butyoudidnotsaysolastnight。\"
\"Youdidnotaskanything。\"
\"Whatabsurdity！\"
\"Andbesidesitisnottometowhomyoushouldmakeyourproposition。\"
\"Towhom，then？\"
\"Why，tomamma，ofcourse。\"
Heburstintolaughter。\"Toyourmother。No，thatistoomuch！\"
Shehadsuddenlybecomeverygrave，andlookinghimstraightintheeyes，said:
\"Listen，Muscade，ifyoureallylovemeenoughtomarryme，speaktomammafirst，andIwillansweryouafterward。\"
Hethoughtshewasstillmakingsportofhim，andangrilyreplied:
\"Mam\'zelle，youmustbetakingmeforsomebodyelse。\"
Shekeptlookingathimwithhersoft，cleareyes。Shehesitatedandthensaid:
\"Idon\'tunderstandyouatall。\"
Thenheansweredquicklywithsomewhatofillnatureinhisvoice:
\"Comenow，Yvette，letusceasethisabsurdcomedy，whichhasalreadylastedtoolong。Youareplayingthepartofasimplelittlegirl，andtheroledoesnotfityouatall，believeme。Youknowperfectlywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus，butmerelyoflove。IhavetoldyouthatIloveyou。Itisthetruth。Irepeat，Iloveyou。Don\'tpretendanylongernottounderstandme，anddon\'ttreatmeasifIwereafool。\"
Theywerefacetoface，treadingwater，merelymovingtheirhandsalittle，tosteadythemselves。Shewasstillforamoment，asifshecouldnotmakeoutthemeaningofhiswords，thenshesuddenlyblusheduptotherootsofherhair。Herwholefacegrewpurplefromhernecktoherears，whichbecamealmostviolet，andwithoutansweringawordshefledtowardtheshore，swimmingwithallherstrengthwithhastystrokes。Hecouldnotkeepupwithherandpantedwithfatigueashefollowed。Hesawherleavethewater，pickuphercloak，andgotoherdressing-roomwithoutlookingback。
Ittookhimalongtimetodress，verymuchperplexedastowhatheoughttodo，puzzledoverwhatheshouldsaytoher，andwonderingwhetherheoughttoexcusehimselforpersevere。Whenhewasready，shehadgoneawayallalone。Hewentbackslowly，anxiousanddisturbed。
TheMarquisewasstrolling，onSaval\'sarm，inthecircularpatharoundthelawn。AssheobservedServigny，shesaid，withthatcarelessairwhichshehadmaintainedsincethenightbefore。
\"Itoldyounottogooutinsuchhotweather。AndnowYvettehascomebackalmostwithasunstroke。Shehasgonetoliedown。Shewasasredasapoppy，thepoorchild，andshehasafrightfulheadache。Youmusthavebeenwalkinginthefullsunlight，oryoumusthavedonesomethingfoolish。Youareasunreasonableasshe。\"
Theyounggirldidnotcomedowntodinner。Whentheywantedtosendherupsomethingtoeatshecalledthroughthedoorthatshewasnothungry，forshehadshutherselfin，andshebeggedthattheywouldleaveherundisturbed。Thetwoyoungmenleftbytheteno\'clocktrain，promisingtoreturnthefollowingThursday，andtheMarquiseseatedherselfattheopenwindowtodream，hearinginthedistancetheorchestraoftheboatmen\'sball，withitssprightlymusic，inthedeepandsolemnsilenceofthenight。
Swayedbyloveasapersonismovedbyafondnessforhorsesorboating，shewassubjecttosuddentendernesseswhichcreptoverherlikeadisease。Thesepassionstookpossessionofhersuddenly，penetratedherentirebeing，maddenedher，enervatedoroverwhelmedher，inmeasureastheywereofanexalted，violent，dramatic，orsentimentalcharacter。
Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarecreatedtoloveandtobeloved。
Startingfromaverylowstationinlife，shehadriseninheradventurouscareer，actinginstinctively，withinborncleverness，acceptingmoneyandkisses，naturally，withoutdistinguishingbetweenthem，employingherextraordinaryabilityinanunthinkingandsimplefashion。Fromallherexperiencesshehadneverknowneitheragenuinetendernessoragreatrepulsion。
Shehadhadvariousfriends，forshehadtolive，asintravelingapersoneatsatmanytables。Butoccasionallyherhearttookfire，andshereallyfellinlove，whichstatelastedforsomeweeksormonths，accordingtoconditions。Thesewerethedeliciousmomentsofherlife，forshelovedwithallhersoul。Shecastherselfuponloveasapersonthrowshimselfintotherivertodrownhimself，andletherselfbecarriedaway，readytodie，ifneedbe，intoxicated，maddened，infinitelyhappy。Sheimaginedeachtimethatsheneverhadexperiencedanythinglikesuchanattachment，andshewouldhavebeengreatlyastonishedifsomeonehadtoldherofhowmanymenshehaddreamedwholenightsthrough，lookingatthestars。
Savalhadcaptivatedher，bodyandsoul。Shedreamedofhim，lulledbyhisfaceandhismemory，inthecalmexaltationofconsummatedlove，ofpresentandcertainhappiness。
Asoundbehindhermadeherturnaround。Yvettehadjustentered，stillinherdaytimedress，butpale，witheyesglittering，assometimesisthecaseaftersomegreatfatigue。Sheleanedonthesilloftheopenwindow，facinghermother。
\"Iwanttospeaktoyou，\"shesaid。
TheMarquiselookedatherinastonishment。Shelovedherlikeanegotisticalmother，proudofherbeauty，asapersonisproudofafortune，tooprettystillherselftobecomejealous，tooindifferenttoplantheschemeswithwhichtheychargedher，tooclever，nevertheless，nottohavefullconsciousnessofherdaughter\'svalue。
\"Iamlistening，mychild，\"shesaid；\"whatisit？\"
Yvettegaveherapiercinglook，asiftoreadthedepthsofhersoulandtoseizeallthesensationswhichherwordsmightawake。
\"Itisthis。Somethingstrangehasjusthappened。\"
\"Whatcanitbe？\"
\"MonsieurdeServignyhastoldmethathelovesme。\"
TheMarquise，disturbed，waitedamoment，and，asYvettesaidnothingmore，sheasked:
\"Howdidhetellyouthat？Explainyourself！\"
Thentheyounggirl，sittingathermother\'sfeet，inacoaxingattitudecommonwithher，andclaspingherhands，added:
\"Heaskedmetomarryhim。\"
MadameObardimadeasuddengestureofstupefactionandcried:
\"Servigny！Why！youarecrazy！\"
Yvettehadnottakenhereyesoffhermother\'sface，watchingherthoughtsandhersurprise。Sheaskedwithaseriousvoice:
\"WhyamIcrazy？WhyshouldnotMonsieurdeServignymarryme？\"
TheMarquise，embarrassed，stammered:
\"Youaremistaken，itisnotpossible。Youeitherdidnothearordidnotunderstand。MonsieurdeServignyistoorichforyou，andtoomuchofaParisiantomarry。\"Yvetterosesoftly。Sheadded:
\"Butifhelovesmeashesayshedoes，mamma？\"
Hermotherreplied，withsomeimpatience:\"Ithoughtyoubigenoughandwiseenoughnottohavesuchideas。Servignyisaman-about-townandanegotist。Hewillnevermarryanyonebutawomanofhissetandhisfortune。Ifheaskedyouinmarriage，itisonlythathewants——\"
TheMarquise，incapableofexpressinghermeaning，wassilentforamoment，thencontinued:\"Comenow，leavemealoneandgotobed。\"
Andtheyounggirl，asifshehadlearnedwhatshesoughttofindout，answeredinadocilevoice:\"Yes，mamma！\"
Shekissedhermotherontheforeheadandwithdrewwithacalmstep。
Asshereachedthedoor，theMarquisecalledout:\"Andyoursunstroke？\"shesaid。
\"Ididnothaveoneatall。Itwasthatwhichcausedeverything。\"
TheMarquiseadded:\"Wewillnotspeakofitagain。Onlydon\'tstayalonewithhimforsometimefromnow，andbeverysurethathewillnevermarryyou，doyouunderstand，andthathemerelymeansto——
compromiseyou。\"
Shecouldnotfindbetterwordstoexpressherthought。Yvettewenttoherroom。MadameObardibegantodream。Livingforyearsinanopulentandlovingrepose，shehadcarefullyputasideallreflectionswhichmightannoyorsaddenher。Neverhadshebeenwillingtoaskherselfthequestion——WhatwouldbecomeofYvette？
Itwouldbesoonenoughtothinkaboutthedifficultieswhentheyarrived。Shewellknew，fromherexperience，thatherdaughtercouldnotmarryamanwhowasrichandofgoodsociety，exceptingbyatotallyimprobablechance，byoneofthosesurprisesoflovewhichplaceadventuressesonthrones。
Shehadnotconsideredit，furthermore，beingtoomuchoccupiedwithherselftomakeanyplanswhichdidnotdirectlyconcernherself。
Yvettewoulddoashermother，undoubtedly。Shewouldleadagaylife。Whynot？ButtheMarquisehadneverdaredaskwhen，orhow。
Thatwouldallcomeaboutintime。
Andnowherdaughter，allofasudden，withoutwarning，hadaskedoneofthosequestionswhichcouldnotbeanswered，forcinghertotakeanattitudeinanaffair，sodelicate，sodangerousineveryrespect，andsodisturbingtotheconsciencewhichawomanisexpectedtoshowinmattersconcerningherdaughter。
Sometimesnoddingbutneverasleep，shehadtoomuchnaturalastutenesstobedeceivedaminuteaboutServigny\'sintentions，forsheknewmenbyexperience，andespeciallymenofthatset。SoatthefirstwordsutteredbyYvette，shehadcriedalmostinspiteofherself:\"Servigny，marryyou？Youarecrazy！\"
Howhadhecometoemploythatoldmethod，he，thatsharpmanoftheworld？Whatwouldhedonow？Andshe，theyounggirl，howshouldshewarnhermoreclearlyandevenforbidher，forshemightmakegreatmistakes。Wouldanyonehavebelievedthatthisbiggirlhadremainedsoartless，soillinformed，soguileless？AndtheMarquise，greatlyperplexedandalreadyweariedwithherreflections，endeavoredtomakeuphermindwhattodowithoutfindingasolutionoftheproblem，forthesituationseemedtoherveryembarrassing。Wornoutwiththisworry，shethought:
\"Iwillwatchthemmoreclearly，Iwillactaccordingtocircumstances。Ifnecessary，IwillspeaktoServigny，whoissharpandwilltakeahint。\"
Shedidnotthinkoutwhatsheshouldsaytohim，norwhathewouldanswer，norwhatsortofanunderstandingcouldbeestablishedbetweenthem，buthappyatbeingrelievedofthiscarewithouthavinghadtomakeadecision，sheresumedherdreamsofthehandsomeSaval，andturningtowardthatmistylightwhichhoversoverParis，shethrewkisseswithbothhandstowardthegreatcity，rapidkisseswhichshetossedintothedarkness，oneaftertheother，withoutcounting；and，verylow，asifsheweretalkingtoSavalstill，shemurmured:
\"Iloveyou，Iloveyou！\"
CHAPTERIII。
ENLIGHTENMENT
Yvette，also，couldnotsleep。Likehermother，sheleaneduponthesilloftheopenwindow，andtears，herfirstbittertears，filledhereyes。Uptothistimeshehadlived，hadgrownup，intheheedlessandsereneconfidenceofhappyyouth。Whyshouldshehavedreamed，reflected，puzzled？Whyshouldshenothavebeenayounggirl，likeallotheryounggirls？Whyshouldadoubt，afear，orpainfulsuspicionhavecometoher？
Sheseemedpostedonalltopicsbecauseshehadawayoftalkingonallsubjects，becauseshehadtakenthetone，demeanor，andwordsofthepeoplewholivedaroundher。Butshereallyknewnomorethanalittlegirlraisedinaconvent；heraudacitiesofspeechcamefromhermemory，fromthatunconsciousfacultyofimitationandassimilationwhichwomenpossess，andnotfromamindinstructedandemboldened。
Shespokeofloveasthesonofapainteroramusicianwould，attheageoftenortwelveyears，speakofpaintingormusic。Shekneworrathersuspectedverywellwhatsortofmysterythiswordconcealed；——toomanyjokeshadbeenwhisperedbeforeher，forherinnocencenottobeatrifleenlightened，——buthowcouldshehavedrawntheconclusionfromallthis，thatallfamiliesdidnotresemblehers？
Theykissedhermother\'shandwiththesemblanceofrespect；alltheirfriendshadtitles；theyallwererichorseemedtobeso；
theyallspokefamiliarlyoftheprincesoftheroyalline。Twosonsofkingshadevencomeoften，intheevening，totheMarquise\'shouse。Howshouldshehaveknown？
And，then，shewasnaturallyartless。Shedidnotestimateorsumuppeopleashermother，did。Shelivedtranquilly，toojoyousinherlifetoworryherselfaboutwhatmightappearsuspicioustocreaturesmorecalm，thoughtful，reserved，lesscordial，andsunny。
Butnow，allatonce，Servigny，byafewwords，thebrutalityofwhichshefeltwithoutunderstandingthem，awakenedinherasuddendisquietude，unreasoningatfirst，butwhichgrewintoatormentingapprehension。Shehadfledhome，hadescapedlikeawoundedanimal，woundedinfactmostdeeplybythosewordswhichsheceaselesslyrepeatedtogetalltheirsenseandbearing:\"Youknowverywellthattherecanbenoquestionofmarriagebetweenus——butonlyoflove。\"
Whatdidhemean？Andwhythisinsult？Wasshetheninignoranceofsomething，somesecret，someshame？Shewastheonlyoneignorantofit，nodoubt。Butwhatcouldshedo？Shewasfrightened，startled，asapersoniswhenhediscoverssomehiddeninfamy，sometreasonofabelovedfriend，oneofthoseheart-disasterswhichcrush。
