Theynowreturned。Shecastvexedlooksonthepassers-by。\"Howstupidallthesepeopleseem，\"shesaid。Thenraisinghereyestothecountenanceofhercompanion，sheadded:\"You，too，likealltherest。\"
M。deBelvignebowed。TurningaroundshesawthatthePrinceandtheChevalierhaddisappeared。Servigny，dejectedanddripping，ceasedplayingonthetrumpet，andwalkedwithagloomyairatthesideofthetwoweariedyoungmen，whoalsohadstoppedthedrumplaying。
Shebegantolaughdryly，saying:
\"Youseemtohavehadenough；nevertheless，thatiswhatyoucallhavingagoodtime，isn\'tit？Youcameforthat；Ihavegivenyouyourmoney\'sworth。\"
Thenshewalkedon，sayingnothingfurther；andsuddenlyBelvigneperceivedthatshewasweeping。Astounded，heinquired:
\"Whatisthematter？\"
Shemurmured:\"Letmealone，itdoesnotconcernyou。\"
Butheinsisted，likeafool:\"Oh，Mademoiselle，come，whatisthematter，hasanyoneannoyedyou？\"
Sherepeatedimpatiently:\"Willyoukeepstill？\"
Thensuddenly，nolongerabletoresistthedespairingsorrowwhichdrownedherheart，shebegantosobsoviolently，thatshecouldnolongerwalk。Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，pantingforbreath，chokedbytheviolenceofherdespair。
Belvignestoodstillatherside，quitebewildered，repeating:\"I
don\'tunderstandthisatall。\"
ButServignybrusquelycameforward:\"Letusgohome，Mam\'zelle，sothatpeoplemaynotseeyouweepinginthestreet。Whydoyouperpetratefollieslikethatwhentheyonlymakeyousad？\"
Andtakingherarmhedrewherforward。Butassoonastheyreachedtheirongateofthevillashebegantorun，crossedthegarden，andwentupstairs，andshutherselfinherroom。Shedidnotappearagainuntilthedinnerhour，verypaleandserious。Servignyhadboughtfromacountrystorekeeperaworkingman\'scostume，withvelvetpantaloons，afloweredwaistcoatandablouse，andheadoptedthelocaldialect。Yvettewasinahurryforthemtofinish，feelinghercourageebbing。Assoonasthecoffeewasservedshewenttoherroomagain。
Sheheardthemerryvoicesbeneathherwindow。TheChevalierwasmakingequivocaljokes，foreignwitticisms，vulgarandclumsy。Shelistened，indespair。Servigny，justabittipsy，wasimitatingthecommonworkingman，callingtheMarquise\"theMissus。\"AndallofasuddenhesaidtoSaval:\"Well，Boss？\"Thatcausedagenerallaugh。
ThenYvettedecided。Shefirsttookasheetofpaperandwrote:
\"Bougival，Sunday，nineo\'clockintheevening。
\"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。
\"YVETTE。\"
Theninapostscript:
\"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。\"
Shesealedtheenvelope，andaddressedittotheMarquiseObardi。
Thensherolledherlongchairnearthewindow，drewalittletablewithinreachofherhand，andplaceduponitthebigbottleofchloroformbesideahandfulofwadding。
Agreatrose-treecoveredwithflowers，climbingashighasherwindow，exhaledinthenightasoftandgentleperfume，inlightbreaths；andshestoodforamomentenjoyingit。Themoon，initsfirstquarter，wasfloatinginthedarksky，alittleraggedattheleft，andveiledattimesbyslightmists。
Yvettethought:\"Iamgoingtodie！\"Andherheart，swollenwithsobs，nearlybursting，almostsuffocatedher。Shefeltinheraneedofaskingmercyfromsomeone，ofbeingsaved，ofbeingloved。
ThevoiceofServignyarousedher。Hewastellinganimproperstory，whichwasconstantlyinterruptedbyburstsoflaughter。TheMarquiseherselflaughedlouderthantheothers。
\"Thereisnobodylikehimfortellingthatsortofthing，\"shesaid，laughing。
Yvettetookthebottle，uncorkedit，andpouredalittleoftheliquidonthecotton。Astrong，sweet，strangeodorarose；andasshebroughtthepieceofcottontoherlips，thefumesenteredherthroatandmadehercough。
Thenshuttinghermouth，shebegantoinhaleit。Shetookinlongbreathsofthisdeadlyvapor，closinghereyes，andforcingherselftostifleinhermindallthoughts，sothatshemightnotreflect，thatshemightknownothingmore。
Itseemedtoheratfirstthatherchestwasgrowinglarger，wasexpanding，andthathersoul，recentlyheavyandburdenedwithgrief，wasbecominglight，light，asiftheweightwhichoverwhelmedherwaslifted，waftedaway。Somethinglivelyandagreeablepenetratedeventotheextremitiesofherlimbs，eventothetipsofhertoesandfingersandenteredherflesh，asortofdreamyintoxication，ofsoftfever。Shesawthatthecottonwasdry，andshewasastonishedthatshewasnotalreadydead。Hersensesseemedmoreacute，moresubtle，morealert。Sheheardthelowestwhisperontheterrace。PrinceKravalowwastellinghowhehadkilledanAustriangeneralinaduel。
Then，furtheroff，inthefields，sheheardthenoiseofthenight，theoccasionalbarkingsofadog，theshortcryofthefrogs，thealmostimperceptiblerustlingoftheleaves。
Shetookthebottleagain，andsaturatedoncemorethelittlepieceofwadding；thenshebegantobreatheinthefumesagain。Forafewmomentsshefeltnothing；thenthatsoftandsoothingfeelingofcomfortwhichshehadexperiencedbeforeenvelopedher。
Twiceshepouredmorechloroformuponthecotton，eagernowforthatphysicalandmentalsensation，thatdreamytorpor，whichbewilderedhersoul。
Itseemedtoherthatshehadnomorebones，flesh，legs，orarms。
Thedrughadgentlytakenalltheseawayfromher，withoutherperceivingit。Thechloroformhaddrawnawayherbody，leavingheronlyhermind，moreawakened，moreactive，larger，andmorefreethanshehadeverfeltit。
Sherecalledathousandforgottenthings，littledetailsofherchildhood，trifleswhichhadgivenherpleasure。Endowedsuddenlywithanawakenedagility，hermindleapedtothemostdiverseideas，ranthroughathousandadventures，wanderedinthepast，andlostitselfinthehoped-foreventsofthefuture。Andherlivelyandcarelessthoughtshadasensuouscharm:sheexperiencedadivinepleasureindreamingthus。
Shestillheardthevoices，butshecouldnolongerdistinguishthewords，whichtoherseemedtohaveadifferentmeaning。Shewasinakindofstrangeandchangingfairyland。
Shewasonagreatboatwhichfloatedthroughabeautifulcountry，allcoveredwithflowers。Shesawpeopleontheshore，andthesepeoplespokeveryloudly；thenshewasagainonland，withoutaskinghow，andServigny，cladasaprince，cametoseekher，totakehertoabull-fight。
Thestreetswerefilledwithpassers-by，whoweretalking，andsheheardconversationswhichdidnotastonishher，asifshehadknownthepeople，forthroughherdreamyintoxication，shestillheardhermother\'sfriendslaughingandtalkingontheterrace。
Theneverythingbecamevague。Thensheawakened，deliciouslybenumbed，andshecouldhardlyrememberwhathadhappened。
So，shewasnotyetdead。Butshefeltsocalm，insuchastateofphysicalcomfort，thatshewasnotinhastetofinishwithit——shewantedtomakethisexquisitedrowsinesslastforever。
Shebreathedslowlyandlookedatthemoon，oppositeher，abovethetrees。Somethinghadchangedinherspirit。Shenolongerthoughtasshehaddonejustnow。Thechloroformquietingherbodyandhersoulhadcalmedhergriefandlulledherdesiretodie。
Whyshouldshenotlive？Whyshouldshenotbeloved？Whyshouldshenotleadahappylife？Everythingappearedpossibletohernow，andeasyandcertain。Everythinginlifewassweet，everythingwascharming。Butasshewishedtodreamonstill，shepouredmoreofthedream-wateronthecottonandbegantobreatheitinagain，stoppingattimes，soasnottoabsorbtoomuchofitanddie。
Shelookedatthemoonandsawinitaface，awoman\'sface。Shebegantoscornthecountryinthefancifulintoxicationofthedrug。
Thatfaceswunginthesky；thenitsang，itsangwithawell-knownvoicethealleluiaoflove。
ItwastheMarquise，whohadcomeinandseatedherselfatthepiano。
Yvettehadwingsnow。Shewasflyingthroughaclearnight，abovethewoodandstreams。Shewasflyingwithdelight，openingandclosingherwings，bornebythewindasbyacaress。Shemovedintheair，whichkissedherskin，andshewentsofast，sofast，thatshehadnotimetoseeanythingbeneathher，andshefoundherselfseatedonthebankofapondwithalineinherhand；shewasfishing。
Somethingpulledonthecord，andwhenshedrewitoutofthewater，itboreamagnificentpearlnecklace，whichshehadlongedforsometimeago。Shewasnotatallastonishedatthisdeed，andshelookedatServigny，whohadcometoherside——sheknewnothow。Hewasfishingalso，anddrewoutoftheriverawoodenhorse。
Thenshehadanewthefeelingofawaking，andsheheardsomeonecallingdownstairs。Hermotherhadsaid:
\"Putoutthecandle。\"ThenServigny\'svoicerose，clearandjesting:
\"Putoutyourcandle，Mam\'zelleYvette。\"
Andalltookupthechorus:\"Mam\'zelleYvette，putoutyourcandle。\"
Sheagainpouredchloroformonthecotton，but，asshedidnotwanttodie，sheplaceditfarenoughfromherfacetobreathethefreshair，whileneverthelessherroomwasfilledwiththeasphyxiatingodorofthenarcotic，forsheknewthatsomeonewascoming，andtakingasuitableposture，aposeofthedead，shewaited。
TheMarquisesaid:\"Iamalittleuneasy！Thatfoolishchildhasgonetosleepleavingthelightonhertable。IwillsendClemencetoputitout，andtoshutthebalconywindow，whichiswideopen。\"
Andsoonthemaidrappedonthedoorcalling:\"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！\"Afteramoment\'ssilence，sherepeated:
\"Mademoiselle，MadametheMarquisebegsyoutoputoutyourcandleandshutthewindow。\"
Clemencewaitedalittle，thenknockedlouder，andcried:
\"Mademoiselle，Mademoiselle！\"
AsYvettedidnotreply，theservantwentawayandreportedtotheMarquise:
\"Mademoisellemusthavegonetosleep，herdoorisbolted，andI
couldnotawakenher。\"
MadameObardimurmured:
\"Butshemustnotstaylikethat，\"
Then，atthesuggestionofServigny，theyallgatheredunderthewindow，shoutinginchorus:
\"Hip！hip！hurrah！Mam\'zelleYvette。\"
Theirclamorroseinthecalmnight，throughthetransparentairbeneaththemoon，overthesleepingcountry；andtheyhearditdieawayinthedistancelikethesoundofadisappearingtrain。
AsYvettedidnotanswertheMarquisesaid:\"Ionlyhopethatnothinghashappened。Iambeginningtobeafraid。\"
ThenServigny，pluckingredrosesfromabigrosebushtrainedalongthewallandbudsnotyetopened，begantothrowthemintotheroomthroughthewindow。
Atthefirstrosethatfellatherside，Yvettestartedandalmostcriedout。Othersfelluponherdress，othersuponherhair，whileothersgoingoverherheadfelluponthebed，coveringitwitharainofflowers。
TheMarquise，inachokingvoice，cried:\"Come，Yvette，answer。\"
ThenServignydeclared:\"Trulythisisnotnatural；Iamgoingtoclimbupbythebalcony。\"
ButtheChevaliergrewindignant。
\"Now，letmedoit，\"hesaid。\"ItisagreatfavorIask；itistoogoodameans，andtoogoodatimetoobtainarendezvous。\"
Alltherest，whothoughttheyounggirlwasjoking，cried:\"Weprotest！Heshallnotclimbup。\"
ButtheMarquise，disturbed，repeated:\"Andyetsomeonemustgoandsee。\"
ThePrinceexclaimedwithadramaticgesture:
\"ShefavorstheDuke，wearebetrayed。\"
\"Letustossacointoseewhoshallgoup，\"saidtheChevalier。Hetookafive-francpiecefromhispocket，andbeganwiththePrince。
\"Tail，\"saidhe。Itwashead。
ThePrincetossedthecoininhisturnsayingtoSaval:\"Call，Monsieur。\"
Savalcalled\"Head。\"Itwastail。
ThePrincethengavealltheothersachance，andtheyalllost。
Servigny，whowasstandingoppositehim，exclaimedinhisinsolentway:\"PARBLEU！heischeating！\"
TheRussianputhishandonhisheartandheldoutthegoldpiecetohisrival，saying:\"Tossityourself，mydearDuke。\"
Servignytookitandspinningitup，said:\"Head。\"Itwastail。
Hebowedandpointingtothepillarofthebalconysaid:\"Climbup，Prince。\"ButthePrincelookedabouthimwithadisturbedair。
\"Whatareyoulookingfor？\"askedtheChevalier。
\"Well，——I——would——like——aladder。\"Agenerallaughfollowed。
Saval，advancing，said:\"Wewillhelpyou。\"
Heliftedhiminhisarms，asstrongasthoseofHercules，tellinghim:
\"Nowclimbtothatbalcony。\"
ThePrinceimmediatelyclungtoit，and。Savallettinghimgo，heswungthere，suspendedintheair，movinghislegsinemptyspace。
ThenServigny，seeinghisstrugglinglegswhichsoughtarestingplace，pulledthemdownwardwithallhisstrength；thehandslosttheirgripandthePrincefellinaheaponMonsieurdeBelvigne，whowascomingtoaidhim。\"Whoseturnnext？\"askedServigny。Nooneclaimedtheprivilege。
\"Come，Belvigne，courage！\"
\"Thankyou，mydearboy，Iamthinkingofmybones。\"
\"Come，Chevalier，youmustbeusedtoscalingwalls。\"
\"Igivemyplacetoyou，mydearDuke。\"
\"Ha，ha，thatisjustwhatIexpected。\"
Servigny，withakeeneye，turnedtothepillar。Thenwithaleap，clingingtothebalcony，hedrewhimselfuplikeagymnastandclimbedoverthebalustrade。
Allthespectators，gazingathim，applauded。Butheimmediatelyreappeared，calling:
\"Come，quick！Come，quick！Yvetteisunconscious。\"TheMarquiseutteredaloudcry，andrushedforthestairs。
Theyounggirl，hereyesclosed，pretendedtobedead。Hermotherentereddistracted，andthrewherselfuponher。
\"Tellmewhatisthematterwithher，whatisthematterwithher？\"
Servignypickedupthebottleofchloroformwhichhadfallenuponthefloor。
\"Shehasdruggedherself，\"saidhe。
Heplacedhiseartoherheart；thenheadded:
\"Butsheisnotdead；wecanresuscitateher。Haveyouanyammonia？\"
Themaid，bewildered，repeated:\"Anywhat，Monsieur？\"
\"Anysmelling-salts。\"
\"Yes，Monsieur。\"\"Bringthematonce，andleavethedooropentomakeadraftofair。\"
TheMarquise，onherknees，wassobbing:\"Yvette！Yvette，mydaughter，mydaughter，listen，answerme，Yvette，mychild。Oh，myGod！myGod！whathasshedone？\"
Themen，frightened，movedaboutwithoutspeaking，bringingwater，towels，glasses，andvinegar。Someonesaid:\"Sheoughttobeundressed。\"AndtheMarquise，whohadlostherhead，triedtoundressherdaughter；butdidnotknowwhatshewasdoing。Herhandstrembledandfaltered，andshegroaned:
\"Icannot，——Icannot——\"
Themaidhadcomebackbringingadruggist\'sbottlewhichServignyopenedandfromwhichhepouredouthalfuponahandkerchief。ThenheappliedittoYvette\'snose，causinghertochoke。
\"Good，shebreathes，\"saidhe。\"Itwillbenothing。\"
Andhebathedhertemples，cheeks，andneckwiththepungentliquid。
Thenhemadeasigntothemaidtounlacethegirl，andwhenshehadnothingmoreonthanaskirtoverherchemise，heraisedherinhisarmsandcarriedhertothebed，quivering，movedbytheodorandcontactofherflesh。Thenshewasplacedinbed。Hearoseverypale。
\"Shewillcometoherself，\"hesaid，\"itisnothing。\"Forhehadheardherbreatheinacontinuousandregularway。ButseeingallthemenwiththeireyesfixedonYvetteinbed，hewasseizedwithajealousirritation，andadvancedtowardthem。\"Gentlemen，\"hesaid，\"therearetoomanyofusinthisroom；bekindenoughtoleaveusalone，——MonsieurSavalandme——withtheMarquise。\"
Hespokeinatonewhichwasdryandfullofauthority。
MadameObardihadgraspedherlover，andwithherheadupliftedtowardhimshecriedtohim:
\"Saveher，oh，saveher！\"
ButServignyturningaroundsawaletteronthetable。Heseizeditwitharapidmovement，andreadtheaddress。Heunderstoodandthought:\"PerhapsitwouldbebetteriftheMarquiseshouldnotknowofthis，\"andtearingopentheenvelope，hedevouredataglancethetwolinesitcontained:
\"IdiesothatImaynotbecomeakeptwoman。\"
\"Yvette。\"
\"Adieu，mydearmother，pardon。\"
\"Thedevil！\"hethought，\"thiscallsforreflection。\"Andhehidtheletterinhispocket。
Thenheapproachedthebed，andimmediatelythethoughtcametohimthattheyounggirlhadregainedconsciousnessbutthatshedarednotshowit，fromshame，fromhumiliation，andfromfearofquestioning。TheMarquisehadfallenonherkneesnow，andwasweeping，herheadonthe，footofthebed。Suddenlysheexclaimed:
\"Adoctor，wemusthaveadoctor！\"
ButServigny，whohadjustsaidsomethinginalowtonetoSaval，repliedtoher:\"No，itisallover。Come，gooutaminute，justaminute，andIpromiseyouthatshewillkissyouwhenyoucomeback。\"AndtheBaron，takingMadameObardibythearm，ledherfromtheroom。
ThenServigny，sitting-bythebed，tookYvette\'shandandsaid:
\"Mam\'zelle，listentome。\"
Shedidnotanswer。Shefeltsowell，sosoftandwarminbed，thatshewouldhavelikednevertomove，nevertospeak，andtolivelikethatforever。Aninfinitecomforthadencompassedher，acomfortthelikeofwhichshehadneverexperienced。
Themildnightaircominginbyvelvetybreathstouchedhertemplesinanexquisitealmostimperceptibleway。Itwasacaresslikeakissofthewind，likethesoftandrefreshingbreathofafanmadeofalltheleavesofthetreesandofalltheshadowsofthenight，ofthemistofrivers，andofalltheflowerstoo，fortherosestossedupfrombelowintoherroomanduponherbed，andtherosesclimbingatherbalcony，mingledtheirheavyperfumewiththehealthfulsavoroftheeveningbreeze。
Shedrankinthisairwhichwassogood，hereyesclosed，herheartreposingintheyetpervadingintoxicationofthedrug，andshehadnolongeratallthedesiretodie，butastrong，imperiouswishtolive，tobehappy——nomatterhow——tobeloved，yes，tobeloved。
Servignyrepeated:\"Mam\'zelleYvette，listentome。\"
Andshedecidedtoopenhereyes。
Hecontinued，ashesawherreviving:\"Come！Come！whatdoesthisnonsensemean？\"
Shemurmured:\"MypoorMuscade，Iwassounhappy。\"
Hesqueezedherhand:\"Andthatledyouintoaprettyscrape！Come，youmustpromisemenottotryitagain。\"
Shedidnotreply，butnoddedherheadslightlywithanalmostimperceptiblesmile。Hedrewfromhispockettheletterwhichhehadfoundonthetable:
\"HadIbettershowthistoyourmother？\"
Sheshookherhead，no。Heknewnotwhatmoretosayforthesituationseemedtohimwithoutanoutlet。Sohemurmured\"Mydearchild，everyonehashardthingstobear。IunderstandyoursorrowandIpromiseyou——\"
Shestammered:\"Youaregood。\"
Theyweresilent。Helookedather。Shehadinherglancesomethingoftenderness，ofweakness；andsuddenlysheraisedbothherarms，asifshewoulddrawhimtoher；hebentoverher，feelingthatshecalledhim，andtheirlipsmet。
Foralongtimetheyremainedthus，theireyesclosed。
But，knowingthathewouldlosehishead，hedrewaway。Shesmiledathimnow，mosttenderly；and，withbothherhandsclingingtohisshoulders，sheheldhim。
\"Iamgoingtocallyourmother，\"hesaid。
Shemurmured:\"Justasecondmore。Iamsohappy。\"
Thenafterasilence，shesaidinatonesolowthatitcouldscarcelybeheard:\"Willyoulovemeverymuch？Tellme！\"
Hekneeledbesideherbed，andkissingthehandshehadgivenhim，said:\"Iadoreyou。\"Butsomeonewaswalkingnearthedoor。Hearosewithabound，andcalledinhisordinaryvoice，whichseemedneverthelessalittleironical:\"Youmaycomein。Itisallrightnow。\"
TheMarquisethrewherselfonherdaughter，withbotharmsopen，andclaspedherfrantically，coveringhercountenancewithtears，whileServignywithradiantsoulandquiveringbodywentoutuponthebalconytobreathethefreshairofthenight，hummingtohimselftheoldcouplet:
\"Awomanchangethofthermind:
Yetfoolsstilltrustinwomankind。\"
