Withthathegavehimselfaresoundingblowonthecavityofhischestandtookupapositionbeforethefireplace，aftercastingaglanceatModeste，whichslippedlikearayoflightbetweenhisheavyhalf—closedeyelids。Heperceived，inthisunexpectedincident，achanceofinterrogatingtheheartofhissovereign。DumaythoughtforamomentthattheclerkdaredtoaspiretoModeste，andheexchangedarapidglancewiththeothers，whounderstoodhim，andbegantoeyethelittlemanwithaspeciesofterrormingledwithcuriosity。
\"I，too，havemydreams，\"saidButscha，nottakinghiseyesfromModeste。
Theyounggirlloweredhereyelidswithamovementthatwasarevelationtotheyoungman。
\"Youloveromance，\"hesaid，addressingher。\"Letme，inthismomentofhappiness，tellyoumine;andyoushalltellmeinreturnwhethertheconclusionofthetaleIhaveinventedformylifeispossible。Tomewealthwouldbringgreaterhappinessthantoothermen;forthehighesthappinessIcanimaginewouldbetoenrichtheoneIloved。
You，mademoiselle，whoknowsomanythings，tellmeifitispossibleforamantomakehimselfbelovedindependentlyofhisperson，beithandsomeorugly，andforhisspiritonly？\"
ModesteraisedhereyesandlookedatButscha。Itwasapiercingandquestioningglance;forshesharedDumay’ssuspicionofButscha’smotive。
\"Letmeberich，andIwillseeksomebeautifulpoorgirl，abandonedlikemyself，whohassuffered，whoknowswhatmiseryis。Iwillwritetoherandconsoleher，andbeherguardianspirit;sheshallreadmyheart，mysoul;sheshallpossessbydoublewealth，mytwowealths，——
mygold，delicatelyoffered，andmythoughtrobedinallthesplendorwhichtheaccidentofbirthhasdeniedtomygrotesquebody。ButI
myselfshallremainhiddenlikethecausethatscienceseeks。Godhimselfmaynotbeglorioustotheeye。Well，naturally，themaidenwillbecurious;shewillwishtoseeme;butIshalltellherthatI
amamonsterofugliness;Ishallpicturemyselfhideous。\"
AtthesewordsModestegaveButschaaglancethatlookedhimthroughandthrough。Ifshehadsaidaloud，\"Whatdoyouknowofmylove？\"shecouldnothavebeenmoreexplicit。
\"IfIhavethehonorofbeinglovedforthepoemofmyheart，ifsomedaysuchlovemaymakeawomanthinkmeonlyslightlydeformed，Iaskyou，mademoiselle，shallInotbehappierthanthehandsomestofmen，——ashappyasamanofgeniusbelovedbysomecelestialbeinglikeyourself。\"
Thecolorwhichsuffusedtheyounggirl’sfacetoldthecripplenearlyallhesoughttoknow。
\"Well，ifthatbeso，\"hewenton，\"ifweenrichtheonewelove，ifwepleasethespiritandwithdrawthebody，isnotthatthewaytomakeone’sselfbeloved？Atanyrateitisthedreamofyourpoordwarf，——adreamofyesterday;forto—dayyourmothergivesmethekeytofuturewealthbypromisingmethemeansofbuyingapractice。ButbeforeIbecomeanotherGobenheim，Iseektoknowwhetherthisdreamcouldbereallycarriedout。Whatdoyousay，mademoiselle，YOU？\"
Modestewassoastonishedthatshedidnotnoticethequestion。Thetrapoftheloverwasmuchbetterbaitedthanthatofthesoldier，forthepoorgirlwasrenderedspeechless。
\"PoorButscha！\"whisperedMadameLatournelletoherhusband。\"Doyouthinkheisgoingmad？\"
\"YouwanttorealizethestoryofBeautyandtheBeast，\"saidModesteatlength;\"butyouforgetthattheBeastturnedintoPrinceCharming。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？\"saidthedwarf。\"NowIhavealwaysthoughtthatthattransformationmeantthephenomenonofthesoulmadevisible，obliteratingtheformunderthelightofthespirit。IfIwerenotlovedIshouldstayhidden，thatisall。Youandyours，madame，\"hecontinued，addressinghismistress，\"insteadofhavingadwarfatyourservice，willnowhavealifeandafortune。\"
Sosaying，Butscharesumedhisseat，remarkingtothethreewhist—
playerswithanassumptionofcalmness，\"Whosedealisit？\"butwithinhissoulhewhisperedsadlytohimself:\"Shewantstobelovedforherself;shecorrespondswithsomepretendedgreatman;howfarhasitgone？\"
\"Dearmamma，itisnearlyteno’clock，\"saidModeste。
MadameMignonsaidgood—nighttoherfriends，andwenttobed。
TheywhowishtoloveinsecretmayhavePyreneanhounds，mothers，Dumays，andLatournellestospyuponthem，andyetnotbeinanydanger;butwhenitcomestoalover！——ah！thatisdiamondcutdiamond，flameagainstflame，mindtomind，anequationwhosetermsaremutual。
OnSundaymorningButschaarrivedattheChaletbeforeMadameLatournelle，whoalwayscametotakeModestetochurch，andheproceededtoblockadethehouseinexpectationofthepostman。
\"HaveyoualetterforMademoiselleMignon？\"hesaidtothathumblefunctionarywhenheappeared。
\"No，monsieur，none。\"
\"Thishousehasbeenagoodcustomertothepostoflate，\"remarkedtheclerk。
\"Youmaywellsaythat，\"repliedtheman。
Modestebothheardandsawthelittlecolloquyfromherchamberwindow，whereshealwayspostedherselfbehindtheblindsatthisparticularhourtowatchforthepostman。Sherandownstairs，wentintothelittlegarden，andcalledinanimperativevoice:——
\"MonsieurButscha！\"
\"HereamI，mademoiselle，\"saidthecripple，reachingthegateasModesteherselfopenedit。
\"Willyoubegoodenoughtotellmewhetheramongyourvarioustitlestoawoman’saffectionyoucountthatoftheshamelessspyinginwhichyouarenowengaged？\"demandedthegirl，endeavoringtocrushherslavewiththeglanceandgestureofaqueen。
\"Yes，mademoiselle，\"heansweredproudly。\"Ah！Ineverexpected，\"hecontinuedinalowtone，\"thatthegrubcouldbeofservicetoastar，——butsoitis。WouldyouratherthatyourmotherandMonsieurDumayandMadameLatournellehadguessedyoursecretthanone，excludedasitwerefromlife，whoseekstobetoyouoneofthoseflowersthatyoucutandwearforamoment？Theyallknowyoulove;butI，Ialone，KNOWHOW。Usemeasyouwouldavigilantwatch—dog;Iwillobeyyou，protectyou，andneverbark;neitherwillIcondemnyou。Iaskonlytobeofservicetoyou。YourfatherhasmadeDumaykeeperofthehen—
roost，takeButschatowatchoutside，——poorButscha，whodoesn’taskforanything，notsomuchasabone。\"
\"Well，I’vegiveyouatrial，\"saidModeste，whosestrongestdesirewastogetridofsocleverawatcher。\"PleasegoatoncetoallthehotelsinGravilleandinHavre，andaskifagentlemanhasarrivedfromEnglandnamedMonsieurArthur——\"
\"Listentome，mademoiselle，\"saidButscha，interruptingModesterespectfully。\"Iwillgoandtakeawalkontheseashore，foryoudon’twantmetogotochurchto—day;that’swhatitis。\"
Modestelookedatherdwarfwithaperfectlystupidastonishment。
\"Mademoiselle，youhavewrappedyourfaceincotton—woolandasilkhandkerchief，butthere’snothingthematterwithyou;andyouhaveputthatthickveilonyourbonnettoseesomeoneyourselfwithoutbeingseen。\"
\"Wheredidyouacquireallthatperspicacity？\"criedModeste，blushing。
\"Moreover，mademoiselle，youhavenotputonyourcorset;acoldintheheadwouldn’tobligeyoutodisfigureyourwaistandwearhalfadozenpetticoats，norhideyourhandsintheseoldgloves，andyourprettyfeetinthosehideousshoes，nordressyourselflikeabeggar—
woman，nor——\"
\"That’senough，\"shesaid。\"HowamItobecertainthatyouwillobeyme？\"
\"MymasterisobligedtogotoSainte—Adresse。Hedoesnotlikeit，butheissotrulygoodhewon’tdeprivemeofmySunday;Iwilloffertogoforhim。\"
\"Go，andIwilltrustyou。\"
\"YouaresureIcandonothingforyouinHavre？\"
\"Nothing。Hearme，mysteriousdwarf，——look，\"shecontinued，pointingtothecloudlesssky;\"canyouseeasingletraceofthatbirdthatflewbyjustnow？No;wellthen，myactionsarepureastheairispure，andleavenostainbehindthem。YoumayreassureDumayandtheLatournelles，andmymother。Thathand，\"shesaid，holdingupaprettydelicatehand，withthepointsoftherosyfingers，throughwhichthelightshone，slightlyturningback，\"willneverbegiven，itwillneverevenbekissedbywhatpeoplecallaloveruntilmyfatherhasreturned。\"
\"Whydon’tyouwantmeinthechurchto—day？\"
\"DoyouventuretoquestionmeafterallIhavedoneyouthehonortosay，andtoaskofyou？\"
Butschabowedwithoutanotherword，anddepartedtofindhismaster，inalltheraptureofbeingtakenintotheserviceofhisgoddess。
Halfanhourlater，MonsieurandMadameLatournellecametofetchModeste，whocomplainedofahorribletoothache。
\"Ireallyhavenothadthecouragetodressmyself，\"shesaid。
\"Wellthen，\"repliedtheworthychaperone，\"stayathome。\"
\"Oh，no！\"saidModeste。\"Iwouldrathernot。Ihavebundledmyselfup，andIdon’tthinkitwilldomeanyharmtogoout。\"
AndMademoiselleMignonmarchedoffbesideLatournelle，refusingtotakehisarmlestsheshouldbequestionedabouttheoutwardtremblingwhichbetrayedherinwardagitationatthethoughtofatlastseeinghergreatpoet。Onelook，thefirst，——wasitnotabouttodecideherfate？
CHAPTERXIII
AFULL—LENGTHPORTRAITOFMONSIEURDELABRIERE
Isthereinthelifeofmanamoredelightfulmomentthanthatofafirstrendezvous？Arethesensationsthenhiddenatthebottomofourheartsandfindingtheirfirstexpressioneverrenewed？Canwefeelagainthenamelesspleasuresthatwefeltwhen，likeErnestdeLaBriere，welookedupoursharpestrazors，ourfinestshirt，anirreproachablecollar，andourbestclothes？Wedeifythegarmentsassociatedwiththatall—suprememoment。Weweavewithinuspoeticfanciesquiteequaltothoseofthewoman;andthedaywheneitherpartyguessesthemtheytakewingstothemselvesandflyaway。Arenotsuchthingsliketheflowerofwildfruits，bitter—sweet，grownintheheartofaforest，thejoyofthescantsun—rays，thejoy，asCanalissaysinthe\"Maiden’sSong，\"oftheplantitselfwhoseeyesunclosingseeitsownimagewithinitsbreast？
Suchemotions，nowtakingplaceinLaBriere，tendtoshowthat，likeotherpoorfellowsforwhomlifebeginsintoilandcare，hehadneveryetbeenloved。ArrivingatHavreovernight，hehadgonetobedatonce，likeatruecoquette，toobliteratealltracesoffatigue;andnow，aftertakinghisbath，hehadputhimselfintoacostumecarefullyadaptedtoshowhimofftothebestadvantage。Thisis，perhaps，therightmomenttoexhibitafull—lengthportraitofhim，ifonlytojustifythelastletterthatModestewasstilltowritetohim。
BornofagoodfamilyinToulouse，andalliedbymarriagetotheministerwhofirsttookhimunderhisprotection，Ernesthadthatairofgood—breedingwhichcomesofaneducationbeguninthecradle;andthehabitofmanagingbusinessaffairsgavehimacertainsedatenesswhichwasnotpedantic，——thoughpedantryisthenaturaloutgrowthofprematuregravity。Hewasofordinaryheight;hisface，whichwonuponallwhosawhimbyitsdelicacyandsweetness，waswarmintheflesh—
tints，thoughwithoutcolor，andrelievedbyasmallmoustacheandimperialalaMazarin。Withoutthisevidenceofvirilityhemighthaveresembledayoungwomanindisguise，sorefinedwastheshapeofhisfaceandthecutofhislips，sofemininethetransparentivoryofasetofteeth，regularenoughtohaveseemedartificial。Addtothesewomanlypointsahabitofspeechasgentleastheexpressionoftheface;asgentle，too，astheblueeyeswiththeirTurkisheyelids，andyouwillreadilyunderstandhowitwasthattheministeroccasionallycalledhisyoungsecretaryMademoiselledeLaBriere。Thefull，clearforehead，wellframedbyabundantblackhair，wasdreamy，anddidnotcontradictthecharacteroftheface，whichwasaltogethermelancholy。
Theprominentarchoftheuppereyelid，thoughverybeautifullycut，overshadowedtheglanceoftheeye，andaddedaphysicalsadness，——ifwemaysocallit，——producedbythedroopofthelidovertheeyeball。
Thisinwarddoubtoreclipse——whichisputintolanguagebythewordmodesty——wasexpressedinhiswholeperson。Perhapsweshallbeabletomakehisappearancebetterunderstoodifwesaythatthelogicofdesignrequiredgreaterlengthintheovalofhishead，morespacebetweenthechin，whichendedabruptly，andtheforehead，whichwasreducedinheightbythewayinwhichthehairgrew。Thefacehad，inshort，arathercompressedappearance。Hardworkhadalreadydrawnfurrowsbetweentheeyebrows，whichweresomewhattoothickandtooneartogether，likethoseofajealousnature。ThoughLaBrierewasthenslight，hebelongedtotheclassoftemperamentswhichbegin，aftertheyarethirty，totakeonanunexpectedamountofflesh。
TheyoungmanwouldhaveseemedtoastudentofFrenchhistoryaveryfairrepresentativeoftheroyalandalmostinconceivablefigureofLouisXIII。，——thathistoricalfigureofmelancholymodestywithoutknowncause;pallidbeneaththecrown;lovingthedangersofwarandthefatiguesofhunting，buthatingwork;timidwithhismistresstotheextentofkeepingawayfromher;soindifferentastoallowtheheadofhisfriendtobecutoff，——afigurethatnothingcanexplainbuthisremorseforhavingavengedhisfatheronhismother。WasheaCatholicHamlet，ormerelythevictimofincurabledisease？Buttheundyingwormwhichgnawedattheking’svitalswasinErnest’scasesimplydistrustofhimself，——thetimidityofamantowhomnowomanhadeversaid，\"Ah，howIlovethee！\"and，aboveall，thespiritofself—devotionwithoutanobject。Afterhearingtheknellofthemonarchyinthefallofhispatron’sministry，thepoorfellowhadnextfallenuponarockcoveredwithexquisitemosses，namedCanalis;
hewas，therefore，stillseekingapowertolove，andthisspaniel—
likesearchforamastergavehimoutwardlytheairofakingwhohasmetwithhis。Thisplayoffeeling，andageneraltoneofsufferingintheyoungman’sfacemadeitmorereallybeautifulthanhewashimselfawareof;forhehadalwaysbeenannoyedtofindhimselfclassedbywomenamongthe\"handsomedisconsolate，\"——aclasswhichhaspassedoutoffashioninthesedays，wheneverymanseekstoblowhisowntrumpetandputhimselfintheadvance。
Theself—distrustfulErnestnowrestedhisimmediatehopesonthefashionableclothesheintendedtowear。Heputon，forthissacredinterview，whereeverythingdependedonafirstimpression，apairofblacktrousersandcarefullypolishedboots，asulphur—coloredwaistcoat，whichlefttosightanexquisitelyfineshirtwithopalbuttons，ablackcravat，andasmallbluesurtoutcoatwhichseemedgluedtohisbackandshouldersbysomenewly—inventedprocess。TheribbonoftheLegionofhonorwasinhisbuttonhole。Heworeawell—
fittingpairofkidglovesoftheFlorentinebronzecolor，andcarriedhiscaneandhatinthelefthandwithagestureandairthatwasworthyoftheGrandMonarch，andenabledhimtoshow，asthesacredprecinctsrequired，hisbareheadwiththelightfallingonhiscarefullyarrangedhair。Hestationedhimselfbeforetheservicebeganinthechurchporch，fromwhencehecouldexaminethechurch，andtheChristians——moreparticularlythefemaleChristians——whodippedtheirfingersintheholywater。
AninwardvoicecriedtoModesteassheentered，\"Itishe！\"Thatsurtout，andindeedthewholebearingoftheyoungmanwereessentiallyParisian;theribbon，thegloves，thecane，theveryperfumeofhishairwerenotofHavre。SowhenLaBriereturnedabouttoexaminethetallandimposingMadameLatournelle，thenotary，andthebundled—up（expressionsacredtowomen）figureofModeste，thepoorchild，thoughshehadcarefullytutoredherselffortheevent，receivedaviolentblowonherheartwhenhereyesrestedonthispoeticfigure，illuminatedbythefulllightofdayasitstreamedthroughtheopendoor。Shecouldnotbemistaken;asmallwhiterosenearlyhidtheribbonoftheLegion。Wouldherecognizehisunknownmistressmuffledinanoldbonnetwithadoubleveil？Modestewassoinfearoflove’sclairvoyancethatshebegantostoopinherwalklikeanoldwoman。
\"Wife，\"saidlittleLatournelleastheytooktheirseats，\"thatgentlemandoesnotbelongtoHavre。\"
\"Somanystrangerscomehere，\"answeredhiswife。
\"But，\"saidthenotary，\"strangersnevercometolookatachurchlikeours，whichislessthantwocenturiesold。\"
Ernestremainedintheporchthroughouttheservicewithoutseeinganywomanwhorealizedhishopes。Modeste，onherpart，couldnotcontrolthetremblingofherlimbsuntilMasswasnearlyover。Shewasinthegraspofajoythatnonebutsheherselfcoulddepict。Atlastsheheardthefoot—fallofagentlemanonthepavementoftheaisle。Theserviceover，LaBrierewasmakingacircuitofthechurch，wherenoonenowremainedbutthepunctiliouslypious，whomheproceededtosubjecttoashrewdandkeenanalysis。Ernestnoticedthataprayer—
bookshookviolentlyinthehandsofaveiledwomanashepassedher;
asshealonekeptherfacehiddenhissuspicionswerearoused，andthenconfirmedbyModeste’sdress，whichthelover’seyenowscannedandnoted。HeleftthechurchwiththeLatournellesandfollowedthematadistancetotherueRoyale，wherehesawthementerahouseaccompaniedbyModeste，whosecustomitwastostaywithherfriendstillthehourofvespers。Afterexaminingthelittlehouse，whichwasornamentedwithscutcheons，heaskedthenameoftheowner，andwastoldthathewasMonsieurLatournelle，thechiefnotaryinHavre。AsErnestloungedalongtherueRoyalehopingforaglimpseintothehouse，Modestecaughtsightofhim，andthereupondeclaredherselftooilltogotovespers。PoorErnestthushadhistroubleforhispains。
HedarednotwanderaboutIngouville;moreover，hemadeitapointofhonortoobeyorders，andhethereforewentbacktoParis，previouslywritingaletterwhichFrancoiseCochetdulydeliveredonthemorrowwiththeHavrepostmark。
ItwasthecustomofMonsieurandMadameLatournelletodineattheChaleteverySundaywhentheybroughtbackModesteaftervespers。So，assoonastheinvalidfeltalittlebetter，theystartedforIngouville，accompaniedbyButscha。Onceathome，thehappyModesteforgotherpretendedillnessandherdisguise，anddressedherselfcharmingly，hummingasshecamedowntodinner，——
\"Noughtissleeping——Heart！awaking，Liftthineincensetotheskies。\"
Butschashudderedslightlywhenhecaughtsightofher，sochangeddidsheseemtohim。Thewingsoflovewerefastenedtohershoulders;shehadtheairofanymph，aPsyche;hercheeksglowedwiththedivinecolorofhappiness。
\"Whowrotethewordstowhichyouhaveputthatprettymusic？\"askedhermother。
\"Canalis，mamma，\"sheanswered，flushingrosyredfromherthroattoherforehead。
\"Canalis！\"criedthedwarf，towhomtheinflectionsofthegirl’svoiceandherblushtoldtheonlythingofwhichhewasstillignorant。\"He，thatgreatpoet，doeshewritesongs？\"
\"Theyareonlysimpleverses，\"shesaid，\"whichIhaveventuredtosettoGermanairs。\"
\"No，no，\"interruptedMadameMignon，\"themusicisyourown，mydaughter。\"
Modeste，feelingthatshegrewmoreandmorecrimson，wentoffintothegarden，callingButschaafterher。
\"Youcandomeagreatservice，\"shesaid。\"Dumayiskeepingasecretfrommymotherandmeastothefortunewhichmyfatherisbringingbackwithhim;andIwanttoknowwhatitis。DidnotDumaysendpapawhenhefirstwentawayoverfivehundredthousandfrancs？Yes。Well，papaisnotthekindofmantostayawayfouryearsandonlydoublehiscapital。Itseemsheiscomingbackonashipofhisown，andDumay’sshareamountstoalmostsixhundredthousandfrancs。\"
\"ThereisnoneedtoquestionDumay，\"saidButscha。\"Yourfatherlost，asyouknow，aboutfourmillionswhenhewentaway，andhehasdoubtlessrecoveredthem。HewouldofcoursegiveDumaytenpercentofhisprofits;theworthymanadmittedtheotherdayhowmuchitwas，andmymasterandIthinkthatinthatcasethecolonel’sfortunemustamounttosixorsevenmillions——\"
\"Oh，papa！\"criedModeste，crossingherhandsonherbreastandlookinguptoheaven，\"twiceyouhavegivenmelife！\"
\"Ah，mademoiselle！\"saidButscha，\"youloveapoet。ThatkindofmanismoreorlessofaNarcissus。Willheknowhowtoloveyou？A
phrase—maker，alwaysbusyinfittingwordstogether，mustbeabore。
Mademoiselle，apoetisnomorepoetrythanaseedisaflower。\"
\"Butscha，Ineversawsohandsomeaman。\"
\"Beautyisaveilwhichoftenservestohideimperfections。\"
\"Hehasthemostangelicheartofheaven——\"
\"IprayGodyoumayberight，\"saidthedwarf，claspinghishands，\"——andhappy！Thatmanshallhave，asyouhave，aservantinJeanButscha。Iwillnotbenotary;Ishallgivethatup;Ishallstudythesciences。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Ah，mademoiselle，totrainupyourchildren，ifyouwilldeigntomakemetheirtutor。But，oh！ifyouwouldonlylistentosomeadvice。
Letmetakeupthismatter;letmelookintothelifeandhabitsofthisman，——findoutifheiskind，orbad—tempered，orgentle，ifhecommandstherespectwhichyoumeritinahusband，ifheisabletoloveutterly，preferringyoutoeverything，evenhisowntalent——\"
\"WhatdoesthatsignifyifIlovehim？\"
\"Ah，true！\"criedthedwarf。
AtthatinstantMadameMignonwassayingtoherfriends，——
\"Mydaughtersawthemanshelovesthismorning。\"
\"Thenitmusthavebeenthatsulphurwaistcoatwhichpuzzledyouso，Latournelle，\"saidhiswife。\"Theyoungmanhadaprettywhiteroseinhisbuttonhole。\"
\"Ah！\"sighedthemother，\"thesignofrecognition。\"
\"AndhealsoworetheribbonofanofficeroftheLegionofhonor。Heisacharmingyoungman。Butwearealldeceivingourselves;Modesteneverraisedherveil，andherclotheswerehuddledonlikeabeggar—
woman’s——\"
\"Andshesaidshewasill，\"criedthenotary;\"butshehastakenoffhermufflingsandisjustaswellassheeverwas。\"
\"Itisincomprehensible！\"saidDumay。
\"Notatall，\"saidthenotary;\"itisnowasclearasday。\"
\"Mychild，\"saidMadameMignontoModeste，asshecameintotheroom，followedbyButscha，\"didyouseeawell—dressedyoungmanatchurchthismorning，withawhiteroseinhisbutton—hole？\"
\"Isawhim，\"saidButschaquickly，perceivingbyeverybody’sstrainedattentionthatModestewaslikelytofallintoatrap。\"ItwasGrindot，thefamousarchitect，withwhomthetownisintreatyfortherestorationofthechurch。HehasjustcomefromParis，andImethimthismorningexaminingtheexteriorasIwasonmywaytoSainte—
Adresse。\"
\"Oh，anarchitect，washe？hepuzzledme，\"saidModeste，forwhomButschahadthusgainedtimetorecoverherself。
DumaylookedaskanceatButscha。Modeste，fullywarned，recoveredherimpenetrablecomposure。Dumay’sdistrustwasnowthoroughlyaroused，andheresolvedtogothemayor’sofficeearlyinthemorningandascertainifthearchitecthadreallybeeninHavrethepreviousday。
Butscha，ontheotherhand，wasequallydeterminedtogotoParisandfindoutsomethingaboutCanalis。
Gobenheimcametoplaywhist，andbyhispresencesubduedandcompressedallthisfermentationoffeelings。Modesteawaitedhermother’sbedtimewithimpatience。Sheintendedtowrite，butneverdidsoexceptatnight。Hereistheletterwhichlovedictatedtoherwhilealltheworldwassleeping:——
ToMonsieurdeCanalis，——Ah！myfriend，mywell—beloved！Whatatrociousfalsehoodsthoseportraitsintheshop—windowsare！AndI，whomadethathorriblelithographmyjoy！——Iamhumbledatthethoughtoflovingonesohandsome。No;itisimpossiblethatthoseParisianwomenaresostupidasnottohaveseentheirdreamsfulfilledinyou。Youneglected！youunloved！Idonotbelieveawordofallthatyouhavewrittenmeaboutyourlonelyandobscurelife，yourhungerforanidol，——soughtinvainuntilnow。Youhavebeentoowellloved，monsieur;yourbrow，whiteandsmoothasamagnolialeaf，revealsit;anditisIwhomustbeneglected，——forwhoamI？Ah！whyhaveyoucalledmetolife？Ifeltforamomentasthoughtheheavyburdenofthefleshwasleavingme;mysoulhadbrokenthecrystalwhichhelditcaptive;itpervadedmywholebeing;thecoldsilenceofmaterialthingshadceased;allthingsinnaturehadavoiceandspoketome。Theoldchurchwasluminous。It’sarchedroof，brilliantwithgoldandazurelikethoseofanItaliancathedral，sparkledabovemyhead。Melodiessuchastheangelssangtomartyrs，quietingtheirpains，soundedfromtheorgan。TheroughpavementsofHavreseemedtomyfeetaflowerymead;theseaspoketomewithavoiceofsympathy，likeanoldfriendwhomIhadnevertrulyunderstood。Isawclearlyhowtherosesinmygardenhadlongadoredmeandbiddenmelove;theyliftedtheirheadsandsmiledasIcamebackfromchurch。Iheardyourname，\"Melchior，\"chimingintheflower—bells;Isawitwrittenontheclouds。Yes，yes，Ilive，Iamliving，thankstothee，——mypoet，morebeautifulthanthatcold，conventionalLordByron，withafaceasdullastheEnglishclimate。Oneglanceofthine，thineOrientglance，piercedthroughmydoubleveilandsentthybloodtomyheart，andfromthencetomyheadandfeet。
Ah！thatisnotthelifeourmothergaveus。Ahurttotheewouldhurtmetooattheveryinstantitwasgiven，——mylifeexistsbythythoughtonly。Iknownowthepurposeofthedivinefacultyofmusic;theangelsinventedittoutterlove。Ah，myMelchior，tohavegeniusandtohavebeautyistoomuch;amanshouldbemadetochoosebetweenthemathisbirth。
WhenIthinkofthetreasuresoftendernessandaffectionwhichyouhavegivenme，andmoreespeciallyforthelastmonth，IaskmyselfifIdream。No，butyouhidesomemystery;whatwomancanyieldyouuptomeandnotdie？Ah！jealousyhasenteredmyheartwithlove，——loveinwhichIcouldnothavebelieved。HowcouldI
haveimaginedsomightyaconflagration？Andnow——strangeandinconceivablerevulsion！——Iwouldratheryouwereugly。
WhatfolliesIcommittedafterIcamehome！Theyellowdahliasremindedmeofyourwaistcoat，thewhiterosesweremylovingfriends;Ibowedtothemwithalookthatbelongedtoyou，likeallthatisofme。Theverycolorofthegloves，mouldedtohandsofagentleman，yourstepalongthenave，——all，all，issoprintedonmymemorythatsixtyyearshenceIshallseetheveriesttriflesofthisdayofdays，——thecoloroftheatmosphere，therayofsunshinethatflickeredonacertainpillar;Ishallheartheprayeryourstepinterrupted;Ishallinhaletheincenseofthealtar;foreverIshallfeelaboveourheadsthepriestlyhandsthatblessedusbothasyoupassedbymeattheclosingbenediction。ThegoodAbbeMarcelinmarriedusthen！Thehappiness，abovethatofearth，whichIfeelinthisnewworldofunexpectedemotionscanonlybeequalledbythejoyoftellingittoyou，ofsendingitbacktohimwhopoureditintomyheartwiththelavishnessofthesunitself。Nomoreveils，nomoredisguises，mybeloved。Comebacktome，oh，comebacksoon。WithjoyInowunmask。
YouhavenodoubtheardofthehouseofMignoninHavre？Well，I
am，throughanirreparablemisfortune，itssoleheiress。Butyouarenottolookdownuponus，descendantofanAuvergneknight;
thearmsoftheMignondeLaBastiewilldonodishonortothoseofCanalis。Webeargules，onabendsablefourbezantsor;
quarterlyfourcrossespatriarchalor;acardinal’shatascrest，andthefiocchiforsupports。Dear，Iwillbefaithfultoourmotto:\"Unafides，unusDominus！\"——thetruefaith，andoneonlyMaster。
Perhaps，myfriend，youwillfindsomeironyinmyname，afterallthatIhavedone，andallthatIhereinavow。IamnamedModeste。
ThereforeIhavenotdeceivedyoubysigning\"O。d’EsteM。\"
NeitherhaveImisledyouaboutourfortune;itwillamount，I
believe，tothesumwhichrenderedyousovirtuous。Iknowthattoyoumoneyisaconsiderationofsmallimportance;thereforeI
speakofitwithoutreserve。Letmetellyouhowhappyitmakesmetogivefreedomofactiontoourhappiness，——tobeabletosay，whenthefancyfortraveltakesus，\"Come，letusgoinacomfortablecarriage，sittingsidebyside，withoutathoughtofmoney\"——happy，inshort，totelltheking，\"Ihavethefortunewhichyourequireinyourpeers。\"ThusModesteMignoncanbeofservicetoyou，andhergoldwillhavethenoblestofuses。
Astoyourservantherself，——youdidseeheronce，atherwindow。
Yes，\"thefairestdaughterofEvethefair\"wasindeedyourunknowndamozel;buthowlittletheModesteofto—dayresemblesherofthatlongpastera！Thatonewasinhershroud，thisone——
haveImadeyouknowit？——hasreceivedfromyouthelifeoflife。
