Canalispushedthishabittoofar;forheoftenforgottoansweraspeechwhichrequiredananswer，andpassed，withouttheordinarytransitionsofcourtesy，tothesubject，whateveritwas，thatpreoccupiedhim。Thoughsuchimpertinenceisacceptedwithoutprotestfromamanofmarkeddistinction，itstirsaleavenofhatredandvengeanceinmanyhearts;inthoseofequalsitevengoessofarastodestroyafriendship。IfbychanceMelchiorwasforcedtolisten，hefellintoanotherfault;hemerelylenthisattention，andnevergaveit。Thoughthismaynotbesomortifying，itshowsakindofsemi—
concessionwhichisalmostasunsatisfactorytothehearerandleaveshimdissatisfied。Nothingbringsmoreprofitinthecommerceofsocietythanthesmallchangeofattention。Hethathearethlethimhear，isnotonlyagospelprecept，itisanexcellentspeculation;
followit，andallwillbeforgivenyou，evenvice。CanalistookagreatdealoftroubleinhisanxietytopleaseModeste;butthoughhewascompliantenoughwithher，hefellbackintohisnaturalselfwiththeothers。
Modeste，pitilessforthetenmartyrsshewasmaking，beggedCanalistoreadsomeofhispoems;shewanted，shesaid，aspecimenofhisgiftforreading，ofwhichshehadheardsomuch。Canalistookthevolumewhichshegavehim，andcooed（forthatistheproperword）apoemwhichisgenerallyconsideredhisfinest，——animitationofMoore’s\"LovesoftheAngels，\"entitled\"Vitalis，\"whichMonsieurandMadameDumay，MadameLatournelle，andGobenheimwelcomedwithafewyawns。
\"Ifyouareagoodwhist—player，monsieur，\"saidGobenheim，flourishingfivecardsheldlikeafan，\"ImustsayIhavenevermetamanasaccomplishedasyou。\"
Theremarkraisedalaugh，foritwasthetranslationofeverybody’sthought。
\"Iplayitsufficientlywelltoliveintheprovincesfortherestofmydays，\"repliedCanalis。\"That，Ithink，isenough，andmorethanenoughliteratureandconversationforwhist—players，\"headded，throwingthevolumeimpatientlyonatable。
Thislittleincidentservestoshowwhatdangersenvironadrawing—
roomherowhenhesteps，likeCanalis，outofhissphere;heislikethefavoriteactorofasecond—rateaudience，whosetalentislostwhenheleaveshisownboardsandstepsuponthoseofanupper—classtheatre。
CHAPTERXXI
MODESTEPLAYSHERPART
Thegameopenedwiththebaronandtheduke，GobenheimandLatournelleaspartners。Modestetookaseatnearthepoet，toErnest’sdeepdisappointment;hewatchedthefaceofthewaywardgirl，andmarkedtheprogressofthefascinationwhichCanalisexertedoverher。LaBrierehadnotthegiftofseductionwhichMelchiorpossessed。Naturefrequentlydeniesittotruehearts，whoare，asarule，timid。Thisgiftdemandsfearlessness，analacrityofwaysandmeansthatmightbecalledthetrapezeofthemind;alittlemimicrygoeswithit;infactthereisalways，morallyspeaking，somethingofthecomedianinapoet。Thereisavastdifferencebetweenexpressingsentimentswedonotfeel，thoughwemayimaginealltheirvariations，andfeigningtofeelthemwhenbiddingforsuccessonthetheatreofprivatelife。Andyet，thoughthenecessaryhypocrisyofamanoftheworldmayhavegangrenedapoet，heendsbycarryingthefacultiesofhistalentintotheexpressionofanyrequiredsentiment，justasagreatmandoomedtosolitudeendsbyinfusinghisheartintohismind。
\"Heisafterthemillions，\"thoughtLaBriere，sadly;\"andhecanplaypassionsowellthatModestewillbelievehim。\"
Insteadofendeavoringtoappearmoreamiableandwittierthanhisrival，ErnestimitatedtheDucd’Herouville，andwasgloomy，anxious，andwatchful;butwhereasthecourierstudiedthefreaksoftheyoungheiress，Ernestsimplyfellapreytothepainsofdarkandconcentratedjealousy。Hehadnotyetbeenabletoobtainaglancefromhisidol。AfterawhilehelefttheroomwithButscha。
\"Itisallover！\"hesaid;\"sheiscaughtbyhim;Iammoredisagreeabletoher，andmoreover，sheisright。Canalisischarming;
there’sintellectinhissilence，passioninhiseyes，poetryinhisrhodomontades。\"
\"Isheanhonestman？\"askedButscha。
\"Oh，yes，\"repliedLaBriere。\"Heisloyalandchivalrous，andcapableofgettingrid，underModeste’sinfluence，ofthoseaffectationswhichMadamedeChaulieuhastaughthim。\"
\"Youareafinefellow，\"saidthehunchback;\"butishecapableofloving，——willheloveher？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"answeredLaBriere。\"Hasshesaidanythingaboutme？\"
heaskedafteramoment’ssilence。
\"Yes，\"saidButscha，andherepeatedModeste’sspeechaboutdisguises。
PoorErnestflunghimselfuponabenchandheldhisheadinhishands。
Hecouldnotkeepbackhistears，andhedidnotwishButschatoseethem;butthedwarfwastheverymantoguesshisemotion。
\"Whattroublesyou？\"heasked。
\"Sheisright！\"criedErnest，springingup;\"Iamawretch。\"
AndherelatedthedeceptionintowhichCanalishadledhimwhenModeste’sfirstletterwasreceived，carefullypointingouttoButschathathehadwishedtoundeceivetheyounggirlbeforesheherselftookoffthemask，andapostrophizing，inratherjuvenilefashion，hislucklessdestiny。Butschasympatheticallyunderstoodtheloveintheflavorandvigorofhissimplelanguage，andinhisdeepandgenuineanxiety。
\"Butwhydon’tyoushowyourselftoMademoiselleModesteforwhatyouare？\"hesaid;\"whydoyouletyourrivaldohisexercises？\"
\"Haveyouneverfeltyourthroattightenwhenyouwishedtospeaktoher？\"criedLaBriere;\"isthereneverastrangefeelingintherootsofyourhairandonthesurfaceofyourskinwhenshelooksatyou，——
evenifsheisthinkingofsomethingelse？\"
\"Butyouhadsufficientjudgmenttoshowdispleasurewhensheasgoodastoldherexcellentfatherthathewasadolt。\"
\"Monsieur，IlovehertoowellnottohavefeltaknifeinmyheartwhenIheardhercontradictingherownperfections。\"
\"Canalissupportedher。\"
\"Ifshehadmoreself—lovethanhearttherewouldbenothingforamantoregretinlosingher，\"answeredLaBriere。
Atthismoment，Modeste，followedbyCanalis，whohadlosttherubber，cameoutwithherfatherandMadameDumaytobreathethefreshairofthestarrynight。Whilehisdaughterwalkedaboutwiththepoet，CharlesMignonleftherandcameuptoLaBriere。
\"Yourfriend，monsieur，oughttohavebeenalawyer，\"hesaid，smilingandlookingattentivelyattheyoungman。
\"Youmustnotjudgeapoetasyouwouldanordinaryman，——asyouwouldme，forexample，Monsieurlecomte，\"saidLaBriere。\"Apoethasamission。Heisobligedbyhisnaturetoseethepoetryofquestions，justasheexpressesthatofthings。Whenyouthinkhiminconsistentwithhimselfheisreallyfaithfultohisvocation。HeisapaintercopyingwithequaltruthaMadonnaandacourtesan。Moliereisastruetonatureinhisoldmenasinhisyoungones，andMoliere’sjudgmentwasassuredlyasoundandhealthyone。Thesewittyparadoxesmightbedangerousforsecond—rateminds，buttheyhavenorealinfluenceonthecharacterofgreatmen。\"
CharlesMignonpressedLaBriere’shand。
\"Thatadaptability，however，leadsamantoexcusehimselfinhisowneyesforactionsthatarediametricallyopposedtoeachother;aboveall，inpolitics。\"
\"Ah，mademoiselle，\"Canaliswasatthismomentsaying，inacaressingvoice，replyingtoaroguishremarkofModeste，\"donotthinkthatamultiplicityofemotionscaninanywaylessenthestrengthoffeelings。Poets，evenmorethanothermen，mustneedslovewithconstancyandfaith。YoumustnotbejealousofwhatiscalledtheMuse。Happyisthewifeofamanwhosedaysareoccupied。Ifyouheardthecomplaintsofwomenwhohavetoenduretheburdenofanidlehusband，eitheramanwithoutduties，oronesorichastohavenothingtodo，youwouldknowthatthehighesthappinessofaParisianwifeisfreedom，——therighttoruleinherownhome。Nowwewritersandmenoffunctionsandoccupations，weleavethesceptretoourwives;wecannotdescendtothetyrannyoflittleminds;wehavesomethingbettertodo。IfIevermarry，——whichIassureyouisacatastropheveryremoteatthepresentmoment，——Ishouldwishmywifetoenjoythesamemoralfreedomthatamistressenjoys，andwhichisperhapstherealsourceofherattraction。\"
Canalistalkedon，displayingthewarmthofhisfancyandallhisgraces，forModeste’sbenefit，ashespokeoflove，marriage，andtheadorationofwomen，untilMonsieurMignon，whohadrejoinedthem，seizedtheopportunityofaslightpausetotakehisdaughter’sarmandleadheruptoErnestdeLaBriere，whomhehadbeenadvisingtoseekanopenexplanationwithher。
\"Mademoiselle，\"saidErnest，inavoicethatwasscarcelyhisown，\"itisimpossibleformetoremainanylongerundertheweightofyourdispleasure。Idonotdefendmyself;Idonotseektojustifymyconduct;IdesireonlytomakeyouseethatBEFOREreadingyourmostflatteringletter，addressedtotheindividualandnolongertothepoet，——thelastwhichyousenttome，——Iwished，andItoldyouinmynotewrittenatHavrethatIwished，tocorrecttheerrorunderwhichyouwereacting。AllthefeelingsthatIhavehadthehappinesstoexpresstoyouaresincere。AhopedawnedonmeinPariswhenyourfathertoldmehewascomparativelypoor，——butnowthatallislost，nowthatnothingisleftformebutendlessregrets，whyshouldIstayherewhereallistorture？Letmecarryawaywithmeonesmiletoliveforeverinmyheart。\"
\"Monsieur，\"answeredModeste，whoseemedcoldandabsent—minded，\"Iamnotthemistressofthishouse;butIcertainlyshoulddeeplyregrettoretainanyonewherehefindsneitherpleasurenorhappiness。\"
SheleftLaBriereandtookMadameDumay’sarmtore—enterthehouse。
Afewmomentslateralltheactorsinthisdomesticscenereassembledinthesalon，andwereagooddealsurprisedtoseeModestesittingbesidetheDucd’HerouvilleandcoquettingwithhimlikeanaccomplishedParisianwoman。Shewatchedhisplay，gavehimtheadvicehewanted，andfoundoccasiontosayflatteringthingsbyrankingthemeritsofnoblebirthwiththoseofgeniusandbeauty。Canalisthoughtheknewthereasonofthischange;hehadtriedtopiqueModestebycallingmarriageacatastrophe，andshowingthathewasalooffromit;
butlikeotherswhoplaywithfire，hehadburnedhisfingers。
Modeste’sprideandherpresentdisdainfrightenedhim，andheendeavoredtorecoverhisground，exhibitingajealousywhichwasallthemorevisiblebecauseitwasartificial。Modeste，implacableasanangel，tastedthesweetsofpower，and，naturallyenough，abusedit。
TheDucd’Herouvillehadneverknownsuchahappyevening;awomansmiledonhim！Ateleveno’clock，anunheard—ofhourattheChalet，thethreesuitorstooktheirleave，——thedukethinkingModestecharming，Canalisbelievingherexcessivelycoquettish，andLaBriereheart—brokenbyhercruelty。
Foreightdaystheheiresscontinuedtobetoherthreeloversverymuchwhatshehadbeenduringthatevening;sothatthepoetappearedtocarrythedayagainsthisrivals，inspiteofcertainfreaksandcapriceswhichfromtimetotimegavetheDucd’Herouvillealittlehope。Thedisrespectsheshowedtoherfather，andthegreatlibertiesshetookwithhim;herimpatiencewithherblindmother，towhomsheseemedtogrudgethelittleserviceswhichhadoncebeenthedelightofherfilialpiety，——seemedtheresultofacapriciousnatureandaheedlessgaietyindulgedfromchildhood。WhenModestewenttoofar，sheturnedroundandopenlytookherselftotask，ascribingherimpertinenceandlevitytoaspiritofindependence。SheacknowledgedtothedukeandCanalisherdistasteforobedience，andprofessedtoregarditasanobstacletohermarriage;thusinvestigatingthenatureofhersuitors，afterthemannerofthosewhodigintotheearthinsearchofmetals，coal，tufa，orwater。
\"Ishallnever，\"shesaid，theeveningbeforethedayonwhichthefamilyweretomoveintothevilla，\"findahusbandwhowillputupwithmycapricesasmyfatherdoes;hiskindnessneverflags。Iamsurenoonewilleverbeasindulgenttomeasmypreciousmother。\"
\"Theyknowthatyoulovethem，mademoiselle，\"saidLaBriere。
\"Youmaybeverysure，mademoiselle，thatyourhusbandwillknowthefullvalueofhistreasure，\"addedtheduke。
\"Youhavespiritandresolutionenoughtodisciplineahusband，\"criedCanalis，laughing。
ModestesmiledasHenriIV。musthavesmiledafterdrawingoutthecharactersofhisthreeprincipalministers，forthebenefitofaforeignambassador，bymeansofthreeanswerstoaninsidiousquestion。
Onthedayofthedinner，Modeste，ledawaybythepreferenceshebestowedonCanalis，walkedalonewithhimupanddownthegravelledspacewhichlaybetweenthehouseandthelawnwithitsflower—beds。
Fromthegesturesofthepoet，andtheairandmanneroftheyoungheiress，itwaseasytoseethatshewaslisteningfavorablytohim。
Thetwodemoisellesd’Herouvillehastenedtointerruptthescandaloustete—a—tete;andwiththenaturalclevernessofwomenundersuchcircumstances，theyturnedtheconversationonthecourt，andthedistinctionofanappointmentunderthecrown，——pointingoutthedifferencethatexistedbetweenappointmentsinthehouseholdofthekingandthoseofthecrown。TheytriedtointoxicateModeste’smindbyappealingtoherpride，anddescribingoneofthehigheststationstowhichawomancouldaspire。
\"Tohaveadukeforason，\"saidtheelderlady，\"isanactualadvantage。Thetitleisafortunethatwesecuretoourchildrenwithoutthepossibilityofloss。\"
\"Howisit，then，\"saidCanalis，displeasedathistete—a—tetebeingthusbrokeninupon，\"thatMonsieurleduchashadsolittlesuccessinamatterwherehistitlewouldseemtobeofspecialservicetohim？\"
ThetwoladiescastalookatCanalisasfullofvenomasthetoothofasnake，andtheyweresodisconcertedbyModeste’samusedsmilethattheywereactuallyunabletoreply。
\"Monsieurleduchasneverblamedyou，\"shesaidtoCanalis，\"forthehumilitywithwhichyoubearyourfame;whyshouldyouattackhimforhismodesty？\"
\"Besides，wehaveneveryetmetawomanworthyofmynephew’srank，\"
saidMademoiselled’Herouville。\"Somehadonlythewealthoftheposition;others，withoutfortune，hadthewitandbirth。ImustadmitthatwehavedonewelltowaittillGodgrantedusanopportunitytomeetoneinwhomwefindthenobleblood，themind，andfortuneofaDuchessed’Herouville。\"
\"MydearModeste，\"saidHelened’Herouville，leadinghernewfriendapart，\"thereareathousandbaronsinthekingdom，justasthereareahundredpoetsinParis，whoareworthasmuchashe;heissolittleofagreatmanthatevenI，apoorgirlforcedtotaketheveilforwantofa’dot，’Iwouldnottakehim。Youdon’tknowwhatayoungmaniswhohasbeenfortenyearsinthehandsofaDuchessedeChaulieu。
Nonebutanoldwomanofsixtycouldputupwiththelittleailmentsofwhich，theysay，thegreatpoetisalwayscomplaining，——ahabitinLouisXIV。thatbecameaperfectlyinsupportableannoyance。Itistruetheduchessdoesnotsufferfromitasmuchasawife，whowouldhavehimalwaysabouther。\"
Then，practisingawell—knownmanoeuvrepeculiartohersex，Helened’HerouvillerepeatedinalowvoiceallthecalumnieswhichwomenjealousoftheDuchessedeChaulieuwereinthehabitofspreadingaboutthepoet。Thislittleincident，commonasitisintheintercourseofwomen，willservetoshowwithwhatfurythehoundswereafterModeste’swealth。
TendayssawagreatchangeintheopinionsattheChaletastothethreesuitorsforMademoiselledeLaBastie’shand。Thischange，whichwasmuchtothedisadvantageofCanalis，cameaboutthroughconsiderationsofanaturewhichoughttomaketheholdersofanykindoffamepause，andreflect。Noonecandeny，ifwerememberthepassionwithwhichpeopleseekforautographs，thatpubliccuriosityisgreatlyexcitedbycelebrity。EvidentlymostprovincialsneverformanexactideaintheirownmindsofhowillustriousParisiansputontheircravats，walkontheboulevards，standgapingatnothing，oreatacutlet;because，nosoonerdotheyperceiveamanclothedinthesunbeamsoffashionorresplendentwithsomedignitythatismoreorlessfugitive（thoughalwaysenvied），thantheycryout，\"Lookatthat！\"\"Howqueer！\"andotherdepreciatoryexclamations。Inaword，themysteriouscharmthatattachestoeverykindoffame，eventhatwhichismostjustlydue，neverlasts。Itis，andespeciallywithsuperficialpeoplewhoareenviousorsarcastic，asensationwhichpassesoffwiththerapidityoflightning，andneverreturns。Itwouldseemasthoughfame，likethesun，hotandluminousatadistance，iscoldasthesummitofanalpwhenyouapproachit。Perhapsmanisonlyreallygreattohispeers;perhapsthedefectsinherentinhisconstitutiondisappearsoonertotheeyesofhisequalsthantothoseofvulgaradmirers。Apoet，ifhewouldpleaseinordinarylife，mustputonthefictitiousgracesofthosewhoareabletomaketheirinsignificancesforgottenbycharmingmannersandcomplyingspeeches。
ThepoetofthefaubourgSaint—Germain，whodidnotchoosetobowbeforethissocialdictum，wasmadebeforelongtofeelthataninsultingprovincialindifferencehadsucceededtothedazedfascinationoftheearlierevenings。Theprodigalityofhiswitandwisdomhadproducedupontheseworthysoulssomewhattheeffectwhichashopfulofglass—wareproducesontheeye;inotherwords，thefireandbrilliancyofCanalis’seloquencesoonweariedpeoplewho，tousetheirownwords，\"caredmoreforthesolid。\"
Forcedafterawhiletobehavelikeanordinaryman，thepoetfoundanunexpectedstumbling—blockongroundwhereLaBrierehadalreadywonthesuffrageoftheworthypeoplewhoatfirsthadthoughthimsulky。
TheyfelttheneedofcompensatingthemselvesforCanalis’sreputationbypreferringhisfriend。Thebestofmenareinfluencedbysuchfeelingsasthese。Thesimpleandstraightforwardyoungfellowjarrednoone’sself—love;comingtoknowhimbettertheydiscoveredhisheart，hismodesty，hissilentandsurediscretion，andhisexcellentbearing。TheDucd’Herouvilleconsideredhim，asapoliticalelement，faraboveCanalis。Thepoet，ill—balanced，ambitious，andrestlessasTasso，lovedluxury，grandeur，andranintodebt;whiletheyounglawyer，whosecharacterwasequableandwell—balanced，livedsoberly，wasusefulwithoutproclaimingit，awaitedrewardswithoutbeggingforthem，andlaidbyhismoney。
Canalishadmoreoverlaidhimselfopeninaspecialwaytothebourgeoiseyesthatwerewatchinghim。Fortwoorthreedayshehadshownsignsofimpatience;hehadgivenwaytodepression，tostatesofmelancholywithoutapparentreason，tothosecapriciouschangesoftemperwhicharethenaturalresultsofthenervoustemperamentofpoets。Theseoriginalities（weusetheprovincialword）camefromtheuneasinessthathisconducttowardtheDuchessedeChaulieuwhichgrewdailylessexplainable，causedhim。Heknewheoughttowritetoher，butcouldnotresolveondoingso。AllthesefluctuationswerecarefullyremarkedandcommentedonbythegentleAmerican，andtheexcellentMadameLatournelle，andtheyformedthetopicofmanyadiscussionbetweenthesetwoladiesandMadameMignon。Canalisfelttheeffectsofthesediscussionswithoutbeingabletoexplainthem。
Theattentionpaidtohimwasnotthesame，thefacessurroundinghimnolongerworetheentrancedlookoftheearlierdays;whileatthesametimeErnestwasevidentlygainingground。
ForthelasttwodaysthepoethadendeavoredtofascinateModesteonly，andhetookadvantageofeverymomentwhenhefoundhimselfalonewithher，toweavethewebofpassionatelanguagearoundhislove。Modeste’sblush，asshelistenedtohimontheoccasionwehavejustmentioned，showedthedemoisellesd’Herouvillethepleasurewithwhichshewaslisteningtosweetconceitsthatweresweetlysaid;andthey，horriblyuneasyatthesight，hadimmediaterecoursetothe\"ultimaratio\"ofwomeninsuchcases，namely，thosecalumnieswhichseldommisstheirobject。Accordingly，whenthepartymetatthedinner—tablethepoetsawacloudonthebrowofhisidol;heknewthatMademoiselled’Herouville’smalignityallowedhimtolosenotime，andheresolvedtoofferhimselfasahusbandatthefirstmomentwhenhecouldfindhimselfalonewithModeste。
Overhearingafewacidthoughpoliteremarksexchangedbetweenthepoetandthetwonobleladies，GobenheimnudgedButschawithhiselbow，andsaidinanundertone，motioningtowardsthepoetandthegrandequerry，——
\"They’lldemolishoneanother！\"
\"Canalishasgeniusenoughtodemolishhimselfallalone，\"answeredthedwarf。
CHAPTERXXII
ARIDDLEGUESSED
Duringthedinner，whichwasmagnificentandadmirablywellserved，thedukeobtainedasignaladvantageoverCanalis。Modeste，whohadreceivedherhabitandotherequestrianequipmentsthenightbefore，spokeoftakingridesaboutthecountry。Aturnoftheconversationledhertoexpressthewishtoseeahuntwithhounds，apleasureshehadneveryetenjoyed。Thedukeatonceproposedtoarrangeahuntinoneofthecrownforests，whichlayafewleaguesfromHavre。ThankstohisintimacywiththePrincedeCadignan，MasteroftheHunt，hesawhischanceofdisplayinganalmostregalpompbeforeModeste’seyes，andalluringherwithaglimpseofcourtfascinations，towhichshecouldbeintroducedbymarriage。Glanceswereexchangedbetweenthedukeandthetwodemoisellesd’Herouville，whichplainlysaid，\"Theheiressisours！\"andthepoet，whodetectedthem，andwhohadnothingbuthispersonalsplendorstodependon，determinedallthemorefirmlytoobtainsomepledgeofaffectionatonce。Modeste，ontheotherhand，half—frightenedatbeingthuspushedbeyondherintentionsbythed’Herouvilles，walkedrathermarkedlyapartwithMelchior，whenthecompanyadjournedtotheparkafterdinner。Withthepardonablecuriosityofayounggirl，shelethimsuspectthecalumnieswhichHelenehadpouredintoherears;butonCanalis’sexclamationofanger，shebeggedhimtokeepsilenceaboutthem，whichhepromised。
\"Thesestabsofthetongue，\"hesaid，\"areconsideredfairinthegreatworld。Theyshockyouruprightnature;butasforme，Ilaughatthem;Iamevenpleased。Theseladiesmustfeelthattheduke’sinterestsareingreatperil，whentheyhaverecoursetosuchwarfare。\"
MakingthemostoftheadvantageModestehadthusgivenhim，Canalisentereduponhisdefencewithsuchwarmth，sucheagerness，andwithapassionsoexquisitelyexpressed，ashethankedherforaconfidenceinwhichhecouldventuretoseethedawnoflove，thatshefoundherselfsuddenlyasmuchcompromisedwiththepoetasshefearedtobewiththegrandequerry。Canalis，feelingthenecessityofpromptaction，declaredhimselfplainly。Heutteredvowsandprotestationsinwhichhispoetryshonelikeamoon，invokedfortheoccasion，andilluminatinghisallusionstothebeautyofhismistressandthecharmsofhereveningdress。Thiscounterfeitenthusiasm，inwhichthenight，thefoliage，theheavensandtheearth，andNatureherselfplayedapart，carriedtheeagerloverbeyondallbounds;forhedweltonhisdisinterestedness，andrevampedinhisowncharmingstyle，Diderot’sfamousapostropheto\"Sophieandfifteenhundredfrancs！\"
andthewell—worn\"loveinacottage\"ofeveryloverwhoknowsperfectlywellthelengthofthefather—in—law’spurse。
\"Monsieur，\"saidModeste，afterlisteningwithdelighttothemelodyofthisconcerto;\"thefreedomgrantedtomebymyparentshasallowedmetolistentoyou;butitistothemthatyoumustaddressyourself。\"
\"But，\"exclaimedCanalis，\"tellmethatifIobtaintheirconsent，youwillasknothingbetterthantoobeythem。\"
\"Iknowbeforehand，\"shereplied，\"thatmyfatherhascertainfancieswhichmaywoundtheproperprideofanoldfamilylikeyours。Hewishestohavehisowntitleandnamebornebyhisgrandsons。\"
\"Ah！dearModeste，whatsacrificeswouldInotmaketocommitmylifetotheguardiancareofanangellikeyou。\"
\"Youwillpermitmenottodecideinamomentthefateofmywholelife，\"shesaid，turningtorejointhedemoisellesd’Herouville。
ThosenobleladieswerejustthenengagedinflatteringthevanityoflittleLatournelle，intendingtowinhimovertotheirinterests。
Mademoiselled’Herouville，towhomweshallinfutureconfinethefamilyname，todistinguishherfromhernieceHelene，wasgivingthenotarytounderstandthatthepostofjudgeoftheSupremeCourtinHavre，whichCharlesX。wouldbestowasshedesired，wasanofficeworthyofhislegaltalentandhiswell—knownprobity。Butscha，meanwhile，whohadbeenwalkingaboutwithLaBriere，wasgreatlyalarmedattheprogressCanaliswasevidentlymaking，andhewaylaidModesteatthelowerstepoftheporticowhenthewholepartyreturnedtothehousetoendurethetormentsoftheirinevitablewhist。
\"Mademoiselle，\"hesaid，inalowwhisper，\"Idohopeyoudon’tcallhimMelchior。\"
\"I’mverynearit，myBlackDwarf，\"shesaid，withasmilethatmighthavemadeanangelswear。
\"GoodGod！\"exclaimedButscha，lettingfallhishands，whichstruckthemarblesteps。
\"Well！andisn’theworthmorethanthatspitefulandgloomysecretaryinwhomyoutakesuchaninterest？\"sheretorted，assuming，atthemerethoughtofErnest，thehaughtymannerwhosesecretbelongsexclusivelytoyounggirls，——asiftheirvirginitylentthemwingstoflytoheaven。\"Pray，wouldyourlittleLaBriereacceptmewithoutafortune？\"shesaid，afterapause。
\"Askyourfather，\"repliedButscha，whowalkedafewstepsfromthehouse，togetModesteatasafedistancefromthewindows。\"Listentome，mademoiselle。Youknowthathewhospeakstoyouisreadytogivenotonlyhislifebuthishonorforyou，atanymoment，andatalltimes。Thereforeyoumaybelieveinhim;youcanconfidetohimthatwhichyoumaynot，perhaps，bewillingtosaytoyourfather。Tellme，hasthatsublimeCanalisbeenmakingyouthedisinterestedofferthatyounowflingasareproachatpoorErnest？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyoubelieveit？\"
\"Thatquestion，mymanikin，\"shereplied，givinghimoneofthetenoradozennicknamesshehadinventedforhim，\"strikesmeasundervaluingthestrengthofmyself—love。\"
\"Ah，youarelaughing，mydearMademoiselleModeste;thenthere’snodanger:Ihopeyouareonlymakingafoolofhim。\"
\"Praywhatwouldyouthinkofme，MonsieurButscha，ifIallowedmyselftomakefunofthosewhodomethehonortowishtomarryme？
Yououghttoknow，masterJean，thatevenifagirlaffectstodespisethemostdespicableattentions，sheisflatteredbythem。\"
\"ThenIflatteryou？\"saidtheyoungman，lookingupatherwithafacethatwasilluminatedlikeacityforafestival。
\"You？\"shesaid;\"yougivemethemostpreciousofallfriendships，——afeelingasdisinterestedasthatofamotherforherchild。Compareyourselftonoone;forevenmyfatherisobligedtobedevotedtome。\"Shepaused。\"IcannotsaythatIloveyou，inthesensewhichmengivetothatword，butwhatIdogiveyouiseternalandcanknownochange。\"
\"Then，\"saidButscha，stoopingtopickupapebblethathemightkissthehemofhergarment，\"suffermetowatchoveryouasadragonguardsatreasure。Thepoetwascoveringyoujustnowwiththelace—
workofhispreciousphrases，thetinselofhispromises;hechantedhisloveonthebeststringsofhislyre，Iknowhedid。If，assoonasthisnobleloverfindsouthowsmallyourfortuneis，hemakesasuddenchangeinhisbehavior，andiscoldandembarrassed，willyoustillmarryhim？shallyoustillesteemhim？\"
\"HewouldbeanotherFrancisqueAlthor，\"shesaid，withagestureofbitterdisgust。
\"Letmehavethepleasureofproducingthatchangeofscene，\"saidButscha。\"Notonlyshallitbesudden，butIbelieveIcanchangeitbackandmakeyourpoetaslovingasbefore，——nay，itispossibletomakehimblowalternatelyhotandcolduponyourheart，justasgracefullyashehastalkedonbothsidesofanargumentinoneeveningwithouteverfindingitout。\"
\"Ifyouareright，\"shesaid，\"whocanbetrusted？\"
\"Onewhotrulylovesyou。\"
\"Thelittleduke？\"
ButschalookedatModeste。Thepairwalkedsomedistanceinsilence;
thegirlwasimpenetrableandnotaneyelashquivered。
\"Mademoiselle，permitmetobetheexponentofthethoughtsthatarelyingatthebottomofyourheartlikesea—mossesunderthewaves，andwhichyoudonotchoosetogatherup。\"
\"Eh！\"saidModeste，\"somyintimatefriendandcounsellorthinkshimselfamirror，doeshe？\"
\"No，anecho，\"heanswered，withagestureofsublimehumility。\"Thedukelovesyou，buthelovesyoutoomuch。IfI，adwarf，haveunderstoodtheinfinitedelicacyofyourheart，itwouldberepugnanttoyoutobeworshippedlikeasaintinhershrine。Youareeminentlyawoman;youneitherwantamanperpetuallyatyourfeetofwhomyouareeternallysure，noraselfishegoistlikeCanalis，whowillalwayspreferhimselftoyou。Why？ah，thatIdon’tknow。ButIwillmakemyselfawoman，anoldwoman，andfindoutthemeaningoftheplanwhichIhavereadinyoureyes，andwhichperhapsisintheheartofeverygirl。Nevertheless，inyourgreatsoulyoufeeltheneedofworshipping。Whenamanisatyourknees，youcannotputyourselfathis。Youcan’tadvanceinthatway，asVoltairemightsay。Thelittledukehastoomanygenuflectionsinhismoralbeingandthepoethastoofew，——indeed，Imightsay，noneatall。Ha，Ihaveguessedthemischiefinyoursmileswhenyoutalktothegrandequerry，andwhenhetalkstoyouandyouanswerhim。Youwouldneverbeunhappywiththeduke，andeverybodywillapproveyourchoice，ifyoudochoosehim;butyouwillneverlovehim。Theiceofegotism，andtheburningheatofecstasybothproduceindifferenceintheheartofeverywoman。
